A guide to the Holy City, or, Directions and helps to an holy life containing rules of religious advice, with prayers in sundry cases, and estates ... / by Iohn Reading ...

CHAP: II.

Of Religion and Faith . § 1 Of true Religion : wherein it consisteth : § 2 Of Faith , and those things which concerne the same .

THere is no a a Cic. Tus● . q. l. 1. nation so inhumane and barbarous but it pretendeth to some religion , and worship divine : Satan cannot put out all the light of conscience ( still there is a slender remainder , which sheweth the b b Rom. 1. 19. very wicked that there is a God ) therefore he hath ever laboured to beguile men with false religions or corruptions of the true .

2 True Religion is the right worship of the true God in c c Vitam col●n●ium , D●us proqualitate nominis sui formet quoniam religiosissimus cultus est imitatio , Lact. l. 5. c. 10. Non profanus meliùs esset qua●●ic religiosus ? quomodo Deum ●iolat qui hoc modo placatur . Min. Foel . Oct. imitation of his holinesse ; all other worship not agreeing with his revealed will , is profanation and irreligion : this is life eternall to know God , and whom he hath sent Jesus Christ . He that will with such knowledge come unto him must beleeve that d d Heb. 11. 6. he is : e e Joh. 1. 11. no man hath seen Gods essence : f f Hic nec videri potest visu clarior : nec comprehendi tactu purior . nec estimari , sensibus major est , insinitus , immensus , & soli sibi tantus quantus est notus , &c ▪ ibid. Min. Fael ▪ Oct. that is greater then any finite apprehension , so that g g 2 Cor. 5. 7. we walke by faith not sight : and therefore Christ , when he had assumed a visible nature for the worke of our redemption , would not long be conversant on earth in his publike ministry , that our salvation might not be in sense , but beleeving : and h h Joh. 20. 29. blessed are they which have not seene and have beleeved .

3 Concerning faith these things are considerable .

1. What it is ? 2. Whence it is ? 3. Whose it is ? 4. How necessary it is ? 5. How excellent it is ? 6. Of what measure it is ? 7. What we must doe concerning it ? 8. What is the object thereof ?

1 Faith is i i Hebr. 11. 1. the evidence of things not seene : and the substance of that we hope for , it is a grace and k k Ephes. 2. 8. Sect. II. guift of Gods spirit , whereby we assent to the word of God , and apply the promises thereof to our selves : l l Neque enim quis cogi potest , sed invitatur quia non extorquatur , sed suadetur . Ambrosi in Rom. 4. it cannot be forced : it is wrought in our minde by perswasion , not compulsion : m m Ro. 10. 17. faith is by hearing : this is the unchangeable rule thereof n n Regula quidem fidei una omnino est , sola immobilis . Tertul . de virg. veland . ● . 1. one and the same forever .

2 Faith is the worke of Gods spirit in us , applying the promises , o o Rom. 8. 16. bearing witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God , p p Act. 16 14. opening the hearts of hearers to the word preached , and Sacraments administred ▪ q q 1 Cor. 3. 5 , 6. Paul may plant and Apollos water , but except God give the encrease , who shall beleeve their report ? The r r 1 Cor. 2. 14. animalem dicit naturalem , &c. Theophilact . in 1 Cor. 2. naturall man perceiveth not the things of the spirit , neither can he without a spirituall eie , they shall seeme foolishnesse to him : so that Paul and Apollos are but the ministers by whom we beleeve as the Lord gives to every man .

3 s s 2 Thes. 3. 2. All have not faith : many talk of it and professe it , but as the t t 〈◊〉 Ap. c. 24 heathens , among the multitude of their Gods , made Faith a Goddesse and were farre from beleeving in God : faith here intended is the u u 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Occumen . White stone with a new name written , which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it : a peculiar of the elect : w w Act. 13. 48. ( as many as were ordained to eternall life , beleeved ) the x x Eph. 1. 13. 14. seale and y y 2 Cor. 1. 22. earnest of the spirit of promise : therefore though we are taught to say , Cor. 5. 5. Math. 6. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Theophilact . ib. our father — give us — forgive us — yet in profession of our faith we say I beleeve in God &c. we must pray one for another , but every man must beleeve for himselfe .

4 The necessitie of faith appeareth in that , 1 a a Gall. 3. 11. the just shall live by it , Heb: 2. 4. 2. By faith onely we are justified . Rom: 3. 28. 3. b b Heb. 11. 6. Without Faith it is impossible to please God . c c Ro. 14. 23. whatsoever is not of faith is sin . 4. God hath appointed this meanes for us to take hold on the merits of Christ d d Joh. 3. 16. that we may be saved .

5 The excellency of faith is in that it apprehendeth ; that is Christ , and in him the unspeakable treasure of Gods mercy : e e Rom. 5. 1. peace of conscience , reconciliation with God , f f

1 Joh. 1. 7.

Rom. 4. 5 , 6.

remission of our sinnes , g g Rom. 8. 1. indemnity from the guilt and punishment thereof , h h Rom. 4. 24 , 25. justification , i i Act. 15. 9. sanctification , in fine all things which concurre to the accomplishment of an happy man : it is the k k Mat. 16. 18. rocke against which the gates of hell shall not prevaile : the l l

Ephes. 6. 16.

Rom. 4. 11. 17. 18.

shield against the spirituall enimie : it m m Jam. 2. 23. stiled Abraham Gods freind , and us his sonnes : it is the n n

2 Tim. 4. 6 , 7 , 8 , 18.

2 Tim. 1. 12.

sanctuary of a troubled spirit : the first fruits of the heavenly Paradise : the effect and cause of illumination : the o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cytil . Catec. 5. eye which enlightneth the conscience , if we beleeve we shall understand : p p Laudo fidem quae ante credit obs●rvandii esse quam didicit , Tettul . de coron. mil. commendable is that faith which beleeveth that all the word of God is true , and to be obeyed before it understandeth the particulars : faith q q Tertul. de bapt. c. 20. made Noah an Arke to preserve mankinde in : gave r r Hebr. 11. 9 , 10. — 33 , 34. Abraham possession of Canaan , it hath subdued kingdomes , wrought righteousnes , obtained the promises , stopped the mouthes of Lyons , quenched the violence of fire , delivered from the sword , made men strong of weake and valiant in battle — it is the doore keeper of heaven , it lets in the thee●e from the crosse : the Bathsheba which can have no repulse . s s Math. 21. 22. Whatsoever yee aske if yee beleeve , yee shall receive it : it is in effect all the world — t t 1 Cor. 3. 21 ▪ 22 , 23. all things are yours ( the world and life were u u 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Oecumen . made for the Saints ) it is that one thing with which we have all things , without which nothing , it w w 〈◊〉 . 3. 12. giveth us confident entrance to God , and x x 1 Pet. 1. 9. salvation of our selves through Jesus Christ .

6 The y y Rom. 12. 3. Ephes. 4. 7. measures of true faith are divers yet sufficient to every one to salvation : as 't is z z

Exod. 16. 18.

2 Cor. 8. 15.

written , he that gathered much had no superfluity , and he that gathered little had no want . In all ages God gave some great and eminent measures of faith , as to the Prophets , Apostles , and Marty●s , not that they should by their greater faith obtaine greater salvation then we who have received a farre lesse measure , but because God appointed them to encounter greater tryalls to his honour , and that the example of their constancie might be helpfull to our infirmitie : as in the body of man , there are veines , sinewes , flesh , and bones , to strenghthen all these : not that the bones have more life then these ▪ so is the mysticall body of Christ : 't is certaine that a a Credo domine side sateor imbeci●li , side tamen . weake faith may lay sure hold on Christ , and therefore be a saving faith : yea the power of God is perfected in mans b b 2 Cor. 12. 9. infirmitie : to conclude , it is not the merit of faith , but of Christ apprehended by faith ▪ which saveth us : so God c c Vincentes coronat retributione pietatis paternae , remunerans in nobis quicquid ipse praestit it , & honorans quod ipse persicit . Cyprian . ad Mart. &c. ●p. 25. l. 3. crowneth his owne gifts in us .

7 We must 1 d d Cor. 13. 5. examine our faith . 2. Use the ordinance of God for the attaining it , as hearing the word , and receiving the sacraments , praying , &c.

They best know what need we have of frequent examination of our selves herein , who are deeply sensible of their owne wants : to them who are deluded with false lights & tentations of security , there appeareth no want , either of faith in them selves , or examination of their faith .

That we may examine profitably , we must knowe there is a e e

Math. 7. 22.

1 Cor. 13. 2.

common faith , which reprobates may have , and it is either historicall such as the devill hath ; Jam : 2. 19. or temporary Math. 13. 20. Act : 8. 13. and this is either faith of miracles , or a temptation of security : for the devill himselfe will perswade obstinate sinners that they beleeve , and are therefore sure of salvation , that he may keep them without charity ( which is the life f f Omnium bonorum bona mater ●st charitas , Chrysost. in Psal. 118. of religion , and that one thing without which faith is dead ) & perswade them to sin securely . And there is also a g g Act. 15. 9. sanctifying , justifying , lively faith h h Joh. 1 12. proper to the elect only : this purifyeth the heart , gives us the adoption of sonnes , and i i ● Joh. 5. 2. ● . everlasting life : concerning this faith we enquire : and because k k Jer. 17. 9 ▪ the heart is so deceitfull , and Satan suitable to teach hypocrisie so neerely to resemble true grace , it highly concerneth every man seriously to examin whether his faith be true or counterfeit : to which purpose take these rules .

Examin .

1 Whether the more thou art perswaded concerning the assurance of thy salvation , the more thou lovest God for his own sake , and thy brethren for Gods sake ? Some vainely dreame of justifying faith , though their conscience tells them they love but some , for fashion sake , or their own ends ; for Gods sake few , if any ; and God onely as far as they hope he will blesse them : that faith onely is available which worketh by love , l l

Refrigesiente charitate side moritur , sicut corpus anim ● recedeute 〈◊〉 vi●am in charitate constituit qui ●idem per dilectionem , &c. Bern. de re●urrectione Dom Ser. 2. Gal. 5. 6.

Si non operatur mortua est , Ber. de dilect . Dei . Si enim quaedam anima fidei ipsa devotio est ; quid fides quae non● operatur ex dilectione nisi cadaver examime ? Bern. sup. Cant. Ser. 25.

without which it is no more alive , then a man without heat .

2 Whether the more assurance of Gods mercies in Christ thou hast , the more thou desirest to be further confirmed ? m m Math. 5. 6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse for they shall be satisfied .

3 Whether the more thou beleevest the more humble thou art ? n n Jam. 4. 6. God giveth grace to the humble : when Paul was by Gods mercy brought out of his ignorance and unbeleefe , he was not ashamed to acknowledge ( that which being in sin he would not have done ) o o 1 Tim. 1. 15. of sinners I am chiefe . True faith can no more be without humility , then an house witohut a foundation : the proud hypocrite resteth so securely upon his fruitlesse faith , that he p p Luk: 18. 9 11. contemneth other men , as if none were holy but himselfe , and some few of his society , which he vainely conceaveth have engrossed the infinite grace and spirit of God , which q q Joh: 3. 8. freely and secretly r r 1 Cor. 12. 6. worketh where others cannot judge thereof .

4 Whether the greater perswasion thou hast of thy beleeving the deeper sense also thou hast of thy sanctification : true faith is such a lively grace , that it s s Rectas studeamus facere vias fi●ei nostri rectitudi●em rectis actibus comprobames . Bern. sup. Cant. Ser. 24. cannot be inactive : where the natuall life is , it will shew it selfe by some evident effects : and so must the life of Grace , to our consciences : therefore the Apostle maketh the quaere , t t 1 ▪ Co 1 : 13 5. know you not your owne selves how that Jesus Christ is in you , except you be reprobates : intimating , that the regenerate and true believers , doe indeed u u Fidei vitam opera attestan tur sicut enim corporis hujus vitam ex motu suo dignoscimus ●ita & fidei vita● , Bern. de re●ur . Domini . know , and feele , by comfortable effects , that the Spirit of Jesus is in w w Gal. 2. 20. them : for as many as are x x Rom. 8. 14. led by the Spirit of God , are the Sonnes of God , which walke not after the flesh : and if we walke in the spirit , we shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh : by which thou must examine thy faith .

5. Whether after many trials , feares and doubtings , doth the Spirit of God still returne and comfort thee , y y Gal. 5. 16. so that thy faith is z z Pec●ati conscientia & metus poenae religiosio rem facit ; & semper multo firmior est ●ides quam reponit poenitentia , Lactant. l. 5. c. 13. 2 Cor. 7. 11. more assured after trials , then before ? True faith , like the needle of a compasse , in the severall boords , tacks , and agitations of the ship at sea , never resteth till it returne to its owne point , and fixeth on the mercy of God againe ; as 't is written , a a Ps. 116. 6 , 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 exhaustus eram . Ave●nar . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 attenuatus sum . Ar. Montan. I was in misery and he saved me , returne unto thy rest O my soule .

6 Lastly , examine the conclusions suggested to thy minde with the hope of salvation : men shall sometimes have a chearfull perswasion , that they are the elect servants of God , and therefore shall be saved , but yet have b b 2. King . 5. 18. Naamans exceptives frequent in their resolutions to sinne , God pardon thy servant in this : upon this abused promise of God c c Joh. 3. 16. whosoever believeth not shall perish — not considering that 't is no true faith which impropriateth the gift of God to wantonnesse , d d Fides cum lege non pugnat , &c. Chryl . in Rom. ho. 7. or any purpose to enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season ; but a dangerous tentation of security , a meere snare of Satan , perswading men that they have certaine interest in Gods promises , that he might keepe them in some knowne sinne . But if thy heart say thus : I believe ; seeing therefore God hath shewed me this great mercy , working this comfortable perswasion in me , I will be more and more carefull of my waies , that I may not offend so good a God , and grieve his holy Spirit , whereby he hath sealed me up to redemption : I will e e 2. Pet. 1. 10 , 11. strive to make my calling and election sure , that an entrance into the eternall Kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ may be more abundantly administred to me : I will heartily endeavour to follow the guidance of his good Spirit , who hath translated me from the kingdome of sinne , and darknesse of ignorance , into light , and the kingdome of his dear Sonne , by some measure of sancti●ication ; that I may f f Phil. 2. 10. make an end of my salvation with feare and trembling : such a resolution is an undoubted adjunct of true faith purifying the heart : slesh and bloud can never give this perswasion or resolution , and Satan will not : for though he will be contented to present some seeming good , if he may thereby perswade a secure man to some reall evill ; yet 't is farre from his nature to move to good for any good end , for this were to divide and ruine his owne kingdome , and whole designe , which is to make all others g g Suis vitiis perditi sae●ium & grassantur , ut p●rda●t , Lactant. l. 2. c. 17. ad solatium ca●amitatis suae n●n des●●●m perditi ●am perdere , Min. Fel. O●●a● . confederates in his rebellion , and as desperate castawaies as himselfe : It remaineth therefore , that the Spirit of God ( against whose worke and purpose the gates of hell can never prevaile ) must be the sole Author of this perswasion and resolution : I believe , and therefore will doe my uttermost endeavour to be more holy then ever I have beene .

7. Concerning the meanes to be used in the Word and Sacraments , for the attaining of this faith , I shall speake in its owne place .

8. The Object of faith is the truth of God revealed in holy Scripture , teaching us his will concerning our salvation : the summe whereof , are the Articles of our beliefe : of which in the following Chapters .

A Prayer for Faith .

O Lord God of the spirits of just men , Father of lights , from whose fulnesse descendeth every good and perfect gift : We humbly acknowledge our owne miserable hardnesse of heart , wilfull obstinacy and disobedience to thy holy Word , hath continually provoked thy justice , to give us over to strong delusions and beliefe of lies , to our owne destruction ; that the vaile should be laid over our hearts when we reade or heare the word of promise ; that Satan should be suffered to blind us , that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ might not shine unto us , and that we might not be able to discover our interest in thy promises , nor make any assured claime to the merits of thy Sonne Jesus : thou hast indeed said , Whosoever believeth in him , shall not perish , but have life everlasting : but faith is thy gift , who hast also said , Aske and ye shall have : As therefore in the sense of our owne impotency , so in assurance of thy truth , we humbly in●reat thee to take from us all hardnesse of heart and unbeliefe , and to worke in us a true saving faith in Christ Jesus : establish the thing which thou hast wrought in us : make us worthy of thy calling , and fulfill all the good pleasure of thy goodnesse towards us , and the worke of faith with power : It is thy mercy that we believe , helpe thou our unbeliefe : Lord increase our faith : let the little graine thereof which thy free spirit hath sowed in our hearts , flourish into a tree of life , that our troubled thoughts may build in the branches , and rest under the shadow thereof . O Lord consider our weaknesse , the continuall incounters and violent assaults wherewith our soules enemy chargeth us : restraine his malice , beate backe all his ●iery darts , that they may never touch our hearts : holy Father , pu● thou on us thy whole armour , that we may be able to resist in the ●vill day ; that having finished all things , we may stand fast : above all , give us the shield of faith , seeing we are to wrestle , not onely against flesh and bloud , but against principalities , powers , worldly governours , the princes of darknesse of this world , and against spirituall wickednesse , which are in the high places : Our helpe standeth onely in thy name , O Lord , who hast made heaven and earth , forsake us not in our trials . O blessed Saviour , who didst once pray for Peter that his faith might not faile him , looke on our greater infirmities , intercede for us , present these our prayers in the precious censer of thine owne merits , that we may continue grounded and established : build us on the rocke , that neither winde , storme or flouds of trials may overthrow us , nor the gates of hell prevaile against us . O Lord thou hast beene pleased in our baptisme to engraft us into the mysticall body of thy Sonne Jesus : l●t that sweet ointment which dwell●th fully in him , descend upon ●s , even the comfortable grace of thy holy Spirit , which may worke in us a full assurance of our salvation : Lord seale up thine owne covenant , our redemption in our hearts and consciences , by the sure and infallible testimony of the holy & sanctifying Spirit : say unto our soules that thou art our salvation : let not our faith waver in any surges of afflictions : try us not above that thou wil● make us able to beare chearfully and constantly : give us assurance of thy mercies in Christ Jesus , unto our ends and in our ends , till our faith may be accomplished in the salvation of our soules , and our soules fully satisfied in the seeing , and living with , our blessed Saviour , and eternall enjoying all that which we have believed through him : O Lord encline thine eare , O Lord consider and doe it , for the same thy beloved Sonne our onely Saviour Jesus Christ his sake . AMEN .

CHAP. III.

What we are to believe concerning God . § . 1. That there is a God . § . 2. That there is but one God . § . 3. That he is one in essence and trinity of persons , the Father , Sonne and Holy Ghost . § . 4. How we must labour to know him .

1. THat which we are to believe concerning God , Sect. I. is , first , that there is a God — a a Hebr. 11. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Occumen . in Hebr. 6. he that cometh to God must believe that he is : where we must know , that it is not enough to believe God to be such as a carnall heart may imagine him : never any nation ( as I noted ) was so barbarous , but that they believed there was some God ; though when men forsooke the true light of Gods Word , and followed their owne inventions , they quickly left the knowledge of the true God and his will : hence came such varieties of superstition , and monstrous formes of idolatry into the Heathen world , ( for there is but one strait line of truth , but error is manifold ) men framing to themselves both God and religious worship , all erred in a confused variety , making them Gods like unto themselves , in bodily lineaments , complexion , habit , manners and affections : b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Clem. Alexand●in . l. 7. so the Aethiopians made them blacke , the Thracians yellow , the Barbarians rusticke , the Grecians more court-like : the wisest well knowing they erred , but knew not in the darknesse of their minds how to finde the right way ; as many appeare by that one voyce of the Heathen , c c Cicero apud Lactant. l. 2. c. 3. ●tinam ●am facil● vera invenire possem , quam falsa con●in●ere ▪ I would ( said he ) I could as easily finde out truth , as convince falshood . We must therefore believe God to be such as he hath revealed himselfe in his holy Word ; for whatsoever else is imagined , is an idol of mans owne heart , and not God .

2. The Scripture hath revealed , First , some things concerning Gods attributes . Secondly , and some things concerning the persons of the sacred Trinity . Concerning his attributes , these five conclusions are necessary to be knowne .

1. We can understand d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Athanas. ad solit. vit. agent . ex . — non est aliquid ●orum quae ab eo causantur , &c. Th. Aquin. 1. q. 12. a. 12. C. what God is not , he is not a body , not gold , nor silver , nor any thing materiall or obvious to humane sense or apprehension : whatever thou canst comprehend , know , that it is not God .

2. e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Damaseen . No attributes can fully and according to Gods incomprehensible beeing , expresse to us the nature of God ; because that which is finite can neither expresse nor apprehend an infinite .

3. The attributes of God in holy Scripture doe sufficiently expresse him to us , and declare as much as concerneth us to know of him : for the wisedome of God can neither be limited , nor defective : f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ &c. Greg. Naz. orat . 31. though his essence be incomprehensible , and unspeakable , yet his Spirit in the holy Scripture descended to our capacity , and in certaine attributes described by his owne essence .

4. The attributes of God are either affirmative , or negative : they expresse the perfection of God , as farre as we can understand : as when he is called Jehovah , wise , good , almighty , just , mercifull , &c. these divide or separate from him the imperfections of the creatures , and shew his admirable perfections , by a tacit comparing him with the imperfect ; as when he is called infinite , incorruptible , immortall .

5. The attributes of God are either proper , or ●igurative : the proper are those which are properly spoken of God , in respect of that which they import , though improper if we consider their g g Modum signi●icandi . manner or measure of signifying . The ●igurative attributes are those which are h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Gr. Nazi●nz . o●a● . 37. Deus nos alloquitur tanquam 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Cl. Alexandr . Poed . l. 1 ▪ borrowed from humane conditions , to bring things ( of themselves ineffable ) nearer to our apprehensions : as when an eye , an hand , anger , jealousie , or the like , are attributed to God ; and we must know , that some of his proper attributes are incommunicable to any creature , as Jehovah , infinite , omniscient , omnipotent , &c and some are communicable , according to an analogy , measure or degrees of subordination , as Lord , King , Wise , &c.

3. Concerning Gods essentiall properties , we must know , that there are not in God many , or divers properties , because he is one of a most simple , pure and indivisible essence ; but in respect of our understanding there are many : Concerning which we must hold , First , That the essentiall properties of God are all really the one essence of God : for i i Deus est idem quod sua essentia v●l natura , cum Deus non sit composi●us ex mater●● & form● — oporte● quod Deus sit sua deitas , sua vita & quicquid aliud sic de deo praedicatur , Aquin 1. q. 3. a. 3. C. there is nothing in God which is not God : there is no accident in him : a man hath wisedome , power , justice , but not of himselfe , not ever ; not infinitely neither , as his essence ; for the wisedome , power , justice , &c. of a man , are not man : but whatever is in God , is of God , and his eternall essence , of himselfe subsisting independently , inseparably : neither are they after his essence , but coeternall , and coessentiall , though they have not alwaies beene declared to the creatures : so his k k Prov. 8. 22. wisedome and omnipotency was from all eternity , though they were not manifested till that time he had appointed for the creation of the world , wherein he made men and Angels witnesses thereof : the same is to be understood of his other properties , mercy , justice , patience , &c. Secondly , That these properties are not parts of Gods essence : for that which is infinite hath no parts , and that which hath parts cannot be infinite : but every essentiall property is the being of God , who is indivisible , and truly one . Thirdly , The essentiall properties of the deity are inseparable and incommunicable ; so that no creature can become a deity , or have such an essence , as is infinite , omnipotent , omnipresent , &c. Fourthly , Some things absolutely spoken of God are in the abstract , to intimate his selfe-being ; as when we say he is life , wisedome , goodnesse , &c. Some things in the concrete , to import to us the reallity of his existence : as when we say he is good , just , holy , &c. in both we understand , that whatsoever is attributed to him herein , is the essence of God . Fifthly , We are taught in Gods Word , that he is an l l Gen. 1. 1. Isai. 40. 28. &c. uncreated m m Joh. 4. 24. Spirit , of n n Act. 17. 24. 28. selfe-being , o o Psal. 147. 5. infinite , p p Deut. 32. 4. 2. Sam. 22. 31. Job 37. 16. Math. 5. 48. perfect , q q 1. Tim. 1. 17. eternall , immense , r r Mal. 3. 6. immutable , s s 1. Tim. 1 17. everlasting , t t Joh. 5. 6. Joh. 11 , 25. life it selfe , infinitely u u 1. Tim. 1. 11. Rom. 1. 25. blessed , w w 1. Tim. 1. 17. wise , x x Joh. 21. 17. Heb. 4. 13. omniscient , y y Psa● . 25. 8. good , z z Psal. 111. 4. gracious , a a Psal. 17. 7. loving , b b Exod. 34. 6 mercifull , c c Isai. 45. 21. just , d d Joh. 7. 28. Psal. 31. 5. true , e e Psal. 99. 5. holy , f f Gen. 17. 1. omnipotent , g g Dan. 4. 34. 35 freely and by his owne independent power , doing whatsoever he will in heaven and in earth , and all creatures : of infinite h h Isai. 2. 10. Psal. 8 1. Psal. 24. 8. &c. Psal. 145. 11. 12. &c. glory and majesty .

4. The foole hath said in his heart there is no God : none but the foole can think so , considering

1. What we reade in the booke of Nature , where that which may be knowne of God is manifest , Rom. 1. 19. the admirable forme , masse , making , preservation of the world , with the diversities and perpetuities of motions , demonstrate a present God : whence could all these things at first come ? who set that admirable order and constant lawes ? who reduced those vast and discordant seeds of this great fabricke of the world into the harmony which still preserveth it ? can any man thinke of an effect without a cause ? thou wilt say , how shall we know that God made this , who saw him creating ? why , if thou i i Quod si ingressus aliquam domum , omnia ex●ulta disposita , ornata vidisses , utique praesse ei crede●es do min●m , & illis bonis rebus multò esse meliorem : iia in hac mundo domo Minuc . s●l . Oct. seest an house , thou canst easily conclude , it had some builder , if none but the builders were privy to it ; and wilt thou not believe Gods worke except thou see him ? that all see , k k Opera ipsius videntur oculis , quomodo autem illa fecerit ne mente quidem videtur . Lactan. l. 2. c. 9. this none can . Whatsoever thou canst see is not God . Neither let this seeme strange that he is invisible : thou feelest the stormy winds , thou believest they are winds , without the testimony of thine eies , thou knowest thou canst not see them : thou thinkest , speakest , movest , and livest by thy soule : didst thou ever see it ? if thou canst not see the creatures , part of thy selfe , wouldst thou examine thy invisible Creatour with carnall eies ? with what sense canst thou apprehend a spirit ? The eye cannot see him except hee be coloured : the eare cannot receive him except he bee some sound : the feeling cannot perceive him , except he be a body : hee might therefore needs passe by thee ( as l l Job . 9. 11. Job said ) and thou not see him , being obvious to no sense , and above and more pure then any created understanding . Thou wilt say all these things are by nature such ? And what is nature ; but the ordinary power of God ? Which , when he pleaseth , he dispenseth with , parting the red sea , smiting the rock , and bringing the fountaines thence : dividing Jordan , restraining the Babylonish sier , and the like : that all may know that he only is Lord of the creaturs , who but spake and they were made , m m Ambros : H●xam . l. 2. c. 2. Voluntas ejus mensura r●rum est : sermo ejus ●inis est operis . whose will is his word , and his word his worke : Thou seest the heavens incessantly and without any rest turning about , day and night in uniforme , and unwearied motion : who could have set up and furnished those admirable starres and planets with a never-failing light ? who could move them thus but a God of infinite power ? thou seest and treadest on this vast ball of earth , hanging in the midst of heavens , which turne about it , who could substaine it but God ? thou seest the sea ebbing and flowing , the wonders of the deepe ; on earth the plants and flowers keeping the first law of their creation , preserved by a kind of mortall immortality , dying and reviving , as it were , in a yearly resurrection , who can do the least of these things amongst all the creatures ? where is he in heaven or earth can imitate these things , which can give life to the poorest fly ? when thou hast considered all , thou shalt know , that none but a stupid foole n n Psal. 14. 1. can thinke there is no God .

2 If we consider the testimonie of mans own conscience , trembling at the apprehension of suddaine dangers ; stormes , earthquakes , thunders ( as Caligula was wont ) feare of death sheweth an Atheist the same , if there be nothing after death , nor God to punish the wicked , what art thou afraid of ?

3 If we consider the punishments of the wicked in this life so following sinnes , that it appeareth no fortuitous hand , or chance that strooke them , but the all-seeing just God , so fitting his rods to mens sinnes , that the punishment pointeth out the crime , so in o o Deus voluit declarare judi●ium , quando super impium populum Gehennam misit è ●●lo . Salv. de Gub. Dei . l. 1. Sodoms unnaturally burning lust , punished with a supernaturall p p Gen. 19. 24. shower of fire and brimstone : so in q q Ex●d. 1. 22. & 14. 28. Psal. 136. 15. Pharoahs drowning r r Jud. 1. 6 , 7. Adonibezecks cruelty requited with the like : it were too long to recite all the remarkable instances of this kinde , wherein the consciences of wicked men convincing them , they have confessed with those s s Exod. 8. 19. Egyptian●orcerers ●orcerers , this is the singer of God .

4 If we consider the constancy of the Martyres suffering death ; where sometimes the casting one graine of incense upon an alter might have saved their lives : they constantly resolving , t t Dan. 3. 18. we will not serve your Gods , our God whom we serve is able to deliver us . When they † † 2 Cor. 1. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 10. Colos. 1. 24. Phil. 1. 12 , 13 , 14. endure such varieties of torments under the * * Cum videat vulgus dilacerari homines variis tormentorum generibus , & interfatigatos carnifices invictam tenere patientiam , existiment , nec consensum tam multotorum , nec perseverantiam morientium vanam esse nec ipsam p●tientiam sine Deo , cruciatus 〈◊〉 posse superarare , Lactant. l. 5. c. 13. wearied hands of tormenters , in hope of that which God hath promised them who suffer for his truth , we may certainly conclude , that neither the consent of so many , nor the perseverance of dying men , would be vaine or dis●embled , and that patience it selfe could never have willingly endured such tortures without the admirable assistance of God .

5 If we consider predictions of things to come , and their certaine fulfilling in the appointed time and manner ; who but God could foretell what he meant to doe ? For who hath been his u u Ro. 11. 34. counsellour ? Who could have named w w I●a . 44. 28. Cyrus and foretold so x x cum scias mult● antiquàm nasoereris nomen tuum esse praedictum . Hieron . in Esai . many yeares before , that he should give command for the repaire of Jerusalem but God who alone had appointed it ? Who could have foretold of a deluge of waters to y y Genes. 6. 3. 17. drowne the whole world , and that an hundred and twentie yeares before , z z 1. Pet. 3. 20. while the Arke was building ? Who but only he ? Who could have told of a a Genes. 15. 13. Act. 7. 6. Abrahams oppression in Egypt , and inheriting the Land of Canaan by his posterity but only God ? It were too long to repeat the sundry particulars hereto belonging , all conclude a certaine providence , and prescience , and that , a Godhead .

6 If we consider the order of causes ▪ which cannot run into infinites , but must quickly b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Just Mart. dial . cum Try . Jud. come , in the computation , to the cause , which is God .

7 If we consider the common assent of all Nations , in all ages acknowledging , that there is a God ▪ and to be adored : all which proceedeth from the weake unextinguished light of nature , the slender remainer of the knowledge of God , left in the conscience of man after his fall .

8. Lastly , if we consider the excellency of mans soule and body : tell me Atheist who made that soule of thine , by which thou livest and hast sense and motion ? who did kindle that divine sparke and lampe of reason in thee ? who made thee capable of knowledge ? could any but the God of wisedome ? who enlightened that eie of thine by which thou ●ow seest ? could any but he that created light ? who framed those admirable parts of thy body , so as that nothing is wanting , nothing superfluous , nothing otherwise could be devised or framed so convenient ? dost thou dreame of a naturall propagation ? tell mee then what is nature , and who made the lawes thereof ? Is it not ( as we said ) the ordinary power of God who thus appointed ? Who made the first man ? If he had power to make himselfe , he might more easily have repaired himselfe , and why then doe we dye ? By this and by innumerable demonstrations , it may appeare , that there is a God though unseen of any and unknowne of all wicked unbeleevers .

c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. paed . l. 1. c. 9. There is but one God , for

1 So the Scripture ( the infallible word of truth ) hath revealed : Sect. II. the Lord our God is Lord onely , Deut: 6. 4. Exod: 20. 2. 3. Deut: 5. 6 , 7. Psal: 18 31. 2. Sam ; 7. 22. Mal: 2. 10. Ephes: 4. 5. 6 1. Tim: 2. 5. there is no other God but one : for d d 1 Cor. 8. 45. though there be many that be called Gods , whether in heaven or earth yet there is * * Sicut , exceptâ unâ veritate , non est alia veritas : sic absque uno vero Deo , non est alius verus Deus : ipsa enim una veritas est naturalitèr una vera divinitas . Fulgent . de f●orth . but one God .

2 The wonders which he hath done , as they are recorded in the old and new Testament , declare his unitie being such as could proceed from none but an Almightie , and infinite power : and two almighties or infinites there cannot be : therefore the Psalmist said , e e Psal. 86. 8. there is none that can doe like thy workes .

3 By reason it must be so : for f f Q●od dixit Alexander in : Dario , &c. Neque Mundum posse duobus solibus regi , neque orbem summa duo regna salvo statu ●rbis habere , Justin. hist. l. 11. one Sun is able to enlighten the world , one soule to animate man : how much more can one God , who alone created all of nothing , rule , governe , and maintaine his owne worke ?

4 That which hath selfe-being , can be but one : such is God .

5 God is most perfect , and there can be but one such , as but one omnipotent , one eternall .

6 The government of the world admitteth but one God : for if we should suppose it distributed into severall dynasts ( as Benadads servants dreamed , 1. King . 20. 23. ) there must bee confusion by the discord and contrarietie , or at least a limitation of each others power , determined to certaine parts and places : either of which suppositions were impious and absurd in reason : besides that humane g g Quando nunquam regni societas aut cum side coepit , aut sine cruore desiit — tu in coelo s●mm●●am potestatem dividi credas , c● scindi veri i●lius ac divini imperii totam potestatem ? Minuc . Foel . Octav. rexunus apibus . ●ux unus in gregibus , in armentis rector unus , ibid. partnership in kingdomes , never began with fidelitie or ended without blood , in irrationall polities nature bringeth all to order , and subordination to one : there is one king to swarme the bees : one leader of the heard : in the reasonable , necessitie , God and nature have appointed the subjects and superiours : to avoid confusion of opinions and practices ever dangerous to publike interests , which cannot subject without unity : there must be some one generall in the army to command in chiefe , and one Pilate at the helme ; and shall we thinke that the supreame celestiall power can be divided ? 'T is certaine , that except the power of one doe unite all , that this universe consisting of parts so different and unreconcilably contrary in nature , as fire and water , and the one prevailing over the other , must extinguish his enemie , and so destroy the whole ; neither could the contrary motions of bodies so vast , continue , but by the Almightie power of one , to unite● , and containe them all in subjection and order .

7 God is omnipresent , and h h Sphaerae intelligibili similis , cujus centri● est ubique & circumferentia nusquam , Al: Alensis , ( ex Trismegist . ) part. 3. q. 2. m. 2. resolut . every where , therefore one : for in every pluralitie there must be limitation , and no infinitnesse , one barring the other from being in all places .

8 Lastly , the wiser sort of heathens ( though they knew not God aright ) confessed that hee is onely one . S. Paul citing i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Aratus his words , for we are his generation , Act : 17. 28. sheweth that he spake but of one . k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Lactant●lib . 1. Orpheus is expresse , saying , there is but one selfe being : and Sybilla of whom Plato and Aristophanes speake , is more expresse , there is only one God : Thales , Miletius , Pythagoras , Anaxagoras , Aristotle , Cicero , and many l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Phocyl . more of them knew that there could be but one true God . in so much that Varro , who wrote of all the fabulous Pagan Gods , acknowledged that they worship the true God who beleeve him to be the Governour of the universe : the Oracles of the devill speaking in them , for his other advantages confessed one God . Thus much I have spoken for their sakes who are infirme .

We must beleeve that there are three persons in one Godhead , Sect. III. unity in trinity , and trini●● in unity : this Christ taught Math. 28. 19. commanding his disciples to baptise m m Math. 3. 17. In the name of the Father , Sone , and Holy Ghost : and at the baptisme of Christ this appeared , the Father saying from heaven , This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased : the sonne was baptised and the holy Ghost descended in the likenesse of a dove : and these three are one . 1. Joh: 5. 7. the same is grounded in many places of Scripture Joh. 14. 16. 17. Gal: 4. 6. Cor: 13. 13.

For the better understanding hereof , wee must knowe the difference betweene an essence and a person : the essence of God , is ( one eternall , spirituall , simple , selfe-being , having being of , and in no other , but giving being to all things created . To this belong all his essentiall attributes , of which we speake . n n 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . A Person is a subsistence or being in the essence or substance of God , and all the sacred persons in the Godhead , have a mutuall relation one to the other , and are distinguished one from another , not in substance or Godhead ( for they are all one substance , and one Godhead ) but by some property , not common to any one with the other : as the father from all eternity is ingenitus , unbegotten : the sonne from all eternity , is begotten , not made : sicut lumen de lumine , verus Deus de vero Deo , light of light , God of God : the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne from all eternity .

We must labour to know God , Sect. IV. o o Quid ergo quaeris , quae nec potes scir● , nec si scias beatior ●ias . Lactant. l. 2. c. 9. not by a curious and vaine enquiry after his incomprehensible being , which we can never know : but by a true faith and humbled soule , beleeving and considering him as he hath declared himselfe : Christian faith saith in the Apostles words , p p 1 Cor. 8. 6. unto us there is but one God : but among the professours thereof how many are the hearts , like those Athenian altars , ( Act: 17. 23. ) inscribed unto the unknowne God : ignorance of ●od is the mother of all impiety , unthankfulnesse , repining , infidelitie , securitie , presuming to sin , impenitencie : therefore the wicked are said not to know ●od : and obedience to his commandements is a sure marke q q 1 Joh. 2. 3 , 4. that we know him : Paul therefore r r Gal. 4. 8 , 9. wondreth at the Galatians , that knowing God by the Scriptures , they could turne back againe to beggerly and impotent rudiments : at once shewing what we ought to know of God , and what use to make thereof praying tha●●he s s Colos. 1. 9 , 10. Colossians might be filled with the knowledge of Gods will in all wisdome and spirituall understanding , that they might walke , worthy of the Lord , and please him in all things , being fruitfull in all good works , and increasing in the knowledge of God : this knowledge of ●od , is more acceptable to him then sacrifice , Hos: 6. 6. without this , a man can doe nothing but erre , had he never so great a zeale of God : if we will serve and please him , wee must know what he delighteth in : ignorance of the truth , and unitie of God , begat that monstrous idolatrie of many false Gods : had they knowne there is but one , they would not have worshipped many : had they knowne him to be omnipotent , spirituall , wise , mercifull , just ; they would not ( insteed of him have adored any impotent Idol , which they knewe could not help , nor deliver it selfe from fire or violence : neither was sensible when it was making to avoid such mischeivous errours , it is necessary that we should know the Lord , as he hath revealed himselfe ( least we heare that which t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cyr. Cathech . 4. Christ told the Samaritan , Joh: 4. 22. yee worship that yee know not ) that there is t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cyr. Cathech . 4. but one God the Almighty creator and mercifull preserver of all things , three persons , but one deity ▪ Say not , why should I vainly strive to know him who is u u Inexcogitabilis ineffabilis . Lactant. I. 1. c. 8. incomprehensible , and unspeakable ? If w w Cyril . Hieros Catec. 6. I cannot drinke up the whole river shall I not tast to quench my thirst ? Because I cannot receive all the beames of the Sun , shall not I use a moderate light thereof ? If I were admitted into Paradise , because I cannot eate all the fruit , should I not tast of the tree of life ? I cannot know God as he is in his incomprehensible being : I will endeavour to knowe him as he is good and gratious to me : I will consider his power , providence , mercy , and benificence , who hath with so full an hand bestowed things temporall on man , that nothing can be desired , but his blessing on them : nothing could be wanting , would not man be wanting to himselfe , in the right use of Gods favours : in the booke of Grace I will consider his great and admirable favours , and his counsaile for our salvation in Christ To conclude observe these rules .

1 Take heed that thy extravagant thoughts carry thee not by x x Melius est aliquid nescire securè , quam ●ii periculo discerc . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 19. vaine and curious speculations , to prie into the Arke , whereby thou maist more easily loose thy selfe , then finde the truth , marke and follow the wisdome of God for thy salvation : y y Cum aperiret homini veritatem Deus , ●a sol● scirc nos voluit , quae interfuit hominem scire ad vitam consequendam : quae verò a● profanam & curiosam cupiditatem pertinebant reticuii : Lactant. l. 2. c. 9. when God would open the truth and mysteries of eternall life to man , he provided that wee might know those things which were necessary to obtaine eternall life : but those things which are too curious and profane minds , he spake not : where the Scripture hath not a tongue , have thou not an eare .

2 Measure not all things which thou canst know , and beleeve by carnall reason ; for z z Ambros. de poen. l. 2. c. 11. if he said to Moses , ( desiring to come nigh and to discover that fierie mysterie , which burned and consumed not ) loose thy shooes from thy feet , how much more must we put off our a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. Basil. advers. Eunom . l. 1. carnall senses , when wee draw nigh so glorious and holy a God , that we may think on him , with pure and untroubled affections ?

3 Be thou b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. ad Gent. admon . not over long , or curious in the contemplation of the deity : but when thou thinkest thereof , cover thy face with the Cherubs wing , let thy thoughts be full of humilitie , sobrietie , and holy asc●●tions by zealous prayer . When b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. ad Gent. admon . Jacob saw a vision in the fields of Luz , waking he said , how fearefull is this place ? How much should the presence of God aw us , when we doe by our meditations , as it were come into his presence , and view his dreadfull holy and glorious Majestie ? Therefore as thou lookest but sparingly on the Sun , thou gazest not long ( though it be the c c Naz : orat . 43. & Orat : Solem. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . dayes eye ) of so great and comfortable use to thee : so meditate on God . It is behoofull and comfortable for thee to remember that God is ever present with thee ; it will aw thee in thy behaviour , and sustaine thee in thy sufferings ; but it is not safe to fix thy thoughts in any searching meditation of him .

4 As he that will looke upon the Sunne , will finde it under some thin clowd : so thou must do here : Christ in his humanity * * Sol justitiae nubae carnis & mortalitatis saero ●ulgorem suum & lucem temperans , &c. Bernard . de ascens Domin . Serm. 4 is as the sunne in a cloud : the safest way to looke on the Godhead is through the vaile of his flesh : and in him to consider what a one God hath shewed himselfe to us : in him wee see his wisdome , severity , and the unsearchable riches of his mercy , all that which is necessary for us to know concerning him .

5 Labour for d d Math. 5. 1. purity of heart : the more thou performest Gods will , the e e Joh. 14. 21. 23. Heb. 12. 14. more thou shalt know him . Yea and a f f Basil. hom● in illud . attend● tibi ipsi ▪ &c. prudent consideration of thy selfe , shall advance thy knowledge of God , that thou maist beleeve in him , and forsaking thy selfe , rely only on him .

A Prayer .

O Most gratious Lord God , beeing of beeings , unaccessible light life of life , father of the spirits of the just , infinite , incomprehensible , Lord God of power , wisedome , mercy , justice , truth , who dwellest in that unsearchable glory and Majestie : to which none of all thy creatures can attaine : Lord , God of gods , King of Kings : slow to anger , of great goodnesse and compassion : who hast beene pleased out of thine owne eternall love to man : ( even before he was ) to elect him , and in thy creating him to put thine owne glorious image of light , and knowledge upon him , to extend a gratious hand of providence over him , to looke downe from the habitation of thy glory ; to consider the things which are done among the sonnes of men : looke downe , O blessed Lord God , upon mee wretched sinner , ( by the malitious tempter , and mine owne wilfulnesse ) blinded , and deprived of that excellent light of my creation , and despoyled of that purity of heart , conformity of will and actions , wherein I had ability to serve and please thee : Lord despise not ( as I have justly deserved ) thine owne handy worke , but mercifully repaire all my decayes ▪ it is indeed life everlasting to know thee and thy Sone Iesus , but none can know thee , but those to whome thou pleasest to reveale thy selfe . Lord open mine eies that I sleepe not in death , shew the light of thy countenance upon mee , make mee to know thee in a comfortable participation of thy grace , and communion of thy holy and sanctifying spirit , that I may worship thee aright by serving thee sincerely : take off the vaile from my heart , in the reading and hearing thy holy word which testefieth thee : give mee a constant assurance of thy gratious favour toward me , and a comfortable sense of thy presence ever with me , that in all my thoughts , words and actions , I may ever set my selfe in thy holy presence , and walke with thee in purity of heart , and sanctimony of life : assure me of my interest in thee , that I may in life and death depend upon thy fatherly providence that I may know that thou art my God , my Saviour and mercifull preserver . Lord thou art neere every one of us : in thee we live , move , & have our being . Thou passest by us and we see thee not , thou art about all our paths , knowest all our waies , the words we speak , what ever we doe , and the secrets of our hearts : specially thou art neere unto them that call upon thee in truth : thou wilt not conceale thy selfe from those who faithfully seeke thee , and thy saving health : which seeing none can doe , except thou draw them , Lord finde us that we may seeke thee , and seeking finde thee : Draw us with thy preventing grace , that wee may follow thee and supply us with that strength , that wee may not seeke thee in vaine : good Lord manifest thy selfe and reveale thy will to us , that doing it faithfully , we may at last , with all thy Saints and holy Angells , enjoy thy blessed presence , wherein is the fulnesse of joy for ever and ever , through thy only sonne our Saviour JESUS CHRIST . AMEN .

CHAP. IV.

Of that which we are to beleeve concerning § . 1. Iesus Christ Gods only sonne our Lord . § . 2. Conceived by the holy Ghost . § . 3. Borne of the Virgin Mary .

THis is a sweet and comfortable part of our Creed and hath excellent promises annexed to it : Sect. I. when Peter confessed Christ to be the sonne of the living God , Christ replied , a a Math. 16. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . upon this Rock will I build my Church , and the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against it , that is , b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theoph. in Math. 16. Christus Petra , Aug. in Math. Ser. 13. In solido fidei fu●damento stantes , quod significat Petra . Aug. de Trin. l. 2. c. 17. Hanc Petram Dominum nostrum esse ambigere non debemus , &c. Ambr. To. 4. de So●om . c. 3. this confession shall be an unmoved foundation of them that beleeve : All that beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes , Act : 10. 43. So Paul said to the G●aler , Act: 16. 31. Beleeve in the Lord Jesus , and thou shalt be saved , and all thy houshold : and that upon excellent ground ; for God dwelleth in true beleevers , 1. Joh. 4. 15. and the confession hereof maketh the Church of God , as the c c Exod. 1● . 7. 13. blood of Paschal Lambe did the doores of Israel , that the destroyer might not enter : as the d d Josh. 2. 18. & 6. 22 , 23. red clew did Rahabs house , distinguishing it from the rest of perishing Jerico .

2 In the Articles of our faith wee finde foure titles of our Saviour , 1. Jesus . 2. Christ . 3. God's only Sonne . 4. our Lord .

1 This name Jesus , in the Hebrew Jehoscua a Saviour , which the Greeks rendred 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 and other languages Jesus signifieth his office , which was to e e Math. 1. 21. save his people from sin and death eternall , it was pre●igured in the f f See Exod. 23. 21. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Just. Mart. dial . cum Try . Jud. type which bare his name Joshua , to whom the leading of Israël into Canaan , and the division of the inheritance , was received ; Moses g g Deut. 34. 1. &c. stood on Pisga and shewed the people the holy land . But h h Josh. 1. 1. Joshua led them in ; the law shewed us heaven , and the holy way to it ; but it brought nothing to perfection by reason of our infirmity . Rom: 8. 3. but Jesus Christ condemned sinne in the flesh that the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us , and wee bee saved in him : so i i Act. 10. 43. all the Prophets give testimony to him , that ( as I noted ) through his name , all that beleeve in him shall receive remission of sinnes : for the chastisement of our peace was , upon him , and k k 1 Pet. 2. 24. with his stripes we are healed .

This name was given him by the father , l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heb. l. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Syr. Math. 1. 21. 22. and brought from heaven by the Angell Gabriel , thou shalt call his name Jesus ; he is the only Saviour . m m Act. 4. 12. Neither is there salvation in any other : for among men there is given none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved — n n Heb. 7. 25. He only is able perfectly to save them that come unto God by him . So often then as wee heare of this sweet name Jesus , we must remember all the comforts through him acrewing to us : that in no affliction nor death it selfe , we despaire , seeing that he beareth not that name in vaine .

2 The second title of the Sonne of God , is Christ , which signifieth o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christus interprete Su●d● , est 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ungo . annointed , as also the name p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dan. 9. 25. à 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 unxit olco . G● . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Messiah doth . The Law and custome was to ancient , Kings , Priests , and Prophets , Exod : 9. 7. & 30. 30. & 23. 24. and therefore is Christ eminently and above all others , called the Lords Christ , or annointed Psal: 45 : 7. Isai : 6. 1. Luk: 4. 18. Act : 10. 38. q q Ungebantur Reges Sacerdotes , &c. per excellentiam 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 praecipuus ille &c. M. Shindl. Pe●t . Kings , and Priests thus annoited were types of Christ , the annointed : not with bodily oile compounded of Mirrhe , Calamus , and Cassia , but with the spirit of God , which he receaved r r Joh. 3. 34. without measure , as a fountaine s s Joh. 1. 16. to derive graces to others : he was appointed of God to this triple office : to bee a King to governe and preserve his people : a Priest for ever ( who was once for our redemption , t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Epiph. l. 2. H●r . 55. the Priest , sacrifice , and altar , first to offer up u u Heb. 9. 28. himselfe a sufficient sacrifice to expiate the sinne of the world ; w w Heb. 10 12. ●4 . Joh. 1. 29. and then to mediate and appeare before God for us , as the great Master of requests , to present our petitions ; to get us audience by his never-dying merit : as t is said x x Heb. 12. 24. his blood speaketh better things for us then the blood of Abel , that cryed for revenge this for pardon , and attonement . And las●●y he was appointed a Prophet to y y Joh. 1. 18. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theophi lact. in loc. reveale and teach us his fathers will : for that kingly Priesthood , and holy kingdome , in which consisteth our eternall peace and happinesse was to be established by the Scepter of his word , and vertue of his holy spirit with which he was annointed : his annointing as a Prophet , importeth that he who z z Joh. 1. 18. is in the bosome of the father , eternall God , took on him an humane nature , annointed with the fulnesse of the spirit , that he might reveale to us the will of his father , concerning our redemption , and salvation , and thereby manifest that great mystery which had been a a C●los . 1. 26. ut qu● olim omnibus esset ignota : à solo ▪ autem Deo cognos●●retur , Theod in loc. hid from the beginning of the world , in darke b b Heb. 10. 1. shadowes and representations , untill the fulnesse of time : so preaching peace to them a far off , and to them that were neere : and that he might effectually teach us by his holy spirit and ministry of the word and sacraments unto the end of the world , c c Math. 28. 20. assisting it with his owne spirit , in the speakers and faithfull hearers .

The subject of this annointing was the d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Athenas . contr: Arian . orat . 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. ib. manhood of Christ , made the full storehouse of Grace : The spirituall oyle we must understand , not of the essentiall properties of the Godhead ( as omnipresence , infinitude , uncircumscribednesse and the like ) for these are incommunicable in respect of the incapacity of the creature : but certaine created gifts and graces placed in the humane nature : The deity of Christ is infinite and therefore nothing can be added thereto , neither was that nature annointed by any such addition , though the person of Christ , consisting of two natures , was annointed and eternally consigned to the office of a mediatour : as Athanasius proved against the Arians , which being laid downe , it may appeare that however men confesse Christ in word , yet they deny him in deeds , who 1. say his humane nature is omnipresent . 2. Who attribute that kingly office , which is peculiar to Christ to any other , pretended Vicar generall ▪ or the like . 3. Who depend on any other , or pretend to any other Priesthood and e e Vide Vasq in 3. part . Tho: disp. 221. q. 83. n. 31. Azor. instit. mor. l. 10. c. 22. 4. 9. Bellarmin . To. 3. de Missa . l. 2. c. 7. Concil. Trident . Sess: 22. de sacr: Miss: Can. 3. Si quis dixerit Missae sacrificium tantum esse laudis , &c. non autem propitiatorium , neque pro vi●is & defunctis , &c. ●fferre debere , Anathema sit . proper expiatory sacrifice for the living , and dead , then the Priesthood , and once sufficient expiatory sacrifice of Christ , for our redemption once offered . 4. Who obtrude traditions of men for his doctrine who ought to be our teacher , in whose ipse dixit we must rest , equalling them with the word of God . 5. Who appoint other mediatours of intercession , contrary to his word . 1. Tim: 2. 5. which saith there is one God , and one mediator betweene God and men , the man Christ Jesus . 6. Who joine mens merits with the merits of Christ for their salvations 7. Who walke not worthy of their high calling in Christ : but content themselves with the bare names of Christians , whereas f f Ignat ad Magn. nomen sine actu atque o●●icio suo nihil est . quid est ? dignitas in indigno nisi ornamentum in luto ? Salv. de Gab. Dei . l. 4. to be so , maketh happy : if thou hast indeed received the holy g g 1 Joh. 2. 27. annointing , thou shalt be a spirituall king to rule over , and subdue thy corrupt affections : a spirituall Priest to offer up sweet smelling sacrifices to God ; that will ( like that box of pretious oyntment powred on Christ ) fill all the house with the savour thereof : all the faculties of body and soule shall relish of Christ : it shall enlighten thy understanding : make sin loathsome to thee , and comfort and cheere thee in all estates : this is the oyle of gladnesse ( when h h Act. 8. 39. the Eunuch had but a litle touch thereof , he went rejoycing home ) so constant and solid , that it maketh men i i Rom. 5. 3. rejoce in afflictions , and that they k k Act. 5. 41. are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ .

3 The third title is , his only sonne . We are here to consider two things . 1 , That Christ is the son of God . 2. That he is the only Sonne .

1 We are in two relations to consider Christ , as he is a Son , he is of the father , begotten not made , as the raies are of the Sunne only we must take heed , that we fix not on any finite thing further then it may serve to bring home to our finite understanding , some notions of infinites : this mystery is without , and above all comparison : as he is God , he is of himselfe , neither begotten , nor proceeding : for as the essence of the Father , is its own selfe-being , so is the Godhead of the Sonne , for they are not divers Godheads , or beings , but one and the same : but as he is the Sonne , he is of the Father ; as light of light , very God of very God :

2 The Sonne is of the same substance with the Father , and the deity of the Father is not lessened by the same , nor is the Sonne divided from the Father : the Father communicateth his whole nature to the Sonne ; not * * In illa trinita●is naturâ , sic totum unum est ; ut nihil ibi possit seperari vel dividi : sic totum aequale est ; ut nihil ibi majus a●t minus valeat inveniri . Fulgent . de ●ide orth. by division ( for infinites have no parts , and therefore cannot be divided ) but by an incomprehensible , and unspeakable communication of the whole essence of the Father to the Sonne , so , as that they are one and the same God , coëquall , coëternall : for before all time he was with the Father , Prov. 8. 2. & Joh: 1. 1. Phil: 2. 6. Joh: 16. 15.

3 He is the only Sonne by nature l l 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theoph. in Math. 16. not adoption : wee are Gods Sonnes , by adoption , not by nature , as he is ,

4 The fourth title is , our Lord , so the Psalmist stileth him Psalm : 110. 1. so Math: 22. 44. Act: 2. 36. Let all the house of Israel know for a certainty , that he is made of God Lord and Christ . This Jesus I say , whom yee have crucified : So 1. Cor: 8. 6. We have one God — one Lord Jesus Christ . See Rev: 1. 5. Phil: 2. 10. It is not unworthy our noting , that when this Lord of Lords was come into the world , God's secret hand of providence , made the great Master of the world , Augustus Caesar , vaile bonnet , by a strict edict commanding that no man should give or receive the title of Lord . Christ is our Lord , by right . 1. of creation , Joh: 1. 3. 2. Redemption , 1. Cor: 6. 20. 3. Preservation and government , Ephes: 5. 23 that we may obey him , trust in him , and acknowledge him our Lord and God , as m m Joh. 20. 28. Thomas did : that we may worship him in the unitie of the sacred Trinity , and finally commend our spirits into his hands , as the first Martyr did , n n Act. 7. 59. Lord Jesus receave my spirit .

1 We are also to beleeve that Jesus Christ our Lord was conceived by the holy Ghost : Sect. II. as Luk: 1. 35 , this is that great mystery of godlinesse , o o 1 Tim. 3. 16 God manifested in the flesh : for though he was to be truely man consisting of an humane body , and reasonable soule , of the seed and posterity of Abraham : yet was he not conceived of humane propagation , but an extraordinary way . The first Adam , in whom all dye , was not begotten by man , but framed and made by the power of God : and so it became the second Adam by whom we are restored to life , to become man by the immediate sanctifying power of God , whose word caused the vast seeds of the world to conceive , and frame the severall parts thereof , the heavens , aire , water , and earth , as now we see them . And so the spirit of God was said to p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 motabat super , &c. Montan. Schindler . Penteg . incubuit : metaphoricè fovit , con●ovit , avium more movit , sicut alae avis quae movetur super nido suo . So Deut. 32. 11. move upon the face of the deep , Gen: 1. 2. which is spoken to expresse an omnipotent and q q Chrysostom . saith hereon , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. hom. 3. in Genes. lively efficacy of the spirit and power of God , digesting , forming , and framing the creatures according to his wisedome ; so must we here understand Christs humane conception , to be by the power of Gods spirit so commanding , and therefore so framing Christ of a sanctified masse , as that the deity , and humanity of Christ , became one person ; Neither may we think that the father , and the eternall word and sonne of God , were here excluded , because the action is attributed to the holy Ghost ; but this is said , to intimate , that this was so by the free gift and grace of God ( for 't is said the power of the most high shall overshadow thee , Luk: 1. 35. ) that the manhood of Christ being but a creature , should be so annointed with the oyle of gladnesse above his fellowes , that it should become a part of the sonne of God , not by confusion of natures , but union of the Godhead and manhood of Christ into one person ; and because the father and the son wrought this by the holy Ghost , proceeding of them both , the whole sense is , as if it were said , the spirit of God caused him thus to be conceived , after an extraordinary manner .

2. Three things are here consiberable .

1 That the body of Christ was of the body of the Virgin , that he might be , according to Gods promise ▪ of the seed of Abraham : his humane soule was infused by a power of God into the sacred body prepared for it : both of them from the moment of their being , having their subsistence in the person of the son of God , Christ .

2. It was sanctifyed and made i i Luk. 1. 35. most holy : such it became him to be , who redeemed and saved us , free from all corruption and sinne : for he was to cleanse the first Adams sinne de rived to his posterity , and to overcome sinne in our flesh , by taking on him our flesh without sinne : that he might by his suffering , satisfie Gods justice in the same nature which had offended , and fulfill the whole Law of God to which we were bound under paine of damnation , and that he might be able to mediateto God for us , which none but the perfectly holy could doe .

3 The two natures , the Godhead and the manhood of Christ , were so united in his conceptions , as that they make but one person , very God and very man : there is an union in nature , as the Father , Sonne , and Holy Ghost are one God : and an union in person ; as when two things in nature differing are so united as that they make but one person : so the body and reasonable soule make the person of a man : so the Deity and humanity of Christ , ( one being a spirituall , infinite , incomprehensible being , the other a bodily finite creature ) are indivisibly united into one sacred person Christ Jesus : so that his humanity is a nature , but not a person , but in the deity , which uniteth it selfe most immediately to the soule , and by it to the body of Christ : now ( as hath beene said ) though these are indivisibly united , yet is there no confusion of natures , the s s Verbum verò carn●m dicimus factum : non in mutando quod erat , sed suscipiendo quod non erat . nostra auxit , sua non minuit Gregor. ep. Quir. l. 9. 〈◊〉 . humanitie becommeth not à Deitie : nor the Deitie an humanitie : neither do either of them loose their essentiall properties by this union : as in the union of t t Can●or in ferr● . Basil. the fire with the iron : the iron becommeth not fire , nor the fire iron : as in the union of the soule with the body , the soule becommeth not corporall , nor the body spirituall : the manhood is unspeakeably annointed with grace and u u Psal. 2. 9. dignitie above all creatures in heaven and earth , and received from the deity , admirable w w Joh 6. 33. Joh 5. 24. 26. powre to quicken us : yet is it not become a deitie .

They that labour under their naturall corruption from the first Adam , must here be comforted , we are sanctified in the second : for x x Hebr , 2. 11. he that sanctifieth , and they that are sanctified , are of one : we are in our regeneration as truly of his mysticall body , as he was in his conception , of our naturall body , or we of Adam's , We were conceived and y y Ephes. 2. 3 : borne in sinne , the grievous z z Rom. 7. 15. 24. remaind's whereof we are eftsoone sensible of , now in our estate a a Gal. 5. 17. of regeneration : yet here is our comfort , Christ our Lord and Saviour was conceived by the Holy Ghost : he was sanctified for us ; and his annointing runneth downe b b Psal. 133 : 2. like that sacred ointment , to the skirts of his cloathing , the poorest of all his Saints .

1 We are next to beleeve concerning Christ , Sect. III. that he was borne of the Virgin Mary : therefore said the Angell ) c c Luk. 1. 35. that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall be called the Sonne of God : that he might be knowne to be very man , though he were miraculously conceived , God would have him borne after the manner of men . That he was borne of d d Mat. 1. 18. Luk. 2. 5. 6. the Virgin , the holy Ghost sheweth clearly .

2 Though the first Adam were made , not borne , yet was it necessary that the second should be borne , not made of new mold . 1. How else should sinne have beene expiated in the same nature which had sinned ? 2. That the woman e e 1. Tim. 2. 14. first in the transgression might become an instrument of mans reparation , as she had beene of his ruine : hence is the seed of the woman mentioned in the first promise , Genes. 3. 15. and Christ was f f Gal 4 4. Ille ex te assumet & faciet virum , quiin principio ●e fecit & assumpsit ex viro . Pet , Chrys. ser. 142. made of the woman .

3 Of g g Virginitate sponsa , faecunditate mater viri nescia , partus conscia . ib. Chrysos . ser. 146. a Virgin : as the h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. Just. Martyr . dial cum Try: Jud. first Adam was taken out of the virgin earth without the concurrence of man : so was the second Adam of a virgin : 't was long before promised , Isay , 7. 14. behold à virgin shall conceive and beare a sonne , and thou shalt call his name Immanuel : God with us : which the Evangelist sheweth fulfilled in Christ , Math. 1. 20 , 21 , 22 , 23. she was affianced to an husband , yet a virgin : that Satan might not know him , till he had tempted him , and found him invincible : that he might have experience of all our miseries without sin : this was as that easterne gate of the Temple , through which the Prince onely might passe .

4 Shee was of the seede of Abraham i i Gal. 8. in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed ( that is , the beleevers of all nations ) of the linage of David : so much fulfilled the prophesie , Isai. 9. 7. He shall sit upon the throne of David : and so was hee truely stiled the sonne of David .

5 He was borne at Bethleem ( as was foretold , Mich. 5. 2. ) not at Jerusalem , nor Nazaret , but at the towne of David : the providence of God so ordering it , Augustus Caesar ( who dreamed of nothing lesse then a Saviour then and there to be borne ) commanded in his generall tax , Luk. 2. 1. &c. that every one should goe to his own Tribe to be taxed : therefore Joseph and Mary went accordingly from Nazaret to Bethleem : at the same season the Virgin Mother's time was accomplished , and shee brought forth Christ .

6 This was in the fulnesse of time foreordained of God : Gal. 4. 4. there was a certaine time when Israel , like m m Jud. 6. 37. 38 Gedeons fleece , had the dew of heaven , when the floore ( the n n Figurare primum populum Israel , ubi erant sancti cum gratiâ ●oelesti tanquam pluvi● spirituali : & post●a●●igurare ecclesiam toto orbe diffusam , &c. Aug. q. sup. Jud. & Irenae l. 3. c 19. rest of the world ) was dry : herein Israel was to be exercised under the rudiments of the law ; afterward to be made free , as heire out of his minority ; till their obstinacy came upon them , and they were to be rejected . Christ came in the last daies , Isai. 2. 2. towards the end of the 70. weekes spoken of by the Prophet Daniel , which were to be reckned from the end of their Babylonish captivitie : about 3900 yeares after the creation : when the long prefixed mark of his comming ( the departure of the scepter from Judah ) now appeared in the● subjection to the Roman Empire , when Herod was Viceroy of Judea . o o Dan. 9.

7 The manner of Christs birth was obscure and meane in the eies of the world , as befitted the state of humiliation into which he then entred . For 1. so it was prophesied of him , Isai 53. 2. 2. He would thus exercise the faith of the elect , and confound the carnall wisdome of worldly men , esteeming none good or happy , but the prosperous , rich , mighty , and glorious . 3. Thus would he be borne poore , to make us rich , to expresse his love to us . 4. Thus he would teach us humility : how intolerable is the pride of sinfull man , repining at some wants , when the sonne of God was thus humbled for our sins ? 5. He would have this difference betweene his first and second comming : first he descended like raine into the fleece , without noise ; he came not then to make any externall politicall ●●changes in the kingdomes of the world , but only to overthrow the spirituall kingdome of Satan : and to worke , not the Jews temporall redemption ( as they dreamed ) but their eternall salvation who beleeve in him , both of Jewes and Gentiles . And so the manifestation of Christs birth , was not to the kings or great Doctors of the Law , but to poore shepheards first , Luk. 2. 8 , 9. though not by men but glorious Angels .

Having considered these things we must learne .

1 To subject our reason to the word of God in assurance that all things are possible to him which he will , and certainly true which he speaketh . Thou wilt say , but how shall I doe that I may be assured thereof ? I conceive these rules very necessary here in . 1. That thou understand , this word is not discerned by any light but by the same spirit which indited it . Therefore said our Saviour when the spirit of truth is come , He will lead you into all truth . These things seeme foolish and improbable to our carnall man because he wanteth the spirit of God , Joh. 16. 13. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. whereby hee might bee able to discerne , those things which are not otherwise then spiritually discerned . 2. If thou read or heare the Gospell ; be sure thou bring a beleeving heart ; resolved in this one principle at least ; Gods word is certainely true , though many particulars are above my apprehension : 1 Cor. 2. 14. it is but lost labour for him to take the holy word of life into his hand , who is resolved to beleeve no more , then that which he can bring within the reach and dimension of his own carnall reason , which erreth grosly in many things obvious to common sense . 3. In this , as many other matters necessary to be beleeved , the onely way being to apprehend by faith , doe thou not attempt the examination of all by reason , but rather renounce it as unable to measure these things , as thou art to take up the vast ball of earth into thy hand , or measure the orbs of heaven by the span : the rather in this because the holy Ghost hath told us , it is the great mystery of godlinesse , God manifested in the flesh . 4. Lastly , remember when ever thou commest to read or heare , Conceptum ●●r●ginis noli discutere sed crede , P. Chrysol . Serm. 141. 1 Tim. 3. 16. of how high a consequence that is to which thou art come ( it is no vaine word concerning thee , but thy life , and salvation if thou beleeve and obey : Deut. 32. 4● or thy destruction on the contrary ) and thou wilt easily be perswaded to prepare thy selfe by earnest prayer to God for his assistance , and blessing , who only hath the key of ▪ David which openeth and no man can shut : the want of this one duty is the cause of so much unbeleefe , and impiety , in so abundant a light of the Gospell as we had long amongst us .

2 That thou know that Christ thus conceived , and borne hath sanctified our conception , and birth in sin : thus are the fountaines of our naturall propagation healed : holy wedlock declared an undefiled bed , and sacred virginity interressed in eternall attendance on Christ the Lambe of God .

3 To be contented in every estate ; and comforted ( though in a dejected ) considering to what Christ descended for thy sake .

4 To prepare and magni●ie the inestimable love of God * * Venit ad nos , non quomo●o ipse poterat , sed quomodo illum nos vi ●ere poteramus● ipse enim in suâ in●narrabili glori● adnos ●●nire poterat , sed nos mag ●i●udinem glori●e su●e portare non poteramus . & propter hoc quasi insantib●s l●● nobis semetipsum 〈◊〉 , quod er● secundum hominem ejus ad●●n●us , ut quasi à mamilla carnis ●jus enutriti & eum qui est ●●●ortalitatis panis — in nobis ipsis ●um continere possimus . Irenae . l. 4. c. 74 sinc. shewed us in Christ . Rev. 14 4. So did the holy Angels , Luk: 1. 46. 47. Luk: 2. 14.

5 Where thou hast the promises of God for thy assurance , not to feare , how impossible , or improbable soever they seeme to flesh and blood , they shall be fulfilled in their appointed time and manner . How impossible did this promise seeme to carnall reason , a Virgin shall conceive and beare a sonne : the ‛ B. Virgin her selfe was herewith posed , — how can this be ? Yet was it fulfilled in the fulnesse of time , though many ages after the promise made . Though he seeme to delay yet expect it , that cannot faile which God promiseth : so also thinke of the promises of thy resurrection and eternall life : what ever carnall reason ( witty to its own destruction ) or the malitious tempter can object against the word of truth , in due time it shall be fulfilled .

CHAP. V.

What we are to beleeve concerning . § . 1. Christs suffering under Pontius Pilat , his crucifying , death and buriall . § . 2. His resurrection . § . 3. Ascention . § . 4. Sitting at the right hand of God the Father . § . 5. His comming to judge .

1 THe humiliation of Christ is considerable . 1. Sect. I. In generall comprehending all that he suffered in the a a Phil. 2. 7. forme of a servant : the whole curse of the Law ; all kindes of a●●lictions both of body and soule , quae à peccato sunt , non quae ad peccatum : all the effects of sinne without sinne ; as in his birth , circumcision , subjection to men , temptations , blasphemous b b Heb. 12. 3. contradictons , and contumelies ; desertions of friends , and most injurious malice of enimies : apprehension of his fathers wrath against sinne , the paines of death and torments of hell , all that which is incident and due to sinfull man , ( sin onely excepted ) whereby he became the c c Isay 53. 3. man of sorrowes . 2. In particular that which he suffered under Pontius Pilat , the then Roman deputie for that Province .

2 Concerning the generall , we must observe .

1. That the divine nature ( though personally united to the humane ) suffered not , but only the humane : yet the suffering is attributed to the person : and sometimes to the deity , by reason of the communication of proprieties , Act. 20. 28. and union of the two natures in one person , so God is said to have purchased the Church with his own blood : because his blood who is truely God and man , was shed for the redemption of his Church . As the Athenian Codrus disrobing himselfe , Plutar● . and falling into the enemies quarters in the habit of a poore man with a burthen on his back , that he might steale a death , to make his people conquerers , according to the Oracle , which said , that people should overcome , whose king should be slaine in the battle . So Christ assumed the forme of a servant , and became of no repute , so bare he the Crosse , that his own knew him not , but slew the Lord of life , that in his death , who so loved us , wee might be more then Conquerers . He was impatible in his deity , Rom. 8. 37. therefore he assumed an humanity which could suffer that he might become a ransome and sacrifice for our sinnes ; that the dignitie and merit of his passion might be vallewed according to the dignitie of the person suffering : now because the worth of his passion was to be estimated from the united deity : therefore his temporall and short suffering , was of infinite merit , to redeeme and free us from that which we should else have suffered to eternitie .

2 That the suffering of Christ was neither accidentall or casuall , nor soly in the power of man : for though there were many actors in his sufferings , Herod , Pilat , Jewes , Gentiles , Judas and the devill , Act. 2 23. yet all these did only that , Act. 4. ●27 , 28. which the hand and counsaile of God determined before to be done ; Luk. 24. 26. who would never suffer evill to be done , but that his infinite wisedome can dispose , and his goodnesse overcome evill , that he can draw good out of it .

3 This suffering of Christ for us , was fully and soly satisfactory to the justice of God for all our sinnes : here in his passion differed from all others : they may truly say as that happy Convert on the crosse , Luk. 23. 41. we are indeed righteously here : but there was no sinne in him . No passion of man ever hath beene , or ever can be meritorious , and propitiatory , or satisfactory for his own sinnes , much lesse for any others : but Christs passion was , 1 Jo● . 2. 2. and is satisfactory , and propitiatory for the sinnes of all the elect : if all men should have suffered the torments of Hell , for the redemption of one soule , they could never have satisfied Gods justice for that one : but Christs once suffering therefore fully satisfied for all , because , it was of infinite valew and merit .

4 The end of Christs suffering was our redemption of body and soule : for so much he redeemed as he assumed to redeeme : Jo● . 3. 16. in the creation he shewed his wisedome power , & providence : but here his justice , in that he spared not his owne sonne standing in the place of our surety , and his mercy in that he spared us ; which is a singular comfort , when wee consider that hee dyed not in vaine .

5 The limits of Christs passion reached from his conception to his resurrection : the more evident beginnings whereof were in his life , and the co●summation then when hee cryed upon the crosse it is finished .

6 Th● place where his last , and consummatory passion began , was a garden : there sinne invaded man , there his soule began to be heavie to the death . Math. 26. 38. while hee sweat water and blood : neither is it to be wondred at why Christ was so sorrowfull herein , whereas some of his Martyrs have rejoyced in their sufferings ; for these were assured of their sinnes remission , by the sufferings of their surety Christ ; but he felt at once the weight of all the sinnes of the elect : he was for a time left to the extreamest sense of his fathers anger , and the intensest torments of hell : but they in the midst of their sufferings , had a comfortable sense of Gods gracious presence , assuring them of their reconciliation with God , and remission of their sinnes by Christ : now whereas we read that he freely laid downe his life for his , and none could else have taken from him ( I say not Pilat , Jewes or Gentiles , barred , if he had pleased , by legions of Angels ) but not age , Joh. 10. 15. 17. not death it selfe , to which all others were subject by sinne , but he was therefore exempt because he had no sinne : and againe , that he did in the bitternesse of his passion deprecate , and pray the cup might passe away , we must know that these flowed ex diversis principiis : though he deprecated the wrath of God , and that death , as man subject to all our infirmities without sinne , yet had he therein relation to Gods will , and so , n n 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Cyril . Hier. Catech. 13. willingly compleated the worke of our redemption : therefore foreseeing and foretelling of his passion , he o o Math. 20. 18. would yet goe up to Jerusalem , as Jonahs crying , p p Tollite & mit●ite in mar● , voluntariam Domini dicat passionem . P. Chrysol . Ser. 37. take and cast mee into the sea prefigured his voluntary passion : that he would not die was of the infirmitie of the slesh , which naturally and without sinne q q In quantum est quidam appetitus naturalis , refugiebat mortem . Thom. Aquin. in Hebr. 5. — & quan●um ad hoc orabat , ut ostenderet se verum homin●m , ib. Sed voluntate ●onsequente rationem deliberatam , — volebat mori . ib. feareth and shunneth death as destructive : that he would die , was the promptitude of spirit , for that his death was necessary for mans salvation : so said he , r r Math. 26. 41. the spirit is willing but the flesh infirme ; relating not onely to his disciples drouzinesse .

The circumstance of this passion were suchlike . The Jewes consult to take him : the conspiracie is hatcht in the chiefe Priests house : they , the Scribes , and Elders , though they knew he was no man of violence , send out an armed company against him : ( an evill conscience is never secure ) they came to take him ( as a malefactour ) into that place which he had chosen to pray in : that ought to have been a sanctuary to him , and ( as the hornes of the Altar ) free from pursuit : Judas , à disciple , becomes their guide : his treason's signall is a kisse ( as many now honour him with their lips , whose hearts and lives crucifie him afresh , and under a faire profession betray his truth ) they take him who with his word could cast them downe ; he causeth Peter to sheath his sword , and healeth one who came to destroy him : he will not have his cause maintained by the sword , having otherwise appointed to destroy the kingdome of sinne ; s s Pastores facti sumus non percussores : Greg. ●p. . we were assigned for pastours , not smiters : they t t Joh. 18. 12. bind him and lead him away , to Annas first , and after to Caiphas : his disciples fled , the u u Math. 26. 31. Zach. 13. 7. shepheard smitten , the flock is scattered .

This sacred history affords us many good rules .

1 In thy places of pleasure , remember where Christs passion , for thy sinnes , began .

2. As sorrowes encrease , entreat thy fervency in prayer , so did Christ . Luk : 22. 14.

3 Despaire not when God answereth not thy prayers , with that which thou desirest : Christ was heard when he wept and w w Heb. 5. 7. offered up strong cries , yet the cup did not passe from him : if God give us something better then we aske ( as he ever doth , if not that thing we aske ) we are heard .

4 Submit to Gods will : so did Christ : not as I will , but as thou wilt , Mat. 26. 39. 42. x x Non sunt onero●a tolerantibus , sed ●ol●ra re nolentibus , ●ive e●im gra●ia hae● , sive levia animus toleran●is facit . Salvian● de gub . Dei lib. 1. temporall a●●lictions never made any man unhappy , but the impatient and wicked : it cannot be an unhappy state in which Christ is : neither the malice of those who to the extreame danger of religion , seeme and are not religious , their conspiring against thee , their dealing disspightfully as with a malefactor , bands , convention before magistrates , friends forsaking thee : malitious accusations by false witnesses , no nor unjust condemnation to death , can y y Eti●● in c●●enis , atque suppl●●iis b●atum ●sse sapi●●●●m . ib. Salv. make thee unhappy : all this Christ suffered , leaving us an example of patience .

7 The high Priest examined him : the officer z z Joh. 18. 22. smote him : Annas sent him bound to Caiphas . Peter denied him : thence they lead him to the judgement hall into which his hypocriticall accusers , a a v. 28. would not enter least they should be defiled : hypocrisie straines at gnats and swallowes Camels : they made a conscience of going in among the Heathens , being to eat the Passeover , but not of murthering the Lord of life : Pilat examined him ( sinfull man fitteth to judge the just Judge of all men ) offered to deliver him , whom he knew delivered b b Math. 27. 18. of envy : they c c Joh. 18. 40. preferred Barabbas a d d Mark 15. 7. murtherer e e Joh. 12. 1 , 2. Pilat to please the people scourgeth Jesus : the souldiers plat a crowne of thornes and put it on his head , and a purple robe on him , they mo●ke and smite him : Pilat so present's him to the people in scorne and di●ision : the chiefe Priests and Officers , lead the peoples suffrages , ringing out their , crucify him , crucify him . Pilat startled , as by his dreaming wives admonition , so more at their mentioning his being the sonne of God , goeth againe into the Pretory , reexamineth him : seek●s to deliver him ; yet for feare of complaint to Caesar ( so powerfull an adversary to good conscience is the love of this world ) against his often acquitting him as innocent , he once for all condemneth him , us guilty ; and delivereth him to the popular rage to crucifie him .

8 They lead him away bearing his Crosse to Golgatha the place of skulls : called also Calvarie , f f Vid August . Ser. de temp. 71 Epipham haer. 46. where some thinke Adam was buried : Athanas. To. 2. quae●t. ad Antioch . Tertul. adver . Ma●t . l. 2. Chrys. in joh. 19. 17. Theop. ib. but others are of a contrary judgement . One thing is certaine , it was the area damnatorum , and g g Lev. 24. 14. place of execution ; and it is most likely that Gods providence so disposed , that he should there be crucified , as there to set up the Trophe of his victory on the Crosse ( in that where sinne and the punishment thereof had abounded in the execution of notorious malefactors , Hieronym . in Math. 27. &c. in Ephes. 6. Rupertus & Bonoventur . in Luk. 23. 13. grace should manifest it selfe in his suffering there , and that most ignominious kinde of death ) so also that he might take away the curse from the elect so suffering , and that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet , he made his grave with the wicked , and was counted with transgressours , Isai , 53. 9 , 12. this place was without the city , having a resemblance of that which was to come ; that is that the maine benefit of his passion , was h h Bonavent . in Luc. not to be shut up in Jerusalem , but to be derived also to the Gentiles , who were without : so he suffered in the place of sinners , that it might import his suffering for sinners : other moralls the Apostle openeth , as to i i Heb 13. 11 , 12 , 13. teach us to goe out of our carnall affections , and love of the world to Christ : and so he shewed himselfe the only satisfactory sacrifice prefigured in all the legall sacrifices , whose bodies were burnt without the gates of Jerusalem . Here they crucified him betweene two theeves , the one converting the other dying in his obstinacy : having so done they parted his garments among them , and cast lots for his seamelesse coat : thus was fulfilled that of the Psal: 22. 18. Jesus commended his mother to John ; thirsting , they gave him vinegre to drinke , as was also foretold , Psal: 69. 21. having received that , he said , it is finished ; that is all the types have their meaning accomplished , and the justice of God is satisfied : so bowing his head he gave up the ghost .

9 The certainty of his death appeared when the k k Joh. 19. 33. 36. ●ouldiers comming to breake the leggs of the other two , finding him already dead , Exod. 12. 46. they spared him , Num: 9. 12. ( that the l l Psal. 34. 20. Scripture might be fulfilled , which saith a bone of him shall not be broken ) but pierced his side with a speare , so that blood and water came out . At this time the Sunne was darkned so fearefully , that some are said to have concluded , that m m Dionis . Aareop . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . either the Godhead suffered , or sympathized with that which did so . n n Math. 27. 51. The vaile of the Temple rent , to o o Ephes. 2. 14. shew the way into the holiest made manifest : and that the stop or middle wall of partition betweene Jewes and Gentiles , is taken away . The stones clave in sunder : the graves opened : the earth trembled . And after his resurrection , many of the dead Saints arose , and were seene in the holy city : to shew that in his death , death was conquered , and that the vertue of his resurrection , should shortly after declare it selfe in the Saints rising from the death of sinne . The p p Math. 27. 54. Centurian seeing this , acknowledged him the Sonne of God : the q q Luk. 23. 47 , 48. multitude smote their breasts and returned home .

10 Joseph of Arimathea , begg's the body of Jesus , takes it from the Crosse : he and Nicodemus imbalme it , put it into linnen cloaths , with the spices , and bury it in a new Sepulcher in a garden nigh the place : the providence of God thus disposing , to convince their malitious cavills , who might pretend that either his resurrection was caused by the vertue of some other servant of God there formerly buried ; as one was r r 2. King . 13. 22. Theophyl . in Joh. 19. at the touch of Elisha's bones : or that it was some other rose againe not Jesus . He was s s Ut officia tota mortis impleret , Chrysol . ut mors morte moveretur . ib , Ser. 59. buried according to the Scriptures , 1. Cor: 15. 4. Psal: 16. 10. t t Non relinque● 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 70. Chrystom . Oecumenius , &c. give it by 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 as we read Act. 2 31. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. which may be taken for the whole man , as Rom. 13. 1. So Gen. 1. 30. Genes. 9. 4. Exod. 21. 23. Levit. 17. 14. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 though the Rhemists and Jesuites of Deway translate that hell and in their margent Limbo patrum , yet doth it properly signifie the grave , and sometimes cannot reasonably be translated hell , as may appeare Job . 17. 13. James 37. 35. where the same word is used . thou wilt not leave my life in grave . There were many witnesses thereof : Joseph Nicodemus , the women , the Centurian with his band , the Jewes sealing the tombe : Thus he descended to the lowest step of his humiliation : that he might follow death into the heart of his dominion , and conquer him in his imperiall seat , destroying , as it were with his own sword the Goliah , who had the power of death : as it is written , O u u Hos. 13. 14. death I will be thy plagues ; O grave , I will be thy destruction , that he might sanctifie our house of rest , taking away the horrour of the grave ; the curse of death being abolished , and the dead loosed from their bonds , as shall appeare in the appointed houre .

Sect. II. We are next to beleeve the first degree of Christ's exaltation in that he rose againe from the dead the third day w w 1 Cor. 15. 4. according to the Scriptures 1. Cor: 15. 4 , reckning the later part of the first day , the second entire , and the beginning of the third : ( x x Math. 16. 21. So Christ told his Disciples , Mark . 9. 31. & 10. 34. that he must goe to Jerusalem , Luk. 9. 31. & 18. 33. suffer many things of the Elders and be killed and raised againe the third day : this was so publikely knowne before his death , Act. 10 40. that his y y Math. 27. 62. &c. enemies remembred and spake of it ; Math. 17. 23. so that this was the reason why they sealed up , and set a guard upon the Sepulchre : God so disposing that they should be made witnesses of the truth thereof , who most opposed it , which had they not beene , they might with lesse impudency have said , his Disciples came by night and stole him away . The Angell testifying his resurrection , z z Luk. 24. 6 , 7 , referreth them to that he had told them before : the type also agreeth , as a a Math. 12. 40. Jonas was three daies and three nights in the Whales belly , so shall the Sonne of man be three daies and three nights in the heart of the earth : so long he would lye in grave , to manifest the truth of his death : but no longer , because b b Act. 2 5. ●sal. 16. 9. he was not to see corruption ; and least the faith of his Disciples should by a longer delay have beene in hazard : and lastly , to fulfill his word concerning the same , for the confirmation of our faith , seeing his word , concerning his own death and resurrection , came truely to passe , why should we doubt of the same word concerning our resurrection . In this three daies the Deity was the middle band betweene the body and the humane soule ( that it might see corruption proper to sinners ) as before the humane soule was betweene the Deity and body : in all he became a pledg of our incorruption and immortalitie in the life to come : to consirme us herein , he manifested himselfe to many after his resurrection , by the space of forty daies . See 1. Cor: 15. 5. & Act: 1. 3. Sect. III.

Wee are next to beleeve his ascension into heaven : the c c 2 Cor. 12. third heaven where God manifesteth his glory to the Angels , Heb. 6. 20. and blessed spirits : this was d d Act. 1. 2. 9 , 10. in the sight of his Disciples , when he had sufficiently instructed them , and confirmed them by his often appearing to them , and conversing with them . He ascended from e e Luk. 24. 50. Act. 1. 9. the Mount of Olives , neere Bethanie : when he had lifted up his eyes and blessed them , hee went apart from his Disciples , and while they beheld was taken up , and a cloud received him out of their sight : to teach us no more to seeke him with carnall eyes . The ancient Prophecies f f Eph. 4. 8. foretold this , Psal: 68. 18. Thou hast ascended up on high , thou hast led captivity captive . g g Heb. 9. 7. The high Priest entering into the holy of holies prefigured it . It demonstrateth the Justice of God fully satisfied , and our sinnes discharged , Heb: 9. 12. If any one sinne of the elect had beene unexpiated , hee had still remained in death : but he not only rose againe for our justification , but is ascended into heaven the first fruits , h h Quemadmodii enim nobis arr●abonem spiritus reliquit , it a & à nobis arrhabonem ●arnis accepit , & vexit in ●●lum pignus totius summaeillu● qua●●oqu redigendae : securae estote caro & sanguis , usur pastis enim & regnum Dei in Christo Tertul. de resur . carn. . c. 51. Heb. 10. 19. and earnest of our ascen●ion , carrying up with him a portion of our flesh & blood , as it were to take livery and seison for us , as he gave us the earnest of his Spirit , thereby to make us secure of inheriting the kingdome of God .

Thus he declared himselfe the very Son of God , who came from heaven , ascending , who before had descended from thence , Eph: 4. 10. Thus became he our faithfull high Priest to appeare before God for us ; to open to us the way to the holy of holies : to prepare vs place , and give us confidence against all Satans machinations . i i Rom. 8. 34. Who shall condemne us ? It is Christ who is dead for us , yea rather who is raised againe , who also sitteth at the right hand of God , and intercedeth for us : which was prefigured in the high Priests , bearing the names of the people engraven on the stones upon the shoulder , of the Ephod k k Exod. 28. 9. for a m●moriall of the children of Israel , which he was to beare before the Lord .

Next we must beleeve , Sect. IV. that Christ now sitteth l l Hebr. 1. 3. at the right hand of God the Father . So Mark : 16. 19. so was it foretold , Act. 5. 31. Psal: 110. 1. Math: 22. so the Scriptures evidently speak : yet must we not with the foolish m m Vid. Socrat. Eccles: hist. l. 6. c. 7. Anthropomorphites , dreame that God is like man , that he hath a right hand and a left : this is a translatitious and borrowed manner of speaking sitted to our understanding , God pleasing thus to descend to our infirmitie . Men give honour by setting others at their right hand , as Solomon set his mother , 1. King : 2. 19. but there is indeed n n Nihil erit in regno tuo sinis●rum . Hieron . no le●t hand or inferiour place betweene the Father and the Sonne : all is o o In ho● appare bit majestatis equalitas , sin●● inferiorem patre , nec post●riorem suspexeris . Bern. sup. Cant. Serm 76. equall he is neither lesse then the Father nor inferiour to him . Sedet ad dextr●m quia patris & filii una d●it●s , par potest●s , Ch●ysost . Ser. 6. It is said at his right hand , p p Divinae virtutis ordine , non honor is humani . ib. Serm. 62. Deus loc● nescit , divinit● recipit nil si●istrum . ib. Ser. 75. in respect of the order of divine power , q q Nazianz. orat . 37. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Supra modum e●exit . not humane honour . God is not circumscribed in place nor hath the Deity any left hand . ●importeth here a wonderfull exaltation to power , authoritie , and majestie : & so the Apostle expresseth it ; Phil: 2. 9 He hath highly exalted him , and given him a name above every name : as also . 1 Cor: 15. 25. He must reigne till he hath put all his enemies under his fect. It importeth an entrance into , and full possession of his kingdome over all , as he saith Luk: 24. 26. Ought not Christ to suffer these things , and so to enter into his glory ? So Act: 5. 31. This Jesus hath God lifted up by his right hand to be a ●phes. 1. 20. Prince and Saviour : farre above all principalities and power , and might , and dominion , and every name that is named not only in this world , but also in that which is to come , and hath put all things under his feet , and gave him to bee the head over all things : the meaning is , that Christ doth actually reigne in heaven with the Father in infinite glory and majestie . And this honour is thus peculiar to him , that God the Father will governe all things by him : and that because he onely , and none other , is able thus to performe all parts of King and Saviour of his Church : yet must we know that in his severall acts , the Father , and holy Ghost unite and worke by him .

All serves to terrifie the enemies of Christ , and obstinate sinners by his present power to destroy them ▪ ( could not malitious s s ●sther . 6. 13. Haman prevaile against Esther and her allies , because of her interest in the kings favour , and shall the enemies of Christ and his , ever prevaile against them ? ) And to comfort the afflicted : could Joseph being exalted and set next unto Pharaoh in the kingdome of Egypt provide for all his Fathers family , and preserve them in the famin , and shall not Christ much more be able to save and deliver us in all our necessities ? when he was in his state of humiliation , and forme of a servant who ever came unto him for helpe and went away unrelieved ? sicknesse , lamenesse , deafnesse , blindnesse , wants , stormes , devils , death , no difficulty could intercept his mercy : & shall we feare he hath lesse power or will to helpe and succur us now he sitts at the right hand of God in heaven no , no , make thy requests to him & feare not , he that hath had t t Heb. 4 ▪ 15. experience of our miseries , is both willing and able to succour us : t is he that helpeth our infirmities , u u Rom. 8. 26. we know not what to pray us we ought : our best prayers are dull and inactive , but he is our faithfull high Priest to intercede for us . When w w 1. King . 2. 14. 17. Adoniah knew he could not of himselfe prevaile , he intreated Bathsheba to speake for him , in assurance that the king would deny her nothing : how much more may we be assured of attaining , seeing we have such an high Priest , x x Heb. 10. 21 , 22. if we draw neere with a true heart , in full assurance of faith to the throne of grace by this new and living way . Court friends , like y y Genes. 40. 23. Pharaohs butler , eftsoone forget the afflictions of Joseph , but Christ can never : he prayed z z Luk. 22. 32. that Peters faith might not faile him , and professed a a Joh. 17. 23. I pray not for these alone , but for them also which shall beleeve in me through thy word . I have many times feared that I have cryed , and lifted up my hands in vaine and effectlesse votes , till I remember that my Saviour ●itteth at Gods right hand , able to helpe ; how , and when he knoweth best . I want faith , patience , and the spirit of prayer ; but therefore hee is ascended up on high , that he may give these gifts unto men , and he will supply me : he will keepe me from evill . When he was in the forme of a servant the devill could not enter into the heard of Swine , before he gained leave ; and shall all the powers of hell be able to hurt me , while he now in the state of glory protecteth me , he to whom all power in heaven and earth is given ? Lord only give me a faithfull heart to depend on thee and thy saving health , and I shall not perish so long as thou reignest over all .

Sect. ● . The next is his comming to judge the quicke and the dead : properly annexed to the foregoing : because he so sitteth at God●s right hand , as that he both exerciseth the patience of the elect under the crosse , and long permitteth the wicked enemies to insult over them : to comfort us herein , 't is necessary to beleeve , that Christ who now sitteth at God's right hand , will thence come to judge all men : those whom he shall finde surviving ( who b b 1. Cor: 15. 51 shall be changed in a moment at the sound of the last trump and the dead raised againe : all , elect and reprobate , c c Dan. 12. 2. some to eternall absolution from sin and death ; and others to eternall shame and destruction of bodies and soules . This judgement shall be of d d Eccl. 12. 14. all our thoughts , e e Math. 12. 36. words , f f 2. Cor. 5. 10. 1. Cor. 4. 5. and actions : g g Rev. 20. 12. the books shall be opened , and every secret thing manifested : the evidence of every fact shall speak , as h h Gen. 4. 10. Abels blood did . The time of this judgment , shall be at the second comming of Christ : the particular yeare , or day , no creture knoweth ; neither i i Math 24. 36. Act. 1. 7. the son of man himselfe here knew it in the state of humiliatiō : nor need it seem strang , how being God and man in one person , the manhood could be ignorant of any thing , the deity being omniscient , seeing he tooke on him all our infirmities ( sinne excepted ) amongst which , natiue ignorance was not a little one . therefore t is said , that from his childhood k k Luk. 2. 52. he encreased in wisedome which no infinite can doe : and why shall I not as easily beleeue that there was a vaile of the slesh betweene the deity and humane soule , intercepting some light of knowledge , as I certainly know there was , intercepting the present sense of his fathers assistance and of the comfort of the deity in his passion , when he cried out , l l Math 27. 46. My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee ?

The signes of this judgements approach , are 1. m m Math. 24. 14. preaching the Gospell to all Nations . 2. n n 2 Thes. 2. 3. revelation of the man of sinne . 3. o o Luk. 18. 8. a generall departing from the faith . 4. Universall corruption of manners . 2 Tim. 3. 1. 5. p p Math. 24. 6. 7. warres and rumours of warres : 6. hardnesse of heart , so that no importunity of the lowdest sonnes of Thunder can awake men out of sinne , as it was in the dayes of Noah : 7. Calling of the Jewes : Rom. 11. 25.

The signe which shall accompany the comming of Christ , shall be the signe of the sonne of man in heaven , Math. 24. 30.

The Summe is , Christ shall come againe to judge all men . Act. 17. 31. Math. 25. 31. Jud. 14. 14. 1 Thes. 4. 16. and Math. 24. 30. where he joyneth the declaration of the judgement with the prediction of Jerusalems destruction ; to the end that men might be assured of the judgement to come , by that which they saw or knew fulfilled in that City .

Concerning the place whether in the valley of Jehoshaphat , or the time and lasting of this great Assizes , the manner of proceeding , and the like ; it is vaine to enquire after that which God hath not revealed ; specially seeing his word directeth to make better use hereof .

1 q q 2. Cor. 5. 11. To deterre men from sinne , in respect of the inevitable terrour of that day .

2 Not to judge one another , Rom: 14. 1 Cor: 4. 5.

3 To prepare because the day is neere : fearing God , Eccles: 12. 14. Rev: 14. 7. keeping a good conscience , Act: 24. 15 , 16. watching , that we may lift up our heads at that day , Luk: 22. 28. 35 , 36. Repenting , Act: 17. 30 , 31. Without delay . 2. Pet: 3. 2. Loving one another , 1. Joh: 3. 18. 19. That wee may assure our hearts before him , and have boldnesse in the day of judgment , 1. Joh: 4. 17. Comforting our selves in all our sufferings : our Saviour shall be our judge , and who shall condemne us , seeing he died to acquit us ? He cannot but r r Luk 18. 7. avenge for us , though he suffer long : therefore we must be patient , expecting his sentence , s s Math. 25. 34. Come yee blessed of my father inherit the kingdome prepared for you .

A Prayer .

O Lord God of mercy and compassion , who in thy eternall and infinite love to man gavest thy onely Sonne , to become man , to take experience of our miseries , to be tempted in all things like us , sinne onely excepted , and to suffer the severity of thy wrath against us sinners , by offering him up a living sacrifice for us who were dead in trespasses and sins , the just for the unjust , that by his stripes we might be healed : and hast revealed unto us that great mystery of godlinesse so much desired of the faithfull from the beginning , the inestimable riches of thy grace , and mercy , hid from all ages unto the fulnesse of time , God manifested in the flesh , justified in the spirit , seene of Angells , preached unto the Gentiles , beleeved on in the world , and received up into glory : make us truly thankefull to thee for all thy unspeakeable favours : give us true faith to apprehend and finde our interest in him with assurance that he is our God and Saviour . O ever blessed Jesus whose name is as sweet ointment powred forth , whom the Virgin soules therefore love , draw us that we may runne after thee : let the annointing which we have received of thee ( whereby we have the honour to be called ▪ and to be Christians , and the happinesse to be enlightned with thy truth , and led in thy paths ) abide in us and teach us all things necessary for the advancement of thy glory and our salvation let it bee like that precious nard wherewith thou wast imbalmed against the day of thy death , to fill our hearts and affections with that comfortable savour of life unto life , Mark . 14. 3. that thou maist wholy season us , dwell in us , and be all in all with us : that the merit of thy death and vertue of thy resurrection , may both mortify all our sinfull & corrupt affections , and raise us to the life of righteousnesse , that dying to sinne , governed here by thy power ( to which all things are committed in heaven and earth and hereafter acquitted by thy finall sentence ( when thou shalt come to judge the living and the dead ) we may at last come to the perfect union with thee , in a full view , and eternall enjoying of thee and thy blessed presence , who hast suffered all these things to redeeme us , and to purchase the kingdome prepared for us from eternity ; that wee may attaine that true blessednesse in the which thy holy Gospell hath preached unto us : Grant this through thy mercies , O heavenly Father , thy merits O gracious Lord Jesus , and thy assistance O holy Spirit , three persons , one onely wise , omnipotent , and immortall God , to whom belongeth all honour glory , praise , might , Majestie , and dominion , in heaven and earth , from this time forth , and to endlesse eternitie .

AMEN .

CHAP. XII .

Concerning Prayer . § . 1. What , and how necessary it is . § . 2. The conditions thereof . § . 3. Motive to the earnest practice hereof . § . 4. Rules hereto belonging .

1 WE have considered those things which wee are to beleeve , Sect. I. that we may be saved ; we are next to consider those things which we must doe to Gods honour , our consolation , and assurance that our faith is sound : seeing that not not every one that saith Lord Lord shall be saved , but a a Math. 7. 21. he that doth the will of God .

2. The things which we must do are comprehended in the Law , the first table whereof cencerneth our duty to God , the second , our duty to man : Among our duties to God , prayer is one of the chiefe .

3. Prayer is a divine worship , wherein we speake to God , in true humility and devotion of the heart , according to his will , in true faith , fervency of the spirit , through the merit and mediation of Christ b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Basil. in mort . Julit . begging the things we want , deprecating that we feare , d d Ephes. 6. 18. interceding for others , or e e 1 Tim. 2. 1. giving thanks for that we or others have receaved . It is a f f August . in Ps. 85. Oratio iua est locutio ad Deum : quando legis , Deus ●ibi loquitur , &c. Oratio est colloqui●em ●um Deo . Chrys. in Gen , 30. homil. colloquie of the soule with its Creatour : when we read or heare his oracles , the holy Scriptures , he speaketh to us : when wee pray we speake to him . 'T is a kinde of re●luous grace , which he only giveth , who giveth the spirit of prayer , helping g g Rom. 8. our infirmities , who know not what to pray as we ought : it is a Postilion for heaven passing betweene God and man ; ariving in the moment 't is sent out : nay h h Isay 65. 24. before we speake hee will answer , and while we are speaking , heare , who knowes all our wants before we aske : it is the Dove of the soules Arke , going and returning till it bring assurance of peace : it is the i i Quam multi eum sonant voce & corde multi su●● Aug. in Psal. 119. ascension of the minde to God , without which , bended knees , out spread hands , and eyes lifted up , the most decent and devout gestures with the most excellent compture and composure of words , are but worthlesse shells of religion , and vaine drawing neere to God with our lips , the heart being farre from him . k k Oratio cordis est non labiorii . The fervent intention of minde , the silent language of the heart , God heareth without any voice uttered : l l Exod. 14. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Er. Naz. Orat. 15. when Moses was in an exigent at the red sea , we read of no vocall prayer , yet God said — wherefore cryest thou unto mee ? 'T is better pray in silence , then in attention of minde . God heareth the heart : what can lowd words availe where that is mute ?

4. He that will walk with God , must often pray , and heare ▪ prayer like Jacobs ladder , lands thee in heaven , and sets thee in Gods presence : and the foot thereof is in humility . m m Sicut enim superbi a omnium sons malorum est , ita humilitas cunctarum origo virtutum . Chrys. in Math. hom. 15. — humilitate suppositâ , tutissim● cuncta alia superponit aedificans● hac verò subducta , etiamsi ad ipsum usque coelum conversationis sublimitatē pervenias , simul omninò — in finem pessimum relabuntur . ib. The foundation of all vertue , without which , whatsoever , and how high soever is built , is but magnificent confusion : Pride cast the apostate Angells from heav●● ; how easily shall it keepe the presuming Pharisee thence ? The Publican going home justified , only as a selfe condemning sinner , not worthy , nor daring to lift up his eyes to heaven , but crying God be mercifull to mee a sinner , sheweth humility to be a safe vertue .

5. God's spirit inditeth and giveth audience to our prayers . This is confidence we have in him , n n 1 Joh. 5. 14. if we aske any thing according to his will , he heareth us : prayer is a divine antidote and remedy against the venome of sinne ; grounded on Gods promises ; extracted and gathered out of the Eden of his word , whence we must collect both lawes to forme , and matter to furnish our prayers , if wee will bee heard : some thinke 't is enough to say the words , but therein may be the sacrifice of fooles , and vaine babling of hypocrites . The more excellent the worke is , the more prudently it ought to bee performed : here is great fruit or danger : let us therefore seriously marke the conditions of prayer , which must be ,

Sect. II. 1. In true faith without doubting : o o Mark . 11. 24. Luk. 11. 9. Whatsoever yee aske in prayer beleeving yee shall receave it : which hee that doubteth cannot , Jam : 1. 6. 7. p p Jam. 5. 15. the prayer of faith shall save the sicke .

2. In fervency of spirit : q q Rom. 12. 11. it is a spirituall incense , and must have the heavenly fire of zeale , to make it an ascending , sweet savour to God as was shadowed out in the Leviticall incense , and the whole burnt offerings which they called r r 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sacrificium quod totum combur●batur , as in altum ascendebat . Pagn . The saurex Kimchi . ascensions which could not be offered without fire , nor might with any but that which came from heaven , the fervency of Gods owne spirit in us . s s Jam. 5. 16. The effectuall fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much . But he that asketh , drowsily fearefully , and diffidently , cannot obtaine , because he distrusteth Gods power , mercy , or truth : and let me tell the secure man here , he that is cold and negligent to performe this duty in health , peace , & prosperity , shall hardly be confident of audience in sicknesse & affliction .

3. In the spirit . t t 1 Cor. 14. 15. See there v. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9. 14. I will pray with the spirit , and I will pray with the understanding also : that is with hearty and intent devotion to God , who looketh on my thoughts , and heareth the petitions which his own spirit dictated : I will pray to my own and others understanding who joyne with me in prayer : without this we offer the sacrifice of fooles , not knowing , or intending what we say : nor can the present conception , or saying prayers by roat of heart , make them spirituall , if the spirit and inward man pray not : and with this inward sense and intention of the minde set formes of prayers may also be praying in the spirit : wee read u u Gen. 24. 60. Ruth . 4. 11. Numb. 6. 23. &c. many formes in the holy Scripture . Aaron and his sonnes were prescribed a forme of blessing the people — The Lord blesse thee and keep thee , the Lord make his face to shine upon thee , and be gratious unto thee : the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee , and give thee peace . And doubtlesse Aaron and his sonnes did as often as occasion served , pray the same prayer in the spirit , and intention of minde , and were heard of God : in the solemne fasts , the Prophet saith — w w Joel . 2. 17. let the Priests the ministers of the Lord — say , spare thy people , O Lord , and give not thine heritage to reproach — and I doubt not but the Priests using those very words ( as we now may ) did pray effectually and in the spirit . The Psalmes are many of them set formes of prayers , and thankesgivings , endited on severall occasions and appointed for the Churches use : and surely as David and others used them ( though set formes ) to God's glory , and sang them in the spirit and so doe we : and why shall I not beleeve that Paul did sing these same Psalmes , ( as he saith , I x x 1 Cor. 14. 15. will sing with the spirit , and will sing with the understanding also ) and intimate the singing of the same by us y y Colos. 3. 16. Ephes. 5. 19. with grace in our hearts to the Lord ? I finde no precept for singing or praiing ex tempore : I finde many prayers of the Saints recorded in holy writ ; for what ? Except to teach us imitation ? Above all is that sacred form , which Christ ( intreated to teach his disciples to pray ) taught them and us : we have no Scripture obliging us to conceaved prayers intimating them only to be spirituall ; or prohibiting set formes , as not spirituall : we have expresse Scripture for set formes . The most spirituall prayer is that which is so indited , and by the Spirit helping our infirmities , so uttered , that therein our hearts and mindes be attentive to God's holy presence , and that which we pray , this may bee in the heart without words uttering it , or in words conceived , written and red : for the spirit of God as well worketh in writing as speaking : as appeareth in his dictating the Scriptures : nor is the writing of prayer to be read , any more a restraining the Holy Ghost , or straitning it , then the writing of the Scriptures to be read . Nor can any man reasonably thinke that Gods will is to endite holy prayers by the inspiration of his Spirit , which might not be as well read , as spoken ; or which 't was lawfull once , or sometimes to use , but no more , or not alwaies on occasion ; seeing Christ three times together , prayed z z Math. 26. 44. the same words , and said , a a Luk. 11. 2. Math. 6. When ye pray say , Our Father which art in heaven , &c. on two severall occasions prescribing the same form : it skilleth not if we pray in spirit whether the eie by reading , the memory by exhibiting spirituall habits and impresses of the soule , or the inventiō do furnish the tongue with praior : though herein mans frailty be very considerable ; whose industry in studying to pray , as well as to preach for the peoples edification ( I shall believe ) God equally blesseth by the assistance of his spirit : infirmities all men are conscious of : who is sufficient for these things ? he that prayeth , may have some failings , now the more solicitous he is of words , & form ( for their sakes who heare him pray ) probably the lesse attentive his thoughts are to God : so that he may endanger , the life , vigour & efficacie , or substance of prayer , by reaching after a circumstance , without which it might be a truly spirituall and acceptable prayer : for who can deny but that the Lords prayer or any other set form in holy Scripture or elswhere , endited by the spirit of God , assisted by the same , & faithfully said , in the silent language of the heart , or in words pronounced before men , is a spirituall prayer ? who can reasonably affirme , that without the attention of the mind , or in case of deviation & wandring thereof , any conceived prayer can be spirituall , either to him that heareth & saith amen , or to the speaker : so that , if a set form of prayer , be endited by the assistance of God's spirit ( which is to be exam●ned & tried by its consent with the holy Scripture ) & repeated by the assistance of the same spirit , & 〈◊〉 ●●derstāding & intention of the soule , it is to God , a spiritual● prayer : & to our sense it must be so , except we will examine prayers by the eie : for who , behind a curtain could discern the difference between a new prayer conceived ex tempore , or penned & read ?

4. With a sincere heart : they who pray to b b Math. 6. be heard of men have their reward ; they who under colour of long prayers c c Match . 23. 14. devouer widowes houses , shall have it among hypocrits . The Emblem of prayer was , d d Pier. l. 34. an heart upon an alter : a broken heart is a sacrifice to God : but it must be sincere : prayer is the soules incense , Rev: 8. 4. which was to bee made pure and holy Exod : 30. 35. e e Psal. 17. 1. attend unto my prayer that goeth not out of feigned lips .

5. With expectation ( God sometimes long exerciseth the patience of his children , f f Amat enim Christus diu requiri . Amb. de virg. . l. 3. ( si sit ejus liber . ) deferring that which he meaneth to give ) and subjection to Gods holy will , who without errour seeth what is best , so cannot we : without fainting and giving over ( as Christ declared in the parable g g Luk. 18. 1. 1 Thes. 3. 10. 1 Thes. 5. 17. of the widow whose importunity moved the unrighteous judge to doe her justice because God will exercise our faith and patience : and this was figured out in the perpetuall incense , Exod : 3. 8. so must it be also without vaine bablings , h h Math. 6. 7. tautologies , and repetitions , as if one should be heard for his much speaking ▪ no sacrifice could be accepted i i Levit 8. 13. Mark . 9. 49. without salt : the meaning was God loveth not the unsavory sacrifice of fooles : therefore k k Eccles. 5. 1. be not rash with thy mouth , and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing before God : for God is in heaven and thou upon earth , therefore l l Non multiloquio , sed conscientiâ , &c. Hilar . Can. 5. let thy words be few , a fooles voice is known by the multitude of words . Herein hath that saying of the Apostle place , m m 1 Cor. 14. 19 I had rather speake five words with my understanding : n n Math. 6. 7 , 8. Christ forbad as vaine repetitions in prayers , so by the instance of the heathens , all thought of being heard for much speaking — Be yee therefore not like unto them : it is o o Christianos in Egypto crebras quidem orationes habere , sed eas brevissimas . Aug. — ne tva vigilantèr erecta quae oranti plurimum necessaria est , per productiores moras ●vmescat atque 〈◊〉 tetur intentio : ac per hoc 〈◊〉 ipsi satis ostendunt , hanc intentionem sicut non est obtundenda se perdurare non potest , ita si perduraverit , non citò esse rumpendam●a ●sit enim ab oratione multa loqu●tio , sed non desit multa precatio si fervens perseverat in tentio : nam multum loqui , est in orando , rem necessariam superfluis ager● verbis : multum autem precari , est ad eum quem precamur diuturnâ & piâcordis exercitatione pulsare : nam plerumque hoc negotium plus g●mi●ibus quam sermonibus agitur , plus fl●tu quam a●●atu . August . Probae ep. 121. c. 10. noted of the antient Christians in Egipt , that they used frequent but very short prayers : probably lest they should by any deviation of the minde , profane instead of praying . Our Church in her publike Liturgie , used not any long , but almost all short formes of prayers , Minister and people by often concluding in the name of Christ , and saying amen , might be stirred up to attention , which is the life of prayer , it being not so easie to loose ones selfe in a short attention as in a long , in which some incogitancie or spirit of slumber is too apt to obrepe and come upon p p Act. 20. 9 Eutychus● ; yea Christ found the q q Math. 26. 40 , 41. best Apostles slumbring some times , though the spirit were willing : therefore hee , who out of the infinitude of spirit r r Colos. 2 9. which dwelt in him bodily , used by himselfe alone , to s s Luk. 6. 12. spend whole nights in prayer , when he t t Luk. 11. 2. &c. taught his disciples to pray , considered , and complyed with their infirmities , and prescribed them so short a forme , that even childrens memories serve them to repeat it : there is , as in the body , so in the mind , a definite strength and ability to performe their severall offices , to● which that which wee undertake is discreetly to be proportioned : and here , we may not so long pray as to dull the attention of the mind , in which is ( as I said ) the life of prayer , nor cease where the spirit of God , by giving us fresh , and unwearied vigour , inviteth us to a continuation in our prayer , u u Aliud est sermo multus , aliud diuturnus affectus , nam & de ipso domino scriptum est , quod p●rnoclavit in orando , & quod prolixius orave rit . ib Aug all long prayer is not much babling : all is to be valued by the affection , not the words : words are necessary in respect of our selves , and others praying with us , that they may know how to joyne in petition with us , w w Nobis ergò verba necessaria sunt — non quibus dominum , seu docendum , seu flectendum esse credamus . ib. Aug. c. 11. init . not that we can thereby enforme God : 't is the heart that looketh on , the faith presenting him the merit of Christ for which he heareth us , and the intention of a serious mind sensible of its owne wants , and depending on his help , without which he will not heare us .

6. In charity with all men , enemies not excepted . Math: 5. 44. malice is strange fire , x x Levit. 9. 24. which came not downe from heaven , Levit: 10. 1. Jam : 3. 14 , 15. 17. whosoever offereth therewith shall be y y Levit 10. 1. &c. 1 King . 18. 38. 2. Chron. 7. 1. cut off from Israel . Charity is that heavenly fire on the Altar which must never goe out , Levit: 6. 13. 1. Cor: 13. 8. Therefore z z Math. 5 23. 24. if thou bring thy gift to the altar and remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee : leave there thy gift before the altar , a a Math. 6. 14. and goe thy way , first be reconciled to thy brother , b b Genes. 43. 3. and then come and offer thy gift : for saith Christ , if yee forgive not — neither will your father forgive you : upon the matter he saith unto us , as Joseph once to his brother 〈◊〉 yee shall not see my face , except your brother be with you .

7. It must be c c Math. 16. 41. Colos. 4. 2. Ephes. 6. 18. Vigilat hostis dormis tu ? Aug. in Psalm 65. with watching . The subtile enemie watcheth to lead away thy thoughts , by suggesting something contrary , or impertinent to thy prayers ; so depriving thee of the fruit thereof . Prayer must be with great intention of the minde to God , which cannot be , except we exclude all other busie thoughts , as Christ did the tumultuous multitude at Jairus house : we must , when we are to offer this spirituall sacrifice , leave all other businesse , as Abraham did his servants at the hill foot , to wait for his returne to them againe : we must incessantly drive away all suggestions of other thoughts , by perpetuall ejaculations , d d Genes. 22. 5. as e e Genes. 15. 11. he did the fowles which fell upon his sacrifice : for then only , we cry withall our heart to God , when f f Quando aliunde non cogitatur . Aug. in Psal. 118. we thinke of nothing else : that prayer appeaseth not , but provoketh Gods anger , wherein wee g g Quando aliud cogitat aliud loquitur — speake one thing , and thinke another , the heathens by the twilight of nature , so much abhorred perturbation , or distraction in their false worship , that h h Ambros. de . virg. l. 3. Alexandro sacrificante puerulum barbarum qui ei lumen accenderet , excepisse 〈◊〉 ignem brachio : atque ad●isto corpore 〈◊〉 immobilem tanta in puero barbare 〈◊〉 sciplina revorentie . Alexanders page , holding a torch therein a sparke falling on his naked arme , hee rather suffered the paine of burning , then the least disturbance of that service : we must come to prayer with the most calmed affections : in smooth waters , you may behold the heaven , and glorious lights thereof , but in the troubled , all appeareth wreathed and confused : 't is so here : any extreame passion discomposeth the soule , and rendreth unapt for prayer .

8. Cheifly our petitions must bee presented by the great Master of requests , Christ , i i Joh. 14. 13. Joh 1● . ●3 . Whatsoever yee aske in my name that will I doe : he presenteth our prayers , the k k Rev. 8. much sweet odours in the golden Censer , his own unvaluable merit . * * Joh. 16. 26. Hee prayeth the Father for us : he is the faithfull high Priest over the house of God for ever , to l l Exod 28. 29. 30. beare our names and remembrance on his breast-plate : there is but this one mediatour betweene . God and man , they that goe to others follow lying vanities , and forsake their mercy : m m 1. Tim ▪ 2. 5. Jacob obtained the blessing in his elder brothers garment , so must we in the merit and mediation of Christ .

9. Our prayers must be for that which concerneth God's glory , and our salvation , absolutely : for th●ngs temporall conditionally , as these are in subordination and relation to them : so farre as may stand with God's honour , & our sou●es health : so taught he us by precept n n Math. 6. and example , to say , o o Math. 26. 39. thy will be done : we many times pray for that which God denieth in mercy : it were not good for us to obtaine it : it made some sober p p Non quae volo sed quae sunt utilia E●ertere domos totas optantibus ipsis dii faciles , &c. Iuvenal . Sat. 10 heathens pray in generall for that which was good , and leave the choice to God : we must pray not to informe an omniscient God , but to performe the parts of dutifull children , ever with subscription to his will , who best knoweth what is good for us : q q Sic vive cum nominibus , tanquam Deus videat , sic loquere cum Deo tanquam homines audiant , Senec. ep. 10. f. aske nothing of God , but that thou maist pray for before all men .

There are many motives to incite us to fervent prayers .

Sect. III. 1. Our owne necessities and others : necessitie cryeth to thee as that master of the r r Jona 1. 6. Joppa shippe to Jona in the storme — What meanest thou O sleeper ? arise call upon thy God that wee perish not : Charity bids thee pray for others , though God have no need of our prayers , wee have of his mercy and blessings , which we will give whe● wee in faithfull prayer acknowledge his power to give , and his mercy to grant ; which is our dependance on him : without his helpe and blessing , no creature can helpe s s 2 King . 6. 27. ( if the Lord doe not helpe thee , Whence should I helpe thee ? Said the King of Israel ) no not the bread which thou hast in thy hand can nourish thee : therefore hee taught rich and poore to say , t t Math. 6. give us this day our dayly bread● he gr●●th it , and power to nourish .

2. Admirable is the power u u Vide●t qui valt . ●pist . Merci ●●per●ad 〈◊〉 testatur Christianos victoriae Romanorum causam suisse . Justin. Mart. Apol. 2. of prayer : it calmeth the surges of a troubled spirit . Takes men up to heaven in holyrapts . it inclineth heaven to earth : shuts the lyons mouths : w w Act. 12. 5. opens the prison doores : x x Amal●ch precibus d●bellatur Origen . beats the fiercest enemies : while Moses hand was held up Israel prevailed : David armed herewith , beat the overgrowne champion of Gath : Joshua hereby fetcht y y Armaturam è coe lo. Moses co●tra Amal●ch non gl●dio , sed oration● pugnavit . Hieron . ● . 2. ep. 24. ammunition from heaven , and the Lord cast downe hailestones from heaven to destroy the enemies : the Sunne and Moone stood still : the Starres in their order fought against Sicera . It was the answer z z Pri●s votis hostes quam ar●is vincendos , Iust. hist ● 20. of the Oracle to the Cretians , that their enemies must be conquered with prayers , before they could with armes . Prayer is the key of heaven : Eliah hereby shutt , and opened it for raine ; it a a Mark . 9. 29. Math. 17. 21. casteth out devils which can no otherwise but by fasting and prayer , be cast out . Prayer is a sacrifice to God , a reliefe to the supplyant , a scourage to the devill : 't is the Bathsheba of heaven , which can receive no repulse , b b Gen. 20. 17. Abraham interceeded for the impious Sodomites , and Abraham gave over asking , before God gave over granting , and condescending : when Moses prayed , God said , c c Exod. 32. 10. Let mee alone , that I may destroy them , d d Quando dicit dimi●te m● , oste●dit s● ten●ri posse ne faciat quod minatus est : Dei e●i● potentiam servi preces impedi●bant . Hieron . lib. 2. ep 18. as if he had laid violent hands of God's judgements , and by prayers arrested his justice . His mercy like that oile . 2 King . 4. ceaseth not increasing , while there is any vessell to receive it : if e e Luke 18. the widowes importunity could incline an impious judge to justice : how much more shall ours , a righteous God , to mercy ? If we who are evill will give our children good things , how much more will God , who cannot erre in giving ? prayer obtaineth the spirit of sanctification . Luk. 11. 13. wisedome , Jam. 1. 5. deliverance from troubles , Psalm . 50. 15. for our selves and others Act. 12. Jam. 5. 15. health in sicknesse : blessing in health , remission of sinnes : it must needs be so , seeing hee inviteth us to pray , and promiseth to heare our prayer : he is f f Psal. 144. 18. nigh unto all them that call upon him in truth . Christ inter●edeth for us . g g Cicero . A●t. 7. in Verre● . when Aquilius brest was opened before the Roman Judges , and he but shewed the wounds received in their service ; it enclined them to mercy , and recovered the almost forlorne cause : what shall not the merits of Christs wounds perswade with God ? O that he would say to my soule , as he did once to Peter , before his temptation h h Luk. 22. 32. I have prayed for th●e that thy faith faile thee not . Let the Lyons yell , & the powers of hell muster up against mee , if Christ pray for mee , I passe not who is against mee . My addresse is to him , and my dependance on him , i i Emil. Prob. no man might come to the Persian King , but he must first solicit the second in the Kingdome , but Christ saith , k k Math. 11. Come unto mee : thou shalt need no other mediatour : fervent prayer never returneth empty ; it bringeth us either that we aske , or something better in the fervencie of spirit it ascendeth like the l l Judg. 13. 20. Angell in the ●lame of Manoahs sacrifice , and doth wonderfully : it saith as wrastling m m Gen. 32 26. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sept. Jacob , I will not let thee go except thou blesse mee . It was a motive to n n 1 King . 20. 31. Benhadad to sue for quarter , we have heard that the Kings of Israel are mercifull Kings , therefore he sent and obtained , we have heard , and certainly knowne , that God is abundant in mercy ; why are we silent ? when o o Exod. 34. 35. Moses came down from talking with God , his face shined : never stay wee with God in the mount by hearty prayer , but our soules bring away some divine lustre , and heavenly beauty on them : some secret joy , assurance of obtaining , and confidence to persevere .

But some may say , Object. 1. I have long prayed , and yet obtain not . I answer , the rule is , that hee will speedily answer , and grant according to his promise : p p Isay 65. 24. Before they call I will answer , and whiles they are yet speaking I will heare : nor will he delay , except in case that ,

1. The obstruction be in our selves : as when we continue in sinne , and repent not : when our faith and patience is not throughly exercised : and then it concerneth us to amend , and learne patience , considering that God hath q q Nonnullis quippè impati●ntibus Domi●nus Deus , quo● petebant conces●ic iratus . Num. 11. 33. Aug. ep. 121. c. 14. sometimes granted the requests of impatient men in his anger ; and that it is best which God will , not that we : and r r Si aliquid contraquā oramus acciderit , pati●ntèr ferendo , & in omnibus gratias agendo , hoc potiùs oportuisse , quod Dei , non quod nostra voluntas habuit m●uimè dabitare debemus . ib. Aug. when any thing happeneth contrary to our desires , to bear it meekly and give thankes .

2. That he deferreth to our greater advantage , meaning to recompence that delay , by multiplying the blessing ▪ so was it with the poore s s Math. 15. 22. &c. Canaanite , whose importunity would receive no denyall , I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the ho●se of Israël , then a reproach : 't is not meet to take the childrens bread , and give it to dogs , Cum aliquando tardius dat , cōmendat dona non negat , diu desiderata dulcius obtine●tur , cito autem ●ata vileseunt Aug. de verb. Domini in Math. 5. Obj. 2. yet at last to her praise , as long as that Gospel shall sound in the Church of God , and to●her confirmation to eternity she heard , O woman great is thy faith , be it unto thee as thou desirest .

Some urge , I have many times , and long prayed , and find no fruit , nor successe , but rather things contrary .

I answer , there may be many causes hereof : 1. It may be you performe not the conditions of prayer : your t t Cla●orem potius cordis oportere esse , non vocis , &c. Hilar. in Psal. 118. mind wandreth : you waver or wax faint in prayer : if Moses but let downe his hands Amalecke prevaileth : you pray not in spirit , your heart is not upright : u u Verè tunc tibi attendit , 〈◊〉 ipsum qu●ris , non quandò per ips●̄ aliud quaeris , August in Psal. 76. you seek God only for the worlds sake : you want charity , you pray not in faith : See Num. 20. 12. 2. It may be you aske somethings , which obtained would hurt you , as children crie for knives or fire . w w Et mis●ricorditèr auditur , et mis●ricorditer non auditur , exauditur diabolus et nonexaud●tur Apostolus ( Job . 1. 2. Cor. 12. ) exaudivit cum quem dispo●●bat damnare , & non exaulivit cum quem volebat Sanare : nam aeger petit multa à medico non d●● medicus , &c. Aug. in Ps. 8● . He both mercifully heareth us , and mercifully denyeth : the Physitian better knoweth what is good for the patient : we have all begged mischiefes , if God had not denyed in mercy , we had long since perished by our owne des●res : you that are so impatient , because God granteth not what you desire ; come to the Scriptures you shall find , the devill was in some case heard , & the Apostle not heard , God heard him whom he had damned , and heard him not , whom he would heale & save .

3. It may be you aske something good to an evill end : you aske and receave not , because you aske amisse , x x Non t●●x●udit al voluntatem , sed exaudit ad salutem . ib. exp. in Joh. ep. tr . 6. Ideò non dat , ●e obsit quod dat. Aug. in Psal. 144. that yee may consume it on your pleasures : Jam : 4. 3. 4. It may bee you are deafe or carelesse to the word of God : if you continue in mee ( saith Christ ) and my words in you yee shall aske what yee will , and it shall be done unto you , Job : 15. 7. the y y Ps. 34. just cryed and he delivered them , 't is the prayer of the righteous which availeth much , Jam : 5 , 16. therefore saith the Apostle , let every z z 2 Tim. 2. 19. one that calleth on the name of Jesus depart from iniquitie , and , I will that men pray every where , lifting up holy hands . Sanctity , like that a a Exod. 17. 12. stone which Aaron and Hur put under Moses fainting hands , supporteth our prayers with assurance of obtaining : his prayer is b b Validior op●ris quam oris vox Bern● . Cant Ser. 59. powerfull whose cause , tongue , action , and life speake for him : the Oratours rule is , b b ●●anus loquitur . the hand speake's ; & injuries cry for revenge ( such a voice had d d Genes. 4 7. Abels blood , so almes deeds for mercy ; e e Act. 10. 4. Cor●●lius beneficence did so , thy prayers and thy almes are come up for a memoriall before God : prayer flyeth up to God with Cherub's wings ; faith and fervency : but must have hands under those wings : f f Se● ut a● au●res Dei via● precibus facia●is : vigilantius studendum est ut voces actibus adjuventur : nam majus sit oratio , ubi pra●● est actio , G●eg . in ep. 44. ● . 9. bee thou holy and attentive to Gods word , and thou maist bee confident of audience with him : otherwise hee will say , when you make long prayers , I will not heare you : prayer is the soules soveraigne balme , but cannot cure where any splinter remaineth in that wound : where any intention is to continue in sin , no prayers are heard . g g Levit. 13. 45. See Prov. 10. 5. 11. The Lepers mouth , by the Law was to be covered : sinne thy soules leprosie h h Quid justius ? non au●ivimus , non respeximus , non respi●imur . Salv. de gub . Dei . l. 3. stops thy mouth and therein , thou but awakest Gods justice to punish thee : it made i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Bias. apud Laert. l. 1. c. 56. the heathen in the storme say to some debauched fellowes when they prayed , hold your peace , least God should know such wicked fellowes sailed here . k k Psal. 50. To the ungodly , God said , what hast thou to doe , to take my covenant into thy mouth seeing thou hatest to be reformed ? 5. It may be God denieth what you aske , that he may give you something better . It is indeed a bitter triall to pray and have no sense of being heard : I conceave that l l Psal. 22. 1. made David expostulate with God , as if he were forsaken : but let a man consider what God hath done to his dearest servants : O that Ismael might live in thy sight , cryed faithfull Abraham : God giveth him an Isaak , a blessed seed : Moses prayer could not obtaine his entrance into Canaan , it obtained his present entrance into heaven : he many times denieth our wills , that hee may accomplish his in our salvation : m m Si verè Deum invocasti , certus esto , quia id fortè quod ●ol●bas temporalitèr ideo non delit , quia non ●ibi pro●crat : aedificetur in hoc cor vestrum &c. ne incipiatis tristes facti , veluti fraudati desideriis ve●stris , ire indignation●m contra Deum . Aug. in Psal. 85. non exaudit a● voluntatem ut exau●iat ad sanitatem qui talla peccatorious lat quid cum putas servare ●idelibus suis ? — Servat non ●rtam sed ●xlum — scipsum qui fecit coelum . ib. he denieth temporall things that profit not , that hee may bestow eternall . Be not dejected , not ●illed with indignation : but consider how God giveth lands , fruits , health , children , plenty , and the like to them that daily blaspheame him : he that gives such things to sinners , what th●nkst thou he reserveth for his children ? Certainly not earth but heaven ; I say he meaneth to give himselfe to thee ; if he removes the lets , that he may so doe , art thou impatient ?

Againe some will say , as Moses , n n Exod. 4. 10. I am not eloquent ; to form a prayer . I answer , there are many formed already for thee : but canst thou say lesse then the poore Publican : God be mercifull to me a sinner : say that , as he did , and it shall be enough for thee to goe home justified : what was the meaning of that caution in the Law , o o Luk. 18 13. that he might , p p Le●it . 5. 6. 7. offer a paire of turtles , who had not a sheep ; but that God will accept , if we offer the best we can , be it never so litle . If thou have no more , offer a contrite heart . I shall never beleeve him destitute of happy audience with God , who looking on the merits of Christ interceding for him , can but weepe ; those teares have strong cries : why else doth David mention q q Psal. 6. 8. the voice of his teares ? Powerfull prayer , is more in the groanes of the spirit , then rhetoricall elegancies , more in weeping then speaking .

There are certaine rules of practice hereto nece●●ary .

1. Before Prayer : 1. Meditate on the gracious promises of God : r r Isti duo dicipossunt oratio & meditatio , &c. Bern. de duob●discip . Luk. 24. 13. meditation and prayer are like the two Disciples going to Emaus , wh●le they are conferring , Christ joyneth himselfe to them , and like f f 1 King . 18. 43. &c. Eliah and his servant on Carmel , one obtaineth , the other discovereth the blessing comming .

2. Forgive all thine enim●es : give those that w●nt thy help : forgive those that offend thee : put out all bitternesse , and desire of revenge out of thy soule : count it the most divine victory to overcome thine adversary with vertue and goodnesse .

3. Set thy selfe in the presence of God : remembring thine owne vilenesse and guiltinesse . Thinke of the dreadfull Majestie of God before whom thou art to appeare : before whom are thousand thousand glorious Angels , those unseene messengers of his , who see and heare thee .

4. Disburden thy minde of all cares and thoughts of this world , prepare thy heart to thinke only of heavenly things .

5. Humbly and heartely begge pardon for all those sinnes which have interc●pted his grace , and made thee lesse apt to pray , and thy former prayers lesse fruitfull .

6. Compose thy body to that humble gesture , which may best serve to expresse thy high reverence of body and soule , & to stirre up the greater devotion in thy selfe and others .

7. Entreat Gods assistance and the evidence of his spirit to helpe thy infirmities , and to prepare thee to pray faithfully .

2. In prayer . 1. Lift up thy soule to God : call upon him with thy heart ; See●ose ●ose . 7. 14. fix thy thoughts in heaven : and as much as humane infirmitie can attaine to , turne thee to looke upon the throne of God through the merits of Christ , at the right hand of God , receaving and presenting thy requests to him .

2. Watch over thy thoughts , and diligently fetch them in from their extravagancies , and wandrings out , forcing them into an ardent attention .

3. As oft as Satan distracteth , Christ will have us when we pray sh●● the doore : Math. 6. 6. but I thinke ( saith Bern de nat. Dom. Ser. 3. ) that he who shut the heaven by his prayer , could not shut out distracting thoughts from his prayer . Facilius est coelum obsera●e quàm animum . ib. Psal. 85. 8. in a briefe ejaculation and quick flight of a thought , desire the Lord to reprove and restraine him , and to assist and help thee .

3. After Prayer , let thy heart

1. Thanke the Lord for his gratious assistance .

2. In an ejaculation , pray God to passe by , and forgive all thy failings .

3. Resolve to wait Gods leasure ( and to subject all thy desires to his holy will ) for the time and manner of his grant .

4. Attend what answer God giveth either 1. More confidence of obtaining , 2. Cheerefulnesse of spirit , and resolution to trust in him , what ever he pleaseth to doe with thee . 3. More fervently to persevere in prayer . 4. A constant resolution carefully to examine thy waies , in case thou art sensible of some obstruction and let to thy obtaining . 5. Granting thy requests , that thou maist acknowledge his mercy and glorify him , and thence gather future assurance of being heard in the like or other necessities .

Thus enformed and prepared loose not the comfortable suits of dayly prayers , by foreslowing thy opportunity of calling on God while he is nigh : every houre will serve hereto : but be sure thou set apart some : specially the first and the last : every place hath served God's children in necessity : the lyons denne , the prison , the belly of the Whale , the Babylonish fornace , the midst of the sea . So may the way thou travellest on ; the bed thou liest on : but if it be in thy choice , take that place which is freest from distractions , most decent , private and accommodate , whether thou prayest alone , or with thy family : 't is never importune to any state or condition : it will make thy prosperity secure , and thy afflictions tolerable : only , when ever thou prayest , doe it , as with deepest sense , so with greatest humility and reverence of body and soule ; in as●urance of God's mercy . He that dares speake to thee ( said the souldier to Caesar ) knowes not thy Majestie : he that dares not , thy Clemency : He knowes not the dreadfull Majestie of God who dares any way be prophane or irreverend in prayer : and hee is ignorant of Gods mercy , who will not be confident to pray unto him .

A Prayer for the spirit of Prayer .

O Lord God of truth , and father of mercy and compassion , who art clothed with Majestie ▪ and glory , and yet so regardest man ( man vile dust and earth , yet that worke of thy hands which beareth thyne owne image ) as that thou framest his heart , and enclinest thyne eare to his petitions : heare us now calling on thy holy name , and let thine eare be open to our requests : Lord we humbly acknowledge that we are lesse then the lest of all thy mercies spirituall and secular , and their continuation , as in respect of our manifold sinnes whereby we have provoked thy justice , so also for our undervalewing thy inestimable favours offered us , in the most easy and gracious conditions of mercy which thou hast proposed unto us concerning remission of sinnes , deliverance from judgments , and all blessings of this life , and that which is to come , whereof thou saiest , but aske and have , we have yet so much neglected the meanes of our being happy , that we haue , amongst many other sinnes of omission , either forgotten , and neglected to pray , or formally , drowzily , and carelessely performed the same so many haue our failings herein been , that whensoever we haue prayed for blessings , or forgivenesse , we had need againe to pray , that thou wouldst forgiue the sinnes of those prayers , lest they should awake thy justice , instead of pacifying it , and imploring mercy . And now O Lord , seeing thou art a God of pure eies , dreadfull Ma●●stie and asearcher of hearts , as we are a people of unhallow thoughts , and polluted lipps , wherewith all shall we come and bow our selues before the most high ? thou hast indeed shewed us what is good , and what acceptable , but we have not done justly , loved mercy , nor in that humility we ought , walked with thee : when thou wouldst instruct us , we have hardened our hearts , and refused to obay : when thy chastning have beene upon us , we have not powred out our prayer , nor in our trouble visited thee , as appeareth this day : now when thyne arme is streched out over us with dreadfull judgements , threatning utter ruine and desolation of this whole nation , so stupid is our security and hardnesse of heart , such a spirit of slumber is fallen up●n us , that yet we cannot , or will not understand those things which concerne our peace and attonement with thee : now when the Tents of Israel are beset with destroyers so much worse then Amalekites comming against us , by how much more dwelling amongst us we cannot yet repent and cry for mercy : in our prayers we soone let fall cur fainting hands , for want of those supports of faith , fervency , and resolution never to hold our peace day nor night , nor to give thee rest untill thou establish us , and restore our religion and peace : now when the houre of darknesse is at hand , the dispersion of thy litle flock , to be feared , and dangerous tentations by seducers , able , if it were possible , to beguile the very elect : now when the great day of of the Lord draweth neere , and hasteth on us ; when the sound thereof , in warres and rumours of warres affrighteth us on every side , a day of wrath , trouble , distresse , and desolation , a day of darknesse and gloominesse , a day of trumpet and alarme , so senselesse a security hath taken away our hearts , that we still goe on in our sins , corrupting our waies , and so wounding our own consciences , that wee are not only become loathsome in thy sight , miserable in our present condition , and helplesse in our selves ; but also heartlesse to fly to the Sanctuary of thy mercy and saving health , our owne consciences deterring us , because we cannot but know that we deserve thy justice , who so long centemned thy mercies , and that thou maist most justly stop thine eares to our prayers , as we have ours to thy precepts , and leave us comfortlesse in our distresse , who have so many yeares beene fruitlesse in our abundance of peace and prosperity : yet Ô Lord our God , in assurance that thou art true and faithfull , who hast promised , saying , aske and yee shall have , and trusting in his merit and mediation , who hath said , Come unto me all yee that are weary and heavy laded , and I will give you rest , wee come unto thee , humbly praying thee to be reconciled unto us , to open our eyes that we sleep not in death , to pardon all our sinnes , our neglects and defects in prayer ; to frame our hearts and tongues thereto , to helpe our infirmities , who know not what to pray as we ought , to assist us with the powerfull evidence of that spirit of Christ Jesus which enditeth all those prayers to which thou hast made the promise of obtaining , to send downe that heavenly fire , fervency of spirit , which may direct and make this spirituall incense ascend up holy and acceptable in thy sight through his mediation who now sitteth at thy right hand to make requests for us ; so that we may have a cheerfull assurance of being heard : Lord restraine the vigilant malice of the tempter : take from us all hardnesse of heart , unbeleefe , doubting , wandering thoughts , drouzinesse , and deadnesse of spirit , and whatsoever else hath hitherto made us unapt to pray , and lesse successeful in our prayers : give us true humilitie , holy reverence of body and soule , and that wisedome to behave our selves in thy dreadfull presence , that thou maist be pleased gratiously to accept our petitions , that we may carry backe a comfortable answer to the assurance of our hearts and consciences before thee and further encouragement to continue our supplications unto thee , through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour

AMEN .

CHAP. XIII .

§ . 1. Of hearing Gods word . § . 2. Motives thereto . § . 3. The usuall lets . § . 4. Conditions requisite to profitable hearing . § . 5. Rules of practice thereto appertaining .

1 SInne ( to Gods dishonour , Sect. I. and mans misery ) invaded the soule principally by the eare : and it is Gods pleasure to beat it out againe by the same doore : that as in our first parents , we heard Satans seducements to our ruine ; so for our repaire , we should heare the voice of Christ , a a Deut. 32. 47. which is our life — b b Deut. 4. 6. our wisedome , and blessednesse if we keepe it .

2. No word can binde and stay the conscience , direct to salvation , comfort the soul , and make a man truly wise , but only that c c Cui falsum subess● non potest . which cannot be false : that only is the ground of faith ; whatsoever is lesse , is but opinion at most : this infallible certainty is only in the word of God d d Tit. 1. 2. Hebr. 6. 18. who cannot lye . Let others magnifie traditions of men , I will learne my religion e e Non Deus a li●nis ass●rtiori●bus , sed suis aestimandus vocibus est . Ambr. de poenit . l. 1. c. 4. here , f f Coeli mystcri● doccat m● Deus ipse qui condi●dit , &c. cui magis de Deo , quam Deo cr●dam ? ib. ad Valent. ep . 31. who but God could teach me Gods will , and the mystery of salvation ? If the Oratour did justly reprove him that learned Greeke at Lilybaeum not at Athens : and Latine at Cilicia not at Rome , how much more culpable are they , who neglecting Gods word will elsewhere learne religion ? hoc intelligere quis hominum dabit homini ? quis Angelus Angl●o , quis Angelus homini , &c. August . Cons. l. 13. c. 30.

3. g g Hebr. 11. God hath spoken at sundry times , and in divers manners by the Prophets and Apostles , whose writings the same his infallible spirit endited , to reveale his will concerning the duty and salvation of man ; and for a constant and unchangeable rule of faith and manners , leading to the same : As when he had shewed the Israelites his power and providence to feed them with Manna from heaven , h h Exod. 16. 33. hee commanded that a part thereof should be laid up for posterity in the golden urne : so i i Quid ●st autem Scriptura sacra , nisi quaedam epistola omnipotentis Dei a● creaturam suam ? Disce cor Dei in verbis Dei Greg. ep. 40. l. 4. when those divine clouds ( the Prophets and Apostles ) had showred downe their heavenly food of soules , the commission was to them all , which was to some , write this for a memoriall in a booke , Exod: 17. 14. write the vision , and make it plaine upon tables , Habac : 2. 2. what thou seest write in a booke , Rev: 1. 11. write , for these words are true and faithfull Rev: 21. 5. This is that Manna which was accommodate to every Palate : it was milke to the child , and strong meat to the man : the Scripture is for all estates , ages , and conditions .

4. Though the Scriptures are the only infallible k k 2 Pet. 1. dictate of the holy Ghost , appointed to be the rule by which to try all doctrines ; yet the preaching of the same word ; expounding , & applying it by the Ministers of Christ , is likewise the ordinance of the same God , assisted by a sufficient measure of his spirit , to the edifying and salvation of the hearers , so is it the ( l l Rom. I. 16. power of God to salvation to every one that beleeueth : he hath said , it m m Math. 10. 20. is not you that speake , but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you : and , ● Tim. 4. 16. take heed unto thy selfe and unto the doctrine — for in doing this , thou shalt both save thy selfe and them that heare thee .

5. As Christ was the Prophet o o Deut. 18. 15. Act. 3. 22 , 23. which God promised to raise up , which every soule must heare which will be saved ; so was , and is , his spirit now speaking in the Preachers of the Gospell : See Luk. 10. 16. and as salvation is by faith onely , so is faith p p Rom. 10. by hearing , and that by the Word of God : and how shall they learne without a teacher ? or preach except they be sent , and furnished of God ? when he sent the Angell q q Act. 10. to Cornelius , he could by the same , have instructed him concerning his will ; but he remitted him to the Ministrie of Peter : so when Christ appeared to r r Act 9. Saul on the way he could as easily have told him what he should do , as send him bl●nd to Ananias , to restore him at once a double light : but he would thus teach men a reverend esteeme and dependance on the ministry , by which his purpose was , ordinarily to bring men to faith and salvation .

To incite us to this duty of hearing , let us consider , that

Sect. II. 1. As s s Exod. 28. 35. Aaron must be heard when he went into the holy place : and the t t Ezek. 33. 7. Prophet must heare the Word at Gods mouth , and warne the people thereof upon paine of death , u u Tintinabu●a quae sonabant in v●ste pontificiali sonum significant praedicationis . Hug. de Sanct. Victor . all . in lev. Sic etiam interpretatur Just. Mart. dial . cum Triphon . Jud. so if they will not heare , and be warned , they wilfully perish .

2. The Word is Gods Scepter of his Kingdome : 't is his great mercy to give the light of the Gospell to a people , as a starre to lead them to Christ , when hee w w Rev. 2 5. removeth the Candlesticke from others , by nature as good as they . x x 1 King . 10. 8. The Queene of Saba said , that Solomons servants were happy in that they might stand and heare his wisedome : how much more happy are they , who may in the Gospell , heare the wisedome of Christ , and be sensible of his y y Rom. 1. 16. saving power therein ?

3. This word , as God owneth it for the z z Math. 10. 20. Luk. 1● . dictate of his spirit , and his ordinance , so doth he indeed make it effectuall to a a Psal. 19. 7. convert the soule , to make the simple b b 2 Tim. 3. 15. 17. wise unto salvation , and the wise perfect , and throughly furnished to all good workes .

4. Hereby Satans Captives may be brought to repentance , acknowledge the truth , & recover themselves out of his snare . 2. Tim: ● . 24. to whom they must else ( like those c c Exod. 21. 5. 6. Deut. 15. 17. care-bored servants ) be in vassalage for ever .

5. The word of truth is d d Veritas odium parit tutius auditur veritas qu●m praed●catur , Aug. de doct. Christ . nunquam sine querela aegra tanguntu● . Sen. de ira● 3. c. 10. safely heard , though not alwaies so preached : d d Veritas odium parit tutius auditur veritas qu●m praedicatur , Aug. de doct. Christ . nunquam sin● querela aegra tanguntur . Sen , de ira● 3. c. 10. truth begetteth malice , and so createth danger to the speaker , where itching eares will not endure sound doctrine , 2. Tim: 4. 3.

6. It is the word of reconciliation , 2. Cor: 5. 19. the embassie of God , to entreat us to be reconciled to him in Christ : it profereth peace if we will embrace it : if we hearken unto it e e Judg. 9. 7. as Jothan said ) God will hearken unto us : it is the f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . gladsome tydings of salvation , g g Act. 10. 36. the Gospell of peace , Rom: 10. 15. the savour of life to them who receave it ; as of death to them that reject it or neglect it : every sermon setteth before us h h Deut. 30. 15. 19. life and death , blessing and cursing , that we may choose : as i i Iloc ego in sinu bellum pacemque , porto u●rum eligitis ? ● . Flor. l. 2. c. 6. Fabius said to the Carthaginians , when he shooke his robes , In this bosome , I bring you warre and peace , choose which you will .

7. The dangers are unavoidable to the refuser to heare this word :

1. It is a desperate condition to be deafe to the ordinary remedy appointed by God to cure us : read 2. Chron: 36. 15. &c. The Lord God of their fathers sent unto them by his Messengers k k Jer. 7. 13. 14. Jer. 11. 7 , 8. rising early and sending , because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place : but they mocked the Messengers of God , despised his words and misused his Prophets , untill the wrath of God arose against the people , and there was no remedy . Therefore brought hee up them the King of the Chaldeans , who slew their yong men with the sword , &c. See Jer. 19. 15. Jer. 29. 18 , 19. Jer: 25. 8. 9. &c. Levit. 26. 18. &c. Deut. 21. 13. 15. l l Jer. 30. 5. Therefore did we heare a voyce of trembling , and fear , and not of peace : Hippocr . therefore a voyce is heard in Ramah , lamentation and bitter weeping : for indeed hereby men desperately prevoke God . Heb. 3. 16. It is the height of rebellion against him , wherein they will admit of not treaty , Deut. 1. 43. Isay 30. 9. the Physitians say , deafnesse in a sharp fever is a signe of madnesse : 't is nothing lesse here : God will give them over n n 2. Thes. 2. to strong delusions to beleeve lies , and be damned , who will not receive the love of truth that they may be saved : o o Isai. 66. 4. I will choose their delusions ( saith the Lord ) and bring their feares upon them , because when I called , none would answer , When I spake they did not heare ▪ the best that a contemner , or neglecter of Gods Word , can expect , is to be severely afflicted , that at last hee may hearken and learne to acknowledge with David , p p Psal. 119. before I was troubled I went wrong , but now have I learned thy testimonies , as Elihu said , Job 36. 15. he openeth their eares in oppression .

2. God will cut him off . Act. 3. 23. Jer. 7. 13. 15. Deut , 30. 17. 18. they are q q Joh. 10. 3. 27. none of Christs sheepe who will not heare his voyce ; they r r Math. 10. 15. dispise Christ , Luk. 10. 16. whose word it is , Math. 16. 20. therefore shall it be s s Mark , 6 11. more tolerable for Sodome and Gomorrah in the day of judgement then for them .

3. God will t t Ezek. 8. 18. not heare them when they crie unto him in distresse : Though they cry in mine eares with a lowd voyce , yet will I not heare them : and againe he saith , u u Prov. 1. 24. Prov. ●8 . 9. as I cryed and they would not heare , so they cryed and I would not heare saith the Lord , Zach: 7. 13. 8.

8. The fruits of hearing are very necessary and most comfortable . The Tempter laboureth to keep us from Church , by presenting us many lets , pleasures , profits , and the like , whose losse he pretendeth , if we spend an houre to heare ; but upon a due account it will appeare , that never any faithfull hearer , lost by performing this duty for

1. Faith is by hearing , Rom: 10. 17. faith apprehending all the riches of Gods mercy in Christ .

2. Hereby thou shalt w w Prov. 2. 1. 5. 6 , 7. understand the feare of the Lord , and finde the knowledge of God , sound wisedome and understanding to prese●●● thee , and deliver thee from the way of the evill man .

3. Hereby thou shalt abide in Christs love , and live : as it is written , x x Isai 55. 3. encline your eare — heare , and your soule shall live , & I will make an everlasting covenant with you : see Joh: 15. 10. Rev: 3. 20.

4. It is the better part , that one necessary thing , which shall never bee taken away , Luk: 10 , 39. what ever else , with expence of pretious time we get , shall puickly bee taken from us , but the treasure we gaine in hearing Gods word , shall goe with us to eternity .

5. The holy Ghost accompanieth his owne ordinance , though ●ot alwaies in visible effects , as Act. 10. 44. &c. yet in that which is better to the hearers , justification by faith , whereby Christ becommeth ours , to his y y Ephes. 1. 13. sealing with the spirit of promise , and being z z Colos. 1. 6. made fruitfull to all good workes : all which is better then faith of miracles , which a man may have , and yet be a reprobate , Math. 7. 22. 23.

6. They are a a Deut. 28. 1 , ● . &c. Isai 48. 18. Deut. 13. 17. 18. blessed who heare the word of God , and keepe it : blessed with health and plenty , peace , wisedome ( an attentive care makes a prudent heart : b b Prov. 12. 15. He that hearkneth unto Councell is wise ) and which is best , confidence c c Ephes. 1. 14. in Christ who never faileth trust .

7. Their prayers shall be heard , d d Joh. 15. 7. If yee abide in me and my word in you , yee shall aske what yee will , and it shall bee done unto you : it was the answer of God to e e 2 Chron. 34. 27. Josias by the Prophetesse Huldah , because thy heart was tender and thou didst humble thy selfe before God when thou heard'st his Words against this place , — I ●ave even heard thee also , saith the Lord — lay up his words on thy heart ( saith Eliphaz , Job : 22. 22. 27. ) — thou shalt make thy prayer unto him and he shall heare thee —

The lets unto the right performing this duty are

1. Hardnesse of heart : as 't is written , they refused to hearken — and stopped their cares , that they should not heare , yea they made their hearts as an adamant stone , least they should heare the law — and againe , g g Math. 13. 14. this peoples heart is waxed grosse , and their eares are dull of hearing — and againe , h h Heb. 3. 7 , 8. if yee Will heare his voice harden not your hearts . Miserable is the state of those deafe adders who refuse to be charmed : who is so deafe as hee that will not heare ? The deafe heart is incomparably worse then the deafe eare : this is an affliction , that a sinne : this a bodily infirmitie , that a spirituall and fearefull curse : there may bee true comfort in this , there can be none in that : The deafe man is secure from the dangerous voices of railers and slatterers : and though he be deafe to man , may listen and freely speake to God , have his comfortable soliloquies , wherein hee may confer with his own soule : as by writing he may speak to others , and by reading heare others speake : nor can I more doubt concerning the inward comfort of the naturally deafe , then of the infant , who though he cannot understand the outward ; ordinary meanes , yet is capeable of the spirit of sanctification ; and consequently of salvation , Jer. 1. 5. as may appeare in Jeremie sanctified from the wombe , k k Luk. 1. 15. 44. and John Baptist in the wombe . As it is in not receiving the sacraments ( which represent Christ to the other senses ) so in not hearing the word : it is not the privation , but the contempt which condemneth : Where God denieth either meanes , or capacity , hee can save by some other way of applying Christ to the elect , then he hath revealed to us , whom it concerneth not ; we being made capable of the word preached therefore unexcusable if we will not hearken and obey , that we may be saved .

2. Unbeleefe : if we beleeve not Gods threatnings and promises , neither the law nor Gospell l l Heb. 4. ● . can profit us . The faithfull Minister prepareth to give ( amongst others ) to unbeleevers also , m m 1 Pet. 2. 2. the sincere milke of the word , that they might grow thereby , but as n n 1 King . 3. 21. the true mother to the dead child : when I rose in the morning to give my child sucke , behold it was dead , said she .

3. Want of discerning spirit , and true wisedome : the word of God is a o o Jer. 6. 10. reproach to the uncircumcised eare : p p 1 Cor. 2. 14. the carnall apprehended it not : hee that is of God heareth his words : q q Joh. 8. 47. therefore yee heare them not ( saith Christ ) because yee are not of God r r 1 Joh. 4. 6. he that is not of God , heareth us not : hereby know we the spirit of truth , and the spirit of errour , s s Joh 18. 37. every one that is of the truth heareth Christ's voice . When for mens obstinacy God giveth them over , t t Isay 6. 9. 10. hearing they shall not understand .

4. Corruption of a carnall heart , ever resisting the holy spirit : we are naturally deafe to Gods word , till Christ say to our spirits , as to u u Mark . 7. 34. deafe man , Ephphata , be opened : a naturall w w Jud. 12. 5. 6. Gileadite hath taken the passages of the soule , and nothing can enter which speakes not it ; Shibboleth ; which pronounceth not according to its custome and affection : x x 2 Tim. 4. 3. the itching eare cannot endure wholsome doctrine . Herod cannot endure to heare his incest reproved , nor Ahab his murder , the Pharises their hypocrisie , nor Demetrius his artifice of silver shrines : y y 1 Cor. 1. 2● . the Grecians must have wisedome , the Jewes signes and wonders ; the nice compture of the words , witty and pleasing things ( because they bring only a carnall eare ) the Atheniaus some z z Act. 17. 21. newes the Gospell to a a Act. 18. 15. Gallio , is but contention of words and questions of names : b b Jer. 26. 11. 21 Jeremies preaching truth , to the wicked Princes and Priests , is treason against the City , c c Act 26. 34. Pauls madnesse d d Act. 24 5. to Festus ; moving of sedition and heresie : to Tertullus , and e e Act 6. 11. 13 blasphemie to the Jewes .

5. Pride : as 't is written , f f Nehem. 9. 29 they dealt proudly , and he●rkned not unto thy commandements : they who ( in the height of a carnall heart ) resolve not to change their resolutions , cannot abide to heare any thing dissenting : the proud heart cannot endure any contradiction .

6. Love of the world : the tares thereof g g Math. 13. 22. choke up the good seed , so that it cannot finde roome in the heart to fructify : this makes the negotiators excuse their not comming to the spirituall feast , they must prove their Oxen , and survey their new purchases : the married thinke they owe no excuse : h h Act. 24. 25. this makes Felix put off hearing the Gospell to some convenient time , when Satan and the world will : this makes the formall hypocrite ( who will seeme a great servant and lover of the word ) goe i i Math. 19. 22. away heavy , if it bid him sell and give to the poore , or secretly murmur , if it touch his fraud of fals weights : resolving to follow the word no further then it will comply with his gains : the Prophet describeth such — k k Ezec. 33. 31. 32. they heare thy words , but they will not doe them : with their mouth they shew much love , but their heart goeth after their covetousnesse ; &c.

7. Satans subtilty distracting their thoughts , so that they attend not , and l l Math. 13. 19. catching away that which is sowed in their heart , perverting the sense , embittering wholsome doctrine , with some dislike , distast , irksomenesse of the hearer , or suggesting some impertinent thoughts , so to fill and busie the mind , that it cannot attend to , nor receive the word : the mind of a good hearer must be like the m m In illa nihil aliud fuit nisi ●abulae testam . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 19. arke of the testimony in which was onely the tables of the Law .

Sect. IV. The conditions necessary to profitable hearing , are that we take heed . 1 Whom . 2. What. 3. and how we heare .

1. Christs sheep will not hearken to a stranger , Joh. 10. 5. and God saith of seducers , n n Deut. 13. 3. 8 Jer. 27. 9. Thou shalt not hearken to the voyce of that Prophet .

2. We must take heed what we heare , Mark . 4. 24. o o 1 Cor. 15. Evill Words corrupt good manners .

3. We must he cautious p p constatis ●●rum in auribus constata ●st imago sacrilegii . qui enim malè audit constre sacrilegium solet . Ambros. Rom. ul. ep. 56. l. 7. how we heare , Luk: 8. 18. The gate of life and death had need be guarded with all diligence : while Eve left it open to the Serpent , shee quickly perished . The conditions of hearing are that we must heare .

1. Faithfully : without which the word profiteth not : the learner q q Oportct disce●cm eredere ▪ must beleeve , specially in Gods schoole : wee must not perversely affect to bring Gods assertions to the touchstone of our sense or carnall ●eason , to make the Lawes of our owne faith r r Joh 20. with Thomas , I will not beleeve except I see , — or to require demonstration and proofe of Gods truth , s s Nec enim decebat , ut quum Deus ad homine ●oqueretur , argumentis asserere● suas voces , tanquam aliter sides ei non haberetur , sed ut oportuit , est locutus , quasi rerum omnium m●ximus judex , ●ujus non est argumentari , sed pronunciare verum . Lactant. l. 3. c. 1. whose part it is to pronounce , not to proove : because he is the onely competent witnesse to himselfe : all the creatures can adde no credit to his assertions : it is enough to conclude a thing true , if we can prove that God said it : because he is essentially truth : whatsoever is not true , is neither God , nor of God . It is impossible for him to lye ; as 't is impossible for him not to be , or to change his being true : now because wee are not capable of the infinite counsell and truth of God , he complieth with our capacity , and speaketh t t Ad humanam inte●ligentiam hu●anarum rerum significationibus loquens● Salvian . de guber . Deil. 2. after the manner of men : by litle & litle u u Deut. 32. 2. destilling that dew of heaven on our understandings , which may not overwhelme and drowne them , but make them fruitfull : not powring out his depths of knowledge on us , as he can speake , but as we can apprehend . Therefore we must adore those mysteries , which we cannot examine , and beleeve every syllable of Gods word to be infallibly true , though our reason come infinitely short of sounding the depth thereof .

2. Attentively : we must come to a sermon , not for feare or fashion , but with an hearty desire to be edified , and therein shake off all oscitancie , carelesse drouzinesse , and wandering thoughts , which will else render all our worke fruitlesse : the Auditors thirst to heare , is the speakers supply : when they attend , the spirit powreth out abundantly ; as w w 2 King . 4. the widowes oyle encreased , while there were vessels to receive it : bee thou present in minde , indeed to receive the word , or else a bodily presence , will no more profit thee , then did Satans appearance among x x Job 1. the Saints , advantage him : bring me an heart free from all worldly distractions , y y Chrysost. in Math. said Chrysostome : hearing is the port of wisdome , the sense of descipline , admirable is the power of the tongue , which the good God gave , to be the soules interpreter , that the spirits of men ( otherwise close prisoners in those hou●es of clay ) might convay a mutuall intelligence , and communicate their secret senses to each other through the eare : the heathens intimated 〈◊〉 their legends of Amphion building the walls of Thebes , and Orpheus charming the eare with notes so sweet , that he made brutes attentive , & brought some from the dead : we better knowe the morall in the admirable power of speaking , able to unite men in civill societies , and an holy communion , to edifie , and ( by the power of Gods spirit working therein ) to raise the dead in sinne , to newnesse of life : but all this must be done with an attentive eare , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prov. 20. 12. auris audic●s . Deut. 29 4. wee real . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the hearing eare , so the Hebrewes put 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 cor audiens for an understanding heart . 1 King . 3. 9. without whose attention it cannot be .

3. Prudently which is

1. By resolving to obey Gods word in every part : this is the end of our hearing : a a Rom. 2. 13. not the hearers but the doers of the Law shall be justified — b b Jam. 1. 21. &c. be yee doers of the word , and not hearers only , deceiving your own selves . Happy are they who heare and do thereafter : too many are all for hearing , and nothing for practice , like those c c Fancsiorum nu●a alioquim corpora praegrandes ipsorum aures to●● contegunt . Plin. nat. hist. l. 4. c. 13. monstrous Fanetii , who had eares disproportionably great for the body . d d 1. Cor. 13. 17. if the whole were hearing , where were the smelling : 't is the symtome of a e e Senec. queazie stomacke , to desire to tast many things , and to be able to digest nothing . The word of God is f f Hebr. 4. 12. quicke and active : like the g g Isay 55. 10. snow and raine , it doth not in vaine descend but doth his will who sent it , making the good grow up to the blessing , and the evill , like fowle weedes , more ranke for the fire : 't is as the Arke h h 2 Sam. 6. 11. at Obed , Edoms house a blessing , at i i 1. Sam. 5. 7. Ash●od a curse : we must not thinke 't will lye dead , it maketh the disobedient like the first sinner k k Gen. 3. slie , and strive to hide from God ▪ it leaves him excuselesse , l l Luk. 12. 47. to the more stripes , by how much more , he knew his masters will , and would not doe it : read Deut: ●9 . 19 , 20 , 21. wee many times wonder why the Lord afflicteth us ; we may easily know 't is for the contempt , and neglect of his word : we heare , but obay not , m m Neque verò corum te seducat ●rror qui ex arbitrio suo cligunt , quae potissimum● Dei mandata contemnant quaevè quasi vilia ac parva despiciāt . Hieron . 2. ep. 22. except where we please ; which is indeed to idoll our own affections , not to serve God : we at our n n Nulli servorum licet ex his quae dominus suus imperat eligere pro arbitrio quid velit facere , quid nolit , & insoleniissim● abusionc quod placuerit assumere , quod displacuerit repudiare — jam non dominicam volunt●●em implet , sed suam . Salvian . l. 3. pleasure , make free choice which of Gods laws we will obay , and which we will dispense withall : so Herod would obay Mark . 6. 20. The Athenians listned till Paul spake of the resurrection , then some mocked , Act: 17. 3● . and the Jewes heard him , till he mentioned his mission to the Gentiles o o Act. 22. 21. 22. they gave him audience unto this word , then they lifted up their voices and said away with such a fellowe from the earth , for it is not fit that he should live : if we heare and resolve to obay all we shall be p p Math. 7. 24. prudent builders : and the word shall be a savour of life unto life to us : if not all , a savour of death unto death : our owne consent to the good word ( in that we heare , & whereof in effect we say as q q 1. King . 2. 42. Sheimei to Solomon , the word that I have heard is good ) shall pronounce to us ( as to him it did ) our own doome when we keepe not the commandement wherewith we were charged ; when men will be making their own rules , choice , and dispensations , they easily erre : then Jehoiakim burneth the Prophets rowle , Jer: 36. 23. then the rich man departeth from r r Math 19. 22. Christ in discontent , and the s s Act. 28. 29. Jewes from Paul .

2. Opportunely , in the accepted time : while hee speaketh : t t Hebr. 3. 7. today if yee will heare his voice , harden not your hearts : you know not how soone u u Rev. 2. 5. the Candlestick may be removed , how soone you may be taken hence , and whether you that neglect one sermon shall live ●o heare another : there was no noise ( as hath beene noted ) of the w w 1 King . 6. 7. hammer in the rearing up of Solomons Temple : neither shall there be any noise in the heavenly Jerusalem of the word of prophesie , x x Jer. 23. 29. which like an hammer and fire , here fashioneth the living materialls of the spirituall temple . There all shall cease , 1. Cor: 13. 8. as when the Children of Israel had y y Jo●h : 5. 12. tasted the fruit of Canaam , the Manna ceased : so shall this food of soules when wee come to our promised rest .

3. Hearing it as the word of God , not as the word of men knowing that whether z z 1 Cor. 3. Paul plant or Apollos water , God only giveth the encrease : when auditors faile of this rule , they a a Jer. 44. 16. securely contemne the word , which they durst not doe , were they indeed assured that the contempt thereof reflected on God himselfe , b b 2 Tim. 3. 16. whose Word and Ordinance it is .

4. Having not the Word in c c Jam. 2. 1. respect of mens persons , as the vulgar use : d d Eccles 9. 16. The poore mans wisedome is despised , and his words not heard . The prudent man will value this heavenly treasure , though God send it him e e 2 Cor. 4. 7. in earthen vessels : to beat downe that vaine affection of man , which too much looketh on second causes , God chose not the learned , rich , wise , or eloquent , to preach the Gospell , but the ignorant , poore , and despised , yea f f 1 Cor. 1. 26. the foolish things of the world to confound the wise : the weake to confound the mighty : that no flesh might glory in his presence , and that g g 1 Cor. 2. 5. our faith might not stand in the wisedome of men , but in the power of God .

5. Hearing diligently : for what knowest thou when God will call thee effectually , comfort , and confirme thee ? h h Joh. 20. Thomas was but once away from the company of the Apostles , and in that one neglect , he once lost , ( and for ought he knew , might finally ) the oportunity of seeing Christ risen from the dead : and therefore , till Christ in mercy came againe to shew himselfe , continued in his unbeliefe : some come too late to Church : either lazinesse , or i i Luk. 10. Martha's many encumbrances keepe them long at home : they k k Exod. 16. 21. 24. who stayed too long before they sought for manna found none : and seldome do slow commers to Church find comfort in that they carelesly heare : all the people came early in the morning to heare Christ in the temple , Luk. 21. 38. the wise merchant will part from all , ease , sleep , worldly pleasures and emoluments to purchase this treasure : make it ( as David did ) thy hearts delight and treasure , and thou wilt be sure to loose nothing of it .

6. Hearing with an heart desirous rather of things profitable then pleasing thy curiosity . 't is better to be made good , then witty ; to be wise then to be reputed learned : he is learned indeed who is good , but he is not alwaies good that is learned : the m m Nemo malus nisi slultus , si enim saperet bonus esse mallet exue nequ●iam si vis habere sapic●tiam , Salvian de gub . Dei . l. 5. f. wicked is truly foolish , and the foolish wicked : for he saith in his heart there is no God , Psal: 14. 1.

7. Being not a captious hearer ; some bring itching , some treacherous eares to Church , as n n Jer. 20. 10. Jeremies enemies did , who watched for his halting , that they might prevaile against him . This is but a Witty folly at best ; concluding rather a dainty , then a wise hearer , a censurer then a scholler : one that commeth to Church to teach , not to heare : nothing but curiosities please them : but the truely thirsty are not so solicitous to drinke in gold or Corinthian vessels , as to quench their thirst with that which is wholsome : there are some Philoxene's , so full of censorious acrimonie , that they had rather be condemned twice to the mines , then once to forbeare their rigid censure : a prudent hearer will be advantaged both by that which is delivered with much politure and elegancy , and that which is roughly : even the speakers errours shall adde to his knowledge : the ancient Heathens woont to place the Graces by the statue of Mercury , to signify with what candor , auditors ought to passe by some slips of speakers .

The Rules of practice are either 1. before . 2. in . 3. or after hearing the word .

1. Before thou commest into the house of God .

1. o o Eccles. 5. Looke to thy foot , whether thou stand right before God by a p p 2 Cor. 13. 5. through examination of thy state , whether thou art in the faith : repent thee of all thy sins , q q Jer. 4. 3. breake up your fallow ground and sow not among thornes : without this what hope can we receive of any fruit ? One maine reason why we doe often heare , and so litle profit , is the neglect of this duty ; how can wee hope that Gods word will doe us good , when we continue in impenitency and resolution to sinne .

2. Pray God for a blessing , that he would assist the speaker with an enlarged heart , faithfull memory , a doore of utterance , and that evidence of his spirit , which may make his ministry powerfull to convert and comfort . r r 2 Cor. 1. 11. If Paul had need of such assistance , how much more have wee ? Pray that God would bee preased to take from thee all spirituall blindnesse , hardnesse of heart , prejudicate opinion , wandering ▪ thoughts , and prophanation : that hee would restraine the busie malice of the Tempter ▪ that he would give thee a discerning spirit ; that he would open thy heart and eares , s s Act. 16. as he did Lydia's , that thou maist attend , and lay up his words in thy heart : that thou maist understand , beleeve , and bring forth fruits to life eternall .

2. In hearing 1. Attend without distraction , that thou ma●st minde , understand , and loose no part , least thou mistake the rest .

2. In case of distractions , send up breife and frequent ejaculation● , for Gods gratious assistance , thus must wee build like an t t Nehem. 4. 17. I● raelite , among our enem●es , with a weapon in one hand , and a building instrument in the other , that wee may at once desend and edi●ie .

3. Compose thy body to such a reverend posture , in respect of Gods presence , and the testimony of men and Angells , who behold thee , that thou maist thereby contribute to the Minister & hearers , the assistance of thy devout gesture , attention , countenance , and voice , as occasion serveth to say , Amen .

3. After hearing . 1. Lay up the seed in a faithfull memory , u u Math. 13. least the evill one come , take it away , and leave thee fruitlesse , that thou maist be w w Jam. 1. 25. a doer of good works , and not a forgetfull hearer , and so bee blessed indeed : as 't is written x x Deut. 6. 3. Heare therefore O Isra●l , observe to doe it , that it may bee well with thee : lay that to heart which thou hearest , throughly applying it to thy selfe , as if God pickt thee out of all the congregation , to speake to thee , that he might draw thee to repentance , and salvation : thus must thou y y Job . 22. 22. lay up his words in thine heart , and z z Rev. 3. 3 ▪ hald fast that thou hast received : thou learnest only so much as thou remembrest : excuse not thy selfe upon a bad memory : thou seldome forgettest where thou seriously lovest ▪ where is that old man that hath forgotten where he hath laid his gold ? Use the best meanes ▪ by repeating , writing , calling to memory some things at least , when thou commest home : thou shalt in this constant practice , ●inde thy memory amend .

2. Meditate , and examine how thou hast profited by hearing : in case thou finde hardnesse of heart , and ba●rennesse in thy soule , be not discouraged , God hath his times : Moses smote the rock at Horeb a a Num. 20. 11 twice , before it would yeeld , at last it sent out abundant streames of living waters . God speaketh once , and twice , and man perceiveth not : line must be unto line , and precept unto precept : happy he who once resenteth ; give it not over , still practise : the beast b b Levit. 11. 3. &c. which ruminateth not , was reputed uncleane : the morall is , they are wicked , who call not oft to minde , that which they have heard . Be constant in examination of thy selfe after every sermō thou hearest : to dresse our selves we are contented often to consult our glasse , how well and decently 't is done ; how few doe it after hearing ? If thou wilt doe thy selfe right herein , thou shalt at last feele the power of Gods word in thy soule .

Doth any enquire ; how shall I knowe when I heare the word as I ought ? The signes are . 1. Joy of the holy Ghost : so c c Luk. 2. 20. went the shepheards home , so the d d Act. 8. Eunuch , so e e Act. 13. many of the faithfull .

2. Desire to heare more , as those happy converts , Act: 13. Act : 17. 32. the spirituall f f Eccles. 1. 8. eare is not satiate with hearing : when good g g 2 King : 22. 3 Josiah had heard the Law read , he gave present charge , goe and enquire the Lord for us .

3. Profitting by the h h 1 Pet. 2. 2. sincere milke of the word , & growing thereby from strength to strength , from grace to grace .

4. Faithfull resolution to doe all that which thou hast learned ( as i i Deut. 5. 27. Israel once professed ) otherwise , it had k k 2 Pet. 2. 21. beene better , never to have knowne the holy commandement : it being l l Quia minor is crimi●is reatus est , legem n●scire , quam spernere . Salvian . de gub Dei . l. 4. f. ●minor reatus cst sancta non legere , quam lecta violare , ib. l. 5. Ignosci aliquatenus ignorantiae potest , contemptus veniam non meretur . ib. Salvian . l. 5. lesse sin to be ignorant of Gods word , then to despise it knowne : Herod did many things but his dispensation with one sinne , overthrew all the rest .

5. Hearty and unfeigned repentance , such as we read of in the Jewes at Peters sermon , Act: 2. 37. such as is commanded , Rev: 3. 3.

6. Filial feare of God ; this is the end of speaking and hearing : m m Eccles 12. 14. to feare God and keep his commandements , is the whole duty of man .

7. Readinesse to impart to others what we have learned — that they may teach their children , said Moses , Deut : 4. 10. so did holy Abraham his family .

3. Lastly , againe commend thy soule to God , that hee may send thee the former and later raine upon the seed sowed in thine eares , to enable thee to bring forth happy fruitsthereof : to make it powerfull , and comfortable to thee in life and death .

A Prayer before hearing the word :

O Lord God eternall , who hast laid the foundation of the earth , and formest the spirit of man within him , who art the father of light , and causest the Sunne of righteousnesse to shine unto people sitting in darknesse , in the region and shaddow of death , that the glorious light of the Gospell might appeare to them , that they may therein knowe thee , beleeve , see thy saving health , and bee fruitfull in good workes , to thy glory and the assurance of their own hearts before thee : wee humbly acknowledge that we we are most unworthy of the least of all thy mercies , specially of that light of truth , which thou hast abundantly , and long bestowed upon us , seeing wee have not yet brought forth fruits worthy amendment of life , but have walked every man in the stubbornesse , vanity , and security of his owne heart , as if we had not knowne thy will : thou hast allured us with promises , and deterred us from our wicked waies with threatnings and sore afflictions accordingly sent upon us . but wee have answered all with contempt , security , adding transgressions to transgressions , till they have beene multiplied over our heads , ascended up into thy presence , and thence with wilfull hearts and violent hands , pulled downe thy severe judgements upon-our selves , as appeareth this day : so that in our own conscienc●s , we doe deserve to heare that sentence on the barren tree , cut it downe and cast it into the fire , why keepeth it the ground barren ? That thou shouldst give us over to our owne vile affections , and destruction of body and soule , by taking away the comfort of thy word from this sinfull nation , by permitting those sonnes of confusion ( who of our selves have risen up speaking perverse things ) still to prevaile against the unity of this Church and State : that thou shouldst send us strong delusions , who would not receive the love of the truth , that thou shouldst suffer a fearefull darknesse againe to cover this land , that night should be to us for a vision , and darknesse for divination , that the Sunne should goe downe upon our Prophets ( whose words and ministry we have so much sleghted and contemned ) and that the day should prove darknesse over them ; that thy word should become a savour of death to us , and every prophesie wee heare rise in judgement against us : O Lord we cannot be ignorant , that our obstinary is such , as that thou who art an holy and just God , canst have no pleasure in us : we have so often stopped our eares to thy law , that we may well expect , that thou wilt not accept our offerings , and incense of prayers in our distresse , who have wearied thee with our words , and drawne neere to thee with ●eigned lips , b●t our hearts have beene far from thee : we are become the border of wickednesse , and thou hast beene sore displeased with us , because we have not hearkned to thy Prophets , who cryed to us to turne from our wicked waies ; we have indeed not layed their messages to heart , but refused to hearken , and pulled away the shoulder , we made our hearts as Adamant stone ; least we should heare thy law , and the words which thou sentest in thy spirit by the former Prophets ; therofore came this great wrath from thee : the Priests have offered polluted bread on thy altar , with the strange ●ire of their owne inventions : the oppressing Cities obeyed not thy voice , nor received correction , they trusted not in thee , neither drew neere unto their God : their Princes within them were roaring Lyons , and their Judges evening Woolves , yea their Prophets were light and treacherous persons , their Priests have polluted thy sanctuary , & done violence to thy Law : we have itching eares for heapes of teachers which preach pleasing things , crying to us , peace , peace , even when misery and destruction is upon us , because we would not abide wholsome doctrine : we have not feared thee , nor received instruction , but corrupted all our waies , therefore are wee to this day consumed by the fire of thy jealousie , we are become an afflicted poore people , and we deserve that thou shouldst still be terrible unto us , and powre upon us thy indignation , bring distresse upon us , and that our blood should be powred out like water , on the bosome of this good land , which we have stained with cruelty , murder , rapine , oppression , uncleanesse , and that fulnesse of sinnes , which is scarse heard of among those who have not heard thy law to teach them better . But O Lord our God there is none holy , whom thou hast not made such , nor any so wicked , but thou canst make him holy ; Lord we are in thy gracious hands , we humbly pray thee to frame our hearts according to thine owne will , and make us such as thou wouldst have us to be : O God of mercy have compassion on them who would not swerve from thee : make us a people of circumcised hearts , and pure language , that we may all ▪ yet once againe , serve thee with one consent : convert us that thou maist turne unto us , and establish thy covenant of life and peace amongst us : O Lord in the amazing feares and bitter a●●lictions of our soules , answere with good and comfortable words : returne unto Jerusalem with mercies , comfort Zion ( be still our God , and let us be thy people in truth and righteousnesse ) be thou a wall of fire round about her , the glory in the midst of her : dwell thou in her that she may againe be called a city of truth : the mountaine of the Lord of hoasts , the holy mountaine . Cut of the remnant of Baal from this place , and the name of the Chemarims with their Priests , who turned back from thee unto vanity and superstition : shew us thy waies , O Lord , and teach us thy statutes , lead us in thy truth , O God of our salvation : set thy feare in our hearts , that thy secret may be with us : open our eyes that we sleep not in death : shew us our sinnes , and the way to avoid them by the knowledge of thy law , and the spirit of sanctification : assure us of our interest in Christ , by the comfortable testimony of thy holy spirit , applying the promises of the Gospell to our wounded consciences : continue forth the light of thy word to us , and the purity of religion and thy holy worship amongst us : put thy holy spirit the spirit of prayer and prophesie abundantly upon the Ministry : assist them with enlightned understandings , sound knowledge of all the mysteries of eternall life and salvation , enlarged hearts , holy affections , faithfull memories , and has●owed lips , for the powerfull delivery of thy holy word unto us : forgive us all our disobedience , barrenn●sse and unfruitfulnesse , give us true and hearty repentance for all our sinnes past , with a stedfast purpose and faithfully resolution never to commit the like againe : take from us all spirituall blindnesse , hardnesse of heart , unbeleefe , prejudicate opinion , wandring and profane thoughts , and what ever else hath hitherto hindred the fruit bearing of thy holy word : resist the vigilant malice of the tempter , that he may not distract us , nor take away the seed of thy word out of our hearts . Give us sanctified thoughts , and holy reverence towards thine ordinance , an hearkening eare , and attentive heart : O God who hast the key of David , which openeth & none can shut , who said'st unto the deafe eares be opened , and they presently were so : say it unto our hearts and eares : so sanctify our affections , and prepare us to heare and receive thy word , that we may attend unto it as thy word , and not the word of man , that it may prove a savour of life to us ; that we may bring forth better fruits then ever we have done : that leading us in thy way it may bring us to Christ , the truth ▪ the way , and the life , the end of the law to every one that beleeveth , and the fruits of our hopes & endeavours , the salvation of our bodies and soules , through thy sonne our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ .

AMEN .

A Prayer to be used after hearing the word .

O Lord our God , we humbly present unto thee the fruits of our hearts and lips , praise and thankesgiving , as for all thy gratious mercies and favours spirituall and temporall , so specially for the light of truth in thy holy word preached unto us , whereby thou pleasest to reveale thy will concerning our duty towards thee , and our salvation in Christ Jesus . More particularly wee thanke thee for that portion thereof now bestowed upon us : we humbly pray thee to pardon our unholy , and unreverend hearing , our profanesse of heart and minde , inattention , wandring of thoughts , and drouzinesse of spirit . And now holy father prosper thine owne ordinance , send downe the former and the latter raine , the dew of grace , to mollifie our hard and stony hearts , that the seed now sowed in our outward eares , may be fixed in our memory , and take deepe root in our hearts and affections , that the fruits of our faith and entire obedience may appeare in our lives and conversations , to thy glory , and our comfort and salvation , through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

CHAP. XIV .

§ . 2. Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper . § . 2. Who receive the grace thereby represented ? § . 3. How we ought to prepare for the right receiving thereof , how to receive it : and what to doe after receiving .

1 Sect. I. OUr Saviour Christ hath left us under the Gospell a a Pauca pro multis , cademque sactu facillima . onely two Sacraments , Baptisme the Sacrament of initiation , and the Lords Supper , the sacrament of confirmation : that admitteth us into Christs visible body the Church , Baptismi sa●ramentum , & ●lchratio corporis & sanguinis Dom. August . de doct. Chri. l. 3. c. 9. this feedeth and strengthneth in the same .

2. A b b Sacramentum est & signum rememoratioum ejus quod precess● scil. passionis Christi , &c. Aquin. part. 3. q. 60. a. 4. Sacrament is a visible signe of an invisible grace , an holy seale ordained of God to strengthen our faith in his promises in Jesus Christ for the free remission of our sinnes : which God therefore annexed to his word to confirme us , by representing the suffering of Christ to our sight and tasting , as the Gospell preacheth it to our eares .

3. This Sacrament is called the Lords Supper , because c c Math 26. 26. 1 Cor. 11. 23. Christ ordained it at his last supper , wherein , to fulfill the law , he eate the Pascall Lambe ; and to shew the determination and d d Hebr. 7. 11. 12. change of the Leviticall Law , and Priesthood , he ordained for this e e Jer. 31. 31. new covenant of grace a new Sacrament and seale thereof : that it succeeding the Passeover , might declare him to be the f f Joh. 1. 29. 1 Cor 5. 7. only Lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world : to g g 1 Cor. 11. 26. shew and represent his death untill his comming againe : to leave his Church a badge of distinction from insidells , and a parting token and pledge of his love assuring the faithfull of his continuall love toward them .

4. The visible signes herein , are h h Math 26. 26. 1 Cor 11. 24 , 25. Bread and Wine : the thing signified is the participation of the body and blood of Christ , the benefits of whose death and passion being apprehended by faith accrew to us , as our i i 1 Cor. 10. 16 , 17. mysticall union with Christ , our incorporation into him , our reconciliation with God , and the nourishment of our soules to k k Joh. 6. 33. 35. 48. 51. 53. &c. eternall life .

5. These signes doe not barely represent the body & blood of Christ unto us , but doe also truly exhibit the same ; so that Christ is truly there ; and we doe by faith truly eate his flesh , & drinke his blood , but spiritually and mystically , not carnally and bodily : for neither is the bread converted into the body of Christ , nor is that with , or under the species thereof : for if there be not visible signes distinct from that which is thereby signified , it can be no Sacrament : we do l l Joh. 6. 54. &c. indeed eate his body and drink his blood , as we m m 1 Cor. 10. 16. who are many , are yet indeed , & truly one body , in , and with Christ , that is mystically and spiritually , 1. Cor: 6. 17. To eate the body and drinke the blood of Christ , is n n Ut quid paras dentes & ventrem , crede & manducasti . August . in Joh. 6. tract 25. by a true faith ( in these outward signes bread and wine , in the Sacrament ) inwardly to apprehend all the benefits of his passion , and thereby to become partakers of his body so , as that we are made flesh of his flesh , Ephes. 5. 30. and bone of his bone , p p Joh. 6. 56. he dwelling in us and we in him : The faithfull now eate & drinke q q 1. Cor. 10. 1. &c. 1 Cor. 5. 7. the same in this sacrament , which the faithfull did before the incarnation of Christ in the Pascall Lambe ; and out of the rock that followed them , that was Christ : but they did not in the Passeover , or out of the rock , eate and drinke the body & blood of Christ carnally , but spiritually and sacramentally ; for how could they otherwise eat his body , wh●̄ as yet he had not taken any humane body on him : so that whereas Christ said , take eate , r r Math. 26. 26. this is my body ; we must remember that it was s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrys. ib. Math. 26. 27. a sacrament he then instituted , ( and therefore used a sacramentall phrase and manner of speaking ) wherein sometimes the signe is put for the thing signified , as 1. Cor: 11. 25. this cup is the new Testament : sometimes the thing signified , is put for the sign thereof , Exod: 12. 11. it is the Lords Passeover : so they used to say eate the Passeover ; meaning the lambe the signe thereof : so here , this is my body , that is a sacrament or signe thereof .

1. The reprobate and elect communicate sometimes together in the elements and outward signes , t t Sect. II. but the reprobate hath no part nor fellowship in the inward grace : which was signified in that t t Exod. 12. 45. 46. 48. no part of the Pascall lambe u u Cyprian . de simpl . praelat . might be carried out of the house , nor any uncircumcised person eate of it .

2. The elect here receiveth that spirituall refection which nourisheth his soule to eternall life , but the reprobate eateth and drinketh his own damnation , w w 2 Cor. 11. 29. not discerning the Lords body , but taking it as a thing of common use , not sacred : if the elect come unworthily , he shall be punished with some temporall punishment : for this cause many are weake & sick among you and many sleep : so the red sea was a defence to Isra●l , and destruction to the Egyptians .

3. They receive unworthily , who not understanding the end and institution , or duty in this holy and dreadfull mystery required will yet presume ( for feare of humane censure , fashion , or company ) to venture on it , without due reverence or preparation : also unbelievers , hypocrites , malicious people , and they who purpose to continue in any knowne sinne .

4. They may be said to be fit , or worthy ghests for the Lords table , which understanding , and well considering , the institution , end and due reverence herein required , have the eye of faith fixed on Christ , and on his merits for their redemption ; who out of a deep and inward sense of their owne unworthinesse , judge and condemne themselves to x x 1 Cor. 11. 31. prevent God's judgements : who rest on the sole merits of Christ for their salvation : who with all their hearts desire to forsake all their sinnes , that they may serve God sincerely : who are in y y 1 Joh. 4. 7. charity with all men : who with humble and reverend hearts , receive this sacrament , with all thankfulnesse , shewing their dependance on Christs sacred ordinance , z z Luk. 22. 19. obedience to his holy will , and their expectation , of his making good all his promises therein .

Seeing this is a matter of so high concernment , Sect. III. it importeth every Christian. 1. to consider how he ought to prepare for his receiving it : 2. how to receive it . 3. what to doe after receiving .

1. For thy preparation .

1. a a 1 Cor. 11. 28. Examine thy self before thou presume to come , whether thou do understand the institution , meaning and end of this Sacrament , and if not , learne of them that are able to instruct thee herein .

2. Examine whether thou hast true faith assuring thee , that Christ dyed for thee ; and with his eye of mercy and omniscience , in his passion , as well looked on thee as those believers , who stood by his crosse : then , though thy faith be weake , if thou hunger and thirst for righteousnesse , come to this table that thou maist be strengthened : The woman was cured , who said in her heart b b Math. 9. 21. If I may but touch the hem of his garment ; if thou beleeve , in touching and tasting these signes and seales which he hath appointed to derive vertue to thy soule , thou shalt be healed .

3. Examine whether c c 2 Cor. 13. 5. Christ dwell in thee by his holy spirit , daily mortifying thy corrupt affections , and quickning thee to the life of grace , which will shew it selfe in sanctified desires , thoughts , words and actions : at lest in sincere intention of the heart , and some ability to keep Gods holy lawes without any the least purpose to yeeld indulgence to the breach of any of them . The soule cannot be in the body but it shall be discovered by some acts of life and motion : the being of the d d 2 Sam. 6. 11. Arke at Obed Edoms house , appeared in his thriving , how much more shall the presence of Christ .

4. Examine whether thou do heartily repent thee of every sinne which thou hast committed : if so then though remorse of conscience create thee feares and doubtings ; come to the Lords table who e e Math. 11. 28. inviteth the heavy laden , to comfort them : f f Joh. 3. the brazen serpent was a type of Christ , that had the forme of a serpent without venome , and Christ the g g Phil. 2. 7. forme and nature of man , h h Heb. 4. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 22. without sinne : he that was stung with fiery serpents , i i Num. 21. 9. by looking up to the brazen serpent , was presently cured : and he that is bitten with hels fiery serpents ( all other wayes uncurable ) by looking upon Christ with the eye of faith , shall be saved : therefore in case thou find any stupid impenitencie in thy stony heart , be thou the more attentive in hearing the word , and more serious in applying it to thy conscience , more fervent in prayer , and more frequent in receiving this holy Sacrament , thou shalt at last find an happy effect hereof .

5. Examine whether thou be in charity with all men : as he that presumed to offer with any other fire then that which came from heaven , was cut off from Isra●l : so shall it be with those who offer this spirituall sacrifice in malice : if hee that touched the Arke with unconsecrated hands , was smitten dead , what shall become of them who dare come to the Lords table with bloody hands , and malicious hearts ? if thou be not in charity , k k Math. 5. 24● . leave thy gift before the altar go first and be recenciled . neither maist thou thinke thy selfe excused from communicating by thy malice : God biddeth thee be reconciled and then come and offer : neither maist thou thinke to lay downe thy malice ( as they speake of the serpent , while she drinketh ) for a time only , to resume it againe : in a wilfull abstinence , there is a contempt of the Sacrament which shall condemne a man : and in comming to Christ l l Exod. 12. 19. 1 Cor. 5. 7. 8. our Passeover with the leven of maliciousnesse , is the same danger : there is no safe way , but in reconciliation , that thou maist receive worthily .

2. The second point is , how we must receive ? we must do it with hearts lifted up to God in holy meditations of Christ's passion , frequent ejaculations imploring Gods gracious assistance , obsignation and sealing up of our salvation , with hallowed thoughts , minds sequestred from all worldly things , and the most attentive and holy reverence of soule and body : for so ought wee to appeare before God in his worship Psal. 95. 6 , 7. Secondly , the riches of Gods grace , all the merits of Christ are here offered and held out to us , by the hand and ordinance of Christ : Thirdly , 't is administred and received with a prayer , for which no gesture can be too humble : lastly , when Moses rehearsed the mercie of God to Israël in the institution of the m m Exod. 12. 17. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 est humiliari : & in Hiphaël significat propriè corporis prostrationem , Grac● 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . a●dorare , &c. Pagnin . Thesaur . l. Sacr. Passeover , then the people bowed downe and prostraited themselve : the same reason have wee to expresse a reverend and humble thankfulnesse for Christ our Passeover .

3. After receiving .

1. Give thanks to God for these seales of thy redemption in Christ .

2. Be carefull to performe all thy promises , vowes , & holy resolutions , conceived and made in thy preparation to receive , and live every day of this life , as if thou didst therein communicate .

3. Keepe a carefull watch over thy body and thy soule , least the evill one repossesse himselfe of the swept & garnished roome , and bring with him seaven worse spirits then himselfe . Lest thou relapsing to n n 2 P●t. 2. 20. the filthy vomit of thy old sinnes , thy end proove worse then the beginning . I have o o Cant. 5 3. washed my feet ( said the Spouse of Christ ) how shall I defile them ?

4. Pray the Lord to make good his own ordinance unto thee effectually sealing thee up unto the day of redemption .

5 Examine thy selfe whether thy soule be nourished , and strengthned by receiving , which will appeare , if after it , thou art more cheerefull in greater assurance of thy salvation , remission of sinnes , peace of conscience , and joy in the holy Ghost : if thou art more quick , active , and able to all holy duties : if receiving breed in thee a spirituall appetite to receive againe , that thou maist more be confirmed in Christ ; if it beget a fervent love to God , and thy neighbours amendment of life , and more hearty loathing thy sinnes , inward sense of the life of Jesus dwelling in thee , an holy contempt of this world , with a longing desire , and constant hope of a better life to come , causing thee to set thy affections on things celestiall , to walke with God in holinesse , and to have thy conversation in heaven : if these things are in thee , blessed art thou , hee hath sealed thee with his holy spirit who will p p Ezek. 9. 6. knowe thee for his owne , and so protect thee with his providence , that the destroying Angell shall not touch thee . To conclude , when the diseased woeman ( of whom ] spake ) but touched the hemme of Christ's garment shee presently felt the powerfull effect thereof , in her healing , though Christ had made her no such promise : and if we have received his body and blood according to his command , his promise must be fulfilled , and wee shall be strengthned , and healed , we shall feele the same power nourishing us to eternall life .

A private Prayer before the receiving of the Lords Supper .

MOst gratious Lord God , Father of mercy and truth , Who dwellest in that light which none can attaine unto , yet vouchsafest to prepare the hearts of thy servants here on earth , to help their infirmities , and to heare their petitions : prepare my heart , teach mee to pray , encline thine eare unto mee , and have mercy upon mee : O Lord thou art a just , and a severe Judge ; how shall I then ( vile and unworthy wretch ) appeare this day before thee in the courts of thyne house ? I came into this world a child of wrath & disobedience , naked and destitute of all goodnesse ; but thou O Lord my Redeemer ▪ hast bestowed the seale of thy righteousnesse upon mee in my Baptisme , thou hast called mee to the knowledge of thy gospel , thou hast given me the earnest of my redemption , by the spirit of regeneration : Lord establish now the thing which thou hast freely wrought in mee : and as thou hast this day invited mee to thy table , and the communion of the body and blood of thy holy Sonne Jesus Christ , so Lord bestow the wedding garment on mee , that I may appeare before thee cloathed in his righteousnesse , whom thou madest an offering for sinne , that in him wee might become righteous before thee .

Lord what is man that thou so regardest him ? and who among the sonnes of men , hath more cause to praise thy mercies then wretched I ? thy mercy hath long spared me , thou hast taken me out of the power of darknesse , & kingdome of Satan : thou hast given me the glorious freedome of the children of light what shall I rendër the Lord for all his benefitts towards me ? I will call upon the name of the Lord ; I will declare his mercies , I will take the cup of salvation , and pay my vowes : all is to little which I have to give thee : O Lord thou hast in my creation given me my selfe in my redemption thou hast restored me to my selfe : therfore now accept againe thyne owne gift : Lord let me be wholy thyne : And beeing now to appeare before thee whith a sacrifice of praise I pray thee for Iesus Christ his sake , prepare the alter , purge me with Hysope , create a cleane heart within me , renue a right spirit : sprinkle the doore of my soule with the blood of the Lambe of God , which taketh away the sinnes of the world , that the destroyer may not enter : send into my soule that heavenly fire of love to thy sacred Majestie and charity to all men , which may assure mee of thy acceptance of me , and my sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving : clens out of mee all the old leaven of sinne and maliciousnesse : open my understanding , increase my faith , that I may see and know the assurance of my sinnes remission in the seale of eternall life which by thy mercies I am now to receive .

Thou hast taught mee O Lord , that my blessed Saviour , in the night that he was betrayed , made this holy testament : wherein as he tooke flesh and blood of us , that he might dye for us , so hee bequeathed his body and blood to us , that wee might live in him , and left this Sacrament , as a faithfull pledge of his love , to remember us of his dying for us till he come againe : O Lord I know thou art the life , and truth , and wouldst not leave thy Church any effectlesse earnest of their salvation : Lord Jesus therefore be present with my spirit , worke powerfully on thine owne ordinance , that it may indeed seale up my salvation in my soule , with that conconstant assurance , that the gates of hell may never prevaile against it ▪ that no terrour of conscience , nor any delusions of Satan may be able to overthrow it : but that I may with a lively faith , lay hold on all thy merits : that I may find therein an inward peace , in confidence of my sinnes remission , reconciliation with my God , sound joy in the Holy Ghost my comforter , sanctified will and affections , purity of life , and holy obedience , which hath the testimony of a good conscience , to be a sweet comfort both in life and death , assuring me that I have fought a good fight with entire faith , and therefore shall enjoy the crown of righteousnesse , which the Lord the righteous Judge , shall at that day give to all them , that love his appearing : Grant this , O Lord , and whatever else thou knowest to be needfull for me , for Jesus Christ his sake : who with thee and the holy spirit , liveth and raigneth , ever one God , world without end .

AMEN .

An other private Prayer for one ready to receive the Lords Supper .

HOly Lord I humbly beseech thee for Christ Jesus sake ( whose sacred body and blood are here represented ) forgive me all my sinnes , and give me a stedfast , hearty , and constant resolution never to commit the like againe : give mee a lively faith , that through these signes ( which my Saviour hath appointed to be received in remembrance of his death and passion untill his comming againe ) I may really apprehend the spirituall relish of the bread of life , and to be assured that Christ's body was given for me , and his most pretious blood shed for my redemption : Lord lift up my soule above all worldly thoughts , that I may , by a steady and confident application of all the benefits of his death and passion , see Christ Jesus sitting at thy right hand , feed on him by a justifying faith , and thereby be nourished to eternall life : Holy Father , heare and assist , direct and guid me according to thine owne will : Lord Jesus who gavest thy selfe to death for my salvation ) deny not the requests of my feeble soule , longing for the assurance of thy saving health , hungring and thirsting for thee and thy righteousnesse : O holy Ghost the sanctifier of all the elect , throughly cleanse me from all the old leaven of sin : prepare me body and soule , to an holy , reverend , and effectuall receiving these sacred mysteries , that my soule and conscience may thereby be sealed up to redemption , and salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord and blessed Saviour .

AMEN .

A private Prayer after receiving the Lords Supper .

MOst gratious God and mercifull Father , who of thine owne free love , and good pleasure , hast elected , created , redeemed regenerated , reconciled , justified , and preserved me unto this present ; who hast also bestowed ●on me ( unworthy of the least of thy mercies ) the peaceable use of thy holy word and sacraments ; I humbly thanke thee as for all other thy favours , so for this present comfort which I have now received : Lord accept this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving through Jesus Christ , whose oblation of himselfe once offered for a full and perfect price of our redemption , and satisfaction for all our sins , we have hereby according to his owne ordinance remembred : Lord perfect the worke which thou hast begun in me , make good thine owne institution unto my soule , seale me up unto the day of redemption : worke in mee a full assurance of my sinnes remission , and my reconciliation to thee by the death and merit of thy holy sonne Jesus : give me a lively sense of my union with him , and his living in me , so guiding me by his holy spirit , that his life may appeare in all my thoughts , words , and actions ; that I may henceforth live no more to sinne , but being freed from the power and laws thereof , may have my fruit unto holinesse and eternall life : Lord make me every day more and more able to doe thy will , and to abandon mine owne corrupt desires : let me now feele in my soule & conscience the reall benefit of thy word and sacraments , which thou hast promised to all those that truely seek thee : give me that longing desire of right cousnesse , which is by thy grace secured from despaire , and preserved from vaine glory and presumption : satisfie me with that measure of grace , which thy wisdome knoweth sufficient for me : Lord make me knowe assuredly that I have not now received this holy sacrament in vaine : nourish me hereby to eternall life : give me a greater strength to walke righteously before thee , with sound faith , cheerefulnesse of minde , firme and comfortable peace of conscience , and that joy of the holy Ghost , which may ascertaine me that thy kingdome is established in me : Give me a zealous love of thy glory , ready obedience to thy law , feare to displease thee , innocency of life , and that holy charity towards all men which may give me boldnesse in the great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus : order thou my conversation so that it may be unblamable towards all men , and holy before thee , to thy glory and the good example of those with whom I live : assist me with such a measure of thy sanctifying spirit , that I may indeed performe all those vowes which I have made before thee ; that every day of my life , may be to mee , as this Sabbath an holy rest from sinne . Lord who powerfully commandest all thy creatures , prevent the mischievous subtiltie of the tempter : let thy holy spirit keepe me body and soule : give me an holy contempt of this present world , and affections set on high , where my blessed Saviour sitteth at thy right hand , who shall in the appointed time appeare in judgement , and gather his elect unto him .

These things and whatsoever else thou knowest needfull for me or any part of thy whole Church militant , I begge at thy gratious hands , who hast commanded us to aske , and promised to give : Lord give therefore a gratious answere through Jesus Christ our Lord , to whom with thee O Father of mercy , and the holy Spirit the Comforter , be all honour and glory in heaven and earth to all eternity .

AMEN .

Another private Prayer immediatly after receiving the Lords Supper .

LOrd make us thankefull for all thy mercies : especially for the knowledge of thy sonne , our ever blessed Redeemer : and for these seales of our salvation now received : Holy Jesus ( who even now from the right hand of the father , hearest , and beholdest what we have done according to thine owne institution in remembrance of thy death and passion ) forgive us all our failings and imperfections , accept our wills to obey thee more perfectly ; and as thy selfe gavest the signes , so give thou ( who only canst ) the powerfull effects thereof , that every one of us may evidently feele the vigour and strength of this spirituall refection in our soules and consciences , more and more to a full assurance of our interest in thee , peace of conscience through thee , sanctified wills and affections by thee , and that candor of manners , holinesse of words and actions which may cleerely shine in our conversations before all men , to thy glory and our comfort in life and death : Lord heare and help us : Lord encline thy mercifull eare unto us , and doe it , for his merit who now intercedeth for us , thy sonne , our holy Saviour Jesus Christ .

AMEN .

CHAP. XV.

§ . 1. Of the Sabbath . the name : institution : things considerable for the sanctification : the beginning and ending : reasons of Gods institution thereof . § . 2. Of the change to the Lords day : now to be observed of Christians . § . 3. How we must now sanctifie it ?

1 Sect. I. SAbbath signifieth , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sabbatum of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to cease or rest , &c. a rest , from motion or worke : hence this day set a part for holy conventions , and the publike service of God , is called a Sabbath , thereto sanctified and hallowed by Gods appointment : for every rest , or cessation from worke is not the Sabbath of the Lord . Gen. 2 23.

2. The Lord having perfected the worke of creation , rested on the Seaventh day ( that is , Gen. 2. 2. 3. ceased from creation ) blessed it , & sanctified , or appointed it to be kept holy by man , as is repeated and interpreted in the morall law given by the ministry of Moses . Exod. 20.

3. In this praecept are considerable those things which are

1. Morall and Naturall . 2. Positive and ceremoniall . 1. The Morall part is that a seaventh day be set apart and kept holy for divine worship and rest from servill workes : and this ( as all morall precepts , having their ground in the law of nature ) concernes and bindes all men in all ages , whose reason telleth them that there must be a time for the publike service of God .

2. The Positive and Ceremoniall part is that which bound all men to the observation of the seaventh day from the creation , Hebr. 7. 12. 18. untill it was changed ( as all the Leviticall ceremonies● for a seaventh day to begin from Christs resurrection from the dead and also that which bound the Jewes to the observation of certaine ceremoniall rests and solemnities thereon , untill the substance of those shadowes were come : so wee read of their severall Sabbaths , Sabbatum magnum 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . as first their great Sabbath , which was that on which concurred a double solemnity , Joh 19. 31. Observāt ubi festa mero pede sabbata reges , & vetus indulget senibus clementia ' porcis . Juv. Sat. 6. as the last day of the Pasover , and the seaventh day Sabbath : secondly their holidaies , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 cessationes , fetiae . &c. Pagn : Hiero. reddit . Sabbata : sit Ar. Montan. or solemne feast daies , wherein they were to feast and rejoyce before the Lord : see Levit: 23 ▪ 24. &c. Deut. 16. 14. and these were also to them Sabbaths , Lam : 1. 7. the adversaries saw her and did mock at her Sabbaths . Thirdly their Sabbath of the earth , every seventh yeare to rest . Exod: 23. 11. Levit: 25. 4. Numb : 28. 10. Fourthly , Sabbaths of yeares , seven times seven yeares , 49. after which the trumpet was to ●ound the Jubile . Levit: 25. 8 , 9. Fitly their Sabbath of weekes , see Levit. 23. 15 , 16. Deu● . 16. 9 , 10. these were ceremoniall appertaining to the Levitie all law , and therefore determined and ended with the rest of those ceremonies : so Paul arrangeth them , and would have no man judge Christians in respect of any such Sabbath . Colos : 2. 16. yea hee counteth it returning to weake and beggerly elements , to observe daies , &c. Galat. 4. 10.

4. The seventh day Sabbath began at Evening , and so ended the next day Evening , according to the beginning and ending of naturall daies from the Creation ( as 't is saide , the evening & the morning made the first day ) from Even unto Even shall you celebrate your Sabbath : but our Lords day beginneth in the morning from the resurrection of Christ on the morning of the third day ▪ Gen. 1. and that 's not without a mystery , that the Legall sabbath began with darknesse , Levit. 23. ●2 . and the Evangelicall beganne with light .

5. God appointed the observation of the Sabbath for many reasons .

1. That it might be a day for Gods publike service , as it was and is observed , that men might come together to heare the Law , pray , receave the holy Sacraments , &c. Luk: 4. 16. Act: 20. 7. 1. Cor: 16. 2.

2. To keepe in memory the work of creation . Exod: 20. 10 , 11.

3. In the giving of the law was added that which concerned Israels deliverance from their Egyptian servitude ( a type of our freedome from the bondage of sinne and Satan ) remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt — therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keepe this Sabbath day . Deut. 5. 14 , 15.

4. That it might be a signe betweene God and his people , that they might knowe that he is the Lord that sanctifieth them ; and a signe of the eternall rest in the life to come , Exod. 31. 13. as it is said , Hebr. 4. 9. there remaineth therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , a Sabbath keepping to the people of God .

5. To move masters to be just and equall to their servants and beasts in remembrance of their owne condition : on the seventh day thou shalt rest , that thy Ox and thy Asse may rest , and the sonne of thy hand-maid , and the stranger may bee refreshed , Exod: 23. 12. that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou , Deut. 5. 14 , 15. and remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt , &c.

6. That God and his lawes may be remembered , that in case , any forgetfulnesse of him should fall on man ( most apt to forget God ) the very solemnity of the day might remember him .

6. Sanctification of the Sabbath , on Gods part , was his appointment to keepe it holy ; on mans , the setting it apart from common use and ordinary workes , to spend it in holy exercises according to God's commandement : profanation of the Sabbath , was , and is , by doing those workes which God prohibited to be done on that day , as servile workes , or on any day , as sinne , or any thing hindering his workship on that day to bee performed , as humane , servile , or ordinary workes of ourcallings : all workes are not prohibited on the Sabbath , the Preists by the law did sacrifice thereon ; this as other like were divine , or such as appertained to the sanctification of the Sabbath ; so are meditation on Gods workes , wisedome , power , benificence , providence , &c. hearing , reading , preaching , praying , administration , and receaving the sacraments , workes of mercy and necessity , &c

1. This Sabbath so farre as it was ceremoniall , Sect. II. was changed for the full and true morall part thereof to bee performed on the Lords day , which is a Christians sabbath , or holy rest , for & to the publike service of God , still religiously to be kept ; because 1. It is the Key of religion and that which being duely observed enableth us to the performance of all the rest ; for therein we are to learne our duty to God and man .

2. This law God twice wrote with his owne hand in tables of stone , to ●●itate the perpetuity thereof , as farre as it is morall .

3. If there were no fixed time for the publike service of God ; how should men agree to meet therein ? One would have a farme , another Oxen , or some other secular businesse to distract them one from another . Moreover if there were no fixed day , 't is much to bee feared , the men of this world , for their present emoluments , would often adjourne Gods service , as Felix did Pauls discourse of righteous●esse , temperance and future judgement , with a , goe thy way for this time , Act. 24. 25. and when I have a convenient season , I will call for thee .

4. The same reasons for the keeping holy a Sabbath , remaine to Christians , which for substance , God gave for the performance thereof before the Gospell ; we , and our servants have need of rest , need to remember God , to learne his will , to pray and joyne in his publike worship .

5. Christ came not to repeale or dissolve the morall law in any one jot or title , Matth. 5. nor indeed is it changeable or dispensable , nor may any part of Gods worship therein commanded , be taken away , though we are not now to keep so rigid a rest as was ceremoniall to the Jews , Exod. 35. 3. to remember them of something peculiar to them in their minority and subjection to those ceremonies which were their schoolemaster to Christ . Exod. 16. 23.

6. The Church of Christ hath constantly , Deut. 5. 6. since the Apostles time kept this day which we now celebrate as an holy Galat. 3. 24. rest : to conclude , it is the worlds birth day , wherein it first saw light ; the Queene of daies : the praeludium of the Saints resurrection , Math: Concil. Foroiliens . cap. 13. Diem autem Domin . &c. vid. concil . To. 6. 27. 53. the type of the eternall rest and Sabbath to come , Isai 66. 23. which yet remaineth for the people of God , Heb: 4. 9.

2. For the better understanding of these things , wee must first consider , Justyn . Martyr . Apol. 2. that though we read no particular precept for the transposition of the Sabbath from the seventh to that which we now celebrate ( which is the first of the weeke , Orig. hom. 7. Sup. Exod. 1. Aug. epist. 86. 118 , 119. c. 13. & de temp. ser. 251. & ib. 154. Mat : 28. 1. Mark ; 16. 1. 2. 6. Luk: 24. 1. 3. Joh: 20. 1. 1 Cor: 16. 2. Rev: 1. 10. ) yet is it most likely , that Christ the Lord of the Sabbath , Ignat. ad Mag. vocat — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. prescribed the change , and that , as hee was with Moses forty daies in the mount , to teach him the law and government of the Church under the same , ( not leaving his people to any , the least point of will-worship and voluntary religion , as may appeare in his strict limiting them to the patterne shewed Moses to the very snu●●ers , ashpans , basons , and pinnes of the sanctuary ) so also when he was before his ascension forty daies with his disciples , teaching them what to preach , and how to governe the Church , though hee would not againe relade and burden them with antiquated ceremonies , as touch not , tast not , handle not , yet neither would he leave them to any will-worship , but prescribe them what they should doe concerning so maine a point as the transposition and change of the Sabbath : neither needed he otherwise to confirme a law naturall and morall , then by shewing himselfe Lord of the Sabbath , by taking that away from it which was ceremoniall , and transporting it to another day : so that as from Christs own appointment of the sacrament it was called the Lords Supper , so also from his owne appointment , this which we now keepe Sabbath , was called the Lords day . For who may presume to appoint such a thing but the Lord of the Sabbath ? Or who may call any thing the Lords ; or ordaine any thing in his holy worship , which his selfe hath not appointed ? And it is worthy our noting , that Paul appointing collections for the poore on that day , 1. Cor: 16. 1 , 2. saith also , 1 Cor: 11. 23. 1 Cor: 15. 3. that he delivered them that only , which he had received of the Lord : and that there speaking of that day , he spake as of a thing then in use and custome ( for holy conventions , preaching , praying , receaving the Sacraments ) among Christians . See Act: 20. 7. 1 Cor. 11. 23. 34. et 14. 36. 37 Tit. 1. 5. so that Christ commanded and instructed them , and they only ordered the Churches accordingly : Act. 15. 6. 24. without all dispute , it is sufficient for us to bee followers of the Apostles as they were of Christ , considering that they were assisted by an infallibility of spirit in these things .

Secondly we must consider why Christ changed it , which was because

1. The ceremoniall part thereof was changable by the Lord of the Sabbath ; he tooke it not away because the morality is indispensable and unchangable , as having it's ground in the law of nature , not withstanding that which some obiect to the contrary , Genes. 2. 2. that there is no principle thereof leading a meere naturall man to the observation of a seventh day sabbath for

1. In the very creation God sanctified the Sabbath and hallawed it by his owne rest thereon , Exod. 19. as afterward by his absteining to give them Manna on that day : Exod. 20. and before Moses received the law on Sina written on tables of stone , Exod. 31. he said unto the people , Deut. 9. 9 , 10. Exod: 16. 29. — The Lord hath given you the Sabbath .

2. The naturall mans principles before the fall ▪ and after the fall in the state of corruption , differ in many things and degrees , as light and darknesse . The naturall man in this existence neither doth receive , nor can knowe the things of Gods spirit : so that he wanteth illumination , and consequently the use of diverse principles necessary to lead and guide him in the way of sanctity , 1 Cor. 2. 14. which in his pure essence and state of innocency , he had as a compleate and perfect law of nature .

3. The darknesse of minde which fell on man by sin , was so generall that it left him only some such obscure knowledge of a Deity to be worshipped , and a conscience which served rather to check their failings therein , then to enforme them : as that it left them without all excuse : thus they that had not the written law , Rom. 2. 14. were a law to themselves : the prudent among them acknowledging that there was no nation so immane , and barbarous , but it beleeved there was a God , yet condemning their own ignorance , as much in the manner of his worship , as their apprehension of him : knowing like blinde men out of the way , Act. 17. 37. that they erred , they groaped after him , but could not finde the way to him , nor understand how they ought to serve him : which when they attempted by idol-worship and the vaine forgeries of mans inventions , they knewe it was but the foolish and frivolous dreames of selfe-beguil●ng authors , and the blind assent of a seduced multitude ( the great and tyrannicall mistresse of errous ) which swaied them .

4. That remainder of the law of natures light after mans fall was such , as rather , or more immediatly concerned the preservation of the naturall man in this present life , then for the compleat instruction of the spirituall , for eternall life ; and so to be reckoned among those common gifts of God bestowed equally on elect and reprobates : of this kinde was the admirable prudence , temperance , equity , constancy and ●idelity of some meere heathens : wherein the conscience had these principles that intemperance , injury , murder , theft , perjury , lying , stealing , rapine , adultery , false testimony , &c. were odious crimes : for all these and the like were● immediatly serving to the preservation of humane society , which the God of order , and omnipotent parent of this universe will conserve unto the end of time : therefore causeth he his sunne to shine and his raine to fall indifferently on the just and unjust : and therefore these principles of the Law of nature were left more undeniably cleere , Matt. 5. and lesse obscured and obliterated , on the tables of mans heart in his fall , then those which more immediatly concerne the worship of God in the first table of the morall law , and the spirituall mans relation thereto : God constantly resolving in his unsearchable wisdome and justice , to preserve the life of nature respectively to all men , for the appointed times ; but the life of grace , to eternall salvation , onely to his elect in Christ : upon the tables of whose hearts , he writeth his laws in their regeneration . So that though there be no principle , 2 Cor. 3. 3. to lead and direct a meere naturall man , after his e●cecation in his fall , to the worship due to one only God , yet none can more reasonably deny , that a man in the state of innocency had a perfect knowledge of all the law of God , and principles in the law of nature to lead him to the observation of every precept thereof , then that the light of the eye is not naturall to a man accidentally blinde , and so having no sight to direct him in the way he should walke in : Man had in his state of innocency a sufficient knowledge of the whole law of God , and therefore as that principle which led him to the true worship of one onely God ; so also to the keeping of the Sabbath , which is a part thereof ; because all the morall law and every precept thereof , hath its ground in the law of nature uncorrupted , cleerly appearing , though in the corrupt state , it be obscure , & in some branches thereof more , in some lesse obliterated ; and the written morall law is indeed no more then a repetition & second writing , Exod. 34. 1. or supply thereof , figured in God's duplicate & writing againe the same lawes on the second tables , Exod. 32. 19. after the first were broken .

5. The fourth commandement in the morality ( that is sanctification of a seventh day Sabbath ) is a law of nature as having its ground therein , and therefore bindeth all men , of all times and ages ; and conditions , to the end of time , as well as those lawes which say , Honour thy father and thy mother , thou shalt not kill , commit adultery , or steale : but that which was ceremoniall therein , ( as the observation of a seventh from the creation ) was positive , and therefore alterable : it being the nature of a positive law , to binde either certaine persons only ( as Adam and Eve by the precept of not eating the forbidden fruit ) or to a certaine time , as the ceremoniall law bound Israel untill the fulfilling of all by Christ ; and as all before , and under the law , were bound to observe the seventh day Sabbath from the creation , untill it should be changed for the Lords day , in whose power the alteration thereof was , as he was the creator , appointer , and sanctifier of the first Sabbath , and was , and is the Lord of the same now changed for that which wee celebrate in remembrance of his resurrection .

2. Christ changed the day to remember us of his resting from all the workes of his humiliation in his resurrection , the creation of a new spirituall world , Isay 65. 17. as it were new heavens and new earth , which shall remaine , Isay 66. 2. 3. 2 Cor. 5. 17. that from one Sabbath to another all flesh may come and worship before him : of which hee saith , old things are past away , behold all things are become new : & this day that heavenly light , the day starre and sunne of righteousnesse arose , therefore ( as hath beene noted ) we begin not this Sabbath from the evening darknesse , as the old world ( untill the fulnesse of time to be exercised under the shadowes of the law● but from the morning light , a type of that which the Apostle saith , the night is past the day is at hand , Rom: 13. 12.

3. To be a figure of that eternall Sabbath and rest specified Heb: 4. 9. Rev. 4. by Christs accomplishing the worke of our redemption , and justification by his resurrection .

4. That beleevers might therein have a perpetuall pledge of the new covenant of grace & salvation , their deliverance from the servitude and curse of the law .

5. Lastly that it might bee a marke of distinction betweene Christians and Jewes and Mahumetans , who obstinatly adhere to antiquated ceremonies , or ordinances of men .

It remaineth that we consider how wee must sanctify this Sabbath , Sect. III. which that we may doe , it is necessary to observe . 1. the due preparations for it . 2. practices in it . 3. duties after it .

Concerning the first , these rules are necessary

1. Doe not overtoile , travell , or overwatch thy selfe or servants , least thou , or they be sleepy , & so inattentive in hearing or praying .

2. So consider it before it come , that thou maist be sure to set apart all businesses and distractions which might hinder the performance of thy duty .

3. Rise up so early that thou want no convenience to fit thy selfe for Gods publike and private worship , which when men do not , they come both unprepared to Church , & neglect their private duty for preparation , which often rendreth the publike unfruitfull : this discovereth an admirable hypocrisie in men , who will to rise that they may have time , to wash & dresse the outward man , for the sight of men ; least any thing should be uncomely to outward view : but for the inward man , obvious to the severe eye of an heart-searching God , they are litle or nothing so●icitous .

4. Renew thy repentance before thou come to heare the law of Go ▪ lest thou appeare there like the ghest without the wedding garment , untrimmed and fowle in a sacred solemnity : lest the seed of Gods word fall unprofitably among thornes , and the venomous weeds of thy old sinnes ; and so become a ●avour of death unto thee .

5. Consider the sanctity of God , into whose presence thou art entring , as Moses into the clowd to heare his voice wherein are the issues of life and death , remember that the time is holy by Gods owne institution : that the place is consecrated and set apart for Gods publike worship , and let that come into thy minde which God said unto Moses approaching towards him , loose thy shooes from thy feet : for the place thou standest on is holy ground : to thy selfe thus appliable , put off all thy carnall affections , resigne thy selfe body & soule , unto the guidance of Gods holy word and spirit : Christ said not in vaine , my house shall be called an house of prayer to all nations ; Matth: 11. 20. and where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them .

6. Pray privatly , that God would forgive thee thy sinnes , give thee such a measure of his spirit to enable thee to serve him , as may make thee therein acceptable to him , blesse his owne ordinance unto thee , sanctify thee body and soule to his service , that thou maist sanctify his Sabbath , with that zeale , care , and fervency of spirit , which may please him : that hee would assist the Ministers of his word , and thy selfe , and the whole congregation , so that the word may profit you , to the amendment of life , and building you up to the assurance of salvation in Christ .

In the Sabbath if thou wilt performe thy duty well , thou must

1. Begin with delight in it and all the service of God therein to be performed : this was God's condition of prospering Israel that they should call the Sabbath a delight : the carnall man for feare of humane law or censure , resteth from his ordinary workes , goeth to Church , joyneth with the Congregation in prayer , Isay 58. 13 , 14. hearing , &c. but it is irksome to him , he thinkes the time long , because he delighteth not in the Lord and his Sabbath : but he that through delight therein , keepeth it not as in help to sanctification ; keepeth it no better then a beast .

2. Glorifie God therein : In hearing , praying , receiving the holy Sacrament , singing praises , &c. thou shalt honour him , not doing thine owne waies ( any servile worke . ) Those things may be done which are subordinate to the sanctification of a Sabbath : as the Priests laboured in sacrificing , Isay 58. 13. the Ministers now doe in preaching and officiating , without breach of this precept . Workes of necessitie or mercy , to man or beast are to be done : the Ox fallen into a pit must be releived : the Physitian , Apothecary , Chirurgion , or others in case of necessitie , may and must respectively helpe , though it be the ordinary worke of their calling , because it is a worke of mercy : so to doe is to honour God : as on the contrary it were to his dishonour , as if his law bound any man from doing all the good hee can , or shewing mercy to the distressed ; whereas indeed he is a God of mercy , & loveth the same in all those who beare his image : but thou must not for gaine doe that which might equally be omitted ; as bargaining , bearing burdens , or other servile worke , or labour of thy calling , or travelling , except in case of necessity , or subordination to a Sabbath dayes workes : it is certainly an ingratefull sacriledge to rob God of his owne daies service , appointed for no necessitie of his , but only for our own good and salvation , and to entrench on that which he hath reserved to himselfe , whereas he hath allowed men six daies to doe their workes , and take their lawfull delights therein : Therefore hee saith , as we must not on the Sabbath doe our own waies , so must not we finde our owne pleasures , nor speake our owne words : it is an hatefull robbery of God to use pastimes on that day , though lawfull on others : much worse those which are never lawfull , whereby the Devill is more served on that day , then any other . The many fearefull judgements of God on offenders herein ( and that which usually befalleth them , in that God seldome prospereth the most probable industries of such ) is enough to deter all considering men from profanation of the Lords day .

3. Doe what good thou canst ; to thy selfe in that which concerneth thy soule or thy body , health and preservation , in case of necessitie ; or to others in the like ; at convenient times , when the publike or private worship of God require not thy attendance : walke in the fields , or gardens , that thou maist contemplate on Gods creatures , and his benificence , power , providence and wisedome therein : visit the sick and imprisoned , if thou have ability and convenience of releiving or comforting them .

4. Absteine from immoderate drinking , feeding , sleeping , and whatsoever else may render thee lesse apt for the sanctification of this day .

5. As all thy life thou must rest from sinne , so specially on this day , wherein the very sanctity of the time violated doubleth the offences committed there , when God specially requireth the sanctimony , and endeavours to learne his will ; and doe not thinke it enough to rest from labour ; as God resteth not in an inactive contemplation , and as the glorified Saints in the life to come in their rest aud refreshing , shall yet continually sing their Halleluiahs , and doe those things which shall be to the eternall glory of God in them , so doe thou now compose thy selfe to have thy present conversation in heaven , and to begin thy rest and Sabbath here , which shall never end .

When the Sabbath is ended ; if thou canst , write down some principall heads for directions or of comforts heard that day , and by often perusing them , commit all to memory . However repeat to thy selfe , if single ; or with thy family , the summes of that thou hast heard : praise God for the same ; sing Psalmes : meditate of the eternall rest , whereof this is a type : frame thy whole life for the attaining thereto : beg pardon of God for thy severall failings and defects : and pray for the assistance of his good spirit , and that his ordinance may be powerfull in thee and thine , to life eternall .

A Prayer for the Sabbath day morning .

O Lord our God , holy and mer●●●● , W●●umbly pray thee for Jesus Christ sake , to forgive 〈◊〉 our sinnes , to cleanse us bodies and soules , from all those corruptions which make us lesse able to serue thee as we ought and unworthy to appeare before thee : O our God be pleased to send the Comforter to enlighten us , and to open our understandings , that being now sequested from all worldly cares affections and thoughts , we may lift up our hearts to thee , serving thee in fervency of spirit and tru●th , that we may this day beginne our heaven on earth , in doing thy will here , as it is there done . And because they are unworthy of new blessings who are unmyndfull of those they have received : we here desire to render thee the fruites of our hearts and lipps , praise and thanksgiving for all thy mercies and favours eternall and temporall : for thy unspeakable love in electing us to salvation : for thy infinite goodnesse in creating us after thyne owne glorious image , to a capacity of light and understanding ( that we might be able in some measure to know thee who art the fountaine of life ) of holinesse ( that wee might be like thee , whose beeing is an independent selfe-happinesse ) and immortality ( that we might in thy presence enjoy thy favour eternally : ) for thy gratious providence ( which in thy rest from creation , is ever active in our preservation : ) for that , as it was thy pleasure to forme all creatures on earth , in the aire , and those unseene paths of the deeps , for our sakes ; so by the powre of the same word , which at first said , let them be made , and they were so , thou still preservest them in their severall kinds , for our use , releife and comfort : nor is thy goodnesse lesse considerable in those remoter lights of heaven , the greater and the lesse , which thou hast made to distinguish and measure times and seasons to rule the day , and comfort the unked shades of night : O Lord , the heavens declare thy glory , and the firmament sheweth thy handy worke , in wisedome and great power hast thou created all things : the unseene multitude of those glorious Angels ( which thou hast made ministring spirits , and sent them out to pith th●ir tents about us night and day for out defence and preservation ) are the worke of thy hands , they and we live , move , and have our beeing in thee , who art the incomprehensible beeing of beeings . Above all thy workes is thy mercy , and above all instances thereof , is that , for which we are this day to praise and glorifie thy holy name , the accomplishment of the greatest worke , our redemption , by the resurrectio● of thy Sonne Jesus from the dead : our creation had not profited us , if our redemption had not repaired us when we were fallen : in our creation thou gavest us our selves , and be●ings ; but in our redemption , thou not onely restoredst us to our selves , but gavest , us thy selfe in Christ the some of thine eternall love : Lord what is man that thou so regardest him , or the sonne of man that thou so visitest him ? Who is able to declare thy goodnesse ; and to set forth that praise which is worthy of thee ? Thou hast also made the Sabbath for man ( for whom thou madest this universe ) thou hast sanctified it , and given it to be a time of rest , and a signe betweene thee and us , Ezek. 20. 13. that we might knowe that thou art he who sanctifieth us ; that we might herein meet together in thy publike worship , to learne thy holy wil ; for our salvation , to present our supplications & severall necessities before thy throne of grace and mercy , ●●ffer up the incense of our prayers and thankesgiving ; that wee may rest from sinne , and our daily labours , and being disburdened of all the cares and distractions of this world may approach neere unto thy sacred Majestie with pure hearts and hands . But O Lord our God , who among the corrupted sonnes of men , is worthy to appeare in thy holy presence , who art the searcher of hearts , and a God of pure eyes ? O Lord we humbly acknowledge our vilenesse and unworthinesse , beseeching thee for thy sonne Christ Jesus sake , to forgive us all our sinnes , and throughly to purge us from the old levin of our iniquities ; give us such a measure of thy grace and sanctifiing spirit , that we may rest assured of our calling and election to eternall life : repaire thy decayed image in us every day more and more enabling us to serve thee in true holinesse , mortifying and subduing all our carnall affections which resist the motions of thy good spirit in us ; make us comfortably sensible of the vertue of Christs resurrection in us , quickning us to newnesse of life , in a perfect and entire obedience to all thy holy commandements : that in assurance of our sinnes remission in Christ our peace , we may enjoy a comfortable rest in true peace of conscience , and our reconciliation to thee by a justifying faith in him . To this end , wee humbly pray thee to blesse thine owne ordinance to us this day : Lord give thy spirit of prayer and prophesie unto thy messengers , therein appointed to entreat a blessing for us , and to declare thy will unto us : distill the dew of heaven into their hearts and tongues , that they may minister faithfull directions , for the recalling those that erre , confirmation of those that stand , and sound comfort to the afflicted consciences of those that mourne in Zion : Lord who bountifully findest seed to thy sowers , grant that they may finde the hearts and affections of thy people , not stony or thorny , but fruitfull ground : be thou present with us by thy sanctifying spirit this day , that thy Sabbath may be our delight , and thy word our soules food , comfort and refreshing , that this , and all our daies we may walke worthy of our high calling in Christ and have our conversations in heaven , where hee sitteth at thy right hand : that this Sabbath , as it is a representation of that which shall be an eternall rest from all our sorrowes , cares and labours , may also be a meanes to direct and bring us to the same even to the end of our hopes , the salvation of our bodies and soules , the fulnesse of joy , and eternity of true happinesse in thy presence , through the merits of thy sonne our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ ; to whom with thee , O Father of mercy , and the holy Ghost the comforter of the elect , be ascribed all honour , praise , dominion , and glory , this day and evermore .

AMEN .

To the ordinary evening Prayer may be added this private prayer for the Sabbath .

O Lord God of mercy and compassion we render all humble & hearty thankes to thy gratious Majestie for all thy mercies and favours , as in our whole lives , so specially this day bestowed upon us : for our peace , health , and opportunity to serve thee ; that in thy tender mercy sparing us , thou hast not according to our deservings ( by our neglects of thy holy ordinance , and sundry profanations of thy Sabbath ) made this day unto us ( as unto many others ) a day of dread and terrour , of trouble and flight ; but a day of comfort , an holy rest , and refreshing to our bodies and soules , in a peaceable and plentifull use of thy holy word and ordinance : O good Lord continue thy goodnesse to us herein : give us true repentance and reformation of all our lives : forgive us our many sinnes , and sundry ●ailings in our duties : so sanctify our memories that wee may receive , and our affections that we may readily obey thee , according to thy holy will now declared in those portions of thy holy word , which have this day beene opened unto us : Lord who only givest the encrease to the planting and watring of those who faithfully labour in thy vineyard : blesse that which wee have heard , so that wee may walke in the strength thereof ; and give us a setled resolution to obey the same , to submit our selves wholy to thy will and word ; to have our conversation so ordered thereby , that sin may dye in us , and the life of grace shew it selfe in an holy and sincere obedience of our thoughts , words , and ictions , untill we come to the eternall rest in thy kingdome of glory through the merits and mediation of thy only sonne our Saviour Jesus Christ ,

AMEN .

CHAP. XVI .

§ . 1. Of Love and Charity , what they are , and how they differ in their objects . § . 2. Of love to God : considerable in its object , end , measure , severall states , degrees , perpetuity , and opposition . § . 3. Signes of our love to God . §. 4. common obstructions and lets thereto . § . 5. Meanes on our part to be used for the enslaming our love to God § . 6. Motives to incite us thereto .

1. Love is the Qveene of vertue● , a a Sect. I. mother of sanctity , Virtutum mater est charitas &c. Greg. ep. 40 l. 4. Gods lively image in man : a reflex of his goodnesse , b b 1. Joh. 4. 8. who is love ; the life of faith , without which it is neither c c Gal. 5. 6. active nor d d Jam. 2. 17. lively : the comfort of this life , e e 1 Joh. 3. 14. 19. security in death , & proeludium of heavenly life , wherein it shal be compleated in the vision of God , and the full communion of Saincts united to their head Christ Jesus ▪ what were life without love , better then an hell inchoate ? such must that be where God is not , f f Bernard . who not only hath love , but is the same . g g Amor , dicitur illud quod est principium , quo appetitus ic●dit ad sinem , id est in bonum amatū & v●catur dilectio in quantit liber● electione disc●ruitur , quid sit amandum . Rainet . panth . Love is a voluntary affection and desire to enjoy that which is good : it is a dilection , because we doe in a free choice discerne what to love . loves limits are ample , when it hath a fiinite object ; when 't is towards God , it hath no bounds , save only in the subject , which can but finitely love an infinite , though with all the soule , and all the might . Love is subjectively in some desire , objectively in some good ( or that which seemeth such ) so that their varieties , cause as many varieties of love : love of God the supreame good , is incomparably the best : love of that which God loveth is next , and next that which beareth his image : so love we our selves , and men and Angells , we love men , either as we receive good from them , or doe good to them : the first our language calleth Love , the second Charity : that hath something amiable and desirable for it object , this something miserable and to be pittied or releived .

2. Love to God , is a vertue wherein the reasonable creature adhereth and is united to , delighteth and resteth in God as his cheife good : And it is considerable . 1. As naturall ; such as was in Adam in his innocency , for without it , he could not have had Gods image on him . 2. As infused in our regeneration , which is a repaire of Gods image , decayed in us by sinne : this is the h h Ipse● ut di ligeretur de●it , qui non deli●tos diligit : displi●entes ama●i sumus ut fieret in nobis unde placcr●mus Concil , Arau● sican . alt. meere gift of God . 1. Joh: 4. 7. Love commeth of God , and the i i D●pendet ●x sol● gratia sp. san●●i eum insundentis . 22. c. q. 24. a. 3. c. fruit of the spirit is love . Gal: 5. 22. we love him because he first loved us , 1. Joh: 4. 19.

3. The supreame end of our love to God , k k Charit as attingi● ipsum Deum , ut in ipso sistat , n●n ●rex co aliquitl nobis 〈◊〉 . Aq. 22 ● . ● . 23. a. 6. c is God : for though we love any creature for some other end then is terminative in that creature , so beloved , yet we must love God onely for his own sake : though we may not therefore only love God that he may doe us good ; ( for that were to make our love me●cenary , not ●iliall , not truely to love God above all , but him for the rewards sake ; that were a contract rather then a free love , selfe love , not love of God for his own sake , and as a sufficient reward to those that love him ) yet may we be assured that we cannot , love him truely without a sufficient and certain reward : and we may expect the same seeing he is l l Heb. 6. 10. not unrighteous that he should forget our worke and labour of love , which wee have shewed toward his name . In whatsoever creature wee instance , men , or Angells , or any thing subordinate to their love , there is still some better object of our love : as if wee love riches for charity sake , we love charity for our indigent brothers sake , and him for Gods sake : But in God only all our desires and affections . m m Hae● est igitur ●era cordis nostri requies cum in amore Deiper desiderium sigitur , nec ultra quicquam appctit . Sed in co quod 〈◊〉 , quadam felici securitate detectatur H. de sanct. Vict. l. 1. Miscellan. rest and n n Ezek. 1. 25. let downe the wings ( like those creatures , in Ezeki●ls vision , when they heard the voice of God above their heads ) and we love God only for his own sake , as the most excellent , most amiable , and desirable , the sole fountaine of true good , and blessednesse , out of whom there can be nothing good or happy : and indeed o o Bernard . de amor . D. c 3. hee that seeketh any thing above or beyond God , seeketh nothing ; because there is nothing better then he , nothing in heaven or earth so good . The subordinate end of loving God , is that we may love others in , and for him , as 't is written , p p 1. Joh. 4. 21. wee have this commandement from him , that he that loveth God should love his brother also : nor can any man wisely and truely love himselfe any otherwise then for God's sake : not wisely ; for 't were folly for a man to set his affections at any lower levell then true happinesse , which can never be in any thing humane or temporall ; but it is to be found and attained onely in God , and our union with him : to love our selves for beauty , strength , honour , riches , plesures , or present life , is to beguile our soules with vaine dreams : happinesse can be in nothing which can change for worse , or must unavoidably end : nor can we truely love our selves for any thing lesse then the image of God in us : he loveth not himselfe in truth , but q q See Prov. 29. 24. hateth his own soule , who loveth himselfe a sinner ( for thereby he maketh himselfe unhappy ) or in respect of any temporall pleasure or gaine , therein , or thence taken : the sinner hateth and destroyeth his own soule , r r See Isay. 3. 9. doing himselfe more harme therein , then the devill and all the powers of hell could otherwaies doe him : for as they cannot make him sinne against his will , so neither can they make him truely unhappy without his consent to sinne . Neither is it truly to love our selves , to prouide momentany pleasures , and beguiling shewes of happinesse with the losse of the eternall and true : the gaine of a world cannot compensate the losse of a soule : nor doth he truly love himselfe who betrayeth himselfe herein , loving short and evill pleasures , more then the chiefe good , eternall happinesse , and salvation of his own soule .

3. The measure of our loving God , is to love him s s M●dus sin● mo . do dilig●rc . Ber. without measure : things finite have measure , and therefore must be loved in measure and subordination : Thou must love thy Parents , wife , children , freinds ; but as thy selfe , t t Licet parvulus ex collo pen●eat nepos : licet sparso crine & scis sis vestibus , ubera quibus te ●tricrat mat●● ostendat ; licet in limine pai●r jac●at , per calrati● perg● pa●rem , siccis o●ulis & vexilluni crucis ovola● solum pictatis genus est , in ha●re esse crudelem Hieronym , l. 2. ep. 6 Heliodor . not in the place of God ( to honour them before him as Eli did . 1. Sam: 2. 29. ) but in subordination to his love , and as may be consistent there with : otherwise he that hateth not father , mother , wife , children , and his owne life 〈◊〉 Christ , cannot be his disciple L●k : 14. 26. that is where the love of these or any of them is not subordinate to the love of God , or where a man loveth any of these more then God , Math : 10. 37. Thou must love God with all thy heart , ( according to thy capacity ) with all thy soule , ( thy will , affections , and desires ) thy mynde and intellectuall faculties ( for love of God cannot be without knowledge of him , there is no desire of that we know not ) with ●ll thy might , as much as thou canst , every part must serve to Gods love , that wee may love God , not only giving us , but also severely correcting us , and denying us that which we aske , and thinke best for us , in assurance that he is most just , wise and mercifull to dispose all for the best , as may be seene in Christ , and the Martyres , whom nor life , nor death , nor any pressure could separate from the love of God .

4. Though the love of God in mans state of innocency was lost by sinne , yet that which is infused in our regeneration shall never fall away : because it dependeth on Gods immutable love to us , who not only giveth grace but also perseverance there in : it was u u Charitas quae des●ripotest u●quam suit vera August . Tom. 4. de falut . do●ct . c. 7. never true love of God which ever faileth : if it be true , it knoweth no end , being w w Corruptionis nescia semper invicta . Prosper l. 3. de vit. cant . c. 13. ever invincible : for the gifts and graces of God are without repentance . Rom. 11. 29. faith operative by love cannot be lost , neither can true love : it may be remitted , not lost , clouded , not extinguished : that which in the reprobate seemeth the love of God , shal be lost ; the true which is in the elect , can never ; because though men may be deceived concerning their election , x x Donum perseverantiae computatur inter beneficia● Dei quibus certissimè libe rantur , quicunque liberan●●tur . Aq. 22. ●q . 24. a 11. ex August . de bono persev . c. 14. Tom. 7. God cannot .

5. This love of God is never perfect in the best in this life : here it may stil receive y y Charitas viae potest augeri . 22ae . q. 24. a. 4. c. encreases , & doth , as the Apostle Phil. 1. 9. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , yet more and more in knowledge . We love according to our knowledge , which being but in part , no more is this : our whole regeneration is yet imperfect in degrees , and so is our love to God .

6. Love of God shall remaine , and be perfect in the life to come : when riches , honours , pleasures , deare friends ; nay when those excellent gifts of learning and prophesie shall leave us , when faith shall end in enjoying , this one treasure shall be secure , and encrease to eternity .

7. As he that hateth God , is herein more excusable then all other sinners , because hate of God is more apparently impious , then failing in attaining it , or falling from it by infirmity ( for here may be a will to doe good , but there cannot ) so also herein , that having but one extreame to fall into , the malitious will fall there : all other sinnes may be in excesse , and in defect ; because every other vertue , this love excepted , hath two bastard sisters : as valour hath in excesse , temerity , and in defect timidity ; justice hath on the right hand , too much severity , on the left , too much mildnesse and indulgence to sinne : so is it in the rest : only this most amiable vertue hath nothing but defect to oppose it : no creature can love God too much , because none can love him enough , or infinitely . This also aggravateth the sinne , that there can be no cause in God of any hatred toward him , because the only chiefe and true good cannot bee the proper object of hatred : nor could the most wicked hate him , but that they have sins which his justice must punish , because he is good ; and they have set up their impious desires & lusts , after pleasures and reveuge in his place ; and therefore hate all that oppose them : so is the z z Rom. 8. 7. wisdome of the flesh enmity with God ; because it is not subject to the law of God ; which the signes and effects thereof declare , such as are despaire , servile feare of God's presence , fleeing from him ( as Adam would have done ) audacious liberty of sinning &c , yet are there degrees herein : the formall hypocrite doth not professedly , and out of destinate malice , hate God , nor truely love him : he professeth love , but preferreth the world before God : and if any man so love the world , Sect. III , the love of God is not in him . 1 Joh: 2. 15.

Now whereas all pretend love ( as obedience ) to God , yea when they doe no lesse then rebell against him , and would , if it were possible , unthrone him ; it is necessary to consider some markes and signes of this love , which are these , and the like : we love God .

1. If in our hearts desire wee choose him for our chiefe good , and preferre him before all loves ; as the spouse saith — a a Cant. 1. 1. thy love is beter then wine : if we fix our b b Isai. 2. 6. 9. hearts and affections on God , we love him : if c c Psal. 37. 4. Psal. 40. 8. Psal. 116. 1. we delight in him and his d d Psal: 1. 2. Psal. 94. 19. Psal. 119. 16. 24. 35. 47. 70. 77. 174. law , and desire to know more of him : for as one saith of Magdalens looking againe into Christs sepulchre , e e Vis amor is intentionem multiplicat inquisstionis G●egor . h●m. 25. in Joh 20. the power of love multiplieth the intention of inquisition : if we rejoyce at the gaine of his favour , above all gaines requirable in heaven or earth , if we delight in his presence , ordinances , and the places where his honour dwelleth in his publike worship ( as that man after Gods heart , whose very name signified love my soule thirsteth after the living God ; when shall I come and appeare before God ? Psal: 42. 2. ) If wee desire and delight to heare those who bring his messages to us , as Psal: 119. 162. if wee often think of him ( where our love is our thoughts will be ) if we love to speake of him , and to him , in fervent and frequent prayers : if we have a secret joy of heart at the apprehension of his presence and gratious assistance of us in any thing which may please him , at attentive hearing his word , zealous prayer , secret giving for his sake , or for the inward testimony of his spirit f f Rom. 8. 16. assuring us that we are his children , because we hold him most deare . 2. if we be heartly sorry when God is dishonoured ▪ so David mourned because men kept not his word : certainly no man can without greife of heart remember , or behold his owne or others sinnes , whereby God is displeased , if he love God : they are but hollow freinds that can be pleased and make themselves merry with that which they know , hurteth or greiveth those to whom they professe love : therefore David , Peter , and all those that truely love God , weep and mourne for their sinnes : 't is griefe of soule to them that they cannot serve him as they ought without all sinne : therefore David frequent , and Peter abundant in teares for their sinnes , g g P●●● . 116. 1. professed that they loved the Lord ; this with better confidence then before ( when hee professed hee would lay downe his life for Christ , ( said h h Joh. 21. 17. Lord thou knowest all things , thou knowest that I love thee .

3. If we keep his commandements , which signe his selfe giveth Joh: 14. 15. 23. as also the● beloved Disciple 1 Joh. 2. 5. this is indeed to walke with him : it is an impudent falshood , to say we love God i i Qui Dei prae●cepta contem nit , D●um non diligit●neque●nim reg●m deligin●us , si o●lio ●jus ●g●s habemus . ●●odor . while we contemne his lawes , as 't is to affirme k k 1. Joh. 4. 20. we love him and hate our brother .

4. If we love those that love him , and are beloved of him , as David did Psal: 16. 3. Sec 1. Ioh: 5. 1. if we love God whose spirit regenerateth , we shall love the regenerate for his sake , whose image they beare .

5. If we hate that which is evill , and delight in that onely which is pleasing to God . Among lovers there must bee idem velle & idem nolle : l l 1 Joh. 2. 6. he that saith he abideth in him , ought himselfe also , to walke , even as he walked : and the Psalmists precept is , m m Psal. 97. 10. yee that love the Lord , hate evill : See Psal: 101. 3. Psal. 119. 104. 128. 163. Psal: 139. 22. we all sinne , but hee that doth not truely hate sinne cannot love God .

6. If our love to the world ( pleasures , and all desirable secular things , as also our cares concerning them ) decline and lessen in us : devided streames ●unne shallower : the more wee love n n Minus Domine te amat , qui aliquid tecum amat , quo● propter te non amat . Aug. conf. . with God , the lesse we love him ; the more wee love him the lesse we love all things else , except in subordination to him : when Mary had chosen the better part ( the love of God ) she sate at Jesus feet carelesse of the other entertainment : look how those glowormes shining in the dark , and the starres themselves vanish at the appearance of the Sunne , so doth the love of things secular , at the arising of the love of God on our hearts .

7. If we set not deare by any thing else , riches , pleasures , liberty , life it selfe , for ●ods sake , o o Phil. 2. 25. 30. as Paul speaketh for his fellow souldier . he for the worke of Christ regardeth not his life , and of himselfe who for the same counted it not deare . Act: 20. 24. it was a great love to God which Abraham shewed , when for his sake hee would bee content to p p Gen. 22. sacrifice his beloved only son Isaak ; God ( who would honour him with the high title of his q q Jam. 2. ●3 . friend and r r Rom. 4. 11. father of the faithfull ; and would have heaven it selfe take a livery from him , and be called s s Luk. 16. 22. Abrahams bosome ) would in that example of himselfe , teach him as much as man could apprehend of Gods infinite love ) what it was to give his only son Jesus to death to save us .

8. If in no difficultie of affaire spirituall or secular , we attempt any thing inconsulti , but goe to the Oracles of his wor●d for advise , beg his assistance and blessing , in , and upon all our workes : how canst thou say , t t Jud. 16. 15. I love thee , when thy heart is not with mee ? Said Delilah : how much more may God say so , when we will not trust him ? It is a chiefe advantage of love , that we have a prudent heart , and a faithfull eare , wherein to unload our cares and doubts , and that we are sure we shall carry away none but infallible counsaile : friends that may erre , as men , are yet deservedly trusted , if they would not .

9. If we beleeve in him and put our confidence in him for life and death : love is the fairest issue of faith , which so uniteth us to God , that we can securely cast our selves , and all our cares on him , and his good providence , beleeving and being u u Rom. 4. 21. fully perswaded that what he hath promised , he is able also to performe : and that whatsoever he doth with us , or for us , is best , even when in w w Psal. 119. 75. faithfulnesse he afflicteth us . Every one seemeth to love God prospering , and giving , but the triall is , whether we love God afflicting us , shewing us no countenance when he seemeth to forsake us and not to heare or regard our prayers , when we are ready to perish ; in such case to resolve with Job x x Job . 13. 15. though he kill me , I will trust in him ; this is indeed a certaine argument of that love which shall assure our hearts before him : if we could but thus y y Mal. 3. 10. 11 prove the Lord with confidence in him , and holy subjection of our selves to him , hee would open us the windowes of heaven , and powre us out blessings ; he would rebuke the destroyer for our sakes . Sect. II ▪

The common obstructions and lets to the love of God are .

1. Ignorance of God ; we cannot love that whose excellency we know not . z z Exod. 5. 7. Pharoah asked who was the Lord that hee should obey him ? So say the spiritually blinde , who is he that we should love him ? They are haters of God , because their a a Rom. 1 , 21. 30 foolish hearts were full of darknesse .

2. Unbeliefe , if wee could indeed beleeve Gods word describing his wisedome , mercie , verity , benificence , power , and Providence , and that there is true and eternall happinesse only in our union with him , we should easily be perswaded to set our hearts on him ; as it is written , b b 1. Pet. 1. 8. whom having not seene yee love : in whom though now yee see him not , yet beleeving yee rejoyce with joy unspeakable .

3. Love of this world and the present distracting cares thereof , wherein catching at deluding shadowes , we loose the substance : if c c 1. Joh. 2. 15. any man love it , the love of the father is not in him ; as I noted . We cannot with one eye , see heaven and earth together , nor d d Math. 6. 24. love God and Mammon with one unchanged heart , whose dangerous perversenesse and corruption herein appeareth ; God is only good but the whole world lyeth in wickednesse ; it loveth nothing good ; it is bitter e e Ecce mundus turbat & amatur ; quid si tranquillus esset ? August . and troublesome unto us , yet we unhappily dote on it to our destruction , and suffer it to steale away our hearts from Gods love , wherein we should otherwise be happy , f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Greg. Na , orat . 16. what would wee doe if the world were neither bitter nor troublesome ? We are loath to part with the vaine amenity of this world , as Lots wife was from the pleasant fields of Sodom , no not when the Angels pull us by the hands , would we goe out from ruine and destruction g g Num , 32. when the Reubenites and Gadites saw the fruitfull Jazer and the pleasant Gilead , they petioned Moses , that they might have the lot of their possession there , and goe no further ; they desired not the promised rest : it is so with many a worldly man : he would faine sit downe here , and have his heaven on earth .

4. Guilt of conscience cannot be without feare of Gods severity : now love and servile feare are incompatible : hee that feareth Gods justice because he loveth his own liberty of sinning , ease , and indemnity , cannot love God : as this feare excludeth perfect love , so this casteth out feare : there g g 1. Joh. 〈◊〉 . 18. is no feare in love , nor love in base feare .

5. Pleasures of sinne which only are contrary to Gods love : no man can love unreconcilable contraries : he that loveth and delighteth in any sinne , thereby looseth all capacity of Gods love who cannot but punish the same .

The meanes on our part to be used for the enflaming our love to God , are , that we ,

1. Study to know God , to acquaint our selves with him in Christ , & his holy word which reveileth him unto us . He is the most amiable of all that is in heaven or earth , & therefore the most desirable : as it is written , h h Can● . 5. 16. he is altogether lovely . It is our spirituall blindnes and ignorance of God , which causeth our not loving him as we ought : if we knew him , we could not but love him so , as that the love and care of all creatures , however dear , would decline in us : i i Math. 17. 4. when Peter on the mount , had but a tast of his goodnes , & glimps of his majesty , as forgetfull of all below , he cryed , it is good for us to be here — let us make 3 tabernacles — Satan oftimes setteth such a mischievous distance between man and man , that mistaking , or not rightly knowing one another , he easily fomenteth jealousies , and contentions betweene them , thereby making k k 1 Cor. 13. 1. &c. void all other excellent vertues in them , for want of love , which is the life of true religion , and the infallible marke l l Joh. 13. 35. of Christ's disciples : much more doth he labour to keepe us ignorant of God , that wee may be so unhappy as not to love him : his first assault of man , was by his suggesting jealousie betweene man and his creatour , by that pestilent cloud , to vaile the goodnesse of God toward man ( in a due consideration whereof , he could not but have loved , and adheared to him ) and to make man suspect and disbeleeve the truth of God m m Genes. 3. 1. &c. yea ( said he ) hath God said yee shall not eate — ? yee shall not die — for God doth know that in the day yee eate thereof , your eyes shall be opened , and yee shall be as Gods knowing good and evill .

2. Remember what he hath done and continually doth for us . love followeth love , if we can but be throughly perswaded , that he loveth us , we cannot but love him : Consider what great love he hath shewed us , electing , creating , redeeming , and preserving us : when Christ but shed some teares at n n Joh. 11. Lazarus grave , the Jewes said , Behold how he loved him ; what would they have said if they had knowne , that he came to shed his heart blood for them ? consider what he doth in our preservation : who blesseth us with increase ? who makes the earth bring forth ? who makes the clouds drop fatnesse ; and crowneth the yeares with plenty ? who keepeth us when we sleepe from the powers of darknesse , never wanting power nor will , but onely commission to destroy us ; who can and will keepe us when we are breathing out our soules : we love our deare friends who then cannot keepe us , because they would : consider , I say not if there be not reason , but necessity that wee love him that onely can , and certainly will preserve us then .

3. Learne a due estimate of secular things , and to alienate thy affections from them , that they may be taken up with things o o Colos. 3. 1. ● on high : the more thou emptiest thy soule of those , p p Anxii enim semper & ad ipsa l●etitiae vota suspensi quodam fluctuamus incerto sperantes dubia poo certis , incommoda pro●ecundis : caduca pro solidis , &c. Ambros. de fide resur . c. 3. the more capable it will be of these vaine loves , cares , delights , and desires bewitch the greatest part of the world , transporting men in a fantisticke dreame of happinesse , and prosperity , when here 's nothing constant but inconstancie , nothing q q Heb. 13. 14. permanent and perpetuall , but perpetuall , and suddaine changes ; r r Joh: 13. 1. Isai 54. 7. 8. : in Gods love onely there is constancie : every thing else ( yea this world and the fashion thereof ) changeth : mens loves are fickle as the wind : they admire and presently loath the same : they curse and blesse ( like Michaes mother ) at a breath , in the sense of their losse or gaine : s s Judg. 17. 2. a little seeming injury blasteth their love : yea the change of the externall estate , changeth their affections , who by the mercenary ballance of present profit , weith amity with God and men : these wethercocks turne with every shift of the winde : these shadowes appeare onely in prosperity ( wherein they follow and will not be beaten off with t t Ruth . 1. 16. Ruths importunity ) that nere so litle clouded they vanish . But Gods love is constant and unchangeable : he will knowe thy soule in adversity : if any unkindnesse , reall injuries , dishonours , and rebellions could change him ; who had not long since perished ? 'T was said of that Turkish Emperour , Mahomet the great v. Knowls . Turk . histor. p. 433. in his favour was no constancy , and in his least disfavour death : but God is of infinite patience & mercy , though he be every day provoked , and in his favour is eternall life .

4. Pray him to give thee an heart to know and love him : to draw thee that thou maist follow him : to shew thee his marvellous loving kindnesse , to acquaint thee with his goodnesse . Moses desired to see Gods face , not to satisfie his curiosity , but to fill his affection with Gods love . As the Spouse cryed Cant , 1. 7. Tell me ( O thou whom my soule loveth ) where thou feedest , where thou makest thy flockes to rest at noone —

The motives to incite us to love God , are infinite , Sect. VI. as is his goodnesse , the more obvious to us are .

1. The great and admirable promises , according to which he sheweth mercy unto them that love and obey him . See Ex. 20. 6. Luk: 10. 27. 28. 1 Cor: 2. 9. Jam : 1. 12.

2. Love of God is that same ballance of the sanctuary , by which all duties must be weighed : it is that same salt of the covenant , without which no sacrifice can be savory and acceptable : it is that holy fire which came from heaven , wee may offer no sacrifice without it ( the devill is obedient , but not for love , but feare and compulsion it is the u u Math. 22. 39. summe of the first table of the law . it is the w w Deut. 10. 12. 15. maine which God requireth of us , x x Deut 4. 40. Deut. 12. 28. Deut. 5. 33. Deut. 6. 3. 5. for our good because he hath a delight in us : y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gel. 17 , 19. Epictetus summe of philosophie was in two words , susteine , and absteine : the summe of Gods law is in this z z Breve praeceptum ●ma . Aug. one , love and thou hast fullfilled the law : no woonder that he saith a a Math. 11. 30. my yoke is easy and my burden light : what burden more light and easie , then that love which maketh men happy ; then that which parity , maketh such , by his free mercy , who saith , b b Joh: 13. 14. yee are my freinds ? What lesse would we doe , if we were left to our owne disposing , then love so good a God ?

3. It is a certaine demonstration of Gods love to us ( none can love him but those whom he loveth first : we c c 1. Joh. 4. 19. love him because he loved us first : therefore he d d Rom. 5. 5. sheddeth abroad his love in our hearts ) and it is a certaine token of our adoption and remission of sinnes : as our Saviour said , e e Luk. 7. 47. many sinnes are forgiven her , for she loved much ; where 〈◊〉 for , importeth not a cause , but a consequence , and certaine signe of her sinnes remission : f f Prov. 10. 12. love covereth the multitude of sinnes , whether wee instance in Gods love to us , or ours to him , it proceedeth wholly from him : as the g g Ecceles : 1. 7. waters come through the subterraneous , unseene passages from the sea , which seeme first to contribute their constant streames to the filling up of her vast channels ; so it is with our loves , which are none other but a meere restu●nce of Gods love , iufused into our hearts by his holy spirit , for h h 1 , Joh. 4. 7. 8. love is of God , and God is love .

4. Not to love God , is the heigth of the most wretched ingratitude : all unthankfulnesse concludeth a man inhumane , and wicked , but this , maketh him most impious and unhappy : he loveth us first , i i 1. Cor. 2. 7. 2. Tim. 1. 9. Ephes. 1. 3. 4. before we were , & so elected us to eternall salvation : he gave us all that we have , and are : hee gave us his own image in our creation , his own Son in our redemption : he feedeth , protecteth , preserveth , heareth us , forgiveth our sinnes , giveth us all good things , to make us happy , if we did not make an ill use of all : seeing then , ( he k k Tantus tantii , gratis , tantillos , & tales . Bern. de dil . Dei . being so great and excellent ) loved us first , so much , freely ( wee being such , and so unconsiderable ) we ought , and can●ot without greatest ingratitude but love him : he is too hard-hearted , who ( though hee cannot first love ) will not requite .

5. Love l l Amor unit a●m●ntes . uniteth , and likneth lovers : with men parity of manners conciliateth love : but Gods love createth our likenesse to him : hence is it , that the most excellent creatures love him most , whereby they are made such : some think that m m Isai. 6. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 urere . ardency of love denominateth those Angells which stand in Gods presence , Seraphim : certaine it is , such are we as is our love : our manners are not estimable by that which we knowe , but by that we love : n n Nec faciunt 〈◊〉 vel malos 〈◊〉 , nisi boni , 〈◊〉 sint 〈◊〉 . Aug. ep●d Ma●●d . duas 〈◊〉 duo sa●iunt amor●● . Ierusalem suit amor Dei ; Babyloniam facit amor , seculi : i●t●rroget igitur se u●usquisque quid am●t , & inveniet ubi sit ci●is . Aug. sup. Psal. 64. good or evill love , maketh us such : if we love God , we are godly : if the world worldly : if sinne sinfulf : all men , the best of all , doe sinne : but the wicked only love sinne : looke how the glasses species are , as is the posture thereof ( if you turne it to heaven , you see only heaven in it , if to the earth , only earth ) so is it in our love , the soules looking-glasse , wherein we may see and judge of our selves .

6. Without this love , there can be no true happinesse for the wrath of God & the severity of his justice remaineth for those who hate him ) give him all that a sinfull soule can desire ; make him times minion , the worlds favorite , you can make him nothing better then a devill . But with the love of God , o o Rom. 8. 28. Christianus miser vi●eri potest , non potest in●enir● . Minu● . Fel : O●tav . though a man may possibly seeme , or be said unhappy , he cannot be so : for all things worke together for good to them that love God : prosperity , adversity , life , death , all things shall finally advantage them : he that seeketh the love of God , must looke for many enemies ; but contrary to their intentions , they shall doe him good : the love of the world is sweet at first , but bitternesse in the end : and the love of God hath many sharpe trialls at first , but in the end shall be most comfortable . This love is that divine Elixer , which maketh the vile pretious ; an indeficient treasure which whosoever hath , can p p Psal 34. 10. Psal. 84. 11. never lack that which is good : he that hath it not , can never be the better for all hee hath : what good , or salvation can he expect , who is so unhappy , as not to love the fountaine of all blessednesse , what can hee reasonably feare , who loveth an omniscient and q q Hebr. 6. 10. righteous God , who is a pleanteous rewarder of those that love him ? Though we cannot be saved for any desert of Love to God ( for it is his mercy , not our merit ) wee cannot be saved without it : if any man love not the Lord Jesus , let him be anathema maranatha . 1. Cor: 16. 22.

7. So excellent is this one possession , that r r Phil. 3. 8. 9. Paul counted all but meere losse for it : dying s s Josh. 24. 15. Joshua left this , as the chiefe legacie to his friends and family , concerning whom hee resolved , as for me , and my house , we will serve the Lord — t t Josh 23. 11. take good heed therefore unto your selves that yee love the Lord your God : Quia summ● & 〈◊〉 rum bonum Deus est : solus ille teliciter amat , qui Deum amai : & tanto faelicius , quanto amplius . Hugo de sanct. Vict. Miscel●an . l. 1. Tit. 170. he need no more : it is better to love God , then to be heire of the world : if thou canst not know this living , thou shalt when thou art dying : let my children faithfully love God , I wish them no greater blessing , who with my soule pray , they may be truly blessed .

A Prayer for love to God .

O Lord God Almightie great and glorious , who art cloathed with Majestie , the beauty of holinesse , & perfection of beauty : who hath filled heaven & earth with the gratious effects of love and goodnesse : I thy poore creature prostrating my selfe before thy mercy seat , humbly acknowledge ; the many sinnes which render me utterly unworthy ever to appeare before thee , specially that great ingratitude which maketh me ashamed to speake unto thee who art the searcher of all hearts : yet in assurance of my acceptance in the son of thy love , who now sitting at thy right hand , maketh requests for me , I am bold to pray thee to fill my heart with thy love , which is better then all things , that with my soule I may desire thee in the night , & with my spirit within me seeke thee early : O Lord , though the remainder of sinne in me create me many distractions , though fraile flesh and blood starteth at the apprehension and feare of thy just judgments ; or murmur at the bitternes of thy present corrections ▪ yet thou knowest all things , thou knowest that I love thee , though with a fraile , yet with a sincere heart , and love with thine owne spirit infused into me : O Lord my soule thirsteth after thee and thy holy presence , in my sanctification and full assurance of thy mercy . Therefore , according to thine owne promise , who ca●st not deceive , sanctifie me herein , that I may love thee more and more : cleanse me from all my sinnes , create that purity of heart in me , which may assure me of a capacity to behold thy goodnesse in the land of the living : fill my lips with grace diffusive of it selfe to thy glory , and the ministration of grace to the hearers : guide me in the whole course of my life , in that holinesse which may please thee : disburden my conscience of all that guilt which leaveth me in any feare of that way , by which thou hast appointed me to come unto thee , and thy kingdome of glory ; that no afflictions , paines , fea●es , or terrours of life or death , may be able to separate me from thy love in Christ Jesus : Blessed Lord , only assure me of thy love , and let thy holy will bee done with me : I am thine ; thou madest me to thine owne image , thou redeemedst and repairedst the same by thy free spirit , when I was dead in trespasses and sinnes : thou neither madest , redeem●dst , nor sanctifiedst me for my selfe ▪ therefore when thou doest that with me , which shall best please thee in the advancement of thy glory in my salvation , thou makest me happy in the end of my creation , redemption , and sanctification : Lord it was thine owne free love , which by revealing thy selfe , and the inestimable riches of thy mercy to mee , made me knowe what I had to love in thee : neither didst thou finde in me any thing worthy of thee , but the effects of thine owne love , which in my election before I was , determined to make me an object of thy mercy ; therefore thou who art Love , didst set thine own image on me : thou best knowest , that I am of my selfe but worthlesse dust and earth , and by my sinnes a masse of corruption , such as onely can displease thee , and deserve thine anger ; but O Lord God of mercy , who foundest me a child of wrath , and madest me a sonne ; an enemy , and reconciledst me by the death of thy holy sonne Jesus , accomplish the worke of thine owne mercy in me , and love me still , give mee an heart to love thee so , above all , with all my soule , minde , and might : love that which thou hast wrought in my heart , cherish thine owne graces in me : though my love be full of imperfections , yet thy worke is perfect : in thee is no shadow of change , Lord for thine owne loves sake , now make me such as thou maist love me to eternitie through the merits of thy sonne Jesus Christ , my Lord and blessed Saviour .

AMEN .

CHAP. XVII .

§ . 1. Of love to our selves ; of the kindes thereof . § . 2. Of Love to our neighbour , the necessitie and excellency thereof : the conditions , and signes of it . § . 3. Of friendship : what it is ; of what excellent fruits , of the true end , and lawes thereof : what choice we are to make of friends , and whom to avoid . § . 4. Of love to enimies ; how we ought to love ; without any malice ; and to make a right use of them .

1 LOve towards that which God loveth , is , love of all that which is good , and that which beareth his image ; as the rationable creatures , Angells and men ; this is either to our selves , neighbours , or enemies .

2. Love to our selves either is , such as is

1. Common to all men , a a In concuss● naturae lege . Aug. de doct Christ . To. 3. c. 30. &c. who by the instinct of nature desire to preserve themselves , though blinded by sinne , they eftsoone mistake the meanes , and end ; or overmastered by some malignant power ( to which they have dangerously yeelded themselves ) b b Quid enim prodest , si amantes nosm●tipsos relinquamus proximos ? ve● quid rursum pro●est , si amantes proximos , relinquamus nosm●tipso● ? Greg. hom. 17. they doe somethings to the contra●y : the Epicure thinketh the meanes to make him happy , is to indulge to sensuality and pleasures taken up at any rate ; because hee taketh them to be his chiefe good , and end to which hee liveth : he beleeveth himselfe to be only that externall man whom hee endeavoureth to preserve , by a brutish pleasing himselfe : so c c Undè non rectè cognoscentes s●ipsos , non verè diligunt s●ipsos . &c. Aquin zzae q. 25. a. 7. c. that indeed he loveth not himselfe .

2. d d Ille autem verè se diligit , qui purè diligit auctorem , ib. Greg. q s. hom 17. Proper , to the good , who justly love the inward man , the image of God in themselves , whom they strive to preserve in his integrity ; they wish spirituall good to him , & carefully use Gods ordinances thereto : in him they delight ; as in present good thoughts , memory of good past , and e e 2 Cor. 5. 1. &c. hope of future : for this they mainely care , this they defend , though with losse of things externall and secular : for this they beat downe the f f 1 Cor. 9. 27. body with fastings , watchings , and prosecution of holy duties . Philauti● proper to evill men , is that g g Cae●us amor sui . Hor. 1. Car. 18. blind & h h Stultus & 〈◊〉 hic amor est . ib. se● . 3. foolish selfe-love ; which measureth all love and friendship by ( that most ignoble scale of the vulgar ) some temporall advantage to the selfe-lover a crewing , who therefore truely loveth no man , because neither in nor for God , but for his owne sake : such doe i i Nescio enim quo inexplicabili modo quisquis scipsum , non Deum amat , non se amat . August . exp. in ●o . tract . 123. qui scipsum non amat , alium amare non potest : se autem non diligit , qui ●urpe aliquid . Aug. de amic. c. 28. si sit ejus . not truly love themselves , but being selfe-deluded , hate their owne soules , because they love sinne , the souls distemper , sicknesse , and destruction : this commonly goeth with a vaine complacency , admiring the Minerva's of their own braine , and liking themselves in those things which they readily condemne in others ( as Judah did Gen: 38. 24. ) the selfe-lovers hieroglyphick , may be , k k Synes. ep. 1. the Ape easily taken , while shee sitteth admiring the beauty of her hard-favoured young : this vice is an uncharitable living to our selves , our own ease and pleasures , as if we were borne only for our selves , or that our country , neighbours , friends , naturall affections , or God himselfe had no part in us : l l 1 Sam. 25. so Nabal loved himselfe . That wee must love our selves in God , is more then evident , by reason m m Nemo tam proximus , quem post Dominum diligas . Tertul. de resur . carn. ● . ult. ( who so neere us as our selves ? ) and Scripture , which saith , thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe : thy selfe first ( charity beginneth at home ) and truely ; that thy love may be a rule & and measure unto others . He that n n Qui sibi malignus est , cui bonus erit ? Aug. de C. Dei . l. 21. c. 27. will be evill to himselfe , to whom will he be good ? Thou wouldest not have thy servant drunken , nor thy son an adulterer , least they perish eternally ; and wilt thou be such thy selfe ? For shame love not thy selfe lesse then others : and doe not thinke it lesse necessary , for God to have good servants , then that thy selfe have such : We are the Temples of Gods spirit , the image of God , the purchase of Christ Jesus , for whom hee gave no lesse then himselfe to death : it were desperate impietie to undervallew that which cost more then a thousand worlds were worth , with profane Esau to set so poore a rate as a portion of meat , or a little temporall pleasure upon an immortall soule : if we love God wee shall love our selves for him , which must be only in that true sanctity which pleaseth him , we shall not love our selves more then him ; that were an inordinate selfe love , concerning which it is saied , o o Joh. 12 , 25. he that loveth his life shall loose it . Sect. II.

1. Love to our neighbour , is charity to him that needeth our helpe , to whom we are holily and constantly united in God . p p Proximus est vel 〈◊〉 nobis praebendum est , vel à quo nobis praebendum est officium misericordiae . Aug. de doct. Christ , To. 3. c. 30. he is our neighbour to whom we can administer , or of whom we may receive help . This love hath for its object , all men respectively , without exception of enemies : neither is it as some vainly dreame , an arbitrary affection ( for if we love , q q 1 Joh. 4. 12. God is in us ; but if not , r r 1 Joh 3. 10. 14. 15. against us ) but that which is simply necessary to the essence and being of true religion ; without which it can no more be , then fire without heat , then a man without a soule : some therefore call it the s s Forma virtutii . Aquin. 22●● q. 23. a. 8. c. forme of vertue , giving it name and being . There can be no religion without wisedome , nor any acts thereof better then the unsavoury sacrifice of fooles with which the all-wise God can never be pleased : t t Mar. 9. 49. wisdome is that same salt of the covenant with which every oblation must be seasoned : nor can there be any more true wisdome without charity , then that which is in the devill , who is as malicious as subtile : if any thing be contrary to love , u u Jam. 3. 15. that wisdome descendeth not from above , but is earthly , sensuall and devillish : without w w 1. Cor. 13. 1. charity speaking with tongues of men or angells is but as a sounding brasse and tinkling cymball , prophesie faith , almes , martyrdome , and whatever els seemeth , or is externally excellent without this , is worth nothing : x x Nulla ●●ra vir●us esse potest sine Chart 〈◊〉 22. q. 23. a. 7. c. Nulla igitur est excusatio , quia charitatem illos non habuisse ma 〈◊〉 constat , sine qu● nullum vel nominari potest , vel esse martyrium : sine qu● maxima & imperiosa virtus car●t effectu , sine quâ nihil valet omnium scientia linguarum : sine quam nihil potesi etiam societas Angelorii . Op. tat . contr: Parmen. Donatist . l. 3. there can be no sanctimony without love . Love is the summe y y Rom. 13. 10. and fullfilling of the law ▪ the z z 1 Tim. 1. 5. ●c . 12. §. 2. 6. z ea quae sunt ad finem non dicuntur bona nisi in ordine ad finem . 22● q. 27. a. 7. c. vid. & Aug. l. 4. c. 3. contr. Julian . Qui diligit Deum , non potest contemnere praecipientem ut diligat proximum . Aug. sup . Hoc mandatum do vobis , &c. end of the commandement , and nothing is good which is not for it end , but rather a false image , a counterfet of vertue : as the covetous mans wisdome to devise meanes of gaine , is noe true vertue : neither his seeming justice , wherein he absteineth from oppression and extortion , for feare of some greater losse to himselfe ; nor his temperance for love of mony forbearing all costly luxury : nor his valour venturing sea and land to gett riches : so neither is the malicious mans almes any good worke to himselfe , he not doing it for Gods sake : did he then for the same love , he should love his enemies also : his prayers are no obedience to God , who commandeth in case of enmity , to leave the gift before the altar , and first endeavour reconciliation : Christ in effect saieth ( as we have formerly noted ) herein , as Joseph to his brethren . Genes. 43. 3. yee shall not see my face except your brother be with you . let men joyne in heareing Gods word , and say Amen at the Churches prayers , let them be baptized , receive the Lords supper , be called Christians , seeme the most strict men in religion , yet is it a a Non dis●●rnuntur filii Dei , à fillis Diaboli nisi charitate . Aug. de laud. charit . only charity which distinguisheth between the sons of God & reprobates : b b 1 Joh. 3. 10. in this the children of God are manifest & the children of the devill , whosoever doth not righteousnes , is not of God , neither he that loveth not his brother . nor can there be love of God without it , c c 1 Joh. 4. 20. if any man say he loves God , & hateth his brother , he is a lyar . there can be noe salvation without it , it beeing , as I said , d d Vita corporis est anima , fidei vero charitas , quia per illam operatur . Bernar. in temp. resur . Serm. 2. the life of faith . Love like the heart in the body sendeth out the heate of life through all the parts to make them active : it is the primum mobile , which carrieth about all the orb's in the speare of religion . This affection hath comfortable effects : it is the preserver e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. of peace & concord , while it prudently concealeth many offences , bringing them under candid and favourable interpretations , and the best constructious which can be made of them , which otherwise might prooue the fuell of contention , and matter of quarrell . it is sins f f 1 Pet. 4. 8. coverture : the tessera and certaine pledge of our translation from death to life . 1. Joh. 3. 14. of our imitation of Christ . Joh. 15. 12. Ephes. 5. 2. adoption in him . 1. Joh. 3. 1. the assurance of our consciences before him . 1. Joh. 3. 19. the confidence of our audience . 1. Joh. 3. 22. g g Prov. 10. 12. Dis juncta conjungit unita custodit . Greg. ep. 32. l. 7. the bond of perfection . Colos. 3. 14. the signe of our regeneration . 1. Joh. 4. 7. the fruit of the spirit . Gal. 5. 22. the assurance of God his beeing in us . 1. Joh. 4. 12. 13. and our beeing in him : the repaired image of God in us . 1. Joh , 4. 17. the expeller of feare . 1. Joh. 4. 8. the certaine argument of our love to God . 1. Joh. 5. 1. and his love to us . 1. Joh. 4. 12. it is the f●ire h h Magistra bonorum omnium : Greg. ib. ep. 112. mistris of all good . it is the heavenly Bethsheba which can i i Act. 10. 4. attaine any thing , yea k k Act. 9. 39 &c. life for the dead : it shal be part of the saincts accoumpt , at the day of judgment . Math. 25. 34. 35.

2. This love must be regulated with certaine lawes or conditions :

1. It ▪ must be subordinate to Gods love , such as giveth God the first and cheife place , not as l l 1 Sam 2. 29. Elies , who honoured his children aboue God : nor as many now love , so that they will rather displease m m Charitas autem vera est & amicum diligere in Deo : & inimicum diligere propter Deum . Greg. hom. 9. God , then those they love : true charity can be in nothing which displeaseth God ,

2. it must be subject to order in respect of the object , first regarding those who are neerest in nature or necessitude : I am bound to shew what effects of love and charity I can ; but first to myne owne family respectiuely ; and to doe good , specially to the howsehold of faith : first to my neighbours , and then to others .

3. It must be for Gods sake , and in good : when wee love for temporall advantages , and such mutuall offices , as unite worldly men , for such reasons as n n Gen. 34. 21. Hamor and Shechem used for enfranchising Jacobs family ( these men are peaceably with us , and therefore let them dwell in the land and trade therein , — shall not their cattle and their substance , and every beast of theirs be ours ? ) that cause failing , charity vanisheth many times into mischievous contentions ; by which readinesse to dissolve the sacred bond of Charity for every triviall occasion , and the many bitter discords , it too evidently appeareth how few love for God's sake , how many for their own : when holy Abraham had occasion of quarrell presented him , hee declined it by reciding from his right , o o Gen. 13. 8. let there be no strife I pray thee , betweene me and thee . —

4. It must be p p Rom. 12. 9. without dissimulation : q q 1 Sam. 18. 15. 17. Saul jealous of David , and afraid of him because of his wisedome and goodnesse r r Regibus boni quam mali suspectiores sunt : semp●rque his ●li ●na virtus , for midolosa●st . Salust . Catilin . ideò Jovianus Malarichum enim sit ut & dux meriti c●lsi●ris id●oque suspectu● abir●t è medio , &c. Am. Marcellin . l. 25. ( as Princes usually are more jealous of the good , then the foolish and dissolute ; ever others vertue is formidable to them ) he courteth him with great favours but all to destroy him : there 's no such venomous malice out of hell , as that which commeth up with a Judas kisse , vailed with a shew of amity , , with a Scorpions imbrace the deeper to strike in the sting : the Devills profered curtesies , the world , riches , and honours , the designe being to cast thee downe headlong , and to make thy ruine the more irreparable by thine own consent .

5. It must be constant ; as they woont to say ad aras , to death , that which can be lost was never true : had it beene grounded on the unchangeable God , it must ever have had the same immutable cause , and consequently have beene unchangeable ,

The signes of charity are

1. Long s s 1 Cor. 13. 4 , 5. suffering : 't is not captious , nor easily provoked : it beareth and endureth all things : personall injuries cannot disband it : if we love men for our owne sakes , wee shall indeed hate them , when they hurt us : but if for Gods sake , we shall use brotherly t t Math. 18. 15. correction so , as to make them understand their faults , and repaire us againe ; and where they erre , love their persons whose sinnes we ought to hate , and pray for them when they curse , and speake evill of us .

2. It is kinde , in communicating to the necessities of those that want : they that have no bowels of compassion , how dwelleth the love of God in them ?

3. It envieth not , neither is discontented at others prosperity u u Invidia est tristitia de ali●nis bonis . Dam : l. 2. tit : Aquin. 22ae . q. 36. a. 1. envie is w w Invidia fortunae comes : Invidia gloriae comes . Emi : Prob : vit: Chabriae . fortunes companion : the blacke shadow of honour ; ambitious kanker , mischievously biting into the bud of merit : few like x x Null● habu●t invidiam magnaeque fuit gloriae . ib. Aemil. Prob : Thrasibulus enjoy great glory without envy ; because few have the happinesse in their honour to be acquainted with godly love which envieth not , but rejoyceth at others good .

4. It vanteth not it selfe , in boasting , or exprobration of good done , nor in rash effusions ; but maketh a deliberate choice of its object , without being proud of its act .

5. It is not puffed up : the proud can bee no mans friend , no not his owne : Pride is unconsistent with any y y Sola superbia destruit omnia si comitetur . vertues : it is as the worme at the root of Jonahs gourd which eateth up the life of vertue and religion : the mischiefe which precipitated glorious Angels from heaven : 't is amities paralysis , societies enemie , nurse of impatience , which will neither suffer Caesar to endure a superiour , nor Pompey an equall : 't is the issue of an emptie braine ; none truely wise can be proud ; and the influence of Lucifer upon gracelesse hearts , whom God resisteth . charity is the daughter of humility .

6. It behaveth not it selfe unseemly , as sin ( which is an alaxie and disorder in action , a deformitie in the inward man ) but as the most lovely of all vertues , bearing the lively image of God , the beauty of holinesse , & stooping to nothing uncomely , or unjustifiable before God , and man .

7. It seeketh not her owne , as doth selfe-love , but the good of others ; it being more divine and honourable to doe good , then to receive it .

8. It thinketh no evill , because it intendeth none : commonly men measure others by their owne shadowes , which is the cause , that the worst are most jealous of others : charity doth , as it would suffer ; and thinketh the best , where there is not apparent evidence of worse .

9. It rejoyceth not in evill , nor in iniquity : there are that would seeme charitable , and to have abandoned that pernitious appetite of revenge , and yet secretly z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 affectus est ex odio & gaudio mixtus cum odio impulsi , leta mur vel gaudemus in aliorum calamitatibus . Jo. Magir. Phy. l. 6. c. 16. rejoyce at any evill which befalleth their enimie . This is a proper affection of devills , not men : expresly forbidden , Prov: 24. 17. 18. Rejoyce not when thine enemie falleth : and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth ; l●ast the Lord see it and it displease him . David mourned when his enemies were sick : There are that can please themselves in that Pseudocharity , which displeaseth God ; which is indeed but conspiracy in evill .

10. Lastly , §. III. it beleeveth and hopeth all things : it is hard to possesse it of any evill opinion : and in case of evident failings , it will give men some hope of the offenders amendment .

We are next to consider love , as it falleth under the peculiarity of friendship . The bond of charity uniteth all ; but friendship some few .

1. True friendship among men is loves 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , flower and vigour : affections jewell ; amities quintessence , societies perfection ▪ and a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Aristot . D. Lae. t. sympathy of holy soules : it is a b b Ami●us est qui nobis usu vitae similis pio , ac fideli jungi●●r . mutuall love & good will betweene two , or more , endeavouring each others good and safety , expressed in performance of all lawfull offices so uniting friends in mutuall communications , and similitude of affections , as that some have stiled a friend , c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Clem. Al. l. 2. Stromat . anotherselfe : such was betweene d d 1. Sam. 18. 1. Jonathan and David : David and e e 2. Sam. 15. 37 Hushai the Archite : a friend is he f f Ama● & reamatur . Arist. l. 2. Rhet. Ci● . de Amicitia cit . Aug. ep. 45. who loveth and is beloved . The Philosopher said , friendship is of all things , divine , and humane , a supreame consent , in love and good will : next after wisedome the chiefe gift of God , to man , said the Oratour it is the rich mans security , the poore mans riches : the banished mans native soile , the in●irme mans strength , Physicke for the sick , counsaile for the irresolute ▪ and doubtfull ; prosperities counseller , and adversities comforter , the solace of company , & reliefe of solitude g g Amicitia rerii omnium est vin●ulum . Ambr. de sid rer. inv●● . the bond of society , and life of life : a friend is a jewell long sought , h h Diu qua ritur ●ix in●●nitur , 〈◊〉 s●r vatur Hieron . ad ●uffin l. 2. ●p. 11. rarely found , & hardly kept : i i Nullius boni sine socio , jucunda possessio est . Sen. ep . there is no pleasant possession of any thing without a partner : The best , most pleasant , commodious , and secure possession of all the earth , was Paradise ; and yet there , God ( who best knew man ) said it is not good that the man should be alone , ( Gen: 2. 18. ) man then in his happy innocency . Wisdome is beyond all earthly goods ; but what were it to me more then a burden , if I should receave it on this condition that I could not communicate it , but must for ever keepe it shut up , in mine owne minde ? I would not be troubled with that good which none might share with me : k k Ego ne in coelo solus . I would not bee in heaven alone : heaven it selfe is happy for its company : the most blessed being which made heaven and earth subsisteth in an incomprehensible society , which said in the beginning l l Gen. 1. 26. let us make man in our image , after m m Socialis est hominis ac benefica natura , quo solo cognationem habet ●um Deo . Lactant. l. 5. c. 18. our likenesse , who made him a sociable creature , insomuch as that without friends , all thoughts are tedious , every worke , a toile , every land a peregrination , every life a torment , a death . Friendship is a divine content of men , the necessitie of whose neere conjunction , and indissoluble unity , that God might declare ; he made all of one flesh , and appointed their propagation , by united two . Friendship is the comfort of this life ; if you take it away , you should seeme to take the sun from heaven : a friend is an n n Alexandrum . M. ub● haberet the sauros interrogatum , apud amicos respondisse . Am. Marcel . l. 25. excellent riches ( what were all the treasures in the world to me , if there were none with whom I might communicate them ? o o Ecclus 6. 15. Amiciti●● & prosperas res dul●iores facit : & advers●s 〈◊〉 munion●m temperat , & levi●res reddit . I sid●l . 3. de sum . bono . Nothing doth countervaile a faithfull freind , and his excellency is unvalewable : I wonder not at the rate which the great Monarch Darius set on his Zopyrus , whose free wish could pitch upon nothing in the world like many such friends .

Many and excellent are the fruits of freindship , as p p St Albans Essayes . A●●st . Ethic. l. 9. c. 11. Cic de amicit . some have noted for the easing q q Solatium hujns vitae est , ut hab●as cui pectus tuum aperias , cui arcana communices , cui se●reta tui pectoris committas . A●br . de off . l. 3. and unlading our mindes , multiplying our joyes , extenuation of sorrowes , by that sympathy of affections which is among true friends , sharing in every estate . Our prosperity is the more comfortable to us , by how much more it is communicable to freinds who rejoyce in our good , as we also doe in their rejoycing : our adversity is made lighter by dividing the burden . We ease our hearts when wee impart our griefe to a faithfull and prudent freind of whom wee may receive counsaile and assistance : the advantage hereof our Saviour intimated to his Disciples , when to comfort them against the sad apprehension of his approaching passion , hee said — r r Joh: 15. 11. 14. 15. I have called you freinds : — besides , or above that love , wherewith he loved all his , he had some more peculiar relation among the elect to his Disciples , and among them , to a favorite , or more intimate freind , s s Joh●●1 . 20. the beloved disciple : t t Prov. 27. 9. Ointment and perfume rejoyce the heart , so doth the sweetnesse of a mans freind , by hearty counsaile , saith Salomon : a faithfull freind is a strong defence : he that hath found such a one , u u Eccles: 6. 14. hath found a treasure , w w Eccles: 4. 9. 10. better are two then one , if they fall , one will lift up the other , but woe to him that is alone : By a true freind wee are solaced in presence , and comforted in absence : x x Di●●●di locis charitas non potest nam etsi corpore longe di stinguimur , men●● tamen indivisibiles sumus . G●eg : l : 8. ep. 42. puto me victurum , non cum illis , sed per illos . S●n : ep: 79. no distance of place separateth the mind which loves : our thoughts are with our absent freinds , and ther●in wee confer with them : they are the joy of our health and comfort of our sicknesse : y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉 me think's ( said the Philosopher ) I dye not , while I leave them safe : I live by them , though not with them .

2. Now because on the one side , the best things corrupted , become worst , and the most dangerous vailes of treachery are shewes of love and freindship ; because there is no comfort of this present life which Satan more endeavoureth to poison and embitter , then this , while envying us the blessing , he striveth to pervert , and make it a curse by impropriating and abusing it to his own service , in working his designe thereby ; making man a tempter , and deputie-devill to man in those things which he could never effect , but under the shewes and sacred name of friendship ) it behoveth us to beware of the serpent which lurketh under the sweet flowers . And because on the other part , if suspect of all men , or neglect of seeking or gaining it , deprive us of so admirable an advantage , as is herein to be enjoyed ; wee thereby loose the comfort of this life ; of which , without the use of friendship , we may not only doubt whether it be humane , but whether vitall : he lives not , who lives only to himselfe , or but a brutish life : onely acquaintance , and familiarity with some , without tasting the diviner fruits of freindship , rendreth the Churlish Nabals no better then beasts , which seeme affected with something analogicall to amitie , y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉 in that after familiarity , and much using together , they will hardly obey their masters will to part them : it : behooveth us therefore seriously to consider what is herein to be done , that we may neither loose , nor abuse so great a blessing of God , for want of providence to finde it , or wisedome to use it : that we may neither be deprived of the good , nor deceaved by the evill ; that which is necessarily to be considered is . 1. What is the centre of this friendship , least wee erre in the proposition of the ende ? 2. What are the Lawes thereof ; least we abuse it , or be abused by it ? 3. What choice we ought to make of freinds ? 4. Whom we are therein to avoid ?

1. The Centre of true freindship , and all the offices thereof , is the glory of God , our maker : subordinate to which , is our comfort , and salvation , for therein only , can be an happy and eternall union and communion ; whatsoever is excentric hereto , is unhappy ; z z Nemo malus felix . Juv : Sat: no wicked man is blessed : 't is impossible to be happy in any thing which is not good ; because there is but one and the same fountaine of happinesse and goodnesse that is God : if any dreame of impious pleasure delude men with some appearance of solid happinesse therein , waking they must knowe , that 't is not true , because transitorie , and unhappy in the end . Happinesse cannot be in any thing lesse then eternall : they that knewe not God , would have no man called happy before his end : and though some of them called a a Unus hominum &c. felicis sibi cognomen asseruit L. Syll● . quod pros●ribere tot millia civium ac trucidare potuisset . O prava interpretatio , & futuro tempore infelix : non melioris sortis tunc fu●re pereumes &c. age , non exitus vitae ejus — crudelior fuit &c Plin : nat: hist: l : 7. cap : 43. Sylla ( as Craesus thought himselfe ) happy in prosperity ; yet their end pronounced them apparently unhappy : and what freindship shall we call that , b b Amicitia qu●e desinere potuit nunquam fuit vera . Amb : off : l. 3. which must end ? or what happinesse therein taken , which must change for bitter torments , society in damnation , and eternall cursing each other , as the mutuall causes of each others misery . The freindshippe I speake of , is in the communion of Saints , which death shall refine , not at all dissolve : time shall not end it , but eternity perfect it in our resurrection from the dead : sleepe c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 H●siod : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 deaths elder brother ) endeth not temporall love , nor shall deaths sleepe the eternall : it is but begunne here to be compleated in heaven : d d 1 Cor: 13. 8. Love never falleth away : wee knowe that when hee shall appeare : Wee shall bee like him . ( 1. Joh: 3. 2. ) Who is love , 1. Joh: 4 8. There is now some imperfection in , and some oblique ends of mens love , which shall then absolutely bee taken away in our perfection , wherein the love of God ( in his own essence e e Inexcogitabili● , ineffabilis , &c. Lactant. l. 1. c. 8. incomprehensible ) shall shine and be seene , in the creature , bearing his own image , as the light of the sunne on the other stars : where we shall not be confined ( as now under many limitations , of time , place , knowledge , and necessities , to the communion with one , or few friends ) but enjoy a most comfortable and perfect societie with all the saints . Certainely all knowledge , and joy of that which is good in this life , shall be so farre from ceasing in the future , that it shall be their full , which is here but imperfect , there compleat which is here but inchoate : of this kinde we must reckon friendship , God concluding it good , in saying , it is f f Gen. 2. 18. not good that the man should be alone : more perfect knowledge shall we have in our future glory , then wee have in our present state of grace , or had in the state of innocency : in that , g g Math. 17. Peter knew Moses and Elias ( whom he never saw before , as also they who saw divers of the h h Math. 27. 52. 53. deceased Saints , which came out of their graves into the holy city , after the resurrection of Christ , all which doubtlesse were of a most amiable and desirable presence ) in the other ▪ Adam said ( when God presented him his new created helper , the youngest bride ; which neither he nor the worlds great eye , had ever seene before that day i i Gen. 2. 23. this is now bone of my bone , and flesh of my flesh ; * * — Ad eam vitam esse venturos , ubi nobis ●runt quamò no●ieres , tantò utique chariores , & sine timore ullius dissentionis amabiles . Aug. ●p. 6. ( aliae opiae habent discessionis . ) much more must we knowe and rejoyce in our friends in the state of glorious perfection to come wherein we cannot reasonably imagine , that there shall either remaine any imperfection , in loves object , or subject , to embitter it ( as sometimes it doth here ) or want any capacity of compleat and eternall blessednesse ; as there must , if either we should not know our dearest friends , with whom we have served God , and walked with him in this life ; or knowing , not enjoy , their glorious and more lovely society in the life to come .

2. The lawes of true friendship are

1. That we neither aske , nor grant any thing unjust or evill : neither of which can be consistent with the friendship I spake of , which k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Theogn . amicitia in malo esse non potest Aug. ad Cons. cannot be in evill : Pericles would not lye for his friend's sake ; contrary to that which some thinke , who count that friendship which denieth nothing ; and that he is no true freind who will not ( like Achates , or Theseus in the fables ) goe to hell with them for company : but consent in sin is conspiracy , not friendship : he is a good friend who requireth no evill office : and he is a wise man , l l Ut sit dilectio Sancta non condescendat proximo in aliquo malo . vid. 22● q. 44. a. 7. c. who will consent to none ; true friendship is only betweene the good and wise .

2. That we hold nothing too deare for our freinds sake , which may be justly desired and granted ; hee can be no true friend who in selfe-love holds a secret distance , and hath his reservations against this law of friendship ; as , not onely in case of this worlds goods ( which if we communicate not with them that want , m m 1 Joh. 3. 17. we love not God , and therefore can be no true friends to men ) but even in life it selfe , which we must , if need be , lay downe for the brethren ; this is to be understood where it is justly desired in either : that is , where thou maist part with life or goods for a greater good , such as is the glory of God , or the salvation of soules : there are sundry cases , wherein neither of these are justly desired or granted : a friend requireth thee to venture thy life in a duell , for the maintenance of that which he falsely calleth his honour ; that is not better then thy life , therefore not justly required . An acquaintance desireth thee to engage thy selfe and thy liberty , for his : ( except some other circumstance conclude it ) the law of frendship bindeth thee not , where thou canst not more advantage thy friend , then hurt thy selfe . Againe it may be thou art not absolutely thine own , but thy wife , children , or parents have ( in their necessary dep●ndance on thee ) a just share in thee , so that their interest cannot admit of the engagement , or giving to their dammage , there thou canst not justly give or engage for no bonds of friendship by thy selfe contracted , may hold against that which the law of God and nature , have imposed on thee , in loving and relieving thy parents , children and wife , n n Gen. 2. 24. who is thine owne flesh , whose rights must ever , respectively , be saved in all that which the lawes of friendship require .

3. o o Qual●m expetis e●to . Be thou to thy friend such as thou wouldst have him be to thee ; that is without all fraud , faithfull in every trust : p p Tu primum exhibet . bonum , & quaere al erum simile●● tibi . Sen. be thou good , and seeke a freind like thy selfe ; thou wouldst have thy friend faithfull to thee ; be thou such to him .

4. Thinke all accidents of thy friend thine owne , so that thou maiest q q Rom: 12. 15. rejoyce with them that rejoyce , and weep with them that weepe : and endeavour in either state , as for thy selfe . This sympathy must needs be , where there is brotherly affection : r r 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the prosperity of thy friend , shall be thy joy of heart , and his affliction as deep a greife .

5. Beare no ignomy of thy absent friend , without just defence , or otherwise then thou would'st , or ought'st thine owne : s s Eccles: 22 : 25. I will not be ashamed to defend a friend , neither will I hide my selfe from him .

6. Suspect not thy friend ; unjust suspition overthroweth freindships fundamentall lawes : if t t Fidelem si putaveris , ●aci●s : Sen: ●p. 3. thou count thy freind faithfull thou shalt thereby make him such . Nor is this against the rule of wisedome which bids thee keepe the power of that which may nourish freindship in thine own hand . ●●quem etiam sim●tuimus , jus officii laedimus . Cicer. orat . pro Roscio . Amer. Give not ( saith the wise u u Ecclus. 33. 19. man ) thy sonne and wife , thy brother , and friend power over thee , while thou livest give not thy selfe over unto any . Yet no man loveth those whom hee cannot beleeve , nor beleeve those he cannot love : as hatred and suspect , so love and confidence are indivisibly united .

7. Be constant to thy freind in every estate , prosperous and adverse , w w Delicata est amicitia quae amicorum sequitur f●licitatem . Hieron : in presence x x Obsecro te ne amicum●pariter cum oculis mens amittat . Hieron . l 2. ep: 13 f. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Theogn : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ib: and absence : Thine y y Prov. 27. 10 own friend and thy fathers freind forsake not : levity and inconstancy of mind , is inconsistent with friendship . That the prosperous man may z z Prov. 14. 20. Prov. 19. 4. Prov: 17 17. Ecclus 22. 25. reckon many freinds , the afflicted but few : sheweth that among many acquaintance : there are but very few freinds that many love thy fortune , not thee : freindship which can change with externall estate , was never true : a freind loveth at all times , and a brother is borne for adversity : in prosperity 't is hard to judge whether the person , or estate be loved : prosperity findeth friends but adversity tryeth them : a true friend therefore , is neither knowne in prosperity , nor hid in adversity . Like the starre of a cleare heaven , neither seen in the day , nor concealed in the darkest shades of night : as the wise man saith : a a Prov: 18. 24. there is a freind that sticketh closer then a brother : a false freind like b b Job . 6. 15. &c : Cavendi sunt etiam instabiles & suspi● iosi : quia cum fructus amicitiae . sit securitas , quomodo te credis & committis amico qui omni circumfertur vento , &c. Aug. de Amic . c. 14. ( si sit liber Augustini● ) Jobs brooke in the winter , when wee have no need of him , overfloweth with tenders of his service , and shews of kindnesse ; but when it is hot , they are consumed out of their place — the troupes of Tema looked , the companies of Sheba waited for them — and were ashamed : as are they who finde contempt & neglect , where they looked for the love of a constant freind there are shadowes of freinds which will goe with you in all your actions , you cannot shake them off : which yet vanish so soone as your prosperitie commeth under the clowd : there are some vaine ●iphers , whom place only brings to some accompt , whose honours so much change their manners , that they cannot looke so low as an old freind ; which concludeth levity , & weaknesse of minde , selfe-love , foolish pride , and ignorance of the rules of wisdome , piety and true honour , which knoweth a faithfull compliance in every estate ; and like the sun to shine with the same unchanged ( though more perfect ) light , in his exaltation or heigth , and in his rising , on the mole-banke , and on the mountaine : on the smooth , and on the troubled waters : it was a rare piety in c c Ruth . 1. 16 Ruth to resolve , concerning the afflicted Naomi — entreat me not to leave thee — for whether thou goest , I will goe — where thou dyest , I will dye , and there will I bee buried : the Lord doe so to me , and more also , if ought but death depart thee and mee : and it was a patterne of the most noble freindship which was betweene d d 2 Sam. 1. 16. Jonathan and David , there was a nexus animarum ( more then the love of women ) e e 1 Sam: 18. ● the soule of Jonathan was knit with the soule of David — he loved him as his owne soule , which he demonstrated in his constant fidelity to him on all occasions .

8. Beare with the seeming injuries , which proceed from thy freinds weaknesse ; considering that we yet converse not with Angells of heaven , but imperfect men ; and that our selves must have the same favour of candid interpretations , in many of our actions wherein we may bee misunderstood , or possibly , * * Nec enim Herculi Deianira nocere voluit , &c. Cic. de n●● . De l. 3. besides our intentions , hurt our freind : 't is wisdome to passe by offences ; love , to cover faults , and piety to beare each others burden , where all are infirme : without this , we can hold no amity with men ; but shal be foolish freinds , overcaptio●s , querulous , or like Jobs miserable comforters , injuriously & * * Objurgandus est amicus si &c. sed monitio acerbitate objurgatio contumelia car●at . Aug. de amicit : c. ●7 . bitterly censorious : ever finding fault , displeased withall ; of bitter spirits , like contentious Ismaël ( our hand against every man and every mans against us ) or rugged Nabal living to none , but himselfe : this vanity of impatience , drave that humane monster , the times prodigie , nature's paradox , man-hating man , the dogged Timon , from the society of men .

9. Reveale no secret of thy freind : f f Prov. 11. 13. he that is of a faithfull spirit concealeth the matter : g g Ecclus 19. 7. 10. rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee — if thou hast heard a word , let it dy with thee , Amicorum rev●lare Secr●ta , Sa●rilegium est , quo fides amittitur , &c. Aug: de amicit : c. 13. ( si sit ●jus . ) and be told it will not hurt thee : a foole travaileth with a word — his minde who useth to tell newes , is like the breaches in water banks , you shall hardly make it hold : but h h Ecclus 27. 16. 17. 21. who sodiscovereth a secret , looseth his credit : and shall never finde a freind to his minde : love thy freind and be faithfull unto him : but if thou bewraiest his secrets , follow no more after him : a wound may be bound up , and after reviling , there may bee reconcilement , but he that bewraieth secrets is without hope .

10. Conceale not thy frends vertues , ( if by speaking thou maist encourage him therein ; or wherein thou maist laudando praecipere , teach him by praising him ) neither his faults ( if thou maist by detection amend or better him ) least thy silence i i Amici vitia si seris , tua facis . Senec. make them thine : k k Levit. 19. 17. qui non corrigit res●canda committit . Greg : ep. 6. l. 7. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart , thou shalt rebuke him , and not suffer sinne upon him ; or , that thou beare not sinne for him : hee loveth not who had rather venture his freinds soule , then his favour , in case he should distast a reproofe : every one that spareth is not a freind , nor every one that smiteth , an enemie : it is better to l l Melius est cii 〈◊〉 diligere , quàm cum lenitate , 〈◊〉 Aug. coses 9. love with severitie ▪ then to deceive with lenity : the wounds of a lover are faithfull : but flattery in evill is treason against the soule of thy freind , by so much worse then any other , but how much greater heaven is then earth , & eternity then time , a wise man will be glad to m m Ab omnibus corripi , ab omnibus em●●dari paratus sum : & hunc solum mihi ●micum aestimo , per eujus liuguā 〈◊〉 apparitionē districti judici● 〈◊〉 maculas 〈◊〉 ● . Greg●l . 2. ep. 37. be reprooved and amended by any : and take him to be a freind , by whose tongue hee may cleanse the spots of his soule , before the appearance of the strict judge . A faithfull freind like a true glasse will shew thee to thy selfe as thou art : how many men are unhappy only in the want hereof ; who having in them many excellent parts & imitable qualities , mixed ( as 't is with men ) with some apparent blemishes , taking much off from the opinion of their worth , were easily mended ( because wise ) had they but a prudent frend to discover their failings to them ? I beleeve hence was the complaint of the Philosopher so frequent in his mouth , O n n 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Arist apud La●rt . l. 5. freinds there 's none to freind : we easily discover others faults , but our owne , hardly : with inconvenience we owe to our native selfe-love : herein we ought to helpe one another , not fearing how that will be taken ▪ which is our freinds advantage , and our duty . Certainly if thou rebuke a wise man , hee will love thee for it , seeing thy sincerity : which if he be not , hee is better lost then found : he that is impatient of thy touching his faults , will be unfaithfull in curing thine : I have ever thought it a chiefe unhappinesse of great men , that they ( whose faults are most conspicuous , & dangerous , in the guilt to themselves , and in example to others ) doe usually * * Haec autem & similia licenter ideò altiore fa●●u quidam Principes agu●t , quod amicis emendamdi secùs cogitata vel gesta , copiam negant : inimicos loqui terrent amplitudine potestatis . Nulla vaeat quaestio pravitatum apud eos , qui quod volunt ipsi , maximas putant esse virtutes . Am: Marel . l. 27. de Valentiniano , Cae●are . want true freinds in this one office , in that their greatnesse maketh men afraid of being faithfull , least truth should beget dislike , and that hazard their favour : their love of being slattered createth them this evill ; which a wise man will as easily prevent , by discountenancing Sycophants , as give commission of discovering his faults , to a prudent and faithfull freind , who by the lawes of modesty and discreation , may happily execute that , which he could not reasonably assume to himselfe .

11. Beware of the foolish spirit of contradiction . Doe not among freinds , use thy selfe to paradoxes ? Dissent not in that which truth and a good conscience permit : 't is true magis amica veritas : but 't is unexcusable folly to be too hot & passionate in any such argument : truth is better defended with temperance : wisdome will teach thee , in those things which fall under dispute , sometimes , dissentire sine odio : to dissent without hatred .

3. We are next to consider what choice wee are to make of freinds : it is the manifest errour , & lossefull folly of the world ( over-industrious and curious in the gaine or choice of other things to be carelesse in getting a true freind ; without whom there is neither happy , nor secure possession of any worldly thing : we will not buy plate or jewels , without due examination to secure us from being deceaved : But for a freind ( the most pretious jewell which among the sonnes of men , heaven or earth can shew , if true ; the most pernitious , out of hell , if false ) we easily entertaine , or carelesly omit without choyce : certainely among the studies of the prudent , to study men is one of the chiefe , least we be deceived with false freindship ( which is o o Pejor est falsus amor quam verii odium . worse then true hatred , it being p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Theognid : Socium verò cavere qui poss●mus ? Cre : O● : pro Ros: Amerm . harder to deceive an enemie , but a freind , easie ) or loose our advantage of gaining the true , by passing by these jewels unknowne , Freinds are like Pictures , some drawne for a great distance , at which they are very sweet and lively , but if you come too neere them they appeare rough , & much unlike that they seemed before : some are excellent , only when your acquaintance setteth you at a neerer posture : some seeme good freinds & are not : some are good and seeme not of any such capacity , untill you throughly knowe them : the maine is to make a right choice wherein we may observe these rules .

1. Adhere thou faithfully to God , that he may direct thy freindship . q q Ecclus 6. 16 , 17. A faithfull freind is the medicine of life : and they that feare the Lord shall finde him . Who so feareth the Lord , shall direct his freindship aright , for as he is , so shall his neighbour be also . For as when mans waies please the Lord , he will make r r Prov: 16. 7. even his enemies to be at peace with him : so doubtlesse he will guide him in this maine interest : and if he will make a covenant for his servants , s s Hos: 2. 18. with the beasts of the field , with the fowles , and reptiles ; he will not disert them in their league with men .

2. Looke for frendship t t Vive tibi & longè nomia mag●a fuge . Ovid : trist: 1. Dulcis inexpervis cultura potetis antici : exper●us metui● . Hor. 1. ●p: 18. among them who beare pari jugo , least stooping , thou take up only a burden ; or aspiring too high , thou make thy selfe a servant to troublesome greatnesse : freindship either findeth or maketh equalls : 't is commonly lame which goeth on supports of unequall height , and greatnesse ( which the vulgar idoll ) dangerous in its vicinity to that power ▪ from which thou canst not dissent , without distructive enmity , nor adhere to it , and serve it with safety and good conscience . u u Firmissima in●er par●s amicitia ▪ Q. Curr : l 2 The firmest frendship is among equalls .

3. Have many acquaintance but w w 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Theog . few counsailers the Philosopher said , x x unus mihi pro populo ●rit , & populus pro uuo . Senec : ep : one shall be to me instead of a multitude ( one freind is berter then a numerous people ) and many insteed of one : I will love all but have intimacy with few : 't is y y Omnes ami●●s habere operosum est : satis inimicos non habere . Sen ep. troublesome to have that with many , and impossible to hold it with all : he that is every ones freind , shall be none of mine .

4. Try before you trust : the saying is , you must eat a bushell of salt with a man , before you trust him as a frend : z z Ecclus 6 7 , 8 , 8. 13. if thou wouldest get a freind , prove him first , and be not hasty to credit him : for some man is a freind for his own occasion , and will not abide in the day of thy trouble : separate thy selfe from thine enemies : and take heed of thy freinds . Antigonus was wont to pray that he might be kept from his false freinds . Wise men will first try their vessels , before they trust them with any thing pretious : 't is folly to be a a Diu deliberatos ami●os elige . Bias D. Laërt . l : 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sole● . Diog Laërt . l. 1 Cavendum est in ipsa electione vel dilectione , ne nimis citò diligamus , maximè indignos , Aug: de amic. c. 15. suddainly engaged , in any intimacy , and dangerous to love that which thou must learne to hate : Try thy freind b b Nervi euim sunt & quidam artus sapientiae , non temere credere . Am. Constant . ep. 44. before thou too much trustest him , and being experienced trust him ; c c Tu omnia cum amico delibera sed de ipso prius Senec. de benif l. 6. c. 34. deliberate all things with thy freind , but of him first .

5. In choosing a freind , let the maine bond bee the love and d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theogn . feare of God : that only will be permanent : if the vulgar ballance , profit , or pleasure , make the respects , that changing , actum est de amicitiâ : in the society of sinners , thou must either become odious in dissenting , impious in dissembling , or unhappy in imitating : as much therefore as thou canst converse with those e e Senec. ep. 7. who will better thee , or bee bettered by thee : f f Morum dissimilitudo dissociat amicos . Arist. Cec. l. 1. c. 4 dissimilitude in manners maketh a painfull dissolution in the joynts of frendship : whether good , or bad , g g Castigare vid●tur quicunque dissentit , Lactant , l. 1. c. 9. hee seemeth to chastise , who dissenteth : they thinke it strange that you run not with them , to the same excesse of riot : speaking evill of you : h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Synes. de insomn . like loves his like : i i Hoc fere s●itis omnes , quantum vim habeat ad conjung●ndas amicitias studiorum ac naturae similitudo , Cic. pro Cluent , Inter dispares mores , firma non potest esse amicitia , Aug de am. c● 14. similitude of manners , both conciliateth , and continueth freindship : 't is a very probable judgement which may be given of a man by his freinds : though I deny not , but that a good and wise man , may as well have variety of acquaintance ( which the vulgar calleth freinds ) as vessels ; not all for secresie , or one use : there is a place where he layeth up his treasure only : there is a place for merry acquaintance , where the minde . Long , and seriously intent , wanteth some relaxation to repaire its strength : and a place for a more grave and severe , for the soules health & comfort : a place for him who can advantage thy estate : among thy utensills thou hast a sive or cullender , whose office is , to runne out : and there may hee use of an Athenian novellist , though there must be extraordinary caution , least he either bring , or carry from thee , matter of danger or contention : a newes merchant will be sure to get some fraught backe againe . but the frendship here spoken of , can be k k Vera amicitia tantum inter bonos oritur , inter bonos prosuit , inter ●ptimos consummatur ▪ Cassiodor . S. Psal. only between the good and wise : betweene others 't is seldome durable , and never safe , nor true : therefore choose not any man for thy intimate friend , whose qualities thou wouldest not learne , or canst not safely imitate : among freinds there must bee l l Secularis quoque sententia est : calem velle & ealem nolle , ea demum firma amicitia est . Hieron . Demet l. 2. ep. 20. idem velle & nolle : let no man be thy freind who is not God's ; least thou heare Jehoshaphats reproofe from Jehu the Seer : m m 2 Chron. 19 2. Amicos sequere , quos , non pudea● elegisse . Bias apud Diog. Laert . l. 1. shouldst thou helpe the ungodly , and love them that hate the Lord ? Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord .

4. Lastly we are to consider whom to avoid , as not accommodate to true frendship .

1. The Parasite , n n Antisthenes dicebat praestare 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 D. Laert. l. 6. or flatterer : hee must bee a very wise and good man , who can safely heare his own praises : they beat me ( said Ignatius the Martyr ) who praise me : what praises doe to the foolish I observe not : how they affect the prudent , may appeare in o o Qui illos Susurro delect arise licebat aquam fer●ntis mulierculae insusurrantis altera , hic est ille Demosthenes . Cic. Tus● . q. l. 5. Demosthenes taken with the whisper of a silly woman , saying , as he passed by , this is that Demosthenes : if they ( said Augustine ) with whom thou livest well , commend thee not , they are in fault : but if they doe , thou art in danger . Betweene Pride and selfe-love , too vaine credulity of a mans owne worth , on the one part , and inactive , and fruitlesse dejection of mynde , on the other ; the soule is in danger of the rocke in one extreame : the safest use of praises , is a p p Co●tristor aliquando lau libus meis , &c. Aug: confes : l. 10. c. 37. serious calculation of that summe of merit which we owe to opinion , q q Non est vera amicitia , ubi est fallax adulatio . Amb. oss : l. 3. if false , or to God , if true ; that we may strive to be such , as we are reported , though perhaps falsely . The Philosopher said of all wild beasts the railer is most dangerous ; of tame the flatterer : that can be no true friendship , where there is deceitfull flattery : when he speaketh faire beleeve him not , for there are seven abominations in his heart , Prov: 26. 25.

2. The r r Absentem qui rodit amicum — hic niger est , hunc tu Romane ca●eto , Hor. s. c. 4. Backbiter : he that will secretly raile at others absent , is of an ill kinde ; and if thou displease him , will not spare thee : 't is their nature to bite ; beware of such : trust them not with any interests of freindship : s s Ecclus. 27 : 23. 24. Detrahere amico venenum amicitiae putamus . Aug: de amic. c. 13. when thou art present he will speake sweetly , and will admire thy words , but at last he will alter his speech , and slander thy sayings : I have hated many things , but nothing like him ; for the Lord will hate him . To this classis may be referred , they who be of bitter spirits ; and so , by reason of that gall overflowing the tongue , distastfull acrimony of censuring all men , and rugged morosity , are rather company for beares , then men : such was churlish Nabal , so wicked , t t 1 Sam. 25. 14. 17. that a man could not speake to him : David sent a civill message to him , and he railed on the messengers .

3. The Proud man ; u u Amicitia superbiam nescit . Ambros. l. 3. can never bee a true freind who overvalueth himselfe , and despiseth others : he is apt to conceive indignity , quarrell , or some secret bitternesse , on every occasion .

4. The w w Sed nec verbosum arbitror eligendum . August . de amicit . c. 14. Multum loqui stultitia est — tollit amicos , multiplicat inimicos , movet rixas , seminat discordi●● , &c. Bernard . de int●dom . c. 50. Talkative man ; can be no good freind , because he cannot keep counsell : there bee some men of such unguarded lips , then rather then not tell some secrets , they will reveile their owne : never thinke they will conceale thine .

5. Neither the man of a treacherous nature : if thou wouldest ingratiate with a serpent , feed him , warme him in thy bosome , thou shalt never make him better then a serpent : hee will sometimes make use of his venome : 't is so wtih a treacherous freind .

6. Neither the contentious , froward , factious , or seditious man : x x Prov. 22. 24. make no freindship with the angry ; with a furious man thou shalt not goe : y y Prov. 24. 21. meddle not with them that are seditious , or given to change .

7. Neither the z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c : Hesiod : op: ● . l. 3. wicked : a a Prov: 1. 15. my sonne walke not thou in the way with them : refraine thy foot from their path : they are b b Psal. 1. 1. blessed who walke not in their counsell : as c c Gen: 49. 6. Jacob said of Simeon and Levi , O my soule , come not thou into their secret : unto their assembly mine honour be not thou united . Take heed of any familiarity with those , who must render thee suspected , & of that which any waies may : d d Cave omnes suspiciones : & quicquid probabiliter singi potest , ne singatur ante de vita Hier. l. 2. ep. 14. ib: ep: 45. sine . whatsoever may bee probably feigned of thee , prevent it that it may not be : which rule of his owne if Jerom had practised , he had avoided that malitious censure , and calumny of some , concerning his familiarity with Eustachium and others .

8. Lastly , take heed of him that loveth no man , but for his owne ends : 't was noted of e e Plutarch . vit. Alexandr . M. Alexander's two freinds Craterus and Hephestion , he loved the King , but this Alexander there are table-freinds , which like those domestick vermine , daily on thee , will be sure to leave thee when thy house is falling : the wise man noted it Ecclus. 6. 10. &c.

So come we to speake of love towards men considerable in the last branch therof , Sect. IV. how it ought to be even to our enemies . There is no good man liveth without some enemies , who liveth by men : which of the Prophets have they not persecuted ? There 's nothing so sacred with that sad Erynnis , malice will not ●ly at : no wonder that kings ( the greatest of men ) Solomon ( the wisest of kings ) and David ( the best of wise men ) had enemies : Christ Jesus , the king of kings ; had no fault , but yet many enemies : and ( to shew us the bitternesse of the enmity he suffered for us ) those , the seeming holiest of that age , the austere Scribes and Pharisees : the reason is , because there is a malitious devill , who being truly hatefull , by the enmity set betweene man and him , ceaseth not to infuse the bitternesse of his own cursed spirit into men , that they may be like him , hating one another . The maine businesse therefore is , not so much to strive that we may have enemies , as to make a right use of them , which may be if we can 1. Beare no malice . 2. Love them . 3. Better our selves , by their wickednesse .

1. Malice is inveterate anger , f f Mat 5. unadvised anger , is murder of the heart , but if deliberate wilfull . g g Ephes. 4. 26. Let not the sunne goe downe on thy wrath . What shall they doe at the day of judgement , h h Quid agemus nos in dic judicii , super qu●rii iram non unius diei , sed tantorum annorum sol testis ●ccubuit Hieronym . l. 1. ep: 39. on whose anger , many yeares sonnes go down witnesses ? The parents of anger are , opinion of injurie , and vaine elation and pride of minde , making men thinke none so good as themselves . God forbiddeth this bitternesse of soule : Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart , Levit: 19. 17. it maketh men homicides , and like i i 1 Joh: 3 12. 14 Cain murderers of their brethren , subject to eternall death : it is that which separateth a man from the love and k k 1. Joh: 4. 8. 20 knowledge of God : it is l l Prov. 10 12 , the mother of contention , m m Jam : 3. 15 , a devillish influence on the soules of men , and Satan's lively image in the wicked ( as love is of God in the regenerate ) whom hee laboureth to destroy by each others hands ; at whose contentions and actions of hostility he stands , and secretly rejoyceth ; while hee who hateth all , can set them one upon another , to their mutuall destruction : so he engaged Paul , with unreasonable men , not only with n n 1. Cor. 15. 32 beasts at Ephesus , but sundry other places . The heathens seemed to knowe this venome of society , in the fable of the Serpents teeth sowed by Cadmas , of which sprang up those earth-borne brethren , who with intestine discord and warre , presently destroyed each other . The Apostle warned hereof , o o Gal. 5. 15. If yee bite and devouer one another , take he●d yee bee not consumed one of another . Serpents live quietly with Serpents , what a shame is it for pretenders ot Christianity to be worse then serpents ? A man that hateth his brother sometimes carrieth in his breast a p p V●na est sine viribus i●a . vaine anger impotent to revenge , with desiring , though without effect , he maketh his soule guiltie thereof : But suppose thou hadst received a true injury , and hadst power to retaliate : first thou makest God a party against thee , who declareth that vengeance is his peculiar , and prohibiteth thee from attempting or desiring it ; so that in the execution of thy malice , thou dost but wound thy selfe through thine enemies garment : againe in reason when thou feelest the sting of injury ; I demand ; is it good ? Why dost thou blame thyne enemie ? Is it evill why would'st thou imitate him ? If one must be evill of the two , the doer or the receaver of injury , let q q Apud christianos n●n qui patitur sed qui facit contumelia● miser est . mine enemie be evill if he will needs , let me be good ▪ what ever I suffer : let me beare no malice what ever I beare , no enemy can hurt me so much as that .

2. We must love our enemies , r r Beatus qui amat te , & amicum in ●e , & inimi●um propter te , August . confes . l. 4. c. 9. Hoc est verè ●os ex charitate diligere propter De●m 22.ae . q. 25. a 6. Math: 5. 44. 48. for Gods sake , who without exception so commandeth : who reconciled us when wee were enemies , by the death of his only sonne Christ s s Rom: 5. 10. died for us when we were wicked ▪ he went about doing good , healing their infirmities , who sought his life : he healed Malchus eare , who came to apprehend him ; he prayed for his persecutors : so Joseph forgave his brethren : so t t Act. 7. Stephen interceeded for his murderers : this is a signe of the sonnes of God : this u u Prov. 25. 21 , 22. Rom: 12. 20. he apeth coales of fire on the enemies head , if when he hunger thou feed him ; either to kindle a love of reconciliation with thee ; or Gods anger and revenge against him : and herein the excellency of Gods children , beyond any of the children of this world appeareth ; these love their freinds only ; they both freinds and enemies ; patient of injuries and ready to forgive : how w w Quomodo in quotidian ● prece d●ximus unquam , dimitte nobis debita nostra , sicut & nos &c. animo discordanie cum verbis ; ora●ion● dissiden●e cum factis ? Hier: l. 1. ep: 39. sine . should they else say in their dayly prayer , forgive us our trespasses , as we forgive them that trespasse against us ; with a minde disagreeing with their words , and a prayer dissenting from their deeds ; by that x x Nam ex conditionis ratione , si non pers●cte dimittunt , ipsi se sua oratione magis constringunt , Hug: de Sanct: Victor . Miscello lan● l. 1. Tit. 169. — die in precibus , dimitte mihi quoniam & ego dimitto : sed si dicis , 〈◊〉 : quid enim ●acturus es , quo ituru●●s , si mentitus ●ue eris in precibus ? Non quomodo dic●tur in soro , Car●bis benesi cio reseripti , sed nec e scriptum impetrabis . Juris enim forensis est , ut qui in precibus mentitus fu●rit , non illi prosit quod impetravit . Aug. tract. 7. in Jo. 1. covenant , making themselves uncapable of pardon , if they forgive not .

3. Lastly , that we may make a right use of enemies ( which is to better our selves by their exercising our patience , and obedience to God ) we must observe these rules following .

1. If thou love thy selfe entertaine no malice in thy heart under any pretence : a loathsome toad-cage , is incomparably better then a malitious heart ; where likely not Magdalens seven devills but whole legions quarter : the most ougly serpents , whom all hate and wish destroyed , are , in their kinde , good , and so , better then a malitious hater of his own flesh .

2. Love thine enemies nature , and person whose faults thou must hate : our anger and censure must go between these : so David y y Psal. 139. 21. hated the haters of God ; 't is the precept ; z z Amos 5. 15. hate the evill , and love the good .

3. Be just toward thine enemie : charge no more upon him then that of which he is truely and certainly guilty : and be thou modest not saying the worst ; least thy censure re●lect upon thy selfe , who art guilty of many sinnes , if not the same thou blamest in another : consider whether that which were but just for thine enemy to heare , will become thee to speake : and a a Gal. 6. 1. beware , least for thy uncharitable and rigid severity , thou be permitted to the same , or some more greivous temptation ; from which if thou hast beene kept ; I know t was not thy merit , but Gods free mercy ▪ who put the difference between the judge , and the convented malefactor : for malice or revenge , or without a lawfull calling before a Judge or Magistrate , to divulge the faults of thine enemie , though certainly knowne to thee ; is a breach of the same law which saith , there shal● not beare false witnesse .

4. Looke equally on thine enemies vertues as on his vices : be not like the troublesome flies which are commonly setling on the soares , passing over the sound parts , malice hath false eyes ever lessening other mens merits , and multiplying their faults , which is the reason why the malitious ever judge them evill whom they hate ; as impious Ahab confessed in his opinion ●f good b b 1 King . 2● . Michaiah : it is thine honour and sincerity to give thine c c Virtus laud●tur in hoste . enemie his due commendation .

5. Let not thy heart rejoyce in thyne enemies evill : it is but a vaine pretence to charity , if thou canst bee glad for any evill befalling thine enemie : 't is certaine thou canst not be hid from God .

6. Be thou neither foolish nor ignoble in thy desire of revenge ; as they are who hurt themselves , rather then spare their enemie ; as indeed all doe , who affect revenge ( hereby taking their cause out of Gods hand ) who would justly execute it for them : so doe they who disclose secrets entrusted to them with in the verge of former freindship ; and they who by any other base office serve their own malice .

7. Make no man thine enemie whom thou canst justly keepe to friend : to loose a friend rather then a fancie of mirth or anger , is a symptome of great levity ▪ to d d Senec. de ir● ▪ l. 2. c. 34. Cum pare contendere anceps est , cum superiore furiosum , cum inferiore sordidum . contend with an equall is dangerous ; with a superiour madnesse , and with an inferiour sordid : therefore , as much as in thee is , provoke no man , but have peace with all . The e e Injurias accipiendo , & gratias agendo . ib● . Sen. c. 33. old courtier being demanded how hee attained to that rarest thing in Courts , old age , replied , by receiving injuries , and giving thankes . 'T is great wisedome to passe offences : hee that taketh notice of every injury shall finde no quiet in this world .

8. Strive to overcome thine enemie with goodnesse : I will fight and contend with thee ( said f f Plutarch : vit , Alexand. Alexander to king Taxiles ) in honesty and courtesy , because thou shalt not exceed me in bounty and liberality . It is an happy use of enmity , to emulate the vertues of a noble enemy : and nobly to entertaine the charges of the base : which may best be done by putting the whole contention on this issue , who shall be more holy and vertuous ? It is the most divine victory to overcome malice with love and mercy : The beast may overcome with strength the serpent with subtiltie , the devill with revenge and malice ; but vertue is the Saints victory : malice is the mother of witchcrafts , and nurse of male●ices ; but clemency and vertue is the shame and confusion of an ignoble enemie ; the envy or emulation of the truly noble , more foiling him then policy or violence could doe : the holy may be over-matcht , and dy . Yet are they not properly overcome , who by dying become more honourable and happy , then those by whom they suffer . He that is excelled in vertue ( as was noted of some of Caesars enemies ) must yeeld , faist thou , he is wicked , hath offended me , I shall not only invite new injuries by bearing the old , but suffer in my reputation , as if I durst not revenge when I might ? Yet first consider thy selfe in how many things , and how often hast thou offended God : what doth Christ daily forgive thee , or thou must perish : not to say how vaine and worthlesse that reputation is which is built upon the opinion of the unwise & wicked , doe but consider that wise men looke most to the end that they have rightly proposed to themselves , which if they attaine , their worke is done ; whether by force or counsell they passe not ; they looke to the end through just meanes . Suppose thine end is to overcome thine enemie : if thou mightest make free choice of the meanes ; tell me , wouldst thou overcome him by good , or evill , by vertue , or violence , by excelling him in goodnesse , or equalling him in evill ? 'T is an epidemick madnesse , to thinke there is no victory but in violence , and requiting evill with evill , becomming as damnable as their enemies .

9. Lastly , resolve that every injurie shall better thee , doth thine enemie hurt thee ? Let it occasion thee to pray for him ; aud to enter into a serious examination of thine owne heart , whether thou hast not injured him , or some other , upon discovery of injury done by thee , repent , and give satisfaction , that God may give thee thy quietus est ; so will hee in his good time judge for thee : ever looke to the hand that smiteth thee : g g Isay 10. 5 ▪ Assyria is but the rod of Gods anger : God raised up enemies to Solomon . It may be that God bad Sheimei curse : be not like the foolish dog to bite the stone cast at him , but looke to the cause , which being removed the effect shall cease . There are , who bend their tongues to shoot out bitter words , which God permitteth to admonish his servants of some unrepented sinnes , which being discovered and repented of , they proove ike Jonathans arrowes , shott to warne , not to wound . Thy friends may possibly not see , or seeing , dissemble thy faults : h h Antisthenes dicebat 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Illust: vit: Phylos . marke well what thine enemies say of thee , & i i Sicut amici adulatores pervertunt , sic inimici litigantes plerumque corrigunt . August . conf: 9. c. 8. let their vigilant malice ( apt to accuse thee ) make thee more carefully watch over thy waies , least thy failings , advantage them , or give them just occasions of reviling thee : and as k k Ne ausam praeberent hostibus , Plut. Theseus is said to have cut off his comely lockes least his enemies should finde advantage by catching ▪ hold of them ▪ so doe thou all occasions of calumny : how many men ha●● perished in their sinnes unseene had not the malice of enemies awaked & admonished them ? And ( like l l Nec prodesse Phaereo Jasoni , is qui gladio vomicam ejus experuit quem sanare medici non poterant : multi enim etiam , cum abesse vellent , profucrunt , &c. Cic ▪ de nat. De ▪ lib. 3 ▪ & Plutarch . Jason Phereus enemy ) cured them by wounding them ? Selfe-love is ever blinde , and true friendship sometimes , but malice hath a thousand eyes ; this Serpent is quick sighted to find out others faults : seeing I cannot but be faulty , and would not be so ; I had rather want many acquaintance , then some enemies , who may amend mee , though for ill will : I owe much to many good friends for other offices ; but most to mine enimies for this ; who yet ( through Gods mercy ) never hurt me , but to the greater advantage of my soule , I hope they who never could , never shall .

A Prayer for Love and Charity .

O Lord God of mercy and compassion , we humbly acknowledge that so many & continuall have our rebellions been against thee , that we deserve thine anger , and that tho●● shouldst arme all the hoste of heaven , and the creatures under heaven against us : but we humbly pray thee to pardon us , for Jesus Christ his sake : give us hearts to repent before the consummation of thy feirce wrath , & the day of thine anger come upon us ; to agree with our adversary quickly , while we are yet in the way : to seeke righteousnesse , that we may be hid in the day of thine anger : Lord our hope is in thee , make us not a reproach to them that hate us ; withold not thy tender mercy from us , let thy loving kindnesse and thy truth preserve us : Thou who art the God of love and unity , set thine own image again upon us : and as thou hast loved & redeemed us , in the son of thy love Christ Jesus , so give us hearts to love one another , that thereby all men may knowe that we are his Disciples . Lord deliver us not to the will of our enemies and oppressours ; but forgive us all that wherein we have any waies injured or justly offended our brethren : make our waies so pleasing in thy sight that thou maist bee pleased to make our enemies at peace with us . Turne their hearts and mischievous intentions , as thou didst revengefull Esau's : give them a true sight and sorrow for their sinnes , that they may repent and bee saved . Prevent and divert their malice , that it may not proceed further to hurt themselves , or us : restraine the tempter that he may no more be able to set variance , and his owne bitter influence ( malice and enmity ) between those , whom tho● hast united by their adoption in Christ : Thou hast promised the blessing on brethren who live together in unity , give us that spirit that we may hold the sacred band thereof in peace , that we may not bring a scandall on thy truth , that our prayers be not hindred , that our soules may be delivered from the snares of death , in which the malitious are holden : that we may all meet cheerefully before thy tribunall , in the holy communion of Saints and blessed unity of the body of Christ ; to whom , with thee O Father of love , God of peace , and the holy Ghost the comforter , be rendred all honour , glory , praise , and dominion in heaven and earth , for ever and ever .

AMEN .

CHAP. XVIII .

§ . 1. Of the soule , faculties thereof , affections , minde , and thoughts in generall . § . 2. Of the corruptions of the heart , the danger and difficultie of the cure . § . 3. Of the necessitie of right ordering our thoughts . § . 4. Rules of practice .

1 THere are many things , Sect. I. of whose being we know , whose quality we knowe not : all confesse wee have a soule , which commandeth , and restraineth in us : what a one it is , none can tell : hence are those many disputes about its essence , seat , and subject , with the subordinate faculties of it : no man hath throughly beene acquainted with this secret governour in man : some have defined it an a a Aristoxenus . Cic. Tusculan . quaest. l. 5. Zeno Zenocrates . harmonie : some a divine vertue , a particle of the deity : some the most exile , & slender aire ; some a blood , some heat , or fire : some number : so innate is errour , that we most erre concerning our owne selves : more rightly doe they say , who call it an immortall spirit , an incorporeall substance , created by infusion , and infused in its creation : made to the c c Though now as Am: Marcellinus said of Isauria ●olim subvers●ut rebellatrix interneciv● vestigia , claritudinis pristinae monstrat adm●dum pauca . lib. 14. image of the Creatour , capable of the light of understanding , wisdome , holinesse , blessednesse , and eternity : so that in its conjunction with the body , it b b So Arist. c 1. de anim ▪ saith , it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , perfectio , & actus primus corporis organici , &c ▪ ammateth giveth life , action , and motion ( wherein it differeth from an Angell ) and in its separation from the body for a time ( untill it shall be reunited in the resurrection ) it subsisteth , as doe the Angells , and then hath its proper acts and apprehensions , as they : Now , as the eye , seeth the eye in a glas●e , so the soule knoweth it selfe , by a kinde of ●reflex . The soule is a divine ghest sent from heaven , into these earthly Tabernacles , to give them life and governe them : yet is it d d Cic: C●t : Maur. neither seene comming , nor departing : it is an e e Si● habeto ●eno● esse mortalem , sed corpus hoc . Cic: Som. Scip. immortall forme of mo●tall man : the body decayeth : the soule doth not , being neither subject to time nor age : the f f Animi motus sempiterni . motions thereof are eternall : it apprehendeth things present , absent , past , and future : it deliberateth , formeth , directeth , discourseth , judgeth , doubteth , concludeth , so excellent is it , that g g 〈◊〉 ; off ; l , 3. the Oratour said God hath not given any thing so divine to man and that there are certaine h h lb. de fin . l. 3. lineaments thereof , more beautifull then of the body : the body is adorned by the soule ; without which beauty it selfe becommeth gastly ; and good i i Gen. 23. 4 , Abraham saith — give me a possession of a burying place — that I may bury my dead out of my sight : the soule cannot be deformed by any unevennesse , discomposure , or disproportion of the body which it animateth : as a beautifull feature is the same in a poore cottage , and in a magnificent palace : so is it in the beauty of the soule , which is vertue ; with which could wee but see the soule of a Saint , there 's no embellishment on earth so glorious , no created beauty here of so divine a lustre , The soule though now shut up in his darke prison ( having onely some diviner breathings , in the rapts and heavenly contemplations , which sometimes call it up , like Moses , to the mount , or like a Jacobs ladder , landeth it in God's presence ) hath some knowledge of its originall , by grace , & unspeakable k k 1. Pet. 1. 8. joy in the apprehension thereof , which arresteth the desire as appeared in l l Math. 17. Peter seeing Christ transfigured , m m Phil. 1 , and Paul wishing to be dissolved , it being a great signe of our interest in heaven , that wee feare not to part hence : he knoweth whether he shall goe who remembreth whence he came : but what shall bee the beauty of an holy soule in its separation , when it shall be restored to its native heaven , when it shall be n n Cum totum di●m admiscrit ▪ all light , and God shall be all in all ? o o Mark 9. 3. Christs raiment on the mount became shining white as snow , so as no Fuller on earth could white them : p p ● . Cor. 3. 13. Moses face ( he having talked with God ) became so glorious that Israel could not behold it without a vaile , what shall our glory be when q q 1. Joh. 3. 2. we shall be like Christ ?

2. The faculties of the soule , are the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alexan. Paed. l. 1. understanding , will , memory , affections , and senses internall and externall . My purpose being not to enter the lists with Philosophers , but to direct Christians , I shall not further consider these , then as some of them doe very much concerne the practicall part , and right ordering the thoughts of the heart and minde , to the service of God , and our mortification , whereby we may be accommodated thereto .

3. The heart , in scripture often taken for the principall seat of the rationall soule , imparteth any faculty hereof : the mind is the inward act , the result and proceed of its reason , and discourse , the thoughts : as they say r r Isidor . l. 11. c. 1. Orig. animus consilii est , anima vitae : the minde is the fountaine of counsell , the soule of life : and againe s s Animus est quo sapimus , anima quâ vivimus we understand by the minde , and live by the soule . This minde of man is sometimes t t Nostra omnes vis in animo & corpere sita est . Animi impori● , corporis srvitio magis utimur . Salust . lat . a soveraigne , to governe in vertue and sanctimonie it selfe and the body : sometimes a tyrant and indulging to vice ( which like the worme bred in the wood , destroyeth its own originall ) misled by tumultuous passions , lusts , vaine desires , and other perturbations of a discomposed minde , which having unthroned reason , dangerously usurpe the command : a prudent man ( whose u u Cic. Acad. q. 4. cogitare is his vivere , in the light , height , and use thereof , differing him not only from the brutes , but ignorant men ) doth principally enjoy himselfe in his minde and inward man . There is indeed in humane possessions , nothing great and excellent , but a great and good minde ; contemning externall greatnesse , or supposed excellencies ( as power , strength , riches , beauty ) obvious to sense , in respect of tha● which is within , apprehensible by the enlightned understanding : and certainly the all-wise God , w●o created the affections , ordained them to none but some excellent end use in the soule , as handmaides to devotion and religion : neither would he in our regeneration , kill , but * * Nos affectus & perturbatones , quamdi● i● tabernaculo corporis hujus habitamus , & fragili carne ciro●●damur modera● & regere possumus . ampu●●●● non possumus . Hieron , Demetriad . ep 20. l. 2. correct them , by moderating them , where they grew extreame ; and retrenching them into their own channels , where they overflow their banks , like over ranck water sources , becomming muddy and troubled with that which they fetch in from without : or reducing them where they ar● exorbitant . All extreames are foolish and dangerous : a Stoicall w w Sicut aqua semper jacens & quieta , in salubris & magis turbida est : sic animus immotus ac torpens , inutilis est ettam sibi , &c. Lact. l. 6. c. 17. apathie , is incompatible with a well composed minde , and violent passion with a prudent : the dead calme corrupteth aire & water , and violent blasts disturb them ; the x x Philosophorum quoque , sententia est — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 moderatus esse virtutes excedentes modum — inter vitiae deputari . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 20. moderate more safely purify : the y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theogn . meane is best . Affections are ( as they said of z z Ut non immerito sit dictum : nec servum meliorem nec deteriorem dominum fuisse . Sueton. ● . Cael. Calig . Caligula , there is no better servant , nor worse master ) good commanded , mischievous reigning ; like fire and water ; there necessary , here destructive : without love there can be no acceptable service ; without anger , no zeale : without feare no coërcive power in the soule : without hope , no comfort : which bringeth us to a necessary consideration of the hearts corruption ; vanity and exorbitancy of the thoughts ; and the necessity of their regulation , by some rules of practice .

1. The Corruptions of the heart , Sect. II. are a a Gen: 6. 5. all , only evill , continually : the heart is the fountaine of sinne : hence are , adulteries , murders , thefts , rapine , b b Math: 15. 19. rebellions , all the sinnes of man : all iniquitie is here forged ; as 't is written , Isai : 32. 6. his heart will worke iniquitie : hence words Mark . 7. 21. Psal. 58. 2. Isai 59. 13. of falshood are conceived and uttered : here is the d d Psal. 55. 21. Psal. 140. 2. root of war , and e e Prov. 6. 18. mischiefe ; here errour , f f Psal. 95. 10. frowardnesse , and that hardnesse which excludeth all capacity of hearing , and understanding Gods word and judgments ( that they may repent and g g Prov. 11. 20. Prov: 17. 20. Psal. 95. 8. Prov. 28. 14. Isai 6. 9. Ib : 44. 20. Ib : 47. 7. be healed ) is hatched . The heart is deceitfull above all things ; who can knowe it ? Jer: 17. 9. Here lodgeth hypocrisie . Jer 3. 10. Here secret sinnes , like that unseene multitude , which rangeth through the paths of the deeps ( such is counsell in mans heart , Prov: 20. 5. ) Nor is this the condition of some few , but the secret corruption of all naturall men : nor are the h h Gal: 5. 17. Prov: 20. 9. regenerate absolutely freed from these pollutions ; being yet partly flesh .

2. The dangers hereof hence appeare ▪ first in that these are the seeds of every sin , and fomenters thereof : yea that which barreth from remedy , faith and repentance . Secondly , as the Physitians say , if there be a fault in the first concoction , there will follow the like in the rest ; so is it here : the hearts faults are derived to the tongue , and all the actions of man : it is a people ( said the Lord ) that doe i i Psal. 95. 10. erre in their hearts : and they have not knowne my waies . As the eye is deceaved through a fals medium : so is the minde through the cloude of false opinion : and the very k k Prov: 24. 9. thought of foolishnesse is sinne ; into which they must needs runne , who set not their l l Psal. 78. 8. 37. heart aright , and whose spirit is not stedfast with God . Thirdly , God m m 1 King . 8. 39. Job 42. 2. Heb: 4. 12 1 Cor: 4. 5. searcheth the secrets of all hearts , and will once make all the thoughts thereof manifest . Fourthly , hee requireth the heart , Prov: 23. 26. If a man regard iniquitie there , hee cannot be heard , Psal: 66. 16. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord . Prov : 16. 5. Fiftly , they who have wicked thoughts , n n Isay 59. 7. runne swiftly to iniquity ; and destruction is in their paths . Sixtly , in the corruption of the heart , the very fibrae and remainders of sins reviving root , o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ignat. ep. ad Ephes. Satans venome remaineth . The Hydra's ever-grow●ng heads , which ( when occasions , & ability so faile , that the impious p p Cum non semper diabolum sequimur in opere , valdè tameu se illi ob iga●t in cogitatione . G●eg●mo . l. 14. cannot serve the devill in externall actions ) will shew its venome , in their q q Etiamsi minora mala faciunt , quià minus poss●ut : non minus tamen mali sunt , quia nollent min●is esse si possent . Salv. de gub: D : l. 6. will to sinne : Lastly , it is a very difficult thing rightly to compose the thoughts , in respect of the hearts unsounded deceitfulnesse , and the mind 's unlimited agility ; in these depths of quick-shifting thoughts , sinne easily hideth it selfe : externall sinnes in words or workes , are ( like the plague of leprosie r r Levit: 13. 12. 13. broken out abroad and covering all the skinne ) neerer the cure , and by so much the more easily amended , or overcome , by how much more evident they are , not onely to others , but also to our selves : the sinnes of the heart are by so much more hardly cured , and avoided , by how much more secretly and invisibly they are committed : the thoughts are more securely extravagant , carelesse , and presuming , by how much lesse they are obvious , to any reprover or censurer without : And where the heart is smitten with some aufull feare of God ; and resolution to repent , maketh inquest after sinne , that which is in word , or action is more easily and frequently found : but the sin of the mind like Jonathan and Ahimaaz at Bahurim , is let downe into the depth of the heart , whose secret enemies , are ( like those s s Major aliqua● to labor erat invenire quam vincerc . L Flor. l 2. c. 3. Ligurian mountainers , whom the Romans chased ) more hardly found then vanquished . Moreover , man's innate selfe-love ; and naturall complacency , make him unapt , and loath to condemne himselfe , in any thing , wherein hee knoweth others cannot . And lastly , the restlesse machination of Satan is to suggest selfe-delusions , as he doth temptations to sinne , whereby his baits may be swallowed : his policy is to keep the heart for his retreat : and if any reproofe happily chase away , profanenesse , bitter anger , obscenity , or calumny out of the tongue , or adultery , theft , murder , or the like from the outward man ▪ yet if he can but cherish , and maintaine any of these , in the uncleansed heart ; hee will finde opportunity & meanes to make them breake out again : or if not , he knoweth , that where he hath the heart , ( bee the words and actions never so saint-like ) God hath no part there : and this bringeth us to our third consideration .

There is great necessitie of regulation of our thoughts , Sect. III. and heart , without which it is but t t Isay 29. 13. vaine to draw neere God with our lips . The right ordering of the affections & thoughts , is of two branches ▪ that we compose them , first to wisdome ; secondly to integrity .

I. Wisdome ; is as a u u Quem admodùm samuli ac ancillae in domibus tumultuantes — ubi derepente ipsis hera comparuit , consternati conquiescunt Sic relique in animâ cupiditates ( visa s●pienti● ) Hippocrat . ep. Philop. mistres to tumultuous servants , at whose presence the most disorderly , are suddainly composed & silenced : an understanding heart is the inward light of the soule , which God looketh on ; without which , all externall shewes , and appearances of sanctity make formall hypocrites no better then Egyptian Temples , which ( outwardly grave , decent , and venerable ) were ridiculous with their Apes , Serpents , Cats , and Crocadiles , set up for Gods within , w w 1. King . 3. 5. 9. 12. Solomon ( who had granted him free choice of any thing that he would a●ke of God ) desired , an understanding heart , above riches , or life . He whom God made the wisest of meere men , of all the holy pen-men , gave most precepts concerning the heart , and minde ; our direction herein must be sought for in Gods word ( which only is x x 2. Tim 3. 16. able to make us wife to salvation ) and begged of him , who y y Jam. 1. 5. giveth all men liberally , and upbraideth none . He that z z Prov. 28. 26. trusteth his owne heart is a foole : for the heart a a Eccles. 9. 3. of the sonnes of men , is full of evill , and madnesse is in their heart while they live . Unhappy is hee who goeth on frowardly in the way of his own heart , or that which the wisedome of corrupt man can teach him ; seeing all that is b b x. Cor. 3. 9. foolishnesse with God .

2. Secondly , we must so compose our hearts , that they may be upright and sincere before God : without this , our best actions , prayer , hearing , repentance , almes , and what ever else wee doe , is worth nothing . O Jerusalem ( saith the Lord ) c c Jer: 4. 14. wash thy heart from wickednesse , that thou maist be saved : how long shall thy vaine thoughts lodge in thee ? It is but folly to labour the cure in the outward part , while the contagion , and venome of sinne invadeth the secure heart ; or to wash the eyes with floods of teares , where the sinne of Judah is written with a d d Jer: 17. 1. penne of iron , and graven with the point of a diamond upon the table of the heart : e e Psal. 8. 4. 5. Blessed are they in whose heart are the waies of God : he is f f Psal: 73. 1. good unto them that are of a cleane heart : they shall finde him who seeke him g g Je● : 29. 13. with all their heart : they that h h Isai. 51. 7. knowe righteousnesse ; have the law of God in their heart : their i i Ps●l . ●7 . 31. steps shall not slide : they k k Psal: 40 8. delight to doe Gods will : l l Psal: 119. 11. l Prov: 2. 10. they hide up the law of God in their heart , that they may not sinne against him : tho knowledge of God is pleasant unto their soule and shall give them m m Prov: 3. 1. length of daies and peace : when they n n Prov: 6. 21. 22 ●● . goe it shall lead them , when they sleepe it shall keepe them , when they wake , it shall talke with them : it is a lampe , and light to direct them in the waies of life : o o Prov: 7. 2. 5. to keepe them from sinne . Now however p p Prov. 16. 2. the waies of an hypocrite may seeme cleane in his owne eies ; yet seeing the God of justice weigheth the spirits ; it highly concerneth every man to looke to the ordering of this inward house , that it may be a cleane temple , for Gods spirit to dwell in , ( without whose guidance , man can doe no other then runne to destruction of body and soule ) by ordering our thoughts aright : so we have our conversation in heaven , wee walke with God : and in our many dangerous sicknesses of minde , sundry distempers , and perturbations , of fluctuant thoughts ; the wearied soule shall ever have recourse unto this Arke for rest . There are troublesome errours of sicke mindes , which see q q Fa●sa pro veris . Sen. false comforts insteed of true : there is anxietie , impatience , and griefe which r r Moerores qui animos exedunt Cic. de fin l. 1 eateth the heart : there is the fire of anger to enflame , envie , and malice to transport , vaine hopes and feares , whose vicissitudes doe miserably afflict the disquiet minde : there are many parturbations , which if not prudently managed , will master reason , and violently s s Animas perturbatas & irritatus nec chohibere se potest , nec quo vult 〈◊〉 confistere . Ci● ▪ Tu● q. l. 4. carry men into the most dangerous precipices ( whence they cannot when they would , stay themselves ) all which to a wise and good man , shall be but exercises to make his victory over his owne passions more glorious ▪ t t Non enim fortior putandus est , qui leon●m , quam qui viosentiam , & in scipso inclusam ●●ram superat iracundiā . I. act l. 1. c. 9. nor is hee lesse honourable who overcommeth himselfe , then he that conquereth others . The great conquerers of kingdomes , have beene overcome of their own affections ; thereby foolishly eclypsing all the glory of their victories : the strong may overcome others , but only the good can overcome themselves . I had rather overcome mine own minde , then all mine enemies : I would I were secure of my selfe : all the powers of hell cannot overcome me , nor make me unhappy if mine own affections betray me not : let us therefore next advise how to secure our selves herein .

For the right composure of minde and thoughts , Sect. IV. it is very necessary to consider ; ●irst those rules of practice which concerne the same in generall , and then that which appertaineth to some particular passions of the minde .

1. Have a care of thy soule as thy greatest interest , and that which is incomparably better then all the world ; and of thy minde , which ( if well composed ) admirably maketh good , or prudently beareth every estate ; without whose right temper nothing can be good or comfortable : what is strength ? sicknes may anticipate , but age must make the strongest bow : what beauty ? Beside that these flowers quickly fade , they many times become the snare and destruction of foolish and unhappy owners : what are honours ? Where there wants a mind to manage them , those Phaëtons ▪ precipitate themselves , and set the world on fire . What are riches without a minde to use them well ; but snares , and easie waies to hell ? Truly to a prudent minde which can limit it selfe within the desire of necessaries , a litle is enough ; to an ambitious , nothing : Alexander had an overgrowne minde when hee was troubled that there was u u Unus Pellaeo juveni non su●ficit orbis . Juv. Sat. 10. but one world for him to conquer . 'T is the minde which maketh truly rich or poore ; that , contented in every estate , aboundeth in its owne happinesse , discontented , can bee blessed in none . The way to make one rich , is not so much by adding to his estate , as by taking from his minde that foolish desire of having superfluity beyond use : worldly riches , are but a burden to him who hath truly set his affections on heaven , where there is w w Math. 6. nor moth nor theefe , nor feare of loosing that which we lay up : that which must once be lost ( beyond our use ) is nothing worth : which consideration possibly made x x Plutarch . in Demetrio . Stilpo answer like a Philosopher , who ( when Demetrius had taken Megera , and out of a noble care to give him protection from from plundering , asked him if the souldiers had taken ought from him ) answered no : for ( said hee ) I saw no man that would take any knowledge , or learning from mee . The minde is y y Animus quidem ipse sacer & aeternus est , & cui non potest injici manus Sen. consol. ad . Hel. c. 11. sacred and out of the reach of violent hands . So that to make thee happy , which is the scope of a prudent desire ; the way is not to labour so much , and disquiet thy selfe in things externall , but to compose thy minde aright , to get true wisdome and understanding ( to vallew and make a good use of them thou hast ) and well ordered affections , quietly to beare want , or enjoy plenty : in which there is not only an admirable skill and strength of minde requisite , but also an holy habit : no precepts can sodainly make a man practically wise or good : which must make us resolve quickly to study this divine Philosophie : and truly , experience here discovereth a marvelous stupor , and incogitancy of most men : in any bodily disaffection , wee speedily consult the Phisitian : but in our soules distempers , we not only delay our seeking helpe , but are too often impatient of offered remedies : that which thou meanest to doe well , speedily put in practice .

2. z z Prov. 4. 23. Keepe thine heart with all diligence : for out of it are the issues of life . Many thinke it enough to keep their tongues ( few come so farre ) and their hands : but it highly concerneth Christians to keepe their hearts from Satan's snares : there hee beginneth all his stratagems which afterward breake out into words and actions : it is true , that ba●e suggestions without any delight , or consent of ours , are no more our sinnes , then the robbery or murder without our consent or knowledge committed in our field , is ours : but except wee watch over our thoughts , and carefully guard them , Satan's mischievous influences will beget a delight , consent , and yeelding to them : therefore the wise man saith , a a Prov. 7. 25 ▪ let not thine heart decline to her waies , goe not astray in her paths .

3. Resist the beginnings of sinne in thy thoughts : use them b b King 6. 33. roughly at the doore , is not the sound of their Masters feet behinde them ? We must there chiefely marke and extinguish sin , where 't is borne ; and quench the sparkes thereof before they breake out into masterlesse flames : we must crush the Cockatrice in the egge , before it become a fiery flying Serpent : wee neglect not the biting of a serpent , but presently seeke remedy to keepe the ●venome from the heart : with how much more care and diligence should we looke to the biting c c lbi maximè oportet observare poccatum ubi ●asci solet restinguere dum adhuc est in cogitatione Hier: ad Demetriad : ep. Rev. 12. 9. of the old Dragon , able ( if a litle neglected ) to kill body and soule ? d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Gr ▪ Naz : orat : 38. Of evill seeds , come evill plants : murder from revenge in the heart : adultery from lust unextinguished there : and God e e Meritò autem malus punitur affectus , etiam ●ui non succedit effectus Aug: de C. Dei . l. 16. c. 4. Quantam enim ad 〈◊〉 rationem pertinet , no●uit qui nocere disposuit . Hyer . l. 2. ep. 12. justly punisheth evill intentions , though they doe not alwaies breake out into actions .

4. Keep a good conscience , and be holy : the wicked meditate on evill : f f Isai 59. 7. their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity : wasting and destruction are in their paths : as our actions follow our thoughts , so do they leave impressions in them , which prove occasions of their further working : the g g Prov: 22. 5. thoughts of the righteous are right . The wicked care not what they think .

5. Love good thoughts and thou shalt be furnished with them : h h sicut de gemmis flores , ita de bonis cogitatio nibus nascuntur bonae voluntates . Chrys. in Math. as flowers spring out of buds , so good desires from holy thoughts : we often thinke of that we love , and are ambitious of acquaintance therewith : love of God will cause thee to loath all thoughts of evill , as the approaches of the old malitious serpent to thy heart .

6. Fix thoughts on something certaine : The heart is a spirituall Labyrinth in whose perplexed turnings we often loose our selves , and the best fruits of idle and extravagant fancies , are but cogitat ionum quisquiliae , ac minutiae . i i Ut oculi qui huc illuc ●erun ●ur , intente nihil vident , sic men● quae 〈◊〉 . ●ip : l. 4. de mil. Rom ▪ As the eyes continually rowling up and down , seeing , see nothing intentively ; so the the wandring minde . It is a signe of a composed minde if it can stay it selfe a while , with it selfe ; and not run out into those vaine evagations ; and wandring thoughts , whence waking , as out of some feverish dreame ; after much thinking , we can give our selves no good accompt what the minde busied it selfe about , but that it long thinking we thought of nothing to the purpose . The minde is mans most active facultie , in a moment , with the flight of a thought , it mounts from earth to heaven , and back againe , from age to age , from present to future , or long past : like lightning it moves from east to west , vanishing in the appearance . It is not a little skill to arrest it so , as that we may say with David , my heart is fixed , O God my heart is fixed — without this , we can neither heare nor pray otherwise then profane hypocrites , provoking Gods anger by drawing neere him with their lips , when their hearts are far from thinking on him .

7 Seek thy peace with God through faith in Christ : the true composure and happy rest of the minde is herein : there 's l l Isay 57. 21. no peace to the wicked , no true rest out of Christ : sinne is the distemper and unrest of the soule : untill that m m Joh. 1. 15. Jonah be cast overboord , we can never appease the surges of a troubled mind : this must thou seek through hearty n n Usus doloris ablegat luxuriā criminis — ita dum dolemus admissa , admittenda excludimus : & ●it quaedam de condemnatione culpae disciplina innocentiae . Amb. de paen . l. 2. c. 10. sorrow for thy sinnes ; this restringent acrimonie shall heale the fountaines , that death and barrennesse may no more flow from the minde into thy words and actions , t is a good signe of recovery , when the disease changeth place ; so when we are pleased with repentance , who woont to please our selves in sinne , t is a token that sin declineth in us . Secondly by committing thy workes unto the Lord , o o Prov. 16. 3. so thy thoughts shall be established : and lastly by filling thy soule with such happy thoughts , as constant meditation on Gods word will furnish thee with : as t is said p p Ecclus. 6. 37. let thy minde be upon the ordinances of the Lord , and meditate continually on his commandements , he shall establish thine heart , and give thee wisdome at thine own desire .

8 q q Si tu animum vicisti potius quam animus ●e , est quod gaudeas , Plaut. Tri Overcome thyne own minde , and in every thing as much as possibly thou canst , subject it to right reason , let not affection or passion master it .

9 Set thy minde ever upon some good , to prevent the rising of evill thoughts , that the tempter may r r Facito aliquid operis , ut te semper diabolus inveniat occupatum . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 15 never finde thee at leisure to entertaine him . The minde is s s Natur●●gills est , & pronus ad motus . S●cec . naturally active , and prone to thoughts : yea when thou sleepest it hath its motions : give it some businesse , it cannot be inactive : as the earth neglected , for want of culture , bringeth forth noisome weeds ; so will the minde evill and vaine extravagancies of thoughts , if thou busie it not in good : yea the light of reason is eclypsed by the mischievous interposition of vitious thoughts : yet t t Da●da est animis remissio &c. citò enim exhauriet illos nunquam intermissa foecunditas : ita animorum impetus assiduus labor frangit . Senec. de tranq. anim . c. 15. tyre not thy minde with too much , or too weighty affaires : proportion thy undertakings to thy strength ; the minde requireth some intermissions , and rest , which otherwise like the fields , with perpetuall bearing will grow fruitlesse : the unbalasted ship is easily overset with every gust of winde : and too much loading sinketh her . There is an Arke of Gods secret counsell , into which thy thoughts may not looke : there are also admirable mysteries , out of which God calleth , as out of that ●iery bush , u u Exod. 3 2. 5. come not nigh hither , put off thy shooes from off thy feet — resigne thy thoughts to Gods immensity : it is enough to beleeve his truth , though thou canst not examine his incomprehensible secrets : if thou wilt play with these flames , thou shalt burn thy wings : God hath revealed enough to make thee happy ; ambition of knowing more , destroyed mankinde . x x Psal. 4. Commune with thine owne heart concerning that which may better thee , Psal. 77. 6. and make thee happy : divine soliloquies are a kinde of rapt to heaven and prepossession of that blessednesse ; use thy heart to thinke of good and heavenly things ; and such will thy thoughts , words and actions be : the heart of the wise y y Prov. 16. 23. teacheth his mouth : Custome is a second nature : therefore also the wiseman saith , z z Prov. 14. 33. Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding : if the wicked ( the worst of fooles ) have any notion thereof , it no more resteth with him , then lightning in the aire .

10 Set God ever befor●●●ee as a a Jer 17. 10. a searcher of hearts , and b b Quicquid pudet dicere , pude at , & cogitare . that which thou woulde●t be ashamed to speake before others , be ashamed to thinke with thy selfe . Thoughts are c c Psal. 15. 2. & 44. 21. the word of the heart , which God heareth : who therefore saith , d d Math. 12. 25. Hebr. 4. 12. Math. 9. 4. wherefore thinke yee evill in your hearts ? And , e e Eccles. 10. 20. curse not the King , no not in thy thought — f f Esto totus purus non aliud loquaris , & aliud in corde habeas : nec appetas ultra videri quam es : ut possis ultra esse quam videris . G●eg : l. 4. ep. 14. bee thou pure in heart if ever thou meanest to see God : let not thy heart dissent from thy tongue , neither desire to seeme more holy then there thou art , if thou intend to please him ; for he is omniscient .

11. Pray the Lord g g Psal. 51. 10. to create a cleane heart , and to renew a right spirit within thee : to h h Psal. 119. 36. 8● . encline thy heart unto his testimonies : to i i Jer. 24. 7. give thee an heart to know him : to prepare thy heart that thou maist truely feare him , meditate on him , and love him above all : and that he who cast out the tumultuous rabble from Jairus house , would also be pleased to cast out of thy soule and mynde , all those thoughts which offend him , or hinder the riasing up thy soule to the life of grace .

CHAP. XIX .

Of the thoughts , and ordering thereof .

§ . 1. Concerning the right ordering the thoughts in respect of some particular passions , affections , and perturbations , of mind , in their distempers : of love and delight . § . 2. Of joy , reioycing , myrth and sorrow . § . 3. Of 〈◊〉 , hatred , malice , envy . § . 4. Of impatience , patience , discontent , and a contented mind .

FOR the right ordering the thoughts arising from some particular aff●ctions or passions which usually discompose , §. I. and render the mind lesse apt for the service of God , and lesse comfortable to our selves : we must ever have in mind the generall rule before laid down , that extreame and violent passions of any kind are distempers of the soule , which at best , befoole a man , if not ( as a a Ego arbitro● etiam a●imae mor●os — omnes vehementes esse 〈◊〉 &c. Ep. ad 〈◊〉 . Ab●rit . ●yp●crates thinketh ) make him mad : they are like a deluge , which rather overflow and drown , then refresh the mind ▪ they are like an enraged Sea full of hazard : they distu●be the intellectuals , and distract the will : look how all things in troubled waters , seeme wreathed and disordered , which in the still are cleerely seene ; so is it here : the calme af●ections , are more accommodate for Gods service , and our use to come to some pa●ticulars : Love and delight are great 〈◊〉 in this present life : every man hath some love and delight : there is none that liveth without these : The skill is , 1. Of Love and Delight . That we set them on right ob●ects ; as God . Psal. 37. and b b C●los 3. ● . heavenly things ; so they cannot fall into excesse ; and goodnesse , so shall they make us good and happy .

2. That we pervert not the order : we must no● love , or delight in any thing , before God : let him be our 〈◊〉 and cheife love and delight , and we shall be happy in all that is subordinate .

3. That no inferiour love or delight draw as away from Gods love : there is a time , place , and measure , for secular delights , so far as they are subordinate to God , make us more fit for his service , and administer occasion and matter of thankfulnesse to him : if otherwise ( if God love us ) he will take that away from us , which else would take us from him , a necessary rule for them to consider , who too impatiently beare the losse of that they much loved or delighted in .

4. That we neither love nor delight in any worldly thing , otherwise then to hold it with a loose hand , contented to part with it when God pleaseth to take it back again : it was Jobs resolution , c c Iob. 1. 21. the Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away , and blessed be the name of the Lord .

Concerning joy , §. 11. Of Ioy &c. rejoycing and mirth , the rules are , that 1. God would not have us disconsolate , but d d Psal. 5. 11. to rejoyce and be cheerfull in him evermore . Psal. 13. 5 Dedolency , Psal. 32. 11. melancholy , Psal. 3● . 1. dejectednesse , Psal. 68. 3. worldly sorrow , Psal. 105. 3. Rom. 12. ●5 . bitternesse of spirit , Phil. 3. 1. and secret repining against Gods providence : Phil. 4 4. ● . are dangerous symtomes Thes. 5 16 of unbeleefe : for if being e e Rom. 5. 1. Rom. 14. 17. justified by faith , we have peace of conscience , and cheerfull accesse to God through Christ , there will be joy in the holy Ghost : we shall rejoyce in hope , I and glory in our tribulations , being confident of a blessed issue thereof .

2. Joy and rejoycing in God , and things divine and spirituall is secure and happy : the end of worldly rejoycing , is many times in sodaine and unexpected sorrow : such was f f Dan 5. 1. &c. 5. 6. Belshazzars Feast with a thousand of his Princes , within the achme of joy , changed into sudaine astonishment , at the sight of that dreadfull hand , writing his doome upon the Palace Wall : secular joy entertaineth deluded men , as that old g g 1. King . 13. 11. &c. 22. lying Prophet of Bethel did the man of God , first feeding , then aff●icting with the sad intimation of ensuing destruction . Acquaint thy self with true good , that thou maist rejoyce securely . h h Temporalibus gaudent , qui bona aeterna non norunt de siderare . Aug. in ● s. 52. They most delight in secular things , who least know eternall .

3. Let not thy heart be too much carryed away with any secular joy , they that are over merry and joyfull in prosperity , are too much broken and dejected in adversity : for both extreames proceeds from impotency of mind , to manage the end , and beare the other .

4. In every rejoycing look with a i i Ex. 15. 2 , Iud. 5. 1. 2. 2. Chron. 20. 27 28. thankfull heart on the Lord that gave it , and with a prudent , on that which may quickly ( once must certainly ) take all this merry Scene away : tast thy joy as the Israelites did their Passe-over , k k 12. 8. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 super amaritudines Ar. Montan. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chal. with sowre hearbes , and prepared to be gone . Let the thought of sorrow season all thy mirth , le●t a sodaine surprisall astonish and overcome thee : foreseene dangers least hurt the wise .

5. Keep innocency and a good Conscience : these shall comfort thee ( as l l Gen. 5. 29. Lamech said of his Noah ) concerning thy labour and sorrow : m m Prov 15. 15. all the dayes of the afflicted are evill , but he that is of a merry heart ( that is a good conscience ) hath a continuall feast .

6. Wicked mirth , Sardonick laughter , and foolish jesting , as they demonstrate much levity , so doe they dangerous uncomposednesse , vanity and weaknesse of mind ; in such laughing the heart is n n Prov. 14. 13. sorrowfull ; and the end of that mir●h is heavinesse — o o Eccl. 2. 1. ● . hold this also is vanity saith Solomon : The heart of the wise is in p p Eccl. 7. 6. the house of mourning : but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth : we read of q q Luk. 19. 41. Ioh. 11. 35. Heb. 5. 7. Christ's weeping often , never of his laughter : 't is a rare government of the mind to be merry and wise ; wherein a prudent cheerefulnesse commendeth mirth well regulated in an holy thankfull use of that we enjoy , as r r Eccl. 8. 15. the best of things meerely secular . To imitate the austerity of Cato , or the sullen Crassus ( who is said to have laughed but s s M. Crassum semel in vit● & risisse scribi● Lucil 〈◊〉 Hieron l ● . ep. 20. Demetriadi . once in his life ) to be an ever-weeping Heraclite , or a Democritus ever laughing , is to run into vaine and unsafe extreams : of the two , teares better become : much laughter is a symtome of folly in the heart and forgetfulnesse , or ignorance of the state of this changable life : and indeed vaine pleasure is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉 . ad baptis ib. Basil. devils hook drawing to destruction : the mother of sinne ; the nurse of the never dying worme : and therefore as they say oile killeth the insecta , but vinegre restoreth them againe ▪ so joy and pleasure destroy incautious sinners ; whom sharp afflictions bring to themselves againe , ●o that they doe at last understand that it is u u Psal 119. good for them that they have been in trouble ; and healing sorrow .

7. Never make another mans sorrow thy joy : this is odious to God ( who req●ireth holy w w Rom. 12. 15. sympathy in his sonnes ) and seldome escapeth su●h revenge as pointeth out the sinne .

8. It is a point of wisdome to mark thy joy : it is an excellent gage of thy heart , otherwise x x Ier. 〈◊〉 very deceitfull an ●●ard to be known : if thou re●oyce in evill , certainly thy heart is such : if in good , then a secret power and spirit of sancti●y ruleth there . Look how th● things of Musicall Instruments untouched , doe move and sound at the striking of other like strings sounding true unison with them : so doe the heart-strings , at that externall thing , with which it inwardly consenteth the carnall heart rejoyceth at the obscenity , which vexeth the righteous Lot , the holy are cheerfull and rejoyee , ( like the y y Math 1● . 〈…〉 wise Merchant ) when they finde the treasure of God● inestimable mercy opened to them in the Gospell , and goe away thence rejoycing with that happy Conver● . Act. 8. 39. while he that hath no interest therein , 〈◊〉 numbring the minutes , thinks every Sermon long , goeth away either a● Ahab , 〈…〉 with indignation , or with the ● Young rich man with sorrow .

9. In sorrowes are also dangerous perturbations of the mind , and there is as much use of prudent rules herein , as of a ●●der in the forme thereof . 1. In every sorrow search in thy heart for the cause . a a Lam 39. 40. 4● . werefore is the living man sorrowfull ? man suffereth for his sinne . Let us search ●nd by our wayes , and turn● againe unto the ●ord — it is vaine to seek any case of sorrowes without this : all other lenitives , are as draughts of cold water in a Hectick ●itt ; more enflaming : like b b r● Sam. 16. 23. 1. Sam. 18. 10. 11. Davids Harpe to a moody Saul , the vexing spirit returneth 〈◊〉 greater violence .

2. Set thy sorrow on a right object , that is sinne : it is 〈◊〉 common errour and danger of secular men ; they can be sorry for the losse which indeed cannot hurt them , but delighted in sinne which wounded the soule , and maketh them unhappy . We many times greive for that , at which we should rejoyce : her●in consider , first the word of God which saith — c c Rom. ● . 28. all things work together for good unto them that love God , and d d Heb. 1● . 6. 〈◊〉 . whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth — Secondly consider the work of God chastening — it bringeth the quiet e e Heb. 12. 11. fruit of righteousnesse , unto them which are there●y exercised — we are impatient and cry as men under the Chirurgians hands , when he useth the Lanc●t , or Cauterie to cure us David said , f f Psal. 38 8. I roared for the very greife of my heart : yet in the issue con●essed . g g Psal. 119. 71 ▪ ib. v. 6. ● . It is good for me that I have been afflicted — before I was afflicted , I went astray : but now I keep thy word .

3. Give not over thy heart to excessive sorrow : there is a h h 2. Cor. 7. ●0 worldly sorrow to death : and a sorrow to repentance not to be repented of : that like the immoderate overflowings of i i Si duodec●●● cubita non ex●cessit ▪ same 's certo est . nec minus si , is ●x superavit &c Plin. nat. hist l. 18. ● . 1● Mystae prohibent veso● Corde , doce●tes nonoporte●e animum mordere & exedere socordia & dolore Clem. Alex and strom . l. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 i. e. animan angoribus non excruciandam laert . l. 8. Pith●g . Nilus is a fore-runner of dangerous sterility .

4. Prepare thy selfe for sad encounters : Ships are built to endure stormes and growen Seas ; and prudent minds are composed to endure , and make good use of sorrows .

5. Let every sorrow awaken thy minde to fly to Go● through Christ : and afflictions shall be but like a raine which fell on the Ar●e : the more it powred down , the more this was listed up : or like k k Exod. 14. 21. 22. Moses rodd , to open a way through the brinie floods to our promised rest .

1. Anger , Malice , and Envy , doe marvelously discompose the mind . Anger is an appetite of punishing , for injury received , or conceived : the proceed of anger is malice , §. III. which is inveterate anger : the fruit Ipsam iram nihil aliudesse quam ulcis●●ndi libidinem , vetere● desin●erunt &c. revenge , at least a desire thereof , when being strengthlesse it becomes vaine : the adjuncts are hatred ( which is a kind of loathing that which we dislike , as we do all with which we are angry ) and envy : for we think every thing which hath the least shew of good , August de C. De●l , 14 , c , 15 , too much for them whom our anger presenteth unto us as evill .

2. Anger is an amarulency , embitt●ring the soule : a turbulent passion in it , usurped power , 〈◊〉 the soveraignty of right reason : mother of revenge , nurse of mischeife : all-dest●oying discords bellowes : the soules tyrant , councels enemy : seed of malice : abettour of tumults , rebellions ravages and slaughters , spirituall fire kindled in hell ; in it rage , a prodromus of wast , ruine , and desolation : companions of misery and the soules precipice . This affection is of so high concernment , that some n n Basil. hom. de Ira , Tom 1 good and o o Seneca , &c Plutarch , & ● , prudent men have bestowed whole Tracts hereon : I being resolved for present , only to consider the government of the minde and thoughts in relation to God's service , shall content my self to propose , first two conclusions necessary to be known , and then certain rules of practice for the better ordering the minde herein .

3. There is an impious and foolish anger ; Conclus. 1. whereof Christ said , p p Mat●h , 5 , 22 ▪ Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause , shall be in danger of the Judgement : and the Apostle , Coloss. 3. 8. But now put off all these , anger , wrath , malice , &c. It is indeed a q q Galat. 5 , 20 fruit of the flesh : cruell and heavy : r r Pro. 27. 3 , 4 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty , but a fooles wrath is heavier then them both : wrath is cruell , and anger outragious ; it appeared so in s s Gen. 4 , 5 Cain : An t t Pr● . 29 , 22 angry man ( saith Solomon ) stirreth up strife , and a furious man aboundeth in transgression : and , as u u Job 5. 7. Eliphaz said , Wrath killeth the foolish man : it is the soules calenture , and great distemper , as we shall see more in it's place .

There is a good anger ; Conclus. 2. such as was in w w Exo. 16. 20 Moses , x x Num. 25. 7. Num. 16. 15 Thinees , y y Nehem 5. 6 Nehemiah , and Christ himself : without this ( as I n●ted ) there can be no zeale : Stoicall apathie agreeth not with true religion : looke what a Bee is without a sting , such a d●one is a man z z Mentem non habere , qui non habet ●ra● , l. lemn . de occult . which cannot or will not be angry . Some anger there must be , the holy Ghost saying , a a Ephes 4 ●●aque . ha●●●psam iram fomi●em dicunt esse vir●utis — Lact. l. 6. c. 19. na● si omnino prohiberet ira● sci●ipse quodamodo 〈◊〉 opificii sui fuisset , &c. ib ▪ Lactan , de ●ra Dei cap. 21. Be angry , but s●nne not . There is such use of this soules fire , that the inward house cannot subsist without it : the skill is to use it well . It must be as the fire wherewith the sacrifice was to be offered , onely that which cometh from heaven , which wee may know by these three marks ; first , it is incensed only against sinne , and that which any way displeaseth God , and hindereth his service . Secondly , it breaketh out on certaine known causes , and occasions only : so is it not unadvised . Thirdly , it goeth ( like that burning lamp between the pieces of b b Gen. 15. 17. Abraham's divided sacrifice ) c c Sic culpam tuam insequor , ut te diligam : sic personam diligo , ut culp●● vitium non amplectar , Greg. Venantio , ep. 33 lib. 1. between the person and the offence , distinguishing them so , as that we love the one and hate the other . So being without bitternesse , it must be good which opposeth evill : but it is sinne , not to be angry with sinne . This affection is an excellent servant to the minde , making the faculties thereof active . It is Fortitudes incentive , and zeal's naturall heat : modestie's centinell , and temperances guardian , by an excellent allay of beguiling pleasure , contracting the dilated heart and minde ( exposed thereby to dangerous temptations ) with some unpleasing but profitable austeritie .

4. The rules hereto appertaining are

1. In every apprehension of injury , looke up to God : as David said , d d 2 Sam. 16. 1● Let him curse , for ( happily ) the Lord hath bidden him : consider if thou hast not offended him , so that he stirreth thee up enemies ; and first make thy peace with him .

2. Thinke not thy selfe competent for greater matters , or others inferiour to thee : that pride is e e Basil. de Ira like tinder in the heart , of every sparke apt to foment indignation , and kindle angers fire .

3. Be ever composed rather to f f Accipere , qu●m facere praestat iniuriam , Cic. Tuse q. l. 5 beare injury , then to doe or retaliate it : it is grievous to suffer ; but very dangerous to doe injury , or to requite it : seeing God saith , g g Deut. 32. ●5 Vengeance is mine .

4. Make a right use of all injuries , let them be so many h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Basil. de . lra exercises to thy wisedome , meeknesse and patience : and thine enemy shall do thee good : so that thou maist say that truely , which i i Plutarch● . Demost●● . Demosthenes affirmed but ironically ( when they caused him to be banished ) Thou hast so courteous enemies , that it is hard for thee to ●inde any where so good friends .

5. Set it upon sin , be angry with evill : k k Exod. 32. 19 Moses , the meekest man , was so angry with the Idolaters , that he put many of them to the sword . l l Basil ▪ q. supr . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Basil compareth this anger to a dogge which will barke at strangers , and chase away wolves and other such evills , but fawne on his master .

6. Let not anger continue lest it become malice : m m Eph. 4 2● . Let not the Sunne goe downe upon your wrath , neither give place to the devill : as he doth who sleepeth with his anger , which is the devils anvill on which he forgeth many mischiefes : when wee compose our selves to rest , wee will secure our tire , but more carelesse of our precious soules , we trust this fire of hell into our bosomes , yet know not whether once clos●ing our eies , wee shall ever open them in this world againe , or have any time to agree with our adversary , before we appeare before the Judge .

7. Act n n Di●●er tempus furoris ▪ cum tran●uilla men● fuerit , quod place●●vindica , Greg Tip , 51 l ●● nothing in furious anger : first master thy sel●e : as thou wouldst not p●t to sea in a storme but expect fairer weather : so in anger , o o Temp●● moram per●urba●ioni animi inijcit , & cunctationem quae motum mitiget — ut per nebulam corpora , sic 〈◊〉 ●ram res videntur miaores , Plutarch . de Ira coh●b . expect calmed affecions : a hasty man can never want woe : Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry , Eccles. 7. 9. A fooles wrath is presently known , Prov. 12. 16. He● that is slow to anger appeaseth strife , Prov ▪ 15. 18. therefore the Apostle adviseth , that wee should be slow to speak , slow to wrath , James 1. 19. It was that advice which the Philosopher gave Caesar , When you are angry , answer not , untill you have first repeated the letters of the Alphabet : so the choler being a little digested , his judgement , might be recollected , whose sudden excussion out of it's seat by passion , leaveth a man an incompetent judge ; because 't is naturall to think them evill whom we hate . Therefore the women appealed from Caesar angry , to Caesar appeased . p p Cic. Tus● , ● . l. 4. Pythagoras 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ D. 〈…〉 lib. 8. Architas considered this , when he said to his offending servan● , 'T is well for you that I am angry : and Socrates , who in like case said , I would beat thee but that I am angry . Other passions , in extreams , discompose the minde , but anger q q 〈…〉 precipitateth it : to be a master of other a●●ections sheweth him very moderate , but to overcome his anger , wise : in no passion doe wee more loose our friends , our advantages , our judgment , our selves ; nor more advantage enemies , then in anger . Hee is a foole that can be angry at nothing ; and he wise who will not at every thing : It is no lesse vertue to overcome thy selfe , then the fiercest lion : I had rather be meek Moses , then strong Sampson . Hee that hath overcome his anger , hath conquered a dangerous enemy .

8. Allay and r r Quotient ira animum invadi● , mentem edoma : vince ●eipsum — ira enim in vindicta malorum sequ● debetrationem animi , non praeire : & quasi ancilla ●ustitiae , post te●gum veniat . Et non lasciva ante faciem prorumpat . Greg. ep 51. l. 8. Ira quippe etiam cum delinquentium culpas exequitur , non debet menti quasi dominae praeire : sed post rationis tergum velu● ancilla famulari . ib. l , 7. ep. 126. Nech . overcome thine anger with reason , that following it in due revenge , it may be Justice handmaid , not it's mistris . Consider the dangerous effects thereof : it is s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — Basil ● sup. hom. de Ira. Quid est enim al●ud irasci qu●m insanire ? Arnob. adveis . Gent. l. ● . a short madnesse , differing from it little more then in time . It distorts the countenance , precipitates the minde , and so disturbeth reason , that , for the time , it turneth man to beast : hence the unguarded mouthes , unbridled tongues , reproaches , calumnies , contumelies , conflicts , all fruits of fury spring : this whets the sword , breaks the sacred bands of Nature and Religion , making men butchers of men . Look how some sudden deluge over-●unnes the verdant ●ields , overthrowing the husbandmans most flourishing hopes , — sata laeta , ●oumque labores : so rusheth the impetuous flood of anger into the minde , covering dangerously for the time , if not drowning , the fairest plants of vertue , wisdome and temperance , under that bitternesse of minde , and breathing of revenge , leaving neither venerable age , tender youth , alliance , nor any thing sacred or unspared . It depriveth thee of counsell , rendreth thee troublesom to thy friends , exposeth thee to thine enemies , and maketh ▪ thee a fruitlesse teacher , when patience and mildenesse wonld leave better impression and root then the best Precepts sowed in stormes : it maketh thee an unjust Judge , who correctest thy childe , or servants fault with a greater fault of thine owne intemperance : t t Salust . Jug . Cupidine atque ira pessimis consultoribus . desire and anger are the worst counsellers : it not only distrubeth the soule , but deformeth the outword man : could the angry man but see himself , what change that passion worketh in his countenance ( as much altered from it's native beauty , as is the face of the thundering skie , from the lovely serene , or the enraged sea from the calm ) he could not possibly like that distemper : therefore u u P●ato adhortatus est ira●os ut sese in specu●o identide● spect ●●nt l. ●v . Lemn . de occult . nat ▪ miracl . l. 2. Plato advised his Scholars , when they were angry to looke into a glasse : if ever the odious spirit of Satan look out of the windowes of mans face : 't is in his exorbitant anger : what deformity worketh it in the divine soule , obvious to the eies of God ? what disadvantage ? as those dogges of the profane w w — Iusse●unt Eucharistiam ●ani●us sundi , non sine signo divini Iudicii : na● iidem ca●res accensi rabie , ipsos dominos suos quasi l●●●rones , sancti corporis veos , dente vindice , ●anquamign●●●os & inimi●os laniave : runt , Optatus advers. Parm. l. 2. Donatists , ( whom they fed with the bread of the holy Eucharist ) not without an evident signe of God's justice , enflamed with raging madnesse fell upon their owne masters , as strangers and enemies , and did teare them with revenging teeth : so cometh it oft to passe , that impious anger x x Ira in●umeros pere●it antequam ulciscerentur , Plutar , de Ira cohib . , destroyeth the angry . Hee that can by right reason bridle his anger , hath great advantage , First , in point of paci●ication : y y Prov. 15. 1 ▪ Vt ignem extinguit quum materiam ei non suggerit , ita itam ▪ &c. Plut. de ●ra cohibend● Prov. 25 : 15. A soft answer turneth away wrath : secondly , in respect of victory ; for the patient man en●lineth the prudent witnesses to his party : so that thou shalt more foil the violent with meeknesse , then retaliation of injuries and contumelies : in which sense it is true , a soft tongue breaketh the bone : next thy z z Iratus adversum servos ●ui , tanquam impunitate deteriores ●uturos : verò tamen — perspexi , quòd praestaret eos indulgentiâ peiores feri quàm saevitiâ & furore ali●rum corrigendoram causâ meipsum perverti . Plut. q. sup● . counsell better recovereth it seat by thy forbearance , and thou loosest nothing of thy interest , by delaying that which thou must once say , or doe : to conclude in thy most just causes of anger , remember what God beareth with thee : be not like that evill servant , who having found much mercy would shew none , lest thy judgement be like his . Matth. 18. 34.

5. Malice , is the venome of the old dragon , Satans bitter influence on the wicked , and his lively imag● in them . The fire of hell breaking out on the men of this world : mother of revenge and malefices : symptome of an unregenerate heart , Tit. 3. 3. affection of a reprobate minde , Rom. 1. 29. he devill 's leaven ( which must be a a 1 Cor 5 8. 1 Cor. 14. 20. Mat. 18. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 1. purged out of all those who will communicate with Christ our Passover ) fuell of God's anger , Colos. 3. 6 , 8. and obstruction to his free mercy ▪ who cannot justifie the malicious , because hee is just and true who said , b b Mat. 6. 15. If yee forgive not men their trespasses , neither will your father forgive you — and because it is wholly c c 1 Iohn 4. 20 incompatible with the love of God , so that it is impossible at once to love God , and malice thy brother . Concerning it I need set down none other rule but this : if malice be in thy heart , leave all pretences , and presently cast it out , if ever thou meanest to enter into the kingdome of the God of love .

6. Envy : is a d d Parum ●licui est , ●i ipse sit felix , nisi alter fuerit in felix , Salv. de Gub. Dei l. 5. Invidia est dolor de proximi prosperitate , Basil. hom. de Invid . griefe for others prosperity or good : an evill and perturbation of the minde , so odious , that to bring it to view , is motive sufficient to make us loath and shunne it : it is a e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Basil. ibid. vide supra c 17. §. 2 , 3 , 4. tare of the wicked ones sowing ; earnest of divine ultion and punishment , impediment to piety , way to hell , and barre to the kingdome of heaven : it is a pernicious attendant to prosperity : a vanity and vexation of spirit , Eccles. 4. 4. a fruit of unregeneration , Rom. 1. 29. daughter of self-love and pride , result of f f 1 Cor 3. 3. carnal mindes , g g Gal ▪ 5. 21. worke of the flesh , h h Tit. 3 3. obstruction of edification and i i 1 Pet ● 1 , 2. growth by the sincere milke of God's word : blashemous censure of the most high , whose judgement it disalloweth , secretly taxing and repining at his providence , who k k Dan 4. disposeth of all things in heaven and in earth , setting up and pulling down , distributing to every one according to his good pleasure . It is a l l Jam. 3. 14 , 15. ib. ver 16. devillish wisedome , companion of confusion and every evill worke : the mischievous canker which biteth the fairest buds of vertue , attempting either to cloud them with m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Greg. Naz. Orat. 19. incredulity , because the envious cannot attain thereto , or labouring to blast them with impious calumnies : I need not hereto cite the example of n n Plutarch . Eumen ▪ ib. vit. Ara●i . Antigenes and Teutamus ( conspiring against the truly noble Eumenes ) of Philips Sycophants , against Aratus : nor of Domitians envying Agricola his worth : nor Sauls envying David , Cain Abel , Rachel her sister , the Patriarches Joseph ; seeing it is manifest that Christ ▪ Jesus , in whom were all perfections , was envied . There 's nothing so little but stimulateth it : nothing so sacred or high , but this hellish furie will flie at it . Joseph'● particoloured coat awakeneth it , and it staies not till it strike at holy Jesus : the natalls hereof were in Lucifer , envying God his monarchie , and ambitious to share in his Soveraignty . The natural historians tell of some o o Gens Marsorum serpentibus illaesa , Sol. Polyhist cap. 8. Plut. Hannib . countries free from Serpents , but who can tell mee of any free from envy ? 't is the common plague which haunts the court , like those croping plagues of Egypt , not sparing Pharoah's owne bed ; and it filleth the country with false eies , making our p p ●ertilior seges est alieni● , &c. neighbours fields seem more fruitfull then our own : 't is a monster ( God made it not ) born of other affections depravation , as anger , feare , jealousie , selfe-love , which causeth indignation if another attain any good ; envy thinks all the would too little for it one mouth — q q Ester 5. 13 ▪ all this availeth me nothing , so long as Isee Mordecai the Jew sitting at the Kings gate — said ▪ ambitious Haman in his envy . And againe , r r Ester 6. 6. To whom would the King delight to do honour more then to my selfe ?

If any want arguments to diswade him from envy , let him consider

1. That envy hurteth the envious most . There is no s s Invidiâ Siculi non inven● ; re tyrann● worse torment invented by tyrants : nothing more unjust , nothing more just : the serpents poison hurteth not himself : but envy is Tormentum maius — Horat. O invidia primum mord●x tui , Hier , lib. 1. ●p. ● 5. worst to the envious : as the u u Chrysost. ut tinea corrodit vestimentum , sic invidia eum qui zelatur . moth ●ateth the garment that breedeth it ; and as the w w 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Basil. Hom. de Invid . rust of iron , so envy the minde that hath it . It is more miserable then any other ; for it is afflicted not only with it own sorrow , but also for others joy : what ever is good to others is a torment to him : another mans store is the envions mans want : another mans health his sicknesse : anothers praises his reputed ▪ dishonour .

2. Other x x Ira defer . vescit — odium finem habet , invidia nunquam quiescit , Card. lib. 2. de sap. citat Burt. Ano● . of m●l ▪ part 1. l ▪ 2 ▪ sinnes had some remission , anger will spend it self in time , hatred hath some end ; but envy never ceaseth ; y y Leones obs●quio tractabiles siunt , &c. Basil. q. supr. ib. Basil. fierce lions are tamed and become tractable , but the envious grow worse and worse . The more good Christ did the Jewes , curing their sick , healing their infirme , and bestowing the word of life on them , the more destructively did they envy him .

3. It is the canker that blasteth friendship : z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Clem. Alex. Strom. l. 5. the corruption of life , plague of nature : the devill 's incentive to rebellion , who because he could not in his malice hurt God , assailed man : it instigated Cain to murder Abel ; and the Jews to crucifie the Saviour of the world .

4. It hath irrational effects : it would stop up the fountaines and vaile the sunne-beames : it regardeth neither bonds of nature , civility or religion : Rachel envied her sister ( Gen. 30. 1. ) Jacobs sonnes their brother Joseph ( Gen. 37. 11. ) the Jewes the very preaching and hearing the Gosp●l ( Acts 13. 45. ) It is the rottennesse of the bones ( Prov. 14 30. ) it slaieth the silly ( Job . 5. 2. ) it excludeth from heaven . ( what should envy doe where there is nothing but love and rejoycing in each others happinesse ? )

5. It is a perverse distemper of a sick minde , making the envious looke on any good of others as it were with a a In●itum mortalibus à naturâ recentem felicitatem aegris oc●● ▪ 〈◊〉 intueri . Tacit. l. 2. hist. sore eies , grieved with seeing . It delighteth immens miseries , as the flies feed themselves on others sores ; so the envious please themselves with discoursing of other mens faults b b See Prov. 17. 5. or afflictions : to the setting out whereof they will sometimes personate the mercifull , as if they spake thereof onely in pity , when 't is to vent their malice ; sometimes the just , then will they seem zealous of Lawes , and due punishment of delinquents , when indeed they but turn judgment into wormwood , and kill or robbe by lawes , who durst no● with the sword or open violence : sometimes they will assume the most holy protenoes , appearing like that Endor de●ill in the holy Prophets mantle , doing some things externally good , that they may thereby achieve some greater evill : so the false Apostles preached Christ of meere envy to Paul , that they might thereby c c Phil. 1. 15 , 16. adde more affliction to his bands .

6. It is at best but a fruit of the flesh , Gal. 5. 21. meere folly , Tit. 3. 3. devillish , sensuall , earthly , Jam. 3. 14 , 15. a dangerous signe of a reprobate minde d d Sicut nos Deo iungit charitas : à Deo invidia sic seiungit , Pet. Chrysol . serm . 4. given up to destruction , Rom. 1. 28 , 29. the most that envy can doe toward it owne satisfaction , is but to grieve where others joy , and possibly to hurt temporally , with it own eternall destruction of body and soule : it is no better then e e oestrum impuri spiritus , Nazian. Invidia aliena est à Deo , Ir● . l. 5. c. 3. the spirit of Satan in the envious .

7. This mischiefe sometimes obrepeth on the incautious good men : f f Num. 11. 28 , 29. Joshua envied for Moses sake . David confesseth , My ●eet ( saith he ) were almost gone — for I was envious at the foolish , g g Psal. 37. 2. when I saw the prosperity of the wicked , &c. h h Ier. 12. 1 ▪ Jeremie and i i Hab. 1. 13. Habakkuk were a little infected with this contagion , which the Scripture remembreth , to admonish the best of men to beware of this mischiefe which endangered such men .

8. The acts thereof are unconsistent with right reason , if we respect the supreme giver of that which stimulateth envy ; ( for how irrationall a presumption is it in man to controle the providence of God ? k k Gen. 48. 10 , 17 , 19. If Jacob dim-eyed for age , would not permit his deare Joseph to change the imposition of his hands , or to transpose the blessing at his pleasure , how much lesse will the all-seeing God permit the envious man to alter his hands ? ) if wee respect the quality of the envied , ( for , is he evill whom thou enviest ? it were good reason thou shouldst pity him , because his sinne makes him more wretched then all the world could doe ; is hee good ? how evill must thou be , who caunt envy the happinesse of any good man ? ) or if wee respect the effect of envy , which is hurtfull onely to the envious , as I have noted .

For Antidotes against this venome :

1. Put on Christ , and be sure thou shalt put off envy : it is the Apostle's rule , Rule . l l Rom. 13. 13 , 14. Let us walke honestly as in the day — not in strife and envying , but put yee on the Lord Jesus Christ , and make not provision for the flesh , to fulfill the lusts thereof : put on Christ by an holy imitation of him : hee m m Mat. 11. 29. was meek and lowly in heart , and therefore envied no man ; ( the meek n n Num. 11. Moses was so free from ambition and pride , that hee reproved those that envied for his sake , and wisht that all God's people could prophesie , and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them ) Christ loved all respectively : love o o 1 Cor. 13. 4. envieth not . If we love for God's sake , we shall never be grieved for any blessings , which he bestoweth , but wish them greater ; we shall neither undervalue others , nor over-rate our selves , as the envious doe .

2. Learne in God's schoole ; there 's the best cure of envy : it was a thing which troubled David to understand it , p p Psal. 73. 16 , 17. Vntill ( saith he ) I went into the Sanctuary of God . Here thou art taught not to value secular things too much ; to consider his hand which setteth up and pulleth downe ; to referre all thy desires to the advance of his glory : to acknowledge the favours which he hath conferred on thee by Christ , better then a thousand worlds ; which thoughts can leave no place for envy .

3. Consider the end of those thou enviest : David found in the Sanctuary that his enemies were not to be envied : Surely ( said he ) q q Psal 73. 1● . thou didst set them in slippery places : thou castedst them down into destruction — remember how God mixeth bitter and sweet to all men in this life : this man hath great riches ? but neither childe to enjoy it , nor heart to use it ; this man is healthy in body , with a sick soule : this man thrives , and layeth up wealth , but with such a conscience , as that the poorest saint is incomparably more happy : another man riseth in honours ? it may be only to greaten his fall : another is many waies prosperous to the world-ward ? but as the moon is then most darke toward heaven , when shee is most light toward the earth , and contrariwise , so is it commonly with men : the more gloriously they shine to us , the more despicable they are to God , who layeth up such terrible judgements for them , that r r Luke 16. 15 a soule in hell is as proper an object of envy , as these glittering epuloe's who are hasting thither .

4. Ever remember that wee are brethren : members of one body whereof Christ is the head : therefore wee must withall meeknesse s s Ephes. 4. 2 , 3 support one another through love , and mutually rejoice at each others good , and so cast away the works of darknesse , strife , and envy .

7. Impatience , is a sicknesse of the mind proceeding from severall causes , indignation , anger , envy , ( so Caine to Hamon were impatient ) sorrow , apprehension of injuries , affliction , deluded hopes , and the like . as the diseased body can neither indure heat nor cold , so neither can an impatient and discontented minde comply with prosperity or adversity : every present estate disliketh it , because it cannot make good use of any : it is not only a sinne , but a punishment of the sinne of ingratitude to God . therefore God threatned to send them trembling hearts , sorrow of minde , pendulous thoughts , and feare ; t t Deut. 28. 65 , 66. In the morning thou shalt say , would God it were even : and at even thou shalt say , would God it were morning . sick of this wayward distemper was he , who being at u u Romae Tybur amo , &c. Rome liked Tybur best , at Tybur Rome . The sick man changeth roomes and beds , as the wounded Hart goeth from brake , to brake , but cannot find ease in any , because he carrieth that messenger of death , the fatall Arrow in his side : so doe impatient malecontents change , between dislike of present , and vaine hopes of future : but * * Caelum non ani●ium , &c. he changeth the aire not his minde , who only goeth beyond Sea : where ever thou goest thou findest thy selfe , in whom as the evill is ( not in the externall condition ) so must it be cured , so must the remedy be ▪ as small matters distemper not a man in good health , x x Vt aegrum corpus quassari etiam levibus solet of●ensis , ita● animus eius angustus &c. Am. Marcellin . l. 14. de Constantio . Phil 4. 11. the least thing will , the sick : he will rest any where : but the sick in a bed of Gold or Wood , in the Pallace , o● cottage , is alike restlesse : so is it here : a sound mind will rest contented in any estate : I have learned ( said Paul ) in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content . and that very minde , is health to the sick , enlargment to the Prisoner , and better then a Kingdome to the possessour . the sick mind is troubled , and discomposed with every trifle . y y Io●● 4. 9. I doe well ( said pettish Jonah ) to be angry even unto death . 't was but for , a poore Gourd , when many a thousand lives at stake troubled him not .

The way to cure , is not by change of any thing externall , but by cleering the mende , of the malignant perturbations which disaffect it , and to strengthen it by a right information of the understanding , and rectifying the distempered affections , untill the mind enjoy a calme of patience .

Patience is afflictions cordiall , despares antidote , Daughter and z z Rom. 8. 25. Rom. 15 ▪ 4. Nurse of hope : the a a Rev. 1. 9. Rev. 2. 2. 3. Rev 3 10. Saints share with Christ . the way to the inheritance , and Heb. 12. 1. The proceed of confidence . Jam. 1. 3. Heb. 6. 12. The operatory of perfection . Jam. 1. 4. The seale of salvation . 2. Pet. 1. 10. Symptome of Faith and Hope in Christ . 1. Thes. 1. 3. 2. Thes. 1. 4. Patience is an b b Patient a est malorum , qu●e aut inferuntur , a●t accidunt , c●m aequa●imitate perlati● . Lactant l. 5. c. 2. 3. equanimity in bearing adversity : and a fruit of charity , as it is written . the fruit of the spirit is Love , Joy , Peace , Long-suffering — Gal. 5. 22. and c c — patientia est charitatis effectu● . &c. Charity d d Quae sustentatio sui rectè patientia nominatur , quae vna v●rtus omnibus est opposita vitis & affectibus : haec perturbatam ac fluctuantem animam , ad tranqui●●itatem suam revocat : haec mitigat , haec hominem sibi reddit . Lactant. lib. 6 ▪ cap ▪ 18. suffereth long . 1 Cor. 13. 4.

Impatience is a perturbation of the mind , a selfe-fretting , tormenting bitternesse of the Soule , proceeding of impotency , or levity of minde : a secret contest with and repining at the providence of God . the shame of Rich men and vexation of the poore : the Mother of despaire , sad fury , and Asmodeus of the inward house ; every roome and recesse whereof , it disturbeth with hideous cries , like e e Isai. 13. 21. Ziim and Ohim , dolefull beasts , in the desolations of Babylon : it is a folly and sober madnesse , wherein the sick minde rejecteth all remedy , striketh at the Physitian , recrudeth , and teareth open it own wounds ; an heart-eating canker , the inward mans wolfe which devoureth that which feedeth it , the worme which biteth the Soule , which Prometheus-like , feeds the vulture which afflicteth it , delighted in that which grieves it : nor is this sicknesse peculiar to the wicked : the best men have some fitts . f f Psal. 43. 5. Davids expostulation with himselfe ( why art thou so sad ô my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within me ) declareth it : yea Christ who bare all our sorrowes without sinne , in the sense of his fathers wrath , acknowledged , that his soule was heavy to the death : and wrestling with that most sad passion , he cryed on the Crosse , my God ▪ my God , why hast thou forsaken me ? he could no otherwise feel the torments of Hell ( due to us ) in his humane soule , then by loosing the present sense of the Dei●ies assistance , which wheresoere it is , makes Heaven : he lost in that agony a present sense , not an indeficient interest : for even then he called God his God ; which sheweth a vast distance between the impatience , of desperate unrecoverable sinners , and the estate of the soule-sick holy men , who ( though like the Israëlites marching with the Egyptians into the same waters ) have there a way opened to their promised rest , where the enemy is drowned . Concerning this evill , we must know it groweth on by degrees , first in unadvised anger mixt with sorrow ( which are the seeds of impatience ) next to a dislike of every accident and estate , then to an inward murmuring : so like a Gangren it invadeth the Souls vitalls , hope , content , and cheerefull dependance on Gods providence , creeping on to violent despare : so that it concerneth a man highly , to prevent this evill by staying its beginnings ; learning to make a prudent use of every affliction , and to expell all those discomposed thoughts which any way feed it ; to practice in the whole course of life , that Saint like patience and moderation , which becometh those , who depend on the providence of God : which that thou maist doe , consider these like motives to Patience and contentednesse .

1. God commandeth it . Rom. 12. 12. 1 Thes. 5. 18. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Heb. 13. 5. Psal. 37. 7. &c. 2. Consider the disadvantages of Impatience , and the advantages of Patience , g g Senec. ep. 9. no man can be happy who doth not think himselfe so : what matter is it what thy condition is if tho● thinkest it evill ? the patient man is happy in every estate ; because God will heare him . Psalm . 40. 1. Psal. 37. 7. The patient is better then the proud in spirit . Eccles. 7. 8. The Lord will give him eternall life . Rom. 2. 7. By patience a man poss●sseth his own soule . Luke 21. 19. All affliction to him is but h h Et asperum poculum libentèr accipitur quod inte●tione saluti soffertur . Greg. l 7. ep. 25. bitter Physick , which he willingly swalloweth , because 't is given to cure him , and to bring him the quiet fruits of righteousnesse . Heb. 32. Herewith Godlinesse is great gaine . I Tim. 6. 6. Patience i i Novit enim patientia levigare quod grave est , & constantia superare quod saevit . ib. ep. 25. maketh a burthen lighter , and therein defeateth the malicious adversary , k k Fructus laedentis est in dolore laesi . Tertul. the fruit of whose injury is the griefe and impatience of the injured . when Job bare patiently , the Devill was beaten at his own weapon . as the Balas , if it be solodged that it cannot move or shoote , bringeth the Sayling ship to rights , but otherwise foundreth her , so is it with Patience in the soule . it was a blessed victory obtained at Job's first encounter ( at which the Angells of heaven could doe no lesse then give a plaudite ) when Satan had charged him with all his machinations , and Job received all those fierce blowes on his shield of patience ; the Lord ( said he ) gave , and the Lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the Lord : the Holy Ghost thus testifieth , l l lob ▪ 1. 22. in all this Job sinned not . Happy Job to come off with that honour . and happy they who imitate that invincible patience in their sufferings . Now God heareth not the impatient ; they are evill : they are by every condition made worse , being authors of their own misery , for as much as they make their own burthens intollerable , by striving under that which no violence can cast off : they become Satans captives , serving in their fr●tfull impatience only to adorne his triumphs ; and scornes to men , who can no lesse then deride , if not loath , that morosity , and peevish waywardnesse which causeth the impatient malecontent neither to enjoy friends , nor himselfe . an example whereof we have in that mirrour of impatience Diogenes surnamed the Cynick or dogged , as in many of his actions and words , so in his reply to Alexander the Great , who gratiously asking him , if he lacked any thing , received this answer , m m Plut. vit. Alexand ▪ M. yea I doe , stand out of my light . and in that ( whether to professe himselfe a devoted servant to his own passions , or to make claime to an equall capacity , and right of contemning his friends greatnesse , as much as he slighted his poverty ) he would rather dwell in a Tubbe then expect the delayed benific●nce of him that promised to build him an Howse : certainly his impatience therein disadvantaged him .

3. Consider that secular a●●lictions cannot be long : if all the world , Men and Devills conspired to vex and in●ure thee , they could not long make thee an object of their fury and malice : as it was said , when Caesar had shut up Cato by Land and Sea , n n Senec. yet habet quâ exeat Cato : he meant by death : on much better ground standeth the Saints comfort who heareth , o o 〈◊〉 . b. 10. 37. yee have ne●d of patience , that after yee have done the will of God , yee might receive the promise : for yet a very little while , and he that shall come will come , and will not ●arry . blessed are they who with meeknesse and patient confidence expect him . be therefore patient p p Iam ▪ 5 8. stablish your hearts : for the comming of the Lord draweth nigh . heavinesse may endure for a night , but joy cometh in the morning : however the longest day must have an end , and the most tedious misery of the patient Saint shall have an happy one .

4. Consider the extent of that thou sufferest : thou art hated without cause ? thou owest q q Gratias ago De● meo quod dignus sim quem mundus o ●erit . Hieronym . l. 1 ep. 45. thanks to God for that r r Malesicum quidam me ga●riunt . 〈◊〉 ●idei servus agnosco , &c lb. conformity to his dear Son . thou art oppressed , plundered , imprisoned , banished ? but yet thou hast not resisted unto blood : thou are an enrowled Souldier under the banner of Christ ( in whom beleeving and patiently bearing tryall , thou canst not miscarry ) and dost thou startle at those charges , wherein thy life is not yet endangered ? what if the heavenly Generall chose thee out for one of the Forlorne hope of Martyrdome , and the fiery tryall ? wouldest thou decline the service ? or complaine of danger ?

5. Consider that nothing is befallen you but that which Is humane , and a condition common to many : s s Plutarch . vit. P. Aemil Paulus Aemilius well observed in his sodaine victory over Perseus , tha● there is nothing constant in this world : dost thou in the losse of some secular comfort , cry with that afflicted Church , t t ●am. 1. 12. behold , and see , if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow — if it be any comfort to have partners in woe ; consider well what thousands of others suffer : as he said , who , to comfort an embittered friend ( as they beheld a populous Citty from the howse top ) how many sad hearts , and weeping eyes , are now under these roofes ? thou art not alone in suffering .

6. Consider that many of Gods dearest children , far better then thou , suffer more then thou : u u lam 5. 11. yee have heard of the patience of Job : and therein the issue of patience : God delivered him to Satan : * * Iob 2. 6. Behold hee is in thine hand — yet all that the x x Diabolus ipse ●it praedae suae custos , &c Ambros. de poen l. 1 c. 13. Devil could doe against him , made him more happy whom God pronounced righteous : God knoweth the strength of his who giveth it . If y y 1 Sam. ●7 . 33 Saul would not have permitted David to an unequall conflict , shall wee think the Lord of hosts will give any of his deere children to adversaries or hazzards , beyond certainty of conquest ? that hee will venture thee into the lists , may assure thee , that he who cannot be deceived , knoweth thee invincible through his grace arming thee : hee looketh on thy trialls with delight , because thereto hee will proportion the reward , who loveth thee . Be not deceived , they are not wretched who suffer most ; 't is z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , lgnat . ep. ad Poly. honour to conquer with wounds : these flowers grow among sharp difficulties : skarrs are Honors characters written in the face and breast of the valiaut .

7. Consider what thou deservest , and thou shalt finde good cause to a a Ago omnipotenti Deo gratias , quò● minus a●●ligor vald● quàm mereor , Greg. lib. 4. ep . 40. blesse the Lord that afflicteth thee no more : consider what caused the evil of which thou art impatient , b b — indigna●ris te mal● ess● subiectum , quasi quicquam merear●● boni , Lact l. 3. cap. 18. as if thou deservedst no good : no man is so miserable as wicked .

8. Consider the issue of afflictions , and the end why God afflicteth thee : the Physician giveth not bitter pills , nor doth the Chirurgian use the lancet and cauterie to hurt , but to cure the disaffected ; much lesse doth God delight in thy griefe : hee maketh thee weep now to prevent eternall weeping : hee loveth not thy misery , but thy health : that hee prescribeth c c Neque enim electis suis in hac vitâ promisit gaudi● delectationis : sed ama●itudianem tribulationis , ut medicinae more per a●arum po●ulum ▪ ad dulcedin●m ae●ernae salutis redeant Greg. l. 9 ep. 39. such bitter things , that so long ; thy disease requireth it : if more gentle Physick would have cured thee , hee would not have been so grievous to thee ; if lesse , hee would sooner ease thee ; hee will not put in one dramme or scruple more then hee knoweth necessary : be patient therefore , and expect the issue . What doe not patients endure d d Vides quanta homines● patiantur sub medicorum ma●ibus spem incertam homini promi●tentium — subdit membra , l●gati se patitur , &c. cui promisit Deus a●iquid & s●fe●lit ? August . in Psal. 85. under Physicians hands , promising uncertain help ? how much rather ought we to subject our selves to God ? when did he faile of his promise ? I but , saiest thou , I cry to him for help , and he heareth not . It is Gods mercy e e Aegrotum non exaudi vit medicu● ad voluntatem , qui exaudi vit ad so utem , Aug. in Ps. 90 not to hear thee according to thy will , that hee may doe that which is for thy salvation : so good Physicians deale with their patients : seeing then f f Calamitas saepiùs dis●iplina virtutis fuit , Minuc . Fel. Octav. Nauseabit ad ●ntido●um qui hiavit ad venenum , Tert. de Pat. calamity is often the discipline of vertue : shall he be queazy stomacht to the antidote who greedily swallowed the poison ?

9. All impatience hath it natals in the devill , who laboureth by all meanes to embitter the soule of man , and to pl●nge him into despaire , and to make him murmur at the taste of these Marahs of affliction : because hee envieth the image of God in him , and his favours to him : strive therefore to calme thy minde in every affliction : which that thou maist the better do , observe these rules :

1. Love God above all , and thou shalt not be discon●ented with any thing he doth : g g 1 Sam. 3. 18 It is the Lord ( said Eli ) let him doe what seemeth him good . When wee love God aright , we will know that all his judgements are just , and what ever he layeth on us , fatherly corrections , the effects of his love and wisedome for our amendment , who therefore correcteth every son , because he would have none perish . He that loveth his pleasure , profit , ease , more then God , must needs be impatient of the loss of any of these . And love thy neighbour as thy selfe ; and a little injury shall not make thee impatient .

2. Be content with necessaries : h h 1 Tim. 6. 6 having food and raiment , let us be therewith content : what can i i — nil Divitiae pote●unt ●egales addere maius . Horat. the treasures of Princes give them more ? It was a prudent speech of that k k Plutarch . vir . Alexand , Indian King Taxiles to the invading Alexander , what should wee need ( said hee ) to fight , and make warre one with another ▪ if thou comest not to take away our water , and our necessaries by which wee must live — as for other goods if I be richer then thou ; I am ready to give thee of mine : and if I have lesse , I will not think scorn to thank thee , if thou wilt give mee some of thine . How happy were the societies of men , if all were so composed ?

3. Often and thankfully recount what God hath done , and doth for thee : foolish men , by their impatience , causing them to oversee their own happy estates , make something nothing , and blessings curses to themselves : l l Ins●pientis est potius dolere de amissis , quàm gaudere de relictis . 't is the part of a foole , rather to mourn for that he looseth , then to rejoyce for that is left him : because therein joy is better then sorrow : such mark what they have not , not what they have beyond many thousands better then they , because wiser , and more thankful . They think they must be humoured with all sweet , but nothing bitter : m m Iob. 2 10. Thou speakest as one of the foolish women ( said Job to his wife tempting him ) what shall wee receive good at the hands of God , and shall wee not receive evill ?

4. In all discontents , looke up to n n Heb. 12. 2. Jesus the author and finisher of our faith : considering what , and why he suffered : he suffered that which thou couldst not : not for himself ( he had no sinne ) but to save thee : if thou canst through faith in him , have peace with God , thou shalt not only beare , but o o Rom ▪ 5. 3. rejoice in tribulation , knowing that it worketh patience : if thou wilt keep innocency and a good conscience , therein thou shalt have admirable peace in thy minde , which shall quiet it amidst tumults of things externall : but as a city in sedition , or house in discord of the owners , cannot be happy ; so p p — animus à seipso dissi●ens , secumque dis●ordans . Cic. de fin . l. 1. neither can the minde at discord with it selfe .

5. Keep thee within the verge of thy calling , undertake not , neither propose to thy selfe things too great for thy mannaging . Overgriping thy hand , enervateth it and puteth it to fruitless pain : aiming at too ambitious leaps , breaks many an heart , where they fall short of their vaine propositions .

6. Resolve , as to use fulnesse ( if God please to give it ) to his glory ; so ( in case he restraineth ) to lessen thy minde , to live within the shell of thine own fortune , to necessity not opinion : to that a little is sufficient , to this nothing : when the Philosopher in his journey drank water with his hand , he cryed , With how few u●encills is nature content ? Many are selfetormenters , authors of their own sad discontents , by their proposing such strange fabricks of their Babels , building castles in the aire , and towers to heaven ; adding house to house , and land to land , province to province , and kingdome to kingdom ; seeking their chiefe good , in the dangerous proceeds of doubtfull adventurers , greatnesse , and a●●luence of riches : they goe farre about to finde that , which is safely and only to be found at home , in our selves in a minde contented with that it hath . It was noted of Pyr●hus that active Epirot , that Fortune made him happy enough , with good means to live peaceably at home , without any trouble , if hee could have contented himselfe , onely with the soveraignty over his own subjects : but his insatiable avarice ( which neither the sea , mountaines , unhabitable deserts , nor the confines which separate Asia from Europe , Plutarch ▪ vit , Pyr●h . could limit ) instigated him perpetually to seeke new matter of trouble to himselfe and others : which his faithfull friend Cineas did once prudently , though without effect , intimate to him ; when upon new overtures of honorable and profitable undertakings for the Tarentines , occasioned by Cineas q q Sir Walter Raleigh men●ioneth this story l. 4. c. 7. Sect. 2 ▪ quaeres , Pyrrhus had said , when we have overcome the Romans , there can neither Gre●ian nor Barbarous city in all the countrey withstand us , but we shall conquer all the rest of Italie with ease — and what shall we do then ( said Cineas ) Pyrrhus telleth him of conquering of commodious Sicily : again he demanded ; that being wone , shall our wars end ? Pyrrhus saith , the way were then broad open to attaine great conquests ; who would not afterward goe into Africk and so to Carthage ? — but when wee have all in our hands ( said Cineas ) what shall we do in the end ? we will then ( good Cineas said hee ) be quiet and take our ease , make feasts every day , and be as merry one with another , as we can possibly : Cineas having brought him to that point , said to him , My Lord , what letteh us now to be quiet and merry together , sith wee enjoy that presently without farther travell and trouble , which we will now goe seek for abroad with such sheeding of blood and so manifest danger ? and we know not whether wee ever shall attaine unto it , after we have both suffered and caused others to suffer infinite sorrows and troubles .

7. Learne a faithfull dependance on Gods providence : this ground of content the holy Ghost proposeth , r r Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousnesse , and be content with such things as yee have , for hee hath said , I will never leave thee nor for sake thee : when men too much depend on second causes they are impatient at every crosse : they would impiously prescribe God in the time , as Jehoram would 2 King . 6. 33. and rebellious Israel , Exod. 32. 1. or in the meanes , as Naman , 2 King . 5. 11. but in assurance that God will never faile us , wee patiently expect his help . In every affliction remember that God beholdeth thee , and that his providence will give the issue with the triall .

8. Often call to minde , in case of discontent for thy wants , what thou brought'st into the world , and what thou shalt carry hence : thou hast not such possessions , houses , riches , apparrell , as some have : yet no man s s Nemo tam pauper ●ivi● , quam natu● est . liveth so poor as he was born : this was it which that Exemplar of patience said in all his losses , t t Iob 1. Naked came I into this world , and naked shall I return : so Paul makes it a ground of his exhortation to contentednesse , u u 1 Tim 6. 7. Wee brought nothing into this world , and it is certain we shall carry nothing hence . Kings and Princes are cast out naked in the day of their nativity , weeping little masters of the world . The great w w Suos commonefecit , ut sibi mortuo , lineam inter●lam hastili a● pensam praeferrent , vociferante praecone , Saladinum Asiae Domitorem , ex tantis opibus nihil aliud secum ferre ▪ Dub●av . l. 14. Saladine will tell you what they carry hence ; who willed ▪ that at his funerals , one carrying a shirt or winding sheet on the point of an advanced lance , should goe before the herse and proclaim thus , Saladine , the conquerour of the East , carrieth hence with him only this of all that hee hath gotten .

9. Feed not the bitter humour of discontents , for the groweths thereof are sad and dangerous : * * Eccl. 30. 21. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . See Pro. 12. 25. & 15. 13. & 17. 22. Give not over thy minde to heavinesse , and afflict not thy selfe in thine own counsell : the gladnesse of the heart is the life of a man , and prolongeth his daies : Some mindes are like the sea , which instantly turneth sweet showers into it own bitternesse ; because they indulge to impa●●ence , pleasing themselves with that which tormenteth them : but the wise in every affliction lift up their soules to God , seeking comfort in him , and to the consideration of the life to come , where shall be y y Rev. 22. 3 ▪ no more curse 3 no more discontent , but every heart shall be filled with joy .

A Prayer against Impatience and discontent .

O Lord God , gracious and mercifull , I humbly acknowledge thy fatherly goodnesse , in measuring to me those corrections which my sinnes , daily provoking thy justice , most justly deserve : and thy abundant mercy in sparing mee , whom in thy severity , thou mightest not only have made the most miserable of all men living , but also of those afflicted souls which now suffer in the flames of hell . Lord , as thou hast in Christ shewed me this mercy , so for his sake forgive me all my sinnes , and lay no more upon me , then thou wilt make me able to beare cheerfully , neither suffer me fraile dust and earth , for any trials to fall from thee ; but give a blessed issue out of every triall : Good Father , correct me not in thine anger , neither chasten me in thy heavy displeasure , lest I perish in thy fierce wrath : let thy corrections breed in mee a true sight and loathing of all my sinnes ; a filiall feare to offend thee ; a fixed resolution to love and serve thee more carefully : to this end I humbly pray thee , give mee assurance of my justification by Christ's righteousnesse , my atonement with thee , and such peace of conscience , as the world can neither give nor take from mee , that I may love thee above all , and be truely thankeful to thee for all thy mercies temporal and eternal : proposing to my selfe and having ever in my heart the example of my Saviour , assuring me , that he that suffered such things for me , will not suffer mee to faile in any trial : Lord sanctifie mee by his good Spirit , and all my afflictions to mee by him : cast out of my soule all those sinnes and corruptions for which thou fillest me with bitterness : let the summe and height of all my ambition be , only to be thine : give mee a prudent and contented heart in every estate and condition , a faithful dependance on thy good providence , in assurance that thou who hast promised wilt never faile me nor forsake me : that in every affliction I may expect thy gracious deliverance : give me patience and meeknesse of spirit , that I may in the midst of all my troubles , finde rest to my soule in thee : let not my heart be fixed on any worldly desires , but on things which are above , where Christ my peace sitteth at thy right hand : take from mee all impatience , bitternesse of spirit , diffidence , and the secret murmuring of flesh and blood : let thy good spirit , the comforter , dwell in mee to keep and counsel me in the greatest and in the least affairs and interests , spiritual and secular , with his joyful presence , so to sweeten all those Marahs of afflictions , which thy providence shall set in my way to the promised rest , as that I may ever rejoice in thee , and in every estate live cheerfully before thee , until thou please to bring mee unto the fulnesse of eternal joies in thy blessed presence , where thou wilt wipe all teares out of mine eyes , make mee glad with the light of thy countenance , and unite me to that triumphant society of Saints and Angels which sing their Halleluiahs to thee eternally , through Jesus Christ my Lord and blessed Saviour .

Amen .

CHAP. XX.

§ . 1. Of Hope . § . 2. Of Feare . § . 3. Of Cares . § . 4. Of Iealousie .

1. §. I. HEe liveth not who hath no hope : the childe hopeth to be a man : the old man to live one yeare more : the poore man hopes for wealth , the sicke man for health : the imprisoned for liberty : the afflicted that it may be better to morrow : Hope makes the husbandman sow , the weary Palmer endure his tedious waies ; the swimmer to spread his tyred armes upon the death-threatning waves : thus hoping and suffering takes up the whole life of man .

2. But there 's great difference in hopes : there is an humane , vaine hope ; then which there is none more dangerous delusion in this world : such hope is but a a Spes incerit boninomen est Senecep . the name of an uncer●aine good : 't is a treacherous guide , leading to desperate precipices ; the minde 's ignis fatuus , dreame of waking men : it was the tempters artifice first to assaile man's innocency , with vaine hope , grounded on a lying promise : without this he could do nothing against us . First , he sheweth the forbidden fruit ; then sai●h , b b Gen. 3 , 5. in the day yee eate thereof — yee shall be as Gods — the vaine hope tooke unhappy man : so he assailed the second Adam , when he c c Matth. 4. shewed him the Kingdomes and Glory of the world : so still hee sheweth us false heavens , to precipitate us into a true hell ; suggesting vaine hopes that he might bereave us of the true : Who sinneth without some vaine hope ? whethe● the instance be in Cain's murder , Amnon's lust , Juda's treason , or Achitophel's despaire ; the sinner hoped for some other proceed of his resolutions , then he found in his acted sin . The worst hope for some good ; but all in vaine : the hope of the wicked must faile , because God's Justice cannot . Wee must expect , because reason is provident : and till Time's glasse be runne , there must be something future , all which seemeth good ( save what wee see through feare and doubting ) so d d Adeò blanda est unicui● que de se sperandi libertas . flattering a liberty of hoping for himselfe , hath every man , specially yong men , who having least acquaintance with the falshood , and constant inconstancy of the world , relying e e Memoriae minimum tribuit quisque , spei plurimun , Seneca . much on hope , and little on memory , promise themselves great things : but when the wicked sing requiems to their soules , sudden destruction is upon them by so much more terrible , by how much lesse suspected . f f Job 8. 13. Prov 10. 28. Prov. 11. ● . The hypocrite● hope shall perish — their hope shall be sorrow of minde , Job 11. ver. 20. g g Pro. 25. 19 ▪ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble , is like a broken tooth , and a sliding foot . And truely such is confidence in an evill conscience : however it may seeme to have made thee a h h Isa. 28. 15. covenant with death , and an agreement with hell , it will deceive thee . However it promise long life and strength in an arme of flesh and the vain counsells of men , raising thy hopes to high ●lights , they are but dreames of deluded men , breaking in the midst of their course , giving thy minde dangerous strapadoes , by carrying it up to cast it down from such heigth to make the fall more desperate : How often do despairing wretches wish they had never hoped , when the vaine shewes thereof , like i i Ex. 14. 25. Pharoahs chariot wheels , there fall off , where they are most deeply engaged between floods of returning miseries .

3. There is an hope k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , lust 〈◊〉 ▪ ad Graec. cohor . ex Plat. de Repub l. 1. of the righteous , which faileth not : this is a prudent expectation of future good ; the fulfilling of all God's promises in Christ for this life and that to come . This is a vertue infused into our hearts by the holy Ghost : this is in God who cannot deceive : as 't is written , l l Psal. 31. 24. Be of good courage , and hee shall strengthen your heart , all yee that hope in the Lord . God's m m Psal. 33. 18. eye is upon them : and they n n Psal. 39. 7. Psal 71 5. Psal. 42. 5. trust in him who will certainly perform his promise : and o o Psal. 146. 5. Isai. 30. 18. happy are they : the Lord p p Psal. 147. 11 taketh pleasure in them : their expectation shall be gladnesse . Prov. 10. 28. they have hope in death ▪ Prov. 14. 32. they are saved hereby . Rom. 8. 24. hopes in any creature , but hope in God maketh not ashamed , because he q q Lam. 3. 24 ▪ 25. is good to all them that trust in him : this hope is not humane or conjecturall , such as may be deceived , but divine , grounded on the infallible r r Psal. 119. 81. Psal. 130. 5. Rom. 15. 4. Word of God , who is our hope . The object of this hope is all that which God hath promised ; remission of sins , grace , glory , all things necessary for this present life , and the life to come : the instrumentall cause hereof , is justifying faith , whence it springeth , as it is written , s s Heb. 1● . 1. Faith is the substance of those things which are hoped for : the supream end , God's glory ; the subordinate , our salvation , and present comfort , and that which serveth hereto : the effect , gratitude to God , who t t 1 Pet. 1. 3. begetteth us againe to a lively hope in Christ ; sanctimony . 1 Joh. 3. 3. expulsion of servile feare ; u u Psal 56 4 , 5 dependance on God , * * Psal 43. 5. casting all our care on him : fortitude in bearing afflictions ; x x Rom. 12. 12 joy in adversity . The subject the saint of God onely : faith and hope accord in the cause : y y Ephe● . 2. 8. God's Spirit giveth both : and in the certainty : as we beleeve , so wee hope : they differ , First in that faith begetteth hope , and so in the order of nature is before hope : Secondly , faith looketh on the trueth of Gods promises ; hope on the goodnesse thereof : as faith can have nothing but infallible trueth for it object , so hope can have nothing but good : faith apprehendeth the trueth , hope patiently expecteth the fulfilling thereof : the object of this hope hath foure conditions ▪

z z Bonum futurum arduum possibile . ●● ae . q. 4. a. 10. It must be 1. Good . 2. Future . 3. Difficult . 4. Possible .

1. Good : whatsoever is not such may be an object of feare , it cannot be of this hope : now whereas there is a true good ; the object hereof ; so is there an appearing or seeming good , which being not true causeth a vaine , or impious hope : as if a man hope for ease , pleasure , riches , honours ; these are not true goods , nor of themselves good , but in their use ; the hope thereof therefore may be vaine and failing : if a man hope for revenge on his enemy ; satisfaction of his lusts , or the like : this hope is impious , and cannot but faile , or make a man unhappy in the end . but if we hope for Gods glory , our soules health , our comfort , or what else is truly good , it is true hope * * Spe● eius aeterna est , qui in creatore 〈◊〉 — considit . Hilar. 145 and shall attaine , even where it seemeth to the world to faile : as when we pray for some temporall thing , which God seeth not good to grant ( as when Christ prayed , that the cupp might passe from him ; when Moses hoped to goe into Canaan ) he was heard , and Moses not defeated of his hope ; because in both , God did that which was best , and that is ever consistent with true hope ; which prescribeth not God ; but confidently expecteth , either that which it hopeth , or something better .

2. Future . Rom. 8. 24 , 25. joy is of things present , or so presented ; as when we rejoyce in hope . Rom. 12. 12. hope maketh that present , by a prepossession of that which is to come : for hope cannot be of that which is present .

3. Diff●cult : such are all things excellent . it may be that deluded hope maketh it an easy step to heaven , and salvation : but they that doe indeed goe that way , shall find it narrow , and set with a world of difficulties : that which in truth is hard , designe and vaine hope feigne easy : but nothing truly good is such .

4. Possible : that which is impossible to carnall reason may be hoped for , because 't is possible to God : therefore a a Rom 4. 18 ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Syr in non spe : Interp. reddit absque spe . Abraham believed above hope : and we look for the resurrection of the dead : and some things which sinfull men think possible , are impossible . all things are possible to God which he will doe ; and he will doe all that he hath promised : but some things God will not do ; and so are impossible : God will not b b Tit. 1. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Syr. Interp. Deus verax . lie , nor be unjust : for that importeth impotency which is in any measure evill , in it declining from God : so that , to hope that those things which God hath said concerning secure sinners , shall not come to passe , is a vaine hope : for 't is impossible for God to be untrue . To resolve to sinne , and yet to hope for pardon , is a vaine hope , because it is impossible for God to be unjust : a severe document for presumptuous sinners , who will enjoy their lusts and pleasures , glut themselves with revenge , and yet hope when this life's scene is done , the few petitions of our epilogue shall purchase favour : no , no ; thou that with purpose to sinne prayest God to be merciful , doest in effect pray God to be unjust , and indulgent to an impenitent sinner , which being impossible , it concerneth thee to arise from sleep , and shake off all deluding and vaine hopes , that thou maist lay hold on the true and never failing ; which is the anchor of the soule , c c Q●emadmodu●● de navi quae in anchoris est , rectè dicimus quòd iam in terr● sit , adhuc tamen stuctuat , &c. sic contr● tentationes huius peregrinationis nostrae spes nostra fundata in illa civitate Hierusalem , facit nos non abripi i● saxa , Aug. in Psal 64. laying hold on the land of the living : entring in within the vaile ; ease of sorrow , griefes asswager , afflictions comforter , despaires antidote : d d 1 Thes. 5. 8. helmet of salvation : e e 2 Thessal 2. 16 , 17. bond of breaking hearts , Faith's perspective : the soules attourney , sent before to take livery and seisen of our heavenly inheritance : the Neho where we take a view of the promised rest : the faithfull spie to discover the holy land , bringing us the tastes from Escoll the fruits of the spirit , the possession which they have , who have no more and yet are rich .

4. Concerning hope , these rules must be held :

1. Prepare thy selfe hereto with the f f 1 Pet. 1. 13. loines of your minde , girded with resolution and sobriety : with purity of life : g g 1 Iohn 3. 3. For every one that hath this hope , purgeth himselfe as hee is pure . True hope , and resolution to live in any known sin , are incompatible : the holy man's hope never faileth finally : the Heathen could say , h h Seneca . Fortune hath often deserted the innocent , but good hope never .

2. i i 1 Pet. 1. 13. Hope to the end , or perfectly : the perfection of hope is perseverance : we must waite k k Rom. 8. 28. for the adoption the redemption of our body : though deferred hope l l Prov. 13. 12. make the heart sick . m m H●b. 2. 3. though it tarry , waite , for it shall surely come . what ever the tryall be , resolve with n n Iob. 13. 15. Job , though he kill me I will wait on him . we are Christ's o o Heb. 3. 6. if we hold fast the confidence & rejoycing unto the end . though through humane frailty thou sometimes feare , yet be confident : p p Psal. 56. 3. When I was afraid , I trusted in thee . feare and hope may dwell together , specially where feare of God taketh not away faiths confidence , but the security of the flesh .

3. Lay up the promises of God : therefore were they q q Rom. 15. 4. written , that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope .

4. Set not up thy rest in this world , neither trust in any thing thereof : it is but like a staffe of reed , a loose rope at Sea , a false friend forsaking in adversity : the quick-sands , on which foolish builders lay their foundation : as r r Deut. 12. 9. Moses told Israel , yee are not come to your rest . all s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Greg Naz. Orat. 16. Worldly things change continually : here can be no constancy among the sonnes of Men , prosperity is but like a faire morning quickly overcast with hideous stormes : like the morning dew soon vanishing , like a faire flower , a Jonah's gourd , such is all Worldly joy : there is no sure hope , but in the living God , who changeth not , neither deceiveth trust .

5. Take heed of vaine hopes , specially those which are against right reason ( lest thou tempt God ) they deceive men : such is their trust who contemne the ordinary means in expectation of miracles : and they who doe things against the expresse word of God , in vaine hope of pardon .

6. Propose not too great things to thy selfe : we are often the evident authors of our own sorrowes ; when we promise peace , health , and prosperity to our selves : this high-flying ambition sometimes looseth it feathers , and we fall into bitterness , when we come short of that which we vainly promised our selves . 'T were better never climb , then rise to fall .

7. Pray to the God of hope and consolation , to infuse a sure hope and confidence into thy soule .

A Prayer for Hope .

O Lord God my earnest expectation and my hope , my fortresse helper and deliverer ; though my numberlesse sinnes have deserved thy wrath , so that thou maist justly cast me off into hopelesse despaire and finall destruction , yet look upon me in mercy through thy Christ , in whom thou hast commanded me to beleeve , and promised remission of my sinnes and eternall life : for his sake assure me thereof , that there may be hope in my end . Though thou now fill my wounded spirit with bitternesse , removing me from peace and comfort , so that forgetting prosperity , I goe mourning all the day long : though thou humblest my dejected soule with grievous weights of sorrowes , and makest my eyes fountains of teares , driving me to solitude and silence with them that mourne in Zion yet art thou good to them that waite for thee , and to the soule that seeketh thee . thy mercies are renewed every morning , thy compassions ●aile not . thou hast opened unto me the riches of thy mercies in Christ , 〈◊〉 caused me to trust in thee , thou hast , according to thine abundant 〈◊〉 , begotten me againe to a lively hope , by the resurrection of Christ●om ●om the dead , of an inheritance incorruptible ; therefore my soule hath ●id , thou art my portion , therefore will I trust in thee . Truth it is , ô Lord , that the hopes of the hills are vaine , so is all confidence in man : unhappy is that hope which is not in thee : but , in spight of Satans malice , blessed must he be , whose hope thou art : he shall be like a tree planted by the waters of life , which cannot faile , because thou canst not deceive trust : ô God of all consolation , therefore now at last speake peace to my afflicted soule , let me not be disappointed of my hope : though thou please to weane me from the love of an unkind and trustlesse World , by permitting me to such griefe and sorrow , yet ( seeing thou art my trust , from my youth ) let me not be ashamed of my confidence : let thy mercy be still my hope , and thy grace my strength : amidst all the stormes , and surges of afflictions , fasten my soules Anchor on the land of the living , my rock who is entred within the vaile , to make requests for me . give me patience to beare untill the time of comfort and refreshing shall come from thy gracious presence : give me the helmet of salvation , assurance of all that which thou hast promised in thy word , and layed up for me in heaven , let the experience of thy former goodnesse in many deliverances , give me a doore of hope for the future , that I may more and more trust in thee . Thou who art the God of hope , fill me with joy and peace in beleeving , that I may abound in hope , through the power of thy holy spirit . Give me strong consolation and full assurance of thy mercy , that continuing grounded and established in a stedfast hope of my resurrection to a life of glory , at the appointed houre , my flesh may rest in hope , and my soule be cheerfully rendred into thy gracious hands , to rest with thee , through Jesus Christ my ever-blessed Lord and Saviour . Amen .

1. Feare is a pensive and sorrowfull expectation of some evill to come , §. II. a a

Timor est metus mali impendentis , Cic. Tus ▪ q. l. 4.

Est expectatio mali . Arist. Eth. l. c. 4.

Timor est hu●●anae imbecillitatis trepidatio , metuentis id perpeti , quod sibi nollet accidere : existit autem & commovetur in nobis , de reatus consciantiâ , de iure potioris , de impetu fortioris , &c. Hilar. in Psal. 127.

imminent , or so supposed : wee feare any thing which is evil , reall or apparent , many times that which is not : feare is opposite to fortitude , as one extream of participation ; and as it allayeth too much daring , limits it , and so is good ; but as it exceedeth in it extream , pernicious . There can be no vertue where there is no fortitude : hee can never be holy toward God , or honest toward men , who dareth not to be so : because Satan will be sure to work upo● the timerous , putting before him continual ( though 〈◊〉 and vaine ) feares ( like hunters Suells to put the fearfull 〈◊〉 from the safe wayes ) so driving through pusillanimity 〈◊〉 timidity , that he maketh them evill for feare of men , whom the true feare of God cannot make good .

2. To omit many acceptations of the word : 1. There is a natural feare , and that of two sorts , in respect of the object , first , concerning the avoidance of sinne , for the love of God : so Adam in his innocency ( having heard the threatning ) feared to sin , because he would not offend God whom he loved above all : for however Adam in the temptation lost this feare , and so sinned , yet in the rectitude of his minde , he had it before the temptation prevailed upon him : and secondly concerning the avoidance of sorrow in apprehension of God's anger against sinne committed : so Christ feared , Matth. 26. 38. Heb. 5. 7. both without sinne : neerest to this cometh the filial fear of the regenerate , who , though through infirmity , they often sinne , and feare to displease God by any offence ; as it is said , Pro ▪ 8. 13. The ●ear of the Lord is to hate evil : This is the beginning of wisedome , and it is principally in foure things : 1. That wee set God ever before our eies , living as in his sight and presence . 2. That we know and acknowledg him , as the omniscient witnesse and just Judge of all our thoughts , words and actions . 3. That wee feare not creatures in respect of him . 4. That wee ever do that which is just and acceptable to him , though none other can witnesse against us ( so did good c c Gen 39. 9. Joseph ) and who ever is offended with us for the same : so did d d Dan. 6. ●● ▪ Daniel and those e e Dan. 3. 18. other servants of God .

2. There is a feare of unbeleefe in them that love the sin , but feare the punishment thereof : this is that * * Ti●or servilis , ut nota● Cl. Alex. paed . l. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . servile fear which affecteth the wicked ; which though it sometimes restraine them from the externall acts of sinne , yet is it not f f N●n diuturni magister officii , Cicer. Phil. 2. master of any constant duety : so soone as their feare is over , they are as g g Antiquum obtinent . bad , or worse then ever ; as wee see in Pharoah . This feare becometh not the children of God ( because it is ever with a guilty conscience , unbeleefe , and expectation of God's just judgment on their sinnes , without hope in Christ ) h h Psal. 49. 5. wherefore should I feare in the daies of evil — ? said the Psalmist : for God is with them : i i Psal. 23. 4. I will feare none evill , for thou art with mee . k k Psal. 27. 1. Psal. 3. 7. The Lord is my light , and my salvation , whom shall I feare ? the Lord is the strength of my life , of whom shall I be afraid ? the wicked feare , where no feare is : they feare not God for love of God , but for self-love , and feare of punishment ( as l l Graecia coleb●t De●s , &c ●lio● u● prosint : alio● nè noceant , Lact. l. 1. c. 20. the Grecians worshiped their false gods : and poor men the great Lords ) which is a symptom of m m

Degeneret animos timor arguit .

Deut. 28. 66 , 67.

Rev. 21. 8.

a base and impious minde , prohibited to the children of God , to whom it is said , n n Pro. 3. 25 ▪ 26. Be not afraid of sudden fear — for the Lord shall be thy confidence , and shall keep thee from being taken . o o Isai. 41. 10. Feare thou not ( saith the Lord ) for I am with thee : be not dismayed , for I am thy God , I will strengthen thee and I will helpe thee — p p Isai 43. 1 , 2. Feare not for I have redeemed thee . All which Precepts are to be understood of servile feare ; which is to despaire of God's mercy , rendring men desperate , not provident to avoid danger , neither more earnest to flie to God for helpe : The first may appeare in q q 2 King . 6. Jehoram's message ; Behold ( said that wreeth ) this evill cometh of the Lord , should I any longer wait on the Lord ? and in that precipitate counsell , Job 2. 9. Curse God and die . The second effect we read in Jacob , in danger of his life , instantly praying , and sending presents to appease his revengefull brother : not to be afraid of God's judgements on sinne , is carnal security , and stupid carelesnesse of r r 1 Tim. 4 2. feared consciences : not to feare imminent dangers is improvident torpor of minde : not to feare the dreadfull presence of God , must needs be ( in sinfull man ) ignorance of God , and a mans own selfe ; Moses and Daniel●eared ●eared this . On the other part , to be a timerous s s Plutar vit. P●ri● . Antemon , for feare keeping home continually with his two servants ever guarding his head , with a brasse shield held over it , is not only an * * Pi●● ergo timor est , ●um quae non timenda sunt , time●tur , & quae timenda sunt , non timentur , H●a● . in Psal. 52. impious but a ridiculous fear . To feare men more then God ( as Saul did , 1 Sam. 15. 24. ) is the feare of Hypocrites : to feare without confidence in God , for the diversion of evill ( as t t Dan 5 6. Belshazzar , when seeing the hand writing upon the wall , his knees trembled , and the joints of his loines were loosed ; or as u u 1 Sam. 28. 20. Saul at Endor ) is the fear of those who feare not God aright . This fear is the perpetual torment of the wicked conscience : R●s est im●●●iosa timor . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . xen . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . l. 3. an imperious mischief : an anticipation of evill not yet come , making a man unhappy , not onely with present evills , but with future , which , but for ●ear , could no way reach him : as that feare of inevitable death , which maketh men continually die , for feare of dying once . But to feare God with a filiall feare , proceeding of love to him , is as the fountain of wisedome so of true happinesse : God x x Isai. 68. 2. regardeth such : he y y Psal. ● 4 5. 19. will deliver them , and fulfill their desire : hee z z Psal. 25 12. will teach them the way of righteousnesse : a a Psal. 34. 10. they shall want nothing that is good : when they seeme most to lack , they shall have supply of that , or something better : it shall be b b Prov. 3. 8. health and strength to them . c c Psal ● 11 10 Prov. 1 7. Understanding , d d Psal 128 ▪ &c. temporal blessings , and eternal , and a minde to doe good and deale uprightly with men ; as appeared in Obadiah , 1 King . 18. 3 , 12 , 13. and Joseph , Psal. 115. 13. Gen. 42. 10. This feare maketh e e Pro. 15. 26. every little , more then great riches to the wicked : it is the f f Animae cu●●os , &c. Cre. souls Angel-guardian , g g Si● tantum timor in nobis innocentiae custos — nè Innocencies keeper , h h accepta fe●uritas indiligentiam pariat , & verus denuò hostis obrepat , Cypr l. 2. ep. 2. Securities antidote , the mindes centinel to awaken it , and give the alarme against the assaults of the subtile enemie . This giveth a man ●●ue and un●ailing confidence : 't is the summe of that which God requireth of us , Deut. 10. 12. the whole duety of a man , 〈◊〉 . 12. 14. of this only is that saying true ; i i Matrem timidi fl●re non solere , Ae●●l . Pro● . the mother o● the fearfull useth not to cry : because such are truely blessed .

3. Now because we are men , not yet perfect in love , and so subject to many fears , and subject to many sinnes , failings , and hazzards , and therein to some dangerous groavings of servile feare ( by God's mercy turned , in the issue , to our good ; for if we are so prone to sinne under so much feare , k k — cum Cleanthi probro . reaetur quòd esset timidus , inquit , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Diog. Lasrt . l. 7. Cleanth . — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Cl. Alex. Paed , l. 1 what would wee be , if wee were secure from all ? ) these like rules are necessary to the ordering of our thoughts in feares :

1. For God's glory and thy salvation , contemne any danger : It was Christ's precept , Feare them not who are able to destroy the body only ; for they cannot make thee unhappy , they may adde to thy blessednesse if thou bearest injuries well . These objects are only terrible ( like that Cumane asse in the Lions skinne ) to those that know them not ( or the l l Terribilis in fugaces , fugax contra insequentes , Plin. nat. hist. l. 8. cap. 25. Crocodile , fierce against the fearfull , fearfull of the daring ) or to the impatient , who cannot stoop to take up the crosse , which like Moses rod , thrown down , became a dreadfull serpent ; but at God's command , resumed , an harmless rod , to divide the bitter floods , and open a way into the promised rest : many men great ●n their owne feares , deluding fancy making that monstrous , which right reason would discover , hurtlesse , in a constant and prudent resolution to meet with difficulties .

2. Fear God , and m m Iosh. ● . 9. be not ●aint-hearted : endeavour to set thy minde upon such a stay of moderation , that thy resolution neither rise to temerity , nor fall to timidity , neither to dare , nor to be afraid of all things , nor of nothing ; but between both , beare such a temper , as that wisedom may have place to sit at the helme witho●t the interruption of either extream . n n Isai. 8. 13. Sanctifie the Lord of hosts , and let him be your feare , and your dread , and hee shall be your Sanctuary : but feare not their feare who say , a confederacy . The o o Timor praesens securitatem generat a ternam , &c. Aug●in Psalm . present feare of God createth us an eternall security : fear him and thou shalt not be afraid of man : though I walke in the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear none evil , for thou art with mee , Psalm 23. 4. p p Psal. 118. 6. The Lord is on my side , I will not feare , &c. Psal. 71. 1. The feare of the Lord ( like Moses serpent , devoureth all the inchanters serpents ) swalloweth up all other fears .

3. In every danger lay to heart the omnipotency of God , and learne to trust in him : hee that so doth , q q Prov. 29. 25 shall be safe : when the fiery fornace was threatned r r Dan. 3. 1● ▪ Shadrah , Meshach , and Abednego , they answered the incensed King , Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us : s s Psal. 34. 7. his Angels pitch round about his , to deliver them ; and when we seem most overmatcht , t t 2 King . 6. 16 they are more with us then can be against us , as that fearfull servant saw at last . It made David so confident , u u Psal. 11. 1. In the Lord put I my trust , how say yee then to my soul , Flee , as a bird to your mountaine ? all confidence in men , their counsels , or an arme of flesh , is unhappy , and must faile , ( beeing w w Ier. 17. 5. under the curse ) God cannot , si fractus illabatur orbis : therefore x x Psal. 46. 2. will we not fear , though the earth be removed : and though the mountaines be carried into the midst of the sea .

4. Hearken unto the Word of God : y y Pro. 1. 33. whoso hearkneth unto mee shall dwell safely , and shall be quiet from fear of evil — z z Pro. 3. 21 , 24 thou shalt walke in the way safely — when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid herein thou shalt know God's power , trueth , providence , mercy and justice ; and so trust in him , as it is written , a a Psal. 9. 10. They that know thy name , will put their trust in thee , for thou , Lord , hast not forsaken them that seek thee .

5. Love the Lord sincerely : the more thou lovest him , the more thou wilt rest assured of his love and protection : the more perfect thy love is , the b b 1 Joh. 4. 18. more it casteth out fear .

6. c c See lob 22 , 23 , &c , Pro. 3. 7. Depart from evill : as d d 1 Sam. 29. 4 the Princes of the Philistines said of David , Let him not go down with us to the battle , le●t in the battle he be an adversary to us . Set thy selfe to seek the Lord , as e e 2 Chr. 20. 3. Jehoshaphat did , when many enemies were upon the march against him , and atcheived a glorious victory against them . Keep a good conscience , it shall be a wall of brasse unto thee : when that is safe , a man is bold f f Prov. 28. 1. as a lion : but if we see the smoke of hell ascend there , wee must needs faint , like the men of g g Iosh. 8. 20. Ai , when they saw their City on fire . Sinne in the conscience maketh men cowardly : they may possibly speak glorious words , who have timerous consciences , but as one said , of the fearfull dogg , h h Q. Curt. I. ● vehementiùs latrat quàm mordet : hee must needs feare , who hath no peace in himselfe .

7. Consider the i i Psal. 37. 37. end of the ●aints sufferings which hath ever been happy , in that they are the more k k Rom 8. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 7. partakers of Christ's glory , by how much more of his sufferings : consider how long they have suffered , or thou canst : fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer , l l Rev. 2. 10. Behold the Devil shall cast s●me of you into prison , that yee may be tryed — be thou faithfull unto the death , and I will give thee the m m Pericula despicit qui tendit ad regnum : victoriae cupidus , nescit timere , Petr. Chrysol . serm. 22. crown of life . It is true flesh and blood must have it allowance for its infirmity , but the more wee can lay to heart the end of the saints , ( so happy that n n Num. 23. 10 even the wicked affect it ) and the quiet fruits of o o Heb. 12. 11 ▪ righteousness , to them that are exercised ; the lesse we must needs feare the malice of any creature .

8. Labour for peace with God : give him no rest till he speak it to thy conscience : resolve not to let him go untill he blesse thee , and assure thee of thy remission in Christ . What hath he to feare whose sins are forgiven ? the p p 1 Cor. 15. 56 ▪ sting of death p●lled out , who would not dare it ? therefore the Apostle did , because he could say , Thanks be unto God who giveth us victory through Jesus Christ : this is q q 1 Ioh. 5. 4. Faith's victory over the world .

9. In thy greatest feares pray more fervently : r r Luk. 22. 44. so did our Saviour being in an agony , he prayed more earnestly : so did s s Gen. 32. 9. Jacob in fear of his brothers long-studied revenge : pray that God would open thine eies to see his saving health . God many times terrifieth , to awaken our drouzie souls , and open our mouths to earnest prayer , which in prosperity are too prone to the spirit of slumber and coldnesse : feare hath many tongues , and can open the mouth of the dumb . Even t t Ionah 1. 6. Jonah's mariners , in their feare will pray , and instigate others thereto : that one example of u u In vocem erupit vi timoris , &c. Solm . Polyh . cap. 7. Croesus sonne , Athis ( before dumb ) crying out , O Cyrus spare my father , and by our misfortunes learne that thou also art but a man ; sheweth what the violence of feare can do .

A Prayer against Feare .

O Lord God almighty , dreadfull in thy wrath and indignation against sinners , I humbly acknowledge , that there is not one of thy judgements which I may not reasonably fear , who have deserved them all ; the miseries of this life , terrors of death , and future condemnation : But , O Lord God of consolation , assure mee of my sinnes remission , and my peace with thee for Christ Jesus sake : fill my heart and affections with that measure of thy love which may exclude all servile feare : give mee the testimony of a good conscience to comfort me against all vain fears of the wicked : lift up the light of thy countenance upon me , and assure me that thou ( who rulest in heaven and earth , from the Angel to the worm ) art my defence and help at hand . Thou art omnipotent , and canst doe what thou wilt ; Lord , let it be thy will to deliver me from the affliction which I fear , that I may live to praise the , and declare thy goodnesse toward mee : if it be possible let this cup passe from mee ; if otherwise , thy holy will be done : Lord suffer mee not for any tryals to fail from thee : consider my weaknesse , remember whereof thou hast made me , that I am but dust and earth , soon passing away : give me patience to endure thy fatherly hand , and full assurance that all things shall work together for the best : give me fervency of spirit to pray more earnestly , give me that ●aith to which thou , who canst not deceive , hast made the promise of audience , and granting our petitions . Give mee an invincible resolution , not to let thee goe untill thou blessest me with some happy issue , through Jesus Christ my Lord and only Saviour .

Amen .

Of Cares .

CAre is the childe of Providence : some say , § III. Cares . the souls apparitor to summon all it's faculties to it's Senate , or a a In comitium cogitationum Committee : it is rather counsels president , determining what to pursue , and what to decline ; the weight which moveth all it's wheels ; that taken off , or quite run down , all the nerves of providence are loosed , and the soules faculties become inactive , and resty ; so as we neither affect the good , nor feare the evill . Care is the centinel which gives the alarme to awaken wisedom to it's offices ; the steward of the inward house : the Palinurus and pilot which sitteth at the helm , to steere and direct the course ; lest industry be wanting to prudent decrees , and resolutions or successe to industry : so necessary is this vigilancy of the soule , that without it , we can neither be profitable to our selves , or others , in things divine or humane : though salvation shall neither be in his care who b b Rom. 9. 16. willeth , nor his that runneth , but in him that sheweth mercy ; yet if thou care not to lay hold on his promises , and to beleeve and obey : thou shalt finde , that he that made thee without thy care , will not save thee without it : because he hath made thee a voluntary agent , endued with reason , that thou mightst use his ordinance for thy good : though it is neither in him that c c 1 Cor. 3. 7. planteth , nor in him that watereth , but in God who giveth the encrease ; yet if the dispensation be committed to thee , woe be to thee if thou preach not the Gospel : and cursed is hee that doth the work of the Lord negligently : though , if the Lord keepe not the city , and d d Psal. 127. 1. build the house , the watchman waketh but in vaine , and the builder shall work to confusion ; yet if thou be a carelesse man of e e Iudges 18. 7 Laish ; if thou watch not , or in necessity build not , thou temptest God : it is the power of that divine and omnipotent word , which said at the first , f f Gen. 1. 11. Let the earth bring forth grasse , the herb yeelding seed , and the fruit tree yeelding fruit after his kinde , which to this day causeth these things so to doe ; but ●xcept thou plant and sow , thou shalt not eate : neither hath God set this care in our hearts for our selves onely , but also for them to whom he hath given dependance on us : so that if any man g g 2 Thes. 3. 10 will not worke , let him not eate ; and h h 1 Tim. 5. 8. if he provide not for his own , hee hath denyed the faith , and is worse then an infidel . It is an admirable care which God hath implanted in the hearts of mothers , for the preservation of their children , in which i i 1. Tim 2. 15 they shall be saved , if they continue in the faith and charity . Neither is there any calling or person , among the sons of men , exempt from care : Kings , as the honoured parents of Republicks , have care of the largest size , like those k k Ex. 8. 3 , &c. Egyptian plagues , not forbearing their sacred beds : they must care for their sub●ects weale : it is a marke of shame and dishonour which the holy Ghost set on Gallio — l l Act. 18. 17 ▪ but Gallio cared for none of these things : m m Ioh 19. 2. Christ suffering for us , bare their embleme in his crowne of thornes : nor can the bruites subsist without their care : God hath given them a marvellous instinct , and naturall sagacity , to build , lay up and provide for themselves and their yong : so that n n Pro. 6. 6. the sluggard may well be sent to school to the industrious ant , labouring in summer against the winter ; and the carelesse daughters ( who think they were born to live at ease ) to the o o Pro. 3. 25. provident bee , Isa. 32. 9 , &c. and other creatures prudent in their kindes .

2. There must be care ; and there is , in the best : but the malicious enemie ( as in the most necessary faculties and affections of the soule ) striveth to pervert it to mans destruction , making some so drunken with desire of ease , that they sleep careless : and where he meeteth with a more active and industrious nature , he laboureth to obtrude some vaine or impious object of cares : in both , distracting from that which should make them happy . The misery of beguiled men is , ●hen their cares ( like the river Jordan ) empty their sweet streams into a dead sea of unprofitable desires and acquests . There is no sin which hath not some unhappy cares to compasse and foment it : commonly more then salvation requireth . Impious cares are revenge's brokers , lust's panders , avarice's vassals , errour 's nurces , mothers of sinne , vice's hand-maids , in all which they but fight for a destructive Helena , a mischievous gaine : how happy might adulterers , murderers , and robbers be , with so much adventure , vigilancy , charge , and care bestowed on God's service , as they place in their sinnes : taking more care and paines to goe to hell , then , by God's mercy , would bring them to heaven .

3. Therefore for the ordering the thoughts concerning cares , these like rules must necessarily be held :

1. p p Matth. 6. 35 Seeke first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse , that all things necessary may be administred unto thee : let thy main care be for God's glory and thy salvation ; to gain that one q q Luke 10. 〈◊〉 . necessary thing , which once had , shall never be taken away or lost . Martha's many incumberances must be subordinate hereto : this is treasure in heaven , neither in danger of theeves or moth . That same r r — virtus post nummos . hysteron proteron wherein worldly desires come like those unmanerly imps in s s 1 Sam. 2. 6. Elies discomposed time , claiming to be served before God ; must come to nought ; and it proves but lost t t Psal. 127. 2. labour to rise early , late take rest , and eate the bread of carefulnesse : see Hag. 1. 4 , &c. That Manna which was u u Exod. 16. 20 , 24. kept all night , except only for the sabbath , corrupted : all our labour to lay up , except for salvation w w Heb 4. 9. the eternal sabbath ) is but lost : first therefore x x John 6. 27. labour for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life .

2. y y Colos. 3. 2. Set your affections on things above : and learne an holy * * Incuria solicitudinis relaxatae ▪ non negligentiae , sed fidei est , Hil. in Matth. contempt of this world : it is love which makes us care : where that is , there our cares and our mindes will be fixed . 'T is an high wisedome to cut off vain cares , that our better placed care may be more fruitfull : and to thrust out worldly thoughts : ( as Christ did the tumultuous company at z z Mark 5. 40. Jairus house ) which otherwise like those guests at a a Luke 2. 7. Bethleem would leave him no roome : as the superfluity of branches prunyd off , the vine is recompensed in the fruit : so is the cutting off vain cares ; the more thou takest from them , the more fruitful shall thy soule be of better things : as when b b 2 King . 2 ▪ 1● Eliah was taken up to heaven , his mantle fell off ; so doth the care of this world , when our hearts are taken up to heavenly things . How may childish things , like dead leaves , neer the fruitfull autumne , fall off our mindes , when we write men ? and when that which is perfect is come , how easily do our worldly cares wither and fall away ; or like glowwormes beguiling lustre , vanish at the appearing of a cl●erer light ?

3. c c Psal 37 5. Trust in the Lord , and commit thy way to him , and he will bring it to passe . d d 1 Pet. 5 7. Cast thy care upon him , he careth for thee , and hath promised e e Hel ● 13 5. hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee : f f Jer. 17 7. quàm securus dormit — quàm nes●it curas — quàm deponit angores — qui sua patri servanda committit , Pet Chrysol . s. 7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord , and whose hope the Lord is : for hee shall be as a tree planted by the waters , and shall not be carefull in the yeer of drought . God's providence watching over his , can neither erre , nor be defeated : he that gave us life will not faile to give meat and cloathing . g g Matth. 6. 26 Hee that feedeth the fowls of the aire , and clothes the fading-flowers , with such varieties of beauty , will not ●aile to ●eed and cloath man , for whom hee made all those things . h h Matth 6. 8. He knoweth whereof we have need before we ask : all our car cannot adde one cubit to our stature : riches and honors for which men take such care , come neither from the East , nor from the West : it is God which giveth and taketh away : some grow rich sleeping and waking ; others with unwearied industry grow poor : do thy endeavour cheer●ully , and i i Matth. 6. 25 , 26 , &c. commit the issue to God : k k Luk. 21. 34 avoid all diffidence and distracting care .

4. In l l Phil 4. 11. whatsoever state thou art , learne therewith to be content : discontent and covetous desire set the heart upon the sharp tenters of care : if a man can be content with little , he will not care for much : cares follow riches , and m m Crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam , Horat. 3. ca● . 6 encrease with their encreases .

5. Watch over thy soule ; otherwise n n Mat. 13. 22. cares will choak up the holy seed of God's word , so that it shall never profit thee . It will dimme the light of heavenly knowledge : it will surcharge the heart , and creep on like an Ephial● , which having seized us , we grone under it , and can neither shake it off , nor awake to an holy expectation of the coming of Christ .

6. Often call to minde thy mortality , frailty of life , and vanity of all these things : what are riches and magnificence in this world ? like o o 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Aristophanes . bubbles filled with aire , which vanish in their breaking ; such are wee , like dreames , or like a scene , wherein our parts once acted , we must back into natures tyring house , never to returne : it is uncertain what houre shall be our last ; certainly one neere at hand must : it may be this night the sentence may come forth , and a writ of alienation on thy store laid up for many yeeres : p p Luk. 12. 20. Thou foole , this night they shall take away thy soule , then whose shall all these things be ? When the over-full hives warn the masters of their admirable republick , that they need a deduction of a colony , they swarme , and flie : but if you cast a little dust among them , they presently settle : the onely way to settle our swarmes of busie cares , is the thought of that word , q q Gen. 3 19. Dust thou art , and to dust thou shalt return : that , ( if any thing ) will make ambition and vaine cares let fall their wings .

7. The Apostle's rule is : r r Phil. 4. 6 ▪ Be careful for nothing , but in every thing by prayer and supplication — let your requests be made known unto God : happy wants and cares which drive us to him . Depend on him and hope ; he is a secure s s Sen. ep. 12. possessour of himselfe , who without care expecteth to morrow .

The Prayer .

O Most gracious and merciful Lord God ; who feedest the yong ravens , clothest the lilies , fillest all things with thy goodnesse , governest in heaven and in earth , giving to every creature subsistence and preservation in its kinde : I humbly acknowledge thy goodnesse towards mee , even from my mothers wombe unto this present , preserving me and providing for me , when I neither knew what humane necessities were , nor which way to relieve them : when I slept thou preservedst me ; when I fore-saw not evils coming , thou divertedst them : when I knew not what I had need of , thy mercies prevented me with blessings and provisions : when I was lost , thou foundst mee : when dead in trespasses and sinnes , thou didst quicken mee by thy grace ▪ when I knew nothing of the way to life , thou enformedst mee , and didst lead mee in the way therein : yea , before I was , thou gavest thy son Christ , the inestimable price of my redemption . Lord , I am lesse then the least of thy mercies , what shall I render thee ? what can I for all thy mercies ? Thou hast , not once , like the good Samaritane , but many times , as a God of infinite mercy , bound up my soules wounds , and taken care of me : what shall I render thee ? Lord , I have nothing but a thank●full heart , nor that , except thou hadst given it : Lord , let me render , who can give ? accept thine owne gifts , and make mee more and more thankefull to thee : the lions want , Ezek. 39. 6. Zeph ▪ 2 ▪ 15. the mighty suffer hunger : thou hast sent a fire among them that live at ease , and carelesly , even into the proud and rejoycing cities ; and what am I , O Lord , that thou pleasest to spare mee : that thou doest not still ●eed mee with th bread of affliction , and bitter carefulnesse , neither make me drink the waters of astonishment : Lord fix my hopes on thy providence : give me assurance that thy mercy shall never faile mee : I humbly cast my cares on thee , who art a protectour of thy children : prosper thou my labours , whose providence descendeth to the preservation of the poorest and meanest of all thy creatures : feed mee with bread of my stature , let mee never want that which thou knowest needfull for mee : thou who didst encrease the Sareptan's oile and meale , so that it failed not in all the famine , bless that portion which thy providence hath measured out to mee and mine ▪ let thy blessing be upon it , whether it be much or little , that finding a sufficiency therein , I may in a thankfull holy and prudent use thereof , glorifie thy holy name , and live contentedly and cheerfully before thee : give mee in every estate , prosperous and adverse , a faithful dependance on thy gracious providence , which never faileth them that trust in thee : thou best knowest , O Lord , what I have need of , before I ask ; let no cares of this life distract me from thy service , neither make my confidence in thee decline to any distrust of thy goodnesse , love of th● present world , or secure placing my heart thereon : thou hast given thy holy son Jesus , assure me by his infallible spirit , that with him thou thy wilt also give me all things : give me an heart to rest in thee , to put all my trust and confidence in thy mercy ; to seek thy kingdom and the righteousnesse thereof , before all things which this world can give or take away : so that thou who providest for me , maist be pleased to administer to me all those things , which thou wilt blesse unto me , for the reliefe of this lifes present necessities , untill , having passed through this world of cares , ●nd vaile of miseries , I may come to that blessed life , thy kingdome of glory , through Jesus Christ , our Lord and only Saviour . Amen .

1. Among those thoughts which discompose the minde , §. IV. the jealous Iealousie . are not the least : a a Prov. 6. 34. Jealousie is the rage of a man ; and that which commonly exasperates to implacable anger . He will not regard any ransome , neither will he rest content , though thou givest many gifts .

● . I speak not here of jealousie , as 't is attributed to God , and sometimes importeth anger , Ezek. 8. 3. Ezek. 16. 42. sometimes execution of Justice , Deut. 29. 20. sometimes indignation b b Ezek. 39. 25 Zelotypid laborant erga vos , Syr. Int. at that which hurteth those he loveth , Zack. 1. 14. or pity to his people , Joel 2. 18 , 19. nor as in man , signifying only envy and emulation , as Rom. 10. 19. Rom. 11. 11. or feare of danger to those we love , as 2 Cor. 11. 2. or ambition to exclude corri●als for sinister ends , such as Paul charged on the false c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Gal. 4. 17. Apostles among the Galati●ns : nor of suspicion , which is an opinion or feare of some evil , sprung from light signes , which sometimes setteth friends at a great distance , and embittereth the societies of men : but of that concerning which God gave a law to Israël , Numb. 5. 14 , &c. This is a perturbation of minde , compounded of fear , d d Th. Aquin. 12. q. ●8 . a. 4. ● . love , indignation , and suspect ; a bitter electuary of ingredients , by themselves so good in their severall uses : this Jealousie is the male●ice of unhappy love ; the gall of Wedlock : the sad Asmodeus , which makes the most flourishing Families loathsom , if not desolate : the dark apparition of disturbed thoughts , restlesse in the inquest after that which they most hate , and feare to finde : the soules absynthium , and overflowing bitternesse : the scourge and torture of afflicted mindes ; really tormenting , sometimes with imaginary evils , ever with vain : the devils master-piece , and quintessence of his enyy , to make the honorable , and ( otherwise ) happy estate of matrimony , which God appointed to be the greatest worldly comfort , the most odious and unhappy . Possibly therefore it may be called e e Num. 5. 30 the spirit of Jealousie , a worse never vexed mortall man .

3. Now whereas the Drama in this unhappy scene is of two persons at least , the rules of advice in this case , must at least have a double addresse : first to the jealous , man or woman ▪

1. Make not anothers sinne thine , by a foolish and impious connivance at the basest sinne . Hee that f f 1 Cor. 7. 12 inhibiteth divorce in any other cause g g Mat. 19 9. permitteth it in the cause of adultery : and the Law sayed ( when the jealous man shall have set his wife before the Lord , and justice shall be executed upon her ) h h Num 5. 31. then shall the man be guiltlesse from iniquity , and the woman shall bear her iniquity .

2. Be not rash , least thou be injurious to the innocent ; It is an innate corruption to intend others faults , rather then their vertues , and to thinke that evill is , which may be done : hence cometh it , that they who are i i Omnis homo ex se aestimat alterum● Ch●y . S. Matth. evill themselves , are commonly most jealous of others : he that looketh through a yellow glasse , thinkes all the world of that color : Consider well if it be not thine owne guiltinesse which is the false medium , casting that complexion on others , which is indeed in thy selfe , not in them .

3. Give not place to the devil : his malice is like those envious Philistims , to cast dirt into the pure fountaines of humane propagation : to make man and wife jealous of each other , that by this venome hee may cause dislike and loathing there , where God hath appointed the most strict and comfortable unity in the world . Sometimes hee will aggravate the least suspicions to make the man or wife mad with reason : rather then faile , he will suggest some dream of that which never was : sometimes hee will tempt the woman or man to meetings , whisperings , or some such ●ame behaviour and familiarity with others , as may unhappily create suspicion in the good and prudent : neither shall hee want the service of others mischievous tongues , to foment and feed this malignant humor : hee that said matrimony might be happy if the wife were blinde , and the man deaf ; either did or might meane , if the wife had not wandring ●ies , nor the husband open ears to malicious reports .

4. Consider the vanity of this evill : be wise , and know that all self-vexing is folly ; k k Omnis stu●titia labor at fast●●io sui , Sen. ep . 9. as all folly is self-vexing . If with all thy care thou couldst doe any more then torment thy selfe , there were some color for thy vexing thy selfe herewith : but none l l nec custo●ire ni velit ulla p●test . can be chaste , except she will : the Heathens knew this : Argus hundred eies cannot keep her safe who will be lost .

5. If thy jealousie be causelesse , what hast thou more to feare or vexe at , except the levity and vanity of thine owne minde ? if just , what hast thou to hate or malice ? assure thy selfe the adulteresse is unhappy enough : there is no creature on ear●h more despicable and odious ; nor is there any sinne in this life followed with so many varieties of plagues and judgements : so that they are great objects of pity , if all this , a wounded conscience , the devil's ●arnest to the impenitent , and assurance of hell and damnation , can make them so .

The second addresse must be to them who are suspected .

1. Consider the odiousnesse of ad●ltery , out of all measure sinfull in the man , who thereby sinneth against his owne body , defileth m m 1 Cor. 6. 18 , 19. the temple of the holy Ghost , strikes through his n n Pro. 7. 23. own bowels , with a dart of rottennesse , and that which shall make him mourn in his end . Beyond all this , in case of impenitency , ( which the wilfull presumer may justly suspect ) it is that whereby hee barreth himselfe o o 1 Cor. 6. 9. 10. from the kingdom of heaven ; there are yet som aggravations in the adulteresse crime ; hereby robbing her husband of his prosperity , obtruding a base and adulterous issue , and so stealing away his estate and inheritance , by giving it to a stranger ; setting on an indelible character of dishonor and bastardy upon her childe , who but for her impotent and ungoverned lust , might have been noble ; an injury which she can never expiate , nor impaire to the innocuous sonne , with rivers of tears , and streams of her infected blood : this multiplied sinne is sometimes concealed from men , but never from an all-seeing God , who is a severe revenger of all injury . Other sinnes are grievous , yet neither lying , stealing , idolatry , murder , nor witch-craft , can of it selfe dissolve the sacred bond of wedlock ; that , onely adultery doth : therefore no cause of 〈◊〉 is admitted by Christ , but it And it is to be noted , that when God would set out the loathsomnesse of idolatry , which most di●pleaseth him , hee calleth it whoredome , and him●el● a jealous ●od . And certainly though there be not now in use the p p Nam . 5. 18 , &c. bitter water , can 〈◊〉 the curse and rotting of the thigh with swelling , ensuing that antiquated ceremony , yet the bitter morall and substance is still the same .

2. Avoid all that which you know hath created you suspicion : otherwise you are guilty , if not of adultery , yet of a just cause of jealousie . Lysander punished one of his souldiers for going out of his quarter , resolving that hee would have none of his look , or goe out like a plunderer . q q Gen. 34. 1. 2 , &c ●inah's idle visits , proved her dishonor , effusion of guiltlesse blood , her fathers trouble , and her r r ●en ▪ 49. 7 brothers curse . The wisest of men recordeth it as the mark of an harlot , s s P ● . 7. 11 , &c. her feet abide not in the house : now shee is without , now in the streets , lying in wait at every corner . It was an Italian severity in Sulpitius , ( and a disposition to part with his wife ) who divorced her for going out of doores bare-headed : the Law ( said hee ) confined thee to mine eies , and approbation , not to please others . t t Habes spectare quod Cecina Sev●rus graviter Senatui impressit , Matrona sincstola in publico , denique . ● . entuli ▪ &c. pro stupro erat poena &c. T●rt . de pall . cap 4. ● 17 § 3 ▪ 4 , 7. The Romane Law noted any , going out unvailed , with the odious brand of adultery : so carefull were they to avoid all occasions of that sinne , or suspition thereof : however foolishly strict they were , I am sure Jerom's rule , fore-noted , is good : whatsoever ( saith he ) may probably be feigned , be thou cautious that it may not be feigned : thou owest this to thy husbands love , thine owne indemnity and honor , and the right and credit of thy children .

A Prayer for the sanctification of our Thoughts .

O Eternal and almighty God , Father of lights , and of the first-born which are written in heaven , the spirits of just and perfect men ; searcher of hearts and reines , to whose all-seeing eie every creature is manifest , every thought of the heart naked and open : wee humbly pray thee to take from us our stony hearts , and to give us hearts of flesh ; to subdue in us by thy omnipotent spirit , the miserable remainders of the first Adam , that native inclination to sinne , which continually carrieth us away captive to the lawes thereof , to that evil which wee would not do , which wee loath , abhorre , and in bitternesse of soule repent us of . Lord , create cleane hearts in us , renew right spirits , enlighten our understandings with a sound knowledge of all the mysteries of eternal life and salvation : sanctifie our wills and affections , and according to thine owne gracious promise , put thy Law in our inward parts , and write it in our hearts , that wee may know thee , from the least to the greatest : forgive our iniquity , and remember our sinne no more . O Lord , who didst by thy Word , so heale the fountaines , so that death and barrennesse was no more therein ; heale , wee humbly intreat thee , the wretched corruptions of our hearts , cleanse and sanctifie all the thoughts thereof by the sweet and blessed influence of thy holy Spirit , so guiding , governing and directing us in the way which thou wouldst have us walke in , as that wee may in all our thoughts , words , and actions be acceptable to thee : mortifie and subdue all our evil desires and thoughts , subject them all to thy holy will and pleasure , that wee may constantly resist all temptations to sinne and wickednesse . Keepe us and counsel us in all our affaires spiritual and temporal , that wee may be filled with the holy fruits of the spirit of sanctification , appearing in new and hollowed thoughts of words and actions , to thy glory , and our further assurance before thee : so that in our bodies and in our spirits , wee may be kept blamelesse in this sinful and miserable world , unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ : To him with thee , O Father of mercy , and the holy Spirit , the Comforter of the Elect , be ●rendred all hon●r and glory , in heaven and in earth , from this time forth and to all eternity .

Amen .

CHAP. XXI .

Concerning the guidance of the Tongue . § . 1. Of the excellent use , al use , and evils of the Tongue , concluding the necessity of a right guidance thereof . § . 2. Motives thereto . § . 3. Rules by which it may be done .

1. THe use of the Tongue , and speaking , §. I. is a singular gift of God to man , whom he furnished herewith , that hee might communicate that inward and secret light of reason which hee created in the soule , and the divine motions , which by his holy Spirit hee infuseth into the same speech , as reason , is peculiar to man of all earthly creatures : It is the a a Imago animisermo , &c. soules image , and * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Clem. Alex. Paed. l. 2 ● . 5. interpreter ; neither could one soule , shut up within the houses of clay , other waies convey its notions into another soule , or enterchange thoughts with another : hereby we declare the counsell of God for our salvation in Christ : hereby wee blesse God , comfort and edifie one another : hereby wee instruct , direct , aske and give counsel : it were too long to reckon all .

2. As Satan hath been malicious to poison the fountain of words , and actions ( the heart ) so hath hee to corrupt the speech : perverting , that to God's dishonor , overthrow of religion and sanctity , and embittering of humane society , by that which God ordained for the advancement of that , and comfort of this : God appointed the tongue for a main agent for his Kingdome ; but the enemy usurpeth it , for the building up of his : nor is there any ●acultie of man , spiritual or corporeal , by which hee more effecteth it : there is no sinne which he promoteth not hereby : the evil tongue is lusts bawd , heresies disperser , 〈◊〉 factor , impostures agent , sinnes soliciter generall , ready to advance b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Basil in Psal. 33. any mischiefe . Art thou angry ? thy tongue c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Ibid. runneth to d d Prima enim sen●er 〈◊〉 tela , maledicta sunt : & quicquid non possumus imbecilli , optamus irati . Salv. de Gub. Dei , l. 3. usher in murder , calumnie , slander , pro●anations : what mischiefe can wee think of ( turp●●oquie , per●ury , blasphemy , lying , any sinne ) wherein the tongue is not a ready advocate and procurer .

3. The holy Ghost intimat●th the variable mischiefes of the tongue ; under the severall characters wherewith hee brandeth the e e Psal 5. 9. Prov. 26 28. flattering tongue , the f f Psal. 10. 7. Psal 50. 19. & 52. 2 , 4 Job . 20. 12. Micah 6 , 1● . deceitfull , the g g 1 Tim. 38. double , the h h Psal 73. 9. Iob 19 2. Ier 9. 3. 8. censuring , vexing , i i Psal. 140. 3. bitter , k k Psal. 15 3. Psal. 109 2. backbiting , railing , slandering , lying , l l Pro. 17 20. & 10. 31. perverse , m m Ho● . 7. 16. raging , n n Iam 3. 6 ▪ &c. scandalous , busie , obscene , and profane tongues : these are the divels organs , lusts bellows , adulteries brokers , the troublesome mischiefe of humane societies , going through the world , medling with and censuring every man : this is the Epidemick evill , so bitter , as that none can well avoid it , nor patiently endure it . It is a fire , a world of iniquity ; it defileth the whole body , and setteth on fire the whole course of nature , being it selfe set on fi●e of hell : it is a little but unruly ▪ untamed member , full of deadly poison .

4. These being the diseases of the sinne-infected tongue , followed with many severe judgements ; the necessity of a better and more holy guidance thereof appeareth : which being neglected , is the cause of all that evill , which these worst times complain of . What mischiefe is done , which is not begun and fomented by the evill tongue ? as it is written : o o Psal. 41. 6. his heart gathereth iniquity to it selfe , when hee goeth abroad hee telleth it . So one p p Psal. 64. 5. encourageth another , or tempteth to a mischievous consent in that which is dishonour to God , disadvantage to humane society , and destruction to themselves .

That therefore every one may addresse himself to some meanes of a through reformation herein ; §. II. it is behovefull that we seriously weigh these ensuing motives to a matter of r●high conc●●●ment .

1. q q Pro 21 23. Who so keepeth his mouth and his tongue , keepeth his soule from troubles . The inconsiderate man is r r Pro 6 2. snared and taken with the words of his own mouth . Hee that s s 1 Pet. 3. 10. Psal. 34. 12 , 13. loveth life , and would see good daies , let him refraine his tongue from evil , and his lips that they speak no guile . t t Eccl. 28 18. Many ( saith the wise man ) have fallen by the edge of the sword , but not so many as have fallen by the tongue . How happy had it been for many a man to have been dumb ? some thinke it a glorious liberty to speak what they list , to exercise their u u Caninam facundiam , &c. Lact. l. 6 c. 18. dogged eloquence ; barking at all that passeth by them , snapping at every thing : but so shall they make w w Psal. 64 8. their owne tongues to fall upon themselves : therefore the wise man saith , x x Eccl. 22. 27. Who shall set a watch before my mouth , and a seale of wisedome upon my lips , that I fall not suddenly by them , and that my tongue destroy me not ? for y y Eccl. 10. 12. the lips of a foole will swallow up himselfe : z z Pro 18. 21. death and life are in the power of the tongue . For ( saith our Saviour ) a a Mat. 12. 37. by thy words thou shalt be justified , and by thy words thou shalt be condemned .

2. If a man b b Iam. 3. 2. offend not in word , the same is a perfect man , and able to bridle the whole body : but if any among you c c Iam. 1. 26. seem to be religious , and bridleth not his tongue , but deceiveth his own heart , this mans religion is vaine .

3. Men shall give an d d Mat. 12. 36. account at the day of judgment of every idle word , how much more of malicious and impious words ? there 's not a word in thy tongue , but God heareth it .

Therefore for the better guidance of thy tongue , observe these and the like rules .

1. Strive to have an holy and sanctified heart : §. III. out of the abundance thereof the mouth speaketh : if that fountain be healed , death and barrennesse shall be no more in the sources of our tongues : if there be trueth , peace , charity , wisedom , temperance , modesty , patience , chastity , and sanctity there , such will thy discourses be : if the word of God dwell plentifully there , and the holy spirit have his temple there , accordingly shall thy discourses be . The reason why we hear so many evill words is , because ( what ever men professe to the contrary ) their hearts are unhallowed , atheisticall and corrupt .

2. Use thy selfe to holy speeches , and let thy words be of the uprightnesse of thy heart . The thoughts of the e e Prov. 15. 26. wicked are an abomination to the Lord , but the words of the pure are pleasant words . There are vaine and evill thoughts in the best men , eftsoon ari●ing from the noisome remainder of the old Adam in us , or suggested by the malicoius tempter , even such as wee loath and startle at ; but good and wise men smother and suppresse them within , setting , a strong guard upon them , as Jehu did on Baals Priests , lest any of them should escape out alive to corrupt others : according to the precept , f f Ephes 4 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth , but that which is good to the use of edifying — g g Col. 4 6. Nullum ex 〈◊〉 verbum quod revo●a●e velis proferas . Amb. de virg. l 3. seasoned with wisedom and sanctity : h h Psal. 35. 28. Psal 71 24. My tongue shall speak of righteousnesse , and of thy praise all the day long , said holy David : and the i i Psal 37. 30 ▪ ●sal. 119 172 mouth of the righteous speak●th wisedom — the law of God is in his heart .

3. Weigh thy words in thy heart , before thou speak , let not thy k k 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . tongue out-runne thy minde ; that thou maist not l l Diu ante considera quid loquendum sit , & adhuc ●acens provide , nè quid dixisse poeniteat : verba ●ua ponderet cogitatio , & linguae ofsicium animae libra dispenset , Hier. 1. 2. ep. 22. speak any thing of which thou must repent thee . Let the balance of thy minde weigh out and give thy tongue his task . A fooles aime is only to speak something , not caring what ; as taking silence to be a mark of some impotency of minde : but he that considereth only what hee hath spoken , not what he ought to speak , is like him that first shooteth , and then taketh aime .

The word is in thy power before thou utter it , but once spoken irrevocable : therefore take heed before thou speak . m m Sa●iens priusquam loquitur — considerat , quid dicat , cui dicat , in quo loco & tempore , Amb. 〈◊〉 . l 1. 1. to whom . 2. of whom . 3. what thou speakest . Thou must take heed , and set a watch before the doors of thy lips : foolish men are weak in understanding , and precipitate in speech : but the hearer must first be considered . n n Prov. 23. 9. Speak not in the eares of a foole , said Solomon ; no , nor in the eares of a knave ; for as the one will dispise , so the other will pervert thy words : Davids rule is necessary , o o Psal. 39. 1. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me : they lay wait to entrap thee in thy words : it is therefore an argument of high indiscretion and folly to open thy minde to any stranger , because thou knowest not to whom thou speakest . a When thou speakest of others , consider their persons and qualities : speak ill of no man , of whom thou canst justly speak well : God hath said , p p Eccl 10. 20. Curse not the King — and q q Ex. 22. 27. thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people . The God of order hath set a distance between man and man : it is not only unmannerly but impious , to speak of Kings , Governers , Parents , Ministers , Masters , or Superiors , as thou wouldst of thy equal or inferior : and when thou speakest of others , 't is wisdome to be carefull whom thou commendest , least his faults reflect on thee ; and whom thou censurest , least thou become an accession to injurious slanderers , and wound thy repute with thine owne censure of men better then thy selfe . Justice is to give every man his due : there may be something good in the worst man , ( as something evil in the best ) some vertue shining in a vitious life , which wee may value as the jewell in the serpents head . It is wisdome to distinguish in thy praises : as r r de coniurat . Cati●n . Init. Salust judged of Aurelia Oristella , of whom ( saith hee ) no good man ever praised any thing , but her beauty . And to s s Congerere maledicta non crimina , scurrarumest , &c. Hier. l. ● . ep. 4. speak much evil of any without eviction of the least crime , demonstrateth thee a railer , not him guilty whom thou accusest . 3. To weigh thy words well , thou must lastly consider what thou saiest ; speak not crudities , but let thy minde well digest what thou wouldst say ; speak premeditated things , and thereof onely a discreet choice : 't is no small part of wisedom not to speak foolishly : study to speak aptly ; not so much to affected curiosity , as prudently : not as if thou wert to dictate to the presse and put all thy words in print ; but as resolved to be wise and honest , and so to expresse thy selfe . t t Eccl. ● 8 ▪ ● 5. A fooles heart is in his tongue : but a wise mans tongue in his heart . Weigh thy words in a ballance , and make a doore and a baire for thy mouth . It is not in vaine that nature ( God's ordinary power ) hath so fenced the tongue , and u u 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ B. ●sil . hom 9. guarded it with a double set of teeth : a strong fortification , if we can understand and make use of the morall .

4. Be not hasty to speak : w w Pro. 29. 20. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words ? there is more hope of a foole then of him . Let a man be x x J●m 1 , 19. swi●t to hear , and slow to speak : deliberation giveth maturity to that thou wouldest speak : and 't is much advantage which a little time to bethink a mans self , affordeth him : because the second thoughts are commonly wiser : the errors of the former appearing by a more prudent examination : therefore the Philosopher resolved , that to be hasty in speech was y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — Bias apud Diog . La●it . l. ● indicium insaniae .

5. Either be silent , or be sure to bring forth something better then silence , specially in passion , that reason may recover it seat again : out of which the agitations of vehement affections doe commonly pr●cipitate it : as z z Silentli sunt tuta sidi praemia , Plut. ap . Caesar said to Athenodorus , there are safe rewards of faithfull silence . In a prudent silence thou concealest thine own infirmities , and better discoverest other mens : There are some strange volubilities of tongues , whose fountains run mirth and fancy , rather pretty then prudent : such elegancies are like those red and blew flowers among the wheat , rather pleasant then profitable : it is no little skill nor small commendation , to know when to be silent , ( Archidamas rule was good : a a Plu● . Lycur . hee who can speak well , knoweth also when to speak ) and wherein , certainly it must be a great advantage to the wise , which maketh b b Pro. 17. 28. the foole seem wise , and the wise man deep : Therefore whereas other schools of literature , taught their pupils to speak , c c discipuli ciu● 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Di. La●rt . l. 8. Pythag . Pythagoras enjoyned his scholars silence for a certaine time after their admission , that they might learne what to speak within themselves , before they made others witnesses of their thoughts : hee that knoweth not how to be silent ( which few d d Nemo s●ultus tacere potest . fooles doe ) e e Tacere qui nescit , nescit loqui . knoweth not how to speak . It seemeth the prudent Zeno took it to be no small honor to know when to be silent , who ( sitting silent at supper with a Kings Ambassadours , they asking him , but what shall we report of thee to our King ? ) replyed , Say there is a man in Athens , who can hold his peace at supper . 'T is true , a wide eare , and a close mouth belong unto the wise ; though callings and occasions are herein very considerable ; if a pastor fear to warne his auditors of sinne , hee becommeth f f Ezek. 3. 18. Pastori etenim recta timuisse dicere , qu dest aliud quàm terga ta●endo praebuisse ? Greg l. 1 , ep. 28. guilty of their blood who perish therein : their rule is to be g g Vt & discretus sit silentio : & utilis in verbo : nè aut tacenda p●●erat , aut proferenda reticescat : nam sicut incau●a locu io in errorem perirabit , ità indiseretum silent●●m hos qu● eruditi po●erant in errore derelinquit , Ibid. discreet in silence , and profitable in word , that they neither speak things to be concealed , nor conceale that which should be spoken . Incautious speech leadeth men into errour , and indiscreet silence leaveth them therein . I speake here of private interests , wherein three things excellently become a man , wisdome in the minde , modesty in the countenance , and silence in the tongue : it is a safe abstinence : How often do we ( or ought we ) to repent of our words ; how seldome of our silence ? In passion we are too apt to speak , grief hath many tongues , and it is not easie therein , with h h ●evit , 10. 3. A●ron , to hold our peace though very advantagious , which the heathens seemed to intimate , in placing the image of Angeronia with the mo●th bound up , i i Masurius simula●hrum dicit Angeroniae , ore ob●igato atque signato in ara Volupiae propterea colloca●um , quòd quisuos dolores an●ietatésque dissimulant ▪ perveniant patientiae ●enesicio ad maximam voluptatem , Lud. Viv. com . in Aug de civit . Dei , l. 4 c 7. on the altar of Volupia , to shew , that they who do prudently conceale their sorrowes and anxieties , by patience , shall attain comfort : 't is great wisedom , neither to take notice of every injury , nor to publish every griefe .

6. Let thy words be few and opportune : not as a fools , who k k — Ne● considerat quid , sed quantum d●cat , Hier. l. ● . ●p. 4 ▪ careth not what , but how much hee speaketh : speak only that which thou certainly knowest , and thereof that which is necessary , and no more . To heare much , and l l Non ineptè Rhodius ille ad lectorem Praetoris Romani clamantem & ●erotie●tem , Non curo ( inquit ) tu quid clames , sed is●e quid taceat , Pl. de ira ▪ coh . say little , giveth credit and weight to that which thou speakest , whereas no man much regardeth a man prodigall of words : when a long winded Orator had delivered a tedious embassy to Agis , and demanded what answer he should carry back , Tell them ( said hee ) that I was as long silent , as you speaking : seldome doth the hearers attention and patience hold out in long discourses : it is often with them , as with the Philosopher , who said to a railer ( insultingly crying after his tedious reviling him , have I sufficiently curried you , Sir ? ) truely no ; m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , A● apud 〈◊〉 . l. 5 for I marked nothing of that you said . It was the wise mans observation , n n Eccl. 5. 3. A ●ooles voice is known by multitude of words : and , o o Pro. 10. 19. in the multitude of words there wanteth not sinne — hee that p p Pro , 17. 17. hath knowledge , spareth his words . The empty cask soundeth lowdest , and hee that worst can , will speak most : certainly because they love to heare themselves : they cannot reasonably think , that any man willingly yeeldeth his eares to be afflicted with their braying ; hee that speaketh much , letteth slip some things foolishly : a wise man never speaketh too much , nor a fool too little . It were to long too reckon up the several evill proceeds of talkativenesse : how many mischievous discoveries of secrets come form hence ? How many schismes , factions , contentions ? q q Charila●s , Plut. Lycurg . One gave it for a reason why Lycurgus gave enough yet but few lawes to the Lacedemonians , because few lawes are sufficient for them who speak little . A necessary point of consideration in these sad times , wherein most mens eares have runne out into tongues , and that impious liberty hath set the world on fire .

As thy words must be few , so let them be r r Lest thou heare that which Leonil●s said to an unseasonable speaker , friend thou speakest many good words , but to little purpose , Plut. Lycurg . reasonable : that may be well spoken at some time , in some place , on some occasion , to , or before some persons , or by some man , which wanting these seasons , becomes unsavoury , odious , and dangerous : a word spoken in s s Prov. 15. 23. due season , how good is it ? It is ever a shame to speak foolishly , and many times mischievous to speak that which ( if seasonably ) might be wisely said . t t Antonii gladios potuit contemnere si sie omnia dixisset , Juven. Cicero might have contemn'd bloody Antonie's sword , had he spoken alwaies as foolishly as once he did . Let eminent men be ever cautious what they say : the obscure idiot may with little hazzard say any thing : the Autors name stampeth a deep impresse of good or evill : a u u Nurnquam Causidici maduerunt nostra pusi●●i Sanguin●● Ib. puny orator seldome staines his desk with blood .

7. Let thy speech be , for matter , modest , not impudent , true and peaceable , not offensive and giving matter of con●ention and quarrel ; savouring of meeknesse and humility , not w w Oratio pressa non audax . Sen. ep. 40. insolent ; religious , not profane .

The speech is the mindes index , out of whose abundance it floweth : and so obscenity not onely bewrayeth an evill heart , but x x 1 Cor. 15. corrupteth the hearer ; howsoever some are so desperately infected with this sinne , that they have no sense of danger , but count it good wit ▪ and immodest behavior good breeding , and that 't is a shame not to be impudent ; yet the Spirit of God , which cannot erre , arrangeth y y Eph. 5. 3 , &c foolish talking and undecent jesting with fornication , and that , with privation of the kingdome of heaven .

Secondly , let thy words be true : z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Psal. 109. a. ●er. 9. 5 ●sai . 59. 3. the wicked are of lying tongues : now whether it be a pernicious lie , against faith , charity , or good manners , which advantageth one and hurteth others : or a jesting lie , which is told solâ mentiendi libidine , out of a pleasure in lying , or out of an habituall lability and sliperinesse of tongue , or unfaithfulnesse of a bold memory , or a vaine ambition to please the hearer : or an officious lie , which whether it hurt none , or advantage some , to keep , or get money , to preserve life , or any thing else of a friend ; all lying is sinne , and hurtfull to the lyar at least , who therein is a a a Iohn 8. 14. childe and imitator of Satan : it is b b Prov. 6. 7. one of the things which God hateth : the pernicious lic is indeed most devillish , but sinfull is the most excusable of all lies : for wee may not doe evill that good may come , nor distrust the Providence of God , as if he could not provide for his just meanes : Not only impious , but vaine is the lying which so many thinke lawfull , because gainf●ll : c c Pro. 21. 6. for the getting of treasures by a lying tongue , is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death . All lying is condemned by the God of trueth , who will shut lyars out of heaven , d d Psal. 5. 6. Hos. 4. 2. Exod. 20. 16. Acts 5. 3 , 4 ▪ Col. 3 9. ●am. 3 14. Revel. 21. 15. therefore it behoveth thee

1. To have trueth in thy inward parts ; to set the heart-searching God ever before thee , and a watch before thy lips ; to say nothing before thou have throughly examined the trueth thereof : to consider e e Hos. 4. 2. God's justice on lya●s , for whose sake he hath a controversie with the land : so that seldome do lyars unto the second generation thrive upon the face of the earth : all the lyar saith is a building upon quick-sand , and cannot f f Hac est vera dementia non cogitare necscire quòd ●endacia non diu fallant . Cypr. ep. 3. long stand to deceive : that 't is an odious brand of dishonor , g g Mendaces faciunt ut nec vera dicentib●s credatur . Hier. Julian . l. 1. ●p. 2. insomuch as when hee speaketh trueth , hee is not beleeved , but truth it selfe is suspected for his sake .

2. To pray to the God of trueth with Agur , Prov. 30. 8. to remove far from thee vanities and lies .

3. To depend on Gods providence and trueth , so , as not to lye for thine owne or any mans sake .

4. To avoid that Athenian fancy of telling news , specially evil , strange , or incredible .

5. To be no tale-bearer , Pro. 18. 8. Levit. 19. 16. Pro. 26. 20. Ezek. 29. 2. Pro. 30. 10.

Thirdly , let thy words be peaceable , charitable , not injurious , scurrilous , or biting : of the absent and the dead speak no evill : the peace-makers are God's sonnes , and blessed ; what are they who exercise their dogged eloquence , in railing , back-biting , calumniating , s●andering , defaming , jeering , and abusive words , to foment sedition and enflame quarrels ? h h Pro. 15. 4. A wholsome tongue is a tree of life : the i i Pro 30. 26. law of kindenesse is in the tongue of the prudent , and sweetnesse in the tongue of the holy , Cant. 4. 11. but a flux of gall is in the froward lips , and k k Psal. 64. 3● Iob 20. 12. they shoot out bitter words , and venemous speeches . It is extream folly to seek revenge by injuring any man , ( becaus herein thou l l Neque enim qui audit , sed qui facit convitium miser est : ●um ●ocentes innocentibus in●uriam faciunt : illi patiu●●ur in●uriam qui facere se eredunt , Cypr. ●p. 3. most hurtest thy self , thou becoming guilty , and God a party against thee ) or victory , or pacification by foule language : for first , if thou doest overcome , 't is but the devills victory , and therefore thy overthrow : and secondly , besides that , 't is the most honorable and divine conquest , which is accomplished in vertue and sanctity ; it is also the soft tongue which breaketh the bone , Prov. 25. 15. and more certainly appeaseth anger and contention , then the most rough language and sting●e speeches : a provoking tongue cost many a man his life , as appeareth in the example of m m Plutar. vit. Alexand. Clitus and the like . Where there is n n lam . 3. bitter envying and strife , the spirit is earthly , sensual , and devillish : the heavenly wisedom is peaceable and gentle , and so full of grace , winning comity , and affability . They that are Gods Children will o o 1 Pet. 3. 9. not render evill for evil , or railing for railing , but blessing , being themselves thereof . Satans children speak p p Iud. 8. 9. evil of all that are good , they spare not sacred dignities . And why doe you raile at any ? Say you with Ananias — q q Acts 9. 13. I have heard by many of this man , how much evil hee hath done — Why know you not how r r Multum in utranique partem crebrd fama montitur , ac tam de bonis mala , quam de malis bona , ●a'sorumore cencelebrat . Hier. l. 1. ep. 9. false fanie often is on both sides , condemning the good and justifying the evil ? or you think he is evill whom you revile ? First , I say , it belongeth to God alone to judge who is wicked : next , say , look home before thou pronounce , lest thou condemne thy self : how impious a presumption is it , to intrude s s Dei est , n●sse reum , illius ferre sententiam : ●ace ●mus omnes homines . Optat. cont. Patmen l. 4. into Gods tribunal , and to condemn others , thy self being guilty ? what an hazzard doest thou run in censuring , who t t Cesset humans suspicio — quis sit peccator solus iudicet Deus , ibid — quid in potestatem alienam irruis ? quid temerarius Dei tribunal ascendis ? & cum ipse sis reus , in alterum audes ferre sententiam ? ib. lib 2. for ought thou canst know , censurest the elect , whom Christ hath acquitted ? Suppose they are culpable , who doubteth but that the devil was so , yet the u u Iud. 8. 9. Archangel durst not charge him with any railing accusation ; but onely said , The Lord rebuke thee . A necessary document for these injurious times , wherein ( as the old persecutors used ) they put on us the skins of wolves , bears , and other hatefull beasts , that their dogs may be easily incited to fall upon us : they make us monstrous , that the people may not only wonder at us , but destroy us . I onely say , w w Pro. 10. 18. he that uttereth slander is a foole , which , if thou ( that art guilty hereof ) art not too much

1. Seriously consider , with what company God arrangeth thee , 1 Cor. 6. 10. 1 Cor. 5. 11.

2. Think whether thou wouldst be a persecutor or not . Railing at the elect is such , Gal. 4. 29. Gen. 21. 9. and what difference whether thou x x Jer. 18. 18. quid interest an gladio ferias , an linguâ percutias ? Optat. ●supr l. 2. smite with the sword , or a killing tongue ?

3. Consider thou that revilest another , whether thou couldst patiently bear the eccho of thine own words : if not , if thou art indeed a Christian , doe not that to another which thou wouldst not have him do to thee , Matth. 7. 12.

4. Take y y ●avenè aut linguam aut aures habes prurientes , i e. nè aut ipse ali●● detrah●s , aut alios audias detrahentes , Hieron . l. 2. ep. 14. Nepotiano . heed of itching tongues or ears ; that is , have no pleasure in slandering , or hearing slanders .

5. Avoid that senslesse error of the vulgar ; who think z z Num meapeccata virtutes tuae sunt ? Ibid ep. 3. Sabiniano . other mens vices are their vertues : and that their reviling others , speaketh them just and holy , though in a a Nulli detrahas , nec in eo te sanctum pute● , si caeteros laceres : accusamus saepe quod facimus ▪ & contra nosmeti●sos 〈◊〉 in nostr● 〈◊〉 invehimur , ibid , ep. 15. censuring , they commonly inveigh against themselves , and are eloquent against their own faults ; laying their own sins ( as the false mother her dead childe ) in anothers bosom .

To those who are exercised under the strife of tongues , I offer these rules :

1. It is a principal artifice of Satan to scandal the saints , that hee may thereby discourage others from imitation of their holinesse : specially those that bear the ark of the covenant , the ministers of Christ , that thereby he may , through their persons , wound their doctrine : but be not discouraged ; this is thy b b Quod signum maioris gloriae est ? omnes haeretici detestantur , & me pa●i persequuntur odio , ut qu●s gladiis nequeunt , voto interficiant . Ibid. l. 1. ep. 57 honor and conformity to the Prophets , and Christ whom the wicked persecuted .

2. Look not only on second causes , but consider God's justice : it may be he bad Shimei curse : hast thou not injured others , in unjust suspicions or censures ? hast thou been tender of other reputations ? if not , know by suffering the evil thou didst , that thou maist repent , and repaire the injured what possibly thou canst .

3. Make a good use of the railers tongue : live more charily , and avoid all just occasions of suspicion : the best antidote against Scorpions is made of Scorpions : the best defence against railing tongues , is for feare of them to keepe innocency , and live uprightly , c c Vivendum rectè , tum propter plurima , tum his praecipuè causis , ut linguas mancipiorum contemnas , Juv. that thou maist contemne base tongues .

4. In every calumny have d d Ad cor semper proprium recurrendum : ut nullius nos ibi lingua implicet , ubi conscientia non accusat : quem enim conscientia defendit , & inter accusationem liber est , Greg ▪ l. 6. ep. 14. & l. 8. ep 95. & l. 9 ep. 39. recourse to thine own heart : let that be thy sanctuary : in spight of the devils malice , and all the impious tongues which his spirit moveth ; he is a free and happy man whose conscience accuseth him not : God will once cleer thine innocency : mean time fear not unjust calumnies : the railer is hated of all men , and at last his tongue becometh no slander .

Fourthly let thy speech savour of meeknesse and humility : these are safe vertues and symptoms of wisedom : the proud insolent boaster is ever odious to prudent hearers ; if not ridiculous : but meeknesse gaineth upon the affections , and so findeth rest to our souls . In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride , but the lips of the wise shall preserve them , Prov. 14. 3.

Fiftly , let thy speech be religious and not profane : so shall thy tongue glorifie its creator , and render him the tribute of so excellent a gift bestowed on thee . I say not that thou shouldest alwaies speake of religion : there is an holy and religious negotiating , and acting the things of this world : there is a religious rejoycing and mirth : the holy Patriarchs , Prophets , and Apostles , did not alwaies speak of God and religion ; they had businesse also with men , and must necessarily speake thereof ▪ but they did so speake of those things , as in the presence of God ; and so their lives were as a continuall preaching ; according to that pattern of Candor and sanctity which we read in their words and imitable actions : so frame thy life , and words , that they may be harmlesse , simple , and holy ; habitually , not affected , sincere , saint-like , not dissembled : Bew●re of profane disputes , vaine questions , and dangerous paradoxes ( which any waies endanger the foundation of religion ) abuse of God's sacred Word to jestings , and taking his name in vaine ; remember him who saith , he will not hold such guiltlesse . The habit of profane swearing ( to many unhappy tongues ) is like a diabeticall passion , wherein oathes fall from them while they think not on the● : Cursing is the language of reprobates , the bitterness of a malevolent heart overflowing the tongue : these vices as they are fearful sins , so dangerous symptoms of an impious soule : loathsome habits , such as could not become an heathen Mahumetan , why any Christian should think them gratefull , I could never understand .

8. Let thy study be in Gods word , acquaint thee with his oracles , and make their language familiar to thee ; so shalt thou finde an holy savor in them beyond all excellency of the tongues of men : and if thou give thine heart sincerely to obey them , the holy Ghost will derive thence a sweet influence into thy tongue ; and so season thy heart , that all the tempters suggestions shall be bitter to thee .

9. Lastly , because e e Prov. 16. 1. even the answer of the tongue is from the Lord — f f Exod. 4. 11. who made the mouth , pray him to heale thy natural corruptions , to sanctifie thy heart and tongue , and watch thou over thy selfe , according to all these and the like rules .

A Praier .

O Lord God , my helper and guide of my soule , to thee are all the fruits of my heart and lips , praise and thanks-giving most due : touch thou my tongue with a coale from thine altar , purge my sins , and take away mine iniquity : thou hast the key of David , which openeth , and none can shut ; open my lips that my mouth may shew forth thy praise : remove far from me vanities and lies , a deceitfull tongue , bitternesse , reviling , injurious , unpeaceable , profane , uncharitable , and all unhallowed speeches , which may any waies displease thy holy Majesty , or hurt my neighbour : heale the corrupt fountaines of my soule : season them with true wisedome , and sanctity : cause thy word to dwell ● le●tifully in mee : set a watch before the doores of my lips , that no corrupt communication may proceed thence , but that onely which may relish of thy good spirit , administer grace unto the hearers , and give good example unto my brethren , to the advancement of thy kingdome , and the comfortable assurance of my conscience before thee , through Jesus Christ , our blessed Lord and Saviour .

Amen .

CHAP. XXIII .

Of the government of Families , the dueties of Masters and Servants , Husbands and Wives , Parents and Children . § . 1. Of a Familie . § . 2. Dueties of Masters . § . 3. Dueties of a Servant . § . 4. Motives to their dutie .

1. WEe have spoken of actions in general , and come now to the particular ; falling under domestick relations of Master and Servant , Man and Wife , Parents and Children : Duties of Publick Persons are without the verge of my present purpose .

2. A Family is an epitomy and summe of a Common-wealth , a a A City is no other then an assembly of many houshold● & houses together , Plut. Ar. & Cato . which consisteth of several families , as the ocean of drops : therefore hee meriteth well of the state , who well administreth his owne family , as he deserveth punishment who doth the contrary . A good Patriot equally solicitous for the state , and family , is a rare jewell ; but more rare ( though of lesse worth ) is an Aristides , blame-worthy in this ; that in his justice and care for the Republick , hee was so unjust to , and carelesse for his owne family , that leaving them to the publick charity , hee b b P●upertate suâ iustitiam quoque infamem fecit . vid. Plue q supr. Psal. 1●8 . dishonored vertue with his poverty , and herein his policy was lame .

3. Some have distributed the family into three parts : the first commandeth as Master : the second commandeth , but not in chiefe ; as the good vine , not on the top , but sides of the house : the third are auxiliar ; onely obeying , as children and servants .

4. Now though this be the order , and order so necessa●y , that without it no society of man can subsist ; yet must it be with that sanctity and equity , that the God of order may be known to govern , though man administer ; and with that lenity , and candor of command , and willing reverence in obeying , that all may seem managed with love , not feare ; familiarity rather then rigid and imperious severity ; for which I suppose the ancient Latines comprised all three orders under the name of Familiares .

5. God in his abundant mercy , as hee hath not been sparing to reveale his will for our salvation ; so neither in any thing which concerneth our present comfort and well being : his word is a full store-house of spirituall consolations , and directions of the outward man ; c c 2 Tim. 3. able to make him wise to salvation . There is no condition of man , no state of life , which hath not directions here layed downe : from the King to the poore Master of the cottage , from imperial Potentates , to poore Vassals ; here are precepts and counsels , which being religiously observed , will make a man happy in any estate .

The duety of a Master of a Family is reducible to these heads :

1. That hee care and provide for his family : §. II. otherwise hee denieth the faith , and is d d 1 Tim. 5. 8. worse then an infidel . Carelesnesse and sloth are the mother and nurse of misery and confusion . See Pro. 20. 4. Pro 2. 24 , 27. Pro 18. 9. Pro 21. 25. Eccles 10. 18. Pro. 24. 30 , 31 , 34. Destruction of many noble families hath been through prodigality , vaine profusion in diet , apparrel , building , e e Pro. 20. 16. Pro. 27. 13. suretiship , and the like .

2. That hee instruct his family in the fear God , and exercises of true religion ; as f f Gen. 18. 19 Abraham did : as those who call them together to prayer , reading and hearing some portion of holy Scripture , singing Psalmes , repetition , and giving an account what they have learned from the publick ministery of God's Word : catechising and instructing them at all convenient times at home , and seeing them presented to the publick ministery . g g Psal. 101. 6 , 7. Mine eies ( said David ) shall be upon the faithful of the land , that they may dwell with mee : hee that walketh in a perfect way shall serve mee ; hee that worketh deceit shall not dwell in mine house : hee that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight . Reason it selfe easily concludeth , that thou shouldst h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . l. 2. teach thy servants to serve God first , that they may conscionably serve thee . But canst thou think that hee will be faithfull to thee , who is perfidious to God ? It was i i Quomodo fidem Imporatori praestabunt inviolaram , qui D●osunt persidi ? Euseb Constantines rule , when ( as by Jehu's stratagem ) hee informed himselfe which of his courtiers were God's servants , and which idolaters ; that he might banish these , and encourage the other . Canst thou think that thou oughtst to have better servants then God ? Know this , that sinne is a cursed lepro●ie in an house , bringing God's anger and many plagues upon it . Now whereas example is indeed the most powerfull Rhetorick , the onely way to teach , is to doe that which thou wouldst have another learne ; be sure that thou who art a master of a family , give no ill example in thy house : if thy servants see the impious , profane , profuse , drunken , or lazy , they will imitate thee : as thou servest God , so will they thee . If thy servant knoweth any evil of thee , hee can keep thee in awe , and so thy worst enemies may be they of thine own house , therefore the wise man saith , k k Eccl. 32. 22 Beware of thine owne children .

3. That l l Ephes. 6. 9. hee do unto his servants that which is equal ; considering the impartiality of God's judgement , moderately commanding ; not over-burdening them with labours ; remembring that they are men , not beasts , ( to whom men ought to be merciful , as their fellow creatures ) not threatning or afflicting them with cruelty , beating , maiming , or wounding . God cautioned that the Hebrew servant m m Exod. 21. 2 , 26 , 27. should after six yeeres service be manumissed and set free : and so in case of maiming . It is folly to create contempt by too much familiarity : and it is impiety to contemn him that is Christ's free-man , bought with the sameprice , and heire of the same kingdom of heaven with thee ▪ and what knowest thou but that God hath appointed thy servant to save thy life ( as n n 2 King . 5. a captive maid did for Naaman ) or thy soule ? When Antigonus saw his sonne cruelly entreating a servant , hee said , knowest not thou , O Sonne , that our kingdome is but a glorious servitude ? And Demonax in like case said , Leave beating him , lest thou become like thy servant : such are humane conditions : slaves have become masters , and great Lords servants ; ( but to serve passion , is the worst slavery ) hereof Croesus , Darius , Sampson , Adonibezek , Manasses , and many others have been examples . Be thou not therefore o o Eccl. 4. 30. as a lyon in thine own house , nor frantick among thy servants : let them love thee rather then fear thee .

4. p p Lev. 19. 13. Let not thy hirelings wages remaine with thee : neither be thou rash upon every frivolous occasion to change servants : remember that a faithfull servant is a jewel , not alwaies to be purchased : nor may wee be too impatient of some failings , who each day begge Gods pardon for ours , q q Mat. 6. 12. with condition of forgiving others : be not fond to keep a fugitive Onesimus , or any servant against his will : Diogenes was so farre right , when they perswaded him to pursue his Manes , 'T were a shame ( said he ) that Manes should be able to live without Diogenes , and that Diogenes should not be able to live without Manes . If a true servant be not willing to go from thee , leave him not destitute : r r Eccl ● . 21. let thy soule love a good servant , and desraud him not of liberty .

The duty of a Servant may be understood in these and the like rules .

1. s s Eph 6. 5. Col. 3. 22. Servants be obedient to them that are your Masters — with feare and trembling , §. III. in singlenesse of heart , as unto Christ — in all things , which are subordinate to God's commands ; otherwise God must be obeyed and not man : ( t t 1 Sam. 28 7. Saul's servants who sought him a witch , and u u 1 Sam. 22. 18 killed the Preists at his command , sinned : so did w w 2 Sam. 11. 4 15 , & . David's , who fetcht him Bathsheba ; and Joab , who betrayed Vriah to the enemie ; so did those x x 1 King . 21. Elders , who obeyed Jezabel against Naboth ; so did y y 2 King . 16. 11. Vriah the Priest , in making an altar according to the pattern from Damaseus ; so did z z Mark 16. 17. Herod's servants , in beheading John ) the good servant must not obey only with a a Col 3. 22. eie-service , as men-pleasers , but in singienesse of heart , fearing God : to a good man , God is ever , and every where a present law . b b Gen. 39. 9. How can I do this great wickednesse , and sin against God ? said conscientious Joseph . To this rule appertaineth that which the Apostle saith , Tit. 2. 9. Exhort servants to be obedient — not purloining , but shewing good fidelity — to do according to their trust ; as c c Gen. 24. 10 , 12. Abraham's servant did : as d d Gen 39. 8. Joseph , and as e e 2 Sam 15. 15. David's servants : as also that they may not be given to prating , and divulging the secrets of their Masters family : nor for fear or favour concealing their Masters dangers , injuries , or disadvantages from them .

2. f f 1 Tim. 6. 1. Let servants count their Masters worthy of all honour , that they despise them not : and this subjection must be given not only to the good and gentle , but also to the froward , 1 Pet. 2. 18. To this appertaineth that they be neither flatterers nor backbiters of their Masters : that they forget not their duety , but keepe that distance which may preserve a due reverence ; which is indeed a servants honor , contrary to that rustick procacity , which speaketh them base and unmannerly .

3. That servants be true , hating lying , lest Gehazie's curse fall on them . g g Psal. 101. David would entertain no lyar in his family .

4. That they be docible and ingenious , modest , willing in meeknesse to learn and obey their Masters wills : an ignorant servant is troublesome , but a proud and immorigerous intolerable .

5. That they be not slothful and negligent .

6. That they be not q●arrelsom , or contentious , or unjust accusers of their fellowes .

7. That they be not murmurers , or querulous persons , or rude answerers again . Tit. 2. 2.

8. That they be not hearkners after their Masters counsels , too full of eies , or busie inquisitors into those things which are above the sphere of their duety : it is many times a servants wisedome , not to know , what he knoweth .

9. That they be not given to drunkennesse , ryot , intemperance , luxury , or subject to passion : he that will be a good servant to others , must first be his own master .

The Motives hereto are :

1. God's expresse command , §. IV. Colos. 3. 22. Ephes. 6. 5 , &c. where that moveth not , I know not what can . Obedience to thy Master is shewing thy selfe a servant of Christ , and doing the will of God , Eph. 6. 6.

2. This adorneth the doctrine of God , Tit. 2. 10.

3. Therefore the grace of God hath appeared to all men , bond and free , Tit. 2. 11.

4. If servants be faithful they shall receive the reward of the Lord , Col. 3. 24.

5. Hee that doth wrong to his Master , shall receive the like , God will revenge it , Col. 3. 25.

6. A false and trecherous servant is odious to God and man , commonly branded with an indelible note of infamy , as an unthankfull deceiver of trust .

7. The name of God and his doctrine are blasphemed by that servant , who , professing to be a Christian , is false , injurious , or unprofitable to his Master ; because that sacred profession is not to him a spurre to duety , but a cloak of hypocrisie .

After reading some of the Psalmes , and a Chapter of the Old or New Testament to thy Family , use this or the like Prayer . A short Morning Prayer with a Family .

O Almighty God , and most merciful Father , wee render thee all humble and hearty thanks , as for all thy mercies and favours temporal and eternal , from time to time bestowed upon us : so particularly for thy gracious preservation of us this night past , beseeching thee to give us also a prudent and holy use of this favor , to thy glory , the good example of our brethren , and the assurance of our consciences before thee .

And as thou hast been pleased to bring us safe to the begining of this ●lay , so we pray thee , holy Father to continue thy providence and thy mer●y to us therein : keep us safe in bodies , soules , and all that thou hast given us : blesse us in our several labours and endeavors : let thy blessing be upon all that which thou hast given us for our use and comfort : make thy creatures good and successeful to us : direct us in that way wherein thou wouldst have us walke , that being counselled and guided by thy good spirit which cannot erre , we may in all that which we speak or d● , keepe the testimony of a good conscience , doing and saying that onely which is pleasing in thy sight , and walking prudently and unblameably toward all men , and holily and sincerely before thee our all-seeing God . Let not our hearts decline to any evil waies , but give us grace ever , and in every undertaking to remember our ends , wherein wee must give a strict account of all our actions , words , and thoughts ; and seriously to consider , that for ought wee know , this day may be our last : so framing our lives and conversations , that at our last houre which thy providence hath set every one of us , we may be found busied in a faithful watch , as careful servants continually expecting the coming of our Lord : that wee may with our Lord Jesus , on whom wee have beleeved , enter into that joy which thou hast prepared for all them who love and lo●ke for his comming . These , and all other things which thou knowest more needful for ●s , wee beg at thy merciful hands for Jesus Christ his sake , in that holy and perfect form , which himselfe hath taught us , saying .

Our Father which art in heaven : hallowed be thy name , &c.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , the love of God the Father , and the most comfortable fellowship of God the holy Ghost be with us all , to direct , guide , and keep us this day , and evermore .

Amen .

Another Morning Praier for a Family .

O Lord God , merciful , long-suffering , abundant in goodnesse and trueth , keeping mercy for thousands , forgiving transgression and sinne , unto the penitent , but not acquitting the guilty and obstinate sinner : wee thy poore servants through thy mercy sparing us , this day appearing before thee ; humbly acknowledge our selves to be most vile and loathsome in thy sight , not only in respect of our original corruption which we have brought into the world with us , but also for our actual sinnes ▪ which we have multiplied beyond all weight and number : thou art a God of pure eies and inviolable justice ; how shall we appeare before thee , who cannot stand in the judgment of our own consciences ? Lord , what have we more then the hearty acknowledgment of our own unworthinesse to present thee ? How can wee hope to prevent the curse which goeth forth over the face of the earth , to cut off on this side and that , 〈◊〉 afflict families and nations with sorrowes and destructions , but only by condemning our selves , and flying from thy justice to thy mercy ? our sin● are great and grievous ; but , O merciful God , where sinne and misery abound , thy grace doth more abound : and where none are able to satisfie thy justice , the greatnesse of the debt can make no difference , whether 500 or 50 , when neither hath to pay , thy mercy equally closeth an unequal account , in a free forgivenesse of both . Seeing the● for this end thou hast opened the treasures of thy mercy in Christ Jesus coming into the world to save sinners , wee humbly and confidently acknowledge , that of those sinners wee are chiefe : Lord , thou knowest there is salvation in none other , look not therefore on that which we have done , or can perform , but on that which hee hath done and suffered for us : we are indeed subject to the curse , for that we many waies transgresse thy holy lawes , but therefore was thy holy Jesus made a curse for us , that hee might redeem us from the curse of the Law , that the blessing might come on us through him in our being made heires thereof , and receiving the promise of the spirit , the earnest and seale of our redemption through faith . Wee condemne our selves , that Christ may justifie us , that we may be found in him , not appearing in our owne righteousness , which is at best , but as a soon vanishing morning cloud , and in the severity of thy judgement , as a silthy polluted garment , in which we could expect no other sentence , then , Depart yee cursed into everlasting fire : therefore we renounce our selves , that we may be clothed with his righteousnesse , which is by faith in him ; that we may know him , and feel in our souls and consciences the comfortable power of his resurrection , and the fellowship of his sufferings , being made conformable unto his death , in the mortification of all those corrupt and sinful affections , which continually resist the working of thy regenerating spirit in us . O Lord our God , being deeply sensible of our own disability to save or helpe our selves , wee ●ast all our care and confidence of present protection , preservation , and future salvation on the merits of thy son Christ Jesus , in assurance that thou art faithful who hast promised , as by him to save us , so through him to hear and help us in all our wants and distresses : O Lord God of trueth and mercy , who hast commanded us to aske , and promised to grant ; accept our obedience and confidence in asking , and according to thy trueth grant our requests in forgiving all our sinnes , and giving us all those blessings which thou knowest needful for us , that wee may serve thee cheerfully : sanctifie our bodies and soules to thy service , that in them both wee may cleave to thee , please thee , and rest assured by the testimony of thy holy spirit , and the powerful working thereof in us , that thou hast sanctified , called , and elected us to life everlasting : Lord give us experience of thy trueth which never failed ; give us lively and justifying faith , to apprehend Christ Jesus and all his merits : give us perseverance therein , that no trials of life or death may ever separate us from thy love , nor any powers of hell be able to overthrow our confidence therein .

And now , O Lord our God , who makest the out-goings of the morning and evening to praise thee ; wee humbly thank thee , as for all thy mercies and favors spiritual and temporal continually poured out upon us , in our election , creation , redemption , calling from the kingdom of darknesse ▪ our sanctification & preservation from daiely imminent dangers of body and soule , our liberty , peace , health , and all those temporal necessaries , for the comfort & sustenance of us and ours , which thy fatherly providence hath bestowed upon us , so also for that it hath pleased thee to preserve us this night past from the powers of darknesse , terrors of night , and all the ovils thereof : Lord continue thy mercy to us safely brought to the begining of this day : the day is thine , the night also is thine ▪ thou hast prepared the light and the sunn● : O Lord our refuge , let no evil befal us this day : let not any plague come neer our dwelling : give thine Angels charge over us to keep us in all our waies , that wee may in nothing displease thee : as thou hast put away the late darknesse which covered the face of the earth and waters , by the comfortable appearance of this great light which thou madest to govern the day , that men may follow their several labours therein , so blessed Father of lights , cause the sunne of righteousnesse Christ Jesus to arise on every one of our hearts , thence to chase away the remainders of ignorance , darknesse of minde and unbeliefe , to open our eies that wee sleep not in death : to enlighten us with a sound knowledge of all the mysteries of eternal life and salvation , that we may arise ▪ and shake off the dangerous security in sinne , and conscionably walk with thee , who hast called us to thy kingdome , that we may please thee , being fruitful in every good worke , encreasing in the knowledg● of thee , strengthned to all patience and long suffering , with joyfulnesse and thankfulnesse , for that thou hast made us partakers of the inheritance of thy saints in light : that wee may walke worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called , with all holinesse and meeknesse , love and charity toward all men , endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the b●nd of peace : so labouring in our several callings , as being ever careful first to seek thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof , in assurance that so all temporal necessaries shall be ▪ administred unto us , in all our endeavours expecting the blessing from thee , without which , it is but lost labour to rise early , late take rest , eat the bread of carefulnesse , and deprive our souls of ease . Blesse all the creatures to us this day , make them good and prosperous unto us : direct us so , in all our thoughts , words , and actions , that wee may glorifie thee , preserve a good conscience , and give an example of holinesse to those with whom we converse , that in nothing the trueth of religion with which thou hast blessed us , be evil spoken of through our failings ; but that we may by our integrity stop the mouths of all adversaries , and adorn the Gospel by walking unblameably toward all men , and sincerely before thee ; ever remembring , that of all our thoughts , words , and actions , we must give a strict & inevitable account at the dreadful day of judgment , now kept from the knowledg of all men , that they may every day live as if it were their last , keeping a constant and careful watch in exspectation of that houre which shall come like a theefe in the night , wherein thou wilt assuredly bring to light things hid in darknesse , and make the counsels of all hearts manifest , judging every man according to his workes .

Neither pray wee for our selves only , but wee also beseech thee for thy whole Church , and all thy distressed servants , whether their afflictions be in body , minde , or estate : comfort now , and in thy good time enlarge all prisoners and captives , which suffer for , or with the testimony of a good conscience : Lord God of all consolation , assure them that when thy will and work is done in them , thou wilt shew thy self their gracious deliverer and comforter .

Lastly , we pray thee , O Father of mercy , blesse this family , wherein by thy providence we are : blesse us all from the first to the last , with all those whom thou hast made neer unto us : prosper us , O Lord , and our endeavours upon us : feed us with bread of our stature , that which thou knowest necessary and convenient for us : give us a faithful dependance upon thy fatherly hand , which never leaueth them destitute who trust in thee : give us a prudent , holy , and thankefull use of all those good things which thou hast bestowed upon us , that thou maist be pleased to continue thy mercy and providence over us : give us contented mindes , free from covetousnesse and distracting cares , in assurance that thou wilt never forsake us : and , good Lord , as thou art pleased to adde this day to our transitory lives , so adde that grace to this day , which may direct and guid every one of us in our bodies and souls , that we may spend it , and the remainder of our daies , to thy glory and the comfortable assurance of our consciences before thee ; so that having our present conversation in heaven , and walking with thee in sincerity of heart , when these fleeting daies are ended , we may live with thee in thy kingdome of glory , through Jesus Christ our Lord .

Amen .

A Short Evening Praier ▪

O Lord God , wee humbly pray thee for Christ Jesus sake , to pardon all our sins and failings in our dueties this day : strengthen our faiths , unto our ends , and in our ends : Suffer us not for any tryals to fall from thee , neither lay thou more upon us then thou wilt make us able to beare cheerfully : create clean hearts in us , renew right spirits : mortifie all our corrupt affections , subdue and subject them all to thy holy will and pleasure : enable us daily more carefully and holily to serve thee : so that the neerer we draw unto our deaths , the more con●idently we may rest assured of immortality , and eternal life in the world to come : assist us with a measure of thy grace proportionable to our tryals , so that at our last houre , against all the feares and terrors , paines and sorrows of death , we may be enabled to render up our soules into thy gracious hands , in full assurance of thy mercy and our redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ . Blesse the universall Church , specially that part thereof in Great Britan and Ireland : let thy blessing and mercy rest on this family , from the first to the last . Keep us bodies and soules : forgive all our sins : let our sleep be refreshing and comfortable this night : grant us grace to plant all our confidence in thee , that wee may love thee , fear thee , and rest in thee , assured of thy gracious protection , whose providence sleepeth not : into thy hands , O Lord , wee commend , and commit our selves , bodies and soules , all that we have , and are , sleeping , waking , living , and dying , let us be ever thine , through Jesus Christ our Lord and blessed Saviour .

AMEN .

An Evening Praier for a Family , more enlarged .

O Lord God , great and glorious , who hast made the heavens thy throne , and the earth thy foot-stoole , God of justice and mercy : terrible in thy wrath against obstinate sinners , but long-suffering and of great mercy to them who with sincere hearts can seek thee and thy saving health : our miseries compell us , and thine owne gracious mercy inviteth us wretched creatures to call upon thee in the day of trouble : But , O Lord , thou art a God of pure eies and canst not behold iniquity and wickednesse , in which , as we are conceived and born the children of wrath & disobedience , so have we continually walked therein : and wherewithall shall we now come before our Lord , and how our selves before the high God ? a thousand burnt-offerings , and ten thousand rivers of oile cannot satisfie an infinite justice for the sinne of one soule : and we are a sinful nation , a people laden with iniquity ; wee have forsaken the covenants of our God , and provoked the holy one of Israel to anger : wee have gone backward and revolted more and more : from the sole of the foot unto the head there is no soundnesse in us , but dangerous wounds , bruises , and putrifying sores , ripe for the lancet of thy judgments : so that we deserve to have this good land laid waste , that we who have forsaken thee , should as thou hast threatned , be consumed with the sword , famine and pestilence , until this numerous people be le●t as a cottage in vineyard , a besieged city , like Sodom and Gomorrha , sad monuments of the fire of thine indignation : that thou shouldst take no delight in us ▪ when we tread in thy courts , and appear before thee with petitions for mercy ; but that our oblations of praise and incense of praiers should be abomination , and our solemne assemblies a t●ouble and wearinesse unto thee ; that when wee spread forth our hands , and make many praiers with strong cries , thou shouldst hide away thy face from our miseries , and stop thine ears to our cries , as we have done ours to those gracious conditions of mercy which thou hast continually offered us by thy Prophets , whom thou sentest to warn us , that wee might retur from our vaine and unprofitable wayes , and not die : wee humbly acknowledge , that such are we , that the severest curses of the law , and all the judgments sealed up therein , are due to us : confusion and helplesse destruction in this present wo●●d , and unspeakable torments in hell fire in the eternity to come .

And now whereas wee must all appeare before thy judgement seat , what shall wee plead before thee , O thou great and just Iudge of all the world ? what can wee , but guilty ? what shall wee say unto thee , O merciful preserver of men ? what can wee more , then be merciful unto us , for our Lord Jesus sake ? Wee know , O Lord , that wee neither doe , nor can deserve any favour at thy gracious hands , whom wee have so often and so wilfully provoked to shew thy justice on our sinnes : but therefore didst thou give thy sonne Christ Jesus , that his merits might satisfie for us : wee condemne our selves that thou maist spare us for his sake , who dyed not in vaine . O Lord , though our iniquities testifie against us , deale with us according to thy name : wee have sinned against thee , O thou hope of Israel , and the saviour thereof in the time of trouble : wee acknowledge our sinnes are for greatnesse , unmeasurable , and for multitude innumerable ; but ( as is the price of our redemption ) so are thy mercies infinite : abhorre us not for thine owne mercy sake : thou art our strength and refuge in the day of affliction ; correct us not in thine anger , chasten us not in thy heavy displeasure ; but heale us , that we may be saved : Lord , though we have many waies failed , yet thou knowest all things , thou knowest that the desire of our soule is to thy name , and to the remembrance of thee : through thine owne grace giving us that desire , we would , above all things in the world , become so holy , that we might no more displease thee : O our God , who only canst , make us holy and unblameable : give us ability to do that which thou hast given us grace to desire : thou hast caused us to put our confidence in thee , O God , who canst not deceive trust , let us not be disappointed of our hope : restrain not from us thy zeal , thy strength , and the multitude of thy mercies and compassions : O Lord our God , if thou wilt , thou canst make us clean : cleanse us from all our iniquities , that we may put away the wickedness of our doings from before thine eies , that we may indeed cease to do evil , and learn to do well , that thou mayest make our scarlet sins ( twice died , in original and actual guilt ) white as snow in Salmon ; that we may consent and obey , and so enjoy the good things of this land , and not be devoured by the sword , as we are this day for our transgressions . Though we deserve that the fire of thine anger should consume us as the stubble , that our root should be as rottennesse , and that our blossom , when we hope , should go up as the dust , until our cities become desolate , and our houses without a man , because we have cast away the law of the Lord of hostes : yet , O Lord , unto thee belongeth mercy , and the issues from death , though thou hast been terrible in thy workes , layed afflictions upon our loines , and broken our land , yet heale the breaches thereof : though thou hast caused us to drinke of the wine of astonishment in thy sore displeasure , and made us examples of thy just judgments , yet turn again unto us , and make us instances of thy mercy , that sinners may in our story read that which may make them afraid to sin , and confident of thy mercy , in their unfeigned repentance : remember thy mercy which hath been ever of old : before all times thou electedst us ; at the begining of time thou createdst us to thine owne holy image : in the fulnesse of time , thou gavest thy holy sonne Jesus to death for our redemption : Lord cast not that away , which thou hast purchased at so deare a rate : we know thy mercy faileth not , thou art ever the same , not like man , that thou shouldst repent thee , as mistaken in thy choice , or defeated in thy counsels : O Lord our God , accomplish thine owne election in us : thou hast given us thy son Iesus , how shouldst thou not also with him , give us al things needful for us ? thou hast for his sake acquitted us from eternal condemnation , how shouldst thou not also spare us and deliver us in the temporal ? 'T is little , O bountiful God , which we beg at thy merciful hands for our present releife , to that which thou freely gavest us , before wee could aske : nor is it because wee have none to stand up in the gap for us , that thy wrath is not yet appeased , seeing thy Christ , our faithful high Priest , sitteth at thy right hand , making intercession for us : O Lord , for his sake be reconciled to us , deny not our requests , heare and helpe us : establish thy free covenant and mercy with us : strengthen , O God , that which thou hast wrought for us , and our fathers , when thou deliveredst us from the powers of darkness , and taking us to be thy people , didst translate us into the kingdome of thy deare son : establish the trueth , sincerity of religion , unity of hearts , and abundance of peace , which thou then gavest us : forgive the sins of thy people , turn our hearts unto thee , from the first unto the last , give us unfeigned repentance , and humiliation under thy mighty hand , that thou maist spare us ; and grace to forsake all our evill waies , that thine anger may cease from us : give us patience to bear thy fatherly corrections , who hast with so much patience born with our iniquities . Bless thy Church universal with trueth and unity , shew thy mercy on her distressed : thou hast hid thy face from us and consumed us , because of our jniquities ; but , Lord , remember them not for ever : appoint now unto them that mourne in Sion : give them beauty for ashes : the oile of joy for mourning , and the garment of prais● for the spirit of heavinesse : comfort her waste places , make her wildernesse like Eden , and her desart like the garden of the Lord : give her joy and gladnesse , and let the voice of thanks-giving and melody be heard in her again .

Blesse that part thereof which thy right hand hath planted in great Britan and Ireland ; blesse this family and every part thereof : forgive us all our sinnes , sanctifie our bodies and souls to thy service : give us that blessed peace of conscience which the world can neither give nor take away ; give us assurance of our iustification in Christ Jesus : fill us with fruits of righteousnesse , that wee may not foolishly slee●e without oile in our lampes , because wee know not whether the day now spent shall be our last : when wee sleepe , let thy providence which watcheth over all thine , preserve us from the powers of darknesse , perplexing fantasies , and troublesome dreames ; that 〈◊〉 may rest in thee , and being refreshed , rise againe to glorifie thee in our several places and callings , through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Saviour .

Amen .

CHAP. XXIV .

Of Marriage ; and the dueties thereof . § . 1. Of Marriage ; the institution , end and fruits thereof . § . 2. Of choice in general , and particular ; who are to be avoided . § . 3. Dueties of the Married , mutual and peculiar . § . 4. Advice to the widow .

1. MArriage is the conjunction of one man with one woman , according to the lawes of God and man , in the holy indissoluble band of Wedlock , whereby they become one flesh : I say of one man with one woman : for so God made them at first , and so appointed from the begining . See Matth. 19. 4 , &c. so that plurality of wives or husbands at once , is adultery ; though when either party dyeth , the surviver a a Rom. 7. 2 , 3. is free to marry , in the Lord ; according to the lawes of God , who saith , b b 1 Cor. 7 2. Let every man have his owne wife , and every woman her own husband — and the c c Rom. 7. 2. wife is bound by the law to her husband , so long as hee liveth . d d Heb. 13 4. Marriage is honorable in all , and the bed undefiled : forbidding to marry is the doctrine of devils , who labour to pervert the order and institution of God , to corrupt and dishonor the fountain of humane propagation , with impure and wandring lusts . And also according to the lawes of man ; which being grounded on God's law , necessarily binde all men thereto subject , as cautioning against emergent inconveniences , with relation to times , places , and persons ; as where they binde to publish the sponsals or contracts , to prevent marriage without consent of parents and governers : or where they limit to certain houres in the face of the congregation , &c. to avoid clandestine marriages , or incontinent living , under pretence of marriage : next I say , it is an holy and indissoluble band : holy ; for whatsoever is not so , in respect of the persons capacity and fitnesse , the end and use thereof is neither lawful before God nor man : and I say indissoluble : for e e Eph. 5. 31. 1 Cor. 6. 16. they two become one flesh , partners of one condition in weale and woe : whence they call it conjugium , as à communi iugo ; and for this cause f f Mat. 19 5. Gen. 2. 24. shall a man leave father and mother , and remaine with his wife : which is not simply , but comparatively to be understood ; as if hee said , Thou shalt more constantly keep with her , or rather leave father and mother , then thy wi●e : and the word of Christ is cleere , g g Mat. 19. 6 , 9 what God hath joined together , let no man put asunder : whosoever shall put away his wife , except it be for fornication , and shall marry another , committeth adultery — now in case of adultery h h Non enim homo separat , quos poena damnat . man separateth not , but a just punishment ( as death ) dischargeth the party innocent : he is cruelly impious who putteth away a chaste wife , and hee impiously foolish who keepeth an adulterous or dead one by him . Neither may wee conceive that God joineth all them together , that are married before men : there is a just age fit to give consent required ; freedom in consent , and where these are not , it is no lawful marriage . If there be deceit , as where the man is an Eunuch , where there is fraud or errour , as where a Leah is substituted for a Rachel ; where there is a lawful pre●ontract of either party with some other , where either party is before married to some other living person , where degrees of consanguinity or affinity hinder ; where there is no consent of parents , where there is no compulsion , by violence , fear , or importune commands of superiors ; in fine , where the marriage is not lawful , God joined not , and therefore it is no sin for man justly to separate , where man unjustly joined .

2. Marriage was ordained by God in Paradise , in the state of mans innocency : wherein hee ( who best knew his owne work in man ; and not only what he then was , but also what he would be ) pronounced , i i Gen. ● . ●8 . It is not good that the man should be alone : and to shew their neer conjunction , hee made the woman of the man , that the propagation of all mankinde might be of united two , one flesh : and the eternal God having taken on him humane nature ( that being truely God and man , he might be the only mediator between God and man ) k k Iohn 2● honored and adorned marriage with his own sacred presence , and first miracle which hee wrought in Cana of Galile : how much more necessary now is an helper in the present state of sin and misery , wherein the holy Ghost pronounceth , l l 1 Cor. 7. 9. it is better to marry then to burn ? wherein sin hath subjected man to many afflictions and infirmities , so that the wisest of meer men said , m m Eccl. 4. 10. woe to him that is alone .

3. The end and fruits of holy matrimony are

1. An holy obedience to God's ordinance ; who severely chargeth all , that have not the gift of continency to observe the lawes of chaste matrimony ; and thereby to keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's mystical n n Col. 1 18. Eph. 5. ●0 . body the Church , and o o 1 Cor. 6. 15. not to give the members thereof to an harlot .

2. That for the encrease of Christ's kingdome , mankinde may be pure , legally and orderly propagated .

3. That men and women might avoid fornication , and the punishments following the same , exclusion from the kingdome of God , and more varieties of temporal punishments ( in estate , reputation , horror of conscience , and sundry bodily diseases ) then are visibly inflicted on any other sinne .

4. That man might have a helper in his domesticall affaires ( bringing up of his children , and ordering his family ) a companion in prosperity , and a partner and comforter in affliction .

5. That the mutuall love of man and wife might teach us p p Eph. 5. the admirable love of Christ to his Church , and his individible unity with her , care for her , and providence over her . In this great mystery , not only the Apostle , but Solomon in his Song of Songs expresseth Christ's love , and the Churches happinesse .

Concerning the choice to be made , I would give my children this counsel :

1. In general : q q 1 Cor. 10. 31. What ever you doe , §. II. aime principal●y at the honor of God , and study to please him in your choice : which rule when too many neglect , their principall care being to please their carnal parents , or themselves , by some great portion or estate , honour and gaine of powerfull allies , beauty , qualities , and amiable features of those with whom they match , not caring how God is pleased or displeased ) his fearfull judgments follow them so , as that which they chose for their delight and comfort , proveth their most bitter affliction , and the ruine of their family : be sure therefore to consult the Lord in thy choice , desiring that he would guide thee , as in all thy affaires and interests , spiritual and secular , so specially in this , of these the greatest , and that which shall render thee either most happy or unhappy : therein advise with his oracles for thy direction ; which in the precept command thee to obey thy parents in all things , and to have their consent : and in the example of the holy , not to engage thy selfe without their consent , who will be faithfull counsell●rs to thee , and have much more experience of the world then thou canst have .

2. In particular : ( as the same word saith ) r r 2 Cor 6 ▪ 14. Be not unequally yoked together with unbeleevers : for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrightcousnesse , what communion hath light with darknesse — what part hath hee that beleeveth with an Infidel ? what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols ? In such an unhallowed union they cannot with the same minde and spirit serve God together in praiers and holy exercises of religion ; nor s s In tan●●●●orum discordia , quae potest essè ●oncordia ? Hier. Nepo●i . lib. 2 ep. 14. be united in holy peace , who are not in God : nor bring up their children with mutual care in the feare of God : nor can the many bitter dissentions hence arising be avoided , nor the calamities which usually follow such divisions ; God having so expresly forbidden such marriages : See Exod. 34. 1 2. Deut. 7. 3. Gen. 6. 1 , 2. 1 King . 16. 31. 1 King . 21. 25. 2 King 8. 18 , 27. 2 King . 11. 1. 2 Chron. 22. 10. I may conclude of such as t t Iud. 14 ▪ 3. Sampson's father and mother said , Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren , or among all my people , that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines ?

3. Reason will advise thee not to be ambitious of matching in a family , or to a person too unequall in fortunes or condition : if thou marry too low , thou callest thy judgment or integrity into a difficult question ; if too high , thou hast taken up an u u Dixit Cleobulus , Diog. Laert. lib. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . honorable burden : w w ●ari iugo , dulci● tr●ct●● . the equal yoke is best .

4. Choose neither for , nor without an estate , and such a beauty as may please thee : riches and beauty are very considerable to him that would live , and love ; but vertue is incomparably better then both : it is hard to feed a poore wife , or to endure the usual x x Quae viro● subservire postulant , 〈◊〉 ●retae ●cro●es . P●aut . M●naec . Act. 5. Scen. 2. insolencies of the rich ; to love the ill-favoured , or to be secure of the beautiful : 't is a misery wilfully incurred , for wealths sake to condemne ones self to a loathed bed : and it is an undoubted madnesse to aspire to the enjoying that beauty , y y — rara est concordia sormae● Atque pudicitiae ▪ — wherewith chastity seldom dwelleth , which may please many , and displease , and make thee unhappy . God hath shewed his admirable power and wisedom , as in all the creatures , so in the countenances of men and women , in that within little more then the compasse of an hands breadth , he hath made such variety , as that among millions of millions , there are none either much unlike , or z z Eadem ●igara omnibus , sed quaedam unicuique lineamenta de●lexa , sic & similes universi videmur , & interse singuli dissimiles in venimur . M●●uc . Fel. Octav. absolutely like in all lineaments : yet had hee not made as much , or more variety in the mindes and affections ; some one beauty ( for proportion , colour , feature , and genius ) must have been the adored ( and therein unhappy ) Hel●na the Cynosure of most mens loves , the admired piece of nature and breeding , the load-stone , drawing all affection into a turbulent and restlesse center of corrival-ship : but his providence is also seen in the variety of love and liking : some like the black , as to them most beautiful ; therefore the a a Cle● Alex. supr. cil . l. 7. strom . Moors made their Gods black and flat-nosed : and the Barbarians made theirs yellow ; both shewing what they esteemed beauty : for seeing their complexion , proportion , and lineaments were in their power , who made that which they would foolishly , and did impiously adore ; no doubt they would strive to give them the greatest perfections of beauty and lovely proportion ; ( as the painter did , when he borrowed all the perfections of beauty he possibly could to furnish his pourtraict of Venus ) so that these nations made them of such proportion and colour , as they thought most beautiful : which sheweth , that beauty is not in white and red , or so much in any sixed standart , as to be weighed by his affection who likes and loves : whence it commeth to passe , that affection being Clarke of the Market , making , or at least determining the true value and price of beauty , yea beauty it selfe ; there is almost no face , but some can like and love it best : I might say therefore if beauty were not so much in opinion , yet is it fading : flowers are the emblemes thereof : b b Pro. 31. 30. Favor is deceitfull , and beauty is vaine , but a woman that feareth the Lord shee shall be praised : love which only beauty enflames , is like fire in stubble , soon going out , except it finde some more solid fuel to preserve it : The ancient Heathens , in their fable of Pygmalion ( falling in love with the image which he made , and obteining a metamorphosis thereof into a woman and his wife , quickly disliked ) under a false c c Non ergò res ipsas gestas ●inxerunt poetae — sed rebus gestis addiderunt ●uendam colorem — vera sunt ergò quae loquuntur poctae , sed obtentu aliquo speci●que velo●● . vaile ( as oft they did ) understood this morall trueth , That such is the mutability of mans minde , that if he might be permitted according to his desire to make himselfe a fortune , hee would not long like his own option and ●igment , specially that which is grounded on so fraile a good as beauty , every day subject to change by the power of sicknesse , if no worse corruption . Regard riches and beauty in thy choice , that thou maist subsist and love , but choose not for either , or both , but principally for vertue , not subject to the lawes of time or age .

5. If thou art under parents or governers , match not without their consent .

6. Lastly , so far as by diligent enquiry thou canst discern , take heed of

1. An impious Athaliah , or false Delilah , likewise of a tempter : hee or shee who will not be good toward so good a God , what hope is there they will or can be good to thee ? what mischiefe , what curse maist thou not reasonably expect from such company as God hateth , and will finally destroy ?

2. A proud and expensive Jezabel : such must needs prove thy families calamity : pride goeth before ruine : the spendthrift is more devouring then the sea : that is sometimes long devouring a patrimony , this quickly swalloweth up all : there may be some defence found against that , but if Solomon himselfe were tutor to this foole , his instruction should finde no capacity in him .

3. A curst and intractable nature : a provoking Miriam , a sullen Vashti , a jeering Nichol , a scolding Zipporah , a stingie Peninnah , and a revengeful Herodias : why any one should be in love with a bear , it must seem strange to us , but some are of an affection so paradoxical that they can ; because they are of the like ungentle & rough disposition ( for parity of manners begeteth liking ) but if thou love comity , affability , and that sweetnesse of behaviour which becometh the people of God , avoid a churlish Nabal , and a d d X●ntippe quàm in Socratem prius convitia & maledicta ingessisset ▪ post verò & sordidis aquis per●udisset , inquit , Nonne dicebam Xantippem tonantem , quandoque pluituram ? Laert. l. ● . Socrat. shrill Xantippe , whose thunder will not only startle thee by day , but like an importune gnat , she will be singing about thy eares when thou wouldst ●leep : whose impudent barbarismes will render thee ridiculous to thy acquaintance , and pitied of thy friends : whose spirit of contradiction will embitter all that which should sweeten an happy society : neither let some calmes deceive thee : the sea is lovely when no breath of winde moveth it to rage : the fiercest are kinde in their times of love : consider well what men and women are when they are angry : and how thou canst change , bridle , or bear that nature : he that keepeth salvage beasts , may render up his charge when hee will , but the unhappy married , covenant , till death us depart . Take heed of objects too great for thy power , or patience .

4. An intemperate , luxurious , or drunken mate . e e Pascitur ●ibido conviviis , nutritur deliciis , &c. Amb. de poen. l. 1. cap. 14. Lust is fed at full tables ; which beggery and misery attend to take away : the intemperate and drunken is the devils anvile , on which hee can forge any sinne : when Satan with large promises tempted the yong man to kill his father , hee abhorred the suggestion : likewise when he proposed in the second place , that hee should commit adultery , he refused it : when hee brought him into company , and exhorted him to doe as others did , drinking he became drunken , and in that madnesse slew his father , and committed adultery : drunkennesse is broker to any sin .

5. A bold and familiar behaviour in women , is a dangerous symptom of immodesty . Lascivious gesture , impudent discourse and affectation of strange attire , are but the bush to shew what is vendible within : take heed of a gadding Dinah , and a tame woman : I deny not but such may be chaste , but it seemeth hardly probable that they would be such . Of all domestick miseries , the adulterous wi●e is incomparably worst : and most ( of all such calamities ) to be abhorred of those that are to choose , and to be pitied in all that have made such choice : except in those that have made them , or suspected them before to be such ; f f Pro. 6 ▪ 25 , 26. lust not after her beauty in thine heart : neither let her take thee with her eie-lids ; for by means of a whorish woman , a man is brought to a morsel of bread : and the adulteresse will hunt for the precious life : g g Prov. 5. 8. Remove thy way farre from her , and come not nigh the door of her house .

6. Take heed of matching into an infamous family : it is true , God can call , and so doth , h h Luke 7. some infamous sinners home to wash the feet of Christ with teares of repentance : he can and doth take some out of the most sinful families to make them instances of his mercy : but commonly partus ventrem sequitur : an adulterous Herodias hath a dancing daughter , easily infected with her mothers sicknesse : it is a desperate adventure to choose there .

Concerning the mutual Dueties of the married these duties are observable :

1. That they serve God together with one heart and consent : §. III. so Abraham and Sarah , Isaac and Rebecca , Zacharie and Elisabeth ; so all the children of God in that state do .

2. That both hold the bond of conjugal love , entire , pure , and unpolluted : while Solomon chargeth the man — i i Prov. 5. 18 , &c. rejoice with the wife of thy youth — let her breasts satisfie thee at all times — he enjoineth the woman the same duety : let both ever remember the covenant they have made before God , and that dreadful word , 1 Cor. 6. 9 , 10. Be not deceived , neither fornicators , nor idolaters , nor adulterers — shall inherit the kingdom of God .

3. That they live together in love , peace , and amity : that they give not scandal to others , nor create mutual bitternesse to themselves : Mutual love is gods blessing on thy family , a praeludium of heaven , in thy house , a comfortable pattern to thy children : like the sun-beams on thy possession : as the dew of heaven on thy fields , which maketh all look cheerfully , and be fruitful : a state that cometh neerest up to that blessed Paradise-oeconomy of Adam innocent : a blessing which maketh every estate such ; without which no store is blessed . k k Pro. 15. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs , where love is , then a stalled oxe and hatred therewith . l l Pro. 17. 1. Better is a dry morsel , and quietnesse therewith , then an housefull of sacrifices with strife .

4. That they do cheerfully and willingly communicate in all that which God hath given them ; in prosperity advising , in adversity comforting each other with such sympathy in joy and sorrow , as is in them who are truely one flesh .

5. That they bear each others infirmities , never taking things spoken or done in the worst sense ; nor making every trivial matter an occasion of quarrel , or alienation of affection , but passing by them so , as that they may seem rather covered in love , then excused in judgement , or approved in stupidity : in which practice Satan may be beaten with his own weapon ; while that every occasion ( which hee administred in hope to former discord ) being prudently used to demonstrate the invincible love of the party suffering , and willing rather to put up injury , then to admit the least breach of amity by retaliation , more endeareth them to each other .

6. That they join hands and hearts , to assist each other in the way to heaven ; See 1 Cor. 7. 16. 1 Pet. 3. 7.

7. That they mutually defend each other : so Michol preserved David , when Saul sought his life : so prudent Abigail endeavoured Nabal's preservation : they must not be false Delilahs , to con●ederate against the lives or estates of their husbands .

8. That they neither unjustly take , nor justly give occasion of jealousie , which ever embittereth , the ( otherwaies ) most happy families . Jerom's rule is here to be commended to women : m m Etsi negagata non feceris , tamen deforme putes testimonium si rogeris , Hier ▪ ep. 2l 9 ▪ though thou yeeld not , being asked ; yet think it an odious testimony to be asked : hee comes to neer , who cometh to be denied .

The Duties proper to the Husband may appeare in these following Rules :

1. Let the n n 1 Pet. 3. 7. husband dwell with his wife according to knowledge , giving honor to her as the weaker vessel , as being co-heires of the grace of life , that their prayers be not hindred : where there needeth reproof , let it neither be rough , odious , injurious , publick , clamorous , nor disgracefull ; but allayed with such wisedome , and opportune perswasions , as may not only reform but endeare : in the most happy wedlock there may be some matter of just dislike , and therefore due cause of reproof : it much concerneth thee to know thy wives faults , but not to hate her for them : let the rule be either , beare thy wives faults ( if tolerable ) with patience , or amend them with direction , if they are intolerable , in this thou makest her better , in that , thy selfe .

2. Let a man love o o Eph. 5. 33. his wife as himselfe ; esteeming nothing too good or dear for her good : as Christ loved his Church ; which concludeth nothing for them who impiously and cruelly afflict their wives with stripes , or otherwise : for God saith , p p Col 3 ▪ 19. Husbands love your wives , and be not bitter against them : it is uncertaine whether they have evil wives , but certain that they deserve such , who can no otherwise governe then by blowes . Neither doth this binde any man to an indiscreet ( much lesse an impious and dangerous ) indulgence to his wife ; wherein she desireth that which needs must , or probably may hurt her self , her husband or family : it is love and wisedome to deny her that .

3. Let a man maintain his wife in cloaths and necessaries according to his estate , so as shee may live cheerfully with him , not as servant , but as a partner in his estate .

4. Let the husband use all comity , holy , gratious , prudent , and peaceable language , as a pattern to all his family , so specially as a pledge of love to his wife : neither like rugged Nabal , nor fond and vaine , which commonly changeth into fits of extream bitternesse ; for who can like such inksome levity ?

5. Let the man heare the wife's advice , but never be transported beyond better reason , nor carried thereby against the holy will of God ; as Adam , whose dreadfull sentence bare this cause in the front , q q Gen. 3. 17. because thou hast hearkned to the voice of thy wife — as r r 1 King . 21. 25. Ahab hearkned to the voice of Jeza●el : as s s 1 King . 11 3 Solomon , whom his wives most fearfully corrupted . t t Anil●e mihi liber videatur , cui mulier imperat , cui leges imponit , praescribit ▪ iubet , vetat qui nihil impera●●i negare potest , nihil recusare audet●● ego verò is●um non modò servum , sed n●quissimum servum , etiamsi in amplissima ●amilta natus sit , appellandum puto . Cic. pared . omnes sapientes liberos esse , &c. The Orator could say of a man so awed by his wife ; I doe think that hee ought to be called not onely a slave , but truely the worst of such .

Concerning the proper dueties of Wives , I finde these three principle rules :

1. Let the wife be u u Eph. 5. 22. Col 3. 18. subject to her husband , as unto the Lord in every thing ; for the man is the wife's head : w w 1 Tim. ● . 9 , 12. shee was made for man : God permitteth not the woman to usurpe authority over the man : this duety comprehendeth love , x x Eph. 5. 32. reverence , ai● and assistance , doing her husband good , endeavouring to content , please , and comfort him . See Pro. 31. 11. contrary to which is the imperious command of the domineering wife , unreverend speech or action , neglect of her charge , through pride , sloth , or riotous wasting her husbands estate .

2. Let her be chaste , modest , and silent : the Scripture expresseth this by y y 1 Pet. 3. 5 , 6 1 Pet. 3 1 , &c. 1 Tim. ● . 9 , 10 chast conversation coupled with feare ( impudency and chastity are rarely compatible ) and modest apparreling — which becometh women professing godlinesse , and●let the women learn with all subjection● a me●k and a quiet spirit are of high esteem in Gods sight : this is God's rule ; by what law they live who think it religion and good policy , by their loud and quarrelsom tongues , bitter spirits of contradiction , and otherwise , to master their husbands , and cantonize themselves , I know not ; it is certain these are heavy crosses , and no better then the sad furies possessing , and so restlesly haunting the house of a wretched man , that hee may well take up that old bemoaning , z z Hei mihi nec sine te , nec tecum vivere possum . Woe is mee , that I can neither live well with thee , nor without thee . Such dishonors of the lovely sex , disgraces of woman-hood , caused some wise men , besides the over-wived a a Interr●gatus utrum melius esset uxorem ducere , né●ne ? inquit , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — D. Laert. l. 1. Socrat l. 2. Psal. 128. Socrates , to judge that there is matter of repentance both in wedlock and single life : but the good woman openeth her mouth with wisedom , and her tongue is the law of kindness . Prov. 31. 26.

3. Let her b b Tit. 2. 5. keepe at home , like the fruitfull vine upon the walls of the house ; breeding up her children and providing for them : it is that which God enjoineth , that they be discreet , chaste , keepers at home : it is the harlots character . Prov. 7. 11. Shee is loud and stubborn , her feet abide not in her house : now shee is without , now in the streets , and lieth in waite at every corner .

Thus much of the duety of the married : to the Widow I have to say , she is free to marry again ; but advise her to take heed , that

1. Shee marry not to low , least suspicion brand her with the obloquie of some former familiarity .

2. That shee marry not too soon , least shee that can so quickly abolere Sichaeum , be thought for want of love to make such short exequies . Valeria being demanded why she married not againe , could say , My Servius is dead to others , not to mee .

3. That shee sell not her children to want , and her selfe to misery , by an ungodly concourse of lust and avarice .

4. That shee consider well , that which deterred Martia , Cato's daughter , from second marriage : I cannot easily ( said shee ) finde ▪ that man which loveth mee so much , as my estate .

A Praier for the married .

O Lord God , who didst create man and woman , joyne them in marriage , sanctify and blesse us whom thy providence hath joyned together : Lord give us one heart to love thee , and one another in thee , that we may be heires together of the promise : that thy blessings of heaven above and earth beneath , the blessings of peace , vnity and plenty , may be upon us , and all that thou givest us . Lord Jesus who didst furnish the wants at the Cana marriage with a bountiful supply , supply all our necessities , with those things which thou knowest necessary for us , that in every estate we may finde a cheerful sufficiency : Keepe us bodies , and soules from all the snares of Satan , the distractions of the world , corruptions of flesh and blood , and the power of sinne : that we may live unblameably toward all men , and holily before thee , to the good examples of sanctity and sobriety to our families , and mutual comforts , and blessings to each other , through Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen .

CHAP. XXV .

Concerning the duties of Parents and Children . § . 1. What honor to Parents : want of Children : good Parents of evil Children . § . 2. Duety of the Parent . Rules thereto belonging . § . 3. Dueties of Children . Rules thereof . Motives thereto .

1. a a Exod. 20. 12. HOnour thy father and thy mother , §. I. saith the Lord . Under this name are comprehended all superiors and governers , parents by nature , order , or institution : as under the name of children , all inferiors , sonnes , daughters , subjects , pupills , servants , &c. and honor importeth all dueties , respectively to be performed .

2. Want of Children , is a great affliction to some : therefore b b 1 Sam. 1. 10 Hannah wept , and prayed , in bitternesse of soul : it was then a reproach and affliction to the just , and a c c Lev. 20. 20 , 21. curse on the wicked . When God said unto d d Gen. 15 1 , 2 Abraham , Fear not I am thy shield and exceeding great reward : hee replyed , Lord God , what wilt thou give mee , seeing I goe childlesse ? e e Gen 35. 18 Give mee children , or I die , said impatient Rachel . Shee knew not then what 't was to have a Benoni , a sonne of sorrow . f f Psal. 127. 3 Children are an heritage of the Lord , and the fruit of the wombe is his reward : hee maketh g g Psal 113. 9. the barren woman to keep house , and to be a joyfull mother of children : as the h h Psal. 128. 3. fruitful vine on the sides of the house , with children like olive branches , God maketh the just mans wife : Great blessings if good , or greatest afflictions , if otherwise : certaine cares , uncertain comforts : a lovely possession , but ever bringing the most happy possessor many cares , feares , and troubles ; to some most bitter sorrowes : if God give thee no children , hee hath given thee the lesse care and occasion of sorrows , which in their losse sitteth heavily , even on the hearts of those mourning parents , who may say as that Shunamite — i i 2 King 4. 28 Did'I not des●re a sonne of my Lord ? did I not say , doe not decceve mee ? Be thankful for that which God hath given thee : no man hath all happinesse , some thou hast ; the greatest , if hee hath given thee Christ , thy Redeemer and Saviour ; how justly may hee say that of Elkanah , k k 1 Sam , 1. 8. Why is thy heart grieved ? am not I better to thee then ten sons ?

3. That good parents have sometimes evil children , appeareth , in l l Gen. 9. Noah's Cham , m m 1 Sam. 2 ▪ 12 25. Elie's , and n n 1 Sam 8 3 Samuel's sons : David's Amnon and Absolom , 2 Chron. 21 4 , 6. Jehoshaphat's Jehoram , Hezekiah's Manasse , and the like . Thus God pleaseth either to punish their neglects in breeding them , or to exercise their patience and humble them : so likewise to manifest to the world ▪ that sanctity is by no natural propagation , but free grace . Sometimes wicked parents have holy sons , as appeareth in q q 2 Chron. 33 22 , 25. ● Chr. 34. 2. Josiah , sonne of Amon , and many others ▪ that none may despair of whatsoever family he come .

1. The duety of a Parent toward his children , §. II. is to nourish and breed them up , providing necessaries for them : to teach them the feare of the Lord ; ( 1 Tim. 5. 1. Tit. 2. 4. Gen. 18. 19. Exod. 12. 27. Exod. 13. 8 , 14. Deut. 4. 10. Deut. 6. 7 , 20. Deut. 11. 19. Deut. 32. 46. Josh. 4. 6 , 7 , 21 , 22. Josh. 22. 24. Psal. 74. 4. Isai. 38. 19. Joël 1. 3. Ephes. 6. 4. ) to reprove their ●innes ( 1 Sam ▪ 3. 13. Prov. 13. 24. Prov. 29. 17. Hebr. 12. 9. Gen. 34. 30. ) to pray for them ( 2 Sam. 12. 16. Job . 1. 5. ) to lay up for●them ( 2 Cor. 12. 14. Gen. 24. 36. 2 Chron. 21. 3. ) to bestow them in marriage ( Gen. 24. 2 , 3. Gen. 21. 21. Gen. 28. 1. Judg. 14. 3 , 5. ) Therefore these following rules are necessary for parents concerning the same :

1. Study thy family , that thou maist not be a stranger at home : first , it is necessary for thee to proportion the expences thereof , and the breeding of thy children according to thy estate , lest thou build higher then thy foundation will beare : it hath been the evident ruine of many families , that parents have bred their children in so great an heigth , as that the meanes they were able to leave them , could not maintain them . It is not a little wisedom to live within thy fortunes , and to use thy children to a condition rather much too low , then the least little above thy estate : the minde will easily greaten , and rise with the fortunes , but very hardly lessen or descend : it is an evident danger to beare a saile too great for the bottome ; farre more safe is it , to enjoy a concealed estate , then to o●tent , and exceed a broken one . Secondly , it is necessary to know the qualities of thy family : h h Solemus mala domus nostrae s●ire novissimi , &c. Hieron . Sab. ep. 3 l. ● . we are many times the last that heare of the exorbitances of our houses : the neighbours whisper , and children sing our reproaches in the streets , before we so much as suspect them : something there is in affection , which eft soon blindeth the wise , with too secure opinion of their childrens good nature and discretion to deport themselves : so Augustus Caesar was deceived in his Julia ( whom he beleeved chast , though he was not ignorant of that dangerous symptom of immodesty , her over-daring audacity ) until in her incurable infamy , he knew , that pleasures , liberty , luxury , and vaine compture were precipices to whoredome : something also there is in parents giving their children too much power to follow their own Genius , led away with the fancy of that blinde-mans parents , Joh. 9. 21. hee is of age — hee shall speak for himselfe ; as if in their wilfull neglect of duety , they should not be responsible to God for their children . i i 1 Sam 2 23 , 31 , 32. Elie's k k 1 Sam. 3. 13 , 14. inexpiable sinne , in too milde a reproofe of his debauched sonnes , is a sad document to all carelesse and indulgent parents . If thou do not thy uttermost endeavour , to stay thy children from sin , if they perish , God will require their blood at thy hands ; if thou do ( though without successe ) thou hast delivered thy soul from that guilt .

2. Another duety of parents is to do a constant and holy endeavour to provide , and lay up for their children : idleness , carelessnesse , luxury , and vain expences of parents , impiously betray their children , and expose them to the mercy of a pitilesse world , to beggery and misery . It is pity that this republick , among many good lawes , wanteth the censorian law of the Romans , to punish negligent and unthrifty men ; and to sequester so much of their estates as might secure the wife and children from want . The Apostle marketh the idle with the black line l l 2 Thes 3. of inordinate walking , interdicting him food , who will not labour : and the improvident hee counteth , a m m 1 Tim 5. 8. denier of the faith , worse then an infidel . Some are foolishly kinde to strangers , and unnaturally carelesse of their own : like the n n Qui alienigenis benificus , suos negligit , similis est ●luvio X●lon , qui oritur in Castella , & irrigat Aragoniam . river Xalon , which they say riseth in Castel , and bestoweth his streames in watering Aragon . Worse are they then bruits , who by a natural ins●inct with restlesse industry finde meat for their yong : o o Ore volat pleno mater ieiuno — Juvenal . the hungry bird flieth with her mouth full to them . Doe thy endeavour , and commit the successe to God , who careth for all those that trust in him : but let it be an holy endeavour , hee that laboureth by fraud , oppréssion , rapine , lying , robbery , or any unjust way , ventureth his soule to leave his children rather rich , then vert●ous ; therein lesse charitable to himself , then p p Luk. 16. 27 In●elicissimè omnium cogi●a● quàm bene alii post ●e vivant , non cogitas quàm malè ipse moriaris . Tim. ad Eccles. l. 3. Dives in hell seemed to his brethren ; he would have a preacher sent them from the dead to warne them , that they might not come thither . Nor is this the way to leave them rich : God usually q q Hag. 1. 9. bloweth upon such an estate , and it cometh to nought ; whereas a little which the righteous hath , is better then great riches of the ungodly . It was David's experience : r r Psal. 37 , 25. I have been young , and now am old , yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken , nor his seed begging bread : that which is unjustly gotten , is but a s s Eccl. 10. 1. cantarides in the sweet box , it corrupteth the whole store ; or as gravell in thy bread , a mischievous accession : such was poore Naboths vineyard to Ahab , that little spot carried away a kingdom from his posterity : a wise man will not put up one ill-gotten penny into his treasure : he must needs bring a curse upon his children , who will make them rich by sinne . Experience hath often preached this to us , in the sudden ruine of great families , which , like t t lonah 4. 7. the Prophets gourd , soone rose , and in their acme , as quickly withered away ; because there was a mischievous worm at the root . Sinne ever carrieth a curse with it , except in case of repentance , which in this case cannot be without disgorging and restitution of all that which wrong or fraud had swallowed of other mens . Among parents just provision for children , matching them well is a principal : wee reade of it in Abraham , and see it in all the prudent : herein respect thou most their soules health , compell not , but advise the best , committing the main to God , by whose providence if thou finde a good match , thou hast gained a sonne or daughter , if otherwise , thou hast lost a childe .

3. Count godlinesse ( as truely it is ) the greatest gain , and accordingly let thy chiefe care be to bring up thy children in true wisedome and instruction of the Lord , if thou wilt be happy , and u u Nihil magìs praestare filii s po●es , quam si hoc bonum per te habeant , quod nunquam penitus amittant . Tim. ad Eccl. l 1. Ephes. 6. 4. See Pro. 19 13 Prov. 17 25. Prov. 10. 1. & 15. 20. have thy children so : and beginne betimes : the new w w Recent testa diu retinet , & saporem , & odorem q●o primum imbuta est . Hier l. 2. ep. 17. vessel will hold his first seasoning long : how happy are those young Timothies , who have an x x 2 Tim. 1. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 15. holy Lois , and a religious Eunice , to make them know the Scriptures from their childe-hood , to enure them daily to the exercises of religion , praier , catechizing in the doctrine of faith and sanctimony ; reading , hearing and repeating by heart some sentences of holy Scripture , that the word of God may dwell plentifully in them , and that all religious habits may grow up in them : that they may know Christ , and remember their creator in their youth ; in an happy childe-hood singing Hosanna●s to him : the bloody y y Dionysius Dionis inimici filium . Sic iussit educari , ut i●dulgendo turpissimis imbueretur cupiditatibus : Scorta adducebantur , vino ep●lisque o●ruebatur , &c. Aem. Prob. vit Dionys. Dionysius did nothing more cruel , then when he commanded his enemies sonne to be brought up in liberty of sinne , and indulgence to all , which the unbridled affections of youth could lead him to : how impious are those parents whose neglects or wilful connivance betray their childrens soules to hell and damnation ? while they delay to plant sanctity in their mindes , the busie tempter taketh advantage on a corrupt nature , to sow his tares , and make them habitually wicked from the cradle : if thy childe were fallen , or wounded dangerously , thou wouldst not say , It will be time enough to helpe him hereafter ; for shame be not lesse carefull for an eternal soule , then a soon decaying-body . Assoone as they are capable , teach them the fear of the Lord : thou knowest not how soon God will take thee from them , or them from thee : ( herein there is much discretion to be used , in preparing z z 1 Cor. 3. milk , not strong meats for babes , lest thou rather stupifie then instruct ) the a a Aegrè reprehendas quod sinas consu●scere , di●●●●ulter eraditur , quod rudes animi perbi●erunt Lanarom c●nchylia , quis in pristi●um ●euocet ? Hier. l. 2. ep . 17. longer thou delayest , the harder the cure will be : it is not an easie taske , to unteach children evil habits : nor canst thou reasonably think religion to be a b b l●nah 4. childe of one night , like the fruit which Aarons rod did beare , Num. 17. 8. it is long coming to maturity : we quickly learn evil , but slowly good : present thy yong Samuel to the Lord , that he may blesse them and thee .

4. Set thy children in some calling : breed them not only to uselesse ceremonies . There are some things in breeding children to comity and good behaviour , which wee not unaptly call com●lements : for indeed , sweet , comly , discreet and winning behaviour is an excellent ornament and finishing of vertue ; not only setting off , but much advantaging and commending sanctimony it selfe ; which is often loved and entertained by those that are without , for that external comlinesse with which it is cloathed ; admired of them who being yet but carnal , understand no more . The men of Nazareth admired the c c Luke 4. 22. gracious words which proceeded out of Christ's mouth , concerning whom it was prophesied , d d Psal. 45. full of grace are thy lips — and the Apostle saith , e e Col. 46. let your speech be alwaies with grace , seasoned so as that it may administer grace to the hearers , by a gaining affability : and St Peter saith , f f Pet. 3. 8. be courteous . God's wisedom ruling in his children , is g g Iam. 3. 17. gentle : they are deceived who think good breeding and comity conduceth nothing to religion , yea it very much adorneth it , and commendeth the professors thereof . The rugged Ismaëls , rustick Esaus , and unformed Nabals , are company more fit for beares then men : But , on the other side , to be all complement without substance or good meaning , speaketh a man , a ridiculous super●icies , an Italian bubble , an outside and empty statue of a man . He is an unprofitable burden of the earth , who is neither good for war nor peace , things secular nor divine . Commendable is the care of honorable parents , to breed up their children in Schools , Vniversities , Innes of court , or travel into forain parts , to fit them thereby to serve the state : though the abuses thereof too often discommend the improvident , who are not improved ; the negligent , who are not bettered ; and the libertine , who is made worse hereby : how many travellers have not only like h h 1 King 10. 22. Solomon's Tharshish merchants , among their precious lading , brought home apes and peacocks , vain imitation and pride ; but i i Asia primum devicta luxuriam misit in Italiam — paritérque lux●ria nata est , & Carthago sublata : ità — ut liberet a●p ecti viti● . & ●ucre● pe●●are Plin. nat hist. l. 33. c. 11. with Scipio , luxury and the vices of other nations , and with Ahaz , the idolatry ? 2 King . 16. 10 , 11. It is observable that some of the world 's great Princes have learned manufactures , and therein laboured every day sometime . The sole master of the world had his opus , to till the ground : idlenesse is the sepulcher of living men : it is good to know how to subsist , if some unexpected pressure should straiten a man ; and therefore necessary to breed thy childe so , as that he may have some calling .

5. Love thy children tenderly , but in the Lord : love them best which are k k Quid enim rectius , quid magìs iustum , quàm ut qu● melio●es sunt , iidem etiam honoratiores essent ? Tim. ad Eccl. l. 3. most like their heavenly father in sanctity : what can be more just , then to honour the best most ? Love them so as not l l Ità i●os diligite , nè vos odiss● videamini : in consultus namque & stustus amor est alteriis memor & sui immemor . Ibid. to hurt and hate thy selfe : it is an inconsiderate love , and foolish , to remember others , and forget our selves : hold that distance which may secure a parents authority from contempt : use such compliance with their age , as may shew thee not rigidly austere , but loving and affable to them , though this seem inconvenient to those who have no experience of parents affection , because , no children : which m m Plutar. vit. Agesil . Agesilaus knew , when ( by a friend suddenly coming in , he was found riding with his children on a reed ) he prayed him not to report it , till hee had children of his own : n n Non solum amandos dicimus ●ilios , sed praecipuè ac super omn●a amandos , nec quicquam his — anteponendum , nisi Deum solum . Tim. ad Eccl. lib 1. love them next Christ , not above him ; suffer them not to dishonor him : neither give them liberty or opportunity to any evil . ●inah's idle visits , brought home shame , danger , and dishonor to her fathers family .

6. Be o o Eph. 6. 4. not bitter to them , lest thou discourage them : p p Col 3. 21. provoke them not to anger , lest it break out to some desperate disobedience : use thy children to doe well q q Suâ sponte potius , quàm alieno metu . Ter. Adelph . ● 1. S. 1. rather for love , then fear , of their own accord , rather then others fear or compulsion : he that is inured to obey for love , will not be afraid to communicate his counsels , and to be advised by his parents , without which he may unhappily follow his own , or others , to destruction .

7. Correct thy children in love and wisedom , so that it may appeare that thou art angry with their faults , not them . r r Pro. 13. 21. Hee that spareth his 〈◊〉 , hateth his son ; but hee that loveth him , chastenoth him betimes — s s Pro. 23. 14. Thou shalt beat him with the rod , and shalt deliver his soule from hell — t t Pro. ●2 . 15. Foolishnesse is bound up in the heart of a childe , but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him . An horse not broken becometh head-strong , and u u Eccl. 30. 8. a childe left to himselfe will be wilful : all extreams are dangerous : there may be an unnatural severity in correction , if it exceed in measure . Seleucus is famous for his justice on his adulterous son , but more for his love , in putting out one of his own eies to satisfie the law , that he might thereby spare one of his sonnes eies . Junius Brutus punishing his sonnes ambition with death , put w w Exuit patremut cons●lem ageret . Liv. l. 2. Plutarch . vit. F●bii . off the natural affection of a father , that he might act the Consul . It was nothing lesse then impious severity of x x Quasi plus in imperio esset quàm victoria L. Flor. lib. 1. c 14. Manlius Torquatus taking away his sonnes life , therein more valuing the Majesty of empire , then the lawes of nature , nor fatherly piety : most detestable was Herod's cruelty , who ( enraged by suspicion ) murdered his sons , Aristobulus and Alexander , with others . Augustus censured so farre well ; I had rather be ( said hee ) Herods hogge then his son : such prodigies perhaps might now be found , but for feare of humane lawes : I deny not but that sonnes may give cause of disinheriting ; but an implacable anger of the parent ( perhaps like y y 1 Sam. 14. Saul's with Jonathan ) for transgression of some foolish ordinance of his owne , not regarding God's law , nor his ordinance and assignment of the right of primogeniture , is a dangerous sign of astorgie , and want of natural affection , ( which mediating ) there is an easier work in the world , then reconciliation of an exorbitant sonne to an offended father : which that prudent Tekoïte found in her mediating between z z 2 Sam. 14. 21. Citò adnuunt qui suo ipsi amore superantur . Salvia . ep. Upatio , &c. — etiamsi i●stas succensen . di causas parentes habeant , nihil contingere eis felicius , nihil optabilius potest , qu●m ut si●●is pro reatu filii satisfaciant , nè ne●esse habeant vindi●are ib. Salv. David and Absolom . The other extream is , that which some mothers are guilty of ; when they hide , or excuse their childrens sinnes , and therein are a a — adiutrices in peccato . abetters , when they expresse delight in , or consent to their childrens vices ; they doe but with those impious b b — bla●●ditiis , & osculo comprimente vagitum , nè ●lebilis hostia immolaretur . Min. F●l Octa. mothers , ( who woont to sacrifice their children to the devil ) sing lullabies , as they cast them into the fire , that they might not offer a weeping sacrifice . The summe is , spare not thy childrens faults , but love their persons : in correcting , ballance anger with wisedome , that thou maist correct , not make them worse .

8. Keepe power in thy hands to restrain thy children , and hold them in obedience , as the wise man counselleth ; c c Eccl. 39. 19 , &c. Give not thy sonne power over thee while thou livest — better is it that thy children should seek to thee , then that thou shouldst stand to their courtesie . Love commonly descendeth , but rarely ascendeth . It hath been the ruine of many a childe , that he had an estate made over to him without wisedome to manage it , or himself : when those young Phaëtons rule the day , destruction cometh before night .

9. Let not thy childe see any evil example in thee : a thousand good precepts teach not so much as one evil example : d d Velocius & citius nos corrumpunt vitiorum exempla domestica , magnis cum su●eunt animos auctoritus . Juv. domestick examples are the most pernicious perswaders to vice , and soonest corrupt ; specially when children have such authors as they love and hold sacred : and how canst thou correct thy children for imitating thee , e e Cum facias peiora senex ? p●oclivis est enim malorum aemulatio ; quorum virtutes assequi nequeas , citò imitaris vitia Hiero. lib. 2. epist. 17 ▪ when thou doest worst in teaching by example ? When they learne cursing , swearing , profanation , intemperance , rude and foul language ( which hath cost many a life ) obscence and ●ilthy talke , irreligion , and neglect of all good duties , from parents , they think themselves justified by their sins . Hence usually is hatched , f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 an evil egge of a bad bird ; a corrupt and cursed seed . g g Hincest quòd pene omnes parentib 〈◊〉 su● filii non magìs in patrimonia quàm in vitia succedunt . Hence cometh it to passe that children doe not more commonly inherit their fathers patrimonies , then their vices , * * Ante ●orum incipiunt nequitiam , quàm substantiam p●ssi●ere . bona enim parentum non nisi m●rtuis eis possident , ●iventibus autem adhuc & valentibus mo●es ●ac sic priusquam in dominio suo habere incipiant res paternas : habent in animo ipsos patres : ac antequam habeant illa quae fal●ò dicuntur bona , ante habent il'a quae verè probantur mala Tim 9. supr. l. 1. and sooner are they possessed of these , then them : those come to them after their fathers death , these in their life : so have they descended to them true vices , before those things which are but falsly called good . Woe worth such parents , and miserable are their children , beyond those , who by their parents impious superstition , passed through those Moloch flames , wherein a soon dying body perished ; but here is the danger of body and soul eternally perishing in hells unquenchable fire . The heathen would have taught these seeming Christians better , h h Nil dictu foedum , factuve haec limina tangat , Intra quae puer est . — nihil in ●e & in patre 〈◊〉 videat , quod si fecerit peccet — memento vos parentes — magis exemplis doceri posse , quàm vo●e . Hieronym . lib. 2. epist. 17. Let nothing ( said he ) uncomely to be spoken or done , so much as touch these doors within which there is a childe . If any evil in thy family happen to be done , it ought with much discretion to be drawn to a present example of detestation of that sinne : as i i Clem. Alexandt . the Spartans woont to shew their drunken servants to their children , that by their discomposed deportments , and loathsome deformity , they might learn to detest drunkennesse .

10. Pray continually for thy children : O that Ismaël might live in thy sight , ( cryed Abraham ) Gen. 17. 18. Job rose up early every day to sacrifice for his sonnes , lest they should beare some inexpiated sinnes , Job 1. 5. Thine owne experience of the folly and frailty of youth , their ignorance , pronenesse to error and sinne , their many dangerous temptations , should stirre up thy natural aff●ctions to this duety : unexcusable before God are they that neglect it ; and damnable they , who instead of praying for them , curse them , on inconsiderable and lesse grounds then that which instigated Micha's mother thereto , Jud. 17. 2. No wonder ( said the heathen ) that so many children prove impious , seeing k k Inter parentum execrationes . Seneca . they grow up among their parents curses . It is true , l l Prov. 26. 2. the causelesse curse shall not come : and that God can turn a m m Deut 23. 5. Balaam's curse into a blessing : yet n n J●●g 9. 57. Jotham's curse fell on the wicked Shechemites , and heavily fell good o o Gen 9. 15. Noah's , on Cham and p p Iosh 9 21 , 23. Jsh. 17 13 , &c. his posterity : yea impious parents commonly see the fruits of their rash curses in their childrens ruine .

11. Look on thy children as the blessings which God hath given thee : we are all the sonnes of Time , which devoureth all it own brood : we have here q q Heb 13. ●o continuing city ; wee must all part again , until wee meet in eternity : when God took away Job's dear children , he said , r r Iob 1. The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away , blessed be the name of the Lord : It is no little bitternesse to flesh and blood to loose hopeful children : but we must in such case consider how much more happy they , who rest in Christ , are then we who survive to mourne for them . It is one of the most incongruous acts of a reasonable soule , to bewaile those , whom wee beleeve blessed . Next we must consider God's justice afflicting us for loving things humane too much : and his mercy in taking them away from evils to come , disburdening us of the care he entrusted to us for a time : nor can any say , what a childe may prove : there are s s 1 King 1. 5 Adoniahs , and t t 2 Sam. 15. 10. Absoloms still , sweet children , but rebellious men : there are u u Gen. 34. 2. lovely Dinahs , and fair w w 2 Sam. 31. 1 Tamars , pleasant children , but in their maturity , bitter break-hearts . x x 1 Ther 4. Neither may wee sorrow as men without hope : y y Praemisimus , non amisimus ▪ vide August , epist 6. wee have not lost them , but their company for a time . David , who bewailed an impious sonne bitterly , comforted himself in the death of his harmless infant , I shall go to him , he shall not return to me . Do not deceive thy self , God hath given thee a short use , not any lasting propriety in things secular : when they told a z z Anaxagorae ac Telamonis semper laudata sententia , Sciebam me genuisse mortalem Hieron , l , 2. ep. 24. Heliodor . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Anax. D La●●t prudent heathen of his deare sonnes death , he replyed , I knew I had begotten a mortal sonne . Thou canst not want examples of mortality in thine own family , wherein thou missest many of thy Ancestors and friends : let nothing seem unsufferable or strange to thee , which is both common and inevitable : be sure thou want not the true use thereof , which is a due value of all things present , and making haste to provide thy selfe and children for a better life : in the want of a good childe , a a Nec doleas quòd talem ●miseris , sed gaudea● quòd talem ha●ueris Hier. q. supr . rather rejoice that thou hadst such an one , then lament that hee is gone into God's kingdome of glory before thee : while thou enjoyest their company , remember to instruct them for eternity : he said true , b b Fugitiva iucunditas pater senex . — Petrarch . An aged father is a fugitive pleasure , and so are yong children : thou knowest not when they goe out of thy sight , whether ever thou shalt see them again , till thou meet them in the kingdom of heaven : there all teares shall be wiped from thine eies : there shall be no more sinne , sorrow , curse , nor fear of deaths parting deare friends : there shall be blessednesse without measure or end .

A Parents praier for his Children .

O Lord God everlasting , father of mercy ( of whom is named the whole family in heaven and earth ) abundant in goodnesse and trueth , shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love thee and keep thy commandements : Give mee grace to be upright and holy before thee , that it may ( according to thy promise , who canst not deceive ) go well with me and my children after mee . Thou who art the God of my fathers , and hast preserved me from my mothers womb , who hast blessings in store , for all that fear thee , for their generations who depend on thee : plant thy fear in every one of their hearts , and sanctifie them bodies and soules , whom thou hast given mee ; so that in whatsoever state and condition thy providence shall set them , it may be my comfort and assurance , that they are thy faithful and elect servants , that thou maist be pleased to dispose of them as thine own , to their several places and callings , to which thy fatherly providence hath assigned them . Lord season their tender years with grace and trueth : help them and blesse them with blessings of heaven above , and the earth beneath : and let my blessings prevail above the blessings of my fathers : give them assurance of their adoption in Christ Jesus : keep them and order their steps , in the way which thou wouldst have them walke in : let thy faithfulnesse and mercy be with them , all the daies of their lives : be thou a father and rock of salvation unto them : keep them by thy sanctifying spirit , holy and sincere before thee : uphold them that their foot-steps slip not : be thou the guide of their youth ; keep their tender years from sinne and shame : take not thy mercy and thy trueth from them : preserve them from the houre of tentation , in life and death , from the power of sin , the snares of Satan , the world , and the flesh : heare the voice of their praiers when they cry unto thee : helpe them against all their enemies : blesse their substance , and accept the worke of their hands : be thou ever their refuge , and save them : Thou who dividest the earth among the sonnes of men ; whose providence descendeth unto the feeding and preserving the poorest of thy creatures ; feed them with bread of their stature : thou who encreasedst the oile and the meale , so that it failed not in all the famine ( whether it be much or little which thou shalt be pleased to give them ) let thy blessing be with it ; that in every estate they may faithfully depend on thy gracious providence , which never faileth them that trust in thee ; and finde such a sufficiency therein , that they may live cheerfully and contentedly , that they may never want that which thou knowest necessary and comfortable for their bodies and soules : Lord give them hearts faithfully to seek thy kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof , that all these things may be administred unto them . O Lord God , who hast promised to be a father of the fatherlesse , who hast planted thine owne image of love and compassion in the hearts of parents towards their children ; heare the praiers of a poore father for his children , and deny not the requests of my lips , when thou shalt be pleased to take me from them ; leave them not destitute , shew thy selfe their keeper , directer and counseller , that they may never swerve from thy commandements : as thou hast shewed me mercy and compassion all my daies , so holy father let not thy mercy depart from them , but keep them in thy faith , fear , and love ; that as thy providence hath brought us together in this family , so when this mortal life shall be ended , we may by thy mercy all happily meet in the eternal communion of Saints in thy kingdome of glory , through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Saviour .

AMEN .

1. The crown of the aged is children : §. III. and the duety of children toward their parents , is , honor , reverence , fear , obedience , gratitude , ch●erishing them in their age , love , and patience ; all this is comprehended in the fifth precept of Gods law , honour thy father and thy mother : who are comprehended under these titles , I have a a Cap. praeced . already shewed : I have here to speak of duety to parents .

2. These rules of practice are hereto observable for the guidance of those children which feare the Lord , and expect the promise their made to the obedient .

1. Honor thy father and mother : it is Gods expresse command , and b b 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Dem. La●rt . l. 5. Exod. 20. 12. Matth. 15 4. Matth. 19. 19. Mark 7. 10. Luke 18. 20. Ephes. 6 2. a dictate of nata●e : this importeth reverence in thy bodily gesture before them : ( as King c c 1 King . 2. 19 Solomon rose upto meet his mother Bath-sheba , and bowed himself vnto her : as d d Exod. 18. 7. Moses went out to meet his father in law , and did obeisance ) reverence in thy speech toward them , and thy behaviour before them , that it be not rude , and such as becometh not the presence of those whom God will have honored as his vicegerents in the family . So saith the Apostle , e e Hebr. 12. 9. Wee have had fathers of the flesh , and wee gave them reverence : none but a f f Gen 9. 22 , 23. cursed Cham will behave himselfe unreverently before his father or mother , or any waies tell or discover their failings , to discredit , or dishonor them ; but will goe with blessed Shem and Japhet with the vaile of discreet piety to conceale them . g g Eccl. 3. 10 , 11. Glory not in the dishonor of thy father , ( saith the sonne of Sirach ) for thy fathers dishonor is no glory unto thee ; for the glory of a man is from the honor of his father : and a mother in dishonor is a reproach to the children . When God commanded Israel to be holy , hee thus beginneth , h h Lev. 19. 20. Ye shall fear every man his mother and father ; here indeed religion beginneth ( toward those whom God hath set in his own room on earth , to nourish and give lawes to them , and to receive their first tribute of obedience due to him by them ) there is little hope of it when it here blasteth in the bud ; the breach of this law carrying a fearefull curse with it , as being a sinne against God and nature : therefore the heathen Decius , when he was offered the imperial crown , refused it , saying , i i Valer. Max. lib. 4. I fear lest being made an Emperour , I should forget to be a sonne : I had rather be a dutiful son then an Emperour : let my father rule , my Empire is to obey .

2. Obey thy parents in all things not prohibited by God : k k Pro. 22. 23. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee — l l Pro. 1. 8. Pro. 6. 20. Forsake not the law of thy mother — m m Col. 3. 20. Children obey your parents in all things .

3. Patiently beare their infirmities , where age maketh them pettish : where they erre , not gain-saying , or answering againe : contend not irreverently with them , n n 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pittac . See Eccl. 3 13. though thou art in the right : when they are angry with thee , overcome that anger with patience .

4. Be such to thy parents , as thou wouldst have thy children to thee : commonly it will be so : an evil sonne seldom proveth an happy father : o o Eccl. 3. 5. Whoso honoreth his father , shall have joy of his own children : but as God rewardeth the duety of children according to his promise , so will he their impiety and disobedience , according to his justice , because hee is true in both : all sinnes have their severe punishments following them ; and when God's justice is most slow , it is most sure : but there are some sins which are more destructive to humane society , which God , the preserver thereof , usually punisheth in this life , that hee may deterre men from committing them : so it is observable , that cruelty , oppression , and murder , seldome goe unpunished here , but most closely acted , sometimes they are discovered by extraordinary meanes : and disobedience to parents , may hence appeare odious to God and man , that it is commonly punished by the like deportments of their children : an example thereof is commonly found in every family of the disobedient . O Sonne ( cryed the father beaten , and dragged out of doors by the haire of the head ) draw mee no further , for thus farre I drew my father .

5. Love thy parents tenderly , though the reflexes of this love are not so strong , yet doe them all the good thou canst : love them p p Debeo affectum parenti : sed magis obsequium debeo salutu auctori . Ambr. orat . fam. de ob . valent . next q q Amandus est genitor , sed praeponendus est creator . August . after Christ : r r Matth. 10. 37. above him thou maiest not . s s Arist. Eth. l. 9. Init. No man can requite his parents , and teachers ; yet shew thy love and gratitude to them if they want , nourish them : so did good t t Gen. 47. Joseph : so tender ought thy care to be of them , that it should be thy grief , if thou do any waies grieve them : u u Eccl. ● . My son , help thy father in his age , and grieve him not as long as he liveth . Thou must be cheerful to them , & not violate this piety , so much as w w Nè vu●tu laedenda est pietas parentum . with an ill looke . A necessary document for those prodigals which will not be warned from ryot and lewd company , until they bring their parents hoary head with sorrow to the grave , and necessity bring them home in rags : as also to the profane Esaus , whose impious matches are x x Gen. 16. 35 a griefe of minde unto Isaac , and make Rebecca cry , y y Gen. 27. 46. I am weary of my life , because of the daughters of Heth.

Now though it be true , he that doubteth whether he ought to worship God , and honour his parents , rather z z Non indiget ratione , sed poenâ . Arist. 8. Top. wanteth stripes then arguments : yet seeing the corrupt nature of man is prone to all impiety , I will hereto adde some motives to this duety .

1. It is the a a Eph. 6. 2. Exod. 20. only commandement with promise of reward , Honour thy father and thy mother , that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee — b b Deut. 5. 16. that it may goe well with thee — the c c Eccl 3. 8 , 9 Gen. 27. 27. Deut 33. 1. son of Sirach saith , Honour thy father and thy mother — that a blessing may come upon thee from them .

2. This is d d Ephel. 6 1. just before God and e e Col. 3 20. pleasing to him : releeving thy father shall not be forgotten — f f Eccl. 3. 14 , 15. in the day of thy affliction it shall be remembred .

3. A third motive may be taken from the contrary curse to him that any way dishonoreth father or mother .

1. g g Deut. 27. 16. Cursed is he that setteth light by his father or his mother : there is h h Ez●k. 22 7. no more evident signe of an impious minde , then contempt of parents .

2. i i Pro. 19. 26. He that wasteth his father , and chaseth away his mother , is a son that causeth shame : and whosoever k k Pro. 28. 24. robbeth father or mother , and saith it is no transgression , the same is the companion of a destroyer .

3. l l Pro. 30. 17. The eie that mocketh at his father , and despiseth to obey his mother , the ravens of the valley shall pick it out .

4. m m Pro. 20. ●0 . Whoso curseth his father or his mother , his lamp shall be put out in obscure darknesse : n n L●v. ●0 . 9. every one that curseth his father or his mother , shall surely be put to death — his blood shall be upon him : so o o Exod. 21. 15 he that smiteth father or mother : there is no lesse punishment severe enough for such an unnatural prodigie as a parricide , or hee that retributeth injury , where he oweth highest gratitude .

5. Lastly , I wish all disobedient children to read Deut. 21. 18 , &c. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son , which will not obey the voice of his father , or the voice of his mother , and that when they have chastened him , will not hearken unto them ; then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him , and bring him unto the Elders of his city , &c. and the men of the city shall stone him with stones that he dye : so shalt thou put away evil from among you .

A Praier for children to use .

O Lord God , who hast ordained strength in the mouthes of babes and sucklings , sanctifying them from the womb , open our lips , that wee may shew forth thy praise : holy Lord Jesus , who taking up children into thy sacred armes , declaredst , that unto such belongeth the kingdome of God , who for our redemption becamest an infant , and for our instruction obedient to humane parents , who art the eternal son of God , have mercy on us , sanctify us bodies and soules unto thy kingdom and service : keep us in our tender years by thy holy spirit , from all the errors , sins , and pollutions of youth : make us sincerely obedient to our God , that in him wee may honor and obey our parents in all things , in reverence and thankefulnesse for their tender care over us : blesse their endeavours to provide for us : spare them that they may live to bring us up in thy faith , feare , and love , that thy great name may be glorified , and they comforted in us , and we with them preserved unto thine everlasting kingdom , through Jesus Christ , our ever blessed Lord and Saviour .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXVI .

Of the wounded spirit , or conscience afflicted by the apprehension of Gods wrath against some great sinnes , spiritual wants , or fear of tentations . § . 1. What a wounded spirit is , how great an affliction : what the conscience is ; how comfortable the peace thereof ; why God afflicteth his . § . 2. What things principally wound the conscience . § . 3. What they ( who are afflicted with the apprehension of Gods wrath against them ) must consider . § . 4. What they must examine . § . 5. What they must practice .

1. I Have spoken concerning the guidance of the Thoughts , Words , and Actions in generall : and in some particular relations to external dueties : I shall now endeavour to give directions suitable to some conditions , first of the inward man , and next of the outward .

The a a Pro. 18. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pag. percussum . Ariaes M. contritum spiritum● à 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 percussit , ut Psal. 29. 67. Cant. 5. 7. &c. spirit of man will bear his infirmity , but a wounded spirit who can beare ? saith Solomon . The word signifieth a smitten , contrite , or broken spirit . It is a manner of speaking borrowed from bodily afflictions by stripes , contusions , bruises , or wounds , wherein by cutting or hurting the sinews and veins , the body weakened and endangered ( without cure ) to death , disabled so that it cannot support it self , is apt to inflammations and distempers ; every light touch hurteth it : it depriveth a man of rest , so that he is impatient of this present posture , and more grieved at the change : To expresse the intense sorrow of the soule , weak confidence , and enfeebled life of the spirit , God calleth it a wounded spirit .

2. This affliction is so great , as it b b Nullus enim maior est dolor , quàm is qui peccat● muerone vulnerat conscientiam : neque ullum graviu● est onus quàm peceatorum sarcina & pondus flagitiorum : deprimit animam , curvat usque 〈◊〉 terram , nè se erigere possit● gravia , fili , gravia delictorum pondera . Amb● . Horentiano ep. 18. exceedeth all other temporal sorrows : and is such , as none can truely judge of , but they who have with David , seen confinia inferni , as he saith , Psal. 116. 3. The sorrowes of death compassed me , and the paines of hell gat hold upon me ▪ or found me . Other sorrowes may be eased , by giving the afflicted something equivalent to that whose losse grieveth him ; as where one treasure is lost , and another found : or by some compensation and repair ; as Job had a second brood and encrease of wealth : Elkanah intimated such a medium consolationis , when hee said to afflicted Hannah , c c 1 Sam. 1. 8. Am not I better to thee then ten sonnes ? but so can this never be : if you give a man of an afflicted spirit riches , company of dearest friends , or that which might relieve , refresh , or delight some others ; you do no more ease him , then you could the broken bones , by putting on some purple or rich robes : no , no , the grief is within , and there must be cured : nothing external can do it : in other griefes , time will mitigate ; sunt verba & voces , excellent lenitives of sorrow : in some other kindes , wine , merry company , musick , or the like meanes , may have some part , as the wise man saith , d d Pro. 31. 6. Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish , and wine to those that be of heavy hearts : let him drinke and forget his poverty , and remember his misery no more . So Davids harp could ( for the time ) refresh Saul , and charme the evil spirit : but this grief admitteth of no efficacy in such comforts . In other pressures wee may be eased , or conveyed away from the evil , as e e Act 23. 31. Paul was from the Jews conspiracy : as f f 1 Sam. 19. 12. David from Saul ; but there is no flight from a wounded spirit . Whither ever we goe we carry our affliction with us , our secret tormenter in us . In fine , as it is , in sense of a separation from God ( the reality whereof is the second death ) so no creature in heaven or earth can cure it : there can be no sanctuary for a troubled soul , but only Gods favourable presence : till hee return and comfort , nothing can . So terrible , in the meane time , is this affliction , that the desperate Judas took death for his sanctuary , against that , which to him was more tolerable then death : how * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Cyrll . Alexand. in Ioh l. 11. heavily it sitteth upon the hearts of Gods elect may appeare in the words of Job and others — g g Job 3. 20 , &c. Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery , and life unto the bitter in soule ? h h Ea vitae conditio est . ut mori plerumque etiam optimi portus sit . Plin nat hist. l. 25. c. 8. which long for death , but it cometh not , and dig for it more then for hid treasures , which rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they can finde the grave ? See Jer. 20. 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. 1 King . 19. 4. Jonah 4. 8.

3. The conscience is the knowledge of the heart , knowing that which God knoweth with it : it is a divine light in us , which we cannot extinguish , if wee would ; a supream court in us , above us ; a silent register of all we do or say ; a thousand witnesses , accusing , or excusing ; i i Sibi ipsum unusquisque animum suum severum sui iudicem : ultorem sceleris se habet , &c. Ambr Const. ep. 44. l. 7. Rom. 2. 15. an impartial Judge which cannot be bribed to justifie the wicked , or condemn the just ; k k Prima est haec ultio quòd se iudice , nemo nocens absolvitur . Juven. the first revenge of impiety , wherein none guilty can be absolved , though there were none other Judge .

4. In true peace of conscience the heart is cheerful in every estate , and condition , Rom. 5. 1. 3. l l Bona conscientia nu●●ius oculos fugit . ● Hier. l. ● . ep. 9. it feareth no judge nor witnesse : it is a continuall feast , the soules Eden , the mindes faire haven ; an unvalueable possession , which maketh every owner happy ; a riches which shall never be taken away ; m m Rom 8. 23. the first fruits of heaven , an immoveable comfort : as no winde can move or shake the sun beams , so can neither life nor death , prosperity or adversity this : as long as this is safe , though men receive many sharpe charges , as did the n n Iosh. 7. citizens of Ai , yet are they confident to resist ; they can resolve with Job , o o Iob 13 15. though he kill me , yet will I trust in him ; but if that faile , and the p p I●sh. 8. 20. smoke arise thence , their hearts fail them .

5. God q q Deut 32. 39 Iob. 5. 18. woundeth and healeth ; it is his justice and mercy : r r Prov. 6. 32 , 33. wee wound our selves by sin : and God healeth us by afflictions , as s s Putridae carne● ferro curantur & cauterio . Hier. l. 2. ep. 9. Psal. 69. 26. Isai 1. 6. Chirurgions doe with the lancet and cautery : Sins are the theeves which spoil us , and leave us wounded by the way , till the good t t Luke 10. 34 Samaritan come with his wine and oile , to cleanse , supple , and binde up our wounds : he smiteth the conscience with sense of his anger , danger , and bitter smart , to make us sensible of our sins , and bring us to a loathing of them ; this he doth sometimes by external afflictions : sometimes by the word of the Spirit , the word preached wounding the heart , terrifying the conscience , and then u u Act 2. 37. Peters hearers cry out , Men and brethren what shall wee do ? sometimes by smiting the conscience with an inward sense and apprehension of his fierce wrath and severe judgements imminent , in which an w w Psal. 55. 4 , 5 horrible feare overtaketh them ( like the x x 1 King . 19. 11 , 12. earth-quake at Hore● preceding the still voice of mercy ) in sense of a spiritual disertion , while he hideth away his face ; spiritual wants , or permission to some grievous tentation , cold fits of despair , and y y 2 Cor. 12. buffeting by the messengers of Satan , in all which , though there be meanes of comfort appointed , yet none can prevaile , till the spirit of God the comforter , return and heale : the same hand giveth vulnus opemque , the wound and plaister : as it was said , the z z Hos. 5 1● . Assyrians and Jareb could not heal Judah and Ephraim of their wound , so no creature can the wounded spirit , till he who a a Jer. 30. 11 , &c. correcteth in measure , cometh and bindeth up : he , b b Psal. 14. 7. 3. onely hee , healeth the broken hearts , and bindeth up their wounds : even hee who c c Isa. 53. 5. was wounded for our sins , and bruised for our iniquities — d d 1 Pet. ● . 24. by whose stripes wee are healed .

1. There are some things principally wounding and afflicting the conscience , §. II. coming up like those e e 1 Sam. 13. 17. Philistim spoilers , in three companies , to destroy , and drive men into despair : first apprehension of Gods wrath for some grievous sins committed : so f f Gen. 4. 13. ●ain , having murdered his brother , cryed , My sinne or punishment is greater then I can beare : Judas , having betrayed Christ , durst not come to him to beg mercy , because he apprehended an implacable anger in Christ : it is true , that the g g Eph 5. 6. wrath of God cometh on h h Col. 3. 6. the children of disobedience for their sinnes : that his i i Rom. 1. 18. wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men : that the impenitent by their hardnesse of heart , treasure up to themselves wrath against the day of wrath : that there k k Rom. 2. 5. 8 , 9. shall be indignation and wrath to them that obey not the trueth : but when thou who art of a wounded spirit , and broken heart , hast well considered ; it may be thou shalt finde that these things concerne thee not , but those who live in sin , and so would do .

2. The second thing wounding the conscience , is sense of spiritual wants , as of hope , faith , assurance of salvation , the spirit of sanctification , praier , &c. which being Gods grace and the presence of his holy Spirit in the regenerate , may yet , for the time , be an hidden treasure , an immortall seed under the frozen clods , without any appearance of life : and the saints may weep and complain like l l Joh. 20. Magdalen in the garden , of the losse of Christ when he is with them , speaketh to them , and they know him not .

3. The third is fear of some strong tentations and trials , in which the afflicted and affrighted conscience startleth ( as the Disciples when m m Mat. 8. 24 , 25. Jesus slept in the storm , their ship filled with waves , and ready to founder in the sea ; or like Peter n n Mat. 14. 30. on the water , when he saw the rough billows coming ) and cryeth out , Save Master , we perish ; when 't is sure enough , they cannot perish who are with Christ .

Now concerning him that will receive any solid comfort in any of these cases , §. III. it is very necessary that he , 1. Well consider that state in which he seemeth to be . 2. Examine his conscience throughly . 3. Practice some rules proper for any of these estates .

Concerning the conscience afflicted with the apprehension of Gods anger against his sinnes , let him consider that

1. As God is just , so is he merciful : he is no inexorable Radamanth , he is easie to be entreated : concerning whom we have a word more sure then any testimony of man ; God ( o o La●t l 1. ● . 8. sufficiently known to himselfe onely ) hath thus proclamed himself , Exod. 34. 6. The Lord God merciful and gracious , long suffering , and abundant in goodnesse and trueth — keeping mercy for thousands , forgiving iniquity and transgression — Now if that which others said of the Kings of Israël ( that p p 1 King 20. 31. they were mercifull Kings ) could perswade them to seek mercy , and desire quarter , that they might be saved ; how much more , should that which God who q q Tit. 1. 2. cannot lie , ( as fame can , and commonly doth ) hath declared of himself ; move the afflicted soule to submit and beg mercy of him , more ready to grant it , then wee are , or can be to entreat it ; for aske it wee never could , except his preventing grace moved us thereto .

2. r r Ezek. 18. God delighteth not in the death of sinners , but in their conversion : and ( as experience teacheth ) if wee may know , who is welcome to the master of a family , by the countenance and deportments of the servants and attendants , then we may know how welcome a penitent sinner is to God , by this , that the s s Luk. 15 7. 10. Angels of heaven doe much rejoice at it .

3. If he would have destroyed thee , how often might he have taken thee away in thy sins ? but now that he giveth thee this time , it is to lead thee to repentance ( that t t Sec●nda post n●usragium miseris tabula . Hier l. 2 ep. 2. Demet●iad . second table of ship-wrackt souls ) and to salvation . Rom. 2. 4. 2 Cor. 7. 10. Ezek. 18. 21 , 30. t t Nulla poenitentia sera est ▪ si sit seria . Repentance is never too late , if serious .

4. He terrifieth with present sense of his anger against sinne , that men may be stirred up to repentance , and forsaking their sinne , wherein they shall be more assured of the mercy of God and their salvation ; u u Nunquam est sera poenitentia Hier. Sabinian . ep. 3. l. 2. as the stormes often shaking the trees , doe thereby more fasten them , and give them better root ; so is it here : as the windes purifie the aire and water by their agitation , so doth God the mindes of his saints by afflictions , feare of his judgments , and sorrows . 2 Cor. 7. 11. Psal. 119. 67 , 71. It is Gods mercy to terrifie thee now , that thou maist repent and be saved : the w w Ira est Dei non intelligere delicta , n● sequatur poenitentia , &c. Cypr. ep. 3. most unhappy condition of the sinner is , when God concealeth x x Magna ir● est Dei quando peccantibus non irascitur De●● . Hier. ep. 38. lib. 1. Castrat . his anger to the last , and giveth the impenitent over , as incorrigible , Isai. 1. 5. so that if thou hadst no remorse of conscience , thy case were desperate : but this conflict in the soule , concludeth another power in thee , resisting finne , whence thou maist be assured of thy regeneration : because , however weakly the spirit of God doth yet expresse it selfe to thee , yet it is certain he can never be overcome .

5. y y Rom. 3. 2● , 23 , 24. All men have sinned , come short of the glory of God , and are justified freely by his grace , through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . It is not therefore any mans own righteousnesse , that must , or can save him . z z Psal. 32. Rom. 4. 7. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered , and to whom the Lord imputeth no sin : not , who hath no sinne : for on those termes none could be blessed . It is not in the geatnesse or smalnesse of the debt , where a a Luk. 7. 50. or 500. are equally forgiven : and where an infinite Majestie if offended in the least . Never any of the Saints were saved , because they had lesse sins then thou ( who fearest Gods wrath , because thine are great , and appeare so to thy conscience ) because some they had , and he that breaketh one commandement is b b Jam. 2. 10 , 11. guilty of all , and subject to the curse of the law , which is to those that continue not in all things written in the law to do them . A little wound to the heart , will as surely kill , as the deepest , and of the greatest orifice : a shelfe of little sands will as surely bilge the ship , as the greatest rocks : a c c Quid prodest ●uncta muniisse , si per ●●um locum perniciosus ho●●i praebeatur access●● . Greg. ●p ● 10. l. 7. little postern gate unguarded will let in the enemy : the smallest sinnes ( if not covered by faith , and cured by repentance ) will destroy the soule . When we consider Noah's drunkennesse , David's murder and adultery , Solomon's idolatry , Manasses murder , witch-craft , and idolatry , Paul's persecution , Peter's denial of Christ , it may appeare , that these fell into the acts of some more grosse sinnes , then thou canst charge thy conscience withall ; and that if Gods justice should proceed according to the rigour of his law , no d d Ps●l 143. Rom 3. ●0 . flesh living could be saved : therefore is e e Rom. 10. 4. Christ the end of the law to every one that beleeveth ; as he was to Abraham , David , Peter , Paul , and all those that are saved : when wee lay hold on him and his merits , by Gods own covenant of grace , the rigour and curse of the law is suspended : hee therefore gave us Christ with this condition , f f Ioh 3. 16. that whosoever beleeveth in him , should not perish , but have everlasting life : therefore g g Rom. 5. 1. being justified by faith , we have peace with God : and there is h h Rom. 8. 1. no condemnation to them that are in Christ : for if God justifie , who shall condemne ?

6. No sinne is so great , as God's mercy , and Christ's merit : all actions of the creature are finite ; but his mercy , and Christ's merit are infinite : a drop holdeth some proportion with the sea , because both are finite : but finites with infinites hold none . Feare not then if thou canst repent and beleeve : there is balme in Gilead , a plaister incomparably bigger then the wound : i i So●um desperationis crimen est , quod mederi nequeat . Hier. Sabin . ●p. 3. l. ● . onely despaire condemneth .

7. Humility is the foundation of religion : God giveth grace to the humble , but resisteth the proud : when the subtle tempter k k Saepe namque malignus spiritus ut bo●a destruat , quibus prius adversari non valuit : ad operantis mentem post peractam operat onem venit , eámque tacitis cogitationibu● in quibusdam suis laudibus excutit : ità ut decepta mens admiretur ipsa quàm si●t magna quae fecit : quae , dum — apud seipsam extollitur , eius , qui donum tribuit , grati● privatur . Greg. l 7. ep 126 Necar . cannot prevaile in his perswasions to evil , hee insinuateth himselfe into the minde of them who have done some good , by his mischievous suggestions lifting it up to a secret admiration of the same , untill it be deprived of grace and the fruit thereof . The poore publican in his humility not daring to lift up an eie toward that heavenly Majesty he had so grievously offended , having nothing to say , but only , God be merciful to me a sinner , went home justified rather then the proud Pharisee , who boasted of much sanctity . Humility is the securest vertue ; l l Maxima quippe accusatrix hominum noxiorum est a surpatrix innocentiae arrogantia : inter multos siquidem eorundem criminum ●eos , nullus est crimin●f●ior , quàm qui se non putat criminosum : itaque & vis haer so●um malis nostris addere possumus , ut noe innoxios iudicemus . Salvian , de Gubernat . Dei . lib. 4. pride , the worme at the root of religion , eating up the very life thereof : now because it is a very hard thing for corrupt man to have any thing better then ordinary , and not to be lifted up in minde above his opinion of others , for the same ; therefore God justly permitteth his deare children sometimes to their own strength ( like a tender nurse , a little with-drawing her hand from the childe , to make it feele it owne weaknesse , thereby to check a more dangerous presuming ) so that falling into some broad and disgraceful sinne , they may learn in humility safely to distrust their own strength , and depend upon God : better was Peter weeping , then presuming to lay down his life for Christs sake : then he fell , but now he rose again . If the considerations of thy sinnes do throughly humble thee , thou hast attained a good effect of a bad cause .

8. God would have the great failings , and grievous sinnes of some of his elect to stand upon record , that wee might conclude from these instances , ( as well as God's promises ) that if we can repent of sinnes as purple as they , wee also shall finde mercy : But this is here deeply considerable , that wee never think of any of these to presumption , but to move us to repentance , and faith in him who freely forgiveth the penitent , not the obstinate presumptuous sinner : and is m m Nihil ità ●ffendit Deum , quàm desper●tione meliorum , haerere peioribus — ipsa desperatio incredulita●i● indicium . Hier. Rustico . ep. 10. l. 2. with nothing more offended , then despair of his mercy ( which is a secret questioning the trueth of his promises ) and impenitency which is the undoubted issue of unbeliefe : indeed there is n n Nihil ità repugnat Deo , quàm cor impenitens , solum crimen est quòd veniam consequi non potest , ibid. Hier. Sabin . ep. 3. l. 2. no greater injury to God's mercy , then in despair thereof , to continue in sinne ; seeing his trueth is engaged for our pardon , if we beleeve and repent : he hath not said in vaine , Isai. 1. 18. Though your sinnes be as scarlet , they shall be as white as snow .

9. Consider , why hee sent Christ into the world ? because he so loved it , Joh. 3. 16. he sent him o o 1 Tim 1. 15 to save sinners ; not onely them who had broken some of his commandements , or in some small and inobservable measures ; but ( as Paul saith ) hee came into the world to save sinners , 0. 1 tim 1. 15 of whom I am chiefe . He came to call ( as himself professeth ) p p Matth. 9. 13. Mark 2. 17. not the righteous , but sinners to repentance . Hee called q q Mat. 11. the heavy laden , not fallaciously , but indeed to ease and disburden them of their sinnes : he did save Publicans and notorious sinners , and to notifie the same , in spight of Pharisaïcal calumnies , conversed with them .

10. Consider that God who commandeth us to forgive , r r Mat. 18. 22. Luk. 17 4. not only 70. times , but toties quoties , would not enjoin us that which his selfe could not , or would not do : hee is essentially , and so , infinitely gracious : his mercy is more then a thousand thousand oceons , which can never be exhaust : man hath but a poore stock , a finite mercy at the best , and such as may be lessened and overcome by injuries : hee that enjoineth man to forgive without exception● could not in his justice command and require man to forgive more then his selfe could or would . * * Deus ergo qui etiam minimis animan . tibus hunc affectum 〈◊〉 operis inseruit , se tantummodo creaturarum suarum amore privavit ? praesertim cum omnis in nos rerum bonarum amor , ex illius bono amore descen derit : ipse est enim f●●s , &c. Solv l. 4 de Gub. Dei — ex hoc quoque affectu , quo amare nos fecit pignora nostra , intelligere nos voluit , quantum ipse amare● pignora 〈◊〉 Ibid. Adde hereto a consideration of his love : hee hath planted love , yea a tender love and care , not onely in parents for their children , but ( lest wee should suppose it rather habitual then natural , taught by precept or example , rather then implanted by God in their natures ) in the very bruits and birds for the preservation of their yong : all this love in the creature , is but a slender accident : but in God it is essential , and so , infinite and unchangeable . Now consider , did God give man ( suppose David ) so much love and mercy , as that upon the mediation of the Tekoïte , he could presently be reconciled to a rebellious Absolom ; hath hee given thee bowels of compassion , to zeal thy childrens good and safety , to mourn for their faults , and to be ready , upon the least appearance or signs of amendment , to be reconciled unto them , & canst thou conceive that God will not be much more ready to pardon thee , if thou canst repent , and beg pardon , through Christ the sonne of his love , in whom he hath sayed from heaven , s s Mat. 3. 17. he is well pleased ? The custome among the t t Plut. vit. Themist . Molossians was , that the Petitioner should take up the Kings sonne in his armes , and so kneeling before the altar , nothing might be denied for his protection and safety who supplicated : ( so Themistocles found favour with King A●m●tus ) so the Lord heareth our petitions , if we present him in the armes of faith , Christ Jesus and his merits .

11. A wounded spirit , a broken and a contrite heart , is an u u Psal. 51. 19 acceptable sacrifice to God , that which hee will not despise : thou canst not reasonably think thy case evill for that which God liketh and loveth in thee , and hath so mercifully cheerished in those he dearely loved : the man after Gods own heart , w w See Psal. 38 5 , 6. Psal. 116. 3. Psal. 143. 7. David felt this which thou art afraid of , My heart saith hee is wounded within mee — Psal. 109. 22.

12. Consider seriously , that a quiet conscience is not alwaies a good conscience , nor an unquiet alwaies evil : there is a lethargie , torpor , and stupidity of an evil conscience in a carnal security : x x Tranquillitas ista tempestas est . Hi●r . Heliod ep. 6. l. 2. Ho● plango quod teipse no● pl●ngi● , quod 〈◊〉 non sentis mortuum . Hier Sabin . ep. 3. l. ● . this calme is a fearful storm , wherin the soul● ( like the men of Laïsh ) is quiet and secure , until some spiritual Danites awake it ; and the sinner goeth on like Agag , thinking surely that the bitternesse of death is past : as some heart-sick man , in whom the strength of nature is so decayed , that hee feeleth not the undiscovered approaches of death now imminent ; such is the calmed conscience of a secure ●inner . Againe , the conscience of a righteous man , in case of some sin unrepented of , if it be not quiet , it is the better : if it be like the ship in which Jonah fled , followed with storms till hee be cast out ; who seeth not , that it is the more happy ? The danger is when the minde can be quiet and untroubled in guiltinesse and impenitency : if wee feel not our wounds , it is a mortal signe : as paine is of sense , and sense of life : so that the main skill is to know , whether thy peace or unquietnesse and horror of conscience be good or not ?

To this a serious examination is requisite ; §. IV. wherein I shall lay downe

1. Some reasons why wee must seriously examine our consciences .

2. The main lets intercident thereto .

3. Certain rules by which we may throughly examine .

4. Interrogatories to be proposed to the afflicted conscience .

5. Some conclusions necessary to be known herein .

1 Wee ought to examine our selves ; for certainly God hath not so often commanded it in vain . Lam. 3. 40. Psal. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 28. 2 Cor. 13. 5.

2. Without this , wee cannot know our sinnes , and so not repent , nor have any solid comfort in impenitency : wee are extream apt to mistake our selves : which if wee doe , wee can have no sound comfort in the testimony of a good conscience , which presupposeth faith and illumination .

3. Without this , we cannot possibly know which way we are going , the y y Mat 7. broad way to destruction , or the narrow to salvation ; which were very necessary to comfort us , if wee go right , or to recall and rectifie us , if wrong .

4. Without this , wee can never make a right use of God's corrections , nor finde any comfortable way out of them : neither can wee understand his works of mercy in us , when he humbleth us to raise us more .

The common lets to this duety , are

1. An ill conscience , which being z z peceata quasi quaed● sunt ●ulnera anie●oarum . Hug. de s. Victor . ●●iscell . l. 1. wounded by fearful guiltinesse , cannot endure any searching .

2. Native hypocrisie , misreporting us to our selves , calling us godly ( when we are nothing lesse ) counting it injury not to be counted so .

3. Distracting cares of this life , and carnall security , which say with those Jewes , Hag. 1. 2. the time is not come — these make men put off all to the hazzard of the last houre .

The rules which thou must herein observe , are

1. Endeavour to find out and abandon all thy known sinnes .

2. Rest not in outward shews , but let down the light of Gods word into the secret and dark recesses of thy heart : a a Luke 15. the woman first ligted , then swept the room .

3. Judge thy selfe as impartially as thou wouldst doe an enemy : limmers use to set their work at some distance from them , that they may be able to judge , and amend their errours . Place thy actions upon the person of some other man ; David could not see his sinne in himselfe , till b b 2 Sam. 12. Nathan shewed it him in another : I need not instance in c c Gen. 38. Judah and d d 1 King , 20. 4. Ahab .

4. Beginne timely , and be constant in this duety : if thy thoughts , after some slender pursuit , returne as those e e Josh , 2 , 22. men of Jericho , with a non est inventus , know that thou hast more need of greater diligence to examine againe and ●gaine .

5. Examine thy self by the whole law of God : concerning time past ; and what thou art in opportunity to sinne : few wicked men but are content to observe some of Gods lawes ( if thou wilt grant them f f ● King 5. 18. Naaman's plea , only God be mercifull to thy servant herein ) and sometimes Herod , Ahab , Pharoah will have certaine fits of seeming devotion and repentance : the frozen serpent will not sting : then mens corruptions appeare , when opportunity gives them birth .

The Interrogatories to be propounded to thy conscience , are

1. Doth sinne raigne in thee , so that thou yeeldest a willing obedience thereto ? or doth it tyrannize over thee ? there is an immense difference between these : all men sinne , but sinne raigneth onely in the unregenerate ; ( g g Rom. 6. 12. let not sinne raign in your mortal body ) the regenerate sin , but , h h Rom. 7. 15 , 19. that which I doe , I allow not : for what I would , that I do not , but what I hate , that I doe — the evil which I would not , that I doe : aske thy conscience therefore , whether thou wouldst have done the evill which now woundeth it ? if not , it is no more thou , but sin that dwelleth in thee .

2. Doest thou loath all sin , because it is contrary to God's holy will ? and rather because thou * * Nemo autem potest desperare , qui diligi● , Beda in Joh. 15. lovest God , then because thou fearest his judgments ? doest thou not only grieve for every sinne which thou hast committed , but also for the pravity and corruption of thy will , and the infirmities of flesh and blood disabling thee to the purer service of God : feare not , in Gods esteeme thou art not what thou loathest , and wouldst not be : neither will God ever condemn thee for that , which hee hath given thee grace to loath and condemne in thy selfe : for if wee would judge our selves , wee should not be judged . i i 1 Cor. 11. 31. The unregenerate man loveth sin , however hee fear and hate the punishment thereof ; the regenerate hateth it , therefore God will not judge him for it , as our Saviour said to the penitent sinner , Joh. 8. 11. neither do I condemn thee : go and sin no more .

3. Wouldst thou fain be holy , Liberandus enim à Deo ipso omnino non er●●mist te ●pse damnaveris . and is it thy hearts desire to serve God sincerely ? Salv. de Gub. Dei l ▪ 5. ●ine . so that thou canst say with the Church , Isai. 26. 8. The desire of our soule is to thy name , and to the remembrance of thee ? Doest thou k k Mat. 5. hunger and thirst after rigteousnesse ? be assured thou shalt be satisfied : Doest thou in the inward man consent to the law of God ? be confident , a true desire to be holy , speaks a man such in Gods esteeme : our present best perfection is , not that wee are holy , but that wee would be such .

4. Hast thou respect l l Psal. 119. 6. to all Gods commandements , so that thou doest not in thy heart dispense with any of them for pleasures , profits , or any secular advantage sake , but wouldst fain keep them all ? be comforted , however Satan's delusions beguile thee , and thine own corruptions sometimes betray thee ; yet , a little to serve God without exception , or dispensation to any sinne , concludeth a man regenerate , the denomination following the better part , as appeareth in Paul's expression of himselfe in the same case . Rom. 7. 25. With the minde I my selfe serve the law of God ; but with the flesh the law of sinne : that is groaning under the tyranny thereof , not dispensing with its reigne .

5. Doest thou resolve to doe thy uttermost endeavour to avoid sinne ? God accepteth m m 2 Cor. 8. 1● the will for the deed : David n n Psal. 119. 8 , 57 , 106. said , I will keep thy statutes , and I have sworn , and I will perform it , that I will keep thy righteous Judgments o o 2 Sam. 12. ● . : it is evident he did not so , but certain that he would have done so .

6. Doest thou conscionably and diligently use the meanes to know thy sinnes ; as by an home-applying ▪ the word to thy conscience : for p p Rom. 77. by the law is knowledge of sinne ? Doest thou carefully avoid all occasions and incentives , moving thee , and leading thee thereunto ? Hee hateth drunkennesse in vaine , who will not refraine from the company that led him thereto : if thou hate adultery , look not on the lascivious : let her not take thee with her eie-lids : the q q Oculus meretricis est laqueus amatoris , Ambr. de poen ▪ l. 1. harlots eie , is the adulterers snare : r r Mat. 5. 28. Whosoever looketh on a woman , to lust after her , hath committed adultery with her already in his heart : s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . either looking love not , or loving look not , saith Isidore . Isidor , op. 173 Come not neer the door of her house , Prov. 5. 8. Occasion is lusts pander .

7. Aske thy conscience , whether it can presume to sin wittingly and willingly ? and whether it can be quiet in any known and unrepented sin ? if it be unquiet , feare not ; this very unrest of conscience , which so much affrighteth thee , is a principal mark of a good conscience : it is true ( as the women sang of Saul and David , t t 1 Sam. 18. 7● Saul hath slain his thousand , but David his ten thousand , so ) despair hath cast away some , but presumption many thousands more .

8. Hath not thy conscience at some times , in some good measure been comforted by a sweet assurance of thy interest in Christ , resolution to leave all thy sinnes , peace with God , and salvation by the merits of Christ , wee must not alwaies judge of our state by present sense : there are certaine u u Rev. 3. 10. houres of tentation , wherein the light of grace is fearfully eclipsed to our sense , and the stupid , or afflicted conscience feeleth no present comfort of Gods spirit , which yet in due time shall return , and compensate our trials with greater advantage of assurance then wee had before .

9. Lastly examine thy conscience , whether that after thy fearful tryals ( and esteeme in the midst of them ) thy refuge be not to God in earnest and hearty prayer to have mercy on thee , comfort and confirme thee , yea sometimes when hee hath not for a long season shewed thee any countenance , and seemed to reject and not regard thy earnest supplications , thou hast resolved not to give over crying unto him , but with Jacob thy soule hath said , w w Gen 32. I will not let thee go untill thou blesse mee ? Happy man ! hee that gave thee that spirit of praier and perseverance , x x Luke 18. 7 , 8. will assuredly hear thee , as he did the Cunanitish woman , y y Mat. 15. 2● 28. and accomplish his work in thy salvation .

The conclusions necessary to be considered hereto , are

1. God's judgements are ever just , I , when flesh and blood , say with z z Ioh. 3 9. Nicodemus , How can these things be ? when thee too curious inquests after them are to be stayed with a , a a Rom. 9. 20. Nay but , O man , who art thou that repliest against God ? and so also his mercies are as the unsounded déepes , beyond all apprehension of carnal reason ; often curing , by wounding and afllicting the guilty conscience ; comforting , by terrifying ; bringing to glory and immortality through corruption ; killing sinne in the flesh by death , the fruit of sinne , and bringing to heaven ( as I may say ) by the gates of hell , and feare of damnation .

2. The most grievous sinnes committed in ignorance and unbeliefe , after repentance , are no arguments to despair : b b 1 Cor 6. 9 , 10 , &c. Neither fornicators , idolaters — theeves , covetous , drunkards , revilers , nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of heaven ; and such were some of you : but yee are washed , but yee are sanctified , but yee are justified , in the name of the Lord Jesus , and by the spirit of our God : Paul c c 1 Tim. 1. was a blasphemer , persecuter , and injurious man , but obtained mercy ; for as much as he did it ignorantly , and in unbeleefe , in his conversion these sinnes were taken off , as his d d Act. 28. 3 , 5 , 6. Melita viper , without more danger to his life : so God pronounceth of the convert , e e Ezek. 18. 12 all his transgressions that he hath committed , they shall not be mentioned unto him .

3. Great and grievous sins of the regenerate , through violent perturbations of minde , or tentations overtaking them , are not to be reckoned among symptomes of reprobation or apostasie : such was Peter's denial , and David's adultery and murder : therefore the Apostle saith , f f Gal. 6. 1. If any man be overtaken in any fault , yee that are spiritual restore such a one with the spirit of meeknesse , considering thy self , lest thou also be tempted ; and Christ teacheth us , without distinction of great and little sinnes , to say daily , Forgive us our trespasses : this life is a spiritual combate , a trucelesse warre g g Ephes 6. against the powers of darknesse , wherein the strongest may be , and often are carried away captive , and yet be healed and recovered ; their h h Captivus abducitur sed in vitus , qu● in alienas terras necessitate contendat : intimo tamen non migret affectu : patriam secum animo vehat : quaerat copia● quemadmodum revertatur — Amb. de paen . l. 1. c. 3. captivity concludeth not their not being true Israëlites , who would fain return .

4. Every sinne against knowledge doth not presently conclude a reprobate minde : the best and most knowing are sometimes taken in Satan's snares ; Peter ( though forewarned ) denied Christ through sudden apprehension of fear : not out of malice , but infirmity : we ( nay the best of men ) are but partly flesh , and partly spirit , so that we can neither do the good we would , nor avoid the evil which wee see and hate : i i Rom. 7. Paul , and all the regenerate knowing , and allowing the law of God , yet sometimes feele another lawlesse law carrying them away captive to sin .

5. Though every sin against conscience be very dangerous , and every perseverance therein , the very suburbs of hell , yet every such failing concludeth not against repentance and remission : because sinne not onely allureth , but sometimes exerciseth the rage of a tyrant , and captivateth us against our will : there may also be a lethargie or epilepse of the soul : there is such mischievous subtilty in Satan , that his snares ( though seene ) are not alwaies avoided ; whose messengers ( though felt with grief of soul ) are not alwaies overcome ; yet he● that gave waters to the k k ●●x . 17. 6 , 7. Horeb rock , can smite our harder heartr , and make the waters of life slow plentifully , to repentance never to be repented of .

6. Though every relapse into sin be very dangerous , yet if a man be not l l 2 Pet. 2. 20 , &c. entangled and overcome therein , it concludeth not against repaire by repentance : the most holy m m Pro. 24 , 16. fall seven times a day . Satan doth not alwaies present new scenes , but sometimes dresseth up his old artifices , therewith to beguile .

7. Though our infirmities be many , Gods power is made n n ● Cor. 12. manifest therein , sustaining us , that though we fall , wee shall not fall away : though Satan's power , subtilty , and restlesse malice be very great , yet hee and his messengers cannot go beyond their chain , wherewith they are limited , no not so much as into an o o Mat. 8. herd of swine without God's leave , who will not try us p p 1 Cor. 10. 13. above that hee will make us able : so that we may resolve , q q Rom. 8. that neither life , nor death , nor any creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus .

The rules of practice hereto belonging , are §. V.

1. Do thy utmost endeavour to keep the testimony of a good conscience , which thou canst by no means doe , but by watching over thy soul , and with unyeelding constancy resisting temptations : every sin , the least , woundeth the soule afresh : be not secure of little sinnes , let a good conscience be most precious unto thee : part not from it for any pleasures , honours , or riches of this world ; rather part from thy life : have a tender conscience : a r r 1 Tim. 4. 3. Tit. 1. 15. seared one , like callous flesh , is hardly sensible of that which toucheth it : to this , s s Consuetudo peceandi , toslit sensam pecc●ti . custome bringeth a man , taking away the sense of sin .

2. Approve thy selfe in every action t t 1 Pet. 3. 15. 10. to God , setting thy selfe ever in his presence , who seest all thou doest o● thinkest ; and care not who ever else blame thee when hee approveth thee : u u 2 Cor. 1. 12. walke not according to the wisedom of the flesh , but by God's grace which shall at last be thy rejoicing .

3. Be sure sin reign not in thee ; which cannot be , except thou sell thy self thereto , by consenting to thine own captivity ; as the w w Ex. 21 , 5 ▪ 6. eare-bored servants , who professed love to their masters ; and so would not be manu-missed and freed from them : hate sin , and none shall hurt thee : no sin is so pernicious , as that which pleaseth most ; specially take heed of presumptuous sins , that they get not dominion over thee . Psalm . 19. 13. Numb . 15. ver. 30 , 31. Deuteron. 17. vers. 12.

4. Looke on Gods justice and mercy together , part them not in thy thoughts : if thou look on his justice onely , thou must needs despair in the sight of thy sins : if thou look on his mercy onely , thou wilt easily presume , when thou shalt see the admirable immensity thereof , so ready to pardon sinnes : the old sea-men noted the ignis lambens sitting sometimes on the yards of their ships , for a good , or a mischievous presage : if they saw but one flame , they called it an unlucky Helena : if two , they tooke it for Castor and Pollux , good abodements of faire and prosperous weather : it is much like here : to consider either mercy , to presumption ; or justice , to despair ; is destructive : it is happy to finde them thus together , that thou neither in thy security presume to sinne , nor despair for the greatnesse of any sinne in thy repentance .

5. Labour for true faith in Christ , who is the x x 1 Joh ● , 2. propitiation for our sinnes , y y 1 Ioh. 1. 7. whose blood cleanseth us from all : z z 1 Tim 1. 19. holding faith and a good conscience , that wee may a a 1 Tim. 3. 9. not be wrackt . There was no cure for a wounded Israelite , against the venome of fiery serpents , but to looke up to the brazen b b Ioh. 3. Serpent , which prefigured Christ apprehensible by faith ; the only cure of sinne-wounded consciences .

6. Let but this very sense and apprehension of God's wrath which now terrifieth thee , cause thee the more heartily to loath all sinne ; and thou shalt thereby be assured , that God hath wounded thee , only to heale the.

7. Remember that c c Rom. 3. 19. what the law saith , it saith it only to them who are under the law , not under grace : they are under the law who plead not guilty , and stand upon their justification by works of the law : wee are under grace , who seeing our sinne and misery by the law ; flee wholly to him for mercy , who d d Rom. 3. 24. freely justifieth the sinner : the curses and threatnings of the law are not to breake the e e Mat. 1● , 20. bruised reed , nor quench the smoking flax ( the penitent soule trembling at God's word , grieving for his sinnes , the man of a wounded spirit , Christ came to call and save such ) but to beat down the heart lifted up with opinion of self-merit , safety in , and presuming to sin .

8. Repent thee f f Agenda est enim poenitentia , non solum solicitè , sed etiam matur● , &c. Ambr de poen l. 2. c. 1. quickly : let not sinne get r●ot in thy heart : let not the wound grow blew before thou apply the medicine : high thee quickly to the throne of Grace to implore mercy , before wrath come out against thee : catch hold quickly on this second table , repentance , who hast lost the first of innocency : condemne thy selfe , and Christ will justifie thee : hee onely g g Novit omnia Deus , sed expectat vocem ●uam : non ut puniat , sed ut ignoscat — praeveni accusatorem tuum : si teipsum accusaver●s , accusatorem nullum timebi● , &c. Ambr. de poen. l. 2. c. 7. expecteth thy voice : when thou sayest , I have sinned , hee saith , I forgive thee . Doe but mark how quickly the pardon followed h h 2 Sam. 12 ▪ 13. David's confession : no sooner had hee said , I have sinned against the Lord , but the Lord said by the Prophet , the Lord also hath put away thy sinne : Peter quickly repented , and as quickly found mercy : i i Heb. 12. 17. Esau staied too long , and so found no place for repentance , though hee sought it carefully with teares . If the grando fiered , be suddenly cast back againe , it proves only the assailants harme or danher : such shall Satan's fire-works prove , if thou presently cast out his tentations , and heartily repent thee where any of his darts touch thee .

9. Give not thy selfe over to pensive dedolency , worldly sorrow , and fruitlesse solitarinesse : that will but feed the bitternesse of spirit : think not too much of thy afflictions , but sweeten them with the frequent remembrance of God's mercy toward thee : take heed of k k 2 Cor. 7. 10. worldly sorrow , that is unto death : cheer up thy selfe in God , as David did , l l Psal. 43. Why art thou so sad , O my soule , and why art thou so disquieted within mee ? trust in God , for I shall yet praise him — m m Pro. 17 ▪ 22. a merry heart doth good like a medicine : but a broken spirit drieth the bones . A merry heart n n Prov. 15. 13 maketh a cheerful countenance , but by the sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken .

10. Hearken diligently to the word of God : hee is the God of all consolation , and the word is o o Scripturae sacrae oraculum , Deimens est , Salvian de Gub. Dei . l. 3. his minde and revealed will for our good : that is a full store-house : there is no affliction incident to man , which may not there finde a proper cure : here thou shalt finde rules to guide thee , and keep thee from sinne : here thou shalt finde the sweet mercy of God in Christ Jesus , to wash away the guilt of all thy transgressions : but be thou not only a hearer , but a constant doer of the word , and lay the gracious promises up in thine heart ; so shalt thou in due season feele the work of God's spirit distilling the former and the later rain upon the seed , to make it take root and be fruitfull .

11. Hereto adde zealous and frequent prayer , as the p p Psal. 6. 2. Psal. 41. 4. Psal. 51. 8. Psal. 109. 107 Saints have done in all their distresses : and be assured that hee will not leave thee comfortlesse , but at last coming with great assurance of thy salvation , will abundantly recompence thy patience in suffering , and perseverance in praying for pardon . Satan is never more foiled , and fooled in his own work , then when hee gets leave to wound the hearts of the elect ; for ( as Romanus the martyr told the tormenter ) look how many wounds hee gives them , so many mouthes hee setteth open for them , to cry to God for helpe ; and indeed these jewels cannot come to their glorious lustre , without hard grinding by afflictions .

A Praier for them who are of a wounded spirit , in respect of their grievous sins .

O Lord God , gracious and merciful ; rebuke not in thine anger , neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure : my soule is sore vexed : and Lord how long ? Have mercy on mee for I am weak : Lord heale my soule and deliver it : O save mee for thy mercy sake : I am weary of my groaning , mine eie is consumed with griefe : Lord heare my supplications , receive my praier . I am sorely afflicted , Lord quicken mee according to thy word : in thy loving kindenesse , and multitude of thy tender mercies ; blot out my transgressions , wash me throughly from my sinnes , cleanse me from all mine iniquities , the greatnesse and number whereof is such , as that I am ashamed and afraid of thy blessed presence : I acknowledge my selfe unworthy to look up to heaven , to appeare before thee with petition for mercy , who have so uncessantly provoked thy justice : the filthy leprosie of my sinnes stop mine own mouth : my heart answereth , that I am unworthy that ever thou shouldst encline thy gracious eare unto so wretched a sinner . These terrors of conscience wherewith thou hast now afflicted my soule , are thy just judgments : the fears of hell and eternal condemnation , wherewith thou hast wounded mee , are incomparably lesse then my sinnes : but Lord remember them not , who canst not forget the sufferings of thy holy sonne Jesus for them all . I am not able to answer thee one of a thousand , nor can thy justice require that of mee , for which my Saviour and redeemer hath satisfied : therefore I renounce my selfe , that I may be found in thy Christ , not having on our owne righteousness , according to the condemning letter of the law , but that I may be clothed in his righteousnesse , who hath long since cancelled the hand-writing of ordinances that were against me , and payed the debt for me : Lord , for his sake , I humbly entreat thee to turne this judgement under which I now labour , into mercy : let it beget in my soule a true loathing of all sinne , a stedfast purpose to forsake all my evil waies ; a comfortable experience of thy mercy pronouncing pardon to my afflicted conscience , by the infallible evidence of thy holy spirit , and assurance of peace with thee : make mee to hear of joy and gladnesse , that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice in thee : cast me not away from thy presence , take not the holy Spirit the comforter from mee : but restore mee to the joy of thy salvation , and uphold mee with thy free spirit , despise not a broken and contrite heart , but heale my wounded spirit : then will I teach transgressors thy way , that they may fear thee ( who art so terrible in thy justice ) and convert unto thee , who art so abun●amt in thy mercy . Lord heare mee , Lord encline thine eare to a poore distressed soule : Lord consider and do it , for thy only sonne our Saviour Jesus Christ his sake , to whom with thee , O heavenly father , and the holy spirit , be all honour and glory , in heaven and earth , from this time forth and for ever .

Amen .

CHAP. XXVII .

§ . 1. Sense of spiritual wants afflicteth , but not so much endangereth the soule . § . 2. What we are herein to consider . § . 3. How we must examine the conscience . § . 4. Rules of practice hereto necessary .

THe second thing wounding and afflicting the conscience , §. I. is sense of defects , and spiritual wants : as , want of faith , hope , assurance of salvation : want of sanctification , purity of heart , the spirit of praier , and hearing , want of ability rightly to performe other holy dueties . In these the spirit is stupified and fearfully darkned in the saint for a time : a man sometimes feeleth dulnesse to , and want of fervency in praier , and want of comfortable assurance that God heareth or regardeth it , because hee doth not presently answer , or not at all grant that which wee aske : sometimes hee feeleth a deviation of his minde , and discomposure of thoughts , in attention , and unbeleef in hearing the word , or reading the same : sometimes want of patience , want of love to God , and charity to men ; in fine , such a general debility , or distemper of the inward man , Rom. 7. 18 , 19. 24. that hee readily concludeth with Paul , I know that in me ( that is in my flesh ) dwelleth no good thing : for to will is present with mee : but how to perform that which is good , I finde not : for the good that I would , I do not : but the evil which I would not , that I do — O wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me from the body of this death ? These are great maladies of the soule , and wounds of the spirit : but the sense hereof ( as I sayed ) is a good sign of a bad cause : where these are , and the sinner is not sensible thereof , they are desperate Symptoms .

For comfort herein , §. II. let us ( as was proposed in case of the precedent distresse ) consider

1. That the very same measure of grace , which to the present sense of a regenerate man , seemeth incompetent , may yet be a sufficient measure to save him : and he is then strong ( by the power of Christ resting upon him , and shewing it perfection in mans weaknesse ) when crying out for God's assistance , he is most weak in his own sense : 2 Cor. 12 , 8 , &c. so in Paul's distresse , the Lord thus answered his petitions , My grace is sufficient for thee : hee saith not , it shall be , ( as relating to a greater supply ) but it is sufficient , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . as speaking of the present measure of grace , which then hee had , when hee seemed to himselfe , weakest .

2. That the saints present measure of assurance is such , as that they must not only give diligence to make their calling and election sure , 2 Pet. 1. 10 , 18. that so an entrance may be administred to them abundantly , into the everlasting kingdom of Christ , Phil. 2. 12. but ( though it be God which worketh in them both to will and to do ) they must also work out their own salvation with fear and trembling .

3. All unbeleefe concludeth not a reprobate sense : there is an unbeleefe in the elect before , and a perplexing remainder thereof , after their calling ; yea in their best estate here : Luke 17. 5. Mark 16. 14. why else did the Apostles pray , Encrease our faith , and why did our Saviour upbraid them with unbeleefe ?

4. That saving faith differeth in degrees : so that there is a stronger and a weaker faith , yet both true , and justifying : so do all other graces : one hath a greater and more excellent measure of the spirit of prayer then another : one hath a more discerning and attentive spirit of hearing then another , and yet in either instance , the least may be true , and sufficient : for to every man is given according to the measure of Christ : one hath ten talents , Eph. 4 7. another but two : yea in one and the same mans faith , there is sometimes a greater , sometimes a lesser measure of confidence and assurance : and so wee must judge of other gifts : sometimes there is more fervency in praier , sometimes lesse : the sun-beams fall not on us at all times alike , neither doth the light of grace .

5. That a true saving faith may be very weak , and the beleever may have very little sense thereof for the time , and yet the gates of hell shall never prevaile against it , as may appear in Peter's example .

6. That there are doubtings and failings in the best on earth : Gal. 5. because wee are here but partly spirit : Phil. 3. wee are not yet come to perfection : Rom. 1. 17. faith here must receive contintuall encreases , and be subject to tryals : 1 Pet. 1. 6. so must all other graces .

7. That true faith can never , never shall finally fall away , or utterly faile , though it be subject to intension and remission : Luke 22. 31. because Christ intercedeth for us , as hee said to Peter , Rom. 11. 29. Behold , Satan hath desired that hee may sift you as wheat : Act. 13. 48. but I have prayed for thee , that thy faith faile not : Remitti potest , non amitti : secundum gradum , non secundum habitum . because his grace by which wee are called , and stand , is immutable , in the counsell and decree of God : and because hereto wee are scaled up by the holy spirit of promise : and the like wee are to judge of all the fruits of sanctification , 2 Cor. 1. 21 , 22. which being the gifts and graces of God , are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , such as God repenteth not of , neither finally with-draweth .

Wee must here againe examine the conscience : I have spoken something concerning the examination of faith in the 2. Chap. but intend here onely those things which concerne this present Argument of comforting the afflicted soule : aske thy conscience therefore , whether

1. Thou hast indeed a true sense of thy spirituall wants , and grievest at thy corruptions of heart , which on every occasion breake out into acts of sin against God ; is this a grievous burden unto thee ? be comforted , thy sin is out of it proper place , a stranger unto thee : for nothing in it owne place is heavy . The danger is want of sense , and taking pleasure in unrighteousnesse : if a man feele not when hee is wounded , hee is either dead , or in some dangerous ectasie . No part hath sense but the living : though it were for the present more comfortable to be whole , yet sense of smart in thy wounds , Rom. 8. concludeth life , and indeed , in God's cures ( who maketh all things work for the best to them that love him ) a better state ( in respect of the quiet fruits of righteousnesse , accrewing to them that are thereby exercised , and the ulcerous corruptions of our souls , often necessitating our wounding that we may be healed ) then the secure prosperity of sinners : Psal 119. it is good at the last for the saint that he hath been troubled . When thou hearest or readest the Scriptures , doest thou feele the want of saith , assurance , sanctification , the spirit and fervency of praier ? be comforted : as the sunnes eclipse , and failing of light towards us , can be discerned by no light but it own ; so neither can the want of grace be possibly discerned by any thing but grace .

2. Hast thou an hearty desire to have these wants of grace supplied ? feare not , that very desire of grace is grace ; without which thou couldst not desire it . Ma●. 5. 6. Blessed are they who doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse : for they shall be filled . God will never famish that soul which desireth him and his saving health : none can hunger but the living ; none hunger for grace , but hee that liveth thereby : but thy desire of grace must be hearty , not languid : such as cannot rest unsatisfied with any thing else in the world : there may be a feeble or oblique appeti●e of salvation in Balaam ( for feare of damnation ) but hee more loved the wages of unrighteousnesse : the most happy thirst for the waters of life is that which afflicteth the soule , till it be obtained ; which can never rest or joy in any thing without it : so that indeed this very condition which so much afflicteth and affrighteth thee , is the most secure and happy ; and thou shalt once know , that which hee said in the happy event of his unhappy ship-wrack , O ●ueri periissemus , nisi sic periissemus . Wee had perished , if wee had not thus perished . And when thou hast received the spirit of God in such a measure , as thereby to know the things that are freely given thee of God ; 1 Cor. 2. 12. Psal. 94. 1● . thou shalt finde , that Blessed is the man whom the Lord chasteneth and teacheth in his law , that hee may give him rest from his daies of adversity .

3. In sense of spiritual wants , aske thy soule whether ever thou hadst that whereof thou now feelest the want ? if thou hadst , be assured it shall revive againe , and finally overcome ; as it is written , 1 Ioh. 4. 5. Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world : and this is the victory that overcometh — our faith . And this sense and sorrow is a certain token of thy recovery and soules health , as that seven times neesing of the Shunamites sonne , before hee opened his death-closed eies , was , of his lifes returning . If thou never yet hadst the grace , whereof thou now beginnest to feele the want , it appeareth by this sense , that now thou shalt have it : and this trouble of thy soule , Ioh. 5. is but as the moving of Bethesda waters , a certain signe of an healing power descended thereinto .

4. Aske thy conscience , Ier. 2. 17. as the Prophet saith , Hast thou not procured this unto thy selfe ? this of which thou complainest of ? hast thou not neglected the appointed meanes ? Suppose want of faith perplexe thee ; hast thou not carelesly heard the Gospel ? hast thou layed it up in a carefull heart ? hast thou valued it , and begged it fervently and frequently of God , above all things in the world ? Thou complainest of want of the spirit of praier ; hast thou not neglected this duety in times past ? doest thou duely prepare thyself thereto ? doest thou use that vigilancy which Christ enjoined , Watch and pray ; by re-calling thy profane and wandring thoughts from their extravagancies , and in all attention of spirit fixing them on Jesus Christ ? thou feelest the want of sanctification in thy heart , tongue , and actions ? Ask thy conscience , if thou hast not heretofore buried the checks thereof , for some vaine pleasure or profit's sake ? If thou wouldst have the effect cease , remove the cause . God will have his ordinances duely observed , wherein they shall never want their promised effect .

5. Ask thy conscience whether thou doest not live in some grievous sinne ? It is but folly to cry out of the heat and still cast oil on the fire : if it be an Achan's wedge hidden , search for the cursed thing , 1 King . 8. 38. and the plague in thine own heart , in the cure whereof thou shalt be comforted ; if it be a sleeping Jonah , Iob. 22. 23. cast him over-board : as Eliphaz said , If thou return to the Almighty , thou shalt be built up : thou shalt put iniquity farre from thy tabernacles — the Almighty shall be thy defence — then shalt thou have delight in the Almighty , and shalt lift up thy face unto God : thou shalt make thy praier unto him , and he shall hear thee — The rules of practice are , §. IV.

1. Heare God's word preparedly , that is , ( as hath been said ) renew thy repentance , and pray for a blessing thereon : heare it reverendly , and attentively : faith is by hearing ; so is sanctification , Gods spirit working upon his own ordinance to make it active thereto . The very cause why so many hear , so often , and so few , so seldome practice , and receive true comfort thereby , is because they prepare not , but are like men that sow among thorns .

2. Let faith ( and all other graces ) be precious to thee , for his sake whom it apprehendeth : God will never bestow his inestimable gifts on men who sleight and undervalue them : how few set a right estimate on precious faith , the spirit of praier , or memory of good things , till it be too late ? things of this world are rated high enough : but where is the man that riseth early , late takes rest , eats the bread of carefulnesse , ventureth sea and land , to get faith and sanctity ? doe but thou so value and desire these best gifts , and God will not with-hold them from thee , Joh. 7. 38 , 39. Venter interior● homini● , conscientia cordis eius — i●sa etiam fons orit . Beda in loci Gen. 29. 2. Psal. 84. 11.

3. Jesus said , Hee that beleeveth in mee , out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters ; that is the abundant graces of the holy Ghost : labour for this faith ; but if thou wilt attain it , endeavour to remove all lets and obstructions thereto : resolution to continue in any known sin , and true faith are inconsistent , Hardnesse of heart is like the great stone on the mouth of the well at Padan-Aram , which keepe men from the refreshing waters : these must first be removed : sin in the affections is like a venemous toad in the mouth of the fountain , stopping up the waters of life .

4. Consider God's work in thee , by comparing thy condition with others : thou art possibly not heard in thy prayers ? not to say , Doest thou aske according to his will ? I say , mark Gods work , which is to save thee and make thee eternally blessed : if he do that by a means which he knoweth best ; 2 King . 5. Wilt thou be impatient , with Naaman , if thou art not healed and helped according to thy way which thou proposest ? Is it not enough that hee will do that which is best for thee , and canst thou judge so well of that , as God ? nay but subject to God's good will and infallible wisedom : thou maist erre in asking , ( who hath not ? ) but hee cannot in giving for the best : it may be hee seeth best to try thy perseverance & patience , whereof I confess I know no harder object , then opinion of his not hearing our praiers . It was no small tryal when David cryed out , Psal. 22. 1● My God , my God , why hast thou forsaken mee ? why art thou so far from helping mee , and from the words of my crying ? Mat , 27 46. It was the greatest when our Saviour repeated the same . Moses was denied entrance into Canaan , but received into heaven : Heb. 5. 7. the cup did not passe away from Christ , but Gods will was done in the work of mans redemption ; and so hee was heard . Thy faith beareth many sharp charges of the tempter ? mark Gods work therein : Doth hee not even by this means more confirm it ? Is not every temptation as the shaking of the trees , which loosning the ground maketh them take the deeper root ? thou feelest great defects of sanctification , and thence many dubious conflicts between the spirit & the flesh , Gen. 25. 22 , making thy soul cry with Rebecca perplexed with her wrestling twins , why am I thus ? despair not , but consider Gods work : thus he forceth thee often to fly to him , and to consult his oracles : thus hee exerciseth thee to humility , without which the most excellent graces could not save thee . He that prayed for Peter fallen , could have kept him from falling into that sin : but thus he kept him from presumption , and fitted him to confirm his brethren .

5. Begge holinesse of God , who hath said , Aske and yee shall have : it is a vehement motive hereto , to consider that God is holinesse ; and certainly hee cannot chuse but love his own image in us , and give us that which hee loveth : it pleased God that Solomon ( before riches , revenge , and life it selfe ) begged of him Wisedom ; 1 ▪ King 3. 10 , 11. so that he did not only grant his request , but over and above gave him riches and honors : and undoubtedly it doth so much please God , Eph 3. 20. Pl●s Deum tribuere quàm rogatur , &c. that a man doth in sense of his wants , from his heart , and before all things , begge grace and sanctity of him , that he will not deny him : H●●r l. 2. ep. 11. Russino but adde to his grant more then wee are able to aske or thinke of .

A Praier for comfort and supply , in case of spiritual wants .

O Lord God , abundant in mercy and trueth , who delightest not in the destruction of wretched creatures , nor despisest the groanes of a troubled spirit , I poore afflicted man , in bitternesse of soule , acknowledg my vilenesse and want of grace , the corruption of my sinful nature , the misery which I have procured my self by my wilful disobedience to thy holy lawes and my impotency to any thing that is good : I am as that wretched traveller wounded and cast down , only sensible of my wonnds , utterly unable to move or helpe my selfe : the Priest and Levite passe by and helpe mee not ; no creature can : yea thy holy law ( which saith , Doe this , and live ) is so farre from helping or releeving mee , that now , by reason of my infirmity , it becometh to mee a killing letter ; at best but like the Prophets staff sent before by the ministery of the servant , not able to give life , only shewing mee my sinnes , and rendring me guilty , as before thy dreadful tribunal ; so at the barre of mine owne conscience : Lord let the good Samaritan , the Prophet himselfe , Christ Jesus , my Saviour , naw come to mee : he only can binde up my wounded soul , and heale it . Thou hast wounded mee by an heavy apprehension of thy justice ; now heal mee by the assurance of thy mercy : strengthen my faith in Ch●ist , who freely justifieth sinners : as thou hast in thine eternal love , given him to death for my redemption , so give me an infallible assurance that hee is my Jesus and Saviour : that according to thine owne gracious promise in him , I may live with thee . Blessed Saviour , who sentest the holy Ghost the comforter of all thine elect , to thy afflicted Disciples to strengthen them , send him to my more feeble and wretched soul : it is neither of him that willeth , nor of him that runneth , but of thine own goodnesse , shewing mercy : thou workest both the will and the deed of thy good pleasure : be graciously pleased to sanctify my corrupted will and affections : as thou hast given me a will , and an hearts desire to serve and please thee , that I might be saved , so perfect thine owne worke in mee , establish that thing which thou hast begunne : will thou , that I will not in vaine : thou hast nothing the lesse by communicating thy goodnesse to others , Lord give me true holinesse , repaire thine own image in mee , that thou maist own mee for thine : manifest thine own worke in mee , unto mee . Let not the good spirit which dwelleth in mee , be any longer hidden from mee : Lord Jesus manifest thy selfe unto my soule : let the light of thy spirit breake out in full assurance of faith , that I may no more doubt of thy mercies : give mee an evident victory over sinne and despaire , by the manifest presence of the comforter ; Lord my afflicted soule knoweth no sanctuary but thy mercy : unto thee it gaspeth , as a thirsty land : O showre downe that abundant dew of grace which may refresh my wearied spirit , and fill mee with the fruits of righteousnesse , which may appeare in my life and conversation , to thy glory , and the assurance of my election , calling , sanctification , perseverance , and salvation in thy beloved sonne my blessed Saviour Jesus Christ : to whom with Thee and the holy Spirit , three Persons , one immortal , incomprehensible , omnipotent , onely wise God , be rendred all honour and glory , in heaven and earth , now and to all eternity .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXVIII .

§. 1 , Of the conscience afflicted with feare of tentations , and falling away : What wee are herein to consider . § . 2. How wee must examine the conscience herein . § . 3. What wee must practice .

WEe are next to consider the wounded spirit , §. I. or conscience afflicted with feare of tentations and falling away through them , enclining it to despair of grace sufficient to resist them ; hereby the soule is in heavinesse a a 1 Pet. 1. 6. through manifold tentations : in which case it is necessary to consider , that

1. A b b Tentatio est experimenti sumptio de eo quo l tentatur , &c. T. Aquin , 2● . q. 97. a. 10. tentation is a tryal , or taking an experiment of some thing : the Devil who c c Suggerere potest , ●ogere non potest . Chrysost. in Matth. Hoc tantum potest , quod egit in principio , seducere & abstrahere mentem , &c. Irenae . l. 5. c. 3. cannot compel , tryeth men whether he can allure them to sinne : and this is tentation .

2. There is a temptation of tryal : see 1 Cor. 10. 13. Act. 20. 19. Rev. 3. 10. and so James saith , My brethren , d d Jam. 1. 2 , 12. count it all joy when yee fall into divers tentations — for when he is tryed hee shall receive the crown of life : and blessed is the man that so doth . God , who is said to tempt no man ( that is , to evil : because e e Sicut ergo peccatum in ●o non est : ità peccatum ex eo non est . Fulg. de praedest ▪ ad Monim l. 1. as there is no sin in him , so neither is there any of him ) yet tryed Abraham , ( to make him known to others and himself : f f Nec sibi qu●squam innotescit , nisi rentatus . Aug. in Psal. 60. for no man untryed knoweth himself ) which is called tempting or proving : as Deut. 13. 3. Ex. 15. 25. Ex. 16. 4. Deut. 8. 16. Psal. 26. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 6. And there is a temptation of seducement , which is a solicitation to defection and falling from God by sinning , and doing evil . 1 Tim. 6. 9. 1 Thes. 3. 5. so that g g Tentat Deus ut doceat , tentat Diabo●us ut perdat . God tempteth that he may teach us , but the Devil that he may destroy us .

3. Some temptations arise from the corruption and sin inherent in the flesh . Jam. 1. 14. Every man is tempted when hee is 〈…〉 his own lusts , such as are mentioned Galat. 5. 19 , 20. Some are suggested by the tempter , who being a spirit , hath power to in●●●uate and convey h h Tentat in nos conserre quae sua sunt . Minuc . Fel. Octav. his impious notions into our mindes : suggestion between spirits , being as contiguity and touching of bodies : now , whereas hee cannot know the unuttered secrets of the heart , ( it i i 1 Chro● 28. 9. being Gods peculiar to search that ) he marketh mens natural inclinations , and their habits , by their words and actions , and so prepareth baits for them accordingly , sishing in these depths , the secrets whereof hee knoweth not , till hee perceive his suggestions are swallowed , and the sinner taken : therefore he presenteth such thoughts , as he con●ectureth will take , by that which is obvious to the senses of men : as , hee sitteth an opportunity of treason to impious Judas , by the malice of the high Priests : of lust to Amnon ; of venturing on the cursed thing to Achan ; of revenge to Cain ; of idolatry to k k 2 King . 16. 10 , &c. Ahaz , by the altar of Damascus .

4. There are foure degrees of tentations , by which it cometh to full maturity : 1. Suggestion . 2. Delight therein . 3. Consent to . 4. Acting the same ; as James 1. 14 , 15. Man is tempted when hee is drawn away of his own lusts , and e●iced ; thenwhen lust hath conceived , it bringeth forth sinne , and sinne when it is finished , bringeth sorth death : the first of these ( a bare suggestion ) is not our sinne , if there be no delight therein , or consent thereto : for Christ l l Mat 4 1. Luke 4. 2. was tempted , m m Hebr. 2. 1● . in all points like as wee are , yet n n Hebr. 4. 15. Luke 22. 28. without sinne . The devils sinne it is , when ever he suggesteth evil . The second ( as the third and fourth ) is sinne in its degree ; for every delight in evil speaketh a mans will such : declining from good , and enclined to consent , and act evil .

5. Tentation of tryal to the saint , is but as fire to gold ; it purifieth and maketh more precious in Gods esteem : as 't is written , Psal. 116. 15. Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints ; and o o 1 Pet. 1. 7. that the tryal of your faith being much more pretious then of gold which perisheth , though it be tryed with fire , might be found unto praise , &c. so saith that mirror of patience ; p p Iob 23. 10 , When he hath tryed mee , I shall come forth as gold : tentation only burneth out the drosse ; it is as a winnowing winde : so Satan by a temptation winnowed Peter : now consider with thy selfe , Can the refiner of gold so provide , that he will not loose it in the fornace ? can the husband-man so use the winde , that hee will not loose the corne , but thereby cleanse it from the chasse ? and canst thou think that God will loose thee , by permitting thee to temptations ? Assure thy selfe hee cannot erre : hee measureth all , is faithfull , and q q 1 Cor. 10. 13. will not suffer thee to be tryed above that thou art able . Hee knoweth r r 2. Pet. 2. 9. how to deliver his out of tentations : therefore hee biddeth them not to s s Rev. 2. 10. feare any of these things which they should suffer , whom Satan should cast into prison .

6. There can be t t Nullum sine hoste certamen Leo. serm . 25. Nemo praemium percipit ante exper●●●cutum , M●n . ●el . no victory without an enemy , nor crown without a conflict : no faith without troubles ; nor conflict without some adversary : when God permitteth thee to tryals , hee stands , and beholds how thou entertainest the enemy , how thou receivest his charges , hee supplieth thee with fresh aids , as necessity requireth ; and in the meane time prepareth the crowne : many by long and secure peace grow impotent ; and for want of experience , unable to resist an enemy when hee invadeth : perhaps their own pride ( born out of self-ignorance ) overcometh them ; or fulnesse debancheth them ; whereas exercise maketh them strong , and temptations humble : least I should be exalted above measure , saith Paul — there was given to mee a thorn in the flesh , the messengers of Satan to busset mee — truely u u Peccati conscientia , & met●s poenaere ligio si●rom f●cit , & semner mult● firmior est sides qu●m reponit poenitentia , Lact. l 5. c. 13. conscience of sin and feare of punishment , make the regenerate more religious ; and so it is much the firmer faith which repentance storeth up — that yee sorrowed after a godly sort , what carefulnesse it wrought in you .

7. The spiritual Pharoah most eagerly pursueth those who are going out of his kingdome : w w Tanquam captivos & victos praeterit hos pergit l●cessere in quibus Christum vidit habita●e . Cypr. hee passeth by his owne , as captives : hee chaseth those in whom hee perceiveth Christ liveth : when he must be cast out , then he teareth most furiously . Luke 9. 42. so that his rage against thee is no argument of despair , but rather of great confidence , that the devil himself findeth that thou must be none of his : were hee secure of thee , hee would x x Eos pulsare negligit , quos quieto iure se poss●●ere senlit . Gregor. hom. 2. let thee go untroubled to destruction , and never disquiet thee : least any agitation should bring thee to repentance , and him to losse . This our Saviour taught , y y Luke 11. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace , his goods are in peace .

8. Consider well that the best have been , and the best that live are tempted : z z 2. Sam. 5. 6. the Jebusite was left in Jerusalem , for an exercise of vertue : the man a a 2 Cor. 12 rapt up into the third heaven was buffeted by the messenger of Satan : once for all , Christ b b Heb. 4. 15. in whom was no sin , was tempted : that thou art tempted , is no argument of despair : I know not how , heaven and earth are here so mixed together , wee being c c Gal. 5. 17. partly spirit , and partly flesh , that wee cannot be as wee would : wee finde an irksom law in our selves , against our selves : our repaire is something , and supernatural , but so short of that which shall be , that our selves ( like the d d Ezra 3. 13 Israëlites in Ezra's time ) sound a discordious concord of sharpes and flats , joy and sorrow ; we must look for perfection in heaven : our e e Nec t●m desivi à vitiis , quàm coepi vesle desinere . Hier. l. 1. ep. 40. present freedom from sin , is rather a desire to be free , then our being so .

9. Lastly consider that Gods grace ( who at his pleasure f f Rev. 20. 1 , 2 , 3. chaineth up the tempter ) is g g 2 Cor. 12. 9 sufficient for thee . Hee restraineth him so much , that hee cannot be a lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's Prophets , untill hee have leave ( to tempt him out to his destruction ) from him who justly permitteth to strong delusions , that they should perish in beleeving lies , who receive not the love of the trueth , that they might be saved : God knoweth best how farre hee will suffer thee to be tempted , and accordingly measureth out the sufficiency of grace to all the regenerate . Why hee suffered David so dangerously to fall , why Peter , why Paul , I know not , except to humble them , and leave us motives to repentance : I am sure his judgements are ever just .

Secondly , §. II. wee are againe ( for comfort in this case ) to examine

1. Whether art thou delighted in the temptation , or no ? if thou neither delight in , nor consent to it , but rather startlest at it , as a thing which thy soul loaths and abhorrs , it shall not hurt thee .

2. Whether the temptation which commonly afflicteth thee , be such as probably ariseth from the corruption of thine owne heart , which is usually inferred by the thoughts discourse from one thing to another , by direct or naturall mediums : but if it be a temptation of Satan's , cast into thy soule , it is commonly abrupt , and such as thou didst not think of , incongruous , sudden , unnatural sometimes , and such as thou tremblest at , as blasphemous , bloody , or desperate : though in some temptations hee maketh use of that wee see or heare , joining himselfe with our natural inclination to sinne : so are those h h 2 Cor. 12. Gal , 5. 20. stimuli carnis , his messengers , like traytors corrupted by some foraigne State , against their native soile : if a temptation arise of corrupted nature , the cure must be by beating down carnal reason and the affections of flesh : if of Satan , the very discovery is enough to make thee hate it , and that to overcome it ; seeing if wee yeeld not he is overcome .

3. When thou art moved to any thing , whether within thee , as by suggestion , or without thee , as by perswasions of men i i 1 Ioh. 5. 1. examine the spirits , whether they are of God , or no : thou maist not beleeve all : because many false prophets are gone out into the world ; and God hereby k k Deut. 13. 3. proveth you , to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart : and the Apostle saith , l l 1 Cor. 11. 19 there must be heresies ( or sects ) among you : examine therefore whether they bring any propositions against faith , ( the substance of the Gospel ) sanctimony commanded in Gods law , peace , order , charity , and unity : to the end that if we finde any thing in mens perswasions , or any inward suggestions , contrary hereto , wee may conclude them carnal , earthly , sensual , and devillish , and so take course to resist them ; which may be by the practice of these following rules .

1. Every day dedicate thy first and thy last waking thoughts to God in earnest and hearty praier , §. III. to preserve thee from temptations , and to guide all thy thoughts , words , and actions , so that waking thou maist walke sincerely in his presence , and sleeping rest confidently in his protection .

2. Prepare and arme thy selfe against these encounters of tentations with the whole m m Eph. 6. 1● . armour of God : look before hand for tryals : thou hast to resist , flesh and blood , principalities and spiritual wickednesses : it is a conflict by so much more terrible , by how much more hidden , and with an unseen , puissant , unwearied , and restlesse enemy , with whom thou canst have no safe truce : therefore cast before-hand , like the wise builder , to lay the foundation upon the rocke ; against which n n Matth. 7. no windes , stormes , or floods can prevaile . The sea-man doth not contrive his shippe for calmes onely , but also against furious storms and rough seas : prepare thee good ground-tackle , the o o Hebr. 6. anchor of the soule , hope to lay hold on Christ ( who therefore suffered , and was tempted , that hee might deliver thee from , and in temptations : ) get the ballast of patience , and all things necessary for tryals which thou must , in reason , look for before thou canst make thy port . It were great incogitancy to thinke that Satan , who could not abstaine from tempting Christ ( in whom hee found no sinne ) p p Mat. 26. 41. will ever give thee rest from temptations , in whom hee conceives some hopes of prevailing ( because some sinnes ) to foil and grieve thee , though not to make thee finally his .

3. Watch least yee enter into temptation : q q 1 Pet. 5. 8. your adversary continually watcheth to destroy you : be not lesse vigilant for your own salvation . Many a man , not marking whether a mischievous temptation carrieth him , hath been surprized and led into some desperate sinnes , which waking hee abhorred and trembled at : looke for more and more assaults : Satan leaveth men sometimes , to returne with r r Luk 11. 26. seven worse spirits , that security may destroy them , whom nothing else could .

4. Be not precipitated into any sudden undertaking , but consult with God's Oracles first , and resolve to be directed thereby . Let them be as the cloudy pillar to Israël , where that designeth thy stations , or marches , there rest , or thence advance .

5. s s Jam ▪ 4. 7 Resist the devil and hee will flee : if thou yeeldest , or givest him the least ground , hee is tyrannous : t t 2 Tim. 2. 22 flee from thy lusts ; they are like serpents , there 's no safe debate with them , except by fasting and praier : the best way is flight ; stop thine ears to the enchanting Syrens ; make a u u Iob 31. 1. covenant with thine eies , w w Pro. 6 25. As Pericles told Sopbocles , a Governour must not only have his hands but also his eies cleane . Plutar Per. not to see , that which thou maist not desire in thine heart . Take heed of all incentives and occasions thereto : beware of Tamar's waies , and Delilah's embraces : the x x Pro. 7 , 14. curtisans invitations , and presented opportunities : suspected company , lascivious entertainments , betraying gifts , and whatsoever may lead thee to the pathes of death .

6. As the subtile enemy sets his snares according as hee findeth men inclinable to be taken therewith ; ( as hath been said ) so be thou carefull most to fortifie thy selfe , where thou findest him placing his main batteries : there most carefully watch over thy selfe , where hee most frequently assaileth thee : and be constant herein ; because hee is so in his malice to destroy thee : he sometimes changeth his artifices ; now hee cometh like a mischievous fruiterer , with his destructive commentaries on the forbidden fruit ; sometimes like an holy prophet , with lying visions , to bewitch the foolish and unstable ; sometimes like a beguiling courtier , with large promises of worlds of honor and wealth ; sometimes hee plaies the pander , shewing a naked Bathsheba ; sometimes the secret conspirator , and puts into Judas heart to betray the King of Kings , and presently the executioner , presenting the desperate traitor , an halter to make away himself ; the rule therefore is , be careful and search again and again into his gifts , y y Quicquid id est metus Danaös , & dona ferentes . whatever they are , feare the enemy ; as Saul said of David , z z 1 Sam. 23. 22. See his place where his haunt is — for — hee dealeth very subtilely ; he never offereth any good , but for some mischievous end ; hee is a great studier of men ; where hee findeth a gentle nature , hee tempteth to luxury ; where an ambitious , to some high and impious designes ; where an angry , to revenge : be thou as cautious , learne thy selfe well , and where thou art most weake , most fortifie thy selfe against him .

7. Take heed of idlenesse , that lazy mother of all evil ; a a Chap. 18. § 4 : 9. ever set thy selfe about something which is good , that the tempter ( as I said ) may never finde thee at leisure to entertaine him . What fearful advantages found hee on David , in his few houres vacancy to staine so glorious a life ?

8. Dally not with temptations ; happy shall be hee who dasheth them yong : as Elisha said of b b 2 King . 6. 32. Jehoram's messenger , Looke when hee cometh , shut the doore , and hold him fast there : is not the sound of his masters feet behinde him ? So must we do with Satan's messengers , sent to take away our lives ; wee must destroy the cockatrice egges , least breaking out into a fiery serpent , wee cannot overcome it , but say too late , as the Turke of Scanderbeg , this enemy should have been subdued in his minority : a tentation is nourished that houre it is not mastered .

9. Pray constantly and fervently ; leade us not into temptation : oft-times these are a divine revenge on some precedent unrepented sinne : against which the Saints c c Psal. 27 9. Psal. 119 ▪ 10. usually pray ; and if , as often as Satan assaileth , wee could betake our selves to hearty prayers , wee should beat him at his owne weapon , and hee should give us frequent alarms to awaken us to a stronger guard , and occasions of fleeing to the shadow of God's wings . The first enemy that assailed Israël in his way to Canaan , was overcome by prayer : when d d Exod. 17. Moses held up his hands , Israël prevailed : the greatest of our enemies shall so be repulsed . Mat. 17. 21.

An ejaculation fit to be used as a a Primitias vigiliarum ●uarum ●hristo dicato : primitias octuum tuorum Christo immola . Ambros. de Virg. l. 3. sonne as thou wakest .

LOrd be merciful unto us : blessed be thy name , as for all thy mercies , so for thy gracious preservation of us this night : continue thy goodnesse to us this day : keep us from sinne and shame : preserve us bodies , soules , and estates : let no evil come neer our dwellings : let not the mischievous tempter gaine any advantage upon us , or ours this day : but direct thou all our thoughts , words , and actions , by the continual presence of thy holy spirit , that wee may wholly spend this day to thy glory , and our comfort . Preserve the Church , this family , and all those whom thou hast stirred up to shew thy goodnesse to us , or appointed to receive it of us : blesse us all , and keepe us this day , through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

After thou hast strictly examined thy conscience , what good dueties thou hast omitted , or what evil thou hast done in the day , and hast heartily repented of the sin : compose thy last waking thoughts with such an ejaculation .

LOrd forgive us all our sinnes and failings this day : seal up our redemption by thy good spirit the comforter of thine elect : give us that peace of conscience which may cause us to rest securely on thy mercies : let our sleep be re●reshing and comfortable unto us : restrain the enemy that he may neither perplexe nor disturb it : Lord , whose providence sleepth not , preserve us , and ours , sleeping , waking , living and dying , that in every estate it may appeare wee are thine , through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

The prayer of a wounded spirit against temptations .

O Lord God Almighty , all-seeing examiner of the heart and reines , who knowest before wee aske ; what wee have need of ; who by thy holy spirit helpest our infirmities , who know not what to pray as wee ought , and thereby makest requests for us according to thy will with nnutterable groanes which thou only understandest : helpe my infirmities , endite my praiers , and restraine the busie malice of the tempter . Direct my praiers as incense in thy sight ; let them come into thy presence through Jesus Christ our onely redeemer and advocate . Trueth it is , O Lord , that all things shall worke together for the best to them that love thee , and are called according to thy purpose , for thou hast said it ; and that it shall be good for mee which thou doest to mee : I am confident , O my God , that it shall once appeare that it is happy for mee that I have been in trouble , when after the tryal of my faith , and exercise of my patience , thou shalt give mee the quiet fruits of righteousnesse . I beleeve that they shall not finally miscarry who trust in thy mercy : this is the voice of my faith in thee , whom I beleeve and know to be the God of trueth : but , O Lord , thou best knowest , that I am also fraile flesh and blood , full of infirmities , feares , doubtings , and failings , because mine iniquities have taken such hold on mee , that I cannot looke up : they are more in number then the haires of my head , so that my heart faileth mee : neither have I to deale with flesh and blood onely : Lord thou knowest those unseen powers of darknesse , which wth restlesse encounters assault my soule to destroy it : O Lord God of my salvation , be not thou farre from mee : shew thy power , and deli●iver mee from the messengers of Satan , which are too mighty for mee : rescue mee , bridle their insolent malice ; binde the st●ong man , and deliver thy vessel from his usurping tyranny , that I may in every faculty of my soule serve and please thee : pardon all my sinnes for thy holy sonne Jesus sake who died for mee : heale my wounded soule , which hath ( to the present sorrow of my heart ) so often sinned against thee : hide not thy face from mee in the time of my trouble : forget not my bitter affliction which maketh mee goe mourning all the day long , while the insulting enemy oppresseth mee : thou art my King , command deliverances : I am poore and needy , destitute of helpe and strength to resist Satan's fiery darts : put thy whole armour upon mee , that I may be able to stand : arise for my helpe , O thou Preserver of men : redeeme mee from the devouring lyons mouth : for for thy mercy sake thinke upon mee : make haste to helpe mee ; make no long tarrying , O my God : suffer mee not for any tryals to fall from thee : lay no more upon mee , then thou wilt give mee strength , patience , and perseverance to beare cheerfully : confirme mee unto my end , that I may be blamelesse unto the day of our Lord Christ : give mee a blessed effect of , and issue out of every tryal ; that the more thou permittest mee hereto , the more certaine experience I may have of thy mercy , and the greater assurance that thou wilt never faile mee , nor forsake mee , that I may ( through him who hath by suffering vanquished death , hell , and him who had the power of death ) overcome all these spiritual wickednesses , which fight against my soule . I have trusted onely in thy mercy , holy Father , who hast ordained strength in the mouths of babes and in●●●s , strengthen mee unto the end , that my heart may rejoyce in the salvation : spare mee that I may recover my strength : put thou a new song into my mouth , that I may praise thee for my deliverance , and declare unto afflicted sinners , what thou hast done for my soule . Lord heare mee , and have mercy upon mee ; Lord who art ever more ready to give , then wee can be to aske , deny not the requests of a poore sinful soule , crying unto thee for Jesus Christ his sake our only Lord and Saviour .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXIX .

Concerning the guidance of the minde in the encrease of wealth . § . 1. Afflictions common : their fruit in good men . Poverty a great tryall : riches great temptations : commonly mistaken . § . 2. How to guide thy selfe in the encrease of riches , or a full inheritance .

1. TEmporal afflictions are common to the just and wicked : §. I. wee are here like the clean and unclean in Noah's ark , shut up in one condition : into afflictions wee goe like Israël and the Egyptians into the red-sea , to events most contrary , deliverance , or destruction : to the saint they are but as the raine to the arke , the more it fell , the more that was lifted up . Being sanctified they give understanding , and are ( though rough-handed ) yet excellent masters of vertue : like a a Sic semina messium gel● cooperta fertiliùs germi●ant Greg. l 6. ep. 27. biting frosts to the trees , restraining the luxuriant sap , and rendring them more fruitfull .

2. Among other afflictions in this life , want and poverty ( as among temptations wealth ) is not the least . These are commonly the minds Scylla and Charybdis , the two great and antient diseases of Republicks , Families , and incautious soules : there being great hazard in either ; concludeth a necessity of a right guidance of the minde herein ; so great , as that the b b Pro. 30. 8. wise man deprecated both extreames : Give mee not poverty , nor riches — Having spoken of those things which appertain to man , are in man , or incident to him within , it is requisite that wee consider him in the discomposures which proceed from things external , as poverty , imprisonment , banishment , old age , sicknesse , and death . In these first estates which I proposed , my purpose is to lay down some rules , directing how happily to c c — Archytas in his Book 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , could say — 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — use the one , and bear the other .

3. Because riches are great temptations , and men are commonly deceived in judging of them : too much admiring and affecting these , ( and as much impatient of poverty ) whereas indeed they are d d ●he Stoicks said riches are not goods , for 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Xeno . Laërt l. 7. neither absolutely good , nor alwaies signes of an happy owner , but e e Haec perinde sunt u● illius animus , qui ea possidet , qui uti scit ei bona : Illi qui non utitur rectè mala . Ter. Heaut . Act. 1. Scen. 2. Talibus bonis non fiunt homines boni , sed aliunde boni facti , bene utendo faciunt ut ipsa sint bona . Aug. ep 121. c. 2. good or evil , according to their use : and therefore are they commonly evil , because , as f f Plut. Aristid . Aristides said , Many use riches ill , few can well : therefore it highly concerneth those who enjoy encrease , or great riches , to mark and practice these and the like rules .

1. If riches encrease , set not your heart thereon , §. II. Psal 62. 10. where they have the heart , there is no place for faith , charity , humility , equity , modesty , or honesty : He saith not , Get not riches , but , set not your heart upon them : for so they carry it away from God ; many of the Saints have been rich , but their rule was , g g 1 Tim. 6. Iob 31. 25. not to trust in uncertain riches : all earthly possessions often change their owners , often desert and leave them to wants . The heathen h h Plut. Sol. Solon told Croesus as much , though he could not beleeve him , until , fast bound to the gibbet to be put over the fire , he cryed out , O Solon , Solon ● ! Riches cannot deliver from death , nor i i Zeph 1. 18. Ezek 7. 19. Pro. 11. 4. in the day of the day of the Lords wrath : and how vainely doe wee call them goods , in whose abundance the owner may perish with hunger ?

2. Set not thy soule at stake for any worldly price : ( what shall it profit a man . k k Mar. 3. 18. if hee shall gaine the whole world , and loose his owne soule ? ) especially at so poor a one that usually l l Quotus enim quisque est●quem secunda non mutent , cui non crescat cum prosperitate vitiositas Salv. de gub . l. 7. hurteth the possessor . Sicut de vestimento tine● , &c. ità de divitiis avaritia P. Crysol . ● . 7 ▪ I appeale herein to any thriving man : doe but remember the change of thine owne minde , so soon as thy estate encreased , or descended to thee : how quickly hadst thou learned an unstudied pride and elation of minde ? Estates and the owners mindes commonly rise together , like those beasts and wheeles in the Prophets vision , m m Ezek. 1. 19. When the creatures were lifted up from the earth , the wheels were lifted up ; this maketh it so hard n n Mat 19. 23. for a rich man to be saved , because it is very hard to be rich , and not proud , or not to trust in riches . Adde hereto , that unjust gaine , maketh thee not a proprieter , but an usurper and robber , and hee that o o Iob 20. 15. swallowed down riches , shall vomit them up againe : either hee must restore them , or perish with them ; whether they were seized into his hands by violence , or p p Mich. 6. 10. 1● . by wicked balances , or the bag of deceitful weights : q q Pro. 10. 2. treasures of wickednesse profit nothing : moreover , at the best , thou canst have but a short use of any worldly thing : r r 1 Tim. 6. wee brought nothing into the world , and it is certain wee shall carry nothing away : and is it not therefore an admirable madnesse to loose eternal happinesse , for temporal riches ? the soule for the bodies supplies ? The time shall come ( and it is as sure , and neere as death ) when the body shall have no use of riches , ( the soule never had ) why do men tyre themselves for vaine shadowes ? too great possessions have commonly debauched the unhappy owners : as may appeare in the Romane conquests s s Asia primùm devicta luxuriam misit in Italiam , &c. Plin. nat. hist. l. 33 c. 11. Asia domita multò ●tiam graviùs afflixit mores , &c. ibid. of Asia , t t — invictum Alp b●e , indomitum ar●i● Companiae — solae , & tepentes fontibus Bai● , subegerunt . L. Flor. l. 2. c. 6. Bell. Pun. ● . Hannibal's of Italy , Alexander's of Persia , and the like ; wherein it was doubtful whether they more conquered those nations , or those nations them . Their riches were to them , but as u u Plut Demet. Among those spoils was also taken that famous cur●is●n Lamia , &c. Demetrius Lamià taken in the Egyptian spoiles , aurea mala , golden mischiefes ; and as Seneca said of prosperity , viscata beneficia , limed baits ; gifts to take men with ; and so desperately besotting their lovers , that they passe not for any wickednesse to gaine them , save that onely which may bring them into future danger of loosing them . It was not said amisse ; w w Sen. ep. 7. Were Justice as free as once it shall be , all our goales could not hold our rich men . This mischiefe wealth addeth to the rest , that it now freeth the wicked from punishment , that they may recive it hereafter . No wonder that our Saviour pronounced a x x Luke 6. 24 ▪ lam . 1. 10. woe to the rich ( who usually blesse themselves , as the only wise and good men ) riches so seldom being good to the owners . Why settest thou thine heart on that which is neither truely good , nor truely thine ? if they are truely good , let them make thee good and blessed : if truely thine , carry them with thee in death . What can be more unworthy of a wise man , then the love of false and transitory goods ? or of a Christian , then to sell a soul , whose redemption cost more then all the world was worth , ( the precious blood of Christ ) for that which is neither truely good , truely thine , nor ( beyond necessity ) of y y Iam 5. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. safe use , or possession ? If thou use them , thou art neer luxury ; if thou spare them , to a dangerous parsimony : on the one side is the nures of idlenesse ( the mother of all mischiefe ) on the other , the gulfe of insatiable avarice .

3. Let thy riches serve thee : there is no little necessity of the use of this rule : for as z z Arist. apud Plut. vit. Pelopid . the Philosopher said : Most rich men doe not use their goods for extream covetousnesse ; others abuse them to pleasures : so rich men a a Nimia felicitas non tam animo parere solet , quàm imperare . Archyt . do bono viro , &c. become slaves all their life time ; some to pleasure , others to profit : but beyond all that the Philosophers could know , the Scripture sheweth , that if b b Mat 6. 24 , wee serve riches , we cannot serve God : hee that keepeth riches to himselfe , is a servant to them ; and hee the worst of all servants , ( a foole and a knave ) who grown rich with an ill conscience , can be contented to live poore , only that hee may die rich . And hee that prodigally spendeth them is little better : this may be sure his riches cannot serve him long , the others doe never . Yet thus parsimonious are some , c c Ar. ap. Laert. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 lib. 5. ●Non enim ipsae per se divitiae noxiae , sed mentes male uten sium criminosae , &c Tim , ad Eccles Cathol . ● ▪ ● ▪ inter op. Salvian . as they should live ever ; and others as lavish , as if they should presently die . 'T is vaine to deprive they soule of rest , only to possesse , and not to use riches : in trueth such have not riches , their riches have them , buried in the foolish monument of their avarice . It is * * ● no sinne to be rich , if justly ; it is , to be uncharitable ( to thy selfe or others ) d d 1 Joh. 3. 17. How dwelleth the love of God in him ? God weigheth mens hearts , not their chests ; and in his esteeme ( who cannot be deceived ) hee onely is master of his wealth ( not who keepeth it close , but hee ) who bestoweth it well : Ask thy conscience how thou possessest and usest riches , and thou shalt know whether God hath given them for a blessing , or a curse . e e Eccl. 13. 19. ottherwi●e , ill used wealth is as Cl Alexan ▪ Paed l. 2. saith , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun ( saith Solomon ) riches kept for the owners thereof , to their hurt : It is a blessing to know how to use them well — every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth , and hath given him power to eate thereof , and to take his portion , and to rejoice in his labour , this is the gift of God .

4. f f Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness , and be content with those things that you have . Let our meat satisfie hunger , our drinke thirst , and our decent garments keepe our bodies warm ; let our houses be to defend us from wet and cold : a wise and good man is so contented with himself ; not that he would not g g Seneca . gladly have friends , & goods to entertain them ; but because he can patiently bear the want of either : riches are more safely had them desired . They that h h 1 Tim 6. 9. will be rich , fall into temptation , and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts , which drown men in destruction : an inheritance may be gotten hastily — i i Pro 20 21. but the end thereof shall not be blessed . k k Pro. 28. 22. A man with a wicked eie hasteth to riches , and knoweth not that poverty shall come upon him . Hee that l l Iob 27. 16 , 17. heapeth up treasure as the dust , m m Psal. 4● . 10 , 12. knoweth not who shall spend it : in the mean time no man wanteth more , then n n Avaro tam deest quod habet , quàm quod non habet . Hier. ep. 2. l. 2. Pau●in . he that coveteth most : he lacketh not only that which hee hath not , but that also which he hath : so that the covetous mans wealth leaveth him guiltiness , and taketh away the comfortable use of that which hee hath ; it being a kinde of drunken thirst , encreasing by having more . Great Alexander was not contented with one world : o o — Mors sola fatetur , Quantula sint hominum corpuscula . luv . Death only confesseth how little room will serve us : p p Tu , inquiens , virum capies , quem totus orbi● terrarum capere nunquam potuit . Dion . ●ice . & Ziphilinus in eius vita . as Alexander Severus said ( taking up his urne ) thou shalt limit him whom the world could not . The rich man would fain lay house to house , and land to land , and still hee thinkes hee hath too little : but within a while as little earth as Naaman begged of the prophet , 2 King . 5. 17. ( two mules load ) shall serve to cover and stop his mouth . Many a man disquieteth himself in vaine , seeking happinesse farre abroad , when 't is to be found at home in an holy and contented minde .

5. Follow the guidance of God's hand to riches or poverty : carefully mark his providence in all things : when the Lord appeared to Isaac at q q Gen. 26. 24 , 25. Beersheba , and promised to blesse him , there he pitched his tent , and set down : it is a blessed thing to mark how God leadeth thee , and how , or where he disposeth thee , thereto rest confidently and contentedly .

6. If thou have not wealth , seek it not by any unjust meanes : if thou have , * * But doe it quickly , vid. Gal. 6. 10. Almes is a tewel ( onely which we may carry to heaven with us ) but as Solinus saith of the Dracontias , not except , derrahatur viventibus lay it up ( at least some good part thereof ) in heaven , ʳ where neither moth nor theefe can hurt it . That is true riches , which once had , can never be lost : every poor mans hand is a bill of exchange for heaven , to be paid at sight , not onely for so much here given to the poore on God account ; but a thousand for one , upon the surest negoti●● or the world can draw upon . Say not , Charity is usually abused , the wicked most importunately begge ; I doubt not but thou hast many of Christ's poore by thee ; but if thou sometimes mistake the object of thy charity , thou hast to say with the Philosopher , s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Arist. ap. Laert. l. 5. I gave not to the man , but to humanity . As thy state encreaseth , encrease thy charity ; and ever remember , that there is a portion in thy hands , which is not thine , but the poore mans , whom God hath set by thee to try thee : and not only his , who hath liberty to come to thy gates , but the prisoners , which shall come on account at the last , as well as the other : when not only theeves , ( those enemies of the Common-wealth , as t t Severissimus iudex contra fures , appel . lan● e●sdem — solos hostes Reipub. &c. Aeli . Lamprid. Al. Sever. Alexander Severus called them ) oppressors , and extortioners , who take away from the poore , but they that relieve them not , shall hear their — u u Matth. 25. go ye cursed — that only , of all thy estate , is saved , which thou bestowest on the poor : this is a good w w 1 Tim. 6. foundation .

7. Be not deceived , but seek true riches : the x x Sen. ep 9. Heathen could say , that it is no absolute good which can be taken away : temporal riches are often evil masters , and sometimes trecherous servants ; but godlinesse is great gaine : y y Ioh 6. labour for that bread which perisheth not : the z z Gen. 27. 39. Non ergo honor , non divitiae quaerendae sunt , quae dimi●●untur : sed si bona quaerimus , illa diligamus quae sine ●ine habebimus Greg l. 6. ● ▪ 26 fat of earth , the dew of heaven , victory , &c. were Esau's blessings , and are often given to the profane and wicked : but faith and sanctity , peace of conscience , and such like , are the riches of God in Christ , given only to the blessed . Seek these first , and the other shall finde thee : it is a great madnesse to toile and care night and day to fill thy house with transitory riches , and in the meane time to neglect a poore and empty soule . It is thy shame if thy goods have an ill master , and more , if thou provest so much worse , by how much more God giveth thee , and is good unto thee : if thou have not God , thou hast nothing but unhappinesse in thy other gaines . Therefore set thy affections on things above , and there will follow an holy contempt of this world , and thy vaine care and love thereof ( which is enmity with God ) in thy hearts ascension , shall fall off .

8. Encrease in humility , with sanctity , benificence , goodnesse , and thankfulnesse to God , as thou encreasest in estate : if thou canst finde any unjust gotten penny in thy estate , Luke 19. make present restitution ( as Zache did ) otherwise it will bring a curse on thee and thy posterity . A rich man humble is spiritually poor , and so blessed : and a poor man proud , covetous , or unjust , setteth his heart on riches , though they encrease not , and so is doubly unhappy .

9. Let thy encreases make thee more diligent , as in all holy duties , so specially in praier : the rich man is most obnoxious to Satan's snares , I Tim. 6. 9. 10. and like Sisera , fastened to the earth : it is high time to cry to God when thou art thus beset , lost , as the moon is eclipsed in her full ; so thou become most destitute of grace in thy fulnesse , most unhappy in thy wealth .

The rich mans Petition .

O Lord God of mercy , encline my heart unto thy testimonies , and not unto covetousnesse : the vigilant tempter hath his snares in every estate , in poverty , worldly sorrow , and affectation of unjust supplies : in riches , pride , luxury , love of the world , distracting cares , neglect of thy holy ordinance , and forgetfulnesse of thee : but , O Lord , make good thine own gifts to mee : give me such an heart to use the blessings , which thou hast bestowed upon me , that it may be eternally good for my soul , that I had them for this time . It is not , O Lord , for man to adde any thing to his estate ; thy hand maketh rich , thou raisest the poor out of the dust , and settest him with the Princes of the people : riches come of thee ; not from the West or East : my condition in my birth was no better then the poorest mans : naked cam I into this world : I was cast upon thee from the womb : and what am I , O Lord , that thou hast given mee this abundance ? All that is in heaven and earth is thine : both riches and honour come of thee : and in thine hand it is , to make rich and great : I am but a stranger before thee , as all my fathers were . All this store wherewith thou hast blessed mee and mine , is of thine hand , and thine own : that thou hast put this abundance into mine hand , it is to try me hereby : now therefore prepare my heart nnto thee : give me true thankefulnesse , and those riches which shall never be taken away : keepe my heart that I may never forget thee in the abundance which by thy mer●y I enjoy . As thou hast made mee a steward of much , so make mee proportionably faithful in managing this estate ; that I may soberly and prudently enjoy these blessings : cheerfully relieve those , who by thy providence have dependance on me ; hold all with a loose hand , willing to leave them , and ready ever to give a faithful accompt , when thou shalt 〈◊〉 pleased to exchange these temporal riches for the eternal and inestimable treasures of thy glorious kingdom , through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXX .

§ . 1. Poverty a great temptation : yet having a capacity of true happinesse . § . 2. What wee are to consider herein . § . 3. What wee must practice .

IT is true , §. I. that Poverty is a great affliction and dangerous temptation , in this life exposed to so many necessities ; especially in this last and most uncharitable age : where there is the unhappy concurrence of spiritual wants , it is no lesse then a a Pro. 10. 15. the destruction of the poore : to the saints it is a b b 2 Cor. 8. 2. great tryal of affliction : c c Rev. 2. 9. a tribulation , but yet such , as there may be made an happy use thereof ; seeing to be poore and good , is ( as they say ) the d d Aurea paupertas spiritus . golden poverty of spirit . Not to insist on those fruits hereof which relate to temporal advantages ( as , it will shew thee who are thy true friends , which riches can hardly do : here is no flattery to beguile and carry vain minds to greaten their ruine : here is the schoole of humility , which any but a desperate soule will learne , and thereby to be more secure ) I say a poore man may be truely happy , which may appeare in that , 1. God taketh care , and e e Ex. 22. 25. often catitioneth for them , Exod. 23. 11. charging that which is given them ( as a father for his children ) upon his own account .

Lev. 19. 10.

Lev. 23. 22.

Lev. 35. 39. 47.

Deut. 15. 7. 11.

Deut. 24. 12 , 15.

Pro. 19. 17.

Pro 22. 22.

2. f f Iam 2. 5. Hee hath chosen them to be rich in faith , and heires of the kingdome , which hee hath promised to them that love him . 3. Not only many of the deare saints of God ( of g g Heb. 11. 37. whom the world was not worthy ) have wandred , destitute and afflicted , but also our Saviour Christ ( blessed for ever ) became poore for our sakes , that wee h h 2 Cor. 8. 9. through his poverty might be rich ; insomuch that the Lord of all ( having for our redemption taken on him i i Phil. 2. the forme of a servant ) possessed not so much as k k Mat. 8 20. whereon to rest his head .

For the more easie and comfortable bearing this burden , §. II. it is necessary to consider .

1. That it is sometimes l l Labor , iei●nium , & paupertas — non omnibus 〈◊〉 onerosa tol●ranti●us , sed tolerate no●entibus : sive enim gravia haec , sive levia , animus t●lerantis facit , &c Salv. de Gub. Dei . l. 1. a defect in the minde , which thou takest to be a want in thy outward estate ; and the cure must be in the ease of the malady . A feverish place maketh every thing bitter ; the cure must be of the disaffected sensory , not so much in the change of dyet ; so here .

2. Consider what state any man hath , or can have in this world , where is m m Ità omnium rerum semper quasi naturali lege mutatio est . Aeli , Spart . Sever. Imper. etenim quae fecit magna gaudia nisi ex mal● ? aut quae mala immensa , nisi ex ingentibus gaudiis ? Plin. nat. hist. l. 7. cap. 42. perpetual change , as it were by a natural law ▪ I am a stranger here , said King n n Psal. 119. 19. David : Wee have o o Hebr. 13. here no continuing city , saith the Apostle : p p Iob 14 1 , 2. Man is of few daies , and full of trouble , hee cometh up like a flower , and is cut down , saith Job : q q Pro 27. 24. Riches are not for ever : and doth the crown endure to every generation ? saith Solomon . Our present habendum & tenendum can make no certain state to our selves or heires ; r r Eccl. 5. 14 , 15. 1. Tim 6. 7. but hee begetteth a son , and there is nothing in his hand , as hee came forth of his mothers womb , naked shall hee return — and s s Nemo est dives , qui quod habet , secum hinc auferre non potest . Ambr. epist. 10. shall take nothing of his labour , which hee shall carry away in his hand : there is no man liveth so poore as hee was born : be contented with thy something , though it be not so much .

3. Consider Gods promises : hee hath said , hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee : the whole world hath no such assurance of constant supplies . If all the Kings of the earth should enter into league and binde themselves by oath , and under their broad seales , never to forsake thee , but to supply thee with all necessaries , yet they might faile : all power and will of the creatures is subject to obstructions and lets : but God can neither be untrue , nor defeated in his counsels : though heaven and earth passe away , his word shall not fail . The poor mans security that he shall never want that which is best for him , is in Gods hands , and hee hath Gods promise for it : now let him that is impatient of poverty , but seriously consider , first whether , if he had riches in his own keeping ( as rich men have ) had he better security by his own keeping them , then in Gods promise to supply and keep him and them ? But some may say , I desire that God would keep them in my possession . What can thy possession adde to thy security of having and enjoying them , where God keepeth them ? What can finites adde to infinites ? I but ( saist thou ) if I had an estate in mine own possession , I could live more confidently , and comfortably : the reason of that is , not a greater certainty in thy estate ( for that is surest in Gods hands ) but a lesse faith in thee , then becometh those who have the infallible trueth of God for their assurance : and because thou repliest more on thy senses , then on God's Oracles ; and the creatures , then the Creator himself . Thou saist , But yet for all the promises , my want is a great bitternesse to my soule : yet if God seeth it good to cure that sick minde with bitter pills ( such as poverty is confessed ) and so to save thee ; which wouldst thou chuse ( if God should referre it to thee ) that which thou thinkest best for thee , or that which God knoweth to be so ; to perish with riches , or to be saved by poverty ? Unhappy sure were wee , and must often perish , if God would not in mercy deny us our choice , and chuse for us .

4. Consider how Gods deerest children have wanted , and so do still . See Job 30. 3 , 9. Hebr. 11. 37 , 38. 1 Cor. 4. 11. 2 Cor. 11. 27. Art thou better then those of whom the world was not worthy ? I neede not t t Subsidiis amicorum mariti inops cum liberi● uxor alitur Reguli : dotatur ex 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 rario filia Scipionis , &c. Am , Macellin . lib 14. Cleanthes dicebatur 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , quia inopiâ cogenie , noctu in hortis hauriret aquas . Laert. l. 7. tell you of Curius , Socrates , Fabritius , or the just Aristides poverty ; wee have examples enough of the Saints wants : it is a doctrine abundantly exemplified in these our calamitous daies .

5. Consider that hee is a poore man , who is so u u In animo ●on in saculo . Aug. in Psal. 31. — inopia mentis , non possessionis . in minde , not in purse : he only may be ashamed of his poverty ( said w w Plut Aristid . Aristides ) who is poor against his will , there is no such wretched poverty as that which maketh a man impatient , or x x Nemo Deo pauper est , nisi qui iustitiâ indiget : nemo dives , nisi qu● virtutibus plenus est . Lactan● . l. s c. 15. unjust . There 's no man poore to God-ward but the wicked : ( as none rich but the holy ) they that seeme poore , are herein y y Et qui ●auperes videntur , eo tamen div●tes sunt , quia non egent , & nihil concupiscunt . ib. cap. 16. rich , if they want not , and covet not more . Hee cannot be unhappily poore , who hath Gods promise and care to provide for him : wee doe not think rich mens children poore , ( though they possesse nothing ) because others who are more wise and able , provide for them : and can we think the children of God indigent , for whom the Almighty provideth ?

6. Consider how God hath z z 1 King , 17 , 16. supplied the wants of his : how the oile and meale lasted all the famine : how hee fed Israël 40. yeers in the wildernesse with Manna : how all that time their a a Deut. 29. 5. cloaths waxed not old upon them ; nor their shooe on their foot : how he made the * * 1 King . 17 6 2 King 4. ravens Eliah's purviours to bring him bread and flesh morning and evening ; how hee made the oile encrease for the widow of the prophet and her children . Doe but remember how hee hath all thy life long provided for thee ; and I may say with Joshuah ; b b Iosh. 23. 14. Ye know in all your hearts , and in all your souls , that not one thing hath failed , of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you — and wilt thou now distrust him who never failed thee ? remember that hee saith c c Pro. 10 3. hee will not famish the soule of the righteous .

7. Consider that God hath not spared his own holy son Jesus for our sakes : d d Rom. 8. 32. How should hee not with him give us all things necessary for us ? hath he bought thee body and soul , not with corruptible things , but e e 1 Pet. 1. 18. with the precious blood of Christ , and canst thou think that for want of a little meat , drinke , and cloaths , hee will loose thee ? It is not a small thing that hee so valueth thy present life , that hee giveth thee the lives of thy fellow creatures , ( good for meat ) to preserve it : f f Psal. 8. 4. Lord , what is man ? cryed the Psalmist : all is nothing to this , hee gave thee the life of his sonne Jesus to save thy life eternally ; and canst thou be affected with such a feverish dream , as to feare that hee will let thee perish for want of a little food and raiment ?

8. Consider g g Ma●. 6. 28. how the lilies grow : how hee feedeth the ravens : shall hee not much more feed and cloath you , upon whom hee hath put his own image ? the life is better ●hen meat , or the body then raiment : hee that gave the one , will not faile to supply the other : his providence descendeth to the preservation of the poorest and meanest creature ; will hee neglect thee ? hee h h M●t. 6. 8. knoweth before you aske , what yee have need of : adde not evil to the day , by distracting cares ( which cannot adde one cubit to thy stature ) but i i 1 Pet. 5. 7. cast thy care on him , who careth for thee .

9. Consider well what thy fear or impatience can bring thee : certainly it can only make thy burden heavier : indeed hee only is truely poore who would faine be rich : an holy meeknesse k k Ista nos premunt , illa nos ad inseros apunt , quae o●culi avit atque demersit ▪ illa qua non nascuntur — quàm innocens quàm beata — esset vita , si nihil aliud quàm supra terras concupisceret , brevitérque nis● quod secum est ? &c. Plin. nat. hist. lib 33. Pro●em . and contentednesse , is not only the best worldly riches , but such as that without them , no estate can be enough .

10. Consider from how many evils poverty delivereth thee : pride , security , intemperance , and envy , ( not the least of those black shadowes which attend riches and greatnesse ) with many noisome desires , which drown men in sin and destruction : l l Ae●●●l . Prob. vit. Thrasit . Pittacus the wise , when the Mitylens offered him many thousand acres of land for a gratuity , said : Give mee not that which many envy , and more desire : and ( saith my author ) hee accepted only an hundred : hee that giveth thee riches , giveth thee cares : wretched is the custody of great wealth .

For rules of practice herein , §. III. it is necessary that ,

1. Wee first m m Mat. 6 33. seeke the kingdom of God and his righteousnesse , and then all these things , which wee want , shall be administred unto us : a n n Psal. 37. 16. little with righteousnesse , is better then the riches of the wicked : they that o o Psal. 34. 10. seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing : better is p p Pro. 15. 16. a little with the fe●re of the Lord , then great treasure , and trouble therewith : many a man laboreth , and careth enough to be rich , yet cannot thrive ( as 't is said , q q Pro. 11. 24. there is that with-holdeth more then is meet , but it tendeth to poverty ) because they seek not the Lord , nor his will , but some sinister ends of their own . If wee neglect Gods part , hee r r Hag. 1. 4 ▪ 5. will blast all our labours . If there be some hidden sacriledge , our poverty may be comfortlesse , untill wee s s Mal. 3. 10 ▪ prove the Lord with new obedience : then will he open the windows of heaven , and poure out an abundant blessing : then he will rebuke the destroyer : or if hee see it best for us , still to exercise the outward man with wants , yet hee will abundantly recompence that with inward comfort in Christ , with which the saint t t Aff●tim dives est , qui cum Christo pauper est . Hier ▪ ep 6. l ● . Heliodoro . is happily rich .

2. Endeavour in some lawful calling , and be industrious : u u Pro , 20 , 13. Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty : open thine cies , and thou shalt be satisfied with bread : Be frugal : w w Pro 23. 21. the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty ; and drousinesse shall cloath a man with raggs : but hee that x x Pro. 28. 19. tilleth his land , shall have plenty of bread : hee that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough . Here is no patronage for them that incurre a voluntary poverty , following ambition in a perverse way : God requireth that we should live a better life then the vulgar worldly man , not in all things , a contrary .

3. Doe thy uttermost endeavour to suppresse that turbulent Philisti● , * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Clem. Alex. Paed. l. 2. c. 3. covetous love of the world , which will still be casting earth into thy fountain of living water : disturbing an holy content with vain desire of having more then necessaries . It is an hard , but most fruitful lesson , which Paul had learned , in every estate y y Phil. 4. 11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . C ▪ Alex. Paed. 2 to be content . If thou wilt live to necessity , a little is enough ; if to opinion , nothing : when the Cynick saw men drinking water in their hands , hee said , With how few utencils is nature content ? Opinion maketh many a man poor , content rich : hee is so , z z Cui cum paupertate bene convenit , dives est . Sen. ep ▪ 2. who can well agree with poverty . What skils it , whether a man have much or little in the chest , barne , fields , and pastures , if he reckon not on that he hath , but that which hee would have ? It was a prudent resolution : a a Sires mihi non sufficiunt , at ego ipsis . If my estate will not be enough for mee , I will be for it . If thou canst not justly greaten thy estate , prudently lessen thy minde : the poore man wanteth something , the covetous all things : hee least wanteth , who desireth least : hee wanteth , who hath not enough ; he most , to whom nothing can be enough : fulnesse costeth much , but temperance little : and poverty is not so heavy a burden to them that cheerfully submit to Gods providence , as to them who would not , or have b b Indocilis pauporiem pa●i . not learned how to bear it wisely : so that , though there be two measures of wealth ; first , to have necessaries : secondly , to have enough , or more then simply necessary ; and though there be much difference between a c c Inter res exigua● , & angust● . small estate , and a strait or incompetent one ; yet in all , the minde beareth a great part ; making a poore estate more light or heavy : and indeed , he is d d Sen. ep 2. not so much poore , who hath little , as hee that desires more , what ere hee hath . How happy must it therefore be , to learn an holy moderation , submitting to Gods good providence in all conditions , assured that it is best which hee doth for thee , in giving , or taking away ; e e ● Cor. 6. 10. as having nothing , and possessing all things : how happy were our first parents , when they had no use of any housholdstuffe ? no not so much as cloaths ? how fully did they after live , before Cain f f Gen , 4. 17. 21. 23. built a city , Adah invented tents , Jubal musical instruments , or Tubal-Kain wrought in brasse and iron ? It is opinion and curiosity which hath invented varieties : and other mens superfluities make the envious and emulous seem poore , if they have not as much : whereas that which natural necessity requireth , is g g Parabile est quod natura desiderat , & expositum ad manum est , quod sat●s est . S●n. ●p. 4. obtained without much difficulty : the first external want I finde man sensible of , was of clothing : wherein , if thou wilt not live to others opinion , but thy necessity , a small charge will supply thee : if thou fashion not to the fickle world ; possibly it will despise thee ; what losse is that , if God love and like thee ; if hee put on thee that best robe , Christ's right cousnesse , which all the riches in the world cannot purchase ? and for food , either a little labour of thine , or others charity will supply thee ; or thou shalt in a very little time , have no need of it . Once , I am resolved , it is more happy to be the poorest h h Luke 16. Lazarus , then , not only the rich epulo , but the worlds minion . Wants occasion many a mans return unto God , as it was with great i i Dan. 4. Nebuchadnezzar , who through the dark shadows of affliction ( as men at noon day see stars out of some deep well ) could at last looke up to heaven , and finde the glorious omnipotency of God , and his sovereignty , ruling over all , which the k k Dan. 4. glittering light of his prosperity did before hide from him . To conclude , when a man hath duely weighed , what this world is , how unconstant all things thereof , how short a time he can enjoy abundance , or bear wants : he shall finde no just canue , either to be proud of external riches , or dejected in want .

4. Aspire to a better world , riches which perish not , food and raiment which shall not faile , nor decay : how l l O quanta apud Deum merces , si unusquisque in praesenti pretium non spera●et . Hier. l. 2. ep. 14. Nep. great should our reward be with our heavenly father , if wee would not affect our reward here ?

5. Learn to depend on Gods providence : aske of him m m Mat. 6. daily bread : n n Pro. 30. bread of thy stature ; that which hee knoweth convenient for thee : food , raiment , and protection , as o o Gen. 28. Iacob did : or as p p 1 Chr. 4. 10. Iabez , who called on the God of Israël , saying , O that thou wouldst blesse mee indeed , and enlarge my coast , and that thy hand might be with mee , and that thou wouldst keep mee from evil , that it may not grieve mee : and God granted him that which hee requested . q q Psal. 37. 25. I have been young ( saith David ) and now am old , and yet saw I never the righteous forsaken , and his seed begging bread : though possibly in extreame wants , yet never forsaken .

6. Seek happinesse within thy selfe ; such is the brevity of this life , such the variable inconstancy of all external estates , so many accidents , like stormes from divers quarters , lie upon this sea of glasse , that in the possessions thereof , they leave no place for true happinesse , Seculi huius quem non decipit prosperitas , non frangit adversitas . Vid. Aug. de verb. Dom. Ioh. ser. 42. which is in that , whereof the least measure is enough , and the greatest secure from losse . The best ornaments , and truest riches , are those which are layed up in a good conscience ; where no violent hand can reach them . Be not deceived by the false lustre of secular prosperity , and thou shalt not be broken with adversity .

The poor mans Petition .

O Lord God , great and glorious , severe in thy judgements , and abundant in mercy : the earth is thine , and thy providence divideth it among the sons of men : thou bringest down to the grave , and raisest up again : thou makest rich and poore : thou bringest low , and liftest up the needy out of the dust , that hee may glorifie thee : thou savest the poor from the hand of the mighty , redeemest from death , and in famine givest hope : thou art the Saviour and deliverer of the fatherlesse , and him that hath no helper : the needy shall not alwaies be forgotten , nor their exspectation perish for ever , because thou wilt preserve thine own work : when they cry thou wilt arise and deliver them from their troubles , who hast of thy goodnesse prepared to satisfie them : Lord behold my necessities , who despisest not the needy : though thou thus afflict mee , yet strenghten mee so , that my wants may never cast me down to despaire of thy favour , nor endeavour their supply by any thing which offendeth thee : what ever I want , let mee never want the comfortable assurance of thy love and mercy : what ever else thou pleasest to take from me , take not thy holy spirit , thy mercy , thy selfe from mee . Be my strength in distresse , a refuge from the storme , a shadow from the heat . I am weak and my heart is wounded in mee : Lord assure mee that thou carest for mee . Thou hast said , blessed Jesus , that first seeking the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse , all bodily necessaries shall be administred unto us : Lord give mee an heart so to doe : sanctifie those wants to mee , that thou maist comfort mee , make mee rich in faith , and those spiritual treasures , which once had , shall never be lost againe : Lord Jesus , who becamest poore to make us rich , poure out the riches of thy grace into my poore soul : Thou best knowest , before I aske , what I have need of ; who feedest the sowles of the aire , and clothest the lilies of the field : Lord famish not the afflicted soule of thy servant : man liveth not by bread only , but by the power of thy word blessing it : O God , who madest the Sarephtan's little store sufficient ; what ever thy providence shall allot mee , let thy blessing be upon it , that I may finde a sufficiency therein : that I may serve thee contentedly and cheerfully , depending confidently on thy fatherly providence , which never faileth them which trust in thee : O Lord , who art a refuge in trouble , who never forsakest them that truely seek thee ; supply all my necessities , heare mee and make speed to relieve mee ; forsake me not , O my God , open the high places , and the fount●ines in the midst of the vallies for the thirsty soule : let thy hand relieve mee , until thou shalt be pleased to bring mee into thy blessed presence , where is fulnesse of joy , without want , measure , or end : Grant mee these things , O merciful God , and what ever else thou knowest necessary for mee , for thy dear sonne , my ev●r blessed Lord , and Saviour Jesus Christ his sake .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXXI .

§ . 1. Liberty and restraint misplaced by an injurious world . § . 2. Comforts for Prisoners . § . 3. Rules thereto appertaining .

1. LIberty is the natural inheritance of every good man : § I. but what doth not the malice of the world ( which hateth them ) and the impiety thereof pervert ? to the same merit this unjust judge ( swayed by affection , seldome led by reason or equity ) adjudgeth contrary rewards : for the like sinne a a Ille crucem sceleris poenam tulit , hic diadema . luvenal . one is crowned , and another crucified : it vexeth the innocent dove , and dismisseth the bloody raven : the wicked Pilate sitteth judge , where holy Jesus is arraigned as guilty : hee is condemned , and Barrabbas acquitted by their proclamation , who cryed but now Hosanna to Christ , and now deliver us Barrabbas . If they doe this in b b Luke 23. 31. the green tree , what will they do in the dry ? Why the supream judge admitteth such surrogates ; or permitteth Satan to governe such judges ( as 't is written c c Rev. 2 ▪ 10. Satan shall cast some of you into prison — whosoever is the delatour or sergeant to imprison the saints , Satan makes the mittimus , they but doe him service ) wee know not : wee know it is for the more heavy damnation of the one , and the greater glory of the other in his conformity to Christ's sufferings ; d d 2. Cor. 1. 5. which as they abound in us , so our consolation shall , in him : if so be that wee suffer with him , that we may be c c Rom. 8. 17. also glorified together .

2. Among external afflictions , wee may reckon imprisonment and captivity : yet have these a capacity of comfort for the Saint , whose peculiar advantage it is , that f f Rom. 8. ●8 . all things work for good to him .

3. Among the comforts of the Prisoner , these have I learned ( as g g Quem cum pingeret , traditur madidis lupin●● vixisse : quoniam simul fam●m sustinerent & sitim . Plin. n. hist. l. 35. cap. 10. Protogenes the true pourtraict of meagered Ialysus , by being dyeted himselfe with pulse ) wherein h h 2 Cor. 1. 3 , 4. blessed be God , even the father of our Lord Iesus Christ , the father of mercies , and the God of all comfort , who comforteth us in all our tribulation , that wee may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble , by the comfort wherewith wee our selves are comforted of God .

§. 2. 1. That Gods dearest servants have been imprisoned i i Heb. 11. 26 , &c. others had tryals of cruel mockings and scourgings — of bonds and imprisonment — being destitute , afflicted , tormented : of whom the world was not worthy . k k Erras frater , erras , siputas unquam christianum persecutionem non pati . Hier. Heliod. Ep. 6. l ▪ 2. True Christians must suffer persecution ) in this kinde l l Ier. 37. 15. Ieremy , m m Gen. 39. Ioseph , n n 1 King . 22 , 27. Michaiah , o o Mar● : 6 ▪ 17. Iohn Baptist , and the Apostles might be cited for examples , but that wee have so many modern , and now sighing in their bonds . p p Act 5. 18.

2. The q q Carcer esse non potest ubi Socrates est , Seneca . Heathen boldly affirmed , that * * O beatum carcerem quem illustravit v●stra praesentia , Cypr. l. 4. ●p. 1. it could not be a prison , in which Socrates was : I am certaine it can be no lesse then an happy place , and condition , in which Christ is ; as hee was r r Act 7 9. Psal. 105. 18. with Joseph in prison , so hee is still with his : and hee giveth them favour oft-times with men , as hee did to s s Gen. 39. 21 , 22. Joseph , t t Ierem. 38. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13. Jeremy , u u Act 16. Paul and Silas : sometimes deliverance , as hee sent his Angel to Peter , with an habeas corpus , and enlarged him : the word and power of God cannot be bound , neither canst thou any more imprison an holy minde , or shut out Christ from it , then binde up the sun-beames : Christ is imprisoned with his servants , as he saith , w w Matth. 25. When I was in prison , yee visited mee ; the prison cannot shut out thy praiers from heaven , nor Christ from thee , and therefore is it thine Ornamenta sunt ista , non vineula ▪ Cypr. l. 3. ep. 25. honour , not thy unhappinesse .

3. No man knoweth the value of liberty , who never wanted it , nor commonly the true use of it : we best know Gods blessings by wanting them for a time ; and so x x Libertas intermissa 〈…〉 vata . intermitted liberty is sweeter then continued .

4. There hath no tentation overtaken you , but such as Christ fore-told should come for the tryal of his : y y Luke 21. 12. so Rev. 2. 10. They shall lay their hands on you , and persecute you , delivering you up to the Synagogues , and into prison — the time cometh ( saith hee ) z z Ioh. 16. 2. that whosoever killeth you , will think that hee doth God service : this hee fore-told , that wee might not be scandaled ; and that wee might be assured , that hee , whose providence layeth these things on us , is faithfull , and a a 1 Cor. 10. 13. will not suffer us to be tempted above that wee are able : but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , so that wee may be able to beare it .

5. Better is an injurious prison , then an impious liberty : the prison hath been a Sanctuary to some , whose liberty was beset with dangers , so that experience made them sorry that their imprisonment was no longer ; which before they esteemed too long : all enlargement is not alike successfull , as the examples of b b Gen. 40. 21 , 22. Pharoah's servants shew : the worst prison is to be shut up within the command of our own sinful affections : c c Vbi animus semel se cupiditate 〈◊〉 ●it malâ , Ter. Heaut . A● S. 1 sinne is the worst bond : they are not stone-walls , locks , bolts , chaines , geives , fetters , or manacles , which make the worst prison . Manasses was most dangerously bound , when hee had most liberty to commit those purple-faced sinnes , and so most free , when hee was in bondage , chaines , and captivity : the mindes pure freedome is the best : hee is the most wretched vassal who is taken captive at Satan's will , or subjected to his own : the guilty conscience followed ( as the impious d d Citò me ( inqui ) ultrix ●ognate caedis ●ustisia prosequitur : quàm diu O corpus improbum fratri matrique , &c. loseph . de bel . Iud l 1. c. 2 Aristobulus , or bloody e e Terrebatur al h●ec evidentibus portentis somn●orum — o● , ●isd demum ma●●e , vidit per quietem trahique se ab Octav●â uxore &c. Suet. Ne●● : flens a● singula atque identidem d●ctitans , qualis artifex p●reo ? ib. Nero ) with the f f Caesar Gallus — per iuducias naturae conquiescentis sauciabantur eius sensus circumstridentium terrore larvarum interfectorum calervae , Domitiano & 〈◊〉 praeviis corr●ptum cum , ut existimabat , in somnis uncis furia ibus obiectabant , Am. Marcel . l , ●● . memory of horrid acts , is more straitned then the prisoner , whose bodies consinement , impeacheth not , but sometimes advanceth the blessed liberty of his minde . The rich Libertine is the basest captive ; it is not happinesse to g g Quod prescribere tot millia hominum , a● trucidare potuisset — Syllam nemo non oderit ▪ Plin. n. hist l. 7 c. 43. have power over other mens lives and liberties ( of which that odious L. Sylla gloried , that he could proscribe , and kill so many thousand citizens ) but over a mans own : he whose wealth is a snare to him , furnishing him with meanes and opportunity to sin , is the most wretched captive , bound Darius-like , with golden chains , * * Aethiopes auro vincula faciunt , Solin . as heavy & restraining as the most vulgar , in the mindes captivity , by so much more heavy and destructive , by how much more of value an immortal soul is then the body . h h Cl●m . Alex. The old prosecuters wont to binde a dead body to * * Reddidit Etiam Mezentii supplicium , quòd ille vivos mortuis illigahat , & ad mortem cogebat longâ tabe : consectot , & c. ●ul . cap. Opil . Macr. a living Christian , so that it might be not only his burden , but his perpetual torment to death : a thousand-fold worse is the burden which sin layeth on a captivated soule : i i Rom. 7. Wretched man that I am ( cryed Paul ) who shall deliver mee from the body of this death ? External bonds and imprisonment can make a man unhappy ( if so much ) but a little while : Sinne ( if not here discharged ) will to eternity . Bonds and prisons to the servant of Christ , are but exercises , encreasing their mindes more happy liberty , and resolution : I had rather he any mans captive , then mine owne .

6. If thou make a good use of thy imprisonment , thou maist finde many considerable advantages therein : it will teach thee , which are thy fast friends : it enlargeth a well resolved minde : it bringeth to minde the errour and abuse of former liberty , that thou maist thereby be disposed to repentance for the same : it acquainteth thee with exercises of patience : fixeth in thee holy resolutions : guards the eare from many turbulent clamours which torment the more free eare : it restraineth the roving eies from seeing that vanity of the world , which made Democritus laugh , and Heraclite continually weep : it restraineth many from destructive liberty : it is a riged and unpleasing , but profitable school of temperance and patience . It is the glasse that more truely sheweth a man himselfe , then liberty ever can ; not to deject the minde to despair and worldly sorrow , but to raise it to a due consideration of the causes of Gods judgments , which being ever just , must bring a good man to the deep consideration of the end of his suffering , and prove an happy stimulus to repentance , as k k 2 Chron 33. 13. it did to Manasses , who found his best liberty in prison and captivity . It may be God permits it , to l l Heb. 11. 36. Psal. 105. 19. try thee ; then it must raise and comfort thy minde , to a ready meeting with Gods will therein . It may be for the testimony of the Lord Jesus and his trueth : then it must highthen thy resolution to an unmoved constancy to be ready , m m Act. 21. 13. not to be bound only , but also to dye for the name of the Lord Jesus . Great and good mindes cannot be subject to servile captivity : either they will in their strength , and invincible resolution ( grounded on the n n Heb. 12. 2 reward they look upon , and assured on them by the trueth of God ) endure the crosse , and despise the shame and sufferings which are not worthy to be compared o o Rom. 8. 18. to the glory which shall be revealed in them : or make such use of God's fatherly corrections , as shall render them no lesse then happy in the quiet p p Heb. 12 11. fruits of righteousnesse : lastly it will teach a man how subject this vaine world is to perpetual changes , and wean him from the pernicious love thereof .

7. The Prison is the con●ines of death in health , and so must teach a wise man to prepare there , before the evil daies , and restlesse paines ( death's importunate harbingers ) come and leave no roome for good counsel and resolution . Here thou maist finde some liberty to serve God , as Paul and Silas did ; to pray and sing Psalmes at least : and who can say , that God did not therefore confine thee , seeing thee too attentive to the world , and carelesse of holy duties , that the prison might teach thee devotion , which thy liberty could not ? There are many things which may befall thee for thy good : and there are unexspected revolutions , both in prosperity and adversity — q q Eccl 4. 14. out of the prison hee cometh to reigne , whereas also hee that is borne in his kingdome , becometh poor : Thou maist securely exspect that which God knoweth best for thee ; it may be , there is but one doore into the prison , there are many out : either mercy , or violence , innocency , reward , favor of men , or the Angel of God ; either man , or death , ( which hath a key to open every doore ) shall set thee free ; if nothing else enlarge thee , that will not faile thee at the appointed houre : and variable are the conditions to which the prison rendreth men ; as I. Caesar to an Empire , Marius to a consul-ship , Regulus and S●crates to death . I need not these who read of Pharoah's servants , James , Peter , Joseph , John Baptist : the prison sendeth some to heaven , some to destruction : sooner , or later ; one way or other it rendreth all . I only note that the most infamous temporal end it rendreth men unto , can be no obstruction and hindrance to their eternal happinesse in Christ , who therefore submitted himselfe to the then most infamous death , that hee might r r Gal. 3. 13. Deut. 21. 23. take away the curse of the law , which saith , cursed is every one which hangeth on a tree . The main skill therefore is , and the only certain comfort against imprisonment or death , to gain assurance that thou ar● in Christ , in every place and condition doing those things which may further thy certainty thereof : to which observe such like rules :

1. Keepe innocency , §. III. that if thou suffer , it may be wrongfully : s s 1 Pet. 2. 19 , 20 ▪ for this is thanke worthy , if a man for conscience toward God , endureth griefe , suffering wrongfully — if when yee doe well , and suffer for it , yee take it patiently , this is acceptable to God . And if thou hast lost the first parts of innocency , despaire not , but lay hold on the second table of repentance : the penitent theefe on the crosse , who confessed hee justly suffered , yet heard of Christ , t t Luke 23. 41 43. this day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise .

2. Search thy heart diligently , least some secret sin causeth this affliction , in case it appear not that thou justly sufferest of men . See Isai. 42. 22 , 23 , 24.

3. Think how long these imperious masters can hold thee there , and feare not them who only can imprison and destroy the body , but fear and trust in him , who can cast body and soule into hell , and save thee from thy oppressors : prepare thee to entertain death cheerfully : hee shall once come like the u u Act 3. 18. Angel to Peter , and take thee out in spight of the most rigid keepers : w w Iob 3. 16. there the prisoners rest together ; that shall free thy body from a loathed prison , and thy soul from an afflicted body .

4. Improve thy time to some good : some birds sing sweetest in the cage : that excellent monument which beareth the title of the first part of the worlds general history is an example hereof .

5. Keep thy minde free from all reigning sin , and in spight of all geives and fetters , and the bespattering of black and unhallowed mouths , thou shalt have a more happy freedom in prison , then thy persecuters have in their liberty : besides that their accompt with the eternal justice of God , is to come and yet not closed : nothing but sinnes can miserably enthral : wee may well say to them , as Sampson to the men of Judah , x x Iudg. 15 12 Swear to mee that you will not fall upon mee : I fear none other bonds : hee is a free-man whose conscience accuseth him not : God's service in every state is the best freedom .

6. Subject thy minde to inevitable necessity , by patient bearing ; the way to make bonds more heavy and intolerable , is vainly to struggle with them : if thy minde were to stay within , thy confinement were no prison : it were a punishment to command thee out : if thy minde be reluctant , thou straitnest thy selfe , a nè exeat regnum may make some man think England a prison : the old man who had never gone out of the city gates , receiving , a warrant from the Prince , prohibiting his going out , could not rest till he had stollen out : it was his city before , but the restraint made it a prison to an impatient minde : if thy minde having a willing compliance , thy prison becometh no prison to thee : an impatient wearisome minde , maketh a kingdome no more .

7. Be thou meek in affliction , and thou shalt be temperate in thy liberty , if God restore it ; so this shall not corrupt thee more then that break thee : however , if thou canst but learne this one lesson , as thou hast the best tutor that ever suffered , so shalt thou finde the best fruit , y y Mat. 11. 28 , 29. rest to thy soule .

8. To conclude , let the prison make thee more zealous in Gods service , more fervent in prayer , more attentive in hearing , more charitable and pitiful to others that suffer , and more fruitful in all good works , and thou shalt owe thanks to thy persecuters and oppressors , more then thy friends deserved of thee : it skilleth not much who bettereth thee , if thou be indeed made better ; for whosoever be the instrument , it 's Gods favour to thee . Hee is never wanting to them that call upon him faithfully ; but surely he is neerest them that are in greatest troubles : hee heard Jonah out of the whales belly ; Daniel out of the lions denne ; the three Israëlites out of the fiery fornace ; the Disciples in the storme ; Joseph , Jeremy , Paul , Silas , all his servants in prison : the z z Act. 12. 5. Churches praiers brought an Angel from heaven to deliver Peter . No wards can shut up thy praiers ; remember you that are free , what you owe to Christs prisoners : little comfort will he afford them who cannot his earnest praiers : remember you that are in bonds , what you owe your selves : it is in you to make the prison evil or good to you : be you holy , and it shall make you happy : pray instantly , God hath promised to heare and helpe you .

The prisoners Petition .

O Holy and merciful Lord God , who hast made heaven and earth , the sea and all that therein is : which keepest trueth for ever ; which excusest judgement for the oppressed , givest food to the hungry , raisest them that are down , and loosest thy prisoners : though thou afflict and try thy children , thou wilt not cast them off for ever ; though thou causest grief , yet thou wilt shew compassion , according to thy mercies : thou afflictest not willingly , nor grievest the children of men to crush under foot the prisoners of the earth , to turn aside their right , and subvert them in their cause : our sinnes have provoked thy justice , and put this rod into thy fatherly hand : thou wouldst not the sinners death but his conversion : Lord convert my soule , remove my sins : frame my heart , affections , and life , according to thine own will : thou who hearest the poor , and despisest not the wretched captive , visit all that are bound : Lord our redeemer hear them in an acceptable time , and help them in the day of salvation : preserve the oppressed and despised of men : say unto the prisoners , Goe forth , and to them that are in darknesse , Shew your selves ; binde up the broken hearted , proclaime liberty to the captives , and opening the prison to them that are shut up : comfort them that mourne , let their deep sighing come before thee : according to the greatnesse of thy power , preserve thou them that are appointed to dye . Lord lift thou up my head : enlarge my feet , bring me out of bondage , that I may live to serve and praise thee in the assemblies of thy servants : however thou pleasest to dispose of mee , let all my sufferings redound to thy glory , and my salvation : give me patience to endure , constancy to depend on thee , firme faith to apprehend thy promises , and hope to expect thy saving health : Consider my weaknesse , and lay no more upon mee , then thou wilt enable mee to bear cheerfully : sanctifie my afflictions , and make them good to mee in the fruits of righteousnesse , which thou hast laid up for all those who rest on thee . Heare mee , O Lord , let my cry come unto thee , and have mercy upon me , through Jesus Christ our Lord and blessed Saviour .

AMEN .

A Morning Praier for prisoners .

O Eternal and Almighty God , Creator , Preserver , and Governer of all things in heaven and earth ; before whom the Thrones and Dominions , Powers , Cherubims and Seraphims vaile their faces with their wings , not able to behold the brightnesse of thy Majesty , nor to comprehend thy being , known to none but thine owne infinite wisedome . At the blasting of the breath of thy displeasure , the earth is moved , and the pillars of heaven doe tremble : yet in thy unspeakable mercy thou vouchsafest to looke downe from thy throne of glory , and to take care for man , yea the poorest and most despised among the sonnes of men ; and not only to bow downe a gracious eare to their petitions , but to command them to call upon thee , that thou maist relieve and deliver them : to this end hast thou made so many instances of that word of thine , The fervent praier of the righteous availeth much . Such praiers have divided the Seas , and made their swelling waves stand on heapes , beat down the armies of aliants : stopped the mouthes of lions , restrained the devouring flames , opened and shut heaven , made the Sunne and Moone stand still , converted the revengeful malice of enemies into pity and compassion , broken the heavy yokes of bondage , shaken off the chaines , opened the prison doores , and delivered those that were appointed to death : so that thou hast not in ●ain sayed , Call upon mee in the day of thy trouble , so will I heare thee , and thou shalt glorifie mee ; Lord , thy mercy is not changed , thine arme shortened , nor thine eare heavy , only our sins have separated between thee and us : this is that filthy leprosie over-spreading every part and faculty of our bodies and souls , which hath covered our mouths , and hindred our praies from thy graecious presence , turning away thy merciful eares ; so that as wee have not hearkned when thou spakest unto us by thy Prophets to warn us from the waies of death and destruction , so thou maist justly refuse to heare our cries . But , O Lord God , if thy mercy could have been hindred by mans sin , thou hadst never elected him to salvation , for thou fore-sawest all things from eternity to all times to come . If any evil could have overcome thy goodnesse , thou hadst never redeemed us with so great a price , as the blood of thy sonne Jesus , for thou fore-knewest that they to whom thou sentest him as a redeemer , would crucifie the Lord of life : if the iniquity of an impious world could intercept thy bounty , this sun should not shine , nor thy rain descend upon the wicked : neither wouldst thou have preserved us this night past , that we might now meet to call upon thee for mercy and delivera●ce , if thy justice had not given place to mercy : we therefore humbly acknowledge thy goodnesse , and our own vilenesse and unworthinesse , and for thy mercy sake beseech thee , to pardon and put all our sins out of thy remembrance , that they may no more appeare to provoke thine anger to our destruction . O Lord , we know not what , or how to pray as wee ought , help thou our infirmities , by thy holy Spirit who maketh intercession for us , according to thy will with groanings inuterable : it is the same spirit of thine which indited the praiers of thy Prophets and Apostles , by which they obtained such marvellous things , which now also moveth in , and for thy poore afflicted children crying unto thee : Good Father , give us that lively faith , fervency , and evidence of spirit , to which thou ( who art the God of trueth , and canst not deceive ) hast made the promise of audience and attaining . Lord shew us the effects of that good word which saith , Ask , and you shall have : Now give unto us that aske : forgive us all our sinnes , and give us an happy deliverance out of the pressures which lie so heavily upon us . Give us peace with thee in the testimony of a good conscience : and if it be thy holy will , peace with all men : as thou hast passed by us with fire , storme , and earth-shaking indignation ; so now speake unto us in the still voice of thy mercy and compassion . Lord , if it be possible , let this cup of anger passe ●rom us ; if not , thy will be done . Give us patience and perseverance : give the blessed issue , who givest the bitter tryal : consider whereof thou hast made fraile man . Remember that wee are but poore dust and earth , and as the grasse soon withering away : deale with us so here , that wee may not faile of living , to thee in this life , and with thee in that eternal life to come : And now , O Lord , who causest the out-goings of the morning and evening to praise thee , wee bless thy holy name for thy gracious providence preserving of us this night past , and giving us this present oportunity of presenting our supplications unto thee : Good Father , continue thy mercy to us and ours this day : sanctifie us unto thy service , direct all our thoughts , words , and actions , so as that in the several waies of our callings , they may all tend to the glory of thy holy name , the good example of our brethren , and the further assurance of our consciences before thee . Lord blesse thy holy Church in all nations , specially that which thy right hand hath planted in this . Blesse , Lord , our several families , let our innocency appeare as the light , lift up our heads from these bonds , and in thy good time restore us to them againe : hear their praiers for us , and ours for them , and both for thy sonne Jesus ▪ sake . O Lord , who art the God of all true consolation ( who defendest the fatherlesse and widowes ) leave them not comfortless : be thou their guider and protector : though thou pleasest to take us from them , take not thy grace and holy spirit from us nor them , and so thy will be done . Blesse all those who any where suffer in the like durance with us , blesse us all here present : grant that wee may make a right use of our present afflictions , that they may better us : give us hearts to trust in thee , what ever thou doest to us , cheerfully to discern thy mercies , in the midst of our corrections ; and ever to blesse thy holy name , for that thou hast corrected , and not given us over to final destruction . Lord encline thine eare and heare , Lord help us , Lord consider in mercy and do it , for Jesus Christ his sake , in whose ever blessed name , we conclude our petitions in that absolute forme of prayer , which hee hath taught us in his Gospel , saying ,

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , &c.

AMEN .

An Evening praier for the same .

O Most gracious and glorious Lord God , we do not here appear before thee with any confidence in our own merits , being such in respect of our unhallowed thoughts , corrupt words , and sinful actions , as that if there were neither in earth or heaven , among men , or Angels , any witnesse of our iniquities , our owne consciences would accuse and convict us ; and if there were no other judge , our own hearts could not but condemne us : and thou art greater then our hearts , and nothing can be hid from thee , the just and all-seeing judge of the living , and the dead , who must all stand before thy tribunal : wee therefore in all humility of soules , appeale from thy justice ( in which wee can looke for nothing lesse then death and destruction , the due wages of sin ) unto the sanctuary of thy mercy , there laying hold on that altar , on which thy sonne Christ Jesus was offered up , a living sacrifice for us who were dead in trespasses and sinnes : hee is that lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world : and that great Angel of the Covenant , who in the precious censer of his merits , offereth the praiers of the Saints , as Sweet odors , holy and acceptable to thee : for his s●ke ●arden all our sinnes , which have rendred us not onely lesse then the least of thy mercies , but also worthy of thy severest judgments temporal and eternal : for his sake let our complaints come before thee : and from thy mercy seat 〈◊〉 thou our supplications which come not out of feigned 〈◊〉 , but from the depth of our afflicted soules : Trueth it is , O Lord , wee have procured all these miseries unto our selves , and the bitternesse wherewith thou hast filled us , is none other but the fruit of our owne inventions , who have obstinately followed our owne vain and unprofitable waies , refusing the guidance of thy good spirit and holy word recalling us to the paths of eternal life . But , O Lord , God of mercy , thou desirest not the death of sinners , but that they may be converted and live : thou art the sole fountain of holinesse , every good and perfect giving descendeth from thee who art the father of light : enlighten thou our understandings , open our eies that wee sleep not in death : sanctifie our depraved wills , rectifie our sinful affections , and subject them all to thine owne holy will and pleasure : frame every faculty of our soules and bodies to a new and sincere obedience to thy law , that wee may neither decline to the right hand nor to the left , but may henceforth make strait steps to our salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord . In his name wee continue our supplications to thee in the behalfe of thy Church universal : Lord gather dayly to her such as thou hast elected to salvation : enlighten those who have not yet known thy name : take off the vaile from the hearts of thy ancient people the Jewes , that now , neer the fulnesse of time , they may see unto Christ , the end of the law to every one that beleeveth both of Jewes and Gentiles : shew more and more mercy in the confirmation of us , whom thou hast called , until our fulness be come in . Discover and confound the man of sinne , daily abolishing the mystery of iniquity , by the brightnesse of thy coming , the sword of the spirit and evident preaching the Gospel to all nations ; until thou shalt at thy second coming manifest thy selfe our Saviour and Redeemer , and wipe all teares from our eies : even so come Lord Jesus . And now , O Lord , who lookest with a tender eie upon the pressures of thy servants , let the sighing of the Prisoners come before thee , and according to the greatnesse of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die : be merciful to us here present before thee : we have indeed at thy hands ( against whom wee have sinned ) deserved this rod : but , O our God , correct us in mercy , not in thine anger ; for what are wee in thy hands , and who can stand before thee , when thou art angry ? Wee have not rendred unto thee according to thy goodnesse : wee have surfeited on the sweet blessings of peace , and abused our liberties , not valuing the benefit thereof , but vainly reckoning it among our hereditary possessions , as if it might never be taken from us , when we had freedom to goe into the assemblies of thy children , the places where thine honour dwelleth , to hear thy word and present our supplications unto thee ; Lord how often have vain pleasures or worldly profits detained us ? or coming before thee ? how seldom have wee returned with any fruits of amendment ? therefore doest thou now teach us by wanting these comforts , their estimate , which wee would not know , while wee enjoyed them . But , O good God , seeing thy fatherly corrections are not to destroy , but to amend us , give us now good understanding by these chastisements : give us discerning spirits , that through these afflictions , we may look up to the hand that smiteth us , and by our corrections gain a true loathing and detestation of all the sins for which thou art displeased with us : Lord , if it may stand with thine honor ; enlarge and deliver us in mercy , restore every man to his own family , to the mutual comfort of us and ours , that with them we may praise thy holy name , and better serve thee then ever wee have done : if otherwise , Lord proportion our patience to our tryals : forsake us not in our sad distresses : be thou ever present with us , that we may rest assured of thy mercies : give us peace of conscience , and a blessed freedom from the bondage of sin , that wee may therein know , that neither stone walls , nor armed guards can shut thy holy spirit the comforter from us , nor bar our praiers from ascending up to thee . Lord , as our tryals encrease , encrease our comforts in thee ; so that as the more it rained , the more the arke was listed up , in which thou hadst enclosed those whom thou didst thereby save in a perishing world , so the more our afflictions are showred down upon us , the more let our soules be lifted up unto thee , and to those things which are above with thee , that we being weaned from the vain love of this world , may have our conversation in heaven , and be willing to be dissolved , that we may live with our Lord Jesus eternally . And now being by thy appointment to take our bodily rest , wee pray thee to assure us of our peace with thee , through the merits of thy holy son Jesus : let our beds put us in remembrance of our graves to which wee are descending , that wee may keep a faithful watch to the coming of Christ Jesus for our deliverance out of these earthly tabernacles : let thy providence keep us and all ours from the powers of darknesse , and all dangers of body and soule : sleeping , waking , living , dying , have us ever in thy keeping : that our waking may also remember us of our resurrection from the dead , unto the life of glory . These and all other things necessary for our bodies or souls , wee begge of thee for Jesus Christ his sake , in his name and words concluding our petitions in that form of praier which hee hath taught us , saying ,

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , &c.

AMEN .

CHAP. XXXII .

§ . 1. Of Banishment , several kindes : general cause ther●of . § . 2. What wee must do to be comforted herein .

1. MAny are the afflictions of the righteous : so that I may say of their sanctity , §. I. as it was once of a a Aem●l . Prob , ▪ Agisilaus , deformed and lame , ignoti faciem ejus cùm in●uerentur , contemnebant , &c. they who knew him not , when they saw his face , despised him ; but they who knew his vertue , could not enough admire him . Among the Saints impropriated evils may Banishment be numbred ; as also the consolation thereof among the fruits of Sanctity .

2. There are three kindes of Banishment to which the Romanes were wont to condemne : 1. Confinement to some one foreigne place . 2. Inderdiction of the native soile onely . 3. Limitation of mens approaches to some certaine Province or City .

3. The general cause of Exile is sinne : for which our first parents ( and we in them ) suffered an ejectionem firmi , being cast out of the pleasant and commodious Eden , to labor and sorrow ; in that attainder , forfeiting our interest in all the good creatures , until they are restored us againe by Christ ; in whom wee have a divine right to them all , ( as it is written , b b 1 Cor. 321. for all things are yours — ) as also ( by the municipal lawes of that Republick , whereof wee are a part ) we have a civil right to some of them : now though depriving hereof by God , is ever just ( because no man liveth , and sinneth not ; and thereby often forfeiteth life , liberty , and all to his justice ) yet this punishment inflicted by men , against a divine and civil right , may make the Judges extreamly guilty , though it can never make the proscribed Saint unhappy : c c Psal. 37 33. for the Lord will not leave them in their hand , nor condemne them when they are judged .

For comfort then to those that suffe● any kinde of Banishment ; §. 2. I advise

1. That thou be more careful for the heavenly inheritance whence no violence shall remove thee : and the more thou art barred earthly comforts , the more set thy affections on things which are above . As the sea-men loosing sight of the land , look up to fetch their directions from the star●es of heaven : it was a great comfort to him who could say , d d Habeo inius●i exilii com●●em Christum . I have Christ a partner of my unjust banishment : it were wretched indeed , if mens enemies e e Si aliquo duci po●uerunt , ubi Deum suum non invenirent , Aug. de C. D l. 1. c. 11. could confine them to some place , where they could not finde their God ; but f f lb Aug. ●p. 122. hee never deserteth his captives , if hee know his owne : so that if thou be driven from all humane society , yet canst thou not be comfortlesse or g g Sol●● non est , cui Christ●s in suga comes est . Cypr. I. 4. ep. 6. alone , if Christ be with thee , if thou art justly banished ; let that affliction amend thee , and it shall make thee happy : if unjustly , fear not , that is thy enemies sinne , not thy misery . h h Solus non e●● . &c ▪ ubicunque saerit , sine Deo non est : & s● . fugientem in solitudine ac montibus latro ●●presserit , 〈◊〉 invas●● it , fames ac sitis aut frigus afflixerit , vel per maria praecipiti navigatione properantem tem pellas — aut procella submerserit , expe●t●t mi●i●em suum C●ristus ubicunque pug●antem , Cyprian . It is not banishment , but guiltinesse that maketh a man unhappy : nothing can make a man truely wretched , but his own sinne : if by any means hee can leave that , though his place know him no more , hee is happy enough , who cannot be unhappy . First then learne to walk with God , living to him , and with him , ever setting thy self in his presence , meditating on him , praying to him , and asking counsel of him and his oracles ; being so acquainted with spirituall company , as that neither thy necessary society with man may hinder thy conversation in heaven , nor this make thee neglectful of Gods ordinance in that , who hath appointed thee , both comfort in humane society , and witnesses therein of thy conversation , that in the sight of thy good works God i i Matth. 5. 16. may be glorifyed ; therefore cleave sted fastly to Christ , let no condition pull away thy heart from him : though thou be sequestred from all else ; Christ is incomparably better then all the creatures . Secondly , keepe a good conscience ; hee cannot be unhappy in any place , who ( having the comfort of innocency ) is not so in himselfe ; miserable are they , where er● they are , who carry with them that portable hell , a guilty conscience , which in the midst af all secular prosperity , maketh a man truely unhappy : such a one ( like the wounded deere ) carrieth deaths messenger , the killing arrow , sinne , sticking in the heart ; and cannot out-runne his misery : a mans ●nemies are they of his own house ; among them his self is the worst : k k Nemo leditur nisi à se●ipso , Ch●ysost , no man can be hurt but by himselfe : the powers of hell ( malicious as they are ) cannot hurt thee , if thou have not an hand in it thy selfe : there is no terror in the world like that of a guilty conscience : only Gods anger maketh a man unhappy , none other can : if Christ be with thee , every place shall be thy heaven .

2. Know thy happinesse , where ever God sheweth thee favour , and leadeth thee : so did Abraham , when hee was a stranger in Can●an : and Jose●h by l l Act. 7. 9. his brothers envy sold into Egypt : but God was with him , and delivered him , giving him wisedome and favor in the sight of Pharoah : that minde is too much straitned in it selfe , which confineth desire and content to one place , as if the world had no more : the heavens are as cheerful a covering abroad , as at home : the sunne shineth as comfortably on other nations , as on that which wee call ours : the same providence of God ruleth in all the world : that place which thou countest forreigne , and thy place of exile , is a native soile to some , who in thy house would have as much cause to think themselves banished ; as m m Dio. hist. Rom. I 37. Philiscus urged for a comfort to the Orator . All this world is as much our country , as any part thereof ( if we reckon right ) within which , if any man make himselfe an exile , hee is straitned in minde , rather then in place : had such opinion limited all men , how many great parts of the world , had been to this day unpeopled , undiscovered : our Ancesters , who first inhabited this land , were strangers here : wise men think themselves n n Socrates — cum rogar●tur cuiatem se esse , dicere● , 〈◊〉 danum , inquit , &c. citizens of the world : and well resolved natural men , take that to be home , o o Patria est , ubicu●que est bene , Cic. Tu● . q. I. 5. where ever they are well : 〈◊〉 ●nd the p p Sanctis ubique patria , & nu●●bi , Greg. Naz. Saints country is every where , and no where on earth ; Wee have here no continuing city : r r Heb. 13. wee are here but pilgrims ; and while wee are here , s s 2 Cor. 5. from home . It is not then so much in the change of place , as company , which embittereth exile : and certainly company is either a great good , or a pernicious evil : to be banished from ill company is an happinesse , and from good company wee can be banished but for a short time ; ( ma●ger the malice of the world ) and therein not so much as the world thinketh ; seeing in the communion of Saints , however dispersed , we are united by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus .

3. Consider well how many have been advantaged by their banishment : I might instance in t t Plutarch . vit. Themist . Themistocles , honored & enriched in the Persian court , where keeping an honorable table , he said , O children , we should have been undone , if we had not been undone : in u u 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , D. Laert. Zeno. l. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . ibid. Zeno , who in a forreign land could say , Then I had faire winds , when I was cast away ; because thereby hee was brought to the study of philosophy : in some others so improved , that they seemed sent out to the Schoole of Wisedome , not to banishment : but our Henry 7. is a neerer example , whose exile gained him powerful friends , and us a good King , and deliverer from an usurping tyrant : whereas then ( as I began to say ) nothing is more dangerous then evil company , which disgracing vertue , brings sinne into fashion , ( such a tyrannical usurpation of right hath custome and company gotten , that 't is sometimes judged madnesse not to be mad for company ) and the Saints sometimes share in temporal judgements , for their ill company : ( as it befell Lot ; Genes. 14. 12. Genes. 19. 15. ) * * 2 Cor. 6. 17. sequestration from such , is a blessing , and x x Rev. 184. meanes of safety : and to all Gods children the worst of this kinde of affliction ( as any other ) is but as grinding to the jewel , setting the fairer lustre on them , and making their value better knowne , as it was with Joseph .

4. When it must be so , goe willingly , and beare it so : then shall it be a peregrination , not an exile : a willing minde preventeth compulsion ; impatience onely can make it wretched : patience conquereth violence , whose owne weight breaketh it , falling on the willing : how many strangers ( for trade or gaine ) live among us ? how many of ours , for the same cause , are contented to live in forreign parts , and therefore are not banished , because they live willingly there ? how few live where they were borne ? how many willingly purchase experience , and knowledge of other states with many years absence from their own ? how many have gone into a voluntary exile , as y y Plut. Ly●●r . Sol. ib. 〈◊〉 Scipio Ae●●ll . Prob. Lycurgus ( that his lawes might be kept inviolable ) Chabrias , Conion , Iphicrates , Chares , Pythagoras , Solon , Scipio , and others : If thy minde be willing ( as a wise mans ought to be ) to make the best of that thou canst not avoid , it is a liberty , not a restraint : if thou wert confined to that one place , whence thou art banished , thou wert banished from a greater part of the world : so that upon the matter , z z Bias Laert , lib. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — the minde onely maketh the material difference between absence and banishment , except you will conceive a difference between him that goeth free , and him that goeth freely : that being in the power of others , this in our own . To conclude , that can be no absolute evil , which our minde can remedy or ease : and hee is of a weak understanding , or an ungoverned affection , who will make that heavier which hee must bear .

5. Make a good and prudent use of thy travels ; so that it may appeare that thy country was rather unworthy of thee , then thou of it : that it hath lost thee , not thou it . Aristides being demanded why hee so much took his banishment to heart , replyed , because of a a Propter ignominiam patriae . Stobae Ser. 36 ▪ my countries dishonor . A nation can no waies more dishonor and make it selfe infamous to forreign parts , and future ages , then by banishment and imprisonment of good men : for what ever popular rage , drunken with its own fury dreameth ; however they idole their owne suffrages ; what sober man will not conclude them b b Quanti v●ro ista civitas aestimanda est ex quâ boni sapientesque pelluntur ? Cic. Tuse . quaest. l 51. impious , who cannot endure and comply with good men ? In fine , some mens banishment c c Quid T. Albutiu● ? nonne animo aequissimo Athenis exul philosophabatur ? cui tamen illud ipsum non ac●idisse● , si i● repub . quies●ens , Epicuri legibus paruisset . Cic. Tuse . q. l. 5. hath made them wise , and some good : it had been unhappy for them not to have been banished : while the most precious jewels lie concealed in their native place , the sea , or rocks , they have neither beauty , value , nor use : taking them out bringeth them to these : so shall it be to thee , if thou wilt make a right use of thy banishment .

6. A man doth but perversly grieve at that which maketh him more happy : not to say , that exile is a singular master of ●rugality : a profitable worme-wood layed to the breast to wean thee from the pernicious love of the world : a School of humility , temperance , and pati●nce , I say onely , that in thy exile , others doe that for thee by violence , which thou shouldst have done for thy selfe in discretion , that is , they withdraw thee from the injurious and wicked : thou wouldst not count it any loss to thee to be taken away from serpents , or to be drawne out of a perishing Sodom , as Lot was : why shouldst thou think it any losse to be taken away from men worse then serpents , ( they are good in their kinde ) men that have the poison of aspes under their lips ?

But thou maist say , the grief is , to leave my goods , livelyhood , dear friends , wife and children : Truely this is the affliction of the parted , and the curse of the parters : the pleasant possessions made Lot's wife look back ; but yet consider , 1. That hee that kept thee at home , can provide for thee abroad , and if thou trust in him , will : hee can restore thee to those dear jewels hee gave thee : however thy praiers for them , are as neere heaven in exile , as at home : count them not lost , no not dying : they but goe before thee : wherein if thou canst satisfie thy afflicted minde ; what other great emolument canst thou loose by changing place ? If thou have the same judgement , dexterity ▪ fortitude , wisedome , justice , health , strength , means to get necessaries , all which may there be found , where thou thinkest thy selfe lost : hereto adde , that God by this means taketh men away from destruction , rather then their country , as he did Lot .

2. Consider whether all those things , whose losse thou lamentest , be truely goods : perhaps they hurt thee , or are not thine : it is certain thou couldst be but a tenant at will : they only are thy goods which cannot be taken from thee in life or death : reckon like a wise man , and in the testimony of a good conscience , thou maist also say , all that is mine , I carry with mee , and so not have a dangerous eie backe againe . 3. Consider well the difference between acquaintance and friends : how many friends thou hast left , may best appear in thy tryals ? how many of these shadowes follow thee now thou art clouded ? doe they not feare thy mine ? doth not that set a strange distance between you ? are these thy friends , or such acquaintance as thou maist every where finde ? Againe ; how many malicious enemies hast thou left behinde , who have often so embittered thy soule , that thou hast cryed out , Wo is mee that I sojourne in Meshech , that I dwell in the tents of Kedar : my soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace ? so that upon a just account , thou art not so much banished thy country , as taken from impious enemies . 4. Lastly , be confident that what ever is good , wee shall meet withal again in the immutable happinesse of heaven : what ever cannot come thither , is not worth our lamenting here , it being truely rather a gaine to loose it , then to recover it .

7. Consider how popular inconstancy usually retributeth evil to best deserts ; as d d Aristidesnonne ob eam causam expulsus est patriâ , quòd prae●er modum justus esset . Cic. Tus. q. l. 5. Aristides the just , e e Aemil. Prob. Alcibiades , f f Ingrata patria ne ossa quidem mea habes . as * * Scip. Aff●ic . hee also whose epitaph sayed to posterity , Ingrateful native soile , thou hast not so much as my bones , had experience of it . Wee have examples in holy writ , of those g g Heb. 11. 37 , 38. who wandred in deserts and mountaines , of whom the world was not worthy . All is little to that one example of Christ , persecuted from his infancy , carried into Egypt to avoid Herod's tyrannous fury , and all his life made h h Isai. 53. 3. a man of sorrows , by them hee came to save . That condition to which Christ is a pattern , can make no man unhappy : hee i i Iohn 1. 11. came amongst his own , and they received him not : hee did only good to them : their owne testimony was , k k Mark 7. 37. hee hath done all things well : yet they crucified him : remember his words ; l l Mat. 10. 24. The disciple is not greater then his master : and doest thou think much , that being innocent , thou art banished thy native soile ? few good men live where they first drew breath , or best deserve .

8. Learne the good which God doth for thee ; who best knoweth how to make all things work for the best : as in thy exile , thy security from thine adversaries ; whose restles malice is as trucelesse as the Divells which ruleth in the enemies of Gods children : that he hath set thee by better neighbours ( or lesse pernicious ) who canst not have worse then thou hast lost : however thou valew this , the Prophet fervently wisheth for it : m m Ier. 9. 2. 3. O that I had in the Wildernesse , a Cottage of a Wayfaring man , that I might leave my People and goe from them : for they be all — an assembly of treacherous men : they bend their tongues , like their bow , for lies . —

9. Learne to seek happinesse and content in thy selfe , in peace of conscience , purity of heart , sanctified will and affections , faith , patience , meeknesse , temperance , humility , and the like ; and no losse of these outward ●hings shall much trouble thee , who hast set thy affections on heaven : and to a man assured , that he must ere long change this life for an eternall , what matter is it , from what point of the earth , his soule taketh her flight ? whether from Pisga with Moses : from the bankes of Jordan with Eliah ; from the Prison with John Baptist ; from the field , mill , or bed ; or from the mount of Olives whence Christ ascended into Heaven ? it is not much considerable whence thou comest ; thy happinesse in spight of secular afflictions , and active malice , shall be , once to arrive at heaven , where all shall be ▪ securely , unchangeably , and eternally happy .

The Banished mans Petition .

O Lord God , holy and mercifull , whose providence ruleth over all : the earth is thine , and thou assignest the parts thereof to the children of men : thou broug●st a Vine out of Egypt , and plantedst it , thou madst the branches thereof to fill the land , and spread themselves from the river to the flood ; but in thy displeasure thou didst cast them out of the inheritance which thou hadst given them : Thou art the Lord of Mountaines and vallies , land and sea , and the God of the exiled and outcast : Thou dost with much patience behold o●●ression and wrong , untill the measures of iniquity be filled up : ô Lord behold the pressures of me , thy poore despised and dejected servant : thy mercy and gracious audience of the afflicted , is neither limited to Jerusalem nor this mountaine , every place is equally neere heaven , where ever men lift up pure hands and hearts , worshipping thee in spirit and truth , thou art there present to heare and help them . Gracious Father though thou seest good to permit me to the power of men to exercise me , yet can they not shut thy mercifull eare against me : O let my complaint therefore come before thee : let thy word be as the clowdy Pillar to lead me in thy way : let thy good spirit direct me : cast me not from thy presence : take not thy mercies from me : give me grace to forsake all those sinnes for which thy chastisement is now upon me , that I may happily profit by thy Fatherly corrections : and if it be thy holy will restore me to these blessings , and comforts , which thou gavest me for my support : if otherwise ▪ yet good Lord , give me assurance of thy mercy , and patience to expect thy saving health : leave me not destitute and comfortlesse in my afflictions : be my guide and helper in this earthly pilgrimage , and vally of teares , unto , and in the howre in which thou hast appointed to take me hence , into the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance , ( by thy power reserved in heaven for all that beleeve in thee ) to which no hand of the oppressor shall reach : where shall be no curse , no sinne , nor feare of forfeiture : into which no enemy shall be admitted : from which no inhabitant shall ever be cast out : Lord heare and help me : Lord have mercy on me and grant me that which I aske according to thy will , and that which I should aske , which thou knowest best for me , through the infinite merits of the Sonne of thy Love ; the author and finisher of our Salvation , and eternall happinesse , Christ Jesus the righteous .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXXIII .

Of old Age : directions , counsels , and comforts therein . § . 1. Age : common evils thereof . § . 2. How the foundation of an happy Age must be laid in youth . § . 3. How the evils of Age may be lessened . § . 4. Or more patiently borne . § . 5. By what Rules of practice it may be improved to the comfort of the Aged .

1. §. 1. OLd Age is our times a a Occasus vitae mortis primitiae . sun-set ; the last of this life , and first-fruits of death : that b b ●is omnis gravis est aetas , qui omnia bona à seipsis petunt , &c. quam ut adipiscantur , omnes optant , eandem accusant adepti , tanta est stultitia , &c. Cic. de Senect. which all desire , and but few like , or patiently bear : so ingrateful are men to God , that they would be yong again : so waiward doth sinne make them , that they like no present state , of so discomposed and foolish a minde , are those aged children , whose desires look to the Sodom , whose dangerous ●lame they had escaped .

2. It is the condition of c c Omnia orta occidu●t , aucta senescunt . Sal. Iug & IIier . epist. all that groweth in time to decay . Time is the devourer of his children : here is nothing but perpetual changes : d d Nec quod fuimusve sumusve , cras erimus , &c. we shall not be to morrow , what wee were yesterday , or are to day : precipitate hours , by their succeding moments , pass with , the flight of a thought , quickly changing us from secure youth , to solicitous age , which stealeth on with so slie a foot , that like the remoter lights of heaven , in their vast orbes , the speed of their motion , is e e Dies allabitur dum ignoras . Hier. ep. 9. l 2. 〈◊〉 sens●m sine sensu ae●as senesei . Cic. de Senect. not so much perceived passing , as passed away : and so wee become old before wee have well composed our youth , or thought of age : f f Vita enim nos●ra navig●nti est simili● ▪ is vamque — stat s●det , iacet , vadit — ità & nos sumus : qui sive vigilantes , sive dormientes , sive tacentes , ●oquentes — per momenta temporum quotidie ad sinem tendimus . Greg. l. 6. ep. 26. Hos. 7. 9. like men sailing , wee make our port , sleeping , and waking , as the Prophet said of Ephraim , Strangers have devoured his strength , and hee g g ` Nescit quod senescit , Greg. mor. in Iob. 25. knoweth it not : yea gray haires are here and there upon him , yet hee knoweth not . Truely the age of man is but of a h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . short date ; i i Iob 14. 1. Apud Hypanni fluvium — bestiolas quasdam nasci , quae unum diem vivant . as the flowers beauty ; of few houres continuance : will wee , nill we , wee grow old ; and that which David once said , 1 Sam. 20. ( there is but a step between me and death ) the strongest in every age may truely . There is k k Confer no. stram longissimam aetatem cum aeternitate in eadem propemodum brevita●e — reperiem●r . C. Tus● . quoest . l. 1. Velimus , no●tmus senescimus , Hier. l. 2. ep. 21. Quis est tam s●u●tus ( quamvis sit adolescen● ) cui sit exploratum , se ad ves●eram esse victurum ? Cic. de Senect. some little difference between the yong and the old , which as little time will take away : the old decrepid man was a flourishing youth not long since : and the young man must quickly be old : the end evens all : l l Si nongentos vitae excederemus annos — & Methusalem nobis tempora donarentur , tamen nihil esset praeterita longitudo , quae esse desiisset : etenim inter eum qui decem vixit annos , & eum qui mille post quam , idem vitae finis advenerit , & irrecusabilis mortis necessitas , transactum omne ta●undem est , &c. Hieron . ep. 24. l. 2. Heliodoro . whether the last yeere of Methusalah's long-spun life , or of the dying infant , which like those water sourses rising neer the sea , and by a short and speedy course , rendring themselves into the bitter depths again : whether the long lasting Patriarcks before the flood , or the now epitomized lives of men , in this worlds senio , which like Winter's sunnes , but rise , shew themselves above the horizon , creep a low course , & quickly set againe , exchanging the short day for a long-some night ; all comes to one invariable conclusion at last , hee dyed . Vain and fraile life of man , on which wee set so high a rate : m m Quid est in homin●s vita diu ? — mihi nè diuturnum quidem quicquam videtur in quo est aliquid extremum , cùm enim id advenerit , tunc illud quod praeteriit , effluxit . Cic. de Senect. & hoc quod senectus vocatur , pauci sum circuitus annarum . Sen consolat. ad Marci . there s nothing long in the longest life of man : nothing lasting in which there is something last , which being come , that which was , is eternally past : that which wee call old age , is but the circuites of a few yeeres , surrendring to death .

3. Death hath three messengers , to arrest and Sub poena up to that high court , whence there 's no appeale , chance , or accident , infirmity , and old age . The first telleth of doubtfull things : the second of grievous : the last of certain . No man is secure of one houre to come : death cometh to the young man , like Recha● and Baana to Ishbosheth , about the heat of the day , to slay him , insidiis ; but to the old man , aperto marte : there by ambush , here with displayed banners & flying colou●s : so that it concerneth all the living to be prudent , in not sleeping without oile in their lampes , least the Bridegroom coming in an houre they dreame not of , while they endeavour too late a preparation , the door be shut , and they knock in vain .

Being here to lay down some directions and comforts against the sorrowes and evils of age , I shall consider 1. What must be done for prevention , or where the foundation of an happy age must be layed ? 2. How the evils of age may be lessened ? 3. Or how more patiently born ? 4. How they may be used to the good of the aged ?

1. For the prevention of evils incident to age , §. II. wee must lay the foundation n n Paret sibivi●ticum , quod longo it ineri necessarium est . Hieron . l 2. ep 21. Eam me laudare senectutem quae fun damentis adolescentiae constituta sit — Cic. de Senect. Est enim quietè , purè ac eleganter actae ae tatis placida ac lenis senectus . ib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . D. Laert. l. 1. Cleobul . Divitiae senum non sunt canities capitis , sed industriae juventutis . o — ista ipsa defectio virium adolescentiae vitiis efficitur saepius quam senectutis , libidinosaetenim & intemperans adolescentiae , effoetum corpus tradit senectuti . Cic. de senect. in youth : it is a good rule , in thy youth study to live well , and in thy age to dye well . The vices and distempers of youth deliver up a surfeited body to age , whereby they not only incommodate , but dishonour it with the faults of youth : making it , not onely heare evill , ( as , wretched , unhappy : and contemptible , a burthen , continuall disease , p p Morte magis metuenda senectus . and worse then death ) but also to be so in respect of the q q Senectus ipsa est morbus — metue senectam , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 decayes , paines , and aches , and specially the conscience of an ill-spent life . but for these , age r r Potest igitur exercitatio & temperantia etiam in senectute conjervare a liquid prist ini robor is . Cic. de Senect. hath often a capacity of health , sufficiency of strength , and solidity of comfort , as appeareth not only in Moses whose eye was not dim , nor his naturall force abated , at the age of 120 years ( Deut. 34. 7. ) but also Joshuah's defectlesse strength ( Josh. 14. 10 , 11. ) at 85. and in the cheerefull health of divers moderne examples of temperance . wherein it is a more happy part of life then youth , which at best , is not far from if not in danger of mischievous incentives to sinne : for what good man ever doubted , but that an holy reformed age , is incomparably better then a vitious youth ? and who seeth not the way in consideration hereof , to make the age which greiveth them , more blessed then that which did vainely delight them ?

2. s s Psal. 16. 8. Set the Lord ever before thee and t t Ecclel , 12. r. remember thy Creator in the daies of thy youth : then recken that thou maist quickly provide for it : by the studies of young men you may probably conjecture , what fruits they will beare in age , if they be not blasted . they that would make their provision by gathering Manna u u Exod. 16. 21. went out betimes , the scorching sunne once rising , all was gone . happy are they ( as I noted ) that have a grave * * 2 Tim. 1. 5. Lois and an holy Eunice to season their tender yeares with knowledge of God , before the heat of corrupted youth , which x x Temeritas est slorentis aetatis , prudentia senectuti● . Cic. de Senect. permitteth not the dew of heaven to lye upon the heart .

3. Suspect thine own judgement : many had been happily wise , had they not by too early an opinion thereof anticipated that fruit , and thought themselves such , before they were so . youth is the age of folly and precipitate errour : which few discover untill they are past it : it is the age of vaine hopes and overgrown confidence , so dangerous that it hath not only subverted some persons and families , but y y Temeraria pubes praecipites juvenum dementia subruit u●bes — States and Kingdomes , as Israël found in Rehoboams young Counsellors : z z 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●raeceps fertur ad omnia . The Hebrews expresse a young man by a word which in the root importeth an ●eadlong falli●g into any thing : the opinion of selfe ability , and daring ambition to rule the day , hath too a a Quod si le gere & au lire volet is externa maximas respub ab adole scentulis labe ●actatris , à senibus sustentatas , & restitutas repenetis , &c. Cic. de Senect. often set the World on fire .

4. Be thou as circumspect , as a man considering the dangers he is to passe , or perish in them . the Prodigall had many dangerous companions : power of himselfe : his estate in his hand : company of enticing harlots : place farre from his fathers sight : none but trustlesse strangers to advise him : but the worst of all was his youth : without which all the rest could not have hurt him : b b Vicina lapsib●● adolescentia , Ambrde . vid. l. 1. ( si ●it liber crus . ) youth is neere dangerous falls : easy to be transported with c c Architas Tarentinus dixit — 〈◊〉 capitaliorem pestem , quam corporis vol●ptatem — hinc patriae proditiones , hinc ▪ r●rumpub . eversiones — nullum deni ▪ scelas , vullum magnum facinus esse , ad quod suscipiendum non libido voluptatis impelleret — nec in voluptatis regno virtutem posse consistere — d Omne animi lumen extingueret . Cic. de Senect. pleasures , then which there are no more dangerous Sirens , or capitall mischiefes : they are Lusts panders , Treasons brokers , universall incentives of all impiety , which could never be hatched , did they not bewitch the unhappy actors with some pleasure : pleasures are unconsistent with vertues monarchy : they d d Quo facilius vincipossent , cum se vol●pta●ibus dedissent . ib ▪ blind reason and pervert the will : they are counsailes enemies , and the affections corrupters ; no wonder that e e Eccles. 11. 9. &c. M. Curius wished that the Samnites , and their enemy Pyrrhus could have been given to pleasures , that they might the easier have been overcome . how pernicious a dreame is it of those who think young men may securely indulge to their genius , f f Psal. 119. 9. Disce cor Dei in verbis Dei . Gregor. l. 4. ep. 4● . Theodor. walk in the way of their hearts , and doe that which seemeth good to them ; no , no , childhood and youth are vanity , and God will bring all into a severe judgement , how soone thou canst not be certaine ; therefore be thou most carefull where thy greatest danger is .

5. Let the word of God be the compasse by which to steere thy course ( wherewith all shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taki●g heed according to thy word ) and hearken thereto that thou maist learne Gods will ; hearken also to good counsaile of thy superiours , with reverend subjection and modest silence . impudency is commonly talkative , but ingenuity silent and studious to learne of others : it is a symptome of folly in them who should learne to let their eares run out into tongue , and to be impatient of hearing . young men were too happy could they but beleeve the prudent , and learne without their losse .

6. Learne an holy humility : when the g g 1. Pet. 5. 5. Apostle had commanded juniors to submit unto their elders , he presently inferreth , be clothed h h Nihil habeas humilitate praestautius , nihil amabilius haec est enim praecipua conservatrix & quasi custos quaedam oranium virtutum , &c. Hieron l. 2. ep. 22. Celantiae . with humility : the innate pride of youth causeth them to think themselves too wise to be advised .

7. Learn to follow right reason , not affection , as that thou maiest ever weigh thy actions by wisdome , not will . That thou maiest in all things be discreet and sober minded : three vertues they say ; are prime ornaments of youth , i i V●ri●undia , taciturnitas , & obedientiae . Modesty , Silence , and Obedience : to which adde feare of God , obedience to Parents , k k Levit. 19. 32. reverence to elders , chastity , temperance , and frugality , and thou shalt have a character of an accomplished young man . all which may be had can they but hold inviolably this one principle : in every action resolve to be discreete and wise , rather then affectionate . as will appeare in that precipice of youth , concerning which the l l 2 Tim. 2. 22. Apostle warneth , fly youthfull lusts ( 't is a deathfull serpent , the best defence is flight ) and Solomon , m m Prov. 5. 8. come not neere the doores of her house : let her not take thee with her eye lids : lust like the Basilisk kills by the eye , not seen , but seeing .

8. Choose thee some good acquaintance : take heed of that company whose qualities thou maist be ashamed to imitate : the society which first seasoneth young men marres or makes them , vertue is more easily learned by their example whom we love , then by their precepts whose wisdome we admire : on the other part there is no such Divell in the World , as man to man : seeing all men are naturally sociable apt to imitation , and to receive the ( all most indelible ) impressions of manners , from those with whom they converse . which concludeth that it highly concerneth the young to be cautious what company they fall into

9. Be thou not so much ambitious of pleasures , as true profits , nor of long life , as good ; they that wish to live long ; desire but long infirmity : be thou frugall of thy time to improve every day to some provisions for age : could the n n Appelli fuit perpetua consuetudo , nunquam tam occupatam diem ●gendi , ut non lineam ducendo exerceret artem . &c. Plin. n. ●● . l 35. c. 10. heathen resolve to passe no day without the draught of one line , when the height of his ambition could be but excellency in his art ; and shall not we much more be carefull of our time who know we have an eternall life to come ? the blind hearted o o Pythagoreoru●● more — quid quoque die dixerim , audiverim , egerim , commemoro vesperi . Cic. q●s . vide & D. L●e●t vit. Pythag l. 8. Pythagoreans would not sleep , before they had examined themselves what they had every day heard , said , done , or left undone ; how much more cause have we to doe so ? it is lesse unhappinesse to loose p p Quanto me mitius O austera mor● , privares vitae usu quam ●●uctu . Bern. the use then fruit of life . The young man looking forward , thinketh fifty or sixty years ( which perhaps he may live ) so large a time , that he may rationally be prodigall of his store : but the old man looking back reckoneth with Jacob. Gen. 47. 9. few and evill have the dayes of the years of my life been . when the Philosopher reckoned at night , that he had learned nothing that day , he cryed , ô sirs , q q O socii diem perdidimus , we have lost a day . crested pictures present you comming on , some lovely feature , but going off an ugly Devill : such are the vaine delights which young men so much adore , as a due priviledge of youth , that they think themselves thereto borne , and that it is an injury to barre them of those things which in their birth hasten to a precipitate end , leaving them loathing , or a sad memory of that which is irrevocably past . study thou to be holy , and delight in that which time and age shall not deprive thee of , but rather invest thee in ; that which shall not feare age but blesse it with the invincible comfort of a cleere conscience : a mispent youth is the sorest burthen of old age .

10. Deferre not thy repentance and conversion to God unto thy age : thou art not sure of a future time , or an heart to repent therein : make thy peace with him now , that age may not finde thee unprovided : it hath troubles enough of its own , for pitty oppresse it not with the folly of youth also ; he were an unadvised traveller who though forewarned , would take up the heaviest , and most unnecessary loading in the fowlest way : so doe they who deferre their repentance to age , and load themselves with sinne against the evill daies come .

The evills and inconveniences i●●ident to age , §. III. may be amended and lessened , not by externall medicines ( commonly vaine artifices to assaile the depravations of unconquered nature ) but most by true wisdome , declared in , and groundded on the oracles of God . some have reckoned them principally foure . 1. r r Qued avoc●t à rebus ●●rendis — quod corpus faciat insirmum — quod privet omnibus ●●re voluptatibus , quo● haud procu● absit à morte . Cic. de Sen. In that it maketh men lesse fit for imployment . 2. In that it bringeth with it bodily infirmity . 3. In that it deriveth of pleasures . 4. In that it is neere death . which though I follow not in their order , I shall speake to in due place .

1. First whereas the present life of man is subject to many evills , it is of great concernment to our purpose to distinguish those which are common to our whole life , from those that are peculiar to age : there are losses , poverty , want ; what age of man is exempt from these ? though as these are most heavy in age , so to be borne but a short way ; there is injury , slander , infamy , oppression , banishment , imprisonment ? what age is secure from these ? there is losse of friends , and that which embittereth old age , contempt : but fall not these on any age also ? what is s s Quid enim mai●re chachinno excipitur vulgi quàm pa●per Apici●●● luv . more contemned then the poore man ? there are bodily evills , and infirmities , maiming , blindnesse , deafenesse , lamenesse , sicknesse , weaknesse : but these also t t Multi sunt imbecilli senes — at id qui●em non pro●●●um scnectutis est vitium , sed commune valetu●inis — quid mirum — si in●●rmi sunt aliquando , cum ne idquidem adolescentes , essugere possint ▪ Cic. q● s● — Malti valetudinar●iadole scentes , multirobusti senes inveniuntar . Plut. an sem sit ger . respub . are incident to any age ; as also death ; with this difference , the young man may dye ; the old man must dye : the aged dying by degrees , and his motus ●repidationis admonishing him , prepare him for death ; the young are more sodainly arrested : as for the evills of minde , u u Senectus est natura loquacior . Cato apud Cic. de sen. as loquacity , covetousnesse , morosity , * * Senes difficiles & qu●●ruli sunt , Senec. de irâ l. 2. c. 19. querulousnesse , pettishnesse and the like , who knoweth not that these x x Sua vitia insipientes & suam culpam in senectutem conferunt . Cic. qo s. are incident to other ages also ? but if these , or any other faults , dishonour and incommodate age , reviving in the death of other vices ; not to say , that some of these were best mended in others obsequious and due respect to the aged ; I say these are the faults y y Sed haec morum vitia sunt non senectutis ib. quae vitia sunt non senectutis sedinertis , ignavae , somniculosae senectutis . ib — ista senilis stultitia ( quae delira●lio appellari solet ) senum levium est , non omnium . ib. — sed omnium istiusmodi quaerela●●● in moribus est culpa non in aetate : moderati enim & nec difficil●s senes , nec inhumani ●olerabilem agunt senectutem , importunitas autem , & inhumanitas omni aeta ●i molestaest 〈◊〉 ▪ of manners , not of age , which being seperated by beter counsaile and habit , may leave that age a cleere and evident capacity of being most happy , as neerest to our state of blessednesse , the life to come , doth avarice or morosity then make age evill ? a prudent mastering thy selfe , and resolved patience , will amend this , and true repentance that this take away that evill into which thine own will beareth a principall part , and thou shalt finde , that as thou canst not be evill except thou consentest ; so , not unhappy in age : and if thou wilt not forbeare the evill which afflicteth thee , thou makest thine age evill , not thy age thee .

2. Bodily infirmities and decayes , are but the Angells sent to pull thee out of Sodom ( not as Lot , by the hands only ) by warning thee of approaching death , that thou maist prepare to entertaine it , and not be destroyed with a perishing world .

3. Prepare for death : that which leadeth age with irksome sorrow , is vaine love of the World , and unwillingnesse to dye : there is not an old man , but thinkes he may live one yeare more : if thy life were entire , it is so short a summe , that it cannot beare any long hopes : and it is z z Hoc habet stultitia proprium semper incipit vivere Senec. ep. 13. Quid est autem turpius , quam senex vivere incipiens ? ib. great folly , ever to be beginning to live ; to lay new foundations , and hopes neere our exit . what is more incongruous then for an old man ( in vaine hope and desire ) to beginne to live , when indeed , he is neere death ? he only shall easily beare the inconveniences of age , who is ever resolved , and willing to dye and be with Christ .

4. Learne to make a prudent use of the time which admitteth no returne : a a Conscientia benè actae vitae , multorum bene factorum recordatio , iucundissi ma est . Cic. q● s. But as Caesar said Miserum esse instrumentum sen●ctuti recordationem crudelitatis . Am. Marcel . l. 29. the conscience of a well spent life , and remembrance of many good workes is very comfortable : the foole loveth nothing but that which is past , and vainely troubleth his soule with desire of much more time , nothing solicitous to accompt to God for that he hath already given him : at thy last day it shall not much concerne thee , how long thou hast lived , but how well : it is not long life , but b b Neque enim in tempore utiliter vivitur , nisi●ad comparandum meritum quo in aeternitate vivatur . August , ep. 121 c. 7. good , which shall render a man eternally happy : neither is there any true profit of living here , but in gaining that , by which we shall live to eternity .

The evills of Age may be cheerfully borne , §. 4. if we can truly weigh the conveniences with the inconveniences thereof . For

1. It is true , that c c Senecti● multa secum & bona affert & mala : bona qua nos ab impudentissimis dominis liberat voluptatibus . — libidinis frangit impetus : auget sapientiam , dat maturiora consitia . H●eron . ep. 30. l. 1. Pamach , — id aufcrt à nobis quod est in adolesscenti● vitiosisstmum . C●e . q● s. — magnam hebendam senectut● gratiam , que effecerit , ut 〈◊〉 non liberet , quod non oporteret . ib. From which Sophocles said he had fled away . tanquam à fero & rabioso domino . Plut. an sen. sit ger . respub . & Cic. de sen. summa laus senectutis est , quod ea voluptates nullas magnopere desiderat . ib. Age bringeth with it many good things , as it doth many evills : it is good , that it freeth from pleasures , those impudent masters of misrule , giveth wisdome and maturer counsailes ; as the Egyptian d d Sicut Ibin ●iunt cum vetus est facta exhalatis virosis & turbidis partibus odoratiorem habere aromaticam virtutem . Pl●t . q● . s. Ibis , feeding in her youth on Serpents , when age hath consumed those venemous humours , hath an aromaticall and sweeter breath : so hath it been observed of some , that after an ill dieted and mispent youth , ( time having digested and evaporated that venome ) their age hath e e Qui grandes natu , ●ygneum nescio quid , & solito dulcius , vicin● morte cecinerunt . Hieron . ep. 14. l. 2. Nepotiano . breathed divine things , and more sweet then usuall to the secular man , life like Wine , how ever pleasing it was young , in age it groweth sharpe and dull , to the Saints it is not so : age is their Suburbs of heaven , praeludium of eternity , the gate of glory where aged Simeon sang his requiem : Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace , for mine eyes have seen thy salvation — Luke 2. 29.

2. The old man f f Nullo gene●e homines mollius moriuntur , sed nec diutius . Sen. ep. 30. dyeth more easily then the young ( a great advantage seeing all must dye ) none dye more gently , then they that dye insensibly : like a Lampe the oyle consumed , quietly going out : q q Adolescentes mori sic mihi videntur , ut eum aquae multitudine vis flammae opprimitur : senes autem sicut suâ sponte nullâ adhibit● vi , consumptus ignis extinguitur — quae mihi quidem tam jucunda est , ut quo propius ad mortem accedam , eô citiûs quasi terram videar videre , aliquand●que in portum ex longâ navigatione esse venturus . Cic. q● s. young men dye more painefully , as Lamps overflowed with Water : violence killeth the young , maturity the old : there 's a wrack ; here a quiet departing from the Inne : so pleasing to the good , that it seemeth to them as the sight of the port they are to make after a wearisome voyage : that aged Barzillai could not so exactly tast , or heare the voices of singers ( 2. Sam. 19. 35. ) was not so much a losse as security against temptations which oftentimes ensnare youth .

3. It is the age of wisdome : the spring hath pleasures , but the Autumne profits : the fruits of age are much better then the flowers of youth : a little time is long enough to live well , but if thou art gone much farther , h h Sia processeris long●us , non magis dolendum est , quàm agricola dolent , praeteritâ verni tempovi● suavitate , aestatem , autumnumque venisse . ib. thou hast no more cause to sorrow then the Husbandman , that the pleasant spring is past , and the profitable autumne come , except thou art i i Dixisse sertur , dolere se quod tuno egrederetur è vita quando sapere coepis set . Hieron . Nepotiano . ep. 14. l. 2. of Themistocles minde , who said it grieved him to dye , when he began to be wise .

4. It is not so much esteemed the end of this life as the beginning of eternity : and the haven after a curst sea : now as the traveller endureth the rough and bad wayes neere home , for rest's sake , and for the comfort which he expecteth there ; so must we the troubles of age : which we shall easily doe if we gaine a certaine assurance of eternall blessednesse in the life to come .

5. We have here comfort and confidence in temporall calamities : they cannot now be long : it k k Hocest illud quo● Pisis●rato ●●ranno à Solone respon sum est , quum illi querenti quâ tandem spe fretus , sibi tan audacter obsisteret , respondisse dicitur senectute . Cic. q● s. was Solon's answer to the tyrant Pisistratus , when he demanded on what ground of hope he durst resist him : I am confident because old . When Jacob saw the chariots which Joseph sent to bring him into Egypt , his drooping spirit revived , and certainly they who desire to be dissolved , and to be with Christ , are so farre from being grieved at their age , that their soules are comforted , to think they are going to him .

In the last place we are to know what rules of practice are observable to the improvement of old age to our good and comfort , §. V. for it is certaine l l Foelix & omni dignus beatitudine , quem senectus Christo o●cupat servientem , quem extrema dies salvatori invenerit militanti , Hieron . l. 2 , ep. 23. Iulian. that happy is he whom old age seizeth in the service of Christ .

1. Be sure to attemperate and proportion thy minde to thy age , that it be not said of thee as of m m Vulpem pilum mutare non mores . Suer . Trang . l. F. Vespat . Vespastans covetousnesse ; the fox hath changed his haire but not his manners . lay downe thy youthfull minde with youth : be n n Severitatem in senecture probo , sed eam — modicam , acerbitatem 〈◊〉 modo probo . Cic. q● s. grave not bitter , it is an o o Peius est quod auctoritatem habemus senum vitia puerorum . Sen. ep. 4. impious incongruity to beare the authority and port of an old man , and the vices of the young : to be youthfull in age is great folly ; and greater , to wish to be young againe : like some brainesick traveller , who after a dangerous and wearisome journey ; would goe back againe for a little pleasant way sake : though it p p 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pyrrho . Illust. de Philos. Origen . in Ezek. ●●o . 13. be very hard to put off that which we are borne , yet the happy way to be renewed , is ( as much as we can attaine to ) to put off the old man , corrupt with his affections , and to put on the new man , Ephes. 4. 22 , 23 , 24. this is the way to passe à ruga ad juventutem , from old age to youth : while man ( like the heavenly orbs inferior to the first mover ) goeth in body to the West of age , but in his soule toward the east , and rising sunne of righteousnesse : the inward man renewing in the outward mans decay : so becoming part of that lovely spouse , which in her perfection shall be without spot or sinne in her innocency , or wrinkle of age in her eternity : in the meane , if thou art wise , thou wilt rejoyce that thou hast past over a tempestuous sea , and q q Se ● libidinum vinculi● laxatos esse non molestè ●errent , Cic. q● s. art delivered from so many unjust and pernicious tyrants , in that r r Vitiorum ministeria senuerunt . Sen. ep. 26. the incentives of sinne , are grown inactive in age .

2. Study to be wise : it is great misery to be old and not wise ▪ it was too much to be guided by the affections of youth : if that be past , remember that s s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . age is wisdomes flower , or fruitfull autumne rather ; t t Senectus venerabilis non est numero annorum , sed magis merito morum computata . Bernard ep. venerable not for number of years , but merit : if thou encrease in this strength of minde , thou shalt so much the more recompence the decay of bodily strength , as the soule is more excellent then these walls of clay , or man then beast . this wisdome is u u Nec sapientiam canos reputes , sed canos sapienti● . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 16. Paulino vid. & Ambros. l. 8 ep. 60. not in gray haires , but in such a guidance of the minde , as that the aged be * * Tit. 2. 2. 3. sober , grave , temperate , sound in faith , charity , and patience . and that Women be in behaviour such as becometh holinesse — teachers of good things , that the younger may by them learne to be wise , to love their Husbands and their Children , to be discreet , chast , keepers at home , good , obedient to their Husbands , that the word of God be not blaspheamed . some extreamly erre , thinking it the only wisdome of age , to be attent to worldly gaines : some x x ●●aritia 〈◊〉 quid 〈◊〉 velit non intelligo ; pote●l enim q●i quam esse absurdius , qa●m quae minus viae restat eò plus viatici que rere ? Cic. de Sen. heathens could say , what can be more absurd , then the lesse way we have to goe , the more solicitous to be to get viands ? and that y y 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — Solon qui se quotidie aliquid addiscentem senem sieri dicit . ut ego fe●i , qui Graecas literas senex didici . Cato a●pud Cic. de Sen. they grew old every day learning something : how much more studious ought we to be true wisdome , which Gods word teacheth ?

3. Be holy : the feare of God is the old mans glory , whereof the z z Eccles. 25 6 hoary head is the crowne , a a Prov 16 31. if it be found in the way of righteousnesse : such shall flourish like the Palme tree , and Cedar in Lebanon , bringing b b Psal. 92. 12. &c. forth fruit in age , those I say , that are planted in the howse of the Lord . as they that gathered c c Exod. 16. 22. Manna on the Sabbath eve , gathered twice as much as for an other day : so they that are holy lay up a double store in age for their eternall rest at hand . their encreasing sanctity ( like shadowes of the setting sunne ) is then multiplied . They * * As ●●●ring Lucian did who called the old man 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . a kind of living sepulchre . Terpsion & Plut. injure age who casting their faults on it , entertaine it as some unwelcome guest , some evill : it is their errour which makes it so : it can never be well with the sinner ; but every age is good to the just ; as evill to the sinner is that most , which is neerest his judgement .

4. Live to God and thine own eternall blessednesse , if thou wilt live to men , in temporall relations , these gray haires , wrinkles , and ruines of youth , strength , and beauty , may create thee some contempt . but if the centre of thy desires be the chiefe good ; that must best please thee which makes thee best : and so these sorrowes of thy aged brow ( fraitfull of counsaile , gravity , temperance , holy contempt of the world , and preparation for a passage to a better life ) as thy hoary head ( wisedomes banners ) shall be welcome to thee : make use therefore of time for eternity : and provide for that state , to which this decaying earthly tabernacle shall againe be so repaired , that the glory of the second house , shall be greater then that of the first : so shall thy life seem long enough , if in an age , long , or short , thou canst reckon but few mispent daies : so shall thy bodily defects , not be so grievous ( a little strength will be enough , to lift up the hands to God , where the heart is right ) neither those of the minde ; as decay of d d Nec ve●● quen ●uam s●● nem audivi oblitum , quo loco thesaurum obruisset : omnia quae curant meninerunt . &c. Cic. de Sen. memory and the like : old men can remember that they most care for : and age hath a capacity of amendment in those evills , which blemish it ; as talkativenesse , anger , frowardnesse and such like ; which removed , it shall be more lovely , winning , by a milde gravity , and of more authority with men . however God taketh no advantages on our weaknesse ; so shall this age appeare most happy : he lived not unprofitably , who dyeth happily .

5. Consider the vanity and frailty of this present life , and learne to live , which few doe , ( though they number many years ) none truly doe , who live not to God , the end of their creation and living : e e Tim. 5. 6. she that liveth in pleasure , is dead while she liveth : living to God shall make that age more happy which bringeth thee neere , as that most happy which brings thee to him .

The Old Mans supplication .

O Lord God of my salvation , I humbly desire to render thee all due and hearty thankes for thy abundant mercies and favours spirituall and temporall , thy gracious preservation of me from my youth up unto my hoary haires : that thou sparedst me in thy fatherly mercy , when thy justice might often have destroyed me : Lord as thou hast given me place for repentance , reserving me to age , who mightest justly have cut off the daies of a mispent youth , so now accomplish thine own worke , give me an heart faithfully to turne unto thee , that I may constantly endeavour to redeeme the vaine errours of my time past , by becomming a patterne of faith and obedience , to all those with whom I converse . Lord fill me with thy holy spirit , that I may beare more fruit in my age . Forsake me not now I am old and gray headed : Remember not the sinnes and follies of my youth : let thy power appeare in my weaknesse , and the work of thy spirit in the decaies and ruins of this earthly tabernacle , by the evident repaire of thine own image in me , mortifying the remaindes of sinne , and assuring me of my election and calling in Christ Jesus ▪ and now ô Lord that the time of my departure draweth nigh , give me a watchfull spirit , that I may be ready when thou callest : seeing there are but few steps , between me and this worlds end , Lord strengthen me , give me a lively faith invincible and constant perseverance in this race , the few and evill daies of this earthly pilgrimage , that by thy mercifull assistance ( who workest both the will and the deed , and shewest mercy where thou pleasest ) I may so runne , that I may obtaine : that when thou pleasest to give me rest from my labours , and gather me to my Fathers , I may against all the paines and sorrowes of death , willingly and cheerefully , yeeld up my soule into thy gracious hands , in full assurance of my redemption , and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXXIV .

Meditations for Woemen neere their Travaile . § . 1. All misery proceedeth from sinne . § . 2. Our sinnes pardoned in Christ , Why the punishments are not taken away ? Woemens ▪ comfort therein . § . 3. Directions necessary hereunto .

1. ALL misery is the undoubted issue of sinne : §. I. man was happy in his pure naturalls , and creation to the Image of God ( the only fountaine of blessednesse ) untill sinne defacing the same , subjected him to the curse : The first sinner heard the terrible sentence , of the almighty , peculiar to her sex : a a Gen. 3. 16. I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy Conception — in sorrow shalt thou bring forth Children . these paines in travaile are the first fruits of misery appearing in that Sex ; b b 1 Tim. 2. 15. which was first in the transgression : so dangerous is it to be leaders into sinne : the Woman was of the man without paine ( because innocent ) but now the man is of the woman , with her sorrow ( because she hath sinned ) a sorrow so intense , and embittered with feare and anguish , that the Holy Ghost c c Psal. 43. 5. Isai 13. 8. Ier. 48. 41. Hos. 13. 13. Ioh 16. 21. 1 Thes. 5. 3. Isai 26. 17. Isai. 4● . 14. Ier. 4. 31. Mich. 4. 9. &c. hereby expresseth the condition of the fainting , afflicted , and dejected spirit , in sodaine feares of the affrighted conscience , expecting an inevitable judgement . The hower of birth and death , the entrance and exit of this World , being solely in Gods hand , and secret counsaile ; none else knowing the time , nor being able to dispose thereof , reason more then apparent , urgeth the necessity of addresse to him .

2. Some are the sepulchers of their Children , gone out of ere they came into this World : exiled before they saw a native soile ; advanced from a short imprisonment in the wombe , to the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God , to the blessed Kingdome of Heaven , before they touched this cursebearing earth : some see their Benoni , and thence have passage into eternall life , where the sentence of death began : some live to tast their sorrowes allay , in ●he sweetest temper of divine mercy with justice , becoming rejoycing mothers : all is disposed by the all-guiding providence , and unlessened power of Gods word , who at the beginning , but spake and it was done .

It hath much troubled some to think , §. II. why if our sinnes be pardoned in Christ are not the punishments thereof also taken away ? as here , why the elect , and reprobate , the chast matron , and filthy adultresse , should in this sentence , share and suffer alike ? for satisfaction herein , let the servant of God consider●

1. That whereas all sinne , ( though not in the same kinde , measure , or degrees ) there remaining the same cause , there must remaine the same effect , in all that bring forth .

2. This life is the stadium or race which we have ( through the variable distractions , and tryalls of seducing pleasures , and dejecting paines ) so to runne , that we may obtaine : here all are a like : the d d Math. 13. 30. Wheat and the tares must grow up togeather unto the harvest : the difference shall appeare in the binding up , which shall sufficiently e e 2 Cor. 5 10. crowne or punish .

3. Gods finall sentence is adjourned to the Worlds great Assizes , the day in which he hath f f Act. 17. 31. appointed to judge in righteousnesse : if he should by present rewards , or punishments , distinguish between good and evill , the matter of Religion would seem acted by selfe-love ( feare awing , and gaine alluring servile mindes , to secure and serve themselves , not God ) rather then the love of God , which is the summe and ground of all true obedience : nor should men according to the mercifull ordinance of God , live by Faith , but sense , the lives of beasts rather then of men . g g Et pecora verbere domantur . Se. nec . de con. sap. c. 12 they are drawn to obsequie by rewards held out to them , or compelled to duty by stripes ; but these by Faith in the promises of God , even when there appeareth ( in things externall ) h h See Psal. 73. 12. &c. no difference between the wicked and the just : nor indeed should God otherwise leave a due place , for faiths reward ( which is not slitely tryed , by our present sharing in secular evills with the wicked ) nor so just and great a punishment of sinne , by permitting the disobedient to runne on in their own wayes , storing up wrath against the day of wrath , and greatning their own damnation .

4. Though there is much difference in the issue , between the temporall afflictions , common to elect and reprobate ( they being the beginning of destruction to these , and a fatherly correction to the other , that they might not be condemned with the World ) yet he continueth them to his dearest children in this life , that they may make them throughly sensible of the odiousnesse of sinne , by the bitter effects thereof , of Gods immutable , and inviolable justice ( the same now which it was , when this dolefull sentence was first pronounced ) of the corrupted state of mans depraved nature , conceived in sinne , and therefore comming into , living in , and going out of the World , with sorrow : and lastly of the necessity of our repaire by faith , and continuall renewing our repentance .

5. As all other afflictions , are not only mitigated , but made good to the Saints and i i Rom. 8. co●perative for the best to them that love God , so is this : for through this temporall Childbearing , they k k 1 Tim. 2. 15. shall be saved if they continue in Faith and Charity , with holinesse and sobriety , and in the mean time they are not without their peculiar comforts .

1. Our Saviour noted it — l l Iohn 16. 21. So soon as she is delivered of the child , she remembreth no more the anguish , for joy that a man is borne into the World . Doubtlesse as it was , and is an m m Genes. 15. 2. Levit ▪ 20 ▪ 20 , 21. 1 Sam , 1. 5. &c. Ier. 15. 7. Ier. 22. 30. affliction to be childlesse , so it cannot but be a comfort ( to her that by an holy progeny , encreaseth the Kingdome of God ) to be her Husbands blessing , n n Psal. 128. a fruitfull Vine upon the walls of his house : God promising the fruit of the wombe , and the sweet Olive branches round about the table , for a blessing to them that feare him , and walke in his waies .

2. It must be a comfort to consider how God not only ( in Christ , in whom o o Gal. 3. 28. male and female have equall interest ) hath taken off the curse from this sexe ( made coe-heires with us of the same grace ) ( but also the dishonour and bitternesse of their sentence by some peculiar favours , and consolations : as first , that he sent forth his p p Gal. 4. 4. Sonne , made of a Woman , without man : so that he made her mother of Christ according to the flesh : that shee might ( by the power of the most high ) conceive her Saviour : that as shee was the unhappy q q In Paradis● mulier viro propinavit mortem : à sepulchro mulier viris annunciavit vitam : & dicta sui vivisicatoris narrat : quae mortiferi serpentis verba narra● verat . ac si humano generinon verbis Dominus sed re●us dicat de qua manus vobis illatus est potus mortis : de ips● suscipite poculum vitae ▪ Gregor. hom. 25. doore to let in sorrowes and paines ( deaths terrible harbingers ) and destruction on all her posterity , so she might be , to let in Christ , the peace , happinesse , redeemer and life , of all the elect . Secondly that God made her seed to break the serpents head : 3. That he made a Woman the first witnesse of the accomplishment thereof in his resurrection from the dead : that the sexe that first heard and felt the sentence on sinne , should first see and beleeve the ransome of our sinne , there accomplished where death was absolutely vanquished .

3. In the sweet object of their affection : they most tenderly love who suffer the most bitter sorrow for Children . God sometimes expresseth the constancy of his love , by a mothers — r r Isai 45. 15. can a Mother forget — ? could a greater among the children of men , have been found , his infinite love and compassion towards man , should have been weighed by it .

4. In their Husbands greater love : as Leah said , s s Genes. 29. 32. now therefore my Husband will love me : none but the unnaturall , but will have compassion , and the more tender love to her , by whose sorrowes God hath made him glad , by the comfort of deare Children , pledges of his posterity .

5. In their Childrens love and duty , who t t Prov. 6. 20. Prov. 1. 8. forsake not the law of their mother ( as fooles who are their living sorrowes ) onely the wicked forget their Mothers paines , and care for them : the u u Prov. 30. 17. ravens of the vallies are too milde executioners for them who despise their Mother when shee is old ; who looketh not on her with honour , tender love , and duty : nothing can fully recompence the ingratitude of this generation of Vipers ( their Mothers sorrow and destruction ) but hell . Gods children love and honour his Ordinance in their parents .

For direction and comfort before their Travaile , let Women .

1. Spend the time of their expectation as they would doe the howers of their last day , §. III. in hearty repentance for all their sinnes . making their peace with God : labouring to strengthen their faiths , by recounting the comfortable promises of God in Christ Jesus : rendring themselves with patience , meeknesse and confidence into his mercifull hands , who alone can keep them , strengthen and comfort them in their paines , and make them joyfull Mothers .

2. Consult with God in all their fears and sorrowes , as * * Genes. 25. 22. Rebecca did , by the holy scriptures which are his Oracles , giving certaine and infallible answers : conference with the prudent Saints , meditations and ascensions of the afflicted soule into Gods gracious presence .

3. Reconcile themselves to all those whom they have injured , by repairing them what they can : for it is a condition of their salvation in childbearing , that they x x 1 Tim. 2. 15. continue in Faith and Charity : and if all must y y Math. 5. quickly agree with their adversaries while they are in the way , then they specially who ( as they say of Seamen ) may be reckoned between the living and the dead , and in hazard of a sodaine convention at the barre , by the end of this life .

4. It must be a grave document ( as to all , so specially to married Women ) of modesty and chastity : I know not what comfort the adultresse can have , who bringeth forth her Husbands irreparable injury , her own shame ( z z Hos. 1. 2 , Hos. 2. 4. Children of Whoredomes ) the indelible staine of their blood , and their posterities dishonour , all this with paine and horrour , or more dangerous stupidity of a sinfull conscience : whereas the good conscience of the chast , is the soules rest , bed of perfumes , Garden of spices : sorrowes lenitive , griefes faire havens , the soules Paradice , and afflictions sanctuary : with which though they have externall sorrowes , yet are they blessed : happy is the way ( however rough and fearefull ) by which they come to eternall life , as the externall prosperity of the wicked , can never make their waies better then a a Rom. 3. 16. destructive and unhappy : So neither can any afflictions , sorrowes , feares , or paines of the elect , make them lesse then truely blessed : because all these are but as the stepps in b b Genes. 28. 12. Act. 14. 22. Jacobs ladder , whose last shall land them in the presence of God , as it is written — we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdome of God .

5. Let them pray frequently and fervently , that God would be pleased to measure their sufferings by that assistance which he will give them , strengthen them to their labour , mitigate their paines , grant them a speedy and safe deliverance : that they may enjoy the blessing of propagation , to the encrease of his Kingdome , the glory of his holy name , and their eternall rejoycing after their temporall sorrowes which hee hath appointed them .

A prayer for Woemen , in , or neere their Travaile .

MOst glorious and holy Lord God , almighty creator and mercifull preserver of all thy creatures : who hast commanded the weary and heavy laden to come to thee , and promised by the sonne of thy love and truth Christ Jesus , to ease them : we prostrate our selves before thy throne of mercy , with bended knees and trembling hearts , yet with assurance of thy faithfulnesse to performe , who hast freely promised : Truth it is , O Lord , when we consider our own deservings , we can look for nothing but the severity of thy justice , and rejection from thy gracious presence ; that thou shouldest take no delight in us when we come before thee , but that the spreadi●g out of our hands in Prayer should be a trouble , and wearinesse unto thee . we confesse that destruction of body and soule ( by all those judgements which thou hast denounced against the first sinners ) is due unto us , if thou enter into judgement with us . we accuse and condemne our selves as most vile , and utterly unable to stand in judgment before thee ( the searcher of the heart and reines ) and most unworthy of the least of those favours , which our necessities compell us to beg at thy mercifull hands , in confidence that thou wilt not breake the bruised reed , reject the penitent , nor condemne them who condemne themselves : we renounce our selves that we may be found in the righteousnesse of our Lord Jesus : It was he , ô blessed Father , who being the eternall Word ; Wisdome and Power , by whom the World was created , and is still sustained , yet to save us miserable sinners , ( and so his enemies ) was made flesh for us : became man to set us free : took on him the forme of a Servant : to sanctify , and redeeme us from sinne ( begun in our conception , and encreasing from our birth ) vouchsafed to be conceived in the Virgins wombe by the Holy Ghost , and to be borne the man of sorrowes , to suffer the severity of thy wrath against sinners : 't was he that dyed for our sinnes , and rose againe for our justification , that thereby he might pull out the sting of death , and change the judgements into fatherly corrections : 't was he that became a curse for us to redeeme us from the curse of the law , that by his stripes we might be healed , that the blessing ( the promise of the spirit the comforter ) might come on us , through faith in him : for his sake , holy Father , be reconciled to us : for his sake encline thy gracious cares to our prayers , now , according to thine own appointment , calling on thee . Thou hast indeed threatned the first sinner , to multiply her sorrowes in her travailes : and that sentence ( as the sinne in which we fell ) is become hereditary , in paines , sorrow , feare , and anguish : in these bitter effects of sinne , we acknowledge thy just judgements : but , Lord , correct us not in thine anger : consider the frailty and infirmity of this poor● dust and earth , wherewith thou hast clothed us : consider not what we have done , but what thy holy Sonne Jesus ( in that sacred flesh indivisibly united to the Godhead ) hath suffered for us : accept his obedience who hath done and suffered all things , which thy determinate counsaile had before all worlds appointed , for the worke of our redemption . We are unworthy to be heard , but , Lord , heare him ascended into heaven to take possession thereof for us , and now sitting at thy right hand , a faithfull mediator for us , and bearing the remembrance of us before thee ; he is truely God able to heare and help all them that call upon him faithfully ; and truly man , who hath had experience , and can be toucht with a sense of humane miseries : for his sake heare us speaking the same things to thee here on earth , which his own spirit ( helping our infirmities ) both dictateth to us from heaven , and presenteth to thee for us in heaven : Lord , for his sake helpe us : give us true and hearty repentance : assure us of our sinnes remission , and our discharge from the curse and rigor of the law : strengthen our Faith , give us assurance of thy favour and mercy toward us : shed abroad thy love in our hearts , that all things , even our sorrowes , may worke together for the best to us : in mercy asswage the sorrowes of this thy servant , with the comfortable assurance of an happy issue : give her patience to beare , and ability to overcome her tryalls . it was the word of justice which appointed this affliction ; but , Lord , whose mercy is over all thy workes , allay the rigor of that sentence : mitigate her paines , speake comfort to her soule , give a powerfull assistance to her weaknesse . O gracious father by the power of whose word , man is thus brought into the World , give her a speedy and safe deliverance : now that the child is come to the birth , give her strength to bring forth : to the encrease of thy Kingdome , through the new birth by water and the holy Ghost : to the comfort of thy now afflicted servant , the Fathers joy and the praise of thy holy name ; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour : Lord heare and grant these our Petitions , and what ever else thou knowest more needfull for us , through his merits in whom thou hast promised to heare us , in whose mediation and words we present and conclude our petitions saying .

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , &c.

A thanksgiving for a Woman after her Deliverance .

O Lord God of our salvation , who mercifully enclinedst thine eare unto us in our feare and distresse : who appointedst in thy Law that she should bring a paire of mourning Turtles , who had not a spotlesse Lamb for a sacrifice of thanks-giving : it is the same thy clemency , who wilt now accept their repentance , who have not that unblemished innocency which can abide the tryall of thy severe justice , and their hearty desire to be truely thankfull , who have nothing worthy thy acceptance to render unto thee : Lord therefore accept what thy selfe hast given us to bring before thee , an humble and hearty desire to returne thee the fruits of our hearts and lipps , the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving , as for all thy fatherly mercies , so particularly for that thou hast asswaged the sorrowes of this thy servant , with a comfortable Issue : that thou hast given her patience to beare , ability to overcome her tryalls , and strength to bring forth : that by thy mercy mitigating her paines , thou hast allayed the rigour of thy sentence , which thy justice pronounced : we acknowledge thee to be the only Lord , in whose hands are the Issues of life and death , the God of our health and salvation .

And now ô Lord perfect thine own worke : as thou hast delivered thy servant from her feare and sorrow , so give her an heart ever to trust and rejoyce in thee : as thou hast given her this fruit of the wombe , so make him an accession to the encrease of thy Kingdome , by the spirit of regeneration : sanctify him and keep him in his tender yeares from sinne and all the malitious assaults of the enemy ; give thy holy Angels charge over him to keep him in all his waies , that he may grow up in thy faith , feare , and love : so that in what ever condition thy good providence shall set him , his interest and assurance may be of his election and salvation in Christ Jesus .

Lord accomplish thy worke of mercy to thy servant : repaire her health and strength : give her a faithfull heart , carefully to imploy the same in thy service , and the holy education of those thou hast given her : assist her in the whole remainder of her life ; that she may pay all her vowes made to thee in her feare and trouble : let the tast of these bitter fruits of sinne give her a more fervent love to thy mercy pardoning it , and a greater hate to all that which offendeth thee : lead her in thy waies : teach her so to number her daies , that she may apply her heart unto wisedome : make her more and more fruitfull in all good workes , and zealous of thy lawes ; so that her life may appeare , not only restored , but also improoved and made more happy , to the glory of thy great name , the good example of others , who shall see , as thy worke of mercy on her , so the effects of that worke , the fruits of sanctity in her , to the further assurance of her conscience before thee , confirmed by the experience of thy mercy in her deliverance and preservation , and to the salvation of her body and soule to all eternity , through Jesus Christ our Lord and onely Saviour .

AMEN .

Directions for the Sick . CHAP. XXXV ,

§ . 1. As all afflictions sanctified , so sicknesse profitable for Gods children many waies . § , 2. How it may become so to us . § . 3. Duties of them that visit the sick .

1 THere is nothing constant in this world , but inconstancy and change of all things . a a Moriendi conditione nascimur . Greg. We are borne with a condition of dying : b b Nasci hic in corpore mortali , incipere aegrotare est . Aug. in Psal. 102. mortality beginneth with life ; ●our sicknesse with our health : we bring it from the wombe , as derived to us from our first parents , from the houre of whose transgression , death tooke date , and in the commencement of sicknesse , he began to dye , according c c Genes. 2. 17. to the sentence , from which he became mortall : and now d d Isay 40. 6. 7. 1 Pet. 1. 24. all flesh is grasse : and all the goodlinesse thereof as the flower of the feild : the grasse withereth , and the flower fadeth , quickly , and certainly , though insensibly : we perceive it soone withered , though we cannot mark by what degrees it changeth : so age and infirmity stealeth on .

2 The good God as he is severe , so is he mercifull : e e Aug. in Psal. 100. nec in bonitate miscric●rdi ●perdit judicii severit●●●● nec in judic●●●do , &c. neither loosing mercy in his justice , nor his justice in his mercy ▪ There is nothing which befalleth the elect , but it hath some good in it , f f Psal. 119. or by it to them accrewing . Concerning afflictions David saith , it is good for me that I have beene in trouble . The very death of the Saints ( bitter as it is to flesh and blood ) is mercy to them g g Rev. 14 ▪ 13. blessed are the dead which dye in the Lord — ) not only that they rest from their labours , but also in that it is to them the death of sinne and passage to eternall life : and so our h h Ips●n aegr●tudin●m quam nos ut tetram ac imma●●m belluam fugiendam esse &c. non sin● magnâ utilitat● à naturâ 〈◊〉 constitutam , ut homines 〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉 in delicto dolcrent . Cic. Tusc. q. l. 4. sicknesse is profitable ; though it be the rod of an almighty Father , it shall like Moses rod ( sometimes in the dreadfull shape of a serpent ) serve to divide the bitter waves and open us a passage to our eternall rest : and so the decayes of these earthly tabernacles shall daily bring us neerer to the repaire of our eternall building in heaven : therefore God sendeth sicknesse upon his dearest children , whom he could as easily have rescued from death , by a translation , as he did Enoch and Eliah : but hee maketh their sicknesse many waies pro●itable unto them : as by preparing them unto death , by repentance , and calling upon the Lord : by weaning them from the love of this life , by teaching them patience and subjection to the hand of God , whereas impatience , like the sea , turneth all that which falleth into it ( even the otherwise sweet and comfortable blessings of God ) into its own bitter relish : and humility : not to bee prowd of beauty , youth , strength , subject to so many diseases , as pose art it selfe , and overcome the old remedies , with accession of new sicknesses : so that it is true , i i — Et verum est : imb●●illi●●●●nim carnis , mentis vigore mexacuit , & affectis artubus , v●res corporum in virtutes trans feruntur animo rum : & mihi genus quoddam sanitatis esse videatur , hominem interdum non esse sanum — quanto imbecillior corpore , tanto purior sensu ▪ vincentibus carnem tuam morbis , mente vicisti . &c. Salvian . ep. 5. Bodily infirmities stir up the vigor of the minde and transmit the strength of body into it — so that it is a kinde of health sometimes to be unhealthy : diseases overcomming the body : the soule overcommeth sinne , sicknesse , is an harbinger or quartermaster to death , the monitor of our ends approaching , and that which taketh off the bewitching love of this world : the historians tell us of a kinde of fire , which rageth the more , by how much more water thou castest on ; k k Nec alio sopitur quam jactu pulveris . Solin . Maltha — aquis ●tiam accenditur terrâ tantum restingui docuêre experimenta . Plin. n. h. l. 2. 104 ibid. 106. it is quenched only by casting on of dust ; it may bee true in the morall : for such a kind of heat is there in the love of the world : the more thou givest it the more thou in●lamest it : it is quenched only with the dust of the grave , and that which bringeth thereto . The life of man is like a lovely rivers streame , neere the rising set with flowrie bancks , plants , houses , pleasant walkes , gardens , sweet meddowes , and delightfull seats : but if you follow it toward the end , you shall ●inde it more and more troublesome , stormy , deepe , dangerous , and so engul●ing into bitternesse : as the Lord permitted Israël to bitter pressures in Egypt , that they might more willingly depart thence toward the promised rest , so is it here : the healthy and prosperous say in their hearts as the Reubenites and Gadites . Numb. 32. 5. when they saw the pleasant Jazer , Aquisque conspersa acriores ●x●itat aestus incendiorum nec remedio ullo qua● superiacto pulvere consopitur Am. Mar●●ll . l. 23. and the fruitfull Gilead — if we have found grace in thy sight , let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession — they would not goe hence : now God though he give us sweet comforts in the first fruits of his spirit ( like clusters from Escol . Deut. 1. 24. 25. ) yet he embittereth our worldly delights : our places of pleasure are toucht with some griefe : our beds of rest become places of sicknesse and death . Eden was the theatre for mans first tragoedie ; Christ began his passion in a garden : the easterne people made their sepulchres in gardens , to teach them what may , and must come of their pleasures . Sicknesse maketh the prudent loath sinne in the sense of the bitter effects thereof : the victories of sinne are destructive ( if they are l l 2. Pet 2. 20. againe intangled therein , and overcome , the latter end is worse with them then the beginning ) as it was said in the name of those white sacrifices which m m 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 — Am. Marcel . l. 25. Marcus Caesar used to offer in his triumphs , if thou overcommest we perish ; we truely may say of sin : happy affliction therefore , which maketh us out of love with that , which cannot destroy except it overcome , nor overcome except we love it . Sicknesse awaketh us from security , except we are like those n n Nec uuln●ribus excitari possunt . Solin . c. 29. sleepy beares , which cannot be awaked , no not with wounds , and stirreth them up to seek the Lord , as hee saith o o Hos. 5. 15. in their affliction they will seeke me early . Though wicked p p 2. Chr. 16. 12. Asa in his great sicknesse , sought not to the Lord — Yet to the Saints , sicknesse is a sweet enditer of prayers : as it is written q q Psal. 86. 7. in the day of my trouble I will call upon thee — for thou wilt heare me . How many men for bodily sicknesse were brought to Christ , and had their soules cured ; who being in health lived in unbeleefe before ? Terrour of conscience , oppression , poverty , and sicknesse are profitable for the elect , in that they serve ( like those foure bearers of the r r Mark . 2● 3. paralyticall man ) to bring them to Christ .

That thou maist therefore make a right use of thy sicknesse , observe these rules . §. II.

1. Search thy heart , and turne unto the Lord in serious repentance : make thy peace with him quickly : considering the cause of thy sicknesse thy sinnes : s s 1. Cor. 11. 30 judge and condemne thy selfe for them , that God may acquit thee and render unto the Lord t t Ideo parcit ut corrigaris ▪ non us in malignitate per maneas . August , in Psal. 100. that for which he delivereth thee , if thou recover .

2 u u Isai. 38. 1. Set thy house in order and dispose of thy estate which God hath given thee , if thou have not before done it .

3 Use the help of the learned Physitian : but rely on God for the blessing on the meanes : there are divers pernitious errours in this case to be avoided : some to their losse neglect all meanes : these betray their own lives , undervallew Gods favours , and despise his ordinance in the good creatures made for the reliefe and recovery of the sick , and the w w Ecclus 38. 1. &c. Physitian who is to be honoured : some trust too much to second causes , neglecting the first : so did x x 2 King . 20. 7. Asa : some seeke to evill and unlawfull meanes Witches , Charmers , &c. so y y 2 Cing . 1. 2. Ahaziah sent to Baal-zebub , the idol of Ekron : some as f●olish , if not so wicked , seeke to the unskilfull and ignorant : trusting a pretious life into the hands of those , who without learning or calling , are many times venterous murderers , as if God were not the God of wisdome : and what wonder ; seeing upon the like hazard , they venture their immortall soule .

4 z z Math. 25. 41. Watch and pray , as in all estates , so specially in this , that as God hath given thee this warning to prepare thee to meet him , so , that he would sit thee for himselfe , and so sanctifie thy trialls , that they may better thee , and make thee ready for his kingdome : that he would restore thy health , and give thee an heart to make a more thankfull , prudent , and holy use thereof then thou hast formerly dore : to give thee patience , masure thy trials in mercy , proportion thy strength to the affliction , and to keep thee in life and death as one of his .

5 Endeavour , what humane infirmitie will permit to beare patiently , not stupidly , but in confidence of Gods mercy : For 1. Impatience is but an accession to thy griefe , so much worse then the disease , as the soule is better then the body ; and the distempers thereof more dangerous , then the bodily . 2. All that we now can suffer , commeth in●initely short of that we shall enjoy in Christ . 3. God can ( if he see it best ) deliver us from the greatest dangers . 4. He will lay no more upon us , then he will make us able to beare , and give and a a Cor. 10. 13. issue out of every triall . 5. Our sufferings ( if with patience ) are to his glory , as b b Joh. 9. 3. Joh. 11. 4. Christ said of some . 6. We must c c Acts 14. 22. through many trials enter into glory . 7. d d Hebr. 4. 15. Christ is toucht with a feeling of our misery . 8. These afflictions are but trialls , and exercises of our faith and patience . 9. Christ suffered in●initely more for thee . 10. Many of the Saints have e e Luk. 8. 43. Luk. 13. 11. Joh. 5. 5. Act. 14. 8. Act. 9. 33. suffered long infirmities . 11. As this earthly house of this tabernacle must , by little , and little , be destroyed , so must our afflictions therein have an end : so that they cannot last long : it is of excellent use to patience or moderation , to consider well in all temporall interest , how long we can suffer or enjoy . 12. Sicknesse is the soules physick : nothing will amend him whom sicknesse cannot we endure hard things patiently for the cure of the body : and what is the health thereof without the soules health ? Of what certainty or continuance is it at our best strength ? Are the flowers or bubles more fraile ? If we are wise we will not quarrell the bitternesse of the medicine so that wee may be recovered . 13. Hereby we learne what we owed to God for health , and in recovery , what use to make thereof , which is , that wee be truely thankfull ; that we more holily employ the same , knowing , that God restored us not to sin : that we accompt it lent us for a time , to prove us : ever remembring that wee must againe be sick and dye : that wee betray not the good health ( which God hath restored us , that we might serve him and be blessed ) to death , and selfe-destruction , by surfetting , drinking , gluttony , lust ; this is no better then selfe-murder : that wee learne in sommer to provide for winter , in the calme against the storme , in health against sicknesse . 14. f f Medicus si cessaverit curare , desperat libenter , nun● tormenta patiar , ut futura mihi gloria reservetur . Castrut . ep. 38. God doth herein that which he knoweth best for us , though flesh and blood be impatient : health hurteth many : how much more happily had the theefe , murderer , adulterer been upon his sick bed , then laying wait to sin ? Innocentius aegrotaret sceleratè sanus : this good is in sicknesse , it keepeth men more innocent . 15. The hand that smiteth us should make us patient , as g g 1 Sam. 3. 18. Eli said , it is the Lord , let him doe what seemeth him good : it cannot but bee best which he doth to his children : he cannot erre ; who correcteth those he loveth : it is h h lb. Hieron . q. 5. great anger when he smiteth not : where sin aboundeth without any apparent judgement : as it was i i 1 Sam. 2. 25. with Elies sons , who hearkned not unto the voice of their father , because the Lord would slay them .

6 Fix thy soule & affections on the life to come , meditate on the resurrection of the dead , & eternall life , Rev. 22. 33. where shall be no more sin , death , curse , sicknes , old age , or infirmity : where the tree of life Christ Jesus , is in the midest , to give eternall perpetuity of happines : so shalt thou be more willing to leave this miserable , inconstant world for heaven ▪ if God restore thee health , thou wilt pay thy vowes , and spend the remainder of thy life , more cheerfully in his service .

The duties of them that visit the sicke are §. III.

1. To remember them of the state of all men in sinne , and what neede they have of the grace in Christ : thereby to move them to repentance , an repaire of all injuries by them done to any .

2 To recount to them the promises of God in Christ , endeavouring to apply them to them : and to exhort them to a chearfull confession of the faith , to their own and others comfort , and confirmation .

3. To be instant with them , that they be reconciled to all , with whom they have had any enmity , or contention .

4. To dispose of their estates for the prevention of future controversies .

5. To comfort them against the feare of death , by those scriptures which have Gods promises for assistance in tryalls ; and and a serious pressing of the resurrection of the dead , and state of future glory .

6. To pray with them , and for them .

7. To moove them faithfully to vow ( if God restore them ) to live more holily and carefully : or patiently to beare their tryalls , and to expect constantly , the salvation and deliverance of the Lord .

A prayer for the sicke .

MOst holy , iust , and mercifull Lord God ; we thy unworthy servants ( according to thyne own gratious command , and promise to heare us calling on thee in the day of our trouble ) now appearing before thee , humbly acknowledge thy fatherly hand smiting us with sicknesse : thy corrections are just and so allayed with mercy , that thy chastisements are few to our numberlesse sinnes : thou mightest sodainly haue smitten us with death ( the wages of sinne ) and given us no more warning , after our many contempts of thy law threatning , and thy gospell promising , but haue permitted us to a sodaine perishing in our sins , whome thy long suffering , could not leade home to repentance : now therefore in thy judgment remember mercy : correct us not in thine anger , chasten us not in thy heavy displeasure : Thy holy sonne Jesus hath taught us to call thee Father : O let his spirit assure us that our afflictions are but fatherly chastisments , smiting that thou maist heale our soules , let them be occasions to make us judge our selves that we may not be condemned with an impenitent world : our soules have surfetted on the sweet blessings of health , and it is but just that thou now smitest us , with want thereof : it is mercy , by these stripes , to shew us our sinnes , and bring us to thy mercy seat , to beg pardon and obtaine remission , thou hast with in●inite & invincible patience , expected our repentance , and amendment : thou hast allured us with every daies favours powred out upon us : when that prevailed not , thou doest with greater mercy shew thy justice , and compell us by thy chastisements to come unto thee : we come now , gratious Father , as out-worne prodigalls driven home by necessity : but it is because when thou sawest us far off in our sinnes and miseries , thou madest hast to meet us with thy preventing grace , and embraced'st us with thy fatherly mercy : and what can wee now say more , then that we have sinned against heaven and against thee , and are no more worthy to be called thy sonnes : have mercy on us ; turne thy face from our sinnes blot out all our iniquities heale our soules , cloath us with the best robe of thy righteousnesse : make us as the meanest in thy kingdome : doe thy will with us in health or sicknesse , life or death , only let us be thine .

It was thy eternall counsaile to redeeme sinfull man , by thy sonne Christ Jesus by his righteousnesse to kill sinnes in the flesh : to give us eternall life by his death : and thou hast accomplished it in the appointed time : it remaineth only that thou wilt be pleased to apply the assurance thereof to our consciences , that after our afflictions , we may enjoy the quiet fruits of righteousnesse , the end of our faith , salvation of bodies and soules : O Lord we could looke for nothing but rejection from thy gracious presence for ever , if we were to appeare before thee in our deservings ; but now that we come in the spotlesse robe of thy sonne Christ his righteousnesse , wee are confident of the blessing ; because thou art faithfull in thy promises : for his sake cover our sinnes , let thy justice be satisfied in his merit , seale up the assurance of our pardon , by the spirit of truth which cannot deceave us make us fruitfull in all those workes which may give a comfortable testimony to our consciences , that we are thine : give us strength to fight the good fight , finish our course , and keep the faith against the fallacies of Satan , corruptions of flesh and blood , and seducements of an evill worldt : o continue grounded , and established , that wee may be certaine , that for us is laid up that immortall crowne of Righteousnesse , which thou wilt give at the last day to all that love thy appearing : meane time make us patient , cheerefully to endure our trialls ; give us hearts rightly composed to wait all the daies of our lives , till our changing come .

And now , O gracious Father , though wee are most unworthy to speake unto thee for our selves ; yet seeing thou hast commanded us to call upon thee one for another , with promise that the prayers for the righteous shall be available if they be fervent ; so that they shall save the sick ; that thou wilt raise them up , and if they have committed sinnes , they shall be forgiven them : we humbly pray thee for this our sick brother , Lord assure him of his sinnes remission by the merits of Christ Jesus , give him that peace of conscience and inward comfort of thy holy spirit , which may manifest thy favour and mercy to him . There is nothing impossible to thee which thou wilt doe , heare therefore and have mercy on him : only speake the word and blesse the meanes , that he may be healed : if otherwise thou hast determined , thy holy will be done : Lord who canst make all things happy to thy children , give him patience meekely to beare thy fatherly hand : remember whereof thou hast made fraile man : consider his infirmity , measure out his tryalls with that tender hand which best knoweth how to proportion the affliction , to that strength which thy selfe hast given him : O Lord God of all comfort , leave him not comfortlesse , but as the outward man decayeth strengthen the inward , suffer not the malicious tempter to cast down , or shake his confidence in Christ Jesus : let not the sonne of violence come neere him : as thou hast all his life time , from his mothers wombe unto this present , given thyne angells charge over him , to pitch their tents about him ; so be pleased in this time of tryall to open to him the eie of faith , whereby he may cleerely perceive that they are more and stronger with him , then can be against him . send the holy spirit , the comforter to his afflicted soule , to bring to memory , and apply all these gracious promises which thou hast made thine elect . Blessed Jesus , who hast therefore taken our fraile nature on thee , that thou mightst have experience of our miseries , who best knowest what it is to dy , having in thyne own death and bitterest passion overcome death and him that had the power thereof , to deliver us from sinne , and destruction the bitter fruite and effect therof : now appeare his comforter , assuring him of his interest in thy sufferings : give him such a sense of thy mercy , that the gates of hell may never prevaile against it : such experience of the life of thy spirit , and power by which thou didst rise againe from the dead , that hee may certainely know that his Redeemer liveth , and shall at last shew the same power in his resurrection , in which he shall , with the rest of thine elect , at the voyce of the last trumpet , be raised from the dust of the earth , to meet thee in the clouds of heaven , to see thee with those now languishing eyes , which must at and to the appointed time , be cloased to sleep in thee , that hee may rest from his labours . And now O Lord who hast hid from us the houre of our dissolution , that we might alwaies expect thee ; let thy good spirit , which sleepeth not , set a carefull watch over every one of our soules , that we may never sleepe without oyle in our lamps , but be ready at thy appearance to enter with thee into thy kingdom , where all sorrow shall cease in the fulnes of joy , faith in the fruition of thy promises , and this state of misery and corruption in a never ending life of glory and immortality . Lord heare and help us , Lord grant us these requests , and whatsoever else thou knowest more needfull , what thou hast promised , or we should aske , for thy Sonne Christ Jesus sake , in whose words and mediation we conclude our imperfect prayers :

Our Father which art in heaven , &c.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , &c.

Thanksgi●ing for health recovered .

O Lord God gracious and mercifull , aboundant in goodnesse and truth , heaven and earth sound out thy praise , all thy creatures tasting of thy providence , and preservation , praise thee : and what have I more to present thee with them , what can I lesse then my humble and hearty thanks for thy tender mercy toward me , whom thou hast therefore delivered from sicknesse and sorrowes of death , that I might yet live to glorifie thy name among the living ; and for the comfort of others , to declare what thou hast done for my poore soule : how thou hast raised me by casting mee down , and healed me , by wounding an afflicted conscience with a terrible sense of thy severe judgements : how thou didst sanctify my sicknesse , by giving me an heart to looke up to thy fatherly hand which smote me , to acknowledge my sinnes , for which thou correctedest me ; to repent me of the same , assured of thy mercy in Christ Jesus ; to resolve and vow to forsake all my sinfull waies ; to doe a more holy and faithfull endeavour to serve and please thee .

And now O Lord , I humbly pray thee enlarge my heart and tongue to praise and glorifie thy holy and great name : all things are of thee , and what can any creature give thee , but of thine owne hand ? Lord give mee that sacrifice of praise and thankesgiving , which may be acceptable to thee , that I may henceforth , not onely speake , but live thankefully and holily before thee : that I may pay my vowes which I made in my distresse and feare ; so that it may be good for me that I have beene afflicted , that I may in all temperance , and godlinesse make a right use of health restored me , and of the daies which thou addest to my life ; to thy glory and the comfortable assurance of my conscience , both in life and death . That thou who hast begun to shew mercy , maist be pleased to continue the same in thy gratious preservation of me ; so that at my last houre which thou hast appointed me ; the former experience of thy mercy may give me a sound hope and full assurance , that thou wilt keepe me unto , and in my end : that when this house of clay shall be dissolved , I shall rest with my Saviour Jesus Christ , untill the time determined , to raise the dead in him , to the life of glory , in which our Forerunner now sitteth at thy right hand : to whom with thee , ( O Father of mercy , and God of all consolation ) and the holy spirit , bee rendred all honour , praise , and glory , in Heaven and on Earth , for ever and ever .

AMEN .

A Prayer for the sicke of the Plague .

O Allmighty God great and terrjble in thy judgments , yet of infinite mercy and compassion to those who truly seeke thee : wee humbly acknowledge that not only this plague wherein thou now afflictest this land , is due unto our sinnes ; but also allother thy severe judgments to our destruction and desolation , and to whome shall we seek for helpe , but to the , whome we haue so continually provoked by our sinnes . O Lord , thou art a God of mercy , and wouldst not destroy but the importunitie of our sinnes , hath put this heavy rod into thy hands : and our iniquities have so much d●faced thy glorious Image in us , that thou maist justly hide away thy face from our miseries , & no more owne us for thy Children : but , O Lord , our onely hope is in the merit and mediation of thy sonne Jesus Christ , whome thou gavest to death for us : it is he , O Lord , who beareth all our names in his secret brest-plate it is he that appeareth hefore thee for us ▪ let our petitions ascend to thy throne of mercy like sweet incense from the precious censer of his merits : it is he who standeth betweene the living and the dead . O let this plague which now consumeth us be stayed : Lord looke not on our sinnes , but his merits in whome thou art well pleased : for his sake , in whome we beleeve , and whose holy name we beare , say unto the destroying angell it is enough ; cause him to sheath the sword againe , and let this plague cease .

Lord God of all consolation comfort all those whom thou hast smitten with the infection : heale them that they may recover , and praise thy glorious name : however thou shalt be pleased to deale with their mortall bodies speake peace to their soules and save them , give them full assurance of thy mercy and their redemption in Christ Jesus : let thy holy spirit the comforter ever remaine with them , to pr●serue them against all the malitious assaults of the adversary ( that he may never make his advantages , on their surrowes , infirmities , or the distracting and astonishing violence of their disease : comfort them at the last gaspe , and breathing out their afflicted soules , with present sense and assurance of the eternall joyes in thy Kingdome , free from death , sicknesse , sorrow , feare , and all the wretched effects of sinne : preserue those whom thou hast hitherto spared let no plague come nigh their dwelling , and make them in their preservation understand , that thou only hast kept them to serve thee more carefully and thankefully ; and to shew mercy to those who are visited and shut up . Lord heare and help us : Lord spare thy people and restore us health , that we may glorifie thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord .

AMEN .

A Thanksgiving at the ceasing of the plague .

GRatious God and mercifull Father ; we are come before thee with an humble and hearty desire to present an acceptable sacrifice , of praise and thanksgiving unto thy holy Majestie for all thy gracious mercies spirituall and temporall bestowed upon us unworthy of the least of them : it was thy free mercy not our merit , that electedst us when we were not , that thou createdst us to thine own holy image : that thou redeemest us ; that thou didst sanctify and justify us : that thou hast preserved us , sparing us , when now thy fierce wrath came our against us in a noisome and devouring pestilence ; that thou was pleased to regard our teares , and accept our unworthy humiliation : all this was thy free mercy : had we suffered as we have all deserved , not one of the multitude apearing before thee this day , had beene left alive to have praised thee . And now , O thou Saviour of Israel in the time of trouble , and the blessed preserver of man , whose mercies are as the unsounded deeps and can never be drawn dry , give us sanctified bodies and soules , that we may render them ( which thou hast redeemed from death ) a living sacrifice , holy and acceptable unto thee . Lord who hast the key of David ( who sang thy praises ) opening so , that none can shut ; open our lips , that our mouths may shew forth thy praise , that we may now pay all our vows , in our distresse and feare made unto thee . As thou hast put a new song of thansgiving into our mouthes ; so give us new hearts , new obedience , new lives and conversations : renew thy covenant with us and with our children , to be our God , and protector , untill thou shalt be pleased to translate us to that Kingdome of thy Sonne ; where shall be joy secure from feare of loosing , health without sicknesse , life without death , blessednesse without all measure or end : where we , whose hearts and soules this day praise thee , shall with thy holy angels sing eternall Hallelu-jahs to the glory of thy great name , through the merits of thy holy Son Jesus Christ our Lord : to whom with thee O Father of mercy , and the Holy Ghost the Comforter , be rendred all honour , praise , thanksgiving , and glory , in heaven and earth this day , and to all eternity .

AMEN .

Another forme of thanksgiving on the like occasion .

O Lord God , Father of mercy and compassion , we humbly acknowledge that our sinnes have beene so great and grievous , that when thy wrath went out against us in thy late dreadfull visitation by the pl●gue of pestilence , it might justly have consumed us , the aged with the infant , the mother with the child , untill thou hadst laid our habitations wast , and our cities without inhabitants : but seeing thou hast been pleased to remember mercy in the midst of thy judgements , and to spare our lives from destruction , we can do no lesse ( nor more ) then present our humble and hearty thankes unto thee in the congregation of thy people : what shall wee give thee for all thy mercies ? what can we , seeing our goods are nothing unto thee ? we have nothing but thankes to returne thee ; nor could we that , except thou gavest us hearts and tongues so to doe : Lord make us thankfull : give us that we may give thee again , and be acceptable unto thee : fill our hearts with thy feare and love , and our mouthes with thy praise , let it come up into thy presence , as the sweete incense from the Censer of the great Angell of thy covenant Christ Jesus . Be thou pleased through his mediation , to smell a favour of rest , that thy severe judgements may be turned to mercies , and fatherly corrections for our amendment , that wee may truely profit thereby : that we may feare and reverence thy just judgements , and praise thee for thy elemency and mercy which thou hast shewed unto us in this deliverance .

Particularly we blesse thy holy name , for these thy servants , who now appeare before thee , with their sacrifice of praise end thonkesgiving , for that thou hast spared and delivered them , from the grave and destruction , which was come up into their houses . Lord now grant them true thankefulnesse , with holy and constant resolutions , to spend the remainder of their daies , to the glory of thy great name and good example of their brethren . And seeing thou hast given us all the same argument of thankesgiving , whom thou hast preserved and kept further off from the noisome contagion ; we pray thee also to accept our oblation of praise : set our hearts to meditate , and our tongues to sound out those praises to thy holy name , which wee shall through thy mercy in Christ , sing to thee for ever , in the sacred Quieres of Saints and Angells in thy kingdome of glory : which grant us O good Lord for the same thy sonne our Sauiour Jesus Christ his sake who with thee and the holy spirit , liveth and reigneth , one glorious God for ever and ever .

AMEN .

CHAP. XXXVI .

Meditations concerning death . § . 1. Seeing all must dye ; how to prepare that death may not be terrible ? § . 2. Meanes to comfort in the death of deare friends . § . 3. Comforts against death .

THat needeth no proofe whereof all are examples to themselves : such is that easiest , and hardest lesson , that a a Cui nasci contigit restat mori — Prima q●ae vitam dedit hora , carpsit Sen. Herc. Fur. All must dye ; that death is the undoubted issue of sinne : that it is a separation of the soule from the body for a time ▪ But because it b b Motu quodam continuo 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 properamus 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Basil. in Psal. 1. quotidi● morimur quotidie commutamur &c. Hi●ron . Heliodor . l. 2. ep. 24. Quetidie morimur , quotidiè enim demitur aliqua pars vitae , & tunc quoque c●● crescimus vita decrescit . Sen. ep. 24. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theophrast . apud Lae●t . l. 5. stealeth on ( as they that sleepe in a ship undersaile , arrive at their port . while they thinke not of going : so goe wee with a restlesse pace to that same terra incognita , the unknowne limit of our present life consuming while we are not sensible thereof ) and because it is terrible to flesh and blood , the maine care must be to knowe ,

1 What preparation we are to make , that neither life may be tedious , nor death terrible ?

2 How to comfort our selves against it , in case of sorrow for others ?

3 How we must be comforted against feare of death ?

We must prepare for death , because — c c Hccles . 11. 3. in the place where the tree falleth , there it shall be : as death leaveth us , judgement shall finde us ; now as the passage to the promised rest ( which was a type of heaven to the Israël of God ) was d d 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . terrible ; so is this to heaven : we are presently ripe ( though not ready ) for death : all are subject to this pale prince , to whom we are going every moment : this day wee now live wee divide with death ; that which is past thereof being unrecoverably gone , rhe houre is e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Deut. 1. 19. 2. Pet. 3. 10. uncertaine ; but they are certainly f f Luk. 12. 37. happy who are then provided , thou wouldst watch against the comming of theeves , who can take nothing from thee but only that which a little time must ; what a stupid security is it , not to watch and provide against death which thou knowest will certainly and quickly come , and take away , body , soule , heaven and all , to eternity from the secure sinner ? Thinkest thou of youth and strength ? Alas how many young and strong men have died before thee ? Doest thou in others funeralls , thinke ( as the Pharise said ) I am g g L●k. 18. 11. not as other men ? What priviledge hast thou ? Let not Satan delude thee , but prepare for the day , that it may bee thy happiest .

To prepare so that thou maist not feare death ; it is necessary that thou ,

1 Put thy house in order , so that when the houre is come , that thou shalt be taken hence , all secular cares falling off like Eliahs mantle , thou maist quietly fix thy minde on those things which are above , to which thou art going .

2. That thou alwaies keepe innocency : for so thy end shall be peace : Psal. 37. 37. The sting of death is sinne ( 1. Cor. 15. 56. and h h 〈…〉 Chrysost in . 1. Cor. 15. more greivous then it ) into which when our first parents fell , they became mortall : and so i i Rom. 5. 12. death went over all , for as much as all have sinned : so , that which was k k Pro●●ag ●itudi ne qui●● . culpae illius n●tur● dānatio 〈◊〉 in peius : 〈◊〉 quòd 〈…〉 sit in pecc●ntibus ●●●inibus primis 〈◊〉 nuturalitèr sequeretur in nasientibus caeteris . August de . ● De● . 13. ● . 3. their punishment , became naturall to all borne of them . The best preparation against death , is as much as we can to avoid the cause thereof ; but for which , as it l l Fui●s●t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Occumen in Cor 1. 15. could never have prevailed , so neither can it now be terrible : what is the serpent when his venemous teeth are broken , or his sting pulled out ? & what is death to those who are fully assured of their sinnes remission ? death where is thy sting , cryed Paul m m Propheta ex persona justorum l●quitur insulta●ium morti . Hicron . in 1. Cor. 15. Ambros. ib. certaine of victory in Christ ; and insulting over death : otherwise even n n Laërt . l. 2. Aristippus ( how excellently soever disputing of the contempt of death ) will looke pale in the storme at sea : yea where some remaindes of the first Adam appeare , and therein some degrees of unbeleefe , the saints thinke of death , as o o Gen. 28. 17. Jacob said of his Luz , how dreadfull is this place — this is the gate of heaven for the guilt of sin presenteth the conscience with apprehension and feare of Gods anger , as faith doth with confidence of attonement in Christ : hence is the conflict in the soule ( desiring to be with Christ ) and flesh and blood naturally fearing its owne destruction look how Moses assured that the rod turn'd into a serpent should not sting him , yet fled it , & with a kind of fearfull willingnesse tooke it up : so is it here : the guilt of sinne afflicting the conscience is the onely terrour of death : therefore p p 1 Sam. 29. 4. as the Philistins said of David , we may say of it , let him not goe downe into the battel with us , lest he be an enemy to us , sinne is the mother of unbeliefe feare and doubting : it leaveth the conscience wounded and affrighted with feare of judgment ; whereof death is but the execution , most embittred with present sorrow and apprehension of the future , which q q Mala mors putanda non est , quam bona vita praecesserit : neque enim facit malam mortem , nisi quod sequitur mortem . Aug. de C. Dei . l. 1. c. 11. maketh death evill , r r Antithen : apud D. La●rt . that can be no evill death whith endeth a good life the heathen could say that they that will be immortall , must live holily and justly ; if thou feare death so . But why ( may some say is not death the punishment of sinne , taken away from those who by the grace of regeneration are acquitted from the guilt of sinne ? We must know s s Adhuc relinqui animam experimentum s●parationis à cappore , quamvis oblato ●am criminis nexu : quoniam si regenerationis Sacramentum continuò equeretur immortalitas corporis , ipsa fides enervaretur , quae tunc est fides , quando expectatur in spe . qnod in re nondum videtur , fid●i autem r●bore atque certamine , in majoribus duntaxat aetatibus , etiam mortis fu●rat superandus timor , quod in sanctis martyribus maxime emieuit : cujus profecto certaminis nulla esset victoria , nulla gloria , quia nec ipsum omninò posset esse certamen , si post lava●rum regenerationis jam sancti non possent mortem perpeti corporal●m — nunc verò majore ac mirabiliore gratiâ salvatoris , in usum justitiae pecc●ti poena conversa est : tunc enim dictum est homini : morieris si p●●caveris : nunc dicitur martyri : morcre ne p●●●cs — Aug. de C. Dei l. 13. c. 4. that if the bodies immortalitie should ever presently follow the sacrament of regeneration , faith it selfe should be enervated , which then hath being when it expecteth that in hope , which is not yet actually seen : also the feare of death must be overcome , by the strength and conflict of faith in men of ripe yeares , as it appeared in the Martyres ; wherein there could be neither victory nor glory , if no conflict , as there could not be , if the Saints had present immunity from bodily death , who would not then runne to the grace of Christ with infants to be baptised , that they might not dye ? And so should faith not be tryed by an invisible reward ; nor indeed by faith , in that , it now sought and obtained reward . But now by a greater and more admirable grace of our Savicur the punishment of sinne is converted to the use of righteousnesse : for then it was said to man : if thou sinne thou shalt dye : but now it is said to the martyr , dye that thou maist not sinne — so by the unspeakable mercy of God the very punishment of sinne became the armour of vertue : and so death which endeth this mortall and sinfull life becommeth a passage to the eternall , in which shall be no sinne : and so the punishment is turned into mercy ; t t 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c. Ita paena ipsa in misericordiam cessit . G. Nazian. orat 42. and death become againe ; by which , sinne and misery are cut off , lest the evill should be immortall .

3 It is necessary that thou strive u u 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Antist apud Laëit . to live an heavenly life in all godlinesse to w w Colos 3. 1. set thy affections on things above : to reckon that thou art here but a x x Psal. 119. 19. pilgrime and stranger , not having in this world any y y Hebr. 13. 14. Mich. 2. 10. continuing city : that thou art a z z Ephes. 2. 19. fellow citizen with the Saints , and of the houshold of God : that being here in this a a 2 Cor 5. 6. earthly tabernacle , thou art absent from the Lord : thus resolved , thou shalt bee willing to be dissolved , that thou maist live with Christ ; b b Math. 17. 4. Petrus aspiciens-Dominicae resurrectionis gloriam nolebat descendere , &c. Ambros. Irenae ep. 11. when Peter saw onely a glimpse of the future glory in Christ's transfiguration on the mount , he cryed out , it is good for us to be here — let us make here three tabernacles : he shall easily contemne death , whose love and desires are fixed on heaven : so travellers regard not dangerous and rough waies , that they may come home : death is c c Mors corporalis dum quia quae quis possidet cum amore , non relinquit sinc dolore . Hug. de Sanct. Victor . Miscel. l. 2. c. 26 greivous to the lovers of the world .

4 Consider the advantages that death shall bring thee : it shall quit thee from all sicknesse , sorrow , feare of dying , and all those temporall calamities , which flesh and blood now groaneth under : instead of earth and these transitory things ( which at best serve but to necessitie , and perish in their use ) it shall invest thee in the heavenly , d d 1 Cor. 2. 9. which excell all present thoughts of man : it shall set thee free from sinne , e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Chrysost. and make thee a perfect servant of God The husbandman is content to cast his pretious graine into the earth , where hee knoweth it must perish , because hee is assured it shall rise againe with encrease and advantage to him . Whereas f f Joh. 12. 24. if it dye not it abideth alone : how much more should the gaine of heaven make us willing to part with this vaine and evill world : therefore g g Just. Martyr . Apol. 1. Lucius the martyr thanked Vrbicius , because bydeath , freeing him from wicked maisters , he sent him to God the father .

5 It is necessary that thou h h Vive memor Iethi , &c. often thinke on death , i i Velimus , nolimus , abesse lo●giùs non potest . Hieron . l. 2. ep. 24. which will we , nill we cannot be farre off . k k Facilè contemnit omnia quise semper cogitat moriturum , ib. Paulino l. 2. ep. 2. Easily shall he contemne all secular things who alwaies thinketh he must dye . l l Effice morttem tibi cogitatione familiarem Sen. Make death familiar to thee m m Ut mortem nunquam ●im●as , s●mper cogita . ib. ep. 30. f. by often thinking of it : the tempter once said , yee shall not dye at all ; hee knoweth it were a folly to say so now , experience teaching the contrary : yet now he doth what he possibly can , to put death out of the sinners memory ; now he perswadeth them , they shall not dye these many yeares : hereby he first leadeth into security of sinning , and at last into despaire by sodain terrours of unexpected death . But when God gave Israël Manna , he had them gather only as much as would suf●ice for a day , because hee would have them to expect death , that they might not provide for the morrow . So taught he us to pray for daily bread n n Math 6. 11. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Theoph , in Math 6. to take away care for the morrow . Truely the o o Platonis sententia est , omnem sapientium vitam meditationem esse mortis . H●eron . Heliod. ep. 24. l. 2. whole life of a wise man , should be a meditation of death .

6 Because the houre is hidden from thee , watch for it . p p Horam vero ultimam dominus ● oster i●circò voluit nobis esse incognitam , ut semper possit esse suspecta , ut dum illam praevidere non possumus , ad illam sine imtermissione praeparemur . Gregor. Hom. 13. in Luk. 12. God hath not revealed it , that wee might expect it every houre . And he calleth men of all ages that q q Ut pendulae expectatio●is incerto , semper eum ereda● esse venturum , quem ignorant quando ventures sit . Hieron . in Math. 24. 44. none might bee secure : it is r r Incertum est quo te loco mors expectat : itaque tu illam omni loco expecta . Senec. ep. 26. uncertaine where death expecteth thee , therefore looke for it every where : it is as uncertaine when : therefore s s Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum . Hor. 1. ep. live every day as if it were thy last . When thou goest to sleep reckon ( as Pa●uvi●s woont ) that thou ( t ) hast lived thy time : if God give more daies make good use of them : he is the most secure , and happy possessour of himselfe , who without solicitousnesse expecteth the morrow . He that saith he hath lived riseth every day to a new gaine . It is a chiefe part of deaths bitternesse , that it commeth sodainly upon him who promised himselfe a longer life : the best way to make it tolerable , is to render thy minde to a present expectation of it .

7 Patiently subject to that which must be : and use thy best skill that it may be well with thee . The u u Bla●diente aurâ navim regit ultimus naut● , in confusione ventorum , primi quaeritur ars magistri . Pet. Chrysost. Serm. 20. goodnesse of the Pilot is seene in the storme , and the wisdome of a man in the greatest triall . Meekly submit to that to which all the world is liable : Zerx●s is reported to have wept , when he saw his numerous army ; remembring that in a little time , they must bee all dead : w w 〈◊〉 possemus in 〈…〉 dere speculam , de qu● nu●●rsam terram sub nostris pedibus ●crneremus 〈◊〉 tibi ostender●m totius Orbis ruinas : gentes gentibus , & regnis regna collisa : alios torqueri , alios necari , alios absorberi ●iuctibus , &c. totius mundi homines qui nunc vivunt in brevi spatio de suturos . Hieron . Heliodor ▪ ep. 24. l. 2. if we could view all the world at once , what calamities and destructions should we see ? Nation against nation , kingdome clashing against kingdome : some gasping under cruell tormenters hands : some swallowing up of the deafe sea : some in their birth : some breathing their last ; all ere long peperishing : as all the starres , greater and lesser , in larger and smaler orbs , doe finish their courses , and set in their appointed times ▪ so men of all conditions dye : death x x Mors aequalis est onmib●s , &c. Ambros. de de ●id . resur . c. 2. aequo pede pul sat pauperum tabernus regumque turres , &c. Hor. equally knocketh at the cottage , and palace doore ; sparing no estate ( it is so appointed y y Heb. 9. 27. appointed all must dye ) it pittieth not the poore , nor spareth the rich : it regardeth neither z z Eccles. 2. 15. 16. fatua sit virgo , prndcns sit virgo , somnum mortis omnes pati●●tur . Augustin , de verb. Dei , Ser. 22. wisdome valour , excellency : a a Nam qui id quod vitari non potest , metuit , is vivere animo quieto nullo modo potest : sed qui non modo quia necesse est mori , verum etiam quia nihil habet mors quod sit horrendum ; mor●em non timet , magnum is sibi praesidium ad beatam vitam comparat : Cic : Tusc. q. l. 2. it is folly to have for exemption from its rigid , and inevitable law , which hath past on b b Quod a●tem omnibus necesse est ; idne miserum esse uni potest . ib. l. 1. f. all thy fathers before thee , thy friends besides thee , and shall take away all thou leavest behinde thee . Toward death thou goest every moment , and canst not stay till thou fall to the earth : now too much feare of death depriveth , not only of the comfort , but also of the fruits of life , and vaine struggling under the burden ( which thou canst neither cast off by any impatience , nor comfortably beare without a cheerefull subjection to necessitie ) maketh it more heavy , know thy condition , and that thou hast not only many , but all men partners therein . When they told Anaxagoras of the sentence of death pronounced against him ; he replied it is the same which nature long since pronounced on them and me .

8 Strive for sound ●aith : the onely cure for an c c Num. 21. 8. Israëlite stung with a fiery serpent was , looking up to the brazen serpent : the morall is , that the onely remedy against the sting of death , is to look up d d Joh. 3. 14. 15. to Christ , the resurrection of life , who by dying hath conquered death , and the tyrant that had the power of death : so that they that e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . — Athanas. de incarn . verb. Dei . Act. 28. 5. 6. Exod. 7. 12. Exod. 14. 16. 21. 22. naturally feare it , believing in Christ , looke on it as children use to gaze upon some fierce enemie vanquished , and led in chaines : to the believer , death is but like the Melita viper , more feare then danger : like Moses serpent , terrible , but eating up the worlds enchanters serpent , and becomming a key to let us into our rest : certainly if there be any evill in death , it is onely to the evill , and unbeliever : be thou good and faithfull , and it cannot hurt thee , it must benefit thee ; the faithfull thinke of their deaths f f 2 Tim. 4. 7. Ideo sibi de morte ipsa gratulatus , quia sit veluti studii sui meta . Calvin . in loc. as of their journeyes end .

9 Looke for thy conforts agaist death in Gods Word , which onely is infallible : the g g Legimus Crantorem , cujus volumen ad con●ovendum dolorem suum sequutus est Cieero : Platonis , Diogenis , clitomachi , Carneadis , Possidoni● , ad sedandos luctus &c. Hieron . Heliodor . l. 2. ep. 24. Heathens had many false and unsound comforts against death ; as assiming it to be but a sleepe , or h h Mortem esse absolutam refrigerationem● Aristot. apud Plu●arc . de placit . Philosoph . l. 5. c. 25. refreshing , an haven , and refuge to which they desired to come ; a i i Portum paratum nobis , & perfugium putemus , quo utinam velis passis perv●hi liceat : sin res●antibus ventis rejiciemur , tamen ●od●m paulò tardiùs referamur necesse est . Tusc. q. l. 1. fin● . pleasant journey , after which there k k Quam illud iter jucundum esse debet , quo confecto , nulla reliqua ●nra , nulla sollicitudo futura sit . ib. shall be no more care , and discoursing confidently of the ●oules immortality , all which served possibly to appease a beguiled soule , ready to be cast into hell fire ; not much unlike those African l l Minuc : Fel. Octav. mothers lullabies who ( as we noted ) use to still their weeping babes which they offered to Molocke , with songs and kisses , that they might not cast à crying sacrifice into those flames ▪ no better m m Aug. de Civ : Dei : l , 1. c. 22. Cic: Tus● : q : l. 1. was Plato his admired discourse of the soules eternity to Cleombrotus , which when hee had read , hee cast himselfe into the sea : what ever other speculations they had ; with n n Moriturus pronunciavit hos versus , &c. animula , vagula , blandula , hospes , comesque corporis : quae nunc abi●is in locam● spallidula , rigida , nudula , &c. Ae●● Spartian : Hadrian : Caesar : Adrian Caesars uncertainty , what should become of the soule after death ; there could be no solid and true comfort in it : nor can any thing be so infallible as to comfort an afflicted soule in death , but that onely which God saith : where that pronounceth , o o Rev: 14. 13. blessed are the dead : their spirits p p ● Thess. 4. 14. rest in Christ , they q q Joh: 12. 23. shall rise againe and see God in r r Job . 19. 26. 27. the same flesh ; we may rest assured of those comforts : s s Math: 5. 18. Luk. 16 : 17. heaven and earth shall passe away , but no tittle of Gods Word shall faile .

10 Repent and turne unto the Lord quickly : deferre not with the t t Math: 25. 11. 12. foolish virgins , untill the bridegroome come : it will be too late to knocke when the doore of mercy is shut up : remember that profane u u Heb: 12. 16. 17. Esau sought the blessing too late : w w Qui poenitenti veniam spospondit , peccanti diem crastinum non promisit : si fugere vis venturam iram : fuge dum sanus es : quia in morte fuga est gravis , post mortem verò non est omnino possibilis : mala enim quae in vita fugere voluisti , post mortem etiamsi volueris , declinare non poteris : sequentur enim illic retributione , quae hic delectatione committuntur . Hugo de Sanct: Victor : Miscel : 1 : r. tit : 78. he that hath promised mercy to the penitent , hath not promised thee to morrow : nor to give thee an heart to repent then . Fly youthfull lusts , 2 Tim. 2. 22. but as the Angell said to Lot going out of Sodome , Genes. 19. 22. ) Hast thee : now while thou art in health fly from the wrath to come : in death thy slight will be heavy : after death impossible : the evill thou wilt not now fly ; thou canst not then ; those things which thou here committest with delight , shall there follow thee with revenge . x x Semper ergo extremum diem debemus metuero , quem nunquam possumus praevidere : Greg : hom: 12. Ever feare least this day may be the last ; because thou art not sure thou shalt live to morrow : how many seeming healthfull , how many young and strong , hast thou knowne sodainly taken away ? If thy youth be past in sinne , yet amend thy age : y y Beatus planè qui vel in Senectute correxit errorem : beatus qui vel sub ictu mortis animum convertit à vitiis : Ambros : orat funeb : de obit: Valent Happy shall he be who under the stroke of death , can with the penitent theefe turne unto the Lord .

11 So ever behave thy selfe towards men , that thou needest not be ashamed to live longer , and so make thy peace with God , that thou maist not feare to dye ▪ ( As dying z z Moriturus ad circumstantes Sacerdotes dixit : non sic vixi , ac me pudcat inter vo● vivere , nec mori tim●o , qui bonum habemus dominum . Possidonius de vita Augustini . Ambrose said ) because we have a good God . a a Non sic vixi . &c : hoc enim , dixerat ad illud quod homines nosce poterant . — Scie ns examen aequitatis divinae , de bono Domino se dicit magis , quam de meritis suis confidere : ib: Possid : Knowing the strict examination of Gods justice ; he saith he trusted in the good God , not in any merits of his own ; though men knew nothing of him , whereof he might be ashamed . It is an happy temper of the minde , wherein we neither b b Mortem optare malum , timere pejus . Senec. Oedip. wish , nor feare to dye . The misery of the unbeleever is , that being weary of life , he is yet afraid of death . Only assurance of thy sinnes remission , and eternall salvation in Christ , can give thee comfort against , and in death seeke thy peace with God through him .

To comfort our selves in our deare friends death , Sect. II the rule is , c c 1 Thes: 4. 13. that we sorrow not as men without hope : d d Est enim ptis affectibus quaedam etiam flendi voluptas : & plerumque gravis evaporat dolor . Ambros. orat : funeb : de obitu Valent. sorrow we may , that is , e e Humanum est humanis cas●bus ingemescere . Herodian . humane sorrow hath its place in man , f f Joh: 11. 35. and justification in Christs teares at Lazarus grave : but it must hold a mean : the Saints have mourned for the dead ; but moderatly and not without the resolution which David expressed . 2. Sam. 12. 23. I shall goe to him , but he shall not returne to me : least too g g Ubertim fluentes lacrymas reprime , ne grandis pietas in nepotem , apud incredulas mentes , desperatio putetur in Deum desiderandus est tibi : quasi absens , non quasi mortuus , ut illum expectare , non amisisse videaris . Hieron : l. 2. ep: 24. H●liodor . much affection should be mistaken ; h h Quorum alter amissit duobus filiis , coronatus in concione disseruit , &c. ib: Hieron . and piety toward the dead , misconstrued by unbeleevers , for dispaire in God . The apathie of ( Pericles , Zenophon , and others in their sonnes deaths , are not examples for us

The meanes to comfort herein , is

1 To consider and firmely beleeve , that they are but gone before us , they are not lost : that the living body , which thou now sowest with teares shall rise againe with joy , a glorified creature : that we shall meet in heaven and never part againe , and that with greater advantage of love and perfection : the most perfect secular amity hath some bitternesse , because the best have some imperfection : but there shall bee nothing in friends to grieve and discontent each other , because no sinne , nor imperfection . Now i i Cum constet de resurrectione mortuorum , vocat dolor mentis : 〈◊〉 impa●entia doloris : cur enim doleas si peri●sse non credis ? cur impatienter feras subductum interim , quem credis reversurum ? profectio est quam pu●as mortem cur enim immoderatè feras abiisse , quem mox subsequeris ? Tertul de patient : c. 9. if wee are indeed confident of such a resurrection why should we bewaile the dead ? Why too much , if we believe they are not lost ? Why should wee impatiently take it that they are withdrawne for a time , whom we beleeve returning to eternity ? Why should we immoderatly grieve that our friends goe before us , seeing wee must quickly followe them ?

2 To consider that thou lamentest k k Desiderium absentiae ejus ferre non possumus : non illius sed nostram vicem dolentes : quantò ille felictor &c. Hieronym : q : S. thine own losse , not thy good friends : wherein , as I said thou shouldst rationally rejoyce , rather that thou hadst such a one , then mourne that hee is gone to God : could the deceased Saint for whom thou grievest , but heare and speake from heaven to thee , what would he else say , then that which our blessed Saviour ( going to overcome death by dying ) said to the daughters of Jerusalem , weepe not for mee , but weepe for your selves l l Illa verò cum jam co venerit ubi nullus est dolori locus : nihil nostro opus habet dolore . Plutar : cons : ad uxorem . They need not ever sorrow , who are arrived there , where there can be no sorrow .

3 To consider what state wee have in any thing secular ; and for what terme ? what canst thou so call thine , as being certaine thou shalt enjoy it one day more ? and shal , we , for want of wisedome ( to hold these temporall blessings with a loose hand , ready to let goe when God will resume ) make them bitter to us also ? did our deare friends qualities therefore delight us when they lived with us ; that their memory might afflict us when they are deceased ? m m 〈…〉 Telamon and Anaxagoras knew but they had mortall children ; and shall not wee know that our immortality is not here , but in the world to come ? It is a shame to Christians if their n n Si non praestet ( des , quod exhibuit infideli●as . Hieron . q. S. faith come short of others infidelity : o o ●●nnius apud Ci● : de senect. Non esse lugendam mortem censct . quam immortalitas consequitur . Heathens could say that we ought not to bewaile that death which immortalitie followeth : that p p Ego nostros par●ntes — vivere arbitror , & eam quidem vitam quae est sola vita nominanda . ib. the deceased lived a more happy life , that the soule is divine and heavenly : how unexcusable is it for us to thinke , the Saints were made for earth onely , and to be imprisoned in these houses of clay for ever ? q q Condonamus dilectioni liber●rum desiderium honorem , & memorium de●unctorum ; sed lug●●i 〈◊〉 cupiditas , ab lametationes pl●●ctusque provehens ; non minus turpis est quam in temperantia voluptatum . Plut● cōsol. ad uxorē . They condemned immoderate sorrow for the dead : how doe we bewray our carnall dissidence , or perverse affections in our excesse when we grieve for them who are incomparably more happy then we ? They stand on the blessed shore , expecting our arrivall from this sea of glasse mingled with ●ire . And who can say that those new inhabitants of the heavenly Jerusalem , doe not daily looke for us among the happy soules , as Joseph and Mary sought Christ at the earthly ? The old Massilians buried their dead without mourning . The Easterne people with r r Math. 9. 23. ( In funere Paulae , inquit Hieron . ) Hebraeo , Graeco , Latino , Syroque Scri●one , Psalmì in ordine personabant , non solùm triduo . &c. Hier. To. 1. ad ●ustoc : Epit. Paulae . & in Epitaph Fabiolae , ad Oceanum , inquit , sanabant Psalmi , & aurata templorū resonans in sublimi quatiebat alleluiah . musick : s s Fuisse etiam quidam serunt — qui ortus hominum lugerent , obitusque celebrar●●t : nec impruden●●r : eos enim qui in hoc vitae salum venissent moerendos putabant : cos verò qui ex istius mundi procellis & fluctibus emersissen● , non injusto ga●dio persequendos arbitrabantur , Nos quoque ipsi natales dies defunctorum oblivis●●mur , & eum quo obierint diem , celebri solemnitate renovamus . Ambros . de f. resur . cap. 2. Hesiodus natales hominum plangens gaudet in funere . Hieron Heliodor ep. 24. l. 2. some bewailed their births , and rejoyced in their funerals : others crowned their dead , t t Plin. l. 21. c. 3. as then victorious : it is enough to comfort us concerning them ( did not flesh and blood beare too great a part ) that God u u Rev. 14. 13. pronounceth them blessed . There are three things which are counted sorrowes lenitives : Time , Reason , and Religion : the first will prevaile to asswage sorrow even in bruits . The first and second in carnall men ; and why then dost thou immoderately mourne , who hast the helpe of religion , the comfort of knowledge , and Gods oracles to allay thy griefe ? w w Cur enim maestitiam tu●am , non ratio potius quam dies leniat ? nam quod obliteratura est temporis series , melius prudentia mitigabit , Ambros. de f. resur . c. 2. Why should not rather sanctified reason , then time asswage thy sorrow ?

To conclude , remember these three things . 1. That it is no x x Quanto insolentius est , quod non praeter modum acciderit , ultra modum dolere ? ib. c. 9. extraordinary thing to loose a deare frrend ; and why then should'st thou immoderately lament it ? 2. Remember that this losse y y Certe brevis vitae usus , nec illi multum videtur cripuisse qui aute praecessit ; nec to differre diutiùs qui r●●anscris . 〈◊〉 ib. Ambros. c. 3. neither tooke much time of life from him who went before thee : nor left thee much to come , who must ere long follow him . 3. Remember Gods graces , the sweet and certain effects whereof thou sawest in thy now deceased friend . undoubtedly they were not bestowed on him in vaine ; but that in his translation , God might perfect the worke of grace with glory , and crowne his ow●e gifts in him : David , as wee noted , bewailed z z David paricidam mortuum flevit , qui non flevit innocentem fletur secleratus , non fletur dilectus . Ib : Amb. c. 4. his impious sonne ; but hee mourned for the innocent , no longer then he lay sicke .

To comfort our selves against the feares and sorrowes of death let us ever remember ;

1 Our a a Manet ergo eorum vita , quos manet resurrectio . Amb●os . de obitu Valen. orat . suneb. resurrection and immortality in the life to come is assured us by the infallible word of God . Sect. III. 1. Cor: 15. 1. 2. 4. 20. 54. &c. 1. Thess. 4. 14. 15. 18. Dan: 12. 2. 3. 13. Joh: 5. 28. 29. Joh: 11. 23. 25. Rom: 6. 23. This we are therefore sure of . b b In consolationem damnationis suae . Hieron . Heliod. ep. 24. l. 2. Democritus beleeved it not : Socrates disputed of the soules immortality . Pythagoras dreamed of it , but , as feverish men of things uncertaine and inconsistent : the eternitie we beleeve , is that to which God created us by his c c Genes. 1. 26. 27. own image impressed on us : unto which we are repaired , in our baptisme and regeneration , by that vertue d d Rom. 6. 3 , 4 , 5. which raised Jesus from the dead : e e Phil. 3. 21. who shall change our vile body , that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body f f Ipse enim corpus nostrum à corruptione & interitu liberatum , immortalitate exornabit — Illud autem , transfigurabit , p●suit , non pro mutatione figurae , sed pro liberatione ab int●ritu , & corruptione . Theodor : in Phil. 3. that is in immortality and deliverance from death and corruption . In that state g g Ibi namque omnes dies non veniendo & transeundo fiunt omnes , nec initium alterius est finis alterius , omnes sine fine simul sunt , ubi nec ipsa vita habet finem , cujus illi dies sunt , Aug. ep. 121. c. 8. our daies shall not come and goe , as in this world they doe : Intelligit autem similitudinem animi , non corporis , quae consistit in immortalitate , in innocenti● & justitia , &c. F. Vatablus in ●oc . neither shall the beginning of one bee the end of another : all shall be to gather termelesse , where life it selfe shall have no end .

2 That death is but h h Joh. 11. 11. 1 Thess. 4. 14. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 1 Cor. 7. 39. Rom. 7. 2. Quid tam mortis simile quam dormientis affectus P. Chrysost. Serm. 24. init . a sleepe : none feare that : it is a separation of the soule , and intermission of life and the acts thereof , for a time , i i Scimus tamen quod corpori supervivat , & eajam depositis propriis sensus repagulis expedita libero cernat obtutu , quae ante sita in corpore non videbat ; quod exemplo dormientium possumus aestimare Ambros. de si . resur . c. 3. which it endeth not , because the immortall soule ever liveth in it's k k Simors non aliud determinatur , quam dissunctio corporis animaeque Tertul. de anim . c. 27. separation from the mortall body , which shall be raised againe to immortality , which shall be the l l — ae rumuarum omnium malorumque perfugium est : & fida statio securitatis , a●portus quietis . Ambros. q. S. c. 4. soules sanctuary , and haven of rest . This is a truth so certaine that Gods word aboundeth with proofes ; and so confessed , that the prudent m m Non posse eam naturam esse mortalem , &c. Ci● de S●●ect . — mihi quidem nunquam persuaderi potuit , animos — cum exissent ex its ●mori . ib heathens ( as I have noted ) constantly asserted it

That the feare of death is much worse then death : it is n n Qui mortem reformidat quomodo non servus● Servit profecto , & miseram quidem s●rvitut●m , nihil enim sic animam ad omnem servitutem dejicit , quomodo formido mortis : quomodo enim so errigat abjectus & vilis sensus , atque ignobilis demersus in omnem infirmitatis voraginem , vitae hujus cupiditate . ib. l. 2. ep. 7. ad Simplic . Amb. a servile and a miserable condition to feare that which cannot be avoided : feare may be long but death or the sense thereof can be but short . That which is a sick or miserable life , is not to bee put on accompt to death , which endeth all secular griefes : death were to be feared if it could stay with thee , as paine and sicknesse may : but neither it commeth not when thou fearest it , or it must quickly dispatch and passe from thee , leaving thee free from feare and sorrow , if thou dye in Christ . This is o o Magna ●●ec res est , & diu discenda , cum adventat hora illa inevitabilis , aequo animo abire . Senec. ep. 30. a lesson long learning , that when that inevitable houre commeth thou maist willingly depart : which because it is a p p Moriendum enim certum est , & id incertum , an co ipso die . Cic. q. S. certaine uncertainety , a condition q q Sensi — om●i aetati mortem esse communem . ib. common r r Uniuersi per singulos interimus . Lactant. l. 2. c. 11. to all men , of every age ; seeing the longest life must have one last houre which bringeth up the rere ; it shall be thy wisdome ( as hath been said ) ever to expect it , and to live so , as that a guilty conscience doe not then terrifie thee when thou shalt most want comfort : the only way to be willing to die , and cheerefull in dying , is to live well and to fix thy confidence in Jesus Christ : wretched is hee who for want hereof is afraid of death .

4 Remember that Christ dying for thee , hath pulled out the sting of death , and destroyed the s s in Math. 8. 28. in it . Chrysol . Serm. 16. in monumentis sedem fec●rant mortis authores : ostendate quae saevitia-doemonum erga humanum genus : quamvis breve tempus hominum ferre non possu●● : contenti non sunt mori homines : sed vivos gestiunt sepelire : se sepulchris mandant , ut homines redigant in s●pulchra — Hebr. 2. 14. malitious enemie that had the power thereof : Christ is the t t Joh. 11. 25. resurrection and the life : he that beleeveth in him , though he were dead yet shall he live : the only Antidote against death is a lively faith in Christ ; let thy maine care and hearts desire be upon it : give God no rest , importune him with earnest and constant prayers to strengthen thy faith : he cannot deceive who hath promised herein , u u Math. 5. 6. to satiate the thirsty w w Math. 11. 28. 29. Jerem. 31. 14. 25. and weary soule .

5 Consider the power of God to save from death , and in death : what greater evidence could hee have given to men in desperate hazards , then he did in Jonah ( buried but not dead ; whose living sepulchre carried him as it were to a second birth ) the Lord spake unto the fish and it x x Jonah 2. 10. cast out Jonah upon the dry land — he can deliver in death , so doth he all the elect : he can raise this dying flesh againe , who saith he will : who made this universe of nothing : y y Hoc enim de Enoch legimus aut Eliah : sed & tu r●pieris in spiritu : c●●e ●ur rus Eliae ; c●●e ignes : e●si non videntur parantur u● justus as●cudat , innocens ●rans seratur : & i●a vita mori nescit . Ambros ; de f●resur . co 21. sine . he translated Enoch , and Eliah : certainely those chariots of God are thousand , thousands , which though not seene by mortall eyes , are ever pressed , to carry up the soules of the just in their departure , into the presence of God , a blessed and endlesse life .

6 Consider that death is that physitian , who can at once cure all diseases , and is to the deceased Saints , z z Ubi cognoscat mort●m haenc non hominis fin●m esse , sed culpae . ib. orat . funib . de exit . &c. Theodo● . Imp ▪ the ende of sinne and misery , not of them : the medicine of all griefs : a a Naturae debit●m , Tertul de anim . c. 50. non ●●im à principio Deus mortem iustituit , sed proremedio de lit . Ambr●de fid. resur . c. 9. init . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 por●● coeli 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 significat etiam locum judicii quod in portu ex●r●●batur . Deut. 25. 7. &c. the debt of corrupted nature : the sanctuary against all secular feares : the port of a fluctuant and troublesome world : the gate of eternall life , as Jacob said of Luz Gen: 28 17. (b) This is the ga●e of heaven : opened that the righteous nation which keepeth truth , may enter . Now whereas there are divers waies to death : some rough , some smooth ; some short , some long , it is just that thou patiently submit to the providence of God , who can and will best dispose of thee : let me adde this to them that are impatient or fearefull of death . c c Quis in infirmitate tam constans , ut non optet mori se potiùs : quàm debilem vivere ? quis in moerore tam sortis , ut nòn desideret , ●o se vel moriendo defungi ? quod si ipsi in nobis dum vivimus displicemus , ●um vivendi sinem praestitum esse noverimus , quanto amplius vitae nos taederet istius , si sine ●ine faturos nobis labores hujus corporis cerneremus ? aut quid gravius immortalitate miserabili ? Amb : q. S. c. 30. init . Who is there so constant in infirmity , that he would not rather wish to dye , then still live weake ? Who is so hardy in sorrow , that hee would not rather desire that death might once end it , then life continue it stil ? If we are displeased with life when yet we knowe there is a determined end neere us , how much more impatient should we bee , if we knew there were no end of our miseries , and labours ? What is more intolerable then miserable immortalitie ? d d Quid est autem diu viver● , nisi diu torqueri ? quid est aliud diu vivere , nisi quam malos dies malis di●bus addere . August : de verb : Dom: Math: Serm: 17. And what is long life better then long torment ?

7 Lay up the promises of God concerning Christs suffering and rising againe , comforting and assisting his , in life and death , &c. Joyne here to c c Vere novit rectè viver● , qui rectè novit orar● . Aug. hom. 4. ( si sit ejus ) fervent and constant prayer , that God would be pleased so to direct thee in thy whole life , and to strengthen thee in thy death : that thou maist be willing to dy ; not for feare of this life's miseries ( for they , that for that cause only , are willing to dye , would possibly be glad rather to live to pleasures then sanctity ) but for love of Gods presence , and the assurance of his truth . That he would proportion his grace to thy trialls : the more thou art cast downe and helplesse in thy selfe , that he would the more lift thee up , and let thee feele his gratious hand susteining thee : so he that in mercy hath borne with thy many failings , and taken no advantages to judge and cast thee away in thy daily sinnes : will like a tender father pitty thee when thou art not able to pray : he will remember what thou hast prayed , yea what Christ Jesus , sitting at his right hand then speaketh for thee , when thou hast most need of a mediator , when stupified with paines of approaching death , thou canst not utter one word for thy selfe , then hee will open the heavens to thee , and give thee a cleere sight of those joyes ( as he did f f Act. 7. S. Stephen ) then will he give his holy Angells charge over thee , to receive thy soule breathed out of thy gasping body , to convey it to his gratious and ever blessed presence . This world is full of labour , sorrow , misery : there 's no rest here : heaven is the arke to which the tired dove , the holy soule , returneth for rest : the morall men seemed to know it , who placed their g g Quietem &c. aedē haberet extra portam collinam . Aug: de C. Dei . l : 4. c. 16. ego conjecturâ ducor , Quietem hanc ad mortuo● pertinuisse — i●co extra urbem Quies est culta . Fanum Quietis crat via● Labica nâ . Liv l. 4. cit . L : Vives . Temple of rest without the gate of Agony . How much more must we , who beleeve that we shall live eternally with Christ , who shall come to save and give us life in death , Even so come Lord Jesus AMEN .

A Prayer for him who hath recieved the sentence of death in himselfe .

O Lord God almighty preserver of man : father of the spirits of the just ; God of all true consolation , the hope of Israel , and deliverer thereof in the day of trouble : who givest a gratious eare to the afflicted faithfully calling on thee through him whom thou hast appointed to be the only mediator betweene thee and Wretched man , Christ Jesus the righteous . I humbly acknowledge that I have nothing of my selfe to present unto thy Majestie , but confession of mine owne vilenesse , nothing in my sinfull flesh but corruption ; matter of severe judgement to thee ( who art a God of pure eies ) and argument of terrour and despaire to my selfe most impure : in sinne was I conceived and borne a child of wrath and disobedience : my whole life hath abounded with that which bringeth forth fruit only unto death : I have not done the good which thy sanctifying spirit made me willing to doe ; the evill that I would not , I have done : I have not rendred unto thee according to thy goodnesse : when I would summe up my sins , they so much exceed all numbers , that my heart faileth mee : my conscience telleth me of my wilfull neglects of thy service and disobedience to thy word , concluding my whole life no better then sinfull : but how many waies I have offended thee when I observed not thou only knowest : how many are the failings which , though I through spirituall blindnesse and carnall security : have not observed that I might judge and condemne my selfe for them , thereby to prevent thy severe judgement , shall yet by no meanes escape thy strict examination : and now , O Lord , what can I more doe then humbly beg thy pardon ; condemne my selfe , renounce all confidence in the world and plead only thy mercy , and the merits of thy sonne Jesus for my justification ? Lord looke upon me through him , in whom thou art well pleased , Nothing can be past or future to thy eternall wisdome ▪ look , therefore on his bleeding wounds who did not in vaine dye for me : let thy justice be satisfied in his obedience and suffering for all my sins . And now , O Lord , seeing ( according to thy sentence on all mankind ) the time of my departure hence draweth high . I humbly acknowledge this fraile condition to be the due wages of sinne which brought mortality into the world , but thou who didst put thine owne image on me hast not made me for so short a life only , as thou givest unto the beasts which perish : thou hast no need of my miserie , nor advantage in my destruction , nor could so inestimable a price of my redemption , as the blood of thy holy sonne Jesus , be given for that which thou wouldst have perish eternally . He must surely live for whom the resurrection and the life of Christ Jesus died : Lord therefore seale up my redemption in my afflicted heart now that the Bride is neere , send those holy comforters , faith and assurance of thy mercy to adorne his own temple : to lift up the everlasting doores of my soule , that the king of glory and Lord of life may come in , and change my vaine love of the world , to love of heaven who will change my vile body , that it may be like his own glorious body ; let me hence forth live his life , no more mine own , assured thereby of the repaire of mine inward man to a joyfull resurrection and life of glory : that he may be to me in life and death advantage : that in full confidence of my union with , and interest in him , I may be willing to bee dissolved that I may be with him . O holy Saviour , who hast through death abolished death and him that had the power thereof , take from me all carnall feare by bringing life and immortality to light unto my conscience : thou that hast in thy hands the keyes of death and hell , restraine the tempters malice and mischievous charges of my sinne-wounded soule : make me faithfull unto the death and assure mee of the crowne of righteousnesse laid up for all that love thy appearing . Raise me now to the life of grace , that the second death may not touch mee . And though thou bring this fraile flesh to the dust of the earth ; yet let not death have dominion over me . Though it must ( to the appointed time ) separate my soule from this decaying tabernacle of clay ; let neither life nor death , things present nor future , seperate my soule from thee and thy Christ . I acknowledge thy mercy who justly mightest have taken me away in my sins , by some sodaine and untimely death ; or set me ( who am by sinne a sonne of death ) in the condition of those who in horrour of a restlesse conscience and bitternesse of spirit , seeke death and cannot finde it : but O good God , whose eye is upon them that feare thee to deliver their soules from death , in whose hands are the issues thereof ; seeing thou hast thus long spared me , now accomplish thy mercy in me : be thou my God for ever , and my guide unto my end , and comfort in my end : now when my heart trembleth in me , & the terrours of death are fallne upon me give me the long expected fruits of my hopes proposed to me in thy word ▪ O blessed Jesus , who art the death of death , now shew thy selfe my Saviour : take from my afflicted soule the sting of death ; assure me of victory : loose the paines , allay the feare and sorrowes , and sweeten the bitternesse of death , untill in my enjoying thy presence it be swallowed up in victory . O holy Saviour who hast had experience of all our miseries for sin , wi●hout sin , and hast admitted us to be baptized into the similitude of thy death and resurrection : let me now feele in my languishing soule , the power thereof : O Christ , whose humane soule ( in thy passion for my redemption ) was heavy to the death , now mercifully consider my infirmitie who am going the way of all flesh : now give me an invincible faith in thee , against which the gates of hell may never prevaile , now speake peace and comfort to my poore soule . Thou who powredst out thy soule to death for me , receive my wearied spirit to eternall life : let not this fearefull passage be too bitter to mee : bee thou ever present with me in all my sufferings : O holy Ghost the comforter of all the elect , leave me not comfortlesse ; let me be gathered to my fathers in peace : bring me to that life wherein thou hast promised to wipe away all teares from our eyes . where shall bee no more death , sorrow , paine , nor any bitter effects of sinne : Lord heare me : Lord who despisest not a broken and contrite heart have mercy upon me : Lord receive my petitions : and in the appointed houre , come Lord Jesus my Saviour and Redeemer , deliver me from this bondage of corruption : O Lord consider and doe it : Lord come quickly : even so come LORD JESUS . AMEN .

1. TIM. 1. 17 :

Now unto the king eternall , imortall , invisible , the only wise God , he honour and glory for ever and ever●

AMEN . FINIS .