his service as the Ox and Ass â—or ours when he pleased without making any question or dispute concerning it yet he leaves us to our Liberty But how doth he resent it when freely offered and given up unto him Thus saith the Lord I remember thee the kindâ—ess of thy Youth Jer. 2. 2. see Hos 11. 1. 2. Chron. 34. 3. Mark 10. 21. These are written for the Exhortation and Encouragement of all to come betimes for God hath a pecâ—liar Favour and doth take notice of them â—or only doing that which is the duty of all to do To follow after him that is the guidâ— of our youth Jer. 3. 4. The nature of the Christian warfare and state of its Enemies require the chief time of Life to encounter with them When he is Listed at Baptism he takes an Oath to fight manfully against the World the Fle 〈…〉 the Devil The latter is most maliciously set against us Rev. 12. 12. 1 Pet. 5. 8. whom we must Resist stedfast in the Faith by this Shield we shall be able to quenâ—â—h all the siery Darts of the Wicked Eph. 6. 16. The Angel of the bottomless Pit is often transformed into an Angel of Light yet if we are so happy As from Childhood to have known the Scriptures which are able to make wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3. 14 15. We shall not be ignorant of his devices noâ— be beguiled through his subtilty Resist the Devil and he will flee from you Jam. 4. 7. This subdued the next is our own dear sâ—lf for though none ever hated his own Flesh but loves and cherishes it yet that when too much cockered and luxuriant turns our Enemy When Blood runs warm in the veins the Sences quick and brisk that is rampant and would get Dominion over us The Commands are directed accordingly Flee youthful Lusts 2 Tim. 2. 22. If ye live after the Flesh ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortifie the deeds of the Body ye shall live Rom. 8. 13. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not Provision for the Flesh to fulfil the Lust thereof Rom. 13. 14. When overmuch fuel is taken away the fire will do no hurt but serve only for its necessary use Another Enemy is the World which with its pomp and glittering is apt to deceive new and tender minds but if they be seasoned with the Love of God and Knowledge of his Word particularly what is written Jam. 4. 4. 1 John 2. 14 15 16 17. 1 John 5. 4. this will cast out the love of the World Faith overcomes it clearly for what this assures of doth so infinitely exceed Wordly Greatness and Glory that they cannot hold due competition with the heavenly manifest Sence sheweth that we are but Sojourners here and have no continuing City Faith â—eeks one to come so we will hold no correspondence with what we are now in then as furnishing conveniencies for not to hinder ouâ— Journey All these Foes are more dangerous because they assault in the disguise of Friends making a shew of Happiness but deceive into Misery and do most strongly tempt in our inconstant Age. They act subtilly taking advantage of want of a through and perfect Understanding But fore warned and fore-armed Wherewithall shall a young Man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy Word Ps 119. 9. Which discovers the snare laid for him and he may avoid it in the mid'st of his career if he can duly stop or turn aside I have more understanding then my Teachers because I have learnt thy Word Every thing done in the World is with intention and desire after good and that lays down certain directions for Happiness and avoiding Misery so this kind is most profitable If God did no more regard the Iniquities of Youth then Childhood its Vanities were more allowable as the effect of Mirth and Lightness but there is not the same reason for both Children have no Knowledge between good and evil Deut. 1. 39. but Youth hath or may have which is the same thing God expects when we know his Will we should do it otherwise we Sin and are liable to his Indignation It would be impertinent for the Psalmist to cry out O Lord remember not the Sins of my Youth Ps 25. 7. If God would never have imputed them And Righteous Job would have falsly expostulated Thou writest bitter things against me and makest me to possess the Iniquities of my Youth Job 13. 26. so Jer. 31. 19. The just Judge of all the earth calls to account for those Transgressions as of succeeding years Good Men have been guilty of some Extravagancies at that time of Life which are not written for presumption and licence to Sin but for the Hope and Comfort of those who Repent as they did and for those who are not yet defiled with Wickedness to keep their innocency By their Examples it appears that however sweet in commission yet they are exceeding bitter in remembrance Many secret heavy doubtful and disturbed Thoughts did arise as often as they did look back upon them the pleasure whereof was vanished as if it had never been All things considered he consults most for Gods Glory and is wisest for his own Peace who remembers his Creator in the days of his Youth It is said A young Saint an old Devil Which pestilent Proverb sprange frome him the Father of Lies who will suffer himself to be abused for the advancement of his own Kingdom There can be no suspition or danger in the word of Truth which requires To bring up Children in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord Ep. 6 4. The wise Man renders a Reason for it Prov. 22. 6. This Age will gadly receive the imprâ—ssions of good which are as acceptable as those of Sin and Evil. If they grow up and consent with them they become more customary natural and delightful then unlawful Pleasures are to others The sincerity of Youth tasts of the good Word of God and powers of the World to come which have their due influence on such a mind The simplicity thereof doth highly approve the works of Righteousness which cannot be otherwise thought of except by Corruption and Wrong Would God these youthful qualifications might be still retained which in these and other instances are very advantageous for the things pertaining to him This the Enemy of mankind knows though he doth cunningly whisper to the contrary for he uses endeavour to get the first Possession into our Hearts He will try to hinder our Sons from being As Plants growing up in their Youth And as far as the divine permission extends will graft into tender Stocks the wild Olive-Tree that it may become fruitless hewn down and cast into the fire He shews forth many alluring baits and fair promises to beguil foolish nature to himself If he gets young Souls he hath half done his work When he hath them in invincible clutches he instils a dislike of
is endâ—ed with real Wisdom cannot take pleasure in Fools Mirth or an idle Jest Who are passed over the festivities of Childhood and Youth cannot still shew themselves transported with Vanities Who have seen and fully observed the same heretofore are not to be admired if not lifted up with little Novelties Whose Conversation is in Heaven and their Affections on things above shall they be blamed if knowing the difference and they do not shew forth the like rejoycing at the common Accidents and little things here below Who do not resort to Drink and Company to cheer up their Spirits or still the Disorder within for they are in a right frame already The Sea within is smooth and like a molten Looking Glass where they can reflect and be satisfied with their inward likeness It is Impertinent if not Sinful to disswade them from Holy things who delight therein As long as they can go on in such a course all their days let them do as much as Gods Grace shall direct rhem Another knoweth not what Comfort they find therein how they have their Body in subjection and to what a measure of Love and Spirituality they are arrived So they may do those Acts without tiring which others cannot now that are not yet so far attained but may attain The Scripture makes frequent mention of those who do not enough for Heaven but nothing against them who do too much for there is no danger of exceeding That particularly lays down all things necessary and relating to Mans Salvation and also speaks of his temporal Happiness in Subordination to that yet there is not one word mentioned concerning Religious Melancholy or Mopishness Without question there were some in the days of the inspired Writers whose Conversation was obnoxious to that Character as now What the World calls Melancholy in Scripture Phrase is Sorrow and to that somewhat is said by way of Comfort but it was to be in God not to take people off nor to have recourse to those Arts as Sinners do The best way of solving Fears Scruples and Disquiet is to give a people a right understanding of them but let none resort to the Pleasures of Sin and idle Company which increase but not cure them We read of the Temptations and Devices of Satan Spiritual Desertions Ignorance intervening Sins and Infirmities which cause Vexation and Trouble but nothing of illness of Blood or Bodily Constitution there is no intimation of this in Holy Writ But it is the Opinion of late Physitians which hath been received so far by Divines that to improve this notion of Melancholy a little further and the other of Enthusiasm would be the ready and effectual way to cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us Isa 30. 11. For let all regrets of Conscience pass for Melancholy and the workings of Gods Spirit for Enthusiasum or â—aâ—cy inward Religion is in danger to be destroyed which is the most sensible Evidence of the Truth and certainty thereof That can never fail but the Knowledge thereof may be lost as several times already it hath near been but will not be so again because of the Promises of God which are near at hand even at the very door to be accomplished Is there then nothing in bodily Constitution Not so much as is pretended and that again may be altered The corruptible Body presseth down the Soul which is common to all and that difference of temper in particular persons which yet is not so much as commonly talked of serves for an Exercise and Tryal of the greater Vertue That the Soul may yet ascend and lift up it self And then the Power of Gods Grace and their complying with it can and doth actually change the natures of Men. That natural tendency and Seriousness was therefore put in them to move towards their right end And also finding no true Happiness here they are prompted to look out for one to come It is so ordered by the good God that all Mankind might be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth some more this way some another according to their Inclinations of Soul Body and Condition of Life One hath the Advantage in this thing another in that but some Degree of what is understood by the Word Melancholy is communicated to all Froâ—lick and Mirth are more incidental to Youth But there it is a striving against nature for if not supported by outward Helps and Objects it doth fall down into Seriousness so it is of riper Age. The great mistake is we observe many things without the reason of them All things tend to their Center and what is in Man moves towards his proper end which is doing the things for which God hath made him As the Fish on dry Land beats it self to Death because not in his own Element As the Turâ—le mourns away for want of her Companion there is an uneasiness even from very Childhood if not in some Action So if Man were kept away from God debarred from Company and always to be idle he would pine away in Sorrow which worketh Death before the time because there is such a strong Inclination in his nature to the first principally Ezek. 24. 23. and the others in subordination to him Although Wicked and Ungodly Men do pursue the two lesser ends yef forsaking the great Principal upon which the others should depend they are tormented for want of true Happiness all their Life long so that by reason of the weariness even they are willing to die The Righteous desire a more full Enjoyment of him whom they have known only by Faith and seen darkly Their Soul is athirst for God. When shall I come to appear before God they are more induced to long after it because of the Vain and imperfect state they are in here they do indee desire Immortality aâ—d shall have it The Wicked being conscious whom they have despised and forgotten they wish to Sleep for ever for they had rather so continue then awake and rise up to Punishment What a sad thing it is to be deceived and willingly ignorant of their proper End To be restless all the way and disappointed at last To live in a perpetual Violence and Contradiction to themselves to turn aside the Soul from its natural bent To keep her though in Pain and Displeasure from her Center and Rest and at length when she would have ascended upwards to sink into the Bottom as a Stone To have notrue Comfort and Satisfaction in the Light of the Living nor whilâ—t the days of Darkness draw on Now Consider this ye that forgeâ— God Whose Souls are yet in the Body Take away the weights of Sin that do clog and press down Remember the days past before habitual Sin and evil Habits came on to what did the Motions within aspire and prompt unto Before the Spirit was made unclean did it not soar up towards the Father of Spirits When it was not corrupted with Malice and
and know not what to say else it comes in after and only for want of other talk These act unworthily towards him who is most Great and Glorious So speak ye and so do as they that shall be judged by the Law of Liberty Jam. 2. 12 The rule of Action is the whole Scripture as it relates of Actions towards God our Neighbour all which may be judged of by Mat. 7. 12. and to our selves Gods Glory is to be the end of all 1. Cor. 10. 31. By his word all the Actions of mankind may be determined whether good or evil Where no Law is there is no Transgression Rom. 4. 15. And where there is either going contrary or leaving it undone is Sin. Eschew evil and do good is a comprehensive Command reaching to all our ways The example of our Lord Acts 10. 38. is obligatory to all according to their Capacity and Station to do what good they can whilst in the World to profit whom they are able but to hurt none Whether ye eat or drink or whatever you do Respect is to be had unto God for his Government extends over the whole Man even the thoughts and intents of the Heart All the faculties of Soul and Members of Body are to be made instruments of Righteousness unto Holiness which were before instruments of Sin unto Iniquity This is a blessed change which every one would have if he did throughly understand the true worth thereof but an Enemy doth hinder whom the Captain of our Salvation would enable to resist if he would follow the directions and use the Power given him He prompts and inclines when the other doth beat off The Temptation is near the same with our Lords invitation who promises rest the other makes a proposal and offer of Happiness If the poor Man is overcome by cunning perswasions then he is held Captive he hath leave for a while to intoxicate himself with Pleasures that he may not be sensible of his enslaved condition Outward objects are provided to divert him from looking within by these as Children with Toys the Soul is deluded some time but at length grows weary He finds no real satisfaction in any thing he knows not what to do Conscience will move him towards Repentance Then comes the evil one to affright him from considering of his ways If the evil spirit is in danger to be cast out he doth foam and rage the possest is in as great a combustion as if he were cast into the Fire and therefore some fearful Souls will rather endure the Bondage still then bear the trouble of driving it out like silly Patients die of their Sores rather then suffer them to be searched to the bottom But there are others who dare grapple with this power of darkness Fasting and Prayer are excellent Weapons the Soul being freed from the clog of Meat and Drink is more strong and vigorous so fitter for the Combate by the latter he is called to assistance Who for this purpose was manifest in the Flesh that he might destroy the works of â—â—e Devil 1. John. 3. 8. When the strong holds of Sin are pulled down the Enemies turned out the Conqueror will succeed in the room Christ dwell in him and he in Christ If a Man love me he will keep my Words and my Father will love him and we will come unto him and make our ahode with him John 14. 23. If he know when he is well he will endeavour to continue so not admitting of any Sin least bâ— the â—ilthy smoke thereof he should offend and cause to go away the undefiled one of God who holds his Soul in Peace and Blessedness This condition any one may arrive at through the Grace that came by Jesus Christ A Prize is put into our hands which if we have the heart to use the means we shall certainly obtain It is no great matter only to obey the Gospel which is what a wise Man could choose to do if no recompence of reward was to be revealed hereafter for such true satisfaction which nothing else can give arises to the mind through well doing that this alone is sufficient motive There is more sincere Pleasure in abstaining from evil thoughts then yielding to them the mind is serene and clear and meditation of good things is sutable to its nature hath neither Shame nor Repentance following it What are called common and indifferent things they do equally divert as what are sinful and strange To speak the truth is natural there is no difficulty and trouble to find out evasions or avoid self-contradiction There is no danger for him to be entangled in his talk who speaks nothing but truth for that is consonant to it self Lying is shameful and hated who are addicted to it would not be accounted so it is odious in the opinion of the worst of Men. Slandering Flattery and other Sins of the Tongue are abominated by all that have but common nature and ingenuity As for vain Swearing those who use it will acknowledge there is no Pleasure nor Profit yea but there is â—ashion and Custom 'T is strange that one is not reputed a compleat Gentleman unless he affront his Maker nor a Souldier without bidding defiance to the Lord of Host Doth it souâ—d great and majestick But how improper is it for a Worm of five or six foot long to use it against the express Command of him describâ—d Isa 40. 12 15 17 22. And who hath said which he hath also fulfilled in fore-going Generations I will cause the arrogancy of the Proud to cease and will lay low the Haughtinss of the Terrible Isa 13. 11. Did men really believe and consider his Infinite Greatness Power and Truth who hath affirmed he will not hold them guiltless that take his Name in vain they would not do it so often upon the meerest trifies If they are such Fools to say in their Heart there is no God Why are they yet greater to take that in their Mouths which in their imagiâ—ation is nothing But his Being is as true as that there is a World and any thing in it more certaiâ— then that they live for he was before and so remains notwithstanding all their silly fancies Themselves will find there is a God that judgeth the Earth and when he cometh Every one that Sweareth shall be cut off as on that side Zech. 5. 13. They are the more inexcusable because they have so little Temptation to this Sin the commonness whereof seems to be imputed to that perverse humour of some who will therefore do it because God hath forbidden it Be not Merciful to any wicked Transgressors Psal 59. 5. Perjury is Infamous amongst all Nations some have thought no punishment too severe for it God is highly provoked and dishonoured the forsworn Wretch as far as lieth in his power makes him an Instrument and Partner to his own deceit and malice As if the fountain of Truth were false as himself he calls
was real now he discovers it to be empty and vain and therefore concludes the like of what is more told him Not throughly considering this is a strong evidence of the truth of God's Word which before acquainted as he did hear somewhat of the Vanity Deceitfulness Unfruitfulness of those things And then he would not believe but now that is found true by his own experience Why then may it not be supposed to be true when it speaks further of the continuance greatness and substance of things hoped for If it is fulfilled in the less why shall it not also be in the greater If in things present why not in things to come If I have told you Earthly things and ye believe not how shall ye believe if I tell you of Heavenly things John 3. 12. But it is experienced by all what the Word speaks of the fiction and falshood of some things so it is reasonable to give regard when it declares the truth and reality of others It is to be feared and he is in time to be forewarned thereof least he be found a Fool in this as in former things to know them only by after wit and experience As he discerns not the Vanity and Delusion of Youth till that is over so not to learn the things proper for a Man till that is past nor the things of eternity till he is let into it which is sad for an error here is without remedy It is foolishness in an old Man to say O that I had done thus and thus in times of Youth or Manhood when he might have done them then and now they are past and irrecoverable It is just the very same as to those things also unto which through the Grace of God we endeavour to perswade Men. And therefore suffer your selves to be put in mind you are come to perfect understanding judge of what is said It is a deceivable and lying consequence with which the Devil doth tempt people to unbelief towards their declining years that all things whatever are Vanity because they find it so of the things before them Every temptation if throughly considered makes against him for this confirms that all things indeed are so as affirmed in Scripture So they are not to be taken up as a reserve but to be surely believed they are not to be looked upon as conjectural notions of happiness but to be most faithful and true worthy to be trusted unto if we had ten thousand lives to be ventured upon them or so much hope and desire proportionable to them The inspiration of God makes known the deceitfulness of all fansied good here That speaks of every thing according to its very nature either in express words or just consequence which belong to mankind from the greatest to the least except what may be known from our selves and the most common observation The more we know of the things of this World we less esteem them and thence it is that we every day more disrelish sensusual pleasures for they tiâ—e and the same hath been had before life grow tedious and irksome for the same returns over and over again and it is not satisfactory Even good fellowship is every day less admired and people grow more seâ—fish and shut up within themselves As for Money the Heathen Cicerâ— did reckon Covetousness in old Men an unaccountable thing to get the more provision the less journey they have to go but he did not so fully think of that this was cleaved unto as in the Prophets phrase the refuge of lies Isa 28. 17. the last of all Vanities Mens affections must be carried after something and where they apprehend all to be so they fix upon that which is only more substantial because they suppose less subject to Vanity but even here after they have laboured for it they are not satisfied When in any pain or troubled or towards the close of their days to reflect upon their Gold and Silver will not yield the least comfort it will rather enhance present misery because that cannot case them in time of need which they have faithfully served all their life before It would be sad if amidst so much Evil and Vanity such lies and delusion there was nothing to be found good and real truth and certainty But there is The Grass withereth the Flower fadeth but the Word of God shall stand for â—ver Isa 40. 8. That as aforementioned speaketh exactly of all things as they are which is a demonstration that what it saith further is true And then the work of righteousness is real and eternal To you of full Age the Word of Exhortation comes Exhortation Be not afraid to be happy here and hereafter Do not with regret flee from the wrath to come you are now warned And that knowing the time that now it is high time to awake out of sleep for Rom. 13. now is our Salvation nearer then when we believed You are nearer to Death and Immortality then ever you were yet The night is far spent the day is at hand A great deal of your life is gone and your dying day approacheth You are called upon to leave of your sins and disobedience least they deliver you over to the damnation of Hell. Will you not endeavour to avoid that who will do any thing to shun a temporal calamity You are not but God knows how soon you may if you continue in an hard impenitent heart cast down into the everlasting Dungeon the place of utter Darkness Is it irksome to read these lines It will be much more intolerable to suffer the truth of them and they are only laid before you that you may be put in mind and so escape The Father of Spirits calls upon you Turn and live for why will you die God would have you all to be saved you are adjured in his name to leave of walking in the way to destruction despise not his loving invitation O that my people had hearkened unto me and Israel had walked in my ways Ps 81. 13. When they are râ—bellious and disobedient it goes against him to punish them How shall I give thee up Ephraim How shall I deliver thee Israel How shall I make thee as Admah my heart is turned within me my repentings are kindled together Hos 11. 8. This same God who is here described as if he did earn with bowels of Compassion yet if People set at naught his Counsel and will have none of his Reproof he speaks to them in another manner When your fear cometh as desolation when Destruction and Anguish cometh upon you Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they sball seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1. 27 28. Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith To day if ye will hear his voice harden not your Hearts Hâ—b 3. 7 8. Is he not worthy of a present Answer All People must grant that but the Thoughts of some in the depth of their
greater care against those which are not seen but revealed by that God who cannot lie to be mucâ— more terrible then what we now see and endure It would be endless to trace out all wicked Mens Actions for having run from the way everlasting they are gone into many By-paths and wandâ—ings but leaving these we may at last bring them aâ—â— up to these two heads of Pride and Fear which might easily be altered into Hope of Eternal Life and Fear of the Wrath to come Then they would be converted and become Christians However at present they esteem the Actions of those foolish and ridâ—culous yet in this they condemn themselves for they act after the very same manner in reference to the things of this life as the others to that which is to come We are all Men still and though our Actions dâ—ffer as Heaven from Earth yet they all at first spring from the same common Principles Are the Men of this World willing to be happy So are we Are they afraid to be Miserable So are we But then they look only for the present time and we do the same taking in also that which is to come They mind the things of the Earth we think of them as much as they are worthy of and have our conversation in Heaven All their devices perish in the using their endeavours after Happiness lie in present enjoyments which cease and come to nothing whilst they are had their preventives of misery are only stupefactions to make them unmindful of that for a Moment of which they are to be sensible for evermore The time of Hardening and the day of Provocation passeth away and they haste to come into his power against whom they have behaved themselves Rebelliously and Contemptuously All their safety consists in their hands in the days of their flesh and that only because God is pleased not to interpose which he might if he would but ordinarily doth not till towards the Conclusion of their space of wickedness There is but poor protection in it we see the whole in this life a little Worldly prosperity and sensual Pleasure is all they must ever trust unto And this mixt with so many Fears Disquiets and Miseries that it is not worthy to be accounted of as also it flyeth so quick and will stand in no stead â—â—e days past are the same as if they had not been at all the present slips between their fingers every minute some of the gratifâ—ings of the flesh are lost and the fewer remain behind Which will be catcht at and pass away in the same manner then cometh the end when they shall be bereaved of all when their merry life as they called it but did not find it so just like a sleep when one awaketh every now and then disturbedly but when they have slept out their sleep they have found nothing that will avail them in the only time of need We have looked upon the Fears of Men in the midst of life Of the Fear of Death We have seen how they behave themselves when they are lusty and strong We have heard their disdainful Talk and proud Boasting which in some measure hath been detected of Hypocrisie and Falshood What are their Thoughts and Provision against Death either when it is afar off or it approacheth nigh Now it is certain we do not nor before enter upon meer Words but reality for all the living know they must die and every one is sensibly frightened with the apprehension thereof Bildad stiles it the King of Terrors Job 18. 14. As such it possesses the minds of all Men at first this is not denyed And the other also would be no controversie unless contrary practise did make it doubtful Whether Wickedness or Obedience is the best preservation against the Fear and Danger of Death If it be made evident for the latter the same conclusion again follows that Religion tends necessarily to the Happiness and Safety of Mankind In Truth this point is most worthy of Observation and insisting upon for though we are so much taken up with present things we snatch at all Ease and Pleasure and decline every little pain or Vexation yet Worldly Happiness or Misery is not much to be valued seeing the best which happens here will never make one truly Happy nor the worst Miserable It so soon passeth away whatever delights or disquiets Nothing is so good here as to be truly desirable Nothing so bad but what can be endured There is little difference whether we have a Calm and Smooth Voyage or are tossed to and fro with Tempests but the only thing to be minded and care taken for is where we set a shore on the land of Eternity for here we have no continuing City Heb. 13. 14. One Generation cometh and another goeth Those that were before us are gone we living drop away now one and then another the people which shall â—e born they shall die inâ—ike manner This we know though we do not so much consider of as we should we are all concerned in it though too many are unmindful Wise and Foolish comprehend all Mankind so they may be distinguished and known by this one thing for nothing is so worthy of the concern and regard of a wise Man as death is It is prudence to keep off and provide against all evils and if the World calls those wise who are so busied about Toyes and Trifles about the attainment of every little good and avoiding of every little evil much more is he who doth the same as to the greater If every one is diligently employed how it fares with him now so doth an understanding Man look about what shall become of him after this vain short and uncertain life is ended In this great matter there are two designs in the World the one is to drive out the thoughts of Death as much as they can to be unmindful of their dying day that it is grown into a Proverb till it is upon them and so they go away when their time comes The second is of them who both pray and also put in practise So teach us to number our Days that we may apply our hearts to Wisdom Psal 90. 12. Which of the twain is most wise and happy in their way may be a little cleared The reason of the first manner of doing is because the thoughts of Death are Melancholy and Uncomfortable so they think they do well to be rid thereof Amidst their jovialties sometimes a word or accident puts them in mind they shall die which raises an inward damp I know there are many sayings and sentences concerning Death in a Ludicrous and Ignorant way But this talk doth likewise proceed from the same reason as one is of vaiâ— Swearing by commonness of Speech to take off the dread buâ— still they â—eaâ— it may be otherwise They have not so much courage as â—he Epicures of Old who would have a Skull or Sceleton brought up to their
and there spring up the Fruits of the Spirit That the Soul may be renewed according to its first Creation from whence it was fallen But now it is to be restored to the likeness of God and become partaker of the Divine Nature The old corruption may be in a great measure taken away or subdued the seeds of good may be cherished and grow up into acts and habits of doing well Were Men assured the things of God were for their Happiness they would be for them they are indeed called the things that belong to our Peace but that is hereafter they make a promise of safety when no danger is seen but now they seem to trouble and disquiet Much hath been said already as to every part of this surmise And what if the carnal Man should be gratified yet further and it could be made probable unto him yea clearly evidenced if he would try what is here affirmed that they are for our present good also Let him ask those who have had experience of the Way of the Lord who have trodden the Path of Peace If they be thought partial Judges in their own Case let him enquire from himself or others of the way of Sin and Wickedness He can find nothing from those who have been throughly practised therein but outward Smiles for they can give no true Commendation but Silence sad Wishes Hypocritical Looks do betray their inward dislike and sorrow of heart The open Testimony and Acknowledgment of the first concerning the excellency of his the others feigned Laughter deep Silence or vain drol-Drollery would weigh somewhat with a Wise Man concerning the Goodness of the one and Suspicion of the other They have various and different Effects in the Persons of Men but if moreover he would diligently examine the Nature and Reason of things and find them accordingly If they are both the same in Speculation and also in Practise for these go together in things Divine when they are rightly understood and univerversally complyed withal What can be more desired for the full Satisfaction of a prudent and considering Man If he sees others already at Peace who have went the same way and also can be justified from the very thing And further might be seen felt and understood within himself if he would make a through experience and continue it for some time What is for our Good Peace and Benefit hath a shew at first of Evil disturbance and inconvenience this frightens the Foolish Nature of Man who doth not perceive what is hidden under the different disguises of things The meer outside and covering is the least but thought should be had to what is substantial and within In short Good is Happiness and Sin is Misery the more a Man hath of the one and less of the other so he hath the blessed Effects and is freed from Vexation Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is born of God 1 John 3. 9. And then he hath not disturbance nor Restlessness of mind neither is he in danger of the Punishment to come In Truth we do many times disquiet our selves in vain being vexed for and desiring we know not what But this proceeds from the evil of Ignorance a want of understanding the Nature of things which would take away all this Misery A right understanding puts upon diligence and endeavour to provide our selves so as to keep off the Evil and obtain the Good set before us And we are not perplexed with those common things which either do not at all or not much concern us What Solomon saith In much Wisdom is much Grief and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth Sorrow Eccles 1. 8. That is When it is only confined to the things before us and of this Life for then it quickens the Resentment of Miseries here and finds out no Remedy But if extended further as the Excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord doth there it mitigates the Vanity and Vexation of the present by hope of better things hereafter satisfies of our imperfect State in order to being made Perfect and prompts to the doing of all things to make that sure unto our selves A little smattering of knowledge makes more miserable but if throughly improved and stretched out to its due pitch of Gospel Revelation the succeeding Eternity and as it enters within the Vail there it is a necessary help and if throughly complyed withal it will secure us of the blessed End. The first Man is of the Earth Earthly the second Man is the Lord from Heaven As is the Earthly such are they also that are Earthy and as is the Heavenly such are they also that are Heavenly 1 Cor. 15. 47 48. As Man was made in the image of God which was chiefly in Holiness and good upon his Soul from which he by Transgression fell So when he is born again he is transformed into the Likeness of his Creator Whilst on Earth he ascends as it were into Heaven the place of perfect Felicity as this is an intermixture and imperfection of both that below is of deplorable and absolute Misery The utmost Happiness which only arises from the things here makes the Soul cleave unto the Ground and at last sinks into the lowest Hell but the true as it came down ascends again Like Stocks planted by our Heavenly Father which are grafted and shoot forth into Trees of Immortality What is begun here God is pleased to add that it may grow till it reaches above the Clouds and is perfected in the Regions of Bliss The one is Earthly Sensual and Devillish expressed in its three Degrees of sinking till it comes to the lowest But the VVisdom that is from above is first pure then Peaceable Gentle and easie to be intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie And the Fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace of them that make Peace Jam. 3. 15 17 18. In the time of imperfection here we begin to lay a Foundation which will be builded on and made consummate in the Heavens Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Mat. 5. 48. As he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1. 15. And every Man that hath his hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure 1 John 3. 3. We are sincerely according to the Grace and Power given us to imitate him in all his Communicable Attributes and Excellencies All our Happiness should tend upwards or otherwise it is a vain shew and deceit for assuredly as we hope that we might be Partakers of his Holiness so we must expect to be Happy as he is Happy It was an excellent Act of the Old Heathens to the shame of Christians who seek for boasting in taking upon them the Name of Philosophers that is Lovers of Wisdom for they said truly none but