as the center to the circumference earthly substance it poises downewards the earth is in the middle and heaven is round about it heaven is above Exod. 20.4 earth is beneath heaven is on high Psalm 103.11 earth below heaven is Gods Throne Mat. 5.34 earth his Foot-stoole when God is said to looke downe upon the earth he is said to looke downe from heaven (e) Deu 26.15 Psalm 33.13 1. How shall I ascend so high Reflexions that am now so farre from heaven I am as farre as can be from that blessed place no farther place from heaven then earth is except it be hell yet I looke for three ascentions thither First in my mind and affections Colos 3.1 Secondly with my soule when I depart hence Thirdly with my body after tâ—â— Resurrection 2. Distance of place cannot hinder spirituall Communion with Christ I may have relation to him who is on high though I be below The Sunne in the Heavens communicates his light and heate to us below the foote participates with the head by vertue of corporall union though the foote being on earth the head in the aire Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the fashion and forme of the Earth IT is for forme and fashion not a triangle nor square nor long nor a semicircle but round called in Psal 93.1 and Psal 96.10 and Psal 98.7 Orbis habitabilis An Orbe for roundnesse and in Isai 40.22 it is called a Circle The Equinoctiall The Articke The Antarticke The Tropicks men usually call it the Terrestriall Globe as heaven is called the Caelestiall Globe and as Astronomers doe attribute five Circles to their Caelestiall Globe so Geographers make as many in this Terrestriall Globe they have their five Zones the hote Zone and the two extreames for cold and the two temperate Zones so then the earth is a round Globe 1. This calls for my delight I can with delight looke on the effigies of mans making Reflexion why should I not to looke on the Globe of Gods making I looke on mans little Globe with the eye of my body I contemplate Gods great Globe with an act of my mind 2. This Globe is Gods Theater whereon all the inhabitants are actors here are acted daily sinfull civill pious acts and the exijt of every man is from this Globe is to a bottomlesse pit or to the new Ierusalem which is foure square firme and sure with what feare and care shall I act my part Mat. 25.23 that it may be said well done Sect. 4 Fourthly of the nature and quallity of the earth 1. It is dry 2. It is cold 3. It is heavy IT is drye of it selfe for though it be called Humus moyst earth yet it is not so of it selfe but an adjunct of water for of it selfe it is Arida dry land Gen. 1.9 Also the earth is cold of it selfe as we may percevie in Cellers and where men digge deepe and in shady places where the Sunne doth not come also the body of a dead man is cold which is of earthy matter Lastly it is heavy a basket of earth on a mans shoulders is heavy and we say of a man who is of a heavy disposition that he is lumpish that he is like a heavy lumpe of earth Reflexions I am dry by nature being made of earth without all spirituall moysture whatsoever I have it is added to me but it comes not from me but all grace that softens and makes plyable comes from him who powers out his Spirit on his servants and in the wildernesse waters breake out and streames into the desarts Isai 35.6 2. I am as earth cold without the heate of zeale and love benumbed and without life and vigor it is Gods Spirit comes to kindle in my heart the fire of true zeale and the heate of charity 3. I am heavy earth and lumpish in all holy duties wanting spiritualnesse untill God revives mee I cannot rejoyce in him Psal 85.6 till he quickens me I cannot call upon his name Psal 80.18 I cannot give first to him Rom. 11.35 I am but a lumpe of sinnefull earth and can doe that is evill but nothing that is good it is God who workes all my workes for me Isaiah 26.12 Drinesse should cause me to thirst for a present sutable large satisfaction Coldnesse should make me stirre and labour for heat and lumpishinesse should provoke me to pray to be quickned according to Gods loving kindnesse Psal 119 88. 4. I much rejoyce in hope and remembrance of that day when all heavinesse and lumpishnesse shall flye away and my body shall be raised so as it shall become spirituall 1. Cor. 15.44 we shall then be ut Angeli as the Angels Mat. 22.30 Sect. 5 Fifthly of the earthes subsistance THough it hangs in the aire yet it is upheld by a divine power Heb. 1.3 No creature is independent God hath made the earth and hangs it upon nothing Iob 26.7 The earth at first had being by the power of God and stil is supported by the same power to this day Conclusions 1. There be many things man could yet never attaine unto as First the perpetuall motion Secondly the Philosophers stone Thirdly fire incombustible Fourthly to make a heavy thing hang in the aire so that wee may say of God there are no workes like thy workes Psalme 86.8 Men have tryed and could not effect their designes but if God but speake it is done Psal 33.9 2. The earth is upheld by God without supporters and secondary helpes Oh that I could trust in God with all my heart Prov. 3.5 then though others forsake mee yet the Lord will support mee Psalme 27.10 Sect. 6 Sixthly of the greatnesse of the earth THe earth is great simply considered yet but small comparatively as the Center is small compared with the circumference of old they held the compasse of the earth to be 50000 miles as Aristotle others held it 34625. Some differed from them and ghessed it 31500. But of late those which have compassed the whole Ocean doe say it is 19080 miles the Diameter 7000 from us to the Center 3500 miles 1. An elevation 1. The great globe of the earth is but a little poynt being compared to the heavens and my portion in it but a little being compared with the whole and if I had it all it could not be a sufficiency to my minde nor could my enjoyment be long O that God would unglue my affections from this little and enlarge them toward his owne greatnesse 2. A Contemplation 2. I was once nine moneths contained in a little roome and I have forty yeares beene contained in this little world I am much enlarged by comming from the wombe to the world there I had reason potentially and a life of obscurity here I see a bright Sunne and Moon and Stars a earth and waters and innumerable creatures for my admiration and delight use and service my life in the next world as farre yea farther exceedes this
fire by his casting water on it burnes the more fervent Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the quallities and effects of fire 1. FIre gives light so saith the Prophet Isay 50.11 2. Fire gives heate so saith St. Marke chap. 14. vers 54. 3. Fire consumes Amos 2.1 Combusserit ossa c. 4. Fire it changes Psal 68.2 5. Fire it purifies Mal. 3.2 6. Fire encreases by adding fuell 7. Fire is never satisfied Prou. 30.16 8. It is not lessened by communicating heate Fire gives light so doth Gods word instruction is the light shines from the Law Proverb 6.23 by preaching men receive light Acts 26.18 Considerations 1. Light doth distinguish so doth the word by it we know what is good and what is evill 2. Light is comfortable so is the word Ier. 15.16 3. Light makes us walke safely so doth the word guide us in the waies of peace and safety Fire gives heate so doth Gods spirit he heates us with zeale and warmes our affections Considerations 1. Heate makes us joyfull a man that is warmed at the fire saith Aha Isai 44.16 so the comforts of Gods spirit makes a man much refreshed Psal 94.19 2. Heate makes a man active his benumednesse being removed so Gods peoâ—â—e are active being cheared with the comforts of Gods holy spirit the joy of the Lord is their strength Nehem. 8.10 3. The fire giving heate men presse to it and desire to be nigh it so Gods spirit working heate and comfort in our soules Luke 11.13 we should ever desire and much pray for it Fire consumes all combustible matter it meetes with as wood straw coale c. Considerations 1. The curse of God consumes Zach. 5.3.4 as the fire consumes two wayes either secretly by degrees or violently and swiftly so the curse is secret as a moath and rottennesse Hos 5.12 or more violent and terrible as a Lyon or Lyons whelp vers 14. 2. Fire consumes not only the house where it first kindles but the next house to it and if it be not quenched it reaches to many houses so the curse of God reaches to a sinner to his next heires yea if repentance doe not come betweene it reaches to the third and fourth generation Fire changes it turnes the couler of that you put into it it meltes the waxe comes neere it it hardens the clay it drives the moisture out of the paper or cloth that is held before it As fire changes so doth Gods spirit 2. Cor. 3.18 Considerations 1. In their condition they were captives 2. Tim. 2.14 now they have liberty 2. Cor. 3.17 They were children of wrath Ephes 2.2 they be changed to be children of God 1. Iohn 3.1 2. They be changed in disposition Isa 11.6 7 8. they were enemies Rom. 5.10 now are friends Ioh. 15.14 they have a divine nature 2. Pet. 1.4 and a new heart and a new spirit Eze. 36.26 3. They be changed in conversation the old companions they cry away from me Psal 119.115 they be changed in their speeches which were once rotten Eph. 4.29 but now gratious Col. 4.6 they are changed in their aâ—tions they eschew evill and doe good they practice righteousnesse and doe exercise mercy they doe performe duties of piety from an inward principle from a new life infused into them there is an universall change where Gods spirit comes savingly and effectually 5. Fire purifies and purges and seperats the drosse from the mettall Considerations 1. As fire purges and purifies so doe afflictions God hath his furnace in Sion there is fiery tryals to prove and to try the people of God Psal 66.10 1. Pet. 4.12 2. As the fire is made according to the will of the gold-smith so our afflictions are according to the will of God 3. As the time of the mettalls being in the fire is according to the wisedome of the goldsmith so the time of our afflictions are according to the wisedome of God 4. When the mettall is melted and the drosse taken away then it comes forth more pure so when our hearts are humbled and our corruptions purged then we come forth as gold Job 23.10 6. Fire increases by adding of fuell Addition breeds multiplication the more fuell the greater is the fire Considerations 1. So is it with coveteousnesse and riches as wealth comes in coveteousnesse encreases having hundreds the desires run after thousands the desires are not quenched with money no more then fire is with fuell 2. Addition of graces are as the fuell assurance of salvation as the fire the more graces the more assurance by the joyning grace to grace we make our calling and election sure 2. Pet. 1. 3. Wicked men adde â—o the people of God affliction and misery this they do willingly but by this meanes they adde fuell to their felicity and glory this they do unwillingly 7. Fire is never satisfied yea may adde till you be weary fire still desires more 1. So is it with all earthly things they doe never satisfie the restlesse desire of man the Bee flies from one flower to another as unsatisfied Solomon proved by experience no full satisfaction in earthly things like the fire we still desire more 8. Fire is not lessenned by communicating heate nor have we the lesse by communicating of our gifts to others wealth communicated to others lessenneth our store but in heavenly graces it is otherwise in heating others we are not the colder in quickning others we are not the more dull the Cock claps his wings and awakes himselfe he crowes and awakes others The fire burnes if that no body be neare it if you warme you there is no diminishing it burnes and heates and doth good with advantage to us and no dis-advantage to it selfe So much of proper fire next Sect. 4 Of improper fire metaphoricall fire BY improper fire we may understand the metaphoricall fire that is like fire or the extraordinary fire we read of which doth differ from our material Fire This is of two sorts 1. Supernall fire 2. Infernall fire 1. Supernall fire comming from above and of these are two causes 1. From Gods anger 2. From Gods favour 1. From Gods anger so Fire came downe from heaven on Sodome and Gomorrah Gen. 19.24 Also on them that offered Incense in the conspiracy of Korah Numb 16.35 On the Captaine and his fifty 2. Kings 1.10 2. From Gods favour so Fire came downe on the sacrifice of Solomon 2. Chron. 7.1 and on the sacrifice of Eliah 2. King 18.38 Thus God shewed his love and favour to these his seruants by fire from heaven 2. Infernall fire is that which the damned doe feele in hell set forth in Scripture 1. For the greatnesse there is fire and much wood the Prophet speakes to our capacity Isaiah 30.33 2. By the terriblenesse it is a lake of fire as St. Iohn saith Revel 21.15 3. The eternity of it is everlasting Matth. 25.41 This fire ceaseth on the soules of men it layes hold on spirits and hath 1.
alter our mindes to doe the second thing which is 2. To take the opportunity of time Men may have time yet want the opportunity as sicke men and old men but we that have the opportunity of the Gospell and of health and Christian society and other sweete and seasonable opportunities to have communion with God to exercise mercy to further others in godlinesse Oh let us be wise for Eternity and make an holy advantage of the opportunities of Time as much as we can and more than we have done Vse 4 This should forcibly urge us to labour for humility because he that dwels in the Eternity dwels also with the humble Isai 57.15 And that we may be humble indeed and enjoy his presence 1. Let us draw neare to him with our understanding striving for clearer apprehension of him This made Isaiah humbly to cry out wo is me I am undone I am a man of polluted lips Isaiâ—h 6. Iob. 24. and Iob to abhorre himselfe the sight of God made both of them humble 2. In all the good we enjoy of graces or naturall abilities or riches to looke on both ends as well as on the middle we are receivers and must be accomptants and great receipts must have great accompts this well thought on will humble us 3. Keepe a constant confession of sinnes daily and often judge our selves for our sinnes worthy to bee stript of all our excellencies Ezek. 36.31 and to be cut off with infamy 4. Carry about us in our mindes two or three or foure of the grossest sinnes that ever we committed in our lives looke on them with their circumstances it will be a powerfull meanes to humbâ—e us 5. Compare our selves with them which are more sound in judgement soft in heart poore in spirit which are more spirituall in prayer more heavenly in disposition more zealous and diligent and fruitfull in good workes The Cloth that is fine compared with haire-cloth or sack-clotâ— is but course if ye compare it with Cambricke or Lawne Vse 5 Lastly let us direct our course with care and wisedome the most compendious way to Eterâ—ity 1. To encrease as much as we can in saving knowledge for those that God brings to eternall life he illuminates with his Spirit so that those which were dead beginne that life which ends in Eternity or rather concludes and is perfected in Eternity Iohn 17.3 2. Get the faith of Gods elect so to lay hold on Christ and rest upon â—im that by beleeving we may come to eternall life Iohn 3.16 3. By patience to continue in well doing learne patiently to forbeare sinfull pleasures and profits and patiently beare oppositions incombrances and crosses and doe well looking to the rule the manner and our aimes joyne to all constancy then shall we have Glory and honour and Eternall life Rom. 2.7 Of Gods Omnipotency 1. What Omnipotency is 2. God is Omnipotent 3. The witnesses of his Omnipotency 4. Questions answered 5. Applications to edifie Sect. 1 First What Omnipotency is TO be Omnipotent is to have all power to have all might and strength There is Power and Omnipotency Power can doe much but Omnipotency can doe all Power may be suppressed by a greater power Omnipotency is above all and all subject to it Power is communicable Omnipotency is incommunicable To have Omnipotency is to have all power all strength all might all sufficiency to doe what is willed to preserve what is doâ—e to produce out of nothing Omnipotency hath no difficulties no lets or oppositions it workes freely and perfectly without co-workers or materials If that any time it uses any yet 't is most certaine it needs neither So then Omnipotency first it can doe all secondly it can have no let thirdly 't is above all fourthly 't is incommunicable fifthly it worketh freely Sect. 2 Secondly God is Omnipotent 1. HE is able to doe whatsoever he will Psal 115.3 and more than he will Math. 3.9 2. Nothing can resist him his power being supreme Iob 9.4 Who hath beene fierce against him * G. B. or hardned his minde against him †Trem. or struggled with him ‖ Hier. and prospered 3. His power is above all the Angels which excell in strength Psal 103.20 They are at his command Psal 104.4 and are subject to him 1. Pet. 3.22 The devils apprehend this power of God Doe tremble Iames 2.19 Men have their power given them from him Iohn 19.11 Rom. 13.1 For other creatures He saith to the deepe be dry Isai 44.27 He commands the Earth and it opens her mouth Numb 16.30 31 c. 4. His Omnipotency is incommunicable the creature may doe much by permission or commission but Gods power is his strength and honour He is the strong God * Trem. Gen. 33. last vers Or the most strong God †Hier. the mighty God ‖ G. B. His strength being his glory hee will not give it to another Isai 42.8 Therefore is incommunicable 5. He being Omnipotent workes freely without compulsion without assistants without materials ‖ Without compulsion His owne Will was the cause that he made all things Rev. 4.11 ‖ Without Assistants He alone spread out the Heavens Iob 9.8 And alone stretched out the Earth by himselfe Isai 44.24 ‖ Without materials Hee formed all things out of nothing Heb. 11.3 6. He workes perfectly Deut. 32.4 Perfect is the worke of the Lord. So that Hee made the Heavens and the Earth there is the worke and finished them with all their Hoasts there is the perfection Gen. 2.1 Called All their Ornaments in the Prayer of Manasses Thirdly The witnesses of Gods Omnipotency Sect. 3 1. WE have his owne Testimony Gen. 17.1 I am God Almighty 2. Testimony of Angels Revel 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty thus they cry 3. The Testimony of men Iob 25.2 Power and feare is with him 1. Chron. 29.11 Thine O Lord is greatnesse and power 4. The frame of Heaven and Earth Rom. 1.20 The Creation doth witnesse his eternall power Sect. 4 Fourthly Questions answered Quest 1 1. IF God have all power then how can the creature have any if the creature have any how then hath God all Answ â—od hath all power of himselfe the Creature hath power from him by participation The Fountaine hath all the water and the streames receive from the Fountaine Thâ— Sun is the fountaine of light yet communicates of that light to the Moone and Starres Quest 2 How can God doe all when 't is said He cannot lye Titus 1.2 He cannot deny himselfe 2. Tim. 2.13 Answ That is because he is Omnipotent If hee could deny himselfe or not be he were impotent and weake The Sunne cannot as it is be darke God is unchangeable powerfull Almighty alwayes the same and cannot cease to be nor can he doe unlike himselfe hee cannot doe any thing that derogates †God cannot disable himselfe from his glory because he is Omnipotent Quest 3 Why was God
returne to the eâ—rth my time is short I am like to the Ice which was is and shall be water againe 4. Oh that my affâ—câ—ions were above these perishing heâ—vens had I a leaâ—e of land as long as the heavens endure at last my lease would burne and the heavens faile let me O Lord more meditate on my eternall estate and and affect things most durable 5. I perceive the excellency of God beyond all created nature the heavens waxe old as a garment and shall be changed Psal 102.28 but thou Lord art Iehova and changest not Mal. 3.6 Iames 1.17 so much of the heavens Of the Sunne The Sunne is the chiefe of the Planets the fountaine of light the mirth of the world the measure of time 1. The Sunne is great and large 2. The Sunne is swift in motion 3. Of his exceeding brightnesse 4. Observe the order of the Sunne 5. Consider his operation 6. His eclips Sect. 1 Fist the Sunne is great and large SOme hold the Sunne is 166 times bigger than the earth Some say he is greater some lesser but God saith in his word He is a great light Gen. 1.16 Reflexions 1. If ever I should be great in the world yet I am not excluded from doing service if I will be taught by the Sunne who serves little creatures though himselfe be great 2. This Sunne is great and of a burning light yet is so ordered that he heates us but not consumes us which were he neare us he would doe for in some places hee burneth more than a furnace Ecclesiasticus 43.3 4. 3. Great is the Lord that made the Sunne Ecclesiasticus 43.5 The glory of God appeares in his workes Sect. 2 Secondly the Sunne is swift in motion SO swift that he runnes his race Psal 19.5 No arrow nor bullet flies so swiftly for in twenty foure houres he turnes round the celestiall globe the earth is many thousand miles about then what are the heavens 1. I admire Gods wisedome to make a creature so exceeding large and yet so swift in motion 2. CoÌ„siderations If the Sunne that is visible and materiall bee so swift what are those invisible immateriall swift winged Seraphims 3. Though the Sunne be swift in motion yet he doth good wheresoever he comes to teach me so to dispatch my affaires in such haste that I be usefull and profitable so may I like the Sunne bee good and swift both at once Sect. 3 Thirdly of the brightnesse of the Sunne IT is so bright and shining that our eyes cannot endure it it communicates light and it sends the beams downewards whereas the fire flames upward light and brightnesse makes one stone more precious than another and a starre to excell a stone and the Sun excels them all Reflexions 1. Let me looke higher than the Sunne to that blessed God who gives light to the Sunne oh father of lights send thy light into my darke soule and turne me from darknesse to light that I may walke as a childe of light 3. I am bound to communicate to others according to that I have received I learne this of the Sunne who benefits others with his light 3. If I can obtaine righteousnsse imputative and inherent I shall shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of God Sect. 4 Fourthly of the order of the Sunne THe Sunne keepes order and moves in his appoynted place from the end of the heavens to the end of the same Psal 19.6 Astronomers say he moves in the Zodiack called the twelve signes keepâ—ng his order 1. Apparantly in open view of the world 2. Constantly without standing or going backe unlesse God bid him as Ios 10. 2. King 20.11 3. Profitably for true distinctions of time and powerfull influence on the creatures here below Reflexions 1. My Religion teacheth me to be like the Sunne to travaile in my owne circle to understand my owne way Prov. 14.8 to meddle with my owne businesse 1. Thes 4.11 2. I may urge my selfe by consideration of the comlinesse of order and the benefit of it A bricke out of the wall makes the place deformed and more weake Cities and Countries and families and ships and armies are preserved by order 3. I may from the Scripture learne to keepe a constant order as to awake with God in the morning to send up my praises before him Psal 59.16 to speake gratiously Colos 4.6 to frequent godly society Psalme 16.3 To apparrell my selfe as becomes religion 1 Tim. 2.10 to be just in my dealing Mich. 6.8 to be mercifull Colos 3.12 to instruct my family Gen. 18. Thus from yeare to yeare to keepe in my circle apparantly constantly profitably others will rejoyce in this order and approve it Sect. 5 Fifthly the opperation of the Sunne IT workes in the heavens in the aire in the earth and water In the heavens Heavens it conveighes light to all the inferiour Orbes as the Moone and Starres It heates the aire Aire which is cold of it selfe and enlightens it which is darke of it selfe It exhales vapors from the water Water which the windes do carry so it fals in raine or haile or snow upon the earth It causes hearbes and trees and men and beasts to grow and live on the earch Earth A Reflexion I must reflect on my selfe and stirre up my selfe to be opperative 1. Towards God by confidence reverence and prayer 2. Towards the Sâ—riptures by esteeming them â—eading them hearing them preached by loving the word rejoycing in it and subjecting to it 3. To the Godly I must be operative by acknowledging them joyning with them delighting in them praying for them releeving comforting and edifying of them 4. To the world I m must be operative by the withdrawing my affections by the bearing of reproaches and flying the corruptions thereof 5. To Sathan I must be operative by watchfulnesse faith prayer diligence and resistance 6. To friends I must be operative by gratitude lovingnesse keeping their secrets 7. To enemies I must be operative by forgivenesse love compassion well-wishing 8. To superiors by reverence faithfulnesse obedience 9. To inferors bâ— example kindnesse and Counsaile Oh that I could give light to some heate to others draâ— some upwards and be a meanes to provoke to â—ruitfulneâ—â—e and growth that I may in some measure be operâ—t ve Doe thou O blessed â—ord worke powâ—rfully upon me by the operation of thy blessed Spirit Sect. 6 Sixthly Of the Eclips of the Sunne 1. THe Eclips is foreknowne 2. There is a cause of the Eclips 3. It is but a short time 4. How men doe looke upon it Conclusions First the Eclips is foreknowne for the time the horizon the continuance 1. There is an order in the course of nature else it could not be foretold 2. There is a lawfull Astronomy differing from a conjecturall Astrologie which is but a busie vanity 3. The foretelling of the Eclips is usuall and not so wonderfull as the simple would make it it is
more for a time than a fixed starre 4. A Meteor is after his advancement burned so is an Hypocrite his end is to be burned 5. A Meteor rises not under the Equinoctiall line nor in the hot south nor in the cold north nor doth an Hypocrite grow where is the feeling of Gods presence nor where is the heat of true zeale and fervent devotion nor yet in the cold among Pagens Heathens and Infidels 6. There be divers formes of Meteors some round some streaming like Piramides so some Hypocrites goe round like the Mill-horse still the same and are as the spider still in their cicular motion some are streaming like Iehu and Demas so long as the clammy matter of worldly hopes last and then goe out some are great below and narrow above large toward the world and little toward heaven like to Piramides 7. Some Meteors are thinne and are soone fired and consumed some more full of matter and endure longer some are fearefull to behold so some Hypocrites are soone discovered some are longer in their professions others are terrible in their deaths So much of Meteors Of the Winds 1. Of the generation of the windes 2. Of the diversity of Windes 3. Of the usefulnesse of them 4. Of the strength of the winde 5. Resolves concerning the winde Sect. 1 First of the generation of the Windes SOme Naturalists have ghessed at three causes First that the Sunne drawes up thinne vapours and exhalations they falling downe by violence turne to winds Secondly some thinke the aire being pend up in vaults and caves of the earth having a vent doe breake out and so spread in windes blowing on the earth Thirdly some hold certaine vapours meeting together from betweene the mountaines comming from the crannies of the earth are the windes some to all this thinke there is a soft moving of the aire yet it is not winde but a coole vapour But he that made them tels us a better doctrine Ioh. 3. thou knowest not from whence it commeth we must deny our curiosity and submit to the verity No man knowes from whence the windes doe come this is a lawfull ignorance Sect. 2 Secondly of the diversity of windes THe East winde is hot and dry of the fiery nature The West winde cold and moyst of the watery nature The South winde hot and moyst The North winde cold and drye The windes betweene these are qualified of the severall tempers whereof they doe participate Sect. 3 Thirdly of the usefulnes of the Winds 1. They carry the Clouds and bring us Raine 2. They cleare the Ayre for our health of body 3. They cause our ships to fetch Commodities 4. They make our Mils to grinde our Corne. 5. They coole the Ayre in the Summers heate 6. Without the Winds nothing would grow or prosper Reuel 7.1.3 Sect. 4 Fourthly of the strength of the Wind. 1. The Winds do raise the mighty waves of the Sea Ionah 1.4 Psal 107.25.26 2. The winds have blowne downe houses Iob 1.19 3. The Winds rend the Mountaines and breakes the Rockes 1. Kings 19.11 And experience proves the winds have carried away rickes of Corne and Hay rooted up and torne great trees The fierce winds mooves the great ships Iames 3.4 Sect. 5 Fifthly resolves concerning the Wind. Quest 1 Which is the most notable and famous Wind Answ The East-wind of which the Scripture speakes how it hath beene Gods instrument divers times for famous uses 1. An East-wind divided or dried the Red-sea Exod. 14. ver 21. 2. An East-wind brought the Grashoppers on Egypt Exodus 10.13 3. An East-wind perplexed Ionah Ionah 4.8 4. An East-wind brake the ships Psalm 48.7 The East-wind is vrentem ventum a searing Wind and is sayd to blast Gen. 41.6 to scatter Iere. 18.17 The East-wind is hurtfull to the fruites trees and leaves Mr. Calvin on Isaiah the 27.8 Quest 2 How is the Spirit of God and the Wind alike Answ 1. The Wind is powerfull and strong so is the spirit of God 2. The Wind sweetly cooles and refreshes our bodies in the heate of Summer so the spirit doth sweetly refresh and comfort our soules in the heat of tentations afflictions 3. When men fast then there encreases wind in their stomackes and when men fast the spirit of God encreases in their soules 4. Without the wind nothing can grow and prosper so without the spirit nothing can prosper concerning our salvation 5. The wind is on the Sea and Land with a kinde of vbiquitie so the spirit is every where being truely omnipresent 6. The wind is invisible and cannot be seene so is the spirit of God invisible 7. By the effects we conclude the wind hath blowne and wee do feele it sencibly to blow So by effects wee know the spirit of God hath been working and we feele his holy motions and consolations 8. We cannot command the Wind to come nor hold it alwayes with us at our pleasure nor can we obtayne the motions of the Spirit when we wil nor retaine them at our pleasure The disparity betweene the Winde and the Spirit 1. The Wind is a creature the Spirit is a Creator 2. The wind is an unreasonable creature the Spirit is the Doner of reason to the creature 3. The wind is alwayes limitted in his proper sphaere the Spirit is unlimitted and fils Heaven and earth 4. The wind blowes equally on all both good and bad but the spirit of God blowes on the Elect and makes a difference 5. The winds blow and often doe harme where the spirit comes he alwayes doth good 6. Sathan hath beene permitted to raise the wind Iob. 1. but was never permitted to give the good spirit 7. VVind in the body makes men sicke But the spirit in the soule makes men well 8. The most favourable winds can bring but to a temporall haven the blasts of Gods spirit brings to a blessed Heaven 9. When the Windes blow strong it hinders men in their journey but when the Spirit moves strong we make the more speede and with the more comfort and lesse trouble Quest 3 Why did the Poets call Aeolus the King of the windes Answ Because the windes did arise about the Aelion Ilands whereof he was the King they saw the place where the windes arose but looked not up to him that raised them Quest 4 Why did the Jtalians make a God of the Winde and dedcate a Temple to it Answ Because when Sigismund had prepared a mighty Navy to invade Italy a strong North winde tare and sunke his ships and dispierced his army then the Jtalians made of the winde a God being ignorant that there is a Creator of the windes Amos the fourth the last verse The Wine is but a creature Quest 5 How differs the Whirle-winde from other windes In three particulars Answ 1. Other windes are single for kinde but the Whirlewinde is plurall two windes are involved together Secondly other windes spread abroad the Whirlewinde hath a circular-like motion it holds