A GOLDEN-KEY TO OPEN Hidden Treasures , OR Several great Points , that refer to the Saints present blessedness , and their future happiness , with the resolution of several important questions .

Here you have also The Active and Passive Obedience of Christ vindicated and improved , against men of corrupt minds , &c. Who boldly , in Pulpit and Press , contend against those glorious Truths of the Gospel .

You have farther Eleven serious singular Pleas , that all sincere Christians may safely and groundedly make , to those ten Scriptures in the Old and New Testament , that speak of the general Judgment , and of that particular Judgment , that must certainly pass upon them all immediately after death ,

The Godhead and Manhood of Christ , is here largely proved , and improved against all Gainsayers , by what names and titles soever they are distinguished and known among us . Several things concerning Hell , and hellish torments , opened , cleared and improved against all Atheists , and all others that boldly assert , that there is no Hell , but what is in us . Some other points of importance are here cleared and opened , which other Authors ( so far as the Author hath read ) have passed over them in great silence , all tending to the confirmation of the strong , and support , peace , comfort , settlement and satisfaction of poor , weak , doubting , trembling , staggering Christians .

By Tho. Brooks late Preacher of the Gospel , at Margarets-New-Fish-street .

LONDON , Printed for Dorman Newman , at the King's-Arms in the Poultrey ; and at the Ship and Anchor , at the Bridg-foot , on Southwark side , 1675.

MUch might be said ( were it necessary ) for the Dedication of Books unto persons of worth , interest , service and honour ; this having been the constant practise of the best and wisest of men , in all the Ages of the world : And therefore , I need not make any farther Apology , for my present practice .

What is written is permanent , litera scripta manet , and spreads it self farther by far , for time , place and persons , than the voice can reach . Augustine , writing to Volusian , Aug Epist. 1. ad V●●●s . saith , that which is written , is always at hand to be read , when the reader is at leysure . There are those that think ( and as they conceive from Scripture grounds too ) that the glory of the Saints in heaven , receives additions and encreases daily , as their holy walk , and faithful service , when here on earth ; doth after they are gone , bring forth fruit , to the praise of God , amongst those that are left behind them : If this be so , what greater encouragement can there be , to write , print , preach , and to walk holily in this world ?

I must also confess , that , that general acceptation that my former labours have found , both in the Nation , and It was a saying of 〈◊〉 , concerning his first portraicture : I● 〈◊〉 liked , I will ●raw 〈◊〉 bei●e 〈…〉 this . in forreign parts ; and that singular blessing , that has attended them from on high , hath been none of the least encouragements to me , once more to cast in my Mite into the common Treasury . Besides I am not unsensible of your candid esteem of some forme endeavours of mine in this kind ; neither do I know any way , wherein I am more capacitated to serve the glory of God , the interest of Christ , the publick good , reproached truths , and the interest of the Churches in my Generation , than this , as my case and condition , is circumstanced : And I am very well satisfied , that there is nothing in this Treatise , but what tends to the advantage , comfort , support , settlement , and encouragement of those , whose concernment lies in peace and truth , in holiness and righteousness , throughout the Nations .

Sir , The points here insisted on , are of the greatest use , worth , weight , necessity , excellency , and utility imaginable ; they are such , wherein our present blessedness , and our future happiness ; yea , wherein our very all , both as to this , and that other world , is wrapped up . It will be D●u● . 30. 15 , 19. cap. 32. 47. your life , honour and happiness to read them , digest them , experience them , and to exemplifie them in a suitable conversation ; which that you may , let your immortal soul lye always open to the warm , powerful and hourly influences 2 Cor. 5. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We ambitiously labour we count it our highest honour and glory to ●● accepted of God . of heaven .

Let it be the top of your ambition , and the height of all your designs , to glorifie God , to secure your interest in Christ , to seve your Generation , to provide for Eternity , to walk with God , to be tender of all that have Aliquid Christi , any thing of Christ , shining in them , and so to steer your course in this world , as that you may give Mat. 25. 21. up your account at last with joy : All other ambition is base and low . Ambition ( saith one ) is a guilded misery , B●rnard . Cardinal Burbon , would not lose his part in Paris , for his part in Paradise : Act. and mon. Fol. 899. a secret poyson , a hidden plague , the Engineer of deceipt , the mother of hypocrisie , the parent of envy , the original of vices , the moth of holiness , the blinder of hearts , turning medicines into maladies , and remedies into diseases . In the enthronization of the Pope , before he is set in his chair , and puts on his triple Crown , a piece of tow , or wad of straw is set on fire before him , and one appointed to say , sic transit gloria mundi , the glory of this Act 25. 23. world is but a blaze . St. Luke calls Agrippa's pomp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a phantasie or vain shew ; and indeed , all worldly pomp and state is but a phantasie , or vain shew . St. Matthew calls all the world's glory , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Mat. 4. 8. an opinion : and St. Paul calls it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a Mathematical 1 Cor. 7. 31. figure ; which is a mere notion , and nothing in substance : The word here used , intimateth that there is nothing of any firmness , or solid consistency in the creature ; it is but a surface , out-side , empty thing : all the beauty of it , is but skin-deep . Mollerus , upon that Psal. The Roman● built Virtue 's & honours Temples close together , to shew , that the way to true honour , was by Virtue , Aug. 73. 20. concludeth , that men's earthly dignities are but as idle dreams ; their splendid braveries , but lucid fantasies . High seats are never but uneasie , and Crowns are always stuffed with Thorns ; which made one say of his Crown , Oh Crown , more noble than happy : shall the spirit of God , the grace of God , the power of God , the presence of God , arm you against all other sins , evils , snares , and temptations , as you are by a good hand of heaven , armed against worldly ambition , and worldly glory :

Sir , you know he was a Saul that said , honour me before 1 Sam. 15 , 30. 2 King . 10 16. the people ; and he was a Jehu that said , come , see my zeal for the Lord of hosts : and they were three Irish Kings , that rebelled in Henry the second 's days ; being derided for their rude habits and fashions : and they were some of the worst of Cardinals , that , when they were like to die , would give great summs of money for a Cardinal's E●asmus writes that he knew some such Cardinals . hat , that they might be so stiled upon their tombs : And they were the Romans , and other barbarous nations , that were most ambitions of worldly honour and glory : And he was a Julius Caesar , whose excessive desire of honour , made him to be mortally hated by the Senators , and all others . God grants no man a pattent for honour , durante vita , but durante bene-placito ( as the Lawyers speak ) during his life , but during his own good pleasure . All worldly honour and glory is subject to mutability : Honours , Riches and Pleasures , are the three Deities , that in these days , a world of men adore , and to whom they sacrifice , morning and evening , their best thoughts ; and these , for their unparallel'd vanity , may well be called the vanity of vanities : Worldly honours Ec●l●s . 1. 2. are but a more conceit , a shadow , a vapour , a feather in the cap , without substance or subsistence , and yet the most powerful charm of Satan , whereby he Iulls men to sleep , in the Paradise of fools ; to cast them , when they are awake , into the bottomless pit of eternal woe : For had not Satan hold them to be the strongest of all his temptations , he had not reserved them for his last battery , against Mat. 4. 8 , 9. the constancy of our blessed Saviour , as he did : And although this roaring Cannon of his could not prevail against Christ , the Rock of Ages ; yet , how many cap. 16. 18. thousands in these days , are captivated and deluded , by the glorious glistering of worldly honours : Men of great honour and worldly glory , stand but in slippery places : Adonibezek , a mighty Prince , was made fellow-commonner Judg. 1. 7. Dan. 4. 28. with the Dogs : And Nebuchadnezzar , a mighty Conquerour , was turned a grazing among the Oxen : and Herod was reduced from a conceited God , to the most Act. 12. 23. loathsome of men , a living carrion , arrested by the vilest creatures , upon the suit of his affronted Creator ; the lice did fully confute his Auditory , and triumph over his Throne . A great Haman is feasted with the King one Hest. 7. 10. day , and made a feast for Crows the next , In all the Isa. 23. 9. Ages of the world , God hath taken a delight to stain the pride of all the glory of this lower world : see it in a few instances .

Valerian , The Roman Emperour , fell from being an Emperour , to be a foot-stool to Sapor , King of Persia , as often as he took horse .

Bibulus the Consul , riding in his triumphant Charriot ; by the fall of a Tyle-stone from a house , was made a Sacrifice , before he could reach the Capitol , to offer up there the Bulls and Garlands he had prepared .

Aurelianus , The Roman Emperour , brought Tetricus his opposite , and the brave Queen Zenobia of Palmerina in Triumph to Rome in Golden chains .

Sejanus , That podigious favourite , on the same day that he was attended by the Senate , on the same day he was torn in pieces by the people : Seneca , speaking of him , saith , that he who , in the morning , was swollen with Titles , ●ere night there remained not so much as a mammock of flesh for the hang man to fasten his hook in .

Belisarius , a most famous General under Justinian the Emperour , after all the great and famous services that he had done , he had his eyes put out in his old age , by the See Decad. pag. 649 , 650. Empress Theodora ; and at the Temple of St. Sophy , forced to beg : Date panem Belisario , &c. Give a crust to old blind Belisarius , whom virtue advanced , but envy hath brought into this great misery .

Henry the fourth , Emperour , in sixty two Battels , for the most part , he became victorious ; yet he was deposed , and driven to that misery , that he desired only a Clerk's place in a house at Spire , of his own building , which the Bishop of that place denied him : whereupon , he brake forth into that speech of Job ; Miseremini Job 19. 21. mei amici , quia manus dei tetigit me : have pity upon me , oh my friends , for the hand of God hath touched me , he died of grief and want .

Bajazet , a proud Emperour of the Turks , whom Tamberlain a Tartarian took prisoner , and bound him in chains of Gold , and used him for a foot-stool , when he took horse ; when he was at table , he made him gather crums and scraps under his table , and eat them for his food .

Dyonisus King of Sicily , was such a cruel Tyrant , that his people banished him ; after his banishment , he went to Corinth , whee he lived a base and contemptible life : At last he became a School-master ; so that , when he could not tyrannize any longer over men , he might over boys .

Pythias was pined to death for want of bread , who , 9. Turk . Hist●ry , pag. 220. once was able to entertain and maintain Xerxes his mighty army .

Great Pompey had not so much as room to be buried in , and William the Conqueour's Corps lay three days unburied , his interment being hindred by one that claimed the ground to be his .

Caesar having bathed his sword in the blood of the Senate , and his own Countrey-men ; is after a while , miserably murdered in the Senate , by his own friends , Cassius and Brutus .

King Guillimer , a potent King of the Vandals , was 12. Pr●●●ptus reports this of him . brought so low , as to enteat his friend to send him a spunge , a loaf of bread , and a harp ; a spunge to dry up his tears , a loaf of bread to maintain bis life , and a harp to solace himself in his misery .

A Duke of Exeter , who , though he had married Edward 13. Philip●le C●mines saw him thus beg . the fourths sister , yet was seen begging bare foot in the Low-countreys .

The Emperour Nero promoted Tygelenus to the greatest 14. See Tac●●us in Otho's Life . dignities of the Roman Empire , but it was because he had been the private Agent to his base and lascivious delights , for which he was justly deprived of his honours and life , by Otho the Emperour .

By all these instances ( and many more that might be produced ) it is most evident ; that worldly glory is but a breath , a vapour , a ●roth , a phant●sm , a ●●adow , a reflection , an apparition , a very nothing : Like the Incub●s or night mare in a dream , you imagine it a substance a weight ; you grasp at it , and awake , and 't is nothing . Pleasue and wealth will abide a sense or two ; the one a touch or taste , the other a sight of the eyes ; but this of glory can neither be felt , seen or understood . The Philosophers are at strife among themselves , where to fix it in any being or existence , whether in Honorante , or in Honorato , the giver or the taker ; the inconstancy and slipperiness of it , is discernable in the instances last cited . It hath raised some , but hath ruined more ; and those ( commonly ) whom it hath most raised , it hath most ruined : Sir , if there be any thing glorious in the world , 't is a mind that divinely contemns that glory ; and such a mind I judge and hope God hath given you . I have hinted a little at the vanity of worldly glory , because , happily this Treatise , passing up and down the world , may fall into the hands of such as may be troubled with that Itch ; and if so , who can tell but that that little that I have said , may prove a soveraign salve to cure that Egyptian Botch , and if so , I have my end .

Sir , Let nothing lye so near your heart in all the world , as these eight things : 1. Your sins , to humble you , and abase you at the foot of God : 2. Free , and rich , and soveraign grace , to soften and m●lt you down Col. 1. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Phil. 4. 12 , 13 , 14. ●al. 2. 20. 1 Cor. 15. 10. 2 Cor. 12. 10. Psal. 119. 105. Amos 6. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. ●●● . 1. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5. into the will of God : 3. The Lord Jesus Christ , to assist , help , strengthen , and influence you to all the duties and services , that are incumbent upon you : 4. The blessed Scriptues , to guide you , and lead you , and o be a lamp unto you feet , and a light unto your paths : 5. The afflictions of Joseph , to draw out your charity , mercy , pity , sympathy , and campassion , to men in misery : 6. The glory and happiness of another world , to arm you , and steel you against all the sins , snares , and temptations ; that your high places , offices , and circumstances may lye you open to : 7. The grand points in this Treatise , which , being laid upon your heart by the warm hand of the spirit , are able to make you wise unto salvation ; and to secure your precious and immortal soul , against those pernicious and most dangerous ( may I not say damnable ) errours and opinions , 2 Pet. 2. 1. that are preached , printed , and cryed up in the vain world : 8. The interest of Christ and his people , which will be your honour whilst you live , your joy and comfort , when you come to die , and your Crown of 1 Thess. 1. 19. 20. rejoycing in the great day of our Lord .

Sir , I shall not so far disgust you , as to tell the world how many several score pounds of your money hath passed through my hands , towards the relief , refreshment , support and preservation of such ; who , for their piety , and extreme poverty and necessity , were proper objects of your charity ; but shall take this opportunity to tell you ( and all others , into whose hands this Treatise may fall ) that of all the duties of Religion , there are none , 1. More commanded , than this of charity , pity , compassion Prov. 3. 9 , 10. Eccles. 11. 1 , 2. Gal. 6. 10. 2 Cor. 8. 3 , 4 , 5. cap. 9. 1 , 2. Isa. 58. 7. to the 13. ponder upon it . Mat. 25. 34 , to vers. 41. and mercy to men in misery , especially to those of the houshold of faith : 2. There is no one duty more highly commended and extolled , than this : 3. There is no one duty , that hath more choice and precious promises annexed to it than this : 4. There is no one duty , that hath greater rewards attending it , than this : Evagrius a rich man , being importuned by Sinesius a Bishop , to give something to charitable uses , he yielded at last , to give three hundred pounds ; but first took bond of the Bishop , that it should be repayed him , in another world , ( according to the promise of our Saviour , Mat. 19. 29. with a hundred-fold advantage : ) Before he had been one day dead , he is said to have appeared to the Bishop , delivering in the bond cancelled , as thereby acknowledging that what was promised , was made good . It is certain , that one days being in heaven , will make a sufficient recompence , for whatsoever a man has given on earth .

Neither shall I acquaint the world with those particular favours and respects , which you have shewed to my self ; but treasure them up in an awakened breast , and be your remembrancer at the throne of grace . Only , I must let the world know , that I owe you more than an Epistle ; and if you please to accept of this mite in part of payment , and improve it for your souls advantage , you will put a farther obligation upon me , to study , how I may farther serve the interest of your immortal soul .

Let the lustre of your prudence , wisdom , charity , fidelity , generosity , and humility of spirit , shine gloriously , through all your places , offices , abilities , riches , employments and enjoyments ; for this is the height of all true excellency : and that it may be so , remember , for ever , that the eyes of God , of Christ , of Angels , of Jer. 16. 17. Job 34 21. Prov. 5. 21. Jer. 32. 19. Heb. 4. 13. 'T is a saying of the School-men , quic quid est in deo est in deo est ipse deus . Devils , of Sinners , of Saints , of Good , of Bad , are always fixed upon you ; God is all ear to hear , all hand to punish , all power to protect , all wisdom to direct , all goodness to relieve , all grace to pardon , and he is Totus Oculus , all eye to observe the thoughts , hearts , words , ways and walkings of the children of men . As the eyes of a well drawn picture are fastned on us , which way soever we turn ; so are the eyes of the Lord . Zeno a wise Heathen , affirmeth , that God behold even the very thoughts of men : Athenodorus , another Heathen , saith , that all men ought to be careful of the actions of their life , because God was every where , and behold all that was done . Of all men on earth , Magistrates and Ministers had need pray with David , Teach us thy ●sal. 27. 1. way , O Lord , and lead us in a plain path , because of our enemies ; or nearer the Hebrew , because of our observers : in all the Ages of the world , there have been Sauls and Doegs , who have looked upon God's Davids with an evil Jer 20. 10. eye , and watched for their halting : there are multitudes that will be still eyeing and prying into the practices , offices , carriages and conversations of Magistrates and Ministers , the more it concerns them to watch , pray , act and walk like so many earthly Angels , in the midst of a crooked , perverse and froward Generation . Phil. 2. 15.

Wise and prudent Governours are an unspeakable mercy to a Kingdom or Commonwealth ; which Jethro well understood , when he gave Moses that good counsel : To make choice out of the people , of grave and able men , such as feared God , men of trath hating covetousness ; Ex●d. 18. 21 , 22. 〈◊〉 tirum in ●●a , is a maximas true as old . and to make them rulers over thousands , and rulers over hundreds , over fifties , and over tens : But in the Nations round , how rare is it to find Magistrates qualified , suitable to Jethro's counsel . Alphonsus , King of Spain , coming very young to the Crown ; some advised , that seven Counsellors might be joyned to govern with him ; who should be men fearing God , lovers lovers of Justice , free from filthy lusts , and such as would not take bribes : To which , Alphonsus replyed ; if you can find seven such men , nay , bring me but one so qualified , and I will not only admit him to govern with me , but shall willingly resign the Kingdom it self to him . Wicked policies are ever destructive to their Authors ; as you may see in Pharaoh , Ex●d. 1. 10 , 22. 2 Sam. 16. cap. 23. 23. Est. 7. 10. in Achitophel , in Haman , &c. As long as the Roman Civil Magistrates , Senators and Commanders of Armies , were chosen into places of honour and trust , for their noble descent , their prudence and valour ; their State did flourish , and did enlarge its Dominions , See Livim De●●●● . more in one Century of years , than it did in three , after these places of honour came to be venal , and purchased by concession : For then men of no parts , were for money , promoted to highest dignities : whereupon civil contentions were fomented , factions encreased , and continual bloody intestine Wars maintained ; by which , the ancient Liberties of that State , were suppressed ; and the last Government of it , changed into an Imperial Monarchy . As long as the chief officers of the Crown of France , and the places of Judicature of the Realm , were given by Charles the fifth , surnamed the wise , to men of Learning , of Wisdom , and Valour , in recompence of their Loyalty , virtue and merits , that Kingdom did flourish , with peace , honour and prosperity ; and the Courts of Parliaments See the History of France . of France , had the honour , for their Justice and equity , to be the Arbitrators and Umpires of all the differences that happened in those days , between the greatest Princes of Christendom : But when these places of honour and trust were made venal , in the reigns of Francis the second , Charles the ninth , and Henry the third , and sold for ready money to such as gave most for them ; then was Justice and Equity banished , and that flourishing Kingdom reduced to the brim of ruine and desolation , by variety of factions , and a bloody Civil War : The wicked Counsel given by the Cardinal De Lorraign , and the Duke of Guise his brother , to Charles the ninth , King of See the Massa●● of Par●● ●n the In●e●tory of France . France , to allure all the Protestants to Paris , under colour of the Marriage of Henry de Bourbon , with Margaret de Valois , the King's sister , to have them all as in a trap , for to cut their throats in their beds , as they did for the greatest part ; proved fatal to the King , to the Cardinal , and the Duke : For the King , by the just judgment of God , died shortly after by an Issue of blood , which came out of his mouth , ears and nostrils , and could never be stopped ; and the Cardinal and the Duke were both slain by the Commandment of Henry the third , in the Castle of Blois . The barbarous policy of Philip the second , See the 〈…〉 King of Spain , to banish two or three hundred thousand Mores , with their wives and children , under colour of Religion , on purpose to confiscate all their Land , and to appropriate the same to his demesns , was fatal to him , and to all the Spanish Nation ; for , by the just judgment of God , he was eaten up of lice , and the Spanish Nation never thrived since , &c. Were it not for exceeding the bounds of an Epistle , I might shew , in all the Ages of the world , how destructive the wicked policies of Rulers and Governours , have been to themselves , and the States and Nations under them , &c. But from such policies , God has , and I hope , will for ever deliver your soul . Sir , the best policy in the world , is to know God savingly , to serve him sincerely , to do the work of your Generation throughly , and to secure your future happiness and blessedness effectually , &c.

Sir , I do not offer you that which cost me nothing , or little , God best knows the pains , the prayers , and the Mal 1. 13 , 14. s●●dy , that the midwifing of this Treatise into the world hath cost me ; in the midst of tryals , troubles , temptations , afflictions , and my frequent labours in the Ministry . The truths that I offer for your serious consideration , in this Treatise , are not such as I have formerly preached , in Commonly , men preach those points first , that afterwards they print : but not knowing how long the door of liberty may be open : I have sent this Treatise into the world . Eph. 5. 15 , 16. ●ol s● 4. 5. Eccl ● 9. 10. one place or another , at one time or another ; but such as at several times , the Lord has brought to hand : and I hope , in order to the service , and saving of many , many souls . And should you redeem time from your many and weighty occasions , and live to read it as often over , as there be leaves in it ; I am apt to think , you would never repent of your pains , when you come to die , and make up your account with God . Sir , I must , and shall say ( because I love and honour you , and would have you happy to Eternity ) that it is your greatest wisdom , and should be your greatest care , to redeem time from your worldly business , to acquaint your self more and more with the great and main points of Religion , to serve your God , to be useful in your day , and to make sure and safe work for your soul to escape hell , and to get heaven . Sir Thomas More , one of the great wits of that day , would commonly say , there is a Devil called negotium , business , that carries more souls to hell , than all the devils in hell beside . Many men have so many Irons in the fire , and ●uk. 10. 40 , 41 , 42. When one pre●ented Antipater King of Macedo ●ia , wich a book treating of happiness ; his answer was on Scholazo , I am not at leasure . The Duke of Alva had so much to do on earth , that he had ●o time to look up to heaven . are cumbred about so many things , that upon the matter , they wholly neglect the one thing necessary , though I hope better things of you . The stars which have the least circuit , are nearest the pole : and men that are least perplexed with a croud of worldly business , are commonly nearest to God . Sir , as you love God , as you love your soul , as you love Eternity , as you would be found at Christ's right hand at last , and as you would meet me with joy in the great day of the Lord , make much conscience of redeeming time daily from your secular affairs , to be with God in your closet , in your family , to read the Scriptures , to study the Scriptures , and such men's writings that are sound in the faith , and that treat of the great things of the Gospel . 'T is dangerous crying cras , cras , to morrow , to morrow ; Mannah must be gathered in the morning , the orient Pearl is generated by the morning-dew : There is nothing puts a more serious frame into a man's spirit , than to know the worth and preciousness of time . Time ( saith one ) were a good commodity in hell , Bernard . Blessed Ho●p , was spare of diet , sparer of words , & sparest of time . And Bradford counted that hour lost , where in he did not some good , by his tongue , pen or purse . A Heathen could say , he lived no day without a line : that is , he did something remarkable every day . Ma●k Cato was wont to say , that there were three things which he abhored : 1. To commit secrets to a woman : 2. To go by water , when he might go by land : 3. To spend one day idle . Plutar●h . and the traffick of it most gainful ; where , for one day , a man would give ten thousand worlds , if he had them . One called his friends thieves , because they stole time from him ; and certainly , there are no worse thieves , than those that rob us of our praying seasons , our hearing seasons , our mourning seasons , &c. There was an eminent Minister , who would often say , that he could eat the flesh off his arm , in indignation against himself for his lost hours .

It was good counsel , that an ancient Christian , that is now triumphing in glory , gave to another , who is still alive , be either like Christ or Mary : The first was always doing good , the latter was still a receiving good : this is the way to be strong in grace , and to be soon ripe for glory . Certainly , time is infinitely precious , in regard of what depends upon it ; What more necessary than repentance ? yet that depends upon time , Rev. 2. 21. I gave her space to repent of her fornications : What more desirable than the favour of God ? This depends upon time , and is therefore called the acceptable time , Isa. 49. 8. What more excellent than salvation ? this likewise , depends upon time , 2 Cor. 6. 4. Now is the accepted time , now is the day of salvation . Pythagoras saith , that time is anima coeli , the soul of heaven : But to draw to a close , what can there be of more worth , and weight , and moment , than Eternity ? it is the Heaven of Heaven , and the very Hell of Hell ; without which , neither would Heaven be so desirable , nor Hell so formidable . Now this depends upon time , Time is the Prologue to Eternity , the great weight of Eternity hangs upon the small wire of Time : Whether our time here , be longer or shorter , upon the spending of this depends , either the bliss or the bane of body and soul to all Eternity ; This is our seed-time , Eternity is the harvest ; whatsoever seed we sow , whether of sin or grace , it cometh up in Eternity ; whatsoever a man soweth , Gal. 6. 7 , 8. 2. Cor. 9. 6. the same shall he reap . This is our market time , in which , if we be wise Merchants , we may make a happy exchange ; of earth , for heaven ; of a Valley of tears , for a Paradise of delights . This is our working time , I must work the works of him that sent me , the night cometh , Joh. 9. 4. when no man can work ; according as the work is we do now , such will be our wages in Eternity : Though time it self lasts ●ot ; yet whatsoever is everlasting , dependeth upon it ; and therefore , should be carefully improved to the best advantage for our souls , and for the making sure of such things as will go with us beyond the grave .

Shall your Lady live to be an honour to God , to be wise 1 Pet. 3. 3 , 4 , 5. 1 Tim. 2. 9 , 10. Eph. 6. 4. Prov. 31. 1 , 2 , 3 , Gal. 4. 19. 1 Tim. 1. 5 , 6. Isa. 44. 3 , 4. cap. 59. 21. Psal. 112. 1 , 2. Eph. 1. 3. for Eternity , to be a pattern of piety , humiliy , modesty , &c. to others , to be a joyful mother of many children , and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; Shall you both live to see Christ formed up in your Off-spring , and to see their souls flourish in grace and holiness , and God bestowing himself , as a portion , upon them ; Shall you all round be blessed with all spiriual blessings , in Heavenly places , in Christ ; and shall you all round , be crowned with the highest glory , happiness and blessedness in the world to come ; Shall you all live in the sense of divine love , and di● in the sense of divine favour . Now , to the everlasting arms of divine protection , and to the constant influences of free , rich Gal. 5. 22 , 23. and sovereign Grace and Mercy , he commends you all ; who is ,