Mortification apostolicall Delivered in a sermon in Saint Pauls Church, upon summons received for the Crosse: on the last Sunday in Easter terme, May 21. 1637. By VVilliam VVats, Rector of St. Albans Woodstreet London.

MORTIFICATION APOSTOLICALL . COLOSS . 3. Part of the fifth verse .

Mortifie therefore .

PEntecoste , ( as the Fathers Concil Nicaen . can . 20. Tertull : l. de Jdol . c . 14. Aug. Epist. 1 9. Hicrome in Proaem : Epist. ad Ephes . et in Amos cap . 5. Epiphan : adv . Haereses lib . 3. Tom . 1. p. ●10 . call these fiftie daies betwixt Easter and Whitsunday ) primitively , was the cheerfullest and most festivall , of all the yeare . These , we passe over with all rejoycing , sayes Tertullian L. de Jejun : c . 14. . The joyfull Hallelujah , was now their daily Antheme at the Altar ; sayes Saint Augustine Epist. 119. c . 15. . Every working-day , now ; had the priviledge of a Sunday : say the Nicene Councell , and Tertullian Can . 20. Tert . lib . de Corona . c . 3. . They used no devotion now , that might afflict them ▪ not so much as kneele at their publike-prayers : as being dispensed with , to stand altogether ; say many Fathers Irenaeus , quoted by the Responsator in Justin Martyr , in Respons . 115. Tertull . l. de Corona c . 3. Concil . Nicaen . c . 20. . All this Ioy , was for our blessed Saviours Resurrection , say Saint Hierome In Pro●mio Epist ad Ephes . , and Saint Augustine Epist. 119. c . 15. . And makes not all this , a Text of Mortification to appeare unseasonable ?

Especially falling , therewithall ; to bee unsuitable to the Church-Service . The Epistle for the day , exhorts to Hospitalitie : primitively at this time of the yeare frequented . We release or intermit all fasting , for this time : sayes Saint Augustine Vbi supra . . Yea we hold it a sinne ( nefas ) to fast in these fiftie dayes , saies Tertullian De Corona . c . 3. . For the Ioy of our Saviours Resurrection ; encreased with the rejoycing of the newly baptized , and of their friends : occasioned daily Love-feasts , and neighbourly entertainments ; say many Fathers . The cöincidence of these occasions , made this Season to be held a second Christmas . But no wayes prophaned , with that ryot and gaming , wee keepe Christmas , now : the unchristian example whereof , Hector Boetius In Hist : Scot . l. 9. p. 160. tels us ; was first brought into our Iland by King Arthurs soldiours , after their taking of Yorke Citie .

This Sunday , also , the Gospel speakes of Comforting , not of Mortifying . So that this way , too ; the Text appeares unseasonable .

Generally , I glory to be an imitator of the holy Primitives : an Obedient of the Church of England : and no medler with our Novellers , that are given to change . Dr. Barnes This he did to confute his adversary : but spoyld a good cause , by indiscreet naming and provoking Steven Gardner to a Cock-fight . saying , the adverse Cock wanted spurs and that hee would give him 6. stripes : casting him his glove . This caused his martyrdome . See Wintons declarat . to G. Joy , & B. Martyrs , Anno 1539. p. 1093. first broke the custome of preaching upon the Gospel for the day : taking another mans Text in his Sermon at Pauls Crosse . As Cartwright , ( contrary to the practise of all , or the most Reformed Churches The Lutheran Churches , are so punctuall , that they print the appointed Texts , in their Almanacks . The Order for the English Churches in Denmarke , &c. set forth by Miles Coverdall ; had no Prayer at all , before Sermon : but Come holy Ghost sung , whilest the Preacher was in the Pulpit . Much the same fashion , had the Liturgy for the strangers of Strasburgh : set out by Valeran Pollan 1551. where the Preacher is in two lines directed to pray for the assistance of the Spirit : that hee may deliver things profitable for the Church . no more . In other Reformed Churches , They had either a Prayer before Sermon , and a Confession after it : or contrary . The first order was observed in the Church of Tigur or Zurich : set forth by Lavater 1559. In which are two formes of prayer before Sermon : the latter ( which he sayes was for Tuesday , and Thursday ) but eight lines long , besides the Lords Prayer which concludes it . The prayer after Sermon , is almost as short . In the Churches of Heidelberg , That of the Dutch Church in London , ordered by Iohannes a Lasco , under King Edward the Sixths Patent , 1550. Yea and in all those three formes of Common Prayer ; made ( with differences enow ) by the disaffected to our Common Prayer booke ; and upon a hope to have one of them take in stead of it : in the severall yeares , 1585 , 1586 , and 1587 : the formes of Confession , together with the prayer for the whole state of the Church : and the prayer after Sermon , be prescribed . , who in their Agenda or Rituals , appoynt formes of Prayers or Confession , to their Preachers , both before and after Sermon : and in opposition to King Edwards , and Queene Elizabeths Injunctions ; first brought in this voluntary kind ( I cannot call it forme ) of Prayer , before the Sermon For so the Reverend Bishop Andrewes , and others of those times ; have reported . .

Against all this imputation of Non-Conformitie , am I excused by my Context : which assures my Text not onely to be seasonable , but pertinent . and that , both to the Resurrection , and Ascension of our blessed Saviour : mentioned in the first verse . With whom we cannot rise in Newnesse of life ; nor by setting our affection on heavenly things , ascend after him : till wee have beene dead , and our life hidden with him ; as in the third verse . Which death , being no other then our Mortification : Mortifie therefore ; sayes the Apostle . So the Text is seasonable .

And , alas ! there is a Therefore in the Time , as well as in the Text : that calls for mortifying . Where Gods Iudgements , ( as at this present ) have interrupted the Churches order of Rejoycing ; the Preacher is to serve the time , rather then the Custome . Salus populi , supremalex . The saving of the people ( if it may be ) by turning away Gods anger ; is above all Church-orders . In such a case , Mammertus Aimoin : Hist . Franc : l. 1. c . 25. Greg . Turonens . l. 2 c . 34 Bishop of Vienne , did not uncanonically ; to alter the anniversary festivitie of this very season , by appointing a solemne mortification of a three daies Fast ; as in the beginning of the last weeke : and to make a Letany , to bee sung in a bare-footed Procession ; upon the great , and at other times most festivall day , of the Ascension .

A greater occasion ( God helpe us ) wee have at this present : even a two-yeares mortality . Therefore is 't not time to mortifie ? Even to kill those sinnes which provoke our killing . For thy sake were wee killed all the yeare long ; and are as sheepe the second yeare appointed to the slaughter : Psal . 44. 22. may we say to sinne . Ira dei , est venenum : Gods anger , is most strong poyson : 't is that which makes the plague to be infectious . No such Antidote or Preservative against it , as Mortification .

Yea the very dimme light of nature , discovered thus much direction unto the Gentiles : to appease their gods in such cases , with a bare-footed procession . Nud pedalia instituuntur , sayes Tertullian Apolog . c 40. . And what the Christians would then have done , his next words may assure us . Withering away our bodies with fasting ; holding in our desires , to all kinds of Continencie ; loosing , or putting off many a frugall meale ; praying prostrate in Sack cloath and ashes : we beat strongly at heaven gates ; we strike God with compassion ; and even forcibly we wrest mercy from him . Aye , this is the way , even to make the Sicknesse it selfe ; to die of the plague : and to procure the Almightie to execute what he threatned by his Prophet Hosea . 13. 14. , O Death I wil be thy plague ! In King Edward the Thirds time , three hundred and nine yeares since , ( as our Chronicles make report ) here was an universal plague over England : so great , that it consumed almost two third parts of the Kingdome . Yea in Norwich Diocesse Records of that Bishoprick . alone ; eight hundred Parsons of Churches died in one yeare . This continuing in London all the winter , and the next Spring : in the end of May , ceased , there , unexpectedly . Gods hand is not shortned Esa . 59. 1. , a generall , and a sincere mortification , might all in good time , procure the Sunne of righteousnesse , to arise with healing in his wings Mal . 4. 2. . Mortifie therefore . the Text is very seasonable .

To draw towards a Division . Credenda and Facienda ; Articles to be believed , Duties to be practised ; containe all Divinitie . The Apostle , therefore , having settled the Colossians Faith , in the foure first verses : comes here to the ordering of their Moralities , in the fifth . And necessarily . In points of Knowledge or of Faith : how strong soever our Intellectuals be ; if our Moralls be naught , all is naught . In point of Government ; your honourable Bench of Skarlet , should not so often bee troubled with Offenders : could we Pulpit-men first have mortified their moralities . With you Lay men , I beleeve ; our Morall demonstrations conclude more strongly then our Logicall . and with us Clergy men , beleeve you ; the civill , honest , morall man , that is a conscionable Practiser : is allowed for a better Christian , then the fruitlesse and onely verball Professor . T is Mortification , now , which must correct , the enormities of our Morals ; and that must civilize our Conversations . Mortifie therefore .

Division . The two words , make two Parts . First an Exhortation to a duty : Mortifie . Secondly , an Enforcement taken from the occasion : Therefore .

In the first Part ( which I shall onely handle at this time ) I consider the Why , and the How : the Ends , and the Manner , of our Mortifying .

1. The End , Why we should mortifie .

The End , is still the first Argument in perswading . And the End for which I would perswade you to mortifie , is twofold .

First to stay our further provoking of Gods Anger . Secondly , to fit and dispose our selves , for the procuring of his favour .

1. End : How to stay our further provoking of Gods anger .

And the readiest way to that ; is to make stay of those Sinnes , which cannot but provoke him . Nor is there any so sure a meanes to worke that , as by disabling Sinne in the Causes of it . even to mortifie Lust , and all evill Concupiscence in us . The way to quench a Scarre-fire , is not to throw away your water , upon the toppe of the flame : but to dash it upon the roote or fountaine , of this or that branch of it . even upon that place of the poast , where it first breakes forth : and from whence it hath its maintenance . Deale thus with Lust . which though it hath its sparke from corrupt nature ; yet is its flame maintained , by our fleshlinesse . T is our flesh ; t is our body , then ; that must be mortified : and by that meanes must Lust come to be disabled . Sinne reignes in the body Rom. 6. 12. . Whosoever , then , would have the body of sinne destroyed in him Rom. 6. 6. : must mortifie the deeds of the body Rom. 8. 13. . nor is there any meanes to doe that , but the practice of the Apostle : to keepe under our bodies , and bring them into subjection 1 Cor . 9. 27. .

Otherwise , that same law in our members , warring against the law of our mind : will bring us into captivitie to the law of sinne , that is in our members Rom. 7. 23. .

And here ; I beseech you give me leave , to propose two directions to the unexperienced : for their more methodicall going about their Mortifying .

First , to endeavour how to bring our selves out of love with sinne : and then to bring it into hatred with us . Both these will the easilier be brought to passe ; by seriously considering the ugly nature of Sinne in it selfe : and by taking notice , withall , of the danger it hath already engag'd us in .

And that aswell some particular sinne ; which is against our present and private good purpose : as against Sinne in generall .

See examples of good men , in both of them . The holy Primitive Fathers , {αβγδ} . Virginitie and fingle life , is a high matter : which rancks a man in equalitie with the Angels . Nazianzen . Orat . 20. were great Professors of Chastity , in their owne bodies : which rather then the zealous Origen would corrupt ; he protested himselfe ( being put to one of them ) willing rather to commit Idolatry , then fornication Epiphan . in Panario . Heresi 64. num . 2. . Admirable was that of Saint Basil : who after Gods taking away his long head-ache , at his earnest prayer ; perceiving when his griefe was gone , some motions begin to rebell in him : pray'd God , the second time , rather to have his head-ache restored , then his lust trouble him Vita Basil● . . T was a higher expression , yet ; of an old Mortifier : who protested hee had rather fall into Hell , then into Sinne Pallad . in Hist . Laus . . By these Examples you may perceive , the zeale by some good men conceived against Sinne . But if we cannot hate sinne , at first , with so perfect a hatred : let us yet endeavour so farre to hate it , as to be contented for to leave it : though together with it , wee forgoe either the pleasures or the profits , that heretofore we enjoyed by it . And let this be something towards the first direction .

The second , may be some such thing as this . even to set our reasons to answer and to satisfie , the Arguments and objections of the Tempter ; by which he diswades us from forsaking of our Sinnes . As , That Sinne now reignes , by a kinde of law in us . The Apostle found a law in his members Rom. 7. 23. . Now t is hard to controll a law : which both the members , and the Will ; have contentedly , already , submitted to . yea Sinne makes it selfe as it were necessary unto us . Saint Augustine Confess . lib . 8. cap . 11. tels us , how in the very Agony of his conversion , when hee had already licenced and shaken off his old pleasures : they shocke him by the garment of his flesh , and rowned him softly in the eare : Canst thou thus part with us ? and shall wee be thy Companions , from henceforth no more for ever ? Nay , Thinkest thou to be ever able , to live without this or that pleasure ? So that offer but a holy violence to a sinne ; to tame your body and to beate it under : it takes the law of you presently : it pleads custome ; the Charter of its Corporation ; and Reason of State with you . As , Take heed , of these same tamings , and these same Mortifyings : lest whilest you disable lust , you decay not strength and health too . yea whiles you weede up the tares , you plucke not up the good corne with it Math . 13. 30. . Thus like a man shot with a barbed arrow , the very flesh must be cut , before you get the ranckling head out of it . If you object ; Qui pascit ventrem , nutrit hostem , he that pampers his belly , nurses up a bosome enemy : it instantly returnes the Argument upon you : Qui non nutrit ventrem , necat civem , He that maintaines not his belly , breakes a Citizen : and that , you know , is a dangerous matter . Some such like , are Sinnes Arguments : flesh and blood will never be tonguetyed in his owne businesse ; I le assure you .

Whereunto , these sound Answers may be returned ; That Mortifiers desire not to kill the Gibeonites , but to make them serviceable Iosuah . 9. 21. . That wee may safely mortifie a member ; and yet not cut it off , and cast it from Math . 5. 29. us . That we may leave old Adams body all his limbes ; and yet make them as uselesse to him , as those of a dead man , or of a Carcasse . That the death desired by Mortifyers ; though it be indeed , a kinde of martyrdome : yet is it but vivum martyrium ; a living martyrdome . Caro ante hominem suum praemortua ; as Tertullian Tertullian . , neatly , and highly : to kill the flesh , and leave the man alive . which in plainer termes , is expressed by the devout {αβγδ} . In Scala . Paradisi Schol . 7. p. 27. , Climachus , He that is mortified in his soule , lives not according to the sense and feeling of this present world . Alive to God , but dead unto the world as the Apostle expresses it most fully . When the man liveth not , but Christ in him : as the Apostle , otherwhere .

So , then , the great End of Mortification is ; to represse corrupt nature , to restraine lawlesse actions ; to controll ranke affections , and masterly passions in us . Which yet for all its Law , and Custome pleading : is in a good degree faisable . for whatsoever wrastlings with flesh and blood Eph. 6. 12. , wee at first be put to collar with : Sinne , at last , like the Giant Antaeus , will put it selfe out of breath with strugling : if our Hercules lets it not touch the earth too often .

Take Origens Origen . experience , for your encouragement . Ab initio mortificationis nostrae , peccatum languescit ; in progressu , tabescit . in the beginning of the conflict , corruption growes sicke of it : and by our pressing and pursuing , it pines away it selfe into a consumption . The possibilitie hereof , was handsomely insinuated by an experienced Mortifier , unto a young practitioner : in a parable of a Husbandman sending his sonne to weede his garden plot : which the youth despairing to cleere , of all those thistles ; even layd himselfe downe a sleeping . Sonne , Sonne , said the old man : doe but weed so much ground in a day , as thou hast covered with thy lazing body ; and in few daies thou shalt bee able to overcome it Vide vitas Patrum . l. 5. libello . 7. n . 40. p. 590. apud Roseweyd . . The thing is faisable in a good degree , to a man resolved upon these two things . First , to disregard , the ease and pleasing of his body : and secondly , to disesteeme the vaine glory of the world So Pimenius in vitis . P P. l. 7. c . 26. n . 2. p. 678. apud . Rosweydum . .

Lest you should , after all this , beguile your selves with a vaine presumption ; That a Regenerate man needs not put his body , to this same severe course of mortifying ; for that Faith will be all in all to him : loe ! the Colossians were risen againe ; and yet the Apostle bids them mortifie . yea , and Therefore mortifie : because they were risen . Or if you should afterwards imagine , that having once reduced corruption to indifferent termes of obedience in you ( which every man here , perhaps cannot plead ) that you had then done mortifying . Oh no! Saint Chrysostome Chrysost . , compares a man to a Picture , and to a Corslet : which though made cleane to day , will yet contract dust and rust againe , by to morrow . Your Corne will come up with chaffe and weeds : though sowne never so cleane . The Serpent seeming dead all the winter : upon the first Clapp of Thunder , will start up againe Nazianzen . . The Sow may have wash'd her hide : but as long as her swinish nature remaines , shee 'l to the myre againe 2 Pet . 2. 22. . So notwithstanding Sinne were once washed away , by Baptisme ; or the Sinner , upon Repentance , oft-times absolved by God , or by the Church : yet so long as the Fomes , his corrupt inclinations remaine ; they may againe indanger to un-mortifie him . Yea , though there be but a very little Corruption remaining in him : a Sinne not so big as Sodome , but as Zoar . is it not a little one ? yet Sinnes fowle will make shift to live by it Gen. 19. 20. .

Especially , there being a Tempter living : that : hath both the Art and the Malice , to revive ; to re-enforce , and multiply the corruption . T was a grave answer which Palladius In Histor : Lausiaca . tells us , was given by an old experienced Hermite , to a young Practitioner in mortification . who perceiving after some hardships and tamings of his body ; lust now already weakned : thankt God t was now dead in him . Stay , young man ( said the old beaten souldier ) stay ! The devill is not yet dead . On my word , though an inclination to this or that sinne ; may for the time seeme dead : yet as long as the divel is alive , he is able {αβγδ} , to stirre up his owne ungracious gift againe in us , by the putting on of his hands 2 Tim . 1. 6. . even to blow the smoking flaxe Matth . 12. 20. , up into a skarre-fire . Mortifie often , therefore ; and daily . And this , is the first End of mortification : to stay our further provocation of Gods Anger : even by mortifying of those Sinnes , which procure it .

The second End of Mortification . To put our selves into a hopefull way , of procuring Gods favour .

And there are but two waies , for us to doe this . The first , by rendring our selves conformable unto Christ in his Sufferings ; by which God was well pleased Matt . 3. 17. . And secondly , by preparing and fitting of our Bodies , to become a Sacrifice : after which , God used to bee appeased Gen. 8. 21. . And mortification does both these , admirably .

1. Mortification conformes us to Christs sufferings .

And that most lively . Christus crucifixus , est Idea mortificationis nostrae , said the holy Climachus Climachus . . Christ crucified , is the perfect paterne of our mortification . Whereupon it must needs follow , by conversion , That , A man mortified , is the figure of Christ crucified . We are called to partake with Christ , in the likenes of his death Rom. 6. 5 , 6. : and we must answer him in his sufferings . I beare in my body , the marks of the Lord Iesus , said our mortified Apostle Gal. 6. 17. . Which were not the markes only of the whips ; or the teeth of the beasts foughten withall at Ephesus 1 Cor . 15. 32. , in Christs quarrell : but as St. Hierome interprets it Hierome in Gal. 6. , even the mortifying , and the afflicting of his body , by hungring , and by thirsting ; by watching , and by labouring : yea by crucifying of himselfe unto the world Gal. 6. 14. ; in imitation of his Saviour .

Suppose , now , thou shouldst see Christ crucified , appearing to thee : as Saint Chrysostome To . 5. de Basilicis non tradend . pag . 100. sayes Saint Peter flying from his martyrdome , sometimes did , at Rome gates . Suppose , I say , thou shouldest thus see him , baring his martyred body to thee : would it not startle , and affright thee ? Which yet would more amaze thee , to be in great earnest demanded , How hast thou conformed to me ? See! my head crownd with thornes ; thine with bever . mine bowed downe : and thine advanced upon a stiffe necke ; ever ambitious to be put formost . My body pined : and thine pampered . my hands clou'd with iron : thine with gold . mine eyes sunke with leanenesse : thine strutting out with fatnesse . My body in a winding-sheete : thine in fine linnen , in silkes and Scarlet . God knowes his Sonne , by the characters of his Sufferings : to which the carnall worldling being so farre unlike : no marvaile if God , another day , say to him , Depart from mee , I know you not Mat . 7. 23. . Learne , then , to mortifie . the liker wee bee unto our Saviour : the fitter will his roabe of Righteousnesse sit upon us . Yea , the likenesse will even inveigle our indulgent Father : to cast the more gracious eye towards us . But till then , how should hee be well pleased towards us ?

Second Meanes of procuring Gods favour :

By fitting our bodies , to become a Sacrifice to him .

No man must appeare before the Lord , empty Exod . 23. 15. . So that a Sacrifice we must bring with us . Nor must it be a mock-sacrifice . such as the Africans made their Saturne rest contented withall : by , a criticall misconstruction of his commandement . {αβγδ} . Send heads to Saturnes Altars and men unto the Father . In which verse , because {αβγδ} signified Heads , in generall ; they gave him onyon-heads . and because {αβγδ} signified not onely a man , but Lights too : they set him up candles-ends , to see his onyons by . Our Sacrifice , must be a reall one : of men and heads , too , Yet need wee not , as the Legend Dionisij Areopagitae vita . tells of Saint Denys : who tooke up his owne cut-off head in his hand ; and carryed it to the place , where now is his owne Altar . for ours , must bee a living Sacrifice Rom. 12. 1. . Our lusts crucified : but our Bodies preserved for Gods service .

Now that wee may avoyd that unhappinesse , in the Comick P●autus in Poen . Act. 2. Sc. 1. : Vt sacrificem semper , nec unquam litem , Alwayes be offering sacrifices , yet never appease the Dietie : know we the Godhead onely to be appeased , with the Sacrifices of his owne appointing . Let these three Conditions , therefore , qualifie our Sacrifices : which used to commend the Ancients . Whereof one to bee in the Matter : the second , in the Forme : and the last , in the Solemnites of the Offering .

1. Condition of our Sacrifice : In the choyce of the Matter or Thing to bee sacrificed .

That it be some {αβγδ} , the best of the Spoyles taken in warres , or recovered from the enemy Heb . 7. 4. . That s one of the ancientest kind of Sacrifices : take it either of Victima , or of Hostia Ovid . Fast . 1. .

Victima , quae dextrâ cecidit victrice , vocatur : Hostibus à caesis , Hostia nomen habet .

The ancient name of a Sacrifice , was derived either from victory , or from enemies . Let the matter of our Sacrifices , then ; be those Lusts that warre in our members Rom. 7. 23. . that Law of unregeneration , which still rebells in us Iames 4 1. Iames 4. 4. . that same friendship of the world Rom. 8. 7. : and that same carnall minde f : both which are Enmity with God . Needs must He take it better , to have the spoyles of his owne , and of his childrens enemies : to be sacrificed up unto him . When the heads of these Sonnes of Saul ( which procure the plague ) are hanged up unto the Lord : then will he be appeased 2 Sam . 21. 6. And not till then .

2. Condition : in the Forme .

That there be Physica mutatio , a Change made in the Nature , of the Thing sacrificed : without which , the Schoolemen allow of no Sacrifice . Such a change , must there be in our Corruptions . The Lustfull must become Chaste : the Proud , Humble : the Intemperate , Sober : and the Covetous , become Liberall .

And this Condition , will also be a Tryall to thee : to discerne how forward thou art in thy Sacrifice : how sound and sincere it is : yea , and how well it is accepted .

We know the Sunne shines in heaven , when we see the show of it upon the earth : so by the degree of the Sacrifices pleasing our owne Consciences and Vnderstandings ; we collect how farre forth the Diety is appeased . So that all this , shalt thou find , by the degree and manner of Change ; already made within thee .

3. Condition : in the Solemnities of the Offering .

As first , That it be not made like that of Nadab and Abihu , with strange fire Levit . 10. 1. : but that like Abraham , wee carry our owne fire with us Gen. 22. 6. . What s this , but a zeale according unto knowledge Rom. 10. 2. ?

Secondly , that we bind the Sacrifice with coards , yea even unto the hornes of the Altar Psal . 118. 27. Without we tye our bodies to it , with a firmenesse of resolution : they will start at the first hardship of Mortification , and will never abide by it . We must oblige and tye our selves , therefore , to some certaine Rules , and wayes , and Times of Mortification ( as St. Basilius , in Regulis . And see the Rule of Pachomius : at the latter end of Cassian , and in Palladius . Saint Basil , Pachomius , and other Ancients did their Disciples : or else we will not long continue constant , to our mortifying .

Thirdly , We finde in the Sacrifice of the Scape-goat Levit . 16. 21. , and some others : that the Offerer laying his hands upon the head of it ; made confession of those Sinnes , for the expiating whereof , he now offered it . subjoyning a prayer withall , unto God , for his acceptance and his pardon . The Rabbins say See Marius in Leviticum . c . 5. n . XVI . , that the Sacrifice were worth nothing , without {αβγδ} Tescuba ve-jiddin ; Repentance and Confession . The Light of Nature , also , dictated thus much unto some Gentiles Alexander ab Alexand . lib . 4. cap . 17. : who repented and confessed ; before their Sacrifice : looking bashfully downe upon the ground . Expressely is Confession enjoyned before a Sacrifice Numb . 5. 7. : The Iewes forme of Confession , was an honest plaine one . I beseech thee of thy mercy , ô Lord ; I have sinned ; I have done wickedly ; I have gone astray , behold it repenteth me ; I am ashamed , and I will no more doe it See Marius in the place fore-quoted . .

And thus in our Sacrifices , ought we to doe . Bodily exercise profiteth little 1 Tim . 4 8. , sayth our experienced Apostle . That is , These same practisings to tame our bodies , by abstinence , watching , labouring , continency ; and the like ; ( from which the professed Mortifyers among the Primitives , were called Asceticks ; that is , Exercisers See Athanas . in vita An●en●● . S● . Hierome , in Nahum . cap . 2. Palladius in Histor . Lausiaca ubique . Theodoret in Sancti● ▪ ubique . ) none of these Mortifications singly by themselves , nor altogether ; doe little advance towards Godlinesse , or towards Holinesse . Nay , nor to taming of lust , neither : except enlivened with Prayer , with Repentance ; with Confession and Amendment . The Iewish Essens were wonderfull strict mortifyers : as we learne by Philo and Eusebius Philo . lib . {αβγδ} . Euseb . Hist . l. 2. c . 16. . They , by the Diogenes's or Cynick Philosophers , were very much imitated . The Circumcellian Hereticks in Optatus and St. Augustine Optat . Milevit . lib . 3. August . in Psal . 132. : and Mithra's Souldiers or Votaries , mentioned by Iustin Martyr and Tertullian Justin . in Dialog . Tertull . de Coron . c . ult . , were inimitably prodigious in their hardships : as having by practise so enured their bodies , as to goe {αβγδ} , thorow fire and frost ; and to endure fortie severall kinds of torments . Yet could none of all these Exercisers , make any thing of it . The Cynicks were but esteem'd Impostors , {αβγδ} in Saint Hierome Hieron . in Epist. . Yea and branded by him for abominable Lusts Hierom . To . 6. in Epist. ad Ephes . c . 5. . The Essens , are but put among the Hereticks , or Halfe-Christians , by Epiphanius Haeresi . 29. , Touch not , Taste not , Handle not : were the Essens dogmata . For the Rules in this part of that Chapter , does the learned Scaliger interpret of the Essens Elencho Trihaeres . c . 27. p. 213. . Saint Paul sayes they held not the head , which is Christ , but were vainly puft up with their fleshly minds Coloss . 2 ▪ 18 , 19. . The Circumcellian Hereticks , were the very Gipsies of Religion Isidor● ▪ de offic . lib . 2. cap . 16. . Of no higher Forme in Christs Schoole , were the Order of Whipping Fryers ; by Wise men placed . Bedles and Bedlams , verily : who with whips and spurre rowels , oftentimes : tare their flesh from the very bones , with their mercilesse disciplining . Yea so inhumane were they ; that after a few lashes , they did not so much affligere corpora , as vulnera , not torture their bodies , but their wounds : as Saint Cyprians phrase is Cyprian , in Epist. ; of the Heathens torturing of the Martyrs . Such have the Papists , now adayes , in Italy ; to adorne and gayifie their Processions . To such a one , the Boyes in admyring and applauding manner will cry , O te beato , ô te felice , ô blessed , ô happy thou . and that s all , I know , he hath for it : excepting the poore hyre , given the wretch by the Fryers , for his good service . For who hath required these things at your hands Esay 1. 12. . Such barbarismes , surely , can no more appease God , then Baals priests could ; by cutting themselves with rasors and with lances 1 King . 18. 28. . If it be an act of devotion , why then is it acted in a Procession ? which , mee thinks , does but adde ostentation to the cruelty . Those , surely , were the wiser ; that in such like Popish Processions ; whipt their bare shoulders with yarne dipt in blood : which made as good a show , as coppar lace does at a maske by torch-light . For the other Whippers , I no more admire them , but thinke as easily they may be hyred : as souldiers may , for a Dollar and a Dozen of Beere ; in a towne of garrison : to take the Strappado for one another .

Well! the Law is , That Butchers may not be of a Iury . We may not take these mens verdicts , how we ought to mortifie . These same Flagellatores or Whipping Fryers : brake into the Romane Church , not full 400 yeares agoe : just with those other Whipsters , the Schoolemen See Helvici Chronolog . Ann. 1261. . Now the Apostles and the Primitive Fathers , knew how to mortifie ; before they were borne . Severall Religions have afforded as great severities ; as this of the present Roman . As those of the Baalites , and Mithra's votaries ; before spoken of . And for Abstemiousnesse , of all sorts ; Clemens Alexandrinus Stromatum . lib . 3. tels us of Angell and Divell-worshippers : that were very carefull in forbearing Wine , Flesh-meates , and Venery : So that all is nothing , except Truth of Religion goes with it . Most rightly sayd St. Hierome , {αβγδ} plurimum praestat , & vitae continentia , super mortificatione lumborum : tamen nihil ita mortificat , ut cognitio veritatis Hierom . in Nahum . c . 2. p. 175. . Exercise , and continency of living , helpe very much , indeed ; towards mortifying of the reynes : but yet nothing mortifies so much , as the knowledge of the truth . Sanctifie them through thy truth Ioh . 17. 17. . So our blessed Saviour prayed for his Disciples : for that must give perfection , to the mortifying .

Every thing is sanctified by the word of God , and by prayer : sayd our Apostle h 1 Tim . 4. 5. . And so are discreet mortifyings , by Prayer and Confession . These will not quell lust alone , without mortifyings : nor those be directed without the word , and the holy examples of good men in it . no nor be sanctified , without Prayer obtaines a blessing for it : and that Confession discharges the Conscience of the Sinner , as well as hardship keepes downe the corruption of the body . T is a mixt action , therefore : for this Salt and Oyle ; must be added to our Sacrifice . The Primitive Fathers , for this reason ; conjoyned Exhomologeses , or Confessions , to their Stationes Stations , are Fasts : saith St. Ambrose . Serm . 36. , or solemne fastings . Irenaeus Iren . lib . 4. c . 45. tels us , they learn'd this Discipline from David : who after his two great sinnes , made his ( 51 ) Psalme of Confession . Yea their private Fasts , they held in a Church : as wee learne by Tertullian Lib . ad Martyras . c . ult . . there stood they praying all day long , say many Fathers . But of this , more afterwards When wee speake of extraordinary Mortifications . .

And thus if we present our Bodies , as a Sacrifice : mixing Repentance , Confession , Prayer , and promises of Amendment ; together with our Fastings and our Mortifications : our Faiths may comfortably then expect , it will be holy and acceptable unto God ; because a reasonable service Rom. 12. 1. . And thus much for the Why , or Ends of mortifying . Come we next unto the How ; or the Manner how to doe it .

2. Part : The Manner how to mortifie .

2. Part . A faire Copy , very much helps the fancy of the young Writer . your example , therefore , shall be that of the Prophets , the Apostles , and the Primitive Fathers . These , both learn'd , and taught it ; by experience . Some of our New Writers , handle this Doctrine , something delicately . One English Commentator upon my Text ; puts it under Repentance : and another , under Regeneration : and a third admired man , ( who hath purposely written upon it ) defines it to be a turning of the heart from Sinne to grace . by which Definition , Conversion and Mortification are confounded . One of his helps to Mortification , is to get a loathing of earthly things . And the first meanes to get that ; is to get a sound humiliation . And the ground of humiliation , he makes a loathing of Sinne . and , by and by ; Humiliation consisteth in an abstaining from sinne . Thus goes he round , as in a circle ; making the meanes to get a thing , the same with the thing it selfe : yea and as difficult to obtaine , as the thing which it is made a Meanes of . The usuall way for Saint Markes disciples , to get humilitie ; was by hard labour . Humilitatem cordis , contritione laboris acquirere Cassian de Institut : l. 1. c . 3. . All the other , ( God knowes ) will but make a speculative and an ayery mortification . Yea t is mortification it selfe ; that must worke this mans meanes and grounds , of mortification . For if the speculative helps , by these men projected ; doe ever kill sinne in us , being used together with that high feeding , soft cloathing ; and all those other various delicacies , which these Lords of the creatures challenge the liberty of : then have the Prophets , the Apostles , and the Primitives cleansed their hearts in vaine ; yea , and in vaine beene chastned every morning Psal . 73. 12 , 13. . T was a good one of the reverend and solide Bishop Andrewes . What s the reason , ( said some ) there is not that gift of continency , now ; that was in the Church Primitive ? even because ( saith he ) there is not that gift of fasting and of mortifying , now : that was in the Church primitive Ms. On the seventh Commandement . . T is impossible to finde a mortified soule ; in an unmortified body : to have an humble minde ; together with proud flesh : to hate the things of the world ; and yet so busily to deale in them : to loath sinne ; and yet to love the profit , or the honour , that comes by it .

The Primitive Christians , ( as it full well appeareth , both by their doctrine and their practise ) thought farre otherwise of this most necessary devotion : and their Rules for performing of it ; they deduced from the practice of the Prophets and Apostles . Their lyings on the ground , in their prayer and fasting ; they had from David : who in this posture interceded for his sicke child 2 Sam . 12. 16. . To goe barefoot ; they received from Him , also 2 Sam . 15. 30 : who with his followers went thus ; when he fled from Absolom . yea , and from Esay too : whom God commanded to goe barefoot ; which he did at least three yeares together . Esay 20. 2 , 3. Their Sackcloath and Ashes : they received from Dan . 9. 3 , 4. Daniel and the Ninivites Ionah 3. 8. . To tame their bodies , and bring them under subjection ; they tooke up from Saint Paul 1 Cor . 9. 27. . water drinking , from Saint Timothy 1 Tim . 5. 23. . and to live according to a strict Rule and Order ; from Saint Marke , and other the Apostles Cassian . Instit . l. 2. c . 5 et in Collatione 18. cap 5. et Epiphan : Saepe . . What they learned from each of them , severally ; they gathered into a forme of Mortifying : which is thus described by Tertullian Tertull . l. de Poenitent . c . 9. . Mortification is a Discipline of humbling a man : which enjoynes him such a conversation , as drawes downe mercy from the Almightie . It prescribes ( sayes hee ) a mans diet to bee thinne ; his apparrell to be course ; and his lodging , hard . to nurse up his prayers , with frequent fastings : to afflict his soule , with the remembrance of his Sinnes , and their punishment . to mourne , to sigh , to weepe , to watch , to pray : yea , and never to cease the importunitie of these exercises ; till God sayes to him , as to Elias in his fast in the Cave : What doest thou here Elias 1 King . 19. 9. ?

These Generalls , I sort out into Particulars . namely , into Mortifications Infused , by God . Secondly , Practised upon Mens-selves . Thirdly , Enjoyned unto others . First , Mortifications Inward , and Habituall . Secondly , Outward and Practicall . Thirdly , Imposed , or Penall .

1. Kind of Mortification : Inward , Habituall , or Infused .

This I call that inward Habite , infused by the Holy Spirit into a mans heart : which converts him . That so generally admired by the Primitives , the great Saint Anthony Whose name was in most high reputation among Gods Servants : sayes S. Augustine . Confes . lib . 8. c . 6. Yea in so high esteeme , that S Athanasius wrote his life . : hearing it read at Church , Sell all , and give to the poore , and follow me : apprehending himselfe to bee personally spoken unto ; presently went and did it Athanas . in vita S. Anthonij . p. 452. .

Saint Augustine hearing a voyce calling to him , Take up and read , Take up and read : and chancing at the first opening of the Testament , upon that in Romans 13. 13. Not in rioting and drunkennesse , not in chambering and wantonnesse , not in strife and envying : renounc'd them all , presently Aug. Confess . l. 8. c . 12. . This is the over-ruling act of Gods holy Spirit working with his word . which sometimes , is brought to passe by holy motions and Inspirations : other-times it is the effect of good prayers ; good bookes ; good Sermons ; or good examples . It proceeds not from the man himselfe . t is not of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man Iohn . 1. 13. . but of Gods grace , onely . Qui non solùm suscitat mortuos in peccatis : sed animae affectus concitat , ad desiderium suscitationis , who not onely raiseth up those that are dead in trespasses and sinnes ; but stirres up the affections of their soules , strongly to desire to be reised : sayes the Schoole man Gerson . . T is Operatio dimanans ab infusa gratiâ : An operation flowing from divine Grace , sayes a Father S. Hilary . . Thus God beginnes the Mortification : even by infusing a grace into us , to desire , and to endeavour it .

Now this Infused Grace workes upon the Soule towards Mortification : more feelingly , these three wayes .

First , it brings him into such a hatred of pleasures , as that it Armes him with a firme Resolution to resist them .

Secondly , yet withall it adviseth him , neither to trust to the constancy of his owne Resolution ; nor to his owne ability to make resistance . but gives him caution , to be ever wary , in avoyding the occasions of temptation ; from abroad .

And , thirdly , That notwithstanding hee diligently endeavours both these ; yet having corruption and temptation enough within himselfe : it furnishes him with holy and mortifying meditations , enow ; to clogge and keepe downe those evill desires , when they arise in him .

1. Way : Grace makes a man Resolve , not to sinne .

God bends the heart , and the whole Corporation of the Affections : to oppose Sinne . I am steadfastly purposed , sayes David . Whom resist , stedfast in the faith 1 Pet . 5. 9. , bids Saint Peter . Grace mans up the Soule , with that masculine and negative resolution ; which Chastity assures it selfe withall : even to deny the motions of temptation . which not onely staves off the Tempter ; but enforces him , like a denyed Wooer , to goe off blushing and despairing . Such a holy obstinacy , ( if any thing ) will make the Divell blush : would his complexion suffer it to be discovered . Yea , such of the Fathers As S. Athanasius , S. Hierome . Palladius : Theodoret , and Ruffinus . as have purposely written the lives of the Primitive Mortifiers : report , how the good men found it by their owne experience ; and sometimes by the Divells confession : that such impregnable resolutions , enforced him to reyse his seiges of temptation : as being beaten off at that Out-worke of Resolution . And what else should he doe ? The Divell is , at least as wise , as a Dunkirker : who will never lay that shippe aboard ; where more blowes , then prize , are to be expected . And , indeed , to see this Resolution in a man of flesh , cannot but make him ashamed : to remember how easily , and by his owne temptation , himselfe fell ; that was an Angel . And this is one of the first workes of Grace , that tendeth towards mortification : even by a well-fortified Resolution , to keepe out pleasures ; which doe so fowly disturbe our mortifying .

2. Way . Grace makes a man wary to avoyd the occasions of temptation .

For be the Fort never so strong , or well man'd : yet it concernes the Castellan , to set strong guards about it : and to see the Rownd be walkt , continually . Hee must both watch and pray , that he enter not into Temptation . Yea , and bee most circumspectly wary , over all occasions . Even over all those , which the time , the place , the company ; nay , and the very Chances ; might suggest or offer to him . When Poemen Ruffin . lib . 3. n . 19. p. 498. ( one of the old mortifiers ) had beene visited by the Emperour Theodosius in his Cell : the good man fearing other Courtiers would doe him that honor , too ; removed his being , to avoyd honoring . for saith he , I am afraid lest the Divell should deceive me , by making me delight to be honored Job 31. 1. . Such a man goes abroad , therefore , no more then needs must . Every where , he makes Iobs covenant with his eyes , that they looke not upon a maid . and Salomons ; not to looke upon the wine , when it is red Pro . 23. 31. : and when the Herodian dance of it , moves it selfe aright in the cuppe . He suspects temptation in every thing . The eye is the first part , that is overcome , in any battell : which is oft times beaten with Colours ; without further stroke-striking . So Eves was , with the very beauty of the apple . The eye , besides , is the vainest of all the Senses : it takes extreme delight to be coozned . one of the pleasures of the eye ; is the deceit of it . How easily , then , is that sence tempted : which delighteth to be deceived . A wandring and ranging eye : nothing more distracteth mortification . He that is wary to avoyd the likelyhoods , and suspitions of temptation : must resolve as Alipius did Aug. Confess . l. 6. c . 9. . even to shut up his eyes , when he comes among vanities . So , ( sayes he ) shall I be absent , whilest I am present : and at once overcome both the temptation and the tempter . Athanasius In vita Antonij . tells a Story of Saint Anthony : who obteyned of God by his prayers , to see what the Divell was a doing . whom hee saw very busie in laying snares , every-where : namely in the Church , in the City , and in the house . so that a man could stirre no where , but presently he let drop a snare round about him . There , a Babylonish garment , for Achans pride : a wedge of gold , for his covetousnesse Iudges 7. 21. : a dainty Moabitish damsell , for Zimries lust Numb . 25. 6. . Snares , for all sorts ; and every where . This Secret , God revealeth to every mortified Christian : which makes him as wary , as a Conjurer : not to set his foot out of his circle . that necessary Calling of his ; which is Gods hedge about him Iob 1. 10. .

And in this Warynesse , is , the mortifying man carefull to watch these two things especially . First , his owne Inclinations ; and thereby , his easinesse to be led into some particular Temptations . Secondly , to be well aware , of the wylinesse of the Tempter . Both which , doe much promote Mortification .

1. The mortifying man , watches his owne Inclinations .

To some kinds of sinnes , a mans Complexion , his Age , or his Education ; secretly may dispose him . Grace , therefore , bids him be jealous and watchfull , over his owne selfe . Keepe me , ô Lord , from mine owne selfe : was the prayer of a devout Father Augustine . . Thus if a man finds himselfe prone to lust ; Gods Spirit bids him not come among women . They make sore eyes , said Alexander Q. Curtius . . T is as safe looking against the Sunne , as against beautie . Excellens sensibile , corrumpit sensorium . If a man be subject to drunkennesse , God bids him avoyd good fellowes : whose very company , is the Toast and Rasher of intemperancy .

Observe , therefore , thine owne Inclinations to a sinne : and when thou hast pray'd God , Not to leade thee into Temptation ; offer not thy selfe to it . T is Tertullians Story De Spectaculis . c . 26. : how the divell having entred into a Christian woman , resolutely by this argument justified his right to her ; Iustissimè ( inquit ) feci , in meo eam inveni , I did it most justly , ( sayes he ) for I found her in mine owne Purlues : meaning in a play-house . Come not in the Tempters Walke , then : he is a dangerous Ranger .

If thou observest such a Sinne , to have the Master-spirit of thee ; which thine is not able to resist : keepe thy distance with it ; and come not within the Sphere of its activitie . Philosophers observe ; that things of a magneticall vertue ; doe secretly attract the strength from that Body , which they draw to them . The Load-stone drawes not Iron , for love ; but for food . that which we call its vertue ; is , indeed , its stomacke . Its love is , that rather then be starved ( which experience shewes it may be ) it will lame that man by soaking of him : which shall continually weare it in his pocket . Thus that darling and beloved Sinne , which secretly drawes away thine inclination to it ; inveigles thee like a harlot : with pretences of love to thee . her onely intent being , cunningly to draw away thy Substance , for her maintenance . T is fellony in a State , to maintaine the Enemy . be true to thy selfe , then . that Sinne is to thee the most dangerous : which thine owne Inclination , most easily , or most frequently drawes thee to . Grace bids thee be wary of it .

2. The Mortifier must watch the Tempters Wylinesse :

And that , aswell in the Act of Temptation ; when he sets an Appearance of Good , upon Evill : as when after the committing and the discovering of a Sinne ; hee casts about how to lessen , and to excuse it .

1. Wylinesse of the Tempters : to set an appearance of Good , upon Evill .

He is a great Masker : and does all by Disguises . He tempts you not to sinne down-right , and in termes that were shallow . but pricks you on to doe your selfe right , or pleasure : and that now the opportunitie well serves ; to make , or to encrease a fortune . Vnder this dresse , set he out his temptation , to our first parents : where besides his depth Satanicall , of laying his temptation upon the very grounds of humane desires : he made semblance , withall , of a great preferment , by his meanes a comming to the Tempted . The three chiefe desireable things in the world ; are Greatnesse , Beautie , and Knowledge : and he fitted Eve , with all of them Gen. 3. 5. . Yee shall be like Gods . neither Greatnesse , nor Beautie ; could desire beyond a likenesse with the Diety , in either of them . Knowing good and evill . in which , all that Wisedome or Learning studyes for ; are comprehended .

There 's all Varietie , besides , to satisfie Concupiscence , or Curiosity : all happinesse , in choosing good : and all safety , in avoyding evill . And this appearance of attaining a good condition ; did the old Serpent set , upon their evill of rebellion .

Now a mortified man , would have dealt wiselyer , in this case ; or an innocent , then a sinnelesse . Whose ambition aspireth rather to obey God , then to be like him . is contented with the Beautie hee already hath : till God clarifies it into Glory . and desirous to know no more , then Christ crucified Gal. 6. 14. . And that even to make him the more mortified . as whereby the world is crucified unto him , and he unto the world .

2. Wylinesse of the Tempter : to lessen the Sinne , and the danger of it ; after it is discovered .

Cunningly , he turnes the other end of the Perspective glasse ; which presents all things lesse to us . Yee shall not dye at all Gen. 3. 5. : said he to our first Parents . Even against this , too ; is the mortifying man provided . who accuses himselfe ; as fast as Sathan excuses Sinne . Of all sinners I am chiefe 1 Tim . 1. 15. : sayd our Apostle . Iustus , in initio Sermonis est accusator sui ; the Iust man , in the very beginning of his speech to God , becomes his owne Accuser : saith St. Ambrose Ambros . in Psal . 118. .

The Mortifying man hath learned thus much ( among the rest ) from the Church service : even to begin with Confession ; which the divell had rather he should , with Magnificat .

3. Meanes , how Grace infused , helpes to mortifie : even by repressing evill thoughts , with mortifying meditations .

As , first , Thoughts of Pride , it keepes downe ; by such considerations , as most vilifie a man unto himselfe . As the earth he was made of : the meane birth , which perhaps he is descended of : the distance betwixt others , and himselfe : and especially betwixt God and himselfe . The vilenesse of his private sinnes : with the shame , and losse , and danger they would bring him too , were they discovered .

Secondly , Thoughts of Security , he rowses up ; by the meditations of death , and Iudgement . with the severe Accoumpt he shall then be called to . The Hells hee hath deserved : and how hopelesly desperate , his owne meanes are ; to avoid them .

Thirdly , his Lusts of Appetite , to sumptuous varieties he oppresses ; by considering these many delicacies , to be , indeed but superfluities : and that very contentedly , might a good man live without them . The Kingdome of God , is not meate and drinke Rom. 14. 17 . Nature , would be satisfied with a little : pompe , with nothing . Diogenes , threw away his dish : when he saw a boy make shift to drinke out of his hand . Our primitive Mortifiers , contented themselves with a Shirt , one Coate , a Mantle , and a hood , for their Apparrell : a Mat for their bed : a dish , and an earthen pot , for their houshold-stuffe . All this , and themselves , they stow'd into a poore Cell of their owne building : no larger then they could lye along , and stand upright in Hierome , in vit● Hilarionis . cap . 5 et Pallad : in Hist . Lausi c . sap● . . Nazianzen highly commends {αβγδ} , a life without houshold-stuffe , and superfluities Nazianzen . Orat : 20. p. 357. . And by and by , describes Saint Basils ( and his owne ) manner of living in the wildernesse ; to bee , with one Coate , one Mantle , and a pallet upon the ground : to which , his diet was bread and salt ; the running water serving to quench his thirst withall . Other Superfluities , the old Mortifiers considered not onely as vanities , but as impediments : yea , and the very luggage and baggage of the Army . To carry a wardrobe upon ones backe ; and to be shackled with too long a traine of riches , of businesses , or of Offices : would be but cumbersome to those that had a race to runne . and but like long hayre ; to such as were to buffet with Sathan : which hee would pluck them downe by .

By some such like wayes , and meditations ; does that Infused grace of God , mortifie our minds . Come we now to those harder Exercises ; which holy men stirred up by this grace , have practised upon their bodies .

2. Kind of Mortifications : Outward , or Practicall .

And these , if you censure for Will-worship , or Superstition : take heed lest therewithall , you condemne not the Authors of them . even our blessed Saviour ; with his Prophets and Apostles And if Saint Paul found cause in himselfe , to tame his body , and beate it under , by hungring , and thirsting ; by cold and nakednesse 2 Cor 11. 27. . Saint Timothy , by water drinking 1 Tim . 5. 23 Saint Peter , by eating but once in two daies ; as Saint Hierome Hicrome . tells us : and Saint Iames , by praying , till his knees were as hard as Camels hoofes : as sayes Eusebius Eusebius ; ●ist . 2. c 26. : If these holy Apostles ( I say , ) who had so great an inward measure of the mortifying Spirit ; found themselves , notwithstanding , to have need of these corporall abstinences : doubtlesse ; it is lawfull , at least ( if not usefull ) for those that come farre-short of their graces . Yea , let me recommend this Observation , to you : That the holyest men , were ever the severest mortifiers . aye , and so esteemed in the learnedst and best Churches .

Little hopes ( God knowes ) I have ; to perswade you to undertake these hardships . nor is it , indeed , my intention ; to worke you to these heights , upon the sudden . At all adventures , I shall recommend the examples of these holy men , unto your considerations : and let God , in his good time and degree ; worke the rest with you . A many of you ( I know ) will take your un-christian libertie , whatsoever the Apostles did ; or I shall say unto you . If therefore , for the present , I gaine but thus much upon you ; as for devotions sake to forbeare a lace , a dish , a cuppe , a pipe , a pleasure , or a Sinne : I should be as glad , as Ignatius Loiola was sometimes said to be Ribadaneira , in vita Ignat●i . . Who using oftentimes , to a house of Maides of pleasure , with an intention to convert them : was by this argument , of a friend of his , discouraged . for ( sayes he ) you will never perswade the young queanes , to leave their old trade . Oh , saith he , if I could but hinder one of them , from dishonouring Christ but one night : I should esteeme my labour very well bestowed . T was either well done , or well made , of him .

What I have observed of those Apostolicall and primitive mortifications : I divide into what they did by day : and what by night : what ordinarily ; and what extraordinarily .

1. Their Mortifications by day . and that in their Labour , Diet , and Apparrell .

1. Mortifying by Labour .

A tryed Remedy , both against Lust and Ambition . Whosoever knowes the professed mortifiers course of life , knowes them for hard Labourers . I forbeare to enlarge this : being so common to be read , in Saint Athanasius , Saint Hierome , Cassian , Palladius and Ruffinus . This learned the Easterne Mortifiers , from Saint Marke , sayes Cassian . and from Saint Paul too , 1 Cor . 4. 12. Act. 20. 34. sayes Saint Augustine , l. de morib . Eccles . c . 33. where he affirmeth the Westerne mortifiers , to have received this from the Easterne , and from the Apostle .

2. Their mortifying by Diet .

They eate but by ounces : being lesse Meates-men , then our Lessians . Saint Iohn Baptist , we see , neither eate bread , nor dranke wine Luke 1. 15. . but his meate was locusts , and wild honey Matth . 3. 4. . Nazianzen tells us Saint Peters diet , was a few Lupines or pulse Nazianzen : Orat . de Amore paup . . By Eusebius wee find , that Saint Iames forbare both flesh and wine Euseb . Hist . l. 2. c . 22. . Clemens Alexandrinus also tells us , that Saint Matthewes food was Seeds , Acornes , ( or berryes ) and hearbes , without flesh meate , {αβγδ} Clem . Alex . Paedag . l. 2. c . 1. pag . 148. Yea , though Saint Timothy had brought himselfe and stomacke to often infirmities ; through his fasting and water-drinking : yet the Apostle allowes him but a little wine . enough for physicke ; not for pleasure : sayes Saint Chrysostome Chrysost : Hom. 16. in 1 Tim . 5. pag . 517. .

Marvaile not , now , at the strange abstemiousnesse of the primitive Mortifiers ; which I shall next tell you of : seeing you may perceive they received their bill of fare , from the Apostle . The daily Commons of these Disciples of Saint Marke ; Cassian assures to be two Paxamidia or Paxamatia Cassian Institut . l. 4. c . 14. & Collatione . 12. c . 15. {αβγδ} . Suidas . Bisket . And Hesychius . {αβγδ} . Twice baked . , little course bisket-cakes , of five or sixe ounces a piece . The same may wee observe , by Saint Anthonyes bringing out foure Paxamidia or biskets , for himselfe and Paulus Pallad . in Hist . Lausiac . in vita Pauli Simplicis , p. 83. . These , Palladius sayes , were dry : as he notes also of others As Cap. 52. p. 145. , otherwhere . Ruffinus calls them dry bread Ruffin . l. 3. n . 19. p 498. apud . Rosweyd . de Vitis Patrum . . So likewise does Pelagius Pelagius . num . 97. p 607. apud Rosweyd . . These biskets , therefore , they softned in water : as Saint Anthony did ; in the place forequoted . To these , they sometimes added a second course of five Olives . So did the severe Pior : as Ruffinus tells us Ruffia . ubi supra . lib . 3. n . 31. pag . 503. . Sometimes they feasted it with herbs , or fruits : but in exceeding small quantities . Saint Augustine tells of divers , whose diet was bread and water , onely : who with pure minds , served and enjoyed God allmightie To . 1. lib . de Moribus Ecclesiae . c 31. .

Some had forcibly compounded with their stomacks , but to eate one meale in two or three dayes : as the same Father tells us S. Aug. ubi supra . cap . 33. . Thus abstemious were the Iewish Essens : as Philo Iudaeus shewes us . Which Epiphanius , likewise , applyes unto some Christians Epiphan in Panario lib . 1. To . 2. haeresi . 29. n . 5. p. 120. .

Their common abstinence , was to eate nothing untill after Evening Prayer : as we learne by Palladius and Ruffinus Ruffin . ubi supra . lib . 2. c . 7. pag . 464. . And if any man should here alledge , that the fasting untill the very Evening ; was a singular severity only of the Montanists : ( because it is pressed by Tertullian ) I can easily refute it out of Saint Augustine Vbi supra . : who with much admiration , maketh mention of this strictnesse . Yea , and Paulinus , ( a Christian Poet of the same Age ) assures as much Paulinus . In Nat: Foelicis . : — Solutis — Coetibus a templo Domini ; postquam data fessis Corporibus requies , sumpta dape coepimus hymnos , Exultare Deo : & psalmis producere noctem . That is , the Congregation after Evening Prayer , gone to bed ; wee began our hymnes : which were continued for a great part of the night . The Churches reason for which , is intimated by Tertullian L. de I●jun . c . 10. : because Saint Peter then went up into the Temple : Act. 3. 1.

Nor will I urge that primitive practice , of forbearing all broths , and wine : yea and all juicie fruits ; in their fasting dayes . These they called Xerophagiae ; or dry-feeding . Our dry diet ( sayes Tertullian Tertull . ibid . ) is voyd of all flesh-meates , broth and moyst fruites : that so we might neither eate nor drinke , any wynynesse . These feedings upon the dryest , and least juicye meates : the severe Christians borrowed from the Romans dieting their Champions , in this order . So Tertullian Lib . Advers . Psych . cap . 17. . Saginantur pugiles qui Xerophagiis invalescunt . Champions are thus fed : who waxe strong by their feeding upon dry things . And this he other where Lib . de Pallio . cap . 4. Where see , the excellently learned Salmasius notes : what this dry diet consisted of . , calls Arida Saginatio : a battning upon dry diet . I doe very well perceive by Tertullian ; that this hardship , of dry diet , was much censured in those Ages : even by the then pure and strict Roman Church . For ( to say truth ) our Northerne Europaean nations ; were ever more carnall-stomackt : then the Camaeleon-Easterne people . One of those Mortifiers , would have starved ten Spaniards . Their examples , therefore , ( especially in that high severity ) I produce rather for Admiration then imitation : even that wee may see , what wonderfull abilities , God gives , now and then , unto Endeavorers . T is a true one of Saint Ambrose Ambros . Comment in Ephes . . In quo quis animum intendit , in eo accipit donum ; that way a religious heart , bends his mind ; hee receives a Gift from God All-mightie , to goe thorow with it .

But though this severity of broath-lesse , and juyce-lesse dyet , in their solemne Fasting dayes ; hath beene censured in Montanus : yet me thinks ) t is farre stranger which I find uncensured in Clemens Alexandrinus Clem . Alexan . Paedagog : l. 2. c . 1. pp. 141. and 142. . Namely , that orthodoxe Father , reprehends these broaths , even in the old {αβγδ} , or Christian Feasts of Charity , as the Apostle calles them Iude ver . 12. . {αβγδ} . &c. Some ( saith he ) with an overliberall tongue , dare to stile such dinners , as smell of the steeme of meats and broath : by the name of that Feast of Charity . disgracing and defiling that sacred feast , with I know not what flesh-pots , and liquid messes . Hard doctrine this were , for our Ages : who like the flesh-pots of Egypt , a great deale better .

As for strange examples , of extream long fasting ; rather then venture my credit with you , in not being beleeved : I referre ( those that please ) to seeke for them in Palladius Palladius Hist . Laus . cap . 20. in Macario pag 60. : in St. Gregory Nazianzen Nazianzen Carmine 47. ad Hell●n pro Monachis . pag . 107. : in St. Augustine August . Epist. 86. ad Casulan . pag . 132. E. et l. de moribus Ecclesiae , cap . 33. , in St. Hierome Hierome , in vita Hilarionis . : in Ruffinus Ruffinus in vitis Patrum : saepe . . All which lived early in the fourth Age or Century ; after our blessed Saviour : full 1200 yeares agoe , the youngest of them ; and none of them Papists .

I might here encrease your admirations , by giving strange examples of that Soveraigntie by them exercised , over their owne appetites : which St. Gregory Nazianzen Nazianz . Orat . pro Basilio . , and divers other Fathers , call the greatest delicacy . strong arguments of that longing desire they went withall , to mortifie all affections in them . Which was so zealous , that some of them would eate nothing , which had passed the fire ; either by baking , boyling , roasting , or the like . As Macarius , Apollo : and divers others , in Palladius Palladius . cap . 19. pag . 55. &c. 52. p. 138. , Ruffinus Ruffin . in vit● Apollinis . & saepe , apud Ros●weyd . de vitis Patrum . . The same Father likewise tels of some , that eate nothing but Meale mingled with water . Yea one of them ( if he abuses not his Reader ) would of purpose let his meale grow a little sowre or musty ; even to flat the tast : that his hunger might not be tempted with the savourinesse , to desire another mouthfull .

3. Their Mortifications by Apparrell .

The Habite of the severest Professors , ( even for 300 or 400 yeares after our Saviours time ) was the very same , by our Lord appointed to his Disciples . Math . 10. 10. Mark . 6. 8 , 9. Luke 10. 4. And that was , To weare but one coate : no shoes , but Sandalls : over all which , a Mantle ( like the Irish ) is to be supposed ; though the holy Text makes no mention of it . The coate was of the fashion of our Albe or Surplice , and so put on . This they ware not upon the bare ; but over a Shirt . The fashion of the times , was to weare two of these coates at once ; and that for warmnesse : which is yet forbidden to the Disciples . Cassian indeed tells us , that these severe mortifiers , were in some cold Countries dispenced withall , to weare two coates . but this , by way of favour , onely . so also does St. Hierome in Math . 10 . In Matth . 10. The usuall garbe of the Apostles wearing the Mantle ; was to fling one lappet of it , under the right Arme : and back againe , over the left shoulder : and so to leave the right arme bare . This was the very habite of the Cynick Philosophers : as I learne by that curious Master-Critick , ● Salmas . in No●is ad Tertull . de Pallio . Salmasius ; of all men best skilled in old habits . Excepting onely , that the Disciples were forbidden a Scrip : in which , they were meanlyer accommodated then the Cynicks . The stuffe of the Mantle , was course , and rough . The Baptists , was of Camells haire ; shaggie . For rough indeed , was the usuall , and distinguishing wearing of the old Prophets : as appeareth by that of Zachary Zach. 13. 4. , from the roughnesse of his habite ; not from the Esaw-nesse of his skinne : was Eliah call'd a Hayrie man : and knowne to be a Prophet by it 2 Kings 1. 8. .

The covering for their head and neck : was a good honest Sheepes-skin or Goat-skin ; with the Fell on it . as wee reade , Heb . 11. 37. Heb . 11. 37. And this is that , which our English Translation calls Eliahs Mantle : which indeed was his Hoode . This was it , which he threw upon Elisha at first : and which afterwards Elisha tooke up , at the Ascension of his Master . Cleerely does Clemens Alexandrinus , Paedagog , l. 2. c . 10. call it a Sheepes-skin . {αβγδ} . Elias came in a hood of Sheepes skin d : And so does Saint Iohn , Chrysostome Chrysost . in ● Acta : Homil . 4. p. 41. And Hierom . Epist. 28. Melot●n . reliquis in terri● : {αβγδ} . Elisha received grace , by a Sheepeskin . This Melota , is by Cassian Cassian . de Instit. lib . 1. cap . ● intimated , not onely to be the ordinary and canonicall wearing of these Primitive mortifiers of Egypt ; successours to the Disciples of St. Marke : but also the reason is by him given , out of Hebrewes 11. 17. They wandred up and downe in Sheepe-skins , &c. yea the end , is also there alleadged : the wearing of a dead beasts skinne , being to put them in minde , of their being dead unto the world . Now as Cassian intimates , that the mortifiers of the New Testament , received this habite from those of the Old : so is it to this day continued . in the Hoods of skins , I meane , of our Batchelors and Masters , of the Vniversities : the shape of the old Melota , being neerely also in that hoode continued . Pagnine Pagnine in {αβγδ} notes , that {αβγδ} , ( the word used for Eliahs Mantle ) sometimes signifies pallium pilosum , a hayrie habite . Also that it was the badge or proper wearing of the Prophets . which , in the last place , hee derives from {αβγδ} , Adar ; to magnifie . and {αβγδ} , hee The Septuagi● translate it 〈◇〉 . translates either Pallium , or Magnificentia : a Hoode , or Magnificence . And this is the use of it , now a dayes : t is the badge of distinction , magnificence and honour , of those that take degrees in Schooles . The wearers , notwithstanding , either in the Hoodes of our Vniuersities , or in the Roabes of our Courts of Iustice , or of our Parliaments , ( all which be of skinnes , and from hence derived ) are secretly therewithall admonished ; to remember their mortification , together with their magnificence .

Now to our Athenian Graduates ; may that mortifying conceipt of the old Athenians ; not unseasonably be applied ▪ who though the better sort of them , ware an imbroydered coate , called {αβγδ} ; yet they bepaynted this , with Grashoppers : even to remember them of the earth they were taken from Clemens Alex . Paedagog . l. 2. cap . 10. p. 199. . Honour , had ever neede of some remembrancer for to humble and to mortifie it . And this was our Fore fathers intention ; in making the hoodes of Graduates , of Proctors , and of Iudges ; of Morticinia , or dead beasts skinnes .

Now for the ordinary colour of their garments ; in the more mortified sort , it was that of the naturall wearing of the Sheepe , undyed . White was a gay colour , in those Ages : which therefore Clemens Alexandrinus , See Clem . Alex . Paedagog . lib . 2 cap . 10. & cap . 11. lib . 3. would not have Christians make to shine , with the Fullars Art. Abdias Babylonius , therefore , shewes himselfe but a forger : to trick up St. Bartholmew the Apostle , in a coate studded with purple : and in a mantle with foure gemmes , one at each corner Abdias in A●ostolica Historia . ●ag . 96. .

And whereas our blessed Saviour had forbidden Shooes to his Disciples Mark . 6. 9. : he was herein also obeyed by the primitive Mortifiers . Yea , Clemens Alexandrinus Clem . Alex . Paedag . l. 2. c . 11. tells us out of that speech of St. Iohn Baptist , whose Shoo latchet I am not worthy to unlose ; meaning it of our Saviour : that our Lord himselfe weare but very meane Shooes or Sandalls . For they were Sandalls , which were thus bound on with Latchets . So much ( and the Apostles obeying and imitating their Master in it ) wee know by the Angells speech unto St. Peter , Binde on thy Sandalls Acts 12. 8. . Meere Soles , tyed on with strings . Clemens Alexandrinus , hath a chapter Paedagog . l. 2. 11. of the Shooing , of the primitive Christians : Where he sayes , {αβγδ} . T was a very comely fashion , for a man to be barefooted ; And for Asceticks , he , by and by , avowes it to be the best way to be barefooted . Yea Tertullian Tertull . l. de Pallio . c . 5. Praestat esse Nudipedem , quám vincipedem . which conceit I also find in Clemens Alexandrinus , in the place last quoted : in his alluding {αβγδ} , to {αβγδ} To be shodd , is to be bound : So was the conceipt of the times . is so severe ; as to call both Shooes and Sandals , Immundissimam pedum tutelam , a slovenly stinking defence of the feet : affirming it farre better for the feet to beat liberty , though in the cold : then to be put in the Shoe-makers stocks . Clemens Alexandrinus affirmeth Eliah to have gone bare-footed . Saint Gregory Nazianzen makes Goers barefoote , to be imitators of Apostolicall spirited people {αβγδ} . Saint Augustine Aug. Confess . lib . 9. c . 6. commends the valiantnesse of his Alipius ; who in the taming of his body , did weare the frosty earth of Italy , with his bare feete . Yea the Primitive Egyptian Mortifyers , concluded Shoes to bee forbidden by our Lord Cass . de Instit . l. 1. c . 10. . as for Sandals , they forbare them too , when they came to Gods house : never wearing them but in their Iourneyes , Sicknesse ; or extreme hote , or cold weather .

By these particulars , may you guesse , at the garb and severity of Apparrell ; in our primitive Mortifiers , these Apostolicall spirits , would put on nothing that was either soft , or bewtifull , or rich , or fashionable : even nothing to please the flesh withall . yea , purposely with Saint Iohn Baptist , refusing the softnesse of wooll ; for the harsh roughnesse of Cammels hayre : as Clemens Alexandrinus sayes of him Loco citato . .

Now all this thinne diet and Apparrell , if it mortified not enough ; they abated of it . Domabote , Aselle ; I le tame thee , thou Asse ; said one of them to his body . Minuam cibos ; I le take away thy provander , if that pricks thee . Yea they added Sackcloath , to their bare flesh : as Clemens Alexandrinus Clem . Alex . Paedagog . l. 2. c . 10. sayes , the Prophet Esay did . They would also lye upon the ground : Stand on their feete many howres together , even to wearinesse . Yea goe in to the cold water , to quench evill concupiscence in them . All these practises , are so common and so ordinary , in Saint Athanasius , Saint Hierome , Palladius , Ruffinus , Theodoret ; and in all those that have written the lives of those renowned Ancients : that I thinke it lost labour , to be too curious . Yea and that it may appeare a little ambitious ; to quote all the places for them . Suffice it to know , that these men , and things in them ; were written and commended , by such severall Authors : as , in other things , were Adversaries to one another . namely by Saint Hierome , on the one side : and by Ruffinus his Antagonist . as also by Palladius ; a friend unto Ruffinus : and for that reason , unfriendly enough unto Saint Hierome See Pallad . in Hist . Lausiaca . c . 78. and the Note upon it . . Yea people severally affected in point of Religion : did yet agree in their Admirations of these Mortifiers . And thus have I delivered something , concerning their Mortifications by day . examine we in the next place , their religious passing over of the night .

2. Mortifications by Night . This distinguish I , into the severall Actions ; which themselves did .

The first part whereof , I make to be their late watchings : both by precept and example ; so often by our blessed Saviour recommended unto his Disciples . Matt . 13. 33 , 37. and by them , to us . 1 Thes . 5. 6. 2 Tim . 4. 5. 1 Pet . 4. 7. whereupon , I was in watchings oft , saith our Apostle 2 Cor . 11. 27. . Yea , the Preaching was continued untill midnight Acts 20. 7. . Clemens Alexandrinus advises Christians to practise the Art of watchfulnes : and by exercise , to gaine upon their drowsinesse . Clem . Alex . Paedag . l. 2. c . 9. Yea good watchers , he compares to Angells : which ( saith hee ) wee call {αβγδ} , watchmen . Late watchings , to pray , meditate , and reade : we finde so highly extolled in the Fathers .

2. They loved to lye hard . The professed Mortifiers , had no other bed , then the ground , or a matt : which is frequent in Palladius , and Ruffinus . Clemens Alexandrinus Ibid . Where see more of his directions for lodgings . commends hard lodging : which by a pretty word , hee calls the naturall or kindly Schoole of digestion .

3. They rose to pray , nightly : which was expected from all Christians . We must rise many times , out of our bed to pray , and praise God : sayd Clemens Alexandrinus Clem . Alex . ibid . . This was Tertullians argument , to Christians to eate but moderately at their Love-feast Suppers : as being to remember , that God was by night to bee worshipped Tertul . in Apologet . c . 39. . And otherwhere L. 2. ad Vxor . c . 4. & 5. , hee twice mentions rising a nights : and that as well to private devotions as to the Church prayers . Minucius Foelix also , mentions occulta et nocturna Sacra ; private prayers by night Min. Foelix . . And Iustinian Martyr Just . Martyr . dialogo , cum Tryphone . ( before them all ) speakes of praying by day and by night . For this purpose , the night was divided into Canonicall howers ; or certaine times of rising to prayers . At midnight will I rise to give thankes unto thee , said the man after Gods owne heart Psal . 119. 62. . Marke here , that he praysed not God , lying ; but used to rise and doe it . At other howers , the Saints may sing alowd upon their beds Psal . 149. 5. . And the Spouse may seeke her Christ in the bed by night Cant . 3. 1. : but when a Canonicall hower comes ( of which midnight was one ) David will rise to his devotions . Thus did the Apostles , too . At midnight Paul and Silas prayed , and sang praises unto God Act. 16. 23. . The morning watch , was another Canonicall hower . And this David was so carefull to observe , that he oft-times waked before it : Mine eyes prevent the night watches Psal . 119. . and prevent the dawning of the morning 147 , 148. .

The practice of the devout primitives ; and the Canonicall nightly howers , in imitation of such examples observed , are so frequent ; and knowne so commonly : that I had rather Francolinus Francolinus de Horis Canon● in his first foure Chapters . and Bonartius Bonartius de Institut . horar . Canon . c . 19. &c. , should have the thankes for discussing them ; then further enlarge my selfe upon them . This Item , I dismisse you with . That who ever despiseth these night-devotions of the Ancients ; shall know himselfe before-hand condemned by Saint Hierome Hierom . Epist. 53. Et in tibro adversus Vigilantius . in the person of Vigilantius the Heretick : whom for this drowzie conceit , that Father new-named Dormitantius . wondring not a little , that the Bishop did not excommunicate him for it . It should appeare also by Epiphanius Epiphan . Panario . Haeresi 42. p. 335. Refut . 35 , That Marcion the Hereticke ( a hundred yeares , before this ) had put off the Night-watch , and the devotion of it ; to the Morning . and for gayning some colour of authoritie ; to his layzinesse : had , in plaine termes , corrupted the very words of our Saviour Luk . 12. 38. , concerning the second and third Watch of the night : which the Church of those Ages tooke for their authoritie , in their night-rising . I hope , now , that notwithstanding our devotions serve us not to imitate the Prophets , the Apostles , and the Primitives ▪ yet we will forbeare to take part with the old Hereticks , in reprehending them .

True it is , that the nightly meetings , or before day-light assemblies of the Christians , neere unto our Saviours time : were for feare of persecution See Plynies Epistle to Trajan . . But yet the devotion decayed not , with the Churches obteyning freedome : the Ecclesiasticall Stories of the third , fourth , and fifth hundred Ages ; being plentifull of examples , of the nightly processions of the Christians . Yea they went from their houses in the cities ; to some of their Churches in the field : singing Psalmes all the way , thorow the streets , in the hearing of the Gentiles . And so much of their Ordinary Mortifications : I come now to their Extraordinary .

2. Extraordinary Mortifications .

The Watchings , and Fastings , before mentioned ; were like a trade of life to them ; ordinary , and daily . beyond which , they learned of the Apostle , to make themselves suffer , or doe ; some things above measure 2 Cor . 11. 23. 27. . In wearinesse and painefulnesse , in watchings often ; in hunger and thirst , in fastings often ; in cold and nakednesse . besides those things that came upon them daily , to fill up the rest of the afflictions of Christ in their flesh Colos . 1. 24. . But I make choyce to instance , onely in the extraordinary Watchings and Fastings of the devouter Primitives .

Before a greater Festivall ; all the devouter sort of 1. Their watchings extraordinary . Christians , constantly repayred to their Churches at midnight . As at the Consecration of a Church ; for example . Saint Basil Basil . To . 1. Homil . in Psalm . 114. having two Churches ( with some distance of ground , betweene ) to consecrate in one day : the Congregation repayred to the Church hee was to come last unto , at midnight before . yea and hungry as they were ( which the Father in his Consecration-Sermon takes notice of ) the whole people continued their prayings and their Psalme-singings ( because the Church being not yet consecrated , they might have no Liturgy or Common Prayers in it ) even till high-noone , that the Bishops leasure could serve to come to them .

But their observation of Easter-Eve , was yet more wonderfull . All that Saturday night , the whole Christian world , was gotten into their Churches : even the Nobility and the Magistracy , as well as the meanest Commoner . So Saint Gregory Nazianzen Nazianzen . Orat . 41. . And among them , the word of God resounded all night : in Psalmes and Hymnes : sayes Saint Gregory Nyssen Nyssen . Orat . 5. de Resur . . By all night , we meane till the first Cock-crowing : at which time , the holy Primitives brake up their solemne Lent-fasting . that being beleeved , to be the very precise time , of our Saviours Resurrection Niss●n . Orat . 2. . By this time , the solemne and publike Baptisme , ( annually on that , and Whitsun-Eve , administred ) was also finished . and even then , the Congregation brake up ; and began to rejoyce exceedingly , for the Resurrection of their Saviour . Then also the Bishop , ( all faint with his paines and fasting ) retyred to refresh himselfe : as Chrysologus hath told us Chrysologus . Sermon 74. .

Most precise and severe observers , were they of the 2. Their Fastings extraordinary . Lenten fast : which the whole Primitive Church beleeved , to be of Apostolicall institution . So that they had their Saviours , and his Apostles examples also ; for that strictnesse . Yea , least their soules should have growne leane : they did alere & saginare se ; nurse up and batten themselves ( as Tertullians phrases are ) with more Fasting Seasons in the yeare , then that great and solemner Lenten one . Yea and this , in the middle Ages of the Church , too : when a man might have expected , Devotion should have beene cooled . But this , because lower then the times Primitive , ( which I confine my selfe to ) I leave you to read in my learned friend Filesacus Filesaci Opera varia : de quadragessima c . 3. : and in the Decrees of Burchard Burch l. 19. c . 5. .

I passe by their observation of the Wednesdayes and Fridayes fast , weekely : which Epiphanius Epiphan . Panario . To . 1. Haeresi . 77. n . 6. p. 910. ( among many others ) assures us to bee of Apostolicall Institution . Even these two dayes , the strict old Fathers ; did yet observe with more severitie . Beyond all which , all solemner Actions or Occasions of the Church ; were begunne with a Fast . When the Church desired Saint Iohn , to write his Gospell : the Apostle appointed a Fast for the God speed of it , all the world over Hierome Proae●io in Matthaeum . . When Ministers were to be ordeined ; the Church fasted , and prayed for them : which they learned from the Apostles doing so , upon the like occasions Act. 13. 3. Act. 14. 23. . And hence have the Iejunia quatuor Temporum , our fowre Ember weekes ; their originall . Adde hereunto , that he was no body in those devouter dayes ; which kept not his Stations or votive fasts : to obteine some private blessing , for himselfe or family . For besides the Wednesday or weekly Station ; which was ordinary : the Primitives had Stationes ex arbitrio obeundas , Fasts when men were so disposed : as Tertullian intimateth Tertull . l. de Jejun . cap . 10. . The word was not onely taken from Soldiers ; and their standing to maintaine their Poast or Guard , so long time Tertull . l. de Orat . c . 14. : but was given occasion to , by that of our Saviour ; when yee stand to pray Mark 11. 25. . Yea Tertullian Tertull . l. de Anima . c . 48. sayes , that the Prophet Daniel , witherd away himselfe with a three weekes Station : or fasting and prayer . And from these Masters , the Church learned the Devotion .

Now these Stations or personall set Fasts : they sometimes held at Church : beginning Mane novo early in the morning ( as Prudentius saith ) and continuing till Morning Prayer time . which having heard , it seemes they withdrew themselves to some private corner of the Church ; after the first Service , when the Catechumeni or unbaptized were put out . So much Tertullian intimates , Tertull . l. de Orat . c . 14. l. de Orat . c . 14. where hee sayes these Fasters did subtrahere osculum , forbeare the holy kisse . the time for which , was in the beginning of the second Service , or Office for the Communion : immediately before the Offering , and the Dyptichs . Tertullian meanes , that these Fasters thinking their Fast would be broken , should they eat the Lords body : forbare to communicate . So these stations were in a Church . in no place else , had they occasion to forbeare the holy kisse . Yet , they held them any where , could they not come at Church . So Bishop Fructuosus being in prison , exhorted the Confessors with him , Mecum state viri , hold a Fast with me , good people . Whereupon , when some of them desirous to receive the Communion before their deaths ; as being instantly to be martyred : had for that purpose ( as the manner was ) offered him ( being a Bishop ) the holy Cup of wine to consecrate : Iejunamus , ait , recuso potum . Nondum nona diem resignat hora . I hold a fast ( saith he ) and therefore refuse to drinke : for t is not three a clock yet . So Prudentius Prudent . l. Peristeph . hymno 6. .

Where you see two things . First , that Tertullians arguments in his booke de Oratione ; had not yet perswaded all ( if any ) to communicate , on the day they fasted . and secondly , that they continued it , till after Evening Prayer . In which ( as Prudentius sayes , within a few verses after ) the Church had our Saviours example on the Crosse : who dying at that hower , refused to drinke , though hee thirsted .

And these were the mortifying devotions , of the Prophets or Apostles , first : and afterwards , either of the whole Chucrh primitive ; as were some of them : or else of divers professed mortifiers : who continued al of them . yea , the Church Catholick was so famous for these devotions ; and oftentimes so miraculous : that even the very Hereticks , ( either for vaine-glories sake , or to procure the more reverence to their falshoods ) would not omit to contend with the orthodoxe Christians , in them . The Arrians Anastasius Nicaenus : apud Filesac . de Quadragesima . c . 7. hereupon , eeked out their Lent : by adding another weeke to it . Montanus became so vehement a Patrone , for Chastity and for Fasting : that his zeale turn'd into fury ; and became part of his heresie Hierome , in Matth . 9. Alii . .

The impious Pelagius , was highly esteemed for his austere life ; as appeareth by St. Augustine , and S. Chrysostome August . l. de peccat : meritis & remiss . & Retract . lib . 2. cap . 33. ● Chrysost . To . 4. Epist. 4. ad Olymp . in fine . p. 751. . The Manichees also , drew many Disciples and Admirers to them ; by their showe of chastity and severe continencie : sayes St. Augustine Aug. l de Moribus Ecclesiae . c . 1. . Yea , and which I most admire ; even the Macedonian hereticks , that denied the Dietie of the Holy Ghost : are very much commended by St. Gregory Nazianzen Nazianzen . ; for their watchings , Fasting , frequent Prayers ; and all other exercises of devotion .

3. Enjoyned Mortifications .

't were farre beyond the patience of a Sermon ; to bring in what would fill up a volume . even the Rules and examples of such Penances , as by the Church primitive were imposed upon offenders . Let it suffice to have noted thus much ; that for the most part they were no other , then what wee have before spoken of : even such as the devouter sort , exacted of themselves dayly . For by what meanes , better , should some be reclaymed from ill doing : then the selfe same , by which others had been kept from it ? Such hardships they were , as helpt to mortifie the Sinner : not to make him ridiculous . As to make a Priest Skull in a kitchin , for a day ; whom to morrow they should reverence at the Altar . Much lesse enjoyned they such a number or Bead-rowe of Prayers , for a Penance : and then allowe the Penitents to play them away . The practise , I heare , in many Iesuites Colledges . Where the young Seminaries play at some field or Garden-game ; one and thirty out ( perhaps ) for so many enjoyned Prayers or Ave-Maries : which the loser must babble over , for the winner . Glad is he that can play away his Prayers : and perhaps he curses his ill luck , that must pray them .

Thus did not the sincerely mortifying Primitives : who tam'd their bodies , in good earnest ▪ and that both to stay sinne in themselves : and consequently , to make stay of of Gods wrath and judgements . And this were they so successefull in : that Tertullian Tertull . in Apolog . cap . 40. askes a bold question , Quando non geniculationibus nostris , depulsae siccitates ? When was there a drought , I pray , which by our fasting and prayer , not removed ?

Where , now , is the Spirit of these Eliahs 2. King . 2. 14. 15. ? Oh that we had it ! not doubled ; but even halfe of it : in these our delicater dayes . So farre wee are from mortifying , that I feare , the Apostolicall practise wee have heard of : some amongst us , in their hearts may censure for Will-worship , for Superstition , or for Popery .

Popery ! I mislike heartily : even all of it : and as cordially as any man . Yea let others take heed , they doe not the Papists more honour then they meane them ; by making this Doctrine to be Popery .

Know we , in the meane time , that the way of our living , can never breede an Eliah or a David : and if the Age does ; Lord how hee is censured ! Yea truly ( mee thinks ) Religion for the practise of it , is now so much altered : that should the Fathers of the Nicene Councell , now live againe ; they could hardly discerne it for the same thing . In matters of Faith , indeed , and of opinion : We , of all moderne Churches , approach neerest to the Apostolically Primitive . But for maters of practise , in denying of the world , in mortifying , and in exercise of Devotion : there wee leave them . And I wish we did no more then leave them : or that wee would leave them . and not by censuring , condemne them into our Purgatory ; when they enjoy a place of rest , in Gods secret . The plot will never take , God knowes : of our hoping to justifie our owne Remissenesse , by censuring of their Strictnesse .

What other mortification , now adayes , thinke such of ; as have but too much need of it : then what Tertullian Tertull . l. de Poenitent . c . 11. makes himselfe pleasant with ? Come , bring the Curling-Irons , my Perfumes , my Fucus and Complexions , and the last new fashion : the richest wine , and best meate that can be gotten . And if a friend should aske , what meanes all this ? Tell him , Thou hast sorely offended God , art in danger of damnation : and art in this sort about to macerate and mortifie thy proud flesh ; and to reconcile thy offended God unto thee . Were not this a delicate way , thinke you , to stay a Plague , or a Drought with ?

But when , indeed , you doe goe about mortifying : in your owne Consciences , whether is the sincerer way ; yours , or that of the Apostolicall Primitives ? What theirs was ; you have already heard . doe but examine your owne , a little : for indeed it will not endure overmuch examining . When the Piety of the State , last yeare , appointed a Fast for the removing of these publike Iudgements : Did people , indeed , Fast as they ought ? I am afraid , a man might say of divers of our Fasters ; as the Apostle did , of the Corinthian abusers of the Lords Supper : 1 Cor . 11. 20. that one taketh before other , his owne breakfast at home . A bitt in a morning ; a draught before you went to Church ; or after the Morning Sermon : I am afraid , too many afflicted themselves this way . What was this , but to come together for condemnation ? yea , and to mocke , and 34. provoke God Almightie .

Truely , you had no reason to be confident , of turning away Gods anger , by such fasting : which they , perhaps , were conscious enough of ; that rather trusted to preaching , then to fasting ▪ and esteemed not the Fasting , and the Prayers : but the Sermon , to bee the holyest meanes to appease God withall . yea and without a Sermon ( of what Theme soever it were , and how ever full of vanities and uncharitable censurers : But without a Sermon ; the encrease of the Sicknesse is doomed : and the weekely Bills produced , for the proofe of it . But have they no surer word of prophecy 2 Pet . 1. 19. ? What if the decrease of the Sicknesse ( blessed be God for it ) should be retorted on them , now that there are no Sermons . Wert not an uncertaine Argument ? and hath not theirs , prov'd as uncertaine ? But how came they of Gods Closet , trow ? Well! the Apostolicall Primitives , knew no such Doctrine .

Preaching , indeed , is a blessed meanes : and God ever encrease sound Preaching . but t is cleane another thing , from what should mortifie . namely , as of it selfe ; and as Fasting and praying doe . The use of it is , to teach you how to mortifie : which I hope you are not so dull Hearers , as to need at every Sermon . for when , then , will you practise ? The Sermon , besides , was added for your entertainment . even to hold in , peoples wandring thoughts : and to hold up their devotions . A bad , or too long a Sermon ; might indeed weary the Auditory ; make them fast longer then they would doe : and so mortifie them , those wayes . which yet were but a passive , not an active mortification , in the Hearers . And this way , if this Sermon of mine hath mortified the Auditory : it is the properer for the Theme . Perhaps it hath done that by tediousnesse : which it could not doe by perswasion . God worke that , in his good degree , and time ; afterwards .

He grant us grace , in the meane time ; that we may cut off our Sinnes by mortification and repentance : and prevaile with his Mercy , by our Prayers ; for the removing of his heavy Iudgements .

Amen .

FINIS .