Church yet he needed no Books no written Word to do it by witness those two thousand years and more from the beginning of the World till Moses wrote the Holy Text by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and then consider that as after the third Day the Sun was made to give light to the World which before was illightened without a Sun so after many hundred years the Lord placed the Books of Moses and then other Holy Writings as a Sun in the Firmament of his Church to give light unto the same And as after the Sun was made Men had no want of that light which was given without a Sun in the former three Days so you may consider that now the Books of Scripture are written and the light of Gods truth plentifully shining in them there is no need of unwritten Traditions to give light unto us in any way or work of God and therefore conclude that the dotage of the Papists in pleading for unwritten Traditions now we have the written Word is as gross as if a Mâ—n should complain for want of that wandering light of the three first days now when â—he lighâ— is fully seated and firmly fixed in the body of the Sun 3. Consider that as one Sun giveth light to the whole World so one Word to the whole Church scattered throughout the World And here see the absurdity of some unsound ones among us who being more than half Papists are not ashamed to condemn the study of those worthy writings of many forreign Divines upon this poor pretence because they lived in other Kingdomes and Common-wealths and so their Doctrine doth not so well suit with our State and Kingdome As if the same Sun could not serve all Nations with light but that we must have one in England and they another in France c. So if the Sun of holy truth do shine in the writings of these holy Men why cannot we see and walk by this light as well as out-landish Men 4. Consider that the light is still like it self that light which was before the Sun is of the same nature with that which now is in the Sun so the truth and word of God is still the same not contrary to it self The light of holy truth which was before the Word written and this which shineth in the holy Scriptures is the same and therefore the Papists are yet more shameless when under pretence of the unwritten Word they thrust upon the Church such idle forgeries as are contrary to the Word written as if light could be contrary to light or darkness might be called light If the light of the written Word doth shew us that marriage is honourable among all Men and therefore not only among the Laity then know it is no beam of this Heavenly light which makes Men think they see much sin and shame in it when it is used by the Ministers of the Word but that it is even a dark vapour of the bottomless Pit and so S. Paul saith it is a Doctrine of Devils If the Word written by its light do shew the worship performed to Images to be gross and shamefull Idolatry then that Doctrine which commendeth this as a special point of devotion and condemneth to the Fire those that refuse it cannot be any beam of light issuing from the Word of God unwritten but rather a dark shadow caused by the Prince of darkness so you may think of many other Popish fopperies The Seas the Trees Grass Herbs c. which were on the third Day appeared to be of the same colour by that light which then was without a Sun as thâ—â— did afterwards by the Sun-light so those thinâ—â— which by the word written are now 〈◊〉 to be white or black lawfull oâ—â—â—lawfull did appear so also by the light oâ—â—he Word before it was written 5. Consider also that as the Lord could have given light without a Sun and yet being pleased to make a Sun doth also require that we should see by this Sun so the Lord who could have given us knowledge without a word preached and have taught us immediately by his spirit being pleased to set up the Ministry of the Word and to teach us by it doth reqâ—ire that we should learn and profit by it And therefore we must not think that we may neglect the Word because God can teach us without it we must be taught as God will teach us and not as he can but will not God spake immediately to Saul from Heaven condemning his cruelty against the Church but yet sent him to a Man to learn what he should do The Lord striketh down a sinner with the apprehension of his wrath for sin but sendeth him to Men even to the Preachers of his Word to learn what he ought to do And therefore they who in regard of knowledge despise the preaching of the Word and think it needless may as well despise the Sun in regard of outward light for the eye of the Body and think it may well be spared 6. Again consider that as the Sun in his circuit passeth from East to West so the light of the Word issuing by the special providence of God from the East hath come toward the West It is probably thought that Adam was created in the Eastern parts of the World to whom the Word was at first delivered However it is certain that Ierusalem is Eastward whence the Law did issue and the Gospel proceed unto these Western parts and now toward the end of this great Day of the World this light is bending towards those poor Western Barbarians of America 7. Again as the rising Sun is most looked at being especially welcome after the dark Night and not so much regarded at Noon though then it shineth brighter so the Word Preached is most affected ordinarily by a People at its first coming but afterwardâ— through their great corruption and unthankfulness it seemeth stale unto them although there be an encrease of gifts in the Preacher and the truth shining brighter to them in his Ministery than at the first If you finde this in your selves let your hearts smite you for it and be earnest with God to renew your affections to his Word that you may gather an appetiâ—e by feeding upon this Heavenly Manna and not like the carnal Israelites begin to loath it and to lust for grosser food because this hath been so common Consider that as any Man well in his wits accounteth it a blessing to have the Sun once in 24. hours so should any one who is wise unto salvation and taught of God account it a blessing to have the word twice in a week although it be the less regarded by earthly spirits because it is ordinary 8. Moreover think with thy self that as he that is stark blind cannot see the light when the Sun shineth most brightly so he that is in natural blindness cannot rightly see the divine vertue and saving excellency of the Word therefore call upon
for Man's use and refreshment before Man himself should be Created it behoveth that first there be an House and all things necessary then that an Inhabitant be brought into it 4 â—ecause God would communicate himself to Man and acquiesce in him When God created Heaven Earth he rested not in Heaven nor in any Heavenly thing neither in the Earth nor any Earthly thing but only in Man because he is an Heavenly thing for his Soul Earthly in regard of his body 5. If God had first of all made Man before any other of his Creatures then Man might have had some colourable excuse to have spent his time in idleness but God created Man after he had made his other â—reatures that Man might forthwith be employed in the works of his Creator Zanchy of late and some of the Antients are of opinion that when God created Adam â—hrist did then assume an humane body and made Adam's body after the pattern of that Munster doth well observe on Genes 2.7 that the word in the Original which signifieth formed is written with a double 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when it is said he formed the Beasts it is written with a single 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 noting out to us that Man was partly from the dust of the ground in regard of his body partly from Heaven in regard of his Soul but the Beasts were only created of the dust of the ground The Antients called the fabrick of Man's body Librum Dei the Book of God because much knowledge is taught to Man out of Man And Man's being created after the Image of God is to put him in remembrance that he should continually work after that Original Copy which God gave him from Heaven I shall discourse no farther upon these things because this ensuing Treatise of our Reverend Author will furnish you with variety of most excellent Meditations upon the whole Story of the Creation Much honoured in the Lord I do not here present you with any thing that is altogether new I know among Men the newness of the matter doth chiefly commend the Books being like the Indian Elephants which at their first sight in Asia were so admired that Antiochus having but two named the one Ajax the other Patroclus but afterwards growing common in every Consuls Tryumph they were called in contempt Lucanian Oxen So it is with Books they are now little regarded because of the commonness of them I confess many Books now adays are like Mythridate's Sword whose Scabbard was more costly than the Blade and so their swelling Titles do make more shew than all the Book affordeth subâ—tance and in prefixing great Titles to babling Books Men do but deceive the buyer like unto some Vintners that hang out new Ioyâ—bushes when they have nothing within but old musly Wine as Seneca speaketh But the substance of this Treatise doth correspond with the Title and as it is stuffed with many choice notions both natural and allegorical together with many practical and usefull inferences so it is also written in a pleasant style and so the more delightfull to the pious and ingenious Reader Good words are the garment of truth and although truth is so glorious within that it needeth no outward decking yet if she doth appear in a Rayment of Needle-work 't is but for a more excellent comeliness not gaudâ— gayness The worthy Author in this Treatise dealeth with you like Nurses who feed their Babes with milk firâ—t concocted within them That voice that August heard from Heaven is my humble advice to you â—olle et lege tolle et lege Take up and read take up and Read So say I to you Take up this Book take up this Book and read it and do therein as an antient Knight spake of his reading good Books viz. the first time to read both to see and like the second time to note and observe the matter and method and the third time to carry away and make use thereof Thus not doubting but this Treatise will finde acceptance at your hands and receive protection under your shadow I humbly take my leave and am Yours in all Gospel-Services to be commanded William Gearing Cransden in Sussex August 10. 1667. Books Printed for Henry Eversden and are to be sold at his Shop under the Crown-Tavern in West-Smithfield 1. THe Sphere of Gentry deduced from the Principles of Nature an Historical and Genealogical work of Armes and Blazon by Sylvanus Morgan in Folio 2. The History of the late Civil Wars of England in Folio 3. Riverius his Universal Body of Physick in five Books c. in Folio 4. The Language of Arms by the Colours and Metals in quarto by Sylvanus Morgan 5. Scepsis Scientifica or Confest Ignorance the way to Science c. by Ioseph Glanvil Fellow of the Royal Society 6. The Gospel-Physitian in quarto 7. The Mistery of Rhetorique Unveil'd Eminently delightfull and profitable for young Scholars and others of all sorts enabling them to discern and imitate the Elegancy in any other Author they read c. by Iohn Smith Gent. 8. A Crew of kinde London Gossips all met to be merry to which is added ingenious Poems or Wit and Drollery in Octavo at 1 s. bound 9. The Natural Rarities of England Scotland and Wales according as they are to be found in every Shire very usefull for all ingenious Men of what profession or Quality soever by I. Childrey in Octavo 10. Pearls of Eloquence or the School of Complements very usefull for all young Ladies Gentlewomen and Scholars who are desirous to adorn their speech with gentile Ceremonies complemental amorous and high expressions of speaking or writing at 1 s. bound 11. Hodges Directions for true Writing in Octavo 12. Theodulia or a just defence of hearing the Sermons and other teaching of the present Ministers of England c. by Iohn Tombes B. D. 13. Speculum Patrum a Looking-Glass of the Fathers wherein you may see each of them drawn characteriz'd and displaâ—'d in their Colours to which are added the Characters of some of the chief Phylosophers Historians Grammarians Orators and Poets by Edward Larkyn Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge in Octavo 13. Wisdome justified by her Children being the substance of two Sermons Preached by Will. Gearing in Octavo 14. A Cluster of sweetest Grapes for Saints brought from the Heavenly Canaan or the Saints assurance gotten and to be had in this life by the several means specified in this Tract upon 1 Pet. 1.9 c. by Christopher Ielinger M. A. in Octavo In the Press 15. A Cap of gray Haires for a green Head being advice to a Son an Apprentice in London 16. A serious Examination of the Independants Catechisme lately Printed in large Octavo by Benj. Camfield Price 2 s. 6 d. THE BEAUTY and ORDER OF THE CREATION CHAP. I. Genesis 1.1 In the beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth BEing about to speak of the Works of
have layen like a dead unprofitable lump without any thing growing upon it in the most seasonable time of the year had not the Lord bidden it and in bidding it enabled it to bring forth Consider then with thy self that every years encrease every crop of Corn every Tree every Grain every Seed or Fruit of any Tree every Grass and Herb which the Earth beareâ—h at any time iâ— came undoubtedly out of the Earth by vertue of this Soveraign command of God yea as well the propagation and succession of these as the first Creation cometh from his word for so he said Let the Earth bring forth the Tree bearing fruit after its kind and the Herb bearing Seed after its kind and it was so And therefore give all the glory to Him for these things from whom all things are received by whom the Earth is made fruitfull and yieldeâ—h an encrease Let us lament the unthankfulness the pride and blindness that is among us Do we not murmur many of uâ— if we have not as much as formerly we had as if now we could plead custome with God and challenge it as a due because we have had it so long as if we could accuse him of with-holding our right when after many years of abundance we are a little stinted and have now somewhat less Is not this great blindness Do we not know that by our fall in Adam we forfeited all our â—ight to these things and that the Lord mâ—ght justly have fed us no otherwise than some condemned wretches with a poor pâ—â—tance only to preseâ—ve life that our miseâ—y might be the greater All our right to these things was but by his free grant this grant was but conditional the condition of this grant we brake where then iâ— our Plea Are we better than Iacob O Lord I am less than the least of all thy mercies saith he Is not this great pride that Men should think themselves not well used as it were at the hands of God and that they deserve better dealing If thou haddest thy desert whosoever thou art thou haddest felt more misery long agone than any ever felt upon the Earth and this every one may seemingly acknowledge whose heart God hath touched Is it not great unthankfulness thus to requite the Lord because thou hast enjoyed so much plenty heretofore thou shouldest now much the rather with patience endure some scarcity because thou hast received good thou shouldest with more sâ—bmission bear some evil or want of that measure of good as Iob reasoned with his Wife Nay if many were put to it I am perswaded they could not say in their consciences that â—ver they did pray for this blessing feelingly and effectually and is it not a shame for thee to murmur against the Lord for not giving that which thou never didst effectually ask Nay if we should consider the hoâ—rible abuse of Gods Creatures by all sorts rich and poor we may justly wonder that the Heavens are not long since hardened into brass and the Earth into Iron against us 3. Among these Plants observe how weeds and other hurtfull things do grow of themselves but the best and most usefull must be carefully planted so sin and corruption springeth naturally out of the evil soyl of our heaâ—ts but grace and holiness are of the Holy Ghost his Plantation Again barren Trees are cut down by the provident Husbandman that they may not cumber the ground as you see in the Gospel which should move us by bearing fruits unto God To work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling The leaves of an outward profession are not sufficient but to them must be joyned the fruit of a sanctified conversation The Tree and every branch and twig thereof receiveth sap life nourishment from the Root Every true believer receiveth heavenly life and grace from Christ Jesus So long as the Branch is joyned to the Tree and so to the Root it receiveth benefit and refreshment from the Dew and Rain but if it be cut off from the Tree the sweetest showers cannot preserve it from being withered He that is truly united to Christ as a Branch to the Root by the spirit and faith he receiveth benefit growth and spiritual refreshment from the outward meanes of grace the Ministery of the Word and Sacraments But if he be not truly united to him the sweetest dew that ever fell from Heaven cannot keep spiritual life within him on the other side though the Branch doth receive life and nourishment from the Root yet it wanteth refreshment from the showers of Heaven so those Fanatical dreamers are to be condemned who pretend an union with Christ and partaking of his Spirit and therefore brag they have no need of the Word preached or any outward means Again let the renewing of the face of the Earth by these Creatures every Spring put thee in mind of the wonderfull efficacy of God his Word which from the beginning unto this present time hath made the Earth thus fruitfull and let it teach thee to rely upon his truth and promise in other things as well as this CHAP. VI. Meditations on the fourth Days Work SECT 1. FRom the Third I come to the Fourth day which we usually call Wednesday which was the first day that had a Sun to give it light to which were added the Moon to rule the Nâ—ghâ— and the Stars to attend her which glorious work of a most glorious God should raise our thoughts to some holy meditation 1. Now consider on this Day how that as the Waters which were before dispersed all abroad upon and about the Earth were on the third Day gathered into one store-house called Seas so the light which was before diffused through the huge spaces of the Creation was now as it were drawn together into one Body of the Sun as a full and common treasury Consider here that the Lord who is in himself infinitely more bright than the light it self needed no light in respect of himself and therefore it was for us that he made the light and we should bless him for it so in regard of himself he needed no word nor revelations of heavenly mysteries being infinite in all knowledge and wisdome and therefore it was for us that he gave his Word to be a Light and caused by his Spirit the bright beams of holy truths to be cast abroad into the dark World therefore we may conceive how shamefull our sin and unthankfulness is that we must be entreated to turn our eyes toward this light and to come to Church to hear the Word whereas if need were we should beg a place in the house of God upon our knees rather than go without this light 2. Consider that although the Lord was pleased to give light to the World yet there needed no Sun whereby to do it witness the light of the three first Days wherein no Sun shined so when it pleased the Lord to give the light of Heavenly knowledge to his