natural hea and living Creatures would â—â—on be extinguished And this Evening and Morning was 〈◊〉 Fourth Day viz. with those â—hree that were before the Sun but the first Day wherein there was a Sun to give Light Thâ— nâ—xâ— Day the Ayr and Waâ—ers were furnished where it seemeth that God brought both Fowles and Fishes out of the Waters so it seemeth the Fowles were brought forth out of the Waters above the Fiâ—mament and now are appointed â—o fly in the Fiâ—mament or Ayr and the Fishes weâ—e brought forth out of tâ—e Waters bâ—low where yet they abide and swim this was on the fiâ—â—â— Day On the Sixth Day was the Earth furnished with Beasts and creeping things of every kinde And last of all was created a Lord of the rest even Man upon the same Day of which more hereafter Thus much for these bodily Creatures concerning which something may be profitabâ—y spoken by way of Application and someâ—hing also by way of Allusion CHAP. II. Use 1. IN that God did choose to make the World in this space of time who could as easily have made it as well in one moment as in six Days this should teach us to take time for Meditation on his Works He that could in one instant at one word have brought forth Heaven full of Stars the Ayr full of Fowls the Water full of Fishes the Earth full of Beasts creeping things Trees c. was pleased to make several Days works of this wonderful Creation and to proceed distinctly and orderly in his work teaching us by the manner of his working only by his Word without Instruments that he could have done all at once which now he did at several times it being as easie for Him at one word to say let there be a perfect World as at one word to say Let there be Light and on the other side by this stay and pause in working teaching us to stay in our thoughts and to cause our minds to dwell upon his glorious works our minds I say which are of narrow capaciâ—y and can but take in things by peece-meale into their consideration The eyes of our Souls are but narrow and it is not enough for them at one glance to view the whole frame of this glorious Building but rather by setled Meditation to fix themselves upâ—n it and leisurely to pass from one part and point thereof to another and in every part to admire the Infinite and All-sufficient perfection of the Worker It is that which may make us ashamed and tremble also 〈◊〉 God should call our Consciences to account few of us could say that of â—ll the time we have spent ever sith-hence we had the use of ouâ— understandings in a serious Meditation on Gods works to this end that we might glorify the Maker would not make up one Week not one six Days not so long as the Lord was in bringing them forth Is not this a shame for Man who was made of purpose to glorify God in his works that he should not in all his life spend so much time in meditating on the works of God notwithstanding his dulness and sloth of apprehension as the Lord was pleased to take in making of them notwithstanding his Omnipotency which could have made them all in less than one minute as easily as in a thousand years Thâ—s therefore should cause us to humble our selves for ouâ— failing in this regard whereof we are guilty in an high degree and move us to spend more hours in studying this great Book of Nature which the Lord hath spread open before us therein describing unto us those invisible things of his Eternal Power and God-head in such plain and legible Characters that he which runneth mâ—y read them every main part being as it were a several Volume the Heaven the Aire the Earth and Waters every Creature in thâ—se being a several Leaf or Page every part of each Creature every natural property quality or created vertue in each being a several liâ—e or at least word or syllable deserving a studious and attentive Reader that is one that will seriously take into his thoughts the admirable incomprehensible excellency and perfection of the Maker And as our Saviour speaking of Daniel's Prophesie concerning the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place saith Let him that readeth consider so say I of these great works of Gods Creation which we may call the Books of Nature written with the Finger of God let him that readeth them consider let him that looketh upon them not do it with a careless eye but with attentive thoughts and most effectual Meditations yee may not herein be like idle Readers that only loâ—k at the beginning of a Book to see the name and then throw it away again And what if I should say it were expedient herein to follow the same order in considering of the Lords works as the Lord himself did in their Creation that is to bind our selves to do the work of the Day in its Day namely on the same Day wherein each work was done to meditate on the work of that Day I will not say that he sinneth who doth not follow this order I know no such warrant But this I say considering our weakness who must have time to make a distinct consideration of things considering how apt we are to be carried away with idle impertinent and unprofitable musings and so to look away fâ—om those things whereupon our thoughts should especially be fixed considering the great and admirable variety of Creatures and of natural qualities and perfections in those Creatures all issuing from that one single but All-sufficient perfection of an infinite God especially considering that the Lord hath been pleased not only to let us know how many Days he spent in the Creation of all the whole but also particularly and distinctly to acquaint us with his several Days works telling us what he did the first Day what he did the second Day c. â— dare boldly say it is expedient even to tye our selves to set apart some time in those several Days for a more special view of those several works The work it self is necessary and a more natural and convenient order to be used in performing it I cannot think of than this which I now propose CHAP. III. Meditations on the first Days Work SECT 1. LEt us now consider what was the first days work and that upon the first day which now we call the Lords day and therein first consider what was done in the Evening of that Day and then what was done in the Morning 1. What was done in the Evening it seemeth that in the Evening or Nâ—gâ—t was maâ—e the Heaven without Light the Earth wiâ—hout form darkness câ—vering the face of the deâ—p and the spirit of God moving upon the surface of the Waters And here is plentiful maâ—ter for thy thoughts to work upon on this first day of the week 1. Then admire and magnify the wonderful power and
vertues and operations yet all sweetly conspire together and make one exact harmony as in an Instrument though the strings be of divers sounds yet they make but one harmony together 2. Their particular form is the power force or efficacy of Nature stampt upon all Creatures after their kinds according to their particular beings and their conditions by which all creatures are enabled to their proper operations From this ariseth the goodnesse of the creatures 1. Generall of all creatures which is the entire perfection of all naturall power according to their natures 2. Speciall which is the reasonable creature endued with supernaturall gifts heavenly wisdom righteousnesse and true holinesse we may hence admire the wisdome of God in making things after such an excellent form and cry out with David O Lord how wonderfull are thy works In wisdome hast thou made them all God's ultimate end in the Creation is his own glory 1. For the shewing forth his glory God doth unfold himself in the Creature Five things are revealed in the Creation about God 1. That there is a God Rom. 1.20 The Prophet Isaiah bringeth many proofs from the Creation to shew that there is a God and to difference the true God from Idols and false Gods Isai. 41.26 and Chap. 42.5 2. The Eternity of God is revealed by the Creation He that made all things and time it self the measure of things must needs be Eternal Thy years are throughout all generations of old hast thou laid the foundation of the Earth and the Heavens are the work of thy hands c. Psal. 102.24 25. 3. The Wisdome of God in creating innumerable and divers things is revealed as also in the orderly disposing of innumerable things and in giving to all their natural perfections 4. The Goodness of God is revealed being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet would he communicate his goodness to the Creature of whom he had no need at all 5. The Power of God in making all things of nothing Rom. 1.20 2. That the Creatures especially Man and Angels might give him the glory due to his name by acknowledging him to be such a God The Creatures in their kind do glorifie God their Creator and Men by taking notice what the Creatures declare of him and whâ—re they make the Creatures as Spectacles to see God in them The Creatures are Doctores Theologici yea they are like Jacob's Ladder wherein we may ascend from Earth to Heaven Light was the first Creature which God made and agreeably the adorning of the World began with the light from whence other things which were to be created should be seen very probable it is that the light first appeaâ—ed there where the Sun being carryed about in his Daily course appeareth God in the Creation proceeded 1. A negatione ad habitum when he had created the World 2. A totali privatione ad habitum when he brought forth light out of darkness 3. A partiali privatione ad habiâ—um when he made the Day to succeed the Night Quest. 1. In the second Days work it may be demanded Why God did not bless the Work of that Day in approving it when to every other Days Work an approbation is added And God saw that it was good Answ. There is no express mention made of an immediate approbation of this Days work 1. Because this work of distinguishing and setling the Waters in their place was then imperfect but was compleated on the third Day 2. Because on this Day as some think Hell was created which simply in it self is not pleasing to God or because the Angels fell on this Day and became Devils by their apostacy as others imagine It is also observable that in the creation the lights that were dispersed for three days were on the fourth day all found in the Sun Quest. 2. It may in the next place be demanded Why God between the Creation of the Plants and of Animals did interpose the Creation of the Stars Answ. I answer that he might shew although ordinarily the Sun and other Stars do concur to the generation of Plants as well as of Animals yet the generation of things is not simply to be referred to the Sun and Stars but to God who before the Stars were created commanded the Earth to bring forth Herbs and Plants yielding seed and the fruit-Tree to yield fruit after his kind Gen. 1.11 Before the Creation of Animals he would create the Light because for the most part they have need of the light in a special manner Moreover ye may take notice that when God made the Fishes of the Sea and the Fowls of Heaven he blessed them saying Be fruitfull and multiply and fill the Waters in the Sea and let Fowl multiply in the Earth c. Vers. 22. But when he made the brute Beasts of the Earth we do not read that he gave any such blessing at all to them intimating to us that he that will get that blessing which God giveth unto good Men he muâ—t not delight in Eaâ—thly pleasuâ—es like brute Beasts but minde Heavenly things for unto those who wallow in temporal delights God will not at all give his benediction but his malediction It is also remarkable that when God made the Light the Sun Moon and Stars and the Earth and all other Creatures he saw that they were all good but when he created Man he doth not so particularly pronounce this of him as he doth of other Creatures he doth not say that he was good or bad yet are not these Creatures better than Man but inferiour to Man being all made for the use of Man the reason is because God would leave him to his choice to choose good or evil to him self and accordingly he should have his denomination as Stella noteth Quest. 3. It may further be demanded Why earthly Animals were created on the sixt Day Answ. I answer because they were differing in kinde from the other Creatures that were made before them and because they were to dwell with Man and were more like unto Man both in their â—ody and genius than either the â—irds or Fishes and also because many of them were to be helpfull and serviceable unto Man therefore were they brought forth on the same Day wherein Man was Created Man was the last work of God in the Creation for divers reasons 1. That God might shew unto us his own Order in proceeding from more imperfect things to things more perfect 2. That Man might be a little World in whom all things should be summarily contained called of the Hebrews Olam Hakaton and of the Greeks Microcosmos A little World for he hath in him the beauty of things inanimate even the chiefest as of the Sun Moon and Stars c. Gen. 37.8 9. Ezek. 28.13 14. He hath growth as Plants Genes 38.11 49.22 Sense and sensible properties with â—easts 2 Sam. 23.10 Reason and wisdome with Angels 1 Sam. 14.20 3. That God might bring forth every Creature
paâ—ticular are brought â—â—rth fâ—om time to â—â—me by his Mighty Pâ—wer who 〈…〉 Day worketh all â—â—ings accâ—â—diâ—g â—o the câ—â—nsâ—l oâ— his own will 〈◊〉 yet thâ—â—e are many Inâ—trâ—â—â—ntâ— used to bring fâ—rth these the old to bâ—iâ—g â—oâ—th the young c. and tâ—ough â—he kinds of Creatures remaâ—n which God himâ—â—lf made yet the pâ—â—ticular Males and Females â—â—de 〈◊〉 beginning are lâ—ng since exâ—ing 〈◊〉 anâ—â—thers by many succâ—ssions are 〈…〉 many Ages in their stâ—ad But thâ—se 〈◊〉 are the very same witâ—ouâ— succâ—ssiâ—n tâ—â—â—efore the Heavâ—ns in spâ—cial man 〈◊〉 do sâ—t 〈◊〉 the glory of God the Sun and the Moon which God hath ordained are in a special manner to be hâ—â—ded that we may sâ—riously câ—nsider of the Lord whose immediate workmâ—nship they are If you câ—n once learn to see God in his Creatures as â—he Apostle direcâ—eth us Rom 1.20 where he saith The invisible things of God from the Câ—â—ation of the World are cleerly seen c. Thou maist then see him Dayly round about thee Thou canst not set thy Foot upon the ground but thou maist remember that thou treadest upon the Lords workmanship and that thou couldest not stir a Foot but that he hath made this ground to bear thee and given thee leave to walk upon it When thou seest the beautiful face of the Earth and the Fruits and Plants which it yieldeth thou seest abundant variety of the Lords Creatures and art taught if thou wilt learn to remember him by whom all of them were created Thou must think thou hearest Him in the noise of strong and mighty winds in hideous claps of thunder that thou discernest Him in the Clouds in the showers â—f Rain in the Hail Snow Ice and Hoar-frost in the Spring Summer Harvest Winter in all thâ— seasons of the Yeaâ— yea in tâ—e very Day and Night for Day unto Day and Night unto Night teach knowlâ—dge Time it self and the continuance of it are his woâ—k Look upon thy self every part â—very membâ—r of thee thy Brâ—ath in thy Nostrils the spiritual substance of thy Soul with all its excellent facultiâ—s thy reason when thou usest it thy Memory which preserveth unto thee the knowledge of things gone and past thine Eyes thine Eares c. which let in things like Windows into â—hy mind These and multitudes of oâ—her things which thou beaâ—est every Day about thee should make thee thâ—nk with much admiration of thy God that made thee and all that is within thee How canst thou look away from God How canst thou turn off the eyes of thy mind fâ—om bâ—holding Him if thou dost indeed discern Him in his works Canst thou see any thing that is and not see as it weâ—e the priâ—t of his Hâ—nd upon it We should not be so foâ—getfull of God if we did make use of this point that he is the Creator of all things Ye look upon the Creature and no farthâ—r as if it had mâ—de it self and had no Câ—eaâ—or to frame it nay so strange is our earthliness and sâ—nsâ—ality that we foâ—get God by looking so much upon the Creatures our plenty of the Creatures maketh us to forget him our dealings about the Creatuâ—es do put the Creator out of our thoughts whereas there is never a Creature in the World but it doth in its kind effectually call upon us to remember it and our Creator Yea the minding of our selves so much inordinate self-love and too much carnal respect had to our selves maketh us to forget our Maker whereas our selves as I have said should in special manner make us mindfull of Him that made us Consider thâ—s ye that foâ—get God and either remember him â—ffâ—ctually by his works or else be sure his Creatures shall bear witness against thee and condemn thee for thy forgetfulness CHAP. III. Use 3. AS the Creatures should make us remember God sâ— should they make us admire and glorify Him This wonderful work viz. the whole World and all the Creatures in it should move us to esteem him wonderfull even beyond astonishment We cannot be sufficiently amazed at his excellent greatness manifested in his wonderful works 1 Kings 10.4 5 6. When the Qâ—een of Sâ—â—ha had seen all Solomon's wisdome and thâ— House that he had built and the Meat of his Table and the sitting of his Servants and the attendance of his Minâ—sters and their Apparâ—l and his Cup-bearers and his ascent by whâ—ch he went up into the House of the Lord Tâ—ere was no moâ—e Spirit in Her These things in this variety laid together did astonâ—sh Her for a time and She was as one amazed as if She had been left without a Soul But alas what was all Solomon's glory unto the Excellency of God his glory and greatness shining in tâ—e Creation not so much as a Gloâ—-worm is to the Sun Our Saviour hath pâ—â—ferred he beauty of a Lilly one of the least of Gods Creatures b fore the riâ—hâ—st Râ—bes that ever Solomon wore in his grâ—atest gloâ—y If Solomon's wisdome were so admirable unto Her how wonderful should the infinite wisdome of God appear to be unto us as it shineth in the excellent composition of the whole Creation If Solomon's House did so dazle Her Eyes with its stateliness greatness and magnificence how should we with much admiration look upon this goodly frame of Heaven and Earth which the Lord by his meer Word brought out of nothing to which the House of Solomon was no more than a poor Cottage If the consideration of divers things together orderly disposed and fitted did thus overcome Her spirit how should the exact order and plasing of numberless Creatures of divers kinds their several natures tempers qualities vertues enclinations some of them great some lesser raâ—ish us some of them giving support unto the â—est some contained within the rest some moving about with restless motion as the Hâ—avenâ— and in them the Sun Moon and Stars tuâ—ning abâ—out with â—hem the Wheel of Time câ—rrying abâ—uâ— with them Days Weeks Moneths Yeaâ—s Ages altering Times and Seasons raising the Earth to Life again in the Spring and renewing its Face with youâ—h and beauty ripening the Fruits of the Eaâ—â—h in Summer scorching our Bodies wiâ—h heat and even making us forget the cold breath of Winter then striâ—ping the World of thiâ— hâ—lf Years clothing at the fâ—ll of the Leaf or Autumn and soon afâ—er leaving it for dead in the benummed Winter until it obtain another râ—surrection as it were at the Spring This is the course of the Hâ—â—vens and these their effâ—ct 〈◊〉 â—gâ—inâ— look on the Earth holding 〈…〉 â—nd not stâ—â—riâ—g from its place eve◠〈◊〉 it Câ—eation See some 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 bigâ—â—ss yet neitheâ— stiâ—ring nor growing as Rocks 〈◊〉 Mâ—untains Some gâ—owing but not moving from their â—laces as Tâ—â—es and other Plants of â—he Earth some growing and stirâ—ing to and fro some creeping others going and running sâ—me swimming otheâ—s â—lâ—ing some of wonderful strength and swiftness some weaker â—nd slow in their motions
conveâ—se with others it is not to be imagined how many wants and inconveniencies the loss of this Creature would bring upon thee for among other things it hath a cherishing warmth and lively heat accompanying it whereby it giveth life and preserveth life motion and natural heat in Men and other Creatures and therefore conclude Oh Lord our God! how wonderfull are thy works and especially this first-born Creature the Light which upon this first day thou diddest cause to shine out of utter darkness and when thy heart is covered wiâ—h a dark night of sad uncomfortable thoughts then look up to him who can cause the light to shine out of darkness and joy and comfort to arise out of sorrow and heaviness CHAP. IV. Meditations on the second Days Work FRom the fiâ—st come we to the second day which we ordâ—narily call Monday Here you are to consider the wisdome and wonderfull power of God in making a division between the huge heap of the Waters spreading the Firmament of the Ayr between its parts raising the Clouds above and there making treasuries for Rain Hail Snow and other mâ—teors Oh consider the goodness of God in giving thee this admirable Creature of the Ayr whâ—ch feedeth thee with Breath continually whereof the poorest Beggar hath as large a portion as the greatest Monarch Consider that the least draught of this Ayr is more than thou canst deserve at the hands of God who yet art apt to repine and murmur when thou hast not fulness of Bread and art abridged in some small degree of the plenty which thou hadst at other times 1. Consider that as without this Ayr the natural Man cannot live so neither can the spiritual Man without the blessed spirit which giveth an heavenly breathing to the Soul regenerated as the Ayr doth to the Body And as the Ayr doth pass unseen into the Body but then is breathed out again in a visible manner so the spirit of God worketh and conveyeth his heavenly influence in an hidden invisible manner into the minds of the faithfull but is visibly breathed forth again as it were in regard of its fruits in holy speeches and heavenly actions that Men may see the good works which he bringeth forth in the godly and glorify their Father who is in Heaven Wonderfull are the effects of the Ayr and according to it our Bodies are usually enclined and disposed yea and our Souls too in some respect by reason of the neer Neighbourhood between the Soul and the Body and the special affinity between the Ayr and the Spirits in the Body which are the immediate instruments of the Soul We of this Kingdome have special cause to bless God for one of the sweetest and most temperate Ayres in the World seâ—ving much for delight for health for our furtherance even in the best things if we were carâ—full to make the best use of such a blessing a quick and kindly Ayr being no small help to the spirits even in the service of God 2. We may further consider that as such stoppings as hinder the Ayr from passing too and fro do endanger the natural life so those sins that stop the lively working moving and breathing of the sanctifying spirit do endanger the spiritual life The Wind which is the Ayr stirred and moved and is as it were the same in the Ayr which the Waves are in the Sea is of wonderful force and strength it beareth down Trees Buildings and things of wonderfull strength and bigness it tosseth the Seas and rouleth in the Waves and worketh wonders in the deep hereby magnifying the Almighty Power of its Creator Wâ—o as the Psalmist saith rideth upon the Wings of the Wind. And yet you must remember that the Winds and Seas obey him who sent a calm when Ionas was cast out of the Ship and at another time when Christ came into the Ship so when sin is cast out of the Soul and Christ received and embraced then the tempest of an accusing conscience is calmed and a sweâ—â— peace followeth upon it which passeth all understanding 3. As the Ayr is sometimes more sometimes less stirâ—ed by the Winds so the blessed spirit of God blowing when where and how he listeth doth sometimes as it were breath more stâ—ongly and sometimes impart a lâ—ss measure of hâ—s heavenly vertue In the second Chapter of the Acts at the Feast of Pentecost he camâ— down like a mighty rushing Wind upon the Apostles who were gathered together and so they were carried mightily in the Power of the spirit to spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the World But ordinarily the blasts of the spirit are not so strong and to our pace is but â—low in the ways of God and therefore should we pray with the Spouse in that song of Songs Arise O North-wind and come O South and blow upon my Garden that the sâ—icâ—s thereof may flâ—w forth 4. But in this Days work we are especially to consider the Clouds above which are those Waters above the Firmament and in these admire those store-houses of sweet refreshing showres which water the Earth with a faâ—tening dew and fruitfull moisture that it may yield encrease for the use of Man and Beast which should make us to admire his goodness and on the other side to tremble at his displeasure who once did open the flood-gates of Heaven so as to overwhelm the World of the ungodly destroying all that breathed those only excepted which were contained within â—he compass of one Ark where also we are â—o admire his patience who thus long forbeareth sinners being continually provoked alâ—hough he hath not only flood-gates of Rain and Water but also store-houses of Hail-shot mortal Thunder-bolts treasuries of Fire and â—â—imstone c. whereby he could in a moment many thousand ways avenge himself of his Enemies 5. Consider that as that ground is neer unto cursing which drinketh of the dew of Heaven and receiveth the Rain and yet 〈◊〉 forth no encrease so that case is dreadfull when the Heavenly dew of the Word falleth continually upon the heart and yet it remaineth altogether barâ—en and fruitless toâ—aâ—d God 6. Consider also how the Lord giveth snow like wool câ—steâ—h forth his Ice like morsels â—â—â—â—ereth the â—oarâ— first like ashes In this Ayr are to be admired the hideous claps of â—â—under the dreadfull flashes of lightening whereby the Lord sheweth his Almighty Power and Majesty and as he made shew of these terrible things in the delivery of his Law so even common sense may teach us that he will be much more dreadfull when he calleth to account the impenitent transgressors of his Law yea we should consider that the same reverence is to be yielded to Him when he speaketh in the soft still voice of the Gospel which was due unto his voice when it was attended with thunder and lightning 7. Learn to acknowledge Him in the different change of weather be it seasonable or unseasonable and to call upon Him and give Him
have layen like a dead unprofitable lump without any thing growing upon it in the most seasonable time of the year had not the Lord bidden it and in bidding it enabled it to bring forth Consider then with thy self that every years encrease every crop of Corn every Tree every Grain every Seed or Fruit of any Tree every Grass and Herb which the Earth beareâ—h at any time iâ— came undoubtedly out of the Earth by vertue of this Soveraign command of God yea as well the propagation and succession of these as the first Creation cometh from his word for so he said Let the Earth bring forth the Tree bearing fruit after its kind and the Herb bearing Seed after its kind and it was so And therefore give all the glory to Him for these things from whom all things are received by whom the Earth is made fruitfull and yieldeâ—h an encrease Let us lament the unthankfulness the pride and blindness that is among us Do we not murmur many of uâ— if we have not as much as formerly we had as if now we could plead custome with God and challenge it as a due because we have had it so long as if we could accuse him of with-holding our right when after many years of abundance we are a little stinted and have now somewhat less Is not this great blindness Do we not know that by our fall in Adam we forfeited all our â—ight to these things and that the Lord mâ—ght justly have fed us no otherwise than some condemned wretches with a poor pâ—â—tance only to preseâ—ve life that our miseâ—y might be the greater All our right to these things was but by his free grant this grant was but conditional the condition of this grant we brake where then iâ— our Plea Are we better than Iacob O Lord I am less than the least of all thy mercies saith he Is not this great pride that Men should think themselves not well used as it were at the hands of God and that they deserve better dealing If thou haddest thy desert whosoever thou art thou haddest felt more misery long agone than any ever felt upon the Earth and this every one may seemingly acknowledge whose heart God hath touched Is it not great unthankfulness thus to requite the Lord because thou hast enjoyed so much plenty heretofore thou shouldest now much the rather with patience endure some scarcity because thou hast received good thou shouldest with more sâ—bmission bear some evil or want of that measure of good as Iob reasoned with his Wife Nay if many were put to it I am perswaded they could not say in their consciences that â—ver they did pray for this blessing feelingly and effectually and is it not a shame for thee to murmur against the Lord for not giving that which thou never didst effectually ask Nay if we should consider the hoâ—rible abuse of Gods Creatures by all sorts rich and poor we may justly wonder that the Heavens are not long since hardened into brass and the Earth into Iron against us 3. Among these Plants observe how weeds and other hurtfull things do grow of themselves but the best and most usefull must be carefully planted so sin and corruption springeth naturally out of the evil soyl of our heaâ—ts but grace and holiness are of the Holy Ghost his Plantation Again barren Trees are cut down by the provident Husbandman that they may not cumber the ground as you see in the Gospel which should move us by bearing fruits unto God To work out our own Salvation with fear and trembling The leaves of an outward profession are not sufficient but to them must be joyned the fruit of a sanctified conversation The Tree and every branch and twig thereof receiveth sap life nourishment from the Root Every true believer receiveth heavenly life and grace from Christ Jesus So long as the Branch is joyned to the Tree and so to the Root it receiveth benefit and refreshment from the Dew and Rain but if it be cut off from the Tree the sweetest showers cannot preserve it from being withered He that is truly united to Christ as a Branch to the Root by the spirit and faith he receiveth benefit growth and spiritual refreshment from the outward meanes of grace the Ministery of the Word and Sacraments But if he be not truly united to him the sweetest dew that ever fell from Heaven cannot keep spiritual life within him on the other side though the Branch doth receive life and nourishment from the Root yet it wanteth refreshment from the showers of Heaven so those Fanatical dreamers are to be condemned who pretend an union with Christ and partaking of his Spirit and therefore brag they have no need of the Word preached or any outward means Again let the renewing of the face of the Earth by these Creatures every Spring put thee in mind of the wonderfull efficacy of God his Word which from the beginning unto this present time hath made the Earth thus fruitfull and let it teach thee to rely upon his truth and promise in other things as well as this CHAP. VI. Meditations on the fourth Days Work SECT 1. FRom the Third I come to the Fourth day which we usually call Wednesday which was the first day that had a Sun to give it light to which were added the Moon to rule the Nâ—ghâ— and the Stars to attend her which glorious work of a most glorious God should raise our thoughts to some holy meditation 1. Now consider on this Day how that as the Waters which were before dispersed all abroad upon and about the Earth were on the third Day gathered into one store-house called Seas so the light which was before diffused through the huge spaces of the Creation was now as it were drawn together into one Body of the Sun as a full and common treasury Consider here that the Lord who is in himself infinitely more bright than the light it self needed no light in respect of himself and therefore it was for us that he made the light and we should bless him for it so in regard of himself he needed no word nor revelations of heavenly mysteries being infinite in all knowledge and wisdome and therefore it was for us that he gave his Word to be a Light and caused by his Spirit the bright beams of holy truths to be cast abroad into the dark World therefore we may conceive how shamefull our sin and unthankfulness is that we must be entreated to turn our eyes toward this light and to come to Church to hear the Word whereas if need were we should beg a place in the house of God upon our knees rather than go without this light 2. Consider that although the Lord was pleased to give light to the World yet there needed no Sun whereby to do it witness the light of the three first Days wherein no Sun shined so when it pleased the Lord to give the light of Heavenly knowledge to his
God with the Psalmist Teach me O Lord open mine eyes c. and make no great account of the judgment of such in spiâ—iâ—uâ—l things who are worldly wise or learned but unsaâ—ctified Think rather that as no Spectacles can make that eye to see that is altogâ—ther blind so no help of humane leaâ—ning natural sharpness of wit c. can make that Man that is spiritually blind rightly and savingly to discern spiritual things If there be some light in the eye thoâ—gh but dim it may be helped and furthered by such outward means so if there be some light of the enlightening sanctifying spirit and â—he mind then thâ—se outward helps of secular Leaâ—â—ing Arts Tongues natural quickness of wit c. may be of great and excellent use and must not be despised 9. Again consider that as there is great difference in the cleerness of the light between such a Day when the Sun-beams are intercepted by a thick Mist or dark Cloud and then when it shineth brightly through a cleer Ayr so when the light of heavenly truths was dimmed by a thick mist of Iewish Ceremonies when a Cloud was in the most Holy Place even before the Oracle and Ark of Gods presence when the Vail was whole and not rent asunder the means of grace were not so cleer the mysteries of grace not so plainly unfolded by many degrees as now since our Saviours coming when there are no impediments and this should stir thee up to thankfulness every Sun-shiny day should make thee lift up a thankfull heart with feeling affections to the Father of lights for that cleer light of the Gospel which now shineth unto thee in the Church And as there is a gâ—eat difference between the Sun in an Eclipse and the Sun free from such Eclipse in his full glory so shouldest thou think there is a great difference between the Gospel now cleerly preached since the reformation and the Gospel much darkned by Popish mists by humane Doctrines yea Doctrines of Devils in the time of Popery And when-ever thou seest the Sun Eclipsed lament the miseries of those times and when thou seest iâ— freed from the Eclipse again bless God for the happiness oâ— these last hundred years And as the Sun is not in a moment freed from the Eclipse but by degrees so was it in the reformation by the Ministery of Walaus and his followers of Wâ—ckliff and his folâ—owers then of Iohn Huss of Hierom of Praguâ— of Luther and Calvin c. And therefore think how vain the Popish objection is Luther and Calvin did not agree therefore both were Hereticks the Sun was not so folly freed from its Eclipse than in Lutâ—eâ—'s beginnings as afterwards and the difference was no more than between the Sun in some degree freed from the Eclipse and the Sun more cleered and freâ—d Again consider that the Sun is Eclipsed by the body of the Moon coming between it and our sight so the light of Gods Word is Eclpsed many times to many of us in particular by reason of the World and the things of the World which are changeable like the Moon coming between it and our affections so that our hearâ—s embracing clâ—aving to earthly things have the Earth standing in their light and Eclipsing he light of the Word Therefore if you will see cleerly by the light of the Word you must remove the World out of the way put â—he Earth out of your heart And as Zacheus fâ—und himself too low when he stood upon the ground and therefore went up into a Tree and stood above the Earth that he might take a view of Christ so that you may cleerly see Christ Jesus you must not stand much lâ—ss crawl and grovel upon the ground with an earthly heart cleaving to the dust and glewed to the Earth but must get up above the Earth in the height of an heavenly spirit seeing the Earth below thee and accounting it but as an heap of dung which thou treadest under thy feet and refusest to lay in the bosome of thine affections or to set it before the eye of thy Soul 10. Consider as the light of the Sun is offensive and displeasing to sore eyes which rather delight in a dim Ayr so consider that the reason why the light of Gods Word preached is so displeasing unto many is because of the carnal distemper of their hearts whereas to a sound heart it is most delightfull And consider though the light of the Sun be pleasing to a gâ—od eye yet the sharpest sight may be dazeled by its brightness so the light of heavenly mysteries in the Word is of that surpassing excellency as to overcome the cleerest apprehension of any sanctified Christ aâ— 11. Consider as the light of the Sun is accompanied with a cherishing heat and warmth whereby the Creatures on earth are refreshed and made to grow yea whereby life is ingenerated and preserved â—o the light of the word is attended with a Divine operative warmth and vertue of the blessed spirit whereby the new life is ingenerated and preserved in the hearts of the elect Again as the Sun by its coming in the Spring renueth the face of the earth and maketh such a difference in the world as if it were a new world so when the Gospel was preached abroad in in the world by the Apostles it made a wonderfull alteration in the world even as if it had been a new world insomuch that the heathens themselves and enemies observed it as Demetrius told his fellow smiths speaking of Paul and his fellow Apostles these be the men that have turned the world upside down Ah wonderful change when those idol Gods should be hated as wicked Devils and lying spirits which before were thought worthy of all reverence when Demetrius his Diana shall be set at nought and his waâ—â— out of request which before were so highly set by when the name of one God shall be glorified throughout the world whereas before many Gods were worshipped even in all parts of the world 12. When the Sun is up men do both arise and perform the business and works of the day so when the gospel is preached as it hath been with us a long time we must think it time to rouze up our selves from the beds of security and awake by repentance out of the sleep of sin and impenitency and to being forth fruits answerable to the gospel and the means of grace Consider how unseemly it is in this day-time to go naked without putting on Christ to come abroad in the light with the loathsome rags of our natural pollutions to be still in bed to be busied in our night-works of darkness to behave our selves no otherwise than those who never saw the light Oh detest those courses of idleness swearing whoring and drunkeness c. as most unseemly in the day most unfiâ— for the light put away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light 13. Consider also that as the
golden mines Learn to humble thy self before him whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter than the Sun who knoweth many more faults in us than we can see in our selves be we never so watchful who is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things Let it not seem incredible unto thee that God should be every where present and see all things in all places seeing the Sun which is one of his Creatures and but apart of his fourth day's work doth at once shine many hundred thousand miles if you reckon how his light reacheth downward from heaven to earth and that Northward Southward Eastward Westward yea from heaven to heaven for when it is on the other side of the earth it shineth on the Moon on this side the earth and causeth it to shine yea it shineth upon every tree upon every little grass and doth as it were in its kind look upon the smallest thing Is it then to be doubted that God who can make a thousand Suns as excellent as this with a word should be in all places at once and see all things at one view Even reason may teach us that it is more strange that the Sun being a Creature should shine so far and on so many Creatures at once than that the Infinite God should be thus every where present and see all things Yea thou maist assure thy self that as the Sun is not polluted with the loathsome puddles and dunghils on which it shineth so neither is the Lord by filling all places even there where are the greatest pollutions He is no farther from happiness in Hell than in Heaven for himself is Hiâ— perfection and excellency from whom no degree of happiness can be taken 8. Consider also the swiftness of the Sun which is beyond the thought of man wonderful is the work of God in this regard if we consider what an huge compass the Earth hath and then how the heavens are above the Earth so that the Sun in twenty four houres doth not onely go round about the Earth but also round that huge compass between Heaven and Earth I cannot conceive but that it must needs go many hundred thousand miles in one hour Now is it not easier for God to be every where at once â—han for the Sun to make such a speedy course yet notwithstanding the time of thy life goeth as fast as the Sun it self for it carrieth about thy time thy days thy years thine age with it Oh consider every time thou seest the Sun in his race my life runs along and keepeth pace with this Sun a thousand times faster than any Eagle can fly in the ayr I sit still but my life runneth post I am idle but my time is every moment in a speedy course nay I go backward when my time runneth forward woe is me that I grow less careful in hastening on in my journey that I linger that I go out of the way when my days are carried away upon the wings of the Sun oh call to God for quickening grace that the spirit of God may lift thee up and carry thee on in a farr more speedy course of holy obedience When thou thy self lackest means to pass away the time or hearest others complain in this regard look up to the Sun and think with they self doth not the Sun go fast enough surely time goeth along with it and never laggeth one inch behind it is it not a madness then to call for more help to drive it forward Is there not much more cause to labour by all means to make hast after our time which we have already lost which hath long since out-run us let us take time to bewail our loss of time and be ashamed any more to complain of it as if it were too slow-paced 9. Consider that as the Sun is not the Authour nor cause of darkness when he taketh away his beams from us but the darkness followeth upon his removal so God is not the Authour of sin or blindness when he most justly denieth his light and graces to the unworthy sons of Adam but that sin followeth thereupon glorify his perfect purity and do not conceive one thought against him so as to enwrap him with thy self in guiltiness but say with the Psalmist The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Thus much for the Sun SECT 3. NOw follow the Moon and Stars The Moon which is appoinâ—ed to rule the night is a Creature where we may behold the glory of God though more dimly shining than in the Sun 1. Here see God's wisedome and goodness in mitigating the darkness of the night that when the Sun is out of sight yet we should have a Moon to give us some though not so great a light and if both be sometimes absenâ— yet then we have the Stars to make some abatement of utter darkness How wonderful was the Lord in his works who was pleased not onely to give us so great a light by day but also to set up candles for us in the Heavens in the night time even so should we think also how the Lord dealeth with his servants if he take away the Sun-shine of comforts from them even fulness of joy yet even then he leaveth some Moon-light or Star-light at the least some glimmerings whereby they conceive some hope and are though not much cheered yet supported Be thankful for the least degree and wait patiently for a greater measure seek to him stand not in thine own light let not thy soul refuse comfort or if there be no Moon or Stars to be seen by reason of the clouds yet I am perswaded that in the darkest night there is some little degree of light though not scarcely to be discerned by us yet I do not think it is ever so dark as in those three nights before the Sun was made so in the greatest decay of grace the greatest darkness of spiritual desertion when there is scarce any degree of spiritual life grace or comfort to be discerned yet in every true Christian who once was made a new Creature there is some degree and it is not with him as it was before the Sun of righteousness was risen upon him there is not that utter darkness that was upon his soul while it was in that more confused chaos and heap of unregeneration 2. The Moon in respect of the Sun is as the Church in respect of Christ the Moon borroweth her lâ—ght of the Sun so doth the Church her graces righteousness and all her happiness of Christ the Sun of righteousness What a poor Creature is the Moon how dark is it when the Earth cometh between the Sun and her how empty would the Church be of all light grace comfort if Christ should be hidden from her when the Moon is most enlightened by the Sun yet there are some dark spots to be disceâ—ned in her so when the Church is most replenished with the beams of this Sun of
thee CHAP VII Meditations on the fifth Days Work SECT 1. COme we now to the fifth day which with us is usually called Thursday the story of which days work we have laid down in Gen. 1.20 21 22 23. Wherein the waters were furnished with fishes and other Creatures that live there and the air with fouls and such creatures as live in it 1. Here consider that after those four days when the heavens were furnished with lights and the earth beautified with plants springing out of it by vertue of the word of God yet all this while there was not one creature throughout the whole Creation that had sense or power to move from place to place not one fly or the least thing moving in the air not one fish swimming throughout the seas rivers or other waters not one worm creeping on the earth here then admire the wonderful power and wisdom of God who on the fifth day by his All-commanding word filled the air with multitudes of Creatures flying there the waters with abundant of fishâ—s swimming there this was done even in a moment Consider what numberless swarms there were both of fouls and fishes brought forth on the fifth day whereas the very day before there was not one of any kind to be found in any part of the Creation And as the wisdom of God joined these two sorts of creatures together so he made in many respects a special affinity between them as the fouls are covered with feathers so the fishes with scales as the fouls move in the air so do the fishes in that element which cometh nearest the nature of the air as the fouls have wings to fly withall so the fishes have â—innes whereby they swimme and that is a motion very like to that of flying yea some of either kind do communicate with each other in their element for as we have water-fouls so there have been flying-fish in great abundance so that here you may magnifie the wisdome of God who in the day that these creatures were made did imprint upon them such properties and qualities as should be evidences to the end of the world in some sort that they were but the work of one and the same day 2. Consider here that as the Lord hath appointed the fouls to fly in the air and the fishes to swimme in the sea confining each to his own element for the general though some few particulars be suffered to live in both this should teach us to walk within the compass of our callings and not to think we shall mend our selves in a different element or another kind of course without some special cause Some few may have some special warrant to change their callings as Amos to leave his flock and teach the people and Peter to leave his nets and fish for men These had an immediate call from God and so I dare not deny but that in case of great necessity when the Church is destitute of able Ministers some well-studied in the Scriptures and experienced in the mysteries of grace may take upon them the office of the Ministry being lawfully separated unto that function yet this will prove no more that every one may at his pleasure run from the shop to the pulpit than it will follow that all the fishes in the sea may fly up into the air because some few do so And this should especially â—each Christians who are called unto holiness to take heed how they leave their element They are bidden to walk in the spirit even as birds fly in the air and in this element they must keep for as the air giveth breath unto the fouls that fly in it so the sanctifying spirit giveth the new life unto those that walk in him the waters would choak and drown the fouls if they should fall into them so sin is that which endangereth the spiritual life when a christian falleth into it The air giveth a speedy flight and motion to the Birds whereas the waters would wet their wings and cause them to move but slowly if they fall into it so the spirit when a Christian walketh in it carrieth him along with winged-affections and setteth his heart in a speedy motion upon the things of God making him ready unto every good work but if he fall into sin which is like the waters of the dead sea that Lake of Sodom his heart is like a bird drenched in water his affections are deaded his heart moveth but slowly yea many times he lieth for dead and there is scarce any motion of the spirit to be discerned in him And as in such cases a foul had need of more than ordinary means to help as to be held over a warm fire c. So a christian that he may recover his wings again and have his heart spiritually affected and enlarged toward God had need of special humiliation special meditation pâ—aier and other warming and quickening means to raise him up 3. As the air giveth breath and motion so also it giveth support to the birds and it carrieth them even as the earth doth the beasts which go up and down upon it so doth the spirit also give support unto all that are born of the spirit They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation If it were not ordinary it might seem strange that the air which none can see being so thin a substance should carry so many millions of souls as there are in it flying up and down wonderful is the power of the blessed invisible spirit who supporteth so many thousand christians by his sanctifying vertue against all the powers of darkness 4. As these birds do now live in the air so were the fouls created in the air at the first so whosoever walketh in the spirit was also born of the spirit he had his begining in this element 5. Consider that as the Birds although they live and move in the air yet they come down to receive some refreshment from the earth so the Lord alloweth his children to receive some nourishment from the earth and to partake of its refreshments yet so as they must not delight in the earth as in their element nor in the things of the earth as their chiefest contentment but like the birds of heaven having supplied their necessities must be ready to soar aloft again and not in their affections be still groveling here below 6. You see how sparingly the birds take of the water a bird doth not drink like a beast it rather sippeth so should a christian sparingly use the pleasures of this life rather sipping like the bird than swilling like the swine As for those that give themselves to drink down iniquity like water and to commit sin with greediness they are none of those who have their conversation in heaven nay those that glut themselves with earthly pleasures knowing no better contentments than in such things as please the senses the appetite the eyes ears tast c. They
first but to beware and tremble at that venemous and smarting sting which it leaveth behind Again as flies are most busie in the sun so are temptations in prosperity and as the flies are apt to light upon that part of the body where there is a fore so is Satan wont to assault the soul where it is weakest and to take advantage of those corruptions that do most prevail in in the heart And as when flies are beaten away they come again very speedily so when Satans temptations are resisted and put back another swarm of flies is at hand other temptations are ready to assault and of this especially Christians have experience when they are pestered with blasphemous thoughts cast into their minds by Satan against which they must take comfort in that by the power of the spirit they are enabled to renew their resistance even as the assaults are renewed SECT 3. THe other sort of Creatures made this day were the Fishes wherewith the sea and rivers were wonderfully stored Admirable were these works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep and it is thought that of all sensible creatures in the world there is the greatest numbers of fishes yea and some kinds of them of the greatest Bulk and bigness of any other creature that liveth and moveth their abundance appeareth in the story of the Creation Gen. 1.20 And God said let the Waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life and ver 21. it is said the Waters brought forth abundantly And again v. 22. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas He saith of the fouls let them multiply but he doth not say let them fill the air as he biddeth the fishes to fill the Waters And as the Lord gave this extraordinary power of multiplication to the fishes of the sea so they enjoy this grant of his unto this day and as may be seen by the rowes of fishes they bring forth thousands at once insomuch that it hath been used as a Phrase of speech To encrease as the Fish imploying an extraordinary encrease Here admire the wonderfull goodness of God in providing so abundantly for us not only by these Creatures which we daily see walking in the fields or flying in the air but also by an innumerable multititudes of fishes covered under water abounding in the seas and rivers SECT 4. 1. THe greatness of some fishes is as admirable as the multitude Pliny in his Natural History reporteth that about Arabia have Whales been found six hundred foot in length and three hundred and sixty foot in breadth so that if his report be true the length should seem to be above the sixth part of a mile six hundred foot making two hundred paces and a thousand paces making a mile Howsoever the greatness of these fishes is admirable as the experience sheweth of our Merchants daily trafficking toward Greenland to take them and they are far greater than any other living creature in the world which should make us to magnifie the admirable power and infinite greatness of him that made them Oh Lord our God how wonderful are thy works in all the world And the holy Text it self takes notice in special of this creatures greatness Gen. 1.21 God created great Whales Admirable it is in these fishes that whereas the Beasts and Birds cannot live if they be kept any long time under water These on the other side cannot live unless they be under water So whereas a Christian liveth by the spirit and it is the life of his life and the joy of his heart to partake of the spirit and to be conversant in the ordinances of God on the other side it is even death to a Carnal heart to be exercised this way and he thinketh not himself a free man untill he is let loose from these The fish though it live yet it is not lively but lieth almost for dead when it is in the open air out of the waters and the natural man though he be alive not yet dead yet is he not lively but like one as good as dead when he is taken out of his element and restrained by any means from his beloved sins and tyed to holy duties in publick or in private He hath no life in these things his heart is dead toward them 2. And as the fish living in the salt waters remaineth fresh so a carnal man living in the Church and in the middest of the means of grace remaineth in his unsavoury natural condition not having the salt of mortification whereby to eat out his corruptions and dead flesh and make him an acceptable sacrifice unto God as it is said every sacrifice must be salted with salt though he live under the word yet he carrieth no relish of the word in his heart and life Therefore we must not onely look what means we have but how these means do work upon us whether we be transformed into the word for a man to imagine that he is therefore a Christian because he heareth Christ preached is as idle as to say the fish must needs be salt because it liveth in the salt waters 3. Again in that the Lord feedeth such innumerable multitudes of Fishes in the waters by what means we cannot imagine so should we be confident that he will provide for us though the means as yet seem to be hidden from us for though some of the greater fishes do feed upon the lesser yet it cannot be imagined how such an admirable number of them should be continually supplied but the Lord Al-sufficient openeth his hand of bounty and filleth them with good things 4. Wonderful is the work of God in the strange variety of kinds in the strange shapes of these creatures insomuch that it is thought there be few Beasts on earth but that there be fishes in the sea which resemble them so they speak of sea-calves sea-horses c. Wonderful strange are the properties of some fishes which the Al-mighty Creator hath given them Pliny speaketh of a little fish like a great snail which by cleaving to a Ship under sail and driven with strong winds will stay it that it shall not be able to go forward and that even about his own time the Gally of the Emperour Caligula was held fast by one of these against the uttermost endeavour of four hundred Mariners with their Oars It were strange that a Man of his dignity and place in the Common-wealth should expose himself as a laughing-stock to the Common people in reporting so notorious a lie concerning a thing done in his own time and his own countrey Therefore for my part I conceive it to be true and being supposed to be true how wonderfully doth it set forth the admirable power and wisdom of God! and in this particular example it is to be thought that the great God did purposely befool the madness of this arrogant Emperour who would take upon him to be God and required among other
people the Jews also to yeild him divine honour here now let this wretched man take notice of his own Godhead that cannot stir against a poor fish like a snail with the help of the winds and four hundred Oars when the true and living God shall appoint it to stop his course Wonderful also is that property given to the fish called Torpedo which if it be taken with a Net so soon as the Fisher takes hold of the Net wherein this fish is though he doth not touch the fish it self yet presently it is said his hand will be benumed and he shall lose the use of it for the present as if it were taken with a dead palsey This is not only reported by Pliny in the place fore-cited but Zabarel as I remember also discourseth of that point in natural Phylosophy shewing how natural agents do agere per contactum and bringeth in this by way of objection The wisdome of the Creator is notably seen in this and we may consider of it that those who with Nets of fraud and indirect means do fish for things of this life their wealth proveth to them like this Fish it worketh a kind of dead palsie in their consciences which in such men usually become seared and past feeling it worketh a kind of dead palsie also in their hands which do not freely open to receive the necessities of others for commonly they who are unjust getters are also niggardly keepers this Tropedo in the Net taketh away that charitable use to which their hands should be put they come hardly by that which they have viz. with the loss and forfeiture of their own souls and therefore are loath to part with it to supply others 5. The unseemliness appearing in some Fishes going backwards should make us consider how shameful and unseemly it is for a Christian to go backward in the ways of God cooling in zeal slackning his pace begun the Lord saith If any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 We must therefore stir up our selves with St. Paul to reach and press forward toward the Mark and prize of the high calling that iâ— in Christ Iesus Phil. 3.13 14. 6. You see the Fish by catching at the bait swalloweth down the hook and so by the greediness in getting it loseth it self this should put us in mind of our carnal folly who by catching at such things which Satan offeret h pleasing to our corrupt affections are caught our selves and take a ready course to lose our souls by satisfying our lusts let us not then so much set our eyes upon the bait but especially have our thoughts upon the hook which lyeth under it CHAP. VIII Meditations on the sixth Days Work I Proceed to the sixth and last Day of the Creation with us usually called Fryday wherein the Lord made those Creatures that furnish the earth namely the Beasts and creeping things and then Man in the last place as the Lord of the rest First of the former those unreasonable creatures for of Man I purpose to speak afterwards more at large And in these creatures brought forth out of the earth the admirable power wisdom and goodness of God is manifested 1. Consider with astonishment how in a moment at the word of the Lord out of the dead womb of the earth issued multitudes of beasts great and small and creeping things Lions Bears Tygers Unicornes Horses all sorts of Cattle c. And that of a just size every way in their several kinds for strength stature and other properties And here consider that the least creature that crawleth upon the earth is a part of Gods own work even every creeping thing as the Text saith And in these the Lords omnipotency appeareth the least worm being a work of an Al-mighty power yea doubt not but as the least are the works of his hands so the least are within the compass of his Al-guiding providence And if the least creeping thing be within the Lords care and receive its maintenance from him Wherefore are ye doubtful O ye of little Faith Will God feed the worms and let his children starve 2. Wonderful is the strength wonderfull is the swiftness of many beasts wonderful is their variety in kind bigness quality voice c. Consider the wonderful strength and courage of the Lion and then consider the excellency of that glorious Lion of the Tribe of Iudah Christ Jesus who as the Prophet saith travelleth in the greatness of his strengtb and is mighty to save Isa. 63.1 He is as a Lion unto his enemies to destroy them Therefore kiss the son left he be angry submit to Christ lest he tear you in pieces as a Lion and there be none to deliver He is as a Lion to defend his people against their enemies this Lion is too strong for that old Red-Dragon and will crush his head and tread him under his feet And as Sampson having killed the Lion found sweet refreshment in the dead Carkass of the same which occasioned his riddle wherewith he posed the Philistines Sweetness came out of the strong one and meat out of the Eâ—ter Iudg. 14.14 So our Saviour this Lion of the tribe of Iudah being slain for the sins of the world yeilded sweet nourishment and refreshment to those who feed on him by faith so that out of this strong one cometh sweetest meat for hungry souls yea as the Lion yeilded pleasant nourishment to him that slew him so doth Christ to the faithful who slew him by their sins yea many of those who in a more special manner did join in sheding his blood did feed on him by faith as appeareth by the fruit of St. Peters Sermon Act. 2. Again the Lords voice in the ministry of the word is compared to the roaring of a Lion When the Lion roareth who doth not tremble When the Lord speaketh who will not prophesie Amos 3.8 This voice of the Lord should rouze up sleepy sinners from their pillows of deep security and make them tremble at the word of the Lord with an holy fear and not trample it under foot nor cast it behind their backs with an hellish scorn Miserable is their folly who are more afraid of the barking of Dogs than of the roaring of This Lion more afraid to do those duties which the wicked scoffe and rail at than to do those sins which the Lord in his word forbiddeth and condemneth upon pain of everlasting destruction Read at large how the Lord in the book of Iob setteth forth the excellency of the Elephant or Behemoth of the Unicorn of the warlike Horse and that of purpose to over-awe Iob with an apprehension of his infinite Majesty by a due consideration of the excellency of these Creatures These things were not spoken to him alone but to us also 3. Consider what multitudes there be of cruel savage beasts in the world which the Lord so restraineth that they do not over-run man-kind which should