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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45776	Levamen infirmi: or, cordial counsel to the sick and diseased Containing I. Advice concerning physick, and what a physician ought to be; with an account of the author's remedies, and how to take them. II. Concerning melancholy, frensie, and madness; in which, amongst other things, is shew'd, how far they differ from a conscience opprest with the sense of sin, and likewise how they differ among themselves. III. A miscellany of pious discourses, concerning the attributes of God; with ejaculations and prayers, according to scripture rule. Likewise an account of many things which have happen'd since the creation. To which are added several predictions of what may happen to the end of the world. The whole being enrich'd with physical, pious, moral & historical observations, delightful to read, & necessary to know. By D. Irish, practitioner in physick and surgery, now dwelling at Stoke, near Guilford in Surry, where he is ready to serve any person, to the utmost of his skill.	Irish, David.	1700 (1700)	Wing I1036; ESTC R221621	80,143	149

Creatures which if I may so speak people the Elements are the handy works of God Man tho' the chief yet perhaps to teach him Humility was made of the mould of the Earth and as some think Adam the first Man was made on a Friday about 3 of the Clock in the After●oon and out of him Eve his Wife who bare several Children and here I cannot but observe that the first War was about Religion for Cain slew his Brother Abel by reason of his more acceptable Sacrifice Thus we may see that in the Worlds Infancy as well as now Goodness the Mark that Envy aim'd at and Innocence Persecuted by the greatest Guilt and Religio● suffer by the hand of Hypocrisie and Cruelty from which Good Lord deliver Vs. Tho' as you have heard God at first made all thing● good yet besides the mighty defection among th● Angels there grew also great Iniquity amongst Men so that God resolving to wash away the abominations of the World by W●ter commanded Noah t● build an Ark into which according to God's appointment all living Creatures entred by Couple● to replenish the Earth anew but note ●ere that 〈◊〉 some sorts there entred more than two that No●● might not want proper Sacrifices to offer to the Lord And thus much of Noahs Flood The Scriptures both in the Old and New Testament plainly and copiously declare the uncommunicable Attributes of the Lord being the Heraulds of his Truth and the Witnesses of his Mercies the Instances they exhibit of his ample performing the Tenure of his comfortable Promises are as sufficie●● Testimonies of his Infallible Truth as the sending o● his only Son is of his Mercy who as his last Prophet Sealed up all the written Verities and Command●we are Bound to Believe and observe This is the Son of Righteousness whose refreshing Beams 〈◊〉 Mercy shine upon our Souls to eternal Happiness Here it will not be amiss to give an Idea or Notion of God as far as the weakness of our understanding 〈◊〉 able to perform for none can say what the Essence of God is or which is the same give a true and adequate Definition of this infinitely perfect Essen●e because he is in all his Perfections In●inite ● Spiritual Entity whose Exis●ence is Eternally of him●elf independent of all other Beings dwelling in Orbs 〈◊〉 inaccessable Light hence the Message which we have heard of God in the first Epistle of ●ohn Chap. 1. v. 5. tells us That he is of a most Pure Simple Holy Perfect and glorious Nature resembled by no Creature ●o much as by Exquisite Light in which there is nothing but clear and exact Brightness without any ●he least mixture of Darkness He is Incomprehensible therefore none but himself can give an Account what he is He had no Beginning nor can he ever have an End all times and things whether past or to come are ever present to him so that as I often inculcate it is impossible to speak him fully yet so far as it hath pleased his Divine Majesty out of his unspeakable Goodness to Reveal himself in his Word to us we may to the utmost of our capacity express as that he is a glorious Spirit full of Truth and must therefore be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there is no way but by consulting his Written Word to know in what particular manner we ought to Honour and Serve him Though as is said whatsoever we can say or conceive of God comes far short of his Excellency yet it is lawful as far as our weakness can reach to say or rather lisp what he is still regulating our discourse by the Line of his Word therefore I say he is an Independent Being existing of himself Ego sum qui sum Exod. I am that I am saith the Lord that is he is alone of himself for all other things are not but by him nay in him we live move and have our Being saith St. Paul He is most Perfect because he is the Fountain and Origin of all Perfection Be ye Perfect saith Christ even as your heavenly Father is Perfect He is One. See saith the Lord that I am alone nor is there any other besides me And again Thou shalt have no other Gods but me according to which we say in the Belief I Believe in one God He is simple ●or Ioh. 4.24 He is called a Spirit now a Spirit is a simple Being or a Being void of Material Composition therefore God who is in all that he is Superlative is consequently most Simple He is Eternal for saith the Lord Vivo ego in aeternum I live for ever Deut. 22. And the Kingly Prophet cries out Thou art the v●ry same and thy years have no end He is Immutable as he speaks in Malachy 3. I am God and not changed which is agreeable to Reason thus That is Immutable which neither can be augmented nor diminished but God cannot be augmented because most Perfect nor diminished because most Simple Therefore he is most Immutablé He is Immense as the Wise Man speaks Wisdom 1. The Spirit of the Lord hath filled all the World He is Infinite for that is Infinite which has no Bounds according to David The Lord is great and of his greatness there is no End besides he must needs be Infinite whose Perfections are all Vnlimited He is Omniscient as appears from that of the Psalmist Thou hast understood my Cogitations afar off and hast foreseen all my ways and knowest all things before they are done He is Iust according to that of David Iust is the Lord and he hath-loved Iustice. He is most Merciful for the Mercies of the Lord ar● above all his Works Psalm He is most Good because the Fountain of all Goodness He is most True because the first Truth He is Omnipotent because he can do all that is possible and from him is all Power both in Heaven and Earth by me Kings Reign Wisdom He is lastly most Blessed because he is the Felicity of himself and of all things whatsoever 'T is from the consideration of these Divine Attrites that multitudes of Reasons may be drawn to courage us in our Duties For Example The con●ering of God's Justice and Power will stir up-in us ●ear of offending a Being both Iust and Omnipotent 〈◊〉 this fear will prove the beginning of the best of ●isdom I mean of an indefatigable endeavour to 〈◊〉 his Written Laws and Commandments and ●●ese Attributes will make us know that from and in 〈◊〉 by him we enjoy Health Live Move and have 〈◊〉 Being and that all we Possess descends from the ●ther of Light see Iam. 1.17 Hence we ●ie under obligation of giving him hearty and frequent ●hanks for the daily benefits we receive from his ●●unty Begin therefore every work in God that ●●ereby it may by him be Perfected and for his Ho●●ur and Glory ended Rely on Jesus Christ as the 〈◊〉 Foundation that can be laid for us to Build upon testi●ieth both

Read 1 Tim. 2.1 where you will find that the chosen Vessel of God St. Paul doth exhort That first of all Deprecations Supplications Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for all Men for Kings and for all that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty Again Phil. 4.6 he says Be careful for nothing but in all things let your Petitions be manifest unto God in Prayer and Supplications with giving of Thanks by which places of Scripture we are not only pricked forward to the holy Exercise of Prayer but taught also that there are four kinds thereof all necessary to be used every day First Deprecation whereby we beg at the hands of Almighty God either altogether to turn away his heavy displeasure conceiv'd against us through our Sins or at least to mittigate the Punishment due for our Offences Secondly Supplications are Prayers whereby we crave such things as are necessary either for the Sustentation of this present Life or for our everlasting Comfort in the World to come Thirdly Intercessions are Prayers made in the behalf of others And lastly Thanksgiving is when we Praise God and celebrate his holy Name for all the Benefits confer'd both upon our Souls and Bodies Some short Ejaculations and Prayers according to Scripture Rules I Give thee most hearty thanks O Eternal God Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for that it hath pleased thee of thy unspeakable Mercy and Goodness in all Ages succesfully to send into the world Men wonderfully endow'd with thy Gifts and adorn'd with the knowledge of thy Will to be Revivers and Preachers of thy Word of Truth Mat. 23.34 Ephes. 4.2.1 2. I likewise render most hearty thanks unto thy most Sacred Majesty for sending thy only Son that great Shepherd of thy Church to make known thy Word to such as thou thinkest fit to teach thy People the Truth of thy Written Word for the gathering together thy Church out of all Mankind to the building up of the Body of Christ. I humbly beseech Thee most gracious God to continue always amongst us thy pure Word and through thy Ministers gather to thy self an infinite and everlasting Congregation and so instruct my heart with thy Spirit of Truth that I may unfeignedly assent to thy wholesome Word whereby I may prove a lively Member of thy Body and be incorporated into that Society which doth in this World sincerely confess thee and in the next World for ever enjoy thee evermore extolling the holiness of thy Name preserve in safety the Ministers and Teachers of thy Word and give them the certain knowledge of thy Blessed will that by thy Word they may from time to time open unto us thine intent concerning the repairing of Mankind to the Saving and Redeeming of our Souls thro' thy free Mercy and also teach us here to live in new obedience and to withstand the violence and allurements of our carnal desires which fight against the Soul 1 Pet. 2.12 Inspire the Preachers of thy Word with the Divine Breathings of thy holy Spirit that they may utter thy Will with the Purity they receive from thy Mouth retaining the form of wholesome Words and sounding none but the Doctrine manifested by thy Son out of thy Bosom 2 Tim. 1.13 Ioh. 1.18 for by departing from the order of the Faith and Rule of thy Word they will greatly obscure the light of thy Doctrine and obtrude upon us the Vanity of their own Inventions for thy holy Inspirations therefore let them speak thy Word not deceitfully but sincerely as from thee and in thy sight 2 Cor. 4.2 Grant also that by transforming thy Divine Ministry into Earthly Policy they Lord it not over thine Elect neither proudly contend about Superiority and Primacy in thy Church 1 Pet. 5 3. But only seek the Glory of thy Name and the Salvation of themselves and us committed by thy Providence to their Charge give them liberty of Speech boldly without fear to blame and rebuke all false Doctrine Blasphemous Superstitions and abuses in thy Church Ephes. 6.19 Open unto them the door of utterance that they may speak the Mysteries of Christ and manifest them as they ought to do so shall their doings be profitable to the Godly Colos. 4.3 Assist them also with thy especial Grace that they disgrace not the Doctrine which they Teach and Preach by impurity of Life 1 Tim. 3.2 4. but especially assist the Shepherd under thee whom I hear for the good of my Soul from whose Mouth I learn thy Blessed Will keep him O Lord I heartily Pray in Religion sincere and pure from enormous Offences in his outward Conversation endow him with a long and healthful Life if it be thy Will that he may live to Convert many by Preaching thy Word of wholesome Doctrine and then we shall be Converted because thou art our God and being Converted we will do Penance shew us our Offences that we may have a true sense and hearty sorrow for our Sins O Son of God who art the Lord and head Shepherd of all thy Flock work thou effectually by thy Preachers and speak thou also within us to our hearts the blessed Will of thy Eternal Father and confirm thy Doctrine in our Minds by thy holy Spirit and grant I beseech thee that we may truly know and discern the same from the howling of Wolves and from the Inchanting Songs of Hirelings Ioh. 10.12 and 17.15 and grant that we may know thee even as thou knowest thy Heavenly Father and walk Religiously and Righteously in thy Sight showing our selves to be that holy Seed which praiseth thy Name for evermore Come Holy Spirit open my Heart and Ears that I may conceive the profit of thy wholesome Doctrine and the sweet Comfort revealed in thy Holy Words by the Preaching of the Gospel I beseech thee pour into us Godly Cogitations that we may never imagine as the Wicked do that the Miseries and Afflictions of this Life fall upon u● 〈◊〉 Chance and against thy Will but that we may 〈◊〉 believe that thy Church is govern'd by thy P●●vidence and that without thy Permission no Evil 〈◊〉 Punishment cometh for thou Lord sendest the s●me Amos 3.6 Then grant I beseech thee that we may suffer all Injuries and Adversities with quiet Minds and never attempt that which is contrary to thy Commandments but by an humble acknowledgment and submission to thy Will bear all sorts of Calamities with calling for thy Assistance Psal. 50.15 Tit. 22. Most Gracious God keep I beseech thee the power of Mans immortal Enemy the Prince of Darkness under that he compel not Consciences loaded with the weight of Sins to fall into fatal Desperation either by heaping up and aggravating their Offences or by extenuating thy Mercy enhance too much their own guilt or lessen thy Power of forgiving but grant that all Sinners that are heavy laden may with a true and lively Faith come unto thee for Ease and

Levamen Infirmi Or Cordial Counsel to the Sick and Diseased CONTAINING I. Advice concerning Physick and what a ●hysician ought to be with an Account of the Author's Remedies and how to take them II. Concerning Melancholy Frensie and Madness in which among●t other things is shew'd how far they differ from a Conscience opprest with the Sense of Sin and likewise how ●hey differ among themselves III. A Miscellany of Pious Discourses concerning the Attributes of God with Ejaculations and Prayers according to Scripture Rule Likewise an Account of many things which have happen'd since the Creation To which are added Several Predictions of what may happen to the End of the World The whole b●ing enrich'd with Phys●●al Pious Moral Historical Observation● delightful ●o read necessary ●o know By D. IRISH Practitioner in Physick and Surgery now Dwelling at Stoke near Guilford in Surry where he is ready to Serve any Person to the utmost of his Skill LONDON Printed for the Author And are to be Sold by Isaac Walker Bookseller in Guilford 1700. To the Worshipful and much Esteemed Mr. Robert Berry Mayor of the Ancient Corporation of Guilford in Surry And to all my Loving Neighbours and Friends Worthy Friends THat I might pay a more than Momentary acknowledgment for the many Tes●●●●●ies of Love and Honour I have daily receiv'd at your hands ever since Providence brought me amongst You I humbly lay at your feet this little Book And since Friendship is best preserv'd and cultivated by mutual Obligations I will which indeed is all I can do on my part in Return of Your many good Offices when ever any of You or your Friends are pleased to call for my Assistance make it my sole care and design to Administer proper Medicines as the Patients necessity shall require Another Reason of my Dedication arises from the knowledge I have of Your Zeal ●or Godliness and the Propagation of the true Religion to which I hope this my little Book will in some measure Contribute I need no● stimulate You to the encouraging of Virtue and curbing of Vice since I know that You according to the Power God has invested You with will take care to punish Iniquity and maintain the Purity of the Christian Religion which has suffer'd so long by the Remisness of many of its Professors insomuch that Atheistical Principles and Practices have strangely gotten ground of Gospel Truths to the Spiritual Grief of all the Godly And now since I consider'd that Spiritual and Corporeal Maladies are the two grand Misfortunes of Mankind I have in these sheets endeavour'd to Remedy both Physick is chiefly what I Profess nor am I asham'd since it is of such Intrinsick worth that it even adds honour to the most honourable Practitioner That it is profitable to the Natural Body and consequently to the Body Politick since the latter consists of the former as a Whole do's of its Parts must be acknowledg'd by every one that is Sanae Mentis and needs not Helebore Hence the Wise Gre●ians did not without Reason highly commend Hypocrates and the Latines their Corne●ius Celsus for their Courage in first Ven●uring and Wisdom in wading into the Depth ●f this Mystery and for their transmitting in ●heir Works this Noble Art to Posterity This Art was anciently Valu'd at so high 〈◊〉 Rate that Apollo and Aesculapius steemed by some the first Founders of Physick ●ere adored as Gods for the Excellence of their ●●vention Besides the Word of God which ●ndeniably Warrants our Esteem for whatso●ver it Extolls mentioneth Phisitians by way ●f Honour before the giving of the Law ●e which doth not only implicitly allow but ●xpresly Commands if the Old English Tran●ation be credited the use of Physick see ●en 50.2 Psal. 147.3 Exod. 15.26 ●od giveth Medicines to heal Health is the ●rince the first Born as Life is the King of ●utward Blessings The Widow in the Gos●●l disesteemed all her substance in comparison 〈◊〉 this Iewel And Job said Skin for Skin and all that a Man hath to save his Life The Phisitian who is Manus Dei brings ●his precious Pearl Health to the oppressed Sick where God sees it n●cessary for their futur● good God and Nature qui nihil frustra agunt have appointed Herbs not only for Meat but also for Medicines the virtue and value of which would never be found out no● made serviceable to their right Ends if some did not employ their time and tallants in search thereof tho' 't is a task full of difficulties for the natures or effects of Simples alter according to the difference of places in which they grow and according to the Constitution of the Persons to whom they are given How miserable then are those places where nothing but ignorant Pretenders abound whose Medicines are usually worse than Ineffectual an● such as take them are deliver'd up to th● Mercy I should rather say Cruelty and Execution of Ignorant Pretenders On the othe● hand what a great felicity and happiness is i● when the Sick and Diseased meet with Persons both of much Science and Conscience wh● ●nderstand and consider the Cause of Diseases 〈◊〉 Nature of Ingredients the Constitution of ●atients the difference of Climates and the ●roper Seasons of Administring Physick and ●aithfully according to these Circumstances Prescribe and Apply it Yet dear Countrymen all this without God●iness is not enough which as the Diamond to ●he Ring addeth real Value to all natural and ●cquir'd Accomplishments and which is the ●nly Ark for the Soul to be shelter'd in when a Deluge overfloweth O! how glad would ●●sanctified Schollars be who are now cry'd up for sublime Wits for the Quintessence of Learning for living Libraries and Divine Eagles for Magistri Sententiarum Doctores Angelici Seraphici Subtiles and what not if they could pass at the great Day for the greatest Ignorants and most illiterate Innocents that ever were in the World ' Tho' my Practice is Physick yet have I presum'd to Write of Holy and Spiritual things because Religion is absolutely necessary in all and also to beget in all Men diligent endeavours after true Piety as the onl● means to arrive at a right management o● their Parts The Lord grant that what I have written may be apply'd as Medicinal to the health o● my own and the Souls and Bodies of others which is the hearty Prayer of Honoured Sir And dear Countrymen Your true Friend and Humble Servant D. Irish. David Irish Practitioner in Physick His Advice concerning Physick PHysicians are called by Herophilus Man●● Dei the Hands of God and not very improperly since they are the Instruments he often uses in restoring Health and repairing decayed Nature they ought with no less Cheerfulness and Diligence help the Poor in their Extremity for nothing or at most for a very small Reward as the Rich for great Sums since it is not the Physician but GOD that cures for in Exod. 15.26 God saith He will put away their

Experience Practice and the con 〈◊〉 of Sacred Writers whose Example I purpose to ●low that with them I may enterprise every thing 〈◊〉 proceed orderly and produce an end to the ●onour of God and the good of my self and fellow ●●eatures The Scriptures contain the profound Misterie● of ●od's Excellence and Man's Salvation they are as ●earned Father saith So folded up by God that unless 〈◊〉 be re●d with that Spirit by which they were Written 〈◊〉 that with humility and a hearty desire to know and gove●n'd by them they cannot be understood unless 〈◊〉 Spirit quicken our understanding they are as a dead ●etter They have inde●d in them such a miraculous ●ight and depth that they may exercise the Wisdom 〈◊〉 of the most Learned yet do they also contain 〈◊〉 ●asiness and plainness that the most simple may understand them to t●eir Comfort and Instructio● The difficulties couch'd in profound Mysteries 〈◊〉 abate the Insolence of the Proud while the comf●●table Promises raise up the drooping Spirits of hu●ble Believers to the hopes of Eternal Salvation 〈◊〉 Sacred Volume is that wonderful River which alone both shallow and deep in the same pla●● wherein the Lamb may wade and the Elephant Swi● 'T is only disbelief and Sin that make them 〈◊〉 while Faith and good Works render them easie 〈◊〉 sinful vails of our hearts shade from us their meani●● nor can we open their difficulties but by the Key David which opens where no Man shuts and 〈◊〉 where no Man opens which only can open that Sea●● Book This considered it was not without Reas●● that Moses called God wonderful since he found his Words and Works to be so even past Mans fin●ing out and discovering A certain old Doctor 〈◊〉 the Ch●rch compar'd the Old Testament to 〈◊〉 Moon and the New One to the Sun for that 〈◊〉 Old Testament borrows its light from the New the Moon does hers from the Sun The Truth 〈◊〉 the New is contain'd in the Old and the Old revea● in the New In a word they both contain rich 〈◊〉 precious Comforts profound Learning grave Adm●nitions desirable Promises and dreadful Threatning all which are powerful Motives to Faith and go●● Works The Bible is the Word of God the Writers wher●of Writ after the dictates of the Holy Ghost and 〈◊〉 they Writ it even so it was and even so it is at 〈◊〉 present day and even so it will remain full and inti●● for he th●t caus'd it to be Writ for our Instr●ctio● and Rule will ever preserve ●t for us The Writings of Aristotle that Prince of Philoso●hers are Ancient and Profitable as also are many ●ther Books but in comparison of the Holy Bible ●hey a●e nothing to be regarded And here since I think an Historical Account of ●he Bible and its Translations will be well received ●ake ●he following Account Two Hundred Forty and One Y●ars before the Hu●anity of Christ the Five Books of Moses were Translated out of Hebrew into Greek at the charge of Pt●lemeus Philadelphus King of Egypt by Seventy Do●tors or Learned Men at Ierusalem in the time of ●Eliazer the High Priest by which we may un●erstand ●heir Antiquity and the great Value they obtain'd ●ven amongst the Heathens Then ●24 years after the Birth of Christ the Old T●stament was Translated out of Hebrew into Greek ●y a Iew named Aquila who was Converted to the Christian Faith in the time of Adrian the Emperor And 53 years after this Aquila the Bible was also Tr●nslated by Theodosius And 33 years after Theodosius it was Translated by Symmachus under the Emperor Severus And 8 years after Symmachus the Bible was Translated by one whose Name I have not but this Translation was call'd the Fifth Translation After this it was Translated by St. Hieronymus who mended and Corrected the Seventy Interpreters and Transl●ted it out of Hebrew into Latin which Translation with the Amendments of Beza is now used in ●he Church for the upholding of the Protestant ●eligion while the Roman Catholicks zealously stick to the Vulg●r Latin Translation which tho' very Ancient is not counted to be very Correct One Lyra is noted above others to be the best Hebrician and a diligent Translator of the Old and New Testaments The Bible is full of Divine things 't is the best and highest Book of God full of Comfort in all manner of Tryals and Temptations it teacheth Faith nourisheth Hope preserves Love and in fine Teacheth that after this poor miserab●e and precarious Life there is another which is Eternal and Everlasting We ought not to measure and censure the Scriptures according to our Sense and Reason as being byass'd by Passions and Errors but by diligent Prayer and Humility search after the Truth and by often putting this in Practice the Spirit of God will direct our Understanding to their true sense and meaning 't is the Holy Ghost that alone can Teach us here As well the Divi●e as the Disciple may without shame learn of such a Tutor if they intend to confound Heresies reduce Schisms and root out Errors observe ●he Scriptures saith Christ and thou shalt live Luk. 10. He 's only a good Pastor that is arm'd at all points with the Text and sufficiently Learned that is well grounded in the Bible but those that come to this Perfection have hearts prepared by God To those that he Reveals his Word to them he giveth Mouths to utter it God's Word is a Fiery Shield which is of proof against all the fury of Satan false Zeal and Error this Shield cannot be batter'd or crush'd by the greatest Violence God's Word remaineth for ever Protecteth all those that put their trust therein this is the Weapon that the Author of the Epistle to the H●brews calls a Two Edged Sword for it cuts through all opposition of Carnal and Diabolical Weapons The New Testament was written by Iews as well as the Old for the Apostles themselves were Iews and Paul was an Hebrew of the Hebrews yet by the Power of the Word they not only became Christians but Converted thousands to the same Faith for which in the End most of them laid down their Lives 'T is observ'd that in the Books of Moses nothing is so oft Rehearsed as this I am the Lord thy God that brought thee out of the Land of Egypt the cause thereof perh●ps was that they should not soon forget what God had done for them Then let us not now forget what Christ has done for us in Redeeming us at once from the Tyranny of the Law and Sin In the Apostles time the Gospel was Preached and ●he Believers were but a little Flock but now it is further spread abroad Christ himself said to his Disciples Ye shall do greater things or works than I. As if be should have said I have Preached in the Corn●rs in the Land of Judea but ye shall Preach openly ●n the house Tops that is Through the whole Vniversal World and shall make the Gospel

own Experience besides in all kinds of Temptations there is hopes Examples of a good Issue are frequent in each kind Yea tho' the Corporeal inhabiting of Satan is the greatest and fullest of Terrors yet the Evangelists testifie of many that have been Dispossest by the Powe● of Christ which Examples are writ for our Instructions against the like Afflictions which are Tryals only for a Time All God's Children have their Salvation founded upon his Eternal Decree of Mercy towards them 't is Published by the Preaching of the Gospel and is Written and Sealed in the Hearts of his Chosen by the power of the Spirit of Adoption which cryeth Abba Father and testifieth in Measure to some more and some les● according to the Dispensation of Grace There is no evident and undo●bted sign of Reprobation in any while they live because they may Repent only that Sin which is ●●lled the Sin against the Holy Ghost is not Pardon●●le and for which the Apostle forbids us to Pray This Sin against the Holy Ghost Divines expound 〈◊〉 be an open wilful Apostacy from God with a ●●alitious hate against the Profession of his known ●ruth Next unto this Sin is final Impenitence which ●●nnot be known till Death makes shew thereof and 〈◊〉 off all time of Repentance The first Example this kind was Cain who complained that his Sins 〈◊〉 greater than he could bear Such also was the ●●●guish of Esa● when he found no Repentance after 〈◊〉 had sold his Birth-right Saul if not a Reprob●te ●t was Possessed for the Lord sent an Evil Spirit to ●●crease his Torment but Iudas was wholly give● 〈◊〉 to Satan This notorious Traytor this heinous 〈◊〉 despairing Sinner before mentioned Executed 〈◊〉 Punishment upon himself which all Traytors ●●serve he took the Revenge due for the Betraying 〈◊〉 Innocent Blood upon himself with his own hands 〈◊〉 all whose Consciences are loaden with grievous 〈◊〉 feel the punishment they Merit in their own ●arts and many times are driven to cruel Despair ●n which nothing either more dishonors God or ●●ejudic●s Man Also the Prophane People of the ●orld that either know not Christ or know him 〈◊〉 vain outward Profession only if they finally con 〈◊〉 patterns of Iniquity they will prove in the 〈◊〉 dismal Examples of God's Vengeance But if 〈◊〉 greatest Offender Repent and turn to the Lord 〈◊〉 will wi●h Arms of Mercy receive and embrace 〈◊〉 Therefore do works worthy of Repentance 〈◊〉 beware you think no Sin greater than God's in 〈◊〉 Mercy since that Sin which is Unpardonable is only known to him from whom nothing is hi● hence in this as in all Misteries 't is the best way 〈◊〉 acquiesce and not to search into them further 〈◊〉 God hath Revealed by whose Oracles we are i●form'd that only one kind of Sin cutteth off all hop● of Salvation because it is of such a Nature that closeth up the Avenues of Repentance being 〈◊〉 height of all Iniquity even equal with that of 〈◊〉 Devils themselves who are shut out of God's fav●● for ever Now let us seriously consider whether you ha●● sinned against the Holy Ghost or not which if 〈◊〉 deed you have as your humour would lead 〈◊〉 where is the Renouncing of God's Religion whi●● you have hitherto profess'd and heartily embrac'● where is that Malice which procured this mischi●● what Persecution have you in word or deed 〈◊〉 against the Truth of God's Word what Sword 〈◊〉 you drawn against it what Volumes have you 〈◊〉 against sound Doctrine with a known and resol●● opposition to your own Conscience if your hum●●● be not able to alledge such Testimonies against 〈◊〉 self what have you to fear since this alone is tho●●● to be the Sin against the Holy Ghost Tho●● it is not certain since God has not any where 〈◊〉 what particular Sin it is therefore be 〈◊〉 too Cruel to your self least by final Despair 〈◊〉 prevent that Mercy you may by a timely Repenta●●● obtain Therefore dear Melancholicks I pray give 〈◊〉 these imaginary conceits of distrustful and danger prejudices against your selves and prepare your he●●● to receive the Comfort which the word of Pro●●ministreth unto you Remember that our Perfec● lyeth without us even in that unspotted Lamb 〈◊〉 ●esus whose Sacrifice is all-sufficient for all kinds of Sin This Perfection we are to hope for and attend the ●onsummation of the rudiments of Righteousness ●his and the advised consideration of God's Pro●ises in his Word with means used might easily ●elive● you and you may again as David was be ●esto●●d to the wonted Joys of the sweet Mercies of ●he Lord. ADVERTISEMENT This is to inform all Persons whom it may concern ●hat D. Irish doth and will if God permit in●truct his Son in the best and speediest way of curing Melan●holy and Madness And likewise those Luna●icks which are not Curable he will take them for ●erm of Life if paid Quarterly such and all others 〈◊〉 takes on Reasonable Terms allowing them good ●ires Meat and Drink with good attendance ●nd all necessaries far beyond what is allow'd at Bedlam or any other place he has yet heard of and ●heaper for he allows the Melancholly Mad and such ●hose Consciences are Opprest with the sense of Sin ●ood Meat every day for Dinner and also whole●ome Diet for Breakfast and Supper and good Table●eer enough at any time They have also good Beds ●nd Decent Chambers answerable to their Abilities ●ll which necessaries are daily allow'd and given ●hem according to agreement during the time a●reed for they are all carefully look'd after by ●imself at his House in Stoke near Guilford in Surry ●ein● a pleasant place and good Air and such as ●lease ●o be at Thorp his Son looks after them by his ●athers directions who comes every Tuesday to see them and instruct his Son in the true Method of curing such distemper'd People Note also That at Thorp any person may have at any time D. Irish's Medicines of his Son for any Distemper incident to Men Wome● or Children at reasonable Rates and eve●y Tuesday they may there also have D. Irish's Advice The Conclusion of this Treatise I shall not here give you an Account dear Country-men how to go through with the Cur● of Melanchol● by Medicines and other Means which I daily experience to be successful because I have no other Maintenance but my Practice therefore I shall conceal th●se Secrets and will not impart them to any Person whatsoever save only to my Posterity to whom if God send Life I intend to make expert in the Cure not only of this but of all other Diseases But ●s to you my intention was not to make you a Phisician or to give you a Warrant to adventure upon Practise as those do who attempt to Cure diseases by taking Medicines upo● trust out of any Book they meet with many of which Medicines are really insignificant or hurtful in most cases and many of them tho' good yet are

known to all Men in all Nations But here I desire and earnestly admonish every good Christian that he slight not the plain and simpl● manner of Stile in many places found in the Bible ●ince they are Evidences of Truth and not Patterns of Rhetorick There is no doubt but what we find ●n the holy Scripture is true though sometimes it ap●ears in a mean dress which indeed is one of the Pri●iledges of Truth when Falsities covet the flowers ●f Eloquence to hide their Shame The Bible con●ains the Words Works Acts and Judgments of the ●ost High 't is a Book that makes Fools of the crafty ●nd wise of the World when yet it is understood by ●he plain and simple as our Saviour saith The ●criptures are most high and precious Relicks a ●ountain which can never be Exhausted in them ●hou findest the Swadling-Cloaths wherein Christ lyeth to which the Angels directed the poor and simple Shepheards Indeed they seem to be mean silly Clouts but dear and precious is the Treasure in them for we have in them many Promises and God is faithful in fulfilling them in Christ from whom we have forgiveness of Sins and are delivered from everlasting Death God's Word is a Light that Shines in Dark places so that those that are shadowed by the greatest Cloud of Sin and Ignorance cannot miss being found out by its penetrating Beams and by them directed to the paths of Glory We see in the Example of Adams eating the forbidden Fruit how easie it is to be drawn into Sin and to forget God's Word and how hard a work it is to get hearts of Repentance by the long and hard task our Saviour had to make a Reconciliation with God for our Offences and if we were to be sav'd by our own Deeds and not by the Works of Christ we ●hould never attain Salvation Therefore Christ makes our task more easie saying Whosoever relies on me and believes in my Word shall have everlasting Life Some may ask what is here meant by his Word I Answer It 's Christus est Spiritualiter in Sacramen●●● The same that he spake at his Administring his last Supper when he said The words which I spake are Spirit and Life the flesh profiteth nothing whosoever eats thereof shall live for ever He Seal'd it with his Blood therefore it must be Truth Some may say How can we Eat this his Word Answer By laying it up with Faith in our hearts and leading our Lives answerable thereto which done after this life is ended we shall neve● Hunger no● Thirst more but shall Live and Reign with him fo● Ever The same is to be understood in Baptism but the Administring of the Sacrament of the las● Supper doth shew forth his Death till he comes again at which time he will Judge the World then happy will those be who hear his Welcome With a well done true and faithful Servant enter into thy Masters Ioy And now let us cry out Come Lord Iesus come quickly The Holy Scripture makes mention of sundry things done at certain hours of the day not agreeing with the hours of our Account as in Iohn 't is said The Rulers Son being healed of his Sickness at the Seventh hour his Ague le●t him And the Labourers that came into the Vineyard came at the Eleventh hour And in the Passion of Christ 't is Recorded That at the Sixth hour there was darkness over all the whole Earth And about the Ninth hour he cried with a loud Voice and so gave up the Ghost In which is couch'd some think a Mystery for Adam was Created as 't is supposed on a Friday about the same hour of the day as our Saviour Suffer'd Now to understand what hours these were know that the Iews divided their Artifici●l days into four quarters allowing to every quarter 3 hours and so began the first hour of the first quarter at the rising of the Sun and as they followed in order they call each hour of each quarter the first second or third hour so that the third hour of the first quarter they ca●led the third hour and the third hour of the second quarter they called the sixth hour whi●h was Mid-day called by us Twelve a Clock and the third hour of the third quarter they called the Ninth hour and the second hour of the fourth quarter they called the Eleventh hour and they called the Twelfth and last hour Eventide So that the Rulers Son healed at the Seventh hour with us called One of the Clock in the Afternoon and the Sixth hou● when Darkness was over the whole Earth was Mid-day called by us Twelve a Clock and their Ninth hour when Christ yielded up the Ghost is called with us Three a Clock in the Afternoon The Labourers that came into the Vineyard came at the Elenth hour about five a Clock in the Afternoon or an hour before Sun-set Likewise they divided each Night into four quarters called by them the four Watches of the Night the first three hours was the ●irst Watch during which time all the Soldiers both Young and Old of any fortified Town or Garrison were us'd to Watch. The Second three hours t●ey call'd the second Watch which was about Mid●ight at which time the young Soldiers only Watched And the third quarter of the Night containing also three hours was called the third Watch in it the middle aged Soldiers kept Watch. And the last three hours called the fourth Watch was about break of day in which the old Soldiers only Watched The day is accounted with us for payment of Money between Sun and Sun but for Indictments of Murder the day is accounted from Midnight to Midnight and so are Fasting days and Festival days as Sundays c. I will now give you after this Digression some Examples which fully prove the Omnipotence the Wisdom and Mercy and some other Attributes of God The first shall be an Instance of three most famous Conjunctions which the Scripture relate and which are all worthily wonderfully wondred at the like shall never happen again all being occasioned by the second Person of the Blessed Trinity his assuming Humanity which is a mystery wonderfully singular and singularly wonderful even to that degree that the very Angels saw it with Amazement The first Conjunction is of God and Man in Christ The second of a Mother and a Virgin in the Blessed Virgin Mary The third of Faith and the heart of Ma● in every Christian who truly Believe that a Virgin brought forth and became a Mother and though ● Mother yet that she notwithstanding remain'd a Virgin Another instance is God's fourfold bringing forth of Man as Learned Anselmus a holy Bishop of Canterb●ry Notes First he brought forth Man without the help either of Man or Woman in Creating Adam Secondly a Woman out of Man without the help of a Woman in making Eve Thirdly By the help of Man and Woman seen in the natural Production of Man Fourthly and lastly

Blind or both but let such Rich men remember that if they would be partakers with the Poor in Heaven they must let the Poor partake with them of their good things on Earth for to feed the Poor cloath the Naked relieve Prisoners is the same as if such works of Mercy were done to Christ. The safest way of laying up Treasure is thus to make a Store-house of Heaven which at last day will afford no less than a Crown of Glory Make O Lord the way pleasant to me that leads to such an End 't is no matter what Raggs or Colours I wear with Men so I may walk with my Saviour in White and Reign with him in Glory Luk. 13.3 We must Love o●e another which is the very distinguishing mark of a Disciple of Christ as Malice Hatred and Revenge are the badges of an Antichristian Mind We must in all things be reform'd from the Evil of our ways especially from our neglecting God's Service and the Duties we owe to him nor must we be remiss in our Duties to our King to our Co●ntry and to our Neighbours if we be we may fall short of our glorious Expectations Indeed all Ordinances of God are as it were the very face of God and they who worship him therein do solemnly ●ppear before him therefore at such Seasons all Men are Bound to be holy and recollected especially Ministers when they Read or Preach God's Word God requires an exactness of Deportment of them in his Courts and 't is no wonder for do but observ● under the Law how choice he was about all thing● relating to his Worship The Tabernacle was mad● of th● best Wood purest Gold and finest Linnen In short every part of it was done according to God'● Prescription and Order Such as offer Sacrifice mus● be without Blemish God expects to be serv'd b● holy Men in the purest and holyest Manner pur● must be the Person and pure the Performance fo● Men carry the Temple of God about them and therefore ought to keep their Hearts and Spirits clean fo● the Reception of God ought they not then to b● very watchful over themselves when they are abou● Religious Duties esp●cially those whose duty it is to lead and enlighten others to obtain the Peace of God and Everlasting Rest But I 'le pursue this Subject no farther least I should too much r●semble a Sheep that leaps out of the Fold to lead the Shedheard I know well every one has his Infirmity the Green-sickness is the Maids and Covetousness the Disease of some Teachers who Preach up hospitality and other virtues to the People but will not go to the cost of putting their own Doctrine in Practice On the other hand every thing has its Virtue the Bee gathers Honey out of every stinking Weed and every Weed is of more value and use than to be thrown on a Dunghill 'T is the Apostles advise That we do all things for the Edification of others hence those that can ought to Read the Script●res and other good Books while those that cannot ought attentively to give ear and lead their lives according as the Word directs see D●ut 6.11 And to incite the Minds of People to a more strict degree of Piety it would not be amiss for Ministers to Write or if there be enough already Written to buy some Books of Instructions according to Scripture Rules and give away once a year to their Parishoners By this means the Sheep will know the voice of their Shepherd from the howling of devouring Wolves and also to keep them from wandring from Christs Fold and runing astray after Novelties thro' the Wilderness of this World of Errors I know there are many well-meaning People who make a Co●science of their doings and are free from the folly of those that run to several places that are not tost with every wind of Doctrine as those commonly are that like any Preacher better than their own whom God by his Providence hath set over them These would willingly Read what was thus given ●hem by their own Shepherd or Pasture nay some of the other fickle headed Men would also Read their Pastors gift purely out of Curiosity this I say would be a ready way to lead them to the house of the true Shepherd I mean not where Christ was Born at Bethlehem to Sing Gloria in excelsis but where Christ now is at God's Right Hand interceeding for all his Servants 'T is chiefly the Ministers Office to take care of Christs Flock who have the Power of the Keys the Power to remit Sins by teaching the Truth of Christs Word and daily Administring the Sacraments left as Conduit-pipes to convey his Grace to our hearts the doing of which being omitted by Preachers is the retaining of Men in their Sins for if Men be so wicked that they will not ●elieve in Christ Crucified after he hath been Preach'd unto them then their Sins are retained and the Truth is not in them Good Ministers have the Keys to open and shut Heaven by Preaching and Administring the Sacraments to their Flock all that truly Believe in Gods Word which is the only Rule we ought to follow shall undoubtedly be Saved It is not every one that can Pray or Preach hath Power to remit Sins no it is the Undefiled Faithful Godly Ministers who lead their lives answerable to the true Doctrine deliver'd in God's Word that can do it they open and shut Heaven as many good Prophets did by pouring out their fervent Prayers to God Almighty do perform great things One by Prayer staid the course of the Sun another by Prayer put it back and when the Clouds withheld from Raining three Years a third offer'd up his Prayers to Heaven for Rain and God was pleased to send dow● Rain to refresh the Earth that all things grew and great Plenty of all things made glad the he●rt of Man These instances make it appear what I before asserted and that Man has power with God to Theologize Astrology that is to put by or prevent by Prayers offer'd up to God what the Stars foreshew to Ensue by the Phaenomena's whereof Astrologers were wont to deter and frighten People from doing ill Let us fear God obey his Commands and Love one another and believe in his Word who promised that whatsoever his true and faithful Ministers should ask in his Name should if necessary be granted according to that gracious saying in the Holy Writ That ● what time soever a Sinner doth Repent of his Sins he shall have Pardon with this Proviso he become a New Creature by the amendment of his Life such may come in favour with Christ the head Shepherd of Souls who makes intercession with his Father for all those that Believe in him and observe his Commandments And now to comprise all in a little remember our Saviours great Commandment which was Tha● you Love one another and whatsoever you would that Men should do unto you that do you

unto them for this is the Law and the Prophets by the due observation of these words we may obtain the Peace of God which passeth all Vnderstanding Now to be out of Peace with God is sad and deplorable beyond the Power of words to express Humanity makes us justly grieve at the loss of a Friend a good Neighbour a loving Wife kind Husband or obedient Child These are indeed great losses but ought to be moderately Lamented but the loss of Christ is so great that no Sorrow is sufficient to set forth the sadness of such a State Other afflictions as to see Christian Families scatter'd by the violence of some grievous Visitation is to be Lamented but is capable of a Comfort from the hopes we have of a gracions meeting with ample retributions in Christ but the very thoughts of being out of God's favour is enough to shut the door against all Consolation did not his Goodness promise That at what time soever a Sinner repents and turns from his wickedness he would receive him with stretch'd forth Arms of Mercy Therefore let us timely grieve for our Sins and take care never to offend him who is able to cast Soul and Body into Hell and Christ will as when he heard Mary weeping at the Sepulcher no longer absent himself Mary said Christ she answered Rabbi then her heart full of Love and Joy cleaved to him her Arms circled him about and she hears that Golden Message Go to my Brethren and tell them I go to my Father and to your Father Thus were her Sorrows turned into Joy and Gladness No Christian 't is observ'd rises so high in Divine Consolation as he that is lowest cast down in Evangelical Humiliation Mary was a great Mourner we seldom have a view of her in Scripture without Dew on her Face and Tears in her Eyes Luk. 7.38 and 23 27. Ioh. 19.25 and 20.11.15 And she had the special honour and favour to see her Lord even our Blessed Redeemer before all others in the very Ingress as I may call it of his Exaltation for he appeared first to Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seven Devils Mark 16.9 As Mary had sinned greatly so she sorrowed greatly which sorrow you see was of great value with God Peter wept bitterly therefore Christ took care to bind up his broken heart by pouring the saving oyl of Repentance into his Wounded Conscience Nay he 's prefer'd too for when a Messenger is dispatch'● from Heaven to acquaint the World with the joyful News of its Saviours Resurrection no Name is particularly mention'd in his Commission but Peters●punc Go your way saith the Angel to the two Women and tell his Disciples and Peter that he is Risen and goeth before you into Galilee there they shall see him Now Peter was in an Afflicted condition because he had forSworn Christ least Christ should forget him but lo his Penitent Tears had so Reconciled him to Christ that our Saviour ordered That if but one in the World besides the two Women at the Sepulchre had notice of his Resurrection Penitent and Weeping Peter should be the Person O! the powerful Rhetorick of unfeigned Tears Repentance hath more prevalency with God than all the Riches costly Robes Crowns and Diadems of the greatest Potentates in the World True Repentanc● is an aversion from Sin If they saith the Lord will humble themselves and turn from their Evil ways God will have Mercy on them 2 Cor. 7.14 We are so subject to Sin to Offend to Err and to conceive a miss of God that we all stand in need of Council and of props to help us The general misery of Mankind is threefold we are easie to be Seduced almost unable to do Well and weak to Resist for if we would discern between Good and Evil we are deceiv'd in doing good we quickly faint and our greatest endeavours to resist Evil are not so strong but that we are easily overcome The consideration of this frailty of our corrupt Nature made our Saviour Christ graciously to admonish his Disciples saying Watch and Pray least you enter into Temptation What shall I say of the Tyranny of the Mighty of the Misery of the Poor of the abundance of Wickedness and of the spreading Contagion of Heresies all which by variety of Methods draw or fright us from our Duties Can I say better than what Nestro did to his Children Pray for unless God help us we all Perish Finally the fear of Perishing the shortness and uncertainty of Life and the suddenness of Christs Coming his Justice in Judging and many other Reasons should one would think make us not lightly over-pass and neglect his Divine Service and Commands for what availeth it here to abound in Wealth excell in Honours and have all that the Vanity of our desires prompts us to Covet if when Christ shall come we are found unready and so lose our precious Souls Mat. 16.26 Happy therefore is that Servant whom the Lord at his coming shall find Watching and Praying expecting the Bridgroom with the oyl of Faith in his Heart Mat. 25.4 and 24.25.10 Be therefore constant in the Duties of Watching and Prayer for all will be excluded the Presence of our Lord who are found in them negligent With I ●now you not Mark 13.33 Colos. 4.2 Watch and Pray continue in Prayer and Thanksgiving Luk. 11.19 Ioh. 6.23 There were never wanting powerful Motives to stir up the faithful to daily Prayer but I perswade my self it was never more nee●ful than now in this last and as I may call it old Age of the Doating world wherein there do's more grievous and woful Wickedness Reign than ever heretofore Hence it may ye fear'd that in the Church will arise more horrible Heresies and in Common-wealths more miserable Confusions than ever did except these impending Evils be averted by daily and fervent Prayer The Fountain of all true Wisdom and Learning God the Father of Mercy continue amongst us for his Sons sake the purity of his Word and the light of the Gospel may he encrease the study of Virtue maintain Peace and Concord in his Church stimulate our desires continually to advance his Glory both in Deed and Word and to keep his Commandments to the utmost of our Power that living always in his Fear we may Die in his Favour and rise again to Everlasting Blessedness with him to Reign for all Eternity Amen Of Prayer and Meditation I May call the following Meditations Divine pa●●ly because they are of Divine matters and concern the Glory of God and partly because they are taken out of the pure Fountain of Divine Truth the Scriptures and partly because they are collected in part out of the Writings of several Eminent Divines whose Volumes are too big and of too great a price to be in the hands of many Pious people They are in a word such as are not to be found in common Authors As to the necessity of the Duty of Prayer