nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercy He both prepares the good will of man August Enchir cap. 3 1. Repent Peter fol. 117. that it may be fit to be holpen by grace and also aydeth it being prepared Hee preventeth him that is unwilling that hee may bee willing and followeth him that is willing that hee may not will in vaine Blasphemous then is it to hold that the will of man should worke with Gods Grace in any thing that is good Indeede as they are workes and actions so they proceede from the will of man but as they are good works they are only the workes of grace as our Savior Christ told his Disciples John 15.5 Without me yee can doe nothing Yet in the very act of conversion the will of man is not idle nor without all motion and sense as a dead image but it followeth the Spirit of God that draweth it not by any violent necessitie but by sweetning and softning our hearts by his holy Spirit For in one and the same moment God moveth and boweth the will Non violenta necessi◅ate sed infandendo suavitatem ◅er spiritum sanctum bid and causeth us to bee willing indeed but yet so as all the efficacy of the worke is from the Spirit of God who of unwilling maketh obedient and of slow and dull maketh us runne Let this then teach thee himiliation for if there be no goodnesse nor any aptnesse to that which is good in us why should we be lift up with any conceipt of our selves rather glorifie God with acknowledgment of thy poverty and by earnest Prayer crave the assistance of Gods grace to quicken thee and effect the worke of thy conversion that so thou mayst performe those duties which God requireth of thee Thus doth the Church of God in divers places Convert thou me Jer. 31.18 and I shal be converted And againe Turne thou us unto thee O Lord Lam. 5.21 and wee shall be turned Yea Da Domine quod jubes jube quod vis Soliloq cap. 18. St. Augustine had that sweete Prayer oft in his Mouth Lord give grace to doe what thou commaundest and then commaund what thou wilt Otherwise there can be no good looked for in any of us And therefore Moyses maketh this the cause why the people were no more moved to repentance by all the gracious proceedings and administrations of God toward them in the wildernesse namely That the Lord had not given them an heart to perceive Deut. 29.4 nor eyes to see nor eares to heare unto this day QVENCH not the spirit 1 Thes 5.19 2 THE graces of the holy Spirit in this life are like sparkes of fier which may soone be quenced with a litle water as oft as wee sinne we cast water upon the Spirit of God and as much as in us lies wee put out the same Therefore let it bee thy speciall care to avoyde and make conscience of every thing wherein thou mayst offend and grieve the holy Spirit of God He is a Spirit most pure and will have an undefiled Temple to dwell in keepe therefore thy Vessell cleane thy body pure which is his Temple doe nothing that may disquiet or molest him least by abusing thy selfe by sinne thou cause the Holy Ghost with griefe to depart from thee QVEENE Esther also being in danger of death resorted unto the Lord Esther 14.1 3 THERE bee two things that fill the heart full of endlesse griefe outward calamities and a wounded conscience which as Salomon speakes none can beare Pro. 18 14 and the only comfort in distresse is to have recourse to GOD by earnest Prayer and although hee seeme not to heare presently Job 13.15 yet to trust in him with Iob even unto the death Rowle thy selfe therefore upon the Lord and cast all thy care upon him who careth for thee and though GOD or wicked men afflict and vex thee yet let it not drive thee from this Rocke of comfort to vaine and sorry shifts The Lord hath comforts for his children that will quiet and support them in any feares and dangers his consolation will make a man sleepe without a Bed live almost without a Soul they will make a man bold in danger quiet in trouble and live in the jawes of death Rejoyce therefore in all thy troubles but let it be in the Lord and hee will give thee strength to withstand thē for the joy of the Lord is our Strength R. PROVERBS 11. Vers 4. RICHES availe not in the day of wrath but righteousnesse delivereth from death 1. RICHES of themselves are not simplie evill but as they are corrupted by abuse it is possible though hard for a Man to bee rich and yet to bee a good Man neyther doth the Prophet advise us to have no riches Psal 62 10. but that wee should not set our hearts upon them But alas so easilie doth a prosperous estate make a corrupted minde that povertie were much better for many There is a fonde imagination possesseth the heart of most men that wealth brings some happinesse and that if they have abundance they are then in safety and in an happy case This is evident by a common speech that such or such a man cannot doe amisse for he is wealthy and hath the World at will as if they should say hee is free from danger no hurt can come unto him But wealth is a very weake defendant against the LORDS assaults it shall not stand them in any stead neyther deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord. Ezeck 7.19 Trust not therefore to thy riches Ecclus 5.1 and say not I have enough for my life for thou knowest not how soone they may be taken from thee or thou thy selfe pluckt from them Ecclus 1 1◅ 19. the time draweth neere that thou must leave all such things unto others and then whose shall those things be that thou hast provided RIGHTEOVS lips are the delight of Kings and the King loveth him that speaketh right things Pro. 16. ver 13. Ecclus 10.17 2 BLESSED is the Land when the King is the sonne of Nobles vertuouslie trained up and delighting in the grave advice of his Sage counsellors then doth he like the Sunne in the Firmament shine gloriouslie and as it so hee comforteth and rejoyceth the hearts of all that are under his rule But when his eares are stopt to honest and wholesome Counsaile and tyed onely to the tongues of flatterers and Thrasonicall Sycophāts a woe it is to the land Pro. 11.14 for the people must needes fall 2 Chron. 12.1 When foolish Rehoboam the Sonne of wise Salomon forsooke the Law of the Lord all Israel went with him Looke what manner of Man the ruler of the City is such Ecclus 10.2 are all they that dwell therein his very example is a secret kinde of Law and whatsoever hee doth himselfe he seems to command it to
and all kinde of riot joyned with all kinde of filthinesse and shamefulnesse of living 1 Thes 5.8 But thou which art of the day be sober and trust perfectly on that grace that is brought unto you 1 Pet. 1.13 in the Revelation of Iesus Christ as an obedient child not fashioning your selfe unto the former lusts of your ignorance but as hee which hath called you is holy so be thou holy in all manner of conversation 1. Peter 1.13 14 15. WHO ever perished being an innocent or where were the upright destroyed Iob 4. ver 7. 3 MANS extremity is Gods oppertunity and many times hee suffers his children to sinke so low that all meanes of helpe seems to faile in so much that they many times become a by-word to wicked and prophane worldlings Loe these are the men that trusted in God these are they that tooke him for their comfort Psal 37.24 Yet then in mercy hee putteth under his hand not suffering them to perish or to bee cast off Doe thou then who hast an heart spiritually afflicted stay thy selfe heere Feare not any affliction whether immediately from God or from his instruments happening unto thee for God hath comforts for thee in all and will send comfort above all tribulation Though hee suffer thee to bee evill entreated of Tyrants and cruell oppressors yet despise not the chastening of the Lord neyther faint when thou art rebuked of him Heb. 12.5 10 knowing that he doth it for thy profit that thou mayst bee partaker of his holinesse Y. PROVERBS 27. vers 17. YRON sharpeneth yron so doth man sharpen the face of his friend 1. THERE is no speedier conjunction of Fier and Gunpowder Fire and Towe Tinder or of any other such combustable matter then there is of words for no sooner is an hasty word sent from the mouth of an angry man but it catches and kindles burning on till it have enflamed him who is of the like humor then as if it reached some concave it is repercussed and Echoed into the throate of the speaker Hence many times it comes to passe that even betweene most loving friends for trifles and matters of no moment most bitter discords and unnaturall bloudsheads have arisen for sayth Salomon grieveous words stirr up anger Pro. 1 1. which ends not in the teeth or tongue nor dies till it come to blading or handing at the best Therefore let it be thy coÌ„mendation that thou canst put up an angry words and passe by an injury offered or done unto thee howsoever the World befoole thee for it yet art thou Gods wiseman Pro. 14 29 for he that is slow to wrath is of great wisdome whereas he that is an angry man never lacks woe and a man of much anger shall suffer punishment Pro 19.19 YEE are all the children of light and the children of the day 1 Thes 5. vers 5. 2 TRVTH however it may sometimes be blamed yet it can never be shamed but with a constant and settled countenance it dares behold the Sun whereas sinne though it be a bould audacious brood yet it seeks to shrowde it selfe in obscure places not daring to behold the light Pro. 7 9. The whoremaster seekes out whore-howses in the twilight in the evening when the night begins to bee blacke and darke Job 24 15 The eye of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight and sayeth no eye shall see mee and disguiseth his face And they that be drunke are drunke in the night in which security whilst they are deepe buried singing sweete lullabies to their soules yea are ensnared in an evill hower and suddaine destruction comes upon them 1 Thess 5.3 that they cannot escape Whereas the child of God standing in awe of and yet joyfully expecting that day prevents the bitternesse thereof by walking soberlie as in the Day-time not fearing who seeth or scanneth his actions Thou therefore who art of the day be sober watch doe such things as doe belong and appertaine to the light not walking in the wayes nor doing the workes of vanity that when thy Master commeth and findeth thee doing such things as are pleasing in his eye-sight thou mayst partake of that comfortable invitation It is well done good servant Mat. 25.13 and faithfull enter into thy masters joy YES yee are our glory and joy 1. Thes 2.20 3 AS in all other professions so likewise in the Ministry perfection and a good effect is the thing principally intended and the salvation of soules cheifely aimed at a good successe is that which every one exspects upon his labours 1 Thes 2.19 and the Ministers Crowne of rejoycing is when the word of God which is by him sowen in the hearts of his people takes roote downewards Esay 55. â—1 and beares fruite upwards prospering in the things wherunto it is sent Let it therefore bee your care as it is his when you come to the hearing of the holy word of GOD to come with a desier to profit by it and to grow in grace through the powerfull operation of the same and to this end pray unto God to open your heart as hee did the heart of Lydia Acts 16 12. that you may diligently attend to that which shall bee taught that so GOD by his holy Spirit working with the Ministrie of his messenger they may in the great harvest of soules stand before the Lord with great comfort and bouldnes and joyfull say Behold heere are we Heb. 2.13 and the children which God hath given us which is their joy glory Z. PSAL. 69. vers 9. The ZEALE of thine house hath eaten me up 1. COVETOVSNESSE is a Leaprie which did not onely infect the common sort of people but appeared also in the Priests skinne yea it had spread to their harts and rather then any one should thinke to bee excused by reason of his long journey from his sacrifice at the Pasover the House of God shall be made an House of Marchandise for such necessaries as were then required Christ seeing this winkes not at it but was so enflamed that he whipt theÌ„ all forth fulfilling that Scripture The zeale of thine house hath eaten mee up And because every action of Christ ought to be a patterne for us to doe the like though not the same Therefore let it be thy care to bee eaten up with the zeale of Gods house i e to be zealously affected allwayes in good things Gal. 4.18 thinke it not enough to save one by caring onely for thine owne selfe but labour ro reduce others when thou seest them straying froÌ„ the good way Reprove sinne wheresoever and in whomsoever thou espiest it Remember that servant was condemned not for loosing but because he had not made advantage of his Talent Mat. 25.27 So will it bee with thee if as much as in thee lyeth thou seeke not to win souls unto Christ Be zealous therefore and amend repent and in all things be a means to bring others to Repentance FINIS Imprimatur Tho. Wykes March 27. 1637.
losse in the conscience which the whole Worlds profit cannot countervaile nor make a Man a saver by his bargaine FAIRE words are as an Hony combe sweetnesse to the soule and health to the bones Pro. 16.24 3 THE Horse the Camel the Elephant the Lyon c. Are not naturally tame but that they may become gentle and serviceable mans helping hand must be layd too yet when this little weeping-master of all Gods Creatures hath thus played the Man in subduing others himselfe maintaines an unruly Rebell within himselfe ready to overthrow the whole body of Man the litle Model of a Cōmon Wealth which as S. Iames speakes is The tongue Jam. 3 7.8 an unruly evill that no Man can tame Iames 3.7.8 Blessed is the Man that hath not fallen by the word of his mouth Ecclus 14.1 Ecclus 41.1 For he that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from afflictions Pro. 21.23 Pro. 21.23 But hee that openeth his lips unadvisedly destruction shall bee to him Pro. 13.3 Pro. 13.3 Dost thou then finde thy selfe addicted to swearing and other abuses of the tongue why then betake thy selfe to God implore his aide for though the preparation of the heart in Man yet the answere of the tongue is of the Lord. Pro. 16.1 Pro. 16.1 Pray therefore with David Set a watch Psal 141 3 O Lord before my mouth and keepe the dore of my lipes Psal 141.3 Psal 141.3 O Lord Father and governour of all my whole life leave me not to their counsell and let me not fall by them Ecclus 23.1 Ecclus 23.1 Set a watch before my mouth and a seale of Wisdome upon my lips that I fall not suddenly by them and that my tongue destroy mee not Ecclus 22.26 Eccles 22.26 G JOB 32.9 GREAT men are not alwayes wise neyther doe the aged alwayes understand judgment 1. AS sicke Men convert wholesome meates into the nature of the disease they labour off So doe evill Men subvert good that it becomes exceedingly bad Wit and Learning without grace is worse then honist sottishnesse the greatest Clarkes are not alwayes the holiest Men. Seldome hath their bin any great errour in Gods Church which hath not beene the of-spring of some great wit What hath brought foorth amongst us our Separatists or Pharises and other troublers of our Church but an overweening conceipt of their owne worth and learning all ages have proved that there was never any that did so much mischiefe in the Church of GOD as those who for wit and learning have bin most Eminent Hast thou then knowledge wit learning c. Pray hard for a good spirit from God to guide and direct thee in thy proceedings I reade of a sweete answer which one William Times made to those bloudy butchers Winchester and Bonner Acts and Monum being convented before them Times sayd the Bishops thou hast a good fresh spirit it were well if thou hadst learning to thy spirit yea my Lord sayd Times and it were well also that you are learned so you had good spirits to your learning To the Serpent joyne the Dove both together will doe excellent but if they be severed let the World say what it will a dram of holinesse is better then a pound of wit for it is not policie but pietie not wit but wisdome that escaps damnation GOD will lay up the sorrowes of the Father for the children when he rewardeth him hee shall know it Iob. 21.29 2 THE soule that sinneth it shall die doth God then pervert judgment or doth the Almighty subvert justice Joh 8 3. that the sinnes of the Fathers should bee visited upon the children Exod 20.5 and that the sower Grapes which they have eaten should set their childrens Jer. 31.29 teeth or edge Surely no but it is commonly seene that wicked fathers have children like themselves who make their fathers sins their owne by imitation and therefore as Princes doe with equity disinherit the posterity of Traytors so wicked children having their fathers sinnes and their owne upon their heads they are Traytors themselves to God and so are much more justly punished of the Lord. Goe not then about to charge God falslie neyther doe thou cavill at him or finde fault at his just proceedings The Law allowes the heire or executor to be sued for the fathers debt and what injustice is it in God to proceede in like manner Psal 101.2 Walke therefore in the uprightnesse of thine heart in the middest of thine house that thou mayst neyther hearten thy familie in evill nor hinder them in that which is good GIVE admonition to the wise and he will be the wiser teach a righteous Man and he will encrease in learning Pro. 9. vers 9. Psal 133. 3 AS the costly oyntment on Aarons head so is admonition to a good Man it breakes not his head but as that ranne downe to his beard and so to the border of his garment so doth this distill into all the paths faculties of soule and body suppling and softning the hearte that grace may worke upon it to salvation Submit therefore to reproofe whether it be by gentle admonition from thy friend or by open reviling from thine enemie for howsoever it proceede from malice in him and bee done with a desire of revenge yet thou maist make good use of it for admit thou be not guilty of the particular things he chargeth thee with yet it may bee thou art faulty in some other things which God would chastise in thee by this meanes Seneca de moribus Bee not thou like the dull beast who can hardly be put forward with Spur or Switch whereas the more noble Steede is ruled by the shaddow of the rod onely regard correction Pro. 13.18 and so shalt thou bee honoured 2 Sam. 16.10 Thus was it with David when Shimei railed on him whom before he reviled he presently after honoured and so shall it be with thee 2 Sam. 19.18 and with every one that receiveth instruction H. PROVERBS 10. Vers 5. HEE that gathereth in Summer is the sonne of wisedome but hee that sleepeth in harvest is the sonne of confusion 1. THERE are a sort of people in the World who are conceipted that it is not according to their Birth and breeding to spend their time in labour and that there is no better way to manifest their gentility then with the Nagros noble Men amongst the Malabars in the East Indies by wearing long nailes on their hands to shew they are no workers but whilest they thus follow the idle Pro. 28.19 who seeth not how suddenly they are filled with poverty which comes upon them like an armed man Pro 6.11 Pro 12.11 and cannot be resisted whereas he that laboureth and tilleth his Land shall bee filled with bread Ecclus 20.27 and shall encrease his heape Let this therefore exhorte thee to thrift which hath both a