vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
and where I am a weak creature in a waste Wildernesse Therefore as thou carried thy own Israel vpon Eagles winges through the wildernesse towards that earthlie Canaan carrie mee through this waste Wildernesse of the Worlde vntill I come to mine heavenlie Canaan Thou knowest O Lorde my soule is as a shippe tossed to and fro with continuall tempests manie times when I haue a straight course to Heaven I am driven aside by the contrarie windes of my corrupt affections Lord Iesus bee thou Pylote to the Shippe of my soule that I make no shipwracke as tentations followeth tentations like the waues of the sea everie one vpon the backe of another so let grace bee doubled that although Satan seek to winnow me as wheat yet he prevaile not I long O Lord to be with thee where Satan will not tempt sin will not accuse and these vnrulie affections will not trouble me Ah when shall this poore spirit bee disburthened of this lodging of clay that that which is divine may behold thy divine Majestie alwayes so long as I am heere in the bodie Thou that teachedst Davids fingers heere to fight Psal 18.33 so that a Bow of brasse was not able to withstand him So strengthen thou mine arme that I may bee able to resist these malitious enemies Thy servant David overcame the Lyon and the Beare and the vncircumcised Philistim yet was hee overcome with his vncircumcised heart Of all difficulties it is the greatest to â—me man to overcome himselfe Lord helpe mee by grace to sight against my selfe I will not despare Lord notwithstanding of all these enemies so long as I may make my plaint to thee Thy eyes are vpon the lust Psal 34.15 thine eares open vnto their crye Thou didst heare the groanings of thine owne Israel Lorde heare the gronings of my soule Thine eare O Lorde is not heavie Esay 59 1. nor is thine hand shortened streatche foorthe the arme of thy mercie and help my distressed soule Didst not thou command the stormie windes and raging seas when thy Disciples were in hazard and they obeyed thee If my small affections never rage so mightilie if thou wilt command peace they will settle and bee obedient to thy voice And now O Lorde this daye wherein I am entred I know not what inconvenient I may meete with leade me safelie through all difficulties O thou that art the shepheard of my soule Psal 23.1 that I safelie going through the snares of this daye at evening I may bow my knees and sound thy praises in Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fifth Day I Haue wandred froÌ„ thee O Lord this day That troublesome Spirit hath oppressed my Spirit with varietie of vnnecessarie affaires I bussie my selfe about manie thinges Luc. 10.42 but yet one thing is needfull I finde by daylie experience that the cares of this worlde are thornie cares they pricke and annoy my soule Mat. 13.7 they chocke the seede of grace which in mercie thou didst sowe I to mine heart they are mightie impediments to the growth of my inner man I pray thee let not these earthlie cares diminish mine inward peace nor prejudg my vnion with thy Majestie nor draw on darknes vpon my mind but O Lord let the secret beames of thy lightsome face continuallie shine vpon my soule Let mee ever live in a spirituall sense of my vnion from the which such inward joy may flow to my spirit as may make all estates acceptable to mee O Lorde of all difficulties I finde it the greatest to keepe the heart in a sense of thy presence I confesse O Lorde for all the paines I haue yet taken in thy worship if thou yet leave mee I may fall into as great Athisme as they who never knew thee Therefore waken my Spirit renew my senses lift vp all the powers of my soule Phil. 3.19 that I may ever minde heavenlie things True it is O Lord my earthly calling is a great impediment to my heavenlie calling althogh I were no ways distracted but all times gave my selfe to reading prayer and meditation it were litle enough for the intertaining the life of Christ in my soule But O Lorde as thou hast laide a double burthen vpon mee so double thy Spirite vpon mee that even whilest I am doing the points of my earthlie calling my spirit may bee above Lorde open mine eyes that I may see my predominant sinnes let mee not bee a slave to my affections but give mee grace to strive against everie sinfull motion And as thou O Lord dost now cover all thinges heere beneath with darknesse so cover my sinnes that they bee not seene againe Let never mine heart bee so farre from thee as it hath beene neither bee thou so longe absent from my soule Esay Write my name vpon the palmes of thine hands and let mee be as a signet vpon thy right hand O thou the Watchman of Israel Psal 121.3 who neither slumbrest nor sleepest bee thou my keeper this night Let this temporall rest bee a pledgde to mee of that everlasting rest which I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the sixt Day I Complaine to thy Majestie of the vncessant malice of my sworne enemie hee is a restlesse tempter and I am a carelesse resister hee knoweth my weaknesse and taketh his advantage of my infirmities When I haue best resolutions to serve thee then rageth hee most against mee and when I set my face towards heaven then hee laboureth to dryve me froÌ„ the right mark that Evill one albeit I went not to my rest after in calling vpon thy name yet hath caryed my fantasie after profane earthlie and carnall thinges Ah Lorde I what hee cannot accomplishe in the daye hee laboureth to bring it to passe in the night Take not these for mine actions but for mine enemies divelish suggestions I wold wish the minde were so pure and the heart so spirituallie disposed that ever sleeping or waking I were about spirituall matters And because O Lord thou canst not dwell inro a filthy heart sweepe the house of my soule wash mee a-new Psal 51.7 and make mee cleane prepare a lodging for thine owne Spirit into the secreet corners of mine heart possesse thoâ— thine owne dwelling for thou hâ—st bought it with the bloode of thine owne Sonne Keepe me O Lord 1. Iohn 1.7 1. Pet. 1.5 vnto that Life which thou hast keeping for mee and whilest I am heere in the bodie save mee from carnall securitie Let my delite ever bee to watch and praye and multiplie the spirit of prayer vpon mee Mat. 6.6 Let mee not wearie of wel-doing but leade mee in thy pathes I am sorie that my time hath beene so wasted time slydeth away and I profite litle or nothing in it Let no day slippe away without some spirituall advantage O Lord I count it my greatest gaine to gaine Christ Phil. 3.8 yea I
for the Soule to your daylie practise as afore and thus my good intention to your favourable censure wishing alwayes your Hon. not to think it amisse althogh it agreeth not so much with my professioÌ„ as in respect of others more beseeming that I should exhort your Ho. as you haue begun to bee constant in your religious dueties althogh I know it was not needfull for mee to remember you of those things you haue beene taught of God because I know the sinceritie of your profession and practise hath so many witnesses since you beleeued the Gospell of Salvation and was sealed by the Spirit of promise you haue a witnesse in your selfe which I am perswaded will not faile in life or death to plead your aboundant consolation Now thus with due acknowledging of the manifold kindnesses I haue receiued both from your selfe and from my right Honourable good Lord Patron I commit your Honours and your most Noble Familie to the mercifull protection of the Almightie who mot without ceasing multiplie his graces vpon you and crowne you with all kind of blessings The God of mercie and Father of Glorie who hath abounded towardes you not only in outward happinesse of vnstained Nobilitie grandour greatnesse of meanes and favour with the highest on our earth but which is greatest of all in the vnsearchable riches of Iesus Christ in the largenesse and eminencie of manie singulare gifts and abundance of all good workes make you perfite to doe his will and worke in you an increase of all that is pleasing in his sight That yee may see many good and happie dayes in this life and end them with comfort and immortalitie in the life to come I rest Your Hon. owne Physitian in all humble duetie M. P. ANDERSON THE COVNTESSE OF MARRES SANCTVARIE Morning meditation of the first Day I Doe present my self O LORD before thy sacred Majestie a poore sinfull creature filthy within and filthie without but where shall I goe to bee cleansed the waters of Iordan cleansed the leprosie of Naamans bodie 2 King 5.14 but all the waters in the Ocean can not cleanse the leprosie of my soule I am enforced to come to thee O Lord for where shall I goe Thou hast the words of eternall Life Iohn 6.47 If thou wash mee not I can haue no part with thee Iohn 13.8 Wash I beseech thee O Lord not my feete onelie but my hands and my head also Mercifull Father let not the gates of thy mercie bee closed vpon mee which haue beene opened to so manie poore sinners before me If thou refuse to be mercifull where shall mercie bee found Luc. 23.43 O Lord thou didst not abhorre the penitent Theef nor the woman of Canaan when shee requested thee Mat. 15.22 neither the woman apprehended in adulterie Iohn 11 8. nor the Publican praying to thee Mat. 26 74. neither yet the Disciple that denyed thee In the smell of these thine Oyntments doth my soule runne after thee Cant. 4.10 I doe confesse in sinceritie 1. Tim. 1 15. O Lord that of all sinners I am the chiefe where sinne hath abounded Lord let thy mercie superabound I say vnto thee O Lord with that poore leper Lord if thou wilt Mat. 8.2 thou canst make mee cleane yea although I bee spotted as the Leopard and blacke as a Moore one drop of the blood of Iesus Christ is able to make mee as white as snow I beleeue Lord Psal 51.7 helpe my vnbeliefe It is thy praise O Lord that thou makest the barren wombe the mother of manie children and turneth the barren wildernes into a fruitfull Land Psal 107 35. Exod. 15 25. Iohn 2.9 Mat. 12 10. Thou Lord canst make bitter waters sweet and canst turne water into Wine O Lord pittie my withered heart as thou pittied the withered hand Quicken this dead heart of mine by the quickening vertue of thy Spirit yea Lord Act. 16.14 Numb 17.8 open my heart as thou openedst the heart of Lydia thou that madest the rodde of Aaron to blossome make my soule to floorish in true repentance It is no small mercie O Lorde that thou hast spared mee so long If thou hadst dealt with mee as I haue deserved thou mightest haue taken the Axe in thine hand Mat. 3.10 and hewed mee downe as an vnprofitable tree and casten mee into the fire Long hast thou spared mee O Lord but let mee not bee reserved to anie further wrath as I am partaker of thy sparing mercies make mee partaker also of thy converting mercie Create into mee a new heart Psal 51.10 and renew a right Spirit within mee Let mee finde that change into my soule that is proper to the children of God Translate mee yet further out of the Kingdome of darknesse Col. 1.13 into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne Fashion me so to thine owne image Gal. 2.20 that I no longer live but Christ may live in me Marke mee with that new Name which no man knoweth but hee that hath received it Giue mee to taste of that hidde Manna which no man can decerne but he that hath tasted of it Create in my soule spirituall senses that in a spirituall manner I may take thee vp who is the spirit of spirits Furnish my languishing soule with some of the first fruits of thy heavenlie Canaan that in the strength thereof I may walke vntill thou possesse mee into that promised rest Bee with mee in all my tentations and lead mee through all difficulties that I may sing that joyfull triumph with thine owne Apostle Thankes bee to GOD who hath given vs victorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the first Day SINNE makes mee ashamed to speake vnto thee O Lord but my Saviour encourageth mee to present my selfe before thee vnder the shaddow of his merits doe I appeare in thy sight and in his Name doe I present my selfe and my supplications to thy Majestie O Lord dost thou not number my steppes If the conscience of the sinnes of this one day doe so dash and confound mee what feares may arise in my soule through the memorie of sinnes committed my whole lifetime I doe confesse O Lord my whole life hath beene a wandring from thee and all my dayes I haue beene doing nothing but making vp a dâ—ttâ—y against my selfe thou needst not O Lord to lead any processe against mee for my conviction the conscience may both accuse witnesse and condemne O Lord all my life hath beene either sinfull or vnfruitfull If I haue done anie thing that seemed good it was either counterfeit or corrupt or some way vnperfite the dung of all my sacrifices justlie mightest thou cast vpon my face I haue rather seemed nor truelie beene religious therefore doe I seeke salvation without my selfe Mat. 3.17 I seek it in him in whom thou art well pleased Israel stinged with fyrie Serpents Numb 21 6. were healed by looking to the
brasen Serpent which Moses lifted vp in the Wildernesse I am stinged with the fyrie Serpent of sinne I looke for health in Christ lifted vp at thy right hand Poore sicke creatures gotte health to their bodies at the poole of Siloam Iohn 9.3 I looke for health to my soule at Silo in Christ my Saviour Come Lord Iesus Isai 61. 1. thou that deliverest the prisoner and openest the eyes of the blinde Deliver my soule from the bondage of sinne anoint mee with thy eye salve Come as the sweete Samaritane and poure of thine Oyle into my wounded spirit Come my onelie Comforter leade mee to thy cellars Cant. 2.5 refresh mee with thy flagons comfort mee with thine apples Come the Husband of my soule furnish out of thy Ward-robe a garment to cloath my inward nakednesse Come Light of the World Iohn 1.9 bring light to my soule plunged in palpable darknesse Streatch foorth thy wings O my Soule mount above vpon the chariot of spirituall meditations Delite thy selfe in the memories of the joyes to bee revealed the like whereof the eye never sawe the eare never heard 1. Cor. 2.9 neither ever entred in the heart of man to vnerstand Abide not still in Babell neither long for the flesh pots of Aegypt Sighe to the Lord vntill thou bee delivered out of the prison-house of this bodie Phil. 1.23 and so bee with Him which is best of all And to this purpose my gratious Lord sanctifie my rest this night when the bodie sleepeth Psal 11. let the Spirit watch Bee thou ever in my minde and let thy word bee the matter of my meditation Keepe mee out of the hands of that roaring Lyon 1. Pet. 5.8 who greedilie hunteth for my soule let him get no vantage of mee in the night who tempteth mee continuallie in the day Let my thoughts and visions bee pure and holie being set on thee on thy heavenly kingdome Let my last thought this night and my first thought to morrow bee of thee that so my spirit being ever with the Lord while I am absent in the bodie in thine owne time both bodie and spirit may rest with thee for ever through Iesus who hath prepared that rest Amen Morning meditation of the second Day LET thy servant O Lord haue accesse this morning vnto the throne of thy grace Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee Oh Lord I come as emptie of grace to thy Majestie at this time as I had neâ—er received grace It grieveth mee O LORD to bee so â—rodigall of thy spirituall blesâ—inges Thou gavest mee O Lord some faith some measure of divine light some feelâ—ing some assurance of thy favour which bred such joy and peace into my soule as passed all naturall vnderstanding but in stead of these infidelitie darknesse and senselesse doubtings are stolne in into my soule O Lord Hos 13.9 my destruction commeth of my selfe but my deliverance commeth of thee The prodigall childe Luc. 15.17 when hee had wasted all hee had no other refuge but returne to his father O Lord where shall I go now in my greatest distresse to whom shall I make my mone I will returne vnto thee my loving Father I know thy treasure cannot bee emptied I do confesse I haue sinned against Heaven and against Earth and against thee Luke 15 21.22 and is no more worthie to bee called thy sonne As thou opened the eyes of Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and made her see a Well of water so Lord open the eye of my soule that I may see that fountaine of Life from whence my soule may receiue the waters of true consolation Father send downe that lightening Spirit of thine to renew my faith my feellings and my assurance seeing I am content to forsake all things to enjoy thee and counts all things doung in respect of thee I confesse O Lord that these desertions are just punishments of my negligence in thy service I take no such paines to entertaine thy Spirit as I should doe I watch not so narrowlie over my heart as I ought I labour not so painfullie to mortifie and subdue my sinfull affections Col. 3.5 as becommeth my Christian calling Show mee O thou whom my soule loveth Cant. 1.6 where thou feedest where thou lyest at noone Psal 23. leade mee to thy pasture put in thine hand at the hole of the doore of my soule Cant. 5.4 and my heart shall bee affectionat towards thee Many times O Lord by doing of evill Rom. 7.19 and by leaving of the good vndone haue I grieved thy Spirit yea allace I doe what in mee lyeth to quench the Spirit Ephes 4.30 but O Lord 1. Thess 5.19 thou knowest that I am grieved in grieving thee I am displeased with my selfe for displeasing thee I know O Lord it is some great sinne that hath moved thee to punish mee with these desertions Lord open mine eyes that I may see it Lord open mine heart that I may repent for it I am content O Lord to quite anie thing to enjoy thee If thou looke blytlilie vpon mee I care not who frowne vpon mee Ah Lord that sinne which is not thy creature should so mightilie prevaile against thy creatures I sinne Lord but with a wrestling there is indeed a lawe in my members rebelling against the law of my spirit Rom. 7 13. the evill I would not doe that I doe the good I would faine doe I doe it not I take thy Majestie to witnesse Lord it is my hearts desire that the flesh and powers of corruption be weakened that the Spirit and renewed part of my soule bee strengthened There was long warres betwixt the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. and the house of David but in end the house of David was strengthened and the house of Saul weakened O Lord weaken the power of my corruption and strengthen the power of the grace of God in mee Ismael and Isaac will not aggree in one familie Gen. 21.10 there can bee no agreement betwixt the flesh and the Spirit Lord crucifie the slesh with the lusts thereof quicken the Spirit that my inner man may grow Thou knowest O Lord that I am crossed mightilie by the remnants of the olde man When my soule woulde mount vp vpon the wings of prayer to the Heaven I am borne downe to the Earth When I resolve to go forward into a good course I am drawne backward by the cords of a corrupt nature If Iehoshua found fault with the people of God that they were slow in marching forward towards earthlie Canaan how may Iesus finde fault with mee hee brought mee indeede out of spirituall Aegypt but slowlie make I forward to heavenlie Canaan O Lord thou that sent thy Angell to Eliah 1. Kiâ— 19. when hee was sleeping vnder the juniper tree and commanded him to arise and eate for hee had a longe journey to goe Send
downe thy Spirit to put vpon my soule that I may awake out of the deep sleep of vnrighteousnesse take the staffe of God in mine hand and never to looke backe with Lots wife Gen. 26. but ever to haue my face towards the new Ierusalem that in the end I may say with thy servant Paul 2. Tâ— 4. â— I haue runne a good race I haue foughten a good fight from this time foorth is the Crowne laid vp for mee Leade mee thorow the snares of this day See my feete vpon a rocke Psal 2. and order my goingâ— Furnish me with wisdome that I may go in and out wiselie before thy people set a watch before my lippes Psal and the doore of my speech let all my speeches bee seasoned with grace and tend to edifieing Let my heart ever be with thee what ever I bee doing beneath And finallie as thou led thy servant Moses vnto mount Pisga and did let him see Canaan a farre off Deut. 34. 1 let my soule delite to walke vpon the mountaine of heavenlie meditations looking a farre off to that heavenlie Canaan while in thine owne good time thou bring mee through the waters of Iordan even through death it self and enter me into that rest Now to my blessed Lord the purchaser of this rest with the Father who from all eternity appointed the same the holie Spirit who daylie confirmeth me in the hope of it bee praise for ever 3 Eph. 1.13 Amen Evening meditation of the second Day O LORD let that same Spirit which indyted thy holy Word whereby thou speakes to my Soule indyte my prayers Rom. 8.26 whereby my soule speaketh to thee thou knowest the voyce of thine owne Spirit but the voyce of a stranger thou wilt not heare I continue my complaint to thy Majestie still lamenting this ignorance and yet remaineth into the mind notwithstanding I am ever endevouring to know thee Who can take thee vp who is such an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit thou dwellest into a light 1. Iohn 4.12 wherevnno man can haue accesse No man can take thee vp by naturall light 1. Cor. 2.14 for the naturall man knoweth not the things that are of God they are foolishnesse vnto him I crave therefore such a measure of that vncreated light even the light of thy Spirit as may breed into the mind a continuall reverence of thee bring the heart to an holie obedience to thee and make all my affections and actions directlie to tend to thy glorie True it is O LORD now and then I haue enjoyed sensiblie this light but ever after humiliation and fervent prayer I am become colde in prayer I seek thee not with that hunger and thirst as I should doe and this maketh my feellings not so frequent Lord stirre vp my spirit that I may seeke thee continuallie with that holie zeale and fervencie that becommeth mee Indeede O LORD these desertions are â—earefull and terrible to fall vnto thy Children Truelie I am most certaine that greater deadnesse darknesse and senselesnesse can not fall vnto a reprobat If the memorie of by past experiences did not comfort me these fearfull desertions wold mak me faint fall a back Lord let not thy servant bee tempted aboue his strength 1. Cor. 10.13 Returne O Lord deliver my soule Psal 119.8 save mee for thy mercies sake forsake mee not over long And if it shall please thee O Lord to hold mee vnder the bitter sense of those fearefull desertions for a time for my further humiliation let this ever bee my greatest griefe that I misse thy presence Teach mee to seeke vncessantlie vntill I finde thee to knocke vntill thou open to call vntill thou answere Psal 39.7 What waite I for O Lord Is not mine hope even in thee Yea let the hope I haue to enjoye thee and thy presence for ever make mee to possesse my soule with the greater patience in the middest of all these feares And now O Lord in this absence from thee albeit the body be here on earth Phil. 3.20 let my conversation ever bee in heaven Giue me grace this night to examine my heart vpon my bed Teach thou my reines in the night Psal 4.4 let mee lye down in thy peace and rest vnder the shadow of thy protection Psal 4.9 Let my bed remember mee of the grave and my rising againe of the last resurrection Make â—ee alwayes wâ—tchfull and suffer not Oyle to bee inlacking to my lampe Mat. 25.8 When my Lord shall come grant I may meet h m with joy ever bee with him in heaven whom my soul hatâ— sought on earth Amen Morning meditation of the third Day O LORD my God if I had eyes to see the miserie of this time wherein I doe live I could take vp both the vniversall defection of the whole world and the particular desolation of my owne soule then would mine eyes bee a fountaine of teares Thy servant David powred out rivers of teares Psal 119.136 when hee did see the wicked not keepe thy Law 2. Pet. 2.8 Lots heart was vexed within him when hee saw the iniquitie of Sodome but alaace Lord I am not so sensible these things are hidde from mee therefore I pray thee remove this vaile that overshaddoweth my soule Act. 9.18 Make the skales to fall from mine eyes that I may take vp those decayes into a clearer light from the Priest to the people Hos 4.9 all haue a part in this defection Where is that wonted zeale to thy glorie Who are they who in singlenesse of heart seeke thee All doe seeke their owne thinges Phil 2.21 but few the things which are Christs Religion which should overrule mens wayes are made a coverture to vice and sinne O Lord demaske them and let them appeare who turne the trueth of GOD into a lie and laboure to cover vngodlinesse with a cloâ—ke of an holie profession Mat. 2.12.13 Take the scourge into thine hand and purge thy Temple put to the door those buyers and sellers who make the house of God a denne of theeves and touch mine heart with a livelie feeling of my particular defects I confesse O Lord I haue fallen from my first love from my former zeale Revel 2.4 from my former care and diligence in thy service Where is the melting hearte the mourning eye the painfull diligence night and day at home and abroad to seek thy face Where I was wont to pray with delite with libertie and with teares now I wearie of prayer I finde no inwarde libertie no softnesse of heart I come vnto thee with a senselesse heart I depart from thee with as senselesse a heart Where my heart was wont to bee pricked at the hearing of thy Worde Act. 2. â— where I was wont to depart from Sermons with great comfort now I finde my selfe neither casten downe nor raised vp Thy Word O Lord worketh not
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
an vnspeakable joye other times refusing all comfort sometimes doubting and distrusting othertimes firmelie belieuing stedfastlie apprehending sometimes longing for to be dissolved â—hil 1. other times loving to Iudge still in this tabernacle of clay in all these things where is my comfort but in this that thou art vnchangâ—ble As for mee O Lord I confesse Malach. 1. for my best action thou mightst condemne me for the sinnes of my prayer hearing of thy word what then should bee mine estate if thou woldst enter in judgment with mee Teach mee to vvalke in trembling and feare before thee let it be my first care to keepe thy presence saue mee O Lord that by my vnclean thoghts profane speeches vngodlie actions I quench not thy Spirit but let mee euer finde that Spirit working moving into my soule when I wander bring me home againe when I fall raise mee when I sleepe waken me hold me waking O Lord that when the Bridegrome shall come I may bee in the ranke of the wise Virgines Mat. 25. with my lampe clearlie burning attending his coÌ„ming And finallie forgiue mee all the infirmities of my prayers and accept of my leane and vnworthie sacrifice in through that alsufficient Sacrifice that my blessed Lord hath offered in my name in the name of all these that loud his second coming To him therefore bee praise honour glory for euer Amen Nowe vnto the King everlasting immortall invisible vnto God onelie wise bee honour and Glorie for euer Amen FINIS AN Ascension of the SOVLE TO HEAVEN By meditation of the Passion Death Buriall and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 3.16 And without contraversie great is the Mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angells c. EDINBVRGH Printed by Iohn Wreittoun 1625. An Advertisement to the Christian Reader MAN in all his actions purposeth to himself Glorie and Gaine whereof if hee giue vnto God the first which is due vnto him hee will make the second redound to thy vse Therefore â—â—ght wee with the Angels to sing Glâ—rie bee to God in thâ— Heauen and with Zacharias Luc. 2.4 Blessed bee the LORD GOD of Israel who hath visited redemed his people Then must wee consider whâ—â— bee the benefites we gaine of Christâ— death which are in number manyâ— in feeling comfortable in estimatâ—â— most precious The first is Purgation of sinnes thus happie is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinnes is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth none iniquitie Psal 31.1.2 but most miserable are they that lacke these The penitent sinner of a troubled spirit Psal â—1 17 of a broken and a contrite heart forsaking his owne wayes and renounceing his owne imaginations Mat. 4.17 promising amendement and purposing the fruites of repentance confessing his owne miserie and appealing to the mercie of GOD Esay 1.18 and the merites of Christ hath his soule though as red as Scarlot washed in his most precious gracious and glorious bloode Heb. 9.13 14. Lev. 6.14 For if the bloode of Bullocks and Goates and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are vncleane sanctified as touching the purifying of the flesh how much more shal the blood of Christ which through the eternall Spirite offered himselfe without spot to God 1. Iohn 1.7 purge our conscience from dead workâ—s to serue the liuing GOD Thus the Blood of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God purgeth vs from all sinne O purge mee with this Hysope and I shall bee cleane wash Psal 51.7 and I shall bee whiter than snow 2. The second benefite is Remission of sinnes Sinne is in the Child of God but it reigneth not Sin is in the Elect but couered Sin is in the Heires of Saluation Rom. 8.33 but not laid to their charge because it is forgiuen Exod. 25.17 As the Arke was couered with an golden sheeteâ— alled the Propitiatorie So Christ is the propiciatâ—â—n of our sinnes Mat. 26.28 by whom wee haue redemption through his Blood euen forgiuenesse of them Col. 1.14 for the voyce of his blood is remission of sinâ—â—s euer proclaimed in the hâ—artes of the godly Eph. 1.7 calling for â—etter thinges than the blood of Abel Heb. 12.24 3. The third Benefite of Chriâ—â— pâ—ssion is Deliuerance from thâ— curse of the Law the Law accuseth Christ exâ—useth The Law teâ—â—fieth Christ comforteth the Laâ— curseth but Christ blesseth fâ— Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law Gal. 3.13 when hee was made a curse for vs for it is written Deut. 21.23 Iohn 1.17 Cursed is everie one that hangeâ—h on a tree And the Law wâ—s given by Moyses but Grace and Trueth came by Iesus Christ iâ—deede Cant. 1.4.15 we bee but blacke by nature yet are we white by Grace Bla k in Adam yet comelie as the tentes of Kedar Cant. 6.9 and as the curtaine of SalamoÌ„ yea plesant in Christ now in Him wee lâ—â—ke as the Morning faire as the Noone pure as the Sun terrible as an Armie with Banners hard favoured by merite but beautifull by Mercie for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse tâ— every one that beleeve Rom. 10.4 Iohn 5.24 Thâ—y thâ—â— which in a livelie faith apprehend Christ crucified and risen againe haue what the Law requireth that is perfect obedience performed by Christe imputed to them who was delivered to death for our sins Rom. 4.24 Rom. 4.25 Col. 2.14 and risen for our iustification Thus hath hee put out the hand-writting of ordinances that was against vs which was contrarie to vs he even tooke it out of the way and fastened it vpon the Crosse 4. The fourth Benefite wee reape by Christes passion is freedome from damnation and purchase of eternall Life for God so loved the world Iohn 3.16 that hee hath given his onelie begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him Rom. 8.1 should not perish but have eternall Life For what destruction can come to them which are ingraffed in Christ the Authour and finisher of our saith and salvation Heb. 12.2.3 who for the ioy that was set before him endured the Crosse anâ— despised the shame how can the second death take hold on them that haue their part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and are in Christ Iohn 4.6 the Life it selfe For when Christ which is our Life shall appeare Col. 3.4 Iohn 10. then shall we also appeare with him in his glorie The Devill can not pluck them away fiâ—aly from GOD who is stronger than any and hath giuen them to Christ who is one with the Father and hath their names written in the Booke of Life having washed their Garmentes in the Blood of the Lambe Phil. 4.2 Rev. 20.14 Hell cannot terrifie them which patientlie looke for an inheritance in Heaven Eph. 1.4 Wee are in
tribunall seat of God to receiue what wee haue done in this flesh good or badde The verie Romanes Lysias Faelix Festus had a conscience of the innocencie of Paul who had onelie the light of Nature but they had light by the word yet the malice of their hearts put out that illumination corruption blotted it Whence it coÌ„meth of Gods just judgment that all conscience is scraped out and they became like beastes fell into a Reprobate sense What euer was the Iews part or Herods or Pilates the Lord had his decree therein will haue his onely begotten Son to die for the sinnes of the world But look to the Lords dispensation hee will haue the Iudge protesting his innocencie hee will haue the hearts of the accusers hardned to sue after Christes blood for if their coÌ„science had bin wakened it had not beene so Consider here my Soule how willingly Christ came vnto his passion not that he did smite crucifie himself but that he did not gainst and the wickednesse of the Iewes nor approuing their impiety but wisely disponing the benefit that should redowned thereby One and the same was the passion of Christ but the actions intentions in God the Iewes farre different and diverse but euen amongst the Iewes and Governours was there lesser greater sins in this action He that delivered thee vnto me Iohn 19.11 hath the greater sinne yet thou Pilate art sinfull in this businesse also all sinnes are not alike as all the glorie is not alike 1. Cor. 15.41 for one star differeth from another in glorie In my Fathers house said hee there are many dwelling places Iohn 14.2 Now then Pilate beleeued hee had done amisse as he did in deede when hee had scourged the Sonne of God hee knew nothing but vvhat nature furnished him yet his conscience within him did tell him powerfullie that be ought to feare and honour God This naturall spunck of light is left to bridle man from sinne but it will not hold vs Rom. 2.14 beeing so weake in the feare of God yet if it had beene taken away wee should be more miserable than the brutish beastes Psal 49.20 Trust neuer to nature but striue to acquire grace by the holie Spirit Luc. 11.13 who ouercoÌ„meth the caÌ„ker of the hart This Pilate hath glances and glimmerings of ChristiaÌ„ vertues but they evanished WheÌ„ the Lord giueth light Iohn 1.4 boweth the heart establishing grace in it and grace abiding with thee thou art not farre from the Kingdome of heaven but is happie blessed in deede Now Pilate in anger beginneth directlie against Christ whom oftimes before he had pronounced innocent because hee had not answered him with insolent bragging glorying of the power that he had aboue him falling out in blasphemie against God his hart being never truely renewed Act. 8.23 nor hauing any feare reverence to Iesus but being ful of the gall of bitternesse claimed vnto himselfe an absolute power which God hath not giuen neither to man nor Angel Rom. 13.1 for it is proper to himself but a power restrained limited by Gods Law Naturall men in high places hauing power froÌ„ God without sanctification Tit. 3.3 are but mad men as here he protesteth that Iesus was innocent and now that he had power to doe with him what hee pleased which is in effect to be a murtherer for what else is hee who will take the life from an Innocent pride in his heart made his mouth so foolish 1. Pet. 5.5 The proud dishonour the Majestie of God therefore caused hee his lips to speake to his shame to accuse himselfe but woe vnto them Esay 5.21 that call euil good and good euill The Magistrate is the ordinance of God indeede Rom. 1.3.4 to punish the guiltie 1. Pet. 2.13.14 and maintaine the righteous as Christ sayeth Thou shouldest haue no power Psal 82.6 vnlesse it were giuen thee from aboue But because Pro. 8.15 Kings doe reigne by God they should therefore vse their power accord ng to his will And happie are Iudges if they follow the direction of Iâ—hosaphat King of Iuda 2. Chro. 19 6. who said to the Iudges whom he had set ouer his Cities Take heede what ye doe for ye execute not the judgements of man but of God and hee will bee in the cause of judgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord bee vpon you take heede and doe it for there is none iniquity with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiuing of rewards And although Tyrants and wicked men as Pilate was haue power from aboue yet the wise God can vse it to the glorie of his Name as he did by the hand of Nabuchodonazar King of Babel Ier. 27.6.7 his servant And heere Pilate deceiueth himselfe beleeuing hee had his power of Caesar only Christ did holde his peace before but now wil speak in defence of his Fathers honour and make him vnderstand albeit he was in his haÌ„ds yet he was in Gods hands also without whose speciall dispensation nothing can bee done 1. Sam. 14.45 as is evident in Saul and Ionathan for it was not in Sauls hands to kill him howsoeuer he had giuen out sentence against him Hee ordained that Agag should liue 1. Sam. 15.33 but Samuell killed him For Gods eternall decree and power over-ruleth all which while men wil not acknowledge Dan. 4.29 they become like beasts God wil never denude himselfe of his owne power Esay 10.15 for what was Ashur but an Axe or a Saw in the hand of the Sawer or a rod and staffe which should not exalt it selfe as if were no wood But O Ashur Esay 10.5 the rod of my wrath I will send him to a dissembling Nation I will giue him a charge against the people of my wrath Neither is it amisse that wicked men should haue power to hurt to try the patience of the godlie and punish the iniquitie of the wicked But heere is thy comfort my Soule that Tyrantes doe not according to their pleasure perverse wil rage against the Saintes but when and how far it pleaseth God by speciall permission and yeelding grant to them for the Lord hath put a bounds vnto them which they can not exceed for while they abuse their power to tyrannie Exod. 14.28 the higher they ascend the nearer destruction they are For they are rods Act. 12.23 which when the wrath of God doeth relent and our punishmentes are ended shal be burnt with euerlasting fire as in Pharaoh and Herod is evident Christ submitteth him to the power which hee acknowlegded Pilate to haue of God and so should subjectes not so much looke to men as to God who hath armed them vvith that power which is the ground of our obedience to Magistrates when wee see Gods providence to over-rule all things for they are but
haue care over vs but that our flesh also doeth possesse the heavens where we shall bee in the presence of God for euer hee went alone to heaven but he all entered into it for a bone was not broken of him both head members shall bee found in heaven Hee hath giuen vs the earnest of his Spirit and taken the earnest of our flesh and caried it as a pawnd to Heaven where wee and all they that haue true faith shall bee brought and here withall to lance this vnrighteous Iudges heart hee maketh mention of the latter day which is his day wherein hee shall judge all flesh as Daniel hath fore-spoken who behelde in visions by night one like the Sonne of man Dan. 7.13 comming in the cloudes of heaven and approaching to the Ancient of dayes and they brought him before him and hee gaue him dominion and honour a Kingdome that all people Nations and Languages should serve him And so said another Zach. 10. They shall looke vpon mee whom they haue pearsed and shall lament for him as one mourning for his only sonne and bee sorie for him as one is sorte for his first borne Which second comming 1 Thess 4.16 seeing it is at hand we should remember of our accomptes to bee giuen to him and the precisnesse of that Iustice wherein wee shall render a reckoning for everie idle word Mat. 12.36 Let it not depart from our memorie but what-soever thou takest in hand Eccl. 7.36 remember thy end and thou shall neuer doe amisse Christ suffered for a good cause â— Pet. 4.15.16 even for righteousnesse sake who although hee was in bonds afflicted as though hee were an evill doer yet the word of God that was in his mouth was not bound Iudges as they exercise their judgement shall be juâ—ged againe for he that for thy cause was presented to jugdement shal be Iudge who hath said That God hath sent his Sonne not to condemne the world but that bee world by him should bee saued Beleeue in Christ and thou needest not to bee affraid of judgement will be condemne them for whom he hath suffered all these things Iohn 3.17 suffered I say both of the hie Priest who spak to him against order of Law of the hie Priests servant who strooke him against order of law for maintaining the truth before he had beene judged neither was it a fitte place to punish a man in judgement thogh he were never so bad And now the high Priest at this innocent Lambes answere rent his choathes Ioel. 2.13 but thou shouldst haue so done to thy heart He pretended the Majestie of God to bee hurt be this externall behaviour but inwardlie well pleased that now hee might haue occasion to fulfill his wicked counsell The godlie indeed should burne in zeale when they see the glorie of God to bee impared Mat. 22. as Lot was vexed with the vncleanly conversation of the wicked for hee beeing righteous dwelling amoÌ„gst them 1. Pet. 2 7.8 in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their vnlawfull deedes But alas poore Soule how oftimes dost thou both pollute thy selfe dost heare the holie Name of God blasphemed by oaths and perjuries it becommeth thee to avert the wrath of God by all meanes â— King 11.30 wheÌ„ thou shalt heare such Rabsakeas blasphemies as Hezakiah did Nothing should more grieue thee thaÌ„ when wee see the glorie of God his Majestie to be hindred or hurt by any Who is weake and I am not weake who is offended and I burne not 2. Cor. 11.24 Now by this outward gesture hee would declare the punishment of the Lawe in commiting blasphemy justie to appertaine to Christ Lev. 24.13 to bee stoned to death by the whole multitude but this is our greatest comfort that by these means hee hath redeemed vs from the condemnatorie sentence of the Law Gal. 3.13 for as the Father hath life in himselfe so likewise hath he given to the Sonne to haue life in himselfe and hath giuen him power also to execute judgement in that hee is the Sonne of man But the high Priest did not vnderstand what he was doing for being risen from his place hee might haue presaged the losse of his Priesthood chaire therin that in this rage in reÌ„ting his cloths he did signifie the translatioÌ„ of the Law for the change of the Priest-hoode imported the change of the Law also The like was done to Ieroboam whose vpper garment was cut in twelue pieces by the Prophet who did deliuer vnto him with the ten pieces the ten Tribes Now as if they had not tormented him enough the hie Priests leaue him to be mocked of their servants vntill the dawning of the day that the Counsel should sit For what marveill is it when the Magistrates giue evill examples that vnrighteousnesse violence and oppression reigne every where And now deare Soule raise vp thy selfe to thankfulnesse and let thy heart bee inflamed with his loue when thou shalt remember what and how great bitter things all that whole night thy Redeemer suffered For his face was bespitted as if it had bene most ignominious with their Fistes they boxt him and spitefullie mocked him covering his face that being stricken hee should tell them who had done it Great therfore must be the anger and wrath of God for sinne for which Christ did suffer so much and therefore wee should abhorre it from our heartes But most of all hast thou to consider the infinite mercie of thy heauenlie Father who to vindicate assoilyle thee from everlasting ignominie suffered his beloued Sonne so shamefullie to bee intreated well might hee haue said Psal 22.7 I am a worme and not a man Remember therefore thy vncleannes and inward corruption who is borne in iniquitie â—sal 51.5 and in sinne hath thy mother conceiued thee to purge thee from these spots and to present thee without blotte or wrinkle Eph. 5.25 Was this blessed face of Iesus embrued with spittell Iustlie may wee deplore the impuritie of our nature which must bee cleansed by the Blood Christ 1. Iohn 1.7 Yet doeth not the wicked now cease to beate Iesus in his members and which is most abominable doe scorne the divine Majestie as if he did not see nor had care nor were to craue vengeance for that they doe but doe cover the face of Iesus in their opinion while they afflict his members giuing themselves to carelesse securitie but hee doeth see and beholdeth all these thinges for their oppression and their sighes are before him and their wandringes are compted their teares put vp in his bottle But although hee appeare not to seeâ— neither the God of Iacob to regarde yet vnderstand yee vnwise among the people and yee fooles when will â—ee bee wise bee that planted the care shall bee not heare â—r hee that formed the eye shall bee
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in