Contemplations, sighes, and groanes of a Christian. Written in Latine, by Iohn Michael Dilherrus. And Englished by William Style of the Inner Temple, Esquire

CONTEMP . &c. 3.

Of Mans departing from God ; of the subtilties of Satan ; the omnipresence and Clemency of God .

THou art wonderfull O God , and very much to bee praised , thy power is great , and there is no summing up of thy greatnesse and goodnesse , beneficence , and clemency . Though but a man , I will confesse thee ; though I am but one piece of thy Creation , and but a man that carries his mortality about him , and that beares within him a testimony of his sinnes ; though such a man , such a portion of thy Creation ; yet will I praise thee . If I were without thee , I should not be , whatsoever I am , I should become nothing . Thou wast in mee to make me have a being , and to be with thee ; but I departed from thee , although I am thus in thee , and with thee . But how could I depart or be absent from thee ? how could I fly from thy face ? if I ascended into Heaven thou wast there ; for thence didst thou cast downe headlong the spirit of pride and authour of disobedience ; if I should make my bed in hell , thou wouldest be there also , for thou hast the keyes thereof , and setst open the gates thereof , for them that trust not in thee ; if I should plunge my selfe in the depth of the Sea , thou wouldest there find mee , for thou didst cast disobedient peevish Jonah into the maw of the whale ; thou madest him there a prisoner 3 nights and 3 dayes , and then didest draw him thence , neither torne , hurt , or wounded : if also I should take the wings of the morning , and make my habitation beyond the farthest Seas , even there would thy hand lead mee , and thy right hand take hold upon mee ; if I should say , yet shall the darknesse hide me ; why , even night shall be turned into day unto me ; darknesse it selfe cannot hide from thee , the night to thee shines like the day ; darknesse is light , and light as darknesse ; not houses , nor vailes , nor walls , nor enclosures , no caves that are under ground , or dens that are full of darknesse , can shut out thy presence ; thou art more nearely present with us , than we are to our selves . Thou searchest through our life , our actions and all our thoughts . Can any lurking place hide any from thy presence ? Doest not thou fill heaven and earth , and art a God at hand , and also afarr off ? Thou art all eye , for thou seest all things ; all eare , because thou hearest all things ; all hand , for thou framest all things ; all foot , for thou art every where present ; thou art neare me , thou art with me , thou art in mee , thou sittest within mee , thou art an observer of all my good and evill , and art my protector ; yet my God I went from thee , I departed , and forsook thee ; I blush when I speak this ; yet I speak it willingly ; because forthwith , thy mercy offers it selfe vnto me . Souldiers that keep not their stations , are punished with death , and hee that in the battell first begins to runne , loses his life : yea for a man but to lose his target , is counted a crime , and to cast away his weapons is counted a most reproachfull thing . Ah! how foulely have I left my station , without thy command O heavenly & eternall commander : there was yet no ordered or marshalled battell with Satan , I was but only assailed by a light skirmish , and at the very first onset , I threw away the buckler of my integrity , and faith , I suffered my weapons to bee shaken out of my hands , and I fled from my allegeance , from before thy face . With what a slight resistance , and by how childish a valour might I have overcome Satan ? it was my sloath , and not his force that made him strong . As a man greedy of gaine , seeing an orphant have riches , entices him often to his house , makes him a banquet , bestowes something on him , and beguiles him with faire words , till hee hath gotten his meanes : so the devill seeing that I had a pretious treasure , heavenly wisdome , layd up in an earthen chest , presently offered mee wealth , pleasures and honours , that baited with these , hee might spoyle mee of my heavenly riches ; he hath stripped mee and spoyled mee of all my treasure which I ought to have kept holily , and might without difficulty have done it . But what gave he me in requitall ? what riches ? what pleasures ? what honours ? What can he repay whose inheritance , and riches , is that infernall torment ? that gulfe that vomits forth pitch , and flames , whose torments are without end , and his confusion everlasting . But thou my God for my backsliding hast rendered a reacceptance of me ; for my falling from thee , thou hast requited mee with thy favour . For thy grace and mercy is precedent and greater than my whole offence and all my failings . I read it spoken by thy Kingly servant that thy mercy is great ; great hee said it was , but how great hee could not tell : wee have knowne that it is great , but how great we have not knowne nor can perceive . We know not the quantity of it's greatnesse , which cannot be expressed in words . Wee see the fruit of mercy is great , for were it not extended beyond measure , we had not after our Fall been received of thee . Ah what is sinne to the mercy of God ? A spiders web that a blast of wind makes invisible . Consider a spark of fire if it should fall into the Sea , could it continue living , or visible ? as a spark to the Sea , so is mans malice to Gods Pitty and Clemency ; yea not so only , but farre lesse ; for the Ocean though it be vast , yet is not unmeasurable , but of Gods mercies there is no measure .

CONTEMP . &c. 4.

Of the Councell of the Trinity touching the Creation of Man , and of the end why Man was created .

WHat is man that thou wast mindfull of him ? what the son of man that thou didst visit him ? Thou thoughtest of me before I had a being , I was in thy minde before I was in the world ; thou appointedst a consult , O my God , when thou wast to make me : after thou hadst brought forth all things , and hadst built this vast stage of the world , hadst replenished , and adorned it ; thou didst say , Let us make man after our Image . Thou God and Father , who art the beginning and originall of the Trinity , with whom consultedst thou ? was it with the Angels , and those holy Inhabitants of heaven ? why surely they joyned not with thee in the Creation of man , nor was man made according to their similitude . Did hee consult with the Earth , or with the Sun ? because the Sun and man are said to generate man ; who may be suffered to trifle thus ? Let us make man saidst thou , we our selves will be busie about him , and not an Angell , not the Earth , not the Sunne , not the Water , nor any other thing . But who is with thee ? doest thou speak in the Potentates language ? Nor was this sutable ; thou speakest to thy Coeternall and Coessentiall Son and holy Spirit ; thou speakest God with God , one God ; as the Father workes , so works the Son , and holy Ghost , they work but one . Thou createdst man the worke of the whole Trinity , to live in this world , better than the whole world , the most exquisite Creature of all creatures , the most absolute Creature , or little world , the Compendium , and Epitome of the great world ; yet not properly a world , but a man framed by thy hands , by the Communion of the Son , and the holy Ghost , an image enlivened by the breath of thy mouth , and a representation of thy selfe . Heaven , thy habitation , is resplendant with shining , and sparkling lights ; the earth thy footstoole doth swell with a thousand sort of fruits , and yet none of them is said to be made as man was . O God , I am thy Image , I am thy likenesse , therefore I will be thy pleasure , thy delight , thy content ; thou wilt take care of me , and never forsake me ; for who will neglect an image , and a worke made after his owne likenesse ? To what end O my God , hast thou done all this ? why didst thou forme and fashion me in so excellent a manner ? Thou madest man first of al , that he might be the stock of us all from which so many branches , so many leafes , and so many fruits should spring . Thou wouldest that all should have one originall , and a like beginning , that no man should preferre himselfe before another , as if he were the seed of a more noble father ; that none should despise another , that one should not hurt another , but that we should every one mutually assist each other in his labour ; that we should be all of one mind , will the same thing , covet , and desire the same thing ; and that there might not be heard any brawles , contentions , enviousnesse , or deceits amongst us . For concord is that most fragrant Balsum that breathes thee that excellent odour . Thousand thousands in heaven do serve thee , and there is found no discord : thousand thousands should also serve thee on earth , and there should be found no discord . Thou didst make us all that we should be the cleere mirrour of thy Majesty , of thy Glory , of thy Dignity , of thy Power , and of thy Wisdome . The work commends the workman , and the effect shewes the cause . O unspeakeable Artist ! O unvaluable causer of all things ! Let us take heed that we neither break nor spot , that we nor fully nor make dusky this glasse ; let us beware that we cause not Satans vizard to be seene in this glasse , but let wisdome , piety , goodnesse , curtesie , chastity , and whatsoever is most excellent in thee , in part reflect in us . Thou madest us all , that wee should bee the worlds perfection , beauty , and ornament . The world was a Cage cunningly and wonderfully wrought , but it wanted a singing bird , by whose warbling notes al things might be expressed : let us wordlings beware , that we be not to the world like a Crow , or dunghill bird , or a Jay , but a Lark , that doth night and day , in the evening , and at morne celebrate and proclaime his Creatours praise : let us not be a disgrace , an unprofitable , and reproachfull burden , that the world may labour to expell with groans , and be glad , not sorry to be rid of it , rather than wish for its returne . Thou hast made us all that we should admire , and set forth thee , and thy works . Thou hast endued me with an understanding enlightned with heavenly fire , that by thy selfe I might distinguish thee from my selfe , and the world . Thou hast given me a will , that knowing thee , I might love thee above all things , because thou excellest all things , and dost comprehend all good things within thee . Thou gavest me a tongue , that knowing , and loving thee , I should lively expresse , and redouble thy praises . Be present my understanding , be present my will , be present my tongue , know him , love him , praise him : praise the Lord , O my soule , I will praise the Lord all my life long , I will sing unto my God while I have any being : Praise ye the Lord , for it is good to sing unto our God , it is a pleasant , and comely thing to be thankfull unto him . Thou hast made us all , that wee should live with thee , and that wee should be made partakers of thy glory and gladnesse . The better any thing is , the more it communicates its goodnesse to others : but thou my God , art the best of bests , therefore thy goodnesse doth most plentifully flow to all , so that they will lay hold , and embrace it ; Vouchsafe safe O Lord , that whilst I walke in the way , I may dwell and remaine with thee in life . Thou ordainest me to life , O suffer me not to fall by death ; death is not of thee , but from my selfe ; life is not from me , but from thee ; take that from me which proceeds from me , and give me that which comes from thee , and I will praise thee in thine own holinesse , I will praise thee in the firmament of thine owne power , I will praise thee in thy virtues , I will praise thee according to the magnitude of thy greatnesse , I will praise thee in the sound of the Trumpet , I will praise thee upon the Psaltery , and Harpe , I will praise thee in the Cymball , and Quire , I will praise thee upon the stringed instruments , and Organs , I will praise thee in the well sounding Cymballs , I will prayse thee on the loud Cymballs , every thing that hath breath shall praise thee , Hallelujah . My spirit shall leap for joy in God my Saviour , for evermore ; O most blessed God , give me a blessed age .

CONTEMP . &c. V.

Of Paradise and of casting forth of Man from thence .

OMnipotent Creatour , thou didest bestow a threefold grace upon man , the grace of the soule , originall righteousnesse : and the grace of the body , immortality : and the grace of a most pleasant place to inhabit : but what is that place my God , wherein thou didest place my first parent , and mee in him ? I read the words of thy penman , but what meane those words ? what is Paradise ? what is Eden ? teach me O my God , for no man ( although hee think he hath gotten much knowledg ) can instruct me sufficiently . I collect that thou plantedst a garden , and that it looked toward the East ; I heare of foure rivers , Ganges , Nile , Tigris , and Euphrates , but yet I am not satisfied : for the doubts of Disputants , and their wrangling , makes the matter very intricate unto me . But why doe I seeke for that which is not , and neglect that which is ? give me the heavenly Paradise , and the earthly Paradise shall never trouble me . I understand it was a most fruitfull Garden , and stuffed with joy , pleasure , and delight , in which the eyes did want nothing , nor the ears , or any other part of that body , which it did not enjoy . Within , thou hadst furnished man with wisdome , and understanding ; without , thou sufferedst him not to want any thing : All the creatures came about that new king , enthroned by the King of kings , did tender him homage , and did reverence him with humble subjection . The tall , fertile , odoriferous , pruned , comely , and pregnant trees , how much did they refresh him ? the Alder tree , Almond tree , Cherry tree , Fig tree , Cidonian Punick aurea , and what ever else doe beautifie the fields ? But above the rest , notable are those two , which thy booke describes unto me , which did most of all ennoble the Garden , that Tree of life , and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evill . When thy faithfull servant calls it the Tree of life , doth he doe it because it had received this power from thee , that he which should eat of its fruit , should have his body confirmed in a setled state of health , and a perpetuall strength , that it should not decline to worse , or to death by sicknesse , or infirmity of age ? Thy very Word doth intimate thus much unto me . Our first Parents were nourished with the fruits of the other trees , that their living bodies should not suffer hunger or thirst : but therefore they were to taste of the tree of life , that death might not creepe upon them from any side , nor that they should ( in continuance of time ) perish by reason of old age ; the other trees were for nourishment ; that for a Sacrament . How great was thy care my God , how great thy providence ? thou gavest me not a momentany pleasure , nor a yearely , but an everlasting . Now I am weakned by diseases , I am tormented with cares , I am tortured with griefe , but this is besides thy will , though not contrary unto it ; for what could happen to me against thy Will ? could one haire have fallen from my head if thou hadst not willed it should be so ? what was now my first habitation ? the narrow and dark part of the womb , where I was environed with the ill sented sides of the belly . I come crying into this life , I depart out of it with sweat , and I passe through it with labour , nor is there any one that can boast himselfe free from this condition : being borne and brought into this light , I cannot move my selfe from one place to another ; in my first infancy , I am void of all pleasure , I am a burden both to my selfe and unto others , and exposed to innumerable dangers , even till I attaine to these yeares wherein reason and judgement begin to florish in me , happier in that one thing than in the other part of my life , that I understand not my unhappy condition . What shall I say , O my God , my yeares are multiplyed , and my cares increase , but I was not even worthy of these things . Thou canst not doe otherwise than lead me , and support me with thy hand , although I did not deserve life , but hell , and destruction , when I had opened my impious mouth and devoured the forbidden fruit : thou didst ordeine the tree of the knowledge of good and evill , for my Altar , and Temple , that I should yeeld thee due obedience in abstaining from the fruit thereof ; I would be made wiser , and did become most unwise ; before the Fall I had the knowledge and experience of a present good , I had only the knowledge but not the experience of an absent evil : but after the Fall there was in me a certaine knowledge of a lost good , but no experience of it , and I had a knowledge an experience of an adherent evill . Woe is mee ; when shall I returne thither , whence I am expelled ? I desire not a garden , but a house ; not a figure , but the thing figured ; I desire not to rule , but to become a servant ; I aske not to sit , but to stand and observe thy Commandements . Looke on mee , O my Father , looke on me , and approve me , and be pleased in thy mercy , that I may finde favour in thy sight , that the dores of thy palace may bee opened unto mee when I knock ; I beseech thee by my Lord , thy Sonne , the man of thy right hand , the Sonne of man , whom thou hast established for a Mediatour betweene thy selfe and me , by whom thou soughtest me when I sought thee not , that I might seeke thy Word by which thou hast made all things , and mee amongst the rest ; thy onely Sonne , by whom thou hast called thy beleeving people unto thy adoption , and amongst them me also : I beseech thee by him that sits at thy right hand , and doth intercede unto thee for me , in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisedome , and knowledge , open quickly unto me , and grant me passage ( O my God ) that I may enter into the joy , which cannot enter into mee , because it is farre greater than I am .

CONTEMP . &c. 6.

Of the Serpent the Deceiver .

THe devill is wicked , foule , and terrible ; hee doth therefore as much as he is able , hide his own face , and puts on a strange countenance ; yet all his thoughts , all his endevours , and all his actions , are to deceive ; when hee perswades to good , hee deceives , for a greater mischiefe that is to arise from that good , in perswading unto evill under the shew of goodnesse ; in diswading from good , as if it were evill : in diswading from evill , that he may bring in a worse evill . The deceiver invades the Serpent , that wee might not discover the hidden fraud , that hee might with more ease , and profit bring to passe that which hee had wickedly , and most cunningly projected : The Serpent was a beautifull and subtile creature , therefore not unfit to entice , to move , to perswade , and to seduce . O thou deceiver , O thou turne-coate , O thou ensnarer , and deceiver : most lying spirit , thou transformest thy selfe into an Angel of light , that thy subtilty and slights of darknes should not be discerned ; thou dissemblest the night of thy malice , that wee might promise to our selves goodnesse from that which is most vile , and wicked ; thou mouldest , and paintest , deckest , and fashionst thy instruments , that they may finde some time for acceptance with us ; if thou shouldest rransforme thy selfe into an enraged lyon , or wert so bold to change thy selfe into a cruell Beare , who would not tremble , take heed , and flie from thee ? thou goest amongst us therefore most comely and most courteously , that thou mayest , without being perceived , finde admittance of those that are heedlesse ; yea , and oftentimes also of those that are most wary . What are those vile teachers , whose consciences are feared , that glitter in so many ceremonies , so many formes of worship , and so many commentaries or expositions of things , but serpents ? but broods of vipers , that cunningly bite us ? they put on sheeps cloathing , that they may cover their wolvish clawes . Thou old Serpent , thou usest the subtill wits of men , which are the fittest of all for thy desires ; the simple , humble , and abject doe seldome broach Heresies . He that hath profited much in knowledge , for the most part , attributes much to himselfe ; he avoides the beaten way , wherein the credulous common sort of Christians doe walke ; and is wise apart , and departs , to fall headlong into the gulph of errors . Give me , my God , moderate wisedome , but that I may profit exceedingly in a holy life , and in saving faith : thou wilt not aske mee hereafter what I have scene , but what I have beleeved ; not what I have read , but what I have done . Grant that I may receive with an humble heart , what thou offerest mee , and settest forth in thy Word ; not regarding what either superstitious reason , or the mischievously obtuse pitch of wit , and foolish subtilties of Doctors doe argue . Thou art the mouth of truth ; grant that I may beleeve what thou speakest ; the Divell is the mouth of vanity ; grant that what he lyingly utters may be suspected and avoided by mee . Grant I may valiantly resist and oppose him in fighting with him . Hee is a serpent , if he but once gaine but a little intermission , hee crowdes him selfe in , and wee can hardly expell him but though wee overcome him , as it were , hee doth recollect himselfe , and assayes to get new strength ; even as the serpents taile cut off , doth by licking grow againe ; and if his head get in any where , all his body will quickly follow . O thou Conquerour of the Serpent , who art not said to bruise his tayle , but breake his head , helpe me that I yeeld not : if I be stricken , if I doe fight with him , grant me also power , O my God , to trample under my feet serpents , and scorpions , and all the power of the adversary , that nothing may doe me hurt . Vouchsafe , holy Trinity , but one God , that I may alwaies be mindfull of thee , that I may alwayes have thee with me ; and all the power of Satan shall vanish away . The serpent is afraid of the three leaved grasse , and never lyes upon it ; Satan abhorres thy name and memory , and to call upon thee ; nor dares approach the adorers of the Trinity , nor those that inhabit neere the Deity . Bee present with me , O God , forsake me not my Redeemer . The serpent flyes the Hart , he is driven away by the fume of the fat , and of the Harts-horne ; thou art the morning Hart , thou art that fume , that odour whereby that infernall spirit is weakned and repelled . Remove farre from me gluttony , and intemperancy . The serpent cannot endure a fasting man's spittle , but dyes being sprinkled with it ; make mee poure out my prayers with fasting unto thee , and that I may send forth my sighes , and call forth my groanes , and I shall be preserved in safety . I often think of that ( O my God ) which afterwards I dislike of ; yet I confesse those things unto thee , because thou seest them , though I confesse them not unto thee ; and except I doe confesse them , thou dost punish them ; I often deale thus with my selfe . Oh that I had bin so made , that I could not have fallen and been deceived . I thinke of good in an ill manner , I therefore thinke of those things , that thou mightest never have been wroth with mee , nor that I might have given thee cause to be angry ; this had been good , but I think it in an ill way ; for why hast thou not made me so ? because thou wouldst not ; why wouldst thou not ? because thou wouldst not ; I must not bee more wise than is sitting for me . But I suppose that reasonable creature is not of a little goodnesse , who avoides ill , by comparing of evills . Thou didst not O God , violently hinder mans Fall , because thou knewest how to draw some good from it ; yet followes it not from thence , that thou didst will his Fall , but didst rather will that good which thou knewest how to derive from his Fall ; but the Fall it selfe thou didst hate , and extremely detest . What shall I thinke my God ? pardon him that hath been deceived thereby : mee thinks thy servants are not to be accounted faithfull , and thrifty , if they must be fettered , and shackled , to force them to doe thy pleasure ; but when they freely , and of their owne accords do manly act that which belongs unto them . That is not acceptable unto thee , which is forced , and drawne from us by violence , but that which proceeds from true virtue ; for virtue proceeds from a free deliberation , not from necessity but free deliberation , and election , require a freedome of will . But why doe I dispute O my God ? let it suffice me that thou didst not produce a nature not subject to sinne , because it pleased thee not to doe it . Pardon me , pardon me , O my God , and deny not to forgive my curiosity . We should not exercise our selves in an idle and vaine curiosity concerning the creatures , but we should direct our steps to things immortall , and which indure for ever . Those things which thou wouldst conceale , are not to be searched into . Those things which thou hast revealed , are not to be neglected , that we be not found unlawfully curious in the one , and damnably ingratefull in the other ; I will seek truth in truth , not in vanity ; I will finde it when I have sought it , for truths sake , not for vanity ; nor will I traffique for the gaine of death in the words of life .

CONTEMP . &c. 7.

Of Gods Providence , and Preservation .

AS there is not O my soule , O my sense , O my thought , any moment , wherein , my God , I doe not use to enjoy thy goodnesse and mercy ; so ought there not to be any moment wherein I may neglect to have thee present to my memory ; I should account that I have lost all that time wherein I have not thought upon thee , O my God . I should account O God , all that time lost , wherein I doe no : meditate upon thee , I therefore come again unto thee ; O thou never failing light ; O thou untyred and never extinguisht life ; O thou ever springing fountaine ; O thou seed-plot of life ; O thou chiefe beginning of wisdome ; O thou first originall of goodnesse ; thou wilt not reject me O my God , for I speak not to jeering man , but to the Lord , that splenitickly laughs not at mee , nor flowts mee with his countenance . I behold , my God , this large extended Fabrick , and I am struck dumb ; it was made by thee , and thou hadst an end of thy work , yet didst thou not leave thy work ; thou didst not like an Architect depart from the piece of work thou hadst made ; hee goes away , and after regards it not ; but thou art still present , and remainest the same . Most powerfull and wise God , whatsoever thou didst once make , that thou doest alwayes preserve , by thy Omnipotency ; and dost order it by thy wisdome . I consider the nature of thy visible creatures , their place , order , condition , motion ; agreements , harmony , comelinesse , beauty , greatnesse , use , delight , variety , alteration , and indurance ; that is in these corruptible things . I find thy providence manifested in each part of thy creation ; I see it in heaven , and in the lights of heaven , the Sun , the Moon , the Starrs , in the ayre and in the Clouds , in the Earth , in the Sea , in the plants , in the herbs , in the seeds , in living creatures , as well reasonable , as unreasonable , foure-footed beasts , flying fouls , in swimming and creeping creatures . Think with thy self my most sweet soule , who it is that orders heavens axeltree that in so many thousand yeers it 's not growne old , nor hath received any alteration ; and although it be made of a passible and corruptible substance : yet by the word of it's creation , it remaines still upheld in the same state ; O Lord our God , there is none like unto thee . There is none so rude , nor of so brutish a behaviour , but if he lift up his eyes towards heaven , although he may be ignorant , whose providence it is that governes all this that hee sees ; yet that doth not understand from the very order , constancy , moderation and profit of these things , that there is a Providence . Though wee should find some living creatures , in regard of their use , unprofitable , and ordeined to no fit use for us ; yet might wee receive profit , in beholding them ; and they might be more profitable to their hearts that behold them , than to the eyes of those that use them . And although ir were apparent that they were hurtfull , and pernicious to mans temporary health ; yet would it not follow , but they might mutually serve for his good ; though not for his meat and service : yet to exercise his wit , according to that proceeding of common instruction , which is ready at hand to every one that will make use of reason , whereby the invisible things of God are made apparent to the understanding , by the things that are made . Thou hast therefore O God made all things profitable , and nothing fruitlesse . Shall I then bee only without profit ? shall I bee the vilest creature thou hast made ? let this be farre from me : Let me O God , be profitable to all that aske my help , or that aske it not ; for thou hast given me thus many things without asking . Let me be a helper to all t●●● need ; and having understanding , let mee altogether take heed , that I be not silent ; having abundance of all things , let mee not grow benummed in charity ; having skill to governe , let me impart the use of it to my neighbour ; I having opportunity to speak to the rich , let mee intercede for the poore ; let mee as much as may be , help others in their necessities ; and sometime even beyond my ability ; let me account an other mans distresse , mine owne ; and as I would desire to bee helped in my trouble , so that I may not for any respect of my owne , deferre to help another . Let the help I give a nother , be pleasing to mee ; which doth indeed redound more to his profit that offers it , than to his advantage that receives it ; it is both profitable to the giver , and doth according to the necessity of the occasion cheere him , that received it : that so in one bargaine made , ( which seldome falls out ) both parties may seeme to have gotten their wished for gaine . O thou mad man , that for to save a halfepeny , dost lose a groat ; and to preserve a temporary thing , dost lose that which is immortall . No creature thou , ô God , didst make was ill , though it might seeme ill , because I did not rightly understand it ; thou beholdest all things thou haddest made ; and behold they were exceeding good . Hee that sayes thy works are ill , deformed , and not beautifull , conceives not all things are faire to their former , or workman , that useth all things to the government of this universe , which hee rules with a supreme Law . But if an unskillfull man should goe into a workmans shop and should see many tools , but knowes not for what use they are ; if he be very simple , he thinks them superfluous . But if unawares he light into a work-house , or by ill handling of some sharp iron instrument , doth wound himselfe , he beleeves there are in it many pernicious and hurtfull things ; but the workman knowing how to use them , laughs at his folly , and not regarding his foolish words , doth constantly make use of his shop . And yet men that are so simple , dare hardly in the presence of such a workman find fault with things they know not ; but when they see them , judge them necessary , and ordained for some use . But in this world whose builder and governour thou art O my God , men dare find fault with many things , whose use they know not ; and would bee thought to know that which they are altogether ignorant of , concerning these instruments of the Almighty Work-master . O the rashnesse of fraile man ! thou my God who art ( in thy selfe ) the Alpha , and the Omega , as thou art in the Angels like sweetnesse , and comelinesse ▪ in thy Church as a master of a family in his house ; in the soule like a bridegroome in the bride-Chamber ; in the reprobate like feare and horrour , in the just as a helper and protecter ; in the world as the author , and governour thereof ; what shall I that am so unprofitable , and ugly render unto thee , for so many benefits and ornaments ? I live and prosper in thee , in thee am I moved , and by thee doe I subsist . But thou O Lord , who livest for ever , dost rest in thy selfe , and by thy selfe hast all things in thy selfe , and dost enjoy and find all things there ; thou needest nothing , thou seekest for nothing without thee , thou sufficest thy selfe in stead of all things , and thou thy selfe art all things . Thou art both God , and Lord of all things , thou art before the beginning of ages , and before any thing that may bee spoken of , art thou both God and Lord of all things created ; and with thee doe remaine the causes of all inconstant things , and the immutable originals of all mutable things doe abide with thee , and with thee doe live the everlasting causes of all irrationall and temporary things . O mercifull God , tell mee thy suppliant and miserable creature , tell mee , what can I repay thee ? can I imagine so small a space , or such a minute , wherein if thou shouldest withdraw thy hand , and wouldest leave me who am of no account , to my selfe that am nothing , I could remaine any thing ? I can neither move hand , foot , nor finger , except thou grantest mee that motion ; withhold , thy beck , and in a beck the frame of the world will be dissolved . Seeing then I live , and am preserved by thy goodnesse , all houres , and every minute of those houres ; O that I might ascend to thee every houre , and every point of time ; O that I might conferr with thee , pray unto thee , glorifie thee , and might consecrate my life and motion , my spirit and senses , and my whole strength unto thee . Thou my God art all things unto mee . Let me being in thee , be all things to thee . In God I will live to God , in God I will move to God ; in God whatsoever I doe , I will doe it to God . All things my God , by thy appointment doe serve mee ; all that is in mee in like manner shall yeeld a ready service to thee . And because thou hast tempered whole nature for my use , profit , and delight ; with what face , mouth , or heart , shall I doubt of thy care , and providence over mee ? if thou doubtest , my soule , thou doubtest of God himselfe , and neither knowest the Creator , nor the Creature ; shake off my soule thy trembling . Thou hast about thee , and in thee thy Saviour , whose most bountifull heart the heavens and earth doe witnesse unto thee .

CONTEMP . &c. 10.

Of Jacobs Ladder .

STir up now thy selfe , O my soule , and raise up thy whole understanding , and consider ( as much as thou art able ) how great , and what that is that is set before thee ; goe into Bethel , enter into the house of God , wherein the Lord inhabits , which is the Gate of Heaven . Where canst thou take better rest than where thy God doth rest ? If the heart of man bee not fixed in that eternall place , it can never be firme , but more wavering than motion it selfe , passing from one thing to another , seeking rest where there is none to be found ; for if his captive affections be taken up in these transitory , and vaine things , he can finde no true rest , because the soule is of so great a value , that nothing but the chiefe good can content it : enter therefore ( O my soule ) into Bethel , goe into the house of thy God , dwell in the high place , accompany thy God . Ascend , O my soule , ascend ; the Ladder is set , by which thou maiest climbe to the most High . What is that Ladder , O my God , which thy holy Israel did see in his dreame ? which stood upon the earth , and reached heaven with his top , by which also the Angels of heaven did ascend , and descend ? is it not thy righteous Sonne , who is the Way , the Truth and the Life , and by whom only we have accesse to thee . He stood upon the earth , because hee assumed our humane nature into the unity of his Person , and the branch of Iesse sprang from the earthly Virgin . Thou my God , willing of old to heale man ( the King of all thy creatures ) of his sinne , didst make as it were thy blessed Sonne in a sort to goe back from the excellency of the Divinity , and by extreme humility , having passed over nine degrees , those nine orders of Angels , to descend by the incarnation , unto the tenth degree , even the humane nature . He was borne unto us , he lived amongst us , he also ruleth amidst us ; he is with us , nor doth he ever forsake those whom he once determined to love . O blessed Ladder , fixe thy selfe also upon my heart , and cause my soule to mount up , and remaine with thee . Thou didst descend for my sake , let me ascend to thee ; as thou hast conformed thy selfe to my infirmity , so make me partake of that rest and pleasure , which no care can either interrupt or lessen . The top of this Ladder did touch the heaven , but thou the Messiah dost not only touch heaven , and art from thence to come unto us , and hast from all eternity taken thy pastime therein , but hast also framed it ; thou , who hast neither beginning nor end of dayes , for yesterday , to day , and for ever , art thou the first and the last , the great , the true , and blessed God , who wast in the beginning , and wast glorified with the Father before the foundation of the world was layd . But the Ladder was but one that did reach from earth to heaven ; so thou O most sweete Jesus art Lord of heaven , and a man of the earth , yet but one Person , but one Man , one God , and one Mediatour between a displeased God , and a wretched man , by the union of the Divine , and humane nature . By this Ladder Angels ascend , and descend ; because Angels desire to look into the mystery of so holy , and admirable an union , who notwithstanding , doe alwayes see , and heare the holy Spirit instructing them . There doe also other Angels ascend , and descend , even the Teachers , and all beleevers , who ought to preach nothing else but Christ , because there is no admittance to life by any other ; nor is there any open familiar , and daily passage to the Father but this . Imitate O my deere soule , the pure , chaste , and holy Angels in purity , in chastity , in sanctity ; except thou wilt lie groveling on the earth , and laden with the durt of thy sinnes , bee thrust into hell . O Lord , I cannot lift up my selfe ; bee thou my guardian where ever I goe , and bring me out of banishment into thy promised Land ; nor neglect or forsake mee till I shall returne into my Countrey . In the meane time , let mee be like Iacob , a supplanter , and by faith let mee trample upon sinne , let me prevaile , and obtaine the blessing : let mee rest upon the living Corner Stone , and I shall not bee moved or confounded : let me be also a spirituall Stone , built upon that Corner Stone , that I may become an Habitation , and Temple of Divinity . Ah Jesu , my Redemption , my Love , and Desire , bee present with mee : I invoke thee , I cry unto thee with a strong voice , with my whole heart , which voice none but thou canst heare . I invite thee into my soule , enter into it , and fit it for thy selfe , that thou mayest possesse it without spot or wrinkle ; for a pure habitation is suteable for a most pure Lord : sanctifie mee therefore thy vessell , which thou hast made ; empty out the malice , and fill it with grace , and keepe it still full , that I may bee now , and ever a Temple fitting for thee to dwell in . Most Sweet , most Benigne , most Loving , most Deere , most Mighty , most Desired , most Pretious , most Lovely , most Beautifull . Thou that art sweeter than Honie , whiter than Milke , or Snow , pleasanter than Nectar , more pretious than Gemmes , or Gold , and deerer unto mee than all the riches , and honours of the World .

CONTEMP . &c. 11.

Of the most tender care of God over his people ; to be collected from his care for his people Israel in the wildernesse .

MY soule doth often languish , and my heart is often full of great cares when I thinke what I may bee , namely , an example of weakenesse the ruine of Time , the scorn of Fortune , the image of Mutability , the beame of Envie , and Calamity , and the rest nothing but Flegme , and Choler . Oh , who sees not how many things may be every where busie upon the circumference of the earth ? Oh with how many teares and sighes , they fill the earth , all which doe as it were by a certaine fate accompany mans life ? he deplores the sicknesses , which possesse this his body ; he deplores the uncertaine condition of his health , and the ambiguity of his life . For what Age or Time is there , wherein hee is not thwarted by some evill ? doth he not so soone as he is borne , and newly pulled from the moist receptacles of the womb , abound with slime and filth , and make all things ring with his bawling cries ? after , if hee live to the flower of his age , he is carried violently by his intemperate heate ; if he attaine to his youth , by reason of the ardor and violence of his spirit , he cannot be kept within the bounds of his duty by no counsell , or admonitions ; if he live to his old age he then dies and withers by little and little ; yet all this is not enough ; for what Art could man ever yet finde out , either to divert a plague , or to stop the force of violent rayns falling from heaven , or stay an earthquake , or quench a fire breaking out of the earth ? I see a ranke and mutuall succession of evills , and I behold a continuation of dangers : But if I come to the soule , I see even there an army of diseases , by which it is besieged ; if I shall wipe away griefe , feare comes in its place ; if feare retire , anger ariseth ; if anger bee appeased , envy comes in its roome ; misery is at hand , and evils are neere ; nor doth ever any certaine rest befall us . Alas , alas , miserable creatures that wee are , how often is man even brought to nothing ? I am astonished when I ruminate on these things , and I poure forth my heart like water ; I am not contented with small drops of teares , but poure forth such plenty , as the violent and swift running streame is wont to doe ; I can no where finde ease , nor ever peace , nor can I finde any where comfort , but when I flie to thee my God my Fatherly God ; for thou pourest forth thy goodnesse night and day , without ceasing . As it is the property of heate to warme , and of cold to coole : so is it thy property , good God , to doe that which is good . I am surely a wretch , and sufficiently afflicted ; yet thy goodnesse , thy beneficience , thy care , hath overcome all my misery , vanquisheth , and utterly brings to nothing all my affliction . If I make a just reckoning , there is no man but oftner sees it cleare , than stormy ; upon whom thou dost often poure forth thy blessings above his hopes , and thy gifts have overcome his wishes : thy bounties are free , nay , unexpected monuments of goodnesse doe of their owne accord flow from thee : for thou , King of the world , art thou compassed about by any offerings , or sacrifices , that thou shouldest confer on Mankind all these things that are so usefull for his life ? dost thou not administer the engendring heate of the Sunne , the coole refreshings of the Night , the Seasons , the Winds , and Raynes to good and bad , to just and unjust , to free men and to servants , to poore and rich , with an equall hand ? It is thy property , O powerfull and true God , to afford blessings unsought for , to weary and feeble creatures , and such as are continually brought low by many sorts of crosses . But I am exceedingly refreshed , and I am transported with wonderfull joy , when I consider that thou art alwaies an evident assister of good men , and dost maintain the better cause . Although many that belong to thee , do behold the posterity of Israel often murmuring , and cursing ; yet is hee a rejoycing victorious rock , amidst all the greatest dangers he is invironed withall : He is oppressed , vexed , troubled , and almost overwhelmed ; but my helping God comes in season to his ayde , to deliver those that mourne . O admirable care of God for his people ! O more than Fatherly protection I am scarce my self , when I behold those great workes of my protecting God . Moses set in the Wilderness to feed his flock , sees a burning Bush , heares thee out of the Bush , receives thy Commands , is exalted in Power , is sent to Pharaoh , approaches him , speakes to him , is contemned , and overcomes him . Egypt is smitten , Pharaohs disobedience is scourged , and that not after one manner of way , that the sacrilegious King might bee tormented with variety of punishments . And what ? after this he rebells ten times , and is so many times punished . What is it then that I say ? why , I do conceive that during all this , thou tookest knowledg of the estate of thy children , thou didst judge of it , thou tookest care of them , and didst most benignly protect them ; as often as thou smotest the rebelling Egyptians , so often didst thou cast backe thine eye upon thine owne ; so often didst thou preserve them , and judge their enemies . But what followed all this I have said ? Israel is let to depart , doth celebrate the Passeover , doth rob the Egyptians , and goes thence with great riches . Pharaoh repents him , musters an army , overtakes them in their flight ; his army is stopped , hee is divided from them by darknesse , the sea is dried up , Israell rejoyceth he is delivered by the officious patience of the waves ; Pharaoh follows after them , the sea returneth upon him , and hee is swept away by the working waves . In order after these things , the Hebrew Nation , that had conquered without warre , enters the wildernesse , and journeyth without travel , and walketh without a way : God ushering them ; they honourable in having God a fellow-souldier with them ; and being mighty , by his heavenly guidance following the moving Pillar , cloudy by day , and fiery in the night ; using fit distinctions of colours for the difference of the times , namely , that he might distinguish the light of the day , by a muddy darknesse , and that he might enlighten the dusky night by a bright shining flame . Thou addest O wonderfull , bountifull and mercifull God , Fountains springing in a moment : thou addest the healed waters , either given , or altered ; keeping their forme , but leaving their nature . Thou givest them tops of mountains with streames gushing out ; thou makest their dusty fields flow with new streames ; thou givest them multitudes of quailes , brought to their tents , as they journyed . Thou God , most indulgent in pitty , thou givest man things not onely fit for his use , but baites to intice him unto thee : my God , thou lovest and cherishest thy people , even with pleasure , to thee ; Thou assistedst them forty yeares long , the starres daily affording them food , and the dropping poles of heaven in like manner flowing with pleasant sustenance , not onely for livelihood , but even for their delight . Thou preservedst the men , without addition , or diminution in the parts of their bodies ; without growing of the nails , without wearing of the teeth , the haire alwayes of one length , their feet not gauled , their garments without tearing , and their shooes without mending . The honour of thy servants doth abound even in the dignity of their vile Cloathing . Here I finde God in his office of instructing men , descending to the earth ; the Son of God applying himselfe to the earthly customes of men , & a numberlesse number of commmon people admitted to the fellowship of thy divine familiaritie , to prevaile with thee in the honour of thy holy friendship . I heare God speaking neere at hand , preaching the Law with his divine mouth ; I view the letters graven with the finger of God , the learning people , and teaching God ; and that there is as it were but one schoole of heaven and earth , mixed of men and Angels . For so it is written , that when Moses had reported to the Lord the peoples words , the Lord said unto him , Now will I come to thee in a thick cloud , that the people may hear me speake to thee : And behold , a while after , they began to heare thunders , and lightnings , and thicke clouds began to cover the mountains . And again ; He did descend upon the top of Mount Sinah ; And afterwards he spake with Moses , all of them seeing , that the Pillar of the Cloud did rest at the doore of the Tabernacle , and they stood and worshipped in their Tent doors . Thou didst speak , O Lord , to Moses face to face , as one friend useth to doe with another . O what a care hast thou of thy creature man , thou God that affordst and performest these so great things for him : making vile man partaker of thy Word ; and as it were admitting him to the fellowship of thy holy company , opening thy hands full of immortall riches , nourishing him with the cup of Nectar , and feeding him with heavenly food ! What greater care , I beseech thee , couldest thou performe in that thy government , or what greater affection couldest thou use , that whereas they were but in the action of this present life , they did notwithstanding then enjoy a representation of their future blisse ? Nor let any man here murmure , that thou hadst this care of mankinde heretofore , but that thou now hast it not . Whence shall I beleeve this repining doth proceed ? by chance , because we are not daily fed with Manna , as they were , although we reap from our fields most plentifull Wheat-harvests ? or is it because wee catch not Quailes flying as it were , into our hands : whereas we devour all kinde of birds , of cattell and beasts ? or because we doe not with open mouthes receive the waters springing from the rockes , whereas wee drench our Tavernes with the juice of the grapes ? Somthing I adde more , that we our selves who thinke that God did then take care of them , and do suppose , that God doth now neglect us : if wee could exchange our present blessings for theirs , which are past ; wee would utterly refuse to wish to bee in their Condition . For we would not lose the things wee now have , that wee might possesse the things which they then used . Not that wee have better things than that Nation then had , but because even they who were fed by the daily ministery of heaven , and of God himselfe ; did preferre the old gluttony of their bellies , before the present good things they received ; beeing sad with the calling to minde of their carnall meates , and falling sicke for the filthy love of leeks and oyons ; not that these things which they formerly used were better , but because even as we now do , so did they then ; they loathed the things they had , and desired the things they had not . We doe rather extol the things that were then , than the things which now are ; not that we had alwayes rather have them , if we might choose ; but because this is an usuall fault , that mans soule is incident to ; to desire the things are absent ; and for other mens things to please us better than our owne ; and for ours to please others more than the things they doe enjoy ; so fastidious are we , most miserable men , that we are not worthy to live , much lesse , of life with the good things appertaining to it . But what ere thou givest or deniest , thou art alwayes a Father , and dost never forsake a sonne that trusts and hopes in thee . Give if thou wilt , but onely five loaves and two fishes ; a handfull of meale , a little oyle in a pitcher , a few shreds , and branches of trees , and no more ; I will boast of the care thou hast of mee , O my God , in thee will I boast my heavenly Father , who takest me up , nor can I receive disquietnesse from thee , for ever . Thou wilt say to my soul , I am thy salvation ; no good thing shall be diminished to them that seeke thee : they shall not bee confounded in the evill day , and in a time of famine they shall have enough . Although I fall , I shall not bee dashed to peeces , because thou settest to thine hand . I never saw the just man forsaken , nor his seed begging their bread : I will seeke thee , O Lord , and thou shalt heare mee , and shalt snatch mee out of all my troubles : being poore I will call unto thee , and thou shalt save mee from all my cares : those that feare thee cannot truly suffer want : Thou wilt command that the meale in the vessell faile not , that the oyle in the pitcher decrease not , because I have need of all these things . I will first seeke the Kingdome of God , and other things shall be added unto me . It is so far from thee , my God and Lord , that thou shouldest forsake thine , that thou makest even dogs to helpe and give them ease . I will expect thee , O Lord , I will play the Man , I will suffer thine hand , O Lord , and my heart shall receive comfort ; let my father and mother forsake mee , thou Lord shalt take mee up . O God thou shalt be my helpe , nor wilt thou despise me , O God my salvation . Thou shalt set me upon a rock , thou shalt hide me in thy Tabernacle in the time of afflictions ; thou shalt hide me in the depth of thy Tabernacle , in the time of affliction , that I may see thy goodnesse in the land of the living .

CONTEMP . &c. 12.

Of the Tabernacle of the Children of Israel ; Of the Cloud wherein Gods especiall presence was manifested ; Of the Mercy-seat ; Of the Arke ; Of the Manna ; and Of Aarons rod.

I Creepe before thy Tabernacle , my God , & I consider how thou didst appear to thy people : I find many terrible things , but yet comfortable also ; thou wrappest thy selfe in a Cloud , yet is not thy Majesty the lesse resplendent : it is so great that thou affrightest , and art feared like a consuming fire ; and how shall I beleeve that an Intellect severed from all mixtion of mortality , most excellent , most wife , and most holy , a spirit piercing through all things , and intent even to each particular part of the Universe ; which doth as it were to the strings of a most exquisite Harpe , modulate the song of vanishing things in a most pleasing variety ; a Spirit unbegotten , immortall , everlasting ; that is onely a place , yea a world able to conteyne it selfe , and the greatest world of wisdome , of holinesse , of understanding , of reason , of life , of formes ; to whom intelligible nature it selfe doth breath forth , and ceases not to frame and render praises , can be cloathed in a cloud ? yet thou cloathest thy selfe with a cloud that thou mightest then exhibit thy selfe according to the time of faith , not as thou art a God , but as men might endure to behold thee . Thou teachest us spirituall things , by corporall things ; and dost demonstrate unto us invisible things , by things visible ; thou art the sun O my God , but my weake eyes cannot looke stedfastly upon thy most resplendant light , except a cloud be interposed ; if I will try the strength of my eyes farther , I may easily be blind ; if I will soare higher , I may be in danger to bee burnt to ashes . Let me alwayes beare in mind that which one of thy Saints was wont seriously to ruminate upon ; I am a man and understand not Gods secrets I dare not search after them , and therefore I am affraid even to make an essay upon them , because it is a kinde of sacrilegious rashnesse to desire to know more than is permitted unto me . In thy Tabernacle I see the Arke of thy Covenant ; besides the Arke , I see the Mercy-seat ; I see Manna in the Arke , and those rocky leafes , and Volume of stone wherein the Law was written , published amiddest thunders , amiddest lightnings , amiddest the horrid sounds of heavenly trumpets , amiddest the deadly savour of the ambient ayre , amiddest the poles of heaven bellowing with these sacred noises , amiddest those fires , mists and clouds , replenished with the holy Deity . O my God , how many mysteries do here lie hid , that I would I might understand ? mee thinks , I see Christ in all these things ; for hee is the true Mercy-seat , who alone hath done away the sinnes of the whole world , by the onely sacrifice of his passion , and hath made thee a God propitious unto us . Hee was represented by that golden peece of workmanship , wherein thou diddest promise that thou wouldest dwell , and hearken unto those that should call upon thee : for thou lovedst us also in him thy beloved one ; and in him art mercifull unto us . Hee defends his Church , as that golden tent did cover the Arke : and did hide the Law which was laid up in it from the face of God , that dwelt above it : that hee should not according to the rigour thereof , take notice of our sinnes , or enter into judgement with us . Thou thy selfe , my God , hast promised him unto mee , that he might be a sacrifice for me in his owne blood . Thou hast made him a propitiation both for mine , and for the sinnes of the whole world : O Christ my reconciler , my place of refuge , O my hope , redeeme mee and reconcile mee , that I lose thee not , and bee forced to beare the wrath of my everlasting Father for ever . He is the true Arke ; for as the Arke was made of pure gold , and the neatest wood ; so my Redeemer , God and Man , is consubstantiall of the most high Godhead , and the most perfect humanity . The Tables were put in the Arke , because my Redeemer hath in him the perfect fulfilling of the Law , by whose benefits ( apprehended by faith ) our disobedience becomes unhurtfull unto us . What more sweet than Manna ? And what more wholesome than Christ the bread of heaven ? which whosoever by faith shall eat , shall never bee bitten with hunger , but nourished for ever by an unspeakable happinesse . I also find Aarons rod , sometimes dry , sometimes flourishing ; the rod of Jesse , the tree of life , Christ my Redeemer , with suffring upon the crosse gives up the ghost , & forthwith returns to life , and flourisheth without end . O the riches of the wisdome and understanding , which thy Book affords them that love and hearken unto thee ! O Christ , be thou my Propitiatory , if the infernall tempter shall accuse mee , bee thou my Arke where I may bee hid , when sinne doth tyranously grow cruel against me , be thou my staffe whereon I may leane , when I shall enter the vale of death , bee thou my Manna wherewith I may bee continually refreshed after death , in thine everlasting Kingdome .

CONTEMP . &c. 13.

Of the Conception of Christ .

O What humility , O what a desire to save me hadst thou , O Christ my Saviour : there was no truth in my mouth , my throat was an open sepulchre , I have dealt deceitfully with my tongue , and my spirit is not pure ; and thou that art the very mouth of truth , the throat of sweetnesse , the tongue of virtue , my most unspotted Saviour , and free from all contagion of sinne , dost kisse mee with the kisses of thy mouth ; O blessed kisse and to bee wondred at for its admirable value , in which , one mouth makes not an impression upon another , but God and Man are united together . With what else shall I compare thy incarnation , but to a kisse ? a kisse , a token of peace and reconciliation ; and by thy incarnation , was peace and reconciliation restored to the world . O what a blessed day is that , when thwarting thy paths I receive a kisse from thy offended mouth , in stead of a deserved reproofe ; as thy Spouse the Church cries out , burning with impatient love , shee cryes out , Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth : with a desire kindled from the promises and benefits of Christ , she beseeches the Messiah might be sent unto her , that she might heare him speaking , and behold him instructing her : in his flesh , shee requires him to descend , and to bee united to the humanity . Consider the Church O my soule , who having ( of a long time ) had a promise of her Lords comming , from the mouth of the Prophets ; and having beene a great while in suspence , raiseth her selfe from the body ; abandoning luxury , and carnall pleasures , and delights , and disroabing her selfe of the care of secular vanities , doth wish for the infusion of the divine presence , and grace of the saving Word ; and how is shee tortured and afflicted , that hee comes so late ? wounded as it were with love , not able longer to endure his delay , turning to the Father , shee beseecheth him , that he will send God the Word unto her . I will not have him speak by Moses , nor by the Prophets ; no ; let him take my body upon him , let him kisse me in the flesh : Follow my soule , thou which art a part of that most happy assembly ; follow the example of that groaning Church , and think on nothing more ; love , cherish , vow unto , and expect nothing more , than thy Messias . See , I beseech you , and consider , the familiar , and friendly communication of those soules ( sighing in the flesh , ) with the heavenly powers ; they rejoyce in those kisses , they aske for what they desire , yet they name not him they love , because they doubt not , but that hee knowes them , with whom they have been accustomed ( so often ) to converse withall ; therefore they say not , let this or that particular kisse me , but only let him kisse us ; as Mary Magdalen did not expresse his name whom she sought , but only said to him ( she thought had been the Gardner ) Sir , if thou hast taken him ; What him ? she utters it not , because she thought that must needs be manifest to all , which could not ( for one moment ) depart out of her heart ; neither doth that betrothed Virgin , desire one kisse , burning continually with chaste love , and impatient of delayes ; but she askes for many kisses , that her desires may bee satiate . For she that loves , is not content with the parcimony of one kisse , but requires many , chalenges many , and so useth to commend her selfe often unto her beloved . Kisse thou also the Lord , O my soule , lest at any time he be angry , and thou perish in the way . Who will give thee unto me , O Lord ? O let me find thee , and I will kisse , not my hands , or any thing my hands can touch , but even thee , O Lord . Let the tumultuous flesh be silent , let the phansies of earth , and water , of ayre , and of the vault of heaven hold their peace ; let dreams and imaginary revelations bee still ; let every tongue , every signe , and whatsoever is acted in a trice , be quiet ; say nothing to thy selfe , O my soule , passe by thy selfe , and have no thought upon thy selfe , but upon my God . For he is truly all my hope and trust . For in God and our Lord Jesus Christ most sweet , most bountifull , and most pitifull , is every of our portions , our bloud and flesh : the lover doth ( as much as possible ) desire to be one with the thing beloved : and therefore they cling together , and glew , as it were , their bodies in one , and they strive to make , of both their soules , but one , by the conjunction of kisses . Thou , O Jesus , my love , thou my desire , thou my thought , thou my hope , thou my wish , I would I could alwayes cleave unto thee . Would to God that where thou my portion doest raigne , there I may at least be a subject , and where thou my blood doest rule , there I may obey , and where thou my flesh art glorified , I may not bee there confounded . I am indeed a sinner , but yet I distrust not of the communion of grace ; and if my sinnes doe forbid it , yet my substance requireth it ; if mine owne offences exclude me , the fellowship of my nature drives mee not back ; for God is not so great an enemie , that hee should not love his owne flesh , his members , and bowels . I might indeed despaire , by reason of my too too many sinnes and offences , my infinite faults , and negligences , which I have committed , and which I daily , and without ceasing doe act , in heart , mouth , and worke , and by all wayes that humane frailtie can offend , except thou haddest kissed me , except , O Word , thou haddest beene made flesh , except thou shouldest dwell in me . Let reason here be silent , and let faith speak ; the things are true which I say , for thy Spirit hath revealed them unto me ; yet are they so profound , that I cannot pierce into them ; they are so high , that my abjectnesse will not suffer me to reach them . I will adore them in silence , and admire in my adoration . And thy miraculous incarnation , shall clense my spotted conception . Let not reason conceive that which thy overshadowing doth work , so that my Salvation may be firme , sure , and unshaken .

CONTEMP . &c. 14.

Of Christs Nativitie .

THat which none ever saw , now all the world beholds ; that which none ever heard , now all the world doth heare ; God , the Sonne of God , undergoes the shame of our humane nature , and takes upon him the reproachfull principles of our earthly originall ; he lyes in a manger , to whom Angels doe yeeld their service ; he suffers himselfe to be wrapped in swadling cloathes , who gives cloathing to the heavens ; no ambition seene in his house , a bare couch in a stable , and his Mother lodged in hay ; such an Inne doth the worlds Creator make choice of ; these were the dainties of the holy Virgins child-bed ; ragges in stead of purple ; for silke , and princely trimming , nothing but plaine hemmes ; hee that was ( before the foundation of the world was laid ) borne from the heart of his Father , who had Alpha and Omega for his surname , the beginning and the close of all things which were , or are , or shall be hereafter : now in the end of the determined time , put on the shape of a servant , and is borne of a poore Virgin . Let the vault of heaven sing , let every Angell sing , let all that belong to vertue sing , to the praises of God , let no tongue be silent ; and let every voyce , for ever and ever sound forth his praises . Old-age and youth , quires of Infants , troopes of matrons and virgins , the simple maydens with tunable voyces ; let them with chast consorts chaunt forth his praises ; let every age acknowledge that the reward of our life is come , after the bondage of our sharpe enemie . Whence is this , that not the Mother of our Lord , but that the very Lord himselfe comes unto us ? How great is he that is given to mee ? hee is the Angell of peace , the Lambe of God , the Benefactour of all , the horne of salvation , the Bruiser of the Serpents head , the Governour of Israel ; he is the desire of the Gentiles , the guide of our life , and the expectation of the Nations . He is the Son of the most High , the branch of Jesse , the humble Caller of mankind ; he is our Intercessour , he is our Righteousnesse , he is our Deliverer ; hee is our Mediatour , hee is our Nourisher , hee is our Helper . He is the Prince of Peace , he is the great Prophet , the Restorer of our quiet , he is our Redeemer . Hee is our Reconciler , he is King of Sion , a Saviour , an Expiatory Sacrifice ; he is the heavenly Bridegroome , the Expeller of sadnesse , he is the Word made flesh , the most ample Present , the heavenly Zelote ; he is all things . Let the bright heaven thunder , let the glad earth personate , let yawning hell mourne , but let mankind keepe a Jubily : we groaped in darknesse , and were blinded and covered in a most thick night ; he proceedeth out of the darknesse and night that expelleth these mists of ignorance and night of sinnes . Our nature is not now strange to God , since that in it , even in Christ our Mediatour the fulnesse of the Godhead doth now dwell ; for the Virgins womb was made choice of for the Lord of heaven and earth to spring in ; nor was that blessed masse , the Sonne of God incarnate for her onely ; but that of his fulnesse all wee might be made pertakers ; God did not onely make mee , but hee made many things for me ; seeing that the Word is made flesh for me , and dwelleth in us , he is become one flesh with me , that he might make mee one Spirit with him . Christ would become that which man is , that man might become what God is ; it is impossible for mee to understand the secret of his Nativity . My understanding failes , my voice ; nay , not mine only , but even the voice of the Angels is stopped ; it is above Powers , above Cherubin and Seraphin , and above all sense . I therefore lay my hand upon my mouth , I may not search after these so high mysteries : It may bee knowne that he was borne ; It is not to bee disputed how hee was borne ; it is rashnesse to enquire after this . This is an unutterable Birth , who shall declare it ? An Angell shewes it , the Vertue overshadowes , the Spirit assists , the Virgin beleeves , a Virgin brings forth , and yet continues a Virgin ; who doth not admire ? the Word is born an Infant , 8c length is acknowledged to be short , & breadth narrownesse , heigth lownesse , and depth shallownesse ; there light is found that shines not ; the Word an Infant thirsting for water , & hūgring after bread . O Nativity , honorable to the world , in its unpolluted holinesse , lovely to men by the greatnesse of the benefit bestowed , inscrutable also to the Angels , by the depth of the sacred Mystery , and admirable in all these things , by the speciall excellency of the newnesse thereof ; even so , that there hath not bin seene the like before it , nor can there be seen any such to follow it . Ah what was the cause of Christs comming and Birth ? what , but to save sinners ? Take away sicknesse , take away wounds , and there will bee no use for medicines . Therefore the great Physitian came from heaven , because men lay sicke in all places ; all the stocke of mankind was lost by the sinne of one , in whom all were ; and therefore came one without sinne , that might save all that were in their sinnes ; for not our merits , but our sinnes , drew him from heaven . It is a thing becomming our faithfull soules , Christian breasts , beleeving minds , that we celebrate the comming of our Lord with all devoutnesse , and that we meditate of his Birth , being delighted with so great a consolation , and amased with so excellent a Dignity , and enflamed with so great a love . It is a worthy thing my brethren , that we sing forth glory to the Trinity in unity , and to God the Divine , and begotten off-spring , and also to the Spirit , proceeding from them both . O Jesu , thou that wouldest be borne an Infant , make mee become little in mine owne sight , and that I may not too much desire high things . Thou which diddest proceed from the wombe of a most chaste Virgin , be thou also borne in my chaste heart , which is purified by thee . Thou who wert born in the town of Bethlehem , that is , the house of bread , and wast sought and found by the Shepherds ; joyne mee often with thy Shepherds , and furnish mee with the heavenly bread , and so thy Nativity shall for ever satisfie me . The heaven was opened when thou wast borne ; open heaven also unto me , when the dayes of this my earthly birth and pilgrimage are ended , that I may see and glorifie thee . Angels accompanied the Shepherds that went to thee ; joyne them also to my company , that I be not cast headlong into a by-way , or desire any thing besides thee ; the brightnesse of the Lord did shine upon those that did desire to be neere thee ; I would that I might bee alwayes present with thee , and be illuminated by thy Light , that I rush not into darksome fens , or be involved in filth and pernitious darknesse . They granted thee no roome in the Inne ; O make choyce of a place in my heart , let my heart be thy manger and thy swadling bands , wherewith thou wert swathed , that I may for ever remaine inclosed within thy wounds , and within thy mercy , and my soule shall magnifie thee , O Lord , and my spirit shall rejoyce in God my Saviour : I will call out with those lowd crying and fiery inhabitants of heaven , Glory bee to God on high , on earth peace , good will towards men : now is wrought salvation , and power , and the Kingdome of our God , and the power of his Christ . Thou art worthy O Lord , our God , to receive Glory , and Honour , and Power ; Ah Lord , when shall this come to passe ? when wilt thou bestow this upon mee ?

CONTEMP . &c. 15.

Of the name Jesus .

WHat sound is this that flies to mine eares ? it is a name that parents gave not , neither did the circucising Priest bestow it , but an Angell brought it from heaven ; and God , that it should be brought and declared unto us , commanded saying , His name is Jesus ; how pleasant , delightfull and forcible a name ! O how this name doth comfort my soule ! Jesus , is a God of giving men salvation , which is expounded a Saviour , or saving ; for this reason of the name was given , when before he was to be borne , by the Virgin , it was said , Thou shalt call his name Jesus , because hee shall save his people from their sinnes . God hath now manifested his salvation , all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God ; hee hath opened himselfe in the earth , and salvation and righteousnesse have been fruitfull . My God , thou makest us safe in the Lord our God : thou hast given us a light of the Gentiles , which is our salvation even to the ends of the earth . Let us therefore rejoyce in God our Saviour , say to the Daughter of Sion , behold , salvation approacheth . The other names of the Messiah , are taken from the effects of his salvation , and doe onely signifie either the beginning , or middle , or onely the end of salvation ; but this name Jesus , the whole proceeding thereof ; for it doth sufficiently containe and expresse , the beginning , middle , and end thereof ; and doth include all other things also within it . The Angels adore , and the devils doe tremble at this name , and men receive it for their salvations . This name is glorious in the preaching of it ; being thought upon , doth nourish us , called upon , doth mollifie and anoint us ; not in the letters of it , but by its spirit and life . Whence could there have beene , in all the world , so great and so sodaine a light of faith , but by the preaching of the name of Jesus ? Hath not God called us in the light of this name , into his admirable light to such as are so enlightned and doe see light by his light ? Paul speaketh deservedly , You were sometimes darknesse , but now are you light in the Lord . And the name of Jesus is not onely a light , but it is also food : art not thou as often refreshed as thou dost think upon it ? What doth so much fatten the soule , as the thought of that name ? What doth so much repaire the decayed senses ? It strengthens our vertues , it quickens good and honest manners , it cherisheth chaste affections , all meat is dry that is not moistned with this oyle , is unsavoury , not seasoned with this salt . If thou writest to mee , I relish it not if thou leave out Jesus ; Jesus is honey in the mouth , harmony in the eare , gladnesse and physicke for the heart . Is any of us sad ? let Jesus come into the heart , and thence let him flow into our mouths , and behold , at the rising of the light of that name , every cloud is expelled , and the cleare light returnes : Doth any slip into sinne ? doth he haste even to the halter of death by his despaire ? doth he not by invocation of this name of life , forthwith respire to life ? Surely there have beene many others who have had the name of Jesus ; for the name of Ioshuah that led the Israelites through Jordan , into the land of Canaan , is the same name with Jesus . The son of Syrach is called Iesus , and Iesus is mentioned in Zachary ; but these men beare the name without the thing ; or if they wrought any safety , they performed it by the power and helpe of this my Jesus . There were likewise many that were called Saviours , as Othniel , Ehud , and others ; but these were onely deliverers of the body , and did onely for a time deliver the people from their outward enemies , and did for a while keep them free from the spoylers of this world : but this my Jesus is the true Saviour , for he not onely frees and preserveth his people from outward enemies , but from spirituall subtilties in high places . Sometimes indeed he delivers us to outward enemies , nor is he presently Jesus or a Saviour ; he sends amongst us warre , plague , haile , cold , poverty , disgrace , diseases , captivity , bondage , but it is for our eternall salvation . He is also a faithfull Jesus , nor suffers he any one to be tempted above his strength , but giveth our temptations such a measure , that we may endure them ; and although our Jesus doth seeme too cruelly and too long to leave us in these externall evils , and to lay too heavie a burden upon us , that we are in feare to be overcharged , to yeeld , and to faile under it ; yet let us expect the comming of our Jesus , wwhich will be in a fit season . My Jesus best knoweth our strength , and how much we can beare ; and as the pilot doth diligently take care that the ship be not over-fraighted , or fall into any fearfull danger ; so my Iesus doth weigh and ballance our abilities , before he layes any crosse upon us , that it may not exceed them . Thinke alwayes ( O my soule ) upon Iesus , because thou hast alwayes need of thy Iesus . If thy sinnes do vex thee and Satan doth paint them forth , and set them before thee , that he may perswade thee they are more in number than can be forgiven ; that they be larger than heaven and earth for magnitude ; call upon thy Iesus , and make Satan thy laughing-stocke . Iesus is my Saviour , who hath delivered me from my sins , and hath taken them upon himselfe ; he is become for me and all the world a ransome , a sacrifice , a reconciliation . And because it appeares that he is not conquered , but is truly a Saviour , they must needs be sinners indeed , and not feighned sinners that he doth save ; for this sentence can never be recalled ; Christ is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sins of the world . If the feare of death doth presse thee and if Satan endeavour to dishearten thee with the expectation thereof , and doth portrait the figure of death before thee in a most bloody & horrible manner and repeats unto thee the threats which God denounces against sinners , and the vengeance which he reserves for them , protect thy selfe with the Name of Iesus , and oppose it to the terrors of death . Why should I feare death , that I should feare the paines thereof ? when as my Iesus ( as himselfe doth teach us ) hath slaine my death ; O death I will be thy death . Doth Satan strive to make thee sad , himselfe being punished and overwhelmed with everlasting woe , desiring to draw others into his company ? pronounce thou therefore but the Name of Iesus with beliefe , and he vanisheth away ; for hee is therefore a Iesus , because he hath ransomed thee from the curse of thy sinnes , and hath reconciled thee to the everlasting Father , that thou mightest for ever rejoyce with him . Why then art thou sad ? What ever befals thee , let the Name of Iesus still come into thy heart , and betweene thy lips , that the force thereof may asswage all afflictions . Nothing is more sweetly sung , nothing is heard more pleasingly than Iesus the Sonne of God . No kinde of sin is so great , but the Name of Iesus is above it ; O thou ( therefore ) pleasant Name of Iesus , a delightfull Name , a comfortable Name ; O Lord Iesus , if I have done that for which thou mayest damne me , yet hast not thou lost that whereby thou mightest save me . O most mercifull Iesus , O most sweet Iesus , O most gracious Iesus , O Iesu , Iesu , O Iesus the salvation of those that trust in thee , O Iesus the salvation of those that beleeve in thee , O Iesus , the salvation of those that flie unto thee , O sweet Iesu , the remission of all our sinnes , O Iesu , for thy holy Name sake save me , that I perish not ; O Iesus have mercy upon me , while there is a time for mercy , and condemne me not in the time of thy judgement . Iesus Christ , have mercy upon me ; for this thy Names sake , doe unto mee according to this thy Name ; looke on me miserable wretch , invoking thy Name : it is true , my soule hath deserved damnation , and my repentance is no satisfaction ; but it is certaine that thy mercy is farre exceeding all my offences ; give me therefore ( for thy Names sake ) that mercy , O my Iesus ; for thou savest thy people freely by faith alone , without all merit of works , onely for thy Names sake , onely by the power of thy Name , onely by the blood of thy body , whereby thou diddest appease thy Father , and obtainedst redemption : and therefore dost thou save thy people freely , and not for their works , that our soules might be sure of redemption : it could not be sure if thou shouldest not save us but for the merit of our works ; for either we have no merits by manifestly sinning against the Law of God , or we have not merits enough , because our works are imperfect , which can by no meanes satisfie Gods Law ; therefore that our consciences may be sure of the forgivenesse of sinnes , it is needfull that thou be a Iesus gratis unto me : who seeing thou art true and constant in thy promises , it cannot be that I can be deceived , if I trust in thy Name : O most bountifull Iesus , O Iesu my most sweet Lord , keep me in this faith and confidence , even to the end : let thy last word upon the crosse , be my last word in this life , and when I can speak no more , heare my last desire , Father , into thy hands I commend my Spirit ; thou God of truth , and God of my salvation ; thou , even thou hast redeemed me ; O little Jesus , I onely require thee , comfort my soule , thou best of Babes , draw mee , O draw me after thee , by thy sweet favour , thou Prince of Glory . Lead me , O thou our true salvation , to thine owne Countrey ; after thine own victory , wherein praise be unto thee for evermore , Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 16.

Of Christ's , and of our Circumcision .

BEhold , my eyes , your Jesus ; my soule , consider thy Christ ; the knife is taken in hand , and the Sonne of the most High is drawn away to be wounded ; stay knife from touching the Innocent , let the Synagogue spare the innocent , send him away thou Circumcisor , without touching him ; but my Jesus , why wouldst thou be so circūcised , be so wounded , & spill thy most tender blood ? Why doest thou so hasten , O Lord , to the shedding of thy milky blood ? it is my salvation which makes thee thus to hasten : but why didst thou submit thy self to be circumcised , which art the Lord of the Law , nay , the Law-giver himselfe ? was it , to confirme the Circumcision that thou haddest long before ordained to be rightly observed , even till thy comming , and that the old Religion should not seeme utterly rejected ; or that thou mightest save the Iewes by receiving of Circumcision , as thou didst the Gentiles by Baptism , that is , wert thou to save them by the powring forth of the purified dew , or was it that thou mightest keepe , fulfill , and establish all the Law ? What need I to reckon up many things ? thou wast circumcised for the cause that thou wast borne and for which thou didst suffer : none of all this was for thy selfe , but all was for thy Elect , for mee , for all that cleave unto thee , that thou mightest pay for us those debts , even thou that didst owe nothing thy selfe , and mightest free us from our owne , and from the offences of others . O most loving Jesus , I adhere to thee , doe thou everlastingly stick to me ; I have runne into debt , doe thou pay them . I beseech thee by that pretious blood which thou wast willing to shed for sinners , in thy most holy Circumcision , and afterwards most abundantly to powre out for them , in thy most bitter passion , that thou mightest wash away all mine iniquities ; looke upon me , most humbly petitioning , and often calling upon thy holy Name ; cause me , O Lord , readily to submit my selfe to thy Lawes ; I learne from thy selfe , my Lord , to obey thy Lawes , and to obey thee , not by constraint , but by free consent ; for this is the true obedience of the humane nature , when it subjects its will readily to the will of God , and when by working it perfecteth the good will it hath received , with a willing liberty without any constraint . Give me , O Lord , the Circumcision of the heart , which is , that the cloud of errour being taken away , to acknowledge the Creator , God the Father , and his Sonne Christ , by whom he hath created all things , that the truth of God might be fulfilled ; grant that I may cut off , and cast out of my heart all uncleannesse of thoughts , and impuritie of my senses . For the Gospell hath not enjoyned cutting away of the Prepuce , but the circumcision of the heart , and that by the Sword of the Spirit wee should cut away all petulancie , as well of our members , as of our affections : this Circumcision is not in my power ; succour my weaknesse O Lord , and assist me , that I may doe that which thou hast promised by thy faithfull servant Moses ; the Lord shall circumcise thy heart , and the heart of thy seed , that thou mayest love the Lord thy God with all thy heart , and with all thy soule . I am present , O Lord , as thou hast commanded by thy faithfull servant Jeremy , Be circumcised to the Lord , and take away the fore-skinne of your hearts , that my wrath break not forth like fire . Give me that which Saint Paul speaks concerning me ; Thou art circumcised with a Circumcision which is made without hands , if thou put off the body of sins by the Circumcision of Christ . The Iewes circumcised but one member of the body ; grant , O Lord , that I may circumcise all my members . The heart of man is wicked , it must therefore be circumcised , and the Sword of the Spirit is to be unsheathed for it ; and this is the preaching of the Gospell of Iesus Christ ; which if any one receiveth into his heart by faith , first his sinnes shall not be imputed to him , but he shall be accompted just for Christs sake ; then the holy Ghost shall bee given unto him , by whose power it shall come to passe , that the reliques of sinne shall not raigne in his mortall body , but hee shall fit his members as weapons of righteousnesse unto God . Stirre me up , O Lord , and strengthen me , that I may circumcise my eyes , that they behold no vanitie , nor defile themselves with privie adulteries . Thou hast commanded this , O Lord , if thy right eye offend thee pluck it out and cast it from thee . Stirre me up , O Lord , and strengthen mee , that I may circumcise my hands , that they be not enraged and shed innocent blood ; for thou hast commanded this , O Lord , if thy right hand offend thee cut it off . Stirre me up and strengthen me , O Lord , that I may circumcise my feet , that they goe not in the way of sinners , and that they haste not to doe evill ; so putting off the old man , and putting on the new , I shall become a new creature , and shall possesse the inheritance of thy Kingdome , O Christ ; I shall enjoy the societie of the citizens of heaven , the quire of Angels singing Hymnes unto thee , and the sweet fellowship of all thy blessed ones . Thus thou shalt speak ( O Christ ) to thy Father , I will that those thou hast given me , may now be with me , that they may behold my glory which I had with thee before the world was made . O when wilt thou speake this , O Lord , O when shall I heare this ?

CONTEMP . &c. 17.

Of the passion of Christ .

DOest thou ascend for me to Ierusalem , that all things might be accomplished which are written by the Prophets ? that thou mightest be exposed for a scorne to the Gentiles , that thou mightest be scourged , that thou mightest be spit upon , that thou mightest be fastned to the Crosse ? thou who art the God of glory , the God of life & safety , the chiefe , best , and Omnipotent , most mercifull , most just , most secret , most present , most beautifull , most strong , stable , & incomprehensible God ; invisible , yet seeing all things , immutable , yet changing all things , immortall , illocable , interminable , unbounded , without ending , inestimable , unutterable , fearfull and terrible , to be honoured and reverenced , venerable and renowned , never new , nor ever waxing old , and innovating all things ? For me , who am deep darknesse , miserable earth , the sonne of wrath , a vessell fitted for reproach , begotten in uncleannesse , living in misery , that must die in extremity ; a vessell taken from a dunghill , a shell of corruption , full of filth and horror , blinde , poore , naked , subject to many wants , and wretched , and mortall as I am , ignorant when I came in , or when I must goe out of the world , whose dayes passe like a shadow , whose life vanisheth like the shadow of the Moone , a mad mans phansie , as the blossome upon the tree blowes , and forthwith is rotten , now flourisheth , and by & by is dried up , whose life is a fraile and fading life , that the more it continues , the more it decreaseth ; the farther we proceed in it , the nearer it approacheth to death . What shall I thinke ? what shall I say ? what hast thou commited , O most sweet Saviour , that thou shouldest be thus judged ? what hast thou done , O my most loving Saviour , that thou shouldest be handled so rudely ? what is thy wickednesse ? what thy offence ? what the cause of thy death ? what the occasion of thy condemning ? I am the stripe of thy paine , the offence for which thou art slaine ; I am the desert of thy death , the wickednesse revenged upon thee ; I am the spleene of thy passion , and the labour of thy torments . O the greatnes and foulnesse of my sinnes ! Out of the consideration of the remedy I value the measure of my danger ; and so is the esteeme of the medicine , as is the heaping up of my griefe and feare . O the sweetnesse and greatnesse of thy love ! although , O Lord my God , the world was placed in the middest of mischiefe , and is full of misery , yet sentest thou thy blessed Sonne into the world for us , and for this diddest thou send him into the world , that he being sold might ransome us , & being put to death might restore us to life , might honour us by suffering disgrace , and might adopt us for his sonnes . If I would reckon up what he suffered for most miserable man , what voice would suffice me for it ? what eares would not be weary to heare it ? for he was no sooner borne , but his blood was spilt in the circumcision ; he was scarcely circumcised , but forthwith was he designed to the slaughter ; he no sooner professed his doctrine openly , but he was called the impious , blasphemous , and raging stirrer up of the people , even by them whose God he had alwayes beene after a peculiar manner . I doe every where behold misery , calamity , disgraces , reproaches , griefes , poverty , wearinesse , sadnesse , hunger , thirst , that he seemes but onely to have finished in his passion what he had continually suffered in the whole course of his life . After that the Son , coeternall and consubstantiall with his Father , the Omnipotent Patron of the Church , ordained for a judge of the quicke and the dead , had fervently powred forth those prayers , which he had conceived for mans salvation , wherin he at the point of death more especially recommēded to his Father , that deare pledge , ( his Church ) for whose sake he suffered not onely valiantly , but most willingly and freely , not a drop , but streames of blood to flow from his five wounds . Walking with his disciples beyond the brook , that tooke it's name from the shady vale , the traitour meets him , with an armed troope of servants and officers ; his neighbours flie from him , his Disciples retire , a friend and companion , ( saluting the innocent ) betrayes him for a malefactour ; but it was the same whom before ( O cruell mischiefe ) hee had sold for a little money , and for a base price ; his hands are tyed , his armes are bound ; thus tyed and bound is he led away ; and the most deare young man , that a little before leaned upon his most holy bosome , followes after , and Peter also , but a farre off , and with great feare ; none of the rest are present : those whom he had loved , whom he had full fed , whom he had taken care of , whom he had healed , doe not so much as looke backe upon him ; they all forsake him that never forsooke any man ; he is made an unhappy spectacle in the house called Pratorium ; his shamefast body is made naked , that off-spring of the most pure Virgin ; and was scourged even to death by those beastly Serjeants , ordained to scourge malefactors ; they are instant both with words and stripes , and drunk no lesse with blood than wine ; they binde him to a pillar , they load him with stripes they multiply strokes upon strokes , the place did ring with their smart blowes ; streames of bloud issue from his torne body , and now there is scarce the resemblance of a body to be seene throughout him . Behold the man , saith Pilate . And here lift up thy eyes , O my soule , and looke stedfastly upon the face of the Lord thy God ; leave awhile all thy vanities , to which thou hast all thy life addicted thy selfe , and if thou canst , collect ( for one moment ) all thy thoughts , and bestow them ( this day ) upon thy Saviour . Behold the man , behold a man of sorrow , behold him that is beautifull above the sonnes of men , ruddy , chosen out of thousands , whose haire is as the palme branches , blacke as the ravens , whose eyes are like the doves eyes . by the fountaines of waters , which are washed with milke , whose lips distill the choisest myrrh , like the lillies ; behold then , it now raines nothing but blood , his haire cleaves together with blood , his head ( pierced with thornes ) doth dart forth blood , his nostrils bruised with the strokes of the fist , have besmeared his face with swart blood , and which is most miserable of all , being tyed & bound , he hath not wherewith to wipe of his blood , he hath not , I say , wherewith to wipe away his blood , forcing as it were , from all parts of his body . Behold the man ; This is that face which the heavens cannot behold , and hell dares not behold ; this is he that now keeps silence , whose voice is heard in the clouds , whose thunder daunteth the courages of men with his fearful claps . Behold the man ; behold the Lord of all things stands in want , amidst all those things which he doth possesse ; he standeth bound , who frees all ; he stands wounded , that heales all . Behold the man ; for thy cause , O man , stands he before the judge , before us all doth he stand for us all ; he stands without a garment , he stands robbed , that no wound of his body might be hid from the beholders . Learn , O man , out of these things which he suffered for thee , what account Christ made of thee , to the end , by how much the viler thou art for whom he suffered , by so much the dearer thy Christ may be unto thee : Learne , O man , to avoid those things which may offend thy God . Behold with how much sweat , with what labour , with what griefe he stood , that he , the Son of God might reconcile thee to his Father . I have said many things , yet if thou considerest the rest , they are very few ; for the officers adde reproach to his punishments , while they cloath his body with a purple garment , made more purple with his most innocent bloud . They fasten a prickly crown , made of stiffe thornes , upon his reverend head ; they salute him for a King , and strike their King over the face ; and they blow upon the glasse of Angels with the worst sort of mixed stincks , even the stench of their breaths corrupted by surfeting , and mingled with spittle : and by and by when they come to Calvary , the prophane wretches doe prepare themselves for the butchery , and lay upon his fainting body , that most accursed punishment of the Crosse : his most innocent hands are fastened with nailes , which never did wrong to any , but had wrought salvation for all men ; his most holy feet are fastened with an iron band ; wretch that I am , they must be joyned together , that had been exercised in so frequent travell , for mine , and for the salvation of all men : His eyes swim in blood , those two that were wont to be the lights of the good , but lightning to the wicked : his pure mouth is silent , from which had rained honey combes ; his tongue is tyed , which ( with its very silence ) convinces the cruelty of the parricides : heaven was afraid of this spectacle , and ( in it its mourning weed ) bewailes its Creatour the Lord of the Starres ; it withdrew it selfe within a sudden darknesse , as ashamed of so great a wickednesse ; the Angels groane , the Citizens of heaven breake forth into teares . O face of man , harder than a flint , that with dry eyes canst read this story : O heart of man , harder than an Adamant , that these things cannot penetrate : O fierce and steely heart of man , that considers not these things . Thy Saviour ( being weary and overcharged under so great a burden ) cries and cals out , and in his soule cals upon us , My people , what have I done unto thee ? or how have I beene troublesome unto thee ? answer me : I have beene no Usurer , nor hath any thorow the earth taken use for me , yet all doe curse me ; God hath shut me up with the wicked , and hath delivered me to the hands of the wicked . Many calves have compassed me about , fat buls have besieged me . They opened their mouths upon me , as it were a raging and roaring Lion . I am powred out like water , and all my bones are scattered abroad ; my heart , in the middest of my bosome , is like melting wax ; my strength is dried up like a potsheard , and my tongue cleaveth to my gums , and thou hast brought me into the dust of death . He cryed , he called out , but there was none that would heare ; he is led without the city , to the place made infamous for the punishing of the wicked therein , as unto a publick separate place , that he might not pollute any man by his contagion , which the adjoyning inhabitants gave a name from the dead mens souls , which lay scattered every where abroad within it . The Captaine of the heavenly hostes , led forth in the sight of men and Angels , to be fastened between heaven and earth , unto the accursed Crosse , & to be refreshed with vinegar ; he is wounded , he is slaine , he is thrust thorow with a speare ; what current of language can sufficiently unfold this misery ? but thls remembrance of such stupendious things , requires rather the teares of the faithfull , than the Orators eloquence . O who shall give water to my head , and a fountaine of teares to mine eyes , that I may weepe night and day ? I will weepe with strong teares , I will make drunke my cheeks with my teares ; the righteous perish , and there is none that taketh it to heart ; the Lord of heaven gives up the ghost , and there is not one that thinks it concernes him any thing . Raise up thy selfe , O my soule , and weary thy selfe in meditating upon the passion of thy Lord ; no time is more happily spent than that which the devout soule imployeth upon the passion . O wonderfull condition of his censure , and unutterable disposition of a mystery ! the unjust doth offend , and the righteous is punished , the guilty transgresseth , and God is chastised ; the impious sinneth , and the righteous is condemned ; the good suffereth that which the wicked deserveth ; that which the servant is indebted , the Master doth pay . Whither , O whither thou Sonne of God , doth thy humility descend ? how farre hath thy love beene inflamed ? how farre did thy love reach ? and how farre did thy pitty e●tend ? O Lord Jesus Christ , governe and guide me by thy Spirit , that my soule being pricked by thy visitation , may crucifie its flesh , with the sins and lusts thereof . O Lord Jesus , I onely put my trust in thy passion and death . O Lord Iesus Christ , who hast witnessed , that thy delight is to be with the sonnes of men : thou who becamest man for man , in the later age be mindfull of all thy premeditations , and inward griefe , which from the beginning of thy conception , thou diddest endure in thy humane nature ; but chiefly in the instant time of thy most saving passion , fore-ordained from all eternity , in thy divine heart . Remember the sadnesse and bitternesse which thy soule was possessed with , as thou diddest testifie , when thou saidst , My soule is heavie , even to death : and when in thy last Supper , thou diddest deliver thy Body and Blood to thy Disciples when thou washedst their feet , and when sweetly comforting them , thou didst foretell thy neare approaching passion . Remember the feare , anguish , and griefe which thou didst endure , thorow all thy tender body , before thy suffering upon the Crosse ; When after thy troubled prayer , thou diddest sweat that bloody sweat , when thou wast delivered by thine owne Disciple , taken by thy chosen people , accused by false witnesses , unjustly sentenced by three severall Iudges in the holy City ; when at the time of the Passeover , in the florishing time of thy youth , being innocent , thou wast condemned , wast delivered , wast spitted on , thine owne cloaths pulled off , and others put upon thee ; thou wast buffetted , thy face and eyes were covered ; when thou wast bound to the Crosse , and crowned with thornes . O most sweet Jesus , give me , I beseech thee , for the memory of thy paines and passion , true contrition , and confession , and also remission of all my sins before my death ; and in my death grant me comfort and consolation of spirit , and after death grant me salvation and glory , Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 18.

Of the first and second word of our Lord spoken upon the Crosse .

O My soule , one of thy faithfull servants sadly and mournfully cryes out , concerning Job , what a pageant of triumph hath God made of the Devill in that man ; what an ensigne of his glory hath he erected from his enemie , when he did ( with great patience ) cleanse away the uncleane flowing matter of his sores , when ( sportingly ) hee did call back the wormes that crawled forth from his sores , to the same holes and feeding places of his worme-eaten flesh ! But how much hath thy Saviour out-gone him in constancie of mind , and an unshaken patience ? he in the last necessitie , in the pangs of death , in the paines of hell , sorsaken and made exceeding sad , by his angry God , failes not in the courage of his mind ; he shewed no signe that his heart departed from the path of righteousnesse ; but as he began , so continues be to love mankind . Heare the words that he utters from the chaire of his crosse ; they were few , but great , profitable , and worthy never to depart out of a Christians heart , as long as he hath his vitall breath . Thus he speaks ; Father forgive them , they know not what they doe . Oh thy supereminent love , O Lord ! thou prayest , not O Lord , that they might be punished who afflicted and crucified thee ; but that they might enjoy the merit of thy passion , and be saved . Thou so aboundest in thy love , that forgetfull of thy most exquisite sufferings , thou thinkest on nothing but the reconciling of sinners O incomparable humanitie of unspeakable mercy ! with what gentle and friendly eyes dost thou locke upon me from the Altar of the Crosse ! how can any man despaire , seeing we have so diligent , so faithfull , so loving , and so zealous an intercessour ? Where are you trembling sinners ? where are you affrighted conseiences ? doe you delight to see the heart of your Lord to overflow with grace ? Come and behold his Crosse : Come , come , see his heart mounting into his tongue , and begging pardon for your sins . Iesus , my God , I am also present amongst sinners , amongst those that crucifie thee ; looke on me , and receive me ; my sins , my sins were those sharpe nailes , which pierced and fastned thy feet , and hooked them to the Crosse . O Iesus , have mercy upon me , and intercede for mee to thy heavenly Father ; intercede for me to day , this houre , this moment , that he may pardon me my sins . In the second place he said , Verily I say unto thee , to day shalt thou be with me in Paradise . How milde , O Lord , how courteous art thou to sinners ! thy delight is amongst the sonnes of men , even in thy strongest and most unutterable torments . Thou wast hanged betweene a most wicked paire of theeves ; thou stretchest forth thy hand , that one of them might take hold of it , and that thou mightest draw him to thee with it , and gather him to thee , as a hen gathereth her young ones under her wings . How pleasing is the society to thee , when a sinner joynes himselfe to thee , and ( if they will ) with what affection dost thou receive and heale them ? The Theefe on the left-hand thinking reproachfully of thee , doth revile and blaspheme thee most virulently ; therefore thy sorrowes , sweat , labour , drops of blood , streams of blood , prayers and intercession , could nothing profit him : the Theefe on the right-hand , having a zealous opinion of thee , acknowledgeth thee ; and though he cannot with his hands , yet doth hee embrace thee with a contrite and devout heart ; he begges a great thing of thee , and obtaines the greatest ; he begges for a favourable remembrance of him , and he obtains eternall gladnesse . O example of true and wonderful repentance ! For what is true repentance ? what , but that which is sorrowfull for offences , confesseth them , and hath recourse to Christ their Deliverer by a stedfa●● faith ? but it is miraculous , because then at length Christ is acknowledged the expiation of his sin , when his most sick soule doth meditate the forsaking of the habitation of his body ; and the Redeemer himselfe is in suffering the last and most horrid punishment . O Christ my Lord and my God , grant that I also may bewaile and confesse my sinnes , and aske thee pardon for them , and alwayes weigh with my selfe thy merits ; grant that I may doe this with the Theefe ; but that I may not put off my desire of thee to the last period of my life , as many doe , who naughtily excuse their most wicked procrastination , by the example of the Theefe . Let me not come to that hardnesse of heart , that the late gained salvation of the converted Theefe should make me more carelesse ; nor let me say my conscience tortures me not ; my life shall not trouble me , because I see the Theefe had all his sinnes pardoned in a moment . Consider ô my soule , thou guest and companion of my body , not so much the concise confession and faith of the Theefe , but the earnest devotion , and mournfull time wherein the Apostles themselves did wander and forsake their Master : then imitate the faith and zeale of the Theefe , and ( at last ) promise to thy selfe his salvation . Now that unplacable enemie of our soules , tries to leade thee into this security , that in the fatall houre of death he may thrust thee ( head-long ) into infernall destruction . It is impossible to be spoken , how many are circumvented and damned by the shadow of this deceitfull hope ; he deceives himselfe , and makes a sport of his damnation , whosoever seekes not for the mercie of God but at the houre of his death ; they are abominable to God , that sinne with a hope that it will be time enough to be converted to God in their old age The Theefe that at this time did so miraculously apply Christs death to himselfe , had not formerly put off his repentance , for he had never ( before ) heard of the doctrine of Christ ; therefore in this minute of an houre , in this twinckling of an eye , make mee pray unto thee , and convert thee unto me , lest ( securely ) promising my selfe salvation , I fall from my salvation . Grant that being converted , I may be charitable to my neighbour , and take care for his conversion and salvation , as the penitent Theefe did admonish the impenitent Theefe , and did labour to bring him unto thee . Ah my Lord , remember me also in thy Kingdome , if thou wilt at least think me worthy to be remembred , and cast a gratious eye upon mee , and I shall have enough , because I am sure of thy power and wisdome , and I am confident of thy pitie and charitie . Ah suffer me to be with thee in Paradise , where is the soules happinesse , and the beautifull vision of God ; I cannot be well without thee , nor can any ill be with thee .

CONTEMP . &c. 19.

Of the third and fourth word of Christ uttered upon the Crosse .

WHo are they , O Lord Jesus Christ , who not onely followed thee to the Crosse , but doe also abide under thy Crosse ? Who are they not only spectators of thy most cruell punishment , but exposed also to the cruell torment of their eyes and soules ? It is Christs Mother , the crowne of Virgins ; it is Mary thy Mother , it is John , thy kinsman , it is thy most loving Disciple , who leaned upon his Masters brest when he was at supper , him whom thy soule loved ; a sword doth pierce their soules , thornes and needles doe pricke their eyes , whilst they see thee stretched upon the Crosse , with all thy sinewes torne , all bloody , even springing forth with blood ; thou hast taught me , by those thy distressed beholders made wet with showres of teares , that thy most deare children are most neare to the Crosse ; those whom thou dost most fervently love , they are most grievously and most often made subject to the Crosse . There cannot bee a true Church that cannot bee miserable : thou thy selfe dost drinke to her in the cup of affliction , which if she refuse , or loath it , she is a bastard . We ought to be like thee ; let us be contented that we may be as our Master ; whosoever desires to be above his Master , is proud , and not worthy of his Master : we are a burning bush , which is burnt , but not consumed ; we are a citie besieged , but not taken ; we are the Moone labouring under an eclipse , but not perpetually losing her light ; wee are the Arke of Noah , exposed to the Flood , yet not over whelmed with it ; we are the woman in travell whom the dragon pursues , but yet kills her not ; we are the lilly amongst the thornes ; and yet wee wither not ; thy most cruell torments O Lord , could not so farre afflict and torture thee , but that thou haddest a care of thine , but that thou wouldest speak to thy mother , and to thy disciple ; for thy third word upon the crosse was uttered to them , behold thy Sonne , behold thy Mother , Me thinks O Lord , I see into thy bowells , into the depth of thy thoughts ; thou complainest , the sorrowes of death have compassed mee about ; but yet that sword doth no lesse break , and wound my heart , which hath with unspeakable torment peirced thy soule , most sweet mother , I behold also thee most loving yong man , the most inimate of my friends ; most sweet desciple , I behold thy groanes , and sighes , for the losse of him , in whom thou hast placed all thy hope and trust . I therefore that am forsaken of all , doe bring to both of you , that small ayd I am able ; thou O Mother , behold another Sonne for thee ; thou my disciple , behold another helpe for thee . O most holy Jesus , O most faithfull Saviour , O most mercifull helper , how many sad widows doest thou even now comfort ? how many poore orphans doest thou now relieve ? how many afflicted persons doest thou now take charge of ? I am also widowed of all comfort , and deprived of all sustenance ; robbed of all protection and aid ; the anxieties of my mind are many , my affliction is great , my griefes are multiplied ; comfort me , sustaine me , take care of me , O thou omnipotent Comforter of those that bee sad , thou Strength of those that labour ; let my groanes come unto thee , what extremity soever I am in , that in my necessities I may joy in the presence of thy mercy . Heare also , yee that have eares to heare , the fourth word . Let my soule attend , let my spirit attend , and let all the devotion that is in me , give her attention ; our Priest , ( in the dayes of his flesh ) offered up prayers and supplications , with teares and strong cries unto him , that was able to save him from death , My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? The just God and heavenly Father , who begate thee from eternity , who by a voyce from heaven , testified of thee , This is my beloved Sonne , heare him , hath forgotten thee ; hee left thee not for thine owne cause , but for mine ; for I by my sinnes have begotten thee these labours and griefes ; it was I was to be forsaken , but thou stoodest in my stead ; thou who speakest righteousnesse , who art the bulwarke of salvation , hast trod the wine-presse alone , and there was not a man to helpe thee ; thou lookedst about , and there was no helper ; thou soughtest , but foundst none that might save : O how bitter was this forsaking to thee , but how pleasant , and how happie to mee ! Thou God , exceeding long-suffering , thou shalt not leave me for ever , because thy Sonne was forsaken for me . Thou ardent lover of my soule , thou diligent Saviour of sinners , thou most courteous searcher of men , thy most obedient Sonne tooke on him the punishment which was due for my sins , which are so much against thee ; hee hath borne the sinners burthen , hee hath endured the horrours of death , and terrours of hell , and hath most largely satisfied for me . Leave me not then , O my God , depart not from me , O my God , in the day of my death ; if the so copious satisfaction of thy Sonne , if my so dangerous misery can move thee to compassion , be present with me most miserable sinner , pitifully heare my prayers and help mee in the houre of death , neither remember my iniquities , but O thou fountaine of mercyes , deale with mee according to thy exceeding great mercy .

CONTEMP . &c. 20.

Of the fifth word of Christ , uttered upon the Crosse .

GAther , O gather your selves together , and heare , saith the Patriarch Iacob , when he stretched forth his feet , to enter into the way of all flesh , and stood even at the threshold of his wished-for eternity ; but if the last words of a man , were to bee received with such attention , what attention may be required , what fervour , & what diligence , to heare his last words , who is both God and man , who is above all the Patriarches , in whom all the Patriarches did trust , and whom they wished so often to behold ? The words were seven . The number of seven , is a peculiar number , a holy number , and is used in many mysteries ; it is here also peculiar , it is holy , and not barren of mysteries ; thou hast already understood this , O my soule , and thou shalt know it in part hereafter . The first word of our Lord was , I thirst ; ah Lord , all thy spirits were dissipated , all thy strength issued forth in the torrent of thy blood ; for thou wast a man of sorrowes , and experienced in infirmities , despised , and a man of the least esteeme , although thou haddest committed no offence , nor was guile found in thy mouth ; therefore wast thou scorched with extream thirst , and yet thou Saviour and preserver of men , thou couldest not obtaine drink from men . O most barbarous cruelty ! the Lord did travell with extreame thirst , at the beginning of his passion , and that thirst did increase still more and more , so that it was one of the greater sort of torments , which the Lord endured upon the crosse : for the letting out of the great plenty of the vitall fountaine , doth dry and cause thirst ; therefore the Lord , who after much wearinesse and by his scourging lost much blood , and afterwards ( being crucified ) had foure open fountaines , as it were in his body , from which great plenty of blood , had for a long time issued forth ; how could it be , but that hee must be tormented with extreame thirst ? They who have received many wounds , from which much blood doth flow , desire nothing so much as drink , as if they suffered nothing but thirst ; but who was there that took pitty , and offered so much as cold water , who was present , who had a fellow-feeling of his sorrowes ? there was not one , nor any found to comfort him ; O Jesus , thou heavenly Lord , they gave thee gall to eate , and in thy thirst , they have thee vineger to drink ; thy beloved John saith there was a vessell set full of vineger , and they fastning a sponge full of vineger to an hysop stalk , offered it to his mouth . O cruell wickednesse ! as they had at the beginning a little before his crucifying , offered him wine mixed with gall ; so at the departure of his soule they offer him vineger , a most pernitious thing for his wounds , that Christs passion might be a true and continued passion , from the beginning to the end , without any mixture of comfort ; in stead of refreshing and pleasing liquour , they offer him hurtfull and bitter . O refreshing without any refreshing ; O most lamentable consolation ! When Sampson had slaine the Philistims , he thirsted exceedingly , and the Lord opened a great tooth for him , in the jaw-bone of an asse , whence waters did flow ; and thou , when thou haddest overcome the most potent enemies , the world , satan , and death ; diddest also thirst extreamely , but no waters were given thee , and the Antitype was in a farre worse condition than the type , which the Conquerour of the Philistims did represent ; wee ( alas ) had deserved eternall thirst , to us was due that scorching heat which the glutton had , when hee lifted up his eyes , ( being in torments ) and saw Abraham afarre off , and Lazarus in his bosome , and crying said , Father Abraham , take pitty of me and send Lazarus , that he may dip the tip of his finger in water , and refresh my tongue , for I am tormented in these flames ; but thou that takest pitty of us , that most ardently thirstest for our salvation , hast ( in thy thirst ) suffered that thirst , and hast deserved so much for us , that we shall one day neither hunger , nor thirst any more , neither shall Sun , or heat fall on us , because thou dost governe us , and leadest us to the fountaines of waters , and shalt wipe away all teares from our eyes ; thou shalt make us drunk with the plenteousnesse of thy house , and refresh us with the streames of thy pleasure . O Lord , as the hart desireth the fountaines of water , so longeth my soule after thee O Lord ; my soule hath thirsted after God , the living fountaine ; when shall I come and appeare before the face of God ? O Lord , when shall I worthily call to mind thy mercyes , thy praises which are farre above all things , which thou hast given me , and exceeding the multitude of the goods of my house , which thou hast bestowed upon mee , according to the multitude of thy mercyes ?

CONTEMP . 21. &c.

Of Christs sixt word uttered upon the Crosse .

THou hast performed all , and every of those things , which thou knewest necessary to recover our salvation , most willingly , and with all thy heart . And therefore thy sixt word was not , it shall be finished ; as thou diddest say in thy journey to Jerusalem ; behold we goe up to Jerusalem , and all things shall be fulfilled , which are written by the Prophets concerning the Son of man ; for hee shall be delivered up to the Gentiles , shall bee mocked , shall be scourged , and spitt upon , and after they have scourged him , they shall put him to death . But hee saies , it is finished : whatsoever the wicked nation could invent , to exasperate thy torments , is finished ; thou truly diddest foretell the houre , and power of darkenesse , and the time of thy crucifying ; I have finished sayest thou , the work which thou gavest me to doe ; but that was another work ; namely the work of Preaching the Gospell , as thou thy selfe doest intimate unto mee , when thou addest , I have manifested thy name unto men : this work which thou sayest is finished , is the work of suffering for mankind ; the work of drinking off the cup of the passion , which thy father hath given thee , thou hast now drunk it all off , so that there remaines nothing , but that thou give up the ghost ; the power which was given the apostate Angels , and the filthy rabble of wicked men , is finished ; thy pilgrimage wherein thou wentest out from thy father , and diddest come into the world , is finished , wherein thou wast upon the earth like a husbandman , and a travailer ; the mortality of thy humanity is at an end ; every prophecy which the prophets had foretold concerning thy life or death , is finished ; the greatest sacrifice of all sacrifices is finished , that upon which all the sacrifices of the old covenant as types and shaddows did reflect ; for by one oblation , thou hast for ever made perfect those that are sanctified , and art become the end of the Law , to every one that beleeveth . Now the variety of carnall sacrifices ceasing , thou fulfillest all those distinctions of beasts by once offering up of thy body , and blood ; thou hast O Lord drawne all things unto thy selfe ; for by rending the vaile of the temple , the Sanctum Sanctorum departed from the unworthy high Preists , that the figure might bee turned into a truth , the prophecy into a manifestation , and the Law into a Gospell : O cleane , O unspotted sacrifice , whose Altar was the Crosse , which the viler it was before Christ overcame it , so much the more famous , and noble did it afterwards become ; the fire thereof that consumes the burnt offering , and perfecteth the sacrifice , is this immeasurable charity ; which like a furnace exceedingly heated , did burne in thy heart O Jesus , which the many waters of thy sufferings could not extinguish . O Jesus , my redeemer , my mercy , my Saviour , I praise thee , I give thanks unto thee , though farre unproportionable to thy benefits , though very voyd of devotion , though leane in comparison of that fatnesse which thy most sweet affection towards us doth require in them ; yet my soule doth pay unto thee what thanks shee is able , not such as shee knowes are due unto thee , from mee . Thou hope of my heart , thou vertue of my soule , let thy most powerfull worth perfect that which my most chill weaknesse doth endeavour ; my life , thou end of my intention , though I have not loved thee so much as I ought to love thee , yet doe I at least desire to love thee as much as I ought . O Jesus , let this word alwayes stick in my memory , It is finished . When sinne and damnation shall band themselves against mee wrastling with the pangs of death , and shall present unto mee my ugly life , made deformed by my sinnes , let me be able then to say , the sacrifice for my sinnes is finished : For thou art the Lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world . Thou hast not redeemed me with corruptible silver and gold , but with thy most precious blood , as it were of an unspotted , undefiled lamb . When the law shall accuse me , and shall exact punishment , let me say each tittle of it is accomplished : For when the fulnes of time was come , God sent his Son , made under the Law , that he might redeem those which were under the Law , and that we also might receive the adoption of children . When death shall infest and terrifie me , let me say , thy power is determined , thou art conquered by my Lord , who hath spoiled thee of thy power , hath taken out thy sting , and purged out thy poyson , that death may be to me a sweet repose , great gaine , a dismission in peace , a recalling from evils , a momentary hiding me till wrath is past , and till heaven gates be opned for me . When kindred , friends , and acquaintance , shall at the time of my departure bewaile my going hence , and compasse my bed with groanes and teares ; let me say my course is finished , the appointed time is past , the period is fixed which we cannot passe , the glasse is runne , the houre of freedome drawes neare ; here my misery makes a stand , and the haven I make to is neare , where all teares shall be wiped away : behold I leave unto you a Fulfiller of all good , and an asswager and ender of all evill ! hee shall comfort you , if you flie unto him ; hee shall keepe and defend you , to whom I recommend my soule , and to whom I recommend you the beloved of my soule , for evermore , Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 22.

Of the seventh and last word of Christ , uttered upon the Crosse .

ALthough , Lord Jesus Christ , great is thy humility , great thy abasement , and great is thy affliction , that thou seemest scarce a man , but a worm ; yet in thy seventh and last word , before thou gavest up the ghost , tho-shewedst thy selfe not a man only , but even set above the reach of mans power ; for when thou wast about to breathe out thy most holy Spirit , thou criedst out , Father , into thy hands I commend my Spirit . Ah what a mournfull , lamentable , sad , and miserable silence is there , when mournfull , lamentable , sad , and miserable man is commanded to breathe forth his soule ! how silent , faint , and how dead ( as it were ) are all things before death ! our death-bed takes possession of us , when the Sunnes last shadow flyes from us , and enraged death sharpens his Dart , to strike thorow our breast . But thou ( O Lord ) dost witnesse thy power , even in death it selfe , not onely by crying out , at the last gaspe , but also by shaking the earth , by cleaving the rocks , opening the graves , rending the vaile of the Temple . The Centurion himselfe ( being a man ) conversing with the members of the Church , but beleeving out of the Church , confessed from hence , and said , This man was indeed the Sonne of God . But the last word thou utteredst in thy mortality , is diligently to be noted , and seriously to be weighed , Father , into thy hands I commend my Spirit . This was thy last word ; Ah would to God it might bee also mine , and I trust , Lord , it shall be so , and God ( I hope ) will heare it ; for thou hast obtained this for me , because thou hast both prayed for me upon the Crosse , and hast as my chiefe high Priest , suffered all things ; nor didst thou commend thine own Spirit alone unto thy Father , but mine also , and of all the faithfull , who are members of thy body ; thou hast bound my soule together with thine owne , in the bundle of life , and hast delivered it into the hands of the Almighty : O how doe the words pierce my soule and spirit , which thou utteredst before thou didst passe that deadly way , and in which thou didst most devoutly speake unto thy Father , I pray for them , I pray not for the world , but for those whom thou hast given me , for they are thine . Holy Father , keepe them in thy name , whom thou hast given me , that they may bee one , as we are one ; preserve them from the world , sanctifie them in thy truth ; I pray not only for these , but for those also who shall beleeve in me , through their word , that they may all be one , as thou , O Father , art in mee , and I in thee ; that they also may be one in us , that the world may beleeve that thou hast sent mee ; and I have given them the glory which thou gavest mee , that they may be one , as wee are one ; I in them , and thou in me , that they may be perfect in one , and that the world may know that thou hast sent me , and hast loved them , as thou hast loved me . Father I will that those whom thou hast given me , be where I am , that they may see my glory which thou hast given me , because thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world . What father can more earnestly recommend a son ? what mother a daughter , or what brother his brother , to anothers care ; than thou O Son of the living God , hast recommended us to thy Father ? Thy Father doth heare us his degenerate & adopted sonnes : how much rather will he heare thee , his Sonne obedient even to the death , and his issue begotten of his owne substance from all eternity ? yea , he hath already heard him ; Can , saith he , ( even he thy Father ) a woman forget her owne childe , that she should not have compassion upon the sonne of her owne wombe ? Though she should be so forgetfull , yet will not I forget thee ; behold I have graven thee upon my hands : Thou also , O Christ my Saviour , sayest , My sheepe heare my voice , and I know them , and they follow mee , and I give unto them eternall life , and they shall not perish for ever , and no man shall snatch them out of my hands . My Father who gave me them , is greater than all , and none can take them out of my Fathers hands . Resting upon these thine attracting sentences , I may be startled at the remembrance of death , but I shall not be dismayed , because I shall also bee mindfull of thy promises , merits and intercessions . When at length by thy permission , a sharpe sicknesse shall weaken my sinewes , and shall gnaw and feed upon my bloodlesse and halfe rotten skinne ; when my face shall bee bedewed with a cold sweat , and I shall be moistned with the drops of death , when my wan lips shal be widowed of their rednesse , and a sad murmure shall be heard from the horrid noise of the gnashing teeth , when my Sunne shall be darkened by my funerall clouds , and death shall involve my head in everlasting darknesse ; yet thou Son of righteousnesse shalt shine cleare unto me ; thou shalt furnish my soule , wrastling and triumphing by the vertue of thy Spirit with thine owne word , Father , into thy hands I commend my Spirit .

CONTEMP . &c. 25.

Of Christs resurrection .

SEt forth the prayses of the Lord , and call upon his name , declare his works among the nations ; sing unto him , sing praises unto him , declare all his wonderfull works , call to mind his wonders which he hath done , his strange works , & the judgements of his mouth . Who can sufficiently speak of the power of the Lord , and make all his praises to be heard ? O Lord my God , thou art exceedingly exalted ; thou hast put on praise and comelinesse , and art clothed with light , as it were with a garment ; Ioseph was thrust into a most noysome darknesse of a prison , but the third yeere was hee taken thence , and made the great commander over all Aegypt . Christ was put in the bowells of the earth , but the third day he came out thence alive , and was made governour of heaven and earth . Moses was cast forth into the river , being shut into an Arke of bulrushes ; but was presently drawne from thence and made the people of Israels Captaine and deliverer . Christ Jesus was shut into the tomb ; but was in good time raised thence , and designed for a Saviour unto all men . The bush in the wildernesse , did burne , but was not consumed by the fire ; Jesus burned upon the Crosse , and was exposed to the flames of Gods wrath , and the assaults of Satan ; but this fire was put out , and now the beames of his fatherly favour shine forth . Aarons rod was withered , but it flourished againe ; all Christs bones were dryed by his passion ; but vigour returned to them , from the grave . Josuah trampled the five Kings that were brought unto him under his feet , and hung them upon five trees ; Jesus Christ trampled upon our five enemies ; the world , satan , sinne , death , and the grave ; and carried away most great spoyles , and set up glorious trophyes of his victory . Sampson was taken in Gaza ; but hee plucked up the gates of the City , and escaped . Christ Jesus was taken of death , but not kept ; and having conquered death , hee triumphed . David overthrew Goliah the Philistims champion , with a sling : Christ with his blood overthrew and vanquished the devill , the leader and captaine of the wicked . We blesse thee , famous Saviour , we laud thee , most invincible captaine , we reverence thee most triumphant victour ; arise make haste my soule , and come away ; now winter's past , the storme is over and gone , the flowers deck our feilds , the spring is come , the voyce of the turtle is heard in our land ; the figgtree is budded , the flourishing vines send forth a sweet savour ; arise make haste my soule , and come away ; it is no time for sloth , but to make speed ; it is no time to sleepe , , but to awake ; it is no time to weepe , but to rejoyce ; it is no time to complaine , but to bee glad ; wee have beene too indulgent to sadnesse , wee have shed teares enough ; let sadnesse depart , let mirth returne , the time of the passion is past , the time of the resurrection is come ; all anxiety must fly away , when the message sent by the Angell is heard , all greife of heart must vanish , when the Gospell is received ; hee is risen , hee is risen , whom his friend betrayed , whom the company of his disciples forsook , whom Peter denied , whom the Priests delivered up , whom the serjeants smot , whom the high Priests mocked , whom the Iudges condemned , whom the hangmen put to death , whom the souldiers pierced , whom the accursed burden of our sinns did oppresse , whom the wrath due to our sinns had tormented ; hee is risen , the Lord our God is risen , our brother is risen , who hath in his sepulcher buried all our iniquities , and by his resurrection , hath brought forth for us freedome , and salvation . Confesse unto the Lord , and call upon his name , set forth his works amongst the Gentiles , sing unto him , sing psalmes unto him , declare all his wonderfull works . This is the day wherein hath fallen what ever lifted up the head against the Lord ; for the Lord , himselfe after hee had drunk of the brock in the way , exalted his own head , and brake to peeces the heads of his adversaries ; this is the day wherein hell was overthrowne , and the abhominable Kingdome of Satan conquered , the devill bound , the old dragon spoyled , death disabled , and the miserable Christian people freed . Remember the wonderfull things of the Lord , which hee hath done , his marvailes , and the judgements of his mouth ; who shall set forth the power of the Lord , and make all his praises to be heard ? this is the day wherein did vanish away the snares of the serpent of paradise , which hee layd for the seede of the woman ; they vanished away , and the head of the serpent , was cleft in sunder , and the enmity betwixt mankinde and the serpents brood , brake forth into extreamity of deeds . This is the day wherein the second Adam from heaven awaked out of sleepe , and received his only beloved , and married her to himselfe ; blesse the Lord O my soule ; O Lord my God thou hast been wonderfully magnified ; thou hast put on praise , and comelinesse , and art clothed with light , as with a garment ; rejoyce in the Lord O my soule ; this ought to be the solemnity above all solemnities , wherein Christ the Lord by his divine power arose from death 〈…〉 as before handled like a 〈…〉 theefe ; this day is better than tha● wherein the world did first appeare : For that was created for mans labour , this was made for his rest ; that deserved death , this frees him from the feare of death ; the light of that day is buried in darknesse , the brightnesse of this day doth even enlighten the graves ; to conclude , the dead see not the light of that day , but the light of this day hath even showne forth to the dead : let us therefore rejoyce in this day , which both shines about the living , and quickneth the dead , and illuminates those who are to come . Let all the world exult with joy , for it is meet that as every creature did lament with mournfull teares the death of their Creator , and did follow the hearse of him that was put to death upon the Crosse , in the dark funerals of the night ; so they should now joyfully receive him , triumphantly returning , in his resurrection from the dead . And thou also my soule , rowse thy selfe from the sleepe of sinne , that thou crucifie him not againe after his resurrection ; awake if thou be asleepe , and rise from the dead ; when the Lord arose from the tabernacle , the campe removed , and all the people followed ; to day is the Lord of life and death risen from the grave ; thou must not lie snorting , but follow him by thy fervent devotion ; the old leaven must be purged out , the leaven of malice , and wickednesse ; wee must feed on the unleavened bread of truth and sincerity . I am willing O God , but not able ; thou who hast given mee grace to hate the way of the flesh and studies of this age , vouchsafe that I may never set foot in that way , nor ever be deceived by these inventions ; Lord Jesus , Holy Iesus , Good Iesus , if thou wilt , I shall be able ; for it is thy will that makes mee able ; will therefore I may have ability , and will I may bring this good work to perfection . Thou who did'st vouchfafe to dye for our sinns , and to rise againe for our justification , I beseech thee by thy glorious resurrection , to raise me from the grave of all my sinnes and offences , and give me daily a part in the first resurrection , that I may truly deserve to receive a part in thy resurrection . Most sweet , benigne , loving , deare , precious , desired , lovely , beautifull Jesus , thou didst ascend into heaven , in triumph of thy glory , and sittest , most mighty King , at the right hand of thy Father : draw me up to thee , that I may runne after thee ; for the odour of thy perfumes I will runne , and never be weary , if thou wilt assist me ; joyne the mouth of the soule that thirsts after thee , to the heavenly streames of eternall satiety ; yea , draw me to thy selfe , thou living fountaine , that thence I may drinke my fill , whence I may alwayes live , my God and my life .

CONTEMP . &c. 26.

Of Christs Ascention .

CLap your hands , O all ye Nations , rejoyce in the Lord with an exulting voice , because the Lord is high , terrible , a great King above all the earth ; he hath subjected the people unto us , and nations under our feet ; he hath chosen us out for an inheritance to himselfe , the excellency of Iacob which he loved . God hath ascended in a shout , the Lord in the voice of the trumpet . Sing unto our God , sing ye , sing unto our King ; because God is the King of all the earth , sing unto him with understanding . God hath reigned over the nations , God sitteth upon his holy seat ▪ the Princes of the people are gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham , because God is exceedingly exalted by them that defend the earth . This , O my soule , was the voice and song of the faithfull Jewes in the old Testament , wherein they gratulated their Saviour , when in spirit and in faith they saw he was to come , and did exhort one another , that they should sing unto , and trust in him , that was exalted in his Majesty . Say thou also O clap your hands , rejoyce in the Lord in the voice of exultation ; that which they proclaimed in hope , doe thou proclaime in fruition ; for Christ is ascended , the eternall offspring of the eternall God , and the Sonne of temporary man borne in time . Sing , O my soule , to thy great God and Saviour , to the true peacefull Prince of peace , Emperour of heaven and earth , King of kings , Lord of lords . The Angels praise his Majesty , Principalities adore him , Majesties tremble at him , the powers of the heaven of heavens , and the Society of the blessed Seraphins doe celebrate his praises with exultation ; doe thou also cry out , to thy Messiah be life and victory , blessing and honour , glory and power for evermore . Those sell soules , not satisfied with his death , torments , and Crosse , did even warre against him being dead , and did most diligently observe all things , lest any should steale his body out of the grave ; yet returnes he ; the Conquerour returnes , cloathed with the brightnesse of his glory , as it were with most pure garments ; he returnes , and hastens to higher things , he flies up to the highest heavens , compassed with quires of Angels , and heavenly citizens , some of whom ( as I guesse ) sing songs of triumph to the Conquerour , others dance for joy , others offer him palme and bayes , others strew handfuls of a most pleasing crop of heavenly flowers . Where are now thy pale lips ? where is that filthy besmearing with spittle ? where is the congealed blood ? where the pricks of the thornes ? where his black and blew shoulders ? where those streames of blood gushing forth ? where his torne sinewes by the lashes of whips ? In so short a moment is this so thicke a mist of ignominy exhaled , and the brightnesse of his glory possesses all things . And now is the fore-head cleare , the eyes sparkling , the comely cheeks blushing red ; now are the lips died scarlet , now doth he shake his golden and glittering tresses ; in briefe , he is all over like the Sunne breaking out of a cloud . Where now Lord , is thy abjection , after thou hast pierced the skies , and ascended above all heavens , when thou wast higher than the heavens , and hadst entred into thy Fathers house , in which are many mansions ? where was thy contemptible estate , when the glory of the heavens gave place to thee , and thou ruledst every where , and filledst all places from sea to sea , even to the ends of the earth , for evermore ? Thou fillest all things , O Lord , therefore art thou most present ; and although thou seemest sometime to be departed from us , yet if thou wouldest open our eyes , we should finde thee about us , and in us . Thou art most present ; therefore let not my sinnes defile me , because they offend thee that wast scourged , crucified , and slaine for them , and cause me to be condemned for offending of thee . Thou art cleane , and dost dwell with those that are pure in heart ; those that burthen their soules with the filth of sinne , doe expell thee the guest of their soule . Thou art most present , therefore whatever betides me , and howsoever the devill batter me , and in what manner soever the world afflict me , or the flesh doe tempt me , yet thou seest it , and art both able and joyfull to deliver me . When upon mount Olivet thou madest preparation to depart , to the full enjoying of thy heavenly kingdome , thou didst hold up thy hands to heaven , and didst blesse thy Disciples ; I am also thy disciple , therefore thou wilt not withdraw thy blessing from me , but wilt make thy ascention to become unto me a descention of many sorts of gifts . Thy graces did descend , as thy body did ascend : so shall I ascend in my heart ; I will runne after thee , not with the steps of my feet , but with the desires of my soule ; and flying from worldly desires , I will follow thee thither in heart , whither I beleeve thou art in body ascended : let me now take no pleasure in vile things here below , that am possessed of thee in heaven . I will ascend in my affections , I will ascend in my progresse , and I wil ascend in effect . I shall ascend in my affections , if I relish heavenly things ; I shall ascend in my progresse , if I shall daily profit in thy ministery ; and I shall ascend in effect , if I have my conversation where thou art , even in the heavens . And I trust I shall easily obtaine this ; for thou art ascended to the Father , to be my Intercessor . The high Priest , when he entred the Holy of Holyes , made an atonement for the people ; thou art entred into the Sanctuary of blessed immortality , a Sanctuary not made with hands , but heaven it selfe : thou wilt therefore appear in the presence of God for us . Thou art ascended , not leaving upon the earth thy humanity , which thou tookest from the earth , and didst carry about thee on the earth , but hast so exalted it , that thou hast made it a partaker of heaven . Why therefore , O man , shouldest thou feare ? why , O man , shouldest thou afflict thy selfe ? Be secure flesh and blood , you are possessors of heaven , and Gods Kingdome in Christ : if any deny you are in Christ , he denies also that Christ is in heaven ; the flesh and blood , and portion of every of us , is in the man , Christ Iesus . Therefore where my portion reignes , I beleeve I reigne ; where my blood doth rule , I perceive my selfe to rule : where my flesh is glorified , I know I am glorious . Thou wentest to prepare a place for mee , that I might be with thee in a most plesant City ; thou laydst open the way , that I might come into thy most loving society ; Thou didst first break through , that I might also enter into most ample felicity , in everlasting health of body , in perfect purity of our soules , in all fullnesse of glory , and divine pleasure , into the perpetuall familiarity of the Saints , to have kindred , hope , resting place , grace , and dignity , in the heavens .

CONTEMP . 27. &c.

Of the sending downe of the Holy Ghost .

HOw great , and what an unutterable piety of my redeemer is this ? hee carried man into heaven , and sent God downe upon the earth ; behold therefore a new Redeemer is sent from heaven , behold againe divinity and humanity are mixed together . Thou didst foretell , O my God , by thy spirit which thou hast given us , I will powre out my waters to the thirsty , and my streames upon those that are scorched ; I will powr out my spirit upon thy seede , my blessing upon thy posterity , I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh , and your sonns shall prophecy . I will sprinckle pure water upon you , and you shall be clensed from all your pollutions . I will send my spirit into the midst of you . Now O my God , is thy prophecy fulfilled , and the showers of thy graces and streames of thy blessings are powred forth . That common expected time of gladnesse of all the righteous is now come , the sweet guest of the soule is come , the comfortable refreshing , the rest in our labour , the temper in heate , comfort in mourning , the washing of that which was foule , watering that which was partched with heate , healing that which is wounded , straightning what was crooked , cherishing that which was cold , ordering what was gone astray . The inspiter of our faith , the teacher of knowledge , the fountaine of love ▪ the ensigne of chastity , and the cause of all our vertue is come . Hee came when the twelve ministers , and dispensors of thy mysteries were unanimously gathered together at Ierusalem , in the house of prayer , chosen by thine owne selfe , in the holy City , the City of perfect beauty , and a sudden noyse comming from heaven as it were the rushing of a mighty wind , cloven tongues appeared to them like fire , and sate upon each of them , so that they were all filled with the Holy ghost , and they began to speak in divers languages . They were gathered together with one accord ; and indeed that spirit loves agreement , and doth bind faster together mens peacefull minds ; it drives away all brawles and contentions , and is it selfe driven away by brawles and contentions . They were gathered together in Jerusalem ; it loves a holy place , and where thy word is preached , there it gratiously abideth . This word is not without the spirit ; nor thy word without the spirit ; there was a sound like a wind ; the holy spirit is not still , but its voyce is heard , hee is not dumbe , but speaketh , and preacheth redemption to sinners , revelations to those in misery ; comfort to those that bee sad ; exaltation to those that are opressed ; deliverance to the captives ; liberty to the bondmen ; and rersurrection to the dead . There was a sudden and vehement sound from heaven ; the holy spirit is not the gift of men , but of the Almighty God ; it brings not momentary , but things eternall , not earthly , but heavenly things . Gods helpe is also ( for the most part ) sudden and unlooked for ; when wee despaire of all mens ayd , the power of the most High is sent us , and cures us in a most fit time . The holy spirit is cheerefull , and makes them nimble , and ready in whom it operates ; for the grace of the holy spirit is not acquainted with sluggish endevours . The tongues appeared devided like fire ; the tongue is the instrument of the holy ghost , whereby it prepares and enlargeth the spirituall Kingdome ; and as the tongue doth distinguish tastes , so doth the holy spirit shew us good from ill , and to discerne between spirits ; it also bestowes on us the gift of variety of languages , and gathers together in one the multitudes of men , dispersed by reason of the difference of their tongues . The love of God is , lastly , fiery , it enlightens the understandings drowned in darknesse , it warmes the soules by charity , makes them shine in good works , consumes wicked affections and actions ; O most wholsome fire , descende from heaven into us . We burne with the filthy brands of our lusts , that the earth seemes rather an Aetna of uncleane flames , than an habitation of men . For as the hill Aetna doth continually boyle with certaine inward fiery vapors , so doth that with the abhominable flames of fornications ; by this meanes we kindle the fire of wrath , the fire of destruction , the fire of the Lord , the fire of indignation , which went out from the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu . How grievously doth the prophet cry out , behold , all of you doe kindle his fire and adde fuell to the flames ; enter yee into the light of your fire and the flames which yee have kindled . For after this manner , as the scripture mentioneth , doth all mankind rush into eternall damnation . For first they kindle the fire , then they put fuell to the flames ; and finally , they enter into the flames which they have kindled . And first doe wee begin to kindle the eternall fire for our selves when first we begin to sinne , and we adde fuell to the flames when we heap sins upon sins ; We enter into the eternall fire , when we fulfill the remedilesse summe of all our mischiefes , by the iniquity of our multiplyed offences : As our Saviour spake to the Rulers of the Jewes , Yee serpents yee generation of vipers , fulfill yee the measure of your fathers . O heavenly Spirit , let plentifull showres fall from heaven , and quench the accursed flames of this fire , that I be not delivered into the unsufferable flames , which no water , no brooke , no river , no sea can quench . Filth sticks to me on all sides ; who will wash it off ? I am polluted with the dirt of my sins ; who shall make mee cleane ? My soule is wounded , and altogether defiled ; who shall heale and purifie it ? My bones are dried up ; who shall moisten them ? Shalt not thou wash mee ? shalt not thou purge mee ? shalt not thou heale mee ? shalt not thou cleanse me ? shalt not thou moysten me ? Thou didst never yet suffer me to receive a repulse ; shall this be the first time that thou wilt reject my prayer ? Surely thou wilt not deny that which I pray for , because thou hast bid me pray unto thee , because it tendeth to my salvation , which thou so much desirest , and belongs unto thine owne honour , whereof thou art so jealous . Give me drink therefore out of the streames of thy pleasure , that I may take no pleasure to taste of the poysoned sweets of the world . Thou art the light and guide of my mind ; as thou art the Author , so be also the Actor of all the good that is in me ; for I humbly rely upon thee ; I beleeve in thee , the true God , who pr●ceedest from the Father and the Son from all eternity , and art in time sent unto me ; what ever I am , I am it in thee and by thee ; I am righteous by thee , by thee am I chaste , by thee am I patient , by thee am I strong , by thee humble , by thee am I courteous , by thee am I long-suffering , by thee am I wise , by thee liberall , and by thee am I thrifty . O thou Comforter , teach me to doe thy will , because thou art my God . I beleeve therefore that whomsoever thou possessest , thou fittest him for a dwelling , both of the Father , and of the Son ; happie is he that shall be thought worthy to lodge thee , because by thee the Father and the Son shall make his abode with him .

CONTEMP . 28. &c.

Of the mystery of the Trinity .

O Three coequall , and coeternall Persons , one true God , the Father , the Sonne , and the Holy Ghost , who dost onely inhabit eternity and light inaccessible ; who in thy might didst lay the foundation of the earth , and dost governe the whole world by thy wisdome . Holy , holy , holy , Lord God of Sabbaths , terrible , strong , just and mercifull , wonderfull , laudable and lovely . One God , three Persons , one Essence , one Power , one Wisdome , one Goodnesse , and one undivided Trinitie . Blessed be alwayes the holy Trinitie , one Diety , and coequall Majesty . The Father , Sonne , and Holy Ghost , are three names , all of them one substance , God the begetter , God the begotten , the Holy Spirit equall God , contained in them both ; yet they are not three Gods , but one true God ; so the Father is Lord , the Son Lord , and the Holy Ghost Lord : there is propriety in the Persons , and unity in the Essence ; an equall Majesty and Power , equal Beauty & Honour , in all things ; comprehending the Starres , the Seas , the Fields , nay the whole Creation ; at whom wicked hell doth tremble , and whom the lowest depths doe reverence . Let every voice and tongue now confesse him worthy this praise , whom Sunne and Moone doe magnifie , and the Angelicall dignity doth adore ; and let us all with strained voyce , with musicall songs and sweet melody warble forth his praises . O let us now sing together before the Throne of our God , that is exalted in the highest . O Trinity to be adored , O Unity to be reverenced ! Thou true Eternity , by thee are we created ; thou most perfect charity , by thee are we redeemed ; doe thou protect , save , deliver , set free , and cleanse all people ; we worship thee , Almighty , we sing unto thee , to thee be praise and glory for ever and ever . For it is truly a worthy and a just thing , a right and a saving thing , that we should at all times , and in all places give thanks unto thee , O Lord , holy Father , God Almighty , who with thy only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost are one God , attone Lord , not in the singularity of one Person , but in the substance of one Trinity : for that which wee beleeve from thy revelation concerning thy glory , this wee understand without difference of distinction , both of the Son and also of the Holy Ghost , that the propriety of Persons , the unitie of Essence , and equality of Majestie may be adored in the confession of a true and an eternall Deitie . One man is not so much as three men joyned together , and two men are something more than one ; but in God it is not so , for the Father and Son together are not a greater Essence than the Father alone , or the Son alone , but those three Persons together are equall one to another . The consideration of the word , One , extends farre , to the making evident of this single Unity . There is an unitie which may bee called collective , as when many stones make up one heape of stones ; there is also an unitie constitutive , when many members make up one body , or many parts of any thing make up the whole thing it selfe . There is also an unity conjugative , whence it comes to passe that two by marriage are now no more two , but one flesh . And there is a native unity , whence by the soule and body one man is borne : There is a potestative unity , whereby a vertuous man is not instable or unlike himselfe , but doth alwayes endevour to bee found like to himselfe . It is a consentaneous unitie , when by charity many men have one heart and one soule . There is a votive unitie , when the soule adhering to God in all its desires , becomes one spirit . There is a dignitative unitie , whereby our corrupt flesh is by God the Word , assumed into one Person . But what are all these things to that most high , and as I may so say , that onely unitie where consubstantiality maketh the unity ? If thou liken any of the former unities to this unity , it will be after a sort alike ; but if you compare it with it , it will bee nothing : therefore amongst all things which are rightly said to be one , the unity of the Trinity , wherein three Persons are one substance , doth hold the preheminence ; each particular Person is in each particular Person ; all the Persons conjoyned are in each particular Person , and each distinct Person , in all the Persons conjoyned ; all are in all , and all is but one , none of these precedes another in eternitie , or exceeds another in greatnesse , or excells another in power ; that which is there said to be great , is not otherwise great , than as it is truly so indeed ; because there greatnesse is truth it selfe , and truth is Essence ; therefore that is not greater which is not truer , but one Person is not truer than another of them , or two of them than any one , or all three together than all three separated each from other ; therefore one hath no more truth than another , or two than any one , or all together than each asunder : So then also the Trinitie it selfe is not any thing greater than every distinct Person in it , but is equally great with them . These are wonderfull things , and set farre above the reach of any creature ; therefore mans understanding doth very hardly assent to these mysteries which are set so farre from our view , and the minde easily begins to wander after speculations , if wee have not before us a more sublime doctrine which may recall our phansies into the right bounds and limits set for us by God himselfe . That doctrine is divine ; No man can take another by the hand if he want his owne ; we cannot see the Sunne without the Sunne , nor can any conceive divine things without divine assistance , nor can we know God without God . Be present therefore thou true Light , Almighty God and Father ; bee present thou Light of lights , thou Word and Son of God , God Almighty ; be present holy Spirit , thou concord of the Father and the Son , God Almighty ; bee present one omnipotent God , Father , Son , and Holy Ghost ; we confesse in thee , by thee , and of thee ; we confesse thou art one in Substance , three in Person , Father , Son , and Holy Ghost : O blessed Trinity , God , Lord , Comforter , Charity , Grace , Fellowship , Begetter , Begotten , Regenerating , true Light , true Light of light , illumination , invisible visibly , visible invisibly , Fountaine and watering streames ; from whom , by whom , and in whom are all things ; he that lives from himselfe and is Life it selfe , he that receives life from him that lives , and he that gives life to those that live ; a true Father , the Son of truth , the Spirit of truth , one Essence , one Vertue , one Goodnesse , God , above whom is nothing , and out of whom is nothing , and without whom is nothing . God , under whom is all , in whom is all , and with whom is all ; we call upon thee , wee adore thee , wee praise thee ; encrease our faith , stirre up our hope , and infuse us with charitie , Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 29.

Of shunning Curiositie in things not revealed unto us .

WHy art thou afflicted , O my soule , if reason be tormoiled , and doth groane and cry out , being plunged in a bottomlesse gulfe ? A thing is not therefore false because I cannot conceive or understand it : reason is not the measure of things , but it is bound to fit it selfe to things : reason is streight , and why then dost thou marvell if it cannot comprehend the vastnesse of heavenly things ? by how much more simple our faith is , so much is our life more agreeable to it , although we neither dispute of , neither doe understand all things . By so much more noble and more renowned shall the citizens of the Church , be ( hereafter ) esteemed of God , because forsaking all , they shewed themselves willing to become only most deare unto him ; it is a short way for religious and simple minds , both to cast away errour and to search out the truth . For if we returne to the fountaine and head of divine tradition , the errour of man vanisheth away ; and the reason of the heavenly Sacraments being understood , what ever before lay hid under the mist and cloud of obscure darknesse , is made apparant by the light of truth ; if the waters of the channell , which used to flow plentifully , be suddenly dried up , doe we not presently goe to the spring-head , that there we may discover the reason that it failes ? whether the pipes grow dry from the head , or running full and currantly from thence , they bee not stopped in their middle course ? but if we finde it is by reason that the pipes it flowes in , be either stopped or broken , that the water cannot runne constantly , and flow as it used to doe ; when we have stopped and sodered the pipes , the waters being collected , are brought in the same plenty and constancie for the use and drinking of the Citizens , as they doe flow from the fountaine . Wee must even doe thus according to Gods command , that is , if truth shall stagger or reele in any thing , let us returne to the originall of it , namely , our Saviour , his Gospell , and the Apostolicall traditions ; and thence let us ground the reason of our actions , whence the order and originall of it first arose . Whilst others make lyes of probabilities , they frustrate the truth by subtilties ; and this is done , because they have no recourse to the originall of truth ; nor doe they seeke to the head , nor observe the doctrine of their heavenly Master ; which whosoever considers and examineth , he hath no need of arguments and long discourses . The triall of our faith is easie by the compendiousnesse of truth ; I would have no man dispute how God the Father begate the Son ; nor doe thou too curiously involve thy selfe within the secret of this depth , lest perhaps , whilst thou too obstinately searchest after the brightnesse of this in accessible light , thou be deprived of that little sight which by Gods gift is afforded unto mortall creatures : Or if thou thinkest thou oughtest to wade so farre in this kind as thou art able : First begin thou with things which concerne our selves , which if thou wilt ( consequently ) wade thorow , then prepare thy selfe to passe from earthly things to heavenly things , from visible things to invisible things . First unfold and declare if thou canst , how the minde that is in thee , begets a word ; and what is the spirit of memory that is in it ; how these things that are different in things and actions , are notwithstanding but one nature and substance ; and though they proceed from the minde , yet are never separated from it . But these things , although wee have them in us , in the very substance of our soule , yet they seeme to be so much the more hidden unto us , by how much they are more invisible to the eyes of the body . Let us enquire of things more open ; how doth a fountaine of it selfe beget a river ? and by what spirit are the swift streames thereof moved ? and though the fountaine and streames be but the same , one inseparable thing , yet cannot the fountaine be either understood to bee or be called the river , nor the river the fountaine , yet he that sees the streames , sees the fountaine . First exercise thy selfe , thou superstitious , and impertinently laborious , and thou soule that toylest after nullities in the unfolding of these things , and discusse , if thou canst , what we hold in our hands : and then we will proceed to things higher than these : nor thinke I perswade thee in an instant to ascend from earth above the heavens , but first if it please you , I will bring you to that firmament which is apparant to our view , and there if thou canst unfold the nature of this visible light , how that heavenly fire begets from it selfe the shining light , how it begets vapors , and which being three in distinctnesse of things , are yet but one in substance ; although thou couldest finde out all this , know yet , that the mystery of the heavenly generation , is by so much more different and higher than these things , by how much the Creator is more powerfull than the creatures , and the workman more excellent than the worke he makes ; by how much he who is from all eternity , is more noble than that that tooke its originall from nothing . God is therefore to be beleeved to be the Father of his onely Son our Lord , and it is not to be enquired how . For a servant ought not to dispute of his masters nativity . He wants nothing , O man , who is confirmed by the doctrine of both Testaments . Both of them are these two swords , of which the eternall Doctor said , It is enough . I wish againe and againe , my long-suffering God , that I might learne and know him ; but if I know not the originall , nor can measure the quantity , nor am able sufficiently to consider what manner of thing my soule is , which rules over my body ; if I know not the reason why it should take pleasure in the body which persecuteth it ; if I be ignorant who hath graven this law of my members , that the flesh should oppresse the spirit in so violent a command , and that the better and more worthy part of nature should yeeld to the more ignoble : I ought to beare patiently , if I understand not the Creator of the Universe , who must even in the smallest parcels of his works , professe mine owne blindnesse . Let me not then proceed farther in other things , than my small capacity wil beare , not curiously pry into those things which are so high above me . I will say with reason and constancie , I know not his secrets , and I am ignorant of his divine councell ; the oracle of the heavenly word is enough for me to try all causes . God sayes he sees all things , governes all things , judges all things . If thou wilt know what thou art to hold , thou hast the holy Scripture ; it is perfect reason to hold what thou hast read . But I will not suffer my selfe to aske for what cause God doth these things in such a manner ; I am a man , I understand not the secrets of God , I dare not search after them , and therefore I even feare to meddle with them : because even this is a kinde of sacrilegious rashnesse , to desire to know more than is permitted unto thee . Let it suffice thee that God doth testifie , that himselfe doth act , and dispose of all things : leaving therefore these things , let us rather seeke ( like good merchants ) to gaine the inheritance of heaven , and those things that may profit our soules : let us learne to get goods which will continue with us ; let us first seeke to have Gods seale stamped upon us , because in the day of judgement , when God shal make that separation , & when all the nations of the whole earth , the sonnes of Adam , shall be gathered together , when the shepherd shall call his flocke , whosoever have beene sealed , shall know their shepherd , and the shepherd shall know those he hath sealed , and shall gather them together out of all nations . Every man naturally desireth knowledge ; but what doth knowledge profit without the feare of God ? certainly an humble rudenesse is better , that is employed in Gods service , than a proud Prelate or Philosopher , who neglects himselfe , and is alwayes contemplating upon God , or the motion of the heavens . How many are there , who in this life , by many curious enquiries , have endevoured to know God , who shall never see his face ? how many in this life doe labour to measure the heavens , and to finde out all things belonging to them , that shall never enter into them ? He that doth well know himselfe , thinks meanly of himselfe , and is not delighted in the praises of men . If I did know all things in the world , and were not in charity , what would this knowledge profit me in the presence of God , who then will judge acccording to my works ? I will therefore ( at length ) rest from the too much desire of knowledge , because the more I know , the more grievously will the most high God judge me , except I live the more holily . Give mee ( most blessed and most wise God ) the highest and most profitable knowledge , that I may know thee , God the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , with moderation , and may inwardly know my selfe to be miserable and of no account ; that I may attribute nothing to my selfe , and alwayes have a good opinion of others . This is great wisdome and some sort of perfection ; Though I see another sinne openly and even to commit some grievous sinnes ; let me not think my selfe better , because I know not how long I may continue in goodnesse ; we are all undoubtedly fraile ; but let me judge none frailer than my selfe , that I may obtaine true strength in goodnesse .

CONTEMP . &c. 30.

Of the Custodie of Angels .

BLesse the Lord ( O my soule ) & all my bowels give praise unto his holy Name : Praise the Lord , O my soule , and forget not any of his benefits ; praise the Lord , yee Angels of his , yee that excell in strength , fulfilling his Word , giving eare to the voyce of his Word . Praise the Lord , all his Hoasts , yee servants of his that doe his pleasure . Praise the Lord all yee works of the Lord ; praise the Lord , O my soule , in all places of his dominion . My heart is ready , O God my heart is ready . He hath commanded his Angels , saith thy faithfull servant David , ( speaking of man ) to preserve thee in all thy wayes , they shall hold thee up with their hands that thou strike not thy foot against a stone . God hath commanded it , God the true and most excellent Life , in whom and from whom are all things : the Creator & Governor of the world , the Sweetnesse & Beauty of the Angels , the Creator and Preserver of men , that God who is God of gods ; so great a God , that no tongue can rightly expresse him ; hee hath commanded , and hath commanded his Angels , his holy Angels that are instructed of God , by the eternall contemplating of which truth they become blessed ; hee hath commanded them concerning thee O man : What is man that thou tookest notice of him , or the sonne of man , that thou didst esteeme him ? Thou sentest unto him thy only begotten Son , thou sendest into him thy holy Spirit ; and that there should be no want of thy carefull working for him , in the heavens thou dost also ( for our sakes ) send forth those blessed Spirits to minister unto us : the most mercifull God sendeth forth those Spirits ( as it were ) so many bright sparks of his Deity , sparkling from the Torches of his everlasting light : who are conceived to bee divided into so great hoastes , and into so many orders to prompt us , not only with matter of prayer to God , but of admiration of his greatnesse and goodnesse ; when I speake thus ( O my soule ) phansie not to thy selfe little faire Boyes , whose countenances are over-spread with an admirable splendour , whose soft dissheveld haire of colour like the finest gold , hangs dangling to their shoulders , & fanned with the gentle breath of the peacefull westerne wind , doth kisse the smooth pillars of their milkie necks ; if thou phansie such Angels , thou art utterly ignorant of their power : They have a pure nature , subtill and aiery , not to be represented in the shape of any body ; no spot of matter doth cloud it , no mole of corruption doth sprinkle it ; and that I may speak briefly , our best part is our soule ; an Angell is nothing but a soule : But what soule ? not relishing of that fire whereby the Starres doe twinkle , and the Axeltree of Heaven is moved , but a vigour of a most quick moved understanding , made ( so much the nearer ) to resemble the patterne , the eternal Beauty , by how much it approacheth nearer to , and is the more plentifully sprinkled with that holy Fountaine . Hence truely comes that notable comlinesse of all their ornaments , and the immortall concurrence of goodnesse , which they with a most acceptable ingenuity of will , doe yeeld to their Creator ; they out-strip in speed the swiftest shippe sailing on the maine , and driven by force of windane oares ; they out-fly a bullet in the aire sent from the sulphury mouth of a thundring Cannon ; these most excellent mentall Intelligences most wisely foresee all things with no trouble or interposition of time , and most readily untie any the most intricate knots of difficulties . If thou consider the grace with which they were ennobled even from the first beginning of things , when God the Author of all things was in the Angels framing nature and bestowing grace ; thou mayst call them vessels of transparent Gumme , or Christall framed by the worlds Creator , into which the streames of the Divinitie did disburthen so great and unusuall fragrancie of graces : if thou weigh the glory and what a large measure of grace this Nature obtained , thou shalt see them all emptied and swallowed up with the similitude of the love they have towards God . These , these are those whom that great workman hath given us men made of durt and clay , in this our dwelling place the earth ; to guide nourish and instruct us , to defend us in our way to salvation , to drive calamity from us , to consult for our happinesse , to be fathers in the care of us brethren , in the love of us , and servants in their obedience to us . These , these are present for thee , O my soule ; they are not only with thee , but they are for thee , that they may protect thee , that they may profit thee , and while we are yet but little ones , we are ( it is thought ) committed to the charge of Angels , as it were , to Tutors and instructors , to the set time appointed by our Father . Thou overwhelmest , thou overwhelmest me , O my God , with thy benefits , that I might delight to abide with thee , and desire to dwell by thee continually , and never to depart from thee . Thou settest a watch round about me , that I might not escape thee ; thou environest me with protectours , that I be not snatched from thee . O my God , I will sing , I will sing Psalmes unto thee , O my glory , with my heart lifted up : Awake Psaltery and Harpe , I my selfe will awake very early . I will celebrate thy praises , O Jehovah , amongst the people , and sing unto thee amongst the Nations ; for thy kindnesse is great above the heavens , and thy truth reacheth above the uppermost clouds ; I will exalt thee , O God , above the heavens , and thy glory is above all the earth : I can give thee thanks , but I cannot render thee due thanks , O my God ; but thou desirest not thy due thanks , because thou knowest I have not the power to performe it : it is the custome of people of meane qualitie to shew themselves munificent amongst themselves ; thy benefits as they excell in Majestie , so they require not that which is lent . O most bountifull God , as thou hast freely set thy Angels over mee , so make them freely to abide by , to dwell and remaine with mee . Troops of the winged Holyes met Jacob at Mahanaim , as he was on his way to his Countrey ; I am also upon my way , and am hastening to my Countrey ; give mee therefore in like manner bands of such most valiant souldiers that may direct , admonish and guide me , and keepe mee , both behind , and also before , and may on no side leave me open or unguarded . O my God , send those thy ministers to us from out thy glorious Tower of heaven to us thy weake creatures staggering amidst these mournfull tents of our cumbersome mortalitie , that they may encompasse us in our feares , comfort us in our griefes , and purge us from our growing and oppressing miseries . Sicknesses doe devour and overthrow us , the plague infests us ; send Raphael that may heale and cure us ; rumours of warres doe dishearten us , the drawne swords doe prey upon us ; send Michael to fight for us ; our ill abetting flesh solicites us , devillish suggestions doe assault us ; send Gabriel that may reconcile thy will to our will . Woe is mee , if provoked by my sinnes and negligences thou shalt judge me unworthy the presence and visitation of thy holy Angels , by whose presence thou usest to protect me and repulse my enemies . Seeing then the familiarity of the Angelicall dignity , is so profitable for me , make me to abstain from evil which doth offend them , and to exercise holinesse , in which I know they take delight . But they are pleased with such things as they delight to find in me , such as is sobriety , patient bearing of poverty , often sending up sighes to heaven , and above all , they love truth and peace . Let me be Lot in righteousnesse , Isaac in obedience , Eleazer in fidelitie ; let me bee Jacob in piety , let me be Elias in my zeale , let me be Elizeus in my courage , Ezechias in devotion , Daniel in my constancie , Judith in my chastitie , Tobias in honesty , and let me be Lazarus in my patience . Grant me these things , O my God , and I shall alwayes have thy Angels my companions ; without separation they will accompany me , they will accompany both my soule and also my body , and they will accompany my soule after it's departure out of my body , and shall bring it into Paradise , where is the societie & beholding of Angels and Archangels , and above all , the blessed beholding of Christ my Saviour . Grant me these things , O my God , and I will praise thee with the Cherubims and Seraphims , and will sing of thy mercies uncessantly , for evermore . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 31.

Of Baptisme .

THey are fearfull words , O man , which we reade , Yee were at that time without Christ , and yee were strangers from the conversation of Israel , and were aliens from the covenants of the promise , and yee were without hope , and without God in the world . What , O wretch , can be more miserable for thee ? and what canst thou heare that can be more terrible unto thee ? He that is without Christ , is without faith ; he that is excluded from the congregation of Israel , knowes not what grace is ; he that is without hope , hath no comfort ; he that is without God , hath no helper . O depth of misery , what understanding can rightly conceive it ? or what tongue sufficienly expresse it ? how many myriades of men are enveloped in more than Egyptian darknesse , in superstitions , and abominable Gentilisme , who are still without Christ , being estranged from the common-wealth of Israel , strangers to the covenant of the promise , without hope , and without God in the world ? they have ( it may be ) something which they call by the name of God ; but what ever they paint unto themselves , or what ever they forme unto themselves , they are but apparitions of the night , fearfull sights amongst the graves , terrible noises amidst sepulchers , or tame Statues of silver or gold , the works of mens hands , which have mouthes , but speake not , eyes , but see not , eares , but heare not , noses , but smell not , hands , but handle not , feet , but walk not , nor speake they through their throats . O gods without a deity , without understanding , without life ! And I my selfe was to be reckoned amongst those many thousands of damned men ; for the like sentence of damnation did attend them who were all guilty of the same offence . But eternall thanks are due to thee , O eternal God , that thou hast freely separated me from them , with whom I had fellowship , by reason of my sins ; it was thy pleasure I should be begotten and borne of such parents that sate not in darknesse , nor had their habitation in the region of the shadow of death , but were called out of darknesse , into thy admirable light , to an elect stocke , a kingly priesthood , a holy nation , to an honoured people . O God my God , thou soughtest me when I knew not of thee ; thou gavest unto me , when I asked not of thee ; thou openedst unto me when I did not knocke ; for when I was yet a bawling infant , in my bepissed clouts ; when I yet savoured ill of my mothers coutch ; when I was putrified , as well with mine owne , as with the naturall and spirituall uncleannesse of my parents ; yet thou , not disheartned with all this , didst take me up , cherish and purge me that was thus conceived , and chafed in my sins . Thou leddest me to the pure waters , living waters ; to the divine oracle , to the lavacre , in the word of regeneration , and renovation ; thou broughtest me , O God my God , to baptisme , the first gate to be entred to the kingdome of heaven ; into the armes , and to the kisses of my Saviour , by which he ●ranslates us out of the lap of our parents , into his heavenly habitation , and enroles us into the number of Gods elect , and citizens of heaven , and makes us members of his body , which being one with the head , become partakers of the heavenly treasures . O God my God , thou hast promised this by thy Prophet , Ye shall draw waters with joy out of the wholsome fountaines : And , I will powre out my waters upon the thirsty , and my streames upon the dry ground . I will powre out my spirit upon thy seed , and my blessing upon thy posterity , and they shall grow amongst the grasse like willowes , by the rivers of waters . And againe , they shall bring their sonnes in their armes , and carry their daughters upon their shoulders . And I , O most mercifull Lord , was brought , carried , sprinkled , and washed amongst them , and did mount up unto thee , as it were upon the wings of an Eagle . I laid aside the decrepit age of my sinnes , and put on the vigorous youth of grace ; this did this heavenly Sacrament worke in me . I began to be a true Eagle , who by thy grace doe soare to heaven , and doe loath all earthly things . As often as I behold earthly water , I should remember this divine water , which hath wrough so many and so great things in us . The naturall water doth wash and take away spots , doth quench fire , cooles and allayes the heat of thirst , incorporates many and sundry things into one body ; it ascends as high in heighth , as it doth descend below in depth . The heavenly water of Baptisme washes away the leprosie of sinne , and wipes away our iniquities , and makes us whiter than snow . Our sins in themselves are like scarlet , yet are they whitened as white as snow ; they are red like crimson , yet they grow white as wooll . The water of Baptisme , by a divine and admirable way and means , doth quench the fire of our fleshly desires . How pleasing is it to us , so soone as the heavenly Spirit slides into us in this washing , for us to want these trifling sweets ? The true and chiefest sweetnesse doth cast out those other , which else wee would feare to lose ; it casteth them out , and there enters ( in their stead ) the hidden and heavenly pleasure , which is sweeter than all other pleasure , yet not to flesh and blood ; is brighter than any other light , yet more hidden than any secret ; higher than any other honour , but not to men that are high in their owne conceits : It quencheth also the flames of hell fire , those devillish brands of hell , which no helpe of man can put out . The divine water of Baptisme sets an end to the various and troublesome desires of mans heart , and makes us onely rest upon God . The divine water of Baptisme makes one nation of all the nations , of the Israelites and of the Heathen , that did differ so exceedingly in most things , that they might become one body , and one soule , one hope of calling , till at length they may be made perfect in one . The divine water of Baptisme is given us from heaven above , from the Father of lights , and it flowing from the fountaine that springs to eternall life , doth not onely draw our hearts to their owne originals , but doth wholly lead us to that most blessed fountain . Farewell World , avoid Satan , be gone each worldly thing , for I call to minde these words that my Godfather holding me in his armes , pronounced for me , I renounce thee Satan , and thy pompe and worship : with these words am I received into Gods covenant , and enrolled in the number of Christs souldiers . What ever thou shalt say , O Serpent , I will presently reply ; what ever thou shalt speake , I will not hearken unto thee , Then , that thou catch me not by other meanes , I have renounced also thy pompe , and thy worship and thy messengers . I was prest for the warre of the living God , when I answered to the words in the Sacrament . Whatsoever earthly things are received in this world , and shall here remaine in this world , are to be despised , as much as the world it selfe is to be contemned , the pomps and delights whereof I did then renounce , when in my better passage I went unto my Lord . In Baptisme I was cloathed in white , that I might be taught ( most devoutly ) to rely upon Christs innocency , and to be willing to lead my life sincerely and purely . I confesse ( indeed ) my God , that I have beene sometime forgetfull of my covenant made with thee , that I have forsaken the hoaste of righteousnesse , and have runne away to thy enemy , and have most grievously offended thee my Captaine , by my transgressions and treasons , that I have beene worthy thy most severe punishment : but I returne to thee , I fall before thee , and beseech thee for thine unspeakable goodnesse , that thou wilt receive me , and acknowledge me for thy souldier and servant ; and ( at length ) of thy grace , grant me the prize of victory , that being freed and saved , I may ( at length ) erect a trophee to thy name and praises . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 32.

Of a Christians practise .

IT is an easie thing for one to call himselfe a Christian , but a hard thing to performe the part of a Christian . He that desires to fulfill the measure of that name , let him marke diligently these things that follow . Acknowledge , O man , thine owne basenesse ; consider how wretched , and of how little account thou art , thou hast nothing from thy selfe , but all things from God : he gave thee all things for thy use , to whom thou must repay them , yea , and even thy life it selfe , at what moment soever he shall require them ; and thou must depart as naked from hence , as thou camest naked into this world and although all the world , with it : inhabitants , doe keepe thee companys yet they can profit thee nothing ; for all things are fleeting , brittle , transitory , and nothing can free thee from death ; give not thy selfe therefore over to security , but feare God , and examine exactly what may be truly profitable for thee . Doe good to the poore with all thy power , that thou mayest gather for thy selfe a treasure in heaven . Doe all that God bids thee , for thou art bound to doe good with thy will and spirit : but he that knowes to doe well , and doth it not , he is guilty of sinne ; but he that doth good , doth it not from himselfe , but for that cause that it is bestowed on him of God , and that he belongeth unto God . Love not ( O man ) the world , or the things of the world , as the lusts of the flesh , the desires of the eyes , and the pride of life but feare God , and meditate with thy selfe of heavenly things : strive to fulfill Gods will in all vertuousnesse ; shun worldly , & minds set upon the earth , that thou be not defiled with other mens sins ; seeke Gods kingdome , and so use the mirth is permitted to thee , that thou mayest alwayes tremble , stand in awe , and shew thy selfe thankfull , that thou fall into no secret sin , or be delighted with the tree of good and evill , and with the sight of a momentany pleasure thou remove ( like Eve ) the law of God out of thine eyes and heart , which should be , neverthelesse , the summe and highest pitch of all thy delights . It should be thy delight night and day , that it may be to thee the right way , the truth , and the life , if thou wilt lead a a living life , conducting to life eternall , not to everlasting death . Next , O man , keepe these three things , faith , charity , and stedfastnesse of hope . What ever thou dost , see thou doe it in faith , in simplicity of heart , in confidence of the fatherly will of God , and give God thanks , to whom they are due , and his blessings shall be alwayes thy handmaid : let charity spring from the ground of thy heart , nor be carefull to give thy selfe content , but labour with feare and humility to please God . Be pleasing unto men in truth , mercy , and justice , without flattery for that is perfect charity . Charity bids us look to the things that concerne God & our neighbour , not only those things which concern my selfe . Let thy hope be without feare and doubting ; let him that desires divine , heavenly , and eternall things , rest upon the wil of God , and not upon slippery , fraile and brittle things . No man shall make thee lose thy hold of that hope which thou hast placed upon God : thou mayest hope upon him , even in the pangs of death , for he is omnipotent . Never let humility slip out of thy mind ; for he preserveth thy life by simplicitie , strengthens it by patience , and feeds it by truth . Commit all thy waies unto God , and hee shall bring it to passe ; he knowes what is for thy profit , and what not . Thinkest thou that he knowes not thy condition ? behold God sees and knowes all things , and nothing is hid from his eyes . He regards also the poore and contrite spirit , and him that trembleth at his Word . Search not therefore after high things ; when thou art commended , feare , because thou art an unprofitable servant , and canst doe nothing except thou be assisted by the power , favour , and Spirit of God . Thinke not better of thy selfe than of thy neighbour , for thou art a man of nought ; remember God is only to be honoured , and thou shalt be the greater , if thou cast down thy selfe . Be alwayes ruminating of these things first , let no vain , idle , scurrilous words break from thy lips , but godly , pleasing , profitable , which tend to life , and lead not to death ; therefore bridle thy tongue , and restraine it , for it can kill , and give life . Secondly , to keepe thy soule and conscience free from wickednesse , exclude thou malice and impious thoughts , and never shun the light : O thrice happie and more is hee whose heart condemnes him not . Thou belongest to God ( O man ) walke upright with God ; remove from thee darknesse , lyes , and injustice , for he is a Judge , and a revenger of such things . Trie and prove thy selfe in all things , that thou mayst know what vice sticks to thee , what vertue thou wantest , that thou mayst shake off that , and purchase this ; for thou canst never bee so perfect , that something will not still be wanting . Whatsoever thou dost , thou dost it by Gods indulgence and helpe , if it be acceptable to him ; for of thy selfe thou art very nothing , and by the assistance of Gods holy Spirit canst thou onely proceed in goodnesse ; stay not therefore or hinder the operations thereof ; work out thy salvation with feare and trembling , in continuall repentance , humility , and simplicitie of heart , and think that thou art neither worthy of the blessings of this life , or of that which is to come . Lastly , pray without ceasing in all thy labours , pray reverently , devoutly and humbly with faith in all thy wayes , with a most fervent desire of thy neighbours salvation . Thou must pray in thy chamber , in solitarinesse , in most humble devotion , in fastings , in teares , in anguish , in weeping , in contrition upon thy knees night and day , with a full hope , and not doubting , according to the will of God , for all the true professors of the Christian faith ; study in all things to please God and not men ; whosoever honours God , God will also honour him ; whosoever contemnes God , God shall also contemne him . Grant me thy grace , most mercifull God , that it may bee with me , that it may labour with me , and may continue with me even unto the end . Grant I may ( alwayes ) will and desire that which is most acceptable unto thee , and most dearly pleaseth thee ; let thy will be my will , and let my will alwayes follow thine , and agree best with it ; let me will , and will the same thing that thou dost ; and grant I may not have power otherwise to will , or not to will them as thou dost . O my God , thou unspeakable sweetnesse , turne all carnal comforts into bitternesse unto me , which doe draw me from the love of things eternall , and evilly allure mee under colour of some present delectable good . Let not flesh and blood , O my God , overcome me ; let not the world and its short glory deceive me ; let not the devill and his subtilty supplant mee . Give mee strength to resist , patience to endure , constancie to performe ; give mee in stead of all the comforts of the world , the most sweet unction of thy Spirit , and infuse into mee the love of thy Name , in stead of carnall love . Confirme me , my God , by the grace of thy holy Spirit ; give mee power to bee strengthned in the inward man , and to emptie my heart of all unprofitable care and vexation , nor to be distracted with the various desires of any thing , whether it be vile or precious , but that I looke upon all things as if they passed but by me , and that I did also passe away , as they doe ; because nothing under the Sun is of any continuance , but all things are vanity and vexation of spirit . O how wise is he that thus considers with himselfe . Give me , my God , heavenly wisdome , that I may learne to search after , and to find thee rather than any thing , to be wise unto thee , and to love thee , and to understand other things , as they truly are according to the order of thy wisdome . Grant I may wisely shun him that flatters me , and patiently suffer him that opposeth me ; because this is great wisdome not to be moved with every wind of words , nor to listen unto mischievous flattering pleasure ; so shall we with securitie proceed in the way we have begun to walke in .

CONTEMP . &c. 33.

Of the true Dignitie of a Christian.

LEt others call a man a creature to be adored , and borne for Societie , full of reason and councell ; let them call him the great Miracle , most like unto God the , Miracle of miracles ; let them cal him the Horizon of corporeal and incorporeall things , the measure of all things , the little World , the Epitome of the world , and the delight of Nature : let them write that man only exceeds all wonder , and that nothing is great upon the earth but man ; yet so great dignitie , so great excellencie , and so great advancement of man can never be so great , as it wil be , if with this a man may be called a Christian , which denomination tooke its originall from Christ , the very Son of God , and is imparted unto them that are sprinkled with the saving water of the Sacrament of Baptisme that give their names unto Christ , fighting under his purple Banner , they defend the honour of their Captaine and Author of their Profession , by their undaunted Profession of the evangelicall and heavenly doctrine , and they doe confirme , defend and propagate that doctrine by their indefatigable study & practice of good works . O miserable they who are called Pagans , either in regard that they reverence their Idols in the publick streets and wayes , being aliens from the City of God , or because that after the enlargement of Christs Kingdome , and the spreading of the Christian Religion , they did not possesse any longer the chiefe Cities , but were reduced and shut into the strait Villages . O miserable they , who are called Jewes ; for although the ancient people of the Jewes had the preheminence above other people in priviledges and prerogatives , and was not excluded from the heavenly Kingdome and the Citie of God ; yet at this day their uncleane multitudes dispersed every where thorow the world , are farre exceeded in sundry and manifold eminencies by the Christian people ; for though the body be already exhibited , they dispute upon shadowes , and obstinately defend their Mosaicall Ceremonies , and despise Christ that is the onely doore to eternall life ; bewitched with the leven of the Pharisies , they reject the truth , detract from it and slander it ; and thence by Gods just judgement Jerusalem being destroyed and lost , they have no Temple , have no forme of a Common-wealth , but are most vilely despised in all parts of the earth . O happie Christians , and freed from all miserie ! Christ is God blessed for evermore : therefore are Christians truly divine ; Christ being true God in his Essence , is a Spirit , therefore are Christians spirituall ; Christ by nature is the onely Son of God , therefore are Christians by grace the heires of heaven ; Christ is the vertue and power of God ; therefore are Christians powerfull ; Christ is Wisdome , therefore are Christians wise ; Christ is Righteousnesse , therefore are Christians just ; Christ is made Sanctification unto us , therefore are Christians holy ; Christ is the Way , therefore Christians doe not erre ; Christ is Life , therefore Christians , though dead , yet doe live ; Christ is the Truth , therefore are Christians led into all truth ; Christ is the Light that enlightens the world , therefore doe Christians shine forth in the midst of darknesse ; Christ is a Shepherd , therefore are Christians fed in wholsome pastures ; Christ is the healing Physitian , therefore doe Christians receive cure in all their infirmities ; Christ is the Conquerour of Satan and the Lord of the world , therefore doe Christians beare rule , overcome and triumph in Christ ; Christ doth reigne in glory , nay is glory it selfe , and all in all ; therefore Christians , though they be abominable to the world , and are had in reproach , yet are most glorious in Christ , and though they have nothing , yet possesse they all things ; Christ was anointed when his Humanity was taken into the Person of the Word , the Divinity did anoint , and the Humanity was anointed ; and this anointing is a diffusing of the whole oyntment upon every one that is anointed therewith : he was anointed with the oyle of gladnesse above his fellowes ; he is anointed with gifts finite and infinite , conferred by taking upon him the humane Nature from the holy Virgin , which agree wel with the name of an oyntment for the most fragrant scent they breath forth , and the comforting force they retaine in them ; they are compared to the Oyle of gladnesse , because they expell sadnesse out of Christian hearts , and doe enflame them with true joy and comfort . Think now as often as Christs Name comes into thy mind , that God did from all eternity ordain , consecrate and define him , to consummate the worke of the Redemption , and did most plentifully bestow upon him those unspeakable gifts which he fore-saw he should stand in need of . That he should be a Prophet , our Master , our Priest to offer up himselfe an expiatory Sacrifice , that hee should be Lord of lords , King of kings , that might have the possession of an incomparable and everlasting Kingdom , the first moment of his conception ; but the full and most glorious enjoyment of it in his ascention : even as David was anointed by Samuel king whilst Saul lived , but did not exercise any regall jurisdiction ; but when he was dead , he obtained the Dominion , & did govern the Kingdom . And we also are anointed Christians , when we are separate from the ungodlinesse of worldly men , and are made holy by the mystery of the Spirit . We were anointed , when , as Christ did receive the gifts of the Spirit without measure , we received them with measure . We are anointed , when we are exalted to propheticall , priestly , and kingly dignity ; and this is that which the Prophet speaks , Ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel , and that I am Iehovah , your God , and that none else is ; nor shall my people be ashamed for ever : And it shall come to passe afterward , that I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh , and your sonnes , and your daughters shall prophesie , your old men shall dreame dreames , and your young mensh ll see visions , which hee declareth by his most deare disciple . Jesus Christ is that faithfull witnesse , that first borne from the dead , and that Prince of the kings of the earth , who hath loved us , and hath washed us from our sinnes by his blood ; who hath made us kings and priests to God his Father . You are a chosen stocke , a royall priesthood , a sanctified people , a nation whom God challengeth for his owne . O name , not above every name , yet a divine , a heavenly , and anhonourable name ; here is fulfilled that which the Prophet said ; A new name shall be given thee , which the mouth of the Lord shall bestow on thee . We have changed our accursed name , because God hath given us a new name . Take heed to your selves , take heed who ever you be , that you despise none of the faithfull , that you disesteeme or reproach them not , though he seeme most miserable , most abject ; and most afflicted : for let his misery or affliction be as great as may be , yet is he the Almighty Gods Anointed , the Prophet of the most holy , the Priest of the most High ; yea , he is himselfe a king of most great Majesty . Yee are Prophets , O Christians , therefore let the Word of God dwell plentifully in you , with all wisdome , teaching and admonishing one another , with psalms and hymnes , and spirituall songs , singing unto the Lord with grace in your hearts . Ye are Priests , ye Christians , therefore I beseech you , my brethren , by the mercies of God , that you give up your bodies a living and a holy sacrifice , and acceptable to God , by your reasonable service of him , and be not fashioned like this world , but be yee changed through the renewing of your mindes , that ye may discerne what is : the good , and acceptable , and perfect will of God . Ye are Kings , O Christians , be not therefore servants of sin , or be subject to the boyling affections of the flesh , but mortifie your sinnes , tame your lusts , nor prostitute your dignity to a most base and impure servitude . Extoll your Christ , because all your eminencie , all your worth , all your grace , and all your glory proceedeth from him . As the rivers do flow from the sea , and flow back againe into the same ; so let your eminency , dignity , grace , and glory , be directed , disposed of , and referred to the authour and giver thereof . Call upon Christ , O ye Christians , because though you be anointed , yet may that ointment be overwhelmed , defiled , and wiped off by the filth of your sinnes , and the durt of your corruptions ; ye carry heavenly gifts in brittle vessels , pray that they be not broken , and your graces spilt ; pray that no wind may extinguish your flame , that your oyle faile you not , and yee be left in darknesse with the foolish virgins . Love your Christ , yee Christians , because he is anointed , that you might be anointed ; because he is a King that hath all the inhabitants of the earth for his subjects ; because he is a Priest , that hath expiated all the sinnes of the whole world ; because he is a Prophet that doth instruct all the ignorant , doth enforme them , and teacheth them the right way to life . Love Christ , you Christians , because the most apparant manifestation of a thankfull mind consisteth not in words , but works ; not in promises , but in obedience . But to the end you may more fully consider your dignity , the birth of a Christian is to be weighed : God is his Father in heaven , the Church is his mother upon the earth . The Word of God to be heard and seene , is the seed ; that is the Word preached , this is the administration of the Sacraments . Yee are borne againe , not of corruptible seed , but incorruptible , by the Word of God that lives and abideth for evermore . The Father of lights hath begotten you by the Word of his truth . The Churches are the wombe where the seed of the heavenly Word is scattered , and in which the eternall Father , and our mother the Church doe meet together . The heart of man is the matter of this generation ; the privation , is the mortification of the old Adam ; the forme , is the vivification it selfe , whence doth arise the assent of the understanding , and confidence of the will , that the sonne of wrath may become the sonne of grace , the blinde may see , the deafe may heare , the dumbe may speake , the lame walke , the leaper be cleansed , and life may be restored to the dead . The time of this formation is when a Christian doth more and more profit in knowledge of the understanding and holinesse in the heart ; the carrying in the wombe is when in our whole life , by meanes of the vessels of the wombe , and navell , that is , by the ministers of the Word , he attracteth to himselfe the milke of saving knowledge , from the two breasts of the Church , the Law and the Gospell ; and as an Embrion lives in the wombe , so he lives in the Word . Hee is a brute creature , and more silly than a beast , that doth not admire , that a childe in the wombe should be preserved alive in so darke a prison , in so uncleane streights , among so many filths , corruptions , excrements , wrapped in filmes , and crowded by the bowels : but it is farre more to be wondred at , that any Christian should be supported amidst so many griefes , paines , torments , snares , and calamities . For about the wombe wherein we are carried , the World cries , I will slay him ; the Flesh cries , I will infect him ; the Devill cries , I will deceive him . Wee must there lie hid , where there is much malice , where is little wisdome , where all things are viscous and slimie , all things hid in darknesse , and beset with snares , where the soules are in danger , the bodies are afflicted , where all things are vanity and vexation of Spirit : and yet for all this we live and are preserved ; we live and are not killed ; we are nourished , and not in want ; we are carried in the wombe , and are not abortive ; we are sustained , and are in want of nothing . The Embrion in the mothers wombe lives a hidden life ; he lives ( indeed ) in the world , but is not seene with the eyes of any ; he sends forth his breath , but scarce draws any in : we also , Embrions of regeneration , lead a hidden life . For though we live in the kingdome of heaven , yet our glory and desireable life doth not as yet make any great shew ; we yet behold not the light of eternall blessednesse ; we yet draw not the aire of the region of Paradise ; we yet eat not the Angelicall Manna ; we yet drinke not of the heavenly liquour , but have ( as it were ) but a light taste of al these things ; and we have scarce any sensible breathing of these things . But the houre is at hand , and the time will come , that it shall be made manifest what we shall be , wherein we shall beginne and never end ; this glorious light , this life , not of hope , but of the things hoped for , even the life of vision . We shal begin this life when we die , for then begin we to be borne to the true light , when we first put off our mortality . For the true birth day of Christians , is their day of death . In death they do begin to live , through death they enter into life : as the infant lies sighing at the port of the wombe , expecting his passage ; and though he be even at deaths threshold , yet is he conveyed into the haven of life . O living death of Christians ! O Christian , sonne of God , brother of Christ , companion of the Angels , Lord of the world , partaker of the divine nature ! O Christian , exalted above sin and the law , and placed above death and Satan ! O Jesu my Lord ! O Christ my Captaine ! thy name be glorified , because thou hast given me a blessed name , denominated from thine owne name . Let thy praise be daily borne in my mouth , because thou art daily born in my heart , that I may be born againe in thee , and may live to thee , and with thee . For no man is rightly called a Christian , that is not conformed ( as much as may be ) to Christ in his manners ; and he beares this name in vaine , that doth not at all imitate Christ . For what doth it profit thee to be called what thou art not , and to usurpe another mans name ? If any take pleasure to be a Christian , let him carry about him what belongeth to a Christian , and then he may worthily take upon him the name of a Christian ; but he doth those things which belong to true Christianity , who shewes mercy to all ; that is not moved by any wrong done to him ; that is as sensible of anothers griefe , as of his owne ; that makes not the poore strangers at his table ; that is not magnified amongst men , that hee may be gloried before God and his Angels : who contemnes earthly things , that he may obtaine heavenly things ; that doth not suffer the poore to be here oppressed ; who helpeth those that are in distresse ; who is moved to weepe by other mens tears ; as S. Paul did , for who is weake , saith he , and I am not weake ? Grant unto me , O Christ , most mercifully , that am the least and most unworthy of all Christians , that I may doe these things with all my power , and may persevere in the desire thereof , and that I may not halt , slip , or utterly fall off : for not the beginning , but the ending well is required in a Christian ; let that therefore be most blessed unto me , O my Saviour . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 34.

Of necessary rules to lead a godly life , concerning the thoughts of man .

MAns life is a middle life , between the life of Angels , and the life of sinners ; if a man live after the flesh , he is compared to the beasts ; if he live after the Spirit , he is made a companion for the Angels . Now that thou maist walke in the straitest path , thou must consider of thy thoughts , examine thy words , and weigh thy actions . As touching thy thoughts , give no time or place to sinnes , but as soone as they appeare in the blade , before they can take root , plucke them up . Breake ( in time ) the Basilisks egges , that none of them prove a serpent ; dash the Babilonish brats against the stones , while they be young . Fall not often into the same sin , but abridge the custome of sinning , and sin not without doubt , as if thou neither fearest God nor man . Propose not to thy selfe those things in thy thoughts , which are either unprofitable , or impossible . Be not wise too high . Thinke the world , and worldy things , to be but vaine , that thou doe not over-value them . Be alwayes mindfull of death , that thou feare it not too much when it comes unto thee : call to minde the last judgement , that thou maist appeare there with an undaunted courage : remember hell to avoid it , and blessednes , that thou maist enter into it . Learn ( forthwith ) therforemore & more to know thine owne misery , which ariseth from unbeleefe and the transgression of Gods holy Commandements . Renounce therefore unbeleefe , and strive to keepe all his precepts . Knock at the gate of the mercies of heaven , by the merit of Christ , and so humble thy selfe , as if thou wert to obtaine those mercies , without his merits . What is the most abject creature in the world ? let it not trouble thee to answer thy selfe , It is I , by reason of my sinnes . And againe , if it be demanded of thee , what is the most pretious treasure upon the earth ? let it not trouble thee to answer with thy selfe , the blood and merits of my Lord Jesus Christ , by which I am cleansed from my sinnes , and have salvation purchased for me . Above all , abhorre to sinne willingly , and with a deliberate resolution ; for to have true faith , and to sinne voluntarily , can no more agree together , than fire and water , or the lambe and the wolfe . Be a true , faithfull , and sincere servant of Jesus Christ , not onely in the publick assemblies , where Gods word is preached , and the Sacraments administred : but in the rest of thy life , by flying evill , and doing of good . But if by reason of the infirmity of thy flesh thou hast committed any sinne , loath it betimes , and destroy it by speedy and serious repentance . Pray onely unto God ; whilst thy conscience rests in prayer to him , sinne withers , and nothing is sweet to thee besides vertue and goodnesse . Catch not too much at popular applause , which is very inconstant , and though thou think thy merits have deserved to be taken notice of by those that passe by thee , and that thou oughtest to be respected of the good ; yet use it moderately and discreetly , that it doe thee not more hurt , than hatred and contempt . He is truly wise , that neither too greedily hunts after the peoples favour , nor too much despises it . Seeke , especially , for a quiet minde , and be content with thy present condition . It is no harmfull thing , that some evil is mixed with the good things of this life , that God bestowes upon us ; God deales gently with thee , as with his Son , therefore despaire not ; God doth also chasten thee , be not thou impatient , lay hold on the golden meane , search for things necessary , but not for superfluities , and alwayes have an eye to Gods will , that thine owne will doe not oppresse thee ; he is happie that can lie hid in this life , and is known to none but God and himselfe . A certaine man was wont to say , As often as I have been amongst men , I still returned the lesse man from them . It is an easier thing to lye hid at home , than to keepe himselfe well abroad ; he therefore that intends to obtain inward and spirituall gifts , he must with Jesus decline the throng ; no man can safely be seene , but he that is willingly concealed : the better sort of men , in the estimation of others , have often been in great hazard , by reason of their too much confidence . Thence is it , that it is more profitable to many , not altogether to be void of temptations , but to be often assaulted that they be not too secure , that they be not puffed up with pride , nor that they too licentiously leane to exteriour delights . O what a good conscience would hee alwayes possesse , that would never seeke after transitory mirth , nor busie himselfe with the world ! O how would hee prune off all vaine care , and only meditate of saving and divine things , and place all his hope in God , and what peace and quiet would he enjoy ! Let the want of nothing , but of Gods grace , much trouble thee ; desire Gods grace , and thou shalt obtaine it , and let not the scarcity of outward things too much afflict thee . If Satan reproach thee with thy wants , consider with thy selfe what Saint Paul said , We brought nothing into this world , and we know that we can carry nothing away from thence : and therefore let us be content with our food and cloathing ; but those that will bee rich , fall into temptations , and snares , and many foolish lusts , which afflict and drowne the sons of men in ruine and destruction : Pray with Agur , the son of Jakeh , I have desired two things of thee , O God , deny them not unto me as long as I live ; remove farre from me vanity and lyes ; give me neither poverty nor riches , let me be nourished with the meat of mine owne table , lest being over full , I lye against thee , and say , who is the Lord ? or being poore , I should steale , and so abuse the Name of my God . Bee grieved more for Gods dishonour than thine owne ; if thou sufferest wrong , beare it patiently , and thou shalt overcome it ; yet , thou mayest say , my reputation is stained , shall I endure it ? Why not ? suffer , and thy reputation will be soone repaired : he that shall at length , even in the last day , restore unto thee thy putrified body , shall restore to thee thy credit ; if thou be angry and enraged , and teare thy selfe , what shall all these turmoiles profit thee ? Nothing is more pleasing to thy enemie , than to see thee by thy rage to be in such a confusion . Rather pray for thine enemies , that they be fellow-heires with thee of eternall life , and fellow-chaunters of thy Fathers praises in his heavenly Kingdome . The more others extoll thee , the more doe thou humble thy selfe in thine owne eyes , nor please thy selfe with such vanities . They that esteeme lightly of earthly things , are magnified and extolled by the Angels of heaven : proceed sincerely , rightly , and innocently in every of thy actions , nor too earnestly take care for the things thou hast not . Think no sin little , for there is none so light , ( if any may bee said light ) but it may bring upon thee great plagues & everlasting death ; therefore , deplore thy least sinnes , and pray without ceasing for the bettering of thy life . Think how short thy life is ; if any seriously consider what ever belongeth to us , he shall see they vanish from us like birds in the aire , and wee also by our perpetuall motion are carried beyond those transitory things ; but that which is worst , no remedy can be found against this , for these things fall out thus by the law of Nature ; for the things of this life are a dreame , a smoake and impostures ; this is our life , O men that lead a fleeting life ; such is the Scene upon the earth , that wee must be borne ere we could have a being , and as soone as we are borne , wee are againe dissolved to nothing . Wee are a dreame that lasts not , an apparition that cannot be laid hold on , a flight of a bird that is gone , the passage of a ship in the sea , that leaves behind no impression , dust , a vapour , morning dew , a flowre that hath his time to blow , and time to wither ; the dayes of man are as grasse , and shall flourish , but like the flowre of the field . Think therefore alwayes what manner of life thou hast , not how long it may last : make haste to live well , and think every day is another life ; let us extend our life , whose office and argument is action ; let us not place the goodnesse of our life in the length of it , but in the use of it : For it may come to passe , yea , it often happens so that he who hath lived long , hath lived little ; his life is most long , in the whole extent whereof he hath been at leasure for himselfe , and yet no part thereof hath lyen waste or idle . Life is like a Play , it skils not how long it is , but how well it was acted ; not he that hath sung much to the Harpe , nor he that hath made many prayers , or hath steered many ships , is to be commended , but he that hath performed these things ; for Beauty is to be placed in Vertue , and a seasonable moderation , not in length of dayes . In every thing we see the Priority to bee yeelded to maturity and perfection , not to their old-age : For amongst the Plants , those are accompted the best which beare most fruit in the shortest time ; and amongst the living creatures , those from whom we receive most commodities , for our lives , in the shortest time . We conclude therefore , that a short time well and innocently spent , is farre to be preferred before a sinfull long life .

CONTEMP . &c. 35.

Of necessary rules to lead a holy life concerning our words .

HEare and obey these things , O man , which I shall utter touching thy words ; weigh well continually with thy selfe , that saying of our Saviour , I say unto you , that of every idle word that the sonnes of men shall speake , they shall give an account for in the day of judgement : and that also which the most wise Salomon also affirmes , in the multitude of words there will not cease to be sin . Fly ( therefore ) idle and slothfull words , which have repentance treading upon their heeles , and ill successe at their elbowes . Examine what thou art to propose , and what to answer : As long as thy word is within the fence of thy teeth , it is thine own , but as soon as it is escaped , it is his that receives it . How foule and uncomely a thing is it , if thy unbrideled tongue , breaking the bounds of modesty , shall cause thee to blush for shame ? Let therefore thy words be few and weighty , and seasoned with salt ; and mark in the delivery , what is worthy , and what in them is unworthy of thee . Chiefly , vaunt of nothing for truth , which thou knowest not to be true ; nor give thy selfe over to receive vaine reports . Such a tongue is a monster , more changeable than any Proteus , that fils the world with fables , & doth often in sports cause tragedies to be acted amongst men : it encreaseth in its progresse , and for the most part relates things to be greater than they are ; and cannot abstain from telling of lies , in relating a truth : and although it doth onely utter trifles and toyes , yet sometimes is it in the place of a thousand witnesses . As the hand of a foole doth leave a token of his folly deciphered upon every wall it passeth by ; so such a tongue filleth all mens eares with rumours and stories ; but whether they be true or false , it careth not . A mouse scarce peeps out of any cranny , but it is presently at hand , and like a midwife receives this issue , and makes it presently grow bigge ; and that it may shew the fairer , cloaths it in most large vestments : so he forces rumours upon every one he meets , as being fresh and new , yea , as a true story , though for the most part it hath scarce any truth in it . So is falshood in very short time divulged thorow the world . Whosoever heares a report , coynes and addes something to that he hath heard , what either credulity , or ornament shal perswade him too . Behold the stories , which doe ( at length ) put off all shew of truth . The wooden engines were ( heretofore ) framed with that art , that when they were brought forth unto the solemnity of the triumphs , they did suddenly grow great , & raise themselves to a great heighth : rumours are indeed these Pageants , which when they begin to spread , are accustomed suddenly to increase , and to extend into an incredible greatnesse . But O the rashnesse of mans minde ! we lead a very short life , we have an end as soone as we begin : the most swift time returnes not in his gate , his course , nor in his flight , and forsakes us even while we are thinking of vanity , by a flight never to be recalled : And we amidst these precipices of swit-footed time , are not only slow , but triflers , wear out our best dayes in most idle bawbles . Our swift dayes doe passe away , and we also are carried away in their motion ; we are snatched away unawares , whilst we are toying , and make pastime to our owne destruction . Beleeve not every thing is told thee , nor report all that thou hearest , except thou intend to lose thy friends , and to kindle the hatred of many against thy selfe . First weigh things , before thou judge of them . He that reports things he onely heares , being first deceived himselfe , doth most usually deceive others . Behold how far the eyes and the eares doe stand asunder ! If all that the miners did cast out of the mines , were silver and gold , the world by this time might have beene gilded all over ; but whilst the metall that is digged thence , is severed from the drosse , earth , stones , and sand that is mixed with it , it is brought at length to a small langot : so it is with the recitall of things we heare ; if we take away the things which are fained , false , and ill understood , and those which are added by conjecture ; alas what a small scantling of pure truth remaines ? for the most part , halfe that is fained that is related in a many-worded Oration . Let the words of the tongue agree with the meaning of the heart , shunne falsehood & lies . It is easie to say what a lie is , there needs no long dispute about it ; To speak one thing , & think another , is a lie . To speak against a mans minde is a lie . Let not thy brest conceale one thing , and thy tongue utter another thing . Let no man doubt but he lies , that utters any thing with an intent to deceive . One of the veines ties the tongue & the heart together , another the tongue and braine ; by which disposition of the veines , nature teacheth us , that one member is so to be governed by the understanding , that the tongue may agree with the heart . For this is a lie , to carry one thing hidden in the heart , another thing ready at the tongues end : to beleeve in heart that a thing is black , but to affirme in words that it is white . But that you may more fully understand this , you must know there is a threefold lie , an officious lie , a jesting lie , and a pernitious lie . An officious lie is said to be that that may be beleeved , to profit another , but himselfe least of all that tels it . They call a jesting lie that that hurts no body , but is spoken by way of fancie ; but though a lie spoken in jest , is not so ill as that which is spoken to another mans hurt , or for very pleasure we take in lying , even that also because it is a lie , is sinne ; for it is vanity and extravigancie , to take pleasure in that thing which should be farre distant from us ; yet it is not called a jesting lie , if any one speake a falsity , not in earnest , but in such a jesting way , that all may perceive that he meaneth other wayes than he speaketh , for in regard there is no signification of falshood , it is not a lie ; but that is a lie , when any one relates a falsity for fancies sake , and that he takes pleasure in it , and doth doth desire to perswade others that he is serious . Thirdly , and finally , a pernitious lie is that that is alwayes joyned with anothers harme , and is reckoned amongst sinnes of a high nature . An officious lie is not so called , because any man may excuse it , by taking upon himselfe the deceit : Although he that sinnes to profit another , sinneth lesse than he that doth it not to this end ; yet notwithstanding he dealeth not simply , and in a right manner ; for ill is not to be done , that good may come thereon . Therefore flie , with diligence , all manner of lying , and neither by chance , or of set purpose speake that which is false : beware of lying in all things . This vice is so to be avoided , that though the safety of many were to be contrived in one lie , and that but only an officious or jesting lie , yet it would not be lawfull for thee to tell it . Yea if any one by a slight lie could rid his parents , or any more dear to him than his parents from devouring flames , yet might he not lawfully tell a lie ; it would be better to forsake them amidst the flames , than by an untruth to offend thy God . But thou wilt say , this is a hard saying ; it is rigid , yet it is true . Hast thou not read ? Let us doe evill , that good may come thereon , whose damnation is just . All doctrine of truth shall in this manner be taken away , if we yeeld to most licentious falshood , if any place be any where left open to a lie , though it be but an officious one : for whosoever lies , proposeth to himselfe , his owne , or anothers temporall commodity , than which , what can be done more perversly ? Certainly , an injury offered to God is greater than all the ill we can doe unto man . How many thousand of most holy martyrs , would rather prodigally powre forth their bloods by drops , than consent with one lie to defend their innocencies . But if our very life be not to be preferred before the truth , what can be objected to maintaine we may lawfully lie , by those that are of opinion we ought sometimes to lie ? Be gone then , let every lie , I say , be gone , because it hath the devill for its authour , who himselfe neither remained in the truth , nor is there any truth in him . Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord ; but those that deale faithfully , are pleasing unto him . If thou know any thing that a good man in other things hath done , and thou hast long concealed it with the cloake of charity , doe not in thy wrath reveale it , that no man may accuse thee of passion , and to have a malicious minde ; and that others doe not that to thee , which thou shouldest not do to others , I advise thee not to reveale thy selfe and all thy secrets to any but a true pious & honest man ; thou needest not feare such a one , because for Christian charities sake , which is the foundation of all friendship , he will , perchance , willingly pardon thy offences , nor will at all reproach thee . Doe nothing also in any mans presence , which may cause thee to feare that thou maist raise up mischiefe to thy selfe , or make a friend become thine enemy . That which thou wouldest have secret , keepe thou it secret , and reveale it to no man ; yet remember God can see thorow the thickest clouds . Finde no fault with others , but looke to thy selfe . Avoid biting reprovers and obscene jesters ; yet if at any time thou wilt jest civilly , propose three things to thy selfe ; first , abuse not the phrase of Scripture to make up thy jest , and so defile thy religion ; what canst thou imagine that God thinks , when he sees and heares such things among Christians that professe his name , that would be thought wiser than others , and yet account this for no sinne ? That I may not speake of the grievous offence that many take hereat , and that they are troubled and made sad with the worst sort of scandall , who cannot ( afterwards ) read or heare Gods Word , or pray with the same devotion they were wont ( before ) to doe ; very nature it selfe also teacheth us that we ought not to deale so ridiculously , negligently and idly , in so grave and holy words . He that consulteth with his own conscience , finds they be such obscenities , foolish bablings and ribauldry that are not fitting for Christians . Secondly , let not thy jesting weaken Christian charity . Thirdly , let them not violate honesty and chastitie . Never speak of God but with feare and reverence , and as it were in his presence , who is most present every where . For seeing we are not worthy to take his holy Name in our mouthes , much lesse decent is it for us to profane it with our lips ; it is a sure signe of a wicked mind to use Gods Name upon all light occasions . Pray therefore with David , Let the words of my mouth , and meditations of my heart be acceptable before thee . Be finally sparing in commending any man , but ready to salute any one ; gentle in giving respect ; courteous in admonishing ; mercifull in pardoning ; faithfull in performing thy promises ; ready to requite good ; neither convert thou the reward of vertue into a gift of courtesie .

CONTEMP . &c. 36.

Of rules necessarie to lead a godly life , touching our Actions .

HEarken and be obedient , O man , touching thy deeds : doe no evill , though thou mayest doe it ; for the least sins , except they be seriously repented of , are not suffered to goe unpunished . Let it not grieve thee to doe good ; doe nothing against thy vocation ; if thou begin any thing , in the first place pray earnestly unto God for his assistance ; then set confidently upon thy worke , and leave the issue thereof to God ; if thou undertake any thing , in thy vocation , trust to Gods providence , though the meanes thou usest , seeme insufficient unto thee ; and if they offer themselves , as it were unto thy hands of their own accord , resolve that they are offered thee from God ; yet place not greater hope in them than in God , but beseech him mercifully to blesse those meanes : have a heavenly minde in earthly things , and doe what thou art able ; commit the rest to the guidance of the most holy Trinity : never use unlawfull meanes , for that can bring no gaine with it that brings destruction to the soule . For this end labour constantly that thy conscience be pure before God and man . If at any time thou be enticed to sin , think Satan lodgeth neare thee , and that it is a reproachfull thing for the sonnes of men , that are so well beloved of God , and so gently dealt with by him , to gratifie so uncleane a spirit , to the dishonour and reproach of thy God : To the reproach , I say , of thy God , because every voluntary sinne is a reproach offered to God . No Prince will endure this of thee ; and how shall God suffer , who is a God of all Majesty and Glory , that a reproach offered to his Majesty , so often renewed , and so often with securitie committed against him , shall goe unpunished ? As often as we commit sin by a deliberate counsell against our conscience , we doe ( in a sort ) consult of it before ( though we oftentimes doe not marke and perceive it ; ) on one scale we put the profit , pleasure , or delight of sin , in the other our losse , the wrath of God , and our offences against him . What madnesse is it now , what perversenesse , what malice , what reproach to prefer a moment before eternitie , a drop before the Ocean , one graine of sand before a mountain , our owne lusts before the incomparable Omnipotencie and Majestie of God ? Dost thou not , O man , as often as thou sinnest , strike , as it were , the infinite God with thy paricidiall hand ? Aske continually thy conscience these two things ; whether if any such thing befall thee , thou art to be acquitted ? What if thou shalt doe any such thing in the very day wherein all the world must receive its doome ? Whether thou canst give an answer to the universall Judge , when thou shalt be forced to give a reason for all thy Actions ? Remember Joseph , that thought that God saw what no man could perceive . God is just , hee shall draw thy sins to the light that thou hast committed in secret . When David defiled Bathseba by his unlawfull lying with her ; Who saw his adultery but God ? Hee brought forth his secret pleasures to the view of all Israel ; and will also at length discover thy wickednesse unto all men . Satan is subtill , even in this one thing , that by flattering thy selfe , thou mayst accompt thy selfe but a small sinner , and so may draw thee into his net ; but if thou desire to avoid sin , shun the occasion of sinning ; let that which is good , please thee for Gods sake , and let God please thee for his own sake ; if God favour thee , feare no mans persecution ; God shall make thine enemie thy friend , or shall so temper him , that he shall doe thee but little hurt ; no man can be overcome by his enemie , but he who was first overcome by sin , and so made himselfe hatefull unto God . Deprive no man of the respect that is due unto him , yet alwaies reckon with thy selfe that respect is more due to godlinesse than to greatnesse ; if God increase thy substance in this life , think it is a spur of thy thankfulnesse , and an incitement to desire those heavenly things , and an exhortation to pietie ; neither be proud either of thy externall or internall gifts ; for outward things as they seldome happen or come unto thee , so they fall off & speedily depart from thee : God gave thee indeed thy inward graces , yet hee can take them from thee before thou be aware , if any abuse them , and forget God the giver of them . It may be thou hast many vertues , and it may be thou art disfigured by many vices that doe displease him more than the others doe please him . It is not enough that others commend thee , except thine owne conscience doe approve thee ; no fame is perpetuall , but that which ariseth from godlinesse . We reade no where in Gods Booke that an hypocrite was ever converted ; and what wonder ? for whereas the conversion of sinners is a meanes to turne from sin ; what meanes of salvation is left for him that turnes repentance it selfe into sinne , which is the meanes of salvation ? O miserable soule that desires to see holy things , and lives a heathenish life ! Observe in what a manner the wicked end their dayes , so that thou mayest detest their lives . See how the godly end their lives , that thou mayest run the same course as they doe . Obey thy Superiours , honour those that are wise ; keepe company with those that be honest and religiously given . And seeing mans corrupt nature doth much love hypocrisie ; touch not , nor use the Sacrament before thou have founded the depth of thine owne heart most accurately . Rule over those that are subject to thy command , more by courtesie than severity ; courtesie is full of hope , and tyranny of feare : Gods justice will not suffer a tyrant to continue long , for though subjects , both by Gods laws and also by mans , ought to yeeld obedience to Magistrates , yet the Magistrates themselves are but Gods Ministers ; and if wee consider them as they are Christians , they are not only servants , but our brethren also in Christ : Christians therefore must rule like Christians , in charity and mercie , as Christ hath taught us by his own example . Art thou made a Judge ? give right judgement , remembring that thy selfe must appeare before Gods Judgement Seat : he is cursed that blesseth the wicked ; but blessed that blesseth the blessed . O man , how dangerous is mans life , what a great account hath he to give , what a short space is it , but thou must appeare at Gods Tribunall ? What then must thou doe ? What deed hast thou committed ? How wouldest thou appeare , if thou wert this houre to depart ? If thou wert to appeare this moment before thy Examiner ? It would quickly be determined concerning thee : Thou art to day a man , shalt thou appeare to morrow ? O dulnesse , and hardnesse of mans heart , that only meditates upon things present , and foresees nothing what shall be hereafter ! Thou oughtest so to behave thy selfe in every action , as if thou wert this day to dye ; in the morning think thou mayst not live to the evening , and in the evening dare not promise thy selfe the next ensuing morning : be alwayes prepared , and so live , that death may never take thee unprovided . How happie and wise is he that labours to be such whilst he lives , as he wisheth to be found at his death ! O Jesu , give me the perfect contempt of the world ; give me a fervent desire to profit in vertue ; give me the love of instruction , the labour of repentance , the readinesse of obedience . O my God , grant that I may desire thee in my heart , to seeke thee in my desires , to find thee in my search , and love thee being found . Give me , my Lord and God , repentance for my heart , contrition to my spirit , a flood of teares to my eyes , and a liberall distribution of almes to my hands . O my King , extinguish in me the desire of the flesh , and kindle in mee the fire of thy love . O my Redeemer , drive out of me the spirit of pride , and favourably grant me the treasure of thy humilitie . O my Saviour , remove from mee the madnesse of anger , and indulgently afford me the shield of patience . O my Creator , pluck out all rancour out of my mind , and bestow on me the sweetnesse of a milde spirit : give mee , most mercifull Father , a firme faith , a congruous hope , and continuall charitie : my Governour , doe thou divert all vanity from mee , all inconstancie of mind , wandring of the heart , scurrility of the tongue , pride of the eyes , gluttony of the belly , reproaching of my neighbours , the sins of detraction , the itch of curiosity , the desire of riches , the extortion of great men , the desire of vain-glory , the evill of hypocrisie , the poyson of flattery , the contempt of the poore , the oppression of the weak , the thirst of covetousnesse , the rust of envie , and the death of blasphemie . O my Maker , cut off from me rashnesse , iniquity , lewdnesse , disquietnesse , idlenesse , drowsinesse , sloth , dulnesse of mind , blindnesse of heart , obstinacie of sense , bloodinesse of conditions , disobedience to goodnesse , resistance of good counsell , unbridlenesse of my tongue , preying upon the poore , wronging the weak , slandering the innocent , neglecting my inferiours , cruelty in my family , impiety towards my familiars , and hardnesse of heart to my neighbours . O God , my mercy , I beseech thee by thy beloved Son , give mee the works of mercy , the study of godlinesse , to suffer with those in affliction , to counsell those that erre , to helpe the miserable , to succor the needy , to comfort the sad , to releeve the oppressed , to refresh the poore , to cheare those that weepe , to forgive our debtors , to spare them that sin against me , to love those that hate me , to render good for evill , to despise no man , but to honour all , to imitate the good , to beware of the wicked , to embrace vertue , to reject vice , to be patient in adversity , to be moderate in prosperity , to set a watch over my mouth , and a doore before my lips ; give mee uprightnesse in my dealings , and a true testimony of my faith , to trample upon earthly things , to thirst after heavenly things , that thou mayst one day say to me , Well done good and faithfull servant , thou hast been faithfull in a little , I will set thee over much , enter into the joy of thy Master . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 37.

Of the exceeding number of Gods benefits , and of mans contempt of them by the multitude of his sinnes .

WHo will give water to my head , and a fountaine of tears to mine eyes ? and I will weepe both night and day . Let my eyes drop tears , and my eye-lids flow with waters . I will convey my selfe into the place of weeping and of teares , I will take paines in my groaning , I will every night wash my bed , and water my couch with my teares . My teares shall be my meat day and night , and I will not hide my mourning . I will prostrate my selfe , and let the reines loose to my teares , and rivers shall gush from mine eyes ; I will weepe in the bitternesse of my soule . I will continue in weeping , and the teares shall trickle downe my cheeks , wherewith I will deplore my most grievous sinnes , and will detest my impious ingratitude , wherewith I have repayed my God and Lord . O that I could weepe out my eyes with teares , that my bowels might be disturbed , and my liver might be powred forth upon the earth for my great enormities ! The causes are great and many , O God , why my eyes should streame forth wates , yea blood it selfe . But I will now contemplate of nothing but the greatnesse & multitude of thy blessings that thou hast bestowed upon me , when I was yet thine enemy . That therefore my soule may be astonished , my cheeks blush , my eyes cast downe , and that I may eternally hate my malicious and most polluted life : I will begin to reckon up thy blessings , and my cursed deeds , that I may see what thou art , and what I am , what thou hast done for me , and how I have requited thee . Send downe from heaven thy holy Spirit , the teacher of truth , and worke in my tough and hard heart , inward and divine repentance , that I may never repent me of . And now , thou love of that heavenly power , thou holy communication of the omnipotent Father and the blessed issue , thou Spirit , the Omnipotent Comforter , slide within the most secret places of my heart by thy powerfull operation , and enlighten every darke lurking place of this my neglected habitation , by the brightnesse of thy glorious light . Come , come now thou most courteous Comforter of the languishing soul , that defendst it in its necessities , & art its helper in tribulation . Come thou cleanser of my filthinesse , thou curer of my wounds . Come thou Strength of the weake , thou Sustainer of those that slide . Come thou Instructer of the humble , and Confounder of the haughty . Come thou holy Father of the orphans , thou milde Judge of the widowes . Come thou Hope of the poore , thou Refresher of those that faint . Come thou sea-mans Starre , thou Haven against shipwracke . Come thou singular Beauty of all that live , thou only Safety of those that die . Come most holy Spirit , come and take pity upon me . Fit me for thy selfe , and mercifully condescend to my weaknesse , that according to the multitude of thy mercies , my meannesse may be acceptable to thy Majestie , and my weaknesse to thy power . There was a time , my God , when I had no being , which I cannot remember , and then thou madest me to have a being : thou formedst me of the clay of the earth , and madest me according to thine owne image and representation . Thou broughtest me out of my mothers wombe , thou wast my hope when I hung upon my mothers breasts ; from the wombe was I cast upon thy providence ; for from the very time that I first drew my vitall breath , and entred this tabernacle of the world , and my soule tooke possession of her earthly house , thou art my Father , thou art my Redeemer , thou art my Saviour , thou art my Helper . Thou didst create my body , and all the members thereof , thou gavest me my soule , and all the faculties thereof , and hast most mercifully preserved my life even to this present houre . Thou hast added another blessing farre more pretious than the rest , that thou mightest tie me the nearer unto thee . Thou descendedst , O God , from heaven , to finde me out , thou soughtest for me being lost of all hands . By thy incarnation didst thou rid my weake and miserable flesh out of the ignominy and basenesse , which by the devils seducing suggestions it was fallen into . Thou sanctifiedst my sinfull nativity by thy most holy birth ; by thy bonds and captivity thou hast freed me from the bonds of my enthralling sinnes . Whilst thou deliveredst thy selfe into the hands of sinners , thou hast snatched me out of the power of sinne , in the forme of sinfull flesh ; thou hast abolished my sinfull life , which is the worke of Satan ; by this thy great mercy thou hast most straightly tied me unto thy selfe , thou hast enticed me unto thee with those benefits , thou hast confirmed and strengthned my hope with those great merits ; thou wouldest stirre up in me a hatred and detestation of my sins , in that thou hast wrought and endured so many and so great things , that thou mightest reconcile me to thy heavenly Father , and overthrow the kingdome of sinne : so thou hast kindled bright coales over my head , that thou mightest thereby set my heart on fire , that overwhelmed ( as it were ) with the works of thy mercy , which are included in this thy worke of Redemption , I might love him with all my heart , who hath wholly loved me , and imparted himselfe wholly unto mee . Thou hast redeemed me , O Lord my God ; but what good had it beene unto me , except thou hadst permitted me to be baptized ? amongst so great a multitude therefore of Infidels , thou wast pleased I should be borne of faithfull parents , and hast blessed me so farre above all unbeleeving Ethnicks , Turks and Jewes , that I might be regenerated by the lavacre in thy word , and according to thy Word , and might put on my Christ , with all his benefits . There thou hast adopted me for thy sonne , and made me thy heire ; there make I that wonderfull covenant with thee , that I should be thine , and that thou shouldest be mine ; that thou shouldest be my Lord , and I should be thy servant ; that thou shouldest be my father , and I should be thy sonne : there is it so so covenanted betwixt us , that thou shouldest manifest thy fatherly affection to me , and that I should with a filiall obedience hearken unto thee . What need I rehearse the other use of this Sacrament , namely , that thou hast made it the curing physicke of our sins , that by thine own blood thou mightest heal my unhappy and festring wounds , and mightest thereby more and more adde perfection unto me ? But though I have received so many blessings of thee , and have in a readinesse so many antidotes against sinne ; yet have I not continued in obedience , but have often broken that covenant , and yet hast thou bin so mercifull and so milde a God , that thou didst endure my disobedience . O God , my salvation and hope , how can I recount thy mercy and clemency , without shedding of teares ? for how often , O just judge , mightest thou kill , and bring me to nothing , and yet none of these things is befallen me ? how many thousands of soules are already thrust into hell to be punished with eternall plagues and fire , that never came neare my sinnes either in number or weight ; and yet am not I burned ? what had become of me if thou hadst cut me off , together with them ? How ought I to feare thy terrible and fearfull judgement , if thou shouldest punish me in thy immutable and severe judgement , according to the foulnesse of my iniquities ? O my God , who tied thy hands ? who was my Intercessor , when I most securely slept the sleep of sin ? who held the scourge of thy wrath , when as day by day I provoked & urged thy vengeance ? what was there in me to please thee ? what was there in me so worthy of thy acceptation , that thou shouldest spare me when thou didst root out others , who wallowing in the mud of their sinnes , thou didst summon to thy most righteous judgement seat in the midst of their dayes ? My sins did cry to heaven , and thou didst stop thine eares ; my wickednesses were daily multiplied , and thy mercy was likewise encreased to me ; I did sinne , and thou didst expect my repentance ; I fled from thee , and thou didst draw neare to me ; I provoked thee so often to wrath , that I might weary thee by my provocations ; yet wast not thou weary of taking pity upon me , as if my transgressions against thee , being abominable ingratitude in me , were pleasing in thy sight . Thou hast suggested unto me many good thoughts , and given me many profitable admonitions , to turne me from my transgressions , even in my full speed of sinning . How many times , standing before the doore of my heart , hast thou knocked and called , saying , Returne , returne thou degenerate son , nor will I set my face against thee , so that thou wilt acknowledge the sinnes , by which thou hast offended thy God ? How often hast thou called me unto thee by this most pleasing voice ? How often hast thou exhorted me by great feare , by most terrible threats , by the daily expectation of daily danger , of perpetuall death and strict judgement ? how many preachers hast thou afforded me ? how many teachers hast thou set over me , who partly by doctrine , and partly by example , should shew me the way I should walke in ? Thou hast allured me by most gentle compellations , thou hast chastised me by dangerous sicknesses , and other miseries , and hast left out nothing that might induce me from the old way . What shall I render unto thee , O Lord , for all thy blessings bestowed upon me ? I owe thee my selfe , and all things I enjoy , because thou hast created me , for thou madest me , and what ever I have . Againe , I owe thee my selfe , and all things I possesse , because thou hast preserved me : besides , Lord , thou gavest thy selfe to be my great and plenteous reward . What can I render unto thee ? If I had in my hand all the lives of all the Angels , and all the soules of all mankinde , and I should resolve to pay them to thee ; they could not stand in comparison with one drop of thy blood shed for me ; therefore I most worthily complaine , and cry out , who shall give water to my head , and a fountaine of teares to my eyes , and I will weepe night and day , and deplore mine owne abominable ingratitude , wherewith I thy creature , O my best Creator , have repayed thee , for all thy so many , and so great , and so incomprehensible benefits bestowed upon me . Helpe me , O my God , impart thy grace unto me , that I may with inward contrition confesse unto thee my back-sliding from thee . Ah! Lord , I am thy creature , though most unhappy and unworthy of thee my Creator . Thou didst create me according to thine own image and similitude ; looke backe upon me , O God , take from me what ever I have brought in , and then thou shalt finde nothing but good in me , and that which thou hast bestowed upon me , O thou most perfect worker of all goodnesse . Alas ! I have resisted the powers of thy holy will , and striven much to oppose thee . Oh , with what security have I given my self over to wrath ! my feet made haste to doe evill , my hands prepared themselves to doe mischiefe , to covetousnesse , and all manner of impurities ; my eyes were turned to behold vanity , my eares were open to receive lies , filthy talking , slandering and reproaching . My soule , that was a most noble soule , and neare ( in nature ) to thy heavenly Ministers , and ought to have contemplated , to beheld , and have reflected upon thee , turnes backe from thy unspeakable beauty , and turnes it selfe towards the flattering deceitfull beauty of the world ; and laboured this with care , that it might abuse the fraile goods of this world to her owne lusts , and knew not how grievous and hurtfull this would prove unto her . This ( behold ) is the understanding part of my soule ! let us see what good may proceed from the will ? Thou hast enclined , O Lord , my will to heavenly riches , but it hath declined to earthly things , and hath wholly enthralled her selfe by a vaine love unto them : this , O Lord , is that grace , which I have repayed thee for thy most precious gifts . What shall I answer thee ( ah ! Lord , ) if thou shouldest call me before thy judgement seat , and shouldest say , I have planted thee for a noble vine , and that thou shouldest ( wholly ) be a faithfull seed , how then are you changed into degenerate branches of a wilde vine ? But if I stand in so foule a condition , upon examination of the benefit of my Creation , what will it prove if I should give an account of the benefits of my Preservation ? For thou hast preserved him so many dayes , so many moneths , so many yeares , who hath dedicated all his senses to the contempt and despite of all thy Commandements , who hath persecuted thy servants , who hath beene a scandall to the communion of thy Saints , who hath strengthened and enlarged the kingdome of sinners . Thou hast preserved the tongue that hath blasphemed thee and taken thy Name in vaine ; thou hast preserved the members that have most vehemently offended thee ; thou hast given him meat and drinke , that hath abused them both to thine owne reproach . I have not beene onely unthankfull , but I armed my selfe with thine owne blessings against thee . Thou createdst all thy creatures for me , even for my profit , and to draw me to love thee , and I have used thy creatures to the inexcusable hatred of thee . Those things which ought to have brought me to thy most beautifull wisdome , did make me blinde , and made me not only not to looke up but did even close mine eyes that I should not behold how much the Creator did excell those his so many faire and comely creatures : for the most rare Artist of all beauty and comelinesse , was He that that created them . Thou gavest me all things , that I should yeeld and consecrate my selfe unto thee : thou wouldest have all things serve me , that I might serve thee , even I that have so little thought upon thee . Thy creatures , according to thy command , are ready at thy becke , but I , alas , have stoutly refused thy commandements . Thou hast given me health of body , and I have granted the use thereof to the devill : thou hast given me strength understanding , and a will , and I have bestowed them upon the service of iniquity . And what shall I say ? as many dangers and losses of other men as I have beheld , so many of thy blessings towards my selfe have I seene , that thou didst not overwhelme me in the same dangers and losses . If thou shouldest send me what I deserve , thou mightest finde me more worthy so many miseries than others are ; but it is thy mercy , O Lord , that I am not consumed . Beasts are tamed by courtesies , are made gentle and familiar for the service and obedience of man ; and yet thy benefits have not tamed me , have not moved me , that I might say in my heart , Let us feare the Lord our God , that giveth us raine , the early and the later raine it its season , preserving for us the fulnesse of the yearly harvest ; that enricheth us with his blessings , that preserveth us from our birth even to our death ; Ought not these things to set before mine eyes and minde , thy favour and mercy towards me ? But if I am so much bound unto thee for these benefits which thou hast produced for me by the bare power of thy Word , what shall I be indebted to thee for redeeming me from eternall death and damnation , by the precious blood of thine only begotten son ? Oh , how much have I neglected thy most wise counsell ? how have I despised thy incarnation , which I ought to adore ? Thou my God , art made man , that thou mightest make me partaker of the divine nature ; and I a most perverse wretch , am turned into a beast , and become the devils instrument . Thou didst descend from the most glorious throne of thy heavenly Father , unto mee that devill upon earth , and I have not elevated my selfe unto thee , nor would I ascend with thee ; but by the works of the flesh I have beene faster tied to the more base things of the earth , and have pressed my selfe downe into the mud , by the weight of my sinnes , wherein I have long lien wallowing . Thou hast delivered me out of the power of the devill , and I of mine owne accord have ensnared my selfe in his devillish toiles . Thou art made one body with me , and I by my voluntary sinnes have plucked my selfe off from thee , and have glued my selfe to the body of the wicked . So many thy wondrous works could not force me to acknowledge thee : So many testimonies of thy love could not soften my stony heart , to make me love thee againe ; thy so great merit could not raise me up , to cause me to place all my hope in thee . That thy most accurate Justice , which shines most clearly out , and that many wayes , out of the worke of our Redemption , could not hold me , so that I might consider the plagues and punishments which thou heapedst upon thy onely beloved Son , for my sake , and cause me to cry out , If they have done these things in the greene tree , what shall be done in the dry ? Thy so many torments and paines could not perswade me to descend into my self , and to consider with what hatred thou persuest our sinnes , for which thou hast permitted thy very Sonne to be most cruelly afflicted . For these things ought I to have stood in awe , and to reverence thy great Name . So hast thou ( my Jesus ) humbled thy selfe , that he that considers it , may admire , and with trembling behold thee ; yet am I growne proud , and at this very time , alas , doe exalt my selfe above my brethren . Thou didst hang naked upon the Crosse , yet I not content with such cloathing as was necessary to cover my nakednesse , have sought after excesse and superfluity , and have most tenderly handled my slimy damnable body . Thou didst suffer intolerable thirst in thy extreame plagues and torments , and didst taste gall mingled with vinegar ; but I must ( as it were ) be fatted to the slaughter with lushious wines ; I have beene overcharged with gluttony and ravenousnesse , and have thereby made my selfe strong in fleshly desires . Thou didst beare all things that thy Father laid upon thee , nor didst throw off the the burden , till thou mightest truely say it is finished ; but I have esteemed it very troublesome and tedious for me to suffer but a very little for thee . Thou that art the blessed Son of God , didst suffer blows on the face from wicked wretches ; but I , if I be but touched with a finger , or wronged in a word , doe presently burne with wrath , and am most bitterly moved to indignation , that am but a worme , and not worthy the name of a man , and doe deserve , by reason of my filthy sins , not only most vile reproach , but the punishment & scorne of hell it selfe . And what shall I farther say of my most wicked life ? Thou didst most willingly die , that I might die to sin , and live to righteousnesse ; but I too much relying on this thy mercy , doe wittingly and willingly rush into sins . What greater disgrace could I put upon thee ? I have made thy mercies the occasion of my uncleannesse , and have used so precious a meanes of my Redemption , which ought to make every one to hate sin , to the strengthning and continuation of my sins . I thought sins were lawfull for me , because thou wast so gentle and mercifull ; and for giving mee so many blessings , I have requited thee with my infamous deeds , so that I converted the remedy ordained against sin , into the meanes to make me sin more freely , and have set the point of that sword against mine owne brest , and well-nigh destroyed my selfe therewith , that thou gavest me to resist the blowes of Satan . Thou art he only , O Lord , that dyed for us all , that they that live , might not live to themselves , but to him that did both die , and rose againe for us ; but I , contrary to this , have lived to my selfe and mine owne lusts , as if thou hadst dyed for that end that I should live to fill my soule with fleshly desires : and abusing thy grace , I should weave the web of mischiefe . O Lord , how great is thy patience , that thou wouldest be buffetted for my sake ! but much greater is thy patience , that thou enduredst so many sinners in the world , that even buffet thee with their sins ? But shall this thy patience last for ever ? I call to mind what thou threatnest against the impenitent ; I see that the earth which is watered with raine and brings forth no fruit , is punished by cursing ; I see that the Vineyard well manured , and yet remaining unfruitfull , is wasted and trodden under foot : O hard , and iron heart ! O unprofitable and drie wood ! Dost thou not tremble if thou hearest the voice of the Omnipotent God , saying ; Every branch , not bearing fruit , will my Father take away ; if any remaine not in me , hee shall be cast out as a branch , and it withereth , and men gather it up , and cast it into the fire to bee burnt . What man can be so carelesse , that trembles not and shakes not for feare of so horrible a judgement ? How deafe and sluggish is he that heareth not this voice ? With what a stupidnesse is he drowned in ? in what a lethargie is he buried , who is not awaked with this thunder ? Ah! Lord , this earthly tabernacle hath hitherto delighted mee ; I have walked amidst thornes and thistles , that have choaked the seed of thy Word sowen in me , so that I have had no desire to know thy will ; my lusts have seduced me , my desires have driven me up and downe ▪ my thoughts have disturbed mee , the worme of my conscience gnawes me ; and all these have I esteemed as secure delights , and reckoned troubles to be peace . What shall I doe my God ? What shall I doe ? I am forced to confesse that I am not worthy to come before thee ; I blush for my unrighteousnesse sake to lift up mine eyes unto thee ; I dare not lift them up to seeke thy favour and most mercifull presence ; if thou wilt punish me as I deserve , nor heaven , nor earth can hide me from thee ; but thou wilt not , O Lord , my God , that any one perish , but that all may be converted and live : thou createdst mee for thy praise ; but who in hell , where thou art blasphemed , shall praise thy Name ? Thou didst pay so great a ransome for me ; yet if thou reject me in these my most great necessities , who shall receive me ? if thou shalt refuse thy creature , redeemed by so great a price , who shall helpe me ? Why , even thou my Father , that Father of mercy , even that mercy which is immeasurable , which is infinite : And although by my disobedience I have lost the right of mine inheritance : yet , O my Father , thou hast not lost the heart of a Father ; though I have fallen from thee my Father , yet wilt not thou fall from me , or cease to be my Father ; that word never failed , As I live , I will not the death of a sinner , but that hee may bee converted and live . And although my sins be innumerable , and my wounds may seeme incurable , yet art not thou ignorant of a way to cure me ; confirme therefore and fulfill thy promises , wash me effectually with the blood of thy Son , that , as to me , his death prove not in vaine : I am ( as well ) a part of his flesh , and he a part of mine , as Peter , David , or Paul ; he is as well to me an Emmanuel , as to any other : Hee bare the sins of the whole world ; and therefore hee bore mine also . Looke back therefore , look back therefore , O Lord , upon this lost sheepe , regard thy creature , nor contend with him in thy fury whom thou hast made with thy hands : take care , O Lord , of the soule , which thou hast redeemed ; I come creeping to thee , wounded with many wounds ; but thou most experienced Physitian of soules , and Ma●●er of the diseased , canst heale them all : I come , being blinded , but thou canst enlighten me : I come dead unto thee , but thou canst give me life : I come full of leprosie , but thou canst cleanse me : Sprinkle me with Hysop and I shall be cleane ; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow . O my God , the God of my life , thy mercy is greater than my sins , thy clemencie exceeds all my iniquities . Thou canst forgiue more , O Lord , than I can offend ; thy mercies are bottomlesse and numberlesse ; but as many as my sins are , and as great as they are , they are neither bottomlesse nor numberlesse . Take me out therefore and deliver mee , forgive mee my great injustice , take away my stony and hard heart , and create in me a soft and a cleane heart , that even in this life I may give thee thanks ; let me by my faith and good example bring sinners to thee ; and let me glorifie thee , and celebrate thee , for these and other thy innumerable blessings for evermore . Amen , my God , be it so , even so be it , my Lord Jesus Christ .

CONTEMP . &c. 40.

Of the worthy preparation to the holy Sacrament .

I Will make an entrance unto the Altar of God , even to the God that maketh my youth rejoyce . Laying aside the garments of my inveterate iniquity , I will renew my youth like an Eagle , and hasten to approach that heavenly banquet . A plentifull and delicate banquet is prepared , which is a medicine to the sicke , a way to those that wander , a banquet that comforteth the weake , delights those that are in health , cures sicknesse , preserves health ; a banquet that makes a man more pliant to reproofe , more patient to labour , more zealous to love , more wise to warinesse , more ready to obedience , more devout to thanksgiving ; a banquet by which our daily sinnes are forgiven , the powers of Satan expelled , strength given to undertake even martyrdome it selfe ; finally , a banquet by which all good things are brought unto thee , because a man partaking of it , doth even become the same thing he receives . This banquet compared with Ahasuerus his banquet , relisheth farre above it ; compare it with the table spread in the Wildernesse for the children of Israel , and it refresheth thee far more . For though that Table contained in it the figure of this our Eucharist , when God rained downe Manna for our Fathers in the Wildernesse , and they were daily fed with food from heaven , and men did eat Angels bread , yet they that did eat that bread , did die ; but this living bread that is set before thee in this costly banquet , did come from heaven , and hath given life to the world . That Manna came from heaven , this from above the heavens . That being reserved to the next day was full of worms , this is free from all corruption : whosoever shall religiously taste thereof , shall not see corruption . That was given the Fathers after their passage over the red sea , where the Egyptians were drowned , and the Israelites were delivered ; so this heavenly Manna can profit none but the regenerate : That corporall bread sustained the ancient people in their passage thorow the Wildernesse to the Land of promise ; this heavenly food sustaines the faithfull of these times in their passage to heaven . Moses was Master of their Table , and here Christ is ready at hand , who hath furnished this Table , and blessed it . For it is not man that makes the bread and wine , set on this Table , to be the body and blood of Christ , but Christ himselfe that is crucified for us ; words are uttered by the Priests mouth , but the things set before thee are consecrated by the power of Christ , who used these words unto his Disciples , This is my Bodie , this is the Cup of the New Testament in my Blood , which is shed for you . It is Christ in whom doth dwell all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily , who is the power of God , unto whom is given all power in heaven and earth : Hee , when hee was to put an end to the Ceremonies of the Law , would prepare for himselfe the Passeover ; and before he would be condemned to death , and be nailed to the Crosse , he was pleased according to the solemnitie to celebrate the Passeover , the roasted lambe , unleavened bread , and sowre herbs . When this Supper was so prepared , amidst these sacramentall dainties , both the old and also the new institutions offered themselves to him ; and having eaten the Lambe that the old tradition did set before them , This great Master sets before his Disciples a meat not to be consumed ; nor are here the people invited to a banquet made exquisite both by cost and paines , but the nourishment of immortality is given them , differing from common food , keeping the forme of a corporeall substance , but by the invisible efficacie of the divine power working in us , and proving Gods especiall presence accompanying it . Come hither yee faithfull soules , refresh and recollect your selves , cheere and fill your selves ; joyne in one by your faith , your remembrance of Christ , with the application of his merits , with hearty thanksgiving for your deliverance , made through his blood ; receive the pledge , testimony and assurance of your holy communion and fellowship with Christ your Head ; and ( by him ) with the Father and the Holy Ghost also : encrease , cherish , comfort and hold fast the faith of the remission of your sins : your faith is imperfect ; perfect it , not only by the hearing of the Word preached , but by using this holy Supper ; the Word offers , but this Supper applies Christ unto us . Encourage your selves to the studie of good works . How too often are we hindred , stopt , and grow stupid in performing this work ? Here Christ keepes us company , in exhibiting unto us his bodie and blood : hee doth daily more and more mortifie in us the body of sinne , and beginne in us the newnesse of a spirituall life : performe each to other the offices of concord , peace and love , for we eat the same flesh , we drink the same blood , we are nourished with the same food ; we are refreshed with the same drink : we are made one body under the same head ; but who hath ever seene the members of one and the same body to disagree , to strive , jarre or contend ? Cast out rancour , pluck up hatred , purge out the old leaven . The faithfull under the Gospell must not be made of leaven : The holy Banquet requires pure and sincere mindes : The sweet savour that comes from Christs scorching upon the Crosse , doth concoct all crudities of our carnall senses , and doth harden and settle the affections of the minde ; nor let there bee any spot in the Sacrament of the holy Church , but pure simplicity and innocencie of life in one house , the holy Catholique Church . Christ is offered to the faithfull departing out of Aegypt , being cleansed in their affections by his blood , in their passage in the red Sea . O Jesu Christ , our omnipotent Lord God , thou Fountaine of life and immortalitie , thou Creator of every visible and invisible thing , that art the eternall Son of the everlasting Father , who of thy abundant goodnesse in the last times didst take our flesh upon thee , and wast delivered and crucified for us sinfull and unthankful creatures ; thou by thine owne blood hast restored our nature corrupted by sin , and givest me thy flesh for my food : But thou art a fire , and consumest those that be unworthy ; destroy me not , my Maker ; rather come into the union of my members , into all my sinewes , into my reines , into my heart : burne up the sting of my sinnes , cleanse my soule , sanctifie my minde , enlighten my five senses , glew me firmely to thy selfe in love , alwayes protect and defend mee ; preserve mee from every word and work that may hurt my soule ; purge , cleanse , and direct me , adorne , instruct and make mee famous ; make mee the temple of thy Spirit only , and not the habitation of sinne ; that being made thy house by the entrance of thy holy Communion , all impiety and all evill may fly from mee . Let thy holy body be made everlasting Bread unto mee : Mercifull Lord , let thy precious blood become a remedy of sundry diseases unto me ; fearfull and wicked wretch that I am , defiled with absurd works , I am unworthy of thy pure body , and heavenly blood : O Christ , doe thou make me worthy to be partaker of thee ; give me , O Christ , the drops of teares , to wash my filthy heart , that having a pure conscience , I may come in faith and feare to receive thy heavenly gifts . O most mercifull Saviour , let thy unspotted body and divine blood be made unto mee the participation of thy holy Spirit , eternall life , and a change of my sufferings and miseries . Heale the wounds of my soule , O Lord , and sanctifie me through-out , and make mee unworthy wretch , worthy to be partaker of thy mysticall divine Supper ; be it unto thy most vile servant as thou hast promised , and remaine in mee as thou hast said . For behold I eat thy divine body , and doe drink thy blood . Thou Word of God , and God him selfe , let the flame of thy body enlighten me , that am all obscurity , and let thy blood be also a purgation to my corrupted soule : Sanctifie my understanding , soule , heart and body , O my Saviour , and make it worthy , O Lord , to come to these fearfull mysteries without being condemned . I shall obtaine new effects , and will receive the increase of thy grace , and preservation of my life , by the participation of thy mysteries , O Christ . O holy Word of God , God himselfe ; sanctifie mee throughly , that am comming to thy divine mysteries . Despise mee not , O Christ , when I receive the bread , which is thy body , and whilst ( wretch that I am ) I am made partaker of thy most pure and fearfull mysteries , that they prove not condemnation unto me . But let them be unto me , O Christ , eternall and everlasting life . O Christ , thou Fountaine of goodnesse , let the receiving of thy immortall mysteries , become light and life unto me , and cause the avoyding of vitious affections , and the encrease of heavenly vertues in me , O thou only Goodnesse , that I may glorifie thee . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 41.

Of those things which are to be meditated upon after the receiving of the Sacrament of the Supper .

LEt thy servant speak thine owne Word in thy eares , that thou be not angry with thy servant , O Lord my King : Thou hast slaine thy Sacrifices , thou hast mingled thy wine , and prepared thy Table ; thou hast sent forth thy maydens , that they might invite to thy tower of defence , that if there were any little one , he might come unto thee . Thou hast said , Goe forth yee daughters of Sion , and behold your King crowned with the Crowne wherewith his mother begirt his head in the day of his betrothing , in the day of the gladnesse of his heart . Thou hast said , O Lord , unto thy servant , Go out quickly into the wayes and streets of the citie , and bring in hither both the poore and the weak , both the lame and the blind , and compell them to come in , that my house may bee full . I being called , came and saw , was led in and tasted ; thou turnedst not thy selfe away from thy servant , nor saidst thou , Thou shalt not see my face . Thou hast shewed thy selfe unto me , my Comforter ; I beheld thee , thou Light of mine eyes ; I felt the joy of spirit , and was touched with gladnesse of heart : Thou didst prepare great things for me , O my Delight and sweet content . O Lord my God , my Life , and sole Glory of my soule , I have found thee out ; O thou Desire of my heart , I have held thee fast , O thou Love of my soule . O let me retaine thee , thou Life of my soule ; I will love thee , O Lord , my Strength , my Castle , my Refuge , and my Deliverer . Let me love thee , my God , the Tower of my might , and my pleasing hope in all my tribulations . I will enbrace thee , who art that Good , without which nothing can be good : I will enjoy thee the Best , without whom nothing is best ; I will exalt thee my God and King , and will blesse thy Name for ever and ever : every day will I praise thee , and blesse thy Name for ever and ever . The Lord is great and exceedingly to be praised , and of his greatnesse there is no end : Generation from generation shall praise thy works , and shall declare thy power , shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holinesse , and shall tell of thy wonderfull works . They shal break forth in remembrance of thy abundant sweetnesse , and shall exult in thy righteousnesse . O mercifull and pitifull Lord , patient and full of compassion ! the Lord is sweet to all , and his mercies are over all his works . All thy works O Lord , do praise thee , and thy Saints doe blesse thee , they speak of the glory of thy Kingdome , and tell of thy power ; for thou art my true and living God , my great King , my guide to my Countrey , my true light , my holy sweetnesse , my true life , my excellent wisdome , my pure simplicity , my peacefull concord , my safe protection , my good portion , my everlasting safety , my great mercy , my strongest patience , my unspotted Sacrifice , my holy Redemption , my firme hope , my perfect Charity , my true Resurrection , my life eternall , my most happie ever enduring exultation , and most blessed vision . Thou my God , wast pleased , for no merits of mine , but onely by vouchsafing me thy mercies to satisfie thy unworthy servant with the precious body and blood of thy Sonne , our Lord Jesus Christ . What manner of food ? What drink was this ? O the memoriall of the Lords death . What shall I repay unto the Lord for all that he hath bestowed upon me ? O know , O Lord my King , in that thou hast created me , I owe my selfe unto thee ; and in that thou hast redeemed me , yea , and wast made man for mee , I should owe thee more than my selfe , if I had it ; by how much more thou art greater than he is for whom thou hast given thy selfe ; behold , though I have more , yet cannot I give thee that I have without thee : But doe thou receive me , and draw me unto thee , that I may become thine by love and imitation , as I am thine by creation and redemption : Let my life it selfe be thine , O Lord ; I freely offer up my whole selfe unto thee ; let my whole spirit , my whole heart , my whole body , and my whole life , even my sweet life it selfe live unto thee ; for thou hast wholly delivered me , that thou mightest wholly possesse mee ; thou hast wholly refreshed mee , that I might bee wholly thine owne . But how canst thou have mee , except this holy Communion may not prove a guilt to draw downe punishment upon me , but an wholesome intercession to obtaine pardon , the armour of faith , and shield of good will , except it may bee an emptying of my sinnes , a banishing of lust and concupiscence , an encrease of charity and patience , humility and obedience , a firme defence against the slights of all our enemies , as well visible as invisible , a perfect appeasing as well of my carnall as spirituall perturbations , a fast cleaving to thee , the true and onely God ? Ah let me obtaine these things of thee , who art most mercifull , and hast commanded me therefore to pray for them , that I might obtaine them , and might come to that unspeakable Banquet ; wherein thou with thy Sonne , and the holy Spirit , art to thy holy Ones a true Light , full Content , everlasting Joy , perfect Delight , and absolute Felicitie Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 42.

Of beginning the day holily .

I Am awaked out of sleep , O my soule , I shall also one day awake out of the grave ; which perpetually consider of with thy selfe . The Sunne breaks forth of the clouds , and day succeeds in the place of night : one day also shall break forth the eternall day , after the long lasting nights are past , and the Sunne of righteousnesse , Christ Jesus , shall returne with his glorious light , whom many thousands of Saints shall accompany , shining most beautifully , and farre above the brightnesse of our Sun . So prepare thy selfe , O my soule , in this entry , that in that day thou maist have admittance into the house it selfe ; nor that the Sunne may hide his face from thee , and thou be involved in thicke darknesse . Let no flattering of gaine , no invitation of honour , nor delight of pleasure so seduce thee , that thou lose the gladnesse of that day . Let the brute beasts be they that do only behold the light of this our Sun , doe thou with the eyes of faith behold the light of that day . Remember , O man , that the devill like a roaring lion , walketh about night and day , seeking whom he may devoure . Dost thou doubt whether he be about thy bed when thou art buried in sleepe , and that he then labours to devoure thee ? but who resisteth him ? why thou weake wretch , art laid prostrate before him : It is the onely keeper of Israel that neither slumbers not sleeps , that preserveth thee . Dost thou heare the cocke crowing ? thinke upon Peter , who though he was eminent in the dignity of being an Apostle , and did heare the great Doctor , the Son of God , yet did he greatly erre . What shall become of thee , thinkest thou ? except by thy fervent prayers thou daily stick close unto God . Thinke thou hearest that heavenly trumpet which the Angell , the Judges companion , shall blow , and consider how thou couldest stand before that Judge if he were now come , and did presently exact thee to appeare before him . Remember God is about and in thy bed , and by his omnipresence doth looke into all thy thoughts , and sees all thy behaviour and actions . Call to minde the holy troops of Angels , which by night defend thee , stand about thee , observe thy sleeping and waking , and that rejoyce at thy holinesse , and grieve at thy ungodlinesse . Live therefore so as if thou didst live in the sight of God and his Angels , and thus , if thou beest wise , beleeve thou dost . When thou puttest on thy cloaths , remember they are the coverings of sinne , nor is there any cause thou shouldest be proud of them . What I pray is most of our cloaths ? are they not the rejected things , the excrements and spoiles of beasts ? it is madnesse therefore for a man that is endued with reason , to be proud , and to brag of the reliques , the excrements and spoiles of brute beasts . Thou cloathest thy body with a covering ; but think this more necessary far that thou defend thy soule with the most pure robe of Christs righteousnesse , and that thou put it on , not by a luke-warme faith . He that cloatheth not himselfe in this manner , shall be tormented with everlasting cold . Ah! with how many precious cloaths have many covered their bodies , whose soules remaine cold and naked ! Consider , that Gods mercy and goodnesse are daily renued , and that he doth daily , as it were , bestow a new life upon us , whilst he repaires the power of our senses , and restores thee the enlivening heat of the Sunne . Let therefore no creature divert thy prayers , let no thoughts arise in thee , before thou hast given God his praises . O Omnipotent Lord God , that art the Trinity in Unity , that art alwayes in all things , and hadst thy being from all eternity , and shall be alwayes in all things ; O thou my God , take pity upon me , that I may speake . The house of my soule is straight , but doe thou enlarge it , that thou mayest come into it : it is ruinous , but doe thou repaire it . There are in it those things which may offend both thine eare and eye . I know & acknowledge it , but who shall make it cleane ? or to whom else shall I call but to thy selfe ? Cleanse me , O Lord , from my hidden offences , and pardon me my open sinnes . I beleeve , and therefore I speake , thou knowest it . My sinnes doe plead against me before thee ; pardon me therefore the impiety of my heart , and cast my sinnes into the depth of the sea , that they confound me not in this world , nor condemne me in the world to come . O God that art for ever blessed , I doe this day , and at all times ; commend unto thee , and into thy powerfull hand , my soule , my body , all my thoughts , all my affections , my words , my actions , all my outward and inward things , my senses and understanding , my memory , faith and beliefe , that thou mightest keepe them day and night , houres and minutes . Heare me , holy Trinity , and preserve me from all evill , and from all scandall , and from all deadly sin , and from all the snares and assaults of the devill , and from my visible and invisible enemies . Expell out of me all boasting of minde , and encrease in me contrition of heart : lessen my pride , and perfect in me true humility : give me tendernesse to weepe , and soften my hard and stony heart . Teach me , O Lord , to doe thy will , because thou art my God . Give me , O Lord , a heart , that may stand in awe of thee , a minde to love thee , an understanding to know thee , eares to hearken to thee , eyes to see thee . Take pity upon me , O God , take pity upon me , and looke downe upon me from the holy throne of thy Majesty . Lord Jesus , give concord to thy Ministers , peace and quietnesse to Princes that judge righteously , repentance unto those that live unjustly . I beseech thee , O Lord , for the holy universall Church , for the Clergy and Layety , for all Christian Governours , and all that beleeve in thy Name , that labour in thy holy Word , that they may obtaine perseverance in good works . Grant O Lord , eternall King , unto young men chastity , to those of riper yeares holinesse , and unto all innocency ; pardon to the repentant , succour to the Orphans and Widowes , to the poore protection , to the travellers a happy returne , comfort to them that mourne ; eternall rest to the faithfull , a safe haven to those that rove upon the sea , to the better sort of Christians that they may persevere in goodnesse , to the weaker sort that they may grow better , to them that commit wickednesse and still offend thee , that they speedily correct their wayes , with me a miserable sinner . O most sweet and most mercifull Lord , Jesus Christ , thou Son of the living God , thou Redeemer of the world , that art amongst us all , and in all things , be mercifull to me a sinner . Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 44.

Of Death , the last Judgement , Hell , and Happinesse .

IN all thy words remember thy last things , and thou shalt never sin ; no artificiall medicine , nor any doctrine doth so overcome pride , so conquer malice , so quench lust , or so trample upon the vanities of this world , as the remembrance of our last things . What are those our last things ? let others here dispute what they be , but let the godly weigh the matter diligently with themselves ; thy Death , the last Judgement , the glory of Heaven , the paines of Hell ; these are the things thou must meditate of . What comes more suddenly and when we lesse think of it than Death ? We die daily , for part of our life is daily diminished , and even while we encrease , doth our life grow lesse ; the time that passeth away , is lost ; we even divide this very day we now enjoy , betweene death and our selves . Wretched man , why disposest thou not of thy selfe every houre ? Think thou mayest now die , because thou knowest thou must die : call to mind that the time is comming upon the wings , wherein thy eyes must sinke into thy head , the veines of thy body shall be crackt in pieces , and thy heart shall be cleft with sorrow ; remember thine owne frailtie , remember the miserable estate of thy pilgrimage ; call to mind in the bitternesse of thy soule thy yeares past , and the dangers of mans life . Amidst the most uncertaine things of man , yet is death most certaine ; yet what is found more uncertaine than the houre of death ? it takes no pitie upon want , it reverenceth not riches ; and to conclude , it spareth neither wisdome , manners , nor age ; this only is the difference , that death standeth at the old mans doore , and for the young man he lyes in ambush ; every one therefore ought well to feare this last day , because every one in the day of Judgement shall be judged for such as he shall be found at his day of death . Upon this only moment of our life depends eternity that hath no end ! What is more terrible than judgement ? and what can bee imagined more intolerable than hell ? What will a man feare , if hee feare not these things , if horrour seize not on him , and if dread doe not cause him to tremble ! O man , if thou have lost the shame which belongs to so noble a creature , if thou bee not sensible of the sorrows of affliction , which is also a property that belongs to mortall creatures , yet lose not at least thy feare . Feare therefore , O man , because in death thou must be parted from all the good things of this thy body , and the sweet marriage knot of thy united soule and body must be cut in sunder by this most bitter divorce . Feare , because in that terrible Judgement thou must stand before him into whose hands it is a most fearfull thing to fall , even before such an Examiner from whom nothing can be hid ; if iniquitie be found in thee , thou must be banished the society of blisse and glory , and bee severed from the number of the blessed . Feare , because in hell thou must be exposed to insufferable and everlasting torments , and receive thy portion with the devill and his angels , even in the everlasting fire prepared for them . Dost thou not yet feare the face of the Judge , which is even terrible to the angelicall Powers ? Dost not thou tremble at the wrath of that powerfull One , at his angry countenance and his sharp words ? Art thou not affraid of the teeth of the infernall beast , of the belly of hell , of those yellings , fore-runners of our devourings ? Are we not yet affraid of the gnawing worme , scorching flames , smoak and vapour , brimstone and stormie tempests ? O! who shall give water to my head , and a fountaine of teares unto mine eyes , that by my weeping I may prevent that weeping and gnashing of teeth , and those hard bands of hands and feet , and that weight of oppressing , fettering , burning and yet not consuming chaines ; and that I may come to thee , my Lord , and my God ? Yet if any be so cursedly obdurate , so fierce and steely , that hee cannot be troubled with the feare of ill ; yet who can be so madde and senselesse that he will not be touched with the desire of good things ? There are laid up endlesse good things for them that make a godly end ; even things which the eye hath not seene , nor the eare heard , nor ever entred into the heart of man to conceive , which God hath prepared for those that love him ; those things the preparer and worker whereof is God . What things must they be , thinkest thou ? The eye hath not seene them , because they are not colour ; the eare hath not heard them , for they are not a sound ; nor hath it entred into mans heart to conceive them , because the heart of man must ascend unto them . Why labour I then to make my tongue to utter that , which my heart cannot conceive ; which is to be beleeved , and not to be beheld ? nay , it is not onely invisible , but also unspeakable . O Lord Jesus Christ , when that most perilous moment approacheth , wherein I shall enter into the way of immortality , then give mee a quiet and pleasing repose , that in the true acknowledgement and confession of thy grace , I may yeeld up my spirit , and my poore soule with peace and gladnesse , and may deliver it into thy hands ; Neither let mee bee long tormented , as I have a thousand times deserved ; and that I may enjoy peace on the earth in my body , and may watch , and be made coheire of the resurrection to life of all the beleevers , that I may praise and glorifie thee with gladnesse , and may give thee thanks for evermore , for all the innumerable blessings which thou hast bestowed upon mee , through the whole space of my pilgrimage . Call me not to an account for my old scores , and remember not the sins of my youth , but be mercifull unto me , according to thy great mercies , and sustaine me in a firme faith and comfort , even to my last gaspe , that neither sinne , death , or the divell doe me any hurt , nor that my own flesh make me impatient , but that I may enter in unto thee , that I may dwell with thee , and may remaine with thee for evermore , Amen .

CONTEMP . &c. 45.

Of Eternity .

IS it this , that divideth the entrailes , parteth the bowels , woundeth the heart , tyes the tongue , shutteth the lips , distracteth the senses , and overwhelmes all our members with feare ? Rivers slow from our eyes , our cheekes are watered with teares , and all this torrent hath its originall from this one word , a terrible word , by the force and threates whereof feare and anguish are bred in us ; a word that no day , no voice shall determine , no starre-light shall shadow , no constellation shall darken ; a word that melts the marrow , and softens , breakes , and even minces the heart and bones , though harder than the Adamant or Marble . This word is Eternity , a word of longer continuance than the Heavens , more terrible than thunder and lightning , or any tempest whatsoever . It is Eternity , that hath neither pause , measure , nor end , and drives on the minds of men ( as it were ) with goades , and spurs , and pricks ; so that they search not after mutable or transitory things . This word hath moved many to pluck of their glittering crownes from their ayery heads , and to despise the lofty bayes , and made them let fall their towring plumes ; and putting on a courser habit , to contemplate higher and more divine things . This word doth wholely possesse me , nor suffers me to enjoy any encrease of content ; it infuses into my most disquieted soule care , feare , and griefe . O end , most remote from any end ! ô time without time ! O yeare and no yeare ! O number not to bee summed up of any ! Descend , descend my soule to hell , not to mix thy selfe with flames , but to avoid those consuming fires . The wicked might beare it , if it could be so gently dealt with him , that Aetna might be his place of torment , that the Vultures might continually gnaw his liver , that the Spiders might weave Cobwebs in this throat that he might bee nourished with aconit , that he might be tormented with boiling pitch , that he might drink nought but dragons blood , that hee might bee fed with glowing coales , that his body might bee cloathed with a perpetuall scurfe , that he might be broiled on a gridiron , that he might be peirced with speares , bee bound to a stake to bee burnt , that hee might bee pluckt in pieces by wild horses , that hee might be choaked with brimstone , that hee might bee stretched on the wrack , that he might be continually pining to death for want of meat and drink ; that hee might bee butchered with pugniards : that wicked wretch might suffer this end for a thousand yeares continuance , yea for thousand of thousands added to that thousand , if there might be hope at length of an end of tormenting . How great soever a torment or torture be , or how great a vexation , yet a hoped for end doth make them easier to be borne of us ; it is the eternity of them that doth truly wrack and torture us . It is that that makes the paines of hell , it is that that makes plagues to be plagues indeed , that gathers all punishments into one , and does not only double , but infinitely multiply the flames thereof . Alas ! alas ! what is Eternity ? What Geometry can measure it ? It is not dayes or months , or yeares , that can set a period to it , not hundreds of thousand revolutions of times , not millions of millions of Olympiades . Yet the passage to this never ending eternity , is wrought by the flying unstablenesse of a few dayes . The sun riseth and setteth ; but they that come to this , do never returne ; here the beginning is the end , and the end the beginning . O life worse than any death ! O perpetuall dying , without a death ! thou shall be hurried thither , who ever thou art , that doest here glut thy soule with pleasures , that doest follow after the corruptions of thy flesh , that givest unto a harlot thy members which Christ hath redeemed with his blood , that stretchest thy throat with quaffing , and stuffest thy paunch with gluttonous eating . For what shall that fire devoure , but thy sins ? The more thou sinnest , the more fuell thou storest to be consumed of that fire : there are many descents thither , but never an ascent from thence ; he that once falls thither , must alwayes abide there , and is lost without any hope of succour . He that is once numbred amongst the inhabitants of heaven , shall alwayes rejoyce ; and he that is once joyned in company with the furies of hell , shall alwayes be affrighted . The joys of the blessed soules shall be without number or measure ; the torments of the accursed soules shall bee without metes and bounds , without meane or remedy . After yeares infinite and without number are passed , they are still compelled to thinke that these are but only the beginnings of punishments : One houre of punishment there shall be more grievous to us than a hundred yeares spent here in repentance ; the coales shall not there be dead , but glowing ; no abatement , but increase of heate . The punishments shall increase , the punishers shall be exasperated , the place of torment shall be enlarged , and the number of the tormentors increased . Let the citizens of Heaven rejoyce , and let those above for ever live ; let the damned for ever mourn , & those in hell for ever be dying . Tread the path to heaven while it is open , run in that way while it lyes faire before thee : the path shall be shut up , and the way destroyed , if thou once go out of it : dogs shall teare the Goates , but God shall refresh the Lambes ; the Hawke shall prey upon the Crowes ; but God shall preserve his Doves . Whilst the guest of Heaven is filled with delight and gladnesse , what can bee set before those that lament in filth and corruption ? let those that are there famished , beg for crums , & for fragments , to stop their querulous throats , they shall not receive their miserable complaints ; They shall be commanded for ever to drinke their owne teares , and to coole their throats with the continuall waters flowing from their eyes ; their drinke shall be a torrent of griefe , that shall never grow dry , a fire in which they are consumed ; a pitcher of gall shall bee mixed with their teares , which shall neither bee drawn dry , or broken insunder ; the gall shall flow continually , and the guest shall continually bee urged to drinke . Ah! how much better would it be to thirst for ever , than continually to be destroyed with this drinke , and perpetually to groane and tremble . If thou once enter in , thou shalt never get out ; if the enemy of the blessed doe once get possession of thee , hee will be for ever thine host ; first thou shalt be presented with dainties ; afterward , expect as long as thou wilt , thou shalt ne-never see any ; this table , shall be alwayes furnished , and never empty of ill meates ; to morrow , to morrow thou shall suppose it may be better , but every moment shall be as to day . To day as thou readest , or hearest these things , ruminate diligently thereon , and repent fervently , nor expect or thinke thou will call to morrow for mercy . O eternity ! he is lost for ever that is not alwayes mindfull of eternity ! O man , O soule of man , who hath both reason and meditation granted her , if the love of God cannot lay hold of thee , yet let at least the feare of the judge , the horrour of the grave , the snares of death , the paines hell , the burning fire , the gnawing worme , the stinking brimstone , the scortching flames , and all other evils , and the eternity of them restraine and keepe thee in awe ; for the space of eternity is so great , that if any damned wretch should drop but one teare every thousand yeares from his eyes , yet would those teares come to be more water before that space should have an end than the whole world could contein . O Eternity !

FINIS .