things most â—…arre distant as one soule binâ—…es head and â—…eete together in one body To be â—…ort the Lord to bring his children to this high pitch of honour and dignitie doth proceede with them in this manner as followeth First the holy spirit singleth and seuereth thâ—…m out of the world by the â—…ound of â—…is Gospel 〈◊〉 15. 19. I haue chosen you out of the world And receiueth them to his owne house â—…nd â—…amilie Ephe. 2. 18. 19 Ye are no more strangers and forreners but citizens with the Saints of the houshold of God The 2. effect is Hee prepareth our hearts by faith to receiue Christ. And to this end 1. he renueth the minde 2. hee giueth an vnderstanding heart Marc 4. 10. â—…1 to receiue Christ by faith Ioh. 1. 11. To renue the mind his light dispelleth ignorance bringeth in that woÌ„derful doctrine which coÌ„ueâ—…teth the soule Psal 199. To renue the heart 1. he sofâ—…th and humbleth it by the preaching of Gods law Ezech. 11. 19. 20. 2. he causeth it with sighes and grones to confesse Rem 826. There is no good thing in my flesh 3. the heart hungreth after Christ and his righteousnesse Mat. 5. 6. 4. Lastly he worketh in the heart that admirable worke of God Iohn 629. Even a pretious and victorious faith to receiue as with a haÌ„d Iesus Christ and his benefits Ioh. 1. 12. The 3. effect and worke of Gods spirit is hee giueth them as a free gift vnto Christ. Ioh. 1027. 924. And Christ vnto them againe in like maner Rom 8 3. 2. CaÌ„t. 2. 16. My welheloued is mine anâ—… I am his The 4. effect The holy spirit doth in a most wonderfull and reall manner knit their soules and hearts vnto Christ and Christ ento them againc so that Christ become the head and the beleeuer the liuely member of Christ. So as the branches haue not a mâ—…re certaine sap life and growth by the vine then the true beleeuer hath life grace and growth in al good graces from Christ. lab 15. 1. 2. For this cause the Apostle saith truly We are mibers of his body of his flesh of his bones Epâ—… 5. 38. 21 Fiftly then Christ doth communicate vnâ—…o them being thus vnited vnto him by the wonderfull worke of his spirit all graces and blessings which conceâ—…ne their euerlasting saluation 1. They are couered with his righteousnes as with a golden robe Gal. 2. 27 They receiue by his spirit the precious vertue of his death which hath a great â—…fficacie to kill sinne Rom 6. 6. Gal. 6 15. and the vertue of his buriall to rot sin that so they may loath it as an vnsaâ—… carrion being crucified and slaine in them and the vertue of his resurrection Phil. 38. 9. whereby they are made new creatures Gal 6. 15. 16. 3 Because of this communiâ—…n wee are said to bee partakers of the diuine nature And the beleeuer may speake all this the Apostle speaketh in his owne person I am crucified with Christ but I liue yet not I any more but Christ liueth in me and in that I now liue in the flesh I liue by faith in the sonne of God who hath loued me and giuen himselfe for me Insignis sententia fideles extra se viuere id est in Christo A notable saying saith maister Cal. the faithfull â—…ue without themselues in Christ. 6 Lastly when they are thus highly aduanced into the communion of the holy Trinitie all the holy Angels and Saints of God they slay not then in one stay but they must haue their dayly confirmation by the said word and spirit that so they may haue a holy growth vnto a perfect man and vnto the measure of the age of the full growth or fulnesse of Christ. And this growth is signified vnto vs by the growth and increase which is to be seene in the partes of any naturall body Ephe 4. 15. Let vs follow the trueth in loue and in all things grow vp to him which is the head that is Christ. And againe Col. 2. 19. All the body furnished and knit togither by ioynts and bands increaseth with the encreasing of God Thus farre briesly of this holy communion The third promise And I will deliuer him The Lord will haue his childreÌ„ wade through afflictions yea sometimes to bee smitten with the plague it selfe but hee will deliuer them that is hee will restore him to health if that bee good for him or else he wil change this miserable and transitorie life with the happy and immortall life which is best of all Blessed is the man whom God correcteth therefore refuse not thou the chastâ—… of the Almightie for hee maketh the wound and bindeth 〈◊〉 vp hee smiteth and his hands make whole he shall deliuer thee in fixe troubles and in the seuenth the 〈◊〉 shall not touch thee The fourth promise And I will bring him to honour It is not to bee doubted but God hath perâ—…ormed this promise alwayes to his children whether wee vnderstand it of an earthly â—…anour or an heauenly they which faile of this one are sure notwithstanding of the other and sometime of both Ioseph and Daniel of both after great aduersitie Hezekâ—…as Dauid and Iob of both after plagues and pestilentiall maladies Yet Lazarus and many of his condition wanting this vaine and transitory glory haue receiued the greater measure of the heauenly Here againe I do not thinke but that he putteth vs in minde of the glory of our resurrection and of our regeneration where assuredly our glory begins 2. Cor. 1. 18. which while wee consider albeit afflictions for the present are greeuous yet wee must be wonderfully cheared and comâ—…orted for howsoeuer heere for a moment our bodies bee subiect to many most grieuous and noysome diseases for our correction and chasticement and after to putrefaction yet in the ende they shall be â—…illed with a wonderfull glory For they shall shine in the resurrection as the Sunne and shall be like the Angels of God Whereas the wicked shall ariâ—…e to a greater shame then if they were filled with all the sores and plagues of Aegypt And therefore this promise much comforted Iob â—…or thus he speaketh of it in his great passions most chearefully I am sure that my Redeemer lâ—…cth and he shall stand the last on the earth and though after my skinnâ—… wormes destroy this body yet shall I see God in my flesh whom I my selfe shall see and mine eyes shall behold and none other for me though my reynes are consumed within mee The fifth promise With length of daies will I sanctifie him Here I iudge this promise as that aforegoing and the last which followeth concerneth both the life present and that which is to come The faithfull then in that plague looked euery mâ—…ment for death and therefore they haue this promise to comfort them An old age is promised as a blessing often to the godly and they
many A◅heists and prophane beastes are driuen not for any trouble of conscience but as that myser by the spirite of couetousnesse some by the spirit of fornication corporall and spirituall to hang and drowne themselues because they cannot obtaine that which they purposed desired as we see in Achitophel Therfore these worldly sorrows must be wisely discerned from the good sorrowes of the troubled consciences of the faithfull Wee must euer desire the light of Gods louing countenance which we may be assured of if we keepe faith a good conscience but if we make shipwracke of these the least thing shall greatly amaze vs yea the shaking of a leafe but if we haue this nothing shalt dismay vs. This paine is like to other griefes and no doubt accompanied with many other euils out of the body losse of goods name honour c. In the body sundrie diseases goe before and follow it melancholy c. But if worldly sorrow alone turmoyle the heart as for riches goods lost let these be recouered and all teares are soone gone and past but the troubled conscience is not so quieted And as for melancholy and other paines in the body they are cured wee see with medicines and good diet but nothing can appease this euill till Christs bloud be applyed 2 The griefe of conscience smites the heart Cant. 5. 6. My heart was gone when hee did speake I sought him but I could not finde him Againe Esay speaking of this troubled conscience saith I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to reuiue the spirit of the humble and to giue life to them that are of a contrite heart And Dauid A contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise Thus then we see this griefe is in the hart melting it as fire doth mettals in what measure it pleaseth the Lord to humble his children 3 This sorow presseth downe the soule so Dauid complaineth Why art thou cast downe my soule and disqui◅ted within me wai◅ on God Psal. 43. 5. 4 Lastly I adde the troubled consciences of the faithfull can neuer finde ease but in Iesus Christ. There streames from him a most sweete liuing water as from a fountaine dayly to purge and wash our running sores and to heale the paine and griefe of our hearts By his stripes are wee healed 2. The Saints euer sought to Christ and none other to case them of this paine Psalme 51. 1. Cant. 5. 6. 7. 3. If by any other meanes the conscience be falsely quieted it will afterwardes rage farre worse then before much like vnto Sauls spirit which for some moment of time could b◅e quieted by some sweete melodie but when the musicke was ended he fell into his old furious phrensies againe The troubled consciences of the faithfull most appeare 1. In their calling 2. After 1 When God doth separate his elect by the preaching of the G◅spell that they may be sanctisied by his spirit and come to the profes◅ion of his faith 2. Thess. 2. 13. 14. There must bee then great and many perturbations in the hearts soules of such as the Lord effectually calleth vnto his grace for the heart before was chained and fastned to Sathan sinne and the world and this league and fellowship can not easily be broken Secondly the heart which before was stony and slintie must now be softened Ezech. 11. 19. I will take away the stonie hearts out of their bodyes and will giue them an heart of flesh Thirdly examples teach this Paule is stricken downe from heauen greatly humbled The good hearers Act. 2. when the Lord began to awake their consciences they were picked in their hearts and cryed saying Men and brethren what shall we do Fourthly some maister sinne and inueterate custome in sinne will breed great wrastling and strife at this time Fiftly some enormious sinnes will cause many to bleed at the heart and to dispaire 2 After the Lord hath vouchsaf◅d to giue his elect his spirit of grace and hath giuen them heartes to beleeue in Iesus Christ and after peace obtained with God in Christ after accesse to grace and the blessed reioycing in the hope of the glorie of God the old enemies may yet amaze disquiet and cast downe the soules of Gods elect Dauid saith hee felt some terrors and troubles of minde euen from his youth The reasons are first they haue dayly falles and therefore their repentance humiliation and sorow must dayly be renued Secondly they must otherwhiles againe be humbled for their olde sinnes to proceed on in repentance and least they fall into them againe Psal. 25. 6. Iob. 13. 26. Thirdly God layeth a grieuous hand vpon them when they giue cause through great sinnes that his enemies blaspheme his holy name for the example doth much harme it imboldens the wicked makes faint the heartes of his children Therefore hath Dauid suffered more torments of conscience then any other 2. Sam. 12. verse 14. Remedies and helpes for troubled consciences are these which follow FIrst pray earnestly for the restoring of the holy comforter Psal. 51. 10. and for a clean heart Ioh. 14. 16. Lu. 11. 13. 2 With prayer striue to ioyne much weeping and fasting if thy strength will beare it Psal 69. 10. 3 With prayer fasting comfort thy self with a meditation of the vse of all the afflictions of the faithful Ioh. 7. 13. Psal. 77. for thou hast no tentation nor affliction of conscience but they haue had the same or the like 1. Pet. 5. 9. 4 When thine owne cries and teares cannot finde Christ aske the watchmen and the daughters of Ierusalem for him and so neuer rest but by all good meanes finde him Cant. 5. 6. 7. 8. 6 If all this will not helpe thee seeke to the Elders of the Church and acknowledge thy sins to one or moe most discreet wise godly righteous mē fearing God that they may haue compassion on thee thē be perswaded their cries vnto God shall preuaile for thee Confesse your selues one to another and pray one for another for the prayer of faith shall saue the sicke and if he hath committed sinne it shall bee forgiuen him So farre for the good conscience of Gods children quieted and troubled now the euill conscience of the wicked followeth AN euill conscience is a conscience neuer purged by the blood of Iesus Christ. An euil conscience is either 1. Liuing or 2. Dead The first is the naturall conscience of the naturall man retaining naturall sight and naturall feeling and this liuing conscience is euer 1. Accusing 2. Excusing The naturall man hath left in him sundry generall motions of good and euill which are most crooked corrupt rules being tried by the first Table of the Lawe of God but his knowledge is not so much darkene◅ and corrupted in the generall heads of the second Table This man in all points that
SPIRITVALL PRESERVATIVES against the Pestilence OR SEVEN LECTVRES ON the 91. Psalme First Printed in Anno. 1593. And now reuised corrected and published as generally for the instruction of ignorant people so specially for the confirmation of the weake seruants of Iesus Christ describing the most diuine and most soueraigne Preseruatiues against the pestilence By H. Holland Hereunro is added a sweete Prayer of M. R. Greenhams neuer before published Leuit. 26. 25. I will send a sword vpon you that shall auenge the quarell of my couenant when ye are gathered in your cities I will send the Pestilence among you LONDON Printed by T. C. for Iohn Browne and Roger Iackson 1603. The Contents of this Booke 1 Q. What benefit comfort and rest Gods peop'e receiue by faith against the Pestilence 2 Q. Wherefore the Lord smiteth his people with the Pestilence 3 Q. How the wicked spirits are Gods speciall instruments in the Pestilence 4 Q. That a good conscience is a speciall preseruatiue against the Pestilence 5 Q. How graciously the Lord preserues his people by his holy Angels in the Pestilence 6 Q What wonderfull communion there is betweene Christ and his holy members best knowne to Gods people in afflictions 7 Of the visitation of the sicke in all diseases TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE SYR ROBERT LEE LORD Maior of the Citie of London and to the Right Worshipfull Syr Iames Pemberton and Syr Iohn Swinerton Knights and Sheriffes and to the Right Worshipfull the Aldermer their brethren H. H wisheth all graces to be mulâ—…plied by Gods holy spirit as for the gouernment of the said Citie so for their owne euerlasting saluation in Iesus Christ. THe Almightie God Right Honourable and Worshipfull in all ages of the woride hath euer reclaimed his people from their sinnes by sundry his most iust indgements and correstions and warned them by his manifold mercies and blessings saith the holie psalmist To walke vprightly in his statutes and to obserue his lawes There is no nation in all Europe freed from the bondage of Antichrist and professing the bolie Gospell of Iesus Christ so entreated both waies for many yeares as we haue bene The Lords mercies and blessings cannot be numbred take a short view of his chasticements and fatherly corrections vppon vs. He hath put vs in minde of our disobedience often by the pestilence which is one speciall reuenger of his couenant And for many yeares past he neuer left pleading with vs by warres famine or by pestilence but in all euils when we cried vnto him he soone called backe his anger and did not stir vp all his wrath against vs. Now againe when we thought all our sorrowes to be paft that our blessed King should seale vp conclude our peace with God man yet still the Lord proclaimes his wrath against vs For we be not vpright with him neither are we faithfull in his couenant Sundrie stories haue recorded how in all ages the Lorde hath swept away multitudes with the pestilence In the yeare of Christ 81. when Vespasian was Emperour and againe in the yeare of Christ 188. in the daies of Commodus the Emperour there dâ—…d daily in Rome of the pestilence no lesse then 2000. Againe in Anno. 254. there were fifteene prouinces of the Romane Empire Incredibiliter exhaustae saith one wonderfully wasted with the pestilence In the yeare 530. in Iustinians time in Constantinople and there-abouts there died 5000. euery day interdum etiam decem millia sometimes 10000. And in an other part of Greece it is said the plague destroied so many that there were none liuing to bury the dead The stories of the Church speake often of most greeuous plagues vpon the Pagans for afflicting Gods people for this cause Anno. 540. there was an vniuersall plague 50. yeares togither which most greeuously consumed and tormented saith Euagrius all the world And in Italy it is said that An. 1359. the pestilence destroied so many that there scarce remained 10. of a thousand And in Rome where the sonne of perdition sitteth as God in the Temple of God was a plague Ann. 1521. that consumed aboue an hundreth thousand people And since the Gospel began to shine foorth in Germany and other parts of the world the Lord hath consumed and wafted diuerse Cities in the Popes dominions in Italy again as Millan Padua Venice and many moe about the yeare 1576. and 1577. with a most greeuous pestuence which destroied a hundreth thousand in a Citie And it is thought the litle kingdome of Bohemia lost no lesse then 300000. of the plague about the same time In the elder Church of the Iewes the Lorde often in a short time destroied thousands millions as for the sinnes of his people with the Moabites the plague burst in vpon them saith the psalmist and smote 24. thousand And in Dauids time in three dates 70000. When we consider this hand of God so mightie in consuming thousandes in great wrath both in the Church and without both in elder times and of late yeares both in forrein nations otherwhiles in this land and in this Honorable Citie how is it that we do not extoll the most admirable lenitie and fatherly forbearing hand of the Lorde vppon vs in these daies for we shall seldome read or see such gleaning of a few with such patience and long suffering as the Lord hath done with vs. Manie haue a brutish feare worldly sorow as it seemeth because of the losse of their long peace prosperitie but some again on the other side are so foole-hardie that they feare nothing and thinke these louing warnings of the Lord to be but ordinarie and therefore not to be feared and neither regard as Christians anie amendment of life nor as good Citizens good and wise orders appointed for the preseruation of this honorable Citie and the health of the Lordes people The greatest sort flie alwaies from the Lord as in the lesser euils so in this great calamitie to all the naturall helps that can be found and yet receiue small benefit as we all see in the end because they seeke not in the first place to those most precious spiritual preseruatiues helps which the Lord offereth vs against the pestilence Reason phisicke daily experience can teach vs that some secret causes worke in this plague more then in any other For this cause R. H. W. and to satisfie the request of some friendes I was content this Treatise containing I trust some comfortable spiritual helpes against the pectilence should be published for the benefit I hope of some of Gods people Now my humble request vnto your Honor and Worships is that as you be wise prouident and circumspect and verie carefull to remoue all naturall causes which seeme to breede and do indeede give strength vnto this venemous contagion by obserâ—…ation of politicke orders in all the parts of this Honorable citie so
otherwhiles takes vp against vs the same scourges which he hath prepared for the vngodly yet assuredly he will giue vs but his fatherly correction and hee will cause vs to vnderstand that all the chasticements of this present life are not worthy the great glory the sonnes of God shall receiue in the life to come Heere let vs dayly with Ieremie in our visitations crie with open mouth O Lorde take mee not away in the continuance of thine anger The Psalmist saith hee casts foorth signes of his feare anger indignation and wrath wheÌ„ he smites a people with the Pestilence Psal. 78. 49. And let vs striue mightily to bee comforted and to rest patiently by faith in Iesus Christ. First let vs endeuour to receiue by faith an answere from Gods spirit that our sinnes are couered and pardoned and this answere shall more reuiue and comfort our hearts then all the cordials in the world can reuiue the spirits or any partes of the outwarde man Secondly let vs mightily call for the confirmation of our faith that wee may haue patience The daughter of God Patientia Dei alumna saith Tertul for this is a soueraigne preseruatiue against this euill for want of this vnbeleeuers are like birdes in lime or snares which the more they striue to escape the more they are limed and snared It is wonderfull what comfort and courage faith by patience may worke in all true beleeuers This kept Asa when 20000. Ethiopians came about him to deuour him he was greatly inuironed had a strange deliuerance This comforted Dauid when he was ready to be stoned God gaue him great courage Hee comforted himselfe in the Lord his God and receiued a wonderfull deliuerance Likewise Hester in her most dangerous attempt for the preseruation of Gods people Hannaiah Mishael and Azariah and all the Martyrs of God in the world were euer encouraged by faith patiently to beare for the truth sake al the tortures torments which the world could lay vpon them So let vs in the like straites whatsoeuer of warres famine and pestilence cast our selues by faith into Gods bosome and desire that by patience we may possesse our soules in peace and say with P. I know whom I haue trusted Faith in Gods prouidence and faith in the redemption goe togither We can neuer truly trust him with our bodies if wee trust him not with our soules And againe if we doubt of his fauour in earthly things we must needs much more doubt of the same in heauenly things Triall of our faith in Gods Prouidence 1. If wee do not in the good day and in prosperitie attend well the meane of saluation and store vp on soules with comforts we shall be emptie in the euill day when it commeth 2. If we be not sust perswaded that all euil inuentions corrupt imaginations either bred in vs by our owne corruption or iniected into vs by the malice and craft of men or Angels be grieuous sins before the Almightie 2. if we do not mourne for our secret thoughts inward back-sliding falling from God 3. if this holy mourning cause not in vs a holy hatred detestation of all vaine shifts and wicked inuentions of the world we shall not possibly stand in the euill day All professe an asfiance trust in Gods prouidence but vnlesse they trust in his word thier rest is vaine and will deceiue them in the euill day A man must therefore with Dauid Psal. 119. 114. say on this wise O Lord thou art my refuge and shield that is I rest on thy prouidence but note the euidence of this faith and my trust is in thy word for hee that doth not know beleeue reioyce trust in Gods word he can haue no faith in Gods prouideÌ„ce God promiseth things temporal things eternall his word containes generall promises and particular promises for all wants of body and soule generall as Ioh. 1. Heb. 13. 56. I will neuer leaue thee nor for sake thee The beleeuer must answer in hart ô Lord thou art my refuge and my trust is in thy word particular for wants Ps. 34. 10. They which seek the Lord shall want nothing that is good To which voice answer with a beleeuing heart O Lord thou art my refuge my trust is in thy word 4. If we haue hope in Gods prouideÌ„ce we must take heed that we indent not with the Lord for any thing but simply giue vp our selues to him seeking Gods grace at al tâ—…mes and with all our hearts and let vs aske other things as pleaseth him for wheÌ„ wegiue these outward things to the Lord theÌ„ will he soonest giue them to vs againe Thus did Dauid in his affliction 2. Sam. 25. 26. If the Lord say I haue no pleasure in thee behold here I am let him do to me as seemeth good in his eyâ—…s 5. Wee may not aske earthly things as signes of his fauour neither must we esteem the want of these things as tokens of his displeasure THE 2. LECTVRE Verse 2. I say to the Lord O my defence and my fortresse my God is he in whom I trust HEre the Psalmist speaketh of his owne saitâ—… and experience desiring thereby to teach and confirme others The sense is this Let the men of this life seeke rest and comfort where they please I am thus resolued haue purposed in all troubles plagues c. first to flie vnto the Almightie shadow of gods most graciouâ—… protection And as I beleeue so will I speake in my heart before God and with my mouth before men that the Lord is my fortresse and the God in whom I will trust O my defer e. The word signifieth a place of refuge to shelter our selues in a great tempest q. a. I will seeke my protection ô Lord vnder thy wings And my fortresse The word signifieth a place of defence in warres Thus by many metaphors the Prophet desires to assure vs what a sure refuge God is vnto his faithfull people in all their troubles In whom I trust On whom I set all my rest and not on the secondarie causes or external meanes on which all vnbeleeuers stay themselues and therefore if these faile them they dispaire or be at their wits end Ier. 17. 5. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and withdraweth his hart from the Lord. And continually Ps. 40. 5. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lorde his trust In this verse we may obserue a good mark of a true beleeuer to run to God when most men run from God as in all extremities we daily see It is a most hard point to practise to diuert from the common rode of the wicked in euils and to betake our selues to gods helpe and holy ordinance The men of this world liue daily by examples but we must liue by faith we must be resolued as was Iofhua howsoeuer other men
make choise for their gods and religion yet saith hee I and mine house will serue the Lord And as Dauid here saith let the prophane multitude of vnbeleeuers run to the creatures in their necessities forgetting the Lord of life yea some to the meanes hee vtterly forbiddeth and others not a few to the meere professed enemies of God to Pagans and Idolaters as often did the Kings of Israel and Iudah yea to Sathan himselfe as all such do which run to the diuellish faculties of witchcraft and sorcery as the Egyptians when they were smitten with sundry plagues they sought to their wizardly priests and coniurers so the Chaldees Babilonians Saul Manasses Nero ◅ulian and such like in all ages The hypocrites iudgement and practise is cleane contrary to this holy canon here taught vs for he thinks it neuer safe to walke that way which most men treade not of the way of the multitude it is said Many si◅de it and like it but the end is destruction The 2. thing to be noted here is how he laboureth to teach others by his example This is a singular good way for teachers to conuert and confirme soules by speaking vnto men of their owne sence and experience of their faith I finde saith hee by most comfortable experience that they be safe which are in the Lords secret chamber and vnder his almightie shadowe I meane such as make God their castle and protection and boldly cry vnto him that they depend vpon him trust and rest in his almightie prouidence This is the best way to teach the ignorant and to conuert sinners vnto God by our owne faith feeling experience and practise of this we haue many sweet presidents in scripture This Prophet when hee hath receiued any spirituall comfort and instruction hee is euer ready to communicate vnto others what graces hee hath receceiued and how to come by them Hauing receiued inspeakeable cōfort in the free pardon of his sinnes Ps. 32. v. 5. he saith v. 8. I will instruct thee and teach thee the way that thou shalt goe And Psal. 51. he sheweth how greatly God is delighted that wee should teach others what benefits we haue receiued I will teach thy wayes vnto the wicked and sinners shall bee conuerted vnto thee This manner of teaching the Apostle thinkes most effectuall and profitable and therefore he vseth often in his owne example to teach others great mysteries of religion as of the dangerous conflicts between the flesh and the spirit Rom 7. and 8. of the vertue and great ◅fficacie of Christs crosse death and resurrection Gal. 6. 14. 15. 16. Rom. 66 How greatly the faithfull esteeme of Iesus Christ and his Gospell 1. Cor. 2. 2. Phil. 3. 8. 9. And the Apostle thinks also this way best to cōsort others in afflictions for thus he writeth Blessed be God euen the father of our Lord Iesus Christ the f◅ther of all mercies and the God of all comfort which comforteth vs in all our tribulations That we may be able to comfort them which are in any affliction by the comfort wherewith we are our selues comforted of the Lord. The vse of this doctrine is this euery man to stirre vp himselfe to be mindfull of his brethren to pe◅orm spiritual duties vnto them of instruction admonition exhortation c. as their state and condition shall require And to this end to begge of God as a louing and a mercifull spirit so specially the spirit of wisedome and iudgement that wee may know how to speake a good word seasonably vnto him that is wearied with his afflictions Es. 50. R. v. 4. Pro. 25. 11. Verse 3. Surely hee will deliuer thee from the snare of the hunter and from the grieuous Pestilence HEere the Psalmist laboureth to apply the generall doctrine of the first verse and what hee hath spoken of his owne saith and experience in the second verse vnto the present calamitie which was vpon the Iewes in his time and he striueth to perswade euery one of the faithfull that they shall be deliuered from the flying Angell which like a hunter raunged throughout all Iurie destroying so many thousands with the grieuous and deadly pestilence if they slie by faith farre aboue the secundarie causes vnto the Lords prouidence and holy protection 1. Here learne how that we must endeuour with all our might to strengthen one an others faith in calamities Doest thou beleeue canst thou beleeue All things are possible to him that beleeueth Wilt thou lie downe in the shadow of the Almightie surely he will deliuer thee 2. The Pestilence is heere called the snare of the Hunter because the Angell which was sent from the Lord like a Hunter or a fowler strangled slew many from Dan to Beersheba throughout all that kingdome with the Pestilence And it is not vnfitly compared vnto a snare for that it catcheth sodenly some walking some feeding some sporting some waking some sleeping as wee haue seene by our experience The Pestilence is here saide to bee noisome grieuous and painefull The word noysome or grieuous is in the originall a word of the pl◅n signifieth grieses So the plur n. is vsed for the superlatiue degree q. d. the most grieuous pestilence so it was in elder times vnto Dauid Heze iah and Iob and so it is vnto this day in such as are smitten we see and know daily by their complaints Verse 4. He will couer thee vnder his wings and thou shalt be sure vnder his feathers his truth shal be thy shield and buckler HEere the Prophet applyeth vnto the beleeuers spirit and conscience the same gracious promise of protection in other most sweete rearines and familiar speeches When men are dulled with griefes sorrowes and calamities they will hardly admit any consolation for this cause the holy Ghost here so often repeateth the same promise of mercie and comfort vnto vs. The metaphor of the Hen couering her young with her winges and feathers is no lesse comfortable than familiar Our Sauiour liketh it Math. 23. 27. The like is also vsed Exod. 19. 4. I haue carried you vpon Eagles wings and haue brought you vnto me The metaphor wherein he compareth the truth of Gods promise vnto a shield and buckler in the warres is thus vnderstood Like as the shield and buckler couereth our bodies from the strokes and darts of our enemies so the holy promise of Gods protection and deliuerance receiued by faith strongly confirmeth our hearts to receiue any calamities or plague and to rest confidently as out of all danger in Gods almightie shadow So is Gods promise called Pra. 30. 5. Euery word of God is pure and a shield to those that trust in him Here note that whereas before hee said the Lord to bee the most sure protection of his people hee ascribeth now that protection here vnto Gods truth that is the reuealed promise of God because the Lord ca◅ no other way be found but in the word o◅ promise
faith that albeit all the world went from God in these extremities to many vnlawfull meanes yet he would sweetly rest in God and seeke for lawfull meanes onely here hee speakes of euery other faithful beleeuer as of himselfe that he also must haue this particular faith For a man must not onely haue faith concerning Gods prouidence as at other times but I must also beleeue that God in this speciall visitation hath a most speciall care of me and hath commanded his Angels to watch ouer me And for this cause all the promises are particularly applyed to this beleeuer from the beginning to the ende of this Psalme verse 3. Surely he will deliuer thee from the s◅are c. verse 4. Hee will couer thee with his wings and his truth shall bee thy shield verse 5. Thou shalt not be afraid c. verse 7. A thousand shall fall at thy side and it shall not come neare thee verse 8. Thou shalt onely see the reward of the wicked verse 11. Hee will giue his Angels charge ouer thee to keepe thee verse 12. They shall beare thee c. verse 13. Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion c. Wherefore thou must striue to haue this particular and speciall faith in troubles The 10. verse seemeth vnto me to containe this argument Hee that with all good conscience watcheth ouer his wayes and so endeuoureth with all his might to walke with his God in sinceritie of life and soundnesse of heart hee shall be deliue◅ redin the Pestilence Thou art one of them which striue with all good conscience to serue the Lord thy God and doest endeuour that no cause be giuen that thy father now in his anger shall s◅ite thee with the Pestilence Therefore hee will deliuer thee THe Lord saith in an other place that when the dayes of famine come he will not famish the soule of the righteous and to the true worshipper which serueth him in truth of spirit he saith The Lord shal blesse thy bread and thy water I will take away all sicknesse from the mids of thee The Prophet here teacheth vs as the Apostle that Gods children must auoyd all occasion of sinne or to speake yet more strictly as the holy spirit speaketh all shadow all likenesse or appearance of sinne So some godly Interpreters vnderstand that place The Psalmist as I iudge here compareth vs to wise and faithfull children which are most watchfull least by any the least meanes they giue cause of offence to their good parents And surely all arguments of our heauenly fathers loue and mercie considered in our election creation redemption regeneration adoption continuall preseruation euerlasting saluation we are of all other the most foolish and vnkind childrē if we study not chearefully to obey and carefully to auoyd the offence of so mightie so louing so gratious and so bountifull a father vnto vs. Againe if this watchfulnesse must be found alwaies in vs how much more euen then when our almightie Father in the continuance of his anger as Ieremie saith consumeth his enemies and chasteneth his owne people Therefore at this time specially all the wise sonnes of God tremble to displease him and studie to please him Psal. 2. 4. Question That a good conscience is a speciall preseruatiue against the Pestilence A Good conscience saith Augustine very well is the paradise of the soule and surely so an euill conscience is the very hell of the soule And Chrysost◅me calles the good conscience the good countenance of the soule because this conscience alone can approch boldly to the throne of grace Wherefore this good conscience is one of the greatest blessings wee haue on earth Now for as much as it is a thing most dangerous to bee deceiued in our greatest treasure and to take drosse for gold good for euill and euill for good let vs therefore be the more circumspect and carefull first to know and learne what this great grace is Secōdly let vs wisely examine ourselues whether we possesse it haue it in truth or ignorantly be deceiued as most mē be Lastly after iust triall and examination had of our owne hearts if we finde it in our selues let vs labor with all our strength to cherish it preserue it if we finde we haue it not let vs neuer giue our selues any rest but contend in all the meanes appointed to come to Iesus Christ that he may giue it vs for he alone can giue it and strength to keepe it Conscience is described of some to be a liuing lawe in our hearts which stirreth awaketh driueth vs vnto good things I suppose wee may truly describe the conscience first generally on this manner Conscience is an inward remembrancer in our minds and hearts witnessing eyther with vs or against vs of all our thoughts wordes and workes The cause wherefore the Lord hath put this remembrancer in man is this a small light and weake knowledge would soone lve hid and be as buried in him by reason of the corruption of our hearts and affections therefore the Lord hath left him this feeling as a keeper and a watch to awake him to marke and espie all his secrets and continually to present him vnto the iudgement seate of God that nothing may be lost in obliuion and this keeper men say to be as a thousand witnesses to testifie with vs or against vs euen of of all our secrets a great controller of Atheists euen in their secret chambers The seate of this remembrancer is the vnderstanding yet for that it is found sensibly to smite the heart therefore the holy Ghost euer seates him there So Salomon noteth speaking to Shimei Thou knowest all the wickednesse wherevnto thine heart is priuie that thou didst to Dauid my father And the Apostle saith that the great peace keepeth the heart and mind in Christ Iesus And the Author to the Hebrewes Your heart being pure from an euill conscience Eccles 7. 24. Lastly that this witnesse or remembrancer will be with vs or against vs at all times and that in Gods presence the Apostle testifieth Rom. 2. 15. The Gentiles shewe the effect of the Lawe written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one an other or excusing before God The first diuision of the conscience is this the conscience is either 1. Good or 2. Euill 1. Of the good conscience SAint Peter 1. 3. 21. saith that a good conscience is a quietnesse of mind after we be perswaded of the grace of God in Christ being then readie without feare to present our selues before him Heb. 10. 2. The holy Ghost to the Hebrewes calleth it a conscience purged from dead works to serue the liuing God If the Heathens did so much reioyce in their good consciences which were but counterfeit in respect of the consciences of the faithfull how much more should we desire to know and reioyce to finde and endeuour to keepe
may bring him to the kingdome of heauen is most blind and counts all these holy meanes meere foolishnes 1. Cor. 2. 14. The wisedome of the fl◅sh is en◅tie against God so the Apostle speaketh The conscience handwriting or watchman in this man is giuen him of God partly to conuince him because hee walketh not according to the generall motions and naturall knowledge he hath of good things partly to bridle and keepe vnder his wild and disordred affections 1 This conscience excuseth euer falsly because of ignorance corruption of the minde and all affections as first when it doth excuse those works which in the generall are good indeede but are sinnes in him and all naturall men as Vzzas fact mentioned 1. Chron. 159. Secondly whē it excuseth and couereth any inward sin and hypocrisie by an outward false obedience An example of this wee haue in Mark 10 20. 2 This conscience first truly accuseth and citeth a man before God for that which is euil indeed as 10. 9. the wicked accusers were accusea by their own consciences Many are thus cited and sent for by this Parator and confesse it with shame as Saul did to Dauid and yet are neuer the better a dangerous signe Secondly this conscience citeth a man falsly for that which is not euill in it selfe but superstitiously thought to be euill Col. 2. 21. As for the committing or omitting of any thing against the superstitious traditions of men Touch not taste not handle not Thus much of the feeling conscience the dead conscience followeth A dead conscience is a heart and conscience voyd of all naturall sense or naturall feeling This conscience of all other is most fearefull and daungerous and commeth after multiplying and heaping of greeuous sinnes together or long contempt of the holy truth or both The Apostle speaketh of some of the prophane Gentiles that first from vanitie of minde they come to blindnes from blindnes they fall to hardnes of heart then they become past feeling and the last degree of euill is they giue themselues vnto wantonnesse to work◅ all vncleannesse euen with greedinesse And of Antichrist and his disciples hee sayth First they depart from the faith secondly they giue heed to spirits of error thirdly to doctrines of diuels fourthly they giue heede to such as speake lies through hypocrisie lastly their consciences is seared with a hot iron Signes of a deadly frozen and benummed conscience are these FIrst a dangerous signe to multiply sins without feeling Ephes. 4. 18. 19. Rom. 1. 22. 30. 2 A dangerous signe to regard neither the curses nor blessings of GODS lawe Deut. 29. 19. But to flatter himselfe in his heart saying I shall haue peace although I walke according to the stubburnnesse of my heart so adding drunkennes vnto thirst the Lord will not be merciful vnto that man This heart is poysoned by the spirit of slumber Rom. 11. 8. 3 To make a mocke of sinne and of the Ministrie of Gods most holy Word Ezech. 33. 30. 31. 32. 33. 4 When vexation of spirit commeth to lay violent hands vpon themselues as to hang themselues with Iudas and Achitophel to kill themselues desperately with Saul and many others Lastly these are most fearfull signes of a most wicked prophane conscience to haue some notable horror of minde and trembling of bodie when some of Gods iudgements appeare blaspheinies in great extremities and passions of death Nero was wonderfully terrified with visions flashings of fire and terrible dreams after he had murthered his owne mother Belshazzar King of Babylon hauing the spoyles of Gods Church and in great contempt of the true God sporting himselfe and praysing the gods of gold and siluer of iron wood stone at the same houre appeared fingers of a mans hand which wrote ouer against the candlesticke vpon the plaister of the wal of the kings pallace and the king saw the palme of the hand that wrote Then the kings countenance was changed and his thoughts troubled him so that the ioynts of his l◅ynes were loosed and his knees smote one against another And this trembling had Felix when Paul disputed before him of righteousnes and temperance which he wanted and of the fearfull iudgements wherin all sinners must appeare before Iesus Christ in the end of the world and receiue a heauie sentence of condemnation The troubles of reprobates breede in them often desperation the causes of this are either secrt or open Secret Gods reprobation knowne to himselfe and not to be searched manifest causes in the ende finall impenitencie hardnesse of heart Here it is wisedome to hope the best of men Crastinus dies ignoratur wee knowe not what shall be to morrow if an open blasphemie with an abnegation of the trueth appeare not And thus much of an euill conscience Now to make in a word some vse of this sweet doctrine aforegoing and to apply it vnto our present purpose First in the time of pestilence and all other calamities wisely examine thy selfe as is afore shewed If thou doubtest of thy conscience how it may stand in the euill day make hast to purge it least euill preuent thee And if after sound tryall thou findest thy selfe to possesse a blessed cleane conscience well purged by Iesus Christ and sanctified by his holy Spirite then mightily keepe watch ward as it were that no enemy may steale this pearle frō thee for it is of inestimable value and surpassing vertue to preserue thee in the pestilence I giue thee here none other counsel then the holy Ghost hath giuen vs all For it is written Keepe thine heart with all diligence for thence proceed the actions of life and leese this thou shalt make shipwrack also offaith and spirituall vnderstanding And Christ saith that vnlesse the heart be purged and watchfully preserued and kept cleane it sends foorth euill thoughts adulteries c. Iob therfore was very carefull of his heart and conscience and very watchfully kept it My heart saith hee shall not reproue me of my dayes And so was Dauid for assoone as he had sinned and gaue occasion of that Pestilence before the Prophet Gad came vnto him it is said Dauids heart smote him after hee had numbred the people And examine thy selfe also truely how thou standest in the faith and how Iesus Christ is in thee Take heed of a false faith as thou beleeuest so so shall it be done vnto thee For like as the true faith brings many blessings to the beleeuers so a false faith breedes many euill effects in the vnbeleeuers And as the heart chiefly must be regarded so the outward sences and partes of the body must in no wise bee neglected in this watch The eye is a dangerous sence and most quicke and suddenly doth stirre vp euill motions in the heart wee must as Iob make a couenant with our eyes The ◅are must diligently first heaken and then consider how to beleeue and obey
haue so accounted it Gen. 15. 15. Thou shal come to thy fathers in peace and shalt be buried in a good old age So Gedâ—…on is buried in a good age Iudges 8. 32. And Dauid full of daies riches and honour 1. Chron. 29 28. Surely olde age and gray haires is a Crowne of glory to the righteous and godly man For thus the holy Spirit speaketh Age is a Crowne of glory when it is found in the way of righteousnesse but all things are turned into sinne and accursed to the wicked and vngodly Againe Gods children are more satisfied here on earth with a fewe daies then the wicked are with Nestors yeares And concerning long dayes in heauen there shall be dayes continually and no more nightes The heauenly Ierusalem hath no neede of the Sunne neither of the Moone to shine in it for the glory of God doth light it and the Lambe is the light of it The 6. and last promise I will shewe him my saluation This promise of all the rest is most comfortable And here two things must be considered First who see their saluation or to whome it is shewed Secondly where and when it is shewed vs and seene by vs. For the first not euery man can see into this mysterie no not euery professour of the Gospell first he must be as he is described in this Psalme a faithfull man a godly man a righteous man watchfull ouer his wayes a deuout man fearing God the Lord doth assure such in time by his good spirit of their election adoption vocation and euerlasting saluation Rom. 8. 15. Eph. 430. All the faithfull ought to striue daily in all religious seare to come to the knowledge and the full assurance by faith of their saluation Secondly if thou demandest when and where the faithfull see their saluation I answere that they see it both on earth and in heauen first in earth they see it as in a glasse two waies â—…st by saith when they see Christ and haue the assurance of his benefits in their hâ—…ts by the holy spirit secondly by â—…eeling when they â—…eele the power and vertue of Christ working in them true moâ—…ficaton and sanctification of life Again they see their saluation in heauen when they come to the present possessioÌ„ of that crown which is purchased for them then shall they no more see darkly for â—…ohn saith We know that when he shâ—… appeare we â—…all bee 〈◊〉 him for we shall 〈◊〉 as he is and be with him where he is 10 17 〈◊〉 24. Note here 〈◊〉 â—…sts and Athâ—…sts till the Lord 〈◊〉 your eyeâ—… with his eye â—…alue you can neuer but doubt of your saluation for he alone doth shew it whom and where and when he will To be short this is a most soueraigne comfort for all Gods people and euer hath bene in all paines and griefes of this present life plagues persecutions and all euils whatsoeuer Iob reioyceth in his miserie saying I am sure my redeemer liueth and I shall see him c. THE 7. LECTVRE The seuenth Question Of the visâ—…ation of the sicke which dutie must also be â—…erformed by some chosen faithfull and discreet men in the Pestilence Iames 5. 14. Is any sicke among you let him send for the Elders c. WE haue already shewed very cordâ—…all and precious preseruatiues both against many euils and specially against the Pestilence And yet there is one more which is giuen vs of the Lord no lesse profitable and effectuall then the rest And this is that comfortable visitation of the sicke which containeth medicines of wonderfull vertue to be ministred by the righteous and religious Elders or holy Ministers vnto Gods people and by the wiâ—…e godly brethren one to an other in all their maladies In the visitation of the sicke Iames teacheth vs what the sicke or visited must doo 1 He must send for the Elders verse 14. 2 Acknowledge his sinnes verse 16. 3 He must beleeue verse 15. 4 He must pray with them verse 16. Secondly what the visitors must be 1 The Elders verse 14. 2 The Elders of the Church verse 14. 3 Faithful men verse 15. 4 Righteous men verse 16. 5 Zealous men 6 Mercifull men 7 Men of one accord Thirdly what the visitors must do 1 They must come to the house of mourning verse 14. 2 They must teach and admonish the patient verse 16. 3 They must striue in fasting and praier for him verse 15. 4 They must pray tn faith verse 15. 5 They must perseuer and expect a blessing assuredly Is any sicke let him send for the Elders 1 HEre againe with Iames wee see that sicknes as all afflictions of this life is common to all the godly with the wicked poore rich strong and weake in faith there is no exception nor priuiledge here to free any man 2. S. Iames would haue the sicke man to sheâ—…e his faith loue by sending first of his own accord for the Elders of the church to instruct him and to pray for him and to comâ—…ort him so the Elders seeing his desire his loue feare shall be stirred vp in a greater affection and compassion towards him againe 3 Wee must here note also wherefore the holy Ghost sends vs first to these spirituall Phisitions of the soule before wee call for the other of the body which must not be despised And this hee doth that these holy men may take a view of the spirituall causes of our euils and labour to remoue them for then our naturall griefs are both soonest holpen most soundly cured so Christ begins his cure Mat. 9. 2. by remouing first the spirituall causes Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee And surely this we finde daily true by our experience that when phisicke â—…res without the Lord as it were the sores plagues of their soules become more dangerous incurable for being nothing humbled nor bettered by the Lords chasticements they walke more boldly in their old sinnes when they recouer health thâ—… before Now lâ—… 〈◊〉 examine with all diligence what speciall points S. Iames commendeth vnto vs concerning the visitation of the sicke First hee saith the Elders must be sent for by these Elders the holy spirit vnderstandeth else-where the holy Ministers chiefly and with them the godly brethren which were their helpers in their ministrie and spirituall seruice vnto God and his church men of knowledge wisedome experience and godlinesse without rebuke Secondly hee saith not one but many Elders not one Elder for here in this spirituall seruice as in many other corporall actions that is true which the Preacher saith Two are better then one Againe the loue iudgement experience faith feeling and praier of many must here be more effectuall and comfortable then of one And yet here cases no doubt may ofteÌ„ so fall out as that some one most rare most expert and wise messengers of the Lord must be sought for albeit as Iob
translated out of Dutch into Latine and in English thus much God hath created phisicke and giuen vs a minde and reason that euerie man should haue a care of his owne bodie for health and life whosoeuer vvil not vse these vvhen as vvithout the hurt of his neighbour hee may the same man betraieth his owne life and there lacketh little but that before God he is made a murtherer for by the same reason hee may despise meate and drinke rayment and housing and trusting too much vnto his faith saie if God vvill hee can preserue me without all these thinges then the which follie this is yet greater that hee whiche after this sorte casteth off the care of his bodie he may hurt and infect others also and so through his negligence he may purchase the blame of a murderer Some men doe indeed as foolish men doe in a common firing which will not come and helpe the citie but let the fire alone that the whole citie might be burned namelie vpon this trust doubtlesse if God will ◅e can without water quench the fire But friend thou oughtest in no wise so to deale Nay it is vnlawfull and shamefull which thou perswadest thy selfe but rather vse remedies and medicines and doo whatsoeuer anie way may helpe perfume thine house orchard or streete flie the infested places and so behaue thy selfe as one willing to quench and not to maintaine this open fire Againe it followeth in the same treatise If Sathan by the will of God either by himselfe or his Ministers hath wrought vs this deadlie infection I on the other side before all things will pray vnto God that of his mercie he will take away the same from vs then I will put to my simple helping hand both by perfuming aud clensing of the ayre by vsing of medicines and also in sbunning the infection where my presence is not necessarie Lest I might seeme my selfe to haue neglected some thing or to be cause of death vnto other who through my negligence may take harme But if God neuerthel◅sse will haue me vi◅ited with this sicknesse or call me out of this world vnto his kingdome yet I haue done but that which was my dutie neither haue I offeded◅◅n any thing either against my selfe or my neighhour but vvhere my seruice is needfull there I will let passe nothing of all things which either can or ought to be done of me Behold this is that godly faith indeed which doth nothing rashly neither tempteth God in any thing Thus thē I conclude when thou shalt haue wisely considered and discerned the causes of the pestilence then turn to God as the Prophet biddeth with all thine heart with fasting with weeping with mourning and slie aloft by faith into the secret place almightie shadow blessed protection of the Lord and there rest patiētly as vnder his holy wings euer praying for the increase of faith and patience that thou maist quietly wa◅t and depend vpon God and for a good conscience that so thou maist auoyde false foolish vaine and wicked feares and cheerfully standing in thy place and carefully call for the protection of the mightie blessed and holie Angels for the communion and presence of Iesus Christ so shalt thou chase far*away from thee the wicked and vncleane spirits which are sent of God to poysen and to destroy men with the pestilence And lastly when thou hast vsed al the meanes before shewed for thy spirituall helpe and comfort thou must neglect no ordinance nor helpe of God in nature both for thy cure and preseruation The wicked indeed inuert peruert this order as did Asa and therefore no maruell if they receiue often a curse in steed of a blessing for if phisicke giue them health of body their soules notwithstanding are neuer cured or made any better by their chasticements but they daily gather more strength to commit sin with greater boldnesse MAISTER GREENEHAMS PRAYER O God most mighty glorious and righteous O Father most louing gracious and merciful which keepest couenant and mercie in Iesus Christ for all those which receiuing the first fruites of thy holy spirit walke before thee in vprightnesse of their heart we thy vnworthy children come vnto thee in the name of thy onely begotten sonne Iesus Christ our Lord beseeching thee to renue and encrease thy holy spirit in vs and to purifie our hearts more and more by faith that we may haue a clearer sight and a surer perswasion of thy fatherly goodnesse vnto vs and that we may more readily perform our dutifull obedience vnto thee For we do acknowledge confesse vnto thy sacred Maiestie that wee haue yet neuer hitherto worthily estemed thy mercies towards vs nor sufficiently expressed the fruites of our bounden dutie towards thee but that stil we remaine ignorant and forgetfull of many good things which wee ought and might know And we confesse Lord we are slack vnto those things which thy holy spirit offereth to our mindes vnapt to do them soone weary of wel-doing and wherein we please thee something we please our selues too much Moreouer we likewise confesse that we are ignorant of many euill things that we haue done doo or may doo forgetfull of diuers things which sometime we haue had knowledge and remorce of And now the thinges which come to our remembrance and are in our sight do not appeare to be so sinfull in any measure as they are and ought of vs to be regarded Yea we are beguiled or euer we are aware with our present corruptions and they cleaue so fast vnto vs that wee can hardly leaue them but most hardly be brought to true repentance of them We besee◅h therfore thy sacred Maiestie to worke in vs by thy holy spirit a wise and carefull searching out of and into our sinnes that by thy lawe wee may be conuinced of them awakened by thy threatnings rebuked for them by thy iudgements executed vpon the wicked and exercised towarde thy children seruants and friends that so we may feare and tremble for them And by the serious premeditation of the vncertaine houre of a most certaine death of the day of thy generall in◅itable and dreadfull iudgement of the horrible euerlasting paines of the wicked in the helles and their losse of the inestimable ioyes of the heauens stirre vp our dead heartes to seeke thee O Father in thy Christ and thy sonne our Lorde and Sauiour in the Gospell And finally wee pray that wee may be euen confounded in our selues by the fruitfull remembrance of thy blessed sufferings the most precious bloud-sheading and death of our Lorde Iesus Christ that so wee may bee humbled after that manner and measure thy children should bee beseeching thee that wee may so aforehand accuse our selues before thy blessed Maiestie that our aduersarie may haue no power hereafter to accuse vs so iudge our selues that we be not iudged by thee so with shame sorrow feare trembling acknowledge the