and manifested his will in his word that we might certainly know his will Wherefore God hath not only delivered legal promises which have annexed a condition of perfect obedience and are therefore made unprofitable to us but also Gospel promises which are free that we might rely on them with firm trust of heart Therefore it is of faith by grace saith the Apostle Rom. 4.16 that the promise might be sure Mens promises are uncertain and doubtful because all men are liars Psal 116.11 but the promises of God are sure and unmovable because God is truth it self As God is true in threatning so also in promising As out of Christ certain damnation abideth all unbelievers and impenitent persons so in Christ certain salvation is promised to all that turn to God and believe Cypr. serm 4. de mortal pag. 209. Dost thou doubt whether those things shall be that God hath promised who is true whose saying is eternal and firm to them that believe If a grave and laudable man should promise something thou wouldst believe him nor wouldst thou think thou shouldst be deceived by him whom thou knewest to stand to his word and be firm in his actings Now God speaketh with thee and dost thou unbelievingly fluctuate with a distrustful mind Observe moreover the firmness of Gods oath As I live saith the Lord I desire not the death of a sinner Ezech. 33.11 but that he should turn and live Verily verily I say unto you Joh. 5.25 saith Christ hethat heareth my saying and believeth in him that sent me hath eternal life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death to life Joh. 8.51 Verily verily I say unto you if a man keep my saying he shall never see death Aug. in Psalm 88. God hath said this he hath promised this if that be not enough he hath sworn it Therefore happy we for whose sake God swears Tertul. l. de poenit but most wretched we if we believe not God when he swears Acknowledge therefore the admirable and never enough praised mercy of God who willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability and immovableness of his counsel Heb. 6.17 vers 18. confirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things seeing it is impossible for God to lye we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us Want of due preparation Tempted All these things easily perswade me not to doubt of the firmness of Gods promises in themselves in the mean it is as yet uncertain whether they be so firm and immovable to me and whether I be in the number of them to whom God promises and offers so great things Comforter Yes because God pomiseth these things to all that truly repent and fly to Christ by faith 2 Cor. 4.13 therefore he hath also promised to thee seeing thou also believest in Christ Attend therefore further to the inward sealing of the holy Spirit For the Spirit witnesseth not only outward ly in the word but also inwardly in thy heart Rom. 8.16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with thy spirit that thou art the child 1 Cor. 2.12 yea and heir of God Thou hast received the Spirit which is of God that thou maist know the things that are freely given thee of God He that confirms and strengthens thee with all the truly Godly in Christ and he who hath anointed thee is God who hath sealed thee and given thee the earnest of the Spirit in thy heart Gal. 4.6 Because thou art the son of God therefore hath God sent forth the spirit of his son into thy heart crying Abba Father Believing the word of truth and the Gospel of salvation thou art sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 which is the earnest of thine inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession chap. 4.30 whereby thou art sealed unto the day of redemption As the Bridegroom who hath promised his spouse marriage giveth her some token for a pledge of their future marriage so God hath betrothed thee to him in faith he hath betrothed thee in mercy Hos 2.19 Rev. 19.7 but the marriage of the Lamb is not yet celebrated therefore he giveth thee the earnest of his Spirit to assure thee of the fulfilling of the promises and a future introducing of thee to the heavenly nuptials This is the spirit of adoption because he witnesseth thou art adopted to be a son of God this is that seal whereby the promises of God are sealed in thy heart this is the earnest by which the word of truth is confirmed to thee 1 Joh. 4.13 By this thou knowest that thou dwellest in God and God in thee because he hath given thee of his Spirit Doubting of the indwelling of the Spirit Tempted But whence can I be sure that my heart is the temple and dwelling of the holy Ghost The blots of sin stick to me and I perceive that in my flesh there dwelleth no good thing how then will the holy Spirit who is holiness and purity it self dwell in me Comforter We receive only the first-fruits of the Spirit in this life Rom. 8.23 we expect the full measure and compleat tenths at length in eternal life there remains in this life a striving of the flesh and spirit Rom. 7.14 we are yet in part carnal and sold under sin yet never the less by means of regeneration and renovation begun we are the temples of the holy Ghost Moreover that the Spirit of God dwelleth in thee thou maist know by this that thou lamentest and abhorrest thy sins Wisd 1.4 because the holy Spirit dwelleth not in a body enslaved to sins because thou believest in Christ and lovest him for he is the Spirit of faith 2 Cor. 4.13 Zach. 13.9 because with serious groanings thou callest upon God and the most bountiful Father for he is the spirit of grace and of prayers and cryeth in the hearts of the faithful Gal. 4.6 Abba Father because thou art led with a desire of all good for they that are the temples of the holy Spirit are led by him Rom. 8.14 namely unto good because thou oft perceivest a foretast of eternal life in thy heart and the kingdom of God is not meat and drink Rom. 14.17 but righteousness peace and joy in the holy Ghost Wherefore if thy soul hath felt at any time in the secret of its conscience the Spirit of the son crying Bern. in Cant. serm 8. col 509. Abba Father let it presume it is loved with a fatherly affection seeing it feels it self moved with the same Spirit wherewith the Son is In the Spirit of the son it knows it self the daughter of the Father and the Bride and sister of the son But though all these are sometimes weak and languid yet be not cast down but beg increase
thee that Christ thy treasure liveth Let the frame of heaven and earth perish flee pass away thou hast the most faithful promises of a new heaven and a new earth Isai 65.17 2 Pet. 3.12 Behold I create new heavens and a new earth saith the Lord in which shall dwell righteousness so that none any longer remembreth the former Rev. 21.1 Let the tabernacle of thy pilgrimage fall the mansion of the heavenly countrey abideth ever Nor is there any reason thou shouldst fear the accusation either of Satan or the Law or thy sins thy sins are thrown into the depth of the Sea namely into the abyss of Gods mercy God hath thrown them behind his back Mic. 7.19 Isai 38.17 Ezech. 18.24 so that he will remember them no more hereafter Satan believe me shall not fetch thy sins up out of the sea nor shall dare to bring them into the sight of the Judge Thy sins are * Psal 32.1 Psal 51.1 forgiven covered blotted out they shall not be brought again into judgement The Devil will in vain accuse the godly because the blotting out the hand-writing by the blood of Christ shall be turned to him Col. 2.14 His accusation for sin shall be to no purpose because the forgiveness made through Christ shall be alledged against him Vain shall be the accusation of the Law because in this life there preceded reconciliation with God through faith Lastly thou hast no reason to fear Christ's sudden coming again to judgment for though the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night 1 Thes 5.2 yet God hath not appointed us to wrath 9. but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ Who died for us 10. that whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him The judgment day is not to be feared by them for whom the heavenly kingdom was prepared from the beginning Mat. 25.34 Eph. 1.4 who were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world Commit therefore into the faithful hands of God the precious pledge of thy soul he will keep it in death and in judgement and he will introduce it being joyned to the body into the palace of heaven to everlasting glory A Prayer in Sickness HEar me O God thou giver and restorer of life in whose hands life and death health and sickness are Hear me not according to the desire of my will but according to the good pleasure of thine own will If thou wilt thou canst heal me say but one word and I shall be whole Thou art the length of my dayes in thy hands my lots are but if now thou call me to the heavenly country by the way of death first mortifie in me all inordinate love of this life give me strength of spirit that I may overcome the pangs of death and in the midst of the darkness of my dimm eyes kindle and encrease in me light of heart with thee is the well of true life and in thy light shall I see light Thy death O good Jesus is the remedy of my death and the merit of eternal life I embrace thy word with a faithful heart therefore I am sure that thou dwellest in my heart by faith I will not let thee go out of my heart until thou bless me and chear me with thy enlivening consolation Thou hast said He that believeth in me shall never die my heart presents this thy word before thee and with this faith I come to the throne of grace thou wilt not cast out nor reject him that cometh unto thee Let thy precious blood wash me from my sins let thy wounds hide me from the anger of God and the rigour of judgment I will die in thee thou shalt live in me I will abide in thee thou shalt abide in me thou wilt not leave me in death and dust but wilt raise me to the resurrection of life Thou hast fought and overcome for me fight now and overcome in me let thy strength be perfected in my weakness My soul cleaveth to thee I will not suffer my self to be plucked from thee Let thy peace that passeth all understanding keep my heart and senses into thy hands I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me thou God of truth Take my poor soul which thou hast created redeemed wash it from sins in thy blood sealed with the earnest of thy holy Spirit and fed with thy body and blood thine it is thou gavest it me take what is thine and remit the guilt of my sins wherewith I have stained it Let not the fruit of thy passion perish in me nor let thy precious blood be unfruitful in me O Lord in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded Amen FINIS THE Christians TRIUMPH Over DEATH With some Divine Contemplations Soliloquies and Poems thereupon LONDON Printed by Margaret White for Nath. Crouch 1679. THE Christians TRIUMPH Over DEATH CONTEMPLATIONS On 1 Cor. 15.55 Oh Death where is thy sting UPright Adam was made Immortal but sinful Adam begot all his sons mortal even as he had made himself Adam therefore is dead and all the sons of Adam do but live to die the sentence of death past upon us all in him we are born to see this sentence executed upon our selves and as Adam himself dyed the same day he sinned that is brought himself into a necessity of dying though as to the time of his death he was reprieved for nine hundred and thirty years after that day So we in Adam came under the same necessity though it be some thousands of years after before the sentence be executed upon us As a Malefactor is a dead man in Law at that instant when the sentence is pronounced against him though his execution be respited for some few days after So according to Gods law and decree we are all dead in Adams doom though it please God to prolong these days of ours wherein we must live to die according to his irrevocable doom A Malefactor is not executed sometimes one two three four five or six days after judgment past so likewise we were all adjudged to die before we were born but God with whom a thousand years is but as one day hath appointed the first second third fourth fifth or sixth thousand year of the world to be the day of our execution There is more necessity of our dying than of our being born It is not so necessary that he who is not should be as that he that now lives should once die the former may be supposed but the latter is fully expressed It is appointed for all men once to dye Heb. 9.27 There is alwayes a greater necessity of the end than the means death is the end of life not only in the execution of it but in the intention Morti nati sumus we are born to dye and we dye from the time we are born The day of our birth what is it but the beginning of the day
insubsistence of words pag. 43 Falling from the covenant of Baptism pag. 48 The uncertain reception into the covenant of Baptism pag. 52 The unworthy receiving of the Lords Supper pag. 57 Weakness of faith pag. 59 The not perceiving of faith pag. 62 An inability to believe pag. 65 The small number of good works pag. 67 Want of merits pag. 70 The accusation of the Law pag. 73 The accusing of conscience pag. 76 Late repentance pag. 78 Doubting of the grace of God pag. 81 Want of due preparation pag. 86 Doubting of the indwelling of the Spirit pag. 89 Doubting of perseverance pag. 94 Satans wiles and strength pag. 98 The falling away of many pag. 101 Doubting of being written in the book of life pag. 104 The fear of death pag. 107 The sting of death pag. 111 The pains of death pag. 117 Untimely death pag. 119 Services farther owing to the Church pag. 122 Short life brought upon ones self pag. 124 The love of this life pag. 127 Separation from wife children kindred pag. 131 Stopping of the ears in death pag. 134 The seeming unprofitableness of Redemption pag. 137 The horrour of dust pag. 139 The incredibility of the resurrection pag. 147 The flames of Purgatory pag. 153 The rigour of the last judgement pag. 156 A prayer in sickness pag. 164 To these are added The Christians Triumph over Death pag. 169 Divine Contemplations and Soliloquies upon Death and Eternity pag. 198 Divine Poems upon death pag. 217 Divine CONSOLATIONS Against the FEAR OF DEATH And the TEMPTATIONS befalling them that draw near thereto The forerunners of Death The Tempted I Am opprest with sickness 2 Cor. 1.9 the forerunner of Death and have received the sentence of death in my self I see I must leave this life than which nothing is more pleasant this world than which nothing is more adorned the house of this body than which nothing is more dear The Comforter Thou wast not created for this miserable and momentany but for a blessed and eternal life Wisd 2.23 for God made our first Parent without corruption to immortality Nor wast thou redeemed by Christ for this fading and toilsom but for that everlasting and most happy life in the heavens for it is a certain and undoubted saying That Jesus Christ came into the world 1 Tim. 1.15 to save sinners Neither wast thou called of the holy Spirit by the word to the kingdom of Christ that thou mightst live here a little while but that thou mightst pass from the kingdom of grace to the kingdom of glory from the Church Militant to that Triumphant from a valley of tears into a field of joy for if in this life only we believed in Christ and had hope 1 Cor. 15.19 we were of all men most miserable Wherefore seeing thou must be brought through the gate of death to that life for which thou wert created of the Father redeemed of the Son and for which thou hast been sanctified by the Spirit reject not I pray thee Luk. 7.30 the gracious counsel of God against thy self but readily obey God that calls upon thee Deaths Trident. Tempted The thoughts of Death affright me the dreadful shape of that enemy disturbs my mind it shows me its sting 1 Cor. 15.55 which is death it threatens me with its cruel three-pointed weapon while it presents to my eyes and heart the Anger of God the accusation of the Law and the cruelty of my sins Rom. 6.23 in that death is the wages of sin and by sin death hath invaded me Rom. 5.18 as it has done all the world Comforter But I advise thee that being seriously and heartily sorry for the sins thou hast committed thou look to him that died for thee on the altar of the Cross that thou mightest not be liable to eternal death Turn thine eyes from the outward shew of death and turn them to Christ who by his death hath destroyed him that had the power of death Heb. 2.14 that is v. 15. the Devil And hath delivered us who through fear of death were all our life-time subject to bondage He is death unto our death Hos 13.14 he is a sting unto the hell we had deserved Joh. 11.25 He is the resurrection and the life he that believeth in him though he were dead v. 26. yet shall he live And whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall never die 1. Cor. 15.22 So that as in Adam that is because of sin derived from Adam upon us and of actual sins added thereto we are all liable to death and at length must die even so in Christ the captain of life and conqueror of death through faith are we all made alive Which that our Captain of life confirms with a solemn and serious oath Verily verily I say unto you Joh. 5.24 He that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life And again Joh. 8.51 Verily verily I say unto you If a man keep my saying he shall never see death Therefore believe Christ who is the truth Joh. 14.6 believe him promising believe him swearing Luk. 21.33 Heaven and earth shall pass away but the words of Christ shall not pass away The anguish of sin Tempted I begin to remember my sins Psal 51.7 for I was not only begot conceived and born in sin but I have increased this sum of original and hereditary debt with manifold and most grievous actual sins all my life long how therefore can I hope God will be merciful to me whom I have so oft offended how shall I conceive any comfort in death seeing death is the due reward to my sins and a beginning of a second and eternal death to them that are not reconciled to God Comforter Look unto Christ hanging on the altar of the Cross and pouring out the price of thy redemption even his precious blood for thy sins 1 Joh. 1.8 The blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God cleanseth thee from all sin He is the propitiation for thy sins 1 Joh. 2.2 and for the sins of the whole world For he came not into the world to be ministred unto Mat. 20.28 but to minister and to give his life a ransom and price for the sins of many And that thou mightst not at all doubt of this matter therefore from heaven which is the throne of truth by an Angel which is the spirit of truth was brought that most sweet and comfortable name of Jesus and given to this our Mediator before he was conceived for what is Jesus but a Saviour Luk. 1.31 Mat. 1.21 Joh. 1.29 For therefore was this name given to Christ because he saves his people from their sins This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world 1 Tim. 1.15 This is that Jesus Christ that came into
perfect it By it thou art liable to death and all that troop of calamities miseries and diseases which precede death An insufficient sorrow Tempted I acknowledge and perceive that I was not only born and conceived in sins but also that God hath been offended by me by divers manifold and great transgressions I perceive this and I am heartily sorry but may be that sorrow is not sufficient as not being answerable to the faults nor an equivalent satisfaction for my transgressions Comforter True the grief and trouble of conscience that arises from the consciousness of sin can never answer the grievousness and deformity of the sins seeing God is an infinite good that is offended sin an infinite evil that is committed and the punishment of hell prepared for sinners is infinite how then by thy contrition canst thou satisfie the infinite justice of God and expiate his infinite wrath Christ hath performed that which of thy self and by thy own strength thou couldst not he hath made an infinite and equivalent satisfaction for thy sins If thou couldst have satisfied by thy self if thou couldst have done away thy sins by thy own contrition and grief what need had there been for Christ to have come down from heaven and to have laboured so long under the weight of the Cross Isai 43.24 Thou hast made him to serve with thy sins and hast wearied him with thine iniquities He has trodden the wine-press alone and of the people there was none with him Look therefore that thou think not that the grief of thy contrition either can be or ought to be so great as that it should answer to the greatness and deformity of thy sins but therefore and for this end doth God require a true confession of sin and a sincere contrition of heart that the free remission of sins which thou obtainest through Christ apprehended by faith may take place Christ preacheth but it is to the meek that is Isai 61.1 Luk. 4.18 Mat. 9.12 the humbled in spirit he heals but it is the broken-hearted For the whole have no need of the physician that is those that think themselves to be well He preaches remission but it is to the captives that is to those that are sensible of the spiritual captivity of sin for that man desires not to be freed from bondage that thinks himself free in every respect He preacheth sight Joh. 9.41 but it is to the blind that is to those that lament the spiritual blindness of their heart for they that say they see their sin remaineth They that say they are rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing know not that they are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked He preacheth forgiveness but it is to the broken and contrite in heart The Lord killeth 1 Sam. 2.6 and maketh alive he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up He kills by contrition that he may make alive by consolation he bringeth down to the grave by the hammer of the Law that he may bring up from the grave by the comfort of the Gospel The weight of sorrow Tempted Troubles have compassed me about my heart is broken and overwhelmed my sins come flocking before me which grievously torment my conscience and strive to bring me down to hell Psal 32.3 there is no quietness in my bones from the terror of the Lord my soul refuseth to be comforted 77.2 v. 3. I am troubled and my spirit is overwhelmed I see no place whither I can flee and seek a remedy of my sins Comforter If thou wilt flee flee to Christ He friendly inviteth all that labour under the weight of sin Mat. 11.27 and are pressed with the yoke of that evil mistress Iniquity Hide thy self in his wounds until the tempest of God's anger be overpast Rom. 3.25 Christ is the propitiatory to which thou maist flee by a true faith and rest under the shadow of his wings Psal 42.1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks so thy soul being even spent by the heat of thy sins and the anger of God thirsteth after Christ the fountain of living water springing up to everlasting life If thou comest to him he will not refuse thee nor thrust thee from him for thus run the promises Rev. 22.17 Whosoever thirsteth let him come and whosoever will let him take of the water of life freely 21.16 To him that thirsteth will I give of the well of life freely Mat. 11 28. Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest In me and through me ye shall find rest to your souls v. 29. Him that cometh unto me Joh. 6.37 I will not cast out With a faithful heart embrace these words of Christ which are the words of eternal and immoveable truth let thy heart propound to it self these his promises Psal 27.8 and seek the face of God Put Christ as in the midst between thee a sinner and an angry God Appeal from the throne of God's severe justice to the throne of mercy prepared for thee in and by Christ The infernal hawk follows hard after and persecutes thy soul let it flee therefore like a fearful and frighted dove to the elifts of the rock Cant. 2.14 which are the wounds of Christ Moses accuseth thee therefore sigh that Christ may interceed for thee Thy conscience is troubled Bern. Serm. 61. in Cant. but let it not be cast down from hope and trust but remember the wounds of Christ Aug. in Medit. Let the firmness of all thy trust be in the wounds of Christ which flow with the streams of mercy and want no holes whereby they may flow out Idem Serm. 22. in Cant. Let the Passion of our Saviour Jesus Christ be thy last refuge and the only remedy of thy sins It can help thee when thy wisdom fails thy righteousness is not sufficient the merits of thy holiness are of no avail And this is another and indeed an essential property of true faith to look with the eye of the heart on Christ hanging on the cross from his wounds to hope for and draw a remedy for a mans own wounds to rest upon him with a sincere trust of heart and as it were to wrap ones self in his most holy merit For this is the voice of true faith Behold me thou who on the cross didst die And to my sins thy side a shelter give My heart pants after thee my sins pass by By sin I dye but by thy blood I live If therefore being pricked for thy sins thou hunger and thirst after righteousness Bern. Ser. 22. in Cant. believe on him that justifieth the ungodly and being justified by faith alone thou shalt have peace with God Confess thou art not worthy Lib. 1. vit Bern. cap. 13. nor canst obtain the kingdom of heaven by thy own merits but let this be thy trust
thou hast that solemn protestation twice repeated Mat. 11.28 Come unto me all saith our Saviour the Interpreter and Messenger of the heavenly Father Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Thou hearest that the way to Christ lies open to all that labour under the yoke of sin and that relief and rest of soul is promised to them 1 Tim. 2.4 God will have all men to be saved saith the Apostle being taught it in the third heaven and to come to the knowledge of the Truth He hath concluded all under unbelief Rom. 11.32 that he may have mercy upon all Thou hearest the salvation of all men is desired by God that his mercy lies open to all none here is shut out but he that shuts himself out Primas in h. l. There is one God of all therefore he desireth that all whom he hath made may be saved There is one who hath given himself a price of redemption for all therefore he wills that all partake of that price God is not willing that any should perish saith Peter 2 Pet. 3.9 being taught by his own example but that all would come to repentance Thou hearest that the long-suffering and goodness of God inviteth all to repentance and that God willeth not the death of one Look that thou contradict not so clear and so express truth these words of the Holy Ghost writ as it were with a Sun-beam Let the comforts of the Scripture prevail with thee above the thoughts of thine own heart for the Scripture is the word of the living God that never deceives but our heart is lying and does deceive The absolute decree of reprobation Tempted Outwardly indeed the promise is offer'd to all but God from eternity hath made a certain absolute decree of the reprobation of particular men whom from an absolute hatred being rejected by him he hath destin'd to eternal torments To these he offers his word indeed outwardly but not with an intent to bestow the good things offer'd in the word And may be I am in the number of those reprobated ones Comforter That absolute decree of reprobation is but the fancy of men who are deceived and do deceive For if the Scripture do witness by words Christ by tears and God by oath that he is not willing that any should perish that he desireth not the death of a sinner but on the contrary heartily desireth that all would come to repentance would acknowledge the truth and be saved with what shew of truth I pray can it be said that any by the absolute hatred of God are excluded from salvation and the means thereof Such as God hath declared himself outwardly in his word such is his heart inwardly if I may so speak Such as he hath shewn himself to us in his son such a mind also he beareth towards us for Christ is the image of the Father Col. 1.15 Heb. 1.3 not only in respect of his essence but also of his will Indeed we ought not so much as think that he shews himself to us a bountiful and gracious God outwardly and in the mean time does nourish flames of hatred inwardly this be far from God who is truth it self to whom all hypocrisie is extremely hateful who ought in no wise to be said to do that which we see him forbid by precept and avenge by punishments That any are saved is the gift of God only that many perish is the desert of themselves that do perish For so saith the Scripture O Israel thou destroyest thy self Hos 13.9 but in me is thy help The Scripture every where placeth the cause of mans destruction in himself and no where refers us to any absolute decree of God Fulg. lib. 1. ad Monim Because God by his prescience saw the sins of men especially unbelief which remaining all other sins remain therefore he pass'd the sentence of damnation and reprobation And with what colour can it be affirmed that God does not in the word of the Gospel offer the benefits of his Son to all in earnest and with a mind to communicate them seeing Christ died for all and satisfied for the sins of all truly and really not in shew only and appearingly The universal terms here used do attest the universality of the satisfaction made by Christ God Isa 53.6 saith the Prophet hath laid on him the iniquities of us all namely of all those who as lost sheep had gone astray out of the path of an upright life even as all the sins of the people were by the Priest laid upon the goat that was sent away into the wilderness Lev. 16.21 The Apostle repeateth twice in the same place that one died for all 2 Cor. 5.15 Eph. 1.9 10. Col. 1.20 It was the good pleasure of God to summ up restore and gather together in one all things in Christ which are in heaven and which are in earth It pleased the Father by Christ to reconcile all things unto himself having made peace through the blood of his cross by him I say whether they be things on earth or things in heaven 1 Tim. 2.6 Christ gave himself a ransome for all Tit. 2.11 The grace of God that bringeth salvation whereby he gave his Son for us to redeem us from iniquity hath appeared to all men vers 14. Heb. 2.9 Christ by the grace of God hath tasted death for every man The collective term World used in such sayings proveth the same universality of satisfaction God so loved the World Joh. 3.16 that he gave his only begotten Son vers 17. whom he sent not into the world to condemn it but that the world through him might be saved Whence also he is most deservedly called * Joh. 4.42 1 Joh. 4.14 the Saviour of the world He is †Joh 1.29 the lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world ‖ Joh. 6.51 who gave his flesh for the life of the world * 2 Cor. 5.19 by whom the world is reconciled unto God †1 Joh. 2.2 who is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world The opposition of the first and second Adam that is of Christ deliver'd by the Apostle in express words doth prove the same universality of satisfaction Rom 5.15 If through the offence of one many be dead much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is by one man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many vers 18. As by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners vers 19. so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Therefore where sin hath abounded vers 20. there
grace hath much more abounded Far be it from us then to say that the guilt derived on us from Adam extends farther than the benefit of Jesus Christ obtained for us Away with saying that the disobedience of Adam is of greater efficacy than the obedience of Christ Lastly The universal extent of the satisfaction made by Christ is attested by those Scriptures wherein he is said to have died for those that perish Rom. 14.15 Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died By the unseasonable abuse of Christian liberty the weak brother perisheth for whom Christ died 1 Cor. 8.11 12. and therefore by sinning against such an one men sin against Christ himself False teachers bringing upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2.1 deny the Lord that bought them These are Evangelick Apostolick and divine sayings which to contradict is to deny Christ himself and to deprive himself of the fruit of Christs merit Orig. lib. 2. in Jobum Therefore believe stedfastly that the only begotten son of God descending from heaven cloathing himself in the last times with a terrestrial body from a Virgin hath done away and cleansed the corruption uncleanness and rottenness of all the world by bearing the sins of all by whose stripes all are healed Doubting about the application of Christs merit Tempted Let the merit of Christ be and be called universal yet I do not see that the benefits of Christ are offer'd and applied to me in specie and individually Many things are offered to all which yet do not belong to all Comforter Nay but the species is rightly gather'd from the genus we rightly pass from an universal to particulars Wherefore because God will have all to be saved thou maist infer rightly and most firmly that he will have thee also to be saved Whereas Christ is said to have dyed for all thou maist infer rightly and most firmly that he died on the cross for thee also and is willing to cleanse thee from all sins with his own blood And what is offer'd in the word of the Gospel to all in general is offer'd exhibited and applyed to thee in special in the word of Absolution For when the Minister of the Church does in God's name pronounce to thee the remission of thy sins thou maist be sure that it is confirmed before God in heaven For so has Christ appointed it Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Whose sins ye remit Joh. 20.22 they are remitted unto them This is that wholsome ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.18 which God hath given unto the Ministers of the Church these are the salutary keys that he hath committed to their trust this is that wholsome office of Ambassadours vers 20. which they discharge in the name of Christ God exhorting and as it were beseeching us by them What therefore is offer'd to thee in special make no doubt but it belongs unto thee in special When in the serious trouble of thine heart thou hearest the voice of the Minister declaring remission of sins in the name of Christ think thou hearest Christ himself whatever he doth in Christ's name that Christ doth It 's Christ that declareth unto thee remission of sins the Minister only speaks for Christ If any doubting arise in thy heart concerning this listen unto the words of Christ speaking unto his Apostles and their successors Luk. 10.16 Mat. 10.20 He that heareth you heareth me It is not you that speak but the spirit of my Father Listen unto the words of the Baptist Joh. 1.23 I am the voice of one crying It is another that preacheth and cryeth by me the ministry is mine but the force and benefit of the ministry dependeth on another Listen to the words of the Apostle 2 Cor. 5.20 We are ambassadors for Christ that is in Christs name and stead as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God He therefore that despiseth 1 The. 4.8 despiseth not man but God who hath given unto us his holy Spirit Believe therefore that even now Christ saith unto thee as once to the sick of the Palsie and to the woman that was a sinner Mat. 9.2 Luk. 7.48 Thy sins are forgiven thee For there is no difference between that sentence and this which his Minister uttereth for this is not spoken by man that by Christ When therefore thou hearest the Minister declare to thee remission of sins do not imagin thou hear'st the voice of the Minister but of Christ The insubsistence of words Tempted I confess there is great comfort offer'd me in the words of absolution yet my faith wavers still and does not so firmly embrace the promise of the Gospel as to shut out all temptation for my flesh mutters They are but words which thou hearest with thine ears but thou seest not yet the good things promised with thine eyes Comforter They are words indeed but they are the words of a God most true and that lives for ever They are words indeed Joh. 6.69 but the words of the spirit and life They are words indeed but such as are more firm and durable than this heaven thou beholdest or this earth thou treadest on Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away Lu. 21.33 saith the Truth Isa 40.8 The word of the Lord our God abideth for ever saith the Prophet He that trusts in this word he that embraceth it with a true faith the same shall be saved for ever Nor hath God given thee his word only but hath added thereto his Sacraments also which are as it were a visible word Aug. tract 80. in Joh. visible signs of invisible grace and seals of the divine promises ordained to confirm and seed thy faith By Baptism thou art received into the covenant of divine grace made the son and heir of God wash'd from thy sins in the blood of Christ regenerated and renewed by the holy Ghost and in one word art truly made partaker of all heavenly good things For Christ attributes to Baptism that it is the means of Regeneration Joh. 3.5 Vnless a man be born again of water and of the Spirit he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven Therefore he that is born again of the water of Baptism and of the Spirit is reckoned an heir of eternal life because it is the means of salvation Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved The Apostles ascribe unto Baptism that it is the laver of regeneration Tit. 3.6 and of renewing in the holy Ghost Mark 1.4 seeing we are baptized for the remission of sins Acts 2.38 Let every one of you be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins saith Peter and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost 1 Pet. 3.21 Baptism saveth us saith he in
conscience anew for the relapses of sin are very dangerous In this life there is yet time for pardon time for grace time for quieting conscience In this life the book of conscience may yet be mended out of the book of life But at the last judgment the books will be opened Rev. 20.12 and among them the book of conscience also in which before all the world shall be seen writ in fair letters all the sins of men that were not in this world blotted out by true contrition by faith and amendment of life Before that day of judgement come and the time of grace be past thou maist have a fair hope and sure trust that the blood of Jesus Christ Heb. 9.14 who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God will purge thy conscience from dead works to serve the living God Late repentance Tempted I am at last indeed sorry for having so wounded my conscience I do at last desire a remedy for my wounds at last I have a desire to keep a good conscience for the future but I fear lest my repentance be too late I am a fraid lest the divine grace being so oft rejected by me should also reject and forsake me Late repentance useth to deceive many Aug. de vera falsa poenit c. 17. and that repentance that proceedeth from a dying man he ought to fear lest it dye also Comforter No but there is nothing too late which is true and sincere Cypr. tract 1. cont Demetr While a man is in this life there is no repentance too late there are some who being called come into the Lords vineyard at the eleventh hour of the day Mat. 20.9 and obtain the reward of grace No delay of time prejudiceth God's justice or piety Fulgent Epist 7. Repentance is never late with God in whose sight as well past things as future are always accounted for present Behold the example of the thief on the cross who having confessed Christ with his mouth on the tip of whose lips as it were his soul was ready to depart obtains pardon of sins and a free promise of an heavenly paradise Heb. 3.13 Whilst it is called to day so long God doth earnestly will our conversion As long as the heavenly bridegroom delayeth his coming Mat. 25.5 so long the gate of grace and forgiveness is open A man's whole life even the last hour of it is granted for space to repent in Isai 65.2 The Lord stretcheth forth his hand all the day long Joh. 6.37 nor does he cast out any that cometh unto him at what time soever he come Have a care therefore that thy repentance be true and sincere and thou needst not fear it will be too late If when death approaches thou therefore repent because thou art deprived of opportunities to sin that is a false repentance for thus thou leavest not thy sins but they leave thee If thou therefore repent because thou seest the punishment of thy sins near that is also a false repentance for it proceeds from a love of thy self not from a sincere love of God It proceeds not from the hatred of sin but from the irksomness of a most just punishment Therefore that thou maist truly and heartily repent grieve for thy sins so often committed and therefore grieve because thou hast so often and so grievously offended a most gracious God by them In Christ seek for pardon of thy sins and firmly resolve to employ the remainder of thy life wholly in the service of God submit thy self to God and be humbled in thy heart before him permit to his will what and how great punishments a thousand times deserved he will inflict on thee that it may appear thou repentest out of an hatred to thy sin and not to thy punishment Such a contrite and humbled soul will be a most acceptable sacrifice to God for so he saith by the Prophet Psal 51.19 Isai 66.2 To whom will I look but to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and that trembleth at my word Doubting of the grace of God Tempted I feel in my heart indeed a deep contrition and sorrow for my sins nor do I altogether despair of the mercy of God but in the mean time my heart is shaken with the waves of doubts nor am I yet certain of the free pardon of my sins I hope well indeed but in the mean time I humbly doubt The consideration of God's mercy raiseth me up but the thought of my unworthiness presseth me down again I am turned to God and therefore I hope well I turn but late therefore in part I doubt still Comforter But I will put under thy staggering faith such strong props as whereon thou maist lean against all the storms of doubtings For that doubting is not an humble confession of our unworthiness but a dangerous opposing the faith we owe to God's promises nor is there any reason strong enough why we should doubt in late conversion and repentance seeing the divine clemency doth offer a most certain promise of remission of sins to all that heartily repent Attend first therefore to the immoveable truth of all God's promises Whosoever confessing and grieving for their sins seek for pardon of them in Christ and make a firm purpose of amendment of life to them hath God promised his grace forgiveness of sins and eternal life Joh. 13.15 Whosoever believeth in the son shall not perish but have everlasting life vers 18. 1 Joh. 5.12 Mark 16.16 He that believeth in him is not condemned He that hath the son hath eternal life He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved He that hath promised these things is God whose word is firmer than heaven and earth who is truth it self 2 Tim. 2.11 who is faithful and cannot deny himself or his word What therefore God offers with undoubted promises thou must accept with an undoubted faith and there is no reason thou shouldst object the infirmity of thy Nature which cannot embrace the promises with so great assurance of reliance for this is a fault of thy Nature which should be amended by the efficacy of the holy Spirit As thou believest not in Christ by thy natural strength but by the working of the holy Ghost so by the grace of the same Spirit thou maist be ascertained of the mercy of the heavenly Father against all inherent doubtings of corrupt nature 1 Joh. 5.10 He that believeth not God hath made him a liar As much as thou doubtest so much thou losest of thy faith thou must therefore resist that doubting which is not to be set off with the specious name of humility for humility ought to rise from the consideration of our unworthiness and yet in the mean time never the less a firmness of trust ought to arise from the meditation of God's promises Therefore hath God come forth from the secret throne of his Majesty
of the Spirit Luk. 11.13 2 Tim. 1.6 for the Lord will give the Spirit to them that ask him Stir up the gift of the holy Spirit that is in thee namely by praying seeking knocking meditating on the word and resisting naughty desires There is no perfection here but a continued way to perfection Besides this inward sealing and witnessing of the holy Spirit God hath given thee the sacraments which are the seals of his promises the conveyers of the benefits of Christ and the means to beget feed and strengthen thy faith that thou maist be assured that the benefits of Christ belong to thee in particular By Baptism thou art received into the covenant of Gods grace in the holy supper thou art fed with the body and blood of Christ in private Absolution thou art pronounced free from the chains of sins Cypr. serm de mort pag. 209. Being confirmed with these seals certainly and undoubtedly believe the word of the Gospel Why dost thou doubt and waver this is not to eat thy Saviour at all this is to offend Christ the Master of believers with the sin of unbelief this is for one that is placed in the Church not to have faith in the house of faith Attend moreover unto the infallibleness of the audience promised thee God hath promised even with his oath added that he will hear our prayers and give unto us whatever we ask according to his will Joh. 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you saith Christ Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name he will give it you Mat. 18.19 If two of you agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done unto them of my Father which is in heaven 1 Joh. 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in God if we ask any thing according to his will we shall obtain it He that hath promised us hearing hath bid us ask remission of sins what place therefore can there be left to doubt of remission of sins How would Christ have bid us to add the word Amen unto our prayer if he would have us doubt of audience Attend therefore lastly unto the property of true faith as by which we have access into that grace wherein we stand and boast of the hope of glory promised by God Heb. 4.16 by which with confidence we come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace by which through the power of God we are kept unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 by which we know that we are translated from death to life 1 Joh. 3.14 by which we are most firmly perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels Rom. 8.38 nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come vers 39. nor height nor depth nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Considering all these things let thy weakness encourage it self Aug. in Psal 148. let it not despair let it not chafe it self let it not avert it self Christ hath promised thee that thou shalt be there where he is What hath God promised thee O mortal man that thou shalt live for ever Believest thou not believe believe that is more which he hath done already than that which he hath promised what hath he done he hath died for thee what hath he promised that thou shalt live with him It is more incredible that he who was eternal should dye than that a mortal should live eternally Now that thou art sure of that which is more incredible why dost thou doubt of the other God hath promised thee heaven he hath given thee his Son who is a greater gift than heaven and earth Doubting of perseverance Tempted I no wise doubt but that an access unto God lieth open unto me by Christ the Mediator I trust I am in the grace of God in the mean time I am made to doubt of perseverance I know that perseverance alone is crowned I hear that only they that persevere to the end shall be saved Mat. 10.22.24.46 Aug. Serm. 8. ad fratr in Eremo It is vertue not to have begun but to have perfected nor is the beginning but the end required in Christians Hieron in Epist ad Furiam Judas begun well but ended ill Paul begun ill but ended well Without perseverance neither he that fighteth obtaineth the victory Theol. myst Harph. c. 34 nor he that conquereth the palm I hear our Master of combats crying Rev. 3.11 Hold fast what thou hast lest another receive thy crown I hear and fear I fear and doubt I doubt and throw away trust of heart Comforter Consider three things wherein all thy hope consists the dearness of adoption Bern. serm 3. de sep frag miser col 183. the truth of the promise the power of performance Let thy foolish cogitation murmur now as much as it will saying What art thou and how great is that glory or with what merits dost thou hope to obtain it and do thou confidently answer I know whom I have believed and I am sure he hath adopted me in great tenderness that he is true in his promises that he is powerful in his performance This is a threefold cord that is hardly broken which being let down unto thee out of our country into this prison lay firm hold on it I pray thee that it may raise thee up that it may draw thee to the view of the glory of the great God This is a most firm anchor of thy hope these are those three pillars whereby thou maist bear against the waves and storms of doubtings namely the good-will of God adopting the certain faithfulness of the promiser and the immense power of fulfilling the promises The good God hath promised good things he hath begun to work that which is good in thee he that hath begun Phil. 2.13 will also perfect according to his good pleasure The good God hath promised good things he that hath promised is faithful and true he will not suffer thee to be tempted above thy strength 1 Cor. 10.13 but with the temptation will give an issue that thou maist be able to bear it 2 Tim. 1.12 The good God hath promised good things he that hath promised is able to fulfil his promises Be thou confident therefore that he can keep his pledge until the day of judgement Joh. 10.28 29. None shall take Christ's sheep out of his hands The heavenly Father that hath given them to the Son is greater than all and none can take them out of the Father's hands Christ the only high Priest of the new Testament hath prayed for all that by the word were to believe in him that they may be with him Joh. 17.20 and may behold the glory that is given him by the heavenly Father Wherefore seeing thou also believest in Christ thou hast the witness of God in thy self 1
they that have done evil unto the resurrection of condemnation Mar. 25.46 The blessed shall go into everlasting life and the cursed into everlasting torment And that this immediate separation of the godly and ungodly shall not only be made in the last day but is made also presently after death the example of the rich glutton teacheth us Luk. 16.23 whose soul is thrust down to hell and of holy Lazarus whose soul is carried by Angels into paradise the example of the converted thief teacheth us the same Luk. 23.43 to whom Christ promises that he shall enter into paradise on that very day whereon he was to dye the Spirit of truth confirms the same pronouncing that from henceforth blessed are the dead in the Lord. Rev. 14.13 There is no other purgation or expiation of sins save in the blood of Christ that washeth us wholly from all sins 1 Joh. 1.7 Isai 53.5 The chastisement of our peace was upon him that he might be peace unto us Therefore he that believeth in him Rom. 5.1 1 Joh. 3.14 Wisd 4.1 is justified and has peace with God He is translated from death unto life and he need fear no torment after death The rigour of the last judgment Tempted I fear the rigour and terrour of the last judgment Above will be a severe Judge below a gaping hell within a gnawing conscience without a burning fire on the right hand accusing sins on the left affrighting Devils round about good Angels to drive me to hell and bad to draw me thither Satan will accuse me my sins will accuse me my conscience will accuse me Bern. in rythm I much dread the face of a severe Judge from whom nothing will lye concealed by whom nothing will remain unrevenged None shall be able to escape his power to deceive his wisdom to bend his justice to repeal his sentence Comforter If thou believest on the Son Joh. 3.18 thou shalt not be condemned namely with the severe and condemning rigour of judgement Joh. 5.24 If thou hearest Christ's word and believest it thou shalt not come into condemnation thy cause shall not be examin'd in that rigorous trial of judgement seeing Christ hath delivered those that believe in him from the wrath to come 1 Thes 1.10 The day of judgement is to be dreaded indeed of bad men Aug. in Psalm 100. because of punishment but to be loved by good men for a crown to those it will be a day of anger and revenge to these it will be a day of grace and large reward Lift up your heads Luk. 21.28 saith the Son and know that your redemption draweth nigh The Bride dreadeth not the coming of her Bridegroom now by faith thy soul is betroathed to Christ at the day of judgment he shall appear to that end that he may introduce it as his Bride to the heavenly marriage Rev. 19.7 What place therefore can there be here for fear or dread That day shall be a day of deliverance because it shall throughly free us from the miserable captivity of sin and death into the perfect service of Christ it is a day of deliverance because it shall ease us of all burden of evils and weight of calamities it is a day of deliverance because it shall wholly redeem us from that daily lusting of the flesh and dangerous warfare It is a day of refreshing Acts 3.20 because it shall bring us thirsty and panting from the scorching heat of calamities into a place of rest to a fountain of living water Let Christ our Bridegroom therefore come Let every soul that is a true spouse of Christ that is sealed by the Earnest of the spirit that is drawn with a true love of Christ say Come Lord Jesus Rev. 22.20 Aug. in Psal 147. If we truly love Christ let us then also desire his coming It is perverse to fear his coming whom thou lovest to pray Thy kingdom come and fear lest thou be heard But whence is thy fear because the Judge shall come what is he unjust is he malevolent is he envious is he expecting to know thy cause of another that perhaps he whom thou hast intrusted should either deceive thee by collusion or not be able to set forth the imperfect good of thine innocency with eloquence enough None of these Who then shall come why dost thou not rejoyce Who is to come to judge thee but he that came to be judged for thee Fear not thine accuser of whom thy Judge hath said The Prince of this world is cast forth Fear not an evil Advocate for he is now thine Advocate who shall be thy Judge He will be both thy self and thy cause the pleading of thy cause the testimony of thy conscience Whosoever therefore thou beest that fearest a future Judge now correct thy conscience There is no reason then that thou shouldest fear thy future Judge He shall be thy Judge that shall be thine Advocate He shall be thy Judge that hath given a promise to his Sains that by their testimony and example they shall judge the world He shall be thy Judge in whom thou wert elected unto life from eternity He shall be thy Judge who is also thy King how shall a King lose his people He shall be thy Judge a true member of whom thou art by faith how shall the head destroy his members Who shall accuse God's elect Rom. 8.33 It is God that justifieth who shall condemn It is Christ that died yea rather that is risen again that sitteth at the right hand of God and intercedeth for us how shall he destroy them whom he hath taken into his patronage for whom he came into the world that they might not be lost Rom. 2.16 Christ shall judge according to the Gospel Now they that believe have not rejected it but received it with a true faith They have listened to the voice of Christ inviting to conversion Matt. 11.18 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest therefore they shall also hear the voice of him inviting to the possession of the heavenly kingdom Come ye blessed of my Father Mat. 25.34 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world He shall be the Judge before whose face go grace and truth grace hath abolished the sins of believers truth hath given them the promises of eternal life Nor is there reason thou shouldst fear the horrible destruction of heaven and earth Luk. 21.33 Isai 40.8 Heaven and earth shall pass away but the words of Christ shall not pass away The word of the Lord abideth for ever if by true faith thou cleave unto this word thou shalt also abide for ever Thou hast lost nothing where thou hast possessed nothing with inordinate love thy treasure is not the riches of this world but the delights of the heavenly kingdom Let the world burn it is enough for
infirmity I am lighter than water that runneth away apace I beseech thee therefore O my God who sittest upon the floods of water and art a King for ever to send the heavenly dew of thy grace upon me who am part of thine inheritance to refresh my wearied soul Let every herb that I behold cause me to contemplate my own estate that I shall one day be cut off like the green herb and shall wither away like the grass let the Sun that shines over my head lift up my heart to the Son of righteousness to that light which lightens the Gentiles and the Glory of the people Israel Let the Moon that rules by night make me call upon thee the father of light to illuminate me while I sit in darkness and in the shadow of death in whom is no variableness nor change as there is in the Moon finally let the beasts the birds the fishes yea the very flies and insects which seem to be the very scorn of nature let them all by the shortness of their lives remind me of the brevity of my own and since it is thy blessed will O dear Saviour let me be contented and rejoyce therein for ever III. O Lord the life of my life and the God of the spirits of all flesh make me willing to dye since it is thy ordinance and appointment for all things serve thee let me not forget thee nor behave my self frowardly in thy Covenant make me willing to die and to say with old Sin can Lord now let thy servant depart in peace and with St. Paul I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ and because my spirit is willing and my flesh weak raise it and quicken it with thy free spirit by bringing to my remembrance thy promises and comforts to me on every side and since it is thy holy pleasure I should die and not live I am satisfied therewith for thy law is within my heart therefore make no long tarrying O Lord my God IV. How long O God shall I live to sin against thee for as long as I live in this earthly Tabernacle I can do nothing but sin to will is present with me but I find no strength nor ability to perform for I find a Law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind making me captive to the law of sin and death so that the good which I would do I do not but the evil which I would not do that do I. Deliver me therefore dear Lord from this body of death that I may enter the gates of life and go to the Angels and Saints and be one of them and continue with them to all Eternity my soul thirsteth for God even for the living God make hast therefore O Christ and deliver me V. Let my Conversation in this world O Lord be such that I may neither be ashamed to live nor afraid to die I know that to the natural man death is very fearful and terrible but let me be thine by thy grace strengthen me in my greatest weakness be present with me with thy consolations even to the last moment and compass me about with songs of deliverance and then though I walk through the vally of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy left hand is under my head and thy right hand doth embrace me why should I be afraid in the evil day or why should my soul be disquieted within me for death will then be to me advantage let me therefore sigh and groan in being desirous to be delivered from this burden of the flesh and to be thereby made partaker of immortality and of those unutterable joys and pleasures which thou O my blessed God and Saviour dost enjoy for ever let my faith O Lord scatter all my fears and let my soul long for thy salvation deliver my soul out of Prison and take me to thy everlasting mercy put an end to my sins by the end of this life that I may live with thee without end VI. Set a watch O Lord before the doors of my heart and so order my thoughts that I may always set thee before me and in the midst of life let me so remember death that when my days in this world are at an end I may return unto thee my rest let not the flight and departure of this my Spirit from my body be on the Sabbath day that is in the rest and tranquillity of my sins nor in the winter or frost of my hard heart nor in the midnight of my security when I least look for it let not this dangerous thief of carelesness and security break into my soul nor hinder me from a serious and continual meditation of death and of the heavenly habitations If I forget Jerusalem in my mirth let my right-hand forget her cunning those thoughts that are imployed about my death are my best teachers teach me therefore to die unto sin and to live unto righteousness Morning evening and at mid-day let me wait for the coming of my blessed Saviour who shall turn my night into day my darkness into light my heaviness into joy my labours into rest when death shall be swallowed up into victory where the serpent shall sting no more and where the second death shall never hurt me VII Guide thou O Lord my God the ship of my soul through the sea of this world by the direction of thy holy word wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust let me sayl so safely that by the winds and waves of temptations I may never be driven either upon the Rocks of Presumption or Despair but that I may happily arrive at the haven of the promised land of thy heavenly Kingdom While I behold thee O Lord in thy justice I am afraid and am ready to despair and while I look upon thee in thine infinite mercies I am subject to presume Let thy hand therefore so support me that I may be defended by thy fatherly goodness as with a shield that I may not be cut off by the course of thy severe justice as with a sword I must confess that in justice I have incurred thy wrath and deserve condemnation but through thy manifold mercies O Lord I long and look for thy salvation I am the workmanship of thy hands destroy not therefore that which thou hast made but bless it and bring it to a perfect end thou hast redeemed me O Lord thou God of truth and therefore I promise to my self that I cannot be lost if I sincerely put my trust in thee for then thou hast promised me salvation in thy word and thou hast bound this thy promise with an Oath and sealed it with the blood of thy Son and that before the best witnesses in heaven or earth thy holy spirit bearing witness with my spirit that I am a child of God Now upon such considerations as these I fix and ground my faith and am perswaded that after