Two sermons, for these who are to come to the table of the Lord With diverse prayers fit for the necessities of the Saincts at diverse occasions. Carefully digested by Mr. Zacharie Boyd, preacher of Gods word, at Glasgovv. Boyd, Zacharie, 1585?-1653. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A16541 of text S119278 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 3449). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 143 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 68 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A16541 STC 3449 ESTC S119278 99854485 99854485 19909 2240913388

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A16541) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19909) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1195:20) Two sermons, for these who are to come to the table of the Lord With diverse prayers fit for the necessities of the Saincts at diverse occasions. Carefully digested by Mr. Zacharie Boyd, preacher of Gods word, at Glasgovv. Boyd, Zacharie, 1585?-1653. 134+ p. Printed by Iohn Wreittoun, Edinburgh : Anno dom. 1629. Imperfect; leaf D3 torn, affecting text; lacks all after leaf I3. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Lord's Supper -- Sermons -- Early works to 1800. eebo Two sermons, for these who are to come to the table of the Lord. With diverse prayers fit for the necessities of the Saincts at diverse occasions. Car Boyd, Zacharie 1629 136 25409 117 0 0 0 0 4 518.32 F The rate of 518.32 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-07 Assigned for keying and markup 2003-07 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-01 Sampled and proofread 2004-01 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

TWO SERMONS , FOR THESE WHO ARE TO COME TO THE TABLE OF THE LORD .

With diverse prayers fit for the necessities of the Saincts at diverse occasions .

Carefully digested by Mr. ZACHARIE BOYD , Preacher of GODS word , at GLASGOW .

AVGVST . de doctrina CHRIST . Omnis res quae 〈◊〉 non deficit dum habetur , & non datur , nondum habetur , quomodo habenda est ?

I liue to die , that I may die to liue .

EDINBVRGH Printed by IOHN WR●ITTOVN . Anno DOM. 1629.

TO THE RIGHT WORTHIE CHRISTIANS THE INDWELLERS OF THE BVRGH , AND BARONIE OF GLASGOW .

WELBELOVED in the LORD , The word of God is a treasure of knowledge : a a Psal. 19 v. 7. Jt maketh wise the simple . It made David b b Psal. 119. 99 wiser then his teachers . Blessed is the man c c Psal. 1. 2. whose delight is in Gods law , and who meditats on the same both day and night . This is the wisedome of the wise ; but d d Prover. 12. 23. in the hearts of fooles be proclamations of folie , for they knowe not that e e Prover. 5. 21. the LORD pondereth all their goeings .

Happy are yee , if yee can acknowledge the day of your mercifull visitation : your God hath blessed you with many blessings : He hath done to you amongst many Cities , as Joseph did to Benjamin amongst his brethren , to whom he multiplied the number of his f f Genes. 43. 34. measses aboue theirs : But in a particular man●● hee hath blessed you with the powerfull preaching of his Gospell . The Lord who in Zacharias dayes promised to make the g g Zach. 14. 4. Mount of Olives to cleaue , that Ierusalem hidde with hils might bee seene by all nations ; hath in this land , which was Scotia , a land of darknesse , made a way to the sight of his glory , and to you in a speciall maner : I pray God yee bee thankfull , and that such favors continue .

It h●th beene Gods providence by the occasion of the French bloody warres to bring me amongst you : My soule ( the Lord is my witnesse ) wisheth your well : In testimonie therefore of my sincere and hearty loue , receaue favourably these two Sermons , with some fewe prayers . Take it in good part that I present you with them .

All that is done in this envious and taxing age is lyable to censure : Many striue to stop a worke at the first stop , as though the praise of any were their prejudice : The tongues of such are armed with h h Psal. 120. 4 , sharpe arrowes of the mightie , and with coales of juniper . Note .

* Let such knowe that the best reproving of others is to doe better them selues .

It is my desire that yee would accept this little , and vouchsafe it a rowme of lodgeing in your favour , as being a testimonie of loue from him , who shall alwayes pray i i 1. Sam. 15. ●9 . the Eternitie of Israell , to make his graces raine downe plentifully vpon you , k k Psal. 133. 3. as the dew of Hermon , and as the dew that descended vpon the mountaines of Zion , where the LORD commanded the blessings . So humbly taking my leaue , I intreate the LORD , in whom all l l Col. 1. 19. fulnesse dwelleth , to replenish you with m m Ephes. 1. 3. all spirituall blessings in Heavenly places .

n n 2. Cor. 9. 10. Now hee that ministreth seede to the sower , both minister bread for your foode , and multiplie your seede sowen , and increase the fruits of your righteousnesse : Not els but humbly taking my leaue , I remaine

GLASGOW this 5. of November 16●8 . Yours ever in the Lord Mr. ZACHARI● BOYD.
TWO PREPARATIVE PREFACES TO THE SERMON OF PREPA●RATION .
THE FIRST PREFACE .

THERE be two things in this world , which cheefly should greeue the heart of man : viz , sinne and shame : The one is the mother ; the other is the daughter : Sinne is ever full of shame , a shamefull thing , great with shame as a woman with child . Note . * If wee would kill the viper of ●inne , the mother of shame , let vs be ashamed of our sinnes ▪ The shame wherewith a sinner is ashamed of his sinnes , killeth sinne and the shame to ensue . Note . * If we be not ashamed of our sinnes which is repentance , God shall by his judgements make vs ashamed of our selues , which is vengeance : In the consideration of this , let vs fall downe vpon our kne●s with publick protestation , that to the Lord our God belongeth the righteousnesse , but to vs open shame and confusion of face : Da● . 9. 7. Let vs humbly confesse our sinnes into his presence , and kisse his footstoole by a humble debaseing of our soules and bodies before him , Reuel. 4. 10. before whose feete the crownes of Heaven are cast downe .

THE SECOND PREFACE .

* The fire of GOD his spirit is not a painted fire , Note . which seemeth to bee that which it is not : It ever hath some heat , though sometimes without flamme .

This day wee are come before the Lord , for to blow at the coale : Man must blow , and God will blow : Man bloweth vp the spark of grace by praying servently to God : God bloweth it vp by the powerfull preaching of the word outwardly , and by the secret motion of his spi●it inwardly . When God quickned Adam , but a dead lump of clay , scripture saith that hee breathed into his nostrils the breath of lyfe , Gen. 2. 7. and man became a living soule . Note . * If the spirit of Iesus this day breath into our hearts , he shall be vnto our soules a quickning spirit , which is better than Adams living soule : For as that soule it was deprived of all lyfe by sinne , but where once the quickning spirit is , 1. Cor. 15. 45. that soule can die no more : And seeing God his word is the instrument of lyfe and the power of God to salvation , I intreat you all earnestly to pray from your hearts , that Christ who breathed vpon his Apostles the sweete breath of the holy GHOST would also vouchsafe in some measure to blow breath vpon you , and mee at this time : The LORD blow into my heart and mouth the words that may saue your soules .

A SERMON OF PREPARATION TO THE COMMUNION . PREACHED THE THIRD OF MAY 1628.
THE TEXTE . IOHN 6. V. 27.

LABOVR not for the meate which perisheth , but for the meate which endureth vnto everlasting lyfe , which the Sonne of man shall giue vnto you : for him hath God the Father sealed .

THE first things of the godly man are hardest , Note . his last things are best things , lyke the wyne of Cana in Galilee : Iohn . 2. v. 1. Many are the troubles of the righteous , Psal. 34 v. 19. these be his first things : But the Lord delivereth them out of them all , these be his last things .

* As the Apryle showers goe before the May flowers , Note . so must our teares trickle before our triumphs : we must sweate before we climb vp the everlasting hils , and sorrow before wee sing : Gen. 49 , v. 26. Wee must groane before we glory , and we must fast before wee feast .

THE DIVISION OF THE TEXT .

IN my text is both a fast and a feast : first a fast and then a feast : fast from worldly things ; Labour not for the meate which perisheth : feast vpon Heavenly things , labour for the meate which endureth to lyfe everlasting , &c. Seeing this day of preparation is a fasting day , J shall content me with the first part of my text , reserving the rest vnto the day of the feast .

That wee may the better vnderstand this dayes text , we shall first consider breefly the whole matter of this Chapter , that thereafter we may see vpon what occasion Christ teached the people the wordes of my text .

THE DIVISION O● THE WHOLE CHAPTER .

THE whole Chapter whereout J haue selected this text , may be devided into three parts .

In the first part we see a miracle of fiue thousand men fedde with fiue loaues , whereof the fragments after all were satisfied , did fill twelue baskets : Note . * Thus every bread did feede a thousand , and all being satisfied , more was left at last than at the first was set downe : this is vnto verse 16 ,

Jn the second part wee haue a miraculous walking of Christ vpon the sea of Tiberias , or of Genezaret : For to speake this by the way , this sea was neither the Ocean nor the Mediterranean sea , but a lake of fourteene or fifteene miles of length , and of fiue or six miles of breadth : Heere the most part of Christ his Apostles were fishers , before Christ cas●ed them to that office : of this wee haue from the sixteene verse vnto the twentie and two verse : The occasion of this walking was , that these whom he had fedde with loaues , did goe about to take him by force , V. 15. for to make him a King : He for to be quite of them ; withdrew himselfe into a mountaine alone vntill evening : At that tyme the disciples entered into a ship , and went over that sea towards Capernaum ; Jesus being behind : But while after they had sailed fiue and twentie , or thirtie furlongs , Jesus overtooke them , and entered into their ship , V. 21. and immediatly the ship was at the land whether they went ; this is vnto verse 22 :

Jn the third part is set downe how those men whom he had fedde , followed him over the sea towards Capernaum , and what conference the LORD had with them , after they came to him .

So soone as they came to him , they vttered many faire wordes , Rabbi , V. 25. ( said they , ) when camest thou hither ? Note . These were very faire words ; But what cared Christ for faire words ? GOD regardeth not flattering lips : Proverb. 26. 23. Burning lips , and a wicked heart , are lyke a potsheard covered with silver drosse . Note . * Though a mans mouth bee fired with loue toward GOD , if in his breast hee hath a prophane heart , hee is but a sheard in the sight of God : All the colour of his devotion is not from the silver of sinceritie , but from silver drosse , the heart vnderneath being nothing but lyke a naughtie sheard : Such one day , though they were Kings and Rulers the LORD shall dash in pie●es , Psal. ● V. 9. lyke a potters vessell , or as wee say , he shall ding them all into shardes .

I can not goe forward vntouching this point . Note . * Many can with burning lips call Christ Rabbi , whose wicked hearts are covered but with the silver drosse of hypocrisie : Judas rabbied him with a kisse of burning lips , Math. 26. 49. hauing a traitour his heart covered with silver drosse : Others esteemed him as a robber , Luke . ●2 . 52. and came out against him , Math. 27. 28. as against a theefe and a robber : Others robbed him of his garments , for while Christ was crucified , he hang vpon the crosse a naked man : Robbers who came out against him , as against a Robber , robbed him of all his clothes .

* And what shall I say of the most Note . part of the men that came to him heere Rabbied him but for to robbe him of his loaues .

To them Christ said yee followe me but for your belly : yee seeke me , ( said hee , ) Iohn . 6. 26. not because yee sawe the miracles , but because yee did eate of the loaues and were filled .

The doctrine is this , The doctrine . let men take good heed what moveth them chiefly to serue God : If the motion bee from the belly , it will be a slow motion : Note . * Of such may be said that which the Apostle saith of the men of Candie out of one of their owne Prophets or Poets .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Tit. ● . V. 1● . That is , the Cretians , or men of Candie are alwayes lyers , evil beasts , slow bellies .

God and the belly can not cleaue one to another , Note . ● no more then the yron of Nebuchad-nezzar his image feete could bee mixed with clay : Dan. 2. V. 43. Nullum horum potest esse coagulum , nothing is able to make such things for to curd and joyne .

* Except that wee cast our bellie behind our back , Note . GOD his spirit will never dwell in our heart , nor suffer vs to see his face .

* Hee that beginneth his prayer with giue vs this day our dayly bread , Note . hath litle care of Our Father which art in Heaven , lesse vnderstandeth hee for thine is the Kingdome , the power and the glory . If man could truely think that GOD had a kingdome , he would first seeke the kingdome of GOD , being assured that GOD would cast all other things vnto him .

Take no thought for your life , Math. 6. 25. ( said Christ , ) what you shall eate or what you shall drink , nor yet for your body what you shall put on .

* As for meate , Note . consider the fowles of the aire , those birds in the morning chirp before God for meate , and the blessed LORD openeth his pantrie , and giveth to them their breakfast , and after their dinner , and last of all their supper , which haueing gotten , at night they flee to their bush , as to their bed , and before they put their head vnder their wings for to sleepe , they chirp a litle to God againe , which is their grace after meate , and also a sort of evening prayer , whereby they commit themselues to their makers keeping . Thus as yee see the poore birds begge their foode , yea ●the Lyons seeke their meate from God , and God filleth them with his blessings .

* As for clothes , behold the lillies , Note . God himselfe by the finger of nature spinneth their coats Royall robs : And now in this moneth of May , after a long buriall , the Lord hath made them partakers of a resurrection , whereby these that once did wither , and ly vnder the ground like things buried , are made to come out clothed in apparell pleasant to the eye for colour , and perfumed with savour , like the garment of Esau , Genes. 27. 27. whose smell was like the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed .

* Mercifull God , Note . what vnbeleefe is this , that ma●e●h man so carefull for back and belly , as though God did loue the fowles and flowers better than man , for whom hee sent his owne Sonne to die ! Mercifull God what a brutish stupiditie is this , that man can think that so mightie and so mercifull a God , either can not , Math. 6. 33. or will not giue , or rather cast to him that which is best both for his back and his belly ! Now let vs come to the wordes .

Labour not for the meat● which perisheth .

HEERE first I obserue a doctrine The doctrine . of wisedome for all those whom GOD hath appointed to teach others : Math. 11. 22. Learne of mee said the LORD : Let the most learned sit downe at the feete of this great Gamaleel . The men to whom Christ speaketh heere , were men from whom hee had withdrawen him selfe , because hee saw them worldly mynded : Yet seeing they are come to him , hee instructeth them : first what they should not doe , and after what they should doe ; yea before hee came to them with instructions , he reproveth them boldly in the face , Galat. 2. 11. as Paul withstood Peter , declaring plainely vnto them that they walked not vprightly , because they sought after GOD more for their belly , then for himselfe .

The vse : let vs learne of Christ heerehow we should proceed with carnall men , The vse . wee whom the Lord hath appointed to bee teachers in his Church . Note . * First of all we must proceede against them with reprofes proofes : malo nodo , malus cuneus , for a hard knot , wee must prepare a harde wedge . Note . * The law with its threatnings must goe before the Gospell , like a needle making way to the threede . It is great wisedome for teachers first to thunder downe the high corruptions of nature in those that are not cast downe for their sinnes : Luke . 3. 5. Every mountaine & hill shall bee brought low : Prophane hearts must not at the first bee dawbed with faire words , but rather dashed with reproofes . Woe to them that stroake knaues heads , for that is to spill them , and to bring the guilt of their blood vpon the teachers head : when the fester is begunne , the Surgeon must cut . Note . * The Lord himselfe teached his Prophet Elijah how to teach his stif-necked people , and that by the forme of his comming vnto him at Horeb , for to giue warning to the Prophet of his comming , hee sent before him three grimme , and austere messengers : The first was a great and strong wind which rent the mountaines , 1 King . 19. 11. and brake in pieces the rockes before the Lord : After the wind came an earthquake ; The third was a fire : V. 12. After those three the spirit of God came into a still small voice : It is so , that Pastours must procede with a stubburne people ; the tempests of wrath must blow first with a galewind , and after with fearefull threatnings , the rebellious hearts must bee shaken as with an Earthquake : Jf all that moue not , the preacher must open vp Hell , and let wicked soules see those vnquenchable brimstone flammes of fire smoking with fearefull vengeance .

* It is so , Note . that we must come to the tryall of our selues this day in our Christian examination : let first the wind of Gods word ▪ threatning our sinnes , rent the rockes of our hearts : After that wee must feele an Earthquake : viz , a heartquake . After that our hearts haue beene shaken , as with a mighty wind , and after that they haue quaked for feare , if all that worke not , wee must consider the fearefull flammes wherewith the wicked shall be scorcthed , the cause of everlasting weeping & gnashing of teeth . Note . * Such a soule as is shaken with winds , and quaketh for feare , and trembleth at the fire of God his ' wrath , is most meete to meete with God into the calme .

* Wee must doe with our selues this day , Note . as Joseph did with his brethren at their first meeting ; it is said that that hee spake roughly vnto them : Genes 4● . 30. Wee must speake roughly this day against our selues , if we would haue God to speake meekly to vs to morrow : * Wee must deest our ill thoughts words & deeds with many a fy , Luke . 18. 13. fy , fy : wee must strike with the Publican vpon our breast where all the mischeefe was bredde , and must strike with Ephraim vpon our thigh , Ier. 31. 19. which caried vs to the effectuating of our wicked projects : Note . * yea , must hold an assise and justice Court within our conscience , where wee must first judge , and thereafter condemne our selues , if wee would haue God to absolue vs . Christ first spake roughly to the Cananitish woman , calling her a dogge ; Math. 15. 26. but after hee had made her content to creepe for a crum , like a dogge vnder his table , hee comforted her with wonderfull comforts , wondring himselfe at her faith .

* The order of GOD his proceding w●th his owne children , Note . is first to sing of mercy , Psal. 101. 1. and after of judgment , if the song of mercy moue not : But because of our stubburnesse often the Lord must turne his tune , and first of all sing of judgment : That done , so soone as by reproofes & rough speaches hee hath affraighted vs , and humbled our hearts , he being touched with their dolours , is so moved , that hee can no more refraine from discovering himselfe vnto vs , he cryeth out to our soules I am Ioseph , Genes. 45. 4. J am Iesus your brother ; come neere to mee I pray you :

* Before this bee done all our ill devises lyke the Aegyptians must remoue , Note . and pack themselues to the doore ; * As Ioseph would not reveale himselfe vnto his brethren , Note . so long as the Aegyptians were into the chamber of the house , neither will Christ reveale himselfe in mercy to the soule , so long as the black Aegyptians of reigning sinnes remaine within the house of our hearts .

* Againe let vs consider heere those men did only follow Christ for loaues : Note . They sought nothing but bread , and yet behold heere they get better than bread , viz. instructions from CHRIST , first what they should not labour for , Secondly what they should labour for .

The doctrine is this , The doctrine . what ever consideration moveth a man to follow Christ , it is good ever to follow Christ . Those men followed him only for their belly , and behold how hee feedeth their soules by the preaching of the word , instructing them for what they should not labour , and for what they should labour .

* J am assured that Christ never preached , Note . but some soule gat good . Hee who made poore fisher men fishors of men , Mark . 1. 17. could best fish men himselfe . The Apostles might cast their nets , and catch nothing : but Christ never toiled without any taking : Though at the beginning , while CHRIST preached vpon my text , his auditors cared for nothing but their belly : J am assured that before his Sermon was ended ; some of them cast their bellyes behind their backs , for to seeke the food of their * There is not a preaching preached but some gracious pickle falleth vpon some heart , Note . lyke well prepared ground . Note . * The preaching of the word is like sowing , when the sower hath put his sheete about his necke , he casteth the seed from him , not thinking that every pickle that commeth ' out of his hand shall take root : No not : Some fall vpon stones , some vpon the way , some among thornes ; scarsly doth the fourth pickle of that which was sowen come to the sheafe , for the hope of the fourth pickle the sower will bee content to losse three , the fourth by its incresse , being able to cause him sing , Psal. 126. 6. when he shall bring his sheaues with him . * As the sower singeth for joy while he reapeth the incresse but of the fourth , Note . so must the Teacher be glad if every fourth word of his sermon doe good , if the fourth person be touched : yea , which is more ; as GOD for the loue of one would haue spared lerusalem , so the Teacher for the loue of one , though in all his flock he should haue but one good man , yet for the loue of that one , let him cast his seede of instruction , rebuke & comfort . Christ heere preached vnto Belly-Gods doubtlesse , for the winning of some from the loue of their belly vnto the loue of their soule : This much concerning the men whom Christ teached at Capernaum .

Now let vs consider well his doctrine in the verse which we haue red . Heere first he letteth them see , what they should not doe , secondly what they should doe : Labour not for meat that perisheth , but laboour for the meat that will endure & feed your souls to lyfe eternal . Note . * As if he should haue said , if yee doe the one yee can not doe the other , if yee haue your heart vpon the world , yee can not be carefull for the Heavens , if yee labour for belly-cheere , yee will neglect the soules food , and therefore my counsell is that yee labour not for the meate that perisheth .

The doctrine is this , Note . It is not possible that our hearts can doe a duetie to God , The doctrine . if they be too bent vpon any worldly thing : Caelum cupere nequimus nisi prius terra sordescat , wee can not desire the Heavens , till the earth seeme vile vnto vs . The heart of man will die if it bee cloven or halfed . Jf one serue two masters , one of the two shall bee displeased ; wee can not with our eyes behold the Heavens and the earth together : wee can not looke to the east with the one eye , and to the west with the other at one tyme : wee are not able to think that wee are into two places together . Note . * Two severall thoughts equally intended can not dwell together in one heart at one time . Should any tyme bee wherein the thought of any worldly thing should over-master within our hearts the thoughts of our God ? Note . Shall the spirit of God stand like a Page for to waite vpon thy worldly cogitations , which●all should bee servants to the least motions of that spirit ? God that made the world before thou was , will not bee a servant to waite vpon the world which should waite vpon him . A freeman will not be a drudge vnto his slaue : Many thinke themselues free of this sinne , but are not so indeede .

* A man may try the trueth of this in his sleepe , Note . and that by his dreames , which as Salomon saith , Eccles. 5. 3. come through the multitude of businesse : As a man is exercised in the day , so will his thoughts bee in the night . If the world runne in our mynd all the day long , it will certainely lodge with vs all night : In our sleepe it will barre out the motions of grace .

The vse of this doctrine : The vse . Let vs striue to giue God his owne : The whole heart is Gods , the whole man is Gods ; seeing all is his , let him haue all to whom all belongeth , and who is most worthy of it .

* Jf Cesar get that which is Cesars , Note . shall God want that which is Gods ? The heart must not halt betweene God and Baal , as though men would giue to God , to the deuill the flesh and the world their day about .

But what is this that is said into my Texte ? labour not ( saith Christ ) for the meat which perisheth .

Heere be good tydinges for many folkes : Note . * It would seeme heere that Christ dischargeth all trades and callinges and that he giueth all the world the vacance and the play :

* If the Master of the Schoole should every morning , nay but every afternoone say to his Schollers , close your bookes , pine not your selues any more , it is eneugh read , they would think euery after-noone like a lubile : Heere then be good newes for sluggards : heere is an excuse for all these that are ydle . Behold the LORDS Command : Labour not for the meate which perisheth : Heere is an inhibition served against all sort of worldly labour : What then will yee say , doth CHRIST forbid men to labour ? Shall this be a warrand from CHRIST for all men to sit idle .

Indeed if this so strictly taken , were true ; the Trevants , sluggards , and idle Drones would labour , yea , fight for to maintai●e the trueth of this Text. What then ? Doeth CHRIST discharge men to labour ?

No not . Note . * When CHRIST said to his Disciples , sleepe on now , they never had so little cause to sleepe , Mark . 14. 41. nor so great cause to wake : Consider what I say : CHRIST never teached men to sit idle : Note : * What ever thou be , were thou a King , thou must labour . It is the King of Heavens precept to all the Sonnes of Adam : Sixe dayes shall thou labour : woe to thee that is idle , for who is idle , he is in the Schoole of wickednesse learning to doe ill , nihil agendo malè agere discimus , by doing nothing wee learne to doe ill . The Soules of men are like waters , putrescunt ni moveantur , they stink except that they be moved : All men must labour : Note . * The law is fixed , that all the sonnes of Adam must picke their crummes out of the cloddes with the sweat of their browes : Gen. 3. 19. woe to thee that loyters while thou should labour : Arise sluggard Vp , vp , with the chirping of the birds : labour , sweate for thy meate ; otherwise if thou eate , the curse of God shall goe downe into thy belly , Numb. 5. 27. like the waters of jealousie , which shall make thy bellie to swell and thy thigh to rotte . Thou will say to mee , Note . I am a gentle-man : and what should I doe ? Was not Adam a gentle-man , who was the King of the whole earth , the deare darling of God before his fall ? And yet even before hee sinned , GOD would not haue him to sit ydle : naye his Calling was to bee a Gardener : Scripture ●aith , And the Lord God tooke the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dresse it , Gen. 2. 15. and to keepe it : But after that hee had sinned , the Lord laide a harder taske vpon him : In the sweate of thy face , Gen. 3. 1● . said the Lord , shalt thou eate bread : And yet in that time , if any sinfull man might bee called a gentle-man , hee was one as being the first father of the old World : Note . * Was not Noah a gentleman ? was hee not the first father of the newe World ? Gen. ● . 20. and yet hee laboured in a vine-yeard : Scripture calleth him a husband man . Was not Iacob a gentle-man ? and yet hee keept sheepe : Note . * Was not CHRIST a gentle-man ? and yet hee laboured for his meate with Ioseph , the Carpenter , Mark . 6. 3. hee being a Carpenter himselfe : Hee then who both laboured himselfe and commanded others to labour sixe dayes in the Weeke , forbiddeth not men to labour heere : what can thou doe , nothing ? heare what a great and godly man of our Nation said to ydle drones : Note . * Call mucke creeles : Hast thou not heard mee ? I say it againe Call mucke creeles . What is it then that hee forbiddeth heere , will you saye : Note . * I answere the labour which Christ dischargeth heere , is , that which is done with a carkeing care and excessive desire of any thing belowe : When the desire of worldly things is more in our mind than spirituall things , when wee are more bent to get them than the spirituall , then are wee such labourers as are discharged in my Text.

* The French word which heere signifieth labour , Note . giveth some light to this : In the French Bible it is travaillez : As the learned French writers thinke travailler , is , as who should say tres-veiller , that is in Latine , pervigilare , to be almost altogether without sleepe , according to that of the Poet.

Nam vigilare leve est , pervigilare grave .

* This labour then that is heere forbidden concerning worldly things , Note . is , a labour that letteth not a man sleepe , but night and day taketh vp all the thoughts of his heart : while he lyeth downe at even , the world is in his mind , the last of all his thoughts , and the first in the morning : This labour is excessiue care , which the Pagans to the shame of Christians haue placed into the gorge pipe of hell .

— Primisque in faucibus Orci Luctus & vltrices posuere cubilia curae .

* Take heede to this , Note . yee sonnes of men , If the cares of the worlde take the sleepe from you , yee are certainely labourers , but not in the LORD his vine-yard : looke not for a hire from the LORD for such labour : your mindes are so distracted with worldly cares , that yee cannot labour for the Lord , which is the chiefe labour that is profitable to the soule : Vnwise is hee who laboureth so for the body , that hee neglecteth the soule : The counsell of Bernard , is notable concerning this

* Ad laborem cum veneris , Note . sic temperabis opus agendum , vt solicitudo operis intentione animi tui ab ijs quae Dei sunt , non avertat , that is , When thou beginnest to labour , temper so the worke , that the care thereof distract thee not from the things of GOD : such a labour what ever day it bee vpon , were it vpon wedensday , is a breaking of the Lords sabbath : * The whole weeke is a Sabbath , Note : a time of rest from such labour : Were it to gather stickes with excessiue care vpon Wednesdaye , is as who should worke vpon Sunday : * The one heere is as well forbidden in the Gospell , Note . as the other was in the law , yea and that more strictly : * For vnder the law the Priestes might profane the sabbath and bee blamelesse , Note . that is , Mat. 12. 5. they might labour by killing of beastes for sacrifice : But in this Sabbath of the Gospell which is a rest from carking care , no labour of that kind is permitted for any consideration .

The doctrine I obserue heere , The doctrine . is this : There bee many labourers in this world who are discharged to labour : This world is full of such labour : Note . * The most part of men sweate in this vine-yard : Most men seeke more after earthly trashes , than after heavenly treasures . Note . * That this is true , I shall by one argument inforce it vpon your consciences : Tell mee I pray you , if his Maiestie should cause proclaime at your crosse , that who in Burgh and Barronie should come to the Church-yard at such a houre , they should haue both their houses and lands made free for their lifetime , and that without any cost : and that who came not should bee depriued of the gift : Alas who would amongst you be absent ? * The creples who haunt not the LORD his house would clinch out vpon their stilts : The blind wold be feet to the creples , and the Creples would bee eyes to the blind : O what a congregation should bee seene ! I thinke that neither Church , nor Church-yarde should bee able to containe the multitude : Note . * But alas doe men so labour for the graces of GOD ? There is not a preaching but while the Bell ringeth it cryeth , Come to GOD his house and receiue a Kingdome , come and receiue grace and glory : But I appeale to your owne Conscience how little a businesse will hinder you from comming for to receiue such offers .

* Mother Martha hath many Note . Children which troubleth themselues Luk. 10 : 43●● about many things , but fewe can learn of Marie to make choise of the best part , which shall never bee taken from them : I compare worldly men to great gluttonous fish ; they follow after GOD his benefits , as they follow after the Schooles of herring ; where such Schooles are to bee found there are they . Note . * Men for the most part are like the Ravens , feading vpon the stinking carions of horse , dogs , and cats , whereas like Royall Eagles , they should conveene about the body of IESVS , according to that saying of CHRIST , Math. 24. 28. wheresoever the carcase is , there will the Eagles bee gathered together : Eagles flie to CHRIST , but Ravens runne to Carions .

An Objection .

But heere some may object and say , what needed CHRIST to teach those men , not to labour for their meate ? It would seeme that they followed him for to eschue labour : They had seene how with fiue bread he had fed fiue thousand , and that of the fragments were twelue basket full . For this cause it would appeare they followed CHRIST for bread , because they came easily by it without any labour : It might seeme that CHRIST should rather haue said , yee are but idle sluggards following mee for loaues ; Returne home to your house , and worke for your meate , labour , labour .

The Answere .

I answere , that this labour whereof CHRIST dischargeth them , is to bee vnderstood of the labouring of the mind : A carking care , an earnest and ardent desire more than is competent for any worldly thing , either for to obtaine it , or to keepe it , is that which is heere discharged .

* I will put foorth a Paradoxe : Note . There bee many idle men who labour more for the meate which perisheth , then these labourers , that in most painefull labour winne their bread with the sweat of their browes : But how can that bee ?

The reason is , an ydle man may bee a covetous man : Note . The greedy desire of his heart to haue that which hee wanteth , is the labour that is heere forbidden by the LORD : There bee none so busie at this forbidden labour , as some who are stark idle : They abstaine from the lawfull labour of the body , while their mindes vnlawfully labour with laborious desires after things which perish . Note . * Thus as hee who beeing his alone , said , that hee was never lesse his alone , than when hee was alone , so may I say of such idle drones , they labour not so much , as when they labour none : Note . * Many while they are most idle , they are least idle , for while their body is idle , they labour with ill desires .

Let vs in the words of my text obserue the wisedome of CHRIST : The auditours of his Sermon , were men addicted vnto their belly , to filthy panch pleasures : Behold heere according as hee saw their sinne , he fitted his reproofe , discharging them to bee so carefull for perishing things . Note .

* Heere is a doctrine of wisedome for all Pastours , where the boile is putrified , The doctrine . there must they launce : Those men had a boile in the belly : The Lord IESVS seeing it ripe , launced it with a reproofe . Note .

* Wee all by nature from the Crown to the Sole are full of boiles and sores , Note . which draw to a head , which is the predominant sinne .

* Some haue the boile vpon the brow , Ier. 3. ● . which scripture calleth a whoores fore-head . Note .

* Others haue the botch in the neck , Note . which maketh them stretch out their necks with loftie lookes : Note . * This was the sore of the daughters of Zion , Isa: 3. 16 17. they walked with outstreched necks ; for this cause the LORD plagued them with scabbed crownes : 2. Pet. 2. 14. Others haue sore eyes , whose eyes are full of adulterie : Note . * Others haue scabbed eares , which Scripture calleth itching eares : 2 : Tim. 4. 3. Others haue the water-canker in their mouth , which quencheth not , Note . but rather kindleth on the tongue the fire of Hell : Iam 3. 6. Note . * In nothing fire and water can agree but in the hellish mouth , wherein is a scolding tongue , sparkling out the spittle of despight : Note . Some haue a boile in the throate , whose throat is an open sepulchre , Psal. 5. 10. blasting out the most vile belchs of blasphemie : Note . * Others haue vnder the arme hole , the boile or brooke of ill thoughts : Note . * Some haue the boile on the back , which is costly clothing : Note . * Others like the men of our text , haue the boile on the belly , which is gluttonie : Passe from the crowne to the Sole , from the Catarres of the fingers , vnto the gout of the feete . Thus as yee see in man there is nothing sound from crowne to sole ; but in some the corruption within breaketh out more in one part than in another : Note . * Some persons predominant sinne is the whores fore-head , launce that the day , and let out the putrefaction before thou presume to come to morrow to this holy table : Note . * Some haue eyes full of Adulterie ; cast out that vncleannesse before thou looke vpon the LORDS bread : Note . * Thou whose mouth is cankred with scolding , hold out thy tongue to thy GOD , and request him to launce by his spirit and his word , that thy tongue , now thy shame , Psal. 30. 12. may become thy glory : * Thou whose throat hath beene full of botches , hold vp the gorge-pipe to the LORD , intreating him to cleanse it from its sepulchrall corruptions : Note . * Thou who hast vnder thy arme hole a bag of putrified thoughts , away with them , cast the care of backe and belly vpon the LORD : Note . * Thy care may canker thy sores , but the Lords care shall cure them● .

Thus as yee see by nature we are but vile and abhominable bodies : Let vs consider our selues to day : Let vs view our predominant sinnes with all their Dominions , Note . even the lesser sinnes : let vs behold our selues to day in the glasse of God his law , let vs seeke out our sores from the crowne to the sole , and wee shall see whether or not wee bee pleasant guests for to sit downe at the King of HEAVEN his table .

Another doctrine I obserue heere concerning those men who followed CHRIST for loaues : The doctrine . This is it ; * Seeing such a number ranne after CHRIST , Note . an abject man in the world , and that but for loaues , what would they haue done to another for dainties and delicate cheere ?

* See how a loafe will make a belly-god to follow after a man like a dogge : Note . If the giver haue but a naturall benefite of the worth of a loafe , hee needeth no more to a naturall man but a hisse . Seeing such men will thus follow for loanes , what would they doe for Kingdomes ?

* Satan thought that CHRIST had beene a man come to seeke himselfe in the world , Note : and therefore for to allure him to come to his service , hee offered him all the kingdomes of the world : But CHRIST who knew what hee had in Heaven , Math. 4. 9. chased Sathan away with all his earthly kingdomes .

* The vse of this Doctrine is , Note . that we follow the LORD for nothing so much as for himselfe : The vse . Indeede all his benefits should allure vs to followe him , but the maine cause of our followeing should bee himselfe ; Note . * I am that I am should bee followed , Exod. 3. 14. for that which hee is .

In their followeing Christ for loaues , The doctrine . for which they were reproued , I gather a Doctrine of greate reproofe for Scotland ; While wee heare of those men that followed Christ onely for loaues ; like Dogges , followeing a man for bread , yee thinke not well of them , and indeede they are branded heere with a shamefull reproch , that they followed the Lord more for bread than for himselfe .

But what if wee find more matter of shame in Scotland than was in Capernaum . Those that came to Capernaum followed the Lord , because he gaue to them aboundance of bread : Note . * Scotland hath runne a way from the Lord because hee hath giuen to them aboundance of bread : diuerse called his blessings the plague of plentie the whole land gruged at the graces of God : many not onely gaue not thankes to the Father of mercies , but cried that hee would curse their mother the earth : that henceforth she should become barren . Note . * Wee haue dishonoured God our Father , we haue cursed our Mother in this Land , and all this was because God had multiplied our loaues : Note . * In this wee are worse than those of Capernaum : for aboundance of meat made them to follow after Christ , but aboundance of meate hath made vs to runne away from Christ : Except that particularly wee repent vs of this Sinne the Lord either by another Famine more fearefull then ever we did feele , or by some forraine warre shall so depriue vs of our plentie , and scourge vs with such a scarcitie which shall make all the eares of EVROPE to tingle .

Are there any Mothers in this land more tender hearted than were the mothers of Israel , the daughters of Sarah ? Yet some of them in their hunger , did eate their owne Children : * The little ones came to their mother , Note . with a pitifull voice , crying , Where is breade and drinke ? Lam. 2. 12. and after swoned and than died : That done the tender hearted mothers , did eate the tender flesh of their yong Children , which they nourished on their breasts : Note . * That which they before had fedde nine moueth into their bellys , they put into their mouths and stomacks for the feeding of their bellyes ; Note . * Yea the mother which for the distresse of Famine , had parted with child , tooke vp the child that was of a spanne long which she did eate in her great distresse : Lam. 2. 20. Note . * O what a scarcitie behoved this to bee which made the naturall mother , so farre to passe the bounds of nature , and all for a spanne long of flesh .

This moued leremie the man that sawe those afflictions to cry , Note . My eyes doe faile with teares , Lam. 2. 11. my bowels are troubled , my liver is powred vpon the earth .

Because wee haue not seene such afflictions , wee thinke that such can not bee , neither haue beene , but that the lamentations of God his Booke are but fained Tragedies , or painted Sorrowes invented for to make others to mourne at the reading and seeing thereof , like Children that will weepe at the hearing of a pitifull tale .

The meate which perisheth :

LET vs now take good heed how the Lord heere calleth all this worlds cheare , hee calleth it the meate which perisheth : Note . * Christ speaking of all the meat that entereth in at the mouth , that it passeth out againe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Math. 15. 17. that is to say , is cast out into the draught , a filthie place called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , à seorsum sedendo , from mans sitting a part farre from all companie .

Take heed then , All this meat which we eate is said by Christ , to goe to the draught a place of secret filthinesse : In this place of my text it is called the meat which perisheth .

Let vs dwell a space vpon the consideration of those wordes . The meat for the belly which is said heere to perish , Note . perisheth many wayes . * First it perisheth , even in the pleasure & delectable taste thereof : Be it bee past the throate , the taste is away , and leaveth nothing behind it , but a regrate that it would not continue : * Some knowing the shortnes of their Note . throate , sup the strong drinke , and roll the sweet morsell vpon their tongue ; for by this meanes to make the perishing meat eternall : And yet man can not attaine to that whereat hee would be : All his wiles faile him , and doe what hee can , he findeth it to bee meat which perisheth : Though his throat were a mile long , at last peribit , it shall passe thorow : Last of all the greater man his pleasure was in tasting , after the tast is past , the greater sorrowe doeth ensue : * This is that which maketh men to come more sadde from bankets than when they goe to them : Note . They are more rejoyced with the hope of a promised pleasure , than with the pleasure it selfe : Many are more glad before they come to the house of feasting in hope of good cheere , then when they are at table enjoying that which they hoped , because neither find they such pleasure as they looked for , and though they found more , yet this is their sorrow ; all this pleasure will last but for a short space , the dinner with man his appetite not beeing able to last so long as an houre .

* What shall I say then ? Note . All such pleasure are as Moses called our life , viz. psal. 90. 9 as a tale that is told : Note . * At the beginning of a tale , men hearken with some delight : a little after they wearie ; but at last , they turne themselues with a tush , that is but a tale , Is that it all ?

* As in meate , so in all sorts of worldly pleasures : Note . When they are done and perished , what can men say , but is this it all , wherefore a man should losse his silver , his freinds , his credit , his name , his soule , and his salvation ? What a foole haue I beene to haue spent all my rents & houses into good cheere ? All the taste now thereof is away : All that meate and drinke are perished and gone .

* Another againe will say , Note . What a foole haue I beene to runne after the pleasures of my flesh , by blotting my good name , by scandalizing GOD his people , by shewing ill example , and by provoking my GOD to wrath ? Is this all that I haue bought at so

did eate another after that , for that same night his Soule was taken from him : Luke . 12. 20. Foole , ( said the voice from Heaven , ) this night thy Soule shall be taken from thee .

The doctrine The doctrine . I obserue heere , is , that there is nothing that is permanent heere below . Note . * There is nothing so stable in this world , but it is followed with a Page , called perish . That which is said heere of bread , may bee said of any other worldly things : Of all that wee see may bee said , it shall perish : What is the glory of this lyfe ? What becommeth of it .

Praeterit , imo fugit , non fugit , imo perit .

It passeth by , it flieth away , yea , which is most , Note . it perisheth : What is pleasure but a perishing thing , that is purchased with paines ? What is riches , and what is hee that is rich ? all perishing things : Iam. 1. 1● . The Sunne with its heate withereth , the grasse and the flower thereof falleth , and the grace of the fashion perisheth ; so shall all the rich men fade away in his wayes .

* What is honour ? Note . To day a King , to morrow a carrion : Behold Ne●uchadnezar a King to day , Dan. 4. 33 and amongst the Oxen to morrow : Heere to day is Pharoh , Exod. 14. 21. a proud man in his Chariot , and drowned to morrow in the sea . Hearken and heare Herod , Act. 12. 22. now arrayed in royall apparell , speaking like a god , behold him at once eaten with vermine .

I can not winne thorow all particulars ; but let vs looke what men loue best , and that they shall find to perish . Note . * What is man his approbation , and all this worlds applause ? What is it but a blast of wind , now blowing from the east ; and againe the wind is turned cleane contrarie from the east to the west : To day I heare Hosanna , Hosanna , Mark . 11. 10. to morrow nothing but Crucifie , Crucifie , Luke . 23. 11.

* All the things of this world which are most lyked of , Note . are but transitorie tras●es : Let wicked men dreame of immortalitie in things belowe , all their best things their triumphes and their joyes , with all their excellencie , are but shewes and perishing shadowes which haue no abode : Iob : 20. 5 : The triumphing of the wicked ( said Zophar , ) is short , v. ● and the joye of the wicked but for a moment : Though his excellencie mount vp to the Heavens and his head reach vnto the cloud , v. 7. yet hee shall perish for ever , like his owne doung : v. ● . They which haue seene him shall say where is hee ? Hee shall flie away as a dreame and shall not bee found : yea hee shall he chased away as the vision of the night : Thus as yee see all things are but earthly things which perish ▪ Note . * And which is more those Heavens which yee see so glorious , are not endowed with an everlasting vertue : No not : The vertues of the heavens shall bee shaken ; Mat. 24. 29. and as for the heavens them●elves , Psal: 10. 2● ▪ the Psalmist is plaine . They shall perish , yea , all of them shall waxe olde like a garment .

* The vse of this doctrine is twofold : first , The vse . seeing all things below are so transitorie , let vs not with carking care conquesse the things that will not abide with vs : Why should we toile too much for to seeke those things which nill wee , will wee , shall perish ? let vs not be too earnest to seeke any worldly thing which wee want , seeing after that we haue gotten it , it will not abide in vs : ye would thinke him a foole that would goe gather water in a sieue , or fathome the wind : Though wee could grippe the Heavens , and have the commandment of the two great iewelles of HEAVEN , the Sunne and Moone , What should wee haue but things that should perish ? Psal. 102. 26. They shall perish .

Secondly as wee should not labour too earnestly to conquesse any worldly thing , The vse . neither should we be too carefull to keepe any thing , which either wee or others for vs haue conquessed : Note . * Let men doe their honest duetie , but let them not labour for to keepe that which hath Wings .

* I compare all worldly things in mens hands to a Wild Sparrowe put into a Child his hand : Note . Hee will hold it by the wing , and whiles by the foot , and whiles by the neb : But in the meanetime while hee is least aware , it flieth out of his hand and for all the annuell of his pleasures , yea both for stocke and brocke , hee hath nothing left but a regrate of losse . Note .

* So long as worldly thinges are stobfeathered , and haue as wee say but the padocke haire , they will lye still into our hands , for a space they will tarie with vs ; But tarrie a little till their feathers bee growne and they shall take themselves to their flight : Note . * Some are more prime running away with the Tewcheit or lapwing so soone as they are hatched : They leaue not so much behind them as the shell wherein they were contained : When the foolish man thinketh to find a full nest , all the birds of his hope are away , and not so much as the shell of appearance left behind .

* Mercifull God what a stupiditie is this ? Note . wee see this dayly , and yet wee can not considder : wee see others make such losse , wee see all sorts of things perire , to perish , and passe thorow , and yet wee think that what wee haue , shall for ever tarrie with vs . Note : * I compare most men to keene players at Cardes and Dyce , They see others spend all their packe before them , and yet they can not dreame that their packe can perish . This folie is seene in a greater matter more worthie to be laid to our hearts . * Wee heare of death dayly , Note . and will not bee wakened out of our immortall dreame : If men would well considder the mortalitie of this life : Iam. 4. 14. and how it is but a vapour and as a tale that is told they would not so toile for a tale , Psal. 90. 9. labouring night and day with carking cares for things which shall perish and flie away as a dreame . Iob. 20. 8.

One word before I end : Dearely beloved , yee haue heard how I in my weake measure of gift , haue beene like * Iohn the Baptist this day , Note . preparing the way of the LORD , by removing out of your hearts : the thornie cares of all worldly things , that to morrow yee may bee worthy communicants , and that the KING of Glory may enter into your hearts .

Now I exhort you in the name of IESUS , that this whole day ye carefully , and painefully , labour in the preparation of your hearts , that to morrow yee may bee worthie guests at the table of your LORD : Labour this day I intreat you to search out all your sins of thoughts , words , & works , whereof yee are guiltie since yee can remember : Note . * Labour to search what good or ill intentions yee haue for times to come , and what sorrow yee haue for your bygone ill spent lyfe : Labour , labour in this ; This is GOD his worke , and woe to him that shall doe it negligently .

* Wee must first then labour for to trye out our sinnes , Note . after that we haue found them out , wee must mourne for them , wee must confesse them , abhorre them , detest them , and wrestle with GOD in prayer , till hee seale vp the pardon thereof into our hearts : Note . * Wee must in this our preparation day , labour to shake off vs all the old clouts and ragges of our sinnes , and to put on vs , all our spirituall jewels , that therewith bee-beeing decked , wee may come to morrow to the royall feast of the great King .

* Brethren and Sisters , I intreat you to considder , that this day of our preparation , must be a day of painefull labouring with God for his favour , for the sanctifieng of our soules , that worthily wee may come to that royall feast : seeing CHRIST and his ANGELS will bee at the table , for to behold and considder vs to morrowe , wee must this day carefully wash , deck , and trimme ourselues , that wee may be pleasant in their presence , where such heavenly eyes shall behold us .

All this day must bee spent in such labour . * If idlely we neglect this duetie , wee haue to feare a more painefull labour , viz. laborare morbo the hard labour of God his wrath and of many painfull and fearefull diseases ; yea , and death it selfe : For this cause , 1. Cor. 11. 30. saith the Apostle , Many are weake and sickly amongst you , and many sleepe .

The LORD graunt that everie one of vs may in sinceritie of heart labour to prepare , and purifie our selues , and that according to the purification of the Sanctuary . Amen , 2. Chron. 19. Amen .

A WATCH-WORD FOR ALL COMMVNICANTS , BEFORE THEY come to the supper of the LORD .

AS for you Brethren and Sisters that are to communicate , to morrow yee shall see the remembrance of that , which the Sunne in the Heavens could not behold for doole , viz. the bloody passion of our LORD .

* This passion was so sore , Note . that the Sunne , Luke . 23. 45. the eye of the world overclouded himselfe , and as it were winked , vntill the vnspeakable torments of CHRISTS death were past ; then were the Heavens covered with a vaile of sacke ; then the earth shooke : Note . * The stones , the bones of the earth were rent at the racking of the bones of GOD , the rememberance whereof should make hearts of stone to cleaue asunder .

To morrow , deare Brethren and Sisters we are for to eate with Christ : * Yea tomorrow wee are for to ●ate of Christ , Note . who is both the feast and the Feast-maker : To morrow wee are all for to sit at his table , where he will narrowly behold and clearely consider the faces of our soules , and therefore wee must take care this day that our Soules bee washen and baptized with the truest teares of repentance . * I read of Iames and Iohn , while they were vnchristned men , for to speake so , that is , not baptized , they desired the one to sit at CHRISTS right hand , and the other at his left : But the LORD told them , that before such sitting downe , it behoved them to bee baptized with the baptisme of afflictions : Math. 20. 22. Hee and hee onely that is partaker of this Baptisme to day , shall bee made partaker of GODS Supper to morrow . As for these that are not baptized with teares of griefe before they sit downe at Table , the LORD hath sworne that they shall not partake of his feast : Note . * They may well eate panem Domini the LORDS bread , but they shall never taste panem Dominum , the LORD bread .

It shall therefore bee our wisdome , that everie one of vs bee busie to prepare his owne heart , to decke & trim his soule before hee approach vnto this TABLE , for to appeare before his GOD : Note . * As Ioseph was trimmed and powled , Genes. 41. 14. before he would appeare before Pharaoh , so must euery soule haue the Wedding garment , Math. 22. 11. before it present it selfe before the LORD at his Banket .

Take heede what I say : This day is our preparation day : A day wherein wee must provide that wherewith wee must come before the LORD to morrow : Micah . 6. 6 Note . * If wee doe well , this day must be vnto vs all a very painefull day , even a day of Battell against all the pleasures that ever wee had in sinne , since we could discerne good from ill : In this day wee must trye and search carefully all the secrets of our hearts : Note . * This is the time wherein wee must keepe an Assise against our selues , both for to judge and condemne our selues : Note . * In a word , wee must all take such paines in sifting out all our bypast iniquities , that the LORD may say of vs , as hee said of the woman that broke the Boxe of ointment vpon his head , Mark . 14. 8 Shee hath done what shee could .

Good Brethren and Sisters ! What yee can doe , doe : What yee can not doe , pray GOD to doe it , and to pardon you your impossibility : Note . * I beleeue , Mar. 9. 24 ( said that poore man with teares , that is all that I can doe ; ) but I beleeue not as I should , and therefore LORD helpe thou myne vnbeleefe . Let vs all bee earnest to intreat GOD to giue vs grace to doe what wee can doe , and what wee can not doe that hee would pitie vs , and pardon vs .

I reade that in the dayes of Hezekiah , a number of the people which had not cleansed themselues , did eate the Passcover otherwise then it was written ; But what befell them ? I pray you : Many of them were troubled with sore sickenesse : Note . * But how were they cured of these diseases ? It is said that Hezekiah prayed for them : The good LORD , ( said hee ) pardon every one , that prepareth his heart to seeke GOD , 2. Chron. 30. 18. 19. the LORD GOD of his Fathers , though hee bee not cleansed , according to the purification of the Sanctuary . Now what was the fruite of that prayer ? This was it , v. ●o . The LORD hearkned to Hezekiah , and healed the people .

That which the Passover was to them , the LORDS Supper is vnto vs , even a Sacrament appointed by GOD , for the sealing vp of our Salvation : If wee eate this supper otherwise then it is written , let vs looke for diverse diseases : For this cause , ( saith the Apostle , ) 1. Corin. 〈◊〉 . 30. Many are weake and sickely amongst you , and many sleepe , that is , die . Let vs therefore , as we would desire our bodies health , and our soules Salvation , prepare ourselues to meete the LORD to morrow : There is none of vs I confesse , that can prepare himselfe , according to the preparation of the Sanctuary , nor cleanse himselfe according to its purification , No Soule can bee so well prepared and purified , as GOD in his Sanctuary requireth . Note . * But this I dare be bold to say , that the good LORD shall pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seeke GOD ; though hee bee not so cleansed , as the purification of the Sanctuary requireth .

GODS word is plaine , that GOD is mercifull : Hee hath sworne by his life , that He deligteth not in the death of sinners . Note . * He hath sent his word for to tell vs , 1. Cor. 11. 31. that If wee will judge our selues , wee shall not bee judged . * Yea such is his mercy , Note . that while wee are chastised with sicknesse or death for our carelesse preparation , he maketh all that to worke to our well , for when wee are judged , wee are chastened of the Lord ; 1. Cor. 11. 32. that wee should not bee condemned with the world .

Now good people , not knowing if ever after this yee shall heare or I teach another Preparation Sermon in this place , let me conclude all with that adew of St. Paul , said to the elders of Ephesus at Miletum , Act. 20. 32. I commend you to GOD and to the word of his grace which is able to build you vp , and to giue you an inheritance amongst all them that are sanctified .

Passe the rest of this day in a serious meditation of your owne miserie , and of the bloodie agonie of IESUS our Master , Gal. 3. 13. who out of loue to vs hang vpon a cursed tree for to purchase vnto vs the everlasting blessings of his Father : To whom with the Sonne of his loue , and with the Spirit of Comforts , bee Glory and Majestie , Dominion , and Power , now , and ever . Amen ,

A SERMON FOR THE DAY OF THE SACRAMENT . IOHN . 6. v. 27. Labour not for the meate which perisheth , but for the meate which endureth to everlasting lyfe , which the Sonne of man shall giue vnto you , for Him hath GOD the FATHER sealed .

THIS TEXT in my former Sermon was divided into a Fast and a Feast : First heere is a Fast , and then a Feast : The fast is from carking care , Labour not for the meate which perisheth : Fast from that : The feast is for the soule , a banket of meate which feedeth to life everlasting ; Feast vpon that : Take paines and labour for it .

This whole TEXT seemeth to runne vpon a Sabbath of rest , and vpon fore working and labour .

The first part is a Sabbath and rest from labours , Labour not for the meate which perisheth : The second hath a commandement of worke , Labour for the meate which endureth to lyfe everlasting .

As for GOD his Sabbath which is a discharge of labour , a resting from toiling , I read in Scriptures of three sortes therof .

First there is one on earth enjoyned by GOD his law , a day of rest : In it , ( saith GOD , ) thou shalt doe no manner of worke : Exod. 20. 10. This is the lawes Sabbath .

The second is the Gospel Sabbath , which is a continuall resting from carking cares : This is enjoyned heere , labour not for the meate , &c. This precept is for our whole lifetime : * There is not one day of the weeke that GOD will dispense with any for to labour in this sort . Note .

The third Sabbath is in●o the heavens , an eternall rest from all worldly toiling , and sweat of browes , the paines of sinne : of all that are there , is said that they are blessed : Reval . 14. 13. yea saith the spirit for thy rest from their labours .

As there bee three sortes of rest , first of the law , secondly of the Gospell , Thirdly of the HEAVENS , so there bee three sortes of labour : first there is one enioyned by the law , a labour laide vpon all the sonnes of Adam ; to them it is enioyned sixe dayes in the weeke to winne their meat with the sweat of their browes : * Cursed is that meat , Note . which is not sawsed with sweete : Bitter is that bread which is not sweetned with the sweete of browes .

The Second labour is , Gospell labour , a continuall labour . Labour for the meat which endureth : This is enjoyned in the second part of this Text : This is our spirituall exercise painfull to flesh and blood in the best .

The third labour , is Heauenly , which shall bee our exercise in the life to come : Note . * That labour shall bee sweete without sweate , pleasant without paine : This labour is an everlasting praising of GOD without ceasing , which is so easy and so pleasant to the praisers that Scripture calleth it a resting from our labours . Rom. 14. 13.

It is of the second sorte of labour , whereof wee haue heere the command : it is an Evangelicall labour which is heere commanded by the LORD : labour , ( saith hee ) for the meate which endureth to everlasting lyfe : which the sonne of man shall giue vnto you , for him hath GOD the Father sealed .

The division of the words .

In these wordes , I perceiue three chiefe things to bee considered , 1. for what wee should chiefely labour , viz. for the meate which endureth to everlasting life . 2. who is the giver of this meate , it is the sonne of man , in these wordes which the sonne of man shall giue vnto you . 3. Wee haue to consider who did appointe him for that office , it is set downe in these words , for him hath GOD the Father sealed .

THE FIRST PART . For what wee should chiefly labour .

FIRST of all let vs consider for what wee are commanded heere to labour , labour ( saith CHRIST , ) for the meate which endureth , &c.

First obserue heere the wisedome of CHRIST , secondly the corruption of our nature .

In this appeareth heere the wisdome of CHRIST , The doctrine . in that after hee hath discharged men to labour for that which is not worthy their labour , hee clearly letteth them see for what aboue all things they should labour : This is wisedome first to take ill away , and then to put good into the place thereof . CHRIST first heere taketh ill out of the way , before hee bring in that which is good : Hee dischargeth toiling for worldly thinges , before hee speake of spirituall labour : A wise man will not sowe amongst thornes : Worldly cares are but thornes . Note . * CHRIST heere with labour not , as with a pruning knife , sneddeth away such pricking briers ; that done , he commeth to the maine point , declaring for what all men should labour , this is wisedome .

The vse : Let vs learne wisedome , The vse . whether wee bee Teachers or Scholers , let this ever bee our first motion to take first evill out of the way : The weeds must bee first rooted , before wee sowe good seede .

* Before the goodnesse of CHRIST can dwell into vs , Note . there must first bee a preparation of the way in the wildernesse of our hearts . This was the vse of Iohn the Baptist his axe .

Secondly wee haue heere to consider the corruption of our owne nature : The doctrine . See how slow wee are for the obtaining of that which is good : Wee will not labour for thinges of worth , except that wee bee exhorted therevnto . Wee know not our wants : Wee are sicke of a Laodicean sicknesse : Revel. 3. 17. Wee think that we haue neede of nothing : If we knew what is the worth of this meate , which endureth vnto life , wee would vnbidden labour for it ; where is the wearied man that hath neede to bee requested to rest himselfe on a bed ? What needeth a man that is hungry to bee desired to eate his meate while it is before him ? While Christ himselfe was wearied at Sichar , hee sought a drink of water . Iohn . 4. 7. * Shall a rich man request a beggar to begge silver from him ? Note . And yet behold heere , and in diverse other places of Scripture , how wee must bee exhorted with commandement after commandement , for to seeke that which is best for our Soules : Are wee not heere commanded to seeke that meat which will make our Soules to liue for ever ? Wee are commanded , and yet for all that wee are slow to it : CHRIST must make an Oyas for to stirre vp men to come , and buy without money , that which is so precious that it can not bee bought for money , Isa. 55. 1. Ho! every one that thirsteth , Come yee to the waters , and hee that hath no money : come yee , buy and eate , yea , come buy wine and milke without money ; and without price .

* If any Burgh of this Land would cry such a Faire , Note . that all might come and buy without money , who would tarrie away ; and yet though by vs CHRIST hath commanded a free Faire to bee cryed for all men to come , and buy without money , ●sa. 53. 1. may wee not say with the Prophet , But who hath beleived our report ? Note . * A little invitation will make vs come willingly to feast with our friend : But to come and feast with our GOD , and feede vpon this meate , which will make our Soules to liue , wee neede much request and intreaty . What are these prefaces , which are now vsed before Sermons , but requests that wee would bee so good , as to apply our hearts to eate of this meate ? Should wee neede request for to eate of such dainties . Note . * This new forme of spending the time in prefaces , declareth plainely that w● haue begun to loath that which we should loue . * This should make vs to feare that within a little space , both Prefaces and Preachings shal● bee taken from vs , and we brought to a fearefull conclusion of miserie . The vse .

The vse of this doctrine is , that wee striue to bee willing and glad to seeke spirituall things , and to labour for them . Seeing wee are so carefull for this body , that it want nothing , how much more should wee bee carefull for the Soule , which is of greatest price . Note . * Bodily thinges are like Belly thinges , they all perish with the body and the belly . Let vs therefore rouse vp our spirits , and gird vp the the loines of our mind , 1. Pet. 1. 13. that according to our LORD his command heere wee may labour for the meate which endureth to everlasting lyfe .

In this first part of this dayes exercise , we haue to consider two things , first what it is to labour : secondly , for what wee should labour .

As for the first , If we would know what labour is enjoyned heere , let vs remember what in the former Sermon was forbidden in labouring for perishing meat : The paines forbidden in that point , are enjoyned heere : while CHRIST commandeth vs to labour for this meate of lyfe : hee willeth vs both to labour with body & soule , both with heart and with hand : Nothing without or within vs must bee away from GOD his seruice : Blesse the LORD , Psal. 103. 1 O my soule , ( said David , ) and all that is within mee , blessed his holy name : The body of man , and the mind of man must labour : Note . * We must cause our passions and perturbatio●s also labour for the Soule : As Ioshuah made the Gibeonites slaues for drawing of water for the house of his GOD , Iosh. 9. 23. so must wee make these our affections to bee drawers of water , euen of the teares of true and vnfained repentance : wee must so labour for spirituall things , that the care thereof take the sleepe from vs : David arose at mid-night , Psal. 119. 62 for to labour in prayer : when Iacob keept Labans sheepe , Gen 31. 40 the sleepe fled away from his eyes : Note . * Shall a man be so carefull as to want sleepe for to keepe sheepe , and shall hee not be much more carefull for to keepe his soule ? Shall a man labour for to please a man , & shall he not much more labour for to please his GOD ? Shall a man labour for his backe and his belly ? and shall hee take no paines for his silly soule ? Shall a man highly esteeme things which perish , and shall that which is eternall bee lightly set by ?

But let vs more particularly consider the properties of a good labourer .

First a good labourer must be vigilant and watchfull , The doctrine . ●ar●ly rising at the chirping of the birdes : he must be a house-Cock for to waken others , and to set them on worke : so must the spirituall labourer doe , he must haste himselfe early from the bed of downe : Prover. 8. 17. He that seeketh me early shall find me .

All yee that are young make vse of this doctrine : The vse . seeke the LORD early yee Schollers : let this my Sermon by like the fiue houre bell : Though drowsie nature would faine lye still and sleepe , Note . vp , vp ; from the feathers ; Serue GOD in the morning of thy lyfe : Serue him first in the morning of thy dayes : let the first part of the day bee spent into kneeling before his footstoole : let GOD also bee served in the morning of all thy adoes : Note . * When euer thou is goeing to any action , were it at noone , or at even , labour a little with GOD : first , Serue him in the morning of that action : Note . * Before thou speake of any matter of weight , vp with thy heart and eyes to the HEAVENS , saying with a sigh , LORD direct mee in that which I am for to speake : see that in all things thou first labour with thy GOD.

* The first of all things of GODS in a particular maner : Note . GOD in Israel had the first of all things : These firstlings were but the ceremonie whereof the substance is , that all our thoughts , words and workes : begin at him , who is Alpha , the beginning of all the creatures of GOD. * It is a strange thing of this worlds folie : All men thinke , Note . that if a man learne not to be a Scholler in his youth , that it is no more time in the age of threescore to begin his A B C : Such a man needed not to thinke for to bee a Minister . Doe men of such an age begin any other trade or craft ? Are not your Children sent to crafts while they are young . Where sawe yee any begin to learne a craft in the age of threescore ? And yet most men thinke , though they haue lived fiftie or threescore yeeres , like Pagans , that vpon their death bed they will easily learne to bee Christians .

* The ill spent liues of many are greatly to bee suspected , Note . though on their death-bed they will seeme to bee exceeding humble : Such often will haue faire shewes of repentance , so long as they are vnder the weightie h●●d , but let them be once free of their affliction , incontinent it is seene how they returne to their old byas againe , Psal. 78. 57. like dec●itfull bowes . Who is more penitent in appearance than a theefe , while hee goeth to the gibbet ? But let him once loose , it will bee seene that hee cannot refraine , * A long contracted habite is not removed in a short space . Note . It is a hard taske and labour to amend all the faultes of our life in three or foure dayes sicknesse . Scripture maketh no mention of any , but of one converted at the last gaspe , viz. the Thiefe at CHRISTS right hand , Luk 23 43 which was a miracle .

Secondly as we should labour early , so should wee labour earnestly , GOD willeth vs not to bee lazie at his service . Note . * GOD his Servants are all of the nature of the Scraphins , they haue fire in their wings : GOD liketh not the labour that is done with delayes : Note . * He can not abide the slaggards yet a litle while ; 〈…〉 Hee is wearied of those who are wearie of well doing , Mal. 1. 13 like those Snuffers of Malachie .

Thirdly , as wee must labour early and earnestly for spirituall things , so must wee labour constantly : If a righteous man fall away , Ezek. 18. 24. GOD saith that hee will no more remember his bygone righteousnesse . Note . * Many now a little before , and little after the supper of the LORD will seeme to bee full of devotion . Some will put their finger in their eye , and wring out some teares , which like Popish holy water , ( as they thinke , ) shall cleanse them from all bygone wickednesse ; they can droupe like a bul-rush for a day ; Isa. 58. 5. but so soone as such times are ended , then endeth all their devotion . * In such a time as this , such sinners are in a worse estate than at any time ; Note . for their sinnes which at other times were stricken out like filthy pocks , are not taken away , but are stricken in about the heart a deadly disease : The lesse this venome appeareth without , the greater is our danger : for the poison of sinne lurking within about the heart is fostered & increased with a good conceit of our selues , that wee are not like other men : This fond conceit joyning it selfe with the corruption of concupiscence into the heart , overmastereth the good motions and vitall spitits that are within .

In all the time of labouring for grace and good things , Note . wicked men are as if they were in the stockes : They will begin , but they can not continue . Note . * Away with faire beginnings which are not backed with perseverance : Revel. 2. 25 To Thyatira GOD said , that which yee haue already , hold fast till I come : Revel. 3. 2 To Sardis was said , strengthen the thinges which remaine : This was a sore reproch for Ephesus , Revel. 2. 4 that shee had left her first loue .

The meate which endureth to everlasting life .

THE thing heere for which wee are commanded to labour , is meat : It is distinguished by a speciall propertie or effect , it endureth to everlasting lyfe .

The doctrine is this : The meate which GOD commendeth and commandeth heere , The doctrine . is sprituall meate ; wherein wee see that as the body of a man must haue meate , so must our soule also haue meate .

The vse : The vse . As wee are carefull for the body , so let vs bee more carefull for the Soule : wee all lay vp our yeerely provision for the body : wee sowe , wee sheere , wee heape , wee kill , wee mill , grind , sift , and bake , and all for the meate of the body : what then shall wee refuse to labour for the Soule , which is much more precious than the body ? Note . * Alas too many after they haue stuffed their belly remember little that their soule is fasting : let all men bee carefull to labour for this meat : Note . * When thou hast refreshed thy body with GOD his benefits below , say vnto thy soule , my silly soule , my body is satisfied , but alas what hast thou gotten ? I am perswaded that many passe many dayes , not remembring that they haue a soule within their body : * They doe to their soule , Note . that which a good man would not doe to his horse , hee would bee sory to let him stand in stable a day without a ba●te : And yet how many dayes let wee slip , not labouring for a crumme of spirituall meat to our soule .

The Properties of this meat .

Now let vs consider what is the propertie of this meat , for which we are commanded to labour , it is this viz. durable : It is so durable that it feedeth to everlasting life . This meate hath many good properties : Among many I shall single out three : 1. It is a meate that is sweete . 2. It is wholesome . 3. It is durable .

The first Sweete .

First I say this meate is sweete , more sweete than Manna , whose taste was like wafers made with honey : Exod. 16. 31. If hitherto thou hast not knowen the sweetnesse thereof , Now , Psal. 34. 8 taste and see how good is the LORD : David saith that his word is sweeter than the honey and the honey combe : Psal. 19. 10. Note . * ●s his word so sweete ? O how sweete then must hee himselfe bee , which is the cause of all that Sweetnesse ! O the Sweetnesse of GOD in this Sacrament of the Supper ! If we could taste it , we would wonder at its taste : O the goodnesse of this bread which is panis domi●ius , the bread LORD : * This bread LORD carieth such a vertue with it , Note . that it maketh the bread of the LORD the outward element , to haue a sweeter relish in the mouth of the receiuer , then commoun bread : Likewise that wine being receiued by faith , hath a more sauourie taste to the worthy communicant , then drunkards can find in their Belshazzars Cuppes at their greatest feasts . Dan. 5. 4.

* The tongue of man can not expresse , Note . the sweetnesse of this spirituall banket , wherevnto yee are invited this day : Is not this a banket of loue , which sweetneth all things ? None must gloume here vpon another : None must haue any grudge at another : This is a feast of friendship : The spouse in the Canticl●s speaking of CHRIST his banket , saith , Cant. 2. 4. Hee brought mee to the banketing house , and his banner over me was loue : Behold how so soone as the spouse came in the feasting house , CHRIST cast a banner over her , a banner of loue .

* Wee come to this feast , Note . alas with banners of pride , the greatest enemie of loue : Behold while this loue Banner was cast ouer the spouse , she fell sicke into the banketing-house : Passa est deliquium animi , she swouned for loue : while one is like to swoune , others will cry for wine for to vphold the failing spirits , so did this spouse , while shee found her selfe so ravished with loue , that her heart beganne to faint , Cant. ● . 5. stay mee with flaggons ( said shee , ) Comfort mee with apples , for I am sicke of loue : See how shee cryed for a flaggon of wine for to drinke , and for apples of comfort for to savour , whereby her heart might bee strengthened in the sicknesse of loue .

Now wee are into the LORD his banqueting house , the feast will bee ready anone : Note . * Let vs intreat the LORD , that hee would couer vs all together heere with the Banner of his loue , whereby wee may be moved to loue GOD aboue all things , and our neighbours as our selfe , till thy Soule bee inwrapped in this Banner ; see that thou come not to this Table ; But so soone as thou shalt find thy heart sicken with the loue of him , then make hast to the Table : let thy Soule then cry for meate and for a drinke of GOD his flaggons : Cry for it , and hee shall giue thee the sweetest drinke that ever thy Soule dranke , I say the sweetest , for seeing the sicknesse of loue is so sweete , how sweete must that drinke bee which healeth the Soule of such sicknesse ? What I say of drinke , that I say of meate : O the sweetnesse of that spirituall meate !

* If a man hath eaten Cannell or Anise , Note . his breath will bee sweete and pleasant thereafter : A man also who truely hath eaten CHRIST , his breath in his words will savour more sweetly than Cinnamon .

O the sweete savour of godlinesse , which is the savour of GOD himselfe . * By the savour of your breath it shall bee knowne heereafter what yee haue eaten this day . Note . Yee who shortly after the Communion begin to rai●e , scold , lye , and braule , beguile not your selues : these rotten words are but stinking belchs , which proceede from the rotten meate of damnation : If the bread Lord , this meate , whereof heere is mention , were in such mens hearts , the savour of life would bee in their words , for wordes doe proceede from that whereof there is abundance in the heart .

I pray you to remember , that this meate for which CHRIST biddeth labour is a meate most sweete : That which is sweete , worketh vpon two senses often , viz. vpon the savour and the taste . Wee say of a flower , it hath a sweete savour , and wee say of hony it hath a sweete taste : The sweetnesse both of fauour and taste concurreth in this meate of my Text : The meate is CHRIST , who is both of a sweete savour , and of a sweete taste .

As for his savour , it is excellent , like that of the Rose and that of the Lillie : I am the Rose of Sharon , ( said hee , ) Cant. 2. 1. and the Lillie of the Valleyes .

* The garments of his righteousnesse , Note . are all perfumed with Celestiall Muske . Blind Isaac finding a smell of Esau his garment , Gen. 27. 27 rejoyced : Before hee would blesse him , hee cryed for savoury meate : Hee was blind , and could not see it ; and therefore behoved to make choice by the savour . Note . * A hungry man passing by a doore where excellent meats are , will rejoice and bee comforted with the smell thereof ; the reeke thereof will delight his heart . If thy Soule O man , be a hungrie Soule to day in this the Lords his banketinghouse , thou shall find such a sweete savour of this meate , as shall comfort thy heart .

* The reeke of CHRIST his body broken and prepared to bee meate to thy Soule , Note . and the reeke of his blood comming out of his wounds shall refresh thee so , that thou shall wonder what a vertue it can bee .

All the dearest dainties of this world are nothing but stink and corruption in comparison of the sweete savour of CHRIST his crucified body : There is in Him the savour of the rose , and of the Lillie ; Spiknard , aloes , and Cassia . Note . * All the perfume of Heaven is in Him : It is Hee who maketh all the HEAVENS like a Paradise of flowers : O the savour of our SAVIOUR , 2. Cor. 2. 16. the savour of lyfe vnto lyfe ! Note . * O that savour of life , a living savour that maketh a dead soule to liue a life which can not bee taken away by death .

The second , Wholesome .

WEE haue heard of the first propertie of this meate for which CHRIST willeth vs to labour , it is sweete : The second is , that it is wholesome ; sanctificat , sanat , it maketh holy , and it maketh whole . Note . * Holinesse is only true health ; This meate is both meate and medicine , for it both feedeth and healeth the Soule . Note . * In my judgment in this world there is not a more powerfull m●anes for to bee cured of the disseases of the Soule , then first a reverend and carefull hearing of the word , and then a frequent and well prepared taking of the Sacrament : Beleeue what I say ; This I will say , behold that bread vpon the Table with a faithfull eye , and a sight of that bread shall heale thy wounds .

* Shall the sight of a brasen serpent set vpon a pole , Note . a law ceremonie be so powerfull , Numb. 21. 9. for healing the deadly byte of a Serpent , and shall the ceremonie of the Gospell be of a lesse vertue ? * I will tell thee O man ; Note . if thou hast any sorte of earnest desire to get good heere , though thou bee not prepared nor purified , 2. Chron. 30. 19. according to the purification of the Sanctuary : Let mee say more , though thou want faith , and yet come with outward reverence , fearing to offend , if thou droupe before GOD , taking some paines to doe well , thou shall reape an outward benefite from GOD , as health of body , prosperitie in thy actions , escaping of some temporall judgement .

* This I may inforce by reason Note . from Scripture : All that beheld the brasen Serpent had not true faith , yet all receiued a benefite : The faithfull were healed ▪ both in Soule and Body : The wicked because they obeyed GOD by looking vp to his ordinance , were all healed of their bodily sore : Because Ahab , that was but a damned hypocrite , made a shew of repentance lying into sack-cloath , hee found some favour with GOD : Though his heart was not vpright , yet because hee cowred and crouched outwardly and was afraide , the LORD pitied him and praised him ▪ 1. King . 2● . 29. saying to Elijah , Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himselfe before mee ? because hee humbled himselfe I will not bring the euill in his dayes : for his outward repentance GOD bestowed vpon him an outward beneficence : The ill came not vpon his house in his dayes .

But as for these that are in the gall of bitternesse , Act. 8. 2● . scandalous in life and publickly prophane lying in the bed of wickednesse , or sifting in the Chaire of scorners , Psal. 1. 1. delighting in sinne , vaunting and bragging of of their wickednesse , taking no paines to mourne for their offending of GOD , in the name of IESUS CHRIST I excommunicate them from this holy Table : see that they bee not so bold as to presume to prophane this blessed meate :

* Heere I plainely declare vnto them , Note . that in steade of wholesome meate and drinke , they shall eate and drinke the ranke poison of their owne damnation .

* In Iudas his Soppe was the divell , Note . or the divell entred into him after the Soppe : Iohn . 13. 26. A strange thing , Sathan could never winne in into the man , till hee had gotten that Soppe : Before the soppe gotten , hee had made many onsets , but could never get entrie for to possesse him so fully : But so soone as hee receiued the soppe , he followed it downe into the man , who never ceased till hee had hanged himselfe : Note . * Sathan may make many onsets on a profane man , but hee never findeth such a doore of entrance as when hee findeth him taking out of GOD his servants hands the holy meate of the Sacrament : That is to him like the Traitours Soppe : Thus the meat and drinke of the Sacrament , which by GOD his ordinance , is a most wholesome meate , both for soule and body , by the abuse thereof , becommeth an eaten and drunken damnation .

The third , Durable .

In this our Text , wee haue the third propertie of this spirituall meat for which CHRIST willeth vs to labour , it is , d●●able .

This is declared in these words which endureth to euerlasting lyfe : This is meate which passeth not thorow : This is holy meate , everlasting meat , not subiect to corruption : Meat below must be salted lest it stinke : ouer nights Mannah would not keepe , Exod. 16. 20. wormes entered into it : and it stanke , The Gibeonits bread being old , Iosh. 9. 12. became mouldie : Onely CHRIST which is GOD his bread , endureth to euerlasting lyfe .

Heere let vs obserue that the things of GOD are onely durable ; The doctrine . temporall things below will abide some little space , but endure not ; nothing heere is permanent , for wee spend our yeeres as a tale that is told : Psal. 90. 9. what is this bread whereon wee feede from nine houres vnto twelue , and from twelue vnto sixe ? shall wee call that an enduring meat ?

* All the most delicate meats of this world , Note . are but like a feast in print : most delicate meats and drinkes , are there but all in wordes and lines : There is nothing there indeede , which can feede : But my flesh , Iohn . 6. 55 ( said CHRIST ) is meate indeede , and my blood is drinke indeede : Temporall things may haue the name of meate and drink , but nothing is so indeede , but CHRIST himselfe .

Shall I call that meate indeede , which is not able to feede me foure and twentie houres ? shall I say that that is , which is ever passing thorow , as swiftly as the time ? Note . * Because of the continuall fluxe of time , time is never said properly to be present , but either past or to come , the present being but an instant : It is so of all temporall things below , they are not durable , but are all sicke of such a fluxe , that their present beeing in an instant is not worthie of the word of enduring : Note : What is man his life heere , but a tale alreadie told ? So long as a tale is in telling , it seemeth to bee something , but when once it is told , the hearer will say , Tush , that is but a tale ; Eccles. 1. 2. The vanitie of vanities , said the Preacher and all is vanitie : The course of all things below , is in vanitie , from vanitie to vanitie ; There is nothing heere fixed and permanent : That which seemeth most sure , is like the strength of our lyfe , which as Moses singeth , Psal. 90. 20 Is soone cut off , and wee flie away : All temporall things , are like the time , ever in a fluxe , like sand running out of a sand-glasse , they haue no abode .

But what soever thing is in GOD it is permanent : GOD his honour is permanent , his good will is fixed , his blessing is stable , Gen. 27. 33. like Isaac his blessing , Him haue I blessed and he shall be blessed : GOD his riches , are enduring riches : Prover. 8. 18. Honour and riches are with mee , yea , durable riches and righteousnesse : The water of the well of Sichar , did quench mens thirst for a space , but there is a liquour in CHRIST , which being drunken shall banish thirst away for ever : Whosoeuer shall drinke of this water shall thirst againe , Iohn . 4. 13. said CHRIST to the woman at the Well : But whosoever , v. 14. ( said he , ) shall drinke of the water that I shall giue him , shall never thirst , But the water that I shall giue him , shall bee in him a Well of water springing vp into everlasting life .

Now let vs obserue , to what this meate is said in my Text for to endure : It is said to endure to everlasting life .

In this meate , I find two good things , 1. It giueth life where there is nothing but death . 2. It preserveth the lyfe that is gotten : It endureth to euerlasting life , that is , maketh the eater thereof to liue for ever .

By this clearely this spirituall meate is distinguished from all temporall cheere , There is no temporall meate that can put life in a dead man : There is no meate also , which can prolong the lyfe of a man but an houre : But heere is the meate , CHRIST , which endureth to everlasting life .

By this I say , CHRIST is distinguished from all other meat in this world : Note . * Let a man walke thorow all Cuntries , in Europe , Asia , and Africa , in no place shall hee find either meate or medicine , that shall prolong his dayes beyond the date of the most vigorous the foure score yeere : Psal. 90. 10. The Mannah which was Angels foode , had not this propertie : Your fathers , Iohn . 6. 49 ( said CHRIST ) did eate Mannah in the wildernesse and are dead : No Apples of youth can preserue man from old age : Note . * Physicitians may prattle and say .

Cur moriatur homo cum salvia crescat in horto ?

That is man needeth not to die if hee knew the vse of the herbe sage : But if men could take this Saviour for saluia , they should find that men neede not to die at all : This Saviour , is that spirituall Sage of Salvation ? wherefore should a man die , seeing GOD hath so loued the world , Iohn . 3. 16. that hee hath giuen his onely sonne , that whosoever beleeueth in him , should not perish , but haue euerlasting life :

Let vs all therefore beleeue in this Saviour , for wherefore should yee die , O yee house of Israel ? Let vs eate him by faith : hee is that spirituall Sage and Salve , which is the onely remeede against death : Hee who is CHRISTS , may well , while hee goeth to the graue , lay downe his head for to sleepe , or take a little nap , as wee say , but hee cannot die , because hee hath eaten his Salvation , Luk ● : 3● . even this meate which endureth to everlasting lyfe .

The vse of this doctrine is , The vse . that seeing this meate is of such worth , wee bee carefull to labour for it : If wee labour for it , it will feede vs eternally : But if wee labour not for it , if wee loue it not , but loath it , it shall be our death : the chiefe point of the condemnation of the wicked , shall bee this , that this meate was offered vnto him , but they would none of it : This is the condemnation of the world , not that they haue sinned , but because they haue despised the remedie of sinne : This , ( saith S. Iohn , ) Iohn . 3. 19. is the condemnation , that light is com● into the world , but men loued darkenesse rather then light .

* Now seeing yee are presently invited to the LORDS banket , Note . a banket not of dead meate , but of liuiug meate , which shall make your soules to liue for ever , my Counsell is that as yesterday , so also this day yee labour for it : Take paines now , vpon your Soules , that they may bee wrought vnto a holy reuerence : Bend vp all your spirits , and prepare you for your GOD : see what euery man can doe this day , for the Salvation of his owne Soule : Let vs all together wrestle with CHRIST , as it were half middle , half man , and let vs say of this meate , as Iacob said of the blessing , Gen. ●2 . 26. I will not let thee goe : Note . * Bread in Hebrewe is called Lehem , from a word that signifieth to fight , because a man aboue all things earthly , will fight for his meat : If a man will fight for the foode of his belly , what should hee not doe for to get meate to his Soule ? Let vs therefore labour and wrestle with Iacob , powring our teares and prayers , Hosea . 12. 4. the armour of the Church , let vs never let the LORD get rest , till wee get that meate which endureth to everlasting lyfe .

THE SECOND PART . Who is the giuer of this meate .

NOW let vs come to the second and third parts of our Text , wherein I shall striue to be short . In this second part , wee haue to considder , who is the giuer of this meate , The giuer is called the sonne of man , in these words which the sonne of man shall giue you .

Hee who is called heere the sonne of man , is CHRIST .

* CHRIST in Scripture is called the Sonne of three . Note . 1. The Sonne of GOD. 2. The Sonne of Marie . 3. The Sonne of man .

In regard of his Deitie , as second person of the Trinitie , Hee is the Sonne of GOD begotten of him , from all eternitie , coequall and coessentiall to his Father , of whose glory he is the brightnesse , and the expresse image of his person , Heb. 1. 2 the appointed heire of all things .

Hee was called the Sonne of Mary , because hee was conceiued in her Belly , and borne of her .

Heere hee is called by himselfe the sonne of man , because hee tooke vpon him mans nature , and became man like vnto vs in all things , sinne onely excepted : Note . * So soone as the fullnesse of time came , Gal. 4. 4. GOD sent foorth his sonne made of a woman , conceived of a woman , and not begotten by a man , and yet the sonne of man , and the Sonne of a virgine , even GOD manifested in the flesh a Sonne younger than MARIE his Mother , 1. Tim. 3. 16. a Son older than Adam the Father of his Mother , a Sonne eternall with his FATHER that begate him . Note . * As in the Heaven He was Motherlesse , as GOD , so on earth Hee was Fatherlesse , as Man , and yet the Sonne of Man .

Heere bee the three greatest wonders of the World . Note . DEVM nasci , Virginem parer● , fidem haec credere . That GOD should bee borne , that a Virgine should bring foorth a Sonne , that man can beleeue it ; though in the Creation hee may haue some ground : Note . * For seeing GOD at the beginning made the woman out of the man without the helpe of any woman , why might hee not make a man , and hewe him out of a woman without the helpe of any man ? Hee who could giue a beeing vnto nothing might also raise a nature of some thing : but to leaue this let vs considder heere what is the office of this Sonne of man .

It is said heere that hee is ordained for to giue to vs the meate which endureth to euerlasting lyfe , in these words , which the sonne of man shall giue vnto you .

The doctrine I obserue heere is , The doctrine . that * CHRIST is the great Steward of HEAVEN , to whom the dispensation of eternall lyfe , and of all other good things is committed , Iohn . 14. 6. No man , ( said hee , ) commeth vnto the Father but by mee : There is nothing also that can come from the Father vnto man , but by him .

The vse of this doctrine is , The vse . that wee bee earnest to make our aquaintance with CHRIST , if wee would haue any good thing from the HEAVENS : The Children of this world , are wise in their generation : By the proceedings of naturall wise men , we may learne spirituall wisedome .

* It is written of the men of Tyre and of Sidon , Note . that knowing that Herod was highly displeased with them , they came with one accord to him to seeke peace ; for to obtaine this , Act 12. 20. they made Bl●stus the Kings Chamberlaine their friend : It is so that wee should doe ; whether wee would pacifie GODS wrath raging against vs , or obtaine any favour from GOD , let vs first make IESVS CHRIST the great Steward , and Chamberlaine of Heauen our friend .

Againe let vs obserue heere how wee get this Meate with Life euerlasting . The doctrine . It is said that the Sonne of man shall giue it : for two reasons , CHRIST the Sonne of man is said to giue life vnto man .

First because in his humane nature , by death hee hath merited this life vnto all beleeuers : Secondly because his humane nature is the instrument , whereby hee conuoyeth life vnto vs .

* As the stocke sendeth sappe vp from the roote to the graft , Note . so the humanitie of CHRIST , which is the stock of all the faithfull , conuoyeth life euerlasting from the diuine nature which is the roote of all good things , all these who are not ingrafted in him , are like that wanton widow ? who is disgraced with this , 1. Tim. 5. 6 ▪ Shee is dead while shee liveth , that is , spiritually dead in a naturall lyfe .

The vse of this is , The vse . that wee bee earnest with CHRIST , labouring for that meate of life , which onely He can giue : I●b . 2. 4. Seing skinne for skinne , and all that a man hath hee will giue it for this life , Isa 2. 22. which is but a past of breath in his nostrils , an evanishing vapour , Psal. 78. 39. a wind that passeth away and commeth not againe : what should a man refuse to doe , or suffer for the gift of life everlasting ?

Againe , The doctrine . in that it is said , that the sonne of man shall giue euerlasting life , or the meate that feedeth to that life , I obserue that everlasting life is the gift of GOD : That which is a gift is not a reward : All the gifts of GOD are most free gifts : But amongst all the gifts of GOD , life everlasting is the most free gift : Note . * The greater GOD his gifts bee , they are the frieer : for what can a creature on earth deserue at GOD his hands on earth ? If not on earth what can he deserue in HEAVEN ? On earth I must bee a begger at GOD his doore for bread to my belly , which GOD will destroy with the belly , I must seeke it from GOD , not as due to me , but as his Almes ; If it bee so of this meat , how much more shall it be so of the meat of my text , which feedeth to everlasting lyfe ? Note . If man must labour for the meat of the earth with the sweat of his browes , and yet , after all that done , must begge his bread from GOD , who can think , that any man can merit the meat which endureth to everlasting lyfe ? Let vs learne of my text , that it is the gift of GOD , in these words , which the Sonne of Man shall giue vnto you .

The vse of this doctrine is , The vse . that wee thanke GOD , who hath brought vs out of Babylon , where the doctrine of mans merits , 1. Tim. 4. 1. the doctrine of Diuels is publickly teached , and avouched , yea , as though man could doe more than hee is obliged to doe . * Such men neede none of GOD his gifts , Note . but GOD must pay to them his debts : Such men vnderstand not what it is to come vnto the waters , for to buy wine and milke without money : Isa. 55. ● . Let GOD himselfe tell the world how they are saued , Ephes. 2. 8. By grace , ( saith hee , ) are yee saued through faith , and that not of your selues , it is the gift of GOD : Note . * All that a man hath in this world , hee will giue it for this naturall life , and shall bee thought no foole in so doeing : Seeing this lyfe is thought worthie of all that wee haue , what can a man haue , or what can hee doe , or suffer worthy of lyfe euerlasting : It is best then that wee say with Scripture , It is the gift of GOD : Rom 6 23 CHRIST hath done with vs as Ioseph did with his brethren , Gen. 42. ●5 . who found that they had the cornes and their money both : such cornes were not sold , but f●●ely gifted : The LORD giue vs hearts to bee thankefull , for the vnspeakeable gift of euerlasting lyfe .

THE THIRD PART . Who appointed CHRIST the Sonne of man to bee the giuer of this everlasting meat .

NOW in the last part of our Text , wee haue to considder who ●a●h appointed CHRIST , the giuer of this meat , which feedeth to euerlasting lyfe , This is set downe in these wordes , for him hath GOD the Father sealed : That hee was ordained to bring this meat to the word , the Father hath confirmed it by his owne seale : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

A Seale is an outward signe confirming , ratifying , and giuing authoritie to that wherevnto it is set : Thus wee see that by the King his Seale , Kings letters are made authenticke and of authoritie .

Let vs first consider the worde , and then wee shall speake of the diverse vses of a Seale , last of all wee shall draw a doctrine with the vse of application .

The word Seale properly signifieth that instrument , wherewith Charters and Patents are sealed , whereby they are ratified and made authentick .

It also siginfieth the Waxe which is sealed , for such stamped waxe , we ordinarily call the King his seale .

Because of the diuerse vses of seales , diverse things in Scripture are called Seales , or as said to seale : Because the Seale of a Charter , is that whereby the rights therein are confirmed and made authenticke , Sacraments haue beene called seals : for by them the writen promises of GOD are confirmed and made more sure vnto vs : According to this it is said of Abraham Rom. 4. 11. that hee receiued the Seale of circumcision : Because that a missiue letter being once sealed , all that is written within the same can no more bee seene , but is a secret to all that behold it outwardly : So the things of GOD are said to bee sealed , which are hidde or concealed , According to this that Booke of the Revelation , Revel. 5. 7. which none but the lambe could open , is said to haue beene sealed with seuen seales .

* Wee haue also to obserue , Note . that in Scripture , things are said to seale in diuers maners : GOD is said to seale , and man is said to seale : of man his sealing , CHRIST speaketh , saying , Iohn . 3. 33. Hee that hath receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true , that is , Hee as it were subscribeth with his hand , the trueth of GOD his word .

GOD againe is said to seale men , and hee is said to seale his owne Sonne .

As for men who are his elect and chosen ones , GOD Sealeth them outwardly , and inwardly : Outwardly , when hee maketh them partakers of his Sacraments , viz. of Baptisme or of the Supper : According to this , it is said of Abraham , when hee was circumcised that hee receiued the seale of Circumcision : Rom. 4. 11 Againe inwardly by his spirit , GOD is said to seale , when he maketh his elect sure of his favour or of their Salvation ; according to this the Apostle saith to the Ephesians , Ephes. 1. 13 In whom after that yee beleeued yee were sealed with that holy spirit of promise : The children of GOD are said to be sealed by the spirit of promise , when the spirit of GOD within them maketh them sure of all that is promised vnto them : Because by faith and good workes our election is made sure vnto vs , faith and good workes are called the Seale of our election : The foundation of GOD ( said St. Paul , ) remaineth sure : 1. Tim , 2 , 19 , and hath this seale , the LORD knoweth them that are his : And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquitie : The foundation of GOD is his decree , vpon which the Salvation of the godly is builded : the trueth thereof , is made certaine vnto vs by the seale of a good lyfe , when wee depart from iniquitie : Note . * Good workes are the seale of the Spirit of GOD , whereby a Soule is confirmed that it belongeth to the election of grace ,

This much for clearing of diuers difficulties concerning sealing in the Scriptures .

Wee haue already heard how man is said to seale GOD his trueth , & how GOD is said to seale man , both outwardly and inwardly : In this my Text wee haue particularly to considder , how GOD is said to Seale his Sonne , CHRIST IESUS , of whom it is said heere , Him hath GOD the Father sealed .

The LORD IESUS as is well remarked by the excellent Divines , hath beene sealed by the Father diuersely .

First hee may bee said to haue beene sealed by the Father , Heb. 1. 3 because in him was the Character , the ingrauen image of the Father his person , that is , as a learned Interpreter saith , Persona quae personam pairis ad amussim refert : Sicut imago cerae impressa ad amussim refert imaginem in●culptam sigillo : The sense is this , The person of the Father is like that image , which is ingrauen into a seale of Siluer or Gold , and the person of the Sonne , is like that image in the waxe , which is sealed by the seale of gold : According to this , CHRIST the second person of the Trinitie , is said to bee sealed into an vnspeakeable manner by the Father , because in him is the essentiall image of the Father .

Secondly , CHRIST was sealed by GOD , when hee was anointed with the oyle of grace , and gladnesse , aboue his fellowes : GOD the Father at that anointing , Psal. 45. powred into CHRIST man his spirituall giftes and graces without measure : Col. 1. 1. All the treasures of grace were stored vp into him : Wee all haue receiued of his fullnesse ; Iohn . 1. 19. The fulnesse of GOD in him was a Seale , whereby both in his Words and Workes hee was knowne to be more than man , for as by his enemies confession , Iohn . 7. 46. never man spake as hee spake which was the worde Seale , S. which his enemies could not denye hee did among them the workes which no other man could doe , Iohn . 15. 24 this was his worke , Seale .

Thirdly GOD the Father sealed our Saviour , when by his testimonie from Heaven , hee declared to the world that hee was his beloued sonne in whom hee was well pleased . Mat. 3. 17.

The Sealing properly vnderstood heere , as Beza thinketh denoteth two things , first that GOD endowed him with such a verture , whereof the like was in no other creature , Col. 2. 9. for in him the fulnesse of the Godhead and essentiall image of the Father did so visibly appeare , Iohn , 14. 9 , that who sawe him did see the Father .

Secondly by the Sealing of CHRIST by the Father hee vnderstandeth a commission from the Father , giuen vnto him for to come to the world and reconceale all repenting sinners to their GOD : This opinion he hath from Cyrillus .

S. Chrysostome and Theophylactus referre this Sealing of the Sonne of man , by the Father to the testimonies whereby the Father from Heaven declared him to bee his Sonne , particularly in those words , This is my beloued Sonne , Mat. 3. 17. in whom I am well pleased : This also wee must consider that the glorious workes of Christ , wherein the infinite vertue of GOD , did appeare , were as a Seale , declareing to the world , that God the Father had appointed that man to bee the Saviour of the world ,

Piscator interpreteth the word Sealed after this maner : Obsignauit , ( saith he ) est Metaphora sumpta ab ijs , qui quos mittunt eorum authoritatem obsignato diplomate sanciunt : that is , sealing heere is , a metaphore or forme of speach , taken from these that confirme the authoritie of these whom they send , by a sealed charter or patent : Note . * According to this the Father is said to haue sealed CHRIST , when hee sent him with a confirmed authoritie to declare his will and to giue gifts vnto man on earth as who were ●ent with a Kings patent , to any of his dominions for effectuating his Maiesties businesse : So as one saith learnedly , Note . Obsignatio haec est approbatio & vt ita dicam authentisatio , That is , this sealing of CHRIST , is an approuing and alloweing of him by authoritie , for to giue that meat which feedeth to euerlasting life .

The doctrine I obserue heere , is a doctrine of comfort for all Christians : The doctrine . Behold heere Christ our Saviour , a sealed Sauiour , a Saviour whom the King of Heaven hath sealed by giuing him full commission , and power for to saue all wearied soules , that will come vnto him .

The vse of this doctrine is , The vse . that what ever wee want in this lyfe that is needfull , either for soule or body , let vs seeke it from him , with all boldnesse in all confidence to receiue : Behold him heere sealed for to assure the world , that for this end hee is come downe to the world to giue life eternall to all these that will labour for it , Rom. 6. 22 in seeking it from h●m by humble prayers .

* When the Egyptians were distressed by Famine , Note . they all ranne to Ioseph , because they knewe that the King had giuen to him his ring and had sealed him for to guide the whole Land : what they did to Ioseph , Gen. 41. 24 , let vs doe to IESVS , whom the Father of Heaven , the great KING of the whole world hath sealed and approued by words and workes , Iohn , 15 , 24. by gifts and by graces without measure : Let euery emptie Soule come vnto him , Iohn . 3 , 34 and receiue of his fulnesse even grace for grace : Col , 1 , 19 ,

The LORD grant vs all this grace : To our GOD , Father , Sonne , and holy Ghost bee Glory , and Maiestie , Dominion and power , for now and ever . Amen .

DIVERSE PRAYERS FOR DIVERSE NECESSITIES OF THE SAINTS . Non vox sed votum , non chordula musica , sed cor , Non clamans sed amans cantat in ore DEI. This haue I thus englished . Not voice but wish , not sounding harp but heart , Not cryes but loue haue in GODS eare a part .
A NOTABLE PRAYER OF THAT FAITHFVLL SERVANT OF GOD , M. IOHN BELL , Minister of Glasgow , which ordinarly hee vseth before Sermon .

WEE are heere assembled in thy presence , O blessed Father ! according to thine owne commandement , to seeke thy gratious face : What are wee O Lord , whom thou should admit to come into thy presence , who not onely are dust and ashes , but also that which is worse , vncleane and sinnefull wretches , vnworthy wee confesse to behold the Heaven , farre lesse to offer and present our speaches and prayers to thee who art the GOD of HEAVEN ? Yet it hath pleased thee in mercie , to graunt vnto vs this accesse , and liberty that wee may come before the Throne of grace .

Holy Father teach our hearts with a religious feare , and an humble reverence towards thy diuine Maiestie , in whose sight and presence now we are : Remoue from vs the impediments which are great and many , and which suffer vs not to drawe so neere to thee our GOD as wee should , & as wee would : Take from vs this vaile of darkenesse , which still by nature covers the eyes of our minds : Remoue the foolishnesse , and the vanitie of our worldly , prophane , and wandring cogitiations , as also that hardnesse and securitie , that deadnesse and dulnesse of spirit , that ●urketh in vs , and that maketh thy holy word so oft powerlesse in our hearts , and fruitlesse in our lyues .

Giue vs for thy good names sake , circumcised and sanctified eares : Giue vs also circumcised and sanctified soules that when thou speakes vnto vs by thy trueth preached , wee may reverently attentiuely , and obediently , and when wee send vp to the our GOD , the Sacrifice of our supplications , it may proceede from that solide faith and sincere f●rvencie , which be commeth thy elect : with-hold not from vs O fountaine of grace ! With-hold not th● spirit of grace , which thou hast promised to all these that in humility doe aske the same . Remember not against vs our by-past manifold iniquities , whereby from time to time wee doe offend thee and gri●ue thy holy spirit .

O our GOD cast all our sinnes behind thy back , and looke in the face of thine anointed , our Aduocate at thine owne right hand the LORD IESVS : Graunt for his sake that so many as be heere now present , may feele forcibly that Heavenly fire of the inward Teacher , to come downe and enter into their hearts , to inlighten and purge them , to change and renewe them more and more , till last it shall please thee in mercie to compleete in them the worke of grace , and crowne the same with endlesse glory .

Finally , seeing it is thy holy wil , and accustomed working to imploy the weake ministrie of mortall and sinnefull men , in carrying the great and weighty message of thy holy word , let it please thee to strengthen and assist mee , that both in fidelitie and wisedome and sinceritie , I may expresse and vtter the Heavenly oracles , to these who in humilitie shall aske the same .

Waken vp also their hearts and Consciences , that as good and well prepared ground , rightly they may receiue the immortall seede of thy trueth , and heereafter bring foorth such good fruit as may glorifie thy thy blessed name , adorne and beautifie their Christian profession , edifie others by good example of life , and certifie more and more their owne conscience , that they are called effectually to bee heires of life through the Lord IESUS our blessed Saviour , in whose name , &c. Our Father , &c.

A Prayer fitted to the state of one that is neere the doores of death .

QVicken vs O LORD , and we will call vpon thy name : Psal. 8 18. Let the words of our mouth , Psal. 19 , 14 , and the meditations of our heart bee acceptable in thy sight , O Lord our strength a●d our Redeemer . O Father of mercyes , Revel. 1 18 which hast the keyes of death and of the graue , at thy command , thou rulest all that is aboue and belowe : Thy mercy is euer aboue all thy workes : Psal. 130. 4 , O Lord mercy is with Thee that thou mayest bee feared , Mercy also is with Thee , that thou mayest bee loued , yea and mercy is with Thee , that Sinners may bee saued : Psal. 86. 5. Thy word is pure and plaine , that thou art plenteous in mercy to all that call vpon Thee .

Now for the sake of thy Sonne , let it please Thee to pardon and pitie this poore trem●ling & weake hearted sinner , now drawing neere the jawes of death , into which hee is euen now ready to fall ; Let it please ▪ Thee to seale fast vp in his heart , the full remission of all his transgressions of thought , word , and worke : Say vnto his Soule I am thy Salvation : There is nothing that can pacifie thy wrath , or allay the qualmes of his Conscience : except onely the purging and purifing blood of thy Lamb the LORD IESVS : who came into this world , for to saue Sinners : 1. Tim. 1. 15 Let that blood of sprinkling by its diuine vertue ▪ 1. Pet. 1. 2. make all his sinnes though double died in crimson colour , Isa. 1. 18. to become white like Wooll and Snowe : Thou who by the touching of thy garment , suffred a ▪ HEAVENLY healing vertue to goe ▪ out for the curing of that bloodie fluxe , Luk 8. 46 ▪ bind not vp now the vertues and powers of thy mercy , from this Soule sore yerning for thy ●auour .

In this last conflict of the last Battell of his Soule , so sinewe him with thy grace , and so support and vnderprop him by the strength of thy loue that in his greatest weakenesse , he may find thy grace sufficient for him : 2. Cor. ●1● 9. As his naturall strength shall decay , let spirituall courage increase : Psal. 51. 6. Thou desirest trueth in the inward parts , put thou into his heart that which thou desires . Hos. 11 , 8.

O thou whose most merciefull heart is ever turned within Thee , and whose compassions are euer most cheerefully rolled together at the ●hing of the prisoner : Take notice 〈◊〉 the sighs and grones , Psal. 79. 11 of this thy Servant , now in the extremitie of anguis● : Sathan now is come to his tast onset , the feare of death and the terrours of the graue , are now in Battell array against him : Now LORD confound Satan the ring leader of all his enemies : Suffer him not to preuaile against him , for whom thy Sonne hath suffered death : Let his Soule know that thou hast disarmed death of its sting , 1. Cor. 15. 55 , and that death is no more death , but a sleepe to all the friends of CHRIST , who hath plucked out the sting thereof , Iohn , 11 , 11 Let neither the grips of death nor the greifes of the graue dismay him : Let him know that by thy Resurection , thou hast so ouercome the graue , Isa. 57. ● . that thou hast made it a resting bed to each one walking in his vprightnesse .

How great or greeuous so ever the assaults of his enemies bee , make him still hold him fast by Thee : When flesh and heart and all shall faile him , ●sal. 73 , 26. be thou then the strength of his heart and his portion for euer Behold hee hath none in Heaven bu● Thee , 〈…〉 and there bee none on earth whome he desires besids Thee : disappoint him not LORD : Seeing hee trusts in The , let his Soule rejoyce in thy Comforts as one that findeth a great spoile : Psal. 119. 162. Make him now turne his backe vpon all worldly desires , as Hezekiah did when hee turned his face to the wall : Isa. 38. 2 , Make the hope of Glory so strong within him , that all that is heere belowe , were it never so specious or precious , may seeme to him Dirt and Dung in comparison thereof : Philip , 3 , 8 As the time of his departure shall approach , so let his soule drawe neerer vnto thee that gaue it , Gen , 2 : 7 , by breathing it into his nosthirls : So long as it shall please thee that it remaine within him , worke Heavenly motions in his heart , that as the Hart panteth after the water brookes , Psal: 42 , 1 , so may his Soule pant after that Riuer , Psal. 46 ▪ ●4 ▪ the streames whereof make glad the Citie of God . We conclude all our confused sutes , with the perfection of the paterne of all prayers , ●●ying as our LORD hath taught vs ; Our Father which art . &c.

A prayer at the verie point of death .

NOW LORD it is tyme to help , when breath begins to faile at ●he last dints of death : All diseases are from thee , and to thee belong the issues of death : Now behold thy Servant heere in the very pangs and throes thereof : The shadowe of death is now vpon his eye lids : Iob , 14 , 14 , The appointed time of his changing is now come , that thou wilt , like a weauer cut off his lyfe from the thrum : Isa , 38. 12 , Seing ●his change is appointed for all th● Sonnes of Adam , let thy mercie toward him , make him to change for the better , even from bondage , death , and darknesse to life , light , and libertie , yea and from grace to glory , Keepe now his Soule in readinesse , 1 ▪ Pet , 1 , 3 , that in a liuely hope hee may waite for thy Salvation . Gen. 49 , 〈◊〉 .

Now Lord his last houre is come to a quarter : The task of his toile is neere an end : when all shall bee finished , let him enter into the full possession of these joyes , whereof hee hath receiued the pawnes and pledges by thy favour : At the last blast and billow of Sathans temptations , let him finde his Saviour Christ to bee a sure harbry for his Soule : The Soule which thou keepest can never miscarrie : Let thy grace bee the staffe of his strength till thou bring him vnto glory : While the eyes of his body are couered with a shadowe of death , cleare thou so the eyes of his Soule , that with Stephen hee may see the Heavens open , Act. 7 , 56. and thy Sonne his Saviour at thy right hand pleading

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