MAns life is but a iourney to the graue , Via vita dicitur per quam quiliber natus properat ad finem , Basil. in Psal. 1. Exod. 12. 8. 11. a way , a short way to death : Infancy the way to childhood , childhood to youth , youth to the strongest age , that to olde age , and old age the Thule , and ne plus vltra of Nature , Baculus sustentatio est senectutis Chrysost. in Psal. ●3 . Hos. 4. ●2 . Ezek. 19. 7. Isai 36. 6. is the confines of Death . The old man standeth like the Israelite departing from Egypt , eating the Passeouer with sowre hearbs , and his Staffe in his hand . Some leane on superstitious vanities , their Staffe teacheth them , but to erre ; others to that Staffe of Reede , the World : which confidence is an Egypt to Israel , Baculus intelligitur ae que ipsa lex , quae● ostendere no●●r pec●a●a , non aufer●e Chrys quo s. breaking in their hand , and wounding them which trust to it . The blessed man maketh righteousnesse his Staffe , not that of the Law , that is a Rod of Iron to breake the vngodly , that can discouer , but not take away sinne ; but the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ , ( Arod of the stocke of Ish●i ) and the complete armour of God , 〈…〉 which furnished the Patriarkes and Prophets : which being fully reuealed in the old age of the World , to comfort her e●ill daies , are like Dauids Staffe and Scrip , furnished with stones taken out of the brook , a sure defence against the enemie : Blessed is the man planted by these waters , hee shall bring forth fruit in due season , his leafe shall not fade , his olde age sh●ll be blessed . The hoarie head is a Crowne of glorie . These words containe this proposition , the old age of a righteous man is honorable and blessed : yet in a second view I see them , Gen. 2. like the riuer of Paradise , diuiding themselues into foure heads .

The first runneth towards the last part of mans earthly pilgrimage , set downe heere vnder hoarie haires , an effect or signe of Old Age .

The second proposeth a reward to those which arriue at this age of sorrow and care , A Crowne of dignitie .

The third look●th vp toward the all-seeing eie of Iustice , beholding all our way , and accordingly rewarding as it is found .

The last pointeth out the only meanes to obtaine that Crowne of glorie , an honourable old Age , which is to be had in the way of righteousnesse .

The hoarie head or old age is a Crown● of glorie , My discourse must begin at the end , like the motion of the inferiour Spheres ab occasu , from the euening and setting of life : The last Scene to be acted on Natures Stage , is the Prologue , the exordium of my Text. The Argument and summe which all our numbred daies shall teach vs , Cur●s est certus aetatis & via na●urae v●ea , omnes vnum c●rrious c●rriculum , ad propr●am metan● tendentes . Basil 〈◊〉 P●●l. 1. ho. 1. is our present lesson , We must be old . There is a certaine course , and one onely path of Nature , an headlong way of time , wherein is no stay , but such easie passage , that the Infant and lame old man runne with equall pace to a more distant or neerer end . Mans state was by creation immortall , but the day that sinne was borne , man began to die : had he not sinned , there should haue beene a comfortable maturitie in age ; and if our liues like some long kindled lampes should haue consumed , it must haue beene without all paine , sicknesse , want of strength , sense or feare of death ; for without sinne there could haue beene no punishment : so that if we define old age , a c●rtaine ripenesse of life , and length of time to a blessed translation , then age is naturall ; Ipsa senectus est morbus . Membra torpent , praemoritur visus , auditus , incestus . Plin. l. 7. c. 50. Eccles. 12. De fide resur . c. 9. but if we describe it according to our present being , it is a continuall disease , the grounds and lees of life , in which the bodie languisheth , one part fore-running the rest toward the graue ; in which the keepers of the house tremble , and the strong men bow themselues , the gri●ders cease , and they waxe darke which looke out of the windowes : therefore I may say of it as Ambrose of death ; God gaue it not a principio , sed pro remedio — non naturaest sed malitiae : 〈◊〉 is no Child of Nature but Disobedience , and now our liues decay is a remedie against the life of sinne , that therefore in this senio mundi , do●age of the world , our liues like winter Sunnes hasten to their s●tting , shortning from hundreds to tennes . It is the mercy of God , that our sinnes so quickly mature , should not liue too long , to greaten his iudgements . For whose sake ●ime and age now pull vs by the hands , 〈◊〉 . 1● . 16. as the Angels did Lot , and part of his familie , lingring in the condemned Sodome ; and we must soone be old .

God said it in the first si●ners doome : and againe he calleth ●an earth , earth , earth , Gen 3. 19. remembring him what he was , is , and shall be .

Experience telleth vs , one day telleth another , one night certifieth another , 〈…〉 our life is but of few daies ; and we like those which saile , arriue insensibly at our Port.

O●r griefes tell it vs , growing in our decreasing , waxing strong in our feeblenesse . Gen. 47. 9.

All the Creatures tell it vs , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 which haue 〈◊〉 senium : 〈…〉 as of all things there is a maturitie , so of life which is old age : the long liued trees haue their age of decaying , nay , the glorious piles of building , ( ●●ately Sepulchers of Charitie ) grow old , the graues are buried in their dust , and monuments by some esteemed the onely suruiuers of their families , Vita sens●m absum●tur . Bas●l . in Psal 1. are entombed in obliuion : I haue not yet said all ; Death himselfe that meagre Sarcophagus , greedie st●●ueling , hauing deuo●red all like Time , shall ea●e himsel●e and die of Famine : The last enemie that shall be destroyed is Death . 1. Cor. 15. 26 Vse .

No lesson in the World more taught , lesse learned : though God , experience , paines , Death , nay though the earth euery day opening her mouth to recei●e others , tell vs our turne is neere : yet we liue as if we belee●ed it not . 〈…〉 The first vse cryeth to the Old man , Whilest it is called to day , if ye heare his voice ●arden not your hearts . Sleepe not without Oyle in your lamps , the Bridegroome is at the doore . The second commeth from the vnhappie old men , crying to the yong as Diu●s from hell , Luke 16. 28. lest they also come into this place : the young say of this lesson as the high P●iests to Iudas , What is it to vs ? Math. 27. 4. at least as the lewes in Hagge 1. 2. concerning the repairing the Temple , The time is not yet come : or with him in the Comedian , How vniust is it that our fathers would haue vs , iam iam , Ecel●s 11. 9. Matui● sias senex . a pueris ilico nasci senes : reioyce O young man in thy youth , and let thine heart cheere thee , walke in the waies of thine heart . But the foundation of a comfortable old age is layed in youth : in faire weather we fit our houses against raine : Ad viaticum senectu●s . Eccles. 12. mode●●tion must be learned berimes , the best prouision for age ; therefore God saith , Sera & contumeliosa est senectu●s . Remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth : He knew the danger of the euill daies , how vnapt they are for reformation , and how deceitfull old age is ▪ 〈…〉 . it stealeth on with a slie foot , maketh no noyse , giueth no warning , thou shalt perceiue it come before than spy it comm●ng ; youth flyeth as it seemeth to approach : age creep●th like Gideon through the dark to the Madi●nites , mantled with night and steepe , clouded with pleasures and businesse , and when it seemeth farre off , it layeth hand on vs : ●os . 7. 9. so ( as God said to Ephraim ) gray haires are vpon vs , and we know not . This is the reason why we ha●e so many youthfull old men , C●ildren of age , before wee haue put off our youthfull mind● ; comm●th Time and casteth her hoarie rob● ouer our deca●ed b●dies . Some thinke the time wil make it owne prouision , but our yeares passe by vs like swift stream●s , as the swee●e streames by Tan●alus , of which we taste no more then our fore-sight taketh vp ; therefore esteeme no time well spent , which will nothing benefit thine age .

Some thinke it a soone learned lesson , but their time will enforce them to know , it is no easie step from the broad pathes of sensualitie , to the wayes of righteousnesse : wee cannot presently bee made good old men , we must not hope to sleepe young , like Epimenides in the fable , Plut. part. 2. moral . and to rise vp old . It is a wonder to finde a fruitfull age following a vicious youth : we haue little hope of the Autumne , An sen● s●t gerend . re●p . where the Spring promised not so much as Blossomes : I deny not , but that God ( to whom all things are possible which he will ) can fill the vallies of Moab , when no raine is seene ; can change a leprous soule , 2 King . 3. 17. Exod 4. 7. as Moses hand by putting againe into his bosome ; but it is a fearefull practise to tempt God with expectation of miracles , whilst we neglect the ordinarie meanes . Improue thy youth therefore , for age stealeth on , or if futures moue thee not , looke vpon thy present danger : youth is neere error , Vicina lapsibus adol●●●●●● Chrysost. it is the age of error , ( and happy man whose errors die with his youth : ) there are a thousand false tongued Hienaes call vpon it , millions of Sirens to distract it : Sinne fitteth like Salomons Curtizan , readie at euery corner of the streete to fall vpon the young mans necke ; ●elling of peace offerings , oportunitie and fill of pleasures with which she allureth . There are many enemies to grace , but none more to be feared then they which fight within vs against vs : how dangerous is then the estate of youth ? Besides all other enemies , it hath it selfe the greatest enemy to it selfe , it selfe being a contemner of others counsaile , Iuuen●●s contemptrix 〈…〉 . and de●titute o● it owne ( without which they are like helmlesse Ships in the waues of that age ) they loue no vnbought wisedome ; Dixit Marc●s de filio suo Commodo , & est in salo & fluctu vitae . Herodi I 1. therefore they are like the inferiour orbes , how euer they are euery day carried about by the primum mobile , yet they will go their owne courses . Therefore I may say as Zenophon , of the youth which watched about the Pre●orie , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . his age seemeth to need most care ; S●●han is ambitious of the hearts of young men , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hippocrat . and though euerie age be fruitfull of euill , yet none more then youth . The yong man had need to haue continuall counsell , others good a●uice in their hearts , is like fire in greene wood , it must bee followed with continuall breaths , or it will goe out againe ; and their owne good motions are commonly like sicke mens hunger , often a false appetite , seldome continuing . To conclude , age is comming , and the day shall haue enough with his owne griefe : if thou loade it with sinne , that leaden talent , with excesses , lu●ts , wicked habits of youth , 〈…〉 ( which deliuer an out-worne strengthlesse bodie to old age ) it must needes ( as Iacob said of his 〈◊〉 ) couch downe betweene two burthens , sinne and infirmitie . Pre●ent the euil betimes : bee an happie old man in thy yo●th , as some are vnhappy young in their age . Thou wilt say , I am not sure to be old : admit that old age may be preuented with Death , Death hath a royall prerogatiue , and is preuented with nothing ; if thou wilt not prouide for vncertaine old age , prouide ●or certaine death . There was no Manna found 〈◊〉 the Sabbath , but on the other sixe daies there was found pro●ision for the seuenth day . After death commeth the eternall Sabbath , then will be no time for prouision : thou art yet in the flower of thy youth ; gather such store that thou maist crown thine hoarie haires , for the hoarie head is a Crowne of glorie when it is found in the way of righteousnesse .

I am at the waies end , A 〈◊〉 of glory . the reward , the Crowne of glorie commeth next to hand , whether wee vnderstand our Crowne importing a reward , Per Catachresin , Pro omnipraemio as it is vsed , for that the Conquerers were crowned , as a reward of their victorious labour , as 2. Tim. 2. 5. or if wee take it for an ornament , as Prou. 4. 9. or for abounding fulnesse , such as euen compasse●h euerie part , Et Psal. 103. 4. as Psal. 64. 11. it will reach vs this lesson :

The old age of a good man is full of comfort and honour , it reneweth as it ●adeth , as it loseth the blossomes of youth , it findeth a Crowne of dignitie , abundance of dignitie , which euen like a crowne compasseth euery part .

This point well learned , Vse . would first , better nurture those despisers of the aged , who haue learned of the wicked children of Bethel , 〈…〉 to mocke the aged ; or ( as if they had taken vp the inhumane custome of the Massage●es , and Berbuces ) with vnreuerent vsage , to eare vp their aged Parents , whom God commandeth them to honour .

Secondly , it would comfort the aged , if they knew the dignitie of their age , and that it is a Crowne of glorie , which consisteth in the benefits and blessings which God giueth them by their age , for their age , and at the end of their age : of which I will speake in order , if you will first consider with mee these six things which seem to make old age vnhappy . Some are troubled , Exod. 20. 12. Leuit 9. 32. Turpe est sapienu , cam habe●t anim● captar● laudes ex corpore . for their beauties decay in age ; they may learne a worthy saying of a most vnworthy Iulian : It is a shame for the wise to be ambitious of his bodies praise , since hee hath a soule : beautie is fading , a fraile good , vnworthy a wise mans care in possessing , or sorrow in losing .

Secondly , for that it is full of infirmities : but they which so obiect , doe more properly blame the disease , then age . To these I only say , if thou art good , thine infirmities cannot make thee vnhappy .

Thirdly , for that age like Delilah , cutteth off our strength as we sleep in her lap ; Plut. leauing old men like Mercuries , which they painted without hands & feete , vnapt for imployment : but it is neither strength of old men , nor counsell of young which is expected : happy state where yong mens armes , and old mens counsel preuaile . When Soph●cles sonnes before their time , enquired into their fathers yeres , he repeated to the Iudges the verses he was making , for which he was iudged able still to manage his affaires : greatest a●chiuements are not managed so much by strength as wisedome . But who so weake that c●nnot serue God ? Remember that thou art subordinately borne for thy Countrey , thy friends , thy selfe , but primarily for Gods seruice .

Fourthly , because it 〈◊〉 pleasures : but since we want to our opinion , onely what we desire ; that fault is not in age , but euill appe●●●e of things at least not seasonable ; and to reason , nothing is properly wanting which is not numerable among things necessarily good . Want of abundan● riches , or youil full pleasure , are improper , and abusiue speeches ; for one we should say , want of a mind not coueto●s ; for ●he other , want of temperance , though with some diff●rence : abundance may be more happily enioyed then desired , ( all may possesse , none may be co●●●ous ) but pleasures are for the most part more happily desired then enioyed . For they like one Zoroastres , laugh at their birth , 〈…〉 but like all others borne & dying , end with sorrow : pleasure is counsels foe , reasons snare , and the wits tyrannicall master ; it is the deuils grand-factor , the baite to couer the hooks of sinne ; the sweete mortall poyson which drieth the veines , and enfeebleth the sinewes of vertue : no wonder if Marcus Curius wished his enemies giuen to pleasure , he knew suchidefendants vnhappy , next them against whom death fighteth with his double armour , the Sword , and Famine . Happy age then which taketh 〈◊〉 which would make vs more vnhappy , 〈…〉 which maketh vs lesse desirous of that which wee should not desire : so many are the mischiefes which this bewitching Siren conueieth to the hart through the senses , that many may auow that which Appius Clau●ius said ( when he heard the ouerthrow which Pyrrh●s gaue the Romans ) Before I grieued that I was blind , but now I wish me deafe also : not to speake of the miseries of these euill times , which seem to pron●unce the deafe happier than their hearers , I dare conclude , that the damned haue experience hereof , it had bin better for them to haue bin blind and deafe , 〈…〉 then to haue their pleasures in this 〈◊〉 , changed for eternall torments in hell .

Fiftly , that which some obiect , the aged are froward , petish , hasty , malicious , dispraising the present , praising the ages past , selfe-opinioned , forgetfull , and the like , is not our ages fault but ours : that it is talkatiue , he well confessed and excused who said , I thanke mine age which made me lesse intemperate though more talkatiue : young men blame the aged for speaking much when their owne eares itch to be running out into their tongues , or when they heare their iust reproofes : the speaker maketh discourses long or short . I neuer heard a wiseman speake too much , or a foole too little .

Lastly , some therefore esteeme old age vnhappy , because it is neere death : these may as iustly think al the life wretched , of which no part is far from death : and if this life be but a shadow of true life , then hee that hath most to spend of an vncertaine life , is neerer 〈◊〉 euill to be feared , then the aged , who as he is in probability neerer death , so in truth is he neerer the beginning of a true and eternall life .

Opposite to these seeming euils , are sixe reall benefits , whereof God giueth the first foure by our age ; the fift , for our age that is with man , the last at the end of our age : and these are like sixe pretious Iewels set in this crowne of glorie , dignifying a righteous old man .

The first is wisedome , Gloria senum est canities , ●d est 〈◊〉 , Bed exp . in Sam c. 2. the beauty and vigor of the mind . The ancient heathen pourtrayed out our ages with the same colours and pensill , which now opinion worketh with : making them like Nebuchadnezzars Image , an head of gold , breast of siluer , the last par● mixed with Iron & clay . But the word of God doth otherwise describe , youth an age of errour and folly , but old age the last golden part , a crown of dig●ity . Some may truly say , it is more easie and common to be old then wise : Si sum Sophocles non delito , id●l●o non sum Sophocles . I must borrow his forme of speaking ; If Sophocles , no doter , if a doter , no Sophocles : if any be this blessed old man , he is wise , if not wise , not this righteous old man ; as will appeare in the last part . What then if these wrincles are the monuments of thy beauties ruine and decay ? yet in those furrowes experience hath sowed wisdome . The spring is louely for hopes , but the autumne for fruits : the glory of yong men is their strength , Prou. 20. 29. and the beauty of old men is the gray head . There is beauty for beauty : but as God hath giuen the flower of our life to adorne our youth , otherwise full of deformities of mind , so hath he giuen the fruit of wisedome , the late comlinesse of mind to honor age , S●●a foecunditas . Ambr. l. 5 . epist. 31. else full of infirmities : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 age is the flowre of wisedome , or rather wisdome is the fruit of age ; as if God made this age amends with greatest excellency of mind : not to tell of the aged necessitie of aged experience , to the happy being of a State , where like the contrarie motions of the heauens , Rehoboams yong States-men are to be moderated by the aged : nor of the miserie of that Common weale , where Princes are children , where those young Phaetons obtaine power , to set the world on fire . I may easily say , it is the helme of the minde , and age bringeth that maturitie which maketh wisedome a skilfull Pilot , which in the yong , at best is but in Theorie , in hope .

The second is , age maketh vs abandon many noysome affections which loaded our youth , as the storm forced Ionahs Mariners to cast their wares ouer-board : when once we haue receiued the sentence of death in our selues , we do without much difficultie , cast off the care of vain delights . Barzillai ( who liued in a more holy age ) re●used the preferments of Da●ids court : 2. Sam. 19. 34. 35 How long haue I to liue ? I am this day eightie years old : can I heare any more the voyce of singing ? Let thy seruant turne againe , that I may die in mine owne cittie . He remembred prouision was then to be made which could floate aloft vpon a ship-wracked broken bodie . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . It is a world to see the vaine opinions of some men , they would lay violent hands on vnconquered nature , and be yong againe , Antis● . apud Laert lib. 7. so their age the onely desired thing they hate : their desire of youth in age is but a second childishnesse of the old ; there being nothing more vnreasonable , then to loathe that state and age to which with wishes and feare of failing we haue attained : and why ? forsooth they want those pleasures which attended their youth . It is true , Sathan giueth the yong man pleasures freely : but as the reuengefull Selymus bestowed these farmes on his Ianizaries , that he might sequester them to the slaughter ; which dangers the good mans age teacheth him to loathe : which falling vpon the delights of giddy youth like Pythagoras on the company of drunkards , Dorion 〈…〉 . lib gent. biddeth the Musitians change the harmony , & sing a sadder note ; at which becomming sober , they cast off their garlands , and are ashamed of their folly . Doest thou then blame thine age for disburdening thy mind of eui●s ? Recount thine age , number thine errors , and thou wilt bee ashamed of that thou hast beene : as the starres vanish at the fight of the Sunne , so do our foolish delights at the rising and approach of true wisedome shewing vs some light of the ioyes of heauen . Age taketh not away , but changeth the delights , giuing true for false ; reall for seeming ; blessed for dangerous , pleasures : I will dismisse this age as Iacob his Asher , with this blessing , 〈…〉 it shall giue pleasures for a king : the greatest and most solid delights .

The third is a willingnes to die ; for we die not all at once , but part after part decaying , giueth vs an easie passage . The old man departs as out of an Inne the yong is pulled out of his house : the yong dieth as fire quenched with water violently , the old man like a lampe burnt out .

The fourth is a neerer view of the most blessed estate of heauen : doubtles God reserueth the greatest comforts for this greatest triall : the neerer death the more the righteous man is sensible of heauen : therefore how euer in his trials , he be tossed betwixt feare & hope , like Iacob at the report of his deare Iosephs life , 〈…〉 yet when he seeth the charets ready to carry him away , then his spirit reuiueth : as he said of his Bethel , so may I of this last age , it is the gate of heauen , it is our Nebo from whence we take a view of the holy land to which like wearied pilgrims we are entring : these are foure benefits which God giues vs by age : the 5. he giues for , 〈…〉 or in respect of age , that is , honor among men . As the law makes a diadem the signe of honor & maiesty , so God by nature makes the hoary head a crown of dignity . Therefore the Greeks do aptly expresse age and honour by the like word they had their Presbytery , the Magistracy so named of the Roman Senate was so called of age : 〈…〉 the Iewes Sanhed●im were elders of the people : so is the last part of a holy crown of life dignity . Thou wilt say , thou hast not thine honor . Wonder not , thou liuest amongst men , Quosiudices 〈◊〉 . of whom God receiueth not what they owe . When the old man at the Olympikes could finde no place to rest him , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 but with some disrepect was p●ssed from one to another , comming to the Lacedemo●ians men & children stood vp and gaue him place : which al applauding , the old man wept , saying , Alas that al Greece knoweth goodnesse , Honestissimum senectuus 〈◊〉 ▪ Nusquam sen●ctus honoratior . C●c . but the Lacedemo●ians onely practise it . All know how God commands to honor the aged , but of the godly I may say as Lysander of Sparta , It is the most honourable house for age : they giue it the best entertainment .

The last is the dignity which God giueth at the end of a righteous age , a glorious and eternall life . They perish not which sleepe with the Lord , Manet eorum vita ouorum manet resurrectio . Amb. l. 5. orat . suneb. De Vi●ginio Ru●o . inquit Ph. Mortalitas mag is fin●a qu●m vita est . l. 2. Ep. 1. they are like Moses bush not consuming though they seeme on fire 〈◊〉 dying in death , their life remaines whose 〈◊〉 remaines : so that in their death their 〈◊〉 is rather ended then their life . Their corruptible state being changed for a most honorable : I will say of the poore decayed temple the old mans bodie , as Z●rubbabel Hag. 2. 4. 5. Who is left that saw this house in her first glory ? and how doe yee see 〈◊〉 now ? is it not in your eyes in comp●rison of it as nothing ? yet now be of good courage — yet a little while — and I will fill this house with glory , the glory of this shall be greater then the first . The glory of youth is but hope of glorie in age , and this shall farre excell it : but herein consis●eth the greatest glory of the aged , They are neere the crowne of life in the kingdome of glory .

WE haue surueyed the last part of mans earthly pilgrimage , and viewed the dignitie belonging to the aged , if their age bee found in the way of righteousnesse : to finde may signifie either to attaine , as Prou. 4. 22. or to exist and be , as 〈◊〉 8. or to afflict and iudge Psal. 21. 8. Psal. 89. 20. So 〈…〉 follow this sense we shall discouer the All - 〈…〉 of iustice , finding out all the wayes of man : it is the Epilogue to Solomons Ecclesiastes : Eccle. 12. 14. God will bring ●●ery worke to iudgement , with euery secret thing whether it be good or euill . How euer our workes seeme to vs , Prou. 16. 2. 〈◊〉 . 8. God pondereth the spiri●●t he Ancients of Israel may be secret idolaters , but he that searcheth Ierusalem with a light , 〈…〉 euen God , vnto whose eyes all things are open , shall discouer it . Dauid well knew that God spyed out all his pathes , and that if he enclined to any euill , the Lo●d would finde it out , who saw the secrets of the heart . By three discoueries God manifesteth himself a present beholder of all the wayes of man .

First , more immediately smiting the conscience , with a dreadfull apprehension of his presence : which commeth as Iesus to Magdale● before present , but after making his presence knowne ; opening the eye of the soule , awakening the conscience to behold the eye of God looking on vs : which falling on the heart like some dreadfull light from heauen , siniteth downe some like Paul bound for Damascus , that hee may raise them : openeth others eies and discouereth the iudgement , Num. 22. 31. standing like the Angell before Balaam in a narrow way with his sword drawne in his hand : or like the fingers of an hand writing on Belshazzars wall , Dan. 5. 5. 27. loosing his ioynts , and striking him with a cold shaking at the sight of this sentence , thou art weighed in the ballance , and FOVND too light . So God found Iudas conscience , though a little while he enioyed the price of blood , yet presently his conscience is found , Mar. 27. and he confesseth I haue sinned in betraying innocent blood . Cain was sicke of the same disease , & whilst none pursued him , his conscience told him , who euer found him would slay him . When Aristubolus had murdered his brother , and starued his mother : his conscience was found , and he could neuer get those bloody staines out of his minde , till with extremitie of feare and griefe ' , Ioseph . lib. 1. de bell . Iud. c : 3. Sperandum certe non crat vt maximum deilumen facta 〈…〉 his bowels perishing he cast vp blood , which casually throwne down where his brothers was not yet washed out , to the amazement of the spectators drew out this desperate confession of a wounded conscience : There was no hope , I should conceale my wicked deeds , from the great light of God . Such is the violence o● these E●nas , fires of hel , by the breath of God set on fire in the reprobates conscience , that he that hath concealed it all his life , hath often beene compelled at his death to vtter it to his shame . God heareth the secret parly of the heart ; hee heard Moses prayer vnspoken . The tonglesse Creatures speake in his eares , the voyce of Abels blood cried to God , Gen. 4. 10. the stones cry out of the wall in the oppressors house . Hath blood a voyce ? can senslesse creatures speake ? or doeth this intimate God a present Seer of euery action , in all more certainly informed then if the Creatures could tell . Much more doeth he heare a thousand witnesses crying in a sinners conscience , Origen . vocat signataspecatorum imagin●s . in which all the world at the iudgement shall reade the crimes written with a pen of Iron . Lucian wittily feigned in his Menippus , that certaine shadowes attending our bodies in this life , accused vs to the infernal powers . Our conscience is that shadow which ( when the light of God hath found vs ) wee cannot outrunne . Euery one hath such a register , a witnes a iudge , a seuere reuenger in his own bosome . Therfore ( saith Ambrose ) if a man be alone , let him bee more ashamed for his owne conscience , Si quis solus est , ●emetipsum prae caeteris ●rubescat . l.7 . Ep. ●4 . and rather stand in awe of himselfe present then a thousand others : for all the world may be deceiued in thee , but thy conscience will speake the truth .

God findeth out good men in their errors , but as the stranger yong Ioseph , to direct him in his way to repentance : the sinner Luc. 7. long hid her workes of darkenesse , yet being found she watred Christs feete with teares . Peter denyed and forswore his Master : but when Iesus looked backe , and found his conscience , he went out and wept bitterly .

The second discouery is by the word preached : some thinke the word finds not the reprobate , but it is euer mightie in operation , Hebr. 4. 12. sharper then a two edged sword , and entreth through , euen vnto the diuiding asunder of the soule ; it is powerfull to harden and conuict the conscience of the rebellious .

Dauid heard the parable , but till God by the ministry of Nathan commeth to a neerer application & findeth him , 2. San● . 12. he giueth sentence as on another man : When the Iewes heard Peter , their hearts were pricked : God had discouered their waies to them , then they begin to conceiue a dreadfull presence of God , and the miserable estate they were in . It is no wonder though we haue for a time Adams thickets to run into , strange Labyrinths and excuses to hide vs in , so that the word findeth vs not , but when God will finde vs : hee that being God and man did often find the hearts of his hearers , Math. 8. Non ad verba sed ad animum respondet . often answered as to their minds which spake , will by the same spirit direct the prophesie to our consciences : and howeuer opinion , securitie , or wandring thoughts haue bard vppe the doores of our hearts , when God will enter to finde vs , they shall flie open like the Prison doores before the Angell .

The third discouery of mans waies is by iudgement . Ionah fled from God , Act 12. 10. sonah . 1. 3. and was embarked for Tarshish , & when God found him hee confessed his sin . Many yeeres Iosephs brethren hid their mischieuous practise against poore Ioseph , but at the sight & first appearance of affliction , they confesse , We haue sinned against our brother , Gen. 42. 22. 〈◊〉 44. 16. in that we saw the anguish of his soule when he besought vs , and we would no● heare him : and again to Ioseph , God hath ●ound out the wickednes of thy seruants .