The christians mourning garment

The Christians mourning Garment .

IT is a rule that will abide the tutch-stone , No man comes to heauen with drie eyes . Our selues are shippes launched foorth for heauen : our teares must be the sea , our sighes the gales of winde , while Hope is the anchor , and Grace steares the helme . Moses , Hezekiah , Peter , Mary Magdalen , and all the Saints of God were wasted on the riuers that gusht from their own eyes to the kingdome of glory .

Howbeit , though euery penitent sinner wéepe , yet euery one that wéepes is not a penitent sinner . For teares in themselues are but things indifferent , & neuer please God , but when they issue from a troubled spirite , suppled with grace , and wounded with true remorse , and sence of sinne . It is not sorrow , 2. Cor. 7. 10. but godly sorrow that goes for currant .

Some wéepe for themselues , not for others : some wéepe for others not for themselues : some neither wéepe for themselues , nor others : some both wéepe for themselues and others . To wéepe for thy selfe , not for others betokens luke-warmnesse : to wéepe for others , not for thy selfe , hypocrisie : neither to wéepe for thy selfe , nor others , deadnesse of hart : both to wéepe for thy selfe , and others , zealousnesse . The last of these is an effect of holy sorrow , which who so findeth not in himselfe one time , or other , is no better than a vessell of wrath .

In the name of God then , good Christian brother , let thine eyes spout out teares as a Conduite spouteth out waters , for thy gréeuous , capitall , and enormous vices . Say not thou art Sanguine complexiond and canst not wéepe , of a manly stomack and wilt not Sam. 1. 16. 12. wéepe , for Dauid was both , yet teares were his meate , day and night . Flatter not thy selfe : the vaine conceit of easie attaining saluation may cast many a soule away in a yeare . Thou must vpon necessity mortifie the flesh : Away with it , Away with it , crucifie it , crucifie it . Now ere thou can do this , it will cost thée many a groane , and many a teare , oh it will go to the hart of thée .

As thou tendrest thy soule , looke home : vnrip , vnbowell , ransacke thy selfe throughout . Mourne for thy originall sinnes , and for thy actuall sinnes , for thy sinnes before thy calling , and since thy calling : for thy presumptuous sinnes , and for thy sinnes of infirmitie , for thy open sinnes , and for thy secret sinnes , for thy sinnes of ommission , and for thy sinnes of commission . Stéepe thine eyes in teares , read letters of discomfort on the ground as thou goest , let the streames of thy sighes , and the incense of thy praiers rise vp like mountaines before the Lord , and if this will not mooue him to pitty , if it be possible wéepe teares of bloud .

Aboue all things beware thou looke not sowerly in company to be séene of men , for then thy rewarde is sure to be great in hell . Get thée into thy most retyred closet , let no body ( by thy good will ) know of it , pull the latch into thée sée there be no holes in the dore , no cranies nor clifts in the wall , & then fall groueling to the earth , thump thy brest , strike vpon thy thigh , wring thy hands , and poure out thy soule before the Lorde : so he that séeth thy true humiliation in secret , shal one day rewarde thée openly in the sight of his glorious Angels .

Vnclaspe thy Bible , lay the ten commandements before thée , and ( bedewing them with thy teares ) make thine humble confession thus before God .

O my God , I am confounded , and ashamed to lift vp mine eyes vnto thée , my God , for mine iniquities are increased , and my trespasse is growne vp into heauen . Yet Lord remember thy mercies of olde , and open mine eyes that I may sée the wonders of thy law , that so sinne may be out of measure Rom. 7. 12 sinful . Good God , thy commandements are iust , and holy , but I am carnall , sold vnder sinne , and should not lye yelping , and howling in the burning lake of damned soules , if I had my right . Blessed be thy name for inspiring this good motion of meditating in thy law , for it is a glasse wherein I may beholde the vglye morphew of my soule , and so be forced to flée to my redéemer for his precious blood , to rinse , and munditie me , that I may be presented a spotlesse virgin before thée .

Alas , I should haue béene thy Nazarite , The 1. commandement . and haue giuen thée all my hart : but I haue giuen the flesh a péece of it , the worlde a péece of it , and the deuill a péece of it .

I should haue worshipped thée according to the square , and tenor of thy word , without adding , detracting , changing : but I haue ballanced thy seruice after mine owne scoales , and haue more delighted in falling downe before a gilt Image , than in beholding thy swéet sonne most liuely crucified in Gal. 3. 1. thy worde preached , and sacraments administred .

I should haue magnified thy name , and haue spoken of it with high reuerence : but I ( ah wretch ) haue curst & band , and champed Phil. 2. 10. Iesu in my mouth , at whose blessed name euery knée should bow , both of things in heauen , and things in earth , and things vnder the earth , yea Lord I haue torne thy holy name , as the Draper rasheth out a péece of linnen to the buyer .

I should haue hallowed the best daye of the seauen , and haue bestowed it in prayer , hearing of Sermons , receiuing the sacrament , almes , meditation on Gods workes , but I ( woe worth me for it ) haue most villanously prophaned it . It hath béene a burden vnto me , by barring me from triuiall sports . Yea I thought my selfe an holy man , when I sat still at home and did nothing , though while I did so , the beast at the cribbe kept as good a sabboath as I.

I should haue béene subiect to the higher Rom. 13. 1 powers ordained of thée : I should haue honoured my parents , thy instruments for my life and education : and I should haue béene ready ( with the Galathians ) to haue pluckt Gal. 4 15 out mine eyes to haue done the Preachers good : but I ( a sinfull worme of fiue foot long ) haue spoken euill of the Magistrate , and refused to be the staffe of my Parents age . As for the Ministers , I euer held them for a sort of simple soules , the very scorne of men , and outcast of the people .

I should haue loued my neighbour déerly , and haue wincked at wrong , not letting the sunne go downe vpon my wrath : but I ( this one thing were inough to stanche the blood of my dying Lord ) haue boyled in rage for one tart word , and for a small iniurie haue wilfully and stubbornly refused the blessed Sacrament of thy supper .

I should in beholding that notable worke of thy fingers called Beautie , haue giuen glory to thy power & wisedome , that couldst set such amiablenesse , and swéet fauour in a face not a foote compasse , the ground whereof is but dust : but I ( such was my corruption ) haue burnt in lust at the sight of it , and Sathan hath made it a stale , and a snare to intangle my soule , which now would faine flicker thence , and flie it to heauen .

I should haue béene good to the poore , and néedy , remembring that Not to giue them , is to steale from them : but I ( vile catiue ) haue serued Mammon the God of Kust , the Mat. 6. 15. God of Moaths , the God of Théeues . Many a time hath Christ Iesus ( in his members ) stood cold , and naked , & hungry at my dore , and colde , and naked , and hungrie , haue I sent him away . Yet would I not sticke to spend hundreds vpon Luxury , that infernall fire , whose matter is Gluttony , whose flame Arroganty , whose ashes Obscenitie . whose end eternall misery .

I should haue succoured the name of my neighbour , and reioyced at his credit , and good estimation : I should haue abhored all falshood , and leasins , & spoken the truth from my hart : but I ( vile wretch vnworthy to breath ) could either neuer finde in hart to bestowe one good word on my brother , or very coldly commend him , though the graces of God shined in him extraordinarily . Oh what gladsome tioings was it to me when I hard of a professor that was ouer taken with sinne , I would be sure to point at him as he went by , and cry there , there . And truely I made but a iest of a lye told in iest , as for officious lies , I reckoned them amongst my good workes , and now and then I would broache a pernicions lye , and thinke little worse of my selfe when I had done , for I was a right Gretian . Tit. 1. 12.

I should haue borne a pure heart to my neighbour , and haue hampered , & tamed the cursed rebellion of the flesh : but I ( no better than a lumpe of sinne ) haue wisht that such an house , and such a close of my neighbours were mine , and I euer thought the Corne on his land was better bladed , and fairer eared than mine owne . To conclude : many an vncleane thought , laide by that Cockatrice mine inbred concupisence haue I hatched vp , when my conscience aduisd me to kill it in the shell .

Thus I , the distressedst wight vpon the face of the earth , haue broken all thy holy precepts , euen from the first vnto the last , from the greatest vnto the least . And now , O Lord , whether shall I flie for succour ? To thée ? Woe is me , I dare not looke vp to heauen . To Angels ? They gréeue , and blush at my rebellion . To men ? alas they are inrould in the same thraldome of sinne with me . What then ? shall I finally dispaire with Caine , and make away my selfe with Iudas ? No Lord , though thou kill me , yet still will I put my trust in thee . Doest thou ouerwhelme me with the tirrible waues of thy iudgements ? Still wil I crie vnto thée euen out of the déepe , with Dauid , and out of the Psal. 130. 1 Ionah . 2. 2. belly of hell with Ionah . Yea , blessed Iesu , though thou shouldst sincke me , and drowne me , yet still would I catch hould on thy clemencie , and be taken vp dead with thy mercie fast claspt in my hand .

In this sort , poore sinner , mourne , & droope for the multitude of thine iniquities , not for a day or two , while the wound presents it selfe fresh , and gréene before the eyes of thy minde , but continually , euen so long as thou féelest the enemy prest to giue the onset . Howbeit when the bridegrome Christ Iesus is taken from thée ( and peace of conscience is away ) then , then is the fittest time Math. 9. 15. for sadnesse aboue all other .

Now that thy soule may be cut , and lanced to the quick , I beséech thée by the mercies of God in the bowels of Iesus Christ , that thou ponder these Motiues that ensue .

Know first that the substance and quality of thine eye is a forcible argument to driue thée to wéeping . The Almighty hath made it of a liquid , fatty , and watrish kinde of matter , so that it séemeth to delight in moisture , as being a sirrup to preserue it in . Moreouer there are sited aboue and vnder the eye , two wet & spongious kernels , purposely to cast a dew vpon it , and to make way for teares . Nay that the obstinate and obdurate sinner may be conuinced and confounded , if he sweat not some teares for his offences , the Lord hath enuironed the Apple Columb . lib. 10. of the eye with a party coloured circle cald a Raine-bow . Now it is not a shame for a man to haue a Raine-bow in his eye , & yet neuer drizzle one teare for his sinnes ? Good Christian carry not about thée so tough , so brawnie , and so stéeled an hart : good Christian cary not about thée a paire of such parched & irrelenting eyes . Consider what I say , & the Lord giue thée vnderstanding in all things .

Regarde in the second place , the vnrulinesse of thine eyes , and let that induce thée to be liberall in wéeping . God indéede set them in thine head ( the tower of thy body ) as Espials , and Scoutwatches , to diseris danger a farre of : but such is the disorder of thy bad nature , that they will too soone put both thy body and soule in icopardy . Yet a little while , and those two of thine that looke out by the windowes , will play the vag abonds , and intice thée to folly . For what art thou to Dauid ? And yet those very eyes of Dauid that lay soaked in teares at the time of his banishment , became afterwards traitors , letting lust into his bosome , when they darted from his roofe vpon Bath-sheba , and were the occasion that he committed two haynous sinnes dyed so déepely in crimson , that time hath not yet worne out colour . If thou thinke thou canst blesse thée from the euill to come , & make a couenant with thine eyes as Iob did , yet let thy heart be griped , Iob. 31. 1. and twinged , in regarde they haue heretofore béene rowling and extrauagant eyes .

Thirdly , haue respect to the description of sinne . Sinne is the transgression of the Law . Wherein obserue first what this lawe is which thou breakest . Secondly who this God is whom thou offendest .

First then let it damp thée , & disquiet thy soule to consider , that in euery loose thought by thée conceiued , and in euery vnsauory word by thée vttered and in euery lewd déed by thée committed , thou hast violated Gods law : which law is farre more excellent than the beautifull frame of the whole worlde , though in each part it be good , and in all the parts together excéeding good . For ( such is our purblindnesse , that ) the great booke of Nature is not able of it selfe to direct vs to the true God , as much resembling that Athenian Aulter , wherein was written Vnto the vnknowne God ( but the lawe written Acts. 1. ● . 23. pointeth as iust to God as the finger to the dyall , and which commends it most of all ) Psal. 19. 7. conuerteth the soule .

Go to now , miserable , & wretched sinner , canst thou by thy dissolute life , cracke , and disestéeme of this matchlesse Iewell , and when when thou hast done wilt thou not enter into a sad , and sober consideration , opening the sluces of thine eyes , and sending forth a swift current of teares ? Would not that fellon be hangd in chaines who hauing broken most notoriouslie the wholsome lawes of his Prince , takes no thought at all , but reuiles and playes at Tables all the while he is in prison , with his héeles in yrons , and his neck in suspence ? Yes verily . Wel then take héed . For if after thou hast lift vp thy horne most insolently and pusht downe the incompararable statutes of the Lord , thou be not ashamed of thy selfe , and confounded in thy selfe , but doest feast when thou shouldst fast , sing when thou shouldst sobbe , laugh when thou shouldst wéepe , thou art as néere in quality to the aforesaid théefe , as can be well imagined , and therfore likely to come to some heauie , and fearefull end .

Secondly , take knowledge who he is that enacted this law which thou hast transgressed so shamelesly . It is no earthly Prince , nor Potentate , ( a creature finite , ready to huffe out life at euery moment ) but it is Iehouah , Esa. 40. 12. that mighty God , who spannes the heauen , and measures the waters in his fist , in respect of whom all nations are but as the drop of a bucket , nay nothing , nay lesse Nah. 1. 2. than nothing , euen vanity . The God of anger , who hath his way in the whirlewinde , and in the storme , at whose sight the earth is burnt , the mountaines quake , the hils melt , the deuils shudder . O my déere brother , how can thy hart be light , sith thou hast offended so great a Maiesty ? Why doest thou not put sack-cloath about thy loynes , and an halter Kings . 1. 20. 31. about thy neck ( with the seruants of Benhadad ) and crye out , Mercie good Lord , good Lord graunt mercy , for we haue heard that the King of Israell is a mercifull King .

If thou hadst committed but petit treason against an earthly Prince , I perswade me , it thou mightst be admitted to his presence thou wouldst stoope , and looke forlornly with a palish chéeke , and vnkeambd beard , & neglected apparell , vsing these mutes as vocall spokesmen , and intercessors for thy pardon , and all because , The feare of the King is like Prou. 20. 2 the roaring of a Lion . And is thy hart so crusted , and rough cast , that thou wilt not throw thy selfe euen below the earth , for displeasing that glorious and fearefull name The Lord thy God ? Shall a Grasse-hopper Deu. 28. 58 out-face the omnipotent , Clay the Potter , filth Puritie , Darkenesse Light , A wispe of stubble a consuming fire , a sinner of sinners the holyest of all holyes ?

Surely if these perswasions make no dint , nor impression , thy hart is harder than the Smiths Anuile : yet hearken still ( I beséech thée ) to the nature of this God , who chiefly ioyes in getting him honor by his boundles mercie . If this make thée not bewéepe thy personall sinnes , thou hast not so much as a sparkle of grace truly working in thée .

Wilt thou not be gréeued for offending thy God , who loued thée before thou wast Ephe. 1. 4. borne , yea before the first stone of the worlds foundation was laide , who was thy hope , when thou hungest vpon thy mothers brest , who guarded thée with Angels as thou layest spralling in thy Cradle , and hath euer since fed thée , cloathed thée , preserued thée ? Didst thou deserue the least of these blessings ? If thou say thou didst , thou art a lyer , and there is no truth in thée . For I say vnto thée , that he might haue made thée a Dog , or a toade , or a Serpent , & haue done thée no wrong at all . Euen when thou wast a delightfull burden to thy mother , taking thy pastime in her wembe , and hauing no other mouth but thy nauell , then , euen then wast thou odious to God ( in thine owne nature ) because conceiued in sin . Neither must thou thinke this to be rigor , for thy selfe canst not abide a yong Woolfe , for that he hath in him the spawne and cruelty , and will destroy the flock when he comes to full growth .

Why wilt thou recompence the Lord euill for good , and not rather pine away like the Hart that findeth no pasture for displeasing so indulgent & louing a father , whose kindnesse is stretched out still ? Behold this God hanging for thy sake vpon the crosse : loe how he stretches out his arines to imbrace thée : loe how he bowes downe his head to kisse thée , loe how his hart is opened with a speare to loue thée , to loue thée an vndutifull and gracelesse child , vnworthy indéede to be called his childe . And yet he giues not period 1. Cor. 12. 12. to his goodnesse , but layes thée nearer his heart , marrying thée vnto him , and calling thée Christ by his owne name , to manifest the wonderfull ( yet reall ) coniunction betwixt him and thée .

O the depth of the riches of the mercy of this God , who hath hereto adioined another singuler benefit . What is that ? He hath decréed that thou shouldest be borne ( not a Turke , or a Jew , but ) English , & then there ( not when Pharaoh of hell and Antichrist his vicegerent , made all true Israelites weary of their liues with all manner of spirituall bondage , which they laid vpon them most cruelly , but ) when he set the Diadem on the head of that virgin Quéene , who hath giuen vs already thrée and fortye yeares of Iubilee , wherein we sit peaceably vnder our vines , & go ioyfully to the Church to heare the golden bell of Aaron ring sweetely in the Pulpit , & to feele the fragrant smell of his Pomegranats . Be glad , yée heauens , at this , & let the Rauens of the vallie picke out his eyes that curseth this ancient mother in Israel .

I could make more ample rehearsall of Gods speciall fauour to thée , beloued Christian , but the intended quantity of the booke will not suffer me . Wherfore read on be not weary of well doing , and for thy next taske thinke vpon thrée principall Effects of sinne , that so thy sorrow may be aggrauated .

First ascertaine thy selfe that so long as thou weltrest in thy wickednesse without remorse & touch of conscience , thou art a seruant Rom. 6. 23 Luk. 15. 15 & a vassall to Sinne , whose wages is Death . A prodigall childe thou art . strayed from thy good father into a farre countrey , where being all ragd , and tottered , & eaten into the flesh with vermine , thou art glad to become the deuils swinheard . Which tyrant hath taken thée prisoner to do his wil. & mued 2. Tim. 2 26 thée vp in a far more noysome dungeon than that wherein poore Ieremie stacke so fast .

This is thy state O man . Why then doest thou not thrust forth teares , and smoake out sighes , & euen breake the kall of thine heart with sorrow ? Is swéet liberty so yrkesome , & yrkesome bondage so swéet ? Inquire of the Foules of the ayre , & they will tell thée that fréedome in the wood is better than prisonment in a cage of gold . Inquire of the Lions and they wil make answer that they had rather séeke their meate at God in the Wildernesse , than haue it put into their mouths through the grate . Inquire of the Riuers & they will resolue thee that they would much sooner lye open to winde & weather at home in the sea , than crawle neuer neuer so calmely by the gréenest and best sented medowes . I beséech thée therefore by the mercies of God that thou bewayle thy miserable vassallage . The Babilonians of hell ( the Deuil & his Angels ) haue led thée away captiue , & the cruell Edomits ( thy sinnes ) prouoake them against thée , and both of them , by way of mockage , require a song & melody of thée : then sit thou downe vpon the waters bank , wéeping , and hanging thy harpe vpon the Willowes , for mirth at such time is out of season . Cast not thy selfe vpon thy Iuory bed , eate not gluttonously , drinke not Wine in boules , but remember thy soule , thine afflicted Ioseph , who all this while hath his féet in hel stocks . The blessed father of our Lord Iesus Christ bore thine cares that thou maist heare and suffer these wordes of exhortation , and plow vp thy hart by his holy spirit , for it is made of a tough , and churlish kinde of clay .

I procéede to another Suasiue . During the time of thine impenitencie , all the Creatures in the world band themselues against thée , & conspire thine ouerthrow . And the reason is for that the Lord of Hostes is marching forward , whose faithfull & sworne souldiers they be . Is not here sufficient matter to cloud , & ouercast thine eies , and to change thy ioy for mourning , thy beauty for ashes , thy Oyle of gladnes for the spirit of heauinesse ? At dead time of night in thy soundest sléepe , the Imbers on thine hearth desire the winde ( in their kinde ) to leaue his naturall course of blowing assant , and to whip them vp , that so they may get matter to worke vpon . The spars , and rafters of thy house haue vowed to be ready to increase the flame at lesse than an houres warning . Walkest thou in the stréet ? The tiles threaten downfall . In the field ? the ayre will conuay infection , the earth will grone vnder thy soote as loath to beare so vnprofitable a burthen . Nay what wilt thou say if the silliest & imperfectest creatures dog thée , and make thée weary of thy life ? Are Frogs , and Lice , & Caterpillers nothing with thée ? Doth not one poore Gnat ( hartning on her selfe to battaile with her Cornet which she winds so lastingly ) waken thée , and make thée start with her feeble sting ? Then what would a legion of Gnats doe ? Ah sinfull soule , and laden with iniquity , is thy hart made of rubbish , & thine eye of Marble , that the one will not giue againe , the other become dankish ? Knowest thou not what it is to haue the stones of the field out of league with thée , and the beasts of the field out of league with thée ? Take an example of Ionah , and sée how he was handled when God mustered vp such forces against him in his displeasure .

After this Prophet had long laboured , and toyled in Israell , and could doe no good , the Lord gaue him expresse charge to remooue his plow into the Nineuites fielde to shame her . He ( vnmindfull of his commission ) paies the fare , and is shipt . For Tharshish he , he is resolud . While he thus strugled with diuine prouidence , the Winds ( at their Creators commaund ) brake loose , & bad the Mariners Ionah . 1. 4. deliuer Ionah . The Sea sawe that , and was wroth , and bad the Marriners deliuer Ionah . The Whale laye watching all this while , and bad the Marriners deliuer Ionah . The ship ( poore winged vessell ) laye swooning vpon the billowes , and bad the Marriners vnballase her of Ionah . Nay Ionah stood vp against Ionah , and besought the Marriners to tumble him into the large Sepulcher of the sea . How now mery sinner , doth not the senere vsage of the man of God appall thée ? If so righteous a man be thus harshly intreated by the creatures , where wilt thou an vngodly and vnrepentant man appeare ? O Sampson , why sufferest thou lady Pleasure to play the Delilah , dandling thée on her knée , til she haue shaued of all thy goodnesse , & made thée wretched , & féeble , and impotent ? what Samplon , Sampson , fend for thy self , the Philistnes are vpon thée Sampson .

There remaineth a third effect of sinne , sufficient to split thy hart , be thou not insensibly blockish , wilfully nefarious , extreamly impious . It is this . All creatures in the world grone vnder the heauy burden of thy sinnes yea the Creator himselfe . S. Paul affirmes this ( in part ) most excellently . For we know Rom. 8. 11. ( saith he ) that euery creature groaneth with vs also , and trauaileth in paine together vnto this present , because it is subiect to vanitie , & vnder the bondage of corruption . The world left being a world , when Adam left béeing obedient , it was neuer beautifull , nor chéerfull , since it waxed old in youth through manifold ataxies and disorders , and at this day lyes bed-rid , waiting with a seruent desire for the glorious comming of the sonne of God .

When Israelits sinnes were ripe , and calde for the sickle , rotten , & cryed for the corastue , what followde ? The harmelesse creatures must pay for it . The beasts of the field , and the foules of the heauen must be cut off , and Hose. 4. 2. 3 the Fishes of the sea must be taken away . The Prophet Ieremie ( bewailing the pitious Lam. 2. 4. estate of Ierusalem ) testifieth , that the very wayes of Sion , and the rampart , & wall did lament for the iniquitie of the Iewes . Sée , sée , my beloued , how the dumbe creatures complaine vnder the intollerable waight of thy sinnes , while thou iettest vp and downe with a Cammels proud neck , & bearest no part in their song of sorrow . Thy corne which thou hopedst would growe plumpe in the eare , is blasted in the prime , and it thanks thée for it . Thy close is pesterd with thornes and thistles , and other cursed and vntimely fruite , and it thankes thée for it . Thy fishes are frozen to thy pond , & they silently thanke thée for it . O what a rack , what a gybbet would this be to thy soule , if thou hadst any grace ? But thou ( more sencelesse then sencelesnesse ) euen when fit opportunitie is offered to cast dust vpon thy head , and that thine eye , euen thine eye should shoure forth teares day and night , goest metily away , regardlesse of so lamentable spectacles . What is this but a cleare demonstration that so continuing thou art within an inch of hell ? Water is an heauie substance , and yet if a man lay close to the bottome of the sea , he should féele no waight , because No Element is heauy in it proper place . The whole world is crushed with the ponderousnesse of thy sinnes , and thou féelest it not : A shrewd token that sinne is where it would be . Alas for pitty , why wilt thou dye ? why wilt thou strangle thy soule with so full resolution ? If thou loue God , who loued thée first , be no longer an Heafer of thrée yeares olde ( euer liuing in pleasure , & neuer féeling sorrow ) but let thy bowels sound like an Harpe , or Shawme , for thy transgressions , and now at length sigh out this exclamation , Oh that mine head were full of water , and mine eyes a fountaine of teares , that I might wéepe day and night for my manifold and bloody sinnes .

And that thy hart may yet waxe colder within thy body , know further that thy sins lye so sore vpon thy swéete Saniours back , that he can take no rest . Hearke how he complaineth . Beholde I am pressed vnder Amo. 2. 13 thy sinnes euen as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaues . Pitie O pitie thy selfe , if not take pitie vpon thy Redéemer , who is prest downe to hell with the heauy sheaues of sinne which thou hast pickt vpon him most cruelly , more like a Iew than a Christian . It was thou , O wretch , that didst cast him into his agony , where he swet such a sweat , that the drops of blood trickled downe apace , and the Angels were faine to comfort him . It was thou , O wretch , that betraiedst him with a kisse , & soldst him for a little pleasure of sinne , not worth thirtie péeces of siluer . It was thou , O wretch , that camest vnto him with swords and staues , as if he had béene a théefe , who indéede thought it no robbery to be equall with God . It was thou , O wretch that didst whip him , and clap a crowne of thornes vpon his head , mocking him , & spitting in his face . O cruelty ? If thou haue occasion to spit , thou gettest thée to the Chimney , or behinde the doore for manners sake , and yet thou makest no bones of spitting in the face of the God of Angels . It was thou , O wretch , that didst strip him naked , & riuet his hands and féet to the crosse , flouting him euen when he indured for thy sake the incomprehensible wrath of God his Father .

Behold thy Redcéemer , offering vp praiers with strong crying , and teares , and art thou srolicking ? The daughters of Ierusalem wéepe , the Virgin Mary is pierced through with the sword of sorrow , and doost thou run ryot , and chop away thy soule for a mite of pleasure ? The Sunne lends night in midst of day , the vaile of the Temple is rent from the top to the bottom , the earth quaketh , the Mat. 27. 51. stones cléeue , the graues open , and art thou fatting thy selfe with merriment ? And meanest thou for all this to saile to heauen by heauen ? Can there be two heauens ? If thou still play the Epicure , letting these reasons which the scripture yéeldeth so bounteously rebound from thine eye , eare , and hart , like a Tennise from the ground , I ( euen plunged in a gulfe of sorrow , to sée thée like a frantick smile when thou dingest thy knuckles against what is next thée , till the blood spin out ) must leaue thée to the secret councell of God , & if thou néeds wilt perish , thy blood will be vpon thine owne soule . But I trust these words shall prooue vnto thée the swéet sauour of life vnto life , and not of death vnto death : wherfore be dilligent in waighing two reasons moe , so will I betake me to the remainder .

The first is the blessednesse of this godly sorrow . Doest thou molest the ayre with sighes , and the earth with teares , not countersaite , and forced , but sincere and penirent ? Reioyce , and be glad . Thou art in the kingdome of Grace , the forerunner of the kingdome of heauen . Before the conuersion , and Zeph : 1. 12 new spirituall byrth , thou was frozen in the dregs of thy sinne , & there was such a thicke Ice vpon thy soule , that the euill Angelles , shotte at pricks ( as it were ) and droue carts vpon it : but since the Holy Ghost ( which the Math. 3. 12 Gospell compared to fire ) hath caught holde on thée , thy congealed nature is dissolued , and thawed into a flood of teares .

Wouldst thou thinke it ? There is not a Psal: 56. 8. teare shed for sinne , but God catches it before it falles to the ground , and treasureth it vp in his bottle . Not a teare spent in this sort , which thou shalt not finde vpon recorde in heauen , so soone as euer thy soule is vnhousde . In summe : the Lambe in the midst of the Thorne , will ( with his owne hand ) wipe away al teares from thine eyes . Thus they that sowe in teares , shall reape in ioye . Blessed art thou if thou now wéep , for thou Reue. 7. 17 shalt laugh , blessed art thou if thou now mourne , for thou shalt be comforted . Yet a very little while , and he that shall come , Luck . 6. 21 will come , and will not tary .

The last Motiue is the consideration of their deplored estate , who ayming at nothing but the bodyes corrupt satisfaction , bury the excellent designes of the soule in muddy sensuall pleasure , terming sorrow for sinne nothing els but a sullen passion be got betwéene Feare , and Melancholy , the silly effect of the foolishnes of Prenching . Whervnto shall I liken this generation ? They are like vnto the fat Kine of Bashan that are in the mountaine of Samaria , appointed for the slaughter . They are like vnto Théeues that goe through a fayre sloured field to the gallowes . They are like vnto Riuers that run swéet , & fresh into the salt sea . They are like vnto Passengers laide along to sléepe vnder shady trées , who wakning since themselues swelted with the heate of the remooued sun .

These Riotours that neuer came where true sorrow grew , first are base . For themselues affirme that pleasure is for the body , & all men know the body is for the soule : so become they seruants to their seruants seruant . Secondly their estate is damnable in life , in death , after death . In life , for their consciences are bereft of sence and motion , by that gangrene sinne , and throughly burnt with a searing Yron . If a man should cut them vp he should finde no hart in them , for Whoredome , and Wine , and new Wine , haue taken Hose. 4. 11. away their hart . This is a plague of all plagues . The stone in the bladder is a gréeuous disease , so is the stone in the backe , but there is no disease to the stone in the hart . Some read the Bible , and finding the wrath of God to smoake against sinners in the olde Testament , somtime with stoning , somtime with the earth swallowing her inhabitants , somtime with fire & brimstone from heauen , they wonder why God is so gentle now a dayes as to let sinne alone , which growes so ranke in all places . Alas it is true ( wretches that we are ) we are all of one language ( quite contrary to the good language of Canaan ) & we build Towers of Babel ( Towres of sinne and confusion ) whose pinacles spire vp to heauen , and cry out in the eares of the Lord , Thou God to whome vengeance belongeth , thou God to whom vengeance belongeth , shew thy selfe . And verily if we goe on as we doe , out-sinning all the regions about vs , and turning vnto our owne race as a horse rusheth into the battaile , we shall driue the Lord in his anger to exclaime , O , they haue put out my eyes , as the Philistins did Sampsons my type , they multiply abhominations , as if I had no prouidence : lead me lead me to the maine pillers of the land , the posts whereon the house standeth , that so I may bring the realme vpon their heads , & be at once auenged of them for my two eyes . But ( to answer the question ) I auouch i● confidently that the Lorde doth plague the impenitent of this land more sharply and seuerely now in these dayes of peace , then he did malefactors in former ages . And I prooue it thus . Then he punished the body , now he punisheth the soule , deliuering these men vp into a reprobate sence , & giuing the Deuill liberty to eare-marke them . It is the fearefullest iudgment in the world , when sin is punished with sinne , and this is the iudgment of these times . Wo , wo , wo vnto vs , for we are sick of sinne vnto death , and yet féele it not , nay like Gadarens , we driue away the Lord of life the deare Physitian of our soules .

If any man be desirous to know the cause of so vniuersall a desertion , and embrawning of the hart , I must tell him that we are poore with riches , pale with beauty , sicke with health , euill with good . Peace , and Plenty ( the mother , and daughter ) haue so led and pampred vs , that we are waxen wantonings , and kick against the Lord , Search the Scripture who will , he shall euer finde that leannesse of soule hath béene sent amongst Quailes , & that excessiue mirth , gluttony , and chambering , make men pursie , vnweildsome , and to God vnseruiceable .

By this deare Christian brother , mayest thou take a scantling of their wretched estate in this life who do nothing els but fulfill their sensuall lusts and appetites . Surely me thinkes this one iudgement that vsunlly befalleth Belly-gods on earth , should make our Lusty blouds afraid . But ( alas ) they haue eyes , and see not , eares and heare not , harts and vnderstand not .

They drinke till they be drounde in fire , and shoote chaineshot of roaring oathes that make the windowes of heauen to totter , ( in my conscience they made the earth quake so lately . ) Tel them of it , they breake iests , and like the prophane Isralits , rebuke the Priest . Hosea . 4. 4. Yet when they lye vpon their death beds , tumbling , and tossing , and telling the clock : when the flashes of hell fire present themselues to their consciences , and the bloody wounds appeare which they gaue their owne soules in the dayes of their iollitye : when that wilde beast Sin that hath so long slept at the dore of their harts , and stird not , is suddainely awaked , and flyes in their bosome , ready to pull out their throates : when swarmes of iniquities humme like flyes about them , and like Frogges scrall vpon them , and croke vengeance against them : then tell me if they descend not from the treble keyes of mirth to the graue keyes of sorrow : tell me then if they tremble not like an Aspine leafe , or like the hartlesse Deare at the noyse of the thunder-cracke . Then send for Moses , send for the Preacher , then good people pray for me , O whither shall I flie from the Arrowes of the Almightie , that part my ribbes , and wound me incurably : Alas I thought I could haue repented at the last gaspe , euen when I was fetching my soule sighes , but now I finde to my paine , that repentance is the guift of God . O that I might dye the death of the righteous . This will be the out-crye of euery one of them , dye not their harts like stones within 1. Sam. 25. 37. them , as Nabals did .

But when the date of their life is out , and their soules vnbodied , then is that truely brought to passe which our Sauiour pronounceth , Woe bée to you that now laugh , Luk. 6. 25. for yée shall wéepe , and waile . When they once put their heades within hell gates , and heare the feareful yelling of damned spirits , that féele no comfort , no release , no ease , nor any thing but amaze and horror , then will they wish , & wish that they had wept their eies out , & sighed their lungs in péeces , but it will be too late . Then will each of them crye out , Cursed be the day wherin I was borne , cursed be the paps that gaue me suck , cursed be the knées that preuented me , for damned I was , damned I am , damned I shall be for euer more . O whether ( poore forsaken ) shall I go from distresse , since no remooue can lessen my sorrowes , & euery place presents like face of misery ? Alas what comfort can I haue when the God of all comfort is away ? Alas it is a long night that 's neuer day , an vnmercifull fire that 's neuer quenched , a dreadful torment that hath neuer end , but lasteth for a time , & times , & no time , euen for euer . O hell , hell , thy fire is intollerable hot , ( yet without any light to giue a soule confort ) the breath of the Lord like a Riuer of Brimstone doth kindle it . O that some mountaine would Isai. 30. 33. fall on me , & hide me from the presence of the Lambe , whom if I had kist , he had not béene angry , and I had neuer come to this . O that I had béene borne a Katte , or a Spider , or a Load , for so should my soule haue vanished to nothing , whereas now it is substantiue , alwayes dying , yet neuer dead . Worme of conscience , when , oh when wilt thou dye ? wilt thou neuer leaue tugging and tearing my soule ? Father Abraham , one drop of water to coole my tongue , good father Abraham .

Alas , why go I about to blazon the armes of hell , since they passe the power of any pencils expressing , or mindes imagination ? Suppose a man laid his limmes on a choice fetherbed , hauing before him all sightly prospects for the eye , and all toothsome meates for the taste , and the swéetest accorde in musick for the eare , and were bound to remaine so without stirring a ioynt but for twenty yeares : Oh how often would he looke vp to heauen pittifully , and long for death as for a treasure , rather than indure so soft a pnnishment ? What then will become of that vnhappy soule , who hauing sported out his life must be hurried by Deuils into hell , where his bed shall be a red-hot gridyron , legions of damned ghosts his best sightes , his dyet Dispayre , his Musicke Gnashing of Téeth , assisted with dreadfull shriekes , and Clamorous lamentations , not for twenty or forty yéeres , but for as many thousands of yeares as there be drops in the Sea , and Sands on the shore , and then to begin fresh againe euerlastingly .

These motiues well respected , and not ouerly suruaide , what flintie hart will not riue , and what sinfull soule will not houle after the maner of Dragons ? My most louing , & most déere Christian brother , let me become not a suter , but a beggar vnto thée : For Iesus Christs sake I aske it , humble thy selfe with fasting , wéeping and mourning : humble thy selfe with fasting , wéeping , and mourning , For Iesus Christes sake I aske it . If the nature of thine eye cannot mooue thée , then let the excellencie of Gods lawe which thou hast broken , perswade thée . If the excellencie of Gods law which thou hast broken cannot perswade thée , let the mighty Maiesty of the Lord rouze thée . If the mighty Maiesty of the Lorde cannot rouze thée , let the mercifulnesse of the same God allure thée . If the mercifulnesse of God cannot allure thée , let the pestilent effects of sinne curbe thée If the pestilent effects of sinne cannot curbe thée , then let the insupportable torments of hell kill thée dead , and rent thée in péeces .

As for thée , O young man , reioyce in thy Eccle. 10. 9 youth , & let thine hart chéere thée in the daies of thy youth , & walke in the wayes of thine hart , & in the sight of thine eies , but know that for al this God wil bring thée to iudgement .

Brutish Epicure , that postest to the Play-house at the sound of the Trumpet , and giuest money to behold their vanities , who set vp the Flag of defiance to vertue , but wilt in no wise bee brought to the Church to mourne though the Preacher lift vp his voyce like a trumpet , & cry alowd , Ho , come , and buy Wine and Milke without siluer : persist Isaia . 55. 1. in thy merriment , doe : but know that for all this God will bring thée to iudgement .

Théeuish adulterer , that feloniously takest away thy poore neighbours little shéepe , that eates of his owne morsels , drinkes of his owne cup , & sléepes in his bosome : laugh on , sweare on , whore on : but know that for all this God will bring thée to iudgement .

To returne to thée ( brother mine ) whose saluation I desire in my hart : those Instigations & Inducements which the Lord hath put into my minde , haue I imparted to thee : And yet I finde not my selfe satisfied , till I acquaint thée with certaine rubbes which Sathan will cast in thy way , to stop thée from running smoothly to this godly sorrow .

The first Impediment is the want of the word preached . For how canst thou mourne , if Iohn Baptist mourne not to thée , or cal thy place Bochim ( that is by interpretation ) Weeping , Iud. 2. 4. 5. vnlesse Phineas , or some zelous Prophet forbeare Incarnatiue salues , and giue thée corasiues , rebuke thée sharpely , and sounding thy sinnes to the bottome ? Peter must not bawke thy wickednesse , but taxe Acts. 2. 36. thée roundly , and point out Iesus whome thou hast crucified , else wilt thou not be prickt in thy heart , nor demaund what thou shalt do to be saued . O then , my brother , beloued , and longed for , my ioy & my crowne ( I hope ) as euer thou meanest to haue a grudging in thy conscience for thy manyfolde corruptions , be a diligent frequenter of powerfull Sermons .

The second Hindrance , is the hope of long life . Soule ( saith the ritch man ) take thine Luk. 12. 19 ease . Why so ? Thou hast much goods laide vppe for many yeares . Take héede , take héede of this faulte , for it is inbred . The Adulterer will graunt that Adulterye ingenerall , is naught : but when he descends to this , or that speciall Adultrye , then hée varnisheth it ouer with some vayne shewe of reason and approueth it . Right so thou wilt confesse by wordes of course ( especially when thou art crauing a bond for security ) that man is mortal , man is mortal : but when it comes to this , that thou , thou in particular , must shortly bée borne on foure mens shoulders to the place of deade mens sculs , then thou soothest thy selfe , & art fondly incredulous , as if thy life were thine owne fée-simple . Harke in thine eare . Thou art a Dyue-dapper , péering vp , and downe agayne in a moment , thou camest by the wombe , and must goe by the graue . Harke in thine eare . Thou dwellest in an house Iob. 4. 19 of clay , in a tent , pitcht to day , remooued to morrow , and Corruption is thy father , the worme thy mother , and thy sister , Where is 2. Cor. 5. 1 louely Absolon ? Where is strong Og , wonted to streake himselfe on his bed of yron ? Dead . All , all goe naked out of the world , thou boughtest life , and must pay for it with death . Assure thy selfe , whosoeuer readest this booke , that ere many yeares , or decades of months be past , Death ( mounted on his Reuel. 6. 8. pale horse ) will rap at thy doore , and alight , & carry thée away ( bound head and foote ) to a land darke as darknesse it selfe . What then remaineth , but that thou presently make Ioh. 19. 41 thy graue with Ioseph of Arimathea in thy Garden ( the place of thy delight ) mourning each daye amidst thy most tickling pleasures , as if the Sunne of thy life were sure to set at night ? When shall I pray for thée , saith Moses to Pharaoh ? To morrowe , answers Exod. 8. 9. Pharaoh . He should haue said To day . Be not a kinne to Pharaoh . For if thou play the ignamous and sloathfull seruant , beginning to eate , and drinke with the drunken , Math. 24. 49. 50. thy Maister Christ will come in a day when thou lookest not for him , and in an houre that thou art not aware of , and will cut thée off , and giue thée thy portion with hypocrites , there shall be wéeping and gnashing of téeth .

The third let is Companie , especially merie Company . Therefore the Prophet Dauid Psal. 4. 4. would haue vs examine our selues ( quietly ) on our Beds . It is storyed by the Euangelists that Peter went out ( from the Luk. 22. 62 concourse of people in the high Priests hall ) and then he wept bitterly . It is better to goe to the house of mourning than of feasting , Eccles. 7. 4. saith Salomon . The king of glorye sometime so dignifieth the Gentleman , that he knockes at his hart by his holy spirit , and bids him open the doore that he may enter in . Héere begins he to sighe at the view of his sinnes . Presently comes me in a Ruffian ( whom God sends to prooue him , whom the Deuill sends to spoile him ) and he with a payre of Cardes , and a Cup of neate Claret , thrusts Iesus out into the Stable , because there is no roome for him in the Inne . Thus be the good motions of the holye Ghoste extinguished by the accesse of a Gamester , that Schooles his young maister in the Arte of Driuing away time . Driue away time ? Is Tyme so slow-footed that it néedes driuing ? My friend : if a sinner intice thée to sport when the Feuer of thy sinnes begins to shake thée , consent not to him , Rather goe aside ( as a man throwne from the world ) and then let thy belly tremble , let thy lips shake , let rottenuesse enter into thy bones . Learne of the Nightingale who when she is robd of her yonglings , gets her to some solitarie trée , where she bewailes her vnhappie marriage . Abstract , and sequester thy selfe , flée resorte , say vnto laughter thou art madde , haunt vntrodden pathes , desire the Lillies of the fielde to cloath themselues in blacke , and accompanie thée in thy dolefull passions .

The fourth Impediment is Impayring of health . A ioyfull hart ( saith the Wiseman ) causeth good health , but a sorrowfull minde Pro. 17. 22 dryeth vp the bones . Let not this dismay thée , better go sickly to heauen , than healthfull to hell . Be not all for thy bodie , nothing for thy soule , but like the Lapidarie , estéeme the Iewell farre aboue the rinde or barke : Moreouer I affirme that it is the care of this worlde that brings a Calender into the bones , and snowes vpon mens heades so timely , and not this sorrow which we magnifie . For as the Sea at high water , if angred with a boystrous wind , threatneth present deluge to the earth , and yet suddainely it giues backe , and runnes away like a coward : so the panges , and gréeuances of the righteous , stird vp by the iustice of God , euen when they séeme to deuoure , are deuoured of his mercy . They are as sorrowing and yet alwayes reioycing by reason of spiritual comfort which putteth life into them . Heauines may indure for a night , but ioye wil be sure to be with them in the morning .

The last and worst Let , is the holding the mortality of the soule . There is a cursed generation that sit downe to eate , and drinke , and rise vp to play , and hold that their soules in death vanish away like a dogges . This Satanicall paradoxe possest the hart of that great Phisition Galen . A man might haue cast his water and found filthy sediments of Athisme . But he is dead long ago , & I would this sin had died with him . Good Christian , neuer come thou nere those Carrions that maintaine the soule to be a vapour , vnlesse thou haue the winde of them . That thou maist be assured of the soules immortality , harken to these pregnant , and vnanswerable proofes .

Our fathers are the fathers of our bodyes Heb. 12. 9. Eccle. 12. 7. ( not of our soules ) saith the Apostle . The spirite returnes to God that gaue it , saith the Preacher . The Lord breathed the soule into Gen. 2. 7. mans body , saith Moses : Therefore is it not elementary , therefore is it euerlasting . But because the disputer of this worlde renounces Christian principles , we will enter the listes of reason with him ( a little ) and foile him in his proper element . The sence is so corrupted by a great obiect , that it cannot indure the lesse . For example . The eye is so dazeled with the beames of the Sun , that it cannot iudicially discerne colours in an obscurer light . It is contrary with the vnderstanding . For the more vehement the obiect is whereabout it is conuersant , the more forcible is it in comprehending the inferiour . An euident demonstration of the soules diuinity I omit the horror of conscience , which cannot possibly light vpon the body ( it being a spirituall punishment ) nor yet vpon the soule , were it not a subsisting essence . And I will but tutch the most admirable gradation of the creatures , some whereof are onely bodily , as beasts : some spirituall as Angels : some both spirituall , and sensible , as man : the one in respect of his soule , the other of his body . Therfore , my beloued , be thou stedfast , immooueable , & aboundant in mourning for thine iniquities , for as much as thou knowest thy sorrow shall not be in vaine in the Lord .

If thou finde thy soule at od times vnwilling to thinke of flitting , impute that to her illnesse : for naturally she is estranged from the father of lights , and lodging so warmely and peaceably in the body , she is not so forward to remooue as she ought . The Infant is at harts-case in the mothers wombe , and would not change it for a pallace : yet when it is borne , and comes to discretion , it cannot indure to thinke of the closet where it lay enwrapped . The soule delighteth now to inhabit the body , but when death hath brought it to a ioyfull birth after a long trauaile , O then it would not be imprison'd againe in the body for a thousand worlds . And thus by Gods goodnesse haue I gone through the Impediments .

And now , good brother , that I haue giuen thée a potion , the vertue whereof I trust hath had full course to runne throughout all thy vaynes : I am for a farewell to leaue thée a swéete Electuary , or Iulep for thy comfort . It is a Moderation in sorrowing . For the tempter will couet to besnare thy soule with intollerable anguishe , that so ( with Cain ) thou maiest complaine that thy sinnes are greater than can be forgiuen . O pray , pray , pray for patience , and comfort of the holy Ghost , for a wounded spirite who can beare ? Iob , and Dauid ( a blessed pare of Saints ) mourned like Doues , and Pellicans , when the Lord caused them to possesse Pro. 18. 14. the sinnes of their youth , Surely no wisdom can counsell , no counsel can aduise , no aduise can asswage a perplexed conscience , nor any thing els , but onely the hart bloud of Iesus Christ , which blood hee hath powred out so plenteously for all true penitent sinners that they may bath themselues therein . Then cry incessantly , and importunately , O sonne of Dauid haue mercy on me , open mine eyes , heale my woundes , cure my Maladies , euen for thy goodnes sake , O Lord . Remember the heauenly wordes Christ vttered in the extreame agony of his soule ; My God , my God why hast thou forsaken me ? Behold how hée calleth his father his God twice , what time his wrath ceazed vpon him in an incomprehensible maner . Sorrow not too much when the Lord openeth the booke of thy conscience ( all blurd , and blotted with sinne ) but bee of good cheare , & kisse his holy hand euen when he striketh thée . The father of mercies , and God of al consolation , be thy Castle of defence in all thy tribulations , & spirituall conflicts , that thou maist be able to comfort others in the like distresse by the same comfort wherewith thou thy selfe art comforted of him . Amen .

FINIS .