Law ought not to depart out of a man's mouth so neither ought it to enter in save (k) Mat. 12.34 out of the hearts abundance Eliphaz advises (l) Job 22.22 Job to lay up God's word in his heart not his mouth (m) Pro 3.1 Prov. 4.23 and Solomon thought no cabinet so proper to keep divine Commands in as it Nay God himself chuses the Tables of the heart (n) Jer. 31.33 for to write his Laws in which makes me conclude A man may keep his mouth and tongue richly and yet never keep (o) Pro. 21.23 his soul from troubles and this because I know whatever entreth in at the mouth if it find no place in the heart it goes into (p) Mat 15.18 the belly of hidden lusts and is cast out into their draught The things of God which proceed out of the mouth when they proceed not forth out of the heart they defile the man So little a praise is it to be a man of pure lips if no more and especially if that of the (q) Isa 29. wise man be true to wit that though (r) Pro. 14.23 in all labour there be profit yet lip labour has a direct tendency to povertie Oh my soul (s) Pro. 11.9 Solomon tells thee That the Hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour I tell thee more even that he destroys himself for though he has (t) Pro. 7.14 9 15 16 17 18 19 20. Peace offerings with him and every day payes his vows yet he goes forth in the black and dark angels of his soul to meet the Devil diligently to find him though he decks his bed with covering of religious Tapestry with carved works and fine linen of profession though he perfumes his bed with myrrh aloes and cinamon yet he takes his fill of spiritual whoredom and solaces himself with atheistical loves while the good conscience is not at home but is turn'd out of doors with a bag of money not to come home till the day appointed even that of Death and Judgement If of any soul alive this oh my soul is true of the hypocritical one He feedeth on ashes a deceiv'd heart hath turn'd him aside that he cannot deliver his soul nor say (u) Isa 44.20 Is there not a lye in my right hand (x) Pro 12.15 For the way of such a fool is right in his own eyes And Christ himself does not deny but he has his reward (y) Mat. 6.2 Mat. 6.4 Mat. 6.7 Mat. 6.6 Mar. 6.31 32 He does his alms to the devil in secret and that father of his who seeth him in secret himself rewards him openly Though when he prayes to God he uses as vain repetitions as the Heathens do yet when he prayes to the devil and wishes for devilish things he keeps in the closet of privacy and shuts all the doors at which men may see in He takes no thought saving What shall I do to eat Christ's flesh or drink his blood or cloath me with the garment of his Righteousness For after all these things do true Israelites seek but he seeks first the titular Kingdom of God and the professional Righteousness thereof and thinks all these things shall be added He takes no care for to morrow but lets that care for it self Sufficient he thinks unto the Day of Judgement if to any day is the evil thereof His love I can't say is without dissimulation but sure (z) Mat 5.44 love he does his enemies God's Lawes bless he does them though they curse him and pray for God's promises though they despightfully use him and give him no one drop of comfort He 's even almostas perfect as his father which is inHell is perfect This indeed oh my soul (a) Mat 7.11 9 10 9 10. I observe that being evil the hypocrite knows how to give good gifts and though when his friend asks of him for bread what he gives him in respect of himself be no more than a stone and he takes no more in it yet to his friend 't is good bread Though the Truths he delivers be to himself serpents that sometimes sting his soul yet as he delivers them they are fish What is (b) 2 Co 4.2 handling the Word of God deceitfully if this be not to wit Taking it (c) Deu 30.14 very nigh one even into ones mouth and yet not so much as know it any otherwise than God knows the proud to wit (d) Psal 138.6 afar off to be not a hearer onely but a talker too and yet not a (e) Jam 1.22 doer of the Word to do with it many wonderful works by it to (f) Mat 7.22 cast out devils and nevertheless as the Pharisees and Scribes (g) Mar 7.13 making that of none effect to ones self Oh my soul for the love of God let not the Word of God (h) Psa 119.103 be sweet to thy mouth and not to thy tast (i) 1 Th 5 26. Kiss it with no Judas-like but with a holy kiss (k) Mat 13.57 As 't is said of a prophet he is not without honour save in his own countrey so may it be said of the Word it is not without honour save in its own proper Region that of the heart (l) Deu 4.9 Oh keep thy heart and it more dear than thy hearts blood with all diligence (m) Psa 45.1 Let thy heart endite good matters of it (n) Pro 15.13 Pro. 15.15 A merry heart makes a chearful countenance Let thy hearts mirth in it be that which sets thy chearful countenance on it 'T is a heart a heart a heart I tell thee a merry heart with it which hath a continual Feast for the Lord and from the Lord. In the Word God opens his heart to the Word open thy heart even the hidden man of thy heart Oh my soul (o) 1 pe 3.4 I charge thee before God who has quickned thee and before Jesus Christ who never made or will endure rotten professions that thou take not the oyl (q) Psa 104.15 of the Word to make thy face to shine without the wine of the Word to make thy very heart glad in the Lord. (r) Jam 3.5 The tongue is a little member don't think that God intended it for the Seat and Dwelling house of his great Law (s) Pro. 16.1 The answer of the tongue is indeed from the Lord but when When the preparations of the heart in man be so to (t) pro. 15.7 the tongue is the dispenser and should be the disperser of holy knowledge But the heart my soul the heart 't is that has the good (u) Mat 6.21 treasure and as 't is true where the treasure is there the heart will be so really where the heart is there the (x) Mat 12.35 treasure will be good or bad O my soul better is a little in the heart (y) Pro. 15.16 with the fear
Job 9 30. one of a thousand Nav sometimes (u) Psa 14.3 there 's none that does me good no not one Though they have all (x) Joh 10.30 one Father and in truth they and their Father are one For my very life I can't (y) Psal 61.31 trust in them at all times an least not securely For some times in my thirst they have given me (z) Joh 19.29 vineger to drink the conditions frightning me more than the grace comforting But oh my God thou knowest I wish I were (a) Mat 25.43 44 sick so they might visit me and in prison so they might but minister to me for they have instructed many (b) Job 4.3 4. and have strengthened weak hands They have upholdem him that was falling and strengthened feeble knees Dying souls have set down under their shadow (c) Can 2.3 and their fruit has been sweet to their taste From thy promises oh my God I have known those who have (d) Can 5.1 gathered myrrh and spice honey and honey-comb wine and milk when they had been (c) Lam 3.15 17. filled with bitterness and made drunk with wormwood when their souls had been removed from peace and they had forgot prosperitie (f) Psal 30.6 In my prosperitie I would say indeed I should never be moved and confidently bid (g) Luk 12.19 my soul take more ease than now it dares as having Goods laid up for many years yea for eternity I would remove (h) Ec. 11.10 sorrow from my heart could I but undoubtingly say of thy promises That (i) Joh 17.4 6 10. I have finished the world they gave me to do Could I but boldly tell thee oh my God That thine they were and thou gavest them me and all mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them But alas as oft as these are not my (k) Psal 33.1 2. shield my glory and the lifter up of my head Lord how are they increased that trouble me many are they that rise up against me many there be which say of my soul There is no help for him in God By night on (l) Can. 3.1 my bed when I seek the particular promises which I have chose for my joy when I seek them and find them not When (m) Can 5.6 I open my heart to them and they withdraw themselves and be gone when (n) Pro. 1.28 I seek them early too and can't find them though my coneeits before had been high (o) Oba 1.3 4. though I had exalted my self as the Eagle and set my nest among the Stars how am I brought down in a momenr How are my (p) 〈◊〉 2.7 lofty looks humbled and my haughtiness brought low My own former comforts (q) Job 30.10 15. abhor me They flee from me and spare not to spit in my face Terrors are turned upon me they pursue my soul as the wind and my welfare passeth away as a cloud For why 't is very true in all thy Laws and Threatnings (r) Psal 34.8 I see the Lord is good but 't is in the promises that I taste and see he is good I can safely say all thy words are sweet but 't is of thy (s) Psa 119.103 promises that I dare cry out Oh how sweet are thy words to my taste All their sweetness is lasting not onely giving my soul a feast but a continual one and that a physical not a diseasegendring one It doth good and that like a medicine it 's honey purges as well as pleases Were it sweet (t) Job 20.12 as sin only in the mouth I could not give it a good word Oh my God the (u) Pro. 9.17 stoln waters of it which my heart in musing takes secretly away the bread of it that I eat in secret places I can't say How sweet they are (x) 1 Co 15.41 there is one glory of the Sun another of the Moon that gives light and heat too and life this onely light There is one glory of thy commanding word that Moon rules in the night we are in throughout our life in this dark world There is another glory of thy promising word that Sun gives light and life to poor souls and makes (y) 2 Co 5.6 us present with the Lord even while we are absent And really (z) Mat 9.15 the children of the Bride-chamber can t mourn while in thy promises they have the Bridegroom with them When they sit at any time in the dark and see no light lo thy promises do make both (a) Josh 10.12 the Sun aforesaid to stand still upon their Gibeon and the Moon in their valley of Ajalon till the faces of their enemies are cloathed with (b) Psa 83.16 shame and the crown of their faith flourisheth on their own heads (c) Mat. 2.20 The Herods which seek the lives of my poor Infant-Graces and Comforts oh my God they are never stone dead I can never say They which sought my childrens lives are dead No they make and I am sure they keep war (d) Rev 17.14 with my Lambs Thy very promises (e) Psal 46.9 can't make their wars to cease but they can (f) Psal 68.30 and do scatter them that delight in war and that which they help me do makes me say experimentally (g) Ex. 15.39 The Lord is a Man of War But oh my God my God How to put on this armour 't is rare that I can tell Though thy promises be (h) Ro. 13.12 armour of Light yet sure 't is such dazling light that I can't tell how to wind and turn it From whence it comes to pass that I am daily (i) Lev. 26.25 delivered over into the hands of sin and sorrow doubt and fear and all enemies and didst thou not as an every dayes Emanuel rid me out and lead my (k) Re. 7.23 captive the sorrows of hell would not onely compass me but swallow me up and I should be not as my (l) 1 Isa 15.29 Saviour was rejected of men and a man of sorrows but rejected of God (m) Isa 53 3. and a man of sorrows How oft oh my God do I hear that voice (n) Luk 12.20 This night thy soul shall be required of thee How oft am I afraid to (o) Pro. 6.4 give sleep to my eies evenwhen I have much ado to keep it from them How few nights in a week can I sleep as do (p) 1 Th. 5.6 athers for they rest from their labours which I can't (q) Psa 40.12 innumerable evils compass me about my iniquities take hold of me so that I am not able to look up or lye down my conscience it self reviles me saying (r) Psa 42.3 Where is now thy God I am (s) Psa 29.9 dumb to my friends because they can't remove my stroak Nay I live (u) 2 Co 6.10 though as sorrowful yet as alwayes rejoycing
as other mens and though their love comes up like a flower it 's obnoxious to be cut or trod down like grass (g) Mat 6.30 which to day is and to morrow is cast into the oven Be thou my friend who changest not but lovest to the end yea world without end (h) Rev 2.10 who art faithful to the Death and givest thy friends a crown of Life whose love neither death can strike (i) Ro 3.38 39 nor life consume nor angels stop in the way nor principalities (k) Ro. 13.2 and powers resist to any but their own damnation nor things present cross nor things to come annoy nor heighth pull down nor depth swallow up nor any other creature do any other injury unto Oh my God make me know men (l) Jam. 1.8 are double-winded and their love is unstable in all its waies (m) He. 12.15 any root of bitterness may spring up and trouble it the rust of money (n) Mat 6.19 may corrupt it thieves may break in and steal it An unbridled tongue may ride over it and spoil it Oh make me sell all I have to get thy love thy love which is an inheritance (o) 1 Pe 1.4 5. incorruptible undefiled and that fades not away reserv'd in heaven kept through my faith indeed but by thy power unto salvation Make me know good Lord That all the friends on earth can't make one (p) Mat. 5.36 hair of my head white or black nor by (q) Mat 6.27 taking ever so much thought add one cubit to my stature when sick or sorrowful there 's not one to whom I can say (r) Mat. 8.2 7. If thou wilt thou canst make me clean and whole nor can a soul of them say I will come and heal thee (s) Job 7.38 But oh my God he that believeth in thee though he were dead yet should he live Thou canst (t) Ezo 37.6 lay sinews upon dry bones cover them with flesh and breath in life 'T is but a word (u) Heb 11.3 and a world with thee (x) Ecc 1.15 that which is crooked thou canst make strait and that which is wanting thou canst number it My God my God I beseech thee put away my lovers and friends from me and (y) Job 19.13 let my acquaintance be estranged from that intimacie and perpetuitie of converse with them which hinders my communion with thee Though of all things below they are the sweetest they cannot (z) Pro 30 8. feed me with food convenient for me though I am greatly prone to put (a) Pro. 25.19 confidence in them I find that confidence in them in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joynt Though they have (b) Eph 4.28 stole away too too much of my affection already Oh my God let them steal no more Enable me to (c) Luk 14.26 hate my very father as much as is requisite to come a friend to thee Be thou my whole acquaintance and let me be ever with thee either in delights or desires Let me be a (d) Psal 119.23 companion of all them that love thee but let my communion be with and my strong confidence be in thee who art never better known than trusted Amen my God and Saviour Amen Amen! 10. A Soliloquy with God of the Holy Scriptures BLessed God (x) Job 6.25 how forcible are right words thine I am sure are Right because thine and right forcible because they are such (y) Jer. 23.29 hammers as break the very Rocks of my heart such a fire as pierces into my inmost depths and reaches the dross (z) 1 Co 2.9 which no Eye hath seen or ear heard Such Monitors as whoever won't hear (a) Luk 16.31 would not believe if one came from the dead Such as (b) Psal 119.9 cleanse the ways of even young men themselves so hard to be reclaimed that David cries out astonishedly Wherewithall shall a man young cleanse his waies Of very stocks and stones thy word (c) Mat. 3.9 has rais'd up children to Abraham It is (d) Isa 43.1 the arm of God yea and very sword too God the Father's arm God the Son's (e) 1 Co 4.20 power God the (f) Eph 6.17 Spirits sword Oh my God (g) Pre. 15.23 words spoken in season how good are they but when are thine out of season When (h) 1 Pe 2.2 we are babes they are milk (i) Pro 16.24 sweet and nourishing When grown they are strong meat making us go in thy wayes without weariness yea (k) Psal 19.5 run without fainting when in bitterness of sin and sorrow they are honey pleasant and purgative too When in doubts they are Counsellors when fainting (l) Can 2.5 they are flagons of soul-reviving cordials and apples of comfort When quite dead and the spirit gone (m) Jo. 6 6â— the words which thou sayest they are spirit and they are life (n) Jam 1.18 We are begotten by thy holy word (o) psa 119.93 as many as are born of God! We are fed by the same and no better fed than taught neither O my God there is not a (p) Psa 119 105. word in my tongue but thou knowest it altogether Oh would to Christ there may not be a (q) Psal 139.4 word in thy Book but I may know it altogether (r) Jam 1.5 Praised be thy holy Name thou dost not say If any man want wisdom that then he shall strait be damn'd for a fool but sayest That then he should ask it of thee Lord I ask of thee that (s) 2 Ti. 3.15 wisedom to salvation which thy word alone is able to give me I observe That all worldly wise withour this are (t) Mat. 10.16 as harmless as serpents as wise as doves without hearts they are wise to do evil in the form of godliness but to do good as good they have (u) Jer. 4.22 none the least knowledge What are all humane Authors that I should take knowledge (x) Psal 144.3 of them Or the most Learned that I should make account of them (y) Isa 55.8 9. Their words are not as thy words nor their notions as thy notions As the heavens are high above the earth so are thy words high above their words thy notions above theirs Methinks of all the Books in my Studie it is my Bible onely which can use the mighty Lords own words (z) Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved All the ends of the earth (a) Pro. 8.18 20 21 14. riches and honour are with me yea durable riches and honours lead in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of Judgement That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance and I will fill their treasures Counsel is mine and sound wisedom I am understanding I have strength Other Books I confess with their
much (b) Pro. 7.21 fair speech do cause me to yield with the flattering of their lips they force me But when they draw me from thy Book oh my Book I find my going after them is just a meer oxes going to the slaughter and a fools to the correction of the stocks Other books (c) Pro. 25.14 boast in Title pages of false gifts and are meer clouds and wind without rain but thine gives good and (d) Jam 1.17 perfect gifts coming down from the Father of lights (e) Pro. 23.35 They have stricken me with reproofs and 〈◊〉 was not sick they have beaten me with inculked rebukes and my conscience felt it not but in thy word the (f) Mar. 26.75 Cocks crow so loud that they will make one go out of â—â—n (g) Luk 22 62. and weep bitterly that one can go out no further The word (h) Mal. 3.2 is a Refiners fire and suffers some cleansing inside and out Theirs maketh Scribes and Pharisees painted sepulchres but no (i) Joh. 1.49 true Israelites in whom there is no guile (k) Isa 5.12 the harp and the viol are in their feasts the tabret and pipe of the excellency of mans wisedom pleasing words and tinkling cymbals But thy Book gives (l) Can. 15.1 the myrrh with spice the honey with the honey-comb the wine with milk Oh my God thou hast made great (m) Psal 136.8 9. lights in thy word the Sun the Moon the Stars of precepts promises and providences else would this world be (n) Joh 10.21 22 a land of darkness and the shadow of death A land of darkness as hells darkness it self of the shadow of death without any order and where the light would be as darkness Some deal with thy word as (o) Ru. 1.14 16. Orpah with Naomi go some part of the way with her kiss her and then leave her But oh may my soul as Ruth's cleave to it and for ever say Whither thou goest I will go where thou lodgest I will lodge thy wayes shall be my wayes and thy God shall be my God (p) psal 145.10 11 12 14 15. All thy works do praise thee O Lord and thy Saints do bless thee they speak sweetly of the glory of thy Kingdom and talk of thy power but 't is thy word makes known to the sons of men thy mighty Acts of Creation and Redemption and the glorious Majesty of thy Kingdom 'T is thy word upholds all them that fall and raises up those that be bowed down Out of thy word thou givest the best meat to them whose eyes wait upon thee Thy gracious providences often make me cry out (q) psal 136.1 10 15 16 O give thanks to the Lord for he is good But 't is thy Word onely makes me add His mercy endureth for ever For why 'T is by thy Word that thou smitest Aegyptian lusts in their first-born and overthrowest reigning sins and their hosts of snares and temptations in the Sea of thy grace red with the Bloud Royal of thy Son 'T is by thy Word thou leadest thy people through the valley of sin ond sorrow into the heavenly Canaan 'T is thy Word that in the wilderness of this world (r) Psa 105.41 opens very rocks that waters gush out yea (s) Psal 107.35 that turns my part of this wilderness into a standing pool of mercies and my dry ground into water springs 11. A Soliloquy with the Soul about its sloth O My soul my soul (z) Pro. 2.6 16. 'T is in thy own conceit That such a sluggard as thou is wiser than seven men that can render a reason Dost think it enough as (a) Mat. 9.20 the woman with the bloody Flux only to come behind Christ and touch the hem of his garment Hers was a Flux of Blood thine of such sins as made a Flux of Christs Blood Her disease but of Twelve years thine of almost twice twelve for thou wast conceiv'd in it (b) Mat 9.21 As she said of Christ darest thou say of Christian Religion If I may but touch its garment I shall be whole If not why standest thou idle hath not God sent thee to hotter work (c) Mar. 6.8 9 7. Is this like a Disciple of Christ to be projecting for scrip bread money in thy purse and two coats and not be caring for power of thy unclean spirit and being shod with the sandals of the Gospel Art thou my soul the Bethlehem wherein Christ is born or the Sodom wherein pride idleness and fulness of bread reigns (d) Pro 21.25 The desire of the slothful Christian to be saved damns him because his hands refuse to abound in the work of the Lord. (e) Mat. 19.20 All these things have I kept from my youth up was the word of an hypoorite and very likely an Apostate 'T is another diligence (f) 2 Pe 1.10 ensures Election and secures from falling Be not (g) Jam 1.22 Jam. 1.21 deceiv'd oh my soul with vain words It is the doing Christian onely that undoes not himself A mans own words are not as God's able to save his soul Salvation must be (h) Phil 2.12 work'd not talk'd out Examine thy self prove thy self oh my soul for knowest thou not that great industry is in thee (i) 2 Go 13.5 except thou beest a reprobate Not to do well or (k) Gal 6. to be weary of well doing is a manifest token of God's being weary of thee and thy being so of him and every such (l) Heb. 10.38 drawing back finally persisted in is to perdition ' Tell not me there is a lion or singularity in the way a lion of censoriousness in the streets I shall be bit Thou must be so but who can help it If Christ (m) Mal 10 16 25. will send forth his Disciples in the midst of lions and wolves 't is so much the better for you if you are bit soundly you will be the more like your Master (n) Heb 10. The sacrifice of thy fame the offering the burnt-offering of it on this account is such as God will not despise but has pleasure in Men indeed and of repute for piety too many won't endure (o) 2 Ti 4.3 sound doctrine much less convincing conversation But God will have us do more (p) Mat 5.47 than others either do or allow us to do Oh my soul look right before thee Were it not better that men should say to thee and thy graces Why do ye more than others by way of accusation than that Christ when he comes should say What do ye more than others by way of condemnation Christ (q) Mat 7.29 Read the four Evangelists thy Doctor teaches not as the Scribes but as one having authority Don't thou live as the Scribes but as one having activity Christ thy Saviour did and suffered nothing but miracles for thee double miracles to wit because he did
of the Lord than great treasure of God's word in thy mouth and the trouble of thy tongue therewith He (z) Heb 11.4 who being dead yet speaks of spiritual life is infinitely far from that speech which (a) Ca. 411. Christ Jesus calls comely and yet if he were not the wise man tells us Excellent speech (b) Pro. 17.7 becomes not a fool O my soul my soul Take thou (c) Mat 10.19 then no thought how or what thou shalt speak of God or his wayes (d) Mat 12.35 but out of the good treasure of thy heart Let it ever be given unto thee what thou shalt say (e) Mal. 2.6 Let the Law of Truth be in thy lips (f) Psal 15.2 and speak the truth in thine heart The way to be without offence is to be sincere and make clean the insides of the vessels (g) Phil 1.10 the Kingdom of God is not in word 14. A Soliloquy with God complaining of vile Affections OH my God my God! (h) Job 19.23 24. oh that thy words were now written in the Book of my heart Oh that they were printed in my conscience That they were engraven with an iron pen and lead in the rock of my heart for ever But alas (i) Psal 1.6 I am affraid of ten thousands of vile affections which have beset themselves round about me not onely to keep me from holy wisdom that (k) Pro. 6.25 I lust not after her beauty in my heart nor let her take me with her eye-lids that I am not ravish'd with one (l) Can 4.9 of her eyes and one chain of her neck (m) Job 29.22 but to make me mock at her sear and not be affrightned nor turn back from her swords to say among her trumpets Ha ha to scorn the thunder of her captains and their shouting Nay and as if they themselves were not enough they say to all temptations (n) Pro 1.11 12 Pro. 1.17 Come with us let us lay wait for blood let us lurk privily for all the Laws of God that ever come here Let us swallow them up alive as the grave and whole as those that go down to the pit O my God are not all thy nets spread in vain in the sight of such Birds as my worldly affections who say of heavenly-mindedness (o) Ecc 2.2 that it is mad and of self-denyal what doth it who taunt at my conscience saying (p) Can 5.9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved O my God! I confess it 't is but just on me (q) Isa 1.2 I have nourish'd and brought up these children of Belial and now they rebel against me domineering over my heart the womb that bare them and the dugs that gave them suck so that (r) Ro. 7.15 that which she allows not she does that which she would she does not and does what she hates And verily oh my God these (s) 1 Co 1.27 foolish things confound the wise within me these weak confound the things that are mighty (t) Eccl 4.1 I have considered all the oppressions that are done under the Sun but oh my God I know none like those done by my vile affections (u) Isa 3.15 which beat thy good Teachings to pieces and grind the faces of my poor convictions which fence up my way that I cannot pass from them and set darkness about all my paths which make me ever and anon grumble (x) Psal 73.13 I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency to wit while they say to my graces and comforts (y) Jer. 13.18 Humble your selves sit down for your principalities shall come down even the crown of your glory Oh my God my God! 't is through these that (z) Jer. 12.2 3. thou so often art near in my mouth and far from my reins but oh thou that knowest me seest me and tryest my reins thou knowest that I pray thee for the love of Christ to pull them out like sheep for the slaughter and prepare them for the day of slaughter For alas alas (a) Isa 57.20 they are like the troubled sea when it cannot rest whose waters cast up mire and dirt the winds and the seas will obey me assoon as they and the worst of it is (b) Pro 29.12 That my Rulers my judgement and conscience do but too often hearken to their lies and then all their servants my will memory and all other powers are wicked and so wicked as that if any good seed get into me (c) Job 14.2 it comes up like a flower and is cut down it flees as a shadow and continues not My God I fear at my yery heart (d) 2 Câ—â— 26 2â— That as Vzziah I shall be a leper to my death and dwell in a several house sever'd from the near access to thee and thy holiness which my heart pants for because really I am (e) Job 2.6 in the hand of these devils onely thou savest my life of which it self I am wofully afraid when many times (f) Psa 46.9 they make my very warfare with them to cease they break my spiritual bows and cut my spears in sunder and burn the Chariots of God in the fire Their cursed peace being (g) Isa 48 18.19 all the whiles as a River and their unrighteousness numerous and boisterous as the waves of the sea Their ungodly seed as the sand and their off-spring as the gravel thereof Oh my God if whosoever (h) Luk 14.11 exalts himself shall be abased sure I should hope these corrupt affections were to be brought down for sure they exalt themselves above thy own Majesty When I sometimes query with them methinks the sum of their answer is what was said of old These (i) Isa 48.5 and these things mine idol hath done and my graven image and my molten image hath commanded them They are stedfast and unmoveable alwayes abounding in the works of sin and vanity They are (k) Eph 6.10 11 17. strong in the Devil and the power of his might putting on his whole armour that they may be able to stand against the very sword of the spirit the Word of God O my God (l) 2 Ti 3.16.17 I find they are notable for doctrine for reproof for corrections for instruction in unrighteousness that the child of disobedience may be perfect throughly furnish'd unto all evil works they subtly (m) T it 2.12 13 teach to deny all spiritual Godliness and Grace and to live indeed unsoberly unrighteously and ungodly in this present world looking for that hope which makes asham'd They (n) Jam 1.21 lay apart all spivituality and godly sineerity and receive with proud desperateness the devices of Satan the least of which is enough to damn humane souls To do evil and to communicate it they (o) Heb 13.16 forget not for with such sacrifices the god of this world
(r) Mat. 18.8 9. and they have cut it off The eye of faith has offended them and they have pluck'd it out My hope has offended them and they have made it ashamed They have tied milstones about the necks of all my souls graces and thrown them into the depths of Distrust But oh my God my God! though the (s) Gen 49.23 24. Archers have sorely grieved them and shot at them wilt thou yet return their bow to its strength and shall the arms of their hands be made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob From whom is the shepherd and stone of Israel (t) Hos 13.9 14. Though they have destroyed themselves in Thee is their help Ransom thou them from the power of the grave and redeem them from death Say to their death that thou wilt be its plagues and to their graves that thou wilt be their destruction So shall the very dead praise thee and those that have gone down to the pit remember thy Name Nor shall my lusts my (u) Eccl 9.4 living dogs be better than my graces though dead Lions I Redeem oh my God (x) Psal 103.4 Redeem their life from Destruction And for Christ's love (y) Psal 66.9 hold thou their souls as well as mine in life Without thee oh Jesus my life my food my raiment my All without thee what is the life of my grace it is even a (z) Jam 4.14 vapour that appears and but appears for a time and but a little time and vanishes away (a) Job 24.22 No man is sure of their life no though (b) Job 2.4 all that a man hath he would give for their life But oh by thee in whom my graces life is hid may it (c) Luk 21.28 lift up its head and may its salvation draw nigh The winds and seas obey thee make thou the (d) Rev 20.13 sea of my corruptions to give up its dead So shall my love for thee be stronger than death and my jealousie (e) Can 8.7 8. for thy glory be cruel to them as the grave the coals thereof shall be coals of fire which have a most vehement flame No waters shall quench or floods drown it though the devil would give all the substance of this great house of the world for it it should utterly be contemned 19. A Soliloquy of vain Thoughts OH my soul my soul Thy thoughts are thy (a) Gen 49.3 4. Reubens thy first-born thy might the beginning of thy strength the excellency and power if good but if unstable as water thou canst not excel Paul sayes That (b) 1 Co 13.11 when he was a child he thought as a child when a man he thought as a man But verily when I was a child I thought as a beast when a man I thought as a child The mighty God (c) Psal 139.2 understands thy thoughts afar off Oh that thou wouldst understand them better far and near For solemnly I tell thee that though (d) Heb 4.13 all things are naked and open before the God with whom I have to do yet are they secret sins which he is said to set before him and hidden ones that he puts in the (e) Psa 9.7 light of his countenance Though he be justly called (f) Heb 12.23 Judge of all yet particularly and chiefly he is said Coming to judge (g) Ro. 2.16 the secrets of men Of every idle word an account must be given but (h) Mat 12.36 37. of every idle thought which produces millions of them what account can be given If in my sense I was to be justified by my words I should scarce hope well But alas if a man offend not (i) Jam. 3.2 6 8. in word yet if he does in thought he is no perfect man Add hereto that the tongue is no such fire no such world of iniquity no such untamable and unruly member but the heart is by thousands and by ten thousands worse (k) Ecc 10.14 Fools indeed cannot rule their words but the wisest cannot rule their thoughts David protests he hated vain thoughts but never once boasts of a conquest over them Besides what are our words They are even a vapour which appear for a little while and vanish away Evil thoughts are a sin that dwelleth in us and tell me oh my soul oh tell me (l) Jer. 4.14 how long shall they lodge within thee They have lodged in thee so long already that they have begot a hundred monsters opinionative affectional and practical I protest in God's presence to thy face (m) Ecc 4.1 I have considered many of the oppressions that are done under the Sun and like to that of thine own by evil thoughts I know not any My God alone does know what I would give to have my thoughts taught (n) T it 2.5 young womens duty to be discreet chast and keepers at home good obedient to the dictates of my own conscience that the word of God might not be blasphemed to be sober grave temperate sound in faith in charity and patience to be in behaviour as becometh holiness But alas alas (o) Job 2.2 their feet abide not in their home like the devil they are mostly going to and fro in earth they are very (p) Gen 49.21 Pro. 22 6. Naphtali's Hinds let loose and they love to wander Let me train them ever so much in the way wherein they should go Psal 90.9 Mark 14.20 yet instantly they will depart from it If any good be thrown in upon them yet it passes away like a Tale that is told but rarely falls a seed of evil but it takes root and bears some thirty some sixty some a hundred fold As for all foregoing good inclinations and purposes they make them as grass upon (q) Psal 129.6 Hos 4.11 Rom. 11.8 the house tops which withers before it grows up In a word there is much of whoredom and wine and new wine in them which utterly take away the heart and infuse a spirit of flumber The form of Godliness they sometimes feed even (r) Luk 15.22 23. with the fatted calf and cloath with the best robe putting rings on its fingers and tinkling ornaments about its feet too But for the power of Godliness they serve it as Samuel did Agar they hew it in pieces As for the object of Devotion the Holy God ah my soul my soul How abominates he vain thoughts he removes his way far from them he (s) Pro. 5.8 Pro. 4.15 See Pro 6.16 17 18 will not come nigh the door of their house he be sure of it avoids their mansions passes not by it turns from it and passes away Every vain thought is a virtual Gergesen beseeching Christ to get him gone out of the region of the heart and ordinarily a few serve to send him going As for the heart it self the subject of Devotion vain thoughts take the Kingdom of Grace out of
(p) Josh 1.8 Law is departed out of our mouths Nor yet oh my soul mayest thou think that thy tongue or thy words are sufficient lodgings for Divine Love they are but for walks to move and appear in Thy honour to God though it be but barren without the fruit and the calves of thy lips yet these oblations are odious to the very soul of God when they are not offered from out the very soul of man Though stinking breath argues rotten lungs and I am out of doubt thou art most impure if thy speech be not seasoned with salt yet this I utterly set at naught unless thou have (q) Col 4.6 Mat. 9 5 salt in thy self also The cleaner thou sweepest before the (r) Mic. 7.5 doors of thy mouth oh my soul sweep so much the cleaner before the doors of thy heart too and within its chambers otherwise thy (s) Psal 57.8 tongue will be indeed thy glory but no more than thy vain glory Add whereto (t) Mar. 3.24 25. that the Kingdom of God cannot stand in humane souls wherein the heart and tongue stand divided against each other The practical impieties of an hypocrite (u) Job 29.17 will break his own jaws and pluck the spoils of Grace out of his teeth If his tongue break not its own word his hands will Being evil he may speak great things but not good to himself who speaks them nor very likely to be good to others coming through so polluted lips as his But oh my soul David sayes The words of the Lord are pure words And his son tells thee The (x) Psal 12.6 words of the pure are (y) Pro. 15.26 pleasant words Oh count thou them onely pleasant which are pure and them pure which are godly Christ who in one sense (z) Mat 10.19 forbids thee in another commands thee to take thought how and what thou shalt speak (a) Ecc. 5.1 Be not rash with thy mouth sayes Solomon Be (b) Jam 1.19 slow with it sayes James (c) 1 Co 14.19 Five words with understanding ones self and with edifyingness to others are better than ten thousand without the same sayes Paul The wisest of men declares it That acceptable words he did not find without (d) Ecc 12.10 seeking them out The most godly of men professes it cost him good (e) Psal 39.1 heed to keep sin out of his tongue and sometimes 't was a bridle onely which could rule it A blessed prophet mentions (f) Mic 7.5 doors of the mouth and calls for Porters to keep them to Were it an easie thing graciously to open those doors Why prayed (g) Psal 51.15 David so urgently to God to open his for him Were it easie to keep them duly shut one chapter in St. James his Epistle would swarm with errors Though one love pureness of heart 't is not the natural gift but the supernatural (h) Pro 22.11 grace of ones lips for which the King of Heaven will become our friend In the multitude of words utter'd by the best if there be not a multitude yet neither is there any (i) Pro. 10.19 want of sin Thy sad and woful experience tells thee Thou art apt to (k) Exo 23.2 follow those multitudes to do evil Wherefore do this now oh my soul and deliver thy self go humble thy self to God! and give not sleep to thine eyes (l) Pro. 6.3 4 2 or slumber to thy eye-lids till thou hast confess'd it to him that thou hast been snar'd with the words of thy mouth and taken by the words of thy mouth which had they been savoury and sound they had been (m) Pro 8.11 19. better than rubies and their fruit better than gold yea fine gold but being corrupt (n) Psal 58.4 their poison is like the poison of a serpent and when best painted they are but stinking sepulchres Go and beseech the Christ of God to give thee a (o) Luk 21.15 Rom. 15.6 1 Cor. 13.1 mouth and wisedom wisedom with my heart and mouth also to glorifie him all the day long to make his Word the rule and mold wherein to cast mine Would God oh my soul the tongue of men and Angels were but one and the praises of God were as incessantly sung aloud on earth as in heaven Would God there were no such things as tongues devising (p) Psal 52.2 mischiefs and like sharp rasors working deceitfully Would God there were no tongues of the beast save in the mouths of beasts and (q) Psal 49.3 the meditation of humane hearts were so of understanding that the mouth of the whole world would be of wisedom Would God iniquitie were more than tongue-ty'd even rooted out and the words of men Psal 12.7 Mat. 12.34 would become as the words of God pure words tried in the furnace purified seven times But seeing so it sadly is that out of the abundance of my hearts wickedness my tongue is hastie to speak And seeing in the (r) Job 20.12 Pro. 10.14 Mal. 2.7 mouths of the most wickedness is sweet and holiness bitter as gall seeing the mouths of fools are near destroying themselves and others too Seeing God will also require his Law at thy mouth and Christ Jesus owns not those for his whose lips are not as (s) Can 3.8 11. thred of scarlet and speech comely whose lips drop not as the honey comb and under whose tongues there 's not honey and milk See Can 5.13 I charge thee oh my soul before God and the elect Angels that thou slack not prayer till thou hear God saying to me All dayes of thy life I will be with thee and with thy mouth and (t) Exo 4.12 teach thee what thou shalt say 21. A Soliloquy of evil Company CUrse ill companie oh my (a) Psal 103.1 2 3 4 5. soul and all that is within me curse its wicked name Curse it oh my soul and forget not all its injuries which sets afoot all thy iniquities and strengthens all thy diseases which reduces thy spiritual life to destruction and crowns thee with the thorns of its loving kindness which fills thy mouth with evil things (b) Isa 65.4 broth of abominable things (c) Psal 103.12 As far as the East is from the West so far hath it removed the thoughts of my God and my Christ from me Even when I remember it (d) Job 21.6 I am affraid and trembling takes hold on me For it hath cast down many wounded yea many strong in grace have been slain by the wiles of it Satans agents are subtile spirits and his ministers a (e) Psal 105.4 Psal 76.7 Psal 76 1 2 3. flaming fire They even they are to be feared and who can stand not guiltie or at least not accessary in their sight In evil companie Satan is well known his name is great in evil companie in evil companie also is his tabernacle and his
dwelling-place in evil companies There breaks he the arrows of the Almightie the shield of Faith the sword of the Spirit and the whole armour of God Oh my soul (f) Psa 1.1 't is bad walking in the counsel of the ungodly 't is worse standing in the way of sinners and to sit in the feat of the scornful is worst of all unlikely to dwell in God's holy Hill is that man in whose eyes a vile person is not contemned Of evil companie (g) Job 42.5 6. I had long heard by the hearing of the ear but when my eye saw it and by sad experience I felt it I abhor'd it and my self for no more abhorring it in dust and ashes (h) Psal 149.8 For it binds the motions of the holy Spirit in chains and the Dictates of conscience in fetters of iron and it works with (i) 2 Th 2.10 such deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish by it that few who (k) Pro. 2.19 go in unto it return again nor take hold such of the paths of life Thy good companie be to me but as a very lovely (l) Eze. 33.32 song of one that hath a pleasant voice and can play well upon an instrument Though I hear their words and either do them not or not as I ought Yet alas in evil companie all things are said and done too unto edification They build one up in vanity and sinful-mindedness and the (m) 2 Co 10.4 5. weapons of their warfare I will say it are though carnal yet mightie through the Devil without and devilish Justs within to the pulling down of the strongest holds of Grace and casting down holy apprehensions and every divine thing that exalts it self against the works of Satan True it is evil companie cannot enjoyn or enforce yet (n) Phil 9 10. as Paul did Philemon for loves sake it will beseech us to entertain again those very sins which we have renounced Satan cannot force but shrewdly can he tempt and I much mistake if evil companie be not the very brightness and (o) Heb 1.3 13. Pro. 2.27 express image of his person Nay and methinks I hear the Devil saying to all companie Sit you at my right hand and I will make some of your enemies my foot stool Deep oh my soul deep is the ditch and narrow is the pit of evil company and it is almost (p) Heb 8 4. impossible for those who are once so darkned as to tast their hellish gifts and be made partakers of the damned Ghost who is never more an Abaddon and Apolluon than in evil company ever again to return savingly to the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls (q) Rev 2.13 I know the works of such as dwell in evil companie even where Satan's seat is they hold fast Satan's name and deny not his service No wonder that Elihu cries out (r) Job 34.7 8. What man is like Job if once he goes so much as in companie with workers of iniquitie and walks with wicked men David said once to Abigail (s) 1 Sa. 25.32 33. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me Blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou But alas How oft have I said Cursed be my own sin in unnecessary visits and resorts cursed be their advices and cursed their wayes It was a true report which I had heard in my minoritie and childhood of the Acts and madness of evil companie howbeit (t) 2 Ch 9.5 6 7 I believed not their words who told me thereof till my eyes had seen it And behold oh my soul my soul and all that is within me Behold the one half was not told me the sin of evil companie and its infectiousness exceed the fame thereof Cursed are their men and cursed their servants which stand continually about them and hear their folly Psal 24 7.9 Open the gates of the house and of the heart to evil companie and without the least doubt the Prince of darkness shall come in and when he comes shall find or make the heart emptie swept and garnish'd for his use Egypt was no house of Bondage comparable (u) Exo 20.1 to that of Egyptian Companie nor is ever the Lord's flock so carried away captive as when they are carried by their own heedlesness or worse into the Synagogue of Satan for these captivities (x) Jer. 13.17 weep thou oh my soul in secret places my eye shall weep sore and run down with tears 'T is evil companie oh my soul that deceives its neighbor (y) Pro 26.19 18 25 26. throws fire-brands arrows and death and saith Am not I in sport Oh when it speaks fair believe it not there are seven abominations in its heart Their hate is covered with deceit may their wickedness be shewn before the whole Congregation of God In a worse sense than Paul's We are made of the filth of the world when we have fellowship with those who are so (z) Mat 11.19 2 Cor. 6.14 Christ was a friend indeed to Publicans and sinners and so may we Though he held companie he held no communion with them nor may we His companie with them was to reform them Wo to us if our company-keeping with men evil be not to make them good and with a care they make not us evil Had the Prince of this world any thing in him to catch him by nothing at all Wo then to us who have so much for him to catch us by if we make so bold as he in some cases (a) Psal 119.63 David was companion to all them who feared God and kept his precepts in order to which he took a very good and it may be the onely course when he resolved that he would not know (b) Psal 101.4 a wicked person If I will imitate my God (c) Psal 7.11 who is angry with all wicked every day I must be angry every day with my wicked self and beware of my own companie and why not as well of all wicked companie (d) Pro. 15.9 A wicked man is loathsome to God why should he be lovely to me or how can he if I am like God in my affections Had the Lord Christ thought it impossible for me to converse with worldly men without holding communion with them I am perswaded he would have (e) Joh. 17.15 prayed the Father to have taken me out of the world which sith he has not I resolve to sojourn if providence will require me in (f) Psal 120.5 Mesech and have my habitation in Kedar But to put away (g) Psal 119.119 all the wicked like dross to beware of devils very much but of men more and put a wide difference between men and brethren And now Acts 15 13. oh my soul to confirm thy faith and animate thy zeal herein I charge thee before the Trinitie and the elect Angels to con well Two Texts
caused thee (b) Deu 34.14 to see it with thine eyes but thou shalt not go over thither But nor yet do I hear thee say so plainly as I would Fear not it is my good pleasure to give thee (c) Luk 12.33 the Kingdom Many seek to enter in and are not able Thousands not onely say and read but cry Lord Lord Open and yet are shut out Some get so far that they be not far from (d) Mat 7.22 thy Kingdom and yet never reach it Nay the children of the Kingdom themselves Christ tells me (e) Mat 8.12 are cast into outer darkness the most part of them and if so Lord what cause have I to say to my soul as (f) Rut 3.1 Naomi to Ruth Shall I not seek rest for thee that it may be well with thee Of that soul oh my God so forgetful am I that oft it checks me as (g) Jud 16.13 15. Dalilah her Sampson Hitherto hast thou mocked me and told me lyes How canst thou say I love thee and thy heart is not with me When it reflects on the madnesses of my heart and life it fears thou wilt one day say of me as Achish (h) 1 Sa. 29.15 of David Have I need of mad men Shall this fellow come into my house (i) Heb. 4.1 It doth not infrequently alarum me in the being left us of entring into God's rest we should come short of it For (k) 1 Pe 4.12 if the righteous scarcely be saved Where shall we appear Solomon sayes Blessed is the man that fears alwayes Oh my God Let me not serve thee therefore without fear of my self (l) Psal 118.6 David said He would not fear what man could do unto him but sure he meant of other men he fear'd his own heart when he cry'd Keep yea (m) Psa 119.13 Pro. 29 25. keep back thy servant from presumptuous fins Indeed the fear of other men bringeth a snare as Solomon sayes but the fearlesness of ones self brings a million The counsel is divine not to fear other men who (n) Mat 10.28 can kill our body and no more But 't is also as divine that a man should fear himself who is not onely able but prone by sin and by disobedience to destroy both soul and body in hell Oh my God Help me to attend Moses's advice (o) Deu 4.9 Joh. 13.13 to take heed to my self and keep my soul diligently I find That in every Prayer and Conference wherein I do not so do I must cry out to my Lord and Master as Josiah to his servants when shot by the Archers (p) 2 Ch 35.23 Have me away for I am sore wounded and that in my grace and peace too As Martha of Lazarus to Christ I oft say of my faith and hope to my care of my evidences for Heaven Oh divine eares hadst (q) Joh 11.21 thou been here my faith and hope had not dyed and indeed when that is absent whatever my labour is in Duties in the end I must say as Simon to Jesus Master (r) Luk 5.5 We have toiled all night and have taken nothing Wherefore oh my Blessed God and Bounteous Grant thou that when thy holy Spirit (s) Mat 5.41 compells me to go one mile with him in securing my title to glory I may go with him twain Oh let my conscience be ever telling me like to what Michol told David If thou save not (t) 1 Sa 19.11 thy life to night by ensuring thy evidences to morrow thou wilt be slain With sins sorrows and temptations If at any time I call the proud Mal. 3.15 happy as Malachi sayes and say in a but seeming prosperity of grace that I shall never be moved Oh my God let thy good Spirit take me off as the King (u) 2 Ki. 18.19 20. of Assyria did Hezekiah What confidence is this wherein thou trustest Thou sayest but they are but vain words I have counsel and I have strength O my God say to me of the host of my corruptions my pride follie c. as once thou didst to Gideon Arise (x) Jud 7.5 Get thee down to the host for I have delivered it into thy hand Help me oh Lord incorruptly to say to Jesus of his Redemption-work (y) Rut 2.12 as Boaz to Ruth The Lord recompense thy work and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel under whose wings thou hast caused me trust and to vow unto him as Ittai to David As the Lord liveth and as my Lord Jesus liveth as the living Father liveth and Jesus liveth by the Father surely in what place my Lord the King of Saints shall be (z) 2 Sa. 15.21 Whether in death or life even there will thy servant be Help me oh my God to set my Jesus (a) Can. 8.6 as a seal on my heart and arm with a love strong as death with jealousie of all rivals cruel as the grave Give me to write on this World and the glory of it (b) Dan 5.27 TEKEL Thou are weigh'd in the balances and are found wanting of any good for my soul (c) Col. 3.1 Job 23.2 Let my affections be on things above my comforts in heaven and my hopes on high Let me know oh my God where I may find thee in all distresses and let me come even to thy seat When my heart is overwhelm'd lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (d) Psa 61.2 Ps 119.139 Job 32.12 Order my steps in thy Word let not any iniquitie have Dominion over me in health or distrust in sickness in both let me esteem thy Word above my necessary food or physick And so oh my God of my evidences for heaven (e) Mat 10.20 it shall not be I my self that speak but thy Spirit in me Amen my God Amen and Amen Whiles this Piece lay at the Press it pleased GOD to visit the Authour with the Small Pox and gave him a Recovery full of Extraordinary Providences of which upon his Friends request he hath annexed his Meditations 24. A Soliloquy with God after Recovery from a Sore Disease OH my God I am sure I can say (a) Mat 25.36 I was sick and thou visitest me Oh that in the Day of Judgement thou maist say likewise to me I was sick and thou visitedst me I read of thy own people that once (b) Isa 42.25 they had a fire about them yet they knew it not nay and it burn'd them yet they laid it not to heart Sure I am I had my Disease about me and I knew it not nay and it brake out on me and never entred into my heart what it was till by thy providence 't was made known to me So unable was I to do thy work (c) Psal 103.3 to heal all my diseases my self that in St. Paul's sense and another too I might and still must say (d) 1