Vnderstands thou what thou readeth said Philip to that Enuch reading the Prophecie of Isaiah l. Act. 8.31 How can I said he except that some guide mee So may 〈◊〉 say to you all Vnderstand yee â—hat is your duetie both to GOD â—â—d man in this world Know yee 〈◊〉 way that leades to life eternall â—â—w can wee may yee well say â—â—cept that GOD guide vs Let vs therefore never rely vpon â—â—y wisedome of flesh and blood â—â—r to bee guided thereby The wisâ—â—me of flesh is enimitie against GOD The wisedome of GOD befooles it Note â—ee who is wisest in his owne eyes 〈◊〉 the greatest foole in GOD his â—â—ght It is not the wisedome of â—â—is world whereby the Church on â—â—rth is guided or hath her stanâ—â—ng It is by him who confundit â—â—pientiam sapientum hath m. 1. Cor. 1.20 made â—â—â—lish the wisedome of this world His custome is to make his wisâ—ome appeare in folie Note and to make â—is n. 2. Cor. 12.9 strength to bee made perfect in 〈◊〉 weaknesse as he manifested himselfe â—y fire in the midst of water while it â—t was agreed vpon by Elijah and Baâ—ls Priests that o. 1. King 18.24 the GOD that should â—nswere by fire should be GOD. THE THIRD PART WHEREWITH GOD GVIDETH his Servant Ambros Consilium bonis datur correctio errantibus NOW in this third part of our Text wee haue to considder wherewith the man of GODS heart desireth to bee guided It is with GODS counsell Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell The counsell of God is by Zacharie called p. Zach. 6.13 The counsell of peace whereby man is counselled to seeke Gods peace and man's peace according to that of the Psalme q. Psal 34.14 seeke peace and follow after it Note GODS Counsell Booke is the Bible our preachings tend all to this that wee make you vnderstand the counsell of God that yee may be guided thereby That was a great word that St. Paul said to the Elders at Miletum r. Act. 20.27 I haue not shunned to declare vnto you all the counsell of God our lyfe is a warrefare and therefore wee haue great neede of Counsell for Å¿. 2. King 18.20 Counsell and strength are for the warre Before I come to the doctrines Facile pecunia consumitur consilia exhauri nesciunt 〈◊〉 vs considder how God giueth his â—â—unsell vnto his beloued ones The â—â—rd counselleth man after two â—aners especialy 1. outwardly 2. inâ—â—rdly outwardly the Lord letteth men know his minde after two maners 1. By the workes of nature which while a man of a sanctified â—ye seeth them so contriued guided â—s is wonderfull he receiueth counsell â—hereby to feare and reuerence so â—reat a maiestie t. Rom. 1.20 The invisible things â—f God saith Paul are clearely seene â—eing vnderstood by the things that â—re made Behold in the things that are made wee haue a counsell makeâ—ng vs to vnderstand the invisible â—hings of our God even his power Godhead 2. By the preaching of the word the Lord guideth vs as by his counsell Againe inwardly the Lord guides man by the motions of his Spirit which is effectuall in all the Children of election Note This Spirit hath diuers and very secret stirrings in the heart of man whiles u. Revel 3.20 hee knockes at the doore of our heartes counselling vs to open and let him in whiles he puteth his finger in x. Cant. 5.4 by the whole of the doore letting drops of myrrhe fall downe vpon the handle of the barre which is a sweete assureing counsell for to make vs arise out of the bed of our securitie for to seeke him and follow after him sometimes he counsells vs to take in good part all the chastisements of our God from this hee is called Z Iohn 16.7 the comforter sometimes hee teacheth vs to stand in awe to offend the LORD our GOD from this is he called a Isa 11.2 the Spirit of the feare of the Lord Againe while he counseleth vs to be holie he is called b. Rom. 1.4 the Spirit of holines while he counselleth vs to loue trueth and flie from lies he is called c. 1. Iohn 4.6 the spirit of trueth while hee quickeneth our dead Soules he is called d. Revel 11.11 the spirit of lyfe while he inlighteneth the mind with knowledge of things to come hee is called e. Reuel 19.10 the Spirit of prophecie In a word because hee maketh man of quick vnderstanding hee is called f. Isa 11.3 the Spirit of wisedome and of counsell Because when no counâ—â—l is to be had then he giueth counâ—â—l he is said to bee g. Isa 28.29 wounderfull in â—ounsell and excellent in working The Spirit of GOD guideth men also by dreames and visions Note So by a dreame hee counselled Pilats Wife to counsell her husband not to trouble â—esus h. Mat. 27.19 when he was set downe on the â—â—dgement seat his wife sent vnto him â—â—ying Haue nothing to doe with that â—â—st man for I haue suffered many â—hings this day in a dreame because of him All this was from the counsell of God I i. Psal 16.7 blesse the Lord said David who hath giuen mee counsell my reines â—lso instruct mee in the night season Note While others are sleeping the godly man hath a doctour in his reines guiding him with counsell whereby hee may bee made k. 2 Tim. 3.15 wise to Salvation The doctrine The chiefe doctrine I obserue heere is that the counsell of God is that whereby a man is guided on earth Counsell is mine and sound wisedome I am vnderstanding saith the LORD l. Prov. 8.14 The vse Hee that desires to be well guided The vse let him intreat the Lord earnestly to guide him with his counsell outwardly by his word and inwardly by his Spirit let vs in all our affaires ever seeke counsell from the Lord If wee seeke it hee will not refuse it m. Ier. 33.2 Call vpon mee said he and I will answere thee and shewe the great and mightie things which thou knowest not Note If wee would bee guided by Gods counsell let vs first seeke earnestly the n. Isa 11.3 Spirit of counsell and therafter let vs carefully meditate night and day of that which is in the Bible the BOOKE of COVNSEL Note That which the o. Exod. 13.21 PILLAR of FIRE was in the night to Israel that is the counsell of GOD to all Israelites indeede yea and more for that PILLAR of FIRE could not make the blind to see But the Counsell of GOD Meira Henaijm p. Psal 19.8 inlighteneth the eyes making wise the simple Note A wise man may giue a good counsell to a foole but onely GOD by his counsell can make a foole wise seeing it is so let vs bee earnest in all our difficulties to come seeke
the Lords counsell in his Church in his counsell-house Note David could neâ—er vnderstand what GOD meaned iâ—â—he prosperitie of the wicked till 〈◊〉 â—ame to his q. Psal 73.17 Sanctuary his Counâ—â—â— house where he heard the wordes oâ— his Counsell made plaine Woe to him that will not bee counselled by God his word Note This woe is very old r, Isa 29.15 woe vnto them â—â—id Isaiah that seeke deepe for â—â—ide their counsels from the Lord â—eare him yet againe Å¿. Isa 30.1 woe to the â—â—bellious Children that take counsell â—ut not of mee Of all these that will â—ot bee guided by GODS counsell but walke in the counsels of their owne heart is said that they t: Ier 7 24 goe backeward but not foreward Note Who â—ver he bee that will not bee guided â—y GODS counsell the LORD shall â—iue him ouer to a foolish counseller â—ven to himselfe Of this we haue â—he practise in the Psalme u: Psal 81 11 My â—eople would not harken to my voice and Israel would haue none of mee that â—s they would not take my counsell But what did ensue x: Psal 81 12 So I gaue them vp vnto their owne hearts lust and they walked in their owne counsels That is they became their owne counsellers Woe to that man who dependeth vpon his owne counsell It is written that Israell y: Psal 106 13 would not waite for his counsell But whaâ— followed vpon that v 15 Hee sent leanness into their soule Because they z: Psal 106 43 provoked him by their counsell hee brought them lowe for their iniquitie till they a: Prover 1 31 were filled with their owne devices Note By this the trueth of the wise mans saying is cleare The b: Prever 12 5 counsels of the wicked are deceit whereby they themselues are deceiued even then when they think most to deceiue both GOD and man It was wisely said by Solomon There c: Prover 19 21 are many devices in a mans heart neverthelesse the counsell of the LORD that shall stand Yea saith the LORD My d: Isa 46 10 counsell shall stand and I will doe all my pleasure This is the counsell that will never faile It is reported of a certaine godly man that when ever hee came home to his house malecontent hee cryed for GODS BOOKE of COVNSELL sayâ—â—â— Note Giue mee the BIBLE for 〈◊〉 â—s the Booke that never failed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 second vse The 2 vse Let this bee a reprooâ—e for all these that are careleâ—â— of the counsell of GOD Many 〈◊〉 not heare it at all as many Paâ—â—â— to whom the BIBLE GODS â—â—â—NSELL BOOKE is closed and â—â—â—ed Note Others againe are like â—â—â—hoboam e: 1 King 12 9 who after that hee had â—â—â—rd the wise mens counsell would 〈◊〉 bee guided by it but would also â—â—are what the young fooles could say Many will come to the Church 〈◊〉 to heare GODS Counsell Note but after that they haue heard what GODS â—â—sedome hath spoken they will also â—â—ue eare and heare what the world can â—ye what flesh can perswade what â—heir passions can speak what their rotâ—en lusts wold be at As foolish Reheboam f: 1 King 12 13 forsooke the old Mens counsell and followed the folies of yong men So many which bee old and should haue beene wise long since forsake the counsell of GOD the g: Dan 7 9 Ancient of dayes and follow the counsell of youth even the folie of youth not with standing all the LORDS counsells Of this the LORDS complaines in Ieremie h: Ier 32 33 They haue said hee turned vnto mee the backe and not the face though I taught them rising vp earely yet they haue not hearkned for to receiue instruction The most part of men are guided by the counsell not of GOD but of flesh and blood whose advice is that they breake i: Hos 4 2 out by swearing and lying committing adulterie till blood touch blood Flesh and blood are but dead things Note These who seeke counsell from them are like these who in their trouble had recourse vnto Wizards that peepe and mutter Now what saith the LORD to such Should k: Isa 8 19 not a people seeke vnto their GOD for the living to the dead No not To the lawe and to the Testimonie This is the LORDS COVNSELL-BOOKE If any contemne this counsell l: Isa 8 20 it is because there is no murning in them Note That is they are without all knowledge in the blacke night of ignorance where they haue neuer seene the meanest light of grace no noâ— so much as the least glimmering of â—ight which appeareth at the dawinâ— or breake of day A man that is not godly hath many Counsellers and they all tend vnto his ruine Note The LORD our GOD taking a speciall care of vs discharged vs their counsell m: Deut 18 10 Let none saith hee bee found amongst you that is a regarder of times or a â—arker of the flying of fowles or a â—harmer v 11 or that counselleth with spirits or that asketh counsell at the dead Note See wherevnto the folie of man carieth him that from GOD his greatest friend hee runneth away for to seeke counsell from ill spirits his greatest enemies And againe what a brutish folie is this that a living man should runne to seeke counsell from the dead who haue no counsell for themselues The wise man said truely There n: Eccles 9 10 is no worke nor device nor knowledge nor wisedome in the graue Note That must be a slight COVNSELL-HOVSE wherein is neither device knowledge or wisedome Woe vnto them that haue an eare for GOD and an other for Sathan the World and their owne corruptions Woe vnto them that seeke counsell but not from the LORD the LORD at last shall curse all sucâ— counsels and with the counsell of Ahitophell hee o: 2 Sam 15 31 shall turne them into foolishnesse As for you Brethren and Sisters when ever yee finde your selues in perplexitie or anguish be not like these of whom it is said in the Psalme p: Psal 106 13 They waited not for his counsell This is that wherewith good Moses branded Israel in his heavenly song q: Deut 32 28 They were a nation voide of counsell Note Many are voide of GODS Counsell who like Babylon r: Isa 47 14 are wearied in the multitude of their owne counsels Note Well are the counsels of the wicked called a multitude of counsels for such men haue no certaine resolution but are whiles Å¿: Isa 28 13 on this line and whiles on that line now on this precept and then on that precept heere a little and there a little like that wandring Leuite who did goe to sojourne t: Iud 17 9 where he might finde a place â—â—ing sure of no place Such in their â—â—ings u:
a ballance they are altogether lighter than vanitie Noted All the glory of flesh can no more bee called weightie then a painted maâ— can bee called a man It is indeede some-what like vnto it but it hath nothing of its definition It is but a painted glory like a feast in print wherein is no meate but resemblances figures coloures and representations Now let vs proceede Afterwards thou shalt reeeiue mee to glory Note GLory as yee see heere is the resting place of the Saints There is no right rest for a Soule till it be received there the place is called GLORY because GOD there manifesteth his glory There the eyes of thy Soule O man shall see the thinges which h: 1 Cor 2 9 eye never sawe There thine eares shall heare that which eare never heard There bee such things that coâ—â—d never enter into the heart of man This place is called our i: Mat 25 21 Masters joy a k: Luk 23 43 Paradise or Garden of Pleasures Everlasting l: Luk 16 9 Tabernacles a building m. 2 Cor 5 1 of GOD a house noâ— made with hands it is also called GODS n. Heb 3 11. rest signified by that Canaan which for that which it signifiâ—d was called his rest In the names of Heaven many comforts be infolded The doctrine If while we are â—eere wee are crossed and tossed with much griefe and sorrow our Comfort is this Math. 25 21 that Heaven is our o Masters joy If wee loath abhorre the filthie stink of sinne Heaven is a p: Luk 23 43. â—aradise a Garden of Heavenly â—owers where is the q: Cant 2 1 Rose of Saâ—â—n and the Lillie of the Valleyes â—here is the sweet savour of GOD 〈◊〉 whom is the savour r: 2 Cor 2 16 of lyfe vnâ—â— lyfe of the lyfe of grace vnto â—he lyfe of glory If wee bee heere 〈◊〉 lodged aboue are prepared for â—s these everlasting Å¿: Luk 16 9 tabernacles â—ven a building t: 2 Cor 5 1 of GOD not made â—ith hands If wee bee wearied Pilgrims heere there is an everlasting rest If wee bee naked heere there wee shall be arrayed u: Revel 7 13 in white robes If wee bee hungrie heere there is the x. Revel 22 2 Tree of lyfe If wee bee thirsty heere there is that pure cleane cleere and Cristall River whereof the streames make glad the Citie of GOD. 1 Psa 46.4 Heere let vs obserue diverse vses of this Doctrine and that both for Comfort and for Counsell for comfort wee haue both for the living and dying The 1 Vse This should bee a chiefe comfort for the dying Seeing there be such commodities in that other world wee should desire gladely to flit and remoue from this sinfull world y: 2. Cor. 5 2 In this wee grone earnestly desiring to be clothed vpon with our house which is from Heaven While wee are at home in this body wee are absent from the Lord Heere is meekle toile and turmoile meekle shame and sorrow and which is the mischiefe of all heere is meekle sinne and iniquitie but there is glory joy rest peace and Z Psal 16.11 pleasures for evermore While I think on these thinges a. Psal 42.2 my Soule thirsteth for GOD even for the living GOD O! When shall I come and appeare before GOD Note Let all Godly men comfort themselues with this against the feare of death Note after that b. Iob. 14.14 the time of their changing is come the LORD shall receiue them to glory Note The voice came from Heaven with a command to write Write said the Spirit to Iohn What shall I write said Iohn Write c. Revel 14.13 Blessed are the Dead which die in the LORD from hencefoorth yâ—â— saith the Spirit that they may rest from their labours Such goe not away without good companie â—or as the Spirit said to Iohn their â—orkes doe follow them The hearing 〈◊〉 this should make all sanctified â—oules say with the Apostle d. Philip. 1.23 I deâ—â—e to bee dissolved and to bee with â—HRIST which is meekle better â—or mee O what if there were a Counâ—â—ey on earth Note which were such a â—â—nd of the Living where death were discharged to come where sinne sicknesse sorrow hunger cold and nakednesse might get no entrie O what multitudes would swarme thither Two e. 2. King 5.17 Mules burden of that earth should bee more precious than burdens of gold All that a man hath gladly will hee giue f. Iob. 2.4 it for his life How meekle then should wee thinke our selues obliged to GOD who hath prepared a Countrey of glory for vs a Countrey where the Tree g. Revel 22.2 of life groweth where the indwellers shall liue in everlasting happinesse which for greatnesse can not enter into the heart of man Oh that wee had faith to beleeue this so should wee not delight so much to wallow in the muddie mires of sinful mortalitie Oh that wee had faith to beleeue so should wee cry h. Psal 55.7 O who will giue vs the wings of a Doue that wee might flie vp to that Palace of i. Psal 16 11. Pleasures for evermore The tongues of Angels can not expresse the least glory that is there St. Augustine hath a notable speach concerning this Facilius possumus dicere quid non 〈◊〉 vitâ aeternâ quam quid ibi sit August Non est ibi mors luctus lassitudo faâ—â—s sitis aestus c. Quid autem ibâ—â—â—sit vis nosse Haec nec oculus vidiâ—â— nec auris audivit nec in cor homâ—nis ascendit Si in cor hominis noâ—â— ascendit cor hominis illuc ascendat â—hat is It is more easy to tell what 〈◊〉 not then what is in eternall lyfe 〈◊〉 here is neither death nor sorrow nor wearinesse nor hunger nor thirst nor heat c. But wilt thou know what is there That which eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither â—â—th it ascended into the heart of man If it can not ascend into the heart of man let the heart of man â—scend vnto it Againe heere is a comfort for 〈◊〉 living that mourne for the dead The 2 vse It is naturall to mourne for the absence of these whom wee haue loâ—â—d heere Note When Elisha sawe Eliâ—â—â— caught vp and caried away thorow the clowdes hee cryed k, 2 King 2 12 My â—ather my father the chariot of Israell and the horsemen thereof Hâ— lamented sore his absence but in thâ— was his great comfort that he iâ— him received to glory Yee who 〈◊〉 fatherlesse or motherlesse Note Looâ— not to the Church-yeard where yoâ— fathers and mothers are rotting 〈◊〉 rotten comfort your selues in thâ— GOD hath received them to gloâ—â— Yee once busbands and now wâ—dowes remember your wiues whâ—â— once were your glory The l, 1 Cor. 11 7 womâ—â— is the glory of the man heere 〈◊〉 your comfort the LORD hath râ—ceived them to glory Likewise yâ—â— women who nowe heavily regraâ—â— these whose glory once yee werâ— It was a great glory indeede fâ—â— them to haue such subjects as yoâ— for this cause is the woman called tâ—â— glory of the man Comfort your selueâ— with this the glory of your huâ—bands is greater now they are râ—ceived to glory So is it of youâ— Children and dearest friends who arâ— departed out of this lyfe CHRISâ— hath received them all to glory whicâ— is the perfection of all the guifts of God A 〈◊〉 â—is doctrine serues for the comâ—â—â—â—â—oth of the living The 3 vse and of the 〈◊〉 so also it serues for counsell 〈◊〉 living The counsell is this 〈◊〉 these who are guided with Goâ—â— counsell are afterward receivâ—â—â—o glory striue yee to be guided 〈◊〉 this counsell If yee desire to be 〈◊〉 after this life if also yee desire 〈◊〉 â—aue a comfort behind you to 〈◊〉 that shall lament your absence 〈◊〉 well so long as yee are heere 〈◊〉 we may comfort your mourners 〈◊〉 this that CHRIST hath receiâ—â— you to glory When a wicked man is dead Note I kâ—â—w not what to say to his spouse â—â—â—n a wicked wyfe is dead I know 〈◊〉 what to say to her husband what â—â—â—uld I say to such Such haue alreaâ—â—â—heir comforts in their bosome that 〈◊〉 or she is well away Such quieâ—ly â—â—â—â—gh in their sleeue while for shame â—â—â—nly they must seeme to mourne This is the just recompence of reâ—â—â—d Note that these who serue not GOD in â—â—â—ir life shall not bee lamented at â—â—â—ir death They that serue not the LORD heere let them goe let them swelt in their sweate let them burne and boile the world is well quite of them Note When the Scripture speakes of that most vile traitour Iudas it giveth him a disdainfull Epitaph that m, Act 1 16 hee was guide to them that tooke IESVS He would never be guided with CHRISTS counsell and therefore now like a mischant traitour he lyes hauing this Epitaph which shall bee read so long as the world stands Heere lyes the Traitour that was guide to them that tooke IESVS at his death hee was not lamented There was not one of the Apostles that ever said once Alas n, 1 King 13 30. my brother A Prayer Now GOD of his grace so guide vs all by his counsell that AFTERVVARD he may receiue vs to glory Amen Amen FINIS LAVRVS