First it preserues against the deceits of sinne .

Watch , Math. 26. ●1. and pray , to begin ( with Christs owne speech ) lest you enter into temptation . What other is the drift of the Prophets demand ( directing the whole Church in one mans person ) wherewith shall a young man clense his way ? Psal. 119● by taking heed thereto according to thy word ; this seede is rife , and many whers ranke sowen , yet growes reformation but thinne and rare , because little or no heed is taken of the stonie , Math. 13 4. 5 6 7. thornie , and high-way hearers . How often is attention commanded and commended vnto vs by our Sauiour against intemperancy and worldly cares ? Luke 21. 34. by Saint Peter , 1 Pe● . 5. 8. that the life breake not out into licenciousnes ? By the Authour to the Hebrewes , Heb. 3. 12. that the heart with the seuerall affections , may from time to time be held in awe ? What was Pauls counsell to the Corinthians ? 1 Cor. 10. 12. hee that stands , let him take heed lest he fall : either it was the Apostles purpose to bring men into a needlesse feare , or too much heed cannot be had . But good men haue fallen , Patriarkes , Prophets , Iude 5. 6. Apostles , yea ( better once then th● best of men ) the Angels kept not their first estate . This Apostle writing to the same people , 1 Cor. 16. 13. wills them to watch , and hee puts on the Thessalonians in the former Epistle , 1 Thess. 5. 6. lest they sleepe as others doe , who were rockt in a cradle of deepe securitie . By immoderate sleepe , the humours of mans bodie are so dissolued , that naturall heate is thereby much abated , and in time quenched . So fareth it with the drowsie and slouthfull soule , wherein wicked thoughts being bred and multiplyed , quench the heate of holy affections , and so separate man from God . Wisd. 1. 3.

Christ doth checke his heauy-headed Apostles , Math. 26. 40. Math. ●5 . 12. And those foolish girles fore-shewing the time of their preparation , leaue a caveat to all , that they spend not these houres in idle adoes , which God hath giuen to gaine their blisse . Of vapours that arise from the stomacke or heart , ( say Physitians of the body ) and ascend vp into the the braine , proceedes sleepe : so the vapours foaming and reaking out of the secure and carnall heart , send a spirituall slumber ouer the whole man , as the Physitian of our soule infallibly defines , Verse 19. Math. 15. Against which the wise man giues this prescription , Prov. 4. 23. Keepe thine heart with all diligence , for from thence commeth life . Whereunto adde that of Paul in the latter to Timothy , 2 Tim. 4. 4. and it will adde great strength vnto our ward . Evigila t● i● omnibus , watch thou ( saith he ) not in some few onely , giuing way to other , nor in many , omitting some , nor in most , passing by the rest ; but in all watch thou in all things . A hard saying , who can heare it ? What action is heere excluded ? What occasion is not meant ? What place can bee exempt ? Or who are the persons for whose presence wee ought discontinue or breake off our watch ? But to whom speakes the Apostle this ? A man meerely ? If so , then watch in some things had beene enough , and scarcely allowable , but Timothie was more , a man of God . To whom speakes the Apostle this ? a Christian ? if so , then watch in most things had beene enough , and hardly tollerable , but Timothie was more , a guide to such : to whom speakes the Apostle this ? some Angell ? if so , then watch in all things were charge enough . A taske best fitting those pure spirits , which most approximate God in dignitie . To Timothie then a keeper and teacher of his brethren , in him to vs , in vs , to others is this precept giuen . Let vs first amend in ourselues the contrarie securitie , and so commend this duty to others . Reasons of heed ▪ fulnes drawne from Christs t●ing the houre whereof is imminent but not ▪ knowne

But they must be motiues of no small moment that fasten such strictnesse on vs , or them . Take heed ( saith our Saviour Christ ) watch and pray for you knowe not when the time is . Mark . 13. 33. Be sober and watch ( faith S. Peter ) the reason followes , for your adversarie the Divell as a roaringly on walketh about , seeking whom he may devoure . Satan is an enemie , and such an enemie as admits neither truce , nor attonement . The houre of Christs comming is vncertaine , 1. Pet. 5. 8. & as vncertaine , From the nature of our adversary . Who is . as is the onset of the theefe : is it not then high time to take heed either that Lyon devoure vs , or this houre come vpon vs vnawares ?

Epaminondas ( a renowned captaine ) hauing found one of the watchmen fallen asleepe thrust him through with his sword , Sedulo●● . and being chid for so severe a fact , replied : Talem● eumreliqui , qualeminvent . I left him right such a one as I found him . Mark . 13. 37. That which Christ our Captaine said vnto his Disciples hee saith vnto all that lie in this field of christian combate , watch . Sure we are that he will come ( as did Epaminondas ) in his owne person to search and see how wee keepe our watch . Wee must therefore attend and looke to our stand , least comming suddenly , hee finde vs sleeping , which if he doe , relinquet tales , quales invenit , he will leaue vs such as he findes vs . Since he h●th threatned to cut such in sunder , Luk. 12. 46. and to appoint them a portion with the vnbeleevers . Were the adversarie onely sedulous in pacing this earth and had no power , or strength to hurt , our case were other , Powerfull . but he is like that Leviathan whom Iob describes , Iob. 41. 17. when the sword toucheth him he will not rise vp , nor for the speare , dart , nor habergeon . Had he force only and no fraud , Politike . or power without pollicie , we need the lesse suspect him : but he is as politike , as powerfull , being that old serpent , whose wisdome is perfected by long experience ; could he be satisfied with some small revenge , or were the body alone , to beare the smart of all , it were another matter , such warinesse were lesse needfull , but as he was a murtherer ( aswell of soule as body ) from the beginning : so his inveterate rage keepes him in continuall motion , causing him not only to prey on such as he vsually meets , which lions for hunger sometimes doe : But this Lybard of meere malice pursues mankinde , Malicious and seeks out of rage towards God to teare his image . What made the Romans so carefull and circumspect waging warres in Italie against Hanniball ? the nature and disposition of the enemie : for in him was courage and boldnesse to vndertake dangers , much counsell and policie in the midst of perills : hee had a body indefatigable by labour , a stomacke invincible , the foremest in conflict , the last in retreat , there was in him an inhumane crueltie , more then Punicall perfidiousnesse , no truth , no holynesse , no feare of the Gods , no respect of oath , Iob. 7. 1. no religion . Our life is a warfare on earth : the masterie for which we contend , and striue in this warfare , is a matter of more moment then was theirs ▪ the things where with their enemie was furnished , are much more found in this hellish and infernall Hanniball , who for his power , is not to be matched , for his wisdome , not to be sounded , for his malice not to be appeased , and vnweariable in all his endeavours . He hath more gainefull advantages of vs , than Hannibal had of them : Wanting no war like advantage , nor will . to vse it to his best furtherance . First Personall , we being flesh and therefore weake , he , and his complices , moe for number , since a legion possesseth one ; more mightie , being powers more maliciously bent , because spirituall wickednesses , they invisibly repaire , Mark . 5. and retire at pleasure , hauing personall accesse vnto our spirits ; Ephel. 12. we sensible , and sensuallie alwaies open to their assaults . 2. Reall hee profers so faire howsoever he performe , pleasures , profits , preferment , and what not ? all these will I giue thee , if thou wilt fall downe and worship me . Mat. 4. 9 . 3. Formall as better discipline , and order of fight , no mutinous sound is ever heard in Satans campe , Math. 12. for he is not divided against himselfe . In ours the frogge contends with the mouse till the kite himselfe become vmpire , we being not only at ods with our fellowe souldiers , Rom. 7. but fostering dissention within our own bowels . The manner of his fight is secret , and manifold , such as no man throughly can vnfold generally with the Polypus ( that to compasse his prey ) carries a semblance of the rock neere which he lies , he applies his temptations to the state , temper , and inclination of every man . With the Panther he hides his deformed head till the sweet sent haue drawne other beasts into his danger ; I meane he allures men with the sweetnesse of pleasures , masking the monstrous and deformed head ( 1 ) the end thereof vnder some guilded shewe of goodnesse , Gen. 3. 5. or some disguised shape of sin . a a Cloathing vice with a vi●grd of vertue 〈◊〉 drunkennesse with brothe●ly fellowship , covetousnesse with christian providence , &c. Sometimes hee assaults vs fiercely , 2. Cor. 11. 14. as a lyon in the open field , other whiles he seemes to sooth vs in our good intents , Iohn . 2. 16. transforming himselfe as the Apostle saith . b b When his 〈◊〉 is to frustrate that intention , and depraue our good purpose by perverting the manner , corrupting the meanes or altering some circumstance to marre the whole worke and make it worthlesse . If he cannot conquer Attalanta by speed of foot he will goe about to giue her with golden fetters , casting out three bals of gold ( the lust of the eye , the lust of the flesh , & the pride of life , ) for her to gather , whilst he gaines the prize , and depriues her of the garland of eternall happinesse . This cursed Chameleon turnes himselfe into all colours , to the end he may infin●ate vnder some . 4. Accidentall , as place , time , sun , winde . They are aboue vs in the high places , wee beneath and faire vnder them : they assault vs when we are solitary , secure and ( which bewraies greatest cowardlinesse ) when we are asleepe . In the sunshine of prosperitie , who sees not how subiect man is to pride , presumption of Gods loue , loosenesse , coldnesse in profession , contempt of others , confidence in outward things , & hope of too much assurance ? If any adverse winde blowe cold on his patience by crosses , on his continuance by tribulation , or on his peace of conscience by inward guiltinesse , Eph. 6. 12. as prone he is on their side to doubt of Gods favour , 2. Sam. 12. distrust his providence , grudge at his designes , Psal. 30. 7. and seeke redresse by vnlawfull meanes . Ion. 4. 4.

Besides the world is on his side , 1. Sam. 28. 5. 7. 8. and there lye vires & virus , much both power , and poison to infect some Acham , to entice some Balaam , From the world which is 1. deceitfull . and withdrawe Demas from the worke of the Lord . Who walkes in this wildernesse , and wanders not ? Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus , the most watchfull , Iosh. 1. 21. sleepe and slippe sometimes . 2. Pet. 2. 15. A whole navie of ships may surrow the Ocean , 2. Tim. 4. 10. and scarce one bee endangered , but of soure , or fewer soules failing on this glassie sea of the world , Dangerous . hardly one can make escape in this desert , we are beset on every side . On the right with faire faced shews fit to allure ; on the left , with cares , and crosses , of force to dismay ; before with example , strong to seduce ; behinde by censure eagerly pursuing , he that is not puf● vp with her favours , nor danted with her frownes , that can picke good out of the evill of example , and burye her censures in a christian contempt , so that no one of these , nor all these teare his saile , or turne his helme ; Hunc dignum spectatu arbitramur . That he shrowdes a great wonder in a little world , and may safely beare a pea●elesse treasure through perilous pathes .

But the malice of the world , & of the God of the world , Satan , From the flesh which is false & fraile . might both be borne , if a domesticall and inward friend , with whom we repast daily , and nightly repose our selues , the flesh I meane , wherewith we are clothed , and clogged , did not conspire , and partake with them against vs . This is the Delilah which reveales Sampsons secret to the Philistines . It is not an open enemie that doth vs this dishonour , Ps. 55. 12. 13. for then we could the better beare it , neither is it a professed adversary that doth magnify himselfe against vs , for then peradventures we could hide our selues from him , as looking for nothing from such , but adverse and enemie● like dealing . But it is a companion , a guid , a familiar frend , with whom we take sweet counsell together , and repaire to the house of God as friends : one nearer & dearer , then alter idem , a second selfe , now a kingdome , or house , that is devided against it selfe , cannot possibly stand . Who more mortified then he who chastned his owne body ? &c. 1. Cor. 9. 27. Notwithstanding with diligence hee vehemently exclaimes , O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of sinne ? so hot is the skirmish , so fierce the conflict , betweene the flesh and the spirit .

If then we haue such an adversarie as is for power , vnmatchable , for wisdome vnsoundable , for malice implacable , and vnweariable in his indeavours . If besides the siege of forraine enemies , wee beare a Sinon in our bosome , that opens the gates of our sences , for troupes of temptations to enter in ▪ the counsell of our Apostle here seemes ( I had almost said ) more then necessary that good heed be taken , to decline such mischiefs as they meet withall , who take not heed . This lesson we might learne in natures schoole did we but marke the face , & fashion of brutish creatures , which haue this ingrauen & giuen of god , to beware of mischeife , & defend themselues from annoyance . What prudence is showen in civill gouerment ? What policye or successe in Martiall exploits ? What foresight or prudence , in secular dealing ? What progresse in the affaires of faith without heed ? what man is he that desireth life , and loueth long dayes for to see good , that ( to attaine a tast & experience of such things , as may make his dayes delightfull , and his delight good ) would discharge dutie to God aright , & carry himselfe vpright before men ? Let him with that princely and royall Prophet , invre himselfe to take heed vnto his waies . Such warinesse is good wisdome though it be as manicles vpon their right hand , Psal. 39. 1. to the worldly wise . Can a man touch pitch without defilement ? walke in the world without worldly affections ? Liue in the flesh and warre against the flesh , except hee attend and take good heed ? Ha●d facile est , tribulos & spinas inter euntem , Illaesos habuisse pedes , illaesaque crura . It is hard for a man walking amongst thistles and thornes to safegard himselfe from sharpe gratulations .

Imagine two men fraught with some knowne treasure , were to passe through as dangerous and suspected a place , as our border hath sometimes bin , would they not , if they were circumspect , looke warily to their way , and cast their eies on each side , least suddenly they were surprised ? would they not prepare themselues , sometimes by fight , other whiles by flight , to escape danger ? Vita haec via est , our life is the way wherevnto we are to look , the soule is the treasure , then which ( of all things that are had in price ) what is more pretious ? Here Divells lie in ambush by legions , to bereaue vs , and disordered appetites giue many onsets at times , Resist the Divel Iam. 4. 7. Fly fornication . we must purchase safetie by resistance , sometimes by giving ground we gaine our peace .

That thing would surely be had in great request which could eyther prevent sickenes , 1. Cor. 6. 18. or remoue it with least danger , yet cannot that secure ( which rescues for a tin ) the body from death . But the prevention of sinne , b●●ore it ceaze , or the abandoning thereof before it come to perfection , causeth not only a momentany health , but a perpetuall safety of the soule . And yet see how our corruption misplaceth our care . Ier. 6. 20. To saue the one , men will seeke remedie be it never so rare , never so deare , were it to be fetcht with incense from Sheba , Vt corpus redimas ferrum . &c. arida nec sitiens ora &c. or sweet Calamus from a farre countrie . They will sustaine , and abstaine : Sustaine what lancing , searing , mangling , and mutilating of their bodies ? They abstain from that they most desire . But for the health or safegard of their soules , Take heed men thinke it a bondage to take heed . Wee will not conquer our patien●e to disgest two syllables though the receit promise as happy an effect , as is the salvation of our selues and others . Must it not needs be a speciall good thing , whose contrary ( to wit carelesnesse , or security ) is such a mother of mischief ? Gen. 19. 33. Solomons wisdom , Lots integritie , Gen. 9. 21. and Noahs sobrietie felt the smart of this Serpents sting . The first was seduced , the second stumbled , the third fell , whiles the eye of watchfulnesse was fallen a sleepe . Sed cur ist a dicimus , cum maior a noverimus ? Heauen and earth , and ( sometimes a heauen on earth ) Paradise , can all record , what want of attention hath wrought in them , transforming Angells , disparadising our Parents , & gleaning Iudas from amongst his fellowes . If any calling whatsoever could priviledge , Iudas was billed amongst the twelue , If inward perfection , or original excellency , Adam was armed with the righteousnesse of his creation . If any place or presence could secure , then heauen , the throne of God , his presence there , whose brightnesse they beheld , had kept those aspiring spirits in their first , and best estate , but Nusquam est securitas , fratres , nec in eoel● , 〈◊〉 in paradiso , multo minùs in mundo , in coelo enim cecidit Angelus sub praesentia divinitatis , in paradiso Adam , de loco voluptatis , in mundo Iudas , de schola salvatoris ; Securitie ( my bretheren ) is found no where , neither in heaven , nor paradise , much lesse on earth . Satan fell as lightning from heaven , the deitie on looking ; Adam out of Paradise , the place ingrossing all earthly pleasures , and Iudas slipt out of our Saviours schoole into Satans cell . I could tell you here why Sampson so strong , Iudg. 16. became so weake , as to bee inveigled with a woman . Mat. 26. 6● . Peter so confident , proued such a coward as to be shaken with the breath of a Damsells mouth . 2. Sam. 11. ● . Why Dauid soe holy slid so vnhappilie , Whilst his eye bewrayed his heart , and his heart gaue eare to that hastie message . Nemo securus esse debet in vita , quae tota tentatio nominatur . No man must be secure in this life where temptations bid perpetuall battle , le●t that inversion proue subversion , vt qui fieri potuit ex deteriori melior , non fiat etiam ex meliore deterior , that he who of worse might become better , do not fall from better to worse . Wee must not bee like to Agrippa's dormouse which would not awake , till beeing boyled in lead , the heat caused her to vnseale her eyes ; but rather wee ought to resemble those who were wont to sleepe with brasen balls in their hands , which falling on vessells purposely set at their bed sides , the noyse did disswade immoderate sleepe : So , and more watchfull then . was he , Ps. 119. 148. who ( to keepe his heart in vre with God ) made the Commandements his meditation ; Psal. 5. 3. not in the morning only , and that early , and all day long too , but ( when hee should haue taken his rest , as others doe ) his eyes prevented the night watches : yea his manner was to rise at midnight ( when others slept ) for to giue thankes . Psal. 119. 62.

It is storied of Sampson , that when Delilah was set on worke by his enemies , Iudg. 16. from the 5. verse to the 22. to knowe how he might bee bound to doe him hurt , he dallied a while first with seauen withs , then with new ropes which he brake as threds , &c. In the end importunitie made her mistris of his minde , and him miserable : for when shee had caused the seauen lockes of his head to be shauen , hee was afraid , and troubled at the voice , which said ; The Philistines bee vpon thee Sampson . Then awaking out of sleepe , and thinking to goe out , and shake himselfe , as at other times , hee could not doe as hee had done , therefore they tooke him , and put out his eyes , bound him with fetters , and set him to grinde in the prison house . Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur . Change but the name , and each christian is the man whose strength lies in the lockes of heed-taking and attention , which so long as they are preserued and kept in vre , the Philistines , his fore-named enemies , cannot prevaile , but if a rasor of securitie come over his head , and shaue his haire , ( the Divell I meane secretly stealing his heart from his true treasure , and set it on other strange delights ) then Sampson like , he becomes weake as other men , the voice of pleasure allures him , the voice of profit intangles him , hearing that voice , Vers. 17. in the 6 of Ieremie , which saith ; take heed to the sound of the trumpet ; hee answers as they say there . I will not take heed . Then the enemy of the soul takes him captiue , puts out , or bleres at least , for some space , 1. Ioh. 2. 16. his eyes , his affections are then fettered , and grinde he must to that lust of the flesh , that lust of the eye , & pride of life , which he before had in subiection . Satan sent a Delilah to lull Paule in her lap , and binde him with withs of greene delights , ● . Cor. 12. 7. but his watchfull soule displeased deepely with that flesh-pleasing force complained thereof , shaked himselfe , and so found ease . Lot so long as his soule was kept waking by the city of Sodome , brake with ease those ropes of vanitie , which drew destruction on the cittie . Sed qui in ipsa ciuitate peruersa i●stus fuit , in monte peeca●it , he that walked vprightly in the midst of that peruerse , and forlorne place , fell downe right in the mountaine . Sinne is that to the soule , Ioel 2. ●0 . which putrefaction is to the natural bodies , as in nature three things preserue therefrom , heate , cold , and motion : so the same through heedfulnesse preserue the soule from corruption . First , intensiue heate , and drynesse hath a hindering hand in this businesse ; so whilst attention keeps the heart frequent , and feruent in prayer , no aire of temptations can corrupt the soule . Thereupon Christ tels vs , ● Math. 26. 41. that if we watch and pray , we shall not enter into temptation . 2. Cold that is outward is another let , or preseruatiue , because it resists extrinsecall , or outward heat , which hath the chiefe stroke in the worke . The aire of affliction is cold , and causet● many to fall away . yet warily drawne in , Math. 43. 21. and wisely referred to the right end , it breedes good blood in distempered bodies , causing them with diligence to seeke the Lord . Againe , Hosea 5. 15. the neighbour-hood of cold Christians , and cohabitation of lukewarme professours ( by a spirituall antiperistasis ) warme some the more . Lot was the forwarder amidst the Gen. 5. 19. frozen Sodomites : Enoch walked with God alone , Gen. 5. 22. when others went from him . Noah in his generation sought the Lord , by the practice of faith and repentance , when all the world forsooke him , and made way by their wicked practice to their destruction . The third preseruatiue in nature , and naturall things , is motion , which hath the like effect in our soule affaires . For this cause the Apostle exhorts vs not to be wearie of well-doing , Gal. 6. 9. wherein also this text requires continuance ; the aire doth euer moue in his Region , so ought we in our seuerall stations , alwayes be exercised in the course of godlinesse . No mosse stickes to the rowling stone , which if it laid still , would be ouergrowen : standing ponds gather skumme , whilst murmuring brooks runne filth-free . The neglected plant , ( be it of the best ) either dyes , or frustrates hope . An vntilled field ( be it of the fertillest ) brings forth weedes , briers , thistles . You wote why Aegistus became an adulterer ; Desidiosus ●rat , he was entomb'd before his time , Otium viv● hominissepultura . for idlenesse is the graue of a liuing man . The crabfish is desirous of Oysters , but because she cannot perforce open them , she watcheth the time when they open themselues , & then thrusting in her clawes shee speedes her selfe . There is a time when mans heart is shut vp , and kept so close , that sinne cannot ceaze thereon , nor enter therein , a time when it is more open , and apt to receiue the infectious impressions of lust , anger , envy and the like ; Which Satan obseruing by his diligent attendance , ● Sam. 11. ensnares the soule , as he did Dauids , who first slept securely on his bed , then paced it idlely on the roofe of his palace , when he should haue gone forth to the battell , and displayed his banner against the enemie . Hee that lookes to his feet , and numbers his steps in a slipperie path shall set the surer , whereas he that sets he lookes not where , must needes-slip , and fall the oftner .

Secondly , as it preserues from sinne , so it is an antidote against crosses , Prov. 9. 17. the fruite of sinne , as Moses makes them , Deut. 28. c c Where the curse of GOD ●aunts the wicked ( as it were a fury ) in all his wa●es . If he bee in the Citie it attends him there , in the field it hovers ouer him , comming in , it accompanies him , going forth , it followes him at the heeles , and in trauell it is his commorade . If it destaste not his doughe , or empty his basket , yet will it fill his store with strife , or swallow the wrath of God with his sweetest morsels . It is a mothe in his wardrobe , murraine amongst his cattell , mildew in his field , rot amongst his sheepe , and ofttimes makes the fruite of his loi●es his greatest ●eart●break . Stolne waters are counted sweet , and hid bread is pleasant , but this pleasantnesse ends in painfull accusations , and secret checkes of conscience , those waters coole loue , quench the spirit , and both may breed that distresse of minde , Prov. 18. 14. wherewith no worldly crosse may compare . Prov. 14. 17. For the spirit of a man will sustaine his infirmities , 2 Sam. 2. 23. but a wounded spirit ( a burden importable ) who can beare it ? Prov. 13. 10. Vers. 16. 17. &c. To proceede from inward troubles which are lesse seene to those which are outward and better discerned ; Some finde that true in proofe , which Solomon speakes by way of Proverbe , he that is hastie to anger , committeth folly , and folly sometimes commits him to be cooled within the prison wals , and the busie-bodie is hated . Can Elyes education but breed ill blood in his prosperitie ? Is not pride the Mother of contention ? contention of discontentment ? and shall not he that loues pastime be a poore man ? What dilapidations and alienating of states , doe prodigall and intemperate Heires make , causing auncient houses to spew out their owners , and teaching their lands to deny their names ? Hell should haue no suburbes on earth , if rash and and vnripe contracts did not maintaine marriage broyles . The malefactor on the ladder , taking his farewell of the world , leaues this Cave for the best Legacy he can bestow , take heed ( saith he ) of this or that vice ( naming some ) whereon he layes the guilt of his vntimely death . To whom is woe ? Prov. 23. 29. 30. to whom is sorrow ? to whom is strife ? to whom is murmuring ? to whom are wounds without cause ? search and see if these bitter fruits doe not follow such as delight in drunkennesse , the beggers burden . If David had beene as circumspect at that one time , walking on the roofe of his house , as he was at other , hee might haue walked free from that anguish and reproach , Psal. 51. 3. 8. which afterwards did find him out . It must needes be seene by this time , that by heed-taking , some escape the crosses which enormous demeanour draw on others . The Saints in this life haue no supersed●as against all incumbrance ; for sometimes troubles come towards them in troupes , Psal. 34. 18. multae tribulationes iustorum , many are the troubles , d d Were these troubles not many , or that many , no troubles , 1. fewer , or more affecting nature , they should distract the lesse ; but many troubles may perplexe a weake mind , possesse a wicked with opinion of being a good thing , not to be a good man , therefore the spirit elsewhere appeaseth the one , and spites the other . The righteous shall escape out of trouble , an● the wicked shall come in his stead . Prov , 11. 8. If then troubles dismay , yet may hope of deliuerance bearten , 2 Deliuerance more certaine , that from the Lord . 3 From the Lord more acceptable , that out of fauour . 4 Fauour more gratefull , that findes riddance out of all . And 5 ( which graceth all the more ) the wicked shall come in his stead . of the righteous ; but the right manner of taking , and entertaining them , and how wisely to mannage them to our best aduantage , is a mysterie worthie light and labour , a priviledge enioyed by them alone . Euill tidings throng vpon Iob , Iob 1. 14. 15. as if they had striuen which should come first . Whilst one was speaking of the stealth and slaughter of the Shabeans , Verse 16. an other Messenger , hotter then he comes , the fire of God is fallen from Heauen , and hath burnt vp thy sheepe , and seruants , and hath deuoured them &c. Neither had the third ended his rueful relation , Verse 17. till the most mournefull accident dispatched the fourth . Verse 18. 19. Thy sonnes and thy daughters were eating , and drinking wine in their eldest brothers house , and behold there came a great wind from beyond the wildernesse , and smote the ●oure corners of the house , which fell vpon thy children , and they are dead &c. See what a table of euill tidings was prepared for a righteous man . A single crosse lesser then the least of this kinde , hath disquieted , yea euen amazed some ; imagine then ( in my silence ) what one more then tripled , and without respit would worke with the strongest patient . How was Baltazar daunted , when in the height of his royaltie , and amidst his mirth , that fearefull hand writing was seene of him ? was not the Kings countenance changed ? Dan. 5. 6. did not his thoughts trouble him , so that his ioynts were loosed , and his knees smote one against the other ? What if an inferiour , nay no true , but a fained affliction be found of force to disorder the ranke of vnarmed passions ? Esth. 3. 5. Though Haman be promoted by Ahashuerosh , and placed aboue all the Princes that bee with him , though all the Kings seruants bow their knees , and do reuerence to the man whom the King will honour , yet cannot all this honour , and promotion please and content him ; if Mordecai , but one , a meane one , and a stranger , deny him homage . 1 Sam. 25. 37. If Nabal but heare of his wife Abigail , how nigh death he was , and neere to haue left all , his heart will dye within him after the retreat of death , his feare will transforme him into a stone . Contrary , the forewarning of Agabus did forea●me Paul , I am ready ( saith hee ) not to be bound onely , ( for these being assoone digested by him as named by the other , hee singled out in his owne conceit , Act. 21. 11. 13. and there hearing a harder , and more terrible encounter , to wit death ) but also to dy at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus . See you not that some one disturbance dasheth all other delights and maketh their life i●ksome , perhaps loathsome ? witnesse Achitophel inferring that cursed conclusion vpon crossed premisses when hee hanged himselfe . 2 Sam. 17. 23. Againe attention , and expectation of change dulls the edge , abates the force , and allayes the tartnesse of suddaine vexation . e e Affliction wee ●ffect not ( for there is no tast in the white of an egg ) yet doe our affections increase our afflictions , throu●h securitie in not preueting , whilst we may , way● wardnes in not entertaining them as wee ought , or want of wisdome 〈◊〉 not entertaining the as we might doe onely the watchfull are wise , and the wise watchfull , to p●event some before they fal● , Math. 28. to welcome other by preparation Luke . 23. to reape a ioyfull haruest after a teary seede●ime , by taking thankfully , disges●ing patiently , and burying all in the hope of a good issue . Let here retire your attention , and my speech to visit Iob , in those sharpe visitations of his , we shall neither finde him a Stoicke so much as to feele vacancy of passions ; ( for he rent his garments , shaued his head , and fell vpon the ground , ) nor so little a christian , as to entertaine deiection of minde , in so sore trialls . † † Iob. 1. 20. The Lord giueth , and the Lord taketh away , euen as it pleaseth the Lord , so come all things to passe , blessed bee the Name of the Lord . It wrought stupiditie in secure Nabal , which wrung praise and patience from watchfull Iob.

To all these things there is an appointed time , and one thing must be in request at all times , to wit , that one which is necessarie ; the former as men wee gather by obseruation of things naturally accomplished , voluntarily done , or necessarily endured ; the other we must beleeue as Christians . In a quiet state wee forget God . In a troubled , wee thinke God hath forgotten vs , Psal. 77. In a calme , wee are too prone to presume , in a storme , too too abiect to despaire . He that said ; In my prosperitie I shall neuer be moued , was presently troubled vpon the change , Psal. 30. not vnlike the bladder , that is forth-with swolne with a puffe ▪ but incontinently shrunke with a pricke ; how needfull now is heed-taking , and circumspection in all estates ? in aduersitie against vnsettling , and backsliding . in prosperitie against loosenesse , and too much hope of assurance . There can be no stabilitie in our affections , no stayednesse in any state of life , no constancie kept in a Christian course , before we haue learned this briefe summe , and summarie abridgement of all dutie , * * Heb. 3. 12. to take heed .

Thirdly , this heedfulnesse puts life and strength as hath beene said , into all other parts of Gods worship . The skilfull Pilote beholds all the parts of Heauen continually , that so hee may at all times accordingly , guide , and direct his ship ; so ought the carefull and wise Christian , giue diligent attendance , to all such meanes , as God from Heauen hath reuealed , to land him in the hauen where hee would be . Take heed to thy foote ( saith Eccles. ) Eccle: 4. 17. when thou enterest into the House of God . Our Sauiour giues further direction for our carriage , and abode there , when hee saith , Take heed how you heare . Luke 8. 13. Men weare Gods threshold , without looking to their feete , that is , what affections they come withall , they wearie him with their idle presence , not caring how they demeane themselues . The proud enters , and profits not , because he takes not heed to his feete ; for God resisteth the proud , Iam. 4. 6. and giueth grace to the humble . The malicious and wrathfull enter too , but without fruit ; for the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God . Iam. 1. 20. Vnbeleeuers ioyne themselues to others , in the exercises of Religion , but with so ill successe , that the word which they heare , profits them not , because it is not mingled in their hearts with faith . Heb. 4. 2. The conceited Laodicean ( being full afore-hand ) enters heere , and is no more edified then the other , Luke 1. 53. for God fils the hungry with good things , as for the rich and opinatiuely righteous , he sends them empty away . Psal. 42. 12. & 84. 2. Few come with that good thirst , and holy hunger which Dauid had ; few with Maries care , to lay vp in their hearts . Luke 2. 19. 51. Many banish attention out of their eares , most bring no purpose to practise ought . What maruell therefore though such depart as emptie of heauenly wisdome , as they came voide of holy desire . Sobrietie is a commendable , and seruiceable vertue in the life of man , to order and keepe the same in frame ; yet this without attendance , and looking to , may be lost , Gen 9. 21. or at least depart for a time , 1 Pet. 5. as it did from Noah . Therefore Saint Peter , to backe and strengthen the moderation of affection , and conversation , requires the attention of the minde , that so the enemie , through his vigilancie , neither withdraw vs from the good which we would , and he impugnes ; nor draw vs to the euill we would not , ●phes. 6. 13. and which hee importunes vs to . Pauls Panoplie or Christian armour , is so necessarie a furniture , as no man can with safety want this ; Notwithstanding when we haue put on , not a part , but the whole , and haue had proofe thereof , Verse 28. by withstanding the enemie , yet are we warned to watch withall , that we may stand fast : So necessarie is vigilancie , euen to an armed and weaponed Christian , that without it , he may be driuen from his stand , as were our first Parents , in that state wherein they were likest to haue with stood . Prayer is the highest linke in that golden chaine , Rom. 10. 13. coupling saluation to the soule of man , yet will prayers be few , and those frozen too , where no heed is giuen to our selues ; Math. 26. therefore doth Christ ioyne invocation , and attention together , 1 Pet. 4. 7. saying , Watch and pray . And his Apostle exhorts to be watchfull vnto prayer . Wandring thoughts flye rife , at such times chiefly , and distract the minde , Gen. 15. 11. as the fowles did hinder Abrahams sacrifice , these , attention must restraine . There are times wherein wee are more willing , yea desirous to talke with God , then at other , those oportunities must attention take ; the force of invocation is much abated , if it be not accompanied with attention , Alterius sie altera posci● ope● , &c. and the eye of attention would close oft-times , and steale a nap , if it were not kept waking by the voice of prayer .

In the principall parts of Gods worship , either he speaks to vs ; as in the holy assemblies , or we to him , in the language of prayer . We must avoid Hypocrisie , as the bane of both . In our conference with God , lest the fault of these auncient hypocrites , and hypocriticall Pharises , be laid at our doore ( whose mouthes and mindes , Isa. 29. 13. went sundry wayes ) we must take heed , to ioyne these two together , the lippes nigh , Ier. 38. and the heart farre off , and then the King will deny vs nothing . 1 Iohn 5. 14. Concerning the latter , Gods speech to vs , lest that complaint of the Prophet , or the Lord rather by his Prophet , ( my people sit before thee , and heare thy words , but they will not doe them ) Ezek. 33. 31. rise in record against vs , we must be carefull to ioyne obedience to our audience . If ye know these things , Iohn 13. 17. happie are you if you doe them ,

Hitherto haue I shewed a threefold vse of Christian heedfulnesse or attention . The first , that it keepes vs from sinne , viz. grosse and enormous , such as Dauid calls the great offence , Eccl. 27. ● . otherwise there is no man iust in the earth , that doth good , and sinneth not ; and this is a blessed thing , as the Prophet affirmeth in the first Psalme . Verse 1. Secondly , it prevents many troubles , wherewith others meet , & teacheth cheerefully to vndergoe such as God shall see meet for our exercise , 1 Pet. 1. 6. the way whereby we come to the Crowne of life , and this can be no lesse then a blessed way , for it leades to Canaan , though it lye through the wildernesse . Thirdly , Act. 14. 22. that it hath the tuition & ouer-sight of all other meanes , to set and keepe them on foot , that which Christ himselfe pronounceth to be the true happinesse . Luke 11. 28. Seeing then there is no diuision of languages , in this triplicitie , but each doth seuerally promise blisse ; I may ( to close the whole point ) seale vp all with that saying of the Spirit ; Blessed is he that watcheth &c. Reu. 16. 15. He shall weane his heart from vnlawfull liberties ; enlarge his libertie in heauenly affaires , fill his heart with sollid delights , free himselfe from much in cumbrance , and safegard his soule from deadly wounds .