The Psalme diuides it selfe into three parts .

Parts of the Psalm . First , an Exhortation to the weake , that they bee not grieued , nor disquiet themselues at the prosperity of the wicked ; and the affliction of the godly ; and this is layd downe from the first verse to the 7. verse .

Secondly , hee sheweth that how prosperously soeuer the wicked doe liue for a time , yet their present felicity is vaine & transitory , and suddenly shall come to an end . From the seauenth verse to the eleuenth .

Thirdly , he sheweth that how miserable soeuer the godly seem to liue in this world , yet shall still be preserued , and their end shall be peace . To the end of the Psalme .

The verse wee haue in hand containes in it matter of exhortation , that we diligently marke and behold the vpright man , the man that is godly religious , makes conscience of holy duties , & that in all things labours to keepe a cleere conscience before God and all men , that howsoeuer this man be exercised with sore affliction , vndergoes much hardship at the hands of others , bee neglected or little regarded , yet the later end of that man shall bee peace .

The verse hath in it two parts .

First , the matter of obseruation , who is it the Holy Ghost would haue vs to take such notice of , not the Noble , the Rich , or the Mighty , but the Vpright and Iust man .

Secondly , the end wherefore we should so diligently obserue him , namely , that wee might be incouraged in wel-doing , and not discouraged vnder our present afflictions , since hee is sure to haue peace at last .

In the first of these which is the matter of obseruation , I obserue two things .

First , the note of attention , marke and behold .

Secondly , the person to bee obserued , the vpright and iust man .

First , the Holy Ghost seeketh to awaken our eyes , which naturally are very drowsie to behold any thing that is good , and to prepare our hearts , which are first to be sought vp , before wee can goe about Gods businesses .

Marke and beholde , 1. The note of attention . these words of attention make known vnto vs that there is some waightie matter within this Text , which Almighty God would haue vs well to consider of For so indeed in the sacred Scripture , these two words marke and behold , are euer vsed vpon extraordinarie occasions .

Now this serues to put vs in minde of our owne dulnesse and backwardnesse to good duties , Vse . that wee thus stand in neede of such prouocations to put vs in minde of the same ; precept vpon precept , and line vpon line , and all too little to prouoke vs to good duties . If our hearts be duly possest with diuine contemplation , a man can neuer cast his eyes amisse , whether wee looke to the heauens aboue , or to the earth belowe , or vpon what creature soeuer , still wee haue Gods Phylosophy Lecture read vnto vs in the Creature , to teach man his dutie towards his Creator .

2. The person . But amongst all other creatures whatsoeuer , the Lord sends vs to beholde man to this ende , that wee should marke and consider what is Gods manner of dealing towardes the sonnes of men , both in his punishing of the wicked , and rewarding the godly ; Marke the vpright man .

Doct. 1 The Doctrine is , that euery Christian man is bound in a special maner to obserue what is Gods dealing with men , Gods dealing with men must be obserued . both with the godly and with the wicked , as well those that are recorded in Gods Booke , as those that we haue knowne in our owne experience : and that to this ende , that wee might bee incouraged in the wayes of godlinesse by the examples of the godly , the Lord highly honouring them with a blessed memory vpon earth , and crowne of glory in heauen . As also discouraged in committing of sinne , when we shall consider Gods feareful Iudgements inflicted vpon sinners : how the name of the wicked doth rot , and how the Lord doth pay and repay Iudgement , wrath , and indignation , vpon sinners . We must not be sencelesse of Gods dealings in the world , but duely to record his workes and dealings with men , not onely to see and behold the seuerity of God towards others , but for spectacles and examples to vs , that we should take heede of such sins which procure such iudgements . And to this ende wee see in the Scriptures the Lord hath hung vp in chaines , as it were , diuers wicked men , not for others to gase vpon them , but to be warned by them . For murtherers Caine is hung vp : Gen. 4. For all prophane persons Esau is made an example : For traytors Iudas : For all Apostates Lots wife : And so the Apostle Iude telleth vs that Sodom and Gomorrah , and the Cities about them , which the Lord destroyed for following strange flesh , were and are set foorth for a warning and example to all filthie and beastly minded men . The like may be sayd of Ismael , Gehezi , Absalom , Saul , Achan , and the like .

And as we are to obserue the wicked , so especially to marke and beholde the godly , their godly life , their sober conuersation , and their care and conscience to walke with God , in obedience to his commandements , their admirable faith , wonderfull patience , meekenesse , temperance , &c. These things must be obseru'd by vs , that so we may by their examples be incoraged in the waies of well doing , & in them may see that our labour shal not be in vaine in the Lord : and to this end the holy Scriptures sets out vnto vs a Catalogue of very memorable examples of deedes of Gods worthy seruants ; you haue heard of the patience of Iob saith Iames : Iam. 5. Heb. 11 and in the Epistle to the Hebrewes there are diuerse remembred vnto vs , that were famouzed in their times for their faith , & still remaine in a blessed memory in Gods Church , and so shall remaine for euer . And so likewise to take notice of the graces of God in his seruants that remain with vs , beholde their liues , and behold their ends , as an incouragement vnto vs in walking in their pathes . Howsoeuer the godly are afflicted heere for a time , the latter end of that man shall be peace .

I come to the reasons of the Doctrine .

Reas. 1 First , concerning the obseruation of the wicked , especially of the godly : This may be one principall reason why wee must marke them well , for the manner of their life , and for the manner of their deathes ; because God is not mutable and changeable , but euer the same without any shadow of change . As the Lord heretofore and daily doth bring shame and confusion vpon the heades of wicked men and so makes them examples vnto others , so will the Lord deale with vs if wee treade in their pathes : the same iudgements of God that ouer-tooke other sinners , shall in the ende ouertake thee if thou walk in th●er waies . Seest thou a man that hath been a gracelesse wretch , a horrible swearer , an vncleane person , a prophane person or the like : hath the Lord followed such with his Iudgements , as their life hath beene without grace , so their deathes haue been without comfort , behold in them thy owne condition , remember that God is iust , the same iudgements waite vpon the same sinners .

So especially as my Text saith concerning the godly , Marke well the righteous , and behold the iust . Beholde their life , and beholde their death , if their liues haue beene religious , though accompanied with many outward afflictions , their deathes haue neuer wanted comfort : The end of that man shall be peace . And let the same incourage thee in well doing , because God is not mutable , Acts 10. hee changeth not , In euery nation hee that feareth God and worketh righteousnes is accepted of him : follow such in their life , & thou shalt not misse of their comfort in thy death , grace in life and peace in death .

Reas. 2 Secondly , by these are the men that God delights in , these feare him , these honour his Name , these haue learned first to seeke the kingdome of God and the righteousnesse thereof , these do not disgrace the Gospell and holy profession of Christ , and therefore marke well these men .

Thirdly , it may be sayd of the Reas. 3 godly as it was sayd of Dauid , that they are men after Gods own heart , these are they that haue learned to deny vngodlinesse , and worldly lust , and liue soberly and iustly in this present world : In a worde , these are the best statesmen , these vpholde a kingdome , bring a blessing to the towne & countrey wherein they liue . These God doth tender as the apple of his eye , these are as neere to him as the signet of his right hand , whom hee daily follows with his blessings , and will neuer leaue them till they haue the ful fruition of him in glory , and therefore marke these men .

I come to the vses of the Doctrine .

First , it serues for matter of Vse 1 reproofe vnto those that in reading the stories of Gods iudgements vpon others in the Booke of God , and obseruing the like daily in their owne experience , make not this vse of them to make them beware : many wonder at them that they had no better grace , but alas they doe not heereby take occasion to feare Gods iudgements , to apply them to themselues , & to say in their hearts , this example is set out to warne me and to teach mee , that if I commit the same sinne God is iust still , I shall bee sure to partake of the same punishment , and so to breake off their sinnes by repentance . But alas , though wee see and heare daily of neuer so many fearefull examples of Gods iudgements against sinne and sinners , where is the man that saith , alas , What haue I done ? for farre are many from marking Gods dealing with others .

Secondly , this ministers matter Vse 2 of instruction vnto all , that we marke well the vpright : It is the counsell the Holy Ghost giues vnto vs heere , followe them as they haue followed God , bee carefull to imitate their vertues , so shalt thou bee sure to pertake of their praise : Heb. 11. Our labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord , He is a plentifull rewarder of them that seeke him . And euer remember that God is vnchangeable , true , hee that stood by them and carried them out through all their miseries and afflictions , will bee as strong in thee if thou be carefull to walke with him as they haue done .

Marke the vpright man , and behold the iust .

The next thing wee are here to take notice of , is the description of a godly man , or that man that especially is to be marked , hee is an vpright man , and a iust man .

These titles wee see are frequent & often vsed in the Scriptures , and the Lord doth honor his seruants with them , whence we are taught this instruction .

Doct. 2 That Gods seruants in this life may attaine vnto that measure of grace and sanctication , Gods seruants may be called vpright men and iust here . Iob. 1.1 . Luk. 1. Act. 10. Heb. 11.38 as that they may truely be called vpright and iust men . Thus doth the Lord commend Iob to bee an vpright and iust man : It was the commendations of Zacherie , Cornelius , & diuerse others mentioned in the Scripture .

Which Doctrine indeed deserues to bee vrged and pressed to stop the mouthes of those that are euer disgracing Gods people with their taunts , Oh you are holy , you are an vpright man , you are a iust man : but herein they despise not man but God , who hath holinesse in his seruants , Heb. 4. without which no man shall see God . But if I should stand vpon this point I should bereaue you of some other instruction more fitter for this present occasion , which I would willingly impart vnto you .

And so I come to the second part of the verse .

The later end of that man shall be peace .

These words containe in them the reason why we shold so dilligently obserue the vpright man , The later end of that man shall be peace .

Out of this Reason I obserue two things .

First , the speciall time of refreshing , God will take care of the godly at all times , yea thogh the Lord doe suffer them to lie vnder affliction for a time , hee is not then vnmindfull of them : But their later end shall haue a double rewarde .

Secondly , I note the blessing it selfe , which shal be conferred vpon them , 2. Cor. 13.13 . it is peace , the greatest blessing , and that which goeth beyond all other blessings , for it passeth all vnderstanding .

The Latter end of that man shall be peace .

The Prophet hauing before exhorted vs to marke and behold the life of the vpright man and iust man , comes now to shewe wherein hee is happy aboue others , hee shall haue peace . Peace is promised vnto him from God , as a iust recompence of his vprightnesse and fastnesse : this he shall bee sure of , Sathan , the world , nor his owne corruption shall neuer be able to take it from him , it is an inseparable companion of grace and vertue , haue thou grace , thou shalt be sure of peace . But marke heere , it is at their latter end : they are not sure of it at all times , no , no , Gods seruants are heere in a warfare , they are to fight against the Diuell , and a world of wicked men , and as our Sauiour teacheth , Ioh. 16.33 . In the world you must haue tribulation , but The latter end shall be peace .

The Doctrine is .

Doct. 3 The godly in this life haue many troubles . That good men , yea the dearest of Gods Saints and seruants in this life shall haue troubles , & sore , which they bear so much the more grieuous when on euery side the wicked shall abound in pleasure . This was it that so troubled Dauid at this time , and before hee wondered at the prosperity of the wicked , and on the contrary part was much cast down to see what a loade of afflictions lay vpon the godly : but now he recouers himselfe with the comfort of this , that howsoeuer Gods people suffer much for a time , it is but for a time , yea a short , they shall bee sure to haue peace at last . And now hee hath learned this lesson , and can teach it others : That looke how many will truely feare the Lord , that carefully will endeauour to walke in Gods commandements to the end of their dayes , they shall haue crosses and troubles , Act. 14.22 . so true is that of the Apostle , That all that will liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution . Innumerable troubles ( saith Dauid ) haue compassed mee from my youth ( may Israel now say ) they haue oftentimes afflicted mee from my youth , Psal. 40.12 but they could not preuaile against mee . I might instance this Doctrine by infinite examples , Abraham in exile , Iob on the dunghil , Ioseph , innocent Ioseph in the prison as a malefactor in an high degree , Ieremy in the stocks , Daniel in the denne , the people of Israel , euen the Israel of God in miserable bondage vnder the Egyptitians : So that I conclude , that look how many of vs as intend to be righteous , we must looke for afflictions and troubles , yea and prepare our hearts thereunto , & not to bee dismayed at them when they fall vpon vs , had though some strange thing had happened vnto vs , according to that of the Apostle , 1. Pet. 4.12.13 . Dearely beloued , think it not strange concerning the fiery tryall which is amongst you to prooue you , as though some strange things were come vnto you . But reioyce in as much as ye are pertakers of Christs sufferings , that when his glory shall appeare , ye may be glad and reiocye . I shall not neede I hope in so euident a truth to search vp more Scriptures to proue it : The Reasons that follow will cleare the same vnto vs .

Reas. 1 First , because the godly haue in them many sinnes , for sinne is the generall and vniuersall cause of all troubles , for so testifieth the Prophet saying ; Lam. 39.3 . Man suffereth for his sinne , let vs search & try our waies and turne vnto the Lord . So then in as much as all haue sinned , all are lyable to chastisements & afflictions , the iust punishment of sinne , and if wee breake his Statutes and keep not his Commandements , no maruaile though the Lord doe visit our iniquities with his rod , and our sinnes with scourges .

Secondly , because the godly Reas. 2 haue many graces , for as God doth bestowe vpon his seruants more gifts & graces then vpon all the worlde besides , so will the Lord haue the same to appeare in his seruants to the praise of his grace . They must be beat like spice in a motter that they may sauour the better , and euer according to our strength , the Lord doth euer proportion our tryals , On Hos. 6.1 . but I haue handled this elsewhere .

Vse 1 The consideration of this is for excellent vse vnto the godly , to comfort them in the midst of all their troubles and afflictions here , that they doe not thereby iudge of Gods fauour or displeasure : for as Salomon teacheth , All things happen alike to all . It is the condition of the godly as wel as the wicked , yea , it is more insident to the professors and profession of the Gospell then to others . Such must not thinke the worse of themselues , but the better , onely they are to labour to make their calling and election sure , that hauing assurance of Gods fauour in Iesus Christ , they may thereby haue their afflictions sanctified vnto them .

Secondly , this may serue to Vse 2 comfort the faint-hearted , that are tossed with the waues of many troubles heere ; if searching their hearts they can finde their vprightnesse , and trying their owne waies they prooue to bee righteous , there is not that cause of sorrow or discontent to that man to thinke his state eyther desperate or irrecouerable . If troubles were alwaies an argument of Gods displeasure , who then were sure of Gods fauour ; The Lord doth as sure prouide his children correction as food , and hee that is without chastisement is a bastard & not a sonne . Let no man then say in prosperity , I shall neuer bee remooued : God hath his quiuer full of arrowes to shoot abroad . Neither let any in aduersity say , I shall neuer bee restored . For the Lord taketh no pleasure in afflicting his seruants , whensoeuer the Lord chastiseth his , he sees there is great necessity of the rod , yet in the middest of iudgement the Lord remembreth mercy , & howsoeuer sorrow may indure for a night , ioy commeth in the morning , Their latter end shall be peace .

The latter end of that man shall be peace .

The Second thing wee are to take notice of , Peace the greatest blessing of God . is the blessing it selfe , which shall bee conferred vpon them , it is peace , the greatest blessing .

Obiect . Ob. But shal not the later end of all men be alike ? doth not Salomon say , Eccl. 9.1 There is one end to the righteous and the wicked , to the cleane and vncleane , to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not , the end is all alike : why then shall the later end of the vpright be marked more than other mens ?

Ans. I answere that their later end is all alike for the matter of their death , that is , Ans. all doe die : But it is not all one for the manner of their death , for all shall not die in peace , but as my Text saith ; Marke the vpright man and beholde the iust , for the later end of that man shal be peace .

So then the instruction we are to take notice of hence , is ,

That the godly onely at their Doct. 4 later end haue peace , Onely the godly haue peace at last . so that wee haue heere to consider what is the condition of all men in death : all die , but all haue not peace in their deathes , The later end of the iust shall bee peace . But as for the wicked , Esa. 48.22 . There is no peace to the wicked saith my God .

I desire briefly to speake of both of these .

And first concerning the godly , the Holy Ghost doth heere assure them of peace , & that presently vpon their going hence they are happy , Reu. 14.13 Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord , from thenceforth they rest from their labours . This appeares in Abraham to whom it was promised that hee should goe vnto his fathers in peace . Gen. 15.15 And of Isaac his sonne it is sayd , Gen. 35.29 That he gaue vp the ghost and died peaceably , being old & full of dayes : The like may bee sayd of Iacob , of Ioseph , of Iosuah , Moses , Dauid , and it is true of all Gods seruants , that their latter end is peace . An exellent place of Scripture wee haue to this purpose by the Prophet Esay ; Esa. 57.2 . Hee shall enter into peace , and they shall rest in their beds : Euery one that walketh before him in his rightousnes . It was Simeons dying song , Luk. 2.29 . Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace according to thy word . This wee haue confirmed by that we read of Lazarus , Luk. 16.22 who was carried immediately after his death into Abrahams bosom , in his life time a man little regarded , at his end the Angels are his seruants . Yea the wicked themselues haue confessed & shall acknowledge that the godly are blessed in their deaths , witnes that speech of cursed Balaam , who desired to die the death of the godly ; Num. 23.10 . Let mee die the death of the righteous , and let my last end bee like his . That wretch could not but acknowledge , that the condition of the godly was happy and blessed , howsoeuer their liues are full of misery , and they are tossed from post to pillar , as the Israelites in the wildernesse , yet in their deaths they had peace . I will not spend much time herein , I hope our iudgements are sufficiently conuinced concerning the truth of the Doctrine , I will briefly set downe the Reasons .

Reas. 1 First , the godly are sure of peace at last , in regard of the accomplishment of Gods promise , who hath sayd that peace shall come , Esa. 57.2 . that They shall rest in their beds , euery one that walketh before the Lord , which promise of his , the Lord hath euer made good from time to time , vnto all the faithfull , after all their labour and trauailes giuing them rest , and from their troubles and afflictions , in the ende to giue them peace , his promise requireth it .

Secondly , the godly haue Reas. 2 peace with God , with whom they are reconciled by Christ , which is their peace : This peace the godly haue in this life in the midst of their greatest miseries heere , which serues to sweeten the Crosse , and to support them vnder the burthen of their afflictions . And therefore the Lord giuing them the earnest of their inheritance , and the first fruits of the Spirit here : they must needs haue peace with God going out of the worlde , who goe to enioy God , who haue such peace in the worlde where they are absent from the Lord in their bodies .

The vses follow to bee considered .

First of all , seeing Gods seruants Vse 1 doe die in peace , and that this shall bee the portion they shall receiue from the Lord after all their labours & trauailes peace at last . This may serue to reprooue those that flatter their ow●e soules , and secure themselues that they shall die happily , though they haue neither care nor conscience to liue holily , faine would they with Balaam die the death of the righteous , but they will neuer yeelde consent to liue the life of the righteous : they would faine act the parte of the godly in their death , that by no meanes care for their spirit in life . Oh how is these mens madnes to be mourned for , and their ignorance and obstinacy to bee pittied , poore soules they deceiue themselues . This will neuer be , men cannot liue like sinners and die like Saints , They that sow to the flesh , Gal. 6.6 . shall of the flesh reape corruption . Were it not madnesse in a man that after hee hath sowed cockle and darnell in his fielde , at Haruest time to thinke hee shall reape good wheate : eu●●y man would condemne this man of madnes & exterme folly . Oh my brethren let vs take heed we proue not such fooles one day , Be not deceiued God is not mocked , Whatsoeuer a man soweth , that shall hee reape . Doest thou goe on in thy sinnes , in thy prophane course of vncleanenesse , drunkennesse , swearing , Sabaoth-breaking , &c. and yet thinkest to die in peace , this is altogether impossible . I will say to thee as sometimes Iehu sayd to the messengers of Iehoram , 2. Reg. 9.22 . What hast thou to doe with peace , so long as the whoredomes of thy mother Iezabel remaine : So what peace can there bee at thy death , so long as thy whoredomes remaine , thy drunkennesse , vsury , oppression remaine , it is grace in life that hath the promise of peace in death .

Vse 2 The second vse is for matter of instruction vnto the Godly , that they bee not wearie of well doing , for in due time they shall reap , if they faint not . Let not the godly bee discouraged in their worke in Gods vineyard , what though they beare the heate & burthen of the day , the euening commeth when they shall rest , the Lords penny , this peace at last will make amends for all , and then wee shall see and confesse with the Apostle , that these light and momentary afflictions here , are not worthie of such a recompence of rewarde . Looke still to the end of wel-doing , Iam. 5.7 . peace at last , this shall be thy portion . In the meane time doe as the husband man doth , waite for the pretious fruite , and haue long patience . Thy labour shall not be in vaine in the Lord , after all the boysterous stormes in this life , wrestling against sinne , Sathan , and thy owne corruptions , here is Gods promise gone out of his lips , that can no more fayle , then himselfe cease to be true , Thou shalt haue peace at last .

Thirdly , seeing the Lord hath Vse 3 promised peace vnto his seruants at last , & that a good life brings with it euer a good death : Hence wee learne what to conceiue of the despairing wordes of Gods seruants in time of some sore assault and temptation , when the waters enter into their soule , that God hath forsaken them , and that he hath forgotten to be gracious , that hee hath shut his louing kindnesse in displeasure , that God hath no mercy in store for them , and the like . Namely , that these are but words of distemper , not of reason & of iudgement ; for will God cast away his people ? Rom. 11.1 . God forbid . Such may be the nature of the disease , that fuming vp into the braine may cause such a distemper for the time present . But mans changeable tongue can neuer alter Gods decree , which is vnchangeable , he hath sayd it , Rom. 3.3 That the end of the vpright and iust man shall bee peace at last , and who shall hinder it , shall Sathan lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen , when God doth iustifie any : no , no , wee are more then conquerours thorough him that loued vs , & therefore let vs learne to iudge aright of our brethren in their deathes , and let not our iudgement bee weakened , or charity faile , when they are put to cry out as before ; but looke we vpon their liues if they appeare to haue beene godly and religious , and that they haue made conscience of holy duties : remember we euer the Lords promise , The latter end of that man shall be peace .

The last thing wee are to take notice of , from the authority of this Scripture , is , that if peace bee promised of the Lord vnto the vpright & iust man , The end of that man shall be peace .

Then on the contrary , Wicked men can haue no peace in death . there Doct. 5 is peace to the wicked , whose liues haue beene gracelesse , their deathes haue beene comfortlesse , what though the wicked flourish in this world , waxe olde and growe in wealth , Iob. 21.8.9 what though their houses be peaceable and without feare , and the rod of God is not vpon them : what though they spend their dayes in pleasure , they shall suddenly to hell , saith Iob ; There is no peace to the wicked , Esa 48 . 2● . saith my God . The Doctrine then will bee cleare .

That wicked men in death can haue no peace . Those that in the time of their life haue had no care or conscience to gette grace into their soules , when sicknesse comes and death approacheth , must needs be voyd of all true comfort . Salomon hath excellent sayings to prooue this Doctrine ; Pro. 11.7 . When a wicked man dieth ( saith hee ) his expectation perisheth , & the hope of his power shall perish . And Iob hath a saying to the same purpose , Iob. 27.8 . What hope hath the hypocrite though he hath heaped vp riches , when God taketh away his soule ; meaning thereby indeed , that he hath no hope left him . What ioy then can be there in a wicked mans prosperity , what comfort can there bee in such a peace , as hath ruine & destruction attending vpon it . Dan. ● . What ioy had Belshatzar in his banquet , when in the midst of his cups hee beheld the hand writing vpon the wall , contayning in it the sentence of his finall downfall : His thoughts were troubled ( saith the Text ) his ioynts were loosed , and his knees smot one against another : his company could not comfort him , nor his dainty dishes refresh him , when his conscience is vp in armes against him . Luk. ●2 . 42 The rich man in the Gospell was very ioyfull and gloried in his plentie , promised much peace to his soule ; but wee see how suddenly this glory of his is damped with this newes , This night they will fetch thy soule from thee . No heauier newes could come to him that had his portion in this life , then to tell him of fetching away his soule . I might lay here before your eyes a multitude of examples , Had Saul peace , had Ahab peace , had Iesabel peace , had Iudas peace : There is no peace vnto the wicked .

Take all the pleasantest delicates that the earth may affoord , and offer them to a condemned wretch going to execution , will he glut himselfe with them , and fall to them with an hungry appetite ? No , no , hee will answer thee , I can take no delight in these things , for I perceiue that present death waiteth for mee . So , euen so is it with a wicked man , and so shall it be with him in the last dayes , though his barnes bee full , and his presses run ouer , though hee can number his Oxen by thousands , and his Sheepe by ten thousands , these cannot adde one iot of comfort to his heauy heart , when death approacheth hee shall then finde no pleasure in them : for then there remaines for him nothing but a fearefull expectation of iudgement . This shall bee the woefull estate and condition of those that put from them the euill day , that will not be acquainted with Gods wayes , their liues hauing beene dissolute and sinfull , their deathes shall be wretched and without comfort .

The Reasons .

Reas. 1 First , the wicked want peace in death , because they want faith in life , for it is faith , euen faith alone that must giue vs boldnes and comfort at that day . For thus runnes the promise , Io. 3.16 . God so loued the world , that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish , but haue life euerlasting . But wicked men beleeue not in him , the word of God cannot worke vpon their harts , it is but as seed cast vpon stony ground , as appeares by the heardnes of their hearts , and therefore being without the couenant , no maruaile though they partake not of the promise .

Reas. 2 Secondly , the prerogatiues and priuileges of Gods people would bee much infringed , if there were no difference betwixt the wicked & the godly , if they were but so blessed in their deathes , as they seeme prosperous in their life , then might the godly say that they had cleansed their hearts in vaine . But now in that the hope of the wicked doth perish , and in death they begin to partake of miserie , whereas the godly after al their trials & trouble shall then haue peace . Herein standeth the difference betweene them . Pro. 14.32 The wicked shall bee cast away for his lewdnesse : But the Righteous hath hope at his death . For the time of this life we see that commonly wicked men , enioy their pleasure and are full , whereas Gods seruants are afflicted and suffer want , and therefore the Iustice of God requireth that their conditions should bee changed on both sides . The pleasure of the one to bee turned into paine ; and the sorrow of the other into comfort , for if there were not a day of refreshing vnto the godly , of al men they were most miserable . And if there were not a reckoning day reserued for the wicked , of all men they were most happy .

Vse 1 This serues first of all to awake the Carnall man , which is euer singing the sweete dittie of peace vnto his Soule , that seemeth to haue made a league with death , & to be at an agreement with the graue . Ah poore Soules , there is a day comming when the Lord wil disannul this agreement , and this drunken peace shall bee dissolued , when death shall once lay vpon them his arest , what will it auaile thee to crye : Lord , Lord . Thou maist crie till thy tongue cleaue to the roofe of thy mouth , thou mayst howle vpon thy bed like a wolfe , and yet the Lord will stop his eares that hee will not heare thy crye , and that because thou hast dispised instruction , Pro. 1. and when the Lrod sought vnto thee , and offered grace vnto thee , thou wouldest not heare him . Therefore his distributiue Iustice requireth , that thou shouldest crie and call vnto the Lord and hee shall not answere thee . This is a most fearefull condition thus to be forsaken of the Lord : especially when in time of distresse , the poore soule shall seeke for confort . This is Gods iust iudgement for the contempt of grace before offered vnto him .

Oh the miserie of this poore creature , that is so payned that hee cannot liue : so vnprepared that he dare not die : that goes to bed but cannot sleepe : that tasts his meat but wil not down : that shifts his roome but not his paine : & as for death which hath already seazed vpon him , his conscience tels him he is altogether vnprepared for .

This is the condition , & these will be the outcries of those that will not in time bee warned , to seek to worke out their peace betimes in their life time , before it be too late , and their conscience shall tell them . There is no peace .

Vse 2 But especially are they heere to be reproued , that liue in hope that the time of their death will beget hope : They knowe that they haue beene vile wretched and desperate sinners , without grace and goodnesse , and that they haue from time to time dispised Gods patience and long suffering , that should haue led them to repentance , vnto all manner of licentious liuing : this they knowe , and that they haue presumptuously , euen against knowledge & conscience resisted the Lord , hardning their owne hearts against his ordinance : this they knowe . Yet they trust , they say at last , to haue repentance for al , & so be saued : Their own conscience telleth them that their estate is damnable , & 〈◊〉 if the Lord should at this instance of time call them to account , they must needs perish , yet poore Soules they presume of repentance at the last . But poore Soules , how can such as haue spent their dayes in the seruice of sin and Sathan , thinke that death will prooue so good vnto them . Are Theeues and Robbers and such like offenders bound ouer to the Assises , to the end they may receiue honor or shame ? to be put into the Commission and taken vp to the bench , or not rather to receiue Iudgement and to bee executed according to their demerits . Oh take heede thou deceiue not thine owne soule herein : Many thousands are now in hell , and there shal suffer the paines of the damned for euer more , that had these purposes to haue cryed God mercy at last . Remember this when I am gone , that it is grace in this life , that brings peace at last .

I knowe the Deuill will still perswade vs to play with our sins , but in the meane time our sins will not play with vs , we run dayly into Gods score , and the greater our debts , the deeper repentance at last .

If Moses had not slaine the Egiptian , the poore Ebrewe must haue perished . Saul fauoured the life of Agag , but it cost him his owne life . If those fiue wicked Nations had not beene destroied , before the Iewes had seated themselues in the Land of Canaan , where had beene their peace ? Seeing then that the case is so dangerous , let Agag bee slaine , the Cananits cast out , and the Egiptian put to death . I meane let vs kill our sinnes , and break off our iniquities by repentance , that so wee may procure our peace , doubtlesse then shall wee possesse our soules in peace while we liue heere , and end our dayes in peace . Which the Lord grant vnto vs all for his Christs sake . Amen .