The last battell of the soule in death diuided into eight cof̃erences ... : whereby are shown the diuerse skirmishes that are between the soule of man on his death-bedde, and the enemies of our saluation : carefullie digested for the comfort of the sicke / by Mr. Zachary Boyd, preacher of Gods word at Glasgow.

THE LAST BATTELL of the Soule in death , diuided into eight seuerall Conferences .

The first dayes conference . Of carnall and worldlie temptations ▪ The sicke man .

MY Bodie is sicke , my Soule is wounded : Gods wrath is fearefull ; it burneth to the Deut. 32. v. 22. bottome of Hell ▪ The heate thereof already maketh my Soule to sweate : I can find no Skrine or Sconce to set betweene mee and this fire : Oh , in all appearance I shall shortlie●…ee dissolued , for to be brought before that great Tribunall : * * Note Alas , what terrours are these , Sinne , Sicknesse , Death , the Graue , and an vnprepared Soule ? I tremble all like Belshazzar : Mine heart is entangled Dan. 5. 9. with feares : my knees shiuer , and smite one against another : Mine heart is pricked , while I remember mine euill spent life : * * Note While I had time to doe good , I was of the frozen Generation : Nowe Gods glowmes like Boanarges , Sonnes of Thunder , armed with fierie furie , make heart and Soule to melt , and to fall downe in droppes within my bowles : Oh , for a drop of water for to coole the boyling heate o●… mine heart : Is there no man heere that can affoord me a word of comfort , for to vphold mine heart into this heauie houre ?

A spirituall Friend .

Sir , I thinke it expedient that ye send for your Pastour , the man of God , that beareth the keyes of ●…he Kingdome of heauen : It may bee that the good God shall put some words of comfort into his mouth whereby your wearied Soule shall bee refreshed* while the chosen Servants of God speake his words to the fainte heart , the Lord putteth foorth a power to enable them to doe all that wherfore they are spoken : So soone as S. Peter had spoken to the lamed man , his feete and ancle bones receiued Act 3 ▪ 7. strength : Though miracles cease now , yet this shall bee true , so long as the world standeth ▪ The effectuall feruent prayer of a rightcous man auaileth Iam. 5. 16 much : Will it please you Sir that I goe for to fetch him ?

The sicke Man .

Hee shall bee welcome vnto mee : But alas , while I might I frequented him too little : * * Note I haunted rather the companie of these that delighted mee with sportes and jests , whereof now I haue no comfort : * * Note Because I thought I could repent heereafter , I did that whereof I may now repent , and whereof indeed , as I feare , I shall repent but too late ●… This now puts my Soule into the dumps : now al my foolish laughters are turned into mourning , for I feare exceedinglie to die , I tremble and tosse within this bed , GOD alone knoweth what shall bee the end of this lingring tryall : Goe Sir , I pray you , and desire the man of God to come and visite a bruised reede , and Isa. 42. 3. a smoaking flaxe .

A spirituall Friend .

I goe for him presentlie : I hope before hee leaue you , yee shall find this tempest of temptations to growcalme : * * Note In the meane-time till hee come , I pray you to remember that all your paines are but a crosse sent before to crucifie the loue of the world : In your greatest distresse , striue to bee a Disciple of Iesus , the Author and finisher of our Faith , who Heb. 12. 12. for the joye that was set before him , endured the crosse : Bee not discouraged in your greatest smarts ▪ * * Note For reproofes Prov. 6. 13 of instruction are the way of life : In your greatest feare remember the joy that is set before you .

The Pastour .

Sir , hauing knowne of your disease by your godlie friend I am come to see you , and to impart vnto you some spirituall comforts ▪ * * Note While the Soule is sore troubled , thereis danger in delay : A bruised Spiritis like a bone out of joynt , the longer it be let alone , the hardlier it is set . If I had knowne of your sickenesse sooner , I would haue visited you ere now .

The Sicke Man .

I rejoyce Sir to see you , my Soule euer loued you : But alas , not as I should haue done : If God should but at this time spare my life , with the helpe of my God yee should see mee at once a farre changed man .

The Pastour .

Come Death ▪ come Life , God maketh all thinges to worke to the best of these that loue him .

Gods corrections are good directions : * * Note With one crosse hee can worke two cures , first a correction for by-past corruption , and after a direction for times to come : If God should not scourge vs betimes the reigning of the flesh should proue the ruine of the Spirit : * * Note This was the vtter ouerthrow of the Sonnes of Eli , God would not correct them , because the Lord would stay them .

As for that which ye speake concerning 1 Sam. 2. 25 the changing & amending of your life , your resolution is good : But seeing the houre of death is vncertaine , it is good that yee bee presentlie prepared : Death commeth vpon man with stealing steps : Let no man put far off the day of his death There is great danger , that any man sooth himselfe with the vaine hope of this mortall life : No man can tell how soone hee shall be arraigned to compeare before Gods Barre : None said a Pagane is assured to liue vntill the morrow .

* * Note Nemo tam diuos habuit faventes , Senec. Crastinum ut possit sibi polliceri .

* * Note It is good therefore daylie and hourelie to bee vpon our Watch-Tower , preparing our selues for death , which shall either be the end of all our miserie , or the beginning of our euerlasting woe , delay to prepare for death , is a strong threed in the Deuils net . A man will not die the sooner that he prepare himselfe to die : If a man bee prepared to die , and yet die not , hoc sibi ponat in lucro , that preparation is great aduantage vnto him : But if hee die , hee hath done that which hee should haue done : * * Note What a dangerous venture is this to a man to delay to prepare himselfe to die , because it may bee that yet hee may liue ? But may it not also bee that hee die ? It is a dangerous thing to perrell our Saluation vpon a may be , which may as well no bee : It is fearefull to bee hanged ouer Hell with the euill twined threed of a life that must end , none can tell , how , where , nor when . No man is exeemed from this necessitie .

* * Note The post Pale Horse wherevpon Revel. 6 ▪ 8 Death is mounted , caries his Rider thorow all Nations , Cities , and Houses ; pulling out of their beds Princes , Prelats , and priuate men without any respect of persons : thus are their hopes cropped in their fairest flower : It is good therefore that wee euer bee vpon our gard : God offereth grace to day : To day if Heb. 3. 15 yee heare his voyce : But who promiseth to morrow ? well is him that feareth alwayes .

The sicke Man .

O the terrours of Death and of the Graue ! mine heart quaketh while I remember of these last strugglings that are in death : It was not without reason that the Pagans called it terribilium terribilissimum , of all fearefull things , the most fearefull .

The Pastour .

* * Note If men knew what Christ hath made of Death , the liuing would not be so afraid with the feare therof , Isaiah saith , that hee hath put it into his Stomacke , hee hath swallowed Isa. 25. ●… . it vp in victorie : A wife man will not swallow ouer that which hee is not able to digest : Christ hath swallowed Death and hath digested it perfectlie : * * Note Nowe Death after Christs digestion , hath lost all its poyson , and is turned into a sleepe : The name thereof is changed , for to tell vs of the change of its nature : Dead Lazarus in Christs language is called sleeping Lazarus , Lazarus Ioh. 11. 11 Our Friend sleepeth , said Christ , speaking of his death : Hee that liueth and Ioh. 11. 26 beleeueth in mee , said Christ , shall neuer die : Death is not death to the Friends of Christ , but a sleepe to their bodie , & a translation of their Soule from a prison to a Palace : * * Note As by the grace of God , it is made an Exodus of miserie , so is it a Genesis of a better life , the corruption of one thing beeing the generation of another : * * Note What is this , that men should so feare Death , which is the end of the foule & combersome way of our Pilgrimage ? * * Note Hath not God made death like a Chariote to a wearied man , for to carie him to his euerlasting rest ? This was seene in a visible figure , when Elijah in a firie Chariot 2 King . 2. 11 went vp by a whirle wind vnto heauen .

The sicke Man .

All that is true Sir : But yee know that death is fearefull to all flesh : So soone as it commeth , it maketh a Soule lyable to yeeld an acount for all the actions of the by-past life : * * Note The bodie and the Soule are of olde acquaintance , and haue not wil to part one from the other : I cannot expresse what a worsling I finde within mee ; there is such a working feare about mine heart , that I tremble to thinke vpon it : This maketh my words to wade in teares , mine heart is cut with sobs of sorrow : O death , the enemie of Life , is there no comfort against thee ? Is there no Balme in Gilead ? Of force then must I die ?

The Pastour .

The woman of Tekoah said verie well , Wee must all needes die , and are 2 Sam. 14. 14. as water spilt on the ground , which can not bee gathered : Death is an vnauoidable passage , there is none entrie vnto Heauen , but by it . I will striue to let you see before that yee enter in at the doores of Death , that your Soule hath no such cause to be afraide : Indeed I confesse , that death to these that know not Christ , is indeede a most fearefull thing ▪ according to this Sathan said , Skinne for Iob. 2 4. skinne , and all that a man hath he will giue it for his life : * * Note See how a Naturall man would bee content that his skinne were pulled off him , if it could bee a ransone for to saue his life : Such is the feare of death , that for to bee free of it , a man would giue his skinne : * * Note Agag called it a 1 Sam. 15 32. bitter thing : Surelie , said he , The bitternesse of death is past : * * Note The wilde Gourdes shred into the Prophetes pottage , for bitternesse , were called Death : So soone as they had tasted them , all cryed , Death is into the 2 King . 4 40. pot : The bitter torments of Hell 2 Cor. 1. 10 are called , so great a Death : Dauid speaking of the pangs of death , calleth them waues : The waues of death compassed me : See how death is compared 2 Sam. 22 5. to a raging Sea , with rolling waues : To this Dauid subjoynes , The snares of death preuented mee : vers. 6. Death indeed is fearfull , armed with waues & snares : * * Note We in our weaknesse make it also fearfull , painting it with bare bones , with a skul , girning with its teeth , and with its sting , like a flooked Dart , for to pierce thorow the heart of man .

* * Note It is true that death is bitter in it selfe , but hee that made sweetnesse to Iudg. 14. 14. come out of the strong , and meate to come out of the eater , can bring both meate and sweetnesse out of death for the Christian Soule , though no thing bee stronger than death , the greatest eater of the world . One saith well , that there is in death but one bitter morsell to swallow .

The cheefe course that wee haue to tak for to win to an happie death , is that aboue all thinges , wee striue to make our acquaintance with Christ , the Lord of life : * * Note Till a man know Christ , who hath disarmed Death by taking away its sting and its dart , hee will tremble at its buzze : * * Note A Bee that wanteth the sting , will afray a Childe with its buzze , but the man of vnderstanding is not afraide for a sound . * * Note I am assured that the excessiue feare of Death in a wicked man , is a most powerfull meanes for to make him die before his day , that is sooner than by course of Nature hee should haue died : Though a mans day bee set , yet God vseth meanes , Death is a distresse 2 Sam. 14. 14 vnto the wicked .

Let him them that would die in peace Luk. 2. 29 make his peace with his God : * * Note No man can be willing to die , before his Conscience bee at quiet , till God and his Soule haue shaken hands , & beene friended : * * Note A man that is at feed with his God , will say to death Gods messenger , as Ahab saide to Gods Prophet , Hast thou found mee 1 King . 21 20 mine enemie . But as for the godlie man whose Soule is prepared to meete with his God , he will say to Death , welcome Friend , take my Soule by the hand , and draw it out of this prison , Oh , but it is wearied . O , but it longeth to be free from these bonds of mortalitie , combersome clogges of claye . * * Note Hee that is assured to goe to Christ , cannot die vnwillinglie , what careth hee to die an houre , for to liue for euer ? * * Note I will Nazian. in vita Basil. neuer feare Death , saide a Father , which can doe no more than restore me to him that made mee * * Note To change a life that is mortall , for an that is eternall , is an vnspeakable profite .

The sicke Man .

But alas : By what way may I come vnto that Life ?

The Pastour .

I am the way , said Christ , None Ioh. 14. 6. commeth to the Father but by mee : * * Note This way is thorow the valey of death : In this valey yee neede not to feare , if Christ bee with you . In the valey of the shadow of death , Psal. 23. 4. said Dauid , I will feare none euill : his reason was this , that God was with him : For thou art with mee .

The sicke Man .

I finde my selfe Sir exceeding Psal. 1●…7 . weake , and that I drawe neere the doores of Death : I take great delight to heare you : I requeast you to continue your comforts : I intreate you to call to remembrance these speciall comforts yee haue had , either by your owne experience , or by reading , or by Meditation : I am assured that yee haue some laide vp in store for your selfe , against the houre of temptation : Let me heare I pray you , what yee thinke best to be said to a man in his greatest feares .

The Pastour .

First of all , that yee may bee capable of comforts , striue to bee patient in your trouble : Acknowledge in this sicknesse the great mercie of your God : In this affliction hee hath giuen to you , the wish and choise of Dauids chastisement : You are not fallen into the hands of men , whose compassions are cruell , but in the hands of God , your Father , whose bowels are full of mercifull remembrance : * * Note Though a Mother should forget her Childe , wee are printed vpon his Palmes : It is true , Isa. 49. 15 that no affliction for the present seemes Heb. 12. 18 joyous : * * Note Yet afterward the bitter seed of sorrow , bringeth foorth the sweet & quiet fruit of righteousnes .

If yee would bee armed against the feare of Death , my counsell is , that aboue all things in the tempest of your temptations , yee haue recourse vnto the bloodie wounds of Christ , wherein as in the holes of the Rocke , your Soule like a Doue may find a place of refuge : * * Note His wounds well may I call , The secret of the most Psal. 91. 1 High : He who lodgeth there , is vnder the shadow of the Almightie : * * Note An afflicted Soule is like a Bee in a tempest , tossed to and fro : Frae once the Bee hath winne to its Hyue-hole , it entereth into rest : The poore Soule of a man for a space will be wonderfullie tossed with tempests , and long will it wrestle : But so soone as it can once win in at the holes of Christs wounds , then it enters into Rest : * * Note Out of these wounds , as out of its Castle and fortresse , it will boast the Deuill , Death , the Flesh , and the World : In these woundes is the Soules strongest Tower , the secret place of the most High , where none enemie of mans Saluation shall bee able to reach vnto it for to hurt it : Let your chiefest care bee to creepe in into these wounds .

* * Note Againe , after that yee haue shaken hands with Christ , and made him your friend , consider well what hee hath made of Death : Christ hath made it a friend of a foe : Is not Death now a sleepe ? Christs friends sleepe : Sleepe as yee know is our Ioh. 11. 11 great friend : Hee must bee a great friend without whose friendship we can not liue : As wee can not liue without Sleepe , neither can we liue without Death : Except that wee die on Earth we can not liue in Heauen : Thou foole ▪ said S. Paul , That 1 Cor. 15 3 which thou sowest is not quickened , except it die : * * Note The whole course of a Christian is contained within the compasse of these wordes , I liue to die , that I may die to liue : If man will not resolue to liue for to die , hee shall not die to liue : * * Note The course of a Christian is from a good life to an happie death , and from thence to life yea , to life eternall : Well is the man that runneth not without this compasse .

The sicke Man .

But alas , O my God , take mee not Psal. 102. 24. away in the midst of my dayes : Alas , Sir , must I die so soone ?

The Pastour .

* * Note The Apostle saith , That we die 1 Cor , 15 31. daylie . Tunc quoque cum crescimus vita decrescit . It is certaine , that so soone as wee beginne to liue , wee also beginne to die : What are all the dayes of our life , but a progresse vnto Death , which is the putting off of 2 ●…et 1. 14 our Tabernacle ? * * Note What is this body , but a mire of mortalitie ? Hominiquid vita ? cylindrus : What is mans life , but a rolling thing .

The sicke Man .

But will the Lord take mee away in the midst of my dayes ? Hath not God promised to the godlie man that his dayes shall bee long in the land ? Long life is a thing whereof God hath made promise vnto these whom hee loueth .

The Pastour .

I answere , that such a promise is vnder two conditions : First of Gods glorie , secondlie of mans well : * * Note If God loue a man dearlie , hee will whiles take him away in his youth , that hee may haue him neere to him selfe : Moreouer God seeth that which no man can fore-see , viz. the euill to come . The righteous saith Isa. 57. 1. Isaiah is taken away from the euill to come : God hath indeede promised many dayes to the righteous man : But if God shorten them , and take him away sooner , what wrong hath he done vnto him ? * * Note If a Lord should giue to one of his seruants some cottage house of clay , with some little piece of ground for Colewort or Cabbage for to liue vpon , saying , This will I giue thee for thy life-time : But if afterward this Lord should say , Fetch mee my good feruant out of his clattie Cottage , and bring him to my Palace , that he may eate at mine owne Table for euer : Tell me , if by the change that seruant hath lost : Would that seruant think yee , say , No Lord , I will not come to thy Table , for thou hast promised mee this Cottage-house for my life-time ? * * Note What Lord in the Land was euer troubled with such an answere ?

And yet indeede it is so , that God doeth with his faithfull seruantes , when they die into the midst of their dayes : * * Note When men are departed from this life , it is the Lord that hath sent his messenger Death for to fetch their Soules from their bodies , which Scripture calleth Tabernacles Io●… . ●… . 19. of clay , vnto his heauenlie Mansions , there for to banquet eternallie at his Table with Abraham , Isaac , and Matth. 8. 11 Iacob .

Now tell mee , O man , what haue yee lost , for to goe from the Earth to the Heauens ? Is there any thing in this world of such worth , that should make you desire to liue , for to stay from your God but an houre ?

The sicke Man .

That which yee say Sir , is verie true : But how few are these who in this world can gladlie condescend to depart out of this life ? The life is sweete .

The Pastour .

I confesse indeede that euery one hath not attained vnto this high degree of grace , as to say with S. Paul , I desire to bee dissolued , &c. Yet all the Philip ●… 23. godlie will subscribe to this that all the faithfull are happie who are dissolued : * * Note Though euerie man can not wish to die yet euerie man of God will say , That Death is better than life , Death is a salue which healeth vs of all our sores : Is not Death Gods messenger , sent for to pull the troubled Soule out of this sinfull world , as Gods Angel pulled Gen. 19. 16 Lot out of S●…dom ? Is not our life heere a warfare ? * * Note Are we not here as Daniel was in the Dungeon among Lions ? Are not wee here D●…n. 6. 16 11 with Ieremie sticking fast into the Ier. 38. 6. myrie clay ? Are not wee heere with Israel , into the House of bondage Exod. 20●… 2. ouerburdened with sinne as they were with bricke ? Are we not Rom. 7. 24 heere with S. Paul , vnder the bodie of Death ? And with Ioseph in the Psal. 105. 18 stockes , not of tree , but of sinne ?

If it were well tolde a man what is heere , and what hee may looke for in the life to come , if hee had but a graine of grace , as great as of Mustard seede , hee should easilie discerne whereof to make choise : Is not our life heere a wind , and a vapour Iam. 4. 14. of vanitie ? But which is most of all to be considered : Is there not heere a necessitie of sinning laide vpon all the liuing ? Who should not bee glad to bee fredde and ridde of these sinfull bondes ? * * Note Is not this life continuallie sicke of the filthie flooxe of sinne , a most lothsome disease ? When wee seeke our daylie bread , wee must immediatelie subjoyne , Matth. 6. 11 forgiue vs our sinnes : First , as wee see heere , wee must begge our bread , and then pardon . * * Note What then are wee heere , but daylie beggers for the bellie ? The King must begge his bread from God : In the Heauens there shall bee no begging , but thanking of God for his benefites : Who should for all that he can beg on Earth , desire for to liue out of Heauen but one houre ? * * Note Are we not all heere vnder a corruptible burden , a burden of corruption , vnder which the Soule is pressed as a Cart full of sheaues ? So Amos. 2 , 11 long as wee are heere , our Soules are laden with sinnes : * * Note A Soule burdened with such baggage runs on wheeles , as it were downe an hill all post haste , except that God stay it , it shall neuer cease , till it arriue in Hell , where God shall breake it in sunder by the tempest of his wrath .

The sicke Man .

But Death is the wages of sinne , Rom. 6. 23 who shall not feare ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Indeed Death is such of the owne nature : But God in great mercie hath made death to the godlie like the Raine-bow , which being naturallie Gen. 9. 13 a signe of present raine , by Gods Couenant becommeth a perpetuall signe of faire weather to come after that raine : * * Note As throgh Death Christ wrought our Life , so must wee bee killed for to bee made aliue : The glorious Resurrection must bee through dust and corruption : Our paines must goe before our pleasures , Psal 16. 11 and lashes before our laughters : After that , in come pleasures for euermore .

If wee had the faith of God , wee should not much feare the smart of death which by Christ is made transitus ad vitam , a passage vnto Life : * * Note Let vs once passe thorow this Iordan , and behold , wee are in an instant in Canaan .

The sicke Man .

All that is true Sir : No man can controle you : yet naturallie all loue Life : The Life is sweete .

The Pastour .

How sweete is it ? I pray you : Is not our whole Life trouble and wearinesse ? * * Note What is our sleeping , our resting , our eating , our drinking , but a seruitude to the flesh ? Who should not desire to bee rid from such seruile necessities ? who for to bee free of such bondage , should not renounce his deare selfe , and all the loue of this irk some life ? To bee with Christ , is it not our best ? Yea , is it not our rest ? what shame is it for Christians to dote so after this present life , who should haue learned to long after the life to come ?

* * Note Christ came downe , that wee might goe vp : If wee desire not to goe vp , wee know not wherefore hee came downe : Hee came downe to bee a Seruant , wee goe vp to bee Lords : Hee came downe to bee hungrie , wee goe vp to a perpetuall Feast : Hee came downe to bee banished , where hee had not wherevpon Luk. 658 to lay his head , we goe vp to dwell in Palaces of pleasures , into euerlasting Luk. 16. 9. Tabernacles : * * Note In a word , hee came downe to distresse , to sorrow , to paine , to miserie , to fight against our enemies , Deuils , Death , and temptations , yea , hee discended vnto Hell we goe vp to Ioy , to Honour , to Light , to Life , to Libertie , to our Father , to our Friends , to our Sauiour and Comforter . What shall I say more ? Euen to vnspeakable Glorie in Paradise with God & his Angels : * * Note What a folie is this , that a man should desire to bee depriued of such Comforts for a puffe Isa. 2 , 22. of breath ? Bee glad Sir , to quite the ranke Onions of Egypt , for that heauenlie Manna Sweete like Wafers Gen. 15. 31 made with honey .

The sicke Man .

If a man could bee fullie perswaded of that which ye say , I think that hardlie could hee with-hold himselfe from putting hands into himselfe , that so hee might change for the better : If all that be , why should any desire to stay from God but an houre ? If I may desire to bee dissolued , why may I not dissolue my self . The working out of a lawfull desire cannot bee vnlawfull .

The Pastour .

No man liuing Sir , may absolutelie desire to be dissolued , but vnder condition , that it bee for the glorie of God , and the Saluation of his owne Soule : * * Note For two respects a man may desire to be dissolued : First , for to bee deliuered from the bondage of sinne , which the Apostle calleth , A bodie of death : Rom. 7. 24 Secondlie , for an earnest desire to bee with his God , a man may desire to bee dissolued . But for no reason must a man dissolue himselfe , that were selfe murther : * * Note If we may not kill our Neighbour whom we should loue as our selues , neither must wee kill our selues , who are the rule and square of neighbourlie loue : * * Note Man in this world is as a set Watch , hee must not remoue , till it please him by whom hee was set , to command him to come : * * Note Though lawfullie wee may desire death , that we may bee deliuered from the bodie of death , which is sinne ; for to bee with Christ , which is meekle better Philip. 1. 23 for vs , yet wee must not cry for death for some triflles of worldlie troubles , as Ionah did for the lossing Iona 4. 8. of his leafes : Our desire of Death should bee chieflie grounded vpon a desire to bee with Christ , and to bee fredde from the spirituall bondage of our sins : well is him that can sincerly say from his heart , Miserable man that I am , who shall deliuer mee Rom. 7. 24 from this bodie of death ? * * Note That Soule is happie , whose desire is vpon that which is meakle better for it : To bee with Christ , in Scripture stile is called meakle better : What say ye Philip. 1. 23 now Sir , doeth not your heart grone vnder this burden of sinfull death ? Doeth not your Soule long to bee out of this bodie , for to bee with him , where it shall bee meakle better for you ?

The sicke Man .

I take vp the matter better than I did : I see by your reasons , that there is no reason wherefore a man should desire to die , but for to bee with his Christ , and to be deliuered from the bodie of bondage , which is a death : But alas .

The Pastour .

I see you yet Sir , into a plunge , I heard that word , Alas : Wherefore say yee Alas ? Yee looke yet as one who desireth to liue : My wordes are not gifted with perswasion ; yee seeme to be afraide at that word , dissolued : What aileth you ? There bee doubtlesse some thing within that troubleth you .

The sicke Man .

I am sorie to goe out of this world , wherevnto I am chained by diuerse respects : In the cutting off of my dayes , I will mourne with sicke Hezekiah in the words of his doole : I Isa. 38 , 10. am depriued of the residue of my yeares , &c.

The Pastour .

I see Sir , that yee are taking vp the Lamentations of Hezekiah : I will striue to make answere to euerie sentence apart : Yee are depriued , saye yee , of the residue of your yeeres : * * Note Hee is not depriued that hath changed for the better : * * Note The residue of your few yeeres shall bee turned into eternitie : * * Note Hee who seeth many yeeres , seeth many miseries , and which is worse , contracteth many sinnes , the cause of all our woe : Moreouer , what is a residue of life ? Death is not farre , when it is farthest .

The sicke Man .

But if I die , I shall not see the Lord Isa. 38. ●…1 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing .

The Pastour .

This is your ignorance : What can man see of the Lord , in the land of the liuing ? * * Note What can a sinner see of that great IEHOVAH here ? What is to bee seene on Earth , but the Backe-parts of IEHOVAH ? Into the Heauens wherevnto yee now approach yee shall see that great and glorious IEHOVAH , face to face . What are all men on Earth , but a number of wormes crawling and creeping vpon a clat or clod of clay ?

But againe what is this that ye call the land of the liuing ? What is all the Land yee see , but a dead lump of earth , where the most part of men are dead in their sins ? Doe not the best part die daylie , vnto Sin , which death is our best life , and yet laden Rom. 7. 24 with a bodie of death ? * * Note Can ye now call this earth the Land of the liuing ? Call me not Nahomi pleasant , said Nahomi , Ruth . 1. 2●… but call me Marah that is bitter , for the Almightie hath dealt verie bitterlie with mee : So may the Earth say , Call mee not the Land of the liuing : No , rather call mee a dungeon of death , a place for the burying of the dead a place where all must 2 Sam. 14. 14 needs die , and bee as water spilt vpon the ground , which cannot bee gathered vp againe .

The sicke Man .

But alas , if I die , I shall behold men no more with the inhabitants of the world .

The Pastour .

This heere is your griefe , that death will strik you with a blindnes , so that yee shall not bee able to see any more the faces of these whom yee loue best into this world , as of Wife , Children , and of Friends of your old acquaintance : This is your d●…lour them , that ye shall see them no more : * * Note Let such thoughts Sir , moue these to mourne , who know not Death better than that Pagan , who speaking of a slaine man said ,

In eternam clauduntur Lumina noctem . Virgil.

That is , Death closeth mans eyes for euermore : This is most false ▪ * * Note A true Christian knoweth , that though both his eyes should sinke ●…owne into his head , or droppe out like blobbes or droppes of water , yet that with these same eyes runne into water , hee and none othér for him shall see his Redeemer : Though after Iob. 19. 26 27. my skin , said Iob wormes destroy this bodie , yet in my flesh shall I see God , whom I shall see for my selfe , and mine eyes shall behold ; and not another . * * Note Lay this comfort to your heart : Though your eyes were eaten out with the wormes , if you die in the faith of Iesus , yee shall see God and none other for you , and that with these same eyes yee now looke vnto mee●… * * Note If yee bee perswaded that yee shall see your God , in the Heauens , in whose face is fulnesse of Psal. 16. 11 Ioye , yee haue little cause of doole that yee shall no more behold man with the inhabitants of the world : What are all the creatures of thi●… World , but things that dwell in d●…st ? Isa 26. 18. The Sainctes and Angels that dwell into these vpper Chambers whose feete are aboue ou●… head are so fa●… in glorie , aboue all the glorie of the world , as the Heauens are aboue the Earth : * * Note As Zebah and Zalmunah said of Gideons brethren , so may we say of all these that dwell there , euerie one of them is like the Sonne Iudg. 8. 18 of a King : What are all the Creatures below , but beggerlie things ?

The sicke Man .

But alas , if I die , mine age is departed Isa. 38. 12. and remoued from me as a Shepheards tent .

The Pastour .

What is your doole ? It is all then , that yee must quite your shepheards tent . * * Note Now poore man , What haue yee lost ? Yee shall change a poore shepheards tent for the most pleasant Palace of your God , a life mortall , for a life that is eternall : * * Note A man brought from age of yeeres vnto eternitie , is like Dauid , a shepheard brought from the Ewes , for to bee made a King : What regret Psal. 78. 71 should a man haue , for to change a little Lodge for a London ? * * Note What is this life . but a daylie dyeing ?

The sicke Man .

But alas , I haue cut off like a weauer Isa. 38. 12. my life : Hee will cut mee off with pinning sicknesse , from day euen to night hee will make an end of mee .

The Pastour .

Take heede Sir what yee say : Your meaning is , that by your sins yee haue abridged and cutte short your dayes , or that yee haue prouocked God by your sinnes , to take away your Life from you : * * Note If it be so , that like a weauer yee haue cut your dayes by your sinnes ; breake off now these sinnes by repentance : If by your sinnes yee haue cut like a weauer the threeds of this mortall life , beginne now by repentance to spinne the webbe of a new life , some threeds of life eternall : Let now the rotten thrummes of the vices of your life fall downe to the ground :

* * Note While yee haue time , weaue into your life graces thorow graces , as warpe and woft : Weaue on still , till from grace yee worke in into the eternitie of glorie .

The sicke Man .

But alas , Hee will cut mee off Isa. 38. 12. with pynning sicknesse : I feare greatlie that the paines of Death put mee out of all patience .

The Pastour .

Take courage Sir : The paine shall not bee so great as yee feare : God will lay no more on you , than yee shall bee able to beare : He shall weigh all your paines in his mercifull Ballance , before that hee laye them vpon you : Hee knoweth that your strength is not like the strength of a Whale , hee breaketh not the bruised Isa. 42. 3 ●…eede * * Note God is so bent vnto mercie , that while he scourgeth sinners for their faults , hee is said to bring to passe , his strange worke and his Isa. 28. 21 strange act .

The sicke Man .

But I feare his cutting : Gods cuts are verie sensible : I feare to bee●… cut off with pyning sicknesse .

The Pastour .

Feare not ▪ God is cunning in his cutting * * Note Hee will not cut into the quicke like an ignorant Surgeon ▪ The mercifull God taketh no pleasure to cut you off with pyning sicknesse but hee will cut off your corruptions with such paines : In such paines should bee pleasure ; * * Note The bluenesse of the wound purgeth away Prou. ●…0 . 30 euill Pleasant should be that paine which is Gods Raser for cutting off mans ●…ptions ▪ Away with the pleas●…es of this ●…otten flesh * * Note Such in the beginning though lawfull , ●…re burning and bloodie pleasures : vnlawfull end into hellish torments , feare not pyning sicknesse .

The sicke Man .

But alas , from day euen to night he Isa. 38. 12. will make an end of mee .

The Pastour .

I know Sir , that the night is wearisome , and that sicknesse some what light in the day , waxeth heauy in the night : From day to night , the sicknesse increaseth : The remeede is this , bee strong in God , whose strength is made perfect in 2 Cor. 12. 9. weaknesse : * * Note If dolours increase in the night , heere is a comfort , The night time is a most fitte time for prayer : The time of silence is most conuenient for speaking vnto God : * * Note The night time is a speciall time whereof God hath made choise , for in it to speake secretlie vnto men : It was in the night that Eliphaz saw the vision and heard the voyce of Iob. 4. 13 14. 15. 16. instruction : In thoughts , said hee , From the visions of the night , wh●… deepe sleepe falleth on men , feare came vpon mee and trembling , which made all my bones to shake : Then a Spirit passed before my face , the haire of my flesh stood vp it stood still , but I could not discerne the forme thereof : An Image was before mine eyes , there was silence , and I heard a voyce , &c.

See how in ●…e visions of the night , while there was silence , Eliphaz heard the voyce of God : * * Note Let no sicke man be afraid for the night , it is the time of silence , the chiefe time of conference with God : * * Note When Creatures are most silent , then is a time for man to speake to God , and for God to speake to man : The din of the day marreth our meditations .

The sicke Man .

But alas , from day to night he will make an end of mee . Isa. 38. 12

The Pastour .

It is better that hee make an end of you , than that any other should doe it : If hee make an end of you , pray earnestlie for a good end : If the end be well , all is well : Your complaint is that , from day to night hee will make an end of you : * * Note Bee thankefull to God for his mercie toward you , in that he hath giuen you so long a time to repent as from day to night : * * Note Hee might haue made you sinke downe thorow the Earth Numb. 16. 32. vnto hell in a moment with Dathan and Abiram : Hee might haue burnt you with fire from Heauen in a thunder clappe with Corah : Hee might haue drowned you into the Sea with Pharaoh : Hee might Exod. ●…4 ▪ 21 haue slaine you vnder a Tower , with these eighteene at Siloe : Hee Luk. 13. 4 might haue sent a winde for to smite the foure corners of your house , while yee had beene at a banket with Iobs Children : What Iob. 1. 19. if the goodnesse of God had deserted you , and taken his free Spirit from Psal. 81. 12. you ? What if hee should doe so to the best of vs ? Certainelie we●… should either make away our selu●… with Saule by the sword , or with Iudas 1 Sam. 31 4 and Ahitophel by the cord , o●… Matth. 27. 3 with Zi●…rie by the fire . Many others 2 Sam. 17 23 haue in an instant beene snatched away in the verie swea●…e of their sinnes .

First then , I say , That is a grea●… mercie of God vnto man , that God himselfe maketh an end of him , and not suffereth him to fall into the hands of his mercielesse creatures .

Secondlie , in that , from day to night hee delayeth , it is a mercyfull patience : Take heede Sir , what I say : Count this a great mercie of your God , though yee should die this night , thanke God for his patience , that it was from day to night , before that hee would make an end of you : * * Note It is a great benefite of God , to get but so much time wherein wee may once cry , Lord , haue mercie vpon mee ▪ * * Note . No man can sufficientlie esteeme the high price of a dayes laiser vnto night : Heere is the patience and the long suffering of God .

Now Sir consider , and weigh well what hath beene said : Is it not now your desire , that yee bee dissolued ? Are yee not as yet resolued ? It would seeme , that there bee some thing that yet troubleth you : As for the wordes of Hezekiahs chattering , which hath beene the wordes of your mourning , I hope that in some measure ye haue beene cleared with some contentment .

The sicke Man .

I confesse Sir , that yee haue pertinentlie made answere to all these difficulties : But , alas , what shall I say ?

The Pastour .

What aileth you ? Bee plaine with mee , I pray you Sir , thinke no shame to tell mee what is into your minde : * * Note If the Patient couer his sore from the Surgeon , the greater will his danger bee : It is an hard matter when the Patient playeth false with the Physition : Lay open your wounds , if yee would haue salue fitte for your sores .

The sicke Man .

I think shame Sir to tell you what aileth mee , yet seeing I haue neede both of instruction & of comfort , I will be no stranger vnto you , * * Note whom I know to bee a man of God , that is not curious for to ripe vp secret sores for your owne curiositie , but rather for to cure them : I will not conceale the matter from you : It is this : I haue filled my Barnes , and I desire to enjoye the fruites thereof : There is no man , but hee would desire after great paines , ●…o r●…ape some fruites of his labours : I wish that Death would excuse mee for some yeares : This is my griefe , for I must bee plaine with you , mine heart cannot well accord to forsake such comforts .

The Pastour .

That Sir is but a worldlie temptation : What are Barnes of corne on Earth in comparison of Gods most pleasant Palace in Heauen , wherein are pleasures for euermore ? * * Note Fye Psal. 16. 11 vpon Barnes , a nest for Myce and Rattons : Would yee desire to liue for to enjoye the leauinges of vnbeastes ? They beginne , and as it were sit at the first messe : Thus after that the Fowles of the Aire haue gotten their share , and the Rattons haue gotten their fill , poore man as it were commeth after all , and sitteth downe at the latter meate . * * Note But what are all these thinges , though man should enjoye them all his alone ? What can hee get of them all but a bellie full of meate ? * * Note What is the Bellie to that spirituall Birth-right and blessing that is laide vp into the Heauens ? What is the Bellie , but a thing ordained for destruction with all that is in it ? Meats for the Bellie , and the Bellie for the 1 Cor. 6. 13. meates , But God shall destroy both it and them . Cast out of your heart the care of your Bellie : * * Note The Bellie in the Heart maketh a man a monster : Let this bee your chiefe , care , that shortlie your Soule may sitte downe at Gods Table with Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob in Gods Kingdome : What grieueth you now S●…

The sicke Man .

God hath blessed mee , my Moneyes are increased ; and now my life is but comming to the best .

The Pastour .

* * Note The richest life is not euer the best life ; aboundance of Moneyes is no sure token of Gods mercies : If it had beene otherwise , Christ had neuer cast the Bagge vnto Iudas . Ioh. 12. 6

That churlish Carle in the Gospel , that would not let Lazarus Luk. 16. 20 dyne with his dogges , how soone was his Purple pulled from him , and hee made a begger into Hell , seeking a droppe of water from him , whose scabs his dogges had licked on Earth ? Nabel like a foole is feasting 1 Sam. 25 36. to day , and tomorrow he shall become sicke , and die with an heart vers. 37 like a stone within him : What fatter then shall hee be of his Feast ? * * Note Beware Sir , to marrie your mind with your Money , lest yee bee thereby diuorced from Christ : S. Augustin said wiselie ,

Matrimonium inter aurum & arcam est inter Deum & animam Divortium .

A marriage betweene our Minde and our Money , is a diuorcement betweene the Soule and Christ its Spouse .

* * Note It is good for vs , lest that wee should loue this world too well , that like a curst Step-mother it misuse vs , and rather strike vs , than stroake vs , as it doeth with these worldlie brats , who neither liue , nor loue a Life but this . What thinke yee now Sir of this world ?

The sicke Man .

I desire yet that God would grant mee some space to liue , that I might make some better prouision for my little Children : I wish that I might liue till they were better prouided , within a few dayes if God would spare mee , I hope that I should make a conquest .

* * Note Fye vpon that conquest that maketh a man to desire to tarie from God but one houre : Solomon after Eccles. 2. 18. all his conquests said , that hee hated all his labour : I said hee , hated all my labour , which I had taken vnder the Sunne : The reason is subjoyned by himselfe , Because I should leaue it vers. 19. vnto the man that should bee after mee : And who knoweth whether hee shall bee a wise man or a foole ? Yea , hee proued a foole indeed , by forsaking the 1 King . 12 13 counsell of the old wise , for to follow the folie of his young fooles : * * Note What folie is this I play you , for a man to desire to liue , for to conquise sparinglie for one that will spend it all lauishlie , crying among the drunkards , Fill the pynt againe ? * * Note Many children will at one cast of the dyce , cast more from them into a night , than their fathers were able to win into a yeare : * * Note What is great riches to the most part of Heires , but fuell to their follie ? * * Note Is it not commonlie seene , that after the Father hath pined himselfe with scraiping together Habuk. 2. 6 this thick clay and pelfie dung , in commeth a forelorne deboched Heire with his drunken musick , singing Veri vades , Wee haue spent more than our Philip. 3. 8 fathers haue winne . A little with GODS blessing is much worth : * * Note Hardlie can men conquise much with a good Conscience : From thence is the prophan prouerbe , Well is the Heire whose fathers soule is in Hell : The glose is this , hardlie can the father inrich his children , but by lossing his own Soule : What a woefull bargaine is this ? Neither doeth it euer come to passe , that the euill conquist come to the hands of them for whom it was appointed : * * Note After that the Worldling by hook & by crooke hath taken with the angle , and hath catcht with the net , & gathered in his dragge , all that is about him : At last it commeth to passe , that after he hath well ladned his Boate , and is come neere the hauen , there commeth a blast of judgement which ouer-turneth all into a moment : * * Note Thus in the highest of his hopes in sight of the Shore , ladned and fraughted with the fruite of all his labours of his lyes , his guile , and deceite , he goeth downe to the bottome of the depths , so that none is able to rescue him : Thus after that , first he hath made shipwrack of his conscience , he also maketh shipwarcke of all his goods , and so is he depriued of his imagined profite : * * Note What though his shippe should come in ? What though all should prosper for a while ? * * Note Let Micah steale his mothers siluer and turne it into gods , and get a Priest , & blesse himselfe , when hee hath done , thinking that all shall prosper now : But Danites . ere it belong ▪ some of the race of the Gen. 49. 17 Adder by the way , shall come and tak away his gods : And if hee run out to follow for his owne , they shall either scorne him with what aileth Iudg. 18. 23 thee ? or shall boast him to keepe silence , saying , Let not thy voyce bee vers. 25. heard among vs , lest angrie fellowes runne vpon thee , and thou losse thy life with the liues of thine house-hold .

* * Note Let no man blesse himselfe with Micah because hee hath gods at home : * * Note Though men by manie meanes may become rich , and think that they shall leaue great wealth vnto their children , God can by as many meanes disapoint them , as by blood , by shipwracke , by fire , by water , by warre , by banqueroupts , by plea , and by piracie , &c. He who to day was swaggering in his Silkes and swimming in his wealth speaking of nothing but of thousands , within a little space behold him againe , and loe , all is changed : The poore man he goeth and no man regardeth him , he is hungrie , nacked and colde , but not so colde as the charitie of these that may helpe him : These who were wont to eate at his table , desire no more to see him : The thoughts of olde obligations are to them lik letters of Caption for to enforce them to giue some what to their olde distressed friend : But cold are such comforts : Heere , beholde Sir , as in a glasse , what vanitie into these transitorie things , which men think to make permanent to their posteritie : * * Note But let a man be rich till he die ; After that he hath spoiled others to make himselfe wealthie , shall his children bee his Heires ? No , not : The wealth of the sinner is laide vp Prov. 13. 22. for the Iust : See how God maketh a Worlding to be as it were a drudge or a packe horse for to gather with the sweate of his browes , that wherwith the righteous man may bee sustained : * * Note As hee made the Rauens to flee and fetch flesh for the nourishing 1 King . 17 16 of his Seruant Elijah : * * Note Some tims also it wil befal otherwise , that thewe alth of the sinner shall be laid vp for one worse than himselfe , that all the world may see , and beholde , what vanitie there is in such carking care : * * Note O , wil some say , if hee that is dead saw such a man in his house , Master of all his labours , What would hee now thinke ? * * Note Thus God in a manner making deboched bare men like leane Kine prey vpon the Gen. 41. 3 wicked , who while they liued , wold Iudg. 9. 9. not with the Oliue leaue their fatnes for to be Kings in Heauen , letteth the world see what folie it is to put their trust in such transitorie trashes .

What say yee now Sir ? Are yee now free of such earthlie temptations ?

The sicke Man .

I am miserablie vexed with this world : Worldlie things , doe what I can , runne euer into my minde , and trouble mee with carking cares .

The Pastour .

* * Note So long as a mans heart is clogged with this clay , hee hath no power to stirre hand or foote to heauen-ward : There is both gall and guile in earthlie mindednesse : Well is him , whose Soule can sore farre aboue this Region of corruption , for to minde aboue all things the things Col. 3. 1. that are aboue .

The sicke Man .

My minde alas , is like Martha , busied Luk. 10. 41 about manie things , or rather buried in manie things .

The Pastour .

But Christ said , One thing is necessarie : * * Note Hee that said it , is that which hee said ; euen that , One necessarie thing . * * Note Wee may passe to life eternall without any other thing : But there is such a necessitie in Christ , that without him wee can doe nothing : Without mee , said hee , yee can doe nothing : Christ is that Luk. 10. 41 Best part , Maries choise : Well is that Soule , that maketh him its part : He is onely that which shall neuer bee taken from vs ▪ But what worldlie thing is that , that as yet troubleth you ?

The sicke Man .

Mine heart Sir , is ouer-burdened with the weight of manie cares concerning this Life .

The Pastour .

* * Note Our Sauiour hath set downe a particular Precept concerning that , Take heede , said hee , to your selues , Luk. 21. 34. least at any time your heartes bee ouercharged with surfetting and drunkennesse , and cares of this life : * * Note Such cares may snow downe white haires vpon our hairie scalpe : But it is onelie the godlie care , the care of the Life to come , that worketh Repentance neuer to bee repented of : But come to the pārticulars .

The sicke Man .

I haue latelie bought some heritage , my seruants are plowing it , before I die I would wish once to reape the fruites thereof .

The Pastour .

To bee worldlie minded is death :

* * Note The command is gone foorth ' , none can plead ignorance : Loue not the world , nor the things of the world : Ioh. 2. 16. Well is him that so liueth heere , Luk. 20. 35 that he may be counted worthie to enjoy that world : * * Note It is no time now Sir to thinke of ploughes , yee must now leaue all , for to follow Christ , 1 King . 19 21. like Elisha , who left his plowing for to follow his new vocation : Take now a kisse of your dearest friendes , and follow this great Elijah , the Lord Iesus , the Chariot of all his chosen , and the Horse-men of his Israel .

The sicke Man .

My Lands are laboured , the Haruest draweth neere , there is a plentifull croppe vpon the ground , Cornes and wheat , and all abound .

The Pastour .

There is no solide comfort in Wheat or in Corne , but onelie in Gods countenance : * * Note I compare all worldlie things to the Tallow of a Candle , and spirituall thinges to the flamme thereof : If the Candle bee right set , that the flamme bee vpmost , the Candle will shin clearelie , and giue light : But if yee turne the Candle , and holde the flamme downe , it shall at once drowne in its owne tallow : Euen so if the Soule of man bee well set , that spirituall thoughts bee vpmost , and worldlie considerations sanctified , which haue beene melted & strained from their drosse be vnder , that Soule will shine in holie life before men : But if the flamme of the Spirit bee turned downe , it will drowne vnder the droppes of such earthlie tallowe : By this at last , all our light dyeth out like a Candle , so that our hearts that were once enlightned , become lik a dampish dungeon .

* * Note I confesse , so long as wee are here the fire of the Spirit within the best of vs , is like ignis in materia , fire in an earthlie matter , from whence commeth euer some filthie reeke : But when once wee shall bee aboue all places , wherevnto no reeke can reach , this spirituall flamme abstracted from all earthlie matter , shall shine most clearlie into the presence of God for euer . Are yee not yet Sir resolued ? Is not your desire now to bee dissolued ?

The sicke Man .

The world is yet still in my mind : I haue taken much paines into it , & am now but beginning for to get some ease : I haue builded an house , gladlie would I dwell some space into it : Mine heart is sore , yea , it bleeds for to leaue this Lodging , and neuer to come to it againe : I had trimmed it for my pleasure , and now behold , shall I bee disappointed ?

The Pastour .

There is no great matter of griefe Sir , when a man changeth for the better : * * Note What are all the sieled Palaces of Princes on earth , but like the house of a Spider ? How soone are Iob. 8. 14. they all sweept away with the besome of vengeance , when God is angrie ? What are all our dwellinges on earth , but Dungeons in a dunghill ? Let not your heart Sir bee on your house : It is now time to mind the things that are aboue : Eye vpon clay and stones : * * Note What are all the royall Palaces of the world to these statelie houses aboue , whereof the floore or pauement glisters with thousands of Starres , as with as manie golden nailes , o●… twinkling Dya●…onds : There the Sun & the Moone the two great Iewels of Heauen , shall bee vnder your feete , which are now aboue our heade . What is within , no mortall tongue can tell : S. Paul saw there some-thing , but 2 Cor. 12 4 hee neuer reuealed it , neither was it lawfull for him to declare what he had seene : * * Note This one thing wee may know , seeing the out-side of Heauen is so beautifull , how pleasant must it bee within ? Heauen is like the Kinges Daughter , whose whole beautie is within : There is profite , Psal. 45. 13 pleasure , health , wealth , honour , happinesse , beautie & blesse : In a word , there bee thinges that eye neuer saw , neither eare heard , yea , which neuer could enter into the heart of man .

The sicke Man .

But alas , must I then forsake all my wealth , and so leaue all my treasures behind mee ▪

The Pastour .

* * Note Such treasures are but traitours , though they bee counted gods : God said to Magistrats , I haue called Psal. 82. 6 you gods : But hee neuer called gold god : To call gold god , is Ashdodien language : Gods of gold must be forsaken , for to goe to the God of Glorie : * * Note What are all these worldlie thinges whereon naturall men so doe gaze ? What are they , but idoles lying vanities ? To ouercome the loue of such lyers , is the triumph of Trueth : * * Note If Gods Arke be within our heart , such Dagons will fall downe : Turne therefore your eyes from such clay , and minde the things that are aboue : Manie gather riches Col. 3. 1. as hee that earneth wages to put it into Hab. 1 ▪ 6. a bottomlesse bagge : * * Note The first lesson of Christianitie is selfe denyall .

The Sicke Man .

How is it then Sir , that a man must goe through this world for to come to Heauen ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Euen as the Israelites desired to goe through the Land , of Sihon the King of the Amorites , for to come to Canaan the figure of Heauen ▪ Let mee goe through thy Land , said Numb. 21 21 , Israel , Wee will not turne aside into the fieldes , nor into the vineyards , neither drinke of the waters of the wells wee will goe by the Kings high way , vntill wee be past thy Countrey . * * Note It is so ▪ that wee must passe through this world , for to come to that heauenlie Canaan , we must not turne asid into the faire fields of pleasure , nor drink our selues drunke in its vineyards : But wee must follow directlie the rule of Gods Law the King of Heauens high way , that so we may enter into Canaan . What say ye Sir ? Is it not time to bee resolued ?

The sicke Man .

Mine heart is pined within mee : It is like to breake for sorrow , when I looke to my little Children , Who shortlie shal be fatherlesse : Alas hard shall their estate be , when I shall bee away , who will take care of them ?

The Pastour .

That which Christ said to Peter , Matth. 14 31 may bee said to you , O man of little Faith , why hast thou doubted ? Hath not God promised to shew mercie vnto thousands of these that loue him ? * * Note If the King of this Land should now come himselfe to your bed-stocke and say Iames , or Iohn , heere I giue to you mine hand befor God and good witnesse , that I shall bee a Father to your Children after you , and shall so prouide for them , that they shall want nothing that may doe them good : If yee heard such a man make such promises , I thinke that yee should not bee in paine for the estat of your children : And yet what is a King but a man ? But so it is , that all men are lyares , Psal. 116. 11. or may lie : But God who can not Heb. 6. 18 lie , hath giuen his Hand and his trueth to the faithfull man , yea , hath oblished himselfe by an oath , and hath taken Heauen and Earth to bee witnesse , that hee shall neuer forsake the godlie man nor his seede , his promise is to thousands : If yee Exod. 20 , 6 beleeue God to bee true , relye vpon his promise : Let not the care of Children trouble you any more , prepare your selfe for God , and let Death bee welcome : Put your house to an order in time : Discharge your selfe of all worldlie burdens : denude your hands and your heart of all temporall affaires , that your Soule haue nothing to doe , but to waite vpon your God : * * Note It is not time to bee combered with the world , while the whole heart should bee taken vp with heauenlie meditations : It is now high time to thinke earnestlie vpon that life , wherevnto yee are going by Death : It would seeme Sir that yee are not contentas yet for to remoue : What can this be that troubleth you ▪ shuld not your heart rejoyce to goe vnto your God ?

The sicke Man .

I finde contrarie draughts within mee : Your wordes indeede Sir beginne to worke vpon mine heart , and to draw vp my Soule toward the pleasures that are aboue : * * Note But againe I finde the desires of this life like weightie paisses drawing mee downe to the ground againe : This is my regret : Alas , must I then leaue this world , and the light thereof , and neuer see it againe any more ? Shall I beholde man no more Isa. 38. 11 with the inhabitants of the worlde ? Shall I neuer see after this into the Land of the liuing any of all these whom I haue loued so well ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Sir , it shall bee your farre best to suffer the loue of Christ swallow vp the loue and all other considerations of worldlie thinges , as Moses his serpent swallowed vp the serpents Exod. 7. 12 of the Magicians : * * Note What euer seemeth pleasant into this world vnto the naturall eye , it is but by juggling of the senses : If we haue the grace of God , this grace shall be indeede like as a foure nooked Clauer , is in the opinion of some , viz a most powerfull meanes against the juggling of the sight : If wee could seeke this grace , it would let vs see the vanitie of such thinges which beguile the naturall senses : * * Note The eye of a mans Soule is betimes like the eye of a man come out of a bilious feuer , all things seeme to him to bee yellow , because of the bile which haue peruerted his sight : * * Note Sathan can forge temptations like glasse , of whatsoeuer colour hee pleaseth , wherethorow all things seeme to bee of the colour of his temptations : Thorow one glasse a mans owne spouse will seeme to be filthie : Thorow another a bordel-whore will seeme to bee pleasant : Thorow one the world will seeme to bee glorious , thorow another the brightest heauens will seeme to bee but cloudes : Thorow one , fables will seeme to be Scripture , thorow another , Scriptures will seeme to bee but fables ▪ Thorow one if a man feast as Christ did , hee will seeme to bee a glutt●…n , Luk. 7 34 thorow another if hee feast with the Baptist , hee will seeme to bee a deuill : vers. 33. The chiefe gripe of your temptation is in this , that if ye were once dead , yee shall beholde man no more with the inhabitants of the world : Yee are far beguiled into the sight of the wo●…ld , wherewith yee are so rauished : * * Note Change your Spectacles , and all that is below shall seeme to bee of another colour : * * Note If your Soule could once sore vp towardes Heauen , the loue of the Earth and earthlie things would fall from you , as did the Mantle of Elias , when he 2 King . 2. ●…3 was rapt and rauished vp vnto glorie .

The sicke Man .

* * Note But ye know Sir , that it is verie hard not to bee sore grieued to goe out of this world , Non amplius visur us neque videndus , neither for to see anie more , nor yet to bee seene : * * Note Who without teares can say his adewes to all his joys , pleasures , and contentments that are here ? When I once shal be caried out of my house , yee shall see mee no more : Hencefoorth yee and I will speake no more together : I departing from you , must goe to the place of silence , among stinke & wormes : Who can-without displeasure say to all worldlie joyes , farewell ?

The Pastour .

It is best that ye turne your backe vnto such naughtie things , as Hezekiah turned his backe to the stocke , and his face to the wall , that hee might conferre with his God : It is great folie to bee so fond vpon such transitorie trashes : What is so pleasant in this world that should allure vs to it ? Are not all thinges inconstant heere below ? * * Note There is nothing that standeth at a stay , but either it is comming in or going out like the Tyde : * * Note There is no creature but while it beginneth to waxe it also beginneth to waine : A child of the age of a day hath lesse time to liue at Eauen , than hee had in the morning : Since hee came out of the bellie , from the morning vnto eauen hee hath made a dayes journey in the way to his graue : In ipso ortu vergimus ad occasum : Our arising vp is but a course to our fall : * * Note The degrees of a mans life , are as as manie stepp vnto his death : All that wee see below is in a continuall whirling from a beginning to an end : The course of all the Creatures below is in a trance of transitorie trashes : * * Note I can but teach you with words ▪ as Iohn baptized with water : Luk. 3. 16. It is onelie the Lord who can perswade .

The sicke Man .

I take delight to heare you , I pray God to perswade mee : Continue I pray you into that discourse concerning the vanitie and inconstancie of wo●…ldly things , ripe them vp , and open them wider , that I may see them within the bowels .

The Pastour .

The wisest among men preached , Vanitie of vanities , and all is vanitie : Eccles. 1. 2 All things are vaine , and all things cry vnto vs that wee are vaine , So vaine a thing is man : * * Note The Trees , the Herbes , the Flowrishes , the Fruites , the Fishes , the Beastes , the Spring , the Summer , the Haruest , the Winter , the Aire , the Water , the Earth , the Heauens , are all appointed teachers by God , to tell man of his changing : * * Note Their line is gone out Psal. 19. 4. through all the earth , and their words to the end of the world : All that haue eyes & eares may heare , & read their doctrine , that heere is nothing permanent : * * Note One creature calleth to another , Let vs leaue this World : See wee not how wee melt away by droppes , for to bee dryed into dust : Moses saith , that wee spend our Psal. 90. 9. yeares as a tale that is tolde ; a strange speach for to declare the vanitie of long life so much desired : while a tale is in telling , it seemeth to bee something , but when a tale is once told , these that haue heard it will in end say , That it is but a tale : So long as mans life is lasting , it is like a tale that is in telling : But so soone as Death the end of all commeth , it is but like a tale that is tolde : Thus as yee see all mans life in Scripture language , is called but a tale : * * Note All the times of our life past , present , and to come , are turned at last into a fuimus , wee haue beene : Wee that liue now , let vs remember our case , Ecce tempus nunc futurum quo dicen●… nos fuisse , The time shall bee shortlie that man shall say of vs that wee haue beene : And thereafter a time shall come that none shall know that euer wee had a beeing : * * Note Our life is like a sparkle fleeing out of the fire , which dyeth out into the flight , it failleth before it falleth .

The sicke Man .

These bee wordes of great power , I finde now some working thereof within mine heart : I pray you continue .

The Pastour .

Wee haue none abiding heere , * * Note We all both yong & old post swiftlie away to the graue , the last bed wherein euerie man must sleepe , we are long of comming to : But how soone are wee pulled downe ? Our strength saith Moses , is soone cut off , Psal. 90. 10 and wee flee away : * * Note Wee are like the Yee which thaweth sooner than it froze : * * Note This is the Law of all flesh , Prince , People , Poore and Rich , all must goe to Golgotha : The Preacher saith plainlie , There is no discharge in Eccle. 8. 18 that warre .

* * Note Though a man in the morning bee proude like a Peacocke , with lifted vp feathers , if Death come before the night come , hee must lay downe his head among dead mens Skuls : What a thing is this , that within an hundreth yeares not one of vs all that are heere shall bee left aliue , no not in this great Citie , wherein wee liue ? * * Note Are wee not all as water spilt vpon the ground , 1 Sam. 14 14 which can not bee gathered vp againe ▪ What memorie is now of these tha●… are past ? And what shall bee said o●… vs , when wee are gone ? It is o●… farre best then to follow our God ▪ and to turne our backe vpon all suc●… lying vanities .

The sicke Man .

I requeast you Sir , not to be wearied : Proceede I pray you into tha●… purpose , that I may learne what vanitie is into this life , which is so ▪ much desired .

The Pastour .

* * Note Mans life into this world is but a Pilgrimage and a race not of great length ; for man that is borne of a w●…man , 2 Tim. 4. 7 Iob. 14. 1. hath but a short time to liue : * * Note Iacobs answere to King Pharaohs question concerning his age , was few Gen. 47. 1 and euill haue my dayes beene ? * * Note What is man saith one but Vermis crasti●… moriturus ? a worme that will die to ▪ morrow : * * Note Dauid putteth the length of his dayes betweene his little finger & his thumbe : My life said he , is Psal. 39. 5 like a span long : some get but an inch , consider well I pray you Sir , seeing it is so , what is it then of your life , which is but of the length of a span what thogh it were an ell of length ? * * Note Is not Methusalah with his many hundreth yeeres as well in dust , as as hee that liued but a day : * * Note Other haue giuen place to vs , and we must also giue place to others : To mee to day , to thee tomorrow : There is no lodging for immortalitie vpon the Earth ▪

The sicke Man .

My Soule rejoyceth to heare you Sir , proceede I pray you .

The Pastour .

Wee haue no great cause to desire to sojourne on earth : * * Note What are we heere on earth but like poore beggers shute downe to the lowest chambers of the world ? This low Cabul , that is dirtie . contrie may well be called Cabul , as Hiram , by disdaine called the dirtie cities of Solomon : Be glad no●… Sir for to leaue this earth , a dirti●… dwelling : * * Note Step vp the Staire eue●… Gen. 28. 17 the Ladder of Iaacob , that yee may mount vp to your God , for to see what hee is doing aboue : Well is you who shall heare shortlie the musicke of Angels into that Palace whose pauement is the roofe of al●… mortall dwellings : O if yee kne●… what is there ! Fye on our ignorance * * Note The Children of God in this worl●… are like Lords children , sent out to bee fostered into little Cottages o●… clay , when they are sent for by sicknesse and death ; their Fathers messengers they weepe to come home to their Fathers Palace , because they know not these many pleasant Mansions that bee in their Fathers house ▪ But after that they haue once trye●… what it is to bee in Heauen with their God , they shall wonder 〈◊〉 their childishnesse : * * Note Be not Sir l●… these fort of men that cannot abid●… to heare speake of Death , but euen sicken at the name thereof , or waxe wroth at the speaker , as Ahab , fumed 1 King . 22 8 ▪ at the Prophet , because hee spake not good thinges vnto him .

The sicke Man .

Hezekiah spake more wiselie , while hee was threatned by the Prophet , Good , said hee , is the word of the Lord : 2 King . 20 19. I pray you to continue your purpose concerning death : * * Note It is good that wee remember our latter end .

The Pastour .

* * Note Indeed Sir the thoghts of Death are helpefull and healthfull to the Soules of men , to bee corrections for their corruptions : Such thoughts keepe euer God in our sight : They are like a strainer , wherthrough the thoughts , wordes and workes of men are purified : Hardlie can a man thinke of a sho●…t life , and thinke euill , as hardlie can hee d●…eame of a long life , & thinke well : * * Note All the sinnes of Gods Church in Icrem●…es dayes were imputed vnto Lam. 1. 9 this , that shee remembred not her end : * * Note Wee for the most part deceiue our selues with the opinion of long life , and so did they who are dead alreadie : O how gracious would one day bee to these now , who while they liued , did scorne at these wordes , Redeeme the Time ! But Ephes. 5. 16 their ma●…ket time is now past : Gods Faire was ended before they could vnderstand what it was to buy without money : Well is the man who , Isa. 55. 1. while he hath time , so liueth to dye , that hee may dye to liue : If our life be good , our death cannot be euill : * * Note To the godlie man death is a comfort , as beeing a medecine for all his diseases ; a cure for all his cares , Reuel. 14 13 a rest●… from his labours : But in this is his greatest joye that by it the filthie flooxe of sinne is dryed vp into an instant : * By it also the prison doore is opened that the Soule like a Doue may flie vp to its God : The consideration of such Eccles. 7. 3. things made Solomon to preach , The day of death is better , than the day that one is borne : Hee spake the trueth , for the one is the beginning , the other is the ending of all our woe and miserie .

Now Sir , before that I proceede any further , I pray you to tell mee what yee thinke now of this world . In this as I remember was your last temptation grounded , that going out of this world , yee should no more see nor bee seene : * * Note I haue let you see as in a glasse , what vanitie is in it , yea , that all is but vanitie of vanities , the verie abstract of an abstract , or for to speak so , vanitie fined and quintessenced out of vanitie , which I may call the spirit or quintessence of vanitie . Now Sir tell me what ye thinke of this world , wherin gods must die like men ? No worldlie Psal. ●… . 7. thing below in the day of neede will bee able to keepe touch vnto vs .

The sicke Man .

Fye , fye on my faultes , and my folie : * * Note I foolishlie once thought that I should feather a nest into this world , that should neuer bee pulled downe : Mine heart hath beene so bent toward this vanitie that I haue neither moued foote nor finger toward eternall Life .

* * Note It is true that I haue beene nourished and brought vp into this world like a Child into a rurall cottage * * Note I like a Child thought that there was no better : Ionah was Iona. 4. 7. angrie for to quite his Gourd : * * Note The greatest pleasures that are heere beeing well weighed , are but like the shadow of that Gourd , euanishing and worme-eaten pleasures : All such comforts are but slender , they faile man in his greatest neede .

The Pastour .

* * Note Though worldlie pleasures be sweete for a space to these whose portion is into this Life , yet as Abner said of the deuouring Sword to Ioab , It will bee bitternesse in the 2 Sam. 2. 26. latter end : In all the gourdes of worldlie pleasures are wormes of paine , which shall make them to wither .

The sicke Man .

That is most certaine : * * Note well is him that hath turned his backe to all such lying vanities : So long as a man is in nature , not reformed by grace , hee is but a stranger from heauen : The loue of the world in his heart like a moth , cats out all liking of Heauen . * * Note I haue beene too long alas , sucking the breastes of this Nourse , whereout of I haue drawen nothing but the swill of wickednesse : Blessed bee my God , who hath sent this affliction for to waine my Soule from the loue of all things below : I beginne now to incline for to returne to my Fathers house in Heauen , where , as I heare , it shall bee much better for mee . Oh , forlorne Sonne that I am ▪ who haue wandered so farre from my Father !

The Pastour .

I thanke God , Sir , for these good motions , flesh and blood cannot teach such lessons : But one word I haue obserued into your speach , yee haue said , that ye beginne to incline to goe home to your Father : Are ye not as yet fullie resolued ? Desire yee not indeede presently to be dissolued ? * * Note Is it not your greatest desire to flitte f●…om this bodie which is but a Booth , a Shoppe , or Tabernacle Iob 4. 19. of clay ? * * Note Is not your Soule wearied to sojourne into such a reekie Lodge ? Is not your heart panting after God , l●…ke an Hart , panting after the water brookes ? He are yee not your Soule crying within Psal. 42. 3. you , O when shall I come and appeare before God ? * * Note A small feeble inclination to goe to God is not sufficient , ye must now come to a stedfast resolution : He who is not resolued , is not readie for to be dissolued : Ta●… courage , bee not dashed into this danger , declare your mind freely , be not nice , there bee none heere but friendes .

The sicke Man .

I am so pyned with sicknesse , that hardlie can I make answere : * * Note Oh ▪ but I am pressed with an heaui●… hand : I feare much my last houre : My Soule is sore troubled .

The Pastour .

Learne of Christ in his trouble : Now , said hee , is my Soule troubled , Ioh , 12. 27 and what shall I say ? Father , deliue●… mee from this houre : But for this cause vers. 28. came I into this houre : Father glorifie thy Name : As hee did , so doe yee : * * Note Hee fearing the houre was earnest with God in prayer for to bee deliuered from it ; and yet most humblie submitted himselfe vnto his Fathers will : So doe yee : If ye feare greatlie that houre , pray feruentlie , that God deliuer you from it and yet notwithstanding , let God haue all his will of you : His will shall eu●…r bee your well .

The Sicke Man .

But alas , my paines are grea●… : * * Note my breach is like the sea : Gods rod vpon mee is torne with stripes , and worne to the stomps : In my torments I both feare and feele his wrath : If hee loued mee , would he scourge mee with such scorpions ?

The Pastour .

Whom God loueth hee chasteneth , and scourgeth euerie Sonne whom hee Heb. 12. 6. receiueth : By this yee see plainelie ▪ that hee will receiue none to himselfe , but those whom hee is minded to scourge : * * Note This scourging whereof yee complaine , is Gods loue-token , telling you that hee is minded for to receiue you : Woe ●…o the Childe whom the Father will not correct : God commandeth louing Fathers to chastise their children till they cry : His command is also , that they bee not hindered for their cryes : Chasten thy Sonne , said Prou ▪ 19. 18. God , while there is hope , and let not thy Soule spare for his crying : So long as there is life , there is hope : While God chasteneth you , it is a token that there is hope : * * Note Woe to that man , whom GOD disdaineth to strike : It is a sore word when a Father or a Master saith to a Childe I despaire of him , there is none hope , I giue him ouer , & will strik him no more : It was a fearefull word that God said to the rebellious Israelites , I will not visite your Daughters when Hose. 4. 14 they are harlotes , nor your Spouses when they are whoores : That is , I will correct them no more , but let them runne head-long to their owne destruction : Woe to him whom God will not correct : * * Note Certe tunc magis irascitur Deus cum non irascitur , God is most angrie , when hee seemeth least to bee angrie : The wicked are most fearefullie plagued , when God spareth them most : Let not therefore your sore paines discourage you , but rather comfort you , as beeing a speciall token that God will receiue your Soule * * Note What reckes what this Carion suffer , if so be that God receiue the Soule ? Shall I not drinke of my Fathers Cup ? said Ioh. 18. 11 Christ : * To drinke of a Kings cup it would bee thought an honour . See then what honour is in the affliction of the godlie , thereby they drinke of the King of Heauens cup : This is also a token of our friendship with Christ , when wee drinke with him of one cuppe : Men will not drinke of one cuppe with their enemies . Rejoyce then Sir , to drink with Christ in your Fathers cuppe * * Note Though this cuppe bee bitter at the brimme , the bottome will haue a pleasant farewell .

Thinke well vpon this Sir , and possesse your soule in patience despare neuer of Gods mercie , though hee seeme to bee angrie , depend vpon him , trust into him , though hee should slay you : * * Note In confidence of h●…s Loue rest and sleepe in his bosome , hang on him , saue his honour by trusting in him : If this yee doe , I assure you , that yee shall dye sweetlie , resting into his armes .

The sicke Man .

I finde Sir my paines greatlie to increase .

The Pastour .

Bee of good comfort : * * Note If your paines increase , God will increase your patience with your paines , he is mercyfull , and will surelie strengthen you in the weakest houre : Gods strength is made perfect in weaknesse : 2 Cor. 12. 9. In the meane time , bee fighting out the good fight manfullie : * * Note Hold vp your hands with Moses against Amaleke : Pray feruentlie to your God , that hee would cast into Exod. 17. 11 your memorie all the good thinges that euer yee heard or reade , wherewith your Soule as with a rempart may bee guarded against the houre of temptations : Pray oft-ten with Christ , Father deliuer mee from this Ioh. 12. 27 houre : What say yee Sir ? It appeareth that there bee some thing into your mind yet that vexeth you .

The sicke Man .

This Soule of mine is verie loath to depart from this bodie : * * Note They be of olde acquaintance , haplie long shall it be before they meete againe , Friendes cannot bee but sorie while they shedde .

The Pastour .

That is naturall to all : But grace in the Godlie must rule Nature : * * Note Wee must gladlie leaue all for to goe liue with Christ , we must deny our selues for to confesse him : we must desire to be dissolued , for to bee with him ; hee who loueth any thing better than him , shall not bee found worthie of him : Your Soule , say ye , is sorie to goe from the body : * * Note What are our bodies for the present , but prisons of clay ? Let them goe to clay , till the day of the Resurrection come , when those painefull prisons shall bee turned into pleasant Palaces : * * Note What reckes of an inch of time heere on Earth ▪ in respect of eternitie in Heauen ? Should a mans heart so itch after an inch of Earth , that hee would desire to tarrie from Heauen but an houre ?

The Soule must turne its backe vpon the bodie , for to turne its face vnto the God of Glorie : This is but a childish temptation : * * Note It is for women & children to weepe , at the taking of adewes , chiefelie while these that depart are going to a better condition of life .

Because the day draweth towards Euening , it is now time for mee to remoue : I hope God willing to come againe the Morrow , and to visite you , that I may minister vnto you some Spirituall comforts : In the meane time , seeing your minde hath bene so perplexed with carnall temptations , concerning Life , Lands , Children , and Riches : Cause read vnto you this night in mine absence the Book of Ecclesiastes , from the beginning vnto the end , where ye shall see as in a glasse , the vanitie of all these things , wherewith your Soule now is most enamoured . If ye haue time , cause also reade vnto you Iob 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Before I goe Sir it shall bee best that I recommend you vnto God by prayer .

The first Prayer for the sicke Man .

O LORD , in whose hands is the gift of the Spirit of groanes , inspire our heartes at this time , that with an heauenlie disposition wee may fall downe before thee vpon the knees of our Soules , quicken our dead and drowsie heartes to the performance of this duetie of calling vpon thy Name : Thou is not close handed to these that seeke thee in sinceritie , wee are ashamed , O LORD , euen wee all who are heere before thee on the Earth thy Foote-stoole , wee are ashamed for to face the Heauens , the Throne of thy Majestie : Our heartes are so fullie fraughted with all sortes of sins , which like most filthie streames flow from the first fountaine , or rather puddle of our originall sinne , which wee haue from the Loynes of Adam : Wee are all infected with this spirituall Leprosie ; there is nothing that can wash vs and make vs cleane , saue onelie the Iordan of the blood of Iesus ; Besprinkle our consciences , O LORD , with the vertue of that Blood , which cryeth for better things , than the blood of Abel : Seale vp thy Loue in our heartes by the blood of the Sealed man , whom Thou the Father did seale and appoint to bring Life eternall Ioh. 6. 27. to the world : In him thou art well pleased : In his Name , and for his Loue wee begge thy fauour : He himselfe hath tolde vs , that what wee shall aske thee in his Name , we shall receiue it : O Father of mercies , remember the promise of thy Sonne .

In confidence of his Command wee take the boldnesse at this time particularlie to put vp our prayers vnto thee , for this thy diseased Seruant toss●…d to and f●…o with diuerse temptations : Sathan the enemie of his Saluation , the feare of Death , the loue of the world and of worldlie things haue set themselues in Battell-array , like armies betweene his Soule and the entrie of Heauen .

They haue maliciouslie ensnared his heart , and taken his affections captiues with the immoderate loue of perishing thinges : Oh , how hath hee beene bewitched with the seeming sweetenesse of such vanities !

O Thou LORD IESVS , the LORD of Life , encourage him so with thy liuelie Spirit , that he may be bold , couragiously to face Death and the Graue : Put these interrogations in his mouth , O Death , where 1 Cor. 15. 55 is thy Sting ? O Graue , where is thy victorie ? Cause thy Spirit whisper in his eare , that thou hast put out the life of Death : Cast into his rememberance the words wherewith Thou boasted Death , and the Graue , O Death , I will be thy plagues , Hose. 13. 14 O Graue , I will bee thy destruction .

Let his Soule knowe that the Graue is a Bed of rest , for all these Isa. 57. 2. that die in the LORD , wherein they rest from their labours , beeing at ease in peace , without any toile or turmoile : Worke in his heart a desire to be dissolued , for to bee fred from the sinfull bonds of mortality , for to goe dwell where hee shall neuer anger the Lord againe : Let the Loue of Christ waine his heart from the desire of anie abiding heere .

O deare IESVS , who was both buffeted , slaine , and buried for to saue man , set the print and stampe of thy mercie vpon this Soule . Seuer all his thoughts from all that is earthlie , whether it bee Life , Lands , Children , Houses , or whatsoeuer other thing may allure him for to sojourne heere in a strange Land , wherein wee are all strangers from God , whom wee cannot see heere but behind : Vntye his heart from the loue of this his natiue soile : Purge him of this out-bearing humour .

O LORD , flesh and blood will neuer teach a man to renounce his deare selte , and such other carnall things , wherewith hee is in phantasie : The earthlie minde is so lumpish , that it wearieth to thinke of thee , and of the pleasures of thy Palace : A carnall hearte is euer rouing and wandering heere about this worlds businesse : Martha is a mother of many Children , who trouble themselues about many thinges : But few are these that with Marie can fold their heart for to sit downe at the feete of IESVS for to make choise of that best part , which should neuer bee taken from them : Thou to whom nothing is impossible , draw this Soule vnto thee , make the bent of his affection to bee vpon thee .

O great IEHOVAH , thou hast heard and seene how carnall temptations haue teared the Soule of thy Seruant this day in the bedde of his languishing : Immoderat cares for thinges below haue depriued him of all rest and joyes which he should haue in thee : Wee must confesse to thee , and from his heart hee acknowledgeth to bee true , that his minde hath beene too bent vpon such perishing shadowes , which can not bee gripped : Such trashes of no worth haue taken too much roome into his heart .

Hee who is not content to quite all for to come to thee , is not worthie of thee .

But , LORD ; if mans Saluation were grounded vpon the sand of his owne worthinesse , such a building could not stand against the winds & floodes of temptations : But his Saluation shall neuer bee branled ▪ because it is builded vpon the euerlasting and most sure Rocke the foundation of thy Church .

O LORD , wee faile all in many things : If hitherto this thy Seruant hath not as hee should , minded th●… thinges which are aboue , but lodged in their place , the desire of thinges below , now in thy grea●… mercie inlighten his mistie mind●… , and bee mercifull to him in th●… thing : Make the flesh now to cede and giue place vnto the Spirit : Let the heauens come in with the pledges of thy Loue , which no mortall armes can fadome : Come with thy Spirituall and diuine motions and fill therewith the chambers of his heart where earthlie thoughts had their abode : Make his Soule to inuite thy Spirit , to come in , Saying with Laban , Come in thou blessed of Gen. 24. 31 the Lord , wherefore standest thou without ?

O deare IESVS , direct so all his thoughts , that hee wearie himselfe no more with the desire of that which sooner or later heee must ●…orgoe : Why should thornie cares for dust and clay choake the good motions of thy Spirit ? Let no such care cumber him any more for foolish fáding commoditie : Dissolue this glew by which his heart is tyed to the ground : In thy Light let him see Light , whereby hee may perceiue how fraile & fickle are all such transitorie trashes , which beeing too much loued , both coole our zeale and clogge our affections , so that they can in no wise soare vp toward thee .

O blessed Sauiour , in whom is the very pith & sweetest marrow of Gods mercies , make thy seruants heere to loue thee aboue all things , in heauen or earth : Make his heart to say , Whom haue I in Heauen but thee ? Make him to loue thee for thy selfe , and not for thine onelie , which is but an hyred Loue : Put in thine owne hand at the hole of the doore of his heart , and let some droppes of the Mirrhe of thy mercie this night fall vpon the handle of the Barre ▪ that his Soule beeing affected therewith ▪ may runne out of the Chamber of sleepe for to seeke him , who loueth his Soule , euen his blessed Sauiour , the LORD IESVS .

Bee mercifull to all thine afflicted members in the Church militant , fighting vnder the bloodie Banner of the LORD IESVS CHRIST : The Church is thy Spouse keep her as the Apple of thine eye , make all her members with one minde and one mouth , to glorifie thy Name .

Blesse our gracious Soueraigne , the Kings Majestie with thy best blessings : Adorne him with spirituall Graces and giftes , wherewith hee may please thee in his whole carriage , both Ecclesiastice and Ciuill : Make Iustice and Iudgement the habitation of his Throne ; make Mercie and Trueth goe before his Face : Blesse His Royall Match , make thy mercie to bee shed abroad in Her Heart : Cloth Her with the Royall apparell of Christs Righteousnesse : Let readinesse to heare the Preaching of the Word bee Her Eare-ring , and good Workes in Her Hand like golden Rings vpon Her Fingers : Write vpon the Tables of Her Heart the Loue of true Godlinesse .

The LORD bee mercifull to the Common-wealth of this Land protect It from the rage of forraine Enemies : Let neuer thy protection depart from this Land : Let it bee like that Bed of Solomon , Threescore Cant. 3. 7. ●… 8 stronge men are round about it , of the valiant men of Israel : They all handle the Sword , and are expert in warre ▪ euerie one hath his sword vpon his thigh for the feare by night .

The LORD be gracious vnto vs all , whom are heere vpon our kneees before Thee : What wee haue said to Thee on earth , LORD heare Thou in Heauen , : Let this afflicted Soule haue a proofe of thine own Trueth , that the effectuall prayer of the Righteous Iam. 5. 16. auaileth much , LORD hea●… vs for the sake of him who is righteousnes it selfe , in whose most perfect Prayer we close vp allour sutes , saying , Our Father which art , &c.

The Peace , Grace , and Mercie of our GOD , bee with you Sir for euer : I hope that by Gods Grace I shall see you earlie in the Morning .

The sicke Man .

The LORD render to you according to his gracious promise made to all these that serue him in sinceritie : A great blessing requireth great thankes : I neuer deserued such kindnesse at your hands : The lesse deseruing bee in mee , the more deeplie doe I hold my selfe bound vnto your loue : I pray you Sir be as good as your word , come againe earelie in the Morning : The Spirit of IESVS goe with you .

THE SECOND DAYES Conference . Of spirituall temptations . The Pastour .

GOD saue you Sir : How haue yee rested this Night ? Haue yee found any working of Gods Spirit within you , since our last conference ? Is your minde so at quiet now , that yee may boldlie say , with Simeon , Now let thy seruant depart in peace ? Luk. 2. 29.

The sicke Man .

* * Note Alas , Sir , Satans temptations are like that Serpent of Lerne called Hydra , which had fiftie heades , whereof one beeing cut off , two sprang vp in the place thereof : I take that serpent to haue beene but a fable : But that which I say may bee written for an Historie : Many heads of temptations haue yee cut off with the sword of Gods word : But now I think that for euerie head cut off , two are sprung vp in the place thereof : * * Note All my temptatons hitherto haue beene but vpon the skin like the scratch of a pinne , wrinkles but not woundes : All my troubles hitherto hath beene but matters of trifles , viz. Feare for my Life , feare for my Children , feare for the Graue of this our muddie mortalitie , and for other such trifles and trashes , vnworthie for to trouble a couragious Spirit : The Spirit of a couragious man , said Solomon , Prov. 18. 14. will beare his infirmitie : But the wounded spirit who can beare it ? * * Note well is the child of God in his ●…orest sicknes for while his bodie is sicke , his Soule is sound : His God in great loue will make all his bed in his sicknesse , and Psal. 41 , 3 strengthen him into the bed of languishing : * * Note Hee whom God loueth is armed with Faith and patience , all his troubles are but outward scrappings vpon the skinne : The temptations wherewith I am lashed are spirituall woundings for my sinnes , which neuer troubled mee before : I heard oft-ten of such troubles , but I neuer knew before this time what such things did meane : Thinke ye Sir that the Spirit of a godlie man can bee thus wise troubled ? I heare Dauid crying in his mourning , There is no soundnesse in my flesh , neither Psal. 38. 3. is there anie rest in my bones : But what reckes of flesh and bones , if the Spirit were free ?

The Pastour .

The most godlie that euer liued , haue suffered spirituall woundes : Christ the Captaine of our Saluation , Heb. 2. 10 said , That his Soule was sadde euen Mar. 14. 34. vnto the death : * * Note Iob cryed , that h●…s Spirit was drunken vp with the poyson of Gods arrowes , The arrowes of the Almightie , said hee , are Iob. 6. 4. within me , the poyson whereof drinketh vp my Spirit : See how that holie man of God complaineth that his Spirit was like a drinke drunken vp by the poyson of Gods arrowes . * * Note By this yee see that spirituall wounds are alloted to the dearest of Gods Elect , so that they are not exeemed from inward blowes : * * Note Trouble of Conscience is the disease of the innocentest Soule .

The sicke Man .

That satisfieth mee not : * * Note As for Christ , the blowes which hee suffered in his Soule , were blowes of satisfaction for the sinnes of others : As for Iob these blowes were blowes of probation & of tryall , for to let the world see that he was not an hypocrite that serued GOD for rewardes , as Sathan did alledge : But it is not so with me , who am a bond slaue of corruption : I suffer for my 2 Pet. 2. sinnes , which are euer before mee : The fainer I would forget them , they flow the faster into my rememberance : * * Note The voyce of my Conscience followeth mee with hue & with cry . Though God hath spared thee long , thou hast not beene bettered , looke now for vengeance after so long delayes : I can make no answere , I can not denie , but God hath spared mee long : In this is my greatest feare : * * Note The higher a stroake bee fetcht , the longer it is in comming : But the higher it bee lifted , the heauier it will fall .

The Pastour .

I answere to that which yee said first , viz. that Christs sufferings are no comfort to you , because they are blowes of satisfaction : * * Note The afflictions of Christ were of diuerse vses first of all , for to make payment to Gods Iustice for our sinnes : Secondlie , he suffered , that by his own experience of sense hee beeing expert what it is to suffer , might assure vs that hee is both a mercifull and a faithfull high Priest , For in that hee Heb. 2. 13 himselfe hath suffered beeing tempted , Non ignara mali miseris succurrere disco . he is able to succour them that are tempted : Thus the Apostle declareth plainelie afterward , Wee haue not , said hee , an high Priest which cannot Heb. 4. 15 bee touched with the feeling of our infirmities : But was in all pointes tempted like as wee are , yet without sin : * * Note This experience which he had of our miserie , is called his learning , Though Heb. 5. 8 hee were a Sonne , yet learned hee obedience , by the things which he suffered : Hee also suffered , for to bee an example vnto vs .

The sicke Man .

I vnderstand not well these words that Christ learned obedience by his sufferings .

The Pastour .

* * Note The words indeed seeme obscure : The most Learned think that Christ is said to haue learned obedience by his sufferings , because while he suffered hee felt indeed how difficile a thing it is talem obedientiam Deo praestare , Piscator . Caluin . to yeeld such obedience vnto God : others say , that by his suffrings hee joyned to his diuine knowledge the practise of his passions : that which he had before only in contemplation is now also knowne vnto him by suffering that which he knew : * * Note Others say . That hee learned obedience by his sufferings , that is , Re ipsa expertus est quid sit patrem habere cut p●…rendum Beza . sit , Hee knew by Experience what it was , to haue a Father to whom obedience was due : Thus Christ while hee learned obedience by his sufferinges , hath teached all the faithfull to suffer patientlie .

As for that which yee said concerning Iob , that his afflictions were only blowes of probation & of tryall ; yee deceiue your selfe , they Lam. 3. 39 were also for his sins : Whenfore is the liuing man sorrowfull ? said Ieremie , The answere is peremptorie , man suffereth for his sinnes .

The sicke Man .

* * Note That seemeth not euer to bee true : While Christs Disciples saw a man that was blind from his birth , they asked Christ saying , Master , who did sin , this man or his parents , that Ioh. 9. 2. hee was borne blind ? Iesus answered , Neither hath this man sinned , nor his Parents , but that the workes of God should bee made manifest in him : Oh , that I were that borne blind , that I were not afflicted for my sinnes , but that the works of Gods mercy might bee manifested in mee !

The Pastour .

* * Note These words of Christ are not to bee taken so strictlie as though God would lay any affliction vpon a man in whom is no sinne : This could not stand with the Iustice of God : If Adam & his Children had neuer sinned , not one of them could haue beene stricken either with blindnesse , or deafenesse : * * Note This blind man then was not afflicted for his sins only , or especially , or as if he had bene a greater sinner than others , but chieflie this disease came vnto him , that the workes of Gods power and mercie might bee made manifest by his cure : * * Note So Dauid was sore afflicted for his adulterie and murther , but chieflie for to stoppe the mouthes of these enemies of God , whom hee by his scandle made to blaspheme : * * Note God as yee see may afflict you for your sinnes , and yet not chieflie for them ; but for to take a tryall of your patience , or for to make others feare to sin when they shall perceiue by you , how great paines a godlie Soule will suffer before that it can bee well reconciled vnto God againe .

The sicke Man .

I confesse Sir that ye speake with the tongue of the Learned : * * Note But for all that I finde such temptations tumbling within mee , that I may Ierm. 12. 5 compare them to the swelling of Iordan : My sinnes , alas , hudge in greatnesse , stand vp like mountaines betweene mee and my God : They are so high that they hide Heauen from my Soule : What shall I doe Sir ? If euer yee helped mee , helpe mee now with your comforts .

The Pastour .

* * Note Though these mountaines be high , yet yee must clime the mount with Moses , if ye would see Canaan : So long as Moses was in the valey , he could not see the typ of Heauen : We must all clime vp the Hill : Wee cannot see Christ before wee bee lifted from the Earth : Wee are all but men of little stature like Zacheus : Luk. 19. 3. Wee must therefore vp the tree with him , and vp the mount with Moses , before wee can see either Christ o●… Canaan that place of promise : Ye are sorie for your sinnes : But sanat confessio morbi : A sinne well confessed is healed : But what sinnes be these Sir whose toppes reach so high that they hide the Sunne from you ?

The sicke Man .

Alas , for the sinnes of my Youth ; my Riot and my Drunkennesse , my Rom. 13. 13. Chambering & my wantonnes , my strif and enuy : Fye on my Fornications , and Adulteries , my lying and deceiuing Hypocrisie : * * Note So I had a lampe of profession , I cared not for oyle in it , my chiefe care hath euer beene for the outward shell of my duetie , but neuer for the Kernell : Gods graces in mee haue beene like a pure liquor in a fustie vessell .

The Pastour .

I am glad to heare of these buffets of your Conscience , such griefe is from grace : I know what shall bee the euent , euen Repentance neuer to bee repented of : But say on

The sicke Man .

* * Note This is my greatest griefe ▪ that I sinned into the light with Absolom ▪ 2 Sam. 16. 22 euen in the cleare Sunne shine of the Gospel : Now may I well be ranked with these who counted it pleasure to riot in the day time : It were 2 Pet. 2. ●…3 more easie for mee to number the sand than my sinnes .

The Pastour .

* * Note There is no sinne either of omission or commission , in the light or in darknesse , that can hinder God to bee mercifull to a sinner , if the sinner can repent : God who is infinit in mercie can forgiue the riots of the day , sinnes of knowledge as well as night sinnes ; which are sins of ignorance : * * Note There is one sinne of ignorance which shall neuer bee forgiuen , euen to despaire of Gods mercie : What ignorance is this , that any Creature should thinke it selfe more sinfull , than God can bee mercifull ? * * Note To make our sinnes to ouerreach his compassions , were to make the Center to containe the Circumference : If your sinnes bee in number like the sand , Gods mercies are without number : * * Note The greatest number that mans braine can inuent either by telling , or by ciphering in comparison of that which is infinite , is not so much as a droppe of a Bucket compared to the great Ocean .

The sicke Man .

* * Note I haue alas , beene an impudent sinner , who with my sinnes haue buffeted my God on euerie side : It were now righteous with God that hee should buffet me with his judgements : I slept in sinne , and could not bee wakened : While Christs Cocke crowed , my Soule lay fast asl●…epe : Yea , while hee crowed againe , I had past the third deny all : And though I was forewarned , I had none hoe in euill doing : While God was in my mouth , he was farre from mine heart : O that bloodie scarlet scrole of so manie iniquities .

The Pastour .

* * Note As yee reason with your selfe , and with mee , so let it please you to reason but a little with your God : Come now , said the Lord ▪ & let vs reason together : Though your sinnes bee Isa. 1. 18. as scarlet , they shall bee as white as snow ; though they bee red like crimsin , they shall bee as woll : * * Note There is no sin so red though it were double dyed , but the vertue of Christs Blood can cause it cast its colour .

The sicke Man .

* * Note I haue no Faith to applie anie salue to my sore : I heare your explication of Gods mercies : But there is none application within mee : What better will a man bee that yee set much meate downe before him on the Table , if hee cannot eate it ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Manie haue sit downe at Table hauing their appetit so bound vp at the first , that they abhorred to see meate , & yet litle & litle haue beene broght on first to taste , & thereafter to eate a little , last of all , one piece bringeth on another , till they recouer their appetit : This is but a disease in your Soule , which maketh it abhorre all comforts , as it is said of these that are bodilie sicke in the Psalme , Their soule abhorreth all Psal. 107. 18 manner of meate , and they draw neare the doores of death : What was their remeedie ? Earnest prayer to God : Then they cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble , and hee deliuered them from their distresses : Mans extremitie is Gods opportunitie . Bee of good comfort Sir , haue the Faith of God within you : Bee earnest in prayer , and God shall deliuer you from all your feares .

The sicke Man .

Oh , that I had Faith : Oh , that I could pray ! I finde my griefes to growe : I spake neuer in earnest till now : All other temptations before were but for carnall thinges : They were all but sport , in comparison of this of my sins where with my Soule is pressed and borne downe : * * Note I take this to bee the forebrunt of endlesse plagues and paines prepared for the damned : I abhorre my selfe , fye on mee : What am I , but a dead Sardian , Revel. 3. 1 15. or which is worse , a lukewarme Laodicean neither colde nor hote , a fitte prouocation of vomite to my God : It is a wonder if by this death he vomite mee not out of his Church , for to cast mee into Hell : Now what pleasure can I haue of all my sinnes , where of I am ashamed ? * * Note All the joyes of my bygone life beeing joyned together , counteruaile not the least part of my present paine .

Alas , Sir , how can I gladly draw neare the doores of death , while there bee such impedimentes betweene mee and the doores of Heauen .

The Pastour .

I loue these lamentations : * * Note It is good that a Soule be sensible of sin : Woe to that Soule that is past all feeling : Blessed bee God , that hath wakened you out of the slumber of your sinnes : * * Note Gods wrath euer followeth drowsie consciences , for to giue them vp to the spirit of slumber , or to sporting spirites , that make men to sport themselues with their own 2 Pet. 2. 13 deceiuings : * * Note It is good that in our afflictions , we consider well the cause ; for Affliction commeth not out of the Iob. 5. 6. dust , neither doth trouble spring out of the ground : leremie in this is plaine , Lam. 3. 39 Man suffereth for his sins : * * Note It is your part to make a carefull search for the capitall sinne , which as yee thinke may chieflie be the cause of so great a wrath : Till Achan was found Israel Ios. 7. 16. could not stand before their enemies : But say on Sir , let mee heare you to Amen .

The sicke Man .

God hath set all my sinnes in order before mee : I see nothing but a burning wrath , which Scripture calleth , Heb. 12. 29. a consuming fire : * * Note Mine euill thoughts which I euer thought to bee free , stand now vp in battell array against mee●… O Lord , why hast Isa. 63. 17 thou made vs to erre from thy wayes , and hardened our heart from thy feare ? I haue no comfort within my Soule : * * Note I heare a clamour within my conscience crying vnto mee , What part or interest can thou looke for in the Kingdome of him whom thou hast so highlie dishonoured ? How can thou be of that number that belongeth to the election of grace ? I find my conscience raging within me lik a swelling sea , except some calme of mercie come , my Soule shal be swallowed vp with some fearefull surge : Alas , Sir , what is your counsell : All that is within mee is into an vproare , despare is working within the bowels of my bellie .

The Pastour .

* * Note These secret throwings in the bellie are but Gods secret reproues , tokens of his Loue : * * Note Such secret checkes are like the rebukes of a Father , taking his Child apart to some quiet chamber for to admonish him : This is Gods customable doing with his owne Children , if by their open and scandalous sinnes , they haue not moued the enemies of God to blaspheme , hee will take them to the secret chamber of their heart , & there apart as it were , after that hee hath barred the doore , and put all out , hee will tell them what they haue done : * * Note Ioseph would not tell before the Egyptians how his Brethren had solde him : But while hee reuealed himselfe to his Brethren , hee commanded all others to goe foorth : Cause euerie man , said hee , Gen. 45. 1. to goe out from mee , and there stood no man with him , while hee made himselfe knowne to his Brethren : * * Note God would not reproue Iob before Elihu & El●…phaz his vncharitable friends , but a part out of the while winde : Iob. 38. 1. After that hee had rebuked and scooled his Seruant Iob in the secret whirle of the winde , and hade made him to acknowledge his faultes , hee came to his friendes and told them Iob. 41. 7. that his wrath was kindled against them : * * Note After that Peter had thri●…e most shamefullie denyed his Master Christ , who heard him so perjuredlie lye , would not reproue him openlie before the wicked , but onelie turned his eye with a looke towards him : With that secret looke which no man perceiued but Peter himselfe , hee gaue him such a secret checke and nippe of reproofe , that Luk. 22. 62. incontinent hee went out , and weeped bitterlie : * Yee shall find at last Sir , all these temptations that trouble you within , are but God , taking you apart , and telling you with Ioseph , what yee haue done : God is now in the whirle winde working secretlie with you as with Iob , till ye bee humble in dust and ashes : * * Note All this bitternesse which ye finde within , is but from a Loue-looke of Christ , that yee may bee saued by weeping bitterlie for your sinnes : * * Note Bee of good comfort Sir , all these troubles within are but God out of loue whispering some reproofs into your eare for some bygone faultes .

The sicke man .

I wish that it were so : * * Note But O , what a stir is this within my Soule ? I thinke those wordes of God in Ierimie to bee directlie said vnto mee , Thine owne wickednesse shall correct Ierm. 2. 19 thee , and thy backslidinges shall reproue thee , know therefore , and see that it is an euill thing and bitter , that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God , and that my feare is not in thee .

The Pastour .

* * Note While the dregge and mudde of a melancholious minde is stirred vp from the bottome with grieuous temptations , the sinner must spare to judge , till the Soule bee settled : Let that muddie minde of yours first bee settled , and yee shall shortly see that matters are not as they seeme to bee : When Christ said to Matth. 16. 23 Peter , Get thee behinde mee Sathan , it was a speach of glouminesse : But O the sweete gloumes of Iesus more sweete than the worlds smiles : Let that righteous reproue mee , and it shall Psal. 141. 5. bee as oyle which shall not breake mine head : * * Note God may seeme to be angrie at his Darlings , but yet in great loue hee hath locked vp their Saluation , and made it sure in his vnchangable decree .

The sicke Man .

Mine heart is pricked with paines and grieued with griefe : This is the mischiefe , I see none out-gate , my Soule is enuironed with temptations .

The Pastour .

The wordes of S. Peter are comfortable , The Lord knoweth how to 2 Pet. 2. 9 deliuer the godlie out of temptations : * * Note If your temptations bee great , heere is matter of joye , yee haue a God who knoweth how to deliuer you . There is no temptation so deadly but God knoweth how to cure it : * * Note A touch of the garment of Christs righteousnesse will anone dry vp that flooxe of blood .

The sicke Man .

I am so tossed , that I am not able to touch it : * * Note I am like a shippe in a tempest , seeking its Hauen , but cannot come by it ; whiles I am bl●…wen to this side and whiles to that side : Thus beeing driuen hither & thither as with contrarie Tydes , mine heart quaketh , and my conscience is in a qualme .

The Pastour .

Christ , who in the dayes of his flesh rebuked the windes , will calme Matth. 3. 16. such qualmes , that your conscience may bee at rest : * Though the rolling sea rage , so that it make the Mariners to reele to and froe , & stagger like drunken men , yet when they cry vnto the Lord , Hee maketh the Psal. 107. ●… 29. stormes a calme so that the waues therof are still : Hee who can still the waues of waters , can calme the most stirring surgesse of temptations : * * Note It is written of the Mariners , that while in the temptest all their cunning is gone , their last refuge is to their prayers , Then they cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble , and hee deliuereth them from their distresses : If your distresse Sir , bee like the tempest which cannot bee with stood by care or cunning , runne to your God by prayer , confesse fullie and freelie your sinnes : Suffer no starting holes or hollownesse in your heart : But worke it to sinceritie , vse all meanes for to bee friendes with your God : Seeke earnestlie from God , for the sake of his Chirst , the peace of Conscience .

The sicke Man .

So I doe : * * Note But alas , while I seeke peace , I heare from God as it were that voyce of Iehu to Iohoram ▪ horse-man saying to my Soule , What hast thou to doe with peace ? get 2 Kin. 9. 18 thee behinde m●…e : What wonder that God bee angrie with mee , who was neuer carefull to please him ? * * Note My Soule like a Night-Owle hath hated Light , and loued darknesse : Such is the weight of my transgression that I am like to finke thorow the sward of Gods wrath : * * Note This checketh mee sore , that while I sinned , I stroue to ouermaster my conscience arraigning mee for my wickednesse : When I thinke of this , ●… thinke shame to face the Sunne and the Moone .

The Pastour .

* * Note The more yee bee ashamed of your sinnes , the lesse yee neede to feare euerlasting shame : The Pharisee Luk. 18. 11 thought no shame of him selfe , but bragged of his worth , the Publican could not face the Heauens for shame : Your part shall be with the Publican , who returned justified vnto his house : Hee who condemneth himselfe , shall goe home to Heauen with the justice of his God . Cry vnto the Lord in your trouble .

The sicke Man .

I am not able to speake , the force of temptations is like to shiuer me in pieces : All that is within mee is in a fearefull vproare : * * Note O how fear●…full is the racke and gibbet of an euill conscience : The blacke scrole of my sinnes which of before seemed to bee enroled , is now vnfolded & laid open , wherein euerie letter seemeth huge , great like a mountaine : Euery day is a death vnto me , all my counts are out of order , there is not a string in mine heart in a right tune : What are sinners , but stubble ? Gods sentence is , Burne them : * * Note Alas , that while I sinned , I weighed not the following woe : I haue brewed my griefe , and now I must drinke in sorrow .

The Pastour .

* * Note One thing I perceiue Sir , that your griefe must haue vent , till yee haue disburdened your selfe with teares and complaints , yee can not admit anie comfort .

The sicke Man .

There is no doloure lik to my doloure : The arrowes of the Lords wrath are within mee , whereof my Spirit drinketh the poyson .

The Pastour .

* * Note These arrowes are not arrowes of wrath , but of warning , like the arrowes of Ionathan , shot for to driue Dauid from the furie of Saul : * * Note Heare the Spirit crying with Ionathan , Are 1 Sam. 20. 37 they not beyond thee ? Gods arrowes are flowen ouer you , are they not beyond you ? There is no danger .

The sicke Man .

* * Note My sinnes which once seemed little like mots , begin now to swell , and to become thicker than mountaines : I haue no peace within : In my Soule is kindled an vnquenchable fire , in it is the fewell of euerlasting burnings : * * Note Often haue I posted off my sinnes in the lumpe with a slubbert generall confession : Now resteth nothing within mee but feare distrust & qualm●…s of Conscience .

The Pastour .

Bee strong in God Sir : Hope in his mercie , belieue in him , though he should stay you : * * Note If yee will not Isa. 7. 9. belieue , saith Isaiah , surelie yee shall not bee established : While the woman of Canaan was making request to Christ for her Daughter , shee found Christ at the first to bee verie harsh and sowre , in calling her a Dogge : But that little blast beeing once blowne out for the humbling of her Soule , she heard incontinent these words of comfort , O woman , great is thy Faith : Bee it vnto thee Matth. 15 28. euen as thou wilt : * * Note Gods face may seeme grimne for a space , but there is but a moment in his wrath : though he should slay you , yet must yee trust in him : In your hurt yee must hope for his helpe .

The sicke Man .

* * Note My strongest hope is but a stinging feare : My greatest confidence is but trembling of conscience : * * Note It seemeth to mee , that there is one knocking at the doore of mine heart and crying in a voyce , Is Faith heere ? Is loue within ? Is one called the feare of God into this place ? Is the Spouse of Christ in this heart ? Alas , what can I say , hauing such an ouglie Soule within mee ? Can Christ the Spouse of the Church loue such a Soule as mine , which is like a bleare or squint eyed Leah ? can the dark night beguile him , that hee should take such a loathsome Leah for a beautifull Rachel ?

* * Note If Death now ouertake mee , I looke for fire and faggot , the fuell of euerlasting burninges : Oh , my Faith fainteth , and mine hope houereth : What say yee Sir ? Doeth not your heart pittie to see mee in such a plunge ? * * Note Yet for all this I must justifie God : All this is righteouslie come vpon mee , though his wrath should so settle vpon mee , that thereby my bones should bee crushed like these eighteene who were slaine vnder the tower of Siloe , Luk. 13. 4 to God should belong righteousnesse , but to mee open shame and Dan. 9. 8. confusion of face .

The Pastour .

* * Note Shame of face for sinne is the beginning of grace in a sinner ; waite vpon the Lord a little , and hee shall make his mercie to appeare like a morning light , at the breake of day all the night shadowes of temptations shall flee away , and Christ the Sunne of Righteousnesse , shall arise and Mal. 4. 2. shine vpon your Soule with his blessed beames : This shall make your Soule like a Bird on a bush well-comming the morning with a song for joye that the night is past .

The Sicke Man .

* * Note Sathan alas , hath so hood-winked my Soule with my sinnes , that I cannot get a sight of mercie , the sense of my sinnes giueth mine heart many a cold pull : I feare to die in despaire : What say yee Sir ? Doeth not your heart pittie mee ?

The Pastour .

The Lord pittie you , & giue me an heart to pray for you : The Lord put the wordes into my mouth , that may comfort your comfortlesse Soule in this Iingring tryall : Haue patience in your paine , sinne is like a rotten tooth , the deeper roote it hath in the jawes , the more painefull it is in the drawing . Continue Sir to discouer your sore ; if the boile of such corruption bee ripe , I shall launce it , that such filthie matter may bee cleansed away : I pray God so to direct mee , that I may proue a Surgeon cunning in this cure ; if there bee any thing as yet that troubleth you , conceale it not , if ye think that my comforts may be helpfull vnto you : * * Note Many are more ashamed to confesse a faulte , than to commit a sinne . What is this that grieueth you now Sir ?

The sicke Man .

The wrath of God affrayeth me ; * * Note His anger is like a Lyon , which can not bee tamed : My sinne is past , but punishment is to come : * * Note Terrors cry out of the fire , Thy pleasures now are ended , now thou must suffer paines : From the toppe of the pinacle of all thy preferments , come down to the dungeon of darknes , because thou hast fallen downe before the god of this world , goe downe , goe 2 Cor 14. 4 downe to him , whom thou on earth hast worshipped : These bee the terrours of God , standing in battell array against mee , which make mee to fling all comfortes from mee : My Soule is possessed with a slauish feare .

* * Note Indeed I must confesse , that I am much beholden vnto God , for so large a time of repentance : But alas . I haue neglected it , yea , and obstinatlie haue kicked against my Maker : * * Note So now I finde by doolefull sense , that I remaine into the guilt ; my Soule is so sicke with this that I cannot tell : * * Note All comfortes are vnto it like a dead potion into the stomacke which hath no vertue to worke : God thinketh mee not worthie of comfort : For while I was in prosperitie , I was so couered ouer Isa. 29. 10 with the spirit of slumber , that I would not be warned nor wakened by the voyce of Gods Trumpeters , sounding judgements , as sonnes of thunder , * * Note Because I misregarded Boanarges the Sons of Thunder , God will not daine mee with a Barnabas , a Sonne of consolation . Now behold Sir , what grieueth mee , what say yee for my comfort ?

The Pastour .

* * Note I rejoyce from mine heart not in your griefe , but in that yee are so grieued for your sinnes : God in mercie by such sorrow doeth whet vp your desires after him : * * Note The Child by a knocke & a fall knoweth his owne weaknesse , and perceiueth the need of his Nourse : I rejoyce to see you humbled with the sense of your sins vnder the hand of God , I am comforted to see you humbled , let this humilitie bee a comfort to your selfe : It is good to be of a humble and contrit Spirit : To whom will Isa. 66. 2. I looke ? said the Lord , euen to him that is of a contrit Spirit , and trembleth at my word : * * Note The more a man be humbled he is neerer to be justified : The Publican a litle before he was justified , was knocking vpon his breast , and crying to God for mercie to him a miserable man : * * Note The more humble a man bee , hee is the Luk. 18. 13 farther from the dint and danger of Gods judgements .

The sicke Man .

By your discourse Sir , it would seeme that a cast downe Soule with its owne vnworthinesse , is in lesse danger of judgement , than these who are high lifted vp in their owne conceit .

The Pastour .

It is most certaine : * * Note The humble & the proud are like these seeds that were sowne in Egypt , when the plague of haile came , the Flaxe and the Barley Exod. 9. 31 were smitten , saith the Scripture , for the Barley was in the eare , and the Flaxe was bolled : But the Wheat and vers. 32. the Rye were not smitten , for they were not grown vp : The wicked in time of wrath are lik Flaxe & Barley , because they are lifted vp , they are smitten , they are in the eare , yea , and bolled in their pride , and therefore cannot escape : But as for the humbled heart of the godlie man , it is lik the Wheat and Rye , the best corne : It is not smitten because it is not growne vp , but lyeth humble before the Lord : Corpora magnanimo satis est prostrasse Leoni : Humiliation maketh the Lyon to spare his aduersarie : God is pleased and pacified so soone as hee seeth a man humbled in heart : Ahah had killed 1 King . 21 19. & after also had taken possession * * Note Yet so soone as hee humbled himselfe in Sacke , though all his humilitie was but outward , the Lord looked vpon him , and would haue Elijah to see it also , Seest thou , said the Lord vers. 29. to his Prophet , how Ahah hath humbled himselfe before mee : Because hee humbleth himselfe before mee , I will not bring this euill in his dayes .

Blesse God Sir , for your humbled heart , yet relye neuer vpon any grace that is within your selfe , let Gods meere mercie alone bee your strength and your stay : * * Note The least opinion of our owne worth is a frost which nippeth Repentance in the blossome .

The sicke Man .

Thinke ye Sir , that before a man win to Heauen , that hee must bee racked and riuen as I am with fearefull temptations ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Before the most part of the Elect can enjoy these joyes that are aboue , they are not onelie racked with paine , but also as it were racked thorow hell : There must first bee an hell in the conscience with the sense of our sinnes , wee must haue a sight of wrath , before wee enter into Gods Rest : * * Note Heauen is not winne with a wish : Christ saith , that it suffereth violence , and that the violent Matth. 11. 12. take it by force : Thorow manie tribulations and afflictions wee must enter into it : The Crowne is after a course of crosses .

The sicke Man .

I am haled away with the strong streame of temptations : I cannot thinke , that if God loued mee , hee would suffer mee to bee thus way tread vnder foote like dust , with such fearefull temptations : O how fearefull is the crosse vpon the Conscience !

The Pastour .

These whom GOD loueth best , hee chasteneth : * * Note The louing Mother will runne vpon her dearest Daughter with her feete , if shee perceiue her to bee giuen to folie : God treadeth not vpon his owne , but for profite : * * Note The Godlie are like Saffron or Camomile , which grow the better the more they bee troden downe : Grace must gripe Nature till it gaspe .

The sicke Man .

Mine heart is strained and squised with griefe : O the heauie weight of my sinnes , which hang so fast on ! * * Note I am like a tyred horse that faine would bee rid of his burden .

The Pastour .

To bee tyred of sinne , is a token that yee shall bee shortlie deliuered : * * Note Hee who is tyred with sin , is tyred , not to bee a drudge of sin : * * Note Sinne is not heauie to the Wicked , because it is in them as water in its owne element , though it bee of weight , yet it weigheth not : Well is the wearied Soule , it hath Christs promise of ease : But woe to them Matth. 11. 28 who with Laodicea , haue neede of no thing : For the most part , men are drowned in drowsinesse : Securitie is farre more dangerous than despaire : As was sung of Saul and of Dauid , so may bee heere , Despaire hath slaine her thousand , but Securitie her ten thousand : Manie are not wakened till they bee so wakened , that their judgement and senses are lost .

It is a fearefull curse for a man to blesse himselfe , while hee should mourne for his sinnes : Such as blesse themselues , while the Lord pronounceth the wordes of the curse , The Lord will not bee mercifull to that Deut. 29. 20 man : * * Note Securitie hath shaken hands with Hell and Death : But well is him who feareth alwayes : * * Note Hee is greatest in Gods sight , who is least in his owne eyes .

The sicke Man .

But alas , Sir , my conscience speaketh home , that I haue beene a stranger from my God : O but I am wearied , how shall I bee deliuered from this burden of bondage ?

The Pastour .

These who are ladened and wearied , may heare Christ in his Gospel crying vnto them , Come vnto me Matth. 11. 29. Goe to him who cryeth so louingly , Come : Striue aboue all things , to get a sight of your Sauiour , by the eye of Faith : Vrge vpon your heart a deepe meditation of his mercie , his merits are able to cure our maladies .

The sicke Man .

* * Note There is such a mist betweene me and the Messias , that it is not possible for me to see him . Oh , that my eyes were cleared with Gods Eye-salue , that I might clearelie be hold Reuel. 3. 10 him !

The Pastour .

* * Note The great desire ye haue to see him is a sort of sight : * * Note All men see not Christ alike : All goe not vp to the mount with Peter , Iames , and Iohn : Matt. 17. 1. All see not God face to face with Moses : Exod. 33 , 11. All men lay not their head in Christs bosome , with his best beloued Ioh. 13. 23 Disciple ; Be not discouraged : thogh ye cannot winne so neare to Christ , as ye would : * * Note If ye cannot winne to him for to embrace him , as Simeon Luk. 2. 8 , did striue to touch the border of his garment behind with the finger of faith Luk. 8. 44 and it shall stay the bloody fluxe of your Sinnes : * * Note Ye sigh for a sight of Christ * A sigh for a sight of him , is a sight of him indeed : * * Note He who wold be found of these that sought him not will bee much more found of these that seeke him , and sigh for him : Bee of good heart : * * Note Though for a space your spirituall day be mistie , yet at last your drumly sky shal be cleared : * * Note Christ is not euer absent , while hee is not seene : The Sunne as we see will be couered with a cloud , & the Moone will bee vnder wake , but incontinent thereafter , the cloudes beeing ouer-blowen , wee enjoye their brightnesse and their beames : What shall bee able to separate a Christian from the Loue of his Christ ? * * Note What then shall be able to mak a Christian soule despaire ? Shall Damnation ? No , For Christ Gods ▪ a a Luk. 2. 30. Saluation is ours : Shall Hell ? No , For our Christ hath b b Reuel. 3. 7. the keyes both of Heauen & of Hell : Shall the World ? No , For Christ hath c c Ioh. 16. 33. ouercome the World : Shall the Law ? No , For our Christ hath d d Matth. 3 15. fulfilled the Law . Shall Death ? No , For our Christ e e Ioh. 14. 6. is the Way and the Life : Shall the Fathers wrath ? No , For f f Isa. 63. 3. Hee hath troden the wine-presse of his wrath for you , and for all repenting sinners : * * Note All Scripture pointeth at him , saying , g g Isa. 30. 21. This is the way , walk ye in it : Run Sir to him , & he shall deliuer you from all your sinnes , and from all your feares : Striue to curbe your owne corruptions which are so broodie within you .

The sicke Man .

I cannot alas , bee quite of my sinnes : I striue to runne away from them , but the faster they follow mee , like curre Dogges that are so accustomed to follow their Master they will not bee boasted home againe : Where euer I goe with my thoughts aboue or below , my sinnes follow hard after mee : * * Note Though I threaten them , thogh I boast them , yea , betimes intreate them to depart , their answere is , Wee are thy workes , wee will goe with thee . This putteth my Soule out of peace and order , and thrusteth mee away from Deut. 13. 10. the Lord ; my God : I haue beene long seeking and sighing for comforts : But as yet I can espye none appearance .

The Pastour .

Comforts sought sought , and sighed for , are not aye seene at the first : * * Note Elijahs seruant went vp the hill Carmell eight seuerall times to espye some appearance of raine : The first seuen times hee could see nothing , & at the eight hee saw but a little cloud of comfort : Behold said hee , there ariseth a little cloud out of 1 Kin. 1●… . 44. the sea , like a mans hand : A little after that , the heauens were blake with vers. 45. cloudes and winde , and there was a great raine .

* * Note Hold your face Sir a little space with Elijah betweene your knees , and 1 Kin. 18. 42. cast your selfe downe vpon the Earth , as hee did , that is , fall downe in all humilitie of Soule before your God in prayer : That done , send vp your prayer the spirituall spye vnto the top of the hill : * * Note Send it againe and againe , euer till it espye some little cloud of comfort : If your Soule take paines in prayer till ye perceiue but an hand breadth of mercie , at last Gods comfortes shall raine downe in great aboundance vpon your wearied Spirit : What shall I say , if yee will not bee informed yee cannot bee reformed .

The sicke Man .

Indeede that is a pleasant and fit comparison , worthie to bee printed with a Note on the margent : It hath beene well adapted by you ▪ Oh , that it could bee as well applyed by mee : Oh , that the Lord , whose loue expelleth feare , would strengthen my weake Faith with an hand-breath , of his mercie : O for such a little cloud of comfort , it would lif●… Heb. 12. 12 vp mine hands which hang downe , and strengthen my weake knees : But in steede of such a comfortable cloude , I see nothing but cloudes of w●…ath , readie to fall and become a deludge of vengeance : from my birth , I must not dissemble , I haue dallied with my God , and haue dispised the gratious day of his visitations : * * Note And now all my comforts resemble to the Eagle , that taketh her to her wings , and flyeth aloft high into the Skye , from my sinfull reach : O feare ! O horrour ! O the multitude of my transgressions ! how shall I be quiet ?

The Pastour .

The best way to be quite of sin , that it reigne not in vs , is to bend vp our hearts to Christ , who is Emmanuel , Isa. 7. 14. God with vs : Thogh all be worthie to bee damned , yet there is no condamnation Rom. 8. 1 to these that are in Christ : * * Note Hee is that heaue-offering , which wee must euer hold and heaue vp like a buckler betweene Gods wrath and our sinfull Soules : In what case finde yee your Conscience to bee for the present ?

The sicke Man .

One deepe calleth to another deepe at the noyse of Gods water Spouts ▪ Psal. 42. 7 My sorrow is like the Sea , it ebbeth and it floweth : As I haue swimmed thorow one deepe temptation , I fall into another that is deeper : My braine is turned with a whirling giddinesse .

The Pastour .

* * Note There is no such deepnesse either in our sinnes or in our troubles , but the mercie of God in Christ shall bee able to ouer-reach it by innumerable fathomes : S. Paul said , that hee was assured , that neither high nor depth shall bee able to separate vs from the loue of God .

* * Note Though affliction raine downe vpon vs like water falling from spouts , they may well wash vs , but shall not bee able to drowne vs : * * Note A godlie man should not be afraide for a spo●… full of bitter waters : * * Note Though th●… waters of the sea roare & be troubled ▪ Though the Mountaines shake with the swelling thereof , yea , though the surges thereof should boast the cloudes , heere is the faithfull mans Psal. 46. 4. comfort , There is a riuer the streames whereof shall make glad the Citie of God : * * Note Thogh the Mediterranean Sea , yea , the great Ocean with its surges , should boast Gods Ierusalem , a little riuer or brooke , a Kidron of Gods grace sending out streames of comfortes like the waters of Siloe shall make glad the Citie of God .

The sicke Man .

* * Note But how shall I passe thórow to Canaan , behold , before mee what floodes of iniquities ouerflowing Ier. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their bankes as in the swelling of Iordan : Such fearefull floodes ru●… betweene me and Heauen 〈◊〉 place ▪ appointed for my 〈◊〉

The ●…our ▪

* * Note 〈◊〉 ●…oake with the garment 〈◊〉 Christes righteousnesse will diuide the floodes of Belial , as Elisha diuided the Iordan by striking it with the mantle of Elijah , that hee might 2 King . 2. 14. safelie passe thorow : * * Note Christes merits are like the Arke , which made the Iordan to goe backe , for to make Ioh. 3. 16 a way for Israel vnto Canaan : * * Note Our heartes like the Priestes , must stand hard by the side of this Arke , till all our affections the Lords Armies be come thorow the swelling Iordan of Ier. 12. 5. grieuous afflictions .

The sicke Man .

While I beholde my selfe , I abhorre my selfe : * * Note The eye of my God seeth mee , and what am I , but like a bemired Dogge trodde by Sathan into the puddle of perdition ? Alas , when good motions came into ●…e heart , I crosed them with my lustes ▪ Now cursed be my lusts .

I am so filth●… ▪ ●…hat I abhorre my selfe , my sinnes are so 〈◊〉 , that nothing is able to make them 〈◊〉

The Pastour .

Know yee Sir what God said of olde in Isaiah ? Come now , and let vs ●…sa . 1. 18. reason together , though your sins be as scarlet , they shall bee as white as snow , though they be red l●…k crimsin , they shall bee as woole : If yee could but reason a little with God , ye should find this to be true : There is no sinne , which Christes blood is not able to purge : * * Note What euer your sinne be , if yee can repent , he can forgiue : * * Note Christ can doe anie thing butthis ▪ hee cannot saue him that will not repent : Seeing yee know him to bee infinite in mercie ▪ haue all your recourse to him ; * * Note Take once a proofe of his mercie : Humble your selfe at his feete , and see whether or not there bee mercie with him that hee may bee feared .

* * Note The seruants of Benhadad knowing that the Kings of Israel were mercifull Kings : Put sack-clot●… vpon 1 Kin. 20. 31. their loynes , & ropes vpon their heads , for to seeke mans mercie , which also they found : * * Note Shall man finde mer●… into the narrow bowels of a man , and 〈◊〉 hee bound the holie One of Israel ? * * Note Christ who is not onelie true , but Trueth it selfe hath said , Whatsoeuer yee shall aske Ioh. 14 12. in my Name , that will I doe : * * Note Hee who is true may lye , but Trueth can not lye .

The sicke Man .

That is trueth : While I consider your comfortes for the distressed Soule , * * Note I thinke that all your purpose pointeth chieflie at Christ , as though hee alone were the ground of Grace : Let mee heare I pray you more at large , what Christ is vnto vs .

The Pastour .

Hee is Emmanuell , God with vs , Matth. 1. 2●… God with man , God in Man , God-Man : In Him God and Man , are but one Person : Our life is hid with Christ Col. 3. 3. in God : * * Note Because wee did eate of the forbidden Fruite , Hee was hanged vpon a cursed tree : Hee hath borne vs such a loue as is vnspeakeable : * * Note What tongue 〈◊〉 forme wordes sufficie●…●…or to expresse the least part of the same ?

By the conduite pype of his Humanitie Grace for Grace hath beene conueighed to our graceles Soules , who can expresse his Loue , hee loueth vs to the end , and of his Loue there is none end .

* * Note This I will say , That hee hath borne to man such a loue , that hath made all mankind like a Banquerupt , so farre vnable to pay the principle , that though man should loue his Sauiour withall his might and his minde , yet should hee not pay so much as the interest of so great a loue : No , though hee should giue his bodie to bee brunt for the honour of his Name : No , though he should for his sak haue his name if it were possible , scraiped out of the Booke of Life : * * Note Though all our Soules should suffer for his honour the euerlasting paines of the damned , all these paines were not to bee counted the interest of his paines for vs : * * Note It is more that a Prince get a deadlie hurt in a Battell , than that a thousand common Souldiers were slaine : * * Note It is more that the Prince of Heauen suffered vpon the crosse but an houre , than that a thousand worlds had beene cast into a thousand hells , for to bee tormented for euer * * Note There is no proportion in suffering betweene the creature & him who was both God and Man into one person .

* * Note O then , what can be the interest of that principall loue , that moued God to die for man ? * * Note Let this bee like a Bell ringing for to waken your drowsie Soule : Let your Soule like Iohn leane vpon the blessed bosome of Iesus : Haue euer your eye vpon this Mercie-seat .

The sicke Man .

Is it onelie then in Christ , Sir , that Saluation is to bee found ? All Scripture would yee say , doeth leauell at him .

The Pastour .

The Scripture is plaine : There is Act. 4. 12 none other Name giuen vnder heauen among men , whereby wee must bee saued ▪ Hee is full of the bowels of loue ; Hee is that onelie Sauiour , pointed out by both the Testaments : * * Note Like as the two Cherubims , though seuered one from another , yet looked one towards another , and both vpon the Mercie seate : Euen so the Olde and New Testament looke one towards another , & yet point at one & the same Christ , the marrow and kernell of mans Saluation ▪ * * Note All Religion is in this , that wee know Christ : This is mans Saluation , to know Christ and him crucified : * * Note By 1 Cor. 2. 2 his Blood the Bill and Bond of the Law , is crost and cancelled : * * Note Hee is that Carkasse wherevnto all faithfull Soules like Eagles must resort : Hee Matth. 24 28 is our refuge against the dint of Gods wrath : The Spouse could not come vp from the wildernesse , but by leaning vpon her beloued , Christ . Cant. 8 , 5

* * Note As the Propitiatorie couered the Tables of the Law , that were in the Arke , so Christ couered our sinnes against these Tables : * * Note As the cloud couered the Israelites from the fight of Pharaoh hotelie following after them , so Christs righteousnesse like a cloud couered vs from the judgements of God his fierie wrath pursuing vs .

* * Note Let men couer themselues neuer so carefullie , still some part of them shall peepe bare , vntill Christ come with the couering of his righteousnesse .

* * Note If by the temptations of Sathan your Soule hath beene ruffled or galled vpon the sore : The best balme that euer dropped from the pen of Gods Spirit vpon the leaues of his Sacred Booke , is the Historie of Christs Bloodie passion : There wee may see the dearest mercies that euer moued the relenting bowels of Gods tenderest compassions .

* * Note Behold the Sacred Blood of that vnspotted Lambe , which saued the Soules of those that spilt it .

* * Note If yee bee pined with Corrasius of terrour , in him are Cordials of compassions , the onelie salue for the sores of the Soule * * Note Though ye were couered with scarlet abominations , Isa. 1. 18. heere is vertue whereby yee shall be made whiter than the snow : * * Note Did hee not pray for them , yea , did hee not saue them , who by bitter railing , discharged vpon him the vtmost of their gall ?

The sicke man .

Such men at last were pricked in Act. 2. 37 their heartes they truelie repented : * * Note Their sighes and sobs were supported & sinewed with the strength of Grace : Such men became godly indeede : But I did neuer passe the pitch of formall pietie : I euer desired more to seeme godlie , than so to be : I haue beene betimes sore shaken with awfull terrours : * * Note But I neuer yet could say , that the softening blood of Iesus did melt my marble heart .

* * Note What euer had I , but some light of reason & glimmerings of generall grace , which cannot soare so high , as to conuoy the soule to the doores of Heauen ? * * Note The word of sauing grace implanteth it selfe into the heart of the godlie man : Hee onelie is furnished with a resolute & vnswayed vprightnesse .

* * Note Alas , alas , alas , mine heart is throwen with a sore wringing : There is a large haruest for Hell , many called but few chosen .

The Pastour .

What shall I say ? * * Note Mans thoughts are framed into a sinfull mould * * Note The sillie sonnes of Adam are wonderfullie tossed with the contrarie Tyd●… of Satans temptations : Some he benumeth with the sweetnes of Sec●…ritie , others hee troubleth with the tartennesse of terrours : * * Note O but Sathans Balow is sweete to the Soule in the craddle of Securitie ! But O how dreadfull shall hee bee when hee appearing grieslie and fierce vnto the Soule , shall waken it with a cry and a glowre saying , Damned soule come out to fire , & faggot , come out to vnqueancheable brimstone beames , come out to weeping and gnashing of teeth .

* * Note A man after this manner wakened in conscience , is like a man wakened out of his sleepe on a sudden : At the first hee is in such a maze , that till hee bee better wakened he cannot well vnderstand what is said to him : All his thoughts are into an hurlie burlie : Then his outward rebellions , and his inward repynings , with all his abominations seeme to fall downe vpon him like cloudes of blood : * * Note There bee no comforts that can settle his feares , till the Spirite of grace appeare vnto him in the calme .

Looke vp with your eye Sir , and seeke a blinke of the face of Iesus : Hee onelie is the Prince and Pryce of our Peace , our joye , and our libertie : If the Sonne make vs free , wee Ioh. 8. 36. shall bee free indeede : Wrestle with him , vse violence in an holie boldnesse : vis Deo grata .

In him are the lasting treasures of mercie and immortalitie : * * Note Hee it is onelie who can make this biting Conscience to bee toothlesse , he onelie can command this raging sea : I know Sir , that your sorrowes are sore , and my Soule pittieth you , for I see you in the verie pangs and terrours of the new birth : I perceiue your Soule gasping for grace , as the drie and thirstie ground for droppes of raine .

The sicke Man .

O the boisterous blastes of temptations , able to make the tallest and deepest rooted Cedars to stagger , yea , the Sirion to skippe like an Vnicorne : What shall I doe ?

The Pastour .

Seeing Christ alone is our protection and perfection , let all your courage bee in him : * * Note In him yee must bee valiant , for none but the valiant can by violence enter into the Kingdome of God : If a man know Christ well , hee shall not be discouraged though hee were cast into a raging sea of temptations : * * Note Though a man were cast into a gulfe of twenty fathome deepe , if hee can keepe his head aloft , he cannot be drowned : * * Note So as long as Christ our Head is aboue , wee his members may well bee dowked , but wee cannot bee drowned : All Christian comforts runne vpon him like the title of a Booke , wherein is contained the substance of the whole .

If Christ Sir bee yours , yee cannot perish : Hee who is rooted in him , can neuer bee rooted out .

The sicke Man .

But how can Christ bee mine , seeing I am but a bagge of corruption & a bodie of Death ? What hath mine heart beene , but like a vipers bellie , filled with a deadly brood ? Miserable man that I am , will Christ euer daine to looke vpon such a vile wretch as I am , who hath turned my Christian libertie in a fleshlie licence .

The Pastour .

These who are least into their own eyes , are in greatest account with him : * * Note When yee heare of the wandring sheepe brought home , and of Matth. 18. 13 the lost groat found , and of the forlorne Luk. 15. 8 Sonne returned to his Father : Luk. 15 , 18. Ye should cast your figure & say , Of whom is this written but of mee ? for whom is it written but for mee ?

* * Note If yee sticke fast by him , no perrell shall make an haire of your Matth. 19. 30. head to perish : Bee of good comfort , for your life is hid with Christ in God . Colos. 3. 3

The sicke Man .

I am so vile , that hardlie darre I presume to think that Christ would die for such a filthie rotten creature as I am , who from the sole of tbe Isa. 1. 6. foote to the crowne of the head , is filled with botches , boiles , and putrifying sores : * * Note When I behold my selfe into the glasse of Gods Law , I abhor the monstrous face of my Soule : * * Note I am one of those in whom Satan hath parbreaked , and spewed the spawne of all sorts of sinne : Of all sinners , I am the first : * * Note For I haue not sinned of ignorance , but of knowledge , against the light of my mind , against the voyce of my God , against the workings of his Spirit , & against the cryes of mine owne Conscience : This is my greatest feare , that I haue done despite vnto the Spirit of Grace . Heb. ●…0 . 29 This striketh widest wounds into my Soule , and maketh all the bowels of my bellie to wamble . O fye , fye , what a filthinesse is within this heart of ▪ mine : * * Note The small moats moue not thicker in the Sunne , than sinnes of all sortes haue reeled to and froe in this wicked heart of mine , which is nothing , but a nest of Spiders , and a cage of corruptions .

* * Note O what a shamefull discouerie should this bee , if mine heart were as well seene as my face ! If all the monsters of my meditations were set in open view , if the eyes of men could spie out what thoughts haue beene within my breast since I was borne : If all the men of Africke a place most fertile of Monsters , were taken to bee witnesse , they would plainlie declare that the Earth cannot bring foorth such Monsters as are bredde into the heart of man .

* * Note O the great mercie of God , who to the ende that man may liue with man , hath hidde the heart of man from men ! O my God , though thou hast sieled the eyes of man , that hee cannot see within my breast , thine eyes , which see our thoughts a far off , perceiue most clearlie all my bygone abominations . To Thee alone belongeth the discouerie of a closed heart : Would I bee dashed if the eye of a sinner tooke mee at an euill turne , and shall I not bee ashamed when I remember how the eye of my God hath followed me in all mine euill wayes ?

Alas , my deare Pastour , yee speake much to mee of Christ and of his death , but what portion can such a vile stinking creature as I , haue with Christ ? I haue delayed all to the after-noone , and now my Sun is readie for to set : The blacke night of darknes is posting vpon my soule .

My Soule refuseth all sortes of comforts : I thinke that it shall die in the verie grippes of such bloodie temptations : Behold , and consider if there bee anie sorrow like vnto my sorrow .

The Pastour .

* * Note I know Sir , that no sort of men are sooner or sorer touched for their sinnes , than are the best children of God : Sathan is most busie to blow at the coale of their corruptions .

* * Note And againe , there bee no sort of men more readie to appropriate to themselues the comforts of God , than they to whom they least belong .

But yet Sir , seeing yee are sicke in Soule , yee must not refuse spirituall Physicke : Christ is the onelie comfort against the guilt of sinne : * * Note His blood is the onelie trayacle against the poyson of this pest : * * Note But can any comfort auaile to him that will not receiue it ? As meate set vpon the Table cannot nourish , except that it bee put into the mouth , and from thence bee sent downe to the stomacke : So , neither can the wordes of comfort feede the heart , Nitraijciantur in viscera nostrae animae Bernard . & transeant in affectiones nostras , except that they enter into the bowels of our Soule , and passe thorow vnto our affections : Your Spirit is so knappish and way-ward , that it will not admit the most solide comforts : The marke of Christs Lambes is an eare-marke : My sheepe heare my voyce . Ioh. 10. 27.

The sicke Man .

But thinke yee Sir , that I can bee one of Gods , who haue beene so great a sinner ? My Soule is sicke to the death with surfets of sinne : Can Gods Spirit abide where there is so great corruption ? * * Note Can two Guestes of so contrarie nature , dwell together in one man ?

The Pastour .

They may indeede , though they cannot agree : * * Note Grace and corruptions may be into the heart of a man , as Israel was with the Iebusites , Hiuites , and Perezites , into Canaan : But as Israel wasted these Nations by litle & litle , so the Spirit of God with grace by little and litle rooteth out , wasteth , and foileth these nations of sinne that are within vs : But not all at once . * * Note Lest wee should grow idle , and roust for want of such spirituall exercise .

* * Note The heart of a godlie man is like the house of Abraham , where Isaac and Ismael lodge together : Though for a space they tarie together , at death the olde scorning Ismael shall bee cast out : Hee shall not inherite the promise with Isaac the laughing man .

* * Note If Sir yee finde a wresling within your heart , some newe working , which once yee did not perceiue , it is a token that grace is conceiued in your soule : * * Note After that a woman hath conceiued , she wil find some times a working about the heart , prouoking to vomite : It is so with the heart of a regenerat man , so soone as grace is conceiued into it , it wil ouercast til it cast and vomite out many filthy corruptions : * * Note Though Iacob be little and weake & at the first seeme not to be a peregall vnto the rugh man , who is full of strength , yet at last hee shall catch him by the heele , and ouerturne him in a moment : Waite but a litle , and yee shall bee vtterlie out of the reach of all the powers of Hell .

The sicke Man .

I tremble all with feare , that the Lord cast mee off and banish out of the Land of the liuing this filthie festered Soule .

The Pastour .

God is more mercifull , than man can conceiue him to bee : Can a mother Isa. 49. 15 forget her Childe ? that shee haue no compassion ? saith the Lord : * * Note A louing Father will bee loth to cast his Childe out of doores in a deadly disease : If these who are euill can giue Matth. 7. 11 good things vnto their Children , how much more will that Father who is goodnesse it selfe , giue the holie Spirit with all other good thinges to these who will seeke then ? cry to God in prayer .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Alas , the sorrow of mine heart lameth the liberty of my tongue , my wordes cannot expresse the groanes of my griefe .

The Pastour .

Though yee bee not able to vtter words , sigh with your hearte vnto God : * * Note God heard Moses his sighs , like cryes : Why cryest thou to mee ? Exod. 14. 15 said God to the sighing man : * * Note A sigh out of a soft melting heart , is a powerfull prayer before God .

The sicke Man .

I am both sinfull and senslesse : Though I haue sinned most hainouslie , yet I finde no melting in mine heart : * * Note All the teares of my repentance within mee are become like a frozen moisture : I cannot so much as wring out one drop thereof : * * Note Oh , that they were so melted , that they might rush out at the flood-gates of mine eyes , that thereof I might with the sinfull woman make a bath for the feete of my Lord ! Oh Luk. 7. 44 that mine heart were formed into another mould ! * * Note Oh that I could in his presence drench my Soule in a showre of teares ! O how precious is the sense of a reuealed and a reconcealed God! * * Note I find my selfe so ycie and colde , yea , so benummed and blockish , as though I were voide of all sense of grace : What can this bee ?

The Pastour .

* * Note He who findeth himselfe benummed is not altogether senslesse : * * Note In such a man there must bee some stirring of the pulse of a spirituall life : A dead man knoweth not that hee is dead , no more doeth a dead soule : A seared conscience feeleth not defertions : * * Note That man hath the beginning of grace , who can say from his heart , I haue no grace in my selfe , but onelie to finde that I haue no grace .

* * Note This wee must all know , that the best of Gods Sainctes will bee troubled with temporall desertions , as Ionah was , while hee was wrapt with waues and with weedes in the bottome of the sea : Out of this bellie of hell they will cry to God , Why hast thou made vs to erre from thy wayes ? Isa. 63. 17 and hardned our heart from thy feare ? * * Note Most godlie Soules may swarfe in sinne , but they cannot die in their sins : * * Note A spirituall man may be do●…ked in a sea of sin or sorrow , but can neuer be drowned : At last God shall Iona. 2. 6. make him sing with Ionah , Yet hast thou brought vp my life from corruptions , O Lord , my God : * * Note The spirituall life and light which God hath once put into the Soule of man , can neuer be totallie extinguished : Gods graces and his giftes are without repentance : Ro. 11. 29. Iudas from horrour may rin to the halter , but Peter cannot perish .

The Sicke Man .

Thinke yee then Sir , that a man cannot fall from the grace of God , if once hee hath beene receiued in Grace ? * * Note may not Grace like some plants for a space take roote , and thereafter wither ? May not God begin a good worke into a man , and after leaue it imperfect ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Gods working in the godlie is not like the doing of him that beginneth to build an house before hee Luk. 14. 29 count his cost , but is not able to finish it : I am confident of this verie Philip. 1. 6 thing , said S. Paul , that hee which hath begunne a good worke in you , will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ : * * Note Gods spirituall gifts and graces which are without repentance , come neuer within the compasse of Gods Reuocation . * a a 1 Sam. 10 24 God will make Saul a King , and againe b b 1 Sam. 15 11 repent that euer hee was crowned , and thereafter will put him from his kingdome : Hee will lend out a c c Mat. 25. 28. Talent and after take it backe againe : * * Note Hee will giue to man a tongue , and thereafter make him dumbe : Hee will Luk. 1. 20. giue Health , Wealth , Riches , and Iob. 1. 21. after take all backe againe : The Lord hath giuen and the * * Note Lord hath taken , may be said of al things except of his spirituall and speciall graces : These hee giueth once , but neuer taketh them backe againe : * * Note Sinne indeed will waken and diminish the sense and feeling of their operation , but can neuer take them quite away . * * Note Grace in a godlie Soule will bee Isa. 42. 3. betimes like flaxe smoking without a flamme , or like embers vnder an heape of ashes : Though all seeme to bee dead out , yet there is some little secret spunke within which shall neuer bee quenched : * * Note New sinnes I confesse are verie dangerous , they will wonderfullie impaire the sense of mercie into faithfull Soules , yea , so that to their judgement the Spirit of God will seeme altogether to haue forsaken them , * * Note But yet into their most desperate-like-cry there is a My of Faith in their prayer , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken Mat●…h . 27 46 mee ?

* * Note Grace in a godlie Soule will be like sappe into an Oake or Elme in the frostie dayes of December , hidde close within the barke : * * Note While Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse remoueth Malach 4. 2. his hote beames from the faithfull Soule , the Soule drouppeth like an Herbe into a winter day .

* * Note Grace like sappe runneth in to the heart and there lurketh for a spake : * * Note But againe , so soone as this Sunne beginneth to returne with the heat & health of his countenance in a new Spring-time , then will appeare againe first bude , then blossomes , then flourishes , and after fruites : That which was hid of before , is incontinent perceiued : * * Note As seede now cast into the ground seemeth to bee a dead thing , and yet hath life in it , so is Gods grace aliue and quickening when it seemeth farre otherwise : * * Note In a sowne a man liueth , though hee seeme to bee dead .

* * Note The life of God in a man can neuer altogether bee choaked with sinne : Our miserie is not able to ouer-reach his mercie .

* * Note A sparkle of fire should be more able to burne vp the sea , than mans sinnes for to dry vp the blood of his mercie : * * Note Where grace is begunne a man may fall , but hee can neuer fall away .

* * Note If Sir , ye haue found once the life of God within your Soule , yee haue receiued a sure pledge & pawne of immortalitie , say to your Soule , And now my Soule returne vnto thy Psal. 116. 7 rest .

The sicke Man .

There is no rest within mee : I am alas , as a man vpon a raging Sea , tumbled and tossed with such fearefull temptations , which make all the bowels of my bellie to wamble .

The Pastour .

Sea sicknesse Sir , is sore while it lasteth : * * Note But many seeke this sicknesse for to cure them of a worse : Take courage ; God hath imbarked you into this temptation , for to cause you caste out some corruptions which lye & lurke about your heart . * * Note Bee content to tarie a little space vpon the Firth , till the filth of you stomacke bee cleane purged away : Assure your selfe that all this sore sicknesse shall worke your health in the latter end , which shall cause your to sing , For his mercie endureth for euer . Psal 57. 1. In the shadow of Gods wings mak your refuge , vntill these calamities passe ouer .

The sicke Man .

I am euer in great doubt of my selfe .

The Pastour .

* * Note Though ye doubt of your selfe , yee must not doubt of Gods kindnesse and compassions : * * Note If ●…e doubt that God can bee mercifull to your sinnes , yee deny your Creede wherein yee see forgiuennesse of sinne to bee an expresse Article of Faith .

* * Note Though for some space yee be troubled with doubts , at last ye shall knowe by his Spirite within that Christ was no more willing to suffer for sinners , than hee shall proue both willing and able to saue you : Gods custome is to choose the hardest way for the best end , partlie for to proue his power , partlie for to try our trust .

The sicke Man .

I wish it be so : But for the present I finde a feare within mee which maketh my Soule to tremble : * * Note I euer thinke that hardlie can it bee that the Spirit of God would dwell into mine heart , which is a very cage of corruption : * * Note If the men of God , when they see bordels , abhor them , and goe by them , shall not the Spirit of God much more passe by mee , yea , & abhor me , who of mine heart haue made a most filthy stew : * * Note Moreouer , Satan is busie with his Bellowes blowing at the juniper coales of Gods wrath , that against mee may be kindled a consuming fire .

* * Note The frowne of a Prince may bee the fauour of God : But when God frowneth , who shall shew fauour ? * * Note O what a cry is in the dumbe choppe of the conscience !

The Pastour .

As I perceiue ye are in the storme of temptations : * * Note As the shippe in a tempest goeth with a low saile , So is it good and most sure in the tempest of temptations to take downe the top sailes of our owne worth .

* * Note But yet Sir , in your humilitie beware to disprise and set at nought the graces of God that are within you : Vertue standeth in the midst : * * Note As the Publican would not brage vainlie with the Pharisee , that he was not like other men , so neither would hee desperatlie say with Cain , Mine Gen. 4. 13 iniquitie is greater , than that it may be forgiuen .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Alas , Sir yee know not what weight hangeth vpon mine heart : ye are not priuie vnto my secret sinnes which I thinke shame to vtter : O these gnawings of my wormish Conscience : hardlie can yee imagine what filthie thoughts haue beene into my heart , since I came into this world : Hitherto they haue all beene hidde from mine eyes : * * Note But now I thinke that I see all my sinnes set in order before Psal. 50. 21 mee : My Soule is poisoned with the stinke of such corruptions ▪ I abhorre my selfe , and what wonder that God abhorre mee ?

The Pastour .

* * Note The more a man abhorreth himselfe , God who is milde & mercifull , loueth him the better : It is good for a man to stinke in his owne nose : * * Note A wicked man may bee well compared to the Latin Cimex French Punaise Tree , Lice that stinke most vilelie , and yet feele not the stinke of their own breath : Laodicea thought her selfe happie , and yet God said , that he wold spew her out of his mouth . Reuel. 3. 16

Gods thoughtes are not mans thoughts : Yee complaine Sir , of the filthines of your bygone thoughts , it is well done : But heere is your comfort , Zach. 13 , 1 Now is that fountaine of God in Zachrie opened to the house of Dauid for sin and for vncleannesse : * * Note Though through sin yee were lepper in soule as Na●…man was in bodie , the Iordan 2 Kin. 5. 1. of Christs Blood is able to mak you cleane : * * Note The precept is not of hard practise , Wash and bee cleane , belieue 2 Kin. 5. 10. and bee saued .

* * Note If yee would haue the Spirit of God to take a Chamber into your heart , keepe your hearte cleane : Gods house must be a cleane house , it must often bee sweept : * * Note If the dust or dirt of sinne defile the pauement thereof , it must first bee watered with the teares of repentance : * * Note The stoure & dust must be laid with holie water , & then wee must sweepe out all filthinesse with the besome of godlie reuenge . This doing Sir , God shall delight to dwell in you .

* * Note If Sathan blow at the juniper Psal. 120. 4. coales of your sinnes kindled with sparkles of fierie wrath , runne with the Bucket of Faith to the Blood of Iesus which is onelie able for to quenche that flamme .

The sicke Man .

My cheekes are watered with teares trickling downe both day and night : * my moist eyes are soked in this salt brimie water : O but they are comfortlesse teares .

The Pastour .

* * Note God at last shall make them comfortable like the bowle full of dewe , Iugde . 6. 38. which Gideon wrang out of his Fleece , Gods signe of Israels Saluation : Haue patience a little Sir , and your waterie eyes shall receiue the other dryen signe of the fleece , all your teares shall bee dryed and wyped away , so that yee shall neuer weepe any more : The houre is fast comming , that God shall wipe away your teares , the Reuel. 21. 4. waters of your weeping after that there shall bee no more death , neither sorrow , nor crying , nor paine .

Seeke the Lord while hee may be found , and call vpon him while hee is nigh : To him alone in Iesus must yee haue all your recourse , on him alone must yee relye .

The sicke Man .

I wote not where to goe : I can neither sitte , stand , nor lye : Mine heart alas , is hardened , yea , hard like the heart of the Leuiathan , which Iob. 41. 24. is hard like a piece of the nether milstone : I thinke that such hardnesse is from the deceitfulnesse of sinne . Heb. 3. 13

The Pastour .

* * Note It is a sort of softnesse when we feele our owne hardnesse : He who hath begun such softning will bring his own work to perfection in his appointed houre : * * Note The seedes of grace are like Corne , they are not ripe the first day they are sowen , but ripen by degrees : From this is that saying , Grace requyreth space , or in space commeth Grace .

A reprobate sense is not so neare at anie time , as when it is least suspected and most neglected : Say in all patience with the Prophet Micah , I will beare the indignation of the Lord , Mic. 7. 9. because I haue sinned against him : He will turne againe , he will haue compassion vpon you : Hee will subdue your iniquities , & cast them in the depths of the sea .

Holde vp your heart toward the Father of Lights , the giuer of euerie good gift : Let your foule flee vp to the Throne of his Grace .

The sicke Man .

My Soule is not fit for fleeing to the Heauens : * * Note It is lik a pulled foule that wanteth the feathers : It may well nod with its head , and make a mint with the stumpts of its wings , but can by no meanes hoise it selfe from the Earth . All my comforts are clipped from me : Sinnes heauy like milstones , are hung about my necke : Oh , that I were cast into the sea with my sinnes , there to be buried for euer farre , if it were possible , from the presence of my God : Since yee came to mee mine heart was not in such a plounge of miserie as it is now : There is nothing within me but wrath and woe , warring against my Saluation : Gods heauie hand hath distressed mine heart wonderfullie .

* * Note My Soule is so besieged with temptations that it may well be called , Magor missabib , feare round about : Ier. 20. 3. This I feare that my name bee crossed out of the Booke of Life . Reuel. 3. 5.

The Pastour .

I remember of a wise counsel which a learned Diuine gaue to a man sore assaulted vpon his death-bed with the temptations of the deuil : * * Note When thou art tempted of Satan , said he , & seest no way to escape , euen them plainly close vp Luther . thine eyes , and answere nothing to his temptations : But commend thy cause to God : This said hee , is a principall point of wisedome , that we must follow in the houre of death : That is , That we daine not to giue Sathan an answere but say with Michael , The Lord rebuke thee Sathan . If thy flesh tremble and feare to enter into another life , and if it doubt of saluation , if thou yeeld to these things , thou hurtest thy selfe , therfore close thine eyes as before and say with S. Stephen , Lord Iesus receiue my Spirit , and then certainelie Christ will come vnto thee with all his Angels and bee the guider of thy way .

* * Note At the entrie of the red Sea , when Israel enuironed on both sides with mountaines , hauing the sea before and the Egyptians behind , could see no meanes of escape : Then Moses Exod. 14. 14. said to Israel , The Lord shall fight for you and yee shall hold your peace : That is , ye shall seale vp your thoughtes in silence , and let God bee doing So doe yee , bee silent for a space , daine not Sathans temptations with an answere , feare not , stand still , and see the Saluation of the LORD : * * Note As Moses said of the Egyptians , so will I say of all your temptations Exod. 14. 13 within a short space , The Egyptians whom yee haue seene to day , yee shall see them againe no more for euer .

The sicke Man .

Oh , that with Iob I could lay mine Iob. 40. 4. hand vpon my mouth , and with Iacob Gen. 49. 18 waite for Gods saluation : But alas , I am laden with iniquitie : Sathan besiegeth Isa. 1. 4. mee so that I cannot keepe silence : Sathan hath laide downe a bloodie libell before mee wherevnto hee vrgeth mee to make answere .

The Pastour .

If yee must needes make answere , learne that notable speach of Bernard Bernard . on his death bed : * About an houre before his death , hee beeing as hee thought , presented before the great Tribunall of his Iudge , where hee found himselfe seuirelie charged with the accusation of Sathan , forsooke himselfe for to relye vpon Christ alone : I freely confesse said he that as thou affirmest , I am most vnworthie , and that by no worthinesse of mine can I merite eternall life ; * * Note yet I am assured that my Lord Christ hath a double right to heauens glorie , one by heritage , and another by conquest : The first is sufficient for himselfe , the other is for mee , ex cujus donojure illud mihi vendicans , non confundor , which by right of gift I claime and chalenge and shall not bee confounded : Vpon this Rocke yee must cast the anchor of your soule : The Lord is able to doe vnto vs aboue all that wee can aske or thinke .

Take courage Sir : * * Note Let Sathan make out his processe ; your deare and louing Brother is both your Iudge and your Aduocat .

The sicke Man .

Oh that I could take that counsell and keepe silence , waiting till the Captaine of Saluation bring mee thorow Heb. 2. 10 this red sea of bloodie temptations : Oh that I could lay hold vpon that right of heauen , which Christ hath conquered : But alas , I can find no ground or warrant in mine heart that such a conquest can belong to mee , for I know that in mee dwelleth no good things . Rom. 7. 18

The Pastour .

* * Note The greatest foe the faith of the godlie hath and the chiefest cause of their trembling & troubled heart , is that often they seeke in themselues grounds & warrants of Gods fauour , as though the Lord could not loue them vnlesse there bee in them such vertues as in euerie point should be : * * Note Because they want perfection , they thinke they haue nothing : By this meanes Sathan shaketh sillie Soules to and fro like Reedes with the winds of distrust : Make the right vse of such temptations , let them drawe you from your selfe , for to rely onelie vpon the mercie of your Lord : * * Note Bee earnest to finde Gods marke in your Soule , euen Sanctification the Saluation mark whereof the marrow is Christs satisfaction : From this marke , presse toward the marke , for Philip. 3. 14 the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus .

The sicke Man .

Faine would I haue grace so to doe : But out vpon mee , I haue taken such surfet of sinnes , that I find my selfe voide of all grace : * * Note O death , death , death , doolefull is that separation of a Soule dead in sin from the I●…phes . 2 1. bodie dead for sinne .

I am so defiled and deformed that while I remember judgement , it maketh mee all to shake and to shiuer : Fye on mee a gracelesse creature wallowing in a myre of miserie : Oh , but for a dramme of Gods grace ! Oh , for the greatnesse of the pickle of mustarde seede thereof !

The Pastour .

He that desireth grace is not altother gracelesse : It is Gods goodnesse that hath giuen you this small and weake desire of grace , in this Gods good hand is vpon you : Hee who giueth grace to desire grace , shall giue also grace for grace : God often giueth to a man aboue his hopes , I Psal. 21. 4. sought but life , saide Dauid , yet the Lord gaue him to bee a King : God who in sicknesse giueth you the desire of grace , shall before yee die giue you grace for grace , a grace which at last shall make you to sing : I sought but grace , yet God hath giuen mee glorie : * * Note If yee feele and feare his wrath , seek the more earnestlie for his mercie : * * Note This was that good counsell which Zephaniah gaue to Israel before the decree of wrath come out Seeke righteousnesse , seeke meeknesse , Zepha . 2. 3 it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger : Christes cry is , Seeke , Matth. 7. 7 Aske , Knocke.

* * Note Seeing God desireth to be asked hee longeth to giue ; seeing hee desireth vs to seeke him , hee desireth to bee found ; seeing hee desireth vs to knocke , his desire is to open : * * Note God is more rich and liberall , than wee are poore , His hand is wider for to giue giftes , than our heart can bee for to receiue : * * Note Hee who will not belieue that God can bee mercifull to him , is twise in the wrong to God After that hee hath broken the law of his Iustice by offending , hee is not content except that hee wrong his mercie by distrust : * * Note Gods delight is to bee with the Children of men on earth , as also to haue them with himselfe in heauen .

Now Sir , beeing assured of th●… loue , embrace this Lord with all 〈◊〉 armes of your affections : * * Note Seeke earnestlie the Spirit of Grace , for hee is powred on thirstie grounds : I will powre water , said the Lord , vpon Isa. 44. 3. him that is thirstie , and floods vpon the dry ground .

The sicke Man .

Oh , but for one droppe of that water : Oh , that my Soule were watered with the dropping bowels of his mercie : * * Note In the meane time my bones with sorrow are dryed vp like an hearth : The terrours of the Almightie sticke within mine heart , and my Spirit sucketh out the vennome thereof : I thinke that I am in the verie gorge pipe of hell : If this wrath continue ▪ doubtlesse it shall bee my bane .

The Pastour ▪

* * Note Gods wrath is fearefull I confesse , but God will not bee long wroth with his Children ▪ I will not , Isa. 57. 17 said the Lord , contend for euer , neither will I bee alwayes wroth : For the Spirit should faile before mee , and the Soules which I haue made : * * Note So soone as man beginneth to be wearied of his Isa. 63. 9. sins , God beginneth to be wearied of his wrath , yea which is strange , In all our afflictions he is afflicted . There is but a moment in his wrath , but his mercie endureth for euer .

* * Note There is such a mercie in God , that in comparison thereof all the mercies of men are but scrofe and scumme , a myte of his mercie , shall remoue the mountaines of your miserie , in Christ is a mine of mercie .

The sicke Man .

I know that it is so : But I as yet haue no sense of such a mercie * * Note While I seeke and cry for helpe , God either answereth not at all , or when hee maketh answere , it is like that which Elisha said to Ioram , seeking 2 King . 3. 13. comfort vpon extremitie , What haue I to doe with thee , get thee to t●… Prophets of thy father and mother , a●… desire them to helpe thee , get thee 〈◊〉 thy pleasures and profits , and preferments , which in forsaking mee , thou didst so eagerlie pursue : This maketh all the wounds of my remorse to blead afresh .

The Pastour .

* * Note As Samuel tooke the voyce of God to bee the voyce of Eli , so manie 1 Sam. 3. 5. take the voyce of a temptation to bee the voyce of God : Wee must try the Spirits : Sathan is craftie : * * Note He 1 Ioh. 4 1. can winde himselfe wonderfullie into the heart of men , some times by sleepie securitie , some time by fearfull despaire : * * Note While hee entiseth vnto sinne , he maketh God to speak nothing but mercie to a sinner .

Thou may sinne , will hee say , and repent againe : * * Note But while hee accuseth for sin , hee maketh all Gods words to bee words of wrath , that the sinner may be swallowed vp with dispaire . * Tak heed Sir , who it is that answereth to your cry : Though God should draw you thorow Hell , bee yee still assured of Heauen : His wrath is but for a moment , but his Isa. 54. 8. mercie endureth for euer .

* * Note Settle your heart in the secret of God , lest it bee carried away with Psal. 91. 1. euerie light wind and gale of temptation : Seeke out of your selfe in Christ the grounds and warrands of your Saluation .

The sicke man .

I feare greatlie to be ouer-blowen , and that I make shipwracke of the 1 Tim. 1. 19 faith vpon most fearfull bankes and dangers , such a boisterous gale did ●… neuer feele .

The Pastour .

While temptations are most terrible to our feeling , they are often least dangerous : * * Note Shallow feas are full of broken waters , while deeper though more terrible are of a softer swelling , carrying the burden more safelie aboue . Tak courage the most godlie heart must encounter with manie thorters : The Lord humbleth the hearts of his Sainctes , lest that in a vaine conceit of their owne worth they should ouer-weene themselues : * * Note Thinke well vpon that which I say , a red-warre in the Soule Iudg. 18. 7 is better than a sleepie laish Securitie : Away with Labans mirth , his Gen. 31. 27 ▪ songs and his Tabrets .

Flat opposition is not so dangerous as a couered agreement : Take to heart this my counsell , Though the Lord Isa. 45. 15. should s●…ay you , yet put your trust into him : God is not euer gotten at the first : verilie , said Isaiah , thou art a God that hiddest thy selfe , O God , of Israel , the Sauiour .

The sicke Man .

I vnderstand not what such hidding meaneth : O the fearefull Tribunall of God , whose eyes of fire see Reuel. 1. 14 all the wayes of man : In his Ballance hee pondereth all his goinges : Gods Prou. 5. 21 mercie I know is a good staffe to stay vpon , but it is farre from mine heart and hand . I am not like these sinners which but trip and stumble , and rise againe after a snapper , my fall i●… with my full weight ; the milstons o●… his wrath are hung about my necke ▪ which beare my Soule downe to the bottome of Hell , I finde now the Deut. 32. 22 trueth of that saying of the wise ▪ His owne iniquities shall take the wicked Proa . 5 : 22 himselfe , and hee shall bee holden with the cords of his sinnes .

The Pastour .

What shall I say ? as truelie said the wise , By sorrow of the heart th●… Prou. 15. 13. spirit is broken : Seeing yee are acquaint with the speaches of the wise remember that counsell of the wise ▪ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ▪ Prou. 3. 5. and leane not to thine own vnderstanding . I pray you to be plaine with me , What is this that maketh you li●… a reede shaken with the wind , wherein Matth. 11. 7. lyeth the strength of your temptations ?

The sicke Man .

I will not conceale the matter from you : This is it , mine own heart absolueth me not : * * Note while I put mine hand into mine owne bosome , Oh , how liprous pull I it out againe ? My Conscience giueth mee a terrible twetch : * Incessantlie it cryeth out guiltie against mee : What shall I say then , to that of the Apostle , If 1 Ioh. 3. 20 our heart condemne vs , God is greater than our heart ? Is not this the true sense of these wordes , If our owne heart condemne vs , much more will God condemne vs , who is more mightie than our heart ? * * Note In this I finde my selfe amidst the thickest throng of fearefull temptations , wrapped in the wrath of God : * * Note This temptation is like a fresh post-horse ▪ for to carrie mee to damnation , it is of Sathans saddling .

The Pastour .

* Indeede Sir , the judgement of a mans conscience is a liuelie image of the judgement of God : It is certaine , that whom the conscience condemneth into this world , him shall God condemne in the world to come : And againe , whom the conscience shall absolue into this world , him shal God absolue into the world to come . * * Note The Conscience is Gods Iudge within : But this ye must know that it is not time for a Iudge to giue out sentence while his wits are troubled , or while he is in a moode or passion ▪ * * Note A wise Iudge will not bee sudden , but will take time to consider well the cause before hee pronounce .

* * Note A Conscience that is troubled should not sit downe in judgement * * Note As one appealed from drunke●… King Philip to sober King Philip , so must a sinner appeale from his Conscience in a qualme , to his Conscience in a calme .

* * Note Moreouer , euerie voyce that is within a man , is not the voyce of his Conscience , but of some temptation shrouded vnder the coat of the Conscience , like Iacob cloathed with Gen. 27. 15. Es●…us garment : While Ionah was but in the bellie of a fish , his heart cryed , that hee was in the bellie of Ion. 2. 2. hell : Sathan hath a deceiuing Prospect or dioptre for sinne : At the one end sin and judgement appeare to bee farre off , little like Midges : But while the instrument is turned , these midges appeare like mountaines : Sinne in the doing is like Zoar a little one , but in repenting it is like Nineueh hudge and great : It Ion. 4. 11 seemeth before the doore of mercie like a Camell at a needels eye .

The sicke Man .

But thinke yee Sir , that the Conscience of a man which God hath sette within him as an Iudge , as a Watch , and a Witnesse , yea , as a thousand witnesses , can faile at any time .

The Pastour .

It is certaine , that while the Consciences of men are well wakened , and not troubled with terrours of temptations , they are into the breastes of men , verilie Gods voyce declaring to the Soule what God hath concerning it , ratified into the Heauen : But yee know that manie a mans Conscience will bee mightilie troubled : * * Note Sometimes it will bee darkened with Ignorance , so that as Samuel tooke Eliab for Dauid , it will also take him to bee appointed to bee a King whom the Lord hath rejected : * * Note Some times it will not know what ailleth the Soule , no more than Elisha knew what ailed the Shunamite , 2 King . 4. 27 while shee fell downe at his feete : * * Note Some times it will be fast asleepe like Ionah , while hee snorted Ion. 1. 5. in the hatches .

* * Note I compare the Consciences of the godlie and of the wicked to men in a dreame : One man that is lyen downe in his bed , hungrie without his supper , will dreame that hee is at a feast making good cheare : But while hee awaketh , his Soule is emptie , his dishes flee away with his dreame : * * Note It is so that it fareth with a wicked man , whose Conscience is in a dreame : Hee will imagine that assuredlie there is nothing but Heauen for him : * * Note Hee will thinke with the hungrie dreamer that hee is readie presentlie to sit downe at table , euen at that Table with Abraham , Matth. 8. 1●… Isaac , and Iacob in the Kingdome of God : Now while hee is euen at the sitting downe , which is at the houre of his death , his Conscience wakeneth , and hee is found emptie : Thus all his dishes fl●…eth away with his dreame .

* * Note Againe , another man shall dreame of fearefull thinges , viz. that hee is in the midst of his enemies readie to bee slaine : If any be waking in the bedde with him , hee will heare him into his sleepe sighing and sobbing with a sore mone : But so soone as hee is wakened , he findeth himselfe in suretie lying vpon a bed of downe : * * Note It is euen so that it will often fare with a godlie man , whose Conscience is in a dreame : * * Note His heart will bee burdened with griefe as with a night mare : Hee will imagine that God is become his enemie , and that assuredlie he will cast him into hell : * * Note Now while hee thinketh that hee is euen at the fall , and while for feare thereof in his sleepe hee is making his mone : God in mercie wakeneth him softlie , and loe , hee is lying into the armes of his God : * * Note At last it fareth with the godlie & the wicked as it fareth with Pharaohs Butler Gen. 41. 13 and his Baker after their dreames , the one was restored to his office , but the other was hanged .

The Sicke Man .

* * Note I wish at God that my Conscience were in such a Dreame , and that all my troubles were but some spirituall night Mare , a disease that is cured by wakening the Soule that sleepeth : * * Note I know that the spirituall senses of the Soule may bee some times couered with a vaile of grosse dulnesse : But I cannot suspect or surmise that this can be a dreame : Behold , I speake , I heare , I see , I sauour : Howe then can this bee a dreame .

The Pastour .

* * Note He who dreameth , will thinke all that : He will think that he speaketh , that hee heareth , seeth , and walketh , and runneth & leapeth ouer brinkes or ditches , while indeede he is snorting vpon his bed : * * Note Yea , in his dreame he will think that his dreame cannot bee a dreame , but that surely hee is broad awake : This cannot bee a dreame , hee will thinke euen while as hee dreameth .

I know Sir , that your bodie is surelie awake , and not dreaming : But in all appearance your Soule is in a slumber : The Lord waken you softlie in his mercie .

The sicke Man .

* * Note If I dreame , the Lord waken mee soone out of this dreadfull dreame : I am filled with a world of woes , euerie thought is as it were a thorne thrust into mine heart : * * Note My feares are like the feuers , they goe by fits : * * Note A litle since I thought that my blood was calmed , and that I had some respit : Of my sinnes I had but a shallow sense , but now behold , a new fit of greater force , which maketh all the powers of my Soule to shiuer : * * Note All my sinnes are in Gods quarrell , vp in armes against me : Gods wrath followeth mee with a full faile , and chargeth mee a fresh with bloodie blowes . * While I was but breeding this feuer , I was but chained with worldlie enchantments : All my trouble was but for Bairnes , Lands , Children , Houses , and other perishing pleasures , triffling troubles , which I could not for a long space resolue to forsake .

* * Note But now is paine in stead of pleasure , a sowre and bitter sauce , prepared for Adams sweete Apple , feare , shame , and remorse : * * Note What recks to want pleasure , if so be there were no paine : I would not giue a flee for the world , and all the pleasures or profite that therein is , if I could once bee reconciled to my God : * * Note Mine heart is like an Anuile wherevpon the Lord striketh most fiercelie with the hammer of his wrath : * * Note There is not a power of my Soule , which is not loaden with blowes : * * Note All my distresses hitherto haue beene but light skirmishes , now I am come to the maine Battell : My Soule is hunted to and fro like a Partridge on the mountaines : Who is on my side ? Who ?

The Pastour .

The Lord is with you , though ye perceiue him not : * * Note This is incident to the faithfull , not euer to know when God is with them : * * Note Gideon was a man renouned for his Faith ▪ he was one of the Catologue of the faithfull , & yet while the Angel Iudg. 6. 12 said vnto him , The Lord is with thee thou mightie man of valour , hee answered , vers. 13. Oh , my Lord if the Lord be with vs , why then is all this befallen vs ?

* * Note See how the man of God knew not that God was with him .

* * Note Take courage Sir , seeing the skirmishes are past , and that yee are come to the maine Battell , God shall bee your maine helpe : Come out against all your enemies , as Dauid 1 Sam. 17. 45 came out against Goliah , in the Name of the God of Battels , and Lord of Armies : * * Note There is no Corslet of proofe against a stone cast out of a sling in the Name of the great IEHOVAH : Resist the Deuill and hee shall flee from Iam. 4. 7 you .

The sicke Man .

Gods wrath hath heate the fierie Fornace on seuen times more than it was of before : I am so dashed with the sense of my sins , & so pierced with stinging feares , that thereby all the powers of my Soule are shaken : * * Note Hithereto I haue beene crossed with care , for my life , and for my Children : What care I now for my dearest Children ? Would to God that I might giue my first borne for Micah . 6. 7 my transgression , and the fruite of my wombe for the sinnes of my Soule .

* * Note Behold , heere a poore distressed and distracted sinner , who knoweth not to what hand to turne him : All the enemies of my Saluation pursue mee with hue and with cry : The great God of Iustice hath set vp a Gibbet into my Soule . All the terrours of the Lord muster against me : * * Note I am galled and goared with sinfull feares , as Egypt was plagued with Flies & Frogges : Mine heart is filled with dismaiednesse , my bellie trembleth , & rottennesse is entered into my bones : * * Note While I had time to repent I willinglie wallowed into the myre of sinne , wherin now I necessarilie stick : * * Note Feare driueth , Hope draweth , I am tossed like a Tenice ball : O the straitnesse of that account , which I am shortlie to bee called vnto ! O that terrible Tribunall ! O these chaines of darknesse , in which sinners shall be reserued vnto Gods last Sessions : * * Note Who can stand in such a tempest , where the creature hath a combat with God and with his wrath , hand to hand ? I am stricken with such amazednesse , that I know not where to finde any true refreshment ▪ * * Note This maketh death to mee as a King of feare : * * Note All the sinnes that euer I did commit , seeme to mee malicious blowes which I haue set vpon the face of my GOD ▪ Hardlie can I thinke that such a Cain or cursed Cham as I , can euer enter into Canaan ▪ Thinke ye not this to be true ? I find this to bee trueth : There is no peace saith my God to the wicked . Isa. 57. 21

The Pastour .

* * Note These bee but temptations of Sathan , who is seeking for to fift Luk. 22. 31 you as wheate : Pray Christ that hee would pray for you , that your faith faile not * * Note There is full power in Christ for to locke vp the jawes of that roaring Lyon : Hee at last shall discouer vnto you those Gun-powder plots .

The sicke Man .

I know that there is sufficient power in Christ for to saue mee , but I doubt of his will : * * Note If Christ were minded to saue mee , would hee not giue mee an assurance to bee saued ? This temptation passeth through the barke to the bone .

The Pastour .

Our assurance is not perfect into this life : * * Note Wee are all heere like a Shippe tossed with contrarie Tydes into a raging Sea .

* * Note As the weather beaten Barke is driuen with many contrarie courses before shee can winne her Hauen ▪ so hath the Soule , manie toes and froes , before it pierce to the Skes for to enter into Heauen : * * Note God giueth to no man heere all good things at once , but some wee receiue in hand , and some in hope : * * Note This hope is the Christian Soules plight anchor in the swelling Seas of temptations : While all that is present is full of trouble , Hope fetcheth comfortes from the times to come : * * Note While it is foule , wee hope it shall bee faire : While wee are sicke , wee hope for health : While we prouid for our Children , wee hope they shall doe well : While men write Bookes , they hope they shall doe good : * * Note While the Mariner saileth thorow the raging waues , hee hopeth to come home againe , hee hopeth for vantage : * * Note While the Sower , casteth his seede from him , hee weepeth , but Hope comforteth him , that hee shall receiue againe a plentifull increase . * * Note The hope of the pleasant Spring is a comfort in the colde Winter * * Note The hope of the Day is the long Nights comfort : * * Note Deaths speciall comfort , is in hope that we shall all meete againe : Well then , Sir , seeing it is so , the comfortes which wee haue not receiued as yet in hand , receiue them in Hope , waite vpon God , and waite vpon him still : * * Note While all your senses are silent , Hope shall come with Helpe , assuring you that at last yee shall preuaile : * * Note Let the deuill doe his worst to dismay you , sticke yee fast by this Hope which shall neuer faile you : yea , though God himselfe should seeme to bee your enemie , yet say to him with Iob , Though thou should slay mee , yet will I trust in thee .

The sicke Man .

That Sir , is of verie hard practise : For if the Lord of Life put out the life , who shall put it in againe ? mine Hope is small , if it be not lost : I feare to feele shortly that which shal be without either end or ease : * * Note All sorts of temptations come haile shot vpon mee : * * Note I am laide open to all the blowes of Gods wrath : I am lik a wind-waued tree loose at the roots : * * Note Mine heart quaketh , my Soule panteth ; my conscience is in a qualme : What can such torments bee but verie Postes and fore-runners of euerlasting paines ? * * Note What can they bee but the verie smoke of Gods wrath comming before a fire that shall burne to the bottome of Hell ? * * Note The Deut. 32. 22 feare of this clogeth so my Conscience that I cannot thinke but such terrours bee the verie earnest of eternall woe : This maketh my liuer to rolle in my bodie : O that mercie might bee Bartered for Money .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir , such terrours are such of their owne nature , euen the smoke of a kindled wrath , neuer to bee quenched . * * Note But vnto the godlie , their nature is changed by grace : Such tremblings , and shakings , such thunders , and earth quakes , feares and fires , are but the preparations of the Soule for to meete with its God into the still and calme voyce .

* * Note After this maner as ye know ▪ the Lord came vnto his Seruant Elijah : Before he came to him , he prepared his way by three fearefull Messengers , First , by a winde which rent the 1 King . 19 1●… . mountaines and brake in pieces the Rockes ; Secondlie , by an Earthquake , which made all to shake vnder him ; Thirdlie by a fire : * * Note All these came before for to terrifie the man of God , that by that meanes hee might be the better prepared to meete with his God in the calme . * * Note Before Christ would shew himselfe to the world , hee sent two austere Messengers before him , First , Moses with a fierie Law , and last the Baptist like a Carpenter with a sharpened Axe in his hand ▪ for to hewe downe euerie fruitlesse tree that marred the ground : * * Note After them came the meekenesse of the Lambe of God , crying , Come vnto mee all yee that are Matth. 11 28 wearied and laden , and I will ease you . God will not be mercifull to proud selfe-sufficient men .

* * Note Take Sir these blastes of temptations to be but the Lords wind of preparation : * * Note These heart-quackes are but earth quakes : * * Note All your other fierie temptations are but fire from Heauen , Posts from GOD in haste for to giue you warning of his comming : * * Note By such warnings the Lord will waken you , lest with the wicked in the slumber of securitie , ye should sleepe still in your sins , or with scorners should smooth them ouer , and jest them away , as thogh the sins of men shuld neuer be sentenced , nor their life examined : * * Note Bee of good comfort Sir , your sharpest temptations which Sathan hath whet vpon the whet-stone of his malice , by Gods grace shall bee to you like the Baptistes Axe for to hewe downe all superfluities of wickednesse within you : * * Note It is good that God snedde the vnfruitfull and rotten branches of our life , that in our hearts a way may bee prepared Psal. 24. 7 for the King of glorie .

* * Note Yee must also know Sir , that such troubles and tempests , are but a preface of Gods presence , as , Hearken Psal. 81. 8. and take head Israel , was sette before the Law : Suffer therefore patientlie the Lords rebukes : Let Psal. 141. 5 the righteous smite mee , said Dauid , and it shall bee a kindnesse , and let him reproue mee , and it shall bee an excellent oyle , which shall not breake mine head : * * Note These feares Sir , that trouble you , are nothing but Gods reproofes : * Take them as a kindnesse , yea , & as an excellent oyle , which shall neither breake head nor heart for your hurt : * * Note The nature of oyle is not to break ▪ but rather to heale that which is alreadie broken : God by such trubles intendeth to refine you : Haue patience but a little in your griefes : Yet a little while , and they shall bee no more : * * Note The night is darkest while the dawning is nearest : * * Note while the feuer it at the hight , the cooling sweate is at the doore of the poares : * * Note While the Mountaines are on both hands , and Pharaoh behind , and the Sea before , then let Israel stand still , Exod. 14. 13 and see the Saluation of the Lord : * * Note These Egyptian temptations , are but for to chasse you to Canaan with hard bondage , from a Land where Exod. 8. 26 it is counted an abomination to offer Sacrifice vnto God : * * Note So soone as the rod of God shall strike vpon that Sea , it shall make way , and yee shall safelie passe thorow : The Lord shall fight for you , and yee shall Exod. 14. 14 holde your peace : And what then ? The Egyptians whom yee haue seene to day , yee shall see them againe no more for euer : God will afflict his owne , Isa. 28. 28 but not destroy them : Bread Corne is bruised , but God will not breake it , with the wheeles of his cart .

The sicke Man .

I haue looked for such comforts , but alas , they are long in comming : In the meane while , my Soule is all agast , I taste nothing but gall and worme-wood , mine heart is filled with sorrow : * * Note My breach is lik the sea , all my worldlie sweetnesse is turned into wormes of Conscience : My teares trickle downe both day and night , and yet God delayeth to send mee comfort : My God shake off the sinnes which hang so fast on .

The Pastour .

Haue patience Sir , but a little , and comfort shall come : * * Note Before yee reape your fruites yee must first till and sow the ground : * * Note The seede time is a sorrowfull time : Man soweth Psal. 126. 6. his seede in teares : * * Note But againe while hee remembereth that except he sow , he shall not reape , & that as hee soweth , so shall hee reape , hee casteth from him his seede liberallie downe vpon the ground , smilling with his watered cheekes of sorrow in hope of a plentifull increase .

* * Note Thinke it not strange Sir , that in this seede-time of grace yee sow in teares : Comfort your selfe in this ▪ that joye shall arise out of your sorrow : * * Note While yee sow in teares , think not your labour lost : * * Note Out of your greatest sorrow shall spring your truest joy : As at the rising of Christ our Lord was a Earth quake , so at our regeneration which is the first resurrection , there is an heart-quake : Be not discouraged , though the hand of God bee heauie vpon you , his stripes will worke to your well : * * Note As an Horse or a Mule beeing once well lashed with a whippe doth euer after feare , if hee heare but the Bell which is tyed to the whip : So men , if he hath bene once well scoured & scourged with Gods rod , he will so tremble at the sound thereof , that he will feare to anger the Lord againe : It is good that God mingle the tartnesse and terrours of the Law with the sweetenesse of the Gospel .

The sicke Man .

I am so confounded with shame that I cannot face the Heauens : Fye vpon my filthinesse , my course is backward from my God .

The Pastour .

It is an euill token when for sinne there is no shame in the sinner : This Scripture calleth a Whoores forehead : Ier. 3. 3 * * Note In this Lot his elder Daughter bewrayed her selfe , and shew that she was not touched for her sinne of Incest : For after shee had committed vilanie with her father , she as it were shameleslie bragged of it , by calling her sonne Moab , that is , Of my father , Gen. 19. ●… 37. that his name might cry to the world , The father of this child begat him vpon his owne daughter : * * Note Shame euer followeth sinne , if men be not ashamed of sinne , which is Repentance , God shall shame them for sin , which is Vengeance : As for your backward course , a few steps backeward , will mak you aduance further in your leaping .

The sicke Man .

I feare exceedinglie : I feare to losse both Soule and Saluation .

The Pastour .

Let Faith moderate your feare : * * Note When Iacob thought that hee had lossed Ioseph , and was in great feare , for Benjamin , euen then found hee both Ioseph & Benjamin : Look often vnto God and yee shall finde him with Dauid to bee the light of your Psal. 43. 5 countenance .

The sicke Man .

God hath opened the floud-gates of his wrath against my Soule : O the deepenesse of my troubles !

The Pastour .

* * Note The Soule in deepest troubles Gen. 7. 13 is like Noahs Arke on the waters , the higher it was tossed , the nearer it approached to the heauens : * * Note Little Boats of little burden are but for shallow waters : But great shippes of greater lod are sent vnto the depths : * * Note The deepnes of your temptations , Sir , declare that God hath loden you with many graces : * * Note Brauest Captaines are put to the Front and forebrunt of the choake : * * Note Best Christians are battered with most bitter temptations : God who suffereth them to be tempted , knoweth what they can doe , and therefore to encourage others by their example , he putteth them to a proofe , for to let the world see , what his grace can worke in weakenesse , at last yee shall Psal. 66. 2. say , Wee went thorow fire and water , but thou hast brought vs to a wealthie place : What say yee Sir ? Beginneth not your heart to rejoyce ? Be glad , Sir . & say to God with the Psalmist , All my springs shall bee of thee .

The sicke Man .

I haue little minde of springs , the Apostle said wiselie , Is any man mirrie ? Iam. 5. 13. let him sing : Mine Harpe and Heart both are out of tune : The Psal. 137. 2 Harpe of my joye is hung vpon the villowes : * * Note My fingers can guide no more this wirbling instrument : * * Note All the joye of my light , and the light of my joye is quenched with vnspeakable griefe , as with a dampe .

* * Note Mine heart is like a moth eaten cloth , all rent with temptations and eaten out with the worme of Conscience , like that worme which did eate away the pleasures of Ionah : By its Iona. 4. 7. byte all my joye is fallen downe like that Gourd : All the good that euer was within mee is boulted out , Sathan hath sifted mee : I thinke presentlie that I am at the verie mouth of Hell , readie to fall downe to the bottome thereof .

The Pastour .

* * Note The way to Heauen is neare by the gates of hell : The way to Psal. 16. 11 pleasures for euermore , is paued with paines : Dauid first cryed to God , de profundis , out of the depthes , said he , Psal. 130. 1. haue I called to thee : But afterward hee praised him in excelsis , with the highest Organs of laude , euen with loud Cymbals , yea , high sounding Psal. 150. 5. Cymbals .

* * Note It was well said by one , Quo acerbior miseria eo acceptior misericordia , the sowrer the miserie , the sweeter the mercie : Let the hope of that sweete mercie which is to come , sweeten the tartenesse of your present terrours : * * Note Hee who can bring light out of darknes , and who brought water out of the fierie flint , can mak the sweetnesse of his grace spring out of the gall of bitternesse : Woe to him whom God will not correct : Hos. 4. 17 This was a sore word Ephraim is joyned to idoles , let him alone : Pray God that hee neuer let you so alone : Blesse God for this chastisement : Though for a space yee bee in the fearefull depths of temptations ▪ Let nothing mak you to despaire , Christ the most solide Rocke of your Saluation shall turne all such surges into froth .

* * Note While Ionah was in the bellie Iona. 2. 2. of hell , and all the billowes of Gods wrath passing ouer him , yet would he not despaire into that hell , but beeing tumbled vp & downe there , hee trembled in his belieuing , and belieued in his trembling : * * Note Then I said , I am cast out of thy sight : There Iona 2. 4. was his trembling : Yet I will looke againe toward thine holie Temple : There was his belieuing : And the Lord spake to the Fish , and it vomited vers. 10. out Ionah vpon the dry land ; these were the fruites of his Faith .

* * Note Learne Sir of Ionah , not to despaire , were it in the bellie of hell : Though for a space ye as it were goe downe with that Prophet to the bottomes Iona. 2. 6. of the mountaines , the time shall come that yee shall sing to God , yet hast ▪ thou brought vp my life from corruption , O Lord my God : * * Note God for a space for the sinnes of his chosen , for his glorie , for his praise , for proofe ▪ for example , and manie other reasons may bee ecclipsed from shining to the sillie sinfull Soules of his Turtles : * * Note But there is none obscuritie that shall be able for euer to restraine from them the Celestiall influence of his blessed beams of comfort : In a litle wrath I hid my face from Isa. 54. 8. thee for a moment , but with euerlasting kindnes will I haue mercie on thee , saith the Lord thy Redeemer .

The sicke Man .

But alas , mine heart is al●…eadie wounded with vncurable wounds .

The Pastour .

In Christ is your remeede * * Note If yee bee wounded , there is health in Mala. 4. 2 his winges for the healing of your wounds : Though for a space such wounds bee sore in your feeling , yet fret not : * * Note Yee would gladlie suffer all that and more , if yee knew how many stripes Heauen were worth : Though Christ tarie , yet he will not tarie . He is more sensible to our sores than we can imagine : * * Note Belieue him while hee speaketh : These bee his words of sense , Hee that toucheth you , toucheth the Apple of mine eye .

* * Note Be of good heart Sir , Christ shall bee the Iudge of our sinnes , who was judged for our sinnes : He to whom all judgement is deliuered , was deliuered for vs vnto death : Yee say , that your heart is wounded , let this bee a salue for your sore , a broken heart is the verie heart of repentance neuer to bee repented of : * * Note The heart which was neuer wounded for sinne , is deadlie wounded with sinne : * * Note The heart which was neuer wounded for sin , hath neuer known the vertue of Christes woundes , the onelie remeede of sinne : Be of good courage in this good fight , like the Church ▪ 2 Tim. 4. 8 who for her valour in spirituall warfare , is compared to the troopes of horses in the Chariots of Pharaoh . Cant. 1. 9

Now seeing the day groweth to an end , after that in my prayer I haue recommended you to Gods protection and direction , I will leaue you vntill morrow . Let vs pray .

A Prayer for the sicke Man , tossed with spirituall temptations .

O LORD , how terrible art thou , when thou art angrie at thy creatures ? Who can stand Heb. 12. 19 before thee , a consuming fire . When thou is prouocked , the Earth shaketh and trembleth , the foundations of the hilles are moued : When thy wrath is kindled , smoke Psal. 18. 8. commeth out of thy nostrils , and out of thy mouth commeth a deuouring fire , whereby coales are kindled .

O the terrour of these euerlasting Iob. 42. 10 burnings ! Who darre approach vnto thee ? Who shall bee so bolde as to stand before thee , seeing there is none so fierce that darre stirre vp the Leuiathan , one of thy Vassals , whose scales are his pride , whose eyes are lik the eye lids of the morning , & who by his neesinges maketh a light to shine , & kindleth coals by his breath ▪

O GOD , most gracious , make thy North winde to awake , and blow Cant. 4. 16 vpon him for the cooling of his conscience parched with fierie temptations : Change thine angrie countenance toward this sillie cast-downe Soule , sore tossed and troubled with spirituall tempest : O heare our earnest sute and bee not deafe towards vs : O let the bright beames of thy mercie disperse and breake thorow the cloudie glominesse of thy wrath ▪ Let the cleare skie of thy fauour appeare vnto this darkened spirit , that in a holie boldnesse , hee may come vnto the Throne of thy grace .

Thou hast said , Lord , Anger is not with mee : Thy word plainelie affirmeth that there is but a moment in thy wrath : In wrath thy custome is to remember mercie : Forget not so good a custome . O remember here a sinner , vexed with thy wrath : Breake not this bruised reede , neither Isa. 42. 3. quench this smoking flaxe , but kindle vp the lurking sparkle : Make thy strength perfect in his weakenesse , 2 Cor. 12. make thy Mandrakes to giue a smell , Can. 7. 13 that his Soule may bee refreshed with the sauour of life vnto life .

Take from him all hardnesse of heart : Suffer not his Conscience to bee seared with sinne , neither too sensible of sinne , lest that hee losse his patience : Giue him a soft and a yeelding heart for to admitte the comforts of thy Spirit : O take out of his breast the hard marble and flintie heart of Nature , and put in the place thereof a fleshie and melting heart , with a tender & feeling Spirit Open his eyes with thine eye-salue , that hee may see thy mercie thorow the crosse-barred gates of so fearefull temptations : As the weight of thy wrath hath made his Conscience to bleede , so let the might of thy mercie like Balme , cu●…e & couer the wounds of thy wrath : O GOD of pittie ▪ pittie this poore Soule weeping in secrete at thy feete : Pittie this Spirite which is filled with heauinesse : Sore sorrow , O LORD , is entered through all the powers of his Soule , euen to the diuiding of Heb. 4. 12 the joynts , and the marrow of his bones : Put these wordes of comfort in his minde and mouth , that thou retainest Mica . 7. 18 not thine anger for euer , because thou delightest in mercie .

O sanctifie the force of all his paineful temptations , that they may worke to his well , let him know that thou hast an hand in all his troubles : Psal , 141. 5 Let him say , Let the righteous smite mee and it shall bee a benefite : Yea , though thou should slay mee , yet will I trust in thee .

Good GOD , giue him not ouer to the raging euill of his owne corruptions : Suffer not his Spirit to bee ouerwhelmed with the burden of temptations , but with the temptation giue him an out-gate : Make the Spiknard of thy mercie send out a sweete smell , whereby his fainting heart may bee comforted . Giue him victorie ouer all the enemies of his Iosh. 10. 10 saluation : As Ioshuah made his men of warre to set their feete vpon the neckes of their enemies , and tread them vnder foote ; euen so , LORD , make this thy weake seruant to sette his feete vpon the neckes of these sinnes , which like Kings haue swe●…ed their sinfull Scepter in his heart : Thou who made a Cake of Barley Iudg 7. 13 bread to tumble vpon the tents of Midian , & ouer turne them , thou can easilie worke great workes by weak meanes : It is thy custome to make thy strength perfect in weakenesse : Let this poore sicke Patient heere haue the proofe of the practise of thy custome : Let his Soule like a Doue enter in at the cliftes of the Rock , let it creepe in by the wounds of Christ vnto his blessed bowels , there to bee warmed with Gods most feruent loue .

Whether shall hee goe ? LORD , to whom shall hee make his mone , but to thee ? Whom hath he in heauen but thee ? O LORD , now the day is farre spent and the wearisome night approacheth : Before wee goe let vs obtaine our sute , that thou would make thy wrath to relent a little : Let not our prayers bee powred out in vaine , wee will not admit a refusall , & therefore set vs not off till another time , abandon not this troubled Soule .

Thou who hast said vnto man ▪ Prou. 3. 2●… . Say not vnto thy neighbour , Goe and come againe , and to morrow I will giue thee , if thou now haue it : O LORD , practise thine owne precept , wee are heere come not for to buy but to begge thy mercie for thy distressed Seruant : Thou cannot denye but thou hast mercie , for this is euer true , Mercie is with thee : Seeing then , LORD , now thou hast it , wee vrge thee with thine owne directions , say not , Goe and come againe to morrow , I will giue thee . By such a delay thou should but enhance his griefe : Alas , LORD , what rest shall his wearied Soule get all this night , if thou delay and drift him vntill morrow ?

O come , come , and powre into his heart the comfortable bowels of thy compassions : Powre into his Soule the powers of thy Spirit , wherby hee may bee reuiued , and goe softlie , the rest of his time in the bitternesse Isa. 38. ●…5 of his Soule . Refresh his parched Conscience with the dew of thy grace : Deare Father , for Christs sake , let not hardnesse of heart creepe any more vpon him : Receiue him softlie into thine Armes this night , and cause his spirit to rest into thy bosome : Whether hee sleepe or hee wake , make all his thoughts to run vpon thee : In the darknesse of the night make thy loue like light to breake in vpon his Conscience , as Prou. 4. 18 the shining light that shineth more and more vnto the perfect day : Seeing Satan the lord of the night , the prince of darknesse , is most combersome in the night , we intreat thee , that thou would shield and preserue him by thy mercifull and powerfull protection : Make his Soule to stand vpon a continuall watch , that it may bee readie with a well furnished Lampe for the comming of his Lord : Make the day of thy mercie to breake , and all the shadowes of temptations to flee away : O Father , heare & helpe , for the sake of the dearest blood of thy Sonne , the alone purger of the Soule and the chiefe softner of hardened heartes bee thou a Sanctuarie vnto this troubled Soule : Create vpon him a cloud and smoke by day , and Isa. 4. 5. the shining of a flaming fire by night , joyne the direction of thy fire with the protection of thy cloud : O giue now thy blessing vnto this halting man : Souple and loosen his stiffe and stupefied joyntes , that beeing drawne by thee , hee may runne after thee : Fence and garde his soule by thy grace , till thou bring him vnto glorie : O Iesus , pray thou for him , whom Sathan hath sought to winnow , let him bee found as good corne vpon thy barne floore , vnto the praise of thy heauenly glory of thy diuine grace

Blesse thy beloued Church vniuersall , purge her from all Shifmes & diuisions which breed great thoughts of heart : Decke and decore her with puritie & vnitie . the two most precious spirituall jewels of thy Spouse , make her fertile like a broodie Vine .

Direct our gracious Soueraigne in all his ways , Guide him by thy Counsell , Psal. 73 , 24 and afterward bring him vnto glorie : Blesse his Royal Match , the Queenes Majestie , make her a Nu●…se mother in Israel , a blessed Mother of blessed Children : Blesse all the Estates of thi●… Land ; blesse thy Ministerie , adorn●… their breastes with thy Vrin and thy Thummim thy light of doctrine and perfection of life . Blesse vs all who are heere humbled before thy face this night , while our bodies shall goe to bed for to rest , grant that our Soules may goe rest in the armes of thee our most louing GOD and Father : To thee with thy Sonne and the Spirit of Grace wee giue all praise and glorie for euer . Amen . Cause read vnto you this night wh●… ye awak Psal. 6 Ps. 49. Ps. 102 ps. 130 The grace of God and the peace o●… his Spirit bee with you .

The sicke Man .

The Lord direct you Sir in all your wayes : I looke ye shall returne the morrow earelie : Thinke vpon that where we left at last : I look that yee shall cleare that matter more a●… large at our next meeting : My God bee with you .

THE THIRD DAYES Conference . Of spirituall temptations . The Pastour .

THE Lord blesse you Sir , according to your●…d sire I am come againe to visite you in your bedde of languishing .

The sicke Man .

I was looking for you , for since yee left mee yesternight I may say with Iacob Sleepe departed from mine Gen. 31. 40 eyes : My conscience all this night hath beene like a boiling pot : * * Note O but weake man is borne to manie sorrowes ! his dayes are few and euill : The best of them is builabour and Psal. 90. 10 sorrow : But let vs now begin where wee left .

The Pastour .

Our last conference , as yee may remember , was concerning Christ , in whose wings , I said , was health for healing of your woundes : * * Note I declared vnto you , that he is so tenderlie touched with the feeling of our sores , that hee hath declared that these that touch vs , touch the apple of Zach. 2. 8. his eye : Hath this beene the matter of your nights meditation ?

The sicke man .

That which ye haue said of Christ , Sir is true ; There is indeed health in his wings , and helpe in his hands : But alas , Christ will not bee helpefull but to these that are of a strong Faith : My Faith is both faint and fectlesse , nothing but a smoke of Faith .

The Pastour .

* * Note Christ hath said plainlie , that Isa. 42. 3 hee will not quench the smoking flaxe ▪ S. Peter was not a man of strong Faith , when in his voyage to Christ vpon the sea , hee beganne to sinke : Said not Christ vnto him , Thou man Matth. 14. 31 ▪ of little Faith , why hast thou doubted ?

* * Note The Lord reproued him for the weakenesse of his Faith , but neuer coost him off for the littlenesse thereof .

The sicke Man .

That was another matter , Christ was with his Apostle * * Note There was vertue into that hand , wherewith he gripped the sinking man , as was vertue Mar. 6. 56 in his garment , while the hemme thereof was but touched : Such a weake Faith as mine , cannot reach vp so farre as to touch him into the Heauens .

The Pastour .

Though your faith bee weake , & that Christ also be bodily absent , yet be not for that disquieted , his Godhead is present : * * Note Hee himselfe hath said , concerning his bodily presence , that it was expedient for vs Ioh. 16. 7. that hee should goe away : As for the weaknes of your Fa●…th , pray God to strengthen it : * * Note Faith though it bee little yet it is of great force , a graine Luk. 17. 6 of it will cast a mountaine into the sea ▪

The Sicke Man .

Let mee see I pray you Sir , anie particular example of a weake Faith sauing anie man .

The Pastour .

Of this in Scripture wee haue a cloud of witnesses : I shall let you see two , one in substance the other in type or figure : * * Note That of Peter in the New-Testament is substantiall : Christ called him a man of little Faith , and Matth. 14. 32 yet by that Faith , though little , hee was saued : * * Note The other is in the old Testament , in the type and figure : When the Israelites were bitten with the fierie Serpents , their onely refuge and remeede was to looke vp to the brasen Serpent : This was the Numb. 21 9 verie type of a Soule stung with sinne , beholding Christ with the eye of Faith : * * Note Of these who behelde that Serpent of brasse , some were bleared , and other some had weake eyes : But the weaknesse of their sight could not hinder the cure : * * Note Nay , the old man with his dimmed eyes beholding as through a mist that type of Christ , was as soundlie cured , as hee whose eyes were in their greatest vigour : * * Note The meate taken with a paralitique and trembling hand , will not refuse nourishment to the bodie , no more than if it were taken with a stable hand : Obserue Sir , what I say , * * Note Faith is the eye of the soule wherof the Israelites eyes were but a figure , Christ is the trueth of the brasen Serpent : * * Note Though this eye bee dimmer in some , yet if it see , the Soule shall bee saued : Faith is the hand of the Soule , Christ is the foode : * * Note Though this Faith tremble , Christ trembleth not : * * Note The palsie is not into the foode : Bee of good courage Sir , feare not this trembling feare , the worke of Saluation cannot bee wrought out , but with feare and trembling : * * Note When Philip. 2. 2 the worke shall bee ended , all trembling shall cease , and Faith shall bee stable , then the Soule shall be made free from all palsie paine .

The sicke Man .

Oh , that I were but sicke of such a palsie paine ! Oh , that I were assured to haue anie graine of true Faith ! Alas , I am vndone : * * Note This wretched heart of mine is so wrung with wrath , that there remaineth not within it so much as a droppe of grace : All my spirituall moisture is spent , all the faculties of my Soule are so racked , that my tongue cannot vtter my griefe and smart : * * Note Is there no Balme in Gilead for a sorrow ▪ beaten sinner ? Oh , through excessiue paine my Liuer is rolled within mee : If I finde no remeede , my Soule shall shortlie bleade to death , my paines exceed , my sorrow is extreme , thorow the tortours thereof my Soule is compelled to roare : Oh , Lord , turne thy wrath in mercie , and thy Iustice seat in a Throne of grace , and pardon the sins which more and more ripen thy wrath against mee : Mine heart is rent and harrowed with griefe , what salue can I finde fit for such sinfull sores ? The more I thrust griefe out , the more it throngeth in .

The Pastour .

The soueraigne salue for such sores , is to get a sight of Christ , who bare all our sinnes vpon his battered backe , which was torne with mercilesse strippes : Christ in that plight is the most fit object for the eye of a troubled Soule : * * Note There is no salue for the sore of sin , but the sight of him who is the trueth of that brasen Serpent , Numb. 21. 9. the object of the faithfull eye : * * Note This remeede among all others is like the master Bee , the best of all the hyue : * Though yee bee like Zacheus a man of little stature , Luk 19. 3 so that yee cannot see Christ ouer the multitude of your sins , yet run before , climbe the tree of the Crosse , and behold him : * * Note No , rather behold him now vpon the Crosse fixed vpon a mount high aboue , that all may see him , euen vpon mount Caluarie : Luk. 23. 32 Behold him there treading death vnder his feete : * Though there be a mount of dead mens scules ; there is no dead scule so high , but Christ may bee seene aboue it : * * Note Christ is euer nearest in the hotest skirmish : He is the sea & the seate of mercie : If yee can seeke , yee shall finde no scant of mercie into him , ye shall wonder at his loue when yee shall relish his kindnesse .

* * Note To Christ then , yea , to Christ alone must ye runne and forsake all , as the Mariner , while all his cunning Psal. 107 27 is gone , runneth to God in the tempest : * * Note In him is Balme for all wounded spirits , there is no gash so deepe , but his blood can cure it : As all riuers lead to the sea , so should all comfortes guide vs vnto Christ : * * Note While hee was in the dayes of Heb. 5. 7. his flesh there was no miserie that could with-hold sinners from him , neither lamenesse , nor blindnesse , nor deafenesse , nor deuils , could stay any from him , nor stay him to doe them good , hee healed them all : * * Note Neuer a man came backe from him , saying ▪ I haue sought to this God in vaine , I came to him , but he could not helpe me : Or as the father of the lunaticke , said , I Matth. 17. 16. brought him to thy Disciples , and they could not cure him : * * Note To him may all heart broken sinners say with the Prophet , My flesh and mine heart Psal. 73. 26 faileth , but thou art the strength of mine heart and my portion : * * Note Flesh and friends , health and wealth , and all will faile vs , but Iesus will neuer faile vs : * * Note Mans extremitie is his opportunitie ▪ By him alone the Soule of man hath light , libertie , and life : All other helpes and hopes are but vaine : * * Note As no water could wash & cleanse 2 Kin. 5. 10 the leprosie but one lie Iordan , so nothing can wash away the leprosie of Ioh. 1. 28 sinne but the Blood of Christ , the Lambe of God , which is a spirituall Iordan for washing of leper Soules : * * Note In a word in all our stormy troubles Christ Iesus is a firme Rocke of refuge which repelleth and turneth into froth , all the waues of most tempesttuous temptations : * * Note By his Blood alone our Soules are both healed & hallowed , vpon the right of your redemption , sute the remission of your sinnes : Bee not abashed , hee who hath Christ , needeth not to feare .

The sicke Man .

If I were one of Christs , would he leaue mee thus wise comfortlesse ▪ * * Note He is the Sunne of Righteousnesse , in Mal. 4. 2. whose beames as in a spring time I was wont to rejoyce : But now hee is gone downe : * * Note My Soule is benighted , and I am affrighted with grudginges of despaire . Oh , that mine eyes of flint were melted into teares ! O smite my flintie heart with the rod of thy mercie , that it may make teares the water of repentance to gush out at the Conduite pypes of my mourning eyes : O what a palpable darknesse !

The Pastour .

Comfort your selfe with hope , waiting till that Sunne arise againe vpon your Soule : * * Note Suppose a man created vpon the earth as Adam was at the first , if hee should see the Sunne set , hee would bee afraide at that first darknesse , thinking that the Sunne were gone downe , neuer for to returne : But knowing by experience that hee is ordained by God , a Ruler for to rule the day by intercourse Gen. 1. 16. of the night , while hee seeth him set , hee is content , because hee looketh for his rising againe : If the yeare were euer Winter which maketh all things to die and wither , wee would all die for sorrow * But now in the deepest snowes and most hoarie frosts , wee haue some sparkle of joye kindled by the hope of the approaching Spring .

As is in these naturall things , so it is in spirituall : * * Note Christ the Sunne of Righteousnes will seeme to the Soule Malc . 4. 2. to set vnder the night cloude of some fearefull temptation : In such a case the sinner will thinke that hee shall neuer see God againe : * * Note But for all that , after some houres of darknesse , appeareth Roseis aurora quadrigis , Christ that Day ▪ spring from on high , Luk ▪ 1. 17. which the Soule like a Bird on a bush welcometh with a morning spring : After deepest discomforts come dearest comforts

Haue patience Sir a little , till the night of your temptation bee past ▪ After a litle open the window , & ye shall s●…e the Skie of day , then againe ▪ beholde that Sunne , which seemed to bee lost ▪ arising with his blessed beames , with a louing and life giuing countenance : Bee not discouraged , though Christ absent himselfe , it shall bee but for a space , vntill the Can. 4. 6. day breake , and the shadowes flee away , * * Note All his absence from the godlie , is but like that which hee saide to his Disciples , Yet a little while , and yee shall not see mee , and againe , a little whi●…e and yee shall see mee : * * Note It is of his helpe , as of Habbakkuks vision , Though it tarie waite for it , because Hab. 2. 3. it will surelie come , it will not tarie : Bee stout and couragious , the bitterest of your temptations are but the sweete gloumes of a Father .

The sicke Man .

I am pricked with the poisonous rarowes of Satans spyte : I doubt if God would bee so rough to one of his owne Children as hee is to mee : * * Note Fathers strike with the rod , but I am scourged with Scorpions , wherwith the Lord is now auenging the quarrell of his couenant : Oh , that Leuit. 26. 25 euer I came to this wretched passe .

The Pastour .

Yee are impatient : * There is nothing in all your affliction , but Psal. 141. 5. the smiting of the righteous , which yee should account a kindnesse : Such smiting is but smiling , in effect a loue token , Whom I loue I chasten , Gods corrections are balme which shall not breake your head .

The sicke Man .

I am both bruised & broken , my paines surpasse my power , Satan with his snares and fetters hath confined me to a wretched slauerie , my soule is out of temper : Trembling of heart Deut. 28. 65 Deut. 32. 25. and sorrow of minde : And terrours from the Chamber assault mee on all sides : O but the passage to glorie is rough and boisterous . Behold how I sweate for paine , as one rosted with a fearefull flamme .

The Pastour .

In that heate is a comfort : The style of the godlie is to bee called ▪ Brands pluckt out of the fire : Is 〈◊〉 this a brand taken out of the fire ? Zach. 3. 2. saide the LORD , in Zacharie : This manifesteth that a godlie man for a space may bee scorched vpon kindled coales , but God incontinent rescueth him , as a man will catch quicklie at that which he would not haue burnt : God will neuer leaue his own to the full rage of a stinging Conscience : Let all men haue patience while God worketh : * * Note If for sinnes hee punisheth his deadliest enemies , why should hee not also for sinne correct his dearest Children ? If man vncontrolled may sing Psal. 101 , 〈◊〉 . of mercie & of judgement for to keepe his house in order , shall not God haue his will to sing what song hee pleaseth vnto his owne creature * * Note Let the cracking Law-musicke of Sinai bee ended and then God shall rejoyce your heart with the sweete melodie of the Gospel : * * Note If while God in this your trouble in a maner is mourning vnto you , yee lament for your sinnes , hee shall in the end make you to dance at the piping of his Gospel : * * Note From Sinai he shall bring you vnto Sion , where all your paines shall bee turned into pleasures .

The sicke Man .

All pleasures are farre from mee for the present : A world of pleasures are deare bought with one pang of Conscience : Gods wrath hath seazed vpon mee for to dragge my Soule downe to the bottome of hell : It runneth euer into my minde that I am guiltie of the sinne against the holie Ghost : This I take to bee the marke , that such as once a●…e guiltie of that sinne , cannot bee renued againe Heb. 6. 6. by repentance , this marke seemeth to bee in mee , for as yet for all the holie wordes I haue heard out of your mouth , I find no renouation , though Gods goodnesse by you hath ledde me to repentance , I haue not beene moued : But after mine hardnesse and impenitent heart I haue treasured 〈◊〉 vnto my selfe wrath against the day of Rom. 2 5. wrath : This spoileth mee of outward peace and inward joye : What can this bee but the sin against the holie Ghost , which shall neither bee forgiuen in this world nor in the world to come ? I pray you Sir , to let me know what a fearefull sinne that is which Scripture saith , Shall neuer bee forgiuen : Let mee heare of its name Mar. 3. 28 and nature .

The Pastour .

This sinne Sir , of all sinnes is the most fearfull , as being a sin of highest natu●…e : In Scripture it is called Blasphemie against the holie Ghost : Because Matth. 12. 31 there is no pardon for it , it is called , A sinne vnto death : Christ 1 Ioh. 5. 16 himselfe declared this plainelie ▪ verilie said hee , I say vnto you , all sinnes Mar. 3. 18. shall bee forgiuen to the sonnes of men , and blasphemies , wherewith soeuer they shall blaspheme , but hee that shall blaspheme against the holie Ghost hath vers. 29 neuer forgiuenesse .

The sicke Man .

These words seeme strange that all sinnes shall be forgiuen to the sinnes of men and also blasphemies wherewith soeuer they shall blaspheme , whether against the Father or the Son , but that there is no forgiuenesse for blasphemie against the holie Ghost : By that speach it would seeme that there bee blasphemies against God , which are not against the holy Ghost : By that also it would seeme that the holie Ghost is greater than the Father or the Sonne , for what euer blasphemie is vttered against them it may bee forgiuen , but as for that where with the holie Ghost is wronged , it is an inexpiable staine of it , there can be had no remission : Before yee proceede , cleare mee of this difficultie .

The Pastour .

The like of these wordes are also Matth. 12. 31 in S. Matthewes Gospel , All manner of sinnes and of blasphemie said Christ , shall bee forgiuen vnto men , but the blasphemie against the holie Ghost shall not bee forgiuen vnto men : To this is subjoyned in the verse following , Whosoeuer speaketh a word againe the Sonne of man , it shall bee forgiuen vers. 32 him , but whosoeuer speaketh against the holie Ghost , it shall neuer bee forgiuen him .

By this at the first blinke it would seeme indeede that it were not so dangerous to offend the Father , or the Sonne , as the holie Ghost .

Wherefore , yee must consider that this sin which is called , the sin against the holie Ghost , is no lesse against the Father , and against the Son than it is against the holie Ghost .

* * Note But it is called the sinne against the holie Ghost , because it is a most high rebellion , and stiffe standing out against the peculiar worke of the Spirite , which is to inlighten the minde , and bow the will and affections , that man by repentance may bee brought home againe vnto his God .

* * Note As the Creation is ascribed to the Father , and Redemption vnto the Sonne , so is illumination and conuersion of Soules 〈◊〉 to the holie Ghost , though all these e●…ternall Opera trinitatis ad extra sunt communia . actions of Creation , Redemption , and Sanctification bee common to all the three Persons of the Trinitie .

Vnderstand then , that the reason wherefore this sinne is called , the sin against the holie Ghost ; it is because it is against that energie & efficatio●…s working of conuersion , common to all the three Persons , but particularlie ascribed to the holie Ghost , as our Creation is to the Father , and our Redemption to the Sonne .

* * Note When man stiflie and stubburnlie sinneth against the remeede of sin , how can that sinne bee remeeded ? It must of necessitie bee a sinne reremeedilesse . A sinne past all remeede is a desperate disease .

The sicke Man .

Let mee I pray you heare more clearelie what this sinne is .

The Pastour .

It is an vniuersall apostasie from a knowne Trueth with an eager , ●…nest & malicious persecuting of the same , by both secret and open hostilitie .

The sicke Man .

I know that manie of the learned call that sinne an vniuersall apostasie from the Trueth , but I neuer could well vnderstand that .

The Pharisees are esteemed to haue beene guiltie of that sin , yet I cannot read that they had made an vniuersall apostasie from the trueth of doctrine : Christ said , that they sat in Moses chaire , which did signifie Matth. 23. 2 that they had kept some thing of Moses his Doctrine , though miserablie mixed with the leauen of their traditions . Mar. 8. 15

Thus as ye see their apostasie was not vniuersall : * Saul did not altother renounce the religion of Israel 1 Sam. 10. 11 1 Sam. 22. 18. though after hee had beene among the Prophets , hee killed the Priestes .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir , that doubt is not without great difficultie : : * * Note Mine opinion concerning that , is that who out of malice and despite renounceth and persecuteth any fundamentall point of religion , which he hath before knowne and approuen , is by consequence guiltie of that vniuersall Apostasie : * * Note My reason is founded vpon the Apostles rule , Whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Iam. 2. 10 Law , and yet offend in one point , hee is guiltie of all : * * Note That is , who euer he bee that maketh no conscience of one sinne , maketh conscience of no sinne : If for the feare of God you darre not murther , how darre thou then , if thou feare God , committe adulterie ? or how darre thou steale or lye .

* * Note Euen so he out of malice & despite , renounceth any maine ground of the Trueth , which hee hath once knowne and professed , and after that contemptiouslie with a lifted vp hand persecuteth the same , hee in my judgement hath drawne vpon himselfe the guiltinesse of an vniuersall Apostasie .

* * Note If by this vniuersall Apostasie were onelie vnderstood an actuall , publick & totall renouncing of God & of all Religion , with railing and raging , such sinners should not bee ( as indeede they are ) most difficile to bee knowne .

The sicke Man .

I perceiue by the definition of that sinne , that it is not common to all the Reprobates .

The Pastour .

No not : But onelie to these who haue beene inlightened with some knowledge of the doctrine of truth , & after begin maliciouslie to persecute the same .

The sicke Man .

But thinke ye that any man would bee so beastlie as to persecute a knowne Trueth : I cannot thinke that the Pharisees who are said to haue beene guiltie of that sinne , did euer know Christ to be come from God , for had they knowne him , they had not 1 Cor. 2. 8 crucified the Lord , the Lord of glorie .

The Pastour .

Indeede these words are true of many , but not of those doctours which made Christ to pronounce so manie woes against them : * * Note They and their complices knew what hee was , and wherefrae hee came : Yee Ioh. 7. 28. both know mee , said Christ to them , and yee know whence I am .

The sicke Man .

Mercifull God , how could they then pursue him with such spight & bitternesse ? I thinke that by that knowledge as by a bit their most head-strong corruption should haue beene snaffled and curbed .

The Pastour .

* * Note Man doeth not despight to the Spirit of grace at the first , but by little and little like clay before the Sunne : his heart is ha●…dened by the deceitfulnesse of sinne .

First , a man will know the Trueth , and will loue it with some sort of feruour for a space , after a little this loue beginneth to lessen and grow cold , while at last it is turned into hatred : man beeing fallen in loue with lyes , which fill his bowels with a boiling hatred of the Trueth : From thence commeth a persecution and a finall desertion , a just recompence of reward 2 Thess. 2. 10 due to all these that will not receiue and keepe the loue of the Trueth , that they might bee saued

* * Note If the poore Pagan for abusing Rom. ●… . 25 his naturall ●…ite , by changing the trueth of God into a lye by Gods just Rom. 1. 28 judgement , was giuen ouer to a reprobate mind ; what wonder if they who Heb. 1. 6. hauing once beene inlightned fall away , bee neuer possiblie reneued againe vnto repentance , seeing they crucifie to themselues the Son of God afresh , and put him to an open shame ? Such men goe about presumptuouslie to grind the face of all godlinesse .

The sicke Man .

I see then that in the sinne against the holie Ghost , there must first bee a knowledge of Gods Trueth , and then a wilfull rebellion against it with a lifted vp banner .

The Pastour .

The Apostle is plaine : If we , saith Heb. 10. 26 hee , sinne wilfullie after that we haue receiued the knowledge of the Trueth , vers. 27. there remaineth no more sacrifice for sinnes , but a certaine fearefull looking for of judgement , & fierie indignation .

* * Note The poison of that sinne is in the word , wilfullie after a preceeding knowledge : While Peter denyed his Master it was not wilfullie , but for feare of his lif : Soule persecuted most bitterlie , beyond measure , said hee , I persecuted the Church of God , Galat. 1. 13 and wasted it , but God had mercie on him , for it was in his ignorance . 1 Tim. 1. 13.

* * Note These two great men rode so neare vnto that vnpardonable sinne , that betweene Peter and it was nothing but wilfullie , and betweene Paul and it was nothing but ignorantlie . 1 Tim. 1. 13

The sicke Man .

Knew yee euer in Scripture or out of Scripture any that fell into that sinne .

The Pastour .

* * Note In the Old Testament Saul fell into it , and therefore the Lord discharged Samuel to mourne for him : 1 Sam. 16. 1. * In the New Testament Iudas was guiltie thereof , and therefore Christ would not pray for him : While hee Ioh. 17. 12 prayed his holie Father to keepe through his owne Name the other Apostles , he would not speak a word for the lost son of perdition : In that hee practised his precept , There is a 1 Ioh. 5. 16 sinne vnto death , I doe not say , that hee shall pray for it .

The sicke Man .

Is this sinne so great that Gods mercie cannot bee able to ouercome it .

The Pastour .

Some thinke that it is called , irremissible , because that it is forgiuen with exceeding great difficultie : But certainelie there is no remission for it : * * Note The cause is this , God will not bee mocked with men , neither will he suffer his Iustice to perish for the saluation of anie , for seeing hee that despised Moses Law , died without Heb. 10. 28 mercie vnder two or three witnesses : Of how much sore punishment suppose vers. 29. yee , shall hee bee thought worthie , who hath troden vnder foote the Sonne of God , and hath counted the Blood of the Couenant wherewith he was sanctified , an vnholie thing , and hath done despite vnto the spirit of grace ?

The sicke Man .

I desire to know how men fall into such a desperati niquitie .

The Pastour .

* * Note Such men hauing receiued some generall graces of God in a reasonable great measure , first vnconscionablie beginne to neglect them , suffering these sparkles of goodnesse to die out , after that they haue shaken out of their mouth , the Bridle of restraining grace while it is cast loose , lying vpon their maine , they plod on from one sinne to another , till shame bee past the shedde of their haire , so that they bee passed all feeling .

* * Note The Spirit being often grieued and the heart made hard with a custome of sinne , whereby as with a canker the noble buds of the Spirite are fretted and blasted at last the Lord in his justice rolleth vp the sinner , & wrappeth him into a reprobate sense .

* * Note Thus men by neglecting the inward secret checkes of the Spirit , and by harbouring priuie inward r●…pinings , boiling lustes , murmurings , grudgings , and vnthankfulnesse , the craftie empoysoners of grace , as at last come to this point , that all the good things they seemed to haue are most licentiouslie dissolued into a publ●…ck prophanitie , whereby they vpbraid the Spirit of grace to his face , and that with base and scarrell jests , yea , and often with most filthie belghes of blasphemie .

That once done , all their grace clearelie melteth away like snailes , lik the fat of Lambes , or lik the winter yce which once beeing thawed floweth away , and is seene no more : All such thinges bee fore-runners posting before the prince of sinnes , euen the sinne against the holie Ghost , which is among all sinnes Luk. 11. 15 like Beclzebub among the deuils .

* * Note Obserue againe , I pray you , how the vnquencheable fire of this vnpardonable sin is kindled : While man suffereth diuers sins to lye dispersed in his heart at their naturall libertie , without controlement , Sathan most craftilie by some cunning slight as by an hollow burning glasse , so concentrats and vnites them together like fierie beames that they set on , fire the whole bodie of mans corruption , whereby as by a pouder plot the Soule is blowne vp in blaspheming , euen vp vnto the very Ephes. 2. 2 bosome of the prince of the aire . Well is the man who from his youth is 1 Thess. 5. 22 sensible of all appearance of euill .

Let vs then take heede , and consider how this sinne againe the Spirit of grace creepeth in sensiblie vpon the heart of man , ordinarly this sinne followeth a long custome in sinning , as the head vncurable Scirrhus in the leuer , affected with the dropsie , cummeth after many surfites . Thus according to that olde saying , though a created testimonie .

Sero medecina paratur , Cum mala per longas invaluere moras .

* * Note O happie they who curbe their corruption in time before they get edge and vigour .

The sicke Man .

While a man is in this life may it not bee knowne if hee bee guiltie of this sinne .

The Pastour .

Verie hardlie : for as Agrippa was Act. 26. 28 almost perswaded to bee a Christian , and yet neuer came from almost vnto altogether , so will a man almost fall into this sinne , and yet bee rescued , as a man will bee for a space in the hight of a feuer , that ye will neither know whether he be dead or quick : Many haue bene reuiued at the putting on of their winding-sheete : * * Note Euen so it will be in the sicknesse drawing vnto this sinne , which is a sin vnto death : Some will seeme to bee dead in it as a man into an Apoplexie , & yet it will be sene that they will arise and repent : Of this assertion I take Manasses for a warrand , for after that hee had knowne the trueth & had persecuted the known Trueth , making the streetes of Ierusalem 2 Kin. 21. 16 to runne blood , yet saith the Scripture , while hee was taken among the thornes , and bound with fetters , and carried to Babylon , In his 2 Chron. 33. 12. affliction he besought the Lord his God , and humbled himselfe greatlie before the God of his fathers .

* * Note A mans flesh whether on his cheeke or hand cutted to atacke being taken in time while the flesh and blood are yet warme , will againe sticke to and receiue the life almost lost : If such be the force of Nature , how much more powerfull are the workings of grace , except then that a man after knowledge be as Paul was Act. 26. 11 in his ignorance exceedinglie mad in the persecuting Trueth , I darre not define his sinne to bee past remeede .

The sicke Man .

Indeed Sir , these be verie cleare similitudes which illustrat our purpose wonderfullie .

But seeing as yee thinke , no man can certainelie know the particular man , that is now guiltie of this sin , how is it that we are forbidden to pray for such a man : If any man , saith S. 1 Ioh. 5. 16 Iohn , see his brother sin a sin which is not vnto death , hee shall pray for him , but there is a sin vnto death : I doe not say , that he pray for it , so soone as such a man dyeth , without remeed he must in all post haste gallop from the land of the liuing vnto the abhorred region of euerlasting death . To what end serueth this inhabitation , if no man can know assuredlie who is guiltie of this sinne ?

The Pastour .

* * Note The opinion of the most learned , is that in the time of S. Iohn , the gift of discretion was giuen vnto the Church , whereby both sooner and surer they might discouer the damnable sin : * * Note As for vs wee can hardlie well perceiue it , but by finall impenitencie and most fearefull dispaire , whereby such miserable Apostats who haue reuolted from the Trueth , declare at last with Iulian , that the God of Galilee hath fullie and fearefully ouercome them : Till that appeare , let vs beware to judge rashlie , seeing Peter speaking to Simon Magus , seemeth to set before Act. 8. 2. him a certaine possibilitie to be saued ; a perhaps , that the thought of his heart might bee forgiuen him .

The sicke Man .

Now it appeareth by all your discourse , that the sinne against the holie Ghost is a reuolting from the Trueth , with a most wilfull persecuting : I thanke God , my Soule is free of that .

But tell mee I pray you , may not a man bee free of that most hainous sinne , and yet be damned ? It would appeare that many Reprobates are free of that sinne .

The Pastour .

It is most certaine , for it is onely the sinne of these who haue knowne the Trueth of Gods word , and hath made a fearefull reuolt from it with a persecuting hatred against the same : Many who haue liued in a true profession , haue denyed God in their life : There bee but too manie whose hollow heartes are couered with outwardnesse like a potte-shard ouer laid with siluer drosse . Prov. 26. 23.

The sicke Man .

Alas , that putteth my Soule in terrible feare , for this is my conscience in a qualme , I haue professed with great shew , and that without substance : I haue beene one of Satans reuellers , hauing a smilling countenance but a bleeding Conscience : Gods judgementes haue stayed till my sinnes was rype : * * Note When the fire is kindled , woe to the stubble : There is no place now for to escape : In Heauen , in Earth , and in the Sea , Gods hand will finde mee out : Fye now on all my greatest pleasures , the Darlings of account : Though I haue not sinned that sinne against the holie Ghost , which God cannot forgiue , I am guiltie of sinnes which God will neuer forgiue : O these eyes of fire , ten thousand times brighter than the Sunne , what sinne is able to escape them ? what glistring golden shewes of outwardnesse , shall mak you to dazle , & ye euerlasting eyes ?

The Pastour

Man had great neede to bee ware that his tongue walke not without a bit : There is no sinne , but God can forgiue it , if the sinner could repent , the Sea of his mercie is bottomles : As for that that God will or will not it is too great presumption for man to define : * * Note Yee continuallie flit from one temptation to another , whereon yee feede like a Flee happing from scab to scab : Yee often seeme desirous to shift the comforts of the Spirit for to goe seeke a knot in a rush , a difficultie where none is . Bee earnest in prayer , sigh to God , for the assistance of his Spirit , that yee may bee capable of comfortes which the Tempter most enuyeth vnto you : * * Note When the sillie Soule would fainest heare the words of spirituall peace , then cryeth he red-warre , stirring vp temptations like the fowles that cumbered Abraham when hee Gen. 15. 11 should offer sacrifice : Take heede to your selfe Sir : * * Note The Serpent now is more craftie than when hee pointed Adam to another tree , for to depriue him of the Tree of life : Resigne Gen. 3. 24. vp your selfe in all holie obedience to the wil of your God : I can neuer perswade you to tak heede to that which I say : * * Note Betweene a good tongue , and a bored holy eare , is an happie harmonie , such musicke is melodious , but a deafe eare maketh a dumbe tongue : Beware of the Spirit of giddinesse , which maketh the Soule to runne round as it were in a Circle of needlesse doubts .

The sicke Man .

I intreat you Sir , for patience , 1 Sam. 1. 15 for I am one of a sorrowfull spirit , as Hannah said to Eli , a fierie wrath lurketh in my breast , which maketh mine heart to grone : Pittie mee Sir , I pray you , for now I am come to the arraignment , and am called to the barre like a Crane or a Swallow , so Isa. 38. 14 doe I chatter : The voyce of the Preacher did often glide by my faults : But now Gods Spirit speaketh home , and setteth all my sinnes in Psal. 50. 2. order before mee : Now must I end my yeares in the bitternes of my Soule : Isa. 38. 15 * * Note Well may I say with that godlie Matron , Call mee not Nahomi , that is Ruth . 1. 2●… pleasant : But call mee Marah , that is bitter , for the Almightie hath dealt verie bitter lie with mee .

The Pastour .

* * Note That which is most bitter is often most holesome : Gods course with the godlie is from the bitter to the Sweete : * * Note When Israel in their progresse had remoued from Mara , Numb. 33. 9 they came to Elim , from a place of bitternesse they came to refreshing fountaines of waters , and to pleasant palme trees : * * Note All this worlde is but a Mara , a place of bitternesse : * * Note Let vs haue patience but for a space , till wee ariue in Elim vp into the Heauens , where wee shall dwell among most pleasant palmes , and drinke of the holesome springes of the well of Life , euen pleasures for Psal. 16. 11 euermore : The Amen , the faithfull and true witnes hath promised .

The sicke Man .

My troubles are farre from such pleasures : I feare that such troubles bee but the fore-runners of a greater tempest : This maketh all the bowels of my bellie to wamble .

The Pastour .

* * Note Nay , by the contrarie take them as I haue alreadie said to bee messengers posting before the calme : * * Note It is good as yee knowe to see euerie season like it selfe : * * Note The Christian life in this world must bee like the Winter season , subject to frosts and to snowes for killing of weedes and of wormes : * * Note If the earth and mens bodies bee not nipped with cold , great are the euil which ensue : * * Note The earth becommeth barren , and mans bodie become sickelie and subject to many diseases : * * Note It is euen so with the Soule , if it remaine not heere in a wintrous estate , laide open to the tempests & nipping colds of temptations profitable for to mellowe and to rot the fellow ground of the heart , there is no great appearance of anie good spirituall haruest : * * Note But if the winter tempests of afflictions come whereby the weeds and wormes of the conscience are killed , then may we looke for a pleantifull haruest of Heb. 12. 11 the quiet fruite of righteousnesse : God in mercie shall step with his mercifull feete thorow the fieldes of our heart , and his steps shall drop fainesse : Psal. 65. 11 * * Note Let such hopes comfort you in this wearisome winter of your afflictions : * * Note All Gods gloumes are but like winter cloudes , or like the louring of the Skye , faire weather will bee nixt , let such tempests fall but in there owne season : Happie is hee whose heart with such boistrous blastes is not swaide awry .

The Sicke Man .

O what a longsome winter is this , wherein I can not once see the Sun Mal. 4. 2. of righteousnesse , neither feele the heat of his beames , the comforter that should relieue my Soule is farre Lam. 1. 16 from mee .

The Pastour .

Let not that discourage you Sir , heare what Christ himselfe the bottomelesse fountaine of all comforts , Ioh. 16. 22 saith , I goe away for a while , and yee shall bee sorrowfull , but I will come againe , and your joye shall none bee able to take away : If yee finde Christ to bee absent , comfort your selfe with the hope of his returne : * * Note His absence is but for a little : * * Note While the day is at the shortest , and the Sunne farthest from vs in the dead of winter , we are comforted with this that the day at once will grow longer , and that the Sunne will returne to vs by the degrees , by which hee went away : * * Note Your day now , Sir , is at the shortest , tarrie but a little & ye shall shortlie perceiue a Spring Ianuar of joy , after this dead December of distresses : * * Note The more wintrous the Season of the life hath beene , looke for the fairer Summer of pleasures for euermore . Psal. 16. 11 Haue patience a little : The Euening of your sorrowes is almost past , the day is at the breaking , your reward is a bright morning starre of Reul . 2. 28. joy : * * Note At the dawning of these joyes your night cloudie and darkest dolors shal decease : * * Note God with some ray or beame of his reconcealed face , shall lighten you the way to heauens glorie .

* * Note This sinfull life of man is like a surgefull sea , tossed with many blasts and billowes . Whiles the floodes and waues of wrath , so catch a man till all the bowels of his bellie begin to wamble , all that is within him will be in a strange stir while he is as it were Iona. 2. 2. with Ionah , downe in the bellie of hell , at the rootes of the mountaines , hauing for his best garland the weeds wrapt about his head , in such a pittifull plight , hee will bee tempted to say to God with Ionah , I am cast Iona. 2. 4. out of thy sight , so darkened will the eye of his Conscience bee .

But if so bee that in the jawes of his anguish with Ionah , hee can say to his God in his deepest plunge , yet I will look againe toward thine holie Temple ( which I may call the godlie mans Pole , the directer of the Christian course ) hee shall be saued : If while his Soule fainteth within him , hee can with the weake eye of Faith behold that Pole of peace , and with the Mariners in the Psalme , cry vnto the Lordin his trouble , the Psal. 107. 28 Lord shall deliuer him out of his distresses : He who by speaking vnto the Fish , made it to vomite out the prisoner , by a word of his mercy shall hale him out of such seas of sorrows , & shall softlie & swiftly bring him thorow the swelling surges to the hauen of peace , rest and quietnesse , euen of pleasures for euermore : Waite on a little , and your God shall store Psas. 16. 11 you with spirituall comforts .

The sicke Man .

But Oh , for the present , I am in the extremitie of anguish , which any created nature can possiblie endure .

* * Note My sillie Soule is lashed with a seuere whip of double cordes knottie at the end : Gods custome is to handle his own nicelie and softlie like glasses for feare of crackes : But I am crushed vnder the milstones of his wrath , which are readie euerie houre to settle downe vpon my Soule , for to sinke it from the brimme to the bot tome of hell .

O the length and breadth of that flying roll and volume of wrath , that is comming vpon mee for to curse Zach. 5. 3. mee with the Theefe and the swearer .

There is such a freting canker into sinne , that in my judgement , if it could reach vnto the verie starres , it should mak them to roust by staining their brightnesse and polish colour : I thinke that if sinne could attaine therevnto it should rotte these faire celestiall bodies .

In my judgement it should strike the Sunne and Moone the two eyes of the world with a catarict suffusion or with a sort of gutta serena , so that the world should goe blind . * * Note All this woe is most justlie befallen mee , because while Gods long suffering inuited me to repentance , by delaying the day of my death , I turned his grace into wantonnesse , while I was threatned by his Iustice , I strained & racked his mercy beyond his truth and promise : I wonder not now that Gods judgements make me to reele to and fro , and stager like a drunken man : But heere is my griefe , and most piercing paine : I cannot think that GOD would suffer any of his owne Children to bee chaissed with such bloodie bickerings and not incontinent runne to his helpe : Can a Isa. 49. 15 mother forget her Childe ? though shee should , God cannot forget these that are his : Gods wrath continueth still against mee , my sinnes are mounted vp to his eares with a noyse , and hee hath taken notice : Behold , and consider , if there bee anie sorrow like vnto my sorrow .

The Pastour .

These bee the paines of new birth : * * Note In such spirituall trauailing the Soule will bee in a wonderfull distresse , like Rachel of whom it is written Gen. 35. 17 that in trauailing , She was in hard labour : The hardest labour of the first birth is soft beeing compared to the labours of the second : No sorrow in the flesh is able fullie to expresse it : * * Note I see a shadow of such sorrowes in that mourning of Hadadrimmom in the valley of Megiddon .

This is a mourning joyned with fasting , making man and wife for a space to shed beds , that the man may mourne in one place and the wife in another . The familie of the house of Zach. 12. 12 Dauid apart , and their wiues apart : The familie of the house of Nathan apart , and their wiues apart : The familie of the house of Leui apart , and their wiues apart : The familie of Shimei apart , vers. 13. and their wiues apart : All the families that remainc , euerie familie vers. 14. apart , and their wiues apart .

* * Note All this mourning is wrought in mans heart by a Spirit which Zacharie Zach. 12 , 10 calleth , the Spirit of grace : Behold , & see Sir , what it is of this your great griefe : It is a sure token that the Spirit of Grace hath beene powred vpon your Soule : Too too manie vndera smilling countenance haue a smarting Conscience , while the wieked laugh their heart is sorrowfull-Rejoyce in such a tribulation , after this short seede-time of sorrow , if yee can haue patience , ye shall reape the quiet fruite of righteonsnesse , after the Heb. 12. 11 darke cloudie night of sorrow , the day will dawne : * * Note At the breaking of the Skye a starre of comfort shall arise which shall neuer sette vnder a night cloud of waterie teares .

Man naturalliè is so impatient , that he cannot waite in a stayed temper , till the Lord hath ended his work .

The sicke Man .

I vnderstand not such working : * * Note I euer heard preached that God was mercifull to his owne , and that hee did proportion euen at an haires breadth , their tryals and troubles to their spirituall temper , neuer surcharging any aboue their force , in their greatest darknes his custome is to lighten them the way to relieue with some ray or beame of a fatherlie fauour : But mine heart is altogether soacked and sacked with sorrow : Mine heart is nothing but a gulfe of griefe .

The Pastour .

The hand of our God is wonderfullie in his workes : as for vs , wee cannot worke vpon a Creature but by the helpe of another : * * Note As for God , while hee worketh , it often befalleth that either there is nothing or that which would seeme to bee contrarie to his working .

* * Note In the Creation hee brought some thing out of nothing , from no-beeing hee brought a beeing : Hee would not make some-thing of some thing , but made all of nothing : God would not builde vpon another foundation : * * Note Once hee destroyed the world with raine , now saith the Lord , I shall neuer doe it againe : But how shal a man know it ? euen by his Raine-bow , a certaine signe of raine ▪ * * Note Behold , how in the Heauens hee setteth his raine armour for a signe of peace to the world declaring that he will no more shoote downe a deludge for to drowne the Children of men : * * Note Before that God would send downe fire vpon the sacrifice of Elias for the tryall of the true God , hee appointed the ditch about it , first to bee filled with water : God is ●… Kin. 18. 33. best known in the contrarie meanes : So Christ would open the blinde eyes by spittle and clay , which naturallie are more fitte ▪ to put out the sight than put it in : By the heauing vp of Moses weake hands , helped vp by others : God made choise to ouerthrow Hamalek rather then by the sword of Ioshuah : By the bluenes of Prov. 20. 30 the wound he purgeth away euill : Christ by death ouercame Death and purchased life : In wrath hee remembreth mercie , where mercie would seeme to bee forgotten : Hee first killeth that after hee may make aliue : His strength is made perfect in ▪ weaknesse : 2 Cor. 12. 9. Out of the seede of teares ▪ hee bringeth an haruest of joye , applie all this to your selfe : * * Note Before that God make a new Creation in you , hee will let you see first that there is nothing in your selfe whereof to make it : * * Note Though God for a space hath opened the Windowes of his wrath and powred downe vpon you deluges of troubles and as yet seemeth to bend his Bow for a new shot : If hee were of minde to shoote hee would not shew his Bow : Behold , and see a signe of peace , a Bow without a string : * * Note Though it were bended , as a token of warre by Gods merci●… , it betokeneth peace : While the ditch about the sacrifice of the he●…r is fullest of water viz when all is swimming with aboundance of teares , God then shall bee most readie to answere by fire .

* * Note Bee of good courage Sir , let Christs morter lye style vpon your eyes vntill his worke bee finished , that yee may recouer your sight ▪ * * Note Though clay blind-foldeth , his spittle inlighteneth .

The sicke Man .

I am but a lumppe of clay shutte vp vnder vnbeliefe : I cannot practise your precepts : I haue a will to doe so : But I finde stronger powers within mee leading this Will into Captiuitie : What can this bee ? can both good and euill tarie together in one heart that is Gods ?

The Pastour .

That is most certaine , * * Note There is both fish and drosse in Gods net , both corne & chaffe in his barne both Wheat & darnall in his field , both Sheepe & Goates in his folde : To will is present Rom. 7. 18 with mee , said Paul , But how to performe that which is good I finde not .

The sicke Man .

* * Note While I behold such floods of temptations my braine is so troubled with dizinesse that all seeme to goe round : My Soule is like a Land lying frin the sea , which is beaten with billowes and with waues on all sides , mine head is giddie while I beholde the strict streame of such tumbling waues .

The Pastour .

* * Note The temptations and troubles of this world may well be compared to a Riuer that runneth with a quick streame : * * Note If while yee ride thorow ye euer look downe vpon the streame your head will waxe dizie indeede , so that yee shal be in danger of a fall : But those who know what it is , euer behold the yonder brinke fixing their eyes vpon that which moueth not * * Note It is so that wee should doe while wee passe thorow the swift running streames of temptations , wee must not fixe our eyes vpon the streame which runneth but vpon yonder immouable shore of eternitie , where wee minde to land after that wee haue waden thorow the combersome foord of this life : In hope against hope relye vpon Gods mercie : Challenge your interest therein thorow Christs bloodie merites .

The sicke Man .

* * Note While I desire to doe so the arrowes of fearful temptations come vpon me with poisoned points : I heare a voyce within me crying , What hast thou to doe with the shore of eternitie ? thou who hast wearied thy selfe in the way of wickednesse , and hast spended thy whole life into blacke dismall dayes , by making others to mourne in blacke , thou shalt neuer weare the white garments of Christs righteousnesse , neither in grace nor glorie : Oh , that mine heart were in a true spirituall temper ! Oh , that it were seasoned and softned with the dew of Grace ! Oh , where shall I hide mee , vntill these calamities bee Psal. 57. 1. ouerpast ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Your Soule Sir , within you is like a man in a shippe tossed with a tempest as the Disciples on the Sea , fearing to drowne , cryed to Christ , Master , saue vs , for wee perish●… ▪ So Matth. 8. doe ye ; though for a space he seeme to sleepe , carelesse of your saluation , hee shall shew himselfe broad awake at your cry : Behold , hee that keepeth Israel , shall neither slumber nor sleepe : Psal. 121. 4 * * Note My counsell is that yee wrap and infold your sillie Soule in his bloody merites , as in a close warme garment that shall keepe you safe and sure against the wind and weather of all temptations : * * Note I like your feares better than the securitie of these who thinking that they sleepe in a sound skin , care not whither judgements blast or mercie blesse : If the Hypocrite content man , hee careth not for God : All his best thinges are but forme and outwardnesse , hee hath a forme of knowledge , he also hath a forme of godlinesse : * * Note In this forme hee sleepeth , not troubled with any checke or counter-blast of Conscience Waite ye vpon Christ .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Christ hath forgotten mee ▪ If hee had minde of mee , would hee suffer my Soule thus to bee eaten away with the bloodie gangrene of an euill Conscience ? happie are the Psal. 73. 5. wicked , for they are not plagued like other men .

The Pastour .

Nay , vnhappie are the wicked what euer their estate bee : while they studie to worldly joye encompassing themselues with carnall contentments it is for nothing but that as the deuils desired , they should Matth. 8. 29. not bee tormented before the time : In such false joyes they are ledde hood-winkt to destruction : While God suffereth his owne for a space to bee afflicted , it is no token of forgetfulnesse , nor yet of vncomfortable strictnesse : Did hee not suffer his owne Sonne to suffer , till hee cryed , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken Mar. 15. 34. mee ? God in great mercie to vs hath set out his owne Sonne as a patrene of patience , for to let all the godlie see , that seeing he hath torne with bloody whipes the backe and shoulders of his onelie Son , that no man should tak exception to drinke in the same Cup , as also that no man should despaire or take in euill part to bee chastened of the Lord : But 1 Cor. 11. 32 when wee are judged , saith the Apostle , wee are chastened of the Lord , that wee should not bee condemned with the world : * * Note Many will suffer legs and armes to bee cut from them into a feaster , for to saue the rest : What reck what the body suffer if so be the Soule bee saued ? what euer affliction ye suffer in bodie or mind , it is for the saluation of your sillie Soule , by such pangues , your God will preuent the paines of hell : * * Note In your greatest griefes , God is but practising his owne precept of sauing Soules by feare , whereby they are pulled out of Iud. 5. 23. the fire : The Sorrowes of the godlie end in joye : But as for the wicked they are like the Sea , whiles tossed , Isa. 50. 20. whiles tumbled , but euer inwardlie disquieted .

The sicke Man .

Is this then the estate of the godlie heere to be betimes crossed with most fearefull temptations , whereby as with an Ocean sea they will seeme to bee ouer-whelmed ?

The Pastour .

It is certaine , for many are the troubles Psal. 34 , ●… of the righteous : * * Note Christ deerest here are lik Lillies among the thornes : Can. 2. 2. * * Note This life are the Winter of their affliction : * * Note They are a groning genaration , Turtles crouding with sighes and grones which their tongues cannot expresse , while Abraham began to sleepe , loe an horrour of great Gen. 15. 12 darknesse fell vpon him .

The sicke Man .

But in such anguish of heart will they not haue some bosome comforts ? salt Sea water strained thorow the earth becommeth sweete : At the greatest sense of wrath will they not aye haue some hope of mercy though for a space they haue swimmed downe the current of the times shifting their sailes to the turning of euerie wind .

The Pastour .

They will bee in great distresse : * * Note Their Soule will be shaken like a sea full of surges , tossed with contrarie Tydes : * * Note As for their comfort it will be lik the smoke of flaxe without a flamme : * * Note In their deepest temptations they will haue some bosome secret graces into the heart as cmbers vnder an heape of ashes : Some times in all outward appearance they will bee so douked that they will seeme to be drowned : * * Note While they are all vnder the water with Ionah , as it were at the rootes of the Iona. 2. 6. mountaines they will thinke , and so also will others thinke , that they are in the bellie of hell : * * Note This is their estate , while for a space they are borne downe with the weight of wrath and with the burden of their sinnes , they are as it were many fathome deepe vnder the water : But so soone as it pleaseth God ▪ for to remoue that weight , incontinent they come vp to the brimme of the water , because there is breath and life within them .

* * Note So long as there is life in a man , hee may well at the first plunge goe downe to the bottome of a Poole , but incontinent hee mounteth vp againe , because there is a Spirit and breath within him . But if hee bee once deade , hee sinketh downe like Leade vnto the ground : * * Note It is euen so with the wicked and the godlie , the wicked are dead in the waters of affliction and therefore with Pharaoh and his armie they sinke downe like Lead into the mightie waters : But Exod. 15. 10 as for the godlie , though heauie weights of sin for a space hang fast on , yet because the Spirit of God , a Spirit of life and of breath is within them , they may well at one plunge or other douke downe , because of the weight of their corruptions , but incontinent they come vp againe : * * Note By vertue of the Spirit as by Corke they are caried aboue , & so at last swimme thorow all the waues of their troubles and temptations , till they come to the shallow , where they may set their feete vpon a Rocke , euen the Rocke Christ .

* * Note When Ionah was cast into the Sea , who euer thought that hee should come out againe ? yet heare : how the drouked man sang at last , Yet hast thou brought vp my life from Iona. 2. 6. corruption , my Lord my God : So litle was his hope once , that hee said , beeing in the bellie of hell , The earth Vers. 2. with her barres was about me for euer

What hope of change can wee Iona. 2. 6. haue of that which we call , For euer ? * See what little hope that Prophet had for a certaine space , before that God would bring his life from corruption : * * Note What out-gate could the poore man see into such a darke dungeon into the bellie of the Fish , downe at the rootes of the mountaines into the bottome of the deepe ?

* * Note That which the sillie man could not see , God saw : Hee whom the Shippe could not saue , was saued in the bellie of hell : He who could saue Ionah , in the water , could saue his seruant Sadrach and his fellowes in she fire : * * Note While these three poore men were bound in their coats , their Dan. 3. 21 hosen and their hattes , and cast into that fearfull Furnace , there came in One that afraide them all , a fourth man . euen the Sonne of God , which by an absolute soueraignetie loosed the other three , so that they all foure in the Kings sight walked vp & down together without any hurt : * * Note All the miracles of the olde Testament were but types and figures of Gods mercie and spirituall blessings vnder the New : * * Note The passage of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan , was a type of our walking in this world ▪ vnto that Canaan that is aboue : * * Note The Egyptians behind , the Sea before , the Mauniaines on euerie side were but types of our spirituall enemies : Some like Egyptians behind , are chaissing vs , some like Mountaines on euerie side hedge vs in to keepe vs from escape : Some before like a Sea are before vs , betweene vs and Canaan : Christ is a cloudy Pillar which Exod. 13. 21. in the day time is darknesse , & commeth betweene vs and the rage of the Egyptians of this world , so that for mist they cannot see vs : * * Note In the darke night of our tribulations hee goeth before vs in a pillar of fire , for to be a light vnto our steps : * * Note At last , after we haue passed by many mountaines of miseries , and are come to the red sea of temptations , euen to the last temptations on our death ▪ bed , where all our sins red like scarlet Isa. 1. 18. stand like a red sea betweene vs and the place of promise , God by the rod of his mercifull power , giueth that sea , such a blow that all its billowes make roome to let his people passe thorow : * * Note Then all mourning is Exod. 15. 1. turned into musicke : Moses singeth with the men & Mi●…ian with the vers. 20. women : Nothing is heard there but songs & sounding Timbrels : Manie a ●…ore sigh had they before they came to this Song : * * Note Many a pittifull looke gaue they backe to Pharaoh , breathing out rage behind them , they q●…aked lik an Haire that heareth the barke of the Dog , breathing to bee at it : But while at last they saw themselues bounded with an enemy that boasted them with drowning , then God in their greatest feares sent a powerfull deliuerance : * * Note Behold , here as in a Cart the draughts of the Christian mans journey vnto Heauen : Read into it , That thorow manie tribulations wee must enter into Act. 14. 21 the Kingdome of Heauen , euen thorow burning Riuers of Brimstone .

The sicke Man .

But alas , they come thorow all their troubles & were at last deliuered : But I see none appearance that God will doe the like to mee : I haue beene prodigall of the peace of my Conscience , my sinnes doubled doe daylie ripen Gods wrath against mee : In all liklie-hood Gods decree is gone out , that I should porish : * My Faith faileth mee , Hope is flowne away : Oh , for that peace in belieuing . Rom. 15. 13

The Pastour .

As by bitter Succorie the burning blood is cooled and refreshed , so by such bitter bloodie blowes , the pride of life is subdued & hemmed within a compasse : * * Note By such to●…turing and tormenting feares : The good Lord is working for your well that thereby hee may driue you from all selfeconceate●…nesse & partiall ouervaluing of your own worth : * * Note It is Gods custome by such means to doublem as zeale , to blow at the smoaking flaxe ; Isa. 42. 3. till the weak reeking sparkle of grace bee kindled into a bright burning flam . By such troubles and temptations the good Lord keepeth your Soule in watchfulnesse : * * Note Many in this world sleepe soundlie in their sinnes , beeing fullie stuft and swelled therewith , and for all that neuer waken , till they be wakened in ye●…re of Hell : * * Note Others who are troubled with some inward checkes , runne●… to Tauerns for to drowne their sorrow for sinne , by powring in of strong drinke : Others thinke to smoke it out by the ●…eeke of Tabacca : Some runne to the di●…ne of the world among loud laughters .

* * Note As the Israelite●… in Tophe●… sounded their Drummes , that they should not beare the squeeles of their Infants burning in the fire , so so go some about by the noise of sports & worldlie joyes to deafen so their Soules , that they should not heare the shrighes of their troubled Conscience : * * Note But all such comforts and companiourie are like that red wine , giuing colour in the cuppe , and mouing Prov. 33. 31. it selfe aright : But what is the end of all ? * * Note Such things may seeme to coole & refresh for a space , lik as when a burnt finger is dipped into cold water , where one qualitie encirculoth another : But shortlie after that little an●…iperistasis is past , in come doubled dolours with all the anwels of the principall summe , at last all such drunke comforts bite like a Serpent , Prov. 33. 32. and sting like a Cockatrice , as doeth the drunkards best claret wine .

* * Note Well is that Soule which God in mercie exerciseth daylie either with one crosse or other , not suffering it to be rocked and lulled with Sathans balowes in the cradle of Securitie .

Rejoyce then in tribulation , put all your trust in God , yea , though hee should slay you , inwarpe your selfe in the Mantle of his mercies : Relye vpon him with whom nothing is imposible : He who can make the great Camell passe thorow the needle Mar. 10. 25 eye , can open the narrow gate , and let your Soule enter into his Rest.

* * Note Learne of the Father of the faithfull to belieue in hope against hope : Rom. 4. 18 God thinketh himselfe most glorified when men belieue in him , while there is least outward appearance : His delight is to allure in the Hos. 2. 18. wildernesse , where is least appearance : Forget neuer that couragious words of Iob , Though he should slay mee , yet will I trust in him : * * Note Not to haue Faith , except wee feele and see , is to be faithlesse with Thomas Ioh. 20. 25 while hee said , that hee would not belieue till hee was assured by the two witnesses of his senses , viz. Sight and Feeling : * * Note Christ out of pittie granted to him contentment of ●…enle , but with a sore & a nipping checke , Because thou hast seene mee , vers. 29. thou hast belieued , blessed are they that haue not seene , and yet belieued : If yee would bee blessed , belieue before yee either feele or see : Hee who brought meate out of the de●…ourer and light out of darknesse , can inlighten your mistie minde .

The sicke Man .

What then would yee me to doe Sir , while within and without I can perceiue no token of comfort , none appearance of fauour ? seeing hee hath hid his countenance from my Soule , what thinke yee best that I should doe ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Doe as Isaiah did , I will , said he , waite vpon the Lord , that hideth his Isa. 8. 17. face from the house of Iakob , and I will looke for him : God is like a Mother Isa. 49. 15 that cannot forget her Child : * * Note She may hide her selfe a little , and let it get a knocke , that it may feare and learne to beware of greater dangers : * * Note Though God gloume in outward countenance at the faultes of his Children , yet in his heart are euer thoughts of peace and of mercie .

Of this Dauid produced two Psal. 72. 11 witnesses , Once I heard , saide hee , yea , twise , that mercie belongeth to God : * * Note Once in all appearance hee heard this read or preached by the Prophets , and another time by the Spirit the inward teacher of the Soule : * * Note Behold how the Spirit and the Word , once yea , twise , both outwardlie and inwardlie haue testified that mercie is with God , yea , as a thing which most properlie belongeth vnto him : In your more sober moode and cold blood , yee shall confesse this to bee true : * * Note God for a space will seeme to bee vncouth : Hee , as Naomie bade Ruth returne home with her Sister ●…rpah , will bidde a sinner goe seeke his comforts in his bypa●…t pleasures : But if with Ruth hee see him stedfastlie minded he will incontinent leaue off such speaking .

The sicke Man .

I know that God is full of mercie ; Of this the Deuils did neuer doubt : * * Note Within the compasse of his compassions is mercie for a thousand worlds , but what is that to mee ? How shall I come by it ?

The Pastour .

The Scripture is plaine , Aske , said Mat. 7. 7. Christ , and yee shall receiue , seeke and yee shall finde : Sticke to him with a truely Christian & vnshaken resolution .

What euer yee shall seeke from the Father in my Name , said Christ , hee will giue it vnto you : If yee beleeue Christ to bee true , practise his precept : * * Note Take once but a proofe of his promise seeke in the Name of Iesus whatsoeuer thing may doe you good , and see whether or not God shall proue faithf●… in his promise : * Before that a man will distrust another , hee will first at least bee beguiled once : * * Note Vpon Christs words then with freedome of Spirit , Aske , seeke , and knocke , and see whether or not your Soule shall bee answered with these three viz , receiuing finding , and opening : * * Note There is a worthie historie in the Gospel which pointeth at this that we should doe what Christ Commandeth , though there be litle appearance of any good successe : After that Christ had teached the people out of Peters ship , the Sermon beeing ended , the Lord said , vnto Simon , Launch out into the Luk. 5. 4. 5. deepe , and let downe your nettes for a draught , Simon answered , said vnto him , Master we haue toiled all the night and haue token nothing , neuerthelesse at thy word I will let down the net : What ensued vpon his obedience ? they inclosed such a multitude of fishes that for the weight thereof their nette brake , the aboundance was so great that they beckned to their partners which were into another ship , that they shuld come to helpe them : And they came and filled both the shippes , so vers. 7. that they beganne to sinke : * * Note Let your wearied Soule learne of Peter to obey Christ , though they had toiled all the night and had taken nothing , and had lost all hope of any taking , yet at Christs word they let downe the net .

* * Note Christ in his Miracle would not cause the fish to leape into their Shippe , but hee would haue them to launch and labour , yea , and seeke helpe of others : * * Note Moreouer , before Christ did this , they had toiled all the night before , without anie profit : * * Note Christ came not to abrogat the Law by feeding idle men , but hee came to fulfill the Law , and to giue a blessing to these that did eate their bread in the sweate of their face : Gen. 2. 19 * * Note Trust first in God , Sir , and at his word launch in the deepe : * * Note Labour in the sweat of your face , seeke , aske , knocke , and bee assured to finde Reuel . 3. ●… 14. and receiue , for yea , and Amen hath spoken it : * * Note Though your sinnes bee great , if yee belieue his word , hee hath giuen both his word and his oath to forgiue , two immutable Heb. 6. 18. things wherein it is imposible that God should lie . O the vnlimited & boundlesse bowels of his mercie .

The sicke Man .

I haue alreadie rapped at the doore of grace , but I haue gotten none answere : * * Note God will not cast vp his gates to let in such a rotten ra●…call as I am : The dinne of temptations within mee is like the rumbling of a Linne , wherein waters rush with a ●…oise : I by my sinnes haue growne so heauie vpon the Lord ▪ that I presse him as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaues : While I pray , Christ letteth not on him that hee either heareth or seeth mee .

The Pastour .

Though at the first prayer ye receiue not , yet cry againe , & againe : * * Note The poore receiue not almes at your doore at the first cry , and therefore they cry againe , and againe , till their almes come : * * Note That Cananitish woman that came from the costes from Tire and Sidon for to seeke helpe of Christ for her Daughter troubled with a deuill , was not heard at her first prayer , shee receiued none answere at all , at the second she receiued a verie hard answere , viz , That hee was sent vnto others , than to the like of her , viz. Vnto the lost sheepe of the Matth. 15. 23. 24. house of Israel . At the third prayer shee receiued the hardest answere of all , viz. That shee and her Daughter vers. 27 were but dogs , to whom the Childrens bread , did not belong : What did shee then ? * * Note Shee tooke the buffet for the bit : Wee are but dogs , said shee , why then , let vs eate the crumbes : At that worde Christ could refuse her no more , but gaue her all her will , O Woman , said hee , great is thy Faith , bee it vnto thee euen vers. 28. as thou wilt : * * Note Though while yee cry , Christ make none answere , yet cry againe : If hee call you a dogge , cry for a crumbe : * * Note Often his comforts are folded in his Iudgements : S. Paul prayed th●…ise before God gaue to him an answere : While the angel of the Deuill did buffet him , 2 Cor. 12. 7 hee cryed for helpe once & againe , after the third time God made answere that his grace should bee sufficient vers. 9. for him : Iacob got not his blessing at the first sute , no not , at last it came to worsling , and weeping , and wresting , he wept & made supplication , Hos. 12. 4 and then the Lord blessed him : Did not Christ himselfe in his great agonie pray , and after one prayer , pray againe for the remouing of the painfull cuppe ? * * Note If yee haue prayed M●…tin . 26 42 pray yet againe , were it in the same prayer , as Christ did , of whom it is said ▪ That againe he went away & prayed Mar. 14. 39 & spak the same words : God may let his owne cry , and cry aga ne , but hee will not let them cry ●…ill they be confounded : At last when his time is come , hee will arise to their helpe : * * Note Hee can not sit the importunate cryes of wearied spirites : * * Note Because of the importunitie of the seeker that neighbour in the Gospel could not get his friend refused , the one friende came to the other friendes doore , but for the lend of three loaues tor to set downe before another friende , who was in his journey , came late vnto his house : A friend Luk. 11. 9 of mine , said he , in his journey is come to mee , and I haue nothing to set before him : From within the other answered , that hee should not trouble him , because the doore was shute , and his Children were with him into the bed : I say vnto you , said Christ , Though hee will not rise , and giue him ▪ vers. 8 , because hee is his friend , yet because of his importunitie ▪ hee willrise and giue him as many as hee needeth .

The spirituall vse of this is subjoyned vnto the verse following , Aske and it shall bee giuen you , seeke and yee shall finde , &c. * * Note Because of the earnest sute of the poore Widow , the euill Iudge who neither feared God , nor respected man , was forced to doe her justice : * * Note These thinges are writen for our learning , not to take a refusell from our God in any thing that may bee good for our Soule , mans importunitie in seeking , is Gods opportunitie in giuing .

The Sicke Man .

These things cannot bee written for mee : What doeth Christ care for mee ? haue not I treade vnder the filthie feete of mine affections that precious Blood ? Haue not I counted that Blood f the Couenant as Heb. 10. 29 an vnholie thing ? My Spirit is in a feare that it hath done dispight vnto the Spirit of grace : * * Note This is the chiefe gash and wound of my Soule , this is a gangrene , which eateth out mine heart , the temptation is come from the barke to the bone .

The Pastour .

* * Note If yee were guiltie of that sinne , yee would not bee so grieued for it : * * Note These who doe despight vnto the Spirit of grace , mourne not for that siane as it is an hainous offence against God , but as it procureth the wages of euerlasting woe : * * Note In such a man the feare of judgement is greater than the hatred of sinne : Iudas could say , Oh , I haue sinned in betraying the Matth. 27 4 innocent Blood : The feare of judgement , & not the loue of Christ made him bewaile his treason : The sinne against the holie Ghost is not so great , but God could forgiue it , if the sinner could repent : * * Note The bosome of Gods mercy is not so streightned that it cannot receiue a sinner because of the hudge greatnesse of his sinnes : There was no disease which Christ could not cure in the dayes of his flesh : But because of the vnbeliefe of men , in some partes hee could not doe manie miracles : * * Note Obserue a strange word , spoken of God by God himselfe , Hee could not doe ? * * Note Vnbeliefe in a manner putteth the Almightie in a sort of weakenesse , so that hee cannot doe : * * Note As there was no sicknesse but Christ could care it , if men could belieue , so there is no sinne , but God can forgiue it , if man can repent : * * Note If any sinne vnpardoned lye still , & beare vpon the Soule of man , it is because of his vnbeliefe : * Bee earnest with God , that hee would increase your Faith : * * Note Be of good courage , Sir , thogh many be the Psal. 34. 19 troubles of the righteous ▪ yet heere is his comfort , the end of that man is Psal. 37. 37. peace : Your Soule is trauelling in the paines of the new birth : Let the Spirit of Christ be doing , till he end the worke of your Saluation within you : * * Note There is sweete in his gloumes , and loue in his looke , euen while hee seemeth to bee angrie : * * Note Hee who with a silent looke , first pricked , and then healed the heart of Peter , shall at last after your troubles wipe away your teares , and yee shall weepe no more : * * Note The looke of our Lord ▪ is a working looke : * * Note Our beholding is but by reception of spaces , but Christs looking is by emission of graces , which like streames of heate and light come from the Sunne , the worldes eye , with a most powerfull influence .

Bee of good courage , Sir , be not dismayed in your afflictions : * * Note Such is the courage of Christes Spouse that shee calleth all her troubles but Cant. 1. 6. a looke of the Sunne , a litle black bleink wherewith the outward skin is onelie made duskie : * * Note Christs will is that wee suffer heere such flea ▪ bitings , that wee may know what hee hath suffered for vs in sauing vs from eternall woe . Fixe your Faith in his merites , which are the onelie Oyle that maketh all thinges easie , euen a most precious restoratiue for a languishing and sorrow beaten Soule .

Be wise and ware , by your doubting to confine the boundlesse mercies of your God , belieue and bee saued , this is the trueth of the Gospel .

The sicke Man .

But the Law of God is of a great stricknesse ; it bindeth all the senses and all the thoughts and imaginations of the heart to a perfect obedience vnder the paine of Maranatha : This thought straineth hard mine heart , and wringeth it together into a narrow roome with a predominant power .

The Pastour .

* * Note Indeede Sir , the Law of God , striketh vpon all that is in man , and oblisheth most strict to a perfect and sincere obedience , for not only dischargeth it actuall Murther , Adulterie , Theft , and such like , but also the counsels , and plots , and desires to practise such villanies : * * Note Yea , not onelie such plots , which are forbidden in the Commandement , which forbiddeth the euill action , but also the least desire of ill , though detasted and abhorred with speede : * * Note The tenth Command which is last , requireth such a puritie into the heart of man , that it will not onelie haue it to be cleane of grosse euill thoghts fedde and petted with yeelding and consent , but also it requireth that it bee free of the least impression of anie euill thought : * * Note The Soule of man is like a Cristall looking Glasse : If a man but blow vpon it with his breath , at once it is darkned with a duskie skumme , wherewith it is dimmed that till it be sweept , the image of a mans face will not appeare into it : * * Note So it is of sin and of our Soule , the least affection or inclination to sinne is like a dimme skumme vpon the face of the Soule , caused by the stinking breath of the deuill : What is a filthie temptation ? but afflatus illius impuri Spiritus , a breathing of that vncleane Spirit ? Thus as yee see God indeede requireth a great puritie to bee in his creature , for the hammering downe of the pride of flesh , puft vp with vaine and ouerweening conceits : * * Note His Law requireth that his Children bee so cleane that there bee not so much as the breath of euill vpon them for to darken or mak dimme the polish of their cristall colour .

* * Note But heere is our comfort , there is an hand in the heauen ▪ that is able to sweepe away all our sinnes whatsoeuer , and make our Soule were it neuer so roustie , to become cleare like gold new come out of the fornace : Psal. 68. 13 Though yee haue lyen among the pottes yet shall ye be as the winges of a Doue couered with siluer , and her feathers with yellow gold . Let not the rigour of the Law affraight you : Christ is hee who hath fulfilled the Law : * * Note Hee hath nailed that hand writing vpon his Crosse , and so hath made vs free of its rigour : Sinne reigneth not in a godlie heart , but so long as man is heere , sinne hath in him some poysonous and pestilent * Note rootes : If wee doe not what wee can to imploy his graces faithfullie , for to render his Talents with some profit , hee shall say vnto vs , Matth. 25. 23. faithfull seruant come & enter into thy Masters joye : Bee of good heart , after that Gods anger like the Moone is come to its hight , it shall beginne to waine as it beganne to waxe : After a full flood shall come a low ebbe .

The sicke Man .

What then thinke yee best that I doe while I am enuironed with so many troubles and temptations ?

The Pastour .

* * Note Your best is to runne euer vnto Christ in whom alone is vertue for to cure your filthie fluxe : Let nothing hinder ●…ou in the way till yee bee at him : * * Note By his blood he shall present you harmelesse and guiltles before Gods Tribunall : Though swarmes of temptations wherein is Beelzebub the master flee buze about you , bee not astonished : * * Note Hold on your course , till yee come to him : Thogh many troubles lye into your way , gird vp your loynes and run with courage through this snakie field , hauing your feet shod with the preparation Ephes. 6. 15. of the Gospel of peace : Let griefe bee a whet stone vnto grace .

The sicke Man .

* * Note If I should now run to Christ , thinke ye that I would be welcome to him , after that I haue sported so long , and solaced my selfe in securitie , in the soft and greene way of fading pleasures : * * Note While his precious word was preached , I like the craftie Psal. 58. 4. Adder closed mine eares , as from the voyce of a charme : But thinke yee that hee can loue mee , who is one so vnworthie to be loued , a lazie drousie drooping drone , altogether carlesse in the worke of my saluation .

The Pastour .

There is a great misconceit of God in most mens hearts * * Note Some there bee who with amplifying conceats , make the way to Heauen broader than the Scripture , like the Pharisees broad Philacteries or shaking ribbands : Matth. 23. 5. Others againe , as Balaams Asse thrusted his master to the wall in Numb. 22. 25 a roume way , with lesse reason than the Asse , they thrust aside vpon the walles of doubts or despaire , as though Gods mercies were so narrow that no possibilitie were for to passe thorow : By this meanes they fasten vpon God , an impossibilitie to forgiue : But to come to the point , your question is , if I think that God can loue you , who is so vnworthie to bee loued

I thinke it verilie , and I am perswaded : * * Note God , I confesse , cannot loue sinne in man , but hee may loue man in sinne : * * Note God inuiteth not these whom hee loueth not : Come vnto mee , saith hee , all yee that are Matth. 11. 28 wearied : * * Note Your wearinesse cryeth vnto you , that which was said to the blind man , Bee of good comfort , Ma●… . 10. 49 ▪ arise , the Master calleth thee , an humble confession in the mouth , is the speach of contrition in the heart : God hath sworne that hee liketh not a sinners death . Hee is more glad to finde vs for to helpe vs , than we can rejoyce to find him for to be helped by him : * * Note Who can thinke but hee is glad to finde vs , that tooke such paines to seeke vs , that not caring for the vnwholesome and noysome night aire , came to our doore hauing his head full of dewe , and his Cant. 5. 2. lockes full of the droppes of the night ? which is more , such was his loue and liking of vs , that for to saue our life hee would die a cursed death : The last wordes of your complaint are that yee are one who is vnworthie to bee loued .

* I had rather heare a sinner calling himselfe wretched and vnworthie with the Publican , than boasting Luk. 18. 13 of his worthinesse with the Pharisee : * * Note The swelled hydropie words of thankesgiuing that we are not lik other men , are a sure toking of a deadlie & incurable disease : Man naturallie goeth about to lessen & impaire his faultes , yea , often rather than he will cry guiltie hee will fasten his follie by consequent vpon his Maker : Adam said , The woman which thou gauest me , G●…n. 3. 12 gaue me of the tree , & made me to eate : * * Note Many are caried down the muddie streame of ouerweening their owne worth . Our greatest worthinesse is in the sense of our own vnworthinesse , and in the seeking of Christs worthinesse : * * Note That man is worthie before God , who findeth himselfe vnable to doe that which is worthie , and vnwilling to doe that which is vnworthie : * * Note The verie strife and battell betweene grace and nature in theregenerat , is a victorie in Gods eyes : A broken imperfection , if it be sincere without guile , is put vp in his merciful count book , for a perfection indeed , such is the mercie of God , while we mislike our selues : * * Note These were the wisest words of Agur , in Gods account , Prou. 30. 2 when hee said , I am more fool●…sh than any man : S. Paul was neuer more dearelie beloued of God , as when hee hating himselfe called himselfe the first of sinners : * * Note Cast your eyes off your selfe , and looke vnto God your strength & your stay : Prou. ●…8 , 10 The Name of the Lord is a strong towre the righteous runneth into it , & is safe .

The sicke Man .

O that I could practise your precepts ! O that my God would inspire mee with such a blessed and liuelie vigour of his Spirite , that might quicken my Soule to euerlasting life ! O that it would please my God , stronglie to refresh mee with the comfort of his countenance ! But alas , out of this most filthy puddle of my heart arise such filthie vapours which so ouer-cloud the Sunne of righteousnesse , that I am Mal. 4. 2. not able to behold his face : while he did shine vpon mee , his most bright and vnspotted beames were fullie darkened : * * Note The more the heate of his word did beate vpon mee , the more my conuersation became stinking and loathsome like a carion cast out before the Sunne , this I cannot denie , at the rememberance thereof I finde my selfe charged afresh vpon the Conscience with terrours and vexations : O the dead slubber of securitie , wherein I haue sleept vnto this houre ! my custome euer was to post ouer my sinnes , in the lump with a generall slumbert confession .

There is nothing within me but matter of feare , I feele my faith fainting , I feare my sinnes , I feare the wrath of God , I feare the force of Sathan , the king of feare : * * Note I may be well bee called that which Ieremie called Pashur , viz. Magor-missabib , Ier. 20 ▪ 3. that is , Feare round about , yea , I not onelie feare , but I feele a fearefull wrath : * * Note My stubburnesse and stonie heart hath brought vpon my Soule Gods brasen hands : * * Note Now is hee doing to mee that which of olde hee threatned against these that were like mee , If yee walke stubbornlie Liuit . 26. 27 against mee , I will walke stubbornlie with you : In my youth I was guided by the guise of times , my delight was to goe with the droue , now I am lost , beeing cold dead frozen in the dregges of my vncleannesse .

The Pastour .

The force of temptation wringeth such words out of you , as thogh yee had none hope at all : * * Note Your Soule Sir , is like the Moone into an ecclipse : * * Note There bee darknesse and changing of collours for a time , because your sinnes like an earth come betweene you and the beames of Christ , the Sunne of righteousnesse : * * Note I haue seene the Moone in her ecclipse for a space as though shee had not beene at all into the heauens , but as shee darkened by little and little , so after the greatest darknesse was past , the light returned by degrees .

Despaire not Sir , of an infinite mercie , let not your heart be wasted with wearinesse : Though the earth of your sinnes which in comparison of Gods mercie is but a point , ouershadow the Soule for a space , while it is in this low region , the time shall come that God shall mount your Soule aboue the circle of the Starres wherevnto the shadow of such an earth is not able to attaine : * * Note Thogh God for a space walke stubbornlie with you , hee is not stubborn : When yee shall beginne to walke humblie Micah . 6. 8 with your God , God shall walke no more stubbornlie with you , but shall deliuer you from all your feares : Build your selfe vpon your holie Faith . Iud. v. 20

The sicke Man .

I may well say with Iob , My stroke Iob. 13. 2. is heauier than my groning : Whereon can my Faith lay hold ? * * Note God is armed with wrath , and Sathan is armed with despight : * * Note I see nothing for the present but blowes and bloody battels , most dreadfull feares teare in pieces mine heart strings , & sucke out the inmost of mine heart blood .

The Pastour .

Though there be many aduersaries , yet Christ is with you : * * Note Make all your boast of him who is the Captaine of your Saluation : Hee hath Heb. 2. 20 winne the field , he hath tread vnder foote principalities and powers , and hath ledde Captiuitie captiue : * * Note Hee Eph. 4. 8. whose Faith is founded vpon him , shall neuer bee confounded : * * Note His fresh bleeding wounds are euer filled with compassions : * Though God by our sinnes bee moued to shew some wrath , heere is our great comfort , There is no condemnation Rom. 8. 1. to these that are in Christ : Belieue yee not the Scriptures ? I know yee belieue : If Christ bee with vs , who shall bee against vs ? * * Note These who thinke that their sinnes ouer-reach Gods mercie , make the Centre to compasse about the Circumference : Though hee should receiue a world of sinners in the bosome of his mercie , it will not for that bee the more streightned : O the vnspeakeable compasse of Gods compassions .

The sicke Man .

I doubt not of the infinite compasse of his mercie , but whether or not he will shew that mercie to such sinners as I am , this often troubleth my darkned and droopping Soule .

The Pastour .

* * Note To shew mercie to most mise rable persons , is most familiar to Gods Nature : * Hee neuer executeth judgement till we egge him and inforce him vnto : * * Note For this cause , where he punisheth , hee is said , To 〈◊〉 . 28. 2●… doc his worke , his strange worke , and to bring to passe his act , his strange act : Hee hath sworne by his life , that he taketh no delight in our death : * * Note Our God is not rigorous against these that would faine doe well : No not , but lik as a father that pittieth his children , Psal. 103. 13. 14. so the Lord pittieth them that feare him , for hee knoweth our frame , hee remembreth that wee are but dust : * * Note Our God will not exact strictlie a perfection in the life of his Children : * * Note If wee haue an affection to doe well , though wee cannot affect it , hee will accept it : * * Note A godlie Father hath said well concerning this , Deus magis delectatur affectu quam effectu , that is ▪ God is more pleased with the affection of a man than with the effect it selfe : * * Note Christ thought more of the poore womans mites , than of rich mens millions , and Luk. 21. 2. that all because of her good affection : Well is the Soule in whose bosome it lodgeth .

The sicke Man .

* * Note But the good affection must euer bee followed with some effect : * Mine heart hath beene nothing but a filthie puddle , a false Fox hole : The more I dig into this dung hill I am the more confounded : O what a jewell is a good Conscience co●…ered vp into the heart of a Christian ! It is like a precious pearle in a Ring : I am ashamed to come into Gods presence while I looke vpon my sinnes .

The Pastour .

Shall the sicke man bee ashamed to lay out his sores to a secret and wise Surgeon : * * Note It is good to think shame of sinne before wee doe it , for to abstaine from it : It is also good to think shame of it after it is done , for to repent vs of it : But wee must neuer thinke shame to confesse it : * * Note This is the craft of Sathan , hee ta keth away shame from man at the commission of sinne , and restoreth it againe to man at the confession of sinne . * * Note That which hee hath once taken away from a man by forged cauillation like Zacheus , he ▪ though in a worse sense , refloreth him fourefold : * * Note A wicked man after that he hath sinned , hath fourefold more shame to confesse his sinne before a Congregation , which indeed , should bee his honour ; tha●… hee had at the committing of sinne the onelie cause of shame : * * Note If hee had beene as ashamed to commit sin priuilie , as hee is ashamed to confesse it publicklie , he had neuer taken pleasure into sinne .

* * Note Men of widest Consciences whose hearts are s●…uft and engrossed with wickednes , will often I confesse seeme shame ▪ f●…st before men : * * Note In the presence of a carnall●… eye , they will straine the g●…ate like ●…e Maidens , which cannot eate at Table where they are seene , their throat is so narrow , that hardlie can any meate passe ouer , quasi vero : O but in secret greatest gluttons , deuouring blacke bread embrued with yesterdayes broth .

* * Note Shee that but pitissat sippes before the Sober can skip at the scols with her Commers , till shee bee sicke with healths .

Euen so it is of such sinners , most modest they are & shamefast while they are seene : The gnate of a light vaine word they cannot digest if men haue heard it , but in the meane time in the polluted thoughts of their prophane hearts , they are filthy Iud. v. 8. dreamers , & if secret occasion serue ; without shame of God they will swallow Camels , making no bones : * * Note Though their sinne bee neuer so huge in greatnesse , euen Adulterie , the wracke of most famous Families , if they can straine and passe it with a close conueyance , their heart will say of it as Lot said of Bela , Is it not a Gen. 19. 20 little one ? * * Note Well is that Soule which while it is tempted to sinne , hath euer an eye vpon its God , saying with Ioseph , Now behold , my God seeth mee , and hee is a witnesse of this my doing : How then can I doe this Gen. 39 9. great wickednesse and sin against God ?

As for that yee say now that yee are ashamed to come before God , while yee looke vpon your sinnes : It is good sir that ye think shame to come into Gods presence , because of your sinne , but thinke not shame in Gods presence to confesse your sin : * * Note Sin whether secret or confessed is euill , but the confession of sin is euer good , Gods word is true , If wee confesse our sinnes , hee is faithfull Ioh. ●… . ●… . and just to forgiue vs our sinnes , and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse : * * Note Trust in God , Sir , relye vpon his mercifull bowels , who out of his great compassions hath said , I haue Iob. 33. 24 receiued a ransome : God loueth those that are feelinglie affected , & wakened out of the slumber of Conscience .

The sicke Man .

But thinke yee verilie that God will bee mercifull to mee ? whose Soule hath beene but a soile for weedes .

The Pastour .

* * Note I thinke that yee your selfe should thinke none otherwise : A good man , saith Solomon , is mercifull Prou. 12. 10 to his beast : * * Note It is a beastlie thing for a man , to thinke that God will not bee more mercifull to his Soule , than any man can bee to his beast : * * Note God was more offended at Cain for despairing Gen. 4. 13 of his mercie , than for killing of his brother : * * Note Iudas kindled Matth. 27. ●… . more Gods wrath for the desperate hanging of himselfe ▪ than for the betraying of his Lord that was hanged by his treason : * * Note Hee who offered his mouth to receiue a kisse from Matth. 26. 49 that Treatour , had neuer refused him mercie , if hee had sought it with a repenting heart : Because prophane Ahab had but a shew or ●… King . 21. 27. outward scroofe of repentance , hauing Sackcloth neerest his skinne , the Lord spaired him all his dayes , to let men see what he will doe to true repentance , seeing hee is so gracious vnto that which is but an outward likenesse thereof .

* * Note There is no sinne that offendeth God more highlie as distrust : * * Note Here is the great injurie of doubt or despaire , it maketh the sinne of a little Grashopper to ouer-reach the infinite mercie of the most High , as though man a little clat of clay , could bee more sinfull , than that infinite Majestie can bee mercifull : Happie is that Soule which God hath singled out in time for to make it loath its best loued pleasures : God delighteth to take vp a seat in a bruissed heart , sorrow beaten for displeasing of its God .

Take a good heart , Sir , yee haue to doe with a God , whose Name and Nature is mercie , a God whose mercie Psal. 10●… . 4. is great aboue the Heauens , yea , and ouer all his workes : * * Note That which Psal. 145. 9 ouer reacheth all Gods workes , may easilie ouertoppe all your sins & iniquities : * * Note God will haue man with his narrow bowels of mercie to forgiue his brother seuen times in a day , if hee shall returne seuen times in a day , Luk. 17. 4 saying , It repenteth mee : * * Note If God requireth such mercie of man whose bowels in the widest are not of a span breadth , what shall hee doe , whose compassions are rouled together into bowels broader than the Sea , yea , wider than the heauens ? If ye can repent Sir , God can forgiue : When man ceaseth to spurne , God beginneth to spare .

The sicke Man .

I take God to witnesse , that I am sorie for my sinnes , and so ashamed ▪ that with the Publicane I cannot lift Luk. 18. 13 vp mine eyes to the heauens : * * Note I would be content to kisse the ground a thousand times for to get but one kisse of the feete of him , who is the on●… lie helpe of the conscience , and the health of the countenance : I finde myselfe deepe to the Chine in a gulfe of miserie : Tell mee truelie Sir , I pray you : Thinkeyee that if with a mourning heart I confesse my sinnes to God , that hee will haue pittie of me ? I am sore perplexed , the deepe thoughts of mine owne guiltinesse strike men with such a set silence that I am not able to vtter my griefe : My feare is that I bee of the familie of hell , an haire of horrour and vtter woe . Be free with mee , I pray you , Thinkeyee th●…t such an hord of miserie as mine can euer meete with his mercie .

The Pastour .

* * Note It is great ignorance Sir , to thinke that anie miserie of man can ouer reach the infinite power of his pitie , and boundlesse compasse of his compassions : It were more easie to turne the Sunne from his course , than God from shewing mercie to repenting sinners , both his Name and Nature is mercie : See wee not out of what myres of miserie Gods mercie hath deliuered repenting sinners : * * Note In Scripture wee may read long Catologes of pardoning sinnes : Consider well I pray you , thinke deepelie vpon the mercies of your God : * * Note Look well what hee hath done to others : Could the adulterie of a a 2 Sam. 11 4. Dauid , the incest of b b Gen. 19. 33 Lot , the drunkennesse of c c Gen. 9. 21 Noah , the murther of d d Gen. 34. 25. Simeon & Leui , the persecutions of e e Act. 8. 3. Paul , the perjurie of f f Matth. 26 74. Peter , or any other like sinne hinder God to be mercifull to the●… so soone as they repented ? * Wherefore wereall these pardons printed into God ; Booke , but for to tell all ages that no man were hee neuer so sinfull ▪ should despaire of the mercie Ezek. 33 : 11. of his God : As I liue , saith the Lord , take no delight into the death of sinners ▪ but rather that they should repent and liue : These bee his owne words : If words beare no weight ▪ behold effects , God hath so loued the world , Ioh. 3. 16. that hee hath giuen his onelie Sonne , that whosoeuer belieueth in him , should not perish , but haue euerlasting life : * * Note This is not a verball loue when a man giueth his best beloued for to die for another : * * Note God hath not spared his onelie Sonne , that by his satisfying sufferings , his Iustice beeing payed , hee might shew mercie to man his poore vnworthie creature , not onelie the Father hath loued the world , but also the Sonne out of vnspeakable loue was as desirous to die for man , as the Father was to send him : This out of his owne mouth hee declared that no loue could ouer-reach his loue , No Ioh. 15. 13. man , said hee , hath greater loue than this , than when a man layeth downe his life for his friend : * * Note The highest of mans loue is to die for his friend : * * Note But Christs loue was greater , hee died for vs euen when wee were his enemies : * * Note In another point , behold the loue , of Christ scarselie , saith the Apostle ▪ for a righteous man wil one die , Rom. 5. 7. ●… . yet per aduenture for a good man some would euen dare to die : But God commendeth his loue towardes vs , in that , while wee were yet sinners , Christ died for vs : * * Note Who shall doubt of this loue which the Lord hath registred on earth with the dearest blood of his onelie begotten Sonne ? * * Note There is such a loue in the Father , and such a loue in the Sonne , and such a loue in the holie Ghost toward the Saluation of man , that all the heauens are filled with loue of our well , so that at the conuersion of one sinner Luk. 15. 7. on earth , there is more joy among the Saints and Angels , than for fourescore and ninteene righteous who neede not repentance .

* If Sir , yee would haue the heauens to rejoyce , cast your selfe into the armes of your God , with these words , Lord , doe with mee what thou wilt , though thou shuld slay me , yet will I true in thee : If yee would see the picture of Gods mercy , ye must draw aside the curtaine of all carnall surmises .

The sicke Man .

Oh , that I might cast my Soule into his Armes ! But how can I doe this ? The Lord hath turned his backe on mee , shall I cast my selfe Heb. 1●… . 29. into a consuming fire ? At the first sight of his angry face my Soule will die for feare .

The Pastour .

Men often are deceiued : So soone as Manoah had seene the Angel , hee Iudg ▪ 13. 22 ▪ said , to his wife , Wee shall surelie die , because wee haue seene God : But his wife answered more wiselie , If the Lord were pleased to kill vs , hee vers. 22. would not haue receiued a sacrifice from vs : As shee said to him , so say I to you , If the Lord were pleased to kill you , hee would not haue giuen his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you : * I is a greater loue token , that God hath giuen his Sonne in a Sacrifice for you , than that hee should receiue any sacrifice from you

It is the Apostles argument ▪ that since God hath giuen vnto vs his owne Sonne , hee will not refuse vs any other thing that may doe vs good , Christ alone is the sinners refuge , hee is a Rocke of comfort which cannot bee shaken , a Rocke which commandeth all seas of sorrows the pole of our peace . Be earnest in prayer with God , cry till he hea●…e .

The sicke Man .

I am wearied with crying to God , Psal. 22. 2. my prayers may be called , The voyce of my roaring : But what shall I say ? I cry , but there is none that maketh answere , God hath couered himselfe with a cloude , that my prayers should not passe thorow , hee hath stopped his eares that my prayer should not bee heard ▪ This is a most fearefull blast and blow in his bloo die battell .

The Pastour .

Deceiue not your selfe , often our prayer framed and followed by the Spirit of grace is heard , though the fense of grant bee not yet brought to vs : God for causes will let a time goe betweene , seeking and finding : Dan. 9. 23. After this the Angel spake vnto ▪ Daniel . At the beginning of thy prayer God heard thee , and now I am come to tell thee : * * Note See how a space will interceede betweene Gods hearing of mans prayer , and mans knowledge that God hath heard him . Though yee as yet know not whither God hath heard you or not , yee must not infer that God hath not heard you at all : * * Note Waite on a little with Daniel , till God thinke it time to send you a Messenger for to tell you that he hath heard you , yea , that hee heard you at the beginning of your prayer : till th●…s Messenger come , depend whollie vpon Christs good will : Let all your trust bee in him , who is your most faithfull Aduocate for to plead your cause : * * Note Hee will bee a Guide to all these that seeke him : and a light to all these that see him , and life to all these that loue him : Though a Mother should forget her Isa. 4●… . 15 Childe , the Lord will not forget his owne , whom hee hath printed vpon the palmes of his hands : Many Mothers thinke it enough to beare and bring foorth their Children , that done , they send them out a fostering vnto others : * * Note ▪ But Christ not onelie is as a Mother beareth and bringeth vs foorth by the second birth , but also feedeth and fostereth vs vpon his owne breasts as a louing Osea . 1●… . 3 Nurse , I haue , said he , caried Ephraim as a Nurse in mine armes : * * Note Bee of good comfort Sir , let the joye of Christ rellish all your sorrowes , hee was the man of griefe , that he might Isa. 53. 3. bring joye to the world , he was beaten with stripes , that of his stripes hee might make physicke for sicke Soules , by his stripes wee haue health : * * Note In a word his flesh was pierced and bored that in these holes there might bee a Citie of refuge for sinfull Soules , pursued with the tempest of Gods wrath , the auenger : * * Note Woe to him that maketh an idole of his own sufficiencie , as the Thunder chieflie beateth the highest steeple heades so doeth the fire of Gods wrath strike at the hight and top of proudest spirites .

The Sicke Man .

By the most part of your speach Sir , I thinke that your chiefe comfortes against Death and all other troubles , are grounded vpon Christs Blood and his wounds ▪

The Pastour .

That which I say Sir ▪ is true : * * Note When as all things will forsake vs & fall from vs , Christ will sticke & stand fast by vs , that I speak truelie , I darre be answereable for it in the presence of my God : * * Note As yee must one day make a reckoning to God , of that which yee heare , so must I that selfe same day giue an account of that which I teach : My Sermons must be read before him that sent mee to preach , for he will know how I haue fedde his Lambes : * If I build vpon Note Christ the fundamentall Stone , the perles and precious Stones of Christes 1 Cor. 3. 21 passions , I shall get a reward : But if I builde vpon him Stubble , Hay , or vers. 14 Wood : Because I holde fast the foundation , he will saue my Soule , when hee shall trye my Doctrine with the fire and light of his word : But because I builded vpon him the combustible light Stubble and Hay of humane words , of wordlie eloquence , I shall bee saued verie hardlie , as by the fire of great affliction : * * Note For this cause knowing the great danger , I wish that all my comforts to you and all others bee onelie of Christ , who is both our suretie and our Sauiour : * * Note Hee in loue swallowed the bitter pill of death , the cure of all our diseases : After that , for our cause his face had beene couered for our blasphemous , spittle & his backe battered with bruises , hee continued in his loue , and for our cause would bee hanged vpon that stinking l●…ll Mount Caluarie , suffering a death which God had blasted with a curse .

* * Note I will tell you plainlie , Sir , that there is no meditation so comfortable to a wearied Soule , as that which is concerning the bleeding wounds of Iesus , the vanquisher of hell : * * Note His wounds are as many windowes wherethrow wee may see the vnspeakeable aboundance of our Lords loue .

* * Note Let men runne from East to West , from South to North , they shall finde no place of auoydance from the fie●…ie wrath , but onelie into these his woundes , which well may bee called , The refuge or Sanctuarie of a troubled Soule . Heere is libertie for a Soule that is enfolded into the snares of Gods judgements : * * Note Heere is a hiding place against the euill day : Heere is the hole of the Rock the window of the Arke where Exod. 33. 22. Gen. 8. 9. poore Soules like Doues , that can finde no footing , may enter in : * Heere is a Citie of refuge for chaissed sinners : The people that dwell Isa ▪ 33. 24 therein shall bee forgiuen their iniquitie : There bee wide boundes within the compasse of his compassions . Seeing Christ is such an One , runne and hie you as fast as yee can vnto this Rocke of refuge : * * Note Hee who shall bee founded thereon , shall neuer be confounded : * * Note Take vp all the matter in a word , the righteousnesse of Christ Iesus purchased vnto vs by his Blood , is the onelie cure and couer of our sinnes : * * Note All other things are but like fig-leaues too short and thinne a couer , like these cutted coats of Dauids seruants , which couered 2 Sam. 10. 4. not their buttockes .

* * Note How darreanie rotten stinking attainted flesh attempt to attribute anie worth vnto it selfe , in the atchieuement of that Pearle & peerelesse work of mans Saluation , wherof Christ Iesus is the only Author & actor .

Manie who would seeme in this world to carie away the Garland of godlinesse , are hanged in this snare : Away with such a pang of pride and eleuation of Spirit .

The sicke Man .

I see now Sir , that Christ is onelie the Salue which is able to heale the sores of the Soule , the blisters and bitinges of our Conscience : I see that his Blood is the onelie liquour of that Fountaine of Dauid for sinne and vncleannesse : * * Note But I Ezech. 33. 1. am so defiled with wilfull wallowing in the puddle of sinne , that hardlie thinke I that euer hee will daine to looke vpon such a bemired Dogge as I am , who haue followed the swing and the sway of the most filthie : Of mee it is written , Let him that is filthie bee filthie still .

The Pastour .

Let not that discourage you : * Yee cannot bee ignorant in what estate he found his Church : At the first before hee maried her , he found her in her first birth , a cast away , a bloodie brood , a misshapen creature , with a long Nauell vncut , vnsalted ; Ezek. 16. 5 and not swadled , lying in the open field to the lothing of her person in the day shee was borne : Yet all that made not him to loth her : * * Note But after that by two commands of life , he had bidden her , Liue liue , whereby she got vers. 6. strength , hee decked her , and sware vnto her , and entered into couenant with her and shee became His : Behold and wonder at the loue of our Lord , the Spouse of our Soules : * * Note All our filthie and bloodie deformities could not scarre him from the loue of our Soules : If any bee defiled with sinne and vncleannesse , let them come to him , who will not refuse to wash them : Hee is the onelie lauer of the Church : * * Note There is nothing pure , but that which he hath purged : It is he alone who hath repaired all our ruines : Listen vnto his voyce , crying to all sorrow beaten sinners , Come vnto mee .

Thinke often vpon this , Sir , if ye desire comfortes in your distresse : * * Note The great worke of mans redemption finished by the Blood & death of God , is a worke worthie of continuall wondering : As for the work of the Creation , it cost the Lord but his Will and his Word : * * Note But the worke of mans redemption was a costlie worke , it was chargeable to God , it cost him the best thing that hee could giue , euen the lif of his Loue , our Lord : * * Note O what a mercie ! O what a liuelie Loue ! The meditation of this worke should worke in our heart a louing compulsion and a compelling loue : * * Note The thought of this made S. Paul to say , The loue 2 Cor. 5. 14 of Christ constraineth mee : * * Note What shall a Christian man feare , hauing Christ his Brother to bee both his Aduocat and his Iudge , his Suretie and his Sauiour ? * * Note Was not his blessed Bodie displayed abroad vpon the Crosse , with his armes spred , a crying jesture , a jesture crying with a voyce , Come vnto mee all ye that are Matth. 11. 28 leadened and wearied ? * * Note Oh , that we were sicke for the loue of him , who died for the loue of vs ! * * Note Oh that we were wounded with loue , when wee remember his precious wounds , from which gushed out the streames of our Saluation : * * Note Flee Sir , to the holes of this Rocke , flee to the bores of his woundes , runne not with Adam vnto the shrubbes for to hide your selfe from God , heere is your hiding place in the Lords deepest wounds : * * Note Hee is the fortresse of your Faith , our strength and our stay , the onelie helpe and ground of all our hopes , our warrantable justice : Hee onelie is the bodie of all spirituall comfort ▪ all other things were they neuer so specious , are but shew and resemblance : Shroud your selfe vnder his protection , and throw no more your selfe vpon temptations , whereby ye may bee disabled from manfullie fighting out the good fight , followed with a Crowne , filled with massines of glorie .

The sicke Man .

Now well is me that euer I heard tell of Christ : Blessed bee the day the Sonne of God was borne : But alas , where are the holes of that Rocke , where my wearied Soule may enter in ?

The Pastour .

Lift vp your lumpish thoughtes , seek first to the naile holes in his feet beginne humblie , creepe in into these lowest wounds , and there for a space settle your abode , kisse his sacred Feete , wash them with the true teares of repentance , wype them with the haires of your head , from thence looke vp , and come to the naile holes of his Hands : * * Note Bee busie there like a Bee , sucke out of them the Honey of Heauen , from thence goe to the Speare hole in his side : * * Note Let your Soule sit downe there , and croud like a Doue , euer till Christ let it in into the hole of the Rock , the place of its euerlasting rest : * * Note If once the faithfull Soule Christs Turtle win in into the fortresse of his woundes , from thence it will boast all the enemies of its Saluation : From thence wil it cry to the flesh , crouch : There it careth not for the Serpents hissing , nor for the Cockatrices denne , Isa. 11. 8. nor for the Graues gaping , nor for Deathes dungeon , nor for the Popes Purgatorie , his pardons , his dirges , and his Trentals , which bring fatte morsels to Baals Priestes : Christ is mine , will hee say , Hee is to mee aduantage both in death and life : * * Note As Gen. 8. 9. the Doue found no footing till shee came to the Arke , so the Soule can find no rest , till it come to Christ : I●… euer totters , til it leane vpon his Loue . Happie is the Soule that is secured with the seale & secret impression of Gods fauour .

The sicke Man .

If I had faith , to belieue , all wold be wel : I acknowledg that there is sufficient helpe in Iesus , but such a helpe is only for these that are strong in faith , my faith is both faint & fecklesse .

The Pastour .

Christ hath said plainelie , that he wil not quench the smoking flax : S. Peter was Isa. 42. 3. not a man of strong faith , when he began to sink down into the Sea : Said Matth. 14. 31 not Christ vnto him , Thou man of little Faith ▪ why hast thou doubted ? * * Note Hee reproued him for the weaknes therof , but cast him not off for the littlenes thereof .

The sicke Man .

That was another matter : Christ was with him , Christ took him by the hand : * Ther was vertue in the grip of Christs hand , as was in the hem of his garment Luk. ●… . 44 while it was touched : Such a weake Faith as mine cannot mount vp so high as that it may reach vnto Christ into the heauens .

The Pastour .

Though your faith bee weake , and Christ also bee absent in bodie , yet bee not for that disquieted : he is present in his God-head : As for the weaknesse of your faith , pray God to strengthen and increase your faith : * * Note Faith though little , is of great force , a graine of it is able Matth. 17. 20 to remoue Mountaines , and cast them into the Sea .

I pray your Sir , to intreat God for a fixed heart , for as I perceiue , endlesse are the mazes of Sathans circular temptations , which vnavoidablie , if they bee not barred out by grace , wind themselues into mans heart with a slie and craftie insinuation .

The sicke Man .

O man of little faith that I am , if I had Faith , I would belieue that I had it , if I had Faith , I am perswaded that I should haue Peace : Being Rom. 5. 1. justified by Faith , wee haue Peace towardes God : That Peace I seeke , and cannot finde : These troubles wherewith I am tossed plainly argue that my Faith is failed .

The Pastour .

I answere , that who euer are justified by Faith , they also haue peace toward God , though such a Peace bee not euer felt : That which a man feeleth not , is not euer absent : * * Note A man in a trance knoweth not that he liueth , and yet hee is not altogether depriued of life : The tree seemeth to be dead in time of Snow and frost , and yet it hath life , and sappe at the roote : These then that are justified by Faith , haue Peace , but their peace is not euer sensible , but often is disturbed with fearefull temptations .

The sicke Man .

I desire to know of you what is that yee properlie call the peace of Conscience .

The Pastour .

I take the qualmes of Conscience chieflie to proceede from a sense of Gods wrath kindled for some sins of commission or omission : * * Note Sathan also with his billowes bloweth at this fire , yea , often while God is pacified , he assaulteth the sillie Soule with false feares and counterfeit alarums .

* * Note Nowe when by the vertue of Christs intercession the fire of Gods wrath is quenched , the Conscience of man beginneth to settle and growe calme , and in stead of accusing vs any further , it beginneth to excuse and acquite vs before the Tribunall of our God : * * Note Vpon this doeth ensue a pleasant calmenes , quietnesse and rest , in the Soule of a sinner .

Though this Peace bee sore enuied and often troubled by Sathans railing and ●…aging , yet the Soule hauing peace with God , is at last after a litle space made free of all its fear●… , & is made sensible of that truce & atonement , euen of that Peace which passeth all vnderstanding . Philip. 4. 7

The sicke Man .

I would earnestlie learne of you how a man whose Conscience is troubled , may recouer that Peace which once hee had .

The Pastour .

The best methode I know , is that a man ripe first vp his Conscience , and spy what mot of sinne is fallen into his Conscience , which is the eye of the Soule : * * Note The eye beeing hurt will water & powre out teares , so must the Conscience bee sore grieued for offending of God : Secondlie , out of this griefe it must sigh before the Lord in feruant prayer , first , for forgiuenesse chieflie of that sinne , which lyeth heauiest vpon the heart : Thirdlie and last of all , the Soule must sute earnestly for the restoring of that joye .

After this manner Dauid did proceede in that penetentiall Psalme : First of all , he was exceedinglie grieued , which griefe did burst out in wordes watered with teares , Haue Psal. 5●… . 1 mercie , vpon mee , O God , according to thy louing kindnesse , &c. Thus after hee had cryed for to bee washen , & purged with Hysope , hee cryed that vers. 7. God would restore vnto him the joys vers , 12. of his Saluation : Aboue all thinges let such a person bee often groaning to God in prayer , for to catch some blinke of Gods reconcealed face in Iesus his bloodie woundes : * * Note That blood of sprinkling is the onelie Salue for the sores of the Soule . To all this let not these helpes bee neglected , viz. that such troubled Soules make vse of good Bookes , by whose helpe their deuotion may bee roused vp , for to remember the dayes of olde : * * Note My chiefe counsell is that such persons fixe stedfastlie the eye of their Faith vpon Iesus bleeding on the Crosse , wherevpon hee payed our ransome , and triumphed ouer all the enemies of our Saluation : This is the trueth whereof Israel had the typ in the brasen Serpent , which healed al the be holders : My counsell also is , that such troubled persons frequent the Sermons of powerfull Preachers , and seeke conference with them , whom God hath stamped with a powerfull gift of Teaching and integritie of life , men who haue had great experience in the wayes of God , and who haue smarted themselues at other times by such fearefull nipping checks , men who are not ignorant of the Deuils deuices .

It is said of Christ himselfe , the Orient and Day-spring , That in all Luk. ●… . 78. Heb. 2. 17 things it behoued him to bee made like vnto his Brethren , that hee might bee a mercifull and faithfull high Priest in things pertaining to God , to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people : For vers. 18. in that he himselfe hath suffered , being tempted , hee is able to succour them that are tempted . See how it behoued Christ himselfe for to suffer temptation , that hee might bee able to succour vs in our temptations .

While the troubled sinner is in doing all these dueties , he must carefullie watch ouer all his wayes , that by no sin either in thought , word , or deede hee grieue the Spirit of God againe : For a new sinne thrust vpon the hearte , will make all the closed woundes of the Conscience to gap and to bleed afresh : A Soule that is become relaps shall finde God harder , to bee intreated , than of before , not without much adoe shall it get peace , that after by any knowne sin it hath quarrelled againe the Spirit of comfort .

But indeede , hee or shee whose Conscience hath beene once well lashed with Gods whip , and battered with his blowes , had rather run throw a fire , than anger the Lord againe : At the first appearance of a temptation they will start for feare , and with a sigh will cry to God with a trembling voyce , O my God , how should I thinke this wickednesse , let bee to doe it ? Who knoweth the power of thy wrath ? According to thy Psal. 90. 11 feare so is thine anger .

* * Note Too too many in this Nation affect this sicknesse of Conscience , as beeing onelie the disease of the holiest : This they will vtter as ye would thinke with bleeding groanes before men ; while indeede they are but scorning the world ▪ sporting wantons , laughing vnder a painted maske of miserie : Their teares are praeficarum lachrymae , teares without trouble , water sold for the wind of mans praise : They are spots in the Church , which make the wayes of God to bee euill spoken of , such open a wide doore vnto Atheisme .

The sicke Man .

Fye vpon hypocrisie , God will not bee scorned , there is nothing so secret but at last it shall bee made manifest : I am assured , that who for to ca●…ch mens applauses , faine a mourning for their sinnes , the Lord shall suffer them to fall either in some scandalous sinne , or other fearefull inconuenient , whereby they shal be forced in earnest to mourne to their shame : In my judgment there is no such bitter and comfortlesse mourning as is that of these for their manifested sinnes , who once did most faine deepe groanes for catching of applauses .

The Pastour .

To such may well bee applyed that of the Prophet , Thine owne wickednesse Ier. 2. 19. shall correct thee , & thy back-slydings shall reproue thee , know therefore and see , that it is an euill thing and bitter , that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God , and that my feare is not in thee , saith the Lord God of Hostes.

Let no man sport in secret sinnes , were it in a thought , for that which Eccles. 10. 20. hath wings will declare the matter .

The sicke Man .

I haue often beene seeking out the reason wherefore the wicked in the world for the most part , know not what trouble of Conscience meaneth : What thinke yee ?

The Pastour ▪

Their heauen is on earth : Dauid seeing their peace and prosperitie , did beare them at enuie , yea , so that his feete were almost gone : They are not in trouble , said hee ▪ in trouble like Psal. 73. 5. other men , neither are they plagued like other men , &c. Euen at their death he could perceiue no bands of any vehement paines , after that the whole space of their life , they had enjoyed morethan their heart could wish :

* * Note How euer it bee that they prosper in this world , yet certainlie if a man will goe and seeke God in his Sanctuarie , there hee shall tell him vers. 18. that hee hath sette them in slipperie places , and that when hee awaketh , vers. 20. hee shall despise their image : There is a hell for them after the heauen of this earth .

The sicke Man .

I would gladlie bee instructed of you , that I might discerne betweene the true solide Peace of conscience which the godlie enjoye , and that senslesse benummednes of the wicked , wherein they beeing deceiued , cry , Peace , peace , euen while God is 1 Thess. 5. 3. putting the fierie lunt vnto the mosine of their sudden destruction . Let mee heare of the peace both of the one and other . I thinke all men should studie to marke the difference .

The Pastour .

The Reprobates who haue their portion in this life , will seeme indeede to haue that true Peace of Conscience , because nothing within troubleth them : * * Note Their peace indeede is nothing but a dead benum nednesse of spirit , their Conscience beeing Seared , is not capable of feeling .

I shall giue you two speciall marks whereby yee shall discerne a true Peace and quietnesse of Conscience from the dead benummednes which the wicked haue .

First , a Conscience which hath Gods Peace is awfull of sinne , wittinglie and willinglie for a world it would not despite the Spirite of grace : * * Note But the wicked who is in a false peace , flitteth from sinns to sinne , as a Flie from scab to scab , laying all his burden securelie vpon the broad shoulders of Gods mercie .

Secondlie , the seared dead Conscience of the wicked hath but a part of that which is called Peace : Their heartes will bee senslesse of all euill , they will haue no warre within , no sorrow is there : * * Note But as they haue no spirituall sorrow for their sinnes committed , neither haue they anie spirituall joye for the sense of their sinnes remitted .

Heere then know the true Peace of God in the Conscience : * * Note The vnspeakable griefe for sinne is asswaged , the fearefull qualmes are calmed , the raging and roaring tempests are allayed , the swelling seas are fallen and ebbed , God is come in the calme , not onelie for to wype away the teares of sorrow from their eyes but also for to fill their mouthes with laughters of joye : * * Note So not onely are they voyd at last of the sense of most terrible horrors , but they are sensible of a joye which will make them to daunce with Dauid before the Arke , yea , to laude the Lord at a Stake , amidst tarrie poudered flames of fire . This is that continuall feaste which cheareth the godlie Soule amidst the bloodie bickerings of Sathan , and burning persecutions of mercilesse missacrours .

Let all men try their Peace at this Touchstone , if not onely they finde their former paines lessened , but also a joye in GOD , whereby their Soule is feasted with such contentment , that for all the gold of Ophir they wold not losse it , their estat is doubtlesse happie : * * Note Who euer hee be that findeth this , hee may sing to GOD , Glorie be to God in the highest heauens , peace on earth , and toward my Soule good will .

The sicke Man .

Blessed be God who hath inlightened your eyes for the spying out of that remarkable difference betweene the true and false peace of mens Conscience : Ineuer heard it so clearelie discussed .

* * Note O but Sathan is euer busie to mar this Peace of the godly , who wil not war & wage battel vnder his colours . I haue seen these who are now godlie before their conuersion to be verie vaine , light , and wanton sinners , while they thus did runne ryote in sinne with the wicked world , I haue seene them most mirrie and solacious companie , I often wondered to see them dance and sing , roare & reuell : I could see no bands of sorrowes in their life : They neuer complained of Satans malice against them .

* * Note But so soone as once they beganne to loue the Preaching of the Worde , and to loath the carnall pleasures which once they loued , I haue seene them againe so courbed downe with griefe and mainelie crossed , as though it had no more beene they : Sathan letteth them nor rest , neither night nor day .

The Pastour .

In that is no wonder , Sathan will bee verie loath to trouble his owne : So soone as hee hath lulled them asleepe into the credle of securitie , he will bee verie carefull that none waken them : Out of a counterfeit loue hee will adjure the watch-men , by the Roes and by the Hindes , that they Can. 2. 7. waken not his beloued , till he please : * * Note Hee will say of him , as Christes Disciples said of Lazarus , but in another sense , If hee sleepe , hee shall doe Ioh. 11. 12 well ▪ See how carefull Sathan is for the rest of his owne , lest that being wakned , they runne away from him : * * Note This Christ himselfe in the dayes of his flesh made cleare by a similitude , When said hee , a strong man armed keepeth his Palace , his goods are in peace .

* * Note So long as Sathan like a strong armed man keepeth the palace of a wicked mans heart his alone , so that none bee welcome but hee , hee will let that man bee , lest that by troubling and disquieting his peace , hee grow sorie and mislike his seruice : But if once hee perceiue the Soule to shrinke , seeking an occation to bee quite of him , hee will put all the powers of hell in armes and vproare , and will driue furiouslie 2 King . 9. 20 lik Iehu for to regaine it againe , into his kingdome : * * Note While a Theefe or a murtherer is in the stockes fast in fetters , the Iaylor will bee merrie , and will sing besides him , as though hee were his friend , but if the most secret houre of the night hee heare him knocking off his bolts , and perceiue him to haue escaped , hee will waken all the citie , and pursew him with ▪ hue and with cryes : * * Note Sathan is like the Iaylor , a peaceable spirit so long as the Soule is fast in his fetters and clogged with his bolts in a deepe dungeon : * * Note But if once hee perceiue that the Spirit of Iesus hath , as the Angel did to Peter in the prison , smot him on the side and raised him vp , making all his chaines to fall from him , and that the man ariseth vp quicklie , and girdeth himselfe , and bindeth on his Sandales , and casteth his garment about him as Peter did , for to runne and follow his God , it is a wonder how that cruell Spirit will roare ▪ and rage like a Beare Prou. 17. 12 bereeued of her whelpes : If hee gette a grippe of the poore man , hee will cause him roare with gasping groans , till God come with an helping hand .

The sicke Man .

Indeede Sir , yee by your both plaine and learned discourse haue dispelled the mist of many difficulties .

The last difficultie wherein my Soule did sticke as yee may remember , was concerning my Faith , which I concluded not to bee , because I had no peace of Conscience , This did marre and deface all my comforts : My ground was from the Apostle , whose wordes are , That beeing justified by Faith , we haue peace Rom. 5. 1 toward God : I haue heard you declare that a man may haue Faith & yet for some space not to bee sensible of that peace .

O my God , let thy mercie be closelie applyed to my Soule , strengthen my Faith , that I may grippe and apprehend it with a sure and euerlasting hold : Oh that my soule might lye downe in that peace that passeth all vnderstanding : I am sore troubled with a weake and wauering heart , which is yet tossed , and swayed to and fro with doubts and difficulties lik a feather in the wind .

Alas , Sir , I complaine of the weakenesse of my Faith : That Faith must be strong , which is able to draw downe Saluation from the heauens , and batter downe strong holds and ouerthrow principalities and powers , and conqueare , and subdue , tame , represse , and repell our strongest corruptions .

Let mee see I pray you any partiticulare example of a weake Faith , wherby any at any time haue beene saued ▪ by the Light of Gods word dispell this mist of ignorance : Make mee free of this shrewd temptation .

The Pastour .

That of Peter in the New-Testament Matth. 14. 31 is remarkable : Christ himselfe called him , A man of little Faith , and yet who doubteth of his Saluation ? The other example in the Old-Testament was in type and figure , when the Israelites were biten with the fierie Serpents , their onelie remeed was Numb. 21 9. to looke vp to the brasen Serpent : All this was a type and figure of a Soule wounded with sinne , looking vp vnto Christ with the eye of Faith : * * Note Now it is certaine , that some in Israel were bleared , and some of a weaker sight than others , but the weaknesse of their sight could not hinder the cure , nay , the olde man with his dimmed eyes beholding as thorow a mist that type of Christ was as soone and soundlie cured , as hee whose eyes were in their greatest vigour : * * Note The meate taken with a paralitick & trembling hand will not refuse nourishment to the bodie , no more than if it were taken with a strong and stable arme : * * Note Faith is the eye of the Soule whereof the Israelites eyes were but a figure : Christ is the trueth of the brasen Serpent : * * Note Though this eye bee dimmer into some , yet if it see , that sight is Saluation : Faith is the hand of the Soule , Christ is the foode ▪ Though this Faith tremble , Christ trembleth not , the palsie is not in the foode .

Bee of good courage , Sir , feare not this trembling feare , the work of Saluation cannot bee wrought , but with feare and trembling : Though ye Psal. 6. 5. feare , yet despaire not , there is me●…cie with God in a vnspeakable measure : * * Note In one Psalme it is said , againe and againe , vnto sixe and twentie times , that his mercie endureth for Psal. 136. euer .

This mercie I confesse , is whiles concealed from the godlie , for ends best knowne vnto their heauenly Father : * * Note Who is he that often shall not spie at diuerse times his minde to bee dulled or ouer-cast with some cloud of Milancholie : * * Note While this humour domineeres , Sathan maketh choise of it , for therein to set a seate for grimme and grieuous temptations . * * Note While he perceiueth the bodie to bee troubled and distempered ▪ hee quicklie afresh representeth vnto the veiw of our Soule the greatest & most greiuous sins of our vnregeneration , and that into their fullest and foulest shape : By this meanes deepe gashes and wide gappes are made in mens Conscience .

Bee strong in God , Sir , saue his honour , by putting your trust in him : * * Note Shall Gods word cry to man , sixe and twentie times , that hee is a mercifull God ; & shall man doubt of such a mercie ? If such mercies were but for some dayes , ●…nners might thinke that in some dismall dayes of the yeare mercy by no meanes could bee found ? But behold , the musicall twne of Gods mercie , is vpon an euerlasting Note for his mercie endureth Psal. 13●… . for euer .

Hee who doubteth of Gods fauour after so manie testimonies may prouoke the Lord against himselfe : * * Note Moses by his doubting at Meribah , made the Lords wrath to waxe hote against him : While hee should haue spoken to the Rocke he scourged Numb. 20 8. the Rocke more with these wordes of doubt , shal we cause water come foorth ▪ vers. 10. than he did with the Rod : That Rock was Christ : Moses while by doubting hee scourged the Rocke , hee scourged Christ , for that Rocke was 1 Cor. 10. 4. Christ : Who would euer haue thought that Moses with his Law Rod would haue scourged Christ the substance both of Law and Gospel ?

Who euer hee bee that doubteth thinking that God either cannot , nor will not bee mercifull vnto him , so farre as in him is hee scourgeth the Lord Iesus , as these who by their euill life are said to crucifie to themselues Heb. 6. 6. the Sonne of God afresh , and to put him to an open shame .

Beleeue & be saued : God is both mild and mercifull : Is not his Command directeth vnto man that hee shew mercie with chearefulnesse ? Is he Rom. 12. 8 not called the Father of mercies ? Is it 2 Cor. 1. 3 not written , that hee is a God rich in Ephes. 2. 4 mercie ? O these bleeding bowels of compassions ▪ What said hee at last , while hee saw the great affliction of Ephraim ? How , said hee ▪ shall I giue Hos. 11. 8. thee vp , Ephraim ? How shall I deliuer the Israel ? How shall I make thee as Admah ? How shall I set thee as Zeboim ? After these foure , How , how , how , how , Mercie in a manner did turne about h●…s heart with such a force , that hee cryed out , Mine heart is turned within mee , my repentinges are kindled together : If mercie be not in his diuine breast , where shall it be found ?

The sicke Man .

All that yee haue said , Sir , concerning the mercy of God in Christ belongeth on lie to repenting sinners , who haue bewailed the errours of their life , but not to such a varnished hypocrit as I am , who haue remained fast rooted in the rottenesse of must filthie corruptions , which I had neuer care to curbe or controle .

My secret sinnes like a consuming canker , haue freted out the verie heart of Grace : * * Note From my Youth I haue wandered from the way of happinesse , and haue beene like an idle Begger in the way readie to goe which way so euer the staffe fell .

My greatest feare now is , that I haue too long delayed the day of my repentance , what know I if God will forgiue a man so grieuous sinnes not repented of , till hee come to his death-bed ? * * Note Hardlie can I think that in so short a time a man can bind vp friendshippe with his God , with whom hee hath beene at feede his whole life time .

O mercifull God , melt my marble heart : Put into my breast the precious pearle of Faith : O that with vnspeakable groanes of griefe for my By past euill spent life , I might redeeme the time which I haue so lauishlie mispent : Oh , that the moisture of my body were all melted into teares , if therby I culd be perswaded that my sillie Soule were alreadie vtterly out of the reach of all the powers of Hell : I haue too long most vainelie sported my selfe in Mesech , and ruffled in the tents of Kedar : * * Note If I had not so long delayed to returne to my God , my Soule alreadie in hope should be feasting vpon the joyes of eternitie .

The Pastour .

* * Note Indeede Sir , it is a verie dangerous thing for to delay repentance to the last gaspe , or to one Gods mercie , as many doe , who neuer lay downe the weapons of rebellion , till they can sinne no more .

Oh , that men would vnderstand their danger ! * * Note Are not our enemies both strong and neare ? Hannibal ad portas , the Deuill is at the doore : * * Note But such is the madnesse of many , were their Soules neuer so soiled with sinne , that if once they can get out but these few wordes , God bee mercifull to mee , they thinke that they shall be in heauen before their feete bee colde : Such men thinke that in death it is easie to consure the Deuill with a word .

It is but folie to put Saluation vpon such hap-hazard as many doe : * * Note But yet yee must know that hee that made the Time , will not bee subject vnto Time , the King of Time is Eternall : GOD is eternall , and hath all Times at his command : * * Note There is no Time that can hinder him to bee mercifull to a sinner , at whatsoeuer time he sha●…l repent : * * Note For this cause Christ for to let the world see that hee can forgiue when a sinner can repent , hee took from the Crosse the Soule of a condemned Theefe , and after that hee had absolued it , hee carried it to Paradise : God hath Luk. 23. 43. said , That at whatsoeuer time a sinner shall repent , that hee will put away his wickednesse out of his rememberance .

Fra once hee hath said the word ▪ hee cannot take his word againe : He is constant in all his wayes , and therfore neuer saith and vnsaith one thing : Hath he said , & shall hee not doe Numb. 23 19. it : * * Note If yee can but waite a little ▪ ye shall finde all the fiercenesse of his fur●…e to bee turned into the fulnesse of his fauour : * Hee who shall seeke him earnestlie , shall not receiue an emptie answere : There is mercie in heauen , for an hell of conscience vpon earth : Cast all your cares aside , cast your selfe into the armes of your God : Cast thy burden vpon the Lord , Psal. 55. 22 and hee shall sustaine thee : Be strong in the Faith of God : In hope belieue Rom. 4. 18 against hope , though for a space your Spirit bee distempered , yet still relye vpon the mercie of your God : Goe not off this , that the Blood of Iesus was shed for you , & that Christ hath payed your ransome : What euer Sathan by his temptations suggest vnto you , belieue him not : Take my counsell I pray you , Sir , that I speak the trueth , heere I darre take it vpon my Soules Saluation .

The sicke Man .

I thank God from mine heart , that euer I heard you , your words are ful of comfort : O how indebted am I to the mercy of my God , who hath vnlocked the bowels of his loue towards me At our first meeting I found my selfe inuolued with much miserie and mischief but since I haue heard you , I finde , I blesse God , some stirring of God , Spirit within mine heart , mine heart before this time hath beene lik that Altar at Athens , wherin was ingrauen in great Letters , TO THE VNKNOWNE GOD : I heard often Act ▪ 17. 23 of God , but I neuer knew him truelie vntill now : This is the infancie of my regeneration : I haue beene too long a stranger from so good a God : My Soule now rejoyceth after many toes and froes : * * Note I finde mine heart loosed from the cartropes of my sinnes , and linked vnto my Sauiour with stronger chaines than of before : There bee better motions within , than euer I did feele before this houre .

O thou who is Loue , let my Soule 1 Ioh , 4. 8 bee possest of a sound and constant loue to thy most mercifull Majestie : Bring my Soule from the shadow of Matth. 4. 16 death to the light of thy countenance , O Lord , my strength and my Psal. 19. 14 Redeemer .

O Lord of Hostes , giue me strength Isa. 1. 9. and courage to fight out this Christian 1 Pet. 5. 4 fight , whereof the victorie is glorious , and the reward a Crowne of immortalitie : Inspire mine heart with the life of Grace : * * Note If thy care had not hitherto preserued my Spirit , my Soule had long since bene drowned in a sea of sin and sorrow : There haue bene such lecks , into mine heart that except the Lord in time had pumped it with repentance , my Soule long since had made ship-wracke of 1 Tim. 1. 19 Faith .

O how much am I beholden to my God , who hath taken longer day with mee , than within any others , from whom before they were prouided , hee hath demanded his due : Blessed bee my God , who hath made mee free from the frenzie of Spirite , by appearing vnto mee in a greater calme : The feeling of his wrath past , I hope shall be a sauce for to sharpen my blunted loue towardes him in all times to come , with vndaunted constancie .

I perceiue nowe that the day is darkened , and that the night approcheth : Oh , that I might continue conference with you , but least I should wearie you , from the best of my bowels my deare Pastour I bidde you farewell .

I looke to morrow for a new conference , for with many difficulties mine heart is yet troubled and tossed : I requeast you before yee goe , to helpe mee with your prayers .

The Pastour .

I blesse God , who hath begunne to intermingle the sweete honey of some comfortes with the bitter gall of painefull temptations : * * Note GOD who hath begunne to make you his his Prentice in Grace , shall an one mak you a free man in Glorie : * * Note As Ministers must first sit at Gamaleels feete for to learne , before they sit in Moses chaire for to teach , so must Christians first bee humbled with temptations on earth , before they bee honoured with exaltations into the Heauens .

* * Note Well is the man that is truelie humbled by GOD , and made a foole in his owne eyes ; for hee which thinketh himselfe wise , is a foole , ipso facto : * * Note All naturall wisedome without Spirituall humilitie is like ouernights Manna which did no good , but mould and fust : God by diuers temptations , first carnall and after spirituall , hath besieged the corruptions of your nature , and hath battered downe the strong holds and fortified Castles of your imaginations and reasoning the high thinges which exalt themselues against the knowledge of GOD : Before hee leaue you , hee shall bring into Captiuitie 2 Cor. 10. 5 euerie thought of your heart to the obedience of Christ : According to your desire wee shall bend our knees to GOD in prayer , that yee may spell his loue out of such a Fatherlie correction , and learne in time to stay your selfe vpon his kindnesse and good will .

A Prayer for the sicke Man .

O LORD , of Mercie , whose bowels are turned within thee , when thou beholdest the griefe of the godlie ; Bee heere present for the reliefe of this thy poore distressed Seruant : His eyes are stedfastlie fixed vpon Thee , as Psal. 123. 2 the eyes of the hand maide are fixed vpon the hands of her Mistresse .

Behold , LORD , and heare his amazed broken heart , braying after Psal. 42. 1 thee as an Hart panting after the Riuers of waters : Pitie this sillie Soule which is like the drye ground gaping for droppes of Raine .

Oh , LORD , his strength is d●…yed vp like a Pot shard , his tongue cleaueth vnto his jawes , and thou hast brought him into the dust of death : Let the sweetest comfortes of thy bleeding bowels bee powred into his broken heart : Make the joyfull Light of thy countenance breake foorth vpon his drooping and cloudie Conscience : O strengthen his sillie Soule in this heauie houre : Pacifie the pangs of his remorse , that hee may laye holde vpon the merits and mercies of thy Sonne IESVS .

Come gracious GOD , with thy strength for his succour : Sathan a most bitter enemie , hath besieged his Soule with most fearefull temptations . There is no mischiefe which could bee deuised , but hee hath m●…stered it and set it in battell arraye against him : While hee had health and youth , this enemie was the chiefe entiser of him vnto sinne , by bearing him in hand , that it was an easie thing after many sinfull pleasures , enjoyed to returne vnto God , whose fauour and kindnesse might bee procured by and by without anie labour .

But now , Father , while he seeth his day declining & the Sun of his life neare its setting , of an Entiser hee is become an Accuser , striuing by all meanes to cause him make shipwrack vpon the bankes of despare : Night and day hee vexeth and teareth his Soule by whispering into his eare most impudent lyes against thy Trueth , viz. That hee is so miserable , that thou art not able to be mercifull vnto him : He suggesteth most craftily that it is in vaine for him to sue to thee for thy grace , that there is none hope of mercie left for such a sinner , that there is none accesse vnto the Throne of Grace , for the prayers of Heb. 4. 16. such a miserable wretch ; and that it is no purpose for him to pray .

But what ? LORD , thou who art Trueth it selfe , wilt thou suffer this father of lyes to trouble still thy Seruant ? Ioh. 8. 44 Wilt thou heareanie longer thine infinite mercie thus reproached and reuiled , as though thou were not able to pa●…don the faultes of thine owne poore creature ? What is that to say but that God shall cease to be that God whose mercie is aboue all his workes ?

O LORD , most mercifull , can the sinfull scarlet rednesse , and the Crimsin colour of mans corruptions bee ●…o dyed that it cannot bee washen away with the Blood of thy Lambe ? O seale vp the sense of thy loue in his heart , make thy Spirit to whisper in his eare , that mercie is with thee , that thou may bee both feared and loued .

Shall anie thing . LORD , withhold the heart broken sinner from Heb. 4. 16. the Throne of Grace ? Is not this the voyce of thy Spirit , Come vnto Matth. 11. 28. mee all ye that are wearied and ladened with sinned ? Is not thy promise written in thy Booke , that thou wilt ease them ?

O most louing Father , euen in despite of Sathan , and his most despitfull suggestions , make his Soule bolde and confident , that it may aduenture it selfe to the mercifull Throne of thy Grace : Cleare and cleanse his eyes from the Spirituall goare of sin , that with Simeon he may Luk. 2. 30. 31 see thy Saluation , which thou hast prepared before the face of all people .

O deare IESVS , deliuer his Darling from the power of the Dogge : Incline thine eares and heare the grieuous groanes of this poore prisoner : Make him a prisoner of hope : Turne thee now about and refresh his wearied heart with a blinke of thy mercie : Shew him the light of thy Countenance , and hee shall bee saued : Enlarge his heart , that thy Graces finding a spacious roome ; may plentifully harbour in his soule .

Alas , LORD , what shall we say ? if thou shalt say to him , I haue no delight in thee : Behold , heere hee is , doe to him as shall seeme good in thine owne eyes .

Thou hast not forgotten , neither can thou forgette , but that thy delight is in mercie : Where sinne doeth abound , shall not there thy Grace abound much more ? Thou , LORD , hast often bathed this sillie Soule in most bitter brimie teares : Thou hast hid thy selfe from it , and it hath beene troubled : Now amid the vexations of so many temptations , blinke vpon him with a reconcealed face .

O GOD of Battels , in this Bartell of the Soule send downe thy strength for to guarde him against the assaultes of Satan , who pursueth him so eagerly with most sharpe and fearefull af●…aultes , like a Dogge hunting after a sillie straggling sheepe . Though for a space thou suffer him to bee buffeted with a messenger of Sathan , yet let him know that thy Grace shall bee sufficient for him : Let 2 〈◊〉 . 12. 7. thy right hand hold him vp , and let thy gentlenesse make him great : Renew his heart with the power of thy Spirit , & reinuest him with the image of thine holinesse , which once hee lost in Adam : Cast his Spirit againe in thine owne mou●…d .

At last , LORD , put Sathan to silence , let thine owne Spirit speake vnto this Sicke in his inward partes : Say vnto his Soule , I am thy Saluation : Make thy good Spirit of comfort to whisper in his eare , that thou a●…t well pleased , and that thou hast receiued a ransome : Such wordes of mercie will bee a blessed Balme●… , wherby thou shalt heale this sorrow beaten Soule , stung with a checke and smart for his sinnes .

Though . LORD , hee hath but some poore beginnings of Grace in a time wee confesse when thy graces in him should haue beene ripe ; for that glorie which is now shortly to bee reuealed vnto him ; yet notwithstanding , let it please thee of thy meere mercie to pittie and ●…don : Remember thy mercies of old which were neuer wont to break the bruised reede , nor to quench the smoaking Isa. 42. 3. flaxe : If thy great mercie be not his strength and stay , he must needs bee ouercome : For whom hath hee Psal. 73. 25 in Heauen but thee ? Or who is on earth whom hee can desire besides thee ?

O Thou , whom his Soule loueth , tell him where thou makest thy flock to rest at Noone in the greatest heate Cant. 1. 7 of affliction : Seeing he seeketh after thee onelie , let him bee refreshed with thy comforts ; for why should he turne aside by the flockes of thy companions ?

Consider well wee pray thee , LORD , how bene he hath vexed and d squieted with many fearfull temptations : now at last come with thine helping hand , come and abate the force and furie of all his enemies , whether within or without , subdue their raging and reigning power , that when the houre of his departing shall come , hee may with Simeon depart in peace : Stand , LORD , fast by him , forsake him not in this perelous time : Let thy Spirit guide and leade him in the Land of righteousnesse : Let thy grace be vnto him a Sunne by day & a Moone by night : Take all impedimentes out of the way , bridle & so curbe all his vnrulie affections , that they may fold vnder thine obedience : Suppresse all his carcing & heart deuiding cares , whyp out of his heart all treacherous temptations : Embalme his hearte with the sweetnesse of thy new fresh graces : Settle in his Soule , that godlie sorrow which cause Repentance neuer to bee repented of .

This sillie Soule , LORD , hath beene fearefullie tossed to and froe with the waues of thy wrath : Let it please thee to command a calme : Settle thou his heart , and stablish it with thy free Spirit . Psal. 51. 12

Mercifull GOD , thou knoweth how Sathan hath sought to sift and Luk. 22. 31. to winnow him ; but of thy mercie thou shalt neuer suffer his Faith to faile : Build vpon the Rocke which cannot bee shaken : Through thy fauour giue him peace in belieuing , and joye in the holy Ghost , that by the grace and power of thy Spirit hee may finish his course with comfort .

Let in now be made manifest that his life hath beene hid with Christ in God : Thou who hast numbered his Col. 3. 3. haires , obserue his griefe & his groans , pittie the crouding of thy Turtle-Doue : Tak thou to heart the anguish of his Spirit .

Behold , LORD , how hee renounceth himselfe , desparing of his owne worth : Giue him grace to flee to thy promises , that as in the fearefull and perelous path of this val●…y of death , he looketh for nothing but hell torments and paine for his owne sake , so he may assuredlie look for heauens glorie , euen pleasures for Psal. 16. 11 euermore , and that for thy promise sake , for thy Names sake for thy Christs sake in whom thy Soule is best pleased : Mak the bones which thou hast brused to rejoyce : Leaue him neuer to himselfe , LORD , till thou hast made thy graces now blooming in his heart , to become type for thy glorie .

LORD , blesse thy beloued Church which is hated of the world , Shee is now pricked with persecutions as a Lillie among the thornes : Let this Cant. 2. 2 comfort Her in all Her distresses that thou shalt neuer forsake Her : But that thorow many tribulations thou shall bring Her vnto Glorie : Lord , pitie & pardon the vnthankful Church of this Land : Bind Her vnto Thee by the vnion of Faith , and fasten euerie one of our heartes to another by the bond of loue ; left at last by our misdemeanour , thou bee forced to roote vs out of thy good Land as a fruitlesse Nation .

GOD bee gracious to our dread SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie , gard His Royall Person from the rage of His enemies . Infatuate their plots : Mak giddy their braines , discouer their enterprises : mak Him the Man of thy right Hand : Anoint His Head with the blessed drops of the Oyle of thy Grace & gladnesse : Make Him an humble Homager to IESVS , who hath written on His thigh the King of kings : LORD giue Him Grace according to His Place Psal. 45 10

Say vnto His Queene , Hearken , O Daughter , & consider & incline thy eare : Mak her to forget her own people , & Fathers House : In stead of Her old acquaintance , giue her Children , whom thou mayest make Princes on the Earth : Aboue all thinges we intreate Thee to discharge vpon Her Soule the beames and brightnesse of sauing Knowledge .

Blesse all the Nobilitie of this Land : Make them truelie Noble Act. ●…711 . like the men of Berea , who were couragious for the Trueth .

Make euerie one of vs faithfull in our place & calling : keep our Soules euer waking & waiting for thycomming : Preserue vs from slumber of Conscience , & deadnesse of heart , that liuing according to thy law , we may be in this wicked world godlie professours , like burning & shining Lampes for to shew light vnto others .

We all heere , O gracious Father , relying vpon thy promised readines to helpe thy little Ones , and to listen to their cryes , haue powred out our Soules in thy presence , wee intreate The from the sinceritie of our inward partes , that of thy Fatherlie indulgence , it would please Thee to vouchsaf a fauourable audience both to these and to all other our most humble and godlie desires , and that for IESVS thy deare Sonnes sake . To whom with Thee and the Spirit of Grace bee all glorie and honour , world without end . AMEN .

Cause read vnto you this Night , Psalme 38. Psal. 39. Psal 40 Psal. 41. Psal. 42. Psal. 130. Isa. 38. Isa. 53. Iohn 16.

Let the end of euerie day remember you of the ende of your life : Thogh euerie day of ourage should Ioshu. 10 ▪ 12 be as long as that day of Ioshuah , when at his word the Sunne stood still in Gibeon , yet it would be night at last .

The Lord teach vs to number our Psal. 90. 12 dayes , that wee may apply our hearts to wisedome , and to well doing .

The grace of Iesus and the peace of his Spirit rest with you , and comfort you in all the groanes of your griefe : The Lord turne your smoking flax into a burning fire of zeale : The God of all mercie and compassion refresh your weake and wounded heart with the softest o●…le of his sauing grace : Nothing Sir is vnpossible to your God , who of a brui . sed Reede can make a pillar of Brasse , which the prince of the powers of darknesse shall not be able to shake : I intreat the Lord to giue you such Grace that may leade you vnto the face and presence of your GOD : Bee more and more earnest with your GOD , that hee would inspire your heart with Life , Spirite , and motion , that thereby yee may bee made fitte for that blessed association with Sainctes and Angels , far from the crossing checkes of Conscience .

THE FOVRTH DAYES Conference . The Pastour .

ACcording to your desire , Sir , I am come againe this morning for to visite you , and for also to reape the fruites of yesterdayes conference .

This is the sweete fruits of a godlie Prou. 14. 32 life , It hath , saith Solomon , hope in the end : I pray God to blesse you with such an hope , whereby in hope against hope , yee may cleaue fast vnto Rom. 4. 18 your God , finde yee the storme of your temptations alayed ? hath the Spirit of God giuen edge and vigour to these comfortes which yee heard yesterday ? Haue yee put on a Christian courage with a resolute and contented patience to abid the blessed will of your God ?

The sicke Man .

Well is the man and blessed , yea , thrise blessed is hee whose transgressions Psal. 32 , 1 is forgiuen , whose sinne is couered , for hee is free from that sting of Conscience that will for euer torment the Soule of the vngodlie .

All this night I haue beene sore cumbered with manie spirituall temptations as yee haue heard : My Soule for a space hath beene wonderfully perplexed : The spirit of man alas , is but too ingenious to debar it selfe from glorie : * * Note It is a wonder how this shuld be in such a glorious Noonetyde of the Gospel hitherto , Glorie bee to God , yee haue comforted mee much ; ye haue handled my sores with the soft and smooth hand of a most wise and charitable discretion , wiselie haue yee singled out comfortes most expedient for the cure of my Soule : Now seeing by your former discourse I haue reaped comfort , let mee bee so bold as to intreate you to declare breaflie how a man may know by the workings of the Spirit within , whether he be a Reprobate or one of Gods chosen Ones : * * Note It is no time for me now to bee beguiled : Men which looke to die , haue neede to looke well what they doe .

I desire earnestlie to be instructed touching the diuerse workinges of the Spirit into the wicked and the godlie : My chiefe desire is to make my Saluation sure .

The Pastour ,

I shall doe what I can to giue you contentment in that point . The matter indeede is not without difficultie : But yet the Lord God will doe Amos. 3. 7 nothing which hee will not reueale vnto his seruants the Prophets , so farre as is needfull for his glorie & the well of his People : Mine helpe is in the Name of the Lord , that made Heauen Psal. 124. 8 and Earth .

The Spirit of God in man hath two sortes of operations : One generall another speciall : As for the generall common to all men , by the Spirit the wicked will say , Iesus is the Lord , I know Iesus . said the Deuill to the Act. 19. 15 sonnes of Sceuah : * By this Spirite also the wicked will refraine from outward scandals yea , they may preach , yea , prophecie with Saul , Cajaphas , and Iudas , so that they will 1 Sam. 10 11 bee wondered at , like Soul among the Prophets , or lik Simon magus , to whom Act. 8. 10. the world for a space gaue heede from the least to the greatest , saying , This man is the great power of God : Manie hauing but this superficiall glistering of grace applaud and content themselues thinking that they are wise , while they indeede are fooles .

By this Spirit also they will taste the good gift of God but an one they spite it out againe : * Meate tasted in the mouth onelie , and not let downe to bee digested in the stomacke , is vnprofitable for nourishment .

* * Note By this same Spirit also they will bee inlightened , so that they will loue the deare Sainctes of God , and will reuerence them as King Herod Matth. 14. 3 did Iohn : * * Note But heere is their stay , they haue euer an Herodias , which they will not forsake : Some one reigning sinne or other like pestilent canker cleaueth fast vnto them and beareth rule into their mortall bodies : Either one sinne or other , secret or publicke must be their Darling : * * Note And this againe , like a mother , sinne must haue a dancing daughter , called , Hatered of reproue , whose chiefest sute is , that the preacher , were he an Iohn , either want the head , or else bee silenced .

This is the verie border of the wicked mans progresse with all his might and maine in the way to glorie : Further I cannot see that hee can winne but onelie to a taste in the mouth of the goodnesse of Gods giftes and to a certaine or rather incertaine , liking of that which is good , which at last shall losse the head with the Baptiste , before hee losse his pleasures with Herod : Thus as ye see manie are deceiued with the false flashes of an euil grounded assurance , that they are in the readie and right way to Heauen , when as indeede they are but faggots prepared for euer lasting burnings .

The sicke Man .

There bee one passage in Scripture which hath often affrighted my Soule , in it I see a Reprobate to ma●… such a progresse in the way to Hearen , that hardlie can I thinke that euer I did match him : * * Note The Apostle saith , 1. That hee will bee inlightened . Heb. 6. 4. 2. That hee will taste of the heauenlie gift . 3. That he will be made partaker of the holie Ghost . 4. That hee will taste the good word of GOD. 5. That he will taste the powers of the world to come : And yet for all that hee shall fall away , so that hee can not bee renewed by Repentance , and so shall die a Reprobate , and last after death , shall bee caried with the wicked into the same streame , till he fall downe into the gulfe and poole of perdition .

I intreat you Sir , to giue mee some light for the clearing of these wordes , for often haue they troubled my Soule , and dryuine it deepe into the dumps , * At the first view of these wordes it would seeme that a man may get seisin of Heauen , and yet thereafter bee diss●…ised by some sinnes and iniquities and depriued of all hope of eternitie .

The Pastour .

The Lord inlighten my mislie minde that I may cleare these your doubts to your well and contentment .

I confesse that at the first sight of these words I my selfe was amazed ; so that I did wonder how all that could bee : Indeede at the first view as ye say , it would seeme that a man may get seisin of Heauen and yet thereafter bee diss●…ised by one sinne or other , whereby all his former vert●…es shall losse their grace : * * Note But let a man lift vp his heart to God in prayer , and thereafter consider well the words and weigh them in the Ballance of the Sanctuarie , hee shall easilie perceiue that a Reprobate may bee endewed with all these giftes , and after all bee debarred from entering into glorie .

In the words ye haue obserued fiue difficulties , vnto which God willing I shall make answere seuerallie . First of all , it is said that the Reprobate who is but a Bellie blind , will bee inlightened : For to stand vnder this , yee must first consider that into that place of Scripture the Apostle speaketh of Apostats , that is , of men that haue forsaken the true Religion , which once they did professe , for to become professors of lyes , men who haue reuolted from the Trueth after that the windowes of their Soule were shute close , for to barreout the Light and that willinglie and of set purpose .

* * Note First then it is said , That they were inlightned , that is , once they knew the Trueth : For knowledge is light : * * Note But because that hauing light , they wanted loue , God sent them strong delusions to belieue lyes : * * Note S. Paul speaking of these that had but the light of nature , the twilight of reason , said , That they were inlightened in such a sort that thereby they knew God . But because that when they knew God , they Rom. 1. 21 glorified him not as God , neither were thankefull , but became vaine in their imaginations , how grieuous was their punishment ? * * Note A little after , both their sinne and their punishment is more plainely ser downe : Euen , sainth hee , as they did not like to retaine God vers. 28. in their knowledge , God gaue them ouer in a Reprobate minde : * * Note That is , hee put out and quenshed that little light of Nature which once they Matth. 16. 28 had , as hee tooke the Talent from the idle man that rolled it vp into a napkin : * * Note The greater that light bee within a man if it be abused , the greater is the punishment which is for to ensue : But to come to that Light wherewith a Reprobate brought vp in the Church may be inlightened : * * Note The Light of knowledge within a man who hath not the loue of the Trueth , is but like the light of a blazing Comet , which shortlie dyeth out , and filleth the world with a pestiferous stinke : * * Note An Apostate on earth is lik a Comet in the heauens , a star but in appearance : Such men with all their apparent eminences of zeale and dazeling shewes bee but blazing starres , such as the Dragon is said to sweepe downe with his taile . * S. Iude calleth them wandering Iud. v. 13. starres , they keepe not their Station ,

* * Note They are Planets in their motion ▪ and Comets in their substance , not fixed in the heauens , but kindled meteores in the aire which seeme to bee in the heauens , and therefore they losse at last their light , so that as S. Iude saith , To them is reserued blacknesse of darknesse : Such may haue the spirit of illumination , for the good of others , without the Spirit of Sanctification for the good of their own Soules . * * Note Though they haue some light of knowledge , yet in loue and life they walke by the darke side of the cloude with the Egyptians : * * Note There is Loue and Light in the life of all true Israelites , ▪ whose course is by the light side of the fierie Pillar : * * Note The wicked for the most parte are with the Sodomites , either stricken with Gen. 19. 11 blindnesse , or if they see , they see as these Syrians saw that came to apprehend 2 Kin. 6. 19 Elishah at Dothan , they saw indeede , but their judgement was so troubled , that though they saw , yet they could not perceiue , till out of Dothan they were entered into Samariah , the citie of their enemies : * * Note That was the figure whereof this is the substance , Heare yee indeede , but Isa. 6. 9. vnderstand not , and see yee indeede , but perceiue not : O how the eyes of the Soule of man are dimmed with the mistie vapours of vanitie ; thorow which it is hard euen for the godlie often to see anie glimmerings of grace .

But to the purpose obserue well what I say : * * Note The godlie and the wicked will both be inlightned : But the godlie is inlightned like a starre fixed into the heauens , whose light is firme and constant . But the wicked inlightned is but lik a blazing Comet , which for a space will haue a greater glaunce , than a true starre into the eyes of the ignorants : * * Note But the learned Philosopher knoweth it to bee nothing but a bundle of filthie matter kindled into the Aire , which shall shortlie bee quenched : * * Note Thus as ye see the wicked like a Comet will bee kindled with some strange fire , hee will bee so inlightened , that he will giue light ▪ vnto others for a space with his hoarie beames : * * Note But this Siella crinita , hoarie starre , because hee is not fixed into the heauens by faith , hee not beeing in the same Firmament with the Sunne of Mal. 4. 3. righteousnesse , within some fewe Moneths hee dyeth out , leauing nothing behind him but the pestiferous smoke and stinke of an euill name , and of filthie scandales , a cause pest , where ▪ with many are infected : * * Note Thus as yee see many like a Comet or a Candle , will for a time blaze with beautiefull brightnesse , beeing full of godlie shewes , without any life of grace , but at last dye out with a filthie smell : The twilight of Nature is no light but darkenesse .

* * Note Let therefore euerie man trie his Light , by his loue : * * Note Though a man should know Christ neuer so well , if hee cannot say to him , as Peter said , Lord , thou knowest that I loue Ioh. 21. 17 Thee , the light of that man shall not continue , but soone or since with one sinne or other it shall be put out as with a dampe : * * Note Then many shall wonder what can bee worde of such a blazing professour , when they shall see all his rootlesse graces withered and wasted .

Now Sir , examine well your selfe : * * Note If yee finde a loue in your hearte with your light , a loue of God , not so much for his benefites as for himselfe , who is most loue worthie , be not affrighted to heare that Reprobates may bee inlightened : * * Note All their graces at the best are rootlesse , glorious glances , foolish flashes euanishing in a moment .

Let mee yet a little illustrate the matter , that it may appeare how Reprobates are said to bee inlightened ?

The Godlie & the Reprobates are both said to bee inlightened , but diuerslie : the Godlie are inlightened like the Sun , but the wicked are like the Moone : In the Sunne as all know the Light , is rooted and fixed , so that not onelie doeth it shew light vnto others , but also it hath light within it selfe : * * Note As for the Wicked , they are inlightened like the Moone , which sheweth light vnto others beeing darke within , like a Glasse which in the sight of the Sunne will glance with some beames , vnto others hàuing no light within it selfe : * * Note In this the wicked also are like the Moone , that while they are in plenilunio , in their fullest light , in the midst appeareth some blacke spottes : In the greatest light of the wicked , if men can looke vp , and behold , they shall perceiue often one grosse sinne or other , where the light haue no reflexe , which is like the blacke spot of the Moone .

Thus as yee see all the light of the Wicked , is but in an outward reflexe , whileas they are darke within : But the Godlie are like Iohn the Baptist , whom Christ called a burning and a shinning light : Not onlie Ioh. 5. 35 shine they outwardlie vnto others , but also they burne within themselues , like these Disciples , whose heartes while Christ spake , did burne within Luk. 24. 32. them in going to Emaus , these were their words , Did not our hearts burne within vs , while hee talked with vs by the way ?

* * Note The Wicked may well blaze without , but neuer burne within : God may so dispence , that like a burning Glasse they may make others to burne , while like the burning Glasse they remaine themselues cold , or at the best but lake warme : Now I thinke that all men may easilie perceiue how the wicked are said to bee inlightened .

Such men I confesse are hard to bee knowne at the first : * * Note A man at least for a month must be acquanted with the Moone before he can know that it is but a dark bodie , which hath no light in it selfe , but borrowed and outward : A life-time is not often sufficient for to trye Hypocrites transformed , like Sathan , into Angels 2 Cor. 11. 14 of light : Such Moon-men beguile many with outward reflexes .

Though these which are outwardlie adorned with such colours , blesse themselues with Laodicea , as hauing Reuel. 3. 14 neede of nothing , yet their sins by the hand of Gods Iustice are written in the Register of their Conscience , yea , deepelie ingrauen as with the penne of a Dyamond .

Thus Reprobates cannot now vnderstand because their Conscience●… are seared & sensles : they are in such a Slumber & benummednes of Conscience , that they cannot consider nor make a sound search into the state of their Soules : * * Note Nay , though they could , they would not for feare , that there by they should bee enchained to melancholie , a marr mirth of all their carnall delights .

* * Note Of such I will say some-thing , ( I pray God that it may chasse them to seeke sinceritie ) Except that such who care onelie for colours & shews of godlinesse , for to be well thought of among men , except , say I , they turne to God with true sound and timelie Repentance , in my judgement hardlie shall they escape some fearefull and remarkable judgement , euen in this life : Cannot God appoint them to bee his owne executioners for to bee Burriors to themselues ? After that , in his wrath hee hath kept an assise in their Conscience , and hath made them with Iudas to cry out guiltie against them selues , hee can make them hang vp themselues in the loupe of a corde , for to bee spectacles of his wrath before the world : Hee can mak them poyson themselues , or powre out their life with their blood by sword or by knife : * * Note This judgement shall cry to the liuing , Thus shall it bee done with him who dallies with his God .

If hee escape that : * * Note Woe , woe , woe vnto him on his death-bed , where Sathan with hellish malice & bloody cruelty shall wound him with his empoysoned darts , which hee shall fasten deeplie in his Soule : Then with many a sore sigh shall hee cry , that he is enthralled in the snaires & fetters of the deuill : Some I know will win out of this world without any seene blot or blow for secret blo●…s , they will die also with some formall & perfunctory appearance of repentance : Others will die in a quiet drousinesse and so poore like Nabal : Many a●…ye see may die without any seene sign●… of Gods wrath : But in the day of the Lord , God shall pull that painted vizard off their face , for the discouering of all their abominations , and that before the face of all Sainctes and Angels , who shall wonder to see all the filthinesse which they in their life could so cunninglie colour and couer , with most painefull painting : Then mens applause and the worlds praise , which they did once vnder the colour of vnhallowed zeale moste eagerlie pursue , shall by no meanes auaile them ; for the righteous Lord with a gloume of his justice shall banish them to the loathsome dungeon of the bottemlesse pit .

Thus after they haue carried the matter smoothlie for a time by jugling dissimulation , at last all their abominations are set in open view .

The sicke Man .

I finde my selfe satisfied concerning that doubt of the inlightening of the Wicked , who as I see are starke blind , grossie and palpablie ignorant in the mysteries of Saluation . Now teach mee what this is , that he will taste of the heauenlie gift : How can vnsanctified mortalitie bee capable of celestiall benefites ?

The Pastour .

By the heauenlie gift I vnderstand the fauour of God and eternall life ▪

* * Note The wicked man , whose portion is only in this life , will taste these things , that is betimes hee will finde a certaine sweetnesse in God : * * Note The most wicked man that is will at one time or other lift vp his eyes to God , yea ; and thinke himselfe much beholden vnto God : But all this goodnesse is but lik the morning dew ; it hath none abiding , a sound of feare is euer into the wicked mans eares : * As a man Hos. 6. 4. may taste poyson and yet not bee the worse , because incontinent he spitteth it out againe ; so a wicked man may taste good things ; and yet not be the better because that after he hath tasted them , hee letteth them not ouer his throat , but spitteth them out againe : * * Note That which hee hath tasted with the one eare , he spitteth out at the other care : * * Note The good words may flow a litle into his braine and rinne into his memorie , so that there of hee may prattle like a Paroquet , but nothing goeth down to his heart , which I may call the stomacke of the Soule : * * Note If a man should but taste food , were it neuer so fitte of it selfe for to feed he shuld not be able to liue thereby : It is euen so of the wicked spiritualy : They cannot liue by tasting of graces , where God hath not opened the heart as hee opened the heart of Lydea , there is nothing Act. 16 14 but a tasted grace : Let me yet cleare the matter .

* * Note The wicked will get a taste of heauen , as the godlie w●…ll get a taste of hell : * * Note In this doing , I obserue a secret Iustice , and a secret mercie of God : It is a mercie for the godlie that they taste the bitternesse of wrath heere , that they may esteeme the more of heauens glorie heere after . * * Note The baser our estate be before we he exalted , we shal thinke the more of honour when it commeth : What am I , said Dauid , being but a shepheard , that I should marrie a Kings Daughter ? Who am I ? said hee , and what is my life , or my fathers familie in Israel , 1 Sam. 18. 18 that I should bee Son in law to the King * * Note If Dauid had beene a Kings Sonne , hee could haue well thought himselfe an equall match for a Kings Daughter : But while hee considered his owne base estate and the basenes of his fathers family , he thought himselfe so ouermatcht , that hee wondered at such honour , which made him say , Who am I ? What am I , said 2 Sam. 9 8 lamed Mephibosheth , that I a d●…ad dogge should sitte at the Table of a King ? * * Note The greater aduersitie a man bee come out of , the more sweete is his prosperitie when it commeth : * * Note The tempestuous by past blasts of Winter commend the beautie of the Spring : * Bring me a man who is daylie accustomed to good cheare , to a Banquet , and little shall hee thinke of it , because such is his ordinarie fare : But , O if bread was not sweete to that hunger bitten forlorne , when hee came home from his husks ! * I think that the godly in heauen Luk. 15. 16. shall remember of the bitter taste of wrath they felt on earth , which shall so rauish them with joy of their changed estate , that no tongue shall bee able to expresse : * * Note But againe , heere is Iustice and wrath for the wicked : God in this life giueth vnto them a taste of his sweete thing : Some common spirituall confections he putteth into their mouth , whereof they find some heauenlie relish ; * * Note I am of this opinion , that while they shall be in hell , the remembrance of that sweete taste shall neuer goe out of their heart , which shall bee a most powerfull meanes for the increasing of their smart : * * Note What a sting was this vnto the gl●…tton in hell , when Abraham , Luk. 16. 25 said to him , Sonne remember that thou in thy life-time receiuedst thy good thinges ? * * Note Yee may see heere that the wicked haue remembrance in hell of what good thinges they haue receiued on earth , which is an hell in hell .

Thus as ye see God in Iustice and and in wrath will let the Wicked heere on earth taste his good thinges , for the increase of their woe thereafter : * * Note By the sweete taste they had of God on earth while they liued , they know now in Hell , which is a * Note part of their torment , what joye the godlie haue in Heauen : * * Note And againe the godly by that bitter taste of wrath which once they felt on earth , shall know , which shall wonderfullie increase their joye , what torments the wicked suffer in hell , from which the Lord in his vnspeakable mercie hath made them free .

By this as yee perceiue both the godlie & the wicked taste here both of Hell & of Heauen : The godly taste of Hell , that Heauen , may be to them the sweeter : The wicked taste of Heauen that Hell may be to them the sower : God loueth not the wicked , but hateth them as hee hated Esau : * * Note For this cause , while hee giueth them a taste of his good thinges , it is that while they shall bee in easlesse and endlesse torments , they may remember how sweete a God they haue despised , and how sowre a Sathan they haue serued .

* * Note All these good things which are jointly in the wicked man , are but lik faire attyre vpon a leperous bodie , or like jewels about the necke of an hanged man : Hee hath nothing but the dead portraiture of an Israelite indeede . Ioh. 1. 47.

* * Note But in all this time while vnder the shewes of godlinesse , he is drinking in iniquitie like water , a dreadfull sound is in his eares , for he knoweth that the day of darknesse is ready at his Ioh. 15. 16 hand : God at last in great wrath shall runne vpon him , euen on his necke , vpon vers. 23. the thicke bosses of his buckler , because he did couer his face with fatnesse , and made collops of fatte on his flankes , not caring for the leannesse of his poore Soule : * Woe to these who content with bare tasting of graces , in wrappe themselues i●… cloudes of hypocrisie .

The sicke Man .

My Soule Sir , rejoyceth to heare you speake : * * Note I perceiue now by your speach that the wicked will get a taste of spirituall good thinges into their mouth , but that from thence nothing commeth downe to their heart , because the passage is stopped .

The Pastour .

It is euen so : * * Note Quod non deglutiunt multo minus concoquunt , That which they cannot swallow downe , lesse can they disgest : * * Note The hearts of all men are naturallie fast shute for to hold out God . Christ found Cant. 5. 2 the doore of his Spouse barred , when hee came , neither would shee open it , till the fauour of his Mirre had vers. 5. wrought vpon her heart : At the best of mens hearts hee must often stand and knocke , againe , and againe : But as for the wicked mans hearte , it hath no entrie for grace , not in all his Psal. 10. 4. thoughts : The heart of a Reprobate is like a Pest-house , closed vp : Lidiahs Act , 16. 14 heart was closed , till God opened it : * * Note Thus as ye see the wicked may for to speake so , get a mouthfull of Gods good thinges , which they will taste as it were roll vp and downe with their tongue lik a sweete morfell with some sort of pleasure : * * Note But at once they loth that which they loued , and spit out these heauenly confections : Thus doing they are said to doe despite Heb. 10. 29. ●… vnto the Spirit of Grace . O but the hollow heart of man barboureth many close corruptions .

The sicke Man .

Now Sir , I pray you proceede : Let mee heare some thing concerning the third difficultie , which is that a Reprobate may be made partaker of the holie Ghost : How can this bee ? * * Note This seemeth to bee verie hard and knottie , that a man can be a Reprobate , a limbe of Sathan , and one of the familie of hell , and yet ●… made partaker of the holie Ghost : Let mee vnderstand what is that to say .

The Pastour .

* * Note By the holie Ghost in Scripture are often vnderstood the giftes and graces of the holie Ghost : According to this it is said , that these of Samariah receiued the holie Ghost , after Act. 8. 17 that Peter and Iohn had prayed for them , and laide hands vpon them , they receiued the holy Ghost , that is spiritual gifts : it was for to haue a power to giue such gifts that Simon Magus Act. 8. 18 offered money to the Apostles ▪ * * Note Whereas then it is said that Reprobates are partakers of the holie Ghost , it is to bee vnderstood of such giftes that are common both to the Godlie and Wicked : The best temper of their religion , and the highest pitch of all their holinesse , is nothing but outwardnesse and formall Christianitie .

The sicke Man .

I Desire earnestlie to know what common giftes these bee that the holy Ghost will bestow vpon a Reprobate .

The Pastour .

A Reprobate may carrie the matter smoothlie for a time : * * Note Hee may wonderfullie in wrappe himselfe in godlie glancing shewes , so that hee can not bee espyed for a space , by a juggling dissimulation he will euen bleare the eyes of the Prophetes which are Gods Seers : * * Note When hee is cloathed with a coats of formes , men will think that vnder such formes be the true substance : While he hath that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rom. 2. 20 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 forme of knowledge , and that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 forme of godlinesse , 2 Tim. 3. 5 men who see not as God seeth , will tak him to be some great Diuine , while indeede all the graces hee hath are but formes and outwardnesse , without any life or roote of sound inward sanctifying grace : All such formes in end proue starke nought .

* * Note A Reprobate may bee a teacher of Gods worde , a builder of Gods House like Noahs Carpenters , who builded the Arke , and yet drowned into the floode : * * Note Hee may blaze like a Comet with colourable pretences of pietie , and shew light vnto others for a space , yea , so that with most glorious glances hee shall make mens eyes to dazle , and yet shall at last die out , leauing nothing behind but the smoke and stinke of an euill life like the snuffe of a Candle , when there is lothsome reeke without a flamme : * * Note An Hypocrite may be a man of a milde & mercifull disposition , yea , zealous in appearance , without any sene blot or blemish : By his hypocrisie hee may doe good to others . Men seeing him , will stand in awe to offend , thinking him to bee a sincere man : * * Note A Reprobate will bee like the man that beareth the Lanterne in the darke night , wherewith while hee giueth light vnto others , he is least inlightened himselfe : * * Note While others by that light will see the best and cleanest way , hee himselfe and Lanterne together will fal into a mire . * * Note Thus after that his light is quenched in some scandalous puddle , the followers know what a man he was :

A Reprobate may haue immunitie from grosse and in famous sinnes , he may bee a man of great giftes , wondered at by many as was Simon Magus , Act. 8. 9. to whom all gaue heede , from the least to the greatest ▪ saying , This man is the great power of God : * * Note A whole peoples applause is no sure token of Gods fauour .

* * Note As Sirion which is Hermon , was called by Moses Sion , so may a godly man both think & call an Hypocrite Deut. 8. 48 a chosen vessell ▪ * * Note Of such a man often may a Godly man say , as Elisha said of the Shunamite lying at his feete , The Lord hath hid it from mee , and hath not tolde mee : * * Note The godly and wicked are sibber vnto other in outward shewes , than Sirion and Sio●… are sibbe in syllabes : Nay , in outwardnesse and glorious glances , the wicked beare the Bell , because their greatest care is cunninglie to manage & eagerlie to catch such vaine applause .

* * Note The high stature and faire face of Eliab deceiued the Seer : Surelie , 1 Sam. 16. 6 said hee , the Lords anointed is before him , and yet for all that the voyce come out from God , declaring that God had refused him . vers. 7 ▪

That which is like vnto another is not that wherevnto it is lik : There is but an H betweene Sibboleth and Shibboleth , and yet the losse of that Iudg. 12. 6 Letter cost the Ephramites their liues at the passage of Iordan . The want of that note of Aspiration made them to losse their breath with their life : Man vnder a maske of mildnesse may deceiue men with faire words , as Ioa●… 2 Sam. 20. vers. 9. did Amasa ; but God well knoweth the Gal●…lean accent , though Peter should denye with an oath .

The craft of Hypocrites is wonderfull : * * Note While they walke in a ploding course of glorious shewes , beeing fast nailed vnto outward formalitie , they will wonderfullie bleare the eyes of men , so that they will out-steppe the best in low louring and counterfeit cruching , who would not haue thought Ahab a true repenting man , while sicke in 1 Kin. 21. 27 sacke hee went sof●…lie with sacke cloth nearest his skinne ? Mans eyes are easilie , easilie jugguled with soddered shewes : But God who seeth not as man 1 Sam. 17 6 seeth , looketh on the heart : They that see such painted men , as they themselues also , may thinke that they are alreadie possessed of the Kingdome of grace , and also intituled to the Kingdome of glorie , while indeede they are but prophane men of seared Consciences , seeking for nothing but popular appla●…ses for the aduancement either of their profite or preferment or reputation and worth : By some worldlie respect they euer are caried on the by , whereby they euer come short of sinceritie .

* * Note Woe vnto them euen when all men shall speake good of them : * * Note For a space they may well thinke in their owne fond conceit , that they are stored with all the riches of Gods graces , like Beggers in their sleepe dreaming that they are tumbling themselues amid great heapes of gold : O but when such awake they are not onlie emptie of their imagined good , but filled with sorrow for being depriued of that which they had in their imagination , the greatest ground of their contentment : Thus all comforts shal be sweepe from them with the besome of vtter desolation .

O the deceitfulnesse of mans heart ! Who can know it ? said Ieremie : Ier 17. 9. * * Note What eye can pierce and passe thorow all the wyles & windings of this juggling sinne of Hypocrites , which hauing nothing but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a forme of godlinesse , which beare that world in hand that they are scalded & burnt with the zeale of Gods House : The best things that are in such are nothing but ciuill outwardnesse clothed with colourable pretences of pietie , without any justifying faith in the heart , or renewing power in the Soule , wherin is the practise of pietie .

What shall I say more ? a Reprobate as yee see may bee both courtesse and kind , solatious in conuersation , a man beloued of his neighbours , yea , such a man may driue out his dayes without any seene blot , or outward scandale : Hypocrisie may bee so small spunne , that no carnall eye can perceiue it

Such a man also may haue some troubles of Conscience , some secrete checkes of remorse for his by-goné folies , euen Iudas his 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , repenting or forethinking : But his Soule was neuer acquainted with traueling and hard labour in the newe births which is borne with that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 euen an vniuersall change of minde , will , and affections which is onelie peculiar to the godlie .

I will yet say more , a Reprobate while hee possesseth a true doctrine though but outwardlie , hee may ●…aue the gift of prophecie with Saul & Cajaphas yea , of miracles , & also of healings , of helpes in gouernaments and of diuersities of tongues : * * Note Behold , how a wicked man may bee a Preacher , and a Prophet , or among 1 Sam. 10. 12 the Prophets , and a worker of meracles : Haue wee not cast out deuils in Matth. 7. 22. thy Name ? shall many say to Christ at the day of judgement ; to whom Christ shall answere , Departe from vers. 32. mee for I know you not .

All these good things may a man haue , and yet bee a stranger from the life of God : * Though such outward thinges haue a glorious appearance & bee great in the eye of the world ▪ yet they are no sure token of Gods loue : * * Note Did not Christ call Iudas , Matth. 26 50. Friend ? All the common giftes & graces of the wicked , are nothing but like the friendship that was betweene Christe and Iudas , whome Christ called friend , for to let him know that the greater was his sinne : Such for all their glistring shewes are strangers from the life of God , holden fast vnder the power of the first death , and yet none so much as they are puft vp with a conceit of imaginarie perfection , so powerfull is the deuilish influence of pride : The greater Gods gifts shall- be into the wicked , that greater shal be their woe .

The sicke Man .

I hau●… heard , and am satisfied concerning that the wicked may be made partaker ▪ of the holy Ghost : I pray you to discusse the fourth difficultie , which is , That ●… man may taste the good word of God , and yet bee a Reprobate .

The Pastour .

Hee will indeed Sir , taste the good word God , as I haue exponded that he will taste the heauenlie gift : * * Note Hee will taste the good word of God , That is , hee will vnderstand the word , he will take pleasure to read it , and to heare it preached , with some flashes of comfort , whereby hee will bee moued to harbour some good meanings and intentions , not onlie that , but also hee will doe many thinges as Mar. 6. 20. Herod who heard Iohn gladlie , and did also many things : * * Note But such a man hatheuer some herodias a darling sinne secret or knowne , which hee would preferre to the head of Iohn the Baptiste : * * Note While hee is in the Church it may bee hee heare the word with some gladnesse , yea , and weete his cheekes with teares at the preaching of Christs passion , but let h●…m goe from thence to his Banketing , a dancing of a daughter of this Herodias , viz. Some little tickling joy of his Mistresse , & predominant sin will make him to forget all that was preached : A small requeast of some dauncing deuil will mak such a man , if hee bee of power , to lay the Preachers Mar. 6. 28 head in a platier .

* * Note There bee many who while they heare the Word preached in the Church , are like a Siffe or Riddle into the water , so long as they are in hea●…ing , they seeme to bee full of Gods word , euen to the brim : But so soone as they are once departed , all that they heard runneth out , and they to their olde by as againe . The best thing that are in the wicked are to God , as who for a sacrifice should cut off a Dogs necke , or offer Swynes blood .

The sicke Man .

This is a strange matter , this world as I see , is like Sardis . Thou hast a Reuel. 3. 4. few names in Sardis ▪ which haue not defiled their garments : The Godlie are as the shaking of the Oliue , Two or three Berries in the toppe of the vpper-most Esa. 17. 6. bough . Christ called them well , The little Flocke . Great as I Luk. 12. 32. see is the deceitfulnesse of sinne : * * Note I thought when I saw a man or a woman , hearing the word with great attention , and whiles with teares , that these could not bee but the Lords chosen and dearest Ones : And yet I see that a man may heare the word with greate appearance of godlinesse , yea and thinke the Word most sweete for the time , yea , loue and reuerence Gods Messengers , and yet for all that bee kept short of the state of Grace .

The Pastour .

All that is true , for Herod reuerenced Iohn for a space , and heard him gladlie : Simon magus belieued Act. 8. 13. with a temporarie faith : And Esau Heb. 12. 17 though hee wept and sought the blessing with many teares , yet could finde no place in his heart where he could lodge true Repentance .

Many are endewed with painted Graces , which hauing but the face & not that heart of grace , are meere hypocrisie : Euen vices masked with the appearance of vertues : Such formal holie persons come farre short of being in Christ Iesus , in whom all true goodnesse is most liuelie incorporate .

The sicke Man .

I haue heard you Sir , discusse verie pertinentlie foure difficulties , the fift and last , and greatest is behind : Often haue I wondered what could bee the true sense & meaning thereof , the words are these , Hee will taste of the powers of the world to come ? What can a Reprobate haue to doe with the world to come ? I vnderstand not well these words .

The Pastour .

Indeed Sir , they want not difficulty : Some of the Learned thinke with S. Chrysostome , That by the powers of the world to come are to bee vnderstood , the powerfull working and miracles vnder the Gospel , which in respect of the Lawe was called , The world to come , as if the dayes of the Gospel were the dayes of a new world , since Christ that Day spring from on Luk. 1. 78 high , and most glorious Sunne of Righteousnesse did appeare for to inlighten Mal. 4. 2. euerie man that commeth into this world : But in my judgement that bee more subtile , than solide : * * Note I had rather thinke that Reprobats are said to taste of the powers of the world to come ▪ when they finde some sort of sweetnesse in God with a kind of desire to bee out of this world , for to bee with God into the Heauens : * * Note Such a desire betimes will make their heartes flutter vp toward these heauenlie Mansions * * Note But such fluttering desires wanting the feathers of Faith , incontinent come short , and fall downe againe with a jumpe : Hee hath not a settled constancie nor well grounded resolution . God at some times will let the Wicked see some glimpse of his glorie , as it were a lightning that passeth most swiftlie away , which for a little space in the darke night letteth a man see that which is before him : But so soone as it is past , his eyes become more dazeled and darkened , than they were of before : such powers are but painted powers : They are indeede like the liuing powers as an Image is like a man , but they want the heart of godlinesse .

Thus according to my knowledge in a serious and impartiall search is all the wicked mans progresse toward the kingdome of glorie . All the best graces that hee hath , are but glances of graces and dreames of glorie , euen extreme pouertie , glorious sinnes , beautifull abominations .

These be Gods limets , who hath said to him , as hee said to the proud waues , Hitherto shall yee come and no further : * * Note Such a man in his best estate and conceit is but an Hypocrite lurking vnder the Canopie of a counterfeit profession : His best estate is both broken and bankerupt in spirituall thinges : * * Note For a space such a man may goe pleasantlie like a Shippe before the wind ; but at last downe commeth a blast of judgment , and sinketh him downe irrecouerablie into the bottome of hell .

The sicke Man .

I am glad to haue heard the solutions of these fiue difficulties , which often did trouble my minde .

By all your discourse I perceiue that the Reprobates at their best , feele but some generall good motions , and that all their perswasions , that they shall at last come to heauen , are nothing but imaginations , and vaine dreames of glorie : * * Note Many in mine opinion are deceiued in this world , who like these that dreame , thinke they awake , while they indeede are fast asleepe : Many in this world as I see , thinke to bee saued , whose thoghts shal proue to be but dreames : Some obscure printes of vnsound joyes , though for a space they may be of good acceptance with the most godlie , and clappe their owne hands , as if they were in the passage to Paradise : They are in end disappointed , because they want true inward holinesse , without which no man shall see Gods face .

The Pastour .

It is most true Sir , for●…s men for the most part desire to bee flattered by others , so tak they delight to flatter themselues , feeding vpon fond fancies and phantasies , lik Hypochondriackes , or braine sicke , who cannot bee perswaded , but that they are Kings , while indeede they are but Beggers .

The sicke Man .

This is a terrible disease : * * Note But to leaue the Reprobates , and come to the Elect , I desire now to know of you what bee that speciall spirituall working , which is onelie peculiar to the Elect and chosen Ones of God : I wish to heare of the proceedings of Gods Spirite working into the hearts of the godlie vnto their Saluation : The godlie I am assured are of a more noble and heauenlie temper full of the Spirit of Grace .

The Pastour .

* * Note In my judgement where the Spirit of God worketh to the Saluation of the Soule of a sinner , before it come to a full perswasion & hight of assurance , there is first a tempest of wrath against sinne going before the comming of God in his mercie , viz. A shaking wind , a trembling earthquake , a burning fire , which lik three grimme posts come running before to tell that God is comming into the calme .

* * Note Before that God shew his presence into the still voyce , hee proceedeth by steps and degrees : First hee rebuketh the sinner of sinne , and wakeneth his Conscience with some sight of his iniquities , & with some sense of that wrath which sin hath deserued : From this ariseth a great heauinesse into the heart , which breaketh forth both in speach & countenance , so that the worlde which know him of before , will wonder at his change , as if he were a creature cast into another mould ▪ * * Note After that God hath thus prepared the Soule of men with thundering tempests and tremblings with blasts and with burnings , and thereby hath made them more afraid of sin , than they were of before of sinne it selfe : At last he commeth vnto them into the calme of his mercie , & first giueth vnto them grace to flee all occasions of sinne , and after that , to hate the verie garment spotted with the flesh ▪ * * Note Hee Iud. v. 23. who in despight can gnash his teeth against that wherein once hee tooke pleasure to displease his God , is not a sholler of flesh and blood , not a naturall man that is content with ciuell outwardnesse . * * Note After that the Spirit hath wrought a detestation and hatered of sinne into the heart , he putteth a cry into the heart for mercie , with sighes and sobbes which cannot bee expressed : * * Note Some times these sighes will breake out into such words that both speaker and hearer will wonder wherefrae they come .

* * Note After that , the Spirit in his motions by a sweete and silent inspiration , goeth forward in his progresse into the heart by little & little , with Life , Light , Libertie , and peace of Conscience , euen that peace which passeth all vnderstanding , and so cannot be expressed in humane words : Now am I come Sir , as yee heare , ad metam non loquendi , that I can say no more : * * Note It were but folie for mee to dyue so deepe in Gods workings , as for to take vnto mee to declare vnto you that which passeth all vnderstanding : * * Note The new name into the white Stone , is knowne to Reuel. 2 ▪ 17 none , but to these that haue receiued it : Though hee that hath this name know it himselfe , yet hee cannot vttter it : It is like these wordes of Paradise which S. Paul called vnspeakable . 2 Cor. 12. 4.

Now for to sum vp breaflie all that hath beene declared in a more large and ample discourse , I shall obserue three things which are onelie rooted in the godlie heart , & a●…e altogether strangers from the Reprobates .

* * Note First where true grace is , there is a remorse and painefull griefe with many sore sighes , for all by gone slips : By this as by a Bitte or Bridle the Soule of the godlie man is kept from backesladings and scandalous stumbling relapses .

Secondlie , he hath a present quicke feeling of these sins , which of before hee counted but little and veniel : If it bee sinne ▪ hee will say no more , Is it not a little one ? * * Note A ●…ye for luc●… , Gen. 19 ▪ 20 or for sport yea , a light idle worde will checke him at once in the Conscience , though hee were perswaded that it were neuer knowne to anie . Last of all , by a long practise in well doing hee acquireth in his Soule an habituall tendernesse , whereby the former good motions are so confermed and strengthened , that it is a pleasure to him to doe well : Off this ariseth the gracious and most sweete temper of the good Conscience ▪ which is to his Soule a perpetual feast : This is the Christians progresse in true godlinesse , which is neuer so calme in this world ▪ that it can be said to be without troubles , which maike the way vnto glorie : Thus much for the proofe of the point in hand .

* * Note Onelie this I desire you to obserue , that such spirituall workinges goe by degrees●… , like a Riuer that is waxing , like an Herbe that is growing , like a Day that is but dawning ▪ or like a Victorie but beginning : At last commeth nowe full Flood ▪ nowe is perfect grouth , nowe is Noone ▪ day , now haue I foughten the good fight , & 2 Tim. 4. 8 now I look for the crown of righteous nesse : This being all finished , therepenting sinner entereth into glorie , the place of ful contentment , where the restlesse eyes of mans desire shall rest from peeping or prying any further for any greater felicitie .

Thus brieflie by waye of compend haue I declared vnto you : But all this is not so soone done as said : B●…tter bee the Battels of a Christian before hee can come to this rest : There be bloodie battels against the Deuill , bloodie battels against the World ▪ bitter and bloodie battels against the corruptions of his flesh : Many a stroke will hee giue vpon his breast with that Publican many astroke will hee giue vpon his thigh , crying Ier 31. 19. with Ephraim , ●…ye , What haue I done ? * * Note S. Paul was pricked with a thorne in the flesh , and buffeted by a deuill , 2 Cor. 12. 7 before hee got the Crowne : * * Note Christ himselfe speaking of himselfe ▪ said , Ought not Christ to haue suffred all these Luk. 24. 26 things , and so to enter into his glorie ?

It is easie to heare this short discourse of words : * * Note But what paines are into the second Birth : The paines of the first Birth are so piercing , that the verie paines of hel are compared vnto them : And yet I haue known women who by their owne confession , haue trauelled more into the second birth than euer they did in the first : * * Note Manie would bee content to dye for to bee borne againe : This flesh of ours is ill to die , yet it muste die , and bee mortified , at the birth of Ichabod where is the glorie ? The first wordes that this new creature learneth to speake is , 1 Sam. 4. 2 Where is the glorie ? * * Note At the first it seeketh after Gods glorie , as the new borne Babe at the first seeketh after that dug with the tongue and the lips : * It is the best foode of a regenerate Soule to sette our Gods glorie , as it was our Sauiours meate to doe his Fathers will .

After all that , the Soule maketh a procession in well doing , neuer standing at a stand , but euer going forward , though some times more slowlie : The way to glorie is from grace to grace : * * Note Many foullie deceiue themselues , because that they forbeare one sinne or other , wherevnto at other times they haue beene most slauishlie addicted , they thinke themselues reformed men , and that if Death should come , incontinent the doores of Heauen shuld goe wide open to the walls , for to let in their●… soules with their formes of godlinesse●… 2 Tim. 3 5 Such are so high in their owne conceit , that they thinke to bee after death cannonized Sainctes .

Of this sorte bee so many , that Scripture calleth them a generation : Prou. 30. There is a generation that are pure in their owne conceit , and yet are not washed from their filthinesse .

In him who is truelie a childe of God , the strongest corruptions of the flesh must bee snaffled and curbed by the Law of the Spirit : * * Note It is not enough to beate downe one sinne , or two , or many , as many will doe , but reserue aye some , one or other ▪ for which they must pray with Naaman , In this thing the Lord 2 Kin. 5. 18 pardon thy seruant .

* * Note Let no man deceiue himselfe , there is no place in Heauen , but for him or her whose studie is applyed to an vniuersall sinceritie of all their wayes .

Let it be that Cain was not a Theefe : But did not God curse him for his murther ? Let it bee that Iudas was Gen. 4. 11. free of many sinnes , yet because hee way a Theefe , and a Traitour and Ioh , 12. 6. died so , hee was damned . Let it bee that the Pharisee was not an adulterer Luk. 18. ●… . as hee bragged , yet his pride was the bane of his Saluation .

* * Note Hee that maketh not conscience of the least sinne , is guiltie of the greatest : According to this God himselfe saith , That who faileth in one , faileth in all : If for God and for Conscience sake , a man abhorre the great sinnes of murther and adulterie , and such others of not orious rank ▪ for these same sakes he will abstaine from lesser sinnes , otherwayes it is but some worldlie respect , either for shame or losse , which like a restraining grace , with-holdeth him from matching the same : Many will neither kill , nor committe adulterie , and yet will make no conscience to slander , or lye either in sport or earnest , or by hooke or crooke catch that which is not their owne . Who euer hee bee , who without controlement looseth the reines to such petit sinnes , hath neuer as yet sette his foote forward in the way that leadeth to life : the Spirit of grace as yet hath made no residence into him : The Spirit he hath , is but a sporting Spirit deceiuing him with ●…ies : The surest note of the Spirit of the grace is a sanctified studie , & endeuour to an vniuersall sinceritie in all our wayes ; of thought , worde , and dead , which will bee I confesse often with great weaknesse and failing , for in many Iam. 3. 2. things wee offend all .

Now Sir , what thinke yee of all that hath beene said ? according to the knowledge that God hath giuen mee , I haue cleared your doubts : If my discourse hath done you good giue God the praise , yet would I knowe what all these wordes hath wrought in your heart .

The sicke Man .

I blesse God for that which I haue heard : * * Note By Gods Grace I haue catcht some hope of a better life : The desires of mine heart beginne to enter the confines of eternitie : I find the motions of the Spirit of Grace working into my Soule the great worke of Saluation : I am now refreshed with the sweete streames of spirituall comforts : I finde now my Soule lifted vp toward God , and I finde the loue of this world falling downe like the Mantle of Elijah : I 2 Kin. 2. 13 think that I goe now more sweetlie and swiftlie to my God , with a more holie and heauenlie desire , than euer I did heeretofore : Your comfortes Sir make mee to hyefaster : * * Note I take this to bee a new worke-man-shipe of grace : * * Note I hope shortlie to be at the vp shot of all my troubles : * * Note I finde within mine heart some kindled joye , which I take to bee the pawne of pleasures for euermore : The Spirite Psal. 16. 11 of God like a Doue hath brought vnto my Soule a comfort like an Oliue Gen. 8. 11 leaue assuring mee in some weake measure , that the floode of Gods wrath is asswadged vpon my Soule : What shal I say ? The best of Gods blessings are behind : Oh that now my Sauiour were into the cloudes : I had rather die , than I should liue for to anger the Lord againe : Alas , that mine heart hath beene so gleued to the ground like a shell-Snaile fastened on the wall . Seeing Sir God hath wrought so well by you in this great worke of my conuersion ; I intreat you to continue in some good purpose , that my minde may still bee kept bended vpon that which is good : * * Note If yee leaue off to teach mee , my minde will but wander in vanitie . O Lord , worke all my thoughts to holie and heauenlie meditations .

The Pastour .

Blessed bee God who hath giuen you such a resolute and contented minde : See what yee desire me to speake chieflie of at this time .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Seeing I am shortlie for to leaue this world and to goe to the Heauens , for to take out of mine heart * Note the least roote of regret to quite this world : I pray you Sir , to say something of the vanitie of this world , of the last Iudgement , and of the joyes of Heauen , where shortlie I hope to bee : Let mee heare how I shall losse nothing in the change : Striue Sir , I pray to kindle and blow vp the dying fire of my deuotion , helpe mee to goe from strength to strength ▪ till I bee in Zion .

The Pastour .

The Lord put such wordes into my mouth , which may bee able to winne your Soule vp to Heauen , and to weane it from all worldlie pleasures .

First for to speak but a word in generall concerning this world . * * Note What is it but a peece of earth , made barren with Gods curse , whose fruites without sweatie labours , are but Gen 3. 8. thistles and thornes ?

As for the vanitie of the world , seculum speculum , This world is a glasse wherin a drumlie eye may see its vanitie : Hee who was wisest in it , speaking of it , after that he was tyred with trying its pleasures , preached that it was but vanitie of vanities , a Eccles. 1. 2 verie Idea , that is the abstract of vanities , which are the abstracts of things that are vaine : * * Note So according to Solomons Text all that wee account most substantiall , is but an abstract of an abstract , as if a man shuld dreame that he dreamed , which should bee the dreame of a dreame : * * Note This is like that vanitie which Habak ▪ kuke calleth verie vanitie , wherein Heb. 2. 13 are some few flashes of deceiueable comforts .

Thus as yee see the life of man in this world is nothing but a fardle of vanities , shadowes and dreames , a bundle of displeasing pleasures , vaine in inside and outside too : * * Note Our greatest pleasures here are but a mixture of miserie : They are soone marred like a mistuned song : * * Note The flees in the plague of flees were not so thicke in Egypt as vanities are in this world , for which the most parte of the world exchange the happinesse of their Soules : These who are most glorious in worldly pompe , are constrained to say at last with that King in Homer : * The great God hath imprisoned mee with cares : O happie they who are free of such dangers , are secured in cottages of clay .

After that man hath beene vpon the top of his pompe , and is come to the vertical point of his pleasures after which hee hath hunted with great eagernesse of heart : Hee must come downe and bee curbed with paines of diuerse diseases , distressed till hee bee turned in to dust .

* * Note All his pleasures , profites , and prefermentes shall slide away like a shadow : They shall passe like a Poast passing by , like water lift vp with a sife , or sand with open fingers . As the shippe passeth ouer the waues , its trace , not beeing able to bee seene on the brim , or as the fowle mounting to the Skye , piercing the Aire , so that no mortall eye can perceiue any token of her passage , though the eare heare the noise of her wings , so shall it bee of all earthlie things , when once the inch of this life being ended , our mortall Soule shall bee dislodged out of this clay , all earthlie contentments then shall bee like a Bird , of whose flight no token can bee found after for a space by the shaking of her wings , shee hath parted the aire in a greater heminencie of going : In all our greatest pleasures bee lurking sorrowes like serpentes among the grasse , which maketh way to a fairing man to steppe backe or start aside .

Oh , that wee were wise ! What shall I say ? In this transitorie life we are miserablie blind folded , because wee loue not the heauens , God letteth vs dote vpon the earth : It is righteous with God so to doe : Of Psal. 117. 23. all this wee must say , This is the Lords doing , it is marueilous in our eyes : Oh , that wee could consider ! in these last dayes of this world , there is come vpon the world a plague of vanitie , like a plague of flees , whereof pride is Beelzebub the master flie , which buzzeth in most men & womens heads commanding other legions of vanities full of fretting sorrows , or of false flattering pleasures wherewith the sillie Soule is fettered : * * Note The whole life of man is inclosed in Mesopotamia betweene two riuers of teares , First wee mourne at our Birth , and last others mourne at our Burial : Nascimur flentes morimur gementes : * * Note The whole bounds of our life is inclosed betweene weeping and groaning : * * Note At the first sight of the light we weepe , and last at the closing of our eyes , wee gaspe out our life with a groane : What shall I say ? So soone as wee are borne , wee are gone like a shadow when it declineth . Psal. 109. 23

Oh , that wee could consider that there is nothing heere which is not mixt with some spyce of vanitie . * If wee had eyes to see , wee would say , What is below in this Region of corruption without corruption or contempt ? * * Note Within vs , without vs , aboue , vs , about . vs , all is out of order : The powers of the heauens are shaken , the Aire about our heads is full of tempests & flashing meteors ! the world is waxed old , and is come to its decrepite age : The last dayes are dayes of diseases , the companions of olde age , all is wrong . The Church is sicke of Sects : The Sea is full of Pyrates , & the Land of Robbers , yea , and of sins and sicknes vnknowne to former ages : The Godly are as sheepe among wolues . Matth. 10 16 , Psal. 55. 6

O that I had winges like a Doue , for then vould I flee away and bee at rest ▪

* * Note Heere is nothing but Mesech & Kedar , where there is nothing but Psal. 102. 5 w●…e for the godlie which dwell therin : * * Note Where shall a godlie man liue , or in what state shall hee liue ? or how shall hee liue ? but hee shall bee battered and besieged with much toyle and turmoyle ? * * Note If hee bee wealthie , hee shall bee enuied : If hee bee poore , hee shall bee despised : If he bee wise , hee shall bee accounted craftie : If hee bee simple , hee shall bee called foolish : * * Note All that is within vs , all that is without vs , yea , and in our selues are readie to betray vs , & to giue vs vp into the hands of our enemies : * * Note The eyes beholde , that vanitie may come in : The eares hearken like open floode gates to lette in streames of vanities for to drowne the Soule : The false heart within , that keepeth the keyes of all the senses , while the Soule is sleeping , bringeth in vpon it like a Delilah , a number Iudg. 16. 21. of cruell Philistims : * * Note Thus the strong men of Israel is made a jest and mocke vnto the vncircumcised that belong not to the couenant .

This whole world is but a world of vanitie ? The wise man Solomon the mirrour of wisedome , and wonder of the world , was sent into this world as a spye : from God for the well of man : * * Note By his wisedome his minde ran thorow the world like a Pilgrime from countrie to countrie , yea , like a Bee from herbe to herbe , for to taste them . Hee confidered all the trees from the Cedar to the Hyssope , 1 King . 4. 33 for to prye into , and pierce the pith and vertues of all things abroad , for to take thorow notice thereof : After that hee had thus wandered , beeing come home againe from his pilgrimage , the world flocked about him , to search what hee had heard and seene abroad , and what hee thought of the world , and of all the glorie thereof : * * Note What newes , Solomon ? did the Worldings say , whose hearte is like a Ferret in the earth : What hast thou seene or heard ? Solomon contracteth all his Newes into a Line ,

Vanitie of vanities , and all is vanitie .

All these thinges which are soloued , I haue looked into , would Solomon say , but I haue found nothing but vanitie from the barke to the bone : * * Note In Trees is vanitie , in Herbes is vanitie , as well in the Cedar as in the Hyssope : In Siluer is vanitie , in Golde is vanitie , in Iewels is vanitie , in Honour is vanitie , in Cloathing is vanitie , in Strength is vanitie , in Wisedome is vanitie , in Beautie is vanitie : In a word , all is full of vanitie , yea , all is vanitie , yea , vanitie of vanities : All the creatures saith Rom. 8. 20 the Apostle , the spye of the New Testament , are subject to vanitie : * * Note For the sinne of man , all the Creatures haue lost that glorie and libertie , which once they had , and are become slaues vnder a base bondage , vnder which they grone as a woman in trauell : All earthlie comfortes which spring out of sinfull pleasures faile and fad like grasse .

* Alas , what is heere , that should moue a Soule to desire to sojourne heere , but a moment .

* * Note This world is a Tenise of ▪ temptations , wherein the sillie Soule like a ball without any ceasing is tossed from wall to wall , as one waue of the Sea rusheth vpon another , beeing carried with a gale of winde , so do●… all sortes of sorrowes heere as in a moued sea swell , roll , and rage with most fearefull rushinges vpon man ▪ till hee bee turned into froth .

* * Note It is a wonder how the eyes of man should be so bleared , or rather juggled , that any thing below●… should make him to say as they 〈◊〉 on Tabor , who knew not what they Luk. 9. 33 said : It is good for vs to bee heere , and yet who is hee that is not dulled and darkened with the cloudes of folli●…

Is not this world a wildernesse●… the way 's thereof are rough an●… crooked , * * Note Mans best thinges hee●… are like the Hartechoke , whereof the most parte is vnprofitable leaues ▪ * * Note Our joyes are joyned with sorrowe●… checker worke , white and blacke , lik●… Lillies among thornes .

* * Note Our hopes heere are vaine , the profite is false , the pleasures are passing , the labours are losse , the promises are but lyes : * * Note The whole state of this Prince of Creatures is heere but a banishment , heere and there he stumbleth , where he thoght best to stand , where hee purposed to take his rest , there hee findeth his ruine : No worldlie comforts are to bee trusted into , they are like the staffe of a broken reede , whereon if a Isa. 36 6. man leane , it will goe into his hand : Doe what hee can , some painefull splinter or other shall bee fastened in his flesh : * * Note There is nothing on Earth which can bee managed with such cunning , that it may bee without cumber : The proudest and Ioftiest waues of mens designes , are easilie broken into foame : * * Note Gods fauour is the surest Sanctuarie , nothing within the compasse of this created world , can yeelde to man solide comfort or contentment , nothing can possiblie fill the boundlesse desire of his Soule : * * Note Such a diuine sparkle can neuer cease rising , til it bejoyned to that great SHADAI , Exod. 6. 3. GOD all sufficient , till the Soule bee at Him , it can neuer bee settled , but is euer tossed , whiles to the right hand and whiles to the left : Now it is rauished with joye , and in an instant againe it is surprised with amazement : * * Note What euer it enjoyeth heere , it cannot bee content , but is euer foolishlie peeping and prying beyond all that which it hath affecting with a strong straine , greater riches , high honours , and preferments , which I may call , The guilted glorious ▪ miseries of mankind ▪ Woe , woe , woe dwell into that house where such things are not sanctified to their owners .

O that I could cunninglie rype vp with a Razour this worldes vanitie , that wee might see it within the bowels ! O what depth of discomfort should bee there seene , if wee had eyes to see : All the pregnancie of mans Spirit , all the most rich indue mentes of his minde , without the sanctifying Spirit of Iesus , become but an idole of selfe conceite : * * Note As for all other outward things , in the very turning of an hand , and closing of an eye , they often remoue insalutato hospite , not taking their good night : Inconstancie is the poison of our pleasures .

Though a man euen now were neuer so happie in his owne conceit , how soone may the Lord send a change ? * * Note He can make the fruite of all his labours to be like an vntimely birth , for whome the Mother hath suffered many woes , and yet could neuer enjoye a sight there of aliue .

The greatest glorie of this world , is like Hills which seeme highest a farre off .

* * Note Men in their solie may sav as Dauid said in his prosperitie , I shall Psal. 62. 6. neuer be moued : But , O folie ! There is nothing permanent heere : Man is tossed vp and downe as the Locust , either with discountenance or disapointment , breaking into foame his projects vpon the rocks of disgrace . All is turned about with a continual change : There is no Time but it passeth , there is no Day but it darkneth , there is no Fruite but it rotteth , there is no Flower but it faddeth , there is no Force but it faileth , there is no Strength but it weakeneth , there is no Beautie but it withereth , there is no Garment but it weareth , yea , the Heauens themselues Psal. 102. 26 waxe olde , as doeth a garment ▪ * * Note Behold , how all that is aboue vs , beneath vs , about vs , is full stuffed with vanitie : this at last shall worldlings know to bee true , when their laughter shall be madnesse in their owne eyes : It is a wonder how men are so blind in this glorious Noone tide of the Gospel .

* * Note All that is most esteemed in this world , the fooles Paradise , is chieflie of those , 1. Strength , 2. Honour , 3. Riches , 4. Beautie , 5. Pleasure , 6. Wisedome , 7. Children , 8. Long life , of these things may no man say with Niobe .

Excessere metum mea jam bona .

I neede not feare to losse them .

The sicke Man .

I desire to heare you discusse the vanitie of these eight thinges seuerallie , for which men straine the vtmost vaine of their wits , as if in this region of corruption such thinges were able to stretch themselues vnto eternitie .

The Pastour .

All such thinges are but broken staues of reede ; not to be relyed vpon : * * Note To naturall eyes indeede such things are so glancing , that they like a starre new created in the Skye , will make them to gaze , yea , often it befalleth that the prosperitie of such things enjoyed by the wicked , will not onelie drawe the eyes of the Godly vpon them , but will bee eye-fore vnto them . I was enuious at the Psal. 79. 3. foolish , said Dauid , when I saw the prosperitie of the wicked .

Let vs relish these eight thinges a little , and orderly try what is their worth .

1. STRENGTH .

As for Strength , if Samson the strongest now could speak out of his Graue , hee would teach the liuing that it is but a vaine thing .

* * Note What a vaine thing is this , which in the highest degree that euer was in man , might bee shauen from him Iudg. 16. 19 with the lockes of his haire ?

Let a Feuer but seaze vpon the strongest that euer breathed , before it leaue him , it shall teach him to know that all the force of flesh is vanitie : * * Note Reuben who was called by his Father , The man of his might , and Gen 49. 3. the beginning of his strength , and the excellencie of power , is in the verse vers. 4. ●… following , called , vnstable as water : The Philistims great man , the strength of Philistia , the terrour of Israel , was felled downe with a stone out of a Shepheards scrippe and slung .

There is no solide strength in flesh , but hee who is strong in God , of him shall bee said , as was saide of Gen. 49. 24. Ioseph , His bow abode in strength , and the armes of his hand were made strong by the hands of the Almightie GOD of Iacob .

2. HONOVR .

What is Honour , which men in the hight of Spirit desire with the strongest straine ? * * Note What is it , but like a King in a play ? when the play is done , the ornaments are taken from him : To day man is a King , and to morrow a Carrion .

* * Note The greatest pompe of King Agrippa , & his of Queene Bernice , is ca●…led in Scripture language , a meere phantasie , or euanishing shew : Hee came downe with his Queene , saith S. Luke 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , that is , he Act. 25. 23 came downe with great phantasie .

As honours are changeable like a phantasie , so often change they men so that they become phantasticke : Honores mutant mores , Honours change manners , but oftest to the worse .

If men knewe the vanitie of this point , they would not so eagerlie hunt after that wherein there is no contentment .

* * Note After that Alexander had fished the whole world with his herrie water-net , what found he ? but follie & euanishing shewes , wherof the most pleasant rellish was like the white of an Egge wherein is no sauour .

* * Note Kings which are the most honourable men of this world , are gods in Psal. 82. 7 name but not in Nature : I haue said , Yee are gods , but yee shall die like men-King Herods flatterers cryed that he was god , but Death belyed them , crying that hee was but a man , a Act. 12. 22 god that could not resist the wormes , often that which is highlie esteemed among Luk. 16. 15 men , is an abomination in the sight of God .

* * Note God liketh not euer best these to whom hee filleth a full cup of temporall felicitie : He whom God hath elected to bee a King in Heauen , is often hidde , like Soul among the stuffe , 1 Sam. 10. 22. or like Corne among Chaffe .

* * Note I haue obserued in reading the Booke of God , that few Kings either of Iuda or of Israel receiued any great praise from Gods penne , which can neither faine nor flatter : Trueth will yeelde no ground , thogh it should meete a Tyrant in the face .

* * Note O fainting flatterer ! who darre not preach but to pleasethy Prince , Who art thou , that thou should feare Isa. 51. 12 a mortall man , which shall bee made as grasse ? By a wise , graue , godly reproofe thou might haue saued his Soule , in whose blood thou hast embrewed thy selfe either by fearefull silence , or flattering eloquence .

* * Note O how dangerous is the high estate of Princes , vnto Princes themselues : They are followed with such applause , that often they are made to forget what they are : I haue called Plas. 82. 6 you gods , is the flatterers Text , he cannot passe this point , his Glasse is run , and Time is spent before he can winne to the other part of the verse , But yee shall dye like men .

Let vs heare what God himselfe speaketh of the Monarchs of his owne people .

Except a verie few , there is not one , but hee is either branded with 1 Kin. 11 6 this , And hee did euill in the sight of the Lord , or with this , And hee followed 2 King . 13 2. the sins of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat , which made Israel to sinne .

* * Note Honour will not abide with Kings , except that they abide with God : While Nebuchadnezar was boasting of his Buildinges , euen while the word was in the Kings mouth , Dan. 4. 31 there fell a voyce from Heauen , saying , O King Nebuchadnezar ; the kingdome is departed from thee . No King standeth so strong in his prosperitie , but God can shake him and lay him on his backe : * * Note King Dauid of this got an afterwit . In my prosperitie , said he , Psal. 30 6. I said , I shall neuer bee moued . But so soone as God beganne to hide his face , and hee beganne also to bee troubled . vers. 7.

* That is notable which Isaiah Isa. 14. 13. saith concerning the King of Babylon , who in his fond conceit did reach the hight of heauen , as being at league with al contrary powers . Thou hast said in thine heart , I will ascend vers. 14. into Heauen , I will exalt my Throne aboue the Starres of God : I will ascend aboue the hight of the Cloudes , I will be like the most High .

What saith God to that ? It shall not bee so , O Lucifer . Sonne of the Morning , I shall take thee at the trip , though thou should soare aboue the Skyes of heauen , yet thou shalt vers. 15. bee brought downe to hell , to the sides of the pit : They that see thee shall narrow lie looke vpon thee , and consider thee , saying , Is this the man that made the earth to tremble , & that did shake king : doms ? * * Note This is the end of all flesh , irreuocablie concluded by the KING of Kings decree . Dust thou art , and Gen. 3. 19. vnto dust shalt thou returne : * * Note The way of greatest Monarches , is from the Palace to the Pit : Were a man Psal. 30. 9 neuer so high in Honour , hee must say at last with King Dauid , I goe the 1 King . 2. 2. way of all the Earth .

* * Note If Princes in their pompe could practise Memento mori , Selfe-conceit should not bee able to poppe in it selfe with pufts of pride , which make many to quarrel with the reprouers : Hee is like a Phenix , who beeing in Honour , can digest a reproofe , and finde it good with Hezekiah , who while hee was sore threatned , said , Good is the word of the Lord : O how 2 Kin. 10. 19 easilie doe faile flattering wordes cogge in themselues , by slie and craftie juggling into the hearts of these that are in high places : Tell them that all goeth well , and that this world shall last , and that in their prosperitie they shall neuer be moued , such Preachers will please : But if a Ieremiah come in with his woes , some Pashur shall not misse him vpon the Ier. 20. 2. cheeke : Ahab could not abide to heare good Micaiah : Wherefore ? 1 Kin. 22. 8. I hate him , said hee , for hee doeth not prophecie good concerning mee : In this was all the distemper : But wiselie and godlie was it replyed by good Iohoshaphat , Let not the King say so .

Well is that King who in his honour reputeth this his greatest Honour , to honour him , from whose Grace he hath his Crowne : his praises shall not bee silent , while hee shall lye in the place of silence , sleeping into slyme .

The Lord make the praise of our Gracious SOVERAIGNE to sound like that of Iosiah : And hee did that ▪ which is right in the sight of the Lord , 2 King . 22 2. and walked in all his wayes and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left ▪ AMEN AMEN .

What shall I say more of the vanitie of Honour and Preferment among men ? I am assured of this , that it is no sure token of Gods loue , for euen they that worke wickednesse Mal. 3. 25. are set vp : Of these oftest is said , O they are made , euen while they are madde .

* * Note The most naughtie and most vnworthie , whose valorous acts and vertuous deads no man can record : haue often found a roome where they may drinke in a full cuppe of temporall happinesse , many will wonder to see them steppe with a graue and stayed ciuilitie : Haue not many seene such in Kings Courtes with great applouse runne vp without any rubbe , as it were to the toppe of Tabor ; where to many who knew them before in a base estate , they will seeme to bee transfigured . Luk. 9. 19

* * Note The Lyers and the Flatterers will gather about the Gallant , and were it not the feare more of Lyce than of God , while hee speaketh , they would cry , The voyce of God Act. 12. 22 and not of man : While hee is thus wise in his greatest pride , princelie mounted , gallopping vpon the highest hills , imperiouslie dominearing , & reuelling in the world ; down commeth a thunder-bolt with fierie flashes , of a diuine wrath ; ouer-turning and downe throwing horse & man from the steepest of all his Preferments . Thus to all , at last he becommeth a spectacle of amazement .

* * Note Take vp now our Minion with all his honours , which once hee did so eagerlie , hunt after . The fairest blossomes of his glorie , are blasted as with mildew .

Beholde nowe , all his honours rolled in the dust , the higher he was mounted , the greater is his fall : who but Haman to day , thryuing in this world , and raising vp himselfe a Paramour of a Prince ? By his outward gliste●…ing hee maketh mens eyes to dazle : Now he hath the wind at will , and saileth as he pleaseth with flaunting sailes amid his greatest jollitie : But tarrie a little , looke vp to the weather-cocke : The winde is turned , Le Marquis d' Ancre en soit tesmoin . the head is where the taile was : Haman is disgraced , his louers are Apostats , no man darre auouch him , his honours is taken from him : This is his Princes will , Caput obnubito arbori Est. 7. 8. infoelici suspendito : Couer his face●… * * Note And seeing hee was the chiefe of a knot of knaues , let him haue the highes●… Est. 7. 9. pin of fiftie cubits high : By thus hee becommeth a man of high degree .

* * Note Thus hee to whom once many were glad to hold the basō as to a darling of account , proueth at last to bee one of this worlds fooles , which care not what bee their end so that their way bee pleasant .

* * Note At last , after all such pleasures , profites , and prefermentes , the vngodly man with great shame , with a ●…rou . 10. 7 rotten name , is grieued and gaul●…d with sorrow : Though hee both chaffe and fiet , yet of necessitie must hee packe him to the abhorred Regions of Death .

This is no new thing vnder Heauen ; and yet alas , how few are these that in their carriage can considder that hee that thinketh hee standeth , 1 Cor. 10. ●…2 . should take good heede , lest hee fall .

* * Note Prosperitie striketh most men blind on this eye , vntill the current thereof bee cutte ▪ or crossed with some disaster . * * Note While men are exalted , hardlie can they dreame of a change : Sathan is euer most busie to stickle and stricke the bargaine betweene them & Death , and Hell , and all sorte of disgrace .

Let vs also say some thing of the Leuites which are the King of Heauens fauorites , and if it may be said , his best beloued Minions : Their Honour is great ; if with the shining Vrin of sound and solide Doctrine , they joyne the Tummim of a good life , the Lord alloweth on them 1 Tim. 5. 17 double Honour : But if either by a foule decay of Grace , they bee Loiterers and will not Labour or labour in Doctrine , but not in life , their double Honour shall bee turned in double disgrace .

* * Note Of all Leuites the Lowne Leuite is the greatest .

There is nothing but it may bee good for some-thing , but vnsauorie Salt is good for nothing : While other Luk. 14. 34 most haynous sinners shall swimme like Corke on the brimme and vpper swarde of Hell , these that haue poysoned these whom they should haue seasoned both with life and doctrine , Exod. 15. 10 shall lik Egyptian Lead sink downe to the lowest of the Gulfe .

Thus as ye see Honour in whomsoeuer , if it bee without true Godlinesse ; is l●…k a faire woman , wanting Discretion , whom wise Solomon compareth Prou. 11. 22 to a jewel of go●…d in a Swynes snowte ▪ This all flesh will either subscriue or put their hand to the Pen in token of consent , except these that look vpon such outward things with the vnhallowed eye of prophannesse .

But to leaue all particulars : What is all the glorie of Nations ? If all their glorie and excellencie whatsoeuer , were put in one Scale of the Ballence and Vanitie in the other , Vanitie should weigh them downe : * * Note Dauid in his time put them in the weights together , after hee had well considered the matter , hee gaue out sentence , saying , Surelie men of low degree are vanitie & men of high degree Psal. 62. 9. are a lye , if they bee laid in the Ballance they are altogether lighter than Vanitie . See howe Vanitie is too heauie a weight for men of low and high degree : If ye would mak euen weight , out of vanitie must bee sought that which Habakkuke calleth , verie vanitie , Hab. 2. 13. euen Solomons vanitie of vanities : Eccles. 1. 2. Put in that lightest vanitie into the one Scale , and men of all degrees in the other , then shall the tongue of the Ballance stand euen .

What then shall wee say of the glorie of all Nations ? * * Note It is well compared by the Prophet vnto the droppe of a Bucket , and to the small dust Isa. 40. 15 of the Ballance : To tell vs that no worldlie thing can be balast in Gods Ballance , no more than the lightest dust can bee of weight into a Scale of mans Ballance , which is most easilie blowne away with the least blast of breath .

Great is the vanitie of the greatest : * * Note From the Throne the King himselfe must come downe by death for to goe sleepe in slyme . To Gods God hath said , Yee shall die like men .

Thus as yee see all earthlie Honour , for which is so much strife & debate , all worldly pompe and glory which men so hungerlie hunt after , is but like dust driuen away with a pu●…t of breath .

* * Note Let men in Honour bee in his best estate : Man in his best estate is altogether vanitie : The whole course of mans life is but a Myne of miserie , and a verie fardle of vanities : That thereof which is most stable , is but a flash and away . * * Note Let Gods vine trees keepe their wine , and his figges their sweetenesse , and his Oliues their Iudg. 9. 15 fatnesse , but let the Brambles catch crownes : This was the euent and issue of the Parliament of Trees at the crowning of their King .

Well is the man that may line and lurke : Who knoweth the weight of Crownes , the lodging of greatest Honours would neuer daine to desire them .

3. RICHES .

Now let vs come to Riches ▪ what are they ? a swift vanitie , which with winges flie away like an Eagle . Prou. 25. 5

I compare the most parte of rich men vnto Spiders , which spend their verie bowels in weeuing a web wherewith they may catch a flee .

* * Note What is all the glorie of Riches , but like a feast in print ? all sortes of meat are there , all sorts of wine are also there but onelie words & lines : There is nothing there indeede that can either flake the hunger o●… quench the thi●…st of the wearied man , no not after that hee hath laboured night and day , might and maine , to attaine contentment .

* * Note This world is rich in pr●…ffers , but of petit performance : Man for a space like a Shippe before the wind are rich laden , may glide gladlie ouer the sea of this world ▪ with a full saile : Hee may get Ladies sailing , as wee say , and that in a wonderfull quietnesse , but a little after such calme , Alcedonian dayes are past , euen while he is swimming in his wealth , blessing himselfe , as who but hee , vp getteth a tempest , and downe commeth a blast , beholde , a little from the Shore in sight of the Hauen , in the hight of his hopes , and hee is tumbled head-long downe to the bottome of the Gulfe . Let this bee a lesson vnto all , not to say with Dauid in his prosperitie I shall neuer bee moued : Psal. ●…0 . 6. Shall this bee mans felicitie , which daylie is in reuerence of Winde , and Waue , Pyrats , and Perrels .

Certainlie it is none happinesse for man heere to haue this wicked world at will : It is Gods custome Gen 17 39 to giue the fatnesse of the Earth to the men of this World ▪ * * Note These onlie be the things whereof they haue an assigned liferent with that rich man in the Gospel , to whom Abraham after Luk. 16. 25 his death cryed downe , Remember that in thy life-time thou receiuedst thy good things : * * Note At Abrahams requeast GOD refused not to make Ismael wealthie in this world : Concerning Gen ▪ 17. 20 Ismael , said the Lord , I haue heard thee : Loe , I haue blessed him ▪ and will make him fruitfull , and will multiplie him exceedinglie : Twelue Princes shall hee beget . The bitter teates of prophane Esau were comforted with the fatnesse of the Earth ; Gen. 27. 39 & with the dew of heauen from aboue . Christ cast first the bagge vnto Iudas ▪ Ioh. 12. 6. and after gaue him a sop , for to lette the world know that neither money Ioh. 13. 26 nor meate , are sure tokens of Gods fauour .

The wicked men of this world are content with such thinges , because their heauen is vpon earth , they haue their portion in this life .

As for the Godlie though with Iacob they haue but a staffe in their Gen 32. 10 hand for to goe out the way ▪ they will bee content if so bee that GOD will giue them bread to eate and clothes Gen. 28 ▪ 20 to put on .

* Alas , that wee cannot consider that by such heaped vp treasures Rom. 2. 5. men often heape vp to themselues treasures of wrath against the day of 1 Tim. 16 19 wrath : Happie they who lay vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come , that they may obtaine eternall life .

If wee could with a fixed and sanctified eye behold all these things for which men doe vnder goe such paines by afflicting their Soules , wee should easilie perceiue our earthlinesse , when wee losse such things , which we loue ( and who can keepe them ? ) it breaketh the verie heart of all our contentments .

What are all such thinges I pray you , euen while most pleasinglie and plausiblie they are enjoyed to the full in the most fertile plaines of plentie & pleasures of this world ▪

These whose cuppe doeth ouerflow , in whose coffers are wadges of Gold , can best , if they would , declare the vanitie of such transitorie things , they know with what cumber they are conquered , and with what care they are kept : * * Note Nay , man keepeth not them , but they keepe the minde of man in care .

Cura facit canos . Care changeth haire .

* * Note A peeuish worldling is a warded Wretch , entangled with golden fetters , his Palace is but a prison of carking cares , in scraping together hee taketh pleasure into paine ▪ before his end hee cannot perceiue his follie ▪ * * Note But still he gads by Sea , & by Land , seeking vpon the Sea and vpon the Earth an heauenlie felicitie , till at last frustrate of all his hopes , hee falleth downe into the Graue with a jumppe .

* * Note Thus as yee see such is the treason of our Treasures : They come like deceitfull dreames , and passe away like vanishing shadowes : One lie things Spirituall haue a sure and lasting roote .

* * Note Alas , in that our heart is least wherein it should be most , and most in that wherin it should bee least : Fooles that wee are , wee all earne wages to put into a bottomelesse bag ▪ Hag. 1. 6. Such wages are often giuen in keeping to most worthlesse men , as Iudas got the bagge to keepe . Ioh , 12. 6.

Oh , that mens hearts were fixed on the lasting Treasu●…es of immortalitie : Oh , that wee could learne in time this sound Diuinitie , that all that is vnder the circle of the Moone is but flatte vanitie and vexation of the Spirit of man , which continuallie wanders vp and downe at randome , seeking its felicitie in that where it is not to bee found .

* * Note Well is the man whose hearts desires are bounded and confined within the secret compasse of contentment .

4. BEAVTIE .

What is Beautie , but as one faith well , a colour and a temptation ? The colour fadeth , & the temptation ●…nareth : * * Note Behold , her who within these fourtie yeares seemed a perfection of Beautie , a rauisher of eyes ; behold 〈◊〉 now in her fourescore , with her wrinkled cheekes , and her glasse●… eyes , and her rotten teeth , and her stinking breath : * * Note Behold , and say with a sigh , Fauour is deceitfull , and prou. 31. 30 Beautie is vanitie : But she that feareth the Lord shall bee praised .

* * Note There is nothing more fadding than flesh ; and yet man will not consider ; while his eye is quicke , & his lips rudie , and his colour liuelie ▪ hee cannot think of changes , neither by age nor sicknesse , such a foolish conceite is bredde in the heart : Out of such a Beautifull sleepe hee cannot be wakned , til God with a shout cause preach him to bee Grasse : The voyce Isa. 40. 6. said cry : The Prophet saide , What shall I cry ? All flesh is grasse , and the goodnesse thereof as the flower of the fielde : The grasse withereth , the flower faddeth , because the Spirit of the Lord blaweth vpon it : Surelie the people is grasse : By this the Lords publicke Oyas , all fleshlie beautie is cryed downe , as beeing but a beguiling colour , and a snairing temptation : Fye on men and womens follie ▪ care for colour is but vanitie : Heere is beautie Psal. 90. 17 without fard : Let the beautie of the Lord our God bee vpon vs : * * Note All other beauty is lik an Almanack whose vse is but for a yeare : It is but a baite for catching of vnstable Soules .

5. PLEASVRE .

As for all the Pleasures , we reape in earthly things , I compare them to fruites eaten before they bee ripe , which fi●…st set the teeth on edge , and thereafter cause diuerse and deadlie diseases .

* * Note There is no pleasure heere without a Page of paine ▪ at its backe : Our weedes and our flowers growe vp together , the best often is borne downe by the worst .

* * Note What I pray you are all the foolish pleasures of this world , but as wee ordinarlie call them passe times ? Hath man so long a time to liue ? Or is his journey from Earth to Heauen so easie or so short that hee may haue leasure for pleasures and passe times ? Is mans short life so wealthie of time that it must be passed into passe-times ? Must wee not in end come to count & reckoning for our euill and well spent houres ▪

Moreouer , what are the most parte of all earthlie delights ? The most excellent are but noble miseries , the fairest are but farded lik the face 2 King . 6. 30 of Iezebel , onely an out-side or outward scroofe of pleasure ? What I pray you are all carnall delights , but the lymetwiges of the Deuill , wherewith the sillie Soules of sinners are ensnared and entangled ?

What shall I say more ? * * Note All the pleasures that are below may well be compared to a smokie fire in a f●…ostie day whereof the smoke is more hurtfull than the fire is helpefull : All the joys which are heere , are but reekie pleasures purchased with teares , wher with the eyes of men are made bleared : Prou. 14. 13 In laughing the heart will bee sorrowfull ; and the end of that mirth is heauinesse : Worldlie pleasures but darkeneth the Reason , & deceiue the Senses : Voluptates carnales sunt putida & putrida , both stinking and rotten : Onelie the pleasures of Heauen are pure , perfect , and perpetuall : All other thinges slide away like water .

6. WISEDOME .

What is all the Wisedome of this World ? Scripture saith , that it is but follie before God : * * Note It may well 1 Cor. 3. 19 bee compared to the Letters which Vriah carried against himselfe : If it bee not sanctified , it is in the bosome 1 Sam. 11 14. ●… message against the messenger .

* * Note Knowledge and pregnancie of Wit stored with all morall vertues , without Gods feare are witnesse against the man himselfe , in whom they are : They will stand vp and testifie against him ▪ that hee vnderstood his Masters will , and yet would not doe it : * * Note Woe to that backe in hell whose heart on earth was full engrossed of worldlie witte : Hee that knoweth his Masters will and doeth it not , shall bee beaten with manie strips : Away with that Soule whose vnderstanding is great swelled with knowledge , but lamed in its practicall powers , wherein is the working of the life of true Christianitie . Many in this world are much counted of their naturall ●…it , but wherin I pray you doe most men spend their wits and breake their braines ? Is it not to be great in this world ? In the meane time they are so spirituallie brutish , that they care not what they bee , o●… where they be in the world to come ▪

* * Note Such fooles are like Fishers that leaue mayne seas for to fish in shallow puddle ▪ As I beganne this point so I end it , all naturall witte ▪ is branded with this , that it is but follie before 1 Cor. 3. 19. God : Let your Soule disavow and disclaime it , that yee may bee wise in God : Gods wise man to worldlie wise , is but a sillie Gods Foole.

7. CHILDREN .

* * Note As for Children , their conception is with sicknesse & ouer ▪ casting of heart : Their birth is with paines like the paines of hell : Their bu●…iall is with teares , after many a wearisome night : Such pleasures are painefull pleasures : Apples of So dome are rotten within .

* * Note But let vs suppone that , lik noble branches they liue and come to men , yea , to gray haires : They are our Heires , the end of all our painefull drudgery & carefull conquests ▪ * * Note Though a man had conquered vnto them the whole world , hee must looke vpon his conquest with a sigh , and say with the wife Man ▪ As for him that commeth after mee Eccles. 2. 19 who knoweth whether hee shall bee a wise man or a foole , and yet he must bee master of all my labours : Man may conquise Lands to his Children , but Thrift , and Wisedome cannot bee bought : The most thriftie is often the father of the most for lorne .

What a vanitie is this ? * * Note Certainlie who would weigh well all the pleasures of Children with the paines past , and the feares for time to come , should find all the pleasures light like wole , light like Belshazzar : Dan. 5. 27 But his paines should be found to be like Pharaoh & his Armie , that sank Exod. 15. 10 downe like Leads in to the might it waters : * * Note Such light pleasures are soone ouerswayed with leaden paines : * * Note Too great pleasure in Children , is but a childish pleasure : The best of it is of ten laden shortly after with a lumpish crosse , which hath neede of a Simon for to beare vp the end of it for Luk. 23. 26 the helpe of the bearer .

Alas , the hearts of most men are too too much taken vp with that which may bee termed the sicknesse of Eli , or fathers follie , which hardlie 1 Sam. 3. 13. can suffer controlement , or contradiction : They are so in loue with their Children , that though they by a leud life mak themselues vile , they wil not restraine them ▪ Their minds are so giuen to them , that they are grieued to grieue them with fathers reproofes : But at last out-commeth the voyce of judgement , When I beginne 1 Sam. 3. 12. I will also make amend .

8. LONG LIFE .

Last of al , if there be any thing that wold seeme to be desired , it shuld be Iob. 2. 4. long lif all that a manhath he will giue it for his life : * * Note Though these be the words of a Lyar , yet most men will put their hand to the pen and subscribe the trueth thereof : * * Note All that most men haue , as Strength , Honours , Riches ▪ Beautie , Pleasure* , Wisedome , Children , and all will they giue for their Life : But what is this life ? were it neuer so long , but a season wherein poore men is tyred with toyles ? What is it but a long martyr dome , and a stormie time of teares ? What is this life ? Let S. Iames answere , It is , said hee , but a Iam. 4. 14. vapour . Nubicula est cito evanescit : Nascimur flentes morimur gementes : It beginneth with teares and endeth with groans : What is life ? Let Iob Iob. 2. 22. answere , Mylife , saith hee , is wind . What is life ? Let Isaiah answere , It is but a breath in our nostrile . What Isa. 2. 22. is life ? Cry , said the Lord to Isaiah , What shall I cry ? said Isaiah , Cry , All flesh is grasse . * What is life ? Isa. 40. 6. A tale that is tolde , saith Moses : Psal. 90. 9. * * Note What is it ? A flitting shaddow , a bubble in the water , a deceiueable dreame , the working of a weeuers Sh●…ttle which by winding heere and there vnwindeth it selfe to an end : * * Note Our life like the shadow on the Dyall insensiblie stealeth away .

See what it is of the vanitie of this life : * * Note It is begunne with weeping ▪ and maintained by sweatting , and at last endeth with a gaspe : Mors vltima linea rerum : Thus mans life like the beautifull Apple of Sodome , so soone as it is toucht , is turned into dust .

What should moue a man to desire many dayes ? * * Note While a man desireth many dayes , hee desireth that which hee desireth not , viz. olde Age : What is olde Age , but manie dayes ? Are not the old mans Eccles. 12. 1 dayes called . The euill dayes , and the yeares of which he saith , I haue no pleasure in them ? What hath hee then ? will ye say , if hee hath no pleasure ? All sorts of paines olde Age sets on foote all the sortes of diseases . The Guts and the Grauels , and diuerse Defluxions , with many other maladies run vpon him and write a Kalender in his bones , wherin his pain full itchings like Astronomers declare to him what weather it will bee to morrow .

* * Note Thus as ye see , manslife is but an irksome occupation & an houre of tediousnesse , & to be short a verie compend of miserie , casie to bee vnderstood without any commentarie of long discourse , if wee were schollers willing to learne .

* * Note May not men see how all that is below is sicke of the fluxe ? for nothing is permanent : Hee onely fitteth sure , who can say with Dauid , Mine heart is fixed , O Lord . Psal. 108. 1

What shall I say more of this whole world ? * * Note Let men thinke of it what they will , this is the constant trueth of an vncreated Testimonie , this present euill world : It is Gal. 1. 4. so euill that it is said to lye in wickednesse : The Lord neuer suffer out Soules to bee its Bed fellowes : such a Bed is a bloody bed , like that of Iezabel : * * Note A nest wherein is no rest , but terrour , of Conscience .

Before I end this point concerning long life , let vs roll a space this short meditation in our minds .

What is in this world so worthie that it should bee so eagerlie desired ? Continuallie while wee liuewee are in feare of Death , for this cause seeke wee Physicke , Mirth , and Musicke , and all for to b●…rre Death to the doore : And yet fooles that wee are , cerius out citius , soone or since wee must all draw neere to the Psal. 107. 18 doores of Death : There is no discharge in this warre .

Euerie man in this life hath his appointed time , wherein night and day he must waite till his a●…ange come . Iob. 14. 14

* * Note Mens dayes are distributed vnto them like houres seuemilie diuided vpon the Horologe : Some must liue but till One , another vnto Two , another vnto Three : The Palme turneth about & with its finger pointeth at the houre : So soone as mans appointed houre is come , whether it bee the first , second , or third , there is no more biding for him : Nec prece ni●… precio , neither by pryce not prayer can Death bee moued to spare him but an houre , no not . * * Note As the sound of the Clocke Bell ringing , his last houre passeth away with all speede , and turneth not againe , so must the poore man at Death with all haste packe him out of sight and no mo●…e be seene vpon the land of the liuing . Isa. 38. 11

His houre beeing sounded , hee must with all haste remoue , that another might take place : One of whom none can surelie say , Hee shall Eccles. 2. 19 bee a wise man or a foole .

Then all that the sillie man had painefullie prouided , must bee giuen to him whom the father often in his life beholding ▪ said with a sigh within himselfe , Beholde , him for whom is all this drudgerie ; behold him for whom is all my toyle , and turmoyle , Who knoweth whether Eccles. 2. 19 hee shall bee a wise man or afoole ? yet shall hee bee master of all my labours .

Now happie and thrise happie they whom GOD in mercie remoueth in time from seeing heart-break of follie , and deboched manner of their godles posteritie : Scripture accounteth this for a singulare benefite to the Righteous ▪ when he is remoued , that hee should not see the Isa. 57. ●… . euill day to come

The sicke Man .

Alas , of our follies ! While wee should seeke GOD and our Soules Saluation with the strongest straine and power of our Soule , by the corruption of our Nature wee are caried on the by : We liue heere in a sinke of sinne : The older the world groweth , it groweth the worse : Euery Age in its foolish dotage , commeth in with the own guise , scorning former phancies with greater follies , yea , with foolish phrancies of which this predominant , that the wisedome of God , which in all times seemed follie to the wicked , did neuer seeme such a follie as it doeth now , from the vpper brimme of sinne the world is come to the dregges : The image of the worlds vanitie is like that of Nebuchadnezars all gold and siluer in the vp most parts , but in this last & most corrupt age wee are come to the clay : * * Note If wee bee wise , we must seeke a new world in this olde world , for this will neuer grow a better . As the loue of Venison wan Isaac to blesse one for another , so if we loue this world , with a blind loue , for a morsell of its Venison , wee will preferie it to Gods blessing : All the dayes of this wretched life , wee remaine in a fooles paradise . But I leaue this .

I desire your earnestlie Sir , that yee would let mee heare something more concerning olde Age , which is a thing that euery man desireth to come vnto , as if it were the best time of life .

The Pastour .

In this point appeareth the vanitie of man & the weaknes of his wit : Euery man would liue to be old , and yet no man desireth to bee olde : Let men say what they will , I speake of naturall men , all men desire to liue long , which is to bee olde , and yet they desire to remaine young : * Their wrinkles & their gray haires the companions of olde Age , the end of their desires are vn welcome vnto them : * * Note Then would they turne backe againe , that with the Eagle they Psal. 103. 5 might cast their Bill , whereby they might renew their youth : * * Note Heare old Nestor , who as Poets record , had liued three ages , a surfet of yeares : Heare him with his wish .

O miht praeteritos referat si Iupiter annos .

Like a foolish Pyla●… while hee is at the mouth of his Harberie , hee would raise vp the Sailes for to turne to the tempestuous sea againe : * * Note See howe the olde man if hee get but a faire Sunne blinke of a weekes health after cloudes returning after the raine , Eccles ▪ 122. how hee will rejoyce , as though it shuld neuer be foule weather againe ▪

Men may pyne themselues with desire of dayes : But doe what they can their life is like one that saileth , whether hee standeth or hee sitteth , whether hee watch or sleepe , hee is euer vpon his course .

The sicke Man .

Let it please you Sir , to continue in that discourse .

The Pastour .

Solomon in the last lecture of the Booke of his preaching letteth the young man see the vanitie of many yeares .

* * Note In that place is most clearelie set downe how olde Age the end of our appointed time is enwrapped Iob. 14. 14 with a cloud of miseries , as beeing a time wherevnto like waues in a Sea , one trouble ariseth vpon the necke of another , the latter beeing euer worse than the former , till at last fluctus decumanus , the last and the greatest waues of Death come and sweepe the man away : The imaginarie sweetenesse of all earthly contentmentes , is closed and concluded with a bitter Farewell .

* * Note In that Lecture the Preacher bringeth in the old man like a Skellet whereat in the presence of all yong men hee pointeth out all his infirmities , saying vnto the young Ones , Beholde , if such a life bee so much to bee desired .

First of all , hee pointeth at his Eccles. 12. 1 dayes calling them , The euill dayes , 2. * * Note Hee toucheth his yeares , calling them , Yeares without pleasure : 3. * * Note He speaketh of the moyst , raw & rainie winter of his colde old Age , the dayes of sorrow , wherein clouds returne after the raine : As one defluxtion hath rained downe , another is arising like a cloude : 4. Hee pointeth out all the imperfections of his bodie : When olde Age is come , then the keepers of the house tremble , vers. 3. that is , the handes which keepeth the bodie become sicke of the palsie , they tremble , so that they can not carry the cuppe to their heade :

* * Note Then the strong men bow themselues , their legges are not able to beare them : * * Note Then the grinders cease , their teeth rotte and become mouldie , so that they can eate no bread : * * Note Then they waxe darke that looke out at the windowes , their eyes become bleared and blind : * * Note Then the doores shall bee shut in the streetes , when the vers. 4. sound of the grinding is low , when the teeth the mouthes grinders are rotten , the lippes which are the doores of the streete of the mouth are shut , so that the old man cannot speak so distinctlie as of before : * * Note Then shall hee rise vp at the voyce of the Bird , olde men cannot sleepe , hee muste rise so soone as the Birds beginne to sing , or his sleepe is so vnfound , that the chirpe of a little Bird will w●…ken him : * * Note Then shall all the daughters of singing bee abased neither can an olde man sing himselfe for lacke of voyce , neither can hee heare others sing for deafenesse , so both his wind pipes and his eares the daughters of singing are abased : * * Note Then shall vers. 5. he be afraide of the high thing , he dar climbe no more , hee is no more for Stares and vpper Chambers : * Then feare shall bee in the way , while they walke they tremble as one that is afraide to fall : * * Note Then the Almond tree shall flourish , their gray haires growe white like the flourishes and blossomes of an Almond : * * Note Then a Grasse Hopper shall bee a burden , they are so weake , that they can beare nothing , their knees are weak as water , so that they are a burden vnto themselues : See howe the weight of a grasse hopper which is little greater than a Bee , is a burden to the man of yeares : * * Note Then shall the vers. 6. siluer cord bee loosed , and the golden bowle shall bee broken , his Sinewes shall become slacke , and his Gall shall breake : * * Note Then shall the pitcher bee broken at the well , the vaines shall draw no more blood out of the well of the Leuer : * * Note Then shall the wheele bee broken at the Cisterne , his Lightes become so ●…otten and riuen , that he can no more draw any breath with his broken Bellowes : * * Note See howe Death stealeth vpon vs with insensible degrees .

* * Note Behold , O young man the anatomie of thy selfe , when thou shal●… haue gotten thine hearts wil of years : * * Note Heere is thy portrature drawen before hand : Painters can portray but according as they see ; but tymes to come are present vnto God : Heere is thy portrature for the dayes of olde age that is to come : * * Note Beholde thy selfe in it before hand , a receptacle of maladies : See there thy balde head , and thy bleared eyes , and thy deafe eare , and thy wrinkled face , and thy rotten teeth , and thy stinking breath , hauing thy body bowed and crouched with thy third foote into thine hand : * * Note Of thee may bee put out a Riddle , What is it which hauing three feete , walketh with one foote into its hand , I shall assoile it , It is an olde man going with a staffe : To this let mee subjoyne another : What is it that hath his stomacke into a Booste , and his eyes into his pocket ? It is the same , viz. An olde man fedde with boost Confections , or cured with continuall purgations , hauing his Spectacles his eyes of glasse , into a case : His dayes are dayes of drousinesse : All his pleasures are out of tune and temper . * * Note Beholde how this proude and loftie creature is so curbed , withered , and wrinkled , that it hath nothing but the vgelie shape of a creature .

* * Note Thus after as in a dote hee hath tottered some space about at last hee falleth downe to dust , and dust ●…neth Eccle. 12. 7 to the earth as it was : That is petere principium : * * Note Then all his deuises and his discourses , all his arguments and his syllogismes for Riches , Honour , and preferment , inferre a conclusion which is but petitio principij , a sort of argument scorned by the Learned , as beeing an argument declaring the weaknes of the Disputer so after we haue spended our wits with our wordes , all our dispute at last is found to be but vpon trashes & triffles , or as wee say , de lana caprina : At last all commeth to this , that wee are in end found to haue beene neither in moode nor figure , but onely jangling and cangling , and at last returning to that where once wee beganne .

Thus hee who in his youth stepped statelie vpon the ground , who hauing the world at wish , was wont to brag it out with the brauest , with big & darring words , after that in his life he hath beene tossed with losses , cares , and crosses , hee lyeth down●… . into his greene & growing bedde , that dust may returne to the earth as it was .

* * Note The Sunne at night seemeth to lye downe , in a bed of darknesse , but like a Gyant in the morning hee ariseth with force of light : But man once dead shall not awake till the heauens Iob , 14. 12. bee no more .

* * Note A man in his youth with a prophane & seared Conscience may swallow ouer Camels of pleasant & profitable Ma●… . 23. 24 sinnes without any paine , his heart beeing secured with a slumbe●…ing and superficiall quiet : But so soone as the tyme of the rotten Age commeth , all the sweetenesse of the sinnes of his youth is turned into gall and worme-wood , the Conscience of his by past euill spent life doggeth behind him .

All the dregges and drosse of dolouis fall downe vpon this tyme : Then the mirth of youth is turned into mourning : This is the nature of sinne , the joye thereof euer endeth into sorrow : Who doeth not see how the mirth of youthfull lusts passeth away with the faire blossomes of youth ? after that commeth old age , life the time of the fall of the leafe , a time of deadlie diseases : After that man in his youth hath drunken at the brimme the clearest pleasures of sinne in his olde sicklie age , when hee hath greatest neede of comfort , then must hee drinke the doolefull and drumblie dregges of sorrow .

This is the course of mans pilgrimage , in this valey of teares : Wee come weeping into this Worlde ▪ where wee walke through troubles and temptations , whereof except that God bee more mercifull , the end shall bee bitternesse , brimstone fire .

Alas , for our benummed heart : Oh , that wee were sensible of our owne miserie , and could weigh what it is to toile into this world , a wildernesse of woe ! What is heere that should tye our heart from the loue of Heauen ? If wee would speake with Scripture , wee would say , that a thousand yeares in Heauen are but like one day on earth , and againe , if wee would speake with trueth , we must say , that one day on Earth seemeth longer than a thousand yeeres in Heauen : * * Note Dolour and griefe prolongeth that which is made short by joye and pleasure : * * Note An houre in a painefull prison is longer than a weeke in a pleasant Palace : * * Note Let mee speake a Paradoxe : A Child of a day is of a thousand yeares of age , 2 Pet. 3. 8 older than Methushelah : Why ? A day on Earth is like a thousand yeares in Heauen for length : Fye , fye , on our foolish vanitie , that wee cannot consider : * * Note A Childe of a day may bee content with a day of life , and say , if hee could speake , I am full of dayes , yea , full of yeares and full of labour , I wish to be in heauen , wher a thousand yeeres seeme not so long as a day , yea , where Eternitie it selfe shal neuer seeme to be too long : * * Note Eye vpon too great desire of dayes , while wee liue on earth , as wormes wee creepe on it : In death we creepe in it .

* * Note Mans heart on earth , is like a tooth in the jaw , the deeper roote it hath , the more paine it causeth , when it is in drawing out with the Turkesse * * Note A heart fixed to the earth and nailed to the ground either with pleasure or profite or desire of yeeres cannot be rugged from thence without renting of its filme : * * Note If mans heart bee sette vpon long life , hee shall neuer want the disease of the feaze of disease , the messenger of Death : A feeble fitte of a feuer will put him in a maze of amazement : * * Note In a worde , doe the best hee can , all the dayes of his life are but labour Psal. 90. 10 and sorrow : * * Note The best man that liueth , so soone as hee beginneth to liue , must say with a sigh , All the Iob. 14. 14 dayes of mine appointed time will I waite till my changing come : See I pray you , howe the life of man as with loose reines and a laide downe head is euer in a course like a swift Dromedairie , posting to a change .

* * Note Beholde , Sir , howe foolish this world is , that gappeth so for many yeares , that all that men haue Iob. 2. 4. euen to their skinne , they would giue it for their life : * * Note See and consider how the olde man is besieged with dolours and diseases on all sids , some set on his eyes , some on his eares , some on his teeth , some on his tongue , some on his legges , some on his lights , and some on his liuer : * * Note See how all sortes of diseases is like flesh f●…es prey vpon the old man , not leauing a free bit of him from the sole of his feete ▪ to the crowne of his head : See what a gostlie sight it is to beholde such ratling bones couered with a wrinkled skinne : * * Note Now after that hee hath coughed and spitted on a space some few yeares , beeing a burden to himselfe , and a cumber vnto others , at last hee sickneth and taketh bed , and falleth into the hands of Death , which holdeth him with fearefull grippes : * * Note Then Death commeth with a colde sweate ouer-running all his bodie , looketh him grimme in the face : * * Note Then his jaw bones beginne to hang down , and his face to grow pale , and his cheekes wan : Then his eyes water , their stringes breake , his tongue faltereth , his breath shorteneth and smelleth of earth , his heart lifteth , his throate rattleth , his joynts stiffen : After that Death hath made a breach with the shot●…es of great artilerie whereby it hath beaten and broken downe all the noble partes of the bodie , Death commeth in like a strong man , and grippeth so the hearte of the poore man , that by diuerses gaspes hee maketh his heart-strings to leape asund●… : * That done , the ruinous house of man falleth , and his Soule leapeth out with his gaspes , which in an instant must compeare before its Iudge , either Matth. 25 34. 41. for to heare , Come , or Depart . Let your attention yet goe a little a long with mee .

See what it is of olde age : * * Note Consider how feeble it is , being a burden vnto it selfe , a time vnfitte for anie affaire : And yet most men in their youth swynishlie wallow in vncleannes , thinking , to keepe the old yeares for the amending of their life & for all other spirituall adoes , as repentance and returning vnto God , as if a man beeing for to goe a farre and foule journey , should lay the greatest burden vpon the weakest horse : Prou. 12. 10 A good man regardeth his beast , how much more should hee regard himselfe : * * Note What regard is heere , when a man in his youth rolleth his originall sinne , like a snow-ball among actuall sins , to such a huge greatnesse , that in his strongest youth hee is not able to moue it , and yet delayeth , thinking that when hee is olde hee shall easilie remoue it and remeede it : The sinnes of youth draw vpon old age deadnesse of heart and dulnesse of zeale : It is good that man with a watchfull eye holde in perpetuall jealousie the cunning slightes and windings of the deceit of sinne in youth : And therefore , while it is youth time , while God calleth , while the wind serueth , while the Sea is calme , while the Shippe is sound , let vs sette foorth in time to saile toward the port of Saluation , & the harberie of Grace in Glorie : * * Note O vaine man , who in thy youth turneth the grace of thy God into wantonnesse , and thinketh to come home to God againe when thou is olde , what shall God doe with thy blind lame olde age ? Is that a sacrifice for God ? Offer it vnto thy Gouernour , saith Malachie . Mal. 1. 8. If a blind or lame beast wil not please a man , what shall God doe with that which is more blind than a beast . * * Note The King of Babilon commanded Dan. 1. 4. Ashpenaz the master of his Eneuches to mak choise of Children in whom was no blemish , & such as had ability in them to stand in the Kings Palace : What ? shall the Deuill get the finest flower of our age , the strength of our dayes , and the abilitie of our Soule , and thereafter shall God , the King of Heauen , bee serued with the blind 2 Sam. 5. 6 and the lame such as the verie Soule of Danid did hate ? * * Note It is good afore hand to bee furnished with Graces , which may be as the staffe of our old age ? * If we spend our strength in our youth at the seruice of God , he shall neuer cast vs off in our olde age : * * Note But what shall I say ? nothing will waken foolish Virgines while they sleepe , Matth. 25 11 till that shrill voyce bee heard , The Bridegrome is come : * * Note When it is no more time , men who contented themselues with counterfeit shewes & deceiuing shadowes , arise , run , & seeke for Oyle , which they shall not be able to get , either for buying or begging .

* * Note By all this my discourse Sir , ye may perceiue that the long date of dayes bringeth men vnto dotage , & after dotage vnto dust from thence hee came .

* * Note Man of few yeares is foolish vnto fourtie , a little after that folie hath left him , dotage succeedeth which vnderstandeth no Precepts .

In this Mappe of the olde mans miserie , yee may see whether or not man haue cause to bee greedie of many yeares .

* * Note Though the world were not vaine , yet yee see that man is but vanitie in the world : Let all men heere lay aside such doting vanities , that bring too doolefull miseries .

Let all flesh learne that : * * Note Nothing out of God can affoord sound joye and contentment : * * Note If a man want God , were hee an Emperour as high indeede , as the King of Babylon was in conceite , euen aboue the stars Isa. 14. 13. of God , his life shall bee crossed with these th●…ee shrude companions , viz. The griefe of thinges by past , the paines of things present , and the feare of after claps .

The sicke Man .

The thought of such thinges beginne to waine mine heart from the loue of all thinges worldlie : I pray you yet a little to continue in that purpose concerning the vanities of things below . * * Note The meditations therof lik sharpe & keene spurs should prick and stirre vs forword from the loue of this vnto the loue of these lasting things which are aboue .

The Pastour .

The sight of this worlde is like that vision of Ezechiel , wherein is often said , Turne thee yet againe , and Ez●…k. 8 13 thou shalt see moe abominations , than all these : So say I Sir , Turne you yet againe heere , and yee shall see greater vanities than either these of Strength or of Honour , or of Riches , or of Beautie , Pleasure , Wisedome , or long Life : Beholde a vanitie , which is the cause of all these vanities , viz. Sinne and iniquitie where ▪ vnto we are all subject so long as we liue in this world the region of corruption , where if a man stand on Gods side , he shall become the drunkards song with Dauid , or a by-word with Iob among the chidren of Beliel .

* * Note Looke thorow this world , and consider sin in all sortes of men , & sorrow following euer sinne at the heeles : In this place behold Dauid Psal. 6 6. making his bedde to swimme with his teares for his adulterie : In that place againe , behold Peter weeping b●…tterlie for his denyall : In this place Luk. 22. 92 againe , behold Lot , vexing his righteous 2 Pet. 2. 8. Soule from day to day , for the vnlawfull deedes of the wicked : In that place behold S. Paul groaning vnder a dead bodie of sinne , euen a bodie of death : No man is able to Rom. 7. 24 hunt all the corners of mans corruption : From particular men let vs come to whole Churches , defiled with spots and blemishes : * * Note Heere is the Church of Ephesus , which hath Reuel. 2. 4. left her first Loue . * * Note There is Smyrna where some of Gods best seruantes are cast into prison : Heere againe vers. 10. is Pergamus defiled with the doctrine vers. 14. of Balaame , and of the Nicolaitanes : In Thyatira the whoore Iezabel sat as a Prophetesse teaching and seducing vers. 20 Gods seruants to committe fornication , & to eate things sacrificed vnto idoles : Reuel. 3. 1. Sardis had a name to liue , and yet was vers. 15. dead : Laodicea was neither cold nor hote , so that God threatned to spewe her out of his mouth : * * Note Among all the seuen Churches onelie Philadelphia Reuel. 3. 10 kept the word of his patience , and yet her life was not without feare to vers. 11 losse her Crowne : Behold , I come quicklie , said the Lord , hold that fast which thou hast , that no man take thy Crowne : * * Note But long since hauing neglected this precept , shee is bereaued of that comfort & Crowne : * * Note Where nowe are all these most flourishing Churches of Asia ? where now are all these Churches of Grecia most glorious in Constantius dayes ? Because they helde not fast that which they had , they haue all lost their Crowne : By deare Experience haue they learned what vanitie is .

* * Note Behold and see how this world is like a working sea , wherein sinne like a gall winde or strong Tyde carrieth many tribulations and destructions * Note from Countrie to Contrie ▪ * * Note All is made thereby subject vnto changes lik the Moone , Crownes haue their composse & triumphs haue their tombes : All our sweetest thinges in end proue but honied poyson .

Thus all that yee see heere below is vnconstant : * * Note The greatest kingdomes are turned about as with whirling wheeles : The Kinges vpon its spokes are marked vpon this ditt●… 〈◊〉 Regnabo , regno , regnam ; su●… 〈◊〉 sine regno .

One Prince is lying vpon his backe , another hath a spok in his hand climing vp the Wheele : The third is vpon the top : The fourth is fallen , hauing his heeles vp & his head down : * * Note All the things of this world are diuided into foure : Either they lye low , or they climbe , they stand , or they are fallen : The poore man is lying vpon his backe without any helpe or hope : Another is fall of climbing conceits : The third beeing there where all would bee euen vpon the toppe , the higher hee is mounted the greater is his fall : * * Note He then falleth , that another may stand in his place : while hee againe is lifted vp hee must stand with feare and heare , Let him that 1 Cor. 10 12. standeth take heede , lest hee fall : * * Note At last also to him the handwritting commeth foorth , that in Gods , ballance he is found wanting , & that therfore Dan. 5. 27 his kingdome must bee taking from him : Then all the pleasures of his wine & of his whoores , then all his feasting , his mirth , and his Musicke is turned into a trembling feuer , which maketh all his joyntes to shiuer , and his knees to smyte one against another : Beholde , and consider , how the glorie of Kings , the gods of this Psal. 82. 6. world is brought to destruction .

Though their heads bee golden , their feete are but of clay like Nebuchadnezars image : Gods litle stone cut Dan. 2. 34 out without hands , is able to bruise & grinde in powder , their Golde , Siluer , Brasse , Yron , and Clay , for the allaying of the pride of their peacocke feathers : Hee can let them see the blacknesse of their feete : None of them can stand before the winde of that voyce : Returne ye Children of men . Psal. 90. 3

Though their honours which they doe broach with so bold a face were reared aboue the highest cloudes , and exalted aboue the starrie Skie yet must they descend at the Euening of their life , and make their bed with the beggers in the dust .

Thus after they haue drunke vp the pleasures of this world as Behemoth the Riuer of Iordan , they at last Iob. 40. 23. find all to be but vanitie and change : * * Note When their houre is come , they must quite all , and make resignation of all into the hands of a new succession , for to goe dwell in the Land of darknesse and shadow of death : * * Note Who knewe the weight of their Crownes , they would neuer be so sicke for them , as King Ahab was 1 Kin. 21 4 for Nabothes vine yarde .

If of any man may bee said , this is most true of him who is in highest Iob , 14. 22 places , While his flesh is vpon him , hee shall haue paine , and his Soule within him shall mourne : After that for a space hee hath feasted with Belshazzar , Dan. 5. 2. and fatted himselfe against the day of slaughter with Wheat , Wine , and Oyle , at last shall hee know , but too late , that no Feast is continuall , but that of a good Conscience .

* Oh , that great men while their minds with Dauid are beastlie , would Psal. 73. 22 with Dauid goe to the Sanctuarie of God , for to learne that if great men be not good men , though they were Kinges , they are sette in slipperie places .

* * Note Seeing Kings and Kingdomes are but vanitie , what is that on earth that is not vaine ? There is nothing that can stretch to eternitie below .

* * Note In this world all men are strangers in their birth Pilgrimes , in their life , & at last lik combersome guests by death they are thrust out at doores : The language of Tabor was that ▪ It is Luk. 9 33. good for vs to bee heere : But the language of heauen proclaimed that Peter knew not what he said : Striue to keepe euer your heart loose from the earth : Reuel. 15. 1 The glassie sea , of this world is neuer without tempests .

* * Note Hee that would haue his Soule wained from the loue of this world , let him remember but these sixe things : 1. What hee is in himselfe : 2. What is within him . 3. What is aboue him : 4. What is beneath him . 5. What is before him : 6. What is behind him .

* * Note Man in himselfe is but dust and ashes , a cage of corruption : Thrise with one breath is he called , Earth , earth , Ier. 22. 29. earth ! Earth by creation , sustentation and corruption , saith Bernard : Within him is a blind minde , a peruerse will , and most vile affections , Gen. 6. 5. yea , so that euerie imagination of the thoughts of his hearte are onelie euill continuallie : Aboue is a weightie vengeance , hanging by a small twined threed of Gods patience : Below him Matth. 12 45 is a fierie fornace and the smoking brimstone gulfe of euerlasting burnings : Against him Sathan and sinne with their legions posting to and fro , so that when one departeth , it is but to fetch seuen others worse than himselfe : * * Note Before him is nothing but miserie , volumnes of woes , and lamentations : Those bee his Day-booke : Behind him pale Death followeth with stealing steppes : * * Note See what a masse of miserie like an hudge armie besetteth and besiegeth the whole course of the life of man , till death at last come with the dead stroke , and separate the Soule from the lumpish heauinesse of clay : Then they that die in the Lord are blessed , yea , saith the Spirit , That they may rest Reuel. 14. 13 from their labours . But because the day is alreadie spent , yee shall now carefullie thinke vpon that which hath beene said .

It was a speciall propertie required in Sacrifices fitte for God , that they could chewe the cude : I leaue Leuit. 11. 7 that which ye haue heard vnto your nights meditations . I pray God that by his Spirit he would conuoy into the substance of that which your eare hath receiued .

Before I leaue you , let vs all bend our knees vnto God in prayer , that it would please his Highnesse to blinke downe vpon you with a reconcealed face : His boundlesse and bottomelesse mercies did neuer yet know how to breake a bruised reed , or quench a smoaking flaxe .

Let vs pray .

A Prayer for the sicke Man .

O LORD the GOD of the Spirits of all flesh , the preseruer of men , in whom is both power for to saue and to destroy : Thou art the true Teacher of Israel : Thou hast the keyes of Heauen , of Hell , and of the Graue : Come and cast the armes of thy mercie about this sorrow-beaten sinner : Rejoyce him with the comforts of thy Spirit : Inspire him with holy motions , and with the life of Grace , till hee bee made partaker of the diuine 2 Pet. 1. 4 Nature . Thou hast alreadie made his heart to melt within him at the sight of his transgressions : Thou hast sette all his sinnes in order before him : This is out of thy great mercie , wherby thou wold not suffer him to freeze in the dregs of his corruptions : Now at last , LORD , after thou hast refined him in the fierie fornace of temptations , send him reliefe , refresh his Soule , and coole it with thy comfortes : Let thy Spirit come vnto him with glad tydinges , that all his sinnes are forgiuen him .

Oh , what sorrow of heart hath hee had since he hath felt the power of thy wrath ! His poore two eyes haue beene like two fountaines of teares trickling downe both day and night ▪ The apple of his eye hath euer beene droping downe , the salt brimie and bitter teares of sorrow : Oh , how bitter lie hath he wept since this battell beganne ? Hath hee not powred out his heart like water before thee , in bemoaning his transgrassions ?

Now , LORD , for thy mercie sake make him free of all excessiue griefe : Beholde him with the tendrest eye of thy compassions : Ridde him of all gripping griefes of Conscience : Settle in his heart a godlie sorrowwhich may cause repentance neuer to bee repented of : Bee pleased toward him : Turne thine angerie face from the bloodie colour of all his transgressions , and looke vpon the perfect and vnspotted righteousnes of thy Lambe , whose blood hath blanched the red Crimsin sinnes of Isa. 1. 18. the world . No flesh , O LORD , is able to stand before thee , when thou art angrie , for what is man ▪ which is consumed before the moath ? He dwelleth into an house of clay , and his Iob. 4. 19. foundation is in the dust : When it shall please thee , hee must lye downe into his growing bedde , and there say to corruption , Thou art my father , Iob. 17. 14 and to the worme , Thou art my mother and my sister . O , who shall stand when thou shall say , Returne yee Children of men . Psal. 90. 3.

O gracious GOD , pittie this creature that was once formed to thine owne image , which once lost , thou hast repaired with the Blood of thy Sonne : Stampe his heart with thy liuelie Image and coine it with thy countenance : Insinuate thy selfe into his Soule , and compasse him with thy comfortes : Let thy poore Seruant heere who hath beene most fearefullie tossed and scorched with fierie temptations , find a spiritual cooling & refreshing , in thy mercifull bowels : Temper so the Spirit of his minde , bowe his will , and incline his affections , that his chiefest delight may bee in thee : Couer his sillie Soule vnder the shadow of thy Winges , vntill all these calamities bee ouerpast . Refresh this paunting Soule braying after Psal. 42. 1 thy water brookes . Giue him a newe hearte , put within him a new Spirite , take this stonie heart out of his breast and in the place thereof put an heart of flesh .

By thy word , O LORD , wee haue let him see what the vanitie of this world is , how vnconstant are all things below , and how they are turned vpon a whirling wheele : O mak his heart consider that there is nothing heere on earth that can bring solide contentment vnto the heart : What are the best of our dayes on earth , but labour and sorrow ? Is not our life a vapour , a breath ? are Psal. 90 9. not our dayes consumed as a tale that is tolde ?

Make the consideration of such naughtie thinges below moue him so much the more to minde the things Coll. 3. 1. that are aboue : Let him know that in the surging waues of this worldlie Sea there is no permanent peace , so no crosse shall come vpon him vnawares : Teach him by practise and experimentall feeling of thy Graces , that thy strength is made perfect in weakenesse : Let him feele that it is a fruite of thy lone , that thou suffereth him to be afflicted : Sanctifie his sorrowes , & make them to lead him vnto the face and presence of his GOD.

By the loathing of things earthlie , worke in his heart a loue & a liking of things heauenlie , an ardent desire of thy celestiall dainties : Let him know that so soone as he shall come to thee , that with thy face thou shall fill the desires of his Soule , for in thy face is Psal. 16. 11 fulnesse of joyes O thou to whom nothing is impossible , lift vp his Soule to Matth. 19 16 affect that happines so that earnestlie his Soule may desire to see that day when he shall be cloathed with the long white robe of Christes righteousnesse , euen the innocencie of thy deare Sonne Iesus : Couer him Lord , couer him with the golden fleece of thy righteous Lambe : Parsume him with the sweete sauour of Christes merites , thy mercies : Let the Blood of his Aduocate pl●…ade for his pardon : Naile all his sinnes to the Crosse of thy Sonne Iesus . Rid out of his heart all doubts and difficulties , draw his eyes from looking vpon himselfe , make thine own selfe the object of his sight in the mirrour of the Gospel , wherein as with open face hee may behold as in a 2 Cor. 3. 18 glasse , the glorie of the Lord , and bee changed into the same image from glorie to glorie , euen as by the Spirit of the Lord .

Seeing a good man is mercifull to Prou. 12. 10 his beast , how much more wilt thou bee , who are mercie it selfe ?

Thou who art most plenteous in mercie , vnlocke wee intreat thee the treasures of thy mercies and affoard vnto thy seruant such graces whereby hee may come to thy Glorie Send a Seraphin for to kindle hi●… Isa. 6. 6. zeale and affection toward thee ▪ Publish & proclaime vnto his Sou●… that thou art pacified , and that tho●… hast receiued a ransome .

These days by past , LORD , thou ha●… him trained vp with diuerse fearefu●… temptations , whereout of let it please thee now to giue him an out gate ▪ O put thy quickening Spirit within him , that by the force of thy life he●… dying vnto sin , may liue vnto The●… who art our life , and lengthening of our dayes : Thine eare hath heard the heauie groanes of his hearte , which haue made thine heart to bee turned within thee : O now let thy compassions bee so kindled together that hee may in all boldnesse come to the Throne of thy Grace , permit him such familiaritie with thee , whereby hee may cast his burden vpon thee . Psal. 55. 22

Giue him , LORD , a full resolution to submitte himselfe alwayes to thine appointments , that his heart neuer anie more repine nor grudge at thy proceedings : By the finger of thy Grace frame fullie his heart for the following of thy will .

Gracious Father rouse vp his Soule and raise vp the good motions of thy Spirit within him : Make him in mercie to growe in Grace , which may worke a deepe detestation of all bygone slippes , whether secret or knowne , with an eager and earnest striuing to bee renewed in the Spirit of his minde .

O thou whose bowels rumble lowd with compassions , pacifie and calme all the clamours of his Conscience : Thy mercie is most magnified when it relieueth the extremest miserie : Thy light is most precious when it shineth into the depth of discomfort and darknesse : O pittie and pardon him , besprinkle him with the Blood of vertue , that beeing purged from all carnall and spiritual vncleanneste , hee may grow vp vnto full holinesse in thy feare , and so may end his life in thy fauour , the surest Sanctuarie of a troubled Soule ▪

Pittie the distressed members of thy Church : Many a time haue they Psal. 129. 1. 2. &c. afflicted her from her youth : The plowers plowed vpon her backe , making long furrowes , let them all bee comfounded and turned backe , that hate Zion : confound all hatchers of Here●…ies , let them bee as the grasse vpon the house tops , which withereth afore it groweth vp , wherewith the Mower filleth not his hand , nor hee that bindeth sheaues his bosome : Protect Her by thy cloud by day , direct Her by night by the pillar of fire , let neuer the bright star of thy Gospel goe downe , which pointeth out vnto vs the Sauiour & Saluation of our Soule O righteous LORD , thou hast juste cause against this Church to make Her Sunne goe downe at noone , and darknesse to surprise vs in the cleare day , with a sudden and ineuitable sin prizall and destruction : ( ) GOD , blesse vs with an holie vnion , and banish farre off the Deuill of diuision .

Blesse our gracious SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie : Mak him to joy in thy strength , & greatlie to rejoyce in thy Saluation : Direct His Heart & His mouth by thy Spi●…it , & giue him his hearts desire , and with-hold not the requeast of his lips : Giue to Him the courage of Dauid , and the wisdome of Solomon . Be fauourable to His Royall Match : Inflame Her Heart with the loue of thy deare Sonne Iesus : Let all Her desire be to know him crucified : Make Her an happie Mother of happie Children , euen a blessed Mother in Israel .

Blesse our Nobilitie , make them noble like the men of Berea ▪ so that they may haue courage for the Truth And seeing , LORD , that as wee may see in this our deare Friende , man is like to vanitie , and that his dayes are as a shadow that passeth away : Take vs to thy schoole and teach vs to number our fewe and euill dayes , that wee may apply our hearts to wisedome & to wel doing .

Let it please thine Highnesse to grant vs these out sutes for the onely sake of Iesus , the Author and finisher of our faith , the verie Anchor of our Soule , the onelie stay and staffe of our hope , the ende and rest of all created desires , the true substance of ceremoniall shewes and shadowes .

To Him with Thee and thy Spirit of Grace , bee praise and thankesgiuing , glorie and dominion , now and euermore , AMEN .

If your sleepe in the night be interupted cause read vnto you the Booke of Ecclesiastes , the strong enemie of all worldlie vanitie : Moses his psalme which is the ninty Psalme shal be meete for your meditations , cause reade also the 1 Pe●…er chap. I.

The LORD sanctifie all your spirituall exercises , to the comfort of your wearied Soule : The GOD of all mercie blesse the little sparke of Grace enkindled by his Spirite in you , till it spread into a big flame : GOD with a little Dewe of newe Grace can so bl●…sse & prosper another Grace alreadie giuen , that Hee will make it , though so little like a graine of mustard to growe towardes a tree .

Blesse GOD , who hath not suffered you to tread the fearefull and desperate path of these who from the beginning of their life vnto the end haue beene nothing but disturbers of peace , waues of the Sea foaming out their owne shame , and casting vp mire and dirt vpon the shore of their whole couersation .

The LORD edge the little measure of your weake Faith , with a longing desire after fulnesse of perswasion : And season your heart with sauing Grace . The Lord make his most Sacred and powerfull Word so to enter into the secretes of your Soule that it may strike a dead stroke at the sweetest of your sinnes , that your sinnes being slaine , your Soule may liue , and haue a portion in Gods new Ierusalem , till yee come there , the LORD guard you with an inuincible troupe of his blessed Angels . The Loue of the Father , the Grace of the Sonne , with the Peace his Spirit bee with you for euer .

THE FIFT DAYES Conference . Of the last Iudgement . The sicke Man .

OVanity of vanities , O vanity , of vanities , all is vainity : this whole night I haue dreamed of vanitie : I thinke that my Dreameproceedeth from vesterdays Conference , for Solomon saith , that a Eccles. 5. 3. dreame commeth through the multitude of businesse : * * Note Well is the man that is well occupyed in the day , for in the night such businesse maketh an impression into his Spirite : An euill doer in the day cannot often dreame of good into the night : * * Note Happie is the man that hath made the Lord the onelie leuell of his life : What houres can it now bee ? I long for a sight of my louing and comfortable Pastour .

The Pastour .

Heere I am Sir , come againe for to see what progresse yee haue made into your Christian pilgrimage : Ye●… heard yesterday of the vanitie of all things that are below : I desire now to know how your heart hath beene affected since .

The sicke Man .

I haue Sir all this night d●…eamed that this world is but vanitie , a lifting vp for a fall , a race vnto a ruine ▪ I see nowe that all the profites and pleasures thereof are but lik a rotten Nut , when men thinke to cracke the kernell they find nothing but worms with rottenesse & bitternesse which prouocke the eater to spit . O how the pure and cleane streames of diuine grace are stained with the stirring of the foule puddle of corrupt nature .

I am greatlie oblished to my God , who hath giuen to me such patience in my sicknesse , that I haue beene able to heare that heauenlie discours which ye had yesterday concerning earthlie things : This life as I perceiue is nothing but a toilesome task of cares , the best of our time is but labour & sorrow , our ease is a disease , and wee rot in our rest : Mine heart is no more in this world He is but a foole , and so shall hee feele who euer hee bee that is too bent for the transitorie trashes thereof .

* * Note Heere is not our rest : Rest heere is not our best : As water by standing becometh stinking , so the Spirit rotteth by carnall rest : The ease of the flesh is the disease of the Spirit : If wee bee without God in the world , Eccle. 2. 17 in our well we shall find but woe , in our wealth but want , in our loue but Prov. 14. 13 l●…cke , in our mirth but mone : In laughing the heart shall be sorrowfull , and the end of that mirth shal be heauiness●… Without God in greatest compan●… is greatest melancholie .

Hee whose eyes the god of th●… Ephes 4. 4. world hath not blind-folded , may easilie perceiue that all that is heere is but vanitie which vexeth the spiri●… * * Note What follie is this to take pleasure in such perishing things , which can bring no comfort at the conclusion of all , when dust must returne to the Eccle. 12. 7 earth as it was ?

Oh , that wee were wise to consider that while wee are heere , we are compassed about with a bodie of sin , in a world of wickednesse : All sortes of euil in this world with eager pursute persecute the Soule of sinfull man , all the depthes of Sathan and policies of Hell concure into this worke .

Now Sir I intreat you seeing yee haue spoken so heauenlie of the earth , that it would please you to say some-what concerning the last judgement & the j●…yes of Heauen .

The Pastour .

Such a matter is verie vnpleasant , yea , very fearefull to a naturall man : It is written that while as S. Paul reasoned Act. 24. 25 of Righteousnesse , Temperance , and Iudgement to come , Felix , who was but a naturall man , trembl●…d all while hee heard him , and therefore desired him to leaue off preaching any more , and to goe his way till a more fitte and conuenient time : * * Note Thogh the wicked tremble at this discourse , yet it is confortable & profitable into the godly : * * Note I wish at God that I had that tongue of the Learned , Isa. 50. 4. that thereby I might produce these reasons of S. Paul which hee vttered while hee reasoned vpon this matter before Felix .

This Sir yee must first know that the day of Iudgement shall bee a great day a day of Law ▪ when all the Sonnes of Adam must compeare before the eyes of him who seeth our thoughts a farre off , euen to the very depths of our heart .

The sicke Man .

First of all , I desire to heare of the time that Christ shall come into the Cloudes for to judge both quicke and dead .

The Pastour .

As for the particular time of that great and glorious comming of the Lord , no man can define when it shall bee whether in the night or in the day , at mid-night or cock-crow : It was a time hid from Christ himselfe as man , while hee was heere in the dayes of his flesh , neither thought hee shame to tell it : His words and his counsell concerning that , are of great weight : But that day , said hee , Mar. 〈◊〉 . 32 and that houre knoweth no man , no not the Angels which are in heauen , neither the Sonne , but the Father : Now what was his Counsell therevpon ? Take heede , said hee , watch and pray , vers. 33. for yee know not when the time is : For the Son of man is as a man taking a far vers. 34 journey , who left his house , and gaue authoritie to his seruantes , and to euerie man his work ; & commanding the Porter vers. 35. to watch : Watch ye therefore , for ye know not when the Master of the house commeth , at Euen or at mid-night , or at the cock-crowing , or in the morning , lest comming suddenlie hee finde you vers. 36. sleeping : And what I say vnto you , I say vnto you all , watch . S. Peter saith , 2 Pet. 3. 10 that hee shall come as a Theefe in the night .

* * Note By all this it euidentlie appeareth that no man can designe the particular time of the comming of the Lord vnto Iudgement : No tongue can tell whether his comming shall bee in the night , or in the day , in the morning , or in the euening , at the prayer , or at the preacing : * Watch yee therefore , saide Christ , and this he doubled againe , And what I say vnto you , that I say vnto you all , watch .

The sicke Man .

What can bee the cause wherefore God hath kept vp to himselfe the particular knowledge of that great day ?

The Pastour .

* * Note God in great wisedome hath hidde from all flesh the time of his comming , as hee hath concealed from all men the houre and forme of their death , that all may striue to be readie at all times .

The sicke Man .

Though this Day bee not particularlie knowne , thinke yee not but it is verie neere ?

The Pastour .

S. Iames in his dayes saide , The Iam. 5. 8. comming of the Lord draweth neere .

The sicke Man .

But since hee said that , it is more than a thousand and fiue hundreth yeares , and yet all thinges remaine euen as they were , haue I heard some men say .

The Pastour .

* * Note These bee the words of them 2 Pet. 3. 3 whom S. Peter calleth Scoffers : Knowing this first , saith hee , that there shall come in the last days scoffers , walking after their owne lustes : And saying where is the promise of his comming ? vers. 4. for since the Fathers fell a sleepe , all things centin●…e as they were from the beginning of the Creation : * * Note This is as much as if they had said , If there were a God indeede for to come to judgement , hee would not bee so slacke in his comming : But what saith S. Peter●…o ●…o that ? The Lord is not vers. 9. slacke concerning his promise ( as some men count slacknes ) but is long suffering to vs ward , not willing that any should perish , but that all should come to Repentance .

The sicke Man .

I see now that no man can be certaine at what time Christ shall come , It is a secret which God hath kept vp from all the liuing into his owne bosome .

The Pastour .

Indeed Sir , it is such a secret tha●… may not bee searched : Christ after his Resurrection , said a wise word Act. 3. 3. to his Apostles , It is not for you 〈◊〉 knowe the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power : * * Note This is the wisedome of God , who hath concealed such things from the knowledge of all men as well learned as vnlea●…ned , as well Kinges as Subjects , that all flesh at all times be in readinesse when the Lord shall come to judgement : This made the Lord so carefullie to waine his Disciples to watch .

The sicke Man .

The Lord graunt that wee may euer haue our loynes girded & ou●… Candles in our hands , waiting for the Luk. 12. . 35 comming of that Lord .

The Pastour .

That should be our daylie prayer ▪ * * Note This should teach vs not to lye downe to sleepe , like foolish Virgines , Matth. 25 3 without Oyle in our Lampes , le●… before wee , waken the Bridegrome come vpon vs vnprouided , & enter in his Chamber , while we shall bee seeking that which we shal not find .

The sicke Man .

Now Sir , I pray you proceed and declare to mee howe the Lord shall come downe from Heauen for to judge this world wherein we dwell .

The Pastour .

He shall come downe not as King Agrippa & his Queene Bernice came down 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 with much Act. 25. 13 phantasie or vaine shew , which is nothing indeede but a foolish phantasie : But , O the vnspeakable Glorie that shall bee seene at the comming of the Lord .

The sicke Man .

I requeast you earnestlie to continue into that purpose , for it affecteth mine heart verie much .

The Pastour .

I reade in the Gospel that while Christ was sitting vpon the Mount of Oliues , his Disciples came vnto him priuatelie , saying , Tell vs when shall Matth. 24 3 these things be ? and what shall be the signe of thy comming , and the end of the world ? Christs answere was , That they should take heede that no man deceiue them , because , saide hee , many shall come into my Name , saying , I am Christ , and shall deceiue many .

The sicke Man .

But did hee not declare anie particular signes or tokens that should appeare before his comming ?

The Pastour .

The Lord hath declared that before that great & terrible day come , The Sunne shall bee darkened , and the Matth. 24. 29 Moone shall not giue her light , and the Starres shall fall from heauen , and the powers of heauen shall bee shaken .

The sicke Man .

I wish to heare the exposition of these words , for they seeme to bee full of difficulties .

The Pastour .

Some think that these words are but an allegorie of the callamities that were to befall to the Church and to the whole world before the comming of Christ : Others of the Learned tak these words to be spoken properlie : And for to cleare their opinion to bee true , they alledge the words of S. Peter as a Commentarie vpon Christs wordes : The Heauens 2 Pet. 3. 10 shall passe away , saith hee , with a great noise , and the Elements shall melt with feruent heat , the Earth also , and the works that are therein shal be burnt vp : And a little after hee subjoyneth , Looking for and hasting vnto the comming vers. 12. of the day of God , wherein the heauens beeing on fire shal be dissolued , and the Elementes shall melt with feruent heate .

The sicke Man .

These bee wonderfull wordes of wonderfull workes , yee will bee so good as to make them m●…e cleare .

The Pastour .

* * Note First it is said , That the heauens sh●…l passe away praeteribunt , not that they shal be turned to nothing , or shall ●…o passe away that they shall bee no more , but they shall passe away in that they shall bee changed : * * Note According to this the Psalmist speaking of the heauens Psal. 102. 26. saith , That all of them waxe olde as doeth a garment : As a vesture shal●… thou change them , and they shall bee changed : * * Note Though in our life-time because it is so shorte , wee cannot sensiblie perceiue any decay in the heauenlie influences , yet it is certhat taine the heauens are but cretures ordained for the seruice of man , creatures subject to faile , weare , and waxe olde bee .

The sicke Man .

What a change Sir , thinke yee that , that shall bee ?

The Pastour .

It shall bee a change altogether for the better : All the Elementes shall be melted as mettell into a furnace whereby it is refined : After that they are melted they shall bee ●…ast into a new mould , for to receiue such a ●…orme as it shall please the most High to giue vnto them .

* * Note I compare all these great creatures of the world , as the Heauens and foure Elements to an olde peece of money stamped so long since , that hardlie can it bee knowne who●…e superscription is in it , all the Letters being worne off with the vsing : * * Note It is euen so of the Heauens and of the Elements in these latter dayes : It is so long since they were stamped , that the letters of Gods name vpon them are growne dim & are not so legible as they were wont to bee : But in that last day the Lord shall make the old Heauens and this olde Earth all to melt into a fire , and thereafter shall stampe them like a newe stricken Crowne : Then hee shall giue them such a temper that they shall neuer waxe olde any more : * * Note Gods first impression on his creatures hath by sinne beene dimmeded and darkened , but this secunda cura , the second coyning of these creatures shall be so durable that nothing shall be able to deface it : For God then shall bee All in all : * * Note Then Tempus edax rerum , Time that eateth all things , yea , all times , as yeeres , moneths , days , nights , houres , lik floods shall all runne in into the sea of eternitie , where they with all such vnconstant things shall bee swallowed vp in victorie .

The sicke Man .

What is that to say , That the Heauens shall passe away with a great noise ▪ What sort of noise shall that bee ?

The Pastour .

* * Note The worde in the originall is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which the French hath termed auec vn bruit siflant de tempeste , that is the roaring of a tempest , which commeth with such a thudde , that it casteth downe both Trees and Houses , making all to shake , and also lifting vp dust and straes and all in the aire as with a whirle wind : Erasmus termeth it , In morem procellae , like a Tempest : * * Note Such a Tempest was neuer heard since the world was founded : It shall bee a Tempest which shall shake the worlde of its foundation . Aboue and below all shall bee shaken with such a roaring and cracking tempest , that no mortall heart can conceiue : The Heauens , the Earth , the Waters , the Aire , the Sunne , the Moone , and Starres , shall bee so shaken with that tempest as though they were but pickles of dust , and caried with a whi●…le wind : My minde is in a maze to think vpon the greatnesse of that day : * * Note My pen while I haue beene writting of it , hath fallen out of my hand , so haue I beene rauished with admiration of that day : O what a day shall that be when all that euer God made shall bee sette on fire ? The Heauens being sette one fire , saith the Apostle , shall bee dissolued , and the Elements beeing set on fyre shal melt with feruant heate . Isa. 51. 6. Isaiah saith , That the Heauens shall vanish away like smoke : What fearfull tempest must that bee which shall put all the worlde into a burning flamme ? All shall bee sette on fire , the Heauens aboue , the Earth beneath , the waters also must be burnt and melted into that wonderfull furnace : By this fire all things must bee purged .

The sicke Man .

It would seeme by Scripture that those heauens which are now , shall bee altogether abolished : The Lord saith in Isaiah , Loe , I will create new Isa. 65. 17 Hea●…ens and a new Earth , and the former shall not ●…ee remembered nor come into minde . To create a thing is properlie to mak something of nothing : What then , ●…hall the Heauens and Elements which are now bee red●…cted to nothing ?

The Pastour .

It is most certaine that they shall not bee put to nothing , but according to their earnest expectation they shall bee deliuered at the last day from the bondage of corruption into the Rom. 8. 21 glorious libertie of the Sonnes of God .

* * Note It is not Gods custome so to reward his old seruants , as to put them from their beeing , that so hee may bee quite of them : * * Note As for that which Isaiah saith , that he will create new Heauens and newe Earth , and that the former shall not be remembered , it is not to bee vnderstoode of the last day : The Lord by these wordes did onelie declare this to that people , that hee would so alter & change the state of his Church at the comming of the Messias , that it should seeme to dwell into another world .

The sicke Man .

I took euer that passage otherwise , but I hold that exposition best : But behold what S. Iohn saith concerning the Heauens , the Earth , Reuel. 12. 1 and the Sea , I saw a new Heauen , and a new Earth , for the first Heauen , and the first Earth were passed away , and there was no more Sea . What is that to say ?

The Pastour .

* * Note The first Heauen and the first Earth are said to haue passed away , not that their substance was no more , but as one sayth well , because alia ejus videbatur facies , it was so changed that men would thinke that it could not bee that cloudie Heauen and clattie Earth which was before : The Sea also was no more such as it was before .

The sicke Man .

But S. Iohn sath , That hee saw a Reuel. 20. 11 white Throne and One sitting on it , from whose face the Heauen and the Earth fledde away , and there was found no more place for them : By this it would seeme that they shall bee altogether abolished .

The Pastour .

I answere that they shall not be abolished , but they are said to flee away from the face of God , as most learned Diuines thinke , ad declarandum eorum terrorem & animum ad fugam paratum , for to declare their feare to compeare before the face of so great a Majestie , till they be forbished & scoured of the roust of their vanity wherevnto they haue beene made subject , they thinke shame of their vncleannesse before such eyes of puritie : * * Note It is said , That there was no place found for them not that they wanted a place , but because of such a Majestie , they did goe about to hide themselues : It is well said by a Learned interpreter vpon these words , Quorum locus non reperitur , illa latent & occulta manent , whose place is not found , they lurke and remaine hidde , not that they shall want a place , but because no man can find out by searching what shall bee their place : By this is onelie declared that till the Heauens and Elements bee reneued , they shall in a manner goe and hide themselues from before the face of that heauenlie Majestie , as a ragged man who thinking shame to compeare among those who are richlie arrayed , withdraweth himselfe vnto some darke corner that hee should not be seene , till he be better arrayed : After that all shall bee made cleare and cleane by the fire , they shall appeare before God in their appointed place .

The sicke Man .

Thinke yee that it shall bee a long time before that all can bee refined by that fire , as also before that the dead bee raised vp and gathered together .

The Pastour .

* All this shall bee done in a moment : 1 Cor. 15. 51 In the twinkling of an eye the dead shall bee raised , and the liuing shall bee changed where euer they bee found , whether grinding at the Luk. 17. 31 Mile , or walking in the fieldes ▪ or lying in their beddes , they must all compeare either for to bee taken or to be forsaken , all other thinges shall bee speedilie dispatched .

The sicke Man .

O but he is a great God who by 2 Pet. 3. 7. his word keepeth in store the Heauens and Earth which are nowe , reseruing them vnto fyre against the day of Iudgement : Great must hee bee who shall kindle such a fire : Nowe after that this fire shall bee quenched , what shall bee done ?

The Pastour .

After that by the fire the Lord hath cleansed all his creatures from their roust , and scoured them from all their drosse , hee shall forme them by his word the breath of his mouth : * * Note As a maker of Glasses , by the blast of his mouth formeth as hee pleaseth the soft melted liquour taken out of the fornace : * * Note But wherevnto can we compare the most High in his most wonderfull workes ? * * Note Then the Heauens which of before hee had rolled vp like a scrole , shall bee vnfolded , and put out of their roll , and the Earth beeing purified and fined , shall bee made a Lodging for righteousnesse , according to his 2 Pet. 3. 13 promise , saith S. Peter , Wee looke for new Heauens and new Earth , wherein dwelleth righteousnesse .

The sicke Man .

What is that to say , That righteousnesse dwelleth into the new Heauens and into the newe Earth ? These words seeme to bee difficile .

The Pastour .

The opinions of men are diuerse concerning the sense thereof , some thinke that Righteousnesse shall dwell in that new Heauens & new Earth , vnderstanding by Righteousnesse , the righteousnesse of Christ : According to this S. Pauls greatest desire was that hee might bee found in Christ , Not , said hee , hauing mine owne righteousnesse Philip. 3. 9 which is of the Lawe , but that which is of the Faith of Christe , the Righteousnesse of God by Faith : Others by a Metommie vnderstand that righteousnesse dwelling on the new Earth , to bee taken or all faithfull and righteous men who shall be the Citizens of that new Heauen and of that new Earth : * * Note O if wee knewe the glorie of these new things ! they would surelie rauish our heartes , so that wee would all cry , Come Lord Reuel. 12. 17 Iesus come : * * Note These new Heauens shall neuer be ouer-cast with clouds , there shall bee none ecclipsing of light any more : * * Note As for the new Earth , there shall be no more sweate of browes : All toiles and turmoiles shall cease : Sinne the cause of all our woe shall bee no more there : * * Note The most barbarous and barren parte that is now on earth , shall bee more pleasant than euer was Paradise , for then God shall be All in all : * * Note All the Earth shal be lik that Holie of holies , but without a partition wall ▪ Exod. 26. 33 In that Holie of holies in Canaan , none but one , & that but once in the yeare might enter : But in the new Heauens and newe Earth all the Faithfull shall haue their perpetuall residence , where they shall follow the Lambe whither-so-euer it shall please Reuel. 14. 4 him to goe : There shall they for euer bee courting his countenance .

* * Note Fye that men will not liue well for a little space , that they may liue with the Lambe for euer , among these pleasures for euermore : Fye Psal. 16. 11 that men for stinking pleasures should losse the comfort of these places wherein nothing but righteousnesse shall bee able to dwell .

The sicke Man .

Seeing the heauens and the earth shall bee made new , yee thinke that they shall change for the better .

The Pastour .

That is most certaine : They haue in their owne kinde beene obedient seruantes vnto their God , and God shal also glorifie them with a kind of glorie which his Wisedome shall thinke fittest for them : The heauens Psal. 102. 1 like a garment are waxed olde at Gods seruice : * * Note God will not cast off his olde seruants , but after their seruice he will reward them : * * Note If their cloths bee worne at his seruice , hee will giue them a new coate : * * Note If their first powers bee shaken , he will put new powers into them againe : * * Note It was truelie said by the father of lyes , Iob. 1. 9 , That none serue God for nought .

* * Note It shall not bee for nought that the Heauens by their motions , and the Earth by its birth haue declared the glorie of God omnipotent .

The sicke Man .

But is it possible that such creatures haue any knowledge while they serue God , that he will reward them at the last day , that therby they may bee incouraged at his seruice ?

The Pastour .

* * Note They haue indeede a certaine secret instinct from GOD , which worketh in them a sort of longing for the last day , which shall bee the day of rewardes , the day of their deliuerance : In this the Apostle is Rom. 8. 19 plaine , For ▪ saith hee , the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the vers. 20. manifestation of the Sons of God : for the creature was made subject vnto vanitie , not willinglie , but by reason of him that vers. 21. hath subjected the same in hope ▪ because the creature it selfe also shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption , into the glorious libertie of the Children of God . * * Note For this cause the whole creation is said , To groane and to trauell together vntill now . vers. 22.

The sicke Man .

O the great secrets of God! I pray you Sir , to let me vnderstand these wordes by some breefe exposition ▪ First what is that which hee calleth the earnest expectation of the creature which waiteth for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God ? What creature is that ? What expectation can that bee ?

The Pastour .

By the creature are not vnderstood these little creatures , as Frogs , Flees , Midges , Beastes , Fowles , Fishes : * * Note Such creatures haue none expectation of better things to come , for in the world to come there shall bee no vse for them : * * Note But by the the creature is to bee vnderstood the whole worlde , viz. The Heauens and all the Elements , as Earth , Fire , Water , Aire , which now are all so knit in loue , that euery one as it were taketh another into its bosome : * * Note Because they are so fast coupled together and so neere to other ▪ that nothing can come betweene them , for this cause as if they were all but one thing , they are called in the singular number , the creature ▪

* * Note As for it expectation , it is called by the Apostle 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a stretched out of the hand : In which word the waiting of the world for the comming of the Lord , is set out like a woman standing vpon her tip-toes stretching out her head for to see if she can see her husband comming a farre , whom shee looketh & longeth for hourelie : * * Note See howe liuelie the Apostle declareth the secret instinct of the worldes desire for the comming of Christ Iesus : In a most powerfull word hee letteth vs see the Heauens and the Earth , and all the Elements , all as it were a man or a woman standing vpon their tip-toes , and holding vp their heads for to see if Iesus bee comming according to his promise .

All the Faithfull who are the Spouse of Christ ▪ groane within them Rom. 8. 23 selues , sighing till they see their Sauiour in the Cloudes , so also this creature hath the owne groanes and sighs till Christ come for its deliuerance : * * Note And as the Churches desire , maketh Her to cry , Come Lord Reuel . ll 17 Iesus come , so in this creature there is a secret instinct and earnest expectation which moueth it in the own language to cry for Christes comming .

The sicke man .

What vnderstandeth the Apostle while hee saith , That the creature was made subject to vaniue ▪ not willinglie but by reason of him that hath subjected the same in hope ? First how is it said , That it is made subject to vanitie ? Can the Heauens and the Earth bee saide to bee subject to vanitie ?

The Pastour .

The most Learned thinke that by this subjection of the creature to vanitie is to bee vnderstood , ejus fluxa & evanida conditio , that is a condition subject to change , corruption ▪ wearing away , or waxing olde : As for the Earth , it is euident , as for the Heauens , Scripture is plaine , They waxe olde as doeth a garment : Psal. 102. 26 * * Note This is the vanitie of these creatures : Heere is also another vanitie wherevnto they are subject , in that they are made seruants to these that will not serue God whom they serue .

That the beautifull Sunne should furnish light to these that delight in Spirituall darknesse , it is a vanitie and a drudgerie wherevnto the Sun is subject : That the Earth should bea●…e and bring foorth fruites for to feede the blacke mouthes that blaspheme its Maker , is a great vanitie wherevnto it is made subject : * * Note The Sea groaneth vnder the Shippes of Pyrats and Robbers : * * Note See what an vproare was in that Element for Ionahs rebellion : * * Note So long as he was in that Shippe , Gods scourged the winds with his worde of command : The windes scourged the Seas , the Seas scourged the Shippe wherein Gods Rebell did lye till hee was cast out : * * Note The Sea euer seethed with the fire of Gods wrath , the waues euer tumbled vp and down breaking one vpon another with rushing and roaring , till it tooke order with the rebellious man , there was no resting for its waues .

The sicke Man .

But how is this that it is said , that the creature is subject to vanitie but not willinglie ▪ It would seeme by that , that they obey God but against their will .

The Pastour .

The Heauens , or Earth properlie haue neither a willing nor a nilling , but onelie a secret instinct , which is like a will : * * Note This secret instinct which God hath put into his creature is that , Omnis natura conservatrix suiest , euerie creature striueth to keepe & maintaine it selfe : Now while by God it is made subject to such changes , weakening and wearing , which is against the working of that instinct , it is said in Scripture language to bee subject to vanitie , but not willinglie .

Neither for that must wee thinke that the creature in that rebelleth or repineth against God in any wise , as if it had a will striuing against Gods will , no not : * * Note But in some measure it may bee saide to haue an instinct like that will of Christ at the drinking of the bitter Cuppe : Christs Naturall instinct was that the Cuppe should passe from him , and yet for all that his prayer was , Not my will Matth. 26. 42 but thy will bee done .

* * Note It is euen so in some manner of the instinct of the Heauens and of the Earth : They naturallie shrinke from bondage & abuse , as also they incline to keepe themselues from corruption and vanitie , neither for that is their will contrarie to Gods will : Hee who is called a seruant should not care for it : But yet if hee may bee made free , the Apostles direction 2 Cor. 7. 21 is , That hee vse it rather : The sick man may will life , and seeke cure for to preserue his life , though Gods will bee that hee die , if so bee that he submit vnto Gods will his whole desire , as Christ did , euen while hee desired the Cuppe to depart which hee knew to haue beene put into his hand for to drinke it : * * Note A will that is diuerse from Gods will if it bee subacted , & subjected vnto Gods wil , may bee free of sinne : * * Note So the Heauens and the Earth are subject vnto vanitie , but not willinglie , because they incline to bee free of the bondage of mans corruption : But seeing it is their Lords will that they beare the burden , and bee subject to such changes , they become subject , but withall they are euer groaning and longing for their redemption : * * Note As a woman in trauell naturallie desireth to be deliuered , and yet submitteth her selfe to Gods wil , as naturallie these creatures of God haue an instinct to bee deliuered from the burden of their bondage : But seeing their instinct or desire to bee made free , is not so soone effectuate , neither can bee , before the world end , the Lord their good and kinde Master for to encourage them vnder the burden of their bondage , lest ▪ they should faint , hath giuen vnto them another secret instinct , which the Apostle calleth their hope . Rom. 8. 20

For to cleare this to you in a word : * * Note There is in this world groaning vnder the corruption of the wicked , a certaine instinct like Hope . whereby it looketh for to bee made free from the bondage and burden of this corruption , as a woman in trauell is comforted with hope of deliuerance : This is that whereat the Apostle pointeth , when hee saith , that God hath subjected the creature in hope Rom. 8. 20

The sicke Man .

In my judgement vee speake pertinentlie : In that difficultie I haue full satisfaction : But what is this that is subjoyned vnto the verse following ? I vnderstand not the words well . They are these : * * Note The creature at last shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious libertie of the Children of God : What is this libertie of the Sons of God ? or how can the Heauens and the Elements bee said to bee made partakers of that liberty which belongeth to the Children of God ? I confesse mine ignorance heere , in this point I desire to bee instructed .

The Pastour .

This is the libertie , whereof they shall bee partakers with the Children of GOD , they shall then haue all their will , they shall no more be subject to that whereof they would desire to bee ▪ free : * * Note Not willinglie shall bee no more in them in all their subjection : * * Note They shall bee no more slaues to serue sinners , but shall serue God and his Saintes which is true libertie : Thus in so farre as they shall bee free of all that foresaid bondage , they are said to be deliuered into the glorious liberty of the Children of God : * * Note This shall bee a part of the libertie of Gods Sainctes in Heauen , not to bee subject to the wicked any more , not to wearie nor waxe olde , all this shall they haue commond with the creature : * * Note But O what a glorie shall the Children haue greater than all the creature shall receiue ! Euen a farre more and exceeding weight of Glorie . 2 Cor. 4. 17

The sicke Man .

I will not now inquire concerning that weightie glorie , I reserue it to afterward God-willing : One thing I desire to know , whether or not the Lord shall come downe before the World shall bee refined with fire , or if it shall bee after .

The Pastour .

In my judgement before that the Lord come down , the Heauens shal be new , and the earth & all shal be new : As a Citie before the entrie of a King , prepareth all before hand , maketh the wayes cleane , and causeth sweepe off the streets the dung-hils , so all the steertes of the Heauens ▪ and of the Aire , and of the Earth muste bee made cleane before the comming of the Sonne of man : * * Note While in the dayes of his flesh hee entered into the Citie of Ierusalem in qualitie of a King , riding vpon an Asse-Colt , all the streetes were couered with cloathes & greene branches of trees , so that the foote of his Asse scarclie culd touch the ground , all that was there range with the Matth. 21 ▪ 9 sound of Hosanna , Hosanna : * Euen so in my judgement when that great Lord shall make his entrie into the world as a King from Heauen , the world shall all bee made new , it shall look with another face then it doth at this day : * * Note If our gracious Soueraigne King CHARLES , ( whom I pray the Lord to blesse with a prosperous reigne ) were comming from London for to enter into this Citie , we would all cloth our selues in comely apperall , we wold receiue him with * Note great applause , all shouting , GOD SAVE KING CHARLES . Would we doe this to a sinfull man Whose Isa. 2. 22. breath is in his nostrils ? What thinke yee then shall these creatures doe , whose neckes are yoked vnder the bondage of corruption euer till the Lord IAH our God come downe Psal. 68. 4. riding vpon the Skie with sound of libertie for euermore ?

Mine heart here faileth me while I thinke of that great applause and welcome to the world that Christ shall get when hee shall bowe the Heauens and come downe into the Aire : Shal he who in the days of his flesh , in the dayes of his disgrace , was so honoured at his Royall entrie in Ierusalem , not bee much more honoured at his Royall entrie into the worlde , which is groaning after that houre of his comming , as a woman in trauell , earning after the houre of her deliuerie : At his second comming , all his wayes shal be prepared , and the Hosanna Hosannahs of Ierusalem shall bee turned into Halleluiah Halleluiah : * * Note Before Christ came first to appeare among Luk. 3. 4. men , hee sent a Messenger to prepare his ways : The voyce of One crying in the wildernesse , Prepare yee the vers. 5. way of the Lord mak his paths straight : Euerie valley shall bee filled , and euery hill and mountaine shall bee made low , and the crooked shall bee made straight , & the rough ways shal be made smooth . * * Note Seeing in his humilitie his wayes were prepared before his comming , there is greater appearance that before hee come backe to this worlde againe with his millions , this new earth and all shall bee prepared .

* * Note It is a disgrace for a Citie to be cleansing streetes , while the King is alreadie within the portes : It is but rusticke manners to sweepe an house after that an honest man hath entered , whereby the dust that is vnder his feete is carried vp to his hat and betweene his shoulders .

The sicke Man .

It is your opinion then that all shall bee cleansed with a fire before the Lord come downe .

The Pastour .

It is indeed : And it seemeth also to haue some ground into Scripture , for Christ while hee was declaring in the Gospel the things that should be fall before his comming , hauing Matth. 24 29 said , That the Sunne and Moone should bee darkened , and that Starres should fall from Heauen , which declared the change of this world : In the next verse hee declareth that after that appeared the signe of the Sonne vers. 30. of man in Heauen .

The sicke Man .

According to your discourse it would seeme that before the comming of the Lord , at the renewing of this world , there shall be a strange stirre among all the Creatures .

The Pastour .

That is most certaine , and that both aboue and belowe : S. Luke saith , That there shall bee signes in the Luk. 21. 25 Sunne , and in the Moone , and in the Starres , and vpon the Earth , Pressura gentium , distresse of Nations , with perplexitie , the Sea and the waues roaring : Mens heartes failing them for feare , vers. 26. and for looking after these things which are comming on the Earth ; for the powers vers. 27. of Heauen shal be shaken : Then shal they see the Sonne of Man comming in a cloud with power and geart glorie .

The sicke Man .

All these wordes bee wordes of great weight : It would please you to giue mee the intepretation thereof .

The Pastour .

In these words the Euangelist letteth vs see howe this bigge olde world shal be broken downe for to bee made new againe : Some of the Learned expound these wordes by way of similitude taken from man the little world , while as hee is olde and failed , the humours of his body like elements are troubled and shaken together : His two eyes like the Sunne and Moone are darkened , and his other senses like the Starres fall downe and decay : His minde and his reason lik heauenlie powers are shaken , so at last man like an olde house all decayed , falleth downe into his dust : * * Note As this little worlde decayeth , so doeth this great world , wherein wee liue , all is failing about vs , aboue vs , till at last the verie voutes of heauen shall bee rent , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , with a noyse and shall bee melted with fire , and as it were cast into calmes whereout of shall come a new world , which shall neuer any more waxe olde .

The sicke Man .

That is well said for the generall : I perceiue now that the Lord by his infinite power shall spread the Heauens like paper or par●…hment , and that they shal be melted like mettall : Let me now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these wordes of S. Luke as they are written into his Gospel ▪ First hee saith , Thi●… there shall bee sigues in the Sunne , and in the Moone , and in the Starres : What signes shall these be ?

The Pastour .

Some of the Learned thinke that these signes shal be 〈◊〉 whereof God from these heauenlie bodies shall make a shew vnto then vpon the earth : Some thinke that this is spoken of great and strange ●…clipes that shall go●… before that day . Some thinke that there shall bee such a great and glorious light that shall goe before Christes comming , that both Sunne and Moone shall bee darkened as the Starres in the morning are darke 〈◊〉 at the rising of the Sun , so that they cannot any more bee seene , beeing obscured by a ●…ater light : Some by an allegorie referre these great ecclipses to great learned men , great lights in the Church making defection and Apostasie from the Trueth .

The sicke Man .

But S. Matthew , sayeth That the Matth. 24 29 Starres shall fall from Heauen .

The Pastour .

These words also be diuerslie interpreted : Some by these fallen stars vnderstand glorious professours of the truth falling away by Apostasie , such Starres are these whom the Dragon is said to draw downe with his taile : These bee the words of S. Iohn , And Reue. 12. 3 there appeared another wonder in Heauen , and behold a great red Dragon ▪ And his taile drew the third part of vers. 4. the starres of heauen ▪ and did cast them to the earth : * * Note By these starres as a learned man saith well , are vnderstood these whose names in outward appearance were written in Heauen , lik the Angel of Sardis who had a name to bee liuing , and yet was Reuel. 3. 1. dead : * * Note Wicked men for a space may blaze like Comets and seeme to bee starres fixed in their orbe ▪ and yet at last proue to bee nothing but a bundle of filthie matter , like these shote starres , that come not from Heauen but from the Aire , whereof the Deuill is the prince : Others are Ephes. ●… ▪ ●… of the opinion that this bee spoken of the starres of heauen , viz. That they shall fall downe .

The sicke Man .

But seeing one starre is so many times bigger than the whole Earth , as Philosophers esteeme , how can they fall ? Or if they fall , whither shall they goe ?

The Pastour .

One answereth verie well to that , that it is verie difficile to pronounce , but the day of the Lord shall reueale all : * * Note In my judgement by the falling of the stars with other such like things , is vnderstood the decaying and passing away of the Heauens which shall in that day as S. Peter 2 Pet. 3. 10 testifieth , passe away with a noyse●… * * Note An house while it is olde , and readie to bee taken downe , will all bee full of cliftes and riftes , so that the olde ●…yling that was once fast joyned together with nailes will begin to cling , and then to gape , the nailes also will become loose and hing out ▪ All signes and tokens of an hastie ruine : It shall bee euen so of that heauenlie house , when it is decayed and neare a fall , the stars which are like golden nailes into the ●…yling of the world , are said to bee loosed and to fall downe , for to declare the falling and ruine of the world : Some thinke that the Starres reallie shall fall downe like the leaues of a tree nipped with a winter frost : S. Iohn speaking of that strange change and perturbation that shal be both aboue and below before that great day ▪ saith , That the starres of heauen shall fall downe vnto the earth , euen as a Reue. 6. 1●… figge ▪ tree casteth he●… ▪ vntimelie figges , when shee is a shaken of a mightie wind ▪

In these wordes wee see first the infinite power of that Majestie who shall shake the fixed starres out of their firmament , againe obserue that the starres are said to bee shaken like vntimlie and greene figges , and not like figges that as wee say are drop ripe , which droppe downe of w●…ll without any violence ▪ * * Note By this it wold appeare that this world might stand longer than it shall stand I think that if the Lord shuld suffer the heauens to turne about some hundreth thousands of yeares , that then the stars should fall downe to the earth , nor like greene figges , but like fruite that is ripe at the falling ▪ But the Lord as wee see will shake the starres●… , ere they bee ripe ▪ and that as some thinke for the Elects sake : For the Elects sake , said Christ , these dayes Matth. 24 ▪ 22. shall bee shortened In the Greeke it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , decurtabuntur which is to shorten or mutilat .

I know that the most Learned interpret these wordes of the calamities of the Iewes which God would not suffer to bee distressed for many yeares .

The sicke Man .

Mine hearte wonders at these words of the Reuelation concerning the starres which shall fall downe to the earth like vntimelie figges shaken with a mightie winde : I thinke your obseruation therevpon verie pleasant .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir , the words are wonderfull , but the worke shal be more wonderfull : * * Note For in all appearance 2 Pet. 3. 12 the heauens beeing dissolued , that is , all shaken asunder and the stars shaken loose falling downe to the earth , and all the Elements beeing melted together , in all appearance , Starres ▪ Sunne , and Moone , Clay , Water , Fire , and Aire , shall become for aspace like a Chaos a confused lump or masse without forme as they were Gen. 1. 2. at the first , and that till the God of order hath refined and purified all by his refining fire . Some thinke otherwise , but the day of the Lord shall reueale all .

The sicke Man .

That shall bee a terrible worke : * * Note Now let mee know what S. Luke vnderstandeth by these words ▪ That vpon the earth shall bee distresse of Nations with perplexitie .

The Pastour .

* * Note That is , men of all Nations shall bee so troubled at the sight of such thinges , that like a man in a straite they shall not wotte to what hand to turne them , euen as Dauid was when he said , I am in a great strait , 2 Sam. 24. 14 that is , perplexity : As for that which S. Luke saith of the Sea , viz. The sea and the waues roaring , by these words hee declareth that the sea shall be all stirred to the bottome , so that the●… waters and all shall bee muddie an●… drumblie : * * Note The word Salum turened heere , 〈◊〉 , signifieth properlie ▪ mare turbatum , a raging troubled and tempestuous Sea .

All these things that shall appeare ▪ are called , Fore runners , sent before to tell all the Faithfull that when they shall see them , that they lift vp their heades and looke vp for to see their Redemption that is neere ▪ S ▪ Luk compareth the time of all these things that appeare before the Lords comming to the spring time , when trees begin to budde , When the buds Luk. 2●… . 30 shoote foorth , saith hee ▪ ye●… know that Summer is at hand : So likewise yee ▪ vers. 31. when yee see these thinges come to passe●… know that the Kingdome of God is nigh at hand .

The sicke Man .

All these fore-said things bee bu●… buds as I see forewarning vs of the Summer season ▪ wherein the Lord shall come : But what is that which S. Matthew saith , that after all these Matth. 24. 30. thinges shall appeare the SIGNE of the Sonne of man in Heauen ▪ What is that which hee calleth the SIGNE of the Sonne of man in Heauen ? What SIGNE thinke yee that to bee , that shall bee seene in Heauen after that the world shall bee made new ?

The Pastour .

The interpreters varie much in their opinions concerning this Signe what sort of Signe it should bee .

Some thinke that it shall bee the signe of the Crosse vpon which the Lord hang : This SIGNE as some think shal be seene into the Aire before the comming of the Lord : Such a signe as some write , was that which Constantine saw in the Aire while he was going to battell against the enemies of Christ : With this signe was heard a voyce vttered in these words IN HOC SIGNO VIN●…HS .

Others thinke that by the SIGNE of the Sonne of man , is to bee vnderstood Christ Himselfe , who is called , The Signe of the Sonne of man , as Circumcision in Scripture Language is called , The signe of the Circumsion . Rom. 4. 11

* * Note I incline rather to thinke with Beza that , that signe shall bee some great Majestie and vnspeakable glorie aboue all compasse of comparison glorious , which shall appeare , whereby the comming of that Lord shall bee knowne to all , not to bee the comming of a creature , but of Him who is Lord of all the creatures , hauing a name aboue all names : Philip , 2. 9 * * Note The Kings and Princes of the earth while they are among the multitudes of their Subjects by some glistering jewell will be discerned from all the rest , or by the great respect that is carried to their persons , by these that are about them : * * Note All sheaues fell down before Iosephs sheaues : Gen. 37. 7 So all creatures at his approach shall fall downe before him : * * Note As before Gen. 41. 43 Ioseph , in his progesse was a cry Abrech , how the knee , so at the comming of this Lord the Angels in a manner shall cry , Abrech : At his Name euerie knee in Heauen and Earth and vnder the Earth shal bow ▪ * * Note Before , behind , and aboue that Bodie of God both white and ruddie Cant. 5. 10 the chiefest among ten thousand , shall bee such a glorie and throng of Majestie as shall bee a certaine signe ▪ that it can bee none other but the Prince of Eternitie , hee being among his most bright and glorious Angels like a Sunne among the Starres : The wordes of the Earth cannot beare such a signification as may expresse the glorie of this Signe .

* * Note Mine hearte is without mee while I think vpon the glorie of that Lord , whom all cyes shall see ▪ that day with his golden Head and bus●… Cant. 5. 11 Lockes : Christ shall bee clothed in his triumphing apparell with such a brightnesse , that the Moone shall be confounded and the Sunne ashamed , as these who beeing clothed in course rayment , are ashamed to be seene among these who are pasmented with gold : * * Note In a word , at his presence all powers shall shake , and all creatures at his b●…cke shall obey .

The sicke Man .

After that , that Signe shall appeare : What thinke yee shall bee done ?

The Pastour .

When Christ the desire of all Nations Hag. 2. 7. shall bee readie to come , Hee Matth. 24 31 shall send before him ▪ his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet , and they shall gather his dispersed and despised Elect from the foure winds , from one end of Heauen to the other ▪ S. Paul saith ▪ That the Trumpet shall 1 Thess. 4 16 〈◊〉 , and the dead shall arise : This shall not bee a brasen Trumpet , but a ●…stiall , which shall found so shrill with a princelie noise ▪ that all the creatures on Earth ; in Heauen , and Hell , shall heare it .

* * Note S. Paul hath three notable sayinges concerning the sound that shall bee heard at Christs comming : First hee saith ▪ That hee shall descend 1 Thess. 4 16 with a shoute , Secondlie ▪ With the voyce of the Archangel , Thirdlie , With the Trumpet of God .

The sicke Man .

The remembrance of that shout maketh mine eares to tingle and my heart stringes to tremble : What a shout thinke ye that , that shall bee ?

The Pastour .

Some thinke that it shall bee a great noyse & dinne , such as is heard into hudge great assemblies : * * Note It may bee a shout of victorie or of praise : * * Note The Angels and millions of Sainctes , who sing his praise continuallie , cannot keepe silence that day : They shal be all about Christ that day shouting for the joy of that desired day : * * Note The worde shout in the originall is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which properlie signifieth that sounding voice which the Mariners vse to others , euerie one for to moue another to row : Others thinke it to be like a cry of Souldiers , qualis est militaris convasatio , while they trusse all their baggage for to remoue .

The sicke Man .

For what cause chieflie shall this shout bee ? To whom shall it bee directed ?

The Pastour .

It shall bee chieflie for the Glory of God : * * Note It shall bee directed to the dead , who are to bee raised vp by the power of God , and by the meanes of his Seruants the Angels , who at the raising vp of all creatures shall shout like Mariners , heauing vp that which is heauy by force of their armes .

* * Note What Archangel that shall be or what shall bee that voyce : One saith verie well , Dies Domini revelabit , The day of the Lord shall reueale it . The Lord prepare vs for it : O what a Glorie when Christ shall appeare with hands as gold rings Cant. 5. 14 set with the Berill ; and with a bright Bellie ouer laid with Saphires .

The sicke Man .

Is it your judgement that Christ the Iudge of the World shall come downe from Heauen with a great Majestie ?

The Pastour .

It is certaine , of the day of his comming againe may well bee said , that which was said of his first comming , This is the day which the Lord Psal. 11●… . 24 hath made : In that day hee himselfe shall come downe in a Charet of a Cloude as hee ascended into a Cloude : All the Glorie of Heauen shall bee seene that day : The Father shall bee there in vnspeakable Glorie : The Holie Ghost shall bee there with vnspeakable Majestie : All the Saintes and Angels shall bee about Him like burning Lampes and glistring Suns .

The sicke Man .

What passage of Scripture letteth vs see clearlie the Glorie of his comming to judgement ?

The Pastour .

That passage of Daniel is verie formal 〈◊〉 beheld , said hee , till the D●…n. 7. 9 Thrones were cost down , and the Ancient of dayes did ●…ite , ●…base Garn●… was white as snow , and the Haire of his Head lik the pure wool ▪ 〈◊〉 Throne was like the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and his wheele●… as burning fire ▪ A fie●…e streame issued , vers. 10. and came foorih from before him , tha●… sand thousands ministred vnto him ▪ 〈◊〉 ten thousand times 〈◊〉 thousand stood before him : S. Iohn faith , that the number of them was ▪ ten thousand Reuel. 5. 11 times ten thousand , and thousand 〈◊〉 thousands : * * Note Let these brutish 〈◊〉 phemers here by 〈◊〉 way ●…ak a 〈◊〉 son , who say ▪ That if many be dam●… ned God shall ride with a thinne Court , words 〈◊〉 to bee scourged with a thousand hels : Away yee barking blasphemers , God hath no neede of you nor of your like : * * Note Hee who could of stones raise vp seede vnto Matth. 3. 9 Abraham , and make stones to cry , Hosanna , Hosanna , needeth not want multitudes of these that will sing his praises : * * Note But hath he not Angels in Heauen alreadie , who are in number tenne thousand times tenne thousand , and thousands of thousands : But though they were none but himselfe , is hee not that great SHADAI , God al sufficient who hath Exod. 6. 3 neede of none , of whome all haue neede ? If I were hungrie , said hee , I would not tell thee ▪ for the worlde is Psal. 50. 12 mine and the fulnesse thereof .

The sicke ▪ Man .

This would I learne of you , viz. If when the Trumpet of the resurrection shall blow , these that are then liuing shall die first .

The Pastour .

The Scripture saith , That they shall bee changed : This change which 1 Cor. 15. shall bee into the twinkling of an eye , shall stand vnto them in steade of death : In that is the word fulfilled , It is appointed to all men once to die . Heb. 9. 27

The sicke Man .

Thinke yee that these that then shal be aliue , shall win first to Christ ? It would seeme that they haue a fore start of these who are rotten in the Graue .

The Pastour .

The Scripture is plaine : This we say vnto you by the word of the Lord , 1 Thess. 4. 15 that wee which are aliue , and remaine vnto the comming of the Lord , shall not preuent them which are asleepe .

Some gather vpon these wordes , that these who are dead shall preuent them who are aliue , and shal be sooner at Christ than they , viz. That Adam and Eue shall bee with the first , and in the first ranke , and so that at that Conuention these who first were dead shall preuent them that shall bee aliue : But that hath no sure ground in Scripture , for though it bee said , That these who shall bee aliue shall not preuent these which are asleepe , it will not follow that these which are asleepe shall preuent these which are aliue : The Apostle himselfe saith , That we shall 1 Thess. 4. 16 all be caught vp together in the Clouds : As for who shall bee formost , Dies Domini revelabit , The day of the Lord shall declare it .

The sicke Man .

I see them that your opinion is that all flesh that day must arise and compeare before God , and that none must be excepted . But how is it that the Godlie onelie by Christ are called , The Children of the resurrection ? Luk. 20. 3●… By that it would appeare ▪ that none shall arise but the members of Christ ?

The Pastour .

It is most certaine that all shall arise : All that are in the graue shall Ioh. 5. 28. 29. heare his voyce , and shall come foorth they that haue done good vnto the Resurrection of life , and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation . As for the Godlie , indeede properlie they are the Children of the Resurrection , because they shall arise willinglie out of their beddes , and because by the vertue of Christs Resurrection they shall arise , hee being the Head and they the members , which must follow after that Head . As for the wicked they shal be scourged out of their Graues , the force of wrath shall draw them out , that as Malefactors they may come & heare their doome pronounced against them .

The sicke Man .

I heare you say according to Gods worde that all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce , and shall come foorth : If that bee , where shall the little Children that died without Baptisme bee ? The Romane Church teacheth that such goe to a prison where they shall neuer see the face of God : Shall not their bodies come out of their Graues ? If the Heauens and the Earth passe away , what part can they be in where they shall not see Gods face ?

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir your reason refuteth that errour sufficientlie : For certainelie their bodies must come out of their Graues : It is not possible but in that day they shall see Christ .

* * Nōte Truelie to put such into an euerlasting prison for such a cause , were to blame the Lord himselfe of injustice : The Lord hath said , The Ezek. 18. 20 sonne shall not beare the iniquitie of the father : What if the father by negligence shall neglect to cause baptize his Childe ? shall the Childe for his fathers negligence be clapped vp into euerlasting prison ? If that were , should not the prouerbe bee true , The fathers haue eaten sower grappes , Ezek. 18. 2 and the Childrens teeth are set on edge . It was well said by Bernard .

Non privatio Baptismi sed contemptus Bernard . damnat .

That is , not the want , but the contempt of Baptisme condemneth : If any condemnation bee , the Father who contemneth , and not the Childe who contemneth not , shall bee damned .

S. Ambros speaking of Valentinian , Orat ▪ funeb ▪ de obibitu ▪ Valent. who disceased before he culd come to him for to bee baptized , said ,

Quem regeneraturus eram amisi , sed ille non amisit gratia●… quam poposcit .

That is , I haue lost him whom I was for to regenerate , but hee hath not lossed the grace which he sought : * * Note None but baptizers of Bells will be against this trueth .

The sicke Man .

I am well satisfied in that point : I wonder much howe men should goe so farre astray : Where shall these bodies of little Children bee in the day of the Resurrection ▪ if they shall not compeare before Christ the Iudge ? I thinke this argument can hardlie bee answered vnto .

Another difficultie heere may be moued concerning Baptisme , which the Apostle taketh as an argument 1 Cor. 15 29 to proue the Resurrection : What shall they doe , saith hee ▪ which are baptized for the dead , if the dead rise not at all , why are they then baptized for the dead ? The wordes seeme verie difficle .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir , they want not difficultie . Some interprete the words for the dead , That is , Vice & loco mortuorum . The custome was among the Christians as S. Ambros recordeth , that if any dyed without Baptisme , some of the liuing came to the bed where they were dead , or to their Graue , and there were baptized for them : Chrysostome and Epiphanius declare that this was a custome among the Marcionites , which they reproue as a vaine inuention ▪

Others interprete these word●… of these who on their death-beds were baptized , that thereby all by-gone sinnes might bee purged away .

Others interprete , To be baptized S. Chrysost. for the dead , That is , in the faith of the Resurrection of the dead : For these who were to be baptized , first did rehearse the Creede , and when they came to the Resurrection of 〈◊〉 dead , at these words they were baptized .

Others of the Learned take the Luther . wordes 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 about the dead ▪ The custome beeing of olde , that Bucanus . these who were baptized , were baptized about the Graues , where the Piscator . dead did lye , for to testifie that they did belieue the Resurrection from the dead .

Some by baptising heere vnderstand that washing and ablution of dead bodies : After this signification ▪ Cuppes are said 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be Ma●… . 7. 4. baptized or washen : This washing of the dead bodies before their buriall , as some thinke , was common to the Iewes , who in hope of the Resurrection , did both them and make them cleane : This was also a custome among the Pagans ▪ to wash and anoint the dead bodies : Such were called Pollinctores ▪

This also appeareth to haue beene done in the dayes of the Apostles by the Christians : In the Actes it is written of Tabitha , that being dead , Act. 9. 37. they washed her ▪ and layed her in an vpper Chamber : All these baptizings and washings , were in hope of the Resurrection ▪ As for the Pagans , they wrought the wroke as Peter on Tabor spake , not knowing what hee Luk. 9 33. Ioh. 18. 14 , said , or as Cajaphas prophesied ▪ not vnderstanding the prophecie which hee preached : This by the moste Learned is approued .

Others interprete to bee baptized for dead , not for the dead , or about the Graues of these that are buried ▪ but for dead , say they , that is , as dead to sinne , for to destroy and mortifie sinne , which is the chiefe ende of Baptisme : This say they , is a maine argument for to proue the Resurrection : For if there were no Resurrection , to what purpose should men crucifie their sinnes ?

* * Note Behold how these few words : To bee baptized for dead , hath troubled so manie braines : Where wee may learne the shallownesse of mans witte : God with that little Greeke 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath giuen all the Doctours of the Church a taske that may teach them humilitie , an Antidote for to cure our swelling knowledge .

The sicke Man .

That which ye say is trueth : Oh ▪ that men were wise in this point ▪ that they could consider the weaknesse of their wits .

But to come to our purpose concerning the Resurrection : Manie a time haue I in my Spirit wondered at the greatnesse of that worke .

The Pastour .

It shall be a great worke indeede ▪ * * Note But if anie Saducean spirit would doubt of it , it must also doubt more of the creation : I take the creation to haue beene a greater worke : It is more to haue made our bodies of nothing , than to gather their dust together which is now but dispersed : This was a Fathers argument .

Vtique idoneus est reficere qui Tertul. facit : quare miramur ? quarenon credimus ? Deus est qui fecit : Considera authorem & tolle dubitationem .

That is , It is easie for God to mak ouer againe that which he hath once made , why marueill wee ? yea , why belieue wee not ? God hath made all : Consider the Maker , and doubt no more .

The sicke Man .

Let mee heare some-thing out of Scripture concerning this point .

The Pastour .

There bee many moste famous passages for the probation of that great worke , both out of the olde and New-Testament : I know , said Iob. 19. 25 Iob that my Redeemer liueth , and that hee shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth , and though after my skinne ▪ wormes destroy this bodie , yet in my vers. 31. flesh , shall I see God ▪ whom I shall see for my selfe ▪ and mine eyes shall beholde , and not another , though my reines bee consumed within mee .

Daniel is cleare in this : Many of Dan. 12 : 2 them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake : Some to euerlasting life , and some to shame and euerlasting contempt .

The Prophet Ezekiel by way of similitude setting the deliuerance of Israel , pointeth at the Resurrection , Ezek. 37. 12 Behold , O people , saith hee , I will open your Graues and cause you to come vp out of your graues .

Christ in the New-Testament made numbers of the Sainctes to come out of the dust of death : What they were , no man can tell their names , whether it was Moses , or Ioshua , Samuel , Dauid , Iosaphat , Iosiah or who , no tongue can tell : But this wee know , that after Christ arose by the power of his Resurrection , hee made manie to come out of their Matth. 27 52 Graues : The graues were opened , and manie bodies of Saints which slept arose , and came out of the graues after his Resurrection , vers. 53 and went into the holy Citie , and appeared vnto manie .

The sicke Man .

O but that was wonderfull ! Think yee that after that , they did returne to their Graues ?

The Pastour .

The most Learned esteeme that they neuer did returne back to dust , but that they waited on Christ vntill the day of his Ascention , in which day they did accompanie him vp to the Heauens , where with their Head Christ , they were receiued into Glorie , with the great applause of all Angels and Sainctes , whose Spirits aboue are desiring continuallie to see the day when Soule and bodie shall bee joyned for to bee glorified together for euer .

The sicke Man .

After that the dead are risen and the liuing changed , what thinke ye shall immediatelie follow before we meete with the Lord himselfe ?

The Pastour .

In the judgment of some so soone as the dead shall bee raised and the liuing changed , before that we shall meete with Christ into the cloudes , there shall be a sore mourning both among the Godlie and the wicked , for the piercing of that Lord : Euery one of the Godlie in that day shall Gen. 41. 9 say as the Butler said to Pharaoh I 〈◊〉 remember my faultes this day .

Such a mourning was neuer heard since the world was founded , as shall be heard that day for a space ▪ Christ himselfe hath declared this , saying , Then shall all the Tribes of the earth Matth. 24. 30 mourne , when they shall see the Sonne of man comming into the Cloudes : All shall bee agast at the first sight of that Isa. 57. 15. High and loftie One , that inhabiteth Eternitie : S , Iohn saith , Behold , hee Reue ▪ 1. 7. commeth with Cloudes , and euerie eye shall see him , and they also which pierced him : And all the Kinrides of the Earth shall waile because of him .

The Prophet Zacharie compareth this mourning to the mourning of Zath ▪ 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 ▪ Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon , for the death of good Iosiah .

Some thinke that onelie the wicked shall mourne in that day : In my judgement it is the most true opinion : Others by reason of these foresaid passages , thinke that all both Godlie and vngodlie at the first sight of Iesus , shall uaile with great lamentations , while they shall behold him whom they haue pierced .

* * Note All at the sight of him who was pierced for and by our sinnes 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 plangent , that is , shall strik their brests with their hands , the signe of great doole .

After that the Lord hath suffered his to mourne for a space in his sight , Hee shall incontinent command them to come , and by vertue of his word they shall all as with winges flie vp into the Aire , there for to meete their Lord , * * Note The strength of their heart , the joye of their glorie , the desire of their eyes , and that whereupon they sette their mindes .

So soone as they shall come to Reuel. 21. 4. him hee shall wipe all teares from their eyes : * * Note Then shall these mourning Mordecais put off the Sack-cloth of their doole , for to bee arrayed with the Kings royall apparell , the a a Reuel. 7. 9 White linnen of heauen , the glorious Liuer●… of Christ Iesus : * * Note These hauing b b Reuel. 4. 4. celestiall Crownes vpon their heads , shall glaunce in glorie like shinning c c Matth. 13 43. Suns , that all that euer took breath may see d d Esth. 6. 9 how it shall bee done to them whom the King of Heauen will honour : * * Note When the Godlie shall see themselues so powerfullie deliuered from so fearefull dangers , they shall cry to Christ as the Israelites said to Gideon ▪ e e Iudge . 8. 22 Reigne thou ouer vs , because thou hast deliuered vs : According to their desire hee shall reigne ouer them in all prosperitie : Then shall his f f Cant , ●…5 . 11 curled Lockes bee fullie dryed of the g g Cant. 5. 2 Dew and doole droppes of the night of all afflictions .

The sicke Man .

When the Lord shall come to Iudgement , in what place thinke yee that hee shall sit downe as Iudge for to pronounce his sentence ?

The Pastour .

It is thought by some that Christ and all his Angels shall come down to the Earth , that the sentence may bee pronounced in the presence of the wicked , who for feare of distresse and destruction , like creeping wormes shall striue to hide themselues vnder Rockes and Mountaines , for to couer themselues from the face of the Lambe : Glad would they be for Reue. 6. 16 to haue the cliftes of the rockes , and the secret place of the Graue for a Shelter in that day : * * Note That shall be a day of trouble and of treading downe , Isa. 22. 5. a day of perplexitie , and of crying to the mountaines : Then shall the Wicked in fearefull qualmes of griefe beeing haltered with horrours , wish that the Rockes and Mountaines would skippe like Rammes for to leape vpon Psal. 114. 14. them , that thereby they might bee hid from the Lambe .

But from that Royall Presence there shall bee none escape : * The Angels of great power shall haile them away by force before his great Tribunall , where all the euill they haue committed and all the good they haue omitted , both publicke scandales and secret sinnes , shall bee ript vp and set in open view before all the world to their perpetuall infamie .

This is the trueth of Gods word : Iudge nothing before the time , saide S. 1 Cor. 4. 5 Paul , vntill the Lord come , who both will bring to light the hidden thinges of darknesse , and will make manifest the counsell of the hearts .

* * Note O mercifull God! what is this ? What can foolish man thinke in himselfe while hee concealeth his since Behold here it is written , that at that day God shall make manifest the counsell of the hearts : The world saith often that Thought is free : * * Note But behold here how the verie euill thoughts of the wicked in that day shal be spread out and laide in broad-band before the face of God , of Angels , and of men .

* * Note What an aw●…and should this bee for to make vs watch better ouer our most secret thoughts , seeing in that great day before so many famous witnesses , GOD , Sainctes , and Angels , the most secret counsels of the heart shall bee made manifest ?

* * Note O then , then , shall the blacke Mores hiddes and Leopardes spottes clearelie bee seene : Then shall all the hidde murthers and all the counsels therof be made manifest : Were hee a King , hee shall not bee able to couer himselfe : Then shall all the hidde Fornications and Adulteries , yea , the verie plots and counsels for such things , though not effectuate , all shall bee brought to light : O yee most vyle hearts , in that day ye shall bee vnboweled and anatamised before the eyes of all that euer breathed on earth .

* * Note What thinke yee , O sinners , who will not remember this ? Will yee not thinke vpon this , that the day is fast comming , except that by speedie repentance yee preuent the wrath , God shall discharge vpon you the thunder-bolts of his vengeance ? Vengeance shall beate vpon your braines and breastes wherein your sinnes were bred .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Oh , that men were wise for to lay such meditations neerest their heart , alas , such thoghts in our hearts are often but rawe and euill digested ▪ Wee oftest misse the corne and choose the chaffe , such are the follies which are euer afloate in our braines .

But to come to the maine purpose which wee haue in hand , let me see what warrand these haue in Scripture , who say , That Christ shall come downe to the Earth for to sit in his last Assise .

The Pastour .

They ground their Assertion vpon the wordes of Iob , who saith , I knowe that my Redeemer liueth , and Iob. 19. 25 that hee shall stand at the latter day vpon the Earth : In the French version it is .

Il demeurera le dernier sur laterre .

That is as our o●…version hath , Hee shall stand the last vpon the earth .

By this it would appeare that Christ the Iudge shall come downe to the Earth , where hee shall haue a Iudgement seate for to * * Note doe Iustice vpon that Element where sinne did most abound .

Other learned Diuines thinke otherwise , viz. That Christs Throne wherevpon he shall sit that day , shall bee erected in the Aire .

The sicke man .

Seeing some are of that opinion that Christ shall judge , hee beeing vpon the earth , what place thinke they that hee shall choose for to sit downe into ?

The Pastour .

As for the particular place where that last Iudgement shall be giuen , some think that it shal be into the ●…ire ouer the valley of Iehoshaphat , neere by the Mount of Oliues , which is not farre from Ierusalem : Their chiefe ground is , from that of Ioel : I will , said the Lord , gather all Nations in Ioel. 3. 2. the Valley of Iehoshaphat , and will plead with them there : There will I sitte to judge the Heathen round about .

The opinion of some is ▪ that where Christ was crucified and put to open shame and railed vpon ▪ there shall he chiefly in that day make manifest his Glorie .

* * Note This great Iudge in all appearance shall judge the world in righteousnesse , and conuince the world of sinne and of righteousnesse , where hee himselfe was most vnrighteouslie judged and condemned .

Many of the Learned Schoole men thinke that he shall come down Act. 1. 12. toward the mount of Oliues : Their ground is this , That Christ ascended from the mount of Oliues , and that there the Angels said vnto the men of Galilee that were gazing vp toward heauen , that as they had seene Act. 1. 11. him goe into heauen , so should hee come againe .

These bee probable conjectures : But in my judgment no man can assuredlie tell in what particular place this great Iudge shall sitte downe for to pronounce his Iudgement : This is most certaine that hee shall come downe : Behold hee commeth , saith S. Iud. v. 14. Iude , with ten thousand of his Saintes , to execute judgement vpon all , and to conuince all that are vngodlie among them , of all their vngodlie deeds which they haue vngodly commited , and of all their hard speeches , which vngodlie sinners haue spoken against him .

The sicke Man .

After what forme thinke ye that Christ shal come downe from Heauen at doomes-day that great judiciall day ?

The Pastour .

In the most glorious forme that is possible to him , with whom nothing is impossible : That glorious King shall bee accompanied with all the Armies of heauen .

Before him in die illo decritorio , in that judiciall day , shall bee heard a shout a voice of an Archangell : The most shrill Trumpet of heauen shall sound so high with a rebounding noise that the dead in their Graues shall awake and arise out of their beddes like sleeping men that are wakened in the morning with the sound of the Drumme , or fift houre Bell : At that sound all the dead must come out of their Graues , as men after sleepe arising out of their beddes : * * Note None then must lye still with the Sluggard , who turning himselfe on his bed as a doore on its hinges , saith , Prou. 24. 33 Yet a little sleepe , a little slumber , a little folding of the hands to sleepe : No , not : At the first shout , at the first voyce of the Archangell ▪ at the first blast of the Trumpet , all shall arise and compeare before the face of that Iudge in the day of that great general Assemblie , when God shal comfort his owne , and mak a speedie riddence of the wicked ▪ whom he shall denoure by the fyre of his jealousie : None shall bee able in that day to award his blowes : There shall bee such paines which no damned Soule shall bee able to auoide , or abide : But the Godlie most gladly like Eagles about Matth. 24 28 dead bodie shal flock about their Lord .

The sicke Man .

I heare by your discourse that the LORD shall come downe in great pompe and magnificence : After that hee is come downe into his Charet with his thousand thousands , what shall bee done next ?

The Pastour .

Daniel saith , that the Iudgement Dan. 7. 10. shall bee set and the Bookes shall bee opened : After that Christ by his power hath cast downe all the little thrones of Emperours and Kings , he himselfe shall sitte downe vpon a Throne of infinite Majestie : His Garments shall bee white as snow , and his Haire like pure wooll : This is said by Daniel , for to let vs see that the Iudge of the world shal be vpright & spotlesse in his Iugdement : To this is subjoyned by the Prophet , That the judgement was set .

The sicke Man .

I vnderstand not well these last words ▪ What is that to say , That the Iudgement was set ?

The Pastour .

* * Note It is in the Hebrew Dinaiethib : In the Latin Iudicio considonte , or as Arius Montanus hath turned it Iudicium sedit , that is ▪ The Iudgement sat downe , that is , as who would say , The Session sat downe .

* * Note By this Iudgement some of the Learned , vnderstand Christ and his Saints with him , as Assessours ▪ in that jurie all sitting , Christ for to judge , & they for to approue his Iudgement .

* * Note This then know , That when the Sonne of man shall come in his Glorie , Matth. 25 31 not with a scornefull Reede in his hand , but with a celestiall Scepter , hee shall separate the Godlie and the wicked one from another : His God ▪ head which in the dayes of his flesh did lurke , shall in that Session most ardentlie appeare with such a brightnes as shall make the eyes of deuils to dazle .

The Iudgement beeing thus orderlie set , the Bookes shall bee opened .

The sicke Man .

What Bookes are these which shall bee opened ?

The Pastour .

S. Iohn speaking of that last Session Reue. 20. 12 day , saith , I saw the dead great and small standing before God , and the Bookes were opened , and the dead were judged out of these thinges that were written in the Bookes according to their workes .

Your desire is to knowe what Bookes these bee which shal be opened in that great Day : In my judgement there shall bee two Bookes opened that day : * * Note The first is that golden Booke of the Godlie called , Reuel. 20. 12 The Booke of life , which in the Chapter following is called , The Lambes Reuel. 21. 27 Booke of life : These whose names are written in that Booke , are said in Isaiah , to be written among the liuing Isa. 4. 3. in Ierusalem . This is that Booke whereof Moses spake when hee said to God , If thou wilt not forgiue this Exod. 32. 32 people , blotte mee I pray thee out of the Booke which thou hast written : This may bee called , The predestination Booke , which is kept in Heauen : Rather re●…oyce , said Christ to his Disciples , Luk. 10. 20 that your names are written in Heauen .

The sicke Man .

Thinke yee Sir , that God hath anie matteriall Booke , wherein the names of his Saintes are written ?

The Pastour .

No , not : * * Note But as one saith well Infallibilis Dei memoria & aeterna ad vitam ▪ electiò , liber dicitur : That is , The infallible memorie of God , and his eternall election vnto life , is called a Booke : Wherefore that ? Will ye say , because that which is written in our Booke is most surelie kept : If we haue a thing to day in our memorie , wee may forget it incontinent : But if it bee well written in our Booke , wee are sure of it : * * Note According to this God for to shew vnto his deare Ones how well hee remembereth them , hee saith , That hee hath written Isa. 49. 16. them vpon the palmes of his hands : This is that Booke of rememberance , Mal. 3. 6. whereof speaketh Malachie .

One of the Learned calleth well the Booke of Life Symbolum electionis , the signe or badge of our election : * * Note This is that which the Prophet Ezekiel calleth , The writting of Ezek. 13. 9 the house of Israel , and secret of the Lord .

The sicke Man .

But how is it said , That this Book shall bee opened ?

The Pastour .

The Book of Life or of predestination is said , to bee opened when it shall appeare to all the world , who they are whom God hath predestinate : * * Note So long as the Godlie are heere , they are Gods secret Ones no more knowne to the world , than a man is able to read that which is within a closed Booke .

While it shal be seene by all what they are , then that Booke is said , To bee opened : When these off-scourings of the world , the most despised among men , shall bee seene vpon Thrones shining like a a Matth. 13 43 Sunnes about their God , b b Mal. 4. 2 the Sunne of righteousnesse , then shall all the wicked read as in an open Booke , that these whom they once did despise , were truelie the Saintes of God .

* * Note The Booke of predestination is like that Booke of the Reuelation , which was so fast sealed that no man could open it , but the Lyon of the tribe Reuel. 5. 5. of Iudah , without the force of a Lion , such seales could not bee lifted vp .

The sicke Man .

I haue heard concerning the Book of the Godlie .

Now let me know what be these Bookes wherein were written all the workes of the wicked , according to which S. Iohn saith , that they shall Reuel. 20. 12. bee judged : * * Note By this it would appeare that all the sinnes which they in their life did commit vnder the curtaine of darknesse shall then bee set in open view : O the deepe displeasure of our God : Happie they who are highlie in his fauour : I would gladlie know what a blacke bible is that which is called , the Book of the wicked .

The Pastour .

* * Note When Christ the Ancient of Dan. 7. 9. dayes sitting vpon his Throne , readie for to judge the wicked , shall bee vpon the touch of their tryall , the Books Reuel. 21. 27 of accounts shall bee laide open : The Book of the Godlie is but one Book called , The Booke of the Lambe , and the Booke of Life ▪ But as for the wicked Reuel. 120. 12 while the Scirpture speaketh of them , it speaketh of Bookes in the plurall number : The Bookes ▪ were opened , Reue. 20. 12 saith . S. Iohn , And the dead were judged out of these thinges that were written in the Bookes .

* * Note By these Bookes some vnderstand the Law of God , and their own Conscience : Their bosome Booke like Vriahs Letters ▪ containing their own death : Let mee also add●… vnto these two a third Booke , ei●…en the Booke of the Gospel .

First of all , the Lord shall open his Law Book vnto the wicked , where they shall see what they haue done , that God hath forbidden , and what they haue not done , that hee hath commanded : * * Note At the breach of euerie command they shall see curles of Woe , woe , woe , annexed like the reekie taile of a Comet ▪ which are nothing but the smoke of Gods wrath .

After that with sore sighing & griefe of minde they haue read through all the Book of the Law , & haue clearlie seene what filthie breaches they haue made , to them shall bee presented the Booke of the Gospel , wherein they shall see that they haue sinned against the reemeede of sinne by refusing grace offered vnto them , and by treading vnder their vncleane feete the precious Blood of the Lambe , the price of their Redemption .

* * Note Thogh the wicked shall indeed be judged according to their workes , yet the maine cause of their condemnation shall bee , because they would not belieue in the Son of God : For this cause the Gospel which is that Book of Faith , shal be Gods chiefe Booke of Iudgement , according to this S. Paul plainelie saith , That in that Rom. 2. 16 day God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ according to my Gospel .

* * Note Nowe lest the wicked should thinke God anie wise to bee vnrigh ▪ teous while hee judgeth , the third Booke , like Iosephs Cup where by hee Gen. 41. 5 did diuine , shall bee produced , euen their bosome Booke , the Booke of their owne Conscience , the Booke of Nature and of Nations , which euerie one of them had in keeping within their brest , since they could discerne good by euill : * * Note What euer they haue spoken , wrought , or thought , there shall they finde it written , in most black Characters , & as it were subscribed with their owne hand , so that they shall not be able to haue a face for to deny , no more than a man can denye his owne hand write .

* * Note The Letters of that Booke shall be printed with so great a Character that all the Godlie who shall bee Christs Assessours in that Iurie , for to passe their Verdict vpon them shall see easilie a farie off all the shame of the wicked , which was once closse ▪ couered vnder ▪ vanished colours of great godlinesse .

O in that day all their filthy thoghts and craftie conueyances , and secret conspiracies , and hidde murthers , and adulteries , and all other mischiefe , the vnhappie cockle & darnell of their heartes , whereof they were secretlie guiltie , shall be sette in open view before GOD , Angels , and men : All their faces shall be couered with the filthinesse of their menstruous clouts : All their sins both knowne and secret , shall God set in order before them , that all eyes of Psal. 50. 21 men and Angels may beholde their abominations : O short so●…r sweete pleasures , with long euerlasting tailes of sorrow .

* * Note O but the Saintes of God shall wonder in that day to see so manie whom they while they liued iudged in Charitie to bee godlie and well set persons : O , say I , but they shall wonder to see them in ba●…e bondage , among the blacke band , hauing the Books of their Consciences blotted with so many Items of i●…lle and wicked thoughtes , which in this life could neuer be taken within the walk of humane justice : * * Note After the Items of their vile thoughts , shall appeare the Items of idle and wicked words : After all , shall bee seene the most filthie Items of their most vile & abominable works , which they thought had beene buried in eternall obliuion : The dashing tempest of Gods wrath shall wash out all the varnished paintings of their hypocrisie ▪

Mercifull GOD ▪ what shame in that day shall come with confusion vpon all the faces of the wicked ▪ When such secret sinnes as hid murthers , by Sword or by poyson , hid adulteries , incest , stollen inches & false weights , & all other such iniquities whereof this world is full , and that vnder a faire colour and shewe of godlinesse , when all these hid sianes ▪ say I , shall bee singled out and shall come to light , the Godlie whome they once reputed precise fooles and simple Fellowes , shall wonder at the sight thereof : * * Note Then shall they point at such persons , saying among themselues , Fye , fye , out vpon him , out vpon her , Ohshame : who could haue thought that euer hee had beene such a man , or that shee had beene such a woman ? was this the life that these dapper & delicate persons did leade vnder the faire colour of such a glorious profession ? Ah stinking hypocrites , formall Pharisees with your sodered shewes , to whom poore poore Publicans seemed to bee no bodie , because while yee sinned , God kept silence yee thought that hee was altogether such a one as your selfe : But Psal. 50. 2●… now hee shall reproue you , and shall set all your sinnes in order before you : It shall bee clearlie proued vnto your faces & false hearts , that ye were but painted Tombes and whited walls : The Lord in his furie shall hurle you out of your place ▪ Hee in his rage shall push you all downe like a rotten and tottering wall ▪ Nothing shall bee able to dazele or deceiue the eyes of your Iudge .

The sicke Man .

The Lord bee mercifull to my sillie A prayer Soule : The Lord cast all my sinnes behind thy backe , and burie them in the bottome of the Sea .

It is euident then as I see that all secret sinnes shall come to light in that day , and shall bee seene written with Letters great like mountaines ▪ for to be seen by the eyes of all these that euer tooke life , and that to the euerlasting shame and infamie of these who in the dayes of Gods patience , turned his grace into wantonnesse .

The Pastour .

It is most certaine that there is nothing which shall not bee seene that day : * * Note All the closse corruptions where ▪ with the wicked were stuft and swelled , shall bee sette in open view , all the wicked shall be known , yea , euerie mothers sonne of them , shal be clearelie seene vnmasked and vnwizored , yea , stript starke nacked of all their cloakes of craftinesse : What haue they thought or wrought , it shall bee sought and found : The Lord by the light beames of his eyes ▪ Sonnes of thunder , and of lightning , shal●… seeke and scearch thorow the secrets of all hearts , after that manner wherof Zephaniah hath written : Zepha 1. 12 At that time , saith the Lord , will I search Ierusalem with lamps , and visite the men that are frozen in their dreg●… ▪ and say in their heart , The Lord will neither doe good nor euill : Then shall bee seene who sported in Meshech ▪ and who ruffled in the tents of Ke●…ar ▪ contented themselues with painted and guilded graces .

After that the Lord hath found out with this light all their abominations and hath set them in order before them , then shall hee cry , Ah , I will Isa. 1. 42. case mee of mine aduersaries That said , hee shall fling contempt vpon their faces . The wicked then shall bee so pined with such pinches , yea , so astonished , as that no tong can expresse : They who while they had time to repent , would not shed a teare for to get Gods mercie , would then , when the Sun-shine of their glorie is past , be glad to please God , by powering out the dearest drops of their blood into teares , wherewith they might bath the feete of Iesus .

* * Note O the terrors of that day : That day shall bee moste fearefull , it shall bee like a day of Battell , wherein nothing is to be heard but noise , squeaking & yellings , nothing to be seene but gaping of wounded men , and tumbling of garmentes into blood : al these who on earth were rotten at the heart shal be ranked in the number of that bashfull band .

O what vnspeakable feares and tremblinges shall then seaze vpon these wretched soules : In all partes they shall bee wounded : Three restlesse plagues , Sorrow , Shame , and Feare shall continuallie nettle them , till an heaped treasure of wrath come rushing vpon them with breath of kindled Iuniper : Sathan shall continuallie fl●…sh in their face , fire whose flammes shall beefed with riuers of Brim stone kindled with an euerlasting wrath : The great God with the Hammer of his vengeance shall strike thorow the rebellious loynes of their pride , and shall breake the yron sinews of their obstinacie : * * Note Then would they giue a world for an hole in heauen for to relish the least pleasures that be there : No tongue of man or Angel can fullie expresse the least part of these woes : * * Note Manie millions of their earthlie pleasures shall bee deare boght with one minute of such paines : Their best shall bee the ●…rie contrarie of that which they like best : For all shall goe to all : Reeling shal be their rest , & paines their pleasures , mourning shall bee all their mirth , and their Bone musicke shall be but gnashing of teeth , euen in the presence of their Iudge before whom they shall stand lik abominable monsters , and spectacles of amazement : * * Note Thus as is well said in the Psalme , The way of the wicked hee turneth vp Psal. 1469 side downe : At the first dash he shall break in pieces the claspes & haspes of their foolish hopes , wherein once boldlie they did sinne , that grace might abound .

The sicke Man .

O how fearefull shall their condition bee , while like Tinder before the fyrereadie to bee consumed , they shall stand araigned before the Barre of Gods justice , with the volumes of their sinnes written in Letters great like mountaines , so that euery eye may read them .

* * Note The Lord as I think out of a sower , seuere , & imperious austeritie , shall behold that cursed band with glauncing eyes of vnuterable wrath , wherefrae shall come nothing but wilde fyre , brim-stone , and gun-powder , for the euerlasting firing of their Conscience .

* * Note Not onelie shall the Lord behold their vilanies , but to all eyes that euer saw sight , hee shall anatamize their guilefull heartes wherein all their most filthie plottes and deuices shall bee seene vnto their euerlasting shame and infamie : O what shame and confusion of face : O what feares and tremblings , shall seaze vpon these who on earth for a point of their hose would bee at daggers dr●… ▪ wing with the greatest .

Then shall these who were bold to sinne in their life , despising God , and his threatnings : Then shall they shake and quake like a man whose neck is laide vpon the blocke waiting for nothing but the dead st●…ok from the instrument of death : The●… 〈◊〉 their comfort shall bee turned 〈◊〉 confusion : Then shall they know howe foolishlie they conceiued an imaginarie Hell , while pressed down vnder a sinnefull load , the wrath of God like a Mile-stone shall cruch them downe to the deepes of despaire , where one sorrow succeeding , shall foreuer presse at the heeles of another .

The Pastour .

O these vnspeakable terrours ! It is most certaine that Belshazzar neuer Dan. 5. 6. did speake , so while hee saw the hand writting on the wall , as the wicked these doolefull wights shall doe when they shall stand before God with the Bookes of the Law Gospel , and of Consciences , laide open before them : Horrours shall bee heaped vpon them with terrours & torments , wherof a created Nature can be capable : O then what g●…ashing of teeth and volumes of woes ! They shall bee so soacked in teares and facaked with sorrowe , that who shall see them , shall see the ve●…ie image of Death , and yet none shall pitie them : There shall they stand script starke n●…cked before their Iudge , ●…ik criminals vpon the pannell , looking for nothing but present condemnation both of soul●… and bodie , which God shall make the eternall fu●…ll of euerlasting fla●…es : The Soule and bodie combined mates in miserie , shall mourne for euermore .

The sicke M●…n .

O Lord , season my Soule with the graces of thy Spirit , reuiue it with the A prayer spirituall vigour : Let mee liue the life of the righteous , and let mine end b●…e like vnto theirs . Numb. 23. 10

I haue heard you Sir with great attention declare that when Christ shall sitte downe to judge , hee shall separate the wicked from the Godly as Goates from the Sheepe , and that Matth. 25 33 the wicked with all the hoast of hell lapped vp in that same bundle of Luk. 22. 30 condemnation ▪ shall s●…and at his left hand , and that the Godlie shall litte vpon Thronos at his right hand .

Nowe I desire to knowe of you what shall bee the case of the Godly at the right hand before that the ludgement bee pronounced .

The Pastour .

It hath beene tolde you that the Wicked who on Earth made the world to tremble with their boisterous brags , shall at Gods Left hand bee standing in disgrace , discount , & discountenance with their Iudge : There shall they stand all trembling , hauing before them the Booke of the Lawe , where they shall see all their Sins , of Thoughts , Words , & Workes : While their guilted Consciences shal be crying guiltie within them at the sight of the Lawe Booke of their transgressions , the Lord for to aggrauate their griefe , shal present before them the Book of the Gospel , wher they shall see how by vnbeliefe they haue sinned against the remeede of sinne : * * Note With these two shall bee joyned the Booke of their Consciences , ratifying vnto them that what is contained into the other two Bookes , is an vndoubted trueth : At the reading of these bloodie Bookes , as yee haue alreadie heard , their Consciences shall be ●…ortured with vnspeakable amazement & feare : Their Soules all agast , pricked & perplexed , shall yawne for a drop of comfort , which no creature aboue or below shall bee able to affoorde .

Now ye desire to know what shal be in that time the estat of the god●…lie Christes right hand , before that the Iudgement bee pronounced .

It is certaine that they all in great Glorie , wearing the shining Crownes of immortalitie , shall sit vpon 〈◊〉 beeing more bright , than the Sunn●… at the noone-day : In judgement they shall passe verdict on the wi●…ked : They shall all in that summ●…r processe sit as Christs assessours , for 〈◊〉 judge the Angels , that is ▪ For to approue Christs ●…udgement pronounced against the Deuils the euill ●…gels & against all that cursed crue of the Reprobates , who in their life liuing vnder maskes of mischiefe , branded them with the nik-names of puritanisme , proud hypocrisie , glorious singularitie , & phā●…astick precisenes who in a word , in hight of stomacke ruffling & swashing , did tread vpon Gods Turtles , accounting them the most vile off-scourings of the Earth .

O but the wicked who on earth were swelled with selfe conceit , shall wonder to see these to bee the Assessours of their Iudge in highest fauour with God , whose life once they counted madnesse : O what a wonder shall it seeme to the worldlie wise , when they shal see these simple Ones , whose life they loathed , whom they counted fools on earth , al decked & adorned with rarest jewels , so high set vpon Thrones with the most glorious Angels of God : O how shall they whom their life reposed in a a Amos. 6. 4 beddes of Yvorie , be amazed to behold Gods b b Matth. 10 42 little ones so brightlie c c Matth. 13 43 shining like Suns with glistering Crownes & glorious Garlands possessing fullie Wealth , Honour , Health , and Hearts desire , yea , pleasures vnparalleled by any that heart of flesh can wish .

* * Note The wicked beholding this , shall be swallowed vp with griefe and groanes , for then shall they remember how on Earth they haue drowned the good motions of the Spirit in vaine ryots , prophanenesse , and revillings of good fellowship .

I say againe , that the wicked who once in their swaggering humour , & accursed gallentnes , were wont to braue it out with the best , with the great contempt of Christs little Ones shall Matth. 10. 42 wonder , and wonder againe at the sight of these whom God in that day shall honour : * * Note Are these they , shall they say , whom some times wee had in derision , and of whom we made a pa●…able of reproach ? Are these the men and women whom wee in hight of stomacke disdained to beholde ? Behold , now wee see that they are indeede that which on earth they were called , euen Saintes , Gods most excellent ones . Psal. 16. 3.

Certainelie the glorious glaunces of these blessed and beautified bodies , sitting all in royall apparell shall strike the wicked in a wonderfull maze , while they shall behold such jewels of joye , they shall be striken into the dumbe dumppes of saddest melancholie : O the follie of such miserable mucke-wormes , who count it now an heauen to creepe and crawle in oyled and buttered paths of carnall prosperitie ! But in short to proceede in this purpose orderlie .

When all things shal be put to an order , the wicked beeing at the left , and the Godlie at the right hand , in my judgement there shall be a great silence , that the Iudge may haue audience : All men shall beestedfastlie looking for to heare what GOD the LORD shall say : Then God Isa. 28. 7. shall lay judgement to the Lyne , and righteousnes to the Plummet : Then shall the Lord rise vp as in mount Perazin , and shall bee wroth as in the valley of Gibeon , that hee may doe his worke , his strange worke , and bring to passe his act , his strange act : O that cleare and bright shining Eye , which nothing in that day shall bee able to escape !

The sicke Man .

To whom thinke yee that Christ in that Iudgment shall first addresse his speach ? Whether shall he speak first vnto the Godlie , who in a sacred violence did tak the Kingdome , or to the a Matth. 11 12. wicked , who in the dayes of their flesh did sleepe most softlie in the downes of securitie , caring for nothing , but their Purses and their Paunches ?

The Pastour .

The Lord shall speake first vnto his owne , who are the chosen generation , 1 Pet. 1. 17 the royall Priest-hood , the holy Nation , the peculiar people : * To these sitting at his right hand , first shall hee say with his Lillie lippes dropping Cant. 5. 13 sweete Myrrhe : Come yee blessed of my Matth. 25 34 Father , inherite the Kingdome prepared for you from thee foundation of the world .

* * Note At the hearing of these words of their Lords most louing inuitation , all their senses shall open like floode gates for to receiue vnspeakable Ioyes .

What tongue can tell what joy Reuel. 21. 9 the Lambes Bride with her purple Cant. 7. 5. Head and Doues Eyes , shall haue when She shall see with what a Bridegrome Ioh. 3. 29. Shee shall bee matched that day .

After that the Lord hath comforted Matth 25 33 his owne , hee shall turne him to the Goats , that bashfull band , trembling at his left hand : * * Note Before that hee open his mouth to speake , hee shall behold these bruite beastes made to ●… Pet. 2. 12 bee taken and destroyed : With fierie lookes , with kindled eyes , sparkling furie , and rage , and fl●…shes of lightening , hee shall behold these deuils droiles , doolefull creatures : In his countenance they shall reade the Characters of awefull terrours euen of the horrours of hell : At the first sight of that angrie Majestie , with brent browes and his sterne countenance , a Torrent of terrours shall violentlie rush vpon their Soules , dashing them with a dazling astonishment . Then shall they wish in these flamming horrours vexing them to the quicke , that mountaines would fall aboue them for to hid them from such angrie eyes : Then shal they know how foolish they were in their life-time to think that while they sinned , the Lord was but a stocke or a stone which could not perceiue them .

* * Note O that glauncing wrath , which like fire shall greaslie appeare in the eyes of that Iudge , tenne thousand times brighter than the Sunne ▪ The glaunces of that fierie furie shall so dazle the sigh●… of the Reprobate , yea , shall so dash them , that they shall not bee able to abide his countenance ▪ No , not ; though their eyes were of steale , or of yron , nothing then shall stand in the gappe against the irruptions of such a fierce and fierie vengeance .

* * Note While these prophane men liued on earth in a blazing prosperity they thought their mountaine so strong , that they could neuer bee moued : In their life-time they liued in gladnesse : At their end they deceased fairely in the eyes of the world : They seemed Saints , because that in Psal. 73. 4 their death were no bands : But O the terrours that abide them .

* * Note At the first sight of their Iudge a Torrent of terrours shall most violentlie rush vpon their Soules standing in an heauie dumpe & waiting on their dreadfull doome : While they liue heere , the stone of their heart is like an grauell stone , so bedded in the bladder , that it cannot be painefull : Little dreame the wicked now that such fearefull and hellish horrours are preparing for them : But O their euerlasting woe is presentlie in hatching and hammering : It is neerest to the birth while the wicked are most secure : Sudden destruction is neerest , while the preaching of peace are doubled by crying , 1 Thess. 5. 3 Peace and saftie .

* * Note Happie is the man to whom the Lord doeth vouchsafe the grace in this world to waken out of the drousie slumber of sin , for to repent in time ? Woe to these in whose hearts the long forebearance of Gods wrath hath wrought a more frozen coldnesse & presumptuous securitie , wherein being lulled , they are carried in a most sweete and sound sleepe , to places where their eye-lids shall neuer bee refreshed with rest any more : O how shall they fling and cry , when they shall feele themselues stung & galled vpon thesore .

* * Note After that the Lord hath brow-beaten them with the biggest lookes of his wrath , and hath terrified them with his piercing eyes of fire , and after that he hath disclaimed all interest that euer hee had into them , Cant. 2 , 15 hee shall cause take these Foxes that spoiled his vines : That done , he shall vnsheath the flamming sword of his Gen. 3. 24 vengeance with these most fearefull wordes of excommunication , Depart Matth. 25. 41 from mee yee cursed into euerlasting fyre prepared for the Deuill and his Angels ▪ In that fire like dry chippie burne-wood they shall burne , but in this they shall bee like Salamanders , that they shall neuer bee consumed . By that moste fearefull blast of wrath the LORD shall chase them all away from before his face as the chaffe of the mountaines before the winde , and like a rolling thing before the whirle wind : * * Note The mightie Lord lowring with a darke and cloudie countenance , shall then in great furie lay about him with the heauie hammer of his judgements , and that with full weight : With one stroke , without any iteration of strokes , from the best strength of a diuine Arme : Hee shall bring downe their hairie scalpes to the lowest dungeon of Death , euen to euerlasting burning brimstone beames , which no mercie shall be able to coole or quench : There shall they drinke in cuppes of wrath for euer .

* * Note If these miserables could bee put out of paine vpon the sudden , they should not be altogether comfortlesse : But the mercilesse vengeance of Gods wrath shall adde leasure and lingring to their dying life and liuing death , that sensiblie they may feel death in a life of vntollerable sufferings : No mercie , no pittie , no regard shall bee had vnto them , no , not but the Lords justice shall charge the edge of his flamming sword vpon the heads and heartes of these doolefull creatures of infamous ranke : These fearefull blowes of Iustice shall bee without any mixture of mercie ▪ * * Note He who created them without any labour , shall destroy them without any losse : Snaires , fire , and brimstone in that day shall raine downe vpon the hairie scalpe of euerie one which in their life-time did goe on in their sins without ●…emorse : In this perplexitie & anguish besieged with judgements both felt & feared , shall they sland before their Iudge all trembling and waiting vpon the sentence of that doolefull doome .

The sicke Man .

What shall become of the wicked after that the Lord hath dischairged them his presence any more , by commanding them to depart ?

The Pastour .

* * Note So soone as the Lord hath pronounced these words of euerlastingexcommunication , they shall all incontinent goe downe to Hell in heapes , for to bee scorcht & parcht with the euerlasting burninges of a deuouring wrath : They who haue bene intrapped in their sins , shall be entombent in Gods plagues . There shal be no more abiding for them , in his presence : they shal be chassed from their God , vnto euerlasting exile in dungeons of Deuils and of darknes ▪ where they shall bee pestered with vnspeakable doole in floods of fire , wherin they shall waile and yele for euer .

Gods most heauie vengeance lik Iudg. 7. 13 a Barley Loafe tumbling from aboue , shall thrust them downe and crush them altogether like the Tents of the Midianites : Sathan then with all the spight he can shall lay on load with milstones of miseries hung about their neckes : Hee shall drawe them down with chaines of curses to the dungeons of darknesse : Thus Hell with a gaping gulfe shall swallow them all at once : They shall goe downe most fearefullie with grappling Deuils with squeeles & roaring voyces , which beeing heard by the blessed ( in whose eyes and sides they once were prickes and thornes ) shall rouse vp their hearts wonderfully to rejoyce and sing with such an high tune that shall mak the whole world to resound with a rebounding noise .

Mine heart trembleth to thinke vpon these torments which the wicked shall suffer into the fierie Lake after their departing from before their Iudge : All wordes faile mee , I finde my conceptions too weak in thinking vpon that infinite wrath : * * Note ▪ O then these who enjoyed once all the pleasures which could bee purchased on Earth , shall want all the good which they can desire , and receiue all the euill which they can deserue : * * Note They shall for euer be dying in a life which shall neuer end , that they may dye continuallie , and that in vtter darknesse , where Sunne neuer shined , where Day shall neuer dawne : because that in the days of their flesh on earth they wold not so liue to die , that they might die to liue , they shall for euer in the Hell dye to liue , that they may liuing to dye , a liuing death & a dying life a life & death of woes .

These miserable creatures shal be so perplexed , that they shall both grieue to liue and feare to dye : They shall desire absolutelie neither death nor Life , & yet in a manner shall they wish for both , but all in vaine : The full bended Iustice of God shall giue no truce to their teares , nor place to their plaints . Vnto all these terrours of Gods wrath shal be joyned , another feare , euen Sathan the king of feare , hee in most bitter spight shall besiege these trembling Soules with vnspekable terrours : * * Note ▪ ▪ For he shall stare them in the face with most grizlie formes and terrible representations : Hee in great furie shall hunt out vpon them most fearefull gnawing wormes which shall feast on their Consciences . The thoughtes of such thinges should pierce , as I thinke ▪ euen vnto the verie center of leared Consciences .

O but the assurance of happinesse in many is false and misgrounded : Obstinate sinners , whose hearts are hard paued with obstinate rebellion , think now that they shall neuer see that day , because God now keepeth silence ▪ Psal. 50. 21 they thinke that he is lik vnto them : But the slower Gods hand be in comming on , the fadder and ●…orer shall his stroake bee : While the wicked most securelie snort in their sinnes , dreaming of saftie and suretie , euen then their judgement lingreth not , and their damnation is not in a slumber : This 2 Pet ▪ 2. 3 shall they know by sense and feeling when Gods most fierie jealousie shall breake foorth vpon them like the sorrowes of a woman in trauell : No sorrow can be heere like vnto their sorrowes : Fire ▪ chaines , rackes , and lashing whips cannot expresse the shadow of one infernall tor tour : All the woes that euer were heard on earth are nothing to the least of these vnpittied plaints .

The sicke Man .

I haue one question for to propound to you : It is concerning the order of Christes proceeding into Iudgement : What reason is there thinke ye that the Iudge in that day shall first absolue the godlie , by bidding them Come with his Fathers bl●…ssing , before that he speake a word vnto the wicked , whose hearts in their life-time for the most parte were sealed vp by the spirit of slumber .

The Pastour .

I finde two probable reasons , first because the great God of mercie is more bent to shew mercie toward his creatures , than to powre vengeance vpon them , and that for to teach all Iudges to execute Iustice with Grauitie and griefe .

Beholde heere howe our God , while hee is euen come vnto the last periode , giueth vnto the wicked who in their life with Whoorish fore-heads , Ier. 3. 3. out faced the Sunne , behold , I say , how hee giueth them a certaine respite ▪ and a delay from Hell in that space while hee is speaking vnto the Godlie : And yet the more slowlie hee striketh , the surer shall hee sette his blow , which shall shake euerie sinew of their bodie and each power of their Soule .

* * Note The other reason wherefore he speaketh first to the Godlie such words of comfort and of comming , is that the wicked who in the dayes of their vanitie combined sport with spight against him , may see how good a God hee shall bee to all these which haue serued him heere in Faith and trueth . * * Note O what shall the trembling Soules of these worldlre brates that would not serue Christ in their life thinke when they shall heare that Lord so sweetlie in so sweete heauenly & honey words , say vnto al his Saints his dearest Darlings , whom they as out-casts despised Matth. 21. 30 on Earth , Come yee blessed of my Father , come and be all Kings , with mee for euer more : Come from the ●…awes of Death to the joyes of an euer blessed Life : Such wordes shall make the heartes of the Godlie to daunce and leape within them for joye ; but shall make the heartes of the wicked to droope and to bleede for sorrow .

O what would Diues in the fyre boyling Lacke then giue for to bee in the place of Lazarus ! * * Note Manie Kings of Princelie but prophane blood , which haue borne the Crowne and swayed the Scepter aboue the heades of many thousands being drunke with idolatric : * * Note Secret murther of their Parents for to sit vpon their Throne , shal them spue and fall , but shall neuer rise againe : They all drenched in a poole of wrath , shall wish in that day that they had wept and wypt the feete of Le●…s with the haires of their head , yea that they had beene borne Beggers , hauing the Faith and feare of Iesus . My heart trembleth to think how so many thousands who deemed & dreamed once to bee saued , shall with damned Deuils rush downe to the snakie poole of perdition , because like Swyne in their life they trampled vnder feete the precious pearle of mercie , purchased by the Blood of Iesus .

The sicke Man .

After that the sentence shal be pronounced , whether thinke yee that the wicked shall first goe to paine , or the Godlie vnto pleasure ?

The Pastour .

It would seeme by the words of the Gospel , that the wicked ▪ that base brood of corruption , to whome Christ hath spoken last , shal first goe to torment : After that the doome is giuen Matth. 25. 46 out with a roaring thunder , it is said , & these shal goe away to euerlasting punishment , but the righteous vnto life eternal : After that the wicked are like chaffe chaissed away to brimstone beames , the Armes of Christ and the Gates of Glorie shall stand wide open for to giue entrance to the righteous , whom the Father Christ of Iesus shall receiue with most cordiall embracements vnto their euerlasting comfort : Blessed are they who nowe cast their bread vpon the waters , looking neither for thankes nor recompence from men , for then they shall bee richlie rewarded by God .

The sicke Man .

What reason thinke yee can bee of that order ? that before the Godlie goe to Glorie , the wicked all in a r●…ue shall bee hurled away to euerlasting punishment , beeing thrust downe into the dominions of darknes , most fearfull spectacles of amazement ? O how these so mi●…ie men shal then bee pensiue and perplexed .

The Pastour .

This would seeme to be the maine reason , viz. For thereby to kindle vp so much the more the loue of the Godlie toward their God : The bitter bickering and fearefull squeeles of the Reprobate hurling downe to hell , beeing heard and seene by the Godlie , shall make the joyes of heauen to relish the sweeter vnto them .

* * Note If while a people were in a Church , the Church should fall downe and smother the one halfe , not doing any harme vnto the other , these who should escape , should by beholding the crushed and bloodie bones of others , much more be rauished with the joy of such a deliuerance than if the house had not fallen at all

* * Note When Dathan and Abiram with their companies sanke down to Hell Numb 16. 32 in the sight of all Israel , what joye thinke ye had these whom the earth did beare aboue ? Manie who neuer in their life gaue God thankes for that the sward of the earth hath borne them aboue , if they should see such a sight as of Dathan and of Abiram , they would regard the benefite the more , and would giue God moe thankes for that one mercie , than for all by-gane fauours shewed vnto them since they beganne to walke vpon the ground : Wee thanke God little that the earth beareth vs aboue because wee see it not swallow vp sinners with a gaping gulfe : * * Note while men see the miserie of others it wakens into them the sense of Gods mercie toward them . * * Note O how glad shall the Godlie bee then , that they haue serued God , when they shall see the Deuil & his Darnell the wicked seede , cast into a fierie Lake ! when these blessed soules shal see the hels open , & the black deuils flashing fire into the faces of the wicked , & hurling away these damned spirits with fearfull cryes & shrikes downe to the dungeons of distresse , & to most vile Vaults of darknesse entrinched among gnawing wormes stinking Scorpions and hissing Serpents , then they who were wont to weepe for the sins of the wicked in this life , shal haue no compassion on them ; but shall laugh to see them lashed , rejoycing in the justice of their God powred out vpon ▪ these , that in a selfe liking of their owne estate , despised the ▪ sweetenes of his mercie : O happie Zepha . 2. 2 they who gather themselues before the decree come foorth .

* * Note Behold , and consider what a change is this : These who mourned of before for their sinnes shall then solace themselues in their sorrowes : The shriks & squoakes of these damned soules falling down to hel which shal be to the wicked a song of judgement , shal be to the Godlie in that day quite otherwise , euen a song of mercie full of mirth and of Musicke : O how sweete then shall mercie bee to the Godlie when they shall see what Gods fearefull vengeance shall work on the wicked , whom their life by an accursed Alchymie , turned the grace of their God into wantonnesse ! O how rejoyced shall their heartes bee , when that great IEHOVAH shall begin to sway with his Almightie Arme , that mace of yron for to dash these fore-lorne limmes with paine both of sense and of losse .

Then shall the Theefe wish that both his hands had beene maimed and mutilate : Then shall the vncleane person whose eyes are filled with adulterie and filthinesse , wish that he had beene borne blind : Then shall the Drunkard wish that he had beene borne without a mouth : Then shall the Blasphemer a man of bloody oathes wish that his tongue with a Turkesse had beene torne out of his throat : * * Note This also for a surplus shall bee joyned to their anguish , none shall bee for to wish them well , or for to condole their miserie .

* * Note The decree beeing once come foorth , and the doome of damnation beeing once pronounced with these wordes of command , Depart from Matth. 25. 41 mee , &c. All the vngodlie in scarlet abominations , who in their excessiue pride rousted on high as in Eagles nests ▪ shall in that day fall down with Deuils into that Dungeon and ward house of Hel , wher ther is no light but for to let these which are tormented see their miserie , no darknesse but that which may hid from their eyes all sortes of comfort : Then all their by-past burning pleasures shall bee quenched into the fire of Hell lik●…ed hote yron quenched into water with an extinguishing noise : Nothing shal be then but shouting & gnashing of teeth , sighing , sobbing , and fearfull groanes , a a Isa. 9. 5. Fewell of fire , and garments rolled in blood : All wicked Soules shall that daye bee drencht into an Occan of desperat displeasure , and shall bee carried away with an invnding spaite of spitefull wrath .

O what joye shall bee kindled into the heartes of the Godlie , when on the one hand they shall behold the miseries of the Theiues , Drunkards , Adulterers , Fornicators , and Blasphemers , who were wont wantonlie to stretch out their throates into high blastes of blasphemie , & when on the other part they shall consider how God in mercie hath fastened them as nailes into a sure place , Isa. 22. 23 which cannot bee shaken ! O what gladnesse of heart shall the Saintes haue , after that they haue seene the wicked tumbled downe into Hell , to see what companie they shall be into among Angels of light & loue with Christ himselfe , in whose face is fulnesse of joye , at whose right hand are Psal 16. ●…1 pleasures for ouermore .

* * Note These pleasures vnspeakable , for the greatnesse of themselues , shal bee commended vnto the Godlie by two by-respects : First , by the consideration of that infinite woe and hellish virulencie , without anie mixture of mercie , whereinto they shall see the wicked to be plunged , wherof they shall bee free : Secondlie , by the rememberance of the miserie whereinto they liued , while they did dwell on earth , during the dayes of their vanitie , their estate changed to the better , shall become the sweeter : Are they not these who are called Lillies among the thornes ? Cant. 2. 2. doeth Scripture call them , These Reuel. 7 ▪ 14 that are come out of the great tribulations ? Their by-past tribulations shall wonderfullie commend their present felicitie .

This wee see to be of great force by daylie experience ▪ The considerations first of other mens woes , & of the calamities wherewith at other times wee haue beene perplexed , are like Hunger which like good sauce giueth rellish and taste to course things which at other times wee thinke to bee no dainties : To the hungrie Soule euerie Prou. ●…7 . 7 bitter thing is sweete : How sweete then shall the sweetnesse of Gods face be to the Godlie after all their terrours are past , & after they haue seene the wicked these fearfull & mis-chappen brats tumbled down the steepe precipes of eternall destruction ?

What pleasures I pray you shall these bee , when pleasures for euermore shall be joyned with the rememberance of all these tribulations wherin wee were enwrapped while our feete stackefast in the myre ? All these considerations joyned together with vnspeakable pleasures shall make the a a Reuel. 5. ●… Harpes of God sound b b Reuel. 19 1. Halleluiah , Halleluiah for euer and euer : Such meditations ouerflow my Soule , dyuing in such depths .

Now Sir yee haue heard of the last thinges which shall bee done in this world , heere is the conclusion of the last judgement , The wicked as S. Matthew saith , shall goe away to Matth. 25. 46 euerlasting punishment , but the Righteous to Life eternall .

The sicke Man .

* * Note O but mine heart is sore moued within mee , while I thinke of that deepe Gulfe whereinto all wretched Soules shall bee plunged : O yee who in the dayes of your vanitie drink vp the very Creame & flower of the earth , al your pleasures now , them must be gone : Oh that euer & anone we culd applie this vnto our hearts .

My soule is look one liking down from an high and steepie place : The meditations of these woes of the wicked , makal my senses to be troubled , & al my spirits to be confusedlie shuffled together : my heart within me is so tossed to & fro , that it is come like a squissed egge , whose yolke is mingled with its white : All my thoughtes are confounded as one that is into an hurlie burlie .

Good Lord , let thy visions bee vnto A prayer my Soule visions of peace . The blessed God preserue vs from all these woes : Lord , make vs all to cleaue to thee with full purpose of Soule .

Now to come to the purpose : In your discourse ye haue powerfullie let mee see the wicked swallowed vp in a fearefull gulfe : Let mee heare now what becommeth of the godly .

The Pastour .

After that Christ hath giuen them his Blessing , saying vnto them , Come Matth. 25 34 yee blessed of my Father , &c. They all beeing crowned and clothed in royall apparell shall all in good order goe triumphantlie in Charets vp to the Heauen of heauens with such shoutes of triumph and of Ioye , of Loue , and of Laud , as was neuer heard since the world was founded .

* * Note Then shall that prophecie bee fulfilled , God is gone vp with a shout , Psal. 47. 5 the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet : vers. 6. Sing praises to God , sing praises : That shal be the Lambes marriage day , a day that shall neuer bee darkened with a night , a Feast that shall neuer bee followed with a Fast.

* * Note The day of the bringing of a Queene to the King of the Land is a day of great joye : What pleasure can bee had of Mirth or Musicke , shall not bee away that day .

But alas , what can the earth affoord , simile aut secundum , that is like vnto that joy , which shall fill & ouerflow all the hearts of the godly , when Christ shal bring vp to the Heauens his Church , Cant. 4. 1 which is his Wife , his faire Loue , hauing Doues eyes within her Locks , being cloathed and crowned with the glorie of himselfe ? what tong can expresse ? nay , what heart can conceiue what joy & glorie shal be there where the Lambes Wife shall bee dected with her Husband Christ , who shall enliue Her with marchlesse joye and glorious immortalitie ?

This is that great wonder which S. Iohn in his Reuelations , saw in Heauen Rouel . 12. 1 viz. A woman cloathed with the Sun , and the Moone vnder her feete , and vpon her head a crowne of twelue Stars : Behold , & consider the Lambes Bride all enuironed with Light , clothed with Christ her Sunne , and crowned with glistring starres of glorie , heauenlie jewels , diuine Dyamonds : Behold her making a foote-stoole of the Moone , the second great Light of Heauen : See how shee treadeth vnder her feete that most inconstant creature , for to declare that constancie of her loue toward her Lord , which shall last for euer , without anie change : O the beautie of that Bride whose cheekes shall bee comelie with rowes of Cant. 1. 10 Iewels , whose necke shall bee dected with the chaines of Christs merites .

* * Note The Angels themselues , beholding this Bride so royallie attyred , shall wonder at her beautie : When these Noble Spirits shall see and consider that great familiaritie that shal be betweene Christ & his Spouse , they shall Cant. 8. 5. wonder , & shall say one to another , Who is this that commeth up out of the wildernes , leaning vpon her wel-beloued ▪

After that the Church the Lambs Wife , who on earth was betrothed by Reuel. 19. 7 grace , shall in the Heauens bee maried by glorie , and conuoyed vnto his euer greene bed , all Eternitie shal be in the Heauens lik a mariage day , decored & trimed with all sortes of Flowers , & of Fruits , of feastings , & of Musick , and of all contentment that can be conceiued , heard , seene , sauoured , or touched by a creature : There our wants shall bee turned into wishes : That which there shall bee least , shall bee many thousand degrees aboue all that anie mortall heart heere can desire .

* * Note All our senses shall be possessed and filled with pleasures , our mind shall bee enlightened : Our will shall bee contented : All our affections shall bee satisfied : * * Note The Angel in the Reuelation gaue a command vnto Iohn , to write in a Booke concerning the Lambes feast prepared for his Mariage in the day of the gladnesse , Cant. 3. 11 of his heart , but not being able , neither hee to indite nor S. Iohn to write , all the dainties of that Feast he desired him to write that all were blessed which were called vnto it : Write , said hee , Blessed are they which Reuel. 19. 9 are called vnto the Mariage Supper of the Lambe : Lest Iohn should haue doubted whether it was so indeed or not , the Angel subjoyneth , these are the true sayings of God . * * Note Let vs conceiue this much of these pleasures , that they cannot bee conceiued : All that wee can conceiue shall bee lesse by manie degrees than the least thing wee shall receiue : * * Note Then all our desires shal be enlarged & made wider : Open thy mouth verie wide , Psal. 81. 10 & I shal fill it vnto thee : God himselfe beeing All in all , all our desires 1 Cor. 15. 28 shall bee fullie satisfied and though they shall bee alwayes satisfied , they shall neuer bee cloyed : All wordes heere are full of wants , for these bee things which passe all humane sight and search .

The sicke man .

The consideration of such things enliueth my Soule , & looseth mine heart wonderfully from the loue of all worldlie things , and draweth my heart with a feruent desire of a sight of that day : It is no wonder that the whole creation Rom. 8 , 22 groaneth and trauelleth in paine together vntill now : If wee had hearts to belieue , we should finde into our hearts an earnest expectation and a waiting for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God : Alas , that our deuotion should bee so rotten and vnsound : * * Note If wee could gette but a glimpse of our God heere behinde , it should stirre vp all our desires to see his Face .

The Pastour .

That is most certaine : * * Note By this desire shall a man know whether he bee a spirituall man or a carnall : Hee that is but carnall neuer desireth to goe out of this world : It is good for vs Luk. 9. 33 to be heere will he say , as ●…eter said on Tabor : But hee that hath receiued the Spirit will finde better motions in his heart : Wee our selues , saith S. Paul , which haue the first fruites of the Spirit , euen wee our selues groane within our selues , waiting for the adoption , to wite , the redemption of our bodie .

The sicke Man .

Alas , wee all are heere naturallie of a temporising temper , wee linger and delay to returne to our God .

O Lord of eternitie , be fauourable to A prayer vs that we may feare thee , let thy grace worke such groans in our hearts , that thereby we may know that wee haue certainelie receiued the first fruites of the Rom , 8. 27 Spirit : So long as wee are heere make the current of our affections to runne the way of thy Commandements .

There is a difficultie now come in my minde , whereof I gladlie desire to be cleared : It is concerning Christ himselfe , of him it is said , That hee shall deliuer vp the Kingdome to God his Father , after hee hath subdued all his enemies .

The Pastour .

I remember well where these wordes are written : The Apostle speaking of the Resurrection of the 1 Cor. 15. 24 last judgement , saith , Then commeth the end , when hee shall haue deliuered vp the Kingdome to God his Father , when hee shall haue put downe all rule , authoritie , and power : For hee must vers. 25. reigne till hee haue put all his enemies vnder his feete , &c. And when all vers. 28 things shall bee subdued vnto him , then shall the Sonne also himselfe bee subject vnto him that put all thinges vnder him , that God may bee All in all .

The sicke Man .

These bee the wordes indeede of my difficultie : I pray you to make mee vnderstand them : What is that to say , That hee shall deliuer vp the Kingdome to his Father , and that after he hath subdued all things , he himselfe must become subject to him , that put all things vnder him ?

It would seeme that Christ our Lord shall lose by this meanes : For first it is said , That hee must deliuer vp the Kingdome , and rule no more : Secondlie , that he must become subject to God the Father : I desire you Sir to loose this knottie difficultie : * * Note These who plowe with Gods ▪ Hyfer may easilie finde out the darkest Riddles . Iudg. 14. 18.

The Pastour .

I shall loose these knots easilie : By that change the Lord shall bee no loser : * * Note As for that it is said , That he shall deliuer vp the Kingdome to his Father , after that hee hath put downe all rule , authoritie , and power : It is not to be vnderstood absolutely that Christ there after shall reigne no more , but that hee shall reigne no more after such a fashion as he did of before , viz. By fighting against his enemies , who then shal be no more , neither by comforting or protecting his friendes from dangers , who then shal be free from all danger .

It is certaine , that the Father reigneth now by the Son , and that the Sonne shall reigne eternallie with the Father , but that shal be in another manner after the last judgement , then hee doeth now : * * Note Now hee reigneth like a Prince , fighting his Fathers Battels : Then shall hee reigne for euer , triumphing ouer all his enemies .

This is the interpretation of some learned writers : But in my judgement it declareth not plainlie what it is to giue vp the Kingdome to the Father .

I lik Beza his exposition best ▪ * * Note His words are these , Dicitur Christus regnum Deo patri traditurus vltimo demum illo die quo profligatis omnibus ad unum hostibus , omnes quos a patre gubernandos accepit , illi veluti in manus tradet aeterna gloria coronandos .

That is , Christ is said to deliuer vp the Kingdome to his Father at the last day , when hauing subdued all his enemies hee shall deliuer into his Fathers hand all these whom hee had receiued from the Father for to guide and gouerne , for to bee by him crowned with euerlasting glorie .

By the Kingdome I vnderstand the godlie who are the Children of the Kingdome : Christ then is said , To deliuer vp the Kingdome to the Father , when hee deliuereth vnto him these whom the Father had giuen to him : * * Note All the Godlie haue beene giuen by the Father vnto Christ the Mediator : And Christ againe must bee countable to the Father for them : Holie Father , said hee , keepe Ioh. 17. 11 through thine owne Name , those whom thou hast giuen mee : And againe , vers. 12. These that thou gauest mee I haue kept , and none of them is lost , but the Sonne of perdition . See heere how the Father is said , to giue , and Christ is said to haue kept these whom the Father hath giuen him : * * Note while Christ maketh his count & randereth them againe to his Father , hee is said to giue vp the Kingdome to his Father .

* * Note Neither must wee heere thinke that while the Father gaue this kingdome to the Sonne , hee wanted it himselfe , or that the Sonne when he shall giue vp the Kingdome to his Father , shall reigne no more : No , Ioh. 17. 10 not : All mine are thine , said Christ , and thine are mine : * * Note I confesse that there is no such giuing among men as can expresse sufficientlie how the Father is said to giue any thing vnto the Sonne : And againe , there is no such giuing vp among men , as can clearelie declare how the Son is said , To giue vp the Kingdome vnto the Father : There bee no Mines nor Thines among men which can fullie expresse the Mine and the Thine of the Father and of the Sonne .

The sicke Man .

Indeede Sir yee speake well : Wee must all reuerence the high misteries of God , not darring to abbridge his infinite wisedome within the bounds of a braine that is not of a span long : The wordes of Moses are words of great wisedome , The secret things are Dan. ●…19 . 29 for the Lord our God , but these that are reuealed are for vs , and our posteritie for euer . That then which is reuealed is for vs , and that which is for vs in Scripture , it is our part to seeke it and to search it .

O Lord , guide mee by thy counsell , A prayer keepe my thoughts within compasse : Suffer not my Soule to turne awrie from thy trueth : Sequester mine heart from all vanitie , that I bee not curious in the knowledge of that which thou hast not alotted for mee , as are these whose heartes are filled with dreames and deceitfull dotages : Let my Soule neuer be sowred with such leauen as to presume to search that which thou desireth not to reueale

The second difficultie I obserued in these words which ye haue recited out of that Chap. to the Corinthians , is in these words , viz. That Christ must 1 Cor. 15 25 reigne till hee hath put all his enemies vnder his feet : What is that to say ?

The Pastour .

That is , Christ muste rule this world till God the Father hath subdued vnto his Sonne Christ , all the enemies of his glorie , and of mans Saluation , who from the hight of their sinnes shall bee brought down into the fiercest flamme and lowest pitte of perdition .

The sicke Man .

It would appeare by the words that Christ shall reigne no m●…e after that all shall bee subdued : Seeing it is said , That he must reigne till he hath put all his enemies vnder his feete , it would seeme that when that shall once bee done , Christ shall reigne no more .

The Pastour .

The word Till declareth not that Christ shall reigne no more after that subduing , for example it is written 21Sam . 6. 23 of Michal , that shee had no Children till the day of her death .

It is not therefore to bee thought that after death shee had any Children : The opinion of many great Diuines , is that Marie neuer maried Ioseph though shee had beene betrothed vnto him , and yet it is saide , Matth. 1. 25 That Ioseph knew her not , till shee had brought foorth her first borne : So God said vnto Iaakob , I will not leaue thee Gen. 28. 15 VIVTILL I haue done that which I haue spoken to thee of : Such formes of speaches are verie common : I will say to my friend at Euen , God bee with you , till wee meete againe : It is not that I desire God to bee with him no more so soone as wee shall meete againe .

Thus as ye see when it is said , that Christ must reigne Till hee hath put all his enemies vnder his feete , it will not import that , that once beeing done Christ shall reigne no more . Gabriel said to his Mother , That of his Luk. 1. ●…33 Kingdome there shall bee none end : * * Note If there bee any change , it shall onelie bee in the forme of his reigning and ruling : Now hee reigneth & ruleth by a Scepter of yron , and by the Scepter of his word preached : The one is for to conuert the most stubborne hearts of the Elect , the other Psal. 2. 9. for to dash the wicked in pieces lik a potters vessell : * * Note All that forme of doing then shall cease , for as for the wicked they shall be committed fast to the low dungeons of Hell , for to bee vexed for euer with the infernall Burrios : Christ then and all his members shall bee quite of all their persecutions : As for the Godlie they shall bee made perfect : They shall neede no more the preaching of the word : The Law then shall not bee needfull , for all the Godlie shall bee a Law vnto themselues : The Gospel shall bee of no vse : It is a Doctrine of Faith : Then shall bee abolished : * * Note When thinges absent are made present , Faith hath no more adoe .

The sicke Man .

That point is made cleare indeede : But what is this to say , That Christ the Sonne shall reigne , Till the Father hath put all enemies vnder his feete ? It would appeare by these words , that Christ ouercommeth his enemies by another force than his owne , seeing it is said , That * Note the Father is he who shall put all things vnder his feete .

The Pastour .

The most learned Diuines haue considered that the Apostle there speaketh not of Christ as hee is Filius Dei eternus simpliciter , simplie the Sonne of God , but as hee is in the fo●…me of a seruant , for that cause , as is well remarked by the best wits , none can affirme that in Christ is , Secundaria divinitas , a Diuinitie of a baser rancke .

* This wee must all know , that Christ the Sonne & the Father beeing but one GOD , worke with one , and the selfe same power : As God the Father and hee are one , so what power Christ man hath in subduing his enemies , it may bee said to bee from the Father , Because the Trinity is such a deepe mysterie , as no humane Wit can search it thorow , so the actions of the three Persons are such , as no man can clearelie discerne them : It is much for our shallow-wits to know the borders of Gods ways : * * Note It is good in Gods mysteries s●…pere ad sobrietatem , that our wisedome bee sober and not drunke with a giddie curiosity , neither must wee d●…aw to the other extremitie , as to flatter our selues in a sluggish dulnesse , hauing no care to search the Scriptures with the men of Berea for to knowe that which it Act. 17. 11 hath pleased God to reueale to vs : * * Note It is good to seeke out carefullie , though not curiouslie the knowledge of Gods reuealed will so farre as can make for the comfort of our Soules .

The sicke Man .

Certainelie the knowledge of such things is verie needfull for the comfort of these that are for to leaue this world : And therefore , I who loo●… not for long sojourning heere , desire to know the more earnestlie what good things the Lord hath prepared for his owne into that other world . The hope of Glorie is like a strong hold against the feare of Death . * * Note O●… that I were that which I would bee .

There is now resting only one difficultie in the words of the Apostle , which I neuer as yet could well vnderstand : It is said , That when all 1 Cor. 25. 28 things shal be subdued vnto the Father ▪ then shall the Sonne also himselfe bee subject vnto him , that put all thing●… vnder his feete : Is not the Sonne euen now subject vnto the Father ▪ If not , how is it said , That hee shall bee then subject vnto him ?

The Pastour .

Christ as God , is not at all subject vnto the Father , but , all the Godlie are subject both to Him and to the Father : But as man Christ , is with vs subject vnto the Father : * * Note According to this a Father said well ,

Christus in quantum Deus est , August . lib. de Trinit. 1 cap. 10 cum illo nos subjectos habet , in quantum sacerdos , nobiscum illi subjectus est .

That is , To Christ as God wee are subject as to the Father , but as Christ is our Priest , hee is with vs subject vnto the Father .

Moreouer it may bee saide , that after the last Iudgement Christ shall bee subject vnto the Father , because then all the Faithfull which are his Mysticall bodie , shall bee perfectlie subject to the Father , Christ the Head of the Church , since his incarnation , hath in his owne Person bene subject vnto the Father perfectly , and so is hee yet : But in his mysticall members below there is a miserable rebellion of flesh against the Spirit : Gal. 5. 17. * * Note But when all shall bee gathered together in one Bodie into Glorie , them shall Christ be perfectlie subject vnto God both

Quoad naturam suam tum quoad corpus mysticum .

In his humane Nature and in his mysticall Bodie , which are the faithfull : When all the Elect with their Head Christ shall be perfectlie subject vnto God , then shall Christ bee fullie and finallie subject to the Father : This seemeth to bee the true meaning of the wordes : This is made cleare by the wordes following , viz. That this subjection shall bee that God may bee All in all .

* * Note But this wee must vnderstand , that this subjection of Christ and of his mysticall Bodie , is not anie disgrace or disparagement to our Head Christ ▪ or to vs : The trueth is , that it is a moste Princelie honour to bee the Prince of Heauens subject : * * Note It were better to bee the least subject of Heauen , than the greatest commander of Hell : The seruice of our God is greatest libertie : The more perfect this subjection be , the greater is our Glorie : * * Note The subjection of a creature to God , is the verie Image of God in the creature : Gods Image in Adam was chieflie in his subjection to Gods will , which was defaced by his rebellion , which is the verie Image of the Deuill .

The sicke Man .

Wee are much beholden to our God , who in his great mercie hath reuealed vnto vs all these things into his word : His word may well bee called , A Lanterne vnto our steps , Psal 19. 8. a light which enlighteneth the eyes , burning clearer than any Cresset-light warning from dangers .

The Pastour .

Indeede Gods word is a word of life and of light : It is a sauing word , the power of God to Saluation : This Rom , 1. 16 power is onelie peculiar to the mightie operation of this word .

* * Note There bee in the creatures words and lines of words , for to declare vnto man that there is a God , that so man may be without excuse : Day vnto day vttereth speach , and Psal. 19. 2. night vnto night sheweth knowledge : Their Line is gone out through all the earth , and their words to the end of the world : But all these wordes and lines are but lines of words concerning the creation : All that they can say , is but that there is a God , a mouer , a primum ens a first Be-ere , whereby all things haue their beeing : But in all these lines of words there is not one word of Christ the Redeemer : There is not a day where the Gospel shinneth not , that can vtter any speach ▪ or shewe any knowledge of that which concerneth mans Saluation , wrought with the bloodie sweate of God : There is not a word let bee a line in any worke of Nature , concerning the great mysterie of Godlinesse , 1 Tim ▪ 3. 16 Christ manifested in the flesh , justified in the Spirit seene of Angels , preached vnto the Gentiles , beleeued on in the world , and receiued vp into glorie .

The sicke Man .

O words worthie to bee written Ier. 17. 1 with the point of a Dyamond : Seeing it is so , this should mak vs to esteeme so much the more of the glorious Gospel which is the power of God to Rom. 1. 16 saluation of all beleeuers .

The Pastour .

The Gospel indeede is like a m●…st rich treasure digged into a fielde , for Matth. 13. 44 which a man that hath found it will goe and sell all that hee hath , that hee may buy that fielde for the treasures cause .

This Gospel is like a Sunne newly created in the heauens , which shineth both day and night , both in life and death with most glistring & wholesome Beames , wherby the vnwholesome cloudie night aire of iniquitie is rarified , scattered , and dispersed ▪ * * Note As the Sun in the heauens by its heate maketh al the earth in the Spring to grow greene , and the Cornes to come vp at the first with small green points , and after to shoote vp to the shot bled , & after that to come to the Seede , that at last beeing cut downe in a white ripenesse , it may be lay●…e vp into Girnels : Euen so the Gospel like a Sunne shining from the heauens , commeth after the colde frostie season of the dead Winter of our Nature , and by its Beames warmeth vs , and wakeneth vp the seede of grace sowen into our heartes by the good hand of God : After that , with its heate by little and little it ripeneth these sowne graces , at last while wee are ripe , and while the graces of God in vs are come to their perfection , the Lord sendeth his seruant Death to cut vs downe with a sickle : Luk. 16. 9 After that by Death we are cut downe , the Lord treasureth vs vp into euerlasting Tabernacles , the Girnels of the Prince of Heauen , farre from the keene rasors of lying tongues . Now seeing the day is f●…r spent , here I shall pause , leauing that which hath bene said , to your nights meditations : By that grace of God I shal returne in the morning earelie : He that made Peter safelie to Matth. 14 29 walk vpon the swelling waues vphold you so , that ye sinke not at the rising of any boisterous blaste of temptation : * * Note Gods Children in this world are lik these three Children in the fierie furnace , though such fire seeme to bee Dan. 3. 23. a consuming fyre , it shall not bee able so much as to sindge their apparell . vers. 27

The sicke Man .

But before yee goe Sir , according to your good former custume , by your deuote prayers , committe my Soule to the armes of my Sauiour : I euer feare that my false heart giue mee the slippe : As God hath giuen you a diuine tong , so Lord , giue me a sanctified eare , the sweetest spirituall musick and harmonie of Gods seruice : Oh , that with Peter I could Iohn . 21. 1 gird my coate , and swimme thorow all the swelling seas of temptations , that I might come vnto my Lord . Offer vp I pray you Sir , for mee the Christian sacrifice of prayer : Resigne my Soule into his mercifull hands : Oh that I could with you homage mine heart vnto God in feruent supplications ! wee are not able as I see to stand a moment in the right way without Gods vnderpropping hand .

Alas , Sir , I finde in my prayers great distractions , which wonderfullie blunt the edge of my deuotion ▪ while my mouth is speaking to God , my minde is speaking with follies and phansies : * * Note If a man speaking vnto a Prince , should nowe turne him vnto this man , and now to that man , would not that Prince at last commaund , him silence enjoyning him with all speed to packe him out of his presence , as being a man who knoweth not what is matchable to such a Majestie : Many a time , alas , haue I at prayer babled out with my lippes many sauourles words , which haue wrought nothing but the sadding and grieuing of Gods Spirit . A prayer

O Lord , make this meditation of mine owne vnworthinesse , bee like a whet-stone to my prayers , that by helpe thereof I may pray better than euer I did before : Giue mee grace at all times , but speciallie in prayer to keepe watch and ward ouer my thoughts , that I neuer let loose the bridle vnto them as most foolishlie often I haue done , rushing my Soule ouer head and eares into the myres of earthlie mindednes : Now good Lord , make mee fresh and nimble in my Spirit for prayer : Oh , for that Spirit of spirituall Rom. 8. 27 groans , which maketh intercession for the Sainctes , according to the will of God . I desire your helpe in prayer : The night is noysome , I lye Iob. 7. 4. downe , I say , when shall I arise , and the night beginne I am full of tossing vnto the dawning of the day .

The Pastour .

I rejoyce with my Soule to heare you : I know no surer token of Gods Spirit within a man , than a ben●…nes to prayer : Reprobates with Herod may gladlie heare Preachers : But they all in Scripture are branded with this blot , They call not vpon God ▪ Desire of conference with God , is a most sure token of friendship betweene Amos. 3. ●…3 God and man : Can two walke together except they bee agreed ? Can two speake together except they be friendes ? Hypocrites I knowe will Matth. 6. 7 make long prayers , which are but lip labour , which our Lord calleth much babling : But their heartes in their prayers wander from God , & goe to worldly toyes , so that while they are speaking one thing with the mouth , their hearts are vpon another subject : Isa. 29. 13 Thus Scripture calleth , A drawing neere to God with the mouth , while the heart is farre off : * God cannot bee scorned , but knoweth howe Act. 5. 2. much is behind , though Ananias would seeme to bring all .

* * Note Hee who can pray from his heart , by his prayer as with a piercing keye , is able to vnlocke the celestiall treasures of God , where out of hee will draw comfortable cordials for distressed Soules , in their gasping agonies .

Let vs now bend our knees most humblie before our Maker , and worship him both with heart & mouth , the most pleasant harmonie of a Christian Soule .

The Lord set all our hearts rightlie on worke : For the heart of man in prayer is most bent to play reakes in wandering from God .

A Prayer for the sicke Man .

O Great and Omnipoten●… GOD , whose Eyes are ten thousand time ▪ brighter than the Sunne at Noone Day : Our sinnes cannot bee hidde from The●… Faine would wee confesse them , but alas , for this hardnesse of hear●… Smite , O LORD , smite these our hearts of yron , soften them with the fire of thy Spirit , till my : sighs & sobs they melt within our boweles : O●… LORD , who shall not feare thee , to whom is giuen all power both in heauen and earth .

When we remember thy last Sessions which shall bee in that great & last judiciall day , it maketh all the haires of our head to start vp : Wee are instructed by thy diuine Word 1 Cor. 7. 31 that the fashion & figure of this world shall passe away , and that all Thrones Dan. 7. 9. shall bee remoued , that that most Royall & glorious Throne may bee erected for the comming of the Son of man .

O LORD , in that great and terrible day all thinges must compeare naked before Thee : Then shalt thou Heb. 4. 13 bring to light the things which were hidde in darknesse , and shalt make manifest the most secret counsels of mens hearts : From thy face nothing shall bee able to procure escape : Happie shall that Soule be on whom in that day thou shalt bleink with a reconcealed face .

O gracious GOD , whose goodnesse is bottomlesse , and greatnesse immeasurable : Now speake home to the hearte of thy seruant heere , who in his fainting weaknesse hath desired me to powre out this prayer for him : All his desires are toward thee , stampe vpon his Soule the Image of thy selfe : Giue him a pawne and a pledge of thy fauour , make him assured that in that day hee shall finde thee a fauourable Iudge , who shall cry on him among the rest of thy Children , Come yee vnto mee yee blessed of my Father , and receiue Matth. 25. 34 a Kingdome .

Let this consideration beare out in the stormie houre of the last assaults : Set a strong Guarde and a narrow watch ouer his heart , lest he bee vnawares surprised by Sathans craftie plots : Let the Sconce of thy mercie fence off the partching hea●…e of Sathans most fierie temptations kindled in a bone-fire : Furnish him now with such grace whereby hee may possesse his Soule in patience , looking for that blessed hope , and appearing of thy glorie in the cloudes .

It was long since written by thy Iam. 5. 9. blessed Pen-men , That the Iudge standeth before the doore , and that the end of all things draweth neere : Now seeing sin is come to such an hight , that thy Iustice cannot much longer forbeare , but that thou must come shortlie to put an end to this most corrupt world : LORD , cleanse quite away all our corruptions before thou come .

Grant that continuallie with the wise Matth. 25. 4. Virgines wee may haue our Lampes of oyle trimmed for the comming of our Lord , the blessed Bridegroome of Ioh. 3. 29. our Soules : Graunt that in that day with gladnesse wee may lift vp our Luk. 21. 28 heades , beeing assured of a gracious welcomming vnto our Masters joy . Matth. 25. 2●…

Keepe this euer fast in our memorie as an aweband aboue our heades , for to keepe vs from sinne , that Christ the determined Iudge of the world shal come for to render to euery one according as he or she hath done in the days of their flesh : grant therefore that whether we sleepe or we wak , the shrill Trumpet of Gods voyce may be as if it were euer sounding to our Soules , Arise for to compeare in judgement .

O LORD , enlighten our mistie mindes , that with an vndazeled eye euerie one of vs may try and descry clearelie our owne estate in this world ,

In a more speciall manner let it please thee to regard thy poore prisoner heere in this bed of languishing , whom Satan hath soght to sift that his Faith might faile : Waken his Soule softlie with a mercifull motion of thy Spirit of comfort : Let him not bee like these who in a dull , dead , and senslesse securitie not thinking on Death , chop in the earth before that euer they bee awares , neither suffer Sathan to quench his clearest comforts with the dampe of despare : By this heauie sickenesse which daylie increaseth , thou is now Summoning thy seruant here to a perticular and personall compearance before thy great Tribunall : Let him finde thy Royall seate to be a mercie seate : Proclaime vnto his Conscience in his inward partes , that thou wilt neuer enter into judgement with him : Assure his Soule that hee is one of thine , and that there is no condemnation Rom. 8. 1●… to these that are in Christ Iesus , who vnto all his faithfull is like a Ezek. 11. 16. little Sanctuarie .

Let the graces of thy Spirite bee all night like a bundle of Myrrhe into Cant. 1. 23 his bosome : Seale vp in his heart this comfort , that hee who shall bee his Iudge , is hee , euen hee , who is now his Aduocat , interceeding at the 1 Ioh. 2. 1. right hand of the Father for him : Giue him strength couragiouslie to fight out this bloodie Battell , that in the ende thou may set on his head that neuer fadding Crowne of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4. 8 Let Sathan be now chained vp that hee bee not able any more to set by the eares the corruptions of his nature with the motions of thy grace .

He confesseth LORD , before thee that if presentlie thou should pronounce his doome , and suddenlie plunge him in the deepest Hels , that righteousnesse in so doing should belong Dan. 9. 7. to thee : This from his heart would hee acknowledge being willing , that thy Name may bee glorified , to take to himselfe shame and confusion of face .

O LORD , whose bowels euer rumble with compassions raine downe vpon thy seruants heart here a showre of grace , for it is parched and dryed with greiefe and sorrow : Pittie him for he abhorreth himselfe as a stained sinner stript of all good things , worthie to be crushed vnder the mountaines & milstones of thy vengeance , Neither dar he , neither will he plead against thee for his innocencie : Here hee is readie to subscribe all thy will were it with the best arteriall blood of his heart : His confession is , that thou art most just though from thy presence thou should banish him to the blacke lacke and woefull dungeon of darknesse , where is nothing but weeping and Matth. 8. 12 gnashing of teeth .

Out of a sore sense & aboundance of feeling , hee powreth out this most plentifull & sincere confession before thee : Behold , him here Lord , opening the bosome of his confession and selfe condemnation before thee . O thou , whom his Soule loueth , tell him where thou feedest , and where thou makest thy flocke to rest at noone in the time of parching and most piercing heate of temptations : O coole this fainting Soule with thy blessed breath comming from the foure windes : Besprinkle it with the sauing and sacred Blood of Iesus .

Thou , LORD , who is the chiefe Paterne and examplar of all true Kindnes , Pittie , & Loue : Let his groanes and supplications get entrie into thine eares : Send downe the Ladder of Iaacob , the ministring Spirits Heb. 1 , 14 for to waite vpon him , who is one of thy Redeemed ones , that when his Soule shall bee seuered from his bodie , they may carrie it into the blessed bosome of Abraham the father of Luk. 16. 22 the Faithfull : Giue him a sound & a Sanctified heart , say vnto his Soule as thou said of olde concerning thy beloued Children , I will delight to doe him good : Take away the trespasse of thy seruant , and saue him ; for hee distrusting his owne worth , is now fledde to the hornes of thine Altar , euen to the crosse of Iesus , the Sanctuarie of troubled Soules .

As Elishah was first inuested with a single Spirit and thereafter with a doubled Spirit , so now in thy tender compassions double thy graces vpon him , which were but single of before : Let thy fauours falling downe vpon him , bee like the raine which falleth first in small droppes , and after powreth downe in grea●… aboundance : O quicken and enliuhis Soule with a supernaturall vigour and life of grace , that by no lowring tempest of temptation his holie Faith bee dashed out of countenance : Let not his Hope bee like the Spiders webbe which is easilie Isa. 59. 5. sweept away with the least blast of winde : The weaker his bodie grow , increase so much the more his spirituall strength : Verifie that Text in him , To him that hath shall bee giuen : Matth. 25. 29 Thou who giuest repentance to the sinner , giue pardon to the repenter : In the boisterous blasts of most fearfull temptations let his sillie Soule finde a shelter vnder the shadow of thy fauour : There is no succour but vnder thy wings from the plagues of God , and curses of the Law : Thy Blood onelie is able to purge & purifie him from the froth and filth of all his iniquities .

Seeing hee hath dealt vnpartialie with himselfe , by condemning himselfe , let thy mercie for the sake of thy Sonne his surtiship now absolue him , draw out the keen arrows of thy wrath which thou hast made to stick in his ribbes , the poyson whereof hath Iob. 6. 4. drunken vp his Spirit : O how fearefull haue thy terrours set themselues in aray against him : Beginne Lord , and continue to slacke thy wrath Be with him now in thy great mercy , O LORD , and conuoye him by the graces of thy Spirit thorow the snakie field & wildernesse of this world wherein hee hath beene like a Pilgrime , or a Traueller passing from Towne to Towne , till hee come into his Inne , where he hopeth by thy mercie to bee exempt from all mixture of miserie : Hee is now in the heate of his journey : Let some cooling droppes of thy comforts bee send vnto him , for to coole and quench his drougth in the scorching heate of this spirituall skirmish : Thou who made waters to rush out of the jaw bone , for the refreshing of Samson Iudg 15. 19 after his fight with the Philistimes , giue vnto this wearied soule a drink of that water whereof if a man drink hee shall neuer thirst any more . Ioh. 4. 14.

And now seeing in all appearance he is not for to remaine manie dayes vpon this Earth , make him to be still looking all the dayes of his appointed Ioh. 14. 14. time till his changing come : grant that when it shall come , hee may change for the better , and that for the glorie of thy great Name , and for the euerlasting rest ▪ peace , and joye of his sillie sorrow beaten Soule : O crush the head and breake the heart of euerie sinne , that lurketh , within his breast , left they choke the Soule of this thy Turtle Doue : Bee no more sowre vnto him : If thou should appeare grieslie with a sterne countenance vnto sinners , how soone should they bee out-faced , if thou straitlie m●…iniquitie , who shall stand ? But O , mercie is with thee : Let that mercie Psal. 130. 4 that is with thee come to him , wherby all his floating thoughts may bee made to sink & soake into the Blood of the Lambe , the softner and soupler of stiffe and hardened heartes : In the darkest houre of death bee thou the comfort and darlling del●…ght of his heart : O Pastour of Israel , now put an end to all the cloudie and darke dayes of his distresse . Tak in this silly Soule , thy little Lambe within the compasse of thine heauenlie folde , till it winne there , refresh it with a baire in its journey , let no meanes bee deficient , til in it thou crowne thy graces with thy glorie .

LORD , blesse thy Church vniuersall , the deare Spouse of Iesus , as they are all members of one Body , make them all to bee of one heart , that in an heauenlie harmonie , they may all thinke one thing : Stop the mouth of the red Dragon from spewing out the red bloodie floodes of persecution against Her , if not , giue Her the winges of Faith whereby Shee may flee to the wildernesse for Her escape : O cloth her Priests with Psal. 132. 16 Saluation , that all her Saints may shout a lowd for joye : Giue them one mind and one mouth : But , alas , Icabod , where nowe is that glorie ?

Preserue our gracious SOVERAIGNE with his Royall Match : Send down a princelie Spirit vpon him : Keepe them as the Apple of thine Eye : As thou hast bund their bodies into the bond of wed locke , so bind their Soules into the bandle of life : Make the Heauens to rejoyce at her Majesties conuersion : Loue Her , LORD , as thou loued Lidea , by the opening of her Act. 16. 14 heart .

Make both Crowne and Court seruiceable to thee the greatest Majestie aboue .

Sanctifie all our Nobles , make them lik the men of Berea , couragious Act. 17. 11 for the Trueth , Plants of renowne .

Guide vs all in the way of righteousnesse , and weane vs from the loue of this Worlde : Prepare vs for the last Battell of the Soule : Suffer neuer Sathan with the mood of his temptations to trouble or distemper the cleare Riuers of thy comforts , wherwith thou refresheth thy beloued Ones : Suffer neuer that prince of darknesse to put out with his dampes the glorious Light of thy Gospel , which now most orientlie shineth among vs .

LORD , perfume all our vnwhorthie prayers with the sweete smelling righteousnes of Iesus Christ our Lord & Master , in whose most blessed Name wee pray , as hee hath pleased him to teach vs , Our Father which art . &c.

By Gods grace Sir , I shall returne the Morrow earelie : The Spirit of Iesus print into your heart the best comforts of his Treasures : Remember Sir , that all our goodnesse is of him , for naturallie wee are hewen out of a sinfull rocke : All our guises are but guile , till we bee cast into another mould by the Spirit of regeneration .

Striue more and more to bee constant and couragious till this bitter Isa. 9. 5. Battell bee ended : For euerie Battell of the Warriour is with confused noise , and garments rolled in Blood .

Now the night is fallen downe : Iob. 4. 13. while deepe sleepe falleth on men , strin●… to bee acquainted with the Teacher Psal 16 7. of the reines in the night season : If the paine of your sicknes rob your eyes of sleepe , cause read vnto you this night Dan. 7. 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thess. 4.

The LORD pul off your Soule al the A prayer filthie menstruous cloutes of your corruptions , and cloath you with the most rich & invaluable Robe of Christs righteousnesse : The Lord fill your heart with the inspirations of the Almightie : His Grace bee with you .

THE SIXT DAYES Conference . of Heauens Glorie . The Pastour .

ACcording to my promise Sir , I am heere come againe for to see what it shall please God to doe with you at last , waite constantlie on your God : * * Note His mind is to doe you good in the latter end : I earnestlie now desire to know what the meditation of the last judgement hath wrought into your heart this night bygone .

The sicke Man .

* * Note Except that a man bee well occupied in the day , his heart in the night will swarme with worthlesse & witlesse thoughts : Sathan the lord of the night , is euer busie by secret foisting in of corruptions into mans thoughts , to justle out of his heart all holie and heauenlie meditations ,

All this night it seemeth vnto me that I heard the shrill sound of the last Trumpet sounding most fearefullie the Alarum of the Resurrection at the second and sudden comming of our Lord : All Saintes and Angels seemed to bee present at that great Iubile .

I thought in my sleepe that I saw the Sonne of man enuironed with innumberable Charets of fyre comming downe with vnspeakable pompe , Glorie and Majestie , I thought him more glistering than the Sun , while he sbineth in his greatest force : Mine eyes were dazeled with the brightnesse of his Beames : All thrones made roome vnto his Throne : Mine heart was neuer so rauished as it hath bene this last night by-past .

In the thoghts of mine heart in the night , while deepe sleepe falleth on man , Iob. 4. 13. there came into my memorie some passages of Scripture concerning heauens glorie , wherof most gladlie I desire now to heare : The Apostle S. Paul speaketh of this with great 2 Cor. 4. 16 power , Wee faint not , said hee , but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day : There bee some other good words following , but my memorie faileth mee .

The Pastour .

I shall helpe you Sir in that matter : The verse following is , For our 2 Cor. 4. 17 light affliction which is but for a moment , worketh for vs a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glorie .

The sicke Man .

These bee the words indeede , I finde great difficultie in these words , I pray you to make them cleare : What is that to say , Though the outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day .

The Pastour .

The interpretation of these words is , that the corruption and decaying of the outward man by diuerse crosses and calamities , Servit renovando homini interno , is a meanes for the renewing of the inward man , that we may grow in godlinesse : By the outward man is vnderstood the bodie : By the inward the Spirit & the mind : By the weakening of the bodie the Spirit is made strong .

The sicke Man .

But what say yee of these words , that our light affliction , which is but for a moment , is said , to worke for vs or to cause vnto vs an exceeding and eternall weight of glorie ? Is that the merite and worth of affliction ?

The Pastour .

The Romane Church expounds it so , that by such afflictions men merit euerlasting glory : Indeed the words in the original seeme much to fauour that exposition : The wordes are these , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cauficit parie operatur nobis , that is , Causeth or worketh that glorie .

* * Note But it is certaine , that affliction that is light , & for a moment both light & short , cannot be properlie a cause of an euerlasting and infinite ●…ight of glorie : A moment cannot be the mother of eternitie : That which is so light can neuer bring out an infinite weight : But God who is infinite in po●…er , maketh affliction a meanes for to bring vs vnt●… glorie as good works are via reg●… causa reg●…di , Bernard ▪ the way to the Kingdome , but not the cause of reigning , so through the way of manie tribulations wee must enter into Gods Kingdome .

The Scripture is the best interpreter of it selfe : Abraham who was the Father of the Faithfull , was not justified either by his doinges or his sufferings : If Abraham were justified Rom. 2. ●… by workes , hee ●…th whereof to glorie , but not before God .

* * Note Shame shall come vpon him who glorieth of that whereof hee may not glorie before God : I darre boldly glorie before God , of his mercie , and of my Lords merits , but to glorie of mans righteousnesse a monstrous Isa. 64. 6. cloth , is an abomination before GOD : * * Note If sufferinges and calamities could efficientlie cause & merit that infinite weight of Glorie , how did S. Paul reckon , when hee Rom , 8. 18 said , I reckon that the sufferings of th●… present time are not worthy to be compared with the glorie which shall bee reuealed in vs ? This maketh the matter cleare that our light afflictions of a moment cannot efficientlie and meritoriouslie purchase vnto vs an exceeding and eternall weight of glorie : they are indeed good meanes wherby our Soules are fitted and furthered in the way to Glorie .

The sicke Man .

I euer hold that the surest ground that a man be little in his own eyes ▪ Sinfull flesh cannot bee too humble before God : * * Note That Religion which giueth greatest glorie vnto God , & casteth mans own worth most down , hath the clearest marke of trueth : Daniel pointeth at this while hee saith , O Lord , righteousnesse belongeth Dan. 9. 7. vnto thee , but vnto vs confusion of faces ▪

I am now satisfied in the exposition of these wordes , wherein I did euer finde much difficultie .

Now Sir , if your memorie serueth you , can yee tell what is said , by the Apostle in the Chapter following ? I remember that some notable thinges there be spoken of immortall Glorie .

The Pastour .

Indeede in the beginning of that Chapter there bee notable wordes , For wee know , saith the Apostle , that 2 Cor. ●… . 1. if the earthlie house of this Tabernacle were dissolued , wee haue a building of God , an house not made with sand , eternall vers . ●… in the heauens : For in this wee groane earnestlie desiring to be clothi●… vpon with our house , which is from heauen . vers. 3. If so bee that beeing ▪ cloathed , wee shall not bee found naked ▪ For we that vers. 4. are in this Tabernacle doe grone , being burdened , not that wee would bee v●…cloathed , but cloathed vpon , that mortalitie might bee swallowed vp of life ▪ vers. 6. &c. While wee are at home , in the bodie , wee are absent from the Lord ▪ &c. Wee are confident and willing rather to vers. 8. bee absent from the bodie , and to bee present with the Lord .

The sicke Man .

These indeede bee the words : I could neuer well vnderstand them , doubtles they be words full of comforts , for these that are looking for a better Life : I pray you Sir , to giue mee the exposition thereof .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir they want not great difficultie , neither doeth that which I say make for the doctrine of papists ▪ who affirme that the Scriptures are obscure , and therefore must not bee reade by the common people .

* * Note It is by reading that men purchase vnderstanding : The Doctors themselues before they read are ignorant , neither was it euer heard that Scriptures was abused so much by the common people , as by ▪ these who are most Learned : Where heare wee that the Merchand , the Artifan or rurall men beginne Heresies ? * * Note Are not they forged in the vnsanctified braines of these in who are lodged the oppositions of science 1 Tim: 6. 20 falsely so called : It is oftest seene that throgh Philosophie and vaine deceit : Col. 2. 8. The Soule of man are spoiled & not by ignorance of the simplest sort .

There is none obscuritie in Gods Word , that should debarre the people young or olde from the reading of it : * * Note The Letter which my God hath written vnto me , I may open it , and read it , and see what my Fathers will is : The Spirite of God in S. Iohn , leading his hand , hath set down these wordes , I write vnto you , Fathers ; 1 Ioh. 2. 13 &c. I write vnto young men , &c. I write vnto you little Children ▪ &c. Who hath power to forbid any man to read the Missiue Letter which his God hath written vnto him ▪ Moreouer , there is such a Light in Gods word , that will make a blind man to see : * * Note The light of the Sun will shew and discouer hid things in darknesse unto him who hath eyes ▪ but cannot make a blind man to s●… ▪ But the light of Gods word Meira●… Psal 19. 8. Hena●…m facit ut oculi videant , it maketh the eyes for to see : In that Psalme also it is said , That the Law of the Lord maketh wise the simple : Psal. 19. 7. It is a great ignorance for Papist Doctors to close & claspe their Bibles from the hands of the ignorant & simple ones , seeing by this word the simple are made wise , It is written to the euerlasting praise of the men of Berea ▪ that after Paul had preached , they searched the Scriptures , for trying of his Doctrine : These be the words of their praise .

These were more noble than these in Act. 17 , ●…1 Thessalonica , in that they receiued the word with all readinesse of minde , and searched the Scriptures daylie , whether these thinges were so .

* * Note As for difficulties , we acknowledge that there bee many and great in Scripture , but as for that which is absolutè & simpliciter absolutelie & simplie necessarie for our Saluation , it is clearelie set down in Scripture : if there be any difficulty in one place that which is there obscure will bee made cleare in some other parte of Scripture : This much by the way concerning the obscuritie of Scripture .

Now to come to the wordes of S. Paul : In the first verse it is said , For wee know that if the earthlie house of this Tabernacle were dissolued , wee haue a building of God , an house ●… made with hand , eternall in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Some after this manner expour●… these words after that this body like a Taber n●…ele is taken away from 〈◊〉 Soule , the Soule shall bee in a be●… estate , euen in euerlasting Glorie ●… to the Heauens .

The French marginall note vpon this , is that that eternall house in the he 〈◊〉 is the bodie after the resurrection●… * * Note So long as we are here in the sinfull bodie , the bodie is but like a Tubernacle , vnconstant ; weake , fra●… ▪ But in the heauens , it shall be like 〈◊〉 house that is constant ; firme , strong : So corpus & gloriosa ejus conditio , the bodie and its glorious estate in th●… opinion of some is heere called 〈◊〉 house , by that house then wee must vnderstand the glorie that is prepared for the Sainctes in he iuen , which for its constancie and commoditie ●… called an house : According to th●… the Apostle in the second verse saith , That wee groane earnestlie desiring to bee cloathed vpon with our house which is from heauen : That house from heauen , is that Glorie which is from heauen .

Others of the Learned interpret that worde Superindui to bee cloathed vpon vt siquis ind●…tus est thorac●… ▪ Piscator . & superinduitur pallio : Pu●…o autem sic . Explican●…um ex versa 4 Sancti capiunt corpore c●…lesti it ●… indui , vt no●… prius exvantur corpore mortali●…sed superinduantur c●…lesti S●… immortali ▪ hoc est ●… per 〈◊〉 trans●…tationem absorbiator 〈◊〉 ab immortalitate .

Thus would hee say , That the Sainctes beeing huing at the end of the world , desired not to cast their mortall bodies from them ▪ but desire them to bee changed and cloathed aboue with immortalitie ▪ Mortalitie is one 〈◊〉 which must be put off , that immortalitie may bee put on ▪

Others thinke that there be mention heere made of a double cloathing : Alijs placet , saith Beza , primam Beza . vestem dici Christi justitiam , alteram vero illius justitiae praemium quorum sententiae nolim praejudicium afferre , the one they make to bee the righteousnesse of Christ , the other the glorie purchassed by that righteousnesse .

* * Note S. Ambrose speaking of these words , In this wee groane , &c. If so bee that beeing cloathed , wee shall not bee found nacked , saith , Vt haec sit sententia destruendum quidem hoc tabernaculum S. Amb. morte sed ita tamen ut non p●…reat : Imo ut corruptibilitate deposita restituatur nobis immortalitate induendum . That is , The Tabernacle of this bodie shal be dissolued by Death ▪ not so that it shal perish , but that all corruption being taken away , it may put on incorruption , euen euerlasting glorie . For if the bodie did perish , then in that case the Soule should bee naked : Now while wee are in the Tabernacle of the bodie , beeing burdened with sinne and corruption , wee grone , not desiring to bee vncloathed , that is altogether to want our bodie , but that putting off the corruptions of the bodie , wee may bee cloathed with immortalitie of life , which shall swallow vp mortalitie with all cumbers and inconuenients whatsoeuer .

* * Note The Soule of man hath an ardent desire to bee clothed with immortality , but hath not will to want its bodie , without which it thinketh its selfe naked : according to this the Apostle saith , In this we groane earnest lie desiring to be cloathed vpon with our house , which is from Heauen , That is , With glorie and immortalitie fast & firme like an house : If so bee that beeing cloathed , wee shall not bee found naked . That is , Shall not want the cloathing and couering of our bodies .

The sicke Man .

My braine is so sore troubled that I cannot bend my Spirits so high for the vnderstanding of these things which are so far aboue my reach : Happie is hee who with Dauid is not exercised Psal. 131. 1. in great matters which are too high for him .

Lord , inlighten my mistie minde , Aprayer and make mee to know thee and thy Son Iesus Christ , and him crucified : Lord also helpe mee in the knowledge of all that may increase the knowledge of him into my Soule .

I haue heard you Sir at large vpon the last judgement , and all the proceedinges thereof : Yee haue also cleared some difficulties which this night did runne into my minde : Nowe lest vaine thoughts should draw mine heart aside vnto toyes , let ●…t please you to turne your purpose concerning the joyes of Heauen .

* * Note While I did behold but the out●…id of Heauen , mine heart was euer rauished at the sight of that Tapestrie , embroydred like most glorious Arrasse cloath : O what Glorie muste bee within ▪ where the Lord himselfe is with all his endenized Citizens of glorie : Let me heare you a little ▪ therevpon : There by the grace of my God , I hope to bee within a little space , O what place of perfection and blisse my Soule longeth to dwel into that azured Palace . Let mee heare of its Glorie .

The Pastour .

* * Note The prince of Philosophers Aristot. lib. 1. de coelo . most subtile in Naturall Science , speaking of the heauens , said , That it was much to get any little knowledge therof : All his knowledge c●…ld reach no further but from motion to motion , till hee come ▪ to the fi●…st Mouer , who by the force of his Almightie arme turneth about these relestiall bodies : * * Note But hee knew no more the great Mov ●… , th●…n yee would know a man a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vp●…n the toppe of an Hill displaying a●… Ensigne or Standart : While the Mouer were casting his Standart , yee might perceiue the motion of a Banner , and by that motion yee might easilie judge that there bee a Mouer , and yet for all that be ignorant , not knowing the man who is the ca●… of all the motion , whether he were your foe or your friend .

* * Note The Pagans saw the motions of the heauens , as wee see the shaking of a tree moued by the winds : I see the Tree shaken and the Branches rushing one vpon another , I heare also the noyse , I also know that the Mouer is that which wee call the Wind : But whence this mouer commeth Ioh. 3. 8. and whether it goeth , or what moueth it , no earthlie tongue can tell .

* * Note Pagans which haue not Gospel written in quicke Letters by the dead knowledge of Nature , will come from ens to ens that is , from beeing to being , till they come to ens entium him that is a Being , which causeth all beeings : From motions men in nature will come to motions , till they clime vp to Primus motor , the first Mouer : * * Note On him will they looke as a man in an high Feuer , to whome this man & that man will say , Know yee mee ? know ye mee ? The sight of the braine is so dazeled , that it is paine & much labour but to heare these three words , Knowe yee mee ▪ * * Note Braine sicke Nature can by no meanes know God , till the Feuer of nature bee cooled with Grace : After that the coole of Grace hath broght a sweate wherwith the Soule is purged from the rotten humours of iniquitie , then the Soule becommeth like a man after a Feuer , come to himselfe againe : * * Note According to this it is said o●… the Forlorne , that he Luk. 15. 17 came to himselfe after that hee was cooled of his foolish Feuer . Till we come to our selues by Grace , wee shall neuer be able to know the Lord by Nature : All that the most wise Pagans culd doe by the whole helpe of Nature was to come from beeing●… to him that is the cause of all beeing , and from motion to the first Moue●… : * * Note But who that Mouer was , the feuerof Nature made their braine so giddie that they could not discerne him .

* * Note When all the Clergie of Athe●… into that Famous Colledge of Gre●… , had sought out this God , to feele 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ●… . 27 ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and finde ▪ him , they wandred 〈◊〉 and downe in their imagination●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sodomites about ▪ Lots 〈◊〉 , Gen. 19. 11 no●… beeing able to finde it : All their 〈◊〉 knowledge which was but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , could no wi●…e reach vn●…o him : For this cause they set vp an 〈◊〉 into their moste learned Citi●… with this in●…tion written into great Letters ▪ TO THE 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 Act. ●… . 23 〈◊〉

* Behold , where the true God was vnknowne , euen in the Citie where Socrates , Plato ▪ and Aristotle●… ▪ the great lights of Nature had reached publicklie ▪ The verticall point●… all their knowledge could I neuer reach vnto the borders , nay not vnto the base of the Gospel : * * Note Behold and see where Science was to be sold in greatest aboundance , there was a profession of the ignorance of the true God written vpon their Altar in great Letters , for by the greatnesse of the Letters , to declare the grosse dulnesse of their ignorance .

* * Note Hee who knoweth not God , were hee neuer so learned , what can hee speake of Heauen ▪ 〈◊〉 * * Note What should Heauen it selfe bee without the presence of God , but like a Citie laide wast , or like an olde Dungeon not inhabited , where Iim and Isa. 34. 14 ▪ Zijm resort ?

* * Note As for vs ▪ blessed bee God , we know that there is a God into the Heauens , the sight of whose backe Exod. 34. 33 partes made the face of Moses so to shine , that no eye vndazeled culd behold him : What a Majestie must this bee whose backe-partes printed such a light into the face of a man , that no man could behold the face of a sinner stamped with a second impression ? This is he who as Scripture teacheth dwelleth into an inaccessable 1 Tim. 6. 16 light , of which a learned Pagan hauing seene some light impression , not in the face of Moses but onelie into the face of Nature , said a great word ,

* * Note Lumen est vmbra Dei , Deus est lumen luminis . Plato . polit.

All light which wee see is but a duskie shadow of God : * * Note But God , is the Light of light , a liuing Light ▪ the Life of light , the Sunne that shineth to the world aboue , and the Candle of Heauen : Christ the Sunne Mal. 4. 2. of righteousnesse in Heauen shall bee without any shadow of the Earth ▪ which is the cause of ou●… night : Hee shal be a Sun which shall shine continuallie both round about and in all the partes of the Heauen , for there Reuel. 21. 25 shall bee no night there : For to come thither man should bee content to Matth 5. 29. pluck out his right eye , euen his sweetest bosome delights .

The sicke Man .

Mine hearte is wained from the loue of the base lump of this Earth .

I desire to heare some-thing more concerning these celestiall buildings , which Scripture calleth , euerlasting Luk. 16. 9. Tabernacles , the resting place of all created desires : Seeing there after Death wee must sojourne eternallie , let mee hea●…e of the Glorie of these heauenlie Mansions prepared for Gods most precious jewels : * * Note O these blessed burnished vauts all beset with diuine Mal. 3. 16 Dyamonds : Let mee heare a description of that Palace .

The Pastour .

The matter is high , Our creeping wordes of Babel cannot reach to the ancles of such loftie matters , are but Iob. 8. 9. of yesterday , and know nothing : As I know I shall in my stammering tong and mussling speech doe what I can for to allure you to the loue thereof .

As for the structure , furniture and beautie of that Palace of our God , it is wonderfull : By no skill can any mortall hand chalk them out : There is that blessed Bridegroomes chamber garnished with an azured Curtaine which is embrodered and spangled with starres of light , as with golden studs , whose beautie no mortall tongue is able fullie to expresse : * * Note Well may wee say and sing of that Citie that which Dauid sang of its figure : Glorious thinges are spoken of Psal. 87. 1. thee , O thou Citie of our God , nay , let mee rather say of the figured Citie , such glorious things are in thee , that they cannot bee spoken , O thou Citie of our God .

* * Note All the glories we see without are but sparkles of these infinitlie bright blazing perfections , which are within , euen things which eye neuer sawe , eare neuer heard , and which cannot enter into the heart of man : One said verie well ▪

* * Note Res verae sunt in mundo invisibili , in mundo visibili vmbrae rerum .

That is , In Heauen the invisible world is the substance of thinges indeede , but in this visible world on earth is nothing but shadowes of thinges , which are lesse than accidents .

* * Note The greatest glorie that wee see in the out-side of the Heauens is but a vaile that couereth the glorie that is within , as the Badgers skinnes couered the Arke of glorie and the Exod. 26. 15 Tabernacle : * * Note But because wee are in this world as children in the wombe , wee cannot conceiue what can bee without this world , wee haue made a great conception , if wee can conceiue that it cannot bee conceiued , wee muse well of Heauen , if while wee muse we bee amazed , counting all joye , pleasure , profite , and preferment Philip. 3. 8 below to be both losse & doung in comparison of thinges that are aboue which infinitlie goe beyond all created comprehensions : If these who goe downe to the deepes see the Psal 107. 23 wonders of the Lord , what wonders shall they see who are in the hights of eternitie ? What rest can a man looke for till hee bee into the Heauens ? * * Note There the blasts of winds , and tempests of tongs & terrours of Conscience are not : there the Church the Lords Lillie is no more among Can. 2. 2. the thornes : There the heart of man is no more greiued nor ouer clouded with lowring Melancholie , all is in peace within : All is calme & cleare . * * Note There is day without night , heauens without cloudes , mirth without mourning joy without sorrow , and beautie without blemish .

* * Note All good thinges muste abound there , where God shall bee All in all : When wee shall bee there , our God shall enlighten our minde , and shall giue our will its will without controlement : Then shall no man say , I doe the euill that I would not , Rom , 7. 19 and doe not the good that I would doe : nay , but wee shall doe all the good wee would , beeing in no wi●…e troubled with the euill wee would Reuel. 14. 13. not : Then shall wee rest from all our labours , refreshed vnder the euerlasting shadowes of Christ , that most Cant. 2. 3 pleasant Apple Tree , whose fruite is sweete to the taste : Nothing in a word shall bee inlaking that may rejoyce all the senses of our body without , & all the faculties of our Soules within : All the Godlie these blessed Denizens of Heauen shall euer in a Quire sing the praises of the Lambe ▪ Halleluiah Reuel. 19. ●… Halleluiah vpon the loud Cymbals , Harpes , Organes and Timbrels of God .

* * Note O Lord , one day in thy Court is better Psal. 84. 10 than a thousand else where said the Psalmest , speaking but of the figure of heauen : Is it so of the figure of heauen : what shall it be them to be in heauen it selfe ? euen in these new heauens Let it be but the tenth better , according to that one day in Heauen , shall bee better by ten thousands times than the best day that euer man did see on earth ▪

* * Note There is no serenitie below ▪ which is not ouer clouded with some dumpes of heauinesse , while the flesh is vpon the Soule it shal be sorrowfull : Pure & sincere joys cannot dwel in the valley of teares in this muddie mortalitie : One day aboue is more bright and better than tenne thousand below : Is it so of one day in Heauen ? Mercifull God , what shall it be then of these dayes without number , euen of that euerlasting of dayes , euen that eternal day of light , life , & libertie , cleare without all g●…mie clouds of sicknes & of sorrows ▪ * * Note O for a sight of the light of that countenance a light of continuance which no mistie vapour shal for euer bee able to ecclips : O Day neuer to be darkened with a following light ! O euer fresh pleasures which no sorrow shall bee able to fret , waste , or weare out ! O Eternitie , Eternitie , neuer to haue an end ! O that faire heritage ! vnto all these that are there , The lines are fallen in pleasant places . Psal. 16. 6.

* * Note If wee had heartes to belieue , the thoughts of such Glories should waine our heartes from the milkie transitorie trashes below , which worldlings dreame to bee an heauen , not to bee changed with any such preached pleasures : O when shall our Soules get them , with the Spouse to these high Mountaines of Myrrhe Cant. 4. 6 and hills of frankincense !

* * Note The consideration of this happinesse made Ignatius a Scholer of S. Paul , to defie all the tormentes Hiero in Catologo●… . that cruell Burrios could inuent for the tormenting of his bodie : Fire , Gallowes , beasts , said he , Crushing of my bones , quartering of my members , breaking of my bodie : Let all the torments of Sathan seaze vpon me together , I care not for them , so that I may enjoye my Lord and his righteousnesse . O that all the thoughts of our heartes were made subordinate and contributarie to such spirituall and diuine desires .

The sicke Man .

O Lord , in the multitude of thy thoughts within mee , thy comforts delight my Soule . Continue your speach I pray you concerning the beautie of the Heauens within which is the Presence-Chamber of the great King .

The Pastour .

* * Note S. Iohn describes it with such wordes as men are able to vnderstand or imagine : The vnderstanding of man concerning the beautie of a Place , reacheth no further , than to Gold , Glasse , Crystall , Pearles , and precious stones , which indeed are nothing but like Coales , or drosse in comparison of these heauenlie bodies .

* Before that the man of God beganne to declare what hee had seene of Heauen , hee said that there came vnto him an Angel that carried him away to a great & high mountaine , & shewed him the great Citie the holie Ierusalem a type and figure Psal. 87. 3. of Heauen : Glorious thinges are spoken of thee , O Citie of our God , euen of thee Ierusalem .

Because that Ierusalem was a type and figure of Heauen I shall first speake a little thereof .

As for the earthlie it was a Citie in Iudea builded as some thinke by Melchisedec : Otherwise it was called , Salem , and Iebus or Iebusi : After that , it was called Aelia , from Aelius Hadrianus the Emperour , who builded a part thereof , and enuironed Mount Caluarie , Christes Sepulchre , and Golgotha with a wall .

This Citie had two parts , the vpper part and the lower : The vpmost part thereof with the Temple was builded vpon mount Moriah . 2 Chr ; 1

* * Note Because in this Citie the Lord had his residence and did shew himselfe more familiarlie than into any other part of the world , it was called The perfection of beautie and joye of the Lam. 2. 15 whole earth : It is written that in circuite & compasse it was foure miles : In forme it was foure square , hauing twelue gates : Ioseph recordeth that Ioseph. 7 Booke chap. 3. it was Dauid that first called the Citie Ierusalem : In the time of Abraham , said hee , it was called , Solyme : Some also say , that Homere called it Solyme , which in the Hebrew tong , saith Ioseph , signifieth a Fortresse .

Thus much concerning the earthlie Ierusalem , which now is in bondage with her Children , the most cursed Citie in the world , since that desperate voyce of blasphemie was heard in it , His blood bee vpon vs and Ma●…h . 27. 1●… vpon our Children .

The sicke Man .

That is a fearefull desolation .

The Pastour .

Great was that desolation : It is called , The abomination of desolation , Matth. 24 ▪ 15 a desolation abominable , or foresignified by an abomination .

The sicke man .

I remember well of these words of that Gospel : This I remember that Christ did speake them with a Nota , Who so readeth let him vnderstand : Often while I did reade these words I found my selfe secretelie accused of negligence , in that I tooke paines to vnderstand the saying which Christ desired the Reader to vnderstand , I pray you Sir let mee vnderstand the words .

The Pastour .

The wordes are these , When yee Matth. 24 15 therefore shall see the abomination of desolation , spoken of by Daniel the Prophet , stand in the holie place , ( who so readeth let him vnderstand ) ▪ Then vers. 16 let them which are in Iudea , flie into the mountaines .

The wordes of Daniel are these , Dan. 9. 6. And after threescore and two weekes , shall Messiah bee cutte off , but not for himselfe : And the people of the Prince that shall come , shall destroy the vers. 27. Citie , and the Sanctuarie , and the ende thereof shall bee with a floode , and vnto the end of the warre desolations are determined : And hee shall confirme the Couenant with many for one weeke , and in the midst of the weeke hee shall cause the oblation and the sacrifice to cease , and for the ouer ▪ spre●…ding of abominations hee shall make i●… desolate , euen vntill the consummation , and that determined shall bee powred vpon the desolate . These bee the wordes of the Prophet , of which Christ said , Who so readeth , let him vnderstand .

* * Note The meaning is this : By this 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 abomination of desolation , The most learned vnderstand that Romane armie , which vnder Vespasian and Titus , fearefullie wasted the land of Iudea , & sacked the Citie of Ierusalem : It was said , To stand in the holy place that is , in the holie Land of Iudea neare vnto Ierusalem the holie Citie : In these wordes Christ foretold of the ruine of that Citie , according to Daniel who of before had particularlie set downe the time : Thus as yee see the Romane armie was called , The abomination of desolation that is , Abominatio desolans seu vastans , abominablie destroying . This is more cleare in S. Luke , When yee shall see Ierusalem compassed with Armies , then know Luk. 21. 20 that the desolation thereof is neare : When that destroying and abominablie desolating Armie compassed that holie Citie , then did the abomination of desolation stand in the holie place : * * Note Some of the Learned interpret this abomination standing in the holie place , to bee that profanation of the Temple , Collocata ibi Aquila , & multis patratis quae per legem non licebant : vnde etiam m●…x sequutum est Templi & vrbis & geni●… excidium : By placing therein the Eagle the Romane Ensigne , and by doing diuerse other thinges forbidden by the Law , wherevpon the desolation of Temple , Citie , and of Nation did ensue .

The sicke Man .

I thinke now that I vnderstand by you that which by reading hitherto I haue not vnderstood : What other thing could ensue , but an abomination of desolation where the Messiah was cut off ? If for the blood of Cain vengeance was to be taken on the murtherer seuen-fold , & for the blood of Gen. 4. 15 L●…mech , if his brags were true , seuentie Gen. 4. 24. and seuen fold , what vengeance must bee taken vpon the shedders of the Blood of God ? which not onelie with the blood of Abel did cry Gen. 4. 10 vnto God from the ground , but also from the heauens , wherein the Sun cloathed in doole & wrapped for a space in his mourning weede would not looke vpon that creature wherevpon his Master was slaine ?

But for to leaue this Ierusalem which is now abominablie desolate : Let me heare something of the spirituall Ierusalem .

The Pastour .

* * Note The spirituall Ierusalem is called , Ierusalem which is aboue ▪ & also Gal ▪ 4. 26. the Citie of the liuing God , the heauenlie Heb. 12. 22 Ierusalem , and also the holie Ierusalem descending out of heauen from Reuel. 21. 10 God .

The sicke Man .

Thinke yee that in all these passages of Scripture Ierusalem bee taken after one sense .

The Pastour .

I answere that the spirituall Citie Ierusalem in Scripture is taken two wayes , either for the Church below , wherein God as in a Citie calleth the Godly to immortalitie and happinesse : Or it is taken for the heauens where the Godlie actuallie possesse that which they had heere but in hope . In the first sense the Church militant on earth is called Ierusalem Gal. 4. 26. aboue , and the heauenlie Ierusalem . Heb. 12. 22

The sicke Man .

Seeing by that Ierusalem is vnderstood the Church heere below , wherfore is it called , Ierusalem aboue , and the heauenlie Ierusalem ? I thoght euer that such a Ierusalem did signifie the heauens .

The Pastour .

* * Note It is called , Aboue and heauenlie , because all the true Godlie the denizens thereof , minde the thinges that are aboue : Though their bodies Col. 3. 1. bee heere , their heartes are into the Heauens . For our conuersation , as S. Paule saith , is in heauen . For Philip. 3. 20 this spirituall exaltation of heartes , the Church in the New-Testament is called ▪ The mountaine of the Lords house established in the top of the mountaines exalted aboue the hill .

* * Note One speaking of this Ierusalem which S. Paul . called Ierusalem aboue , Gal. 4 , 26. the mother of vs all , noteth quickelie these things .

In hoc quod dicitur sursum , originis altitudo . Hugo Card. Quod Ierusalem , Pacis multitudo . Quod mater , Foecunditatis amplitudo . Quod nostrum omnium , Charitatis latitudo .

It is called Aboue from the highnesse of its Kinred a●…d pedegree .

It is called Ierusalem from aboundance of peace .

It is called Free from its great liberties .

It is called ●… Mother because of its fruitfulnesse .

It is called the Mother of vs all to teach vs charitie and loue .

Are wee not all the Children of the Church our Mother ? Why then as Ioseph said to his brethren , See that Gen. 45. 24 yee fall not out by the way .

The sicke Man .

I haue often heard of Ierusalem ; that most famous Citie of the Land of Iurie , but I could neuer well know wherfore it was so called Bethlehem , Bethel , & Bethauen , are easilie known by their significations , viz. House of Bread , house of God , & house of wickednesse : But as for Ierusalem I vnderstand not its signification .

The Pastour .

* * Note Learned men are of diuerse opinions concerning the name thereof : Some thinke that it bee so called from Iebus , which was its name while the Iebusiens dwelt there : Hierom thinketh that it is so called from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Greeke word , which signifieth holy , according to this in Scripture it is called , The holie Citie : others are of Matth. 27 53 the opinion that Sem the sonne of Noah called it Salem , that is Peace , and that Abraham called it Iehouah I●…eh , The Lord will prouide or see : Gen. 22 14 Thus at last Salem & Iireh put together by Dauid ; made Ierusalem , that is , Vision of Peac : while it was called Salem , Heb. 7. 2. Melchizedech was King thereof called by the Apostle , King of Salem .

The sicke Man .

Let mee heare a little of the situation of that Citie , and of that Land of Canaan .

The Pastour .

From Britaine it lyeth toward the South East : One calleth it Centrum & terrae vmbilicus , the Center & nauell ▪ of the Earth : In it were two mountaines of great renown , mount Sion & mount Moria : Sion like an halfe Circle as Abricho mijas . writters record , did lye at the South side of Ierusalem : On it was builded the strongest Fortresse of the Citie : There before Dauid's tyme was the strong Hold of the Iebusites , so strong as they thoght , that blind & lame men Sijah , ariditas . were able to keepe it against whomsoeuer : This Mountaine was higher than all the rest : Sion signifieth drynesse , because the Hill was dry without any myre or dirt .

As for mount Moriah , this was the Hill wherevpon that Temple was builded : Then Solomon beganne t●… 2 Chr. 3. 1 build the house of the Lord at Ierusalem in mount Moriah : The ground wherevpon that statelie House did stand , was that threshing floore of Ornan the Iebusite , which Dauid wold buy from him for the full price : The occasion was this ; Dauid hauing caused number the people , the Lord was exceeding wroth , so that in reuenge , hee sent out his Angel who killed with the sword of Pestilence threescore and ten thousand men : At last Dauid lifting vp his eyes , saw the Angel betweene the heauen and the earth , with a drawne sword , stretched out ouer Ierusalem ; which hauing seene , hee and the Elders 1 Chr. 21 16. of Israel cloathed in sacke ▪ cloth , fell vpon their faces : At that tyme Ornan with his foure Sons , while they were threshing Wheate , saw also the vers. 20. Angel , and hid themselues : Dauid vers. 26. vpon that occasion bought the floore , and offered Sacrifices with prayer , and God answered him by fyre vpon the Altar of brunt offering , and so God was pacified : After Dauids death Solomon builded the Temple there : It signifieth the feare or doctrine of GOD ,

The sicke Man .

Let mee heare a little of that glorious Temple .

The Pastour .

It was seuen yeares in building : 1 Kin. 6. 2 The length thereof was threescore cubites , and the breadth thereof twentie cubites , and the hight thereof thritie cubites , all the stones were readie for the wall before they were brought thither : So that there was neither Hammer , vers. 7. nor Axe , nor any toole of yron heard in the House , while it was in building .

Those that write of this Temple diuide it in three parts : First toward the West was Sanctum Sanctorum , 1 Kin. 6 16 the Holie of holies , called also the Oracle . This by a vaile was diuided from all the rest : At the death of Christ this Vaile was rent from the top to the bottome : Before that no man might enter into it but the hig●… Priest , & that but once in the year●… , not without blood : There stood the Heb. 9. 4. Arke wherein was the Pot of Mannah , and Aarons Rod , and the Tables of the Couenant .

The sicke Man .

While I was a Scholler I heard that passage confronted with another , which declareth that neither the Mannah nor the Rod were in the Arke but onelie the Tables .

The Pastour .

Indeede it is written that the Exod. 16. 34 Mannah was layed vp before the Testimonie or Arke : In another place it is plainlie said , There was nothing in the Arke saue the two Tables of stone : 1 Kin. 8. 9 So indeede in that passage of the Epistle to the Hebrewes the Greeke word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifieth juxta beside the A●…ke .

The second roome of the Temple Heb. 9. 2. is called by the Apostle , The first , That is the first part of the Tabern●…cle : Not first in dignitie , but in regard of entrie , if it bee compared with the Holi●…st or Oracle ▪ This part is called Sanctum & Sanctuarium , & See Pisc. in the Heb. 9. 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sancta , which word some of the Learned take to bee corrupt as also 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : In this middle roome was the Candle sticke and the Table of the Shew-bread , and the Altar of incense The third parte of the Temple toward the East , was the Porch called Atrium : Heere stood the Brasen Altar wherevpon the burnt offerings were burnt sub dio , vnder the open aire , as some think on this altar was kept that fire which came downe from Heauen : Heere 2 Chron. 7 〈◊〉 stood also the Molten sea ; set vpon twelue Oxen. &c.

The sicke Man .

I haue heard concerning mount Sion and mount Moriah , and of the holie Temple with great contentment : Now I intreat you to let me Matth. ●… . ●… . heare of the mount of Oliues , while Christ was nigh vnto the Mount , hee sent his Disciples into a Village for to bring him the Asse , whereon hee vers. ●…5 rode thorow Ierusalem the day the little Children cryed , Hosanna , Hosanna .

The Pastour .

Indeede this Mount is well renouned by Christes often resorting vnto it : While hee was sitting vpon the mount of Oliues , hee taught his Matth. 24. 3●… Disciples most diuinelie concerning the destruction of Ierusalem , and the signes preceeding , as also of the end of the world , & of the signes of his comming to Iudgement : It was vpon the mount of Oliues that Christ told Peter that before the Cocke cre●… Ma●… . 14. 30 twise hee should deny him thrise : It was to the mount of Oliues that he came out of Ierusalem , after his last Supper , Matth. 26. 30 for Matthew saith , That after they had sung an Hymne , they went out into the mount of Oliues : It was at the descent of the mount of Oliues that Christ said , That if men should holde Luk. 19. 40 their peace the stones would cry ou●… his praise .

It was in Gethsemane a valley at the roote of the mount of Oliues Matth 26. 36 where Christ suffered the bloodie agonie : While hee there in a colde night did sweate blood , there the Disciples slept : With himselfe hee tooke a part Peter , Iames , and Iohn , Mark . 14. 33 34. to whom hee said , My Soule is exceeding sorrowfull vnto death , tarrie yee heere and watch : There the Lord fell on the ground , praying , that if it were possible the houre might passe from him : all this befell to our Lord at the roote of the Mount of Oliues : At last from the mount of Oliues our Act. 1. , Lord ascended vnto Heauen .

As for the Mount it selfe , it is so called , because of the Oliue trees which grew there in great aboundance . S. Augustine calleth it , The mountain●… of vnction , because of its great fertilitie : Others calleth it , the mountaine of health , because of diuerse Herbes good for Physicke , which growe there . Ierom writteth that vpon this mount the red Cow was burnt , whose Numb. 19 2. ashes were prepared by the Priest●… for separation and purification .

This Mount was s●…uate toward the East from Ierusalem , some thing more than a mile , between it & Ierusalem runneth the Brooke Kidron .

The sicke Man .

Mine heart is sore wounded to heare of these places which hath bene so renouned by the pen of God .

I haue heard of Sion , & of Moria , and of the mount of Oliues : Now let mee heare of Hermon .

The Pastour .

The Hill Hermon is also made glorious by Gods word , wherein mention is made thereof .

The heauens are thine , saith the Psal. 89. 11 vers. 12. Psalmest , the earth also is thine : The North and the South thou hast created them : Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy Name : Dauid speaking of brotherlie loue and of the communion of the Sainctes , compareth it to the oyle that ranne downe vpon the beard of Aaron : To this hee subjoyneth , As the dew of Hermon , and as the dewe that descended vpon the Psal. 133. 3 mountaines of Zion : In the Song of Cant. 4. 8 Solomon mention is made of Shenir and Hermon .

This Hill hath three names , the Iewes call it Hermon , the Amorites Deu. ●…3 . 9. call it Shenir , and the Sydonians call it Sirion : Moses by the figure Syncope , t●…king out two Letters , calleth it Syon : From Aroer to Arnon , saith he , Deut. 4. 48 euen vnto mount Syon , which is Hermon . This Mountaine is thought by some to bee higher than mount Syon that is in Ierusalem : It is neare the Iordan , not farre from the mountaines of Gilboa where King Saul was slaine .

Some will it to bee called Hermon from Heren res devota , a thing consecrate to God or to an holie vse .

The sicke Man .

There is a passage in the Psalme concerning Hermon whereof I know not well the sense . O my God , saith Psal. 42. 6. the Psalmest , my Soule is cast downe within mee : Therefore will I remember thee from the Land of Iordan , and of the Hermonites from the hill of Missar , or the little hill .

The Pastour .

These wordes want not difficultie : In our poesie they are turned after this manner ,

And thus my Soule within mee , Lord , doeth faint to thinke vpon The Land of Iordan , and record , the little hill Hermon .

In the French paraphrase it is after this manner ,

Car t'ay de toy souuenance Depuis out●…e le Iordain , Et la froide demourance De Hermon , pais ha●…tain : Et de Mizar antre mont , &c.

In the French paraphrase made by Beza , & also in the English and French versions it is turned , the hill Missar which is some other hill lesse than Hermon as the Hebrew word doth import : In my judgement our paraphrase is not so correct as the French , for Hermon was not a little Hill as our meter calleth it , but as it is esteemed by the Learned was higher than mount Sion .

By the Land of the Hermonits the Learned vnderstand that hillie space of the countrey where is mount Hermon , and by Missar they vnderstand some other parte where there be little hils towards the border of Israel ; as Iunius expoundeth : By Iunius . these three places of the Psalme , viz. The Land of Iordan , Hermon , and Missar , are vnderstood , saith hee , three diuerse Borders of the Land of Israel : The Riuer of Iordan bordering at the East , Hermon at the North towards vs , and Missar these other little hils bordering at the South .

In the Papists version these be the wordes of the Psalme ,

Memor ero tui de terra Iordanis , & Hermonoim a monte modico , That is , Fro●… the little hill Hermonoim : whether that bee mount Hermon or no●… , Bellarmin on the 42. Psalme . saith one of their most learned inte●…preters non liquet , I cannot tell .

The most part of these that wri●… mount Hermon , thinke that there were two mountaines of this name : The one was beyond Iordan neere vnto Libanus towards the Northeast , distant from it an hundreth Of Ierusalem . twenty & two myles . The other was neere to mount Tabor towards the North From Ierusalem : It is from Ierusalem to it but about fourty myls : of this the Psalmist seemeth to speak where hee saith , Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy Name .

The sicke Man .

It rejoyceth my Soule to heare the names of things which were said to rejoyce in God : Now speake of Tabor .

The Pastour .

Tabor is mons rotundus & sublimis , Hieron . a round and high mountaine , lying towards the North from Ierusalem about fiftie myles : It is esteemed to bee one of the chiefe Hils that are in all the Land of Candan , both for highnesse and fruitfulnesse : Some esteeme that it bee foure myles and more of hight : It is decored with all sorts of Herbes and Trees : S. Ierome speaking of it saith , Ex omni parte finitur aequaliter , it is an exceeding round Hill into the partes of Galilee . Of this Mount frequent mention is made in Scripture : In Ioshuah wee Ioshu. 19. 2●… see that it bordered the lotte of the Land of the tribe of Issa●…har whose coast reached vnto Tabor : It was Ioshu. 19. 22 neere vnto Tabor where Deborah & Iudg 4. 6. Barak ouerthrew the Armie of King Iabin with his Captaine Sisera : For Barak beeing vpon the Mount with his men of warre by the counsell of Deborah hee went downe from moun●… vers. 14. Tabor , and tenne thousand men after him : It was vpon this Mount that Zebah & Zalmunna the Kings of the Midianites slew the brethren of Gideon : Iudg. 8. 18 What manner of men , said hee vnto them , were they whom yee slew a●… Tabor ? It was at the plaine of Tabor ●… Sam. 10. 3 where Saul after hee was anoynted by Samuel , met the three men going to Bethel with Kids , Loaues , & wine .

This Hill was so steepe and so strong , that Ieremie from thence took his comparison , saying , That Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon should ouerthrow Pharaoh and his Armie , though they were as Tabor among the Ier. 46. 1●… mountaines .

It is the opinion of all , that vpon this Mount Christe was transfigured Matth. 17. 1. when Moses and Elias came downe and con●…erred with him touching his sufferings .

The sicke Man .

From Tabor proceede to Carmel Ier. 46. 18 by the sea ▪ I finde within mee great heauinesse of heart , while I thinke vpon these places where God once did shew so many tokens of his loue :

The Pastour .

I finde also mine owne bowels moued with a mourning r●…otion : Oh , that that people had beene wise : O ●… their example may teach vs to feare Rom. 11. 21 to offend so great a Majestie : If God hath not spared the naturall branches , wee should not bee high minded , but should feare : If wee continue not in his goodnesse , hee will also cut vs off . But to the purpose .

As for Carmel it is the name of a Citie in the tribe of Iuda Maon , Carmel , Ioshu. 15. 55 and Ziph were Cit●…es there .

It is also the name of that most fertile mountaine which had a valey most fruitfull lying hard by it : For its fertilitie in Scripture language , all fertile places are called Carmel : The flourishing estate of Christes Isa. 35. 2. Kingdome is called , The excellencie of Carmel . It is not farre from P●…lemais , neere vnto the Sea , for which cause the Prophet Ieremie called it Ier. 46. 81 Carmel by the Sea .

It was at mount Carmel where Elias 1 King . 18. 20 by his prayer made fire to come downe & consume his sacrifice with the water in the ditch , wherby he confounded the Priests of Baal , & proued the Lord to bee God by fire : It was vpon the top of this mountaine where 1 Kin. 18. 42 Elias cast himselfe downe vpon the Earth , putting his head betweene his knees when his seruant spyed the Cloud like a mans hand arising out of the Sea .

The sicke Man .

O but mine heart bleedeth to remember of these holie places wherin is nothing now but desolation .

The Pastour .

We haue to pray with Moses , That Psal. 90. 17. the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs : All these beauties of Canaan are past and gone : That glorious Ierusalem , is razed and sacked with all her pompe : Invndations of woes are vpon that Land which once did flow with Milke and Honey , the land hath spewed ou●… its habitants : All this should bee for to teach vs to minde these better things which are aboue : While that Land was at its best it could not containe the shadowes of these pleasures that are aboue .

Melle fluit terra hoc promissa & lacte redundat . Ast ea quo sursum est nectare & Ambrosia .

This haue I thus Englished .

With honey milk that holy Land , did richlie ouerflow : But Nactar sweete and Ambrosie , aboue doe richlie grow .

While wee remember of that peoples Rom. 11. 21 desolations , let vs bee instant with God , that hee would call them in : They haue stumbled not that they should fall , but that by their fall Saluation m●…ght come to vs for to prouocke them to jealousie : If they abide not in vnbeliefe they shall be graffed in : Let vs be earnest in prayer for them : While they had court with God , they were careful for vs Gentiles : In their familiaritie with God , they Can. ●… . 1. spake of vs and for vs : Wee haue a little Sister , said they , What shall wee doe with her in the day shee shall be spoken for : The sincere Iewes euer groned for the fulfilling of Noa●… Gen. 9 , 27. prophecie , that God would perswad Iaphet to enter into the tents of Sem.

LORD of thy mercie bring A prayer back Sem that he may remaine with Iaphet in the Church of God , Amen .

The sicke Man .

I haue heard sufficientlie concerning the earthlie Ierusalem , & diuerse parts of the holie Land , & that with griefe of heart , because in that Land where God once was well knowne , now the enemies of God dominire : The cry of Christs Blood is yet still against it , so that it hath spewed out the ancient inhabitants . Lord , make all Nations by its example learne to stand in awe to prouoke so great a Majestie .

Now let vs come to that Ie●…usalem which is aboue , the Palace of the great King , where God is seene of his Sainctes face to face : In what place of Scripture is mention made of it ?

The Pastour .

In the two last Chapters of th●… Reuelation that heauenlie Ierusalem is described .

The sicke Man .

How can that bee , seeing it is said that Iohn saw that heauenlie Ierusalem descending out of heauen from Reuel. 21. 10. GOD.

The Pastou●… .

As Ierusalem Gods Church heere Gal. 2. 6. below is call●…d Ierusalem which is aboue , because her heart is in heauen with a great desire to bee there : So Ierusalem the triumphing Church aboue may bee said , To descend out of Reuel. 21. 16 heauen , because of the great desire they haue to see vs all well heere below : Daylie they pray in Heauen for the Sainctes heere fighting on earth vnder the bloodie Banne●… of Christ Iesus : * * Note They pray fo●… them all in generall , which cannot bee without great affection descending from the reflexe of their loue toward our God : If by some Angel they heare the report of the conuersion of sinners , there is great joy●… Luk. 15. 7 in Heauen : That good will and affection they beare vnto the Sainctes below , in Scripture language is called a descending out of Heauen . Reuel. 21. 10

The sicke Man .

O but ae I thinke that Citie must be glorious !

The Pastour .

No glorie is comparable to that which is there : That Citie is called an holie Citie : Holinesse is the Matth. 27 53 chiefest beautie that is : This was good Moses his prayer , Let the beautie Psal. 90. 17 of the Lord our God bee vpon vs , that is true holinesse .

* * Note This most excellent beautie of the heauens , is typified by the most bright glauncing of precious stones : Her light , saith S. Iohn was like vnto Reuel. 21. 11 a stone most precious , euen like a Iasper stone cleare as Crystall , two creatures colour greene and cleare , most pleasant for the sight of the eye .

By all this this Citie had twelue gates , and at the gates twelue Angels , whom I may well call Coelestes Ianito●…es , the blessed doore keepers of Heauen .

The building of the wall was of Iasper , and the Citie was pure Gold vers. 1●… . like vnto cleare Glasse : * * Note The foundation stones which are laid in our buildings are but of the commonest sort : But all the foundation stones of this Citie vnder whose Vaults wee sojourne here , are most precious , stones as Iasper , Saphir , Chaleedonie , Emerald , vers. 19 Sardonix , Sarduis , Crysolite , Berill , vers. 20. Topas , Iacinct , Amethyste : If such glorious stones bee the foundation stones , what glorie must bee aboue in the Palace top , where is the busking of Beautie ?

As for the gates , The twelue gates vers. 21. were twelue Pearles , euery seuerall ga●… was of one Pearle : Wonderfull gates of wonderfull Iewels , for who euer on Earth sawe a Pearle so great as an Apple ? * * Note Behold and wonder how the greatest doore of Heauen should bee of one Pearle .

As for the streetes of the Citie they were pure gold as it were transparent vers. 21 glasse : * * Note This Glasse one calleth it ,

Aliquid auro nobilius quod Aret. in Apocalip non est inrerum natura .

That is , Some thing more precious & excellent than gold , which thing is not in this worlde to bee found .

O mercifull God , what stupiditie is this in man , that hee cannot so feruentlie loue this God , who hath builded for his Soule & bodie such a pleasant Palace where he shal sojourn for euer in most happy immortality ! O mercifull God , what a deadnesse & dulnesse is this in our spirits , that we cannot but after many reasons & arguments be content to remoue from Iob. 4. 19 these our sinfull Tabernacles of clay for to goe dwell with our God in his golden Citie & Palace of siluer , where Reuel. 21. 21 the Lord for euer shall feast vs with Cant. 8. 9 the joyes of his countenance among these purer Spirites , his excellent Ones the Angels of glorie !

The sicke Man .

It is certainelie a great blindnesse : Lord , put the eye salue of Grace to our carnall & naturalleyes , that our sight Reuel. 3. 18 beeing cleared thereby wee may get some glimpse of these Palaces and Pleasures that are aboue : O Lord , hoise vp mine heart , & raise it out of the muck of this earth : mak the relish of Heauen to dash out of mine heart all earthlie desires .

It is marueilous how the Soule of man shuld be such a stranger to heauen : * * Note When I consider howe the Soule that diuine proportion , so noblie furnished with powers of great e●…euation , euen of most high contemplation , should so deba●…e it selfe among myre and dirt , not hauing a face to behold the heauens , it putteth mine heart into a wonderfull maze : What can a Soule find either in heauen or earth , except God alone which is able to satisfie the desires of its so wide Capacitie ?

* * Note O the beautie of these celestiall buildinges , all Gold and Azure ▪ But rather O the beautie of GOD himselfe in whose presence is the greatest glorie of that painted Palace ! O the beautie of beauties of him whose mercifull presence shuld turne the hels of paine into heauens of Psal. 16. 1●… pleasures for euermore ! O let the beautie Psal. 90. 17 of the Lord our God bee vpon vs : * O what a fickle follie is this for man to losse eternitie of happinesse for the minute of a miserable life , in worldlie pleasures wherein is more sensible paine ; than joye that can bee enjoyed !

But to follow out our purpose intended concerning heauens glorie : I haue Sir alreadie heard of the beautie of that Citie , nowe let mee heare of its Boundes : None as I thinke shall bee there troubled for want of Elbow-roome .

The Pastour .

* O the vnspeakable bounds that bee there : S. Iohn saith that it was measured with a golden reede : The Reuel. 21. 15 measure thereof as the word of God testifieth , was Twelue thousand furlongs , vers. 16. which is more than fifteene hundreth myle : Numerus indefinitus pro definito .

A Citie greater in boundes , than who should joyne together in one that great Niniuie , Paris , Rome , London , Venise , Alexandria , Constantenople , and that great Alcaire , or Babylon a citie containing in circuite foure hundreth foure ▪ score furlongs : Nay , joyne all the Cities of the world together in one , and they shall in no way bee comparable vnto this Citie of our God , as it is ●…et downe in the Cart of the Reuelation .

Let a man behold the Cart of the world , and in it hee shall easilie couer with his hand all the bounds of Europe : But behold how the Heauens in that Cart of God occupie more than fifteene hundreth myles .

What I pray you , is all this Earth in comparison of these heauenlie Mansions , but an hand-breadth in comparison of fifteene hundreth myles ? * * Note What wonder seeing as the most learned Philosophers haue obserued , the least fixed conspicuous starre which seemeth to bee but a golden naile fixed into this seiled house containeth the greatnes of the earth eighteene ▪ fold : Others of the greater sort are esteemed to bee more than an hundreth sold greater than the whole earth .

It is most certaine that if the whole bodie of the earth were where a star is , it should not appeare so great as that little blacke spot that we see into the Moone : Nay , certainelie though an hundreth Earthes as great as all this were joyned in a cluster or in one masse , they should not there appeare so great as a little more in the Sun : for seeing a star which is of such a bignesse and such a brightnes , seemeth to bee but a sparkle ; as much of earth as would come to the greatnesse of a starre , beeing corpus opacum , a bodie darke and duskish shuld not in any way bee able to bee an object for our sight heere below .

* * Note Fye on foolish Atheimse that will not looke vp to the Heauens for to consider what an Arme it can bee which turneth about with a continuall whirling Bodies of such a quantitie .

The sicke man .

Oh , that wee could vnder ▪ value our selues as wee should , to acknowledge our stupiditie : * * Note Hee is not a man indeede but a beas●… , that can not say and thinke with that wise Agure , Prou. 30. 2 Surelie I am more brutish than any man , and haue not the vnderstanding of a man .

The Pastour .

Oh , that wee were wise , for wisedome Prou. ●… . 11 is better than Rubies : Oh , that wee were wise , for the man that wandreth Prou. ●…1 . 16 out of the way of vnderstanding , shall remaine in the congregation of the dead : Wee are such muddie worldlings that wee cannot thinke of that immortalitie of pure and refined pleasures that are aboue .

The sicke Man .

But to the purpose : Is there not a Temple in Heauen wherein the Sainctes conueene for the seruice of their God ?

The Pastour .

S. Iohn saith , That hee sawe no Reuel. 21. 22 Temple therein , for the Lord God Almightie and the Lambe are the Temple of it .

The sicke Man .

I vnderstand not howe the Lord God can bee said to bee the Temple A Godlie Prayer . thereof . O Lord , sette bounds and limi●…s to my curiositie : Let the loue of thy selfe haue the preheminence in swaying all my desires .

A Temple or Church properlie signifie a particular house appointed for Gods seruice : for so it is that such an house should not bee in heauen : But the Lord himselfe ▪ shall bee to all the Sainctes in steede of such an house ▪ The Temple is a place properlie for offering vp of sacrifices for instruction of ignorants , for comforting of these that are afflicted .

* * Note To declare vnto vs that there shall bee no neede of such thinges the Scripture teacheth that there shall bee no Temple , but that the Lord and the Lambe shall bee the Temple , that is , shall bee in steede of sacrifice , instruction , comfort , joye , & all other good things vnto his owne , so that hee shall bee All in all : No created Spirit is able to conceiue & wade thorow such mysteries .

The sicke Man .

The summe of your discourse , as I perceiue , is that though that Citie want a Temple , God himselfe by his presence shall bee in steede of all thinges which are helpefull vnto vs heere : But it would seeme by another place of the Reuelation , that in the Heauen there is a Temple : There was giuen mee a reede like vnto a rod , saith S. Iohn , and the Angel stood saying , Reuel. 11. 1. Rise and measure the Temple of God .

The Pastour .

* * Note By that Temple is to bee vnderstood the Church of God on earth , as the most Learned esteeme .

* * Note They also thinke that this Calamus mensorius measuring Reede . is the rule of holie Scriptures , wherby Sectes , & Heresies are discerned from the trueth of Religion .

By this Temple heere I say , Wee must vnderstand the Church of Christ , according to this it is said to the Faithfull , Know yee not that yee 1 Cor. 3. 16 are the Temple of God , and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? The hearts of all the faithful are a Temple which God hath consecrate vnto himselfe for his Spirit to dwell in .

The sické Man .

O my God , keepe still mine heart A godlie Prayer . in an holie spirituall temper : Soften and season it with the dew of thy Grace : Inlighten the eyes of my mistie minde , that beeing made quicke and nimble , they may sharplie discerne , and with a liuelie vigour apprehend their blessed object euen God himselfe , the Soueraigne felicitie of my Soule : O Lord of immortalitie , make heauenlie meditations only to lodge into mine heart which may bread therein thoughts of a more noble and spirituall temper then ordinarlie arise and are fostered in earthlie minded men ' who drinke vp iniquitie like water and feede vpon it as the horse Leech vpon corruption .

The Pastour .

The Lord giue eare to your desires : Oh , that wee could consider how our drousie thoughts , and dull affections are so glued vnto the world as though Eternitie of happinesse were lodged vpon earth , and the short time of pleasures had its residence onelie in the Heauens : Such follies and fancies by the subtilitie of Sathan , are moulded into vnstable and vnhallowed braines . There is a secret influence of folie from the corruption of our Nature , whereby except that Gods Grace stand in the gap and debarre it , all the wisedome of God shall seeme to bee but follie vnto the Soule of man .

The sicke Man .

The Lord giue vs wisedome in all things .

But to follow our purpose , seeing wee are now speaking of that heauenlie Ierusalem , I would gladlie heare you declare the differences that are betweene the heauenly and the earthly Ierusalem .

The Pastour .

There bee many notable differences worthie our obseruations :

1. * * Note The earthlie was builded into dust , and now it hath the salt of Gods curse sown vpon it : The other hath its foundation into the Heauens blessed for euer .

2. That which is below had not a gate for euerie Tribe neither were all Israel free Denizens therein .

* * Note But as for the Citie aboue , The gates thereof , said Ezekiel , shall bee after Ezek. 48. 31 the name of the Tribes of Israel : The name of the Citie from that day shall be IEHOVAH SHAMMAH , vers. 35. The Lord is there : S. Iohn saith , That hee saw this Citie enuironed with a wall both great and high with twelue Reuel. 21. 12 gates , and at the gates twelue Angels , and names written thereon , which are names of the twelue Tribes of the Children of Israel .

3 That which was earthlie was abhorred by the Gentiles , and at last by them destroyed , and now by Turkes possessed and subdued : * * Note But as for Ierusalem aboue , The Nations of them which are saued , shall walke in Reuel. 21. 24 the light of it , & the Kings of the earth doe bring their honour & glorie into it . 4 These of the earthlie Ierusalem could not see without the light of the Sunne by day , and of the Moone by night : It behoued them to haue fire and Candles in the night time as in any other Citie : * * Note But to Ierusalem Isa. 60. 19 aboue , God hath said , The Sun shall no more bee thy light by day , neither for brightnesse shall the Moone giue light vnto thee : But the Lord shall bee vnto thee an euerlasting light , and thy God thy Glorie : Thy Sunne shall no vers. 20. more goe down neither shall thy Moone with-draw it selfe ; for the Lord shall bee thine euerlasting Light . 5 In the earthly Ierusalem , often in place of Iustice was a seat of malice : * * Note But in the new Ierusalem euill judges shall haue no sitting , but the Throne Reuel. 22. 3. of God and of the Lambe shall bee in it Psal. 129. 4 an appointed seat , for the righteous Isa. 28. 17 Lord who shall lay judgment to the line and righteousnesse to the plummet .

The sicke Man .

O but my Soule is going to a pleasant Palace : O thou my Soule rejoyce within mee , that God hath prepared such pleasures for thee : O how ami●…ble are thy Tabernacles , O Psal. 84. 1. Lord of hostes : Mine heart is in heauen : Psal. 87. 3. Glorious things are spoken of the●… , O thou Citie of our God .

The Pastour .

It is certaine that mans heart can not conceiue the beautie of these buildings within : * * Note If the house of God on earth seemed so pleasant to King Dauid that hee counted this the one thing hee would seeke , that hee might dwell into it , what shall wee thinke or say concerning Gods Palace in the Heauens ? One thing , said hee , haue I desired of the Lord , that I will seeke after that I may dwell in the Psal. 27. 4. house of the Lord all the dayes of my life , to behold the BEAVTIE of the Lord .

Lords mercie , what dulnesse and deadnesse of heart is this , that wee seeke not after the same ? should not this be our one thing ? euen our onelie hearts desire to dwell with God aboue , for to behold that BEAVTIE of the Lord , these euer g●…eene pleasures in his celestiall arbours .

* * Note There is nothing heere below which can bee sufficient for to expresse the image , nay , not the shadowe of these things that are aboue : In the most glorious creatures which are below , as Gold , Glasse , Crystall , Pearles , and precious Stones , we may see some thinges like shadowes of these glorious thinges aboue : But there is no creature heere which can carrie to our imagination the shadow let bee the image of the glorie that is vp into that Holie of holies : O but God is wonderfull in counsell and excellent Isa. 28. 29 in working : But our Soules are so sleepie and sluggish that they cannot consider : * * Note The fancies and folies of the earth bring vs quite out of conceite with celestiall pleasures : Alas , in the best of vs the seedes of grace lye buried vnder the thornes shamefullie ouertopped by them : The little dramme of goodnesse in our hearts is waighed down with weightie talents of wickednes : a mighty streame of earth●…y thoghts and worldlie desires lik a Torrent carieth our Soules down the hill from all heauenlie contemplations : The clawing flatterers of our worldly affections whisper vnto vs that it is good for vs to bee heere .

The sicke Man .

The Lord subdue the master sinne A prayer which like a Ring-leader and head of all wickednesse , maketh all our purest conceptions of heauen to be come moodie and drumlie .

O Lord , let thy graces in mee bee A prayer presentlie vp in armes for to remoue all such earthlie mindednesse from mine heart , by the power of thy diuine Armerouse vp this drousie soule , that it may seeke thee afresh by a renewed act of Faith and Repentance : Make mine heart to detaste all earthlie pleasures which are but rotten at the heart : Kindle in mine heart a loue of thy Palace aboue , stirre vp all my desires with a foretaste of the pleasures that are there ; that finding the comfortable relish thereof I may most willingly desire to be dissolued and to bee with Christ in the heauens for euer : O Lord , in stead of all meanes both outward & inward , supplie mee aboundantlie with the presence of thy Spirit : Waine my Soule from the loue of the earth , that thou may winne it to the loue of the Heauens .

O happie they who studie to pietie and puritie for no vncleane thing shall bee able to enter into these mansions .

O Lord , let vs not bee like these who A prayer after that they haue seemed to disgorge their stomackes most filthilie with the Dogge , swallow vp their owne vomit againe : O shelter mee and saue me from the vnsoundnesse and vnsettlednesse of a deceitfull heart , that I lash not out into the excesse of supperfluitie of wickednesse : now while wee are speaking of the heauens , make all the loue of the earth hencefoorth to bee cryed downe into my Soule .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen : I am rejoyced that while we are speaking of the heauens , the Spirite of grace furnisheth you with such heauenlie prayers which would hearten any man , to runne thorow hell to Heauen , except that hee bee of the number of these who thinke it but a tricke to goe to hell .

The sicke Man .

I pray you now Sir , to continue into that purpose concerning the glorie of Heauen , for it affecteth much my Soule : Your powerfull speach maketh my minde to stay in a feeling meditation vpon these beauties that are aboue .

* * Note If I heard not such good purpose , my mind would either feede vpon dull and fruitlesse melancholie , or else should gade and runne ryot in reuellings and in a world of foolish and fond imaginations .

* * Note The thoughts of man cannot runne long without rubor interruption in Spirituall things , except that God in mercie both support them outwardlie and sinew them inwardlie by the finger of his Spirit : The hearts of men are so light in their gading that moste easilie are they moued to glide ouer the best things , and either swinishlie to wallow infilthinesse , or furiouslie to follow these whose whole pregnancie of witte is spended vpon trifles : Thus mirrilie they passe away that tyme wherein they should redeeme the time that is past .

I wish that mine heart by your discourse were confined to celestiall meditations : Proceede now I pray you where yee left at last .

The Pastour .

My speach was that all the most glorious creatures that wee can either see aboue or below are lesse than shadowes , types or figures , of things that are within the Heauens .

* * Note In them as in a Glasse we see weaklie the invisible things of God : As a man not beeing able to face the Sun beholdeth him in a Basen , full of water , and yet not without some dazeling of his sight : That weakened light will mak his eyes to water , and teares to trickle downe : If the glory of one of Gods seruants be so glistering in robes of light , that no man can behold him but into the glasse of another creature , and that also with great paine . It is certaine that God must put many moe creatures betweene himselfe and vs , that the glorie of his beames beeing weakened by diuerse reflexes from one creature to another , man with his weake tender eyes may looke vpon his light .

* * Note If a man cannot beholde the Sunne in the day , hee may in the night behold his beames vpon the bodie of the Moone : If his sight yet cannot suffer that , hee may behold him in his second reflexe by beholding the Moone in a glasse : If as yet his sight dazle , there is a third and weaker reflexe : By another glasse thou may gette the reflexe of that glassen reflexe .

* * Note Certainlie there must bee manie reflexes of Gods brightnes from one creature to another , before that his invisible things can bee seene by vs : What glorious beames of Gods face thinke yee be these which shine within that highest Heauen called , Coelum Empyrium , the fierie Heauen ? not that there is fire , but because ( as the most Learned thinke ) it is purer than al the other heauens as much as the fire is purer than the other Elements : O what shining brightnesse of God is to be seene there where all is more glauncing and cleare , than that fire which Moses saw in the Bush.

* * Note Let vs come down from thence to behold the glorious Stars the twinckling eyes of Heauen , laughing vpon the godlie with their celestiall smyles : O these bright and peerelesse Pearles . Let vs from thence come downe to the two great Gouernours of the day Gen. 1. 16 and of the night from thence descend to the cleare pureaire so glauncing with the light of the Sunne as if it were all of Azure : Come downe yet , and vnder that are Aquae limpidae , the cleare waters , the mother of Pearles and of precious gold , for the weakest eye there is terra opaca that thicke da●…ke , duskish , and lumpish masse of earth which a bleare eyed Leah , may behold , for in it to see without watering eyes the invisible thinges of God , were it by looking vpon a Lillie , or a Rose or vpon a Snaile or a Snaike .

* * Note Behold the goodnesse of God , who hath sette his creatures by degrees in distance from the place of his inaccessible light that thereby the bleared eyes of men may get some glimpse of the shadowes of his invisible thinges which are of truest worth .

* * Note But O , O , O , what a glorie and matchlesse fairenesse is there where God the King of Glorie is seene face to face O the glorie of the God-head : The knowledge of the least sparkle of that glorie is not attainable by any carnall capacitie .

* * Note Because of that brightnesse that was in Moses his face by the reflexe of that Light which hee had seene but in IEHOVAHS backe partes , it behoued Exod. 34. 33 him to couer his face with a Vaile when hee came for to speake vnto men : Was the skinne of the face of a sinner so inlightened with bright beames from the Back of God , that no man could behold it , nor looke toward it till it was couered with a Vaile ? How many Vailes must God put betweene his face & ours , lest we should be dazeled with his glorie ? I take all the circles of the heauens , the Fire and Aire aboue vs to bee as many obscuring Vailes which the Lord hath cast betweene the Glorie of his face & the eyes of sinful man : * * Note And yet in the Sunne hee hath fastened such a sparkle of his glorie , that by his heate & his brightnes , he will cause man the king of creatures to bee ashamed to behold him : Hee will cause him flie vnto the shadowes , and goe with Gogle eyes of Glasse , for to saue his eyes of flesh from the reflexe of his beames thogh blunted vpon the darke and duskie element of the earth : See how mans sight is so weake that it cannot abide an earthlie blunted reflexe of that celestiall creature .

What shall I say more of the heauens which are so farre aboue vs ? * * Note Let vs come downe and learne humilitie at the feete of creatures Act. 22. 3. below as at the feete of a Gamal●… euen in this elementare ▪ Region of corruption : * * Note Behold there is such a whitenesse into the snow which is but frozen and congealed blacke water , that it will mak the dull sight of man so to dazle , that when hee is entered into his owne house , hee is not able to know the faces that are his owne , yea , many by such brightnes , at last haue lost their sight : Let mee yet come to an obscurer bodie : The small printed Letters which wee read must be darkened with the blacknesse of inke ; and yet because the whitenes of the Paper scattereth so the sight , it must bee gathered with the greenish colour of glassen Spectacles .

* * Note Now I pray you , how should man behold that passing glory of his God , who cannot behold the whitnesse of Paper but with borrowed eyes of Glasse ?

Let men heare learne in his weaknesse to bee humble , and to reuerence him that hath made so many creatures , which for brightnesse he is not able to behold : * * Note If poore man cannot behold the apparrell of Gods creatures clothed with light , or with colours not seene without light : If such a little glaunce is able to dazle his sight , how should hee bee able to behold the King of creatures , euen the great Creator him selfe ; whose backe partes are brighter than tenne thousand Sunnes .

Because of this great weaknesse caused into man by sinne , man is remoued farre from the presence of this King , lest hee should bee destroyed by the brightnesse of his beames : * * Note If while the Sunne shineth with his beames darded directlie down , the creatures are so parched with heate below that they are constrained to gaspe , what should become of vs , if Gods glorie should appeare at our verticall point without the interposition of many other creatures betweene him and vs ? If a little sparkle of his Glorie in the Sunne many thousand myles from vs , maketh a man to faint , sweate , and gaspe , what should become of vs , if God himselfe the consuming Heb. 12. 29 fyre should approach vnto vs ? If the Sunne which seemeth to bee but of an hand-breadth hath such light and heate , what should it bee if all the heauens were inlightened like the Sunne ? Though all the heauens were turned into a Sun , they should not be of such brightnesse as are the backe-parts of IEHOVAH : The Sun Exod. 33. 23 with all his light and heate may mak the face of man more obscure and duskie , but cannot inlighten it : But the backe partes of God , printed such light into the face of a man , that for brightnesse no man could behold it .

* * Note Mercifull God , what stupiditie is this in man , that hee will not consider what a Majestie this must bee , whose obscurest parts are more bright than the Sunne , and who with all is not confined with natural dimensions , as with breadth or length , but is aboue the Heauens infinitlie with infinite bounds and brightnesse the least sparkle whereof is more bright than if the whole Heauens were wholie tarned into a shining Sunne .

* * Note If men knew the pleasures that are there , they wold not losse them for the painefull pleasures , or rather vnpleasant paines of this sinfull life : Alas , that we are so carelesse of the attainment of such a weight of glorie : Alas , that wee gaze so greedilie vpon the painted and varnished vanishing glorie of things below which all perish with the vsing .

* * Note If men knew what relish is into these dainties that are aboue prepared for the Sainctes , they would not so glut themselues with the swinish ●…uskes of earthlie thinges , but would reserue their lust , for that whereof there is no loathing : Fye on men that for follie should losse such an inheritance that fadeth not away . 1 Pet. 1. 4.

* * Note In this world wee haue Bethel the house of God , but aboue is Peniel the place of Gods face , wherein are pleasures for euermore : Below all Psal. 16. 1●… pleasures ebbe and flow with discontent and comfort : But aboue is an euerlasting full sea of joyes which could neuer enter into the heart of man : Vnder the Law God was hid vnder a vaile : In the Gospel wee see him in a glasse : But in heauen 2 Cor. 3. 18. we shall see him face to face , and that indeede euen as hee is .

The sicke Man .

Mine heart by these wordes is possest with a secret louelier auishment : Continue I pray you to declare what more beaucie is within that Paradise : * * Note Let me heare of these pleasures , which the Sainctes there haue in the presence of their God , and what bee the order and chiefe ornaments of that Palace , what bee the attyre of these that follow the Lambe , & what be the forme of their feasting at table with Abraham , Isaac , & Iaacob .

The Pastour .

* * Note Such things are transcendent to all the wits of Nature and to all created inuentions : It is good that wee beware to launch too farre into such a boundlesse and bottomelesse Ocean .

* * Note What is the compasse of mans braine little like a Nut-shell , that it should containe conceptions of that which is infinit ? God who killed the Bethshemites for looking into his Arke , and reproued the Galileens 1 Sam. 6. 19 gazing vp to the Heauens , will not allow men to pierce and prye curiouslie Act. 1. 11. into his misteries which surpasse all created capacitie : * * Note Our greatest wisedome shall bee to wonder at that which passeth the reach of all reason and reuelation : * * Note It may well content the most curious Soule to bee of Gods Court though it be not of his secret Counsell : * * Note In nothing mans reason appeareth more reasonable , than to cease from reasoning in that which is aboue his reach .

The matter is heere so high that all words forsake mee as it were confessing that they are neither fit nor able to expresse such wonderfull misteries : * * Note As the heauens could not bee measured but with a Reede of gold , so cannot these heauenlie things bee declared but in the golden language of heauen which our sinfull mortalitie can neither speake nor vnderstand : * * Note It is dangerous for man to be curious to learne what God esteemeth not necessarie to teach : Man must not haue eares to listen where God hath not a tongue to speake , Gods silence should teach all men sobrietie in searching .

In that royall Palace of pleasures aboue without doubt bee comfortes & contentments , yea , and such , I am perswaded , as greater the Sunne and Moone the two eyes of Heauen neuer saw : What say I greater ? The image of such thinges could neuer enter into the heart of man .

* * Note In my judgement all the Godlie at the first sight of heauens glorie shall bee like men in a dreame : As it is written of Gods people , When the Lord brought againe the captiuitie of Zion , wee were like them that dreame : All such glorie , beautie , and pleasure Psal. 126. 1 shall bee things so excellent and beyond expectation that for a space they shall seeme to the Saincts incredible , for a space in my judgement the Godlie shall bee like these that dreame , wondering how so great a glorie can possiblie bee .

My minde is now dazeled with such high considerations .

O , O , O , these so vnspeakable beauties that are within that Holie of holies ! O the order that is there ! O the dainties that are on these Tables : O Prou. 23. 2 the Table of that Ruler where all may take of all without , Putting a knife 〈◊〉 their throat ! O the apparell of Gods seruants there : O these fairest flowers which shall decke their garlands of Majestie , O these peerelesse Pearles of price ! O these louelie Iemmes ! O these celestiall crownes spangled with jewles more glistering than ●…tarres ! O yee Angels and Archangels ! O yee all of that heauenvly Queire : Cherubins , Seraphins , Princes , Powers , Thrones , Vertues and Dominions , all inflammed with most glorious diuine beames of light ! O yee Noble followers of the Lambe all decked with glorie and garlands of immortalitie ! O the amazing beauties of these celestiall Mansions ! O ye blessed eternized Denizens who liue there into an eternall vnitie of loue , which no jarres , strife , or debate shall for euer be able to vntwine ! O purest Spirits purged from all drossie mood of sinfull mortalitie ! O Palace of pleasures wherin Angels & Sainctes all around with celestiall Harpes make all to ring with Holie , Holie , Holie , Halleluiah , Halleluiah , Halleluiah ! O yee purest ple●…sures of perfection which no fretting canker of time shall bee able to out-weare , or to cancell the owlish eyes of my mind are not able to reach within the bounds of so bright an Horizon : The most I can conceiue is lesse than the least and lightest glory that shall bee there where Soules are solaced without stresse or strife in immortalitie .

* * Note O glorie , glorie , glorie , without any veine of vanitie : Mine heart is rauished and is no more within me .

* * Note When the Queene of Shebah came to Ierusalem to see the glorie of Solomon , after that shee had considered 1 Kin. 10. 5 the meate of his Table , and the sitting of his seruants , and the attendance of his Ministers , and their app●…rell , & his Cup bearers , it is said , That there remained no more spirit in her . All her spirits in a manner ran out of her by the holes of her senses , for to come & sit downe & wonder at the glorie of the man : Thus wondering shee remained for a space , as if shee had beene amazed , till her stupified spirit returned into her againe : then shee began to speake , It was a true 1 King . 1●… 6. report that I heard in mine owne Land of thine actes and of thy wisedome , howbeit I belieued not the wordes vntill vers. 7. I came , and mine eyes had seene it : And behold the halfe was not told mee : Thy wisedome & prosperitie exceede the fame which I haue heard : Happie are vers. 8. thy men , happie are these thy seruantes which stand continuallie before thee , and that heare thy wisedome .

* * Note Consider how the glorie of a man in its greatest not comparable to the glorie of a Lillie , drew the spirite so out of the Queene of Shebah , Luk. 12. 27 that for a space shee was not able to speake : Shee wondered at that which shee saw , but what shee had seene shee could not vtter in words , bu●… onelie said in generall , that shee had heard a true report which she could not belieue vntill shee came , and her eyes had seene it : And nowe whe●… shee hath seene , shee declareth that the halfe had not beene tolde her .

Consider well I pray you : * * Note If the beholding of the glorie of an earthlie Prince so rauished the heart not of a rusticke that will easilie wonder at any thing , but of a Queene , yea , and so that no more spirit remained in her , what should it bee if we should get but as through the gra●… one sight thorow the heauens of that great God of Solomon sitting vpon his Throne ?

* * Note If but for the quarter of an houre wee might see the meate of his Tabl●… , and the standing of his seruants ▪ & the attendance of his Ministers , Saincts & Angels casting downe their Crownes at his feete , if , I say , wee could see these things as they are this our Spirit shuld be caried toward him wit●… such a strong bent affection , tha●… 〈◊〉 should not tarie within vs , but being rauished should runne out of this body of clay for to goe abide with him that made it among pleasures perfectlie abstracted from paine .

* * Note If God as hee is should appeare vnto vs were it neuer so little , the bonds of our bodies should not be able for to fetter so our Soules , but at the first sight of God they with a most flagrant desire should flutter out of sinfull clay , for to enjoye his most amiable presence , wherein are pleasures exempted from all hazard of surprysall .

* * Note That which I say giueth some light to these wordes which God said to Moses , No man can see my face Exod. 33. 22 and liue : As for the wicked I giue this interpretation , that the sight of Gods face shuld kil them ▪ as light killeth darknes , or as the day is the slaughter of the night : But God who killeth not but quickeneth the killed of his owne chosen , if by them hee were seene in the face on earth they shuld dye not a violent death , but they should die for loue to bee at him : At the first sight of his Face their Soules would not remaine any more in clay , but loathing their bodies , they should make haste for to flie to Act. 7 56 , their God : So soone as Steuen saw the Heauens opened , & the Son of man standing at the right hand of God , his Soule tooke post to the heauens : Albeit the Burrios thought that they chaised it out with stroakes and with stones , yet it is certaine that fra once hee got that sight , his Soule was more desirous to bee out of his bodie , for loue of Heauen , than the Soule of the most wicked man can bee desirous to abide still within for feare of Hell .

* * Note There is such an attractiue loue in Gods countenance , that if the Soule in flesh could once see it , the bodie should not bee able to keepe it any more within , no not for the space of a moment : As the load stone draweth vnto it the yron by a secret and vnspeakable draught , so in the face of God there is such an attractiue force , that of neede force the godlie Soule at the first sight of it must flie vp vnto it : As the Sun by the force of his beames raised vp the vapours towardes heauen , euen so if God would but turne his face to anie Soule , with the least blinke thereof , hee should draw vp that Soule vnto himselfe like a vapour raised vp by the force of the Sunne . * * Note Consider how the sight but of his backe partes maketh many a well resolued Christian to cry vp vnto him Cupio dissolvi , I desire to bee dissolued : What is that but the faithfull Soule haling like an Hawke for to flie from the mortall heart as from the hand of a stranger , for to come home to her Lord in eternitie ? O thrise happie hee whose name is in the Booke , and whose Soule is in the bundle of life .

* * Note O the gaine that wee haue by the mercie of God in the fall of Adam : In Paradise man might liue or die : On earth hee now liueth and must die : But in Heauen wee shall so liue , that wee can no more die : O blessed life of eternitie neuer to haue an end into that other world : Oh that wee could spend this life in a sacred violence in pursute of that celestiall crowne of immortalitie : * * Note Happie is hee who keepeth a narrow watch ouer all the stirringes and imaginations of his heart in consideration of that day . * * Note Happie is hee who maketh all his joys & pleasures and all his best beloued thinges below to bee by standers waiting on the seruice of that one thing which onelie is necessarie . Luk. 10. 42

The sicke Man .

My Soule is so rauished with you●… speach that it flutters within mee ●… haleth to bee away from this mortalitie for to goe dwell into these heauenlie Mansions with the God of glorie : Our best thinges below in their verie quintessence are defiled with the moode of home bred corruption : All haue neede to be renewed in the verie spirit of their minde . Let it please you Sir yet to continue in describing the beautie of Paradise .

The Pastour .

If man o●… Earth could belieue the beautie of the Heauens to be in any measure such as it is , hee would bee glad at his heart to forsake the moulding cottages of clay : Seeing the out-sid of heauen is so glorious what must bee the in side ? Solomons Temple was a type of Heauen : The further a man went in , he saw the greater beautie : In the out most ▪ Cou●… was but an Altar of brasse , for the s●…crificing of beastes : Into the inward Court ▪ stood an Altar of Gold for offering of incense & of sweet persum●…s ▪ But that which was in most , viz ▪ Sanctum Sanctorum the Holie of holies was all full of Glorie : There God himselfe was heard in a voyce beetweene the Cherubins : There was the Ark called , a a 1 Sam. 4. 22 The Glorie , wherin were the b b Heb. 9. 4 Tables of Gods word , Aarons flourished Rod & the Manna : There was the Word for the instruction of the Soule : There were the Almond floorishes like a pleasant Spring for rejoycing of the eye : There also was Mannah for meate , the type of that euerlasting Soule ▪ feast in the Heauens Behold a compend of the three most pleasant seasons of the yeare : First , there was the seed of the word ; & after that the Summer flowers of pleasure in the flowrishing Rod : And last there was the fruitfull haruish of Manna for meat : In a word in that Holie of holies the figure of Heauen was the Merciesea●… the speciall place of Gods residence : But all the beautie of that Temple were not sufficient to expresse the shadowe of these that are aboue the starres .

* * Note S. Paul after that hee had beene rauished vp to the third heauens got a charge from God that hee should not tell what hee had heard or seene there : Onelie this hee declared after that hee was come downe , that vp into Paradise hee had heard vnspeakable words which no tongue of 2 Cor. 12. 4 flesh could bee able to pronounce : But though such words had beene speakable the Apostle declareth that it was not lawfull for a man to vtter them .

* * Note Alas , what can the earthlie low creeping wor●…s of our highest eloquence expresse of these joyes that are aboue the Heauen of heauens ? Hee who with penne and inke would set out the greatnes of that glory which is to bee seene within that blessed Building , should bee as who would foolishlie tak paines to paint the Sun with a coale : In vaine shall a man prease to expresse that which cannot be spoken but into vnspeakable words ▪ Words come shorter than thoghts , and thoughts come shorter infinitly than the thing it selfe .

The sicke Man .

I haue heard with great ioye of the vnspeakable glorie of God himselfe , & of the beautie of his Princelie Palace : I desire now to heare some thing more at large concerning the estate of the Sainctes wherein they shall be when they shall dwell with God after the resurrection .

The Pastour .

It is most certaine that they shal be there into a farre better estate than wee can imagine : * * Note For if Da●…id thought one day in Gods earthly hous●… better th●… a thousand else where , what Psal. 84. ●…0 shall it bee when wee shall bee in Heauen , the Citie of our GOD , whereof God is the House and the Temple ?

The Saincts shal be in such glorie there , as that no earthlie tongue can tell : * * Note If in this world by be : holding in a glasse the glorie of the Lord , 2 Cor. 3. 18. wee are changed into that same Image from glorie to glorie , what a change shal bee made when we shall see not Gods Image , not in a glasse , but himselfe face to face ? If the sight of his Image in the glasse of his Gospel hath such a working power as to change vs into the same Image heere on earth , what a change shall bee made of vs in the Heauens , when we shall see God euen as hee is ? All the 1 Ioh. 3. 2. godlie Gods warriours then shall liue in peace and rest : * * Note As their life on earth was a continuall battell , so shall their life in Heauen bee a perpetuall triumph : Then the winter of their affliction shall bee past : The stormes of their miserie shall blowe no more : * * Note On Earth joyes and sorrowes are combined together : In Hell is sorrow without any joye : In Heauen shall bee joye without anie sorrow : There they all in bleached coats of righteousnes shall blaze brighter than the Sunne : God beeing in them shall burne in them as hee did in the Bush : They shall burne but not bee consumed .

While S. Iohn was rauished in the Spirit , he behelde a great multitude which no man could number , all standing before the Lambes Throne cloathed in white robbes which had beene bleached from their blemish by the blood of the Lambe : * * Note hauing the testimonie of two Senses , he reporteth what hee saw and heard : With his eyes hee saw them cloathed with Reuel. 7. 9. white robes and Palmes in their hands : The one was their innocencie , the other was their victorie : With his eares hee heard the songs of their triumph . They cryed , said hee , with a loude voyce , Saluation to our God which Reuel. 7. 10 sitteth vpon the Throne : With them were Angels & Elders round about the Throne , all falling down vpon their face , and singing , Blessing , and glorie , vers. 10. and wisedome and thankesgiuing , and honour , and power , and might bee vnto our God for euer and euer : Then with vnconquerable comforts shall all Christes crouding Turtles bee loueinglie comforted : * * Note Then shall all their sighes bee turned into songs : Then joyes vnspeakable shall fill all their senses without any surfet : Euerie Sense shall receiue more than all mortal hearts can conceiue : * * Note But which is of all good things the sweetest relish , there shall bee such vnspottednesse of life and loue among the Saincts as the heart of man here cannot conceiue : Euery one shall rejoyce of anothers wel as much as they shall doe of their own felicitie : The enuious man seeds-man of all strife & debate shall not be there : * * Note All selfe-loue which is of a niggardlie nature enuious of the good of others , shall be quite away , & in the place therof shall come such an heauenlie loue that shall make all the joyes of Heauen to be common : * * Note As was in the primitiue Church so shall bee there , but in greater perfection , a communitie of goods : One shall not say , This is mine or that is thine : But as wee shall bee all in Christ , & Christ in vs , so shall wee bee all one in another filled one with anothers joye : All state of strife then shal be farre away .

In Ierusalem aboue an euerlasting peace is within her walls , and perpetuall prosperitie within her Palaces : All the godlie glistering like starres , shall rejoyce one into anothers light : * * Note Euerie one of them by twinkling and be●…kning vnto other with celestiall smiles shall bend all their force for to giue Mal. 4. ●… . glorie to the Sunne of righteousnesse the fountaine of all their light .

* * Note All Soules there shall bee most wonderfullie beau●…fied with internall , externall , and eternall happinesse : There God onelie shall speake peace vnto his people and vnto his Sainctes , who shall neuer returne againe to their folies .

* * Note Mans chiefe contentment in the heauens shal be in loue , first with God , and then of one with another ▪ O these euerlasting streames of contentmentes which shall flowe into these blessed breastes sequestred for euer from all doole and distresse .

The sicke Man .

Lord , make all these thinges to liue freshlie in our memories : My Soule is inflammed with loue to heare of that loue which shall bee betweene God and his Saincts and among the Sainctes themselues : Your discourse Sir , with a plausible and pleasant insinuation windeth it selfe into the affections of mine heart : It hath alreadie winne mine heart to him to whome it most justlie belongeth : Blessed bee his Name for euer .

Seeing yee were speaking of that vnspeakable loue that shal be between God and vs , and also among our selues , I pray you to say some thing more concerning that matter .

The Pastour .

I shall doe what I can brieflie : * * Note As for God , euery Soule shall loue him better than it selfe , because it shall then perfectlie know that God hath loued it more than euer it was able to loue it selfe . As for all the Saints , wee shall loue them equallie with our selues , as beeing all members of that mysticall Bodie : * * Note Then and not till then shall bee the perfect practise of that second great command the summe of the second Table Luk. 10. 27 which is , to loue our neighbour as our selues : * * Note If the Soule of this naturall Bodie in the toyle of our pilgrimage hath such a commande ouer our naturall affections , that it maketh vs to loue all the members , and euerie member to worke equallie well for the good of another : O mercifull God , what greater loue shall proceede from that Spirite of Loue , which shall bee in the Heauens , euen the Soule of that mysticall bodie of all the Elect ?

* * Note Looke how much grace surpasseth Nature , and Glorie surpasseth Grace , the Spirit of God which shall animate this bodie , shall so much more straitlie make the members thereof to liue in Loue : * * Note The holier the Soule bee within a man the greater loue & concord is betweene his members : But if the Soule be not holie , all the members will shortlie discord : The one Hand will cut off the other : The Hand will wound the Heart , or cut the throat ; and the Mouth will bite the Fingers : But O , what loue shall bee then among the members , when our Sanctification shall bee made so perfect , that nothing more can bee added vnto it ! O what loue , peace and concord shall bee there , where God who is loue like a more powerfull 1 Ioh. 4. 8. and noble forme shall in an vnspeakable manner informe all the members of that mysticall bodie ! Wee all then shall accord to one thing : All our wils shall bee according to Gods ▪ will : And eue●…ie one of our wills with another shall bee like our two eyes whereof the one cannot so soone turne , but the other must follow after it for to behold the same object .

* * Note Wee cannot now comprehen●… this : For mans reason heere on earth is like a riuen vessell which can not containe the discourse of immortalitie : Our mindes are so drossie & ●…mpish that they cannot conceiue euerlasting matters .

Wee speake now of Loue : O but Loue now is litle among men : * * Note we may say of it in this last age ▪ as Lot said Gen. 19 , 20 ▪ of Bel●…h ▪ Is it not a little one ? Though it bee little now , it shall bee great in these dayes : Then shall it defie all sickle and foolish changes .

* * Noet In this worlde belowe three graces dwell into the Soule of man like three sisters , viz. Faith , Hope ▪ and Charitie , two of them conv●…ye the godlie Soule vnto the doores of Heauen , viz. Faith and Hope , but Charitie entereth in : The Lord openeth his Doore to Loue : * * Note Faith Heb. 11. 1 beeing a substance of things not seene , so soone as the Soule commeth to sight , it ceaseth to be , because there is no such substance there : Hope being of things to come , so soone as the future is become present , it hath no more a doe : But Loue entereth in , and as fyre posteth vp to fyre , so Loue swiftlie flieth to God , for God is Loue , 1 Ioh. 4. 8. and for to speake so , the verie element of Lou●… Till Loue bee at him it is like a thing out of its element the place of its ●…ost ▪ there shall our soules feede on his Loue : In such a feeding they shall bee as if they were euer hungrie and as if they were euer satisfied : * * Note As the heauens hunger is without any laking , so is its fulnesse without any loathing : * * Note On Earth as it is said ,

Voluptates commendat rarior vsus .

Single vse maketh pleasures the more agreeable : But in Heauen the more our Soules shal haue , the more they shall desire : The more they shall desire , the more they shall receiue : So by an infinite multiplication , joyes , and pleasures , and contentments shal be heaped vpon godlie Soules for euer , like fyre in fuell , which , suppone the fuell be infinite , can neuer die out but day lie increasseth , as it were from a sparkle to a flame .

What shall I say more ? There shall bee such a fulnesse of all good thinges , that no Soule shall bee able to receiue a greater desire of more : All shall bee content , all shall bee vnspeakablie glorious and made perfect : There shall be no blemish into our bodies , nor sinne in our Soules : Iaacob shall not halt , Mephibosheth shall goe straight , blind Isaac then shall see , & Leah shal no more be bleared ▪ the deafe shall heare , & the dumbe shall speak : The lame man shall leape as an Hart , ●…a . 35. 6. and the dumbe mans tongue shall sing : Then shall these words bee perfectlie Ezek. 28. 24. performed , There shal be no more a pricking briar vnto the house of Israel or any grieuing thorne of all that are round about them .

* * Note Then shall our wearied Soules find aboue the highest circumference of Heauen , the Centre of our rest .

God then shall bee our Sanctuarie in whom we shall haue joye and gladnesse without feare of ending : O folie , folie , folie ! Why should we for such earthlie toyes losse such celestiall joyes ? * * Note Hee that for so little pleasure losseth that which Christ hath bought with so great paines , as said a Father ,

Stultum Christum reputat mercatorem . S. Aug.

That is , Hee thinketh Christ to bee a foolish buyer , while indeed he himselfe is a most foolish seller : * * Note When one day with prophane Esau he shall bitterlie repent his bargane , then shall hee know what a pennie-worth hee hath of all his pleasures .

The sicke Man .

Alas , that men cannot consider ▪ O my God , master and mortifie all such corruptions within mine heart , that they be not able to lay my soule open to Sathans temptations .

But to proceede in our purpose , what thinke yee shall bee the chiefe exercise of Soules in Heauen ?

The Pastour .

It shal be to sing Psalmes of praise , and to follow the Lambe whether soeuer hee goeth , from East to West , or from South to North.

The sicke Man .

* * Note Alas , that for this pricke of earth men should doe that which shall debarre them from that Palace of pleasure : Our bodies as yee thinke shall not then bee wearied in following the Lambe , were it to goe neuer so farre .

The Pastour .

O not : * * Note Then shall our Soules bee refined from the drosse of sinne : Then shall wee bee free of all this lumpishnesse of clay caused by sinne , wherewith now wee are both cloyed and clogged : * * Note Our motion then shall bee swifter than the Sunne in his course : As with a●…thought our hearts will compasse the Heauens ▪ so shall wee goe most swiftlie whether wee desire : As by the motion of the Eye wee looke from East to West , or as the Sunne beames while he ariseth are suddenlie darted from the one end of Heauen to the other , so shall it be of our motion then , for we shall bee carried with the infinite power of God , which shall not be subject to the Lawes of naturall motions below : As for example , here can be no motion without resistance : * * Note All motions whether from aboue or sion below or ouerthwartlie ▪ finde enemies by the way opponing themselues to that which is moued , as Edom did to the Israelites , saying , Thou shalt Numb. 20 18. not passe by mee : The stronger the opposition bee , the motions are the slower : Man cannot wade thorow waters so swiftlie as runne thorow the aire vpon the earth , because the partie is stronger which is against him , all things goe so below , but aboue no bodies shall oppose themselues to the Children of God : What euer bee aboue , all shall goe with them , they shall bee like shippes before the winde , carried with a mightie gale : There is nothing heere like vnto that that shall bee into that celestiall Fabricke .

But not bee curious to diue into such deepes : * * Note This is certaine , that the Sainctes shall bee carried there with the force of an vnspeakable power , and that without anie wearinesse : They shall runne , saith Isa. 40 31 the Prophet , and not bee wearie , they shall walke and not faint : What can these want who beeing companions Psal. 16. 11 of the blessed Angels , shall abide with him in whose face is fulnesse of delight : * * Note There all our pleasures shall bee so pure that no vncleane inclination shall be able by any juggling feat of conueiance to cogge in it selfe into our heartes any more : O the foolishnesse of mans blind and bewitched heart , that for a moment of toylesome time should losse that Eternitie of joye .

The sicke Man .

Thinke yee that in Heauen wee shall bee of diuerse ages , Children , men , or olde men , as wee were here when wee deceased ?

The Pastour .

It is hard to tell wee must not swerue from the wisedome of Gods word : Scripture heere is silent : But seeing Heauen is the place of perfection , it is probable as some Diuins thinke , that in Heauen all shall bee in greatest perfection : Seeing say , they , that infancie is imperfection and olde age is defection , none of two are conuenient for bodies that are perfectlie glorified : * * Note As the Sunne taketh the mid course of Heauen , so shall the godlie , who shall shine like Sunnes , abide in the middest beeweene the Poles of all extremities , for there shal be the perfection of Vertue , Age , Stature , Beautie , and of all that shall concerne them : * * Note All shall bee content , for all shall drinke their filles out of the Riuer of the vnmixed pleasures & perfections of God , which neither Man nor Deuill , the strength of Hell , or length of eternitie shall euer bee able to trouble or make drumlie .

The sicke Man .

There is one thing which earnestlie I desire to know , viz. Whether or not wee who on earth haue liued together , and loued one another , shall know each other into Heauen .

The Pastour .

It is thought that so shall be , and that because of the presence of God , in whom is such a Light that by it wee shail see and know these whom wee neuer did see or know on earth .

* * Note When Christ was transfigured Luk. 9. 28 vpon mount Tabor , down came Moses & Elias whom the Apostles had neuer seene of before : Though they had neuer seene them before that , yet by the light of Christes transfiguration they were so inlightned that they did perfectlie know what they were : If the sight of that figured light , gaue such a knowledge vnto sinners that they knew these whom they had neuer seene , what shall it bee when all obscure figures and also our sins ▪ which maketh all good thinges obscure , shall bee remoued ; and God shall bee All in all .

* * Note But though we should all know one another : as I thinke indeede we shall ▪ all these carnall respectes which are heere ▪ as of Father , Mother ▪ Wife & Children , shall all fall from vs , lik the 2 Kin. 2 ▪ 13 mantle of Elias , before wee enter into Heauen for to enjoye these Empyrian pleasures which are so far aboue the fadome and reach of all changable mortalitie .

* * Note Wee thinke much now of such earthlie respectes which are indeede Coagulum hujus vitae , the verie curding and joyning together of greatest naturall contentments .

But seeing all such things are but things of Child-hoode , they shall not enter into our thoughtes when wee shall bee perfect men into the Heauens , the presence-Chamber of our 1 Cor. 13. 11 God : When I was a Childe , saide S. Paul , I spake as a Child , I vnderstood as a Child , I thought as a Childe : But when I became a man I put away childish things .

So long as a man is into this world if hee be compared with that which hee shall bee , hee is but a Child , hee vnderstandeth as a childe , hee speaketh as a Child , and hee thinketh as a Childe : All the dearest naturall respects that are heere , are but childish things : Seeing they are so , when we shall come to Heauen where we shall bee perfect men , they all shall bee put away .

* * Note I will let you see this in a natural figure : In this world we haue that which wee call Child hoode , and that which we call the perfection of a man : Now tell me I pray you , should it be seemelie for a graue Senatour sitting before his Prnce , and confering vpon the most weightie matters of the Kingdome , to beginne and speak what he did with this Child and that Childe , with whom he was wont to ride vpon Reedes ? Would hee beeing a wise man at such a time beginne to discourse how with these little companions hee builded vnder a bowre little houses into the sand , or how in their childish conuentions they made their litle feastes of Pieres ▪ Nuts , and Apples ? Would a wise man thinke ye in the presence of his Prince put off the time with such purpose ▪ No , not .

When the foolish Child is become a wise man , hee speaketh no more as a Childe , neither vnderstandeth hee as a Childe , neither thinketh he as a Childe : Such childish thinges in Heauen shall not so much as once come into his thought , for that were to thinke as a Childe : That which is now in part shall bee done away , at the comming of perfection , which shall bee in that Coronation day .

* * Note Because we are heere but children , wee cannot now vnderstand the wisedome of the words & thoughts that wee shall haue aboue : Languages then shall cease : One shall not speake English , and another French , and another Spanish : That Babylonish confusion of tongues shall bee taken away , and wee all shall speake the Language of the Lambe : * * Note God then shall speake no more vnto his people with stammering lippes and Isa. 28. 11. with another tongue : Then shal be no difference of contrie-men or estates , whether they were borne in Asia , Europe or Affrica : There shall it not bee looked to whether they were Kings or Subjects , Masters or Seruants , bond or free . Col. 3. 11

In the Heauens is neither Greeke nor Iewe , Circumcision , nor vncircumcision , Barbarian , Scythian , bond or free : But Christ shall bee All in all : * * Note What can bee laking vnto man , where God shall bee vnto him All in all , yea , and the Soule of his Soule .

As the Soule is in the whole man , & whollie in euerie part , so shall the whole diuinity in the heauens informe the whole mysticall bodie , and bee in it whollie , and that into the least member thereof , God beeing All in all : Then , and not till then , we shall Psal. 36. 8 bee satisfied aboundantlie with the fatnesse of Gods house , and drinke of the Riuers of his pleasures , yea and our Soules , shall feast themselues by all our senses vpon vnmixed joyes free from the mudde and distemper of all displeasures : In a worde our heartes shall bee fastened to our God with such cords of loue which no thing aboue or below shall bee able to vntwine .

Heere is our journeyes end , heere is our resting place from our labours Reuel. 14. 13 and toilesome trauels : Heere is absence of all euill , and presence of all that is good : * * Note Heere the Lambe is the Temple , and the Light ▪ and the Tree of Life that bringeth foorth fruite euerie moneth , euer new joyes without perishing of the olde , euer new pleasures without any loathing of the former , euer new light without any darkning ▪ euer new life without any dying euer new delightes , without any dolours , euer new Glorie without any grudge , euer new mirth with out any mudde of miserie : * Bodilie pleasures worke a great desire aye till they bee gotten : But spirituall delights as a Father said ,

Cum non habentur sunt in fastidio . Gregor. Cum habentur sunt in desiderio .

Before they bee gotten they are loathed : But are they gotten ? they are loued : * * Note So long as our Soules are led hoode-winkt in this our moody and mistie mortalitie , wee cannot thorowlie perceiue this .

O that wee had heartes to consider ! O that wee could rightlie mind Col. 3. 1. the thinges that are aboue ! * * Note O that our hearts were wained from this our natiue soile , a place of hunger and cold , a place of nakednesse , sicknesse and sorrow , that wee might earnestlie desire to bee into that holie Land , where wee shall feast on the Tree of Life , and drinke of that Crystall Riuer with pleasures for euermore ! So Psal: 16. 1●… long as wee are in this our mortalitie wee must bee still looking till our change come , which being once Iob. 14. 14 made wee shall neuer change anie more : * * Note O then the sweetnesse of the Crowne shall for euer allay the sow●…enesse of the Crosse.

The sicke Man .

Mine heart is wonderfullie rauished with such purpose : I finde my Soule silent within mee , that it may hearken and giue good heede to that which ye say : Blessed be he who createth the fruite of the lips : O Lord , Isa. 57. 19. come & let thy Spirite take houseroume into mine heart .

Now let vs come to our purpose againe : So farre as I can obserue your minde is that we all shall know one another in Heauen , but without regard to anie carnall consideration ▪ whether they were our Father o●… Mother , or our Sister ?

The Pastour .

It is euen so : * * Noet For if any particular respect should be had to any it should be of a man to his wife , or a wife to her husband , who must leaue both father & mother and cleaue vnto another for to become one flesh : Yet so it is that in Heauen , there shal be no more particular respect betweene them , than these whom they had neuer seene before : The Lord hath made this plaine : The Saducees who scorned the Resurrection , hauing told Christ that there had beene seuen brethren in Israel , which all had married one wife one after another , and that last of all , the woman died also : Now said they , In the Resurrection Luk. 20. 33 whose wife of them shall shee bee ?

Iesus answered , and saide , The vers. 34. children of this world marie , and are giuen in marriage : But they that shall vers. 35. bee accounted worthie to obtaine that world , and the resurrection from the dead , neither marrie , nor are giuen in marriage : Neither can they die anie vers. 36. more , for they are equall vnto the Angels , and are the Children of God , beeing the Children of the Resurrection : * * Note Certainelie at that day none of these seuen brethren will claime any more acquaintance vnto that woman , than vnto her whom they had neuer seene before that day .

* * Note What created thing can allure the eyes of the creature , where the Creator Psal. 73. 25 is visiblie seene as hee is ? Whom haue I in Heauen but thee ? said , the Psalmist : * * Note As the Sunne by his beames at his first rising darkneth all the glorious stars , of light so that they seeme to flie away from his presence quite out of the heauens : So shall the loue of God hims●…lfe like a greater Light darken and dazle all other desires whatsoeuer : No by-respects shall bee able to hinder vs to haue ou●… eye to the maine : Wee shall loath all thinges that we may feast on his fac●… wherein is fulnesse of joye . Psal. 16. 11

The sicke Man .

I desire Sir to know of you whether or not there shall bee degrees of Glorie in the Heauens , or if all shall bee alike in honour .

The Pastour .

The most part are of that opinion ▪ that there shall bee diuerse degrees : their opinion is founded vpon these 1 ▪ Cor. 15. 41 words , There is one glorie of the Sun , and another of the Moone , and another glorie of the Starres : For one star vers. 42. differeth from another star in glory : So also is the Resurrection of the dead , it is sowen in corruption , it is raised in incorruption : * * Note Some of the Learned who esteeme that there shall bee diuerse degrees of glorie in Heauen , think that no such thing is intended in these wordes , but onelie as one Starre differeth from another in glorie , so shall the bodie after the Resurrection differ farre in glorie from the estate wherein it was in this life : according to this it is said , It is sowen in corruption , it is raised in glorie , for to declare the different estate of the godly heere and heereafter .

* * Note For this assertion concerning degrees of glorie this seemeth to bee most cleare , which is said by Christ to his Apostles : Behold , saide Peter , wee haue forsaken all and followed thee , Matth. 19. 27 What shall wee haue therefore ? And Iesus said vnto them , Verilie I say vnto you , that yee which haue followed mee , in the regeneration when the Sonne of man shall sit on the Throne of his Glory yee shall also sit vpon twelue Thrones , judging the twelue Tribes of Israel .

The sicke Man .

Before yee proceede I pray you to cleare these words , That yee which haue followed mee in the regeneration when the Sonne of man shall sitte on his Throne , yee also shall sitte vpon twelue Thrones : I vnderstand not well what the word Regeneration signifieth there ▪ To follow Christ in the regeneration ▪ what can that bee ?

The Pastour .

These wordes bee diuerslie read ▪ Some reade them this way , Yee who haue followed mee in the regeneration : Others reade them , after this mane●… joyning there-with the following words , In the regeneration when the Sonne of man shall sitte on his Throne , yee also shall sitte : If the words be so joyned , Yee who haue followed mee in the regeneration , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the word Regeneration is taken as the most Learned esteeme for the preàching of the Gospel , which Christ brought into the world , whereby a new creation or regeneration of mens heartes and Soules hath beene made in the world : So to follow Christ in the Regeneration is to embrace his Gospel whereby we are regenerate .

* * Note But in the opinion of the most part 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Regeneration heere is rather to be joyned with the words following after this manner , In the regeneration they shal sit vpon Thrones , according to that In regeneration , is as if he had said , In renovatione mundi vel post renovationem mundi in alterò seculo , That is , In the renewing or after the renewing of the World : Indeede regeneration here seemeth ●…hieflie to signifie the Resurrection and restoring of our bodies .

The sicke Man .

It would appeare by that saying of Christ in S. Matthew , that the Apostles shall sit vpon twelue Thrones in greater dignitie than anie others .

The Pastour .

It would seeme so to be : As for Moses , Enos , and Elias , and so many worthie Prophets most glorious instruments of Gods grace in this world it would seeme that their glorie there should bee greater than that of common persons : Manie of them Dan. 12. 2 that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake : And they that bee wise shall vers. 3. shine as the brightnesse of the firmament , and they that turne many to righteousnesse , as the starres for euer and euer .

The sicke Man .

That & as much is said as well of all the Faithfull as of Prophets & Preachers : them shall the righteous shine forth Matth. 13 43 as the Sunne in the Kingdome of their Father : Behold , how all the Righteous shall shine foorth as the Sunne : Likewise , Deborah in her song said ▪ Let them that loue the Lord , bee as the Iudg. 5. 31 Sunne when hee goeth foorth in his might : By this it would seeme that seeing they all shall bee like Sunnes that their glorie shall bee equall .

* * Note Moreouer , let mee reason as I ( when I was a Scholler ) haue heard reason in the Schooles , wee are not saued by anie worth that is in our selues , but onelie by the righteousnes of Christ Iesus : Now for to be saued , a man by Faith must apply vnto his soule the whole righteousnes of Christ , for Christs righteousnesse diuided cannot saue : Seeing then I a poore Crafts-man or labourer b●… my Faith receiue the whole righteousnesse , I receiue as much as Moses , or Elias , Peter , Iames , and Iohn , & so seeing that Righteousnesse is the onelie meritorie cause , I hauing it all by imputation , muste also receiue the glorie in as great a measure as they : For what can they haue , except that righteousnesse , which can deseiue at Gods had any thing that is Eternal ? Though a man should giue his bodie to bee burnt for the cause of Christ , hee doeth nothing but that which hee is oblished to doe : By this then it would seeme that seeing by the on lie righteousnes of Christ eternall happinesse is merited , and that all that haue Faith , must apply vnto themselues that whole righteousnesse without any diuision , that whosoeuer hath Faith to bee saued , shall receiue as great a degree of glorie as any of the Apostles : Otherwise if ye make difference , ye would seeme to attribute some part of heauens glorie to the worth of mans doings or suff●…rings .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir the m●…tter is full of difficulty , many things would seeme to make for that opinion : Particularlie the Parable of the Talents , for to him that had gained but two Talents with his two , as well as to him who had gained fiue with his fiue , shal be said , Intra in gaudium Domini , Enter Matth. 25. 23 into thy Masters joye : To all was said alike , Enter into joye : Not thou enter into the greatest joye with thy tenne Talents , and thou into a lower Chamber with thy foure Talents .

* * Note Indeede the arguments are both strong , for , and against both the opinions ; yea , so strong that they made a verie learned man after reasoning to and fro , to say ,

Vtramque sententiam esse probabilem , Martyr . & habere argumenta ex Scripturis : Neutram tamen ex Scripturis certo confirmari posse .

That is , Both the opinions are probable and haue argumentes out of Scriptures , but by no argument out of Scriptures can it bee certainelie prouen that there shall bee degrees of glorie in a greater measure in some than in others . And therefore , that learned man seeing the matter so vrged with most forcible arguments , leaueth it vndiscussed , as beeing a thing the knowledge whereof is not absolutelie necessare for Saluation : * * Note There bee manie deepes in Scriptures where the grossest Elephants must swimme : Things absolutelie necessarie for Saluation , are into the plaine shallow foords of the Gospel , where the litle Lambes of Christ may wade ouer for to enter into Canaan : So long as wee are heere , wee know but in part : Multa sunt reservanda futurae scholae : * * Note There be many things here whereof wee must leaue off the searching out , till from these little Classicke Schooles below wee passe Master into Gods celestiall Vniuersitie aboue : * * Note It is great wisedome for man to learne heere , Sapere adsobrietatem , To bee sober in his search .

The sicke Man .

I thanke GOD for this well imployed time : Oh , that all my words had beene from my youth concerning such spirituall purposes : Alas , for euill spent yeares : Oh , that yong men would learne in time to spend well their golden houres : * * Note Happie is hee who weareth out the short time of this sinfull life at the sincere seruice of his God : My Soule now with the pinched forlorne is returning home to the good fare of my Fathers house . Haue yee yet any more to say concerning the thinges that are aboue ?

The Pastour .

If ye would haue a short description of all these things , take it vp in these few words , Eye hath not seene , 1 Cor. 2. 9 nor eare heard , neither haue entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him .

* * Note No man can so imagine of such joye , pleasure , and contentment to bee there , but the thing it selfe shall bee manie stages aboue all humane imaginations : It shall bee our wisedome to imagine that they cannot bee imagined .

* * Note When I thinke of that euerlasting and exceeding weight of glorie which ●… Cor. 4. ●…7 passeth all vnderstanding , my meditation is dazeled , and my tongue is tacked , the one not beeing able to conceiue , nor the other to describe these thinges , which eye neuer saw , eare neuer heard , and which could neuer enter into the heart of man .

* * Note This is the godlie mans non vltra , his outmost bounds : There is no created capacitie on earth which can conceiue an euerlasting and exceeding weight of glorie .

The greatnesse of this glorie putteth mee to silence : * * Note Sight , and Sense , Feeling and Fruition shall one day teach vs that which now eye can not see , nor care heare , nor heart conceiue : So soone as we shall see God as hee is , wee shall know him , and his 1 Ich. 3. 2. glorie , as wee are knowne : Then shal we see with our eyes , that which now wee belieue with Faith , which is the substance of thinges hoped for , Heb. 11. 1 & a demonstration or euidence of things not sene : So long as we are here in this muddie mortalitie , we liue in a valey of teares , where wee are forced to hange downe our heades , and hange Psal. 137. 2 vp our Harpes , as beeing captiues in Babel : Aboue are the comfortes of Syon , where joyes afresh are infinitlie redoubled .

Now Sir , according to your desire I haue spoken at large of this worldes vanitie , and also of the last judgement , and of Heauens glorie , and of Hells horrour : thinke ye that this discourse hath made any motion in your heart , for to make you striue with a stronger straine , to draw neerer vnto your God ?

The sicke Man .

I thank God from mine heart that mine heart is in another temper and tune , than when yee came first vnto mee : God by his Spirit in your words , as by a soft & sweete breath hath refreshed my Soule : By Faith my spirituall eye I see nowe Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse arising vpon Mal. 4. 2. mine heart with the brightnesse of his beames .

Mine heart now burneth within mee , and panteth with an vnuterable longing for a sight of the face of my God : * * Note Nowe , Lord , drawe the Curtaine that some glimpse of joye may yet more clearlie appeare for the recreating of my wearied Soule : O deare Redeemer , no tong can tell how much poore sinners are beholden vnto Thee , who with a strong Arme hast brought them out of a dry pitte wherein was not a drop Zach. 9. 11 of comfort .

O that deepe and darke dungeon of sinne that I haue beene into ! O these blessed beames which my Soule fealeth comming from his countenance ! O the Light of that Face which putteth more joye into Psal. ●… . 7. mine heart , than all the worlde can haue when their Wheat , Wine , and Oyle doe most abound .

* * Note O infinite weight of glorie ! O pleasures euer to be spoken of though vnspeakeable ! O joyes euer to bee thought of , though none heart bee able to conceiue them ! O pleasures most pleasant to the eye , though eyes below cannot see them ! O , O euerlasting mirth of Musicke ! O yee celestiall Tunes , most worthie to bee heard , though eares of flesh cannot heare you ! O Tree of Life Reuel. 22. 2. most sweete to the taste , though sinfull tongues may not taste of thee ! O Crystall River proceeding out of the Throne of God and the Lambe , when shall my soule drinke of thee with a full Cuppe ▪ * * Note Mine heart like an Hart panteth & brayeth after these water brooks :

Oh , when shall I come and appeare before Psal. 42. 2. God ▪ O my God , keepe mine heart A prayer vnder some spirituall serise of these blessed delights , till perfectlie I enjoye thee into the armes of my Soule , with the contentment of all contentmentes , then which there can bee no greater .

The Pastour .

It is the Lord who with the Eye-Salue Reuel. 3. 18 of his grace hath enlightened your minde : He hath taken out the mots of temptations which of before did mak the eyes of your Soule so to water till they become drumlie : Now Sir yee know full well what it is of God and his goodnesse in the Heauens , where faithfull Soules shall be fed with the bread of Angels and feasted with the daintiest delicates that are aboue .

* * Noet The wicked in this world are like blinde men which eate many moats and flees : They eate them because they cannot sec to discerne them : * * Note All the knowledge of the wicked is but ●… carkase and carion of knowledge : To know God & his Son Christ & him crucified , is the verie marrow & kernell of true happinesse : * * Note A Soule whose eyes the Lord hath enlightned with grace , can no more rest off its God , than an element out of its own place : It may well bee detained & with-holden from its place by some stronger power , but no power can make it to rest , till it be there where God hath appointed it to rest .

Your Soule now Sir , is drawing neere vnto its Rest : The neerer 〈◊〉 bee vnto it , let your motion towards it bee the swifter : * * Note In this , Grace is like Nature , swiftest at the end of the motion which tendeth vnto rest .

Vp still with your heart , & rejoyce in your God ▪ * * Note Happie are yee who now are flitting from this worlde wherein the sillie Soule as a Ball in a Tenice is tossed from wall to wall , & scourged with the Racket of diuerse temptations , which by course one after another are readie to catch it at euerie rebound .

* * Note Let your Soule now altogether rejoyce in your Sauiour : That is the only joye which shal neuer be taken from vs : All other joyes are but li●… flying moats in the aire , toyle and toyes , toylesome toyes , For euen in Prou. 14. 13. laughing the heart is sorrowfull , and the end of that mirth is heauinesse .

The sicke Man .

Blessed bee my Lord for euer : I finde now the beginning of these joyes , which passe all vnderstanding ▪ My Spirit hath receiued the earnest of immortalitie : * * Note I finde now my Soule in the kindlie temper of a spirituall constitution , which as I am fullie perswaded shall neuer bee troubled with anie moodie mixture of distempered mortalitie , if once this Battell were ended : O the blessed beames of that righteous Sun which Mal. 4. 2. shine so brightlie vpon my Soule ▪ They shall neuer be intercepted by any earthlie interposition of sinfull shadows : * * Note Hence foorth nothing shall bee able for euer to ●…et God & my Soule at oddes : O now nothing shall bee able to affright my Soule any more with dreadfull distempers ! to God alone belongeth the glorie .

Well may I say , If the Lord had not Psal. 94. 17 helped mee , it had not failed but my Soule should haue beene put to silence .

* * Note I esteeme all the joyes which I feele to be a Cluster of Canaan which my faith lik a trustie Spy hath broght vnto mee , that thereby I may know the goodnesse of that Land : But because I cannot tell what assaults my Soule may yet suffer , for I finde my former joyes a little ouerclouded : I pray you Sir to conceiue a prayer to God for mee , that the assurance of his pardons may more and more be sealed vp into mine heart that death bee not vnto mee as a king of feare , but rather as a passage and an entrie to life eternall : Make earnest requeast for mee , that I die not as the wicked , whose hope doeth perish with their breath , hauing their Soules goared with sinne the sting of 1 Cor. 15. 56 Death .

O Lord , bring mee an Out . law A prayer by Nature , within the bounds of thy Sheep-folde : Fill nowe my Soule with spirituall and heauenlie inspirations : I haue alas , the most parte of my life , beene like roustie yron , vnfitte for anie worke : It hath fared with mee as with the Eye which seeing other thinges , seeth not it selfe ▪ nor the face wherein it is fixed : In knowing other things I haue remained ignorant of my selfe , a great stranger at home into mine own bosome , from my youth , my Soule sicke of ●… spirituall dropsie did swell in a conceit of its owne excellencie : Now ▪ Lord , wound this pride of life within mine heart , wound it in the head ▪ and craze it in the braine : Separate all iniquitie from mee that nothing wherewith thy Spirit may bee grieued , may harbour in mine heart : Vpon this earth there hath beene none hoe with my desires , which lik the sore crauing Horse-Leach culd say nothing but Giue , giue : Now , Lord , make my Soule to loath that which I haue too much loued , prepare my Soule , emptie it of all that is euill before it come before thy Face , wherein is fulnesse of joy for all Saints Psal. 16. 1●… and Angels which are aboue .

Now , Lord , after that thou hast cleansed mee by the fierie tryall by beating and battering mine hard heart , let the workman-ship of thine holie hands be to refine me more & more till I become perfectlie a newe creature : O powre this heart into the calmes of thy compassions , that therein as in a mould it may receiue thy liuelie Image : Weede out of mine hearte all carnall and earthlie desires .

The Pastour .

I blesse the Lord , for such working of his Spirit : According to your desire wee shall bend our knees to God in prayer : While wee are praying , lift vp your heart vnto God and pray with your Spirit : Set now all your affections in bensell before the Lord : Let vs all humble our selues heere before our Maker .

A Prayer for the sicke Man .

O LORD , prepare our heartes to prayer : Let vs not be rash with our mouth , nor hastie with our heart to vtter any thing before Thee .

O glorious GOD , and all mercifull Father , which art the true Physicion both of Soule and bodie ; we must humblie bend our knees before Thee intreating thee to be with thy seruant heere whom thou hast now laide into this bedde of languishing : Let not his sinnes whereof hee hath beene guiltie from his youth vp , prouok thy wrath any more against him : Knit them all in a bundle , and cast them all behind thy mercifull back , burie them al into the bottomlesse sea of thy compassions , that they neither bee able to accuse him any more in this worlde , nor yet to condemne him in the world to come . Isa. 1. 18.

Though his sinnes , LORD , were like Scarlet and Crimsin , there is vertue into the Blood of thy Lambe to make them white like woole , and whiter than the Snow For thy Sonnes sake remoue all his transgressions as Psal. 103. ●… 12 far ▪ from him as the East is from the west .

Hell , LORD , & Destruction are before thee , how much more the hearts of the Sonnes of men ? Thine All seeing Eye , pryes most clearelie into the in-most closet of mans heart : Look with the Eye of thy compassions within the Doores of this wearied heart of thy Seruant : Looke in and proclaime mercie and pardon vnto his sillie Soule .

Let him know that neither Death ▪ nor Life shal be able to separate him from thy Loue : O LORD , assist him and stand fast by him in this houre ▪ Desert him not in his greatest & last agonie : Let thy Spirit possesse him so fullie that there be none entrie or roume for Satans temptations : when the Temper is bufiest ▪ let thy Spirite bee strongest : Arme him with all Pieces against the last conflict of this bloodie battell : Honour him with the Lawrels of victorie : Let thy strength be made perfect in his greatest weaknesse : Doe the turne by thine owne force , and take all the glorie to thy selfe .

By the vertue of thy Christ crucifie into him the olde Man and his workes : Make him to die into him , that hee may liue to Thee , who to Philip. 1. 21 all the Faithfull is aduantage both in life and death : Hee is now , LORD , walking betweene thy Mercie and thy Iustice through many-temptations : Gouerne thou his steppes with such wisedome , that the feare of Iustice may keepe him from presumption , and the hope of mercie may preuent despaire : Increase his patience with his paine ▪ Sanctifie his Sickenesse , make it as Bellowes to thy graces , that thereby they may be kindled and blowne vp to a greater flame .

Enamour him with the loue of thy goodnesse : Powre in the oyle of thy mercie into his bruissed hearte , which hath bene filled with mournfull groanes .

And seeing now thou art calling him to repetitions , to see what hee hath profited in thy Schoole , cast into his rememberance all the good things that hitherto hee hath heard or meditate for to comfort this houre ▪ Bee strong in him now in this time of tryall : Applye vnto his wounds the Balme of Gilead : Hee is weake ▪ and therefore , O LORD , forbea●…e him in thy mercie .

O pittie this wounded man as did that Samaritane : Powre Oyle into Luk. 10. 33 his wounds , bind them vp , and take him to thine Inne : For thy mercies sake remember him : Forthy Sonnes sake pittie him : For thy promise sake forget him not : Free his Soule f●… the maze of all worldlie cares : Inspite into him the life of grace with a most fresh vigout and feruent heate of zeale to thy Glorie : Hee , LORD ▪ in his most piercing paines knoweth not what to doe , but his eyes are on Thee : In thine handes is both Life and Death : Thou bringest to the Graue , and bringest backe againe .

In thy greate mercie , O LORD , Psal. 41. 3 make all his bedde in his sicknesse , make his bedde to be a Schoole vnto him , wherein hee may not onelie learne the hudgnesse of his owne miserie , but also the greatnes of thy mercie : Let neither Death fright him , nor the Graue grieue him : Let him knowe that Death is but a sleepe for the friendes of Christ , and the Graue Ioh. 11. 11 a bedde for the resting of their wearied bones : Let not the weight of Isa. 57. 2. mortalitie beare downe his Spirite from minding the things which are aboue Col. 3. 1. Make him content to quite gladlie all earthlie pleasures and contentments for to goe & dwell with Thee his GOD in immortalitie .

Let neither the sweetnesse of the Figge , nor the grapes of the Vine , nor the fatnesse of the O liue hinder his desire to reigne in heauen : Against the feare of death comfort him with hope of the glorious Resurrection : Assure his Soule though his bodie goe to bee eaten of the wormes , that hee in that bodie againe shall see his Redeemer and none other for him : Furnish him with spirituall courage vnto the end : Giue him boldnesse to march without feare thorow the valey of Psal , 23. 4. death for to come to Thee , yea ▪ to run were it thorow Hell for to come to Thee in Heauen .

Tell vnto his Soule that his paines dismay him not , seeing his trauell is to bring foorth eternall life ▪ Let thy Iustice seate trouble him no more , seeing Christ hath payed his debts : Let him not bee afraide to come before the Face of his Iudge , seeing the Iudge himselfe is his Brother , who hath both cut & cancelled that hand-writting of the Law , which no flesh was able to performe .

Pittie him , LORD , pittie him , for loe hee is nowe in thine handes looking pittifully vp to Thee for thy mercie : Some of thy setters are yet vpon him , none can loose him but the hands which haue bund him : Pittie good LORD , and pardon , set vnto this Soule the seale of thy pardons by the Spirit of adoption : Heale and sweetlie close vp the wounds of his Spirit by the vertue of thy most blessed Blood .

This is our confidence , that thou who hast stricken him is able to heale him , and will also doe it , if it bee for thy glorie and his well , if not , Lord , in judgement remember mercie .

If it bee his best that after some dayes sicknesse he depart out of this mortall life , let these paines which hee suffers nowe bee like Ionathans 1 Sam. 20. 20 arrowes which were not shot for to ●…urt but to giue warning .

Giue him grace that like an obedient Childe hee may as w●…ll kisse thine hand while it beateth as while it blesseth .

If thy decree be come foorth that hee must remoue from this World , assure him of a better place ▪ where pleasures are in greater number th●… the starres : Teach him by thy Spirit that by death hee shall change a mortall habitation , a dungeon of darknes●…●… cage of corruptions for euerlasting T●…bernacles , most heauenlie sacred M●…sions where constant peace & vnmi●… joyes remaine : Weane his heart from the loue of all things that are vnder the Sunne : Let the beautie and glorie of the Heauens whereof hee hath heard at length this day , drawe the desires of his heart to abide into that P●…lace of pleasures , where there is Light without Darknesse ; Mirth without Sadnesse , Health without Sicknesse ▪ Wealth without want , & Beautie without blemish : For the sake , of thy dea●…e Selfe , seale vp into his Soule the assurance of thy loue , that in all bol●…nesse through the bleeding bowels of Christes compassions hee may come to the Throne of thy grace , & from thence he may enter into glory ▪

O LORD , the comfort , the joye , and the glorie of Israel . Bee fauourable to thy distressed Sainctes dispersed vpon the Earth : Thy Church here below is like a shippe on the sea : Though it floate aloft , it is fore tossed to and f●…o with wind and with waue : thou therin ▪ seemeth whiles to sleep : Now , LORD , at last awake , in these boisterous blastes : Master , Master , saue vs , for wee perish : Awake , O LORD , and rebuke the winds : Alas , O LORD , thou seemeth now to lowre in thy wrath , by driuing all our petitions from Thee with a darke and cloudie countenance , so that these that trust in Thee are cleane dashed out of countenance while they heare the scorninges of the aduersaries who nowe waste and hauocke thy Vine .

Arise , O LORD , as a man of war : Awake , as one out of sleepe , and like a Psal. 78. 65 mightie man that shouteth by reason of Wine : Smite thou all the enemies in the hinder partes , and put them to a perpetuall reproach : Take the Cudgell into thine hand and stricke a way these Dogges which follow Thee but for crustes : Let vs neuer bee colde or carelesse in the distresse of others , but for to assure vs that wee are all members of one Bodie , giue vs this pledge of mourning with these that mourne : Make vs all to bee grieued for the affliction of Ioseph .

Blesse our gracious SOVERAIGNE Amos. 6. 6 with the Spirit of Wisedome and of Grace , Rescue Him from all dangers both bodilie & ghostlie : Thogh Hee bee a Prince among men , yet Hee is thy Subject : Thou who by Grace hast made Him to reigne ouer thy people on earth , at the end of his appointed time when the dayes of His Reigne shall bee happilie finished , exalt Him highlie in the heanens among thy Sainctes and Angels : So long as Hee is heere , let Him know that it standeth Him fast in hand to bee an Hornager vnto Thee : Direct him so in all His cariage that His whole life may bee to all His Subjects an holy patronage of good example : Let Him neuer retract nor repeale that vow which Hee made at His Coronation for to maintaine the puritie of thy Gospel , and for to bee a louing Father vnto thy people : Cloth his enemies with Psal. 132. 18 shame , but vpon Himselfe make His Crowne to flourish .

Blesse His Royall Match : Make Her to striue & stretch all the powers of Her Soule by prayer in searching the sincere knowledge of thy truth ▪ LORD , in Her carefull search make Her to say at last with the Spouse , I haue found him whom my Soule loueth , Psal. 1. 6 I will not let him goe : Thou , LORD , louest Trueth in the inward partes , and therefore , so sanctifie Her Hearte , that She may day lie thriue in the power of Godlinesse : Though all outward meanes should faile Her , bee Thou to Her in stead of all meanes , aboundantlie supplying Her with the power and presence of thy Spirit : Leuell , LORD ▪ Her Heart directlie to the loue of Christ & of him crucified , that by a true & liuelie Faith in him Shee may shine among the Sainctes in Heauen like one who in a great measure hath beene receiued in Grace on earth : Let thy Preastes bee Psal. 132. 9 cloathed with righteousnesse .

Blesse all our Nobles , mak them truelie noble , not like Ephraim , whose righteousnesse was like the morning Hos. 6 ▪ 1. dew : Let them neuer for feede or fauour slinke or shrinke back from the puritie of thy Gospel established in this Land : Giue vnto vs all courage for the Trueth , that wee may bee bold to resist euen vnto the blood ▪ not beeing like these who at the first in an hote and hastie zeale promise faire with Peter , but anone at the first womanlie temptation start aside like deceitfull bowes : Suffer no sinne to goe current with vs without check : Let vs neuer follow the sway of tymes , with sewed Cushions vnder our Elbowes .

LORD , abide with vs this night : As thou hast drawne the night Curtaine of darknesse vpon the face of the earth , so bee thou a pillar of the cloude betweene vs and our enemies : Hide our soules from Sathans temptations , as by the cloudie pillar thou hid the Israelites from the Egyptians : Make vs this night to sleepe softlie and soundlie in thine Armes , that our bodies beeing refreshed with sleepe , may bee the better enabled to morrow for to sette foorth thy Glorie in the work of our Vocation .

LORD , let these our weake prayers come vp before Thee like Pillars of smoke perfumed with the Can. 3. 6. liuelie sauoure of thy Son , To whom with Thee and the Spirit of Grace , bee endlesse Glorie and Dominion for euer .

Now Sir , wee haue recommended you God , to who is stretching out the Armes of his mercie , readie for to receiue your Soule , into the bosome of his Loue : Make you nowe readie for him , for in all appearance ye are not farre from the doores of death : Bee Psal. 107. 18 vigilant in prayer , lest Satan yet put in his leauen into the Spirites dough , and so by sowring it , make it distastfull to the Lord : By a little droppe of filth the pure webbe of the Spirit will become a menstruous cloath .

The sicke Man .

The lost Sheepe is found : I giue you most heartie thankes for that feruent prayer : I pray God that it be heard in the Heauen , as Solomon prayed for these that prayed in the Temple which he had builded , saying , Then Kin. 8. 34 heare thou in Heauen : Lord , graunt that these comforts and contentments bee not deceiuable feelinges and flashings of joye : O Lord , let not the Spirit of Grace in this new birth recoyle , as once Zarah in Thamars wombe . Seeing God hath furnished me with a new spirituall strength . I wish that I culd imploy it well for the short space that I haue to liue among mortall wightes in this region of corruption . A prayer

O Lord , stirre all the streames of mine affections toward thy selfe : Wound , ward , weaken , & wasle all my delightfull and darling sinnes , that my whole joye may rest on Thee : command & confine all my thoghts to thy selfe , that by Faith my Soule may seaze and lay hold on the merits of Christ the celestiall Pearles of price : Disburthen my soule of euerie weight that hangeth so fast on ; lest that thereby it should bee swayed away from Thee .

I finde mine hearte stirred with a feruent desire to powre out it selfe in prayer before God : I pray you all that sit by , to joyne your affections with mine into this worke .

The sicke mans Prayer for himselfe .

O LORD , the Father of mercies , and GOD of all Consolation , bee present in thy great mercie with mee thy vnworthie seruant , into this time of trouble , suffer mee earth and ashes to speake with thy mercie : In the multitude of thy compassions , blot out my transgressions : wash me throghlie from mine iniquitie , and cleanse mee from my sinnes , where by the seed of thy grace within mine heart hath beene choaked and starued .

Let the depth of thy mercy swallow vp the deepes of my miserie : Bridle my sinnes and spurre forward thy graces within mee : Set all mine affections on foote , that they may follow after Thee : Put a fairer flame into my smoking slaxe , and more strength into this bruisedreede , that the bones which Psal. 51. 8 thou hast broken may re●…oyce .

O Lord , with thine eye salue cleanse Reuel. 3. 18 and open the eyes of my poore Soule , that I beholding these things that are aboue , may gladlie desire to be dissolued for to be there with my Lord , and Sauiour : Lord , let thy Spirit carrie still a strong hand ouer me : Furnish mee with such measure of thy graces whereby I may patiently waite vpon thy will : Except that by a speciall fauour thou vphold mee , I shall neuer bee able to secure my feete in so slipperie ground : While I haue beene hearing most glorious speaches of the Heauens , the shadowes of earthlie things haue ecclipsed my minde like a Moorie : O make such shadowes to flie away , that the horizon of my spirituall sight beeing cleared , I may in some measure see thy backe partes , whereby my Soule may bee enlightened like the face of Moses : Though often I haue beene deafe at thy preachinges , bee not thou dumbe at my prayers : O Father of mercies , listen vnto the groanes of my drooping spirite assailed with diuerse temptations : Heare the sighes and crouding of thine owne Turtle Doue .

O LORD , leade mee into the Land of vprightnesse , and make thy grace to seat it selfe into mine heart ▪ Store my memorie with these good lessons which I haue heard preached in mine health : Let mee neuer ouer-pryze anie good thing that is within my selfe : Though Iames and Iohn bragged that they were able to Matth. 21. 22 drinke of thy cuppe , scarce could they abide to see Thee drinke it : O Lord , make mee euer to vnder-value thy greatest worth , that thorow the valey of humilitte I may come to these euer lasting exaltations .

Come LORD , for loe thy seruant commeth : I am willing , Lord , helpe my vnwillingnesse : If it bee thy will to loose me out of this sinfull prison , when I shall leaue this earth to earth , appoint thine Angels to carrie my Soule vnto Abrahams bosome , where I may sing with thy Saincts Halleluiah for euer : Come , Lord , now and seeke thy lost groate ▪ Fetch home vpon thy Shoulders this wandering Sheepe , and make all the Heauens to rejoyce : Despise not that which in the creation thou diddest ennoble with thy liknesse : Giue mee a warrand and a token to bee admitted within the Gates of thine euerlasting Tabernacles : Till I come there make my Soule to burne still in holie feelings .

Lord , heare mee for the deare sake of thy Sonne to whom with Thee and the Spirit of grace ( as it is most due ) wee render all praise , glorie , and dominion for euer , AMEN .

The Pastour .

Blessed be God , Sir , who maketh his Spirit to worke so powerfullie within you : Wee are all greatlie refreshed with your comforts : It hath beene a great joye to vs all to heare that most sweete & feruent prayer , full of the groanes of the Spirit of Iesus :

* * Note In you haue wee seene the trueth of that Text , The Spirit helpeth Rom , 8. 26 our infirmities , for wee know not what wee should pray for as wee ought : But the Spirite it selfe maketh intercession for vs with groanings which cannot bee vttered : I am assured that that same Spirite hath made intercession for you with groaninges in that prayer which now yee haue vttered .

And againe , while I consider in what weakenesse and faintnesse I found you at the first I wonder at such a vigour of Spirit which I petceiue now to be into you : * * Note Truelie the word of God is most true ▪ God giueth power to the faint , & to them Isa. 40. 2. that haue no might hee increaseth strength : Euen the Youths shall faint and bee wearie , and the young men shall vtterlie fall : But they that waite vpon the Lord , renewe their strength : They shall mount vp with winges as Eagles .

* * Note Many in their afflictions either desparatelie rage , or weaklie wa●…le : But God in great mercie hath at last filled you with true Christian courage and comfort in your greatest smart : Hee hath listened to all your desires , beeing moued with that sacred Loue , which alwayes burneth in his bosome : * * Note His Grace like the Notherne Pole , hath giuen you aime and direction whether to bend your course .

Now the darkenesse of the night beginneth to ouer-cloud the earth : By Gods grace I shall returne in the Morning so soone as the birdes shall begin to chirpe at the spring of day .

* * Note Because while the spirit of man is idle , it weareth and wasteth it selfe away with barren and lumpish melancholie : While yee shall awake , cause reade Scripture vnto you , and particularlie these places , Psalme 27. Psalme 84. Psalme 87. 1. Corinthians 15. 2. Corinthians 12. Reuelation 21. Reuelation 22. His Grace bee you .

THE SEVENTH DAYES Conference .

The sicke Mans last wordes to his Pastour , Friendes , Wife , and Children .

The Pastour .

THE Lord blesse you Sir : According to my promise yester-night I am come againe earlie : All this night mine heart hath earned to knowe of your estate : How haue yee passed this night ?

The sicke Man .

O the mercie of my God towards mee , that hath moued you to take such paines for mee an vnworthie worme : By your most holy Sermons yee haue furnished and supplied my minde with store of holie and heauenlie meditations : Ye haue beene both a Paul for to plant mee in the true Faith , and an Apollos for to water mee : Christ the Master builder by the Finger of his Spirit hath laide the foundation of his Temple within mine heart : Hee hath made choise of you , a skilefull Workeman to aduance the worke , till in mercie at last hee shall roofe his graces in mee with celestiall Glorie : By the word of God yee haue comforted mee , that is onelie the word of comfort : * * Note Of all other words were they neuer so eloquent , I will say with a Father , In a thousand talents of worldlie wordes a man shall hardlie finde an hundreth pence of spirituall & heauenlie wisedome : This life is like the Haw thorne , more pricking than pleasant : Ye haue rauished my heart with desire of immortalitie aboue : I blesse God Sir that euer I saw you

The Pastour .

All these good things are to bee ascribed to the working of GODS Spirit : All the juice and sappe whereby the branches spring and liue , ensueth and riseth from the roote of the tree : We who are Pastours are but the Lords Spouts and Cocks of his Conduits , wherby his graces are conuoyed vnto the heartes of our hearers : If the Spirit of God mak not a mans Saluation sure , hee will incessantlie reele from one doubt to another , from one temptation to another , like a drunken man from wall to wall .

It is good therefore that yee summon your hearte and your glorie to giue praise vnto your God : Let not a thought of your heart absent it selfe from this point of seruice : God must not bee serued by halfes : As for mee : I am but the Lordes weak Instrument for your well : Giue God the glorie .

The sicke Man .

Blesse the Lord , O my Soule , & all that Psal. 103. 1 is within mee , blesse his holie Name .

I desire now to come with Dauid to my last words .

A speach of the sicke Man . to his Pastour .

First of all , I addresse my speach to you my worthie Pastour : Gods mercie in you toward mee hath beene great , for yee haue soundlie vnfolded all the intricate difficulties wherwith my Soule hath beene fearefullie entangled : Yee are one of these that may well say , Wee haue the mind 1 Cor. 2. 16 of Christ : God by his Grace haue made you that one of a thousand : you Iob. 33. 23 Iona. 1. 1. haue I found to bee like Ionah the sonne of Amittai , that is the sonne of trueth : Happie is that Preacher who is ledde in all trueth .

O the Majestie of that message : O the wisedome of these that gaine Soules vnto Christ : Wisedome hath said , That hee that winneth soules Prou. 11. 30 is wise : O but my Soule loueth you : * * Note My loue toward you assureth mee of Gods loue toward mee , for by this wee know that wee are translated 1 Ioh. 3. 14 from death to life , because wee loue the Brethren .

I loue you Sir in the dearest blood I haue , for yee haue beene the good instrument of God for my conuersion : ye in all my troubles , while mine heart was toucht to the quicke and my Conscience ransackt to the bottome , haue beene to mee a Barnab as a sonne of consolations , where with as with splents , ye haue bound mine heart : God in great mercie hath giuen vnto you the tongue of the Isa. 50. 4. Learned , with lippes touched with a coale from his Altar for the relieuing Isa. 6. 6. of my wounded Conscience with words of comfort .

O but that is true , a whole some tong Prou. 15. 4 is a tree of life : By the sword of the Word ye haue cut the twisted bonds of my greatest temptations wherein my Soule lay fast fettered . Mine heart hath beene greatlie rejoyced to heare you resoluing al my doubts and difficulties : O howe beautiful Isa. 52. 7. are the feete of these that bring go●… tydings ! Now I finde that of Solomon Eccles. 12. ●… to bee true , The word of the wi●… are as goads and as nailes fastened by the Masters of assemblies , which are giuen from one Shepheard : Christ that great Shepheard of the flocke 〈◊〉 with your words , as with goades ●… nailes so fastened me to himselfe that Death it selfe shall not bee able to seuer vs : * * Note Yee haue wonderfull●… Cant. 7. 8 restored my sicke Soule with flagon●… of the most sweete juice of the cluster of wine : Ye haue bound vp my bro●… ken joynts with the spirituall splen●… of diuine comforts .

* * Note O in what woefull plight , O in what seas of gall was I plunged when yee came first vnto mee ! there was nothing sound into my Soule●… All was full of botches , boiles and pu●…trifying Isa. 1. 6. sores : But yee like a cunning Surgeon in curing tumours haue broght the matter to an ●…ead ▪ and at last with great skill ye haue launced the boiles of my corruptions , whereof nowe ▪ God in mercie hath made mee free . I tremble to remember these fearefull temptations wherewith yee found mee at the first beset and besieged : * * Note These were indeede such temptations as Bernard called .

Terribilia de fide , horribilia de Bernard . divinitate .

* * Note Sathan hath assaulted mee both in a blacke shape and into an Angel of light : By your sweete comforts my Soule hath beene reuiued like that dead man that liued by touching 2 Kin. 13. 21 ▪ the bones of Elisha : Yee haue fed my Soule with the doctrine of your breastes bigge as Towers : Yee haue Cant. 8. 10 strengthened and sinewed my weake Soule with comfortable words wouen and wrought out of a feeling heart by the strength of holy meditations .

And now happie are yee who haue beene the instrument of my conuersion : I hope to bee one day one of these that shall stand at your backe , Isa. 8. 18. when yee shall say to your Master Christ , Behold , heere I am , and the children that God hath giuen mee .

Account me Sir one of these Talents that yee haue gained with the Talent of your gift : Your wordes haue stricken home vnto mine heart with powerfull and particular applications of comforts , whereby my disaffected Soule hath beene wooed and wone vnto the loue of my Sauiour Iesus : account me therefore a seale of your Ministerie : Ye know better than I what God hath promised to these that with a readie minde shal 1. Pet , 5. 2 conuert a sinner from his euill ways , such ( as God himselfe hath promised ) shall bee like the starres in the Firmament for euer : From your Dan. 12. 3 lips is come the sweetest balme that euer dropt from the penne of God vpon the leaues of the Booke of life . Blessed bee my God , who by his good Spirit into your mouth hath breathed most sweete comfortes into my Soule : * * Note Woe to all Doctours of dispaire : Blessed bee your lips wherein Mal. 2. 7. God hath placed the preseruation of knowledge : Your tongue to mee hath beene like a siluer watch bell to rouse and waken vp the gifts of God within my Soule : God by his words in your mouth declaring vnto man Iob. 33. 23 ▪ his righteousnesse , hath blowne vp his Isa. 42. 3. Graces which were weake into mine heart like a smoking flaxe , or a sparkle of fire vnder greene wood : Blessed bee my God , who by your diuine instructions hath made mee to bee acquainted with himselfe : Your comforts hath beene cordials and lenitifes to the ranking and festered sores of my Soule : To God bee glorie , who hath made you moste cunning of that great Arte of sauing sinners .

O my deare Pastor , by the refreshing Balme of your consolations ye haue infinitly indeered my soule , you to g●…s Iob. 33. 23 one of a thousand : * * Note I am assured that God hath made you faithfull with Ieremie , for to take foorth the preciou●… Ier. 15. 19 from the vile .

Nowe my God , with whom I A prayer thinke to bee shortlie , bee with you in your Ministerie , & make you his faithfull seruant vnto death , that ye may bee a worthie wooer for Christ , for to bring home manie straggling sinners vnto him the blessed Bridegroome of our Soules .

Farewell now my faithfull Pastour : My Soule now is glad to flitte from this house of clay : * * Note As for my bodie it must goe to the graue where for a space it shall bee confined but not confounded , for I looke assuredlie for the day of the Resurrection .

O Lord , seale vp in my Conscience A prayer the discharge of all my sinnes , that I may gladlie lay downe this Tabernacle .

The Pastour .

Mine heart rejoyceth with an exceeding great joy to reape such fruits of my labours : But this know , that what good yee haue by mee , it is not from mee , but from him that sent me : * It is God that giueth life & Soule Rom. 1. 16 vnto the Word that is powerfull to Saluation .

Paul may plant and Apollos may 1 Cor 3. 7 water , but it is God who giueth the increase : * * Note The best of all Preachers , are but like Iohn the Baptist , the voyce Luk. 3. 4. of a Cryer , who could not make all the crooked straight , nor the rough plaine .

If any good bee conuoyed vnto your Soule by mee , I am but the Instrument or Channell wherethorow the Spirit of Iesus hath made his Graces to flow vnto you : To Him alone belongeth the Glorie and the Thankes : * * Note It is not humane eloquence which conuerceth Soules : One word quickened and enliued with his Spirit , is more fruitfull than all the glorious eare-pleasing pompe of mans wordes , which like Agrippa and Bernice are full of phantasie : All Act. 25. 2●… the good that man can doe either by word or worke is like the honie in the combe gathered out of many flowers : But the euill is lik the Spidders webbe drawne out of our owne bowels .

The griefes of your heart Sir haue bene very great , but now ye are mercifullie comforted : * * Note Manie in this world plod on from sin to sin marching merrilie & feareleslie towards the plagues of Hell : But O , how much are yee beholden vnto your GOD , who in all your wearisome mazes hath supported and sinewed your Soule by his sauing Grace .

Because Sir there be here diuerse of your Friendes and other acquaintance vnto whom it may be ye wold desire to speake , I giue place to them that now they may learne something of you : * * Note The last words of a godlie man are verie forcible vnto the liuing : And therefore Sir , while ye haue breath , spend your short time vpon this , that by your good counsell yee may doe good to these that are for to liue after you : That once done ▪ commit your Soule to God as a faithful Creator : 1 Pet. 4. 19 He himselfe hath said , I will not leaue thee , neither will I forsake thee .

A speach of the sicke Man . to his Friendes .

And now yee my trustie Friends whose age God hath crowned with ripenesse of judgement , I turne my selfe to you : But first of all , let mee speak vnto you my spiritual & special Friend , who in my deepest plunge while I was fast sticking into the myrie clay , did vphold me with your comforts : * * Note Your counsell to sende for my Pastour hath prouen a speciall salue for my sore : God by that man of whom yee spake hath now healed my Soule of all its harmes . O blessed be that vnspeakable mercy of my God : * * Note Though Sathan had bereaued mee of my puritie he could not bereaue my God of his pittie : * * Note The Lord of light hath brought my Soule out of that long and loathsome Psal. 23. 4. night which is in the valley of the shadow of death , in comparison whereof the most palpable darknesse of Egypt might haue beene esteemed to bee day : O that pleasant Sunne-shine wherewith my Soule is nowe inlightned : O my God , breath more A prayer & more into my Soule the life of grace .

The spirituall Friend .

Glorie bee to God for his wonderfull A prayer mercies towardes you : The Lord , now set your Soule on wing that swiftlie like an Eagle it may flie vp to its God : * * Note Many a sore assault haue yee suffered since I spake with you at the first ▪ Satan & his temptations with the world & the corruption of Nature had gathered themselues against you like Gebal , Amon and Amaleck against Israel : Of them Psal. 118. 12 may yee well say nowe , They compassed mee about like Bees , they are quenched as the fyre of thornes ▪ To Sathan may yee now say , Thou hast thrust sore at mee that I might fall , but the Lord hath helped mee .

When I mette with you first yee were compassed with a chaine of calamities , one linked into another : * * Note To mee yee appeared to bee hanging ouer Hell by the slender twined threed of a lifelesse hope : Yee were plunged deeper downe than Iona●… was , when hee went downe to the bottome of the mountaines , where the weedes were wrapt about his head ▪ Now let your Soule say with Ionah , Iona , 2. 9. I will sacrifice vnto thee with the voyce of thankesgiuing , I will pay that that I haue vowed : Saluation is of the Lord .

The sicke Man .

Blesse the Lord , O my Soule , and all Psal. 103. 1 that is within mee blesse his holie Name : Blesse the Lord , O my Soule , and forget not all his benefites : Farewell my trustie Friend .

Now as for you mine other friends I turne my selfe to you : * * Note Hee that is conuerted with Peter should labour Luk. 22. 32 the conuersion of others : Hee whose weaknesse the Lord hath helped should strengthen his brethren .

It is nowe time to take our last good night ▪ Heere in your presence , I say , Farewell O world , wherein I haue liued which I haue too much loued : Learneye in time to set your affections vpon God : None of you can tell if God shall giue you such laiser to repent as he hath granted vntome : * * Note If yee forsake not in time the sweete pleasures of your sins , feare lest at last that that be found true which Abner said to Ioah ▪ Knowest thou not that it 2 Sam. 2. 26 will bee bitternesse in the latter end .

* * Note There is no sinne so sweete to man in his life but before his death it shall bee dissweetned and turned into gall and wormewoode within the bellie of the Conscience .

I speake by experience as one who hath knowne the terrours of the Lord : * * Note O my deare friendes looke ouer your shulder back to your bygone life , and consider how grieued yee shall bee for the sinnes of your pleasures when yee shall bee warded into your death beddes , readie to compeare before the great Iudge of the world : As yee see mee this day , so shall others see you ere it bee long : I haue often beene glad among you : Yee see now by mee what it is of all worldlie ●…oye : * * Note With a little blast of sickenesse such comfort like chaffe are chassed away : Your time is fast comming : Your Glasse is running my sicknesse cryeth vnto you , Learne of the estate of this your olde Eccles. 11. 3 Friend , to make your selues readie for another world : To mee to day to you to morrow : Where the tree falleth , there shall it lye : Whether the Glutton and the Begger are gone , thither must wee all ; that is , either to 〈◊〉 hams bosome or to the Deuils 〈◊〉 Luk. 16. 22 * * Note The death of one is like a 〈◊〉 charging all others to bee readie 〈◊〉 flitte and remoue .

Happie , yea , thrise happie is that man who in these 〈◊〉 and desperate dayes is not dulde with securitie : Bless●…d is hee who is for●… warned , striue to bee forewarned .

Blessed is that man who is eue●… vpon his watch , hauing his loine●… girded and his Candle in his hand Luk 12. 35 waiting for the comming of his Lord . A dew my louing Friendes : * * Note Seeke in time the friendship of your God ▪ Striue to be worthie the stile of Abraham that was called , The friend of God . ●…am . 2. 23.

O my deare Friends let mee now tell you what the Lord hath done to my Soule : * * Note Hee hath at last beene sensiblie gracious to my poore Soule , which Sathan hath long hunted vp & downe like a Patridge on the 〈◊〉 : The Deuill like a dogged Doeg hath sought to sucke out the heart blood of this trembling Turtle : Blessed bee the Lord for euer who hath disappointed him .

The Pastour .

I feare Sir that long speach trouble you : Your affection carrieth you aboue your strength : Contract your speach in as few wordes as yee can : What counsell will yee giue to your Spouse heere ? It is good that she heare your directions ; for I see that Gods Spirit is mighty in you .

The sicke Man .

If anie naturall man were heere for to heare mee , hee might willinglie thinke that I were Verbosus , a man of manie wordes : * * Note But alas , that I haue spoken so few of this sort : From Morning vntill Euening my tongue in health like the penne of a readie writter was swift to speake of too manie things , whereof now I repent from the bottome of mine heart : If Nature bee so windie in vaine pratling , should grace want wo●…ds in that which may be profitable to the hearers ?

I care not what carnall men thinke for my manie words : * * Note I am shortlie for to compeare before him , before whom mans improbation or approbation is of little weight or worth : My strength so long as I can speake , shall bee spended into that which may doe good to these whom I shall leaue behind : * * Note I shall doe what I can both feelinglie and faithfullie to warne others to flie from the wrath to Luk. 3. 7. come .

Bee not offended I pray you Sir , if I bee free with you : The last motions of Gods Spirit in this mortall life wold be verie charitablie thoght of : I pray you Sir to pardon mine hastie and cankered Nature , if I haue spok●…n anie thing amisse , whereat yee may take exception ,

The Pastour .

The Lord blesse you Sir : Praised bee his Name who hath touched your lips with a liue coale taken with a Isa. 6. 6. tonges from off his Altar : The Lord is with you ; speak so long or so little as yee please : Glad am I to heare the motions of that Spirit of Grace which is lodged into your heart .

Heere is your Spouse , Sir : Let her heare your last directions .

The sicke mans speach to his Spouse .

As for thee my Spouse , now shortlie thou art for to bee a Widow : I counsell thee that first of all thou marrie thy selfe to Christ , let him be thy spirituall Spouse .

* As for other marriage the word 1 Cor. 7. 8. concerning widowes is plaine : It is good for them that they abide so : But if they cannot containe , let them marrie , for it is better to marrie than to burne : * * Note No marriage , as thou seest , is directlie appointed for Widowes , but for these that cannot containe : Otherwise the Apostles wordes are true : It is good for them that they abide so : * * Note If so be that thou marrie , plant not a Thorne where a Vine should grow : Dishonour not the fi●…st bed , and preferre not purse or portion to the worth of the person : If GOD call thee to marriage , see that thou call GOD to thy marriage , if Christ bee at thy marriage , that is , if thou marrie in Christ , thy water shall bee turned into wine , which was Christes first miracle : * * Note The water Ioh. 2. 11 of wearinesse of trouble and of sorrow which thou hast drunke with mee , shall bee turned into wine of joye , gladnesse , peace , and prosperitie . But if thou marrie not in Christ , but make thy choice by thy sight , and not by sighes to God in prayer , then shall thy wine bee turned into water : God shall manifest a new miracle vpon thee to the worse , that is , All the prosperitie , peace and contentment thou had with mee , shall bee changed in miserie , pinch , and pouertie , & manie a woe is mee : Then had thou neuer such cause to put on thy doole weeds at when thou shalt put it off .

Take good heede to thy selfe : Now is the last age of the world , this life is full of dangers : Sathan hath laide moe snaires on earth , than there bee starres in heauen .

Remember well this watch-word , Mat. 13. 33 Watch and pray , hauing euer thine eye vpon thy God : Keepe thy selfe from all apperance of euill : A flee Eccles. 10. ●… great of wickednesse will cause all thy perfume to stinke : * * Note Sinne is like a Riuer which at the source is but small : A scandell is like a scab that beginneth with itching , but endeth into blisters , boiles & putrifying sores Tak good heede to thy cariage & to thy , companie , euil company vaine communication , & rotten words , wil work vpon the conceptions of the mind , lik Iacobs pilled rods set in the gutters and Gen. 30. 38 watering troughes before the flockes : The flockes which conceiued before the rods brought foorth Cattell ringstroaked , vers. 38. spekled and spotted : In euill companie at the hearing of vaine , idle or rotten words , what can the heart of man or woman conceiue but that which after it is brought foorth shall appeare both spekled and spotted ? An euill thought is a sinne which besides its owne particular sting , is able to trouble sore the Conscience by awaking the old sinnes of our vnregeneration .

Let my counsell bee acceptable vnto thee : * * Note Haunt neuer the man whose name is pitched with a blacke report : It is hard to touch pitch , and not to be defiled : It is not good for men were they neuer so good to be haunters of women : Christs Disciples wondered that hee spake vnto a woman Ioh. 4. 27 apart , a great argument that Christ was neuer with that Sexe but in companie : It is no better for women to haunt the companie of men : Fire and flaxe are easilie kindled , the least sparkle of fire will kindle Tinder : * * Note Good outward meanes are helpful to inward motions the mothers of our actions .

Some I know will say , that they feare none euill , and that they are cleane of all such pollutions : If it be so , it is a benefite of God : But yet learne the lesson .

Caute & casiè .

None stand so well but they haue to take heede lest they fall : * * Note Were 1 Cor. 20. 12 thou neuer so holie thou hast neede to say the Lords prayer , whereof Lead vs not into temptation , is a petition : Enter neuer into that , whereinto thou desireth not to bee ledde : None at the first dash be brought to the height of corruption : S. Peter 1 Pet: 3. 2. willeth that womens chast conuersation bee coupled with feare : Feare alwayes if thou bee wise : Hee or shee that would auoide a sinne , must shune the occasion : * * Note The least shewes or appearences of euil are these litle Foxes Cant. 2. 15 that spoile the vines : How little leauen will sowre the whole lumpe ? What is the best of all sinfull flesh , but like Gun-powder ? a sparkle of temptation may kindle in a moment that which in our whole life time we shall not be able to quen●…h with many teares , no more than Esau could recouer the blessing which after it was solde , hee sought with manie teares : That which we may be tempted to , wee may fall into . Let all flesh suspect its owne frailtie : Scorners may speake as they please , but daylie doolefull experience will subscribe the trueth of my words .

* * Note In this last age , alas , many godlie Sidera volentia . persons in appearance lik shooting starres fall downe in diuerse places with their blazing profession from Heauen vnto Earth , a most sure token of a tempest to come : * * Note Too manie , alas , shame goodnesse by seeming good , like Frogges infro●…kes Vice in the habite of Vertue . While inwardlie the heart is rotten , nowe or then corruption must burst out into scab & scandel : Many with their faire profession are like Rowers in a Boat , who look one way but goe the cleane contrarie . For this cause I intreat thee to studie the substance of godlinesse , and not to bee like these whose chiefest care is spended vpon shewes : S. Paul speaking of the life Coloss. 3. 3. of the Godlie , saith , That it is hidde with Christ in God : * * Note It is so hidde there that none shall bee able to find it for to steale it away , or to take it by force , but not so hidde but that it must also appeare in all the effects of godlinesse .

* * Note When God commanded Ezekiel to p●…each vnto the drye bones , that they might liue , hee ordained Ezek. 37. 9 for him this Text , Thus saith the Lord God , come from the foure windes O breath , and breath vpon these slaine that they may liue For to apply this , where there is a life after slaughter , I speake of a spirituall life , a life hid in God , the●…e must appeare foure effectes from the foure winds : From the East , the Orient of that life , there must bee an arising from sinne : From the West , there must bee a dying to sinne , euen a setting and going downe of wickednesse : From the South , must come the heat of zeale moisted with showers of teares of true repentance : At last from the North , must come a chill colde of trembling feare to offend God , whereby wee make an end or worke out the worke of our Saluation with feare and trembling : These bee the foure partes of godlinesse wherein all Christian Soules must bee carefullie exercised : In this is the substance of true godlinesse ▪ It is better to bee starke naught , than to double our sins by seeming good : It is easie to juggle the outward eye of flesh , but that inward Eye which seeth our thoughts a farre off , nothing shall escape : There is not a Crowne of life for carnall liuers .

Hearken vnto mee mine heart : Bee busie in prayer , joyne fasting therevnto , lest that the high feeding of the flesh make the bodie to kicke against the Soule , which is too farre in loue with the bodie : * * Note Of a pampered bodie may the Soule often say , in some measure as Christ said of Iudas , He who hath eaten bread at my Ioh. 13. 18 table hath lift his heele against me : * * Note All fleshlie pleasures are both vaine and vile : They are like blisters which beginne with itching , but end in swelling sores : Beware of such succred poyson .

* * Note My counsell is that often thou reade the holie Scriptures , and particularlie the thirtie one Chapter of the Prouerbes where thrift and godlinesse are joyned together : Bee carefull and painefull in thy manag●… : Think surely that Idlenesse is the mother of all mischiefe : Seeke Gods grace both earnestlie and earelie : A little with Gods blessing is a rich heritage : An handfull of meale and a 1 Kin. 17 ▪ 12 little oylein a cruse was sufficient for the Prophet and the Widow of Sarept●… till the famine was past : That blessed handfull was better , than the best prouided Barne or Girnell in the Land : * * Note The grace of God is an heritage of greatest and surest rent : Vnsanctified prosperitie is but a seeming Sun-shine which vnauoidablie must perish : Blessed is the woman who with Marie in some measure Luk. 1. 28. is receiued in grace .

Tak good heed to thine heart watch well ouer thy thoughtes , though thoughts be called light , the sinne of thought is heauie : from the inward thoughts spring and sprout all outward mischiefes .

As for thine outward carriage ▪ meddle not in other mens matters : * * Note Curious searchers of the life of others are often carelesse correcters of their owne : Manie neglecting the hudge beame in their owne ye , must needs bee tampering with the little mots that are in others ▪ A slacked tongue and a slacke hand keepe other companie : An idle woman must bee a pratler , when the hand cannot practise , the tong must prattle : To such it is scorne to preach , that for euerie idle word wee must all bee answerable .

My deare Spouse I must tell thee all that I thinke concerning thy wel , for I desire thy Soule to bee knitte with mine into the bundle of life : Take good heede to thy selfe , these who in this world haue a name to li●…e , haue great neede to rule well their life : The nearer a bodie bee to a lighted Candle the greater is the shadow thereof , so the nearer the bodie of sinne bee to one that is inlightened , the greater is the Scandale thereof : * * Note Put the breadth of thy finger hard neere to the Candle , & it shall make a shadow greater , then all your bodie : but the farder it be remoued the lesse it will appeare : Remember I pray thee how neare thou art to the Candle of a bright & glorious profession , a little Mot of euill will bee called a mountaine in thee , because thou was my wife , and because wee haue liued with good report : * * Note The wicked are most faine to take the Godlie but tripping in a lesser fault , of their infirmities they make bucklers for the defence of their maliciousnesse .

V●…e my counsell for feare of scandale , and for to flee all appearance of euill , Hatte the verie garment Iud. v. ●…3 . spotted with the flesh : Watch well ouer thy selfe both alone and in companie : Striue neuer to seeme to bee that , which thou art not indeede : * * Note Many haue much more than they shew ; but moe shewe much more than they haue : The Religion of the greatest part for all their pretences , is but a smoke , a shadow , a blast , or a sound : * * Note Substance without appearance is better than appearance without substance : * * Note The Soule which hath but a forme of godlinesse is most deformed in Gods sight : Ordinarlie shee who is most farded is most filthie : * * Note Vices are most vile when they are shrouded and ouer-cast with a countenance of Vertue , a vizard of pietie maketh one a monster in Gods eyes : * * Note There is no such villanie as that which is varnished ouer with colours of godlinesse . Sinners may cloake sinne and couer it for a space , but they cannot stand long , for wickednesse shal be broken as a tree .

Let therefore thy Faith within , appeare in thy life without : * * Note All the Faithfull should be like the roule of that Booke which Ezekiel saw in a vision which was written within Eze. 2. 16. and without : If there bee no Letters of life written without , there is no liuing Faith within , but a dead carion of Faith for Faith without works ●…am . 2. 20. is dead . For this cause flee the foggie lithernesse of the flesh , and striue for the fruites of Faith : * * Note Aboue all be earnest in prayer the preseruer of honestie : Heare Gods word with reuerence as good newes from a farre Prou. 25. 25. Countrey : Let this word be a straight rule to direct thee in all the cariage of thy life : let no worldlie businesse with-draw thee from it , while it is preached : * * Note These who eate their bread with greatest sweate eate not the sweetest bread : It is not earlie rising , nor late going to bedde that enricheth : * * Note Though for a time Marthas toyling and troubling her selfe Luk. 10. 41 about many thinges , seeme to bring much profite , it shall bee seene at last that it is the grace of God that enricheth .

* * Note This is most certaine , the ●…urest fastning in this world is but loofenes without God , in whom alone is the certainty of that which shal neuer perish .

* * Note In all thine affaires , in all companies remember that in the secrete closets of thine heart thou haue frequent ejaculations vnto thy God , that hee may guide and guard thee while thou shalt encounter with temptations , hardlie shall shee bee caught that feareth the snare : Sathan with his baites & lures is euer waiting for to catch his prey : * * Note Hee hath three great gunnes , three great impoysonners whereby hee wasteth the graces and good names of many , viz. The lust of the flesh , the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life : It shall bee thy best to arme thy selfe against these three , by holding continually a wakening and jealous eye ouer thy whole conuersation : * * Note If the euill thought be stiffled so soone as it beginneth to stir into the heart , it shall neuer bee able to produce an euill action into the hand ▪ For this cause wise Solomon gaue a precept which I may call a spirituall Cordiall ▪ which is , that aboue all watch and ward men Prou. 4. 23 and women should keepe their heartes :

* * Note Manie with Hypocrites may seeme to haue their hands in heauen Luk. 18. 12 by giuing almes with the Pharisee , while indeede their proude loftie & faithlesse heartes are in Hell , God looketh not so much to the outward action as to the inward affection ▪ * * Note The Lord cannot away with the painted superficiall flourishes of holines of these that are false hearted and meerelie formall : The Israelite indeede , in whose heart is no guile , is the Ioh. 1. 47. Lords delight : Studie therefore I intreate thee to the puritie and power of godlinesse : Bee carefull to write all these heart precepts vpon the palmes of thine handes , lest that vnawares thou bee woefullie caught and ensnared in some scandalous sin whereby thou shalt shame thy profession : All mortall feete are feeble and stand in a sliperie ground . O what danger is in giuing way to our first sinfull motions , while sin is least feared it is most to bee feared : Sathan is most dangerous while hee is transformed 2 Cor. 11 14 into an Angel of light : Poyson confected with Sucre is moste piercing and deadlie : Smiling Ioabs are most cunning in smiting , faire alluring & tickling temptations oftest preuaile : * * Note Manie are like the Larke , which while it playeth with the feather and stoupeth to the glasse is suddenlie enwrapted in the Fowlers net .

There is nothing more dangerous than securitie : While Peter thought himselfe stronger than all men , Sathan was hatching three abominations in his heart , which at last brake out , first in lyes and last in perjurie : stand in awe and sinne not : One sin draweth on another lik links in a chaine . Wee haue sinned , wee will goe vp , that Deut. 1. 4●… is wee haue sinned , wee will sin : Keepe euer GOD in thy sight , and bee humble .

Bee carefull in all thy cariage to liue in good example : Allow not thy selfe in that which is euill , flee the folies of this age which is wonderfullie giuen to new guises of decking the bodie , most womens hearts are sowred with this leauen . * * Note Let spirituall joyes be thy jewels , & the good works of thine hands , let them be the gold rings of thy fingers the matter of thy pleasures : There is nothing more pleasant than to doe wel : * * Note For this cause good workes are in that Song of songs called , a gathering Cant. 6. 1. of Lillies and flourishing of the Vines : She who is too curious of the outward decking of the Backe , cannot bee carefull of the inward trimming of the heart : * * Note Fard and foolish vaine fashions of apparell are but ▪ Bawds of allurement to vncleannesse : * * Note Away with these dyed Dames whose beauty is in their Boxe , such dawbinges are soone washed off from these painted Iezabels , such melting faces are not meete for marterdoome , for the cause of Iesus , vnder such false faces is no lodging for true and honest hearts .

In all things striue thou to be sobe●… : * * Note Beware to out ▪ runne thy rank or to out weare the fashions by attyring thy selfe too gorgeouslie : Soft Matth. 11. 8 appparell is but for Kinges houses : What are such Cuts and Cordons , Silkes and Satins , and other such superfluous vanities , wherwith manie aboue their ranke and place are so disguised , but infallible tokens of an vnsanctified heart ? * * Note With such follies often are joyned libertine eyes & wandering in wanton ▪ glaunces . Let my counsell please thee , Idol not thy bodie with these who habour in their bosome the snake of pride : * * Note Let thy chiefe care bee to decke the hidden man of the heart : A meeke and humble soule is a great ornament in Gods eyes : This is Scripture , The ornament 1 Pet , 4. 18 of a meeke & quiet spirit is of great price in the sight of God : Shee whose heart is truelie godlie , will be most carefull to put on that which most will please the Lords eye : Consider well what I say : Follow not the fickle fancies of vaine women , whose minds are like the Moone in a continuall change , but rather bee a Schooler of these whose wisedome is constantlie contrarie to all new fangled follies : * * Note Too curious busking is the mother of lusting lookes , the Iuy-Bush hung out for to inueigle vnsanctified hearts vnto folie .

* * Note What are these finest silkes the fairest feathers of our pride ? What are they , but wormes worke & moathes meate ? Striue for the power of mortifying grace : while the flesh is lusty and at a full sea , the Spirit is at vnder ▪ euen at a low ebbe : The pampering pride of life is the bane and poison of spirituall graces , beware of it : It is an high treason against the most High , it is a sinne which first lifteth vp , and after bringeth downe with a shamefull fall that which it hath once lifted vp .

* * Note The heart of man is lik the shell-fish , which pride as an Eagle taketh vp into the aire , but while it is come to a great hight , it anone letteth it fall vpon the rockes of shame and disgrace ; where after that it hath dashed it in pieces it greedilie deuoureth it : * * Note Hee who in Heauen could not dwell with Pride will neuer on Earth harbour in that heart wherein it lodgeth : Outward counterfeit humilitie may for a time jug ▪ gle the eyes of the beholders , such a varnished pride is a double abomination : O howe detastable vnto God are these who beeing vainlie puft vp in their fleshlie minde , haue no Col. 2. 18. lodging for humilitie , but into their mouthes : And yet who can haue patience to giue ●…are , shall at last heare a Sibboleth some swelling word , which by the accent , shall giue notice ▪ that they are not such as they say .

* * Note Certainelie Humilitie is one of the fairest flowers in the whole garland of spirituall vertues : Whereas Pride a spirituall tympanie bloweth vp the heart , and maketh the Arteries to swell with vncleane spirits , Humilitie tempereth the blood , and quieteth the Spirit with such a calmenesse , as that wherein the Lord appeareth to Elijah . 1 Kin. 19 12

Some if they bee not Whoores or Theeues , they thinke that they cannot faile , and yet in one sinne are all sinnes , for who faile in one , faile in all : * * Note That which God said by his Prophet is notable , If a man beget a sonne that is a Theefe or a Murtherer , Ezek. 18. 10 or that doeth any one of these thinges : Obserue the words , Anie one , Thogh hee doe all these things , Shall be liue ? vers. 13 hee shall not liue : He hath done all these abominations : See howe hee who hath done but any one is heere also said to haue done all these abominations : See how all sinnes by a little bore creepe in with a deceitfull pace : If one poisonfull herbe bee in the Potte death is there .

What shall I say more of Humilie , the rarest vertue in women ? This I will say , The lowliest heart is euer in highest in Gods account , it euer hath the best share of his fauours : * * Note As streames of waters runne to the lowe valleyes , so doe the graces of God flow to the humble Soules : Shame and confusion of face is the ordinatie end of all the puffes of pride and of all vnlawfull daliance : This sentence neuer lighted false , Pride must gette a fall : This is Scripture , Psal. ●…38 . 6 Though the Lord bee high ▪ yet hath hee respect vnto the lowlie : But the proud hee knoweth a farre off .

Bee constant in all thy wayes : striue to keepe peace with thy neighbours : * * Note For this end set a porter at thine eare , for to hold out fal●…e reports : an open eare and a loose tongue are two deadlie foes to all sacred friendshippe : Where such are , triffles are taken for truethe after that a matter it throughlie sifted , most mens r●…ports are found to bee but babbling .

* * Note Let the true feare of God harbour in thine heart continuallie : The feruent zeale of many is agueish lik feuers which come & goe by fits and starts : Ahab could crouch when 1 Kin. 21. 27. hee heard that the Dogges should licke his blood . Till Pharaohs sorcerers were Exod. 8. 19 fearefullie plagued , none of them could pronounce , This is the finger of God ▪ Bee not like the wicked who neuer feare God but when hee is in a tempest : Fooles are so stiffe and steelie that for God they will not stir an inch , till his judgement cause them to stagger .

Striue to liue by precept & not by example : Many thinke themselues to bee well , beause they are not so euill as many others : * * Note In this they are like the Drapers who giue luster to a Karsey by laying it to a Rugge : The deeper damnation of some in the poole and puddle of perdition , shall bee a verie small comfort for these that are in the shallow foordes of the floodes of fyre , kindled with the brimestone beames of euerlasting burnings : * * Note The fore-skinne of an vncircumcised heart is so thicke and brawnie that no precepts can pierce through it , till the Spirite himselfe make a way .

Oh then , seeing wee are all a broode of corrupt loynes , it standeth thee in hand to bee earnest with that Spirit of grace , that he would teach thee to keepe watch and ward ouer all thy wayes .

* * Note If any creature offende thee , bite not at the stone , but lift vp thine eyes to God : None euill is in the Citie Amos. 3 ▪ 6 but that which hee hath done .

At diuine Seruice be not chill nor colde : Bee feruent in thy prayers , while thou speakest to God with thy mouth , suffer not thine hearte to wander vpon toyes , it is more difficile to pray than to preach , wicked men may preach , but they cannot pray , God hath branded them with this blot they call not vpon God : * * Note The Lord put into thine heart the juice A prayer and sappe of his Grace .

My Spirit is so wearied that I am not able to expresse my minde .

The Pastour .

The Psalmest said well , The Lord will Psal. 138. 8 perfite that which concerneth mee : Hee who hath begun in you his graces , shall perfite that which concerneth you , yea , and shall make his grace to 2 Cor. 12. 9 bee made perfect in your weaknesse .

The sicke Man .

O my Lord , lead mee in the land A prayer of vprightnesse : O God , with Thee Psal. 143. 10 is the Fountaine of life : In thy Light Psal. 36. 9. wee shall see light : Reuiue mine heart , O Lord , with some new supplye of strength from aboue : Let the wordes Psal. 19. 14 of my mouth and the meditations of mine heart bee acceptable in thy sight , O Lord , my strength & my Redeemer .

Aboue all thinges my louing Spouse , beware of euill companie , the corruption of good manners ; and fuell of folie : * * Note It is good to vse companie as Moses did his Rod , so long as it remained a Rod he remained with it , but so soone as it became a serpent incontinent he fled from before Exod. 4. 3. it : Bee not like these most vile persons , who for to varnish their appearances of euill with alledging innocencie , say , That they care not what men say of them , and that they cannot hinder men to speake : Away with such wordes , such vaine partlings cannot secure the Conscience , neither content the scandalized beholders of euill appearances : If thou doe not euill , doe not euill lik : Be not altogether carelesse what others say of thee , but in all securitie of life striue for a good name , which is better than Eccles. 7. 3 precious oyntment : There is no such folie as folie practised with profession of wisedome : Hypocrites may warilie watch ouer their words and outward actions , but none but Nathanaels , haue hearts without guile . Ioh. 1. 47.

Consider well I pray thee , that wee are now come to the dregges of dayes , and extremities of time , and also to the extremities of sinne , for auoiding of the sands , we rush vpon the rocks : We liue in the last and most corrupt age , wherein the verie confluence of all the corruptions of former ages haue made their Randie-vowes : So , ( as all may see ) it is vtterlie impossible , except the Lord work wonders that anie keepe themselues so passinglie pure from all spice of contagion , but some one infection or other shall sticke vnto them , vnto Gods dishonour , and their owne disgrace : O how manie rubs are in the way to life eternall ! My best beloued let such instructions sinke deeplie down into thine heart , that thou bee not like Hypocrites , who are more thoughtfull for plausible conueiances and outward plastering appearances , than for anie substance of godlinesse : Bee truelie godlie , and not prophane , like these who say what the Prophets will , must into the house of Rimmon , one thing or other must they doe , wherein God must bee mercifull vnto them .

* * Note As for thee bee a Church wife and also an House-wife : It is not seemelie for women to bee gading heere and there shee is most happie * Note who in this sinfull time is least known of the world , so that shee truelie striue to know God and her selfe : Wise Solomon who in his wisedome excelleth all , as also in number of wiues spake by experience , that wandering Women were not chast , by this special marke hee brandeth the whoore , That her Prou. 7. 11 feete abide not in her house , but nowe shee is without , and now in the streetes : vers. 12. By Solomons record , shee that gadeth abroad cannot bee well thought of : With Wisedome shee hath cracked her credit : If Dinah had taried at home while shee went abroad , shee had not beene deflored , which was the cause of great blood-shed , which made her brethren Simeon and 〈◊〉 Gen. 49. 7 afterward to bee diuided in Iaakob , & dispersed in Israel : The occasion of all that euill was from the vanitie of the Damosell , her folie is registred in Gods Chronicles for all Ages to come , that women chieflie may read it , and bee wise by her example : The wordes are these , And Dinah Gen. 34. 1 the daughter of Leah , which shee bare vnto Iaakob , went out to see the daughters of the Land .

Remember well I pray thee these few p●…ecepts : Bee carefull & sincere at the seruice of thy God : Serue him not by halfes : * * Note Hee who is onelie holie , must bee serued wholie : Take good heed to thy self , beware of clawing flatterers , who for gaine wil varnish thy vices , for to make them seeme vertues . Labour for a good name , perrell it not for trifflles : If for light matters it bee mainelie hazarded it shall bee easilie cut off , where euer thou bee , bee content with thy lot : See that in anie wise thou neuer harbour in thine heart a discontented mind : Beware of an euill tongue , which is an vnruelie euill , within the compasse of the mouth wherein it is , is a Iam. 3. 6. world of wickednesse .

Bee carefull both for the inward and the outward of thy conuersation , for many eyes will looke and spye what shall be thy life after me : Bee therefore euer vpon thy guard , sinne neuer in hope of secrecie , for none can sinne without a witnesse : Sequester thy selfe from all occasions of euil , if thou wold haue grace to bee dearelie and deepelie rooted in thine heart : Where euer thou art , thinke God thereto be present : Tak him at all times to bee an eye-witnes of thy thoughts : * * Note Thogh ali be barred out , the Lord is within : Feare God & liue in peace with thy neighbours : * * Note Let the good thoughts of thine heart put the ouer in the handes of practise , first know & then doe , which is compleate Christianitie : Grow in grace , grone for sins past , escape relapses , haunt the godlie , flie these that are of a prostitute Conscience : Sinne is like a Ring-worme of a contagious and spreading nature , from lesse to more ouer Shooes ouer Bootes like Hezekiels waters from the Ankles to the Knees , and so higher and higher from scabbe to scandale : Shune all appearance of euill , so shall thy conuersation sauour like oyntment , and most sweete perfume . Now the Lord bee with thee : Kisse mee , and so farewell .

The Pastour .

Heere Sir are your little Children waiting for your blessing , it is good that yee say some-thing to them for their instruction : The last words of a Friend or of a Father are often of greatest weight , and beare most into the rememberance of these to whom they are spoken .

I feare that ye faint in your weaknesse , and therefore bee as summar and short as yee can .

The sicke Man .

I thanke God , though the strength of my bodie decayeth , my Spirit is become stronger like Samson , after Iudg , 16. 22 that his haire beganne to grow : My force & courage within is renewed Psal. 103. 5 like the youth of the Eagle by casting of its bill : Blessed be he who giueth Isa. 40. 29. power to the faint , and increaseth strength to them that haue no might .

O Lord , mould mine heart after the A prayer heauenlie modell of thy Law : Emptie mine head , and disburden mine heart of all earthlie cares , that my thoughts may be whollie and entirelie spent vpon thy selfe without any turning awry from holie and heauenlie meditations .

The Pastour .

Seeing God is with you in such a spirituall power , spend your short time the best yee may for his glorie and for the well of these whom yee desire to bee best in this world after you .

* * Note That new strength which appeareth in you at the sight of your Children remembereth me of old Iaakob lying on his death-bedde , when it was tolde him that Ioseph whom he loued was come to see him ▪ it is said , That Israel strengthen himselfe , and Gen. 48. 2 satte vpon the bed .

The sicke Man .

I finde the like mercie , though not in such a measure .

O my God , fit and furnish my Soule A prayer with the sanctifying grace of thy spirit : Rouse vp my Spirit , whet vp my minde to feeke the thinges which are aboue : Lord , put a liuing Soule within this dying bodie .

A speach to his Children

And now yee my Children gather your selues together and hearken vnto your louing Father , that ye may remember well his last words .

Come neare mee I pray you , and receiue your old Fathers blessing : Let mee lay both mine handes vpon your heads that I may make my last prayer for you . A prayer

The Angel which redeemed mee Gen. 48. 16. from all euill blesse the Lads , and lette them grow in multitude as fishes , God make you as Ephraim and as Manasses . Behold ▪ now my deare Children , I goe the way of all the earth ▪ keepe the charge 1 Kin. 2. 2. of the Lord your God ▪ to walke in his wayes , that yee may prosper in all that yee doe , and whther soeuer yee turne your selues : By instant prayers to God hemme in the folies of your youth : * * Note In this wicked euill world striue to bee like fishes which keepe their fresh taste while they liue in saltest waters .

Bee carefull to consecrate the first yeeres , euen the flower and pryme of your life vnto the Lord , which shall bee a meanes for sanctifying the rest of your age : * * Note The first borne ▪ and the first fruites vnder the Law of ceremonies were the Lords : The substance thereof in the Gospel , is that wee giue the Lord the best of our yeeres and the flower and strength of our age : * * Note Most men in the prime of youth are both hote and headie : Happie is hee who in a sober moode and colde blood passeth the time of his sojourning heere chieflie , while hee is in the strength of youth : By carefull culture & manurance the fiercenesse of Beares and Lyons will be mitigated and tamed : It is a great slight of Sathan to make young men sport in their sinnes , vnder hope they may repent when they are olde : But alas , who is so young that can say , that he shall liue vntill morrow ? * * Note Is it not seene that there bee as manie little as great skuls in Golgotha ? As soone , say wee , commeth the Lambe skin to the market as the olde Sheepes : * * Note But thogh they who are yong were assured to become old , they could not be assured of repentance which is the gift of God , which hee giueth to whom and when it shall please his Majestie : That which is the gift of Gods good pleasure , is not a thing which a man may haue when he pleaseth : Youth is Ioh. 5. 4. lik the time of the stirring of the poole , a gracious time , if it be wel imployed : Christ I knowe may cure a Soule that hath beene sicke of the palsey of sinne eight and thirtie yeeres , but that must bee counted a most rare miracle : * * Note Late repentance is seldome sound : But alas , though a man were assured that in his olde dayes he should repent truelie of all the folies of his youth , how bitter a thing is that which Gods word calleth Repentance ? * * Note A Pagan hauing gotten some little glimpse thereof , while he conferred the pleasures of sin with the paines of repentance , refused to bargaine for his pleasures , saying plainelie , Non eme●…im tanti poenitere , that hee would not buy repentance so deare : Most men in the heat of their sinnes lay about them to finde some pretence for the lessening therof , lest they seeme vgelie .

Oh , that youth would bee wise , our youth is either a great friend or a great foe vnto our olde age : If we get a fill of Gods mercie in the morning Psal. 90. 14 of our age , wee shall bee glad and rejoyce all our dayes : * * Note The rememberance of a well spent youth , is in olde age lik the casting of the Eagles Psal. 103. 5 bill whereby its age is renewed : * * Note O the siluer coloured gray head of that olde man , who from his youth in the maine of his life , hath walked in the wayes of righteousnesse ! Grace from the Cradle is of great expectation : * * Note Happie is that youth which is old in grace : If yee get grace to your youth , yee shall get glorie after age : God it is who giueth both grace and glorie . which two I may call the * * Note euerlasting twinnes conceiued into the breast and bowels of that Mercie that is aboue .

Take heede my Children : In your first dayes striue to bee like the Auncient of dayes : * * Note A good Conscience well kept in youth is a perpetuall feast for olde age : That mans youth is a great friend to his old age who can say with Obadiah , I feare the Lord 1 Kin. 18. 12 from my youth : A well spent youth is a blessed seede time for Heauen : A well spent youth is spirituall physicke vnto olde age , which of it selfe on Earth , is a sicknesse drawing vnto Death .

As the well spent youth is a friend vnto old age , so if it bee euill spent , it is a most fearfull foe ; a foe full of woes : * * Note woe to him whose old bones are sores with the sins of his youth : the Psal. 25. 7. Lord hath taken the penne in his hand wherewith after he that hath narrowly searched his wayes , hee shall write bitter thinges against him , and shall make him possesse the iniquities of his Iob. 13. 26 youth : * Beware therefore to set your corruption to worke , for to giue the Prime of your life vnto pleasures : Bee wise in time , lest Sathan shely foist in and closelie conuay corruptions into your young and tender heartes by tickling and tempting you to folie : * * Note It is more easie while it is time to spend well the time , than after to redeeme the mispent time : Why would yee trouble your olde age with young folies ? If yee sawe the seede of folie in your youth , ye shall vndoubtedly reapesheaues of sorrows in your old age : It is a sore troublé to sow in laughter & reape in teares : * * Note In the best man that liueth , there is sufficient mater of mourning for his cloudie and rainie yeares : The old man hath enough to suffer vnder sicknes , though hee had no cumber of his sinnes : * * Note O how pleasant is the bitter haruest of a foolish youth ! O folie , hath not olde age paines sufficientlie in the bodie , though it bee not surcharged with the troubles of the Spirit : What wisedome is this to surcharge the weakest age with the heauiest burden ? * * Note Thinke chieflie vpon this , seeing the goodnesse of God followeth the whole life of man from his mothers bellie to his buriall , it is reason that his whole life as well youth as olde age , bee framed for to expresse his thankfulnesse .

My first and chiefest direction to you is , that yee giue to God the first fruites of your age : * * Note Suffer not sinne in your tender yeeres to get hold & haunt in your heartes : A godlie Youth hath a speciall promise 〈◊〉 God , these that seeke mee earelie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 7. 17 finde mee : This parable was forged in Hell , young Saincts old Deuils , that is , A good Lad will bee an euill man : And this is turned ouer againe by the prophane world , viz. An euill Lad will bee a good man : Nay , but an euill Lad is in the way to proue an olde wag-string : A young scoffing Ismael will become an olde swaggering reueller . Children in Scripture are called Plants : If in the Moneth of Psal. 128. 3 May a 〈◊〉 bee without leafes or buddes , we conceiue little good hope of anie fruites to bee had in the haruest time thereafter : will a tree bring foorth fruites before it flourish ? When flourish time is past without anie blossome , shall wee looke for anie fruite for that yeare ?

Learne of the trees to know your seasons : * * Note Solomon sent the sluggard to Doctour Pismires schoole for to Prou. 6. 6. learne wisedome , to prouide for the euill day : Striue with the trees in your youth to get a spring of grace , which may app●…are in the sprout and blossome of dispositions vnto vertues .

Mu●…ium est ass●…escere a teneris .

* * Note To beginne well or euill is to bee in the midst of the journey : Most powerfull are the first impressions lik the loue of women which ordinarlie is greatest towards her first Match the guide of her youth , who tulit primos Prou. 2. 17 amores , hath gorten the prime of her loue : It is hard to fall from her first loue : * * Note See what a liking these who are in Kings Courts will haue to remember of the Cottage or rurall village whereinto they were borne and brought vp : The secret draught is so powerfull that hardlie can anie expresse the cause : This made a Pagan to say ,

Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine cunctos Ducit , & immemores non sinit esse sui .

By this yee may see how by a certaine secret instinct wee euer loue the places where wee haue beene borne & brought vp : * * Note Obserue the lesson of this , if yee passe your youth in sin & in the pleasures therof , hardly shal yee euer forget that company , doe what ye can , ye shall euer haue a certaine secret loue , which your Soule darre not auouch , toward that which yee once loued while ye were yong .

* * Note If your sinnes bee your Companions in your vouth , they will bee your Counsellers in olde age : Rehoboams fall was in this , that he took counsell of the young men that were growne vp with him : If sinne bee 1 Kin , 12. 10 brought vp with you in your youth , there is danger that ye take its counsell in your olde age : The time of youth is most dangerous , for in it the affections are boiling , in it reigne and rage vnhallowed heate , and passionate distempers , which except they bee repressed with the strength of grace , breake out into the thunders and tempestuous stormes of vncleannesse , of ryot & of drunkenesse , and such like , which make most fearefull breaches and deepe gashes into the Conscience .

Beware therefore at the first to sinne , lest at last ye sinne by custome : Isa. 48. 4. The hardening custome of sinne is in Scripture called , An yron sinew in the necke , and a brasen brow : * * Note If custome of sinne make you impotent in well doing , it shall at last mak you impudent in euill doing : * * Note Hee who manteth or stammereth in his speach while hee is young , will in all appearance speake so vntill his dying day : * * Note Fooles dreame that man is like March , if hee come in with an Adders head , they thinke that hee shall goe out with a Peacoks taile , as if an euill beginning were the way to an happie end .

Bee wise in time my deare hearts , from your youth consecrat your selues Nazarites vnto the Lord , that is , Bee pure and holie , touch no vncleane thing , giue not prouocation to the flesh , but rather abstaine from all 1 Pet , 2. 11 fleshlie lustes which warre against the Soule : What shame for Gods sons to bee sinnes slaues .

If ye wold liue long , liue well : * * Note The wicked , saith Solomon , shall not prolong Eccles. 8. 13 his dayes which are as a shadow , because hee feareth not before God : * * Note For this cause it shall be your best to take the first handsell of time for well doing : Resist the Deuill in the beginning of sinne : * * Note Fight against iniquitie as against a foraine enemy at the borders of your heart , euen at the first landing , before it get fitting in fast and stable ground : While it is fleeting , fight it off the shore : * * Note Sinne is like a Cockatrice it must bee killed into the shell before it come out with piercing venemous lookes : * * Note Satan in this last and most corrupt age hath with manie blots branded earelie holinesse : As for you my counsell is , that with great care yee striue to beginne well earely in the morning of your age , and that thereafter yee constantlie goe on till like a Sunne yee come to the Noone of grace in glorie .

* * Note In three times of our age wee should striue to three degrees of holinesse : In Child-hood wee must bee good , in Youth head wee must grow better , in olde Age wee must bee best : * * Note Hee who is not best at last in mine opinion , was neuer good at all .

In all Ages tak heed to all your ways be neuer wedded vnto any sin , thogh it seeme like Zoar but a little one : There is no sin so base that it wil goe alon without a Page at its back : while yee heare of others faults , practise Plato his Precept , Numquid ego tale ? Haue I done any such lik thing my selfe ?

Striue in all your affaires to be vpright before God and man : Be euer of these that stand on the Lords side for the good cause : Let no consideration of profite or preferment mak you to stiffle the voyce of your owne Conscience : Shute not your eares at its cry like the Adder at the voyce of Psal. 58. 4. the charmer . Bee not loth to know your selues , trye and examine well your inward parts . Doe neuer with great confidence that which yee can not doe with a good Conscience .

If yee sinne , delight not in sinne , such pleasures are too deare , & bought at too high a rate .

In your whole like reuerence your Pastour though subject to manie infirmities , for wee faile all in many things : Elias refused not his meate 1 Kin. 17. 6 because a Rauen an vncleane fowle brought it vnto him : Best men often are signes and wonders euen in Israel . Isa. 8. 18.

Oh , that I had words of motion , that might stirre you vp to all Christian dueties : Beware I exhort you to follow anie euill example giuen by mee : * * Note Striue by grace to bee better than the Rocke wherout of ye haue beene hewen : Manie a time haue I started aside and stumbled in the way : It is a rare mercie of God that hath brought mee thorow this world with honesty : It is only Gods guarde euen his sauing grace which hath kept my life from scab & scandale , for in trueth , I speake it to my shame , that God may haue the glorie : I haue beene like a foolish Flee that flutters about the Candle : It is by the meere mercie of my God that the winges of my profession haue not beene scorched with the flammes of some one temptation or other , which should haue beene to me the cause of some filthie downe-fall : * * Note A scandalous sinne is like a dampe which quencheth the bright Candle of a glorious profession .

Let these that are forwarned striue to bee forearmed : Happie is he who in time beateth downe his own corruptions , and tameth his wild heart like an horse whom the Ridder breaketh , that hee may trauell him the parts and the pace as he best desireth : It it onelie Gods mercie which hath stopt the torrent of my corruptions : Learne therefore of mee to passe the 1 Pet: 1. 17. time of your sojourning heere in feare : The euill which man least feareth , he is nearest to fall into .

Take heede my deare Children , and giue eare vnto my counsell : * Where euer yee bee , thinke shame to commit that which yee would think shame to confesse : In all things striue to have a cleare Conscience toward Act ▪ 24 17 God and man : Respect more goodnesse than greatnesse and its sway : Bee alway courtesse : * * Note Cut not a man in the current of his speach , bee not selfe conceited , but bee little in your owne eyes : Striue rather to bee good , than to seeme to bee so : Obey your betters , hearken to the wise , reuerence the gray haires found in the way of righteousnesse : * * Note Suffer rebuke patientlie , for it is better than secret loue ; faithfull are the wounds of a friend : Haunt euer the Prou. 27. 6 companie of the godly : In all affaires be like the Bee , such out of all things the best , and leaue the worst , seeke out the honie , leauing the venome to the Waspe : Let euerie day bee to you as your last day : * * Note Before you goe to bed at night make your score euen with your Iudge : Be daylie carefull to fit your count ▪ so shall ye haue the lesse to account for at your finall reakoning : In all things be vpright and doe well , for as Iehosaphat said , The Lord will bee with the good : If ye 2 ●…hro . 29 11 would dye , the death of the righteous , Numb. 23. 10 striue first to liue the life of the righteous : * * Note If ye would come to the end , ye must not leape ouer the meanes : While yee are young , kill your sinnes in their youth , euen in their first motions , while they touch but the spirit Eph ●… . ●…4 of the minde , before they bee hatched out from vnder the affections : Isa. 59. 5. Breake betimes the Cockatrices egge , lest at last it breake out into a Viper : Beware to conceiue mischiefe , lest ye bring forth iniquitie : * * Note By the corruption of our corruptions , is the generation of our regeneration . Pamper not the Carion : * * Note Beasts fed on the bare commons are not so neere the slaughter as these that goe into fatter pastures : B●…ware of all vncleannes : Make a couenant with your eys not to behold wine & women : keepe carefullie your vessels cleane in sanctification and honour : * * Note If yee slippe in anie sinne , beware to sleepe in it , for that is death , Vita in vigilia est : * * Note Godlie men in olde age regretting their former haunts , are lessons from God to teach Youth not to plot the pleasures wherewith God is displeased : Manie sinnes of Youth be called tricks , but it is a terrible tricke to goe to Hell : * * Note People foolishlie cloake Fornication with a tricke of youth , but the Spirit of GOD giueth it a scarlet cloake dyed in red with the blood of 1 Cor. 10. 10 three and twentie thousand .

Bee yee wise in time , let the rememberance of the shrill sound of the last trumpet euer hold your heart in a stirre so soone as yee see the least appearance of euill : * * Note Thinke no sin litle , seeing it is against so great a Majestie : For eating of a tree Ada●… was banished out of Paradise : For touching the Arke shaken with the Oxen , Vzzah lost his life ▪ For looking 2 Sam. 5. 7 into it fiftie thousand three score 1 Sam. 6. 19 and tenne men were slaine at Bethshemeth : For gathering sticks vpon the Sabbath , God declared that the man Numb. 15 39 should bee stoned vnto death without the Campe : Such thinges are written for our learning : As for you , stand in awe to sinne in a thought : To clippe the Kings Coyne were it neuer so little , is an high ●…reason : Be affraide at the first gloumes of your GOD : Crouch so soone as hee beginneth to shake his rod at you : In all companies be constantlie godlie ; like the Sunne in his light : Too manie like the Moone , now glister with reflexes of light , and anone are darkened : Now and then they appeare with diuerse faces , now with Saul , they are Prophets among the Prophets , and anone as reuoking all former godlinesse , they runne rȳot with gluttons and reuellers : O my beloued , thinke neuer shame to be godlie among scorners : Care not that by your conscio●…able cariage the wicked bee gauld and grieued , in their madde moode they will call all godlinesse but outwardnesse and formalitie .

Tak good he●…d to all your ways , set a guarde about your thoughts , and a watch before your mouth : * * Note Seeing the tongue is mans glorie , let it not bee abused with rotien Psal. 57. 8. words : Let not your eares bee open for to receiue the scowring of other * Note mens filthie mouthes .

Bee calme and quiet in all your wayes : Bee not rash or hastie , looke before yee leape , bee not selfe-willed , 2 Pet , 2. 10 proude contemners of your betters : Aspire not aboue your pitch : * * Note Care not so much for mans d●…spight as for Gods displeasure : Let God be the caruer of all your car●…s . Abhorre to be idle like these who sitting in the Chire of sloth : passe their time at handie dandie : Loyter not while yee should labour : * * Note The first word that Pharaoh said to Iaakob & his sonnes was , What is your treade or Gen. 44. 33 occupation ? Be painefull and faithfull in your calling , liue not litherlie as these that are giuen to sleepe the sluggardes lingring sicknesse : Hee is of a base spirit who sluggishlie gaping and stretching himselfe , lyeth lusking on the downe : Vp , vp from the feathers earelie in the morning striue with the Cocke in watchfulnesse , and rise with the chirping of the birdes : Ioyne watching against euill , with wishing and prayers for that which is good : * * Note It is good that the bodie bee moistned with the morning dew , earelie rising bringeth health to the bodie and increaseth the number of mans dayes : * * Note I remember of a verse which while I was young serued for a wakener for to rouse mee from my morning sleepe .

Sanctificat sanat , dit at quoque surgere mane .

That is it maketh holie , whole and rich to rise earelie in the morning , for this cause earlie buckle your selues to your businesse : Bee wise and watchfull : In all your enterprisses haue an eye vpon your God , doe all as into his sight , bee not too cast down in aduersitie , nor too puft vp in prosperitie : * * Note If mans applause make you to ouerweene your selues at anie time , chasten your loftinesse with the memorie of manie infirmities which are nested within you , in all thinges feare the worst , and hope the best : * * Note That which seemeth to man vnliklie , is not with God impossible .

Let your life in a godlie sober , & ciuill cariage shine before men that they seeing it , may glorifie your heauenlie Father : Striue not to bee called Doctours and Rabbies though ye bee men of letters , but aboue all striue to bee teachers of others by good example and not by word onlie , lest yee bee like the Fyle which smootheth all other thinges , but it selfe remaineth rough : * * Note Beware of all sinfull pleasures which like faire Ladies come with alluring propines to woo and catch the vnstable soule : * * Note In the verie throng of all your adoes draw your selues to a set dyet of priuate deuotion .

Mine heart beginneth to faint , of force I must make a pause : After that I am refreshed with a little rest , I shall declare to you all that is in my minde and memorie .

O my Soule , seek & sigh for grace : Be carefull for a neerer acquaintance with the Lord of Heauen : Shortlie thou shalt embrace him whom the Fathers by faith saluted but a farre off . Heb. 11. 13

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen the A prayer groanes of thine humble supplicant , mak him fullie & freelie to taste and partake of the pleasures of thy graces til he come to glory : Roll his wearied Soule within these compassions , which in thy mercie are rouled together : O deare Iesus , besprinkle thou his heart with thy precious Soule-sauing blood which is euer louelie to the mercifull eye of the Father .

Take breath a little Sir , that yee may continue in such precepts : such heauenlie sentences were neuer bred nor brewed vpon the earth : The Lord Ezek. 3. 1. himselfe hath put the Roll of these things into your mouth which yee haue eaten , and which make your breath to haue the sauour of life vnto 2 Cor. 2. 16 life : Certainelie in some measure the Lord Iesus hath breathed vpon you , as hee did vpon his Apostles , when hee said vnto them , Receiue the Ioh. 20. 22 holie Ghost .

The sicke Man .

Lord imprint thine Image into my Soule afresh .

My Spirit is reuiued , a new power is entered into mee : Blessed Isa. 40. 29 be hee who giueth power to the faint , and who increaseth strength to them that haue no might .

Giue eare now againe vnto my speach . O yee my deare Children : Incline your eares vnto the wordes of my mouth : * * Note See that yee liue in loue ; a rent is the forerunner of a ruine : If yee would liue & die in honestie , practise all Christian dueties : Feare God , loue the Church , honour your King , bee faithfull to your Countrie , reuerence your Mother : 1 P●…t . 3. 8 Bee pitifull , bee courteous , liue in loue together : * * Note Your strength is in vnitie , like a sheafe of arrowes : A Eccles. 4. 1 three-fold cord is not easilie broken : * * Note Our Lord after that he had ended his last Supper prayed fiue seuerall times , That his Disciples might be one : Ioh. 17. 11 21. 22. 23. 26. The smallest graine of discord will at last grow to such head & heare , that it will part these who are most intire in loue : Let the falling out of Paul and Barnabas that blessed paire of most worthie worke-men , teach all good men to liue in loue : * * Note Men of a waspish nature cannot worke Honie with the Bees : Bitter poyson is onlie to bee found in their Combes .

So farre as is possible haue peace Psal. 34. 14 with all men : Seeke Peace , and follow after it : * * Note Bee not braggers nor brawlers like Ismael the wild man whose hand was against euerie man , and euerie mans hand against him : Returne neuer euill for euill , lesse euill for good , but rather good for euill : Be not like Lyons , which while they are young are gentle till their tallons grow long : Haue peace with all so farre as is possible , and the God of peace shal abide with you . * * Note Be not busie bodies in other mens matters for feare of after-claps if anie thing bee amisse : * * Note One saith verie well , In little adoe much rest , in much adoeno rest .

Learne of Peters fall to flee all euill companie , lest in the end yee come home with a weeping crosse : It were better to suffer colde without , than within to bee warmed with such as S. Peter met with in the high Priestes hall , such warmenesse is but a colde comfort : If yee fall in loue with any sinne striue not onelie to leaue it , but also to loath it .

The Lord giue you wisedome in all things : Be neither giuen to much company neither to sancie singularitie : Enterprise nothing rashlie without conferring first with God and with some godlie friende : * * Note Before yee intend a worke , cast first the costs lik the wise Builder in the Gospel , hold euer your minde vpon God and honest things : * * Note In most secret places thinke on Gods eye which seeth our thoughtes a farre off : Bee feruent in prayer : Grieue not the Spirit of Grace : Neglect not his graces within you : What euer they be , let them be carefullie imployed : See that ye be faithfull in traffiqueing with your Lords Talents . for to returne them with profite : Away with these who loue to lurke in a lazie luskishnesse .

This age is defiled with filthie Belghes of blasphemie : To sweare and roare is counted good fellowship : Bridle yee your tongues , beware of the language of Hell : * * Note By little and little in oathes the tongue is inured till it strike at Christs wounds with bloodie blowes : * * Note Cursed shal they bee who dye their tongue red in that blood , which is the ranso●…e of the world .

Consider this I pray you , stand in awe and sinne not : * * Note Bee not like the worlds fooles who beeing loose without anie bridle of feare , care not what bee their end , so that their way bee pleasant : Belieue not all reportes : * * Note Try before yee trust : B●…e not like the blind whelpes which sucke euerie thing that is put into their mouth , thinking it to bee the teates of their mother : While ye liue in the world bee not worldlings : The most worthie are not most wealthie : Eutrapeles heaped riches vpon these whom he hated , for to burden them with cares . Vse the thinges of this world rather with hand than heart : Consider all things with a nature & impartiall suruey of all circumstances : Let neither Loue nor Lucre mak you to sway from the square and rule of righteousnesse : * * Note All things below are but tottering and transitorie trashes set vpon a whirling wheele : There is none earthlie thing of such worth for which a man should mak a breach in his Conscience : If yee studie to be rich , ye will fall into manie temptations , it is hard to win much soone and well : * * Note A short care is fittest for a short life : * * Note Most mens heartes so are curbed with carnall that spirituall meditations take vp their heartes but at reuersion by fitte and starts .

Bee in good example one toanother : * * Note Yee who are elders bee like the great wheeles of the Clocke whereof if one be set a going , it will moue its fellow , & that that other which is next vnto it : * * Note Let all your strife bee in this , who in the Christian course shall out stripe his fellow Ioh. 20. 4. in well doing , as Iohn and Peter ran a race who shuld be first at the Lords graue .

* * Note In all affaires see that your hearts bee euer downe right for the good cause : If yee would walke circumspectlie in all your wayes , haue euer an eye vpon your compt : None of you can tel how soone ye must compeare in judgement .

While yee are tempted vnto sin , aske first your heart but these two questions , 1. What answere shall I make for tbis to my God at that great day ? 2. Would I bee content that another did the like vnto mee ?

Bee wise like Serpents and innocent like Doues : Let your life bee harmeles ; for in that day Righteousnesse shall beare & weare the Crowne .

If God spare your dayes , & blesse you with yeares , beware to celebrate new yeares with olde sinnes : * An old Father said of himselfe that when in his tender age hee had once lost the tenor of an holie life gray haires were got about his head before that hee could recouer it againe : Gray haires in the way of righteousnesse are called , a Crowne of glorie : But seeing while Prou. 16. 31 yee are young yee haue no particular promise of long life , dreame not of manie dayes : It is hard to sit fast vpon a sandie foundation : Delay not your repentance in a loitering lasines : But as a man that hath a set time for his taske daleyes not , but carefullie listeneth to the Clocke and counteth his houres , so doe yee : Bee euer vpon your watch vntill the time of your Iob. 14. 14 changing come : In the prime of your dayes bee thinking on your end : Be instant with God , like Moses that he wold so teach you to number your dayes Psal. 90. 12 that yee may apply your heartes to wisedome and to well doing : * * Note Waste not the short Candle of your life at idle playe , which God hath allotted to light you vnto bed : There is no such foe to repentance , as to thinke that we haue time enough to repent , or that we may repent when wee please : * * Note Hee that will not while hee may , shall not when hee would . Be not prophane like Esau : Liue not in a customarie grosse sin : Loose not the reines to your corrupt affections : If yee fall with the Sainctes , striue also with the Saincts to bee recouered out of your falles : * * Note Manie speake of Dauids fall who neuer remember Dauids rising : The repentance of the Godlie is set downe not to teach sinners to sinne , that af●…er they may repent , but rather to driue them from sinne , by letting them see howe a short sweete is followed with a long sowre : * * Note What a foole is hee , who seeing his Neighbour breake his legge in breaking of an Orchard for an Apple , would leape the same loupe , beeing assured of as much , and all because hee seeth that now his neighbour is soundlie healed , and feeleth no more paine ?

If yee wander from God , hasten your returne : A man out of the way must come back againe : The soone●… hee returneth the lesse is his labour : If yee fall in sinne and rise againe , beware to bee relaps : * * Note An Horse comming by the same place where hee caught a fall , will starte a backe : Neither for Spur nor Wand will ye get him into the same hole againe : Dauid no doubt after once would not count the Tribes againe , neither would Peter after that awefull looke of Christ , denye his Master againe ; neither would Iob seck anie more to dispute with his God againe : They all know by experience how bitter a thing such sins were , and therefore abhorred all such things at the verie rememberance thereof .

* * Note Remember well I pray you that olde age will inquire what youth hath beene doing : This now know , that all youthlie pranking pleasures are followed with pages of paines , which cry vnto others , that they listen not to the allurementes and deceitfull charmes of their filthie flesh : While Dalilah lulleth in her lappe , shee is armed with Sissers for to cutte the haire of our strength .

It is good that both old & young haue their loynes euer girded & their Candles in their hands , waiting for that comming of their Lord : Learne of the foolish Virgines , how dangerous a thing it is to sleepe without oyle in your Lampes : Let neuer sinne reigne in your mortall bodies : Subdue the flesh to the Spirit : * * Note If yee liue in Gods feare , looke to die in Gods fauour : * * Note Happie is the man that keepeth a Calender of his days , wherby hee may bee roused vp to thinke euerie day his last : * * Note It is certaine that our life like a shippe vpon the Sea is caried with a strang gale : There is none abiding heere ; our Sunne is fast posting to the West , as hee arose so shortlie must hee fall .

And therefore though yee dwell one earth mind the thinges that are aboue : Let your Soules here in earth , Col. 3. 1. Luk. 16. 19 & on earth soare vp toward the euerlasting Tabernacles . * * Note Too manie Soules bee Trewands from God , onlie minding the thinges that are below : Beware that thornie cares choak in your Soules the seede of grace : To be worldlie minded is death : Aspire not aboue your pitch : * * Note Thrust not yourselues in offices : An office is well called , A Calling , because man should waite till hee bee called vnto it : It is better to bee haled by force of others to great offices , than to rushrashlie vpon them vndesired : It were to bee wished that rather men want Offices , than that Offices want men answereable to their discharge .

Affect not to bee singular in glorious shewes of profession without substance , like Pedlers who hang out more than they haue within : There bee none so peeuish as prattling professours without the power of practise : * * Note The new creature in actions is the truest outward witnesse of the trueth of the inward affections : Affection bewrayeth the euill affections .

Malo esse probus quam haberi .

It is better to bee good , than so to seeme .

Among all humane dueties bee carefull to keepe loue with your Neighbours : So farre as is possible winne the good word and will of all men : Bee not contentious nor stirrers vp of discordes : God hath blessed Matth. 5. 9 the peace makers , The Apostles Precept is plaine , Let brotherlie loue Heb. 13. 11 remaine .

Forget not the poore : Hide not yourselues from your owne flesh : The rich and the poore will meete together , Prou. 22. 2 saith Solomon : That is , One good turne may bee requited by another : If they cannot recompence you , they will pray for you : * * Note Though that which yee giue vnto them at the first seeme to be lost , like seed sowne into a running water which carrieth it away , the Lord , who brought backe the Iordan shall bring back your lost Iosh. 3. 16. seede with a plentifull increase : Cast then your bread vpon the waters , for Eccles. 11. ●… yee shall finde it after many dayes : Christs counsell is , that rich men mak Luk. 16. 9 vnto themselues friends of the Mammon of vnrighteausnesse : If ye receiue the poore in their neede into your earthlie mansions , they by their prayers shall receiue you in your greater neede into euerlasting Tabernacles : * * Note When Diues hath dyned let Lazarus haue the crums : * * Note Cursed Adam was couered but with figge leaues , and Christ cursed the fig tree for hauing leaues without fruites : While ye giue almes let all be done without a desire to be seene or praised of men : Let not your left hand know what the right hand giueth , and God shall reward that humble secrecie with open honour : What euer bee done , see that it bee done in Faith , without which most glorious workes are but glistering sinnes , and Pharisees almes , beggers of praise , things done to be seene .

Bee meeke and gentle toward all : * * Note The Spirit of God cannot light vpon a Soule but in the shape of a Doue : Euerie way of a man is right Prou. 21. ●… in his owne eyes : But the Lord pondereth the hearts .

My Spirit fainteth , my breath shorteneth , mine heart sickeneth , I finde Death now besieging my Noble partes : I cannot tell how soone God shall fetch away my Soule : It is most certaine that I drawe neare to Psal. 107. 18 the doores of death .

I haue yet some-thing in my mind for to tell you , O my deare Children ; but for weakenesse I cannot , till I be refreshed with a little rest : Within a little space I looke to bee lockt in my graue . O Lord , say vnto my Soule , I am thy Saluation : Refresh mine heart , rejoyce my Soule with a sight of thy reconcealed A prayer face , before that I goe hence , and bee seene no more .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen .

O how much fruite groweth off one stalke : GODS grace in you hath brought foorth a large haruest of comforts to all that haue heard you .

The Lord renew your strength , and A prayer put his Spirit within you : The Lord sanctifie your Spirit , which is the Candle Prou. 20. 17 of the Lord , searching all the bowels of the bellie .

The God of all grace hath cleansed and purified your words throgh the stramer of his great mercie : * So soone as ye haue gathered strength let vs heare the rest of your counsell to your Children : In it is wisedome for to be learned of old age , recouer your force a little , that yee may conclude that which yee haue begunne : * * Note It is good in good things to goe throgh stitch .

The sicke Man .

O Lord , perfect thy strength in my great weaknesse .

My deare Children hearken vnto mee : It is not possible but in this euill world yee shall bee troubled with great and grieuous afflictions : In my great griefes I was euer wont to comfort my selfe with that wise speach of Solomon , When a mans Prou. 16. 7 wayes shall please the Lord , hee shall make euen his enemies to bee at peace with him : If anie man offend you , or is offended against you , perswade yourselues that some of your wayes please not the Lord , and therefore if yee would please good men , or haue good men for to please you , walke in the wayes which will please the Lord : All mens hearts are in his Prou ▪ 21. 17 hands like riuers of water : Hee can make a foe of a friende , and a friende of a foe : * * Note If yee neglect this counsell , yee shall at last be forced to stand at staues end with the whole world : Hee who is at variance with his God , will neuer agree with himselfe , and so shall bee in discord with all , for as the Pagan said well ,

Conveniet nulli qui secum dissidet ipse .

Hee who is not good to himselfe , can bee good to none : Though commonlie men say of some , Hee is , or was euill to none , but to himselfe : A wise man in this land hath made a good replye to that speach , viz. It were almes to hang him that is not good to himselfe .

Now yee are young , yet breath is in the bodie , Worke while it is light : * * Note Bee carefull to keepe a Callender as it were of your dayes which may call vpon you hourelie , bee diligent for the time is short : By years , dayes , and houres , our life is continuallie cut and sklised away .

What shall I say more ? The Lord giue you wisedome in all thinges : Godlinesse is true wisedome : Best spirited men are not euer most spirituall : As for you ▪ striue truelie to bee religious Nathanaels Israelites indeed . Ioh. 1. 47. Euerie night before ye goe to bedde , set before your eyes the mercies of that day : Muster them orderlie and take a view of them carefullie , that vpon your knees from your heartes yee may giue God his praise ▪ While ye are gone from the publick prayer of the Familie vnto your priuate bed Chamber , remember Gods mercies afresh : While yee remember them , let this bee your last collation drinke before yee goe to bedde ; Psal. 116. 13. take with Dauid the cup of Saluation and call vpon the Name of the Lord : * * Note As trades men haue a day Booke for daylie receites , it were expedient that all the godlie haue a register wherein may bee written the noble actes of the Lord , for to helpe ou●… weake memorie , lest wee suffer his mercies to slippe out of our minde : * * Note If yee either forgette your sinnes or Gods mercie , remember that yee haue a Conscience which is a daylie obseruer , a night watch , and a secret spye into your Soules .

In all your adoes striue to be righteous before God , and vpright before men : See in a short verse what shall bee the end both of the godlie and wicked

The memorie of the just is blessed : Prou. 10. 7 But the name of the wicked shall rotie .

O my deare Children , lay vp carefullie these wordes into your hearts which I your olde Father haue spoken with much paine : * * Note Thinke vpon this , one day Death will inquire what Life hath beene doing .

As for my worldlie affaires , as Rents or Goods , if they bee great lippen not to them : If they be little , little with Gods grace is enough : If yee bee godlie , God shall bee your Father and your feeder : If yee abound bee not prodigall : Make not a god of your Bellie : Beware to tipple or quaffe , or with the glutton to feede delicatelie : Care not for panch pleasures : Luk. 16. 19 Iohn liued on locusts : * * Note It is Matth. 3. 4 better to liue on Cake and water with a godlie Elias than to feast royallie with a foolish Nabal : Though feasts bee pleasant they are dangerous : When the dayes of feasting were ended Iob sent & sanctified his children , Iob. 1. 5. & rose vp earelie in the morning for to offer burnt offerings for them al : for Iob said , It may be that my sons haue sinned & cursed God in their heart : Single feasting is fittest for the Soule and most wholesome for the bodie : God sendeth sluggardes to the Pismire as to a Master of worke for to direct them from loitering to labour .

* * Note Let gluttons whose dearest delightes , are in panch-pleasures from morning vntill euen learne of the Swallowes who sit not down to dine but feede while they flee : As they feede on flees , so they flee while they feede : What should man doe with his Bellie , but feede it as in a flight : Let the winges of sobrietie carrie you from glutting plentie before yee bee ouer-taken with that which shall make you to be ashamed to morrow : While yebegin to drinke , beware of after-clapes : Men by a litle distemper at the fi●…st contract easily an habit of sine : * * Note S. Augustine speaking how his Mother MONICA , learned to tipple , ●…aith ,

Primoribus labijs sorbebat exiguum : August . Confess . lib. 9 c. 8 Itaque ad illud modicum quotidi●…na modica addendo in eam consuetudinem lapsa erat vt prope jam plenos mero calices inhianter hauriret .

That is , At the first shee began but to kisse the cuppe , and to sippe a little of the wine while shee filled the Cup to her Parents , but anone shee came to this , that shee made no bones to sucke drie full Cups of wine : See how from sipping at last shee came to carousing .

Oh , but that is a deare drink , which costeth a man a Spot in his name & a blot in his conscience : Experience telleth that pleasures is more dangerous than paine , and feasting than fasting : Remember Iobs children , see in what a feare that godlie Father was concerning their ●…easting : Certainelie his feare was not a foolish feare without anie ground : It is set down in Scripture for to teach men feare in feasting : * * Note Too manie at such times turne themselues into barrels and beastes swinishlie ouerturning all reason & judgement that is within them : As for you , be yee sobber if yee would bee holie : God will not tarie into that heart which hath a god in the bellie : * * Note Hee who would lodge the Arke must chasse Dagon to the doore like a dogge :

* * Note Manie who neglect the bellie ▪ haue pride printed in great capitall Letters vpon their backe : Bee yee not sumptuous in apparrell : * * Note Let God giue you the coat according to the cold : Follow not new fashions : Beware of euill example : Woe to the world for scandales .

As yee should not bee prodigall , bee not also misers , pinch-pennies : Defraude not your selues of your graunted good : Bee thankfull to God for all his giftes : Away with these who after they haue receiued that which they sought , haue done with God , till they neede him againe .

In all the course of your life striue to hold the Ballance equall , vertues in the midst : * * Note Extremities are like Border Theeues not subject to the Lawes . Bee neither too nice , nor too pert , too scurrile nor too silent : * * Note In worldlie wealth trye before yee treasure : If yee bee rich , glorie not in your riches ; if yee bee poore , pray God to keepe you from the extremitie of pouertie , lest that yee put foorth your hand to steale : * * Note If God send pouerty be not discouraged : Though it bee sore , it is no sinne : Lazarus with his ragges was welcomer to God than Diues with his purple : Hee who begged from that rich man on earth , saw the rich man a begger into Hell : Hee is rich enough who hath the fauour of his God : * * Note In good life is long life .

Nequities vitae non sinit esse senem .

The wickednesse of life abbridgeth the life .

Bee more desirous to liue well , than to liue long : Too too manie liue to spend their grace-right with their Birth ▪ right : Such like wanton Widowes are dead while they liue ▪

If yee fall in sinne , vp , vp , make haste to returne vnto your God : Repentance delayed in youth is a strengthening of sinne against the olde and weaker age : The least sin entertained maketh a way for more : * * Note The least drop of the juice of euill is lik leauen that sowreth the whole lumpe ▪

If in this world yee prosper , bee not taken vp with selfe foolish conceit : Take not outward prosperitie to bee the ell and measure of Gods loue : * * Note Whether yee wither or yee flourish in worldlie thinges , thinke vpon this , that your miserie or happinesse can be in nothing but in that which is eternall : * * Note Goe where ye please , the justice of God one day shall try the foote-steppes which ye haue troden .

The chiefe Legacie which I leaue to you all is the Charter of Gods promise , which I haue receiued by the hand of Faith : In it is an Heritage of lines fallen in pleasant places , VIZ. That not onelie hee should bee my God , but that he should be a God to Exod. 20. 6. my Children vnto thousand generations keepe fast this promise into the Charter Chists of your heartes : In confidence of this promise depend vpon your God in well and in ●…oe , in wealth and in want : Though hee should slay you , yet say with Iob that yee will trust in him .

Nowe for to drawe to an ende , for my breath faileth , and mine heart fainteth , I desire you aboue all things to bee earnest in prayer with God : * * Note By prayer morning & euening dresse your Soules like the Lampes of Gods Tabernacle : Fill them of the pure oyle-oliue of his grace , that alwayes they may shine . * * Note Eliphaz charged Iob chieflie with this , as beeing the chiefe cause of all his woe , that hee restrained prayer before Iob. 15. 4. God : With this the Psalmest hath branded the wicked , They call not Psal. 14. 4. Psal. 5 3. 4. vpon God , and againe , They call not vpon God : * * Note It is obserued by the most cunning Physitions that paine in speaking and loathing of meate , be two symptoms of a diseased & distempered bodie : A Soule while it prayeth , it speaketh ; while it heareth it eateth . If there be paine in the one and loathing in the other , that Soule cannot bee well : Thrise a day Dauid was wont to pray , at morning , Psal. 55. 16 euening ▪ and at noone : * * Note This zeale also wakened him while others were sleeping : At mid-night he arole for Psal. 119. to pray vnto his God : Happie is that man , who shal so spend the short time of his life in this valey of mortalitie .

Let this in all things bee an awband aboue your heades , that the eye of the Almightie God is euer vpon you , and that hee is acquainted with all your wayes : Where euer yee bee thinke your selues euer to be in that most awefull presence : make Conscience of all your thoughts , for the Prou. 24. 9 verie thought of foolishnesse is euill .

Beware of the lustes of youth : Striue with God in prayer , that hee would so ingage you in his grace & loue , that your corruption proue not strongest while your wittes are weakest : Intreate earnestlie the Lord that hee woulde make perfect his strength in your weaknesse . 2 Cor. 12. 9

When yee finde anie good beginnings of Grace within your selues , waite stedfastlie vpon the due accomplishment thereof in Glorie : Whom the Lord loueth hee loueth to the end , his calling and gifts are without repentance .

If this yee doe carefullie , ye shall bee like twigges which hauing a vigorous life , sprout and flourish till they come to trees .

And now at last for to conclude and summe vp the whole brieflie : If ye would haue God to dwell into you , bee yee an holie Sanctuarie for his Spirit : If yee would haue God to rest in you as hee did into his holie Temple there must bee in you as was in his Temple an Holie of holies : * * Note As were within Gods Arke so must yee haue within your heartes , the Tables of Gods Law the summe of the Olde Testament , and with them the potte of Manna , euen Christ the bread of life the substance of the New Ioh. 6. 35. Testament . Loue this word ; honour this word , bleed for this word , yea , & die for it . Manie in this world be like these Pultrons and base spirited men of Thessalonica , who had no Act. 17. 11 courage for the t●…ueth : As for you , striue to bee like these of Berea , who were better borne & of a more manlie breeding in that they were couragious for the Trueth . Striue to the keeping of Gods Commandments for like friends they are so linked together that if one bee offended , all the rest will interest themselues in its quarrell , faile in one , and faile in all Pray feruentlie , that ye may practise all these my precepts This doing ye shal neuer find your selues fatherles : The great God shal be your Father : To this Father now I giue you , irtreating him to bee a Father vnto you in all times to ensue . A prayer

The Father of mercies , the Sonne of his loue , and the Spirit of c●…mfortes , so guide you in all your cariage that ye may carie an incorrupt Conscience to the 1 P●…t , 5. 10 Graue . The God of all grace mak you perfect ▪ stablish , strengthen , settle you , & leade you in the Land of vprightnes : Psal. 144. 10 The Lord blesse you all with his best blessings : My blessing I leaue you : Kisse mee , and so fare well .

Now the day is fatre spent , and my strength beginneth to faile mee , seeing all things as the Apostle saith , are sanctified by the word of God and 1 Tim. 4. 5 prayer , let vs conclude this dayes conference with our humble supplications vnto our God . My deare Pastour offer yee vp this Euening Sacrifice : The Lord perfume it with the spirituall incense of Christs merites , that thereby our Soules being perfumed , the Lord may finde a smell as the smell of a fielde which the Gen. 27. 27 Lord hath blessed . Pray earnestlie for me , that the Lord giue me both strength and courage for the fighting out of this Battell , that in the ende I may bee crowned with the Laurels of an euerlasting victorie .

The Pastour .

My Soule rejoyceth to haue heard so manie good wordes from your mouth : Solomon said verie well and wiselie , A word spoken in due season Prou. 15. 23 how good is it ?

According to your desire wee shall conceiue a Prayer to GOD for you . The Lord powre vpon all our Soules Zach. 12. 10 that promised Spirit of grace and of supplications .

A Prayer for the sicke Man . Sore weakned with sicknesse .

MOst gracious GOD , most Psal. 19. 24. deare & louing Father , Let the word of our mouth , & the meditations of our hearts bee acceptable in thy sight , O LORD , our strength and our Redeemer . By thy Spirit banish all stragling thoughts , and keepe our mindes steddie and attentiue in this chiefest worke of deuotion .

Beholde , LORD , and consider heere thy poore Seruant fainting in great weaknesse of bodie , But thogh flesh and friends , health , & wealth , and all should faile him , thou , LORD , will neuer faile him : Hee is thy Seruant , he is thy Seruant , the son of thy hand-maide : Thou hast most powerfullie hitherto supported and vpholden him by thy mercifull hand : Now leaue him not while he is drawing neare vnto his long home . Eccles. 12. 5

It is easie to perceiue that his age is departing from him , like a shepheards Isa. 38. 12. tent , and that thou art readie to cutte off his life like a weauer : His desire , LORD , is to bee with Thee , Thou hast heard the sighings of this prisoner , and thou hast vnderstood the groanes of thine own Spirit : As thou hast begunne the good worke in him so perfect it in due time : As thou doest with the yeare crowne it with thy goodnesse : with-draw not thy Psal. 65. 11 ▪ Grace from him till it bee made perfect in weaknesse .

Thou , LORD , hast manifested thy loue to him wonderfullie , by putting into his minde and mouth such diuine preceptes and counsel●… to his Friends , Wife , and Children , that all that haue heard them haue beene forced to wonder at the glorie of thy grace .

Now deare Iesus let thy force be with him in his fainting , but the nearer hee draweth vnto his end , l●…t thy Spirit the Comforter enable him the more , till victoriouslie hee hath put an end vnto this Battell : As the strength of his bodie shall beginne to decrease , let the comfortes of thy Spirit increase in his Soule : Seale vp in his heart that peace which thou hast purchased by the blood of the Prince of peace : Assure him of the rest of these joyes which are to bee reuealed , whereof hee hath alreadie receiued the earnest : O , say vnto his Soule , that thou shalt bee his Saluation .

In the silence of the night while deepe sleepe falleth on man , make thou his Iob. 4 13. reines to instruct him : Suggest vnto his heart the sweetest wordes of thy comforts which may bee vnto him like apples of gold in pictures of siluer : Prou. 25. 11 Waine his heart daylie more and more from the loue of things below : Make thou his Soule to soare vp with Eagles wings towardes the heauenlie Isa. 40. 31 Mansions . Prepare nowe his Soule to the last conflict : Put vpon him all the Armour of God : Strengthen Ephes. 6. 11 his Faith , that hee may holde fast by Thee , yea , so resoluedlie , that though thou should slay him , yet hee may trust in thee .

When the force of sicknesse shall tak away the vse of his tongue , make his heart to groane vnto Thee in the secret language of thy Spirite , ●…hat in thine hands he commen●… 〈◊〉 his Soule and that he desireth thee to come quicklie for his reliefe .

Let not the increasing throes and pangues of death discourage him : In greatest anguish vphold his enfeebled heart with the hope of Glorie : Look on him , Lord , with the eye of thy mercie , incline thine eare to the sighes of his heart , make haste to come for his Soule is longing for his appointed Iob. 14. 14 time , till his change come : As thou art the Lord of life , so vnto thee belong the issues of death : Let strength proceede from thee like vertue from Christes garment , whereby hee may bee encouraged against the fearefull assaults of death , which shortly in all appearance shall besiege his noble parts , for to bring him vnto dust from whence hee came ? Make thy Spirit to enter into his hearte for to vphold him against this feare & smart of his last and most heauie houre .

Let him know that if the earthlie 2 Cor 5. 1 house of his Tabernacle bee dissolued that he hath a building of God , an house not made with hand eternall in the heauen : Make his Soule more and more earnestlie to groane for to bee cloathed vpon with his house , which is 2 Cor. 5. 6 from Heauen : Seeing while hee is heere at home in the bodie , hee is absent from the Lord , make thou him confident and willing rather to bee absent from the bodie , that hee may bee present with Thee in the Heauens .

Let the hope of the Resurrection vphold him against all the terrours of the Gra●…e : Perswade his Soule that at the sound of that shrill celestiall Trumpet , his bodie shall arise , and with these same eyes shall beholde his Redeemer , and none other for him .

Innumerable euils , Lord , haue compassed him about : Nowe the time approacheth that thou wilt deliuer him from all his feares : Make haste , Lord , Come Lord Iesus , come .

Rebuke Sathan wee intreat thee , that in the darksome night he interrupt not the comforts of thy Spirit : Suffer neuer that slie and craftie one , to bereaue him of the pledges of thy loue : Make him to holde fast that which hee hath , that none bee able to take his Crowne : O mercifull God , take notice of all his wants and necessities ; and bee thou to him SHADAI GOD all sufficient for to supplie them : Let him not want that Grace without the which hee cannot serue thee : Through thy selfe make him to push downe all the enemies of his Saluation : Through thy Name make him to treade them vnder foote that rise vp against him , for he hath not forgotten the Name of thee his God , neither hath hee stretched out his hands to a strange God .

While his eye-stringes shall bee broken , and when the throes of death shall make his heart to tumble within him , then bee thou the strength of his heart , the health of his countenance , and his God . In his greatest griefes anoynt his Soule with some droppes of that oyle of gladnesse wherewith thou once anointed our Lord and Sauiour aboue his fellowes : Let ●…sal. 45 , 7 thy Graces like that precious ointment that ran downe vpon the beard of Psal. 133. 2 Aaron flowe down from thee aboundantlie vpon all the powers of his Soule : Let spirituall vertues drop downe vpon him as the dew of Hermon , and as the dew that descended vpon Psal. 133. 3. the mountaines of Zion . O thou the perfection of beautie shine vpon his Soule : Indue him with a melting and relenting heart .

Bee mercifull to thy distressed Church , comfort Her in all Her teares and troubles : Pittie Her deformities : Adorne Her with Puritie and Vnitie : Though Shee bee 1 Cant. 1. 6. outwardlie 1. duskie because the Sun hath withered Her , yet Shee is the Kings Daughter whose 2. whole glorie 2 Psal. 45. 13 is within : 3 Awake , O North 3 Cant. 4. 6 Wind , and come thou South blow vpon Her Garden , that the spices thereof may flowe out : Declare vnto Her enemies that if they 4 touch Her , they shall touch 4 Zach. 2. ●… the Apple of thine Eye . Let them all know that it is 5 hard to kicke against 5 Act. 9. 5 prickes , and that if they perlecute thee , Thou wilt throw them to the ground .

Bee mercifull to our gracious SOVERAIGNE the Kings Majestie , as by thy Grace thou hast made him a King , so by thy Grace make Him a good King : Powre down a princelie Spirit vpon his Soule , that Hee may haue courage for the Trueth : Make Him answerable to his most honourable Style , Defender of the Faith .

Vouchsafe thy mercie vpon his Princelie Spouse : Let the beautie of the Lord Her God bee vpon Her , Make Her like the Kings Daughter Psal. 45. 13 which is all glorious within : Make Her a Mother in Israel , a Nurse Mother to thy Church , an happie Mother of blessed Children .

Be mercifull to all the Nobilitie of our Land , fixe fast their heartes vpon the thinges that are aboue ,

Blesse our Pastours , make them painefull & Faithfull at thy Seruice , that they may gaine with the Talents which thou hast committed to their keeping : Make them to striue more then for states to bee in thy fauour : Let their chiefest care bee to winne and wooe manie Soules to the loue of Iesus , the blessed Bridegroome of Ioh. 3. 29. the Church .

Good LORD , bee mercifull to vs that are heere humbled before thee : Encrease our Faith , and better our feeling and apprehension of thy loue Look graciously vpon this our euening sacrifice which wee doe heere render vnto thy Majestic perfumed with the merits of thy Sonne in that prayer which hee by his most sacred wisedome hath taught vs saying , Our Father which art , &c.

The sicke Man .

Before the market time of my life A prayer be ended , O my deare God , let me haue a rich pennie-worth of thy mercie : Thou who biddeth vs buy without money , giue vs grace to tak the aduantage of the Market , before the Sunne of our life bee set . O that in this our day wee could know the things belonging to our peace , that in an holie zeale the corruptions of our affections wherewith our hearts heere bee in●…hralled and sold vnder sinne , may bee justled out and tread vnder foote .

THE EIGHTH DAYES Conference .

A Conference with a carnall Friend concerning his Buriall : Concerning Funerall Sermons : Diuerse prayers : Death approaching : A Soliloque●… betweene the Soule and the bodie in a trance , their last adewes : The last gaspes : Michael and Sathan disput for the Soule .

The sicke Man .

THE troublous toyles of this world are the bane of Mans life , they surfet his minde with car●…s : My Spirit is much wearied , Oh , that I had wings lik a Doue , then would I flie Psal. 55 7 away and rest : * * Note O with how manie rootes are wee fastened vnto this earth : The World , Wife , Life , and Children , but most of all our owne corruptions are burdens which hang so fast on , that none hand but that of the Almightie is able to shake them off : So long as wee haue health and wealth wee stalke in our vanities , like Nebuchadnezar in his palace of confusion : Wee neuer perceiue that wee dwell in Bable till one judgement or other bring vs to confusion : Wee will not suffer to bee reproued while the time is fittest for repentance : Wee are offended at the word except that it glyde by our faults : Wee will not with Peter bee with-stood to the face : Gal. 2 , 11.

* * Note The Preacher must whisper his reproofes behind our backes , or he must speake vnto vs as vnto Princes into Parables : Wee heare like stones , and 2 Sam. 12. 1 goe like snailes : Fye vpon vs ; Oh , that wee were wise .

A carnall Friend .

What are yee now doing Sir ? In all appearance yee are shortlie for to leaue this world , yee haue said all your adewes and haue turned your backe vpon all worldlie things as Hezekiah did when hee turned his face Psa. 38. 2. to the wall .

I desire Sir ▪ to knowe of you but one thing , Where would yee bee buried ? Were it not expedient that your Corps lye into the Church , where are buried these which are in greatest account in this world ?

The sicke Man .

What haue I to doe with this world ▪ 2 Cor. 7. 31 or with the fashions of this worlde ▪ which passe away ? * * Note Wherfore should I make the glorious House of my God a flesh pot of corruption ? Fye vpon our folie : Should it be conuenient that my stinking bones cast vp anie noysome vapours , for to trouble the liuing at the seruice of the euerliuing ?

What aduantage shall it be to my Soule to come and fetch this bodie out of a Church more than out of a Church yeard ? What prerogatiue shall it bee to my bodie in that day , that it hath beene buried into Gods House ? Gods House in Scripture is called , An House of prayer ; but in Matth. 21. 13 no place is it called , A place of buriall : Let no man mak me an euill example after my death : * * Note What is this ; How long shall foolish man goe round in his course and compasse of vanitie , like a blind horse in a Mill ?

The carnall Friend .

But would yee not at least haue a Tombe Sir , and your name written vpon it with this , Heere lyeth such a man ?

The sicke Man .

* * Note Vaine man is glutted with vanitie euen vnto the gorge pype : Why trouble ye me with vanitie in death , who is now mourning for the vanitie of my life ? mine account is cast vp for another world : My name is written into the Booke of life , what care I for Reuel. 3. 5 Letters into stones ? away with such Banners of pride : Such things are but cold comforts to a wearied Conscience : Such thinges are but vanities of none abode : Where are nowe the Mausels and most glorious Tombes of Emperours : It was well said by a Pagan ,

Sunt etiam sua fata Sepulchris .

That is for to giue a glosse to these words , Tombes wherein the dead are buried , will bee buried themselues : Nothing is heere permanent , Triumphs haue their Tombes , and Crownes haue their compasse . O my God , faste●… A prayer and fixe the eyes of my Soule vpon that which is eternall .

O the folies of mens hearts , who vainelie and needleslie waste vpon their dead vanities that which might builde houses for the poore : But let proud men lye vnder their statelie Towers , such lifted vp stones must at last fall downe as he fell who now lyeth vnder them .

I like well of Beza his answere on his death bed to one that spak to him Beza his reply on his death bed . of a Tombe , Sub cespi●…e viridi , said he That is ▪ Lay mee vnder the greene Turfe : A notable word of humilitie : Gen. 35. 8 Good Deborah was buried vnder an Oke tree : Manie may lie vnder painted stones whose Soules are pined into Hell : God will neuer inquire of a mans Soule where was thy bodie buried ? But how hast thou liued into that bodie ▪ shall he say :

Lay mee then vnder the greene Turfe : * * Note How manie Martyres haue beene burnt into ashes which haue beene cast vp into the winde , and scattered vpon the waters ?

Coelo tegitur qui non habet vrnam .

Hee is couered with the Heauens who wanteth a graue .

Facilis jactura Sepulchri est .

The losse of buriall is no great losse .

O that my Soule ▪ were truelie humble : * * Note I haue alas in the dayes of my vanitie beene too much pined with the prid of life , scandalously appearing without : but , O , O , O , Si trabes in oculo strues in corde , a litle beame of pride in the eye telleth that there is a stake of it in the heart : And yet in this Turfe of humilitie which I cry for , I spy a lurking pride : Pride is a secrete thing so small spun that hardlie can it bee discerned : A man will bee proude that hee is not proude , or rather because hee will not seeme to bee proude : This is priuie pride : The humblest heart is not euer couered with coursest apparell , yet certainlie it is good both in life & in death to shew good example : Lesser sins at the first make way , and paue a causey for greater : folies framed by some are followed by others : Woe to the world for scandales .

The chiefe thing at burials whereof men would take heede , is that the dead burie not the dead ▪ Woe to these buriers when these who are dead in sinne burie them who are dead for sinne : As for you Friend , bee wise in your words , The lippes of the foole , Eccles. 10. 12 said the wise man , will swallow vp himselfe ▪ In many men the affections keepe captiue the vnderstanding .

The carnall Friend .

I pray God to make mee wise . In all this which I haue spoken there is no great matter of follie : Seeing the pompe of buriall displeaseth you , yee may bee willing that a funerall Sermon bee ▪ made for your praise & commendation , no man of anie worth now wanteth this honour .

The sicke Man .

So manie men so manie mindes : Away with the flattering panegyricks of such funerall praise : Let Christ be preached and not sinfull man : Away with that preaching whereof man is the Text : * * Note Solomon speaking of the good wife , sayeth wiselie , Let Prou. 31. 31 her owne workes praise her in the gates : So let the by past life of a man praise him in his death : All men are lyers , but Dummie cannot lye .

* * Note If I haue liued well , my life shall grace and praise mee sufficientlie : If not , wherefore should I make the Trumpeter of truth to become a libeller of lyes ?

Vivorum sunt haec solatia non mortuorum .

Such comforts are onelie for the liuing but not for the dead : O the vanitie of stinking pride which blasteth the soules of men with most filthie staines .

* * Note Tell mee I pray you who made Christs funerall Sermon when hee was laide into the Graue ? Hee whose life could neuer preach , is not worthie to bee preached vpon after his death : If while wee liue our life preach , it will preach also after our death : * * Note The best funerall Sermon a man can haue is when his life maketh all his godly neighbours to say , This man while hee liued 〈◊〉 a Nathanael an Israelite indeede , without anie fraude or guile : Hee was a man who truelie and sincerlie liued in the feare of his God .

But men must be preached , will yee say , for such is now the fashion : Well , if men will be preached with Seraphicall tongues , let him who preacheth their vertues also preach their vices , as the Prophets did of olde , not sparing Kings : Dauids treachery 2 Sam. 11. 4 and his adulterie , his murther and his numbering of the people are as 2 Sam. 24. 1 well set downe as his desire of the building of the Temple : So Solomons 1 Kin. 11 4 idolatrie and foolishnesse is 2 Chr. 32. 25 2 Chr. 20 , 37 as well put in write as his wisedome : So Hezekiahs pride , and Iohoshaphats louing of these that ha●…ed the Lord , and Iosiahs rashnesse in 2 Chr , 35 , 22 battell against Pharaoh Neco , are plainelie declared & faithfullie penned , that all the world may knowe that they were but poore sinners : It is written of Gods beloued people , that for their sinnes God deliuered his strength into captiuitie : By Psal. 78. 6 this appeareth euidentlie that the best Kinges and best people are in Gods word as well painted in their vices as in their vertues .

He who would rightly draw a mans portrature must paint his blamishes as well as his beautie : In such a case his wrats & his wrinkles must be wroght with the pinsell , that his image may bee like vnto himselfe : * * Note If men be onelie portreyed in their vertues , the halfe of their face shall not be seene : What is the most part of mans life heere but a sinning against God , and a prouocation of the eyes of his glorie ? * * Note The best men that liue here in the greatest perfection of Gods image are like a quarter Moone , inlightened but in a fourt part : How many haue but a sharpe edge like the Moone first seene after the change ?

If funerall Sermons were made after this fashion , that mens vices were as well reproued , as their vertues commended , the Preacher should bee desired to keepe silence . If yee would preach my vertues , ye must also preach my vices , and then when should that Sermon haue an end ? Fye on the pride of life , which all good men chieflie at their death should both condemne and contemne .

Of olde in Scripture wee read of the pride of life : But now in this last age Satan hath hatched a new pride called , The prid of death , euen of death which bringeth all men low : * * Note Pride printed into stones cryeth to the liuing , Heere lyeth a proude Fellow : Hee that will bee proude in death , when shall hee bee humble ? * Away with that which is both hatefull vnto God and hurtefull vnto man .

For all that is said , I would not absolutelie blame Funerall Sermons ; for the death of Gods Saincts is precious in his sight : * * Note That which is precious in the eyes of God , may bee declared glorious in the eares of men . But yet with leaue I must say that with reason in a great part of our Churches they haue beene abrogate and casseered because of abuse : * * Note Seeing the Brasen Serpent which was made at the first by Gods own appointment was broken in pieces for the abuse thereof and disdainefullie called , Nehushtan , a lumpe of Brasse , much more things which God neuer commanded in his word for to bee , beeing filthilie abused , may be rejected ▪ * * Note For is it not now come to passe and that to the great disgrace of manie Preachers , to the hearkening and hardening of lewd liuers that men whose life was full of scab & scandales , their names being rotten fore their bodies , are so decked & busked vp with flowers of Rethorick , so wrapped vp into hyperbolicke commendations as it were into a seare-cloath , for thereby to keepe close within smothered the stinking smell of their most filthie memorie .

Let all abuse bee taken away : As for me I would not that men should bee too contentious and eager in things neither bidden nor forbidden by God : * * Note Paul and Barnabas for an indifferent thing came at last to such an heate , that they departed one Act. 15. 39 from another : But I cannot reade that euer they met againe .

* * Note If none but these whom God set out as lights of life were praised after death for to bee a spurre vnto the liuing , for to follow their footesteppes , it should not bee a misse brieflie to say some-what to the praise of the defunct : * * Note Why should not the glorie of Gods graces in his Saints passe along & glaunce clearely in the eyes of these that are aliue ? But let euer the bodie of the Sermon run vpon Christs life & death wherefrae issueth all the grace and vertue of mans life , within one periode of a preaching the praise of anie man may find sufficient bounds ▪

Now I thanke you louing Friend for your kindnesse and good will : But also let mee intreate you not to bee so worldlie minded : It may be that shortlie as I am now , so shall ye bee : Mans life at the longest may bee measured with a spanne : Behold , said the Psalmest , thou hast made my Psal. 39 , 5 , dayes of an hand-breadth : Mine age is as nothing before thee : Our life is but a vapour and a wind which once passeth Iam. 4 , 14 , Psal , 78 , 39 away returneth not againe : It should therefore bee your best in time to prepare your selues for a better life and not with many to relye securelie vpon a possibilitie of pardon : If yee bee wise , venter not vpon such broken staues which faile in greatest neede .

The carnall Friend .

Thinke not the worse of mee Sir , if I desire you to be honoured with the best in Buriall , bee not too precise , I hope that wee all shall come to heauen at last , wee are all sinners : I hope before I die , to repent mee of all my sins .

The sicke Man .

* * Note S. Augustins wordes are of great power .

Metuendum est ne te occidat S. Augu. spes : & cum multum speres de misericordia incidas in judicium .

It is to be feared that while men hope for nothing so much as mercy , euen then they fall into damnation .

I pray God that such hopes deceiue you not : * * Note Many foolishlie make a packe horse of Christs merites and Gods mercies , not caring what burdens they lay on : * * Note A broken heart is onelie an heart qualified for the pardons of heauen : If Christ Iesus his wordes bee of anie credit among men , this wee must hold that none shall come to heauen but by the narrow way . Matth. 7. 13

* * Note Sathan with his temptations hath bored out the eyes of many as the Philistins did to Samson : But Iudg. 16 , 21 alas , who hath the courage of Samson to seeke to be ledde to the chiefe pillars that he may pull them down for to bee reuenged vpon his foes ?

Alas , this is the fashion of this world , men like the sluggard liue in Prou. 24. 33 delayes in steepe and in sloth ; Yet a little while , and yet a little while : No man will build an Arke vntill the Gen. 19. 16. floode come : Lot himselfe did linger to saue himselfe from a brime stone fyre : * * Note Men haue no leasure to bee saued ; so hard is it for the most part to pluke their feete out of the clouches of this world : * * Note If wee could ouercome the loue of this worlde which is the great Goliah of our enemies then shuld we easilie ouercome the pride of the Philislins and the feare of Israel : But carnall men know not what it is to mortifie olde Adam with his corrupt lustes : * * Note Fooles feede on folies , and tickle their fond fancies with imagined contentments , not knowing the strick & narrow course of sanctification : Such mens speach is often both vnseemelie and vnseasonable .

* * Note Blessed bee my God who hath giuen mee the staffe in the hand , and the stone in the scrippe wherewith I haue stricken all my strongest corruptions in the temples : Sathan is tread vnder foote , my flesh is subdued , mine heart is in Heauen , I care for the worlde no more , neither desire I to speake anie longer of clay , or of anie thing below : My minde is aboue farre from the dirt & drosse of all earthlie thoughts .

O my heauenlie Father wrap my A prayer Soule , wrappe it vp in the righteousnesse of thy Sonne : Let that bee the white long robe of my Soule while my body wrapt in its winding sheete shal lye rotting into the graue : O my God , fill my fainting heart with a joyfull confluence of the precious sufferings of Iesus , of the promises of life & of the joyes of heauen : mak mine ende with that of the vpright man to bee peace : Bee not cast downe Plas. 37. 37 my Soule , neither bee thou disquieted within mee : Hope in God , for I shall ●…sal. 43. 5. yet praise him , who is the health of my countenance , and my God .

Oh , but mine heart is sicke : Oh , where is my deare and louing Pastour ? His conference is most comfortable vnto my Soule .

The Pastour .

I am heere Sir , waiting till I see the end of your Battell : I haue heard all your wordes with great contentment : I haue plainelie perceiued that Gods Angels these noble Spirits attend both to guide & to guarde you : God by the arme of his power hath brought you out of the thicket of thornes and pricking thistles of monie temptations : He who hath made all things in number , weight , and measure hath not surcharge your Soule aboue that which he hath made you able to beare .

God in great grace hath made you first to know your selfe in your offences and miserie , and after that to know him in his Majestie and mercie : The Lord God in great kindnesse hath furnished you with firme Faith , constant Hope , and sincere Loue : He hath led you thorow many trauerses and perplexities : Now haue ye passed the most dreadfull & darkest houre of all your temptations .

Now the dawning of a new day approacheth , now labour might & maine to be prepared for you : God Mal. 4. 2. within a short space Christ the Sun of Righteousnesse that day spring from Luk. 1. 78. on high shall arise vpon your Soule neuer for to goe downe : Continue in your prayers to God , that he wold possesse your Soule with true hearted holinesse , without which no Soule shall see Gods face : What now Sir are yee doing ?

The sicke Man .

My sillie Soule is heere waiting till Death come and open the prison doore , that she may flee to her God & to her Contrie from whence she came : Fogs & mists arise before mine eys .

O my God , from the Throne of thy A prayer Grace r●…ine downe vpon my wearied Soule the refreshing showrs of thy most iender mercies : Vouchsafe vpon mee some crummes of thy comforts .

Oh , that I had the wings of a do●…e for to flee to the woundes of Iesus Psal. 55. 6 as to the holes of the Rock : * * Note My poore Soule in this bodie is like a Bird in a Cage looking through the wyres , Faine would it bee free of this sinfull captiuitie .

O but my Soule panteth fast after my Sauiour : * * Note What now shall stay mee from my God , from my Christ , from my Father , & my brother , and my Comforter , & my dearest Darling of delight ? I long to bee in Heauen the place of my rest : My desire is to goe to Goshen the Land of light , of Life , and of Libertie : Mine heart is fast linked vnto Christ in loue : O Lord , what is man that thou art so mindfull of him .

O man what is God that thou art so forgetfull of him ? A prayer

O my GOD , prepare mee to meete thee with a bruised Spirit : Melt my sinnes into sighes , and my troubles into teares : Let thy good Psal. 143. 10 Spirit leade mee into the Land of vp ▪ rightnesse : Lord , let neuer this clay returne to clay till my Spirit be readie to goe to him that gaue it : O quicken & sharpen my care of heauen dulled and blunted with earthlie thoughts : Make sound wisedome and discretion to bee life vnto my Prou. 3. 23 Soule and grace to my necke : Make my Soule trimme with that costly wedding Garment bought with thy Blood : O Iesus , the blessed Bridegroome , who hast by thy Gospel of Grace betrothed my Soule vnto thee , in righteousnesse in judgement , Hos. 2. 19. in louing kindnesse , & in mercies , come now and perfect the marriage in glory before the Sainctes and Angels that are Psal. 16. 11 aboue , where pleasures are for euermore .

The Pastour .

Amen , Amen : The Spirit of God Sir is with you , & within you : Continue in such holie and heauenlie thoughtes : Contemne still the transitorie triffles of this world , that gladlie yee may desire to goe dwell with your God .

Naturallie all men are so stiffe-necked , and so steele hearted that they cannot submit their will to the good pleasure of their God : O that men would bee wise in time , and could consider how they must bee accountable for euerie houre of time they haue imployed in their life ! * * Note Our Soules , alas , are so sensuall , that they will not knit into acquaintance with Right and Reason , but like factious & ligged lieges rebell stifelie against their Lord : Hardlie will mans heart rander vnto that petition which is often in his mouth , viz. Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen : * * Note The pride of mans heart perketh it selfe aboue the Lawes of humble obedience .

Blessed bee God , whose mercie hath made you a resolued man : such wordes as I haue heard of you were neuer teached in the Schoole of Nature : Nature cannot speake the language of Canaan : We haue nothing to rander vnto God for his working mercies but the mites of praise .

O but ye are much beholden vnto GOD , who hath endued your Soule with his loue , & subdued the raging power of temptations whe●…with your Soule at the first was caried lik chaffe or dust before a gale & mightie winde : O but your heart at the first was fearefullie hacked and mangled with most terrible temptations !

O but the Spirite of Iesus hath wrought wonderfullie within you : Now by him are ye made free from all the terrors of temptations which like venemous hornets did flie in your face .

The sicke Man .

I finde now all that to bee true : Glade is my Soule that euer it knew that Lord : Full welcome is his Spirit to me : Christ is now my Loue & mine hearts delight : Hee hath ridde my Soule of all mine heauie-hearted thoughts : By his blessed Spirit hee hath perswaded mee , that my Soule hath a true and reall enterest in these blessed tidings of peace and Saluation , which hee by his Blood hath bought and broght from the Heauens .

O the mercie of my God! O the Ocean of his compassions , which hath swallowed vp the most hudge mountaines of mine iniquities ! O what a redemption is this ? to bee deliuered from so great a death ? 2 Cor. 1. 10 wherin the damned must die so long as God shall liue ! * * Note O death of torments without anie end ! O life of continuance without anie ease ▪ O the immortalitie of that death , wherein sinners shall euer bee dying , but neuer dead , wherein the least touch of paine cannot bee counteruailed with the millions of pleasures ! O the tumbling and tossing that shall bee there where the wrath of God shall infinitelie burne !

Now Christ the Lord of life hath made mee free of all these fear●…s : I hope shortlie to bee with him : I rejoyce in hope of the glorie of God : To him will I say as hee said to Zacheus , Today I must bide with thee : I long Luk. 19. 5. to bee out of this state of strife : My bodie is weake and mine ●…eart fainteth within mee .

O Lord , recreate and refresh my A prayer Soule with the blessed Blood of the Lambe orientle streaming thorow the channell of his wounds : Giue mee a constant assurance that all my sinnes are blotted out of thy Register : Where no woode is , there the fyre Prou 26. 20 goeth out : Where sin is taken away , there wrath ceaseth to bee : O Lord , conduct the Ruther of my Soule , till it hath sailed thorow al the seas of sorrows and become to the Port of pleasures Psal. 16. 11 for euermore ?

The Pastour .

Take courage and continue so : Lift vp your head , with the eye of Faith behold the other Shore , euen the Land beyond the riuer , The Psal. 143 , 10 Land of vprightnes , Canaan which is aboue : Bend vp all your heart-strings with hauenlie desires : Fixe fast your eyes vpon that Crowne of immortalitie : Let now all your thoughts claspe fast about the mercies of your God : Hee nowe imbraceth you , his hand is a sure hold fast , which neuer letteth slip , that which it once hath seized on : In al appearance your Battell is neare an end : Waite stedfastlie vpon the Lord : Christ shortlie with a soft hand shal loose the knot of your life , that your Soule may goe free to the place of its rest , your Soule alreadie by the mercifull Arme of Iesus hath beene deliuered from the painefull racke of repentance , and now is sette vpon the rocke of your Saluation : The gracious God hath beene your Father , Feeder , and Defender : Your desirs which of before , were grappled to the ground , now only aspire to things which are aboue : * * Note Afflictions to the Soule is like the gade to the The Hebrewes called the Gad●… Iudg. 3. 3 Malmad quod boves doceat arare . Oxe a teacher of obedience .

Finde ye now the tempest of your Conscience so allayed as yee would wish ? Is all calme and at quiet within ? I hope that the blessed droppes of the Lambes Blood haue quenched that wilde fyre wherewith once your troubled Conscience was enflammed : Yee as I esteeme are no more troubled for your sinnes , as though God neither would nor were able to forgiue : I pray God that yee may boldlie say with a godlie Father .

What shall I returne vnto my gracious God , that I darre now S. Aug. looke my sinnes in the face , and not bee afraide ?

The sicke Man .

My sinnes , I blesse God , fright mee no more : O the rich bowels of Iesus wherein is a Myne of mercie .

I remember now of a sweete saying of a godlie man on his death-bed .

* * Note When mine iniquities , saide hee , are greater than thy mercies , O God , then will I feare and despaire .

The comfortes of my God now refresh my Soule lik the Riuer of Siloah Isa. 8. 6. that watered the Citie of God : I blesse God for all my try all & troubles which hee hath made to worke together to my well : * * Note Grace in the heart is often like fyre in flint insensible vntill it bee beaten .

It is good for vs that wee bee afflicted : The bluenesse of the wound Prou. 20. 30 purgeth away euill : My Saluation now is surelie sealed by the hand of the Spirit : By his seale it is made sure and authenticall : O how my Soule hath with a bright eye discouered the fauours of his face : * * Note O if God forsake a man , hee will shortlie with Iudas * Note passe from the horror to the halter : O the mercies of God towards me .

The Pastour .

O how much are yee beholden vnto God , who by his Spirit hath so directed your heart and mouth , with wordes perfumed with the sauour 2 Cor. 2 ▪ 16 of life vnto life , yee haue refreshed all our Soules as with a sweete breath : * * Note If the Spirit of Grace guided not our tongues in our temptations , our mouths to our euerlasting shame , should breath out stiffe and stinking blastes of blasphemie against the Lord our Creator : Praised be the Name of the most High , who hath borne and broken that vnspeakable burden of wrath where with yee were surcharged at our first meeting .

The sicke Man .

Amen , Amen : Blessed bee the Name of Iesus : At that Name the knees of my Soule bowe in a most humble manner to the ground , for to kisse it with my mouth a thousand times vpon Conscience of my bygone miserie , and of his present mercie : All mine affections are set on foote and are so cheered and rauished with the loue of my God , as no tongue can expresse .

O happie , & thrise happie change : * * Note Once I feared damnation , nowe Christ is my Saluation : Once I sat in darknesse ▪ hee is now my Light ▪ Once I was in Death , hee is now my Life : Once I was in bondage , hee is now my Libertie : Once I was in want , hee is now my Wealth : Once I was in sicknesse , hee is nowe mine Health : Once I was in shame , hee is nowe my Glorie : What shall I say mo●…e ? Hee is mine onelie Deare , and and dearest heartes desire : Hee is my strongest Tower : I haue none other Arke to saue mee from the flood . Mine heart is prepared , mine heart is prepared : * * Note Oh that I were where without let I shall sing Halleluiah for euer , where all earthlie objects shall seeme but filthie abjects in comparison of him .

Now Sir I intreat you to conceiue another Prayer , that thereby as by the Charet of Elijah my Soule 2 Kin ▪ 2. 11 may bee carried vp into Heauen : Commend my Soule into the hands of Christ the Redeemer : Yee the Lords Priest stand still with the Arke till my Soule hath passed the Iordan for to enter into Canaan . A prayer

O Lord Iesus , pittie this poore Soule that panteth at thy feete , draw it out of this clogge of clay : B●…e with mee vnto the end : Graue thine owne shape deepe within mine heart , that it may bee in judgement as a piece of euidence , that the Heauens are mine heritage : O look vpon mee , who am heere , waiting vpon Tit , 2. 13 that blessed hope : Comfort & refresh mee with the sweetest breath of thy blessed Spirit : Set my sillie . Soule upon Pisga the sight hill of Canaan : Guarde mee with the invinsible troopes of thine Angels : O thou whose Name and Nature is mercie , take my wearied Soule and lull it sweetelie in the softest armes of thy most tender compassions .

Ioyne your prayers vnto mine : The effectuall feruant prayer of a righteous Iam. 5. 16. man auaileth much .

The Pastour .

According to your desire Sir wee shall worsle with God in prayer that your end may bee peace . Psal. 37. 37

The Lord gather all our scattered A prayer thoughts , that beeing as twisted together into one threede , they may be like Eccles. 4. 12 the three-fold corde which is not easilie broken , powerfull to draw downe Gods Graces from aboue .

Let vs pray .

A Prayer for the sick man .

O Lord , settle earnest prayer in our Soules vpon true sense of our neede : Let not our prayers be tumultuous : Tune thou our words by thy Spirit , while our lips walke , make our hearts to moue : Preserue vs from vaine babyling , lest our prayers Psal. 109 , 7 bee turned into sinne .

O God , the God of all Spirites who hast the keyes of Heauen and of Hell : Thou steeketh and no man openeth : Thou openeth and no man steeketh : Open now thy mercifull doores vnto this poore Soule which panteth after thee as the chassed Hart Psal. 41. 1 panteth after the water brookes : Let none of his sinnes stand betweene thy face and him for to ecclipse his Soule the light of thy countenance : Seale vp in his heart by thy Spirit ▪ the free & full forgiuenes of all his transgressions . Thou who by the vertue of thy death made the vaile of the Temple Matth. 27. 51. to rent for to mak an open way to the Holie of holies , mak also the partition wall of all his iniquities to cleaue from the toppe to the bottome , that his Soule remoued from his bodie , may get entrie to the Highest and holiest of the Heauens where thine honour dwelleth : Make thy Graces in him to growe like Elias his cloud which at the first no bigger than an hand , at last by and by did ouer spread the whole skie . Sanctifie his Soule and soften his heart , with the diuine dew of thy Grace : Say vnto his Soule , I am thy Saluation : Behold , Lord , his Soule is seeking thee , let nothing in his search carie him on the by .

Keepe fast in his remembrance the blessed bloodie passion of his Redeemer Iesus : When Death shall come , let him die with thy Christ in his Armes .

Strengthen and increase his desire to be dissolued , assuring him that it shal be much better for him : Furnish him with strength , whereby he may row against the strictest streams of all temptations , till hee arriue into the hauen of the Heauens ▪ the sole and safe harberie of Saluation .

And seeing no vncleane thing can enter into Heauen , Lord , wash this thy seruant , and wash him throughlie , that by the vertue of thy Blood , his sinnes though they were red like scarlet and crimson , may bee Isa. 1. 18. made white like wooll , and whiter than the snow . Pull off his Soule the menstrous cloath of his owne righteousnes , and cloth him with the righteousnes , of him whose statelie style is , THE Ier. 23. 6. LORD OVR RIGHT TEOVSNES .

Thou who hast alreadie added strength vnto his Faith while it was scant like a smoking flaxe , let not the Isa. 42. 3. sparkle which once thou hast kindled for euer bee quenched : Amid the sight of his sins , make him to lay hold vpon the merite and full satisfaction of his Sauiour : Let him with all the Faithfull receiue of that fulnesse , Ioh. 1. 16. and grace for grace .

And seeing nowe , Lord , hee is comming vnto thee thorow the snakie fielde of manie temptations , lette Eccles. 6. 15 his feete bee shod with the preparation of thy Gospel : Thou , Lord , wilt neuer suffer anie that trust in thee to bee confounded : Hee followed thee constantlie in his life , nowe let thy Spirit tryst him at the houre of death : Hee disclaimeth all hope of helpe by anie other than by thy selfe alone : Though hee knoweth not perfectlie what to say , yet his eyes are on thee : Thou who is Alpha and Omega hast begunne this good worke in him , crowne it with the perfection of thy goodnesse : Let him more & more feele that hee is euerlastinglie acquite by the Blood of the Lambe from the terrors of Gods Tribunall : Refresh his Soule more and more with celestiall spirituall joyes proceeding from the Spirit of Grace : Let him feele himselfe assuredlie knit & vnited to thee : O thou preseruer of men ▪ that in and by thee hee may be presented blamelesse before thy Majesties Iustice-seate .

Furnish his minde with light , and his memorie with strength , that hee may vnderstand and remember that Christes death is an absolute and all sufficient Sacrifice for remouing the guilt of all repenting sinners : Shewe him a signe of thy loue : Multiplie in his heart the pledges of thy kindnes : Make him faithfull vnto death , that hee may receiue the Crowne of life .

Thou hast alreadie subdued in him alloue and liking of this world : Nowe graunt that the hope of that glorie , which is to bee reuealed , may bee so strong in his Soule , that it may shield and fence him from the force and furie of the last assaults : The nearer he draweth vnto death , inlarge the chanell of thy graces like a Riuer which is broadest towards the end of its course : Make his heart in the ●…orest pangs of death to bee still lifted vp towards thee .

And seeing Death and the Deuill mans two last enemies are euer busie the one for to fright , the other for to tempt : Prepare him , Lord , and furnish him so with thy Graces , that hee may proue victorious in this last assault .

O gracious GOD , assist him by thy force against the most violent blustering winds of the last and most fearefull temptations : If Satan looke in at the doores of his heart , seeking for an entrie , let him neuer get so much as one chamber-roome set a part for his sojourning : Make thy grace vnto him like a Sunne , like a Bridegroome comming out of his Psal. 19. 5 , Chamber to disperse the darknesse of his mistie minde .

Vnto his last gaspe direct him so by thy good Spirit , that his Soule may cleaue so fast vnto thee that neither sinne , nor sicknesse , life , nor death ▪ may bee able to separate him from thee : Thogh thou shuld slay him yet wil hee trust in thee : Faile him not now in time of neede : vphold his heart in this heauie houre : Let his Soule lurke vnder the winges of thy mercie , till the tempest of wrath bee calmed & past ouer : Bee thou to him a shelter against the heauie showers of the last agonie .

O gracious Lord , in wrath remember Hab. 8. 2. mercie : In the multitude of thy compassions blot out his transgressions , and that for the dearest drops of that sacred Blood that gushed vpon the cursed crosse : Rinse and cleanse his heart from all vncleannes : Giue him courage in his greatest fears : Let not Death bee vnto him as a king of feare , nor hee as one of the wicked , whose hope doeth perish with their breath : O Lord , let thy Name bee vnto him like a strong tower for to hid him into the time of trouble : Let this bee the cleare candle of his comfort neuer to bee quenched , that Christ by his death hath for him and all the Faithfull , ouercome Death and disarmed it of its sting : Declare by the inward motion of thy Spirit to his Soule , that the nature of death by the death of Christ is changed into a sleepe vnto all the friends of Christ , who by the infinite power of his diuine Nature , hath swallowed it vp in victorie , and hath so digested it , that now the bitternesse thereof is past .

As the Arke was to Noah , and Zoar vnto Lot , so bee thou a refuge to this faithfull Soule fighting thy battels , not onelie against flesh and Ephes ▪ 6. 12 blood , but against principalities and powers , against the gouernours of darknesse of this world , and against spirituall wickednesse in high places : Let thy strength bee made perfect in his weaknesse : As thou hast vp holden him hitherto by the strength of thy Spirit , so continue with him vntill the end : The battell is the Lords , fight Lord , for thine own cause , euen for this Soule one of thy redeemed Ones : obtaine thou the victorie , and take the glorie to thy selfe . O God , both of grace and glorie seale surely vp in his bosome the pardon of all his iniquities : Perfect the comfortes which thou hast begunne , say vnto his Soule ; That heauen is not so high , nor hell so low , nor the world so wide , as are thy mercies towards him : All thy creatures haue their owne dimensions , but thy mercie , Lord , like thy selfe is without measure : Out of these infinite compassions make this sillie Soule partaker of the dearest mercies that euer rould together , the relenting bowels of thy tenderest loue .

Heare vs , Lord , in all these our sutes , and that for the sake of thy best beloued and onelie begotten Sonne the Lord Iesus Christ , in whose Name , and at whole command wee powre out our heartes to thee in that prayer which by his own sacred and most blessed mouth hee hath taught vs , Our Father , &c.

The sicke Man .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen : Blessed for euer be thy Name , for such spirituall comfortes , for so manie mercies , I can rander nothing but the little mites of praise and thankesgiuing .

Mine heart is filled with songs of Gods mercie : If his Spirit of grace had not vpholden mee in my first feares while ( as I thought ) I was wrapped into an infinite wrath , I had certainelie beene swallowed vp with ouermuch sorrow : But now blessed eternallie bee the Lord who hath made the earth to swallow vp all the floodes of temptations and tribulations , which that red Dragon the Deuill a bloodie murtherer hath cast out of his mouth after mee for to carrie my Soule down head-longs to perdition : Now finde I Gods word to bee true , that hee is ouercome Reuel. 12. 11 by the Blood of the Lambe : Except that the Lord had beene on my side , O in what a dumbe dumpe had my poore Soule beene driuen into ere now .

The Pastour .

Hee who followed a a Gen. 3. 8 Adam thorow the thicke bushes , and b b Ino●… . 2 , 1 Ionas in the bottome of the sea , Hee who c c Gen. 32. 29 blessed the crooked man , and made the d d 1 Sam. 1. 18 barren fertile , and the e e Luk. 1. 62 dumbe to speake , the f f Luk. 7. 22 deafe to heare , and the g g Ioh. 9. 7. blind to see , hath made his grace perfect in your weaknesse : He best feeleth the pulse of our heartes and the force of our life .

Loth would hee bee to breake the Isa. 42. 3●… bruised reede , or to quench the smoking flaxe : * * Note All men by nature are but like an vncleane Dung-hill of drosse , their heartes at the first are but a den of Dragons : But so soone as the Spirit of grace hath begunne to drawe the draughts and lineamentes of Gods image within the soule of a man , nothing shall bee able to deface or mangle that liuelie image : To all sorts of temptations Gods wisedome shall finde an out-gate : * * Note Neither the traines of Sathan , nor the treason of our bosome sinnes , nor the terrors of hell , nor the trashes of the world shall euer be able to preueale against psal. 16. 3. Adirim Gods excellent Ones : According as Zacharias filled with the holie Ghost prophecied , It is granted vnto vs that wee beeing deliuered Luk. 1. 14. out of the handes of our enemies , may serue him without feare .

The sicke Man .

I blesse God for such inestimable comforts : Sathan hath shrewdlie assaulted mee , but could not preuaile : My corruptions haue beene subdued and awed by the Majestie of the Spirit of Iesus : My Soule rejoyceth in GOD : In the merites of Christ as in a glasse I see him a meeke & a mercifull Father : I am not now afraide to come to a tryall at his Tribunall , I am no more dismayed for the vnquencheable flammes of the fierie lake .

I thinke certainelie that there was neuer a man so much beholden to my God as I am : Truelie may I sing with the Psalmest , I waited patientlie Psal. 40. 1 or the Lord , and hee inclined vnto mee , and heard my cry : Hee vers. 2. brought me out of an horrible pitte , out of the myrrie clay , and set my feete vpon a Rocke , and established my goings : He hath put a new song into my mouth , vers. 3. euen praise vnto our God : many shall see it and feare , and shall trust in the Lord .

O that I had breath for the setting foorth of his praise ! Happie is he who while he may vtter words , praiseth God continuallie : Blessed is that man who may call his tongue his Glorie : * * Note O my Soule , I charge thee by the Roes and by the Hindes of the fielde , that thou cease not to praise his Might ▪ his Mercie , and his Majestie : O my Soule , take heede and listen vnto his voyce : O Iesus , the great Deputie of mercie sent by the Father , forsake mee not in this heauie houre .

Now I sore sicken , so that all naturall ▪ force faileth me : My words now so wea●…ie mee , that I thinke ere it be long this bodie shall bee lodged in the place of silence : But let mee intreate you Sir ; so long as ye shall perceiue life to bee in mee , let it please you to continue in some good purpose concerning the world to come : By some holie discourse rouse vp my drousie Spirit , hold mine heart vpon an edge : Let me not die like a senselesse Nabal , of whom it is written , that his heart died within him , so that 1 Sam. 25 37. hee became like a stone : Manie blindlie and boldlie rush into hell .

I beseech you Sir : to waite well vpon mee till yee see the ende : I thinke that ere it bee long my Soule shall bee at the farthest tryst .

O Lord , warme my frozen Soule A prayer with the sense of the kindled compassions of the bowels of thy loue ▪ Inlighten my mistie minde & cleare it with thy countenance : Bee thou the comforter of my Conscience , vntil the day break and the shadows flie Cant. 4 6. away .

Take now Sir my Soule into the armes of your prayers , lift it vp and lay it into that blessed bosome of my Lordes mercies : Bend yet againe your knees before God in prayer , that hee for his mercies sake would receiue mee into my Masters joye : O but my Soule fluttereth fast within mee for to bee at my God : Let it please you to bee feruent in prayer for mee , that I may foile vnder my feete the Deuill , Death , and all the powers of hell : The Deuill in death will not faile to giue mee a furious assault at the chiefest fortresse of my Saluation , for to batter it downe to the ground : Intreate the Lord that his mercie may bee a strong rempart and a blessed Bul-wark against all the Engines of hell which are readie bent to waste and hauock all Gods graces within mee .

O Lord , campe thine Angels about A prayer mee : Place thy Pauilions of war betweene mee and mine enemies : Refresh mee more and more with thy comforts : Giue mee the earnest of these joyes which passe all vnderstanding : Possesse mee with the Spirit of gladnesse , for that thou in mercie hast forgiuen mee my sinnes : Continue so vnto the end , that in the heauens for euer this may be the burden of my song , For his mercie Psal. 136. 1 2. 3. &c. indureth for euer .

Let it please you Sir on whome God hath vouchsafed the Spirit of Prayer in a good and great measure , to assist mee with your comforts and prayers , lest by temptations I should beginne to slacke off my care and watchfulnesse .

The Pastour .

Hold fast your eye vpon Christ your Redeemer : Follow him thorow the valey of death , for hee hath Psal. 23 , 4 not onelie pointed out our path , but as Heb. 2. 10 , Captaine of our Saluation , hath troden euery steppe before vs : Yee may well sticke a little in the narrow throate of Death , but that one steppe Gen. 26. 22 being past yee enter into Rehoboth a place of roome , farre from the reekie smoke , vaine shadowes , and dreames of earthlie vanitie , and perishing pleasures : * * Note Bee glad Sir , to flit from this barren moorish ground and muddie mortalitie for to goe to a paradise , Psal. 16. 11 a Palace , a place of pleasures for euermore . According to your desire wee shall returne to God by prayer .

A Prayer for the sicke man drawing neare to the doores of death .

O Father of mercies and God of all comforts in whom all goodnesse and graces are treasured , let it please thee fauourablie to regard the soule of this thy seruant here , whose heart panteth after thee , as the wearied Hart panteth after the water brookes : Refresh his Soule with the Psal. 42. 1. diuine dew of thy grace till it bee entered in at the gates of Glorie : Powre into his hearte the sweete streames of thy loue : Settle his soule in a right and vpright course , so long as it remaineth in this mistie & muddie mortalitie , send out thy light and guide it by thy Grace , till it hath passed the straites of Death for to enter into the Land of vprightnes . O Father of mercies , perswade him by thy Spirit , that the comming of Death shall bee to him a time of discharge , a time of freedome from sicknes of bodie , anguish of Spirit , trouble of Conscience , and from all possibilitie of sinning anie more : Let him know that while hee is going to the Graue , hee is going to a bedde of ease , where most quietlie he Isa. 57. 2. shall rest from all his toylesome labours .

Turne all feare of Death into a chearefull expectation , and longing for the houre of dissolution : Make quiet his Conscience , that he may die with comfort . O thou Sauiour of mankind , whose boweles are filled with mercifull compassions , spreade the wing of thy righteous garment ouer this Soule of thy seruant : Thou hast shaken him with thy terrours in diuerse assaults : Thou hast broght him low for to make him a fitte passenger for the little doore which leadeth vnto Glorie .

Leaue him not now , Lord , in his greatest neede : Make thine Angels camped about him , powerfully to assist him against al the last assaults of that euill one : Thou who hast heard all his groanes , registrat thou his sighs , and put all his teares into thy bottels , suffer not thy kindled zeale to coole in him : In an holie despaire of his owne worth , make him whollie to relye vpon thy meere mercies in Christe , the onelie salue for sicke Soules , and remeed for broken bones . Psal. 51. 8

While hee is weakest , work with thy Spirit feelinglie and powerfullie into his hearte : Subdue euerie euill motion that may arise therein for the troubling of his soule : Draw vp his desire aboue the pitch of all natural knowledge : Banish all earthlie thinges cleane out of his minde , and make all his thoughts to attend vpon thee : In thy diuine might rebuke Sathan , that hee interrupt not thy comforts : Let him not bee able by his secret craft and vyles to steale from him the pledges of thy loue .

O Sonne of GOD , O Sunne of Mal. 4. 2 Righteousnes , send a quickning heate with a shining light into his sillie Soule : Make thy blessed Beames to strik on his heart for to warme it with thy loue : Set all his desires a floate from the moode of sinful mortalitie : Thou at diuerse times hast affrighted him fearefullie with dreadfull visitatations of Conscience : His Soule hath bene sore racked with the pitifull perplexities of a vexed minde : Now death is approaching : Sight & senses & all are failing , but thou Lord will neuer faile him : While the naturall eyes of his bodie beginne to growe dimme , then cleare thou the spirituall eyes of his soule , that hee may with Stephen see the heauens opened , Act. 7. 56. and the Sonne of man readie to receiue him : And alwayes , Lord , as the time of death shall approach , so let his Soule draw nearer vnto thee , that while sicknesse shall take away the vse of his tongue , his heart may cry to thee , Come Lord Iesus come , in thine hands I resigne my Spirit .

Nowe Father of mercies , seeing thy Girnels are prepared for him , by the power of thy grace fanne this Corne cleane from its chaffe that it may bee treasured vp therein : Put his life in a readinesse , that hee may giue thee a chearefull account of all wherein hee hath imployed thy Talents : Let him heare these words of joye , Faithfull seruant come and enter in thy Masters joye .

Long hath his Soule beene wooing the heauens with weake fluttering desires : Nowe open the window of thine Arke and let in this wearied Doue crouding for thy Rest Manie depthes bee betweene vs and heauen : One deepth calleth vpon another deepth , for flesh and blood there is no possibilitie of passing thorowe : But , Lord , that which is impossible with men is possible with thee : Let therefore the vertue of thy death be to him like a Bridge for to sette him safe ouer all the gulfes of miserie : In his journey to thy Kingdome remoue all rubbes out of the way .

O Lord , listen to our cry : Put these our vnworthy prayers into thy golden Censer : Perfume them with the incense of thy righteousnesse , and offer them vp to thy Father vpon the Altar of thy diuinitie : And thou Fatherof mercies , for the merites of thy Son his all sauing death which hee hath suffered for al repenting sinners : Receiuein mercy this Soule which Sathan hath sought to sift : Receiue the deare price of the Blood of thy Son : Let thy Iustice say , I am satisfied : Let thy mercie so smile vpon him , that it may bee the health of his countenance and the comfort of his Conscience : While hee shall finish his course , finish thou his Faith with perfection whereby hee may die , hauing a settled assurance of that blessed Inheritance and massie Crowne of immortalitie , which Christ hath conquised by his bloodie merites : To whom with Thee and the Spirit of Grace , bee all Glorie , honour , dominion and euerlasting power for now and euer , Amen .

The sicke Man .

Lord heare thou in Heauen . O blessed God , and Father of eternity , A prayer seeing my time nowe is short , giue mee grace to manage it well : Shute not thine eares to my sighes , while my tong in the jawes of death shall cleaue fast to the roofe of my mouth : O follow me with thy fauours , euen thorow the valey of the shadow of death : O Lord , because thou art faithfull , & cannot lie , I look shortlie to receiue in hand that which I haue in hope : O come now and put an ende to the dayes of my vanitie .

The Pastour .

Blessed & magnified be the Lord of eternitie for such wonderfull mercies towards you : * * Note He most powerfullie & most wonderfully hath brought you back from the corrupt course of Nature , as a Boat rowed against the streame by the force of Armes and of Oares : Behold , now ye approch vnto your Heauen Be of good heart Sir , ye are neare vnto your rest , the place of Psal. 16. 11 pleasures for euermore .

Nowe seeing the ende draweth neare , yee haue to remember well if yee haue anie grudge against anie ; that before yee decease , they may be fetcht and friended with you .

The sicke Man .

I wish all men to be well : I hope that no man wisheth otherwise to mee : * * Note My desire was neuer either to reuile or to reuenge : I am readie to satisfie where I haue failed , and to forgiue where I haue receiued the greatest wrong : Mans wronges against mee are but light in comparison of my wickednes against God : * * Note Hee is not worthie that God shuld forgiue him his sinnes who will not forgiue his neighbour an injury : My good God hath forgiuen mee all : As hee hath forgiuen mee , so I forgiue all men , and desire the lik to be done by others vnto mee : * * Note My Soule abhorreth these words of ranckour , I may forgiue him , but I will not forgete him : The softning Spirit of God cannot dwell where there is such stonie steelie hardnesse of heart .

O Fountaine of Grace , powre the powers of thy Spirit within my breast , A prayer that , my Soule , may bee refreshed with thy blessed balmie comfortes of sauing grace : Draw vp my spirit toward the Tabernacles of immortalitie : O when Psal 42. 2 , shall I come and appeare before God! Put to the Spure to this dull jadde of my foggie flesh , that I may make more haste in my journey .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in heauen .

Seeing God hath blessed you with Wealth , I doubt not but that ye will doe some thing for the well of Colledges & Hospitales : * * Note Colledges are the Seminaries or seede-plotes of vertues , out of which come these who become Rulers of the Church & Common-wealth : Hospitals are shelters for the poore the friendes of Christ : Christs counsell to the rich is that they make friendes of the Mammon of Luk. 16. 9 , vnrighteousnes : Such words were not spoken by our Lord without great and weightie reasons .

The sicke Man .

All these things were done in my Testament , while I put mine house to an order : I haue not forgot that point of duetie : Hee is not worthy to be called a faithfull man who leaueth not behind him some fruits of his Faith : * * Note That Faith which cannot justifie a man by good works before men , will neuer justifie his soule before God : Remember mee , O Lord , Nehem. 13 14 concerning this , & wipe not away my good deedes which I haue done for thy glory .

Let men dreame of Saluation as they please , S. Iames his precept is , that men shewe their Faith by their Iam. 2. 18. workes : * * Note Though Pharisees doe all that they doe for to bee seene , men must not in mens sight forbeare to doe well : Because Hypocrites come to preaching & prayers publicklie , true Israelites for that must not sitte at home : The Godlie must not bee so base in heart as to abstaine from all publicke good , because the wicked worshippe but outwardlie : Shewes without substance in some , should not bee able to banish the shewes of substance from others .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir yee speake wiselie : As the tree is first seene in the budde and then in the flourish , and after in the fruite , so muste the life of man Matth. 21. 9 bee : Because the barren figge tree had nothing but leaues , the fruitfull tree must not grow bare , the leaues of the tree haue their owne vse among the fruites : So haue godlie shewes good vses when they are joyned with true substance : * * Note The Faith of a Christian should not think shame to shew her faire face , because Hypocrisies face seemeth to be faire while it is fairded : No not : God will haue true faith to come out , that the world may see her into works : Shew mee thy Faith by thy workes : Christ Iam. 2 , 18 who desireth that the niggard or ambitious Matth. 6. 4 left hand know not or see not the liberalitie of the charitable right hand , commandeth that wee let ou●… light so shine before men , that they may Matth. 5. 16 see our good works , and glorifie our Father which is in heauen .

The graces of Gods Spirit in a man are like a light candle : No man light a Candle , and put it vnder a bushell , but on a Candle-sticke , & it giueth Luk. 11. 33 light to all that are in the house : * * Note The good life of the godlie man should bee like a Citie sette on an hill Matth. 5. 14 which cannot bee hid : * * Note The labourer soweth not his seede on the ground that it may still remaine hidde vnder the cloddes ; neither doeth God sow his graces in our heartes that there they may lu●…k & still abide secret : * * Note I like not these who feare to seeme godlie left they should bee thought to be Hypocrites : Euen in that are they Hypocrites , that for feare they seeme to affect godlinesse , will not doe good that may bee seene which would moue the true Israelits to glorifie our Father in heauen , yea , and also allure these to come to God who as yet are strangers from the Common-wealth of Israel .

I confesse that fewe bee troubled with such a feare : It is a sin whereof verie few in this Land are guiltie , yet seeing it is a sinne , it would bee carefullie auoided : * * Note Because Papists whollie relye on their workes , Protestants with great scandale will onelie bragge of their Faith : Thus both the one and the other against the truth of doctrine separate that which God hath joyned together .

The sicke Man .

O Lord , GOD of gods , O Father of euerlasting compassions , whose blessed A prayer bowels did bleede vpon the crosse for to saue sinners , pittie heere a fraile & feeble creature yet tugging and wrestling in the Barras of this sinfull flesh : Furnish mee with strength , whereby I may surmount and vanquish all difficulties which are betweene my Soule and the place of its euerlasting rest : I am weake , forbeare mee , Lord , in thy great mercie : Ioyne thy Grace with my grief●… : O that I were with my Christ , the Marke whereat I aime , the Port whereto I saile , the rest of my desires : Let thy good Spirit , O Lord , assist mee : Let thy fauour and grace bee my vade-mecum till I come to thy Glorie : O who shall giue to my soule the wings of a Doue , that it may Psal. 55. 6 flee out of the Douket of this bodie vp to its God : O deare Sauiour , set Cant. 8 6. Cant. 1. 4 , mee as a seale vpon thine heart : Draw mee and wee shall runne after thee : Holde mine heart aloft , that it may onelie minde the things aboue .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in heauen , and grant the sute of thy seruant : I feare Sir that yee bee wearied with speaking : As I perceiue yee force your selfe in your words aboue the reach of your strength : Seeing yee trauell thus in paine of your speach , spend the little space of life that resteth in holie meditations concerning the bloodie wounds of Christ your Sauiour .

The sicke Man .

Christ now is onelie my comfort : I loue him with the best bowels of mine heart : In the bowels of his mercie I reade by the eye of Faith most faire lines of his loue , all written in great Capitall letters of an heauenlie impression : * * Note Christ is to mee in stead of all , for alreadie in my neede hee hath stood mee in more stead than all .

O in what a pitifull plight my sillie and forlorne Soule was once into ! Bl●…ssed bee hee for euermore who in so great kindnesse hath shined vpon me with the blessed , bright , and vnspotted beames of his mercy .

O but my Soule panteth after him ! Oh , how this heart of mine is euill to breake ! What a piece of clammie teugh clay is this that settereth so my Soule , that by no meanes can it bee loosed from it , that it may soare vp to its God , from griefe to glorie : O that I were with him with whom I shall not want the thing that I can wish : Now , Lord , the time is come ; pull off mee the dull wiede of sinfull mortalitie and cloath my soule in white with the Robe of Christes righteousnesse , that it may followe the Lambe : O but I am wearied : My Soule longeth to see the Face of my God .

The Pastour .

Waite vpon the Lords will , when it is time hee will open the prison doore and let your Soule flie vp to your Glorie : Thinke on Heauen still : * * Note Mount vp your minde to your Maker , who shall shortlie roofe with Glorie the graces which hee hath reared vp into your heart : Let the hope of these thinges hearten you in the mudde and myre of this sinfull mortalitie .

The sicke man .

O Lord , pittie this Soule , which A prayer I haue defiled and defaced with scarlet transgressions and crimsin iniquities . Thou hast begunne the good worke in me : It is now neere to perfection : Put to now the last hand , and perfect the worke : Rub out perfectlie with the Blood of thy Lambe the least staines which sticke in my Soule , that while thou shalt look vpon mee , thou may know mee to bee thy redeemed one by the stampe of thine owne Image .

O Lord , fixe mine heart so into A prayer thine owne heart , that nothing bee able to pull it out , without pulling out thine owne : It hath beene like a crooked twigge , O writh it so nowe the right way , that it may bee according to thine owne heart .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen , and graunt the sute of thy Seruant : Let nothing bee able to tickle , tempt , or trouble his Soule .

Be of good heart Sir , the Battell is neare an end : Fight out the good fight , finish your course , and keepe the Faith , hence-foorth is laide vp for you a Crowne of righteousnesse which 2 Tim. 4 8 the LORD shall giue you at that day . Make now full proofe of your courage , which shall shortlie be couered with a Crown . Hold out still in your holie exercise till your change come .

The sicke Man .

I wearie of this cottage of claye : I am at a point with all that is vnder the Sunne : I care not for this worlds fauour , no more for its frowne : But O but my Soule longeth to be with my Lord , that I may see his face with fulnesse of joye . Psal , 16. 11

O thou with whom nothing is impossible , A prayer make the scales of mortalitie to fall from mine eyes , that I may fee thee before euen as thou art : My Soule longeth to be out of this myry lak of miserie , for to dwell with thee into the Pallace of immortalitie : O when shall I get ridde of these sinfull bonds ! O Sauiour of mankind giue eare vnto my sute : Deliuere mee from this seeming life , that I may die to liue the life of ple●…sures for euermore : O drawe , drawe out this Soule entombed into this bodie : Before thou separate them s●…ale surelie thy pardons within my Conscience , and doe perfectlie away all my transgressions : Guarde mee & assist mee and harnesse my Soule against Sathan his last on-sette .

Let my Soule graspe with an holy greedinesse in the hand of Faith , such spirituall comforts as thou , O Lord , makest to come from the boundlesse and bottomelesse fountaine of thy mercie toward all these whom thouloueth : Let my soule feele more and more sensiblie these mercies which fairelie & oriently streame thorow the bloodie wounds of my blessed Sauiour Iesus the 〈◊〉 : wash and bath my drooping Soule in the well of life : Giue vnto it a drinke of the riuers of thy pleasures .

O Lord of loue , shedde thy loue into mine heart thorow the bleeding bowels of my blessed Sauiour : O blessed Redeemer of lost mankinde , O Pelicane of pittie , whose heart did euer melt with m●…rcifull compassions , pittie my Soule in this painefull plight : Mine heart strings are racked , my bowels are rent , the house of the Soule is falling downe , nowe open the doore of thine euerlasting Tabernacles , that my Soule may goe from Grace to Glorie : Make the power of thy loue like a load stone for to draw mine heart after thee from the mudde of this mortalitie .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in heauen , and A prayer fulfill the sute of thy Seruant , burie all his sinnes and his sorrowes in the bottomelesse sea of thy mercie : Entombe in the Tombe of Iesus where they may lye for euer without anie hope of a resurrection .

The sicke Man .

I waite for the Lord , my Soule doe●…h ●… sal. 130. 5 waite & in his word doe I hope : My soule vers. 6 waiteth for the Lord , more than they that watch for the morning : I say , More than they that watch for the morning : My Soule is wearied of this earthlie Tabernacle : Psal. 42. 2. O when shall I come and appeare before God ? O that I were at my wished home : O nowe moue the poole of thy mercie , and moue my Soule to runne into it .

The Pastour .

It is likly that within an hou●…e God shall grant you your desire : Could not Matth. 26. 40 you watch with mee but an houre ? said Christ to his Disciples : Yee haue nowe but an houres absence from your God : Yee haue but an houres voyage from the bodie to the sight of Gods face the place of your rest : Fixe fast your eyes vpon the Crowne of immortalitie , till your Soule be past from toilesome Time to Eternitie : Yet a little while & God shall retire you from the tyring trauels of this life : Watch but an houre , and your end shall bee peace . Psa. 37. 37

The sicke Man .

The Lorde sende a good houre wherein I may lay downe the loade of this mortalitie : Alas , manie an houre haue I euill and idlie spent in pam pering this foggie flesh with the light and loose pleasures of this life .

O Spirite of Grace , drawe neare A prayer vnto my Soule : Make thy residence into this broken heart : Correct , cure , and couer all the corruptions of my Nature . Beginne and end & crowne the worke with thy goodnes : At last close in me thy graces with thy glorie : O make mine eyes to see , and mine armes to carrie and mine heart to bee filled with thy Saluation : Conuoye vnto my Soule the warmest blood that euer heated the heart of Iesus : Let that euer recking blood wherein is a Sauour of life vnto life : Comfort and vp-holde my Soule in this last heauie houre .

Now Sir , seeing the end draweth neare , helpe mee to spend well this houre , which in all appearance shall be my last : I wish that all my thoghts and affections bee nowe so bended toward my God that they neither sway nor swerue from him by anie idle wandering of minde .

O Thou that art high and excellent A prayer Isa. 57. 15. who dwellest in the high and holie place : Thogh thou be high , thy promise is to dwell also with him that is of a contrite & humble spirit : According to thy promise reuiue the Spirit of the humble , and giue life to him that is of a contrite heart : O Lord , according to thy wonted grace make mee in my last agonie , to possesse my Soule in peace and patience : Disapoint Satan in all his craftie fetches : O couer this sillie Turtle vnder the mantle of thy mercie : All other couerings are but light and slight like Spiders webbes which cannot endure the breath and blast of thy mouth .

The Pastour .

Lord , hearken thou in heauen , & giue eare vnto the sute of thy Se●…uant .

I perceiue indeede that now your words wearie you : Lest yee faint I shall tak the speach vpon me : If it be your will I shall let you heare a most diuine discourse taken from a godly preacher on his death-bed , the words surely are weighty & of great power : If ye please I shal let you heare them , while I speake them , meditate yee , and in your minde make them your owne wordes .

The sicke Man .

I intreate your Sir , for to let mee heare them : I shall follow you in mine heart as I can : I finde that my tongue almost now faileth mee .

O God , while I heare , let the Spirit of grace take harbour into mine heart : A prayer Set all mine affections on bensell , that I may carefullie giue eare vnto thy comfortes the cordials of thy Gospel : O cleare the sight of my minde , dazeled with the mist of my corrupt affections .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in heauen , and forgiue the sinnes of thy seruant .

After this manner Sir , the man of Quis hic fuit non liquet . God spake vpon his death-bedde .

I owe to God a death , as his Son died for mee : Euer since I was borne I haue beene sayling to this Hauen , and gathering patience to comfort this houre ; therefore shall I bee one of these Guestes nowe , that would not come to the banket when they were inuited ? * * Note What hurt is in going to Paradise ? I shall lose nothing but the sense of euill : And anone I shall haue greater joyes than I feele paines : For mine Head is in Heauen alreadie , to assure mee that my Soule and bodie shall follow after .

O Death , where is thy sting ? Why should I feare that which I wold not escape , because my chiefest happines is behind , & I cannot haue it vnlesse I goe vnto it ? * * Note I wold goe through Hell to Heauen : And therfore if I march but through death , I suffer lesse than I would suffer for God : * * Note My paines doe not dismay mee , because I trauaile to bring foorth eternall life : My sinnes doe not fright me , because I haue Christ my Redeemer : The Iudge doeth not astonish me , because the Iudg●…s Sonne is mine Aduocat : The Deuill doth not amaze mee , because the Angels pitch about me : The Graue doeth not grieue me , because it was my Lords bedde : Oh , that Gods mercie to mee might moue others to loue him : * * Note For the lesse I can expresse it , the more it is .

The Prophets and the Apostles are my fore-runners : Euery man is gone before mee , or else hee will follow after mee : If it please God to receiue mee into Heauen before them which haue serued him better , I owe more thankfulnesse vnto him .

And because I haue deferred my repentance till this houre whereby my Saluation is cutte off , if I should die suddenlie : Loe how my God in his mercifull prouidence , to preuent my destruction , calleth mee by a lingring sicknesse , which stayeth till I bee readie , and prepareth mee to mine ende like a preacher , and maketh mee by wholesome paines , wearie of this beloued world , lest I should depart vn willing like them whose death is their damnation .

* * Note So hee loueth mee while hee beateth mee , that his stripes are plasters to saue mee , therefore who shall loue him , if I despise him ?

This is my whole office nowe to strengthen my bodie with mine heart , and to bee contented as God hath appointed , vntill I can glorifie him , or vntill hee glorifie mee : If I liue , I liue to sacrifice , and if I die , I die a sacrifice , for his mercie is aboue mine iniquitie .

Therefore if I should feare death it were a signe that I had not Faith , nor hope as I professed , but that I doubted of Gods trueth in his promise wh●…ther hee will forgiue his penitent sinner or not . * * Note Hee is my Father , let him doe what seemeth good in his sight : Come Lord Iesus , for thy seruant commeth , I am willing helpe mine vnwillingnesse .

Heere is the end of that godlie mans speach .

As at that Brydell in Cana , the best Ioh. 2 , 10. wine came last , so shall it be heer●… : After the words of a godlie man I shall let you heare the words of God spoken by a man inspired by his Spirit , euen the last words of Dauid the man whose praise is this , that hee was a man according to Gods owne heart .

The last words of Dauid .

Dauid the sonne of Iesse said , and the 2 Sam. 23. 1 man who was raised vp on high , the a●…ointed of the God of Iaacob , and the sweete Psalmist of Israel said .

The Spirit of the Lord spake by mee , vers. 2. and his words was in my tongue .

The God of Israel saide the Rocke vers. 3. of Israel spake to mee : Hee that ruleth ouer men must bee just , ruling in the feare of God .

And hee shall bee as the light of the vers. 4. morning , when the Sunne riseth , euen a morning without cloudes ; as the tender grasse springing out of the earth by cleare shining after raine .

Although mine house bee not so vers. 5. with God , yet hee hath made with mee an euerlasting couenant , ordered in all things and sure : For this is all my Saluation , and all my desire , although hee make it not to growe .

But the sonnes of Belial shall bee all vers. 6. of them as thornes thrust away because they cannot bee taken with hands .

But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with yron , and the staffe of a speare , and they shall bee vt●…er lie burnt with fyre in the same place

Alittle before his death at the inauguration of his Sonne Solomon he spake manie notable words ; among others these bee of great weight .

O Lord , wee are heere but strangers 1 Chro. 29 15 before thee and so●…ourners , as were all our fathers : Our dayes on the earth are as a shadow , and there is none abiding .

O Lord God of Abraham , Isaac , and vers. 18. of Israel our Fathers , keepe this for euer in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people , and prepare their heartes vnto thee .

That hundreth and two Psalme is excellent : It is intituled a prayer of the afflicted when he is ouerwhelmed and powreth out his complant before the Lord .

Heare my prayer , O Lord , and lette Psal. 102 , 1 my cry come vnto thee hide not thy face from mee in the day when I am in trouble , incline thine eare vnto mee : In the day when I call , answere mee spe●…dilie .

For my dayes are consumed like smoke , and my bones are burnt like an hearth , &c.

Seeing , as wee see , that nothing is stable in this world but as it is in that Sermon of the Preacher , vanity of Eccles. 1. 2. vanities , and all is vanitie , wee haue to intreate the Lord earnestlie as Moses did a little before his death ; That hee would so teach vs to number Psal. 90. 12 our dayes that we may applye our hearts to wisedome , and to well doing : All things below wither and decay , our best beauties are w●…ithed and wrinkled by time : But the beautie of the Lord is of euerlasting continuance : Psa. 90. 17 Let the beautie of the Lord our God bee vpon vs .

O the beautie of the things aboue : O the beautie of the Firmament : O these azured Curtaines spangled with stars of light : What jewels of joy are within , no mortall tongue can tell .

Looke vp nowe Sir with the eye of your Faith and visite these heauenlie Ioh. 14. 2. Mansions and blessed buildinges for immortaltiie : Yee are shortlie for to change for the better .

So long as our sillie Soules are here , they are but poore Soules reading and meditating the mercies of God within a cottage of clay , hauing nothing to see with but the weak light of the small Candle of grace ; a light dimmed and darkened with the reekie smok of our sinfull corruptions : But so soone as wee shall bee dissolued by Death , we shall come to the euerlasting Beames of a Sunne which by nothing is able to bee ecclipsed , alight which knoweth no darknesse , euen that Light which bringeth light out of darknesse . Ioh. 1. 5.

Now Sir , vp with your heart saile out your course : Be like the Pylot who while hee hath hand on the Helme , hath his eye fixed on the heauen : Take now the Cuppe of Saluation the ●…sal. 116. 13 great Mazer of his mercie , and call vpon the Name of the Lord : Hee is worthie to bee praised for his vnspeakable fauour toward you : * * Note He in great mercy hath toward you turned all the sharpe corrasiues of the Law into most sweete cordials of the Gospel : He hath now made you free of all these terrours whereinto yee found your selfe once lyable .

Oh , Lord , how did once the sharpe edge of thy Law laide to his mourning heart , cutte him thorow the verie gall ! But blessed bee thou , who in thy great mercie hast cut the Cartropes of his sinnes where with hee was once kept fast vnder the most heauie bondage of Hell .

What say yee now Sir : How is it of all ? Haue yee heard all these words , and laide them vp into your minde ?

The sicke Man .

I haue heard them all , & that with great comfort ; now mine heart is in heauen : Christ by the vertue of his vnualuable Blood-shed hath taken away the gall of my guiltines : * * Note Now my bodie is wholly dead to its paine and my Soule is whollie aliue to its glorie . * * Note I see a Crowne of immortalitie which my Soule would not sticke to fetch thorow the brimstone beames of hell : My Soule seeth the face of its Redeemer : Christ with a soft hand is now loosing all the bondes of my miserie : * * Note . His most sacred Blood hath melted my marble heart .

Nowe come Lord Iesus come : Long haue I looked for thy Saluation : Nowe let thy seruant depart in Luk. 2. 29 peace , for mine eyes haue seene thy . Saluation .

O my deare Soule I summond thee with all thy powers and faculties to bee thankfull vnto thy good and gracious Lord : O what tribulations am I come thorow ! O with what balmie comfortes hath the Lord asswadged the dolours of my Soule , O my Soule I charge thee by the Roes and by the Hynds that thou haste thee vnto thy God in thy strongest affections : Keepe nowe tryst with the Spirit of thy God , who is now here waiting till thou bee readie .

The Pastour .

My Soule and all that is within mee praise the Lord , for the powerfull working of his Spirite within you , whereby hee hath made such a change as is wonderfull .

* * Note This particula●… remembereth mee of a certaine Martyre who beeing condemned to bee burnt , could feele no working of the Spirit within his hearte till hee came neare to the stake : But beeing once come ●…ox . Act & monum . Fol. 1555●… . 〈◊〉 impression . there , with a cry hee clapped his hands , and crying out amaine , said , O Austen , hee is come , hee is come : The Martyr was called Master Goner .

The sicke Man .

By the grace of God I hope shortlie to say as much : My Soule is readie bent waiting for his comming : O come Lord Iesus come : Let this mine Reuel. 17. 7 hungrie Soule win in now at the ports of thy Palace for to get a share of the mariage supper of the Lambe , in hope already I feast vpon the joys of eternitie : * * Note In my Soule is now the Charter of my Saluation sealed with that most pure and purifying Blood of the immaculate and spotlesse Lambe that came to take away the monstrous and menstrous sin●…es of the world : * * Note In the vertue of his Blood is my strongest comfort and highest resolution : By it alone all my blacke and bloodie Isa. 1. 18. sinnes are clensed from their crimsin colour .

The Pastour .

Indeede Sir , it is onelie that Lambes Blood that can purge away sinne and iniquitie : * * Note Though man should wash himselfe with nitre , and I●…r. 2. 22. take him much sope , yet for all that shall his iniquitie bee marked before God , except that hee bee bathed into this blood of sprinkling .

Seeing now your Charter is well sealed , hold fast these writtings , that nothing aboue or belowe , no not principalities and powers bee able to Ephes. 6. 12 wrest them out of your hands .

Happie is your heart now wherein is that white jewell of the Reuelation Reuel. 2 17 euen the white stone wherein is a new name which no man can knowe except the receiuer : * * Note O the boundlesse bleeding bowels of Gods compassions ! O that infinite store-house of Christs merites and mercies , which no sinne were they neuer so hainous , can bee able to stint or restraine before the repenting sinner get a parte of that purchase : Neither Death , nor Life , things present nor to come shall be able to with hold a mourning sinner from a share in our Lords dearest compassions .

Christ now Sir is readie to receiue ●…ou : Make your selfe readie for him : Lift vp your hea●… , for your Redemption draweth neare : The ende of your time and toile is fast comming : The Angels of God are here waiting vpon your Soule , which is now looking Cant. 6. 10 out to Christ as the morning , faire as the Moone , cleare as the Sunne , and terrible as an Armie with Banners : Wherevpon is your minde nowe fixed ?

The sicke Man .

All mine affections are bended toward God : * * Note O what shall bee able to hold or hinder me from hastening to my Lord , the repairer of life , the destroyer of death , the conquerour of Heauen , & the vanquisher of Hell ? * * Note O my Sauiour come neerer yet vnto mee , let my Soule creepe in by A prayer thy wounds , euen to the verie bowels of thy mercie : Warme it like a Chicken vnder the winges of thy loue ▪

The Pastour .

In Christ alone is Saluation : Out of his side did issue the water that hath quenched the vnquencheable fyre of Gods wrath , with the Blood that taketh away the sinnes of the world .

* * Note His holie Heart was racked , his Armes of compassion were stretched out vpon the Crosse for to declare to all repenting sinners the infinite widenesse of his mercies : * * Note His sacred Head hang down bowed for to giue eare vnto the gronings of his prisoners : * * Note His blessed Bowels rumbling with compassions rolled together , made him to proclaime that Oyas of mercie , Matth. 11. 28 Come vnto mee all yee that are wearied and ladened with sinne and I will ease you .

Much hath hee suffered for our cause : * * Note Like a painefull labourer hee powred out sweate not onely of water but of blood , at the working the great worke of mans Saluation : At last by laying downe that Life of loue , hee achieued the victorie ouer Sathan , flesh , the world , & all the enemies of mans Saluation : Them all hee hath crushed and trodde vnder foote : Stand fast by Iesus : In Faith and Hope thrust your heart vpon him : What now , Sir , thinke ye vpon ?

The sicke Man .

Christ hath bund vp all my wounds ; he hath perfectlie closed them with the blessed Balme of his comfortes : Now at the end of mine appointed time I am waiting earnestlie till my changing come : I hope ere it be long to bee translated from grace to glory . Iob. 14. 14

The Pastour .

O Lord , set this Soule as a seale vpon thine Hearte , and as a seale vpon A prayer thine Arme : Out of thy great Cant. 8. 6 , loue make this Soule beautifull as Tirzah , comelie as Ierusalem terrible as armie with banners : Thou , Lord , who crownest the yeare with thy goodnesse Psal. 56. 11 tak in thine hand the crowne of immortalitie & in this Soule crowne thy graces with thy glorie . Now Sir , yee are neare the borders of Canaan , three or foure steppes more would set you in that Land of life and loue .

The sicke Man .

Mine heart like an Hart braying after waters , panteth after God : O Psal. 42. 2. when shall I come and appeare before him ? Now mine heart shiuers within mee , I am so sicke that I feare to faint .

The Pastour .

O Lord , now be mercifull & shew fauour A prayer toward this thy seruant : Distill thy graces into his heart with a blessed influence from the Spirit of thy loue , pull in all his spirits to Thee , and thrust out all distractions : O Lord , of Life and Loue breath into his soule the life of immortalitie .

Take heede now vnto him ye who are neere about him , for death now approacheth with its last assaultes in all appearance : Looke well to him for hee seemeth to bee fallen into a sowne .

THE SICKE MAN IN A SOWNE , A SOLILOQVEE , Or a priuie conference betweene the Soule and the bodie of the sicke Man lying in a sowne . The Bodie .

MY Soule desireth thou now to leaue mee that haue borne thee about mee so manie yeares ?

If thou goe from mee I must no longer remaine among the inhabitants Isa. 38. 1●… of the world , but incontinent after thy departure I a vassell of death must bee hid vnder the dust among crawling wormes , farre from the eyes of the liuing : These who were once glad to kisse my mouth shall abhorre to see my face : Is not the Graue a Babel a place of confusion ? Doe not Iim and Zim resort there ? Doe not the Satyres and the Fairies daunce Isa. 13. 21. there ?

Mine haire startes all vp for feare , while I thinke vpon these solitudes and mansions of silence , I faint at the verie thought thereof : Oh , my deare Soule wilt thou abide with mee no longer ? If thou depart , my Beautie , my Colour , my Conference , my Companie and all is gone : Oh , shall all my senses now bee closed vp ? shall I speake no more , heare no more , see no more than if I were a stone ? Must I nowe goe remaine into the myre of mortalitie , the place of silence ? Must I abide the long nights among the Graues , places fearfull to the liuing , where men make no resort ?

O wretched weakling that I am , by Death , as I see , I shall bee grapled to the ground where I shall bee forced to make my bedde in the da●…ke .

The Soule .

My Bodie bee not thou disquieted , I am but for a little space going before thee for to take seasin of Heauen for thee and for mee .

Though I bee absent for a space , I shall neuer forget thee : In Gods appointed time I shall come againe and fetch thee out of the muddie moulde of mortalitie .

At the first blast of the last Trumpet I 1 Cor. 15. 52 shall come downe , & shall enter into thee and quicken thee againe : At that time God shal cleanse thee from all thy corruptions , and shall mak thee like an Angel of God .

My sillie Bodie wee haue taken much pains together for to get a rest which we haue looked long for , but culd not find : now goe to thy rest till come againe for to bring thee to eternall repose : If thou were commanded to goe to labour & to pains , thou should haue some cause indeede to whine and to shrinke , as one hampered in a snare : But the Lord is now desiring thee like a wearied man to goe to thy rest for to sleepe soundlie into a bedde wherein thou shalt no more bee disquieted with dreames or with visions : When thou shalt once awake , thou shalt bee still with Iesus : If in mercie hee hath made mee to preuent thee in the possession of eternitie , let not his fauour toward mee worke in thee anie heart rising against that Majestie , who as the Potter doth with his clay , may doe with all his creatures what hee pleaseth .

The Bodie .

But , O my Soule , the Graue is fearefull : It is a retired solitude and a place of silence , a place of filthie stinke : I abhorre to thinke of it , how that in that dungeon of darknesse , and denne of corruption I must lye downe naked implunged in myrie slime among wormes , a lumpe of most vile and lifelesse clay . Alas , my Soule .

The Soule .

My Bodie bee not discouraged : * * Note The Graue is a place where the bodie must lye till with the Eagle Psal. 103. 5 there it cast its Bill , a meanes for to renew its youth : * * Note So soone as once there it hath cast the old slugh of Nature , incontinent thereafter it shall become a new creature : Except , saide Christ , that the corne of Ioh. 12. 24 wheat fall into the ground and die , it abideth alone .

Haue patience but a little : New corne will come at the day of the resurrection : The dayes of mans mortalitie are the Lords seede time : The bodies of the Saincts are his seede , the Church yard is his fielde : Suffer now the Lord to sowe his owne ground .

Bee not disquieted nor cast down with griefe : It shall bee thy gaine to goe downe to the graue : There shalt 1 Cor. 15. 42 thou be sowne in corruption , but thou shalt bee raised in incorruption : Thou shalt be sowne in dishonour , but thou vers. 43. shalt bee raised in glorie : Thou shalt bee sowne in weaknesse , but thou shalt bee raised in power : Thou shalt bee sowne a naturall bodie , but thou shalt vers. 44 bee raised a spirituall bodie : See what by Gods mercie shall bee the great gaine of the Graue .

After that the Graues of the godlie shall bee ripe , the Lord by an infinite power shall make all their bodies to bee taken vp , for like fine wheate to bee laide vp within his heauenlie Girnals : When thou shalt arise , it shall bee to an immortall happie life .

Haue patience for a little space , and bee not crabbed : Yet a little while and I shall not see thee , and againe a little while after the resurrection & I shall see thee , when thou shalt bee transchanged into the blessed estate of glorious immortalitie : Then shall I dwell in thee without anie spot or wrinkle : Let the hope of this , temper thy present griefe . Let not the Graue afray thee my deare Body , for it is the last bed which euerie man must sleepe in : Lye downe into it gladlie : Bee content with the silke worme an argument of the resurrection to bee enwrapped for a space in thy Winding sheete , till the chill colde winter-tide of this mortalitie bee pas●… : At the glorious spring of eternitie ; at the returne of the Sun of righteousnes Mal. 4. 2. so soone as the heat of the beating beames of Gods loue shall pierce in vnto thy Graue , in a moment in the twinkling of an eye thou shall be quickened and raised vp , yea , renewed and refined from the sinfull dust of corruption , and after that carried aboue the brightest azured skies vnto the place of immortalitie among psal. 16. 11 pleasures for euermore .

The Bodie .

I cannot but lament and waile to bee depriued of thy companie : My dearest Soule full deare art thou to mee : If two strangers had beene but some fewe dayes in their journey together , they will haue a certaine regret for to leaue one another : What wonder is it then , that wee two who haue beene of such olde acquaintance , mourne at this last and long adew .

The Soule .

As thy loue is great toward mee , so is mine also great toward thee my Bodie : But seeing it is the will of him who married vs together that nowe wee bee put asunder , wee must submit our selues vnto his good pleasure .

This separation shall be but or a little space , and that for the well of vs both : * * Note The husband will saile the seas and goe farre from home , in hope to returne with aduantage : The same hope encourageth his wife to liue lik a widow for a space : At last the husbands returne with expected profite , is welcomed with greater joyes than was his former presence .

It shall bee so with vs my deare Bodie : At my returne in the day of the Resurrection there shall enter such a joy into thee , as eye neuer saw , eare neuer heard , yea , & which neuer could enter into the heart of man . As the long dark night maketh the morning seeme sweete to the wearied watch , who hath long looked for it , so shall our little absence be a certaine commendation of that presence , which after the great day shall bee for euer .

Cease in time I pray thee to stick at such earthlie conceits : I may no longer tarrie with thee , the Crowne of immortalitie is alreadie in sight .

The Bodie .

But alas , howe is this that thou should goe to glorie before mee ? and leaue mee in the dust of death , a peace of moulding clay ? Haue I done anie wrong but by thy counsell and direction ? What haue I beeene but the instrument of thy sinne ? All the action is from thee : Of all that is done amisse thou hast beene the inuenter the contriuer and arch-plotter : God is no accepter of persons or of parties : What then is my guilt , that I shuld be behind thee left into the Graue a fearefull denne of death and pite of corruption ?

What a miserie is this for me that I should lye vnder the power and bonds of Death , a Carion vnder a Turfe warded in deaths most loathsome denne and abhorred jayle ? There must I lye chill with cold stinking and rotting with my mouth full of earth and my bellie full of wormes , closed in a Coffine .

O what matter of melancholie is this , that within a few dayes where are my two beautifull twinkling eyes , shal be nothing but fearefull eye-holes in a rotten skull , which shall bee nothing but a nect of clockes and abominable creeping thinges : Within a few yeares this head which nowe lyeth softlie vpon this Pillow shall bee rolled and trinnelled vp and downe by the feete of the posteritie : Heere a bone and there a bone , and not a bone together , all shall lye scattered heere and there : the dogges shall play with some and Children shall playe with others ; some shall lye drying before the Sunne , and others shall be bruised into pieces , and grund into powder : O what a change is in this our mortalitie ! Behold presentlie what a starueling I am , beeing nothing but skinne and bone : Behold , and anone all shall be turned into stinke .

The Soule .

All such thoughtes are all but worldlie , heauie , dull , and formall : Suffer the Lord to sow his owne seede : Thou art afraid for the Turfe of the Graue : Care not for the Turfe , for vnder it shalt thou bee as a pickle of Corne vnder a clod : The Spring time of the Resurrection is not farre froe , when thou shalt rise vp more beautifullie in honour , power , and glorie , than euer thou was before .

Shall anie thing bee impossible vnto Luk 18. 27 God ? Hee who in his death reuiued manie Sainctes , whose bodies Death had fast vnder the key of its power , shall with a blast of his voyce make open G●…aues to let out all these who were prisoners of death , from Adam vntill that day .

Let this comfort cheare vp thine heart my Bodie : The Graue shall not bee able to keepe thee long * * Note As Ionah was vomited out of the Bellie of Hell , so shalt thou bee deliuered Iona. 2. 2. from that Monsters mawe .

The Bodie .

But in the meane time what reason is it that I a carrionlie carkase shuld bee bund ●…oth hand and foote and committed close prisoner to the graue a cold and chillie house , while thou art set at libertie ? Behold , how alreadie I am both withered and wanzed

The Soule .

The Graue to the Godlie is no prison , but a resting bedde from their labours , where God re●…resheth with sleepe the wearied bones of his beloued : The Prophet saith , That they rest in their beddes , and that they Isa. 57. 2. enter in peace : * * Note While the moulds are cast on them in the Graue it is but the drawing of their Bedde curtaine : The buried bodies of the Saincts are in their graue lik Babs lapped in swadling * Note clothes in their Cradles : As a tyred man will not bee offended if hee bee sent to his bedde for to sleepe , neither should the wearied bodie bee grieued to goe to the Graue the place of rest and quietnesse .

Bee not peeuish nor peruerse my Bodie ; enuie not mine happie estat : Though the Graue should bee to thee a prison , why should thou complaine because I am set at libertie ? If it hath pleased God in mercy to bee good to mee , why art thou offended ? May not the Lord say vnto thee , Is thine eye euill because I am Matth. 20. 15 good ?

What happier should thine estat bee , though God should command mee to bee buried besides thee ? May not God doe with his owne as hee pleaseth ? Hee might haue taken thee to Heauen , and haue shute mee a prisoner in the Graue : In his justice hee might haue cast vs both into Hell .

Thinke it then a mercie that hee is so good vnto mee , who shall neuer count my glorie full till wee bee both crowned with immortalitie in the heauens : * * Note Bee not offended at the Lords good will towards mee , but rather thank him that he hath made death to bee temporall in his mercie , which was eternall in his threatning : * * Note Of a corrasiue hee hath made a cordiall .

Haue patience O distressed Body : Suffer a little , that God may be true , Gen. 3. 19. Dust thou art and to dust shalt thou returne : Dust beeing once deliuered from the power of the Graue , shall reigne with God in glorie : * * Note The Bodie is like gold which cannot bee rid of its drosse , till it bee molten and dissolued .

Againe as this death is not total neither shal ●…t be perpetuall for at that first sound of the last trumpet all the beried bodies of that faithfull shall lik the Eagle cast the bill of their mortalitie .

Now mine olde companion and yoke-fellow art thou not content to goe to bedde and there to sleepe till the morning of theresurrection come ? That day shall mak an amends for all that we haue suffered in this valey of teares : Then shall all thy confusion bee turned into comforts .

Let vs nowe bee content that the Lord loose the pines and slacke the cordes of this our Tabernacle of clay .

The Bodie .

Now glad am I my deare Soule that euer I had such a Soule as thee : now my deare Turtle goe with my blessing to the seruice of our God : Goe from the Crosse to the Crowne , from a prison to a Palace , from the mourning-weede to the wedding-garment : Goe dwell with the Lord and the Lambe , waite well vpon him : Goe nowe from the blacke and dismall dayes of drooping distresse and dirtie distractions , to joye , to peace , to pleasure , to light , to life , to libertie : Goe heare that happie harmonie of heauenlie Musitians in heauenlie Mansions where mercies blesse without judgments blasts : Goe heare the voice of all the Menistrels of that celestiall Quire .

Bee thou aboue the Starres , while I am vnder a Turfe : All my comfort is in this that wee shall meete againe in Blisse : * * Note Now blessed Soule prepare thy Lampe , powre out thine oyle , the heauenlie wooer the Bridegroome Psal. 16. 11 is come for to take thee to his Chambers of Charitie wherein are pleasures for euermore .

In hope of the Resurrection I goe gladlie to my Graue , whereout of I am assured to arise for to meete my Redeemer in the clouds : This Candle of my comfort shall neuer bee put out .

Nowe before wee shedde , let vs shedde some teares : * * Note The last raine of our afflictions , wherewith we may Cant. 2. 11 bath the bruises of our Lord which he in loue did suffer for our glorie .

Now I goe to rest in the dust a prisoner of hope : Goe thou to thy God , attend well his seruice , and court his Countenance for euer in his most pleasant Yuorie Palaces : I am nowe refreshed with a cooling taste to immortalitie to come : Farewell my deare Soule and truest Turtle , mount vp nowe to the Heauens : Thou hast alreadie past all toyle and turmoyle : The way that rests vnto the Kingdome is both smooth & euen , without anie rubbe of opposition thou shalt enter into immortalitie : O the showres of grace and mercie which raine downe vpon vs both : Farewell till that desired day of the Resurrection come .

The Pastour .

His eyes stirre a little , they are full of teares the tribute of Repentance : He beginneth to shake , he now seemeth to bee wakened out of his traunce : I will inquire what his minde is set vpon . What meditations are these Sir that yee are vpon ? Yee seeme to haue beene in some good motion .

The sicke Man .

My Soule Sir and my bodie after a blessed agreement haue beene taking their adewes one from another : They haue bene blessing each other , be●…ause they haue serued God together , they looke to bee one day both glorified together .

A sea of comfortes hath rained downe vpon my Soule from the Heauens in most sweete and pleasant showers .

The Pastour .

Surelie that is a worthie exercise : Such good motions are plants of God and impressions of his finger : Happie are the Soule & the bodie that can serue God together with one shoulder : At that last day they shall haue a joyefull meeting , they two shal be clasped together in loue with such contentmentes as tongues of Angels are not able to expresse . But O when the wicked soule shall returne from hell to take vp its bodie for to carie it to euerlasting torments , then shall they curse each other with manie a woe for their Fornications , Adulteries , Lyes , Deceits , Ryot & Drunkenesse : Then would the bodie if it could haue intelligence of the soules comming wish that a rock or a mountaine would fall vpon it for to hide it from the Soule , that beeing voyde of life , it might bee free of feeling .

But the decree is come foorth , of necessitie they must bee joyned together : O but they then shall looke one to another like Lyons : Their feede shall receiue none agreement , no not : They shall neuer agree in anie thing but in this , to 〈◊〉 together that their comfortlesse dolours may bee doubled : * * Note This is a deare pennie-warth , so little pleasure for so much paine : In that day all the wicked shal bitterlie repent such barganes .

Now happie is your Soule Sir , and your bodie both , that are so well resolued to depart : Yee are certainelie blessed that euer yee were borne : * * Note Behold , nowe yee rest in hope of the resurrection , which shall bee in that great day of Gods generall assemblie , when all that euer tooke breath shall compeare before Christ the Iudge of the World , for to receiue that which they did in the flesh , bee it good bee it euill .

Now Sir , seeing yee are an inrolled Citizen of Heauen , and an adopted haire of God , vp still with your heart towarde that heauenlie Heritage , with sighes and grones beate on still at the doores of Gods mercie : God giueth vnto prayer victory against himselfe .

Nowe the time draweth neere Sir , your houre is come to a quarter , fight out the good fight , fixe the eyes of your Faith vpon the bloodie wounds of Iesus : Lay hold on him , listen to his voyce , ere it bee long yee shall heare these words of joye , Come Matth. 25. 21 faithfull seruant and enter into thyn Masters joye .

O Lord , the giuer of grace and A prayer of glorie ; out of the blessed bowels of thy mercie bath and wash this Soule with that arteriall blood which sprang thorow the pierced filme of the heart of his Redeemer : At the beginning of this Battell , Lord thou did see howe his poore Soule was scorched with the flames of hellish temptations , which did burne the verie marrow out of his bones : this is thy ordinarie dealing with thine owne : Hell on earth is for the heires of Heauen : But heauen on earth is the portion of the heires of hell : Now , Lord , from his hell bring him to thine Heauens : Mak his Soule more clearelie to look vp toward the blessed bloodie wounds of his Sauiour , wherein hee may perceiue the props of his protection : Make his Soule now to be fullie possessed with an entire loue to the fairenesse of thy face , wherein are pleasures Psal. 16 11 for euermore .

The sicke Man .

Lord Iesus make clay againe with A prayer thy Spittle for to anointe my dimmed Luk. 2. 30. eyes , that clearelie with Simeon my Soule may see thy Saluation : We in our life receiue but the first imposition of handes like the man that saw men Mar. 8. 24. walking like trees : Now , Lord , at death giue mee the second imposition , that I may see thee euen as thou art .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in Heauen●… A prayer Maintaine the life of his loue towards thee : Now water the seede which thou hast sowne : Weede out the tares which Sathan hath sowne : Pittie and pardon : Lay all his sinnes vpon the Sonne of thy loue Now let his feete be shod for the journey which hee is making to a better place : Inspire his Soule with the spirit of grace , till his life bee expired : Saue him by thy blood which saued them that spilt it .

The sicke Man .

I finde Death besieging my heart with sensible blowes : O bring out my Soule out of this bricke of bondage of the bodie : Mine heart stringes are so racked within mee that they are like to breake : The hope that is deferred Prou. 13. 12 is the fainting of the Soule : Lord , helpe mee in this heauie houre .

The Pastour .

Lord , heare thou in heauen , and satisfie his hearts desire .

The sicke Man .

Pray , pray , that the Lord vphold mee in the throng of these throes wherewith mine heart is gripped , lest I be whollie swallowed vp of despaire .

The Pastour .

O Sauiour of mankinde , who out A prayer of thy meere mercie and loue came vnder the charge of his accounts : Mak now answere for him as his Aduocat before that high Tribunall , before which his poore Soule is now arraigned to compeare : Turne all thy wrath in mercie , and thy Iustice-seat in a Throne of grace : Call home all his wandering thoughtes , settle and them vpon thy selfe : Maintaine the life of his loue : Make death to him a Messenger of mercie , and his paines a meane to bring him to thy pleasures : O Captaine of his Saluation vnder whose bloodie banner hee hath in his life made warre against the enemies of thy glorie , at death ouercome thou all the enemies of his Saluation : With thy Trumpets and Lampes terrifie all these merciles Midianites : Make them like a wheele & as the stubble before the winde : Graunt the victorie vnto thy weake Seruant heere , that in the Heauens thou may crowne his Soule with glorious garlands of immortalitie , Lord heare vs for the sake of thy Sonne vnto whom with thee and the Spirite of Grace bee all glorie and honour , Amen .

Now Sir , vp with your heart to the Father of mercies : Fight out couragiouslie the fight of Faith : Christ now is holding out the Crowne , your Saluation is sealed , yee neede not feare , yee haue your warrant vnder the Broad Seale of the King of Heauen .

The sicke man .

O My deare Pastour , hee is come hee is come whom my Soule loueth : Cant. 7. 10 I am my Beloueds & his desire is towards mee : The lost sheepe is found : The vnthriftie Son is come home againe : All the snares of destruction are broken : My Soule is escaped like a Birde : I am now at a point , infinitlie desirous rather to goe to my God than to sojourneanie more on earth : Mine heart is more in God , than in my selfe I haue a begunne possession of Heauen by the first fruites : I looke for perfection in fulnesse of joye and Psal. 16. 11 pleasures fore euermore .

O blessed Iesus set me as a Seale vpon A prayer thine heart : O deare Sauiour , Cant. 8. 6. the Roote and the Rocke of my Saluation , loe I come : stretch out thine Psal. 40 7. Armes and take my Soule into thy bosome , yet a little while and I shall bee no more a stranger with thee Psa. 39. 12 and a sojourner .

The Pastour .

O blessed bee our God for euermore who hath made you to triumph so ouer all your enemies after such vnuterable groanes of griefe where your mind was sore perplexed at the first : Hold fast now that which yee haue : Your heart is now richlie stored with the true treasures of godlinesse : Yee are but sipping of these joyes wherof in Heauen ye shal drink in a full cup.

The sicke Man .

Christ the Lord is mine : Hee is mine : Philip. ●… . 21 Hee is to mee both in life and death aduantage : My comforts are in my Bosome : The Angelicali Guardes are heere about mee : I dye in the Faith of Iesus : Come euen Lord Iesus A prayer come quicklie and loose this Soule a prisoner in clay groning to bee at liberty : O my Soule returne vnto thy rest , psal. 116. 7 for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee : Now may I say , This poore man Psal. 34. 6. cryed and the Lord hath heard him & deliuered him out of all his troubles .

The Pastour .

The Lord is with you , who ere it be long shall fulfill all your hearts desires , yea , hee shall doe aboue all that yee can thinke or wish : Now Sir , yee haue him whom your soule loueth : His Spirit is in the verie bosome of your heart : Hold fast the grip yee haue : Dye in his Armes , sleepe in the blessed bosome of your God : Full libertie is at the doore readie to enter in : Yet a little and yee shall haue a joyfull meeting with Christ and all his Angels in the Kingdome of your Father : Till yee come out of this bodie sticke fast by Faith to Christ your Redeemer : Claime boldlie that which hee hath deerelie purchased by his Blood .

O deare Iesus , his Staffe and his Strength , wrape now his Soule into A prayer the white winding-sheete of thy righteousnesse : While hee hath life liue thou in him , that while he breaths hee may liue to thee , and after death may liue with thee for euer : Let neither life nor death bee able to separate him from thy loue : The neerer death approacheth for to separate his Soule from his bodie , d●…aw thou the neerer vnto his Soule , till thy Spirit the Spirit of Life fullie & finallie in all perfection liue into him the Soule of his Soule .

Fixe your eye nowe vpon the heart of Christ , deadlie wounded for your transgressions : Behold that Speare-hole in his heart , which hee suffered for to sa●…e you : Consider his bleeding woundes all dropping the balme of mercie , which hath proceeded from the bowels of his compassions : Hee it is who hath died for your sinnes , and is risen againe for your righteousnesse .

The sicke Man .

I know that my Redeemer liueth , his Iob. 19. 25 blood of an vnualuable price is the onelie ransome of my Soule : Hee onelie is the joye of mine heart , and the health of my countenance .

The Pastour .

Holde fast that confidence : Let your Soule repare vnto the euerlasting Armes of his loue : Shroud & shelter your selfe vnder the winges of the Almightie : Yee are nowe neere the ende of the Race : The Lord guarde you with his Grace , that no temptation of Satan be able trippe your heele before that yee be entered in his rest : Nowe the lowring showring seede-time of teares is past , and the Haruest of joye is hard at hand : Now Sir , Christ is at the doore : Beholde , hee standeth at the doore and knockes , hee is nowe for to suppe with you on earth , that yee may suppe with him for euer in the Heauens : Behold , hee is with you .

The sicke Man .

I haue found him whom my Soule loueth , I will surelie hold him , and will not Cant. 3. 4. let him goe : My Soule hath already taste of the fruite of Canaan by the report of the spye of my faith : Christ now is mine .

The Pastour .

Seeing yee haue him , wrap your soule into the bowels of his euerlasting compassions : waite on , perfection is the last gift : Lift vp continuallie the eyes of your spirit to the worthy woundes of Iesus : In them behold * Note & read in great Capitall characters the vnspeakable loue of the Father .

The sicke Man .

O Lord ▪ I haue waited for thy Saluation : Remember mee nowe while Gen. 49. 18 as thou art into thy Kingdome : Father into thine handes I commend my Luk. 23. 4●… Spirit , my Soule I giue to thee who hast giuen it to mee .

The Pastour .

Now Sir , your wished houre is come : Christ is laying his Arm●…s about you for to receiue your Soule in his bosome : Solace your selfe in your Sauiour , who hath made it free of al weights , that swiftly without anie let it may flee vp to its God : O the loue of Iesus towardes you : Hee hath not onelie beene an Inte●…cessour to pray for you , but an Advocatalso to pleade for you : By the vertue of his Blood your cause is win : And therefore homage ye now your heart sealed with the sense of his loue : Yeelde and surrender your Soule into the Armes of his mercie , that hee may perfect his graces in you with glorie in immortalitie .

The sicke Man .

Lord Iesus receiue my Spirit , and Act. 7. 59. glad it with thy glorie .

The Pastour .

He againe is fallen into a traunce : His battell is now neere an end : Let vs waite a little & see what he doth .

Hee now beginneth a little for to stir : There is yet some life into him as I perceiue .

Now Sir , be glad : Christ is knocking at the doore for to call foorth your Soule from bondage to libertie , from your banishment to an heauenlie home , from a prison of paine to a palace of pleasures for euermore .

That we may haue assurance that ye die in the Faith of Iesus , shew vs some signe : Lift vp your hand in token that yee are assured to goe to God

Behold how he hath lifted vp his hand .

Cortenet quod lingua tacet .

His hande telleth what is in his heart : O but this poore Soule since the beginning of this bloodie Battell hath beene miserablie mangled , howed and hacked vpon by most bitter and bloodie temptations what carnall , what spirituall : Now blessed bee God , from all his troubles he is come to his good things : We are all oblished to giue praise vnto God , who hath set out this man before vs as an excellent example and mirrour of his mercie .

It is the custome of God , as we see , to put his dearest Ones to the hardest proofe , as wise Builders put the greatest timber and the heart of the Oake to the greatest stresse .

* * Note Manie thinke that Heauen standeth hard by their Bed-side , and that a light , Lord haue mercie , will make the doore of Heauen to goe wide open to the wall , no not : Through man●…e Act. 14 22 tribulations we must enter into that Kingdome : * * Note As Aprill showers goe before the May flowers , so must our teares trickle before our Triumphs : Wee must smert before we smile , and grone before wee glorie : All Christian Soules like Christ himselfe , must enter by the port of paines vnto the palace of pleasures Psal. 16. 11 for euermore : No co-reigning without a co-suffering .

O let vs consider what paines this godlie man hath suffered in this fierie tryall since this Battell 1 P●…t , 4. 12 beganne : O with what difficulties hath hee swimmed thorow so many temptations : If the righteous scarcelie vers. 18. bee saued , where shall the vngodlie and the sinner appeare ? * * Note O sowre Apple of Adams pride , many teeth hast thou set on edge .

The Sparrow by wandering & the Swal . low by flying may escape , but where sin Prou. 26. 2 hath beene once , there must also be sorrow before that the sinner can come to joye : It is not so easie as manie men thinke to winne in at the doores of heauen , as though one Gods-mercy were enough for to doe the turne : * * Note Before that a man be able to winne in at the straite gate for to enter into his euerlasting rest , hee must be buffeted with diuerse temptations , and broken with sorrowes till his heart become contrit that is , grund & bruished small as if it were corne in a Querne : * * Note There is none entrie into rest for man before that in great griefe hee hath pluckt out his Matth. 5. 19 right eye , euen his dearest darling & best bosome pleasure : * * Note Hee that would lodge with God in eternitie muste heere lay holde on his Kingdome with an holie violence : What wonder that he auen be hard to win , seeing with all the infernall powers of darknesse , legions of our owne corruptions combined , oppose might & maine the grouth of Gods graces in our Soules .

Manie foolishlie in the idle rowings of their braines content with a blush of zeale , thinke that Heauen may bee winne with wishes , and therefore in their life skippe wantonlie ouer the threatnings of the Law , in hope that easilie at death they may catch at the promise of the Gospel : But who had seene this holie man of GOD vpon the painefull racke of repentance , would count all the perishing pleasures of sinne too deare bought pleasures : * * Note Sinne at the beginning is like poyson in perfume , pleasant at the first , but not long after it worketh deadlie , except that it be repelled with some stronger Antidote : The way to heauen as wee see is not like the way to great ma●…ket Townes easilie discerned by the multitude of footesteppes .

Our good Friende is nowe in the verie panges of death : A patient and Lambe ▪ like death is this : His life is on his lippe : This wearied Traueler is nowe neare the ende of his journey : Seeing that the ende of a worke crowneth it , let vs conceiue a Prayer whereby wee may lay his Soule into the bosome of his God , who shall refresh him with euerlasting comforts : O Lord , by the vigour of thy Spirit giue wings to our groueling prayers .

A Prayer for the sicke Man approaching vnto Death .

O GOD of mercle and of mans Saluation , who thinketh nothing too deare for a repenting soule , were it to giue it a draught of the heart Blood of thy Sonne ▪ wee heere vpon the knees of our hearts humbled againe before the foote-stoole of the the Throne of thy Grace , put vp to thee our most humble sute for this thy seruant who is nowe comming to thee : His words now faile him , but thou , Lord , wilt neuer faile him : In stead of wordes let the crouding sobbes the Turtle finde roome into thine eares : Heaue vp his heart to thy mercie seate with the requests of thy Spirit , in sighs which cannot bee expressed .

O charitable Almes giuer open the hand of this Begger and thrust the money of thy mercie into it : Seale fast vp in his heart the remission of all his sinnes in the blood of Iesus : Burie all his transgressions in Christes Burial : Establish thy free Spirit within him : Take from him all dulnesse and deadnesse of spirit , all secure and hardened thoughts , all that may hinder him from comming vnto thee : Continue his comfortes begunne : Bee thou the ende and the ender of his worke : Lorde , disapoint Sathan who by his charmes and cunning traines hath gone about both by force & fraud to catch this Soule of thy seruant .

Now Death is approaching : To thee belongeth the issues of death : Thou killest & thou makest aliue : thou bringest downe to the graue , and againe thou raisest vp : Now as euidentlie appeareth , thou art for to remoue Isa. 38. 11. this thy seruant from the Land of the l●…uing , and thy will must bee done : Wee could haue wished the continuance of his Christian fellowship with the lengthening and enlarging of his dayes : But most humblie wee submitte all our affections vnto thy good pleasure and will .

O Father of mercies in whose boundlesse bowels are moste pittifull compassions without anie passion , shew thy selfe mercifull , louing , and kinde towardes this Soule , which in the dayes of its fleshe hath beene with thee but a stranger and Psal. 39. 12 ●… sojourner : His Soule now is saying to thee with Iohn his two Disciples ▪ Ioh. 1. 38. Rabbi , Master where remaineth thou ? Answere it as thou answered them louinglie , Come and see , and after vers. 39. that tak it home to thine own house as Iohn tooke home thy Mother . Ioh. 19. 27

O deare Father of our Sauiour by Nature , O our dearest Father by adoption ; bee fauourable to this thy seruant , euen for that blood wherewith thou art passing lie pleased : Forget and forgiue all his sinnes whatsoeuer : Lay now thy louing Armes about him : Claspe him hard to thy bosome , and keepe him fast till hee be surelie and softlie placed into the heauens .

Now , Lord , thou hast begunne to loofe this Soule out of its prison : Let earth goe to earth , and his Spirit returne to thee that gaue it : Place it into one of these heauenlie Mansions which thy Sonne is gone to prepare for these that are thine : Strengthen him now at the last and highest point of his tryall .

O Great IEHOVAH , who neuer hucketh to giue mercie to heart broken sinners , let him finde more and more that thy bowels ouerflowing with mercie , are readie to receiue him : In the bottomelesse sea of thy mercie make his sinnes all to bee choaked , and his Soule deliciouslie to be bathed with euerlasting comforts .

And because Sathan in his last assaults is most furious , bee thou most powerfull in him by the vertue of thy Spirite : Blunt so the edge of all his temptations that they bee not able any more to wound his Spirit : Let thy secret loue bee vnto his Soule lik a Secret or jack in this bloodie battell , whereby he may be shielded from the bloodie blowes of a most cruell aduersarie : Put on him , Lord , the compleate armour of God , Ephes. 6. 13 that hee may bee able to with-stand in this euill houre , and hauing done all , to stand : Before this Battell end make him with stomacke and courage to runne all his enemies throgh with the two edged sword of thy Spirit .

Haue now , Lord , a speciall care of him : Hemme in all his thoughts within the compasse of thy will : Possesse him so with the fulnes of thy presence , that in him there be found no roome for any ill motions : Furnish him with the supplie of all these graces which thou knowest to bee wanting into him : Let thy Spirit make residence in his heart , as in an house of God .

Now , Lord , while it is time to saue , saue the Soule of thy Seruant which is now readie to remoue : Open vnto it that euer-flowing fountaine promised to the penitent of the house of Dauid for to tak away sinne and vncleannesse : O Fountaine of Grace , wash him and wash him throughlie with the blessed Blood of thy satisfaction : After that thou hast made him perfectly cleane , hold out thy succouring & helpful armes vnto this Soule and take it into thy bosome : Let it there taste of the honie of thy Compassions .

In this time of gloummines & darknesse of death , inlighten his Soule with the light of thy countenance : Turne thy face now vnto it : Hitherto it could see nothing but the Back-parts of Thee that Great IEHOVAH , which bringeth joye but in parte : From such parts now bring him vnto the fulnesse : Turne thy selfe vnto this Soule that it may fullie see thy face wherein is fulnesse of joye . Psal. 16. 11

And seeing no man can see thy face & liue , let this thy Seruant now see thy face and die , that after death hee may liue with thee for euer in the Heauens : Let neither the loue of life nor the feare of death turne his eyes from the prize of the high Philip. 13. 14 calling of God : Make him now with a long steppe from the earth to the heauens to step in into immortalitie .

Now , Lord , engraue deepelie this Soule into the palmes of thine hands Set it as a seale on thine heart : Wrap it within the Mantle of thy mercie , war●…e it within the bowels of thy loue , lappe it in thy bosome with that vnspeakable joye which Christ hath purchased with vnspeakable paine , euen through the bloodie merites of his most bitter passions : His wordes now are failed : Square thou all his thoughts by the rule of thy Spirit of grace .

Lord , make these our weake prayers , to mount vp lik Pillars of smoke parfumed with the mercifull merites of thine onelie Sonne : To him with thee his Father , and with the Spirit of Grace , be all Glorie , Praise , Power , and Dominion for euer .

AMEN .

The spirituall Friend .

O deare Friende whome I haue seene a sorrow beaten sinner ; Rejoyce now in your Sauiour , whose mercies haue beene the Bane of all your sinfull miseries : Cleaue still fast vnto your Sauiour : Let not him goe whom your soule loueth , till ye come to Peniel where yee shall see him face to face .

The Lord refresh your wearied A prayer . soule with the soft & sweete breath of his Spirit : The Lord kned into your heart these spirituall meditations which are of the purest straine : O Father of mercies giue vnto this soule a most sure Infef●…ment of heauen by the hand of thy Spirit : Make some drops of thy Myrrhe to enter in by some litle creuice of his heart : Put in thine hand by the keye hole of the doore that his bowels may bee moued for thee : Let such a strength now repare from thee vnto him , that the world may see that thy strength is made perfect in weaknesse .

It shall bee expedient that nowe yee his Pastour in a short prayer recommend him to God againe : Behold him now at the last gaspes , his eye stringes are broken : The water of death trickleth downe ouer his cheekes : His life is now drawen to an haire .

O Lord , while bodilie sight and senses faile , make spirituall sight and sense succeede in a greater perfection : Make a spaite of thy grace with a mightie streame to carrie him to glorie . A prayer

O deare Friend vp with your heart to your God : Nowe all your sins shall die with your sicknesse : The Rocke of your Saluation Iesus hath shiuered them in pieces : There is 〈◊〉 Rom. 81. condemnation to these that are in Christ , who out of the pangs of loue suffered that paines of hell for mans Redemption ▪ His Angels Sir are heere waiting vpon your Soule for to carrie it to pleasures for euermore : Yet a little ●…sal. 16. 11 while and loe yee shall bee at the vpshotte of all your woe : Yee are nowe vtterlie out of the reach of all the powers * Note of hell , euen vpon the borders of euerlasting pleasures , vnmixed pleasures , which shall turne all your teares into triumphes .

The Pastour .

Now Sir , Gird vp the loynes of your 1 Pet. 〈◊〉 . 13 minde , make haste to your God , who shortlie shall put into your hand the palme of victorie : Sathan is chained vp now for doing you anie more harme : The night of your trouble is Luk. 1. 78. past : Christ that blessed Day spring hath brought a morning mercie vnto your Soule : His graces in you hath shined more and more and so shall doe vntill the perfect day euen vntill your Soule carried on Eagles winges reach the hight of Heauen , where without teares or tediousnesse are pleasures for euermore . Psal. 16. 11

Though your tongue now faile you Sir , let your heart be busie with God in prayer , hee will hearten and encourage you in all the businesse : Your taske is at an end : Heaue vp your heart to Christ crucified with vs , and that with sighes and sobbes the groanings of his owne Spirit .

Though your bodie now be cold , the Spirit of Iesus shall by a free and vitall operation maintaine the heate and vigour of your Soule . A prayer

The Spirit of comfort conueye vnto your soule the warmest blood that euer heated the heart of Iesus .

Let vs pray .

The last prayer for the sicke Man in the verie jawes of death .

O LORD , whose mercies are aboue all thy workes , it was neuer thy custome to send away a broken heart without comfort : Now heare the secret g●…oanes and sighes of thy seruant , whose soule is ready in this gasping agonie to come out of its Tabernacle for to compeare before thee : Thou who hast giuen him thy Son for a ransome , giue him thy Spirit for a pledge : Furnish him with force for to fight and finish this Battell in victory : As thou hast bene at the beginning of his beeing euen the beginner of his beeing , so now bee thou the ende at which hee aimes , euen the ende of all his woes .

And seeing hee is now in the narrow throat of death , helpe him by thy power , till hee hath past this passage ▪ Put now into him a fresh li●…e that in a strong vigour hee may runne with the feete of the Hinde till hee come to thee in ete●…nitie : Make him now supple and nimble while he is neere the ende of his race : His sillie soule hath beene sore weather-driuen with many temptations , now let his battell take an end : Receiue his soule in thy Rest. and lull it in the bosome of thy pleasures .

Bee a shield and a shelter vnto him for to hidde and couer him from the last blowes and painefull thrusts of his enemie the Deuill : Disapoint that euill one , while hee looketh for the greatest victorie : Let him receiue the foulest foile .

Loose now sweetlie these two which thou hast joyned together , that after his eyes with olde Simeon haue seene thy Saluation , he may depart in peace .

Seeing the Battell is nowe come to the la●…f stroke , make thy Spirit , O Lord , in him to fight it out , that hauing ouercome , thou may put the palme of victorie into his hand after that the dayes of dangers are past : O draw this soule now vnto thee with the strongest cordes of thy loue : Proclaime vnto his Conscience a full & a finall remission of his sinnes , whether Originall or actuall , whether of Commission or of Omission : Subscribe his pa●…don with the arteriall blood of thy blessed Sonne .

O Father of mercies , the Spouse of all faithfull Soules , receiue this Spirit into thy wed locke-bedde : It was betrothed vnto thee by thy faire promises in the Gospel , now according to thy promise accomplish and fulfill that blessed Band in the presence of thine Angels : Long , Lord , hath hee thought on it , and earnestlie longed for it : Seale thou it now with the sense of thy loue : Fulfull it , Lord , and this day be thou the Bridegroome of his Soule : Heere hee hath seene but the Copie of thy countenance , let him now come where he may see thee euen as thou art : As thou gaue him his measure of grace in the world , so nowe giue him his portion of glorie b●…sides thy selfe : Let nothing sway his thoughts from thee in this last ag●…nie : Season so his heart with thy loue that there bee no roome in his heart for any thing by thy selfe .

Now loose the pinnes of the Tabernacle , while his soule shall bee out of the bodie let it enter into the Palace of pleasures : Say vnto it as Laban said Gen. 24. 31 to Abrahams seruant , Come in thou blessed of the Lord : Thou who hast clasped his name within the Booke of life : Bind now his soule into the bundle of life : Drawe it out of this myrie mortalitie , & place it among the Angels and spirites of just men , who are alwayes in thy presence Psal. 16 , 11 courting thy countenance , wherein i●… fulnesse of joye .

Vnto the end and in the end , keepe his heart vnblameable in holinesse ▪ that Sathan that roaring Lyon bee neuer able to catch him within the reach of his paw : Preserue the true rellish and sound joyes of thy Spirit of grace within him , till from grace thou bring him vnto glorie , where thou shalt crowne thy giftes and graces with thy goodnesse .

O now open the euerlasting doores & let in this Soule decked with the lawrels of victorie : Let all the Heauens welcome this conuerted sinner with songes and shoutes of joye .

O Spirit of Comfort , thou hast guided him thorow many seas of sorrowes , sit still at the Helme till thou haue brought him to his Hauen . O now crowne thy graces with thy glorie : Lord Iesus receiue my spirit .

To the Father , Sonne , and holie Ghost , be euerlasting praise and dominion for euer ,

AMEN .

Michael and the Deuils dispute for the ' Soule of the sicke Man alittle before its departure out of the Body . Sathan . ▪

I Haue many things to lay to this mans charge : I am the Lordes Proctor and Acturney appointed to plead for his justice : I haue alreadie sifted his life : Of force this Soule must bee damned : None Assise can cleanse it : It is now taken red hand in the path and passage of sinne .

The Angel Michael .

I will not vse against thee a railing accusation , neither darre I for my Iud. v. 9. Master the God of mercie and of meekenesse : It hath pleased his royall Majestie to license thee to accuse the soules of men : Thine accusations are euer most bitter and most bloodie : I am heere standing on my Masters side for to defend this Soule which hee hath bought with his blood .

But what can thou say against this man whose Soule is committed to me for to be carried vnto Paradise : I know thee of olde to bee the accuser Reuel. 12. 10 of the brethren : I remember well how once I contended & grappled with Iud. v. 9. thee for the bodie of Moses which was buried sore against thy will : It is likelie that of it thou thought to make an idole .

Loose now thy leach and let all thy hell-hounds come forward : Come , come with thy most foule mouthed objections : what can thou now alledge against the soule of this man before that it come out of this bodie : Thou art heere a Lyon against a Lambe : Declare now what thou can in this Assise : Thou can say no more than he hath alreadie said against himselfe : But come on , f●…aime thine inditement against him : Discharge thy fie●…ie dartes with the outmost of thy force .

Sathan .

Knowest thou not that there is a large haruest for Hell , manie called but few chosen .

Hee is my Vassall , I require but Iustice : Let him receiue but according to his deseruinges : Heere is a Bill of inditement able to conuinee him : In his wickednes he turned to his course as the horse rusheth into the Ier. 8. 6. battell : Both fiercelie and feareleslie marching vnder my collours in the pursute of his pleasures hee ranne ryote in the way of wickednesse .

The Angel Michael .

Is not God a God of mercie , able to forgiue ? But what hath hee done ?

Sathan .

Beholde , the pieces of Euidence which I produce against him : Let all the actions of his life bee brought to a true touch , and it shall appeare what a monster hee hath beene .

In his youth hee scorned at the Thunder of Gods word , counting it but Paper shot : His soule was neuer grieued to grieue the Spirit of grace : seldome came hee to the Church , hee was of the kinred of Noahs Raùen delighting to flie about the Arke , not willing to enter into it : Gods hony word of vnspeakable sweetnesse was vineger to his teeth : The pure commandement of the Lord which inlightened the eys was lik smok vnto his Psal. 19. 8. eyes the cause of blearednesse .

In all pointes he was disloyall vnto his God : Hee misregarded his Parents : He burned with lust like Hos. 7. 4. an Ouen heated by the baker : Hee so loued his lust that it was his law : His hands were full of pickerie , his eyes were full of adulterie , and his heart was full of guile and his tongue full of lyes , euer gaggling like a Goose. He was a cunning clawbacke & a paunchpike thanke : His custome was to defile the aire with most filthie belghs of blasphemie : Hee sported at all reproofes : O the noble jugling . Psal. 35. 26

There , there , this geare goeth trimme .

By hooke & by crooke he sought for gaine : Howe hee wanne it hee cared not if men perceiued not his fraude : With Iudas hee was whollie giuen to the bagge and baggage of his couetousnesse .

Shall this man come where God is ▪ who neuer walked in his way ? In all his wayes he did euer goe awry lik a Childe that scribleth without a rule : All his good intentions were but like false conceptions which are buried before their birth : let me now tread him vnder foote , that I may lay him dead straight like a worme : O the infamous man whose name doeth goe with a brand vpon it like Cains marke : Hee followed Christ for loaues : But O when the corne was spent the Rate left the Barne .

His whole life was but a myre of mischiefe : All men can tell that hee was but an vntrustie Pilferer , a foole hardie fellon rushing in rebellion against God & man : If so bee that he was exalted , he cared not that God was dishonoured : In the pride of life he walked like Nebuchadnezar strouting in his Palace with bragging words Dan. 4. 30 boasting of his Babel : Gods patience hath long suffered . In his sufferings hee hath comforted himselfe in this , When I see a conuenient time then will I execute judgement : Nowe is the time of execution come : Either now or neuer , for his sinne is now ripe and readie for the sickle .

I am wearied with accusing , what shall I say ? His heart was euer swelled with pride : By costlie apparell he gaue euill example : With his pleasures hee was tyed like a dog in a leach : He could neither suffer a Superiour nor comport with à Companion : The blue enuie in his heart made him hate to see others thriue besides him : The praise of other mens vertues , was as who had dispraised himselfe in his face : Hee was euer malcontent at Gods graces into others : He was like a Swine vnder an Oake feeding , and foiling Gods benefites lik Acorns : But who euer saw his face lifted vp with thankes to the shaker of the tree ? Hee was full of peppered sausinesse , sporting himselfe with checkes and taunts : As hee had a babling tongue to speake euill , so had hee a bibulous eare thirstie after false reportes .

O what filthy dung hilles & heapes of sinnes were hoodred in his heart : If hee did not any euill , it was not for lacke of will , like the frozen serpent hee hissed when hee could not hurt , but so soone as hee beganne , hee lustilie lashed on . All his meditations were mould in malice .

As for his Religion hee vsed his libertie as a cloake of maliciousnesse : 1 F●…t , 2. 16 While hee come to the Church it was but for the fāshion , for to shew the frindges of his hypocrisie : Hee thought a long Sermon a surfet , as Iudas thought the oyle spent that was powred vpon Christ , so thought hee all the time alloted to Gods seruice : Hee was euer cold in well doing as one of the frozen generation : A proude man was he in his own conceit while he found himselfe inlightned with some cāfused glimmerings of light glauncing vpon his heart thorow the deceiuing glasse of a temporarie faith : His necke was an yron sinew and his brow brasse : In a word Isa. 48. 4. all his affections were out of order as bones beside the joynt .

It were more easie to count the sand than his sinnes of omission and of commission with excesse of riot .

I seeke but Iustice , now his life is neere an ende , let Gods vengeance take him at the rebound .

The Angel Michael .

That is a bloodie Lybell , if all be true that is said by the father of lyes : Though his sinnes were thus bloody Ioh. 8 ▪ 44. as thou accuses , there is a redeeming Blood in Iesus for his ransome , his wounds are the holes of the Rocke of refuge : All that accusation is but founded vpon surmise .

But though hee were guiltie as thou affirmes , is there anie sinne so great that God cannot forgiue ? There is no sinne so red but Christs Blood can make it white : Gods word is true , sinne dyed in Scarlet-red lik crimsin , may by God be made white Isa. 1. 18. lik the wooll & snow : Thou cryeth for Iustice , Christs Blood cryeth for mercy ; which of you two shall best bee heard ?

Sathan .

But can Gods mercie bee against his justice ? shall mercie against justice plead for the whitnesse of a Rauen ? shall a most vile sinner escape damnation ? shall not Iustice bee his bane ? Let mee now giue him a knocke with the barre of judgement : While hee had strength to walke hee left the narrow path , for to goe croude with the wicked in the broad waye : Now let him suffer for all his riotes , let the doors of heauen be bared in his teeth , Gods mercies must not bee against his justice : Let mee now giue him a yercke with my whippe .

The Angel Michael

Auoide , there is no breach in justice while his sinnes are pardoned , for Christ his Lord hath suffered for him , he hath satisfied for all his debts at the b●…rre of justice , and that to the vtmost farthing : When all was payed , Christ cryed with a loud voice that heauen and earth might heare Consummatum est , that is , A●…l is payed , Ioh. 19. 30 the whole worke of mans Redemption is finish●…d This was h●…ard by the deuils themselues , & not one durst stand vp to say the contrarie .

Thou c●…yeth for Iustice , 〈◊〉 is Iustice , heere is Iustice : Christ his Cautioner hath payed all his d●…bts : * * Note It is against Iustice to require one debt to bee twise payed : By Iustice then hee must be saued , because Christ in great mercie towards him hath made full satisfaction to the Iustice of God : * * Note His Lords passion is his pardon , for the droppes of his Blood his Father hath giuen him in exchange life euerlasting for all repenting sinners , what needes him to feare who hath Christ for his Cautioner .

Sathan .

Christ would neuer be Cautioner for such a Reprobate goate as hee : In wickednesse he hath out-stripped all others , he put on Christ like an Hat which goeth off to euery one that wee meete : The wine pynt and Tobacca Pype with sneesing pouder prouoking sneuell were his heartes delight . His life hath beene a stumbling blocke vnto manie : His best vertues were but splendida peccata glistering sinnes : His most precious pearles are but of pewter .

Away with this Child of Belial , out vpon him with all his faire wordes , all his Religion was but scroofe and scumme : Would Christ euer bee Cautioner for such a Banquerupt as hee , who all his dayes hath beene a boisterous reueller , the chiefe of a knot of knaues .

The Angel Michael .

Hee who is not in debt needeth Matth. 9. 13 not a Cautioner : I came , said Christ , to call sinners to repentance : Though his sins were manie as thou objectes , no miserie in man can ouer-reach the mercie of his God : Christ in all will bee answerable for him .

Sathan .

What hath Christ to doe with this stubburne and steele-necked Bebell who was in his whole conuersation both hote & hardie ? The voyce of his Conscience within was out-cryed , & all honestie out-faced by his corruptions : After the euill turne was done he had his excuse readie at his fingers ends . Thinke ye that Christ will bee Cationer for all men , or that all men shall bee saued ?

The Angel Michael .

Not for all , neither shall all men bee saued : But this man is one of Gods because of his Faith .

Sathan .

How could he haue Faith ? Faith is by the Word . The Word had none abode in him a pettie-fogger a trouble towne : What could such a smatterer as hee learne at the hearing of the Word ? Hee hath beene but a Bungler delighting into gewgowes : Hee was a leaking vessell , letting thinges runne out as fast as they came in , his Faith was euer fained .

The Angel Michael .

Though his Faith was weake , yet was it neuer fained , God quencheth Isa 42. 3. not the smoking fl●…xe : * * Note Hee looketh not so much to the strength as to the trueth thereof : Thou art fertile in foolish words which are the summe of the Deuils dictionarie .

Sathan .

I heare thee bragge much of his Faith , but who did euer see it ? I H●…b . 11. 1 , know not what the euidence of things not seene signifi●…th : I could neuer vnderstand that Theologie : I vnderstand S. Iames better , shewe mee thy Iam. 2 , 13. Faith , saith hee : If hee had Faith let it bee seene : To say that hee had Faith , is but a vaine blast : What hath his life bene but a web of vices ? What hath hee beene but a fruitlesse shrubbe in the Lords garden , where hee but marred the ground ? What hath hee beene but a ●…luttish sluggard a Gore-bellie , a Bellie-god , petting himselfe with paunch-pleasures , his mouth like a Bung-hole was for nothing but for the filling of his bellie among his drunken Gosips : Hypocrisie hath so enwouen it selfe into his heart , that all his thoughtes are become as blacke as hell : His heart was euer voyde of all Charitie : If he was well hee cared not for others in their calamities : This was his ordinarie speach concerning the afflicted : What haue I to doe whether they sink or they swim ? Euery vessell must stand on its owne bottome : Let euerie man shift for himselfe : the well & wealth of others was to him an eyesore : curse now this barren ground which hath beene a soyle onelie fitte for weedes .

The Angel Michael .

These bee but accusations or rather cauillations without any ground . The Godlie saw that he was among them a fruitfull tree , whose branches were bowed downe that men might pull the fruites with their hand .

Sathan .

What fruites Could such a thorne as hee beare grapes ? Could such a Thistle as hee beare figges ? Where are these fruites of his Faith ? What was hee euer but a monstruous person all mouth , tongue , and voyce , without heart or hand to thinke or doe good : he seemed to bee wise while indeede all his actions were contriued but by quirkes of wite : Hee could giue God his lips in stead of his heart : He had many faire sweete wordes like the sounding of golden Bells , but where are his Pomgranates fruites worthie amendement of life ? All might see that hee was like that cursed ground where Thistles growe in Iob. 31. 40 stead of Wheat , and Cockle instead of Barley : Let him nowe cracke of his Cockle and boast of his Barley .

The Angel Michael .

These bee but calumnies and ●…orged slaunder and detractions : He was indeede like a tree planted by the psal. 1. 3. riuers of water that bringeth foorth the fruite in his season .

Sathan .

What was hee but a knottie , barren , rotten scrubbe , marring the ground ? Shew mee his Faith if thou can ? make search of his workes : Try them and tell me what they are in thy best s●…raphicall discourse .

The Angel Michael .

This and this and this hee did : And if God had spared his dayes he was well minded to doe more : God euer preferreth the willingnesse of mans minde to the worthinesse of his wo●…ke : For if there bee first a willing 2 Cor. 8 , 12 minde , it is acceptable according to that a man hath , and not according to that hee hath not .

Sathan .

All that was but hypocrisie for to bee seene and praised of men : His chiefest care in that was fool shlie to gaine an opinion of more than ordinarie pietie , as if hee had beene a Rabbi in Israel : But O inwa●…dlie in his Soule hee jested at hell not caring for Heauen : Gods boaste seemed to him but Bugges thinges made to feare Children . His heart was a verie Vice of vices turning from euill to worse .

The Angel Michael .

God alone knoweth the heart : Mala mens malus animus : Thou judgest others to be like vnto thy selfe : * * Note Because when thou art Lucifer an Angel of light a white deuill in appearance , then art thou most set on blackest darknesse , thou thinkest others to bee likewise disposed for to juggle .

Sathan .

But can he denye his sinnes ? Are they not all written into mine accusation Booke ? His debts are so hudge that he cannot be able to pay : A way to prison with this Banquerupt , neuer pleade more for him , for his sinnes are so manifest that they cannot bee couered : Did not his open scandals strike the Drum of rebellion against the heauens ? Who can denye his sinnes ? Let mee nowe sheath this dagger in his bowels : The pleasures of his sinnes are past , nowe let him finde the sting of guilt .

The Angel Michael .

It is trueth that hee hath sinned , but also thou cannot denye but that hee hath confessed his sinnes : By the blessed blood of Iesus they are cancelled and blotted out of the Booke of Gods rememberance . O despightfull Spirit thou art first 〈◊〉 craftie tempter and after a cruell tormenter : Thou are euer picking quarrells with Gods redeemed ones . What euer hee hath done amisse , hee hath sore repented it .

Sathan .

Hee but seemed to repent : His heart which men thought to bee a seate of sinceritie was but a sinke of sinne : If it were vncased and laid open this should clearelie appeare : At preaching , the word without and the dumbe choppes of his Conscience within could not moue him to doe well : At his prayers , before men hee could chirppe like a gras-hopper : But wher are the teares of his Repentance ?

The Angel Michael .

His prayers were not chirping , but crouding euen the crouding of the Doue : As for his teares the holie water of grace , & most pleasant dewe of Repentance , the Lord hath put them into his Bottalls : Manie a teare since this Battell began hath trickled down his cheekes for the grieuing of his God His eyes like two water sluces runing continuallie .

Sathan .

W●…at is that ? Hypocrites which are but peeuish hyrlings and miserable wretches with their deceitfull rubbinges can wring water from their eyes : By such craftie conueyances they cunningly bleare the eyes of men who can see nothing but outward appearance : There be manie counterfeit teares in the world .

The Angel Michael .

The teares of Iacob while hee wept Ios. 12. 4. made supplications were not the worse because prophane Esau could shed Heb. 12. 17 teares . The teares of the Godlie are like precious pearles , in Gods eyes .

Sathan .

I know his treacherie better than yee , hee was cunning in the arte of seeming : I euer knew him a doubling & dissembling C●…mpanion ; a Dragon with Lambes hornes : Well could hee straine the vtmost veane of his wittes for to bleare the eyes of men : The way of godlinesse in his heart was as the way of a man with a Prou. 30. 19 maide most close from all accesse :

Manie a time could this craf●…ie Bible-carier wring out a teare in the Church for to catch the applause and vaine breath of mans praise : But in secret he could prophanelie laugh in his sleeue and scorne at sinceritie : Among such as himselfe his mouth was blotted with blasphemies , among the Godlie againe hee could pratle much of pietie : His chiefe studie was to dawbe the outward man withfaire shewes like a Rogue in a stage with the apparell of a Prince : While he did heare the word and his Bible before him , it was but of course and custome and not of Conscience : He like Nimrod was a mightie hunter not of beastes but of vaine praise and applause : When hee gaue almes , hee caused blow the Trumpet that others might know when he did any good in appearance : Hee in his bragges was like the Hen which cackleth at euerie egge shee lay●…th : To his lusts hee was a voluntarie vassell : Among his neighbours hee was like a Cormorant : Hee was like an emptie boxe with a faire title written vpon it , an ●…smaelite in the coate of an Israelite : All his religion was but an outward aperie of profession , a signe hanging without , hauing nothing within : When hee hang downe his head lik Isa. 58. 5. a Bulrush , it was but for a day , so soone as the morrow came and hee to his olde byas againe : His best thoughtes were like a false conception which is buried in the birth ; like a stalled Oxe hee set vp himselfe a fatting after his fasting : For the great treasures of Gods graces he neuer returned the tribute of glorie ; such was his vnthankfulnesse : Now let me dri●…e him to my denne , that I may flash fire into the face of this most wretched forlorne sinner , who in his heart hath hatched all sortes of mischiefe .

The Angel Michael .

Well hast thou bene called the accuser of the brethren : away with thy slanderous lybell , not worthie that I shuld shape it an answere : what this poore man hath done amise deare hath he bought it , with manie a sore sigh and groane to his God , hath he both loathed and lamented his faultes : God hath heard him & hath sealed vp his pardon with the blood of his Sonne : The sweete & soft breath of Iesus hath refreshed him with comforts , and now his Spirit which was once sore troubled and distempered is made free from all his feares , God in his fauour hath seasoned his heart with a sauing grace : Thine hid malice hitherto confined within the bounds of thy bosome , is now broken out into great distemper of wordes .

Sathan .

Behold , behold , the great velumes of the compt bookes of his conscience : Look vpon these scarlet & crimsin letters of his transgressions : Shall this short and abrupt deuotion of his in his sicknesse , bee counted Repentance ? Will not the most wicked waile vnder Gods hand while it is weightie vpon them ? * * Note There is no Crowne of life for carnall liuers : How easie is it to hang downe the head Isa. 58. 5. like a bulrush for a day ? While hee had time to doe well hee was both colde and coward in well doing : All his good workes were but in externall forme , shewes without substance : Cunninglie could he tricke and trim Psal. 51. 6. the outward man : But hee neither loued the trueth in the inward partes : As he was double minded so had he a heart Iam. 4. 8. & a heart , which he did apparell with faire Mantles of godlie appearance .

While vnder faire collours of Religion hee did heare the world in hand that he stood for God , & was zealous for the good cause , he in his priuie practise was my close factor , seruing mee for his profites and his pleasures : Glad was hee to gogge the worlds eyes with the distinctions : Of v●…urie he made a byting & a toothlesse : lyes , hee diui-ded in Officio●…s and pernicious : His greatest faultes he could well cloake with mincing and excusing .

O the deepe dungeon of hypocrisie that is within that breast : O how cunninglie hath all his wickednesse beene concealed hitherto ? None hath beene vpon his priuie counsell but I and his owne corruptions : O that heart of his a pit and a puddle , a denne and a dungeon both darke and deepe ! Who can see it ? who can sound it ? But why spend I time in the vnsauorie raking of this dung-hill . Good Lord , it is a strange thing how thou whose clearest eye hath seene him most perfectlie in the inmost closet of his heart , shouldest sende downe an Angel to plead for him : O how cunningly could he with his fists beate the breast with the Publican , beeing no lesse in his heart presumptuous than the Pharisee ! Here lyes in this bed a painted Tombe faire without : But O what rottennesse is within his heart ? none eye could abide to see it , if it were perced with a gimlet . Shall this man come where God is , who neuer walked in Gods wayes ? Like a blinde horse he stammered & rushed in euerie myre : His heart was nothing but a kneding ●…rough of wickednesse , yea , a gulfe and groope of vncleannesse : Let nowe the heauens cry shame on him .

The Angel Michael .

Thou art shamelesse in thine accusations and dogged in thy malice : Thou with thy bellowes , of temptations fi●…st bloweth at the coale of si●…ne , and after that thou cryeth for judgement which should chieflie be directed against thy selfe , the father of all mischiefe .

But in this last point of thine accusation thou hast plainlie bewray●…d thy murthering malice in taking vpon thee to judge of the sinceritie of the inward partes : Thou presumeth far aboue the reach of thy knowledge : God alone is the searcher of mens hearts : * * Note It is hee alone who hath an eye witnesse within vs .

Sathan .

Though God onelie knoweth the heart , yet by the fruits the tree is known : Matth. 7. 16 It is easie to gesse of his heart by the copie of his countenance , hee had a swift & a souple tongue : But his hand was heauie to practise : What hath hee beene all his life-time but a bag of imbred malice , a most filthie excrement into the Church ? Behold how hee is altogether berayed with ordure : Let mee now with the besome of iustice sweepe him outat Shel●…coth the dirt porte of Gods house : What shame shall it bee to the heauens to receiue such a dunge hill & lump of filthin●…sse whose disbanded corruptions haue defiled the aire ? It shall bee justice that now hee bee washed in the Kettle of Hell .

The Angel Michael .

What God hath cleansed that call thou Act. 10. 15 not common : Christ by his blessed Blood hath made him cleane : The Lord of glory who openeth and no man steeketh , hath opened the euerlasting doores for to let in his soule : I am heere waiting on for to carie it to glory : It is in vaine that now thou sets thy temptations on foote & on fire : By thy craftie cosening thou shalt not be able to robbe or to filch from him the least graine of grace .

Sathan .

What ? shall this bastard professour and runnagate escape the doome that is due to his villanie ? While hee had time hee liued in pleasures , and feasted while others fasted : His seuen yeares of plentie are past , now let him smart with the Glutton into hell : Let him there bee refused of a drop by him to whom heere hee refused a crumme : Can God looke vpon his iniquities and not kindle a consuming fire in his wrath against such a varnished hypocrite , whose whole religion was in a mouth filled with great swelling words of vanitie ? In such deceitfull cunning colouring , hee among all did carrie away the Bell.

The Angel Michael .

God will neuer looke vpon his iniquities , for hee hath cast them all behind his backe : God beholdeth none Numb. 23. 21 iniquitie in Iacob ; neither doeth hee see peruersenesse in Israel : * * Note The Lord judgeth not his Children by the remnant of their olde corruptions , but by the beginnings of his renewing grace : * * Note The mercifull God is more pleased with a dram of grace , then prouoked with a pound of iniquitie : Sinnes are not sinnes before God , except that they bee done with pleasure : That which I say is from that trueth : Hee that is borne 1 Ioh. 3. 9. of God sinneth not .

Auoyde Sathan : Thou art euer couered with rage as with a rayment : When thou seest anger kindled thou art euer readie to adde tinder to that fyre : Thou art cunning and craftie to clok thy bloodie massacres with pretences of seeking justice .

Sathan .

What say I but trueth ; His whole delight was in sinne : While he was in health and strength , he did weare my Liuerie : Who did euer see him beare Christes cognisance ? All his godlinesse was but cloake and colour without life and vigou●… : Thogh hee sinne not now there where h●…e lyeth , he hath not left sin , but sin hath left him : If his tongue could speake . hee could not for his heart denye it : Scribitur in facie : Beholde his fierce and kill-bucke countenance : While he had youth and vigour hee obeyed no lawe but his lawlesse appetits : Was hee challenged ? Then hee fathered his sinnes vpon mee .

The Angel Michael .

Thou in thy fond humour hast euer byting corrasiues , for bleeding Consciences : In his members I confesse there was a lawlesse law indeed , but in his minde was Gods Lawe warring against the law of his members : From his heart hee hated that law of his members : But his whole delight was in the Law of the Spirit : * * Note After that hee had sinned he 〈◊〉 cast the first stone at him selfe .

Sathan .

All these be but faire cloakes and couers for to hide his transgressions : But they will not preuaile : The heauens know that he was but the carrion of a Christian , aglozing hypocri●… , hauing the carkase of knowledge without the life of loue & the power of practise , euer fickle lik a Chameleon : Hee is nowe in his good moode , but if he shuld yet liue a space , all shuld soone see that in his heart is nothing sound settled & sincere : what need I more ? this Soule must bee mine , hee hath sinned , and therefore hee muste bee cursed , and so hee must bee mine : Behold his Band and Obligation : By the Lawe of God hee is mine : Now must hee runne into ruine : Let mee giue him a girke with my rodde .

The Angel Michael .

Avoid that bloody Bande hath bene cancelled by the blood of God , that Obligation long since hath beene ●…uen with the nailes of the Crosse of Iesus : That which the Law had 〈◊〉 , hath beene loosed by the Gospel : What his workes could not doe , Gods grace hath perfected : By fauour the mercifull Lord hath chosen him out of the lost masse of mankind : Seeing his ransome hath cost God his blood , all accusations must bee sealed with silence : In despite of the vtmost rage of all infernall force this Soule shall bee saued : Though all the powers of hell prodigiouslie madde should rage , rampe , and roare , they shall not be able to vn●…ye the knot of Faith and Loue where with hee is vnited vnto his Sauiour .

Sathan .

I feare fore now that hee slippe the collar and goe from mee : At least seeing in his whole life I haue beene his Master , let him bee diuided , let mee haue any part and let God take his choice in the partner-ship .

The Angel Michael .

Auoyde Sathan with thy wittie wickednesse , whereby woluishlle thou woulde worrie this red●…emed Lambe . Thy shaire is not with God : Thou hast neither parte nor lot in this matter : The whole man is Christes who hath bought him with a price .

Away with thy gun-pudered humour : Attempt no more to touch him : Thou shalt neuer grippe him any more within thy cruell clouthes , nor inwrap him in thy snaires : Wo●… to that Soule that serueth thee : * * Note It is like a Bird on a bush which is smitten in her song of the Archer for whom shee had tuned her song : In the vtmost of all crueltie thou hast discharged the vtmost of thy gall vpon this wearied heart : I will enter no more in parley with thee .

Now come our thou fillie Soule vnto him that breathed thee in that bodie : Come to thy rightfull owner : Come into mine armes that I may carrie thee vp the Ladder of Iaacob vnto blesse : Christ thine Advocat hath pleaded for thee , and hath winne the cause : Come now Soule out of that body , flie like an Eagle vp to the blessed Carcase of thy Lord , where is constant peace , vnmixed joye , and blessed immortalitie : Now thou art Christs & Christ is thine : Hearken & heare the cry of thy Spouse , Rise Cant. 2. 10 vp my Loue , my faire One , and come away : Rejoyce wearied Soule , lift vp thine head , Saluation is come : The Heauens are opened goe enter into thy rest .

The Battell of the Soule is now ended : Now deare Soule come out to eternity , come out to thy Bridegrome who now calleth thee : Bee clothed with royall apparell : Put on the massie & bright crowne of immortalitie with the glorious Garland of celestial Lawrels spangled with Iemmes of joye : Come out wearied Traueller from doole , dolour and distresse , for to enter into Psal , 16. 11 pleasures for euermore .

FINIS .