Gen. ca. 26. If God keepe not promise wee haue done with saluation but God will keepe it and not lye And therefore albeit our hâ—arts doubt wee must haue our recourse vnto him who will not change for the Lord speaketh so of himselfe I am the Lord and lye not And againe Gods gifts and callings are without repentance Consider this deare Soule and hold thee fast by Gods word He appeareth to be angry but is well pleased 1. Ioh. 3.20 for God is strong and his Word much more sure than thy owne heart And therefore learne to vnderstand the Lords Customes his delight is with the children of men hee ieastâ— and dallieth with thâ—m as Fathers with their children yea hee withholds his hands a little from them to prooue them not for their hurt and destruction but that they should not lean to themselues 1. Cor. 1.9 but on him who rayseth the dead and can make the weak and feeble strong and valiant Hee hath no pleasure in presumption but his will is that we should serue him with feare Ps. 2.11 and reioyce with trembling And we may see in Peter and Thomas what it is to bee too much confident and to build vpon our own courage and strength Ier. 17.9 No man knoweth himselfe aright but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we haue to doe And therefore pray continually that mercifully hee would vphold thee to the end and bee persuaded if at any time thou hast felt comfort that God will certainely come again to thee and if that at any time he hath ioyed thy heart that hee certainly oftner oftner will doe it for thy comfort Yea if in all thy life time thou hadst receiued but onely one drop of comfort yet doubt not but pray beleeue hope and haue patience Hab. 2.3 the Lord will certainely come and will not delay vnlesse thou bee altogether stifnecked and vnwilling Remember the example of the Cananitish woman Mat. 15.21 Behold how her Lord ieasteth with her how he dismisseth her yea euen thrice First hee holdeth his peace and answereth not a word Secondly hee heareth but that hee is not come for her good but for the benefit of the Children of Israel but the third time he calleth her a Dogge as vnworthie of his comfort but what doth shee for the first in that Christ was silent she meeteth him with a patieâ—t heart which well could stay and trust For the second she answers with a faithfull heart that shee must haue some portion of his promises For the third she meeteth him with an humble heart and willingly wil be a Dogge desiring that which appertayned to him that is the crums which fal from the table that is a verie small helpe a little deale of comfort wherewith shee and her daughter would bee contented Here the Lord cannot hide himselfe longer from her but presenteth a copious measure of mercie vnto her saying O woman great is thy faith be it vnto thee euen as thou wilt But if thou shalt now say behold she was strong in Faith and I am weake thou must vnderstand that our faith is resembled vnto a Fencer who is in the lists against another for he is euer in feare that he shall be ouercome and be too feeble against his Enemie euen so is it with Faith for when we wrastle and fight wee thinke that wee are weake and shall loose the Victorie But it shall not fall out so for victorie belongeth vnto faith let it incline whether it will it appertaineth euer vnto her yea and a weake Faith shall win the field and through the Lords strength power we shal be kept through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1.5 readie to bee reuealed in the last time Remember also the Patriarch Iaâ—obs wrastling how he straue with God and stucke hardly vnto him and let him not goe but sayd Gen. 32.26 I will not let thee goe except thou blesse mee A Prayer for stedfast Faith in Christ. Now Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest I beleeue although but with a weake faith yet by the selfe same I put my whole trust and confidence in thee reach mee thy comfortable hand and draw mee to thee O Lord I am weake increase my faith stand not farre off from mee for thou art mine onely hope to whom else can I goe Kindle that little sparke in my heart by thy holie spirit that I may euermore doe thy will Behold to will is present with mee Rom. 7 18. but how to performe that which is good I find not Yea lord Iesus thou art my Life my Hope and Saluation for hauing thee I haue all things Now haue I thee although by a weak hand now haue I thee albeit my hand be weake thine is strong Let me not goe from thine hand to the end that I let thee not go from mee Looke chearefully vpon mee as thou didst vpon Peter Marie Magdalen the woman of Canaan the holy Patriarch Iacob driue away darkenes from my heart let me enioy the consolation of thy mercies here am I as a poore Dog and stay for the crums which fal from the table of mercie Behold I thus wrastle with thee by praier O thou strong Lord insinuate thy selfe into my hart for by thy streÌ„gth I striuâ— with thy selfe giue thy selfe vnto me I wil not leâ— thee passe by any meanes before thou blesse mee I will not desist before the sâ—n of consolation rise brightly vnto me now thou Lord Iesus Christ who hast praied for Peter dost sit at the right hand of thy father Intercessor for me that my faith shall not decay Arise O Lord still the tempest of my heart and rages of temptation that in a liuely seÌ„ce I may see and rast the sweetnesse of thy word and holy spirit that thereby I may learne that inward ioy and freedome from sinne and power thereof by the death and passion of thy deare Sonne my Sauior the Lord Iesus Christ to whom with thee and thy holie Spirit bee rendered as most due is all honor power and glorie of all true Christians from this time forth for euer Amen CHAP. VII Contayning spirituall consolations and Instructions against the terrours that eyther the Soule or the conscience of Man now readie to dye can obiect Flesh. It may bee neuerthelesse euidently seene that euerie man is mortall and yeeldeth vnto death Spirit Men dye truely and loose their liues by reason of sinne but they that haue the true comfort of the heart infused by Iesus Christ and rejoyce therein They account death nothing else but a passage froÌ„ this miserable world to their owne natiue inheritance for Christ that dwelleth in them hath tasted death for them taken away the power therof and broaken her sting so that death can doe no more but disseuer the Soule from the body and bereaue vs of this transitorie Life Yet it shal serue as all other things doe to
Grant ô God that my soule may liue and raigne with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Thou sayest well yet I see when men are in the agony of death their eyes turne in their heads they become blackish and they sweat for paine Spirit That is not onely to be spied in the children of this world who depart with out repentance but euen in the verie faithfull and Saints of God for so the sinnefull and deadly body must feele the sting of death and vndergoe the the punishment and waâ—ges of sinne and although wee see in the children of God such anguish and smart it is nought for so they easily ouercome all the miseries and bitternesse thereof for the comfort of Iesus Christ is so great that he is insteede of all things vnto them and that name Iesus so sweet that it consumeth all the acrimonie and bitternesse in death and causeth the faithfull in the verie period of death to taste euerlasting ioy and saluation A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death Lord Iesus Christ thou who tasted st the bitter vinegar of death vpon the Crosse due vnto my sin and hast greatly complained and bemoaned thy selfe and in the daies of thy flesh didst offer vp prayers and supplications Heb. 5.7 with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue thee from death and wast heard in that thou fearedst I beseech thee keepe me from a troublesome and paine full death Fill my heart with liuely faith and a rich hope that I be not greatly affraid of death nor terrified for the sting thereof O Iesus let thy deare and sweet name neuer depart from my heart and memorie vnto my last breth that I giue vp the Ghost and commit my soule vnto thee to rest for euermore Amen Flesh. Is there no kinde of phisicke then a man may vse that hee should not taste the sharpe sting of death Spirit Yes verely Ioh. 8.51 for so the Lord thy redeemer hath said Verily verily I say vnto thee if a man keepe my saying hee shall neuer see death Thou must then learne rightly to applie this phisicke which is Iesus Christs word not the word of Moses which is Gods law nor mans word diuels or witches but the mercifull preaching of the Gospell in the which hee promiseth vnto all belieuers remission of sins righteousnesse which is accepted before God the holie spirits consolation and life eternall And this is the word which the Lord giueth to the hearts of the Saints the which vpholdeth them and whereon they relye both in life and death and finde Christ and consolation therein with the which they are so detained and comprehended that they taste not the bitternes of death because of that sweetnes that is in his promise and comfort that is in his word For Christ is in his word and the word carrieth Christ and his power he who wil haue the Lord must haue his word and hee who hath the Lord himselfe the sweetnesse of his grace and comfort shall neuer see death thâ—t is shall neuer be agashed or tast the smart of death and so the Lord himselfe expoundeth it Verily Mat. 6.28 verily I say vnto you there be some staÌ„ding here which shal not taste of death till they see the Son of man comming in his kingdome And again Luk. 9.27 But I tell you of a truth there be some standing here which shal not tast of death vntill they see the kiâ—gdome of God that is they build vpon his true word taste Christ and his comfort in the word yea they winde themselues in the word as a dead corpes is wrapped in his winding sheete and so it commeth to passe they feele Christ and his mercie in his word and thereby taste in their hearts euerlasting life O thou pretious pleasant and excellent doctrine which art certaine and cannot deceiue What would you haue more O deare Soule and for what stayest thou Rom. 3.4 Receaue that heauenly doctrine in thy heart vse it well keepe it daily yea euerie moment Behold how bosting and bragging the world is hauing found phisicke for an ague tooth-ach or for the eyes how costly and prâ—tiously doe they esteeme it How much more should wee glorie in this our redeemer Heauenly and diuine phisicke which hath taken away death the father ouer all sicknesses Thou needest not inquire of the trial proofe hereof behold the examples of the faithfull which haue vsed this phisicke and by the benefit thereof haue felt no griefe in their vnspeakeable paines as Saint Stephen Act. 7.56.59 Who being full of the holy Ghost and faith in Iesus Christ looked vp steadfastly into heauen and saw the glorie of God and Iesus standing on the right hand of God they stoned him calling vpon God and saying Lord Iesus receaue my spirit And Paul hauing this preseruing phisicke durst daily bragge against death I desire to depart and to bee with Christ. So did Ignatius and so Policarpus and S t. Laurance with S t. Vincentius and infinite numbers of others A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of Heauen O Lord Iesus Christ thou hast the words of eternall life Ioh. 6.68 how doth my soule thirst and long after thy consolation yea my redeemer He that meditates on thy word diligentlie he hath that true heauenlie phisicke which shall neuer faile in time of death but fetteth it selfe against the gates of Hell O Lord Iesus feede my hungrie heart with thy word and ouer-sprinkle mee altogether and at all times with thy comfort for thy worde and thy truth abideth for euer therefore shall I by the meanes of faith in thy word be preserued for eeuer for hee that belieueth thy word belieueth in thee and hee that keepeth thy word hath thee and hee who hath thee hath eternall life and hee who hath life neither can nor shall taste of eternall death for thou art the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 he thâ—t belieueth in thee though he were dead yet shall he liue and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in thee shall neuer die Beleeuest thou this my soule yea Lord Iesus thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee and haue thee in mine heart and that I do comfort me in thy word rest and repose my selfe therupon therefore am I certaine that I am one of those which shall neuer see death taste his bitternesse or feele his sting Grant me this Lord Iesus Christ for thy true holy words sake For vnto thee doe I commit both soule and body helpe mee therefore euen for Iesus Christ his sake to whom bee giuen all glory and honour now and euer Amen CHAP. VIII CompreheÌ„ding remarkable sentences of Scripture with some earnest praiers to be powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they should behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person Flesh. I Pray thee rehearse some sentences of Gods holy Word wherewith I may comfort my
we must be saued To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his name whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 grace aboundeth much more If God be for vs Rom 8.31 who can be against vs. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. I am perswaded that neither death nor life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come c. Rom. 11.32 God hath concluded all in vnbeliefe that hee might haue mercie vpon all Rom. 14.7 None of vs liueth to himselfe and no man dieth to himselfe for whither we liue wee liue vnto the Lord or whether we die we dye vnto the Lord whither wee liue therefore or die we are the Lords 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all dye euen so in Christ shall all bee made aliue 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull who will not suffer you to bee tempted aboue that you are able but with the temptation also will make away to escape that you may be able to beare it Phil. 1.20 â—1 â—â— 23 Christ shall be magnified in my bodie whether it bee by life or by death for to me to liue is Christ and to die is gaine but if I liue in the flesh this is the fruite of of my labour but what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a straight betwixt two hauing a desire to bee with Christ which is farre better Our conuersation is in heauen Phil. 3.20 from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ. This is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and worthy all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whom I am chiefe I am readie now to bee offered 2 Tim. 4.6 and the time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith Henceforth there is layd vp for me a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous iudge shal giue me at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto them also which loue his appearing 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith lay holde of eternall life whereunto thou art also called I know whome I haue beleeued 2 Tim 1.12 for I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day We are kept by the powre of God through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1.15 ready to be reuealed in the last time The bloud of Iesus Christ Gods Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 In this was manifested the loue of God towards vs because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee may liue throgh him here in his loue not that wee loued God but that hee loued vs and sent his Sonne to be the propitiation for our sinnes Here haue wee no continuing Citie Heb. 13 14 but wee seeke one to come As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Reuel 3.19 Bee thou faithfull vnto death Reuel 2.10 and I will giue thee a crowne of life To him that ouercommeth will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne Reuel 3 21 â—uen as I also â—â—ercame and am set down with my father in his throne Reu. 12.11 And they ouercame him by the bloud of the Lambe and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto death Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Reu. 14.13 yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes do follow them Meditations of the Soule Of these and many other comfortable speeches and sentences deare Soule choose and select some which best may comfort thee Make them as familiar vnto thee as the Lords prayer and as some vse to prouide theiâ— winding sheet some yeres before they die against the time there shall be occasion of it that their bodies may bee enfolded therein Euen so picke thou out some remarkeable sentences and learne to vnderstand them to the ende that in time of death thou mayst wrappe thy soule therein for at that time it happeneth that the vnderstanding is mightily lessened the memorie taken away long Sermons cannot bee heard Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3 there is no attention giuen to perswation nor Rhetoricall allurements but one comfortable word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God reioyceth gladdeth nourisheth refresheth the heart life and soule But time is too short to learne these things when thou art on thy death bed And therefore acquaint thy selfe diligentlie with Sermons and preachings reading and meditating on Gods word that thou mayest haue these spirituall weapons in the houre of thy greatest combate Make diligent vse of thy going to Church and euerie time see thou learne that wherof thou wast ignorant before so shalt thou encrease in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ corroborate thy faith kindle thy loue augment thy hope and be prouident against that greatest and last assault of Sathan A Praier for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word O Lord Iesus Christ open my heart by thy holy spirit that I may giue place to thy word ponder thâ—reon and weigh it diligently and make it familier vnto my soule and not be as a vessel that is crackt and can holde no liquor Hâ—b 2.1 Illuminate my vnderstanâ—ding and confirme my memorie that I may euer call thy ioyfull comfort to minde and bee that good portion of ground which in an honest and good heart may heare and keepe thy word and bring forth fruite with patience vnto the end grant this O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake to whom be all glorie and honour Amen Flesh. What else is behoouefull to comfort the sicke on his bed Spirit I haue set downe euery where prayers for thee which thou mayest vse as occasion serueth and the disposition of thy sicknes requires but the most speciall is the Lords prayer which heere also thou shouldest remember saying Our Father which c. sundry Prayers and Meditions mayest thou haue out of the learned and godly Fathers as Augustine and Bernard and out of holy latter Writers as also out of the booke of Psalmes in the which thou mayest vse these most frequently O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger c. Psal. 8. The Lord is my Sheepheard c. 23. Vnto thee ô Lord doe I lift vp my Soule c 25. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiueâ— 32. As the Hart panteth after the water brookes
Christians Prayer for a holie life and blessed death Helpe Lord Iesus Christ mee ignorant and vnwise creature earnestly to attend thy Word and redresse my life thereafter that I may keepe that couenant of Grace made with thee in Baptisme Ps. 119.9 and worthily receiue the Holy Communion willingly and patieâ—tly beare the Crosse truely and faithfully liue in my Vocation euer in my heart thanking and praying thee that this my life may be passed ouer in daylie Repentance seruing Thee and my Neighbour truely and so continue constant to my death in sauing Faith in Thee my God and onely Lord and Sauiour to whom with the Father and the Holie spirit three Persons but one God be giuen all honor power and glorie Amen Flesh. Expound vnto mee I pray you these Sixe heads to the end I may rightly vnderstand them and liue according thereunto the time I haue here to remaine Spirit The first poynt of diligent hearing the Word and against Sathans temptations Verie willingly first then I say keepe thee by Gods-word and behaue thy selfe in all thy actions as it directeth Ps. 119. for it is a Lanthorne vnto our Pathes and a Light vnto our Feet so that if wee follow this Light wee may walke without impediment and not stumble but learne especially to distinguish this word aright and marke what difference there is between the Law and the Gospell Gods Law or his Commaundements is a doctrine and word wherein God wills and commaunds vs to be obedient vnto him in heart and whole life that is Ex. 20. Mat. 22. Deut. 6. Leu 9. That wee should loue the Lord our God with our whole heart soule mind strength our neighbor as our selfe which things albeit they are impossible for man eyther to doe or keepe notwithstanding thou shalt daylie meditate and weigh these precepts Rom. 3. to the end thou mayest learn to know the corruption of thy nature and sinne and also they may be a rule after which thou oughtest to lead thy life as a new creature in holie Obidience The Gospell is such a Word and Doctrine wherein God onely of meere mercie giues Remission of sinnes Ioh. 3. and euerlasting Life for all the Prophets witnessed that in his name Euerie one that beleeued should haue Remission of sinnes Act. 10. and therefore neuer suffer this preaching of mercie to depart from thy eyes that thou mayest find comfort against sinne and Sathan his temptations and that in all afflictions vntil death thou mayest commit thy selfe vnto God with ioy but vnderstand deare Soule that Both these doctrines are Gods-word and are deliuered to the Church from the beginning and must both therein continue and neineyâ—her of them is to bee dissolued therefore giue diligent heede to them both that thou mayest rightly diuide them and in time conuenient vse them When thou therfore deare Soule daylie ponderest on the Commaundements and thereof conceiuest how disobedient thou art to Gods will and seest that through Adams trespasse thou art so corrupt that thou canst fulfil not one of the least of them and therefore that thou by sinne deseruest Gods wrath and euerlasting perdition despaire not yet for all this but thanke God for his commaundements that by them thou art brought to acknowledge thy sinnes for this is the dearest and most pretious thing that can bee in this world Christs fauour excepted to know Sinne for Christ and his benefits doe neuer tast vs well vntill wee be brought to the knowledge of our sins and perceiue our selues to be vnder the wrath and fury of the Lord our God But if Satan shall come and greatly heape vp thy sinnes and terrifie thee with the consuming fire of Gods anger with hell and endlesse destruction then strengthen quicken thy selfe with these and such like sentences God so loued the world that he hath giuen his onely begotten sonne Ioh. 3.6 that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life vers 17. God sent not his sonne into the world that hee should condemne the world but that the world through him might be saued Ezek. 33. Verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that he turne from his waies and liue I will redeeme thee from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will deliuer thee from death ô death I will be thy death ô ô graue I will bee thy destruction Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 there grace aboundeth much more This is a true saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and by all meanes to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners Resist Sathan with a stedfast faith 1 Pet. 5.9 and he shall depart from thee For these sentences are true and more certaine 1 Pet. 1.25 and sure then heauen and earth his word is truth Ioâ— 17.17 And if Sathan come on the other hand changing himselfe into an Angell of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. lessening sin and Gods wrath perswading that sin is easily forgiuen and Gods rich mercy soone obtained beware beloued Soule thou giue him not eare but remember Gods fearefull and powerfull Law in the which all sins are so greatly taxed and accused that none can be called small and withall remember thy Lord Iesus Christ his passion and meditate thus thereupon Fiâ— on thee lying Sathan I consider how heauie and greeued my Lord Iesus was Matth. 26.38.42 when once he was vnder the curse of the law and satisfied for my sinne and beared his fathers wrath for the same Matth. 27.46 I will therefore heereafter be enimy to all sin keep me from it as from the Diuell himselfe I thank thee ô God who hast once deliuered mee from sinne which is the Diuels snare should I giue my selfe to be intrapped againe in his net our soule is escaped eueÌ„ as a bird out of the snare of a fowler Psal. 124.7.8 the snare is broken we are deliuered our helpe is in the name of the Lord which hath made heauen earth And if Sathan shall cast before thee the course of this world and entise thee to the pleasure thereof call to minde that wee should not fashion our selues like vnto this world but be changed by the renewing of ouâ— minde that wee may proue what that good and acceptable Rom. 12.2 and perfect will of God is take heede deare soule for thou knowest well how bent and prone thy flesh and bloud is to sinne daunt thy selfe by the force of the Law bee not seduced for the way of the world leadeth vnto sinne Luk. 13.24 Doth Sathan contend against thee and alledge that thou art poore and sufferest hunger nakednesse and distresse c. then doe thou say man liueth not by bread onely Matt. 4.4 but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God for thou ô Lord giuest mee more ioy of hart theÌ„ they haue had when
earnestly and diligently for hee should learne preach gouerne correct defend spare beg augment and haue care for his household and those committed to his charge as if hee were heere euer to abide and neuer to die and that he must doe by Gods commandement and loue to his successors but hereto hee should so liue euerie day 1 Tim. 1.19 so keepe faith and a good conscience as if at euery moment hee were to take his fare-well from this world and that hee may say with Paul The time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith hencefoorth is layd vp for mee a crowne of glorie which the righteous Iudge shall giue mee at that day and not to mee onely but vnto them also that loue his appearing 2 Tim. 7.8 A Meditation of the vanity of this life Therefore deare soule walk worthy of the vocation wherewith thou art called with all lowlinesse and meeknesse and with long suffering and see also that that thou rather abide in a low estate which is better then that which the world climbeth vnto but if the Lord shall promote and exalt thee bee not proud but the greater thou art and higher in authority in this world be thou the humbler for the Lord is high aboue all nations Psal. 113.5.7.8 and his glory aboue the heauens yet hee humbleth himselfe to behold the things that are in heauen and in earth hee raiseth vp the poore out of the dust and lifteth the needie out of the mire that he may set him with the Princes of his people so the Lord casts downe the proud Eccl. 3.18 and giueth grace vn-the humble the greater thou art then the more humble thy selfe and thou shalt sinde fauour before the Lord for in lowlinesse of minde Phil. 2 3. each should esteeme other better then themselues wherfore seeke not the things that are too hard for thee neither search the things that are aboue thy strength but what is commanded thee Eccle. 3 21.22 think therupon with reuerence for thou must giue a reckoning of all thy behauiour trouble thee not with the thing that is impertinent to thy calling for there is much more enioyned thee then thou canst accomplish meddle not in strange affaires and thrust not thy selfe in any calling beforâ— God thinke not that thou art appointed vnto euerie one for such conceits hath deceiued many and theiâ— rashnes hath ouerthrown them for what profiteth it thee that thou shouldst gape for that which is not ordained for thee folloâ— not thine owne fancie in thy calling and be not proud when any man shall haue neede of thee and if aduersity and pennury shall straight the yet be of good courage because they happen vnto thee in thy lawfull calling for who will honour him who dishonoureth his own trade be alwayes diligent and craue the blessing of God which maketh thee rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Pro. 10.22 truely blessings shall be vpon the head of the iust many hunt after riches Vers. 6. and they hurt the possessour and many are feeble and poore yet the Lord helps them of his grace so that sundry do wonder therat Stay thou alwayes in thy calling and be not iealous ouer the wicked although they encrease in riches depend thou vpon the Lord for it is very easie vnto him to make a poore man rich if it be be his pleasure and for thy good call vpon mee in the day of affliction Psal. 50.15 and I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie mee aske and you shall receiue seeke and you shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you and for our assurance the reason followeth for euery one that asketh receiueth Matt. 7.7 hee that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened but heere is a very glorious and ioyfull promise Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 16.23 whatsoeuer that you shall aske the father in my name hee will giue it you and which of all is most comfortable before they call I will answer Esay 65.23 and whiles they are yet speaking I will heare the proofe whereof Dauid had in his greatest anxiety I sayd I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne the which he noteth with his accustomed particle of attention Selah The Soules meditation concerning the excellency of praier Now maiest thou contemplate thy Lord Christs example whom thou art carefully to imitate how often how diligently how willingly how heartily hee prayed how he fled to the wildernesse that he might powre out his heart to his heauenly father and there prayed not onely for himselfe but taught his Disciples and prescribed vnto them that absolute compendiâ—us forme the Lords Prayer wherby hee hath put as it were words in thine Matth. 6.9 and in all the hearts of the Elect wherby thou mayest present thy selfe before the most great glorious maiesty of God and that thou shalt not wander in thy prayers he sheweth thee how thou mayest boldly go forward vnto the thron of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest finde mercy and obtaine grace to finde helpe in time of neede and in whose name thou shalt make thy supplications that is Ioh. 16.19 in my name saith hee and for their sakes I sanctifiâ— my selfe that they also may bee sanctified through the truth yea in thy Redeemer Iesus Christ thine onely Sauiours name lift vp thy hands and heart by a true and liuely faith and stedfast confidence and so truely as Christ thy Redeemer is at the right hand of his father in heauen as truely are all thy sighes and groanes and paines heard by him and hee will grant them according to his will And moreouer thou hast to consider what benefits thou sâ—alt aske and with what condition thou oughtest to pray for temporall gifts which thou art to request with this exception and restraint if it may stand with his blessed will and with thy good and saluation for the Almighty onely wise God knoweth best what his children stand in neede of and he is so vnspeakably good Luk 11.11.12.13 that hee will giue them nothing that can hurt them although they of misknowledge and ignorance doe most seriously desire it yet spirituall blessings which tend to thy saluation should bee craued of him with sure hope and full confidence such as are our heritable gifts remission of sinnes righteousnesse holy Spirit and life euerlasting euen when it shall please him Who will not then reioyce to pray when as all our teares are seene our groanings waighed and our words heard who will not seeke there where he may certainely find all goodnes who will not knock when he knoweth hee shall bee let in yea and in mid-way wee shall be met and shall receiue in our bosome all things necessarie both for soule and bodie therefore pray wee continually 1
bemoane thy selfe thus Ier. 31.18 Thou hast chastised mee and I was chastised as a Bullocke and accustomed to the Yoake Turne thou mee and I shall be turned thou art the Lord my God surely after that I was turned I repented after that I was instructed I smot vppon my Knee I was ashamed yea euen confounded because I did beare the reproch of my youth yet if thou shalt be patieÌ„t since I spake against thee saith the Lord I doe earnestly remember thee still therfore my bowells are troubled for thee I will surely haue mercie on thee saith the Lord. The sicke persons Prayer for comfort in affliction Lord Iesus Christ my Redeemer I complayne that my miserie vexeth mee so sore and that my sicknesse endureth so long I request thee thou eternall Word of thy eternall Father thou liuely comforter proclayme Consolation in my heart that I in my greatest infirmitie anguish and pangs of death may vnderstand that I am thy deare child and cast my selfe in thy armes and bosome turn neuer thy gratious countenance from mee yea Lord the time thou diddest hang vpoÌ„ the crosse tookest our rebuke and reproach vpon thee and wast destitute of the helpe of all creatures yet wast thou notwithstanding thy Fathers onely begotten Sonne and shalt so bee eternally When faithfull Ioseph was in Bonds Ge. 41.14 and had no whit of any creatures fauour Yet wast thou with him loued him and deliuered him in due season When Stephan was lead to death Act. 7.55 and stones cast at him didst not thou manifest thy selfe vnto him when replenished with inward ioy and full of the holy Ghost he looked vp stedfastly into heauen and saw the glory of God and Iesus standing on the right hand of God And Lazarus when hee lay at the rich mans gate full of sores Luk. 16.22 yea and the dogs came and shewed greater humanity than man yet was he carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom O my God I am thy vvretched Lazarus heere lie I knocking at thy gate with my pitifull groans naked and full of sores am I my pain is great and my torment will ouercome me but I know assuredly and heereunto 1000. witnesses haue I in mine heart by thy holy Spirit that thou wilt not forsake me thine eyes are ouer mee night and day as one of thine Elect I appertaine to thy euerlasting life therefore thou art with mee in this my distresse Psal. 91.9 I haue made thee my refuge and my habitation ô set not mine iniquities before thee neither secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance for who knowes the power of thine anger Psal. 90.11 euen according to thy feare so is thy wrath O let the beauty of my Lord my God bee vpon me and satisfie mee early with thy mercy that I may reioyce and bee glad all the daies I haue to liue now Lord I loue loue thee therefore deliuer me and shew me thy saluation for Christ Iesus thy sonnes sake to whom with the holy Spirit be all honour Amen Flesh. Shew me how I may resist Sathan in my sicknesse or any other temptation Spirit Seuenthly if Sathan insist in assaulting thee with his fiery darts of tentations Eph. 6.16 enter not in deepe cogitations and disputations with him for hee is too craftie and subtil for thee for of thine owne nature Gen. 3.1 thou canst neuer gaine-stand him remember Adam and Eue who were deceiued by him and miserably seduced although they were in the state of innocency and in their pure and holy nature how canst thou then wretched and corrupt sinner encounter him But cast thine eyes vpon Iesus Christ and heerewiâ—hall comfort thy sicke soule that he in all his tentations abideth constant and was not ouercome but ouercame Sathan for thy weale hath giueÌ„ thee freely his victorie to the end that howsoeuer hee shall double his assaults against thee yet hee shall goe confounded Moreouer the weapons which Iesus Christ vsed against him are to bee considered of thee which were places and sentences of Scripture Eph. 6.17 euen so lay thou hand on the holy sword of Gods word the sword I say of the Spirit 1 Pet. 5.9 Iam. 4. and resist him stedfast in thy faith and he will flie from thee If so be hee say thy sins are greater then can bee forgiuen Gen. 4.13 then kill him with the true word of God and constantly affirme thou liest Sathan for where sinne hath abounded Rom. 5.20 there grace hath superabounded If he say that Christs merits belong not vnto thee thou art not of the number of the Elect then exclaime and say thou liest Sathan for Christ hath sayd come vnto mee all yee that are weary and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest and gaine as in Adam all die euen so in Christ shall all be made aliue 1 Cor. 15. 22. If he shall make Gods indignation and wrath for sinne huge and great against thee say without ceasing Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world that he gaue his only begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not die but haue euerlasting life And in another place God commendeth his loue towards vs in that while wee were yet sinners Rom. 5.8 Christ died for vs and thou hast loued them Ioh. 17.23 as thou hast loued me If hee shall open hell before thee defend thy selfe with this word of God 1 Ioh. 3.8 and say For this cause the Sonne of God was manifested that hee might destroy the workes of the Diuell Hos. 13.14 And againe I will ransom them from the power of the graue I will redeeme them from death ô death I will be thy plagues ô grauâ— I will bee thy dâ—struction Doth hee vpbraid thy weake faith then say thou the Lord will not breake the bruised reede and the smoking flax shall he not quench And againe Esay 42.3 Psal. 51.17 A broken and contrite heart ô God thou wilt not despise And in another place thus saith hee Esa. 57.15 19. 66.2 the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternitie whose name is holy 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 reuiue the heart of thâ— contrite ones And therefore hee saith peace peace to him that is farre off and to him that is neere If Sathan obiect thy coldnesse and drowzinesse in prayer thou mayest answer Although I do not speake yet I sigh and groane which is acceptable vnto him If hee affirme that thy crosse sicknes lasts long and that the Lord hath cast thee out of his mind thou mayest answer Caâ— a woman forget her sucking childe Esa. 49.15 that shee should not haue compassion in the sonne of her wombe shee may forget yet will I not forget thee saith the Lord. If hee obiect thy pouerty and that thou art despised of all yea of
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
Lord Iesus Christ an Almighty promiser and powerfull performer vnto thee for saith he all the father giueth me Ioh. 6.37.38.39.40 shall come to mee and him that commeth vnto mee I will in no wise cast out for I came downe from heauen not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me and this is the fathers will which hath sent mee that of all which he hath giuen mee I should lose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day and this is the will of him that sent mee that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeuâ—th on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Heare then deare Soule what comfortable speeches these are out of the mouth of Verity it selfe Wouldest thou haue more to glad thine heart and stirre thy courage Heare the Lord him selfe witnessing who cannot lie thy faith sâ—all not decay thou shalt not bee lost but abide constant to the lad end And againe I haue prayed for thee Luk 22.13 that thy faith faile not for my sheepe heare my voyce and I know them saith hee and they follow mee Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand my father which gaue them me is greater thaÌ„ all no man is able to pluck theÌ„ out of my father hand I and my father am one And againe Mary hathchosen the good part Luk. 10.42 which shall not bee taken away from her A Meditation of the soule of faith in Christs promises How could the Lord giue vnto thee greater security thou hast his promise that he by the power of his holy Spirit shall giue his word for thee thy faith shal not decay and will not his father heare him when he prayed for Peter and for thee that thou shouuldest not be pluckt out of his or his Fathers hand and that the good part in thine heart should not bee reft from thee Now therefore art thou sure both of eternall life and of thy constancy and perseuerance thereunto and that thou through his mercie mayest stedfastly abide vnto the end hee will not leaue thee and thou shalt not leaue him yea thou shalt apprehend him oâ—â—hom thou art apprehended Therefore bee of courage and comfort thy selfe and say with Paul I know whom I haue beleeued 2 Tim. 1.12 and am perswaded that hâ—e is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day And in another place I am perswaded that neiâ—ther death nor life nor Angels nor principaliâ—ies nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall bee able to separate vs from the loue oâ— God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. The sicke mans Prayer and comfort in Christ. O Lord Iesus Christ Thou alone art my eternall Portion and Part which I haue chosen and am certaine that euen when mine heart shall breake it shall not bee taken from mee ô Thou Almighty Redemer who can doubt of thee ô Thou powerfull Sheepheard who shall pluck me out of thy hands ô Thou louing Sauiour 1 Ioh. 4.8 who art loue it selfe who will separate me from thy loue Thou hast kindled and raised in mine heart already a taste of the sweetnesse of the euerlasting habitations and thou hast made me haue experieÌ„ce therof by many and ioyfull deliuerances Yea Lord I perceiue the witnesse of thy holy Spirit in mine heart which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am the childe of God and so fellow-heire with thee thou art the vine and I am a branch in thee thou art the tree of life and I am engrafted in thee thou art the Bride-groome and I the Bride wedded vnto Thee made one with thee and ioyned with thee by an euerlasting indissoluable couenant that neither the Diuell or distresse shall weaken crosse or infirmity loose and breake for euer For I am betrothed vnto Thee in righteousnesse Hos. 2.19.20 in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies yea I am betrothed vnto Thee in faithfulnesse and I doe know thee my Lord. O how burneth my heart to thee Psal. 42 2. O when shall I come and appeare before thee my God in heauen there to liue with thee for euer Amen Flesh. What shall the Christian doe when hee shall not finde such assurance of faith but great imbecillity coldnesse and drowzinesse oftentimes doubting whether he be one of the Elect or not Spirit Hee should not suffer such doubtings and weaknesses to lodge in his hart but remember that the Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence Matth. 11.12 and is gotten by force and the violent take it by force yea thou shouldst bee mindefull of the Apostles admonition 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee saith he in remembrance that thou stirre vp the gift of God which is in thee and he will comfort thee with these words A bruized reede wil he not breake Esay 42.3 and the smoaking flax shall he not quench and hee shall reuiue thy soule by that comfortable promise be not afraid onely beleeue Matt. 9 29. thy faith shall make thee safe for according to thy faith it shall bee vnto thee And therefore be of good cheere Matt. 9.2 thy sinnes be forgiuen thee For daily experience doth teach that the more one resorts to the word of God and pondereth vpon the comfortable sentences of the Scripture in his minde he obtaineth the greater comfort in his heart but especially when he meditates vpon this heauenly summons and citation of the Lord Mat. 11.28 Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest A Meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world O perceiue deere soule how mercifully and louingly the Lord cals vpon thee how he gathereth thee euen as a hen gathers her chickens vnder her wings Matth. 23.37 or as a good sheepheard goeth after that which is lost Luk. 15.4.5.6 vntill hee finde it and when hee hath found it hee layeth it on his shoulders reioycing and when hee commeth home hee calleth together his friends and his neighbours saying vnto them rejoyce with mee for I haue found the sheepe which was lost Consider therefore that thou art euen one of these who are wearied and burthened to whom the Lords Proclamation belongeth and therefore wheere hee saith Seeke my face continually answer thou in thy heart and say I will seeke thy face continually Thus the Lord will looke vnto him that is poore Esay 66..2 and of a contrite Spirit trembleth at this word Knowest thou not deare Soule that the Lord receiues him that is weake in faith For a weake faith is a true faith when as it wrastleth striues and leaues not off but sticketh vnto the word wherein in the promise is contayned And therefore is it well sayd by Luther In
CHRIST IS there nothing to bee obtayned of Mee vnlesse thou bring of thy own to present mee withall Is not this to discredit my Mercie to bring credit to thy Merits and rather to binde Mee to thee than thee to Mee Is there not with mee plentifull Redemption If thy sins be great my redemption is greater thy merits are beggarly my Mercie is a Rich Mercie If thy perill bee not come euen to a desperate case and past hope of recouery there is no prayse of redemption for herein is the power of it that when all sins haue gone ouer thy head and all creatures Sun Moon Heauen and Earth c. come as it were in iudgement against thee yet a cleare and full ransome shal be giuen in thy hand therewith to purchase thy deliuerance beyond all expectation and so as it were to fetch something out of nothing And when I put to the ordinarie meanes it is not to withdraw my helpe in vsing the means but traine vp thy faith that after I may make knowne vnto thee I haue a helpe beyond all helps for I come to them that calleth not for mee the possessed that would not doe I cure and the dead that cannot doe I rayse Beleeuest thou this The SOVLE LOrd my sight is verie dimme to behold Thee that Serpent exalted in the Wildernesse my Faith is as smoaking Flax Blow on it I pray thee by the wind of thy Spirit anâ— make it burne more cleare My sins and conscience arrest mee and summon mee before thy iustice thou my Iudge art greater who knowest all and righteous are thie iudgements CHRIST THou poore Soule pourest out the sence of thy inward sight on the wrong object Thou gazest on Sathan the false accuser of the brethren and on Sâ—nne thy guilt but beholdest not Mee the Lambe of God that taketh away thy sinne I am not come to call the â—ighteous but Sinners â—o Repentance Mat. 9.12 If thou be grieued for sinne I am for thee The whole need no Physitian but the sicke I will bind vp thy sores and heale all thy woundes Soule be of good comfort thy sinnes are forgiuen thee I inuite all the Wearie and Laden to come to mee and I will ease them Mat. 11.28 Feelest thou the burthen of thy sinne I am for such as thou art with a troubled and aking conscience Esa. 44.22 for I put away their transgressions as a thicke Cloud and Sinnes as Mist I doe cast them in the bottome of the Sea Mic. 7.19 Esa. 43.25 I put them away I say for my owne Mercies sake for what art thou but dust and ashes yea a wind that goeth and returneth not But I thy Aduocate with thy Father euen thy owne Iesus Christ Heb. 7.25 the righteous who am perfectly able to saue all those that come vnto God by Mee who am Euer-liuing to make intercession for thee For by my owne bloud I haue once entered the Holie-place and obtayned eternall redemption for thee Heb. 9.22 Why lookest thou to thy sinne and wages thereof I euen I was made sinne for thee who knew no sinne that thou mayest bee made the righteousnesse of God in Mee 2. Cor. 5.21 I was wounded for thy transgressions and broken for thy inquities the chastisement of thy peace was vpon mee With my stripes thou art healed Esa. 53.5 and now I doe require this Who dâ—th lay any thing to thy charge Rom. 8. it is I that iustifie thee Who shall condemne thee it is I that died or rather which is risen agayne for thee who am at the right hand of God and maketh request for thee Haue not I lead captiuitie captiue Col. 2.25 spoyled principalliâ—ies and powers and made an open shew of them and triumphed ouer them in my Crosse 1 Coâ— 15.25 O Death I will be thy Death O Graue I will be thy destruction yea O Death where is thy Sting O Graue where is thy victorie O but I pittifully complaine Ps. 81.13 O that thou wouldest hearken vnto mee for then thy prosperitie would bee as the floud Esa. 48 18. and thy righteousnesse as the waters of the Sea Hos. 6.4 and now what shall I doe vnto thee How shall I entreat thee What can I doe vnto thee that I haue not done I beseech thee 2. Cor. 5.20 I beseech the I say be reconciled vnto God for my father so loued the World that hee hath giuen Mee vnto it that whosoeuer beleeueth in Mee should haue euerlasting Life And I my selfe trust Me haue set out my loue to thee that when thou wast a sinner I died for thee much more beeing now iustified by my bloud thou shalt be saued from wrath by Mee Rom 5.8 When thou wast an enemie thou wast reconciled to God by my death much more beeing reconciled thou shalt be saued by my Life I was partaker of thy flesh and bloud yea and became a Worme Ps. â—2 6 for all creatures almost to treade vpon mee For thee I was made obedient to death yea to the death of the Crosse Manie more degrees did I The Sonne of righteousnesse goe backe that thou maiest be certified of eternal life than the Sunne did in Ezechias time to assure him the lengthening of his temporall Life Let nothing shake thy faith how weake soeuer it be Come to Mee haue Milke and Honie and of the Well of the Water of Life freely Reu. 21.6 Take here Eye-salue that thou mayest see and amend that blindnesse thou art in and looke to my euerlasting mercies that endure for â—uer sinnes past cannot hurt thee if sinnes present doe not like thee and in finne thou takest no pleasure The SOVLE O Tâ—y lips are full of grace thy words sweeter then the hony the honycomb O that I might eat them thy word spoken to me now is like an apple of gold with pictures of siluer Pro. 25 11. I wash my garment in thy bloud by it that hand-writing that was against me is cancelled and anulled but this scruple rest that I doe euermore yet sinne this body of sinne dwelling in me is so pregnant and powerfull I feare it will bring forth the fruit of the flesh which is death and euerlasting condemnation CHRIST WHy doest thou attribute â—o much strength to thy poysoned nature and derogatest srom mine infinite mercy and grace thou wilt not nor canst not denie but God hath giuen mee a perfect Redeemer vnto thee hee hath sealed on thee the assurance therof by his holy Spirit the Word and Spirit haue begot faith in thee by which thou hast begotten ioyes in heauenly things This ioy hath wrought a sincere heart and well willingnesse to please God accompanied with loue vnfained to my father aboue and brethren on earth thou hast a care tâ—â— obey the Commandements and a renewed feare to please God â—hy sinne rebuked worketh I know in thee a mourning spirit are not thy â—eareâ— in my
Faith and not by feeling I teach thee humilitie and not to glorie but in infirmiâ—ies 2. Cor. 11.30.31 for Paul for all his Reuelations was afraid of Aretas and let downe in a basket Elias who commaunded as it were the Heauens to rayne and not to raine hid himselfe in a caue from Iesabell 1. â—i 19.9 Iacob was afraid of his brother Abraham of Pharoah and the Philistims in Gerah O how dearly loued I them but when the starre appeareth againe Mat. â— the wisemen reioiced with an exceeding great ioy Rachel had Labans gods which made him more eager to seeke them I may frowne for a while yet not alwaies retaine my anger No truely Ps. 103.9 I am not angrie at all as a Iudge to punish but as a Father to correct a brother to admonish I cannot cease to loue my owne members Doth anie man strike his owne flâ—sh at any time Thou art one of my members ingrafted in my body by my Spirit and a liuely faith I haue said and doe not repent thou that beleeuest in me art deliuered from the power of darkenesse by my Father and art translated into the kingdome of Mee his deare Sonne The SOVLE THe wordes that thou speakest sweet Redeemer of Mankind are Spirit and Life but thou speakest of affections reformed which I find not How cold are my Prayers O how hard is my hart it cannot powre it selfe out like Water before Thee it cannot admit any impression of thy Word or finger of thy spirit my wauering faith is not confirmed by it I lacke that heauenly light to discerne of my troubles and crosses aright Finally I haue little or no comfort in thy Word wanting the apprehending applyâ—â—g faith the hand of my Soule O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner O sweet Samaritan take mee vp which am halfe dead CHRIST THou hast redemption in my bloud Col. 1.14 euen the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes for they shall neuer bee imputed vnto thee neither heere nor elsewhere neither doe they raigne in thy mortall body but thou hast a serious reluctation against them neither thy vnworthines maketh thee vncapable of the greatest mercies they are of my meere and free loue and grace thou art not the obiect of thine owne faith but I my merits obedience who am by faith vnited vnto thee as a head to a member then look vpon mee I am in thee and thou art in me that which God hath conioyned who can separate it or who can plucke thee out of my fathers hand my father and I am one and my Spirit which hath wrought in thee that desire of profiting by the Word whereof thou so heauily complainest will make thee reape manifold fruits of the immortall seed of the Word in due season which is sowed in the furrowes of thy hart I do feed thee for a time with a sparing hand to sharpen thine appetite wait and trust on me and I will comfort thy heart Psal. 27.16 truly flesh and bloud hath not reuealed the hardnes of thy heart vnto thee but my spirit which worketh the sight of thy corruptions Esa. 63. â—7 I which haue begunne this good worke will performe it Phil. 1.6 It is good for thee that thou bewailest thy defects and wants quench not these motions of my spirit in thee prayer is my gift it is I that worke both the will deede Lam. 1.22 it is I that mark thy many sighs the faintings of thy heart yea my spirit doth make request for thee with sighs that cannot bee expressed when thou holdest thy peace or little knowest of it The sacrifice of God are not words Psal. 51.17 but a contrite spirit a contrite and broken heart I will not despise I know thy thoughts before thou thinke them Psal. 1 39.2 thy sighing is not hid from me I doe heaâ—e thy desire Psal. 38.9 Psal. 10.17 it is I that doe put vp as Mediator betwixt thee and my father thy prayers vnto the golden viols which are full of the precious odours of my merits thereby perfumeth and maketh them an offring of sweet smelling sauour vnto him Reu. 5.8 and purgeth their corruptions in my bloud and vnto my throne there is a purple ascent the perfectest bewty is the perfectest mixture of red and white afflictions staineth not but adorneth the beautie of my graces The SOVLE I Am not so washed I see in the lauer of regeneration but that there remaineth in mee slaines of that scarlet engrained die of my corruption I am not wholly spirit as the carnall man is wholly slesh but 〈◊〉 at ciuill wars within my selfe In the spirit I serue the Law of God in the flesh the law of sinne O deare Iesus grant me thy spirit grace 1 Thess. 5.22 that I may auoid the occasions of sinne I may make conscience of my lâ—ast sinnes I may carefully watch ouer my heart that I be not surprized at vnawares I may rest in thy promised assistance and not in mine owne power and haue recourse vnto thee by feruent praier crauing thy ayd that I may bee enabled to stand in the daie of temptations but alas deare Sauiour it vexeth mee greatly that I doe not much Lord thou knowest feele my faith nor the fruits thereof which maketh mee I know not what to thinke that I haue no true faith or if I haue it is yet in the infancy thereof CHRIST FAith is the eye hand and foot of the Soule for by it it commeth seeth and layeth hold on mee seeke light in the Word which is Truth by praier that thou bee not deceiued and follow the same light so farre as thou shalt be warranted thereby the conscience maketh the assumption but examined it by my word lest thou fall in errour and for to learne deere Soule to discerne betwixt the punishment for sinne and trial of thy faith patience and purging of Sinne for I often afflict inwardly the soule with deep sense of sinne and the bodie with crosses outwardly not to prosecute sinne in thee Ier. 51.7 for then it should follow that as the wicked mine enemies exceede in sinne so should they exceed in afflictions also but thee I lead as a louing Spouse with cords of aman Hos. 11.4 euen with bands of loue for whom I loue I rebuke For I am good a strong hold in the daie of trouble and know them that trust in me Nah. 1.7 Nourish this in thine heart it is more certaine and durable then heauen and earth The SOVLE O My sweet Sauiour thou hast taken my feet out of the mire I stucke iâ— Psal. 4.1 Luk. 1.49 and put me at more large liberty of minde thou that art mighty hast done for me great things and holy is thy name thou wilt performe thy worke toward me O Lord Psal. 138.8 thy mercie endureth for euer forsake not the worke of thy owne hands thou hast deliuered me from
tossed with the troublesome waues of this life p. 230 A prayer for health and Gods blessing on our labours p. 232 4 What may moue a man willingly to dye p. 234 A prayer for obedience vnto the will of God and willingly denie himselfe p. 237 5 How a man shall keepe his heart constant against the pleasant course of this World p. 239 A prayer to be kept in the way of life p. 242 6 By what meanes a man may comfort himselfe when hâ—e shaâ—â— leauâ— Wife Children Friends c. in miserie pouertie and distresse p. 249 The dying-mans prayer bequeathing all his charge into the hands of God p 255 CHAP. VI. DEclaring how a Christian shall willingly giue himselfe to dye ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end 1 How the faithfull Soule shall pacifie the terrours of death and willingly wiâ—h ioy commit himselfe vnto Death p 260 A meditation of the soule againsâ— the sorrowes of Death p. 263 The Sickemans prayer and faith in Christ. p. 265 2 How the faithfull heart shall comfâ—rt himselfe that hee with patience shall abide constant to the end p. 272 A meditation of the Soule of faith in Christs promises p. 274 The Sick-mans prayer and comfort in Christ. p. 277 3 How the Christian may beâ— comforted when the strengâ—h of his faith beginneth to wauer and doubteth whether he be one of the elect to saluation or not p. 27â— A meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world p 282 A prayer for stedfast faith in Christ. p. 290 CHAP. VII COntayning spirituall consolations and instructions that eyther the Soule or conscience of man now readie to die can obiect 1 Consolations against the horrible shape of death p. 294 A prayer against Death p. 296 2 Comfort against that fearesull name of death graue rottennesse and corruption p. 297 A prayer against the terrours of the graue p. 300 3 Comfort against the taste of Death p 301 A prayer for the meâ—cies of Christ. pag. 306 4 Consolations against groaning and sighing at the last agonie of Death p. 307 A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death p. 309 5 Heauenly and experimentall phisick against the bitternesse and sting of death p. 310 A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of heauen p. 316 CHAP. VIII COmprehending remarâ—able sentences of Scripture with some earnest prayers to bee powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they shold behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person 1 Containing comfortable speeches and sentences of holie Scripture which may bee vsed to the sicke or those in perill of Death p. 319 A meditation of the Soule 336 A prayer for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word 339 2 Some short and compendious ayds the Sicke-man may haue in his mouth at the verie time of death p. 340 3 What should bee their dueties which stand by the sick or dead person who haue alreadie ioyned theyr Prayers with him pag. 343 A prayer for those that are about the partie departed 345 CHAP. IX DEclaring where the immortall Soule goeth after death the râ—surrection of the bodie the ioyes of eternall Liâ—e and contrariwise the paynes which the Vngodlie shall haue in their destruction 1 Whether the godlie Soule and in what estate it is after death pag. 348 A meditation of the soules departure and blessednesse after death pag. 352 The Christians most earnest praier to leaue this World and to bee with Christ his Sauiour p. 355 2 If the blessed soule long for the resurrection of the bodie that they may be vnited and glorified both together p. 358 A prayer of the faithfull Soule for her dissolution p. 362 3 Of the resurrection from the dead p. 365 A meditation of the Soule on the resurrection p 367 4 Of eternall Life and euerlasting blessednesse p. 372 A prayer for the ioyes of heauen pag. 385 5 A consideration of the paynes of Hell and condemnation of the Vngodlie pag 384 A prayer for a safe deliuerance from the paynes of Hell and to liue with Christ for euer pag. 290 The Soules Request or a Dialogue betwixt Christ and the Soule Fol. 1. Sig. A. AN ADMONITION to the Christian Reader declaring the difference betwixt the reprobate and true Christian in their life and death and likewise of the vse and benefit of this Booke IT is true deare Brother that all the worde of God compriseth nought else but that wee should liue as his children according vnto his word and dye Christs brethren and faithfull seruants Now therfore I haue compiled the most spirituall doctrine first of a christian life and secondly of a blessed death Of the which the man that saw God had his greatest regard Lord saith he Psal. 90.12 teach me to number my daies that I may apply my heart vnto wisedome So did also another Eccles. 7 3â— Whatâ—oeuer thou takest in hand râ—mâ—mber thy end and thou shalâ— nâ—uer do amisse For what is a christian life but a continuall meditation on Gods fauour a life in true repentance exercised in faith keeping of a good conscience so it cannot go astray and that a man should neuer suffer himselfe to be in such euill state wherein he might not bee blessed yea and happily dye What is it then to dye blessedly Euen this when a Christian not onely considâ—reth that hee is mortall and neuer free from death but also is resolued that hee must depart hence and that he shall bee inheritour of euerlasting saluation This is that high Science and Arte which Moses speakeâ—h of which is not elsewhere to bee had but in Gods word As if he should haue said Teach vs to remâ—mber that we shall dye to the end wee may bee wise that by thy holy Spirit and grace and practise of thy holy word wee may so liue that wee may haue life euerlasting This holy Art to dye aright was neuer knowen by Phylosophers and as yet is hid from all those that know not Iesus Christ the Redeemer Indeed Cicero gessed at it Orat. pro. Publ. Quin. where hee saith Vita turpis ne morti quidâ—m hoâ—estae locum relinquit that is An honest life goeth before an honourable deâ—th Yet there is an vnspeakeabâ—e difference Inter vâ—â—am honestam Christianam mortem honestâ—m Christianam seue saluâ—arem that is Betweene an honourable life and a Christian life betweene an honourable death and a Christian and sauing death Augustus Caesar desired euery day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wit that he might dye well but hee vnderstood not by what meanes only he hunted for name fame and renown and euen so it was with the rest of the Ethickes and Heathens they knew that they should dye but neuer apprehended the christian vertues faith and â—ope but onely infirmitie corruption and distresse and so departed as hee speaketh of Turâ—us Virg. Aen. Vitaque
by repentance therevnto but fretteth against God inueigheth against his iustice because man hath but a short time giuen him to liue Now the true Christian touched with the daily examples of humane infirmitie and corruption groaneth because of that our first fall lamenteth for his sinnes and wickednesse for the which the diuine punishment ceaseth not vpon vs Lam. 3.22.23.24.41.5 6. lifteth vp his heart with his hands vnto God in the Heauens who heareth his voyce and hideth not his eare at his breathing and crye 57. who draweth neere in the day that hee calleth vpon him and sayâ—h feare not the Lord I say who pleadeth the cause of his Soule who redeemeth his life and will say I will beare the wrath of the Lord because I haue sinned against him vntill he pleade my cause and execute iudgement for mee Mich. 7.9 Hee will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteoâ—snesse O Lord thou art wise and thy word is truth Yea Psal. 119. he attributeth the true honour vnto God for hee doth all things iustly and well and so prepareth himselfe euery houre of the day to a blessed departure Againe the Hypocrite when his heart meditateth on death is afraid for the terrible visage and countenance thereof for flesh and bloud can doe no lesse for death is our enemie and killeth vs all but the hopefull christian openeth the eyes of faith looketh vpon death not according to the Law but according to the Gospell comforts him in his Lord Iesus Christ Ioh. 11.11 who hath changed the bitternes of death and made it a sweet sleepe and beleeueth constantly that hee shall not dye but quietly rest vn-the Lord shall awake him vp by the shout of the Arch-angell and trumpet of God The wretched Hypocrite when hee considereth how that death shall after a most fearefull manner apprehend him and make him an ill fauâ—ured Corps which must be hidden from the eyes and cast in the bosome of the cold Earth Then beginneth hee to sorrow and weepe his courage is gone and can doe no more than king Xâ—rxes who hearing mention made of Earth did say Missahaec faciamus Hie. in polyh neque tristiis rerum mentionem faciamus cum iucunda in manibus habeamus Away with these things for they are sorrowfull and let vs to our iollitie and mirth But the religious Christian proceedeth plus vltra a great way further bidds feare adue looketh through the terrour of death and corruption of the graue he passeth not for the hoâ—rible dissolution of his bodie neyther that he shall be corrupt and rot in the earth for he seeth a great deale further how in the last day he shal come forth beautifull and pleasant and be made like the glorious bodie of his Sauiour Ieâ—us Christ. Besides this the Wicked and Prophane bethinkes him selfe on his death and considereth that once he must die and that he cannot chuse and here hâ—s wits faile him and in this exâ—gent and strait he knoweth not whether to turne him to what way he should betake him only he hoysteth vp courage plucketh vp a good heart that â—f it were once done and tâ—at debt payd â—o nature then were it ouer But the godlie Sâ—ule lifteneth not to temporary magnanimitie neâ—ither relieth on the flâ—shly courage and arme but vpon the consolation of the holie spirit which dwelleth in him which hee hath tasted by true faith Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding which also wil keep his hart and mind though Iesus Christ to eternall Life Besides the Infidell when he feeles death comming is at his wits end hath no counsel that is no faith no hope yea no certayne word to anchor vpon no confidence to rest on how hee may depart from hence but is râ—plenished with feare and raging tumult within himselfe neuer casteth his eyes on the great Almightie God But on the contrarie the righteous Christian hath fraught himselfe with faith and hope Rom. 8.73 and with vnspeakeable groanes waiting for the adoption to wit the redemptâ—on of our boâ—ies to the which he ioineth the true word of God which cannot deceiue giueth it place and roome in his heart and saith powerfully and gladly Ioh. 8.12 Thou Lord Iesus art the light of the world he that followeth Thee and keepeth thy Word shall not walke in darknesse but haue the light of Life Now againe the Wicked dissembling and counterfeit Christian when he is vndâ—r the power of death complaineth that he is forsaken all his friends kinsmen and brethren doo stand from him and none will helpe But the sparke of Faith in the religious mans heart saith Lord whom haue I in heauen but Thee Ps. 73.25.26 and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides Thee although my flesh and my heart fayle God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer for he knoweth that God giueth onely helpe from â—rouble Ps. 60.11 for vaine is the helpe of Man Through God I shall do valiantly for he it is that shall tread downe my enemies for hee builds and God onely and that if hee bee with him nothing can be against him for he hath the holie Trinitie dwelling in his heart and manie holie Angells at his sicke bed attending for his Soule and abiding to carrie it into Abrahams bâ—sâ—me Now when the Infidell doth heare that his Soule is immortall that after this life there shall be another wherein the blessed of the Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for them from the foundation of the world Mat. 25.34 and that the wicked shall goe into euerlasting punishment then he trembleth quaketh and would wish it were vnâ—rue and desireth that he might neuer rise againe for his misbeleeuing heart doth instruct him that if it be so he is eternally â—ondemned and thereâ—fore he wisheth that he had neuer beene borne But the true childe of God reioycâ—th from his very heart that there is another life prepared for him Rom. 5.9 and he shall be saued from the wrath to come and therefore sighes to be dissolued Phil. 1.2 3. and to be with Christ which is far better and that this wretched life might be shortly cut off that the eternall and euerlasting mâ—ght beginne Rom. 5.15 for his expectation is constant and sure wherby he is assured of a better life to come vnto the which hee was redeemeed By such and sundry more Aâ—titheses and oppositions may bee easily seene the difference betwixt both the life and death of the faithfull and Infidell and therefore wee should daily and hourely consider and neuer be contented vntill then that wee haue Iesus Christ our Redeemer Sauiour dwelling in vs by a true and liuely faith accounting him our greatest treasure goods placing all our ioy and comfort in him and that with diligent prayer and constant meditation by faith power of the holy spirit we may euer loue that â—ternal life aboue this
at euery occasion and minute I may bee ready to take my leaue of this world and raigne with thee my Lord and Sauiour eternally in the world to come Amen Meditation of the fourth the manner Concerning the fourth thou art ignorant deare soule by what kinde of disease the Lord will call thee from hence whether it shall happen by pestilence maladie in the head ague c. by shipwracke or fire and it may bee God hath appointed thee to be ouertaken by robbers wilde beasts or some such casualtie yea O soule many neuer intend repentance in all the time and space they haue health and prosperitie vntill some languishment and sicknes seize vpon them but who knoweth whether at any time hee shall haue sicknesse and leisure together Haue wee not daily examples how many decease by palsie by sword and sudden death through sundry other maladies of body and before they were euer sicke or diseased or that God suffered them to haue the benefit of their bed and rest A praier to forsake the world and follow Christ. O God how foolish are wee miserable and fond creatures how smal heed and attention giue wee to daily occurrences The fowle is an vnreasonable creature yet when it seeth another to bee killed beside it shee presently swingeth and flieth away and when it spieth a man to bend his bow aime at it there is no longer staying but quickly conueieth it selfe thither where it may bee secure and safe Euen so O soule death breakes in all places many mens hearts and they do fall on euery side then feare O soule and flie from sinne to righteousnesse from hell to heauen from this damnable and deceitfull world to Iesus Christ that then thou maist boldly say Now shoot death when thou wilt for although thou bereaue mee of this transitorie and momentanie life Heb. 13. yet by a strong and constant faith I possesse the kingdome of heauen which shall giue mee infinitely more then thou canst take from mee Meditation of the soule not to delay repentance Delay not O soule thy repentance vntil thou be sicke Eccl. 12. but worke thy conuersion euen now with-all diligence put not off from day to day thy amendment of life neither continue in wickednesse vntill deaths vncertaine houre approach A praier when first we fall sicke O Iesus Christ my Redeemer preserue me from a painfull sicknesse violent and hastie death ouertake mee not in my sinnes and suffer mee not to die without repentance and giue vnto mee if it be thy pleasure a quiet and patient departure that without great paine and griefe I may in my right wits attaine a blessed end confessing thy most holy name vntill the last gaspe and so to commend my soule and spirit with my whole heart carefully into thy mercifull hands my most gratious and louing Sauiour and Redeemer to whom with God the Father and the holy spirit be rendred from the bottome of my heart all honour power might maiestie and dominion now and for euer Amen CHAP. II. Wherein is comprehended the true and right art to die well and first of Christian repentance Flesh. BEcause wee neuer are vnpursued by death it is very needfull therefore that both Young and Old Great and Small Rich and Poore should learne the art of dying blessedly Spirit Yes truely daily examples may teach vs so for consider thy neighbour like as he is dead so shalt thou bee yesterday was his this day for thee Eccl 38. to day a King to morrow dead yea ô Soule death is like a Mower Eccl. 10. which walkes in a greene meadowe cutting with his Sithe all he commeth at and maketh no account whether it be grasse thistle or rose neither considereth hee how old how beautifull or how pretious the hearbes bee there are none too strong for him none too young no castle for height nor bulwarke for securitie can hold him backe he wil not be corrupted with siluer and gold yea if it were possible that thou couldest giue him the whole kingdomes and riches of the world hee would not hold off a minute to abide thy time nor waite a moment for the performance of thy pleasure and will now this should be our daily meditation diligently to marke and carefully learne the day both to liue in Gods feare and dye in his faour The young mans prayer O my God how is man verely as nothing how goeth all beautie away as a shadowe and wretched man knoweth not whether he shall dye old or young neither can any by his riches strength and powre Ps. 144.4 deliuer himselfe or his brother helpe mee my God that from my youth vpward I may constantly giue heed to walke vpright in my wayes Ps. 119.1.9 according to thy word gouerne me by thy holie Spirit that my heart goe not a whoring from thee that my youth neuer puffe mee vppe to bragge thereof Ps. 73.27 and that I put not my trust in health strength honour riches or beautie graunt that I may in my inward mind heare the end of all which is to serue thee and keepe thy commaundements Eccles. 22.13.14 for this is the whole duetie of man for thou wilt bring euerie man vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it bee good or euill Lord write this same in my heart and giue me thy grace not onely to vnderstand the same but also to rectifie my life and conuersation thereby vnto my last end and graunt that I may die vnto sin and liue vnto righteousnesse to the glorie of thy holy name through Iesus Christ my sauiour Amen Flesh. How may I then prepare my selfe to die blessedly Spirit The right preparation to a happy death is in the cōstant leading of a Christian and righteous life A Meditation of the Soule for earnest repentance Wouldst thou then dye blessedly beloued Soule make earnest and serious repentance and continue stedfast therin to thy last for God accepteth well conuersion from sin Wis. 12. Ma◠24. and who so abideth to the end he shall be saued A Prayer for speedie Repentance Praysed bee thou my God who hast no pleasure in our death and destruction but rather that wee should turne from our sinfull waies and liue Ezek. 18. Ezek. 33. helpe me Lord Iesus that I delay not my conuersion to thee and shift not ouer my repentance from day to day for thou hast promised me thy mercie but that I might deferre my repentance vntil the morrow second or third day thou hast not promised vouchsafe therefore thy mercie on mee this verie day Ps 95. Tit. 3. that I may redeeme the time lost by an earnest repentance and not bee taken in my sins and trespasses the day following graunt this for the glorie of thy blessed name through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauior Amen Flesh. What is then true and Christian repentance Spirit Repentance is nothing else then that a man rise from his sinne and turne with all his
heart vnto God which consisteth in these three heads 1 That a man acknowledge his sinne and be sorrowfull and grieued for it from his verie hart 2 That he despaire not by reason of his sinne but beleeue in Iesus Christ who hath payed and satisfied for him and reioyce greatly therein 3 That hee witnesse his faith by a dayly and new obedience both to God and Man A Prayer for Repentance O Lord my God I know that of my owne nâ—ture and power I cannot obtayne repentance neither beleeue ô my Lord Iesus Chrisâ— I beseech thee waken my heart by thy holie spirit Eccl. 1. and grant my conuersion be not hypocriticall and counterfait nor my saith false and deceitfull but vpright and from my heart and may shew it selfe in true fruits vnto the end Mat. 13. heare mee gratious God I beseech thee that so I may attaine life euerlasting through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. Declare the three points of true repentance and make me vnderstand how I should daily behaue mee in obseruing of them Spirit The first is A knowledgement and sorrowing for sinne for without them thy faith is hypocrisie and not pure therefore learne to know thy sinnes and Gods wrath due vnto them and lament hartily for them A Prayer bewayling the corruption of nature O Lord Iesus how afraid is my heart when I remember the day I shall die my God how sorrowfull and troubled is my Soule when I bethink me of the fearefull day of Doome I may not haue graunted mee an houres respit from death and I know not what moment thou wilt call mee before thy righteous iudgement seat too little haue I been afraid for my sinnes Oh how am I astonished before thy presence for loe my God thy commaundements are before mine eyes yea written in my conscience and I know they are the rule square of euerlasting equitie whereby I should haue beene taught thy holy obedience vnder payne of losse of Saluation but O wretched corruption alas the miserable confusion and perturbation of all my sences affections and powres alas that great euil that hath ouerwhelmed vs by Adams fal my heart alas can no wayes condiscend to the performing of thy will Meditation of the Soule vpon the acknowledgment of Sinne. Ps. 51. Truly I confesse and feele in my selfe that I was borne of my mother in that hereditary wickednesse the whole head is sicke Esa. 1. the whole heart is troubled from toppe to toe there is no health in mee but I am altogether corrupted through Sinne dwelling in mee Rom. 5. fie on thee Sathan thou murderer of mankind how wretched hast thou made mee thou hast darkened my vnderstanding made my will peruerse and backward and my hart altogether obstinate and disobedient A Prayer for confession of our sinnes O my God I know and confesse that in mee Rom. 7. Esay 1. that is in my flesh there dwelleth no good but it is full of sinfull sores and biles and if I had not at any time committed any trespasse yet am I the childe of wrath by that originall pollution for the which I might and should bee eternally condemned banished from thy countanance but alas not onely this originall sinne hath borne sway in mee but also I haue from my youth despised all thy iudgements Psal. 25 7. and commandements which I haue not kept Ephes. 2.1 neither could such is the deadnesse of my nature in sinne but I haue trespassed against both the greatest and the least of them terribly and fearfully in my sinfull minde and thoughts sinnefull words and deedes in commission and omission against thee my good Lord and God and against my neighbour I knew and yet doe that no sinne is so small no transgression so meane Gen. 6. yea no imagination of my heart so little but merits eternall death and condemnation and woe is me there are yet so many sinnes I doe not remember committed in my infancie and greater agâ— which I neuer esteemed sinnes but rather good workes Psal. 19.12 oh who can vnderstand clâ—â—se 〈◊〉 from my secret faults all these will bee laid before my face in their owne colours o how blacke and will destroy mee vnawares as a thunderbolt What shall I do whither shall I flie from thy presence Psal. 139.7 if thou contend with me there is nothing but condemnation for me ô my soule thou vnfruitfull tree Matth. 3. ô drie stocke thou deseruest to be hewen downe and cast in vnquenchable fire O prodigall and forlorne sonne Luk. 15. why hast thou thus gone from thy good father and eaten huskes with swine tumbling and wallowing in all kinde of filthie and stincking sinnes what answer canst thou giue at the last day for thy whole life time Matt. 12. yea for the least idle word O wicked and hypocriticall seruant thou owest tenne thousand pound Matt. 18. and many vnspeakable thousand times hast thou sinned against the Lord thy God ô thou vnrighteous husband-man Luk. 16. how shamelesly hast thou consumed and wasted the gifts of thy minde and abused thy precious heart and vnderstanding cursed are thou Deut. 27. for thou hast not kept all that is written in the Law Woe is me miserable creature what haue I done ô how wickedly haue I done ô thou wrath of the most high fall not vpon mee ô thou rage of the most mighty Psal. 6.1 who can endure thee ô misery ô wretchednesse ô thou vncleane sinnefull and euill sauoured soule I am weary and loathsome to my selfe that I haue become so abominable to my God yea my God I am not worthy to be called thy creature nor that I should walke vpon the ground and it were no wonder if the earth should open her selfe vnder mee and swallow mee vp so that I should goe liuing downe to hell ô lament and greeue thee miserable soule ô weepe and crie thou wicked creature yea if it be possible let bloudy teares fall for thy sinne sorrow thou with thy whole power and strength ô woe to thee thou hard-heart can no feare nor dread waken thee vp from thy dead sleepe cannot the Lords lighted torch of indignation fright thee wilt thou drinke all the cup yea the dreggs of his furie Vp beloued Soule vp addresse thee to a better life least thou be ouertaken in thy sinnes behold the Lords day is at thy dore Luk. 21. and commeth vpon thee as a theefe in the night loe death snatcheth at thee and thou knowest not how soone hee shall apprehend thee therefore speake and I will not keepe silence I acknowledge confesse before my God all that is in my heart O that I had water enough in my head Ierem. 9. that mine eies were fountaines of waters that night and day I might weepe for my sins yea cause my bed euerie night to swim and water my couch with my teares ô thou deare soule lament shed thy
teares as a well cease not neither leaue off for the Almighty is angry for thy sinnes Lam. 2. pardon them ô Lord I beseâ—ch thee and grant that when I shall sleepe in death my bodie may rest temporally and my soule may liue with thee eternally for Iesus c. Flesh. Shall man then in such sorrow doubt and despaire for his sinnes Spirit No God forbid but he should embrace the second part of Christian repentance which is faith in our Lord Iesus Christ who hath satisfied for our sinnes and reconciled vs to God his heauenly father Rom. 5. in this case raise vp encourage thy selfe learne comfort after this manner ô most louing Iesus Christ thou most sweet Sauiour and Redeemer how heauy is my hart how sad is my Soule in my brest Ps. 43.5 Esa. 38. My God thou hast broken all my bones like a Lyon I beseech thee that thou wouldest not despise my contrite and broken hart my Redeemer Ps. 51.17 giue mee thy mercifull hand and draw mee out of this heauinesse and suffer me not to sinke and perish of too much sorrow O my God I thanke thee thou hast touched my heart in making mee vnderstand my sinnes and giuing mee thy mercie to bewaile theÌ„ vnfainedly O I am become godly sorrowfull not to my hurt for godly sorrow worketh Saluation 2. Cor. not to be sorrowed for where else might I haue found comfort for my disquieted Soule of what other shold I haue found rest for my broken heart but of thee onely ô most dearely beloued Sauiour for thou camest into the world to saue miserable sinners 1. Tim. 1. therefore is thy name Iesus Mat 1. to saue thy people from all their sinnes Here am I ô Sauiour although a verie great yet a Penitent sinner Loe I heare thy comfortable voyce Mat. 11. Come vnto mee all yee that are laden and we aried I will refresh you Bâ—hold my God I come and bring with mee a sorrowfull broken Ps. 51.17 and contrite heart O reuiue my dead soule O heale my sinfulâ— wounded conscience O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world take from mee my sinne Ps. 51.9 and the guilt thereof and forgiue all mine iniquities Thou art my Redeemer and the onely sacrifice by which God thy Father and I am reâ—conciled Ioh. 3. for as Moyses exalted the Serpent in the wildernesse so wast thou exalted on the Crosse to the end that I and all that beleeue in thee should not perish but haue euerlasting Life Mar. 9. I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe yea Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee Ioh. 21. albeit with a weake faith neuerthelesse by the same little small faith I put all my trust and confidence in thee and beleeue doubt not I beleeue and know well that all my bitter and grieuous sinnes are surely and verely satisfied for and remitted by thy bloud and death I know and beleeue I am assured and persuaded ô my Redeemer that thy pure conception cleanseth my sinfull conception thy vndefiled birth purgeth my vncleane birth thy holie life sanctifieth my sinfull life thy humiliation is my exaltation thy hellish sorrowes are my heauenly comforts thy bonds are my freedome thy contempt is my honour thy sores are my salue the expulsion of thee is the in-bringing of mee thy smart and payne is the ioy of my Soule thy desert is my Redemption thy passion and death is a sacrifice for all my sinnes thy obedience is satisfaction for all my wickednesse thy descending into hell is my deliuerance from the Deuill power and force of hell Rom. 4. thy resurrectiâ—on is my righteousnesse and thy ascending into heauen is a seale and assurance that I am heire of eternall Life and that through Thee I haue alreadie right title and possesion of the kingdome of heauen Yea Lord Iesus all these hast thou merited for me giuen and bestowed them freely vpon mee and thy heauenly Father accepts of them and accounts them to mee in such maner as if I had deserued all the same in my owne proper person and as if euerie faithfull ones Redemption had beene purchased by himselfe Mat. 9. bee joyfull therfore comfort thee thy sinnes are forgiuen and thou reighteous before God thou hast a mercifull Father in heauen thou art heire of eternall Life thou hast the earnest of thy inheritance in thy heart which beares witnesse vnto thy spirit that thou art the Sonnâ— yof God Who will craue ought here is Christ that hath payed and satisfied for thee Who will accuse thee Rom. here is God that pronounceth thee Iust and Holie Meditation of the Soule of faith in Christ. Doest thou meditate on that hurt thou incurredst by the first fall doth that corruption deriued vnto thee from Adam grieue thee O giue thankes and praise to the Lords name for thou hast obtayned more in Iesus Christ thy Redeemer than thou hast lost in Adam the trespasser ô miracle of all miracles who can comprehend such things bee glad ô my soule and consider narrowly what thou losest in the first what was gotten in the second Adam againe Behold how Sathan is disappointed of his purpose for hee minded to draw thee altogether and finally from God and to draw thee in the pit of Gods euerlasting displeasure but contrarywise Christ thy Lord hath not onely reconciled thee with thy father quenched his wrath and anger and purchased mercy to thee but also hath aduanced thee to such vnspeakable promotion Heb. 2. that thou art become Gods kinsman for he hath taken thy flesh bloud vpon him thou couldest neuer haue come to higher promotion and preferment vnlesse thou hadest beene euen God himselfe And Sathan bethought him to driue thee out of the garden of Paradise and so bereaue thee of the companie and societie of the holy Angels but quite contrarie Christ thy Sauiour not only brings thee to that healie Paradise and eternall life but exalteth thee aboue all Angels and maketh thee most honourable in that he took not the Angels but mans nature vpon him Heb 2. Sathan also intended to take from thee the food of life and it so happened for the Lord God excluded man by reason of his transgression that he should not eat of the tree of life in Paradise Gen. 3. but now Christ is that nourishment Ioh. 6. and tree of life farre more excellent and good then that first which extends and dilateth his boughes and branches whereby wee come vp to heauen hideth vs vnder him feedeth vs of him and wee are satiate and shall haue vnder his shadow quietnesse and rest for euermore Againe Sathan would haue carried thee from thy righteousnesse cast thee deepely downe into sinne spoyled thee of thy originall justice wherein without sinne thou wert first created to Gods similitude but on the other side Christ thy Lord freely giueth thee a
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
will and pleasure that I may serue thee with a cleane sober obedient chaste and vpright heart and voluntary deniall of my selfe O Lord my God let me bee taught alwaies by thy holy Spirit and suffer me not to fall in my weaknes and infirmities lead mee by thy right hand that all my thoughts and deedes may bee gouerned according to thy good will and pleasure My God take from me pride of heart and let all my strength and courage be from thee let not my mouth speake any wickednes neither yet boast in my sinnes much lesse abuse thy name that I may liue temperately and continently and not giue the members of my body to wantonnesse and loosenesse Rom. 12. Grant ô my God that I neither disdaine nor slander my neighbour and passe not the bounds of of my calling neither hunt after riches by vnrighteousnesse neither gape for high honours that I bee not hypocriticall nor counterfet giue me grace that I despise not the meane and weake sort but willingly lend to the needie and bestow vpon the poore Psal. 37.8.9.10 take couetousnesse from mee and preserue mee from Enuie Anger and Malice and all Vngodlinesse O my Creator purge mee from Vanitie Stifneckednesse Foolishnesse Obstinacie Wilfulnesse from a Rebellious mind and Misdemeanor O my mercifull God I entreate thee for Iesus Christ thy deare Sons sake thou wouldest giue mee an vnderstanding heart 2. King 2. to the end I may exercise my selfe in all good actions of loue and manifest my sinceritie and truth to all men assist mee that I may recompence euill with good and commit vengance vnto thee benefit and relieue my enemies and goe before euerie man in honour that I may tread the footsteps of the godlie and follow theÌ„ but shun euil continually free mee from Shame and make mee so depart this Life as professed enemie to Sinne and Wickednesse knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name that I may proue know whether I am in the right way Psal. 86.11 Making my Faith in good Workes to shine before all men and deliuer mee at the last â—nd from euill that I may coÌ„temne these earthly and worldly cogitations and onely set my thoughts on things that are aboue from whence I waite for Iâ—sus Christ in whose most blessed name I do come with my prayers vnto the Throne of mercy crauing pardon for my sinnes for Iesus Christs sake in whose c. Flesh. Is it sufficient that a man once make such repentance or as it happeneth once a yeere Spirit No verily no for Iesus Christ commanded vs without intermission to say forgiue vs our trespasses Mat. 6. and we are desired to grow and encrease in the mercy and grace of God 2 Pet. 2. of our Lord Iesus Christ so should wee learne to bee strengthened in the holy Spirit in the inward man and therâ—fore euery one that is godly must make his praier vnto him in a time when hee may bee found Psal. 3â— â— Meditation of the Soule for Repentance Thou must not therefore deare soule onely once or once a month or once a yeere and after returne to thy wonted sins but they whose life must and should beâ— a continuall repentance for the Christian by the holy Sacrament of Baptisme is borne againe and made the childe of God that the old Adam in him by daily remorse and repentance should bee drowned perish and die with all sinnes and concupiscences that he may be a new creature to liue in holinesse and righteousnesse before God for euer Rom. 6. for the way of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfit day Pro. 4.18 A Prayer for true râ—pentance O God the father of all mercy and grace who hast called mee in Iesus Christ to euerlasting purity 1 Pet. 4. and granted that by truth and vpright faith I should taste of the sweetnesse of thy grace and goodnesse become the dwelling place of thy holy Spirit and heire of thy heauenly Kingdome lead me alwaies by the selfe same spirit that I may walke forward in true repentance striuing and wrastling continually against sinne making progresse in pietie and knowledge of thee growing vp in all Christian vertues as a new-borne creature and that the more thou prolongest my daies on earth I may the more encrease in a stronger faith in thee grant that I may escape for my life and not looke behinde mee Gen. 19.17 that I turne not to my vomit aâ—gaine as the Dog and the Sow that was washed Pro. 16 11. 2 Pet. 2.22 to her wallowing in the mire so that the last bee worser then the first yea my God Luk. 11.26 my strength is nought how easily am I ouercome but thou art hee that giuest both to will and to doe according to thy good pleasure Phil. 2.13 so wilt thou also strengthen perfect and accomplish this thy worke thou hast begunne in me vntill my last end forsake me not that I doe not leaue thee take not thy hand and blessing from mee ô God my Redeemer trie mee and know my heart examine and prooue my thoughts Ps. 139.33 if I bee in the wrong way bring mee to the right path Psal. 26 2. that I may walke as the childe of light before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life that so I may walke and liue after thy godly will and pleasure through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. III. Wherein is contained six poynts which appertaine to a true Christian life Flesh. NOw seeing I daily encrease in repentance and must looke for great opposition whiles I am in the right way how should I behaue my selfe that my faith faile noâ— and that I goe not astray Spirit That question deare Soule is verie necessarie for albeit wee be regenerate are become Gods children by Faith yet carry wee these pretious iewels in earthen vessells and weake bodies and therefore Sathan euer goeth about like a Roaring-Lyon 2. Cor. 4.7 seeking to deuoure vs and plotteth all his engins against vs the World with her glistering shew giues euill Example verie pleasant to Flesh Bloud which also it gladly followeth and remembreâ—h not that the Broad-Way leadeth to Damnation and many enter therein and therefore deare Soule if thou wouldest continue in thy course and attayne to the end of thy Faith which is 1. Pet. 1.9 The Saluation of thy Soule thou must daily lay these Sixe Poynts before thy eyes and haue them in thy heart that thou mayest carrie thy selfe in life and conuersation thereafter continually 1 Wait diligently vpon the hearing of the Word learne to vnderstand practise and vse the same 2 Remember euer thy Baptisme 3 Often after due examination communicate of the Lords-Supper 4 See thou rightly behaue thy selfe in all worldly crosses or aduersities 5 Abide in thy calling with all watchfulnesse 6 Pray continually The
their wheat and wine did abound Psal. 4.7 and these words cannot deceiue thee Psal. 89.33 for he will not falâ—ifie his truth Vpbraideth hee thee that thou art wretched sicke and desolate c though I bee mayst thou say poore and needy Psal. 40.17 the Lord thinketh on mee therfore if I can haue but thee my God I account of nothing in heauen and in earth suppose my flesh faile and my heart Psal 73.25 thou God art the strength of my heart and my portion for euer relie ô my soule all thy life time heereon for hee will not alter the thing that hath gone out of his lips Psal. 89.34 If the diuell doth affright thee with death gainstand him with a stout and faithfull heart and say thy dead men shall liue Esay 26.19 euen with my body shall they liue awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead And so I beleeue the remission of my sinnes resurrection of my body and life euerlasting this is verily true and hereon I repose my selfe for heauen and earth shall passe away Luk. 16.17 but his word shall not fall so that all they that leane to the word shut themselues in the word shall with the word and in the word endure for euer A Prayer to the same effect Lord Iesus Christ King of euerlasting Triumph helpe that I may continually haue thy Law and Gospel before mine eyes and rule all my Thoughts Words and Deeds according to them teach mee by thy holy Spirit at euerie occasion to put them in practise that in thy Law I may perceiue my Sinne and Vildnesse with true comfort in my hart that in all miserie and griefe I may haue these sweete speeches in fresh memorie that they may bee my weapons and aâ—mour To kill my Foe Pro. 30.5 and my Sheild and defence aâ—gainst the Deuill Psal. 23.4 thy rodde and staffe to hold mee vppe my food and refreshing in alâ— trouble and anguish grant I may wholly betake mee to thy Word both sleepe and rise therewith that I may liue and die according to thy Word and if at any time my heart through weakenesse shall distrust assist mee then O Lord that I neuer despaire for neyther thou nor thy Word will deceiue mee I know and doe beleeue it O eternaâ— true God that thou wilt keepe thy Word â—herefore shall I be preserued I beleeue and know thou canst not lye therefore sâ—all I not bee deceiued and although that my heart shall doubt and denie yet art thou constant in thy promise because thou art greater than our hearts and knowest all things therefore shall I neuer be confouÌ„ded 1 Ioh. 3.20 because I put my trust in thee Psal. 25.2 To thee O God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost bee all honour dominion power and glorie now and for euer world with out end Amen Flesh. What is the second point that concerneth Christian life The second poynt Baptisme Spirit Secondly deare Soule meditate daily in thy baptisme and let it comfort thee because God thy Lord in it hath purged thee receiued thee to be his child and in it sealeth with thee that mercifull couenant that he will be thy gracicious God and father and thou shalt be his deare Son and heire yea ô my soule thy Lord Iesus in thy holy baptisme hath called thee by thy name 1 Pet. 3. Esay 62. Ier. 14. Esay 45. before thou knewest him and hath giuen thee a new name that thou shouldest bee called a Christian to witnesse that thou wert brother to Christ and fellow-heire Rom. 8. that thou shalt enioy and bee paticipant with him of all whatsoeuer hee hath bought and merited by his bloud as of remission of sinnes righteousnesse and eternall life Meditation of thy Baptisme Therfore so often as thou shalt heare or recite the Creed I beleeue in God c. I beleeue in Iesus Christ c. I beleeue in the holy Ghost c. heere is thy surmounting consolation that thou art in the number of those of whom it is sayd he that beleeueth and is baptized Mark 16.16 shall bee saued and heereby art separated from Turks Iewes Atheists and all Infidels and other vngodly persons of whom it is said but hee that will not beleeue shall be damned and finally in thy baptisme thou obligest thy selfe not to liue after the flesh Rom 8.12 Luk 1.75 to fulfill the lusts and desires thereof but to serue the liuing God in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of thy life Tit. 2.12 according to his pleasure Prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. I thanke thee my good Lord Iesus Christ for this thy vnspeakable goodnesse in that thou hast not onely taken mee aliue out of the wombe but when I was dead in sinne made me be baptized Psal. 22.9 Ephes. 2.1 and thereby enrolledst and registeredst mee in thy mercifull couenant band didst regenerate me by thy holy spirit Eph. 2.12.13 accept mee to be thy sonne and inheritor of blessednesse 1 Pet. 3.21 not that I loued thee first but thou louedst mee before I was ô my Redeemer Tit. 5.5 how can I render thankes for all thy benefits towards mee I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon thee Psal. 116.12 I beseech thee therefore vphold mee by thy holy spirit that I may stand stedfast in this couenant of grace whereunto I haue had this accesse reioycing vnder the hope of the glory of God comforting my soule therewith confirme my faith that I may cleaue vnto thee alwayes and abhorre and detest Infidelitie and Atheisme seruing thee zealously in the spirit in whatsoeuer calling or condition of life I shall liue yea my God seeing through baptisme I am dead vnto sinne and borne againe Rom. 6.4 grant me thy grace that I may walke in newnesse of life that my conuersion and giuing my members as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God may beare record before thee and men that I haue reciued that Sacrament to my weale and saluation conduct mee safely through this wearisome valley of misery neuer leaue mee vntill thou hast brought me to thy fathers Kingdome which is those riches and treasures thou hast promised mee in my baptisme and thereof assured me and sealed vp the same in my heart by thy spirit giuen vnto me Grant me gracious father forgiuenesse of all my sins that so I may walke before thee in true repeÌ„tance and amendment of life that so I may liue in thy feare and die thy faithfull seruant Amen Flesh. Shew me the third means whereby a Christian life is maintained The third poynt the Lords Supper Spirit Thirdly deare soule repaire diligently and of ten to the Lords Sâ—pper for that is the table the Lord hath prepared for his regenerate children that is the food wherwith hee strengtheneth and refrâ—sheth his new purged
ones for so saith the Redeemer Take eat this is my body Matth. 26.16 Mar. 14.22 Luk. 22.19 Cor. 11.24 which is giuen for you to the remission of sins and againe Take and eat all hereof this cup is the new Testament in my bloud which is shed for you Meditation of the Soule for the receiuing of the Communion Now heare my Soule what delicates the Lord thy Sauiour presenteth before thee in this his table truely not bare and naked bread and wine but his body and bloud for the bread which wee breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 therefore beleeue I and know that my Lord Iesus Christ both God and Man according to his institution is present to my Soule giues his body and bloud to bee eaten and drunke spiritually by a true and liuely faith wrought in me by his holy spirit and applying the merits and benefits of his death vnto mee the manner and way being best knowen vnto himselfe yea Lord Iesus thou thy selfe art here my host and I thy guest heere come I poore creature out of the wicked wildernes of this world fraught with trouble and misery and bring with mee an hungry thirsty and languishing yet a faithfull heart reuiue me my Lord Iesus by this thy table and strengthen mee by this nourishment that I may bee satiate and safe Approach heereunto my Soule to strengthen thy faith and quicken thy heart Ioh. 20.27 and bee not longer faithlesse but faithfull beâ—hold the Lord thy Redeemer assureth thee as with a true token and pawne that thou of meere grace and mercy art appoynted heire of all his blessings and hee imputes vnto thee whatsoeuer he hath procured by the sacrifice of his body and bloud to wit the forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes Rom. 4.8 that righteousnesse which is accepted before God and eternall life all these shall aâ— certainely be thine as if thou in thine own person hadst hung vpon the crosse and there merited them yea and he witnesseth heereby that thou for his sake art counted before God as righteous holy and as beloued as Christ himselfe is and moreouer by the same Sacrament through the holy Spirit he giueth himself vnto thee Reu. 3.20 to dwell with thee and sup with thee neuer to depart froÌ„ thee but worke a new life ioy light yea Lord Iesus so am I in thee Ioh. 17.23 Eph. 5.30 and thou in mee and I will sticke vnto thee my Redeemer as a liuing member to a liuing body as a bride vnto her bridegroome for I am a member of thy body Ioh. 15.4 of thy blood and bones yea I am in thee as the branch is in the vine and as a bough receiueth continuall sap vertue from the trees roote so doe I draw comfort life and quickening from thee and so by a true faith both in soule and body abide in thee and thou in mee by thy holy spirit that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor nor things present nor things to come nor hight nor depth nor any other creature can separate me from thy loue A prayer when thou hast receiued the Communion Praised bee thou O God my Sauiour for thy fatherly care ouer me for preparing this heauenly banquet for me whereby I may quench the appetite of my hungry soule and mittigate the thirst of my heart so that now by this meanes I depart emboldened and established in grace and faith will follow thee my Redeemer with courage Heb. 13.9 will abide constantly with thee and remayne in perseuerance with thee through thy spirit vnto the last gaspe Amen Meditation of receiuing the holie Communion Thou hast said Doe this in my remembrance O my God how holie is the memorie of that how inwardly am I comforted therewith for by this sacrament I call to minde many other Festiual daies and times for in thy Table I remember thy Natiuitie for it testifieth vnto mee that thou in verie deed hast taken my human nature vpon thee and art farre neerer joyned vnto mee than vnto the Angells for thou in no sort tookedst vpon thee the Angells nature but thou tookest the seed of Abraham it likewise represeÌ„teth vnto mee that thou art the true Sacrifice for sinnes and therefore doe I eate the right Pasouer 1. Cor. 5.7 euen Christ which is sacrificed for mee as also I beleeue and trust seeing I am thy member and that thou art risen from the dead and liuest so shall I also so that thou wilt not leaue my Soule in Graue neyther shall death haue power ouer mee but I shall rise and sing vnto the Lord in the land of the liuing and possesse that place where thou my head Iesus Christ liuest world without end And all these things are engrafted and sealed in mee by thy holie Spirit of Promise 1. Eph. 13.14 which is the earnest of my Inheritance for the redemption of that libertie purchased vnto the prayse of his glorie whereby also peace and joy is kindled in my hart for I receiue the spirit of adoption whereby I crie Abba Father the same Spirit bearing witnesse to my Spirit Rom. 8.15 16. that I am the Sonne of God And not onely that but I participate the whole Trenitie the Father Sonne and Holie-Spirit who come vnto mee Ioh. 14.23 and dwell with mee so life euerlasting shall be bestowed vpon mee after this transitorie where I shall continually behold my Lord my God face to face and finally I haue here an vnion and fellowshippe with all the Saints for as hee sayd He that eateth my flesh Ioh. 6.56 and drinketh my bloud abideth in mee and I in him so hath hee sayde also that they all may bee one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs for we that are many are one bread and one bodie because wee are all partakers of one bread how joyfull am I of this heauenlie companie how glad am I of thy Saints to whose number thou hast adopted mee for the which I giue thee thankes honour and prayse for euermore Besides this it is written as oft as you eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup ye declare the Lords death vntill his comming againe wherein deare Soule I am rauished to the contemplation of the Third-heauen with Paule whereof this thy last Supper is as it were an entry and beginning for in thy Fathers Kingdome I shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob and there feed vpon Thee the Bread of Life eternally and therefore sigh I from the bottome of my heart saying euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly my Redeemer and tarrie not and therefore I am taught to powre out hartie thanksgiuings for all thy blessings wherewith thou hast blessed mee in heauenly things in
8.28 Pro. 27.6 and faithfull are the wounds of a freind And truely it serueth many waies to our weale for it teacheth vs the knowledge of our sinnes for hee doth correct in measure and will not leaue vs altogether vnpunished Ier. 30.11 and therefore the Lord knoweth that the way of man is not in himselfe neyther is it in man that walketh to direct his steps Ier. 10.13.14 O Lord sayth the Prophet correct mee but with iudgement not in thine anger least thou bring mee to nothing thus hee chastiseth vs for sinne and will not leaue vs wholly vnpunished Ier. 46.28 to the end we may bee driuen narrowly to espie our sinnes and transgressions descend more earnestly into the inward parts of our harts Againe the crosse sends vs to the word of God when we are frosen in our sinnes it thawes vs again for to whom doth God teach knowledge Esa 28.9 and whom shall he make to vnderstand Doctrine them that are weaned from the Milke and drawne from the breasts and truely temptations make vs to runne to consult with Gods Oracle which is his Word Besides this it stirreth vp our Faith for such grieuances and annoyances befall vs and wee often haue the sentence of death in our selues that wee should not trust in our selues but in God which raiseth the dead who deliuereth from so great a death and doth deliuer in whom we trust that he will yet deliuer vs the crosse teach vs also to pray for Lord in trouble haue they visited thee they powred out their prayers Esa. 26. when thy chastising haÌ„d was vpon them Yea it instructeth vs to auoyde sinne for so it is sayd to the man that was cured on the Sabbath-day Behold thou art made whole sinne no more least a worse thing come vnto thee And finally it maketh this earthly life loathsom vnto vs and rayseth an earnest desire and longing after that which is to come Heb. 13.14 for heere wee haue no continuing citie but we seeke one to come but we looke for a citie which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God and therfore may it be well sayd vnto vs Arise yea and depart for this is not your rest because it is polluted it shal destroy you euen with a sore destruction and so to conclude all things serue the godly Aug. Soliloq cap. 28. to the best yea euen their veriâ— sins worke to their weale for wee alway recouer more by Christ than we loose by sinne so Peters fall of pusillanimity made him afterward bolder to auouch Christ. A Prayer for true and liuelie Faith in Christ. Lord Iesus Christ Son of the liuing God imprint this heauenly consolation in my heart and preserue mee that I neuer despaire in any kind of griefe but euer vnto my dying day perceiue thee to be a watchfull prouident and fore-seeing God for mee who as an expert artificer canst worke good workes of euill stuffe for thy iudgements are vnsearchable Rom. 9.33 and thy counsells past finding out yet neuerthelesse in thine owne time thou bringest them to purpose for the weale and benefit of thy owne Saints To thee therefore O God doe wee thy Saints and seruants giue all honour power and glorie now and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee the seuenth and last rule concerning the Crosse of Christ. Spirit Patience Prayer and Hope make the crosse light for it is good that a man should both Hope and quietly waite for the Saluation of the Lord for remembring mine affliction and my miserie Lam. 1.26 the wormewood and the gall my soule had them still in remembrance and is humbled in mee these I call to minde and therfore haue I hope And so call vpon the Lord in the day of trouble Lam. 19. 20.21 Psal. 50.15 hee will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie him beholde then the ancient fathers and marke them as an example of true godlinesse was there euer any ashamed that put his trust in thee A Meditation of the crosse of Christ. Yea my deare soule when one beares a heauy burdeÌ„ if he take it rightly on him it will not bee so heauy especially if hee haue any ayde oâ— help for to assist him in his heauy load so patience prayer and hope as hands and armes wherby the faithfull hart imbraceth his crosse goeth forth with it for patience doth all things willingly therfore is not wearied prayer steps in before God obtaineth either that the crosse shal be quite taken away or else lessened now hope makes vs not ashamed Rom. 5.5 but knoweth assuredly that God is faithfull who will noâ— suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10. 13. that we may bee able to beare it but impatiency offendeth God hindereth prayer and doth all things by constraint lay the Lord Iesus before thine eyes and learne of him 1 Pet 2.21.22.23 who when hee was reâ—uiled reuiled not againe when he suffered he threatned not but committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously and vpon iust and vpright Iob If the Lord slay me Iob 13.15 yet will I trust in him but woe vnto him that hath lost patience what will he do when the Lord shall visit him Eccl. 2.24 A Prayer for continuance in Faith Lord Iesus Christ giue vnto mee long-fuffering and patience of heart that I may continue and abide in thy good pleasure and will I may cast all my care greefe and sollicitude vpon thee for thou carest for mee and euermore expect better and better at thy hands for thou onely knowest what is good for mee to thee therfore be ascribed from the bottome of my heart all honour and glory Amen Flesh. Shew mee the fifth poynt which appertaineth to a Christian and godly life Spirit Fiftly beloued Soule abid in that calling wherin God hath called thee and obserue the same with all truth and diligence that thou mayest in all thine actions giue an account thereof both before God and man for God will not that man heere vpon earth should be idle Matth. 12. 36. but hath allotted vnto euery one his seuerall trade and worke in their owne measure for the Lord our God himselfe is not idle but worketh gouerneth vpholdeth and ordereth all things preserueth blesseth heares and helps euery true heart My father saith he worketh hit herto Ioh. 5.17 and I worke yea if God should be idle but the twinckling of an eye then should the whole world decay and perish So likewise the holy Angels are ministring spirits Heb. 1.4 sent foorth to minister for them who shall bee heires of saluation beholde the Sunne the Moone and all the Starres how constantly they keep their course Psal. 8.3 Psal. 19.1 2. and perfit their appoyntment and calling euen so deare Soule should euery man that is whole euery day exercise his calling in his owne estate
the soule learning to know the cause of sicknesse Hearest thou ô Soule in this poynt thou shouldest bee singularly attentiue for when the Lord shall intend to call thee all outward meanes must obey him for wheÌ„ we his creatures will not know the diseases of our soules then doth the Lord send sicknesse of body that wee might haue greater coÌ„sideration of our soules and bee alwayes in repentance and as our children sometimes meâ—it the rod and correction so do we deseâ—ue sicknesse and punishment at Gods hands ô thou merciful God if thou shouldst visit vs so often with sicknesse as wee deserue wee should not bee one twinckling of an eye in perfect health but it is but now and then that thou chastizest vs to the intent wee should euer remember and feare thy holy name And often it commeth to passe thatinfants and young ones are chastized of the L. so that they make the elder in yeeres sorrowfull and are mooued to lament and pity the poore distressed soules 2 Sam. 12.15 for sicknesse is an Ambassadour sent of God counselling vs to rise from sinne and not to perish in our wickednesse lest it bee sayd Woe vnto their soules Esay 3.9 for they haue rewarded euilto themselues marke deare Soule how insolently and carelesly men lead their liues that are not touched with the crosse or any sicknesse at all they regard not the word of God neither the Sacraments they forget both faith in Christ and prayer then are their soules in greatest danger for the lesse a father corrects the more disobedience groweth in his children so is it with mankinde the greater health and wellfare they haue the more negligent wax they and secure A comfortable Prayer in time of sicknes Lord Iesus Christ here lie I full sicke and acknowledge that it is thy fatherly pleasure that it should bee so for there cannot perish an haire of my head without thy will how then should I lose the precious gift of my health but by thy pleasure behold Lord thou hast euen made me such an one as thou willingly wouldst looke vpon and as thou in thy passion wast a worme and not a man Psal. 22.6 â—uen so hast thou made mee like vnto thee Psal. 39 11. ô my God when thou with rebukes doest correct man for his iniquity like a moth thou makest his beauty to consume away I thank thee my God that thou hast corrected mee for I know that it is for my weale my God thou louest mankinde well and faithfull are the wounds of a friend helpe me my God Pro. 27.6 that I may bee mindefull of this chastâ—zement all the dayes of my life and may feare thee and depart from euill which shall bee the health to my nauell Pro. 3.8 and marrow to my bones make mee circumspect ouer sin that some danger or other a great deale worse then this befall not euen for my Sauiour Iesus Christ sake to whome be all honor and glory now and for euer Amen Flesh. Shew me how I may haue remission of my sinnes and be reconciled to God Spirit Secondly seeing that now thine outward sicknesse affrayes thee and thou art sicker where thou feelest it not giue diâ—igence aboue all things to apply physicke thereto thy true health is repentance and stedfast faith in Iesus Christ by which thou mayest attaine forgiuenesse of sinne and a mercifull father in heauen for by faith thy hart is purified and accouÌ„ted righteous thou receiuest peace and ioy in conscienc so that thou art reuiued although thy body be weak and diseased The sicke persons prayer and confession that his sinnes are cause of his sicknesse I confesse before thee my Lord Iesus Christ with a broken and contrite heart that I haue procured this my sicknesse by my sinnes and am greeued from my soule and heart that I haue offended thy Maiestie and brought my selfe to this mishap yet ô Lord thou settest not light by a sorrowfull soule looke therefore vnto my miserie Psal. 147.3 and heale my wounded heart â—orgiue me all my trespasses and cleanse mee from my wickednesse wherby I haue kindled thy wrath against me ô Lord my Redeemer who speakest alway peace vnto thy pâ—ople and consolation to the perplexed Comfort my Soule say vnto my hart ioyfull words Sonne be of good cheere Matth 9.2 thy sinnes are forgiuen thee how am I thereby refreshed in my soule life marrow and bones Yea Lord Iesus if thy holy word were not my trust then should I perish in my weaknesse I beleeue and am perswaded that by thee Iesus Christ attonement is made for mee reconciliation with thy father purchased and I am ordained to that heauenly blessednesse to which thou of thine infinit mercy bring mee for Christ sake to whom bee glory and honour Amen Flesh. Shew me how I may pray for a gracious departure in time of sicknesse Spirit Thirdly in time of sicknesse we should haue our recourse vnto our God Psal. 41.3 the Lord will strengthen vs vpon the bed of languishing and make our beds in sicknesse and therefore my sonne in thy sicknes be not negligent but pray vnto the Lord as did Ezekiah and he will make thee whole Esay 38.2 leaue off from sin and order thy hands aright and cleanse thine heart from all wickednes and see thou communicate thine inward sorrow and greefe Eccles. 38.9.10 vnto the congregâ—tion of the Saints of God that they may ioyne with thee in praier for many stickes make the greater fire Verily verily I say vnto thee saith our Sauiour that if two of you shall agree on earth Mat. 18.19 as touching any thing what they shall aske shall bee done for them of my father which is in heauen for where two or three are gathered together in my name Vers. 20. there am I in the midst of them and if it be that thy sicknesse bee so vehement and thou so weake that thou canst not pray with thy mouth make then sighes and groanings of a true heart to ascend vnto the Lord for the spirit helpeth our infirmities for wee know not what wee should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh intercession for vs Rom. 8.26 with groanings which cannot bee vttered perseuer therefore in inuocating on Gods name by thy voice thoughts and cogitations and by the Church and delay not before that the Lord doe looke vpon thee and helpe thee The sicke mans Prayer O LOrd Iesus Christ thou hast sent thy messenger which is sicknesse vnto me to waken vp my repentance be hold my Lord I know it is thy will thou wouldest haue me obedient and conuerted vnto thee I haue nothing to direct vnto thee but my prayers and the poore sinfull and imperfect sighes of my heart out of the deeps therefore I haue cried vnto thee Lord heare my voice let thine eares bee attentiue to the voice of my supplications I wayte for the Lord my Soule doth waite and in
death and became obedient to admit such pain feare and astonishment of death to come ouer his body which was wiâ—hout sinne it sâ—eweth vs that his humane nature had no pleasure to die yea and himselfe saith I haue a baptisme to bee baptâ—zed with Luk. 12. â—0 and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Prayer against the feare of Death I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast not created mee to death but to life and hast implanted a loue in mine heart to liue I request thee from the bottome of my heart teach mee to vnderstand that death ruleâ—h ouer all because of sinne and ouercometh me grant by thy holy spirit that so oft as death shall assault me I may be enemie to iniquitie and euer flie and efchew sinne as death it selfe helpe me ô Lord that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee for thou art life it selfe Ioh. 11.25 and so may freely and boldly say I shall taste of death although I were dead but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Psal. 118.17 Grant I may beleeue from my heart that by Thee the Prince of life I may be deliuered from eternall death and attaine vnto that euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne Amen Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly craue to die and long for it Spirit Yes truely but it is to be vnderstood that there are twâ— kindes of men which desire to die The Infidell prophane vngodly often wish to die and that of impatiency because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sinnes for seeing they are without the knowledge of God and without faith they are not participant of the crosse of Christ but despaire in impatiency grudge against God wish themselues not onely to die but also often times lay violent hands on themselues as Iudah Saul and Achitophel did purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery but then is it that first they begin to haue proofe of their wickednesse sweet heauenly Father keepe vs from hence But the children of God the more they grow in knowledge and increase in faith and loue of Christ the more they are weary of this wretched world and long for that eternall rest and haue Pauls wish in their hearts I desire to depart and to bee with Christ Phil. 1.23 yea our Sauiour commandeth vs Matt. 6.13 that we should daily craue to bee deliuered from euill for therein not onely doe we pray for deliuerance from transitory distresses of soule or bodie but we aske from our heart that God would either put an end to this sinnefull and wicked world or else come in a blessed time and pull vs from hence to euerlasting rest and quietnesse A Prayer for patience in trouble Now helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I in the abundance of my crosses may rightly order my selfe and learne of thee how I should beare the waight of my yoke Mat. 11.30 preserue mee that I neuer craue my death through impatiency much lesse that euer I shorten the dayes of my life which thou hast giuen bee but grant that euermore day by day I may learne to know thee to establish and confirme my faith and the longer I shall liue the more dearly to loue thee to the end I may learne to contemne this world and to long after that heauenly world which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his bloud To whom with thee and thy holy spirit one blessed God I render praise and and glory now and euer Amen Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life Spirit Vnto this question S. Paul answereth for Christ should alwaies be magnified in our bodies whether it be by Life or by Death Phil. 1 20.2â—.22.23.24 for to mee to liue saith he is Christ and to me to dye is gayne but if I liue in the Flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall chuse I wote not for I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you and hauing this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of Faith A meditation of the Soule tossed in the troublesome waues of this life Here mayest thou perceiue beloued Soule that Paule was tossed with two diuers opinions and thoughts he longed for rest and counted it best esteemed it also good that hee should abide in the flesh longer and beleeued that God would spare him that in his ministerie hee might further serue both God and Man yet in both these had this only before his eyes that Christ should be magnified in his bodye whether it were by life or by death So doth also the king Ezekiah 2. King 20.1.2.6 to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death but he turned his face vnto the Wall and prayed vnto the Lord who added vnto his daies fifteene yeares And so was also Paule greatly joyed for his brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier Epaphroditus who was sicke Phil. 2.25.27 neere vnto death but God had mercie on him and not on him onely but on meâ— also saith Paule least I should haue sorrow vpon sorrow Follow these examples and thou shalt not goe amisse for if thou canst be necessarie vnto God and thy neighbour it is conuenient thou shouldest craue a long and sound life that thou mayest bee a profitable vessel of mercie and chosen to good actions Neuertheles submit thee alwayes to his will and be readie euerie day to be dissolued for time is but lent thee A Prayer for Health and Gods blessings on our Labours Euerlasting Almightie God thou art my Life and Length of my daies my time is in thy hands for in Thee wee liue and mooue and haue our being Act. 17.28 I thank thee from the ground of my heart that thou hasâ— to this present houre suâ—stayned mee and giuen me a healthfull life and good vnderstanding thaâ— in my calling I mighâ— serue thee my God and my neighbour O God thou seest and knowest mâ— heart that I am willinâ— and verie desirous faithâ—fully and truely to walkâ— forward in my vocation and trade and that I haue no wicked purpose noâ— false pretence in my hart I humbly therefore entreat if it shall stand with thy praise and glorie and my owne saluation that thou wouldest prolong my daies and conduct me by thy holy spirit that I may learn to know thee more fully and serue my neighbour more intirely yet if it bee not thy pleasure and that thou knowest it to be better for mee take mee hence vnto thy selfe when thou wilt for I wholely renounce mine owne will and submit me to thy good wil and pleasure Graunt this vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. What shall moue
euerie man generally that willingly he may giue himselfe to dye Spirit Obedience wherein we are obliged vnto God for of him wee haue our Life and God may rightly clayme the same agayne of vs no man of himselfe came here into the world and no man can stay longer than it pleaseth him for it is hee that turneth man to destrction Psal. 90.3 and saith Returne yee Children of Men. A Meditation of the Soule for obedience to Gods Will. But beware deare Soule least when thy time is come thou dye against thy will and fret against God say not I am constrayned I would rather liue so doe the Infidells which build onely vpon this miserable life and it fareth so with them as Christ saith Ioh. 12.25 He that loueth his life shall loose it and hee that hateth his life in this world shall keepe it vnto eternall life therfore shew thy selfe obedient to liue as long as hee will and dye when it is his pleasure Let nothing detayne thee nor hinder thee of all that are in the world and thou must reckon this life and all the sufferings of this preâ—sent time Rom. 8.18 are not worthie to bee compared to the future Coelestiall glorie which shall bee reuealed in vs. A Prayer for obedience vnto the will of Christ and willingly to forsake this world O Lord Iesus Christ thou who wast so resolute and ready to thy passion and so obedient vnto death euen the death of the crosse and didst say Phil. 2.8 father not as I will but as thou wilt I request thee my Redeemer giue me a submissiue heart that when the day of my dissolution shall approach I may willingly condiscend to thy will for thou knowest my infirmity and that flesh and bloud is afraid to vndergo it Lord bow mee to thy word and conduct mee in thy footsteps that I may euer commit my selfe and my life vnto thy trust my Lord and God and most comfortable Redeemer thou art God and all that thou doest is good thou neuer didst disappoint any that put their hope in thee heere I am Lord in thy mercifull hand If I liue I liue vnto thee If I die Rom. 14.8 I die to thee whether wee liue or die wee are the Lords For I know and am assured Vers. 9. that to this end Christ both died reuiued that he might be Lord both of the dead and liuing In whose name I pray vnto thee as hee hath taught Our Father c. Flesh. It is yet notwithstanding pleasant to bee in the world for beautifull is this earth which wee see who would not rather abide heere then depart Spirit All the children of the world sing that song but deare Soule be not thou conformed to this world say not this is the course and custome of the world but remember that the course of the world tendeth to hell but wee are the children of the faithfull and looke for a life which the Lord will giue vnto them that abide constantly in faith before him But as for the world the Scripture determineth of it and saith that the whole world lyes in wickednesse Ioh. 5.19 and therefore commandeth that wee should not loue the world nor the things that are in the world 1 Ioh. 2.15 16.17 for if any man loue the world the loue of the father is not in him for all that is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pride of life is not of the father but of the world and the world passeth away and the lust thereof but he that doth the will of God abideth for euer And againe striue to enter in at the narrow gate for wide is the gate Matt. 7.13.14 broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there bee which goe in thereat because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth vnto life and few there bee that finde it Now mayst thou cleerly see and as in a glasse what the course of the world is and whither it tendeth and marke how wide and farre off it goeth from the way of life Pray therefore vnto the Lord thy God that hee would translate thee from the way of the world and place thy feet in the gate of life that thou mayest be transformed by the renuing of thy minde that thou mayest prooue what is that good Rom. 12.2 that acceptable and perfit will of God A Prayer to bee kept in the way of life Now Lord Iesus Christ open thou mine eyes and teach my hart that I may accept this true aduertisement and rectifie my selfe according thereto Alas thou knowest my God how altogether my heart hangs vpon this world how easily it suffereth it selfe to bee miscarried from that â—ure way of life and Saâ—â—an rests not but kindletâ— lust and concupiscence in my heart and ministreth one opportunity after another to sinne and pursueth me on euery side to the end he may deuoure my soule O my Sauiour enlighten mine eyes that I may find thy way lead me by thy holy spirit that I goe not amisse confirme my hart by the power of faith that I may abide stedfastly in thy knowen truth that neither sweet nor sowre Matt. 7.33 miserie nor death disseuer me therefrom yea thogh life were therefore to bee lost that I may rather chuse to be diuided into 1000. parts then giue ouer Lord hepe me that I may ouercom and keep the victorie O God help mee manfully to wrestle that in death and life I may continue with thee for euermore Amen Flesh. It may so bee yet it is very hard when one hath goods and money enough and swims in honour and beautie liues in pleasure and mirth that hee should forsake all these things and part from them Spirit Yes truely it is hard to the children of this world who are enclosed in their owne fat Psal. 17.10.14 and haue their portion heere in this life and whose belly God hath filled with his hid treasure for so saith hee elsewhere O death how bitter is the remembrance of thee Eccl. 41.1 to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things Yea vnto him that is yet able to receiue meat But it is farre otherwise with the children of God for although they haue many of his blessings and goods and many are exalted to glorious places and great honours and haue the benefit of the ground in ioy and pleasure Esay 1 19. yet doe they not make an Idoll thereof Psal 6â— 10 and if riches encrease they doe not set their hearts thereupon but thank God vse the same aright for they know they are but worldly goods which are current heere onely before this world but not before God and vncessantly meditates on his most pure word what helpeth it any man if hee possesseth all the goods in the
faithfull and godly affaires yea and as thy mother was left a widdow so wast thou also fatherlesse for Ioseph liued not long with thee therefore thou knowest both estates yea what is hid from thee ô thou searcher of hearts yea ô Lord Iesus thou becamest fatherlesse for all the poore orphans sakes I deliuer vnto thee now my fatherlesse children there receiue thou them it may well be that both I they shall praise and thanke thee therfore vpon that last day Blesse and replenish their hearts with true godlinesse their bodies with soundnesse according to thy will their life with Christian education and grant them whatsoeuer may comfort them in this world or in the world to come Satiate them with a long life and shew them thy saluation ô thou horne of my saluation Thou gouernest thy children maruellously Psal. 91.16 thou teachest and rulest them euermore they know thy voice and follow it grant them patience and mercie that they neuer separate themselues from thee and neuer desist from obedience and true loue to thee and their neighbours vntill thou shalt receiue them into those eternall and euerlasting habitations to be with my Sauiour in heauen for euermore Luk. 16.9 Amen CHAP. VI. Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly giue himselfe to die ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end Flesh. I Pray you shew mee how I may quiet the feare of death to the end I may willingly adayes which speech iâ— had of death Tush saâ— they a stout heart will ouercome death A Meditation of the Soulâ— against the feare of Death But deare Soule these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations for our owne courage shall neuer carrie coÌ„fort to the hart nor hope of eternall life For these wicked mens hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexitie and griefe for they know not to whom they should come to render their Soules O but the children of God haue a farre more forcible and pithie physicke against the feare of death yea a notable secret reuealed vnto them from aboue which is in true faith and cheerefull confidence in our Lord Iesus Christ which whosoeuer hath and thereby shall lay hold on him hath a preseruatiue and antidote against all the terrors and feares of death And why wilt thou O my Soule be afraid of death knowest thou whose thou art and what thou art thou art â—arth and must returne to earth but Iesus Christ is thy Life Col. 3.3 why mistrustest thou Death is thy Life knowest thou whither thou shalt goe Col. 3 3. Iohn 14.6 Behold Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heauen attend therefore thou must and kisse his Sonne and thou shalt not perish from the way Ps. 2.12 for blessed are they that put their trust in him for hauing him thou hast all things and without him all other things are naught The Sick-mans prayer and faith in Christ. Yea my Lord Iesus Christ thou diedst for my sinnes thou hast reconciled mee with thy father thou hast ouerthrowne death and meriâ—ted eternall life for them that constantly beleeue and hold out vnto the end Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart and rest and peace and I count nothing of death for by thee Iesus Christ I haue remission of all my sinnes and am pure and righteous before God O he is a good mercifull father vnto mee I am his deare child and heauenlie heyre and now Lord Iesus I am thine own peculiar whom thou hast redeemed not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but with thy precious bloud as of a lambe without blemish and without spot And hast deliuered mee from hell yea I am thy brother and fellow heire and all that thou hast is mine yea I am thy beloued deere bride thy pleasure and thy joy thy treasure which thou hast dearely bought I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holie spirit by whom I am sealed vnto the day of redemption yea Lord Iesus thou hast so reconciled and vnited mee that I am Bone of thy Bone and Flesh of thy Flesh yea all thy creatures should rather come to naught thaÌ„ that I should bee seperated from thy loue what then can death worke vpon mee surely nothing else but that I may more nearely approach vnto thee my God Therefore respect I not death but haue life in my thoughts and mind and speake of nothing else but life for Christ is vnto mee both in life and death againe yea I will sing and say with faithfull Iob Iob. 19.25.26.27 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand at the later day vpon the earth and though after my skinne be perished wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see thee whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not an others Though my raynes bee consumed within mee Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest that I both beleeue in thee and by my faith remaine with thee eternally yea and I also know that I beleeue in thee and feele the sweetenesse of my faith taste of euerlasting life in my heart Thou art mine and I am thine and I am possessor of all that thou hast as life with euerlasting peace and joy what account I then these transitorie things Hauing thee I haue all things I could wish both earthly and heauenly A way with this temporall pleasure and beautie of this life and all other fading and perishing things for thou Lord Iesus art my comfort alone my goods and wealth my honour delight and euerlasting riches I haue trusted in thy mercie my heart shall rejoyce in thy Saluation O how dearely loue I thee Ps. 13.5 Ps. 18.1 Ps. 28.7 ô Lord my strength ô Lord my rocke my sheild the horne of my saluation and strong defence Such faith such loue burneth in my heart to thee Lord Iesus the which hath so possessed mee and incouraged mee that I am affraid neither of death nor distresse for I am sure that death it selfe and all things shall worke together for my best Now come Lord when thou wilt come I say I am certainely and surely persuaded that in thee and by thee I shall haue life and euerlasting contentment then come Lord Iesus â—hoâ— true God conclude this life destroy thou the last enemie which is death place me in my fathers inheritance whereof I haue thy bloud sprinckled on my heart an vndoubted pawne I am far from home heere and a forrâ—iner in a strange countrey take me home to mine owne that there I may sit at thy table with Abraham Isaak and Iacob that as Iohn enclined on thy bosome at the last Supper so I may rest my wearied soule on thee my God for euer Amen Flesh. I haue truely conceiued comfort and and life in mine heart if I could constantly keepe it but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of triall Spirit Thou hast thine owne
the Glorie of God did enlighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof 24. And the Nations of them which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glorie and honour to it And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day â—5 for there shall be no night there And they need no candle neyther the light of the Sun Reu. 22.5 for the Lord giueth them light and they shall shine for euer and euer These words beloued Soule are short but replenished with vnspeakable comfort and although the Scripture had beene more large herein yet our weake and infirme hearts are such and our vnderstanding so small that wee could not comprehend it and therefore the holie Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little windowe through the which wee may see a little glance to the end wee may know what wee should beleeue and hope for and what to comfort and reioyce vs withall But when we shall come thither and possesse such ioy and such gladnesse then shall wee say one to another as old Elizabeth sayde vnto the Virgin Marie Luk. 1.45 O blessed art thou that beleeuest for there is a performance of those thingâ— which were told thee of the Lord. O eternall Life O pleasant Life O perpetuall Ioy and Peace O euerlasting Hierusalem Citie of the holie God O how pretious how beautifull art thou vnto mee thy pulchritude surmounts there is no blemish in thee My heart longeth for thee yea for Hierusalem my Mother For Hierusalem my natiue Land and for thee Iesus Christ thou which art hid there my Life Lord and euerlasting Sheepheard O holie Life O blessed Life which the Lord hath prepared for them that loue him in the which shall be no death for man shall see God face to face for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life Oh the oftner I thinke vpon thee the sweeter thou appearest vnto mee O how well wilt thou be my Soule when thou shalt bee loosed from this earthly body and so passe in freedomevnto heauen how welcome shalt thou bee how kindly shalt thou be receyued thou shalt come to great rest and securitie thou needest not stand in feare of any foe or deaâ—h Thou shalt euermore beholde the face of thy God and Redeemer Ps. 45.2 the beaâ—tifullest among the childreÌ„ of men hearest thou not him my Soule calling on thee Song 2.20 Rise vp my loue my fayre one and come away for loe the Winter is past the rayne is ouer and gone Arise my Loue my fayre one and come away Come vnto mee my Elect I haue pleasure in thy beautie come and reioyce before my face with the Angells whose societie I haue promised thee Come out of all thy distresses and feares and enter into thy Fathers rest O reioyce my Soule and be glad thou beautifull daughter for the King hath pleasure in thee O thou sweet Life shew me thy Ports and thy gates â—hy walls and thy manifolde Mansions Reu. 21. â—8 19 Thy Walls are of pretious stones and thy gates are costly Pearle and the â—treet of the Citie is pure â—old as it were transpaâ—ent glasse in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah thy light is God the God of light the Son of Righteousnessâ— neuer goâ—th downe in thee There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselues Ioh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmonie which shal be heard there O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise Father I will that these that thou hast giuen mee should be with me where I am that they may behold the glorie which thou hast giuen mee for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world A Prayer for the ioyes of Heauen O thou Fountayne of Life O springing Well of all comfort when shall I drinke aboundantly of that Water of Life which is thy consolation when shall I appeare before thy ioyefull countenaunce when O LORD shall I see that day of saluation Ps. 118.24 wherin I may reioyce and be glad O how light cleare and ioyfull shall that day be wherein there shall be no euening Math. 25. Enter my soule into thy fathers rest where I shall haue that holy Triâ—nitie one euerlasting God in three persons Come my light and Redeemer and deliuer my soule from from this miserable prison O euerlasting peace Phil. 1.4 which passeth all vnderstanding wherein the holy ones soule doth repose it selfe there is that eternall life which is to know God our Lord and to see God face to face happie are they for euer which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life and are come to that heauenly eternall and ioyfull life to liue with Christ for euer Amen Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and vngodly Spirit They shall enter both soule and bodie into euerlasting paine Of the paines of Hell for as the ioy of the godly cannot be expressed so neither can the paines of the wicked and condemned bee shewed for there is such poenarum multiplicitas acerbitas â—eternitas that is first the paine of the condemned shall bee so great and manifold that none can declare it for they shall be cast into vtter darknesse Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth They shall be tormented in the flame Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall raine vpon them snares fire and brimstone and a horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup their wormes shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Esay 66.24 and they shall bee an abhorring vnto all the people A Meditation of the soule on the paines of hell Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giueth vs to vnderstand that vnspeakeable and vnconceiueable miserie the wicked shall come to with that grieuous societie of the diuel who shall ioye in tormenting them which the religious should often meditate vpon Secondly there shall be Poenarum acerbitas for that their paine shall bee so bitter and hard that the condemned cannot endure and yet they must needes suffer it eternally for they shal seeke death Revel 9.6 and shall not finde it and shal desire to dye and death shall slie from them for there shall be neither life nor death but betwixt life and death shall they bee tormented for euermore Euen as a red hot coldron vpon a flaming furnace so shal they be in fire vnspeakeably tormented and abide in such case for all eternitie Thirdly Poenarum aeternitas for their manifolde and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end for so it is said they shall goe to euerlasting paine Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance and so haue an end would bee some comfort in their expectation but eternitie is endlesse Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the streames shall bee turned into pitch which
bottle yea and true meeknesse and hunger after mee Psal. 56.8 all outward benefits turne to thy blessings as seales of my fauour thy crosses are no curses but being sanctified turne to thy good in faith patienly possessing thy soule thou doest wait and looke assuredly for my glorious kingdome after this life it is not thine actions it is thy affections I respect desirest thou to bee righteousâ— then art thou righteous Meanest thou to leaue thy sinâ—es I repute thee as if thou hadst left them wouldest thou not fall I esteeme thee as a valiant Worthy who neuer was vanquished For if there bee a willing minde in thee it is accepted according to that thou hast and not according to that thou hast not 2 Cor. 8.12 thou art blessed that feelest thy wants and desirest to haue them supplied I haue giuen thee a sight of thy sinne a sorrow for it a feeling of the forgiuenes of it in my bloud a power to crucifie it lay holde on my righteousnesse by my resurrection a hope for strength from the same to sanctification and perseuerance to the end What now hadst thou these in thy nature wherby thou wast dead in sin no not so it is my grace which in thee is not in vaine howbeit thou hast receiued but the first fruits of the spirit which are but as a handfull of corne in respect of the whole field See though thy spiâ—ituall growth bee slow yet it is certaine and goeth surely neither begun nor continued by thee but by my spirit Be perswaded therefore that I who haue begun this good worke in thee will performe it vntill my day for with mee there is no change Phil. 1.6 Iam. 1.17 nor shadow of change and therefore as my gifts and callings are without repentance so will I fulfill the desires of them that feare mee Psal. 145.19 The SOVLE I Must grant and doe not deny thou hast loued mee deare Iesus and giuen thy life for mee Gal. 2 20. 1 Ioh. 5.10 else God forbid I should make thee a lier for thou crauest no other thing at my hand but that I should beleeuâ— and haue faith for the assurance of thy loue I should sinne blasphemously if I should not beleeue thy Word both confirmed by thy selfe and ratified by thine oath though I doe else sinne and sorry am I for it yet will I not thus blaspheme nor adde this to other vnworthinesse for this mistrust will weigh downe all the rest for none is damned for sinne if hee doe not ioyne to it infideliâ—y that soueraigne salue of thy bloud doth cure all sores of sinne but not this because it doth refuse the cure and as it were pulleth off this precious plaster when it is layd on it beside this distrust of thy loue deare Christ tormenteth the minde and setteth the conscience vpon the wracke when as men haue no other assurance of thy loue but onely so farre foorth as they finde themselues worthy of making no other ground of thy loue but their owne deserts thus ouerballanced with the vnsupportable waight of sinne they sinke in desparation when I sinne I am greeued at the very heart because I haue displeased thee yet my sinnes doe not make mee doubt of thy loue towards mee founded not vpon my worthinesse but vpon thine owne free mercie grace and good-will for how should I loue thee if I were not perswaded of thy loue yea I loue thee 1 Ioh. 4.19 because thou louedst me first and I know that as loue is the fulfilling of the lawe Rom. 13.8 so want of it is transgressing of all For loue is strong as death iealousie is cruell as the graue the coales thereof are coales of fire Cant. 8.6 which â—ad a most vehement flame But yet alasse poore wretch I feare my sinnes doe bereaue me oft his thy spirit I feele for this time I greeue the spirit 1 Thes. 5.19 quench him vtterly CHRIST I Haue once giuen thee my spirit I am faithfull and iust in all my wayes Ps. 145.17 and my Father is faithfull by whom thou hast been called vnto my fellowship 1 Cor. 1.9 I am not as a man that I should lie neither the Sonne of a man that I can repent thou hast receaued my spirit that thou mayest know the things giuen thee of me 1 Cor. 2.12 for he had knowledgâ— truth and faithfulnesse and so because thou art a Sonne my father hath sent forth his spirit in thy heart which crieth Abba Gâ—l 4 6. father This is the spirit of thy adoption and the same spiâ—it because of thy weakenesse and that thy faith is mixed with doubting is the earnest of thy inheritance purchased vnto the praise of my glorie Ephes. 1.14 by whome thou art sealed vnto the day of thy redemption a seale to secure thee concerning the couenant I haue made with thee in my bloud that it neuer shall be reuoked farre surer then that scaled with King Ahassuerus Ring Ester 8.8 For to this effect had my father sealed mee also that thou shouldest neuer doubt of my meditation Mat. 3.17 17.5 Iohn 1.32 For being reconciled by my death my father giueth thee his spirit in hostage and pledge that hee will not misse a day in performing his promise and in assurance of eternall peace Thou canst not denie but my spirit which rebukest the world of sinne wrought in thee a generall astonishment for sinne Ioh. 16. a speciall griefe for speciall sins a renuing of the affections arauishmeÌ„t with vnspeakable ioy of my free mercy and peace of conscience which passeth all vnderstanding the vnderstanding englighteneth the iudgement reformeth and godly anger Ephes. 3.18 This is the life of God in thee for they who haue receaued the spirit are led by the spirit great weakenesse is ioyned with thee Collos. 3.4 but thy life is hid with mee in God and when I thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with mee in glorie and as I said a little while ye shall see me and after a while yee shall not see me for I go vnto my father So is it very gainefull for thee beloued Soule that there be an interposition betwixt thee and me that a cloude and dampnesse should ouertake thee yet shalt thou not bee tempted aboue that thou art able to beare buâ— with the temptation will giue thee the issue A milde rod shall serue thee euen the rod of the roote of Iesse Num. 17.10 which flowreth among the other rods that so the sweetnesse of the flowre may mitigate the sharpenesse of the rod. I doe often humble euen my dearest children by masking and disguising my selfe vnto them The eyes of the two Disciples going to Emaus were holden they did not know mee speaking with them The Spirit doth liue in thee when his graces are dead in thee neither doth feeling ioy and practise alwayes follow Faith I am holden and thou art saued by
great dangers 2 Cor. 1.10 and doest deliuer me and I trust that yet thou wilt deliuer me Helpe mee that I giue no place to these misconstructions in my heart I will not say with Iob in his impatiency Thou hast set me as a marke against thee to shoote at Iob 7.20 and so confound this processe of my afflictions in no right discussing them I will entertaine by thy grace my priuy checks whereby thou knockest vpon mine heart ô open thou it wide and fill it ô thou that hast the key of Dauid oh my faith my small faith how feeble and weake art thou thou doest not answer nor satisfie my heart by apprehending and applying straightly into the armes of my soule O my poore soule that sauiour of mankind Iesus Christ. CHRIST REason not most beloued Soule so vnsoundly faith is in thee albeit it shew not in actions and fruits by which it is senâ—ibly discerned for once wrought in thy soule it alwaies continueth a sounding man is not dead by the sicknesse of the soule in sinne or outward violence of temptations it seemeth depriued of loue hope patience c. but by prayer word and spirit it soone reuiueth weather-beaten trees in winter are naked of fruit and leaues yet liue and sucke nourishment of the earth When the sweet shewers of my spirit shall distill vpon thee as in the spring and the warme sunneshine of my Fathers loue appeare to thee thou shalt growe greene and new in holy actions Fire couered with ashes is noâ— extinguished Is man without reason because he hath no vse of it while hee sleepeth drousie securely hardnesse of heart and dulnesse of spirit ouertaketh sometimes my best seruants whose soules seeme so sick in the sence of sinne that there oft appeareth no signe of life Prescribe vnto mee no time but wayt my leasure and I will surely helpe thee thou caâ—st not discerne now of faith and infidelity loue of me and rebellion against me betwixt sanctifications â—nd the heauie masse of filthie corruption Bee perswaded that though thou hast no present sense and feeling of righteousnesse Rom. 11.29 peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Yet if euer thou hadst them truely in any degree they are not taken from thee intermission is not abâ—uption I will in my time finish my worke Phil. 1.6 The woman with child feeleâ—h not the motion thereof alwaies but hauing once felt it shee is perswaded shee is with childe so by the seede of the word faith is begotten and sence of pardon of thy sins yet after a while thou mayest wound thy conscience by sinne for iâ— pleaseth mee thereby to exercise thy faith and manifâ—st my power in thy weaknesse yeelding to my selfe the praise of thy saluation In this case prop vp thy declining faiâ—h call to minde how oft I haue shewen thee my mercifull countenance so doe the Saints Psal. 77.5 â—â— 11 they remember my works and my wonders of olde vpon them and in them Set before thy eyes my seruant Iob who did comfort himselfe in his greatest extreamity with his friends and in his perplexity with himselfe by calling to minde the by-past fruits of faith and wonted workes of sanctification which hee had obserued in himselfe in former times and concluded of them Behold my signe that the Almighty is witnesse for mee Iob 3.12.35 Learne wisely to distinguish betwixt the habite and act of thy faith for it is the ground of things which are hoped for Heb. 11.1 1. Cor. 2.9 and neither the eye hath seen nor eare hath heard nor heart can conceiue them Remember it is a kind of infidelity to beleeue onely things subiect to senceâ— vnderstandings where feeling ceaseth then faith beginneth the chiefe worke thy best faith sheweth it selfe when thou hast no sence but rather discerne and feele the cleane contrarie as to behold my loue through the vizard of my anger and say Iob 13.15 Though thou kill me yet will I trust in thee for faith is not founded vpon thy feeling but vpon my gracious promises immutable goodnesse and infallible truth If once thou hast tasted of mercy the which I know and thou art perswaded thou hast done sundry and diuers times whatsoeuer thou apprehendest in thy present feeling yet faith concludeth thou art still in fauour Ioh. 13.1 For whome I loue I loue to the end and of my own will I did beget thee with the word of truth Iames 1.18 bee not therefore faithlesse but faithfull Ioh. 20.27 The SOVLE MY spirit is refreshed as the thirsty ground O giue me more of the pure riuer of that water of life Reuel 22.1 pure as christall proceeding out of the throne of God and of thee the Lambe This water thou giuest mee is a Well of water in me springing vp to eternall life Ioh. 4.14 But O my God my God I make my moane to thee of the weakenesse of my faith I doe not fully assent vnto that I know I am not surely perswaded of my saluation but assaulted with doubting that thy promises doe not belong vnto me and that by my manifolde sins I may bee separate which God forbid from thy loue CHRIST TO haue true faith is not to haue a perfect faith neuer shaken with any temptations for there was neuer such faith in anie man in the world for the most perfect are partly Flesh and partly Spirit the fruit of the Spirit is faith the fruit of the flesh is doubting which euer fight one against another Rom. 1.17 but there are Babes in me growing from faâ—th to faith Heb. 10.22 till they attaine to that fâ—lnesse of peâ—suasion yet this weake faith is a true faith as neuer so little gold is gold and sufficient to saue the beleeuer for my promises are not made to a strong faith but to those that haue a true faith Ioh. 3.18 for hee that beleeueth shall bee saued I haue no respect to the Quantitie and apprehension but Qualitie if it bee true and liuely a little man is as truly man as a great Gyant My Apostles were ignorant in manie things as that I should redeeme mankind by my death Mat. 16. Mat. 18.20 â—8 Luk. 9 45 Luk. 24 11 Mar. 9.32 Ioh. 13.36 Ioh. 14.5 Act. 1.16 Mar. â—0 37 when I told them I should be crucified they vnderstood it not they knew not that I should rise againe and being taught it thought it a faigned thing Were ignorant of my ascension and kingdome for they dreamed of worldlie preferment See now deare Soule how weak and smal this their faith is which also is euident in that my reprehension Wherefore are yee fearefull O yee of little faith And yet notwithstanding I compared it to a Rocke against which the gates of Hell should not preuaile Yea deare Soule al the power of Hel shal neuer preuaile against the smallest measure of faith Phi. 3.13 the weaker it is the stronger is my power in
finally by Death which shall end the battle betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit The Sunne and Moone doe not perish in their Eclipses no nor loose Light for euer Neyther the sence of my goodnesse in thee shall loose his vertue for euer I found thee when thou soughtest mee not I will returne vnto my owne worke I sende blessing with crosâ—es least thou shouldest despaire and crosses with blessinges least thou shouldest presume Grieue thee not at my vvise Dispensation The SOVLE I Finde deare Redeemer an interchangeable condition of Sorrowe and Comfort of Faith and Feare I haue had some affection to heare knowledge of thie Will purpose of amendment in zealâ— of Spirit called vpon Thee but nâ—w I am in such agonie and conflict of conscience that my Sinnes at all times yea in my Prayers yea while I begin to speake with thee â—ow sweet Iesus so liuely present themselues to my inward sight that I am almost agâ—st and at my Wits-end CHRIST AS the sence of an aguish Man is corrupt so is thie iudgement in Temptation things that are seeme not to be or not such as they are Heb. 10.32.34 Iob. 29.3 Ps. 77.6.12 spirituall things must bee spiritually discerned When Men are diseased deare Soule it cannot thereof bee concluded that they were neuer in health none can say they are a sleepe which are so indeed Preseâ—â— discomforts take away the sence of mercie for a time but in heauinesse and anguish of thy Spirit remember comforts past and assure thee of my returne in due time The day was when thy assurance of my fauor was such as Saâ—han himselfe could not then deny the testimony which then my Spirit did beare to thie Spirit Kom 8.16 greater than eyther the testimonie of Men or Angels for I loued thee before the foundation of the World was layd Be not cruell vnto thy owne bowells Why wouldst thou conspire with Sathan against thy selfe rather resist him 1. Pet. 5.9 beeing stedfast in Faith Resist him I say and hee will flie from thee for hee cannot worke any thing in thee but by thy own consent no motion shall hurt thee whereunto thou giuest not consent in hart thou hast no sinne whiles in heart thou longest to bee free from it thou wantest no goodnesse which in heart thou couetest tâ— haue Rom. 7. It is Sathans nature to contradict my spirit for thus hee doth distresse and anguish afflicted soules holding them in the cogitations of their sinnes and suffers them not to see the length bredth heigth and depth of my mercies Eph. 3.18 neither to know that my lâ—ue which passeth allvnderstanding that thou mayest be filled with all the fulnesse of mee who shall once determine these conslicting daies where I which am in the mids of the throne shall feede thee and lead thee vnto liuing fountaines of waters Reu. 7. â—7 14 13. Heb. 10.37 and shall wipe away all teares from thine eyes Cast not therefore away thy confidence which hath so great recompence of reward And to vse thine enemies weapons against himselfe he seeketh by torment of minde to driue thee to dispaire This is the most euident and sensible testimonie of grace and fauour with mee if thou feele iâ— thy selfe the conflict of the flesh and spirit that is of faith against vnbeleefe and of mee in thee against his power and which is more thou must know the worke of sanctification beginnes in the heart and thence floweth into our whole life Now thoughts meditations and desires are deeds before me and the fruits of faith are testifications of my spirit dwelling in thee more pregnant and euiden then they may or dare bee by Sathan himselfe denied Striue not so to that thou hast not as thou forget that which by my grace thou hast already but assure thee of the continuance of it for â—e that beleeueth maketh no haste but liueth by faith good things to come thou must hold in hope Hab. 2.3 and pursue them in peace for yet a little while and I that shall come Heb. 10.37 wil come and will not tarry couenant made in the sprinckling of my bloud My people after their calling may fal in many foul sins for this cause haue I coÌ„mended my mercy in the Law for many and seuerall sorts of sins Exod. 24.6.7 The Iewes in Esaias daies were as Sodom Gomorrha yet I said though their sinnes were â—s crimson Esa. 1.10 they should bee white as snow I exhorted them to turne to mee Esa. 31.6 which had deepely reuolted yea when they had rebelled and vexed my holy spirit yet I desired them to pray vnto mee and forgaue them Esa. 3.7.10 15.16 and did I not heare Ephraim bemâ—aning himselfe thus thou hast chastized me and I was chastized as a bullocke vnaccustomed to the yoake Ier. 31.18.20 turne thou me and I shall be turned thou art the Lord my God But since I did speake against him as now thou doest against thy selfe I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troâ—bled for him I wil surely haue mercy vpon him surely I am â—esus Christ vnchangeable was yesterday is to day and shall bee the same for euer Heb. 13.8.6 I am thy helper feare not what man can doe vnto thee wheÌ„ sicknes is at the highest then there is greatest hope of diminishing hee cannot bedrowned which hath his head aboue the water I am thy head in heauen who haue bruized the Serpents head on earth The SOVLE OH I feele if thy spirit make mee free Ioh. 8.36 I shall bee free indeede create in mee a cleane heart deare Iâ—â—us and renew a right spirit within mee restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and establish me with thy free spirit let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense and the lifting vp of my hands as an euen sacrifice Psal. 141.2 Psal. 119.108 O Lord I beseech thee accept the free offerings of my mouth teach mee thy iudgements Zach. 19.9 Reioice greatly my Soule behold thy King is come vnto thee he is iust hauing saluation he is lowly O open ye the gates of my soule and let in the Prince of glorie Thou that dwellest in the heauens doest looke vnto me that am poore Esa. 66.2 and of a contrite hâ—â—r 〈◊〉 and I tremble at thy words I was very sore â—â—flicted ô Lord quicâ—en me according to thy word Psal. 119.10 119 52. I haue remembred thy iuâ—gements of olde and haue beene comforted I liue yet not I now but thou liuâ—st in me thy father that gaue me vnto thee is greater then all Gal. 2.20 and none can take me out of thy hand Ioh. 10.29 To thee therefore that loueth me and washeth mee from my sinnes in thine owne bloud and hast madâ— mee King and Priâ—st vnto Thee onely wise God my Sauiour bee glory and Maiestie dominion and power now and for euer Amen FINIS
temporall bee enemies to sinne from our harts take pleasure in righteousnesse learne to know aâ—ight the misery of this sinnefull life neglect the pomp and traine of this world haue inward deâ—ire and constant purpose after the heauenly mansions loue the Lord Iesus Christ with all our sâ—â—lesmind and strength and daily thirst for his second comming perseuering in a Christian calling and prepared at all times to make a happy departure from this vale of miserie And this is that heauenly preparation to a blessed death by the which we are distinguished and separated from the misbeleeuing Ethicke Turke and Iew and from the disobydient hypocrite and children of this world of the which there are a great number alas on whom the Sun of righteousnesse hath not shined but sit as yet in darknesse and in the shade of death haue neither heard nor yet can speake of Christ indeede some might haue heard but with the deafe adder they shut their eares at the voyce of the Inchanter Others doe heare sermons but yet did neuer know Christ for their Sauiour and Redeemer because the Word was not mixt with faith in the heareâ—s such are good lip-Christians but their harts are far from him they boast of faith but declare it not by their workes and talke of eternall life but will not learne the way to come thither And if thou wouldest gentle Reader be taught aright then must thou often read diligently heare and meditate vpon Godâ— Word exercise thy selfe daily in it and liue according thereunto for now there is praised be God the holy Scriptures in euery mans hand and sundry and diuers comfortable and holy bookes out of that pure Fountaine which holy Fathers haue penned by the which thou maist be taught profitable doctrine liuely faith holy admonitions for a Christian life and blessed death of the which Writers some are some what obscure for the Simple-ones and full of disputations and logicall discourses And to ease thee of them I haue here set downe a plaine Treatise for thy instruction aâ—ter my long experience and visitation of the sicke distrâ—ssed and â—ssâ—ulted by Sâ—tan tryall of crosses in aduersities and sense of the sting of death Whereby being long exercised of my owne proofe I do now publish vnto thee for the benefit of gods Church wherevnto I was much importuned by many godly and religious persons I was much holpen in this Worke by that reuerend Father Martinus Mollerus Preacher at Gorliâ—z in Silesia whose worthy works are well knowne entreating mee to set forth these comfortable rules hauing had so long tryall Which I did still intend but was hitherto hindred Sâ—than doubtlesse enuying the benefite and publication thereof and therefore I the most vnworthy of all Christs seruants doe reioyce onely in Gods mercy and say with Paul Cor. 15.10 Noâ— I but the grace of God which was with mee hath caused these to câ—me to light trusting it shall tend to the praise and glorie of God benefite and weale of his Church and to be a spur to euery priuate man vnto a Christian life and holy death for it is the meaner and weaker sort that it is written to their â—dification and saluation For it often happeneth that sundry in a strange Countrie cannot haue the vse of Preachers neither yet in warfare nor sailing nor yet at home in the time of plague and pestilence can they haue frequent society with the men of God to bee taught by them And there are men where no plantation of the Gâ—spel is sighing and groâ—ning for the word of grace comfort and admonition In these and the like defects this little Manuell can supply the place of a Friend to speake vnto them that we be not hindred in our Christian course but constantly go foward that through the mercy of God we may make a blessed departure and glad good-night from this world which our good and gracious God gâ—aunt vnto vs for his owne merâ—â—eâ— sake when it shall please him to translate vs from this Hadradrimmoâ— and vale of miserie Amen THE CROWNE OF LIFE CHAP. I. Wherein is contained that men are not only mortall but also altogether ignorant when how or in what place God will call them out of this present life Flesh. I PRAY YOV shew mee the contents of the whole Bible and suâ—me of all the Sermons preached by the holy men of God Spirit That is to learne to liue Christianly Psal. 90.12 Eccl. 12.1 and die blessedly A meditation of the soule to liue for euer O Lord my God helpe mee in such wayes to liue in this world that I may elsewhere liue with thee eternally Reu. 2. 3 for what haue I in this present world but thee or what in the heauens but thee Psal. 73.25.28 It is good for mee to cleaue vnto thee Flesh. What call you a Christian life Spirit This is a Christian life that a man should rightly know first the Lord his God Ier. 9. Psal. 79. Exod. 20. Deut. 6. Mat. 28.19 Psal. 67. Ioh. 17. Ioh. 1.14 Ezek. 18. and secondly himselfe first I say the onely one God in essence or being distinct in three persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost that the middle one of these three which is the Sonne was sent of God into the world and there hath taken our humane nature vpon himselfe to become our Redeemer and Sauiour thereto man must learne to know himselfe aright that is that we are poore miserable vile sinners in Gods sight and shall be eternally condemned vnlesse we be conuerted and lay hold by a stedfast faith on this Sonne of God become new creatures and continue in obedience to God and loue to our neighbours euen to our last end The Christians godly Praier O thou only one eternall almighty God Father Sonne and holy Ghost threefold in persons but one in substance power and glory I humbly intreat thee teach mee to know thee and my selfe truly that I may more and more increase and grow daily in this knowledge to the end that I may so addresse my short and wretched life here on earth that it may redound to thy praise and feare to the good and benefit of my neighbour and by no meanes be hurtfull to my selfe alwayes walking as in thy presence in humilitie and holinesse Amen Flesh. What call you a happy or blessed death Spirit To end and conclude the dayes of this life in true faith Luk. 2. Philip. 1. recommending thy soule to the Lord Iesus with an heartie desire and longing for a ioyfull sleeping from this world in patience to bee with the Lord. 1 Tim. 4. A praier for a happy departure Lord Iesus Christ thou only knowest my time and houre Matt. 6. Act. 7. I request thee from the bottome of my heart to vouchsafe vpon me an happy departure from hence and to preserue my soule from all anguish and annoyance that so I may rest with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Shall all mankinde
then die Spirit Heb. 9.27 Yes it is appointed all shall die and after this life bee summoned to their appearance for iudgement A meditation of the soule that wee shall but once die temporally Heare then O my soule if death shall goe ouer all Eccl. thou shalt not escape to day this man to morrow or soone must thou It is not said nor determined that thou shouldest die twice but once If that it were permitted wee should twice die then if one had not well and godly disposed himselfe the first time hee died hee might reforme himselfe at the second essay Oh but not so if thou die il once from this world thou shalt be carried to euerlasting anguish and woe A praier to God that hee would seriously put into our hearts that the time of our death is vncertaine O Lord my God instruct mee that I may deeply and seriously consider I must depart and that my life hath sure and limited bounds and I must be gathered to my fathers Gen. 25. Gen 49. Num. 20. Psal. 39.5 for behold my dayes are but an handbreadth in respect of thee and my age is nothing in regard of thee surely euery man in his best estate is altogether vanitie for what man liueth and shall not see death Psal. 90.48 shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue My God Psal 90.12 teach mee so to number my dayes that I may applie my heart vnto wisdome wherby I may learne the manner and way to die the death of the righteous and blessed in the Lord my God to whom be rendred all thankes power and glory Amen Flesh. Hath not God manifested vnto vs the houre of death that wee conueniently might prepare vs thereunto Spirit There are foure things my soule most vncertaine concerning death which euery Christian daily and hourely should earnestly meditate vpon mortis tempus locus status modus for not only is the houre and point of death hid from vs but also wee doe not know in what place by what meanes and occasions by what sicknesse or manner death shall separate vs from hence A praier for a blessed departure O holy and wise God thy thoughts are not as our thoughts Isa. 55.8 neither our wayes as thy wayes Vers. 9. but as the heauens are higher than the earth so are thy wayes higher than our wayes and thy thoughts than our thoughts grant that in a full purpose of cleannesse of heart I may walke here before thy face and depart in blessed time of death with sure confidence that nothing can betide mee Rom 8. but what shall be good and profitable vnto mee Grant this good Father for the gratious mediation of thy Sonne Iesus Christ my Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Flesh. Seeing then these foure things are of so great moment how may I rightly and duly consider of them Spirit After this manner The time for the first Thou doest not know deare soule in what day moneth or yeere God will â—all thee from this world whether it shall happen in the day or in the night euen or morne God might easily haue reuealed the same Eccl. 38. if it had beene his heauenly will but it is of his diuine prouidence and great goodnesse that hee hath not so done Meditation on the sirst the time Behold my soule we wretched creatures are so corrupt by sinne and are so inamoured with this world that if the day of our death were reuealed vnto vs neuer should we thinke on God feare him or call vpâ—n his name neuer be stirred vp to repentance vntill at the very instant time it were appointed wee should die then would man first applie himselfe to learne repentance but come short thereof therefore it is not hurtfull but very gainfull and necessary that wee should be ignorant of the houre of our death A praier of mans vanitie O my God make mee consider how altogether man is vanitie Psal. 39.5 who passeth so swiftly away truly man borne of a woman liues but a short time and that full of vnquietnesse he commeth forth like a flower and is câ—t downe like the grasse hee slieth also as a shadow and continueth not his dayes are determined the number of his moneths are with thee thou hast appointed him bounds which hee cannot passe And now my God thou who of thy great wisedome hast hid from mee the day of the dissolution of this my tabernacle of clay 1 Cor. 5.1 helpe mee that I neuer let passe any time without true repentance and seeing thou hast hid from mee the time of my departure vouchsafe on me thy mercy and grace that I may so bestow my whole life that night and day Psal. 6. yea euery houre and twinckling of an eye I may be in a Christian preparation and readinesse to die the death of the godly through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Meditation on the second the place For the second The place thou knowest not in what place thou shalt end thy dayes whether in thine owne house or in a strangers in thy bed or in the field The sand-glasse of our life continually runneth out and no man knoweth no man is certified when it hath done running so death is euer present and followes vs at our heeles and ouertaketh taketh vs wheresoeuer it findeth vs it attendeth vs euery where for as the lightning commeth out of the East Mat. 24.27 and shineth euen vnto the West so shall also the comming of the Son of man be If thou therefore be a faithfull and wise seruant Luk. 12.42 in euery houre thou wouldest expect it that when thy Lord commeth hee may finde thee so doing Praier that wee may ioifully meet death O my God make mee euer and continually vnderstand that I am a poore mortall creature who can in no place preserue my selfe from death seeing it continually waiteth in all places and lurketh for me make me meet it euermore circumspectly with a ioifull and glad heart Grant this most mercifull God for thy deare Sonne Iesus Christ his sake Amen Meditation vpon the third thy state or behauiour As for the third Thy state what thou canst not tell O my soule in what state or behauiour the Lord thy God shal finde thee whether sleeping or awake merry or sad in worldly or spirituall exercise quiet or angry or howsoeuer otherwise distempered giue therefore diligent heed my soule that thou neuer bee in such case wherein willingly thou wouldest not die for death neuer loseth opportunitie neither is neglectful to take aduantage and thou knowest well what couenant thou hast with death Eccl. 14. yea moreouer deare soule as the Lord shall finde thee so will hee iudge thee hereafter A short praier to forsake the world Keepe me Lord Iesus from drowsines idlenes and slumbering in sinne that I liue not inconsiderately Luk. 19. as the vngodly which haue no hope 1 Thess. 4. but that