Soul I choise thy Statutes as my Heritage in the Land of my pilgrimage and Thy Salvation as my Inheritance for ever Give me victory over the World by Faith and grant me Peace Patience and Perseverance to the End Amen Sixthly Devotion for Old Age on Saturday O Ancient of Dayes who remains still in that prime of purest Light and Glory look upon me whom Thou hast preserved in all the periods of life in great mercy Visit me in this my groaning stage with Thy Salvation Let all the errors of my Youth and by gone Age be done away that I may have no burden from my former life now support me when old age hath overtaken me Blessed be God that I have escaped sad Accidents and the hurtful effects of any miss-government of my Life Grant I may now be taken up with Heavenly Exercise and contemplations that I may Receive Dimission with Christ not only in my Arms but in my Heart Renew my inner-man day by day that tho my Limbs be weak my Faith Hope and Charity may be strong And grant me a house with Thee 2 Cor. 5. 1. When my Earthly House shall fall I entered into the World with a groan and nature of necessity must groan being Burthened But Lord exhileraâ—e my Spirit that I may leave the World with great Joy that the day of my Redemption draweth near and may be Refreshed in the Suburbs of Heaven with the Joyful Musick of the Saints that so I may sing in Death and triumph over the Grave through JESUS CHRIST the Prince of life my LORD and life my strength and Redeemer Amen Devotion in order to the Eternal Sabbath On Sunday or the Christians LORDS Day O Lord of Sabbaoth I Bless thee that has brought me out of the toils of the World to rest with thy self Lord take me up to some mouâ—t to â—ee thy Glory where I may erect a Tabernacle not for Earth but Heaven Quicken me with the Life of CHRIST to seek those things above and if I look back to the World it is not for love to it but to see it's vanity I admire the works of Creation and providence and the portract of the little World to show the praise of GOD But I cannot get words nor thoughts to expatiat tiat on the work of our Redemption by Thy Son Nor capacity to Comprehend the height deepth breadth and length of thy love in him But I desire so love him with all my heart and above all the World I behold him now Rising from a Sea of Blood with the Glory of all his conquest LORD put me in the Spirit on this day to Relish the sweet influences of the Holy Ghost that I may be fitted foâ— the Eternal Sabbath where all duties and longing shall be turned into rewards and enjoyments and thy Name be Celebrated with Everlasting wonder Hymns Hallelujahs World without end Amen AND in Regard that Evangelical work of Praise and Singing of Psalms is a special Part of Devotion cease not in thy Pilgrimage and Solitudes to Sing And if you restrict your selves to David's Psalms For your Birth and Child-hood Sing Psalm 51. From the Beginning and the 71. Psalm from Verse 5. For your Youth Psalm 25. And Psalm 109 from Verse 9. For your â—iper Years and your Family the 101 Psalm and Psalm 144 at the End For your Old Age Psalm 71 9 and 18 Verses and if the Church thought fit ye may also make use in your Devotion other Scripture Psalms The Song of Israel on the Banks of the Red-Sea â—he Song of Simeon Zacharias and the Blessed Virgin and the Songs in the 1 5. and 7. Chapters of the Revelation And particularly the Doxologie which hath been of constant use in the Christian Church and is no other but an ascribing of sempeternal Praise to the Ever Blessed Trinity Which tho the Leprous Church of Rome use yet is it Clean to the Pure and it is very sad that it should be controverted in the Militant Church since it will be sung for ever in the Triumphant And since the Mysterious but Salutary Doctrine of the Trinity was contradicted by the Arians in Old and some of that same Gang under another Name of Late there is still occasion for the using of it And to distinguish the Modest and Regular Christian from such as in vade it by Opposition for to commend their Beloved Sect it is not amiss to rise up in token of a more immediat Address and closing with the custom of the Church wherein we should not be contentious And if â—ou please in your Private Devotion to Sing after this manner 1. MY heart is fix'd my â—eart is fix'd now will I sing and praise I 'le praise the Lord with songs unmix'd and still Thy Glorie raise 2. Now Haâ—elujah's shall extoll the Lord God of my praise And still in praises Thee enroll and laud and never cease 3. My little Harp is tun'd to laud my Lord my God my Love With Heavenlie Queer Thy Name applaud Thy Glories all approve 4. All Songs below â—ad not the Clief to raise Thee thus in ault They were sincere but not the chief as those which GOD exalt Second Hymne 1. I Wear the Crown Christ still renown I reign and He 's Supream I am extol'd to praise my King and glorie in His Name 2. I am as well as heart can wish mâ— Soul is all in bless With Joy and Peace Rests and Relish the sweets I now express 3. I see my God my Christ my joy all mysteries are gone Nothing now but Love I know and melodie Divine 4. The Tree of Life maâ—tains my life never to die again O Death in time thou art so rife but here thy strength is vain 5. I live I love I much delight I â—raise and never cease I see and feeâ— with Soul and Sp'riâ— I m all in Light and Bless 6 What can I â—ake For I have all my God is here with me And I with him perpetual my Christ and God to see 7. Here without doubt I 'le glorie give to Father Son and Spirit I 'le praise my God and not deprive frâ—m his just Right and Merit 8. From the first Minute to Ages all I will â—ssert â—â—y Golre In melodies sempiternal to Triâ—e Vne evermore Third Hymne 1. O Sp'rit of Light tune now my sp'rit with Heaven fill my heart And give me seâ—se of that great Light that I may act my part 2. With all the Host and Heav'nlie Queer that never ceass to cry Thrice holie Lord and Thee admire in Peace and Rest and Joy 3 My Soul my Heart my Sp'rit my Powers all joyn to Praise Thy Name My GOD my Life my Hope my Help I 'le praise Thy Mercies Fame 4 Thy Help in need hath made me Glad Thy Grace was still my claim And fresh Supplie hath me releiv'd I magnifie Thy Name 5. I 'le Praise I 'le â—ing I 'le Hope and Joy in Thy great Grace so Good I
teipsum know thy self The Heathens Lesson is very fit for a Christian The benefit of Sâ— Acquaintance tends much to right Discretion and the Government of our Lifeâ— Which makes many invert that of Sâ— Paul I know nothing by my self for want of reflection they can curse swearâ— lie and work abomination and theirâ— heart never smites them So they are lefâ— to themselves and put under the saddâ—â— plague of getting success in sin Better 〈◊〉 have the Way hedged with Thorns leaâ—â— thou run to ruine and labour so to guidâ— thy self that thy Heart condemn thee not and to exercise thy self with St. Paul to have 〈◊〉 Conscience void of Offence towards GOD and Man § 12. Many other things may be aded as rashness 〈…〉 and following vain customs 〈…〉 into a calling and course of life 〈◊〉 with no Deliberation but meerly from fondness and folly drive like Jehn in the pursuit of their carnal love and enter into a married staâ—e so rashly and indiscreetly that thev may have leasure eneugh after to regrate and so youth runs himself into inextricable difficulties But quod faciendum semel deliberandum diu And he should engage in this warefare with good advice but of the most of these I may have occasion to speak to after this § 13. And so I come to the second thing to wit The directions and motives for his recoverie and the ordering this state of Age. 1. As long as Man climbs to the top of the Wheel and Ascends to the hight of his Temporary Horizon he should take leasure to look back on his bygone life and view well that he act contrary Good to these evils fore-mentioned that he be Considerate Knowing tender hearted busie in good Exercise rhat his Conscience be awak'd himself humble even cloathed with humility which layes a good foundation for the Reception of Grace in his after Age that he learn to change Vain thoughtsâ— into Deliberation and Passions to rule them by a quiet Mind peaceable by patience and Moderation and the sooner he listens to the Call of GOD it will be easier for him that with great Aug he be alarmed with that of the Apostle Rom 13. 11. It is 〈◊〉 time to awake out of sleep Memory may decay in old Age. But Youth must remember hear Children the instruction of Wisdom Prov 6. 7. And since some aâ—â— snatched away in their younger yeaâ— some sin away and some play away their time Youth should not think iâ— too soon to be serious since posibly hâ— may not live till he think it time to bâ— serious § 14. It is Good for youth that is ready to stare upon rarities to take Wisdom from the example of such as miscarry least he himself become an Example and all sad accidents to others should make us listen to that of Solomon Follow the way of good men Better to be A monument of mercy than of wrath He must impartially correctâ— the errors of his bygon life and not be sparing in his own case to cry out with Judah against the Harlot and yet be the man himself that is defiled Gen. 38. 24. He must consider how he hath carried in all relations what sentiments he had of Religion what was his Temptation inclination humour and phansie what was his gift and what little good he hath done And if he Consider well he may acknowledge that he hath not obeyed the voice of his Teachers and that his Religion hath but Come by fiâ—s and that Possibly he hath harboured and does harbour some predominant sin and if he were serious he would find out the Dalilah that hath possessed his heart and know where the strength of his sin lyes and pray with the Psalmist LORD who knows his errors Psal 19. 12. § 15 It is high time then to smite thy thigh and knock thy breast and to be humble for thy bygon errors which thou may know to be a sincere repentance for them that if thou were placed in the former circumstances thou wouldst not react these follies And that thou doest not relish them with wonted affection And since they have not ruin'd thee show thy zeal revenge against these thy former Idols keep no reserve least thy Religion be Partial and Unpleasant look back with grief and redeem it with Duty sell not thy time for nought be no more beguild with toyes look back with Repentance and before thee with Prudence § 19. It is more then time also to consider thy Baptismal Engagement Whereby thou art sworn to GOD gets his mark and his Cognizance of Christianity Thou must renunce sin and Sataâ— GOD can make thy Baptism Effectual but 't is by Faith Repentance and Obedience that it works in the Adult Thoâ— must give the Answer of a good Consciencâ— 1 Pet. 3. 21. to thy Baptism as St. Peter speakâ— thou must wash in the Laver of Regeneration till it produce the new Creature Anâ— draw Vertue as a living Member from thy Blessed Head § 16. Who is now wise to consider these things look how the LORD trains thee in his Providence from Childhood to Youth GOD may bring thee homâ— with the voice of the Rod look theâ— what Influence Providence hath upon thy Younger heart if it be humbled and 〈◊〉 to receive the Blessings of Religion § 17. And yet more particularly to direct this ingoverned Age that needs solidity to keep it from Reeling 〈◊〉 the Scripture teacheth thee 1 to remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy Youth It is a part and a great part that layes the foundation of practical principles Memento 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vere memento Mori both to remember how to live and how to die And 2ly the Scripture bids thee flee youthfull lusts 2 Tim 2 2 1 What these lusts are thou reads not there but certainly youth hath its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 proper lusts the vice of their age of their nature person and Nation Yet if thou look to the contrary Vertues which the Apostle there commends as Righteousness Grace Faith Love c. Thou shalt find Injustice Ambition Animosity Carnality Vnruliness Facileness Broils Tumults Contests and Duels that produceth dearfull deaths all which are against Charity which the Apostle there commends bnt thou must follow after Faith Love and Peace Secondly Shun idleness and evil Company beware of the Tavern and Stew If sinners entice thee consent thou not It is a Token that GOD hath called thee If thou choice a Right Calling It is time for thee now to think how to live Every minute of our short day has its Work Consider then well what Work thou puts thy Hand to and what Calling by the Advice of these that are Wiser than thy self may through GOD's Blessiing serve thee in this World and not Impede thy general Calling as a Christian Let thy Calling not be insnaring but approved propone not so much Gain as Contentedness And as I hinted before Oeteris paribus the Holy
of GOD it is all in light life and love If it could be seen it would be fairer than the Sun It puts such a principle in thee that thô sin may infest yet it shall not prevail because the Seed of GOD Remains in thee and makes the Righteous man more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12 26. 3ly The guidance of the Spirit which is not only the Character But the Priviledge of the Children of GOD The wayfairing man hath an unerring guide and tho thou should not lean to a Phanatick and Enthusiastick Spirit yet in the use of the means thou must Rely upon the gracious conduct of GOD's Spirit For If thou be led by the Spirit thou art the Son of GOD. Rom. 8 14. 4ly The Guardianship of Angels The elder Children guard the younger If thou walk in GOD's way they get charge over thee Psal 91. 11. They rejoice at thy conversion delight in thy duty and keep thee in all thy wayes 5ly The inheritance All is yours and ye are Christs and Christ is GODS 1 Cor. chap. 3 to the end Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST and have interest in that inheritance that is incorruptible with the Saints in light which should make the World be little in thine eye The Prayer O LORD I am now in a dangerous Stage of my Life Ready to run Round in a Circle of sin to my own Ruine O ancient of Dayes take me by the Heart and hand in the morning of my life to noon tide anoint me with Fresh Oyland guide me by Thy Word and Spirit for Man that understandeth not is like the beast that perish Creat in me a clean heart and let me do nothing unworthy of my Birth and hopes give me the faculty to open mine eyes to look up to Thee and deliver me from Vnbelief and youthfull follies It hath pleased Thee to call some of the worst of Youth give so much Grace as may illuminate and direct an inconsiderat mind water the little and tender plantation of my heart inflâ—ence me with such Heavenly motions as may awaken me out of my first sleep wherein I have alas slumbered too too long possess Thy own purchase and let not Satan or any lust get peaceable residence where Thy holy feeâ— have trod Give me to see the Rarities and Glories of the New World of Grace make me a miracle and a monument thereof that I may rejoice that once I was darkness and now am light in the LORD restore me to a Right Mind cast out of it all dregs of sin and turn it from a den of thives to a Temple for Thee give me Grace not only to remember but serve my Creator and with solid Judgement swear under thy banner and Vow an inviolable fidelity to thee my LORD and Master that I may grow in Grace as in dayes that in due time I may be perfected Amen STAGE second From the 22 to the 30 Year of our Age. The Contents After some Introduction the setled life of 〈◊〉 Christian in this Period is considered particularly as to the Marriage and a lawfuâ— Calling with helps and directions suteableâ— motives to excite him to duty in this Stagâ— of his life with some practice of Devotion especially to the Meaner sort as to the hallowing of their House and calling § 1. THe Race of Mans life Rolls on a wheel and the Spoak that is ascendant Immediatly goes down and declines thou shouldest therefore run that thou mayest obtain improve well the present because bygone is past and thou knows not what 's before thee But this thou art sure of that time passeth as a thought and Eternity can-not be comprehended with thy thoughts thon spends thy time here in an Imaginary world But eterniâ—â— is solid and cannot alter § 2. It will be fit then in this Stage if thou hast come to any solidity 1. to look back to thy former wayes 2ly To consider what frame thou art now in as to thy present Circumstances After which it being now the ordinary time that man begins to think upon a settled life Consider to enter there-into especially a married state with great deliberation and be carefull that thou manage and exercise thy particular Calling by the Rules and measure of Religion with means to conduct and lead you in the Right path and with Seasonable Motives to perswad thee into the duties of a foris-familiated Life and the Employ of thy Calling All which are summed up with some serious Reflexion and suitable Devotion § 3. First I thought upon my former wayes sayeth the Psalmist Psal 119. 57. Thou will not get that which is passed again nor the Res Gesta the thing done undone But by Repentance so the Psalmist prayes Let not the errors of my Youth be remembred Look that thou leave not an error in the first Region least thy following Life be not so healthful If thou leave any Intemperat Work behind it may turn to A root of Bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Thou must found well and bring up your Work upon a right Base For alas some are unhappy for want of Education aâ—â— Instruction some abuse and neglectâ—â— and improve only as to Gifts but notâ—â— Grace They learn a profession but 〈◊〉 Christ Let thy heart therefore be evâ—â— in the Covenant thy Faith real thy Repentance unfeigned and thy Engagâ—ments solide And then thou may haâ—â— some clearness and peace as to Religioâ—â— and Vertue § 4. 2ly Look to thy present Tenâ—â— and Temper O if thou hadst known eâ—â— thou in this thy day Said Christ wiâ—â— weeping Eyes to Jerusalem Luke 19 2â—â— To day if you will hear his Voice Psal 81. 〈◊〉 the end It is now high time to be wisâ—â— than before Thou hast Work enougâ—â— adoe both for Time and Eternity Buâ—â— therefore an Aâ—k to save thee tho thâ—â— World moâ—k thee as it did Noahâ—â— Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and othâ—â— things will be added to thee Remembeâ—â— Hoc opus hoc age is our Motto There 〈◊〉 much to be done and much to be undone in Order to Religion Indulge not sin Especially garde against a course of sin Forecast dangers and be as frugal in duty as possible which will help to fasten thee at the Root which will not be soon shaken with Temptation § 5. And with this premonition thou must act under GOD for thy self and thou hadst never more need of right Conduct than now This being the ordinary time that Man sets out to a setled Life and under GOD good Example and the Conduct of the Holy Word and Spitit he doth begin to think upon a relative and a conjugal Life And set up in the Exercise of his particular Calling It will be fitting that he be led by the Hand as to both these by sound and solid Direction And the influence of Motives to excite him to Duty § 6. As to the fifst it will not be amiss to speak a little to these particulars following First That thou lay a
settling of your Family and the Education of yoâ— Children I have already discoursed 〈◊〉 that now it remains principally that yâ—â— be instructed in your present duty Aâ—â— for this there be these things worthy 〈◊〉 your enquiry and observation First Wâ— Product and fine your work is come to both as your generall and particular Calling 2ly Wâ—â— course ye are upon as to the setting forth 〈◊〉 religious and rational settlement of the Childrâ— that God has given you 3ly If you have religioâ— disposed of all your spiritual and secular Conâ—â—n to good and holy Ends. § 2. First In this Course of thy lifâ— its time to stand and pause look about yoâ— behind you and before you its high tiâ— now to know where ye are and what yâ—â— are and if â—e have gathered any Stock Grace and Vertue and in fine what the Product of your general and particulaâ— Calling § 3. And for the Resolution of the first Qâ—ere thou must look what thou has done since every one must give an account of himself to GOD and thou knows not how soon Yea thô thou should neglect GOD hath a Register Let conscience therefore read the legend of thy life seriously digest the scenes acts thereof that so thou may attain to some clearness as to thy state and case and be the Better prepared for following duties and tryals To think on thy former wayes Psalâ— 119. 59. Reâ—apitulate and Recognize thy former doings that thou mayest take a more serious account of thy errors failours and â—ollies that you May retract what is amiss and it is high time now seriously and unâ—eignedly to Repent and to correct what hath been wrong to put your self in a better dress for your following Life and for Death and Judgement which are to follow that And if thou has been so happy by Grace to do any Good you are to keep warm the Nursery of your Vertues Take the little Foxes that hurt the Vineyard and seek to serve GOD with full purpose of Heart and a settled and solid Course of Duty And if thou lean upon GODS Direction and not to thine own Understanding The LOâ—â— hath fully shewed thee what 〈◊〉 good Mic 6. 8. And here it will be very pertinent for thee to regrate thy former â—â—rayings and sad omissions O 〈…〉 rmer life is but like a Dream Learn therefore O man to be sober and Vigilant and build suitable Work Work out your Salvation and by the diligent use of the means and practice of Vertue Make your Calling and Election sure Look to the frame of thine Heart the state of thine Affairs and the Case of your Family and particular Calling And do not satisfie thy self so as not to acknowledge that thou might have done more than thou has done and to take that Check from the Apostle that Whereas ye might have been teachers of others ye had need to be taught the first principles of the Oracles of GOD Heb 5. 12. If a Man now be scrious he will easily see great blanks in his Life And great emptiness in what he has done particularly as to Devotion and Charity Which our LORD declares will be a great Charge against the World in that day he will Judge it And if thou will be convinced thou shall find that thou has much adoe that the most part does less than they should do for there is much Work behind thee to undoe To put away all superfluety of naughtiness as St. James sayeth Jam 1. 21. we cannot indeed get Yesterday again nor undo sin once done but there is yet time for thee to take such wise measures as to undo thy sins by Repentance and make up thy failoures through Faith in the perfect satisfaction of Christ who sayes himself I have done the work which Thou gavest me to do Joh 17 5. § 4. 3ly Look how thou hast ordered thy family the oeconomy whereof if it be guided by Grace and Peace doth very much advance Religion and Humane society for if Families were walking in the clear Orb of Religion it would lay the foundation of Righteousness in a Nation if the Husband were dutiefull to the Wife of his bosom and the Wife respectfull to the Husband of her Youth if the Children were obedient to their Parents and the Parents carefull for the spiritual and secular concerns of their Children if the servants were dutiefull to their Masters and the Masters gave what is just and right to them then would a golden Age revive and the Land shine as a lamp and especially if the Parents labour to ripen their Children to Religion and Vertue and to settle them in a course of life that may tend to contentment and by all means labour to promote love peace and comely order of theâ—r station and of the Church of GOD that from their house as a Bethelâ— they go up to the Temple and there receive instruction and offer sacrifice and return home with the bâ—â—ssing of the Gospel of peace and that it be the great care of younger elder to shun idleness unnecessary digressions ill company divisive destructive Employments having such a great work adoe as to commend Religion by their ways and walk worthily in their Generation The Prayer LORD who knows his errors cleanse thou me from secret and known sins I know enough of my self to humbâ—e me But thy Eyes which are as flames of fire sees more in me than I can observe Accept Good LORD the humble designes I have had to do well and pity my faint performance make up my wants through him who is perfâ—ct in whom thou aquiesces and I repose I find great dissatisfaction in any thing in me that has been contrary to thy Eternal will and holy word LORD now I aim no lower than to center my soul in thee I have been but too slow give me the wings and alacrity of an Angel to do thy will I can never be well till I be at thee O help me GOD. Amen Period third Of the future Age or what is to come in the Declensions of Nature And the Stages thereof MAN is now to be looked upon as enterring his declining Age For as he riseth in his Youth and maketh progress in the Augment of his Life from the 30 year thereof to the 50 So hath he much adoe when he begins to hang his Head and to decline from the 50 year of his Age to the End His gloss and sprightful Feature is now much failed and he looketh out with the aspect of old Age And gray hairs are here and there upon him Hos 7. 9. And except some be swelled with a load of Flesh and have a Ruddy Tincture from the Cup and there are others that do Remain longer undecayed through a more vigorous Constitution yet shall they begin to find some declining in all the Organs and therefore from what we have seen in our by gone time and what we see in our selves and others We may
7. Fifthly How thou art Resolved to encountâ—â— the Trâ—als of this Period § 6. The longer man lives he is 〈◊〉 more subject to infirmities and becaâ—â—â— of our rudeness and many Indisposiâ—ioâ— we are subject to the Rod and Discipliâ—â— of the Holy JESUS Man in the beginniâ—â— of his Life is much inconcerned in 〈◊〉 Youth like a Bullock unacquainted wiâ—â— the Yoak and in his after life he haâ—â— need to be keept under by Fatherly Chastilement and so is subject to personal domestick and publick Tryals Bâ—â— he hath this for an Antidote that the Spirit of GOD in the Word representâ— these Tryals very favourably as instances of Fatherly Love and Mercy Heb 12. 6 Whom I love I chastice sayeth the LORD Kev 3. 19. And count it all Joâ— when ye fall into divers tempâ—ations sayeth St. James Jam 1. 2. It is the great Concern then of a Christian to hear the voice of the Rod To let patience have its perfect Work Jam 1. 4. To be of a contented â—ind to guard against Melancholyâ— Desâ—ondency to kiss the Rod to humble â—nder the Mighty Hand of GOD and to â—mprove the Rod as well as the Word â—or the purpoles of Religion 〈◊〉 But now in â—is declining Age he enters into broken â—aters and therefore should have a well â—uilt Ark and Cast his Anchor within â—he Vail Which in all the Tâ—ssings and Troubles of this Period remains sure and stedfast Heb 5. 4. He must arm with paâ—ience and have his Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace Eph 6. 15. that so through Faith and patience he then may inherit the promises Heb 6. 12. Sixthly If all Delayes be defeated and thou be now intent on thy Work § 7. 'T is dangerous to delay till now yet the Nature of Man is prone to pro 〈…〉 and put off till to morrow but if thy Work be undone thâ—â— will be undone for ever There are many wants and defects indeed for which thou hast an All sufficient Help to recover thee yet must thou be dilligent in the â—use of the Means and GOD that prevents with free Grace can cure it to His Glory Seventhly What is thy Stock and Store in Grace and Vertue § 8. A Vertuous Man brings his Work to some fine and thou should have provision against evil dayes found well upon a Rock that will stand out the storm Labour to be Rich in Faith and good Works and to have fresh Oyl for thy Lamps and the Weddlng Garment neatly wrought Thy Heart and House in order that Tryals and Death do not surprise thee and the cry be at midnight Matth 25. 6. when thou art Sleeping and sudden destruction come when thou sayes Peace And after this serious Recollection thou must ponder aright Secondly What now remains to be done § 1. EVEN the Work that GOD hath given thee to do Look then to thy great bussiness Proficiency and wherein thou are short double thy diligence See that thou has First The methods of thy Life ordered unto Salvation 2ly Thy Progress and middle Work betwixt Youth and declining Age And then how you are prepared to enter the Vltima or the last things It is clear then thou should be now serious and seek first the Kingdom of GOD with all Seeking and persevering Constancy Be faithfull unto Death and the LORD will give thee the Crown of Life § 2. But particularly there are three things ought to be done 1 st That thy house and Affairs be in as good Order as possible 2ly that you may work out the work of your own salvation And 3ly that you Give all dilligence to make sure your Calling and Election § 3. First that thy house and affairs be in as good order as possible To manage thy Earthly concern with Discretion that thou may leave to thy Issue a good example and a 〈◊〉 the portion which GOD hath 〈◊〉 thee with a Blessing Least through thy Neglect thou render those behind thee destitute and despicable without a settled calling and course of vertue And if through incident accidents thou has been hurt in thy Estate GOD can make any remnant be like the Widows Cruse for thee and thine If thou improve dispensations to the best And to all that desire to thrive I cannot but Recommend a discreet Charity The merciful man disperseth and gives to the poor lends to GOD And his seed shall be well behind him as in Psal 37. and 112 But thy great work is 2ly to work out the work of thy own salvation Phil 2. 1. That thou put on the copstone as well as lay the foundation that thou perfect thy Faith and Repentance Charity and other Graces to have thy soul â—rim'd with the Wedding Garment and thy Lamps full of Oyle till the cry come Behold the Bride Groom cometh That thou fight that fight of Faith that so upon good Ground thou may expect the Crown of Righteousness that will be given all those who love Christs appearing 3ly That thou give all diligence to make thy Callling and Election sure which is not obtained by listening to humour and instinct but by that diligence that becomes a Christian in the exercise of faith And good works for it is not by the Revolving the leavs of destinie but by a diligent search of the Book of GOD and by a life suitable thereunto that thou canst secure thy peace and thy soul for there is no peace layeth my GOD to the wicked A Continuation of this STAGE From 50 to 70. and to the uttermost extent of Mans Life § 1. ALtho many fall ere they arrive to this stage of Life Yet since GOD hath given it and does give it to some to teach the length thou art seriously to consider thy Duty and how thou may improve it to the best which through Grace may be done If 1. thou labour to arrive at any pitch of Wisdom 2. If thou be well resolved to encounter and endure incident personal afflictions 3ly What account thou can give of thy self to GOD and Man 4. If through CHRIST helping thee thou labours to perfection 5. If thou be running thy Race in the good fight of Faith 6ly If thou be buâ—ie now in ripening thy self for Heaven 7ly If thou dayly prepare for Death and have thy Soul fixed upon wing to flee to yonder Regions where CHRIST is And last of all to consider the means and motives to advance these § 〈◊〉 First If now thou hast arrived â—o any pitch of Wisdom The Apostle James Gives a full direction as to this Who is a wise Man among you let him shew forth by a good Conversation with Meekness Wisdom For as the Fear of GOD is beginning of Wiâ—dom so it compleats Wisdom forseeth and is provident Fâ—â—rageth with vain confidence Wisdâ—â— makes thee a wise Virgine to provide 〈◊〉 in thy Lamps it directeth and clearâ— your affairs it puts thy house and Soul order and it keeps a clear account by good conscience since
is the Faith of the Church the hope of the Just the comfort of the aflicted and the great Crise and Result of of mortal Life Which will determine all the Intriges of Providence and destribute Rewards and Punishments according to their Works Theâ—e is a principâ—e and facultie in every Man which makes him accountable to GOD. This as it is an Article of our Creed so the Scripture fully determines it Ecc. 12 14. Matt 25. Acts 17. 30. 2 Cor 5. 10. GOD will be publickly manifested in His Hâ—liness and Justice the Equity and Reasonableness of His Laws and severity against sin Who will not acquite thy guilty And the monuments of Grace will sâ—e their Demerit had not the Merit of Christ prevented the punâ—shment Fixe then this Truth in thine heart and constantly apprehend â—â—th an Ancient Father that thou hearest 〈◊〉 Sâ—uâ—dâ—ngs of the last Trump with â—he Voice of GOD Arise Dead and come te Judgement § 3. 2ly That this Judgement in a part commenceth immediatly after Death is assâ—rted by the Apostle Heb 9. 27. The Saints of old have â—nherited the Promises The Convert Thief immediately after was judged and entered Paradise and the rich Glutton got his Doom and after his death was set to the place of Torment But the open visible and general Assize of the whole World is delayed to the time of the Restitution of all things When and where Soul and Body Good bad Young and Old without Law and under Law will be judged According to their Works and tho in the Apostles times some were â—hanatick said that the Resurrection was past some Atheitical scoffers as St. Peter sayeth Impioâ—sly Ragâ—ing and â—corning where is the promiss of his coming not knowing that God worketh hitherto hath great patience in whose Eternal View a Thousand years are but as one day yet when his works is done all the World will be judged which day and Hour GOD hath keept secret in his Eternal Council 〈◊〉 good and holy ends And there somethings yet unaccomplished before 〈◊〉 end to wit the full conversion of the Jeâ— Rom. 11. 26 and the discoverie of 〈◊〉 declension of the Christian Church 〈◊〉 exposing of that man of sin and son Perdition The pure Gospel becom 〈◊〉 divive and the Christian Church be muâ— liberated from the great Corruption 〈◊〉 manners and worship according to 〈◊〉 Primitive Patern When these shall comeâ— pass and not till then shall the end 〈◊〉 In the mean time let us pâ—ssess our selâ— with the Belief of This truth that all 〈◊〉 nerations shall be judged before the Tâ—â—bunal of the Soveraign Judge ss 4. 3ly The Judge GOD hath coâ—mitted all Judgement to the Son Aâ—â— hath appointed a day in which he will Judge 〈◊〉 world in Righteousness by him Acts. 17. 3â— We must all appear before the judgement sea◠〈◊〉 CHRIST 2 â—or 5. 10. When the Son 〈◊〉 Man shal appear in his Glory Matt. 25. 3â—â— And in this he Exerciseth his mediâ—torial Kingdom which will continue tâ—â— the last Enemie be distroyed which 〈◊〉 Death He declined to be a Judge on â—arth but came to be Judged and it is â—ighly reasonable that he who was unâ—ustly judged should judge the World in Righteousness Then shall they who have â—earced him by their sins mourn and â—owl But His afflicted people shall lift up â—heir head and say This is the Day that â—he LORD hath made Blessed is He who comâ—th to save us For our LORD and Kingâ—o whom the Godly have submited in â—heir time whose Scepter Cross they wilâ—ingly have born is now come to deliver â—hem He that bore our sins on His own Body on the Tree He that is a Compaâ—sionate High Priest He that is the King of Peace is now come to Judge them according to the Gospel of Peace and His easie Yoak which they did take upon them and walkt under What then shall such expect but Love and Peace and Pity from their LORD King and Brother Who is much Meeker than Moses more Loving than David and more Merciful than Man can be Whereas it shall be a great dreadour to the wicked to behold this Meek LAMB roaâ— like a Lyon against them § 5. 4ly The Process We cannot coneeive how soon and yet how exactly this-shall be done since every ones Conscience is in the place of a Thousand Witnesses and the Judge needeth no Information nor farther probation Every one then will be Judged according to that Law which was Given them to walk by And such as are under the Gospel shall be Judged by the Law of libertie Jam 1. 25. And the Issue will be whether they have obeyed or disobeyed the Gospel and walked suitably thereunto and answered the opurtunities they have enjoyed above oâ— thers to make them Christians indeed And fit for the Kingdom of GOD. ss 6. 5ly The Sentence will be accord to thy works tho thou be justified by Faith and saved by Grace yet the LORD will reward according to thy works For to the true Christian there is a wonderful mitigation of the Rigor of the Law by the easie terms of the Gospel and such shal receive sentence according to that Infinite Love revealed therein then shal the great sheepherd appear in Glorie yet probably with the Honourable marks of the Cross that all who have gloried in Hiâ— Cross may rejoice such as have stumbled at â—t hang their heads The Sentence shall decide in favours of Believers and all who have Closed with the conditions of the Gospel and Obeâ—ed the Faith 1. 5. Which is the great specifick of Christanity Such may appear before him with his marks upon them of Faith Mortification and Self-denyal c. And that in their time they have born Testimony against a sinful Generation they shall receive that favourable sentence Come ye Blessed c. The Prayer O Soveraign Judge prepare me for Death and Judgement It is much my comfort that thou art Judge Competent and Compassionate Thou wilt not acquite the Guilty yet Thou delights in mercy and there is forgiveness with Thee that Thou may be feared LORD give me my discharge in time for Who can condemn CHRIST has dyed I make my humble application to the Mercies of Thy Infinite Bowels the Merit of Thy Death the worth of thy Blood and the Power of Thy Intercession I have many Accusers am convict But LORD say to me that thou will not condemn me Thou knows all the Intrigs of my Soul What I cannot clear LORD do Thou cancell I make Mercy my claim Thy Merit my Trust and Thy Righteousnesâ— my Justification Give me the White stone to refresh my Soul till Thou grant me the Crown oâ— Righteousness at Thy Appearing Amen The Third Last Thing HELL 1. TO treat of Hell is a sad Subject Tophet should have a Beacoâ— set over it that Passangers may be aware Let us then consider 1 The Certainty of a future punishment of the Wicked in another World and
powerful Engine even the Power of GOD unto Salvation Rom 7. 16. that if it were not opposed by the petty power of Men and GOD may suffer this for good and holy ends it would certainly make a sensible change in the Christian World This Gospel not only pressing and propounding a pure Faith and also good manners and impartially distributing to every Rank their Duty It cannot be suffered in this Luxurient and Wantoâ— Age when the lusts of Men not the Golâ— pel carries the sway And further if thâ— methods of Christs Oeconomy for the government and the Education of His Disciples were not despised and not considered all would be observant of their Station and Relation But alas Baptism and Baptismaâ— Engagements are very little headed by Parents or Children and Confirmation is either not in use or not in force And the Keyes both of Doctrine and Discipline are cunningly thrusted out of the Churches hands and the great Men of the World will have it so and the most of Men hate restraint and therefore love to have it so but let the Godly humble and mourn for all this and pray that the Gospel may yet have its Native Power and the Sacraments and the Discipline of CHRIST have their Genuine force that the Church may be yet Patronised and become fair as the Moon beautiful as the Sun and terrible as an Armie with Banners Cant. 3. 6. Then would Religion shine in its glory then would differences be healed and good and bad be discovered then People would return to the LORD with their faces thitherwaâ—d then would GODS Day â—rdinances and Ministers Be punctually looked to and respected then would GOD be set up in the Houses and Hearts profession and practices of Men and a golden Age woulâ— be Restored that all the Godly mighâ— cry grace to the work and Glory to the Workeâ— The Prayer LORD heal a sinful World and a sadly corrupted Church and open the Eyes of the powers and of all people more to mind the things oâ— Jesus Christ Heal the Backslidings of this sâ—â—ful Generation and bring us out to the Light thâ— we may see thy Righteousness let the time even thâ— set time to favour Zion comeâ— and regard thoâ— O LORD the Prayer of the destitute who loves Zion even in the Dust Revive the pregnant Pâ—â—rity of Primitive Christianity after the dierfull declensions of many generations come LORD down upon mount Zion O Lyon of the Tribe of Judah and roar with terrour that all the wicked of the Earth may tremble And display 〈◊〉 banner for all that long and wait for thy Salvation Amen § 7. 2ly As to any Form of Devotioâ— used in this Treatise I need not apologize much since this hath been impressed upon the Rational World by invincable rable Arguments Only as to my Mite and Measure I shal desire you to consider First That by the Commandment of GOD himself Forms were used in the Jewish Church And not only the Matter but the Words were put in Moses's mouth by the LORD Num 6 from 22. to the end And at the resting of the Camp of Israel And by the Prophet Hosea returning Israel is bid take with him words Hosea 14. 2. And say Take away all iniquitie And the whole of the Jewish worship Sacrifices was directed by GOD in a constant form of Incence and Oblations And in the times of the new Test John the Baptist taught his Disciples the form of Prayer and Christs Disciples crave of Him the same direction who said unto them when â—e pray say Our Father c. Which Prayer was still in use amongst the Disciples of Christ as it is probably inferred from that of St. Peter If ye call on the Father c. 1 Pet 1. 17. Where probably the Apostle Judgeth it to be the constant custom of Christians to say the LORDS Prayer And the Primitive Church had it's Liturgies which hath been the practice of the best of Churches It were therefore Good that a novice sect of men that are so much against forms should not so superciliously imagine that doubtless they are the People and that Wisdom dwells with them And that they are only competent to Reform the Christian World in it's practice of Devotion for 16 Ages since they themselves use a form of Benediction and dimission of the people according to the Appostolick practice Tâ—â— Grace of our Lord Jesus c. And 2ly If it be considered impartially this doth not restrict Men especially Gospel Ministers to a Form but are allowed without doubt to express their mind to GOD in the method of their own conceptions providing it be done with gravity knowledge and great deliberation But it would be adverted that Forms do not stint the expressions of Mens Gifts and the Spirit of Prayer doth not soly assist in these extemporary Gifts but also doth Act in the Calm Element of an approved form since it is not the matter only but the heart guided by the Spirit that helpeth to a Right way of Devotion and it may be in Charity Judged that the devout praâ—ing The LORDS Prayer may do it with as much if not more of the Spirit than by an extemporarie Gift and I am confident The experiences of many deâ— vour persons will say no less So that it seems a Stupendious conceit in men to deny the constant use of that Divine Prayer uttered by the heart and lips of himâ— that was full of the HOLY GHOST And for my self I would Shrink to lay aside the use of these venerable and comprehensive words which are â—o be looked upon as the season and incense of all our Oblations And therefore I hope It shall not be thought impertinent to Summ up the matter of this treatise in all it's Periods and Stages into some particular Suitable forms which for clearness sake I shall ser down according to the six dayes of the Week and the LORDS Day The Prayer to be used upon Munday for Childhood OCreatour and Preserver of Man Thou made us and not we our selves Psal 100. And I was cast upon thee from the Womb Psal 22. 9. Thou madest me hope with an implicite Dependance while I was upon the Breasts O what a Blessing is it to be sanctified in the Womb and from the Womb This is a singular Grace indeed and all that are under the Rayes of the Gospel have the nearest access thereunto especially when by the happiness of Education it is early transmitted unto the Mind O LORD there have been myriads and millions of people before me And thou hast brought me forth in the last dayes and I am nothing but an empty Vessel without Thee I am lately sprung out of nothing and am nothing and have nothing and better had it been for me to have been nothing than want Thy Incorruptible Grace O LORD prevent me in the morning of my short day and Instill some Tincture in this new Vessel which may give it a lasting Relish Season my
care and even to 〈◊〉 out with St. Paul Who is sufficient for these things For his trust is great his Charge weâ—ghtâ— and his Opposition strong and his peoplâ— for the most running sâ—riously in pursuit of their lusts That upon all these Considerations he may be a most faithful Watch-Man and give â—meous Loud seasonable and impartial warning to all that he may be free of their blood This care will make him spend and be spent for the interest of their Souls The worth of a Soul is unspeakable and the winning of a Soul is greater than the winning of a strong City And such as know the worth of a Soul which GOD made after His own Image And Christ shed His Blood for will think they cannâ—t be enough serious in doing their Dutie in order to its Salvation this care as it cannot but take up the man so is it very essential to the Holy Office and may serve to take off the hearts of such as are imployed from Worldly cares and vanities and to set us about out Work with all care and seriousness knowing that as the wâ—rk iâ— great so â—he Reward is gloriouâ— and such as turn many to righteousness shall shine as the firmament Dan. 12. 3. And this care will certainly not suffer any serious Man to be negligent in his Office but very diligent and dutieful For No Man that knows the great compassion of the High Priest and his inspection over all with searching eyes like flames of fire and that knows the natural eflects of Sloth and negligence especially in concerns of greatest consequence and considers the account of his Stewartship and the great Glory of being faithful in his Generation will fold his hands to slâ—ep in sloth and negligence And in Regard that this nâ—gligence is so unbecoming a Man in Holy Orders it â— will be found to be one of the greatest defects of a Gospel Minister Ah! to be negligent when Satan is vigilant and when others are busie about their secular Callings to sâ—â—ep in the time of Harvest and to stand idle when the Vineyard hath need of dressing to be negligent in the concern of Souls and Salvation argues a great security and unworâ—hiness And that thou be not negligent Thou must mind the concerns and ends of â—â—y holy Calling that thou shun unnecessary diveâ—sions and leave not thy Flock least the Wolf come and thou expose thy self to sin and disrepute and thy people like a Corn-field to be overgrown with Weeds Thou hast work enough at Hâ—mâ— to read pray contemplat GOD search the Scâ—tptures and like a good Physâ—â—ian study the Case of thy People that thou mavest apply suitable cures and have thâ— flock in order and such a face of Relâ—gion in it that thou have the Applause of Man and the Approbation of GOD and receive that Euge Well done Good and Faithfull Servant And â—or the positive part to be diligent is no less necessary for to rise in the morning and be idle all the day is no Advantage to the common Interest No No our Work is worthy of our While and our Calling of our Cair ond bussiness Let our diligence therefore appear first in our Willing Going about our Work as St. Paul speaks If I do this willingly Which Alacâ—ity was so in him that he protests Woe unte me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor 9. 1. and St. Peter pressâ—th this Willingness 〈◊〉 Pet. 5 1. diligence imports a delight we should noâ—serve God as the Israelites under the Task Masters of Aegypt we are anointed we should â—un gâ—â—â—ly 2ly This Dâ—â—igence in a Gospel Miniâ—ter carries in it the Use of all the Means that may serve to reach the ends of the Gospel as faithfull preaching seasonable dispensation of the Sacraments painfull instruction of People impartial Discipline and sincere earnest and constant Devotion which now I shall not enlarge upon since it is ad Clerâ—m And 3ly A firm and steddy resolution to endure hardness and never to complain of our Calling because of the difficulties in this World that attend it so that in fine if the business of our Calling be our Work our Cair our Duty and Delight we hope we shall not be accounted negligent and incurious but Concerned and Diligent by our Great Master for it is a smal thing to be judged by Man there is One that judgeth and that is the LORD Yet as the Ministers of the Gospel are Angels by their Commission they are but Angels in the Body and have the Treasure of the Gospel in Earthen Vessels So that People must look upon them not aâ— all spirit thâ— they be labouring to walk after the spirit and receive their word not as the word of Man but as indeed it is the word of GOD and as the best of men will not refuse â—o confess their inâ—â—â—mities especialy for such a holy Work so should not people because of their infirmites Refuse the word but labour to be the more diligent themselves especially in being Serious solicitous and diligent in the matters of Religion and their Soul And when I consider how busie men are about the World and nimble in pursuit of their lusts the little care they have of their Soul and the concerns of their Salvation how negligent they are in duty and attending of Ordinances what liâ—tle attention goes along with their hearing and so smal Meditation after it I fear we may conclude that the great fault lyes at your own door Therefore Good people look to your Selves bestir your selves more in the affairs of Religion and this will make your Pastors Sprighty and animate them to be lively in praying for you and Preaching to you For dull people very much deadens and discourages a Gospel Minister and it is very sad to be gathering good purpose every week for a careless people that will scarse gather to heaâ— him and if they come they too much discover the Byass of their heart which they have left behind them I come now to the 〈◊〉 to witâ— the subject matter of the Aâ—â—stle's writing 〈◊〉 Brench preaching to wit 〈…〉 concerning these things which are the things of CHRIST the things of Salvation the great Concern of Souls and the things of duty and the Kingdom of GOD which things our LORD mentions John 13. 17. If â—e know these things c. The Gospel and the great things thereof mostly contradicted by the World So that it is clearly observable that the holy Appostles in their writings Doct 2d and Preaching keepeâ— close to the Gospel and this is the Theam that all our Sermons should aim at to Preach CHRIST and the Glad things through him It is a subject of so great light that iâ— it be well pursued it will diâ—sipate all the Clouds of error ignorance sin and unbelief it is the life and Soul of our Religion and it argues a great decay when Circumstances are pâ—essed with so much violence and the substance of faith and holiness
time of plowing and sowing in order to our great harvest We must work while it is called the day for the night cometh wherein no man worketh John 9. 11. What ever our hand findeth to do we must do it with our might for there is no knowledge nor work in the grave Ecl. 10. 9. The present time is the season of preaching â—o day if he will hear his Voice Ere long the Pastor's Mouth will be closed as well as your Ears GOD useth not to send a Seminary from the Dead to preach the Gospel the Living shall praise Him and act for Him for in this short Life all our Bussiness must be done in order to Eternitie the LORD doth not cause preach to the Dead for in the state of Separation our Bodily Organs are consumed and the Soul is under its everlasting Sentence it s therefore absolutely necessary that we plye our Work in time with all Alacrity and Diligence But this must be more particularly unfolded by the consideration of these following heads 1. The great care that serious men should have to make use of the Season 2ly Their great Diligence that they should manifest in their weighty Work 3ly The Frailty and Brittleness of our mortal Life our Soul is in a Tent or Tabernacle 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account 1. The great Care that Serious Men should have to make use of the Season This is not the Work of Yesterday for that is past and cannot be recalled nor of to Morrow for we know not what then may be Prov. 27 1. Therefore we should not bost of it for we know not what a Day may bring forth But it is the Work of the Present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Instant which passeth as a Thought and will not abide Delayes and as we know not if we shall preach another Day so people know not how long the Voice may be behind them saying This is the Way But this they may know that it is the Voice of GOD that calletâ— them and they know not how soon iâ— it may be silent and the Heavenly Oraclâ— give no more Response 2ly The great diligence that Serioâ—â— Men should manifest in their Weighty Work Their Work is a Harvest the Labourers should be busie and tho GOD doth not allow that with too fast driving we put our selves out of Breath yet since the Work tho very weighty is so pleasant and so necessary and the exercise of the greatest Charity of the World to do good to Souls and since we have anointing Oil and the Aid of the Spirit to enable us we should not be idle nor taken up with Triffles and vain things and especially shun all worldly and sinfull Distractions that we may be well excercised in so good and necessary a Work 3ly The frailty and Brittleness of our mortal life Our life is both short and uncertain we are Pilgrims on Earth and sojurn as all our Fathers have done our Soul is in a tent and our life is but Transient ambulatory and transitory we are Pilgrims Souldiers strangers and not at home we have no continuing abode here the Tabernacle and Tent may soon be lowsed our passing house fall about our ears Which as it should prevent our taking our Rest on Earth so should it make us busie while we are in this Tabernacle and animate us in all our travels on earth with our priviledge that we shall come to a Temple and have a House with GOD Eternal in the Heavens 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account the Apostle makes much use of this Word for Ministers are GOD's mouth they should admonish and incite People to duty People should be warned for they are secure and become tuchy when they are awakened they are ready to say Peace Peace before sudden destruction Come We should therefore seek supplie to our Lamps in time and to have our Wedding Garment in hand against the Bridegroom come there be many things to give us Memento and Ministers should never forget to give this warning but labour to keep people on foot to Run their Race unto the End Sermon IV. Of the Practical Knowledge of Death and the Information and Warning that the LORD giveth some of His Favourites thereof Knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle Verse 14. ALTHO no doubt this Holy and Reverend Father had his Soul still upon readiness to render it up on his Master's Call with all Chearfulness And tho he was animated to Duty by an extraordinary Help of the Spirit Yet the Knowledge he was shortly to put off his Tabernacle did serve as a motive in him to excite him in his holy Work As his Master before him John 9. 4. 2 Wherein we may Consider 1st His Resolution Practical Knowledge of his approaching dissolution 2ly His favourable Representation of Death a putting off this Tabernacle and giving the Soul more room to commerce with GOD. 3ly His more than ordinary Information of this his Deseace As to the First we may observe that the Practical Knowledge of Death serves much to make serious Doct. 1 Men well Employed All men know they must die but few consider and improve it Which maketh Moses in the Name of the LORD so pathetically cry out O that they were wise to consider their latter End Deut. 32. 26. And Jeremiah so sadly to lament That Jerusalem was taken away because she knew not her last end The best of Men have layed this to Heart I have run sayeth St. Paul Cor 9. 26. For Death puts a Period to all Business Eccles 9. 10. Death puts us ab agendis a Judgement immediatly follows where account must be given of our Stewartship Who is then that faithful Servant that when the LORD cometh shall find so doing and busie about his work Do not say the LORD delayeth his comming let not GOD's Patience make thee procrastinate but be the more busie that thou hast a day to labour in 2ly If thy Work be imperfect and not done it will remain undone for ever and except Christ stand for thee thou will enter imperfect to ternity It is dangerous to sleep our time or triffle it but rather if thou hast loitered double thy diligence This practical knowledge of Death concerns all Men Omnes Tangit from the Court to the Countrey from the Palace to the Cottage Death hath an Universal Empire over all Ranks Sexes Ages Goodness Greatness Riches and the Greatest power and strength cannot prevent it bribe it nor oppose it It is the Messenger of the Great King It cannot be deforced disce mori learn to die is a great lesson it is a great principle in Practical Religion as nosce teipsum to know thy self is necessary Death comes upon many with a surprise and unaware it creeps on Gray hares are here and there on us ere we advert There are some inconsiderate and layes it not to heart Some are dead and drowned in interest and sing
a Requiem while perhaps immediatly their Soul may be taken from them Some put off the day of Death and many run to another extream and hasten their Death by sensuality and look upon it as fatality and so grow careless Some are so swelled with the World that they can not here mementâ— fili but the old World Sodom Belshazer the Rich Glutton Herâ—â— Annanias and Saphira and others are Beacoâ— to thee to guard against precipices aâ—â— learn thee to be considerate practically tâ— think upon thy latter End And yet further this practical knowledgâ— of Death is very useful to advance practical Religion 1 st Guarding against security and surprise 2ly Stirring up men to plie their work in time well 3ly To dissarm of its Sting and dreadour 4ly To prepare us for our decease Fitst This practical knowledge of Death saves us from the greatest of evils and that is security and surprise in a matter of such a consequence as passing to our final Doom Security is the great Temptation And it produceth most dierful effects as the Old World and Wordly men set forth by Christ in the case of Dives doth declare It layes the hold open to the enemy and takes the man off the Stage of time ere he hath done any good in it Sudden destruction follows such as cry Peace It hath made tall Cedars fall But to be awake and to be armed let 〈◊〉 not fix our Repose upon Earth wheâ— it cannot be had for the Voice 〈◊〉 GOD sayeth Arise this is not thy Râ—â— And to be thus prepared delivers us froâ— the dreadour of Death For how dreadful is Death to the Man at ease said thâ— son of Sirah 2ly The practical knowledge of Death cannot but make any Serious Man to plye his Work in time it will not suffer him to delay and put off Our Life is but a Vapour and very uncertain and therefore we should do our Work now or never we should neither boast of to morrow nor putt of till to morrow but do the Work of the Day Accidents and Incident troubles and diseases may soon lay us by by the blast of the Wrath of GOD For all men are but Grass c. Isa 40. 6. 3ly To dissarm Death of its sting and dreadour the most of men live under the bondage of the fear of Death the most of their time And certainly to have the practical knowledge of it would make the consideration of Death to be easie and familiar to us When we can say with Job I know that thou will bring me to death And Death gathers a great and venomous sting if we labour not to reâ— move sin and interest our selves in the Death of Christ and then we may triumph with St. Paul O death where is thy â—ting 4ly This practical Knowledge serves to prepare us for our death and to make us ready to render up our Soul that we may expire in the Arms of Christ and with old Simeon have Christ in our Arms and therefore desire to depart in Peace And this practical Knowledge serves much to make us lead a good Life which is the only way to a happy Death Let this then learn all Christians especially Gospel Ministers to study this practical Knowledge of Death App which made St. Chrysostome say Offeramus DEO voluntarie quod â—ro debito debemur reddere give that freely to GOD which we owe in Debt to Him Ministers of the Gospel should be mortified their Life should preach Mortification they have a great account to make at Death and therefore by their Well doing should undo it There are no men who have more need of Wisdom than they and it is the greatest Wisdom to consider our Latter End 2ly The favourable Representations the Apostle here gives of Death a puttiâ—â— off or laying down this Tabernacle Where observe That Death is not dreadful to the Godly Natuâ—â— Doct 2d may shrink but Faith prevaâ—â—â— Death is but a long sleep the Grave a doâ—â— mitory it is but a taking up of our Tent and a passing to our Fathers House leaveing our Pilgrimage to possess our Inheritance Death is very kindly to a well resolved Christian it puts our Body in a Chamber gives us a Covert from the storm Isa 26. 20. In which state of Separation we have no more sense to feel than the Dust we ly amongst the irksomeness is only in our Apprehension It is the common fate of all Mortals We cannot tell how we did grow in the Womb much less how we shall rot in the Grave The Body was an Instrument of sin it must be corrupted and in a manner refined in the Grave to rise incorruptible at the Resurrection Let us then pay the debt of nature freely willingly and with a sort of Holy Faith concur with GOD and lay down our Tabernacle with Joy and render up our Soul with Delight that having our Work done and our Loiâ—s girt up we may moâ—nt Nebo with Moses and flee to Heaven with Elijah 3dly Come I now to consider how the Lord did show this Apostle of his Death Some makes this refer to the time of his Death some to the manner of it as John 21. 16. Thou shalt follow me hereafter c. saith Christ to him I shall not be very positive in determining providing that this one general be observed that the Term of our Life is uncertain we know we must die but when how or where is only known to God there is no Oracle but that of God which can clear us and Horoscops as they are too daring in medling with the secret things of God as they are dangerous so are they frequently â—aâ—al and leaves the Curious Enquirer as Wise as he was Yet it may be observed That some Favorites have much more of Doct. 3d. GODS Mind in this matter than the generality of Men. We find Moses and Aâ—râ—n and the famous 〈…〉 theâ—â— Pass from their Master and did ly down and die and the Sons of the Prophets knew and said to Elisha Knowest thou not that God will take away thy Master this day And God doth wonderfully insinâ—ate his Will in this by Dreams and Visions in thâ— Night O then labour to do thy work and then thou has no more adoe but to die Die daily and this will fit thee for thy daâ—â— and since thou knows not the hour watâ—â— till thou get thy dying Call Sermon V. Of the Endeavours Faithful Ministers have to make their Labours useful to People after their Decease and to fix such Monuments as may serve after Generationsâ— Ver. 15. Moreover c. O Fall the Offices and Works in the World the Work of the Ministry is most for Eternity it 's all Divine it came from Heaven and tends thither so that a Gospel Minister according to his Measure may say with St. Paul I received it not from Man It 's the Eternal Word which they Preach the Sonls to whom they Preach are Immortal and the Result of
it tends to Eternal Life The Painter Appelles placed an imaginary fame in a curious Draught and many for the Apprehension of a Fame make themselves infamous as Alexander was called Totius Orbis Praedo But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 25. which by the Gospel is Preached unto you Many mâ—ns Reputation dies here their Names â—ot Buâ—â—aithful Preaching never dies God has a Register of it it'â— received in the Heavens impressed upon the Hearts of Converts thereby is a living Monument erected in the Lives of Men. Ye are our Epistle sayes St. Paul to the Corninthians and though Faithful Ministers do not succeed yet their Reward is with their GOD and their Euge waits them in Heaven Well done thou good and Faithful Servant More particularly let us consider the parts of this Text in these particulars 1. The Endeavours of this Faithful Minister 2. The extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease 3. The Inculcating the Things of the Gospel so as they may take Impression by way of Remembrance upon the Hearts of Men in all Ages First The Endeavours of this faithful Minister And it teacheâ—h us of this sacred employment to follow this Copy to contribute our best Endeavems for the good of Souls This is all that man can do Paul can but Plant and Apollo water but GOD gives the increass And tho our endeavours be frustrate yet if we do our duty our judgement is with the LORD We are but dispensers of the means of Grace It is the LORD that giveth Grace and we should be earnest with people not to receive the Grace of GOD in vain or that dispensation wherein the Grace of God is given that is the Preaching the Gospel of CHRIST We should contribute our outmâ—st endeavours for the work is great the opposition strong And since we have Received this Ministry let us not faint our Blessed Saviour in his Ministerial Office was frustrate How often would I have gathered thee sayeth he to Jerusalem and â—e would not â—et us do our duty then and commit the Event to GOD. 2ly The Extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease A Faithful Mininister has Ministerial Affections for the Glory of GOD and the good of the Church they cannot consine their wishes to the little compass of a short time they expatiate in their desires and if it were possible they could tarry while CHRIST come as it was groundlessly supposed by the Beloved Disciple They would be glad to improve the opportunity But to consider more particularly the import of this his endeavour it is certain as he doth not here intend in a Ghostly way to preach to them after his decease for GOD useth not to send to the Living from the Dead the dispensation of the Gospel is now to Day if ye will hear his Voice so is it to be understood of his Actions in time as Abel tho dead yet speaketh Moses his Word yet judgeth and the Hand Writings of Ordinances yet stand while they be cancel'd Thus CHRIST's Word shall Judge Men at the Great Day and good Works shall have their Approbation then And the Womans anointing of our Saviour speaketh to every Generation Mat 25 42 43 Wherever This Gospel is preached and the whole Cloud of Witnesses have Monuments erected for them in the Word of GOD And for this Apostle besides his writing of some part of Canonick Scripture which endureth for ever he was an extraordinary person in his Call in his Calling in his miracles in his Actions and in his sufferings for CHRIST all which serve to preach after his decease which others in their measure also do So that hence it may be observed that Faithful Ministers of the Gospel by their Doct. 1 Life and labours remains famous living Monuments after their Decease Their works follow them and also they leave impression behind them it is a glory to do well in our Office and die a faithfull Stewart of the Mysterie of GOD to save our own Souls and them that hear us to make after Generations bless us Fame indeed should not be our design for that may savour of Pride and Vanity But the work if good will praise thee in the gate O then let us act for Eternitie Preach as we shall give an Application account labour to do well and it shall not be forgotten For to win a Soul is a great prize and to help Peoples Faith and to follow them with wholesome Doctrine that they may follow after Peace and Holiness is a great duty All true Holiness is from GOD and he hath said honorantes me honorabo Iâ—le honour them that honour Me 1 Sam. 4. 5. And the mercy of doing good in our time and in the Church as it shall meet us in another World so may it sweeten all the difficuldifficulties we meet with in the way of our duty in this But the third thing to wit the inculcating the things of the Gospel so as they may take impression by way of Rememâ— brance upon the hearts of men in all Ages will more clearly unfold this duty of a Gospel Minister to help people to a well improved Remembrance The Apostle much insists upon the word Remembrance and every faithful Minister and Particularly one who desires to be found faithful shall labour to bring these things to peoples Remembrance both in this life and after it and so to leave his Flock the most lasting legacie It is clearly then observable that it is a great part of Gospel Ministers duty Doct. 2 to help peoples minds to retain and improve Gospel truths for their Salvation To Preach these things Phil 4. 9. over and over again to show them how much a sanctified memory of these things tends to their faith and happiness For the mind of man is the Spirit within him that is the Candle of the LORD The great Repository of holy truth And makes Religious actings flow from a solid understanding which influenceth the will freely to work and enlargeth the affections to run with delight in the wayes of GOD. Now to be more particular in this I shall desire you to consider 1st Facultas Retinens the mind Retaining 2ly Res retenta the thing remembred 3ly The help a faithful Minister gives to this Holy art of Remembring 4ly Peoples improvement by right remembring First Facultas Retinens the mind retaining It may be considered that there is first a natural memory whereby some have said Nescio quid sit oblivisci I know not what it is to forget which is most fresh in youth and turns Crazy in old age others again are so dull in their mind or rather careless that their memorie is like a Sive which letteth Clean Water pass through but Retaineth Dregs of such it may be said that they wot not what it is to Remember 2ly There is an artificial memory much helped by Reading and frequent study and Meditation 3ly There is a Religious memory wrought by the Spirit of GOD