Characters of true blessednesse delivered in a sermon preached at Saint Maries Church in Dover. Sep. 21. 1637. At the funeral of Mrs. Alice Percivall, wife of Anthony Percivall Esquire. By Iohn Reading.

CHARACTERS of True Blessednesse , &c.

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will stil be praysing thee , Selah .

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee : in whose heart are the wayes of them ,

Psal. 84. 4. 5.

COncerning the scope of this Psalme ▪ there are some different opinions among divines : some refer this blessednes to the a a Pis●ator after R. Kimhi . Priests & Levites ministring in the tabernacle : b b Lyra citat doctores Hebr. others say , it expresseth the desire of Israel in captivity , to returne and repaire the temple . c c Musoulus , Fabritius & Calvin . Some referre it to Davids zeale & desire to returne ( from the exile to which Saul or Absolon had driven him ) to the tabernacle and publike worship of God . d d H●n Ains worth in Psal. Psaltes à sacris coe●ibus exulans , desiderium suum exponit : p●●rum in ecclesia conversantium faeluitatem explicat●●●un . Others , neere to that , say that the Prophet longing for the communion of the Sanctuary , sheweth how blessed they are that dwell therein . e e Vid●lurj ●ihi q●od magis exprimat desideri●m sanctorum adhkc in ha● valle m seriae deg●n●ium deveniendi ad ●a●d u● super ●o●●m civi●●m , ●yra Lyra is more generall : it seemeth to him , that it setteth out the desire of the Saints ( yet living in this vale of misery ) to attaine the ioyes of heaven . Neither doth f f Ergo in p●e●●uris 〈…〉 . Saint Augustine seem to be of other iudgement , who having discoursed of the tribulations and pressures of the Saints in this life , concludeth , Therefore when we are under the weights of tenta●i●ns set us sound out this voice , and send out our desires before us , how amiable are thy dwelling places , O Lord of hosts ? certainely those Levites were a Church representative , and a type of the whole , who being a a a 1 Pet. 2 9 Exod. 19. 6. Rev. 5 10. Rev. 8. ●3 , 4. royall Priesthood , an holy Nation , doe now daily appeare before God with our incense of Prayers , and shall ioyne in one heavenly quire before his throne , to which our present assembling in his publike service , doth now tune and prepare us . So that this Psalm may seem written , not only for the holy Pen-man thereof b b Fsal . 42. 1 , 2. who loved and longed to returne to the Tabernacle , publike service , and people of God , but also for their use , whose hearts are by the same spirit touched with a reverend love of Gods house and service , through which their faith lookes on the state of glory and blessed life to come .

The title of this Psalme ( as of the 80. ) is commonly given , c c Vulgar & Vatab. ad torcularia . ad torcularia , d d Augusi . pro torcularibus . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ad praecinendum super torcularibus . Musculus or pro torcularibus , for the wine-presses . e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . torcular , aut instrumentum musicum torculari aut vindem●ae adh b●r●●olitum . ●sal . 8. 1. Targ. Cy●hara quam a●tu ▪ ●it David ex Ga●h , ●um ap●dr●g●m Achis exularet . Valent. Shindler . lex . Penteglot . The word hath two significations : it signifieth either a wine-presse , or musicall instrument , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Gittith , or kinde of instrument which David brought with him from Gath. f f Eo quod isle Psalmus propriè ●antabat●r in medio Sept●m . collect●s vindemiis — & in figuram collection●s Sanctorumin-regno coeloru● . Lyra. Lyra giveth this reason : This Psalme was ( saith hee ) wont to be sung about the middle of September , when they had gathered their grapes to the presse . Deut. 16. 13 , 14. Levit. 23. 34. for a figure of the gathering together the Saints , by Gods great harvesters , the Angells , into the kingdome of heaven : and therefore this was a feast of great ioy and reioycing . Deut. 16. 14 , 15. as that shall be to the Elect.

This Psalme hath two parts : The first sheweth , that eternal Blessednesse is desirable above all things in this world . The second sheweth how we must attain it ; by loving and frequenting Gods house .

Blessed are they : truly blessed , how ever the beguiled world account .

That dwell in thy house , by a Synechdoche , the house of God is put for the whole Church , whether assembling in the g g 1 Sam. 1. 3 tabernacle in Shiloh , or h h 1 Chron. 21. 29. Gibeon , the temple at Ierusalem , or whereever now the holy word of God soundeth , and the Sacraments are truly administred in the society of Saints .

They will still be praysing thee : Declaring thy mercies , and living to thy glory .

Selah . Wee reade this word onely in the Psalmes , and thrice in Habakkuk . i i Iuni●s & Tremel . Some give it summè , or planè : the Chalde Paraphrase , iugiter , perpetuo . The Greeks expresse it by 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . S●idas . which seemeth to be that which we call a change of * * Or as chrys●st . p●oem . in Psal , thinketh , an ant●phony . the mood . l l Shindler . Pen●gl . The Hebrew Doctours say , that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 musicae aut melodiae in servit . It only serveth for the musicall note , m m Vox tst non sign● 〈◊〉 10h . Foster . dict Hebr. and is of no signification els . n n I. Fo●ter . citat . R. David Kimhi . com . in Ps. 3. Some thinke it importeth , certitudinens & veritatem . Iohn Foster followeth R. Abraham , Ben Ez●ra and Burgensis , addit. 3. super Psal ▪ 46. o o Tantùm ad supplend●m modulamen cant●● , est d●ctio e●●lytica , seu paragogica . b. that it is put onely to supply the song ( as other syllables in the Psalmes ) carmini● gratiâ . p p Vt diligenti meditatio●e expende●et quod p●●ec●ssisset . Av●narius . Some take it for a signe of the voices exaltation , so as that the mind might have time to be elevated to a serious consideration of that which was sung : to which opinion I willingly subscribe : if you will , adde , that it now importeth the same to the Reader , and as a marke of some excellent matter there written , Whose strength is in thee : cuius susceptin abste . August . Lyra giveth it , Cuius auxili um est à te : for , a a nec hom● nec al●qua creatura potest constq●● beat●tudin● ultimam per 〈◊〉 naturalia . Th. Aq●in . 1. 2. ● . 5 a. 5. c. attaining of true Blessednesse exceedeth all power of the creature — fortitudo ei in te ; Montanus . quorum robur in te situm est , all to the same purpose .

In whose heart are the waies of them , or thy waies . It importeth a consideration of their wayes , to which they are exhorted , Hag. 1. 5. which the wicked seldome doe , but run on headlong to destruction : or because their waies are put for Gods waies , which they goe , and not their own ; hence 't is said their waies , or the waies of them ( the blessed Saints ) are in their hearts . High waies are in their hearts , that is , those which leade them to thy Tabernacle , as some interpret : b b Ascen siones in corde suo disposuit-Vulg . Lyra. &c. the Vulgar hath it , hee hath disposed ascensions in his heart : ● following the Septuagint herein . c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 70 Vatablus interpreteth , in quorum cordibus semitae tu●e , that is , who thinke of nothing else , but how they may come to thee . Take these Ascensions for the degrees of vertues , by which wee must goe to heaven , or for the holy flights of thoughts into Gods presence , by faithfull prayer and meditation , take these 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 literally , for the high waies which leade to the house of God , and spiritually for that same Via regni , knowledge of Gods word and sanctity , as 't is taken I●ai . 40 3 Isai . ●5 . 8. The way shall be called holy ▪ the polluted shall not passe by it , and all may be easily reconciled , the sense being like that , Psal. 1 , 1. 2. Blessed is the man that doth not walke in the counsaile of the wicked — but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and in his law doth hee meditate day and night .

For parts observe ,

First , the state and condition of those who serve the Lord , They are blessed .

Secondly , the description of them by their Characters .

1. Unity with God and his Church , that dwell in thy house .

2. Practice , they will still be praysing thee .

3. Confidence , whose strength is in thee .

4. Sincerity , In whose heart are thy waies .

Blessed are the servants of God : yea as 't is here 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 doubly blessed , terque quaterque beati : unspeakably blessed , because d d 1 Cor. 6. 9. eye hath not seene , nor heart conceived the extent of their blessednesse , that which God hath prepared for them that love him : yet are they upon undoubted e e Deteflimonio minime d●bitandum est . Sufficit enim beat● lingua quae dixit , sicut scriptum est . Theodoret in 1 Cor. 2. 9. record , ( as 't is written — ) and God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit , which searcheth all things , f f Illud , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , non pro ignoratiose , sed pro persecta cognitio●e posuit . ib. Theodar . not as doubting , but as knowing perfectly the deepe and incomprehensible secrets of God , making us able to search out the promised rest by the two spies of our soules , Faith and Hope , which bring us some clusters from Esool , and tasts of that blessednesse , which hee will once make us perfectly know by enjoying . That there is a summum bonum and true blessednesse of man , the affections of all men desiring it , doe as certainly conclude , as the motions of naturall bodies out of their proper place , doe a centre and terminum ad quem : a a Beatitudo pertinet ad voluntatem tanquam primum objectum ejus . Aquin. 1. 2. q. 3. ● . 4. 2 ▪ all men desire their own good : That most men are the sole workers of their owne evill , commeth either from their mistaking true blessednesse through ignorance , or wilfull indulgence to their owne exorbitant affections , through a miserable impotency of minde , caused by naturall corruption , wherein they are not able to forbeare those things b b Vid●o meliora , proboq●e , deterior a sequor . they know will make them finally unhappy . The first will appeare , if we consider that c c Omnibus in terris , 〈◊〉 sunt à Gad●b●●●sq●e Auroram & Gange● pauci aigno●●ere p●ss●nt Vera bona . ●uve . Sat. 10 few men can know true good . 1. Because they so much live the life of sense , that they doe too farre trust to the testimonies thereof concerning good and evill , Even in the state of innocency , when man had in himselfe from his creation , a power not to have sinned , the will was perverted by the senses approbation of the forbidden fruit d d Gen. 3. 6. ( so the woman , seeing that the tree was good for meat , an● that it was pleasant to the eyes — tooke of the fruit thereof , and did eat , and gave also to her husband — ) how much more easily doth the naturall man now erre , when the understanding darkened , ●and the will miserably subjected to the insulting power of sinne , like a blind e e Iudg. 16. 26. Samson led by the hand of his servant to the pillars of the house , hee obtaineth his will with his owne destruction ? 2. f f 1 Cor. 15. 34. Because all have not the knowledge of God , the sole fountaine of blessednesse , g g 1 Cor. 2. 14. and the things of God , are like the rayes of the Sun , which can bee seene by no light but his owne . Therefore the heathens , whose h h Rom. 1. 21. foolish hearts were full of darkenesse ( being given over to vile affections , because of their impiety and unthankfulnesse ) like the i i Gen. 19. 11 blinded Sodomites , groping for Lots doore , sought one happines , every man as his own sense and opinion led him , all in vaine . k k Lactan. l. 3. c. 8. Tertul de pal ▪ c. 5. Ambros To. 1. off . l. 2. c. 2. Epiourus in pleasure and quiet : Aristippus in corporeal delights : Calliphon and Di●omachus in honesty and pleasure : Diodorus in immunity from grief : the Peripateticks in the goods of minde , body and fortune : Herillus in knowledge : the Stoicks in vertue : whereas indeed true happinesse is l l Finis ultimus rationalis crea●urae tantùm . Aquin. 1. 2. q. 3. a. 2. c. dicit , beatitudo est ultima hominis pe●f●ctio . the supreme and ultimate end of the reasonable creature ▪ enabled by understanding to apprehend it , and by will to desire it ; that is , m m Et ib. q. 5. 1. c. beatitudo nominat adeptionem perfecti bom . ●b . q. 3. 2. 4. his attaining a perfect good , n n Qua homo conjungitur Deo — & q. 3. 1. 1m . which is a conjunction with , and enjoying of God , the o o Deus est beatitudo per essentiam suam : non enim per adeptionem ●ut participationem a●icujus alterius beatus est , sed per essentiam suam ; homines autem su●t beati per participationem — absolute , eternall , independent , and self blessed good , which is in three things . 1. In such a vision of the fountaine of blessednesse , as the creature is capable of : of which our Saviour saith , Blessed are the pure in heart , for they shall see God . Matth. 5. 8. Secondly , In a divine conformity to God , and participation of his image , who is most holy and glorious . p p 1 I●b . 3. 2. We are now the sonnes of God , but yet it doth not appeare what wee shall be ; and wee know that when hee shall appeare , wee shall be like him — Which Saint Peter stileth q 2 Pet. 1. 4. a participation of the godly nature . Thirdly , in perfect & interminable joy , of which 't is said , a a Psal. 16. 1● In thy prefence is the fulnesse of ioy , and at thy right hand are pleasures for ever . Perfect , because in respect of the subject , nothing can be added , seeing it shall be an absolute fulnesse , b b In quibus nec desiderium paenam generat , nec satiet as sastidium . without all satiety , or desiring more . In all other fruitions , desire is restlesse , ever c c Vnus Pell●oj veni non sufficit orbis . flying beyond all worldly acquests ; but when there is attained an absolute blessednesse , then all affections , like those d d Ezek. 1. 24. 25. creatures in the Prophets vision , let down their wings , and stand still : for perfect blessednesse filleth all desire of man ( e e Homo non est perfecte beatus , quam d●●refiat 〈◊〉 quid desiderandum , & qu●re●dum . 1. 2 ● . 3. 8. c. Cum perventum fuerit ad beatitudinem , unusquisque attinget terminum sibi praefixum expraede●matione divinâ ; nec restabit ulterius aliquid quo tendatur ; quam vis in illa terminatione unus pe venia● ad majorem propinquitatem Dei , alius ad minorem : & ideo uniuscujusque gaudiumerit plenum ex parte gauden t is ; quia uniuscujusque desiderium pl●ne quietabitur . Aquin. 2. 2. q. 28. a. 3. 2. otherwise it were not perfect ) because it is a participation of Gods blessednesse , who is f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. Greg. Nazi●●ze● ▪ o●at . ● p●st i●it . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ● lem . Alex. ●●rom . 1. 7 ▪ of all that is desirable the chiefe and most excellent : when the Disciples ( being not yet free from those secular affections , which are inherent in the most holy and refined earthly tabernacles ( had but a glimpse of that beatificall vision of the Deity in the transfiguration of Christ in the mount : Mark ▪ 9. 5 6 though Peter , surprised with joy , knew not what he said , yet hee said the truth , Master 't is good for us to be here . — That tast of heaven made him forget earth , and desire to build there , where hee perceived such excellencie dwelt .

This joy is likewise interminable , because it is a state , g g E●●● ga●dium in fine , sed sine fine . Bernard . de verb. Apost. which being once had , can never bee lost : The longest terms of time expire , but eternity is an infinite and immeasurable continuation : We may lose that which the beguiled world calleth happinesse , consisting of things temporall , but that which is true blessednes , once had , we cannot lose ; h h Aquin. 1. q. 6● . 8. ● . because it is in the vision and fruition of God , i i Cum ipsa beatitud● si● perf●ctum ●o●●m & s●fficiens , ●portet quod desiderium bo●inis quietet , & 〈◊〉 mal●m excludat . which as it excludeth all sinne , k k — ●lioq●i● necesse est quod tiwore ami●tendi , vel dolore de certi●udine amissioni● a●●iga●ur — so all misery , and consequently change , and feare of change : l l Perfect a beatitudo b●minis in visione drvinae essentie consisti● : est autem impossible quod aliquis v●d●ns divinam e●●●ntiam , ve●it ea● non videre : quia omne bonum habi●●m quo aliquis carerae vult , aut est i●sufficiens , an t habet aliquod incommodum annex●m , propter quod in fastidi●m ve●it : visio autem divin● essentiae replet animam 〈◊〉 b●nis , cum conjungat fontitotius bonitatis . both which are incompatible with true blessednesse : because where there is no sin , there can neither m m — propria voluntate , beatus non potest beatitudinem deser●re : Similiter etiam non pot●st eam perdere , Deo ●ubtrabente — non potest talis subtra●tio à Deo j●sto judice provenire , nifi pro aliqua culpa , in qua● c●dere non potest , qui Dei essentiam videt , cum ad banc vis●onem ex necessitate sequ●tur rectis udo vol●ntatis — nec al●quid aliud agens potest ●am subtra●ere , qu●a mens Deo conjuncta , super omnia alia elevatur . Aquin. 1. 2. q. 5. a , 4. c. be a voluntary desertion of God , nor a just abjection from him .

Now wee must know , that though there bee but one true blessednesse in the conjunction with God , the onely fountaine thereof , yet hath it two states in man . First , In viâ , in this life , where 't is begunne in our communion with God , through faith in Christ . Secondly , In patriâ , that is , absolute and compleat in the life to come : the one in grace , the other in glory . Which being laid downe , we have two considerable points . First , that none but the good can bee blessed : for none other enjoy the blessed presence of God , or partake of his image . Secondly , their happinesse neither consisteth in any secular , externall , or worldly condition ( and consequently cannot be lost in the losse of any of these things ) nor is it compleat in this present life . Concerning the first , the Scripture aboundeth with testimonies : Blessed is the man that doth not w●ike in the counsaile of the wi●ked — but his delight is in the law of the Lord — hee shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters — the wi●ked are not so — Psal. 1. 1. 4. 5. blessed is every one that fe●reth the Lord , and walketh in his waies , Psal. 128. 1. Blessed i● hee whose wickednesse is forgiven , and whose si●ne is covered : Blessed is the man to whom the Lord im●uteth not iniquity . Psal. 32. 1 , 2. Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord . Psal. 144. 15. a a Mat. 5. 3 Blessed are the poore in spirit ▪ Blessed are the ●eek , and those that hunger and thirst after righteou●nesse . Blessed are the mercifull , the pure in heart the peace●akers — All is to the holy : b b Isa. 59. 2. sin disjoyneth man from God : c c Aqu. 1. ● . 94. by how much more any creature is like God in holinesie , by so much more doth hee enjoy true bleslednesse in him . The blesling is ( saith d d Hacest ●ene●ictio ●loriari in D●o , & inhabitari a Deo . Aug. in Ps●l 5. Augustine ) to rejoyce in God , and have him dwell in us .

For the second , it appeareth by that which hath bin said , that the Saints happinesse is not in any secular , externall , or worldly matter ; for none of all these make us more acceptable to God , more holy , or more e e They hu●t most m●n who attaine them , and make it more difficult for them to be saved . Luk. 18. 24 , 25. Egoverd vego illud essi bonum , qu●d ●oceat hab●n● — divitiae possiden ●●b●s persaepe noc●e●●●t . Bo●t . de●ous . l. 2. pros . 5. secure from eternall misery : and by reason grounded on Gods inviolable justice : for if riches could make happy , never should any wicked man bee rich , or good man poore : if pleasures , Christ would never have said , f f Luk. 6. 25 woe bee to you that are full , for yee shall hunger ; woe bee to you that now laugh , for yee shall waile and weep . If for this lifes sake onely , we have hope in Christ , g g 1 Cor. 15. 19. we are of all men the most mise rable ; and therfore h h 1 Iob. 3. ● . it doth not yet appeare what wee , the sonnes of God , shall be . Blessednesse is a i i Beatitudo cum si● perfectum & sufficiens bonum , o●n●alum excludit , & omne desiderium impl●t . 1. 2. q. 5. a. 3. c. perfect and sufficient good , not onely excluding all evill , but filling all desire ; and who is so meere a stranger to the world , that hee knoweth it not to be k k Qu●m multis amarit● dinibus humanae faelicitatis dulcedo ●espersa est , quae si etiam fru●ntiesse jocunda videatur : ta●●en quo minus cum veli● abeat , retineri non possit . Boēt . de con . l. 2. pros . 4. ful of evil ? or the condition of temporall possessors , that he is l l Quis est enim ta● compositae faelicitatis , ut non aliqu● ex parte cum status sui qualitate rixetur ? a●xia enim res est human●rum conditio honorum , &c. B●●t . de consolat . l. 2. pros . 4. not conscious of desiring something more ? When we duely consider of any of those things , which the world now adoreth , pleasures , riches , honour , wee shall find their splendour to bee no better than that of glow-wormes , how ever beautifull it seemeth in our want of true light , all that lustre vanisheth when wee can clearely see it . Speake wee of wicked men growing rich and great ? are they not like those m m Act. 14. 13. bulls of Lystra , adornd with garlands and flowers for the slaughter ? are they not n n Miseri in ●oc altius toll●ntur , ut decidant altius : hi eni● ut victime ad sup●licium saginantur : ●t ●ostiae ad paenam coronantu● — like the Shell-fish , carried up to be broken in their fall ? What ever wee have of the world , is it not o o absque notitia Dei , quae potest ●sse solida faelicitas , cum sit somnio similis ? antequam tenetur el●bitur . Minut . F●l . O●tav . like the riches of a dreaming man ? what ever wee rejoyce in , may prove an occasion of sorrow , p p Quod enim vol●ptate dissolvi●●r , id contraria n●c●sse est tristitia contrahatur : nec i●mune e●istere ab anxie●ate ●oer●ris , quod lae●●tia trepid●t , aut levitatibus extollitur gaudiorum . Arnob. adv. Gent. l ▪ 7. seeing these affections are conversant about the same things : and if happinesse bee not in any of these things , then it necessarily followeth , that the want or losse of these , that is , pleasures , honours , riches , or the like , can no more take away from a Saint of God his true blessednesse , than the violent winde can move the beames of the Sunne , which against all force thereof shine through the aire ; or than the furious storms which somtimes draw hideo●● curtaines over Starres or Sunne , can extinguish their light .

And lastly , this happines is not compleat in this life , wee are yet but in via , toward it : as Moses said to Isr●el in the wildernesse , q q Deut. 12. 9 Yee are not yet come to rest , and to the inheritance which the Lord thy God giveth thee : So may I here , the blessednesse to which we tend now , is , like the a a Extra port●m Collinar● . Aug. de C. D. l. 4. c. 16. temple of Rest at Rome , set out of the gate : b b Ego conjectu●a d●●cor , Quiet●●●an● ad mor●●os pertin●isse . Lodovic . Viv. com . in Aug. dec . D. which some thinke imported rest to the dead onely : as Revel. 14. 13. the voice from heaven pronounced , Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord — they rest from their labo●rs : according to which Heb. 13. 13 , 14. 't is said Let us goe forth therefore out of the camp bearing his reproch : for here wee have no continuing City , but we seeke one to come . Such are the Saints , that they who will not live their life , would yet faine dy their death : c c Num. 23. 1● . all desire their last condition : O that I might dy the death of the righteous ! l●t my last end ●ee like his . The d d — dicique beatus , A●te obitum nemo , sup ▪ emaque f●nera debet ▪ Ov. Met. heathen Solon knew that happinesse could not be before the end of this life , pronounced it so . Others confessed the same : experience preacheth it : reason concludeth it : ▪ t is the end which maketh compleatly happy : and therefore e e Neminemque omnino ●sse securum , nec debere ●sfe securum , done● ad illam patriam ve● niatur , unde nemo exit amicus , quò nemo admittitur inimicus . Aug. ●●ar . in Psal. 67. Phil. 2. 12. no wise man ought to bee secure , untill hee arrive at that countrey , from whence no friend departeth , to which no enemy is admitted : therefore Saint Paul saith , make an end of your owne salvation with feare and trembling , not with such a feare as leadeth to despaire , but with such a feare as shaketh off presumption and security : which is the soules guardian , f f Timor custos innoc●ntiae , de quo Cyprian . l. 2. ep. 2. Sit tantum timor in nobis innocentiae custos — ne accepta securit 〈◊〉 indiligentiam pariat , & ve●us denuò hostis obrepat . — and vertues keeper . Such a trembling , as like Ionahs storme , giveth that no rest , for which the anger was , which none can calme , till that sinne bee cast over boord , which God pursueth , like the needle in the compasse , which continually trembleth , and by continual shaking returneth to the C●nosure to guide us tight : Such is true faith , g g Modo enim nihil quietis aut securitatis invenire possumus , dura adhuc in nobis ipsis ingemiscimus gravati : adopti●i●m expectantes redemptionem corporis nostri , &c. Greg●●n 7. Psal. poenit . which heere can never bee secure , till the last enemy be destroyed , till death bee swallowed up in victory : it hath here continuall trialls , so agitating it , that it never resteth , till it returne to a blessed confidence in God ; according to which the Psalmist , after his feares and dangers said , Returne unto thy rest , O my soule Psal. 116. 7. like the weary Dove to the Arke ; so faith , after its flight over a vast deluge of trialls , returneth with assured signes and Emblemes of peace .

All this is to teach you , not to seeke happinesse with the deluded children of this world , in those things , concerning which a true experience shall at last pronounce with the Preacher , h h E●cles . 2. 11. Eccles. 1. 14. Quid igitur O mortales extra petitis intra vo● positam faeli●itate● ? Bo●● . de cons . l. 2. pros . 4. All is Vanity and Veocation of spirit . In all their labours , cares , and most diligent inquests , they seeke happinesse , as those fifty men Eliah ▪ 2 King . 2. 17. which sought but found him not . 'T is only to be found in our union with God , and that in sanctity : for what communion can there bee betweene CHRIST and Belial ? therefore i i Nemo mal●s faelix . Iuv. Sat. 4. no wicked man can be happy , though he have what hee desireth : k k Omnes be●●i ●abent qu●d v●lunt , quamvis & s●●t miser● , qu● v●l n●n habent quod volun● , vel id habent quod non rec●è v●l●n● : pr●pri●r ergo be●titudini voluntas recta , etiam non adepta quod cupit , q●am prava , et●a●si quod cupit , obtinuit . Presper . s●nt . ●x Aug. 62. 'T is true , all the blessed have what they would ( yea in the middest of wants ) though having of our wills maketh us not blessed : but they are ever unhappy , who either have not what they would , or have that which they should not desire : Neerer then to Blessednesse is an holy wil , without successe , than a wicked , which obtaineth what it desireth : and this the l l Prima ●s● haec ultio , quod se I●dice , nemo nocens absolvitur ; improba quamvis gratia fallacis Praetoris vicerit urnam . Iuvenal . Sat. 13. testimony of the sinners owne conscience maketh evident to him , which will condemne him , though all the world would absolve him : which is no other but a portable hell in the wicked man . And indeed if there were no hell to punish him , his owne wickednesse a a A 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Synes ep. 32. is enough to make him unhappy , who thereby forsaketh God , the sole fountaine of blessednesse , making man unlike him , and like the most unhappy creature . Vertue is a reward to it selfe , and every mans owne sin is a sufficient punishment , if there were none other . Wouldst thou have the b b Rev. 2. 10. crown of life , true blessednes , that which c c 1 Pet. 1. 4. withereth not ? the d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ciem . Alex. Pad . l. 2. c. 8 earth beareth no such flowers : they are set like those lillies and pomgranates on the tops of Solo●ons pillars , 1 King . 7. 18 , 19 , 20. rooted in heaven , and shewing to the world the unsearchable height of Gods e e Quid ist● caten●●● — ●is● altiss●mas signifi●a●t ra●● ▪ ones jam dic●● judicii atq●e misericord ●●am al●ae in ●oelo ●●di●es fix a● baben●●s — ●●●equaqua● com ●rehe●d●●e , &c. ●●pertus in Reg. l 3. c. 20. justice , and mercie never failing . The best things of this world become evill , through the wickednesse and folly of the owners● though mens affections say , blessed are the people which are so , where is prosperity and all quiet , yet that very peace and prosperity is evill to the wicked : because it maketh them worse : for that , in their security they heape up wrath against the day of wrath : and so all this f f Tranquillitas ista tempestas est . Hieron . ●p ▪ Heliodor . calme doth but beget hideous stormes to follow . When in ages past the sober Philosophers avowed the world to bee a creature , and expressed an admirable contempt thereof , there was found one g g Cl. Alex. adm. ad Gent. mad Ze●ocrates , who adored it for a God : how many thousands of that sect are now living ? how many now , like those foolish Israelites , make an idoll of their jewels , and in their blind affections say , that Mammon is their God , which must bring them into the promised rest , and whose hearts desire , is that vote of the h h Num. 32. 1. 5. Reubenites & Gadites when they saw the Land of Iazer , and the fruitfull Gilead , if wee have found favour in thy sight , let this land ( this world ) bee given unto thy servants for a possession , and bring us not over Iordan . They desire no other heaven , nor happinesse : and yet the truth is , that i i Ipsa quae in r●bus humanis vocatur faelicitas pl●sti●● end● quam miseria , &c. Aug. in Ps. 67. which the world calleth happinesse is more to bee feared than misery , which many times is a schoolmaster to vertue , when prosperity corrupteth the minde with perverse security , and leaveth open a doore to the tempter , who setteth some on the pinacles , to cast them downe ; offereth others riches , and glory , to make them forsake true happinesse , by adoring him : When he offereth bread , 't is but a stone : When hee feedeth , he stealeth in , like that slie K●nite , Iudg. 4. 21. with his tent-naile , to fasten them to the earth , that they might not aspire to true blessednesse : When hee sheweth them false heavens , 't is but to plunge them into a true hell . Setting aside , that in the best worldly things k k In omni conditione & gradu optimis mixi● sunt pessima . Ierom. R●slico ●p. there is a mixture of some evill , that l l Impiorum f●elicitas tran si●o●ia est . Aug. in Psal. 36. the happines of the hypocrites is as transitory as m m Am●verunt praesentia , & dormierunt in ipsis . — & sic illu facta sunt ipsa praesentia , delitiosa , quo mod● q●ividet per somnium invenisse thesauros , tamdiu dives , q●amdiu non evigi●et : somnium divitem fecit , evigilatio pauperem . Aug. in Psal. 75. — cum sit somnio similu ; antequam tenetur , elabitur . Minut. Fel. Octav. a dreame ( which in a moment leaveth us waking void of all wee seemed to possesse ) in the most prudent use of them , they are as farre from true happines , as the centre of the earth from the highest heaven . Take all that the beguiled world useth to adore , honours , riches , pleasures ; let all accessions of this kinde ( which the wit of man can invent , or his desire measure ) bee heaped one upon another , like Peleon , Ossa , and Olympus ; all shall come as farre short of making thee happy , as Babels intended toppe would have beene from landing those ambitious builders in heaven . How miserable is it then , to build our vaine hopes heere ? the a a Vitae summa brevis spes vetat in●hoare longas . short summe of life forbiddeth us to beginne long hopes therein . Here is no sincere joy ; God hath set many Marahs in our passage to the Holy Land : Here b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Dion . Rom. ●ist . l. 38. is nothing permanent ; neither are we : here 's nothing fully happy , neither are we : here 's nothing without continuall change , neither can we be . Our present joyes commonly aggravate our succeeding sorrowes , leaving us doubtfull whether our content in enjoying , were so much as our sorrow losing : at the best , what ever good , time produceth , it taketh away againe ; and all which springeth hence , is but as that c c 〈…〉 . Hi● Eun●chus a Philippo b●p●●zatus est . Ie●om . ●om 4. de loc Heor . fountaine by Bethso ▪ ro● ( where 't is conceived Philip baptised the Eunuch . Act. 8. ) whose streames are swallowed up in the same field in which they rise . The securest voice of our present joy soundeth discord , like that d d Ezra 3. 13 compounded noise at the second temples dedication ; the voices of them that rejoyced could hardly bee distinguished e e E●●am 〈◊〉 in ●●●l s●e gloria ag●●sermus vo●es ▪ ●ibulat●●nis no●●r● . Aug. in Psal. 67. from their cries that mourned .

Therefore now sound a retrait to your affections which follow these ignes fatuos of the world ; false happinesse , and learne to make strait steps unto your feet , you that follow the true ; that is , through holinesse , without which it is impossible to bee happy ; in which feare not the wheelings of a giddy world ; feare not afflictions , they f f Calamitas Jaepiùs disciplina virtutis est . Minut . Fel. Oct. many times amend that which Prosperitie marred : the Saints have experience hereof ; Before g g Ps. 119. 67. 71. I was afflicted , I went astray but now I keepe thy word — 't is good for mee that I have beene afflicted , that I may ●earne thy statutes . 'T is h h Magna ira est , quan . do peccan●ibus non irascit●r Deu● . a misery to want correction , and to be given over to our selves : but i i Psal. 94. 12 blessed is the man whom thou chastisest , O Lord , and teachest him thy law . k k At ●nim D●i 〈◊〉 nec in dolore deseritur , nec morte ●●nit ● — ●●iser videri potest , 〈…〉 Minut. Fel. Oct●y . The souldier of Christ is not forsaken in his sorrow , destroyed in death , nor dishonoured in his wounds : he may be called unhappy , or seeme so , but not bee so . All that hee suffereth for Christ is l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Ignat. ep. ad Polyca●p . his honour and matter of rejoycing who overcommeth . Therefore the Apostles departed rejoycing in their stripes : Act. 5. 41. Therefore our Saviour pronounced them blessed who mourne . True happinesse is of so divine a condition , that floods of teares cannot drown it ; yea , like that m m Gagates lapis accenditur aqu● ▪ ole● restinguitur . Plin. nat. hist. l. 36 c. 19. stone which they say is inflamed with water , and quenched with oile . There 's no danger of affliction , if prosperity corrupt not : darke night extinguisheth not the starres , but shewes their light more excellent : neither can any affliction put out our happinesse ; it shall make it more glorious . n n Rom. 8. 35. 37 , &c. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation , or anguish , or persecution ? — In all these things wee are more than conquerers , through him that loved us : for I am perswaded , that neither death , nor life , — nor any creature shall bee able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Iesus our Lord . Yea , o o Rev. 14. 13. blessed are the dead in the Lord , because living or dying , we are the Lords , p p Eph. 2. 19. fellow citizens with the Saints , and of the houshold of the God of the living . Which bringeth mee to the next part , the Saints Unity with God and his Church .

That dwell in thy house . This tearme sometimes importeth the materiall temple , or house of prayer , 2 Sam. 7. 13. 1. 1 King . 5. 5 1 King . 6. 37. Ioh. 2. 14. 16. 17. Somtimes the Church of the living God , 1 Tim. 3. 15 q q Eccl●●ia columen & firmam●ntum veritatis appellatur , quod unum est propter firmitatem fidei , & quiae doctrinam coelesti & miraculis divinis firmata est . Remigius in 1 Tim. 3. the pillar and ground of truth , that is , the faithfull a a Co ▪ os . 1. 23 thereon grounded and b b D●mum Dei & Ecclesiam appellavit Coetum eorumqui crediderunt — s●pra petram enim sunda●i stabeles & immobiles permanent — Theodoret. in 1 Tim. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrys●●b . established . The living temples of the holy Ghost , 1 Cor. 6. 19. and so all the faithfull , and all the Churches of Christ are but one Catholike Church , as all seas ( however they receive divers denominations from the divers shores they wash ) are but one sea . And this house of God is c c Ecclesia , quae est verum templum Dei , quod non in parietibus est , sed in c●rde , ac side hominum , qui credunt in cu●● , & co . cantur fideles — Lact. l. 4. c. 13. not in walls , and roofes , but in the faith and truth in mens hearts : d d haec est dom●● fidelis hoc i●mortale templum : in quo si quis non sacrifisaverit , in m●rtalitatis praemium non hab●bit . ib. c. 14. this is a faithfull house , and an immortall e e Na 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Clem. Alexandria . s●rom . l. 7. temple , which Christ ( of whom Solomon , the sonne of David , was a figure ) did build , and to which hee calleth all nations of the earth , in one faith , one baptisme , one truth , and one hope of salvation in him , who is the sole Saviour and Mediatour betweene God and man , 1 Tim. 2. 5. Act. 4. 12. f f Hic est templi magni janua , bic lucis vi● , bic d●x salutis , bic estium vitae . Lact. l 4. 5. 29. the onely doore of the great temple , the way of light , the guide to life .

So that wee are here to consider these three ascensions in the house of God :

First , the house of prayer , set apart , and consecrated to the service of God , where the holy oracles of God , and Sacraments are rightly administred , whence the spiritual incense of publike prayers , and sweete odours of thankesgiving are offered from the golden censer , by the Angell of the Covenant , before the throne of God , Rev. 8. 3 , 4. where the blessed assemble on earth , where the honour of God dwelleth among men : where Christ hath promised to bee present , Matth. 18. 20. where that blessed Anna g g Et in prosperis , & in adversis ab hoc opere non cessat . Alcuinus in sest. purif . continued serving God with fastings and prayers h h Continuè & perseveranter , ut 1 Tim. 5. 5. L●c. Br●gens ▪ in Lu● . 2. night and day , Luk. 2. 37. neither in prosperity , nor in adversity ceasing : this house the Church militant in sundry parts of the world frequenteth , and reverenceth for his sake , who there , most evidently manifesteth his presence on earth , and in his holy ordinance and sacred mysteries is there worshipped : it was Davids greatest griefe in i i Psal. 42. 1. 4. his exile , as of other Saints , that they could not be present here : for this they k k Psal. 84. 2. 3. emulated the sparrow and swallow , who had free accesse to the places neere Gods altars . And undoubtedly , all the Saints on earth beare the like affection to the house of God , above all amiable places of the earth . With this wee may joyne all that are by the outward seales of the covenant , admitted into the visible Church , as Guests invited to the l l Luk. 14. great Supper , without , or with the wedding garment , to which the m m 2 Chron. 4. 9. 1 King . 6. 3 the great court or porch , before the Temple , whichsome would have of 4. divisions , some 3. some 2. Azorius instit ▪ moral . l. 6 ▪ c. 5. 3. tom. 1. ib. c. 52. atrium Iudae●rum answered , or that to which cleane and uncleane might come .

2. The communion of Saints , who are the body of Christ , and temple of Gods holy spirit , built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets , Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone , in whom all the building coupled together , groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord ; into which are admitted onely those n n Ezek 9 ▪ 4 who have the inward seale of Gods covenant , whom hee hath marked for his owne , as a royall Priesthood and holy nation : to which the Sanctuarie , inward house , or o o Ad●i●homius de secund part . ten pli . At●ium sacerdo●um answered .

3. The Coelestiall Temple , the great p p Rev. 21. 10. 27. city , holy Hierusalem , into which no uncleane thing shall enter , prefigured by that Sanctum S●●ctorum : into which Christ a a He ' . 9 ▪ 11 ▪ 12 ▪ our blessed High-priest is entred , to obtaine eternall redemption for us : which house of God , b b 〈◊〉 In 〈…〉 ●yra . Lyra here understandeth : Ierusalem , which is above : the Saints Metropolis , Galat. 4. 26. c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 o a● . 1● . not now visible , but by the eye of faith : whereof Christ is a citizen , the Concives , the Patriarkes , Prophets , Martyrs , Saints and Angells . Into the second s●ate of grace , and this third of glory , may come d d Ez●k. 44. 9 , 10. no stranger , none of uncircumcised heart ; that is , e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . cle● . Al. strom . l. 4. unb●l●ever , or unholy : they ▪ only who f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ib. are holy , are truly Priests unto the Lord : whence it may appeare , that Vnity with God and his Church is a character and mark of true happinesse : Unity , I say , in love and sanctity , g g Magna ●omi●is miseria est , cum ill● non esse , sine quo non po●est esse , &c. Prosper . Epigram . out of which is misery : h h Ecclefia ●na est — quo●od● so●s mu●t : radii , sed lumen ●n●m & rami arboris multi , sed ro●ur unum ten●ci rad●c● fundatum . E-t de f●●te uno rivi pl●●imi d●flu●nt , ●umero●it as ▪ lic ● t diff●sa videtur exundantis copiae largi●a●e , unit as ta●e● servatur in origine , &c. and indeed hee cannot have God his Father , who hath not the Church for his Mother , which , as I said , is h h Ha●ere jam non potest De●●● pa●ren , qui ●cclesiam non 〈…〉 Si potuit ●vadere , qui extra arcan● N●e suit : & qui extra 〈◊〉 foris fuerit , evadet ▪ Cyp●tra● . 3. de simpl●praela● . but one , and that ( as Iacob said of Be●hel , Genes. 28. 17. ) is the house of God , and the gate of heaven : the house of faith , i i Quod ●i quis non intraverit , vel a quo si quis ex●ver●t , à ●pe vitae ac sa●u●is aeternae alie●us ●st . Lactant. l. 4. c. ult. into which if any enter not , out of which if any wilfully goe out , he alienat th himselfe from all hope of eternall life . Hee that eateth the Paschall Lamb out of this house , k k Qui extra ●●n● do●●um agnus● com ederit , p●ophanus est : Si q●is in a●d Noë non ●ue●it , p●r●bit regnan●e ●iluvio . Hieron . Dam●so . l●b. 1. ep. 25. is prophane : out of this l l Quo Sa●ramento decl●ra●ur , in 〈◊〉 dom●m sol●m , ●d est , in eccl●siam , ●icturos , & ab inte●itu mundi evasuros , colligi oportere . Cypri●n . l. 1. ep. 6. arke there is no salvation . This is as Rahabs house , Iosh. 6. 22. the covenant of peace is onely with them that keepe within , if any go out , his blood shall be upon his own head : this is the body of Christ , whereof he is the head and Saviour , Ephes. 5. 23. in whom onely , and through whom is true blessednesse .

1. Bee not deceived ; the Laver set betweene the tabernacle of the congregation , and the Altar , to clense all who entred thereinto , declared in the figure , that m m 1 Cor. 6. 9 Rev. 21. 27 Ezck. 44. 9. no unrighteous person , unclean thing , alient or uncircum cised in heart , shall enter into the house and kingdome of God .

2. Beguile not thy selfe with the fruitlesse name of a Christian : n n 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ignat. ●p. ad Magn. not to bee called so , but to bee so maketh happy . If thou art so named , but not so natured , thou art but as the Church of Sardi , Rev. 3. 1. thou hast a name that thou livest , but thou art dead : It were lesse evill to bee wicked any where , in the world , than in Gods house : the o o Vbi sublimior praer●gativa , major est c●l●a ; ipsa enim errores nostros r●l●gi● quam profitemur accusat . Salvian de gubern . Dei ● . 4. 〈◊〉 hoc magis ulpabiles sumus , ●i legem b●●a● c●limus , & ●ali●●ltores sumus . ib. Minor●● crimini● reatus est lege●●escire , quam spernere . ibid. Salv. l. 4. fine . excellencie of the prerogative aggravateth the fault committed , which ( like dirt upon the Raven ) were lesse conspicuous in persons of lesse eminence : and the very religion which a wicked man profesleth , and dishonoureth , accuseth him . Lesse sin hath he , who knoweth not the Law of God , than hee that contemneth it : they cause the holy Name of God Ro● . 2. 24 to bee blasphemed , b b Per eos tantummodo blasp●ematur D●us , q●i ●ona dicuni , & m●la faciunt ib. Salv. who in words professe to know God , and in deedes deny him : therfore is that c c Magis ● enins damnabilis est malitia , quam titul●s b●nitatis accusat , & reatus impii est pium nomen . ibid. most damnable wickednesse , which some title of goodnesse accuseth , and the guilt of the impious , is an holy name . Looke therefore to thy foot , thou that commest into the house of God : he is not blessed who dwelleth here as d d 1 Sam. 2. 12. 17. El●es sonnes , to make men abhorre the offering of God : as e e Iob. 2. 14. Matth. 21. 12 , 13. the buyers and sellers , to the prophanation of the holy f Ezek. 8. 11. Temple : as those seventy Ancients of Israel , to worke abominations in the place of Gods worship : as they who bring hither aures insidia●rices comming into the Church g g 1 Sam. 21. 7. as Doeg the Edomite to Nob , to observe and accuse , as false Apostles creeping in ( like serpents into the garden ) to spie out some occasion to sting us : as h h Iob. 1. 6. Iob. 2. 1. Sathan among the children of God : as Hereticks and contentious Schismaticks who are in this holy body , as thornes in the flesh , as the Canaanite in the Holy land : i i 1 Iob. 2. 19 They were not of us saith Saint Iohn , say wee , would God we could once say the rest , they went out from us . They are not blessed who come in hither like impious Cham into the Arke , whom the curse followeth out : like the Blackmoore into the bath , going out with the same complexion with which hee entred : who bringeth hither itching eares , who is like those k k Legimu● — auriculas in tantum magnitudinis gentibus excrescere quibusdam , ut totum corpus iis contegatur , vestium modo , Fanesios vocant . Cal. Rhodiginus lect. antiq. l. 3. c. 29. monstrous Fanesii , all eares : such as are all for hearing , that 's the cloke which must present them for holy to the worlds view . But the hearers of the law are not righteous before God , but the l l Rom. 2. 13 doers of the law shall be justifyed : 't is true , m m Exod. 29. 20. Aarons eare must be toucht in his consecration , but his hand must be toucht also : to teach us that wee must heare , and practise also , if wee will bee an holy Priest-hood to the Lord . Neither are they blessed , who appear before the Lord empty-handed , without due provision ; nor they , who receive the distilling dew of Gods word often falling on them , as rain into the sea ; whose briny floods are nothing changed thereby , or on the n n Heb. 6. 7 , 8 barren ground that 's neere to cursing , whose end is to be burned : but blessed is the fruitfull ground , they of whom Christ said ( and we in his name say ) Blessed are they that heare the word of God , and keepe it . This shall bee thy present assurance of thy future dwelling in the presence of God to eternity .

o o 1 King . 10. 8. The Queene of Saba pronounced Solomons servants happy , who stood in his presence to heare his wisdome , but here is a greater than Solomon : greater happinesse , because true and permanent : well might p p Teste Augustino , dicere solitus est , magis se ga●dere , q●o● membrion ecclesie Dei esset , quam qu●d inter●is regnaret . Abraham Bucholcer . j●d . Chron. I heodosius the great ( that same Ecclesiae nutricius ) rejoyce more , that hee was a member of this Church , a servant of God , than that hee was a Lord of men : this Psalmists choice was , rather to keepe a doore in the h●●se of God , than to dwell in the tabernacles of wickednesse . Here is a constant blessing : q q Ps 84. 10 Wee are but pilgrims on earth , though wee dwell in the houses of Kings . This world is to us , as 't is said of Iacobs Canaan , a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gen. 36. 7. terra peregrinationum eorum : here 's no long stay , nor security : in GODS house are both : in b b In domo tuâ ti● e●is latrones , domus Dei murus est ipse Deus . A●e . in Psal. thy house thou maist feare theeves , but God is a defence to his owne house , c c Ma●. 6. 19. there is neither theef nor moth . The blessed possesse this d d Sine diver●nate & divisione limit●● omnes habent eam , & singuishbent totam . ibid. without any diversity or division of bounds : all have it , and every one hath it all . Here 's no want of any thing , nor care to get , nor feare to lose : all is heere secure fulnesse without satiety : no wonder if their mouths bee alwaies filled with Gods praises , who are so filled with his blessings , which is our next part , and character of the blessed man . They will ever praise 〈◊〉 .

The Saints onely praise God truely and constantly : according to e e Quando bexè e●t , ●auda misericordiam ; quando malè est , la●da ve●itatem , quia pe●cata flagellat . Aug. in Psal. 91. S. Augustines rule ; in prosperity praise his mercy , in adversity his truth , according to which hee punisheth sinnes . 'T was Plinies report to the Emperour f Plin. secund. l. 10. ep. Traja●o . concerning Christians , that they were wont before day to sing praises unto Christ : and so it seemeth to have beene the practice of Christians g g Extra Psalmos silentium est : quocunque te verteris , aretor stivam teners allelujab decantat : sudans messor Psalmis se av●cat : & curv● attond●n ▪ vites falce vinitor , aliquid Davidicum canit . Ierom ▪ Mar cellae . lib. 2. ep. 7. in S. Ieroms time , to spend their lives in singing Psalms and praises to God : the toyling Plowman , the sweating Mower , the pruner of Vines ; in every corner you might have heard them singing their Hallelujahs : The reason hereof is , because * * See Exod. 15. 1. Iudg. 5. 1. 1 Sam. 2. 1. &c. these have a lively sense of Gods mercy and beneficence : Others are filled , but not sensible : these onely h h Plus ●nim laudat un●sq●isque quod possi●●t . I●rem 9. love and enjoy God , and therefore praise him : they onely have true faith , i i Psal. 116. 10. which is ever apt to breake out into praise , because of the blessed k k Rom. 5. 1. peace of conscience , which they have with God : they onely have sanctified wils and affections : they l l Laudare nemo solet nisi qu●d ei placet . Aug. in Psal 14● Sec●ritas e●go landis , in la●de D●i est : ibi laudator securus est , ubi non timet ne de laudato ●rub●s●at . Aug. in Psal. 94. Init. onely delight in the Lord , therefore praise him : the security of praise is in the praises of God : therefore they praise him , ore & opere , and that constantly : Thy praise shall bee ever in my mouth , Psalm . 34. 1. without cessation , though not without intermission . What ever thou dost , let thy soule ever praise the Lord : Whether thou eate or drinke , doe all to Aug. in Psal. 102. his honour , 1 Cor. 10. 31. even in thy m m Innocentia tua etiam in dormiente vox est animaetuae . Aug. ib. si semper à nobis amatur ille , semper laudatur Aug. in Psal. 103. sleepe innocence is the voice of thy soule ; love him ever , and thou dost ever praise him . Therefore no man is excused from this duty : what can he doe , who cannot love ? and indeed , God not so much requireth the voice , as the heart ; neither that for n n Laudarise vul● D●us , & b●● ut tis pro●●cias n●● ut ille sublimetur . ib. in Psalm . 102. his owne sake , but for thy benefit .

The out-goings of the morning and evening praise him : all creatures ( the oneapestate excepted ) praise him : how many times doth the Psalmist in one Psalme exhort thereto ? yea all the Psalmes are o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 quod ma●er Psalmorum pars Dei laudes continent Valent. S●hin dler . lex penteglo● . a booke of praises , because GODS praises are the principall part thereof .

That which most Interpreters give here perpetuo , the vulgar giveth in secula seculorum : the blessed do but tune here , and record : sometimes their de profundis ; sometimes their venite exultemus , and Hosanna's , the generall vote of all the Saints , the Canticum nov●m : The a a Chrysostom . in Psal. 95. old song was confined by the borders of Canaan ; among the strangers , b b Psal. 137. 1. 4. by the Rivers of Babylon , they hanged up their harps on the willowes : they might weepe in remembrance of Sion , but how shall we sing a song of the Lord in a strange Land ? but the new song , of an c c Si e●im admirabil●m & omnem excedentem n●tu●am inca●na●●o●●m Domini ●arra●e ●s : si regen●rationem — universi o●●●s expec●●●o invetera●● tunc de●●m recens ac novum canticum caniabis . Basil . in Psal 32. admirable matter , excelling all the courses of nature , the incarnation of Christ , the renuing of the World , the mysteries of our resurection : d d Luk. 2. 14 the Angels began this in the day of Christs nativity , and now it soundeth through the e e Vniverso decantatur o●be . Chrys. whole World : and so admirable a worke , is the praise of God , that death it selfe shall not interrupt it , nor time end it , wee shall sing our Gloria in altissimis Deo , for ever and ever : because wee shall f f Laus sine fine crit , qui● sine fine am●● . Augus●i● . in Psal. 142. love him eternally : wee shall joyne in a f●●h Queere with those heavenly creatures , who now praise the LORD before his Throne .

The Saints praise God constantly : it well becommeth the just to be thankefull : but hee that is silent now , shall not sing with Saints and Angels in the life to come . g g Psal. 107. ● , 13 , 21 , 31 The Psalmist recounting the mercies of God , maketh this the sweet bearing of his song : Let them therefore confesse before the Lord his loving kindnesse ▪ and his wonderfull workes before the sonnes of men . Begin to reckon ( 't is all thou canst , for there is no end of his goodnesse ) he h h 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 1. 2. 1. Pet. 1. 20 ▪ Gen. 1. 27. elected us when wee were not : hee made us to his owne Image , he i i Rom. 5. 10. redeemed us with the precious blood of his onely Sonne . k k Quod si totum me debe● pro me facto , quid addum jam pro refecto , & refecto be● modo ? in primo opere me mihi dedi● , in secundo ●e : & ●●i se dedit , me mihi reddidit : da●●s ergo & ●e●ditus me pro me debeo & his debeo ; q●id retr●●uam p●● s●●nam e●iamsi me millies rependere poss●●● 〈◊〉 s●m ego ad Deum ? Bernard . de diligena . Deo cap. 2● . If I owe so much for my creation , what owe I for my redemption , with so great a price ? in the worke of creation hee gave mee to my selfe ; in the second hee gave himselfe to me ; and when hee gave himselfe for me , he restored me to my selfe . What shall I render the Lord ? if I could give my selfe a thousand times over , what am I to the Lord ? there is nothing in Heaven or Earth among all the creatures , so divine , so excellent as Christ : hee that hath him l l Affatim dives est , qui ●●m Ohristo panper est . Ierom. l. 2. ●p. ad Heliodor . hath all things , and having nothing else aboundeth : no wonder if the Saints ever praise him , yea when they goe per vallem flet●s : here is their m m Laus flagella●●is med●cina est 〈◊〉 Aug in Ps●l. 144. wounds medicine : here is the tryall , here is the Selah set to erect the mind to consideration : 't is an easie matter to praise the Lord blessing us , and giving us good things ( yet too many forget that plaine song ) but if thou art a blessed man indeed , thou must praise the Lord in the Valley of Baca , in teares and bitter forrowes , when hee afflicteth thee and taketh away all earthly comforts from thee : n n Iob 1. 21. In ▪ boc itaque mens j●sta ab injusta discernitur : quod omnipotentis Dei laudem & inter adversa conside●●r : q●od no● cum rebus srangitur , non cum casu gloriae exterioris cadit : sed in hoc magis qualis cum r●bus suerit demonstrat , quae & sine rebus robustius stat. G. ego . Mor. in Iob. l. 11. ● . 1● . 't was Iobs resolution , The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken it , blessed bee the Name of the Lord : such is the possession of Christ , as that no externall estate , no nor death it selfe can make that possessour unhappy , or any more take away his blessednesse , than the stormes wee feele on earth can shake downe the orbs of heaven : what ever God taketh away , if he take not himselfe from thee , thou art blessed , neither canst thou be otherwise , no not when thou seemest , to others and thy selfe most miserable : Therefore the Psalmist ( though in bitternesse of spirit and present affliction he recounted his happinesse past ) yet recalleth his affections , Why art thou cast down , a a Psal. 4● . 11. O my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within mee ? waite on God . For indeed we may not be ingratefull . b b 1 Sam. 1. 8 Why weepest thou ? ( said Elkanah to afflicted Hannah ) why eatest thou not ? and why is thy heart troubled ? am not I better to thee than tenne sonnes ? how much more may our blessed Jesus say to us ( when wee turne our debt of praises into dedolency , and c c 2 Sam. 19 2. our victory , for d d 1 Cor. 25. 57. which the Saints praise GOD , into mourning , and dejectednesse of soules ) why mourn you thus , who have such interest in me ? what ever GOD doth to the Saints , 't is best for them : the Physitian , better than the patient knoweth what is good and necessary for him : if it be sometimes best for a man to bee grieved with the e e Putridae carnes ferro curantur & cauterio . D. Hieronym . ● lancer and cautery , how much better is it for a sinner to bee cured by afflictions ?

'T is a character of the blessed man , ever to praise the Lord : the f f Laudant●m v●de● , 〈◊〉 p●oba● amā●em . Aug. in Psa. ●04 . wicked can never doe it : because they neither love nor serve the Lord : the sinner dishonoureth him in all his actions , and therefore can but subdolously praise him in words : T is a dishonour to a good man , to have some notorious lewd fellow praise him , g g Melius est ut tu vituperares , quam dolosè laudares . Aug. in Psal. 119. t were more honour to have such a one dispraise and condemne him : feldome doe they condemne any but the good , or h h No● nisi grande bonum à Nero●e damnatum . Tertull. adv. Gent. applaud any but the evill , because every one loveth his like : he that knoweth him ( said h h Quis enim nesciat nibil nisi flagi●i●sum t●o ore laudari ? Ierom. l. 2. ep. 3. Sabiniano . Tertullia● of Nero ) might understand , that hee condemned nothing but some great good ? when a wicked mouth ( used to cursing , prophanation , and filthy talke ) presumeth to sing the praises of God , I may say ( as i i Quomodo Deum viola● , qui boc modo placal ? M. Fel. Octa. Minucius Foelix , in another kind ) how doth he violate the sacred Majesty of God , who would so please him ? k k Edixit , ne quis ipsum ali●s quam Appelles pingeret , quam Pyrgoteles sculperet , quam Lysippus ex aere duceret . Plin. nat. bist . l. 7. c. 37. Alexander would not suffer any but apelles to take his picture , least by unskilfull hands his countenance should be misreported to posterity : with how much better reason doth GOD forbid any but his Saints to praise him , least they that know him not , should blaspheme & thinke him evill whom such men praise ? he therefore that saith , l l Psal. 50. 5 , 14. 16. Gather my Saints to gather unto me — offer unto God praise : saith unto the wicked ▪ What hast thou to doe to declare mine ordinances , and that thou shouldest take my covenant into thy mouth ; seeing thou hatest to bee reformed ? praise is not a a Ec●lus . 15. 9. seemly in the mouth of a sinner : when the divell confessed Christ , b b Mark . 3. 1● , 12. Luke 4. 41. hee sharpely rebuked those uncleane spirits , and suffered them not to say that they knew him to bee the Christ ; c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theophylact. in Luc. 4. that we might know , such are not to bee heard though they speake truth , because they doe it to some evill end : and that Christ needed no such witnesses as both d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ib ▪ i● Matth. 8. professed enmity , and in their best profession call the truth of Religion into question ; for who would not suspect that to be evill , which the wicked seeme to like and allow ? therefore if thou wilt bee admitted into this blessed Queere , be thou e e Neli bonae cantilene tuae obstrepere moribus malis — qui laudatis , bene vivile — ●auda●io impii ●ffendit Deum ▪ Augustin , in Psal. 146. holy , that thou maist truely praise God , and trust in him , which is the next character of the blessed man .

Blessed is the m●● whose strength is in thee .

Blessed are they whose confidence and trust is in the Lord. f f Psal. 121. 2 My helpe commeth from the Lord who hath made Heaven and earth , saith the Saint : Some put g g Psal. 20. 7 their trust in Chariots and some in horses ; but wee will remember the Name of the Lord our God . And good reason : for

1. They h h Psal 125. 1. who trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion , which cannot bee removed . This is a trust which cannot i Psal. 9. 10. deceive .

2. None but the Saints which are the sonnes of God can trust in him : the reprobate ( though he may have a false confidence for a time , as he may have k k Mat●h. 13. 20 , 21. L●ke 8. 13. a temporary faith ) knoweth what he must expect , and therefore beholdeth God as an angry judge : but he is the just l l Isai 63. 16. mans father : and not onely m m Psal. 103. 13. pittieth him as a tender father doeth his childe , but n n Rom. 8. 14 , 15 , 16. giveth him the spirit of adoption to lead him , and assure him that hee is indeed a child of God .

3. They only have o o Rom. 5. 1 , 2 accesse through faith unto his grace , by the p p Eph. 2. 18 spirit which dwelleth in them , they have peace with God who are justified by faith in Christ . God will no more remember their sinnes and iniquities , and therefore q q Heb. 10. 17 , 22. they may bee bold to draw neere in assurance of faith to the Throne of grace , Christ being their advocate to appeare alwaies and to mediate for them . He ever offereth up their ▪ petitions for them r r Revel. 8. 3 upon the golden Altar ( his precious merits ) which is before the Throne of God .

4. Hee giveth his s s Psal. 91. 11 , 12. Angels charge over them : and they t t Psal. 34. 7. pitch their tents round about them : so that when they seem most forlorne , u u 2 King . 6. 16. they that are with them are more than can be against them .

5. Hee hath not onely given them x x Eph. 1. 13 , 14. 16. 4. 30 Rom. 8. 23. 2 Cor. 1. 22. Galat. 4 6 , 7. the first fruits of the Spirit , the earnest of his covenant ; y y Qu●m ▪ d●●●dum enim nobis arrabonem spiritus reliquit , ita & a nobis arrabonem car●is a●cepit , & vexit in coelum , pignus toti●s sum●ae i●luc qu●nd●●ue redigendae : securae e●●o●● Caro & sa●guis , usurpastis & c●elum & regnum Deiin C●●●isto . Tertull . deresur ▪ carnis . c. 51. but ascending into Heaven , he hath taken up with him an earnest and pledge of their flesh and blood , which shall through him at last possesse the same blessed inheritance with him .

6. There can bee no sure trust in any other : all earthly things are subject to the Lawes of time , and therefore to sudden and continuall changes : Thou that risest cheerefully in the morning , a a N s●is q●id s●r●●s 〈◊〉 vebal . knowest not what the late evening may bring . There are many chances in this life , & one certaine change in the end thereof : Looke on proud b b Dan. 4. 27 30. Nebuchadnezzar , ostenting his magnificent Babel , built for the honour of his Majesty ; while the word was in the Kings mouth , the voice from Heaven told him his Kingdome was departed from him ; and the very same houre was it fulfilled . Looke on prophane c c Dan. 5. 1 , 2 , &c. 5. 30. Belshazzar , feasting with a thousand Princes drinking in the impropriated vessels of the Temple of Ierusalem an unknown hand writing a terrible doome upon the wall , and the same night executed . Behold the rich man , projecting for greater barnes , singing a re●uiem to his soule , but presently hearing , d d Luke 12. 19. Thou foole , this night shall they take away thy soule ; and thou shalt in these examples see a true scene of humane changes .

The e e Iob 14. 2. flowers are Emblems of our f f Vita itaque in carne f●●s in fan● est . — homo enim more floris procedit ex ●cc●lto ; & subitò apparet in public● ; qui statim ex publico per mortem retrabitur ad o●●ultum . Carnis nos viriditas oftendit : sed ariditas pulveris ab a●pectibus retrebit . Gregor. Moral . in Iob. l. 11. ● . 27. present lives , now sweetly flourishing in the vigour of their youth , vying beauty with the fairest Rachels , and lustre with the most magnificent ( g g Mat. 6. 29 Salomon in all his glory , was not arayed like one of these . ) presently cropt and withered . An h h Aristot . Ephemeron , whose whole story is but , oritur , moritur , such is man ; A morning vapour , which a little heare dissolveth ; such is man . A i i Ionah 4. 6 , 7. Ionahs Gourd , in the height of the owners joy , smitten and withered quite away ; such is man .

1. O vaine hopes of men , and idle thoughts , how often doe you beguile us ? how often are you broken in the middle of your flight ; or like ceiled Doves , mount till you die ? or like k k Exod. 14. 25 , 27. Pharaohs Chariot wheeles , there falling off , where wee are most deepely engaged in the returning floods of sorrowes ? vaine confidence in riches : l l Fluxa est d●vit●urum na●ura , &c ▪ Basil . in Psal. 61. they ebbe and flow uncertainely : their gliding streames continually change their masters : this field is thine to day , to morrow it passeth to another : looke upon this place ; how often have these mountaines changed Lords , and these houses , owners ? all earthly goods , at the last houre of our lives , shall ( like m m 2 King . 2 13. Eli●hs mantle , in his ascension ) fall from us to some others use : vaine confidence in any of the sonnes of men : the wise , the illustrious , the noble , the vertuous , the strong , the faire , the chaste , the lovely , the young , all die : experience teacheth it : one day telleth another , one night certifieth another ( I would we had wanted this daies example ) none are exempted , let us not therefore strive with our Maker , but humbly subject our hearts and affections to his blessed will , who ever will doe that which shall bee best for us : let us consider that t is our owne fault when we are to disconsol●te , if wee will needs build on any but God , that ground failing us , our hopes are broken : but the foundation of the Lord remaineth sure : a a Fixis rationibus peraguntur res eius , & quod semel decretum est fi eri , nulla potest novitate immutari Arnobius . advers. Gent. l. 2. his immutable decrees are certaine , and shall take effect at the appointed time .

2. Examine thy trust in God , whether it be faithfull before the time of tryall : many professe confidence , and yet in tryals it faileth them . Examine therefore first , whether thy trust be grounded on Gods Word : that onely is infallible , and cannot deceive : the confidence which crosseth this , must needs faile , because this cannot : if an incorrigible sinner , trust to b b Deut. 29. 19 , 20. impunity : that confidence must faile him : if any man trust in wrong and robbery ; that confidence must faile him , because Gods justice cannot : if any man trust in lying vanities , hee forsaketh his c c Ionah 2. 8. owne mercy . If any man make himselfe rules of wisedome , and counsell , against the revealed will of God , and trust therein , ( were those counsels as profound as Achitophels ) the Lord will infatuate and make them voyd . If any man will trust in riches , or in his heart serve idols : his trust against Gods Word , must faile : they that make them , are like unto them , and so are all they that put their trust in them : all senselesse ● when the d d N●c sentit sua nativitatis inj●riam — ita nec p●slea de v●stra vene● atione &c. Mi●ut . Eel . q. s . line is s●retched over the idoll , when t is hewed , finished , adored , it perceives not : it cannot defend it selfe : when , the birds sit on their heads , and spiders derive their slender webs from their mouths ( e e Quant● veriùs ●e diis vestris animalia muta naturaliter j●dicant ? non sentire cos sciunt , r●dunt , insultant , insident : ac nisi abigatis , in ipso Dei ves●ri ●re nidificant : aranea ver● f●ciem ●ius intexunt , & de capite sua fi●a s●sp●ndun● ▪ Minut. Fel Octav. more reasonably judging of them , then superstitious men ) they feele it not . T is not easie to resolve , which was the most unreasonable and ridiculous custome of heathens setting dogges , f f Est & anser● vigil cura Capitolio test●ta defense , per id tempus canum ●ilentio proditis rebus : quamobrem cibaria anserum , censores in pri● is locane . Plin. nat. b●st , l. 10. c. 22. vid. ib. l ▪ 29. ● . 3. ● . &c. 4. init . and geese to keepe their Capitoll and Gods ; or g g Nam de Senonibus quid loquar ? quos C●pitolii secreta penetrantes , Romanae reliquiae non ●ulissent , nisi eos pavido anser strepipitu prodidisse : enquales tem pla Romana praesules habent ! ubi tu●c ●rat Jupiter ? an in ansere ioquebatur ? Ambros , ad Valenti● . relat . Sy●ma●h . respond . senselesse gods to keepe their bodies , soules , lives , and states .

2. Whether it bee built upon that which is unchangeable : Cursed be the man that trusteth in man , and maketh flesh his arme , and withdraweth his heart from the Lords for he shal be like the heath in the Wildernesse . - Blessed be the man that trusteth in the Lord , - for hee shall bee as a tree planted by the water , - her leafe shall be greene , and shall not care for the yeere of drought , neither shall cease from ●eelding fruit . Iere. 17. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8. That sailers trust must faile , who in the storme , layeth hold on a loose rope . If a man trust in Physitians as Asa did , 2 Chron. 16. 12. to an Egyptian confederacie , as Iohana● and the Captaines of the host would doe , Ie● . 42. that trust shall faile , and this prove but a staffe of reed , Ezek. 29. 6. If a man trust in riches , as that wealthy foole in the Gospell did , L●ke 12. 19 , 20. If in strength of armies , and prosperity , as Vzziah did ( when he was strong , his heart was lift up to his destruction . 2 Chron. 26 16. ) they shall not helpe in the day of affliction ; and the Lord will breake these : if a man trust to his owne counsels , or assistance of friends , hee may have those prove like Achithophels , and these like Iobs mis●r●ble comforters . If a man trust in any thing in this life , or life it selfe , it must faile : a a Iob 17 ▪ 13 14. I bough I hope the grave shall bee mine house , and I shall make my bed in the darke . I shall say to corruption thou art my father , and to the worme ▪ thou art my mother — all things under the Sunne are subject to change : there can bee no sure trust in them .

3. Examine whether it be a firme and continuing trust : not onely when thou art prosperous , but appearing in the greatest of afflictions . b b Iob 13. 15 Though he slay me ▪ yet will I trust in him , said Iob. This is true confidence which will hold the fiery tryall : and true c c Nunqu●m est patientiae virtus in prosper●● ; ●lle a●tem est verè pa●i ens , qui & adversis atteritur , & t●men a ●pei suae re●t●●udine non ●n●●r●a●ur . Gregor. mor. in Iob l. 11. c. 18. patience , which will endure adversity T is not the trust of the blessed , which , like that seed which fell on stony ground , commeth up and dureth but for a season : M●tth. 13. 21. or like the d d Iob 6. 16 , 17. rivers which are ranke in Winter , but in time are dried up with heate and consumed : and when it is hot , they faile out of their places ▪ Which least appeare when wee have most need : As those ●tellae caedentes , were never any part of the celestiall orbs : so that trust which at any time faileth , was never true . To him that e e Ma●h. 24 13 ▪ 46. Revel. 2. 10. persevereth unto the end , are all the promises : resolve therefore to trust in the Lord in every estate , and that shall demonstrate thee blessed .

So we come to the last character of true blessednesse , Sincerity of heart : And in whose heart are thy waies . Not mans own waies , but the commandements and waies of God : f f Isai. 55. 8. Galat. 5. 19 , 20. My thoughts are not your thoughts , neither are your waies my waies , saith the Lord . The waies of man are the workes of the flesh , Adultery fornication , uncleannesse , wantonnesse , idolater witchcraft , hatred , debate , emulations , wrath , contentions , seditions , heresies , envy , murthers , drunkennes , & such like : but the way of God , is the fruit of his Spirit , love , joy , peace , long-suffering , gentlenesse , goodnesse , faith , meekene●●e , temperance . Concerning the wicked , 't is said , their inward parts are very wickednesse : The g g Psal. 14. 1 foole said in his heart , there is no God . h h Luk. 12. 17 , 18. The rich man thought with himselfe , I will build greater barnes : there was the way of the world in his heart : but the way to blessednesse is Gods way : the i i Math. 7. 13. narrow way of faith and obedience to all his commandements , & ( that which is not the least difficulty ) constancie therein . Hil●rie saith well , k k Semitam esse q●ae trita est ▪ in Ps. 118. a way is that which is a beaten path : 't is not a pace or two , which maketh the way , but a constant walking the same way . The hypocrites heart is like an anvill , for any thing to be forged thereon : like a theater , on which is represented , sometimes the Saint , sometimes the Devill : like a mercenary presse , whose Letters are somtimes set for holy pages , sometimes for impious and lascivious pamphlets . But our present character is of Gods waies in the blessed mans heart : in this way was Enoch walking with God , till he was translated . Some goe a little way willingly , but like a a Raeth . 1. 14 Orpah , are easily perswaded to goe backe to Moab . You may sometimes f●nde Saul among the Prothets : 't is but for a 〈◊〉 you shall after have him at End●r . You may finde Iu●as among the holy Apostles : 't is but a flash ; you shall have him afterwards with the High Priests , selling his Masters blood . Mad men have their lucid intervalls : the worst have some better fits , and resolutions , but in the blessed mans heart are the waies of God .

Not in the tongue , and outward semblance onely : b b Rom. 2. 29 hee is an Israelite , which is one within . Such a one was c c Iob. 2. 47. Nathanael , in whom was no guile . 'T is the sincerity of the heart , which is the seale of the covenant of God , and marke of the blessed man . All is , as is the heart to God : some ( like that d d Clem Al. ● Paed. l. 2. c ▪ 1 fine . Asellus piscis ) have Cor in ventre ; as saith the Apostle , Phil. 3. 19. Whose God is their belly . Some have the world and riches there : If riches increase , set not your ●ea●●●po● them : they are the thornes which commonly choke up the seed of Gods word : there e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theophy●●ct in Mat. 13. is a lawfull possession ; the danger is for him that will bee rich , 1 Tim. 6. 9. there is a good use of riches ; the danger is , if a man trust in them , or fixe his heart upon them : there is a good use of thornes ; if they bee orderly set about the field , they make a good fence ; the mischiefe is , if they grow up in it . Such are riches , good in any place , but the heart of the owner . But thou blessed man , have the feare , love and worship of God in thine f f Verus cultus est in p●ctore . Arnob. l. 4. adv. Gent. heart , there all is sincere : doe not thou desire to g g Ne●●ppet●● ultra videri quàmes , ●●t possis ●ltraesse quàm vider●s . Greg. l. 4. cp. 58. seeme more than thou art , because the searcher of hearts beholdeth all thy waies . Fronti nulla fid●s : a very hypocrite may have the waies of God in his externall behaviour , and yet be but like an h h Clem. Al. Pad . l. 3. c. ● Init ▪ Aegyptian temple , with a reverend comelinesse without ; but if you examine the inside , you shall finde a cat , a goat , or serpent , in stead of a God . Such Christ stileth painted Sepulchers , which have i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ib. strom . l. 4. onely an inscription , & name of sanctity , no more .

Thou must have these ascensions of heart , to thinke of God , if thou wilt be blessed . The more Moses conferred with God in the mountaine , of the more divine countenance was hee : the more thou thinkest of God , and conferrest with him , the more like him , the more blessed shalt thou be : which that thou maist doe , k k Quanto plus amaveris , tanto plus ascendes . Aug. love him , speake to him in frequent prayer , and study his word , l l Rom. 3. 16 , 17. which sheweth destruction and unhappinesse in our owne waies , but life and blessednesse in his . m m Rom. 8. 7. For if yee live after the flesh ye shal dy — But as many as are lead by his spirit , are the sons of God . Once n n Num. 7. 89. Exod. 25. 22. the soft voice whispered from the mercy seat , to declare all things which he would give in commandement to the children of Israel . Once the cloudy pillar lead them in the way , but now the word of God , the holy Scripture , is our oracle , and cloudy pillar . The Arke , which the Priests bare , o o I sh. 3. 6. went before Israel into Canean . Why they first ? why not the prudent Magistrates ? why not the armed legions ? that wee may know that there 's no entring ▪ into the heavenly rest , true blessednesse , but by following the Arke of GODS testimonie , which the Priests beare before the people , the word of God : this is as that p p Math. 2. 9 starre , which lead the wise men to Christ ; this is q q 2 Tim. 3. 15. able to make a man wise unto salvation , and therfore blessed : this is as that river a a Ez k. 47 1. 9. 12. issuing from the threshold of the house of God , every thing that liveth by it , shall grow and bee fruitfull : to this the Saints resort , as doves to the waters : let us all sit downe by this , that as wee goe the Moritur omne quod nascitur . Minut ▪ Fel. way of all flesh to death , wee may with the same paces goe the way of all the blessed to eternall life .

To you that mourn for the deceased , is my last addresse . b b Gen. 37 ▪ 31. 34. Iacob sorrowed for his loved Ioseph , when he had seene his coat dipped in blood : but when hee was assured by the c c Gen. 45. 26 , 27. Chariots , which Ioseph sent to carry him , that hee was alive , and happily honoured in Pharaohs court , then the spirit of ●acob revived . 'T is your great losse which you bewaile , and Christs teares at Lazarus grave warrant an holy mourning for the dead : yet not beyond faith and reason : d d 1 ▪ I bes. 4 ▪ 13. Sorrow not even as other that have no hope . Faith must stay excesse : and in reason , e e D●l●●d 〈◊〉 est q●o● nab●●●i●● ra●tus sit : consola●dum quod ad melio●a transterit Am●rosde Valentinorat . setting our owne interests aside , why should wee mourne for them that are blessed ? f f C●em . Alcitat . Empedo●l . Euripi dem , &c. strom ● . 3. Some ancients , which knew no more but rules of reason , wont to celebrate their friends Natalls with mourning , because all are borne to miseries , but their Funeralls with rejoycing , because in death they rested . If this our deceased Sister could heare and reply , would she not cry from Heaven , Weepe not for mee , for I am blessed ? the whole course of her life proclaimeth it : g g Ps. 128. 1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord — I am confident to say , shee did so . h h Mat. 5. 9. Blessed are the peace makers : to what controversy did shee ever approch , but like the Dove to the Arke , with overtures of peace in her mouth ? Blessed are they that have Unity with God and his Church : Shee was a constant lover of the Saints , and the place where Gods honour dwelleth . The blessed praise God : it was her constant practice : witnesse this Psalme , often in her mouth , and one of the last shee sang among the living . Is confidence in God a marke of the blessed ? her conversation sounded out , Whom have I in heaven but thee — her last , Lord , Lord . expressed with breaking heartstrings and an expiring spirit , when death shut up her senses by a suddaine arrest , witnesseth for her . Is it happinesse to have the waies of God in the heart : I am confident , that malice it selfe never layed on her the imputation of hypocrite . Excuse mee in the abridgement which I now gather . I know the light of one starre obscureth not another , because all borrow from the same Sun ; neither doe the due praises of one Saint derogate from another , i i 1 Co● . 4. 7. seeing all receive of one God . She k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Naz. ●●at . 11. was an ornament of women a paterne of vertue ; a blessed childe to her parents : a faithfull Sarah to her husband : a l l Act. 16. 14 Lydi● to the word of God ; a m m Act. 9. 36 39. She was none of them , of whom Cl. Alexandrinus said , pueru● Orp●an●m non adm●●t●nt , quae ps●●●●cos & 〈◊〉 enutr●u●t . Paed. l. 3 ▪ ● . 4. Dorcas to the poore widowes and orphans : a Martha to strangers : to all , as N●zianze●s Gorgo●ia , Citrà superciliu●● p●dic● . Therefore blessed , shee now res●eth in Christ , and her workes follow her . Which that wee may likewise do , the good Lord teach us all so to live , and number our daies , that wee may apply our hearts unto wisdome , wherof his feare is the beginning , and eternall salvation the end and consumma●ion : heare us O Lord , and have mercie upon us , through the merits of thy Son , our blessed Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST , to whom with thee , O Farh●r , and the Holy Ghost , be all honour , praise , and glory asscribed in heaven and earth , now and for ever . Amen .

FINIS .