The works of George Swinnock, M.A. containing these several treatises ...

THE WORKS OF GEORGE SVVINNOCK , M. A. CONTAINING These several Treatises . VIZ. The Christian Mans Calling , First Part. Wherein a Christian is directed how to carry himself in Religious Duties , Natural Actions , Particular Vocation , Family Direction , his own Recreation . Second Part , The Christian directed to perform his duty , as Parent , Child , Husband , Wife , Master , Servant ; and in the conditions of Prosperity and Adversity . Third Part , Directing a Christian to perform his duty , in his Dealings with all men , in the Choice of his Companions , in Evil Company , in Good Company , in Solitude , on a Week-day from Morning to Night , in Visiting the sick , on a Dying Bed . Heaven and Hell Epitomized , or the true Christian Characterized . Door of Salvation opened , by the Key of Regeneration . Fading of the Flesh , and Flourishing of Faith . A Valedictory Sermon , on Act. 20. 32. Men are Gods , on Psal. 82. 6,7 .

LONDON , Printed by I. B. for Tho. Parkhurst , at the ●hree Crowns , at the lower end of Cheap side , over-against the great Conduit . 1665.

CLARISSIMO VIRO , RICHARDO HAMPDEN , DE Hampden , in Comitatu Bucks , Armigero ; SVPREMI SENATVS Regni Anglicani Membro Dignissimo : NEC NON , NOBILISSIMAE DOMINAE , LAETITIAE HAMPDEN , Conjugi Pientissimae ;

In perpetuum Summae gratitudinis monumentum , Debitae observantiae testimonium , Sinceri amoris symbolum ,

Hanc tertiam , de nobili 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 exercitio , partem

D. D. D.

Georgius Swinnock .

Obnixe rogans 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ut in illos & omnigenam felicitatem in praesenti , & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in futuro seculo conferre velit .

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER .

SUch is the beauty of Holiness , the excellency of Divine Nature , and the reasonableness , and righteousness of the Service of God ; as also the necessity of Mans devoting himself wholly to it , that were not his understanding , which is the Sun in the lesser world , strangely ●●uffled with clouds ; his will , which as the Moon , borroweth its light from it , full of spots and changes , and desperately bent upon evil ; his affections as stars of malevolent influence , brutishly enslaved to his sensual appetite ; and his whole nature deplorably vitiated , it were impossible for him , to turn his back upon the authority , commands , and threatnings of his Maker ; to trample on the bowels , and blood , and intreaties of his Redeemer ; to despise the motions , and perswasions , and assistance of the holy Spirit , in order to his recovery out of that bottomless gulph of misery , into which he hath plunged himself , and his restauration to a state of purity and eternal happiness ; and there would be no such need of calling so frequently and fervently , and of crying so urgently and earnestly to him , to exercise himself unto godliness .

As he that is an Atheist in his principles , and denyeth the being of such a thing as Religion , must deny his very senses , since his eyes , and ears , and taste , and feeling , do all loudly Preach a deity to him ; So he that is an Atheist in his practices , and denyeth the making Religion his business , must deny his reason , and debase himself into a Beast ; for common understanding , notwithstanding its great loss by the fall , will inform him that he is made for higher things then the service of a brutish flesh , and the pursuit of earthly fading enjoyments , and that the worship of his God ( the Fountain of his being , and well-spring of his happiness ) as most sutable to his spiritual nature , as most conducing to his own advancement , interest and perfection , is most worthy of all his heart , and soul , and strength , and of all his time , and care , and labour .

But alas the sad fruit of mans apostacy , in the depravation of his nature , abundantly manifesteth it self to every eye that is not stark blind . As an old disease , doth not onely afflict the part of its proper residence , and by its habitual abode there , make a continual diminution of the strength ; but also makes a path and Channel for the humours to run thither , which by continual defluction , dig an open passage , and prevail above all the natural power of resistance : So hath Original sin debauched the mind , and made it think crooked things straight , and straight things crooked , loathsom things lovely , and lovely things loathsom ; perverted the will , and made it as a diseased stomach , to call for , and eat unwholsom meat , against his own reason ; enthralled his affections , to sensuality and brutishness ; chained the whole man , and delivered it up to the law of sin , and laid those strengths of reason and conscience in fetters , by which it might be hindered in its vicious inclinations , and course of prophaness . Hence it comes to pass , that neither the beauty of grace , nor equity of living to God , nor the absolute necessity of mans exercising himself to godliness , will prevail with him .

So great is the glory and amiableness of the New Creation , that not onely the Saints who are indued with wisdom from above , and can judge aright , esteem it above their honours , and riches , and relations , and lives , and rejoyce in it as their peculiar priviledge and highest dignitie ; but even Angels , behold it with admiration , and look on their own purity , and conformity to the divine nature and pleasure , as their greatest perfection . Nay , God himself , whose being is the pattern , and whose will is the rule of holiness , is ravished and enamoured with it , as that which is the travail of the soul of his dear son , the immediate work of his own spirit , and the end , and glory , and master-piece of all the works of his hands ; Yet this heavenly off-spring , this divine image , this supernatural beam of light , this resemblance and picture of Gods own perfections , this royal attire of the celestial Courtiers , which rendereth the poorest and meanest Christian , more noble and excellent then his highest , and richest , ungodly Neighbour , and makes him more glorious then a clear skie , bespangled with the shining stars , or an imperial Diadem , sparkling with the richest Diamonds , is the scorn and derision of the blind unworthy world ; That as Salvian complained in his days , Salv. l. 4. De gub . d●i . Tert. Apol. Si honoratior quispiam religioni se applicuerit , illico honoratus esse desistit ; si fuerit sublimis , fit despicabilis , ●i splendidissimus , fit vilissimus ; si totus honoris , fit totus injuria , &c. If a noble person betake himself to religion , he is presently degraded , and all his former fame , and honour , and renown , turned into disgrace , contempt , and contumely ; and men are forced to be vicious , lest they should be counted vile .

Foolish wormes , pretended Christians , are like persecuting Pagans , who could think and speak well of some of the Saints , onely their Religion they judged , like Coperas , turned all their Wine into Ink , gave a dash to all their vertues and excellencies . Bonus vir Cajus Sejus sed malus , tanquam quod Christianus , was the Heathens voice in Tertullians time . Blind Beetles , men admire fancies , shadows , nothings , and trample on true worth and real excellency ; As the Egyptians , if they met with a Cat or Crocodile , bowed down to it , and worshipped it , when they passed by the great Luminaries of Heaven without admiration : So these beholding the poor mean treasures , and fleeting honours of this world , bow down the knees of their souls to them , and worship them , but pass by the beautiful Image of the blessed God , the unsearchable riches in Christ , and the glory to be revealed , without any respect or regard .

So reasonable and righteous is mans devoting himself to the worship of the blessed and most high God , that he cannot without manifest injustice , as well as ingratitude and folly , deny the exercising himself to godliness . Unless man were his own Maker● he cannot have any title to become his own Master , Psa. 119. 73. The Redeemers title to us is certain , and clear , and unquestionable , whether we own it or no , and all the while we keep any thing from him , or deny subjection to him , we rob him of his right ; Ye are not your own , but ●ought with a price , therefore glorifie God in your bodies , and spirits , which are Gods , 1 Cor. 6. ult. The Slave is not his own man , but his who redeemed him , though his proud and stubborn spirit may refuse to acknowledge it . Man is not in the condition of those persons who are servants by compact and agreement , for a year , or so long as they think fit , and upon their own terms ; but like those whom the Romans took in War , over whose persons and estates they had an absolute dominion , as well as a right to their works and service . Though the Commands of Christ , are all holy , just , and good , as profitable for man , as honourable for himself , yet he hath absolute authority over man , and all that he hath , and may command him what he pleaseth . As Laban said to Iacob , These daughters are my daughters , these sons are my sons , these cattel are my cattel , and all thou seest is mine : So the Redeemer , by vertue of the price he laid down , his most precious blood , may say to every man , This soul is my soul , this body is my body , this estate is my estate , these children and friends are my children and friends , this name , and credit , and interest , is mine , and all thou haste is mine . Yet alas , men ●●o will give their Relations their due , strangers their due , enemies their due , nay , according to their Proverb , the very Devil his due , and far more then his due , will not give Iesus Christ his due ; but against all justice and righteousness , rob and wrong him of that which is his own , and dearly bought too , Rom. 14.7 , 8. For whether we live , we live unto the Lord , and whether we dye , we dye unto the Lord ; whether therefore we live or dye , we are the Lords . For to this end , Christ both dyed , and rose , and revived , that he might be Lord both of the dead and living .

So absolute is the necessity of mans making Religion his business , that upon his diligence or negligence herein , his eternal salvation or damnation doth depend . If any man will be Christs Disciple , he must deny himself , disclaim all title , and disown all right to himself , have nothing more to do with himself , as upon his own account , and make an unfaigned , unreserved dedication of himself , and all that he hath to the honour and interest of his Redeemer . Sanctification is a separation from all common to sacred uses , and this must be done with all the heart , and soul , and strength , in the whole course of the life , by all that will escape the wrath to come ; God commandeth men to strive to enter in at the straight gate , to work out their salvations with fear and trembling , to be holy as he is holy , in all manner of conversation ; and his word is like the Law of the Medes and Persians , which cannot be altered . He hath enjoyned nothing but what his infinite wisdom saw fit , and he is resolved not to vary the least tittle , not to abate the least farthing of the price he hath set . Foolish men are so besotted by their deceitful hearts , and befooled by the Devil , that they complement with Religion , and onely give it an outside formal salute , instead of cordial embraces , and real entertainment . They deal with religion , as Anacharsis saith the Athenians dealt with money , using it for no other end but to number and cast up accounts with , whereas it might have served them for excellent purposes . So they use Religion onely for a shew , for fashion , for custom , and are satisfied with an hypocritical way of Worshipping God , and think to put God off therewith , whereas it would serve them for high and honourable ends , it would if entertained in the power and life of it , elevate the Christian above this beggarly world , enable him to combat with , and conquer his sturdy stubborn lusts , and the power and policy of Hell , help him to a conversation in Heaven , to converse and communion with the Father , and Jesus Christ his Son , and dress his soul for a blessed eternity .

Reader , If thou art unacquainted with this high and honourable , this worthy and noble Calling of Christianity ; I shall appeal to thy reason and conscience , in the tender of some questions , possibly one or other of them may prevail with thee to bind thy self Apprentice to it . As a Fowler , according to the different nature of his game , contrives and appropriates his stratagems , that some he catcheth with light , as Larks with a glass and day nets ; some with baits , as Pigeons with pease ; some with frights , as Blackbirds with a low-bell ; some with company , as Ducks with decoy fowl . So I shall endeavour to suit my questions to thy temper , whatever it be , that if either the light of reason , or the bait of unconceiveable and infinite profit , or the frights of dreadful threatnings and comminations , or the company of Christ the captain of our salvation and all his followers and Souldiers , who marched to Heaven in this way , will win upon thee , I may perswade thee to make Religion thy business . O that being crafty , I might catch thee with holy guile ! To this end I beseech thee to weigh the questions , again , and again , as thou readest them , and to dart up thy prayers to Heaven for a blessing on them , that thou mayst not reject the counsel of God against thy own soul , but hearken to counsel , receive instruction , and be wise for thy latter end .

1. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , upon which the true comfort and joy of thy life , during thy whole pilgrimage doth depend ? Comfort is the cream , the top of life , joy is the flower , the honey , the life of life ; Life without comfort , without delight is a living death . If the body be disquieted with diseases , and aches , and pains , the soul as a tender Husband sympathizing with his bride , though the patient be heir of a Kingdom , and commander of large dominions , yet all creatures to him are unsavoury morsels , and as an aguish pallat , he can taste , can rellish nothing ; Iob in distress speaks in such a mans dilect , Why is light given to him that is in misery , and life to the bitter in soul ? Job 3. 20. Light is one of the most excellent things that God hath made , and is therefore used by the Holy Ghost to set out not onely the Word of God , and the Work of Godliness , Psa. 119. 105. 1 Iohn 1. 7. but also Christ , and Heaven , and God himself , 1 Ioh. 9. 1 Colos. 12. 1 Iohn 1. 5. Life is the Apex , the highest stair , the top-stone , the choisest of all temporal mercies ; There is no flower in natures garden for beauty or excellency comparable to it ; therefore men if brought to the pinch will part with all to redeem this ; Skin for skin , all that a man hath will he give for his life . The loss of life is the chiefest outward loss , and esteemed the greatest satisfaction to justice or nature . The desire of life is indeed the greatest earthly blessing , the most loyal people can desire for their loving Prince ; Let the King live ; but light and life as precious pearls as they are , become burdens most toylsom and tedious to men without comfort . Joy to life , is as the form to the matter , which animates and actuates it , and makes it sp●ightful and lively ; Why is light given to one in misery , and life to the bitter in soul ?

Now Reader , It is Religion that is the comfort of thy life , by bringing thee to him who is the life of all thy comforts . Other things can never su●e , and so can never satisfie and therefore can never truly refresh or rejoyce the soul of man ; The body may sooner be fed and preserved with Air and Wind , as the soul filled with the whole world . They who swim down , with a full stream of outward good things , who have waters of a full cup wrung out to them , and have more then heart can wish , though they be Masters of hidden and bottomless mines , as the Spanish Ambassadour boasted of his Soveraigns treasures in the Indies ; though they have thousands and millions of heads bare , and knees bowing to them , and are mounted to the loftiest pinacle of honour , and fame , and renown ; though their garments are of finest silk , sented with the sweetest perfumes , embroydered by the most skilful Artist , and enamelled with the richest jewels , though their food be the most choice and luscious delicates , the most mellifluous Nectar , that earth , air , and water can afford , and though their bodies be in the most perfect state of health , and thereby enabled to extract the quintessence of all this , and so rellish it in the highest degree , yet all this is not able to give them the least dram of true delight , the smallest crum of true comfort . In the midst of their sufficiency ( such Monarchs ) are in straights ; They may possess much , but enjoy nothing ; Their faces some●times are featured with laughter , when at the same time their souls are in little ease ; In the midst of mirth their hearts are sorrowful , and the end of that mirth is heaviness . As some Plumbs that are sweet and luscious in the outward part , but have bitter kernels ; so the most rich and honourable sinners , in the midst of their mirth , and gigling , and sports , have inward gripes , which like Leaven , sowreth the whole lump of their enjoyments . Haman , though exalted to the highest seat next the Throne in the Persian Court , and had the command of him who commanded one hundred and twenty seven Provinces , yet had an aking heart , and a worm gnawing his inwards , that he cryeth out , All this avails me nothing , &c. The Worlds greatest darlings , whom she dandleth most upon her knees , and to whom she granteth her sweetest kisses , are but at best like a curious marble chimney-piece , glorious and shining without , but full of soot and blackness within . God did at first for mans fall judge the earth to bring forth Briars and Thorns , and all the fruit it beareth will be piercing and paining , what ever men fancy to themselves .

But Reader , though the curse of the earth be Thistles and Thorns , yet the blessing of Heaven is light and joy . Though the World be empty and vain , and vexatious ; yet Religion is full , and filling the soul with content and comfort . Observe the very formal nature of it ; The Kingdom of God ( i. e. Religion ) consisteth not in meats and drinks , but in righteousness , and peace , and joy in the Holy Ghost , Rom. 14. 17. Peace and joy is the heart-chearing wine which groweth upon this vine ; A good conscience is a continual feast ; Natural things must be brought to their center before they can enjoy rest ; and how can it be expected that spiritual beings can enjoy true repose , but in their centre the Father of spirits ! That peace which passeth all understanding , that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory , are the true and legitimate children of the power of godliness . Outward things and formes , like Glow-worms , may be glistering , but they are not warming ; T is the power of Religion , like the Sun , that brings refreshing light , and enlivening heat along with it . The wicked is snared in his wickedness , but the righteous sing & rejoyce .

2. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , in which thou hast to do with an insinite , glorious , and jealous Majesty ? If men are serious about the concernments of a Father , or Master , or Noble-man , or King , how serious should they be about the concernments of a God ? I must tell thee Reader , that thou hast every moment of thy life to do with the great God . Whether thou art eating , or drinking , or walking , or buying , or selling , or ploughing , or sowing , or reaping ( as well as when thou art praying or hearing , or reading , or meditating ) thou haste still to do with God . In all companies , in all thy relations , in all natural actions , in all civil transactions , at all seasons , thou haste more to do with God then with any creature , then with all the creatures ; And is his work to be slighted or dallied with , or slubbered over ? Is it good playing or toying with his interest and concerns , in whose hand is thy breath , and life , and all that thou hast ? Dost thou not know that his eyes is ever upon thee , that his arm is able to reach and revenge him on thee when he pleaseth ; that he looks on himself as worthy to be observed and pleased , in all thy thoughts , and words , and deeds ? and wilt thou dare him to his face , and provoke him before his eyes , and cast him behind thy back , as not deserving to be minded or regarded ? Is his fury so light a burden , or his favour so little a blessing , that thou art so indifferent unto either ? Ah didst thou but know what a God thou hast to deal with , in every part , and passage , and moment of thy life ; how sweet his love is , far better then life ; how bitter his wrath is , more dreadful then death ; didst thou know how great a good , how blessed a friend , how high an honour , how choice an happiness , how rich a cordial , how vast a treasure he is to them that make his service their business ; didst thou know how powerful an enemy , how intolerable his anger is , what a Lion g●eedy of his prey , what a consuming fire he is to them that do his work by halfes and negligently ; didst thou know him as the saved in heaven know him , to be an hive of sweetness , a river of pleasure ; or as the damned in hell know him , to be a sea of wormwood , meeting thee as a Bear robbed of her whelps : O what wouldst thou then think of making religion thy business ! speak Friend in thy conscience ; wouldst thou then live without him in the world , and leave him out as one unconcerned in the several passages of thy conversation ? Wouldst thou then put him off with the skin , and shell , and carkasse of religion , as if he were an Idol , and had eyes , and saw not ; and ears , and heard not ; instead of an hearty dedication of thy self , and all thou hast to his service ? Wouldst thou then eat or drink , or buy , or sell , or do any thing without asking his leave , and begging his blessing , and observing the rules and commands which he hath prescribed thee ? Or wouldst thou not rather do all things as in his presence , according to his precepts , and as may be most for his praise , believing that he is not a God to be dallied with ?

3. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which is the end of thy being and preservation , and of all the mercies that thou enjoyest , and of all the cost and charge which the Great God is night and day at with thee ? For what end dost thou think the Great and Glorious God formed thy body so couriously in the womb , and animated it with an heaven-born soul ? but that thou mightst be made capable of admiring his excellencies , adoring his perfections , and obeying his precepts . Canst thou be so foolish as to think that he created thee to despise his dominion , and break his laws , and dishonour his name , and walk contrary to him in thy conversation ? Wherefore dost thou imagine God doth preserve thee in thy being , afford thee health , and strength , and sleep , and food , and raiment , and friends , and respect , and protect thee in thy outgoings , and incomings , and defend thee from invisible enemies , who are continually waiting to destroy thee , and have power enough to drag thee into hell every moment , b●t are onely restrained by his almighty arm ; but that thou mightest by these streams be led upward to the fountain , imploy these talents as a faithfull Steward for the honour of thy Master , and by these gifts , tokens of his love be perswaded to own and acknowledge the giver ? Canst thou b● so sottish as to think that he bestoweth these favours upon thee , that thou shouldst walk after the flesh and embrace the present world , or to strengthen thee in thy treasons , and rebellions against him ? To what purpose dost thou imagine , he bestoweth on thee his Gospel , his Ministers , his Sabbaths , his Ordinances , many golden seasons of grace ? but to help and enable thee to draw nigh to him , to seek out after him , to desire him , and delight in him , as thy onely happiness and heaven ? Surely thou canst not be so brutish , as to conceive that he giveth thee all this ( as women give babies to children ) to play and toy with ; or ( as the Dutch are reported to have sent powder and shot for money to the Spaniards ) to fight against him with ? Doth not the Husbandman who takes care by dunging , and ploughing , and sowing , and harrowing to manu●e his ground , expect that it will bring forth the greater crop , and so recompence his cost , that the profit which he shall receive by it at harvest will answer all his pains ? When a Father is at a great charge in the nurture and education of his child , providing him Tutors , or sending him first to some considerable Schools for a good while , next to the University , then to the Inns of Court ? is it not his ●rd● that his Son may be an honour to him , contin●● his name with credit , and be a prop and suppo●● to his family ? And canst thou think that the only wise God , to whom all Men are absolute , and Angels comparative fools , is at such infinite cost and charge with thee upon any other account , then that thou mayst be serviceable to his interest , advance his kingdom , and make his praise glorious ; by a pious , gracious , and exemplary conversation , and by making his service thy business ?

4. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which is the elevation , and advancement , and perfection of thine heaven-born immortal soul ? The advancement and restauration of a Prince , and one nobly born to his kingdom and birth-right , is much more deserving our care , and pains , and treasure , and blood , then the exaltation of a beggar from the dunghil . The soul of man is royally descended , begotten of God ; holiness is its restauration to its original glory , and primitive perfection , which it lost by the fall , and therefore is worthy of all our cost , and care , and study , and labour .

Thy soul Reader , is of unconceivable value and excellency ; 1. As it is immediately created by God , without any pre-existing matter . 2. As it is of an immaterial and spiritual nature . 3. As it is capable of the image , and life , and love , and fruition of God himself . 4. As it is immortal , and of eternal duration ; though years , and ages , and generations , and time have an end , the soul hath no end . 5. As it is the bottom in which the body and its everlasting good is embarqued . 6. As it is the standard and measure of all our outward excellencies ; as friends , and health , and food , and life , and riches , and honour , and ministers , and ordinances , are more or less worth , as they are more or less serviceable to the soul. Now grace and godliness is the honour , and elevation , and excellency of the soul ; it is soul-beauty , Cant. 4. 1. it is soul-wisdom , Prov. 4. 7. it is soul-riches , Luk. 12. 21. it is soul-glory , soul-comfort , soul-food , soul-raiment , soul rest . O how worthy is that form which animates , and elevates the soul of man , as its subject and matter ! He that addeth honour to a puissant King , must be high and honoura●le indeed . That which is the form of our form , and the soul of our soul , that exalteth and honoureth so noble a piece , must needs deserve to be our only business .

5. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which was the great design and end of the blessed Redeemers birth , life , death , burial , ascension and intercession ? No man , unless worse then distracted , can possibly conceive that the glorious God , whose wisdom is unsearchable , and love to his Son unquestionable , would send his onely begotten Son out of his bosome ; or that Christ in whom were all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge , would give himself to be born so meanly , to live so poorly , to die so painfully , to be disgraced , reviled , buffetted , scourged , crucified for any thing that was not superlatively eminent , and deserved to be the main work , and business of every man in this world . The greatness of the price , the blood of God , doth to every rational understanding fully speak the preciousness of the pearl . Now how clear and plain is it in the word of truth , that the Redeemer gave himself to redeem us from all iniquity , and to purifie unto himself a peculiar people , zealous of goodworks ? Tit. 2. 14. That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies , we might serve him in holiness and righteousness all our days .

Surely Reader , that which the Son of God , who thought it no robbery to be equal with God , thought worthy the taking on himself the form of a servant , and the suffering , the spite , and malice of men , the wrath and rage of devils , and the frowns and fury of his father , to purchase for thee , doth deserve to be minded and regarded by thee , as thee onely thing thou followest after , and setst thy self about during thy pilgrimage .

Alas , All the pains , and labour , and watching , and working , and time , and strength , and lives of all the men in the world , are not equivalent to one drop of the blood of Christ , or the least degree of his humiliation ; and wilt thou deny to make that thy business , for which he shed so much blood , and laid down his life ?

6. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which is the peculiar work of the Holy Ghost , and for which the Spirit is infused into the hearts of men ? The worth of the Father doth speak the desert of the Child . Though men who pretend to honour the Father for his work of Creation , and to admire the Son for his work of Redemption , blasphemously deride and wretchly , slight sanctification , which is the work of the Spirit , yet undoubtedly the work of the Spirit is no whit inferiour to either ; nay , is the beauty and glory both of Creation and Redemption , as being the end and perfection of both . The Father created the world in order to the new creation by the Spirit , as that choice work man ship which he resolved should bring him in the largest revenue of praise and honour . T is the new heavens wherein dwelleth righteousness , that doth most declare the glory of God and the Firmament ( of sparkling graces ) that sheweth forth his most choice and curious handi-work . Sanctification is the travel of the Sons soul , a spiritual sacred life , the great end of his death ; The Son redeemed man from slavery , to sin and Satan , and unto the service of righteousness , by layino down the price thereof , his own most precious blood . One of the Sons main works , was to purchase the re-impression of Gods Image on man ; the actual performance of which , is the peculiar office of the Spirit ; hence he tells us , Ioh. 14. I go away that the comforter may come , and again , Ioh. 6. The Spirit was not yet given , ( i. e. so plentifully and universally ) because Iesus was not yet glorified . And therefore we read , that in few days after his ascension , to acquaint us what was one main end and fruit of his death and suffering ; he powreth down the holy Ghost in an extraordinary manner and measure . So that Creation , the work of the Father , doth as it were provide the matter , the wax . Redemption the work of the Son , buyeth the Image of God ; the Seal and Sanctification , the work of the Spirit stampeth it on the soul.

Now Reader , doth not the Sanctification of the Soul deserve to be thy main business , when it is the curious work of the holy Spirit ; as that which the Fathers eye was chiafly on in thy Creation , and the Sons in thy Redemption .

Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which addeth a real worth to every thing , and without which nothing is of worth or value ? Every one will grant , that what is so richly excellent , as to ennoble and add an intrinsick value to whatsoever it is affixed ; and the lack of which maketh every thing ( be they in other respects never so precious ) low and mean , must needs deserve to be our business . Truely Friend , such is holiness ; it makes the word of God a precious word , more to be embraced then gold , yea , then much fine gold . The Ordinances of God , precious Ordinances ; the people of God , a precious people , the excellent of the earth . What is the reason that some , in the account of him who is best able to judge , though they be never so rich or beautiful , or high and honourable in the world , are called Dross , Chaff , Stubble , Dust , Filth , Vessels of dishonour ; and counted Dogs , Swine , Vermine , Serpents , Cockatrices , but want of holiness ? What is the reason that some , though poor and despised , and mean , and houseless , and friendless , are esteemed ( by him who can best discern true worth ) The glory of the World , the glory of Christ , a Royal Diadem , a Royal Priesthood ; higher then the Kings of the earth , more excellent then their Neighbours ; Princes in all lands , such of whom the world is not worthy ? but because they are godly persons , an holy people . Why are some Angels advanced to the highest Heavens , waiting always in the presence of the King of Kings , honoured to be his Ministers and Deputies in the Government of this lower world ; when other Angels are thrown down into the lowest Hell , for ever banished the Celestial Court , and bound in chains of darkness , as prisoners to the day of execution ? but holiness in the former , and want of it in the latter .

8. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which will and can refresh and revive thee in an hour of death , and enable thee to sing and triumph at the approach of the King of terrors ? The Master of Moral Philosophy tells us , that its worth the while for a man to be all the time he lives , learning how to dye well . The unerring spirit of God acquaints us , that it ought to be our great work to be wise for our latter end . Doubtless it must be a rich costly cordial indeed , and deserves not a little time and pains , and charge to prepare , which can keep a man from fainting in such a day of extremity ; wherein our honours , and treasures , friends , wives , children , nay , our flesh and hearts will fail and forsake us . That cannot be of mean worth , which can make a man encounter his last enemy with courage and conquest ; at the sight of which , Kings , and Captains , and Nobles , and the greatest Warriers have trembled , as leaves with the wind , and their hearts melted as grease before the fire .

Now Reader , Godliness is that wine which will cause thee to sing at the approach of this Goliah , and enable thee as Leviathan , to laugh at the shaking of his spear ; when whole hosts of others , without Godliness , flie like Cowards before it , and would give all they are worth to avoid fighting with it . Heark what a challenge the godly sends to this adversary , daring it to meet him in the field ; O death where is thy sting ! O grave where is thy victory ! the sting of death is sin , and the strength of sin is the Law ; But thanks be to God , who hath given us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ , 1 Cor. 15. 57 , 58. The Naturalists tell us of a precious stone called Ceraunias , that glisters most when the Skie is Cloudy , and over-cast with darkness . Godliness friend , will cast the greatest lustre on thee , and put the greatest comfort in thee , when thy time of trouble and day of death is come . This , this is the friend that is born for the day of adversity ; Therefore the sweet singer of Israel having this with him , promiseth ; Though he walk in the valley of the shadow of death , he will fear none ill , Psal. 23.

9. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which will help thee to comfort and confidence at a dreadful day of judgement , and cause thee to lift up thy head with joy , when thousands and millions shall weep and wail . The day of judgement will be a terrible day indeed ; the judge will come in flaming sire , a fire devouring before him and behind him , a flame burning . His tribunal , will be a tribunal of fire ; Out of his mouth did proceed a fiery Law , and by that law of fire he will try men for their eternal lives and deaths . The earth at that day , will be consumed with fire , and the elements melt with fervent heat . If the cry of fire , firè , in the night now , be so dreadfull , and doth so afright and amaze us , though it be but in one house , and possible not very near us ; how dreadful will that day be , when we shall see the whole world in a flame , and the Judge coming in flaming fire to pronounce our eternal dooms ! Who can abide the day of his coming ! or who can stand when he appeareth ! Then the Kings , and Captains , and Nobles , and Mighty Men will call to the rocks to fall on them , and to the hills to hide them , from the face that sitteth in the Throne , and from the wrath of the Lamb , Rev. 6. 15.

O Reader , of what worth is that which will help thee , as the three Children , to sing in the midst of so many flaming fiery furnaces , and preserve thee from being hurt , or so much as toucht therewith ! Truely Godliness will do this for thee , it will turn this day of the perdition of ungodly men into a day of redemption to thee ; As true Gold is not consumed by the hottest fire , and the Salamander can live in the greatest flames ; so the godly man , in the midst of all those fires and flames , will live and flourish though millions of ungodly ones are scorched and tortured . As he is a King now reigning over his stubborn lusts and unruly passions ; that will be his Coronation day , wherein he will appear before the whole world in all his glory and royalty . As he is a Husbandman now sowing to the Spirit ; that will be his Harvest-day , wherein he shall reap the fruit of all his prayers , and tears , and watchings , and fastings , and labour , and sufferings . As he is compared to a Virgin , betrothed to Christ , now keeping his garments white and clean , and devoting himself to the service and honour , and commands of his Lord ; that will be his Marriage day , wherein he shall be arrayed in fine linnen , the righteousness of the Saints , adorned with the jewels of perfect graces , and solemnly espoused to the King of Saints , the heir of all things , and the fairest of ten thousands , the Lord Jesus Christ . As he is a servant , now doing not his own , but the will of his Master in Heaven , and finishing his work ; that will be the day wherein his Indentures will expire , and he shall enjoy the glorious , liberty of the Sons of God . As he is a Son , now yielding reverence and obedience to the Father of Spirits , that will be the day wherein he shall be declared to be of full age , and enjoy his portion and inheritance . As he is a Souldier now fighting the good fight of faith , warring a good warfare , enduring much hardship as a good souldier of Iesus Christ ; that will be the day wherein he shall be called off the guard , discharged of those tiresome , toylsome duties , incumbent on him in this life , and receive his garland , a Crown of everlasting life .

Little dost thou conceive Reader , the worth of Godliness at that day . Godliness will then be honoured and admired , not onely by them that have it , and rejoyce in it ; but also by the most prophane and carnal wretches , and those who now despise and deride it . Then the blind world who now shut their eyes and will not see , and the atheistical world who harden their hearts and will not believe , shall return , and discern , and see , and believe a difference between the godly and ungodly ; between them that fear the Lord , and them that fear him not . O friend , what wouldst thou give at that day , that godliness had been thy business at this day ! Godliness will make the judge the Lord Jesus Christ thy friend ; the Father , by whose authority he fits the King of all Nations , thy friend ; the Iustices who will be upon the bench ( for he shall come with thousands of his Saints ) thy friends ; Godliness would make the law , by which thou art to be tryed , thy friend ; Godliness would make thy conscience , which is to be brought in as the evid●nce , thy friend ; Godliness would strike dumb all thy accusers , Satan , thy corruptions , and suffer none of them to hurt thee as thy foes . And is not Godliness worthy to be made thy business which will do all this for thee ?

10. Is not that worthy to be made thy business which will do thee good to eternity ? The fool is for good for many years , but a wise man is for goods that will last to eternity . In worldly matters we value those houses and goods highest which will last longest ; We will give much more for the fee-simple or inheritance for ever of a dwelling or lands , then for a term of few years , or for a lease for life , though we can enjoy them but during life . O why should it not be thus in spirituals ! Why should we not set the greatest price , and take the most pains , for that which is not for years , or ages , but for ever ; for that which we may enjoy , and have full solid comfort in to eternity ? No good that is eternal can be little ; if it be but an humane friend whom thou lovest , to enjoy him for ever , or a bodily health to enjoy it for ever , or near relations to enjoy them for ever , will infinitely advance the price and raise the value of them ; but to enjoy a God for ever , the blessed Saviour for ever , the comforting Spirit for ever , fullness of joy for ever , rivers of pleasures for ever , and exceeding weight of glory for ever , a crown , a kingdom , an inheritance for ever , which is the fruit of Godliness , what tongue can declare , what mind can apprehend the worth of these ! Alas , frailty is such a flaw in all earthly tenures , that it do●h exceedingly abate their value , and should our affections to them . Who would esteem much of that flower which flourisheth and looks lovely in the morning , but perisheth and is withered at night ? How little are those things worth which are to day mine , and to morrow anothers , which make themselves wings , and as birds flye away , are no sooner in sight , but almost as soon out of sight ? Though all the works and creatures of God are excellent , and admirable in their degrees and places , yet some are of far more worth then others , because of their nearer relation to our spiritual souls , and their eternal duration . When I look upon honours , and applause , and respect in the world , methinks its worth is little ; for I can see through that air ; it is but a breath , a blast that quickly passeth away . When I look upon houses , and lands , and silver , and gold , I may well judge their price low ; for there is a worm that will eat out and consume the strongest timberd-dwelling , and gold and silver are corruptable things . Riches are not for ever . When I look upon my Wife and Children , in whom I have through mercy much comfort and contentment ; yet their value , as natural relations , is small ; for so they shall not be mine for ever ; and therefore they that have wives , are commanded to be as though they had none . But when I look upon grace , upon godliness , upon religion , upon the Image of God ; O of what in●●nite worth , and price , and value are they , because they are lasting , they are everlasting , they are mine for ever ! When honours , and crowns , and robes , and scepters are but for a few days ; when stately pallaces , and costly mannors , and treasures , gold and pearl are but for a short time ; when the most lovely , and loving wives , and husbands , and sons , and daughters , and friends are frail and fading , The fear of the Lord is clean , enduring for ever . Godliness is the good part that ( when thy relations , and possessions , and all the good thing of this life shall be taken from thee ) shall never be taken from thee .

Reader , what an argument is here to provoke thee to spend , and be spent , to imploy all thy time , and strength , and talents , to sell all for this pearl when it is of so great price ; that when all other priviledges , excellencies , royal or noble births , high breedings , preferments , favours with Great men , riches , pleasures , will onely as brass of leathren money , be currant in some Countries in this beggarly earth , it will enrich thee and enliven thee , refresh and rejoyce thee for ever !

11. Is not that worthy to be made thy business , which all men , even the greatest enemies to it , will sooner or later , heartily and earnestly wish had been their business ? We have an usual saying , that what one speaketh , may be false and light ; and what two speak may be false and vain ; and what three speak may be so ; but what all speak and agree in , must have something of truth and weight in it . And again we say , Vox populi est vox dei , The voice of all the people is an oracle ; Though as Christ said of himself , so I may say of Godliness , God himself beareth witness of it , and his witness is true , and it needeth not testimony from man ; yet as he made use of the testimony of Iohn to convince the Jews of their desperate wickedness and inexcusableness , in not submitting to his precepts , and accepting him as a Saviour : So may I improve the witness of the whole world on the behalf of Godliness to convince thee ( Reader ) of thy folly and sinfullness in neglecting it , and to shew thee how inexcusable thou wilt be found at the day of Christ , if thou dost not presently set upon it , and make it thy business ?

It s evident that many men , whose hearts are full of opposition to the ways of God , and whose lives are a flat contradiction to his Word and Will , do yet in their extremity seek him early , and cry to him earnestly , and flie to Godliness as the only shelter in a storm , and safest anchor in a tempest . The most prophane and atheistical wretches , who have in their works defied God himself , and in their words blasphemously derided godly men and godliness ; when they have been brought low by sickness , and entred within the borders of the King of terrours , and have some apprehensions upon their spirits that they must go the way of all the earth ; then ( as Naturalists observe of the dying Cuckoe ) they change their note , send for godly Ministers , godly Christians , desire them to pray with them , to pray for them , hearken diligently to their serious instructions , wish with all their hearts , and would give their highest honours , and richest treasures , and imperial diadems , and kingdoms if they have any , and all they are worth , that they had made Godliness their business ; and promise if God will spare them , and lengthen their lives but a few days upon earth , that they will have no work , no calling , no employment , no design , but how to please God , and obey his counsel , and submit to his Spirit , and follow after holiness , and prepare their souls for heaven . O then Godliness is godliness indeed , and grace is grace indeed . Then they call and cry as the foolish Virgins to the wise , Give us of your oyl , for our lamps are gone out . O give us grace , give us godliness in the power of it , for all our formal , out side , lazy serving of God is come to nothing . The Serpent that is crooked all her life time , when dying stretcheth her self straight .

As Dionisius on his death , when he heard Thales discoursing excellently about the nature and worth of Moral Philosophy , Cursed his pastimes , and sports , and foolish pleasures that had taken him off , and diverted him from the study of so worthy a subject : So these lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God , whose lives are little else then brutish delights in a circle , or a diversion from one pleasure to another ; whose business now is to mock at piety , and persecute the pious , when they come to be thrown by a disease on their beds , and their consciences begin to accuse them for their neglect of Godliness , and to convince them of its absolute necessity ; and they have some fears to be overthro●n by death ; then they curse their hauks , and hounds , and games , and cups , and companions , and sensual delights that hindered them from making religion their business . Experience testifieth this frequently in many parts of the Nation , where the consciences of dying sinners are not seared with a red hot iron .

Some wish this whilst they live , either under some great affliction , or on a dying bed ; nay , I am perswaded , that most wicked men that live under the Gospel in their prosperity , even when they have the world at will , in the midst of their sensual delights , have inward conviction that the course they take will prove cursed in the end , and have some velleities or weak desires ( though overruled by carnal head-strong affections ) that they could leave those vanities , and make religion their business : But all wicked men after death , when they come into the other world , will wish in earnest , with all their hearts and souls , that they had minded nothing but the service of God , and exercising themselves unto godliness . There , there it is , that the whole world that now lyeth in wickedness , and will not believe the word and wisdom of their Maker , will all set their hands and seals to the truth of that which I am now endeavouring to evince .

When God sends his Officer , death , to arrest sinners , for the vaste summs which they owe to his justice for their breach of his laws , and this Serjeant according to command from the King of Kings , executes his writ , and delivers his prisoner to the Divels , Gods Iaylors ; and they seize as so many roaring Lions on the poor trembling prey , and hale them to their own den , hell ; that dungeon of eternal darkness , where sinners see and are assured that all their meat , must be flakes of fire and brimstone ; and all their drink , a cup of pure wrath without mixture ; and all their Musick , howling , and weeping , and wailing , and gnashing of teeth ; and all their rest , torments day and night for ever and ever ; and all their Companions frightful Devils , and a cursed crew of damned wretches , and all this to come upon them for not making religion their business whilst they were on earth ; Then O then they will wish with all their souls and strengths , again and again , that they had minded the Christian mans calling , and made religion their business whilst they were in this world ! though they had been slaves , or beggars , or vagabonds , and had lived in poverty , and disgrace , and prisons , and fetters during their whole pilgrimage .

Now Reader , if the witness of one enemy be a double testimony , what is the witness of all the enemies of God and Godliness , on the behalf of the Lord , and his ways against themselves ? Shall it not prevail with thee to set speedily , and diligently about the work of Christianity ? Ah how dumb wilt thou be struck another day , if thou wilt not believe either God , or good men , or thy conscience , or thy companions , or all the world ?

12. and Lastly , Is not that worthy to be made thy business , upon which thine eternal life or death , salvation or damnation doth depend ? Consider it friend , here is salvation and damnation before thee ; eternal salvation , and eternal damnation ; and they depend upon thy making religion thy business , or neglect of it . O what weight is there in these few words ! Make religion thy business , and thou art eternally blessed ; be formal and careless about it , and thou art cursed for ever ; upon the one and the other turneth thine eternal estate . The Almighty God hath under his own hand , set down this making religion thy business to be the onely terms upon which heaven shall be had ; and it is impossible to alter or abate his price , Ioh. 6. 27. Mat. 6. 33. Philp. 2. 12. Canst thou be so foolish as to think that Christ , and happiness , and eternal life can be obtained upon easier conditions , whea he must make God a liar , and the Gospel a lie ? ( which the Divel himself is not so wicked as to think possible ) who arriveth at the port of bliss without exercising himself to Godliness ? The promises ever since the world was , had the same conditions , and ever will whilst the world shall endure ? The Gospel is therefore called the everlasting Gospel , because it will continue without the least change or alteration the same for ever . Thou mayst be confident that God doth not as some indiscret Citizens , ask much more for his eternal glory and life men then he intendeth to take .

I say again ponder it , for this argument hath more in it then thine understanding can possibly conceive or imagine . Is not that worthy to become thy business , and main work in this world , upon which thine everlasting weal or wo , thine endless estate in the other world doth depend ?

Reader , if that doth not deserve all thy time , and pains , and soul , and heart , and infinitely more , upon which unchangable joy or eternal torments hang , then I am sure nothing doth . Alas all the things of this world , whether about food , or raiment , or houses , or lands , or wives , or children ; nay , and life it self , are but toys , and trifles , and shadows , and nothings , to an everlasting condition in the other world . O that thou wert but able to conceive what it is to be eternally in fullness of pleasure , or eternally in extremity of pain , to be frying in flames for ever , or bathing in rivers of delight for ever ! To enjoy God in his ordinances , though it be but imperfectly , and in a low degree ; one hour , one day , how sweet is it ? His tabernacles are highly amiable upon that account , One day in thy Courts is better then a thousand elswhere : But to enjoy God fully , immediately , and for ever too , O how superlatively , how infinitely pleasant and delightful will it be ! To be in Gods lower house , though but a little time , under some pious powerful Minister , how reviving , and refreshing is it ? But to dwell in his upper house for ever , O blessed are they that dwell in that house , they always praise thee ! The eternal presence of God will cause an eternal absence of all evil , and an eternal confluence of all good .

O Reader , who will not work hard , labour much , exercise himself to Godliness night and day ? do any thing that God commandeth , suffer any thing that God inflicteth , forbear any thing that God forbiddeth , to be saved eternally , to be infinitely blessed in the fruition of God for ever ? Surely its worth the while , to obey the counsel of God in order to ete●nal salvation . On the other side , eternal damnatian , how dreadful is it ! if it be but the scratch of a pin for ever , or a little ach of the head . for ever , it wo●ld be very doleful ; but a violent head-ach or tooth-ach , or fits of the collick , or stone for ever , oh how intolerable would they be ? But ah ! how terrible is the wrath of God for ever , darkness of darkness for ever , the fire of hell for ever , to which all the wracks and torments in this life are next to nothing ? Ah who can dwell in everlasting burnings ?

I suppose thou woulst avoid thy wicked companions , and forbear thy sinful courses , do any thing thou couldst , rather then to boyl in a furnace of scalding water for a thousand years ; nay , one year ; and wilt thou not make religion thy business , when otherwise God himself hath told thee , thou shalt boil in a furnace of scalding wrath , infinitely worse then scalding lead for ever , ever , ever ? Consider what thou hast read , and the Lord give thee understanding that thou mayst be wise to eternal salvation .

Reader , these twelve Questions being proposed , I desire thee to answer them to him , before whom thou shalt answer ere long , for all the motions of thy heart , and passages of thy whole life ; and I shall not detain thee longer in the passage , though it be much larger then I intended when I first put pen to paper about it . If thy soul receive any profit by it , I shall not repent of my pains , only beg thy prayers ; that thou mayst , is the desire of

Thine and the Churches Servant in the blessed Saviour , GEORGE SWINNOCK .

Reader ,

The Authors absence from the Press , hath caused many mistakes in the English , Latine , and Greek , both in the Margin and Body of the Book ; the most material of those that are in the Body of the Book are corrected to thy hand , thy Pen must correct or Candour excuse the rest . Vale.

ERRATA .

PAge 3. l. 30. for of the , r. and the. p. 7. l. 19. add is unrighteous . p. 60. l. 6. for the , r. thy . p. 64. l. 13. add to the honour . p. 116. l. 11. for chattered , r. clattered . p. 118. l. 2. add of . p. 122. l. 24. for detectable , r. delectable . p. 123. l. 4. r. grace , l. 5. for pain to● r. paint . p. 125. l 22. r. did not stir . p. 130. l. 25. guest , r. grief . p. 187. l. 13. conversation● r conversion p. 195. l. 14. for nor any , r. and any . p. 232. l. 5. r. indirect . p. 227. l. ult. For Ieroboam , r. Rehoboam . p. 286. l. 23. for sweetness , r. sweetned . p. 462. l. ult. for regenerate , r. vegetative . p. 519. l. 2. adorned , r. adored . p. 595. l. 10. Haman , r. Heman . p. 606. l. 3. ends , r. friends . p. 641. l. 29. for desired , r. deserved . p. 653. l. 31. r. inspera●am . p. 656. l 24. for one , r. none , p. 721. l. 32. For conscience , r. confidence . p. 748. l. 16. for monstrous , r. menstruous . p. 769. l. 31. r. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . p. 816. l. 15. for promises , r. premises .

There is extant of this Reverend Authors these following Treaties .

The Christian-mans Calling ; or , a Treatise of making Religion ones Business , wherein the Nature and Necessity of it is discovered ; as also the Christian directed how he may perform it in Religious Duties , Natural Actions , his particular Vocation , his Family Directions , and his own Recreation ; to be read in Families for their instruction and Edification . The first Part.

The second Part , Wherein a Christian is directed how to perform his duty in the Relations of Parents , Children , Husband , Wives , Masters , Servants , and in the Condition of Prosperity and Adversity .

This third Part , Di●ecting a Christian to perform his duty in his Dealings with all men , in the choice of his Companions , in Evil Company , in good Company , in Solitude , on a Week-day , from morning to night , in visiting the sick , and on a dying bed , with Means Directing , and Motives perswading thereunto .

The Door of Salvation opened by the Key of Regeneration ; or a Treatise containing the Nature , Necessity , Marks and means of Regeneration , as also the duty of the Regenerate .

Heaven and Hell Epitomized , or the true Christian characterized .

The Fading of the Flesh ; and Flourishing of Faith ; or one Cast for Eternity , with the only way to T●row it Well ; as also the Gracious Persons incomparable Portion .

T●e beauty of Magistracy , in an Exposition of the 82. Psalm , where in set forth the necessity , Utility , Dignity , Duty and Morality of Magistrates .

1 TIM. 4. 7. But refuse Prophane and old VVives Fables , and exercise thy self unto Godliness . [ And Exercise thy self unto Godliness . ] The Preface .

THe life of Man is not seldom in the Word of God compared to a Walk ; Psalm 39. Ambulare Hebraica phrasi significat c●rsum vitae instituere . The womb is the place whence he first ( in the morning of his age ) sets out , and his actions are the several steps , by which he is alwayes hastening to his journeys end , the Grave , that common Inn of resort . The life of a Christian is called a walking in the light , a walking in the Law , 1 John 1. 6. Psa. 119. 1. because his motion is regular , and his whole race by rule . He must have a divine word for all his works , and a precept from God for all his practices ; Scripture is the Compass by which he steereth , and the square by which he buildeth ; Hence he is said to walk with God , because he walketh according to his Commands , and his example ; he doth not walk 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 as Man , 1 Cor. 3. 3. but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 according to his measure , as God willeth , and as God walketh . Further , the holy life of a Saint is compared to an orderly walking in these two respects .

Est motus progress●vus . First , In regard of his gradual proficiency ; He doth not stand still , but gets ground by his steps . They go from strength to strength , Psa. 84. 4. From faith to faith , Rom. 1. 17. He is ever going forward in Heavens way , and never thinks of sitting down till he comes to his Fathers House . Sometimes indeed he is so straightned that he can onely creep ; at other times he is inlarged that he can run , but at all times he is going on towards perfection . The light of his holiness , Ambulare in Chr●sto duo denotat . Pr●gredi & perseverare in doctrina & fide Christi . Dav. in Col. 2. 6. though at first but glimering , is always growing , and shines brighter and brighter till perfect day . Pro. 4. 18.

Est m●tus perpetuus . Secondly , In regard of his uniforme perseverance . It is not taking a step or two in a way , which denominateth a man a Walker , but a continued motion ; It is not one or two good Actions , but a good conversation which will speak a man to be a right Christian. Bis de Enoch dicitur ( Ambulavit cum deo ) ad explicandum quod ab ine●nte aetate , profecit in via dei , & perseveravit , profitiendo in eadem semper . C●jrer . A true beleiver like the heavenly Orbes , is constant and unwearied in his motion and actings . An Expositor observeth of Enoch , that it s twice said of him , He walked with God , Gen. 5. 22 , and 24. to shew that as he first began to walk and profit in Gods path , so he alwayes continued profiting to the end . No man is judged healthy by a flushing colour in his face , but by a good complexion . God esteemeth none holy for a particular carriage , but for a general course ; A sinner in some few acts may be very good ; Iudas Repenteth ; Cain Sacrifiseth ; The Scribes Pray and Fast ; and yet all were very false ; In the most deadly diseases , there may be some intermissions , and some good prognosticks . A Saint in some few acts may be very bad : Noah is Drunk ; David defileth his Neighbours Wife ; And Peter denyeth his best fri●nd ; yet these persons were heavens favourites ; The best Gold must have some grains of allowance . Sheep may fall into the mire , but Swine love night and day to wallow in it . A Christian may stumble , nay he may fall , but he gets up and walks on in the way of Gods Commandements ; the bent of his heart is right , and the scope of his life is straight , and thence he is deemed sincere .

It is the Character of the Christian to be constant in his gracious course . If you would speak with the Tradesman , you may meet him in his Shop ; The Farmers usual walk is in the Fields ; He that hath business with the Merchant , expecteth him in his Counting-house , or amongst his Goods ; And he that looketh for the Christian , shall not fayl to finde him with his God . Ambulare est vivere . Hac loquendi formula admonemur , Christianum esse in perpetuo itinere versus caelest in patriam , neque unquam esse illi subsistendum in via , sed perpetuo ambulandum & pr●grediendum . Dav. in Col. Whether he be alone or in company , abroad or in his Family , buying or selling , feeding himself , or visiting others , he doth all as in his Gods presence , and in all aimeth at his praise . As the Sap of a Tree riseth up from the root , not onely to the body , but also to the branches of the smallest twigs ; so grace in a Saint springeth up from his heart , and floweth out not only in his spiritual and higher , but also in his civil and lower actions .

How the Saint may make godliness his business , in Religious Actions ( as in praying , hearing , receiving the Lords Supper , and Sanctification of the Lords day ) in natural Actions , in his recreations , in his particular calling , and in the government of his family , I have largely discovered in the First Part of The Christian-Mans Calling .

The Second Part will help believers in the Relations ( of Husbands and Wives , Parents and Children , Masters and Servants ) and in the Conditions of Prosperity and Adversity .

Reader , The design of this Treatise is to direct thee further in this continual exercise of Piety ; it divideth it self into these particulars . I shall herein

First , Endeavour to discover wherein the nature of Godliness consisteth ; 1. In thy Dealings with all men . 2. In all Companies , whether Good or Bad , and therein I shall speak both to thy Choice of Companions , and Carriage in Company . 3. In Solitariness . 4. On a Week-day , from morning to night . 5. In Visiting the sick . 6. On a Dying Bed .

Secondly , I shall offer thee some Means which will be helpful to thee in this business .

Thirdly , I shall annex some Motives to stir thee up to this high and gainful Calling . I begin with the first .

CHAP. I. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness in his Dealings with all men . As also a Good Wish about that Particular .

FIrst , Thy duty is to make Religion thy business in thy Dealings with all men . True Godliness payeth its dues to men , as well as its duty to God , nay it cannot do the latter without the former ; Upon these two poles all Religion turnes , and upon these two feet it walketh . That Mans holiness is lame ; which always keeps home and doth not walk abroad and visit his Neighbours . It s a sign of a sickly temper for a man to sit always brooding in a Chimney-Corner , and not to dare to stir out of doors . Sure I am , thy Religion is of a sad distempered constitution , whatsoever hopes it may give of healthiness in Family duties , if it goeth no farther , and doth not appear in the open air of thy converses with strangers . Religion bindeth the Christian to his good behaviour towards all men ; True holiness will provide things honest , not onely in the sight of God , but also in the sight of all men , 2 Cor. 8. 21. The Kings Coin hath his superscription without the ring , as well as his Image within it . The Saints civil as well as his spiritual actions have divine impression stamped on them , and he is walking with God in his trading with men . As thy heart must be pure , so thy hands must be clean , or thou canst never reach heaven , Psa. 24. 3 , 4. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? and who shall stand in his holy place ? He that hath clean hands , and a pure heart . To be voyd of conscience in thy civil actions , speaks thee to have no right to the beatifical vision ; he that comes short of Heathens , must needs come short of Heaven . And truly to be careless in making Godliness thy business in them , will very much hinder thy progress in holiness ; If all the passages of the body be not open , there is no thriving in health .

The Ostrich is very swift , and said to outrun the horse . Job . 39. 18. He mocketh the Horse and the Rider ; but what is the reason ? truly this , he hath two helps of speed , his Wings and his Feet , whereas other creatures have but one ; the Hawk hath wings , the Hare and Horse have feet , but he hath and useth both Wings and Feet , and hence is so nimble in his flight . The right Christian maketh haste and runneth the way of Gods commandments , because he doth use not only the wings of Religious performances for that end , but also the feet of his ordinary actions . When some are only for holy duties , and others onely for honest dealings , he outstrips them all , marrying them both together , and making them like Husband and Wife , serviceable each to other . T is true , his piety is the Husband which hath the command and dominion ; but his dealings with men as a dutiful wife , further his weal by their obedience and subjection . No Christian ever made more haste in Heavens way then Paul , 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured more abundantly then they all ( saith he ) but how came it about ? VVhy , through divine assistance , he exercised himself to keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards all men . Acts 14. 16. The stream must needs be the swifter for the meeting and uniting of the waters of grace out of both those channels . The bark which covereth the tree , seemeth to be of little worth , compared with the body of the tree ; yet if that be peeled off , the tree dyeth . Though righteous dealings seem to be but the bark and outside of Religion , yet if once thou castest them off , thy Religion , as thriving as thou thoughtst it to be , will quickly wither and come to nothing ; the heart-blood of thy godliness may be let out by a wound in thy hand .

I shall lay down a Motive or two to quicken thee to conscienciousness in thy dealings with all men , and then acquaint thee wherein it consisteth .

SECT. I.

FIrst , Motives , 1 T is a sign of hypocrisie to be unrighteous in our dealings . Consider , It s a sure sign of Hypocrisie to be unrighteous and careless in civil dealings , how consciencious soever thou mayst seem to be in sacred duties . He that seems righteous towards men ; and is irreligious towards God , is but an honest Heathen ; and he that seems religious towards God , and unrighteous towards men , is but a dissembling Christian . To make Conscience of one duty , and not of another , is to make true conscience of neither . The soul that ever had Communion with God above , comes down like Moses out of the Mount , with both Tables in his hands , the second as well as the first , and the first as well as the second . One stone in a Mill , one oare in a Boat will do little good ; there must be two , or no work can be done . A perfect man consisteth of two essential parts , a Soul and a body ; though the soul● be the principal , and doth specificate the compound , yet the body is so necessary , that without it none can be a compleat man . A Christian that is ( evangelically ) perfect , is also made up of these two parts , Holiness and Righteousness ; though holiness be the chief , as that which doth difference the Saint , yet righteousness is so requisite , that there can be no true Christian without it . The holy Apostle argueth the purity of his conscience , from the honesty of his conversation . Heb. 13. 18. We trust that we have a good conscience , in all things , willing to live honestly . The goodness of the Fruit will commend the Tree .

1. Their honesty was visible , to live honestly ; not onely to mean well , and think honestly , or to talk , but to live honestly .

2. Their honesty was universal ; In all things ( not in one or two particulars ) willing to live honestly . Visibility , and universality , are Popish marks of a true Church , and Protestant marks of a true Christian . An Hypocritical Iehu may do some things ; a Murderous Herod may do many things ; Non est vera religio quae cum templo relinquitur . Lactant. but an upright Paul is in all things willing to live honestly . A Ship that is not of the right make , cannot sayl trim ; and a Clock whose Spring is faulty , will not always go true ; so a person of unsound principles , cannot be constant and even in his practices . The Religion of those that are inwardly rotten , is like a fire in some cold climates , which doth almost fry a man before , when at the same time he is freezing behind ; they are zealous in some things , as holy duties , which are cheap ; and cold in other things , especially when they cross their profit or credit ; as the Mount Helga is covered with Snow on one side , when it burneth and casteth out cynders on the other side ; but the holiness of them that are sound at heart , is like the natural heat , which though it resort most to the vitals of sacred performances , yet as need is , it warmeth , and hath an influence upon all the outward parts of civil transactions . It may be said of true sanctity , as of the Sun , there is nothing hid from the heat thereof , Psa. 19. 5. When all the parts of the body have their due nourishment distributed to them , it s a sign of an healthy temper .

As the Saint is discribed somtimes by a clean heart , Psa. 73. 1. Mat. 5. 8. so also sometimes by clean hands , Iob. 17. 9. because he hath both ; the holiness of his heart , is seen at his fingers ends ; He is as the Ark pitched within and without with the same ; as he is sometimes characterised by sacred duties , Psa. 24. 6. and 119. Rev. 1. 3. so at other times by righteous dealings , Psa. 15. Isai. 58. because he mindeth both ; if either be separated from the man , you kill the Christian ; for though he may be a man without either , he cannot be a Christian without both . The Greek Word for Sincerity , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is very elegant , and signifieth ( quasi 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) such a trial as is made of things by the Sun-light : as the Eagle , according to Aristotle , bringeth her young to the Sun , to try whether they are Spurious or Legitimate ; so the actions of a sincere Christian will endure the open Air , the light of the Sun ; He is as the street of the New Ierusalem ; transparent glass , all one without , and within , you may see through him . He dares appeal both to God and men for the holiness and righteousness of his conversation ; Ye are witnesses , and God also , how holily and justly we have had our conversation in the world , 1 Thes. 2. 10.

Reader , never please thy self in the name of a Christian , if thou hast not the nature of Christianity , which giveth God and Man their due ; T is not the great sound of a Professor , nor the loud noise of holy performances , that will speak thee sincere , if thou makest not conscience of thy carriage towards thy Neighbours . The Sadduces derive their name from Zeduchim or Zadducaeus a just man ; but the worst men saith the Historian , got the best names . The Alcaron of the Turks , hath its name from brightness ( Al in the Arabick being as much as Karan in the Hebrew , to shine or cast forth a brightness ) when t is full of darkness , and fraught with falshoods . T will be little comfort to thee , though the world commond thee for a holy man , if God condemn thee for an Hypocrite ; Doth not the word of truth tell thee , that they who are partial in the Law , have no part in the Gospel ; and that none are justified by Christ , but those that are just towards Christians ? Do not think thy spiritual constitution to be sound , if plague-sores break out on thy body . The Gods , saith Aristotle , do not so much respect the costliness of the Sacrifice , as the conversation of the Sacrificer . Sure I am , the true God rejects those prayers , seem they never so glorious , where the Petitioner is unrighteous ; All thy Oblations will be vain , if thy conversation be vicious ; the sweetest Incense is unsavoury , if the hands that offer it be filthy ; Bring no more vain Oblations , Incense is an abomination to me ; the New Moones , and Sabbaths , the calling of Assemblies , I cannot away , it is iniquity , even the solemn meeting . Tour new Moons , and your solemn Feasts my soul hateth , they are a trouble unto me , I am weary to bear them ; And when ye spread forrh your hands , I will hide mine eyes from you ; Yea , when you make many prayers , I will not hear . But what is the reason that all these Ordinances which were of Gods own appointment , are thus rejected ? Your HANDS are full of blood , Isa. 1. 13 , 14 , 15. An unclean hand tainteth whatsoever it toucheth .

Secondly , 2 2 Motive , The Cred●t of R●ligion is much eng●ged in our dealings with others . Consider , The Credit of Religion is engaged in thy publique dealings . More eyes are upon us when we walk abroad , then when we are at home , and therefore it concerns us to be handsome in our habits , and very circumspect in our carriage . A Professour may be rotten-hearted in holy duties , and the world never the wiser , they are ignorant of it , and so do not disgrace Religion for it ; but if he be once unrighteous in his dealings , the whole Country will quickly ring of it , and cry him up for a Cheat , and his Religion for a cozenage . God indeed looks most to our hearts , whether they be sound , and accordingly esteemeth of our performances ; but men look onely to our hands , whether they be clean , and accordingly judge of our profession . If the servants of religion behave themselves unseemly , their Mistress shall be sure to bear the blame . When David had defiled Bathsheba , the name of God was blasphemed . A Saint cannot do evil before men , but he occasions sinners to speak evil of God . If there be any spots on a Christians Coat , the world will soon spie them , and be ready in scorn to ask Christ himself , as the Patriarchs did Iacob , See whether this be thy Sons coat or no ? To look high by thy profession , and live low and basely in thy practices , will betray both thy self and the Gospel to scorn and derision . Augustin confess●th there were many such in his time , who professing the Christian Religion , did by their licentious lives give great scandal , and with them the Maniches were wont to reproach the whole Church of Christ , though the Church did disown them ; and though she could not reclaim them , she did disclaim them . Aug. de moribus Ecclesiae . Cap. 34.

The wicked first watch for a godly mans fall , and then are big with blasphemy against Godliness ; Like Miners , they work hard , though unseen , to blow up a Saints name . The Psalmist tells us , They compassed us in our steps , they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth , Psa. 17. 11. It s an allusion to Hunters , who go poring on the ground , to find the print of the Hares claws , when their Dogs are at a loss in their sent . So Satans agents go with their eyes bowing down , marking the Saints footsteps , to find out if it be possible , where they have slipped or stepped awry , that their blood-hounds may follow both their persons and their profession with loud cryes , and fresh noise ; The baggage world is both desirous and industrious to scarr that face , and to spie the least blemish in it , that is fairer then her self .

If the Christian be once defiled , Christianity it self will quickly be defamed ; Though sins in secret duties have their aggravations , yet sins in our publique dealings do in a three-fold respect exceed them .

1. These are scandalous to the good , which those are not ; The children of God weep bitterly , when they hear that others walk disorderly . Their hearts bewail their brethrens wickedness ; now wouldst thou sadden the Spirit of a Saint ? Alas , they have grief enough from their enemies , and shall they be wounded in the house of their friends ?

2. They are infectious to the bad , Scandalum est dictum , aut sactum , quo alius● redditur deterior . Paraeus , in 1 Cor. 8. 9. which secret sins are not . Thy sins are like St. Pauls in London , on high● for the gaze of the World ; but thy vertues as St. Faith under ground , they do not note them . How soon will the World plead a Christians sinful act , to excuse and justifie their own sinful habits ! They are like ravenous birds , that flie over sweet and pleasant flowers , and pitch onely upon unsavoury carcasses ; they take little notice of thy graces , but will be sure to mind thy vices ; The Philosopher saith , that the Fleeces of such Sheep as are killed by the Wolf , are most apt to breed Lice ; one of Christs Sheep , foiled by Satan , in the eyes of men doth much mischief . Now will it not trouble thee that these unclean fowles should pick that from thee , which will feed and nourish their filthy natures ? Alas , they move fast enough towards Hell with the tide of their own evil hearts , and shall the wind of thy example make them sayl more swiftly ?

3. Thy open sins , occasion the wicked to speak ill of God , which secret sins do not . The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles , through you , saith the Apostle , to the Romans , Rom. 2. 24. Christians ought to be shields to ward off those blows of reproach , which would fall on the name of God ; how unchristian are they then that are swords in the hands of the wicked , wherewith the name of God is wounded . Truly , an unrighteous professour is such a one ; If thou studiest to do thy God disservice , and to bring on his blessed name dishonour , thou canst not do it sooner then by unjust actions , under the livery of an high profession . The Divel himself cannot dress a man in a more ridiculous habit , to make both him and his Master the scorn of the Company , then by putting on him a coat patcht up of divers peices , and contrary colours ; a glorious name of a Saint , and the unrighteous works of a reprobate . Friend , beware how thou behavest thy self in the world . The Snow makes a fair shew to the eye , but being melted it makes a dangerous flood . They who make a fair shew in the flesh , by walking offensively may cause such a deluge as may drown the souls of others , and give many a dash at the name of God himself . The Indians would not hear of Heaven , when they were told that the Spaniards ( whom they had found to be barbarous and bloody , ) went thither ; The Iews are hardened in their emnity against Christ , by the evil lives of pretended Chistians . Epiphanius saith , that in his days many avoided the Christians company , because of the looseness of some mens conversation . When some beasts have blown on grass , others will not eat of it for a good while after . ●ts no wonder that Religion finds so few greedy of her service , when her work is so much disparaged by those that already seem to be her servants . Men will easily be discouraged from travailing in that rode which is haunted with Theeves and robbers . Either walk up to thy calling , or lay thy calling down ; why shouldst thou give conscience cause to say to thee truly ( what Michael did to David falsly ) thou hast made thy self like one of the vile and base fellows of the earth ?

SECT. II.

AS to the exercising thy self to Godliness in thy dealings with all men , it consisteth partly in the manner of thy dealings , partly in the principle of thy dealing , and partly in the end thou propoundest in thy dealings .

First , Be careful in thy carriage towards others as to the maner of it , that it be righteous , meek and courteous .

1. Be righteous in thy dealings with all men . Righteousness strictly taken is a vertue , which guideth and ordereth the whole man for the good of his neighbour , as the understanding to conceive , the Will to chose , the affections to love and desire , and the whole man to act and do what may tend to the welfare of others . This righteousness is of so great concernment to godliness , that it is sometimes put by a Synechdoche for the whole of Religion , 1 Ioh. 3. 7. He that doth righteousness , is righteous ; so Rom. 6. 17. And the Christian is denominated from this part of Christianity , Gen. 7. 1. And the Lord said unto Noah , Come thou and all thy house into the Ark , for thee have I seen righteous before me ; so Psa. 5. ult. For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous . The Moral Philosophers tell us that justice is the sum and Epitome of all vertues ; the Divines will inform us that righteousness ( largely taken ) is the string upon which all the graces hang ; if that be broken or snapt asunder , they all fall off and are lost . I must tell thee ( Christian ) that civil righteousness is as really necessary as sacred . He that seemeth righteous towards God , and is unrighteous towards men , is unrighteous both to God and Man . I say , be righteous in thy dealing with all men . Viz. Let thy righteousness be real and universal ; Commntative & Distributive . Be righteous in thy action● , expressions , and towards all persons .

1. Be righteous in thy works or Actions . Deal with men as one that in all hath to do with God . If thou art a Christian , thou art a Law to thy self , thou hast not onely a Law without thee ( the Word of God ) but a Law within thee , and so darest not transgress . Thy double hedge may well prevent thy wandring . Alas , what do those unruly beasts get , whom no fence can keep in , but a more speedy slaughter ! It s said of an unrighteous man , his own counsel shall cast him out , Job 18. 7. Unjust men think by their craft to cast others down , but their own counsel will cast themselves out ; Out ! out of what ? Out of their houses ; for such dwellings are built upon powder , and a spark of wrath sooner or later will blow them up , Psa. 37. 9 , 10 Out of their lands and possessions , Quod quasi & siccos madesaceret , & exprimeret humentes ; because he did advance and wet them well when dry , and press them hard when wet . Tacit. for some providence or other ( as Fla●ius Vespasianus served his proling Officers ) will press such Spunges hard , and squeeze out all their impure water , which they have so greedily sucked in . Out of their Shops and all earthly comforts , for such wealth is b●t like the flesh which the Eagle fetcht from the Altar with a coal in it , which fires and consumes the whole nest , Hab. 2. 9. And which is worst of all , their counsel will at last cast them out of heaven ; God himself hath lockt the gate of bliss against them , and with all their craft and counsel they shall not be able to pick it open . 1 Cor. 6. 9 , 10. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God . It w as a true saying of Bishop Latimer , when one told him , The Cutler had cozened him , in making him pay as much more for his Knife as it was worth ; No ( saith he ) he hath not cozened me , but his own conscience . That Knife cut deep into the poor Cutlers soul , and made wider gaps then he was aware of ; O how foolish is man to conceive that by fraud he shall keep himself up , when God himself saith , that his own counsel shall cast him down !

Reader , If thou art one that like Balaam lovest the wages of unrighteousness , bethink thy self speedily ; for thy wealth unjustly gotten , will like Achans wedge of Gold , cleave thy soul in sunder . Righteousness in thy works must appear both in buying and in selling .

Be righteous in buying . Take heed lest thou layest out thy money to purchase endless misery . Some have bought places to bury their bodies in , but more have bought those commodities which have swallowed up their souls . Injustice in buying , is a Canker which will eat up , and waste the most durable wares . An unjust Chapman , like Phocion , payeth for that poison which kills him , and buyeth his own bane . A true Christian , will in buying as well as selling use a conscience . Austin relates a story of an Histrionical Mountebank , who to gain spectatours , promised if they would come the next day , he would tell them what every ones heart desired . When they all flocked about him at the time appointed , expecting the performance of his word , he told them , This is the desire of every of your hearts , to sell dear and buy cheap ; but it s a sign he was an Emperick by the falseness of his bill ; for a good man would buy as dear as he selleth . His buying and selling are like two scales , that hang in an equal poize .

In buying do not work either upon the ignorance or the poverty of the Seller . Do not take advantage by the Sellers ignorance . This would be as bad as to lead the blind out of the way , 1 Thes. 4. 6. Let no man go beyond , or over reach another in any matter , because that the Lord is the avenger of all-such . Mark , Reader , Those that over-reach men , are within the reach of a sin-revenging God ; Some persons will boast of their going beyond others in bargains , but they have more cause to bewayl it , unless they could go beyond the line of Gods power and anger . It s an ordinary saying , but sinful , Iust●m precium , quod multo amplius erat , nec opinanti dedit . Aug. de Trin. l. 53. c. 3. A man may buy as cheap as he can . Austin tells us , A certain man ( himself I suppose he meaneth ) was offered a book by an unskilful Stationer , at a price not half the worth of it ; he took the book , but gave him the just price , according to its full value . Sure I am , those wares which are half bought , through a cunning Chapmans out-witting the silly tradesman , are half stolen . It is naught , it is naught , saith the buyer , but when he is gone his way , then he boasteth , Pro. 20. 14. but hath more reason to weep , for his subtle words , how cheap soever he buyeth , will make it an hard pennyworth in the end . He makes the best Market , that like holy David payeth the full just price . Nay ( saith he , of Ornans threshing floor ) but I will buy it for the full price , 1 Chron. 21. 22 , 24. Ahab never bought a dearer purchase then Naboths Vineyard , for which he paid not one penny .

Do not work upon the Sellers poverty . This is to grind the faces of the poor , and great oppression ; It is no mean sin in many rich Citizens , who take advantage on the necessity of poor tradesmen . The poor man must sell , or his Family starve ; the rich man knoweth it , and will buy but at such a rate , that the other with all his labour shall not earn his own bread . God made the rich to releive , but these ( I must be bold to say ) rob the poor . It s an ill way for any to raise themselves higher in the world by trampling poor men under their feet . God hath sometimes made their houses , ( as high and as firm as they were ) to fall down upon their heads , who have thus sucked out the blood of poor mens hearts . Some will tell us , They do no wrong herein ; for if poor men will not take their money , they may let it alone , they do not force them . Reader , if thy soul be died with this crimson sin , I shall onely ask thee this question ; Is this to love thy Neighbour as thy self ? If thou hadst a Wife and several small Children , and the providence of God had called thee to this poor mans condition ; wouldst thou be contented to work hard a whole week , and when thou wast compelled to fell thy wares to buy food for thy family , to receive ( the money for materials deducted ) but six pence or twelve pence for all thy pains ? Let thy own conscience be judge in this ease : Is not this , for men to live like fish , the greater devouring the lesser ? I have heard a Country Mercer say ( who is now in heaven ) that several times , when poor men have brought lace , or ribands , or other ware to him , he hath tried how low he could beat the price , and because of their necessities , he hath brought them to allow their commodities for less then the very materials cost them ; but after he had so done , he durst not but give them a just equitable price ; his conscience would not suffer him to make them suffer , because their poverty necessitated them to sell. And truly where men act otherwise , though their consciences may be quiet , because asleep , yet they have no true rest , and the time will come that conscience will awake to their wo. When some of the Jews had bought Lands and Vineyards of their brethren at an under rate , they being forced to Mortgage them to get bread , Nehemiah rebukes them severely for working upon others extremity ; and desires God to shake every man out of his possession , who did not make restitution , Nehem. 5. 2 , 3 , 4 , 12 , 13. Such wealth to a man , is like Ionah to the Whale ; though he swallow it down , yet he will finde it too hard a Morsel to digest , and have no ease till he hath restored and vomited it up again .

Be righteous in thy payments . Pay what thou agreest , and pay it in good money .

Pay what thou contractest for . If thou buyest wares with an intention not to pay , thou stealest them ; and truly such wealth will melt away like Wax before the Sun . Such ill gotten goods , will as commodities in a damp Cellar , moulder and come to nothing . He that hath any such riches , saith Chrysostom , must speedily away with it , or else he locketh up a Theif in his Counting-house , which will carry all away , and if he look not the better to it , his precious soul also . He is notoriously unrighteous , that like the Harpie ( which hath its name in Hebrew from injustice ) seizeth upon all he can meet with as prey . Mark , Reader , how pious honest Iacob was in this particular ; when the Patriarchs had bought Corn in Egypt , and given their money to them that sold it , yet when upon their return he found the money in their sacks ; Take ( saith he ) the money that was brought again , in the mouth of your sacks , carry it again in your hands ; peradventure it was an oversight , Gen. 43. 12. How many would have concealed the money , stopt the mouth of their consciences with the first payment , and have kept it now as lawful prize ; but Iacobs conscience was more tender mouthed .

Let thy payments be in good Money . It s Treason against the King to make bad money , and its Treason against the King of Kings ( knowingly ) to pay brass money ; If thou dischargest thy debt in adulterate coyn , thou contractest a greater debt on thy soul , and defilest thy conscience . He that putteth God off with false service , is a spiritual Hypocrite ; He that puts men off with false silver , is a civil Hypocrite ; Such a mans conscience is farther from being currant then his Coin . And Abraham weighed to Ephron , the silver which he had named in the audience of the Sons of Heth , four hundred shekels of silver , currant money with the Merchant , Gen. 23. 16. He that makes light payments , may well expect heavy judgements .

SECT. III.

Be righteous in selling . Be careful whilst thou sellest thy wares to men , that thou dost not therewith sell thy soul to Satan . Believe it , thou wilt follow thy calling to sad purpose , if thou forgoest thine inward peace for a little outward profit .

Be righteous in the substance of what thou sellest , and that in regard of its quality and quantity .

In regard of its quality ; Put not bad ware for good into any mans hand . God can see the rottenness of thy stuffs and heart too , under thy false glosses , and for all thy false lights . Thou sayst , Caveat emptor , Let the buyer beware ; but God saith , Caveat venditor , Let the seller be careful that he keep a good conscience . To sell men what is full of flaws and defective , for what is sound and sufficient , will make a greater flaw in thy conscience then thou art aware of ; If thou partest with thy goods and thy honesty together , though for a great sum , thou wilt be but a poor gainer . Thou wilt ask possibly whither every man be bound to reveal the faults of what he selleth , supposing that he knoweth them . I Answer , that every man is bound , either to discover them , or else to take no more for his wares or beasts then they are worth ( at a Market-price ) with those defects . It s clear , that its sinful to use tricks and arts to hide those faults from the eyes of the Chapman ; for such deeds are done purposely to deceive . I would also know Reader , whether thou dealest herein , as thou wouldst willingly be dealt with ; Wouldst thou be glad to pay double , or half as much more as a commodity is worth ?

Be righteous in the substance of what thou sellest , in regard of its quantity . We have a common saying ; Weight and Measure are Heavens treasure . It s certain , A false ballance is abomination to the Lord , a just weight is his delight , Prov. 11. 1. The righteous Lord , hateth unrighteousness , but his countenance beholdeth the just . They wrong themselves most , who rob others of their right ; He hatcheth a Cockatrice egge , who sits brooding on ill-gotten goods , and ( like Agrippina to Nero ) bringeth forth and gives life to that which will be his death . The jealous God is very punctual in this particular . Ye shall do no unrighteousness , in Iudgement , in Mete-yard , in Weight , or in Measure . Iust Balances , just Weights , a just Ephah , and a just Hin shall ●e have ; I am the Lord your God , which brought you out of the Land of Egypt , Lev. 19. 35 , 36. God is pleased to count up all in his command , that they might not have the least colour of excuse for cozening in any thing . Nay , he loatheth so much , false Weights and Measures in their hands , that he will not allow them to be in their houses . Thou shalt not have in thy bag , divers weights , a great and a small . Thou shalt not have in thy house , divers Measures , a great and a small . But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight ; a perfect and just measure shalt thou have , Deut. 25. 13 , 14 , 15. Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers Weights ; in the Hebrew it is a stone and a stone , because the Jews did not make their weights of Iron or Lead , M●●imony Treatise of Thefr . Cap. 7. or any Mettal that would canker and wax too light , but they made them of the clear stony Rock , or of Glass ; They might not have an unjust Weight or Measure in their Houses , because some not knowing them to be defective , might use them , and deceive others .

The face of Ephraims sin was visible , under all the Masks which he used to hide it ; He is a Merchant , the ballances of deceit are in his hand , he loveth to oppress . And Ephraim said , Yet I am become rich , I have found me out substance ; in all my labour they shall finde none iniquity in me , that were sin , Hos. 12. 7 , 8. Here is 1. His Calling , that was Honourable . He is a Merchant ; When some accused a young Gentleman for staining his Family by his employment , and dishonouring the Noble house of which he descended : Apollonius stood forth in his defence ; Ye talk ( saith he ) of a dangerous Trade , and truly such is the life of Merchants , they travail into forraign parts , run great hazards , make many ill bargains , and sometimes are bought and sold themselves , and all this they venture to serve their Country , and ought they not to be highly esteemed ? Ephraim was a Merchant ; but how unsutable were his practices , to his high and honourable Profession ? for observe . 2. His Cozenage , that was abominable . The ballances of deceit are in his hand , he loveth to oppress . When a buyer comes for a commodity , he weigheth it out fairly in the ballance , but he hath a deceitful bag of weights , or a deceitful beam . He dares not cozen openly for shame , but he doth covertly with the sleights and mysteries of his calling ; but to rob by fraud in a Shop or Ware-house , is as bad as to rob by force upon the road . Both are Thieves , and the former in some respect the greater , as more dissembling in their dealings , and more frequent in their thefts . These Cheats that do it cunningly , as Rabbits , making holes under ground , and so think themselves secure , will at last be fereted out and slain . 3. His Case and Cover of his sin . I am become rich , I have found me out substance ; in all my labour they shall find none iniquity ; As if his riches did prove him to be righteous , and his prosperity had argued him free from all impiety . Whereas God suffereth many like ravenous birds , to build their Nests on high with stollen materials , intending at last by some fierce blast of providence to bring them down , and destroy the whole brood . Thieves seldome finde joy in their new purchases , but never stability . Geese , say some , if they chance to take hold of a root with their bill , they will bite and pull so long to have it , that many times they break their necks before they leave their hold . So unjust men , by their greediness to inrich , usually ruine themselves ; such goods are like the Fox which Plutarch mentions the Lacedemonian boy to have stollen , and rather then he would be discovered , put it into his breeches , but it quickly did tear out his bowels .

Be religious in the manner of thy selling . Be righteous in the manner of thy selling . The Seller may not exact upon the Buyers necessity , but sell by the rule of equity . I am not bound to sell cheap , because I buy cheap , neither may I sell dear because I buy dear . Not my buying or selling , so much as the price of the Market should be my standard . Though I conceive a Market rate to be most righteous , yet its wicked by keeping in commodities to raise the Market . He that with-holdeth Corn , the people shall curse him , Prov. 11. 26. Such a man like a corrupt imposthumated member , would draw all the nourishment to himself , and cares not though the other parts of the body perish , but the people shall curse him . This Oak which will suffer no small trees to thrive neer it , will in time fall with the breath of so many curses .

Probably you would know whether a Tradesman , that knoweth such and such commodities will fall very much ( by Letters which mention several Ships comming home laden with them , or some other way ) may not sell off his own wares at the present price , and hide his news from his Country Customers ? Reader , I shall answer it with a question not much unlike it in an Heathen Author , expecting that Christians should not be excelled by Heathen . Tull. de Offic. A man brings a Ship of Corn from Alexandria to Rhodes ( saith Cicero ) in a time of great Famine , he may have for it what pri●e he pleaseth ; he knoweth of many more Ships which will be there the next day , may he conceal this from the Rhodians ? No , saith the Orator . And what sayest thou Reader ?

In all thy Contracts , Purchases , and Sales , cast an eye upon that golden rule , mentioned by our Saviour , Mat. 7. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so to them ; for this is the Law and the Prophets ; This is the Royal Law , the golden Rule , the Kings High-way , and the standard of all righteousness . Whatsoever in a well ordered judgement thou wouldst have others do to thee and thine , do the sam● to them and theirs , supposing conditions alike ; for this is the sum and epitome of all that is delivered in the Law and the Prophets , concerning thy carriage towards others . Hierom commended this saying to a holy woman , to be written on her heart , as an abridgement of all righteousness . Lactantius saith , It s the root and foundation of all equity . Severus the Emperor had often this saying in his mouth , Quod tibi non vis , alterine seceris , Sever. and caused it to be proclaimed by the Cryer , as often as he punished a Souldier for injuring any other . It s very profitable for a Christian in his dealings with others , to make frequent appeals to his own Conscience . Would I be dealt thus with , were I as this man is , or as this woman ? Would I be willing to have this measure measured to me or mine ? Would I be glad to be served so as I serve others ? Is this to love my Neighbour as my self . Reader , such serious Soliloquies may prevent much unrighteousness . Though Charity begins at home in regard of order , yet not in regard of time ; for a man no sooner loves himself aright , but he loves his Neighbour as himself . That Proverb came from the Devil , Every man for himself , and God for us all . For God saith , Let no man seek his own , but every man anothers wealth : And again , Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self , 1 Cor. 10. 24. Gal. 5. 24. He is but a beast that preyeth for himself alone . Inanimate creatures are beneficial to others ; Fire , Ayr , Earth , Water , are all serviceable to others beside and more then to themselves . How soon would the frame of nature be dissolved , if every thing should be confined within the narrow compass of self ! Water moveth downward , Fire upward naturally , yet both will cross their own nature to prevent a Vacuum , and preserve the Vniverse .

Besides , I must tell thee that the Subjects house , as well as the Kings Throne , is preserved by righteousness ; That speech of Nevessan the Lawyer , is contrary to Scripture , He that will not venture his body , shall never be valiant ; and he that will not venture his soul , shall never be rich . Righteousness , not Robbery , is the way to Riches . He goeth the farthest way about , that endeavours to increase his strength by sucking others blood , or to get an estate by injustice . Nay , he takes a contrary course , for he pulls down on his head the Divine curse ; which like an Hectick Feaver , will cause an irrecoverable Consumption of all his comforts , both temporal and spiritual . Such treasures and owners are like the Canaanites to the Land ; the Land will groan , till it spue them out . Treasures of wickedness profit nothing , Prov. 10. 2. Observe Reader , 1. The Excellency of these Comforts in themselves ; they are Treasures , that is , heaps of outward good thing ; the word includeth a multitude ; for one or two will not make a treasure ; and a multitude of precious things for an heap of sand or coales or dust , is not a treasure , but of silver or gold , or some excellent earthly things . It is here in the plural , Treasures , Noting the greatest confluence of worldly comforts . Note , 2. The impiety of the owners , they are treasures of wickedness . The Purchaser got them by sinful practices . They were brought into his house slily at some back door ; He was both the receiver and the theif . Treasures of wickedness , because gotten by wicked ways , and imployed to wicked ends . There is an English Proverb , which too many English men have made good ; That which is got over the Devils back , is usually spent under the Devils belly . When sin is the Parent that begets riches , it many times hath this recompence , that they are wholly at its service and command . 3. The vanity of those treasures , they profit nothing ; Treasures of wickedness profit nothing . They are unable to chear the mind , to cure the diseases of the body , muchless to heal the wounds of the soul , or to bribe the flames of Hell . Alas ! they are so far from profiting , that they are infinitely prejudicial . Such Powder-Masters are blown up wi●h their own ware . These loads sink the bearers into the unquenchable lake . The Philosopher tells us of the Sea-mew , or Sea-Eagle ( called in Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Arist. Hist 9. Animal c. 24 because she seeketh for her prey in the waters ) that she will often seize on her prey , though it be more then she can bear , and falleth down headlong with it into the deep , and so perisheth ; This Fowl is a fit embleme of the unrighteous person , for he graspeth those heavy possessions which press him down into the pit of perdition . They that will be rich ( that resolve on it , whether God will or no , and by any means , whether right or wrong ) fall into temptations , and a snare , and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition , 1 Tim. 6. 9. They that will be rich . Men that scrape an estate together unjustly , are frequently said in the Word of God , to get it in haste , to make haste to be rich , because such will not stay Gods time , nor wait in his way , till he send them in wealth , but must have it presently , and care not though it be unrighteously ; But as we say ; Matches made in haste , are repented at leasure ; So truly , riches got in haste , are often lamented for ever . It s most true here , The more haste the less speed ; Food hastily eaten , is seldom so well digested as what is eaten leasurably ; He that maketh haste to be rich , shall not be innocent ; He that maketh haste to be rich , hath an evil eye , and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him , Prov. 28. 20 , 22. Sometimes God suffereth a cruel hand , to pluck the stolen feathers of this unclean Bird , and then he is left bare whilst he liveth ; sometimes he is hurried away in the prime and pride of his age to Hell , from his goods which he got in haste ; As the Lizards eggs are hatcht in six moneths , and yet the old one never liveth to see them , saith the Naturalist .

Festina Iente . Illud adagium arridebat duobus Imperatoribus facile laudatissimis , Aug. & Tito . Eras. Adag . Fair and softly goes far . None thrive so well as those that stay Gods leasure , and expect wealth in his way . Titus Vespasian stamped in his Coin a Dolphin and an Anchor , with this Impress , Sat cito , si sat bene . Soon enough , if well enough . A Dolphin outstrips the Ship , that 's soon enough ; And an Anchor stayeth the Ship , that 's well enough ; So both together make , soon enough , if well enough ; And of this Prince it is reported , Abstinuit alieno si quis unquam . If ever any was free from injuring others , he was the man . None are more guilty of unrighteousness , then those that huddle up riches in haste . They are most harmless who are contented to live in hope , and to wait patiently on God . That wealth which is gotten well enough , is gotten soon enough ; All other is worse then an abortive birth , that comes before the time . That fruit which is soon ripe , will be soon rotten . An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning , but the end thereof shall not be blessed , Prov. 20. 21. As Hony over liberally eaten , though it be sweet and pleasant at first , yet afterwards , causeth strange vomitings and sad g●ipings in the stomach and belly ; so an estate overhastily gotten , though it may cause a smile in thy countenance , and rejoyce thy carnal part at the beginning , yet will afterwards cause dreadful gripings in thy conscience , be a Vulture gnawing at thy heart , and its latter end be cursed to thee and thine . I have read of a Philosopher , who bought a pair of shoes upon trust , the Shoe-maker dieth , the Pythagorean rejoyceth , and thinks his shoes clear gaines ; but a while after , his conscience twitches him , and will allow him no rest , because of his robbery ; he repaires to the house of the dead , and casts in his money , saying , There , take thy due ; Thou livest to me , though dead to all besides . He that carrieth such luggage on his back all day , must expect to find his conscience galled to purpose at night .

O Friend , take heed of setting thine inestim●ble soul to sale for a little corruptible silver . If it will not profit thee to gain the whole world and lose thy own soul ; surely , t will not advantage thee to gain a small pittance of it , and lose thy soul. Thou rakest , and runnest , and it may be cozenest and cheatest , to leave thy child a considerable estate ; I must tell thee , thy Son is little beholden to thee for leaving him a gay knife to cut his Throat with ; a gaudy suit with the Plague in it ; a great stately dwelling haunted with Divels ; a large portion with the curse of God : No man in his wits would give one hair of his head to be made thine heir , wert thou worth thousands . The Devil himself , though he will thank thee for getting it so unjustly , yet he would not thank thee , if thou shouldst bequeath him all thy ill gotten goods ; No , he doth not love the curse of God so well : Thou wouldst shew thy self a more loving Father , in leaving thy Son a Bottle and a Basket to beg with from door to door , then the greatest heap of such riches .

Besides , What comfort will it be to thee , for thy Son to live in honour , and bath himself in carnal pleasure , with that wealth which thou hast unjustly scraped together , when thou art frying in unquenchable flames for thy injustice ! Thy Children are rejoycing with thy silver , and the Devils are revelling with thy soul at the same season ; Canst thou think that the contentment of thy posterity , will in the least abate thy torments ? It may be thou pleasest thy self with an intention of giving somewhat in thy Will to the poor , and so to pay thy debts to God , with the Devils goods , with that coyn which hath the Image and Superscription of the Prince of darkness on it ; and art thou so mad as to think that it will be acceptable ? I tell thee , Isa. 618 God hates robbery for a sacrifice , and thy stollen goods for a burnt Offering . The Great Sultan , as giddy as he was , with the noysome fumes of Mahomets Alchoran , was yet so well in his wits , as to tell his Bashaw ( who perswaded him to build an Hospital with the wealth he had unjustly taken from the Persian Merchants ) That to despose his money to releive the poor , would not please God ; but to restore it to the right owners , would be acceptable ; Will a King thank that man who robs his honest Subjects of an hundred pound upon the road , and then thinks to make amends , by paying half a Crown out of it towards his service . Thou canst not groundedly hope , that thy unrighteousness should be remitted , until thy Mammon of unrighteousness be restored by the Law of God , as well as of men Debts must be paid first , and then Legacies ; Iustice must be first minded and then Charity . It may be thou chearest thy heart with the thoughts of an honourable burial ; it delights thee to think , how when thy Will is open , people will applaud thee for the large provision thou makest therein for thy children , with what a great Company thou shalt be attended to thy grave , and what a costly Monument shall be erected to thy Memory . Well! since thou art so much joyed with a curious Tomb , I shall take the pains to write thine Epitaph ( and if thou hast a spark of true love to thy soul , thou wilt think of it whilst thou livest ) Here lies Interred , one that to make his Children Gentlemen on earth for a few days , made himself a Beggar in Hell to all eternity . He was one that to gain a little earthly treasure , of which he hath now taken an everlasting farewel ; sold his precious soul , and the endless blisseful fruition of the blessed God . Did ever fool buy so dear , or sell so cheap ! O look on him , and learn to be righteous .

SECT. IV.

SEcondly , Be righteous in thy Words and Expressions , Be righteous in thy words and expressions . as well as in thy Works . The Christians tongue should be his hearts interpreter , and reveal its mind and meaning ; and the Christians hand should justifie his tongue , by turning his words into deeds : Though the right Christian is not a worshipper of Mercury , to whom tongues were only offered in sacrifice ; yet with the Athenians he doth speak well , as with the Lacedemonians do well . The Burgesse of the new Ierusalem is known by this livery ; He walketh uprightly , worketh righteousness , and speaketh the truth in his heart ; He sweareth to his own hurt , and changeth not , Psal. 15. 2 , 4.

First , He speaketh the truth in his heart ; His speech is the genuine and natural off-spring of his heart ; there is a great resemblance between the Child and the Parent ; That language which is confused , and not to be understood , speaks not a Citizen of Sion , but a builder of Babel or Babylon . When the words are spurious , and not the hearts own ; like Abimelech , they destroy the Family of which they descend ; sometimes that tongue cuts the owners throat . The getting of treasure by a lying tongue , is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death , Prov. 21. 6. The deceitful tongue seeketh death , though not intentionally , yet euentually ; The Saints words and thoughts are univocal , they speak as they think ; and are like clarified honey , clear to the bottom ; his heart is the Mine , his mind frameth the matter , and his tongue is the shop that exposeth it to publique view .

Secondly , He sweareth to his own hurt , and changeth not . His hand will make good his lawful promises , how much soever they shall be to his prejudice . There is a Symmetry between his hand and his tongue ; he is slow to promise , not hasty to enter into bonds , but being once engaged , he will be sure to perform . He dares not falsifie his word , knowing that his God was an earwitness .

It was the saying of Lysander , That if the Lyons skin would not serve ( to cozen with ) the foxes must be sowed to it , and that Children were to be deceived with toyes , and men with Oaths ; but this Fox himself was at last taken in a trap , and slain at the foot of the Theban Walkes . The Justice of God will some time or other seize upon such unjust men ; False conceptions are as dangerous to the souls of men , as to the bodies of women .

The Romans built a Temple to the Goddess Fidelity , and offered sacrifice to her image , so highly did they esteem of faithfulness . Attilius Regulus , their General against the Carthaginians , being taken Prisoner and sent to Rome with conditions of peace , upon his word to return , if the Terms were not accepted , judging the conditions dishonourable , Tul. de . Offic. he disswaded the Romans from embracing them , and went back to his enemies according to his promise , though he knew beforehand , that upon his return they would presently put him to death . The Prisoner that got from Hannibal by eluding his Oath , was by the Senate apprehended and sent back again , saith Livie . Attica ●●des , was free , or sure hold ; and Atticus testis , one that keeps touch , because the Athenians were so faithful to their words . What a shame is it then for Christians , to regard their Promises and Oaths no more then their old cloaths , which they throw by , when they have made what use of them they desire . Such men do much wound their Credit ( that after a little knowledge of such Nullifidians , none will trust them ) but much more their consciences . The deceitful and bloody are joyned together , Psa. 5. 6. Vsus frandis in bello gerendo laudabilis , in aliis actionibus d●test ibilis . Machiav . He that is deceitful to others , is bloody to himself ; he may rase others skin , but he wrongs his own soul , and draweth his own heart-blood . Machiavel as bad as he was , would not allow fraud to lodge , save in Souldiers Tents .

The jealous God hath made himself known to be a God of truth in accomplishing his threatings on those that have affirmed and attested such lyes . One Ann Averies Widow ( in the days of Queen Elizabeth ) having bought six pound of Tow in a Shop in Woodstreet , falsly said that she had paid for it , and swore to it , but she presently fell down and dyed to the terrour of all such unrighteous and perjured persons . The trade indeed of lying , hath crept almost into all trades , as if it were the only way to get a livelyhood , when it hath deprived some of their lives , Act. 5. 7 , 8. A lying tongue is one of the six things which the Lord hates , Prov. 6. 17. The Scripture speaks of such persons , that their own tongues shall fall upon them , meaning to destroy them , as Benaiah fell on Ioab , and Davids Souldier on the Amalekite ; for so the Phrase is frequently taken , Psa. 64. 8. 1 King . 2. 29 , 30. 2 Sam. 1. 15.

Reader , Be so true to thy own soul , as to put away lying , and to speak the truth to thy Neighbors , Eph. 4. 25. Do not delude thy self with mental Reservations , or Iesuitical AEquivocation , but let thy words and thoughts joyn in consort . A Christian should be like Chrystal , the same all over , and visible throughout . As our cloaths represent the proportion of our bodies , so should our words , the proportion of our minds ; T was an unpolitique precept which Lewis the eleventh of France gave his Son , when he charged him to learn no more Latine then what would teach him to dissemble ; Deceit is a gin that men set often to catch serpents , which when they have caught , sting themselves . Cleomenes , King of Lacedemonia , who making Truce with the Argives for seven days , and fell upon their Quarters in the night , was repelled by the Argive Women , and afterwards banished into Egypt , where he miserably slew hiself . Promises are ( as it were ) the Connection and Ligaments of the several parts in the body Politique ; if they be once broken asunder and losed , the whole will quickly be dissolved . Such men are like to some fruits , which by their luscious smell , and delightful colour , invite a man to eat , but prove unsavoury and unwholsome . He that had onely natures moonlight to see by , could say , Perditissimi est hominis , fallere eum , qui laesus non esset , nisi credidisset ; None but the most villainous will deceive him , who had been safe if he had not trusted , saith Cicero .

Thy righteousness must extend to all , according to their several places and relations . That righteousness which is real , will be universal ; Render therefore to all their due , tribute to whom tribute is due , custom to whom custome , fear to whom fear , honour to whom honour , Rom. 13. 7. He that is just in his Actions , hath a due respect to all persons , whether Superiors , or Equals , or Inferiors . He who is righteous to his fellow-Subjects , and wrongs his Soveraign in his Custom or Tribute , is a Rebel against the Crown and Dignity of Iesus Christ He is undutiful to the King of Nations , who payeth not his due to the King of that Nation in which he liveth . Render ( saith Christ ) to Caesar the things that are Caesars , and to God , the things that are Gods . Hierom on that place doth well observe , that the name of Caesar is not proper , but Appellative , because from the first Roman Emperor , Iulius Caesar , all his Successors were so called ; Hereby Christ intimates that Tribute belongs to every person cloathed with the supreme power ; And Gerrhard in his Harmony saith , that our Saviour doth particularly in that Text understand Tiberius , that monster of men , enjoyning payment of Tribute to that persecuting Prince . How great then is their crime , who cheat a King that is a Christian ? Such unnatural Members must expect to fare the worse for impoverishing their Head . The wealth of a Political Father , is both a credit and support to his Children . If the Root be kept without water , the branches must needs wither .

The Ancients emblemed a just man , by one with a pair of ballances in one hand , a sword in another , and both his eyes shut , to dispense impartially to all Iustice , both commutative and distributive ; A Magi●strate must distribute justice to every one a like . He may see a difference in causes , but no difference in persons . When righteousness reigneth , it s said to run down like water , and as a mighty stream Amos. 5. 24. Now water is as free for the poor as the rich , the stream runs down by the meanest Cot●tage , as much as by the Princes Court ; Righteousness must be as common as water , as universal as a stream ; David reigned over all Israel , and executed Iustice , and judgment to all his people , 2 Sam. 8. 15. His righteousness was as large as his realm , to all his people .

SECT. V.

SEcondly , As to the manner of thy dealings , Be Courteous in thy dealings . thy duty is to be courteous as well as righteous . Some men soil the lustre of their justice , and hinder the honour it might bring to the Gospel by the crabbedness of their carriage . A rugged unhewn piece of Timber disgraceth , when a neat smooth one crediteth the building . One end of our dealings with men ( as I shall shew by and by ) most be to gain them to mind godliness , which end will be much furthered by an affable conversation . Men delight not to walk in rugged ways , nor to deal with rugged men ; As curious Flowers draw the eyes , and rare Musick the ears , so doth courtesie allure the hearts of men after it . He that pleaseth all men in all things ( indifferent ) is the likeliest to save some , 1 Cor. 10. ult. It was the affable carriage of Titus amongst other things , which made him the delight of mankind . It s said of Iulius Caesar , Benigni●ate adeo praeditus , ut quos armis su●●gerat , clementia magis vicerit . Solin . that he overcame their affections by his humanity , whose persons he had before subdued by his power and policy ; He gloried in nothing so much as in pardoning his Enemies , and gratifying his friends ; saith Austin . They who durst speak to Caesar saith Marius , were ignorant of his greatness , and they which durst not , were ignorant of his goodness . We may gain their love by soft words , Austin . Epist. 5. who would hate us , if we went about to ravish them , or to lay violent hands on them . Alexander won the love of his Souldiers by calling them Fellow-Footmen ; Courtesie , like the loadstone , will draw even Iron to it . Pharoah an Heathen was full of Courtesie , and though a King condescended much in his carriage towards Iacob , Abraham is noted not onely for his faith in God and holiness , but also for his discreet familiarity , and affable behaviour towards men , Gen. 47. 8 , 9. Gen. 23. 7. Our blessed Saviour is therefore said to come eating and drinking , because of the sweetness and attractiveness of his conversation . This Lord of Glory in all his converses , had a comely and winning grace . They who are truly noble , are ever affable ; those that like the Persian , keep up state , are but according to the French dialect ( of their haughty upstarts ) gentle Villains . Contempt or arrogancy is a weed that ever groweth in dunghils ; T is from the rankness of the soyl , that it hath its height and haughtiness ; They are but windy Spirits , that bubble thus above others ; t is the froth onely that gets always to the top of the water .

It s a Divine Command , Be Courteous ( 1 Pet. 3.8 . ) the word signifieth , Friendly-minded , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Comis , Affa●ilis , Humanus & ad vitae consuetudinem facilis comm●dusque Eras. studious to do such things as are grateful to others . Obedience to this command is cheap , and costeth nothing , which whosoever denyeth , will certainly never obey those precepts which will put him to charge ; He who denyeth men a good look , will not at Gods call , Tanquam 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Qui sapit amica , i. e. Qui studet facere ea quae alteri sunt amica & grata . lay down his life for the Gospel .

The Romans , be●ause they would not have any defrauded of civil respect , retained Admonitors ( called Nomenclatores ) who should suggest the name and quality of every one they encountered , that so he might be saluted in a conformable stile .

We read in Scripture frequently of Salutations sent to and from the Saints , Rom. 16. Comitas ( alias dicta humanitas , affabilitas ) est virtus in conversatione mediocritatem servans , ne quis juste offendatur . Praetor . p. 2. Theat. Eth. Sect. 13. God never intended that when men put on Christianity , they should put off civility . Those Quakers who like Idols , have eyes and see not , mo●ths and speak not , are so far from being invested ( above others , as they pretend ) with the divine nature , that they are even divested of the humane nature . The very Turks salutation to him they meet , is Salaum aleek , Peace be to thee ; and the reply is , Blunts Voyage Aleek salaum , To thee be peace also . When Boaz came into his field , The Lord be with you , saith he to his Reapers ; The Lord bless thee , say they to him . Ruth 4. 2. Indeed , Christ commands his Disciples , Salute no man , Luk. 10. 4. But the occasion of this prohibition is considerable . The Disciples were sent about business of importance and expedition ; and the salutations Christ speaks off , are in the nature of those which we call Complements , a filling up of precious time with needless toys and trifles . As if Christ had said , Your work is of weight , and requires haste , do not therefore loyter , by standing to talk with any by the way , but mind your business . It is not intended by a Master who gives his Servant such a charge , that therefore he must not put off his hat , or bid any Good Morrow , or ask their Neighbours how they do , for ever after . The same Law-giver doth command Salutations by his o●n mouth ; Into what house ye enter , say , Peace be to this house , Luk. 10. 5 , 6. and also commends it to us by his Ministers , 1 Cor. 16. Col. 4. 10 , 14. We may not bid them God Speed , whom we see imployed about the Divels designes , least we be partakers of their evill deeds ; but if we know not their actions to be bad , our charity must hope the best . He that hath but common Humanity , must needs be a Civilian . Though nature be a Crab-stock , yet if she be but graffed by education , this will be part of her sweet fruit .

Be meek in thy dealings with men . 3. As thy duty is to be righteous and courteous , so also to be meek in thy dealings with men . Courtesie is a good Servant to wait upon meekness as its Master ; both together are no small credit to a Professour : He that is highest in godliness , is fullest of meekness ; the purest Gold is soonest melted , and they are usually the best blades that will bend well ; the Lion of Iudah for courage , was a Lamb for condescension . The Saint must learn of his Saviour to be meek and lowly in heart . The passionate man is one of Lucifers Disciples , and followeth him in his fall from Heaven . Mansuetudo est virtus quae mediocritatem servat circa iram . Golius . l. 4. Eth. c. 5. Mansuetudo est virtus quae hominem ita tractabilem facit in communi conversatione , ut non praeter aequum & bonum exa●peretur aliorum ineptiis , morositatibus & peccatis le●ioribus etiam in suam injur amtendent . hus . Dav. in Col. 3. 12. This meekness ( I speak of it in relation to man as its object ) is a vertue by which we moderate our passions , and keep them in subjection , least we should wrong our Neighbours ; Patience is sister to meekness , and humility is its mother . The Passions of our minds are like the winds in the air , if they lye still , the Ship must lie still too , or at least make but small speed ; if they be too boysterous , they endanger the dashing the vessel upon a Rock , or casting it upon the Quicksands ; but when they blow moderately , between a still calm , and a violent storm , they are most helpful to the Mariners . Our affections are of no use if they be suffered to sleep , and do not rise at all ; for then though the name of God himself be shot at , they will not hear the murdering piece ; Such meekness is worse then mopishness ; God did not give the soul these wings in vain .

On the other side , if our affections are tempestuous , and rise too high , they threaten to overturn both our selves and our Neighbours . A passionate man , is like the torrid zone , too hot for any to deal with him , or to dwel neer him . The work therefore of meekness , is to keep the affections within their bounds ; so to moderate this fire , that it may warm , not flame out to burn it self and others . He that is inebriated with passion , is unfit for any action ; like Sampsons Foxes , he scattereth fire-bands abroad to the hurt of all that are neer him . Alexander in his anger flies upon his best friend ; Parmenio himself must perish by that Wild-fire ; Catos best Emperor was he qui potuit imperare affectus , that could keep his own passions in subjection . When one said he was a wise King , that was kind to his friends , and sharp to his enemies ; another said , He was a wiser Prince , that could retain his Friends in love , and make his enemies like them . The Spirit of God gives us a mark to know a wise and noble man by ; Who is a wise man , and endued with knowledge amongst you ? Let him shew out of a good conversation , his works with meekness of wisdom , Jam. 3. 13.

Two particulars offer themselves to our view out of this verse .

1. That meekness is a sign of a wise man . The world counts them onely the brave spirits , that scorn to suffer the least affront , and who will repay a single injury with double interest ; but these in Gods accounts are fools . What a fool is he that suffereth ( his passion ) that which should be his servant to become his master , and to tyrannize over him ? What a fool is he that perceiving a Musket discharged , will not stoop a little , or fall down a while to avoid the Bullet , but keep his place and height , to the loss of his life ? Truly , such a fool is he that will never yeild to anothers wra●h . Is not he a fool , that seeing a fire in his neighbours house , anger in his Neighbours heart , is so far from helping to quench it by the water of mildness , that he throweth more fuel on it , and increaseth its flame , even to the burning down of his own ? is not he a fool , that ventureth his inestimable soul , at every trifling cast , and runneth headlong upon the greatest hazards ? Surely 't is not without reason , the wise man speaks so often of a fools wrath , and that Anger resteth in the bosome of fooles , Prov. 27. 3. and 17. 12. &c. A wise man deferreth his anger , least it burn with too hot a flame ; Prov. 29. 11. He will draw back the brands , least the fire exceeding its bounds , should consume him ; How many have been thrown , nay utterly over-thrown , by laying the reins upon the neck of their brutish passions , when their persons would have been safe , had but their passions been curbed ? Charles the sixth , King of France , was mad for anger , and desire of revenge on the Duke of Brittain . Excess of wrath cost Ajax his life , if the Poet may be beleived . Sylla in the height of fury vomited up his blood and his breath together , Ovid Metamor . Plutar●h . saith the Historian . When such winds blow , they raise black and dark clouds . A furious man hath few friends ; like Ismael , his hand is against every man , and every mans hand is against him . The Herons name in Hebrew signifieth to be angry , and it s observed , scarce any fowl hath so many foes ; the Eagle preyeth upon her , the Fox catcheth her in the night , the Hawk destroyeth her eggs ; How foolish is the Bee that loseth her life , and her sting together , she puts another to a little pain , but how dearly doth she pay for it ?

The greatest conquest is to overcome our selves , and the vilest bondage to be our own slaves , Prov. 16. 32. Infirmi anim●i est exiguique voluptas Vltio ; continuo sic Coll●ge , quod vindicta Nemo magis gaudet quam faemina . Juvenal . Sat. 6. He that is most mild , is most manly . It sullied the glory of all Caesars valour and victories , that he was his own vassal . It is the glory of a man , to pass by offences . Those Dogs which were presented to Alexander , by the King of Albany , were counted the best in the world , No●il●ssimum genus vindictae est par● ere . and upon this account , because they were so noble as not to stir at all , when small beasts were brought to encounter them ; and through an overflowing of courage● would never fight , save with Lions and Elephants . Contemnere op●rtet injurias & quas injuriarum umbras dixe●im , contumelias sive mer●to mihi acci●●t , sive immerito . Si merito , non est contumelia , sed judicium ; Si immerito , illi qui injusta facit , non mih. erubes●endum est . Senec. in Sap. non cad. injuria . Those men , without question , are far from true worth , and most ignoble , who upon every supposed petty wrong , flie to the common Law , or Civil War for revenge . By the Laws of England a Noble man hath this priviledge , that he cannot be bound to the peace , because it s supposed that a Noble person will scorn to engage himself in quarrels , but keep the peace without a Bond. It is the base and vile bramble , the fruit of the earths curse , that teareth and renteth what is next it .

Plutarch reports of a falling out between two famous Philosophers , If Injuries be shameful , it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to him that doth the wrong , not to him that suffereth the wrong , saith S●crates . Aristippus and AEschines , and how after some time , Aristippus went to AEschines , saying , Shall we not be friends before we be a Table-talk to all the town ? Yea , with all my heart , saith AEschines . Remember then ( saith Aristippus ) that thrugh I am your Elder , yet I sued for peace . True replieth the other , I acknowledge you the better and worthier man ; for I began the strife , but you the peace . In this Pagan glass , many Christians may see their own deformities ; for even Heathen agree with Scripture in this first particular , That they are most wise and prudent , who are most meek and peaceable .

2. The other which floweth from the forementioned verse , is , That the Christians meekness must be mixt with wisdom . The Apostle calls it meekness of wisdom ; meekness opposeth fury in our own quarrel , not zeal in Gods cause . The same Spirit that appeared in the forme of a Dove ; appeared also in the form of fiery tongues . It may be my duty to be silent when I am wronged ; but its sinful , not to speak when God is reproached . Though I may compound for my own debts , yet I have no power to compound for anothers . It s a singular mark of a Saint , to be wet Tinder , when men strike fire at himself ; and touch-wood , when men strike at God ; The meekest man upon the face of the earth , was the fullest of fury in the cause of Heaven , Numb. 12. 2. Exod. 32. A skilful Musitian knoweth when to strike a string of a lower sound , when of an higher . A wise Christian knoweth when to abate , when to increase his heats .

Naturalists observe of Bees , that they will ordinarily suffer any prejudice , when they are far from their Hives , and their own particular is onely concerned ; but when they are neer their Hives , that their Common wealth is engaged in their combats , they are furious and will lose their lives , or conquer . Thy work O Christian , is not to abate the least of Gods due ; but to pocket up many private injuries , and to forgive thy personal debts . Be not like some , as cold in Gods cause as if they had neither sense nor life ; and as hot in their own , as if their work were to make good the opinion of Democritus , that the soul is of the nature of fire , nothing else but an hot subtle body , dispersing it self into fiery atomes . Excess of fury , is a spiritual frenzy , and its ill for them who come within the biting of such mad beasts .

I have reast of Themistocles , that having an House to let , he pasted on the Door , Here is an House to be hired , that hath a good Neighbour ; It s a great comfort to dwell by a pious and meek person , but no small cross to live neer the peevish and passionate ; A meek man is a good Neighbour in these respects . For 1. He is so far from wronging others , that he will forgive those that wrong him . He is not onely contrary to them , who like furious Curs , fall upon every one that passeth by , without the least cause , but also if he be wronged , he never studieth revenge , though he may seek sometimes for Iustice . The world hath learned of the Divel to offer injuries , and he hath learned of God to suffer injuries . He dares not usurpe Gods Throne , but leaves his cause to the Judge of all men , Lev. 19. 18. He knoweth also that good men must have their grains of allowance ; and Children of the same Father , are too prone to quarrel ; therefore he beareth both with the bad , and the good ; with the former for Christs sake ; with the latter , because they are Christs seed . Now such a one is a good Neighbour ; Calvin said , Sae●● dicere solitus sum . Etiamsi me Lutherus diabolum vocaret , me tamen hoc illi honoris habiturum , ut insignem dei servum agnoscam . Cael. Bu. though Luther should call him Satan , yet he would honour Luther as a faithful servant of God . It s reported of Cato , that when a rash bold fellow struck him in the Bath , and some time after , came to ask him pardon , he had forgot that he had been injured , Melius putavit non agnoscere , quam ignoscere , saith Seneca . He scorned to approach so neer revenge , as acknowledge that he had been wronged . It s below a generous Moralist to take notice of petty affronts ; He kils such slimy wormes , by trampling on them . The Christian upon a better consideration , destroyeth those vermine with the foot of contempt . He hath experience what millions of pounds are forgiven him by God , and therefore out of gratitude cannot but pardon some few pence to man . Forgiving one another , as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you , Ephes. 4. 32. Hierom observeth upon Ephes. 4. 32. that the Apostle saith , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is , saith he , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 rather then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 freely forgiving your selves . Nam quod bene in alium fit , magis ei reponitur qui praestitit , quam cui datum est . He knoweth that he needeth favour from others for his offences against them ; he doth not always walk so carefully , but some time or other he hath bespattered those that went neer him , and it s but just that he should allow that pardon which he expecteth , (b) (b) Hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim , Horas . Non vivitur inter perfectos & bonos , sed inter illos qui saepe ex infirmitate , & inscitia peccant ; quod & nos ipsi etiam facimus . AEquum est igitur peccatis veniam poscentem , reddere rursus , Cav . ibid. Eccles. 7.21,22 . Tit. 3. 2 , 3. Shewing all meekness towards all men ; for we our selves were sometimes foolish , living in malice and envy , hateful , and hating one another . The Lacedemonians were wont to pray in their publique service , that the Gods would enable them to bear private wrongs with patience . 2. A meek person will part with much of his right to buy his peace . Where he may not wrong his family too much , nor dishonour his God , he will yeild far to preserve or purchase a friend . Though his priviledge be superior , yet he can be contented to hold the stirrup to others , and give them place ; Abraham was the Elder and the Nobler man , yet he offereth Lot his choice of the Country , and was willing to take what he would leave .

SECT. VI.

Look to thy principle in thy dealings . SEcondly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in thy dealings with all men , look not onely to the manner of thy dealing , but also to the principle . Thy righteous , courteous , and meek carriage must proceed from obedience to Gods command . Many of the Heathen ( as thou hast heard ) were just in their contracts , they would as soon die as deceive ; Now how wouldst thou know whether thou exceedest them , but by a principle of Conscience , from which thou actest . If Pagans and Christians be found travelling in the same path , the onely way to difference them , i● to enquire , whence they both sat out , and whither they are going ; what is the principle from which they act , and what is the end of their journey ? According to the principle of a man , such is his end ; If the Barrel of the Musquet be crooked , it will never carry the Bullet right ; therefore thy principle must especially be minded . There be many things that move orderly , and yet their motion is not from a principle of life ; as a Mill moveth by reason of the water , yet is no living creature . An outward principle of custome or fashion or glory , may make a man just and patient in his actings ; many do the things commanded , not because they are commanded , but upon some sinister account . Morality and Christianity , differ specifically ; the Moralist worketh from nature , a little refined by study or education ; the Christian from nature , throughly renewed by the Holy Ghost . Where this spring is wanting , no motion can be true ; be the fruit never so fair to the eye , if the root whence it groweth be not good , it will be unpleasant and distastful . Laban at the last , was just in his agreement with Iacob , but shame , not conscience , was the curb that held him in . Such dealings like fruits which are ripened by art and force , are not kindly , neither be they acceptable to the heavenly taste . Indeed , all such righteousness is unrighteousness , and all such persons , though they are just to men , and do them no wrong , yet are unjust to God , and deprive him of his right .

The true Christians righteousness towards men , proceedeth from the fear of his God . The former Governours ( saith Nehemiah ) were chargeable unto the people , and had taken of them bread and wine ; besides , forty Shekels of silver ; yea , even their Servants bare rule over the people ; but this did not I , because of the fear of God ; Nehem. 5. 9 , 15. The dread of the most high , was the hedge which kept him within his bounds .

Look therefore friend to the ground of thy dealings . Nothing will be commendable in Gods eye , which doth not flow from his awe ; if the desire to keep up thy name , or to please thy Neighbour ( whose good word thou valuest ) be the main reason of thy righteousness , thou servest thy self , but not thy God . He is a false servant , who payeth the debts his Master appointeth him , but more in his own name , and lest he should be counted a Cheat , then because of his Masters command . Thou art a true servant , if therefore thou darest not deceive men , because thou dreadest the just and jealous God . Ioseph encourageth his brethren to expect fair dealings from him upon this ground ; Do this and live , for I fear God , Gen. 42. 18. i. e. Ye need not fear unrighteous actions at my hands , since the fear of God is in my heart . As long as this guard is set upon me , I shall do violence to no man . Plutar●h . It was a prety answer of Xenophons , when Laelius told him that he was a timerous fellow , because he durst not play at Dice with him ; Very timerous indeed , and fearful to do evil .

Thirdly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in thy dealings with men , Let thy end and aim in thy dealings be good . let thine end and aim in thy dealings be good . Have an eye in them , not onely to thine own temporal good ( this is low and mean ) but chiefly to the glory of God , and the spiritual good of thy self and others . Christians must not deal together as Indians , meerly for trade and outward advantage ; It s but a beggarly calling to trade onely for the dirt and pebbles of worldly profit ; but its high and honourable to be a Merchant for the Diamonds and Pearls of spiritual riches . The Heathen and the Christian both , may meet in the manner of their dealings , but they part in their ends . The Thief and the honest Country-man are both found riding in the same road , but they have different ends therein , and that distinguisheth them . He is a Dwarf indeed , and looks very low , whose eye in such actions is wholly upon earth . True Saints sore aloft , and have more noble designes in their ordinary dealings , Mat. 5. 16. Like the Moon , they enlighten others with their borrowed brightness , and endeavour to their power to reflect their beams back to the Sun , the Fountain of their light .

How ungratefully doth he slink away , that dieth and returneth no glory to his Father , neither raiseth up any seed to his elder Brother ; I seek not mine own profit , but the profit of many , that they may be saved , saith St. Paul , 1 Cor. 10. 33. He hath cause to fear his own going to heaven , who would go thither alone . True favourites desire their King may have many Loyal Subjects ; Every creature almost is of an assimulating nature ; Fire turneth what comes neer it into fire . Earth changeth what we commit to it , into Earth . Water moistens what it meets with . Stones grow , and spread in the veins of the earth ; Even Flowers and Hearbs will be scattering their seed for the increase of their kind . Good men cannot but desire & endeavour that all they converse with might be like themselves in goodness . The first blessing which God bestowed on man after his creation , was this , Be fruitful & multiply .

How industrious are Christs enemies to spread their poison , Turk Hist. 1332. and draw men from their allegiance to him ! I have read of a Jew who turned Turk , how shortly after , in buying Gr●pes , he fell out with a Turk , and beat him soundly ; Whereupon a certain Jew asked the abused Turk , why he would suffer himself to be so much wronged . The Turk answered , You shall beat me as much , if you will turn Mussul-man ; It s too visible , that Romes agents are also sufficiently active to make Proselytes to their idolatries ; and wilt thou sit still and do nothing towards the gaining of subjects to thy Lord and Saviour ? Holy David was more diligent to enlarge the borders of Christs , then of his own kingdom ; 1 King . 5.7 . 2 Cron. 2. 11 , 12. He would blaze Gods honour and power before the highest , and not shrink for shame , Psa. 119. And the success of his industry is considerable . Though great Fish are seldom caught by such Angles , yet King Hiram came to be converted to God by his converse with David .

It s likely Reader , thou dealest with sinners ; thy first care must be that thou mayst not partake of their sins . It s reported that at Belgrade in Hungary , Danubius and Sava , Sir Henry Blunts Voyage into the Levant . two famous Rivers , the one pure , the other filthy meet , and yet their waters mingle no more then water and oyl , not that either float above the other , but both joyn unmixed , so that neer the middle of the River , saith my Author , I have gone in a Boat and tasted the Danow , as clear as a Spring , and putting my hand an inch further , I have taken of the Sava , as troubled as a street channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth ; thus they run together unmingled sixty miles . So shouldst thou in thy contracts and dealings with the wicked , keep thy self pure and undefiled . Thy next care must be , to make them better ; A meek gracious carriage may win them to Christ . Some Fish have been caught with a Golden Hook ; Sometimes by parting with a little of thy right , by losing a little silver , thou mayst gain a precious soul ; He that always stands strictly and stifly upon his right , may thereby wrong both God and his Gospel . Heavenly mindedness , shining in a Christians dealings with prophane men , hath such a beauty in it , that it attracteth at the first sight the eyes of every beholder , like the sudden appearance of a Candle in a dark room . As we have opportunity , let us do good unto all men , Gal. 6. 10. An opportunity to do good to others , is a great mercy to our selves . The Oyl of grace like the Widows , 2 King . 4. 6. increaseth by powring out ; an opportunity is a special season , which God affordeth us , for the benefit of our own and others souls ; When time and helps meet and marty , their off-spring is opportunity . Thou dealest with those at one time , whom thou mayst never see again ; possibly their hearts being big with sin , they bring forth in thy presence , either swearing , or slandering , or mocking at holiness ; now God gives thee an opportunity , by a prudent affectionate reproof , and by serious savoury advice , to kill those brats of Hell , as soon as they are born , and to make the Parents barren in regard of such a cursed brood for ever after , which if thou neglectest , thou shalt never have again . The Bird of opportunity is usually upon the wing , she flieth away of a sudden , and we never fee her again ; therefore whilst thou hast her , make the best use of her . Thou thinkest ( it may be ) that thy counsel to such men would be but cast away , as pure water in a nasty sink ; but do thy work , which is to endavour their conversion , and leave the success , which is Gods work to him . Benhadads Souldier drew a Bow at a venture , and his Arrow pierced within the joynts of the Harness , and slew Ahab ; the man shot the Arrow at he knew not who , but God levelled it at the King , amongst all the company . Do thou draw the Bow , according to thy duty , and God may so direct the Arrow of admonition , as to make it enter the sinners heart , and let out the very life of his sin . Repentinis responsionibus & consiliis melior , quam meditatis , Aurel. Vict. Sometimes things are done best on a sudden ; Tiberius was happier in his extempore speeches , then those which he made upon study and premeditation . Thou mayst as Philip to the Eunuch , fall in with a person on a sudden ( whom thou never sawest before , nor shalt ever see again ) and by seasonable counsel be instrumental to his eternal comfort ; It may be thou meetest with such as do believe ; then thy care must be to build them up ; Saints must be Land-mark● to direct others in the way to life . Apollos was a stranger to Aquila and Priscilla , but coming into his company , they expounded to him the way of God more perfectly , Act. 18. 25. The members of the mystical body must be helpful to one another . Christians , with whomsoever they converse ought to endeavour either their gaining to , or growing up in Jesus Christ . Plut. Alexanders body was of so exact and rare a constitution ( saith the Historian ) that it perfumed every place where he came . The gracious soul being it self filled with spikenard and Calamus , and Cassia , and all sweet spices , may well leave a sweet savour among the persons with whom he converseth . They are dead and withered grains of Corn , out of which there doth not one ear spring up .

A Good Wish of a Christian in Relation to his dealings with all men , wherein the former Heads are applied .

THe Living and Eternal God , The Introduction . whose I am , and whom I am infinitely bound to serve ; whose unquestionable dominion over me , calleth for universal subjection from me ; having commanded me in his word , to be holy as he is holy , in all manner of conversation , and to walk by rule in my commerce with men , as well as in my immediate converses with his glorious Majesty ; I wish in general , that I may make Religion my business , not onely in my sacred duties , but also in my civil dealings ; that I may trade with God in divine performances , as if men saw me , and traffique with men in humane affairs , as knowing that God beholdeth me , and herein dayly exercise my self to keep a conscience void of offence towards God , and towards all men . Act. 24. 16. I Wish in particular , that my earthly actions may never clash with , or incroach upon my heavenly calling , that I may not endanger the loss of Religion in the throng and crowd of outward dealings ; but may be so limitted and directed therein by Gods Law , that all my works may be ●orship , and when I am labouring for my body and family , I may be furthering the good of my soul , and my eternal felicity ; that as my chief natural quality , Reason , commandeth in my lower actions of eating and drinking ; so my supernatural excellency , Religion , may bear sway in every passage of my life . Lord , who hast given me a perfect rule , and appointed me to order my life in all things according to it ; be pleased to write all thy laws in my heart , that I may be tender of both Tables ; love thee with all my soul and strength , and love my Neighbour as my self , for thy sake . If one link of the golden chain of thy commands be broken , the whole is dissolved ; they love one another too well to part company ; where one precept is wilfully despised , all are disobeyed ; Thou hast said it , He that breaks one , is guilty of all . O enable me to be as universal in my conformity and duty , as thou art in thy mercy and bounty ; for then shall I not be ashamed , when I shall have respect to all thy Commandements . Psa. 119.

Motives to mind Religion in civil dealings .

1. It s a sign of hypocrisie to be careless herein .

I Wish that the soundness and integrity of my heart , may appear in the cleaneness and purity of my hands ; The sound will speak what Mettal the Bell is of ; the Flowers that shew themselves above ground , will declare the nature of the root , which lieth hid ; How often doth the face discover the faults of the vital parts ? If my tongue and speech be double , my spirit cannot be single ; If my actions be unrighteous , my inward man must needs be irreligious ; How grossely do I delude my self , if I presume that I am holy , because I mind the first Table , if I be dishonest , and live in the breach of the second ? when there is so much Religion in the duties of the second Table , that there can be no Religion without them ; My deceitful heart is apt to suggest that it s but a small matter , If I should supplant my Brother , and that there is no such need of care in my ordinary outward carriage : But my Soveraign , to whom I have sworn Allegiance , hath told me in the word of truth ( Mat. 23. 23. ) that justice and mercy are the weighty matters of the Law , and hath commanded me , ( Micah . 6. 8. ) to do justly , and to love mercy throughout my whole life . O that I might never allow my self in the breach of those precepts , which in the worlds blind judgment are the least of his commands ; and by my pattern teach men so , lest I be found at last , the least in the Kingdom of Heaven . Lord , thou hast enjoyned me , to keep thy Law as the Apple of mine eye ( Prov. 7. ) I know , a small thing will pain , a little dust will offend mine eye ; but thy Law is infinitely more tender ; thy Word forbids and condemneth the smallest wandring , the very conception of sin , in a vain thought ; much more its birth in an unrighteous action , is abominable and odious to it ; Thou hast commanded me to keep thy Precepts diligently ; O that my ways were directed to keep all thy Commandements ! Though I abound , and am never so strict in thine Ordinances , if I be careless and loose in my Contracts with men , thou canst espie the evil constitution of my soul , notwithstanding such painting ; Thou canst see the rottenness of my heart , in the rottenness of my wares , under the false gloss I put upon them ; And if thy moral precept find not obedience with me , my spiritual performances will never find acceptance with thee . The Pie , a speckled Bird , whose Feathers were white and black , was unclean . Should I seem pious in those duties which concern thy worship , and yet be perverse in my dealings with men , I am in thy judgement a wicked person . Thou hast said of such , Shall I count them pure with the wicked ballances , and with the bag of deceitful weights ? Micah . 6. 11. If there be iniquity in my hands , there is hypocrisie in my heart ; How clearly doth a person that picketh and chooseth his food , ( liking this , and loathing that , though ne●er so wholsom ) prove a foul stomach ; and how fully do I demonstrate secret filth in my inward parts , if I pick and choose amongst ( the food of my soul ) the precepts ! When the soul is clean and sound , every command will be sweet ; if my heart be sincere , all my dealings will be square . O let me never be like those Pharises , who made long prayers for a cover , that they might prey the more closely upon their Neighbours ; but let thy spirit in my heart , send up the sap of grace into every branch of my life , that all the passages thereof may abound in the fruits of righteousness , and I may esteem all thy precepts , concerning all things , to be right .

I Wish that the glory of Religion may be so dear to my heart , 2 2 Motive , the honour of Religion . that I may render it amiable to the eyes of others , by walking every way sutable to my profession ; The name of my God is holy and reverend , and shall I offer it to reproach ? Some write that the Iews would not foul their mouths with that unclean word of blaspeming God , but always expressed it by a contrary word of blessing God ; If it were so execrable that they hated to speak it , shall I be so vile as to act it ? It were a sin to wrong a man of his good name ; what is it then to rob my God ? If I dress my self in the livery of Christ , and in that habit wallow in the mire of unrighteous dealings , I give up the blessed Redeemer to the scorn and derision of the world . Every one that nameth the name of Christ , should depart from iniquity . The colours of Christ which I wear , cause many to look upon me ; Every professor is like a City on an Hill , visible to all ; Spots are sooner seen in scarlet , then in sackcloth ; Blots appear fouler in a strict professour , then in a loose and prophane person . None wonders to see swine dirty ; but to see the Ermins beautiful skin bemired , is prodigious . How watchful are the wicked to observe my wandrings ! All my familiars watch for my halting , they mark my steps when they watch for my soul , If they can finde the least tincture of falseness in my words , or colour of unfaithfulness in my works , they soon make it much greater , looking on it through the Spectacles of malice . How quick do they post it abroad , and publish it amongst their companions ! I hear the defaming of many , fear on every side ; Report , say they , and we will report it . What a shame was it , that the Great Turk should take the violated Covenant of the Hungarian King , out of his boso●e , and present it to the blessed God , as the act of those that wore his livery , and prosest them selves his servants ? When those that should be the beauty of Israel , are slain in the high places , and ( those that by their profession are ) the mighty , fall in the streets , they soon tell it in Gath , and publish it in Askelon ; the Daughters of the Philistines rejoyce , the Sons of the uncircumcised triumph ; then the banks of blasphemy are broken down , and the floods of scoffs and scorns come pouring in . And when they went among the Heathen , they prophaned my holy name , when they said to them ; Ezek. 36. 20. These are the people of the Lord . How doth the World conclude , Surely the Parents are very bad , whom their own Children discommend so much ! Certainly there is little love or power , or faithfulness in their Father , when his own Sons dare not trust him for a little food , but go up and down to steal and filch from others ! O how ordinary is it for the prophane to throw the dirt of professours sins on the face of their profession ! None give such wounds to the credit of the blessed God , as some who pretend to be his own children . The higher the place is whence a stone fals , the deeper it pierceth● No blows more mortal then those of a Thunder-bolt . My profession is high ; if my practices be vile and base , I strike religion to the very heart ; O let me never be so vile a Traytor , as by my sordid courses ( like Judas ) to betray the holy Iesus to the buffetings and mockings of his adversaries ; Why should I harden the bad by my sinful shifts in their wickedness ? Shall I be the Divels broker to put off those rotten wares for him , of cozening and cheating , which otherwise might lie upon his hands ? Why should I sadden the good ? Shall I cause them to hang down their heads with sorrow as the Patriarchs did theirs , when the cup was found in Benjamins sack ? Lord , thou art tender of the Reputation of thy chosen , and hast many a time wrought wonderfully for their renown and credit ; When the wicked world hath blown upon their names , endeavouring to blast them and make them unsavoury , thou hast magnified thy power to vindicate their honour ; And shall I make thy glorious name contemptible , when thou makest my vile name honourable ? Can I be so void of love to thy Majesty , as to tread upon that name of thine , that is more worth then Heaven and Earth ? Besides , Many a season I have pleaded thy name in prayer , and that with success . My voice hath been in the behalf of my own soul ; Psa. 25. and 31. 13. For thy names sake pardon mine iniquity , for it is great ; Thou art my Rock and my Fortress , therefore for thy names sake , lead me and guide me : When thou haste answered me , Isa. 48. 9. Behold I , even I am he that blotteth out thine iniquities , for my names sake ; I will defer my anger for mine names sake , and for my praise will I refrain for thee , that I cut thee not off . O how many a blessing hath thy name been , both the Oratour to procure , and the Messenger to bring ! when many others have treated to little purpose , that , that hath been the undeniable Ambassadour to prevail for peace and pardon . Thy name hath been by shelter in many a storm , and my supply in many a straight ; and shall I be an enemy to that which is so great a friend to me ? Can I be so unworthy as to cause others to trample this great favourite at heavens Court under their feet ? Hath not the polluting thy name been the argument which I have sometimes used for the perdition of thine enemies ! I have cried to thee , Remember this , that the enemy hath reproached , O Lord , and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name ; and shall I be guilty of that which I plead as a reason for others ruine ! Again , My dayly prayer is , Hallowed be thy name , and shall my practices give my prayer the lye , and prophane it ! Should I cheat and cozen as the men of the world , my great profession would cause my sin , like a Cart heavy laden , to make deep furrows , into which many might trip and fall . How ordinary is it for Egyptians to follow the dark side of the Israelites Pillar to their perdition ? Foolish man that I am , is not the burthen of my own sins already intolerable , and shall I add to them by being partaker of other mens sins ! Is the River of wrath due to me , so low , so little , that I must invite streams from every place to swell it into an Ocean ! O that for my own sake , for the sake of other men , and especially for thy sake , I may order all my ways by thy word ! Lord , preserve me by thy Spirit , that I may never lay a stumbling block before the wicked , nor as the unbeleiving spies , by my distrust of thy providence , and using indirect courses to releive my family , bring an ill report upon the good Land . Assist me that I may look not onely to the power of Religion , but also the honour of Religion ; Let thy grace ever accompany me , and enable me to keep a conscience void of guile before thee , and a conversation so void of guilt before men , that whereas they speak against me as an evil doer , they may be ashamed at this day , and may by my good works , which they shall behold , glorifie God in the day of visitation .

In our dealings ; we must exercise our selves to godliness .

First , In regard of the manner .

1. Act Righteously . Jer. 22. 12.

I Wish that I may look to the righteousness of my actions , as well as to the righteousness of my person , and never think that my house can be firm , if it be built upon the rotten foundation of injustice . My God hath said , Wo be to him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness , and his Chambers by wrong . As high as my house is raised , and as sure as it is seated , the breath of this curse will blow it down . Though my estate seem never so fair , yet how easily and how speedily may this scorching curse cause it to fade , In thy works . and to wither in my hand as a flower ! Have not mine eyes beheld the ruines of some stately dwellings , which have been built upon rapine ! Unrighteousness , like Rabbits in some Countrys , hath undermined the foundations , and overturned the buildings ; and shall mine escape ? Whether I will believe it or no ● My God hath spoken , that unjust gain will prove my own loss , and he will see it accomplished . Whatsoever fine terms I may call my cheating by , as an Art in my Trade , or the Mystery of my Calling , yet my God counts it Theft , and me for it but a Thief . Though I may put a fair colour upon my false dealing , yet he forbids it under the plain censure of stealing ; Thou shalt not steal . And O how great a Theif am I , if I be guilty of this in my ordinary dealings ! I wrong my Neighbours that trade with me , and that most Hypocritically , under the pretence of doing them right . To kill a man in the field by force is wicked ; but to poison him at my Table by fraud is worse , because in this latter I pretend friendship . To rob on the High-way by open power is greivous ; but to rob in my Shop by this hellish policy is more odious , for I wrong one that is my friend , and in such a way , that he hath no means to help himself . The Righteous God saith , Isa. 1. 15. My hands are full of blood , not onely when I murther a mans person , and take away his life , but also when I injure a mans portion and take away his lively-hood . Such unjust persons must expect sore punishments ; The Law of man punisheth Cheats in some measure ; but the Law of the jealous God , is more severe to such Iuglers as endeavour to unglue the whole worlds frame , knit together onely by commerce and contracts .

I rob my own family as well as my Neighbours . He that is greedy of gain , troubleth his own house . False dealing like Fire consumes what comes near it . My Children were better be left beggars , then heirs of those riches which I have got by robbery . What is well gotten , will fa●e the worse for the Neighbourhood of my ill gotten wealth . This as a rotten sheep will infect the sound flock . Whilst I am digging deep , to lay the foundation of my house sure , I do but lay in barrels of powder to blow it up .

I rob my own soul most of all by my unrighteousness ; How ill is that gain which causeth the loss of my God! How cheap do I sell those wares with which I buy endless and intollerable wo ! How dear do I buy that silver , for which I sell my inestimable soul and salvation ! Ah what an ill Market doth he make ; that puts off his soul at any price ! If it be unprofitable to gain the whole world and lose my own soul , what a fool , what a mad man am I to set my soul to sale for a very small part of the world ! Into what a miserable Dilemma doth my deceitful dealing bring me ! Either I must repent and vomit it up , which will tear and wrack my very heart , or else I must burn for ever in hell ! O that I might never ●e so bereaved of my wits , as to touch or meddle with such distracting wealth . Psa. 37. 16. Prov. 16. 8. Lord , thou hast informed me , that , A little which the righteous man hath , is better then the possessions of many wicked ; that better is a little with righteousness , then great revenues without right . I know that the comfort of my life doth not depend upon a confluence of outward good things , but upon thy love and good-will towards me ; Let me rather choose the greatest want , then riches from Satans hands and in Hells way ; Be thou pleased to sparkle my little with the precious diamond of thy love , and then t will be better indeed then the riches of many wicked ; yea , more worth then all the World .

I Wish that in my buying and selling , I might ever have an eye to the ballance of the Sanctuary . My person must be tried by Scripture at the last day , for my everlasting life and death ; and shall not my actions be squared by it at this day ? How sad a bargain should I make , if I should buy my own bane ? What a dreadful trade should I drive , to sell ( like that Son of Perdition ) the incomparable Saviour for a little corruptible silver ? Is that wealth worth getting , which will make way for eternal want ? Though my heapes swell never so much by unlawful means , yet t is but like the swelling of the dropsie , a presage of death . O my soul , what will it avail thee to be rich here , and to be a beggar hereafter , and that for ever ? Thou pretendest to purity , but thy God tells thee that holiness and righteousness are like Husband and Wife , joyned by him together , and none may part them asunder . Thou art unsound in all thy sacred duties , if thou art unrighteous in thy civil dealings : When the unjust dealer is cast into the unquenchable fire , what will become of the great Professour ? What is the hope of the Hypocrite , though he hath gained , when God shall take away his soul ? Iob 27. 8. When the Thief is taken and carried to the Goal , all the money he hath stollen is taken from him . When Death seiseth thee , and sendeth thee to the Prison of Hell , all thy ill gotten goods must be left behind . When thou art lost eternally , what will become of thy unjust gains ? Thy Children may be ranting with it on Earth , and thou art roaring for it in Hell . Ah! what dear contracts dost thou make , to sell thy present peace , and thy future endless joy , for a little perishing pelfe ? The comfort of thy life now consisteth in communion with thy God ; but he that saith , He hath fellowship with God , and walketh in darkness , is a lyar ? 1 Ioh. 1. 6. Thy God hates to taste of those Waters which run out of such mus●y Vessels ; Muchless will he suffer any of such rotten hearts , and stinking breaths , to draw neer to him in Heaven ; Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God ? 1 Cor. 6. 9. No such Cattel shall ever come into the Celestial Court . Unrighteous Heathens shall be shut out of Heaven ; and surely then unrighteous Christians shall be cast into the lowest Hell . O let the fear of thy God ever possess thee , that the love of this World may never pollute thee ; Manifest thy love to thy Saviour , by loving thy Neighbour as thy self . Blessed God , who lovest righteousness , and hatest iniquity , the Scepter of whose Kingdom is a righteous Scepter , who wilt render unto every man his righteousness ; and who hast appeared to me by that grace which teacheth me to deny all ungodliness , and worldly lusts , and to live righteously in this present evil world ; Let thy good Spirit fill me with all the fruits of righteousness ; Do thou so lead me in the paths of equity , for thy names sake , that I may follow after righteousness , and inherit a ●ure reward .

I Wish that I may be righteous in every relation wherein I stand , and towards all persons with whom I deal , that I may give to Superiours the things that are theirs , to Inferiours the things that are theirs , lest by denying either I rob all ; My God is no respecter of persons , but just in all his ways , and righteous in all his works . When shall I imitate his blessed Majesty ? He tells me , Blessed are they that keep judgment , and he that doth righteousness at all times ; Psa. 106. 3. If I expect the blessing propounded , I must mind the righteousness enjoyned , and that is to be righteous at all seasons . O my soul , what encouragement hast thou to do justly upon all occasions ! thy righteousness shall have a large recompence . Thy Children may fare the better ; The just man walketh in his integrity , and his Children are blessed after him : Nay , thy whole Family ; The voice of joy and Salvation is in the Tabernacle of the righteous ; P●ov. 12. 7. Whereas thou mayst fear that thy plain dealing may bring thee and thine to poverty ; thou bast his promise , that he will make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous : Job 8. 6. Above all , thou thy self wilt have the greatest solace . Thy righteousness shall answer for thee in time to come ; and whereas the dishonest wealth of others is a corroding worm to gnaw their consciences ; thy justice will afford thee present comfort . In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare ; but the righteous doth sing and rejoyce , Prov. 29. 6. Ah! who would not sow righteousness , when he shall certainly reap so much mercy ! Though others , as if they had pitchy hands , take to themselves whatsoever they touch , to the defiling of their own souls , and like whirlpools suck in all that comes neer them , to their own destruction ; do thou mete out all thy dealings by that royal measure ; Whatsoever thou wouldst that men should do to thee , do the same to them , for this is the Law and the Prophets . When thou art buying , or selling , or about any bargain with thy Neighbour , reflect upon thy self ; Would I be glad to be thus dealt with ? Were I in this mans case , would I be willing that he should serve me as I serve him ? Am I as plain-hearted , as true , as just in my carriage towards him , as I would desire him to be in his trading with me ? Would I be contented to be defrauded ? should I take it well to be defamed ? Is this action of mine such , as I could be contented to receive the like ? Do I in this business love my Neighbour as my self ? Lord , who hast promised that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance in this world , and shall shine as the Sun in the other world ; 1 Tim. 3. 2. and who hast put the unrighteous and lovers of themselves in the front of that black list , which is for the unquenchable fire ; do thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies , Luk. 1. 73. that I may serve thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life .

Act righteously in thy words . I Wish that I may mind righteousness in my words , as well as in my works , and not dare to hide deceitful and foul intentions under fair and fawning expressions . To say what is true , and to be true to what I say , is the property of a true Christian ; Titus 1. 2. My God is a God that cannot lye ; his people are a people that will not lye . Isa. 63. 8. If I therefore be found a lyar , how unlike am I both to God and his people ; Prov. 12. 22. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord , but they that deal truly are his delight ; Though lying lips may be perfumed with sweet words to men , yet God smells the stench and loatheth the ill savour of those rotten inwards whence they proceed . And though truth may beget hatred from men , such sweet breath is his love and delight . He is the God of truth ; His Law is the truth ; Psa. 119. 142. His Gospel is the word of truth ; His Son is the true and faithful Witness . O that truth of heart , truth of words , Colos. 1. 5. and truth in deeds , Rev. 3. 14. may be all in me , which are so agreeable to the true God , and so acceptable to the God of truth ! Can that tongue lye so loud to men , which even now called so loud on God ? Shall those hands be filching in my Neighbours pocket , which were so lately lifted up to Heaven in prayer ? Is my speech given me for my glory , and shall it be the driveling of a Divel that father of lyes ? Lord , let me in all my dealings chuse rather to be a loser then a lyar ; and let that be my character which thou hast given of the Citizens of Sion , Psa. 24. 3. and 15. 2. that I may never lift up my soul to vanity , nor swear deceitfully , but walk uprightly , work righteousness , and speak the truth in my heart .

I Wish that I may be Courteous as well as Righteous , towards all with whom I converse ; 2 2 Manner . Deal Courteously . Humanity is a debt which I owe to all mankind ; why should I therefore as some proud men , dam up , and contract my civility into so narrow a compass , that it shall swell into flittery towards my Superiors , and not suffer one drop to descend towards Inferiors ! I would not as Formalists in fashion of habits , or outward Vesture , discover the lightness of a carnal mind ; Nor like Hypocrites , by composed actions , or artificial gesture , manifest the looseness of a frothy spirit ; but as a prudent , yet serious Christian be so affable in my carriage , that I may be the more acceptable in my counsel , for the good of others souls . Humanity doth cast a lustre , to attract the eyes and hearts of others . Courtesie is commendable , and an adorning adjunct to sanctity . Holiness is honoured by the attendance of this Hand-maid . Grace is rendered more lovely , when t is accompanied with a kind nature . T is pity that Jewel should not ever be in this soft Velvet Cabinet . One end of my trading must be to commend to others the excellency of spiritual wares , and to encourage them to buy the truth ; but if my behaviour be morose and unkind , I shall fright men from being my customers ; and inflict on my self part of Nebuchadnezars penalty , separate my self from amongst men , by forcing them to withdraw from me . If my language be fierce , and my looks frowning , I may deter men from my company , but shall never allure them to Christ . Where the carriage is sowre and pouting , the Counsel will never be sweet and prevalent . O that I might never disadvantage Religion by any rugged disposition , but by the kindness of my nature may do a real kindness to grace , and become all things to all men , if by any means I might save some . Yet I would not be so courteous to others , as to be discourteous to my self ; I mean , be so courteous to sinners , as to comply with them in their sins ; T is far better that the World should count me uncivil , then the Lord should esteem me ungodly . Let me be an enemy to their corruptions , when I shew my self most friendly to their persons , and never be so much a Courtier , as to forget that I am a Christian . Lord , who hast commanded thy people to be kindly affected one towards another , teach me to shew the true affection of my heart , in the kindness of my tongue and hand ; courtesie is as salt , and dryeth those ill humours which are distastful to others , and will make my counsel the more savoury ; Thine Angels themselves used salutations in their occasional converses with Mortals ; give me to do thy will on earth , as it is done by those Noble Courtiers in Heaven ; for I believe that they were in Heaven , when they were discoursing with thy chosen on Earth ; Grant me so much gracious good manners , as by my prayers to send the next man I meet , even all I deal with , to thee . Let me bestow the almes of some hearty ejaculation , as well as the outward expressions of The Lord be with you , upon them : Yea , let me for thy sake be kind and gentle to all men , that I may draw them to thy self : Yet suffer me not to be so friendly in my words , as to have fellowship with any in their wickedness , but helpe me to dispence even my civilities by a standard measure , least what I intend as shy Net to take others souls , prove Satans trap to catch mine .

I Wish that I may be both so just as not to offer injuries to others , and also so meek as to suffer with patience what others offer to me . 3 3 Manner . Deal meekly . The world will never leave its old haunt of persecuting them that are holy . It s natural for Wolves to hate and devour Sheep ; If I were of the world , I should be one of its darlings , for the World loveth its own . My God hath called me from it , and chosen me out of it , therefore it hates me . I need not marvail at its malice , when it did spit its venome at the Author of its being , and took away life from him , who gave life to it . The Servant is not above his Master , nor must the Disciple look to fare better then his Lord . If the soft Pillow of meekness be not laid on my back , I shall never bear the burthens of their calumnies , and cruelties with the least comfort ; What pain doth such Vinegar cause , when it meets with the raw wound of an impatient spirit ! The more mad the world is , the more meek I had need to be , if I would enjoy my self . Besides , there may be ●allings out amongst the best friends . Good men are not all of the same stature , nor all of the same temper . Some are like broken bones , if but toucht they fret and fling . How full are some of jealousies and suspicions , which would soon be increased by my passions ; and that spark which might be extinguished by my lenity , is blown into a flame by my fury ! Some are sickly and in constant pain , others are under some smarting providence ; some offend me upon mistake , and though others should do it out of malice , yet even they also call for my pity , more then my passion : The best have need of pardon from man , as well as God ; and shall I , who want it more then others , not allow it to others ? Alas , what harme do I get by others heats ? The Air when beaten is not injured , no not so much as divided , but returnes to its place , and becomes thicker then before . The sharpest words cannot wound me , if I do not put my hand to the weapon . All those tongue-squibs of reproach which the malevolent world throw at me , will go out alone , and die of themselves if I do not revive them . My well-grounded patience will as a walking staff ; preserve me from many a fall , whilst I travail in rugged ways .

The distracted world indeed judgeth him the bravest fellow , that will not pocket up the least affronts ; but the wisest man that ever was ; nay , the onely wise God , tells me . The patient in spirit is better then the proud in spirit ; Eccles. 7. 3. O my soul , whom wilt thou believe ? the world that long since hath lost its wits , and must ere long for its phrensie be fettered with the chains of everlasting darkness , Job 4. ●● . in the Bridewel of the bottomless pit ; or that God to whom Angels themselves are comparative fools ! O be not hasty to be angry , for anger resteth in the bosome of fools . Eccles. 7.4 . What a fool art thou to break thy own bones , to give another a smart blow ! A furious man is like Tamar , who to be revenged of her father in Law , defiled him and her self with incest . Revenge is a Thief that steals away a mans estate for the Lawyers . It is of the nature of the Viper , and eats out the bowels of that wealth which gave it birth . What a fool am I to defame my self ! That rancour and spleen which I spit at others , is like his that spits against the wind , driven back into my own face , to the besmearing of my credit amongst all that are judicious . What a fool am I to destroy my own grace , my own peace ! What flowers of holiness will grow where such locusts abound ? What fruits of righteousness can thrive in such a scorching Climate ? What good work can be done within doors , if the house be in a flame ? How unfit is a man in a passion , to go to God in prayer ? surely , no more then a person that comes reaking and sooted from a kell , is for the presence of his Prince . I must not expect to meet God in a duty , if my spirit be in a fury . A righteous man falling down before the wicked , is like a troubled Fountain , Prov. 25. 26. I seldom fall down more fouly before wicked men , then when I render reviling for reviling , and revenge for revenge ; but then how unfit am I to fall down in holy duties before my God! for I am as a troubled fountain ; and if men will not drink of the water of a fountain , ( though in it self pure and wholsom ) when it is troubled and muddy ; can I think that my God will drink of that vessel that runs thick ! O that I might never , because others are my enemies in defaming me , become my own enemy in defiling my own soul , and hindering it of that comfort which it might have in divine communion . Lord , who art the God of peace , let me be known to be one of thine , by being a Son of peace ; Enable me to pass on like a wise Travailer , in the way of thy Commandements , and not to be stirred at the barking of those Dogs that pursue me with open mouth . My confident neglect will soonest make them quiet ; let me never break the peace , but in the quarrel of truth ; Give me for peace sake sometimes to part with my right , but never with my righteousness ; Let the same mind be in me , which was in Christ Jesus ; Teach me from him to be meek and lowly in heart , and yet to be eaten up with the zeal of thy house . Make me willing to suffer , but not to have thy name suffer . Grant me to follow peace with all men , and holiness . O bestow on me that wisdom from above , which is first Pure , then Peaceable , Gentle , and ( though hardly provoked , yet ) easie to be intreated .

2 2 The principle must Legr●ciou● . I Wish that those beautiful children of righteousness , courtesie , and meekness in my carriage , may have the Spirit of God for their Parent ; I mean , that the fear of my God may be the principle from which they flow . I shall lose the race , how well soever I run , if I do not set out at the right place . Men look onely to my practices , and accordingly judge of my principle ; if my life be without fault , their charity tells them that my heart is without fraud ; but Gods eye is on my principle , and accordingly he judgeth of my practices ; if my affections be not gracious , he knoweth that my actions cannot be righteous . My God knoweth me thorough and thorough ; He spieth the rottenness and crawling vermine , that are in the bowels of a painted Sepulchre . If I be like a Peach with a craggy stone in my heart , under the cover of a velvet Coat , he understandeth it altogether ; I may cozen the dark eyes of men , who when they behold the inoffensiveness of my life , and the height of my profession , are ready to cry out of me , as Samuel of Eliab , when he saw the comeliness of his countenance , and the height of his stature , Surely the Lords annointed is before him ; 1 Sam: 16.6.7 . but I cannot deceive God ; he seeth not as man seeth ; for man looketh on the outward appearance , but the Lord looketh on the heart . Alas , if I have no more to shew for my title to Heaven , then a fair outside , what have I more then an Hypocrite , nay then some Heathen ! A few flourishes in a Paper or Parchment , is but a poor evidence for an inheritance . How many be there in the World , who as some revelling Gallants , by their gay cloaths , and gaudy attire , speak that they are worth thousands , when they have not a penny in their pockets ; who by their outward conversations seem to be rich in grace , when indeed like Laodicea , they are poor and miserable , and blind and naked ! O that all my fruits of righteousness , might grow upon the root of holiness , and spring from a renewed nature ! then and not till then , they will be acceptable to my Saviour ; then my beloved will come into his Garden , and eat his pleasant fruits ; I would be mindful of these moral duties , because my God commandeth them , and as knowing that I ca●not be religious , if I be not righteous . Though the sensitive soul may be without the rational , as in Beasts ; yet the rational soul is never without the sensitive ; Though righteousness towards men may be without holiness ; yet holiness before God is never without righteousness before men . Lord , thou expectest and commandest that I should act both for thee , and from thee ; Thou valuest the Vessel , not by the ballast of a few good actions , which an Heathen may gather up at any Port , but by the fraught of a sanctified heart , which is peculiar to thy chosen ; Let my obedience to the second Table , arise from my Conscience of the first table ; that whilst the righteous , friendly and meek carriage of others , that runneth along amongst those with whom they converse , is little better then puddle water in thine esteem , because it proceedeth from the sinks of their natural and defiled hearts , justice may not onely in my actions run down like water , and meekness in my conversation , like a mighty stream , but be so fed with and flow from the Spring of thy holy Spirit , dwelling in my heart , that it may be delightful , and of worth in thy sight .

I Wish that I may design somewhat for my God in all my dealings with men , 3 3 The end in our dealings is to be minded . and carry my self the more sweetly and circumspectly , that I may gain their affections , and thereby win them to the greater love and liking of Religion . Christianity is my calling , and where-ever I go , my duty bindeth me to be always furthering it . It was one Article which I sealed to , when I first entred my self Christs servant , to endeavour the making others Proselytes to his service ; and if I neglect it , I am unfaithful to my Master , and forfeit my Indenture . My Pattern may with some be very prevalent . If I shine with a vertuous life , I am as a light-house set by the Sea-side , whereby Mariners sail aright , and avoid dangers ; but if I pretend high , and walk loosely , as a false Lanthorn , I shipwrack those that trust me . My holy life is a good Lecture of holiness to others , which if written in a fair character , will invite those with whom I converse , both to read it , and to learn it ; My advice may to others be very advantagious . If in the morning I s●w the seed of some savoury counsel , and in the evening with-hold not my hand ; though carnal reason tells me it is cast away upon barren earth , which will make no return , yet my God can cause it to spring up richly . Possibly other particular callings may depend on mine , and thereby many persons for their lively-hoods , under God on me ; Now what an opportunity of doing them good , of serving my Lord , and of furthering my own account is put into my hands ! How willing are these who have their dependance on me , to model themselves to such a form as will best suit my temper ! Though they are as hard as Rocks to others , they are as soft as Wax to me ; and shall not I labour to imprint the Image of my God upon them ! O that by those cords which bind their civil interest ; I might draw them to a consideration of their spiritual estates , and let them know that there is but one way of approving themselves to God and me ? How false am I , if I do not improve the ground I have got in the hearts or hands of any for the honour of my Master ? Inlightned souls are all liberal to disperse their rays for the good of others . How busie are most men to propagate that quality which is predominant in them ! The Scholar would have his companion learned ; the Courtier his associate handsom in his carriage ; the Souldier his Comrade Valiant ; and shall not I endeavour that my friends be vertuous ? Nay , how diligent are the Devils Agents , to spread the poyson of vice amongst all with whom they converse ? Though they find sin already thriving , yet they think it not enough to nourish those ill weeds which grow so fast of themselves , but even sow new seeds of oaths and cozening , and prophaness , as if their mutual commerce did oblige them to diffuse their venome to each other , and as if it were a dishonour to the Tradesman , to go to Hell without his Customers and Chapmen , O my soul ! dost thou not blush at thy own backwardness in bringing souls to thy God , ●hen the Emissaries of Hell are so forward ? Do they devise wickedness continually ( Prov. 6. 14. ) search out iniquity ; yea , accomplish a diligent search ( Psa. 64. 6. ) leave no means untried , no ways unattempted , but study and search narrowly for fit seasons , when they may convey their infections to others , and communicate their plague-sores with the greatest success ; and wilt not thou as a liberal man , devise liberal things , sit down and contrive how thou mayst give counsel to poor sinners , administer comfort to poor Saints , to the best advantage of their souls ? Shall Satan go about , seeking whom he may devour , and wilt not thou go about seeking whom thou mayst recover out of the snares of the Devil ? Though grace sets bounds to thy Conscience , yet it doth not to the Love of thy God . If the love of thy God be without limits , will not thy desires and endeavours to exalt him be as large ? It s his favour to trust thee with any Talents for his honour . Opportunities of doing him service ( which now and then he affordeth thee ) are precious ; the stump of time remaineth , when the branches of opportunity are lopt off . In times of scarcity , men pick up all the grains of corn that none be lost ; he that in a dearth gives his corn to his beasts , is himself a brute .

Seasons for the advancement of thy Saviour , and the soul advantage of thy brother , are rare , and wilt thou throw them away upon vain talk , and needless toys ? David could say , Is there none left of the house of Saul , to whom I may shew kindness for Ionathans sake ? And mayst not thou say , Is there none left of the houshold of f●ith , or belonging to it , though now aliens from it , to whom I may shew kindness for Jesus sake ? Ah Lord ! whence is it that my soul is so backward in sending beggers to thy gate ? Am I ashamed to let the World know how much I am indebted , and what bountiful almes I have there received ? Art thou so bad a Master , that I should blush to tell others to whom I belong ; or affraid that if I should commend thee to them , and send them to thee , they would find me false ? Surely to sit at thy feet , and to wait at thy Gate , is infinitely more honourable and comfortable then to sit on the highest worldly throne , and to be waited on by the greatest earthly Princes . What then are the fetters that hinder me from running to invite others to thy Gospel-feast ? Do I fear that thy house will not hold us all , or that the inheritance of thy Saints , being divided amongst so many , the lesser share will fall to me ? No , I beleive that in my Fathers House are many mansions ; that there is room enough and to spare for all thy righteous ones ; and that my sight of thee , the true Sun , will never be the less pleasing and refreshing , though millions of worlds should enjoy thee . If ever it be true , t will be there , The more the merrier . An innumerable company , which all thy creatures cannot number , may draw water with joy out of the Well of salvation , and yet there not be one drop the less . Where still is the fault , that I am so unfruitful , and do not encourage others to enter themselves in thy family ? Am I the fig-tree which thou hast cursed and said to , Never fruit grow on thee more ? Or , Is it not rather my wicked heart of unbeleif that tells me , Godliness is grown with most but a dead commodity , and if I offer to put it into my Chapmans hands , my own wares will go off the worse ? How often hath it suggested to me , that to commend truth to my customers , will be the way to lose my trade ; that I must not follow holiness too close at the heels , lest it dash out my brains ; that it is to no purpose to perswade men to godliness , and that I do but lose my labour in all my counsels and admonitions to others ! This unbeleif , Lord , is the traytour which is such an enemy to the Crown and Scepter of thy dear Son ; O let it please thy Majesty to execute it speedily . Why should this Worm lye gnawing at the root , and hinder my soul from glorifying thee , by bringing forth much fruit ? Is not my soul a Vine of thine own planting ? Thou broughtest her out of Egypt , a state of bondage and slavery to Sin and Satan● and she is come up from the Wilderness , leaning upon her Beloved . Why doth this Boar of the Wood waste her , and this Wild Beast of the field devour her , even this evil heart of unbeleif , whereby she departs away from the living God ? Return I beseech thee O God of Hosts , look down from Heaven , and behold , and visi● this Vine , fence it by thine Almighty power , prune it by thy providence , water it with the showres of thy grace , and so quicken it with the beams of thy favour , that it may bring forth much fruit to thy glory .

I Wish that I may like Enoch , The conclusion . walk so with my God in all my actions , whilst I walk amongst men , that in thy good time my soul may be translated , and I may not see death , either as the wicked in this World do with terrour , or as the damned in the other World do , in torment to their everlasting woe . Lord , thou art Jehovah Tsidkenu , the Lord my righteousness ; be pleased to cloath my person with the robe of thy Sons imputed righteousness , that my nakedness may not appear before Men and Angels , to my eternal shame ; let all my actions be covered with the garment of thy Spirits imparted righteousness , that they may be acceptable and amiable in thine eye . Let thy grace so fill my heart , that godliness may be visible in my hands , and I may thereby draw others towards Heaven . Thou hast said , Behold I make all things new ; what wilt thou then do with this old corrupt nature of mine ? O Renew that , or nothing will be new to my comfort . O God create a clean heart , and renew a right Spirit within me . I know the time will come that thou wilt create new Heavens and new Earth , wherein shall dwell righteousness . My body is the Earth , and my soul is the Heaven which thou hast already made ; but might thy servant prevail with thy Majesty to create my soul thy new Heavens , and my body thy new Earth , wherein may dwell righteousness , how infinitely should I be bound t● thy distinguishing mercy ! Thy hands have made me , and fashioned me ; O give me understanding , that I may keep thy Commandements ; Were my soul bespangled with the glorious stars of thy graces , and my body embroydered and curiously wrought , so as to be the Temple of thy Spirit , then indeed thou mightest re●lect upon what thou hadst made with complacency ; for behold it would be very good : Hast thou not made the great World for man , and the little World ( Man ) for thy self ? When shall I be so pure as to invite thy presence , and so sanctified , as to be set apart ( from all others , and to be ) only for thy service ? O make it appear that I am thy workmanship , created in Christ Jesus unto good works , which tho● hast before ordained that I should walk in them . If thou pleasest to set forth this Heaven and Earth , this little Epitome of the creation , in a new edition , I know it would be done in so fair a Character , as to delight thine eyes , and to ravi●h the hearts of all that behold it . T is confest the Copy was perfect when it came out of thy hands ; there was no unrighteousness or impatience , not the least blot or blemish in it ; but my Parents who transmitted the book to the world , through their unfaithfulness , filled it from the beginning to the end with errors . Adam begat a Son in his own likeness , after his Image . The first sheet went off the press ( through his cursed falseness and negligence ) imperfect , Gen. 5. 3. and full of faults , and the many millions that followed , have still retained the same defects . Yet Lord , since thy Son was at the cost of a new impression ; Let it please thee for his sake to be at the pains of correct●ing this volume so effectually , that those who look into it , may read righteousness , courtesie , meekness , faith , humility , patience , heavenly-mindedness , printed in so large a Letter , free from the former errors , that they may so like it as to embrace and imitate it . O then I shall be assured that at the general Resurrection , when thy last hand shall pass on me , and I shall be published in the newest and last edition , none of those blots and blurs wherewith I have defiled it , shall be found in it ; but thy Image shall be printed on me in such a lovely Character , and in so perfect a manner , that thou wilt delight in me , and I in thee , for ever and ever ,

Amen .

CHAP. II. How Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness , in the Choice of their Companions .

Siquis est-qui congressus , & societates hominum ●erre non possit , ant nullo egeat , quod seipso contentus sit ; i● p●ofecto in parte civitatis non est habendus ; ●●a vel Deus putandus . Arist. l. 2. de Repub. c. 2. SEcondly , Thy duty is to make Religion thy business , and to exercise thy self to Godliness in relation to thy Company . Man ( saith the Great Philosoper ) is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , natures good-fellow ( as one Englisheth it ) a creature in love with Company . Cosmographers observe , that the farthest Islands of the World are so seated , that there is none so remote , but that from some shore of it , another Island or Continent may be discovered ; as if nature hereby invited Countries to mutual commerce . God never intended that the World should be a wilderness , nor the chief inhabitants thereof , as barbarous Beasts , to live alone lurking in their Dens. Monks● and Nuns , and Hermits , who under pretence of Sanctity , sequester themselves from all society , are so far from more holiness , and being better Christians then others , that they seem to have put off the very humane nature , and not to be so much as Men. Vnclean , nasty persons , love to be always private , and by their good will , would neither see● nor be seen of others . Birds of Prey flye always alone ; and Ravenous Brutes come not abroad till others are retired , Psa. 104. 23. Our very senses speak that God would have us sociable ; nay , it s the natural voice of our tongues ; for our speech , and hearing , and sight , would be in a great degree lost , and our Makers end in giving us those Organs and Instruments for converse much frustrated , if every man should immure himself in his own Cell . The graces and spiritual riches of Saints , would in some measure be useless , if they did not deal with some to whom they might distribute them . The Law of man condemneth ingrossers of external goods ; and the Law of God condemneth ingrossers of spiritual good things . They who study to Monopolize all to themselves , Null●us reisine socio jucunda possissio . Non magu utilitati est ager cum redditibus amplis , quam vicinus aequalis cum moribus bonis . Senec. Epist. 11 undo others . As the World shall never want poor men , that the wealthy may always have objects of Charity , and opportunities of laying out , and improving those talents which are committed to their trust ; so the world shall never be without needy Christians , that those who are rich in grace , may have fit objects , and occasions of imploying their gifts . The Moralists axiom is right , Omne bonum quo communius eo melius ; Every good thing is so much the better ; as it hath many sharers in it . In this sense there is a truth in that ; Amicitia est omnium humanarum divinarumque rerum benevolentia & charitate summa consensio , qua quidem haud s●io , an excepta sapientia , qui●quam melius homini sit a diis immortalibus datum Cicero de Amicitia . It is not good for man to be alone . Not that it was a formal evil , but inconvenient . Infinite wisdom hath so dispenced his gifts and graces , that no man is so sterile , but he hath something wherewith to profit others , nor any man so furnished and fruitful , but he standeth in need of others help ; The Head cannot say to the Foot ( much-less the Foot to the Head ) I have no need of thee . The King himself , who seemeth to have least want , cannot subsist without the meanest workmen , even them that grind at the Mill ; The King is served by the field , Eccles. 5. 9.

Company is both comfortable and profitable . The Fellican avoideth other Birds , Comes jucundus in via pro vehiculo est . Senec. and keeps alone , but her tone is always sorrowful . Christians walk more merrily in the way of Gods commandments , when they have many fellow Travellers ; Christian discourse doth so inchant the hearts of the passengers , that Gods statutes are their songs in the house of their Pilgrimage . A Partner , though it be in misery , is a mercy ; and to have one to sympathize with us in our sufferings , is no small ease . The way to prevent the flying in peices of these Vessels , filled with the most piercing sorrows , is to give them vent , by opening our selves to others . This made David bewayl the want of such friends ; My lovers , and my friends stand aloof from my sore , and my kinsmen stand afar off . Heman sings , or rather sighs to the same doleful Tune ; Lover and friend hast thou put far from me , and mine acquaintance into darkness , Psa. 38. 11. and 88. ult. Besides , there is as much profit as comfort in Companions . The Vulgar read that which we translate Company , Job 16. 7. The members of my body ; because Associates as members of the same body , are serviceable to one another , as the several parts of the same building , they help to bear up each other in their proper places , which if divided , would all fall to peices . They never walk long , being soon weary , whoever walk alone . Many Houses in the City have such weak walls , and are so slightly built , that if they stood se●eral in the open fields , Societas est ad●nati● hominum ad aliquid perficiendum . Aquin. they would not stand a year , an high wind would easily tumble them down , which now standing in streets together , receiving support from , and returning it to others , continue many scores of years . Thus many Christians would be easily overthrown by the storms of temptations , Solem è mundo tollunt qui tollunt amicititiam . Amb. de Amicitia . c. 7. were they single and solitary , who resist them with courage , and come off with Victory , being assisted with their Companions . But this benefit ariseth not from every Companion ; Some are like Coals , which instead of warming us , do black , nay burn us . It s better to travail alone , then with a Thief ; Better is a blank , then an ill filling ; bad humors infect the blood , and evil men infect the soul ; It s better ( though it be melancholy ) to travail alone , then with them who lye in wayt for our blood ; He is no better then distracted , who knowingly goeth with them that will lead him into by-paths to his ruine . Though God did not like that Adam should be alone , but intended him a Companion , yet it was such a one as was a meet help . Beasts were no fit Companions for Adam , nor those whom God calleth and counteth Beasts for Christians . Cato being desired by a voluptuous wretch , that he might live with him , answered , Plut. Cum eo vivere non possum qui palatum magis sapit quam cor , I care not for living with him that hath more skill in his meat , then in his mind . Therefore Reader , I shall 1. Speak to the Choice of thy Companions . 2. To thy Carriage in Company .

In order to the first particular , I would offer thee some Motives , that I may quicken thee to care in thy Choice , and then direct thee about it .

SECT. I.

FIrst , Consider , Of what concernment the choice of thy Companions is to thee ; They will either be great helps , or great hindrances , according as thy choice is right or wrong . Antisthenes wondered at the folly of those who were curious in buying but an earthen dish , to see that it had no cracks , and careless in the choice of friends , to take them with the flaws of vice . A friend is called , the friend of our bosom ; A Companion is taken into our bosom ; and surely men had need to be wary and wise , what they take into their bosomes ; whether Saints or Serpents , a Disciple or a Devil . Vix dici potest quanto libentius imitamur eos quibus favemus , Quin● . lib. 10. cap. 2. We can converse freqently with nothing , but it is insensibly assimulating us to its own predominant quality . Waters vary their savour according to the veins of the soil through which they slide ; Brutes alter their natures answerable to the Climates in which they live . Vt nummum exploras , num sit adulterinus , priusquam eo sit opus . Sic amicus probadus antequam eo fit opus . Plut. Moral . Men are apt to be changed for the better or worse , according to the conditions of them with whom they daily converse ; the election therefore of our Companions is one of the weightiest actions of our lives , our future good or hurt dependeth so much upon it . It s an excellent speech of Chrysostom , If men good and bad be joyned together in a special band of society , they either quickly part , or usually become alike . This made the Mother of Alexander , the twenty sixth Emperour of Rome , keep a guard of men continually about him , that no vicious persons might come to him to corrupt him .

If thy Choice be bad , thou art in a double danger of sin and suffering .

1. Thou art in danger of being drawn to sin . They who dwell in AEthiophia , quickly change their skins into a black colour . It s ill and unwholsom for our souls to breath in an Infectious Ayr. Looking-glasses that are very clear and clean , are quickly obscured and dimmed with the foul breath of such as blow upon them . The River Hypanis , famous for the sweetness of its water , by receiving the bitter waters of the Fountain Erampes is poysoned . Ioseph learned the Court phrase , to swear by the life of Pharoah , by his living amongst them whose tongues were tipt with such language . David was brought to feign himself frantick , and to dissemble , as if he could have fought against Gods Favourites , and sheathed his Sword in the bowels of his friends , Amicitiae ut pares quaerunt , ita & faciunt . Amicitia parem aut facit , aut accipit . Hierom. in Mich. Proph. by associating with uncircumcised Achish . If Peter needlesly thrust himself amongst the High-Priests servants , how soon is he taught even with a Curse and an Oath to deny his Master ? Men like Children , come in time to speak the wicked language and cursed dialects too of the Country and Company in which they dwell . Rerum natura sic est , ut quoties bonus malo conjungitur , non ex bono malus melioretur , sed ex malo bonus contaminetur ; di●ersitas enim rerum nunquam potest habere concordiam , & multos sollicitat societas nefanda , Chrys. in Math. Make no friendship with an angry man , and with a furious man thou shalt not go , saith the Wise man : But Mark Reader , his Reason , lest thou learn his ways , and get a snare to thy soul ; The love of friends may quickly breed a love to their faults ; and so by getting a friend , thou gettest a snare to thy soul , Prov. 22. 24 , 25. If thou wouldst avoid the contagion of sin , avoid all needless communion with sinners . He who walks much in the Sun , is tanned insensibly . Wicked men will be likelier to make thee worse , then thou to make them better . Israel could not bring Egypt to Worship the true God , but Egypt brought Israel to offer sacrifice to their false God . T was from them that the Jews sucked that poison which cost both them and their posterity so dear ; The golden Calf was first fashioned in the Iron furnace . Corpora Corporibus jungebat mortua vivis . The Tyrant Mezentius tied the living bodies of the Captives to the dead ; the dead stunk up the living , but the living could not quicken the dead . Lewd men are continual weights , pressing down others to wickedness . How few live in Venice but grow lecherous ? or in Spain but become proud ? or in France , and are not fantastick ? or among the Dutch and do not drink in both their deceitfulness , and their drunkenness ? It s natural for men to put on the fashions , be they never so wicked , of the Country or Company wherein they abide . It s said of Rome , He that goeth thither once , shall see an evil man ; if he like so well as to go a second time , he shall gain his acquaintance ; but if he go a third time , he shall bring him home with him . Ante ignem consistens , etiamsi ferreus sis , aliquando dissolveris ; proximus periculo diu tutus non erit . Per assi duitatem cito peccat homo . Saepe samiliaris impll●avit , saepe occasionem pecc●andi dedit , saepe quod voluntas non potuit assiduitas s●peravit . Isiodor . lib. 2. Soliloq. The mind like Iacobs Sheep receiveth the tincture and colour of those objects that are presented to it . Sin is a Gangreen , which if it seiseth one part , quickly spreadeth and infecteth the other parts which are near it , 2 Tim. 2. 17. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump , whether it be the leaven of error , or of scandal , 1 Cor. 5. 7. Gal. 5. 9. Sinners are plague-Sores , ( as the 70. read 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 pests , Psa. 1. 1. which we translate scorners ) that convey the Contagion to all their Companions . A little wormwood will imbitter much hony , and one sinner destroyeth much good , Eccles 9. 18. Of a certain Prince of Germany t is said , Esset alius si esset apud alios ; He would have been a better person , if he had but been with better Companions . An unclean Leprous person under the Law , tainted whatever he touched ; therefore God would have him distinguished by his bald head , Levit. 13. his torn habit , and his habitation apart , that all might avoid him . And what is the Gospel of it , but that men should avoid the scandalous infectious sinner , lest they be defiled with his sin . The Nicopolites so hated the braying of an Ass , that for that cause they would not endure the noise of a Trumpet . Reader , if thou hatest every false way according to thy duty , if ever sin be loathsom to thee , I doubt not but thou wilt be far from loving the cup in which this cursed potion is , I mean the sinners company . Those that company much with Dogs , may well swarm with fleas . God tels Israel , Thou shalt not make a Covenant with them ( meaning the Canaanites ) they shall not dwell in thy land , lest they make thee sin against me ; Exod. 23. 32 , 33. There is great prevalency in evil patterns ; Evil precepts perswade , but evil patterns compel men to sin ; lest they make thee sin against me . The Pelagian error is , that no sin came in by propagation , but all by imitation ; but it is an experienced truth , that sin is much spread and increased by example . It s common to sin for company , and that Cup usually goeth round , and is handed from one to another . At least , evil Company will abate the good in thee . The Herb of grace will never thrive in such a cold soyl . How poorly doth the good Corn grow , which is compassed about with Weeds ! Cordials and Restoratives will do little good to the natural body , whilst it aboundeth with ill humours . Ordinances and duties are little effectual to our souls , whilst Christians are distempered with such noxious inmates . It s said of the Mountain Kadish , that whatsoever Vine be planted near it , it causeth it to wither and dye . It s exceeding rare for Saints to thrive near such pull-backs . It s difficult , even to a miracle , to keep Gods Commandments , and evil Company too ; therefore when David would marry himself to Gods Commands , to love them , and live with them , for better for worse , all his days , he is forced to give a Bill of Divorce to wicked Companions , knowing that otherwise the match could never be made . Depart from me ye workers of iniquity , for I will keep the Commandments of my God , Psa. 119. 115. As if he had said , Be it known unto you , O sinners , that I am striking an hearty Covenant with Gods Commands , I like them so well , that I am resolved to give my self up to them , and to please them well in all things , which I can never do unless ye depart ; ye are like a strumpet which will steal away the love from the true Wife ; I cannot as I ought , obey my Gods precepts whilst ye abide in my presence ; therefore depart from me ye workers of iniquity , for I will keep the Commandments of my God . Sometimes Saints are ashamed to shew themselves whose Servants they are , sometimes they are afraid of giving offence to their Friends , or Neighbours of the Synagogue of Satan ; some snare or other , the great Soul-hunter catcheth them in , when he finds them amongst his own , that they shall refrain their mouths from all 〈◊〉 while the wicked is before them , Psa. 39. 3. They who touch the fish called Torpedo , lose their senses , and finde their Members so benummd for a time that they cannot stir them . How often hath spiritual sense been taken away , and grace been as it were in a swoon by the noisom vapors , and filthy exhalations that have arisen from ungodly companions ! How many of them like the Pine-tree with their shadow , hinder all other from growing near them ! A Conjurer in Tindals presence , could not shew his Cheats , but confest there was some godly man in the room that hindered him . A Christian who thrusteth himself into vain fellows Company , cannot do the good , shew the grace he should , and may acknowledge ungodly persons to be the cause . A tender person used to warm chambers , coming into the open air , finds his members chilled and unfit for action . O what a damp hath many a Christian found to come upon his spirit , by his conversing with those that are wholly carnal ! Antisthenes would frequently say , I● was a great oversight in men that would purge their Wheat from Darnel , not to purge their Common-wealth from lewd persons .

2. Further , thou art in danger of suffering , as well as of sinning with them . The Wheat hath many a blow , for being amongst the Chaff . Josh. 23.12 , 13 The Gold would not be put into the fire , if it were not for the dross with which it is mingled . God loves his Saints so well , that he sometimes saveth sinn●rs temporally for their sakes ; Holy Paul was the plank upon which all that sailed with him got safe ●o shore ; the grass in the Allies , fares the better for the watering which the Gardiner bestoweth on his flowers in the banks ; Israel is a blessing in the Land of Assyria , Isa. 19. 24. The whole world will stand the longer , because Christians bear up the Pillars thereof ; but God hates sinners so much that even his own people being amongst them have suffered temporally with them . Lot chose wicked Sodom for a pleasant habitation ; In the Wars against the A higenses , when the Popish Army took the popu●ous City of Beziers , they put to the Sword above sixty thousand , amongst whom were many Catholicks , their own friends , who suffered for being amongst their enemies ; the Popes Legat being General , commanded it , and gave this reason , Caedite eos omnes ; novit enim deus qui sunt ejus . but what did he get by it , when he was captivated with its inhabitants , and afterwards forced to leave that wealth ( which drew him to love it ) to the destroying flames ? Iosiah though peerless for his piety , was not spared when he joyned with the Assyrian , but his League with them cost him his life . When two are parties in a Bond , though one be the principal , both may justly be cast into Prison . It s ill being in a Felo●s company , when the Officer of justice overtakes him ; he may come to suffer for the Treason , who ha●bours and abetteth the Traytor . Irenaeus advers. ● . eres . lib. 5. cap. 3. A Companion of fools shall be destroyed , Prov. 13 : 20. The Apostle St. Iohn ( saith the Ecclesiastical Historian ) finding Cerinthus a blasphemous Heretick in the Bath , and some others as bad as he , departed away presently , lest divine vengeance should finde them together . Nay , the very Heathen had some sense how unsafe it was to associate with vicious men . When Bias was in a ship amongst a wicked crew , and a storm arising , they cried aloud for mercy , Pi●gen . Laert. in vit . he had them hold their peace , and not let the Gods know they were there , lest the Ship should be sunk , and all perish for their sakes . When the great Ordnance of wrath shattereth a wicked man in peices , the force of it may strike down those that are next him . We command you brethren , saith the Apostle , in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ , that ye withdraw your selves from every brother who walketh disorderly , 2 Thes. 3. 6. The word withdraw is an allusion to Mariners heedfulness to avoid Rocks and Sands , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Verbum sumptum est a nautis qui flexo cursu declinant scopulum aut periculum , Eras. Psa. 143. lest they should be ruined by them . They who would not shipwrack themselves , must decline both sinners courses and company . The Psalmist would not eat of their dish , lest he should pay their reckoning ; Let me not eat of their dainties , nor drink of their cup. He durst not be so familiar as to feed with them , lest he should afterwards fare as they . Friend , as thou wouldst not suffer with sinners , take heed of sitting with them .

It s enough to bring a man into suspicion at Court , to be intimate with one whom the King hates . Bishop Hall . Intireness with wicked persons ( saith one ) is one of the strongest chains of Hell , and binds us to a participation both of sin and punishment . When the Deer pierced with the Arrow , and pursued by the hounds , runneth to the Herd for shelter , they will not admit her amongst them , out of a principle of self-preservation , lest the Dogs in fetching her out , should fall on them . If thou wouldst not have divine judgements to attach thee , beware of being found amongst them who are markt out for vengeance . Come out from her my people , that ye be not partakers of her sins , and that ye receive not of her plagues , Rev. 18. 4. T was dangerous being near those who were to be cast into the fiery furnace ( which Nebuchad●ezzer had made , ) the men that took them up were scorched to death . Clemens Alexandrinus tells it as the Worlds saying , If a Fish that is taken break the snare and get away , no other of that kind is taken that day . How many that through mercy have been given to ill company , and broke the snares , have told us the mischeif thereof afterward ; Let their example make thee fearful of such ●nares . Some tell us that Swallows would not flie into Thebes , because their walls were so often beleagured ; and wilt thou run into that company , which is always besieged with Gods thundering curse ? O take heed with whom thou strikest friendship ; for when the breath of Gods anger overturneth the house of the Drunkard , or Swearer , the houses of their next ( though best ) Neighbours may fare the worse for its fall . Let me give thee the same advice which Physitians do their friends , touching persons infected with the plague , Cito , Longe , Tarde ; speedily shun their company ; Flie far away from them , let it be long ( even till their sores be healed ) before thou returnest to them again ; for it may be truly said of evil companions , what one saith of Rumny Marsh ; It s bad in Winter , hurtful in Summer , good never .

If thy Choice be good , it will redound very much to thine advantage ; It s no small happiness to have him for thy friend , who is a favou●ite in Heavens Court . Elisha offered it as a great kindness to his courteous Host , Shall I speak for thee to the King ? This favour thou mayst expect in a greater measure from thy Christian friend ; He will speak for thee to the King of Kings ; and send many a rich venture for thee into the other World , whence the return will be certain , and the gain superabundant . O t is good to have an interest in that heart , which hath an interest in Heaven . The great Apostle begs hard , as upon his knees , for a share in the Saints prayers ; Seldom haste thou heard a starving beggar so importunate for a piece of bread , as he is to be a partner in their joynt stock , Rom. 15. 30. I beseech you brethren for the Lord Iesus Christs sake , and for the love of the Spirit , that ye strive together in your prayers to God for me . And wha●s the reason ? Truly Paul knew that united force was stronger , that such persons prayers would be prevalent Ambassadours to obtain the errand they were sent about . The Father who denyeth or delayeth a single child , when several of them together desire favour , granteth it speedily . It s hard to turn stones into bread , to fetch meat out of the eater , affliction ; yet the Saints prayers have been helpful to do it ; I know that this ( i. e. great tribulation ) shall turn to my salvation through your prayers , Phil. 1. 19. A good Companion is a rare jewel , and of great value . It s observable that Moses proceeding by degrees , ascendeth at last to the highest step of persons that may win upon us , and nameth friends as the top of all , and dearer then all Relations ; If thy Brother , or Son , or Daughter , or Wife , or Friend , which lyeth in thy bosome , which is as thine own soul , Deut. 13. 6. A godly friend is a choice book , out of which we may learn many excellent things , and a precious treasure , whereby our souls may be inriched with vertue . He that walketh with the wise , shall be wise , Prov. 13. 20. They who walk with them that are strong-sented with grace , must needs receive somewhat of its savour . The very sight of that holiness which shineth brightly in their works , will kindle thy spirit , and enlarge thy mind with an honest emulation of their worth . If ( as some credibly relate of Persina the Ethiopian Queen , by seeing the fair Picture of Perseus and Andromeda , she was delivered of a fair Child , ) the frequent view of a fair Picture , hath such an operation upon the body , as to cause an AEgyptian Woman to bring forth a beautiful Child ; Surely thy constant beholding the amiable Image of the blessed God , in thy pious companion , may have such an energy on thy soul , as to assimulate thee to its own nature , and help thee to bring forth a lovely issue , a Iedediah , whom the Lord loveth . The ground is the more fruitful , which is near such Trees of righteousness , for the dunging and dressing which the good Husbandman bestoweth on them . When a friend of Phocions would have cast himself away , Phocion suffered him not , saying , I was made thy friend for this purpose .

Amabalis socius omnibus est officiosus , & nulli on●rosus , quia divotus ad deum , benignus ad proximum , sobr●us ad mundunt . Domini servus , proximi socius , mund dominus , superiora habet ad gaudium , aequalia ad consortium , inferiora ad servitium . Hugo . lib. 3. de Anima . Reader , If thou hast any truth of grace , thou wilt above all things in the World value Gods presence ; but if thou wouldst find him , it must be amongst his people ; they are his habitation where he always resides . Ioseph and Mary sought Jesus amongst his Kindred . If thy soul have any longing after the holy Jesus , the best way to find him is amongst his Disciples , for they onely are his kindred ; He stretched forth his hands towards his Disciples , saying , Behold my Mother and my Brethren ; For whosoever shall do the Will of my Father which is in Heaven , the same is my Brother , and Sister , and Mother , Mat. 12. ult. Luk. 2. 44.

Secondly , Consider ; The choice of thy Companions will discover thy condition ; It s a Spanish Proverb , Dime con quiem andis y dezirte he quiem eres ; Tell me with whom thou goest , and I will tell thee what thou art . Plut. in vit. Syll. Sylla shewed the vileness and viciousness of his disposition , by his companions , which were , Roscius , a maker of Common Plays , Sorax , a Prince of Scoffers , and Metrobius a singing man . It s easie to know to what house some persons belong , by their usual walking with those of the same family , either Children or Servants . It will be manifest to others , whether thou appertainest to the Houshold of God , or the Synagogue of Satan , by those with whom thou delightest to associate . The Sheep of Christ do not love the Company of unclean and unsavoury Goats . Augustus Caesar found out the temper of his two Daughters , Sueton● by observing their company at a publique shew , where much people were present ; at which time his Daughter Livia discoursed with grave and prudent Senatours , and his Daughter Iulia joyned with loose and riotous persons . The Lacedemonians enquiring after the dispositions of their children sent abroad to school ; onely demanded of their Masters to what play-fellows they were linked , whether those who were studious and serious , or such as were wanton and vicious , not doubting but they were sutable to them in their natures , whose fellowship they fancied . Many if they walked alone , would be thought by reason of their rich cloaths , men of better estate then they are , and others meaner then they are , by reason of their mean attire ; who yet both are discerned of what rank they be by thir companions .

Dulce quidem dulci se adjungit , amaraque amaris , Acre perinde acri accessit , salsum quoque salso .

It s said of the Apostles , that being dismist from the Council , they went 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to their own , or to their proper and peculiar ( friends , ) so the Original ; we translate it , to their own company , because Saints are a select Corporation by themselves , their priviledge or Charter is peculiar , and so are their Companions , and the persons interested in it . The Citizens of Sion are a distinct company from the rest of the World , and when they can get loose from their Persecutors , they go to them of their own livery . The Disciples were amongst the High-Priests and wicked men , by constraint , and to their greif ; but amongst their own onely , out of choice , and with their good-will . Birds of a Feather will flock together . Servants of the same Lord , if faithful , will joyn with their fellows , and not with the servants of his Enemy .

Abraham sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange Country , dwelling in Tabernacles ( not with the Canaanites , the Natives , though he dwelt amongst them , but ) with Isaac and Iacob , the heirs with him of the same promise , Heb. 11.9 . When a man comes into an Inn , you may give a notable guess for what place he intends , by the Company he inquires after ; His Question , ( Do you know of any travailing towards London ? I should he heartily glad of their company , ) will speak his mind and his course ; If he hear of any bound for another coast , he regards them not ; but if he know of any honest passengers that are to ride in the same road , and set out for the same City with himself , he sends to them , and begs the favour of their good company . This World is an Inn , all men are in some sense Pilgrims and Strangers , they have no abiding place here ; now the Company they enquire after , and delight in , whether those that walk in the broad way of the flesh , or those who walk in the narrow way of the Spirit , will declare whether they are going towards Heaven , or towards Hell . A wicked man will not desire the company of them who walk in a contrary way , nor a Saint delight in their society who go cross to his journey . Can two walk together except they be agreed ? They who walk together , are supposed to have one will , because they are seen to have one way , Amos 3. 3. When Elihu would prove Iob to be bad , this is his argument , He goeth in Company with the workers of iniquity , and walketh with wicked men , Job 34. 8. If Job did not follow their ungodly calling of working iniquity , or acting sin with art , as the word signifieth , you would not find him so much in their Company ; His doctrine was true , though his application of it was false ; Qui aequo animo malis immiscetur , malus est . A godly man may fall into wicked company by chance , but he never walks with such out of choice ; He may be necessitated to dwell with them , but he cannot delight in them . To Associate with the prophane , is proper to the prophane ; As soon as Paul was sanctified , this was almost one of the first signs it appeared by , And Paul assayed to joyn himself to the Disciples , Act. 9. 26. He that before was for the company of the High-Priests , and Persecutors of the Saints , when once converted , is for the company of the Saints , though persecuted . He who before as one mad with rage , breathed out nothing but prisons and slaughter against them ; being now inlightned to see the beauty of their persons , and the excellency of their communion , assayeth to joyn himself to them .

The young Patridges hatched under a Hen , go for a time along with her Chickens , and keep them company , scraping in the earth together ; but when they are grown up , and their wings fit for the purpose , they mount up into the Air , and seek for Birds of their own nature . A Christian before his conversion is brought up under the Prince of darkness , and walketh in company with his cursed Crew , according to the course of the World ; but when the Spirit changeth his disposition , he quickly changeth his Companions , and delighteth onely in the Saints that are on earth .

He that would not be found amongst sinners in the other World , must take heed that he do not frequent their company in this . Those whom the Constable finds wandring with vagrants , may be sent with them to the House of Correction . Lord , said a good Woman on her death-bed , when in some doubt of her salvation , Send me not to Hell amongst wicked men , for thou knowest I never loved their Company all my life long ; David deprecates their future doom upon the like ground , and argueth it as a sign of his sincerity , I have not sat with vain persons , neither will I go in with dissemblers ; I have hated the Congregation of evil doers , and will not sit with 〈◊〉 wicked ; O gather not my soul with sinners , Psa. 26. 4 , 5 , 9. i. e. Lord , I have not loved the wicked so well as to sit with them for a little time , and shall I live with them for ever ? I have not layn amongst them rotting on the earth ; and wilt thou gather my soul with those sticks for the unquenchable fire of Hell ? Lord , I have been so far from liking , that thou knowest I have loathed the Congregation of evil doers ; Do not I hate them that hate thee ? Yea , I hate them with perfect hatred ; and shall thy friend fare as thy foes ? I appeal to thy Majesty , that my great comfort is in thy chosen . I rejoyce onely to be amongst thy Children here , and shall I be excluded their company hereafter ? O do not gather my soul with sinners , for the Wine-press of thine eternal anger . Marcion the Heretick , seeing Polycarp , wondred that he would not own him ; Do you not know me Polycarp ; yea , saith Polycarp , Scio te esse primogenitum Diaboli ; I know thee to be the first-born of the Devil , and so despised him .

SECT. II.

THirdly , 3 3 Motive . Consider that there can be no true friendship betwixt a Godly and a Wicked person ; therefore it concerneth thee to be the more wary in thy choice . He that in factions hath an eye to power , in friendship will have an eye to vertue . Friendship , according to the Philosopher , is own soul in two bodies , but how can they ever be of one soul , that are as different as Air and Earth ; and as contrary as Fire and Water ? All true love is , motus animi ad fruendum Deo propter ipsum ; se & proximo propter Deum ; A motion of the sa●●● , towards the enjoyment of God for himself , himself and his neighbours for Gods sake ; In deo diligere non potest qui deum non dilig●t . Bernard . so that he can never truly love man , who doth not love his Maker . God is the onely foundation upon which we can build friendship , therefore such as live without him , cannot love us in him . That building which is loose without this foundation , can never stand long . A wicked man may call that profession he maketh to to his Brother , by the name of love ; but Heathens can tell us that vertue alone is the hand which can twist the cords of love ; that other combinations are but a confederacy , and all other conjunctions in Hypocrisie . T is impossible that vitiated nature should move any other way then the principle of self carrieth it , which is directly opposite to true friendship ; Hominum charitas gratuita est . Cicero de Natura . deor . lib. 1. Unfaigned love , saith Aristotle , is a benevolent affection , willing good to another for his own sake . How then canst thou expect the comfort of a friend from him who steereth wholly by the compass of self ? He saith he loves thee ; Humanitas vetat . Superbum esse apud s●ci●i , vitat avarum verbis , re●us , a●●ecti●us communem si ●●●●lemque omni●us praestat , nullum alienum malum putat , bonum autem suum ideo maxime quod alic●j ●● bonum faturum ess●amat . Senec. Epist. 11. I am sure his lust hath more of his heart then thou hast ; either then thou must love the Dog , his brutish lust , or he will tell thee shortly thou dost not love the Master . If ever thou happenest to touch on his sore place , to tell him of his fault ( which thou art bound to do , if thou wilt be faithful to God , to him , and to thy own soul ) he will soon kick up thy friendship , and publish to the World , that thou art an uncivil , sawcy , and unintolerable person ; Such are like unwholsom meat , which can neither be detained in the stomach without danger of diseases nor cast up without pain . By patching up a friendship with a carnal man , thou bringest thy self to this miserable plunge , either thou must turn Caterer for his flesh , purvey for his sensual appetite , and provide the air of flattery ( a more hellish wind then any the Laplanders sell ) to feed the Camelion of his pride , or else snap the bones and ligaments of friendship in sunder , which will not be done without some pain and regret on each part . Cardan tells us that he would never rend a false friendship in peices , but fairly pick the threads by which it was sown together ; but this is hard to do . O what folly is it to make choice of him whom thou canst not keep ( for thy friend ) without Gods disfavoru !

Reader , Inter dispares mores firma , non potest esse amicitia . Aug. de Am●citia . cap. 14. If thine end be good in desiring Companions , thou wilt be wholly frustrated in it , unless thou art wise in thy choice . Canst thou think that he can love thee sincerely , Omnium societatum , nulla praestantior est , nulla firmior est , quam cum viri beni moribus similies sunt familiaritate conjunct● . Sen. Epist. 11. who is Hypocritical in his love to his own soul ? Ionathan was a true friend , and loved David as his own soul. So t is said of Basil and Nazianzen , Anima una inclusa , in duobus corporibus ; A wicked man quickly love thee as his own soul , but not in Ionathans sense ; He loved David as his own soul , according to a renewed and spiritual light , as one that saw the worth of his soul , and his eye affected his heart ; but a wicked man hath no love to his own soul in this sense ; he loveth ( or rather seemeth to love it , by carking and caring to please and pamper it , for indeed he hateth ) his dying flesh , but he careth not at all for his everliving spirit , mindeth not whether it sink or swim for ever ; Now is it likely that he should be a faithfull friend to thee , to direct thee in thy doubts , reprove thee for thy faults , who is such a cruel enemy to himself ; Such a one may scare Birds , but he will never secure a Christian ; As the Dolphin in a calm Sea , he is never from the sides of the Ship ; but if a tempest arise , he is gone ; He may indeed shroud his private aims under the cloak of friendship , Sen. Epist. 9. but this the very Moralist will tell thee , non est amicitia , sed mercatura , is onely to make a trade and merchandise of one another . There may be fire in the Pan , when there is none in the Barrel of the piece ; there may be a profession of love in his words , but there is no love in his heart . I cannot more fitly compare such a mans friendship , Amicus est qui amat , & redamatur , Arist. lib. 2. Rhet. then to some plants in Rivers , which have broad leaves at the top of the water , but scarce any root at all . He may make a great shew of love , and tell thee , you shall never know what I will do for you ( and then he speaks true ) but his high building hath no bases , his great profession hath no root , and therefore is rotten .

To be brief Reader , thou wilt easily grant that there can be no true friendship betwixt a man and a beast , their natures being so differing ; I must tell thee , t is more impossible for true friendship to be betwixt a true Christian and a carnal person ; Vera illa amicitia , & Christi glutino copulata , quam non utilitas rei familiaris , non praesentia corporum tantum , non subdola & palpans adulatio , sed dei timor , & divinarum scripturarum consiliant studia . Hierom. in Epist. ad Paulin. for their natures are more differing . The beast and a prophane man differ indeed , yet are not contrary , nay they are so much alike , that the sensual appetite is the predominant quality and commander in cheif in both ; onely beasts are innocent Subjects to it , as breaking no Law thereby ; but man , by being a Slave to that Usurper , is a Traytour to his supreme Lord , and to his Viceroy within him . Reason ; but a Saint and a wicked man are contrary , consider them from head to foot , they stand both in defiance against each other . Their understandings are contrary ; the one is light , the other is darkness ; the one judgeth sin to be the greatest and most abominable evil , the other judgeth it to be a pleasant eligible good . Their wills are contrary , Mos ●uit inter reges barbaros , quoti●s in societatem coirent , applicare dexteras , pellicesque inter se vincire , nodoque constringere & ubi mox sanguis in artūs extremos pervenisset , levi vulnere cruorem eli●iebant , atque invicem habebant , idque●aedus arcanum , quasi mut●o cruore sacratum haberi solitam . Tacitus . the one is a resolved Souldier under the Captain of his salvation , fully set to lose his life , before he will give up his cause , or leave his colours ; the other is a sworn Officer under the Prince of the powers of the Air ( an implacable enemy to the former General ) and stoutly bent to dye , nay be damned rather then desert him ; Their affections are contrary ; the affections of the on● as fire ascend upward , are set on things above ; the affections of the other , like earth , tend downwards , and are set on things below ; what the one loves above his life , the other hates unto death ; what the one forsakes as worse then Poyson , the other followeth after as his onely portion .

Are these two Reader , like to agree , and to be ( as friends should ) of one heart , and of one soul ? Idem velle & idem nolle est vera amicitia , saith the Oratour . T is true friendship to Will and Nill the same things ; Some tell vs that two who desired to become intimate ●riends , came into Vulcans Shop , begging this boo● of him , that he would b●at them on his Anvile , or melt them in his Furnace , both into one , the which he granted . what kind of friendship must that be then between those that always will and nill contrary things ? Let thy own reason be judge ; if likeness be the ground of love , what love can there be amongst them that are wholly unlike ? O let no● any carnal interest sway thee to choofe Sodom for the place of thy habitation , much less to accept of Gods Foe to be thy bosome friend● ; for what communion hath light with darkness ? or what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that beleiveth with an infidel ? 2 Cor. 6. 14 , 15. Like as the Elements , according to Empedocles opinion , are always at strife together , but specially those that are neerest ; so godly and evil men are always at odds , but those especially that are nearest . The Horse hath a natural emnity against the Camel , and the Camel against the Horse ; Therefore Cyrus being to fight with the Babylonians , who excelled in Horses , used as many Camels as he could get . The sinner is like the Horse , altogether unclean ; the Christian like the Camel ( that cheweth the cud , though he divideth not the hoofe ) is parly clean , partly unclean , now there being an enmity betwixt these , there can never be any society . The Feathers of Eagles , say Naturalists , will not mingle with the feathers of any ohter Fowls . Many complain of the treachery of their friends , and say ( as Queen Elizabeth ) that in trust they have found treason ; but most of these men have greatest cause ( if all things be duly weighed ) to complain of themselves for making no better choice ; He is right served in all mens judgements , who hath his liquor running out , which he puts into a leaking Vessel , or riven Dish .

SECT. III.

I Come now to shew wherein the power of godliness consisteth , or how a man maketh Religion his business in the choice of his Companions .

First , Be as careful as thou canst , Non sunt fideles in anticitia , quos manus , non gratia co●ulat , nam cito deserunt , nisi semper acci●●r●nt . 〈◊〉 enim quae munere gl●rinatur , ●●d●m suspenso diss●lvitur . Isid. lib. 3. de Sum. bon . that the persons thou choosest for thy Companions , be such as fear God . The man in the Gospel was possessed with the Devil , who dwelt amongst the Tombs , and conversed with Graves and Carcasses : Thou art far from walking after the good spirit , if thou choosest to converse with open Sepulchres , and such as are dead in sins and trespasses . God will not shake the wicked by the hand ( as the vulgar read , Iob 8. 20. ) neither must the godly man . David proves the sincerity of his course , by his care to avoid suc● society ; I have walked in thy truth , I have not sat with vain persons , Psa. 26. 5. 6.

There is a twofold truth ; 1. Truth of Doctrine . Thy Law is the truth , free from all dross of corruption , and falshood o● error . 2. Truth of affection , or of the inward parts ; this may be called thy truth , or Gods truth ( though man be the subject of it ) partly because it proceedeth from him , partly because it is so pleasant to him , in which respect a broken heart is called the sacrifice of God , Psa. 51. 6. As if he had said ; I could not have walked in the power of Religion , and in integrity , if I had associated with vile and vain company ; I could never have walked in thy precepts , if I had sat with vain persons . Observe the phrase , I have not sat with vain persons . 1. Sitting is a posture of choice ; it s at a mans liberty , whether he will sit or stand . 2. Sitting is a posture of pleasure ; men sit for their ease , and with delight ; therefore the glorified are said , to sit in heavenly places , Eph. 2. 6. 3. Sitting is a posture of staying or abiding , 2 King . 5. 3. standing is a posture of going , but sitting of staying ; The blessed , who shall for ever be with the Lord and his chosen , are mentioned to sit down with Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , in the Kingdom of Heaven , Mat. 8. 11. David in neither of these senses , durst sit with vain persons ; He might ( as his occasions required ) use their Company , but durst not knowingly choose such Company ; They could not be the object of his election , who were not the object of his affection ; I hate the congregation of evil doers , saith he in verse 7. As sitting is a posture of pleasure , he did not sit with vain persons . He was sometimes amongst them to his sorrow , but not to his solace . They were to him , as the Canaanites to the Israelites , pricks in his eyes , and thornes in his sides . Wo is me , for I dwell in Meshech , and my habitation is in the Tents of Kedar , Psa. 120. 5 , 6. It caused grief , not gladness , that he was forced to be amongst the prophane .

Again , He might stand amongst them , but durst not ( unless necessitated , as a Prisoner kept by force in a Prison ) sit with them . A godly man may go to such persons as we do sometimes to felons in a Gaol , about business , but he likes not to stay in such a nasty place . It s said of the Lyzard , an unclean Bird , that she liveth in Graves and such places of corruption ; But the Dove a clean creature , loves to build and lie clean . Though ●he sinner , like Satan , delights in herds of Swine ; the Saint disesteemeth a vile person , and honoureth them that fear the Lord , Psa. 15. 4. One gave his friend this adv●ce , Have communion with few , ●e int●mate with one , deal justly with all , speak evil of none . The Burgess of the new Ierusalem ( saith one upon that Text ) reprobos reprobat , & probos probat , he rejecteth the vicious , and though they may be great and high , counteth them but vile , Elisha was so far from bestowing his love , that he thought an evil King not to deserve a look . As the Lord liveth , were it not that I regard the presence of Iehosaphat the King of Iudah , I would not look towards thee , nor see thee , saith the Prophet to the King of Israel , 2 King . 3. 14. That unerring pattern , our blessed Saviour , did not judge wicked Herod worthy of one word . Then Herod questioned with him in many words , but he answered him nothing , Luk. 23. 9. But the true Christian honoureth them that fear the Lord , though he disesteemeth the wicked . Saints are Gods jewels , and therefore must needs be of great price with them that have any judgement . Ingo an antient King of the Draves , at a Feast , Convictor delicatus paulatum en●rvat & emollit , ne●●sse est aut imiteris , aut odevis● utrumque autem devi●andum est ne aut similis malis fias quia multi sunt , ne vel inimicus multis quia d●ssimiles . Cum his conversare , qui ●e meliorem facturi sunt ; illos admitte quos tu pores facere mel●●res . Senec. Epist. 11. sets his Pagan Nobles in his Hall below , and entertained a company of poor Christians at his own Table in his Presence Chamber , in the most Royal manner , and with the costliest chear that might be ; and when this different dealing was wondered at by his Peers , he gave them this Reason , I do this act , not as King of the Draves , but as King of another World , where these poor men shall be my Companions and fellow-Princes ; David was a great Soveraign , yet the Saints onely were his Associates ; Let them that fear thee , turn unto me , and such as keep thy righteous judgements . They who but touched the carcasses of men ( and wicked men are but moving carcasses ) were unclean seven days , Numb. 19. 11. The flesh that toucheth any unclean thing , shall not be eaten , Levit. 7. 19. God commanded the Jews , Thou shalt not let thy Cattel gender with a diverse kind ; Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled Seed ; neither shall a Garment mingled of linnen and wollen come upon thee , Lev. 19. 19. This indeed taken literally , was ceremonial to them , and is vanished with their Commonwealth ; but taken mystically , there is something in it which is moral , and binding to us , namely , that God abhors mixtures of good and bad persons , more then of different things , and the Apostle applieth it to the same purpose .

Reader , if God hath opened thine eyes , thou seest that Saints are lovely , though low ; and precious , though poor ; I am black but comely , O ye Daughters of Jerusalem , as the Tents of Kedar , Cant. 1. 5. Kedar signifieth black , and the Tents of Kedar were of hair-cloth , ( made of Goats hair , ) wherein they dwelt . Here the Church ( which elsewhere is called the Tents of Iacob , Jer. 30. 18. ) is for her persecutions , and pilgrimage , and poverty compared to the Tents of Kedar , saith Aynsworth ; but I suppose there is one thing more in it , and that is as the Church did resemble the Tents of Kedar in her outward condition , so also in her inside . The Tents of Kedar were stored with gold , pleasant odours , and jewels within . O how glorious is the Kings daughter within ! her inward ornaments are infinitely more worth then wrought , then choice gold . Dost thou not behold the Saints vertues under their vail , their beauty under their black Cypress ? How they are a Crown of Glory , a Royal Diadem , Princes in all his Lands , higher then the Kings of the earth , more excellent then their richest , wisest , and most honourable Neighbours , the Lords portion , his peculiar people , his Privy-Councellors , his Children , his Love and Delight , and doth not thine understanding prise them , thy will choose them , and thy affections cling and close with them ? Surely such persons are worthy to be thy Companions . Christians must resemble the Loadstone , to attract that only to them , which is of some worth ; and not like the Iett , draw stubble and hay and straw , to which wicked men are compared . To the Saints that are in the Earth , and to the excellent , in whom is all my delight , saith that man after God● own heart .

Further , It s thy interest to choose them only for thy friends . Others will one time or other prove false . Those men will stick closer then a brother ; Greet them that love us in the faith , such love will be firm , Tit. 3. 15. Ungodly men may be about us as Mice in a Barn , whilst something is to be had , but when all the Corn is gone , they are gone too ; If thou ceasest to give , they will cease to love . When the weather is foul ( as Swallows , though they chatterd about our Chimneys , and chatterd in our Chambers ) they will take their flight , and leave nothing behind but dirt and dung , as the pledge of their friendship . Hamans friends , who when he was in favour were ready to kiss his feet , no sooner saw the King incensed against him , but they are as ready to cover his face , and help him to an Halter . There is no faith in that Man , who hath no fear of the great God .

SECT. IV.

SEcondly , If thou wouldst manifest godliness in the choice of thy Companions , thy care must be not onely to choose such as are godly , but also to choose them , because they are godly . As Godliness must be a ruling quality in them that are chosen , so it must be the ground of thy choice . A man may keep company with godly men , because they live near him , or because they are related to him , or because they are wise , learned , or ingenuous persons , or because they may do , or have done him a courtesie , and yet not put forth the least grain of godliness in it . When Gods grace in them is the onely ground of our choice , and Gods Image on them , the cheif Loadstone of our love , then we exercise our selves to godliness in the choice of our Companions . If I love my Neighbour , and like his company , because he resembleth me in his feature , or in his nature , or because he is a mild , meek , peaceable man , or because I expect some kindness from him ; herein I shew my love to my self , but none to my God , and therefore nothing of godliness . Laban delighted to have Iacob with him , and would by no means hear of his departure , he sets him to be chief over his flock , he bendeth and boweth to him , he flattereth and fawneth on him , though his servant and underling , and who so much as Iacob in his books ! but mark the ground of all : And Laban said unto him , I pray thee if I have found favour in thy sight , tarry ; for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake , Gen. 30. 27 He loved Iacob fo● himself , or rather loved himself in Iacob ; he courted him not because he was a good man , but because he was a good servant ; herein was nothing of Religion ; As the Jews followed Christ , not for the miracle , but for the meat , Joh. 6. Such men love others for the outward goods they bring to them , not for the grace or godliness they see in them ; for if they were not holy , they would desire their Company ; This is faigned , and not the love the Apostle speaks of , 1 Pet. 1. 22. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the unfaigned love of the brethren , or love without dissimulation . The voice of a worldling in the choice of a friend , is much like that of Ioram to Iehu ; Is it peace Iehu ? Is it wealth ? Is it honour ? Is it power ? then be thou my friend . But the voice a Christian , is like that of Iehu to Ionadab ; Is thy heart right as mine is ? Is there the fear of God , truth of grace in thy heart ? then give me thy hand , come up into the Chariot , be thou my friend .

The Choice of a Christian must flow from another fountain then worldly profit ; namely , the amiableness of the Image of Christ in the person . The heat and light of a wicked mans love , as a lamp is fed with , and floweth from some earthly substance , and is extinguished when that is denyed ; but the heat and light of a Saints friendship , as the solary rays , springeth from an heavenly cause , and therefore will continue . The Apostle speaketh of love out of a pure heart , 1 Tim. 1. 5. That i● pure love , a pure stream , which ariseth from a pure heart , a pure spring ; that is , not onely the grace of God , Amicos secundae res ●ptime parant , adversae certissime probant . Sen. secret in a Christian , but the grace of God , seen in his Companion whom he loveth . It is clearly visible , that many associate with Christians , not for their vertues , but at a venture , they were possibly the first they fell in league with , or upon some other respect ; for they know others as high in holiness whom they slight , nay possibly hate , whereas he that loveth grace in one , loveth grace in all . It s an infallible sign of a crooked nature ( saith Cicero ) to be affected with none but Praetors and great men . It s little sign I am sure of grace , to joyn onely wi●h those Saints that are rich or high in the World . If thou admirest holiness in scarlet , and robes , and contemnest it in sackcloth and russet ; I must tell thee thou art grosly deceived ; for thou admirest the Scarlet , and honour , not the holiness at all .

I do not deny but amongst Christians , a man ( that hath the opportunity ) may choose out some , rather then others to be his most intimate companions ; Christ , though he loved all his Disciples , yet had one especially , the beloved Disciple , who leaned on Iesus bosome ; Amongst all the Apostles , he vouchsafed to three onely the favour of his extraordinary friendship . When he raised up the Rulers daughter , he suffered none to go in , save Peter , Iames , and Ioh● . When he was transfigured , he took up with him , onely Peter , Iames and Iohn ; In his bitter and bloody Agony , these three were taken out from the rest . Luk. 8. 51. Mat. 17. 5. and 26. 37.

But if I might advise thee Reader , in such a Choice , I would give thee these two Cautions .

First , That thou prefer those whom God prefers ; I mean such as have most grace ; It s a sign of a Coward to choose a weak enemy , and its a sign of little grace to choose the weakest Christian friends ; He that hath most of Gods heart , deserveth most of thine ; I am ready to think , that Peter , Iames , and Iohn , that had more of Christs love then the rest , had more of his Likeness and Image then the rest . I confess some respect in the choice of a bosome friend , ought to be had to his prudence . Some men ( though holy ) are indiscreet , and in point of secrets are like Sives , can keep nothing committed to them , but let all run thorough . A blab of secrets , is a Traytour to society , as one that causeth much dissention . It s good to try him whom we intend for a bosome friend , before we trust him ; Diligentes Agricolae terram prius notulis quibusdam deprehendunt , & explorant , priusquam illi credant sementem . It a explorandus am●cus antequam committas arcanum . Erasmus . As men prove their Vessels with Water , before they fill them with Wine . If we finde them leaking , they will be useless as to that purpose ; Too many are like the Dead Sea , in which nothing , saith Aristotle , sinks to the bottom , but every thing thrown into it , swims at the top , and is in sight . Nakedness in mind , is as well a blemish , as nakedness in body . It s wonderful folly , which some persons manifest in stripping themselves naked before every one , and unbosoming themselves whoever stands by . Pictures that have no Curtains before them , gather much dust , and so do those minds that are ever open and exposed to every mans view . Others are like the Sea , full of wealth and worth , of great abilities in spiritual things , but there is no coming at it , they are so concealed , that none is ever like to be the better for it . Those golden Mines that are never known , enrich none .

There are a middle sort of Christians between these , that like a secret box in a Cabinet , is not seen without some difflculty , but as occasion is , it is opened , and then many jewels of rare value appear . Tu omnia cum amico del●bera . sed de ipso prius . Senec. de benef . l. 6. c. 24. The Bow that is hardest to bend , doth the most service , for it sendeth forth the Arrow with the greatest force . The Nut that is hard to crack , hath the best kernel . These Christians may as likely as any , be thy bosome friends . Though some respect I confess may be had to sutableness of disposition in him whom thou choosest for an intimate friend . As in marriage , so in friendship , its best when there is some equality and likeness in pairs , as of Tongs , or Gloves , there must be a parity ; Such friendship founded both in grace and nature , is like to be lasting .

2. That in prefering some , thou castest no contempt upon others . The smallest piece of pea●l is worthy of esteem , the little violet is pleasant . The poorest Christian , he that hath the least grace , deserveth our love and observance . Christ takes notice of two mites , of a little strength , of some good thing , and shall not we ? Math. 12. 43. Rev. 3. 8. 1 King . 13. 14. Babes in Christ being unable to help themselves , have most need of good Nurses ; Weak Saints , who can hardly go alone , do most want an helping hand . A Saint that is mean , as well as a mean Saint , must be countenanced . It s good to countenance godliness in the rich , but its evil not to encourage it in the poor . Our love must like the oyntment , powred on Aarons head , which ran down , not onely to his beard , but to the very skirts of his garment , be drawn out to the highest , and fall down on the lowest Saints ; David by this shewed the life and truth of his love . I am a Companion of all that fear thee , and keep thy Statutes , Psa. 119. 63. Of all . None that hath thy fear , but shall find me their friend . Though I am their King , and above the highest , yet for thy sake I can chearfully be Companion to the lowest .

SECT. V.

THirdly , In thy Choice have respect to spiritual ends , and accordingly improve it . Attend , and intend thy own and thy Companions soul-good in it . F●iendship hath a key to the heart , which it may use , n●t only to let it self into its secrets , but also to introduce its own conceptions . He hath a great advantage of perswading another to , and encouraging him in holiness , who is already entertained as his friend into his heart . Where the person is so acceptable , the instruction will be the more welcome ; We carry others sometimes along with us , to our friends houses , and they are kindly entertained for our sakes . Now to improve this interest , any other way then on Gods behalf is sacriledge . How abominable were it then to use this key for the bringing in of theivish lusts , and murderers upon him ! There is no nearer union then of intimate friends , they are one soul ; he then that loves himself , and knoweth grace to be his own greatest perfection , Non est vera amicitia ubi est fallax adulatio , Amb. de Offic. lib. 3. must needs endeavour that his friend may have a large portion of it . Persons of quality have a great delight to adorn and beautifie the places where they inhabit , and loath to live in dirty f●ies , or nasty dungeons . Solatium hujus vitae est , ut habeas , cui pectus tuum aperias , cui arcana communices , ut collo●es tibi fid●lem virum qui in prosperis gratuletur tili●in tristibus compat●atur ; facilis vox & communis , Tuus sum totus , sed paucioris est effectus . Amb. de . Offic. lib. 3 True Friends dwell in each other ; the soul is ( saith one ) not so much where it liveth , as where it loveth ; how delectable then must it needs be , for them to seek the embellishing and embroydering those hearts with holiness , in which they have taken up their abode ? Love is apt to transport us , so far as to imitate the errors of those whom we affect , like unskilful painters , who express onely the wrinkles and blemishes of a face , not being able to reach its beauty ; Without Question , this love if rightly improved , would be more prevalent to make thy friend ambitious to resemble thee in vertue , in regard of the amiableness of vertue in it self , and its great advantage above error ; T is clear , that grace hath a much more ravishing and delectable appearance then vice , in all her paint , and dawbery even when she is lookt upon through the Divels Opticks .

A good friend in this respect is of much worth ; therefore Alexander , when one desired to see his treasure , shewed him not 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , but 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , not his Talents of Silver , but his Friends . And Menander counted him a happy man , that had but the shadow of one . Though fortune hath shewed me many favours saith Plutarch , In Vit. that deserve I should be thankful to her for them , yet there is none that maketh me so much bound to her as the love and good will my brother Timon doth bear to me in all things .

God hath caused many wants and weaknesses in us , that we may be needful to one another ; and purposely given diversity of gifts and graces , that we may be helpful to each other . No Nations have all the commodities they use of their own growth , but need trading with others for their supply . Beleivers cannot keep house well without borrowing from their Neighbours . There is that which every joynt supplyeth , according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , Ephes. 4. 10. If our Christian communion be not imployed for this end , we are slothful servants , hiding our Talents in a Napkin ; if to a contrary end , we are miserable Alchymists , and extract Poison out of a Cordial . Countries that are joyned together in a strict league , often grow rich by mutual traffique ; Christians have found by experience , that mutual commerce well imployed , hath brought them in very great gains . Paul himself , that was of a great spiritual estate , and much given to Hospitality , and feeding hungry Christians , yet expected sometimes to be entertained at his poor Neighbours Tables . He writes to the ●omans , that he hopes to be filled with their Company , Rom. 15. 24. Filled or feasted with some heavenly repast , by their Company .

O t is lovely and happy when two friends are like Moses and Aaron ; He shall be to thee instead of a mouth , and thou to him instead of God , Exod. 4. 16. Where their love is shewn by edifying and building up one another in holiness . This were some prelibation of Heaven , where those lines of love which stretch themselves to every port of the Circumference do all meet in God , as their Centure . But I shall speak more to this in the fourth Chapter .

I shall conclude this particular with an answer to two Objections .

Object . 1. Christ commandeth us to love our enemies , Mat. 5. 45. Gal. 4. 10. and what love do we shew , if we turn our backs always upon them , and banish them our Company ? Besides , we are commanded to do good to all , I am bound to seek my wicked Neighbours salvation , and to love my Neighbours as my self , Lev. 19. 18. which how can I do if I always shun him ? Again , If I should avoid all that are carnal , I must untie the bonds of my relations , which God and nature forbid , and cast up my calling , which I am commanded to mind .

Answ. In Answer to these things , I shall first lay down one or two Distinctions , and then some Positions .

1. Distinct. There are sinners of several formes in Satans School . Some that learn too much the lesson he sets them , but quarrel not with the Scholars of a contrary Master ; though they are ungracious , yet they are not out-ragious , these are wild Beasts in a Cage , or in Chains , that a man may sometimes take notice of without any hurt . Others do not onely study the lectures he sets them , be they never so full of blasphemie and debaucherie ; but seek to make Proselites , and cast scorn and contempt upon all piety , and rail at those that will not learn their black art ; these are in his upper form , and have proceeded from standing in the way of sinners , to sitting in the seat of the scornful , and will be ready in a short time to be sent to Hell , the onely Academy to which he prefers his Scholars ; these are worse then the Dogs of Egypt , they when the Israelites marched towards Canaan , not stir their tongues , but these bark at all that sets out for Heaven . Many who had risings and spots in the skin of the flesh , were not to be judged unclean , and shut out of the Camp , but those that had the scab spreading much in the skin ( typifying those whose sinful courses were gaining and growing upon themselves or others , Levit. 3. 3 , 4 , 8. ) they were to be thrust out of the Camp .

2. Distinct. It is one thing to come into wicked mens company , as a mans occasions or relations require , and it is another thing to choose such company ; David was frequently amongst the bad , but his delight and joy was onely amongst the good . An Acquaintance is one thing , and a Companion is another thing . Acquaintance is the Herd ; A companion is the particular one , culled out of it for a special friend . It s one thing to have intimate familiarity , and another thing to have common and civil commerce with such men .

1. Position . To love my Neighbour as my self , doth not infer an equality , but the quality of my love . A Christian must love all men truly , but is not bound to love all men equally . The greatest degree of our love is limited by God himself ( next to his blessed Majesty and our selves ) to these two objects , the houshold of faith , and our own houshold , not excluding others , but preferring these , fo● even within our selves , there is a difference in our love ; we love our head , and heart , and other vital parts , with a closer affection then those outward integral parts that are not of so great concernment to us . I may therefore love every man as my self , and yet love some above others , and my own soul above all . Exemplar potius est exemplato . The example is before the thing exemplified . If a man is bound to love another as himself , he must needs love himself first , and more then another . Thy love to them , may cause thee to hope that thou mayst convert them , but thy love to thy self should make thee fear lest they should pervert thee .

2. Position . A Christian is bound to avoid all needless society with wicked men . Mark , I say needless ; When our Relations command it , as amongst Husbands and Wives , and Parents and Children , or our Vocations call for it , then it is necessary . Those precepts that enjoyn us to forbear their company , are to be understood when we have no call to it . We may Trade with wicked men , we must perform all moral duties to our Kindred , and acts of courtesie and charity to the worst of our enemies , so we be careful to keep our selves from their corruptions , and use their company no longer then the discharge of those duties doth require . When by admitting their persons , we cannot avoid their vices , we must deny both .

3. Position . Christians should as God gives them opportunity , if there be any hope of doing good , endeavour to reform men , before they wholly reject their company ; Nay , and pray for their welfare after they have refused them for Companions . It s small kindness to shut up a man that hath the plague , lest he should infect others , and to use no means for his own cure . If I finde that a man is desperately bent in wickedness , that Religion is the object of his laughter , and to give him any serious counsel , is to cast Pearl before Swine ; I must judge such Ishmaels and Esaus , unworthy of humane society ; but it s a very hard case to shut a man up in a Coffin , and bury him before he be quite dead● Sometimes vicious men are in distress , and a godly man hath a call from God to do him some charitable office ; here the Christian may have less fear of receiving hurt from them . Afflictions are bonds , and these beasts in Chains are not so unruly ; Pauls Viper benummed with cold did not sting him ; Here a Christian hath also more hope of doing good to them . The hard mettal , when in the fire , may receive impressions . Men will take that Physick willingly in their sickness , which they refused in health .

4. Position . A Christian may love a wicked man sincerely , though he wholly shun his society . He may affect him with a love of pity , though not of complacency ; He may shew his love by powring out his heart in petitions to God for him . Though a Saint deny a scandalous sinner his presence , yet he doth not deny him his pity , nor his prayers ; Nay , our Non-Communion may be a means of their conversion ; If any obey not the word , have no company with him ; that he may be ashamed , 2 Thes. 3. 14. Shame and Confusion , is a good step towards Conversion ; A wicked mans presence burdens a Saint , and a godly mans presence hardens a sinner . Surely thinks he , I am , if not praise worthy , yet tolerable , and not very bad , since such a good man is so much with me . They who did eat and drink in Christs presence on Earth , wondered much to be excluded from his Heavenly Banquet , Math. 7. 23. Hymeneus and Alexander were excluded Christian society , that they might learn , not to blaspheme , 1 Tim. 1. 20. This wounding is the way to healing , ●t makes prophane men bethink themselves ; when sober persons avoid their presence .

Object . 2. Did not Iesus Christ accompany with wicked men ? Can I follow a better pattern ? or can any pretend to more purity ? Is not Christ upon this account called a friend of Publicans and Sinners ?

Answ. 1. I Answer , More generally . All our Saviours actions are for our instruction , but all are not for our imitation . Christ indeed hath left us an example , that we should follow his steps , 1 Pet. 2. 2● . but not in all the prints of his feet . Christ did nothing amiss , but he that shall undertake to do in all things as he did , will follow him too close , and do many things amiss . It may be commendable to imitate my Soveraign , but it is possible enough to do it so far as to be guilty of treason by it . Some of Christs actions were done by him as man , others were done by him as Mediatour , or God-man ; In many of these latter we cannot imitate him , in others we may not . Who can work Miracles , forgive Sins , &c. as Christ did ? Who may appoint Apostles , constitute Laws for the Church , &c. as Christ did ?

Answ. 2. More particularly , Christ had a Call , which all others have not , to go amongst wicked men . Where should a Physitian be , but amongst his Patients ? to deal with such is his calling . Christ came to call sinners to repentance , to heal their vitiated natures , and therefore it was necessary he should associate with them . He went amongst them , not as a friend to their sins , but as a Physitian to their souls ; How should he otherwise have cast out Devils , cured their sicknesses , and proved his Deity to their faces ? An Ambassadour being commissionated by his Prince , may do that , which if an ordinary Subject should do , may cost him his life . Abraham might ( having liberty from God ) stand still and behold Sodom flaming , when Lot might not so much as cast an eye , or have a glance towards it . Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel , and so he went to them in discharge of his Errand and Mission ; He had also a Commission under his Fathers Hand and Seal , Luk. 4. 18. Iob. 6. 27.

Answ. 3. Christ had no tinder about him to take fire , being conceived without sin ; but we are little else then dry tinder , and therefore have cause to avoid the least spark . The Prince of this world cometh , saith Christ , Joh. 16. ult. and findeth nothing in me . He cometh with his baits , but there is nothing in me , that will be nibling at them . Besides , his Deity was a perfect Antidote against all infection ; As the beams of the Sun , he could be in filthy places , and amongst defiling persons , and not receive the least pollution ; when we have such unhealthful souls , that we are ready to receive the contagion from the least infectious breath ; Our corrupt nature is like fire , which if there be any infection in the room , draweth it straight to it self .

Answ. 4. Christ did not choose the Company of Publicans and Sinners , though he was often amongst them . A Physitian is not in a Pest-house wi●h delight , though his own pity , and their misery may call him thither . Sinners were the guest , Saints onely the delight of Christ ; wicked men had his company , but the Disciples onely were his Companions ; He was intimate with none but beleivers ; others were his care , they his comfort . It was to them he said , I have not called you servants , but friends ; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doth , but I have called you friends ; for all things that I have heard of the Father , I have made known unto you , Joh. 15. 15 , 16.

To Conclude , Reader , Be not thou envious against evil men , neither desire to be with them . Charity forbids the former , and Christianity the latter . Love to them must preserve thee from envy , but love to thy self must keep thee from keeping them company . When ever providence calleth thee amongst them , make them thy fear , not thy familiars ; For their heart studieth destruction , and their lips talk of mischief , Prov. 24. 1 , 2.

1. Society in evil we may not hold , no not with the best men , Ephes. 5. 7 , 11. Si cum malis , non tamen in malis , Psa. 141.4 .

2. Society in good ( i. e. in sacris ) in the Worship of God , we may hold with the worst men , Math. 23. 1 , 2. and 21. 12 , 13.

3. Society in things indifferent we may have with all men , as in civil commerce , and Offices of humanity , Gen. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 27.

A Good Wish of a Christian ; about the Choice of his Companions , wherein the former particulars are Applied .

THe blessed and glorious God , The Introduction . the Father of mercies , and fountain of all communion , of whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named , who hath sufficiently evidenced the good of Companions , in saying , It is not good for man to be alone , and who hath sanctified society by his own example , in creating Angels and Men , not onely for mutual comfort , in the fruition of each other , but also that his sacred Majesty , and those Heaven-born spirits might have fellowship together , as intimate friends , and especially in that infinite complacency which he had in his beloved Son , and his Son in him from all eternity , who was dayly his delight , rejoycing always before him . Having made me rational , and thereby meet for converse with men ; Religious , and thereby capable of communion with Christians ; I Wish that I may never abuse his kindness by shutting up my self as Monks and Nuns in Cells or Cloisters , or as some melancholy persons , in a Closet or Chamber ; but may know both how to be alone , and how to be in company , and be so sensible of his love in affording me fellow-travailers , that my journey to my Fathers house may be the more pleasant , that I may accept it thankefully , and improve it faithfully to his own praise . My God suffereth my spiritual wants , that I may look for help ( under him ) from others wealth , and he affords me spiritual riches , that I might be able to supply others poverty . It s his pleasure , that none of his Children ( though to some he gives liberal estates , to all a competency ) should be able to live without being beholding to their Neighbours . Though privacy hath fewer incitations to evil , company hath more provocations to good , by so much ●s doing good , is better then not doing evil . Let me prefer society before solitariness ; Yet Lord , let me never be a good-fellow in the Worlds sense , to joyn with all sorts ; but let my fellowship be with them that have fellowship with thee . Though I may have bad acquaintance , let me not have a bad Companion , whatsoever commerce I may have with sinners , let my communion be onely with thy Majesty , and thy Saints . O let them that fear thee , turn unto me , and such as keep thy righteous judgements , Psal. 119. 79.

I Wish that the consideration of the great influence which Companions will have upon me ,

Motives to care in the choice of Co●panions , 1 Motive .

The influence that Company hath on us , to d●aw us to the evil of sin .

to hinder or help me in the way of holiness , may make me the more prudent in my choice . Though there be some quicksets of grace in the soyl of my heart , yet these evil weeds may endanger their death , at least will prejudice their growth . How often hath ill company , as an East-wind , nipt and destroyed those buds , which gave hopes of becoming in time , good and wholsom fruit ? If the fire of my godliness be not extinguished ( no thanks for that to my self ) yet it s sure to be abated by these waters . My spiritual life is maintained onely by that provision which my God is pleased daily to send me in , and can I expect that he should send supplies into his enemies qua●ters ? What man will send goodly Furniture into his house , untill the dust and rubbish be cast out ? With what reason can I look for succour from Heaven , when I run my self into the jaws of Hell ? Though others that are found out by their grand foe , may receive help from God , and come off with conquest , yet if I go to seek out the temper ( for where can I sooner find him , then in his house ? ) amongst his own Children , I shall have little pity , and may well expect to be foiled in the fight . Again , How doth Familiarity with what is evil , make it less frightful ! Children are much startled at some creatures , which when they are accustomed to , they are not at all afraid of . Possibly my anger against sin at present is very hot , but evil company is a drugge that will much allay the heat of that Simple . The filthiest disease , is not so loathsom in a Wife , or Child , as in a Stranger ; nor in an intimate friend , as in another . If there be not a due distance betwixt the ●isive faculty and the object , there can be no true sight ; If the sin be too near me ( in a friend that lyeth in my bosome ) I cannot behold its ugliness and deformity , its hainous , hateful nature . I doubt not but that poysonous Apple which had eternal death at its core , would have been far more loathsom and detestable in Adams eyes ( much less would it have been so lovely and acceptable ) had he seen it in any other hands , then of his dearest and onely Companion on earth . O that since he was wounded by the hand of his nearest and most intimate friend , who had the breastplate of compleat righteousness , and perfection of grace for his shield ; I might never dare to thrust my self amongst such enemies , who am ( compared with him ) wholly naked and unarmed . I am apt to think that I can secure my self against their shot ; but alas the long and often playing of the Cannon , will batter the strongest wall . A continual dropping will pierce a stone . Doth not experience tell me that it s no hard matter to give such a weakling as I am a fall ? And is it likely that I should stand fast in so slippery a place ? My God asketh me , Can a man take fire in his bosome , and his cloaths not be burnt ? Can one go upon coals , and his feet not be burnt ? My cloaths ( notwithstanding all my care to the contrary ) will smell of the Coals , and my feet will blister with the fire . My God tells me , that sin is a Canker , a Gangreen ; and experience teacheth how spreading and infectious sinners are , 2 Tim. 2. 17. I may think to make them better , but they are more likely to make me worse . Sickness is catching , but not health ; the rotten sheep infect the sound , but the sound sheep do not cure the rotten . Solomons bosome Companions , drew his heart from his God , but I read not of any one of them , whose heart he drew to his God . If Pitch be but toucht it defileth , but Fullers-Earth doth not so soon cleanse . If Israel once joyn themselves to Baal-Peor , they quickly eat the offerings of the dead , and bow down to their Idols . It s as ordinary to put on other mens faults , as their outward fashions . One Corah did but kindle the fire of rebellion , and presently two hundred and fifty Captains brought wood to increase its flame , to their own destruction . If I know of any that have infectious diseases , love to my body will not suffer me to drink of their Cup , or to sit at their Table ; and when I know of them that have such contagious spiritual sicknesses , shall not love to my soul move me to forbear their society ? Lord , my prayer hath often been , Lead me not into temptation ; shall I run into temptation ? thou knowest how prone I am , should I walk with wicked persons , to walk in their wicked paths ; and hast therefore laid thy strict command upon me , Enter not into the path of the wicked , and go not in the way of evil men ; Avoid it , pass not by it , turn from it , and pass away ( Prov. 4. 14 , 15. ) keep me from hazarding this frail Potsherd ( my flesh ) upon the Rock of evil company , from venturing amongst those vipe●s , lest I be stung . Enable me to avoid the Congregation of evil doers , and keep me from going with the wicked , lest I learn their ways , and get a snare to my soul.

I Wish that I may be the more fearful of joyning with sinners , Evil Company may make a Christian to suffer . lest my God joyn me with them in their sufferings . It is evil and woful to be found in that house , which is all over in a flame ; The anger of my God , is worse then a consuming fire , and shall I associate with them that are always under his fury ? When a City is taken by storm in the night , the sword makes no difference ( amongst the Inhabitants ) betwixt friends and foes . What safety can I expect in being near them that are far from Gods Law and Love ? Wicked men are dross , they have no good mettal in them ; they are neither fit vessels to serve , nor currant mony to inrich me ; but though I be Gold , if mingled with such Dross , I must look to be melted . If the Stork accompany the Cranes , it s no wonder if she be taken in the fame Net . Jehosaphat was a good man , yet for joyning with the wicked ; wrath came upon him from the Lord ( 2 Chron. 19. 2. ) If I follow him in his sin , shall I be free ? All that sailed in the Ship , fared the worse for one disobedient Jonah ; his company cost them the loss of their lading , and was like to have cost them their lives . The whole body of Israel fell before their enemies , because wicked Achan stood amongst them . O my soul● dost thou think then to afford such thy presence , and not to share in their punishment ? Consider with seriousness what thy God saith ; Depart from the Tabernacle of these wicked men , and touch nothing of theirs , lest ye be consumed in their sins . Wouldst thou for any carnal profit , be found amongst those persons who are every moment in danger of the bottomless pit ? The Earth clave asunder that was under them , and swallowed them up , their houses , goods , and all that appertained to them . O what man , unless bereft of his wits , would be one hour contentedly in the company of these Corahs , that are always liable to Gods curse ? Let the great use thou makest of such dreadful Doctrines be , not to partake of their sins , so much as by thy presence , that thou mayst not partake of their plagues . And they that were round about them , fled at the cry of them ; for they said , Let us be gone quickly , lest the earth swallow up us also , Numb. 16. 26. and 31. 34. Lord , Thine Enemies enjoy many mercies , through their Neighbourhood to thy Friends ; thou art so loving a Father , that the servants of sin , whom thou countest no better then Dogs , do fare much the better for that bountiful Table which thou keepest for thine own Children ; the Dogs have eaten the crums which fall from the Childrens Table ; The Tares continue the longer in the field , and the sickle of thy justice doth not yet cut them down for the unquenchable fire , because the Wheat is amongst them ; but thy Saints have suffered much outward misery , for their nearness to sinners ; thou art such an holy jealous God , thine hatred of sin is so infinite , that when the fire of thv wrath hath consumed unbeleivers , some sparks of it have lighted on their best Neighbours ; when the hand of thy fury hath fallen heavy on the workers of iniquity , thy Chosen sitting by them , have been sensible of the blow . My prayer hath often been , Remove thy stroke away from me ; and my Complaint , for I am consumed by the blow of thine hand ; I tremble to think of the frownes of thy face ; but surely the weight of thy hand would sink me indeed . O guard thy servant so powerfully by thy grace , that I may avoid all appearance of evil ; As I would avoid thy batteries , let me avoid the Camp of thine enemies , and keep me from giving them the least countenance , that I may not be wrapt up in their vengeance .

The great good to be got by a good Companion . I Wish that the great gain which I may get by good Companions , may make me the more diligent to find them out . Though it s no small unhappiness to be joyned to them that are ever standing under the spout of the Lords fury ; yet it s blessed to be near them that are always under the dropings of divine favour . Christ is always present with his people , and therefore I may say with Peter , It is good to be there . When a King comes to visit one of his Peers , all the family oftentimes tasteth of his bounty , but the Noblemans Relations of his grace and love ; he converseth with them , and they with him . If Sinners are the better for the Neighbourhood of the Saints , and for their sakes , God lets his Enemies experience his goodness ; surely Beleivers shall be the better for the Neighbour hood of their Brethren , and shall have experience of special good-will . I cannot conceive the kindnesses which may be done for me by these Friends at Court . Their interest is great in the blessed and glorious Potentate ; The King is not he ( as was once said in another sense ) that can deny them any thing . Whatsoever they ask the Father in Christs name , he will do it for them ; When guilt flieth in my face , and I dare not appear , or when through the prevalency of temptation , I cannot pour out a prayer , they will appear for me , put up my suits , and that with success ; If I be dull , they may quicken me ; If I am in doubts , they may resolve me ; If I wander , they will be faithful in acquainting me with my faults to reduce me ; If I walk uprightly , they will be helpful , by administring Heavenly Cordials to encourage me . A faithful friend , will be my second self , and love me as his own soul. When I faint he will endeavour to revive me ; When I fall he will do his utmost to recover me ; He will rejoyce with me in my joys , and sympathize with me in my sufferings , in every condition to his power be a futable consolation . O that the value and vertue of this Pearl , may make me esteem it at an high price , and the more wary that I be not cheated in my Choice ! Lord , thou hast ordained the communion of Saints to be for mutual comfort and counsel , let me choose those for my friends , that will be faithful to their own , and to my soul.

I Wish that I may manifest to my own conscience , 2 2 Mo●ive . A mans Companions w●ll discover what he is . the truth of my conversion by my Companions , and that I am passed from death to life , because I joyn with , and love the brethren . Beasts flock together ; Sinners joyn hand in hand ; and Saints are of the same heart , and walk together towards the same Heaven . My Associates will discover my nature , whether Vertue or Vice be my Master ; My Comrades will speak to what Captain I belong . If I joyn with the black Regiment of the Prince of Darkness , it s a sign I am an enemy to the Lord of Hosts . The members of Christs Mystical Body go in company ; It s presumed they are unchast Women , who company with known Harlots ; and it s supposed they are dishonest men , who are familiar with Theives ; If Christ and grace be predominant in me , I cannot like and love their enemies ; An holy soul cannot delight in prophane sinners . Melted gold● will unite it self with the substance of gold , but not incorporate with dross ; An heart truly good , cannot brook those that are evil ; All creatures desire to joyn with such as are of the same nature ; Fish , Fowls , Birds , Beasts , all , every one strive to be with them that are of the same species ; Confederacy in sin , is the livery by which the black guard of Hell is distinguished from the rest of the rational creatures ; True friendship is the Cognisance of true Christians ; By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples , if ye love one another . Love is the badge of the houshold of faith , which witnesseth to what Lord they appertain . Where love is in truth to their persons , there will be a delight in their presence ; For what is love , but a motion of the soul towards , and its complacency in the object beloved ; In vain do I pretend my self a Disciple without sincere love , which is the life of a Disciple . Love to my God is the soul of Religion , which keeps it in being , in motion ; without this , the whole body of it decayeth and dyeth ; All my performances , if this be lacking , are but as an unsavoury Corpse , without either loveliness or life . Love to my brethren , is the sign of Religion , which ever sheweth it self at the door , where the substance is within . He that loveth him that begetteth , must needs love him also that is begotten ; The Child is acceptable for the Fathers sake ; The Picture is amiable , because of the Person it representeth . O how grossely do they delude their souls , that think they love the Head , when they hate and despise the Members ; that say they affect and prize Christ above their lives , when they reject and persecute Christians to the very death . Lord● thou hast told me , He that loveth not his Brother , abideth in death . All thy Children are my Brethren , they have the same Father , the same Mother ; O suffer me not to give conscience cause to witness against me , that I am in a state of death , of damnation , for want of this brotherly affection ; but grant that the hot beams of thy love may so warm my heart , that I may be always reflecting back love to thy self and thy Saints , as an evidence of my eternal salvation .

I Wish that I may consider whom I choose for my Companions , 3 3 Mot●ve . There can be no true friendship amongst wicked men ; nor between a godly and a wicked man . least I be disappointed in the ends of Company , My God intendeth society to be helpful to his people in the best things ; But they are never likely to further me in holiness , who walk in the broad way that leadeth to Hell ; Satans Servants will not teach me to do the Lords work ; That friendship is ill made , which is soon broken ; no band can hold him who is a stranger to Religion ; Where there is no fear of God in the heart , there can be no true friendship ; They who are two in disposition , will scarce be one in affection ; Where there is no true likeness , there can be no true love ; Can two walk together , unless they be agreed ? Grace is the onely Cement which conglutinates hearts , and maketh true friends ; A brutish Sinner and a Beleiver are contrary each to other . An unjust man is abominable to the just ; and he that is upright in his way is abominable to the wicked ; the Eagle hath perpetual emnity with Serpents , and Dragons , and their seed ; So hath the Eagle-eyed Christian with the seed of the Serpent ; Beasts hate fire , and so do those whom God calleth Foxes , and Lions , and Bulls , the fire of grace that burneth in a Saints heart , and flameth out in his life ; Lambs and Wolves , Doves and Ravens , cannot unite . Jerusalem and Babylon , Sion and Sodom , can never be compact and at unity toge●her . Can I expect love from that person that hath none for his own soul , nor for the blessed God ? Can contraries meet , and not fight ? Is there any hope of an amicable conjunction betwixt them that are not onely differing but opposite ? I am born of God , he is of his Father the Devil ; My work is to do the will of my Father in Heaven ; his work is to do the lusts of the wicked one . Self is the Byass by which he moveth ; Scripture i● the Compass by which I sail ; I am travailing towards heaven , he is hastening to hell ; and is it possible for us to have one heart ? O that no worldly advantage might make me ever strive to strike a Covenant with them , to whom I am thus contrary . They must needs be false to me , that are made up of unfaithfulness . A true friend is another self ; a vicious man cannot be a true friend , because he is never himself . Sometimes he is drunk with passion , and so loseth his guide , and leaveth the dictates of reason ; those servants are often in rebellion , and th●n like the troubled Sea , he casteth up mire and dirt ; In his fury he will strike at friends or foes , and discover what he knows , and more many times ; Passion is an high Feaver , wherein men talk idly ; therefore the wise man gives a special Caution against such Companions ; Prov. 22. 24. Make no friendship with an angry man , and with a furious man thou shalt not go . Sometimes he is overcome with wine , and then the Beast in him , puts the curb into the mouth of reason , and hath the command of it . A Drunken man , hath Nebuchadnezzars brutish heart , and is fit onely to graze with Cattel ; Clitus is killed by his drunken Master , and such a one speaketh and doth he knows not what ; He speaks what he should forget , and forgets what he hath spoke . The Drunkards mind and stomach are alike , neither can retain what they receive . Solomon likewise sets a brand at this mans door , to discourage every sober man from coming there ; Be not amongst Winebibbers , amongst riotous eaters of flesh . Always he hath some lust or other lording it over him , and according as their interests lead him , so he acteth , that his friend must expect no more of him , then they can spare , and is such a person like to prove a Cordial friend ? He may abound in frothy words , but I must expect no faithful deeds from him , if ever I come to sufferings ; like a Drum in a Battel , he may make a great sound , but will act nothing for my succour ; like a Cipher , though now in my prosperity he stands for thousands , in my adversity he will stand for nothing ; Such a friend will be like a familiar Devil , which forsakes the Witch when she is in Fetters ; How much shall I miss of my expected help from him , when I am brought into hardships ! As a Lemon , he may be hot without , but is altogether cold and cooling within ; O that I might never manifest so much folly , as to choose him for my friend , whose principles will teach him to be false ; He so often changeth his dwelling for his own end and interest , that I shall not know where to find him , when I stand in most need . As a Flie , he will tarry no longer in the Kitchen , then there is grease to feed him ; I am but his Pond , which he will use whilst there is any water ; but when dry , I shall hear no more of him . Lord , how far would thine end of society be frustrated , and my hopes of comfort in companions be disappointed , should I choose him who is ruled neither by Religion nor Reason ? I beseech thee let my lot fall amongst those persons that are filled with the fruits of thy Spirit , for they onely will be faithful to the true and holy ends for which thou hast ordained friendship . Preserve me from walking in the counsel of the ungodly , and standing in the way of sinners , lest being found in their Company , I come to inherit their curses .

1 1 Choose godly men for thy Companions . I Wish that I may like Paul , joyn my self to the Disciples , and be in League onely with them who are joyned to the Lord , in an everlasting Covenant , never to be forgotten ; I profess my self to be a follower of God ; My God hath set apart him that is godly for himself , ( Psa. 4. 3. ) If the godly man be the object of my Gods choice , he may well be of mine . If he be separated for his service , he is without question worthy of my society ? Surely there is some value in those vessels , which are meet for the Masters use . Common and ordinary things are not fit for a Princes Table ; Neither is every person meet for a Kings presence . They are specially qualified with parts and abilities , that stand before Great men . Pharoah would have none but men of activity to serve him , in tending his Cattel . Nebuchadnezzar would have Children in whom was no blemish , but well-favoured , and skilful in all wisdom , and cunning in knowledge , and understanding sciences , and such as had ability in them , ( Dan. 1.4 . ) to stand in the Kings Palace ; What manner of men are those then , whom the glorious God hath chosen to wait upon him ? There cannot but be rare perfections in them that are set a part to shew forth all his praise . He is infinitely wise , and would not honour them so much that are not of eminent worth . O my soul , what a Loadstone is here , to draw forth thy love towards the Saints ! Thy constant , thy loving , thy best friend , sets an high price upon them . All the world b●sides , is a wild Wilderness to him ; they onely are his Garden wherein he delights , and wilt not thou walk there with him , amongst such fragrant Flowers , and pleasant Fruits ? He esteems others but as dust , they are his jewels . Observe what he tells thee , The heart of a wicked man is little worth , but the tongue of the righteous is as choice silver . The heart of man includes the understanding , will , and affections , the soul , and all its faculties , and is the noblest part of man , it is the fountain of life , the spring of motion , the seat of his Empire and Regiment ; nay , the Commander in chief , that ordereth and disposeth of all at pleasure ; yet this heart , which is the most excellent part , in a wicked man is of small price , it is little worth , nay , is worse then naught ; but the tongue ( a far inferiour member ) of the righteous , is ( no mean mettal ) as choise silver , and makes a most delightful sound . Wilt not thou joyn thy self to these excellent ones ? If their tongues be as choice silver , surely their hearts do infinitely excel fine gold ? Nay , are more precious then rubies ; The Topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal them , neither shall they be exchanged for jewels of fine Gold ? Who would not be greedy of acquaintance , with men of such surpassing eminence ? It would bewray extream want of wisdom , not to be ambitious of communion with persons of such worth . Besides , Should I joyn with others , I choose them that are my Gods enemies . It is not onely ingratitude , but treason , to countenance them that are traytours against the Crown and Dignity of Iesus Christ . T was a sharp and cutting reproof , which Jehu gave to King Jehosaphat ; I Wish I may never give cause for the like to me ; Shouldst thou help ●he ungodly , and love them that hate the Lord ? My God counts my enemies his enemies , and hates them that hate me , and shall I esteem his enemies my friends , and love those that hate him ! Wicked men are a generation of Vipers , they hiss at godliness , and spit their poison at God himself . They stretch out their hands against God , and strengthen themselves against the Almighty , Iob 15. I shew but small kindness to the God of all my comforts , if I take his foes to be my friends . Once more , I disgrace my birth , my breeding , I dishonour my profession , my Prince , if I accompany with wicked persons . It s below a great Heir to company with beggars . It s a discredit to a King , to be taken up with Porters . A Companion of riotous men , shameth his Father on Earth Prov. 28. 7. A companion of vicious men shameth his Father in Heaven . It speaketh his education to be very mean , and his expectation to be low , both which reflect upon his Father . O that I might never disgrace my Gods goodness , in the cost and charge he hath been at with me , by choosing the scullions and filth of the World , to be my companions , nor disparage my own judgment in refusing the excellent of the earth , and them that are Princes in all Lands ; Lord , thy people are thy portion , Jacob is the lot of thine inheritance , they are precious in thy sight , and honourable , for thou hast loved them , they are fair in thine eyes , and altogether lovely ; Help thy poor servant to resemble thy Majesty ; Give me spiritual eyes to see their beauty , and let my soul be so ravished with that comliness in them , which thy Spirit hath put upon them , that those which are a Royal Priesthood , a chosen generation , a peculiar people , higher then the Kings of the Earth , the glory of Christ , and a Royal Diadem in thine hand , may be the delight of mine eyes , the joy of my heart , and my fellow-travailers towards that house not made with hands , but eternal in the heavens .

I Wish that the Commands of my God may be the warrant of my election ; 2 2 Choose them because they are godly . and the beautiful Image of my God , may be the onely Motive of my affection to his chosen ; Should I shew favour to the Saints , and not with respect to the fear of my God in them , I manifest no sanctity ; It is possible for me to love the man , and yet hate the Christian in the same person . How frequent is it to love men that are godly , and yet not to love godliness ? Potiphar respected Joseph , a good man , but not for his goodness sake ; he preferred him as a good servant to him , not as a good Subject to God . The Children of Heth honoured Abraham for the sake of his riches , or courtesie , not upon the account of his righteousness , and piety . Abimelech struck a Covenant with Isaac , as a good Neighbour , not as a Believer . It is one thing to love peace , and another thing to love purity ; this latter is proper to a Christian , the former competible to Heathen ; O that my love might never as Labans●o ●o Jacob , be mercenary , carried out towards any of Gods people , more for the good I get by them , then for the good that is in them . How unsuitable is such a love to the Divine nature , and how unworthy of my profession ? If I love them for their wealth or their bounty , I love their riches not them , or rather , I love my self , and neither them nor any thing of theirs . This is self-love , not Saint-love ; If their persons were stript of those Ornaments , wherewith they are now cloathed , such love would languish and dye . Should these be the wheels , upon which my love moves , when they are wanting , my love will stand still ; such friendship is but like a fire of straw , which burns brightly whilst it hath matter to feed upon , but that being neglected , it is extinguished and turned into ashes . O my soul , consider what foundation thy love is built on , lest it appear to be feighned ; If thou lovest men for their parts , or for thy own profit , thou dost not love thy Saviour in them , but thy carnal self , and thereby dost evidence thine Hypocrisie more then thy sincerity . It is not all kindness to Saints , nor all joyning with Christian society , which is a● act or sign of sanctity . The Baptist had fair respect from Herod , and yet the King could take off his Head . The Barbarians shewed great courtesie to Paul and his companions , but not the least Christianity . Thy God commandeth thee to love the brotherhood , that is , to love them as brethen , not as kind , or wise , or great , or wealthy ; and to love the whole fraternity and brood of thy Father , not this or that brother . O do thou in the choice of thy familiars , look over those natural or civil excellencies , which in●inite wisdom bestoweth onely upon some , and mind chiefly that super-natural quality , which is truly praise-worthy , and inherent in all . Thy God hath chosen the poor of the World , and he is no respecter of persons . O do thou follow his honourable pattern , and let the poor , the mean , the lowest members of Christ be lovely and amiable in thine eye . Choose godliness in all , and then thou wilt refuse none , but choose all that are godly . Though the holiness of some be but as the smoaking flax , do not thou choak but cherish it . Lord , Mat. 18. 6. Rom. 14. 1. thou hast a tender respect for thy little children and babes in Christ ; it is thy pleasure that thy little ones should not be offended , th●t such as are weak in the faith , should be received ; cause thy servant to love all thy Saints , and to be able to say , with that man after ●hine own heart , I am a Companion of all that fear thee , and keep thy S●atutes , Psa. 119. 63.

I Wish that my end in the Choice of my Companions may be principally to further my own , 3 3 The end must be good . and their everlasting peace . If I use any company upon other accounts , I frustrate my God , I cozen my own soul ; For me and others to unite in sin , would be a conspiracy against Heaven , and too lively a re●semblance of those Governours of Hell , whose only work is to draw others to , and to encourage them in wickedness . For us to joyn in gratifying the flesh , and purveying for our appetites , and passing away the time , that it may be less tedious , would be a confederacy against the Spirit , and but a more cleanly and neat acting of the part of Beasts , who understand no other happiness , then to feed and sport together ; For us to accompany onely about worldly imployments , to get an insight into commodities , and callings , that we might be wiser to buy and sell , or to hear and tell news , this would become a Turk , and were but a cutting [ time ] the most precious commodity of all to waste . For us to associate , barely to increase our knowledge , and widen the windows of our understandings , or to quicken and raise our fancies , and enlarge our natural parts and endowments , even this would be but a transcript of the lives of the most refined Heathen , who were ignorant of the true weight and worth of eternal concernments ; But to meet together as Christ did with his Apostles , to discourse about the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God , to provoke one another to love , and to good works , to admonish , advise , encourage , and comfort , and to build up one another in the most holy faith , this is a work worthy of a Christian , and becoming them that are called to be Saints . O that my Gods end may be much in my mind , when I converse with any of his chosen , that all our conjunctions may be fruitful in holiness ; Christians are choice Tutors , and rare Masters , by whom many precious things may be learned ; my God hath lent them me for a little while , and intendeth shortly to send for them home ; why should I loyter or trifle with them , when such excellent Lessons are given me by them ! Lord , I know within a few days I shall be deprived of these and all other helps ; O help thy most unworthy creature , in that little time that he doth enjoy them , to make the most , the best improvement of them , to love them as my own soul , and to do them the greatest service I can ; enable both them and me to be fellow-workers , and fellow-helpers unto thy Kingdom , that when we come thither , they may bless thee for me , and I may bless thee for them , and all of us may bless thee for thy dear Son , and thy blessed self , for ever and ever .

Finally , I Wish that I , who am a Pilgrim and stranger in this earth , may joyn my self not with the natives , the men of the World , whose portion is in this life , by whose company I am sure to contract either guilt or greif , but with my fellow sojourners , who are travailing with me towards the same Heaven . Though I love the wicked with a love of pity , I would love onely the Saints with a love of delight . Let my choice be of them now , with whom I would choose to be for ever . O let me joyn with those on earth , and that in discoursing of thy gracious word , and glorious works , with whom I hope to joyn in Heaven , in admiring thy boundless perfections , and giving thee everlasting praise . Lord , if there be such comfort in thy chosen , and their voices be so lovely , and their faces so comely here below in the estate of their minority , when they are black with the worlds calumnies and cruelties , and besmeared with their own corruptions , what delight will there be in them above , when they shall come to their full age , be parted from all their defilements , and be perfectly adorned with thine Image ? How lovely will their voices be , when they shall joyn with thy Celestial quire , in singing HallelUjahs , and in running division on thine infinite attributes and excellencies ? How comely will their faces be , when they shall be freed from all the freckles and spots of sin , and so see thee , as to be fully like thee ? O if grace in its infancy be so ravishing , what will it be in its maturity ? If the morning of holiness be so glorious , how glorious will it be in its noon-day lustre ? Lord , if my soul rejoyce so much in thy Saints , who shine onely as stars , in their several Orbes , with a borrowed light , what joy may I have in thy self , the true Sun ? O cause thy servant so to glorifie thee in my choice of Companions , and in my carriage in all Companies , that I may come at last to enjoy immediate communion with thy beautiful Saints , and thy blessed Majesty , World without end ,

Amen .

CHAP. III. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness , in evil Company .

Malorum consortia fugere debemus , quoad privatam consuetudinem , non quoad publicam conversationem ; corde , non corpore , Amb. Offic. lib. 1. cap. 20. HAving spoken to the Choice of Companions ; I proceed ( Reader ) to thy Carriage in Company , and first in evil Company .

Though evil men are not to be the object of a Christians choice or delight , yet he must sometimes fall into their Company , or go out of the world , 1 Cor. 5. 10. Our Relations , or Vocations , or Offices of Charity , which we owe to the worst of men , will command our presence now and then amongst them ; Civil commerce with them is lawf●l , though intimate communion be sinful . It s certain , the less we have of their society , the more of safety ; but because civility , and our necessities require us sometimes to be with them , A malis corde semper disjungimini , ad tempas caute corpore copulemini . Aug. l. de Salut . document . Christianity must help us ( as a glass-window , to let in the light , and keep out the rain , ) to get what good we may , and to prevent the hurt they intend . God in the first creation separated the light from the darkness , and so must the godly man amongst wicked persons . Swine will be cleanly in a fair Meadow ; Sinners civil sometime● in the society of Saints ; but Christians must keep their garments unspotted , when they walk in dirty places , and amongst defiled persons . Godliness will be thy best armour to ward off those blows , and hinder those wounds , which those sons of violence and villany would cause in thee . A wise Physitian , whatsoever diseased Patients he goeth amongst , will take some preservative , but if he be to go into a Pest-house , an Antidote . It will be a sign of an excellent complexion , if thou canst walk ( as occasion is ) in the Sun , and not be tanned . The Romans had a Law , that every one , where ever he went , should wear a badge of his profession , or trade , either on his garment , or in his hat , that he might be known . Christianity must be owned in every company , as that which is our great and worthy calling . The Nobleman carrieth his Garter , or George with him in all places , because he esteems them his g●ory and honour , and if he be of the blood royal , he desireth that all may take notice of it . O what an honour and happiness is it to be a Christian , to be related to Iesus Christ , and how willing shouldst thou be to own and acknowledge it as the badge of thine honour , amongst all persons● He is a base servant that is ashamed of his Lords livery . It s said of the Teal , a certain wild Beast i● AEthiopia , Plin. Nat. ●ist . l. 8. c. 21. that he hath two hornes of a Cubit long , which he moveth as he pleaseth , either both forward to offend his enemy , or both backward to defend himself , or one forward , and the other backward to both uses at once . A Christian in evil company should be as wise as a Serpent , that he do not bring himself into suffering , but yet as innocent as a Dove , that others do not draw him to sin . Walk as prudently as thou canst , onely walk piously . Use as much caution as thou wilt , but be sure thou keepest a good conscience .

The Apostle gives a special precept for our pious carriage in such Company , Walk wisely towards them that are without , Col. 4. 5. In which words the qualification of the act , and the specification of the subject are considerable .

1. The qualification of the act , walk wisely , that is , graciously , Grace is Wisdom . To fear God is wisdom , and to depart from evil is understanding ; He who walketh in the Law of the Lord , and according to the rule of the word , is the wise walker , Job 28. 28. Psa. 119. 1. Gal. 16. 16. Whatsoever our company be , we must walk by precept , not by pattern ; He may be a good Courtier , but he is a bad Christian ; that alters and orders his carriage according to his company ; If like Musicians , we play no lessons , but what the company calls for , and what pleaseth them , our musick will be harsh and jarring in Gods ears ; If I please men , saith Paul , I am not the servant of Christ , Gal. 1. 10. He walks foolishly , that to please a few weak dying Men , displeaseth the jealous and Almighty God ; He walks wisely , who will be sure who ever be offended , to please him , upon whose favour his life and all his comforts depend .

2. The specification of the Subject ; towards them that are without . Wicked men are said to be without ; 1. Because they are visibly without the Church ; scandalous sinners proclaim to the world , that they are not so much as visible members of Christ . What have I to do , to judge them that are without ? Do not ye judge them that are within ? but them that are without God judgeth , 1 Corinth. 5. 12 , 13. 2. Because they are really without God and Christ ; God may be in their mouths , and they may call him Father , but he is far from their hearts , and will never own them fo● his Children ; That at that time ye were without Christ , and with out God in the world , Ephes. 2. 12. 3. Because they shall go at last without Heaven . This followeth from the former ; They being visibly without the Church , and really without God and Christ , must needs be without Heaven . Without are Dogs , Children onely are within doors , Rev. 22. 15. Luk. 13. 25. The manner of the Apostles expression is worth our observation , he saith not , Walk with them ; No , they ought not to be our Companions , but walk wisely towards them ; Let them be the object of your caution ; as if he had said , I know your callings , or relations , or some occasions or other will bring you into the Company of many that are not Members of the Church Militant , and shall be excluded the Church Triumphant ; but take heed to your selves , that ye keep good consciences in such company , that ye defile not your own souls , by being partaker of their sins ; be watchful that ye give no offence to them , and that ye take no infection from them . Walk wisely towards them that are without .

SECT. I.

FRiend , to quicken thee to the greater caution , I shall offer thee these two thoughts .

First , Consider that evil Company is very infectious ; Mot●ve . Evil Company is infectious . Wicked men like the Crocodile , slime the way to make thee fall , and when thou art down suck out ( as it were ) thy blood , and with it , fatten their insulting envy . Thy experience tells thee , that they are industrious to make men wicked and wretched . Such is the corruption of our nature , and the nature of our corruption , that we are sooner polluted by the wicked , then they purified and amended by us ; as the good Corn is rather soiled by the bad , then the smutty made bright by the good . The fresh waters run into the Sea , yet they do not sweeten , but are made brackish by it . Our sinful hearts , as Onions , if there be any infection in the room , are apt to draw all to themselves ; We may hope to save them , when they may destroy us . How many have leaped into the waters to save others from drowning , and been drowned with them ? Wholesom Planets , if in conjunction with those that are malevolent , are of bad influence ; It s recorded by the Holy Ghost , concerning the Israelites , They were mingled among the Heathen , and learned their ways , Psa. 106. 35. They who joyn with wicked persons , are prone to learn their wicked practices ; Evil men are as Mildew to the good Corn , which makes it black . It s an encouragement to men , to walk in bad and by-ways , when they have Company with them . Sinners are compared to dust , that breeds vermine in houses ; to Sepulchres , which send forth noisom vapours ; and to thorns and briars , that pierce and pain such as meddle with them ; can they be too wary then that handle them ? Luk. 15. 8. Rom. 3. 13. Heb. 6. 8. The Owl is a Night bird , and altogether for darkness , but they that Hawk for Birds , make a Stale of her , and whilst the silly Birds are wondering at her , catch and kill them . The Divel , who makes it his work to take and destroy souls ,

Melius est , habere malorum odium quam ●on●o●tium .

Si●ut ●ona mu●ta habet ●ommunis vita sanctorum , sic plur●ma mala affe●t societas malorum . Isiodor . l. 2. Solil .

doth often make use of ungodly men as Stales to further his defignes . Sampson was too hard for the Philistines when they opposed him by force , but when they procured Delilah , a wicked companion to tempt him , by that fraud they prevailed against him . The reason ( according to some ) why our Saviour forbad the Disciple to go and bury his Father was ( not out of aversness to civil , much-less to natural respect , but ) left his corrupt Kindred , who might be present at the Funeral , should corrupt him again , and so he should dye with them . When the Raven went out of the Ark , it returned not again , meeting ( as is supposed ) with some dead carcasses by the way . The Caprimulgus or Goat-sucker , Arist. Hist. A●●m . l. 6. c. 19. flieth upon the Goats and sucketh them , that their milk drieth up , and they are afterwards blind . I write these things Reader , to make thee more careful in such company . If thou wouldst keep thy graces lively and flaming amongst such damps , and waters of wickedness , thy watchfulness must be more then ordinary ; The more stones lie in thy way , the greater must thy caution be if thou wouldst not stumble . A Common Pilot may serve in a Calm Sea , but he that would steer a Vessel right in a Tempestuous Ocean , amidst Rocks and Quick-sands , had need to be eminent both for skill and care .

Secondly , Consider it is possible for thee , not onely to keep thy self from waxing worse , but to be the better for evil company . I speak not this to encourage thee to cast thy self into temptations , but to q●icken thee to the more care , when God calleth thee among them . The Weesel is an unclean creature , and many ways hurt●ul , yet it devoureth Mice ( whence its named in Latine Mustela ) and so is usef●l . Unclean sinners , that are intentionally pernicious , may be providentially profitable to the Saints . Some creatures can draw nourishment from hard bones ; A Saint may suck honey out of dry and bitter herbs . The wise God would not send evil things ( as afflictions ) but for the good of his chosen , nor suffer evil persons , but for their profit . Pluck not up the Tares , lest the Wheat be pulled up also , Math. 13. The good Husbandman makes an hedge of unfruitful Plants , as Briars and Crab trees , and other barren Trees , to defend the Vineyard from Cattel , and the good Trees in it from harm ; The Lyon , as cruel as he was , defended the old Prophets body . God left some Canaanites amongst the Iews , lest the Beasts of the Field should over-run the Country , Exod. 23. 29. God leaves some wicked ones amongst his chosen in this World , to keep under their brutish lusts , which otherwise might undo them . The Lees are helpful to preserve the Wine ; and the Chaff is useful to preserve the Corn ; Vermine are good against the Iaundise ; The Taunts and Scoffs of evil men , have sometimes been instrumental to cure good men of their spiritual diseases ; The Sword of an enemy may let out thy rank blood ; Iason had his Imposthume opened , and so healed , by a blow that he received in the Wars from his enemies , which his friends the Physitians could not cure . Those tongues which have been as sharp as Razors , piercing the Christians good Name , have proved instrumental to heal their depraved natures ; The more the wicked twit thee with thy weaknesses , the more they may quicken thee to watchfulness . Thou wantest ( possibly ) a faithful friend to admonish thee , therefore God sendeth thee furious enemies to cast thy fa●lts in thy teeth , and if now thou dischargest thy duty , Sicut amici adulantes pervertunt , sic inimici litigantes plerunque corrigant . Aug. Confess. 9. thou mayst hope that their malice shall be a Medicine to increase thine inward health and welfare . A Fool loseth the improvement of his Friends , but a Wise man can make an advantage of his enemies . As the Herb called Ros Solis , though the heat of the Sun lye upon it all day , yet the hotter the Sun is , the moyster it is ; So the Christian is the more softned and tender , when others are hardened , and bitter against godliness .

SECT. II.

I Proceed now , to shew wherein the Exercise of Godliness in evil Company consisteth .

First , if thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in evil society , Labour to keep thy self unspotted from their sins : Ungodly men are called filthy , and compared to Swine , that are apt to defile all that have to do with them ; They ( as the Night ) are dark and full of unwholsom vapours ; it concerns thee therefore to be well fenced , that thy spiritual health may not be impared by them . Be careful that they hurt thee not either inwardly or outwardly . Thou art in a double danger amongst sinners ; thou art in danger of having thy soul wounded , and also of having thy name and estate blasted . There is a necessity therefore of a double guard ; of a guard upon thy soul , that it may not be wronged , and of a guard upon thy tongue , that thy outward comforts may not be ruined . I say ,

1. Be watchful over thy soul , that thou contractest no guilt . It s hard to be near those that are dirty and defiled , and yet to keep our Garments unspotted and clean . Wicked men as Diers and Painters , who use colours , are usually besmeared themselves in their hands and habits , and they also besmear others . The Lake of Sodom is called Asphaltides , or the Dead Sea , because of the venemous vapours which arise out of it , insomuch that Birds which flye over it , fall down dead , and beasts that drink of it sicken and dye . Some men have found evil society as poisonous to their souls , as brutes have found the Dead Sea to their bodies . Pope Nicholas the thirds Concubine , by looking on a Bear frequently , was brought abed of a Monster . Thy frequent vision of their wicked actions , may cause too great a likeness in thy conversation . But the Saint should resemble the Carbuncle , which being cast into the fire , is nowhit defiled or impaired thereby , but therein shines most brightly ; If it be closed fast ( say some ) in a ring of Lead , and cast into the fire , we may see the Lead molten , but the Carbuncle not so much as mollified , or in the least blemished

Thy watchfulness ( friend ) must be great , if thou wouldst keep thy self unspotted from the World , Jam. 1. ult. Rust will fret into the hardest steel , but not into the Emerald ; Sin will fi●d speedy acceptance with a prophane sinner , but not with a preciou● Saint . Ioseph kept his Chastity , though often in the company of his wanton Mistress ; Lot did not lose his sanctity , though he dwelt amongst ungodly Sodomites ; The Arch-Angel disputed with the Arch-Divel , yet was not infected by his poisonous breath ; Satan did set upon the blessed Saviour , but could not fasten the least sin upon him . Naturalists tell us , that the Diamond if true , will lie in the ●ire and not consume ; the Herb Narcissus , or Yellow Crowbellies , flowreth in February , and keepeth its Flower under the Snow . The Olive Tree , in the midst of the Flood , kept its branches green . The Christian ought so to converse with the wicked , that his grace may neither waste , nor his conscience be wounded . Thy Duty is , as Cloaths well dyed , to keep thy colour in all Weathers ; and as a good constitution , to retain thy spiritual health , in the most unwholsome Aires . The Apostle writes to the Corinthians , 1 Cor. 5. 11. Not to company with any that are called brethren , and are fornicators , or covetous , or idolaters , or railers , or drunkards , or extortioners .

Idem in 2 Thes. 3. 14. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

Ne Commercium h●bete . Beza .

Ne Commis●eam●ni . Vulg.

The word in the Original is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , both in the 9 , and 11. verse , which signifieth , not to mingle with them . They may be amongst them , but they may not mingle with them ; that which mingleth with any filthy thing , receiveth of its filth , and though it were pure before , is polluted thereby ; The people of God ought not in this sense to mingle with the world , but to keep themselves , though not untoucht , yet untainted . It s storied that the Rivers of Peru , Abbots Geogr run into the main Sea , twenty or thirty miles , and yet are not mingled with the Sea , but continue fresh water ; So the River Rodanus , is said to run purely through the Lake Lemanus without mixture of waters ; Cambd. Britt . It s also reported of the River Dee in Merionithshire in Wales , that running through Pimbe Meer , it remaineth entire , and mingleth not with the waters of the Lake . Thus should the people of God , those Chrystal streams ( though they are necessitated sometimes to meet with , ) keep themselves entire , and not mingle with the puddle water of unclean persons . Pliny reports of a Family near Rome , that could walk on live coals and not be burnt . It s honourable to keep thy self pure among them that are evangelically perfect ; but to preserve thy self from pollution amongst them that are prophane , is Heroical ; It s the excellency of a Christian , to hold on his course without slipping or falling , when many rubs and hinderances are laid in his way ; And it s the glory of grace , to keep its beauty and lustre , notwithstanding the attempts of the World , and the Wicked one to soil it . It was a notable speech of the Souldier that Erasmus speaks of , who being told of a numerous Army coming against him , answered , Tanto plus gloriae referemus , quanto sunt plures quos superabimus ; The more famous our opposition , the more illustrious our Conquest ; That Great Commander had never been so renowned , if he had not eaten his way over the Alpes , that were supposed inaccessible . The greater our difficulties , and the more greivous our enemies , the greater our valour , and the more glorious our victory . That expression concerning Asia , hath some worth , Though it be no praise , never to have seen it ; yet to have lived soberly and temperately in it , is praise-worthy indeed .

The Holy Ghost giveth thee wholsom counsel , Be not partaker of other mens sins , keep thy self pure , 1 Tim. 5. 22. It may be Reader , thou art called sometimes amongst Swearing , Drunken , and Ungodly persons ; Well , thou art in more danger then in a Pest-house ; therefore look well to thy self ; Satan thinks , though he could not conquer thee amongst the Saints , that now he hath caught thee amongst a Company of venemous Serpents , one or other of them will sting thee , and then he hope● to overthrow thee ; Watch thy self narrowly , if thou wouldst be safe ; Be not partaker of other mens sins ; It may be as bad to have communion with others sins ; as to commit sin in thy own person ; He that is Surety for another , is as liable to the debt as the Principal , and we count him most foolish that takes anothers debt upon himself . Indeed , Satan hath this for his comfort , that hereby he hath the more in bonds to the Laws Curse .

Three ways thou mayst partake of those sins which are committed in thy Company . I shall not speak of thy commanding men to sin ; so David was guilty of Vriahs death , though the Sword of the Ammonites slew him , ● Sam. 12. 3. Nor of counselling men to sin ; so Ionacia● was guilty of Ammons incest , 2 Sam. 16. 21. Nor of com●ending others for sin ; so a man may be accessory 〈◊〉 the fact , Rom. 1. 32. Psa. 10. 9. Nor of setting others a bad example ; so Ieroboam was guilty of the Idolatry of the Iews ; but of those ways , whereby Christians are usually guilty of others sins , when they are amongst the wicked .

1. By Compliance ; If when thou seest or hearest others sin , thou dost inwardly approve it , thou art partaker of it . He that consents , though but in his thoughts to anothers fraud , is before God a Felon . Paul before his conversion , was consenting to the death of the Protomartyr , Act. 8. 1. and after his conversion , he pleads guilty of the Murder , Act. 22. 20. It may be Reader , when thou hearest lascivious stories , or sinful witty jestings , or tales of slie subtile cheats , or the like , thou dost secretly applaud and approve them ; I tell thee thou art partaker of them ; If thou hast an heart in the sin , thou hast an hand in the sin ; Thy affecting it , makes thee as really guilty , as if thou didst act it . Nay , I must tell thee , the greatest guilt ariseth from the fullest consent of the Will. It s possible for the approver to be more guilty then the actor .

2. By Silence , or not reproving sin . A man may sin by speaking , and he may sin by silence . This silence , when sin is com●i●ted , speaks thy consent to it . It was a speech 〈…〉 , That he had often repented of speaking , but never of holding his peace ; but there is a sinful holding the peace , as well as a sinful speaking ; It s bad to hold the breath long . Nicodemus , though he was at first fearful , Cons●n●ire est sile e●●m arguere p●ssis , Bernard . and wore the badge of his profession under his cloak ( out of sight ) yet when he was amongst the enemies of Christ , he took courage , and would not by his silence betray his Saviour , and wrong his own soul , Ioh. 7. 50 , 51. It s a sign of little love , to see men wounding by Oaths and Blasphemies , or Scoffs and Jears our best friend , and not to wish them to forbear , and do our utmost to take them off . Dion writes of Severus , that he was careful what he did , but careless what he heard ; but the good Christian is careful of the latter , as well as the former ; knowing that sin may enter in at that Casement , and remembring that the Cannon Bullet which split the Vessel , in which all the hopes of mankind were embarqued , was shot in at that Port-hole . The Crocodile , because he hath no use of a tongue , living always in the waters , hath none ; but God hath given Man a tongue , and calls it his glory , Psa. 16. 9. with Act. 2. 26. partly because speech is one thing , wherein men excel Beasts ; Brute creatures can make a noise , but man onely articulate his voice , partly because it is given him to glorifie God withal ; It is pity he should ever open his lips , whose mouth will not shew forth Gods praise . Thou canst usually no way better clear thy self , then by condemning the sin to the very face of the sinner . As the World thinks of God when he is silent , and doth not destroy them with the breath of his mouth ; so the wicked think of the godly , when they are silent and do not open their mouths to reprove them ; These things thou didst , and I kept silence , thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thy self , Psa. 50. 21. Silence in the presence of sin , implyeth a liking of it ; though thou sayst not Euge ( saith Austin ) yet if thou sayst not Apage , Aug. in Mat. 16. there is a mutual approbation ; Nay , he goeth farther and saith , Pejor es tacendo quam ille convitiando , thy silence is more dangerous to thee then his sin to him . But I shall speak more largely to this duty of reproving , before I conclude this Chapter .

3. Thou mayst be partaker of others sins , by Provoking them to sin . Our Lord is said to be crucified at Rome , Rev. 11. 8. because he was sentenced by a Roman Iudge , executed by Roman Souldiers , and put to death by authority of the Roman Empire ; yet the Murder of Christ is all along in Scripture charged on the Iews . Peter preaching to them saith , whom by wicked hands ye have taken and slain ; and Stephen expresly , Of whom ye have been the Betrayers and Murderers ; because , though the Execution of it was from the Romans , yet the Provocation to it , was from the Iews , Act. 2. 23. and 7. 52. That which is committed by our Instigation , is ours by just Imputation . I fear many good men are partakers of others sins in this sense , either by stirring up others that are passionate to anger , or by inciting some that have been guilty of handsom ( in the worlds judgment ) cheats , to relate and boast of them ; For its little difference whether men hold the sack open , or fill it , both are guilty .

SECT. III.

SEcondly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in evil Company , Do not needlesly expose thy self to sufferings ; He is but a fool , that will lay his life in anothers lap without a call ; Christ did not commit himself to the Iews , because he knew their hearts ; and we are not lightly to commit our selves to any , because we know not their hearts . Set a watch before thy tongue , lest it make thy throat thy Sepulchre , a Grave to bury thy estate and outward comforts in . It s a sin in many Christians , that they know not when to be silent . The wise man tels us , there is a time to speak , and a time to keep silence , Eccles. 3.7 . This is a great part of Christian prudence , to understand when to keep silence ; It s much harder to learn to be silent , then to learn to speak . Though we must not as some Turks , be always dumb ( perpetuum silentium tenent ut muti ) yet we ought sometimes to hold our breath in . Therefore the prudent shall keep silence , for it is an evil time , Amos 5. 13.

1. Their cross was weighty ; It was an evil time , Non turbatur navis quae Petrum habebat , sed turbatur ●lla que Iudam habebat ; etsi multa illorum discipulorum merita naufragabant , tamen adhuc perfidia proditoris agitabatur ; in utraque P●trus ; s●d qui suis meritis fi●mus est , turbatur alienis . Caveamus igitur perfidum , Caveamus proditorem , ne per un●m plurimi fluctuemus . Amb. super . Luc. lib. 4. a time of much danger and difficulty ; Sin abounded , Sinners were enraged , God was provoked , and the Godly oppressed .

2. Their carriage was wise ; They shall keep silence . The words may have a two fold exposition ; 1. If they be taken in relation to God ( as some think ) they speak the patient submission of the faithful , in that evil day , to the divine providence and pleasure . 2. If they be taken in relation to men ( as others expound them ) they speak the prudent conversation of the gracious in that day of persecution ; they shall not causlesly throw themselves into greater miseries , but shall keep all due silence to avoid needless sufferings . Indeed thy care must be to own Christ ever , and to profess him publiquely when thou art called to it ; but as thy policy should not eat up thy zeal , so thy zeal must not eat up thy wisdom ; I would not discourage thee from confessing the Lord Jesus ; yet I must tell thee that thou art not bound to proclaim in all companies , of what judgement thou art , nor what Church Government thou wouldst choose , not what society thou meetest in , &c. Nay , thou art bound to the contrary . He that hath a good mixture of zeal and prudence , is like a fire on the hearth , of much use and service ; but zeal without discretion , is like fire on the top of the Chimney , which often doth much mischief . Zeal to a Christian is like an Wind●●lling ●●lling the sails of a Ship , which unless it be ballasted with discretion , doth but the sooner overturn it . Abdias a Bishop , raised a dreadful storm of persecution by his intemperate zeal ; I doubt not but the whole company of beleivers in some Nations , have suffered through the indiscreet heats of some particular persons . Zeal in a man , is like wings to a Bird , or mettle to an Horse ; but the bridle of discretion is requisite , as the Poe●s fable that Minerva put a golden bridle on Pegasus , lest he should flie too fast . Bernard hath a good saying , Discretion without Zeal is slow-paced , and Zeal without Discretion is heady ; let therefore Zeal , spur on discretion , and Discretion rein in Zeal . Paul was full of heavenly fire ; it s said of him , when he came to Athens and beheld their Idolatry , that his spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 was stirred within him , Act. 17. 16. yet it is worthy our observation , though he preached much against Idols in general , yet he pleads not at all against Diana in particular , the Goddess of whom the Athenians were so foolishly fond ; his zeal moved him to oppose Idolatry to his power ; but his prudence directed him to forbear particular invectives against Diana , and to do it in such a way as might be ( in probability ) most profitable for them , and least dangerous to himself ; The rash zeal of some godly persons , hath set others at a further distance from piety . When every unskilful Phaeton takes upon him to drive the Chariot of the Sun , t is no wonder that the whole World be in a flame .

Geese ( say some ) when they flie over Taurus , keep stones in their mouths , lest by their gagling● they should discover themselves to the Eagles which are amongst the Mountains , waiting there to take them . It were well for some persons , if they could keep their mouths with a Bridle , whilst the wicked are amongst them , who wait and watch to destroy them .

Reader ; I would be understood rightly , I do not intend by any thing I have wri●ten , to incite thee to take all courses , good or bad , to avoid suffering , but to diswade thee from bringing thy self into suffering ; Grace may teach thee not to choose sin , and both grace and nature teach thee not to choose suffering ; Follow the Lamb wherever he goeth , and whithersoever he calleth thee ; but take heed of going before him , lest he leave thee to suffer at thy own charges ; He that will take a Bear by the Tooth , or a Mad Dog by the Ear , may thank himself if he be well bitten .

It s too ordinary for some Christians , when wicked men give them a few good words , and pretend a little good-will , to open their minds fully and freely to them , even to the hazard of their own liberties and lives ; but such do not consider the Counsel which God gives them ; Trust ye not in a friend ( muchless in an enemy , as every wicked man is to the godly ) put ye not confidence in a Guide ( though he may be full of power , and policy , and promises ) keep the door of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosome , ( lest as Sampsons Wife , she tell all to thy undoing ) Mich. 7. 5. Every smooth face , and smiling countenance , is not to be trusted ; Kisses do sometimes betray us . When the tongues of some cry Ave , they threaten a Vae , saith Austin . They come ( Psa. 118. 12. ) about me like Bees , with honey in their mouths● and a sting in their tails ; As Butchers , they claw the Ox about the ribs , that they may have the fairer blow at his head ; The Pellican swalloweth shell-fish , and warmeth them in her stomach , but it is to make them gape , that she may pick them out of the shels ( where they are safe whilst they are shut ) and devour them . Thus some ungodly men frequently warm Christians with fl●tteries , to make them ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 according to Aristophanes expression of a fool ) Gapers , and to utter all they know and think ; that they may make a prey of them . Friend , Do not onely look on wicked men as gins to intangle thy soul , but also as snares to intrap thy livelihood and life . It was the complaint of Luther , A falsis amicis plus est mihi periculi quam a toto Papatu , That he was in more danger by reason of false friends , then by the Pope and all his Hierarchy . As Conies , those unclean creatures , are dangerous about the places where they lurk ; The Island Majorica was overthrown ( according to Historians ) by the digging of Conies ; So unlean men , even by their crouching under thee , may undermine and overthrow thee . Consider their hatred of thee ( notwithstanding all their shew of love ) is real and inward ; and of all wounds , those which ●rancle inwardly are most to be feared . The Devil confest Christ , yet hated him to the death ; and his children do all take after him . It s ●aid of Antoninus Geta , that he would always shew most love , where he intended to bereave of life ; therefore men were more afraid of his favour , then of his anger . Antigonus kept a Priest on purpose to pray and offer up sacrifice to the gods , that they would preserve him from his seeming friends . There may be some profit of that Italian Proverb , The Lord deliver us from our friends , we will watch our selves over our enemies , that they do not hurt us . Solomon gives thee a good caution , in his Character of a fool and a wise man ; A Fool uttereth all his mind , but a Wise Man keepeth it in till afterwards , Prov. 29. 11. And those words of Hugo Victorinus have much weight in them , and are somewhat near Solomons , Est tempus quando nihil , est tempus quando aliquid , nullum autem tempus in quo dicenda sunt omnia . There is a time when nothing is to be spoken , there is a time when something , but no time when all things are to be spoken . Especially if thou hast found a man false once , beware of him the second time ; He deserves to break his shins , that stumbleth twice at one stone . That Proverb of the Italians is worthy of consideration ; If a man deceive me once , it is his own fault ; if a second time , it is my fault ; He had need to sit sure , who backs that Horse which hath once cast his Rider .

Thirdly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness in evil company , Be sure thou dost not disown thy profession , and deny Iesus Christ Though it behoveth thee to walk wisely , because sinners lye in wait to destroy thy life ; yet be careful thou dost not walk wickedly , for sin lyeth in wait to destroy thy soul. It may consist with grace , not always openly to proclaim thy profession , yet i●s a graceless part at any time to deny it . T was a blot to Nicodemus , that he was a Night-bird . If the honour of Christ be engaged , and by thy silence the Gospel will suffer , then not to publish what thou art , is a sin . The light of Religion ought not to be carried in a Dark Lanthorn , and to be shewn onely , when thy own interest will permit , and at other times to be hid ; Christ tells us , Who●oever shall deny me before men , him will I deny before my Father which is in Heaven , Mat. 10. 33. Not to confess Christ openly when thou art called to it , is to deny him . And expect the same measure from Christ in the other world , which thou givest to him in this ; How justly will he be disowned for a servant hereafter , that was ashamed to own so Noble a Master here ? And how dreadful will his condition be , whom Christ shall deny before his Father ! All thy happiness depends upon his confessing thee ; If he disclaim thee , Divels will lay claim to thee , and theirs thou shalt be for ever . It concerns thee therefore to confess Christ , how dear soever it may cost , and to own Religion in all companies ; for thou mayst truly say what an honest man did ( being occasionally in a Pyrates Ship when t was searcht , and the Pyrates cryed out , Wo be to us if we be known , ( he said ) Wo be to me if I be not known .

There are a sort of men , that like Mercury , the Good-fellow Planet , are according to their company , good if with the good , bad if in conjunction with bad ; but the true Christian hath not so learned Christ He who like the Mariner , changeth his course upon the change of the weather , is but an unsound Professour . We read of some that feared the Lord , and served graven Images , 2 King . 17. 41. They divided themselves between the true God and Idols ; As the Jewish Children , which spake half Hebrew , and half in the language of Ashdod , ( Nehem. 13. 24. ) and as some Gentlemen that speak Italian , when they are amongst Italians ; French amongst French men ; and order their language answerable to their associates . So some that would be called Christians , change themselves both for words and deeds , into the nature of their Companions . Amongst the godly they own God , but amongst the wicked they deny him ; They alter their colour as the Sole ( say Naturalists ) according to that which is nearest , and expose the Name of God , rather then their own , to contempt . Beza saith of Baldwinus , that he had , Religionem ephemeram , A Religion for every day ; Some men have a deportment sutable to all with whom they converse , resembling such as are sinful , and dissembling with them that are holy . These are either ashamed or afraid of Christ , both which are unreasonable .

1. Some will not own him out of shame , though he be the glory of his people Israel ; The Paint of women in some Countries , is the Dung of the Crocodile , and their sweet powder the excrement of a Cat ; yet people can esteem these their honour ; The Drunkard can boast of his strength to drink ; The cunning Cheat of his deceitful doings ; And alas many Christians are ashamed of Christ . O how unworthy is it , that wicked men should glory in their shame , and good men be ashamed of their glory ! that the scum of Hell should be prided in , and the Soveraign of Heaven be esteemed a disgrace ! that some should with brows of brass , boast of the ugly Monster , begotten of Satan ; and others not dare to own the fairest of ten thousands , and the onely begotten of the Father ! It s reported of Aristotles Daughter , that being asked what colour was best , she should answer the blush colour ; Diogenes was wont to say , that Blushing was the colour of vertue . How ever this colour may be commendable on other occasions , its abominable in the cause of Christ ; David saith , I will speak of thy judgements before Kings , and will not be ashamed , Psa. 119. 46. Neither the greatness of their power , nor the brightness of their splendour , shall make me bashful and ashamed to own thee . Shame doth excellently become sin , but it s wholly unbecoming the blessed Saviour , Rom. 6. 21. Mark . 8. 38.

2. Some will not own Christ out of fear ; As an Owl peeps at the Sun out of a B●rn , but dares not come near it ; So some peep at the Sun of righteousness , but stand aloof , as if they were more afraid to be nigh God then the Devil ; This made Peter deny his Master ; How daunted have many been , to look danger in the face ; He who had sometimes courage enough , to take a Lion by the beard ; lost his colour , and changed his behaviour before wicked Achish . Slavish fear is a great foe to Godliness ; Ar●st . Hist. Anim. ● . 2. c. 1● The Great Philosopher gives this reason why the Camelion changeth colour so frequently ; he being a fearful creature , swelleth by drawing in the air , hereby his skin is pent in and made smooth , and more apt to receive the colour of those objects that are next him . They who are fearful of suffering , will easily if their company require it , change their colour , and disown their Saviour . Timerous creatures will run into any unclean places for shelter , when a magnanimous spirit in a good cause will defie death it self . He who fears his skin , is no friend to his soul , but will defile the latter to defend the former . Fear surprising the heart , takes it away , and makes the Christian weak ; and then 't is no wonder if the smallest blow conquer him , and like a Reed he bend with the least blast of wind ; but how unreasonable is it that any should be afraid to own the blessed Saviour , when in sticking close to him is their only safety ! Nothing can hurt thee but sin , t is that alone which exposeth thee to injuries and miseries ; if thou fearest that , thou needest fear nothing else . What a foolish bargain dost thou make , by denying Christ to make wicked and weak men thy seeming friends , and the jealous God thy real enemy ? Is not he distracted , who to avoid the scratch of a pin , layeth himself open to the shatering of a Cannon ? And art thou not worse , if to avoid the fury of poor Mortals , thou incurrest the wrath of the Almighty ? Remember that the fearful are the first in the black list for the eternal fire , Rev. 21. 8. and do not play the Coward as Furius Fulvius , to sound a retreat , when thou shouldst as a man of courage sound an Alarm . The Mulberry tree is esteemed the wisest of all Trees , because it onely bringeth forth its leaves after the cold frosts be past ; but in Christianity he is a fool , who dares not profess himself a Christian till dangers be over . Aug. Conf. l. 8. St. Austin in his Confessions , relates a story of one Victorinus , who being converted , because he had many great friends that were Heathens , durst not own Christ publiquely , but went to Simplicianus and whispered him in the ear , I am a Christian ; but Simplicianus answered him , Vix credo , nec deputabo te inter Christianos , &c. I do not beleive it , nor will count thee a Christian , till I see thee profess it openly . Victorinus at first derided this answer , but afterwards considering the words of our Saviour , Mark 8. 38. he acknowledged it openly . It is very dangerous to walk in the dark . Saints are children of the light , and should have their light shining before others ; Qui nescit dissimular , nescit regnare . Phil. Com. Lewis the eleventh of France , was better at carnal politicks , then real piety , who desired his Son might learn no more then this , He who cannot counterfeit , must not wear a Crown .

SECT. IV.

FOurthly , Labour to get some good by such as are evil ; The precious stone Amyanthon , being cast into the fire , is made the more clear and pure ; A skilful Naturalist , will make some use of the most venemous Hearbs and Serpents ; A gracious person may improve the vilest sinners company to his own spiritual profit . As wicked men are helpful to the temporal good , so often to the eternal good of Gods people ; Like Leaves , though they are nothing worth in themselves , yet they keep the good fruit from blasting , and hereby are instrumental to its further Growth and Ripening . Ismenias the Theban Musitian , taught his Scholars , not onely by shewing them such as struck a clean stroak , with , Do so , but also by shewing them such as bungled at it , with , Do not so . Antigenidas thought men would like better , and contend the more for skil , if they heard untuneable notes . Satan intendeth wicked men as dirt and earth , onely to besmear and defile them , but God outshoots him in his own bow , and makes them as Fullers-earth , to purge and purifie them ; As poisonous as they are in their own nature , through the Correctives of the Spirit , they become not only not hurtful , but helpful to the beleiver . Ungodly men are compared to dung and filth , which we know , being applied to the good Trees , makes them more fruitful . That slime and mudde , which the overflowing of Nilus carrie●h along with it in the Summer Solftice , causeth Egypt to bring forth abundantly . The Graces of Saints have increased , even by the abominations and oppositions of sinners . Lots hatred of sin was the greater , by viewing the unclean conversations of the Sodomites . The Serpent Tyrus , saith Brittenbacchus , is so venemous , that there is no remedy against its bitings , but by cutting off the member ; yet even of this there is a Treacle made , which serveth for excellent purposes . Though the flesh of the Vulture ( saith Pliny ) be unwholsom and unmeet for meat , yet it is most medicinable ; an Oyntment made of the fat of it , is specially strengthning to the sinews . Though ungodly men are ill food , and not fit to be our ordinary constant diet , yet they may be good Physick and profitable , when necessity compelleth us to use them . A deboice , lewd Master may teach a Scholar many good lessons ; If God send us to School to the Beasts of the field , Job 12. 7. Ask the Beasts , and they shall teach thee ; I know no reason but much good may be learned from these brutes in the shape of men . Some tell us that gold was extracted out of Ennius his dung . Thou mayst Reader , through the help of the Spirit , get that which is better then Gold , out of these noysom and loathsom persons . The smell of Trefoil , is often stronger in a moist and cloudy dark season , then in fair weather ; So should the savour of a Saints graces , be most fragrant amongst evil Companions .

1. Let thy zeal be the more inflamed ; zeal is the heat or intention of the af●ections ; It is an holy warmth , whereby our love and anger are drawn out to the utmost for God and his glory ; Now our love to God and his ways , and our hatred of wickedness should be encreased , because of ungodly men ; cloudy and dark colours in a table , make those that are fresh and lively to appear more beautiful ; others sins should make God and Godliness more amiable in thine eyes . Thy heart should take fire , by striking on such cold flints ; Quemadmodum siquis margaritam in luto conculcet , ●jus amplius demonstrat pul hr●tudinem . Sic virtus sanctorum , quo●mque eam proje●eris , declarat suum splendorem , in servitute , in carcere , in prosperitate . Chrys. Hom. 62. in Genes. David by an holy Antiperistasis , did kindle from others coldness , Psal. 119. 39. My zeal hath consumed me , because mine enemies have forgotten thy word . Cold blasts make a fire to flame the higher , and burn ●he hotter : A true child hearing others speak faintly , is the more fervent in the commendation of his Father ; Because the wicked forsake thy law ; therefore I love thy commandments above gold , yea , above much ●ine gold , Psa. 119. 127. Do others in thy presence declare their loathing of Gods pre●cepts ? do thou love them the more . Do they trample them under their feet ? do thou prize them at the greater rate ; Truly , the more they dishonou● God by their swearing and scoffing at Godliness , the more reason thou hast to honour him . Phineas is Sainted in Gods Calendar , for being zealous in Gods Cause ; as Varnish addeth a lustre to all colours , and makes them amiable , so zeal addeth a beauty to all our services , and makes them the more acceptable . The Spirit of God works like fire , and if it dwell in thee , t will make thee fervent in Spirit . How little sign have they of their Saintships , who can hear sinners belch out their blasphemies against God , and tear the precious body of Christ in peices with Oaths , and yet are as sensless as stocks and stones as if they had no relation to God and Christ ? The redeemed of the Lord are a zealous people . Tit. 2. 14. Thou art but false in thy profession of friendship , if thou canst behold others abusing thy friend and sit still . Ah , what true Christian can see hellish lusts embraced publiquely , and the glorious Lord disowned openly , and not loath the former , and love the latter the more for it ! The Grecians would bring their children to hate drunkenness , by shewing them Drunkards wallowing in their vomits , what loathsom persons they were in such conditions . Good examples are provocations to holiness , Mal. 3. 8. Bad examples may work a detestation of vice , Deut. 18. 9. Ephes. 4. 17. Wise men have more to learn of fools , then fools of wise men , said Cato . That Trumpet which is filled only with wind , may encourage and awaken a living man to the battle ; That person who is dead in sin , may rouse up a sleepy , yet living Christian , and raise his affections more towards God .

2. Let thy heart be the more inlarged in thankfulness ; Dost thou behold the prophane , glorying in their pollutions ? Dost thou see sinners abusing Gods creatures ? Dost thou discern ungodly ones making a mock of sin ; jearing at holiness , and riding post to Hell ; how should thy heart be raised in thankefulness to thy dearest Redeemer , that thou dost not run with them to the same excess of riot , and in the same road of eternal ruine ? Every time thou comest into such company , and observest their wicked courses , thou mayst well pity such deluded souls , and praise thy gracious Saviour . Mayst thou not think thus with thy self ; Lo here are those that play with the eternal fire , and sport with the Almighties fury , that dance merrily over the bottomless pit , and take pleasure in the way to endless pains , that are wholly regardless of God and Christ , and Heaven , and their unchangeable estates in t●e other world ; I was as bad as the worst of them , or at least , I had slept as deep into that mire of prophaness , and equalled or exceeded them in all manner of impiety , if free grace had not with-held and prevented me . I have the same root of bitterness , and had doubtless brought forth the same cursed fruits , if the hand of mercy had not new grafted me ; What thanks do I owe to my Redeemer , who makes me to differ , and what cause have I to love and laud , to please and praise him , world without end ! O friend , if the Israelites blessed God for their preservation from those waters in which the Egyptians were drowned ; hast not thou cause to give thanks for preservation from that wickedness in which others are damned ?

3. Thy care and watchfulness should be the more increased . The falls and failings of others , should be Sea-marks , and give thee warning to avoid those rocks and shallows , if thou wouldst avoid shipwrack . Thou hast the same poisonous seed , therefore take heed , lest thou committest the same sin . These things ( saith the Apostle ) were written for our example , to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they did , 1 Cor. 10. 6 , 16. All these things happened unto them for examples , and they were written for our admonition . As the sins and sufferings of others are recorded for our instruction , so God lets them be acted before our eyes for our admonition . If he that walketh before me falleth and breaketh his neck , I have the more reason to ponder the paths of my feet ; If a fire break out in one house , every wise man will look the more to his own . If enemies be near the walls , the Garrison will be the more diligent to keep watch and ward . Ah how foolish is that Mariner , who beholdeth a Ship before him , cast away upon some Rock , and doth not steer his course with the greater care ?

Thus the Sword of Goliah , may be serviceable to a David , and those weapons of unrighteousness , which are designed for our destruction , may be helpful to our preservation . Those Kites that destroy Chickens , do also eat up offals of Beasts , and many noisom things , which otherwise would infect the Air ; whence , say some , it s a Law in England , that near a Market Town they should not be kill'd . Unclean Beasts are serviceable to men , and unclean men may be helpful to Christians .

SECT. V.

FIfthly , Endeavour their reformation . Thy duty is as a good Physitian , to loath the noisom disease , but to pity and strive to recover the Patient . What difference is there betwixt thee and a carnal person , if thou sufferest him to die , and offerest not thy help for his cure ! Thy Father doth good to all , he causeth his Sun to shine on the just , and on the unjust . O Remember that thou art his Son , and that his pattern is worthy of imitation . Christus omnibus o●nia factus est , pa●per pauperibus , divesd vitibus , — Cum Maria ●l●t . cum Apost●is ●pulatur , &c. Amb. Sup. Luc. lib. 4. That piece of Iron , which is rub'd with the Loadstone , will draw another peice of Iron ; We read of Magnetical Rocks in some Islands , that draw all Ships to them , which have Iron Pins , and hold them so fast that they are not able to stir . Shew that thou hast been toucht with the Spirit , that the Spirit of God dwelleth in thee , by thy endeavours to draw others to God . Christ never sat at Table with any sinners , but he made better chear then he found ; If he sat with the prophane , he did convert them ; if with the pious , he did confirm them , Luk. 7.

Be not discouraged at the weakness of thy gifts , or the small degree of thy graces , but consider that the event of the enterprize depends upon him who sets thee a work , and that its all one to him , whether he have great means , or small means , or no means . A poor contemptible Flie , may hinder an Elephant from sleeping ; a poor upright Christian , may awaken great sinners out of their spiritual sleep and lethargy . A little Boat may land a man at a large continent . A weak believer may help a soul to Heaven .

Endeavour to reform them these three ways .

1. By wholsom Counsel . Every place thou comest into , should be like Libnah , in which the Israelites pitcht , a place of Frankincense , perfumed by thy presence . The breath of a man serves him both to cool his broth when hot , and warm his fingers when cold ; The breath of a Christian should serve to put some warmth into them that are cold Heaven-ward , and to cool and slack them that are hot Hell ward . An wholsom tongue is a Tree of life , Prov. 15. 12. Thy tongue should be like the Tree of life in Eden , of which he that did eat was to live for ever , Gen. 3. 22. or like that Tree of life in the midst of the street , which bare twelve manner of Fruit , and the Leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the Nations , Rev. 22. 2. I have read of a person who led a dissolute life , and was so wrought upon by the Counsel of a good man , Ant. D●uralt . Sp●culum exemplorum . that he turned over a new Leaf ; and when his Companions asked the ground of that change , which they soon observed in him , and why he would not walk along with them in his old wicked ways ; he answered them , I am busie , meditating and reading in a little book , which hath but three leaves in it , so that I have no leasure so much as to think of any other business ; In the first leaf , which is red , I meditate on the passion of my Lord Iesus Christ , and of that precious blood which he shed for the remission of my sins ; In the second leaf , which is white , I meditate on the unspeakable joys of Heaven , purchased for me by the death of my Redeemer ; In the third leaf , which is black , I meditate on the intolerable torments of Hell provided and kept in store for the wicked and ungodly . Prudent and pious advice , may bring wandring sinners home to Christs fold . There is a special art in baiting the hook aright , so as thou mayst take sinners ere they are aware , I being crafty , caught you with guile , 2 Cor. 12. 16. It s possible ●hou art amongst men that are moral and civil , yet unsanctified ; by commending civility , yet discovering its insufficiency , thou mayst beat them out of their rotten holds , and cause them to run to Christ for help , Mat. 5. 20. It may be thou meetest with those that are openly prophane ; by bringing in wisely an example of Gods judgements on such persons , thou mayst fright them from such lewd practices . Sometimes thou mayst turn earthly discourse by degrees into heavenly , and spread a Table , and set a running banquet before them , which they never thought of . Do they ask ( for ●ant of other discourse ) what news ? After some prudent preface , answer them , that thou canst tell them good news from a far Country , which is worthy of all acceptation , namely , That Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners . Do they ask how such and such do ? acquaint them concerning their bodily welfare ; and if it may be done conveniently , that the health of the soul is most to be enquired after , as that which is of greatest weight and worth . Do they ask into the price of Commodities ? thou mayst thereby raise their hearts to the Wine and Milk which is to be bought of Christ , without money and without price . This is true Alchimy , and will turn all into Gold . What heavenly fruit did our Redeemer gather from such earthly trees ? When the Pharises spake of eating with defiled , that is , unwashen hands , he told them of inward defilements , and what danger there was in unwashen hearts , Mat. 15. 20. When the Woman of Samaria came to draw Water , how soon doth he lift up his discourse to living Water , of which whosoever drinketh shall never thirst ! John 4. 21. When the multitude followed him for the Loaves , he improves that occasion to quicken them to labour for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life , John 6. 25 , 26 , 27. Thus thou mayst Reader , distil cordial water out of dregs and lees .

2. Endeavour to reform them by thy gracious carriage in their Company . A Christian is Gods Iewel ( Mal. 3. 17. ) and should always cast a radiancy and lustre before the eyes of others ; but especially amongst them that are wicked : He is double guilty who ●●lks disorderly amidst his Masters enemies . Saints ●●ould like Diamonds , sparkle gloriously in a Ditch , and as Stars , shine the brighter in cold nights ; Be blameless and harmless , without rebuke , shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation , Phil. 2. 15. Beleivers should , like lights hung out in the City , shine so brightly , as to prevent others wandring and stumbling ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 lumen , & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 servo , quod receptum l●men servat ; significat tale quid quod lumen ex se emittit , ut S●l , Luna Stella . The word is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , such lights as the Sun , Moon , and Stars are , which do not keep their light to themselves , but communicate it to others . This gracious conversation is often profitable to the conviction of others . They who as the Atlantes , are ready to curse the Sun , because it scorcheth them with its beams , to hate the light because it discovereth their deeds of darkness , may nevertheless in their consciences be so convinced of its beauty and glory , that they may turn Persians , to admire and adore it . Sicuti caeli luminaria ac sidera in firmamento caeli à Deo collocata , cunctis indesinenter quae sub caelo sunt , fulgent , & omnibus quae super terram sunt , per tempora , ac tempora , per generationes ac generationes , mirabiliter reluce●t ; alia quidem per noctem di luna & stellae , alia nihilominus per d●em , ut solis speciosissimi radii : Sic & sanctorum virtutis insignia atque beatissimi eorum agones , omnibus in perpetuum singulariter fulgent omnibus in aeternum bonorum formam tribuunt , omnibus sub sole pictatis exemplum ostendunt . Orig. Homil. 1. in Job . Shew thy self a pattern of good works , that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed , having no evil thing to say of you , Tit. 2. 7 , 8. 1 Pet. 3. 15 , 16. Grace doth powerfully , though silently , oppose and overthrow Prophaness ; It forceth reverence from its bitterest enemies . The righteousness of Noah condemned the old World ; The holiness of the Baptist , did obtain respect from wicked Herod ; How did the Magnanimous Sanctity of the three Worthies , triumph in the conscience of Nebuchadnezar ? and the innocency of Daniel in the soul of Darius ? Many a sinner hath been struck dumb , by the exemplary and heroick faith and patience of the Saints . Such a gracious carriage is sometimes helpful to the conversation of others . They who stood out against the Word of God , have been won by the Works of Men. Sanctified actions are unanswerable Syllogismes , and effectual demonstrations . Though the ears have been shut against pious precepts , the heart it self hath been opened to a gracious pattern . Abstain from fleshly lusts , and have your conversations honest , that whereas they speak evil of you as evil doers , they ma● by your good works which they behold , glorifie God in the day of visitation , 1 Pet. 2. 11 , 12. Good works are a means , not onely of silencing , but even of sanctifying evil workers ; and hereby those who spake evil of the children , come to glorifie the father . An holy life is a real confutation of unholy lusts ; Viva lectio est vita sanctorum . Greg. Moral . 24. and whereas counsel may perswade , this compelleth the sinner , either to embrace sanctity , or to live condemned of himself . Lewis the twelfth of France , hearing ill of the Waldenses , sent some to observe and pry into their lives , who returning , told the King , That they were free from all scandal , sanctified the Sabbath , baptized and chatechised their children ; Whereupon the King their enemy swore that they were better men then himself , or any of his Subjects . The Church of God is compared to a Vineyard , Luk. 20. 9. Pliny tells us that the smell of a Vineyard is such , that it drives away all Serpents and venemous creatures . The lives of Gods people should be spotless and exemplary , that their enemies , as in Tertullians days , may honour them for their holiness . Of Bueer it was said , He so lived , that his friends could not sufficiently praise him , nor his enemies justly blame him ; So should every child of God .

SECT. VI.

3. ENdeavour to reform them by faithful reprehension . Reprehension is like a Dam , which though it cause the waters to swell , stops its violent course ; As Thunder , it purifieth the air , which otherwise would putrifie . When thou comest amongst vicious persons , thy spirit as Pauls amongst the Idolatrous Athenians , must be stirred within thee , and thy zeal must appear in reproving the offendors , or else as a Pearl in a Toads ●ead , it will be of no use . Servetus condemned Zwinglius for his heat and harshness ; In altis mansuctus ero , in blasphemiis in Christum non ita . Epist. ad Server . but he answered , In other things I will be meek and mild , but not in blaspemies against Christ . Good blood will not belie it self , but when occasion is offered , shew it self ; The zeal of Gods house did eat the Redeemer up , and he whipt the buyers and sellers out of the Temple ; In vita ejus per Anomy● . In the cause of God , saith Luther , I am and ever shall be stout and stern ; herein I take upon me this Motto , Nulli cedo , I give place to none .

That expression of Austin hath weight in it , Qui non zelat non amat , He hath no love to God , who hath no zeal for God ; and truly he hath little love to his Neighbour ; Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart , thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour , and not suffer sin upon him , Lev. 9. 17.

First , Here is no priviledge as to persons , either reproving , or offending .

1. Reproving , Thou shalt rebuke ; It s to be done in our own persons , and not by a proxy .

2. Offending , thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy Neighbour ; All are our Neighbours , made of the same earth ( bone of our bone , flesh of our flesh , ) capable of the same heaven . God excludes none , but offers both his grace and glory universally . Whosoever will , let him , &c. Rev. 22. 17.

Secondly , No dispensation granted as to crimes . Thou shalt not suffer sin upon him ; If it be a sin , it must not be suffered .

Thirdly , No pleading of any excuse ; thou shalt in any wise rebuke him , and not hate him . Non omnis qui parcit , ami●us est ; nec omnis qui verberat , inimicus . Melius est cum severitate diligere , quam cum lenitate decipere , Aug. Confe . 9. To suffer any in unholiness , is a sign of hatred ; and such seeming charity is the greatest cruelty ; Besides , whilst we let such men alone in their prophaness , we provoke God against our selves . Iohn the Baptist rebuked Herod ; Nathan reproved David ; and Latimer Henry the eighth ; though the offendors were potent and high , yet the ministers of God would not fear their faces , but freely tell them of their faults : Nay , some Heathen have had courage enough to check the greatest for their crimes . How plain was Seneca in reproving Nero ;

Magis amat objurgator san●ns●● quam adulator dis●imulans . Ide●● in Epist. ad Mart.

Mi●● aliquando argue●e permissam , t●●i nunquam pecare . Amb.

Diogenes in reproving Alexander , and Zeno Nearchus ! It s said of Suetonius , that in writing the lives of the twelve Caesars , he took the same liberty in declaring their vices , which they took to commit them ; and shall not Christians be as bold to check sin , as others are to act it ?

Reader , what love dost thou show to thy Neighbour , if thou seest him wounding and piercing his inestimable soul , and thou dost not endeavour ( though against his will , ) to hold his hand ? If thou shouldst see him take a Knife to stab himself at the heart , thou wouldst not stay to ask his leave , or fear his anger , but do thy utmost to hinder him ; and canst thou see him destroying his soul , and not seek to prevent him ? That pity without question is the best , which relateth to the better part . There was a barbarous Law among the Lacedemonians , Plut. Moral . That no man should tell his Neighbour any ill news that befel him , but every one should be left in process of time to find it out himself . Alas , what will become of poor sinners , if none should tell them what they are doing , whither they are going , till they come to find it in the place of torments ! Were love burning in our hearts ( as fire was in the Temple ) or were our faces towards one another ( like those Cherubims which covered the Mercy Seat with their wings ) we should not onely , not lie in sin our selves , but also endeavour that others should not die in their sins ; That person who refused to smite his Neighbour , when commanded in the name of the Lord , was slain by a Lion , 1 King . 20. 35. If we refuse to smite sin , Gods wrath will smite us .

Because this duty is of such concernment , I shall give thee some few brief directions . Tot quotidie occidimus , quot ad mortem ire tepidi & tacentes videmus . Greg.

1. Be sure that which thou reprovest be a sin , and not a lawful or indifferent thing . Some shew much heat , but little holiness in keeping a great stir about nothing . The Israelites raised a great Army to fight against their Brethren , upon a supposition that they had built an Altar for sacrifice , Iosh. 22. 16. Eli was mistaken in chiding Hannah for drunkenness , and thinking she was not sober , because she was almost overwhelmed with sorrow , 1 Sam. 2. T is dangerous to apply corroding medicines , upon supposition that the person hath a festered sore ; or to cut a man for the stone , who is not troubled with that distemper ; It were better by much to be silent , then to cry out against that which we cannot by Scripture prove to be sin . He that reproves the deed , will do more hurt then good , if he be not able to convince the doer , Tit. 1. 9. To some it may be said , as Iob to his friends , who accused him of Hypocrisie , because of his calamity ; as if the stick could not be straight , Cum vera objurgas , sic inimice juvas . Auson● because t was brought to the fire ; How forcible are right words ! but what doth your arguing reprove ? Job 6. 25. Right words have great weight ; naked truth will be too hard for armed error ; but what power have mistaken or misapplied arguments ? what doth such arguing reprove ? Such arguings seldom reprove any but the arguer , and him they always reprove .

2. Reprove seriously ; Reproof is an edged tool , and must not be jested wi●h ; Cold Reproofs are like the noise of Cannons a great way off , nothing affrighting us . He that reproves sin merrily , as one that takes a pride to shew his wit , and make the company laugh , will destroy the sinner instead of the sin . There are those that spit out their friends with their tongues , and laugh them into enemies ; Sharpness and acuteness doth ill in sportful festivals , but it becomes purging potions : Lightness is commendable is nothing , but worst in things that are weighty ; A vain jesting admonition is like rubbing a person with a poisoned Oyl , which spreads the more for being put into such a fleeting suppleness . The Areopagites banished Stilpo , for proving by his Sophistry that Minerva was no Goddess , alledging this for their reason , that it was not safe for any to dally with things that were Divine . Reproof is strong Physick , and worketh many times to purpose , and therefore is not to be given in jest ; Sin , which is the object of it , is not to be played with ; nor Hell its consequent , a jesting matter . Titus 1. 13. The Apostle enjoynes Titus to reprove sharply ; the word is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 cuttingly , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they may be sound in the faith ; He that mindeth his Patients health , will not toy or trifle , or play with his mortal diseases ; the flesh must feel the plaister , or it will never eat up the corruption in it . Shouldst thou apply an healing plaister to skin the wound aloft , when there is need of a corrosive to take away the dead flesh , thou wouldst be false and unfaithful to thy friend . When the water was bitter , Regat d●s●●plin●● vigor mans●●tudinem , & mansu●●udo ornet vigorem , & sic alterum commendetur ex altero ut nec vigor sit rigidus , nec mansuetudo dissolu●a . Greg. lib. 5. Moral . and the ground barren , Elisha cast a cruse of Salt into it , and it healed both . Reproof like Salt , must have in it both sharpness and savouriness ; Alas , how fierce is that wrath , how hot is that fire to which poor sinners are liable ? and wilt thou sport with their souls , and joyn with them in making a mock of sin ? Saints must be zealous , not onely in good works , but also in reproving evil workers . The Command is , Cry aloud , spare not , lift up thy voice like a Trumpet , and shew my people their trangression , and the house of Jacob their sin , Isa. 58. 1. This belongs in some sense to every member , as well as to the Minister . They must reprove sin powerfully ; cry aloud , lift up thy voice as a trumpet ; particularly , shew my people their transgression , and the house of Jacob their sin ; Admonition without serious Application , is like an Arrow with too many Feathers , which though we level at the Mark , is taken by the Wind , and carried quite from it .

Some men shoot their Reprehensions , like Pellets through a Trunk , with no more strength then will kill a Sparrow ; those make sinners beleive that sin is no such dreadful evil , and the wrath of God no such frightful end . He that would hit the mark , and recover the sinner , must draw his arrow of Reproof home . Reproof must be powerful ; the hammer of the word breaks not the heart , if it be lightly layd on ; If the flesh doth not feel the plaister , it will hardly be healed by it . It must also be so particular , that the offendor may think himself concerned . Some in reproof will seem to aim at the sinner , but so order it , that their arrows shall be sure to miss him . As Domitian , when a Boy held for a mark afar off , his hand spread , with his fingers severed , S●et . in vita . he shot his arrows so , that all hit the empty spaces between his fingers ; Be the reproof never so gracious , the Plaister never so good , it will be ineffectual if not applied to the Patient , 2 Sam. 12. 7. Act. 2. 36 , 37.

3. Reprove seasonably ; Reprehension is not necessary or convenient at all seasons ; Admonition is like Physick , rather profitable then pleasant ; Now the best Physick may be thrown away , if a fit time of giving it be not observed ; Some unskilful Physitians have wronged their Patients , in administring sutable potions out of season ; It s a great part of Christian prudence , to discern the fittest time of lancing spiritual sores ; if they be taken when they are ripe , the corrupt matter may be all let out , and the party be the healthier whilst he liveth ; but if before they be ripe , it will not be so well . A fool will always be talking , and is ready to burst if he may not have vent ; but a wise man will keep a word for afterward , Prov. 29. He will neither run before an opportunity ,

There are two cases wherein Reproof may be omitted .

1. When there is danger of bringing more dishonour to God by speaking then by forbearing , Mat. 7. 6.

2. When we can see no likelyhood of doing good by our Reproving . Hildersham● on Psal. 51. Lect. 9. Vide Plu● . ibid.

nor neglect to follow after it ; many a fair child is spoiled by an untimely birth ; and good duty , prejudiced by an unseasonable performance .

Sometimes a sudden reproof , upon the commission of the sin , hath reformed the sinner ; but this is not always safe . When men are rebuked before their Companions , their hearts are usually enraged against the Reprover , suspecting him to intend their disparagement rather then their amendment . Q●i non corrigit resecanda committit , & facientis culpam habet qui quod potest c●rrigere , negligit ●mendare . Greg. Besides , when their spirits are hot , and their minds drunk with passion , they are apter to beat the Christian , then to hear his Counsel . When a person is in a violent Fever , it s not good to give him Physick , its safest to stay till the fit be abated or over . Abigal would not tell Nabal of his danger till he was sober . Some small fish are twicht up with the violence of a sudden pull , when the like action would break the line whereon a great one hangs .

But I would not be understood Reader , to encourage thee in the least , under pretence of deferring it till a fitter day , to omit the duty ; if there be no probability of a better season , nor any hope of doing good , after some ejaculations to Heaven for assistance and success , take the present opportunity . Fabius conquered by delaying , but Caesar overcame by expedition . Though it s not ordinarily so good to sow Corn when the Wind is high , yet the Husbandman will rather do it in such weather , then not at all , or then to want his harvest . As the Bird often flieth away , whilst the Fowler still seeks to get nearer and nearer her ; so doth a season of advantaging our brethrens souls , whilst we wait still for a fitter ; It s thy duty therefore to take hold of the present , where thou hast no likelihood of another , and to improve the first good opportunity , rather then to adventure the loss of all , by expecting a better .

4. Reprove prudently ; A Christians wisdom in the matter of his reproof , will very much further its working . As an ear-ring of gold , and an ornament of fine gold , so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear , Prov. 25. 12. A wise reprover is a credit to the Reproved . It s an honor to be wounded thus by one that is wise . Some men would receive blows with more patience , if they were given them with more prudence ; None so likely to find an obedient hearing , as they that are wise in reproving ; the best ear will hardly brook foolish speaking ; there is a way to make men take down their bitter potions before they are aware . The recovering of a fallen sinner , is the setting of a bone in joynt , which requireth much skill and dexterity ; Every Mountebank is not fit to undertake this ask .

First , Have respect to the person whom thou reprovest .

Secondly , Have respect to the crime for which thou reprovest .

First , Respect is to be had to the person , both as to his condition and his disposition .

1. To his condition and quality ; Though the sins of Superiours may , nay must be reproved , by those that have a call to it , yet not in that bold manner which is allowable to our equals , nor without some acknowledgement of that reverence which is due to their Callings and Conditions ; Rebuke not an Elder , but intreat him as a Father , 1 Tim. 5. 1. When Daniel was to interpret Nebuchadnezzars dream , and to acquaint him with his danger , observe with what respectful language he cloatheth his dreadful message , Dan. 4. 19 , 24 , 27. The Prophets that spake so boldly to their Princes , were commanded & commissioned by God what to say ; Though Superiors ought to be reproved , yet they ought not to be reviled . Paul ( as I conceive ) acknowledged his passion , when he had spoken irreverently to the high Priest , I wist not brethren , that he was the High Priest ; I did not consider as I ought , to whom I spake , Act. 23. 5. It will not excuse us to give ill words , though we receive ill wounds from Magistrates ; Is it fit to say to a King , thou art wicked , and to Princes , ye are ungodly ? Job 34. 18. Though this Text doth not silence all from acquainting Kings with their faults , muchless justifie any that shall daub them with their flatteries , 1 King . 18. 18. 2 King . 3. 13. yet it proves that Princes must be spoken to respectfully , because of their places . Superiors may be amended by exhortation , equals by friendly admonition , inferiors by severe reprehension .

Secondly , Respect is to be had to the disposition of the offendor● some in their fainting fits are recovered easily , with throwing some cold water in their faces ; others must be beaten or rubbed very hard ; Some men are like Briars , you may handle them gently without harm , but if you grasp them hard they will fetch blood ; Others as Nettles , if dealt with roughly , do the less wrong ; Iude 22 , 23. And of some have compassion , making a difference , and others save with fear ; Some are like tiled houses , that can admit a brand of fire to fall on them , and not be burnt ; yet some again are covered with light dry straw , which with the least touch will kindle and flame about your ears . By scruing strings moderately , we may make good Musick , but if too high we break them ; All the strings of a Viol are not of equal strength , nor will endure to be wound up to the same pitch ; we may sooth a Lion into bondage , but sooner hew him in peices , then beat him into a chain . A difference ought to be observed between party and party ; an Exhortation will do more with some , then a severe Commination with others ; The sturdy Oak will not be so easily bowed as the Gentle Willow ; Elisha recovered the dead Child with a kiss , but Lazarus was restored to life with a loud strong voice ; Reproof must be warily given ; for t is like a Razor , whose edge is keen , and therefore the sooner rebated ; It s dangerous to give a medicine stronger then the disease and constitution of the Patient require ; A gentle fire makes the best distilled waters .

Respect is to be had also to their faults ; Wise Physitians will distinguish between a Pimple and a Plague-sore ; Those that sin of infirmity , are to be admonished more mildly then they that sin obstinately ; who would give as great a blow to kill a Flie as to kill an Ox ; Old festered sores must be handled in a rougher manner then green wounds , Phil. 3. 15. Tit. 3. 10. Ordinary Physick will serve for a distemper newly begun , but a chronical disease must have harsher and stronger Purges ; Some offend ignorantly , others out of contumacy ; Some offend out of weakness , being overborn by a sudden passion ; others of premeditated contrived wickedness and perverseness ; Iuvenes plerunque severitas admonitionis ad prosectum dirigit ; Scues vero ad meliora opera deprecatio blanda companit . Greg. some sins are of a lower nature , of lesser moment and influence upon others ; other sins overthrow the foundations of Christianity , and devour the vitals of Religion ; Now according to the nature of the disease , and constitution of the Patients , must the prescription be for their cure . Though all sins have one price for their satisfaction , yet not one way for their reprehension ; If the Linnen be but a little foul , Qui blando verbo castigatus non corrigitur , acrius ne●esse est arguatur cum dolore s●nt abscindenda , quae leniter sanari non possunt . Isid. l. 3. de somno . c. 46. ordinary rubbing may serve ; but if it be died with dirt , it must have the more . Our Saviour called Herod , Fox ; the Master of the Synagogue , Hypocrite ; the Scribes and Pharises , Vipers . St. Stephen calls the Iews , Traytours and Murtherers ; cutting reproofs are for notorious offenders ; a weak dose will but stir up , not purge away their noxious humours .

5. Reprove compassionately ; Soft words , and hard arguments do well together . Plus proficit amica correctio quam accusatio turbulenta ; ill● pudorem incutit , haec indignationem movet Amb. in Lucam . Passion will heat the sinners blood , but compassion heal his conscience ; our reprehension may be sharp , but our spirits must be meek ; The Probe that searcheth the wound , will put the Patient to less pain , and do the more good , if covered with soft lint . Those who oppose themselves , are to be instructed in meekness , 2 Tim. 2. 25. There is a rigid austerity , which is apt to creep into , and corrupt our reproofs ; Mollifying Oyntments are oft instrumental to abate great swellings ; The Iron of Napthalies shooes were dipt in Oyl . Reproof should be as Oyls or Ointments , gently rub'd in by the warm fire of love . The Chirurgion that setteth the bone , stroketh the part ; If love do not play its part in this Scene , we do but act a Tragedy . The more thou canst perswade him of thy affection , the better will he take thy reprehension ; The sweetest kisses of an enemy are rejected with disdain , but even the wounds of a friend are received with applause , Prov. 27. 6. Such as in reproving shew their anger more then their love , rather exasperate then heal ; Of all seasons the Chirurgion had need to be sober , and farthest from being drunk with passion , when he is to cut off a gangren'd member . The Reprover should have a Lions stout heart , or he will not be faithful , and a Ladies soft hand , or he is not like to be successeful ; Holy Paul , speaking of his coming to reprove some delinquents amongst the Corinthians , tells them , And lest when I come again , my God will humble me among you , and that I shall bewail many who have sinned , 2 Cor. 6. ult. He that would gather fruit , must pluck the Bough gently towards him ; if too hard , he may break it ; A Reprover is like one that is taking a mote out of his brothers eye ; now this must be done very tenderly . For this purpose it would be convenient ( where it may be ) that reproofs be given privately . We administer Physick to persons in their Chamber ; He that proclaims anothers crimes up and down the Country , wrongs his own soul , in walking contrary to the command ( first tell him his fault between him and thee , Mat. 18. 15 , 16. ) and he wrongs his Neighbour in hardning him hereby in his sin ; for this man thinks the sinner designeth to reproach , not to reform ; therefore he throweth the reproof with indignation back in his face . Socrates at a Banquet , ●i●g . Laert. in vit. Socrat. falling out with one of his friends , twitted him with his faults , How much better had this been done in private ? Quicquid lacerato animo dixeris , ●unientis est impetus , non charitas corrigentis ; diligo , & dic qui●quid vales . Aug. de fin . Vbi peccatum moritur , ibi moria●ur . said Plato ; And had you not done better to have told me so privately ? said Socrates . Qui peccant coram omnibus , coram omnibus corripiendi sunt , ut omnes timeant . Qui secreto pecavit in te , secreto corripe ; Nam si solu● nosti , & eum vis coram aliis arguere , non es corrector , sed Proditor , Aug. de verb domini . If thy brother offend thee , saith Christ , tell him of it between thee and him , Mat. 5. Others crimes are not to be cried at a Market ; Vbi malum oritur , ibi moriatur . Private reproof is the best grave to bury private faults in ; The Plaister should not be larger then the sore ; Our Saviour did not tell the woman of Samaria of her wickedness whilst the Disciples were with him , but when he had sent them away , Ioh. 4.

For this end it is also fit that reproof be given , Secrete admone amicos , palam lauda . Sen. de Benif . with as little reflection as may be on the person reproved . If there be any thing in him worthy of praise , do not pass it by ; We take Pills the better when they are well guilt ; Children lick up their medicines the more freely , when they are sprinkled with a little sugar ; A faithful Historian , will relate mens vertues , as well as their vices . They are of a dunghil brood , that fasten onely upon galled backs , and ulcerous sores , and take no notice of the sound flesh ; Wise Commanders , when their Souldiers are making a dishonourable Retreat , do not presently upbraid them with cowardise , but often by mentioning their former heroick courage , or their Ancestors noble carriage , inflame them with a desire to continue their repute and credit . Good Nurses , when children fall first , help them up , and speak them fair , and then chide them ; This were an excellent art to draw them to God , whom thou couldst not drive ; shame will not let such be angry with those that deal so equally the rod and crown . Sometimes indirect reprehension hath wrought much good . A man may by a Parable , or an History pertinent to the purpose , convince a sinners conscience , and not openly injure his credit . Paul in his Sermon to Felix , seemed to shoot at random , not naming any , but his Arrow pierced that unrighteous Prince to the quick . The Sun keeps the world in good temperature by moving in an oblique circle , not directly with the highest heavens , nor directly contrary , but fetching a compass a little over-thwart . The Saint may keep the Sinner from that heat and rage , which is apt to boil under reproof , by fetching a little compass about . The reproof may sometimes be given in our own persons , and declaring how ill it would have been for us to have run into such riotous courses ; So the Apostle Paul reprehended the Sectmakers in Corinth , by transferring it to himself and Apollo , 2 Cor. 4. 6. A wise Reprover , in this is like a good Fencer , who though he strike one part , yet none that stand by could perceive by his eye , or the carriage of his arm , that he aimed at that more then the rest . We esteem it a singular commendation in a Chirurgion , when he can cure a wound in the face , and leave no scar behind ; Indeed , some wounds are so great that this cannot be done , yet a good Chirurgion will always endeavour it , and leave as little a scar as possibly he can . Pliny tells us of one Martia , who had the Child in the womb kill'd by lightning , and yet she her self was unhurt . It s excellent when a Boanerges can so cast forth lightning , as to kill sin in his conscience , and not hurt the sinner in his repute . To avoid this , it was ordained among the Lacedemonians , that every transgressour should be his own corrector ; for his punishment was to compass the Altar , finging an invective made against himself . It s a singular credit to the Christian , if he can open , and so heal mens sores , as not to leave any brand upon their persons : We read that God appointed Snuff-dishes , as well as Snuffers , for the Lamps of the Tabernacle , and both to be of pure gold , Exod. 37. 23. The Snuffers noted , that those who check any fault in others , should be free themselves ; The Snuff-dishes noted , that those crimes which we reprove , we should forgive and remit . The R●bbies say , that those Snuff dishes were filled with Sand , to bury the Snuffs in ; He who snuffs a Candle , and throws the snuff about the Room , gives offence to more by the ill savour he makes , then content by his care and diligence .

There is hardly any work of Christianity , which requires more wisdom then this of Admonition . The temper and quality of the persons , the nature and difference of the crimes , the manner and way of delivering the reproof , the fittest season for it ought all to be seriously and diligently considered . The rebuke of sin is aptly resembled to the fishing for Whales ; the mark is big enough , one can hardly miss hitting ; but if there be not Sea-room enough , and line enough , and a dexterity in letting out that line , he that fixeth his harping-iron in the Whale , endangers both Himself and his Boat . Reproof strikes an Iron ( as it were ) into the conscience of the Offendour , which makes him struggle and strive to draw the Reprover into the Sea , to bring him into disgrace and contempt ; but if the line be prudently handled , and not pull'd too strait nor too q●ick , the sinner may be dr●wn to the Reprover and saved .

I confess this duty of reproving , is an hard and unpleasing task , Molestus est medicus surenti phrenet●co , & pater indis●iplinato filio ; ille in l●gando , iste caedendo , sed ambo diligendo . Si autem istos negligant & perire permittant , ista potius falsa mansuetudo crudelis est . Aug. ad Bonif. because truth ordinarily begets hatred , but it s far better that men should hate thee for the discharge of thy duty , then that God should hate thee for the neglect of it ; It s much easier to endure their rage for a short time , then the Lords wrath for ever . If the perfons reproved , have any true love to themselves , they will love thee ; and truly that mans love is little worth , who hath none for his own soul. Therefore Reader , obey Gods precept , and leave the event to his providence ; Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness , but rather reprove them , Ephes. 5. 11. If thou canst advantage and gain their souls , they will give thee thanks ; Remedia statim moruent vel offendunt , postea conferunt salutem vel voluptatem ; Ita salubria monita ●nitio sunt non nihil amara postea correcto jucundissima . Plut. in Moral . if not , thy God will ; and surely his thanks are not to be esteemed at a low rate . It hath many times been experienced , that faithful reprehensions have procured ( though present ill-will , yet ) respect afterwards . Dean Colet , for delivering his conscience , by way of reproof , before Henry the eighth , at the siege of Tourney , was questioned by the Privy Counsellors , but within a short time he got a large interest in the Kings heart , by the discharge of his duty . Prov. 9. 8. He that rebuketh a man , shall afterwards find more favour then he that flattereth with his tongue , Prov. 28. 23. Nihil probat spiritualem virum , sicut peccati alieni tractatio ; quum liberationem eju● potius quam insultationem , potius auxilia quam convitia meditatur , & quantum● facultas tribuitur suscipit . Aug. sup. Epist. ad Gal. The sick patient , who at present wrangleth with his Physitian for his bitter potions , doth afterwards ( when he findeth the happy effect of it in his heal●h and recovery ) both thank and reward him . Though thou meetest with an ungrateful return in his passion , yet thou mayst when that cloud is dispersed , expect a more serene and pleasing requital ; However the best way to lose a friend ( if thou canst not keep him and a good conscience too ) is by seeking by thy love and faithfulness to save him .

Sixthly , Mourn for those sins which thou canst not amend ; Those sins which thou canst not beat down with a stream of truth , do thou overcome with a flood of tears ; When others kindled a fire of lust , David drew water and poured it out before the Lord ; Rivers of tears run down mine eys , because the wicked forsake thy law , Psa. 119. 135. Mark the intension of Davids passion , upon the disobedience of wicked persons ; Sighs are an ordinary sign of grief , but tears a far greater ; What sorrow was then in Davids heart , when not onely tears , but rivers of tears , ran down his eyes ? S●rely the Fountain of sorrow was very full and deep , when the streams did run so fast and freely . Others guilt calleth aloud to thee for grief . Do they wound their souls by sin ? do thou wound thy own soul with sorrow ? Alas ! how is it possible thou canst be amongst them that dishonour the blessed God , grieve his holy Spirit , and break his righteous Commands , and not have thine heart broken ? Lot vexed his righteous soul with the unclean conversation of the Sodomites , 2 Pet. 2. 8. Unless thou hast lost thy spiritual sent , thou canst not endure the stench of their filthy unsavoury breath , without much perplexity and trouble . I remembred the transgressors , and was greived , because they kept not thy Law , Psa. 119. 158. He that hath any part of the new man in himself , must needs be offended at the old man in others . It s presumed he is of a dishonest mind , who is not offended at the cheats and thefts of others ; Every creature is disturbed at that which is contrary to its own nature . If grace be the object of my joy and delight , sin must needs be the object of my grief and sorrow ; My soul shall weep in secret for your pride , saith Ieremiah , Jer. 13. 17.

Reader , If thou lovest thy God with all thine heart , thou cast not but mourn that others should hate him , and walk contrary to him . We grieve as truly for wrongs done to those whom we sincerely affect , as for injuries done to our selves . When one of Darius his Eunuches , saw Alexander the G●eat , Diodor. Sicul. l. 17. setting his foot and trampling upon a Table , that had been highly esteemed by his Master , he fell a weeping ; Of which when Alexander asked the reason , he answered , I weep to see that which my Master esteemed at so high a rate , made thy foot-stool . A gracious person cannot hear , or see the Son of God , the Word of God , and the People of God , which his God prizeth at an high rate , vilified , trampled under foot , and slighted by wicked men , but he falls a weeping . My tears have been my meat day and night , while they say unto me continually , Where is thy God ? Psa. 42. 3. The dishonour of his God went nearer to his heart was very sad at that season . Because others did eat the bread of violence , and drink the wine of deceit , he did eat his bread with tears , and mingle his drink with weeping . As when they were sick he fasted , so when they sinned he prayed and mourned .

Hasten out of evil company , if thou hast no hopes of doing good . That Company may well be to thee as the torrid Zone , where wickedness sits in the chair , and Religion is made a foot-stool . Though thou mayst pass through such a Climate as thy occasions require , yet it s not safe to dwell in so unwholsom an air ; Men that are forced to walk by unsavoury carcasses , hold their breath , and hasten away as soon as they can . It s ill being an Inhabitant in any place where God is an Exile . A little before the destruction of Ierusalem , there was a vo●ce heard in the Temple very terrible , Migremus hinc , let us go hence ; That were a good Motto for Christians in ill-company ; Let us go hence ; Let such men know , as Manlius Torquatus told the Romans , that as they cannot bear thy strictness , so thou canst not endure their looseness sake heed of staying in any place needlesly , out of which thy God is gone before thee ; Go from the presence of a foolish man , when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge , Prov. 14. 7. Running away , was the means Ioseph used against the wicked allurements of his Mistriss . It s not cowardise , but true courage , to turn the back upon sin and sinners . It doth often reflect upon our credits to be amongst wicked men ( AEschinus in the Comaedian , blusht when he saw his Father knock at the door of an infamous woman ) but it will reflect upon our consciences to continue amongst them when our business with them is done . Terenc . Adel.

The Apostle Peter with many words did exhort and testifie saying , save your selves from this untoward generation , Act. 2. 40. It appears to be a business of no small concernment and weight , that the Apostle should use so many words about it . Wise men will not spend their time or breath in vain ; they do not send more messengers about any work then the consequence and worth of it requireth ; Besides , as Beza observeth upon the place , he interposeth Gods authority , and chargeth them in his name to save or guard themselves from such ill Companions . What hast thou to do with them that scorn to have any thing to do with God ? The King may well frown on those , and deny to converse with them that converse with Traytours in no relation to his service . Rebeccah must leave her Fathers and Brothers House , if she will be joyned to Isaac ; Hearken O Daughter , and consider , a●d encline thine ear , forget also thine own people , and thy Fathers House ; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty , Psal. 45. 10 , 11.

A Good Wish concerning a Christians carriage in evil Company ; Wherein the former heads are applied .

THe Mighty Possessour of Heaven and Earth , The Introduction . who governeth the World with infinite wisdom , and allotteth to all the Children of men , their several Callings and Habitations ; having permitted the chaff to continue amongst the Corn , and appointed the tares to remain amongst the wheat till the great Harvest day ; and calling me sometimes by his providence , to deal with prophane and vicious persons : I Wish I may be so sensible how difficult it is to be safe amongst such defilers and destroyers of souls , that I may walk with the more caution , when ever I walk in such company , and make them my fear , not my familiar● , and rather my care then my Companions . I know that I must go out of the world , if I will go away from the wicked . Ill humours will be amongst good in the body ; Sins will be amongst graces in the soul , and sinners will be amongst Saints on this Earth . I am but a stranger here , they are men of the world ; I must therefore expect , as Lot in Sodom , to be both vexed with their unclean conversations , and tempted to their violent corruptions ; my God calleth them Foxes for their craft , Lions for their cruelty , and a generation of Vipers for their rage and venome ; In what danger therefore is my soul of being deceived and devoured by them ? How certainly will these ravenous beasts tear me in peices , unless I stand upon my guard , and the Keeper of Israel undertake my protection ! Lord , since it is not thy pleasure to free me from their Company , grant me such help from thy good spirit , that I may be free from their contagion ; Though I may sit at the same table with them , as my occasions or relations require , let me never eat of their dish , nor feed on their dainties ; I pray not that thou shouldst take me out of the world , but that thou shouldst keep me from the evil ; keep me from the snares which they lay for me , and from the gins of the workers of iniquity ; Psa. 141. Let the wicked rather fall into their own Nets , whilst that I withal escape .

Motives to quicken to care in evil company .

1. Our danger in evil company .

I Wish that the sense of my danger may keep me from being secure , and make me the more sedulous in the discharge of my duty ; Sound eyes are apt to fall a watering , by beholding and looking on sore eyes . Dry Flax is not more apt to take fire , then my vicious nature to be inflamed ; the wet sheet of watchfulness is a good preservative ; He had need to have much grace , who would not learn others vice . It s hard to touch pitch and not be defiled ; Vngodly men are Satans blood-hounds , with which he hunteth my soul. How many hath he drawn into the pit of perdition by such Cart-rope● ? They are his strongest chains wherewith he binds men now to his own work , and at last ( as their wages ) hales them to Hell . Fruits of hotter Countries , transplanted into colder Climates , do not seldom die , through the chilling nips of the air , and the unsutableness of the soyl wherein they are planted ; there may be grace in my soul ready to flame heavenward , which may be soon quenched , by the putrid fogs of evil companions ; I know my God can keep mee ( as he did the three Children in the fiery furnace ) amongst them that are set on fire of Hell , from being sienged , or so much as having the sent of the fire on me ; but I know also , that then I must keep his way and be watchful ; O that I might keep my heart with such diligence , that as the Christal , I may touch those Toads , and not be poisoned ; yea , that as a true Diamond in a ditch , I may sparkle with holiness , and shine brightly amongst defiled persons . How natural is it to resemble their faults , whose faces I am wholly unlike ? I am apt like a Snow-ball , to carry away the dirt I am rolled upon , and as an Ape , to imitate those amongst whom I am , in their folly , and to sin for company , rather then to be singular . But though the Loadstone can draw Iron , yet it cannot draw gold ; Lightning may smite the dead Oak , but not the green and fresh Laurel ; though corrupt nature follow a multitude to do evil , yet grace through the help of the Spirit is invincible . Why may not my soul , like Moses bush in the midst of fire , be kept from consuming ; and as Gideons fleece , be moyst , when all the earth about it is dry ; O that I might as Fish , retain my freshness in the saltest waters ; and never savour others vices , or follow their steps , who depart from the Commandements of my God . Lord , whose promise is to thy Disciples , They shall take up Serpents , and if they drink any deadly thing , it shall not hurt them , ( Mark 16. 18. ) Is it not thine own hand writing ? and canst thou fail of fulfilling it ? O let thy powerful presence accompany me , whithersoever thy providence calleth me ; Let thy preventing grace preserve me from receiving harm , and thy quickening mercy enable me to do good , that whereas thine enemies are apt to speak evil of me as an evil doer , they may be ashamed , who falsly accuse my good conversation in Christ , 1 Pet. 3. 16.

2 2 Motive . It s possible to be the better . I Wish that I may be so far from receiving prejudice , that I may be profited by the worst of those with whom I associate . As my God created nothing in vain , so he permits nothing , but to some good purpose . T is true , wicked men are Dogs , ( Mat. 7. 12. ) prone to faun on me , that they may defile me ; but even of Dogs there may be a good use ; The Flock is the more safe from Wolves , and the House from Theives through their watchfulness . They are dust , apt to breed vermine , but some creatures live upon it as their Aliment , and in it as their Element , and the basest rubbish , may be serviceable about the foundation of a building . The Guts and Garbage of some beasts are food to others . Doth not experience teach us , that many Fowls draw nourishment from unclean and filthy Carcasses ? Why may not my stomach be so good , and my spiritual constitution so strong , as to concoct such unwholsom food ? Lycurgus taught the Lacedemonians vertue , not onely by the pattern of their Sober Ephori , but also of the drunken Helots their slaves ; Poisons are as necessary as the best diet , if they be in the hands of him who is able to improve and prepare them . Beer is the better , the more lively and brisk for the grouns that are in the same vessel with it . O that my graces might be the more quick and active for the lees of others vices ; that their sins might increase my sanctity ; both in making me more thankful to him who maketh me to differ , and more watchful over my self , lest I fall from my own stedfastness . The Mariners are directed in their sailings by Rocks and Shelves , as well as by the Northern star ; My God instructeth Jonah by the shadow of a Weed . Go to the Pismire thou sluggard , consider her provident ways , and be wise to follow them . Observe the men of this world ; O my soul , consider their wicked ways , and be wise to avoid them . Ask these beasts of the earth , and they will teach thee , nay shame thee . How unwearied are they in the pursuit of the world ! how diligent about their works of darkness ! how often do they lose their sleep to do mischief , and neglect their food and callings to indulge their fleshly lusts , whilst thou , whose Master is the Lord of Glory , whose service is the onely freedom , and whose recompence will be infinite , art loytering and lazing upon the bed of security ! O that thou mayst learn industry about the concernments of heaven and eternity , from others industry about the affairs of this earth for a few days ; and take shame to thy self , that Satans Servants should be more forward to gratifie their Soul-destroyer , then thou art to please the blessed Saviour ! Lord , it is thy prerogative to cause light out of darkness , and to bring good out of evil ; teach thy servant to gather figs from these thistles , and to be the better because others are so bad ; Because the wicked forsake thy law , ther●fore let me love thy commandements above gold ; yea ; above much fine gold .

I Wish that though in pursuance of my calling , I do afford my ●ompany to sinners ,

Wherein the exercising our selves to godliness consisteth .

1. Take heed they do not make thee partaker of their sins .

I may never bear them company in their sins . True Gold will not change its colour or nature for the hottest fire . The Rock keeps its place , and is immoveable , notwithstanding the continual dashing of the water . The earth is not hurt , either by the heat of Summer , or cold of Winter ; Though much dirt be flung at a post well oyled , it will not stick . My God hath enjoyned me ; Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness ; Whence I learn these three things ; 1. That sin is a work of darkness ; The Prince of darkness is its Father ; It s his natural off-spring , therefore called the work of the Devil , Iohn 8. 44. A dark heart is its Mother , there it s conceived , thence it s brought forth ; In dark holes these vermine breed and swarm ( Ephes. 4. 18. Hos. 4. 1 , 2 , 3. 2 Cor. 4. 4. ) It s portion is utter darkness , blackness of darkness for ever ; all its inheritance lieth in darkness , and the shadow of death . 2. I learn that the works of darkness are unfruitful ; The sinner makes a sad market of all his wicked wares ; He soweth vice , and reapeth vanity ; promiseth himself much pleasure , and findeth it wholly unprofitable ; What fruit had ye in those things , whereof ye are now ashamed ? for the end of those things is death ; O what a frightful monster is this miscreant ; It hath fruitlesness in the beginning , shame in the middle , and death in the conclusion . 3. I learn that I onght not to have fellowship with these unfruitful works of darkness ; Indeed , I have little reason , if I consider the two former particulars , yet how prone am I to it , either by my silence when they sin ; or by my secret complyance with them in their sin ! My corrupted heart is like Touch-wood , ready to take fire by the least spark . When others are bold to blaspheme God , I am apt through an ungodly bashfulness to hold my peace , little considering that I must one day answer as well for my sinful silence , as for every idle word . It s my duty to hold the jewel of my faith fast , lest Satan steal it from me ; to hold my profession to the end , lest by leaving my Colours , I lose my Crown ; but not to hold my peace in the quarrel of truth , lest by suffering sin in others , I wrong my own soul ; Where is my love to others , if I stand still whilst they destroy themselves ? It may well break the strings of my tongue ( as of the Son of Cyrus ) when sin ( like the Persian ) is ready to kill my Father , or Brother , or Neighbour ; Evil men are like Traytours , with whom if we act , or conceal , we are guilty . Where is my love to my self , if I take others intolerable burthens on my own back ? Sin is a load , too heavy for the stoutest , for the strongest to carry . Should I by my silence give consent to others Oaths , or Lyes , or Ieers at godliness and godly men ; I become a party in their bonds , and liable to make satisfaction for their debts , and may expect every moment when divine justice should Arrest me for them . O my soul ! what answer dost thou give to these Arguments ? Wouldst thou for all the World be one moment under the guilt of the least sin ! Didst thou never feel its weight , and water thy couch with tears by reason of it ? Hast thou not sighed out mournfully to God , There is no rest in my flesh , because of thine anger , nor quiet in my bones , because of my sin ? And wilt thou for fear of mens displeasure , incur the infinite Gods anger ? and to avoid ( at most ) a raze in thy flesh , admit a wide gash in thy conscience ? O that I might have more love to my self , and more respect for my neighbour , then to suffer sin upon him , through my cowardly silence , or to joyn with him by any inward complyance , lest both be involved in the same vengeance . Lord , the supplies of thy Spirit is the onely preservative against all infections ; be pleased to afford it to me , that I may keep my self pure in the most prophane society , and no way be partaker of other mens sin .

2 2 Do not needlesly expose thy self to suffering . I wish that I may always make the choice of Moses , rather to suffer affliction with the people of God , then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ; yet that I may never , through my rash zeal , or indiscreet medling with others matters , or imprudent opening my mind to every seeming friend , bring my self into suffering . I have trials and troubles enough from others , I need not be the procurer of any to my self . I am every way surrounded with foes , and shall I not be my own friend ? The World is my profest and dangerous enemy , for his sake who hath chosen me out of the world ; because it cannot reach the Master , it wrangleth with , and abuseth his servants ; He that is not its child ( but born from above ) must not expect to be its darling , but rather to be assaulted with its rage and revenge ; The Devil is my sworn and deadly adversary , always ready to put forth his utmost power and policy for my ruine . His Empire is large , his Subjects all at his service , and all his forces shall be used to make me suffer . Besides , my God is pleased sometimes , for the trial of my graces , and the purging out my corruptions , to cast me into manifold tribulations ; since I have then , so many assaults and afflictions from others , I have small cause to afflict my self . I desire that I may try before I trust , and not unlook the Cabinet of my heart before all , lest some prove Thieves . It s too ordinary for wicked ones , like Executioners , with one hand to embrace a man , and with the other to pluck out his bowels ; They may creep , and cringe , and fawn , and flatter , and as Crows , peck out my eys with praises , that they may afterwards more securely make a prey of me ; They as the Spies sent by the Scribes to Christ , feign themselves to be good men , that they might entrap him in his talk , Luk. 20. 20. Should I believe all that may pretend love , I may quickly be bereaved of my lively-hood and life . Companions of my secrets , are like locks that belong to an house ; whilst they are strong and close , they preserve me in safety ; but weak and open , they expose to danger , and make me a prey to others . My foolish freedom of declaring my mind , may , like the Devil in the possessed person , cast me sometimes into the fire , and sometimes into the water . Though many seemed to believe on Christ , he did not commit himself to them , because he knew all men ( Ioh. 2. 21. ) Though many seem to affect me , I may not commit ●y self to them , because I know no man . They who as Moses rod , seem at present to be a staff to support and stay me , may by and by prove Serpents to sting me . O that I might imitate my Saviour in his Politicks , as well as in his Piety , and not through my folly , put my outward comforts into the hands of them that hate me , and lay my self at their mercy . I would as my God calleth me , own my Saviour in every company , and never deny him , who witnessed before Pontius Pilate a good confession for me ; but I desire that the feet of my zeal may always be directed by the eyes of knowledge and discretion , lest the faster and the farther they carry me , the more I wander to my wo. My God tells me , He that keepeth his mouth , keepeth his life ; but he that openeth wide his lips , shall be destroyed , Prov. 13. 3. Bees , though engaged in hot skirmishes with other ●nsects , use not their stings ordinarily , but when they are transported with rage , and blinded with passion , then they use them to their own certain ruine and destruction . No less injurious is the fire of zeal to my self and others , where it is not bounded by wisdom . I fear many servants of God have felt the wrath of some men ( in a greater degree then they otherwise would , ) through the immoderate heats of some few Saints . If under colour of hatred against sin , I fall foul upon persons , or instead of reproving sin the work of the Devil , revile Magistracy , and the Ordinance of God , I may expect to suffer , and with little comfort , because as an evil doer . Zeal is like Granado's , and other fire-works , which if not well lookt to , and ordered , they do more hurt to them that cast them , then to t●e enemy . O that I might behave my self wisely in a perfect way , and behave my self prudently in the path of piety , that I may never be so foolish , as with the silly flye , to burn my self in the candle of wicked mens power , nor yet so unfaithful as to forsake my Captain , when he calleth me to fight the good fight of faith ; Let my ambition be , to be high in my Gods favour , and to have a large share in that eternal weight of glory above ; Let my care be here below to study peace , and to meddle with my own business ( O how much lyeth upon my hands every day in reference to my everlasting concernments ) to affect rather quietness from the World , then acquaintance with it , and to pass through it as a Pilgrim and stranger , with as little noise and no●ice as I can . Lord , whatsoever tribulation I meet with in the world , give me peace in thy Son ; make me as wise as a Serpent , as innocent as a Dove , that those who watch either to defile me in spirituals , or destroy me in civils , may be disappointed ; Let me not trust in man , whose words may be softer then Oyl , when war is in his heart , but let my whole confidence be fixt on thy self ; how freely may I unbosome my self to thee , without the least fear ! How willing art thou to hear ! How a●ble to help ! How true to all that trust thee ! thy faithfulness never faileth ; Thou art good , a strong hold in the day of adversity , and knowest them that trust in thee

I Wish that I may Confess Christ , whatsoever it may cost me , 3 3 Disown not Jesu , Christ in the worst Company . and though not thrust my self into danger , yet never betray my cause , or break through any Command , to avoid the cruelest death . It s common with the Hypocrite , as the Snail , to look what weather is abroad , and if that be stormy , to pull in his horns and hide his head . The Hedghog alters his hole according to the wind ; The swallow changeth his nest according to the season . The Bird Piralis takes the colour of any cloth on which she sits . There is a Tree ( say some Naturalists ) which opens and spreads its leaves when any come to it , and shuts them at their departure from it . The flies will abound in a sunshiny day , but if once it be cloudy , they vanish . When Christ rides to Jerusalem in triumph , many cry Hosanna , who when he is taken and tryed for his life , cry Crucifie , Crucifie . The Jacinct is changed with the Air ; in a clear season its bright , but if the air be overcast , its darksom . The unsound Christian is often sutable to his Company ; if they own godliness , it shall have his good word ; if they disrelish it , he can spit in the face of it ; But pure Coral keeps its native lustre , and will receive no colouring . The upright soul is constant in his profession , and changeth not his behaviour according to his Companions . Oh that I might never through shame or fear , disown him who hath already acknowledged me . Alas ! I have that in me , which he might well count a disgrace to him ; I am his creature , and so infinitely his Inferiour ; The vilest beggar is not near so much below the most potent Emperour , as I am in this respect to the Great God , and my Saviour ; The whole Creation is to him as nothing ; yea less then nothing , and vanity ; what then am I poor silly worm , that lie groveling in this earth ! I am a sinner , and thereby his disparagement and dishonour ; If a sober Master be ashamed of a deboice drunken servant ; much more may the holy Jesus , be ashamed of me an unholy wretch , and trayterous rebel , against his Crown and Dignity ; yet for all this distance , for all his difference , he is graciously pleased to acknowledge me , and shall not I own him ?

Either out of shame . If I be ashamed of him , I am a shame to him . But why should I be ashamed of Christ ? The object of shame is some evil which hath guilt or filth in it ; but he knew no sin , though he was made sin for me , that I might become the righteousness of God in him ; He was a Lamb without spot and blemish ; None of his malicious enemies could convince him of sin ; He is so far from being the object of shame , that he is infinitely worthy to be my boast and glory ; He is the Prince of life , the Lord of glory , the King of Kings , the Fountain of all excellency and perfection ; The highest Emperors have gloried in being his Vassals ; Angels count it their honour to serve the meanest of his Servants ; and shall I think it a disgrace to be one of his Attendants ? O that I might be ashamed of my sins , loath my self for all my abominations , be often confounded , because I bear the reproach of my youth ; but in no company , be it never so great or prophane , be ashamed of him who is the blessed and onely Potentate , and the glory of his people Israel .

Again , Of fear . Why should I out of fear disown my Saviour ? Is there any safety but in sanctity ? Whilst I travail in the Kings High-way , I have a promise of protection , but if I leave that upon any pretence , I run my self into peril and perdition . Those that when called to fight , flie from their colours , die without mercy . What can I expect , if I leave the Captain of my Salvation , but Marshal Law , even eternal death ? I may , possibly , by my cowardise , keep my skin whole , but I wound my conscience ; I sink my soul , to save my body ; as Lot , prostitute my Daughter , my dearest off-spring , that will abide with me for ever , to save my guests , which lodge with me for a night , and will be gone from me in the morning . What is it I fear , that I should be guilty of so hainous a fault ? Is it the worlds frowns and fury ? Why , Its kindness is killing , and therefore its cruelty is healing . If my God see it good , he can and will defend me from the worlds cruelty , without my denying Christ , and in direct courses ; and if it be his will , that I suffer for well-doing , I may commit the keeping of my soul to him , as to a faithful Creator . Certainly there is nothing to be gotten by the Worlds love , and nothing ( worth ought ) to be lost by its hatred . Why then should I seek that love which cannot help me , or fear that hate which cannot hurt me ? If I should be so foolish as to love it for loving me , my God would hate me for loving it . Do not I know that the friendship of the World is enmity against God ; If I loath it for hating me , it cannot injure me for loathing it . Let it then hate me , I will forgive it , but if it love me , I will not requite it ; for since its love is hurtful , and its hate harmless , I may well contemn its fury , and hate its favour ; Lord , thou hast commanded me , neither to love the worlds smiles , nor to fear its frowns ; I acknowledge that its allurements have been too prevalent in gaining my love , and its affrightments too powerful in causing my fear ; O that thy exceeding rich and precious promises , might make me despise all its glorious proffers ; and faith in thy threatnings , stablish my heart against all its childish bug-beares ; The fear of man bringeth a snare , but he that trusteth in thee is sure ; Let the dread of thy Majesty swallow up ( as Moses rod the Egyptians ) all fear of men . And since thy truth hath no need of my lye , thy power hath no need of my sin to preserve me safe , let me never break over the hedge of any of thy precepts , to avoid an afflicting providence , but in a way of well-doing , commit my ways unto the Lord , and my thoughts shall be established . Suffer me never to say , a confederacy to them , to whom thine enemies say , a confederacy , neither to fear their fear , but to sanctifie thee the Lord of Hosts , and to make thee my fear continually .

I Wish that since my God intends in all his providences , my spiritual and eternal good , 4 4 L●bour to get some good amongst them I may gain something by those that are most graceless ; and though Satan purposeth my defilement in my converses with them , yet they may prove my profit and advantage ; That blowing which seems to disperse the flames , and trouble the fire , doth make it burn the more clear ; The waters of others opposition , may increase my spiritual heat ; A dull Whet-stone may set an edge upon a Knife ; A mean , vile Porter , may bring me a considerable present ; Black coals may scour and make Iron Vessels bright ; Ashes cast upon fire , put it not out , but are helpful to preserve it all night against the morning , which would otherwise be consumed . Why may not my soul find some Pearl in the Heads of these Toads , and get some spirital riches , by trading with them for temporal ? Naturalists tell me , its wholsom for a flock of Sheep , to have some Goats amongst them , their bad sent being Physical to preserve the Sheep from the Shakings ; Surely then , the presence of ungodly men , may sometimes be profitable for me , and prevent that lightness and vanity which I am too apt to discover in every company ; Though I am loose amongst my friends , and it be my sorrow , I had need to be serious amongst mine enemies , lest I become their scorn . Frankincense put into the fire , giveth the greater perfume ; Civet doth not lose its savour , but is the sweeter in a sink ; O that my soul might draw the nearer to God , because others depart farther from him ; and do him the more service , and be the more diligent at his work , because they are so unworthy and wicked . Executioners and Hangmen are helpful to a Country , to free them from those Felons and Murderers that would destroy the Inhabitants ; My sins may receive their deaths wounds , through the hands of them who have no true love to me . My Pride may well be abated , because of their prophaness ; Free grace alone makes me to differ ; I had been as bad as the worst of them , if infinite mercy had not preserved me ; I shall be as bad , if boundless love do not prevent me : to God alone therefore belongs the glory . Possibly , they may sometimes twit me with my faults , and herein they may prove my friends . Every man hath need of a Monitor ; My friends too often are cowardly , and afraid to tell me my errors , lest they should give offence ; my en●mies will speak their minds freely , if they know any thing amiss by me , and so do me a great kindness ; Myrrhe though bitter , may heal wounds , and preserve from putrefaction ; so may the taunts and gibes of ungodly men , cure my inward sores , and make me watchful against future wandring . T was a worthy speech of the Macedonian King Philip , when he was told that Nicanor spake evil of him , I believe he is honest , and I fear I have deserved it .

I may also be the better for wicked mens counsel as well as their carping , if I have but the wit to follow it so far as it is good ; Evil Joab gave good counsel to David , and had he desisted upon it from numbring the people , it might have saved the lives of some thousands ; It is ordinary indeed to value the advice by the person , and thereby it becomes unprofitable ; But is silk the less precious , because it s spun by vile worms ? Are Roses the less sweet , because they grow amongst briers and brambles ? Silver and Gold are not the worse by being taken out of the lowest element , the Earth . That Wine may strengthen and refresh my nature , which is drawn out of a wooden or wormeaten caske . O that I might take the counsel of the worst , in that which is good , and refuse the counsel of the best , in that which is evil ! Lord , thou canst command that these stones of wicked men be made bread to nourish my soul ; teach me by their falls to walk more humbly with thee , and to cleave more fast to thy Son , through whose strength alone I stand ; Blessed be thy justice , which hath made them examples to me , and blessed be thy mercy , that hath not made me an example to them .

I Wish that whilst my God calleth me among them , 5 5 Endeavour to reform them . I may do good to them , as well as receive good from them , that I may as Musk , cast a fragrancy amongst such course and foul linnen . Though I hate their sins , yet I am bound to love and pity their souls . T is true , they are vile and vicious , they work iniquity , they walk after the flesh , they walk contrary to God , and bid him depart from them ; But may I not say , Father forgive them , they know not what they do ! Did they know him , they would not by their sins crucifie afresh the Lord of glory . It s no wonder that blind men should wander out of the right way , that those who have been kept in Dungeons all their days , should be contented with the poor Rush-candles of creature comforts , and never desire nor enquire after the Sun of Righteousness . Alas , the God of this World hath blinded their minds , lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ , who is the Image of God , should shine unto them . He knoweth , that did they but see the grace they abuse , the love they despise , the excellency and certainty of that Salvation which they neglect , and the extremity and endlesness of that misery which they are hastening to , they would quickly turn about , and mind the things which concern their everlasting peace ; therefore he holds his black hand over their eyes , and so they are alienated from the life of God , through the ignorance that is in them . O what pity should I have for such ignorant persons , as are running hoodwinkt to Hell ! If to him that is afflicted pity should be shewn , what pity doth he call for who is all over infected with sin , and every moment in danger of everlasting death ? Can I be troubled to behold the blind , or the lame , or the sick , and have I no bowels for those souls that lye weltring in their blood ! Besides , the time was , that I had as low thoughts of God and his ways , and as high thoughts of the flesh and the world as they ; I was once in their condition , a servant of sin , an heir of wrath , and therefore I owe them the more compassion . Those that have been sensible of the Stone , or Gout , or Tooth-ach , are the more pitiful towards them that are affected with the same pain . My God bids me to be gentle , shewing all meekness towards all men , ( Tit. 3. 2 , 3. ) Because I my self was sometimes disobedient , deceived , and serving divers lusts and pleasures . When I was wallowing in my uncleanness , and priding my self in my pollutions , the heart of my God was turned towards me , and the hand of mercy open to me . O my soul , shall not that infinite perdition to which thou wast obnoxious , and that infinite compassion of which thou hast tasted , prevail with thee to pity others ! O that thou wert so affected with the misery thou hast deserved , and that rich love and grace which thou hast received ; that thou mightest seriously and studiously endeavour by thy affectionate counsel , pious carriage , and prudent admonition , that others may be partakers of the same mercy and grace ; if my carriage be unblameable , my counsel and reproof will be the more acceptable ; wholsom meat , often is distastful , coming out of nasty hands . A bad liver cannot be a good counsellor , or bold reprover ; such a man must speak softly for fear of awaking his own guilty ●onscience . If the Bell be crackt , the sound must needs be jarring .

I desire that I may be as bold to reprove as others are to commit sin ; yet that I may be so prudent , as never to reproach the sinner when I reprove the sin , lest I break their heads instead of their hearts , and make them flie in my face , instead of falling down at Gods feet ; Bone-setters must deal very warily , and Physick is given with great advice , and in dangerous diseases not without a consultation . I would distinguish between crimes , and not fall upon any ( as the Syrians did on Gilead , Amos. 1. 3. ) with a flail of Iron , when a small wand may do the work , nor ( as Jeroboam threatened Israel ) chastise them with Scorpions , who may be reformed with Whips . It was not the heat , but the cool of the day , when my God came down to reprove Adam ; The wrath of man worke●h not the righteousness of God ; It s in vain to undertake to cast out Satan with Satan , or sin with sin . I must turn anger out of my nature , but I must not turn my nature into anger . Yet , let me be serious , not light in all my admonitions ; It s ill playing or jesting with one that is destroying and damning himself ; Would it not stick close to me another day , should I laugh at them at this day , that are going into the place of weeping , and wailing , and gnashing of teeth ? My frothy carriage would as Hazaels cloth dipt in water , instead of recovering , stifle my brother to death . Physick works best when its warm ; I must love my Neighbour as my self . True self-love will throw the first stone at its own sin . I may not suffer sin in my self , therefore not in my neighbour . Lord , thou hast commanded me in any wise to rebuke my neighbour , and not to suffer sin upon him . I confess , it s an unpleasing work to rake into sores and ulcers ; If I lance festred wounds , I make the Patients angry by putting them to pain ; and O how averse is my wicked heart to such a task ! I am prone to fear their ill-will more then thine , and rather to let them rot in the hony of flattery , then preserve and save them by faithful admonition . How backward is my cowardly spirit to undertake the work ? how many excuses will it plead for its neglect ? When through grace I have overcome those lets and hinderances , how flatteringly and unfaithfully do I go about it ? rather stroaking the sinner , then striking the sin . O pardon my omissions of this duty , and all my falseness in the performance of it ! Let thy Spirit so encourage me , that I may not fear the faces of men ; so direct me , that affectionately , prudently , and zealously I may admonish them that go astray ; and O do thou so prosper and bless , that I may bring them home to thy flock and fold .

I Wish that I may unfaignedly bewail others wickedness , 6 6 Lament those sins which thou canst not prevent . and lament that dishonour to my God , which I cannot hinder . It s an ill sign of my Sonship , for others to blaspheme the name of my father , and me to be insensible . Adoption is ever accompanied with filial affection . If I expect the priviledges , I must ensure the properties of a Child . Nature will teach me to be troubled for affronts that are offered to the Father of my flesh , and will not grace enable me to be greived at the dirt which wicked men throw in the ●ace of the Father of Spirits . Again , I must not look for freedom from others sufferings , unle●● I lay to heart their sins . The mourners in Sion , are those that in a common calamity are markt for safety , Ezek. 9. The destroying Angel will take me to be as gu●lty as others , if it fixd me without grief , and so wrap me up in their punishments ; my God himself , judgeth me infected with those sins , for which I am not afflicted ; and can I then think to escape ? O that my head were water , and mine eyes fountains of tears , that I might weep day and night , for the iniquity and misery of dying gasping sinners ! Lord , thou canst fetch water out of this rocky heart , and open the sluces of my eyes ; Break my heart , because others break thy Commands ; When others kindle the fire of thine anger , help thy serv●nt to draw water , and poure it out before thee . Let me be so far from seeing others provoke the eyes of thy glory without sorrow , that when ever I remember the transgressours I may be greived , because they forsake thy statutes ; Let rivers of tears run down mine eyes , when the wicked forsake thy Law .

Conclusion . I cannot for my life so carry my self , but I shall sometimes fall amongst wicked men . Whilst I am amongst them I endanger my soul , either by complying with , or conniving at them in their evil actions . There is no safety in evil society . Such Pitch is apt to defile my conscience ; Who can expect to come off without loss from such Cheats and Juglers ? It is the peevish industry of wickedness to find or make a fellow . Besides , they are Children of the world , whose friendship is enmity against my God ; they are Children of disobedience , therefore contrary to my new nature , and so must needs be uncomfortable to me ; Children of the Devil , therefore Traytors against Christ , and so abominable to my God . I cannot be certain , not to meet with evil companions , but I will be careful not to be their consorts . I would willingly sort my self with such as should either teach me vertue , or learn of me to avoid vice . And if my Companion cannot make me better , nor I him good , let me rather leave him ill , then he should make we worse . Though if I depart from ●hem , the world will judge me proud , yet should I stay with them needlesly , my God would count me prophane ; and is it not better that men accuse me falsly , then God condemne me justly ? What need I care what men think , so God approve ! T is to his judgement that I must stand or fall for ever . It is likely that those who cannot defile my conscience , will injure my credit , and publish to their fellows that I am a precise fool ; But this is my comfort , there is a time coming , when innocency will cause the greatest boldness ; and freedom from sin , will do me more service , and be infinitely more worth , then the highest renown that ever mortal acquired . Lord , thy people in this world , are as Lillies among Thorns ; The Canaanites of the Land , are Thornes in the eyes , and Pricks in the sides of thy true Israelites . Wo is me that I dwell in Meshech , and my habitation is in the Tents of Kedar ; My soul hath long dwelt with them that hate peace . They like not me , because I am not like to them , and count my Company not good , because it is not bad , and I dare not sin with them . They are mine enemies , because I follow the thing that good is ! O how black are their tongues with railing , and their hearts with rage , against them who dare not provoke thee as much as themselves ! I am ready to say now , upon the view of their abominations , and the hearing their Oaths and Curses , and Blasphemies ; Cursed be their anger for it is fierce , and their rage , for it is cruel ; O my soul , enter not thou into their secrets ; mine honour be not thou united unto them ; for in their anger they seek to destroy souls , and in their self-will they dig pits to cause others to fall . Because they cannot defile the brethren , they defame the brother-hood , and disgrace them whom they cannot deceive . Let the heat of their lust increase my longing after that place where there is no Judas among thine Apostles , no Demas among thy Disciples , where all the Society will be of one mouth and mind , of one heart and way , where all the Company● will joyn in consort , and the whole Celestial Q●ire tune their strings and raise their voices to the highest pitch in sounding thine excellencies , and singing thy praises without sin or ceasing . There will be no Tobias , to indict thy children of Treason against men , for their faithfulness to thee ; There will be no Ahab to accuse thy best servants , as troublers of the state , for reproving the Idolatries and enormities of the Church ; There will be no Balaam trying his hellish tricks , to make thy people a prey to their bodily foes , and a provocation by their sins to thy Majesty ; There will be no Tares in that Field , no Straw in that Barn , no Vessels of dishonour in that House ; Into it can in no wise enter any thing that defileth , or is unclean . The Company there will be ( not tempting me to wickedness , or taxing me with preciseness , but ) part of my felicity . O what an happy day will it be , when all prophane Esaus , and scoffing Ishmaels , shall be cast out of the House , and I shall sit down with Abraham , Isaac , and Iacob , and with none but the holy of the Lord in the Kingdom of Heaven ! Holy Father , let the skirt of thy mercy cover all my iniquities and failings in evil company , and grant that my carriage amongst such persons ( whilst I am through thy providence forced to be amongst them ) may be so pious and gracious ; that at that great Harvest-day , when thou wilt separate the chaff from the good corn , and burn it up with unquenchable fire , I may be wholly free from their vicious infections , and vexatious presence ; and associate with the Spirits of just men made perfect , an innumerable company of Angels , the General Assembly and Church of the first born , and enjoy them all in , and with thy blessed self , for ever and ever ,

Amen .

CHAP. IV. How Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness , in good Company ; With a Good Wish about that Particular .

HAving dispatched the Christians carriage in evil , I proceed to his behaviour in good Company .

The Communion of Saints is the most desirable and delectable society that the whole creation affordeth . God himself is pleased to delight in the Assembles of his people ; He loveth the gates of Zion ( where they met together ) above all the dwellings of Jacob , Psa. 87. 2. The evil spirit is for solitariness , he walketh in solitary places , seeking rest , Mat. 12. But God is for society , he dwelleth among his children , and bestoweth his choicest comforts upon the Congregations of his poor . The Father provideth the greatest cheer , and maketh the best feast when many of his Children come together to wait upon him , though each coming singly is welcome to his Table . The Spirit of God fell down in an extraordinary measure upon the Primitive Christians , when they were gathered together in one place , and with one consent , Act. 2. 1 , 2. Naturalists tell us that strife and quarrelling among the Bees , is a sign that the Queen-Bee is about to leave the Hive and be gone . It s plain , that when the Disciples were scattered , every man to his ow● 〈◊〉 the Lord ●●su● w●s leaving them● but when they were met together with one accord , then he came unto them and said , Peace be unto you , receive ye the Holy Ghost , Joh. 20.

God cannot affect contentious spirits ; he would not appear in a blustring wind , or in an earth-quak , but in a still low voice ; when the difference between Abraham and Lot was over , then God appeared to Abraham , Gen. 13. 14.

As God delights in the company of his Children , Isa: 62. 4. Thou shalt be called Hephzibah , i.e. my delight is in her , so the Saints delight in communion with one another ; things of like Nature , desire to be joyned together . Love the consequent of likeness , hath an attractive power , and covets the presence of the party beloved ; Balm put into the Bee hives , causeth the Bees to come together , and others to come to them . Grace like fire , soders together those that before differed . Hence , Saints are like Doves , they flie in troops to their windows , Isa. 60. 8. Though the Pellicane be a melancholly Bird , and naturally inclineth to desarts , yet when they remove their places , they go in companies , and the first stay for the last , as they flie over the Mountains , Isa. 34. 11● Eph. 2. 14. Though Saints love sometimes to be solitary , as having secret business with their God , yet they do not forsake the assembling themselves together . That verse , Psa. 84. 7. which we read , they go from strength to strength , every one of them in Sion appearing before God , Iunius reads it , and so it is in the Hebrew , They go from Company to Company ; as they went up to Jerusalem , they went in troopes and companies ; Possibly we translate it strength , because much of our safety consisteth in good society . He that travails alone , is ea●ily made a prey , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , One man is no man ; Even Counties that have been large , have drawn themselves into Associations , for mutual and common defence .

Hebron , which was a type of the Church , takes its name from Cabar , to accompany , and thence Chebron or Hebron , a pleasant or delectable society . The Saints are all (a) (a) Gal. 6 10. One Family , One Houshold , (b) (b) Ephes. 3.6 . One Body , (c) (c) Joh 10. 4 16. One Sheep-fold , (d) (d) 1 Pet. 2. 4 , 5. One Brother-hood , (e) (e) Ephes. 1. 20 , 21 , 22. One Building , one Vine-yard , one Army , one Spouse ; to shew that oneness which ought to be in affection among them . Christ tells us of his Spouse , Cant. 6.9 . My Dove is one , the onely one of her Mother ; Hence the Primitive Christians , though some thousands , are said to be of one heart , and of one soul ; of one heart in unity of affection , and of one soul in unity of judgement , Act. 4. 32. In Tertullians time the Heathen admired the Christians for their love , saying , Look how the Christians love one another . Phil. 2. 2. 1 Cor. 1. 10. Jerusalem is a City compact together , at unity within it self , Psa. 122. 3. Babel was confounded by diversity of tongues ; and the Citizens of Zion are confirmed by being of the same mind and mouth , by speaking all the same thing . O how many arguments doth the Spirit of God use to perswade them to oneness and unity . He tels them , they have one Father , Rom. 8. 14. One Mother , Gal. 4. 26. that they are begotten by the same immortal seed , 1 Pet. 1. 23. and nourished by the same milk , 1 Pet. 2. 2. He calls them co-workers in the same labours , co-heirs of the same life , Rom. 16. 3. and 8. 17. Stones of the same building , then which there cannot be a more firm connexion ; and branches of the same Vine , then which there cannot be a more inherent inoculation . How Pathetically doth the loving Redeemer exhort his Disciples to love and oneness ! He giveth them his precept ; A new Commandement give I unto you , that ye love one another ; not but that it was an old duty , but because envy and malice had prevailed so much among the Jews , that to love was a new thing . Again , This is my commandment , that ye love one another , as if there were nothing else that he required but this , or as if this of all the Commandments was that which Jesus loved best . He sets before them his own pattern , As I have loved you , so ought ye to love one another . The love of Christ should prevail with Christians to lay down their lives for him , and shall it not prevail to lay down their strifes among themselves ? Further , How affectionately doth he pray to his Father to bestow this blessing upon them ? That they all may be one , as thou Father art in me , and I in thee , that they also may be one in us . And the glory which thou hast given me , I have given them , that they may be one , even as we are one ; I in them , and thou in me , that they may be made perfect in one , and that the world may know that thou hast sent me , and hast loved them as thou hast loved me , i. e. Father , did we ever fall out ? was there ever any discord between us ? why then should they that are thine and mine , disagree ! Ioh. 17. 21,22,23 .

Mark these three particulars about this prayer .

1. The Petitioner , that is Christ , who was the wisdom of the Father , in him dwelt the treasures of wisdom and knowledge : He fully understood what request would be most advantagious for his people . Besides , he was the Head and Husband of his Church , naturally caring for her welfare as his own , and so his love would prompt him to desire what his wisdom saw most conducing to her happiness . 2. The repetition of his petition ; He begs the same boon of his Father four times in three verses ; He had the Spirit without measure , and so could not be guilty of vain ta●tologies . Surely then that which Christ ( whose wisdom was unsearchable , and whose love to his beyond all compare ) doth press with so much earnestness and instance , must needs be of very great weight and consequence . 3. The particular season of this petition , for unity , or the subject of it . He had in the former part of his prayer confined himself within the narrow compass of the Apostles ; but in the 20. v. having made a perfect transition from them to all believers , word● he is importunate with his Father for their union and unity . When the dearest Redeemer puts the whole company of believers together both Jews and Gentiles , that were at that present , or ever should be in the world , he pitcheth upon this as the most eminent petition he could put up for them . It is not That they all may be enriched , or honoured upon earth ; nay it is not That they all may be adopted , sanctified and saved ; but , That they all may be one as we are one ; as if the whole Kingdom of Grace and Glory did consist in this , and as if this once obtained , all were done that was needful for them . Besides , he makes this the visible character of their Christianity , that badge which would publish to all they met their relation to Christ ; By this shall all men know ye are my Disciples , if ye love one another ; this is the livery which will speak to what Master ye belong . By this , not by casting out Devils , but by casting out Discord ; not by releiving one another occasionally , but by loving each other fervently , shall all men know ye are my Disciples .

The differences amongst Christians can never be sufficiently lamented ; That they who are all near to God , should behold one another afar off ; and they who are all acquainted with Christ , should be unacquainted among themselves . Iob laments this fault in his three friends , These ten times have ye reproached me ; are ye not ashamed that ye have made your selves strange unto me ? Job . 19.3 . That they who are brethren , begotten of the same Father , born of the same Mother , fed at the same Table , educated under the same Tutor , attended with the same Servants , arrayed with the same Garments , and heirs of the same Inheritance , should be strange to one another , is a great , a gross shame . Many hundred Devils can agree together in one man , and yet in some parts not ten Christians can agree together in one house . One of the Fathers was so much affected with the divisions of Christians that he profest himself ready to let out his heart blood to cement them together . Both the honour of Religion and our own interest do both command us to unite . It was no small reflection on Christians that Mahomets great champion should have cause to say , I shall sooner see my fingers all of a length , then Christians all of a mind . T is true , till we have all one eye , we shall never in all things be of one judgement ; but must a small difference in opinion cause such a distance in affection ? Must we make the Devils and enemies of Christ musick by our discords ? when the foes of God and our own souls are in sight of us , shall we be fighting to make them sport , and to give them an opportunity to destroy us ? The wicked of the world warm themselves by that fire of division which the heats of some weak Christians kindle . It is observable that the Spirit of God , mentioning the contention between the herdsmen of Abrahams cattel , and the herdsmen of Lots cattel , immediately subjoyns in the same verse , And the Canaanite and the Perezite dwelt then in the land , Gen. 13.7 . Some think to shew the occasion of the difference betwixt them , their cattel increasing so much , and those Nations dwelling among them , they had not sufficient room and therefore wrangled . Others think that latter clause is inserted , to shew the hainous aggravation of their sin : It had been bad enough to have quarrelled where none but Saint● had been in company and spectators of their strife ; but it s much worse to fall out in the midst of their enemies ; hereby they expose their profession to derision , and their persons to destruction . Plutarch observes that Dion calmed the boisterous spirits of his mutinous Souldiers , by saying Your enemies yonder ( pointing to the Castle of Syracusa , which he then besieged ) behold your mutinous behaviour : And shall neither the eyes of men nor Angels , nor of God himself , which always observes the strifes and contentions amongst his children , prevail with them to put a way envying , and variance , and emulation , and wrath , and perswade them to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ! The foolish Cranes by fighting beat down one another , and so are taken : Civil dissentions make Christians a prey . Neither men nor devils ( which God hath used as his Officers and Constables to punish them ) had ever had such power over them , had they but kept the King of Heavens peace . Surely , for the divisions of Sion there ought to be great searchings of heart . O when shall we see the day that those glorious Gospel-promises and Prophesies shall be accomplished ! The Wolf also shall dwell with the Lamb , and the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid , the Calf , and the young Lion , and the fatling together , and a little child shall lead them . And the Cow and the Bear shall feed , their young ones shall lie down together ; and the lion shall eat straw with the Ox ; And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the Asp , and the weaned child shall put his hand to the Cockatrice den . They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain , saith the Lord , Isa. 11.6,7,8,9 . Isa. 65. ult. One would think that heart-sprung pathetical exhortation of the Apostle should sound a retreat , and call Christians off from their violent and virulent pursuit of each other ; If there be ther●fore any consolation in Christ , if ●ny comfort of love , if any fellowship of the Spirit , if any bowels and mercies , Fulfill ye my joy , that ye be like minded , having the same love , being of one accord , of one minde , Phil. 3. 1. 2.

Reader , I shall give thee two or three Motives to quicken thee to mind and frequent the Company of good men ; then acquaint thee wherein the exercising thy self to godliness in such Company consisteth .

SECT. I.

FIrst ,

Motives to frequent good company .

The good of good Company .

Consider the extraordinary good of Christian society . The Children of God are like Ambergreece , sweetest in composition . When Flower is added to Flower , and many tyed together , the Posie is the more pleasant .

Company is in it self eligible ; Banishment is esteemed a civil death , and counted a punishment but one remove from a natural death . Hence , how much hath it been bewailed , not onely by a Cain ; Thou hast driven me this day from the face of the earth , Gen. 4. 14. but even by a David ; I am like a Pellican of the Wilderness , I am like an Owl of the Desart ; I watch , and am as a Sparrow alone upon the house top , Psa. 102. 6 , 7. But how much worth is the society of the Saints ? Christian society is like an Arch-building , wherein every stone upholds its fellow , which if it should not , the whole would suddenly fall . One hand , saith Euripides , can make but weak defence ; but as our Latine Proverb is , Multorum manibus grande levatur onus , Many hands make light work . Several Horses may draw that weight with ease , which one is not able to stir . Saints help each other , as the several parts of the building ; the Foundation bears up the Walls , the Walls bear up the Roof , the Rafters bear up the Laths , the Laths bear up the Tiles ; Hence it is esteemed a priviledge to a Town or City to be made a Corporation . And Merchants manage their callings , not onely more orderly , but also more successfully , when they are once made a company . Surely Paul would never have sent some hundred miles for Timothy , if his company had not been of great value . Dr. Taylor blessed God that ever he came into Prison , to be acquainted with that Angel of God John Bradford . One sinner is a Devil to another , tempting and provoking each other to wickedness ; Therefore the Philosopher , seeing two vicious persons together , cryed out ; See how the Viper is borrowing poison of the Asp ! But one Saint is an Angel to another , perswading and encouraging one another to holiness . They take sweet counsel together , and go to the house of God in company . The Patriarchs removed their Habitations for the benefit of water-springs . Every Saint is in some sense a Well of living water ; and did men but know their worth , they would delight more to be with them . Sure I am , he that hath such a good Neighbour , shall never want a Good-morrow . As a Pomander Ball cast into a Censer , will fill the whole house with its pleasant savour , so a Christian will endeavour to perfume all that come near him . How pleasant then is the favour arising from many Christians in company together !

The society of the Prophets is able to make even a Saul to prophesie ; The Pleiades , which are the seven stars , joyned in one constellation , ( Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades ? Job 38. 31. ) help one another in their work , which is to bring on the Spring , the best season of the year ; Christians in consort are an abridgement of Heaven , shining like a Firmament of bright Stars , not one malevolent aspect among them , and they all conspire together , to further a spring and new shoot of grace , the best of blessings in each others hearts . As Sincerity is the heart of Religion , so society is the breath of Religion , it helps to preserve it alive . The spiritual life of the Philippians , did upon their first quickening , appear by this , and t was also very helpful for their continuance and increase , Phil. 1. 5.

No Christians are so full , but they stand in need of their fellows ; He that had as large a stock of grace as any since Christ , yet could not live without commerce with others , Rom. 15. 24. The goodliest house may want a shoar . The Shunamite , though she told the Prophet she dwelt among her own people , and therefore needed not any to speak for her to the King , was glad to receive that kindness by the hands of the Servant , which she denyed to accept from his Master .

I shall mention the advantage of good Company , in five particulars .

First , By good Company , sinful souls have been converted . A crooked Bough , joyned to a strait one , groweth strait ; Latimer was converted from Popery , by the good Company and Conference of Master Bilney . The Daughters of Ierusalem , came to be in love with the Bridegroom , by being in company with his Bride ; by being acquainted with the Church , they became enamoured with Christ . At first they wondered at her fondness of him , that she was so impatient till she had found him ( Cant. 5. 8 , 9. ) but they had not been long with her , before the heat of her love had warmed them with the same earnest desire and longings . Whither is thy beloved gone , O thou fairest among women ? whither is thy beloved turned aside , that we may seek him with thee ! Cant. 6.1 . They that come where oyntments and sweet spices are stirring , carry away some of the savour . One live coal may set a whole stack on fire ; Evil Company , like the River Melas in Baeotia , makes all the sheep that drink of it black ; Fulk . Meteor . lib. 4. but Good Company , rather like Clitumnus in Italy , makes them that drink of it white . Saul , by being in Company with a wise Servant , was brought to hear of a Kingdom ; He that walketh with wise men , shall be wise , Prov. 13. 20. This made Algerius the Italian Martyr , say , I had rather be in Prison with Cato a wise man , of whom I might learn some good , then in the Senate-house with Caesar.

As one Circle caused by a stone thrown into the water , begets a second , and that a third ; And as one Rain-bow begets another , and they two together beget a third ; so one Christian helps to beget another to Christ , and they two joyning , turn more from the errors of their ways . Holiness like an Elixar , by contraction , if any disposition in the mettal , will render it of the same property . The Indians were brought to embrace the Christian faith , by the holy conference and company of Edesins and Frumentius , two private Christians .

Secondly , By good company pious souls have been confirmed . Whilst Latimer and Ridley lived , they kept up Cranmer by intercourse of letters . Christian conference is a great help to perseverance . The staff of bonds was the Jews beauty and safety , Zach. 11.14 . Company causeth courage ; the beams of joy are the hotter for reflection . Ipse aspectus viri boni delectat , saith the Moralist , The very countenance of a good man makes us chearful . Our sight of him is reviving to us . When Paul saw the brethren , he blessed God , and took courage , Act. 28. 15. When many Mariners pull at a rope together , they strive with the more alacrity ; therefore Christ sent his Disciples by two and two , Mark 6.7 . When Ionathan went against the Philistines , he would take his Armour-bearer along with him . The blessed Jesus going into the Garden to his bitter , bloody Agony , chose Peter , Iames and Iohn to accompany him . The great Apostle expected comfort from the Ro●mans company , and hoped to confirm them by his ; For I long to see you , that I might impart unto you some spiritual gift , to the end ye may be established . The closer the stones of the Edifice are joyned together , the stronger is the Building ; That I might be comforted together with you , by the mutual faith both of you and me . Grace is the Oyl of gladness , and the more of this oyl , the more of gladness ; when Pauls faith and the Romans met in one channel , such a river of oyl would be a river of pleasure : The union of such flames could not but become a good fire , to refresh and rejoyce their hearts : Iob. 41.16 . As it s said of Leviathan , that his scales are his pride , i.e. his streng●h in which he boasteth ; and the reason of it is rendred , One is so near to another that no air can come betweeu them ; They are joyned one to another they stick together , that they cannot be sundred : So it may be said of the people of God , Their unity will be their security ; when one is so near to another that no enemy can come between them , when they are joyned one to another and stick together that they cannot be sundred , then it may be said of them as of him , In their neck remaineth strength , and sorrow is turned into joy before them , ver. 21.

Secondly , By good company erring Saints have been recovered . Holy David lay sleeping in his sin till his good friend Nathan jogged and awakened him . Many a one hath been roused out of his spiritual lethargy by private admonition . Hence saith Solomon , Two are better then one , because they have a good reward for their labour . For if they fall , the one will lift up his fellow ; but wo to him that is alone when he falleth , for he hath not another to help him up , Eccles. 4. 9 , 10. Men that are troubled with the Falling-sickness , are sometimes carried away and die with their distemper , it seising upon them when none is with them ; but when they fall amongst company , by rubbing and chaffing them they often come to themselves again . Every scandalous sin especially is a kind of Falling-sickness , very dangerous to the soul ; its ill therefore for them that are overtaken with it and have none with them by serious admonition to recover them out of it .

I have read of a Minister that in the night had a sudden motion to go visit a certain neighbour , and though he argued with himself the unseasonableness of the time , and his ignorance of any cause for such an action ; yet the impulse upon him was so strong that he could not withstand it ; so going to that friends house late in the night , he found none at home save the Master of the house . Truly , ( saith the Minister to him ) I am come to your house thus late , but I know not to what end , nor for what purpose . Yea ( saith the man of the house ) but God knoweth ; for I have made away , through my prophaneness , so many childrens portions , and here is the rope in my pocket , with which I was going to hang my self . But what , replied the Minister , if I can tell you of one that made away with more portions , and yet was saved ? Who was that ? said the Neighbour . Adam , saith the Minister , who as a publique person , was intrusted with the stock of all his posterity , and prodigally wasted them , yet was saved . Thus by his serious and seasonable counsel , he stayed the man from his purpose , and was , probably , instrumental for much spiritual good to him .

Fourthly , By good Company , dull Christians have been quickened . Two cold things , steel and flint , smitten together , send forth fire . When two lye together they have warmth , but how can one be warm alone ? Eccles. 4. 11. When David was old , and his natural heat decayed , they got a young damsel to lye neer him , and to put some warmth into him ; Cold Christians have been heated , by being near others that have been glowing coals . When Silas and Timothens came from Macedonia , Paul was pressed in Spirit ; before , he was warm , but then in a light flame , Act. 18. 5. Some men of weak stomachs , have fed the more for seeing others fall so heartily to their meat . As Iron sharpeneth Iron , so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend , Prov. 27. 17. Some interpret the words thus , Rub Iron against Iron , and it giveth an edge unto it ; so if a man lye often grating upon his friend , by unkind usage , it will sharpen his countenance to discontent , and make his spirit keen and angry ; and to make good this exposition , they observe , that the wise man doth not say , so a friend sharpeneth , &c. but , so a man ; because , by his unworthy carriage , he puts off the nature of a friend , and therefore doth not deserve the name● But I rather incline to the other interpretation ; As Iron sharpeneth Iron ; Rub one file against another , and though before they were dull and blunt , they both become thereby bright and sharp ; So friends that are heavy and backward , and over-run with rust , for want of use , by mutual conference and communion , they become lively , quick , and keen , about spiritual things . Christian society , like rubbing Iron against Iron , takes away that rust which made them so dull and unactive , and sets a spiritual edge upon them . Vrbanus Regius , an eminent Dutch Divine , meeting with Luther about Goburg , he spent a whole day in conference with him , In vit . of which himself writeth , that he never had a more quickening , comforting day all his life time .

Fifthly , By good Company , much sin hath been prevented ; Christian society is like the pulse , which ariseth from the heart , and hath a double Motion , of contraction , and dilatation , both for the expelling of noxious fumes , through the insensible pores of the flesh , and for the drawing in of cool air to refresh the heart and vital parts . It s useful to increase grace ; Sothern-wood groweth best in Gardens where its first planted ; Grace shoots up most in Gods Vineyard , amongst his Plants ; The out-lying Dear , that leave the Herd , seldom thrive . Those parts dye that are severed from the body . It s useful to prevent vice . That deformed Harlot hath been ashamed to appear in such honest Company . The Romans durst not call for their obscene Plays in Catos presence .

When David was like to be slain , Abishai came and rescued him ; good company hath prevented the Christians falling from Christ . Peter confest Christ among the holy Apostles , though he denyed him among the ungodly Servants of the High Priest . If one prevail against a man , two shall withstand him , and a threefold cord is not easily broken , Eccles. 4. 12. Two streams united into one channel , may bear up a Vessel of some burthen . Iunius being much tempted to Atheism , profest himself very much helpt against it , by discoursing with a plain Countryman near Florence .

Naturally , saith Chrysostom , A man hath but one head to advise him , one tongue to speak for him , two hands to work , two feet to walk , and two eyes to see for him . Now , saith he , had a man that skill and cunning , to make that one head many , and that one tongue many , and so his eyes , and feet , and hands many , he would hardly be circumvented by any carnal policy . Good Company doth this , it makes that one head many , that one tongue many , those two hands , eyes , feet , many ; for Saints study for others good as well as their own ; their eyes , their tongues , their hands and feet are always imployed for the benefit of their companions . Now in many Counsellours there is much safety . He that hath many eyes to watch for him , is likeliest to be kept from falling . No Vessels are in such hope of security , and to be defended from Pyrates , as those that sail with so strong a Convoy . As God hath set conscience to watch over the inner man , and by reason of that help we avoid much unholiness ; so God hath set Christians to watch over one anothers outward man ; and truly , these eyes being over us , may prevent the commission of much evil .

The society of Saints , is sometimes in Scripture compared to a Garden ; It hath fruits and drugs in it , of all sorts , some for food , some for Physick , some for corrosives , some for Cordials , some to warm the frozen Saints , some to cool the fiery sinner , some are profitable for one purpose , some for another ; For as we have many members in one body , and all members have not the same office ; So we being many , are one body in Christ , and we all members one of another , Rom. 12. 5 , 6. A company of Christians , is a great Fair , where all sorts of provision , both for necessity and delight , is to be had . Hence Satan is so busie and diligent , if it be possible , to prevent Christian Communion , I was coming once and again , but Satan hindered me , 1 Thes. 2. 18. And his servants have learned this of their hellish Master . Iulian the Apostate , and the Heathen Emperours banished Christians into Islands where they could not have access one to another , being suspicious that their mutual communion would tend much to their mutual comfort and confirmation . Bradford was accused to do more hurt in prison , by his Letters and Speeches , then in the Pulpit by his Preaching . One Christian cometh to another , as Paul to his Romans , with the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel of Christ Therefore as Cato would often make division amongst his Servants , judging their union to tend to his disadvantage ; so Satan soweth discord amongst Christians , knowing their concord would tend to the throwing down his Kingdom .

Surely , of all fellowships , this is the onely good fellowship ; Next to communion with God , there is no communion like the communion of Saint●● The World doth but catechrestically name their rabble of drunken , swearing , and riotous wretches , * * In the same sense that the Poet speaks , A●ri sacra fames ; or as mons is so called , a non movendo . Good Fellows ; No otherwise then the Atheistical Popes are termed Pii , the greedy cormorants called Innocents , and the earthly Muck worms Caelestines . The conjunction of sinners , is a combination with Divels ; The Prince of darkness is the head of their league , and they all wear his black colours . But the communion of Saints is a fellowship with God , he is the foundation of their union ; These things write I unto you ; that ye may have fellowship with us , and truly our fellowship is with the Father , and Iesus Christ his Son , 1 Joh. 1. 3. What fellowship can in any respect compare with theirs , who have fellowship , not only with Christians , the highest and most excellent of Men , or with Angels , the noblest and most honourable of creatures , but even with God himself , the Fountain and Ocean of all honour and perfection ! O how happy is that company which hath his presence ! how amiable is that Council which hath such a President ! and how desireable is their amity , who are united under this blessed and glorious Potentate ! May it not be said of such Companions , what Zeba and Zal●unna spake of Gideons brethren , Each one resembled the child of a King ? Judg. 8. 18. Their Parentage is so great , their society is so gracious , and their priviledges are so glorious , that if a man purchase his freedom of a Company in one of our Cities , at so dear a rate ; what should he not give or do to be free of this Corporation ? He that hath but an eye of faith to see the glory ●nd magnificence of this Society , may well express himself , as Titus the Emperour , when he saw the remainder of the Sanctum Sanctorum , Now I well perceive that this is none other then the house of God , and the dwelling of the God of Heaven ; neither was it for naught that the Iews stood so earnestly in the defence thereof ; For great is the glory of this Temple ; The splendour thereof is without compare .

SECT. II.

2 2 Motive . Wicked men joyn together . SEcondly , Consider , Wicked men joyn together to advance the Kingdom of Satan , and to provoke one another to lewdness and wickedness ; and shall not Saints unite to exalt the interest of Christ , and to provoke one another to love and to good works ? There is so much monstrous emnity in the hearts of carnal ones , against God and holiness , that when the tide of their own lusts , and the stream of their headstrong passions would carry them swiftly towards Hell , yet as if this were too little , they hoise up sail and help one another forward with the strong winds of provocation . They encourage themselves in an evil matter , they commune of laying wait privily , Psa. 64. 5. As Sampsons Foxes , they joyn tayl to tayl , with their firebrands to burn up the good Corn ; As Simeon and Levi , they are brethren in iniquity , the instruments of cruelty are in their habitations ; Shall they as Ananias and Saphira , agree together to tempt the Spi●it of the Lord ? and shall not Saints agree together to please the Spirit of the Lord ? Surely , if sinners have their Come with us , let us lay wait for blood , let us all have one purse ; Saints may well ●ave their , Come let us go up to the House of the Lord , Come let us walk in the light of the Lord , ●sa. 2. 5. Come let us joyn our selves to the Lord , in a Covenant not to be forgotten .

It is confiderable , that though sinners differ never so much amongst themselves , yet they can unite against the Lord and his chosen . Herod and Pilate , before at odds , can comply as friends , and joyn together against the Lord Christ . As Dogs of differing colours , disagreeing bigness , and of several kinds , that sometimes for bones and scrap● fight and mangle and tear one another , can with one voice , and cry , and consent , pursue the poor innocent Hare ; So the Kennel of Sathans Hell-hounds , though sometimes they quarrel among themselves , about the honours and riches of this world , and are ready to rent one another in peices , yet can , with open mouth , and full cry , all joyn to persecute the harmless Lambs of Christ .

We read of such different mettal , such a speckled rabble gathered together against Israel , that one would think the diversity of their Countries , Constitutions , Customes , Languages , Lusts , should have kept them from melting and running into one piece ; Yet , Lo , they all unite against Gods people ; They take crafty counsel against thy people ; They consult against thy hidden ones ; They have said , Come let us cut them off from being a Nation , that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance ; For they have consulted together with one consent , they are confederate against thee . The Tabernacles of Edom , and the Ishmaelites , of Moab and the Hagarens , Gebal and Ammon and Amalek , the Philistines , and the Inhabitants of Tyre , Assur also is joyned with them , and they have holpen the Children of Lot , Psalm 83. 3 , to 9.

Shall such a cursed crew agree together to pull down Sion , and not the blessed Company of Gods Children unite to build it up ? O! how shameful is it , that Satans black Regiment , should with one consent watch for us , as the Dragon for the Man-child , to devour us ; And as Herod for the Babes of Bethlehem , to destroy us ; And that we should not watch over one another for our safety and defence ! It may well be our grief , that the Children of this World , are wiser in their Generation then the Children of Light .

T is true , the combination of wicked men is no true union : but rather a conspiracy against God , and against their own souls . Satan serving them , by drawing them into this league , and making them to be of one hellish heart , infinitely worse then Scyron and Procrustes , famous Robbers in Attica , served the poor Travellers , why by cutting short the taller , and stretching out the lesser , brought all to an even length with their bed of brass ; Yet such a confederacy may well move us to pity such distracted ones , and doth too much reflect upon us for our dissentions .

Thirdly , 3 3 Motive . The backwardness of our own hearts . Consider the backwardness of our own hearts to any good , and the need we have of all helps to quicken them towards heaven . How averse are our souls to any thing that is spiritual ! How many excuses , pretences , delays will they make ! To sin man needs no Tutor ; he can ride post to Hell without a spur ; but how backward to do that work which he must do or be undone for ever ! The stone is not more untoward to flye , nor lead to swim , then our carnal hearts to exercise any grace , or perform any duty incumbent on us : Our head-strong passions hurry us , our worldly interests byass us , and our desperately wicked hearts draw us from God and Heaven . If the wood be green , there is need of constant blowing , or the fire will go out ; when the iron is so dull , it must go often to the Whetstone , or little work can be done with it . It s no wonder that the Spirit of God useth precept upon precept , line upon line , here a little and there a little , when man is like the wilde Asses colt , so blockish and dull to understand Gods way , and so backward and heavy to walk in it .

How much are we in the dark about the ways , and Word , and Truths of God! and how apt through mistakes to stumble and fall , calling evil good , and good evill ! and do we not want their company who carry a light , a lanthorn with them ? How often do we flatter our selves that we are rich in grace , and in the favour of God , when its little so , looking on our selves through the false spectacles of self-love ? and doth it not behove us to be much in their society who will set before us a true looking-glass , wherein we may behold the native countenance of our souls without any fraud or falshood ? We are full of doubts , and want counsel ; and Physitians that are able themselves , will in their own cases ask advice of others . We are liable to many sorrows , and want comfort ; and who can give it us better then those who fetch all their cordial waters out of Scripture ? We are apt to slumber and nod , and neglect our spiritual watch ; the flesh is drowsie , and the cares of the world fume up into our heads , and incline us to sleep ; what then will become of us if we have none to jog and awaken us ? It will go but ill with the new man , if whilst he hath so many enemies to hurt him , he hath never a friend to help him ; Exhort one another daily , lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin , Heb. 3. 13.

I have somewhere read of a King , that having many servants , some wise , some indiscreet , some profitable , some unprofitable , was asked why he would keep those foolish unprofitable fellows . To which he answered , I need the other , and these need me , and so I will have them all about me . I am sure weak Christians need the strong ; its ill for a tottering house to have no prop ; and strong Christians may need the weak ; That knife which is best mettal , may sometimes need a dull Whetstone ; The smallest wheel , nay , pin in a Watch is necessary ; and so each needing the other , there is great need they should hold together ; While there is flesh and spirit combating within us , and the worse so potent and likely to conquer , we shall want all manner of Auxiliaries to relieve the better part .

Fourthly , 4 4 Motive . The evil of neglecting Christian Communion . Consider The evil of neglecting Christian Communion ; I know the Children of God must sometimes be solitary , there are some duties which cannot otherwise be performed , and some callings which cannot otherwise be followed ; but as there are seasons for solitariness , so also for society ; to forbear the society of Saints without a necessary cause , is a sin , and bringeth great disadvantage , both upon our selves and others .

1. Upon our selves , we lose those helps which God hath afforded for the edification of our souls . Fire laid abroad , q●ickly abateth , nay , goeth out , when if it be raked up together , it continueth and increaseth . I suppose the Spirit of God is so exact in registring the absence of Thomas from the Apostles company , when Christ vouchsafed them his personal and gracious presence , and the sad fit of unbelief which he fell into upon it , partly , as a warning to all Christians , that they lose not such seasons , as they love their immortal souls , Ioh. 20. 24 , 25. But Thomas one of the twelve , was not there when Iesus came ; The other Disciples therefore said unto him , We have seen the Lord . But he said unto them , Except I shall see in his hands , the print of the Nails , and put my fingers into the print of the Nails , and thrust my hand into his side , I will not believe . Had Thomas been present when the Lord appeared , how strongly might he have withstood Satans assaults against his faith ! His senses had been sufficient to have confuted the father of lies , and helpful to have quencht his fiery darts ; but by his absence how dangerously was he shaken in that fundamental truth !

Satan hath a wonderful advantage of that person whom he meets ( without any warrant from God ) alone . If I travail alone between Sun and Sun , I have the Law for my protection , that if I be robbed , I may recover my loss of the Country ; but if at other times , it is at my own peril . If I be alone at the call of my God , either when secret duties , or my particular calling require it , and my grand enemy set upon me , I may expect help from him whose work I am about ; but if when he commandeth me to associate with his people , I needlesly wander from them , and any hurt befal me , I must thank my self , and look for no reparation at his hands . It is observable , that the house of Iobs Eldest Son , which was the grave wherein all his children were buried , stood alone ; otherwise the wind from the Wilderness , could not have smote the four corners thereof . O t is dangerous to be solitary , when God requires thy company amongst his chosen .

There is a wo to him that is alone , such a man shall be sure to have Satan for his companion . He is ever ready to assault , when none is neer to assist . Eve was tempted with too much success when she was alone , without her Husband ; Dinah gadding from her fathers house , was defiled ; Ioseph was then assaulted , when the whole Family was gone , save the instrument of the assault ; How soon are straglers snapt up , when those that march with the body of the Army are safe ! Pyrates lye skulking to find a Vessel sailing alone , when those that sail in company are a convoy to each other ; They who separate , are soon seduced . The Cormorant , or Sea-Eagle hath this property , that she will not seise upon the fish in the water , when they are in sholes , but when single she makes them her prey . Solitude is not more hurtful to the body then to the soul , and to nature then to grace . When David was an exile from the society of the Israelites , and wandred abroad , he fell into diffidence and distrust , nay , into hard and blasphemous thoughts of God ; as if he had forgotten to be gracious , as if he himself had cleansed his heart in vain ; He then said , in his haste , that all men ( even Samuel who had anointed him to the Kingdom , and promised him from God , that he should be King ) were lyars .

It is a disadvantage to others . When Saints do not meet together , their love cooleth , nay , contentions frequently follow , to the hardening of the wicked , and the discouraging of the weak . The Temple or body of Christ is not built up with blows and Schismes . The parts of the Temple were framed and squared in Lebanon ; at the rearing of it up in Zion , there was no noise either of Axe or Hammer ; Babel it self could not be built by divided tongues , muchless Sion by divided hearts . When Christians divide and separate , weak beginners know not what to do , whom to follow , but are ready to say with Cicero , when Caesar and Pompey were at odds ; Quem fugiam scio , quem sequar nescio ; I know whom to flie , but I know not whom to follow . O how dreadful are the consequents of such civil wars ! Discord is not without cause described by the great Italian to be cloathed with a garment of divers colours , made up of patches , and they rent , cut , and torn , her lap f●ll of writs , citations , processes , and arrests , attended onely wi●h Clarks , Scriveners , Atturneys and Lawyers ; but she was followed with bitter clamours , and diswal howlings .

Melancthon perswading the Protestants in his time to peace , tells them a parabolical story of the Dogs and Wolves , who were meeting to fight one against another ; The Wolves sent out their Scout to know the strength of their adversaries . The Scout returns , and tells the Wolves , that indeed the Dogs exceeded them in number , but they need not fear them ; for he had observed , they were not like one another ; Besides , they marched as if they were offended rather with themselves , then their enemies , grinning and snarling , yea , biting and tearing one another ; therefore let us not be discouraged , but march on resolutely . Dissention amongst men , brings destruction on men . A Kingdom divided against it self , cannot stand . They who imbodied to●●●her , may be able to overcome thousands , divided and taken singly may be overthrown by a very few . The hardest Adamant , if once broken , flieth into such small dust , that its scarce discernable , and so cometh to nothing . The people of God have not seldom made themselves a prey to Persecutours , by their heart burnings and divisions ; When the Town is once set on fire by the Granadoes shot in from them that besiege it , the enemies hope to take it with the more ease .

Naturalists tell us , that a Punice stone , cast into the waters , though it be never so big , whilst it remains entire , and the parts hold together , t will swim above the water , but break it once in peices , and every part sinks to the bottom . Truly , such often times is the state of the faithful . They , who holding together are safe , and as a bundle of st●ves , not to be bowed , when parted and taken singly are easily broken . It is the Shepherds observation , that when Sheep Butt one against another ; it s a sign of foul weather , and of an approaching storm ; We have too much cause to fear that the Schismes and Conten●ions in the Church of God at this day , do portend some heavy judgement to hang over our heads .

SECT. III.

1 1 Take heed of tho●e sins which good m●n are prone to , when they meet together . I Shall now direct thee Reader , how 〈◊〉 ●xercise thy self to godliness in Christian Company .

First , I must give thee a Word of Caution ; Take heed of those sins which Christians when they accompany together are most prone to . Saints are apt to be secure , as thinking themselves safe , when they are as they imagine , among none but themselves ; But truly , seeming honest men , may deceive us sooner then known cheats , because we are apt to con●ide in the former , when we fear and take heed of the latter . The Plague may soonest be conveyed through perfumed linnen . Satan tempted Eve in the forme of a Serpent ; but when he sets upon Christ , whom he knew hard to be conquered , he sets upon him in the shape of a Dove ; None so fit as a Peter to perswade him to pity himself . As God can send us a Pearl in a Toads Head , bring light out of darkness , and enable us to get good by polluted persons ; So Satan like Hanibal can convey poison through a gold ring , bring darkness out of light , and make us the worse for the Company of the best Christians . The society of the godly , is like the Shop of an Apothecary , in which there are many Cordial Iulips , Purging Potions , and Wholsom Drugs , but also some poisonous , which need strong correctives , and therefore they must be the object of our caution , as well as of our choice .

There are two or three things which Christians when they meet together , too frequently erre in , against which I would advise thee ; In mis-spending time , censuring the good , a●d backbiting the bad .

1. Take heed of mispending that season ; 1 1 Mispending time . Time is in it self of great price , and ought to be redeemed ; but Opportunity is of greater value , and t is infinite pity to cut such a precious commodity to waste . It s ordinary , even with good men when they meet , though it relate nothing to their callings or concernments , to be talking chiefly of corn and cattel , and markets , and fayrs , and forraign transactions , as if they had not a God , a Christ , a soul , an eternal estate to be minding each other of . Our words are the servants of our reason , and to send more then will performe our business , or to send them upon unnecessary and trifling errands , argueth vanity and folly . Have we not the country to which we are all travailing , the purity and pleasantness of the way thither , the excellency and certainty of our reward there to talk about ? St. Bernard complained that in his time , Christians were faulty in this particular , Nihil de scripturis , nihil de salute agitur animarum , sed nugae & risus , & verba proferuntur in ventum ; Not a word of the Scriptures , nothing of your eternal salvation , but trifles and laughter , and words as light as the wind take up the time .

Some spend their time in nice Questions , as what Christ disputed of amongst the Doctors ? where Paradise stood ? in what part of the world is local Hell ? What became of Moses body ? how many orders and degrees of elect Spirits ? These curious persons , the further they go , the nearer they approach a Sun that blinds them . Others in circumstantial c●ntroversies , when in the interim the essentials of Religion are laid by ; Such talk is but a wasting time , and those that sweat at it , are but laborious loyterers , like those that take great pains to crack or cleave a date stone , which when they have done , affords them no Kernel . Would it not be counted a peice of great folly , for a man that had a wound neer some vital part , to be very busie in laying a plaister upon his scratcht finger , while the other lay unregarded ? Were it not a peice of strange madness , when the enemy is at the walls , and the town every moment in danger of being stormed , the Bullets flying thick about the streets , for the people within to be sitting still and consulting , whether a Musquet would carry further then a Trunk , or whether more are killed with Bullets or Arrows ? Truly , such folly , such madness , is it to imploy our selves about needless discourse about the world , or superficial circumstantial things , when our inestimable souls are continually in danger of being surprised and slain . The Apostle reproveth such as spent their time about fables and endless genealogies ( that is things frivolous , and besides our work of Christianity , though not false or directly opposite to it ) which minister Questions rather then godly edifying , 1 Tim. 1. 5.

To prevent this , Reader , Offer some serious discourse , either by way of Position or Question . Thy profit by good company , doth very much depend upon thy self . Thy Question or Position is the fire which draweth out , either the quintessence or dregs of things . It may be there is one in thy company rich in grace , in gifts ; these are the treasure of the soul , but if ever thou wouldst be the better for it , thou must open it by the Key of some savoury question or sentence . An ordinary person by some practical question , may lay the foundation for a goodly fabrick of rich and excellent discourse . A little water poured into a Pump may fetch up many Buckets full . A small Lacquey may call us to a costly Banquet .

Ferus on Matthew affirmeth , that it was the practice of the Monks , to meet together once in a week , and to acquaint each other with their temptations , the means of resistance , and the issue thereof ; I believe , if Christians were more open-hearted , in declaring to one another the state of their souls , their experiences in point of loss or gain in spirituals , and sense of Gods favour or anger , &c. it would much tend , not onely to the honour of God , but also to the defeating of our great enemy , and our own mutual advantage . Satan hath many wiles where-with to wrong and destroy souls ; he proceedeth many times in the same method with several Christians ; now when one acquainteth another with the snares he laid to catch him , and the way he took to avoid it , hereby the other is fore-warned and fore-armed ; fore-warned to expect that such a trap should be laid for him , and fore-armed how to avoid it . An Almanack , Calculated for London , without any sensible error , may serve the whole Kingdom . That which hath been one Saints condition or temptation , may be any Saints ; and that way which one hath taken to escape a peril , or improve a providence , may be useful and helpful to any of the Saints .

Some tell us the Art of medicines was thus perfected . When any one met with an Herb , and discovered the vertue of it by any accident , he did post it up in some publique place ; and if any were sick or diseased , he was laid in some common passage , that every passenger might communicate the best Receipt he knew for that distemper ; and so the Physitians skill was compleated , by a collection of those posted Experiences and Receipts . I cannot but think that our souls would be more safe , and our spiritual sicknesses less dangerous , if Christians were more free in revealing what means have , through the assistance of the Spirit , been instrumental for their recovery out of their inward distempers , and the preservation of their health .

2 2 In censuring the good 2. Take heed of censuring the good ; This is another sin , that even good men are guilty of when they meet together ; Some no sooner creep into the Cradle of Profession , but immediately they leap out of it , into the Chair of Censure ; If a Christian do stumble , he saith he falls , and so carrieth it up and down ; He always greatens others , and lessens his own sins . Things in a mist , seem bigger to us , then in a fair day , by reason of the indisposedness of the air or medium ; He looks on the sins of others , through the mist of envy , and so makes them bigger then they are ; He beholds his own sins , as God doth himself afar off , or as things on a Steeple , which seem small and little . Because some persons are not of his party , therefore they are in the bond of iniquity , saith the Censorious man . Thus the Romans judged others not Saints , because they were not exactly of their own size , Rom. 14. 3. If good men are brought to the fire of affliction , it is , saith he , because they bear not good fruit , and are fit for nothing but fuel . Thus Iobs friends judged him an Hypocrite , and without armour of proof , because he was the Mark at which the Arrows of the Almighty were levelled , Job . 4. 5 , 6 , 7. If a good man step awry , he tells others positively that his whole way and course is wrong . From his failing in one action the Censurer condemneth his whole conversation , as feigned and fraudulent ; as if the best gold did not need some grains of allowance , and the brightest burning Taper had not some smoke with it ; He judgeth according to appearance , and doth not judge righteous judgement ; When an action is doubtful , and admits of a good or bad construction , to be sure he will take it in the worst sense . He never meets with an ambiguous text , but he makes a bad comment on it . If Christ associate with Zacheus ( though not for communion with him in his sins , but for the conversion of his ●oul , ) he will presently cry him up for a Wine-bibber , a Glutton , and a friend of Publicans and Sinners ; In this , and in all the rest he judgeth without judgement ; For indeed it is from want of judgement , that the heaviest judgement comes . O how sad is it , that those who believe a day of judgement , should walk so contrary to the rule of their Iudge ! Mat. 7. 1. 1 Cor. 4. 5. Jam. 3. 1. The Dogs were kinder then such Men , for they licked the sores of honest Lazaru● ; but these rub and fret the sores of Godly men , by publishing them to others . It s our duty to mourn for the sins of good men ; Lest when I come , my God will humble me , saith Paul , for them that have sinned ; how contrary are they to Christianity , that are glad they have somewhat to talk of ! I cannot esteem them Christians , that think their feast wanteth musick , unless the Baptist Head be brought in a Charger at the first course ; A desire to disgrace others , never sprang from grace ; It s ill to enquire into others actions , that we might have matter to draw up a bill of Indictment against them ; Like those who in reading Books , mark onely the faults ; or such as take more pleasure in beholding a Monster then a perfect Man , such is a censorious person ; But it● a swinish property to feed upon excrements . They have too much affinity to the old Serpent , that can pick nourishment out of poison . Have not all men business enough of their own , without raking into others graves ; But as the Fish Sepiae darken the waters , that they may escape the Net ; so they darken the credit of others , that they may escape the net of censure , which is due to themselves .

These men are usually eagle-eyed abroad , but as blind as Moles at home ; The most vicious , are ever the most suspicious ; As Galileus looked through his Prospective-glass to find Mountains in the Moon , Qui judicat fratrem , tantum crimen elation●s incurrit , ut Christi tribunal sibi videatur assum●●e , & ejus judicium prae●enire . Ans. in Rom. 14. so these examine others lives , and search their actions as narrowly as Laban did Iacobs stuff , to find matter of accusation . But as it s Fabled of old Lamia , that she had eyes like unto spectacles , which she might take out and put in at her pleasure , and that as soon as she came into her house , she always locked them up in her coffer , and sat down to spinning as blind as a Beetle , and that when she went abroad , she put them into her head , and would very curiously behold what other men did . So the Censurer is so quick-sighted abroad , that he can see the moats in others eyes , but so blind within doors , that he cannot see the beam in his own . Luther gives the Character of wicked men . Tanquam fameli●i por●i immergunt se in ster●ora nostra , & ex iis delicias ●aciunt , cum infirmitatem nostram exemple mal●dict . aperiunt & traducunt . Lut. in Gen. 9.

Some of these men have a fine way of censuring and condemning others by commending them , that you will not easily discern their envy or ill-will , because of the throng and press of their subtle praises . They will set forth a Christian , eminent for grace , with many and large flourishes of commendation , but after all , in two or three words , dash out all they had spoken , and leave a blot in the room ; As the Holy Ghost saith , truly of Naaman ; He was a Mighty man , Captain of the Syrian Host , but a Leper . So they of a Saint , whose worth they cannot for shame deny ; He hath great parts , many excellent guifts , large abilities , but I wish the root of the matter were in him , or , but he knoweth them too well , or , but he is covetous or proud ; as the Smith that shoeth an Horse , and pretendeth therein to do him a kindness , but pricks him in shooing him , and therefore had better have let him alone ; This one flie of But , &c. mars the whole Pot of Oyntment . The Censurer with that short Knife , stabs his Neighbours fame to the heart .

Reader , I beseech thee , both for thy own sake , and the Gospels , to be tender of the repute and credit of Saints ; A good mans name , is like a Milk white Ball , which exceedingly gathers soil by tossing , and therefore is to be sparingly talked of ; Words reported again , have another sound , and many times another sense ; Besides , one Dog sets many others a barking . Talk of his failings as low as thou wilt , the world is quick of hearing , and they take the size of all Christians cloaths , by the measure of the weakest ; Thy charity should clap a Plaister , supposing there be a real wound , and cover it with the hand of privacy , to keep it from the open air . The Egyptian who carried something wound up in a Napkin , answered discreetly to him that asked , What it was ? It is covered , to the end that no man might see ; Truly , if we know of others failings and infirmities , we should hide them with the mantle of love , and not shew them to any , but in relation to the offendors good and recovery ; for why should a fallen brother have cause to complain , I am wounded in the house of my friends , had it been an enemy I could have born it , but it was thou O man , my friend , mine equal , and my acquaintance ! Apelles drew Antigonus , who had but one eye , half-faced , whereby that blemish was hid , so should Christians their brethren .

The wise man tells us , the worth of a good name is above all wealth , Eccles. 7. 1. A good name is better then precious Oyntment . What a great theif is he then , that robs his Neighbour of it ! Our rash judging others , like the Rams-horns before Iericho , may blow down that with a blast , which we cannot build up again while we live . An ill report is soon raised , but not so soon laid ; It usually like the Crocodile , groweth whilst it continueth . Our tears should be the grave to bury our Neighbours failings in , and not our mouths a grave to bury their names in . That one act of Alexander , merits eternal memory , who having read a Letter with his favourite Hephestion , wherein his mother calumniated Antipater , he presently took his Signet from his finger , and oppressed Hephestions lips with it , conjuring him ( as it were ) to seal up his lips , and not once to open them , in revealing anothers disgrace . Suppose the person I censure be really evil , yet my duty is to do what I can to amend , not to divulge his errors ; But if he be good , I dishonour God by disgracing his Friend , and shall be sure to pay for it , either in tears or torment . How shall I be able to stand in that day , when men shall give an account of all their hard speeches ? and what shall I answer , when God shall ask me as once he did Aaron and Miriam , Wast thou not afraid to speak against my Servant Moses ?

3. Take heed of back-biting the bad . When Men speak evil of others that are absent , before many , purposely to defame and disgrace them , this is back-biting and condemned by God , though what we speak of them be true ; Doeg spake nothing but truth of David and Abimelech ; yet the Scripture calls him a lying and deceitful tongue , Psa. 52. Somtimes it may be a duty to reveal others deeds of darkness , as when these two things concur .

1. That we have cause for it . When what we mention is naked truth , and the sin not any ways rendred more ugly and deformed , by misconstructions or aggravations ; And , 2. When we have a call to it , as when we are desired to mention what we know of others , by them that have good ground to enquire after them , or when through ignorance of such things , others may be deceived in them , or when we are lawfully required before a Magistrate , to testifie our knowledge of such persons or actions ; I may add a third , and that is ,

When our desires and ends are purely to get our hearts affected with the dishonour that is done to God by their wickedness , and the danger and misery of their own souls ; This is supposed to be the subject matter of the Saints discourse , Mal. 3. 16. when in evil days they spake often one to another . But for men to make it their business to publish others prophaness , this is prophane ; Thou shalt not go up and down as a Tale-bearer among thy people , Lev. 19. 16. The word for Tale-bearer in the Hebrew , is Bakel , and signifieth a Pedlar , which fitly sets forth the property of a Back-biter ; The Pedlar goeth up and down the Country offring his wares at every door , very willing to put them off ; he takes them up at one place , and never ceaseth travailing till he hath sold them at another . So the back-biter catcheth up an evil report of a man at one house , and cannot rest till he is at some other house to tell it again , offering to vend it at a very low rate , to any man that will take it off his hands ; Nay , he is so full , that he is ready to burst , if none will allow him vent . He is bigg with child , and can find no ease , till anothers ears be the Midwife to deliver him of such a deformed Monster . But this is opposite to the rule by which we should walk , Tit. 2. 3. Our God commandeth us , Speak evil of no man ; Not of good men , for they are Gods portion ; not of bad men , for so is Gods precept ; This unchristian course of some professors , hath procured them many a mischief , and brought up an ill report upon them all . The sinner is apt to say of such , as Ahab of Micaiah , I hate him , for he never speaks well of me . And thus instead of saving their neighbours souls , which ought to be the work of every Christian , they harden them in their sins , and help to deepen their condemnations . Without doubt , that time which men spend in reporting others wickedness , would be far better imployed , in confessing and be wailing their own ; It will prove at last but an evil means to raise our own names higher , by pulling down others , and building on their ruines● ; and to relate their vices as a foil to render our vertues more beautiful and glorious ; Let not the evil speaker be established in the earth ; Evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him , Psa. 140. 11. He that plotteth to pluck up others names , doth it with an intent to plant his own the surer ; but he shall not be established in the earth , saith God . He judgeth himself safe , because others cannot stand before him , or are disabled by reason of the disgrace he hath brought on them to oppose him ; But evil ( like a pack of ravenous hounds ) shall ( with open mouth ) bunt ( this butting Stagg ) and ( sooner or later ) overthrow him .

It was wise counsel which Diogenes gave the Emperour ; Take heed , saith he , of two sorts of beasts in thy Court , both which bite dangerously , the tame Beast , the Flatterer ; and the wild Beast , the Back-biter : Well might he call them Beasts ; for a Man-like Spirit scornes to be so brutish , as to claw the itching eares of others with flatteries , and hates to be so currish and cowardly , as to bite them behind their backs ; David would have no such to be his Servants , Psa. 101. 6 , 7. The Back-biter hath this sad unhappiness , that he wounds three with one Arrow of his viperous tongue , Himself , his Hearer , and his Neighbour he speaks of .

1. Himself ; for such weapons recoyl and flie upon him that dischargeth them . The Holy Ghost compareth a back-biting tongue to a sharp sword ; and indeed , like Sauls sword , it may be the death of the owner ; God joyns this sin with Murder , Lev. 19. 16. to note , saith one , that the Back-biter is a Man-slayer , and surely such a one shall not escape vengeance . 2. His Hearer ; The Receiver is as bad as the Thief . If there were no Tale-hearer , there would be no Tale-bearer ; Some are fitly compared to Brass Pots , though they are great , you may carry them by the ears , which way you please . It s an excellent expression of Solomon ; As the North-wind drives away Rain , so doth an angry countenance a Back-biting tongue , Prov. 25. 23. It s a memorable saying of Bernard ; Detractor & ●ubens a●ditor uterque diabolum portat ; alter in ore , alter in aure , Bern. The Detractour , and willing hearer of it , do both carry the Divel abo●t them ; the one carrieth him in his tongue , the other in his ear . It was the wish of Plautus , that there were a Law for the hanging of Tale-bearers by the Tongue , and Tale-bearers by the Ears . 3. The Person he speaketh of ; He that takes away a mans name , leaves him little for this world worth keeping . This evil tongue is fitly compared to an arrow , for it wounds a man even afar off . As secret poison works incurable effects , many times before it is discerned , so doth a back-biting tongue . A man were better , like him one of the Antients mentions , carry a stone in his mouth three years , to prevent much babling , then be guilty one hour of back-biting .

SECT. IV.

SEcondly , If Christians would exercise themselves to godliness , 2 2 Be serviceable to others they must be serviceable to the good of each other . The Temple was built in Solomons time , by men of all sorts ; There is not the meanest Christian , but may do somewhat in his place , towards the building of the Spiritual Temple ; The Communion of Saints , consisteth in three things .

1. In a mutual Communication of their graces and gifts ; Grace is given us , not onely for our selves , but also for the good of the Saints , 1 Cor. 12. 5 , 6. There are diversities of gifts , but the same Spirit ; differences of administration , but the same Lord ; diversities of operation , but the same God , which worketh all in all ; But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal . The water of life is like a common stream , for the benefit of many . 2. In a mutual joyning in the ordinances of God , Act. 2. 43. The Servants of the same Lord , wait upon him , sometimes singly , sometimes in company . There are set seasons , wherein they all meet together to attend him , though when they are parted they are all about his business ; And the same day there were added to the Church three thousand souls ; And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles , Doctrine and Fellowship , and breaking of Bread , and Prayer . 3. In mutual serviceableness each to other . Every man is a Steward to manage his abilities for others good , and to improve his Talents for his Masters glory ; Now if our stock were our own , that we were the Proprietors , to let it lie still would argue us guilty of much folly ; but when it is altogether anothers , and we are but factours for him , to neglect the improvement of it , speaks us arrant theives , and guilty of unfaithfulness ; Ephes. 4. 16. As every man hath received the gift , even so minister the same one to another , as good Stewards of the manifold grace of God , 1 Pet. 4. 10. It s but an ill property of the Swan , that she cannot endure the Goose should come neer her , to take part of her food . Though it might be a fault in the Church of Syracuse , what Hilary mentions , that by a Law there was a community of outward goods ; yet I am sure it is none , that there should be a community of spiritual gifts . Wicked men are said to be of the night , but Saints of the day ; now as the day enlightens and warms all it shines on , calls them to their work , to their walk , and helpeth to prevent their fa●ls and wandring ; even so should the Saints , In love serve one another , Gal. 5. 13. Such a man is of the earth ( is right earth , that standeth on its own center ) who is wholly for himself . All things that have affinity with the Heavens , move upon the Centre of another which they benefit . The Bramble which receiveth all good , and keepeth it to it self , piercing instead of pleasuring those that come neer it , will be cast ere long into the Fire . It is said of one , as all the encomium could justly be given him , Sibi natus , sibi vixit , sibi mortuus , sibi damnatus ; He was born to himself , he lived to himself he died to himself , and he was damned to himself . We have a common saying , He that is not good to himself ; is good to no body ; and it s as true again , He that is good onely to himself , is as good as no body ; It was the voice of a cursed Cain , Am I my brothers Keeper ? The voice of the blessed Apostle , Consider one another , to provoke to love ; Exhort one another whilst its called to day ; Let no man seek his own , but every one his brothers good , to edification , Phil. 2. 4. Heb. 10. 34.

A Company of Christians , like the Plants in Paradise , should impart an aromatical savour each to other ; A friend must shew himself friendly , saith Solomon , Prov. 18. But how ? By endeavouring to make his friends better . It was a commendable property , which some mention in Socrates , That he always studied how he might better the minds of his Familiars . And Seneca , when the Scholars of Theophrastus had shewed him two men , that were intimate friends , whereof the one was very rich , and the other very poor , he said to them , If they be friends , how comes it to pass that the one is so poor , and the other so rich ? Si amici sunt , quo s●m alter ita dives , alter ita pauper . ●en . Epist. 8. Intimating , that had there been any true friendship , the rich man would have imparted of his goods to the poor man . As true love cannot stand without communicating of our temporal riches , so neither without imparting of our spiritual , for the supply of others necessities ; If there be love in feasting one anothers bodies , there is much more in feeding each others souls ; And if to distribute and communicate of our earthly treasures we must not forget , for with such sacrifice God is well pleased ; then to distribute and communicate of our heavenly treasures we must be more forward , because with such Sacrifice God is better pleased .

Besides , it is an encouragement to Christians , that they do not diminish , Quanto plus prosundimus fluentorum bonorum spiritual●um , tanto n●hi● & fluenta sunt auctiora . Non enim in hac causa contingit , sicut in p●cuniis . Illic enim quanto plus expendit , tanto plus p●ssidet pecuniae , hic autem plane secus agitur Chrys. Hom. 8. in Gen. p. 37. but increase their spiritual stocks by trading . He were not a man that would not do another a courtesie , when by doing it he should do himself no injury . How bad is he then that will not benefit his Neighbour , when thereby he doth a real kindness to himself ? Money laid up , rather wasteth with rust , then increaseth ; but Money laid out , brings in considerable profit . To him that hath shall be given . When the Servant that had received five Talents , traded and gained five more , Take the Talent , saith Christ , from the unprofitable servant , and give it to him that hath gained five ; our Communication to others , is no diminution , but an addition to our selves . Live coals are made the hotter for those near them , which they enlivened . The truth is , there is no Vsury so lawful as of spiritual riches , nor is there any so profitable ; Our use upon use , which almost doubleth the principal in seven years , is nothing to this ; O Christians , therefore lose not a tide , a market , an opportunity , if possible ; hereby , though your beginnings be small , your latter end shall wonderfully increase ; Many that have begun with very little , have by trading thus , come to dye worth thousands .

Before I come to shew wherein Christians should be serviceable each to other , I must a little explain my self , lest I should seem to allow that which the Word of God forbids , namely , that every private Christian ought to be a Preacher : Such a tenent would cut asunder the nerves and ligaments of this society , which is Order . Every star must give light in its own and proper sphere .

1. There is an authorative , publick counselling , admonishing , &c. which belongeth only to Pastors lawfully called . Observe what the holy Ghost saith , Are all Apostles ? Are all Prophets ? Are all Pastors ? Are all Teachers ? No , all are not gifted for it . It would much reflect upon the King of Heaven to send servants upon such weighty errands , that were unfit for them , and did rather render their business ridiculous . It s no easie thing for a person to be qualified for a publick preacher : The great Apostle cryeth out , Who is sufficient for these things ? though the voyce of ignorant men is , Who is not sufficient for these things ? Besides all are not called to it . It is not gifts and parts that will make a Subject an Officer at home , or an Ambassador abroad , but a Commission from his Prince ; Let no man take this honour upon him , unless he be called of God , as was Aaron . There be many works which private Christians may not meddle with , as to consecrate things , to constitute Ecclesiastical laws , to excommunicate , to receive in those that are cast out , to administer the Sacraments , &c. But those works which they may and ought to do , as , to exhort , advise , admonish , comfort , &c. they must do them as private members , not as publick Officers in the name or stead of Christ , and to private members , not to the Church .

2. There is a private charitative counselling , comforting , admonishing others ; this may belong to any Christian , so he keep within his own place , and carry himself therein according to Divine commands ; for God hath made no man a Treasurer , but every man a Steward of those talents with which he is intrusted . Hence the Apostle frequently commandeth believers to mind these duties , Gal. 6.1 . Heb. 3. 13. 1 Peter 4. 11. But in these Christians must keep within their bounds ; as fixed Stars give light to others , continuing still in their own orbs ; and not as Planets ( according to some ) wander up and down out of their places . The members of the body do not intrude into each others office . Vzzah's upholding the Ark , when shaken , though questionless out of a good design , yet was the cause of his death , and instead of furthering it , hindred its march towards the place of its rest .

Private Christians ought to be serviceable to each other in these particulars .

1. In instructing the ignorant ; Among Christians there are many who have but ignorant heads , though they have holy hearts ; though for the time they have enjoyed the means , they might have been teachers of others , yet themselves had need to be taught the first principles of the oracles of God ; Now the work of knowing men must be to instruct such ; though they be dull and heavy , we should bear with them , and condescend to them . St. Austin said he would speak false latine if his bearers understood it better then true . By many blows we make a nail enter into an hard board ; by precept upon precept , and line upon line , we may beat truths into the heads of them that are very dull . Iobs friend tells him , Behold thou hast instructed many , Job 4. 3. In this sense Iob was eyes to the blind , and feet to the lame ; eyes to prevent their wandring in a wrong way , and feet to prevent their stumbling in the right way . David was no Priest yet he would teach others Gods precepts ; When he had once tasted Gods love , others should taste some honey dropping from his lips ; Then will I teach transgressors thy ways , and sinners shall be converted unto thee , Psal. 51.

It is a noble Work for Christians that have abilities and understanding to take some pains to teach and instruct them that are ignorant . They cannot worship God as they ought because they are unacquainted with his Word and Will. How can a servant please his Master that doth not know his pleasure ? They cannot do the good they should , because they know not their duty : They who are almost quite blinde will do but little work . They are more open to temptation both from evil men and the evil one , because of their ignorance . It s as easie to give a child poison as wholesom milk , because it hath not wisdom to discern the difference : It s not hard to put the poison of error into their mouths , who are but babes in understanding . When the quick-sighted walk steadly , these dark-sighted persons walk stumblingly in the way of Gods commandments . O do what thou canst Reader to inform such poor creatures in the truths of God ; for as the Eunuch said to Philip , How should they understand unless some one guide them ? We count it worthy and honourable to teach others some curious Art , or high calling ; sure I am there is a day coming , when to have taught one poor Christian how to serve God better , and to honour him more , will cause more comfort , and bring more credit , then the instructing thousands in the greatest and deepest mysteries of Nature or Art .

2. By quickening the slothful . The Eagle loveth her young , yet when they are ready for flight , and lye lazing in their nest , she will pierce and prick them with her claws , to make them flye abroad : Love to others souls should stir us up to rouze drowsie Christians out of their spiritual slumbers , and lethargies . One Bell man that is stirring at midnight , by crying Fire , Fire , awakens hundreds that were fast asleep in a short time : One lively active believer , acquainting men with the jealousie and justice of God , and his severe proceedings against secure persons , who neglect their spiritual watch , may quickly call them from their beds to their watch and work . Consider one another , saith the Apostle , to provoke one another to love and to good works , Heb. 10.24 . The Greek word 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is , Consider ●ne another into a Paroxysm , a violent heat of an Ague or Fever , to make each other fervent and fiery in love and good works . Consider one anothers backwardness and dulness , and provoke one another to your duties and that with diligence . Consider one anothers states and conditions , and provoke one another to a sutable seriousness in working out your salvations . Consider one anothers hinderances , and temptations , and weaknesses , and provoke one another to love and to good works . Christians should say to one another , as Iudah to Simeon his brother , Come up with me into my lot , that I may fight against the Canaanites , and I will go up with thee into thy lot : Help me by jogging and awakening me if I sleep , and I will do as much for thee , Iudg. 1.13 . And encourage one another as Ioab his brother Abishai , 2 Sam. 10. 11,12 . And he said , If the Syrians be too strong for me , then thou shalt help me ; but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee , then I will come and help thee . Be of good courage , and let us play the men for our people , and the Cities of our God : And the Lord do that which seemeth him good . Thus the children of God should bespeak each other , If the world be too hard for thee , I will endeavour to assist thee , by discovering the vanity of its shallow allurements , and the foolery of its skin deep affrightments ; If the Devil or Flesh be too hard for me , thou shalt do thy utmost to succour me in withstanding their batterie● , and repelling their poisonous and fiery darts . Onely let us be of good courage , let us watch , stand fast in the faith , quit our selves like men for our God , and our Redeemer , and our souls , and our eternal sal●ations , and the Lord will be found faithful , who hath assured us that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able .

3. By comforting the sorrowful . Christians should have a Cordial in store for them that are fainting ; a cup of wine for the heavy in heart , and be able to speak a word in season to him that is weary ; Com●fort the feeble ; i. e. the sick at heart , such as are ready to sink under the weight of sin , and are frighted with the apprehension of the eternal fire , 1 Thess. 5. 14. Amalek is branded with a mark of infamy , and was followed with a curse and slaughter from God , for falling upon the faint and feeble ones of Israel , Deut. 25.18 . God cannot endure it , he cannot bear it , that his weak sickly ones should be wronged . He is tender of them himself ; he carrieth his lambs in his arms , Isa. 40. 11. and others must do so too , or he will make them rue it . The world doth as the herd , push the wounded Deer out of their company ; but Saints endeavour to bind up the broken in heart , to comfort them , as Paul commands his Corinthians , lest they be swallowed up of too much sorrow , 1 Cor. 2.14 .

The Husbandman doth mind his young tender trees in a special manner above them that are grown up and strong , because such are in more danger of breaking , and bruising , and other hurt then grown trees ; so that besides the wall or common fence a●bout the Orchard , he makes a special fence with bushes and stakes about these , and gives them more choice nourishment , and more frequent watering ; God is most choice of his little ones , his weak children . When Israel was a child I loved him , I drew him with the cords of love , and with the bands of a man , Hos. 11. 1 , 3. Christians must imitate God in this● and be followers of him as dear children . Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down , and the feeble knees , Hebr. 12.12 . The Martyrs in prison , by discoursing on the promises shook off their carnal se●ters . Holy Bradford made his dark dungeon by this means lightsom to his fellow-prisoners . Luther profest Melancthon very helpful to him against his inward doubts , as he was to Melancthon against his frights about the publick state of the Church . A friend is born for the day of adversity : Prov. 17. 17. And t is pity he was ever born , that denieth to do that for which he was born . It appertaines especally to the office of a friend , saith Seneca , to asswage his friends grief by speech ; to drive away his sadness by chearfulness ; and to refresh him with his very presence . When women travail they carry frequently with them strong waters , and if one fainteth or is sick , she that hath those cordial waters prayeth her to take some for her ease and comfort . The Apostle prepareth for the Christian , choice and rare cordials in 1 Thess. 4. about the six last verses , and then wisheth them to make use of them for their mutual good ; Wherefore comfort one another with these words .

4. By admonishing the sinful . Saints , like Clocks made up of curious wheels and engines , are soon discomposed , and therefore often want some workman to set them in order again . A good man if his friend follow vertue , will be a Father to encourage him ; if he be full of doubts , will be a Minister to direct him ; but if he follow vice , will be a Magistrate to correct him . Christians must allow one another for their infirmities , but not allow one another in their infirmities . If a brother be overtaken with a fault , restore such a one with the spirit of meekness , Gal. 6.1 . Which words are very emphatical , and point to us .

1. The nature of his fall ; he is overtaken with a fault , he doth not overtake the fault . He is rather passive of it , then active in it . A sinner like Ahab , sells himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord ; but a brother , like Paul is sold under sin . It s proper to the wicked to be voluntiers in this unholy war against God . Saints fight not , except they be prest . The Christian is drawn to iniquity by cords of vanity , the other draweth iniquity with cords of vanity .

2. The duty of his friend , restore such a one . It s 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , an allusion to Chirurgions , who set bones out of joynt , though they put their Patients to pain , and make them angry at present . So must Christians endeavour the joynting of their brethren , whose souls are out of order , though at present they have little thanks for their labour . This courtesie we owe to our brothers Ox or Ass , much more to his Soul , Exod. 22. 4. It s a strict command , warn the unruly , 1 Thes. 5. 14. though most men draw back , when they are called to this burthen , that fallen brethren lie under the same misery that Travellers do , to find many Hosts , but few Friends , and may cry out , as Lewis the eleventh of France , I have plenty of all things , but such as will tell me my faults .

3. The manner how this friendly part must be performed , with the spirit of meekness ; The bitterness of reprehension is much sweetness , by the pleasingness of our expressions . Gentle sores are but anguisht with too hard a pressure . Though Swine are driven with violence , yet Children that wander , are gently led home . 2 Thes. 3. 11. According to the wound must the plaister be more or less searching . Christ reproves Martha mildly , Martha , Martha , thou art careful and troubled about many things , but he rebuked Peter sharply , Get thee behind me Satan .

The Apostle writing to the Romans , commendeth them highly , that they were able to admonish one another , Rom. 15. 14. They had piety and grace enough to perform the duty , notwithstanding the arguments of ill will , or loss in estate , or other evils which the flesh suggested to the contrary ; and they had prudence and discretion enough to perform the duty , so as it might most probably be profitable : But how unlike are Christians in our days , to those in the Primitive times ! Admonition is a Lyon which few dare come near , for fear it will tear them in peices ; We carry our selves rather like Machiavels Scholars , who taught his followers , if their friend were up to the knees in water , to lend him their hand to help him out , and so if he were up to the waste , but if he were up to the chin , then to lay their hand on his head , and duck him under , that he rise no more . How many that should reprove others , have their mouths stopt , as the Dogs by the Thief , Perrigit panem ut ●il●at . with a piece of bread , some kindness or other ! Or else as Erasmus saith of Harpocrates , they hold their finger in their mouths , and are affraid of giving offence ; they are rather like the reflection of a Looking-glass , ready to imitate others sinful gestures and actions , then rebuke them for them ; There is no reprover in the gate .

Nay Heathen exceed in this many of us ; The Great Philosopher tells us , That is true love , which to profit and do good to us , feareth not to offend us ; and that it is one of the chiefest offices of friendship , to admonish . Vt malus sermo● inducit in peccatum● si● malum silentium relinquit in peccato● August . Euripides exhorts men to get such friends as would not spare to displease them , saying , Friends are like new wines , those that are harsh and sowr keep best , the sweet are not lasting . Phocian told Antipater , Thou shalt not have me for thy Friend and Flatterer too . Diogenes when men called him Dog , for his severe kind of reproving ; would Answer , Dogs bite their enemies , but I my friends for their good ; And are we so hardly drawn to this duty ? O how justly might the Lord reprove us cuttingly , and set our sins in order before our eyes , to our comdemnation , for our backwardness to reprove others to their humiliation . In Quat. Noviss . We have most of us cause with Reverend Mr. Robert Bolton , to confess and bewayl our neglect herein .

SECT. V.

FIfthly , By bearing each others infirmities . Christians like the clearest fire , will have some smoak , whereby they are apt to offend each others eyes , and to cause anger . The best and most pious , may sometimes be peevish . Those brethren that love sincerely , may too often quarrel ; True Members of the same body , may by some accident be dis-joynted ; Though contentions argue them to have flesh , yet they may arise where there is spirit . Therefore the Holy Ghost commandeth , Bear one anothers burthens , and so fulfil the Law of Christ ; Here is the Commandment enjoyned , and the Argument whereby it is enforced , Galat. 6. 2.

First , The Precept ; Bear one anothers burthens .

There is a threefold burden that Christians must bear for each other .

I. The civil burthens of their miseries and sufferings ; Have a fellow-feeling with them in their afflictions ; Who is weak , and I am not weak ? Who is afflicted , and I burn not ? Rom. 12. 15. saith holy Paul . Herod and his men of War , will set a persecuted Christ at naught ; The Chief Priests and Elders will mock him when he hangs upon the Cross , Luk. 23. 11. Mat. 27. 4. Edom rejoyced in the day of Ierusalem's trouble , they cryed Aha , so would we have it ; But the true seed of Iacob , sigh for others sorrows , they weep with them that weep ; Heb. 3. 3. Remember them that are in bonds , as bound with them , and them that suffer adversity ; If one part of the natural body be in pain , the other parts are sensible of it ; When one branch of a Tree is torn and mangled in Summer , the other branches are affected with it , and out of Sympathy ( as it were ) will not thrive so well as formerly . If one person of a family be sick , how much do his relations from a principle of nature , lay to heart his pain and illness ! Christians are all members of the same body , branches of the same vine , children of the same family , and it would be monstrous and unnatural for them , not to feel each others miseries , and suffer in each others sufferings .

II. The Spiritual burthen of their iniquities and sins ; Whether more immediately against God . Though we must not bear with them in their sins , yet we must help to bear their sins with them . We ought to sit on the same floor with them that are fallen down , and to mourn with them , and for them , and to bear some of the weight ; This temper was so eminent in Ambrose , he would so plentifully weep with the sinning party , that a Great Commander under Theodosius beholding it , cried out , This man is onely worthy the name of a Bishop .

As Stags when they swim over a River , to feed in some Meadow , they swim in a row , and lay their heads over one anothers backs , bearing the weight of one anothers horns , and when the first is weary , another taketh his room , and so they do it by course . So Christians must be willing to bear each others weight , whilst they are passing through those boistrous waters , till they land at their glorious eternal harbour .

Or whether their sins are immediately against our selves ; If the teeth bite the tongue , that seeketh no revenge . When the feet through their slipping , throw the body upon the ground , it riseth up , and all is well . Some Christians are of such weak stomachs , that they can digest nothing that looks like an unkindness or injury ; But it s the glory of a man to pass by offences . Cyprian saith , to bear with affronts , is a ray of Divinity . A noble-spirited man will disdain to take notice of pet●y dis-respects , he will over-come contempt by contempt . But an heaven-born Christian hath higher principles , and more sublime motives to forgive his offending brother . I Paul , the Prisoner of the Lord , beseech you to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called , with all lowliness and meekness , with a long-suffering , forbearing one another in love , Ephes. 4. 1 , 2. And be ye kind one to another , tender-hearted , forgiving one another , even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you , Cyprian de pat●ent . verse ult. It is reported of Cosroes the Persian King , that he caused a Throne to be made for him , like Heaven , with the Sun , Moon , and Stars , artificially placed above it , and under his feet thick and black clouds , and high winds and tempests . He that would have an Heaven here , I mean , enjoy God , and himself , must of necessity trample these under his feet .

It is good advice which Bernard gives in such a case ; Dost thou hear that a brother hath said or done somewhat that reflecteth upon thee , or is injurious to thee ? then saith he ; 1. Be hard to believe it . He should have a loud tongue , that can make thee to hear such a report . I would give him little thanks ( in case the honour of God were not concerned ) that were the messenger to bring me such a sowr present ; his pains would deserve but a poor reward , that brought me tidings of a discourtesie to rob me of my charity . The evidence shall be very clear , or I will write Ignoramus upon his Bill of Indictment ; But if the thing be so plain that it cannot be denyed , then saith he , 2. Excuse his intent and purpose . Think with thy self , Possibly he had a good end in it . He spake as he heard , or he did what he did upon some good ground and account . Though the action seem to savour of injury , yet certainly in his intention there was no evil . Had I his eyes , I should see his end was right and honest ; But if there should be no reason for hope , that his purpose was good , then saith he , 3. Think he did it ignorantly ; that had he known the consequence , he would not have been guilty of such a crime . Surely the man thought no hurt , he spake on a sudden , such words came out of his mouth before he was aware , or he would never have spoken them ; I my self in an heat , might have been as harsh . When high winds blow , storms will follow . 4. If thou canst not be perswaded but the injury was wittingly offered , then think , He was overcome with some great temptation . There were extraordinary fumes at that instant flying up into his head , which made him talk idly , and of which now he may be repenting before the Lord . The strong man was too hard for the weak Christian. Flesh and blood was easily conquered by Principalities & Powers ; I may well forgive him , his sin will cost him sorrow enough before his Father smile on him .

III. The Natural burthen ( as I may call it , though it hath a relation to spiritual , but not fully in the former sense ) of their infirmities . Some by reason of bad instruments , are but bunglars at their work ; They have naturally understandings very dull to receive , and memories very slow to retain spiritual things . They have ill constitutions of body , and thereby the worse frames of soul , and the more apt to be peevish and fretful ; Now we exhort you brethren , that ye support the weak , and be patient towards all men , 1 Thes. 5. 14. All the persons in Gods family , are not of the same height and strength : though some are Old Men and Fathers , and others are Young and strong ; yet some are little Children , Babes in Christ ; some can go alone , or with a little help , if you hold them but by their leading-strings ; but others must be carried in arms , and will require much love and patience to overcome their childish frowardness . Christ winks at their weaknesses , who hath most reason to be moved with them ; though his disciples were raw , and dull , and slow to believe and understand , yet he bears with them . Nay , though when he was watching for them , and in his bloody sweat , his whole body being in a goar blood , under the weight of their and others sins on his back , and they lay sleeping and snoring , and could not watch with him one hour , he doth not fall fiercely upon them , but calmly asketh them , Could ye not watch with me one hour ? and afterwards excuseth it for them ,

First , From the natural cause ; There heads were full at that time of● fumes ; Their eyes were heavy with sorrow . They were full of grief for their dear Master , and their sorrow hindring the digestion of their food , filled them with vapours , which ascending to their brains inclined them to sleep .

Secondly , From the Moral cause ; they would , but they could not . The Spirit indeed is willing , but the flesh is weak ; there better part would move more swiftly , and do any thing at my call and command , but their flesh draweth back , and makes them drive heavily . It s no wonder that their pace is so slow , when like the snail , they have such an house , such an hinderance upon their backs ; The spirit is willing , but the flesh is weak . Who can think of this infinite grace of the blessed Redeemer in making such an Apologie for them , whom he had such cause to be full of fury against , and not be incited to imitate so admirable a pattern !

There is another famous instance in the Old Testament , and that is Gods patience towards peevish Ionah , by which all may see how much he bears with his froward children .

First Ionah runs from his business ; God sends him to Niniveh , he will go to Tarshish ; here was plain rebellion against his Soveraign . One would have expected that the jealous God should have given him a Traytors wages , and when he was at Sea have suffered the Ocean of waters to have swallowed up his body , and the Ocean of fire and wrath , his soul ; but loe , he cannot permit his Ionah to perish ; he will rather whip him to his work , then let him wander to his ruine . But how gentle is the rod ? God cannot forget the love of a Father , though Ionah forget the duty of a childe , but will rather work a miracle , and make the devourer his Saviour , then Ionah shall miscarry . T is true , he was tossed with a violent tempest and thrown over-board , but God provided him a shelter before the storm , and prepared a Whale to swallow him down , not for his destruction , but his deliverance ; And the Lord spake to the fish , and it vomited up Jonah upon the dry land .

Well now , the childe is brought home , you will look that he should make some recompence for his former disobedience , by his faithfulness and diligence for the future ; that the danger he had been in , the death he had so narrowly escaped , the miracle which had been wrought for him , and the extraordinary mercy he had so lately received , should have melted him wholly into Gods mould , and have made him , like Abraham , to have come up wholly to Gods foot . But alas he addeth sin to sin , and neither mercy nor misery prevail with him to know himself . Indeed he undertakes the journey and message he was called to upon a second command , but as unwillingly as the Bear goeth to the stake . After he had pronounced a sentence of death upon the Ninivites , and shewed them a warrant under the high Gods hand and seal for their speedy execution ; how ill doth he take it , that upon their humble petition a Reprieve should be granted them ? he frets inwardly against God , and through the exceeding heat of his heart his tongue blisters with casting Gods mercy in his teeth . He was wrath for that in which he had cause to rejoyce : His love to his brethren might have made him glad of their escape , and his love to his God should have quieted him in all his wise and holy proceedings ; But it displeased Jonah exceedingly , and he was very angry , and he prayed unto the Lord : O Lord , was not this my saying in my Country ? for I knew that thou art a gracions God , &c. Therefore O Lord take away my life . He quarrels with Gods providence , and he doth as it were twit God with ( that which is the glory of all his Attributes and actions , and the best friend the poor children of men have ) his Grace and Pity , desiring rather the destruction of above sixscore thousand persons , then that himself , by the blind ignorant world , should be reckoned a false Prophet . Behold impatience in its largest dimensions ! Ionah will dye , because so many thousands are allowed out of infinite kindness to live . O what a nest of vermine was in the womb of this disobedience ! Here is pride both in preferring his own will before Gods , and in his unwillingness to suffer a little in his repute in the eye of the people : Here was passion to the height , and that against God himself : Here was murmuring against sparing mercy , and the Divine pleasure : Here was unbelief , as if God could not repair his name , and repay him for the loss of his credit : Here was uncharitableness and want of love towards the poor Ninivites , whose condition called for the deepest compassion . What answer can be judged tart enough to such a passionate prayer ? What language can be too harsh , what carriage can be too heavy towards such a cross-grain'd child ? It s abominable for any man to contend with his Maker . It s bad for servants to strive with their Master ; or children to resist their Father , though both these are their fellow-creatures : But for any to contend with God , whose dominion over us is unquestionable , and their dependance on him indispensable , between whom and them there is an infinite distance , is infinitely worse : But for Ionah , not onely a man , but a new man , a child of God , a Prophet of the Lord , that should have taught others by his precepts and by his pattern , to submit to the severest Divine pleasure , one that had been signalized above others with eminent and distinguishing favours , both for this and the other world , to flie thus in Gods face , is worst of all . Surely , no punishment can exceed the desert of such peevishness , such passion : Some dreadful thunder cannot but be expected , as the consequent of such hot weather . But hear O heavens , give ear O earth , and be astonished at the calm milde voyce of the Great God ; And the Lord said unto Ionah , Ionah , dost thou well to be angry ? Mark what love sounds in this language ? Such an affectionate voyce after such gross disobedience might make even marble to weep ; and as that voyce from heaven , turn a Saul into a Paul . Could the fondest and most indulgent Father in the world be more meek , more milde in his expression ! He appeals to Ionah's conscience whether such behaviour was answerable to his Oath of Allegiance ; Dost thou well to be angry ? Is this passion sutable to that submission which thou owest to me and my Providences ! Eli said as much to his wicked sons ; It is not a good report which I hear of you my sons , &c. when God was so incens●d against him for his mildness , that he sends him an ear-tickling and an heart trembling message : And yet God himself is so favourable and compassionate to one whose sin admitted of greater aggravations in some respects then those of Eli's sons , ( Ionah sinned after such a miraculous salvation , and that against chusing , calling , pardoning , saving love , which Eli's sons did not ; ) nay , and when the Malefactor upon the reading of this gentle Indictment to him , instead of pleading guilty , and begging a Psalm of mercy , had stubbornly and obstinately justified himself ; God who might have awarded judgement against him according to law , still forbeareth him , and when his pathetical words would not reclaim him , he trieth if a miraculous work will reduce him to his allegiance . O the tenderness of God towards his froward Children ! I have sometimes wondred at his infinite patience towards so disobedient a Prophet ; but alas , I experience it daily in his superabundant grace and goodness towards my own soul , notwithstanding my greater provocations .

Reader , by all this thou mayst see what cause thou hast to bear with thy fellow-Christians , when God beareth with his creatures , notwithstanding those multiplied affronts and dis-respects , which they offer to his glorious holy and infinite Majesty .

Secondly , We may observe in the foregoing Text , the prevailing Argument to this Precept ; And so fulfil the Law of Christ This was the great Law which Christ commanded so frequenty , so affectionately , and the Apostle mentioneth it here , as if it were the onely Law , or all the Law , because this love is the fulfilling of the whole Law ; As if he had said , O my Galathians , if ye have any love to Christ , and would evidence it to your selves and others , let there be no bitterness , nor envyings , nor heart burnings amongst you , but love your Neigbours as your selves , suffer with them in their sufferings ; let their sore eyes and tears for sin , set your eyes a watering ; pardon them , though they may offend and provoke you ; bear with them , notwithstanding their passion and peevishness ; for hereby ye will obey that great Law , which is indeed the whole Law containing your duty toward your brother , or that Law which the heart of Christ was so infinitely set upon , that he will have it called his Law , the Law of Christ ; ●his is my commandment , that ye love one another . Though he was the Churches onely Law-giver , and so all the commandments enjoyned her were his ; yet as amongst all the Disciples there was one that had most of his heart , and was called the Disciple whom Iesus loved ; so possibly amongst all the commendments , that of love had most of his heart , and may fitly be called the commandment which Iesus loved . My commandment ; the Law of Christ .

O how sweet is the musick , when Saints joyn thus in consort ! and how harsh is the sound of jarring strings ! a mutual yeilding and forbearance is no small help to our peace and safety . There is a story of two Goats , which may excellently illustrate the benefit of this duty . They both met on a narrow bridge , under which a very deep and fierce stream did glide ; there was no going blindly back , neither could they pass forward for the narrowness of the Bridge ; Now had they fought for their passage , they had been certain both to perish ; this therefore they did , they agreed that the one should lye down , and the other go over him , and by this means both their lives were preserved . Whilst Christians are fighting like some small chickens , they are a prey to Kites , and other ravenous creatures . In quietness shall be their strength ( Isa. 30. 15. ) is true in this , as well as other senses .

SECT. VI.

THirdly , 3 3 Christians must receive good in good company . Christians ought in good Company , not onely to do what good they can to each other , but also to receive what good they may from each other ; God sets up such candles , not for us to play , but to work by . The strongest Christian may gain by the weakest ; A small brimstone match , may help to light a great Torch ; A servant may sometimes think of a way to inlarge his imprisoned Master , when his Master dreams not of it . Every loop or pin was helpful to the Tabernacle ; An homely digger that is poor , doth sometimes discover rich Mines , which wealthy Merchants took no notice of . Apollo , one mighty in the Scriptures , is content to learn of an Handy-craft man ; Cordials are not to be refused , because brought to us in a wooden spoon . Who ever sent away silver or gold , because brought to him in a bag of Leather ? The Moon though she be but small , and seated in a lower Orb then the stars of the first magnitude , and though she hath her spots and imperfections , yet she lends an useful light to men , prevents their stumbling and wandring out of their way , and produceth here and there a motion subordinate and obedient to an heavenly influence ; when those luminaries that are above her in place , are below her in use and service : Proud men disdain to take poor Saints advice , as if wisdom had forsaken all commerce with inferiour persons , and taken up her abode onely in stately Palaces . Sir W. R●wl . Hist. World , l. 4. c. 4. Upon this score Darius ( instead of the thanks which he owed ) payed Charidemus with no less then death for his good counsel ; But it s the folly as well as the arrogancy of some , rather to ascend to a dangerous height , then descend at the call of one below them ; Prov. 29. 1. O how mad is he that will rather run on in hazardous paths to his ruine , then turn back and retreat at the desire of one that is his inferiour ! And such proud Christians have this usually for their reward of God , that when the humble that will stoop to take up jewels at the feet of the meanest are enriched , they get nothing by godly conference . We give no relief to them that go gorgeously attired , and brag of their own large revenues .

There lieth a great deal of wealth and worth in some obscure and neglected Christians ; men do not more usually trample upon the golden veins of earth in America , then conceited persons trample on the spiritual riches in poor Christians ; but a wise man will better himself by his enemies , much more by his godly friends , both in taking their counsel and receiving their admonition , if occasion be .

1. In Taking counsel ; It was said of Demosthenes , that he was better at praising vertue , then practising it . We must write by that Copy which we set others . It was the speech of a Philosopher , That its the easiest thing in the world to give good counsel , and the hardest thing to take it . Iobs friends , though falsly , taxed him as guilty of this crime , Iob 4. 3 , 4 , 5. Behold thou hast instructed many , and strengthened the weak hands ; Thy words have up holden him that was falling , and thou hast strengthned the feeble knees ; But now it is come upon thee and thou faintest , it toucheth thee and thou art troubled . Doctor Preston confessed on his death-bed , that he found it difficult to take that Physick which he had often administred to others . But all Christians must and will endeavour it ; Solomon makes it the mark of a prudent man ; The way of a fool is right in his own eyes , but he that hearkeneth to counsel is wise , Prov. 11. 15. When out of self-conceit we refuse others advice , we bewray our own pride and folly . Quintilian said of some , They might have proved excellent Scholars , if they had not thought themselves so already ; this is true of too many in our days ; They might have proved excellent Christians , if they had not thought themselves too good to learn ; He that every day layeth up something , though but little , will in time have a good stock .

2. In Receiving admonition . The stomach of man naturally riseth against this bitter Physick , though it conduceth so much to his health ; Faithful reproof is the awakening a man out of sleep , and such are very apt to be angry . The Hedg-hog brusleth up her prickles , and will pierce if it be possible those that come to take hold of her .

There are two things that cause men to rage against reproof .

1. Guilt of the sin objected . Guilt makes men angry when they are searched , and like Horses that are g●lled , to kick , if they be but touched . They hate , saith the Holy Ghost , him that reproveth in the gate . The easiest medicines , and mildest waters , are troublesome to sore eyes . Praxaspes having reproved Cambyses for his drunkenness , did so exasperate him , that he shot the Son of the Reprover through the heart , to confute the Father by shewing the steadiness of his hand . Though you stir one that hath a boyl never so gently , yet he will fret and fume . Ahab conscious of his own filth and wickedness , hates Michaiah for telling him the truth . There is s●arce a more probable sign , that the crime objected is true , then wrath and bitterness against the person that chargeth us with it . Children that have cankers , will not suffer honey to come near their mouths , as sweet as it is . Though men are bold to sin , even to the face of God , yet they are so proud , that they would not have it visible to the eye of a man ; therefore when by their admonitions they find that they are discovered , they wrangle and quarre● . 2. Love to sin makes men impatient under reproof . T was Davids fondness of Absolon , that made him so strict in his charge to his Captains concerning him , Deal gently with the young man Absolon , for my ●ake . T is love of lust , that makes us so desirous it should be spared , and so passionate when it is pierced by a reproof . A man may gather that sin to be his Dalilah , which he will suffer none to hurt . Eglebert King of West Saxons , slew Earl Cambra for telling him of his faults , but it was because his sin was dearer to him then his soul. When a persons sin is to him as the apple of his eye , no wonder if he be offended at any that shall touch it . Solomon calls reproofs ear-rings ; I am sure they are ill bestowed on such uncircumcised ears , Prov. 25. 12.

But Grace will teach a Christian contentedly to take those potions that are wholsom , though they be not toothsom . It is holy Davids expression , Let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindness , and let him reprove me , it shall be an excellent Oyl ; it shall not break my head , Psa. 141. 5. Faithful reproof is a token of love , and therefore may well be esteemed a kindness . Such wounding of a friend is healing , and so David might well call it an excellent Oyl . And he did not onely say so , ( which is easie and ordinary ) but acted accordingly ; He did not as the Papists , who highly commend holy water , but turn away their faces , when it comes to be sprinkled on them . When he had by sin , and continuance in it , so gangrend his flesh , and corrupted himself , that he was in danger of death , he suffered his sores to be throughly searched without regret . Nathan was the Chirurgion whom God imployed to search that wound which had divers months been festring in his soul ; and truly he did not dally with his patient , though he were a Prince , but thrust his instrument to the bottom ; yet whatever pain it put him to , he took it patiently , and was so far from being angry with the Prophet , that he made him one of his Privy Council . T is a sign of a polluted nature , for a man like a Serpent , if he be but toucht , to gather poison , and vomit it up at the party . P●ov. 21. 24. Rebuke a scorner and he will hate thee ; Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee .

Pride scorns a corrector , and thinks it a disgrace to amend upon anothers desire ; hence it hates him that endeavours it : Amos for reproving the golden calves was accused by Amaziah , the chief Priests of the Idols of Bethel , and struck by Vriah the son of that Amaziah with a spear on the head , whereof he died , saith Buntingus Itenerar . Sacr. But reprove a wise man and he will love thee .

Austin notes it as a sign of grace in his friend Alipius , that he received his reproof so well . Paul rebuked Peter sharply , and that before a considerable Company of Peters friends , yet he loved not Paul the less for it ; for in his Epistle which was written some time after that contest , and after the Epistle to the Galathians which records it , he makes honourable mention of Pauls writings , and of that very Epistle among the rest ( 2 Pet. 3. 15 , 16. ) and calleth him his beloved brother . As they who love their sins , hate the reprover ; so they that hate their sins , love him . When Isaiah had declared from God a dreadful threatning against Hezekiah for his pride , he doth not flie out into a passion against the Prophet , but submits with Good is the word of the Lord , which thou hast spoken . T is said of Gerson the great Chancellour of France , that he rejoyced in nothing more then a friendly reprehension . And it is storied of our Richard the first , that he would be admonished by a poor Hermit . Alphonsus King of Arragon , being asked what company he liked best ; answered , Books , for they , saith he , without fear and flattery , will tell me my faults faithfully . Faithful are the wounds of a friend , but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful . Prov. 27. 6. A loving reproof is a wound in love , the wound of a friend ; and therefore we must bestow our anger upon our faults ; that deserve the reproof , not upon our friends that give the reproof . How foolish is he that breaks his own head , & then rageth at his friend for endeavouring to cure it . Ahab quarrels with Elijah , as the Incendiary of Israel , for reproving their Idolatries ; when alas like AEtna , that flame arose out of their own bowels , which threatned to reduce them to ashes . Some of the Heathen were so sensible of their proness to erre , and to be partial in their own cases , when they had erred , that they both kindly accepted reproofs , and earnestly desired a Reprover . It is reported of Alexander , that having had a Philosopher a long time with him , he should say to him , Recede a me ; prorsus consortium tuum nolo , quod cum tanto tempore , mecum degeris nunquam me de vitio aliquo increpasti ; Be gone from me , I will have none of thy company , for thou hast lived long with me , and couldst not but observe some failings in me , yet thou hast not reproved me of any . And Augustus Cesar for this cause did much lament the death of Varro , because thereby he was deprived of one that would deal faithfully with him when he offended .

Yet as they say , some roses are too tender to endure the strength of the smell of Wormwood ; so some Christians that its hoped are sound , cannot without wry mouths , and angry faces , drink down this bitter liquor . Asa was a good man , yet time was when he imprisoned a Prophet for bringing him an admonition from God . One would have thought that the King would have bid the servant welcome for his Masters sake ; but truly a prison was all the reward he had for his pains . It was the speech of a wise and experienced Christian , That he never was acquainted throughly with any one , but first he displeased him by admonishing him of his faults : But as light stuff and rubbish kindleth sooner then solid and more substantial wood ; so they are the weaker and less wise Christians that are so soon fired into a pet and passion , if but told of their errors . T is childishness to be unwilling to take bitter medicines . A prudent person will rather permit cupping-glasses and corrosives to be applied to his body , then suffer his distemper to reign and kill him . The sharpest fruit is most profitable and wholsom . The Lemon is more tart , yet is more excellent then the Orange , which delighteth the taste .

Reader , is it not better to be awakened by a rousing reproof , then to sleep the sleep of death ? and wilt thou be angry with thy friend for doing thee that courtesie ? Is it not better for thy familiar companion to tell thee meekly of thy miscarriages , and call thee to repentance , then for God to reprove thee , and set thy sins in order before thine eyes ? When God uttered his voyce , the Heavens thundered , the mountains smoaked , and Moses himself trembled . The voice of the Lord is powerful , the voyce of the Lord is full of majesty ; the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars , yea , the Cedars of Lebanon ; the voyce of the Lord shaketh the wilderness , yea it shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh ; How wilt thou then endure the thundring of such a Cannon , a reproof for thy sins from the Almighty God , at whose rebuke the earth quakes , the rocks are rent in pieces , and the foundations of the world are moved ! The Israelites said unto Moses , Speak thou to us , and we will hear ; but let not God speak , lest we dye , Exod. 20. 19. Truly so mayst thou say to thy companion , Speak thou to me of my offences , deal plainly with me about any thing that thou seest amiss in me , and I will hear thee ; but let not God speak to me lest I dye , lest his voyce strike me down , strike me dead . There is an absolute necessity of thy sense of , and sorrow for thy sins . This ordinarily must be wrought in thee , either by admonition from man , or by some severe rebuke from God . Consider seriously therefore , whether it be not easier to take a faithful check from thy fellow creature , then to be called to repentance by some dreadful judgement from the jealous God . O t is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God ; for our God is a consuming fire .

One thing more Reader is considerable ; It is not enough to take a reproof with patience , but also to be awakened by reproof to repentance . It s a dreadful aggravation of sin to continue in it after thou art convinced of it . Such impudence is followed with fearful vengeance . He that being often reproved heardeneth his heart , shall suddenly be destroyed , and that without remedy , Pro. 29. 1.

4 4 Christians should rejoyce in each others graces . Fourthly , Christians if they would exercise themselves to Godliness in good company , must rejoyce in each others grace and good . True love will rejoyce in the welfare of another , as its own ; Peter beholding those eminent Graces in Paul , did not repine that a brighter star was risen which would eclipse his splendour , but glorified God in Paul , and gave him the right-hand of fellowship . It s a prophane Esau that hates a Iacob for having obtained his Fathers blessing beyond himself . Envy is from the evil one . Saul who was without God , eyed and hated David for slaying more of Gods enemies , and obtaining thereby greater renown then himself could . Yet alas , the spirit which dwelleth in the best , lusteth to envy : Corrupt nature will shew it self if it be possible at this window . There are some Countries , as Candie , that have ( Naturalists tell us ) no poison ; but there is not any Christian without a spice of this sin . Ioshua is ready to envy them that seemed by their light to darken his Master .

Cantharides a venemous worm , usually breedeth in Wheat when it is ripe ; the highest Christians , as the greatest Favourites at Court , are usually the greatest objects of envy . But O t is a sign of a weak eye not to behold the sunshine of others holiness without pain . The holy Apostle is enlarged in thanksgiving to God for the faith , and love , and patience of the Thessalonians , and their grace was ● strong cordial to revive him in his sorrows and distress . We give thanks to God for you all ; Remembring without ceasing , your work of faith , and labour of love , and patience of hope in our Lord Iesus Christ . We were comforted over you , in all our afflictions and distresse by your faith . Nay , he was so far from grieving at others graces , that he professeth the joy of his life did very much depend upon their perseverance in piety ; For now we live , if ye stand fast in the Lord ; As if he had said , Our life will be but a death in regard of sorrow and grief , it will be so doleful a being , that it will not deserve the name of a life , if ye should once be loose and wandring from the Lord , 1 Thes. 1. 2 , 3 , 4. 2 Thes. 3. 6 , 7 , 8. 1 Colos. 12. Grace cannot but desire and delight in its like . He that truly loves his God , will rejoyce in his brothers graces , because they tend to his Fathers glory ; and he that truly loves his brother , will be glad at his grace , because it tends so exceedingly to his brothers good . Pedaretus when he could not be admitted to be one of the three hundred , among the Spartans , Plutar●h● went home , rejoycing that his Country had three hundred better men then himself . Surely then , Christians when they behold others sparkling with grace , and shining as lights in the World , should rejoyce that the blessed God hath some that can do him more service , and bring him more glory then themselves .

Good Wish about a Christians Carriage in Good Company , wherein the former heads are applied .

The Introduction . THe Father of mercies , and onely wise God , who hath appointed ●he way in which I should walk , during the time of my Pilgrimage , and understandeth the multitudes of rubs and hinderances that I shall encounter with , the power and policy of those enemies which will beset me therein , as also how weak I am , and unable to hold out ; how weary I shall soon be , and ready to give over if I should travail alone , having out of his boundless grace and goodness , called me to the communion of Saints , that I might be directed by their counsel , and encouraged by their company , notwithstanding all opposition , to run the ways of his commandements : I Wish that I may esteem his precept herein as my glorious priviledge , improve their society to the greatest advantage , both for my own welfare , and my Gods honour and delight , to converse with those brethren here , with whom I hope to dwell in my Fathers house for ever ; What an inestimable dignity doth my God invest me with , in imposing on me so sweet a duty ! How wretchedly ungrateful should I be , if his paths should not be the more pleasant to me for such companions ! The worth and riches of this society , may well invite me to trade with them , and give me hopes of profiting by them . All the companions on earth , of the highest Callings , are but a rabbel of Cennel-rakers , to this noble society . The Prince of this Senate is the Heir of all things , the blessed and glorious Potentate ; such a Soveraign , whose dominion is universal , from Sea to Sea , whose Kingdom is eternal , throughout all Generations , and even the highest have gloried in being his Subjects . The Charter and Priviledges of this Society , are the inestimable Covenant of Grace , exceeding great and precious Promises , wherein pardon of sin , peace of conscience , new natures , adoption , justification , the love of the blessed God and eternal life are granted to them , and entailed on them for ever . The Servants of this Corporation , are all the creatures , in their several places , striving which shall do them the greatest kindness ; They are in league with the stones of the field ; and the beasts of the field , ( though never so ravenous by nature ) are at peace with them ; The glorious Angels pitch their Tents about them , and count it their honour to wait upon them , both living and dying . The Livery in which this company is attired , is the Royal Robes of Christs righteousness , which renders them without spot or wrinkle , and far more beautiful and amiable then Adam in his estate of unspotted innocency . Their Garments smell of Myr●he , Aloes , and Cassin , and for their richness infinitely surpa●● that cloathing which is of wrought gold . Their food is hidden Manna , such meat as endureth to eternal life , the bread that came down from Heaven , the flesh of the Son of God , which is meat indeed , and the blood of the Son of God , which is drink indeed . Their inheritance is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken , a Crown of life , Rivers of pleasures , an eternal weight of glory . Some Societies have boasted , that Kings and Lords have been Free of their Company ; the King of Kings , and Lord of Lords , is both Freee and Head of this Society ; they are his Hephzibah , his delight ; his Segullah , his peculiar treasure . Ah! who would not have communion with them whose communion is with the Father , and Jesus Christ his Son ! Lord , let my ambition be to be enrolled a Citizen of Sion , and to walk amongst them , worthy of that vocation wherewith thou hast called me , since the communion of thy Saints here , is some weak resemblance of Heaven , where all thy chosen shall glorifie and worship thee without fault and faintness ; teach me to hallow thy name , by doing thy will on earth , as it is in heaven .

Motives to mind the Communion of Saints .

1. The profit of Christian Society . I Wish that the gain which I am sure to reap by joyning with Christians in their common stock , may make me more diligent at this spiritual trade . The greatest priviledges are granted to Corporations , not to particular persons ; The greatest victories are obtainted by Regiments and Brigades , not by Souldiers engaged singly against their enemies . That Oyntment which yeilded so grateful a savour as to delight God himself , was compounded of several spices , Exod. 30. 23 , 24 , 25. My God hath ordained the communion of the faithful , for the building up one another in their most holy faith ; and if I expect his blessing , it must be in his own way . The body thrives best when all the members concur to perform their distinct and proper offices , for the good of the whole . Men make the most ravishing musick , when many joyn in consort . The two Disciples travelling together , found the blessed Jesus to make a third , and to warm their hearts with the fire of his heavenly Doctrine . How many vessels going in company have returned in safety , richly laden with the unsearchable riches in Christ ! If I am in doubts , good Companions will advise and direct my feet in the ways of peace . If I fit in darkness , and see no light , by their counsel and comfort , I may learn the way out of the mist. If I am perplexed in any labyrinths , they may help me to unty that knot of which I have been labouring long in v●in to find an end ; If I be falling , they will be props to support me ; if I wander , they will be guides to reduce me ; if I be dull , they will be whet-stones to quicken me ; if I do well , they will be fathers to encourage me ; whatever my want be , they will endeavour to supply me ; and whatever my condition be , they will be like-minded , both weeping with me in my sorrows , and rejoycing with me in my joys ; Besides , if I expect the presence of my God , who is rich in mercy , and the God of all consolations , where can I find him sooner then in his Temple ! they are the Temple of God , and I will dwell in them . 1 Cor. 6. ●● . His Saints on Earth , are his lesser Heaven , wherein he takes up his abode . O my soul , what an Argument is here , to perswade thee to fellowship with the Saints ! Theirs is the onely good fellowship ; Their Communion is a Conjunction in the service of thy God , and tendeth abundantly to thy spiritual advantage and edification ; Thy Redeemer calls them the light of the world , and they will guide thee in the way which he hath cast up ; The salt of the earth , and they will preserve thee from corruption ; Their conversations are living Commentaries upon that word which is thy rule , and so will both plainly teach thee thy duty , and powerfully provoke thee to do it . Their expressions will by savoury , and help thee to learn the language of Canaan . The tongue of the just is a tree of life , and beareth excellent fruit . The lips of the righteous feed many ; Besides , amongst these Children , thou mayst be sure to meet with the everlasting Father . Where two or three are gathered together in my name , I will be in the midst of them . Though but two or three , that the wicked despise them for their paucity though two or three ; never so low and mean , that the world scorns them for their poverty ; yet if gathered together in his name , they shall not fail of his presence ; Surely nothing will prevail more with a faithful Spouse , to joyn with any company , then this , She shall meet with her beloved Husband amongst them . O , of what great price is this one promise , I will be in the midst of them ! His presence like the nearer approaches of the Sun in the Spring , will refresh their hearts with the warm beams of his love , when they are chill , and almost dead with the cold of frights and fears , and cause in their souls a new shooting of grace , that notwithstanding any foregoing winter of barrenness , they shall now abound in the fruits of righteousness . What can they , or thou , O my soul , want , which his presence will not supply ? Art thou laden with sin ? he can give thee rest ; art thou full of sorrows ? he is the con●olation of Israel ; art thou poor in grace ? with him is durable riches and righteousness ; art thou dull and dead in spirituals ? he is the Lord of life , and can quicken thee ; He hath power enough to subdue all thy lusts , he hath wisdom enough to resolve all thy doubts , he hath grace enough to pity all thy weaknesses , and mercy enough to pardon all thy unworthiness ; He is able to save to the uttermost ; Nay , thou hast not only his Promise to meet thee in his Garden , amongst his people , but thou hast also his Performance of it , for thine encouragement ; Then the same day at evening , being the first day of the week , when the doors were shut , where the Disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews , came Jesus and stood in the midst , and saith unto them , Peace be unto you . And when he had so said , he shewd unto them his hands and his side ; then were the Disciples glad when they had seen the Lord ; Then said Iesus unto them again , Peace be unto you ; As my Father hath sent me , so send I you ; And he breathed on them , and said , Receive ye the Holy Ghost . O the value of those Jewels which are lockt up in this Cabinet ! All the Crowns and Scepters of the world , had they been thrown in amongst the Disciples , could not have caused the thousandth part of that comfort , nor have brought any degree of that profit , which the Disciples had by the presence of the holy Jesus . Consider his words , Peace be unto you ; peace be unto you . Never did sweeter words , or more melodious musick , ever sound in humane ears . What tidings could be more welcom to them that had known the terrors of an angry God , and felt the curses of his righteous Law ? Didst thou never see a poor debtor arrested by severe Serjeants , and hailed to the Goal ( in which nasty miserable place he was like to continue whilst he lived ) with wringing of hands , and watering of cheeks , and doleful screeches , and afterwards upon the payment of his debts by some loving Surety , with what clapping of hands , and gladness of heart he was enlarged ! If so , thou hadst some poor resembl●nce of that exuberancy of joy which the Disciples felt when they saw the Lord , and heard those blessed words , Peace be unto you . They were all liable every moment to the arrest of divine justice , for those vast sums which they owed to the Holy and Jealous God , and in continual danger to be hurried by Divels his Officers to the Prison of Hell , whence they could never have come out . Now his appearance to them did evidence that the Law was satisfied , that all their debts were discharged , in that the Surety who took upon him the payment of them , was by order of the Iudge released . What news could find more acceptance with those that dreaded the fury of the Lord more then death , and esteemed his favour far before life , then that which did speak him reconciled to them ! And farther , observe the work of the blessed Redeemer ; And he breathed on them , Receive ye the Holy Ghost ; As if he had said , I know your unbeleiving hearts will think the news of a reconciled God , and of peace with him , too good to be true ; behold therefore his love-token ; Receive the earnest of his favour , his holy Spirit , who knoweth his mind fully , and was at the Council-Table of Heaven , when all your names were engrost in the book of life , and all the methods of grace and good-will towards poor sinners were debated and concluded , and is sent to you on purpose to reveal them to you , and assure you of them , and therefore is an unquestionable evidence that he is at one with you . This O my soul , was the blessed Heavenly Banquet , which the Redeemer entertained his Disciples with when they met together ; and wouldst thou miss such a feast for all the World ? Lord , thou lovest the Assemblies of thy Saints ; they are the habitations of thy glorious Majesty , and the place where thine honour dwelleth ; There thou makest the largest discoveries of thy self , and grantest the fullest communications of thy grace . O let me take sweet counsel with thy people , and go to serve and honour thee in their company .

I Wish that the Confederacy of the wicked in sin , 2 2 Motive , Wicked men joyn togeth●r . may provoke me to a league with the Israel of God , for a free trade and commerce in holiness . Shall they whose lusts are often contrary , and set them at variance , unite against God and his holy ways ! and shall not we , whose graces are ever alike , and of a cementing nature , not joyn together for God and his Worship ? Do they conspire to defile and destroy each others souls , as if vitiated nature did not lead them fast enough to sin , or as if they could not run singly quick enough to Hell ! and shall not we encourage one another in the Worship of the living God , and provoke one another to love and to good works ? O how much do the servants of Satan by their conjunctions in evil , shame the Children of God for their backwardness in good . Their Master is the Prince of darkness , a cruel Tyrant , a roaring Lyon , that goeth about , seeking whom he may devour ; Their work is far worse then any Turkish slavery , its bondage to corruption● the service of unrighteousness ; the diversity and contrariety of their Lords , their lusts tearing them as it were in pe●●es , for the promoting of their particular interests ; Their wages is the vengeance of the eternal fire , the worm that never dieth , and the fire that never goeth out , after all their vassallage to their barbarous Masters , and hardships which they have been put to , in making provision for , and gratifying such opposite furies , they are recompenced with extremity , and eternity of torments ; yet they can unite their hearts , and hands , and heads , for the advancement of so hellish a Lord , about the prosecution of so base and divelish a work , and to earn so miserable a reward ; when the Souldiers of Christ , whose Captain is the Lord of Hosts , the most courteous and compassionate General , whose combats and contests which they are called to , are Noble and Heroick , and whose Crown and Garland will be beyond all comparison and apprehension , blessed and glorious , do rather fight against themselves , then against their enemies , or for their endless happine● ! Ah foolish Christians , who hath bewitched us ! May we not well blush that Satan should even out-boast the living God , in the unity of his Subjects , that the children of this world should be wiser in their generation then the children of light ! Alas , is it a time for Mariners to be quarreling , when their enemies are joyned in discharging their Cannons against them , and the Bullets flie thick amongst them ! Is it a time for Christians to be wrangling , when their Adversaries are united in a confederacy to destroy them all ! Lord , thou hast promised that thy people , in the days of the Gospel , shall no more envy one another ; that the Wolf and the La●b shall feed together , and the Lion shall eat straw like the Bullock , and dust shall be the Serpents meat ; that they shall not hurt nor destroy in all thy holy mountain . Thy dear Son , when leaving an ungrateful World , left Peace as one legacy to his Children , not onely peace with thee , but also among themselves , thou knowest how much his heart was set upon it , when he begd so hard , so earnestly , so affectionately of thee this blessing , a little before he went to lay down the price of it ; Let it please thee for thy Promise sake , to make all thine of one heart , and one way ; for because thou hast spoken it , therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer before thee this day . Let it please thee for thy Sons sake ( whom thou hearest always ) to take away all envyings and wrath , and emulation , and strife , out of the hearts of thy people , and heal thy Sion in its breaches , for thou seest it shaketh .

I Wish that the injury I do my self by unnecessary solitariness , 2 2 Motive . The evil of needless solitariness . may make me the more in love with good society ; My God hath told me , Wo to him that is alone ; David was alone , when Satan drew him to defile his Neighbours Wife . Whilst the Sheep flock together , they are safe , as being under the Shepherds eye ; but if one stragle from the rest , it s quickly a prey to the ravenous Wolf ; It s no hard matter to rob that house that stands far from Neighbours . The cruel Pyrate Satan , watcheth for those Vessels that sail without a convoy . The order is observable in the narration of Demas his Apostacy , Demas hath left us , and hath embraced this present World . He first left the Company of the faithful , and then openly denyed the faith . Christian conference is a good help to perseverance ; but they that forsake the communion of Saints , will quickly disown the profession of sanctity . If Rabbits keep within the Pales amongst their fellows , there is Law to secure them against the violence of strangers ; but if any wander from the Warren , they are a lawful prize for any man , and prey to any Dog . What an ill case is he in , that travelling in a dark night falls , and hath none to help him up ; that wanders , and hath none to shew him the right way ; that is set upon by Theives and Murderers , and hath none near him , to defend and secure him ! Such is the condition of those that neglect the communion of Saints . Hence it is that our great and sworn enemy raiseth the dust of dissention and strife amongst Christians , to make them keep aloof from each other , knowing that much of their welfare and safety doth depend upon their keeping together ; He knoweth its best fishing in troubled waters . O my soul ! Now thou beholdest in these wicked days the high winds of divisions and passions amongst the Children of God , how ready they are to Martyr one anothers names , and it s to be feared to Murther one anothers bodies , if infinite power did not over-rule and prevent it , thou mayst gather assuredly that Satan was the Conjurer to raise them . I have read of a Tree , that if some of the boughs of it be cast into a Ship , they cause a mutiny betwixt the Passengers and Mariners , to the ruine of both . Dost thou not think that Satan hath cast some such branches into the Vessel of the Church at this day , that instead of uniting their strength against him and his Kingdom , and instead of joyning their power to improve every gale for their furtherance towards their blissful Haven , they might fall together by the ears , destroy one another , and save their enemies a labour ! O that for the divisions of Sion I could have great searchings , great sorrows of heart ! Lord , thy Saints in the Primitive times , were famous for their love to each other . Their very enemies would with admiration cry out ; See how the Christians love one another ! Thy Jerusalem heretofore was a City compact together , at unity within it self ; Why is it now divided , and the walls broken down , and the inhabitants all in all in an uprore , that all that go by waste it , and laugh at it , saying , Is this the beautiful City ! Is this the Church of Christ ! Aha! so would we have it . O look down from Heaven and pity mount Sion , where thou wast wont to dwell . Should thy children fall out by the way , to the gratifying thine enemies , dishonouring thy name , and wounding their own souls ? Should the members of the same body , cut , and lance , and tear each other ? Though Dogs and Wolves , the wicked of the world , tear out one anothers bowels , yet the Sheep of Christ should live together in love . How long shall it be , before thou biddest ( with a word of power ) thy people return from pursuing their brethren ? Shall the Sword devour for ever ? Thou knowest it will be bitterness in the end . For thy names sake unite the hearts of all thy chosen , not onely by faith to thy dear Son , but also by unfaigned and forbearing love , each to other .

I Wish that my great coldness and backwardness to what is good , 4 4 Motive . The backwardnes● of our hearts . may invite me to associate with them who will warm and quicken me . How averse is my flesh to every work of Christianity ? how weak is my spirit in their performance ? how untowardly doth it enter upon them ? how formally doth it go through with them ? my carriage in them is wholly unsutable to their weight and worth , and what need then do I stand in , of help from others ? As in a material house the walls need support from the strong timber , and the timber needs even the nails and spikes to fasten it together : So in the Spiritual Temple , the weak Christians need the strong to support and uphold them , and the strong need the weak , if for nothing else , yet to call forth those gifts of counselling , and that grace of pity , and compassion which they owe to them . If the strongest want each other , that the eye , the most knowing Christian , cannot say to the hand , the most active , I have no need of thee ; much more do those that are weak want supply and support from others . Nature teacheth me this lesson ; The weakest creatures amongst Fish , or Fowls , or Beasts , go usually in flocks and Companies . The Ivy and Vine , and Hop , not being able to bear up themselves , will by a natural instinct , ●ling about the Tree , or Pole , or Hedge , or Wall that is near them . Were I but as sensible of my own weakness as I ought to be , I should both earnestly desire , and heartily accept the assistance of others . It is the Wisdom of my God , to let none of his Children have all things about them , or a sufficiency to live of themselves , without being beholden to their Neighbours ; to invite and necessitate them to mutual commerce . Those that are very able to advise others , do yet in their own cases take advice from others . The Lawyer will not trust himself in a case of his own estate , nor the Physitian in a distemper in his own body , but will both desire counsel and direction from their friends . A stander by doth many times see more then an actor , and is more fit to judge the action then the Agent . We are too near our selves to see our own doings , and to be right in our judgements of our selves ; Those that stand at a due distance from us , see more clearly , and judge more truly . Self-love so blinds us , that we judge those diseases not unpleasing in our selves , which we loath in others . O that I might be so affected both with my ignorance of the right way , and my proneness to allow my self in my wandrings , that I may make use of those Guides which free grace affordeth me . Lord , give me such sense of my unskilfulness in the wiles and devices of Satan , of the deceitfulness and desperate wickedness of my own heart , and of my inability to steer the vessel of my soul aright amongst those shelves , and sands , and storms , which I am sure to encounter that I may take up those Pilots which thou providest for me at every Port , and so at last arrive in safety at thy glorious City .

I Wish that I may watch my self amongst the godly , Caution in good company . as well as amongst the wicked , lest Satan do me that injury by a friend , which he could not by an enemy ; Davids familiar fri●nd conspired his ruine ; the Son of David was betrayed with a kiss from his friend ; and though my charity to my friends , for●ids me to think them as bad as either , yet my charity to my self , commands me to stand upon my guard . Anglers for Fish , do frequently catch one fish with another , as the greater with the smaller . Sure I am , Satan is subtile enough to bait his hook with that which is most likely to take , and hath too often caught one Christian with another . The best friends are but men , and have flesh in them as well as Spirit ; and what know I but the wicked one may tempt them to tempt me , as not ignorant of their prevalency over me ! None was so likely to deceive the Prophet of the Lord , as the Old Prophet , that pretended a commission from the same power , and himself a Servant of the same Master . Who can so probably perswade me to a work of darkness , as he that is , or at least transformes himself into an Angel of light ! Besides , I am apt to be the more careless , when I am amongst ( them that I judge ) true Christians . In a crowd , where Cheats usually resort , and execute their hellish Trade , I look to my money ; but when I am amongst them whom I suppose to be honest , I think that care needless , and so may the easier be deceived . Lord , thou hast commanded me to keep my heart with all diligence ; I acknowledge I have been too secure , when amongst thy Saints , as beleiving their work to be onely to advance thine ( not Satans ) interest , in the World . O give me to Consider that when the Sons of God gather together , Satan is also amongst them , and he is both policick and active to defile me , that he may destroy me ; that I may even amongst them , watch and pray , and so not enter into temptation .

I Wish that I may never spend my precious time amongst Christians , 1 1 Beware of those sin● that good men are too guilty of , when they meet together . as the Athenians ( who never understood the worth of that commodity , used to waste it ) onely in telling and hearing of n●ws , but as Christ amongst his Disciples , in discoursing of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God . 1 1 In spending time vainly . O what pity is it , that a thing of such infinite value should be spoiled and laid out to little purpose ! I s●ould befool him that should throw down pails of Bezerwater , to wash common sinks or gutturs , which would serve for such excellent use as to comfort our vitals , and to refresh and revive drooping and fainting Spirits ; Who would not abhor that vanity of Nero , in shooing his Horses with precious gold , and causing that costly mettal to be trampled under foot in the dirt , which was worthy to be the materials of a Crown , for the highest ●ead on earth ! Am not I a greater fool then the former , and more vain then the latter , if I spend that time ( which is infinitely more costly then gold or Bezer , as having relation to eternity ) wholly in worldly talk , which might be imployed in declaring and admiring the boundless perfections of the blessed God , in furthering that curious work of grace , in my own and others souls , and in preparing us for our unchangeable bliss in the other World ? My God hath not onely a book of remembrance for every good word , but also a book of observance and account for every idle word . Lord , within a few days , I shall go the way that I shall not return ; thine Angel may say concerning me , That time shall be no more ; Thou wilt never trust me with another life , nor afford me another day of grace ; this is the onely time that I shall have to provide against the coming of my Lord . Nay , whilst I live , thou mayst part me from thy people , and deny me that happy priviledge of their society that I now enjoy ; For the Lords sake help me to work whilst it is day , and to walk whilst it is light , because the night is coming , wherein I can neither work nor walk .

2 2 In censuring the good . I Wish that my tongue may never be so set on fire of Hell , as to speak evil of those that are the Heirs of Heaven . It were better for me to be sick and solitary in my bed , then to be censuring or reflecting upon the Lords Servants . The Divels themselves ( though for their own ends ) could sometimes speak of righteous ones with a seeming awe and reverence . These men are the Servants of the most High God , and shew unto us the way of salvation ; And shall I at any time , be worse then a Divel at some times ! Such impotency in my tongue would be too great a sign of impurity in my heart . Those that have a blemish in their eyes , judge the Skie to be ever cloudy . Caligula , who was a Monster of obscenity and uncleanness , thought there was never a chaste person in the World . T is usual with the wicked ( measuring others by themselves ) to judge all to be ungodly ; They render others to be deformed , that their own faces might be esteemed the more fair . Or as the Lapwing , they hope by their false cries against the godly , to divert strangers from finding the nest of their own filthiness . They would have all good men thought to be evil , that themselves who are fullest of evil might be thought good ; But though the seed of the Serpent spit their poison against the seed of the woman , should I do so who am one of their brethren ? How bad is that Bird that defileth its own nest ? How foolish , as well as sinful , is that Child that disgraceth and defameth his own Family ? If I speak evil of any of the Saints , I speak evil of my self , and of the Master whom they serve . Though Christ was not upon earth in Enochs days , yet he tells me that he will judge the slanderers of the Saints , as blasphemers of himself ; Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints , to execute judgement upon all , and to convince them of their hard speeches , which ungodly sinners have spoken against him , Iude , vers. 15. It is Satans title , to be the accuser of the Brethren ; and my God calleth such men as are guilty of it , by no better name then Devils , 2 Tim. 3. 3. Tit. 3. 2. Would I be willing to resemble the Prince of darkness , or can I do it and escape punishment ! O t is dangerous to abuse the King of Heavens Favourites ; Such Arrows of slander and censure , shot out of Satans Bow by my hand against the Saints , would as a Shaft shot against a Stone , rebound upon me , and hurt not the Stone or Saint , but him that shot it ; He that snuffeth a candle with his bare fingers , doth foul , if not burn his fingers , but makes the Candle to burn the more brightly ; If I censure the Children of God , I defile my own conscience , but do not make them the less glorious . O my soul● consider what thy God hath said , Cursed is he that smiteth his Neighbour secretly ; And all the people shall say , Amen . Thou mayst smite thy Neighbour as really , and as dangerously with thy tongue , as with thy hand . The wages of both is a Curse from God , from all the People ; Surely the breath of so many , would blow down the strongest person , the strongest dwelling ; Though the causeless curse shall not come , yet when God and Men both see cause for it , and say Amen to it , there is no way to avoid it . I may build upon my profession , as if that would secure me against such a stormy wind , but it will prove a rotten founda●ion . My God hath told me , What hast thou to do to take my Covenant in thy mouth ; Thou givest thy mouth to evil , and thy tongue frameth deceit ; Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother , and slanderest thine own Mothers Son ; No pretence whatsoever can prevent my punishment ; But I will reprove thee , and set thy sins in order before thee ; If God once undertake to reprove , it will be cutting , it will be killing . O let me tremble to think of tearing the names of any of Gods people , lest my God tear me in peices , when there is none to deliver me ! Psa. 50. 16 , 17 , 21 , 22. How irrational as well as irreligious is it for me to spend my time in censuring others ! If they be guilty of erring , they do but shew themselves to be Men , not Angels ; Am I so foolish as to expect Heaven upon Earth , perfection in a polluted and polluting World ! If I my self were without sin , then I might throw the first stone . The actions of the best are but a miscellay of good and evil . Moses himself , like the Pillar that conducted him , had his dark side . The cleanest Corn , even after threshing and winnowing , will have some soil in it . There is a tincture of corruption that stains all mankind ; Otherwise there are some graces that would rust for want of use , and be given in vain . What wise man will despise or deny a Mine to be Gold , because it hath some dross or bad earth with it ? or will throw away a Beast , and say it is not good meat , because it hath guts and garbage in it ? The Vermine of sin , may sometimes craul in a cleanly holy person , though they be not allowed there ; One act will not prove an habit , nor a few bad actions a bad person . If every sin unsaint a man , Satan will challenge the whole race of mankind as his own peculiar . When I see the course rather good then evil , my charity commandeth me not to think the man other then a Christian ; Besides , How frequent is it for the malicious world to lay down false reports of the Saints , and shall I be their Pedler to take them up , and cry their rotten deceitful wares up and down the Country ? The Priest under the Law , was not to judge presently of the Plague of Leprosie , but to shut the person suspected up seven days , and then to view him , and if the case were not clear , to shut him up seven days more , and after that , seven days more , before he was condemned ; and what is the Gospel of this , but to condemn rash censuring of any , much more of the godly ? Hath not my God told me , He that answereth a matter before he heareth it , it is a folly and shame to him ? Prov. 18. 13. Lord , thou understandeth what an unruly member my tongue is , how hard to be kept within the bounds of sobriety towards my self , or charity towards others . O be pleased to undertake for me , and keep thou the door of my lips . It is not good to speak evil of those whom I know bad ; but it s much worse to speak evil of those who may prove good . Should I declare others failings upon certain knowledge , it sheweth some want of charity , but should I publish their faults upon a bare supposition , it would argue a want of honesty . O let me rather erre on the right hand , in my charitable thoughts of those that are bad , then on the left , in my censorious opinion of those that are good ; For though he may be evil that speaks good of others upon knowledge , yet he can never be good himself , that speaks evil of others upon suspicion .

3 3 In backbiting the bad . I Wish that I may be so far from speaking ill of them that are good , that I may rather be silent , then without a just cause and call speak ill of them that are evil . Though the wicked like Dogs , fall upon the Sheep of Christ with open mouth , and strive to bury their good names in the open Sepulchre of their wide throats ; yet the Sheep of Christ do rather suffer their rage with patience , then render reviling for reviling . My God hath commanded me , to bless them that curse me , and to pray for them that despitefully use me ; and how contrary am I to his Precept , if I pay them in their own coin , and open my mouth in backbiting them , because they are forward to slander me ? It is enough for them that have not a God to undertake their cause , and revenge their quarrels , to do it themselves . If I be one of Christs members , he reckoneth all the wrongs offered to me , as done to himself , and he will one day vindicate his own honour and mine to the full , when the sinner shall answer for all his treasonable expressions , with Hell flames about his ears ; The tongue that now is blistered with blasphemies against God and his people , at that day will be in a light flame , and beg in vain with Dives , for a little water to cool it . I may therefore be quiet in all such cases , and commit my cause to him that judgeth righteously . He that is robbed , may not seek for reparation from the Country , if the Felon at the Assizes be Convicted and Executed . I need not fear but the Iudge of the whole earth , will at the general Assize , do justice upon those Thieves that steal away my credit and good name , and so in the mean time may well be contented . He that is sure of double interest hereafter , may with the more comfort forbear his money at present . Besides , by declaring his faults , onely to fill up a void space of time , I injure both him and my self , whether my report be true or false ; if my report be false , I wrong him , by slandering and murdering his name undeservedly ; and I wrong my self , by contracting the guilt of so great a sin : If the report be true , I walk contrary to Gods com●mand , speak evil of no man , and so de●ile my own soul , and set him at a further distance from Religion , hardening his heart against any future reproof , as judging it to proceed from malice , and so I do what lyeth in my power to destroy his soul. Besides all this , I may injure my hearers , and make them accessary to my sin . Lord , thou hast given me my tongue , that it might be a trumpet to sound thine honour , and that therewith I might speak good of thy name , and not to speak evil of others . O let my glory sing of thee , and not be silent ; open thou my lips , and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise ; but let me prefer an unprofitable silence , before sinful speaking ; Help me to take heed to my ways ; that I offend not with my tongue , and to keep my mouth with a bridle , that I may not wander from thy Commandments .

2 2 Christians should be serviceable to each other . I Wish that I may to the utmost of my power , be serviceable to the souls of my fellow-members . The members of the natural body , are not idle or unprofitable , but give and receive nourishment for the increase of the whole body ; They do not seek themselves , or their particular interests apart , but the good of the whole , and their own profit in relation thereunto ; Nay , the eye watcheth for all the members , and helpeth to adorn them , and not it self ; the hands work to maintain and cover the whole , remaining themselves naked ; Why should it not be thus in my Saviours mystical body ? My God hath given me and others , graces and gifts for that purpose , and commanded me , Occupy till I come ; and should I suffer them to rust , for want of use , I should be found at last but an unprofitable servant . The several creatures , whether superiour or inferiour , do all instruct me by their patterns in this lesson of improving my talents , and forbid me to bury them in the grave of idleness . If I look up to the highest heavens , I may see with an eye of faith , those Sons of God , Angels , his diligent Servants and putting forth those abilities which they have received , both for the glory of their Creatour , and the good of their fellow-creatures . Though they are the eldest house , and ( compared with us ) the first born of the creation , yet they do not as the eldest sons of some men , plead that priviledge to patronage and cloak sloth and idleness ; but as they have higher and more noble natures , so they are more active and industrious then others , as appears both by bearing their parts in the celestial quire , and in being ministring spirits for the good of them that are heirs of salvation . If I look to the natural Heavens , there with an eye of sense I may see the great Candle , and Luminary of the World , not folding up those rayes and cherishing vertues which he hath received , but communicating them freely for the warming and refreshing terrestrial bodies , though he gains nothing by it , but is many times requited with the darkning his glory by earthly vapours . If I look lower , I may observe the earth even wasting and wearing out her self to nourish and inrich others ; She hath received a power of fructifying , and giving sap to that which groweth upon her , and loe like a tender Nurse , how liberally doth she give that milk to all that hang on her breasts , though it tend to her own weakening ? The various inanimate and irrational creatures , that are upon the earth are serviceable one to another in their places , and are in continual and regular motion to those ends for which they were designed . The most venemous creatures are useful , not onely to their fellows of the same rank , but to man their Master . Nay , if I descend lower , and look into Hell , I may believe the Devils not to be idle and unprofitable to each other● but to conspire together in one , and to be at all times busie and stirring for the propagating of their poison ; They go too and fro in the earth , seeking how they may dishonour the name of the glorious God , and destroy immortal souls . O my soul , what sayst thou to these patterns , to these presidents ! Shall irrational creatures advantage others , and wilt thou monopolize all to thy self ? Dost thou not see how they are all in their stations profitable to man , even to the worst of men ? The Fish and Fowles , and some beasts feed him , the Sheep , and wormes● and Bever cloath him , the Horse and Mule carry him ; and wilt thou be worse then the Horse and Mule , which have no understanding ? Shall inanimate creatures be helpful to others , and wilt thou live onely to thy self ? The Fire consumes it self to warm others ; the Candle destroyeth it self to enlighten others ; Salt wasteth it self to season others ; the Fountain sendeth forth its streams to refresh others ; the Sun , Moon and Stars , exercise those powers with which they are endowed , to direct and enliven others ; and shall these creatures which have neither reason nor sense , rise up in judgement to condemne thee ? Do the best and highest of the creation count it no disparagement , but an honour and preferment , to serve the Spouse of Christ , and wilt thou shrink back , and not wait on her in thy place ? Surely thou art dull indeed , if so many Masters cannot teach thee this lesson . Thou art blind to purpose , if thou dost not see thy duty , when it s Printed in so large a Letter , in so many Volumes . Thou canst not open thine eyes , but thou beholdest this Precept , and that in the likeliest way of learning it , examples . Look upwards , the heavens are thy tutors , they are unwearied in their motion , for the good of the Vniverse ; look downwards , and the Devils will teach thee not to jarr with thy fellows , but to uni●e with them , and endeavour their comfort ; look inwards , and the parts of the body may be thy Master , they conjoyn for the good of each other ; the eye seeth , the ear heareth , the mouth eateth , the stomach digesteth , the hands work , the feet walk , for the welfare of the whole ; look outwards , and the earth may be thy monitour , that is fruitful , not for its own , but others benefit ; And art thou not ashamed to be barren ? Lord , it is thy will , 1 Pet. 4. 10. that as I have received the gift , even so I should minister to others as a good Stewa●d of the manifold grace of God ; Keep thy servant from ingrossing those spiritual riches to himself , which thou hast given him for the releif of thy poor .

Ch●istians must be serviceable

1. In instructing the ignorant .

O let me never eat my morsels alone , but according to my estate , cloath thy naked ones , and feed the hungry with good things . When I was blind , thou didst send an Ananias to me , saying , Brother , the Lord Jesus , that great Physitian , hath sent me unto thee , that thou mightest receive thy sight , and be filled with the holy Ghost ; And immediately the scales fell from mine eyes , and I saw the things that concerned my peace ; and shall not I pity others ignorance , and with meekness instruct them in the way of life ! How dull was I of understanding ? how slow to conceive and believe spiritual things ? yet thou didst bear with me patiently , and didst give me Precept upon Precept , and line upon line . Why should not I bear with my fellows , since thou didst bear with one infinitely thine inferiour ! Thou hast enlivened me when I was dead ; enlightned me , when I sat in darkness , and saw no light ; supported me in my weaknesses , and supplied me in all my wants and necessities . O strengthen me , that since I am acquainted with the sweetness of thy love , and the greatness of thy power , I may communicate my experiences , and improve my gifts for the counselling , quickening and comforting of others .

2 2 In bearing with one anothers in●irm●ties . I Wish that my God would so strengthen my back , that I may bear with patience the burthens of my brethren ; I know unkindnesses will happen between the nearest relations , and between the dearest friends . Whilst there is flesh in us , there will be failings and fallings out among us ; Till we come to that place where there is perfect purity , there can be no hope of perfect peace ; But how contrary am I to my God , if I do not forbear and forgive them that offend me ? Am I better then God ? I● unkindness to me , in any measure so hainous as unkindness to God ? Their engagements to me , are nothing comparable to their engagements to God , and therefore the least wrong to God , is infinitely greater and more hainous , then the greatest that can be done to me ; Yet my God winketh at the weaknesses , and passeth by the peevishness of his people ; He seeth no iniquity in Iacob , nor transgression in Israel , though they offer daily affronts and disrespects to him , and that after their sorrow for former miscarriages , and promises of amendment , yet he doth not destroy , but is patient towards them ; and shall not I be merciful , as my Heavenly Father is merciful ? Besides , I have offended God , much more then my Brother can offend me . I need not say , according to the Worldlings vain pleas and pretences , The injury is great , therefore I cannot pass it by . My offences against my God , are of an higher nature , and a more bloody colour ; yet I hope he forgiveth me . Or , This is not the first time , he hath often abused me thus ; How often have I sinned against my God! my sins are more then the haires of my head , they are more then can be numbred , yet he forgiveth me freely and frequently , he multiplieth pardons , as I multiply transgressions ; Or , But this is expresly contrary to his duty ; And is not my disobedience against God , contrary to that which I ought to do ? is it not expresly against his dominion over me , and that Allegiance which I owe to him ? Or , I am his Superiour . Surely , God is mine much more ; O the infinite distance that is between the boundless Majesty of Heaven ; and a poor slimy worm● If the whole creation be nothing to him , what then am I to him ! Or , But I will have nothing to do with him , I value not his favour , I live by him , not upon him . Doth thy God live upon thee ? hath he any need of thee ? is he any debtor to thee ? wouldst thou be glad he should upon this reason say , He will have nothing to do with thee , to protect , or preserve , or pardon , or save thee , because he can live without thee ? When for all thy iniquities and offences against him , and his soveraignty over thee , and independence on thee , he beareth with thee , and forbeareth thee , oughtest thou not to forbear and forgive others ? Again , Thou mayst put this question to thy self , Have not I wronged others ? Doth not the righteous God now pay me in my own coin ? May I not say , as Adonibezek , As I have done to others , so God hath requited me ? Nay , possibly others offend me ignorantly unawares , or through some violent temptation , but I have offended others knowingly , wilfully , and upon weaker inducements . O what cause have I to forgive , who am so prone to offend ! Lord , teach me to obey thy precept , in forbearing my brethren that offend me , and so to imitate that blessed pattern of thy Majesty , who art pleased daily to requite evil with good , that I may be able , comfortably to pray , Forgive me my trespasses , as I forgive them that trespass against me .

3 3 In com●orting the sorrowful . I Wish that I may , according to my poor ability , be helpful to the weak and tender members of Christ , by administring Cordials , sutable to their conditions . My duty is , not onely to counsel the doubtful , but also to comfort the sorrowful ; If I saw a body fainting and drooping , I were bound to afford it what assistance I could , and not to hide mine eyes from mine own flesh ; Doth not my Neighbours soul , as far more precious , call for more pity , and command my help to my power ! If one Sheep be sick , many others will flock about him , and in an hot day , after their manner refresh him , by keeping the scorching Sun from him . The Sheep of Christ should have more sense of others misery , and more knowledge of the means relating to their recovery , and shall they be less diligent for others health ? To him that is afflicted , pity should be shewn ; if I deny this , I forsake the fear of the Almighty ; How tender was my Redeemer of broken bones , and sorrowful Saints ! When he arose from the dead , he appeared first to mournful Mary , and then takes special care that penitent Peter have speedy notice of that blessed news , Go tell my Disciples and Peter that I am risen . They that have smarted with inward wounds themselves , have the more reason to compassionate others in their sorrows ; Lord , the time hath been , that thou didst cast me into the deep , into the midst of the Seas , thy Floods compassed me about , all thy Billows , and thy Waves passed over me ; I roared by reason of the anguish of my Spirit , under the sense of thy wrath , and the curse of thy Law . The weight of my sins lay heavy upon my conscience , and I was even sinking under them into the bottomless pit . The sorrows of death compassed me about , the pains of Hell ga● hold of me , I found trouble and sorrow ; I knew not which way to turn , nor whither to go for any ease or releif ; If I said , My Friends should help me , or my Possessions abate my grief , I soon found them all miserable comforters , and Physitians of no value ; If I said , My bed should comfort me , and my Couch ease my complaint , then thou didst scare me with Dreams , and terrifie me with Visions . All the creatures were unable to afford me any succour ; When I lay thus half dead , they all as the Priest and Levite passed by on the other side ; they had neither pity enough for such dreadful wounds , nor power enough to work their cure ; Then called I upon the Name of the Lord , O Lord , I beseech thee deliver my soul out of the belly of Hell , cried I unto thee , and ●hou didst hear my voice ; For thou hast delivered my Soul from Death , mine Eyes from Tears , and my Feet from falling . Thou wast the good Samaritan , that hadst compassion on me , that didst bind up my wounds , pouring in Oyl and Wine , and undertake my cure ; Thou didst send a Barnabas , a Son of Consolation to me , to proclaim liberty to me a poor captive , and the opening of the Prison to me that was bound . How beautiful were his feet , that brought the glad ridings of peace to my poor soul ? O that I might be able to support the weak , and comfort the feeble-minded , God !

4 4 In reproving the sinful . I Wish that I may be both faithful and wise , to recover a fallen Brother out of his sin and error ; Jonathan , a true friend of David , promised to tell him if there were any danger , and accordingly warned him , whereby he saved his life . I profess my self a lover of my Christian Companions , but I am false in my profession , if I suffer sin to lye upon them . Yet I confess it is a difficult work to perform this duty in a right manner . The best plaister may be ineffectual , if it be not fitly applied ; I can seldom with Moses seek to unit● quarrelling Christians , but one of them with the Hebrew , is ready to quarrel with me , and say , Who made thee a Ruler , or a Judge over us ? Men are seldom more touchy then when their sores are searched ; and therefore he that would not have their wounds to bring them into a Fever or Fury , must handle them with much wariness ; I desire that Wisdom , Courage , and Love , may be the ingredients of which all my medicines may be compounded . Wisdom , that I may observe the quality and temper of the Offendour , the nature of his offence , and the sittest season and manner of administring the reproof ; the quality of the person , if he be my Superiour , that I may do it with reverence , rather exhorting and beseeching , the plainly rebuking ; The temper of the offendour ; if he be of a fierce nature , that I may so manage my work with meekness , as when I am endeavouring to heal his distemper , I may not increase it ; The nature of the offence , If the sin be small , that I may not make it great , by giving stronger medicines then the disease requires ; The season of reproving , that I may not give open rebuke for private offences , but observe my Saviours r●le , If thy Brother offend thee , tell him his fault between him and thee . The presence of many , may make him take up an unjust defence , who in private would have taken upon him a just shame ; The open air makes sores to wrankle ; the more publique rebukes are for Magistrates and Courts of Justice to give . Possibly , it may be my suspicion more then any real fault , as in the case of the Blessed Virgin and Joseph , and then what wrong should I do him , to accuse innocency before a multitude ? The manner of delivering it , that I may give him his due praise , as well us his deserved reproof ; This will somewhat allay his passion , and make my reproof the more prevalent . The Iron when heated red hot in the fire , is bent and beaten afterwards without breaking which way the Smith pleaseth . When I have heated him hot with the fire of commendation , I may then beat upon him with reproof in greater hopes of success ; I would desire courage also , that I may deal faithfully , and not skin over a wound that hath dead flesh at the bottom . Should I dally , I destroy the Patient ; If the Of●endour be so bold as to dare God , why should I be so bashful as to fear him ! Love , that he may discern my affection to his soul , in my detestation of his sin . If he suspect me to bear ill-will in my heart , he will throw my potion in my face ; What man will take Physick from an enemy ? Lord , shouldst thou suffer me to go on in sin , and not call me back though by a severe admonition , it were a sign thou didst hate me . Thou didst never strike Ephraim worse , then when thou didst forbear to strike at all , but saidst , Ephraim is joyned to Idols , let him alone ; Should I not seek to pluck my brother out of the fire of sin , into which he is fallen , but suffer him to lye there , I hate him , and am in thine esteem a murderer . O deliver me from such blood-guiltiness , thou God of my salvation . Let thy good Spirit so strengthen and direct me , when ever thou callest me to this duty , that I may do it with zeal to thine honour , not daring to jest with such an edged tool as sin is , and with love and wisdom , that if by any means , I may bring back a wandring sheep to thy fold .

3 3 Christians should endeavour to receive what good they can from each other . I Wish that I may receive , as well as do good , by all my converses with those that are good . Christians are trees of righteousness , planted in Gods Vineyard , and it s my own fault if I gather not some good fruit from them . My God tells me , The lips of the righteous feed many ; 1 1 In receiving counsel . if then I rise hungry from the Table , it s a sign I am sullen and will not eat ; My Father delights to see his Children distributing their spiritual food ( as the Disciples the Loaves and Fish to the multitude ) amongst their brethren , till they all are filled ; He hath acquainted me , that its an argument of wisdom to receive , and folly to refuse counsel ; Give instruction to a wise man , and he will be yet wiser , teach a just man , and he will increase in learning , Prov. 9. 9. The holy Apostle , though high in the School of Christ , and in the uppermost Form , yet hoped to learn somwhat from those that were far meaner Scholars . He writes to the Romans , that he hopes to be filled with their Company . They that are Dwarfes in Religion , may do service to the tallest , if they be willing to accept it . A Rush Candle may give me some light , if I do not wilfully shut mine eyes ; A brazen Bell may call me to prayer as well as one of silver , if I do not stop mine ears . The smallest and meanest creatures , were serviceable to the Great God against the Egyptians ; and shall my proud heart refuse the help of mean Christians , against the enemies of my salvation ? Did a Damsel possessed with a Devil , bring her Master much temporal gain , and may not a poor servant , filled with the holy Spirit , bring me much spiritual gain ? What ? or , who am I ? that none must teach me , but those that are eminent in grace and gifts ? I am sure I have nothing ( that good is , ) but what I have received , and this pride of my heart is too great an evidence that I am but poor in holiness . Those branches that are fullest laden , bend most downward . Those trees that abound in clusters of fruit , do not disdain to receive sap from the mean earth , which every Beast trampleth on . It s no wonder if a soul decline in strength , that refuseth its food , because it s not brought by the Steward , but by some inferiour person of the Family . If Satan can keep me in this proud humour , he doth not doubt but to keep me in a starving condition , and to hinder the efficacy of all means for my growth in grace . When this Dropsie once seiseth upon my vitals , I may expect a Consumption of my whole body . Lord , it were my duty to hear thy voice , though it were through the mouth of a Balaam ; thou hast sometimes conveyed the water of life through these Pipes of Lead , and sent considerable presents to thy chosen , by contemptible messengers ; O suffer me not to be wise i● mine own eyes , and thereby to turn away mine ears from the words of them that are endued with spiritual wisdom ; but cause me to hear counsel , and receive instruction , that I may be wise for my latter end .

2 2 In accepting a reproof . I Wish that I may be so much my own friend , as to esteem a bitter admonition better then the sweetest flattery , and never quarrel at any , for waking me out of my spiritual Lethargy . The World indeed is full of them that rage at such as would prevent their ruine , choosing rather to have their wounds fester , though they kill them ; then be searched throughly to recover them ; Their words to their Neighbours , are like the Jews to the Prophets , Prophesie not unto us right things , Prophesie unto us smooth things , Prophesie deceits , Isa. 30. 10. And their works are like theirs too ; If a Stephen deal but faithfully with them , and tell them of their faults , they are presently cut to the heart , and gnash at him with their teeth ; Their bones are so out of order , that the smallest disturbance makes them fret and fume . Like Owles , if any offer to lay hold on them , they soon make him feel their claws ; Rebuke a scorner and he will hate thee ; But I have not so learned Christ ; Though Toads are no sooner toucht , but they swell and are ready to spit out their poison in the face of him that hindleth them , yet Sheep will be felt and shorn , and suffer their sores to be drest with patience . Though fools hate him that reproveth in the gate ; yet , rebuke a wise man and he will love thee , saith God , Prov. 9. 8. O that I might never be so void of love to my fallen brother , as not to give him a serious reproof , nor so void of love to my self , as not to receive a serious reproof . The nipping frosts , though not so pleasant , are as profitable as the Summer sunshine . I deceive my self , if I judge no liquor wholsom but what is toothsom . There is no probable way of curing some diseases , but by Blisters , and ●●pping-glasses , and painful medicines ; Is it not better for me to accept an admonition and amend , then to walk on in a wicked way to my destruction ? Will it not be much easier for me to bear a rebuke given in love , and with meekness from my fellow-creature , then to provoke the Iealous God , with eyes full of fury , to take me by the throat , and ask me , what I am doing ! How I dare thus slight his Laws , and contradict his Will ! O how can my heart endure , or my hands be strong , in the day that he shall deal with me ! Well might my God say , He that hateth reproof is brutish . Lord , let me never be so much a beast , as to lye snoring in a nasty kennel of filth , and when any come to wake me , flie in their faces ; but let me prefer a sharp admonition , before the smoothest deceits . When any praise me for the good in me , cause me to suspect my self ; when any reprove me for the evil in me , let me accept it with thanks ; Make me able to say with that sweet singer of Israel , Let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindness ; and let him reprove me , and it shall be an excellent oyl , it shall not break my head .

I Wish that I may by no means repine , 4 4 To rejoyce in each others w●lfare . but always rejoyce at the gifts and graces of others . If the other members of the body thrive , the heart doth not grieve , but is glad at it . It s ordinary for younger brothers , to boast and glory in the large estate , and great possessions which their elder brothers have left them by their Fathers . Why should not my soul be joyful at the great share of spiritual riches , which the onely wise God hath given some of my brethren ? If a man love sweet smels , the greater degree of them he observeth in any place , the mo●e he is refreshed with them . He that delights in Pictures , if he see one in a room , exactly and exquisitely drawn , above all the rest , that shall have more of his eye and his heart . Is not grace compared to sweet Oynments ? and shall not I be comforted the more for the greatness of its savour ? Is not the Image of my God amiable in mine eye ? and ought I not to delight most in that Copy which is nearest the Original ? Surely , if I envy any their spiritual excellencies , I shew my self too like a Child of the Devil ; There is hardly any worm that gnaweth that unclean spirit more painfully , then the grace which God gives his Children ; Their sins are his utmost joy , their graces are his extream greif . Would I be found in Satans livery at the last ? O that I might be so far from murmuring at that double portion of the Spirit , which my God bestoweth upon some of his people , that I might bless God heartily for it , and beg of God to add to it an hundred fold , how great soever it is . The pretty Birds sing the more merrily , the higher the Sun mounteth in the Heavens . I have cause to be the more chearful , the nearer any ascend to Heaven , and the higher they mount in holiness . My love to my God , to my Brother , nay to my self , all command me to it . My love to my God ; He that loves his Soverain , will rejoyce that he hath any Subjects eminent above others for duty and loyalty : They that have much spiritual strength , will do my God much spiritual service . The more grace they have , the more glory they bring to God ; It s an honour to the Father of Spirits , when his Children keep open house , according to their estates , cloathing the naked , feeding the hungry soul , and relieving liberally such as are in want ; I am no Christian if I be not tender of my Gods honour , and joyful when that is exalted in the World . Besides , Love to my brother should quicken me to this duty If I love him as my self , I shall both grieve at his soul-losses , and rejoyce at his spiritual gains ; Love delighteth in the welfare of the party loved ; The hotter the beames of grace are in the party beloved , the more they rejoyce the heart of the lover . Why should any mans eye be evil towards his Brother , because Gods is good to him ? Have others the less , because some have so much ? Or , is it not my own fault , that I am not as holy and gracious as he ? God is a Fountain of grace , always running over , but he derives it to us according to our capacities ; If I go to the Well of Salvation , and receive but little of the water of life , I may know the cause ; my Vessel was no bigger . Nay , Love to my self , may make me glad at others gifts and graces . The greater the Saints estate is , the more he will reliev● others ; As the Earth ; though it sucketh in so much water as will give her self a competent refreshment , conveyeth many springs through her veins , for the cherishing and refreshment of others . So the Saints do not onely advantage their own , but also others souls ; Lord , though in Hell there be little else but murmuring and repining at the good of thy chosen , yet in Heaven there is no emptiness in themselves , no envying at others ; every Saint there hath his joy doubled for anothers joy , and is glorified in anothers glory ; Suffer not thy Servant to make his heart a little Hell , by filling it with grief at the good of thy chosen ; But , O make it thy lesser Heaven ; be thou pleased to dwell in it , and then I shall begin the work of eternity in time , magnifie and bless thee for thy love to them , and praise and bless them for their likeness to thee .

The Conclusion . Finally , I Wish that I may so carry my self , in all my converses with the Children of God here , that I may meet them in the Fathers house , and sit down with them at the Supper of the Lamb. Lord , if Communion with thy Saints be so pleasant and delightful on earth , how pleasant and delightful will it be in Heaven ! Here my communion with them is imperfect , my flesh will not suffer me to receive the good I might from them , nor their flesh allow them to do the good they might to me ; But there shall be no evil , no occasion of evil , no appearance of evil ; no sin shall clog the chariots of our souls , no flesh shall fetter us from running to embrace and delight in each other ; but all shall be free to rejoyce and refresh one another . Every Saint shall be , as it were , a fountain of Communion in the sweetest manner● and fullest measure ; from every one shall flow Ri●ers of water of life , and every one enlarged to rellish and receive . If Jonathan beholding a little grace in David on earth , loved him as his own soul , how doth he love him in Heaven ? Here our Communion is much lamed by the defects in our bodily organs ; we cannot impart our minds without our members , which being defective , make our Communion so ; but there we shall be as Angels , seeing each other without eyes , hearing each other without ears , and embracing each other without hands ; Here our Communion is interrupted , our particular callings , our eating , our drinking , our sleeping , our many occasions call us from it ; But there is no calling but our general calling of worshipping and enjoying our God ; no feeding but on the tree of life , that groweth in the midst of Paradise ; no drinking but of the Rivers of Gods own pleasures ; and no night , no sleeping , but that rest which remaineth for the people of God . O what darkness , what night can be there , where all the righteous shall shine infinitely brighter then the Sun in his noon day lust●e . Here our Communion is hindered by the differences that frequently arise ● like Children of the same Father , we quarrel and wrangle ; but there they will all be like-minded , having the same love , being of one accord , and one judgement ; There indeed Jerusalem is a City compact together , and at unity within it self ; There Pauls desire is granted , that they all speak the same thing , they are one in affection , one in opinion , aud one in expression ; There Christs prayer is granted , Father , that they may be one as we are one , as thou Father art in me , and I in thee , that they may be one in us ; If it be so good and pleasant a thing for brethren here , to dwell together in unity , and it be as a precious Oyntment , and as the Dew which descended upon the Mountains of Sion ; where the Lord commanded his blessing , even life for ever . How good and pleasant will it be for those to dwell together in perfect unity there , where the consolation of Christ is perfect , the fellowship of the Spirit entire , the comfort of love compleat ? no crying , no complaining , no angry word , no frowning look , no suspicious thought ; But as old Gryneus said , There Zwinglius and Luther are well agreed . Our Communion here is but with a few , we are acquainted but with few , and our communion is not so large as our acquaintance ; we have seen but few , we have heard but of few , and we have discoursed with fewer . There are but few in the Counties , in the Kingdom where we live , and many of them are wholly unknown to us ; But There is a glorious Company of Patriarchs , Prophets , Apostles , a noble Army of Martyrs , a numberless number of Saints , of all Countries , Callings , Conditions , Relations ; a thousand thousand , are before him , and ten thousand times ten thousand , minister to him ; If Peter when he saw but two of the Children of God in glory with Christ on Earth , cryed out , Master , It is good to be here ; How good will it be to be There , where there shall be a great multitude , which no man can number , of all Nations , and Kindreds , and People , and Tongues , Rev. 7. standing before the Throne , and before the Lamb , cloathed with white robes , and Palmes in their hands , and crying with a loud voice , Salvation unto our God , that sitteth upon the throne , and to the Lamb for ever . O what a blessed time , or rather eternity will that be , when I shall fully understand what the Communion of Saints meaneth ! If Solomon could say of militant Saints , As Oyntment and perfume rejoyce the heart , so doth the sweetness of a mans friend by hearty counsel ; How much better might he speak it of Saints triumphant ? What is the sweetness and joy of that society● where every soul is a bed of spices , an Orchyard of Pomgranats , a Cabinet of perfumes , for their mutual delight and refreshment ! If David was so taken with the beauty of the Church in this World , notwithstanding her blackness , by reason of corruption and affliction , that he saith , If I forget thee , O Ierusalem , let my right hand forget her cunning ; If I do not remember thee , let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth , if I prefer not Ierusalem before my chief joy ; How much is he taken with the Spouse of Christ There , where it is granted unto her to be arrayed in fine linnen , pure and white , which is the righteousness of the Saints , not onely imputed , but also inherent , to be cloathed with the embroydered graces of the holy spirit , perfect knowledge , perfect love , perfect joy , and all the beauties of holiness , without the least spot or wrinkle , or any such thing ! there indeed he prefers Jerusalem before his chief joy , wh●lst he beholds her all fair , compleatly conformed to Christ , with such a peculiar resemblance of his glory , as if the name of Christ was written on her fore-head , and her spiritual affinity and kindred manifested thereby . Surely it is a lovely communion , when Saints sit down together at the Lords Table , in this world , and partake of his last Supper , when they see , and hear , and taste , the true pledges of their Fathers infinite grace , and read their Redeemers boundless love , written by himself in his own blood . Their hearts have many a time been so ravished therewith , that they have wished the ordinance might have lasted longer , and that Christ would have lain so all night between their breasts ; But O how infinitely short is this Communion , of that which ●hey shall have in glory , when they shall be called to the Marriage supper of the Lamb , when they shall eat of the hidden Manna , and drink of the new wine in their Fathers Kingdom ! then , then indeed every one may say , I sit under his shadow with great delight , and his fruit is sweet unto my taste ; without question that Communion which Adam had with Eve , that short time which they continued in innocency , was exceeding sweet . She was to him as a Crown of glory , a meet help , and the delight of his eyes ; What a ●air Bride was she whom God himself drest , and deckt with all the ornaments of grace ! What joy must there needs be at that Wedding which was celebrated in Paradise , covered with the curious Tapestry of th●se pleasant trees , which the very han● of the most High had planted , and delighted with the ra●ishing noats of those pretty Quitisters which Infinite Wisdom had taught to sing at the Marriage feast● where there was a perfect likeness and love between the Maried Persons , where there was not the least evil , or shew of evil to allay their joy , and especia●●y where the God of all consolation was fully and f●●ourably present , as Master of the Feast ! Adam could not but esteem her his loving Hind , and pleasant R●e , his sweet yoke-fellow , and pleasant play-fellow , the partner and sweetner of all his comforts , he could not but he satisfied with her breasts , and ravished with her love . But even this is far inferiour to the communion of the Saints above ; There , in heaven are more glorious bands , and sweeter knots of loving fellowship ; then that of Marriage , the attire of the Bride is far richer , the beauty of the Bride far greater , the wedding chamber is the heavenly Paradise , the melody made there will be by celestial Courtiers , Angels themselves ; and there the Fountain whence all joy floweth will run more freely , and he will turn that water which Adam had below into the richest wine . Lord , I acknowledge to thy glory , that I have sometimes been refreshed with the company of thy chosen in this world , I have seen thee in them , and heard thee by them , yet how little good have I got by them , in comparison of what I might and ought ? Pardon all my weaknesses , and do thou so supply my spiritual wants , that I may both love more and improve better the society of thy Saints here , that so when thou callest me from this imperfect communion with some few , I may be carried to Abrahams bosome , and enjoy perfect fellowship with those thousands that are before thee , where thou art visible in all , every one being thy temple , and every heart being the altar , upon which the fire of thy love is ever burning . O let me praise thee in that great congregation , and my glory sing of thee before much people ; for there shall those that mourned for Sion be filled with comfort , and rejoyce for ever with Ierusalem , they shall be born upon her sides , and dandled upon her knees , they shall suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolation , they shall milk out , and be delighted with the abundance of her glory ,

Amen .

CHAP. V. How a Christian should exercise himself to Godliness in Solitariness ; As also a Good Wish about that Particular .

THirdly , Thy duty is to exercise thy self to Godliness in Solitude . A gracious person is not onely consciencious in company , but also when he is alone ; His whole life is nothing else but a walking with his God . When I awake I am still with thee , saith David , Psa. 139. 18. He no sooner opened the eyes of his body in the morning , but he was lifting up the eyes of his mind to Heaven ; When he was alone in his bed , he was in company with his God . As God was still with him , so he was still with God ; Nevertheless I am continually with thee , Psa. 73. True sanctity is visible in secresie to him that is Omniscient . The Saint is many times most busie when he hath nothing to do , and may say more truly then Scipio the African , Nunquam minus solus , quam cum solus , I am never less alone , then when alone . The pulse of the body beats as well in solitariness , as in company , and so doth the pulse of the gracious soul towards his God and Saviour . It s said of Domitian , that he did one hour in a day sequester himself from all persons , to no purpose , Suetonius . for it was to catch flies , which was the original of that answer , to one that asked , Whether any body were with the Emperour , Ne mus●a quidem ; No , not so much as a flie . A Believer hath business of great weight , when he withdraweth from the press of the world , it is that he might draw nearer to the Lord . Isaac goeth into the Fields to meditate of God , Christ goeth into the Mountain apart to pray to God . Daniel to the Rivers side ; Peter to the house top ; The Church to the secret place of the stairs , and all to enjoy communion with their God , Gen. 26. Mark 1. 35. Cant. 2. 4. Dan. 8. 2. and 10. 4. Act. 10.

A Saint therefore sequestreth himself from the noise and clamour of company , and worldly businesses , that he might have the more free and intimate converse with his Redeemer . A forced banishment from Men , to dwell among Beasts , hath been bewailed as a great misery ; but a free retirement from creatures , to enjoy more of the blessed God , is a great felicity . Woodrow , an hearb of an extraordinary pleasant smell , delighteth in dark and shadowy places . So the Christian , who in company refresheth others with the fragrancy of his graces , loveth sometimes to be obscure and in secret .

Many of the Heathen were so affected with the vanity and vexation of the world , that they wil●lingly left their pleasures and preferments in Courts , to live privately in the Country . Sylla Felix , laid aside his dictatourship , to lead a retired life . Dioclesians two and twenty years raigne , could not make him out of love with a solitary life , but he voluntarily left the Empire , and could not be prevailed with to reassume it , though he was threatned to it . Demosthenes would shave his beard half off , and all his hair from his head , to necessitate his stay within doors , and his abode amongst his Books . Thales left the affairs of state , that he might have time for Contemplation . Cato in his old age , wi●hdrew from Rome , to live as he used to say , out of the crowd of the world ; And the Romans were so much convinced of his prudence herein , that as they passed by his house to which he retired , they would ordinarily cry out , Iste solus scit vivere ; This man alone knoweth how to live . Old Similis having lived long in the Wars , and afterwards for seven years devoting himself to solitariness , when he died left this Epitaph behind , Here lieth old Similis , yet one that lived but seven years . Hiero the Tyrant of Syracuse , gave over his Kingdom , to live a solitary life . Others out of a deep melancholly , have avoided all society , and delighted onely like the Shrick Owl and Bittern , in desolate places and Monuments of the dead , Zeph. 2. 14. Socrates in his Ecclesiastical History ( Lib. 4. Cap. 18. ) speaks of some , so strangely averse to all correspondence with men , that they have immuted themselves in Cels and Silence , for sixty and ninety years together , even as long as they lived .

But Reader , I would not advise thee to such continued retirement , nor to any at all upon such low , mean grounds . Those voluntary sequestrations of deluded Votaries amongst the Papists from humane society , are I dare say , as unacceptable to God , as uncomfortable to themselves . Such solitary persons , bring little comfort to their own souls , little honour to God , and do no good at all to others . By how much as doing God great service , is better then doing him little ; as doing good to many , is better then doing good onely to my self , so much is Company before solitariness . But the most publique Christians have their times for privacy ; It s no mean misery , to be either always alone , or never alone ; He that is always crowded with Company , can neither enjoy himself , nor his God as he ought .

SECT. I.

I Shall first lay down some Motives , and then shew wherein we should exercise our selves to Godliness when we are alone .

1. To quicken thee to exercise thy self to godliness in solitude . Motives . 1. The benefit of solitude . Consider , The benefit of solitude ; well improved solitude is a good opportunity for godliness . Seneca was wont to say , that he seldom went into company , that he came not home worse then he went out . Society , as it hath much gain , so much perplexity ; Solitude is a release to the soul that was imprisoned in Company . To be much in Company tires and wearies us ; We are prone to count it a bondage , and the persons we associate with , our fetters ; Retiring seasonably from them , sets us at liberty , and giveth us freedom to mount up to Heaven at our pleasure . Scipio would tell his friends , I have never better company , then when I have no company , for then can I freely entertain my own thoughts , and converse with all the learned that have been in former ages . Hierom speaks better , Sapiens nunquam solus esse potest ●abet ; enim secum omnes qui sunt & qui fuerunt boni — & si bominum sit inopia , loquitur cum Deo . A wise man can never be alone , for he hath ever with him all the good men that are , or have been , and if he find any want of men , he can converse with God . It was a custome among the Indians , when their King went to bed , to pray with piping acclamations , that he might have happy dreams , and withal , consult well for the good of his Subjects ; As if● the silent , secret night had been a friend to wisdom . One of the best Kings that ever the world had , tells us , My reins instruct me in the night season , Psa. 16. 7. The sensual worldling is a stranger to such secrecy : It hath in some respects an advantage of society , it hath not those clamours nor distractions with it , which hinder us in our heavenly trade ; As it hath fewer allurements to good , so it hath fewer impediments of good , and fewer suggestions to evil , and truly the grand Argument to good , which is , instar omnium , is not wanting to it ; It hath the presence of God . Every godly man may say in a sense , as Christ did , when his Disciples were to leave him alone , I am not alone , because the Father is with me , Joh. 16. 32. It is reported of Numa , that after the death of his Wife Tatia , he left the City , and gave himself wholly to walk in Fields and Woods , consecrated to the gods , and thence was said to enjoy the goddess Egeria , and that she made him her Husband . Plut. in vit. Num. Though such stories are fabulous , yet its true of the Christian , that he enjoyeth much of his God when he is out of the worlds crowd . Lovers give and return the sweetest kisses and embraces , when they are together in secret . Isaac and Rebeckah thought themselves in secret , when they sported together . David had his Sweet-meats , and Heavenly Iunkets in the night , when the eyes of others were closed , and saw not the Charger which was sent from above , for his spiritual refreshment . His solitary meditations brought him more solace and comfort then the whole creation could , afford him ; When I meditate on thee in my bed , and think of thee in the night watches ; My soul is filled with marrow and fatness , Psa. 63. 6. Communion with God in secret , is an Heaven upon Earth ; What food can compare with the hidden Manna ? Some persons have excellent banquets in their Closets ; That bread which the Saints eat in secret , how pleasant is it ? Ah what stranger can imagine the joy , the melody , which even the secret tears of the Saints cause ! Believers find rich mines of silver and gold in solitary places , they fetch up precious jewels out of secret holes , out of the bottom of the Ocean , where are no inhabitants . Naturalists observe that those fish are sweetest which lye hid . Saints have often sweet joy and refreshment in secret , they have meat to eat which the world knoweth not of . The Fig-tree , Olive , and Vine , would not leave their sweetness , fatness , and chearfulness , to be Kings over other trees . They that know what it is to enjoy God in secret , would not leave it or lose it to be Kings or Commanders over the whole World , Iudg. 9. 11,12,13 .

One place where the Israelites pitched in their passage to Canaan , was called Iothatha , from Iatab and Batha , a pleasant Wilderness , or delectable Desart . A Christian hath many such stations in his travails to the Heavenly Canaan ; When he is in a Wilderness alone , out of the noise of Pharoahs Court , and free from the clamours , and complainings of Gods Israel , by reason of Epyptian Task-masters ; he hath the Pillar , the extraordinary presence of his God , which abundantly satisfieth and rejoyceth his soul. The highest Princes sometimes give their largest gifts to their favourites in private , to prevent that envy which publique notice or knowledge of them might occasion . Some Saints give their largest almes in secret , that their left hand scarce knoweth what their right hand doth ; The great and holy God sendeth many a rich present , giveth many a large almes to his indigent friends when there is none by , to witness his bounty and charity . In the dead time of the night , when deep sleep seiseth on men , the earth receiveth many pleasant refreshing showres ; The Children of God have many costly Collations , and much curious Musick , when no eye but their own seeth or tasteth the former , and no ear save theirs heareth the latter . The Prophet Hosea represents God thus , speaking of his people , Behold I will allure her , and bring her into the Wilderness , and speak comfortably unto her , Hos. 2. 14. Gods method is marvellous , he brings his Church into a Wilderness , and then turns it into a Canaan , causing it to flow with Milk and Honey . By Wilderness some understand a sorrowful , and others a solitary condition ; but then God appears to her , the God of all consolation , for he speaks comfortably to her . He that chid her when she was in the crowd of the world , saying as they said , and doing as they did ; when he hath her alone , reflecting upon her sins , and recollecting her self , will speak friendly and comfortably to her ; In the Hebrew it is , I will speak to her heart ; and surely his powerful satable speech will banish all her heaviness .

This invisible trade , brings in visible profit and comfort . Secret correspondence with allies , is most difficult , but exceeding gainful and delightful . Some curious mysteries are like Mines sprung under ground , the less they are known , the more efficacious and effectual they are . The open air or breath of men would soil the beauty and lustre of exact pictures . Christ calls his Spouse out of the worlds view and light , when he intends her the fullest seals of his love ; Come my beloved , let us go forth into the fields ; let us lodge in the Villages , let us get up early to the Vineyards , there will I give thee my loves , Cant. 7. 11 , 12.

Mark , There in the Fields where no eye beholdeth the sweet meeting of our lips●● the close embraces of our armes , the intimate conjunction of our hearts ; there I will give thee my loves . Kings do not unbosome and open their hearts before a multitude . The favourite is acquainted with the richest secrets of state in were● ( saith Iob ) as in the days of my youth , when the secret of God was with my Tabernacle , Job 29. 4. Quando secrete d●us erat in tabernaculo . Vulgar . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Sept. As if he had said , ( according to some ) O that I were as in my former days , when God was secretly in my family , and gave me familiar visits , which the World took no notice of ; when I had many reviving soliloquies about God , and refreshing colloquies with him . The Egyptian Laws placed the Image of silence in all those Temples where the Image of Se●apis their god stood , as if they might expect most of her favour , when they approached her privately , with as little noise as might be . Addresses to the true God in secret have been accompanied with great successe .

2 2 Motive . The danger of neglect . 2. Consider , If thou dost not exercise thy self to godliness in solitude , thou wilt be in great danger of running into sin , and contracting guilt on thy soul ; The benefit of solitude rightly improved , may afford us comfort , but the danger of it commandeth our caution . A man in solitariness may be secure , because he seeth no visible enemies , but he is not therefore safe . We are no sooner alone , but armies of evil thoughts present themselves to us , and they will by force quarter with us , if the lodging rooms of our hearts be not taken up beforehand ; Se● . Epist. 10. When the Virgin is alone , then she is in most danger of being ravisht . In our solitude we should not be without fear of spiritual rapes ; Our danger will appear , if we consider three particulars .

1. Our minds are restless , and will be employed either upon what is good● or upon what is evil . The mind of man is as a Mill-wheel , continually turning about , and drenching in the waters ; Our hearts are as a stirring child , that cannot endure to sit still . No Virgin hath so many Suitors for her love , as our minds for their thoughts . The Sun may as soon be stopped from his race , as the heart from its thinking . We are all in this respect like the Sea , which cannot rest , ever in motion ; Is not he a foolish miller , that turnes the water which should grind his Corn , into the High-way , where it doth no good ? And is not he a foolish Christian , that imployeth those thoughts about needless ●oy's , which should help to provide him spiritual food ? As the natural heat will be ever working ; if it have not food to digest , it will prey upon the spirits , and destroy it self ; so the mind of man will be always busie ; if not in thinking of the excellencies of God , or the love of Christ , or the beauty and necessity of holiness , then in speculative wantonness , or contemplative wickedness , in ambitious fancies , or revengeful desires ; We are like a Boat swimming against tide , there is no standing still ; if the Oar be left that we go not forward , the Tide will carry us strongly backward ; If the ground be not sown with good seed , it will of it self bring forth evil weeds .

2. Satan is subtle , and will not be wanting to fight us , when he finds us alone , and without any seconds to assist us . The Raven , which is called the Devils Bird , is observed to haunt Deserts , and solitary places ; When the Spirit of God would speak a Ci●ty desolate , and without Inhabitants , he tells us , The Raven shall dwell in it . Isa. 34. 11. When Satan was to enter the List against Christ , and would try his utmost power and policy to overcome him , he takes him to a Mountain alone , Mat. 4. 8. The Scripture to shew the valour and strength of Christ , sets out his conquest and victory over the Devil on his own Dunghil in the Wilderness . When Christs Lambs are in the Desert alone , they may soon be a prey to this roaring Lion . Satan is a cunning suitor , and will be sure to watch the time when the Parents are from home , to wooe the Daughter , and steal away her affections . He that takes his leave of men , to withdraw himself , may be confident the Divel will come , though more bold then welcome , and sit with him . When we know of the coming of so bad a gnest , is it not good policy to forestal him , by f●●ling the house before-hand with loving and beloved friends ?

3. Our own ●arnal hearts will strive to improve our solitude to draw us to sin . The Wife that lyeth in the bosome , takes the opportunity of the night , when she is alone with her Husband , to draw him to her mind , and to bend him to her will ; though she were afraid or ashamed to mention or motion her evil desires before others , yet in secrecy she hath courage enough to do it , and often with success . Our flesh is nearer to us then our wives , more intimate with us , more powerful over us ; how frequently doth it draw us to those sins in secret , which it dares not be so bold as to whisper to us in publique ? They devise mischeif on their beds , Psa. 36. 4. When the good man is from home , and gone a journey , then the whorish woman commits adultery with strangers .

Reader , thou canst no sooner be alone , but thy corrupt heart will send thee many in wanton and theevish thoughts to bear thee company ; they will come as Lot● daugters to him to the dead time of the night , and defile thy soul , and thou shalt like Lot , not know when they came in , nor when they went away . Thou little thinkest how subtle thy wicked thoughts are , how easily they will wind themselves into and out of thy mind , without giving warning , or being taken notice of . As the Serpent crept into Paradise secretly , so do sinful thoughts into our hearts ; They conspire together against us as the adversaries of Iudah , and do as good as say ; They shall neither know , nor see , till we come in the midst of them , and cause the work ( of exercising themselves to godliness ) to cease , Neh. 4. 11. As Gods Spirit hath filled his Prophets with excellent Revelations and visions in the night or day , when they have been alone ; so our flesh filleth us with loathsome atheistical blasphemous thoughts oftentimes when we are by our selves . Children never dirty their hands and faces , or defile their cloaths more then when they get alone , from Parents and Servants . When thou art in solitude , thou hast no humane friend to watch over thee , and therefore haste the more need to watch narrowly over thy self . No Town hath such need of a Warder , no Peers gate of a Porter to keep out nasty beggers , as thy heart hath of watch and ward to keep out wicked thoughts .

SECT. II.

THirdly , Consider , 3 3 Motive . It will be some evidence of uprightness . The exercising thy self to godliness in solitude , will be a probable evidence of thy uprightness . Men are wi●h-held in company from doing evil by the iron curb of fear or shame , and provoked to do good by the golden spurs of praise or profit ; but in solitariness there are not such rub● in the way of lust to hinder our passage , nor such baits in the way of holiness to encourage our progress . The naked lineaments , and natural thoughts of the soul are best discerned in secret . The darkest night may afford us light enough to see our selves by ; when outward objects and occasions do not interpose to hinder our sight or discompose our souls . No mans temper can be discovered by his carriage in a crowd of affairs , no more then his countenance in a troubled water . When the mind is stated in a due repose , it bewrayeth her truest affections , which in the midst of business , she either doth not shew , or not observe . If many servants , and several masters be together , busie and active , we can hardly tell to what Masters the particular servants belong ; but when the Masters be alone , and walk singly , their servants attend on them , and are known . Our Affections are the servants of our souls , both rational , and sensual ; whilst both these Masters are employed , as in company it sometimes falls out , and they wait , it s not easie to judge which they serve ; in solitude one takes upon it self the government , and then its visible what attendants it hath .

As it s said of grief , Ille dolet vere qui sine teste dole● , He grieves truly , that weeps , without a witness ; so it may be said of godliness , he is sincere in his godliness , who is godly in secret . The best characters , and truest pictures which can be drawn of the minds of men , are to be taken from the bent of their thoug●ts , rather then from their works ; Wicked men cannot do the mischief they conceive , for lack of the Midwifery of fit instruments and opportunities to bring it forth ; Good men are unable to act all the good they would , because they want power and ability for Execution ; As Paul acknowledgeth that he was better at willing then performing ; but every man hath liberty to devise and meditate , to study and contrive what he will● Though a mans hand or actions may be over awed and over-ruled against his own will , yet his heart and thoughts cannot . As he thinks in his heart ( saith the wise man ) so is he , Pov. 13. 7. Practice● may be swayed by outward ends , but the thoughts are always genuine and natural . Violence may cause the former , but love carrieth the latter in its own way . Hence good men have been signalized for Saints , from the holiness of their thoughts . ( They thought upon his name , they meditate in his law day and night , and they have even appealed to God with comfort , upon their confidence of their uprightness , from the goodness of their thoughts , Try me O God , and know my thoughts , ) as being the purest and most unfeigned issues of the soul , Mal. 3. 17. Psalm 1. and such as have least danger of infection from forreign aimes . It s observable also , that wicked men are set forth by this secret mark , They devise mischief , they imagine wickedness ; the thoughts and imaginations of his ●eart are evil ; God is not in all his thoughts ; because , as Adam begat a son after his own likeness , so doth the heart of every man beget thoughts according to its own likeness , whether it be spiritual or carnal .

The Bowl runs as the Bias inclines it . The Ship moves as the R●dder steereth it ; and the mind thinketh according to the predominancy of vice or vertue in it ; The more the fire of grace burns clear in the soul , the more of these sparks will ascend towards Heaven . The more earthly a soul is , the more his thoughts will tend downward , the more he will mind earthly things , Philip. 3. 17 , 18.

Naturalists tell us of the Gnomon , commonly called the Mariners needle , that it always will turn to the North●star ; though it be closed and shut up in a Coffer of Wood or Gold , yet it loseth not its nature ; So the true Christian is always looking to the star of Iacob , whether he be shut up in a Prison , or shut himself up in his Closet , he is ever longing after Jesus Christ . A true lover delights most to visit his friend alone , when he can enjoy privacy with him .

Our blessed Saviour doth not without cause call the Pharisees Hypocrites , though they fa●ted and prayed , and gave much almes , because they performed those duties chiefly , if not onely in company , and to be seen of men . The applause of others , was the weight that set their clocks a going ; when that was taken off ( as when they were alone , ) they stood still . Therefore Christ adviseth his Apostles to take another course , if they would evidence the truth of their Christianity . Enter into thy closet , shut thy door , and pray to thy father in secret . One fervent prayer in secret , will speak more for our sincerity then many in publique , Mat. 6. ●●it .

When a Prince passeth by in the streets , then all , even strangers will flock about him , and look upon him ; but his Wife and Children think not this enough , but follow him home , and are not satisfied , unless they can enjoy him there . A false Christian , and one that is a stranger to God , if he have but a superficial view of him in his Courts , is pleased ; but the true believer , and one that is nigh to him in Christ , must have retired converses with him in his Closet , or he is not contented .

SECT. III.

I Come now to shew how a Christian should exercise himself to godliness in Solitude . Wherein the exercising our selves to godliness in solitude consisteth .

1. If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness when thou art alone , 1 1 In keeping away vain thought●● guard thy heart against vain thoughts ; This is the first work to be done , without which all that I have to commend to thee will be in vain . It s to no purpose to expect that a glass should be filled with costly wine , when it s filled already with puddle water . When the house before-hand was taken up by strangers , there was not room for Christ himself in the Inne . If such flies be suffered and allowed in our hearts , they will spoil our best pots of Oyntment .

Some persons , though poor , when they are solitary , delight in the fancies and imaginations of great preferments , and pleasures , and riches , as if they were real ; whereas they are the meer Chimera's and Fictions of their own brains , and have no existence , but in their thoughts . No wonder our Saviour saith , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Out of the heart of man proceedeth madness , Mark 7.21,22 . Such thoughts are distracted thoughts , and sutable to those that are out of their wits , who please themselves in thinking that their filthy holes in Bedlam , are stately Palaces , that their nasty rags are royal robes , that their iron fetters are chaines of gold , and the feathers stuck in their caps are imperial Crowns . As the Spanish Page , in an high distemper of fancy , imagined himself to be some great Emperour , and was maintained in that humour by his Lord ; so some foolish men build these Castles in the air , and then allow themselves a lodging in them .

Others please themselves in the thoughts of sinful sports , or cheats , or unclean acts , and sit brooding on such Cockatrice eggs with great delight . It is their meat and drink to roul those sugard-plums under their tongues . Though they cannot act sin outwardly , for want of strength of body , or a fit opportunity , yet they act sin inwardly with great love and complacency . As Players in a Comedy , they act their parts in private , in order to a more exact performance of them in publique .

Others entertain themselves with needless and useless thoughts , such as tend neither to the informing the mind , nor reforming the heart or life : Like vagrants , a man meets with these in every place , but can neither tell whence they come , nor whither they go ; they have neither a good cause , nor do they produce any good effect . Such thoughts might be in a Davids heart , but they were the object of his hate , Psa. 119. 103. I hate vain thoughts ; The best Christians heart here , is like Solomons ships , which brought home , not onely Gold and Silver , but also Apes and Peacoks ; it hath not onely spiritual and heavenly , but also vain and foolish thoughts ; But these latter are there as a disease , or poison in the body , the object of his grief and abhorrency , not of his love and complacency .

Though we cannot keep vain thoughts from knocking at the door of our hearts , nor from entering in sometimes , yet we may forbear bidding them welcome , or giving them entertainment . How long shall vain thoughts lodge within thee ? Jerem. 4. 14. It s bad to let them sit down with us , though but for an hour , but its worse to let them lye or lodge with us . It s better to receive the greatest Theives into our houses , then vain thoughts into our hearts . Iohn Husse seeking to reclaim a very prophane wretch , was told by him , that his giving way to wicked wanton thoughts , was the original of all those hideous births of impiety , which he was guilty of in his life ; Husse answered him , That though he could not keep evil thoughts from courting him , yet he might keep them from marrying him ; as ( saith he ) though I cannot keep the Birds from flying over my head , yet I can keep them from building their nests in my hair .

Christian , be careful when thou art out of Company as well as in it , for these guests will visit thee as soon ever as thou art alone , and if thou shouldst not frown upon them , they will turn thy solitude into a crowd , as Hierom found Rome in a Wilderness . The Heathen Cicero , employed his solitude to better purpose then most seeming Christians . I being weary , saith he , Quid tr●les● solitudo corporis , si non est solitudo cordis . Greg. of living amongst wicked men , with whom all places in a manner swarm , betake my self to solitariness , as much as I can ; yet that none may think I trifle away my time idly , to say no more , let my Books speak how I employ my self . Yet alas , when many Christians are retired out of the crowd and throng of worldly men , they suffer worldly things to crowd and throng so abundantly in their hearts , that as it was said of Ephraim , strangers devour their strength , Ho● . 7. 9. earthly things , though tending to no profit , waste their time , and devour their thoughts , which as Reuben , are the excellency of dignity , and the excellency of strength .

SECT. IV.

2 2 In spiritualizing natural things . SEcondly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in solitude , labour to spiritualize earthly things . I must say , this is one of the most excellent and enriching arts in Christianity ; Though these occasional thoughts resemble lightning , as well in the suddenness of their journey , as the vastness of their way , being able to reach from one end of Heaven unto the other , yet such light gains , with quick returnes , make an heavy purse .

He that hath learned this mystery , is the true Chymist , he leaves the dregs and lees of things , and extracts the substance and quintessence of them . He hath better then Midas Wish , he turns all he toucheth into better then gold . Many a great Scholar begs with rare notions of the nature of silver , and gold , and pearls , when some Merchants who never saw Mine , or Furnance , or read Book concerning them , hath his Coffers full of them . The Rabbies of the world , were they able like Solomon , to speak of all plants from the Cedar to the Hysope ; and of all Beasts and Fish , and Fowl , nay , and of all creatures in a Physical and Philosophical way , are not comparable to the illiterate Countryman who can read his God in them , and improve them for his spiritual advantage .

Luther relates a story of two Cardinals riding to the Council at Constance , Luth. Declam . Popular de Terti . Precept . Tom. 1. how by the way they heard a shepherd weeping and crying out sadly , upon which they turned aside to know what was the matter , and found the shepherd looking upon an ugly Toad : They asked him the ground of his lamentation ; He answered , I cannot but weep to consider the goodness of God , that he did not make me such a loathsom creature , and my own unthankefulness , that I should be no more sensible of it . At which one of the Cardinals was so affected , that he fell from his horse in a swoon , and coming again afterwards to himself , told his Brother ; Well said St. Austin , Indocti rapiunt coelum , &c. The unlearned take heaven by violence , whilst we with all our parts and learning wallow in the mire of the earth and flesh .

Natural beings are as spades , wherewith we may open the mines , and dig out spiritual riches . He that hath a gracious fancy , may like the Bee suck honey from every flower in the garden of the creation , and climb up by the stairs of the meanest creature to the Supream and Infinite Creator . All objects to a wise Christian may be wings to mount him up to heaven . As the old Romans when they saw the blew stones thought of Olympus , so the holy person by every work is elevated to admire some excellency in the workman .

There is a threefold aspect which men cast upon the Works of God , according to the difference of their eyes , or the degrees of their understandings .

1. Ordinary and vulgar persons , who differ little from Brutes , and behold the face of nature as beasts do a picture , onely viewing the outside and surface of it rudely and superficially , never considering any art or curiosity in it . As the Horse and Mule which have no understanding , they view and drink of the streams , but mind not the purity or clarity of the water or the fountain whence it floweth ; these look on Gods works at best , but as passengers on a clock to know the time of the day , but take no notice of the wheels and poises , and their several motions and contrivances .

2. Schollars and Philosophers , who go a step higher and view this picture somewhat exactly , as Artists contemplating its curious wormanship , its proper colours , comely features , and rare composure of the whole with admiration . As Nicotratus that told the Country man who wondred at his wondring at the exact piece of Helena drawn by Zeuxis , If thou hadst my eyes thou wouldst be affected as I am .

3. Christians and spiritual men , who move above the Philosopher and most skilful Naturalists in their own sphere , these look on the face of nature with a spiritual eye , as a lover on the Picture of her beloved , delighting more in the resemblance then the table ; contemplating the matchless Power , embroidered Wisdom , and infinite Goodness of their God which appear in his creatures . These are the men that can turn the stones and dirt of the streets , yea the snakes and serpents of the earth into bread for their souls ; if they should be denied the Scripture ( which God forbid ) they can fetch spiritual food out of the creature . The Heron findeth her food in lakes and rivers , and picks it out with her long bill where other birds can get none : So saith Hesychius , the Christian by meditation can get food for his soul , where others that understand not this duty starve .

Our blessed Saviour teacheth us to see the face of heavenly things in earthly glasses , N●● est ●llum animal●ulum tam exiguum in quo non ●l●s dis●ere possimu● quam in omnibus s●ul●tis pictis aut ●as●● sim●la●bris . Lavat . and to make a ladder of the creatures whereby we may ascend to heaven in our thoughts . He hath set us a pattern that we should follow his steps : What honey of profit and pleasure doth he t●ach us to draw from all the flowers and weeds too that grow in the garden of the Creation ! He instructeth his Disciples by Lillies growing , and seed sown in the field ; by trees and vines in the Orchard and Vineyard , by pearls , treasure , tares , leven , mustardseed , water , bread , nets , fish , salt , oyl , lamps , and as at Cana in Galilee turns all this water into wine , as well for their imitation as information . A mean Scaffold may serve to rear up a goodly building ; and an ordinary creature may afford matter for excellent meditations . God likens himself to many , to shew that there is something of him in all ; He compares himself to a Builder , to a Buckler , to a Castle , a Captain , to a Fortress , to a Fountain of living water , to an helper , to health , to an Habitation , to Light , to Life , to a rocke , a refuge a reward , to a shadow , a shelter , a shield , to a Lion , an Eagle , a Leopard , a Bear , to fire , dew , a moth , the Sun , and why ? but to teach us to read him in his creatures ; In Heaven the Christian shall know God and all the creatures in him , but on earth we must learn to know him by them .

God hath given us three Books , which we ought to be studying whilst we are living . The Booke of Conscience , the Booke of Scripture , and the Book of the Creature ; In the Book of Conscience we may read our selves , in the Book of the creature we may read God , in the Book of Scripture we may read both God and our selves . The great God sets us excellent lectures in the volume of the creation . Though this Book hath but three leaves in it , Heaven , Earth , Sea , yet it teacheth us many rare lessons ; If we think of the visible Heaven , and behold those great lights of the world ; how swiftly they move in their proper orbes ; how unwearied they are in their perpetual courses ; how they fail not a minute of their appointed time , nor wander an inch out of their designed way ; how they divide the day and night , and the several seasons of the year ; how they bless the earth with their smiling aspects , and keep the inhabitants of this lower world from finding it a Dungeon by their enlightning beams ; we may therein discover the wisdom and power of its maker , and cry out with David , Psa. 19. 1. and 8. 2 , 3. The Heavens declare the glory of God , and the firmament sheweth his handy-works ; When I consider the heavens , the work of thy singers , the Moon and Stars which thou hast made ; What is man that thou art mindful of him , or the son of man , that thou dost thus visit him ? O Lord , our Lord , how excellent is thy name in all the earth ? and thy glory above the heavens ! What rare fruit may a soul gather from these celestial trees ! if the porch of Heaven be such a curious piece , the work of his fingers , i. e. an elaborate piece of embroidery , how curious is the Palace within ! If the outward Court be so glorious , how glorious is the holy of holies ! If light be so sweet , and it be so pleasant a thing to behold the Sun , how sweet is the light of my Gods countenance , and how pleasant is it to behold the Sun of righteousness ! O what a blessed day will that be , when the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun , and the light of the Sun as the light of seven days , when all beleivers shall shine as the Sun in the firmament of their Father ! Lord , thou speakest to the Sun , and it riseth not , to the Moon , and it standeth still ; Why should not thy Servant be as obedient to thy command , even when it is against my natural depraved course ! O speak but as powerfully to thy poor creature , and he will as readily obey thy pleasure !

If we look a little lower , to the clouds , and meditate on them in their natural cause ; thin vapours exhaled by the Sun , in their principal use , to drop fatness on the earth , in the tenuity and smalness of their bodies , the weight and greatness of their burdens , the waters in them being like lusty children , encompassed onely with a tender film ; how they are tossed too and fro , hurried hither and thither with tempestuous winds , and yet burst not in pieces through lack of vent , nor sink under the heaviness of their load , nor leak out one drop , till the hand of their Master unstop their bottles ; may well admire that infinite invisible power that upholds and governs them , and say as Eliphaz of their author ; He doth great things , and unsearchable , marvellous things without number ; for he giveth rain upon the earth , and sendeth water upon the fields , Job 5. 9 , 10. What excellent water may I distil with the limbiks of the clouds ! If the favour of a Prince , be as a cloud of the latter rain ( Prov. 16. 15. ) so refreshing and comforting , what is the favour of the King of Kings ! As the clouds mask the Sun from the ●ight of Mortals , so doth sin hide the smiling countenance of my God from the view of my poor soul. As the Cloud is consumed and vanisheth away , so he that goeth down to the grave , shall come-up no more ; If showres from above make the earth soft and fruitful ; surely the showres of heavens grace would make my hard and barren heart both tender and abundant in holiness ; Lord , whilst I am in my journey towards my heavenly Canaan , let thy good spirit be my pillar of cloud to direct me ; Suffer me not to be as a cloud without water ; Do but say unto me , I have blotted out thy transgressions as a thick cloud , and I will bless thee for ever .

If we look to the earth and view her well , though she hath been called , and counted the vilest and grossest of the elements , we shall finde her a glorious body , and not in the least degree a disparagement or disgrace to her maker . Take her inside , and she is curiously and wonderfully made . Her Center like the heart is seated in the most convenient place , for the benefit of every part ; Her several channels under ground , as so many veins , do convey her pure , though pale blood , for the animating and actuating ( as it were ) every member ; Though her wealth lyeth deep , and much of it was never discovered to any mortal , yet what rare jewels , and rich mettals have been seen in her very guts and garbage ; Take he● ●●●side and that cloathing will be found better then of wrought gold ; Her Garment is richer in any part of it , then Solomon in all his royalty ; The fine linnen of Egypt , silks of Persia , and curious works of Turkey , are exceedingly inferior to her daily attire ; She is covered with the costly curious A●ras of Hearbs , and Plants and Flowers ; embroydered with variety of all sorts of colours , perfumed with the most fragrant and delightful odours ; She is attended by Birds and Beasts of several orders , that all in their proper ranks , move too and fro , acknowledging their engagements to her ; O who is like that God that hath made himself such a foot-stool ! If his foot-stool be so glorious , how glorious is his throne ! But besides all this , he that shall ponder the fruitfulness and fecundity of her Womb , her unweariedness in bringing forth , her wonderful care of her off-spring , in bringing them up , providing them all , though of different kinds , food sutable to each of their natures whilst they live , and receiving them kindly into her bosome and embraces when they die , and all else are weary of them , may well cry out by way of admiration ; O Lord , the earth is full of thy goodness , The earth is full of thy glory ! What rich mines may I dig out of the bowels of the earth ? when my God is angry , the earth shakes and trembleth , and the foundations thereof are moved ; and shall not my flesh tremble for fear of the God of the whole earth , and my soul be afraid of his righteous judgements ! His hand hath laid the foundation of the earth , and his right hand hath spanned the Heavens ● when he calls they stand up together , and shall not I hear his call , and obey his command ! Lord , if the earth be thine , and the fulness thereof , the world and all that dwell therein ; Whose then am I ? Surely thine ; O help me to disown all title to my self , to quit all my interest in my self , and to live as one that is not his own , but the Lords ; the earth is full of thy riches , let my heart be full of thy righteousness , and that will turn earth to me into heaven , whilst I am full of thy likeness and thy love .

If we consider the Ocean , that amazeth a beholder with its fierce countenance , and seems to have neither banks nor bottom ; how it threatens the earth with its boysterous billows , as if it intended to swallow it up in a moment , and yet when it hath swoln it self to the height of its pride , and its insulting waves have shewed their teeth , how soon it retreats , like a coward , as if it were afraid of the smallest worm , and had already outgone its bounds and commission ! what innumerable Fish , both small and great , take up their chambers in the waters , and finde their food in the jaws of that devourer ! what multitudes of massy Vessels she fetcheth off from one Island , and carrieth upon her back as a Porter his burthen , and sets them down safe at another ; how she playeth with them , what frights she puts them in by the way , as men do little children , tossing them up to heaven , and then throwing them down again , as if her belly should be the certain place of their burial , and after all her frowns and fury , refresheth them with her smiles and favour , and doth but prepare them thereby to salute their harbour with the greater joy and gladness ! how she sendeth out of her store-house provision , for the several families of the world , furnishing the several pipes and aquaeducts of the earth with fresh springs and streams , for the comfort of Man and Beasts ; If we but consider these things , what cause shall we have to say with the Psalmist , They that go down into Ships , see his wonders in the deep , and with those Mariners , What manner of man is this , whom the Winds and the Seas obey ? What manner of God is this , who gathereth the waters of the Sea together , and layeth up the Floods in store-houses , who shutteth in the Ocean with bars and doors , and saith , Hitherto shalt thou come , and no further , and here shall thy proud waves be stayed , who puts a bridle in the jaws of such a monster , and when she threatens nothing but death and destruction puls her in , and makes her retreat to her own den without doing the least hurt ? O what a God is this , whom the rugged blustring winds , and raging boistrous seas obey ! What excellent conclusions may a Christian gather from such premises ! Do the Winds and Seas obey God as stubborn and surly as they are , and shall not I obey him ? Are they kept within their banks , and shall not I be kept within my bounds ? Lord , thou stillest the noise of the Seas , the noise of the Waters , and the tumults of the people ; O why dost thou not quiet the headstrong passions in my breast ? Every creature , sa●th Bernard , hath this voyce , Q●● secit m● propter te , s●●it t● propter se. Thou observest how they roar and make a noise continually , what frightful stormes they raise within me ; If thou wouldst but say to them in their height and heat ; Peace , be still , there would presently ensue a calm . O suffer not these high winds to overturn me , nor these swelling waters to overwhelm me ; I am even ready to sink , save me Master , or I perish .

Thus a Christian may consider the works of God either collectively or severally , both in their insides and outsides , to his marvellous advantage . As the Rabbies say of the Word , I may say of the Works of God , Turn it over , and over , and over again , for all is in it ; Turn them over , and over , and over again , for all is in them . There is wisdom in them , in their variety , diversity of natures , subordination and serviceableness each to other ; O Lord , how marvellous are thy works ? in wisdom hast thou made them all . There is Power in bringing with a breath the whole Creation out of the barren womb of nothing ; He spake and it was done , he commanded and it stood fast . There is Mercy in providing so bountifully for every of his creatures , The whole earth is full of thy goodness . There is Faithfulness in upholding all things in their being ; Thy faithfulness is unto all generations , thou hast established the earth , and it abideth ; yea mercy and truth meet together . Thy mercy , O Lord , is in the heavens ; and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds . Every of Gods works is so profitable , that as the Aromatick fruit , not onely the kernel is a Nutmg , but the skin of it is Mace . As in a fair suit of Arras , though the hangings never appear to their full advantage , but when they are opened in all their dimensions , and seen together ; yet a small shread may assure you of the excellency of the colours , and richness of the stuff ; So though the Divine Perfections would appear most in their beauty and glory , if we were able at one view to behold the whole world in its several eminencies and beauties , yet a little part of it may speak the worth and richness of the whole . It was an honest speech of a Monk , who being asked how he could endure that life without the pleasure of books ? answered , The nature of the creatures is my library , wherein when I please I can muse upon Gods deep Oracles . The Egyptians were instructed by Characters and Hieroglyphicks ; by something presented to the eye , notions were represented to the understanding .

Reader , it is thy priviledge that thou mayst perform this duty in any place : No sight , no sound but may afford matter for meditation . If thou walkest in thy garden thou mayst turn it into an Eden by delightful meditations ; Dost thou behold the flowers standing in their ranks , what a goodly shew they make ? thou mayst think what a lovely ●ight it is to see Christians contînuing in those several places and stations in which God hath set them . Some flowers open and shut with the sun ; so doth the Christian observe the shining and withdrawing of the Sun of righteousness . Some flowers dye , having a worm gnawing their root ; so will all hypocrites wither and come to nothing , notwithstanding their gaudy shew . Flowers are tender things , and must be charily lookt to , or they fade away , so Saints , if the Spirit of God were not choyce of them , and ever watchful over them , would perish . How lovely are flowers to the eye ? how pleasant to the taste ? how soft to the touch ? what ornaments to an house ? How amiable are the children of God to those that have eyes to see his image on them ? how fragrant is the smell of their Spiknard , and Calamus , and Cassia ? what a grace are they to any Family or Society ? Dost thou walk into thy Garden to observe how thy flowers thrive ? Cant 7. 11. so Jesus Christ goeth into his garden to see how his plants flowrish : Thou wilt not allow any weeds or barren flowers in thy Garden ; and Jesus Christ will not permit such wicked unprofitable ones in his Church . Flowers are lovely and beautiful one day , and withered and fallen off the stalk the next ; Isa. 40.6 . so man is a comely living creature one day , and a deformed corps the next . Thus a Saint may make every flower like the Gilly-flower , cordial to him .

If thou walke●t by a River , thou mayst change the water there into spirits by meditation . How fitly may thy thoughts be raised by that object , to the cleansing , refreshing properties of the Word of God , to the water of life , to the Well of salvation , to the river , whose streams make glad the City of God , to the rivers of pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore ! The same water , which being liquid , is penetrated with an horse hair , will bear the horse himself when hard frozen : So those threats and judgements of God which penetrate deep into the tender consciences of the regenerate , enter not at all into the hearts of carnal men , hardned by custom in sin ; and hence thou mayst gather the reason whence the sword of the Word , that in some divideth the joynts and marrow , in others glanceth only , or reboundeth , not making the least din● or impression upon their frozen adamantine hearts . If thou art eating and drinking , thou mayst feed thy soul as well as thy body , by meditating on the meat that endureth to everlasting life , on that flesh which is meat indeed , and that blood which is drink indeed . Thou mayst think , if my outward man need food , and without it cannot subsist , surely spiritual food is as needful for my inward man , and without it that will starve ; If a famine of bread and water be so dreadful , that the tongues of men cleave under it to the roof of their mouths , and their countenances become as black as a coal , how dreadful is a famine of the Word of the Lord ! If natural food be so pleasant and savoury to my taste , surely spiritual food is sweeter then the honey and the honey comb . If all the labour of man be for his belly , what labour doth the soul deserve ? If the ordinances of my God now are so pleasant to me , that my soul is even filled as with marrow and fatness , and refreshed as with Wine on the Lees , well refined , what a blessed day will it be , when I shall eat bread in the Kingdom of Heaven , and drink new wine in my Fathers Kingdom ! O blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

If thou beholdest thy candle , thou mayst consider how that light which makes small shew in the day , yeilds a glorious lustre in the night , not because the Candle hath then more light , but because the Air hath then more darkness ; so that holiness and grace which in a day of prosperity and life seems of small worth and price , in a night of adversity and death , will be of infinite value : Or thus , I set up this candle to help and direct me about my business ; so God sets up the candle of my life , and affords me the light of his word for me to work out my salvation , not to play by them : Or thus , this candle is spending it self for my good ; so I should be willing to spend and be spent for the good of others souls : Or , this Candle is always consuming , and will at last be quite wasted ; so is my life daily wearing away , and ere long will be quite extinguished : The great Candles whilst they burn , make the greater light , but when they go ou● leave the greater stench ; So ungodly men , the greater they are , the more they shine with glory whilst they live ; but when they die , leave the more stinking savour behind them . If thou art putting off thy cloaths , thou mayst ponder thy duty to put off the old man , which is corrupt according to his deceitful lusts , and to put off the works of darkness ; as also that ere long thou shalt put off thine earthly taberna●le . Art thou lying down in thy bed ? thou mayst think of thy grave , wherein thou must shortly lye down , and never rise up till the morning of the resurrection . Is the night dark ? thou mayst meditate thence on the darkness of thy mind naturally , of the works of darkness , of the blackness of darkness for ever . Ah! what a dark dungeon is Hell , where not the least spark of light appears , though so much fire ! My night will end , but sinners evening will find no morning . If a bed be so refreshing to my wearied body , how refreshing is a Redeemer to a wearied soul ? How lovingly he inviteth me , Come to me all that are weary , I will give you rest ! and how refreshing will tha God! When thou wakest in the morning , thou mayst say with the Psalmist , When I awake , I shall be satisfied with thy likeness ; or , When I awake I am still with thee ; or , rouse thy self up with , Awake to righteousness and sin not ; Awake thou that sleepest , arise and call upon thy God . When thou art rising , thou mayst meditate on the Churches garment of needle work , the fine linnen of the Saints righteousness , thy putting on the new man , created after God , in righteousness and true holiness , thy putting on that most excellent cloathing which is for warmth , for ornament , and defence , the Lord Iesus Christ Dost thou look on the glass to dress thy self ? think of the glass of Gods law , how necessary it is daily to look into it , for the discovery of thy spiritual spots and filth . Dost thou wash thy hands ? O wash thy heart from wickedness , and forget not that great laver of the blood of Jesus Christ . Doth thy stomach call for some food ? think of thy spiritual appetite , and how savoury it will make the dainties of Gods house to thee . They did all eat of the same spiritual meat , and they did all drink the same spiritual drink ; they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them , and that rock was Christ Art thou to go about buying or selling , or worldly bargains ? take some thoughts of buying that one Pearl of great price , which the wise Merchant sold all he had to purchase , of buying that gold of grace , and fine linnen of the Saints righteousness , Mat. 13. 44. Rev. 3. 18. Amongst all thy gains and gettings , consider What will it profit a man to gain the whole world , and lose his own soul , or what will a man give in exchange for his soul ! If the gaining a little silver or gold be worth so much time and pains , how much is holiness and heaven worth ? surely ten thousand times more . Art thou in the day to take a journey , thou mayst consider , I am but a Pilgrim and Stranger in this earth ; I am every day travelling towards my long home ; I have no abiding City here , but look for one that is to come , whose Builder and Maker is God ; O that I could prepare for it , and daily make some progress towards it . Art thou to spend the day in thy Shop , or fields , and about many businesses ? think on that of Christ ; Martha , Martha , Thou art careful and troubled about many things , but one thing is needful , and Mary hath chosen the good part , which shall never be taken from her . This Reader , were an excellent improvement of thy time in solitude , by such occasional meditations , which are obvious to ordinary understandings .

SECT. V.

3 3 Mind solemn and set meditations . THirdly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness in solitude ; Mind solemn and set meditation . In the former head I advised thee to Occasional , in this , to Deliberate meditation . Hereby thou wilt not onely prevent those covetous , ambitious , lascivious thoughts , which otherwise might crowd in upon thee , and pollute thee , but also exceedingly further thy soul in holiness . Occasional meditations do some good , but these much more , as making a greater impression upon the soul , and abiding longer with it . They differ as a taste and a full meal , as a sip and a good draught . Occasional meditations are like loving strangers , that afford us a visit , but are quickly gone . Deliberate meditations are as inhabitants that dwell with us , and are longer helpful to us . The former as the morning dew , do somewhat moysten and refresh the earth , but quickly passeth away ; The latter as a good showre , soaks deep , and continueth long . Because this is of great weight , I shall acquaint thee what solemn meditation is , and then give thee a pattern of it .

Solemn meditation is a serious applying the mind to some sacred subject , till the affections be warmed and quickened , and the resolution heightned and strengthned thereby , against what is evil , and for that which is good .

There are five things in this description .

1. It is an application of the mind ; The understanding must be awake about this duty , it is not a work to be done sleeping . If the mind be not stirring , the affections will be nodding . The understanding in this , is ( as it were ) the Master-workman , if that be out of the way , or missing , the servants of the affections will be idle , and stand still . T is by this Sun that heat is conveyed to the lower world Darkness like the night is accompanied with damps and cold . The Chariot of light is attended with warming and quickening beams . 2. It is a serious applying the mind . Too quick digestion breeds crudities in the mind as well as in the body , and doth often more distemper then nourish . There must be a retentive faculty to hold fast that which nature receiveth , until a through concoction be wrought , or little strength will be gotten by it . Hereby it differeth from occasional meditation , which is sudden and soon vanisheth ; this calls at the door , salutes us , and takes its leave ; that comes in and stays some time with us . Occasional meditation is transient , like the dogs of Nilus , that lap and are gone ; set meditation is permanent , it ( as the Spouse beg'd of Christ ) lodgeth all night between the breasts . This duty cannot be done unless the mind be kept close to it ; the person that is negligent , cannot do this work of the Lord . Things of importance are not to be hudled up in haste . Loose thoughts , as loose garments , hinder us in our business . We need as much our hearts united to think of God , as to fear God . Short glances do little good , it is the abiding influence of the sun that turns the earth into silver and golden mettal . It is not once dipping the stuff into the Dy-fat , but frequent doing it , that giveth the pure scarlet colour . The true Mithridate , which is so cordial and opening , is long a making . The yellow wax lyeth long in the beams of th● Sun before it changeth its colour , and attaineth a virgin-like whitness and purity . He that rides post , though he wearies himself in travelling from place to place , is less able to give an account of the Country through which he passeth , then he that is more slow in his course but more constant in his abode ; Omnis festinatio caeca est , saith Seneca . T is much blowing that makes the green wood to flame . 3. It is about some sacred subject . As good meat and drink breed good blood , so good subjects will breed good thoughts . There is abundant matter for our meditation ; as the Nature or Attributes of God , the States and Offices of Christ , the three-fold state of man , the four last things , the vanity of the creature , the sinfulness of sin , and the love and fulness of the blessed Saviour , the Divine Word and Works ; out of these we may chuse somtimes one thing , sometimes another to be the particular subject of our thoughts , Exo. 15.11 . Ps. 1.1 . and 119.148 . Pro. 6.22 . 1 Tim. 4. 13. To undertake more then one at a time , will deprive us of the benefit of all . Too much food will rather destroy then encrease the natural heat : A little wood may help that fire to burn , which a great quaintity would smother . Whilst the Dog runs after two Hares , now after one , and presently after the other , he loseth both . Many subjects , as a press or crowd of people do but hinder one another . Those streams are strongest which are most united . Greediness of appetite , and receiving too much food weakeneth digestion . Simples are most operative , mixtures and compositions are often used to allay their force .

When thou hast fixt upon the subject , meditate ( if it may be ) on its causes , properties , effects , titles , comparisons , testimonies , contraries , all will help to illustrate the subject , and to quicken and advantage thee ; they do all as so many several windows let in those beams which both enlighten the mind and warm the affections : but they must be considered in their places and methodically . The parts of a Watch jumbled together serve for no use , but each in their order make a rare and useful peice .

4. It is that the affections may be warmed and quickned : Our hearts and affections should answer out thoughts , as the eccho the voyce , and the wax the character in the seal . If our meditations do not better our hearts , they do nothing : Whilst they swim in the mind , as light things floating on the waters , they are unprofitable , but when they sink down into the affections , as heavy and weighty things , making sutable and real impressions there , then they attain their end . Our design in meditation must be rather to cleanse our hearts , then to clear our heads . Whilst I was musing the fire burned . We strike fire by meditation to kindle our affections . This application of the thoughts to the heart is like the natural heat which digesteth the food , and turneth it into good nourishment .

When we are meditating on the sinfulness of sin . In its nature , its contrariety to God , his being , his law , his honour ; its opposition to our own souls , their present purity and peace , their future glory and bliss . In its causes , Satan the wicked one its Father , the corrupt heart of man its Mother . In its properties ; how defiling it is , filthiness it self ; how infectious it is , overspreading the whole man , polluting all his natural , civil , spiritual actions , making his praying , hearing , singing an abomination ; how deceiving it is , pretending meat , and intending murder . In its effects ; the curse of God on all the creatures evident by the vanity in them , the vexation they bring with them , in the anger of God on sinners , apparent in those temporal punishments , spiritual judgements , and eternal ●orments which he inflicteth on them ; I say , when we meditate on this we should endeavour to get our hearts broken for sin , ashamed of sin , and fired with indignation against sin . O what a wretch am I ( should the soul think ) to harbour such a Traytor against my Soveraign ! What a fool am I to hug such a serpent in my bosom ! What sorrow for it can be sufficient ! What hatred of it is enough ! What watchfulness against it , what self abhorrency , because I have loved it , and lived in it , can equal its desert ! O that I could weep bitterly for the commission of it , and watch narrowly for the prevention of it , and pray-fervently ●or pardon of it , and power against it ! How much am I bound to God for his patience towards so great a sinner ! How infinitely am I engaged to Christ for taking upon him my sins ! T was infinite condescention in him to take upon him my nature ; but O what humiliation was it to take upon him my sins ! What life can answer such love ? what thankefulness should I render for such , grace such goodness ! The close applying of our meditations to our hearts , is like the applying and rubbing in oyl on a benummed joynt , which recovers it to its due sense . He that omits it , doth as a chapman that praiseth ware and cheapens it , but doth not buy it , and so is never the better for it . David proceeds from meditation of Gods works , to application of his thoughts , Psal. 8.2,3,4 . When I consider the heavens , the work of thy fingers , &c. What is man that thou art mindful of him , and the son of man that thou dost thus visit him ?

5. It is a serious applying of some sacred subject that his resolutions may be strengthned against evill , and ●or good . The Christian must not onely pray his good thoughts , but practice them ; he must not lock them up in his mind , but lay them out in his life . A Council of war or of State is wholly useless if there be none to execute what they determine . That Kingdom flourisheth best where faithful execution followeth sound advisements : Therefore the Heathen pronounced that City ●afe which had the heads of old men for consideration , and the ●ands of young men for execution . Action without consideration , is usually lame and defective , consideration without action is lost and abortive . Though meditation , like Rachel , be more fair ; execution , like Leah , is most fruitful . The beasts under the law were unclean which did not both chew the cud , and divide the hoof . Ruminatio ad sapientiam , fissa ungula pertinet ad mores ; Chewing the cud signifieth meditation , dividing the hoof an holy conversation , without which the former will be unprofitable , saith Austin .

Reader , Hast thou thought of the beauty and excellency of holiness , in its nature , its conformity to the pure nature , and holy commands of the blessed God , in its causes , the Spirit of God its principal efficient , the holy Scriptures its instrumental ; In its names , it s the image of God , the divine nature , light , life , the travel of Christs soul , grace , glory , the Kingdom of heaven : In its effects or fruits ; how it renders thee amiable in Gods eye , hath the promise of his ear , is entituled to pardon , peace , joy , adoption , growth in grace , perseverance to the end , and the exceeding and eternal weight of glory , and hast applied this so close to thy heart , that thou hast been really affected with its worth , and wished thy self enriched with that jewel , though thou wert a beggar all thy life ; and resolved with thy self , Well , I will watch , and weep , and hear , and pray , both fervently and frequently for holiness ; I will follow God up and down , and never leave him till he sanctifieth my soul ! Now I say to thee , as Nathan to David , when he told him of his thoughts and resolution of building a temple ; Do all that is in thine heart , for God is with thee , 2 Chron. 17.2 . or as God to Moses , concerning the Jews ; They have well spoken all that they have said ; O that there were an heart in them to keep my commandments ! It s well thou art brought to any good purposes ; but it will be ill if they be not followed with performances . Good intentions without suitable actions , is but a false conception ; or like a piece charged without a bullet , which may make a noise , but doth no good , no execution . Indeed there is no way better to evidence the sincerity of thy intentions , then by answerable actions . David was good at this , I thought on my wayes , there was his serious consideration ; and turned my feet to thy testimonies , there is his holy conversation . So again , I will meditate on thy precepts , and will have respect to thy testimonies . T is in vain to pretend , that like Moses , we go into the mount of contemplation , and converse with God , unless we come down as he did with our faces shining , our conversations more splendent with holiness . This , saith the cheif of the Philosophers , will a man to perfect happiness , if to his contemplation he joyn a constant imitation of God in wisdom , justice and holiness .

Thus I have dispatched those five particulars in meditations ; The first three are but one ( though for methods sake to help the Reader , I spake to them severally ) and are usually called Cogitation , the other two Application and Resolution ; Cogitation provides food , Application eats it , Resolution digests it , and gets strength from it ; Cogitation cuts out the sute , Application makes it up ; Resolution puts it on and wears it ; Cogitation betters the judgement , Application the affections , and Resolution the life . It s confest , this duty of set meditation is as hard as rare , and as uneasie as extraordinary , but experience teacheth that the profit makes ab●nd●nt recompence for our pains in the performance of it . Besides , as Milstones grind hard at first , but being used to it , they grind easily , and make good flower ; so the Christian wholly disused to this duty , at first may find it some what difficult , but afterwards both facile and fruitful .

Reader , to help thee herein , I shall give thee an example , though I would desire thee to remember that the advantage of meditation is rather to be fel● then read ; He that can paint Spikenard , or Musk , or Roses , in their proper colours , cannot with all his Art , draw their pleasant savo●r , that is beyond the skill of his pencil .

Let us , O my soul , a little retire out of the worlds company , The Subject matter of meditation ; The word of God . to converse with the word of thy God . I cannot but hope the malefactour hath an high esteem for that Psalm of mercy , without which he had lost his life . I have reason to believe that thou hast no mean value for that Gospel of grace , and the graece of that Gospel , without which thou hadst lost thy soul , thy God , thy joy , thy delight , thine all , and that for ever ; yet sure I am , the price thou sets on it , is far inferiour , to the worth of this Pearl , and besides , I have observed of late ( whe●her partly because of its constancy with thee , things common , though never so necessary and excellent , being less valued then meaner things that are rare , or cheifly because of thy old seeming friend , or rather real enemy , thy flesh within thee , that never speaks well of it , because of its contrariety to the word , from which it hath received its deaths-wound , and therefore would die as the Thies on the Cross , spitting out its venome and malice at it , or what ever be the cause , I perceive too much ) thou beginnest to decline in thy respect to it , what else doth thy backwardness to read it , thy carelesness in minding what thou dost read , and thy neglegence in practicing it signifie ; Therefore let us take a turn or two together , and argue the case , lest it be argued against thee in an higher Court , to thy cost , and I charge thee before the dreadful God , at whose judgement seat thou art to stand or fall for ever , that thou attend to me seriously , and not dare to give me the slip , till the whole be debated , for it is not a vain thing , but i● for thy life .

The first part of meditation ; Cogitation of the word .

First , In it ; C●uses .

What is this Word which thou art so prone to despise ? Consider it , O my soul , First , in its Causes , and then tell me whether the child be not worthy of love and esteem in the superlative degree for his parents sake .

1 1 It s principal efficient Cause ; The Spirit of God . 1. It s Principal Efficient cause , is the glorious and supreme Majesty of Heaven and Earth , the Spring and Fountain of all excellency and perfection ; All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . It s the Word of the Lord , the Breath of his Mouth , the Law of his Lips ; whoever were the Pens or Scribes , his Mind indicted , and his Hand wrot every sentence in it . What a word must that be , which is the result of infinite● wisdom ? How precious are those Tables which are the writing of God himself ? How glorious is that beam of light which was darted from this Sun to whom a whole Firmament of Suns were worse then perfect darkness ? If the breath of a man be so sweet that his doctrine drop as the rain , and his speech distil as the dew ; If the heart of a man can indict a good matter , and his tongue resemble the pen of a ready writer ; O what is the speech of the tongue of a God! Never man spake as he spake , his enemies themselves being judges . John 7. 46. The Queen of Sheba came from the utmost parts of the earth , to hear the wisdom of Solomon , and blessed those Servants that waited at his Table and heard his wisdom ; But loe , O my soul ! A greater then Solomon is here ; How blessed are they that wait at his Gates , and that watch at the Posts of his doors !

2 2 It s instrumental Cause ; Eminent Saints . 2. The Pen-men and Scribes of it were men of choice gifts and graces . Some of them were like Saul , higher by the head and Shoulders then their brethren in the fear and favour of God ; As Moses the meekest man upon the face of the earth ; David the sweet singer of Israel , a man after Gods own heart ; Solomon , who excelled in wisdom all that were before him , or came after him ; Isaiah of the Blood-Royal , an Evangelical Prophet , or Prophetical Evangelist , whose prophesie is clean and clear , and curiously garnished with all kind of Rhetorick ; Iohn the beloved Disciple that leaned on the bosome of Iesus ; Paul who was wrapt up into the third Heavens , and as famous for active and passive obedience , as any in the world in his days ; All of them were men extraordinarily inspired , and assisted by the Spirit of God . Not onely the notions , but the very phrases and words were imprinted on them , and infused into them by God himself . The writings of some Naturalists have been bought at a great price , and thought worthy to be presented to great Princes ; but the best of them , ( though the Prophesie of the Sybills , which the Heathen so highly esteemed , be included ) is but a bundle of folly and vanity to this book ; Prophesie came not of old time by the will of men , but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost . O how excellent must that Scripture be , of which such incomparable persons were the Pen-men or Aman●enses , and to whom the infinite wisdom of God , did dictate every word ?

3. The matter of them is heavenly and divine , 3 3 The Material Cause . the epitome of all equity and righteousness , the compendium of whatsoever is fit to be beleived or practiced . The Scripture is a perfect rule , both for faith and manners ; It informeth us fully in our carriage towards God , and towards men ; how we ought to walk in all relations and conditions ; it forbiddeth evil , all evil , in the very thoughts ; it commandeth good , whatsoever is good , in the whole course of our lives ; It speaketh of such things as are far above reason , and yet nothing that is contrary to reason . The truths delivered in it , are many of them such as no humane or created capacity could have possibly invented , yet such as are all agreeable to a rational understanding . It would have exceeded the wisdom of an Angel● to have thought of such a sweet mixture of justice and mercy , as is discovered in the Gospel , about the redemption of fallen man ; It teacheth the nature and excellency of God , the trinity of persons , the unity of essence , the immensity of all his attributes , how he is infinite in his being , wisdom , knowledge , holiness , mercy , and faithfulness ; how he is a pure act , without the least passion ; a perfect being , uncapable of any addition ; eternal , without either beginning or ending ; immutable , without the least alteration ; incomprehensible , beyond all co●ceptions ; omnipresent , without any circumscription ; It instructeth us in the person , and offices , and states of the blessed Redeemer , how he being the Son of God , was partaker of the humane nature , that the Sons of men might be partakers of the divine nature . How God and Man were united in one person , that Man and God might be united in one Covenant ; How the eternal God married our natures , that he might exalt his boundless grace in marrying our persons ; How man was the debtor , God-man the surety , who made satisfaction to God the Creditour . How he was born of a mean woman , that we might be born of the most high God ; he was tempted , that he might conquer Satan for us , and succour us when tempted by him ; what a life he led , filled with miracles and miseries ; what a death he died , embittered with shame and pain , and all that we might be exalted to eternal honour and pleasure . How he triumphed over Death , the Grave , the Curse of the Law , Satan and Hell , in his Resurrection , and ascended into Heaven , leading Captivity Captive ; appears in his Fathers presence , pleading his death , as the prise of his Chosens fafety and life , sitteth at his right hand , and ever liveth to make intercession for us . Its precepts excel all the commands , and Statutes , and Laws , that ever were in the World , in purity and justice , and goodness , much more then the Firmament of Stars , doth a Wisp of Straws ; Its promises are exceeding great and precious , of special efficacy , superlative excellency , and unquestionable certainty . In a word , the Scripture hath all in it , requisite either for counsel or comfort , for necessity or delight , for knowledge or action , for direction in life , or consolation in death .

3. The form of the Scripture renders it worthy my highest esteem , 3 3 The formal cause of it . and hottest affection .

1. It s inward form is , 1 1 Inward . That perfect correspondence and agreement between the commands and promises laid down in the word , and that infallible and certain truth of Gods own understanding . The books of men are sutable to their minds , and their minds being but in part sanctified , their works must be answerably imperfect ; but the Lords understanding being infinitely pure and true , his word must bear some proportion to it . God is truth , without the least shadow of error ; holy , without the least tittle of mixture ; hence his word is certain , without the smallest colour for doubts ; Thy law is the truth ; pure , not admitting of the least sin or darkness ; Thy word is very pure , therefore doth thy servant love it . Because of its exact conformity to the eternal will of God , it s called his word . As a man maketh known his mind by his words , so doth God ; hence it s called the mind of God , Pro. 1. 23. The Word of God , 1 Pet. 1. 15. The counsel of God , Act. 20. 27. The Oracles of God , Rom. 3. 2. The Law of God , Psalm 1. 2. Not onely in regard of its Author , which is the divine wisdom , but also in regard of its matter , which is the divine will .

2 2 Outward . 2. It s outward form is both plain and difficult ; according to Gregory , so shallow that lambs may wade in it , and so deep that Elephants may swim in it . It s stile is so plain as to encourage the most unlearned , and yet so difficult as to exercise the greatest Scholars , and most profound Rabbies . To those that are babes in understanding , the Scripture is milk ; to them that are men in knowledge , the word is strong meat ; It s therefore called light , the nature of which , is both to discover it self and other things also . Thy word is a light to my feet , and a lanthorn to my paths ; It s a light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn , and the day-star arise in our hearts , Psa. 119. 105. 1 Pet. 1. 19.

It is plain in regard of fundamentals and things necessary to be known and done . What we are to believe concerning God , the mediatour , our own estate of innocency , apostacy , recovery ; what we are to practise in order to salvation , are all perspicuous and clear to ordinary capacities . Though there be some whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded , lest the light of the glorious Gospel should shine upon them ; yet all wisdomes ways are plain to him that understandeth , 2 Cor. 4.4 . Pro. 8. 9. The Scripture sheweth the greatest simplicity , both in words and phrases and figures , that the weakest need not be afraid of searching into it . There is such obscurity also in things not absolutely necessary to salvation , that the deepest understandings need not be ashamed of reading and studying it . Peter affirmes that in the Epistles of Paul , there are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , some things hard to be understood . There are such abstruse texts in the word of God , that no man can make a certain comment on them . The Jews themselves confessed that in the latter end of Ezekiel , there are many things mentioned which are beyond all their apprehensions , against which , and all other difficulties in the Old Testament , they comfort themselves according to the expression of the woman of Samaria , Messias venturus est qui nobis annunciabit omnia ; The Messias will come and tell us all things ; Now the wise God seeth fit to let some truths in Scripture be dark .

1. To shame us for our ignorance , which is the fruit of our fall from him . The pride and height of man is laid low , by the profound and hard places in the Word of God . 2. To quicken us to diligence , in reading and meditating , and comparing Scripture with Scripture . The deeper a mine of gold lyeth in the earth , the harder we must labour to dig it out . 3. To raise our price of the Word of God ; We are apt to slight things that are easie and ordinary , and to value things at the highest , that cost us dearest . 4. To provoke us to pray to God , that he would give us his key , whereby we may unlock this cabinet of precious Jewels . He onely that made the Scripture can best acquaint us with his mind in the Scripture ; therefore David intreated divine light , that he might understand the divine Law , Psa. 119. 18. Open mine eyes , that I may see the wonder●ful things of thy Law .

4 4

The final cause .

Joh. 7. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 6.

4. The final cause of the word , will speak it full of value and worth . Namely , the glory of the great God , and the salvation of lost man . The honour of God shines more brightly then the Meridian Sun , through the whole Heaven of the Scripture . The Scripture exalteth God in regard of his infinite nature and being , his transcendent excellencies and perfections , his eternal decree , his works of creation and providence . It advanceth God in all his attributes , declaring to us , 1. His wisdom , how he is the onely wise God ; the foolishness of God , is wiser then the wisdom of men ; yea , that Angels themselves are fools to him . His understanding is infinite . 2. His Power , how he is mighty in strength , the Almighty God , to him nothing is impossible , doth what ever he pleaseth , can do more then he will do . 3. His mercy , how he is full of mercy , rich in mercy , the Father of mercys , hath multitudes of tender mercies , his mercy endureth for ever , hath an heighth , and depth , and length , and breadth in it which none can reach . 4. His Iustice , how he fails not the least in the performance of his promises , and accomplishment of his threatnings ; how he will by no means clear the guilty , not the greatest of his favourites , not for the least of their offences ; how he hath manifested his justice in the deluge brought on the old world , in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah , in his carriage towards Apostate Angels , rebellious Israelites , his own chosen people , and the Med●atour his own Son , when he took upon him mans sin ; in the instruments of eternal death , which he hath prepared in Hell for sinners , and the solemn triumph which justice shall have at the great day , and to all eternity in the other world . 5. His holiness , how he loaths sin with the greatest abhorrency , cannot behold the least iniquity , shoots the arrows of his vengeance against its actours and authors ; will be sanctified in ( or upon ) all that approach him , is terrible in his holy places , forbiddeth the least complyance with sin , though but in a sudden thought , and makes it his end in his providences , ordinances , the gift of his Son , his Spirit , to make men holy . I might shew how it exalteth him in all his properties , but I pass on . It glorifieth him in every part of it . Its precepts and commands speak his purity and dominion , its promises and covenant speak his boundless mercy and compassion , its threatnings and comminations speak his justice and jealousie , its prophesies and predictions speak his wisdom and omniscience .

The Scripture tendeth also to the eternal good of men . It is helpful to beget a soul to Christ ; Of his own will begat he us again by the Word of truth . The Word of grace is instrumental for the conveyance of grace , Act. 2.37 . Rom. 10. 14. It is helpful to build the soul up in Christ ; as new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word , that ye may grow thereby , 1 Pet. 2. 2. Grace is increased by the same means , by which it is generated ; as the same Sun that begets some living creatures is helpful for their growth . The Word of God , of stones raiseth up children to Abraham , and of Children maketh Young men and Fathers . It is so penned , that all sorts of persons , all ranks of Christians may be directed into the way of truth , and guided by it in the way of life . It is able to make us wise to salvation : To shew the path of life , 2 Tim. 3. 15. Psa. 16. 11. As Ioshua , it leads the Israelites into Canaan . All Scripture is given by inspiration of God , and is profitable .

1. For Doctrine , Where Scripture hath not a tongue to speak , I must not have an ear to hear . Scriptura est regula fidei , Scripture is the rule of faith ; Hence the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets is called a foundation , Ephes. 2. 20.

2. For reproof . It is the hammer of Heresies ; Ignorance of Scripture , is one main cause of error ; Ye err not knowing the Scripture . By this sword of the Spirit Christ vanquished Satan , Mat. 4. 4. and the Jews , Ioh. 5.45 . and Sadduces , Mat. 22.29 . Lapidandi sunt haeretici sacrarum literarum argumentis ; Hereticks are to be stoned with Scripture arguments , saith Athanasius . The Word of God hi●s that unclean bird in the eye , and wounds it mortally .

3. For correction of manners ; The sword of the Word pierceth the sinners conscience ; like Christ to the woman of Samaria , It tells him all that ever he did , and makes him smite upon his thigh , and say , What have I done ? Scripture is a glass which sheweth him the spots that are in the face of his heart and life .

4. For instruction in righteousness . It is the way in which we should walk , the rule of our spiritual race : What is written on some Psalms , may be written on every Psalm and Chapter in the whole Bible , Maschil , or Psalm for instruction . Its precepts teach us what to follow , its prohibitions tell us what to forsake ; Its promises are to allure us to sanctity , its threatnings to affright us from sin ; the good example of the Saints speaketh as Christ to Peter , Follow thou me ; the wicked actions and ends of sinners cry aloud , as Abner to Ioab , Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the end ?

5. For comfort : There is no such cordial for a fainting spirit , as a promise in the Word . The Gospel in the Greek , is glad tidings , and not without cause ; This is my comfort in my affliction , for thy word hath quickned me . When souls have been ready to despair under the sense of their wickedness , and to sink in deep waters , the Word of God hath held them up by the chin , and preserved them from drowning ; Vnless thy law had been my delight , I had perished in mine affliction .

6. For salvation ; the Word is called the Kingdom of heaven ; partly because it revealeth Gods thoughts of such an inestimable happiness to the children of men . The celestial Canaan was terra incognita till that discovered it ; 2 Ti● . 1. 9. He hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel ; partly because it prepares the soul for heaven ; the Word sanctifieth and so saveth precious souls . By filling us with grace , it fitteth us for glory , Rom. 1.16 . Ioh. 17.17 . Partly because it is the seed of heaven . As the Harvest is potentially in the seed , and a tall Oke potentially in an acorn ; so heaven and eternal life is potentially in the Word of life . It is called The grace of God that bringeth salvation . It bringeth salvation to men , and it bringeth men to salvation .

2 2 In its properties . Secondly , Consider it , O my soul , in its properties , they will also speak its preciousness .

1. It is pure and holy , there are some dregs that will appear in the exactest writings of the best men , when they have been shaken by a critical hand ; but none could ever justly fasten the least filth upon the holy Scriptures . The Word of Christ is like the Spouse of Christ ; There is no spot in it . The Alcoran of Mahomet , alloweth Polygamy , promiseth sensual pleasures as the reward of his servants ; but the Scripture winketh not at the least sin , no not so much as in a motion of the heart , or a glance of the eye , and its promises are also pure and spiritual . The Doctrine of the wisest Heathen , and Philosophers , were a mixture of good and bad ; Theft was no fault amongst Lycurgus Laws , but if done slily commended highly ; Aristotle permitted revenge , and obscene jesting , which Scripture expresly forbids ; Thy word is very pure ; The words of the Lord are pure words , as silver tried in a furnace of earth , purified seven times ; There is not the least dross of evil or error in it ; 1. It s principal Author is the original and exemplar of all holiness , his nature is the pattern , and his will the rule of purity , Exod. 15. 4. Isa. 6. 3. 2. The Scribes of it were holy men , moved and actuated by the Holy Ghost . 3. It s effect is to sanctifie and make holy , Ye are clean , through the word that I have given you . 4. The matter of it is holy ; Its commanding part is holy ; The Law is holy , just , and good , Rom. 7. 12. It s assertory part is holy , what it affirmes to be , is ; what it denyeth to be , is not , Psa. 19. 7. It s promissory part is holy , both formaliter in its own nature , and effective in its end and fruit ; It s Historical part is holy ; other books are properly called prophane Histories , in distinction from this . The Scriptures expressions are pure , of the most impure actions ; He knew her no more , men with men doing what is unseemly , Gen. 38. 26. Rom. 1. 27.

2. It is powerful ; As fire it can melt the hardest mettal ; As an Hammer , it can break the most stony heart , Ier. 23. 29.

1. It is powerful for Conviction ; It sets mens sins before their eyes , and makes them behold their ugliness and deformity , whether they will or no ; It tells the sinner as Elisha concerning the Syrian King , to the King of Israel , what he doth and saith in his bed-●hamber , in the retiring room of his heart ; It makes the spirit of the stoutest sinner to tre●ble , as the leaves with the wind , and though he strives to put off his quaking fits by some humane cordials , yet he finds his soul-Ague still continuing upon him . Sturdy Murderers of Christ spring in trembling , and an earthly Felix quakes under the power of this word ; This voice of the Lord is powerful , it ●hakes the Cedars of Lebanon . The batteries of the word have shaken the sensless conscience , and shattered the flinty h●art in peices .

2. It is powerful for conversion ; It is able to change the nature , and turn an heart of stone , into an heart of flesh ; It hath many a time inlightned dark minds to see the things which they never saw , enlivened dead souls , and enabled them to stand up from the dead . The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul ; It hath dispossessed the strong man , cast him out of his strong holds , wherein he had raigned many years , and subdued the soul to another Lord and Soveraign . What hath been said of God , may be said of the Word in the hand of the Spirit ; Who ever resisted its will ? How powerful is that word which can make the proudest creature that scorned former reproofs and precepts , threatnings and judgements , to cry and weep bitterly like a child under the rod ; that can create the new creature , the choicest of Gods works ! By the word of the Lord are the ( new ) Heavens ( wherein dwelleth righteousness ) made , and all the ( glorious ) host thereof , ( of sparkling graces ) by the breath of his mouth .

3. It s powerful for conquering spiritual enemies ; The noble victories atchieved by the Lords Worthies , are most of them obtained by this sword of the Spirit ; Whole armies of sins have been discomfited and forced to flie before the face of this weapon . God hews these by his Prophets , and slays them by the word of his mouth . This word like the rod in the hand of Moses , worketh wonderfully for the destruction of such Egyptian enemies . Satan is another enemy of the Christians , but as powerful and as politique as he is , he falls down like lightening from heaven before the preaching of the word . This sword hath so wounded that Leviathan , that destroyer of souls , that he can never recover himself ; They overcame him ( i. e. the Devil ) by the blood of the Lamb , and the word of their testimony , Rev. 12. 11. In a word , it must needs be strong , for it is the power of God to salvation ; The rod of his strength , Rom. 1. 16. Psa. 110. 2.

3. It is perfect , It contains in it all that is necessary and sufficient for our eternal salvation . It is a full and compleat rule and measure both of things to be believed and practised ; it will admit no addition , because it is defective in nothing ; it will suffer no diminution , for it is redundant in nothing ; If any man shall add unto it , God shall add anto his plagues ; If any man shall take away from the words of this book , God shall take away his part out of the book of life . Jesus Christ , who was the great Teacher sent from God , was faithful in his office , and gave his Church whatsoever Precepts or Doctrines were needful for her , in order to her endless good . He tells us , Whatsoever I have heard of the Father , I have made known unto you , Joh. 15. 15. And his Apostle speaks to the same purpose , Act. 20. 21. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God . Besides , it is able to make the man of God perfect , and throughly furnished unto every good word , which it could never do , if it were not perfect it self . Nil dat quod non habet , Nothing can give that which it hath not in it self , either formally or virtually . Traditions are no way necessary to compleat the Canon of Scripture ; Since God did reveal his will in writing , every age had that revealed to it which was sufficient for that age , to make such as then lived wise to salvation ; but as God was pleased to reveal more , the latter did assist us in the understanding of the former ; ●herefore so long as any truth was necessary to be more fully known , he inspi●ed holy men to do it , and the compleating of the divine Canon , was reserved for Christ and his Apostles , Ioh. 15. 15. and 7. 8. and 6. 13. Act. 20. 27. Gal. 1. 6 , 7 , 8.

4. It is true and certain . Not a tittle of it shall fail ; It is cal●ed truth , the truth , thy truth , the Scripture of truth , the word of truth , the Gospel of truth , a more sure word , the comparative for the superlative , the most sure word ; Christ prefers it before information from the dead , the Apostle before Revelation from Angels , or auy other way whatsoever . Psa. 119. 142. Joh. 17. 17 Dan. 10. ult. Eccles. 12. 10. Col. 1. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 19 Gal. 1. 8 2 Pet. 1. 19 Luk. 16. 31

1. The Precepts of it are true , they are perfectly agreeable to the mind of the speaker , Thou art near O Lord , and all thy commandments are truth , Psa. 119. 5. The words of men may be true , but the word of God onely is truth ; There is no error , no mixture in it , t is therefore called sincere milk , 1 Pet. 2. 2.

2. The Promises of it are true . They are accomplished to the least particle of them . Hence they are called the sure mercies of David . The Promises of God are unquestionable , because their speaker is unchangeable , and one for whom it is impossible to lie ; They are sure hold , and will eat their way through all the Alpes of opposition ; Not one good thing ha●h failed , of all that the Lord our God hath promised , Joshua 21. 45.

3. The Histories of it are true ; Whatsoever is written in it of the first or second Adam , of any persons , or nations , is exactly true ; ●here never was fuch an impartial historian as the inditer of the word . This is the Book which hath no Errata's in it .

4. The threatnings are true . The sinner shall as certainly feel them , as he reads or hears them . He shall as surely be damned , as if he were already damned , therefore he is said to be condemned already , John 3. ●lt . to speak its certainty . He shall find the gnawing worm , and the eternal fire as unquestionably as if he felt them at this hour ; hence God appeals to the consciences of the Jews whether though the Prophets died , his threatnings ( which were denounced by those Prophets ) did not live , and take hold of them , Zach. 1.5 .

5 It s true in the Predictions and Prophesies . The predictions of the Israelties distress in Egypt four hundred years , and deliverance thence ; of their possessing Canaan , of Cyrus birth , of the Jews redemption out of the Babylonish captivity , of the four Monarchies , and of Christs coming in the flesh , his mean birth , afflicted life , death , buriall , ascention , are all already accomplished : Those Prophesies in Daniel and Revelation concerning the future estate of the Church , the ruine of Pope and Turk , the vocation of the Jews , and the glorious and pure condition of the people of God in the latter days , shall all to a tittle be fulfilled . It s observable therefore that some predictions that were or are future are set down in the present tense , To us a son is born ; Babylon the great is fallen , is fallen ; to assure us that they shall be as certainly fulfilled as if they were fulfilled already , Isa. 9. 6. Rev. 18.

6. It is the rule of all truth . Other Books are true no farther then they are agreeable and commensurable to this . All other sayings and writings are to be tried by this touchstone ; It is not what sense saith , or what reason saith , or what Fathers say , or what General Councils say , or what Traditions say , or what Customs say , but what Scripture saith that is to be the rule of faith and life . Whatsoever is contrary to Scripture , or beside Scripture , or not rationally deducible from Scripture is to be rejected as spurious and adulterate ; To the Law and to the Testimonies , if they speak not according to this it is because there is no light ( no truth ) in● them . Isa. 8.20 .

3. Consider it , O my soul , in its names , 3 3 In its names and titles . and they will speak much to the excellency of its nature . What is this Word which thy thoughts are now upon ? It is called a a John 10. 35. Scripture , or b b Matth. 22.29 Scriptures by an Antonomasie or excellency of phrase , as the most worthy writings that ever saw the light ; It is called the c c 1 Pet. 1.15 . Word of God , both in regard of its efficient cause , which is the d d 2 Tim. 3.15 . Spirit of God ; the e e Ephes. 1.9 . material cause , which is the mind of God ; the f f Ephes. 3.9 . final cause , which is the glory of God ; It is called g g Prov. 20.17 . the Law of the Lord , h h James 1 25. the law of liberty , i i Rom. 3.27 . the law of saith , k k Psal. 19.7 . a perfect law● l l James 1. 8. a royal law , m m Josh. 1.8 . the book of the law , n n Isa. 34. 16. the book of the Lord , o o 2 King . 22.8 . the book of life , p p Ephes. 1.16 . the Gospel of peace , q q Rom. 1. 1. the Gospel of God , r r Acts 20.24 . the Gospel of Gods grace , s s Acts 20 : 27. the counsel of God , t t 1 Kings 2. 3. the charge of God , the u u Job 37. 10. breath of God , x x Jer. 9. 12 the mouth of God , y y Deut. 29. 12. the oath of God , z z Acts 7.38 . the Oracles of God , a a Micah 6. 9. the paths of God , b b Prov: 8.14 . the wisdom of God ; c c Rom: 10.14 It is called a good thing● d d Luke 10. ult. the good part , e e Matth: 16.19 the key of knowledge , f f Luke . 11. 52. the key of Heaven , g g Luke 2.10 . tidings of salvation , h h Isa: 52.7 . glad tidings of peace , i i 1 Sam. 13. 23 a good way , k k Psalm 101.2 . a perfect way , l l Matth: 7. 13. a narrow way . Many other tit●es it hath which shew the excellency of this Word of truth .

4. Consider it , O my soul , in its comparisons , 4 4 In it● comparisons . which will shew thee somewhat of its perfections ; Whereunto is this Word resembled ? it is resembled to light , to a lamp . Solomon tells us , The commandment is a lamp , and the law is light . T is likely he learned it of his father ; Thy word is a light to my feet and a lanthorn to my paths , saith David , Prov. 6 23. Psal. 119. 105.

1. It is light for its clarity and beauty ; Light is the ornament of the world , which is most incorporeal of all corporeal beings , therefore termed spiritual . Though it discovers all the pollutions of the earth , yet it is not polluted therewith . The word is the glory of this lower world ; The law is spiritual , and its beauty is not faided , nor its purity stained by all the filth of false doctrines and heresies which have been cast into the face of it , from the beginning of the world to this day ; The word of the Lord abideth for ever .

2. Light is pleasant and delightful ; darkness is affrighting and dreadful , but light is refreshing and reviving ; Light is sweet , and it is a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the sun , Eccles. 11.7 . The word of God is sweet , and its a pleasant thing with the eyes of faith to behold the glorious sun of divine truths . The eye is not more affected with curious sights , nor the ear with ravishing musick , nor the pallate with rare meats , then a spiritualized understanding with spiritual truths . David found not onely delight in the singular , but delights in the plural number , all sorts and degrees of delights in the word of God ; Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me , but thy commandments are my delights . His delights in the Law of God were so rare and ravishing , that they quite extinguished all sensual delights , as the light of the day the light of a candle , and drowned the noise of all his crosses and troubles by their loud and amazing melody . Chrysostom compares the Scripture to a pleasant Garden , wherein every flower yeilds a fragrant savour . Ambrose to a feast , wherein every book is a dainty dish , affording food both pleasant and wholsom .

3. Light discovereth and maketh things manifest . The night conceals things , and the day reveals them ; That which maketh manifest is light , Ephes. 5. 13. Light discovers things in their proper shapes and colours , whether beauties or deformities ; When the Sun appeareth , we see the dust in corners , and dirt in Ditches , which before lay hid . The word of God maketh a discovery of an unknown world of sin in the heart of man , and the great mystery of iniquity which lay hid there . I was alive without the Law , but when the commandment came , sin revived , and I dyed , Rom. 7. 9. The faults , and spots , and defects of his duties , were visible by the light of the word ; All things are naked and open before it ; It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart , Heb. 4. 12. The word sheweth the beauty of holiness , the love and loveliness of the Redeemer .

4. Light directs us how and where to walk . In the night we wander and go out of the way , we stumble and fall , but the day helpeth us both to see our way , and to walk in it without stumbling . If any man walk in the day , he stumbleth not , because he seeth the light of this world , Iohn 11. 9. The word of God doth preserve us from sin , and guide our feet in the way of peace , Luk. 1. 73. It is our Pole●st●r as we are Mariners ; our Pillar of fire , as we are travellers ; The Law of God is in his heart , none of his steps shall slide , Psa. 37. 31. Our feet by the light of the word are preserved from falling , and our steps from sliding , Psalm 119. 105.

5. Light scattereth darkness ; As the Sun where it ariseth , and displayeth its beames , dispelleth mists and clounds , causeth an alteration in the face of the Air , and makes the shadows to flie before it , that they cry like Iacob to the Angel , Let me go , for the day breaketh ; so the light of the word scattereth that darkness which was before upon the minds of men .

1. It dispelleth the darkness of error , Mat. 22.29 . Naked Truth , conquereth Armed Error ; and Little David with his small stones out of the silver streams of the Sanctuary , the great Goliah of Heresie ; With this , silly women have confuted and conquered profound Doctors , notwithstanding their deep and intricate arguments , and have wounded them as mortally as that woman without weapons , did Abimilech , that great Captain , with a Milstone .

2. It dispelleth the darkness of ignorance . The word is the key of knowledge , and openeth the door that lets us into the treasures of wisdom and knowledge . It is that precious eye-salve , with which our blind eyes being anointed see . It is sent to open the eyes of the blind , and to turn men from darkness to light ; When the word comes , the people that sat in darkness see a great light , Act. 26. 18. Mat. 4. 16.

3. It dispelleth the darkness of prophaness ; this weapon of the word stabbeth lust under its fifth rib , and letteth out the very heart blood of it . The Devil puts off his rotten wares in the dark shops of Heathen and unbelieving and unchristian Christians ; but where the word hath arisen upon any soul , it discerneth his cheat , and is too wise to be cozened by him . By what means may a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto according to thy word , Psa. 119.9 .

The word is resembled to Rain , to Water , to Dew . Moses tells the Israelites , My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain , and my speech distil as the Dew . Christ calls it the water of life , Joh. 6. 35.

1. Rain is from above . God keeps that key under his own girdle ; Can any of the vanities of the Heathen cause Rain ? Art not thou he ? Jer. 14. 22. Man may speak long enough to the clo●ds before they will distil one drop ; but if God command those bottles , they are presently unstopped and poure down in abundance ; He covereth the Heavens with Clouds , and prepareth Rain for the earth , Psa. 147. 8. Thus the Word of God came down from above ; Every of the Pen-men of it , might have spoken as David , The Spirit of the Lord spake by me , 2. Sam. 23. 2. It did immediately inspire me what particulars to utter , and in what phrases to deliver them . That which is said of some of the Prophesies , may be said of every Book , and of every Chapter and Verse in every Book ; Thus saith the Lord ; The word of the Lord , which came to Amos ; The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it . It is all one to say , The Scripture saith , and God saith . Compare Rom. 4. 3. and 10. 11. with Rom. 9. 25. and Heb. 4.3 . and Gal. 3. 21. with Rom. 11. 32. Some observe that the word which Moses useth for Doctrine dropping like Rain , signifieth received Doctrine , because the Doctrine in the word , is received from God , not devised by men , Deut. 32. 2. I received from the Lord , that which I also delivered unto you , 1 Cor. 11. 32.

2. Rain is mollifying and softning ; When the earth hath been like Brass and Iron under our feet , by long drought , or hard frosts , a few good showres supple it , and make it tender ; Therefore David speaking of the earth , saith , Thou makest it soft with showres , Psa. 65. 10. So the heart of man is compared to a stone , to a rock , to a flint , to an adamant , the hardest of stones , for its hardness hath been suppled and softned by the word . The Jews that had imbrued their hands in the blood of Christ , had certainly very hard hearts . The thought of such a murder would have made a deep impression upon any conscience , that were not seared with a red hot Iron , yet this word preached , melted them as hard mettal as they were ; When they heard these things , they were pricked to the heart ; Peters Sermon , like Moses rod , fetcht water out of the Rock , Act. 2. 37. David upon the disorder and intemperance of his soul , in the matter of Vriah , had an hard swelling , which continued and increased upon him several moneths ; yet when Nathan comes and gently baths it with this Oyl of the Word , it groweth soft and tender , as appeareth by the title of Psa. 51. A Psalm of David , when Nathan the Prophet came to him , after he had gone in to Bathsheba .

3. Rain maketh the earth fruitful , therefore some call it the earths Husband , because it helps the earth to bring forth ; He watereth the hills from his chambers , the earth is satisfied with his works ; he causeth the grass to grow for the earth , and hearbs for the service of man , Psal. 104. 13,14 . so Psal. 65.9,10,11,12 . So the Word of God turns that heart which was as a barren wilderness into a fruitful meadow , 1 Pet. 2. 2.

4. Rain reviveth and refresheth the earth ; when the earth is chopt and faint , when it gaspeth and is weary , a showre of rain recovers and refresheth it ; the Psalmist tells us that upon such droppings from above the pastures and valleys shout for joy , they also sing , Psa. 65.13 . Thus the Christian scorc●ed with the apprehension of Gods wrath due to him for sin , draweth all his comfort and refreshment out of those wells of salvation , the promises of the word . When conscience is sore and raw through the wounds sin hath made in it , and the weight of guilt that lieth continually grating upon it ; He sendeth his word and health them , Psal. 107.20 . David had experience what an healing medicine the Word was ; In the multitude of my thoughts within me , thy comforts delight my soul. When Philip had preached the word to the Eunuch , he went away rejoycing . That milk which runs from the breasts of the two Testaments is never sucked with the mouth of faith without abundant satisfaction ; that wine which which is drawn from the pipes of the promises , rejoyceth the heart of man indeed : These things are written that your joy may be full . The Saint never sits at a fuller table of joy , then when he is feasting on the dainties of the Gospel .

O my soul , how many thoughts mightst thou spend about those several things to which the word is aptly and excellently resembled ! It is compared to Armour , to a tree of life , to a portion , to milk , to strong meat , to pastures , to seed , to an ornament of grace , to rest , to a Crown of glory , to hidden treasures , to gold tried in the fire , to a glass , to oyl and oyntment , all which as so many curious colours well laid , may help thee to admire and prize more the beauty of that face which they resemble and represent .

Application . Glorious things are spoken of thee , O thou Word of God : Many books have done vertuously , have acted famously for the overthrow of sin and Satan , for the advancement of Christ and holiness , but thou hast excelled them all . Thou hast changed Lions into Lambs , Ravens into Doves , Beasts into Men , and Men into Angels ; thou hast subdued head-strong passions , mortified natural and riveted corruptions , tore up old and sturdy lusts by the roots , conquered Principalities and Powers , led captivity captive ; and turned the world upside down . By thee wonders are wrought , the blind restored to their sight , the dead raised , the deaf hear , the dumb speak , the Lepers are cleansed , and the poor have the Gospel preached to them , and are changed into the nature of it ; where thou ridest conquering and to conquer , the whole world runneth after thee ; Thy neck is like the Tower of David , builded for an Armoury , wherein there hang a thousand bucklers , all shields of mighty men . Thy weapons are not carnal , but spiritual , and mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds , casting down imaginations , and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God , and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ By thee , poor , weak and contemptible men have subdued Kingdoms , wrought righteousness , obtained the promises , stopped the mouths of roaring lions , quenched the violence of hellish fire , escaped the edge of Hereticks and persecutors sword , out of weakness were made strong , waxed valiant in sight , turned to flight Armies of the Aliens . Thou hast not onely like Saul , slain thy thousands , but with David thy ten thousands ; thou hast broken the serpents head , destroyed the great Leviathan . tramplest on Scorpions and Vipers , and nothing can hurt thee . Thou bringeth heaven down to earth , and carriest earth up to heaven . Thou are the joyful message from a far country , the river whose streams make glad the City of God . Infinite Wisdom contrived thee , Infinite Truth proclaimed thee , and infinite Goodness discovered thee ; The Father indited thee , the Son confirmed thee , and the Spirit revealed thee to the children of men . The Countries and Kingdoms of the earth were overwhelmed with worse then Egyptian darkness , till thou didst arise upon them , and with thy glorious beams enlighten and enliven them ; by thee fools have been made wise , sinners made Saints , ignorant men have been instructed , wandring men reduced , weak ones confirmed , and lost ones saved . By thee the heavens were established , the foundations of the earth formed , the sorrowful are comforted , the scandalous reformed , the needy relieved , and the righteousness of God revealed : Thou art eyes to the blind , and ●eet to the lame , and food to the hungry , and rest to the weary , and physick to the sick , and life to the dying . The ablest Historian will infinitely fall short in describing thy heroick deeds ; None can declare thy noble acts , or display half thy praise . Angels may well pry into thee with admiration and astonishment , and make the contents of thy Chapters , the subject of their songs , and substance of their Halelujah● to all eternity . When that heavenly host preached on earth , thou wert their Text , be thou their triumph in heaven for ever .

O thou savour of life , thou living water , thou well of salvation , thou tidings of great joy to all Nations , thou ministration of righteousness , thou mystery of godliness , thou mine of unsearchable riches , thou way of holiness , thou word of the kingdom , that thou wert written on the tables of my heart , and graven with a pen of iron , and the point of a diamond on that rock for ever ! Thou wast once written on tables of stone with the hand of God himself ; how precious was that book wherein every leaf was immediately of Gods making , and every line in it of Gods writing ! My heart is an heart of stone ( I find it by too much experience ) but if thou wert engraven on it 't would be a precious stone ; its price would be far above Rubies , the Onyx , and the Saphire should not be valued with it ; the Gold and the Chrystal should not equal it , neither should it be exchanged for Coral or Pearls . O that I were manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ , written not with ink , but with the Spirit of the living God , known and read of all men . O that my soul were the house , and thou the inhabitant for ever . O that the word of Christ might dwell richly within me , that I were able to say with holy David , I delight to do thy will O God , thy law is within my heart , or in the midst of my bowels . Thou art the Oracles of God , all thy sayings are faithful and true , and worthy of all acceptation ; when , O when shall I give it them ! Thou art worthy of the eye ; Blessed is he that readeth the words of this Prophesie , Rev. 1. 3. Thou art worthy of the ear ; Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it ; Thou art worthy of the heart ; O that I could hide thee in mine heart that I might not sin against the Lord ; Thou art a counsellor to the doubting , a comforter to the distressed ; Thou art health to the navel , and marrow to the bones , an ornament of grace unto the head , and a chain of gold about the neck ; They that walk in thy ways are safe , and their feet do not stumble ; Thou teachest in the ways of wisdom , and thou leadest in right paths ; O that my ways were directed to keep all thy commandements , for thy steps tend to holiness , and thy Paths take hold of Heaven .

O my soul , is it possible for thee to hear the excellency of Scripture , thus opened to thee , and not to burn in love to it ! Hast thou been all this while in such an hot bath , and still cold and shivering ! Hast thou felt its power , tasted its savour , seen its beauty , often heard its awakening voice , and known its universal vertue , and dost thou yet doubt its divinity , or question its excellency ! Surely , if ever thou shouldst again through unbelief belief ask it the same question , which the Scribes did Christ , when they beheld his miraculous actions ; By what authority dost thou these things , or who gave thee this authority ? thou mayst answer thy self in the words of the man born blind ( and then seeing ) to the Jews ; Is it not strange , or , This is a marvellous thing , that thou knowest not whence it is , yet it hath opened thine eyes , Joh. 9. 30. Was there not a night of dread and horror with thee , when thou didst sit in darkness , and in the shadow of death , till this sun did arise , with light and life under its wings . O cry out with the Psalmist , I will never forget thy precepts , for by them thou hast quickened me . I was wallowing in my filth , weltring in my blood , rotting in the grave of corruption , till thou didst say unto me , Live ; yea , till thou didst say unto me , Live : Thy voice is powerful , overcoming all opposition . The love revealed in thee is wonderful , far surpassing the love of woman . Thy promises are exceeding great and precious , more to be desired then gold , yea , then much fine gold . Thy Maker may well prevail for thine acceptance . Who would not reverence the issue for the Authors sake ; Surely , that coin deserves esteem , which hath that Kings Image and Superscription on it . The matter in thee merits respect ; Thou art a Love-letter from God to his creature , revealing his eternal thoughts of good will , publishing his acts of grace and oblivion to all traytors and rebels in arms against his Majesty , upon condition they will throw down their weapons , and become Loyal Subjects for the future ; Thou art the Churches Charter , containing all the priviledges which the blessed Jesus purchased for her . What wise man would not value the deeds and evidences which speak and give a right to pardon , love , grace , joy , peace , and the undefiled inheritance for ever ! When thou comest to a soul , salvation comes to that soul ; Thou art always attended with a rich train of all sorts of comforts ; The good tidings thou bringest , and great blessings thou conveyest where ever thou comest , may well make thee welcome . I may well say un●o thee , beholding the bracelets and ear-rings , wherewith thou adornest the Spouse of the true Isaac , as Laban to Abrahams servant ; Come in thou blessed of the Lord , why standest thou without , I have prepared lodging for thee ?

If I am bound to bless my God for the natural lights which he hath made , the greater to rule the day , and the lesser to rule the night , because thereby it appears that his mercy endureth for ever , Psa. 136. 7 , 8 , 9. How much am I bound to bless him for the spiritual light of his word , that true , that marvellous light which shineth in a dark place , till the eternal day dawn ! O what mercy , what mercy enduring for ever is there in every leaf , in every verse , in every line of that sacred Book ! If Regeneration be a mercy , to be partaker of the divine nature , the stamping the lovely Image of the glorious God upon thee , then the word is a mercy , for that is the seal in the hand of the Spirit , which imprinte●h it on thee , Iames 1. 18. Is faith a mercy , that shield of the soul , whereby it quencheth the fiery darts of the Devil , that Ladder by which the soul mounteth to Heaven , and converseth daily with its Lord and Master ? then the word is a mercy , for faith comes by hearing , the word is the door of faith , Rom. 10. 14. Act. 14. 27. If repentance be a mercy , those second and best thoughts of the soul , that recovery of the man to his wits and right mind , then the word is a mercy , for t is the voice of Christ in the word , that casteth the Devil of impenitency and sensuality out of the heart , ( where it raigned and raged , sending out fire and flames , like AEtna , for many years ) and makes the man like him in the Gospel ( out of whom the Devil was cast ) to sit at Iesus his feet in his right mind , bitterly weeping and mourning for his former folly and madness ; T is the hot beams of love that shine in the Gospel , that thaw the frozen spirits . Is hope a mercy , ●hat Helmet of salvation which defendeth the head of Christians from Swords and Musquets , the souls of Saints from the darts and dangers of temptations , those Bladders of the soul , which keep it from sinking in deep waters ? then the word is a mercy , for we through patience and comfort of the Scripture , have hope , Rom. 15. 4. Hope had never lookt out at the window , longing for the coming of its beloved , if the word had not come before as a faithful Messenger , and brought certain news that he was upon the way . Are pardon , reconciliation with God , adoption , growth in grace , yea , Heaven it self a mercy ? then the word is a mercy ; All those Jewels are lockt up in that Cabinet . Man durst not have presumed , he could not have conceived that the glorious jealous God should ever have such infinite respect for such wretches and rebels , if he had not found it written with his own hand in the word . T is on the waters of the sanctuary , that the Saint saileth safely through the Sea of this world to the Port of salvation . There was no visible bridge laid over the Gulf of Gods wrath , for sinners to pass into the Kingdom of grace here , and glory hereafter , till the Gospel erected one .

O my soul , what honour can be high enough , what love hot enough , for the holy Scriptures !

1. Consider the preciousness of them in the eyes of good men , and the love they had for them . Iob preferred them before food , before his necessary food ; Solomon before ornaments of gold , crowns of glory ; Paul before all other Doctrines , though Preached by Angels ; David before the honey , and the honey comb , great spoils , thousands of gold and silver , all riches ; And when he ceaseth to compare , beginneth to admire i●s worth , Wonderful are thy testimonies ; And his own fervent affection to it , O how love I thy law , it is my meditation all the day .

2. The price paid for it . It cost the blood of thy beloved ; well may the Scriptures be called Testaments , they were both sprinkled with blood , and made valid by the death of the Testatour , Heb. 9. 15 , 16 , 17. And for this cause he is the mediatour of the New Testament , that by means of death for the redemption of transgressions that were under the first Testament ; they which were called , might receive the promise of eternal inheritance ; For where a Testament is , there must of necessity also be the death of the Testator ; For a Testament is of force after men are dead , otherwise it is of no strength at all whilst the testator liveth .

3. The pearl hid in it . The Lord Jesus Christ is the matter as well as the Author of it . Well may it be called the Word of Christ . Search the Scripture for they are they that testifie of me . He was the substance of the Law , and he is the sum of the Gospel : Thou hadst not known sin but for the Law , nor the Saviour , but for the Gospel .

Resolution . When David considered the kindness he had rece●ved from Ionathan , he said to his servants , Is there none left of the house of Saul that I may shew kindness to , for Jonathans sake . He could not but in gratitude study some return suitable to that good will of his dear friend . Great is the kindness I have received from the Scripture ; What wilt thou say , what wilt thou do , O my soul , for this Word of thy God! O swear unto the Lord , and vow unto the mighty God of Jacob ; surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house , I will not go up into my bed , I will not give sleep to mine eyes , nor slumber to mine eye●lids , until I ●inde out a place for the law of the Lord , and an habitation for the Gospel of the God of Jacob. Wilt thou not willingly , O my soul , rather then this worthy guest should lie without doors , take it into thy heart ! O that thou wert the ark wherein the two Tables , the two Testaments might be laid up for ever . Lord I will through thy strength ponder all thy sayings in my heart , and make them the rule of my life ; I will delight in●thy law , and meditate therein day and night . I will give diligence to reading , be frequent in hearing , and uniform and coustant in obedience to it . I will teach it diligently my children , and talk of it when I sit in mine house , and when I walk by the way , when I lye down , and when I rise up , I will bind it for a sign upon my hand , it shall be as a frontlet between mine eyes ; I will make thy statutes my songs in the house of my pilgrimage , I will rejoyce in thy testimonies more then they that find great spoils ; I will chuse thy statutes as my heritage for ever , for they are the joy of my heart ; I will delight in the law of God after the inner man . I will incline my heart to keep thy statutes always unto the end ; I have sworn and I will perform , that I will keep thy righteous judgements . But ah Lord , what do I say ! I have even cast thy law behind my back , I have broken thy bands asunder , and cast thy cords from me : My carnal mind is not subject to the law of God , neither indeed can be ; I can of my self break thy law , but onely through thy strength keep it ; I have gone astray like a lost sheep , O seek thy servant and I will keep thy statutes . Be surety for thy servant for good , that I may observe thy precepts : I am a stranger in this earth , hide not thy commandments from me . Incline my heart unto thy testimonies , and not unto covetousness . Make me to go in the path of thy commandments , for therein do I delight . Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes , and I will keep it unto the end . Gi●e me understanding and I shall keep thy law ; yea I shall keep it with my whole heart . Thou art good , and dost good ; O teach me thy statutes . Thy hands have made me and fashioned me ; O give me understanding that I may keep thy commandments . I will run the way of thy commandments , when thou shalt inlarge my heart . O send out thy light and thy truth ; let them lead me , let them bring me unto thy holy hill , unto thy heavenly habitation . Then will I go into the presence of God , even of God my exceeding joy : Yea upon the harp will I praise thee , O God my God for ever .

Fourthly , If thou woulst exercise thy self to godliness in Solitude , Accustom thy self to soliloquies , I mean to conference with thy self . He needs never be idle that hath so much business to do with his own soul. It was a famous answer which Antistenes gave when he was asked what fruit he reaped by all his studies ; By them , saith he , I have learned both to live and talk with my self . Soliloquies are the best disputes ; every good man is best company for himself of all the creatures . Holy David enjoyneth this to others ; Commune with your own hearts upon your bed and be still , Selah , Psal. 4.4 . Commune with your own hearts ; when ye have none to speak with , talk to your selves . Ask your selves for what end ye were made , what lives ye have lead , what times ye have lost , what love ye have abused , what wrath ye have deserved ? Call your selves to a reckoning , how ye have improved your talents , how true or false ye have been to your ●rust , what provision ye have laid in for an hour of death , what preparation ye have made for a great day of account . Vpon your beds : Secresie is the best opportunity for this duty . The silent night is a good time for this speech . When we have no outward objects to disturb us , and to call our eyes ( as the fools eyes are always ) to the ends of the earth ; then our eyes , as the eyes of the wise may be in our heads ; and then our minds , like the windows in Solomons Temple , may be broad inwards . The most successful searches have been made in the night season ; the soul is then wholly shut up in the earthly house of the body , and hath no visits from strangers to disquiet its thoughts . Physicians have judged dreams a probable sign whereby they might find out the distempers of the body . Surely then the bed is no bad place ●o examine and search into the state of the soul. And be still : Self-communion will much help to curb your head-strong , ungodly passions . Serious consideration , like the casting up of earth amongst Bees , will allay inordinate affections , when they are full of fury , and make such an hideous noise . Though sensual appetites and unruly desires , are as the people of Ephesus , in an uproar , pleading for their former priviledge , and expecting their wonted provision , as in the days of their predominancy , if conscience use its authority , commanding them in Gods name , whose officer it is , to keep the Kings peace , and argue it with them , as the Town-Clark of Ephesus , We are in danger to be called in question for this days uproar , there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this days concourse , all is frequently by this means husht , and the tumult appeased without any further mischief . Selah : This signifieth elevation , or lifting up either the mind or voyce or both . For the matter of it , it importeth , 1. An Asseveration of a thing so to be . A●nsw . on Psa. 3. 2. Hence the Chaldee Paraphrast , and some other Hebrews have turned it For ever ; The foregoing assertions are true , and shall be so for ever . 2. An Admiration at it ; Such truths call both for our assent and wonder . Selah is affixed by way of Emphasis , to note the excellency of the thing asserted , and the impression it should make upon our spirits .

As David enjoyned this duty to others , so he practised it himself , Psa. 77. 6. I call to remembrance my song in the night , I commune with mine own heart , and my spirit made diligent search . He communed with his own heart , was not a stranger at home . Indeed , an Hypocrite , as the Philosopher speaks of a vicious person , is not friends with himself , but endeavours more to avoid himself then any others , and is never in so bad company , as when he is alone , for then he is forced to keep company with himself . Where conscience is an abused and incensed Judge , t is no wonder that a guilty malefactour would flie from its presence . The servant that hath rioted all day , is unwilling his Master should reckon with him at night ; The Heathen ( persecutors ) would not hear the Christians , because their cause would have appeared so just that nature it self would have justified them . The ungodly will not for a contrary reason hear the indictments which conscience prefers against them , because their cause will appear so bad , that they cannot avoid condemning themselves . It may be said of whorish hearts , as of the Harlot , Her feet abide not within her house . But the sincere Christian , that allows himself in no sin , delights to commune with his own soul , and when he is debating things with his own conscience , esteems himself in good company . He had rather ( Gods deputy ) conscience , should admonish him to contrition , then that God himself should do it to his confusion .

According to the Apostles Doctrine , Every one of us must give account of himself to God ; therefore every one of us , must take account of himself befare-hand . It will be but a sad account which some will give at the great Audit-day , when conscience shall confess against them , They made me keeper of others vineyards , but my own vineyard have I not kept ; And it is but a poor trade that they drive at present , who make little use of their Shop-books . The greatest Merchants , and the most thriving , are much in their Counting-house .

5. In solitude , accustom thy self to secret ejaculations and converses with God . Lovers cast many a glance at each other , when they are at a distance , and are deprived of set meetings . A little Boat may do us some considerable service , when we have not time to make ready a great Vessel . The casting of our eyes and hearts up to Heaven , will bring Heaven down to us ; My meditations of him shall be sweet , Psa. 104. 34. Secret ejaculations have meat in their mouths , and will abundantly requite such as entertain them . If they be much in our bosomes , as Abishag in Davids , they will cherish us , and put warmth into us . They are sweet , in the day , like the Black-bird , cheering us with their pleasant noats , and do also afford us wi●h the Nightingale , songs in the night . A true Israelite may enjoy more of his God in a Wilderness , then in an earthly Canaan . Christians are nearest their heaven , when farthest from the Earth . What care I how much I am in solitude , so I may but enjoy his desirable society . Ah how foolish are those persons that neglect the improvement of this glorious priviledge ! They that like swine , can look every way but upward , may well lie rooting in the earth , desiring no more then fleshly pleasures , because they know no better . Surely , the company of my God is of such weighty consequence and universal influence , that I need no other , I can have none to equal it . The society of my best friends , for all their love to me , and tenderness of me , is but as the company of Snakes and Serpents , to the company of my God . They have not pity enough for the thousandth part of my misery , nor power enough to answer in any degree my necessities ; Their hearts are infinitely short of my Gods ( his love to me , like his being , is boundless ) but their hands come far short of their hearts ; though they are not unwilling , they are unable to relieve me . How often have I told them of my doleful case , and distressed condition in vain , when thereby I have rather added to their afflictions , then lessened my own ? But my God is all-sufficient , both for pity and power , he hath bowels and mercy enough for my greatest sufferings and sorrows ; and strength and might enough for my support and succour ; My best friends are waspish , and upon a small cause are ready to snap asunder their friendship , when my Gods good will everlasting , and thongh he scourge me , he will is never remove his loving kindness from me ; What need I those puddle streams , whilst I have this Well of living water ? O let me enjoy him more , though I never enjoy fr●end more . Because I shall have opportunity to speak more to soul conferences , and also to converse with God in secret duties , in other parts of this Treatise , I shall speak no more in this place .

A Good Wish about the exercising our selves to Godliness in Solitude , wherein the former particulars are applied .

THe blessed and infinite wise God , The Introduction : who made my soul for himself , and knoweth it will never be satisfied without himself , commanding me in all company to converse with his sacred Majesty , and calling me sometimes to solitude , that being freed from worldly distractions , I might have more of his society ; I Wish that my nature may be so sutable to his holy being , and my love so great to his gracious presence , that though his providence should cast me alone into a Prison , yet enjoying his favour there , I may esteem it sweeter and pleasanter then the stateliest Palace . It is both his precept and my priviledge , that in the greatest company I should be alone to him ; and in my greatest solitude , in company with him . There is not the most solitary place I can come into , nor the least moment of my life , but I have still business with my God , and such as is neither easie , nor of mean concernment . All my transactions with men about House , or Land , or Food , or Cloaths , or the most neces●ary things of this present life , are nothing to my businesse with God about my unchangeable being in the other world . If they were all laid in the ballance with this , they would be found infinitely lighter then vanity and nothing . My understanding is ready to be overwhelmed with the apprehension of an endless eternal state . All my business with meat , or drink , or sleep , or family , or friends , or mercies , or afflictions , nay , or the means of grace , or ordinances themselves , is no more worth or desireable , then they tend to the furthering my everlasting good . All other things are but as passengers , to which I may afford a short salute , but it is my home , where I must abide for ever , that my heart must be always set upon ; and it is my God , upon whom this blissful endless life depends , that I have most cause to be ever with ; O my soul , by this thou mayst gather with whom to deal , and about what to trade when thou art alone ; tell me not henceforward , in the words of the lazy worldling , I am idle , for I have nothing to do ; Hast thou pardon of sin , the Image of thy God , an interest in thy Redeemer , freedom from sin , the Law , the wrath to come , a title to life and salvation , to get and secure , without which thou shalt be a firebrand of hell for ever , and hast thou any while , any time to be idle ? Hast thou that high , that holy , that weighty work of worshipping and glorifying the great God of Heaven and Earth , and of working out thy own salvation , and yet hast thou nothing to do ! O that I might never hear such language in thy thoughts , much less read it in thy life , when thou hast so much business of absolute necessity to be done , lying upon thy hands , that if all the Angels in Heaven should offer thee their help , unless the Son of God himself do assist , thou canst not dispatch it in many millions of ages ! Lord , I am thine , absolutely thine , universally thine ; all I am is thine , all I have is thine ; O when shall I live as thine ! I have no business but with thee , and for thee ; O that I could live wholly to thee ; I confess it is thine infinite gra●e to suffer such a worm as I am , to converse with thy glorious Majesty ; that Heaven should thus stoop to earth , and the most holy condescend to so great , so greivous a sinner ; O affect my heart with thy kindness herein , and so fill me with thy blessed spirit , that as thou art ever with me , whether I am alone , or in company , so when I awake , I may be still with thee .

I Wish that I may esteem solitude ,

Motives to exercise our selves to godliness in solitude .

1. The advantage which a Christian may reap by solitude .

when my God calls me to it , a gracious opportunity , for more united and intimate converses with his Majesty . How often hath the company of men distracted my spirit , and hindered me from having my conversation in Heaven ! Their mi●apprehensins , and carnal interests , and predominant passions do frequently bring such prejudice to their associates , that none would be over fond of their honey , who hath once felt their stings . If I converse with wicked men , I hear their Oaths , and Blasphemies , and Ribbaldry , their Mocks , and Taunts , and Ieers , against God and his people ; I see their intemperance and prophaneness , and injustice , and oppression , and persecution of them that fear the Lord ; I can read in their wicked language , and cursed carriage , their bitterness , and rage , and emnity against their Maker and Redeemer ; I may behold the body of Christ wounded , and his pretious blood trampled on , the law , and love , and worship , and honour , of the blessed God , scorned and despised , and such vileness and wickedness committed in an hour , as shall be bewailed and lamented for ever . Such sights as these call for my deepest sorrow , and the best that I can get by such company , is inward trouble , and abundant grief ; but it s many to one if they do not make me either directly or indirectly to contract real guilt . O what pleasure can I take to be in a room filled with smoke , which will certainly wring tears from mine eyes , and probably smut and defile me ; If I converse with good men , though their company in many respects be desireable , and I have found it to be profitable , and I would prize them whom God esteemeth , and love them that have his beautiful Image , and with whom I must live for ever ; yet how many things are in them to allay the vertue and benefit of their society ! Their peevishness , and pa●sion , and pride , and selfishness which are still too much in them ; the difference of their judgements , and dispositions , causeth their company to be far the l●ss eligible and lovely ; Besides , their readiness and activeness to propagate their errors , and their power and prevalency to draw others to joyn with them in their wandrings from the truth , doth not a little abate of that comfort and delight , which I might have in them ; Again , their miseries , and wants , and necessities , which are many , and great , and urgent , which I am wholly unable to relieve or remedy , call me to tears and weeping ; Once more , their slips , and falls , and weaknesses and back-slidings which I must observe , and reprove , and bewail , are far from being occasions of joy or pleasure to me . They are at best , as we say of Children , certain cares , and uncertain comforts ; Though they are roses , they have prickles , which offend , as well as their pleasant smell to refresh us ; the truest friend I have , may occasion me as much trouble as comfort . When I travail with a chearful good Companion , I promise my self much delight in my journey , but anon he falls and wounds himself , or tires , or proves sick and unable to go further , and instead of going forward , I must stay to attend on him , and thus instead of being my help , he becomes my hinderance . Indeed I have the more cause to bear with it in another , not knowing how soon it may be my own case ; but however these accidents which too often fall out , as they speak the benefit of it to one , so also the perplexity and trouble of it to another . If I converse with great or rich men , what disdainful looks do they give me ? at what a distance do they behold me ? It s hard to obtain the liberty of speaking to them ; but if I would obtain their favour t will cost me more then it did the cheif Captain for his Roman freedom ; Vnless I can gratifie their lusts , I must not expect their love . If I can drink , and swear , and curse , and roar at their hellish rate ( it may be ) they will afford me a good word ; but alas what man in his wits , would pay for their best words so dear a price ? Their friendship can hardly be got without a breach with my God ; and what wise man would lose the good will of the Lord for the gain of the whole world ? When I have by many friends , and with much ●●fficulty , and even danger to my soul procured their favour , how little am I the better for it ! The most rotten tree is not so hollow ; for as cunning wrestlers , they will get within me to give me a fall ; the wind it self is not more wavering then they are ; except I can be contented to be their foot-stool , that by their treading on me , they may be lifted higher in the world , I must expect to be quite cast by . It s possible wbilst they may make some use of me to decoy and trepan others , or to raise and advance themselves , they may carry me upon their shoulders as men do their Ladders , when there is hopes thereby of climbing to their desired height , but when that is done , or if the Ladder prove too short , they will throw it upon the ground , If I will not always be some way or other m●king provision for their flesh , I shall be dismist with the brand of an unworthy fellow . If I converse with mean and poor men , I find but little comfort in their company , I see their poverty , and indigency , and hunger , and nakedness , which I cannot help or prevent , I heard their cries , and groans , and complaints , by reason of oppressing Landlords , or tyrannical revengeful Neighbours , or unfaithful Friends , or distempered Bodies , all which affect my soul , and grieve me to the heart , that I am ready to sit in the dust , and cry , and groan , and mourn with them ; Let me go where I will to converse with any , in this wilderness of the world , I find little but briars , and brakes , and thorns , and thistles , and matter of sorrow and lamentation ; but when I retire alone to converse with my God , I am freed from those distracting clamours and vexations , cries and disturbing noise , and might , could I but leave an ungrateful unbelieving heart behind me , find in him an Heaven ●pon Earth ; I may with Moses go up to Mount Pisgah , and take a view with the prospective glass of faith , of Palestine , and that goodly land flowing with milk and honey . I may enter into the suburbs of the new Jerusalem , taste some clusters of the Grapes of Canaan , and view as in a glass those celestial beauties and glories which I hope one day to see face to face , and to be partaker of● O my soul , what needst thou care how much the world scorns thy company , or to what place thy God see fit to banish thee ! if thou canst but as Zacheus , when gotten out of the crowd , climb up into the Sycamore of meditation , and obtain a sight of thy Saviour ; If he want no company who is with the King , surely thou mayst deny all the company on earth for the King of Kings ! Look how lovingly he invites thee to take a turn or two with him alone in the fields ; Come my beloved , let us go forth into the fields , there I will give thee my loves ; Hast thou not many a time sighed out to him , O kiss me with the kisses of thy lips , for thy love is better then wine ; Lo , he tells thee the place where he will answer thy petition ; There will I give thee my loves . Thy bridegroom is bashful , and desirous to satisfie thy longings in secret ; Isaac met his bride in the fields , and thou mayst meet thy beloved when thou turnest aside from the world , to entertain thy self in solitude . O how pleasant should solitude be to thee for his sake ? What matters it , whether thou art driven , or who be the whips that drive thee , when thou art driven farther from men , to be nearer the Lord Iesus Christ ! A loving Husband is instead of all company to a faithful Spouse . Is not Christ dearer to thee then all the world ? be not thou dejected , though thou shouldst be turned as he was , into a Wilderness , but expect an Angel , even the Angel of the Covenant , to be sent from Heaven for thy comfort . Lord , it is my support , that wherever I am , thou art continually with me ; O that I were able to say , I am continually with thee ; I would willingly with Jacob , leave all my company to meet thee alone● , so I might but as he did weep in secret , and make supplication , so as to prevail with thee for thy blessing . Though I should sind cause to say with David , Lovers and friends stand aloof from me ; and with Job , My friends scorn me ; yet if thou pleasest , by parting me from them , to draw me nearer to thy self , and to afford me more of thy quickening , cheering presence , I shall account their absence a desireable advantage ; The best society without thee , is as a barren desart , and an howling wilderness ; the greatest solitariness with thee , is as a fruitful Country and delectable Canaan ; How precious are thy thoughts ( my thoughts of thee ) to me O God ; Let me rather dwel alone in a Prison with thy company , then in a Pallace without thee .

2 2 Motive , The danger of carelesness in solitude . I Wish that I may be the more careful of my carriage in secret , lest what I intend as an opportunity for my Gods service , should prove a season and advantage for Satan ; The body must be lookt to narrowly , when it comes out of an hot Bath , lest the Poors being open , it should take cold . The soul must be carefully tended , when it comes from Christian communion , lest in solitude it lose what it hath gained in good company . When the Countryman hath been at Market and filled his Purse , he is in most danger of robbing as he goeth home alone . The Tempter will be sure to be present with me , whoever be absent ; He walks to and fro in the earth , and whilst I am in his Circuit , I must expect his company ; Though he be more bold then welcome , and though I deny his desires , defie his works , and resist him , and sometimes foil him , yet he will still attend to sollicite me to folly ; wherever I go , he will find me out ; and whatever I do , I must expect him at my elbow ; he hath a double advantage of me in solitude , partly in that I have no visible second to assist me ; he hopes when I am alone , t is a good time to set upon me , and that he is strong enough by force to ravish and defile me ; Partly , in that shame which restrains from sin in publique , hath no place , no prevalency in private . He will tell me that secresie may be a curtain to hide my sins from the worlds eye , of which I am so much afraid . As Josephs Mistress , he will cry , Come lie with me , be bold to sin , to take thy pleasure , for here is no man present to know it , or to reveal it to thy disgrace . And for God , he hath forgotten , he hideth his face , he will never see it ; How shall God know ? can he judge through the dark Cloud ? Thick Clouds are a covering to him , that he doth not see , and he walketh in the circuit os Heaven . But O my soul , thy double danger calleth upon thee to be the more vigilant and diligent in minding thy duty . When thou hast no humane friend to watch over thee , thou art the more concerned to watch over thy self . They that live far from Neighbours , are the more liable to Thieves , and therefore if wise , will make up that want by extraordinary watchfulness , and a greater provision of armour and weapons ; If one Devil be too hard a match for many secure Christians , how unable will one single Christian be , to encounter with many , with a Legion of Devils ! Shouldst thou be idle in solitude , or suffer thy thoughts to wander , expect more then good Company , and such as will employ thee about works of darkness . Besides , Consider , Though thy thoughts are mantled from the view of men , yet thy God knoweth thy thoughts a far off , long before thou thinkest them , and will judge the secrets of mens hearts , according to his Gospel ; He that numbereth the stars of Heaven , numbereth all the thoughts of thy heart ; I know the things that come into your mind , O house of Israel , every one of them , Ezek. 11. 5. And he that punisheth men for wicked deeds , doth not let them escape for their evil thoughts ; Hear O earth , behold I will bring upon this people , the fruit of their thoughts , Ier. 6. 19. Nay , thy God will scourge men both for and by their thoughts ; accusing thoughts are stinging vipers ; That worm of conscience which will ever ever gnaw the sinners heart , to his unconceiveable misery , is bred in his thoughts ; O therefore wash thy heart from wickedness , let not vain thoughts lodge within thee . Remember also O my soul , if thy most retired thoughts are legible to thy God , then thy secret actions are all open and visible to his eye . Never presume upon sin , in hope of secrecy ; for though thou mayst cover the candle of creatures with a bushel ; yet thou canst not the glorious sun of righteousness ; nothing is hid from his sight ; There is no darkness nor shadow of death , where the workers of iniquity can hide themselves . Lord , thou hast told me , There is nothing hid which shall not be revealed , nor secret which shall not be made known ; I confess my wicked heart is apt to argue impunity from secrecy , and to think I am invisible to thee , because thou art invisible to the eye of my sense ; O affect my heart so throughly with thine Omniscience and Omnipresence , that ● may keep thy precepts , because all my ways ( whether inward or outward ) are before thee .

I Wish that I may have this comfortable evidence of my sincerity , by the conscienciousness of my behaviour in secret . 3 3 Motive . T is a good sign of sincerity . The lineaments and features of the body , are be●t discovered in the night , when it s stripped naked of those garments which in the day time covered it , and were not wholly answerable to the proportion of its several parts ; The shape and countenance of the soul , is much better revealed when it retires from the world , and is freed from these objects and businesses which hurried it hither and thither ( possibly ) much differing from its own inclination . There is no right judging of the Patient by his water , till it is setled ; nor true discovery of the state of a Christian by his heart , till it be quiet and composed . When men are busie upon the stage of the world , surrounded with spectators , they put on strange habits● and act not their own , but the parts of others , and so are not easily known , who or what they are ; but he that followeth them into the retiring room , where they undress themselves , may soon discover them . The frame and bent of my heart in private , to sin or holiness , will speak its temper , whether good or bad . The soul is not at such liberty to vent it self , and to manifest its genius and disposition in its outward actions , as in its inward motions and meditations ; External acts , may flow from external principles , which as a Team of Horse , draw the Cart after it by force , but internal thoughts ever flow from an internal principle , which as the natural and proper off-spring of the mind , discover what its parent is ; The Laws of men , the fear of punishment , the hope of reward may tye my hands in company ; but it s nothing but the fear of my God can bind my heart to its good behaviour in secret . My thoughts are not liable to an arraignment at any earthy Bar , nor my person to any arrest from men , ●or any tumult or disorder in them , because the Law of the Magistrate can take no cognizance of them , they being locked up from all humane eyes in the privy cabinet of my heart . Though I am limited in my words , not to speak what I will , and also in my works , not to do what I will , by reason of that shame , or penalty , or ill-will from friends or superiours , which dishonest actions , and unseemly expressions may bring upon me ; yet my thoughts in this sense are free , I may think what I will , notwithstanding any of these considerations . Again , outward actions , both good and bad , materially considered , are common both to Sinners and Saints . What good duties are there , but as to the matter of them , wicked men may perform them as well as the godly ! Abstinence from gross sins , praying , fasting , hearing , reading , almes-giving , have been practised by some Hypocrites , in a larger measure then by some sincere Christians ; On the other side . There are ●ew sins so great , but some of the Children of God , have at some time or other been guilty of them . Gluttony , Drunkenness , Fornication , Incest , Murder , &c. have been committed by them that were truly sanctified ; where then lieth the difference between them , so much as in their usual and predominant thoughts ? Once more , my God judgeth of my actions by my thoughts , and therefore by them I may well judge of my spiritual condition , Isa. 10. 7. Gen. 22. 16 , 17. Lord , I have often heard out of thy word , Where the treasure is , there will the heart be also ; I know every man will be frequent in thinking of that which he esteems his happiness and treasure . The Covetous wretch hugs and embraceth his wealth in his heart and thoughts , when it is out of his sight , and in other mens hands ; the Adulterer pleaseth himself in the meditation of his wanton dalliances with his foolish Minion , when he hath no opportunity for the execution of his lust ; the Proud man fancieth himself in a fools Paradise , whilst he imagineth multitudes waiting upon him , in the Presence Chamber of his crazie brain with their bare heads , their bended knees , admiring and applauding the worth of his person , the vastness of his parts , and himself as the only epitome of all perfections . O give me that character of thy children , to meditate in thy Law day and night . Let my thoughts be conversant about those riches that are not liable to rust , those pleasures which satisfie a rational soul , and that honour which is from God ; give me to know that my treasure is in Heaven , with thy self , in thy Son , by having my heart , and my conversation there also .

I Wish that when ever I sequester my self from worldly business , Wherein godliness consisteth in solitude . I might leave all my finful and worldly thoughts behind me . 1 1 By watching against sinful and vain thoughts . There can no work of concernment be done in secret , unless these disturbers be absent . Should I entertain such guests , I forbid Christ my Company . Vicious thoughts are his sworn enemies , and he will not dwel in the same heart , in the same house with them ; If I desire him to sit upon the throne of my heart , I must give him leave to cast down every imagination , and to bring every thought to the obedience of himself ; Places that are full of vermine , are not fit for a Princes presence ; Vain and unnecessary thoughts about lawful objects , are strangers , though not sworn enemies , and will give my best friend distast . Though a noble person should come to give me a visit , if he should hear me debasing my self to converse needlesly with inconsiderable impertinent fellows , I may look that he should passe by without calling in ; Christ loves not to be entertained in a room full of dust-heaps and cobwebs . If vain thoughts lodge within , the blessed Jesus will stand without ; Gold and Clay will not mingle ; If these mists arise , and these clouds interpose , they will hinder my sight of the true Sun . Besides , My works will be answerable to my thoughts ; if my thoughts be wicked or fruitless , so will my actions be . My hands are but the Midwife , to bring my thoughts , the conception of my heart , into the world . My thoughts are the seed that lyeth in the ground out of sight ; my works are the crop which is visible to others ; according to the seed , whether good or bad , such will the crop be . If men be so careful to get the purest , the cleanest , and the best seed for their fields , that their harvest may be the more to their advantage ; how much doth it concern me that my heart be sown with pure and holy thoughts , that my crop may tend both to my credit and comfort ! Lord , there is no good seed but what comes out of thy garner . I confess , the piercing thorns of vicious thoughts , and the fruitless weeds of vain thoughts , are all the natural product of my heart . O let thy good spirit plow up the fallow ground of my soul , and scatter in it such seeds of grace and holiness , that my life may be answerable to thy Gospel , and at my death I may be translated to thy glory .

I Wish that I may in solitude , 2 2 Spiritualize natural things when I have no men to discourse with , converse with other creatures , and spell the name of my creatour out of them . It is my priviledge , that I may with Sampson , get honey and sweetness by occasional meditation , out of the carcass of every creature ; The whole world is a great vast library , and every creature in it a several Book , wherein he that runs may read , the power , and goodness , and infinite perfections of its Maker ; Every object is as a Bell , which if but turned , makes a report of the great Gods honour and renown . Some have compared the Creation to a musical instrument ; sure I am , every individual in it , is a string , which if toucht by serious consideration , will loudly and sweetly proclaim its Authors praise ; He that hath much stock , may well trade high ; They who by every sight , by every sound , by every thing felt or tasted , are minded of their Father and Fountain , may well be taken up with frequent apprehensions and admirations of him ; For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world , are clearly seen , being understood by the things that are made , even his eternal power and God head , Rom. 1. 20. The Highest and Lowest , the Kings and Worms , the Sun and Stone , the Cedar and Hysop , the smallest inanimate & irrational creatures read to me dumb lectures of my Gods might and love ; they are so many Masters to instruct me , though silently , in his greatness and wisdom . The world below is a glass , in which I may see the world above . The works of God are the Shepherds Calender , the Plow-mans Alphabet , the King of Heavens Divinity Professors , and why not my Catholique Preachers ? Certainly those several varieties , choice rarities , and excellent contrivances which appear in them , were made as well for my inward soul , as outward senses , and chiefly for my soul through my senses . The word of God is food for faith , and so may the works of God nourish faith by sense . Faith seeth God in himself , sense seeth God in his creatures , and thereby may be helpful to faith . Take a view O my soul of thy beloved in those pictures , which are always before thee , representing his glorious and eminent perfections ; Ah , how strange is it , that he who is so near to thy senses , should be so far from thy thoughts ! Try a little what wholsom cordial water thou canst distil out of these hearbs and flowers that grow in this earthly Eden , by the fire of meditation ; Ask now the Beasts , and they shall teach thee : and the Fowls of the air , and they shall tell thee ; or , speak to the earth , and it shall teach thee ; or the Fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee ; Who knoweth not in all these , that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this ! Iob 12.7,8,9 . Thou needst not judge the attributes and excellencis of God , or the work he requireth of thee , so mysterious● that none but men of extraordinary parts can reach or teach them . Though the longest line of created understanding cannot fathom his bottomless perfections , & though his commandments be exceeding broad , yet the meanest creatures do after a sort teach thee his wisdom and power , and thy duty and carriage ; Ask now the Beasts , and they shall teach thee ; As brutish as they are , they may instruct thee in many rare lessons . They will teach thee , 1. Gratitude and thankfulness to thy Maker and preserver ; The Ox knoweth his owner , and the Ass his masters crib , but Israel doth not know , Isa. 1.2 . If the dullest of Beasts , the Ox and Ass acknowledge their Master , how shouldst thou thy benefactour ? 2. Dependance on the Fountain of thy being ; If they depend on him for provision , wilt not thou ? Jezreel cryeth to the Corn , Wine and Oyl to nourish her ; these cry to the earth , the earth cryeth to the heavens , the heavens cry to God , upon whom they depend , Hos. 2. 19. The eyes of all wait upon thee , and thou satisfiest the desire of every living thing ; He giveth to the beasts their food , and to the young ravens that cry , Psalm 145. 15. and 147. 9. If the great House keeper of the world be so careful to fodder his Cattle , surely , thou mayst believe that he will not starve his children . 3. The dread and awe of thy God ; When the Lyon roareth , all the Beasts of the Forrest tremble . What fear should possess thee , when thy God is incensed , and uttereth his terrible voice in his threatnings ! Thy flesh may well tremble for fear of him , and thou hast good cause to be afraid of his righteous judgements . 4. Providence and Diligence in thy place and calling ; Go to the Pismire thou sluggard , consider her ways and be wise ; she provideth her meat in the summer , and gathereth her food in the harvest , Pro. 6.6,8 . If she be so wise as to know her season , and to improve it , how inexcusable wilt thou be , if thou shouldst neglect it ? 5. Innocency ; The Sheep will suffer many injuries and offer none . He went as a sheep to the slaughter , dumb before the shearer , and opened not his mouth . 6. Wisdom and Prudence ; The Serpent will if possible , secure her head , what ever part of her be wounded ; Now the Serpent was more subtil then any Beast of the field ; The Christian must be careful to secure his faith ; be wise as Serpents ; Ask the Fowles of the air , and they will tell thee ; how many truths , O my soul , will the very Birds chatter out to thee ? They will tell thee , 1. Concerning thy God , his goodness and mercy ; Are not two Sparrows sold for a farthing , and yet not one of them falleth to the ground , without thy Fathers providence , Mat. 6. His providence reacheth the meanest creatures . 2. Concerning the wicked one , his cunning and policy ; As the Eagle , when she seiseth on the carcass , will first peck out the eyes , and then feed on its flesh ; So Satan first blindeth the mind , and then leads them hood-winkt to hell ; As the Eagle carrieth the shelfish into the Air , onely that he might break them by their fall , and devour them ; so the Devil by his costly courtesie , advanceth many to their destruction , Pro. 1. 32. As Birds are caught with several baits by the Fowler , some with chaff , some with corn , some with day-nets , some with a lowbel , so the Arch-Fowler hath various ways to seduce and catch poor souls , ye are not ignorant of his devices . 3. Concerning thy self , they will tell thee , 1. That heavenly-mindedness , is the onely way to chearfulness . Birds sing most , when they are got above the earth ; The pretty Bed-brest doth chant it as merrily in September , the beginning of Winter , as in March , the approach of Summer . Thou mayst give as chearful entertainment to hoary frosts , as to warming beams , to the declining Sun of adversity , as to the rising Sun of Prosperity , if thy conversation be in heaven . 2. That simple souls are soon seduced and slain ; when the Larkers day-net is spread in a fair morning , and himself is whirling his artificial motion , by the reflecting lustre of the Sun on the wheeling instrument , not onely the merry Lark , and fearful Pigeon , are dazeled and drawn with admiration ; but stouter Birds of prey , the Merlin and Hobby are invited to stoop , and gazing on the outward form , lose themselves . So when Satan spreadeth his day-net of pleasure and honour , he allures not onely Heathens and Indians , but even unsound and secure Christians ; As the Birds that are caught in the snare , so are the Sons of men snared in an evil time , Eccles. 9. 12. 3. That those that would conquer their spiritual enemies , must be full of courage and valour . The Kite is , Andax in minimis , timidus in magnis ; bold in dealing with t●me fowl , as Chickens and Ducks , but cowardly in medling with wild ones , that will not yield . Give not place to the Devil ; Resist the Devil and he will flee from you . 4. The misery and mischief of contention . The Hawk thinks constantly to make a prey of the Heron , but sometimes the Heron , when she cannot by any winding shifts get above the Hawk , nor by bemuting his feathers make him flag-winged , resumeth courage out of necessity , and strikes the Hawk through the gorge with his Bill , and so have both been seen to fall down dead together . So rich men many times presume that they may oppress their inferiours at their pleasure ; but the event of their strifes and law-suits ( after all their turnings and winding Meanders in the Law , sought out to get above each other ) hath proved the undoing of both . 5. The unreasonableness of diffidence and distrust . They will teach thee a lesson of faith , and help to banish our fears ; Behold the Fowles of the Air , for they Sow not , neither do they Reap nor gather into Barns , yet your heavenly Father feedeth them ; are ye not much better then they ? Mat. 6. 28. 6. The observation of times and seasons . It s thy prudence to take notice of the stormes of judgements , and sunshine of mercy . The Stork in the Heaven knoweth her appointed times , and the Turtle and the Crane , and the Swallow , observe the time of their coming , but my people know not the judgement of the Lord , Ier. 8. 7. 7. The pains thou shouldst take for spiritual food ; the fowles of the Air will flye far for meat ; Where the carcass is , there will the Eagles be gathered together . No labour should be thought too great for the meat that endureth to eternal life . 8. The regard thou shouldst have to the preservation and safety of thy self and Family ; They build on high , and make their nests on the tops and small twigs of trees , and will spare it out of their own mouths , to feed their young . He who provides not for his Family , is not onely worse then an Infidel , but also worse then the very Birds of the Air.

O my soul , proceed farther , Speak to the earth and it shall teach thee , 1. A lesson of Humility . Thou art but breathing earth , enlivened dust , as vile as the dirt that every Beast of the field trampleth on . Behold , I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord , who am but dust and ashes ! Gen. 18. 27. 2. A lecture of thy frailty , that thine earthly tabernacle will ere long fall to the ground ; Dust thou art , and to dust thou shalt return . 3. A lesson of fruitfulness ; It bringeth forth thirty , forty , sixty , an hundred for one ; And Isaac sowed in the Land , and had an hundred fold increase . 4. A lesson of faith and trust in God . The earth hangs on nothing , it hangs in the thin air , where an Hair-ball , nay a straw , will not stay without a support , Job 26. 7. He hangeth the Earth upon nothing .

Once more , And the fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee . Though they are mute Masters , yet they are great Teachers ; They declare unto thee , 1. The Affection and communion that ought to be amongst Saints ; Fish of the same kind flock together in Sholes ; The Greek word for Fish is , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which is derived as some think , from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to come , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be carried with force and violence , so the Fish swim in troops with great force . The safety of Saints consisteth much in their society . 2. The misery of want of government . The greater Fish devour the lesser ; The Pike feed upon Roach ; Thou makest men like Fishes of the Sea that have no government , Hab. 1. 14. So Men without Magistrates , like Canibals , feed on each other . 3. The folly of men that take not warning by others . Silly fish are caught by the Angle or Net , and carried to the fire , yet they that remain are still greedy of the bait ; Satan takes some sinners with the snares and baits of his temptations , jerks them out of the water of life , and casteth them into the unquenchable fire , yet those that survive are as ready to hearken to his suggestions , as if there were no such thing , Eccles. 9. 12. 2 Tim. 2. 26. For man knoweth not his time , as the fishes that are taken in an evil Net , and as the birds that are caught in the snare ; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time , when it falleth suddenly upon them . That they may recover themselves out of the snares of the Devil , who are taken captive at his will . 4. The subtile malice of Satan ; When thou seest the Fisher baiting his hook , thou mayst think of the policy of the Devil , who sugars over his poisoned hooks with seeming profit and pleasures . Eves Apple was candied over with Divine knowledge ; Ye shall be as Gods , knowing good and evil . 5. The multitude of Believers that are begotten by the Gospel ; When the Psalmist speaks of the Sea , he saith , Wherein are things creeping innumerable , both small and great Beasts , Psa. 104. 25. The Latine , Piscis , cometh of the Calde word , Push , which signifieth , to multiply and increa●e , for nothing multiplieth more then Fish ; So the great increase of Christians under the Gospel , is compared to the number of the fish of the great Sea , Ezek. 47. 9. And there shall be a very grea● multitude of fish , because these waters shall come thither , for they shall be healed , &c. 6. The duty of men to abide in their places . Fishes do not change their element ; Birds are somtimes aloft in the air , sometimes below on the earth , but Fish keep always i● the water ; Let every man abide in the same vocation wherein he is called , 1 Cor. 7. 20. 7. The benefit of abounding in holiness ; Fishes are then sweetest and acceptable to the pallat , when they begin to be with spawn ; The fruitful Christian is most pleasing to God ; Herein is my Father glorified , if ye bring forth much fruit , Ioh. 15. 8. 8. The noisomness of sin ; Fish cannot abide any ill savour ; When the Pump of the ship is emptied , they flie from the stench and smell of that nasty water ; hating the garment spotted with the flesh , Iude 23. 9. The necessity of faith and holiness ; No Fish were counted clean , but such as had Fins and Scales ; The Fins guide the fish , the Scales are a defence and ornament to them ; Faith is a Christians guide , and good Works his garment . As the Fish by the Fins are raised from the mud to the top of the water , so faith lifteth the soul from earth to heaven ; It is the evidence of things not seen ; Good works are as Scales , a shield to a Christian , and are not unfitly called the Breast plate of righteousness . Thus , O my soul , though thou couldst not read a line in any Printed book , thou mightest read many good lessons in this natural book . Even things without mouths can Preach and speak thy Makers praise and pleasure ; Their voices are heard in every language , and their words go to the end of the world , Psa. 19. 4.

Wheresoever O my soul , thou goest , thou mayst by meditation get some steps nearer thine eternal weal ; Art thou walking ? Consider , thou art but a sojourner and traveller in this world ; thy life is a continued mo●ion , thy way is the Son of God , thy home is the Fathers House , thy motion is painful , thy way is perfect , and thy home will be full of pleasure . Why shouldst thou wander and come wide , or loyter and come short of Heaven ! O be sure to walk in the right way , and be content to travail hard , that thy sa●e way may find its end in solace , and thy painful walk make thy home more welcome . Art thou walking in thine Orchyard , thou mayst from every tree , as a Text , gather many profitable doctrines and inferences ; Take a turn or two among the Trees , and thou mayst find much wholsom fruit on them .

1. Some Trees are profitable for one purpose , some for another , some to quench thirst , some to comfort and refresh the inward parts , &c. so the Children of God are diversly serviceable , according to the different gifts bestowed on them by the Holy Ghost .

2. Every living fruit tree , is in some measure fruit●ul ; though some bring forth more fruit , some less , yet all bring forth some ; All living Christians are thriving and bearing fruit , though some are more eminent for growth and proficiency in grace , yet all bring forth fruits worthy of repentance . The Hypocrite like a dead stake in an Hedge , continueth at a stay , is without good fruit , nay groweth more rotten every moneth then other ; but the true Saint , like the living Tree , the longer he continueth rooted in Christ , the more abundant he is in the work of the Lord .

3. The best Trees have a winter , wherein they seem to be dead and barren , yet they have their life and sap at that time remaining in the root ; Christians under desertions and temptations may be judged by themselves and others to be dead and undone , but even at such seasons their life is hid with Christ in God ; Though they may fall fouly , they cannot fall finally .

4. Fruit-trees are tossed and shaken by the wind , but there is no danger of their overturning or death , whilst their root remains firm in the earth . Saints may be stirred and tossed by the high winds of Satans and the worlds temptations , but can never be overthrown , because they are rooted in Christ . Grace may be shaken in , but never out of their souls .

5. The winter which the Trees suffer in frosts and snow , and the continuance of their sapunder ground , is profitable for them , and helpful to their greater growth in Spring ; So the various and severest providences of God towards his people , are serviceable to their good ; and their seeming declensions , in order to their greater growth ; As Children under a fit of an Ague , they may at present be weakened and stand at a stay , but afterward they shoot up the more .

6. The fruits of trees are harsh and little worth till they are grafted ; so the fruits of all by nature are wild and unpleasant to God , till they are grafted into Christ .

7. Those trees that stand most in the Sun , bring forth the sweetest and the largest fruit ; So those believers that live nearest God by an holy communion , do the more abound in the fruits of righteousness , and their fruits are the more acceptable , springing from a principle of love to God .

8. The more the boughs are laden , the more they bow down to the earth ; so the more abundant any are in holiness , the more humble and lowly they will be .

9. The Husbandman chuseth what plants he pleaseth to bring into his Orchyard , and his grafting of them , and care about them , makes the difference between them and others ; So God chuseth whom he pleaseth , out of the wilderness and waste of the world , and his grafting them by regeneration , and conduct of them by his Spirit , distinguisheth them from all the rest of the earth .

10. The Leaves drop from the Trees in the beginning of Autumn ; Such is the friendship of this world , whilst the sap of wealth and honour lasteth with me , and whilst I enjoy a summer of prosperity , my friends swarm in abundance , but in the winter of adversity they will leave me naked ; O how miserable is that person , who hath no friends but of this world ! How happy is he that hath the sap of grace , which will remain with him in the coldest winter ! Thus , O my soul , whilst thou art walking with regenerate creatures , thou mayst better thy spiritual senses , and walk with thy Creator . O how may thy thoughts be raised to the trees that are planted in the house of the Lord , and flourish in the Courts of thy God , that are planted by the Rivers of waters , and bring forth their fruit in due season ! Lord , I confess thy goodness in giving me so many ushers , yet alas my dull and blockish heart , to this day hath not learnt those lessons which thou hast set me by them ; Vnless thou , who art the chief Master of the Assemblies , undertake the work , all will be in vain ; Thy creatures are as burning glasses , they cannot make the Sun to shine , but when it doth vouchsafe its heavenly beams , they help to increase both light and heat . It s thine own promise that all Sions Children shall be taught of God ; Let it please thee to undertake the tuition and instruction of thine untoward Scholar ; O do thou spiritualize my heart , and then I shall spiritualize all the works of thine hand , do thou enlighten me so powerfully by thy blessed Spirit , that I may turn every spark into a candle and every candle into a star , and every star into a Sun ; and by the light of all be enabled to see more of thy beautiful face , and blessed perfections .

I Wish that I may not onely taste by occasional , 3 3 Be frequent in deliberate meditations . but make a full meal , by set and serious meditation of that food which may God provideth for my soul ; If a drop , a little be reviving and strengthening , surely a good draught will yeild me more comfort and profit . If ever it be true it s here , the best is at the bottom . That rare object which upon a transient view gives me some delight upon a permanent vision , will afford more pleasure . If my meat abide in my body , it will afford me the better nourishment . Fluxes in the mind , as in the outward man , are arguments and authors of weakness ; The milk must be set some time before it will turn into Cream ; The longer Physick remains within me , t●e more operative it will be . The flame of Davids extraordinary affection to Gods Law , was kindled at the hot fire of his constant meditation . O how love I thy Law ! it is my meditation all the day . His love was hot burning coals ; He speaks not barely by way of affirmation , I love thy law ; and by way interrogation , How love I thy Law ? but also by way of Admiration ; O how love I thy Law ! But his abiding thoughts on it were the warm beams , which beating constantly upon him , put him into such a violent heat ; It is my meditation all the day . As the Hen by sitting on her eggs some weeks , warmeth them and hatcheth young ones , so may I by applying savoury subjects home to my soul , and brooding some considerable time on them , bring forth new affections and new actions . Though my affections seem as dead as the Shunamites son , by stretching my thoughts thus on them , I shall warm and enliven them . Many blows drive a nail to the head , many thoughts settle a truth on the heart . O that I might not onely at some times exchange a few words with the subject of my meditation occasionally , as I do with a friend passing by my door , but also at set times invite it , as Lot did the Angels , to stay with me all night , being confident it will pay me bountifully ( as they him ) for my charges in its entertainment . Yet I would not onely have my affections renewed , but also my actions reformed by my meditations . If I meditate what is good to be done , and do not the good meditated on , I lose my labour , and take much pains to no purpose ; Cogitation is the sowing of the seed ; Action is the springing of it up ; the former is hidden and under ground , the latter is visible , and many are the better for it ; If the seed should still lye buried in the earth , it is but lost and thrown away , t is the springing of it up that causeth the Harvest ; Meditation is the womb of my actions ; action is the Midwife of my meditations ; An evil and imperfect conception , if it hath the favour of a birth , yet the mind is but delivered of a monster , and of that which had better been stifled in the womb , then ever seen the light . A good and perfect conception , if it want strength for its birth , perisheth and comes to nothing ; like Ephraim , It playeth the part of an unwise Son , and stayeth in the place of the breaking forth of Children ; Its pity that such conceptions should prove abortive , or such beautiful children be still-born . Lord , thou hast appointed me to meditate seriously on thy statutes , and those excellent subjects contained in them . I confess my heart is unwilling to this needful and gainful work , and apt to be unfaithful in the management of this sacred duty ; If thou pleasest not to lay thy charge upon it , and to use thy power over it , it will either wholly omit it , or perform it to no purpose ; Why should it not dwell now upon thee by meditation , with whom I hope to dwell for ever ! What unspeakable joy might I receive in and from thy self , could I but get above this earth and flesh ! O who will bring me into that strong City not made with hands ! Who will lead me into thy holy hill of Sion by meditation ! Wilt not thou O God ? Grant me thy Spirit I beseech thee , that my spirit which lives upon thee may be united in thinking of thee , and may live wholly to thee .

An example o● set meditation . O my soul , now thou art spending thy self in Wishes , set upon the work , and turn thy prayers into practice for an example and pattern to others , The subject of meditat●on , The Patience of God : and for thy profit . There is one Attribute of thy God to which thou art infinitely indebted and beholden for every moments abode on this side the unquenchable sire , even his Patience and long-suffering . Ah where hadst thou been at this hour , had not that Attribute stood thy friend ! Let the kindness thou hast received from it encourage thee to a serious consideration of it . Old acquaintance and former courtesies may well plead and prevail also with thee to afford it entertainment for some time in thy thoughts .

1 1 The nature of it . What is this Patience of thy God to whi●h thou art so much engaged ? It is his gracious will , wher●by he beareth long , and forbeareth his sinful creatures . It is that Attribute whereby he beareth their reproach , and forbeareth revenge . It is sometimes called slowness to anger , Psal. 103. ● . He is not easily overcome by the provocations of men , but striveth to overcome them by his patience : A small matter doth not incense him to anger ; he is not presently put into a fury , and his wrath is not easily heightned into revenge . Thou wast a trangressor from the womb ; for mine name sake I will defer mine anger , and refrain for thee , that I cut thee not off , Isa. 48. 8,9 . It is sometimes called long-suffering , Exod. 34. 6. He expecteth and waiteth a long time for the repentance of sinners . He doth not onely pity our misery , which is his mercy , and notwithstanding all our wickedness and unworthiness load us with benefits , which is his grace , but also bear many days , many years with our infirmities , which is his long-suffering . Men are transgressors in the womb , before they are able to go they go astray ; yet after a thousand and thousand affronts from the womb to the tomb he bears with them ; Forty years long was I grieved with this generation . Infants , or green wood , are fit fuel for the eternal fire , yet he forbears rotten Okes , and old sinners . They owe an infinite debt to Iustice , and are liable every moment to the prison of Hell ; but Patience stoppeth the arrest of destruction● Rom. 9.12 .

This Patience of thy God is amplified by considering ,

Patience amplified towards sinners ,

1 In that God hates sin .

1. How odious sin is to him ; the evil of sin never obtained a good look from God ; Thou art of purer eyes then to behold iniquity . He seeth all sins with an eye of observation , but he seeth no sin with an eye of approbation . T is not out of any love to sin that he is so long-suffering towards sinners , for sin is the object of his anger and dislike ; He is angry with sinners every day . Sin is the object of his wrath , which is anger boyled up to its greatest heat ; The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighttousness and ungodliness of men . Nay it s the object of his hatred , which is the highest degree of detestation ; Hatred is abhorrency heightned to an implacability . Bare anger might be appeased , wrath might be pacified , but hatred is irreconcileable ; The foolish shall not stand in thy sight , thou hatest all workers of iniquity . Six things doth the Lord hate , yea seven are an abomination to him . There is an antipathy in his nature against the smallest sin , as sin is contrary to his being , law , and honour ; though he be so perfect a God , that no sin can be hurtful to him , yet he is so pure a God , that every sin is hateful to him . Therefore the Scripture speaking of God , after the manner of men , represents it as offensive to every of his senses . It grates his ears , and thence he complains of the cry of Sodom ; It provoketh his eyes , and hence it is said , Evil cannot stand in thy sight , neither canst thou behold the workers of iniquity ; It oppresseth his feeling , wherefore he ●s said to be pressed with ●in , as a Cart is pressed with sheaves ; It displeaseth his smell , and so he calleth sinners rotten car●●sses , open sepulchres , that send forth noisom savours . He proclaimes to the world the offensiveness of sin to his sacred Majesty by the names he gives it in his royal Law , wherein ●e forbids it ; He calls it dung , mire , vomit , filth , superfluity of naughtiness , filthiness , a menstruous cloth , a plague , an issue , an ulcer ; And yet though sin be thus infinitely loathsom and odious to him , he bears with men that are all over infected with it in the highest degree . 2 2 The co●dition of sinners . 2. The condition of sinners . His patience is much heightned by considering who they are that distaste and provoke him with their sins ; they are his creatures , the work of his hands . They rebel against him who were made , and are every day maintained by him . They forget him that formed them , and fight against the fountain of their beings . They are his obliged creatures ; such on whom he hath laid millions of engagements : They cannot speak a word , or think a thought , or fetch their breath without him ; they live every moment wholly upon his mercy . Hear O Heaven , give ear O earth ! he hath nourished and brought up children , and they have rebelled against him . He is daily multiplying mercies on them , and yet they are daily multiplying iniquities against him ; they are creatures full of enmity against him ; they sin against him out of hatred of him : The carnal mind is enmity against God ; If it could lay a plot to take away the life of God , it hath malice enough to put it in execution . Hence there appears little reason why he should pity or spare them . If a man find his enemy , will he let him go ? yet God is patient towards them .

3. The multitude and greatness of sins and sinners . He cannot look down from heaven but every moment he beholds millions of transgressors proclaiming war against him , walking contrary to him , and provoking him before his face . The whole world is a field wherein the inhabitants are continually with drums beating , and colours flying with brazen foreheads and stubborn hearts , letting flie whole volleys of sins and impieties against heaven . Their whole work is to stretch out their hands against God , and strengthen themselves against the Almighty . From the highest to the lowest they disown his authority , deny his dominion , deface his image , dishonour his name , despise his laws , scorn his love , and mo●k at his threatnings . All sin , and come short of the glory of God . The whole earth is a kind of hell in regard of blasphemy and pollutions , and all manner of provo●ations . His pure eyes behold the Devil-worship amongst Heathen , the Imposter-worship amongst Turks , the Idol-worship amongst Papists , and the belly and flesh-worship amongst Protestants . He seeth in the Rich , oppression , atheism , swearing , cursing , pride , persecution of others ; in the Poor , envying , murmuring , carnal-mindedness , drunkenness and ignorance ; in the Young , head strong passions , uncleaness , youthful lusts ; in the Ancient , impatience , covetousness , prophaness . He understandeth the several hearts of men , so many sinks of sin ; and the several lives of men , so many treasons and conspiracies against his Being and Law ; and so many men in the world , so many monsters of wickedness : Though he enjoyn them his Precepts , they cast them behind their backs ; though he would allure them by his Promises , they scorn them as Babies to fool children withal ; though he would affright them with his comminations and threatnings , they laugh at the shaking of those spears , and look on all his words no better then wind . Though he endeavours by his works to reclaim them from their wickedness , sometimes loading them with his benefits , that his goodness might lead them to repentance ; sometimes scourging them in measure , that they might not be condemned with the world , yet they slight his favour , are not afraid of his fury , and by their impenitency , and continuance in sin dare him to his very face .

He sendeth his Ministers to tell them of their danger , he sets up Conscience within them to mind them of their duty , he hangs up others before them as spectacles of his wrath , that they might take warning , and escape destruction ; and yet they laugh at Ministers for their weeping over them , check Conscience for its boldness to check them , and think themselves wiser then to be frighted with the scarecrows of Gods judgements on others . They sin against ●is Wisdom , his Power , his Goodness , his Faithfulness , his Patience , his Providence , his Ordinances , his Son , his Spirit , his Law , his Gospel , their own Promises and engagements , the voyce and cry of his Vicegerent within them , and that day after day , and this throughout the whole earth , and yet notwithstanding all these high affronts and notorious indignities repeated and continued every moment , he beareth with them .

The meekest man in the world , no not all the men in the world have patience enough for one sinner ; what patience then hath God that beareth so much with a world of sinners ! It is the saying of one , Mr Bolto● If but any tender-hearted man should sit one hour in the Throne of God Almighty , and look down upon the earth , as God doth continually , and see what abominations are done in that hour , he would undoubtedly the next set all the world on fire . O how patient is that God that beareth with it so many years ! The meekest man upon earth could not endure the ●rowardness of one people , and they the best people in the world ; the peevishness of the Jews drove him into that passion , for which he was excluded the earthly Canaan . How meek and patient then is God who beareth the evil manners of all the nations of the world , the greatest part of which make it their work to spit their venome , and malice , and blasphemy in his face every day ! The whole world is a volume in every leaf , and in every line of which , Patience , Meekness , Gentleness , Long-suffering , Forbearance are written in broad letters .

4. How he knoweth all their sins . He doth not forbear sinners from ignorance of their sins ; he seeth and knoweth all things . All the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondreth all his goings . His eyes behold , and his eye-lids try the children of men . Men bear with others , because they know not their secret treasons , and heart-rebellions ; but God knoweth all the wickedness that is committed in the world , He telleth man his thoughts . All secret sins are publick to him : All men are naked and open to him . He knoweth every thought , word and action of every man as exactly as if he had none but him to mind . His knowledge is infinite ; he knoweth all the sins of all men clearly ; they are as visible to his eye as if they were written with the brightest sun-beam on the clearest chrystal . He knoweth all the sins of men distinctly , not in a confused heap or lump , but one by one ; knoweth all the sins of all men every moment . All the sins that are , that ever were , or that ever shall be , are continually in his eye and view . 5. How he is able to revenge himself every moment . David did bear with Joab because the sons of Zerviah were too hard for him : He was a tender plant that was scarce rooted , and feared to be overturned by their fury ; but God beareth with sinners though he be Almighty , and can do all things . He can as easily turn the sinner into hell , as tell him of hell ; he can blow the sinner with his breath into the bottomless pit : By the blast of God they perish , by the breath of his nostrils they are consumed . The most secret sin is within the sight of his countenance , and the strongest sinner within the reach of his vengeance . This is wonderful indeed ; he is infinite in patience , who is infinite in power : The Lord is slow to anger , and great in power , saith the Prophet , Nahum . 1. He that can in a moment speak the whole Creation into nothing , beareth many years with his rebellious provoking Creatures . The Lord looked upon the Egyptians and troubled them . It s an easie matter to look ; especially for him that made the eye . A glance of his eye will overthrow the proudest , stoutest sinner . Men are great in anger , who are little in power ; their hearts are good , I should say bad enough , speedily to ruine such as offend them ; but their hands are weak and straitned , that we may thank their want of power , not their patience for our preservation ; But God who is all power , is all patience ; he that can spurn the whole world into endless wo , more easily then all the men of the world can spurn a foot-ball into the water , forbeareth them year after year . 6. He doth not onely forbear , but also do men good . His goodness towards them is positive as well as privative ; he upholds them in their beings , protects them in their goings , supports them by his power , supplieth them by his providence , as well as forbear them by his patience . His enemies are hungry , he feeds them ; they are thirsty , he gives them drink . He gives them that corn , and wine , and oyl which they bestow on Baal ; he bestows on them those mercies with which they fight against him ; he blesseth them with life , health , strength , food , raiment , sleep , reason , friends , peace , liberty , riches , honours , the Gospel , Sermons , Sabbaths , offers of pardon and life , whilst they persist in their provocations against him . He is at infinite cost and charge night and day , in sending provision into the camp of his enemies . 7. He woeth us to be reconciled . He doth not onely command and enjoyn rebellious man to throw down his weapons of unrighteousness , but even prayeth and entreateth him with much importunity , to accept of peace and pardon ; As though God did beseech you by us , we pray you in Christs stead , be ye reconciled to God . He is earnest and instant by his Ministers , by the motions of his spirit , by the calls and convictions of conscience , that he might perswade miserable men to be happy , 2 Cor. 5. 15 , 20. 2 Chron. 36. 15 , Isaiah 65. 2. and 42. 14. I have stretched out my hand all the day long to a rebellious house , that have walked in a way that is not good . 8. He doth all this , without any expectation of advantage to himself ; He gains not by our holiness , neither is he a loser by our wickedness ; The arrows of sin are always too short to reach him , and he is so high that he is far above our highest service , our blessings and praises ; infinite perfection admits of no addition ; Can a man be profitable to God , as he that is wise may be profitable to himself ? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty , that thou art righteous , or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect ? He begs as hard as if it were for his own life , but it is wholly for ours ; He loseth not the least , if we be lost ; he saves nothing by our salvation ; It s all one to the Sun whether men open their eyes and are refreshed with its light , or shut their eyes and behold nothing of its glorious splendour . 9. He forbeareth us , who is infinitely our Superior ; It were much for a King to bear with a affronts from a vile Beggar ; but it s infinitely more for the King of Kings to bear with indignities and treasons , and malice , and hatred , from his vile creatures . O the patience of a God! man cannot suffer a disrespect from his fellow ; but God doth from them that are infinitely his inferiours . The Apostles were good men , yet upon a little disrespect from some of the same make and mold with themselves , they presently call for fire from heaven ; what patience and goodness is then in God , who beareth with such innumerable and notorious affronts , from his Slaves and Vassals , from them that in comparison of him are much lesse then nothing ! 10. He warneth before he striketh ; He threatens that he might not punish , and thundereth with his voice , that he might not overthrow us with his hand ; He shoots off his warning peices , that he might spare his murthering peices . Men that are set upon revenge , are silent . When Absolon resolved on the destruction of Ammon , he spake not a word to him , either good or bad ; but God tells men fully what is intended against them by his justice , that it might be prevented by their fitness for mercy . That bitterest cup of threatnings , hath the sweet of love at the bottom . 11. He punisheth temporally , that he might spare eternally ; When he is forced to strike , he ●seth the rod , that he might not use the ax ; 1 Cor: 11. 31. We are chastened of the Lord , that we might not be condemned with the world ; He forceth tears in this world , to prevent eternal weeping ; how many a mans way doth he hedge up with thorns , that he might not find the path to eternal death . 12. He is thus patient towards men , who did not wait at all on Angels ; The Angels were more noble creatures , and able to have done him more and better service then man ; yet when they sinned , he did not wait a moment for their repentance ; but he stretcheth out his hand all the day long to man ; He that would not wait upon disloyal Courtiers , waits upon rebellious Beggers .

Consider the causes of it .

The moving cause , is his own gracious nature ; Men forbear punishing Malefectours , sometimes because they are related to them , sometimes from hope of advantage by them , sometimes because they are afraid of them ; but God forbears none upon any such grounds . His goodness is the onely string that tieth his hand from striking ; Yea , many years didst thou forbear them , for thou art a gracious and a merciful God , Neh. 9. 30 , 31.

The Final Cause is manifold .

1. That he might exalt his great name ; It s light straw , that upon the least spark takes fire ; The discretion of a man deferreth his anger , and it s his glory to pass by infirmities ; Mean and low spirits are most peevish and passionate ; Sickly and weak persons , are observed to be the most impatient ; Rom. 9. 22. God makes his power known , when he endureth with much long suffering , the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction ; He intendeth the advancement of his praise , in the lengthening of his patience ; For my names sake will I defer mine anger ; for my praise will I refrain for thee , that I out thee not off , Isa. 48. 2. That sinners might amend ; He is patient , that men might not perish ; The Lord is not slack , as some men count slackness , but is long suffering to us-ward , not willing that any should perish , 2 Pet. 3. 9. but that all should come to repentance ; He defers their execution , that they might sue out their pardons . The Lord waiteth ( not that he might be blessed in himself , but ) that he may be gracious to sinners . Isa. 30. 18. 3. That impenitent sinners might be left without excuse . If sinners that are turned out of the womb into hell , will justifie God ; surely those up●on whom he waited twenty , or thirty , or forty , or fifty years for their conversion , will condemn themselves ; if all mouths shall be stopped , then they that tasted so largely of forbearing mercy , may well be silent . O how little will they have to say for themselves upon whom grace waited so many years , knocking hard at the door of their hearts for acceptance , and they refused to open to it , or bid it come in . Gen. 6. 3. 1 Pet. 3.20 . How justly will they suffer long in the other world , to whom God was so long-suffering to no purpose in this world , Rom. 4. 2.

How fully , Testimonies . Exod. 32. O my soul , doth the Scripture mention this patience of thy God! The Lord passed by , and proclaimed his name , the Lord , the Lord God , gracious , long suffering . Though sinners trie his patience by their heaven-daring provocations , yet the Lord is gratious , slow to anger , and of great kindness ; P●alm . 103. 8. Oftentimes they do their utmost to kindle the fire of his anger , but many a time turned he away his anger , and did not stir up all his wrath . What monuments of his patience , hath he reared up in his word ! It is also written in broad letters in his works ; He bore with the Iews , after their unparalleld murder of his own Son , above forty years . The old world had larger experiences of his ●orbearance ; My Spirit shall not always strive with man , yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years . The Egyptians , though cruel persecutors of his own people , that were as dear to him as the apple of his eye , yet were suffered four hundered years ; He beareth with men , till he can no longer forbear ; The woman with child is forced , though she hold out long , to fall in labour at last ; I have long time holden my peace , I have been still , and refrained my self ; now will I cry like a travailing woman , Isa. 42. 14.

Applicat . O thou dear friend of mankind , that thou wert imprinted in my thoughts , engraven in my heart , and always before mine eyes ! O my soul , Consider this long suffering of thy God , till thou tastest some rellish of its sweetness ; This name of thy God , is as oyntment poured out , which yeildeth a refreshing fragrancy ; Hath it been all thy days so near thee , and done so much for thee , and wilt thou not give it some warm entertainment within thee ? Hast thou not infinite cause to cry out , God! As soon as thou wast conceived , thou wast corrupted ; before thou wast born , sin w●● brought forth in thee ; thy God might have turned thee out of thy mothers belly , into the belly of hell ; divels might have been the Midwife to deliver thy mother of such a monster , and their dungeon of darkness the first place in which thou didst breath ; yet he who might have caused eternal death to have trodden upon the heels of thy natural birth , spared thee . Had he then suffered the roaring lions , his executioners , to have dragged thee to their own den , he had got himself glory , and prevented much dishonour , which thou hast since brought to his name . As thou didst grow up , sin grew up in thee , and patience grew up with thee . Numberless ha●● thine iniquities been , and his advantages for thy destruction , yet he hath forborn thee . What hath he got by all his long-suffering towards thee ? He might have ruined thee , to his eternal honour ; but his forbearance hath seemed to impair the revenues of heaven . Wicked men question his power , and good men quarrel with his providence , and all because of his patience ; When some sinners are hanged on Gibbets , as spectacles of his justice , others are kept in the more awe ; but if judgement be not speedily executed , the hearts of the Sons of men are set in them to do mischief . The thanks that are usually paid him for his patience , are indignities and affronts ; The sleeping of vengeance , occasioneth the awakening of sin . Besides , their thoughts of him are the more prophane as well as their actions ; If he be patient towards the sinner , he is judged a party in the sin ; These things thou didst , and I kept silence , thou thoughtst that I was altogether such a one as thy self ; Because he is silent , they judge him consenting ; O my soul , may not thy God be well called , the God of all patience , when he aboundeth so much in it , though he be so great a loser by it ! Was not the patience of thy Redeemer on earth wonderful , in bearing such mockings , smitings on the cheek , spittings in his face , scourgings on his back ; But thy Redeemer in Heaven endureth more affronts every moment against his divine nature , then he did all his time of abode in this world , against his humane nature ; O why art thou no more warmed with it , and wondering at it ; Even a Saul was so affected with the forbearance of David , that he should spare his enemy when he had him in his hands , and might as easily have cut his throat as the skirt of his garment , that he lift up his voice and wept . And art not thou affected with the patience of thy God , in whose hand is thy life , and breath , and all thy comforts , who can with a glance of his eye , turn thee into the fiery furnace , against whom thou art an open traytour , and profest rebel , that he should spare thee so many years , and instead of heaping up judgements on thee , lade thee with his benefits ! Consider , 1. He is not patient towards all men , as he hath been towards thee . Some have found justice arresting them immediatly upon their contracting of new debts , and haling them presently to hell , upon the commission of their sin . There are those of the Serpents brood , that have been crushed in the egge , and others that have stayed longer , have been ripe for ruine , before they had attained their full age . Though the Creditour hath forborn thee five hundred talents , yet he hath not forborn some others five hundred pence ; wrath hath sometimes followed sin so close● , that it hath lodged where sin supped : Gehezis leprosie and lie were contemporary ; Absolons life and treason against his Father expired to●gether ; A sudden Thunder-bolt from Heaven , hath struck some into Hell without any fore-runner to give warning of it , yet thy God hath spared thee . 2. He that forbore thee who hast so often offended him , did not forbear Angels a moment , after they had once offended ; Behold the severity and goodness of God! towards Angels , the highest and noblest house of the creatures severity ; towards thee goodness ; He that stated those excellent natures in an irrecoverable condition of wo and misery upon their first fault , hath born with , and forborn thee after millions of affronts . 3. He that spares thee , did not spare his own Son ; The Son of God did no sooner stand in the place of sinners , but it pleased the Lord to bruise him , and to put him to grief , and to make his soul an offering for sin . Though he were free from sin , he was a man of sorrows , and thou who art little else then sin , hast not so much as tasted what such sorrows are ; Thy God hath forborn thee , a monster of rebellion and wickedness , when he would not in the least forbear him who was a miracle of obedience and dutifulness ; Nay , he did not spare him , that he might spare thee , and would not forbear him , because he intended to forbear thee . Wonder , O my soul , at this transcendent grace and goodness ; Is it possible for thee to consider how a sudden Arrow hath shot others dead on thy right and left hand ! how Angels themselves , upon their first breach of the divine law , were without any pity or forbearance reserved in chains of darkness , to the judgement of the great day ! Nay , how the Son of Gods boundless love , who never offended him , for becoming onely a surety for others sins , was without the least forb●arance arrested and forced to pay the utmost farthing ! and that thou who art a lump of lust , a sink of sin , an old enemy and traytour against the crown and dignity of the King of Heaven , after thousands and millions of provocations against Law and Gospel , Light and Love , Precepts and Promises , art to this day spared ! Canst thou I say , consider all this , and not be transported into an high and holy passion of love and admiration , at such unparalled patience ! Thou mayst well say with the holy Apostle , In me Jesus Christ hath shewed forth all long-suffering and patience , for an example to them that should hereafter believe on him unto life eternal .

O my soul , what dost thou think of these things ! was ever patience represented in such lively , lovely colours ? Thou mayst now fully satisfie thy self in the reason of thine abode so many years on this side the unquenchable lake . Dost thou ask , Why was I not cut off from the womb , and hurried through the light of this world , to blackness of darkness for ever ? I answer , because thy God is patient . Dost thou ask , Though I was not as a poisonous viper , crusht to death ( as soon as brought forth ) with the foot of divine wrath , for the venome which was in me ; yet when I put it forth to the injury of others , and did spit it in the face of God himself , why was I spared ? I answer , because God is patient . Thou sinnest often , every day , every hour , in every thought , in every word , in every deed , and he spares as often , because He is patient . Thou reade●t of a season when the patience of the Saints doth especially triumph , Here is the faith and patience of the Saints ; Rev. 13. This world is the stage , and this life is the time wherein the patience of thy God doth act its part , to the amazement of all judicious spectatours ; Here is the faithfulness and patience of thy God . O that I could affect and admire it , embrace and entertain it according to its worth ! O that my heart were filled with its warmth , my tongue with its praise , and my life with its end ! O thou that art so much in favour with God , and so great a friend to men , that thou wert engraven upon the palms of my hands , and thy walls were ever before me ! O that thy noble deeds , and what wonders thou hast wrought for the children of men , were written for the generations to come , that the people yet unborn might praise the Lord ! When , O when shall this patience of my God make a suitable impression upon my spirit ! I live upon it , I live by it , I had been a fire-brand of Hell at this moment , had it not been for it , yet how great a stranger am I to it ! It goeth with me when I walk abroad , it abides with me when I stay at home , it followeth me up and down day and night ; I am beholden to it for my life and all my mercies , for my present enjoyments , and future expectations ; yet● alas how little am I affected with it ! I wonder at the patience of some choice Christians , that hold their tongues when others revile them , and their hands when others assault them , and do not wonder at the patience of my God , when their injuries are nothing to his , either for nature or number ; and their patience to his far less then the smallest Drop to the Ocean . O my soul , how wilt thou be able to answer for this sensless stupidity ! Must the Candles of creatures be gazed at with amazement , and thy God alone be neglected ! Is a beam of the Sun worthy of such admiration , and not its glorious body worthy of much more ? Wilt thou not value a pearl of such infinite price , and disesteem all the meekness and forbearance of men , in comparison of the patience of thy God ? O where is thy judgement , that thou val●est so little such unsearchable riches , that thou dost not cry out , O the height , and depth , and length , and bredth of the forbearance of God ? Where are thy affections , that they do not cling about it , cleave to it , close with it , delight in its presence , and desire its continuance ? Where is thy heart , that it doth not taste its sweetness , smell its savour , love its gracious Author , and meditate on its precious nature , and pleasant effects night and day ? Where are my spiritual senses , that they are not conversant about so worthy an object ? I cannot open mine eyes , but I may behold it in every thing that is visible : The food , and raiment , and life , and health , and strength , and liberty , that I and others enjoy , present the patience of God unto me . Every friend I converse with , every drunkard and unclean person and atheist , yea , every man I meet , tells me , God is patient . The Oaths , and Curses , and Murthers ; and Adulteries , and Blasphemies , and Prophaness of wicked men cry aloud in mine ears , that God is patient . The persecutions , and oppressions , and prayers , and cries , and tears of good men , proclaim to my conscience , that God is patient . The Sabbaths and Ordinances , and seasons of grace , and offers of pardon and life , which both good and bad enjoy , speak plainly and distinctly , The Lord is patient . O that mine eyes could see it , mine ears hear it , my mouth taste it , my mind discern it , and my soul rell●sh it in all these ! O thou beautiful beam , darted from the Sun of Righteousness , that callest poor mortals to life , when they are at the brink of death , thou that art the wonder of glorious Angels , and glorified Saints , be thou unto me as a bundle of myrrhe , and a cluster of camphire always unto me ; let me love thee much for my own sake , because thou hast done so much for me , but most for the Lords sake , because he is all in all unto me .

Well O my soul , how wilt thou requite the kindness thou hast received from this Patience of thy God! When Ahashuerus an Heathen had read and considered how Mordecai had saved his life , by discovering the two trayrours that sought to lay hands on the King , he cried out , What honour hath been done to Mordecai for this ? and could take no rest till he had given him some signal honour . Thou hast read ( for thy whole life is a Book written within , and without with it ) how the Patience of thy God hath saved thy life , the life of thy soul , when sin and Satan conspired together to take it away ; now wilt thou not say within thy self , What honour hath been done to the patience of God for this ? and be unsatisfied till thou hast done it some honour , for this good office it hath done thee . What love doth that friend deserve who saves thy life ! What esteem doth that hand of pity merit , that keeps thee out of the bottomless pit ! What thanks is that Messenger worthy of , that brings thee ( a condemned sinner ) certain news of a reprieve , and great hopes of a pardon ! Surely the respect thou owest to the patience of God ( which doth as much for thee as all this ) should be very great , especially considering thy disrespects formerly to the God of Patience have been very grievous . Lord , I acknowledge I have formerly much abused thy patience , u●ing it as an encouragement to prophaness , and turning thy grace into wantoness ; but now through thy strength , I will no longer despise the riches of thy forbearance , but be led through thy goodness to repentance . I know thou intendest it as a City of refuge to the penitent , not as a sanctuary to the presumptuous . O let me never make it a pillow for an hard heart , but a plaister for a wounded spirit . Let this servant of thine , and friend of mine obtain his errand , and accomplish the end for which thou hast sent him . Thou sparest me here that thou might spare me hereafter ; thou waitest upon me that thou mightst be gracious unto me ; and art long-suffering , because not willing that any should perish , but that all might come to repentance . O that therefore I might wait upon thee in all thy providences and ordinances for grace , that so thy long-suffering may be unto me salvation ! Thou hast told me , Though the sinner live an hundred years , and God prolong his days , yet it shall not go well with the wicked . His preservation is but a reservation to the sorer and greater destruction . Though thou sufferest long , thou wilt not suffer always ; and when thou strikest impenitent ones , the slowness of thy pace will be recompenced in the heaviness of thy hand . The longer the child of vengeance is in the womb of the threatning , the bigger it groweth , and the more pain it will put the sinner to , when it cometh to the birth of its execution . O how dreadful will my doom be , when thou comest to reckon with me for all thy patience , if I do not at this day prevent it by repentance ! If thy patience do not now make me bend , hereafter it will make me bleed ; It s a sweet friend , but a bitter enemy ; No fury like that which is extracted out of abused patience . T were far better to be sent from the Mothers breasts to everlasting burnings , then to live many years at the charge of patience , and then to die impenitent ; If I cause thee to suffer long now in vain , thou wilt cause me to suffer long in the other world , and the more dreadfully for thy long-suffering in this . Since thou art gracious and merciful , slow to anger , and of great kindness , O take me not away in thy long-suffering ; but give me to mind in this day of thy patience , the things that concern mine everlasting peace , that I may to eternity give thee honour and praise for thy wondrous and boundless patience ,

Amen .

CHAP. VI. How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness , on a Week-day from Morning to Night .

FOurthly , Thy duty is to exercise thy self to Godliness , every Week-day . I have spoken in the first part , Chap: 21 , & 22 how a Christian may make Religion his business on a Lords-day ; I shall therefore in this place discover how he may do it on a Week-day .

Every day with a godly man is an holy Sabbath to the Lord ; Godliness is not his holy days , or high days , but every days work ; and his exercise every part of every day ; I have enclined my heart to keep thy statutes ( not by fits and starts , but ) always unto the end , Psa. 119. 112. The Flower called Heliotropium or Turn-sol , turneth its face towards the Sun from morning to night , so doth the true Christian towards the Sun of righteousness . The Command of God is , Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long , Prov. 23. 17. And the carriage of holy men is answerable hereunto ; The twelve Tribes served God instantly day and night , Act. 26. 7. As the Angels , though they are imployed up and down in the world for the service of the Saints , yet they always behold the face of their Father ; so the Children of God , though they are occupied about civil and natural actions , are called hither and thither as their occasions are , yet they pass the whole time of their so●journing here in fear . 1 Pet. 1. 17. That Watch is naught that goeth onely at first winding up , and standeth still all the day after ; that mans religion is little worth that , like Ep●raims goodness , is as a morning cloud or dew , which vanisheth away ere noon . The Rivers run ever towards the Sea , notwithstanding that hills , and rocks , and mountains interpose and force them to their winding Maeanders ; nay their compass about is not without profit , for they water those grounds in their passage through which they seemed to wander . The person that hath the living water of grace in him is always tending towards the Ocean of his happiness , notwithstanding his seeming diversions , by his worldly actions , and particular vocation ; nay he is doing good , and serving his God and his soul , as well as his family and body in those interjections . The wheel of a chariot , though it be in motion all the day , and turning about on the ground , yet it s but a small part of it that toucheth the earth at one time , the greatest part of it is always above it ; so the true Christian , though he be all the day busie about earthly affairs , yet it s but his body , his lesser part that is employed about them ; his soul , his affections , which are his greatest part are always about them .

SECT. I.

I Shall first offer thee two quickening Motives , and then acquaint thee wherein thy daily exercise to Godliness consisteth .

1 1 Motive . Every day may be our last day . First , Consider , Any day may be thy last day , and therefore every day should be an holy day with thee ; I mean , not an holy day for play or recreat●on , but for the work of Religion . He that knoweth not how soon his Master will come and reckon with him , had need to be always employed about his Masters business : Because there is no time of life in which thou art secure from death , therefore every day of thy life thou oughtest to be about thy duty ; Prov. 27.1 . Boast not thy self of to morrow , thou knowest not what a day may bring forth . Every day is big-bellied , and hath more in the womb of it then any man knoweth ; he that salutes the morning with a smiling aspect , may bid the world good night for ever before the evening . The candle of thy life may be blown out on a sudden before its half burnt out . The Poets fable that Death and Cupid lodging together at an Inn exchanged arrows , whereby it hath since come to pass , that old men ●●ote , and young men die . Death cometh up to the young and strong ; old and weak men go down to Death . Thou mayst be called forth to that war in which there is no discharge , and not have an hours warning to prepare thy self for a march . Sturdy trees are overturned by an unexpected wind , lusty men by violent feavers , or outward accidents ; our enemies are strong , our earthly houses weak , the coming of our Landlord is unknown , the lease of our lives is uncertain , we are every moment liable to be ejected , and shall we not be so employed that our Lord when he comes may find us well-doing ? I remember I have in some Author read , that the invention of clocks was not primarily to mind us of the Suns posting in the heavens , but of our Lives passing on earth . It was Calvins reason for his unweariedness in his studies , when his friends urged against it the injury it did his body , Would ye have my Lord when he cometh find me idle ? It will be woful for that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find doing evil , or doing nothing . But and if that servant say in his heart , My Lord delayeth his coming , and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maidens , and to eat , and drink , and be drunken ; The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him , and in an hour when he is not aware , and will cut him asunder , and will appoint him his portion with unbelievers , Luk. 12. 45 , 46.

In which words we may observe , 1. The sin of the unfaithful servant . 2. The severity of his Lord .

In the sin , we may take notice ; 1. Of the nature of ; He b●ats his fellow-servants , and eats and drinks , and is drunken ; He gives himself up to all manner of wickedness ; He is unrighteous to his fellow-servants , he beats them ; and unfaithful to his Master , he abuseth his goods , he eats and drinks and is drunken . Sin doth not lie skulking in the ●ecret trenches of his heart , but appeareth boldly in the open field of his life . T is a sign an enemy hath great power when he sheweth himself openly . 2. The occasion of it ; His Plea for it ; His Lord delayeth his coming ; Because he hath not a speedy reward , he layeth aside all good works ; because of Gods gracious forbearance , he argueth a general acquittance for all his evil works . He makes bold to riot , because he is not called to a speedy reckoning . We tremble not at the noise of those Cannons which we fancy to be a great way off . That which is lookt upon at a distance seems small , and so is despised , though the same beheld near appears great , and terrifieth us .

In the severity of the Lord , we may read , 1. How sore his judgement is ; He shall cut him asunder , and give him his portion among unbeleivers ; These two expressions speak the dreadfulness of his doom , though no words can speak fully how woful it is ; He shall cut him asunder ; An allusion to some tortures then in use amongst the Heathen , to shew the exquisite pain which his body shall suffer ; And give him his portion among unbeleivers . Because the hottest Hell is reserved for such , ( The wrath of God abideth on them , Joh. 3. ult. ) to note the extream punishment which his soul shall undergo . 2. How sudden it is ; unexpected evils are most dreadful ; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him . Sudden frights overwhelm the spirits ; Those miseries which seen at some distance , have been entertained with patience , surprising men on a sudden , have ●triken them into despair ; Death comes sometimes like a Thief up into our windows ; coming in at the door is ordinary , but coming in at the window is unlookt for , Ier. 19. 21. As the snare secretly and unexpectedly seiseth the silly Bird , so doth a day of death the simple Children of men , Luk. 21. 35. Our Saviour speaks of his coming in the second or third watch of the night ( which the Jews called , Intempestum & Gallietnium ) not in the first and fourth ) because saith Theophilact , they are the dead time of the night , when men are in their soundest sleep , to shew us how suddenly and unexpectedly he shall surprise most men , Luk. 12. 38.

Reader , This present days work may be the last act of thy life , it behoveth thee therefore to do it well . When thou art in thy Closet , thou mayst think with thy self , I may possibly never pray more , never read the word of God more ; how reverently , uprightly , graciously , should I therefore pray and read ? When thou art eating or drinking , or refreshing nature , thou mayst consider , for ought I know , this may be the last time that I may use these creatures of God , how fearful should I be of abusing them ? how should I eat my bread as before the Lord . When thou art in thy Shop , or about thy calling , thou mayst ponder this ; Possibly my last sand is running , and I must this day bid adieu for ever to Wares and Shops , and Flocks and Fields , and all civil commerce ; O how heavenly should I be about these earthly affairs ! How spiritual about these temporal things ! Who would not do his last work well ! Ah how holy should he be at all times , who hath cause every moment to expect the coming of an holy and jealous God , to call him to an account !

Secondly , 2 2 Motive . God observeth us all the day long . Consider , Gods eye is all the day long upon thee , and therefore thou hadst need to be all the day long in his a●e . It was a frequent speech of Seneca , Vbicunque eo , quodcunque ago , Demetrium circumfero ; Wheresoever I go , whatsoever I do , I carry Demetrius along with me ; Thou mayst upon better grounds say ; Whatsoever I think , or speak , or act , wheresoever I go , whither to my Closet , or Shop , or Field , or Neighbours Houses , I have an holy jealous God along with me . Thou mayst write over every room which thou enterest into , Thou God seest me , and call it by the like name which Hagar did the Well , Beer●la-haroi ; The Well of him that liveth and seeth me : Thou hast in all the passages of the day , that God with thee , who takes notice of , and will reckon with thee for every passage ; Thou mayst call every place thou comest into , Bethel , or Penuel , I have seen God in this house , or , God is in this place . He is not like Iupiter of Creet , whom some pictured without ears , and publish never to be at leasure to take notice of small matters . He is all eye , all ear ; He observeth the greatest , the smallest things and actions ; As the Optick vertue in the eye , he seeth all , and is seen of none ; Cicero tells us , the King of Lydaea had a ring , which when he turned the head of it to the palm of his hand , he was invisible to others , and yet others were visible to him . The eyes of the Lord are in every place , beholding the evil and the good , though none hath seen God at any time , nor can see him . As a well-drawn picture , which way soever you turn your self , it seems to have its eye still upon you , and to follow you ; God doth that really , which the Picture doth seemingly ; he beholds every person , and every action , with so direct a face , as if he beheld none or nothing else .

Reader , It concerns thee to be every day pious , who art all the day long in so holy a Gods presence ; I have kept thy precepts , saith David , for all my ways are before thee , Psa. 119. 68. The Scholar will ply his Book when his Master is present , though he play and prate in his absence . The Thief will not steal when the Iudge looketh on ; He that was accused to force the Queen before the Kings face , had a Gallows for his end . If the eye of good or great men will prevail with us to be handsom and comely in our behaviour and carriage ; how holy should they always be , that are ever in the presence of the infinite God , who is cloathed with Majesty , as with a garment , and who is so holy , that the Heavens are unclean in his sight ! If a King sitting upon his throne , s●attereth evil with his eye , how much more should the eye of a God! Prov. 15. The Sun locally in Heaven , is virtually on Earth ; its light , heat , influence over-spreadeth the face of Sea and Land ; He that shuts his eyes , and will not see the light of it , doth feel its heat and influence ; Its presence scattereth Clouds , and Mists , and Fogs ; Though Gods glorious and most joyful presence be in Heaven , his real , essential and gratious presence is on earth ; they who put out the eyes of their reason and conscience , and will not see him , do yet feel him in their beings and bles●ings , for in him they live and move and have their beings ; Shall not his presence disperse those clouds of sin , which would obscure his glory , and hinder the light of his countenance from shining on us ?

SECT. II.

AS to the exercising thy self to Godliness on a week-day ; though what I have write in former Chapters , in this and the two former Parts , hath much prevented me , yet I shall commend to the Reader , six particulars .

First , Begin the day with God ; Never expect a good day , unless you begin with a good duty ; He hath the best good-morrow , who meets God first in the morning . Though some sunshiny mornings are overcast before night , yet the Heavens are usually all day clear to him that sets out early in the way of Gods commandements . The mind retains a tincture all day , of its first serious exercise in the morning . When the right Watch or Clock is wound up well in the morning , it will be regularly going and moving all day after . He that loseth his heart in the morning in a throng of worldly affairs , seldom finds it to purpose in any part of the day ; It was the hono●r of Rusticu● , that though Letters were brought him from Caesar , he refused to open them till the Philosopher had done his lecture ; Surely the worship of the blessed God is of more worth in it self , and of more concernment to us , then any moral Philosophical Doctrines to him , or any affairs whatsoever , and therefore ought to be first minded and performed .

As soon as thou awakest , lift up thine heart to Heaven ; Great and Noble persons are usually first served . Though others that are our inferiours wait out leisure , our Superiours have the precedency of our time ; Let the first Messenger thou sendest forth , be sent to the Lord of thy life , to present thy humble service and thanks to him for his providence over thee and the rest , and refreshment he hath afforded thee the last night . Thou mayst say with the Psalmi●t , I laid me down and slept , I awaked , for the Lord sustained me ; For except the Lord keepeth the City , the watchman waketh but in vain . He giveth his beloved sleep , Psa. 3. 5. and 127. 1 , 2. Be mindful also in some short ejaculation , to beg his guidance , protection , and blessing all the ensuing day . For 't is he that can make an hedge about thee , thine house and all that thou hast ; If he bless the work of thine hands , thy substance will increase in the Land , Iob 1. 10. This small taste of ejaculatory prayer , will quicken thine appetite after a full meal of ●et and solemn devotion ; If thou canst after this keep thy mind intent , whilst thou art dressing thy self on some divine subject , thou wilt be much the more fit for thy secret duties , and in a fair way to walk with thy God all the day .

The next thing I would advise thee to , or rather C●rist enjoyneth ; Enter into thy Closet , and when thou hast shut thy Door , pray to thy Father which is in secret , and thy Father which seeth in secret , shall reward thee openly : Here is , 1. A Precept to secret prayer , Pray to thy Father in secret ; The Priest was every morning to renew the Fire on the Altar , and to offer Sacrifice ; And they offered burnt-offerings unto the Lord , even burnt-offerings morning and Evening ; And they offered the daily burnt-offerings offerings by number , according to the custome , as the duty of every day required , Ezra . 3. 3 , 4. So also in Davids time , Asaph and his Brethren ministred before the Ark continually , as every days work required , 1 Chron. 16. 33. Solomon took after his Father , 2 Chron. 8. 14. And what is the substance of those shadows , but that Christians who are a spiritual Priest-hood , should every day have their solemn Morning and Evening addresses to God , and offer up holy sacrifices , acceptable to God in Iesus Christ . Davids purpose was to be early at prayer . O God , my voice shalt thou hear in the morning , in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee , and will look up . And his practice was answerable ; I prevented the dawning of the morning , and cried , Psa. 5. 3. and 119. 147. He was up before the day , and risen and at work before the Sun ; Nay , he tells God , In the morning shall my prayer prevent thee ; As if he would be at his prayer before God were stirring and going abroad ; But surely we cannot rise so early but God is awake before us , for he that keepeth Israel , never slumbereth nor sleepeth ; His eyes are ever waking , who holdeth sometimes , our eyes waking ; But David meaneth rather , that his prayers should prevent Gods servants , his severest or most solacing providences , not God himself ; He would send a Messenger with Petitions or Thanksgivings to God , before God should send any Messenger with good or bad tidings to him ; he would be too early either for crosses or comforts . 2. The Promise to secret Prayer ; And thy Father which seeth in secret , shall reward thee openly ; God heard Paul in the Dungeon , as well as Peter on the House top ; The Sun of Righteousness looks as well into the narrow Closet Casement , as into the large Church Windows ; Secret prayers are audible to him that made the ear ; As he bottleth up our secret tears , so he registreth our secret prayers ; Though the Ark was close on every side , that every man might not look into it , yet it had a Window open to Heaven .

As the Flowers open themselves in the morning , to take in the sweet influences of the Sun , so should the Christian open his heart in the morning , to receive a blessing from the Father of lights . Mary went early in the morning , to the Sepulchre of Jesus , and had the honour and favour to have the first sight of him , after his resurrection ; Many a Saint hath had a blessed vision of the glorified Saviour in a morning prayer . An nescis , O homo , quod primitias cordis & vocis deo debeas ? occurre ergo ad sulis ortum ; sol oriens inveniat te jam paratum . Amb. in Psal. 119 : Serm: 19 : Knowest thou not , O man , saith Ambrose , that thou owest the first fruits of thine heart and voice to God ? therefore meet the Lord at the Sun rise , that the Sun rising may find thee ready . It s reported of Cardinal Wolsey , that though he was Lord Chancellour , and had great and weighty employments , yet he would not go abroad any morning , before he had heard two Masses ; I wish the Popish Mattin● did not shame● the Protestants for their sluggishness , and their frequent omissions . T is much that some should be so diligent at their blind devotion , which comes to nothing , and others that have experience , how profitable their spiritual trade is , so backward to it , and careless about it .

Gods mercies prevent us early , and therefore our prayers should prevent him . His going forth is prepared as the morning , he satisfieth us early with his mercies , that we may rejoyce and be glad all our days , Hosea 6. 3. Psa. 90. 14. If his mercies are renewed on us every morning , our acknowledgements may well be renewed unto him . Every favour makes us debtors , and all the pay he expects is thanks ; If any man should every morning send us ( who have little of our own to live upon . ) very considerable presents , we should esteem our selves very uncivil and unworthy , if we should not as often return him our service and thanks , and sense of his kindness . How great and how many are the mercies with which our God loadeth us every morning , and are we not sordidly ungrateful if we neglect the acknowledgement of them ! Our ordinary mercies are of extraordinary merit , and deserve hearty thanks . The damned ( could we speak with them ) would tell us , that life , a naked abode on this side Hell , were an infinite mercy . The si●k , and such as are troubled with continual Aches , or tortured with the Stone , or Gout , or Collick , would tell us that health is a great mercy . The Blind , and Lame , and Deaf , would tell us that Limbs and Senses are a great mercy ; The Hungry , and Naked , and Houseless , and Friendless , would tell us that Food and Raiment , and Habitations , and Friends , are great mercies ; Poor Prisoners , and such as are vexed with cruel Wars , and forced to flie before their enemies , will tell us that liberty and peace are great mercies . The Saints in Heaven , could we speak with them , would tell us , the Patience of God , the Gospel of our Salvation , the tenders of Grace , are inestimable mercies , and do not all these , which every morning are ( notwithstanding our notorious abuse , and frequent forfeitures ) renewed upon us , deserve our solemn and sincere thanks every morning ? The Jews , some tell us , are bound to say over an hundred Benedictions every day , and among the rest these two , when they go out in the morning ; Blessed be he that created the greater light , and when they come in at evening , Blessed be he that caused darkness ; David was frequent at this duty , I will bless the Lord at all times , his praise shall be continually in my mouth . Seven times a day do I praise thee , because of thy righteous judgements , Psa. 34. 1. and 119. 164. It is a Motto , say some , often repeated in Mercers Chappel , Think , and Thank .

Our many wants and necessities , command us to be every morning at Heavens Gate for supply ; We are needy indigent creatures , and must get our living wholly by begging ; all the day long , we want forbearing , preserving , supporting mercy . It must be Divine power , that must enable us to follow our callings , to stir or move about our business , that must defend and protect us in our out-goings and incomings , and prosper and succeed our undertakings ; God alone can shield us from spiritual and corporal enemies , that can supply us with inward and outward good things , and surely such blessings are worth asking . They who will have mercies that are not of the growth of their own Country , Earth , must send thither ( to Heaven ) where they are to be had . Prayer , like the Patriarchs , and Solomons good House-wife , fetcheth our food from far ; As the Merchants Ships , it supplieth us with commodities of all sorts , from forraign Countries . No mercies hang on so low a bough , as to be pulled to us , and gathered by our own armes , therefore it behoveth us to beg , Give us this day our daily bread ; Besides our dangers and difficulties every day are many , and call us to be early and earnest at this duty . Our callings , every company , all earthly affairs are snares , and temptations to us , unless they are sanctified by prayer . It s not safe to drink of those streams wherein so many poisonous creatures dip their venemous heads , unless this Vnicorn hath healed them .

They who walk abroad without prayer , may fear they walk abroad without Gods Protection ; Oratio matutina clavis diei ; Morning prayer is the key of the day , which openeth the treasury of divine bounty , and locketh the soul up in safety . A Prayerless person goeth all day unarmed , and may expect many wounds from that hellish crew , that lye always in ambush to destroy him ; The neglect of this pass , gives Satan a great advantage to take the City ; When Saul had left off calling at Heavens gate , the next time you hear of him is , knocking at ( a Witches , at ) the Divels door . Prayer is one of the great ordinances that batters down the strong holds of the Devil ; hence he sets his wits at work , to divert men from it . It is the Souls armour , and Satans terrour ; he that knoweth how to use this holy spell aright , need not fear but he shall fright away the Devil himself . The Lord Jesus , when he marcht out against the powers of darkness , and was to fight with them hand to hand , armed himself before-hand with prayer , ( Luk. 3. 21 , 22. ) not onely for his own protection , but also for a pattern to us . Every day we walk in the midst of enemies , which are both mighty and crafty , and will watch all advantages to undo us ; and should we go amongst them without prayer , we are sure to become their prey . It s too late to wish for weapons , when we are engaged in a Battel ; Caesar cashierd that Souldier , who had his armour to furbish and make ready , when he was called to fight . The moral of the Fable is good ; The Boar was seen , whetting his Teeth , when no enemy was near to offend him , and being asked the reason , why he stood sharpening his weapons when none was by to hurt him ; he answered , It will be too late to whet them when I should use them ; therefore I whet them before danger , that I may have them ready in danger .

Another duty that concernes thee in secret , is to read some portion of the Word of God . The Work-man must not go abroad without his Tools . The Scripture is the Carpenters Rule , by which he must square his building ; the Tradesmans Scales , in which he must weigh his commodities ; The Travellers Staff , which helpeth him in his journey : There is no acting safely , unless we act scripturally ; Bind it continually upon thy heart , and tie it about thy neck ; When thou goest it shall lead thee , when thou sleepest it shall keep thee , when thou wakest it shall talk with thee ; For the commandement is a lamp , and the law is light , and reproofs of instruction are the way of life , Prov. 6. 21 , 22 , 23. The Lawyer hath his Littleton or Cook , which he consulteth ; The Physitian hath his Galen or Hippocrates , with which he adviseth ; The Scholar ha●h his Aristotle ; The Souldier his Caesar ; And the Christian his Bible , that Book of Books , to which all those Books are but as a course list , to a fine cloth , and scarce worthy to be wast paper for the Binder to put before this to shelter it ; This will teach the Lawyer to plead more effectually then Cicero , when undertaking the cause of Quint●● Ligarius , one of Caesars enemies , he did by the power of his Oratory , make Caesar his Soveraign to tremble , and often to change colour ; and when he described the Battel of Pharsalia , caused him to let his books fall out of his hand , as if he had been without spirits and life , and forced him against his will , to set Ligarius at liberty ; this will teach him so to plead , as to prevail with , and overcome God himself . This will teach the Physitian to work greater cures then ever AEsculapius wrought , to produce more strange and rare effects then the most powerful natural causes . The Weapon-salve , and most extraordinary cures that ever have been wrought , are nothing to the healing a vitiated nature by the spirit , and a wounded conscience by the blood of Christ , which have been frequently done by the Word of God . It hath opened the eyes of the blind , abated the dropsie of pride , softned the stone in the heart , stopped a bloody issue of corruption , healed the falling-sickness or back-sliding , and raised the dead to life , He sendeth his Word and healeth them , Psa. 107. 20. The waters issuing out of the Sanctuary , are healing waters ; Ezek. 47. 9. This will teach the Scholar , to know more then the greatest Naturalists , or then the Delphick Oracle could enable him to , though it told him his duty , even to know himself ; It is a Glass , clean and clear , wherein he may plainly see the spots , and dirt , and deformity of his heart and life ; It will teach him to know the only true God , and Iesus Christ whom he hath se●t , whom to know is life eternal ; This will teach the Souldier how to war a good warfare , how to fight the Lords Battails against the Prince of Darkness , and all his adherents , and over all , to be more then a Conquerour ; There is no Guide , no Counsellor , no Shield , no Treasure ( among all the Books that ever were written ) comparable to the Scripture ! It is reported , that a certain Iew should have poisoned Luther , but was happily prevented by his Picture , Mel●h . Adam . in ●it . Luth. which was sent to Luther with this warning , from a faithful friend , That he should take heed of such a man when he saw him ; by which Picture he knew the Murtherer , and escaped his hands ; the Word of God discovereth the face of those lusts in their proper colours , which lie ready in our callings● in all companies , in our goings out , and comings in , to defile us , and which Satan would employ to destroy us ; By them is thy servant forewarned , saith David , Psa. 19. 11. By reading and applying it , we may know their visage , and prevent their venome ; by the words of thy mouth , I have kept my self from the paths of the destroyer . Cyprian would let no day pass without reading of Tertullian , nor Alexander without reading somewhat in Homer ; Shall the Christian let a morning pass without an inspection into the Word of Christ ! As God commanded Moses to come up into the Mount early in the morning , with the two Tables in his hand ; So Reader , he commandeth thee to give him a meeting every morning , with the two Testaments in thy hand .

After the refreshment of nature ( about which I have given thee directions else-where , and therefore shall omit it here ) it will be requisite that thou shouldst call thy family together , Christian m●●● Calling . 1. Pa●● Chap. 23. and worship the blessed God with them ; Our Relations , namely , Children and Servants have mercies bestowed on them , wants to be supplied , dangers to be prevented , natures to be sanctified , souls to be saved , as well as our selves , and therefore must not be neglected . Some tend and feed the souls in their families on the Lords day , and starve them all the week after , but herein they are guilty of dishonesty and unfaithfulness ; They rob God of the service which is due to him from all in their house joyntly ; They wrong the souls in their families , by not allowing them the liberty , at least by not calling and causing them to hear the voice , and seek the face of God with others ; And they injure themselves most by being false to their trust . Should they feed the bodies of their Children and Servants on the Lords-days , and make no provision for them on the week-days , their consciences would flie in their faces and tell them , they were inhumane and unnatural ; and yet they can omit all regard of their immortal souls , which are far more worthy of care and tendance , without remorse and sorrow . I must tell such persons , that if Atheism had not the predominancy in their hearts , it would not bear such sway in their houses ; Such men are like Swine with their Pigs ( as if all their noses were nailed to the trough in which they feed ) they look not up to the God of their food , and of all their comforts . Such Children and Servants will in the other world find cause to curse the time that ever they knew such Fathers and Masters .

Others there are ( some of whom I hope to be godly , though not in this particular ) that pray in their families every night , but omit morning duties . As if God were the God of the night , and not of the day , as the Syrians blasphemously affirmed that he was God of the Hills , but not of the Vallies . These as Austin speaks of those that wo●ship the Moon , are Atheists by day , as they that worship the Sun , are Atheists by night ; The day is thine , the night also is thine , thou preparest the light and the Sun , Psa. 74. 16. Surely , though evening Sacrifice ought to be minded , yet there is as much , if not more reason for morning duties . A man at night in his Chamber , is like a Souldier in his Garrison , subject onely to the unavoidable and more immediate hand of God , whereas in the day when he stragleth abroad from his quarters , to fetch in his supplies , he is then exposed to many unexpected casualties , and unthought of accidents . Family perils and dangers , every day call for family prayers and duties every morning ; Family favours and kindnesses , every night call for family thanks and acknowledgements every day . When many are joyned in a Bond , they go often together to see the money paid ; All in a Family joyn in borrowing domestical mercies , therefore they must all joyn in paying hearty praises .

Reader , if thou art Governour of a Family ; Consider , that thou canst not faithfully serve God as a Commander , unless thou takest care that all the persons under thy power , do their duties in their places . The Lord of Hosts will never thank that Officer who is careful to sight for him in his own person , but suffereth his Company , through his carelesness , to fall away to the enemy . Do not pretend Servants are abroad , or scattered here and there about their imployments , and are not at leasure ; but answer ; 1. Art thou and thy servants contented to go all day without Gods protection and provision ? Without question thou art most unworthy of them , that dost not think them worth asking . Surely , God may as well say he hath no leasure , he hath other employment then to defend , and feed , and preserve thee , as thou , that thou hast no leasure to serve him . 2. Dost not thou , and do not thine , squander away more time idly and vainly , then need to be taken up in morning duties ? 3. Do not Children and Servants come together every morning to feed their bodies , and why not to feed their souls ? 4. If any man should make use of thy Goods , or Servants , of thy Time , without leave , thou wouldst take it very ill at their hands ? Thou art Gods , and all that thou hast ; may not God therefore take it unkindly that thou shouldst dispose of thy self and thine affairs without his leave ? 5. Is it not plain Atheism , and horrid disrespect to the blessed God , to put thy self or them under thy roof upon worldly imployments , without asking his providence and blessing ? Is it not too plain a speaking , that there is no such need of him , that thou canst do well enough without him ? 6. Thou wilt not say that thou and thine have no leasure in the morning to plough or sow , or buy and sell , o● follow earthly affairs ; and why not leasure as well to serve and worship the Lord ? His worship is of greater worth , of greater weight ; It is of more necessity , it concerns thine endless bliss in the other world ; It will bring in the greatest profit ; In the doing of his commands there is great reward . Dost thou not believe that he is a better pay-master then the world ? 7. Art thou able to do any thing in any part of the day without his assistance ? Dost thou not depend every moment upon him for all thy motions and actions , and is he not worth acknowledging ? 8. Wilt thou say● Thou hast no time , no leasure to be saved , to escape Hell , and to attain Heaven ? I must tell thee , if thou hast no time to serve God , he will have no time to save thee . 9. Wilt thou stand to this Plea at the day of Christ ? When God shall ask thee ; Why thou and thy Family went abroad prayerless , and drowned your selves in worldly affairs , and were taken and torn by snares and temptations , and disowned him and his laws , as if they were not worth regarding ; Dost thou think it will be sufficient , then to answer ; Lord , I was a Knight , or a Squire , and though I had many servants , yet they had their several offices and employments , and could not spare time to pay that homage they owed to thy Majesty , to implore thy mercy , and to intreat an interest in the merits of thy son ; We had other things to look after , then thy beautiful Image , and the blessed vision of thy face for ever . Or , suppose thou art of an inferiour rank , canst thou imagine it will be a comfortable Plea to say , Lord , early in the morning my Children and Servants were called to tend my S●op , or Flocks , or Cattel , or set upon some needful business or other , that they could have no leasure to mind their inestimable souls , or to approach thy glorious Majesty in holy ordinances ! O blush , Reader , if thou art guilty of morning omissions , and either cast away thy frivolous pretences , and set upon the duty , or else stand to thy foolish pleas , and try whether they will bear weight at the great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus ; but remember in the mean time , that thou hast had one warning more .

I have written somewhat largely about family duties , in the first Part , and therefore had intended onely to have saluted them in this place , and so to have left them ; but observing how some families , even where governous are judged to fear God , are without morning ( though not without evening ) sacrifices , I dwelt the longer upon it , to quicken them to this duty , that they might be able to say with Abijah ; The Lord is our God , and we burn incense , and offer sacrifice every morning and evening unto him , 2 Chron. 13. 10 , 11.

SECT. III.

SEcondly , Spend the greatest part of the day in thy particular calling ; He that mindeth not his Closet before his Shop , is an Atheist ; and he that mindeth not his Shop after his Closet , is an Hypocrite ; The world is Gods great Family , and he will allow none in it to be idle . Though he distinguisheth some from the common Mass , and maketh them vessels of honour , as Superiours and Officers in his house , yet to every one he committeth some Talent or other , Valer l. 6. c. 1. and commandeth them to trade till he come . The ancient Massilians would admit no man into their City , who had not a good trade , knowing what pests and plagues such are to the people among whom they dwell . He that is void of , or negligent in his calling , is at best as a snail ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 according to the Septuag. Domiporta according to the Latines ) keeping house , and unprofitable ; But usually such a one is mischeivous , and may not unfitly be compared to Kites that flie lazing up and down , scarce moving their wings , making a querulous complaining noise , filching their food out of the shambles or warrens , or out of Childrens hands by force . Idleness is usher to murmuring and the●ving . He quickly learns to do ill , by doing that which is next to ill , nothing . The Air when still , corrupts and putrifieth . Wheat if not stirred , groweth musty and unwholsom for mans body . The earth if not tilled , breeds thorns ; Milstones if there be no grist , wast and wear out themselves . The soul needeth exercise as well as the body , to preserve it in health . Action keeps the soul sweet and clean . T is no wonder that persons are almost choacked with the flegm of corruption , that deny themselves the benefit and advantage of Motion , that they do not thrive who refuse to trade . It s a worthy speech of holy Master Boultons , D●rections for walking with God , p. 49. He is a cursed drone , a child of idleness , the very Tennis ball of temptation , most unworthy the blessings and benefits of humane society , who doth not one way or other cooperate and contribute to the common good , with his best endeavours , in some honest particular calling . Iob saith , Man is born to labour ; but how many Gentlemen sing the rich fools requiem to their souls ; Soul , take thine ease , thou hast goods laid up for many years , till at last they come to his end , and that place where there is no ease day nor night for ever and ever ; but as a bone out of joynt , so is a good man out of his calling .

The Sons of the Husbandman in the Fable , being told by their Father on his Death-bed , that he had left much gold buried in his Vineyard , fell presently a digging and delving with diligence , whereby they obtained , though not the gold they sought for , yet a rich Harvest , by stirring the mold about the roots of the Trees . In all labour there is profit , Eccles. 5. Though the Christian doth not ever by diligence in his calling , reap that gold of outward profit ( which is promised conditionally so far as God seeth fit for him ) in this world , yet he reaps peace and comfort in the discharge of his duty , and prevents temptations , by being imployed about other things .

It s in vain for any to pretend that they are so busie in praying , and reading , and hearing , and holy duties , that they cannot attend their particular callings ; for the same God that calls them to spiritual traffique , commands them their temporal trades , and hath allotted them sufficient time for both . He doth the Devil too great a courtesie , who makes the Commands of God to quarrel and clash one against another ; If Satan can prevail with men to neglect their callings whole days together , and leave their families declining , and almost starving through their idleness , for private fasting and praying , he never fears the good such a man shall get by all that devotion , which is ( as Paul speaks of himself ) born out of due time ; He knoweth God doth not usually send in blessings at such back-doors , and that he is provoked as truly by leaving our Shops , when our callings require our company , as by passing by our Closets , when he calls us in to speak with us there . The best food may prove unwholsom and burthensom to the stomach , if a fit season for taking it , be not observed ; Our best duties , like some Children , are utterly lost by being brought forth before their time . The Roman General said , Non amo nimium diligentem , I love not them that are too diligent ; meaning them that leave their own callings , and are busie-bodies in others . God loves not such over-diligent , nor any negligent ones . As he commandeth our dependance on him for a blessing , so he commandeth our diligence in our several places .

But having also treated largely of the Christians carriage in his particular calling , in the first part , how he should undertake it in obedience to the divine command , follow it with an heavenly heart , depend upon God for a blessing , I shall say no more here .

Thirdly , Be watchful all the day long ; If thou wouldst walk safely , walk as one that hath his eyes in his head ; Ponder the paths of thy feet ; Every man walketh every day in the midst of traps and gins , and rubs and blocks ; now the secure person is as a blind man , stumbling at every stone . When a man goeth upon cords , straitned and fastned on high , it concerns him to look well to his footing , lest he totter and fall , and break his neck ; There is no Christian but walks as dangerously as he that danceth on the ropes , it behoves him therefore to walk Watchfully . The Children of God are called to be Souldiers , to fight a good sight of faith under Christ , the Captain of their salvation ; but Souldiers must be upon their guard , especially such as are encompassed on all sides , at all times , with enemies of all sorts . Should they who are the mark at which the world and Hell are continually shooting their fiery darts to destroy them , give themselves to sleep ? Watch ye , stand fast in the faith ; Quit your selves like men , 1 Cor. 16. 3. The Divel watcheth to devour us , and he is politique to insnare us , and shall we slumber ? Machiavel saith , A Prince ought to know the tempers of men , that he may fit them with baits , and wind them to his own ends ; Satan hath not waited on men , and observed them so long , but he knoweth the length of their feet , and can fit them to their will and wo ; as Agrippina the wife of Claudius , gave her Husband poison in that dish which he loved best ; so he can give them that meat which they love , with poison for its sance ; He is a Serpent for his subtlety , and can bait his hooks answerable to the love and liking of poor silly ●ish ; We read of his wiles , of his devices ; As the Camelion that lieth on the ground to catch Flies and Grashoppers , changeth himself into the colour of the grass , whereby they are deceived and caught ; So Satan can transform himself into any shape , even into an Angel of light , for a shift , that he may deceive and destroy . Though he appeared in the form of a Serpent to Eve , he appeared in the form of a Saint to the second Adam ; If he should be quiet , yet our own flesh is free and forward to pollute and pervert us . Were he at any time absent ( though I fear he never is , but watcheth us night and day more narrowly then ever Keeper did his Prisoner , for whose escape he was to die ) our own wicked hearts are his Deputy to supply his place , and dispatch his business effectually for him . Occasion , and our own corrupt natures seldom meet , but like two inordinate lovers , they sin and defile themselves together . The flesh is instead of a thousand traytours within the Garrison , conspiring to deliver it up into the enemies hands , who is resolved to give no quarter ; and is it not time for the Souldiers to be upon the guard , and to keep strict watch ? Though both Satan and the flesh should grant a truce or cessation for a few hours ( which they never did nor ever will ) yet the world like an Harlot is always watching , with her fair breasts of pleasure and profit , to allure us to folly . Like the Whore the wise man mentions , She is subtle of heart , and lieth in wait at every corner ; She catcheth the careless sinner and kisseth him , and with an impudent face , saith unto him , I have deckt my bed with coverings of Tapestry , with carved work , with fine linen of Egypt ; Prov. 5. 10 , to the end . I have perfumed my bed with Myrrhe , Aloes , and Cynamon ; Come let us take our fill of love until the morning , let us solace our selves with loves ; With much fair speech she causeth him to yeild , with the flattering of her lips she enticeth him . He goeth after her straight way , as an Ox goeth to the slaughter , or as a Fool to the correction of the stocks ; Till a dart strike through his liver , as a Bird hasteth to the snare , and knoweth not that it is for his life . O what reason hast thou , Reader , to watch , who hast so many and such crafty and mighty adversaries , every moment to encounter with ! Watch and pray , lest you enter into temptation . Believe it , if thou sleepest , the enemy will sow tares .

Watch thy self in thy Closet , good duties must not be done between sleeping and waking . Praying and Reading are not works that can be done nodding ; Therefore Christ saith , Watch and Pray ; and the Apostle , Continue in prayer , and watch in the same , Col. 4. 2. The Nightingale , that delights her self in h●r night songs , knowing if she should fall asleep , she should be a prey to night-birds , she keeps a thorn at her breast to keep her waking . Watch in thy family among thy Relations ; Thy Wife and Children may be Satans instruments to wound thee ; Abraham caused Sarah to dissemble ; Eve brought Adam to undo himself and all his posterity ; The nearer the person is to us , that dischargeth a piece at us , the likelier to hit , and the more dangerous the Bullet . Watch in thy shop , Satan lieth in ambush in every corner , sin in every counter , to defile and destroy thee . When thou art in company , when thou art alone , at bed , at boord , when thou goest out , when thou comest in , keep thy heart with all diligence , for under every pile of grass there is a Snail , under every fig-leaf ( as Cleopatra found to her cost ) there is a poisonous Asp , in every place there is a snare .

Watch against the Occasions of Sin ; They who have a brand or a candle flaming in their hands , had need to beware of thatch and straw . If the flesh and opportunity , like Sechem and Dinah , meet together , they will not part ( unless there be the greater watchfulness ) before they are polluted . It s ill to parle with the wicked one . The French have a good Proverb , When the Spaniards talk of peace , then double bolt the door . The greatest wounds that were ever made in conscience , had at first but weak beginnings ; Davids horrid Murther and Adultery had their rise onely from a glance of his eye ; keep thee far from an evil matter , Exod. 23. 7. The Crocodile , say Naturalists , is no bigger at first then a Goose egge , and yet groweth to thirty Cubits ; An occasion of sin , embraced but a little , like a Thief in the Candle , insensibly makes sad work and waste .

Watch especially against thy own sin ; This is , as the Phil●stines said of Sampson , The great destroyer of the Country ; The great destroyer of thy Conscience . Wise Governours of a Garrison besieged , will take care of every part of the wall , and repair the least decays thereof ; but if one gate be more likely to be entred then another , or if one part of the wall be weaker then another , they will be sure to set the strongest watch in that weakest place . Our Soul is our Garrison , committed to our trust by the Lord of Hosts , to be kept for his use and service ; Satan is our enemy that besiegeth it , to surprise it ; Sin is the Wall or Gate , by which alone he hopes to enter and destroy us . Our beloved sins , the sins of our Callings , or Conditions , or Constitutions , ( which we hug and cocker most , which none must touch or reprove , these ) are the weakest part of the Wall or Gate , and so require a stronger Watch and Guard ; Take heed and keep thy soul diligently , Deut. 4. 9.

SECT. IV.

FOurthly , Be careful to redeem time ; Look upon time as one of the most precious talents which thy God hath intrusted thee with , and which he will reckon with thee for , and therefore not to be vainly spent , or needlesly squandred away . They are worthy to be punished , that spend their gold and silver lavishly , and waste their estates prodigally ; but of how much sorer punishment are they worthy of , that are prodigal and lavish of time , that is far more precious then gold and silver ! Time is of inestimable value , in regard of its present use , and because when once lost it is irrecoverable . Friends lost may be reconciled , an estate lost may be regained , but time lost can never be recalled . He is the best workman , that can cut his stuff to the least waste ; and he is the best Christian who can contrive his affairs , and cut out his time to the least loss . Remember that time is given thee , not to squander away in needless visits , or idle talking , or long meals , or unnecessary sleeping , but to get thy person justified , thy nature sanctified , to secure thine interest in Christ , and the Covenant of grace and heaven ; and surely things of such infinite weight , deserve all thy time , if thy life were lengthened to the age of Methuselah . Sleep robs us of much time ; Friends , saith one , are the greatest thieves of time ; Vain discourse , foolish sports and pastimes , idle company , sitting long at table , must all like luxuriant branches , be pared off , because they suck the sap and juice away from the good boughs ; Walk not as fools , but as wise men , Redeeming the time , saith the Apostle , Col. 4. 5. Eph. 5. 16. It s an allusion to wise Merchants , or Tradesmen , who dealing for most precious commodities , make the most of their Markets , and buy their wares while a fit time of buying them serves ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 rursus emo . Metaphora sumpta a mercatoribus . Beza . and having possibly had great losses formerly , or spent their time idly , do by their diligence seek to redeem , and ( as it were ) to buy back again the time that is past . The Lacedemonians were penurious of their time , and spent it all about necessary business , not suffering any Citizen either to play or be idle ; When their Ephori heard that some used to walk in the afternoons for their recreation , they forbad it , as savouring too much of pleasure , and commanded them to recreate their bodies by some manly exercise , which might breed them to be serviceable to the Common-wealth .

Labitur occulte fallitque volubilis aetas , Ovid. Metam . l. 10. Reader , the time of thy life goeth post , thou art hastening to thy last stage ; whether thou art eating or drinking , walking or sitting , buying or selling , waking or sleeping , death is always making speed towards thee ; the time of thy departure hence is concluded and resolved , beyond which it is impossible for thee , whether thy work be done or undone , to stay one day , no not one hour , nay , not one moment , and shouldst thou waste thy time upon toys and trifles , as if thou hadst nothing to do , no God to make peace with , no Redeemer to lay hold on , no soul to take care of ! He that hath a great way to go , or much work to do , and that upon pain of death , and but a little time for it , hath little reason to laze or loyter . When we have but a little paper , and much to write , we write small and thick . O how much work hath every Christian to do in this world , which if he neglect he is lost for ever , how many head-strong lusts to subdue , how many duties towards God and men to perform , how many graces to exercise , providences and ordinances to improve , and can all this be done in a little time ! The Candle of our lives burns low ; if like foolish Children we play it out , we may thank our selves if we go to bed in the dark , without the light of comfort to our graves .

It is one of the most irrational , yet ordinary action of the children of men , especially persons of estates and quality , to waste time in Dicing , or Carding , or hawking , or Hunting , or Chambering , or Revelling , and yet to murmur that they want time , and tell us ; Its pitty mans life is so short● that it is not spun out to a longer thread . I must tell such , that they complain of God , when they should of themselves ; He is not penurious , but they are prodigal in mispending it . I must ask them , Why would they have more time ? Is it to be more riotous , and prophane , and vicious ? The shortest moment is too much for the service of sin ; He that sinneth but once , sinneth too much by once ; If it be that they might honour God , and get grace ; and lay hold on eternal life ; why do they not set about it , and make it their business ? Every one would accuse him of folly , that were condemned one Assize to be hanged , but was reprieved till the next , and had that time allotted to sue out his pardon , if he should in the interim give himself wholly to gaming and drinking , and take no care about his pardon , yet complain to all that came to him , that his time was short , and he had not enough to get his pardon in , or prevent his Execution .

Our days are sufficient for our duties , had we grace to number them , and to apply our hearts to wisdom ; but there is no overplus of time to be abused to fleshly or worldly lusts , or to be lavished away in idle and unnecessary things . A good man that liveth all the day long in the fear of his God , and husbands his time to the best advantage of his soul , finds it so sufficient for his work , that he is always ready to be called to an account , and when ever he dieth , he dieth full of days , and hath had his fill of living ; but men waste their time in vanity and folly , sacrifice their youth to frowardness , and unprofitableness , their manhood to pleasure and passion , their old age ( if they live so long ) to earthly-mindedness and Atheism , nay , they will set down and contrive sports , or send for , or go into idle company , to pass away the time , and then complain that time is little , and life is short , and they have not enough to provide for death and eternity in . The Moralist observeth truly ; Sen. de brevit . vit . cap. 1. Non exiguum temporis habemus , sed multum perdimus ; It is not a little time that we have , but it is much which we waste . God i● bountiful in allotting us time , but we are lavi●h of it , and then grumble that it is no more . The largest possessions in a Country , though worth thousands per annum , are nothing in the hands of a Prodigal Heir , who useth to throw away thousands at a cast , and must pay the Bills which Pride , and luxury , and gluttony , send him in daily ; but a twentieth part of those revenues were a large estate in the hands of a frugal person . The vast incomes of Egypt , and all the Eastern Provinces , were but a small sum , when they were gathered to maintain the pomp and ambition of Antony ; and the riot and fleshly lusts of Cleopatra ; when some prudent provident Emperours have lived freely and nobly a whole year , with less then they consumed in a day . Foolish men that are riotous and prodigal of their time , as if it were given them onely to sport , and play , and roar , and revel in , pine and whine at last that they are lost , because their time is so short ; but wise and gracious persons that deny themselves , and crucifie the flesh , that can redeem time from toys and idle talk , and foolish sports , and unnecessary diversions , to pray , and hear , and read , and examine their souls , and bemoan their sins , and provide for heaven , these grow rich in good works , and find the days of their pilgrimage sufficient for them .

SECT. V.

FIfthly , Call thy self to an accauut at evening . Take a review of thy carriage the whole day , how thou didst behave thy self . Begin with the morning , consider whether thou didst awake with God , what was the frame of thy Spirit in ; closet and family duties in company , and solitude ; Reflect upon thy actions , thy passions , thy speech , thy silence , thy behaviour at table , in thy shop , whether thy affections were heavenly above the world , when thy actions were earthly about the world , whether thou wast righteous in thy particular calling , and didst set upon it out of conscience to Gods precept , and with an eye to his glory ; whether thou didst not lose an opportunity of advantaging thy brothers soul , and doing thy God service ; whether thou hast not failed in thy thoughts , or words , or deeds , in thy demeanour towards thy relations , or neighbours , or strangers ; whether thou didst in all walk according to that rule which thy God hath prescribed thee . This is the way to make the day more pious , and the night more pleasant . Conscience will be the more faithful all day , when it knoweth before-hand that it shall be called to an account at night ; and the more conscientious we are in the day , the more chearful we shall be at night . Seneca reports of Sextius the Roman Philosopher , Sen: de Irae . l. 3. c. 36. that every night before he took his rest , he would examine his soul ; Desinet ira & erit moderatior quae s●iet●s ●i quotidie ad Iudicem esse veniendum , — . Qualis ille somnus post recog●tionem sui sequitur ? quam trinquillus ? &c. Idem ibid. Quod hodie malum sanasti ? Cui vitio obstitisti ? In qua parte melior es ? What evil hast thou this day healed ? what vice hast thou resisted ? in what part art thou bettered ? and then he addeth , how sweet is the sleep which ensueth upon such a review !

As the Shop-keeper hath his day-book , wherein he writes down what he buyeth , what he selleth , which he looks over in the evening ; so must the Christian that would thrive in his general calling , at night reflect upon his well-doing , his ill-doings , his gains , his losses , left his books cast him up ( as some find by experience ) because he will not take the pains to cast them up .

The Merchant findeth it a ready way to make his Factours and Cash-keepers faithful , to reckon with them frequently . When great persons neglect to account with their Stewards , they tempt them to be dishonest . Our consciences are corrupted , as well as other faculties , Idem ibid. and will be false , if not timely examined . Seneca acquaints us with his own practice , which may shame many Christians ; Vtor hac potestate , & quotidie apud me causam dico . Cum sublatum e conspectu lumen est , & conticuit ●xor moris jam ●ei conscia , totum diem mecum sc●utor , facta ac dicta mea remetior . Nihil mihi ipse abscondo , nihil transeo ; quare enim quicquam ex erroribus meis timeam , cum possim dicere : Vide ne istud amplius facias ; nunc tibi ignosco . In illa disputatione pugnacius locutus es ; — Illum liberius admonuisti quam debebas ; itaque non emendasti sed offendisti . I use , saith he , this authority , and daily plead my cause with my self ; When the candle is taken away , and my Wife ( acquainted with my custom ) is silent ; I search into the whole day , and review all that I have said or done ; I hide nothing from my own scrutiny , I pass by nothing ; For why should I fear any thing , by reason of my errors ; when I can say ; See that thou do it no more , and for this time I will pardon thee , &c.

Pythagoras taught his Scholars to talk thus with themselves , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; What evil have I committed , what good have I omitted ? Reader , let not them who knew not God , rise up in judgement against thee . Put every night some brief Q●eries to thy conscience , upon these few heads ; How did I behave my self in Religious Duties , in Natural Actions , in my Particular Calling , in Recreations ( if any were used ) in Company , and in Solitude ; Compare the carriage of thy heart and life , herein to the word and law of God , bring all to the touchstone . Hereby , 1. Sin will be prevented ; The Child will be the more dutiful and diligent all day , who expecteth to be examined ( by them that have power to punish or reward ) for every part of it at night . The Christian will keep his heart as clean as the neat maid her house , who is ever in fear of a severe mistress . 2. Hereby , if sin be committed , it will speedily be repented of ; The wound will be healed before it be festered ; A disease is much more easily cured at the beginning , then when it is habituated in the body ; Had David called his conscience to a serious account , at the close of that day wherein he defiled Bathsheba , he had prevented both much sin , and much sorrow . 3. Our hearts will hereby be the better prepared for evening duties . The reflection upon the sins committed in the day past , will make the streams of our sorrow to run the more freely ; Wounds when fresh , bleed most . Our Petitions also will be the more fervent for divine strength , when we are newly affected with the sad consequence of our own weakness ; The more we feel our pain , the more urgent are our cries for a Physitian ; A review of the mercies newly received , will likewise enlarge our hearts the more in thank●fulness . Divine favours , like flowers , affect us most when fresh and green . Old courtesies , as old cloaths , are too often cast by , and thought little worth . 4. Hereby our souls will be always ready for our great accounts , whenever God shall summon us to give it up . The keeping a diary of Receipts and disbursements , facilitates the Stewards annual reckoning with his Lord . They who make all even between God and their souls every day , need not fear calling to account any day . None will give up their accounts with such comfort at the great day , as they that cast up their accounts with conscience every day ; Often reckoning will make long friends . He that will not hear the warnings of conscience , must look to feel the worm of conscience .

Sixthly , Close the day with God , in Praying , and Reading his word , both in thy Closet and Family . Our bed is resembled to our graves , sleep to death ; it s of worse consequence to go to bed before we have made our prayers , then to our Graves before we have made our Wills ; God is the first and the last , and ought to be the beginning and ending of every day ; Thou causest the out-goings of the morning and evening to rejoyce . Some understand the inhabitants of East and West , others the vicissitudes of day and night , for which men rejoyce in God . David was mindful of the Word at night , I have remembred thy law O Lord in the night ; and also of prayer , Evening and morning will I pray and cry aloud , Psal. 119. 55. Psal. 55. 17.

The sins of the day call for our mournful confession . The mercies of the day call for our sincere thanksgiving . The perills of the night call for fervent petitions , so that none can want matter for a nights prayer . Our wandrings and aberrations in the day may wellengage us to confession and contrition every night . They who do not paddle in every gutter , or thrust their hands into every ditch , though they washed clean in the morning , find them durty at night . We cannot meddle with money , but we foul our fingers ; nor about earthly affairs , but we defile our soul. Infirmity bewrayeth it self in all the actions of fallen man . We are steady in nothing but wantonness and wickedness . The feet of men limp at best , and are too slow to follow the Word of God close at the heels . If we intend well in any action ( like arrows that are shot in mighty winds● ) we wander from the bow that sent it , and miss the mark . Now whilst the Ship leaketh , the Pump must go . Whilst we sin daily , we must sorrow daily . He is unworthy of the least favour from his Creditor , who thinks much to acknowledge his debt . Austin had Davids penitential Psalms written by his Bed-side , which at night he used to weep and read , to read and weep .

Our daily infirmities and imperfections must not be passed over . Some have died of very slight wounds in their fingers or toes . Small sands may sink a great ship . Small drops of rain make the earth mi●y and durty . Vain thoughts , spending time idly , omission of doing good when a price hath been in our hands , are counted by us small sin● , but such small drops will pollute our consciences to purpose , if not bewailed timely .

The mercies and good providences of the day , deserve our acknowledgement at night . If God command his loving kindness in the day time ; his loving kindness may well command our thanksgiving in the night season . As David had his soliloquies in the day , so he had his songs in the night , Psa. 77. 6. All our success in our callings , and undertakings is the fruit of Gods providence ; We may work , but God onely can prosper . Humane gains are from divine grace . The Tables that are spread for us like Peters sheet , wherein were all sorts of four footed Beasts , and Fowls , come down from Heaven . How many perils are we protected in ? how many dangers are we delivered from ? How many evils are prevented , good things bestowed every day , and shall not our Sun and Shield be adorned ! We may well every night speak in the words of the Psalmist , Blessed be the Lord , who daily loadeth us with his benefits , even the God of our salvation ; Selah , Psa. 78. 19.

The perils of the night , call for our prayers at night ; If there were no fear of visible Thieves and Robbers , yet there is of invisible Devils ; We cannot bolt our doors so fast , but they will find the way in . We never lye down to sleep , but those roaring Lyons are waking and waiting by our bed side to devour us . If God were not our guard , we could not sleep a moment in quiet . He that goeth to bed , before he hath gone to God , by humble and hearty supplication , lieth down before his bed is made , and may well expect to find it uneasie all night ; nay , like a foolish Governour of a Fort beleagured with cruel and crafty enemies , he takes his rest , before he hath set his watch , and is liable to be called up at midnight , or to be kild in his bed every moment .

Cyril speaks of a certain people , that chose to worship the Sun , because he was a day God , for believing that he was quenched every night in the Sea , or that he had no influence on them that lighted up candles , they were confident they might be Atheists all night . I fear , many who worship not the Sun , are too much of the minds of that people , in their night Atheism . Though they know not , but when they close their eyes , they may sleep their last , and never open them more , yet they will rather die intestate , then take the pains , by fervent prayers to bequeath their souls into the hands of their dearest Redeemer . Reader , take heed of going prayerless to bed , lest Satan take thee napping . How unworthy art thou of Gods protection , if thou dost not esteem it worthy a petition ? I have read of a Prince , that would walk abroad every evening in a disguise , and stand harkening and listening under his Subjects windows , to understand what they said ; It s true enough , that the great God looketh down from heaven every evening ; he is under thy window , and in thy chamber , to observe whether thou hast the manners or grace to bid him good night before thou goest to rest ; Believe it , if thou forgettest him , thou wilt find sooner or later , that he will remember thee to thy cost .

A Good Wish about the Christians carriage on a Weekday from Morning to Night ; Wherein the former heads are applied .

The Introduction . THe Rock of Ages , and everlasting Father , to whom a thousand years are but as one day , having out of his rich mercy afforded me a short time in this world , not to play or toy with temporal things , but to prepare my soul for my blessed eternity ; I Wish that I may never waste that pecious season ( which is given me for the working out my own salvation ) about needless affairs , but mind the one thing necessary , and pass the whole time of my sojourning here in the fear of my God ; Every day that I live , and do not improve for my eternal good , is lost ; If I live to eat , and drink , and sleep , the beast liveth in me , not the man ; I do but act a brutish part in an humane shape . If I live to buy and sell , and increase my heaps , the Heathen liveth in me , not the Christian ; What do I more then an Infidel ? Time is a silver stream , gliding into the Ocean ; Eternity depends upon this poor pittance of time ; As I use time well or ill , so eternity will use me ; The everlasting harvest will be sutable to the seed that is sown in time , whether Wheat or Tares . It s irrational to expect a crop of Barley , if I sow Thistles ; or a crop of bliss for ever , if I now sow to the flesh ; My life is given me , to dress my soul in for the coming of my Bride-groom at death . Whatsoever I do , if it hath not relation and subserviency to my last end , and chiefest good , it is lost time , and waste strength ; and though I may be so busie as to sweat about it , yet Christ may say●to me , as to him that stood in the Market-place ; Why standest thou all the day idle ? Lord , my time is not mine own , but thine ; The day is thine , the night also is thine . It is thine by creation , and why not thine by a religious observation ? It was thy favour that I was not turned out of the womb , into the unquenchable fire ; I could Wish , that as soon as ever the Sun of my life arose , I had gone forth to my spiritual labour till the evening of my death , that my childhood and youth had been employed in remembring my Creator ; but since its impossible to recal those days and years which I have spent in folly and vanity ; O teach me so to number my ( remaining ) days , that I may apply my heart unto wisdom , and live ( every day of my life ) in the fear of the Lord all the day long .

Motives . Every day may be thy last day . I Wish that the uncertainty of my life , and certainty of my death , may quicken me to be religious every hour of every day . Every day may be my last , therefore every day should be my best . There is no part of my time , in which I am priviledged from an arrest , by the King of terrors . Am I young ? yet I am old enough to die . Death observeth no order ; Some drop out of the armes of their earthly Mothers , into the embraces of their Mother Earth , and do no sooner speak , but they are sent to the place of silence . My Sun may set in the morning of my age , and death may tread upon the heels of life ; Some have experienced those words of the wise man ; There is a time to be born ( so little to live that it is not mentioned ) and a time to die . Am I strong ? This Sampson of death can fetch meat out of the eater , and out of the strong , sweetness . Deaths harbinger , sickness , which prepareth its way before it , will make me melt like Wax before the Sun , though my strength were the strength of stones , and my flesh as brass . Fresh Flowers are cropt in their pride and greatest beauty ; The Autumn of death comes ordinarily before the winter of old age . Besides , I am liable every day to many sudden accidents , and unexpected surprisals . How many die in their Shops or Fields , or in the Church or Streets , as well as others in their beds ! All men do not go out of the world at the fore door of sickness , many at the back-door of a violent death . When my blood frisketh merrily in my veins , and light sparkleth gloriously in mine eyes , when my countenance is most fresh and lovely , and my senses are most quick and lively , even then , a● my best estate I am altogether vanity . I may draw a long line of life , because nature may afford radical moysture enough for it , when death lieth in ambush like a theif in the candle , and wasteth all on a sudden ; Should I as the rich fool , reckon falsly to a million , when I cannot count truly to one , and promise my self many days , when my soul may be required of me this night , how gross is my delusion ! Ah , how sad , how fatal is that error that can never be mended !

The time past is gone , and never , never , to be called back . All my prayers and tears , all the revenues of the world , cannot regain the last moment ; The time to come is Gods , not mine own . It is not in my hands , therefore I have no reason to reckon upon it ; I am both foolish and dishonest , if I dispose of anothers goods . Reversions are uncertain , and he may well be poor that hath no estate but what he hath in hope , or rather presumption . Lord , thou reckonest my life , not by ages , no , not by years , but by days ; thou hast told me that my days are few , my time is little , though my work be great ; I acknowledge my proneness to put far from me my dying day , whereby I gratifie my grand enemy , in drawing nigh to the seat of iniquity . O help thy servant to live every day , as if it were his last day ; Grant that I may live well and much , though my life be little and short , because there is no day of my life in which I can promise my self security from the arrest of Death ; let me expect it every day , and every hour of every day , that when ever my Lord shall come , I may be found well-doing .

I Wish that since the eye of my God is ever on me , 2 2 Motive . Gods eye is on thee all the day lo●g . my eye may be ever on him , and I may be so pious as to carry my self all the day long as in his presence . What ever I do my God observeth , whatever I speak my God heareth , whatever I think he knoweth ; I may call every place I come into Mizpeh , The Lord watcheth and observeth ; Ah how holy should he be , who hath always to do with so pure and jealous a Majesty ! The Iews were to dig and cover the natural excrements of their bodies , because the Lord their God walked in the midst of their camp . Sin is the spiritual excrement of my soul , and infinitely more odious and loathsom to my God ; O how watchful should I be against it , who walk ever in his company ! The Sun is said by some to be all eye , because it hath a thousand beams in every place , it filleth the largest windows , and peepeth in at the smallest key-hole , it shineth on the Princes Pallace , and the Poor mans Cottage ; the Heavens above , the Earth beneath , and Air between , it looks on every person with so direct a countenance , as if it beheld none beside . The natural Sun is darkness to the Sun of righteousness ; the whole world to him is a sea of glass , he seeth it thorough and thorough ; The Watch-maker knoweth all the wheels and pins and motions in the Watch ; He that made me , cannot be ignorant of me , nor of any thing in me , or done by me . Whether I be in my Shop , or Closet , Abroad , or at Home , in Company , or Alone , the Hand of my God is with me , and the Eye of my God upon me ; O that I could set him ever before me , and set my self ever before him ; that I could always see him , who always seeth me , and like a Sun-dyal so receive this Sun in the morning , as to go along with him all the day ; Lord , thou searchest and knowest me , thou knowest my down-sitting , and uprising , thou understandest my thoughs afar off ; Thou compassest my paths and lying down , and art acquainted with all my ways ; For there is not a word in my tongue , but O Lord thou knowest it altogether ; Whither shall I go from thy Spirit , and whither shall I flee from thy presence ? If I ascend up to Heaven , tho● art there ; If I make my bed in Hell , behold thou art there ; If I take the wings of the morning , and dwell in the utmost parts of the Sea , even there shall thy hand lead me , and thy right hand shall hold me ; If I say , surely the darkness shall cover me , even the night shall be light about me ; Yea , the darkness hideth not from thee , but the night shineth as the day ; The darkness and the light , are both alike to thee ; O teach me to walk before thee , and to be upright .

I Wish that the end of all my days , Wherein the exercising our selves to godliness on a week-day consisteth . may be the beginning of every day , that my first thoughts in the morning may be of him , by whom alone I think . The Firstling under the Law , was to be the Lords , and why not the first fruits of every day under the Gospel ? 1 1 In beginning t●e day with God . Surely , the worthiness of the person , deserves precedency of dispatch . It is no mean incivility to let an honourable man wait our leasure ; what impiety is it then to let the great God stay till the dreggy flesh or world be served ? Ah , how unworthy ( as well as wicked ) is it , to put that God off , who deserves all I am , and have , with the leavings of his slaves ! Besides the soul usually walks up and down all day in the same habit , in which it is dressed in the morning . The day is usually spent well or ill , according to the morning employment . If Satan get possession in the morning , t will be many to one but he keeps his hold all day . What youth is to age , that is the morning to the day ; if youth be not tainted with vice , age is imployed in vertue ; He that loves chastity , will not marry her that spent her youth in whordom . A man may give a shrewd guess in the morning , when second causes are in working , what weather will be most part of the day . If I set out early in my heavenly journey , I am the more likely to persevere in it all the day . As some sweet Oyls poured into a Vessel first , will cause whatsoever is put into it afterwards to taste and savour of it ; So if godliness and the immediate worship of God do first in the morning possess my soul , my natural and civil affairs will probably rellish of it . Again , Mens hearts are generally upon that in the morning , which they esteem their happiness and portion . The covetous Muck-worm no sooner openeth his eyes , but his ●eart is tumbling in his heaps ; The voluptuous beast , no sooner wakes , but he is sporting in sensual waters ; The ambitious Peacock , no sooner is able to think , but his gay Feathers , and gaudy dress for that day come into his mind ; and why should not my heart send its first thoughts into Heaven ? Whom have I in Heaven but thee , and there is none upon Earth that I desire in comparison of thee ? The Birds early in the morning , salute the rising Sun with their sweet notes , and shall not I the Sun of righteousness ? Further , My wants , my mercies , call for morning duties ; I walk in the midst of deaths , of dangers every day , and shall I dare to travail without my defence ? Men cloath their bodies against the sharpness of the weather , and why not their souls against the assaults of the flesh , the world , and the wicked one ? There is no safety without this breast-work ; If Satan take me out of my trenches and strong holds , as Joshua did the men of Ai , it will be no wonder if he ro●t and ruine me . If I do not bless God in the morning , how can I expect that he should bless me in the day ! Is any earthly Prince so prodigal of his favours , as to throw them away upon those that esteem them unworthy to be desired ? If I do not serve the Precepts of God , I am presumptuous to look that his providence should serve me● Should I undertake my affairs on earth , before I have dispatched my business with heaven , I am a notorious Cheat and Theif . I am a Theif to God , by robbing him of his glory , and that natural allegiance which I owe to my Maker . I am a Theif to my self , in robbing my self of that blessing which I might have on my callings and undertakings . O that prayer might be the girdle to compass in the whole body of my natural and civil dealings , and concernments . And that I could every day of my life forestal the worlds market , by setting early about closet and family duties . Suitors find it fittest to wait upon , and dispatch their business with great persons betimes in the morning . Lord , freedom of access to thy throne of grace , is an unspeakable favour ; Access is hard to earthly Princes ; No worldly Court is so open as to admit all comers . Those that with much difficulty present their Petitions , are often , against all reason denyed . Thy gates are open night and day , all that will may come and be welcome . Thou invitest souls to come into thy presence , and delightest to hear and grant their prayers . Thine eares are more open and ready to hear , then their mouths to ask . Thou pressest upon many undesired blessings , but denyest none who ask not stones instead of bread . Importunity never angers thee , the more fervent and frequent my soul is with thee , the more prevalent . Thou fillest the hungry with good things , and dost not send any that desire thy grace empty away from thy gate . What care I how little notice or knowledge the Nobles of the earth will take of me , when I can speak so freely to their better , their Soveraign , and not fear a repulse . O teach me the right art of begging , and then I need not be afraid of poverty . If I be but skilful to follow that trade , my returns will be both ●●re and large . Thy mercies are renewed upon me every morning , so are my necessities . O let my prayses and prayers be as frequent and early . I will bless the Lord at all times , his praise ●hall be continually in my mouth ; O God my God , early will I seek thee , my soul thirsteth for thee in a dry and barren Wilderness , where no water is ; My voice shalt thou hear in the morning ; O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up .

2 2 Spend the greatest part of the day in thy particular calling . I Wi●h that having done with the more immedia●e service of my God in Praying , and Reading , both in my Closet and Family , I may proceed to serve him in my Shop and Particular Calling . When God saith , Man is born to labour , I must not sing with the fool , Soul take thine ease . An idle person is like . Caterpillars and Mice , that devour Gods creatures , and do no good to others . It s pity he ever lived , the book of whose life is filled up with nothing but Cyphers ; Nature never intended men to be drones , to feed on others labours ; nor bats , to spend their lives in the company of sleep , the brother of death . My God , my soul , my family , my country , do all call upon me to be diligent in that calling whereto he hath called me . My God is a pure act himself , and hath capacitated all his creatures for action ; He created all men , but never made a sluggard ; The idle person wholly degenerates from the end of his being , and receiveth his faculties in vain . The command for civil labour hath the same divine stamp , as that for sacred rest . I have also his pattern for my encouragement , as well as his precept for my warrant ; Hitherto my father worketh , and I work . My soul also stands in as much need of exercise as my body ; Idleness is the door at which diseases enter into both . Rust eats up vessels that are laid by and unused . The mind is never more bright then when it is in imployment ; from doing nothing , we proceed to do evil . Idleness is not onely a vice it self , but also hath this unhappiness , to usher in all other . This is the least advantage of industry , that it gives the soul no leasure to play with sin , or to entertain the wicked one . Standing waters do not sooner putrifie then lazy souls ; T is action that preserves the ●oul in health ; As G●ats dance up and down in the Sun , and then sit down and sting the next hand they seize upon ; So they who have no time to work , have much to imploy in slandering and backbiting others ; One sin never goeth alone . Again , my Family may well rouze me out of the bed of laziness ; If I expect supply of their wants , it must come in with Gods blessing at the door of diligence . I am stealing from my wife and children , all the while I am loytering ; The Heavens may cause seed sown , to ripen into a joyful Harvest , but untilled land will afford no crop , save of weeds or stones . Once more , My Country commands me to my calling ; I am but an ill member in the body Politique , if as a diseased part I take of its nourishment , but rather hinder its growth , then contribute to its health . A jarring string is not more prejudicial to the rarest Viol in the hands of a skilful artist , then an idle person to the musick and composure of the universe . The most venemous creatures that nature produceth , are some way serviceable to their fellow creatures ; O that I might never by filling up my life with laziness , be a Wen in the face of nature , serving no way to profit , onely to disfigure it . Yet I desire that my diligence in my particular , may be regulated by my duty towards my General calling . Oyl moderately poured in , feeds the Lamp , excessively drowns it ; Alexanders Souldier run so lightly upon the sand , that he made no impression with his feet ; My duty is to give earthly things my hands , but my heart onely to the things of heaven ; Lord , It s as well thy pleasure that I should work here , as thy promise , that I shall rest hereafter ; Let t●y grace be so operative in me , that I may never give Satan advantage against me , by being negligent , or over-diligent in my particular calling . Suffer not the interposition of the earth , ever to cause an eclipse of holiness in my soul ; But let thy word so limit me , and thy spirit guide me , that as one diligent in his business , I may come at last to stand before the King of Kings , to my eternal comfort .

3 3 Be watchful all the day . I Wish that I may no part of the day , be so overcharged with the cares of this life , by my particular calling , as to expose my self to wickedness , by neglecting my spiritual watch . If my heart be full of earthly vapours , they will fume up into my head , and make me drowsie ; A drunken man is no sooner set in his chair , but he is fast asleep ; Sober and Vigilant are sisters in Scripture , 1 Thes. 5. Let us watch and be sober , 1 Pet. 5. 8. Be sober and vigilant . The immoderate love of the world will incline me as effectually to spiritual slumbers , as immoderate drinking of Wine to bodily ; If Satan can get me to take this Opium , he doubts not but to lock me fast to my bed , and to have me at what advantage be pleaseth .

O how easie is it to destroy a sleeping body , to defile a sleepy soul ! Noah , Lot , David , Solomon , walked in their sleep and dreams , in strange and sensual paths . When the eye of the souls watchfulness is ●hut , the soul is open to all dangers and assaults . Whilst the Husbandmen sleep , the enemy soweth Tares . Sisera's head was nailed to the earth , whilst he l●y snoring on the ground . Epaminondas was not more severe then exemplary , when he ran the Souldier through with his sword , whom he found sleeping upon the Guard , as if he intended to bring the two Brothers , Sleep and Death , to a meeting . The Hare therefore ( say some● ) being liable to many enemies , sleepeth with her eyes open , to see danger before it surprise her . I walk continually in the midst of powerful and politick adversaries . The Canaanite is yet in the Land ( though not Master of the Field , yet ) skulking in Holes and Ambushments , watching an opportunity to set upon and destroy me ; There is not onely an Army of Temptations besieging me without , but also many Traytours conspiring within to open the gate of my heart to them , that they may enter and undo me . My own heart is like Jacob , a Supplanter , and conspireth to rob me both of the birth-right and the blessing . Let me go where I will , I tread upon Lime-twigs , which the Arch-fowler layeth to intangle and insnare me . Saul sent messengers to Davids house , to watch him , and to slay him . 1 Sam. 19. 11. Satan sendeth messengers after me in all places where I ●ome , to watch me , and to s●ay me ; The whole world is as the val● of Siddim● full of slime-pits , and without watchfulness ; the anointed of the Lord are taken in those pits , Gen. 14. 10. Lam. 4. 10. Sin is a slie theif , that steals upon the soul to rob it when t is asleep . O what need have I of the greatest watchfulness and circumspection imaginable ! As the eye-lids guard the tender eyes from harm , so doth watchfulness preserve the soul from wickedness ; O my soul , canst thou not watch with thy Redeemer one hour , when he ever liveth to make intercession for thee ? T is but the short night of this life , that thou art commanded to stand ●entinel ; ere long thou shalt be called off the guard , and freed from that trouble . Lord , thou art ever watchful over me for good , thou never slumberest nor sleepest , but thy seven eyes are ever upon me . Thou mayst say to me , as to thy Vineyard ; I the Lord do keep it , I water it every moment , lest any hurt it I ; keep it night and day . O since thou watchest to preserve me , let me watch to serve thee ; Set a watch O Lord before my lips . Be thou the Governour of my heart ; Lighten mine eyes , lest I sleep the sleep of death . Let mine enemies never find me nodding , lest they leave me dying . Thou hast told me , Behold I come as a Theif ; Bles●ed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments , lest he walk naked , and they see his shame ; Give me so to wake and watch now , that death may bring me a Writ of ease , and call me to my endless rest .

I Wish that I may all the day long be even covetous of my time , 4 4 Redeem time . as knowing it is allowed me not for the service of the flesh , but for the service of my God , and to dress my soul for Heaven . If I be lavish of my time , I am the greatest Prodigal in the World . If he be a spendthrift , that throweth away an hundred pound every day , he is a far greater that wasteth half an hour in one day ; Time is more worth then the revenues of the whole world . He that can command millions of treasure , cannot command one moment of time ; The Father of eternity hath the sole disposition of time ; The value of this commodity , is not known to this beggarly world in a day of life . Now men study sports and pleasures , and company , and plays , to waste time ; It lieth as a drug upon their hands , and they think themselves beholden to any that will help them to put it off ; But when the King of terrors with his gastly countenance approacheth them , and summons them to a speedy appearance b●fore the King of nations , to receive their eternal dooms , O then their judgements will be quite altered , and time will be precious indeed . Then they who play away their time , and give all to the world or flesh , will tell me that time was good for something else then to eat , and drink , and sleep , and trade ; that it was good to feed an immortal soul in , and provide for an eternal estate . Then the Rich and Covetous , as well as they loved their wealth , though it be now dearer to them then their God and Christ , and Souls , and Heaven , will part with all they have for a little time . Then the Swaggerers and Gallants of the world , who spend twenty hour● in Taverns , to one hour in the Temple , and if it were not for Play-houses , and Ale-houses , and Whore-houses , and Hawks , and Hounds , and Cards , and Dice , could not tell what to do with their time ; who mark all the days in the Kalender of their lives , for Festivals , and make them all Play-days , as if there were never a working day among them , that are as busie and tedious in dressing their worm-eaten bodies , as Children in dressing Babies , and are more troubled at the smallest disorder in their hairs , then the greatest disorder in Church and State , would give up all , and much more if they had it , for a little time ; Then the Nobles , and Kings , and Emperours of the world , will disesteem their honours and height , and trample upon their Robes , and Scepters , and ●rowns , for a little time . Then they who dally with their days of grace , and delay the preparation of their souls for death and judgement , as if time were at their command , and they could force it to attend their leasure , that live as if Death were their servant , and must wait on them till they thought fit to come to their graves , will find that time was time indeed ; O my soul , of what worth will time be at that day , and wilt thou wa●te it at this day ! Alas , how little is that time which thou hast to improve for thine unchangeable estate ! My life is but a shadow , that is gone when the Sun hides his head ; A Bubble that vanisheth when a small breath of wind appeareth ; A day that is soon overtaken by a night , a span , nothing . Thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth , mine age is nothing unto thee . Wert thou able to secure a long life , though thou h●s● work enough of infinite weight to imploy it all , yet thou mightest have more colour of reason for being lavish ; but when thy time is little , and thy business of such consequence , what unspeakable madness is it to be wasteful of it ! He that hath thousands of acres of Land , will spare some for a Park , some for a bowling-green , some for a court-yard , some for pleasure and pastimes ; but he that hath but a little land , upon which himself and his family must live , and by which they must be maintained , can spare none at all for vain pleasures , but must improve all to real profit . Man that is born of a woman , is but of few days ; He comes up as a Flower , fleeth as a shadow , and continueth not ; and wilt thou , O my soul , revel and riot away this poor pittance in which thou shouldst work out thy salvation ! O that I could value this jewel in some measure answerable to its worth , and do the work of the day , in the day allotted me for work ! Time rightly husbanded is acceptable time ; a day well imployed is a day of salvation . Lord , though my journey be great , my time is little ; Nay , how much of that little time have I lost ? A considerable part of it hath been taken up with my Infancy and Child-hood , wherein I did little above a Beast . My youth hath been squandred away in trifles and vanity , and too much of it in lust and iniquity . Much of what remains , if thou shouldst add a few more days to my life , must be spent in eating , and drinking , and sleeping , and necessary natural actions ; and shall I not redeem it to my power , for the service of my Saviour ? O affect my soul throughly , how Eternity rides , upon the back of time , that I may prize time highly , redeem it carefully , and improve it so faithfully , that eternity may be my friend , and when time shall have an end , I may enjoy that joy which hath no end .

5 5 Call thy self to account . I Wish that I may every day so cast up my accounts , that I maybe always ready for the great Audit-day . Wise Stewards do not write down great sums in gross , which they have disbursed for their Lords at several times , but set down the particulars , whereby they are prepared for a general reckonning , and enabled to justifie their accounts : My trust is more weighty then of any Princes Steward on earth , my Master will be more exact then the severest humane Lord ; and am I not then concerned so to number my days , as to reckon every day what I recei●e from my Lord , what I disburse for my Lord , and at the foot of every day to write the total sum ! How foolish is he that rejects his books , till his book● reject him ? 〈◊〉 is it not better for me to look over the book of my conscience , and observe what blots and errors are there , whilst I have licence and liberty to correct them , then to neglect them , till those eyes which are purer then to behold iniquity , come to look it over and leave be denyed of ever amending what he finds amiss ! O my soul , this evening now I am writing this page , I must send to thee Amaziah's challenge of Joash ; Come let us see one another in the face ? Why should we that are so near together , be such strangers to each other ? I must ask thee , as Elisha did Gehezi , Whence comest thou ? Where hast thou been ? What hast thou done this day for God and thy self ? Hast thou lived , or onely been : in the world this day ? Doth thy soul work , thine eternity work go forward or backward ? Hast thou lived as if thou w●rt going to die , and walked in the fear of the Lord all the day long ? Hath the awe and dread of the divine Majesty all along possessed thee ? Dost thou consider that thou hast one day less to live , and one day more to account for ? Suppose God should come to thee this night , as he did to Belshazer , with a Mene , Mene , It is numbred , It is numbred ; Thy days are told , God hath counted them up , and finished them , thou shalt not live to see a morrow . Thy days are extinct , the grave is ready for thee ; Art thou ready for thy grave ? If God should say to thee , as that Lord to his Servant , Give an account of thy Stewardship , for thou shalt be no longer Steward ? Are thy accounts and Gods even ? Dost thou reckon as he doth ? What do all the actions of this day stand for in thine account , Figures or Ciphers , somthing or nothing ? What were thy first thoughts in the morning ? Was he who came first to thee with his morning mercies , first served by thee ? How didst thou pray in thy Closet , and Family ? What sorrow accompanied thy confessions ? Was thy heart broken that thou hast broken his holy laws ? What faith and fervency did accompany thy requests ? Was the heat of thy affections answerable to the weight of thy petitions ? Didst thou present thy petition to the Master of Requests , the Lord Iesus Christ , by him to be delivered to the Father ? What spiritual joy and delight didst thou find in Thankesgiving ? Didst thou wonder at that infinite cost which the glorious . God is at , with such an unworthy wretch ? How didst thou r●ad the word this day ? Did it come with power and authority to thy conscience ? was it mingled with faith ? Didst thou hide it in thy heart ? Hadst thou any resolution to make it thy rule and Counseller , and Comforter , and to order thy conversation according to it ? How didst thou eat and drink this day ? Didst thou feed with fear ? Didst thou receive thy meat as in Gods presence , and hadst thou an eye therein at his praise ? How didst thou behave thy self in thy Particular calling ? Did it no way incroach upon thy general ? Was thy conversation in heaven , whilst thy dealings were about earth ? Wast thou diligent in the exercise of it , righteous in thy dealings in it , depending on God for a blessing on it ? What was thy carriage in company ? was thy life holy , spotless , exemplary , profitable to others ? Mightest thou not in such a place have done thy God more service , and thy Brothers soul more good ? May I not say to thee as God to Jonah ? Didst thou well to be angry at such a time upon no cause ? what were thy thoughts in solitude ? how wast thou imployed ? Had God any true share in thy thoughts ? hast thou watched thy self this day , and kept thy heart with all diligence ? Hath none of thy precious time been lavisht away on unnecessary things ? Answer me faithfully to all these particulars , that I may be able to return an answer to him that sent me . O that I could but imploy one half hour every day , with seriousness and uprightness , in such soliloquies . Lord , thou didst create the world in six days , and thou wast pleased to lo●k back on every days work , and behold it was very good , and then ensued thy Sabbath . Cause thy ●ervant to be a follower of thee , as a dear child , in minding every day the work thou hast given me to do , that I may every night review it with comfort , finding it good in thy Christ , at the end of all my days , looking back upon all my works , I may see them very good , through the acceptation of thy grace , and with joy enter into my eternal Sabbath .

I Wish that I may end every day , 6 6 Mind evening duties . with him who is the beginning and first born from the dead ; That I may every night go to bed , as if I were going to my grave , knowing that sleep is the shadow of death ; and when the shadow is so near , the substance cannot be far off ; Though lovers cannot meet all day , yet they will make hard shift but they will find an opportunity to meet at night ; Should my devotion set with the natural Sun , I may fear a dreadful night of darkness to follow . That bed may well be as uneasie as one stuft with thorns , that is not made by prayer . If the soul lye down under an heavy load of sin , the body can have no true rest . Jacob could sleep sweetly upon an hard stone , having made his peace with God ; when Ahashuerus could not , though on a bed of down ; I cannot sleep unless God wake for me , and I cannot rationally expect his watchfulness over me , unless I request it . My corruptions in the day , call for contrition in the night ; How many omissions , commissions , personal , relative sins , heart , life wickedness am I daily guilty of ! and ●hould I lye down under their weight , for ought I know they may sink me before morning into endless wo. Whilst blood is in my veins , sin will be in my soul. The weed of sin may be cut , broken , pulled up , yet it will spring again . I shall as soon cease to live , as cease to sin . Though I should be free all the day long from presumptuous enormities , and onely defiled with ordinary humane infirmities , yet these , if not bewailed , are damning . The smallest letters are most hurtful to the eyes , and far worse then a large Character . Those sins which are comparatively little , if not lamented , are far more dangerous then Davids Murther and Adultery , which were repented of . When the soul like Thamar , hath notwithstanding its utmost endeavours to preserve its chastity been ravished , and by force defiled , it must with her lift up the voice and weep . If the Sun may not go down upon my wrath against man , much-less may I presume to lye down under the wrath of God . Besides , how can sin be mortified , if it be not confessed and bewailed ? Arraignment and Conviction , must go before Execution .

The favours of the day past , are not to be forgotten , but to be acknowledged with thankefulness . I receive every day more considerable mercies then there are moments in the day ; and when I borrow such large sums , the principal of which I am unable ever to satisfie , shall I be so unworthy as to deny the payment of this small interest , which is all my Creditour requireth ? Whatsoever gain I have got in my calling , whatsoever strength I have received by my food , whatsoever comfort I have had in my Relations or Friends , whatsoever peace , liberty , protection , I have enjoyed all the day long , I must say of all , 〈◊〉 Jacob of his Venison ; The Lord hath brought it to me . Surely the hearer of my morning prayers , may well be the object of my evening prayses ; A● how unreasonable is it that I like a whirl-pool , should suck in every good thing that comes near me , and not so much as acknowledge it ! Should any one be the thousandth part so much indebted to me , as I am to God , how ill should I take it , if he should not confess it ? If a Beggar at my door receive a small almes from God , by my hands , I look for his thanks ; How often have I complained of the baseness and unworthiness of some that are engaged to me ? O what tongue can express , what heart can conceive how much I am indebted to my God every moment , though I am less then the least of all his mercies ; and doth not all his goodness merit sincere thankefulness ! Lord , I confess there is not a day of my life , wherein I do not break thy Laws in thought , word and deed ; Sin is too much the element in which I live , and the trade that I drive ; I find continually a law in my members , warring against the Law of my mind , and captivating me to the Law of sin and death ; Ah wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me from this body of death ! Since I am no day innocent , make me every night penitent . As my sins abound , let my sorrow abound , and thy grace much more abound . Though I can never requite thy favours , help me to admire and bless the fountain of them . Suffer me never to go to bed , till I have first asked thee my heavenly Father blessing . Let the eyes of my soul be always open to thee in prayer and prayse , before the eyes of my body be shut . And , O be thou always pleased so to accept my confessions , petitions , thanksgivings , my person and performances in thy dear son , that I may lay me down in peace and sleep , because thou Lord makest me to dwell in safety .

Finally , I Wish that every day of my life may be spent as if it were the day of my death , The Conclusion . and all my time employed in adorning my soul , in trimming my lamp , and in a serious preparation for eternity . Whilst I am living I am dying , every moment my sand is running , and my Sun is declining ; I am as Stubble before the Wind , and as Chaff that the Storm carrieth away ; I flie away as a dream , and shall not be found ; my life is chased away as a vision of the night ; The eyes which have seen me , shall see me no more , neither shall my place any more behold me . I must live now or never ; If I die , I shall not live again ; O that all the days of my appointed time , I could wait till my change cometh ! Were I to take my leave of the world this night , and were my life to end with the day ; how then would I spend every hour , every moment of it ? Should I lavish away my time about this or that vanity ? Would I play it away in vain company ? Would I neglect my spiritual watch ? or waste my talents upon trifles ? should I dally about secret or private duties , or be careless of my carriage in my calling ? would I starve my immortal soul , or cast off all care of eternity ? No , but I should all the day long act by the square and rule of the word . How serious should I be in praying , in reading , in working for my soul , for my salvation ? how diligent to do all the good I could , to receive all the good I might ? how watchful to catch at , and embrace all opportunities of honouring and serving my Maker and Redeemer ? because my time is short , and I must pray , and read , and work for eternity , now or no more , no more for ever . And why should I not be as holy , though I do not know that I shall die this night , when I know not but I may die this night ? How foolish is he who neglects doing his work , till his work is past doing ! Besides , Other creatures are constant , and unwearied in serving their maker , they are every day all the day long in their stations obedient to his commands . If I look to Heaven , to Earth , to inanimate , to irrational creatures , I behold them all as so many Souldiers , in their several ranks , exactly and continually subject to the orders which they receive from the Lord of hosts ; and shall I be shamed by them ? I am at present more indebted , more intrusted by God ; I have a reward hereafter of joy to encourage me , of pain to provoke me to unweariedness in well doing , which they neither hope nor fear . Lord , I live every moment upon thee , why should I not live every moment to thee ? My life is by thy providence , O that it were according to thy precepts ! I would not be thine hireling to serve thee meerly for wages ( thou thy self art my exceeding great reward ) but I would be thy days-man , to work for thee by the day , every day , all the day long ; O help me to live well in time , that I may live well eternally ; Let every day be so devoted to thy praise , and every part of it so imployed in thy service , that I may be the more fitted to please and wo●●●ip thee in that place where there is no night , yet all rest , no Sun , yet all day , all light , all joy , where I shall have no meat , or drink , or sleep , or shop , or flocks , or family , and which is best of all , no unbeleiving , selfish , carnal heart , to call me from , or hinder me in thy work ; but I shall worship and enjoy thee without diversion , without distraction , without interruption , without intermission , both perfectly and perpetually ,

Amen .

CHAP. VII . How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness , in visiting the Sick .

FIfthly , Thy duty is to exercise thy self in visiting the sick ; The Visitation of the sick , is a work of as great weight as any ( injoyned us ) relating to others , and as much neglected and slighted in its management , as almost any duty commanded . Sickness is so common , and Death so ordinary , that with most their frequency takes away the sense of them , and charity in many sickens and dieth as fast as others bodies . The generality of pretended Christians , like the Priest and the Levite , if they see a man wounded , both in his body and soul , though it be to death , pass on the other side of the way , not caring to meddle with any that are in misery . They tell us they are true members of Christ , but like a bag of suppurated blood , they feel nothing , neither have any communion with the body . Many on their dying beds , whose souls are worse and more dangerously sick then their bodies , may speak to their Minister or Neighbour ( for the duty belongs to the People as well as the Pastor ) almost in the words of Martha to Christ ; Sir , If thou hadst been here , my soul had not dyed ; Some visite the sick , but rather out of a complement , then out of conscience , or to profit themselves more then their Neighbours . The Ingenuous Heathen Seneca , will tell such ; If a man visit his sick friend , and watch at his Pillow for charity sake , and out of his old affection , we approve it ; but if for a Legacy , he is a Vulture , and watcheth onely for the carcass . The discourse of these is chiefly about worldly affairs , and nothing about the great concernments of eternity . Others sometimes go about the work , but perform it so ill , administring Cordials , when there is need of Corrosives , sowing Pillows under their sick friends heads , that they may die easily ; or if they tell them of their danger , they do it so coldly and carelesly , and by halves , that as he said , there is disease● their soul-sickness is curable , but the unsutable medicines they take , make it incurable . It may be said of many a soul , as Adrians Counsellers said of him ; Multitudo medicorum , &c. Many Physitians have killed the Emperour ; Ah! How dreadful is it , when unskilful and unfaithful Mountebanks , undertake to tamper and trifle with immortal souls , that are just entring into their eternal estates ; Father , forgive them , they know not what they do . Galen saith , in respect of bodily Medicines , In medicina nihil exiguum , There is nothing small in Physick ; Every thing in it is of great consequence ; A little mistake may cause death ; I may upon greater reason say , There is nothing little in spiritual Physick ; A small error in our prescriptions to sick souls , may cause dreadful mischief ; Instead of curing we may kill the patient ; Hazaels wet cloth was not more deadly to his Masters body , then the discourse of most is to their sick neighbours souls . Fear of displeasing , and a natural propensity to flatter , prevail with too many to sooth their dying friends into unquenchable flames . But surely there is more love ( as well as more faithfulness ) in frighting a sick person out of his spiritual Lethargy , then in fawning him into the eternal lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone . Some venemous creatures tickle a man till he laughs , even when they sting him to death , so doth the flattering Minister or Neighbour ; he raiseth a sick man , void of grace , to the Pinnacle of joy , and highest hopes of Heaven , and thereby throweth him down into the Culph of irrecoverable sorrows , and leaves him to undeceive himself in hell .

I shall first lay down two or three Motives to stir up the Reader to this work , and then direct him about it .

SECT. I.

1 1 Motive . FIrst , It is a duty commanded thee by God . Men are apt to think the visitation of the sick to be onely an act of Courtesie and Civility , which they may omit or perform at their pleasure ; when it is an act of Charity and Christianity , which every Christian is bound to by a divine Precept . The Ministers of Christ are especially enjoyned this task ; but every member of Christ also , when God gives him opportunity , oweth this debt to his Neighbour , Iam. 5. 14 , 15. If any be sick , let him send for the Elders of the Church , and let them pray over him . The same word which commandeth the sick man to send , commandeth the Elder to go . Indeed it s a gross fault in many sick persons ( and therein they are exceedingly their own enemies ) that they either send not at all for the Minister , or if they do , not till they have done with the Physitian ; when their bodies are past all hope , then they look after some hope for their souls . But without question it is a duty for the Elder sometimes to go uncalled ; It s good manners to be an unbidden guest at a house of mourning . Our Master was found of them that asked not for him , and so should his servants . There are those that can invite themselves to their Neighbours Tables , who withdraw themselves from their Chambers . Some are drunk so often with their Parishioners whilst they are in health , that they are afraid or ashamed to discourse seriously with them when they are sick . God may speak to many , as to the Shepherds of Israel ; Wo be to the Shepherds of England that do feed themselves ; should not the Shepherds feed the Flock ? ye eat the fat , and ye cloth you with the Wool , ye kill them that are fed , but ye feed not the Flock ; The diseased have ye not strengthened , neither have ye healed that which was sick , neither have ye bound up that which was broken , but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them , Ezek. 34. 3 , 4. None are more cruel to the Flock , then those that are most covetous of the Fleece .

Oleaster on Lev. 14. 44. ( Then the Priest shall come and look , and behold if the Plague be spread , &c. that being the third time the Priest was to visit the infected house ) hath this useful observation ; Si Saecerdos toties invisat leprosam domum , cur tu non aegrum ? If the Priest were commanded so often to visit the leprous house , why dost not thou visit the sick person ? The Plague in the heart , calls for more pity and help then the Plague in the House .

This duty also belongs to private members , as well as to publique Officers . Every Christian should love his Neighbour as himself , which he cannot do , unless he have a sense of his sickness , and endeavour to improve such an opportunity for his Neighbours Salvation . True love , like fire , burns hottest when the weather is coldest . Histories make mention of one Vr●i●us a Physitian , that being to die for the Gospel , and beginning to waver , Vitalis a godly man stept to him , and though he knew it would cost him his life , encouraged him , saying , What , have you been so industrious heretofore , to preserve mens bodies , and will you now shrink at the saving your own soul ! Be couragious ; For which faithful counsel he was condemned and suffered accordingly . It s our duty to assist them that die natural , as well as those that die violent deaths . To visit persons in their affliction , is one testimony of the truth of our Religion at this day . Holiness and Charity are like Father and Child . Pure Religion , and undefiled before God and the Father , is this , to visit the Fatherless and the Widows in their afflictions , &c. Jam. 1. ult. The fatherless and widows are expressed ( but the sick , and strangers , and captives are included ) because these are usually most afflicted and most neglected ; Those that have received mercy , cannot but shew mercy . As visiting the distressed is a sign of it now , so it will be the test of Christianity at the great day , Mat. 25. 34 , 35 , 36. Come ye blessed , &c. I was hungry , and ye fed me ; naked , and ye cloathed me ; sick , and ye visited me , &c. Works of mercy fill up the whole bill , as the evidence of the Saints right to heaven . Whereof Luther gives this reason ; because the consciences of the wicked shall justifie Christ as well in the absolution of the godly , as in their own condemnation . Though Christians do not give their almes , or visit the sick , to be seen of men , yet in doing many offices of love , and acts of charity , they are seen of men . So they who can witness the truth of Christians mercy , will be forced to acknowledge the equity of Christs sentence .

SECT. II.

SEcondly , 2 2 Motive . It is a special opportunity of doing and receiving good .

1. Of doing good ; I think it the more necessary to speak to this Motive , because many are apt to judge all pains with sick persons to be to no purpose . They are discouraged from endeavouring the conversion of prophane men upon sick beds , supposing that such mens repentance will be as unsound as their bodies , even when they are sick unto death . Though I would not give the least encouragement to any men to defer their turning to God , beleiving him worse then mad , who puts off the weighty business of his soul , because peradventure God may grant him repentance hereafter ; yet I must obviate this suggestion of the Divel , which hinders men from doing their duty ; God may shew mercy to a soul at last ; There is one example in Scripture , that none might despair . Sickness is with some men the tide-time of devotion . They who scorned godly men , and made a mock of godliness in their health , will prize the Saint , and desire his sanctity above all the world , when they lye upon sick beds , and consider what an holy God they are going to appear before . Sickness , as one saith , is , Officina virtutis , morum disciplina , The shop of vertue , and the school of manners ; Therefore King Alfred was wont to say , I ever find my self best , when worst ; best in soul , when worst in body ; the sickness of my body , is physick to my soul ; Experience daily informeth us that the Swaggerers and Gallants of the world ( whose consciences are not seared with an hot Iron ) though they gave themselves up to Drunkenness , and Gluttony , and Gaming , and Whoredom , and all manner of wickedness in their youth and strength , yet when they are weakened much with a disease , and have no hopes of continuing longer on earth , begin to wish that they had spent their time to more purpose , and are sensible of their neglect of God , and Christ , and their Souls , and Eternity ; then many of them will desire the company of those that fear God , and beg their prayers , and hearken to their counsels , and would give all they are worth for a little of their grace and holiness . Even Benhadad the King of Syria , an enemy to the Prophets and People of God in his health , will send a Prince to Elisha with a large present , and most submissive expressions ( thy Son Benhadad ) in his sickness , 2 King . 7.9 . Sickness gives men a double advantage for holiness .

1. It takes off their hearts from creatures , by teaching them experimentally what a poor weak cordial the whole creation is to sick or dying men . When men are strong and lusty , they can taste and savour earthly things ; carnal comforts hinder their endeavours after spiritual ; They take up with creatures as Esau , and say , they have enough ; but sickness makes them know the emptiness of all sublunary things . When men are sick , they cannot rellish the worlds dainties and delicates ; The preferments , and riches , and pleasures of the earth , are all unsavoury and uncomfortable to them . They now see the vanity of those things which heretofore they so much idolized , how unable they are to revive their fainting spirits , or to allay their pain , or purchase them the least ease , or procure them the least acceptance in the other world ; and hence the price of the worlds market falls abundantly in their judgements . Bernard tells us of a Brother of his , that when he gave him many good instructions , and he being a Souldier , regarded them not , he put his finger to his side , and told his Brother ; One day a Spear shall make way to this heart of thine , for admonition and instruction to enter .

2. In sickness conscience is usually allowed more liberty to speak its mind , and men are then more at leasure to hear it . In health their callings , or friends , or lusts , or sports , or some carnal comfort or other , take up their hearts and time , that conscience must be silenced ( as too bold a Preacher ) for offering to disturb them in their pleasures , or if it will use its authority , and continue to speak in Gods name , and forbid their foolishness , and Atheism , and sensuality and prophaness , they are deaf to its calls and commands , and drown its voice with the noise of their brutish delights ; But in sickness they are taken off from their trades , and pastimes , and merry meetings , and jovial companions , when their bodies are weak , their fleshly lusts are not so strong as formerly , whereby conscience hath a greater opportunity to tell them of their miscarriages and wickedness , and they themselves are more attentive to its words and warning .

Reader , It s a special peice of wisdom to improve such a season for the good of thy Neighbours soul. When the Wax is softned , then we clap the Seal upon it , lest it harden again , and be incapable of any impression . When the hand of God hath by sickness made the heart of thy wicked friend or brother soft and tender , then do thy utmost to stamp the Image of God upon it ; Paul would preach whilst a door was opened , and there was likelyhood of doing good . It s a great encouragement to work , when the subject upon which we bestow our pains , seems capable of what we prosecute , and probable to answer our labour . We have some heart to strike a nail into a b●ard , because there is hope it will enter , but no list to drive a nail into a flint , because we despair of effecting it . The Smith strikes when the Iron is hot , he knoweth if he should stay till it is cold , his labour would be in vain ; Friend , take the advantage of others bodily sickness , to further their spiritual health , lest they either die in their sins , or harden upon their recovery . Opportunity is like a joynt in some part of a fowl , which if we hit upon , we may easily carve and divide the fowl , but if the Knife fall on this side , or that side of the joynt , we do but mangle the meat , and take pains to no purpose . It is the speech of Master Richard Rogers in his seven Treatises , I have visited some persons that have been condemned to die , in whom ( through the blessing of God upon his endeavours ) I have found as good signs of saved persons , as of any that died in their beds , not having tasted of repentance before .

2. It s a special opportunity of Receiving good ; We are taught more effectually by the eye then by the ear . The sight of a sick or dying person hath often a strange and a strong operation upon the beholder . When the Father heard of one that sinned notoriously , he cried out , I may be as bad as this man is ; When thou seest one dangerously sick , thou mayst think with thy self , I must ●e as this man is , sick unto death , when none of my Relations or Possessions can afford me the least comfort , and O how much doth it concern me to prepare before-hand for such an hour ! If this mans work be now to do , when his life is ending , how sad is the condition of his precious soul ? O that I were wise to consider timely , and to provide seasonably for my latter end . The sight of a dead man , was instrumental to the spiritual life of Waldus . The sight of others sickness may well quicken me to the greater industry and diligence after spiritual health . Do I behold my Neighbour , whose Sail formerly sweld with a full gale of worldly enjoyments , now wind-bound , chained to his chamber , or fettered to his bed , unable to rellish his food , or take any comfort in his friends ? Do I see him full of Aches , and Pains , Tossings , and Tumblings , crying out in the evening , Would God it were morning , and in the morning , Would God it were evening , because of the anguish of his Spirit ? Do I behold his cheeks pale , his eyes sunk , his lips quivering , his loyns trembling , his heart panting , and nature striving and strugling with the disease to keep its ground , and yet at last forced to quit the field , and leave the victory to its adversary , how many excellent observations may I draw from such a Text ? What a fool am I , to trust the world , which leaves this man in his greatest want ? How mad am I in loving sin , which is the cause of all these crosses and miseries , and which makes death so mortal to poor souls ? Of how much worth and value is the blessed Redeemer , who will comfort a Christian in such a time of need , and carry him through his last conflict with joy and conquest ? How careful should I be to get and keep a good conscience , which in such a day of extremity will yeild me true courage and confidence ? The wise man doth not without cause tell us , It is better to go into the house of mourning ( to the terming or charnel-house ) then to the house of feasting , for that is is the end of all men , and the living will lay it to heart , Eccles. 7. 2. Men in a house of feasting , are apt to be forgetful of their duty to God , themselves , and their Neighbours , Isa. 22. 13 , 14. Amos 6. 3 , 6. Isa. 5. 11 , 12. When the body is filled , the soul is often neglected . Iob was afraid of this in his Sons , Iob 1. 5 , 6. It may be my Sons have sinned , and cursed God in their hearts , i. e. when they had been feasting at their elder Brothers house , God gives Israel a special caution against this , Deut. 8. 12 , 14. Men in an house of mourning , are put in mind both of Gods Soveraignty , who draweth away their breath and they perish , Psa. 104. 29. and their own frailty , how soon they are gathered and withered , even in their prime and pride , Psa. 39. 5. I am blind if I do not see mine own end , in the end of another ; and distracted if I do not provide for my last enemy , which I must necessarily encounter . Thus it s a mercy to our selves , to be merciful unto others ; and whilst we visit the sick , we visit our own souls . Who would not do his Neighbour good , when he may be confident it will tend to his own gain ! I have but hopes by my visit , of advantaging a sinner ; but I may be sure , if I be faithful therein , of profiting my self .

SECT. III.

THirdly , 3 3 Motive . It may be the last opportunity thou mayst ever have of advantaging thy sick neighbours soul. His sick-bed may be his death-bed , and then t will be too late to counsel or advise him . There is no Purgatory in the other world . Diseases both bodily and spiritual , must be purged away before death or never . He that is filthy at death , must be filthy still , even to all eternity ; All the tears in hell will not wash out the least spot in the soul ; All the fire of hell , will not purge out the least dross ; Therefore Christ took the opportunity of dropping good counsel into the heart of the Theif on the Cross , knowing that if he had omitted it a very few hours longer , the soul of the poor Theif had been lost for ever . Hadst thou a friend going to Sea , and never to return again , waiting at a Port for a Wind and then to be gone , and hadst busine●s with him of as great concernment to him as his life , thou couldst tell him of a quicksand which he must beware of , or he will be cast away ; wouldst thou not be quick and speedy to acquaint him with it , lest he should be under Sail before thou didst see him ? would it not cut thee to the heart , if he should miscarry through thy negligence ? The Application is easie ; The soul of every Neighbour is , or ought to be dearer to thee then the body of thy nearest friend or relation . When thy wicked Neighbour is sick , his soul is launching for ought thou knowest , into the Ocean of eternity , whence he shall never , ●ever , return more . He waits onely for a wind , a word from God , and he is gone . The sick bed is the passage or path-way to the grave . Thou hast work to do with him , that is more worth to him then his life , that i● of as great value as his immortal soul , and eternal salvation . Now thou mayst acquaint him while he is on the shore , with his danger , and the way of his delivery ; but if once he launch into the Main ; thou mayst call loud and long enough after him in vain ; O will it not pierce thee to the quick , if his soul should be swallowed up in the boundless and bottomless Sea of divine wrath , through thy laziness or unfaithfulness ! When the day drew near for the destruction of the Jews , the heart of Haman swelled with hopes , and Hester had then an opportunity to step in and preserve the lives of her Countrymen ; Mordecai tells her , Who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this ? She made use of the season , and saved their lives with the hazard of her own ; Had she delayed a little longer it had been too late , they had all been sacrificed upon the Altar of Hamans ambition . When the hour of a wicked mans death approacheth , the heart of the roaring Lyon is big with expectation of his prey , and a Christian friend hath then possibly an opportunity to save the poor creatures soul ; Now or never , there is no knowledge nor wisdom in the grave , whether the sick person is going . If he make use of the price God puts now into his hands , by serious , prudent , faithful and affectionate counsel , he may help the ●inner to heaven ; Who knoweth whether he be come by the Providence of God , into the sick mans Chamber for such a thing as this ?

I have but one thing more to commend to thee , and then I shall speak to the work it self .

Before thou goest to thy sick Neighbour , go to God by prayer ; intreat him to direct thee what to speak , and to succeed what shall be spoken . It is his own Ordinance , and therefore thou mayst the more comfortably beg and expect his assistance . Nehemiah would speak to God , before he spake to the King for the afflicted Jews ; Hester prefers her Petition , first to her Maker , that her prayer might prosper , and then her Petition to her Husband , for the lives of her Countrymen . God is the Principal Agent , and if he be left out , all thy labour will be lost .

Wherein the exercising thy self to Godliness in visiting the sick consisteth .

1. In endeavouring to benefit the soul of thy Neighbour . 2. In getting some spiritual profit to thy self .

First , In endeavouring the spiritual good of thy Neighbour . We are enjoyned in the eighth Command , to mind and further our Neighbours temporal wealth , but much more his spiritual welfare . T was true which Bucers Physitian told him , when he expressed his eagerness to die , Non sibi sed multorum utilitati se esse natum , That he was not born for himself , but for the good of many others ; Every Saint is to be as it were a common stock for the profit of many . He is born , and new born , not onely for himself , but for others benefit . The Lynx is a spotted unclean beast , that knowing how his urine will congeal into a precious stone , and be profitable to men , maketh an hole in the ground when he pisseth , to hide it from them . Iob who knew the advantage that might acrue to others thereby , would not conceal either the word or works of God from them , Iob 6. 10. and 27. 11. To this end ;

1. Labour to be acquainted with the state of the sick persons soul. It s dangerous to give either Purges or Cordials ignorantly , or at peradventure . The souls of men are of unconceivable value , and therefore not to be tampered or trifled with . It s a good step to the cure , to understand fully the disease , and the constitution of the Patient ; therefore Physitians feel the pulse , view the urine , enquire of the sick person , or his friends , concerning his former course of life , diet , present digestion of his food , place of his trouble or pain , &c. that they may proceed upon good grounds , and give sutable and effectual advice . So shouldst thou Reader , in visiting the sick , inform thy self either by conference with some serious Christians of their acquaintance before-hand , or by some searching prudent questions to the sick , concerning the condition of their souls . The ignorance of a Physitian , may occasion the death of the Patient . Some practitioners in Physick , who intend much good , do much hurt , for want of judgement to find out the tempers and distempers of the sick . A mistake in soul-cases , is of more hazard then in body-sickness . If I undertake to humble a person who is already cast down sufficiently , and wants a Cordial , or to comfort one who is full of presumption already , and needs a Corrosive , how good soever my meaning may be , my acting is evil , and instead of releiving , I may destroy my Brother . The Eastern Churches did not without cause enjoyn the Minister , or such as were appointed to visit the sick , to continue with them seven days together , that in that space they might discover the man , before they applied themselves to him , either in a way of Admonition , or Counsel , or Consolation . Iobs friends when they came to visit him , spake not a word , either reproving or advising him , till they heard him open his mouth and curse the tongue that told the news of his birth . The knowledge of the sick mans spiritual condition , is as it were , the foundation upon which we must build all our discourse with him , and prayers to God for him ; or at least it is the rule by which we must build , and therefore it s very dangerous to mistake in it . If the Foundation be laid ill , the superstructure will never stand well ; If the rule be crooked , the building cannot be strait . A blind Archer may as soon hit the Mark , as one ignorant of his Neighbours state , advantage his soul.

SECT. IV.

2. APply thy self to him sutably to his condition ; As the conditions of men are several , so must the Application be ; that which cures one , may kill another ; One medicine will as soon cure all diseased bodies , as one way all sick souls ; Indeed the Physick to be prescribed every Patient , is the same for substance ; The blood of Christ ; By his stripes we are healed ; but there are several ways of tendering this to sinners , that they may be prepared for it , and give it all acceptation ; that Physick which is given to one in a Potion , is given to another in a powder , to a third in an electuary , to a fourth in a pill , according as it will be most prositable and most acceptable to them . It s not easie so to write the bill , that the sick may receive , what is prescribed to his greatest content and advantage ; For as many perish errore medici as vi morbi , by the error of the Physitian , as by the power of the disease . Though I judge it next to impossible , for me to set down exactly and fully , directions answerable to the difference of sick persons condition , disposition , education , calling , guilt , &c. yet I shall speak to the most ordinary cases , and be careful not to omit the main work , namely , that which concerneth the conversion of graceless and Christless persons , if on a sick bed , God peradventure will give them repentance .

If the sick person be judged carnal and unregenerate ( for the Tree is known by its Fruits ; Besides , it s no breach of charity , to fear the worst of them , whose lives do not speak a positive holiness , especially whilst we are endeavouring their good ) then in general I would advise thee to speak .

1. To the depravation of mans nature , and the transgressions of life , with the sad aggravations thereof . How holy man was by creation , how universally and desperately vicious he is by his fall from God , and what horrid unthankfulness he is guilty of in continuing in sin , notwithstanding the grace that is offered to him in the Gospel . It s fit to speak to the purity and equity of the Law of God , and to the difference and contrariety of his heart and life to it ; to the sinfulness of sin , in its offensiveness and opposition , to the nature and word of an infinitely Holy , Glorious , and Gracious Majesty , in its destructiveness to the present peace and future perfection of his own precious and immortal soul , and in that the stain of it is so deep , and the venome of it so great , that nothing beneath the blood of God could wash out its spots , or be a sufficient Antidote for its poison . Tell him of the folly of sinners in refusing Heaven for Earth , Angelical Delights for brutish Pleasures , the blessed God for a base lust ; and of his own madness likewise in running on so eagerly upon his own ruine against the counsels of men , the commands , threatnings , and intreaties of God , the convictions of his conscience , the calls and invitations of a loving Redeemer , and the motions of the holy Spirit .

2. Speak to the merit of sin , how it being committed against an infinite Majesty , deserveth infinite wrath and severity ; Tell him that the Wages of Sin is death , temporal , spiritual , eternal ; Acquaint him with the justice , holiness , and jealousie of God , how he will by no means clear the guilty , but hath threatned all manner of plagues and judgements on the workers of iniquity , and cannot fail in the least of accomplishing his word ; how he is resolved to make all the Children of Men feel sin to be an evil and bitter thing , either in broken bones on earth , or , broken backs , and endless torments in hell . Let him know his own obnoxiousness , by reason of his many and greivous sins , to the curse of the Law , the wrath of the Lord , and the vengeance of the eternal fire . Tell him that he is by nature a Child of Wrath , an Enemy to God , and an Heir of Hell ; that it had been just to have cast him out of the Womb into Hell ; that Gods patience in bearing with him thus long , will but increase his condemnation and endless misery , unless he prevent it by sincere conversion .

This is the first thing requisite in order to the recovery of his soul. Till sin be discovered in its hainous nature , and bloody colours , it will never be lamented , nor the Saviour esteemed according to the duty of the Sinner . The first thing usually , which the Spirit doth in the change of a sinner , is to convince him of sin , Joh. 16. 8. And this is also first in the Ministers commission , Acts 26. 18. The great neglect of this in Ministers and others , is one reason that so few Sinners are awakened , the needful work of humiliation is so dangerously slighted , that poor souls go sleeping and dreaming all is well , till they come to be undeceived in Hell .

3. Speak to his own inability to help himself , that no less then infinite power can recover him out of his miserable condition ; Men are prone to act like Brutes , when they are wounded to undertake the licking themselves whole ; as if it were an easie thing to renew a carnal creature , and heal vitiated nature , but alas the work is not so soon done . It s another manner of work to open the blind eyes , and ●●liven the dead soul , then the secure careless worldling doth imagine . It s called a Resurrection from the dead , a new Creation , the Work of God , because nothing less then a Divine Almighty power can effect it , Revel. 20. 6. Ephes. 2. 10. Ioh. 6. 29. Ephes. 2. 6.

4. Speak to the necessity of a change in him , both of his disposition by Repentance , and of his condition by faith in Iesus Christ ; That these are not works which may be done or left undone , but such as must be done , or he is undone for ever . Tell him the necessity of a change .

1. Of his Nature by Repentance , how God himself hath said ; Except he repent he shall perish , and that it is not possible for the whole creation to make void Gods Word . That as he is a corrupted depraved creature , he is no way capable of Heaven , for God hath shut him out , and bard the gate of bliss against him ; Into it ( i. e. Heaven ) can in no wise enter any thing that defileth , or is unclean , Rev. 21. ult. And he hath shut himself out by his vicious nature ; for spiritual pleasures are not sutable , neither can be enjoyed by depraved and ungodly creatures . Let him know that swinish dispositions cannot rellish heavenly delights , and therefore if it were possible for him to get to Heaven in a carnal estate , Heaven would be no Heaven , that is , no place of joy or pleasure to him . Acquaint him especially wherein the nature of repentance consisteth , not in a few sighs or sobs for sin , or in crying God mercy , or saying , I am sorry I ever sinned , but in a real change of the heart and nature , that his mind must be changed to see the ugliness and deformity of sin , his will to refuse it as the greatest evil , his affections to loath it , and hate it above all things whatsoever , Job 42. 3. Jer. 31. 18. Ezek. 47. that he must abhor himself , and loath himself , and bemoan himself for all his abominations , if ever he would fi●d mercy ; that he must in his whole man be altered , turned upside down , be contrary to what he is by nature , be converted and born again , or he can nevrr see the Kingdom of God , Mat. 18. 3. Ioh. 3. 3. Forget not also to discover the necessity of a change .

2. Of his state by faith in Iesus Christ , how the Son of God can alone deliver him from the wrath of God ; that there is no name under heaven , by which he can be saved , but the name of Christ ; that all his prayers , and tears , and duties , cannot satisfie the divine justice for the least of his sins , or deserve the least favour on the behalf of his soul ; that he must of necessity be united by faith to Christ , and submit to his guidance , and give up himself to his Government , or perish eternally ; that though Christ died for him without his will , yet he will not save him against or without his will , but he must be heartily willing to accept Christ as his Saviour and Soveraign , as ever he looks for salvation by him . Here it may not be amiss to acquaint him with the fulness of Christs merits , and the freeness of Gods mercy to them that do sincerely repent and believe ; How God commands , intreats , threatens , promiseth , and all to draw men to mind the things of their peace .

5. Speak to the shortness of his time , to do this weighty and necessary work in ; that now there is no dallying , no delaying ; for within a few hours it may be too late ; that grace must be got now or never ; that Christ and pardon , and life must be obtained now or never ; that no sin shall be forgiven , no person shall be justified , no soul renewed or cleansed in the other world , that is not pardoned and sanctified in this ; that Heaven and Hell are before him , and within a short time the matter will be determined which of the two he shall be in for ever ; that he must now get a title to bliss , or miss it for ever ; now prevent the unquenchable fire , or burn in it for ever ; that he is now upon the shore , just stepping into the Ocean , either of Honey or Wormwood , Joy or Horror , and therefore it concerns him nearly to consider what he doth , and to be diligent to the utmost , if he would escape the endless company and torments of Devils and damned Spirits . Take heed of giving him hopes of recovery , which many do to please the sick or their friends ; for hereby thou mayst exceedingly injure his soul , frustrating all the means used for his spiritual health . Think not much to be often with the sick person , in case thou hast opportunity . Let his misery move thee , and the love of Christ draw thee . When we fell an Oak , thirty or forty of the first strokes seem to be lost , because the Tree stirs not , yet if we continue , it comes at last down , and sheweth the effects of the first , as well as the last strokes ; If he be converted thou wilt be satisfied ; however thy reward is with God . If this unconverted person be scandalous , then it may be sometimes convenient to hint at the horrid nature of such sins , being committed against common light , and abhorred by many of the very Heathen , and marked particularly for vengeance by the jealous God , 1 Cor. 6. 9 , 10. Gal. 5. 19 , 20 , 21. Ephes. 5. 5 , 6. Thou mayst have the more hopes of success in visiting such a one , because conscience in this sinner , will probably prove thy friend , and joyn with thee in terrifying him for those sins , from which it could not ( though it frequently attempted ) disswade him .

If the unconverted person be one that liyed civilly and orderly in his outward conversation , paying every man his own , keeping his Church , forbearing enormous crimes , &c. It will be then needful to commend his civility , Iesus looked on such a man and loved him ; but also to discover its defects and insufficiency , that there is one thing lacking ; how his nature is universally polluted , and it must be throughly purified , or he is a lost man ; that its one thing to have a wound hid , and another thing to have it healed ; that many In●idels have been unblameable in their outward carriages , who yet perished , being without Christ ; that the Scribes and Pharises went farther then most civil men , for they had not onely a negative holiness in denying gross sins , but a Positive holiness ( in shew at least ) they prayed , fasted , &c. yet he , to whom it is impossible to lye , tells us , Mat. 5. 20. Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees , ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven . It will be good also in dealing with such a person , to insist much upon the latitude and purity of the Law of God , how it forbiddeth ( and condemneth for ) the least sinful thought , and how nothing less then perfect obedience can answer its demands , or satisfie the Law-giver , because such men are apt to judge themselves righteous , comparing themselves with those that are notoriously vicious . They think all is well , their minds being darkned and unable to discern and discover the secret lusts which are hugd in their hearts ; Besides , their consciences being defiled as well as other faculties , are not so true to them as to convince them powerfully of that pride , hypocrisie , unbelief , impenitency , atheism , and ungodliness , which they are guilty of . And Satan hath a strict watch over them , to keep them asleep in sin , not caring , so men go to hell , whether they go thither in the dirty road of scandalous and crying crimes , or in the cleanly path , and through the fair Meadows of Civility . Whether the person be scandalous or civil , it will be needful to let in light at some crevice , and not to leave the sinner wholly in the darkness of despair ; The good Samaritan poured Oyl as well as Wine , into the wounds of him that fell among Theives . A little hope may melt that heart which despair would harden . Sturdy Theives have wept at the news of a Reprieve , that have stormed and raged at the sentence of Condemnation ; But this is wisely to be done , lest the sinner be encouraged to presume . Lenity is to be joyned with Severity ; Miscenda est leni●as cum sev●ritate . sit amor , sed non emolien● ; sit rigor , sed non exasperans . Greg. Mor. 10. Let there be love , but not emboldening them to sloth ; let there be terror , but not driving them into a fury , saith Gregory .

If the sick person be one that is judged a true member of Christ , then speak to the excellency of Grace , and Christ , and Heaven , to the certainty and worth of those promises that are entailed on beleivers , to make his passage into the other world as comfortable as thou canst . It will be fit also to speak to those graces of Faith , Patience , Love , Heavenly-mindedness , and Ioy in God , which should be minded and exercised in a time of sickness , how the time of affliction is the spring , the special time wherein those graces should shoot up and shew themselves , that God expecteth some service from him under his fickness , and that his last works should be better then his first . If he be under doubts and fears ( for Satan will take the advantage of his sickness , to assault him with his fiery darts , and Saints are too apt to Question Gods love when they feel his hand ; the weakness of the body , discomposing the mind , and denying it the free exercise of spiritual judgement ) then advise him to review his former experiences of divine goodness , and trials of divine grace within him , to hold fast on Jesus Christ , and to consider that sickness is common to men , good as well as bad ; that though they differ vastly in the other world , yet not at all in their passage thither ; Singular Saints have been afflicted with the sorest sickness ; Iob was a none-such for sanctity , yet full of sores ; It s a question whether he were more eminent for corporal distempers , or spiritual health ; Hezekiah , David , Asah , Paul , Epaphroditus , were all thus chastened of the Lord , but not condemned with the world .

Whatsoever the sick person be , whether gracious , or graceless , it will not be amiss to mention the three great lessons which God would teach every one by affliction .

1. The emptiness of the world , appearing in its inability to afford the least ease to the body , or comfort to the soul of the sick ; how little worth is that which fails a man in his greatest need ! 2. The preciousness of Christ , and Grace , and the Promises of the Gospel , which can enliven and encourage a dying person ; that can cause light in darkness , joy in sorrow , and life in death ; that can enable a Christian to rejoyce in tribulation , and to welcome pain and sickness , nay , and the very King of terrors ; and to look into the other world with comfort and confidence . 3. The sinfulness of sin , which is the original of all diseases , and aches , and greif , and separation of friends , and losses , and miseries whatsoever . The Rabbies say , that when Adam tasted the forbidden fruit , his head aked ; T is clear , sin is the original of sickness ; The body is the instrument of unrighteousness , therefore the subject of diseases ; For this cause many are weak and sick , 1 Cor. 11. 30. All the evil in this and the other world , are the issue and off-spring of sin ; Ah! what a root of bitterness is that , which brings forth such bitter fruit ! Be sure to take the thoughts of the sick off from resting in Physitians , or any means used for their cure ; Th●s was the fault of good Asah , 2 Chron. 16. 12. Let them know that it is God that wounds , and he onely that can heal , and therefore he must not be tempted , either by despi●ing those helps which his providence giveth , or by relying on them . Hippocrates gave this counsel to all Physitians , that when they went upon any occ●sion to visit their Patients , they should consider first of all , whether there was not , divinum aliquod in morbo , something of God in the disease ; if so , he held the Patient to be desperate , and his recovery impossible ; Cujus contrarium verum est ; If it were the hand of God that smote them , the same hand can help them ; for with him nothing is impossible . Let them understand that sickness hath a supernatural as well as a natural cause . That all diseases are like the Centurions Servants , at the command of God ; He saith to one , Go , and it goeth ; to another , Come , and it cometh ; to a third , Do this , and it doeth it . God would have the Israelites know , that not onely Sword , and Famine , and Captivity , but also Pestilence , Consumptions , Feavers , and Burning Agues are sent from Heaven , Deut. 28. 21 , 22. He causeth those stormes , and tempests , and quarrels , and contentions that are between the humours in our bodies , to their disturbance and destruction ; therefore Moses beholding the whole body of the Jews ( except two renowned members ) corrupted , for he lived to see all that came out of Egypt besides to die , cryed out ; Thou turnest man to destruction , and ●ayst , Return ye children of men .

SECT. V.

3. DEal closely and faithfully with him ; Let not fear of giving distaste or hope of some advantage to thy self , make thee false to the soul of the sick . Do not play the part of a Mountebank in using palliating medicines to allay the distemper , or Anodynes to stupifie the patient , and neglect the root of the malady . Alas , carnal wretches are prone enough of themselves to deceive and flatter their own souls , till it be too late for second thoughts , and the wicked one will be at their beds side , to hinder if it be possible , all means from awakening and undeceiving them ; be careful therefore lest thou shouldst be any way accessary to Satans design ; Sin is like the little Serpent Aspis , which stings men , whereby they fall into a pleasant sleep , and in that sleep die ; sinners need all the rouzing and affrighting considerations that may be ; He that gives a potion , which instead of furthering health , procureth death , is a Murderer . The Flatterer is like the worm Terendo , mentioned by Pliny ( in Nat. Hist. ) as soft as Silk , in the feeling of the hand , but it biteth so hard with the teeth , that it eateth out the heart of the strongest timber . Flattery is to sin , what Oyl to Fire , it makes it flame the more . O t is dangerous to speak peace , where God speaks war ; shouldst thou do so , the blood of such a soul would be required at thy hands , Ezek. 33.8 . Jer. 23. Faithful dealing will bring thee in most comfort at present , and most credit hereafter , as also be most advantagious to the sick person . When the great day comes , the man that hated flattery , and scorned for a little profit or favour to disown his duty , or prove false to the soul of his Neighbour , will hold up his head with courage , but the cowardly and fearful wil hang down their heads with shame , Rev. 21. 8.

4. Pray with him , and for him . Sick persons are often full of pain and grief , and are more then usually assaulted by Satan , whereby they are the less able to pray for themselves , and have the more need of the prayers of others . It s observable that though the Holy Ghost commandeth men in other afflictions to pray themselves ; Is any afflicted ? let him Pray ; yet when he mentioneth sickness , he saith not ; Is any sick ? let him Pray ; But , Is any sick ? let him send for the Elders of the Church , and let them pray over him ; Jam. 5. 13 , 14. i. e. A sick man is not so fit to pray himself , he wanteth others to pray for him , and with him . The soul sympathizeth in the sufferings of the body , and the inner man is seldom at rest , if the outward man be distempered and disquieted . The mind is unfitted for duties , by the diseases of the flesh . Paul calls his bodily weaknesses a temptation , Gal. 4. 13 , 14. Afflictions on the flesh , are temptations to the spirit , and sickness is a piercing Arrow in Satans Quiver of temptations .

If the person be carnal , what Motives hast thou from his misery to quicken thee to the duty ! The poor creature is going to Hell , and knoweth it not . His destruction is near , and he is not aware . How should the thoughts of that extremity and eternity of torments which he is every moment liable to , stir thee up to be earnest and instant with God on his behalf ? It may be thou wouldst sit up a whole night to watch with him for the comfort of his body ; Dost thou not know that the soul is infinitely more worth ? O watch and pray , that he enter not into eternal condemnation . Thou art not ignorant that God hath made promises of grace , as well as promises to grace , and canst not tell but that grace waiteth in heaven for the ●ick person ; onely thy prayer must be the messenger to fetch it thence . God hath shewn mercy at the last , he can do it to this man , therefore thou mayst have the more hopes ; Besides , it may be his sickness shall not be unto death , but onely to heal his diseased soul , and so to give him a new life , both natural and spiritual . The Question before thee , is , whether that poor sick creatures soul shall be Christs or the Devils for ever , and wilt thou not plead hard with God that it may be thrown in to Christ , whose title is unquestionable , and that the Grand and Arch-enemy of Christ and Men may be frustrated and disappointed in his expectation ? Zeal to the advancement of thy Redeemers interest , and love to the soul of thy Neighbour , should actuate and animate thy requests , and put life and fervency into thy Petitions .

If the sick man be godly , thou hast the more encouragement to pray . God hath promised as much to him , as thou canst rationally desire for him . He hath hopes to speed , that goeth to an honest able man , and sheweth him his Bond for what he demands . God is infinite both in righteousness and power , so that there is no fear of a repulse , if you can shew his hand for your request . He delights to hear his promises pleaded in prayer , and to see his Children so full of affection , as to be fervent in their petitions for each other . Thou mayst send the same message by prayer to Jesus , that the Sister of Lazarus did ; Lord , behold he whom thou lovest is sick , and mayst be confident of the like gracious answer ; This sickness is not unto death ( eternal ) but for the glory of God , that the Son of God might be glorified thereby .

Next to thy endeavours for the good of thy sick Neighbours spiritual estate , it will be fit to advise him about his temporal estate , that he may dispose of his worldly affairs , and his wealth ( if God have given him any ) with wisdom , and settle things so firmly , that his Relations may not be wrangling for his goods , when his body is at rest in his grave .

Secondly , The exercising our selves to Godliness in visiting the sick , consisteth in getting good to our own souls by it . Deut. 18.11 . Eccle● . 5. 1,2 . Though it be forbidden us to enquire of the dead , and ask their counsel , yet it s commanded us to enquire of the dying , and to learn of them . Sick men may teach them that are in health many excellent lessons . Some say , that ground covered with Ashes , is made thereby the more fruitful . The Dust of the dead , falling upon a right soil , an honest heart , will make it the more abundant in holiness . A Christian findeth walking in Hospitals or Church-yards among the sick or dying , much conducing to the health and life of his soul. He that was cast dead into his Grave , by touching the bones of dead Elisha , he was ravished to life ; That which Elias said to Elisha , when he begged a double portion of his spirit ; If thou seest me when I am taken from thee , it shall be so unto thee , may fitly be alluded to in this place . The sight of others sickness and death , and their departures from us , is a great means to increase the spirit in us , and to double our care and diligence in preparing for such an hour .

1. In laying to heart thine own frailty . He is but a cold clod of clay , and dead already , who doth not see his own death in the death of others . Sickness is but one remove from death ; the sick bed is the way to the coffin ; therefore when thou visitest the sick or dying , reflect upon thy self and consider ; This will be my case , or a worse , a violent stroak ; The same enemy that encountred my Neighbour , is upon his march towards me , and will certainly overtake me ; The feet of them that carry my friend to his grave , are ready to carry me also ; what need have I to be always in a dying frame , and ready for death . The very next arrow that death shoots , may be levelled at me ; and shall not I stand always upon my guard in expectation of it , and armed for it ? O how deep will the head of that Arrow pierce me , if it find me naked !

2. In considering Gods mercy to thee , and blessing him for the health thou enjoyest . The pain of others , will tell thee that ease is a mercy ; the racking sickness , and restless nights of others , do speak aloud in thine ears , Carendo potius quam fr●endo sapimus . that health and rest are mercies . O how shouldst thou adore that God who distinguisheth thee thus graciously from others ! Mayst thou not think with thy self , Here is a person full of pain , the day is full of darkness to him , and wearisome nights are appointed to him ; Lo his Wife and Children , and Friends are weeping about him , but cannot relieve or redress him ; all the comforts of this life are un●avoury to him ; His aches and grief , and diseases , hinder him much in spiritual performances , and in the prosecution of a better life ; how much a● I bound to the Lord , that it is not so with me ? I can relli●h outward mercies , and am refreshed with bodily comforts ; I have no such distemper or pain to take me off from prayer or Scripture , but I may be as frequent and as urgent as I will about my soul and eternal concernments ; Bless the Lord , O my soul , and all within me praise his holy name . Surely health is the Prince , the first-born of outward blessings . Though foolish men deprive themselves frequently of it , for the satisfaction of a sensual wanton appetite , yet it s more worth then a thousand of those brutish transitory delights . A Stomach is of more value then meat , and a good digestion then raiment ; Men think not much to part with much of their wealth in their sickness for a little health . O it deserves thy prayers to God for it with submission to his will when thou wantest it , and thy praysing of God for it with enlarged affections when thou hast it .

3. In observing the necessity of a timely repentance , and its difficulty on a dying bed . How unfit is a man to begin to live , when he is wracked with pain , and going to die ! The dolour and trouble of his body are great impediments to the good of his soul. When the outward man is in great distress , and the inner man sympathizing with it , the best words are often wasted and thrown away , and the mind is unfit either to receive counsel or comfort . Further , How irrational is it to give Satan our prime , our health , or strength , and God our weak and consumptionate , and dying parts ; to present our enemy with our quick , and nimble , and active faculties and members , and to put off our best friend with a body full of sores , and a soul full of sin ! Besides , the longer men continue in sin , the more difficult their conversion will be . He that hath wandred or travelled out of the right way all day , will hardly be perswaded to go back all the way , and set out again at night . Where Satan hath dwelt long , he will hardly be removed . A Ship , the longer it leaketh , the harder it is to be emptied . The f●rther a nail is driven in , the more trouble to get it out ; The longer my soul continueth in disobedience , the harder it will be to bring it to repentance . The more sin is riveted and habituated in me , the more pains , and toyl , and grief , it will cost to get it subdued and slain .

4. In learning more the excellency of grace , and an interest in Christ , and God , which will do a man good in a day of ●ickness , and an hour of death ; He is a friend indeed , that is a friend in a day of adversity . The sinners folly in neglecting durable riches , teacheth the Christian wherein true wisdom consisteth , and the worth of it ; That it consisteth not in heaping up such treasures , or getting such friends as will be useless and unprofitable in a time of need , but in laying up a treasure in Heaven , and ensuring eternal comforts . Cold ●harp weather , sheweth the value of an healthy constitution . A storm will speak the worth of a sure Anchor , and a skilful Pilot. The excellency of grace , and holiness , and Christ , and God , are not fully known till we come into the other world , where all sublunary comforts are wanting ; But the more any condition in this world resembleth that , and the nearer we approach that , the more visible is the value of divine and lasting blessings . A Cordial is not esteemed till we come to fainting fits . A soul that in time of health , and wealth , and outward prosperity , made the fear and ways of God , and the estate of the godly , the object of his scorn and contempt , when he comes to be awakened by the alarum of death , and to look into the other world , will make them the object of his choice , and give a world ( if he had it ) for them .

A Good Wish about the visitation of the sick , wherein the former heads are applied .

The Introduction . THe righteous Lord , and God of all grace , who for sin afflicteth man with sickness , yet in the midst of judgement remembreth mercy , intending his instruction , not his destruction by it ; having designed such afflictions , as rods to whip men to himself , to make them out of love with sin , the spring of all their sufferings and sorrows , and to wean them from the earth , who otherwise would make it their Heaven ; and hath also appointed men to be the means through which these mercies shall be conveyed , and sicknesses sanctified to them . I Wish in general , that I may never omit to visit those Neighbours with pity , whom God hath visited in fury ; muchless insult as the Edomites over the afflicted Israelites , and persecute them whom God hath smitten , drawing blood from those wounds which are already blew with the blows of the Almighty ; but may be faithful to the precept and purpose of my God in this particular , and adopt my second table duties into the Family of the first table , by visiting the sick , not out of common civility , but out of charity , and in obedience to the God of my health . It is my priviledge , that my Almes may become Sacrifice , my Courtesies worship , and in paying that debt of love which I owe to my Neighbour , I may pay that duty which I owe to my Maker . O that in all my common transactions , I might move upon principles of reason , and especially in works that have a tendency Godward , act upon grounds of Religion . Lord , thou hast an eye to my good , in all thy providences and dealings ; why should not I have an eye to thy glory , in all my practices and actings ? Cause thy fear so to possess my heart , that I may visit the sick out of conscience , and let thy grace so assist and accompany my endeavours , that thou mayst visit them to their eternal comfort .

I Wish that the Command of my God , 1 1 Motive , To visit the sick is a duty . may be a sufficient Motive and warrant to make me set about the practice of this work . It is my duty to visit them that are sick , as I am the Lords Servant ; I disown his authority , I deny his Image , if I do not sympathize with others in misery . Nature it self commandeth me to be affected with the conditions of such as are afflicted . All creatures will commiserate those of their rank and order , that are in misery ; Bees will rather stay and starve with those of their kind , that are unable to flie to their Hives , by reason of the weakness of their wings , then stir from them , or forsake them . The Swine are so sensible of their fellows sufferings , that if one of the Company be lugd , all the rest will after their manner condole it . If a Beast be slain , and its blood spilt , others of that sort will ●hew their love and pity , by scraping earth on the blood , burying their fellow , and solemnizing his funeral with a kind of lamentation . Grace doth much more enjoyn me to be sick in others sickness , poor in others poverty , and to remember them that are in bonds , as bound with them , and them that suffer adversity , as being my self also in the body ; David , speaking of his enemies that sought his destruction , saith , But as for me , when they were sick , my cloathing was sack-cloth , I humbled my soul with fasting , and my prayer returned into mine own bosome ; I behaved my self as though he had been my friend , or brother , I bowed down heavily , as one that mourneth for his Mother , Psa. 35. 11 , to 15. My God hath said , To him that is afflicted , pity should be shewn ; Sickness is one of the greatest outward afflictions , it renders all the comforts of this life uncomfortable ; The largest Houses , Revenues , Honours , the most loving Acquaintants , Friends , Relations ; are all unsavoury to them that are under great sickness . To visit the prosperous and healthy is courtesie , but to visit the distressed and sick is charity . The sweetest showres should fall on the lower grounds . Lord , thou art the Father of mercies , and art afflicted in all the afflictions of thy Children ; thy soul is greived for the miseries of Israel ; How sutable is it for them who expect mercy another day , to shew mercy at this day ! Make me a follower of thee , as a dear child , to put on bowels of compassion , and to be merciful in heart , tongue , and hand , as thou my Father in Heaven art merciful .

I Wish that as a wise Merchant I may make the use of this price , 2 2 Motive , It s a good opportunity for the doing of good which is put into my hand , for the furtherance of my own and my neighbours peace . Sickness is a special opportunity , wherein I may advantage others souls ; The most poisonous Viper is at such a season benummed with cold , and so may be handled without much danger . The strength of the body of sin , is much abated ( at least in regard of act and exercise ) by the weakness of the natural body . They who counted holiness a fancy , and holy ones Phanaticks , in their health and power , will beg hard for purity , and desire the Saints prayers in their sickness . The waters of those passions which in a Summer of prosperity did overflow their bounds , and threatned to over-whelm and over-throw all that was near , are frozen up in a Winter of adversity , and kept within their banks ; There are many nicks in time , as we see in a Clock , which if they hit , the work goeth on well . The hardened hearts of sinners are often melted , when their persons are confined to their warm Chambers ; As Tinder when dry easily takes fire , by the least spark that falls on it ; so when the souls of ungodly men are made soft by sickness , and their thoughts of the evil of sin in the pain it brings on their bodies , makes their affections combustible , it will be much the easier to kindle the fire of repentance in them ; Affliction boareth or openeth the ear , and then its seasonable to drop some wholsom counsel into it . Though a load on the ground be hard to be stirred , yet a load on the wheels is easie to be drawn . The illness , and aches , and distempers of sinners bodies , do as it were set the work of conversion , and minding the good of their souls , upon the wheel , and therefore such opportunities ought to be diligently improved ; Sickness is a good time when charity is in season . T is a grace to have an opportunity for the service of my God , but a greater to improve it . The Eastern people do Plow and sow their grounds , when the former Rain hath softned it ; and why should not I endeavour to Plow up the fallow ground of my Neighbours heart , and to sow in it the seeds of savoury instructions , when it is made tender by sickness ? Lord , thou layest hold of every opportunity , to bless me with mercy answerable to my necessities ; make me both wise to discern time and judgement , and faithful to make use of all such seasons to do thee service .

I Wish that the opportunity I have thereby of doing good to my own soul , It s a good opportunity for the receiving of good . may move me to be the more careful and consciencious in visiting the sick . It is the wise mans speech , It is better to go into the house of mourning , then to go to the house of feasting ; for that is the end of all men , and the living will lay it to heart . It is better , as it is most sutable to my present state . T is not proper for Pilgrims to spend their time in Pleasure . Sorrow is becoming in a valley of tears . An house of mourning agrees well with the mourners in Sion . This world is a Sea , I am a Mariner , and Mariners rejoyce in the Haven , not in the Tempestuous Ocean . This life is a warfare , I am a Souldier ; T is too soon to be joyful whilst I am fighting ; it will be time enough when all my Enemies are foyld . O how harsh is it for a child to be jocond , when he is far from home ! Weeping is good language for them that sit down by the River of Babylon ; How can I sing the Lords songs in a strange Land ? Again , It is better to go into the house of mourning , as it is most profitable to my precious soul. Grace thrives best in a wet soyl ; By the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better . The inner man is best when clad in mourning . Trees planted by the water-side , hang with clusters , and bring forth fruit in due season . The sick bed is a Pulpit , and though there be a wicked man in it , he may teach me rare instructions ; If he be wholly silent , his condition Preacheth to me , that sin is the greatest evil , that the world is a cheat and impostour , and that grace is the most desireable created good . His dark chamber , weeping friends , watered couch , aking head , trembling heart , pale lips , quivering loyns , all call aloud to me to consider of , and prepare for such an hour . Abel , being dead , yet speaketh ; My sick , my dead Neighbour speaketh ; Prepared be , to follow me . Some have been raised to life by beholding the dead . O that I were wise to observe and improve the opportunities which free grace affordeth me , for my own and others welfare ! If I lose a good Market for the furtherance of my outward estate , I befool and bewail my self . Ah , why should I not be as much affected with the loss of opportunities for my inner man . Sinners observe their seasons for the gratifying their Loves , and the satisfying their lusts . The Thief waiteth for the full Purse , till the Market is over , and commodities be sold. The Adulterer makes use of the dark night for his deeds of darkness . Satan watcheth every opportunity to insnare and destroy me ; if I give him the least advantage by idleness or carnal security or running into occasions of sin , he doth presently lay hold on it to pollute me . All men indeed may shame●me . The Mariner doth spread his Sails when the Winds blow . The Merchant observes his Exchange hours , when he may meet with many friends , and dispatch much business in a little time . The Lawyer minds his Terms . There is a time when Kings go out to Battel , 2 Sam. 11. 1. which Souldiers will not neglect . The Husbandman makes Hay whilst the Sun shines ; Yet , Ah how foolish am I to let slip those golden seasons which my God giveth me , Eccles. 3. 11. and 9. 12. for working out my own salvation ! Lord , thou hast made every thing beautiful in its season ; But poor silly man knoweth not his time . 1 Chron. 11. 39 Grant me so much prudence , that is the men of Issacar , I may have understanding of the times , and so much piety as to serve the times , not as Worldlings , in altering my course according to the fashions and customes of men , but in embracing what is tendered in due time , for my own and others good , always adhering to the Commands of thee my God .

3 3 Motive . It may be the last opportunity . I Wish that the uncertainty of my sick Neighbours outward recovery , may make me the more careful and solicitous about his spiritual health . If he die , he is stated and fixed for ever and ever , and I am for ever deprived of all opportunities of profiting or advantaging his soul. Now he is sick , he is nigh death , but one step from it . The sick stand upon the borders of the grave , upon the brink of the pit , nay , of eternity . Those that are in most perfect health , are inclining towards death ; but they that are sick , are approaching the Chambers of darkness . Such a man may speak in the language of Haman , My life draweth nigh unto the grave , Psa. 88. 3. Should he depart this life in a natural estate , he falleth into the jaws of eternal death . All prayers for him will then be fruitless , and there is no giving counsel to him after death . I must now advise , exhort , perswade , beseech him to mind faith and repentance , or never do it ; I must now put up hearty cries and groans to God on his behalf , or never do it . The loving kindness of God cannot be declared in the grave , nor his faithfulness in destruction . Psa. 88 : 11 When he is wailing in Hell for the ungodliness of his heart and life , I may be weeping on earth for my neglect of him , or unfaithfulness to him , but both our tears will be ineffectual , and our cries comfortless . O that the love of my Saviour , the command of my God , the worth of a soul , the weight of an eternal estate , the fear of losing such a season , and the impossibility of recalling or recovering it , may all provoke me to be instant with the sick , to turn to God , and abhor and bewail their sins , and to be fervent with God , that he would crown my endeavours with success ! Lord , I may speak thy Mind and Will to Men , but thou alone , who didst make the ear , canst enable them to hear , let it please thy Majesty so to affect my heart with a due sense of others misery , so to direct my tongue what to speak in order to their recovery , and so to prosper the undertakings of thy servant , that as often as I visit any unconverted person in his sickness , I may turn a sinner from the error of his ways , save a soul alive , and hide a multitude of sins .

The matter of it .

1. Know his condition .

I Wish that I may be solicitous to understand the spiritual conditions of the sick , that my prescriptions may be profitable , being sutable to their several sores . The knowledge of the disease , must necessarily precede directions for its cure . It s folly to undertake their recovery , whose estates I am ignorant of . He works at the labour-in-vain , who goeth about to heal a wounded Patient , when he knoweth not the place or nature of his pain . The mistake of the Physitian may be as mortal and dangerous as the disease it self . It will be no wonder if a blind man shoot awry and miss the mark . This was the cause that Jobs friends , though holy men , and designing a good end , wandred exceedingly ; and instead of administring comfort by their visitation , wounded him to the quick , and proved his greatest cross ; The Sabeans and Chaldeans robbed him of his Cattel ; Satan wronged him in his body , but his three friends vexed his soul , and did break him in peices with words . Their ignorance was the ground of the hurt they offered , instead of the help they intended , Job 19. 2. A Friend may do that mischief upon a false supposition , which an Enemy doth out of malice . Though the Doctrine be true and right , if the Application of it be wrong , I may kill sooner then cure the person to whom I apply it . The Husbandman must know the nature of his ground , before he casteth in his seed , or otherwise he will miss of his expected crop . Lord , thou knowest the conditions and dispositions of all men , by immediate intuition , and needest not that any should testifie of man ; thou knowest how needful it is for me to understand by rational discourse , who and what those sick persons are , how things stand betwixt thy Majesty and their souls , whose recovery I go about ; O help me to find out their sickness , and to give such advice out of thy word , that thou mayst work their cure .

I Wish that when the condition of the sick person is found out , 2 2 Let thy Application be sutable . neither fear nor flattery may make me unfaithful to his soul. Those prescriptions cannot be profitable , that are not answerable to his estate . I am unfaithful to God , my Neighbour , and my self , if my Application be not sutable to his condition . My God commandeth me to proclaim War against the presumptuous , to preach Peace to the penitent ; and if I act otherwise out of fear , or affection , I act contrary to my commission ; I am false to my trust , if I keep not close to the will of my Lord . He that takes not his Masters Precepts for his rule , will at last be counted and punished as an unfaithful servant . I hinder also my Neighbours good , whilst I give him counsel unsutable to his case . I may pretend love and respect , but its real hatred to flatter him who is hastening to the unquenchable fire . How dreadful will his fall be , from the high Turret of presumption , into the infernal pit of perdition , and how little thanks will he give me in the other world , for cozening his soul , by telling him all was well , till he came to see his own and my mistake in hell ! Again , the guilt of such a crime would make a deep gash in my own conscience . It s ill slighting , or tampering with inestimable souls ; His blood will be required at my hands ; and if the blood of a slain body cry so loud for vengeance , what will the blood of a murdered soul do ? Why should I to humour any mans lust , injure his soul , hinder my own peace , and incur the anger of the Lord . O that no foolish pretences whatsoever , may keep me off from acquainting sinners with th●●●●il and end , the nature and danger of their sins . It s Gods order , first to cast the soul down , and then to lift it up . The ground must feel the Plow , before it receive the Seed . Sorrow must precede comfort , and they must sow in tears , who would reap in joy . God must shake all Nations , before the desired of all Nations will come to him . We come to Sinai , the Mount that burneth with fire , and to blackness and darkness , and a tempest which makes even a Moses to fear and quake exceedingly , before we come to Mount Sion , the City of the living God , the Heavenly Ierusalem , and to Jesus the Mediatour of the new Covenant , and to the blood of sprinkling , that speaketh better things then the blood of Abel . The Law is a School-Master to drive us to Christ . Austere Iohn , with his Ax laid to the root of the Tree , threatning the fire to those that bring not forth fruit , prepareth the way for the sweet alluring Iesus ; Mourning and Grief , is the Midwife of true mirth ; Penitential tears are the streams that lead to the Rivers of Pleasures ; Even the doleful sound of the Trumpet attendeth the Iudge , when he is going to acquit a Prisoner by publique Proclamation . Violence must be offered to corruption , or there will be no acceptance of the Lord Christ . The building of holiness is the more strong , for having its foundation of humiliation laid deep : The safety of the soul doth depend like Jonahs , upon his being cast over-boord , and utterly lost in his own apprehension .

The blessed Iesus himself is brought into a desolate Wilderness , before Angels are sent from Heaven to comfort him . O that I might follow my God in his usual way , and never prophesie smooth things to rugged and ●●●●ed men , but endeavour to break their hearts on ●●th , who have persisted in the breach of his holy Laws , that their backs may not be broken in Hell ; Yet I would not instead of beating down the rotten Paper walls of presumption , drive any into the Dungeon of desperation ; but as the good Nurse , have the breast of consolation , as well as the rod of correction in readiness for such Children . Moses and Christ met together upon Mount Tabor . The Gospel must be Preached to heal those wounds which are opened and discovered by the Law . The Lord sendeth me to proclaim liberty to the Captives , and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound . Lord , thou killest and makest alive , bringest down to the grave , and bringest up . It s easie and ordinary with thee to break those bones which thou intendest to rejoyce , and to perplex those Rams in Briars and Thorns , which thou intendest to accept of as a sacrifice . Teach thy Servant to know how to speak a word in season , both to the wicked and to the godly , how to divide thy word aright , both in its minatory , and consolatory parts , that as occasion shall ●e , I may awaken the wicked out of their deadly slumbers , and quicken the godly to their spiritual watchfulness , and help to sweeten that bitter cup which thou hast put into their hands . O that thy blessing might water my labours for both their welfares ! Alas poor sick unregenerate ones , are dropping into boundless and endless sorrows , and yet are without sense . Though they are dying they know not what they are doing , nor whither they are going ; Their eyes are shut by the god of this World , that they see not that unspeakable misery to which they are liable every moment ; their hearts are hardened through custom in sin , that neith●●●●reatnings nor promises prevail with them to feel their wounds and sores . O thou great Physitian , thou Lord of life , thou God of health , open their eyes , send some Ananias to them , that they may receive their sight , and be filled with the Holy Ghost ; enable them so to mourn now , that they may be comforted when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord , and help thy servant to deal so faithfully with those whom thou callest me to visit , that I may never give thy Majesty cause to say of me as once of the Prophets of Israel , They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly , saying , Peace , Peace , when there is no peace .

3 3 Be close and home in thy Applications . I Wish that I may be close and home in my Applications to sick persons , and speak what is proper to their estates with ardency and affection , to their very hearts ; It s ill dallying with edged tools ; O how sad is it to toy and trifle , to be formal or customary in counsel or reproof , or comfort to immortal souls , that are launching into the Ocean of eternity . Death is a serious thing , and that which they never did before , nor shall ever do again . Sin is a serious thing , as the damned find in Hell by woful experience . Though there they are in blackness of darkness , yet they have light enough to see sin to be the evil of evils , and altogether sinful . Christ was serious when he took upon him my nature , and therein did offer up himself● a sacrifice for sin . God is serious in commanding faith and repentance , and in promising Heaven to the faithful and holy , and Hell to unbeleivers and atheists ; And shall not I be serious and in earnest , when I am dealing about matters of eternal life and death , and about the concernments of God and Christ , and souls , and eternity ! O with what earnestness should I perswade the wicked , to turn from their wickedness and live ! If ever their souls would draw near to the Lord of life , it concerns them to do it , when their bodies are drawing nigh to the Chambers of death ; It is but a very few hours , and their condition will be past all amendment , all alteration . In this poor pittance of time , all must be done , upon which the Scales must turn , for their salvation or damnation . They are going to make that change which will admit them into endless joy or torment , and render their estates unchangeable . Their time is hastening , that they must struggle with dreadful pains , and strong distempers , and death , the King of terrors , and must review that life which is ending , and look back upon all that they have done , and judge their persons and actions impartially , whether they will or no , that they must take their leave of all their friends , and food , and sleep , and lands , and houses , and honours , and pleasures , and riches , and step into eternity , and appear before God without their Relations , or Possessions , or any worldly comforts , to help or encourage them ; that they must be tried by an holy Law , and an holy Judge , for their everlasting lives or deaths ; and can my expressions be too full of weight and reason , or my affections too full of bowels and pity , in my dealing and discourse with such men ? Lord , thou knowest the poor silly children of men , are unable to judge of eternal affairs according to their weight ; they are quickly lost , when in their thoughts they begin to launch into that boundless Sea ; The ponderousness of the subject , is ready to affright and press them down , being so much beyond and above their shallow understandings ; But wouldst thou please to enable them , though it were but to peep into the other world , and to behold , through some Crevice , what is doing and enjoyed there , both by thy friends and thine enemies , they would soon have other thoughts of thee and thy service , and other carriages when they are about thy work ; the greatest seriousness would then be too little , the greatest ardour would not be thought enough for thy worship ; they would then indeed , be fervent in spirit when they are serving the Lord . O teach thy servant , though he cannot see into the other world with the eye of sense , yet so to look into it with an eye of faith , that he may transact the concerns thereof with that diligence , faithfulness , and fervency , which thou acceptest , and whilst he liveth , be zealous of good works .

I Wish that my heart may be so affected with pity towards sick and afflicted persons , 4 4 Pray with them , and for them . that I may often and earnestly remember them in my prayers . A little Captive , considering the Leprosie of her Master , was instrumental for his cure , by crying out , Would God my Lord were with the Prophet that is in Samaria , for he would recover him of his Leprosie . I have more reason when I behold a Leprous soul , near its last gasp , to look up to Heaven with , Would to God that poor creature were with Jesus Christ , that great prophet of his Church , who is able and willing to enliven , and pardon , and sanctifie , and save ; Would to God he would be perswaded to come to Christ , to cling to Christ , to close with Christ , for he would recover him ; And what do I know but my prayers may be prevalent on his behalf ; Christ when dying , prayed for his enemies , for them that imbrued their hands in his blood ; and shall not I pray for my friends when they are dying , and possibly ignorant whether they are going ? My Prayers are a cheap courtesie , and diminish nothing of my estate , either spiritual or temporal . Their misery is an awakening motive to the duty . Never did they stand in such need of help from others , and wrastling with God on their behalves , as now that they are taking their journey into a far Country , and entring upon an unchangeable condition . They may say to me , as Nehemiah to Geshem ; I am doing a great work , &c. I am going to die , to bid adieu to all the folly and vanity , and comforts of this world , to take possession of my long home , of the place wherein I must abide for ever ; O pray for us , that we may be pardoned , and saved , that we may repent and believe , that we may die in the faith , and obtain the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life eternal . They have many distractions upon their own spirits , by reason of pains and bodily distempers , and the loss and lamentation of their Kindred and Relations , that they cannot poure out their hearts to God with that freeness and seriousness , and earnestness , which ( probably ) they desire . Their enemies , and assaults , and temptations , at such a time are more quick , and strong , and violent , and full of rage , having but a short time . I must now pray for them , or never pray for them ; Now beg mercy for them , or never beg mercy for them . When their life is gone , all tears , and cries , and groans for them are in vain . Davids greatest passions for dead Absolon were to no purpose . They are then gone the way they shall not return , and fixed in that place whence they shall never remove . Lord , I confess that my narrow heart hath not pity enough for afflicted , and sick , and dying souls , and my weak hands have not power enough to supply or support them in their sad estates , but thou hast both . O be pleased to look down from Heaven , the habitation where thine holiness dwelleth ; Behold their miseries , hide thy face from all their iniquities ; out of thine infinite fulness , releive their necessities . Let the eyes of their souls be opened to see their sins and their Saviour , before the eyes of their bodies be closed . Give them patience and strength answerable to the burden thou layest on their backs ; Enable them to do their last works well , and let them be better then their first ; Open thou their lips , and let their mouths shew forth thy praise , before they go to the place of silence . Stand by them in their last conflict with their enemies , Death and Devils , that they may over come both , be more then conquerours through him that loves them , and pass through the jaws of death , to the joys of a blessed eternal life .

I Wish that my soul may be the more sound for every visit I bestow on sick bodies . 2 2 In receiving good by them There is not so much danger of catching their outward diseases , as there is hope of increasing my spiritual health , if I am not wanting to my self . The sick and dying bed is a Pulpit , out of which I may be instructed more fully in many serious truths , though the sick or dying man be speechless . King Joash obtained three famous victories over the Syrians , 2 King . 13. 14 , to 20. by visiting sick Elisha , and might have gotten a compleat conquest over them , if it had not been his own fault . The sight of sick and dying men , may assist me in my conflicts with the three great enemies of my present purity , and future comfort and bliss . It teacheth ●e how vain it is to make provision for that flesh which will it self ere long , be provision for wormes ; Ah how foolish am I to pamper and please that which instead of releiving or refreshing , will in my extremity pierce and pain me ! It teacheth me that the world it self is the greatest Cheat and Impostour in the world . That though it laughs and smiles on men , dandling them on her knees , and hugging them in her armes , whilst they are in health , and promising all sorts of comforts and pleasures ; yet in their sickness and misery she turns them off , and leaves them , as Absolons Mule did him , to be ●hot through with the heart-cutting arrows of eternal death ; By discovering the emptiness and falseness of these two seeming ends , the flesh and the world , it helpeth me to overcome my third enemy , and to repel the fiery darts of the Devil . The cup of temptation , which hath so often bewitched me to drink down his deadly poison , had its prevalency from the worldly profit with which the out-side was guilded , or the fleshly pleasure with which the in-side was sweetned . Ah! could I but bid an hearty defiance to the World and the Flesh , and conquer them , I need not fear the wicked one ; They are the powerful Advocates , by which Satan pleads , and too often prevails with the soul ; By these Hand-maids he wooeth the Mistress . But the sick bed is a Book in which I may read their deceitfulness and treachery , their perfidiousness and fallacies , and thereby learn to avoid them .

Further , I may read the sinfulness of sin in others sickness . That Parent must needs be a deformed monster , that begets such uncomely and ill-favoured children . In the dreadful effects I may behold the poisonous cause . Man had never known sickness in his body , if he had not known sin experimentally in his soul ; T is the plague and stone of the heart , that causeth those in the flesh . When I behold the sick man labouring under his distemper , how he is chastened with pain upon his bed , and the multitude of his bones with strong pain , so that his life abhorreth bread , and his soul dainty meat ; How his flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen , and his bones stick out ; he is filled with tossings too and fro , unto the dawning of the day : When I behold his eyes sinking , his heart panting , hi● Wife and Children wailing and wringing their hands , his friends weeping , his tongue faltering , his throat ratling , his breath failing , his strength languishing , his whole body in a cold clammy sweat , wrestling with his pain and disease ; may I not well cry out , O what an evil is sin , which bringeth all this upon the poor Children of men ! My Redeemer is therefore said to bear our sicknesses , because he bare our sins in his body on the tree , 1 Pet. 2. 24. Mat. 8. 17. And in all his applications for the cure of the diseased , he had an eye to the root of the malady ; To one that was diseased , he said , Be of good cheer , thy sins are forgiven thee ; To another , Sin no more , lest a worse thing come unto thee . When the Angel was smiting Israel with a Pestilence , holy Davids thoughts ran upon the procuring cause , I have sinned , I have done very wickedly ; My God teacheth Israel the grievous nature of their defilement , in the greatness of those judgements which they brought upon them . Speaking of his severity towards them , he tells them , Thy way and thy doings have procured those things unto thee ; this is thy wickedness , because it is bitter , because it reacheth unto thine heart , Ier. 4. 18. Our bodies are full of natural corruption , because our souls are full of moral corruption . O how fitly may I therefore , when I behold the evil of affliction on others , abhor and bewail the evil of sin in my self !

Once more , I may be instructed in the necessity of a timely preparation for such an hour of affliction ; Can I think a ●ick bed a fit place , an hour of pain and grief a meet season to begin that great business of turning from sin , of loathing my self for all my abominations , and working out my own salvation ? Is it rationally to be imagined that trembling joynts , dazelled eyes , a fainting heart , failing limbs , a body full of aches and diseases , a soul sympathizing with it , and full of vexation and grief , should be fit instruments about such a work , which an angelical strength , and agility , and freedom , is little enough for ? Ah , What wise man would build his eternal making and welfare , upon such a tottering and sandy foundation ? The greatest strength , and longest time , and most vigorous health , is not in the least degree , too much for this needful and weighty business ; and shall I put it off till my strength fails , my health is gone , and my time near its last sand ? Lord , Beside all these , I may learn the excellency of thine Image , and thy favour ; Sickness cannot waste them , nor death it self destroy them . Where the Curtains are drawn , and the windows close , in the darkest chamber of the dying man , the comeliness of thy likeness , and the sweetness of thy love , are most sparkling and glorious . The want of outward comforts , doth convince the unbeleiving world of the worth of eternal blessings . When the flesh and world that made shew of such love to their deluded favourites , turn them off in their extremity , as the Jews did Judas ( complaining to them of his-folly and wickedness ) What is that to us , see thou to that ; Thou standest by and ownest thy servants , thou knowest their souls in their days of adversity ; and how-ever thou dealest with them in their health , wilt be sure to tend and look to , to be both Nurse and Physitian to thy sick children . Thy grace is a reviving Cordial , and thy love will make even death it self a sweet and desireable dish . O help thy poor servant to gain much spiritual good by those natural evils which others suffer . As others sickness speaketh these things to mine ears , and their conditions make them visible to mine eyes , do thou write them in my heart , that all such providences of thine towards others , may make sin more ugly , the world more empty , thy graces and favour more comely and desireable , and that furthering my purity at present , they may further my eternal peace hereafter .

Finally , The Conclusion . I Wish that the sickness of others , may cause me to be the more industrious in a faithful improvement of my health , and take me wholly off from priding , and pampering , and making provision for that flesh , which is so apt to breed diseases , and in its greatest beauty and strength is so near to death . The goodliest structure of body is but earth a little better wrought , or more curiously then usually moulded up , and with an ordinary disease is mard and defaced , and so calleth on me to be humble rather then lifted up . The Flesh that I provide for my flesh , is not more subject to corruption , or more perishing then the flesh for which it is provided . Within a few days I shall have an end both of food and feeding ; O that I might waste that body in Gods service , which will ere long waste with sickness ! spend and he spent in his work , who gives me my health , and strength , and hath promised a bountiful reward ! Sure I am , I can never bring them to a better Market , nor put them off at an higher price . Is it not better to consume my flesh in doing good , in glorifying my God , then with idleness and ease , or with distempers and diseases ? Satans servants do not grudge to give their prime and cheif , their heal●h and strength to their lusts , and shall not I give mine to my Lord ? Ah Lord , an unthankeful selfish unbeleiving heart , hath too much ●indered me from , and disturbed me in those excellent duties which thou callest me to ; O deliver me from it for thy mercies sake ! Strengthen me by thy good spirit , both to do good to , and receive good by such as thou chastenest with sickness ; so to consider the poor and afflicted , and to visit others in my heath , that thou mayst visit me with thy saving health ; strengthen me upon my bed of languishing , and make all my bed in my sickness , that my most mortal sickness may not be unto death ( eternal ) but for thy glory , and my passage into endless bliss ; yea , that in the other world , I may stand among thy Sheep on thy right hand , and hear that blessed heart-chearing voice , Come thou blessed of my Father , inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee before the foundation of the World ; For I was hungry and thou gavest me meat , I was thirsty and thou gavest me drink , I was a stranger and thou didst take me in , I was sick and thou visitedst me ; when my soul shall be above all sin , and my body above all sickness , and both blessed in thy favour and fruition , for ever , and ever .

Amen .

CHAP. VIII . How a Christian may exercise himself to Godliness , on a Dying Bed .

SIxthly and Lastly ; Thy duty is to exercise thy self to Godliness ( if God give thee opportunity ) on a Dying Bed . The work of a Saint is to glorifie God , not onely in his life , but also in his death . The Silk-worm stretcheth out her self before she spin , and ends her life in her long wrought clew ; The Christian must stretch out himself on his dying Bed , and end his life in the work of his Lord . Every Man by his death , payeth his debt to nature . He is earth in regard of his Original creation , and must be earth in regard of his ultimate resolution ; Dust thou art , and to dust thou shalt return , Gen. 3. 19. The Sinner when he dyeth , payeth his debt to Sin , Satan , and the Law ; To sin , as he is the servant of unrighteousness , and so must receive its wages , which is death ; To Satan , as he hath sold himself to work wickedness at his will , and so must have his tempter to be his eternal tormentor ; To the Law , as he hath violated its precepts and commands , and therefore must undergo its punishment and curse . The Saint when he dieth , payeth his debt to God , for he oweth him honour as well by his death , as by his life ; Hence we read , not onely of their living in the Lord , and to the Lord , but also of their dying in the Lord , and to the Lord ; ( Rom. 14. 8. Rev. 14. 13. ) Which though some expound in that place of the Revelations , to the cause for which they died ; they did not dye out of humour or obstinacy , or any carnal selfish interest , but purely as Martyrs at Gods call , and for Gods cause ; They loved not their lives to the death for the testimony of Iesus ; Yet the words may as clearly speak ; 1. The state in whi●● they died . They died in the favour of God , reconciled to him through the death of the Mediatour . The Castle of their souls was not taken by storm or in a state of emnity and opposition , but by a quiet voluntary s●rrender , or in a state of peace and amity . 2. The manner of their deaths ; They died in the fear of God ; they exercised grace as well in sickness as in health , and when dying as when living ; their spiritual motions were quick , when their natural motions were slow .

Plutarch reports of Lucius Metellus high Priest of Rome , that though he lived to a great old age , his voice did not fail him , nor his hand shake in his sacrificing to the Gods . It s said of Moses when he was a hundred and twenty years old and dyed , that his natural sight did not fail him , neither was his heat abated ; So it may be said of the Christian , that though he die old , his spiritual sight doth not fail him , nor his divine heat abate . As Caleb , he is as strong in regard of grace , his inward strength , when he is entering into the promised Canaan , as he was when he first went forth as a spie by faith , to search the land flowing with milk and honey . The Heathen counted him happy that dyed either in the midst of the goods of fortune , ( hence they say , if Priamus had died a little before the loss of his Town , he had died the greatest Prince in all Asia , ) or in the exercise of their moral vertues ; Hence they so highly extol Seneca and Socrates , who seemed to dare even death it self , out of resolution and fortitude ; Though those seeming vertues were but as Austin terms them , Splendida Flagitia , Famous Vices , and their confidence arose not from any grounded knowledge of their good estates , but from their blindness and ignorance of their depraved , wicked , and woful estates . He is the happy man indeed , that dieth in the faith , that sleepeth in Iesus , that goeth to his grave in the exercise of grace . The Master of Moral Philosophy , commendeth that Pilot whom a Ship-wrack swalloweth up at the Stern , with the Rudder in his hand . The most high God commendeth that person whom death seiseth , doing the work for which he was sent into the world . Even the blind Mole , if Naturalists may be credited , opens his eyes when he comes to dye ; and the crooked Serpent stretcheth out her self straight , when she is going to fetch her last breath ; and shall not the Saint be best at last ?

Reader , Observe how careful the Saints have been to do their last work well , and to go out of the world like some sweet spices , perfuming the room in which they fetch their last breath , with holiness , and leaving a sweet savour behind them . Jacob when dying , worshipped , leaning on his staff , Heb. 11. 21. What a Character doth he give of the Angel of the Covenant , and what blessings doth he pray for , and prophesie to come on his children , when he was going from them ? How was his heart enlarged in pantings after the Lord Christ ? Gen. 48. 16. and 49. per tot . The living waters of his graces ran with the greater strength , when they were emptying themselves into the Ocean of glory . Moses like the dying Swan sings most sweetly , being to go up to Mount Nebo to dye there . What excellent doctrines , reproofs , instructions , doth he deliver to the Israelites ? How pathetically , rhetorically , divinely doth he dictate his last legacies to his Political children ? who can read and not be ravished with wonder and delight ! Deut. 32. & 33. Ioshua like the morning star , shines brightest at last ; He gives his people so strict a charge to serve the Lord , such gracious counsel , when he was going the way of all the earth , that it could not but be remembred many days after . Dying Ioseph will lay his bones at stake for Gods faithfulness , and that he will visit Israel and deliver them out of Egypt . Sampson did the Church of God much service , in slaying more of her enemies at his death , then in his life . Iulius Caesar among the Romans , and Olympia the Mother of Alexander among the Grecians , were famous for their care to die handsomely , and not to commit at last any ill beseeming action , whereby their memories should have been rendred inglorious ; But the Christians care hath always been , to die holily , and to do their God most service when they are going to that place where they shall do him no more in a proper sense . Philosophers tell us , Xen. l. 8. Plut. Apol. that the soul upon deaths approach is more divine and supernaturally inclined ; certain it is , the soul of a Saint onely doth then more aspire heaven-ward , when its returning 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , to its original divinity , according to Plotinus his phrase of death . As his Saviour he brings out his best wine at last , and his last works are more then his first , Rev. 2. 19.

The blessed Prince , and Lord of life , should be our pattern at death . He got his Father most glory , he did his Church most good , by his death , though he was eminently serviceable to both all his life time . It s said of him , He was obedient ( Phil. 2. 7. ) to the death ; Which may import , 1. His continuance in well-doing ; His obedience lasted to the last moment of his life ; so should ours . Elisha would not leave his Master , till taken from him into Heaven , and we should not leave our Lord till taken to him into Heaven . Polycarp in his old age being urged by the Proconsul to deny Christ , answered , I have served him eighty six years , and he never once hurt me , and shall I now deny him ? 2. His obedience in his death ; His death was a Free-will offering in obedience to his Fathers command . Not onely his birth and life was an answer to his Fathers call ; A body hast thou prepared , &c. Then said I , Lo , I come ( to put on that body , to take upo● 〈◊〉 that nature , and thereby and therein ) to do thy Will , O God ; but also his death was in pursuance of his duty ; This commandment received I of my Father ; Thus the Christians death must be offered up as a sacrifice to God , in obedience to his command . The Sinners soul is Prest to this War , in which there is no discharge ; This night thy soul shall be required of thee . The Saint understanding the orders from the Lord of Hosts , is a Voluntier ; He gives up the Ghost ; Into thy hands Lord I commend my Spirit . 3. The gracious manner of his dying . The Sun of righteousness , when setting , did shine most gloriously . Though at his death he had such infinite disadvantage , being to wrestle with the frowns of an incensed God , the fury of earth and Hell , and met with clouds , black , and thick enough to have obscured the graces , and hindered the holiness of any but himself , from shining at all , yet how brightly did they break forth in the midst of all those Fogs , and Mists , and Darkness ! What holy counsel and comfort did he give his Disciples to prepare them for his departure , in his last ( and one of his longest ) Sermon ! Ioh. 14 , 15 , 16. What an heavenly prayer doth he put up to his Father for them , and all his elect ! to give them both a taste and a pledge of that intercession which he was going to Heaven to make for them . When he was hanging on the Cross , under such an heavy weight as the sins of the whole World , Grace was not depressed . His love to his Mother is observeable ; Woman , behold thy Son ; And from that hour that Disciple took her to his own house , John 19. 26. But his love to his membren● though enemies , was wonderful ; Father forgi●● them , they know not what they do . His Faith in his Father ; Father into thy hands I commend my spirit . His pity to one of the Theives . His Patience in bearing the scoffing words and taunts , more bitter then Worm-wood , of them that passed by , reviling him , as well as in suffering the wracking of his bones , and whole body , and the anger of an infinite God , in his soul , without any murmuring , may well call for our admiration . Reader , he hath set thee a pattern , that thou shouldst follow his steps . Some tell us the Phoenix of Saba , in Arabia Faelix ( so called from Phoenicea , or the Purple colour of her wings ) liveth six hundred and sixty years , at the end of which time , she buildeth her a nest of Cassia , Calamus , Cinnamon , Plin. l. 9. c. 35. and other precious spices and gums , which the Sun by the extremity of his heat , and the wavering of her wings , fires , and she taking delight in the sweetness of the savour , hovers so long over it , that she burns her self in her own Nest. Thus did the blessed Jesus , and thus ought his followers to expire in a Nest of sweet Spices , the exercise of the graces of the holy Spirit . It was a poor farewel to the world , which even Octavius Augustus gave when at the point of death he called for his Looking-glass , Suetonius . commanded to have his Head and beard combed , and his shriveled Cheeks smoothed up ; then asking his friends if he had acted his part well ; Cum ita responderint , vos omnes igitur inquit Plaudite . It is a dreadful conclusion which Pliny relates the Hyberboreans to make , who when they have lived to one hundred years or more , make a great feast , to which they invite all their friends , and after their jollity and mirth , throw themselves down a steep rock and so perish .

Ungodly men are always worst at last ; when they come to the bottom , they are flat and dead , and nothing but grounds and dregs . How often in the eyes of the world , do wicked persons go out like a Lamp , leaving a stench behind them ! The scandalous sinner , usually , like the Goats beard , or star of Jerusalem , closeth up the flower of his presumptuous hope at high noon , he is cast in his own conscience long before his death . The Hypocrite ordinarily , as the Daysie and Dandelion , declares the approach of the evening , by shutting up before its approach ; If he be gold in the morning , and silver at noon , yet ( as we say of Butter ) he is lead at night . What is the hope of the Hypocrite , when God shall take away his soul ! As its storied of the Pardora , a people in India , that in their youth they have silver hairs , but in their age , their hairs are quite black ; Or as the She Wolf hath a yearly defect in generation , the first time she hath five , the second time four , then three , then two , then one , then barren ever after . So the Hypocrite d●clines and decreaseth in goodness , faster then the Moon in its last quarter , and is commonly worst at last . But the sincere Christian hath his best at the bottom , and hath his daintiest dish reserved to be served in at the last course● Naturalists tell us of Honey , that that is the thickest and best Honey , which is squeezed last out of the Comb. O what excellent periods and endings , both in regard of the exercise of grace and comfort , have many of the Children of God made ! The Death-bed to some Saints , hath been like Tharah to the Israelites in the Wilderness , where after many journeys growing near to the Land of Canaan , they rested themselves , and it was called Tharah , from Roah and Tarah , which signifieth a breathing time . The Sun when it declines into the West , hath even then much more light then any of the Stars ; The meanest upright Christian when he is near setting , hath more joy and comfort then a specious Hypocrite any day of his life . When some asked Oecolampadius , lying on his death-bed , whether the light did not offend him , he answered , pointing to his breast , Hic sat lucis , H●re is abundance of light , of joy ; He asked one of his Friends , What news ? His Friend told him , None ; Then saith he , I will tell you some news ; I shall presently be with my Lord Christ .

I shall give thee two or three quickening Motives , and then direct thee about the work● of exercising thy self to Godliness on a Dying Bed ; and because its the last time of a Christians working for his God , I shall in the third place annex some brief helps to this duty .

In reference to the Motives , Consider ,

First , What a serious thing Death will be to every Man and Woman in the World . It s ill and dangerous for any to cozen themselves , and undertake to mock God in their health and life ; but it s worst of all , and desperate , for any to do this on a sick and dying Bed . The Heathen hardened in sin , and wholly under the power of Satan , ignorant of the evil of their hearts and lives , and of the sad consequence of a wicked end , made light of death . Flavius Vespasian , none of the worst of the Roman Emperors , died ( as Sir Thomas Moor , ) with a jest in his mouth . Vt puto Deus fio . Sueton. Anrel . Vict●r . Methinks I am going and growing to be a God . Augustus Caesar esteemed the best of them whose death the people so much lamented , that they said , Vtinam aut non nasceretur , aut non moreretur ; Would he had never been born , or never dyed , went off the Stage of the World with a Complement ; Livia , Nostri Conjugii memor , Vive & Vale ; Farewel and Live Wife , mindful of our Marriage . Galba dyed desperately , crying out , Feri si ex re sit Populi Romani ; Strike if it be for the common good . Tiberius dyed dissemblingly , of whose death Tacitus wittily , Iam Tiberium vires & corpus , non dissimulatio , deserebant ; Now strength and life hath lest Tiberius , but not dissimulation . But Christians who understand the holiness and justice of God , the infinite demerit of sin , the certainty of an unchangeable condition in the other World , either in joy or torment , know that death is no jesting matter , that to dye is one of the most serious searching things , that they can possibly do .

Two or three Particulars will shew what a serious thing death is .

1● Death will try men . When the Bridegroom comes , it will appear who have Oyl in their Vessels , and who have none● As soon as ever thou takest thy leave of temporal good things , thy spiritual riches will be known . A scorching Summer discovers what streams are fed with Ponds , and what with Springs . The Wind sheweth which Clouds have Rain in them , and which have none . Death will anatomize every soul , and reveal all that is in it ; Conscience will then bring in a true Verdict , in despight of all those bribes and frights which formerly kept the Bill in suspense , or caused it to write on it an Ignoramus . There are marks by which Saints and Sinners may be distinguished whilst they live , as great mens servants are by the Liveries that they wear but these characters ; being most inward , and known to none but themselves , and the Lord they serve , it is their dying onely , that will reveal infallibly what they are , and to whom they belong . This World is as a common Inn , wherein all are lodged , and no difference is made between the good and bad , onely that the worst men have the best usage ; but the very moment of mens dissolution makes a plain and vast distinction . Death is the way of all the earth , according to Ioshua's Periphrasis of it ; but this way hath two turnings ; one on the right hand to joy and bliss ; another on the left hand to misery and horror ; now as when the attendants of two Lords , travail together on the road , their servants cannot easily be distinguished , especially if the Servants of the one , counterfeit the livery of the other ; but when they come to the Bivium , the parting way , then it s clearly known who belong to the one , and who to the other , for each then followeth his own Master , waits on him to his house , stayeth and abideth there with him ; So though whilst men live , all professing themselves Christians , and most for a shew at least , putting on the livery of Christ , it is not known who belong to the Prince of Life , and who to the Prince of the powers of the Air , but death will discover it to themselves , and the Elect Angels . 2. It will appear that Death is a serious thing , in that Eternity● When thou diest , thy condition will be like the Law of the Medes and Persians , such as cannot be altered . At death thou goest the way that thou shalt never return . David speaking of his dead Child , saith , I shall go to him , but he shall not return to me ; And Iob by asking the question , denyeth it ; If a man dye , shall he live again ? God will never trust thee with a second life , or give thee leave for second thoughts , or better purposes , or more serious and sober actions , when thou art once landed in the other world . He will not offer thee a Christ , and Grace , and Heaven , when thou art gone from this earth . Think of it seriously ; is not that work to be done well , which can be done but once ? Shouldst thou not use thine utmost care , and strength , and diligence , to dye well , when thy everlasting making or marring dependeth on it ? Ah Friend , If thou failest now , thou failest for ever ; if thou dalliest now , thou art undone eternally ; There is no wisdom nor knowledge in the Grave , whither thou art going , Eccles. 11. 7. 3. Death will appear to be a serious thing , in that all the powers of Hell , will then assault thee . Thou mayst say of it ( in some respects , as Christ did ) to wicked men , and the Wicked one ; This is your hour , and the power of darkness . The Devil its observeable , is most busie at the conclusion of a duty , as of prayer , that the Christian might be hindered and distracted , when he closeth up all in the name of Christ , and so all his desires be frustrated ; so he is most busie in the conclusion of our days , adding fearful dreams to our slumbers , strong distractions to our fancies , increasing our pains with terrors , driving the good if possible , to despair , and intoxicating the bad with presumptuous conceits , and all because his time is little . The Devil is come down , having great rage , knowing that his time is short , Rev. 12. 12. At the approach of death , through pain of body , and perplexity of mind , men are least able to resist , and therefore this cowardly enemy will then be most ready and fierce to assault ; When the Christian is down , then if possible , he will ●rample upon him . The last persecutions of the Church under Dioclesian , and Maximinian , were the soarest . The last messenger the Devil sent to Iob , concerning the sudden violent death of all his Children , pierced his heart deepest . The subtle serpent reserved that great Ordnance for the last , hoping the former small guns of the los● of his Cattel , and Estate , and Servants , would have done some execution , in making some breach upon his faith and patience ; and this great gun playing , when he was before tired in defending , must needs shatter him in peices . He may fitly be called the Wolf of the Evening ( Jer. 5. 6. ) that devoureth . This roaring Lyon walketh in the night to seek his prey . There have been few eminent Saints , but have found their Death-bed , a Bed of Thorns , in regard of temptations . Mr. Knox said , when he came to dye , In my life time , the Devil tempted me to despair , casting my sins in my teeth ; but now in my sickness , he tells me , I have been faithful in the Ministery , and so have merited Heaven ; but blessed be God , who brought those Texts into my mind ; Not I , but the grace of God in me ; What hast thou that thou hast not received ? The Israelites never met with so much opposition , as when they were to take possession of the Land of Canaan , then all the Kings of Canaan combined together , and came out and fought them . When Satan was to be cast out of the possessed person , and never to enter into him more , he rent him , and tore him , that the people thought he was dead .

Now Reader , What need hast thou to be serious and holy on a dying Bed , to the utmost of thine ability , and to fetch in all the strength thou canst from Heaven , when thou hast such cruel powerful enemies to encounter with ? It s was one of the most quickening prevalent arguments , that Alexander used to the Macedonians , before their third and last fatal Battel with Darius , That t●ey were to fight with all the strength of Persia at once . What an awakening argument should it be to thee , that thou art to fight with all the Powers of Hell at once ?

Secondly , Consider , It s a special season wherein thou mayst glorifie God . A Saint by his death may bring God more honour then by all his life . The Actions and Speeches of dying men , make a deep impression on the hearts of those that are about them . The wicked themselves , who have mocked at the purity and strictness of the Saints lives , have admired their patience and chearfulness in their deaths . Though they look on the beleivers words in health , as savouring of self and sinister ends , and humour , and so neglect them ; yet when they hear a dying Saint commend the love and faithfulness of God , the pleasantness , and excellency of his ways and worship , and to bless the time , and pains , and strength , that ever they spent in his service , they esteem his language and begin to have other thoughts of Holiness and Heaven ; for they consider , that surely now the man is entering upon the borders of eternity , he is serious and in earnest . Hence the Patriarchs , knowing the prevalency of such words , urge Ioseph with Iacobs dying charge ; Thy Father , when dying , said , Forgive I pray thee , the iniquity of thy servants , Gen. 50. 16. That Ru●●ian that would live with his fellow Riotors , beholding the holy behaviour of Ambrose on his Death-bed , would chuse to dye with Ambrose . The enemies of Christ , beholding at the death of Christ how the Rocks were rent , darkness covered the face of the earth , how the vail of the Temple was torn in sunder , the graves were opened , the dead raised , were forced to cry out , Doubtless this man was the Son of God : So when the adversaries of Gods people , see them on their Death-beds , and behold their patience in bearing their sickness , their Faith in relying on their Saviour , their charity in forgiving their enemies , their zeal for the honour and interest of their Master , their constancy in defending the Gospel they did before profess , they are compelled in their consciences to acknowledge , Doubtless these are the Servants , the Sons and Daughters of God . Much more will a holy behaviour on a Dying-bed benefit such as fear God . It convinceth sinners , that they , whether they will or no , must have other thoughts of holiness and holy men then formerly , and it confirmeth Saints in their gracious practices , and makes them more diligent in their preparation .

Mr. Bilny , the day before he suffered death , being told that though the fire was hot , Gods Spirit would cool it , to his everlasting refreshing , answered , putting his hand in the flame of the Candle , I feel by experience , and have known by Philosophy , that Fire by Gods Ordinance is very hot ; but yet I am perswaded by Gods holy Word , and by the experience of some spoken of therein , That in the flame they felt no heat , and in the fire no consumption ; and I constantly beleive , howsoever the stubble of this my body shall be wasted by it , yet my soul and spirit shall be purged thereby ; a pain for the time , whereon followeth joy unspeakable . And then he most comfortably treated on Isaiah 43. 1 , 2. But now , Thus said the Lord that created thee , O Jacob , and that formed thee , O Israel , Fear not , for I have redeemed thee ; When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee ; and through the rivers , they they shall not overflow thee ; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt , neither shall the flame kindle upon thee . Which words he applied both to himself and his friends then present . Of which some reaped such fruit that they caused the words to be fair written on Tables ; The comfort whereof , in several that were with him , was never taken from them to their dying day . O t is very profitable to others , when a Saint so behaveth himself on his Death-bed , that he may say to his Friends and Relations , as Sir Robert Harleigh did to his Children , Woodriff Simeons Song . Epist. Dedicat. I have formerly taught you how to live , and now I teach you how to die .

Thirdly , Consider , It s the last opportunity that thou shalt ever have to do any work for thy God and Saviour , and thy own soul ; When thou diest thou goest to the place where thou shalt receive thy reward , and shalt never never more have any season to sow to the Spirit in , to serve thy Redeemer in , and to manifest thy thankfulness to him for his love to thee ; I must work the work of him that sent me , whilst it is day , saith Christ , for the night cometh wherein no man can work , Ioh. 9. 4. Thou mayst when dying , say to thy friends , as the Crier of the Ludi seculares , which happened but once in a hundred years , did at Rome ; Come see that which ye never saw before , nor shall ever see again . He that hath but one Arrow to shoot , but one throw to cast , but one opportunity left him to work out his salvation in , may well improve it to the utmost . A certain Martyr going to suffer , expressed his sorrow that he was going thither , Where he should do his God no more service . Our God is so good , that his work is desireable , and were it possible for any grief in Heaven , saith Dr. Sibs , it would arise from a Christians consideration , that he did no more for his God , and that it cost him so little pains and labour to be saved . When Sampson was nigh his death , and should have no more opportunities to exalt his God , and advantage his Church , he lifted up his heart to Heaven ; Assist me this once , that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes . So Reader , when thou enterest thy Chamber , and art betaking thy self to thy dying bed , what weighty reasons hast thou to poure out thy soul , and wrastle with God for Divine strength ! Lord , I am now come , in my own apprehension , to the close of my days , after which , I shall never more enjoy a season to glorifie thy Majesty , or further my own account ; I am going to do a great work , which I never did before , nor shall ever do again ; I acknowledge that I have been guilty of too much slothfulness , and unfaithfulness in my life , and have given these Philistines that are enemies to my soul , too much advantage against me , and occasion to mock and deride me . O assist me now this once , that I may do thee and thy Church some eminent service , that I may be strong in faith , an example of patience , humility , heavenly-mindedness and charity , and be the death of those uncircumcised ones , my cursed corruptions , and be avenged on them , for all the dishonour they have done to thee , though I dye with them .

I come now to shew wherein thou oughtest to excercise thy self to Godliness , on a Dying Bed .

First , In Commending God and his ways to others . The Words of dying men , are living Oracles , and do not dye with them . It is the unhappiness of worldlings and wicked men , that when they come to dye , they cannot commend the work that they have followed , the wages which they have merited , or the Master whom they have served ; but it s the priviledge of Christians , that they have cause to praise the sweetness of that love which they have tasted , the equity of those Laws which they have obeyed , the grace , and mercy , and bounty , and faithfulness of that Lord whom they have prayed to , and delighted in , and worshipped , and the vastness , and richness , and certainty , and eternity of that reward which they are going to possess . The men of this earth , when they are dying , do often cry out and complain of the falseness and unfaithfulness of the world , and the flesh , how they have cozened , the cheated , and deceived them ; and of their own folly and madness , in toyling , and moiling , and drudging night and day , to please and gratifie that which now in their extremity turns them off . O how should the Children of God extol their Father , and his care of them , and kindness to them , magnifie their Redeemer , and his passion for them , and affection to them , exalt the Word and Ways of the Lord , as those which they have found by experience to be the most comfortable and gainful ways . The last breath of a Saint , should be spent in his Gods service . Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori , was Vespasians Motto . Oportet Episcopum , concionantem mori , was holy Iewels Motto . Oportet Christia num glorificantem Deum mori , should be every Saints Motto .

Dying Iacob will speak highly of Gods providence , though he bring it in ( as it were ) in a Parenthesis . The God which fed me all my life long to this day , Gen. 48. 15. Dying Ioseph will praise the Lords faithfulness to his promise , and pawn his body for its performance ; I die , and God will surely visit you , and bring you out of this land ; And Joseph took an Oath of the Children of Israel , saying , God will surely visit you , and ye shall carry up my bones from hence , Gen. 50. 24 , 25. Dying Moses ascribes greatness to his God , tells the Israelites , He is a Rock , his work is perfect , all his ways are judgement , a God of truth and without iniquity , just and right is he , Deut. 32. 3 , 4. Dying Ioshua will appeal to the consciences of his hearers , whether God had not kept touch with them to the least title ; I am going the way of all the earth , and ye know in all your hearts , and in all your souls , that not one good thing hath failed , of all that the Lord our God hath spoken , Josh. 23. 14. As Moses and Ioshua did sound forth the praises of their God , so also , when dying , they did perswade and exhort the Iews to godliness , Deut. 32. 23. Iosh. 23. per tot . So Paul meeting with those Ephesian Elders , that should see his face no more , doth solemnly charge them to take heed to the Flocks , over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers .

I remember , saith Senarclaeus , concerning Alphonsus Diazius , his Friend and Bed-fellow , when He and I were at Newburg , the night before he was Murdered , he prayed before he went to bed more ardently , and somewhat longer then ordinary ; after which he spent a good part of the night in discourse concerning the Works of God , and exhorting me to the practice of true piety , and truly , I found my self so inflamed , when I heard him , that I thought I heard the Spirit of God speaking to me .

Mr. Knox gave good advice to all his Visitors ; among the rest , the Earl of Morton came to see him , to whom he thus spake , My Lord , God hath given you many blessings ; Wisdom , Riches , and many great Friends , and now is about to prefer you to the Government of the Realm ; ( The Earl of Mart , the late Regent , being newly dead ; ) In his name I charge you , use these blessings better then formerly you have done ; Seeking first the glory of God , the furtherance of the Gospel , the good of his Church and Ministers ; Be careful of the King , to procure his good , and the welfare of his Realm ; If you do thus , God will be with you , and honour you ; if otherwise , he will deprive you of all these honours , and your end shall be shame and ignominy . These words the Earl called to mind nine years after , at the time of his Execution ; saying , that he had sound John Knox a true Prophet .

Mr. ●gnatius Iordan of Exeter , Mr. Nicols in his relation of the life and death of Ign. Iordan . one famous in his generation for Godliness , was observed in his sickness , to take all occasions to exhort others to constancy in the truth , Zeal for God , and to make sure of Heaven ; and when the Mayor of the City sent to visit him , he said to the Messenger , Remember me to Mr. Mayor , and tell him ●rom me , that he make sure of Heaven , be careful to do justice , and provide for the poor .

We should when dying , 1 Chron. 28.1 . 8 , 9. Vide in a special manner mind this work of commending God and Godliness to our Relations ; They are more affected then others with our sickness , and so also with our sayings ; Our Counsel may probably do them good , when we are turned into corruption ; Iacob calleth his Children together to bless them ; David layeth a strict command on his Son Solomon ; And thou Solomon my Son , know the God of thy Fathers , and serve him with a perfect heart , and a willing mind . Cyrus upon his death-bed conjures his Sons to peace , lest they should lose the Kingdom he left his heir . The Saint must conjure his Children to purity in the first place , lest they lose their souls and the Kingdom of Heaven . Mr. Robert Bolton , on his Death-bed , called his Children together , Wisht them to remember the counsel he had formerly given them , and he verily beleived none of them durst meet him at the great Tribunal in an unregenerate estate .

Fox . Martyr . Vol. 3. p. 138. Mr. Sanders a little before his death , in a Letter to his Wife , writeth thus , Dear Wife , riches I have none to leave behind me , wherewith to endow thee after this worlds manner , but the treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is unto hungry consciences ' ( whereof I thank my Christ , I feel part , and would feel more ) I bequeath to thee , and to the rest of my beloved in Christ , to retain the same in sense of heart always . O how pathetically , how earnestly , should dying Christians , who know somewhat of the worth of grace and holiness , and of the evil and end of sin and sinners , perswade their Children and Relations to love and fear , and serve the Lord , when it s the last time that ever they shall advise or counsel them ! How hard should they woo , that the souls of their Kindred may be married to Christ !

Secondly , In commending thy self and others to God by prayer . When the body breaths shortest , it breaths quickest . Though the Christian on his death-bed may want strength for long solemn devotion , his short ejaculations should be both fervent and frequent . The first thing a Child of God doth , when new born , is to breath , to pray , Act. 9. 27. And its one of the last things he doth , Act. 7. ult. He entereth praying into the place of praise . Paul the Hermit was found dead , saithe Ierom , , Hitr. in vit. with his hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven , that the dead corps seemed to pray . Demus operam ut moriamur in precatione ; Aug. de ve . invo . c. 33. Let us endeavour to dye at prayer , saith Austin .

1. The sick man should pray especially for himself ; Lord Iesus receive my Spirit , saith Stephen ; Father , into thy hands I commend my Spirit , saith Christ ; Lord , saith dying Beza , Perfect that which thou hast begun , that I suffer not Ship-wrack in the Haven . Children desire to dye in their Fathers bosome , or on their Mothers lap . Mr. Perkins died begging remission of sin , and intreating mercy at Gods hands . Bishop Vsher was often heard to desire the like end that Mr. Perkins had , which he obtained , for the last words which he was heard to utter , were ; But Lord in special forgive my sins of omission , not long after which he expired . Luthers prayer a little before his death , or rather thanksgiving , was ; Melc . Adam . Pater mi caelestis , Deus & Pater domini nostri Iesu Christi , ago tibi gratias quod filium tuum Iesum Christum mihi revelasti , cui credidi , quem sum professus , quem amare , &c. My Heavenly Father , the God and Father of my Lord Iesus Christ , I thank thee for revealing thy Son Iesus Christ to me , whom I have beleived , whom I have professed , whom I have loved .

Others must not be forgotten by us ; but our own souls must in a special manner be remembred . Bellarmin tells us of a desperate Advocate in the Court of Rome , Bellar. de arte mor. l. 2. c. 19. who being exhorted on his death-bed to pray to God for mercy , made this speech , Lord , I have a word to say to thee , not for my self ; Ego enim propero ad inferos ; neque enim est ut aliquid pro me agas ; For I am hastening to Hell , neither is there any thing that I would beg on my own behalf , but for my Wife and Children ; This he spake , ( saith Bellarmin , who was then present ) as boldly , as if he had been taking his journey onely to some neighbouring Village .

2. For his Relations . The more hot our affection is to any , the more fervent our petitions should be for them . Praying Parents are the most loving Parents ; When dying , chiefly they should bless their Children in the Name of the Lord . So Isaac did , Gen. 28. 1. Thus Iacob , Gen. 48. 15 , 16. Godly Parents may plead the Covenant made to them and theirs , unto God on their Dying Beds with comfort . I have read of one that used to pray , God bless my Father and Mother , Brethren and Sisters , & none else ; To whom one that heard him , answered , It were better the Devil had thy father , and mother , and brethren , and sisters , and none else . They are best acquainted with their Childrens conditions , conversations , wants , weaknesses , and so fittest to open their cases to God , and to beseech grace on their behalves , that they may be an holy seed , a generation arising to shew forth his praise . Christ when nigh death , committed his spiritual Children to his Father , and earnestly begged his care of them , and favour for them ; Holy Father , I come to thee ; I am no more in the World , but these are in the world ; Keep them thr●ugh thy name , keep them from the evil , sanctifie them through thy truth . So should a godly Father or Mother when dying ; Ruth . 1. 8. and 2. 19. 2 Tim. 1.18 . Lord , I am leaving my poor Children in the midst of snares , and temptations , and miseries ; I am coming out of the world to thy Majesty , where I shall be above all frights and fears , and beyond all malice and mischief ; but my children are in the world , and will dayly be environd with allurements , and affrightments , with assaults and batteries from their spiritual enemies ; thou knowest the power and policy of the world and the wicked one , the treachery and deceitfulness of the flesh within them , and their weakness and inability to wrestle with , and overcome the flatteries of the World , and the suggestions of the Devil . O keep them through thy name , that they may look beyond the World , live above the World , and expect and eye their portion and happiness in a better World . Though they live in the World , let them not live as the World , but walk all their days as heirs of another World . Keep them from the evil of ●in , however it please thy Majesty to deal with them about the evil of Suffering . Give them the Shield of Faith , whereby they may quench the fiery Darts of the Devil . Let thy Covenant of grace be their portion , thy love their cordial , and thy Mansion-house their eternal possession . Be thou their Father to direct , protect , govern , and provide for them , and give them a name in thy house , better then of Sons and Daughters ; O sanctifie them through thy truth , that they may be saved , and may meet me with joy at the great day . Luther when dying , made this Will for his Wife , great with Child , and his little Sons , O Lord God I thank thee , that thou wouldst have me to be poor in this world ; I have no House , Land , or money , that I should leave them . Thou hast given me Wife and Children , I restore them to thee . Do thou O Father of Orphans , and judge of Widows , nourish , teach , keep them , as thou hast hitherto me .

Si pro te solo oras , pro te solus orabis ; si pro omnibus rogas , omnes pro te rogabunt . Amb 3. For the whole Church of God ; It s good to pray by our selves , but its ill to pray onely for our selves ; When we are dying , and going to the Church triumphant , we should be sure to put up some requests for the poor members of Christ , and the Church militant . Calvin was heard before his death often to sigh out ; How long Lord , How long will it be ere thou avenge the blood of thy Servants● The people of God are the purchase of Christ , and of the same family and body with the dying Christian , and therefore must needs be dear to him .

Ruth 1. 8. and 2. 19. 4. For his Benefactours , and those that have done good to him and his . Paul had received some kindness from Onesimus , he refreshed him in his bonds , and in the ( 2 Tim. 1. 8. ) which was the last of his Epistles , and thought to be written but a little before his death , for he tells us in it , I am ready to be offered , and the time of my departure is at hand , how pathetically doth he pray for him ! The Lord grant that he may finde mercy at that day .

5. For our enemies ; This is to follow Gods pattern , who doth good for evil ; and to obey his Precept , who commandeth us to pray for them that despitefully use us . Stephen when departing out of the World , intreats mercy for them who were cruel to him ; Lord lay not this sin to their charge , Act. 7. 60. Our blessed Saviour dying , begs hard for their eternal lives , who were the instruments and authors of his bloody death ; Father forgive them , they know not what they do , Luk. 23. 34.

Thirdly , In an holy exercise of Faith , Courage , Repentance , Charity , and Patience .

1. Faith ; It s the Character of Gods Children , that they live by Faith , and they dye in the Faith , Hab. 2. 6. Heb. 11. 31. The waters , say some , of the Pool of Bethesda ( wherein the Priest washed the sacrifices before he offered them ) was of a reddish colour , to note that men must be washed by faith in the blood of Christ , before they are ready to be offered a Peace-offering to God by death . The dying Christian must expect strong assaults against the bulwark of his faith ; but what-ever he let go , he must keep his hold on Christ . I know no grace that the Devil is such a sworn enemy to , as Faith ; and I know no season that he is more diligent in to overthrow their faith , then when they are under some dangerous sickness ; therefore it s the observation of a good man , that he seldom seeth a sick Saint followed close with temptations , to recover of that sickness ; for Satan knowing he hath but a little time , useth all his craft and strength to separate the soul from the Rock of his salvation . Upon a dying bed , reflect upon former experienes of Gods love to thy soul , and recollect the former evidences of of thy title to Christ , and thereby to Heaven . I must tell thee , though the certainty of thy salvation depend upon the truth of thy Faith , the comfort of thy dissolution will depend on the strength of thy Faith . Faith is the shield of the soul , and therefore above all ( in thy encounter with thy great enemy Satan , and thy last enemy death ) take the Shield of Faith , Eph. 6. 14. Epaminondas after his victory at Lo●ctrum , wherein he was mortally wounded , understanding that his Buckler was safe , bid his Chirurgion , boldly to pluck out the Dart that stuck in his side , and died cheerfully . The Saint , the Souldier of Christ , who is wounded , even to death , and keepeth his Shield of Faith safe , may leave the world with courage . The Apostle Paul , who knew whom he had beleived ( 2 Tim. 1. 12. ) rings a challenge in the ears of death ; O death , where is thy sting ! and sings a triumphant ditty at the approach of death ; The time of my departure is at hand , I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course , I have kept the Faith ; Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness , 2 Tim. 4. 7 , 8. When Iacob had beleived the report of Iosephs life , his heart was revived ; Is Joseph yet alive ? saith he ; I will go down and see him before I dye . When the true Israelite can firmely credit the testimony which God hath given of Iesus the Son of Ioseph , how he being an enemy , was reconciled to God by the death of his Son , and shall much more , being reconciled , be saved by his life , and by faith can cling on him , his heart , though dying , is then enlivened ; O with what comfort can he take his journey into the other world ! When Philip viewed his young Son Alexander , Now , saith he , I am content to dye . Old Simeon springs young again , at a sight of Christ , and having embraced his Saviour in the armes of faith , as well as in the armes of his body , he begs a dismission out of this valley of tears , being assured thereby of an admission into fulness of joy ; Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word , for mine eyes have seen thy salvation . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Having with an eye of faith beheld Christ , he counts his life but a bondage , and desires to depart or be loosed from fetters , as the word signifieth , and is taken , Mat. 27. 17. We read of the Lords worthies , that by faith they stopped the mouths of Lions ; Death is a fierce and cruel Lion , but faith will pull out its teeth , that it cannot hurt us ; or stop its mouth , that it shall not devour us . This grace , like the Angel sent from Heaven , when Daniel was cast into the Lions Den , will save the Christian from being torn in peices .

O Friend , The Robes of Christs righteousness , is the onely Coat of Male , which can defend thy soul against the shot of death . If thou canst with Moses go up to Pisgah , and take a view by faith of the Land of promise , thou wilt comfortably with him lay down thine earthly Tabernacle . Iob desired death as eagerly , as the Labourer in an hot summers day desires the shadow . Paul longed for it as vehemently , as the Apprentice for the expiration of his Indentures , and all because they had first beheld Christ by faith . It s no wonder that many of Gods Children have called earnestly to be laid to bed , knowing that it would prove their everlasting happy rest , and when their bodies are carried by mortal men to their Mother Earth , their souls should be conveyed by glorious Angels to their Father in Heaven .

2. Courage ; A Christian should be a Voluntier in death ; Many of the Martyrs were as willing to dye as to dine ; went to the sire as chearfully as to a Feast , and courted its pale and gastly countenance , as if it had bee a beautiful Bride . When King Lysimachus threatned Cyrenaeus Theodorus with Hanging ; Cic. quaest. Tusc. l. 1. Istis quaeso ( inquit ) ista horribilia minitare purpuratis tuis ; Thedori quidem nihil interest , humine an sublime putrescat ; Threaten these terrible things to thy brave Courtiers , Theodorus cares not whether he rot in the Air , or on the Earth . Cyprian said Amen to his own Sentence of Martyrdom . Hierom reports of Nepotianus , that he gave up his life so chearfully , that one would have thought he rather walked forth then died . When Ignatius was led from Syria to Rome , to be torn in peices of wild Beasts , he often wished by the way , that he were in the midst of those Beasts that were to devour him , and that their appetites might be whetted to dispatch him ; fearing lest it should happen to him , as to some others , that the Lyons out of a kind of reverence , would not dare to approach them , being ready , he said , rather to provoke them to fight , then that they should suffer him to escape . Bradford being told by his Keepers Wife , that his Chain was a buying , and he was to die the next day , pulled off his Hat and thanked God for it . When some wondered that Adam Damplip could eat his food so well when his end was so near , he told them , Ah Masters , Do you think that I have been Gods Prisoner so long in the Marshalsey , and have not yet learned to die ? Yes , yes , and I doubt not but God will strengthen me therein . Ann Askew subscribed her Confession in Newgate , thus , Written by me Ann Askew , that neither wisheth for death , nor feareth his might , and as merry as one that is bound towards Heaven . Indeed it s said of a wicked man , that his soul is required of him , and that God takes away his soul , Luk. 12. Job 27. 10. but of a godly man that he giveth up the Ghost , and he cometh to his grave , Gen. 25. 8. Job 4. ult. Nature will teach the Heathen , that death is the end of all outward miseries to all men , hence some of them drank of its cup with as much constancy and courage , as if it had been the most pleasant Julip ; but grace will teach the Christian that death is not onely a remedy against all his bodily and spiritual maladies , as Sir Walter Rawleigh said of the sharp Ax that should behead him , this will cure all my infirmities , but also an inlet into fulness of joy and felicity ; Reverend Deering said on his death-bed , I feel such joy in my spirit , that if I should have the sentence of life on the one side , and the sentence of death on the other side , I had rather a thousand times chuse the sentence of death , since God hath appointed a separation , then the sentence of life . Ti●us Vespation , the mirror of mankind , being a stranger to Christ , was very unwilling ●o leave the world , being carried in an Horse-litter , and knowing that he must dye , lookt up to Heaven and complained pittifully , that his life should be taken from him who had not desired to dye , having never committed any sin , as he said , but onely one . Socrates and some of the wiser Heathen● comforted themselves against the fear of death , with this weak Cordial , that it is common to men , the way of all the earth ; Hence it was when the Athenians condemned Socrates to dye , he received the Sentence with an undaunted spirit , and told them , they did nothing but what nature had before ordained for him . But the Christian hath a greater ground for a holy resolution , and a stronger Cordial against the fear of death , even his hopes of eternal life , and surely if he that exceeds others in his Cordials , be excelled by them in Courage , he disgraceth his Physitian . Aristippus told the Saylers who wondred that he was not as well as they afraid in the storm ; Ye fear the torments due to a wicked life , and I expect the reward of a good one . It s no marvail that they who lived wickedly , should dye unwillingly , being frighted with the guilt of their past sins , and with the fears of their future torments ; therefore the holy Ghost saith of such a one , Prov. 12. 52. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness , as a Beast that is driven out of his den , to the slaughter , or as a Debtor driven by the Officers out of his house , wherein he lay warm and was surrounded with all sorts of comfort , to a nasty loathsom prison ; But that the righteous who hath hope in his death , should even dye almost with fear of it before-hand , is matter of wonder . Lots soul is exceedingly vexed with Sodom , yet he is loth to leave it . This world is a wilderness , a purgatory , a step-mother , a persecutor to all the Saints , and yet some of them when called to leave it sing loth to depart , and would linger behind ; partly from nature which dreads a dissolution , and partly from the weakness of grace ; To fear death much , argueth sometimes wickedness , always weakness .

3. Repentance ; It s said of St. Augustine , that he dyed with tears in his eyes , in the practice of repentance ; and Posidonius saith of him , that he heard him often say in his health , Posidon in vit. Aug. that it was the fittest disposition for dying Christians and Ministers . Laudatos ( saith he ) Chistianos & sacerdotes absque digna & competenti paenitentia exire de corpore non debere . We dye groaning , i● regard of our bodies , why should not our souls sigh that ever they sinned against so good a God! Beasts bite their enemies with more venome and indignation , when they are ready to dye ; Maxime mortiferi solent esse morsus morientium animali●m . The Christian should give sin his most deadly bite , his greatest abhorrency , and grief , and shame , when he is dying , and shall never see sin , or sorrow , or shame more . As its noble and excellent to dye , forgiving sinners , so also taking revenge upon sin . Moses a little before his death , is commanded to avenge the Children of Israel of the Midianites ; and then he is gathered to his people , Numb. 31. 1 , 2. Samuel takes vengeance on Agag , when he was old , and knew not the day of his death ; David could not dye with comfort , till he had charged Solomon to execute that justice on Ioab which he had omitted . The last time the Judge seeth the Felon , he passeth sentence of death upon him . O how should the soul of a dying Saint be inflamed with anger against sin , when he considers the rich love that it abuseth , the glorious name that it dishonoureth , the blessed Saviour that it pierceth , and that vast happiness which he is going to possess , of which without infinite grace and mercy it had deprived him ! Some persons when they have been to take their last revenge on their enemies , have done it to purpose . The beleiver on his dying bed , takes his last revenge on sin , he shall never have another opportunity to shew his love to his God and Saviour in , his spite at , and hatred of sin ; therefore then he should do it to purpose , as dying Sampson put forth all his strength , and beg divine help , that he may utterly destroy it , and be avenged on it , for all the defilement and bondage it hath brought on his soul , and dishonour to his Saviour . Dying Iacob cursed the sins of his own Sons , Cursed be their wrath , for it was fierce , and their anger , for it was cruel ; O my Soul , enter not thou into their secrets . The dying Child of God should curse his passions , his pride , his unbeleif , his selfishness , even all his lusts , for disobeying such righteous Laws , and displeasing such a gracious Lord . When David Chrytaeus lay a dying , he lift up his head from his Pillow , to hear the discourses of his friends that sat by him , saying , I shall dye with the more comfort , if I can dye learning something . The Christian both by his painful sickness , and approaching death , may learn something of the evil of sin , and certainly he may dye with the more comfort ( for godly sorrow and joy may be contemporaries , as the Heavens shine and showr at the same time ) if he dye in a flood of tears for his unkindness to Christ .

4. Charity in a double respect .

1. In forgiving them that have wronged thee . If the natural Sun should not go down upon our wrath , muchless should the Sun of our Lives . It s bad to bear anger or malice one hour in our hearts against any , but it s worst of all to carry it with us into the other world . How can he expect to dye in peace with God , who dyeth in war with men , when God himself hath said , Except ye forgive others their trespasses against you , neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses ? Amilcar the Father of Hannibal , when he was dying , made his Son take a solemn Oath to maintain a perpetual War with the Romans . Edward the first , adjured his Son and Nobles , that if he dyed in his expedition against Bruce , King of Scotland , they should not inter his Corps , but carry it about with them , till they had avenged him on that Usurper ; But certainly its a desperate thing to leave Children Heirs to the Parents wrath and rage , as well as to his riches ; O how dreadful is his estate , who takes his enemy by the throat , when God by death is taking him by the throat , and ready to thrattle him for ever . If thou hast wronged others , either in name , or goods , or body , seek reconciliation , and make satisfaction , for this is righteous and just ; If thy brother hath ought against thee , thou hast never more need of reconciling thy self to him , then when thou art approaching the Altar of death , there to offer up the last sacrifice to God in this world . If thy Brother have wronged thee in any sort , remit it , this is charity ; to do otherwise , is to give place to the Devil , Eph. 4. 16 , 17. and thou hast least cause to give him ground when his rage is greatest , and his barteries strongest , in thy last conflict with him . O! imitate that blessed Martyr Stephen , and the incomparable Saviour , in begging Gods love for them who hate thee , Act. 7. 60. Luke 23. 34.

2. In remembring the poor and afflicted , if God hath made thee able ; its best to be merciful in our life-time , to make our own hand our Executors , and our own eyes our Overseers ; for the payment of our Gifts and Legacies to our spiritual Kindred , for such have a particular promise that God will make all their bed in their sickness , but its good to be charitable when we are dying ; True friends show most love at parting . Though justice must be blind , not to see persons , yet charity must be quick-sighted , to pick out the fittest objects , viz. the poor , and the pious , poor in the first place . Our Goods will not extend to God , therefore they must to the Saints . When Ionathan was beyond the reach of Davids charity , he doth for his sake manifest it to his Son . God is beyond all our gifts , therefore for his sake we must bestow them on the Godly that are his Children ; Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness , that when that faileth , ye may be received into the everlasting habitations ; Hereby men lay up a good foundation against the time of need . Godly Parents are ignorant how their Children may imploy the estate they leave , whether as fuel for corruption , or as oyl to keep the Lamps in Gods sanctuary burning ; its good therefore for themselves with prudence to dispose of what they may to Gods Servants and Service .

Some men have estates dropping on them , out of the clouds , as it were , large inheritances , fair patrimonies , like Canaan , both in regard of their fruitfulness , and abounding with all sorts of comforts , and in regard of their easiness of obtaining them without sweat or labour ; they inherit , a● the Israelites , Houses which they built not , Wells which they digged not , and Vineyards which they planted not , upon both these accounts , such persons are engaged to do good , and distribute , and to be rich in good works . God expects a return of his Talents with advantage ; How liberal , nay , lavish , have many Papists been upon their death-beds , to Friars and Monks , even to the wronging their Wives and Children , that some States , as Venice , have been forced to make Laws to restrain men , lest the Church should in time swallow up all the revenues of the Common-wealth , and all this upon a foolish vain conceit , that they should the sooner pass through Purgatory ? It is certainly a great disgrace to the Disciples of Christ , and no mean dishonour to Christ himself , that so many , and such large gifts , have proceeded from the false faith of Merit-mongers , when the faith of his most glorious Gospel doth not work the like in true beleivers ; How will Christians answer it , that an idle Dream , and fancied Fear of an imaginary Purga●ory , should do more them the sure perswasion of the love of God , and the certain hope of eternal life ?

4. Patience and Submission to the will of God , both as to our death or life , and also as to our pain or ease in sickness ; As to our life and death we must know God is wise , and will never gather his fruit but in the best season . None , ununless a fool , but will be willing God should chuse for him . It s excellent for a sick●person to be wholly at Gods disposal , as knowing that whilst he is here God will refresh him with the first fruits , and when he goeth hence , receive him into that place where he shall enjoy the whole harvest . It was the speech of dying Iulian , he that would not dye when he must , and ●e that would dye when he must not , are both of them Cowards alike . To desire to live when one is called to dye , is a sign of Cowardise , for such a one is afraid to enter the list with the King of terrors ; To desire to dye , when one is called to live , speaks a faint-hearted creature , for such a man dares not look an affliction or disaster in the face , therefore would take shelter in death● Cato , Cleombrotus , Lucretia , shewed more cowardise then courage , in being their own Executioners ; The Romans commended Terentius for his resolution to live , after his Army was routed by Hannibal . He is the most valiant person that can dye willingly , when God would have him dye , and live as willingly , when God would have him live . He that is weary of his work before the evening , is an unprofitable servant , and is either infected with idleness , or with diseases . When Dr. Whitaker was told , death was approaching , he answered , Life or Death is welcom to me , which God pleaseth . Mr. Robert Bolton , being told that it would be better for the Church of God , if God pleased to spare his life , said , If I shall find favour in the eyes of God , he will bring me again , and shew me both it and his habitation ; if not , Lo here I am , let him do with me what he pleaseth . Another pious soul in his sickness cryed out , Domine si tibi sim necessarius , non recuso vivere ; Lord , if I may be further serviceable to thee , I am willing to live . Lucius Cornelius , Lieutenant in Portugal , L. Cornelius , legatus sub Fabio Consule . Vividam naturam & virilem animam servavi ; quo ad animam efflavi ; & tandem desertus o●e medicorum & AEsculapii Dei ingrati , ●ui me voveram , sodalem perpetuo suturum , si fil● aliquantulum , optata pro●●lisset . Ep. taph . under Fabius the Consul , was infamous to following ages , for his impatience in complaining of his Physitian , and railing at Esculapius , for not accepting his vow and passionate desire , of having his life spun out to a longer thread . We cannot blame them who have their portion in this life , for their unwillingness to leave it , and to become beggers in Hell for ever . Mori timeat qui ad secundam mortem , de hac morte transibit ( saith Ciprian de Moral . ) Let him fear death , who must pass from this death to the second death . To such a one indeed , death is a Murderer , like Iehorams messenger , comes to take away the life of his soul , and all his happiness , and therefore he may well call , as Elisha did , shut the door and keep him out .

Many Saints who died violent and cruel deaths , yet gave their very enemies cause to admire their patience ; They wearied out their bloody Persecutors by their meekness and patience . Bonner said of the Martyrs in Queen Marys days , A vengeance on them , I think they love to burn . When that old Disciple Policarp came to the stake at which he was burnt to death , he desired to stand untied , saying , Let me alone , for he that gave me strength to come to the fire , will give me patience to endure the flame without your tying . Cassianus with admirable meekness , suffered a cruel Martyrdom from his own Scholars , who at the command of the barbarous Tyrant , became his Executioners , some with their Pen Knives , pricking and lancing his flesh , others casting stones at him , till they had killed him . Eulaliae a chast virgin , of a noble Family in Portugal , being for a time kept close by her Parents , for fear her bold Profession should cause her death ; one night getting from them , and appearing before the Tribunal of Maximnus , she was for refusing to sacrifice to his Idols , Executed in this manner , first two Hangmen with all their might , rent her joynts in sunder , then her flesh was scratched from her sides , with the Talons of Wild Beasts , and hot burning Torches were set to her sides , which ended her life .

A Christian should also exercise patience and submission to Gods will , under his pain ; It is the rule of Hippocrates , that that sickness is most dangerous in which the sick man alters his countenance . Undoubtedly its ill and unbecomming Christianity , when men who in health are mild and meek , in sickness are altered to be peevish and passionate , that their relations and attendants who pity their pain , and pray for their ease , and watch , and work night and day to serve them , are requited with harsh words , and fretful returns . Cajus Marius , suffered the veins of his legs to be cut out for the cure of his Gout , and never shrunk for it . The Grecians were cowardly in their encounters with men , but valiant and patient in their conflicts with diseases . Master Ieremiah Whitaker , who on his death-bed had dreadful fits of the stone , bore them with ma●vellous patience , often turning up his eyes to Heaven , and saying , Blessed be God , this is not Hell . The Saint who is in covenant with God , and hath engaged himself to God to submit to all his providences , and hath God engaged to him , to lay no more upon him then he will enable him to bear , may well with patience endure the divine pleasure .

Vincentius a Spaniard , who was Martyred at Valence , under Dacianus the President of the cruel Tyrant Dioclestan , was used in this manner ; first he was laid upon the wrack , and all the joynts of his body distended till they crackt again ; then all the members of his body were pierced and indented with deadly wounds ; then they vexed and tore his flesh with Iron Combs sharply filed ; then they laid his body on an Iron grate , and when they had opened his flesh with Iron Hooks , they seared it with fiery Plates , sprinkling the same with hot burning Salt ; last of all , they cast him into a vile Dungeon , the floor whereof was first thick spread with the sharpest shells that might be gotten , his feet then being fast locked in the stocks , there he was left alone till he died , all which he endured without murmuring or complaining , and according to his name ( Vincentius ) was over all a Conquerour . And shall not Christians , who dye in their Beds in peace , with much less pain , be patient ! Many who knew not God , did look on death as a favour , and one of the greatest which their Gods could bestow on them . Agamedes and Trophonius , Plu● . ad Apol. having built the Temple of Apollo , asked of that God a reward for their service ; They were answered ; that within seven days they should be bountifully paid for their pains , at the end of which time they dyed in a sleep . One of Caesars crazed Souldiers , desired the favour of the Emperor , to have leave to kill himself .

Especially the thoughts of the happy issue of the most painful sickness and death to a Child of God , may as the wood thrown into the bitter waters of Marah , make them sweet unto him . Some chuse to be cut , rather then to be daily tortured with the stone , though they know that cutting will put them to much pain , because they hope that cutting will cure them of their distemper . When a Gaoler knocks off a Prisoners Fetters and Bolts , though it puts him to much more pain then the constant wearing them , though every blow goeth to his heart , yet he flincheth not , he complaineth not , because he knoweth his future ease will make amends for his present pain . Christians are here fettered with sin and misery , which constantly grate upon their spirits . Death is the Gaoler to knock of their shackles , and let them into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God , what though it put them to much pain , they may bear it with much patience , knowing that it will end in eternal pleasures .

Though an Hypocrite like a piece of Brass , when stricken with the Hammer of Sickness or Death , maketh a sharp and irksome noise , with impatience , and breaketh in peices , is undone for ever ; yet the sincere soul , as a piece of Gold , when so smitten , may sound sweetly , and be pliable ; True Gold may be stretcht out in length and breadth , in thin and fine leaves , as you please .

Now Reader , that thou mayst thus glorifie thy God , credit thy profession , further thine account , and advantage others by thy death , it is requisite that thou be always ready for it . The Q●arter-day never comes amiss to him that hath always his Rent ready by him . The loving Husband , let him come when he will , is ever welcom to a faithful Spouse ; The actual unpreparedness of some holy persons , hath caused their Petitions for a longer stay , when God seemed to call them hence , Psa. 39. 13. As a Nobleman who is a Loyal Subject , and affectionately desires his Princes presence and company at his house , may wish that it may be deferred when his house is out of repairs , till it is in a better order . The habitual unpreparedness of sinners , I mean their predominant impenitency and unbeleif , hath made death cutting to them indeed . The Pismire fears not the Winter , having laid in her provision against that season ; but the Gra●hopper being unprepared , is starved therein .

Let thy whole life be but a preparation for death ; He that would dye but once , I mean , escape the second death , must dye daily , live in a constant expectation of it , and preparation for it . Pliny calleth a sudden death , the greatest fortune of a mans life . Iulius Caesar , the day before his death , in discourse with Marius Lepidus , upon that point , what was the best end of a mans life , preferred that which was sudden and unlookt for , which was his fate the next day . Augustus his Successor , was of the same judgement , and desired , Mortem celerem , & insperatem ; But the Christian findeth by experience , that death to be the best , which was most expected and prepared for . Meditatio mortis , vita perfectissima , The Meditation of death , is the holiest life , ●aith the Father . Tota vita , meditatio mortis , & discendum est mori , The whole life is but a learning to dye , saith the Philosopher . Wise Princes lay up ten years for one days Battel . A wise Christian will lay up every day somewhat for his last day , knowing that if he win that combat , he is made for ever . Invasions or Insurrections , like a sudden breach of the Sea , carry all before them , when pitcht Battels give equal advantage , and cause less terror on each side . Evils premeditated , are often prevented , always mitigated , the mind gathering reason and strength together , wherewith to encounter them . But unthought of troubles , like fire in the night , are most frightful , startling the secure sinner from his quiet repose .

In order to this preparation , I shall mention two or three particulars , but briefly , having spoken to them else-where .

1. Keep a clear conscience in thy health ; Remember that sin is the sting of death ; therefore be afraid of sin , if thou wouldst not be afraid of death . T was Nero's answer to Seneca , when he advised him to desist his wicked courses , that he might please the Gods , Ver●or ego deos , cum talia facio , Do you think I fear the gods , who dare run upon such actions ! But he who did not dread the Gods , found death dreadful to him ; for the Historian observeth that he cried pittifully , like a Child , when he was called forth to be killed . T is the righteous onely , that is bold as a Lion , because the rig●teous onely hath a conscience sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb , and a conscience void of offence towards God and Man . Hilarion morti proximus dixisse fertur , Egredere anim● mea , Egredere ; quid dubitas ? septuaginta prope annis serviisti Christo & mortem times ? Hier. Epist. Fam. l. 3. & in vit . When Hilarion was nigh death , Depart my soul ( saith he ) depart , what dost thou fear ? thou hast served Christ almost seventy years , and art thou afraid of death ? Bernard observeth of Gerrard , I beheld him , exultantem in morte hominem , & insultantem morti , exulting in death , and insulting over death . St. Ambrose undauntedly encountred his last enemy , saying , I have not so lived , that I am afraid to live any longer , neither do I fear to die , because we have a good Lord . The Testimony of a good conscience was the great Apostles comfort in the midst of his trials and troubles , 2 Cor. 1. 12. T is guilt which makes us shie of a severe and Holy Gods presence .

It is no marvail that Alexander the Conqueror was struck almost dead at the sight of Cyrus Tomb ; that Sigismond when dying should forbid his servants to mention the word Death ; that Lewis the eleventh should while in health , enjoyn his Courtiers not to speak of Death , and when sick , prohibit the naming it upon pain of death ; I do not wonder that Saul upon the news of his approaching danger and death , falls groveling on the ground , and hath no strength left in him , nor that Belteshazar upon the tidings of this Serjeants coming to arrest him , fell into an Ague Quaking , and Shivering , so violently that all the wine which he drank so plentifully in his golden Bowles , could not chear his heart , nor fetch blood into his cheeks . The Malefactour may well dread the thoughts , much more the approach of an Assize , knowing that he is bound over to it , and must appear to be arraigned , condemned , and executed . The entry of death may well be forcible upon them whom it ejects out of all their happiness , and whole lives have been made up of unholiness ; T is vice that paints death with such a formidable countenance , with a whip and flames in its hand . Friend , let thy conversation be pious , if thou wouldst dye in peace .

Such as a mans life is , usually such is his death ; An unholy life is ordinarily followed with an unhappy end . A filthy Adulterer , mentioned by Luther , expired in the armes of an Harlot . So also Tigillinus , Cornelius , Gallus , Ladislaus King of Naples ; one of the Popes died in the embraces of strange flesh ; A great swearer when he came to dye , saith Mr. Bolton , swore apace , and as if he had been already in Hell , called upon the standers by to help him , with oaths ; King Henry the second on his death-bed , cursed his Sons , the day wherein he was born , and in that distemper departed the World , saith the Historian , which himself had so often distempered . We read of one who lived well , that died ill ; and of but one in the whole Book of God , who lived ill , that dyed well . A sinner may presume upon peace at death , and bespeak in the language of Iehoram to Iehu ; Is it peace Jehu ? Is it peace death ? or as the Elders to Samuel ; Comest thou peaceably ? but the Answer will be the same with that of Iehu to him , What peace can there be , so long as the whordoms of thy Mother Jezabel and her witch-crafts are so many ? What peace can there be , so long as thy l●sts and atheism , and ignorance , and prophaness abound , and thy abominations are so many ? It s no wonder that such persons , like Owles , are never heard but at night ( the close of their days ) and then they screech horribly . What shall we call a mocking of God , saith a learned person , if they do not mock him , who think it enough to ask him forgiveness at leasure , with the last drawing of a malicious breath ? these find out a new God , make one a leaden one , like Lewis the eleventh of France . And again , Sir W. Rawleys Ep. Hist. World . Let us not flatter our immortal souls to neglect God all our lives , and know that we neglect him , trusting upon the peace we think to make at parting ; for this is no other then a rebellious presumption , and a contemptuous laughing to scorn , and a deriding of God , his Laws , and Precepts . Idem l. 1. c. 2. Unquestionably such will be grosly mistaken at last , in falling from their heights into Hell . As the Daughter of Polycrates dreamed that her Father was lifted up , that Iupiter washed him , and the Sun annointed him , but it proved to him but a sad prosperity ; for after a long life , and large prosperity , he was surprised by his enemies , and hanged up till the dew of Heaven wet his cheeks , and the Sun melted his grease .

Reader , Let me bespeak thee , as Iotham did the men of Sechem ; Hearken unto me , that God may hearken unto you ; Hearken unto me in this day of thy health and life , that God may hearken unto thee in the day of thy sickness and death . Make thy peace with God now , give a Bill of divorce to sin , strike an hearty Covenant with Christ , keep thy conscience clean every day , allow not thy self in any known sin , if thou wouldst leave this world in favour with God , in the love of good men , and to thy eternal gain . Nihil est in morte , quod metuamus si nihil timendum vita commisit , saith the Antient ; Death hath nothing frightful , but what a prophane life makes so . They who flie from the holiness of God in life , may well fear the justice of God at death . A sinner indeed , is every day carrying more Faggots to that pile in which he must burn for ever , and always twisting those cords with which Devils will eternally scourge him , and therefore the guilt of his wicked life , and fear of his dreadful wages , may well represent death to him in a frightful vizard . But he who makes it his constant business to please his Maker , to mortifie his earthly members , to crucifie the flesh , to serve the Wills of God in his generation , and to dress his soul against the coming of the Bridegroom , shall finde his latter end comfortable , and the day of his death better then the day of his birth . O Friend , if thou wouldst dye comfortably , live conscienciously ! An happy death is the conclusion of an holy life ; God hath joyned them together , and none can part them asunder . It s reported of the Dardani , that they never Wash but three times , when they are Born , when they Marry , and when they Dye ; The true Christian must be daily washing his soul by faith in the blood of his Saviour , and bathing himself in the tears of repentance , and hereby his soul will be fit to be commended into the Hands of God by well dying .

2. Clear up thine evidences for Heaven . Be not contented to leave thy salvation at uncertainty ; They who walk in the dark , are full of frights and fears ; The comfort of thy death , will depend much upon the clearness of thy deeds and evidences for eternal life ; Vide more of this in Fading of the flesh . p. 85 , 86 , 87. The want of diligence about this , hath caused many of the Children of God to go crying to Bed , and wrangling to their eternal rest ; They dye and know not how they shall speed in the other world ; they fall into the hands of their enemy Death , as the Lepers into the hands of the Syrians , expecting nothing but cruelty and misery , trembling every step of the way , though they find good chear , and all sorts of comforts . 3. Dwell much in the thoughts of Deaths . Cicero said of Fencing , Fortissima adversus mortem , & dolorem disciplina ; It was the strongest fence against the fear of death ; So I may say of entertaining death frequently in our meditations , it s a good guard against the terror of death ; Custom diminisheth the dread of things which to nature are so frightful . Marius before he would bring out his Souldiers to fight with the Cimbres , caused them to stand upon the trenches , to acquaint themselves with the terrible aspect of those Savages , and so brought them to contemn them , which at first sight they so amazedly feared . When we are on a sudden surprized by an unexpected adversary , we want time to unite our strength to resist the assault ; but what we expect we provide for , and so are the better able to encounter with it . The old people that lived near the Riphaean Mountains , were taught to discourse much of Death , and to converse with it , and to speak of it , as of a thing that will certainly come , and ought so to do ; hence their resolutions were strengthned to undergo it with patience and courage . As Cordials lose their vertue , so even Poisons their venome , by frequent use . Mithridates by constant use of it , made it so far from being mortal , that it was nourishing to him . Though Death in its own nature be venemous , the Christian by frequent meditation of it , and application of the blood of Christ to his soul , may make it profitable to him . 4. Wean thy heart from the earth . They who love the earth as their Heaven , will be unwilling to leave it , though for Heaven ; Canst thou bear the loss of some worldly comforts , when God takes them from thee ? if not , how wilt thou be able to bear the loss of all worldly comforts , in a dying hour ? If running with Footmen weary thee , how wilt thou be able to run with Horsemen ? If a little loss , a little load be ready to break thy back , what wilt thou do under the weight of a great one ? Paul was martyred in his affections , before he was martyred in his body ; and dead to the world , before he was slain by the world ; hence he came to dare even death it self , and to bid it do its worst ; I protest by your rejoycing , which I have in Christ Iesus , I dye daily . Should a Messenger have come to Paul and told him , you must dye to morrow , and leave all the good things of this life ; He might have said , That is not now to do , for I died yesterday , and this day , and every day , and I have already taken my leave of this world and all its vanities . See more of this in , Fading of the flesh . p. 88. 89. Those that like Eeles , lye in the mud of worldly pleasures , are unfit to be sacrificed to God , as being unclean creatures , and unwilling to part with their present delights , though for those that are more excellent . The immoderate love of sublunary vanities , makes men say , as Peter at Christs transfiguration ; It is good to be here , albeit like him , they know not what they say . 5. Set thy house in order . After the heart is set in order , the next work is to set the house in order , according to Gods counsel , Isa. 38. 1. Abraham was careful before his death , to settle the affairs of his houshold , as appeareth by his providing a fit spouse for Isaac , and his giving gifts to the Children of his second Wife , and sending them away , Gen. 24. 1 , 2. and 25. 6. This ought to be done in the time of our health and strength , partly because we are uncertain whether we shall have time and ability in sickness to do it or no. How many have died suddenly , and why not thou and I as well as others ? Some who had a mind to make their Wills , have not had a tongue to do it with ; Others who have had a tongue , have lost the use of their understandings ; partly because in sickness we should have as little as may be to do with the World . All occasions of disturbance or distraction to our souls , should be prevented .

The disposition of what God hath given thee , must be with prudence for the maintenance of love among Relations , with plainness , that thy meaning may not be mistaken , and with judgement and ability for the preventing of all Quarrels and Law-suits amongst such as are interested in it .

Reader , If thou art careful and faithful in the discharge of these particulars , thy Funeral will prove a Festival , and the Sun of thy life will set , as the natural Sun , in a clear evening , not in a cloud , but in such a red skie as to prognosticate the ensuing day to be fair , thy certain and comfortable resurrection to bliss and honour ; Thy name will live when thou art dead , and thy memory be blessed amongst all that fear the Lord . Tacitus makes one of the Sempronii , not wholly to degenerate from the honour of his house , onely for dying well . Constantia mortis hand indigna Sempronio nomine . Nero did tacitly wipe Claudius the Emperour , though himself were the worst of the two , when in an ambiguous phrase he mentions his death ; Desinit * * Morari , having the first syllable short , signifieth to stay , and so the meaning is , Claudius ceased to stay amongst mortal men ; but take it as it is derived of the Greek 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Stultus , and hath the first syllable long , in which sense Nero spake it , it importeth Claudius , hath now made an end of playing the fool amongst men . Morari inter homines ; Every sinner goeth out like a snuff ; but the just shall be had in everlasting remembrance . By practicing these duties thou shalt come to die in the Lord , to rest from thy labours , and to have thy works following thee to thine endless blessed reward .

A Good Wish about the Christians exercising himself to Godliness , on a Dying Bed ; wherein the former heads are applied .

THe righteous God having appointed death to be the end of all the Children of men , The Introduction . as the common road through which they pass into the other world , to receive according to what they have done in this life , whether it be good , or whether it be evil ; I Wish that I may be wise to consider of my latter end , and so live that I may rather desire then be afraid to dye , that my last days may be my best days , and I may imitate my Redeemer in bringing my God much honour , and doing his Church much service , when I am entring into my Masters joy . The evening praiseth the day , the last scene commends the Act. The rivers , the nearer they draw to the Sea , the sooner they are met by the tide . Though to guide a vessel safely along in the Ocean , argueth much skill , and such a Pilot is worthy of praise ; yet at the very entrance into the● Haven , then to avoid the Rocks , and to cast Anchor in a safe Road , argueth most skill , and deserveth most praise . Musitians reserve the sweetest strain for the close of their lesson . Orators , though in every part of their speech they use great care , yet in the close of their speech they use the utmost of their Rhetorick , and put forth all their art and skill to stir up all the affections of their hearers , that they may leave at last the deepest impressions upon their hearts of those things which they would perswade to . My whole life ought to be no●thing else but a pleading with my God for mercy and a walking according to his word ; but when I come to the period of my days , how powerful should my prayers , how pious my practices be ? how lively my graces ? how holy my whole conversation ? that my God may say of me , as once of Thyatira , I know thy works and charity , and service , and faith , and thy patience , and thy works , and the last to be more then the first . Though violent Motions are slowest at last , as being farthest from that strength which forced them contrary to their own inclinations ; yet natural motions , proceeding from an inward principle , the nearer the centre , the swifter the motion ; Though Hypocrites and such as have onely a form of godliness , grow worse and worse , and fill up the measure of their lusts with the measure of their lives ; yet gracious persons and such as have the power of godliness , grow better and better , and compleat their task with their time ; O that the longings , the desires , the faith , the hope , the delight of my soul , like the approaches of a Needle , may be so much the more quick , by how much they draw nearer to their Load-stone Iesus Christ . Lord , thou hast an absolute dominion over me , both living and dying ; It s thy word , None of thine liveth to himself , or dyeth to himself ; But whether they live , they live unto the Lord , and whether they dye they dye unto the Lord ; and whether they live or dye , they are the Lords . O help me to glorifie thee , both by my life and by my death . Let thy spirit be strong within me , when my flesh is weak ; When the Keepers of the house shall tremble , shew thy self the Keeper and strength of my heart . When the Grinders shall cease , because they are few or weak , give me to feed on the Manna of thy promises , and that bread which came down from Heaven . When the Daughters of Musick shall be brought low , let me hear by faith the song of Moses and the Lamb , sung by the celestial quire ; When they that look out at the Window are darkened , let the eyes of my soul be opened , to behold , with thy dying Martyr Stephen , Iesus sitting at the right hand of God ; Let my hope and desire look out at the Windows , and say , Why is his Chariot ( sent to fetch me to himself ) so long a comming ? Why tarry the wheels of his Chariot ? Make hast my beloved , be thou like the Heart and Roe , upon the Mountains of spices . Whether I perish in the field with Abel , or in the Prison with the Baptist , or in my bed with Jacob , grant me thy gracious comforting presence , and then though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death , I shall fear none ill . O do thou undertake my conduct in my passage over the rough waters of this Jordan , into Canaan , and then there will be no danger of drowning ; Assist me so to live by faith , that I may dye in the faith , and when my friends take my earthly body to their disposal , O do thou receive my Heaven-born soul into the armes of thine infinite mercy , for thou hast redeemed it , Lord God of truth .

I Wish that I may frequently ponder what a serious solemn thing it is to dye . 1 1 Motive . Death is a seriou● thing . How ever light , or vain , or jesting , my life hath been , my death will be in earnest ; I cannot dally or trifle with it ; It will not dally or trifle with me ; It can be done but once , and upon it my everlasting making or marring depends . It ●s so certain , that all must , willing or unwilling , ready or unready , undergo it ; Neither the policy of Achithophel , nor the strength of Sampson , nor the wisdom of Solomon , nor the beauty of Absolom , nor the piety of Abraham , nor the wealth of the rich Glutton , can prevail to avoid it ; No time , no place , no company , no houses , no lands , no relations , no youth , no strength , no power , no preferments , can priviledge me against the arrest of death . God hath decreed it , Sin hath deserved it , and I must expect it . It is so searching that it will discover all the Children of men , both to themselves and Angels . Though ships are usually distinguished by their Flags , yet that is no sure sign ; for Mariners when in sight and fear of their enemies , will ordinarily hang out the colours of other Nations , and say they belong to them , but when they come to their Haven to unload their vessels , it appears to what Country they belong : Though men are usually distinguished by their outward behaviours , yet many for their own ends put on Christs livery , who are of Satans family , but when they come to be searched and unladen at the end of their lives , t will be known to whom they belong . When I come to dye , then the great controversie between Christ and Satan concerning my soul , will be determined , whose it shall be for ever . O my soul , that thou couldst but conceive what it will be to be sent by death into an unchangeable estate either of bliss or misery . If thou diest in thy sins , thou art killed with death . Shouldst thou now live without conscience , thou wilt dye without comfort , and remain comfortless for ever . Ponder a little with thy self the fearful death of a sinner , that thou mayst flie his wicked acts , as thou wouldst his woful end . In the midst of his jollity and mirth , when he is in an eager pursuit of carnal pleasures , and posting in the way of worldly delights , and running to all excess of riot , he is on a sudden by deaths harbinger , sickness , commanded to stand , and proceed no further ; This cuts him to the very heart . His former prosperity , like Oyl , hath suppled his body , and makes him more sensible of his present pain . And his immoderate love to those fleshly delights , doth abundantly greaten his grief , and increase his loss . Now the man is thrown , whether he will or no , upon his sick bed , that must be his death bed ; In this his extremity , his Companions , and Friends , and Wife , and Children , and Honour , and Places , and Preferments , and Silver , and Gold , and Houses , and Lands , and costly attire , and dainty fare , are all dry things , and unsavoury to him ; no creature can afford him the least comfort . If he look into his Chamber , his Wife is weeping and wringing her hands , his Children are sighing , his friends are lamenting and wailing , but all this doth increase , not mitigate his vexation and misery . If he look into his Conscience , he finds that taking courage , and telling him to his face , that though formerly he would not suffer it to speak , yet now it must tell him the truth , that death , and hell , and wrath , are the wages of his ungodly works . It will bring to his mind , the time he hath mis-spent , the talents that he hath mis-improved , the day of grace that he hath despised , the great salvation that he hath neglected ; his secret , and private , and publick sins , the sins of his Childhood , of his youth , of his riper age ; those sins which he had forgotten , and thought should never have been remembred , are all set in order before his eyes ; His heart which was before harder then the neather Milstone , is now pierced , though not with an evangelical contrition , yet with legal terrors and torments . His sickness will allow no rest to his body , and his sins will afford no ease to his soul. In the evening he cryeth , Would God it were morning ; in the morning , Would God it were evening , because of the anguish of his spirit ; His bones are filled with a painful disease , and his body with unquietness . The Arrows of the Almighty are within him , the poison thereof drinks up his spirit , and the terrors of God do set themselves in array against him . His review of his past actions , his remembring of his slighting Christ for a brutish pleasure , or a little fading treasure , or a base lust , and provoking God , and continuance in sin , against mercies , judgements , warnings , the light of conscience , the motions of the spirit , are as so many envenomed Arrows sticking in his side , and piercing him through with many sorrows , but the thoughts of his necessity of dying , and his fore-thoughts of the consequent of death , how hell rides upon its back , and eternal torments attend it ; how he must fry in unquenchable flames , and take up his everlasting lodging amongst roaring Lyons , frightful Dragons , and the hellish crew sink him quite down . To add some more Gall and Wormwood to his cup of bitterness , the Devil now steps in , and sheweth him his sins in their black hew , in their bloody colour and countenance , to make him hopeless and desperate . The poor creature in this miserable plight and plunge , knoweth not what to do , whether to go for releif . Dye he would not , but must ; live he would , but canno● . Now he wisheth that he had prayed and served God , and minded his soul and salvation more , and gratified his flesh , and embraced the pleasures and honours of the World less ; Now he desireth that he might live a little longer , and thinks , O how would I redeem time , and follow after holiness , and walk with God , what would I not do and suffer to lay up some comfort , some cordial against such an hour ! But whilst he is thus in the midst of his vain wishes , Death tells him by the violence of his distemper , that the time of his departure is at hand ; His eyes now begin to sink , his speech to faulter , his breath to shorten , and his heart to fail him , and a cold sweat to seise on his whole body . He strives and struggleth with all his might to continue here , but Death like a Cruel Serjeant , drags him to the bar of God , whence he is immediately with frowns and fury dismist and haled to the dreadful and eternal Dungeon of Hell . O the howlings , the screeching , the groans , the grief which possesseth this poor soul , when he is attached by Devils , those merciless Officers , and carried by them to the lake that burns with fire and brimstone for ever . The Spirit being now gone , the Body remains a cold lump of Clay , forsaken of its dearest friends , loathsom to its nearest relations , sit for no company but the wormeaten congregation , amongst which it must abide till the last day , when it shall be joyned to the soul , and partake with it in unconceiveable and endless torments .

Ah who can read such a souls estate with dry eyes ! or think of such a condition without sorrow , O my soul , what are thy thoughts of such a death ! Wouldst thou for the most prosperous Worldlings life , dye such a death ? Doth not thine heart ake whilst thou art musing on it ? If thou wouldst not meet with the end of such men , avoid their ways ; Lord , I confess my self a great sinner , and thou mightest justly leave me to walk in the counsel of the ungodly , and to go in the paths of the destroyer , that my feet should tend to death , and my steps take hold of hell , yet for thy sons sake , teach me thy way , and lead me in thy righteousness , that my soul may never be gathered with sinners , nor my life with bloody men , that I may die the death of the righteous , and my latter end may be like his .

2 2 Motive . A dying ●●me is a fit season to glorifie God in . I wish that I may look upon a dying Bed , as a Fit Pulpit in which I may preach my Makers and Redeemers praise . The speeches of dying persons are often highly prized , as savouring of most sincerity , and least suspected of selfish ends . They who scorned my counsel , and rejected my advice in my health and strength , as fearing it proceeded rather from interest then simplicity of heart , will if they have the least grain of charity , believe me in earnest , and my words to be the language of my soul when I am dying , and entering into my eternal estate . The worst of men have some reverence and respect for dying Christians . What thrusting and crowding , even to the prejudice of their bodies , hath there often been to hear the speeches and last words of dying men . The vilest Malefactour , who is cut off by the Sword of justice , is permitted with patience to speak , and attended to with diligence at the Gallows . If enemies have some respect for dying Felons , and will hearken to them with meekness , what hopes may a dying Saint have of advantaging the souls of his friends ? O that I might greedily embrace such an opportunity of advantaging the interest and honour of my God , the service and good of my neighbours , and by my pious language , and gracious carriage at my latter end , make others in love with holiness , holy men , and the holy one of Israel ! Sinners catch hold of every season to propagate their ungodly seed , and commend Satans rotten wares to the men of the world ; Why should not Saints be as vigilant as diligent for their God and Saviour ? Lord , I know not in what manner , by what distemper it will please thee to call me to thy self . I beg if it may seem good in thy sight , that nothing may befal me on my dying bed , which may render me uncapable of commending thee , and thy ways , and worship to others . My chearfulness in bearing thy will , and activeness to extol thy work and reward , may through thy blessing perswade Satans drudges to forsake his slavery , and admit themselves thy servants . O that I might allure others to prepare for such a day , by lifting up my head with joy , when that day of redemption draweth nigh ! The Apprentice makes merry when his time is expired , and he enjoyeth his freedom . The Bride hath a feast and musick , when her Marriage-day is come . This life is my time of service , death sets me at liberty ; In this World I am contracted to my dearest Saviour , my solemn marriage is in the other world , into which I pass through death . Why should I fear that Messenger which brings such good news , and be troubled at that friend who will do me so great a courtesie ? O enable me to live every day according to thy Gospel , that keeping my conscience clean , and my evidences clear , I may in the day of my death , rejoyce and be exceeding glad ; Give me to savour the sweetness of thy love , the pleasantness of thy paths , to feel the powerful influences of thy spirit , the vertue and efficacy of thy word ; so to rellish communion with thy self , and thy dear Son all the days of my life , that when I am going out of the world , and comming to thee ; O Father , I may from my own experience quicken and encourage others to forsake earthly vanities , before earthly vanities forsake them ; and to take thee for their chiefest good , and choicest happiness , who will never leave them nor forsake them .

3 3 Motive . It is the last opportunity . I Wish that the nearer I draw to my reward , the more zealous and industrious I may be about my work , and that when my body droppeth and faileth most , my soul may be most vigorous and active in the exercise of grace . I am infinitely indebted to the blessed God , for his unspeakable grace to my precious soul , my engagements to the dearest Redeemer , for loving me and washing me in his own blood , are far beyond my apprehension . This is the last opportunity that I shall ever enjoy to testifie my thankefulness , and to do my God , my Saviour , my soul , any service . O how diligent should I be to promote their interest , and improve this season ! Nature in its last conflict with a disease , puts forth it self to the utmost , it draweth in those spirits which before were scattered in the outward parts , to guard and arm the heart , it rallieth all those forces which are left , if possible , to win the day ; O why should not grace in its last encounter , muster up all its strength , and put forth it self to the utmost ! Lust is strong to the last , when nature is weak and spent , and the sinner disabled from his unclean or intemperate acts , even then he can hug them in his heart , and roul them under his tongue , as a sweet morsel , and commit them over and over again , in his thoughts , and fancy , and affections . The dying Theif on the Cross , when his hands and feet were nailed , and by force kept in order , could yet find his tongue at liberty before his death , to rail at , and revile the Lord of life . Ah is it not a thousand pities that grace should be outvied by lust , and that those that are paid with such lamentable wages as everlasting burnings , should dye serving their cruel Master and enter into Hell , belching out their blasphemies , and spitting their poison in the face of Heaven ; and that the Children of God should do their father so little service , when they are going to their blissful mansions , and can do him no more ? love to my self , as well as to my God , may quicken me to labour with all my might , when I draw near my last hour . As I fall now , I lie for ever . My eternal estate dependeth more upon my death then my life . It s possible , ( though rare ) that a prophane life may be corrected by a penitent death ; but a wicked death can never be amended . He that shoots off a piece , if he be not steady just at its going off , loseth his Charge , and misseth his Mark ; He that dieth ill , dieth ever , he is killed with death . He that goeth awry when he goeth out of the world , shall never come back to recal or amend his steps . If I am a conqueror now , I am a conqueror for ever ; if I am foiled now , I am foiled for ever . Cowards will sight desperately when they are in extremity , and must either kill or be killed . The Historian saith of Cn. Piso , a confederate of Catalines , that though he had an heart like an Hare , yet he could sight like a Lyon , when he apprehended a necessity of fighting for his life . O that my pains , my diligence , may be answerable to my peril and my danger ; Lord , when that day and hour draweth near , that I must go hence and be no more seen , do thou draw near in boundless mercy to my poor soul ; When I must enter into the Chambers of death , and make my bed in the grave , save me from the paws of Satan , and the power of Hell , that the bottomless pit may not shut her mouth upon me ; and give me to triumph in that hour of tribulation , as knowing that neither tribulation , nor persecution , nor principalities , nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come , nor life , nor death , can seperate me from thy love , which is in Christ Jesus my Lord .

The matter .

1. In Commending God and his ways to others●

I Wish that when I am going to the place of silence , I may speak the excellencies of my God , and make his praise glorious . It is the unhappiness of worldlings and wicked men , that they cannot when they dye commend the principles whence they have acted , nor the vain pleasures which they have minded and pursued . How many of them whose lives have been nothing but a bundle of false-hood and lies , when God hath called them to leave the world , have spoken truth , and told their Friends and Relations , that sin is an evil and bitter thing , that carnal pleasures are guilded poisons , that the greatest and choicest of worldly comforts , though they may have honey in their mouths , have a sting in their tailes ; and what a vain empty nothing the whole creation is ? How often have they complained how the world hath deceived them , the flesh deluded them , and Devil beguiled and destroyed them ? It is my priviledge as well as my duty , to extol my Master whom I have served , to commend the sweetness of his ways , the pleasantness of his worship , the reasonableness of his precepts , the richness of his promises , and the vastness of that portion which he hath laid up for his Children when they come to age . I have sometimes tasted his work and ways to be sweeter then the honey and the honey comb ; I have viewed by faith his reward to be vastly glorious , and beyond all apprehensions excellent . O why should I not diswade others from their eager pursuit of foolish fading shadows , and perswade and encourage them to earnest endeavours after real substance , and durable riches ! The sinner who hath wallowed all his life time in the mire of filth and wickedness , will when he comes to dye , and begins to return to his wits , from his own experience of the emptiness and unprofitableness of his ungodly courses , and from the convictions of his natural conscience , acknowledge a sober , sanctified conversation to be safest , and the ways of God to be most gainful ; and upon these accounts advise his friends and relations to forsake and abandon the lusts of the world and flesh , and to follow after holiness , as they would be happy eternally . And have not I much more cause to shew my abhorrency of sin , and love to my Saviour and his image , when I am entering into my Fathers house ? The sinner hath onely found at last a fleshly life , to be vain and fruitless , and is like to pay dear for his learning , but I have known the paths of piety to be paths of pleasantness , and rejoyced more in them then in all riches ; The sinner hath onely the dim light of nature to shew him the loathsomness of vice , and the loveliness of grace ; but I have the holy Spirit of my God to enlighten my mind in the knowledge of both ; The sinner hath only a carnal love to his Neighbours and Kindred ; he knoweth not what it is to love them in Christ , and for Christ ; I have some knowledge of the love and Law of Christ , of the worth of their souls , of the price paid for them by the Lord Iesus , and their unchangeable conditions in the other world . O that my language to them , might be somewhat answerable to the love of Christ to me ! Lord , It is unrighteousness to die in debt to man , and not to endeavour to make them satisfaction according to my power ; I am sure to dye in thy debt ; for I am less then the least of all thy mercies , and unable to requite thee for the smallest of thy favours ; It is my comfort , that all the recompence thou expectest , is a thankful acknowledgement , and hearty acceptance of thy grace and good will . O what injustice and ingratitude were I guilty of , should I deny thee so small a request ! Be pleased to help thy servant in his last hours , both to accept unfeignedly of thy grace for his own good , and to acknowledge thy good will , and bounty , and faithfulness to thy glory , for the good of others .

2 2 To commend others to God . I Wish that my lost breath may be drawn Heaven-ward ; I mean , that I may enter praying into the house of blessing and praise . I am no Christian if I do not give my self to prayer whilst I live . It is one choice piece of my spiritual Armour , whereby I have often assaulted and conquered my soul-enemies ; It is the Ambassadour which I have many a time sent to the heavenly Court , that always received a favourable Audience , and obtained his errand . It is the Vessel which hath brought me food from far , and ever returned richly laden , if it were not my own fault . It is the element in which I live ; the aliment by which I subsist ; the pulse , the breath of my soul , without which it must needs dye . On my death-bed I have as much need of its succour as at any season ; My adversaries will then imploy their greatest power and policy to rout and ruine me , I am but weak flesh and blood , altogether unable to combat with Principalities and Powers ; and how can I expect supplies from the Lord of Hosts , unless I send this Messenger to intreat it ? My wants and weaknesses at such a time will be more then ordinary . Faith must then be acted in spight of all the frights and fears which a malicious Devil , and an unbeleiving heart , from the number and nature of my sins , the strictness of the law , and the justice of God , may put me to ; Repentance must then be exercised , and my sins lye nearer my heart then my sharpest diseases ; In patience I must possess my soul under all the pains and pressures which the wise God shall lay upon me . I must then chearfully submit to the divine pleasure , and by my willingness to leave all the world to go to Christ , shew that I hate Father , Mother , Wife , Child , House , Lands , Life and all for Christ . Those graces and many other , must be put forth at su●h a time , none of which I can do by my own power , and therefore have abundant cause to fetch help from Heaven by prayer . Besides , the distempers of my body will discompose my soul , and unfit it in a great measure for all holy service . Again , my Benefactors , my near Friends and Relations , the poor afflicted Church of God , do all call aloud to me to pray for them , as the last kindness I shall ever do for them ; I profess I love them , how can I manifest it better , then by commending them to God in prayer ? Should I leave them thousands of silver and gold ( if I were able ) it would not all amount to the price of one fervent prayer . My riches might wrong them , through the deceitfulness of their hearts , and cause them to be contented short of Heaven ; but my prayers cannot prejudice them , but may much further their eternal welfares . Men whose natures are crabbed and cruel , have granted the requests of their dying children , when they have been contrary to their own humours . How much more will God the Father of mercies , whose nature is Love , whose bowels are infinite , satisfie the desire of his dying children , when they fall in with his own design and desire ? If Joab had hopes to speed in his supplication for Absolom , because he knew the Kings heart was more for it then his own , may not I be confident to speed when I beg that he would pay my debts in spirituals , with interest to those who have bestowed carnals on me for his sake ; when I ask that my Children and Relations may love and fear , and worship his Majesty , and be his workmanship , created in Christ Iesus unto good works ; and when I intreat that he would accomplish all the great and good things which he hath promised to his Church , the purchase of his Christ , knowing that his heart is infinitely more for these things then mine can be ! Lord , when I dye , I shall no more put up prayers for my self or other particular persons ; My natural obligations to my Kindred and Relations , my civil ingagements to my Friends and Benefactours , besides my spiritual bonds to them and thy whole Israel , may well provoke me to be fervent and instant with thy Majesty at such an hour on their behalves . My Redeemer before his death , wrought hard at this duty ; He offered up prayers and supplications , with strong crying , and tears . Ah , how should I pray for my self and others , when I am taking my leave of prayer ! O let thy spirit of supplication be so poured down on me , that I may poure out my spirit in supplication unto thee● for my own and others souls , through thy Son , with the greatest success .

I Wish that the night of my death , 3 3 In exercising grace . may shine gloriously with the sparkling stars of divine and heavenly graces . In particular , I desire that when the time of my combat with my last enemy , and my last combat with any enemy shall come , I may above all take the shield of Faith , 1 1 Faith . whereby I shall be sheltered against the sting of death , and quench the fiery darts of the wicked one . The wise Mariner , perceiving a storm approaching , makes hast to fasten his Vessel with Anchors , that it may be steady , and not altogether at the mercy of the winds ; I must expect the greatest tempest , when I am entering into my eternal Haven , then all the powers of darkness will conjure up their strongest winds if possible , to shipwrack the vessel of my soul ; Ah how much doth it concern me to put forth this grace , the anchor of my soul , both sure and stedfast , and which entereth into that within the vail , and thereby to fasten on the rock of Ages ! If I fail in this , I fall , I miscarry for ever , God is a severe judge to condemn all guilty Malefactours . Without his Son , I am cloathed with guilt , and so under his boundless wrath . When Adam had disrobed himself of original righteousness , by disobeying the law , he fled from God , and dreaded the summons of offended justice . There is no appearing in the Fathers sight with acceptance , but in the garments of his Son . None can have boldness to enter into the holy of holies , but by the blood of Iesus . It s Faith onely that interesteth in this blood . I know that through the red Sea of this blood I pass may safely ( though enemies pursue me hard ) into the Land of promise . Lord , I confess , through an evil heart of unbeleif , I have many a time departed away from the living God ; yet Lord , I believe , help mine unbeleif . O Lord of life , be not far from me , when Devils and death are near me . Help me with thy servant Stephen to see Heaven open ( by faith ) and the Son of man at thy right hand ; Enable me to disclaim whatsoever duties I have performed , or graces I have exercised , and to rely alone on a crucified Christ for pardon and life . Though thou killest me , let me dye trusting and clinging on , and cleaving to Iesus Christ ; Let this Pilgrims staff of faith be never out of my hand till I come to my jo●rneys end . Thou art the Lord of Hosts , and the Captain of my salvation ; O help me to put on the whole armour of God , grant me such skill to use it , that I may be able to stand in the evil day ; Teach thou my hands to war , and my fingers to fight , that through thee I may do valiantly , and through thee may tread down mine enemies ; Grant me so to finish my course , to fight the good fight of faith , that at death I may receive the crown of righteousness , which the righteous judge shall give to all that love his appearing .

I Wish that my faith may ripen into full assurance , Courage . that thereby I may depart with joy , and an abundant entrance may be ministred unto me , into the Kingdom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ . Moses and Simeon could sing at their own funerals . The great Apostle could call to be put to Bed , expecting thereby his sweetest eternal rest . How many Martyrs have gone more joyfully to dye , then ever Epicure did to dine , and leaped when they drew near the Stake , believing that they drew near their home , their happiness , their heaven ? What is it , O my soul , that makes thee start and flinch back at the sight of this bug-bear ? What is there in death that is so dreadful to thee ? Is it the sweetness of life , or the pain of death , or thy future estate after death ? Consider them all seriously , and then judge rationally whether any of these should make the sigh , so loath to depart .

First , The love of life need not make thee so backward to obey the call of death ; If all thy time were made up of Holy-days , death would bring thee greater advantage . The Garlick and Onions of Egypt are nothing comparable to the Clusters of Canaan . But alas its far otherwise , thy whole life is a civil death . Thou art born to sorrow as the sparks flye upward . Thy days are few , but full of trouble . The earth to thee is a valley of tears ; the cross is thy daily companion , which accompanieth thee where-ever thou goest . The sufferings of thy flesh are neither few nor small . How many diseases in thy body , losses in thy estate ? how much disgrace , ignominy , slander , oppression , art thou liable to ? The sufferings of thy spirit are more and greater ; Thine own sins , the provocations of others , the dishonour of thy God , the wants , and weaknesses , and oppression , and persecution of the Church of Christ , do all give thee daily occasion to mingle thy bread with ashes , and thy drink with weeping . What is this world that thou art so fond of it ? Thy God calls it a Sea of glass , mingled with fire , Rev. 15. 2. A Sea for its turbulency ; it s never at rest , but ebbs and flows continually , though sometimes more , sometimes less ; Its work is to bubble up mire and dirt , especially on them who are chosen out of the world . A Sea of glass for its fragility ; All its pomp and pride on a sudden vanisheth . Glass is both easily and irrecoverably broken in peices ; A Sea of glass , mingled with fire , for the fiery and dreadful miseries that befal men in it . All its apparent comforts are mingled with real crosses . In Heaven there is solace without the least grain of sorrow ; In Hell there is mourning without the smallest dram of mirth ; but on Earth there is no estate without mixture . The Saints have joy in God , but if need be they are in heaviness through manifold tribulations , 1 Pet. 1. 6. The merry sinners in the midst of their pleasures , have their hearts heavy ; Some of the wiser Heathen , were so sensible of humane miseries , that one of them when Ancient , told his Scholar , that if it were offered him to be young again , he would not accept if . Saints of all men must expect a large draught of sufferings . The world is their enemy , and raiseth all its forces against them . If I be a Disciple I must look to follow my Master in bearing his Cross : O my soul , why shouldst thou hug that which hates thee , and doat on this world , which is neither a fit match for thee , as being unsutable to thy nature , nor ( if she were , can be ) faithful to thee , being made up of wavering and inconstancy ! Or secondly , Is it the pain of death that thou art so frighted at ? Surely the fear of it is the greatest torment ; How many have felt greater pain in divers diseases , as in the Stone , or Strangury , or Collick , then in a dying hour ? Some of Gods Children have felt very little pain in the judgement of those that have seen them dying ; The waters of Jordan , though rough to others , have stood still when the Ark was to pass over . But though I were sure my pain should be sharp , yet I am as sure it shall be short . In a moment , in the twinckling of an eye , I shall be transported over the gulp of misery , into endless glory . My pangs will be almost as soon gone as come ; Sorrow will endure but for a short night , joy will come in the morning ; If I were assured of a great purchase made for me in Spain or Turky , which upon my first comming over I should enjoy , would I not adventure a passage through the boistrous Ocean , to take possession ? My Saviour hath made a larger , a better purchase for me in Heaven . He is gone before to prepare a place for me ; My passage thither , though it may be more painful , is less perillous ; It s impossible for me to miscarry in it . O why am I so slothful to go in and possess the good Land ! Surely , the pleasures of the end , may well sweeten the ways to it , were they never so bitter . With what chearfulness do some women undergo their sharp throws , and hard labours , supported with this cordial , that a child shall thereby be born to them ? O how infinitely inferiour is the joy of a man child brought forth into this world , to the joy of a sanctified soul , brought out of this world into Heaven !

Again , I have a tender Father , who knoweth my frame , and will lay no more upon me , living or dying , then he will enable me to bear . He hath said it , I will never leave thee , nor forsake thee ; O my soul , thou hast little reason to dread a contest with this enemy for this cause . Thou mayst contentedly undergo a little pain , to go to thy dearest Lord , when many a sinner hath suffered greater to satisfie his hellish lust .

Thirdly , Is it thy future condition that makes thee unwilling to dye ? Dost thou not know that death is thy portal , through which thou shalt pass into the true Paradise ? It s the straight gate through which thou shalt enter into life ; Though its the wicked mans shipwrack which swalloweth him up in an Ocean of wrath and torment , yet it s the Saints putting into harbour , where he is received with the greatest acclamation , and richest welcom imaginable .

Travellers who have met with many dangers and troubles , in their journeys , rejoyce when they come near their own Country . I am a Pilgrim here , and used , or rather abused , as a stranger , shall I not be glad when I come near my blessed home , my eternal happy habitation ? Children in some parts , when they first behold the Stork , the messenger of the Spring , testifie their joy with pleasant and loud shoutings ; O why shouldst not thou lift up thy head with joy , when sickness the fore-runner of death , is come to bring thee tidings that the Winter of thy misery , and cold , and hardships is past , and the Summer of thine eternal light , and joy , and pleasure , is at hand ? Thy death may well be a Free-will-offering , considering that though the ashes of the sacrifice ( thy body ) fall to the earth , yet that divine flame ( thy immortal spirit ) shall ascend to Heaven . In death nothing dyeth of thee , but what thou mayst well spare , thy sin and sorrows . When the house is pulled to peices , all those Ivy roots in the wall , shall be destroyed . The Egg-shell must be broken , that the little chick may slip out ; Thy body must be dissolved , that thy ●oul may be delivered ; Yet thy body doth not dye , but sleep in the bed of the grave , till the morning of the resurrection . That outward apparel shall not be utterly consumed by the moth of time , but lockt up safe , as in a chest , to be new trimmed , and gloriously adorned above the Sun in his greatest lustre , and put on again , when thou shalt awake in the morning , never , never , to put off more . O that I could so live , that I might not only be always ready , but also when God calls me , desirous to dye . If I borrow any thing of my Neighbour , I pay it back with thanks . My life is Gods , he lends it me for a time . Why should I not when he calls for it , restore it with thanks , that he hath been pleased to lend it me so long ? Lord , thy Children love thee dearly , and believe that when they come home to thee thou wilt entertain them kindly , yet their flesh like Lots Wife , is still ●ankering after the Sodom of this World , and loath they are to leave it , though it be for their exceeding gain ; Give thy servant such true faith in thy Son , that I may neither love life , nor fear death immoderately , but as the heart of Jacob , revived when he saw the Wagons which Joseph sent to fetch him to Egypt ; so my heart may leap for joy , to behold the heavenly Chariot which the Son of Joseph shall send to convey me to the true Goshen .

Patience . I Wish that I may with patience submit on my dying bed to the divine pleasure . It hath been far from some Moralists , to murmure , either at the extremity of their sickness , or the necessity of dying . By impatience I do not help , but rather kill my self before-hand . It s the general lot of mankind to sicke● and dye ; Am I angry that I am a man , that I am mortal ? Because I know that I must be sick and dye , I know that I must submit . The knowledge of an approaching evil , is no small good , if improved . Though it cannot teach me to prevent it by all my power or providence , yet it may teach me to prepare for it , and to bear it with courage and patience . Discontent and quarrelling are great arguments of guilt , and a defiled conscience . The harmless sheep conscious of their innocency , do quietly receive the Knife , either on the Altar or in the Shambles , and give death entrance with small reluctancy ; when the filthy loathsom Swine , roar horribly at their first handling , and with hideous cries are haled and held to the fatal block . The Children of God , and members of Christ , who are perfect , through their head , do often give up the Ghost , and desire to be dissolved , and to be with Christ ; when the souls of wicked men are required of them , and they are strangely passionate at the approach of death , and with dreadful screeches salute its Harbinger , sickness . O that patience might have its perfect work in me , when I am taking my leave of it , and its work is near an end ! Lord , my heart is too prone to be impatient under thy hand , though thou art infinitely wise as well as gracious , and knowest what is best for me . In my sickness turn mine eyes upon my sins , that my discontent may be at my self , for that which is the original of all my sorrows , and then I shall never repine or murmur against thee .

I Wish that I may daily think of death , Means . A continued preparation for it in life . and wait , beleiving , and repenting , and working out my salvation , till my change shall come . My whole time is given me , that therein I might prepare and dress my soul for my blessed eternal estate ; Why should it not be imployed for that end ? The Child who hath all day been diligent about his duty , may expect his Fathers good word at night ; But what Master will give a reward to him in the evening , who hath all the day long served his enemy ? My life is the seed which will yeild a crop of horror , or comfort in an hour of death ; If that be good , my Harvest will be glorious and joyful ; if that be sinful , my Harvest will be bitter and sorrowful ; Do men gather Grapes of Thorns , or Figs of Thistles ? The Grapes of comfort are not to be expected from the Thistles of corruption ; nor the Figs of peace , from the thorns of impiety . I should blush to commit to the keeping of a cleanly and considerable person , a foul and filthy vessel ; With what face can I commend to the holy and glorious God , an impure and polluted soul ? O how dreadful will it be to meet with my dying bed , before I have met with the Lord of life , and to be going out of the world , before I have seriously considered why I came into it ? My great work in this world , is to get my depraved nature healed by the blood and spirit of Christ ; if● I forget my business when I have time to do it , and trifle away my days in doing evil , or doing nothing , I lose my soul , am unfaithful to my Master , and deepen my judgement by the number of my days . ● That Traveller may well be agast and perplexed , who hath a long journey to go upon pain of death in one day , for which the whole day is little enough , and seeth the sun near setting before he hath begun his journey . How ill doth the evening of my time , and the morning of my taske accord together ? How justly may God reserve the dregs of his wrath for me , if I reserve the dregs of my● days for him ? What folly am I guilty of , in deferring my preparation for death ? If he be a ridiculous person , that having choice of lusty horses , should let them all go empty , and lay an extraordinary heavy load upon a poor tired jade , that is hardly able to go , much more foolish is he that prodigally wasteth his youth , and health , and strength , in the service of the flesh and the world , and leaves the great and weighty affairs of his soul and eternity , to be transacted on a sick or dying bed ; O my soul , what little cause hast thou to future or delay thy solemn provision for the other world ? First , thy life is uncertain , thou hast not another day at thy disposal . Plut. There are some creatures , they say , in Pontus , whose life lasteth but one day ; They are born in the morning , come to their full growth at noon , grow old in the evening , and dye at night . What is thy life but a vapour , that soon passeth away ? The first minute thou didst begin to live , thou didst begin to dye ; Death was born when thou wast born , the last act of life is but the completing of death ; As on thy bir●h●day thou didst begin to dye , so on the day of thy death thou dost cease to live ; How many outward accidents , and inward diseases , art thou every moment liable to ? May I not say to thee as Michael to David ; Save thy self to night , for tomorrow thou shalt be slain ? Others have died suddenly , by imposthumes , or the falling-sickness , or violent means ; and if thou promisest thy self a fair warning , before the fatal stroak , thou dost but cozen and cheat thy self . But secondly , If thou wert sure to see the evening star of sickness , before the night of death overtake thee , thou art not sure thy sickness shall not be such as may not incapacitate thee for the working out thy salvation . Extremity of pain , anguish of body , lack of sleep , the violence of a fever , may indispose thee , and distract thee , that thou canst not so much as think of God . Or , thy distemper may be such that the Physitian may charge thee not to trouble thy self with melancholy or sad thoughts , lest thou wrongest thy body , and yet the Minister commandeth thee to pull up those sluces of sorrow , if thou wouldst not lose thy soul for ever . Or , cold diseases , as the Lethargy or Palsie may surprise thee , and incline thee to continual slumbers , till at last thou sleepest the sleep of death ; O how sottish art thou , and how grosly doth the destroyer of souls delude thee to defer that work of absolute necessity , of conversion to God , upon which thine endless weal or wo dependeth , to a dying Bed , when thou art not sure to dye in thy bed , but mayst as well dye in thy Shop or Fields , or in the Streets ; when thou art uncertain what disease , if thou shouldst meet with a dying bed , should send thee to thy eternal home ; when thou art neither Master of thy time nor reason , nor of thy natural abilities , much less of supernatural grace , which is indispensably requisite to this great work ! O that since I must dye once for sin , I might dye daily to sin ! and as the Philistines , that they might the better deal with Sampson , cut off his Hair , wherein his great strength lay ; so that I may the better deal with death , I may by faith and repentance , daily cut off and destroy sin , wherein the strength of death lieth ! May I not say to thee , O my soul , as Joshua to Israel ? Prepare ye victuals ; for within three days ye shall pass over this Iordan , to go to possess the Land which the Lord your God giveth you . Prepare the spiritual food , the flesh of Christ , which is meat indeed , and the blood of Christ , which is drink indeed ; an heart weaned from the world , longing to be with God ; for within a few days thou shalt go in , to possess the land of promise . Lord , I know nothing more certain then death . Sin hath deserved it , my brittle body inforceth it , thou hast decreed it , and none can prevent it ; I know nothing more uncertain then the time when , or the manner how . Thou hast many ways and means to bring me to my grave ; not onely ordinary distempers of my body , but thousands of casual dangers ; I cannot promise my self freedom from it , in any place or condition ; Death may seise me abroad , at home , in company , in solitude , at bed , at board . Why should I not always provide for that extremity , that enemy which I cannot avoid ? Why should I not ever be ready for that which may come at any time , and will come at some time or other ? Surely I do not hasten my death by preparing for it , but sweeten it exceedingly ; I ●hall not dye a moment the sooner , but infinitely the better . Should death overtake me in my sins , alas where am I ? what will become of me for ever ? I may well salute it , as Ahab Elijah , with Hast thou found me , O mine enemy ? for t will come to me , as the Prophet to that King , with doleful , dreadful tidings ; T will bring me news of a dismal dungeon of darkness , to be my habitation , of Lyons , and Scorpions , and Dragons , to be my companions , of a never dying worm , an unquenchable fire , pure wrath without mixture , full torments without measure , to be my portion for ever and ever ; O teach me so to live above this vain empty life , so to be crucified to this world , so to make my peace with thy Majesty , through the great peace-maker , and Prince of Peace , my Lord Iesus , so to set my heart and house , my spiritual and temporal concernments in order , that I may be delivered from the paw of the Lyon , from the teeth of this monster , from the sting of this Serpent ; and though my body be destroyed , yet my soul may escape , as a bird out of the snare of the Fowler , and mount up to thy self , to enjoy that happy life which shall know no death .

I Wish that all the days of my appointed time I may exercise my self herein , Conclusion . to keep a conscience void of offence towards God , and towards all men . There are but two which can afford me real comfort in a dying hour , which always take the same side and joyn together ; God and my conscience . Humane friends often stand afar off , when they should be most near , and I have most need ; Some of them are loth to come to a sick mans chamber . Mournful objects must not disturb their jollity and mirth . They are sworn enemies to sorrowful occasions , and bani●h such foes their quarters , or themselves from such coasts . Others if they come to visit me , love not to see my gastly countenance , like not to hear my deep and deadly groans . But be they never so full of pity , they can onely sympathize with me , they cannot relieve , refresh me . The most they can do , is to accompany me to my grave , and there they leave me ; But , O the comfort which a loving God , and a conscience sprinkled with the blood of Christ , and purged from dead works , will afford me in a dying hour ! The smiles of a God , and chearings of a good conscience , will be musick indeed , to welcom me to the shoar , after all my tumblings and tossings in this tempestuous Ocean . They will make my bed in my sickness , help me to lye easie , hearten me in my sighs and groans , be my feast at my funeral , bid me Be of good chear , for my sins are forgiven me ; tell me that my Redeemer liveth , and because he liveth , I shall live also ; lodge my body in a grave , as in a Bed of Spices , and convey my soul into my Saviours Bosome and Embraces ; when my Houses , Lands , Honours , Friends , Wife , Children leave me , they will cleave to me : nay when my breath , life , heart , flesh forsake me , they will not fail me ; yea , when faith , hope , patience , repentance , shall bid me farewel weeping , as Orpah did Ruth , these like Naomi will stick to me , go with me , and seek rest for me ; O that my heart may be so upright in the service of my God , that when I ●hall receive the sentence of death , I may be able to say with good Hezekiah ; Remember now , I beseech thee , O Lord , how I have walked before thee , in truth , and with a perfect heart , and have done that which is good in thy sight . O my soul , what a friend shouldst thou be to thy God , thy conscience , how faithful to their warnings , now in life if thou wouldst have them thy friends at death ! Hereby thou mayst be able to triumph in that hour of temptation , to defie death it self , and bid it do its worst . Though it be the common gate through which the sinner goeth into prison , where he meets with Chains and Fetters , and cold , and all sorts of miseries , yet thou shalt go through it , into the Kings Pallace , where thou shalt have rivers of pleasures , and 〈◊〉 entertainment . If Jacob went down so joyfully 〈◊〉 Egypt , when God had said to him , fear not to go down , for I will go down with thee , and I will bring thee up again . What needest thou fear to go down into the Grave , when thy God hath undertaken to go down with thee thither , and to bring thee up again ? Thy body may be turned into dust , but thy God is in Covenant with thy dust ; and thy head , the blessed Redeemer , will not suffer one muscle , or nerve , or artery , or vein of any of his members to be lost . With what chearfulness mayst thou take thy leave of thy body ; Farewel sweet body , thou hast been in some measure faithful to thy soul , in the service of thy Lord ; Farewel , I must bid thee good●night , till the morning of the resurrection . Be thou content to go to bed and sleep in the dust , and rest in hope ; for though after the skin , wormes destroy this body , yet in my flesh ●hall I see God ; Whom I shall see for my self , and mine eyes shall behold him , and not another , though my reins be consumed within me ; Though thou art sown in dishonour , thou shalt be rai●ed in glory ; though thou art sown in weakness , thou shalt be raised in power ; though thou art sown a natural body , thou shalt be raised a spiritual body , and fashioned like unto the glorious body of Christ himself ; Thy dust shall live , and thou shalt arise and be joyned to this soul , and both joyn with the great assembly of the sirst-born , in singing the praises of thy Master and Husband . The Souldier is glad when he is called to receive his pay , though the ways be deep and dirty through which he travelleth to the the place of Muster . The Husbandman rejoyceth when his Fields are white to Harvest , and with piping and shouting accompanieth his last load 〈◊〉 the barn ; O that my life might be so sanctified 〈◊〉 devoted to my God , that at my death he may be my solace . Ah Lord , it matters not who be failing to visit me on my sick bed , so thou be present with me . Nay , though mine enemies come and say , When shall he dye , and his name perish ? An evil disease cleaveth to him ; now that he lyeth down , he shall rise up no more ; If thou pleasest to visit me with thy saving health , I shall not be afraid when I walk in the valley of the ●hadow of death ; O when the Sun of my life shall be setting , let the Sun of righteousness so arise upon me , that I may be delivered from the power , curse , and sting of death , and may find it through his merits to be my haven of rest , after all my foul weather ; a bed of ease , after my sore labour , a release out of prison , and my Iubilee to give me possession of an inheritance undefiled , incorruptible , that fadeth not away , which is reserved in heaven for me !

Amen .

CHAP. IX . Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness ; A good Foundation : L●ving by Faith : Setting God always before our eyes .

I Come now to the second thing promised ; namely , to lay down the Means , whereby Christians may come to make Religion their business .

First , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness , be sure that thou layest a good foundation in a renewed heart and nature . I begin with this , because it is the chiefest requisite , and the ba●is of all . Godliness must first spring up in the heart , before it can overflow in the life . Other means are like those parts of the body , the want of which may be supplied by others ; but this is like the heart , which if wanting , nothing can make up its want . A dead man will as soon arise and walk , as an unsanctified person make Religion his business . Every thing will act according to that principle which is predominant in it : Though for a time it may by violence work contrary to its natural inclination , yet it will endeavour the removal of that force , and return to its old course . Fire moveth upwards , and earth downwards , both str●ving to overturn what standeth in their way , because the place of fire is above , of earth beneath . A river may be stopped and hindred in its current , but it will never cease till it hath overborn the dam , and attained its former passage . Water that is naturally sweet , may be made brackish by the over-flowing of salt water ; but it will not leave till it hath workt out that saltness , and returneth to his natural sweetness ; so every man whether good or bad , will act according to his nature , whether gracious or vicious . A good man may be hindred in his holy course by temptations , and the violence of the flesh ; but because his nature is gracious he will never be at rest till he hath forcibly broke through those impediments , and got into his former way of Godliness . An evil man may step into the path of piety through the example of others , or good education , or some slender convictions of a natural conscience , but he will quickly be weary , he will not hold out in it ; he will break through those obstacles , because his nature , the stream of his heart , runs another way .

The Heart of man is like the Spring of the Clock , which causeth the wheels to move right or wrong , well or ill ; Hence it is that Gods precept is to this , Make you a new heart and a new spirit ; and his promise of this , I will put my fear into their hearts , and they shall never depart away from me . The fear of God in the heart will bind thee fast to God in thy life . If the heart be throughly drawn to him , the tongue and hand will not depart from him . If the heart once set forward for God , all the members will follow after ; the mouth will praise , the ears will attend to him , the eye will watch him , the feet will go after him ; all the parts , like dutiful handmaids , in their places will wait on their Mistris . There was a great Master among the Jews , which bid his Schollars to consider and tell him , What was the best thing , or the best way , in which a man should always keep : One said , A good Companion was the best thing in the world ; another said , A good Neighbour was the best thing he could wish ; A third said , A wise man , or one that could for esee future things ; A fourth said , A good eye , that is , a liberal disposition ; At last came one Eleazer , and he said , A good heart is better then them all . True , said the Master , thou hast comprehended in two words all that the rest have said ; For a good heart will make a man both contented , and a good companion , and a good neighbour , and help him to foresee things that are to come , that he may know what is on his part to be done . Indeed without this there can be no godliness ; all professions and performances are but a shew , a shadow ; and where there is this , there is all godliness in all manner of conversation . As the King of France said of Dover , that it was the key of England ; and if his son , who then invaded the Britains , had not that , he had nothing ; So it may be said of the heart , It is the key of the whole man ; it opens and shuts the door to Godliness and Wickedness ; and if grace hath not this , it hath nothing . The Philosopher when he would perswade the King to settle his residence in the midst of his Dominions , and thereby keep all his people the better in subjection , took a Bulls hide ready tanned , upon which when he stood on any side of it , still it rose up on the other ; but when he stood on the middle , he kept down all alike . The onely way to subdue sin , is to do it in the heart ; that commands all ; otherwise though one unruly passion may be kept down , another will rise up .

The Heart is the great Work-house where all sin is wrought , before it s exposed to open view ; It s the Mint where evil thoughts are coyned , before they are currant in our words or actions ; Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts , Matth. 15.19 . that is the nest in which those Hornets breed . The heart is the original of sinful words , as well as sinful thoughts ; Out of the heart proceed false witness , blasphemies , Matth. 15.19 . They were in the heart before ever they were in the tongue . It s faid of the Weasel that it conceives at the ear , and brings forth at the mouth : Every sinner conceiveth at the heart , what he brings forth at the mouth . Such stinking breath comes from rotten inwards . The heart is the ●●●sel of poisonous liquor , the tongue is but the tap to broach it ; Out of the abundance of the heart , the mouth speaketh . The heart is the Forge also , where all our evil works as well as words are hammered out ; Out of the heart proceed murthers , and thefts , and adulteries , and fornica●ions , Matth. 15.19 . You will say that murthers and thefts are hand-sins , and that adulteries and fornication belong to the eye , and outward parts of the body ; but alas , the heart is the womb wherein they are conceived and bred ; the outward parts are but the Midwives to deliver the mother of those monsters , and to bring them into the world ; An evil man , out of the evil treasure in his heart , bringeth forth evil things : There is no sin but is drest in the withdrawing room of the heart , before it appear on the stage of the life .

Apollidorus dreamed one night that the Scythians had taken him and flea'd off his skin , Plut. Moral . with an intent to boil him , and as he was lifting into the Cauldron , his heart said unto him , It s I that have brought thee to all this . There is a real truth in this , that the heart brings men both to all their sins , and all their sufferings . As the Chaos had the seed of all creatures , and wanted nothing but the motion of the good Spirit to produce them ; so the heart hath the seed of all evil , and wanteth nothing but the motion of the evil spirit , and a fit opportunity to bring it forth .

It is in vain to go about an holy life , till the heart be made holy . The Pulse of the hand beats well or ill , according to the s●ate of the heart , and the inward vital parts . Our earthly members can never be mortified , unless the body of sin and death be destroyed . The foul bird of sin must be killed in the nest , the heart , or it can never be thrown on the dunghil , die in the life . Therefore the Holy Ghost calls on men to take away the cause , if they would have the effect to cease . O Ierusalem , wash thy heart from wickedness . Cleanse your hearts ye sinners , and purifie your hands ye double-minded ; first the heart cleansed , then the hands , Ier. 4.14 . Iames 4.7,8 . If the chinks of the ship are unstopt , t will be to no purpose to labour at the Pump . It is not rubbing or scratching will cure the itch , but the blood , whose corruption is the cause of it , must be purified . When the water is foul at the bottom , no wonder that scum and filth appear at the top . There is no way to stop the issue of sin , but by drying up the matter that feeds it .

As Moses cast the tree into the bitter waters , and sweetned the Springs ; And as Elijah cast salt into the fountain , and thereby healed the waters ; so the salt of grace must be cast into the Spring , the fountain of the heart , or the streams of the life will never be sweet . Till trees are grafted , and their nature altered , all the fruit they bring forth is wilde and harsh , and little worth : Till the Christian is grafted into Christ , and a new and another nature be infused into him , all his fruit is unsavoury and unacceptable to God , vain and unprofitable to himself . Such a one is like a Cypress tree , fair to look on , but barren . Like a Painter , he may make a great stir about the colours and shadows of things , the form of Godliness , and shew all his wit , and art , and skill in expressing the outside , but wholly neglecteth the substance , and contemneth the inward parts , the power thereof .

There be several things which may help to make the life fair in the eyes of men ; but nothing will make it amiable in the eyes of God , unless the heart be changed and renewed . Indeed all the medicines which can be applied , without the sanctifying work of the Spirit , though they may cover , they can never cure the corruption and diseases of the soul. The best man without this is like a Serpent painted as it were without , but poysonous within . As the herb Biscort , he may have smooth and plain leaves , but a croked root . Or as a Pill , be guilded on the outside , when the whole mass and body of it is bitterness ; It is one thing to be angry with sin upon a sudden discontent , as a Man may be with his Wife , whom he loves dearly ; and another thing to hate sin , as that which we abhor to behold , and endeavour to destroy . A filthy heart , like a foul body , may seem for a while to be in good plight ; but when the heats and colds of temptations appear , t will bewray it self . Some Insects lye in a deep sleep all the Winter , stir not , make no noise , that one would think them dead ; but when the weather alters , and the Sun shines , they revive and shew themselves ; So though lusts may seem dead in an unregenerate man , they are only laid asleep , and when opportunity is , will revive . Shame may hide sin , but it will not heal ●●n ; Corruption often lyeth secret in the heart , when shame hindereth it from breaking out in s●abs and bo●ches in the life . Some court holiness as hard in shew , as Saul did Samuel , to be honoured before the people , when like him , they hate it in their hearts .

Fear may do somewhat to curb a vitiated nature , but it cannot cure it ; The Bear dares hardly touch his desired honey , for fear of the stinging of the Bees ; The Dog forbears the meat on the Table , not because he doth not love it , but because he is afraid of the Cudgel ; Many leave some sin , in their outward actions , as Iacob parted with Benjamin , for fear they should starve if they kept it , who are as fond of it , as the Patriarch of his Child . This inward love of sin , is indeed its life , and that which is most dangerous and deadly to the soul. As an imposthume is most perillous for being inward ; and private Rocks under water , split more vessels then those that appear above water ; so sin raigning onely in the heart , is oftentimes more hurtful then when it rageth in the life ; Such civil persons go to Hell without much disturbance , being asleep in sin , yet not snoring , to the di●quieting of others ; they are so far from being jogged or awaked , that they are many times praised and commended .

Example , Custom , and Education , may also help a man to make a fair shew in the flesh , but not to walk after the spirit ; They may Prune and Lop sin , but never stubb it up by the roots . All that these can do , is to make a man like a grave , green and flourishing on the surface and superficies , when within there is nothing but noisomness and corruption . It hath often appeared that those means which the great Moralists have used to bridle their lusts and passions , have rather , like strong sents to Epileptick bodies , raised them , then recovered them . Indeed if the cheif fault were not in the vital parts , then outward applications might be effectual ; but when the heart and lungs , and inwards are all corrupted , Plaisters applied to the face , or hands , or thighs , or sides , will do little good . When the fault is in the foundation of an house , it cannot be mended by Plaistering or rough-cast . A Leopard may be flea'd , but he is spotted still , because the spots are not onely in the skin , but in the flesh , and bones , and sinews , and most inward parts . When the disease is accidental , as to lose the sight by the Small-Pox , or the like , there the Physick of morality may be advantagious ; but where the disease is natural , as in the man that was born blind , there Physick will do no good ; a miracle alone must restore such a one to his sight .

Unsanctified persons at best , act from themselves , and therefore for themselves . As the Kite , they may spread their wings , and soar aloft , as if they touched Heaven , when at the highest , their eyes are upon their prey upon earth . Lucullus told his guests , when he had feasted them liberally , and they had admired his bounty in their costly entertainment ; Something my Friends is for your sakes , but the greatest part is for Lucullus his own sake . An unconverted person may do something , some small matter for the sake of Religion , from common gifts of illumination , &c. but the most that he doth is for his own sake , for that credit or profit which he expecteth thereby . If any thing be enjoyned which thwarteth his interest , he will reply with Ajax , when commanded to spare Vlysses , In other things I will obey the Gods , but not in this .

Reader , Make sure of this inward change ; otherwise , though thy conversation may be specious , it can never be gracious , nor thy profession durable . If the house be built on loose earth , it will never stand long . When the principles are variable and uncertain , so will the practices be . If the arguments upon which thou takest upon thee the livery of Christ , and the grounds of thy engagement in his service , be not firm and constant , the love of God , and hope of eternal life , &c. such as the world and flesh cannot over-top , thou wilt throw up thy profession , and leave thy Master , when thou art offered in thy blind judgment a better service , though it be but the pleasures of sin for a season , with eternal pains at the end of them , for thy soul , and Saviour , and eternal salvation . How well may he prove a Bankrupt , who is worse then naught when he first sets up ? I wonder not that many pofessors disown the Lord Jesus , when they were ignorant why they at any time owned him . He that takes up Religion on trust , will lay it down when it brings him into trouble . As the Celendine springeth and floweth at the comming of the Summer birds , but withereth at their departure ; And the Corn that promiseth a good Harvest in the Blade , is blasted in the Ear , because its root is withered and naught ; So the person that hath no sound foundation , though he seem to look high , will never hold out .

The Turnsel makes a shew for a time , with white velvet leaves , and yellow flowers , but fadeth away without bringing forth any fruit ; Christ tells us , some which heard the word , though for a season they rejoyced in it , when tribulation came because of the word , were offended at it , because they had no root .

To prevent that sad Apostacy which many are guilty of to their eternal undoing , Friend , consider serionsly beforehand , what it will cost thee to be a Christian indeed . A foolish builder , that undertakes to raise a structure as high as Heaven , and pondereth not the charge thereof , gives over before he hath half finished it , and so loseth all his expence and labour . As in marriage one that is wise , and considereth the person , his portion , and his precepts , with the cares and burdens that are incident to that condition , for such must have trouble in the flesh , and after this , upon mature deliberation , accepteth him for an Husband , will stick and cleave to him loyally and faithfully , whatever befalls him ; whereas a foolish Maid that hudleth up a match in haste , hand over head , promising her self nothing but delight and pleasure , when she comes to suffer poverty or imprisonment , or disgrace with her Husband , repenteth of her bargain , and forsakes the guide of her youth ; So the Christian that hath duly pondered the excellencies in Christ ; his misery without Christ , absolute necessity of Christ ; what love , and joy , and peace , and endless bliss , God offereth with his Son ; what Christ expecteth from all that will be married to him , even the denyal of themselves , the taking up of their Cross , the contempt of Father , Mother , Wife , Children , Estate , Life , and all for him , and after he hath duly considered all this , gives himself up to Christ , will be faithful unto death , and own the Lord Jesus Christ , whatever it may cost him , when the man that followeth Christ for the loaves , or for fashion , or on a sudden strikes a league with him , expecting nothing but comforts and joy in his contract , will quickly leave him , if called to suffer with him . He that followeth Christ , he knoweth not why , will forsake him , he knoweth not how .

If thou art , Reader , to begin this work of entering thy self into Christs Army , I would advise thee to bethink thy self upon what grounds thou engagest in his quarrel ; For Christians are not called to their spiritual war for love of fighting , as Cocks that fall to it upon sight of each other . Consider , the enemies thou art to fight against , how potent , and crafty , and cruel they are , continually seeking thy destruction ; the Captain thou art to fight under , how wise he is to direct and command thee , how able to protect and defend thee ; how faithful , and bountiful , to crown and reward thee ; the excellency of the cause ; it is for thy soul , thy God , thy Saviour , thy salvation ; the dangers thou must encounter , and hardships thou willt be called to endure ; the certainty of thy conquest ; how impossible it is to miscarry in so just a quarrel , under such● an Almighty Captain , and then list thy self to fight the good fight of faith , and fear not but thou shalt be more then a conqueror , through him that loves thee .

Secondly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , Live by Faith . The life of Faith , it s the onely life of holiness ; and unbelief is the mother of all Apostacy . When God would perswade Abraham to sincere and singular godliness , he doth it by offering him sure footing for his faith , I am God Alsufficient , or the Almighty God ; Walk before me , and be thou perfect , Gen. 17. 1. knowing that unless his faith were firm , his steps could never be even ; If he had not beleived Gods power , he could not be evangelically perfect . And hence that father of the faithful became so eminent in obedience , from the strength of his faith . It s said of him , Isa. 41. 2. that he came to the foot of God . That Child was dutiful indeed , that when his Father did but stamp with his foot , left what ever he was about , though it were never so delightful or gainful to him , and ran to his Father , to know and obey his commands . Thus truly did Abraham , when God called him to turn his back upon his relations , and the place of his nativity ; nay , to sacrifice his Isaac ; the child of the promise , as well as of his love ; he did not question Gods pleasure , nor quarrel with his precepts , but obeyed them presently , and all from his faith . His strong faith caused strong obedience , Heb. 11. It s observable , that all the noble and heroick acts of obedience of the Lords Worthies , mentioned in that little book of Martyrs , were performed under the conduct and command of faith .

Faith is one of the best Antidotes against the poison of prophaness , and one of the greatest helpes to holiness ; None are more faithful to God , then they who have most faith in God . They who beleive , will be careful to maintain good works , Tit. 3. 8. As the natural heat is the life of the body , and as that increaseth with the radical moysture , strength and health abound ; So Faith is the life of the soul ; as that is strong or weak , his godliness is more or less . He that is highest in affiance , is highest in obedience . This is the strength of the soul ; According to a Mans strength , such is his walk , either straight or stumbling ; According to a mans Faith , such is his life , either even or crooked .

1. Faith destroyeth sin .

2. It enableth to live to God .

1. It killeth sin ; If the Pulse of a Christian● hand or life beat uneven , it is because his Faith , which is his heart , doth faulter . This is the shield of the soul , which secures it against all assaults and dangers ; Other peices of the Christians Armour , are serviceable to defend particular parts of the new man , as the Girdle of truth , the loyns ; right●ousness , the brest ; the Gospel of peace , the feet ; but Faith is a Shield , moveable at pleasure , and surroundeth and guardeth the whole man ; With favour wilt thou compass him , as with a Shield , Psa. 5. ult. Faith secureth the head from evil●principles . What sense denieth , and reason understandeth not , Faith beleiveth . Aristotle reading Moses concerning the Creation , is reported to say , Egregie dicis domine Moses , sed quomodo probas ? Thou speakest nobly , but how dost thou prove it ? The answer to him is easie , By Faith we believe that the world were made of God , Heb. 11. 2.

Faith clears up the understanding , and scattereth the mists of error . The pesence of this Sun disperseth those Clouds . Faith secureth the heart from evil purposes . It s the besome that sweepeth out such dust , and keeps the heart clean ; Having their hearts purified by Faith , Act. 15. 9. Faith entertaineth the King of Saints into the heart , it sets him on the throne , and these traytours flye before him ; His presence makes these Rebels to hide their heads . Who ever could find in his heart to hug sin , whilst he was viewing by faith his bleeding Saviour ! Faith secureth the hand from evil practices . The Martyrs chose the flames , rather then the denial of their Master , and all because of their Faith . Those Worthies of the Lord , of whom the World was not worthy , through Faith stopped the mouths of Lyon-like lusts , quenched the violence of hellish fires , were tortured , not accepting deliverance , that they might obtain a better resurrection , Heb. 11. 33 , 34 , 35. By Faith we stand , 2 Cor. 1. 24. As a Souldier under the protection of his Shield , stands his ground , and doth his duty , notwithstanding the shot that are made against him ; So a Christian under the protection of Faith , keeps his place , and mindeth his work , whatsoever opposition he meets with . Faith , like Ioab , stabbeth this Abner under the fifth rib , it wounds fin mortally . Hope , like Saul , hath slain its thousands ; but Faith , like David , it s ten thousands ; Whole Armies of Lusts have turned their backs at the sight of this Warriour ; By Faith the walls of Ierico fall down ; Whilst unbeleif liveth , no sin will dye ; All iniquity sheltereth it self under the Banner of infidelity . If once the banks of Faith be broken down , a flood of wickedness will rush and flow in . What made Abraham deny his Wife , and expose her to such temptations and wickedness , but unbeleif ? What made Isaac tread in his Fathers steps , and leave Rebecah to the Heathens luste , but unbeleif ? What made David dishonour his God , by his uncomely carriage before Achish , and injure his soul by his unholy language , that he should one day perish by the hand of Saul , but unbeleif ? What made Peter deny and forswear his Master , but unbeleif ? These tares were sown by the enemy , when the husbandman Faith was asleep : had they believed the power and faithfulness of God to defend them in their dangers and distresses , without their lyes ; and his grace and bounty to reward them largely for all their sufferings for his sake ; had they believed that God when he called them to straights , would without any sinful means have brought them off safe on earth , or safe to Heaven , they would never have used such sinful shifts for their own safety . Faith would secure the soul against all those temptations , and prevent such sinister and sinful doings . He that beleiveth , maketh not haste . He will patiently wait Gods leasure , and submit to his pleasure , and not venture upon forbidden courses , and unlawful ways , to deliver himself out of distress .

Vnbeleif is the dung which makes the soyl of corrupt nature so fruitful in the unfruitful works of darkness . Whence cometh such immoderate love of a perishing world , but from want of Faith and Beleif of that transcendent glory that is to be revealed ? Whence cometh such dulness and deadness in holy duties , but from unbelief , either of the holiness and jealousie of that God with whom we have to do , or of his goodness and mercy , that his reward will pay the charge of diligence in his work ? Whence comes such cozening , and cheating , and over-reaching in dealings with men , that from distrust of Gods power and providence , as if he could not , or would not spread a Table for his Children in the most barren Wilderness ? Whence comes that impatience and murmuring in adversity , but from want of Faith , which would encourage the heart in the Lord his God , in the saddest estate , and when the Fig-tree doth not blossom , nor the Vine yeild its fruit , enable the soul to rejoyce in the Lord , and be glad in the Rock of his salvation . Whence cometh such pride and carnal confidence in prosperity , but because men beleive not the meanness , and vanity , and emptiness of riches , and that divine mercy , not the merits of men are the original of them ? There is no sin so monstrous but unbeleif will venture upon it . He that beleiveth not , will never be allured by divine promises , nor affrighted at divine threatnings , nor obey divine precepts , nor submit to divine providences . As Cicero said of Parricide , I may say of Unbeleif , It s a tee●ing vice , a well of wickedness ; many sins are bound up in it . No wonder the Apostle gives such a serious warning , and so strict a charge against Infidelity , as the mother and nurse of all Apostacy ; Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbeleif , whereby ye depart away from the living God , Heb. 3. 12. The superstitious Pagans thought that their Idol Vibilia kept them from erring out of their way : The religious Christian knoweth by experience , that his faith keeps him within the limits of his duty . Faith ingrafts the soul into Christ , and into the fellowship of his death , by which the old man is crucified , and the body of sin destroyed ; that henceforth we should not serve sin , Rom. 6. 5,6,7,8 . For therefore did Christ bear ou● sins in his body on the tree , that we might become dead to sin , 1 Pet. 1. 24.

Faith enableth the soul to conquer sin by enabling it to overcome the three grand provocations to sin ; The World , the Flesh , and the Wicked one . There is neither of these enemies but Faith hath wounded mortally .

1. Faith enableth to overcome the World ; the World indeed hath conquered millions ; the greatest Souldiers have been slain by it . Alexander could subdue the Nations in it , but could not subdue his Affections to it ; As great a conqueror as he was over it , he was its slave and vassal ; for his ambition was still larger then his Dominions ; But faith cloathing the Christian with the Sun , helps him to trample this Moon under his feet , This is your victory over the world , even your Faith , 1 Joh. 6.4 .

The World hath two faces , the one● ugly and deformed , to●affright the Saint ; the other comely and painted to allure him to sin ; but Faith seeth how pittiful ( onely touching the body ) her threatnings are ; and how poor , onely skin-deep her promises are , and makes the soul to disdain both .

It was by Faith , that Luther could say , Contemptus a me Romanus & favor , & furor , I scorn both Romes favour , and Romes fury ; The worlds Furnace and Musick● are much alike to a Beleiver ; he is blind and deaf , nay , dead to both ; The special object of Faith , is the Cross of Christ , whereby , saith the Apostle , I am crucified to the world , and the world to me . Tickle a dead man , or lance him , it s all one , he is sensible of neither . As Fabricius the Noble Roman told Pyrrhus , who one day tempted him with Gold , and the next day sought to terrifie him with Elephants , I was not yesterday moved with your money , nor to day with your beasts ; So Basil when first offered preferment , and afterward threatened with imprisonment , if he would not deny Christ , and turn Arrian , to this purpose answered the Messenger , Such babies of preferment are fit to catch Children with , and such bug-bears of bonds and imprisonment , may fright your tender Gallants and Courtiers . Faith enableth the Christian to mount up to heaven , and thereby secures him from the baits and shots , the snares and lime-twigs which attend him on earth . Homer , saith Vlisses , caused himself to be bound to the Mast of the Ship , and every one of his fellows ears to be stopped with Wax , that they might not hearken to the Songs of the Syrens , and so be drowned in the Sea . Faith fastens the soul to Christ , and so ravisheth i●s ears with the glad tidings of pardon , and peace , and eternal life , that it is deaf to the worlds musick .

1. Faith enableth the soul to overcome the affrightments of the world . Faith like blown bladders , keepeth the soul from sinking in deep waters ; It s a Target under which a soul is free from the hurt , though not from the smart of evil ; It s the Ark wherein he rides triumphing , when the windows from above are opened and poure down , and the floods from beneath are broken up . In this strong Tower , the soul finds shelter ; Faith , like Ioseph , layeth up in a time of plenty , against a time of scarcity ; in a day of prosperity● against a day of adversity , and so feareth it the less .

Faith sheweth the Christian a place of refuge in the time of trouble . He shall hide thee , saith Faith , in the secret of his presence ( i. e. cover thee with the warm wings of his providence ) he shall keep thee secret in his Pavilion ; ( An allusion to Princes retiring rooms , which are sacred and secure places for their Favourites . ) Nature teacheth all creatures to run in distress to that which they count their defence ; The Conies run to the Rocks , the Goats to the Hills , the Ravenous Beasts to their De●s , the Child to his Mothers Armes . This grace discovereth to the soul , a Rock , a Refuge , a Fort , a Fortress , an High Tower , which makes him fearless of the worlds threatnings and bugbears . The lame and the blind , those most shiftless creatures , when they had got the strong hold of Sion over their heads , scorned the Host of David , 2 Sam. 5. 6 , 7. The Egyptians that dwell in the fens , are much troubled with Gnats , therefore they sleep in High Towers , whither those Insects cannot flye . The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower , the righteous run unto it and are safe , Prov. 15. Such a soul is like a strong Tree , which no wind can shake ; or like Mount Sion , which cannot be moved ; Therefore he can sing when unbeleivers quake and tremble . Though the Earth be troubled , though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea , though the Waters roar , and the Mountains shake , yet we will not fear ; The Lord of Hosts is with us , the God of Jacob is our refuge , Psa. 46. 56. and 91. 2 , 3. Faith is like the Cork in the Net , when the Lead wound sink the Net , the Cork keeps it above water . This Faith is the Anchor of the soul , both sure and stedfact , entering into that within the vail , and so stayeth the Saint against all the winds and waves of affliction . Faith or beleif of the resurrection , and that happiness which then should be enjoyed , was that which enabled Paul to dye daily , and to fight with Beasts at Ephesus , 1 Cor. 15. 30.

In the greatest distress , Faith can see deliverance ; and when it is at the greatest distance , salute it , as Abraham did Christs day , afar off . When the weather is cloudy , it can see the Heaven begin to clear , and notwithstanding his present pain and poverty , cause the Christian to rejoyce in his hope of bliss and glory . The eye of Faith , looking to the recompence of reward , seeth afflictions with the Israel of God , much more eligible then the pleasures of sin . Drexel . Consid. AEtern●t . Symphorianus a Christian young man , after he was almost scourged to death , being draged to Execution at Augustodunum , met his Mother , not crying , or tearing her hair , but like an Holy Lady thus comforting him , Son , my Son , I say , Remember life eternal , look up to Heaven ; Life is not taken from thee , but exchanged for a better ; At which words of his Mother , he went on willingly to the Block , and exposed his Throat to the fatal Ax ; One of the Dutch Martyrs feeling the flame coming to him , said , O what a small pain is this , to Heaven ! Our blessed Saviour had an eye to the joy set before him , and thereby was encouraged to endure the Cross , and despise the shame ; Indeed , if Faith spring a leak , then the waters break in , and the Christian sinks apace , as we see in Peters denial of his Master .

As Faith in the Promises , so also Faith in the Threatnings makes the Christian a Conquerour over the worlds affrightments , where the World threatens Bonds , and Whips , and Dungeo●s , and Death , if the Christian will not sin against God , and begins to stagger the soul. Take heed what thou dost , saith Faith , for God threateneth Fire , and Brimstone , and Chains , and Blackness of Darkness for ever , as the wages of all sin . Is the Wrath of an Infinite God , not more to be feared then of weak dying Men ? Is the pains of a violent death , which will quickly be over , and the most the World can do against thee , comparable to the pains of eternal death ? And thus Faith by the terror of this great Ordinance , drowns the noise of those small peices , that the soul is deaf to their report .

2. Faith enableth the soul to overcome the allurements of the world . If the world cannot terrifie the Saint with its fiery Furnace , to disown and deny his Saviour , it will seek to inchant him with its Musick , and thereby to make him deaf to the Call and Commands of Christ . Thus it served Ioseph ; When it could not prevail on the left hand , by selling him for a slave , it tryeth him on the right hand , by setting a Dalilah to tickle him with pleasure ; but by Faith he saw the Hook under the Bait , and durst not nibble at it , much less swallow it . Though the world like Iezabel , painteth her face , and tireth her hair , to render her amiable and lovely , and as a Srumpet , sheweth her naked Breasts of pleasure and profit , to entice the beleiver to go a Whoring after her ; yet he vieweth by Faith the deformity of her person , under all her dawbery , and the dregginess and deceitfulness of her pleasures , notwithstanding their shew of clearness , and so rejects them with scorn and disdain . Pliny saith of Cato , that he took as much pleasure in the Honours he denied , as in those that he enjoyed . The beleiver can glory more in his refusal of glory for Christ , then unbeleivers in all their preferments . Indeed , if the Christian did consult with sense , or carnal reason , he would take the worlds present money , but the beleiver doth not consult with flesh and blood , like wise Abigal , knowing how much it will conduce to his advantage , he can part with his esta●e for God , and never make those Nabals privy to the design , lest they should hinder it .

Besides , Faith discovers pure Rivers of pleasures , more noble and excellent delights , to be the portion of those that refuse to grate their teeth with such kennel water . As man is a rational creature , he would sell his wares to them that will give most . Now Faith sheweth how infinitely God out-bids the world . Sense saith , The world offereth fair , it offereth comforts , sutable to thy flesh , such as they desire , and it offereth ready money , present possession : But saith Faith , God offereth thee better ; The comforts he offereth are more excellent , being sutable , not as the Worlds , to a carnal brutish nature , but to an heavenly divine soul , and more durable , being eternal , when the pleasures of sin are but for a season . He that hopes for no better market , will take the present money offered him ; But he that is assured of greater gains , will refuse the lesser . An unbeleiver who expects no better bargain then what this life affords him , may well take up with present pay , what ever it be ; but the Beleiver who seeth the glory to be revealed , and fulness of joy in Heaven , and is assured that if he be faithful unto death , he shall receive that eternal crown of life , turns his eyes off the honours and comforts of this beggarly world . Those stars of creature joys do all disappear in the presence of this Sun . Gold bears little sway with the soul that knoweth his title to the new Ierusalem , that is paved with Gold , in which gold is trampled under foot ; Those birds that flie aloft in the Firmament , are not so easily snared by the Fowlers Gins ; Though the things of this world were glorious in his eyes , during his estate of unbeleif , yet now he hath discerned a world beyond the Moon , and sent Faith as a spie to search and coast that Country which hath brought word back , that its a good land flowing with Milk and Honey , and in it there is want of nothing , they have no glory , by reason of that glory that doth so infinitely exceed . When a man is below , things above seem small ; the great Stars that are bigger then the Earth , seem not so big as a bushel , and things below seem great : but when a man is above , as upon the top of a Steeple , then things below seem little , he beholdeth men like Grashoppers . Were he conveyed to the highest hill in the World , men would not be discerned ; great Kingdoms would be but small Cottages . Unbeleif sets a man below , here on earth , and so the things of Heaven are little in his eye ; but Faith soars aloft , it carrieth the Christian up to Heaven , and then the whole earth is but a small spot in his eye . Ioseph bids the Patriarchs , Regard not your stuff , for the good of all the Land of Egypt is yours : So saith Faith to the Christian , Regard not the lumber and rubbish of this world , for all the great and good things of the other world are thine . Faith gives the soul a taste , the first fruits of Heaven ; And as no man , having drunk old wine , desireth new , for he saith , the old is better ; So no man , having tasted the wine of Heavens pleasures , desires carnal delights . A Pilgrim travelling to Ierusalem ( saith one ) came to a City where he saw a goodly Training and Mustering , there he had a mind to stay , but that he remembred that was not Ierusalem . He came to another City , where he saw gallant sports and pastimes , there he had some good will to abide , but that he remembred it was not Ierusalem . He came to a third , where were goodly buildings , Fair Ladies , curious Musick , &c. where also he had some thoughts of setling , but still he remembred it was not Ierusalem : So the beleiver , when the world offereth him great treasures , high honours , &c. may through the subtlety of his flesh , have a mind to embrace them , onely seeing by Faith Ierusalem , where are greater treasures , higher honours , he slights and rejects them ; By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter ; esteeming the reproaches of Christ , greater riches then the treasures of Egypt ; for he had an eye to the recompence of reward .

Faith makes things future , present ; it looketh into●Heaven and saith as David , before he had conquered those places , Gilead is mine , Manasseh is mine ; Heaven is mine , Eternal Life is mine , fulness of joy is mine , that Kingdom in comparison of which this whole world is a dunghil is mine , because God hath sworn by his holiness , that he will not lye unto his David , and whilst the soul by faith seeth and is assured of these felicities for their sake , it can trample under foot the worlds largest offers .

2. Faith enableth the Christian to conquer Satan ; Though the wicked one be full of power and policy , yet Faith makes him flee like a Coward . It s said of the Crocodile , that he flyeth if resisted , but followeth those that fear and flee from him ; Truly so doth Satan , Iam. 4. 8. Resist the Devil , and he will flee from you . But how must he be resisted ? the Apostle Peter answers that question , whom resist stedfastly in the Faith , 1 Pet. 5. 9. The Crocodile cannot endure the sight or smell of saffron , therefore in Egypt they sow saffron to keep him away . Faith is this saffron , Cant. 4. 14. which drives away the Devil . Faith like little David , wounds the great Goliah of Hell . They overcame him ( meaning the Devil ) by the blood of the Lamb. The Wild Bull , say Naturalists , cannot endure a red colour , therefore the Hunter putteth on red garments , and standeth before a Tree , which the Bull runneth against with all his might , and the Hunter stepping aside , his hornes stick fast in the tree , whereby he is taken . The Christian by Faith in the blood of Christ , overcometh those infernal spirits who thought to overcome him . This is the onely holy water , that will fright away the Devil . Our blessed Saviour in his speech to Peter , acquaints us how to subdue Satan ; Peter , Peter , Satan hath desired to winnow thee as Wheat is winnowed , but I have prayed for thee , that thy Faith fail not . Which words imply , that whilst Peters Faith stood firm , he should not forsake Christ ; whilst that was up , he could not be down ; His Faith flagged before his courage failed , or he himself fell so fouly . A Tree is soon felled when the Root is once loosened ; Faith roots the soul in Christ , and therein his safety consists ; but as his Faith fails , so he is loosened from Christ , and thereby in danger of falling . The Christians strength lieth in his Faith , as Sampsons in his Hair ; if the uncircumcised one can deprive us of this , he may make sport enough with us . Hence it is that Satans chiefest Guns are shot against the Royal Fort of Faith , knowing that that commandeth all ; and if ●e can make a breach there , he fears not but to enter with success . The first mine which he ever sprang , to blow up the first Adam and his Wife , and in them the whole race of mankind , was by weakning their faith ; Hath God said , In the day ye eat thereof , ye shall dye ? When he came to the second Adam , he endeavoured to slay him with the same sword ; If thou be the Son of God , command that these stones , &c. And without question , his aim was more at Iobs Faith , then his Cattel , or Servants , or Children ; he had a greater intent to have blown down that house of Iobs conscience , then that wherein his Sons and Daughters were feasting .

Therefore Reader , Above all take the shield of Faith , whereby thou mayst quench the fiery darts of the wicked one , Ephes. 6. 16. Goats in the Island of Creet , when they are stricken with a dart , do seek for the Hearb Dittany , which will cause the dart to fall out ; Truly , such juice hath Faith , that it makes all the darts which Satan shoots at the Christian ineffectual .

3. Faith enableth to conquer the flesh . The great Apostle who lived by Faith , brought under his body , and crucified the flesh . Faith seeth the safety of the body to consist in its subordination to the soul , and that the onely way to save the life , is at Gods call to lose it ; By faith Abraham left his Kindred and Country , and obeyed , and went out , not knowing whither he went , Heb. 11. 8. Indeed , the flesh is the worst enemy of the three , partly in that it is so near us , always about us , so that we can as well flye from our selves as from it . A Traytour in the Bed chamber , is much more dangerous then one in open armes against us in the Field . A Snake in the bosome , is like to do more hurt then one under the grass ; partly in that it knoweth our minds exactly , and so can temper its poison sutable to our Pallats ; but Faith can discover its secret conspiracies , and prevent their execution . Though it dig its mines never so closely , and covertly , and craftily , Faith will find them out and countermine them .

2. Faith enableth ( as to dye to sin , so ) to live to God . The life of holiness doth so much depend on Faith , that it s said to consist wholly in it . The just shall live by his Faith . Though he cannot live by sense , that upon which he lives being invisible ; nor by reason , because his food is supernatural ; yet he can live by faith , and make a good living of it too . As the body lives by the soul , so Religion lives by Faith . A mortal wound in faith , le ts out the heart blood of all holiness . T is faith that actuates and animates the new creature . Faith puts him upon high designs , and holy enterprises for God and his own soul. David saith , I beleive , therefore have I spoken ; It may be said of a Christian , He beleiveth , therefore he speaks so much of God , for God , and to God . He beleiveth the unquestionable certainty , incomparable excellency , and eternity of that reward which is set before him , and therefore he prayeth , and watcheth , and readeth , and heareth , and denyeth himself , and worketh night and day that he may attain it . Ferdinando of Arragon , beleiving the report of Columbus , concerning the richness of the Indian Mines , and the likelyhood of his possessing them , was at great cost and charge in sending out men in Ships , and made them venture their lives , and labour hard to get those Golden and Silver veins . Faith beleiveth the report which the Gospel makes of the glory to be revealed , and the unsearchable riches in Christ , and the likelyhood , nay , certainty of his enjoying them , if he will but strive and labour , and use those means which God hath appointed , and this puts the soul upon its greatest industry and integrity , in the performance of what the word requireth , in order thereunto , and a resolution to obtain them , what ever it cost , or to dye in the undertaking .

T is by the sap , which from the root is derived through the bark to the branches , that makes them fruitful . T is from ●he strength which faith derives from Christ , that the Christian becomes so abundant in holiness ; cut off the bark and the tree withereth . Take away faith , and no more good works . The extension of the branches , ariseth from the intension of the sap ; and how shall that be conveyed but by the bark ? Christ , like Ioseph , keeps the granaries , wherein is abundance of soul-food , and faith unlocks those Store-houses , and takes out supplies . As Pharoah when the Egyptians cryed to him for bread , said , Go ye to Joseph , and what he saith to you do : So God saith to Christians that call on him for Grace , Go ye to Christ by Faith , and he will relieve you . It pleased the Father , that in him should all fulness dwell ; Here is 1. Fulness , abundance , not a drop , or a small degree of living water . 2. All fulness , a redundance , the fulness of a spring , a fountain , not of a vessel . 3. All fulness dwelling , abiding there to eternity ; running over , and running ever . But you will say , What is a Christian the better sor it ? I Answer , Of his fulness , by faith , We all receive grace for grace . As a Pipe from the River supplieth the house upon all occasions , and the several offices therein with water ; so doth faith supply the Christian with grace from Christ , answerable to his several exigencies and necessities . Indeed , all the graces act valiantly in their several places , under the command of this General . Hence though fear , and love and heavenly mindedness were specially operative in many of the Patriarchs actions and passions for God , yet still the crown is set upon the head of faith , under whose banner and conduct they fought , Heb. 11. per tot . When this Champion , like Goliah is vanquished , the other graces , as the Philistines , are put to the rout . As dark clouds obscure the glorious stars , so doth unbeleif blemish the lustre of a Christians graces . If this shepherd , Faith , be smitten , other Graces , like ●heep , are scattered . If this grace keep the field , the rest always keep their ground . The length of the days depends upon the shining of the sun ; as this shines more or less , so the days are longer or shorter : The degrees and measures of other graces depend exceedingly upon this grace . The branches blossom answerable to the sap which they receive from the root . Other graces bud and blow according to the sap which they receive from faith .

For example sake ; Repentance is more or less according to the degrees of faith . T is the fiducial apprehension of divine love that mollifieth the stony hear● None mourn so much as they who apprehend God a father . The hot beams of divine grace and favour by faith united in the soul , thaw the most i●y heart ; They shall see him whom they have pierced , ( i.e. with an eye of faith ) and mourn for him as one that mourneth for his onely childe . Peter saw Christs love in his look , and then went out and wept bitterly .

2. Humility ; We are never lower in our own eyes then when faith assures us that we are high in Gods favour . The Centurions humility seems to keep equal pace with his faith ( though Christ saith of his faith , I have not found so great , no not in Israel ) Lord , I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof ; neither thought I my self worthy to come unto thee . When Nathan brought David word that God had a great respect for him , and would build him a sure house for ever ; He presently crieth out , What am I , and what is my fathers house , that thou hast brought me hitherto ? &c. 2 Sam. 7.18 .

3. Love ; The fire of love flames more or less according to the fuel which faith provides ; To whom much is forgiven , the same loveth much . The knowledge of a pardon granted by such a Lord who hath all the reason in the world to loath the soul , turns it into a lump of love .

4. Ioy ; Faith broacheth the pipe of the promises , and presenteth that wine which rejoyceth the heart of the new man ; In whom beleiving , we rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory , 1 Pet. 1.7 .

5. Patience ; He that beleiveth his bonds are good , that his estate is in safe hands , and that his forbearance doth abundantly encrease it , will wait quietly for the day of payment ; He that beleiveth , maketh not haste . None quarrel or fret but from want of faith : Run with patience the race set before you ; Looking at Iesus . If the Christian be weak , faith will give him the staff of the Word to lean on ; if he be weary , faith will shew him his journeys end . Lo yonder is heaven , saith faith , hold out a little longer , your work is almost done . As the Eagle by stretching her self towards the Sun , through its heat hath her old feathers fallen off , new ones growing in their places , and her strength renewed ; so the Christian cleaving to Jesus Christ , the Sun of righteousness , by faith , reneweth his strength as the Eagle , runneth and is not weary , walketh and is not faint ; It s reported of the Chrystal , that there is a vertue in it to quicken all other precious stones ; when it toucheth them , it puts a lustre and brightness on them ; It s true of faith , it hath a vertue in it to enliven and quicken all other graces . These stars have the greatest influence , when in conjunction with this Sun .

As the Philosopher saith of water , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , It is of all things the best , most soveraign and precious , because it s of universal influence in the life of man ; so I may say of faith , it is of all graces most excellent , in regard of the universality of its influence , upon all duties , graces , providences , ordinances .

T is by Faith that prayer becomes so prevalent ; Whatsoever ye ask of the Father beleiving , ye shall receive , Joh. 16. 22. An unbeleiving prayer , is a Messenger without a tongue ; no wonder if he dispatch not his errand , Heb. 11. 6 , 7.

T is by Faith that Scripture is so powerful . This sword of the Spirit doth no Execution , save in the hand of Faith . The word did not profit them , not being mingled with Faith in them that heard it , Heb. 4. 2.

T is by Faith that the Lords Supper becomes so nourishing and strengthning ; This is the hand that receiveth that flesh which is meat indeed ; this is the mouth that eats it , this is the stomach that digests it ; without this thou mayst receive the Elements , but not the sacrament , 1 Cor. 11. 25 , 26. Unbeleivers like Waspes may sit upon the tops of these flowers , and seem to gather honey , but alas they are far from any such thing .

T is by Faith that Crosses are turned into comforts , and afflictions into mercies . This like Mithridates , can digest poison , and get strength from the wrath and rage of Men and Devils , 1 Phil. 19. Heb. 11. 38.

T is by Faith that Water is turned into wine , temporal mercies into spiritual advantages ; Faith worketh by love , and draweth men with the Cords of love .

T is by faith that men are so fruitful in their lives , Heb. 11. 32 , 33. and so chearful in their deaths , Rom. 8. 37 , 38. O Reader , above all thy gettings , get faith , and above all thy keepings keep faith ; For , it must be faith that must keep thee from falling in an hour of temptation , and from fainting in an hour of persecution . The unbeleiver is fitly called an unreasonable man , because its unreasonable that the God of truth should not be credited , and that he , to whom it is impossible to lye , should be distrusted ; and also an absurd man , because its absurd for a workman to go without his tools , which he shall every moment have need of . It s said of the Serpent , that of all her parts , she is most careful of her head , well knowing that though she be mangled and cut never so much in her body , yet if her head be whole , that will cure the wounds of all her other parts ; Let thy great work be to ●ecure thy faith , if that be whole all will be well , what ever decays there may be in other graces , this will help them to shoot forth again .

Thirdly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness , set God always before thine eyes ; Subjects will carry themselves handsomly and loyally when they are before their Soveraign ; They who walk before God , will be upright . His eye is the best Marshal to keep the soul in a comely order . Let thine eye be ever on him , whose eye is ever on thee . The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good , Prov. 15. 9. Seneca perswaded his friend Lucilius for the keeping him within compass , to imagine that some grave man , as Laelius , did still look upon him ; Reader , couldst thou walk ever as in Gods presence , thou wouldst keep close to his precepts . Consider , therefore that in all places , in all companies , at all times , the eye of God is on thee , and he takes exact notice of all thy thoughts , words and actions ; that he knoweth thy natural parts ; In his book were all thy members written , which in continuance were fashioned , when as yet there was not one of them , that he knoweth all thy moral passages , thou understandest my thoughts afar off , and art acquainted with all my ways ; There is not a word in my tongue , but thou O Lord knowest it altogether ; There is no drawing a curtain between God and thee ; He seeth thee thorough and thorough , far more perfectly then thou canst the clearest Chrystal . Darkness hideth not from thee , but the night shineth as the day ; to thee the darkness and the light are both alike . The darkness of the air may hide thee from men , and the darkness of thine understanding may hide thee from thy self ; but there is no darkness nor shadow of death , where the workers of iniquity can hide themselves from him . Neither the ring of Gyges , nor the helmet of Pluto , can hide thee from Gods eye . Observe how strict God is in observing thy ways ; Thou numbrest my steps , dost thou not watch over my sin ? Job 14. 16. By steps is understood inward Motions , and outward actions , whatsoever is done either in the retiring room of the heart , or common hall of the life . To number the steps notes an exact account , we say of a man that goeth very leasurely and softly , Such a man telleth his steps . God is said to tell or number our steps , because he is so exact in his observation of , and so severe in his inquisition , into all our thoughts , words , and deeds . He is supposed to be void of shame , that doth not fear to sin before many witnesses ; Though thou art in secret , consider , conscience is present , which is a thousand witnesses , and God who is a thousand consciences . The Italian was somewhat conceited , who wrote a supplication to Candle light , to disclose to him the secrets of his Kingdom . It s thought the light of the Candle seeth more wickedness then the light of the sun , but to God the day and night , darkness and light are both alike ; he seeth all things , in all places , and at all times .

A Reverend divine had this written in his study , Nol● peccare manns videt ; Angeli as●ant , Dia●olus accufab ● . Conscientia testabitur , infernus cru●●abit . It was a prety fancy of one that would have his chamber painted full of eyes , that which way soever he lookt , he might still have some eyes upon him , and he fancying himself according to the Moralists advice , always , Sub custode & Paedagogo , under the eye of a keeper , might be the more careful of his carriage . And it was a wise answer of Livius Drusus , when an Artist offered him so to convtrive his house , Tu vero ●● qui● in te artis est , ita compone domum meam ut ab omnibus conspici possit . Vellejus Paterculus . that he might do what he would , none should see him ; No , saith Drusus , Contrive it so rather , that all may see me , for I am not ashamed to be seen . If the eyes of men , make even the vilest to forbear their beloved lusts for a while , that the Adulter watcheth for the twilight● and they that are drunk , are drunk in the night ; how powerful will the eye and presence of God be with those that fear his anger , and know the sweetness of his favour ? Moses forsook the sinful pleasures of Pharaohs Court , not fearing the wrath of the King , for he saw him that was invisible . A good commander causeth good government in a Town or City . This truth wrought home , and set close to the heart , would cause good orders , good government in it .

The thought of this Omnipresence of God , will affrighten thee from sin ; Gehezi durst not ask or receive any part of Naamans Presents in his Masters presence , but when he had got out of Elisha's sight , then he tells his lye , and gives way to his lust ; Turpe quid ausurus , te sine teste time . Mag●um nescio quid majusque quam cogitari potest numen est , cui vivendo operoram demus ; Huic nos apbemus , nam nihil prodest inclusam esse conscientiam patemus Deo . Sen●e . Men never sin more freely , then when they presume upon secrecy . They break in peices thy people , O Lord , and afflict thine heritage . They slay the Widow , and Stranger , and murder the Fatherless ; yet they say , The Lord doth not see , neither shall the God of Jacob regard it , Psa. 94. 5 , 6 , 7. Eliphaz , though falsly , accused Iob as guilty of the same crime , upon the same account , Iob 22. 5 , 6 , 7 , 13 , 14. They who shut God out of their hearts , shut him also out of the world , through their atheism , and then are at liberty for all manner of wickedness ; They who abounded in abominations , said , The Lord seeth us not , the Lord hath forsaken the earth , Ezek. 8. 9 , 10 , 12.

The wise man diswadeth from wickedness , upon the consideration of Gods eye and Omniscience ; And why wilt thou my son be ravished with a strange woman , and embrace the bosome of a stranger ? For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord , and he pondereth all his goings , Prov. 5● 20 , 21. Ioseph saw God in the room , and therefore durst not yeild ; but his Mistris saw none but Ioseph , and so was impudently alluring and tempting him to folly . I have read of two religious men , that took contrary courses with two lewd women , whom they were desirous to reclaim from their vicious course of life ; One of the men told one of the women , that he was desirous to enjoy her company , so it might be with secrecy , and when she had brought him into a close room , that none could pry into , he told her , All the bars and bolts here , cannot keep God out ; The other desired the other woman to company with him openly in the streets , which when she rejected as a mad request , he told her , It was better to do it in the eyes of a multitude then of God . How doth the Adulterer , or Drunkard , or Theif , when they come abroad at midnight , for the satisfaction of their lusts , sneak and steal away , when they spye the watch , or any persons who would be witness of their vices ? and shall not the presence of that God who hates sin , who is resolved to punish it with hell-flames , make us ashamed or afraid to sin , and dare him to his face ?

2. The thoughts of this Omnipresence of God , will quicken thee to holiness . The Souldiers of Israel and Iudah were prodigal of their blood , in the presence of their two Generals , 2 Sam. 2. 14. Servants will generally work hard whilst their Master stands by and looks on . It s said of Alexander , that his presence caused such courage in his Souldiers , Vt illo presente nullius hostium arma vel iner mes timuerunt , That when he was with them though they were unarmed , they feared not the weapons of any of their enemies . Our blessed Redeemer exhorteth to prayer in secret , upon this consideration , that God seeth and heareth it , Mat. 6. and to charity in secret , because , though the left hand knoweth not what the right hand doth , God knoweth what the right hand doth . Your Father which seeth in secret will reward you openly .

There is a story of Bishop Latimer , that he having in a Sermon at Court , much displeased the King ( Henry 8. ) was commanded to Preach again the next Lords day , and to recant his former sermon ; according to appointment he cometh up , and prefaceth to his Sermon in this manner ; Hugh Latimer , dost thou know this day to whom thou art to speak ? even to the High and mighty Monarch , the Kings most excellent Majesty , who can take away thy life if thou offendest ; therefore take heed how thou speakest a word which may displease , but ( as if recalling himself , he proceeded ) Hugh , Hugh , dost thou know from whom thou comest , upon whose message thou art sent , and who it is that is present with thee , and beholdeth all thy ways ! even that Almighty God who can cast body and soul into Hell for ever ; therefore look about thee , and be sure thou deliverest thy message faithfully ; and so he went to his Text , and confirmed what he had spoken the day before , and urged it with the more vehemency then ordinary . The eye of God , as of the Sun , will call the Christian to his work . Those Countries that are governed by Viceroys seldom flourish or thrive so well as those Kingdoms where the Prince is present in person . Conscience , Gods Viceroy , may much quicken a Christian to holiness ; but God the Prince himself much more ; I have kept thy precepts , saith David , for all my ways are before thee .

CHAP. X. Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness ; A constant wat●hfulness , Frequent Meditation of Death , Daily performance of ●aored Duties .

FOurthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness , Watch over thy self continually : This spiritual watchfulness is the Main-guard of the soul , which if once called off , we lye open to the shot of every enemy . This , like one of the Nethinim , must stand continually Porter at the door of our hearts , Gods Temple , to keep out whatsoever i● unclean● Watchfulness is a diligent observation of our selves in all things , and at all times , that we may please God always . He that watcheth hath his eyes in his head , according to the wise mans phrase , and seeth ( as the Chineses say of themselves ) with both eyes . David expresseth it fitly , I said I will take heed to my ways , Psa. 39.1 . i. e. I will ponder my paths , and consider where I set my feet , lest I should tread awry . Without this wariness there is no safe walking . Secure Laish is made a prey to their enemies ; and the secure soul is made a prey to his spiritual adversaries , Iudges 19.9,10 . Soul-Lethargies are most dangerous , most deadly . Those that slept in the sweating sickness generally died . He who watcheth not is led about ( like one in his natural sleep ) by any temptation , he knoweth not how nor whether . When the Wolves in the Fable once prevailed with the Sheep to part with the Dogs , they soon devoured them . If Satan can but get men to forgo this means of their safety , he will soon make them his prey . The old World was drowned in sleep before they were drowned in water . Sodom and Gomorah were secure when they were destroyed by fire .

It s reported of the Dragon that whilst he sleepeth a jewel is taken out of his head . Noah lost the jewel of Temperance ; David the jewel of Chastity whilst they were fallen asleep . If this eye of watchfulness be once shut the soul is open to all wickedness . When Argus , notwithstanding his hundred eyes , was by Mercury piped into a sleep , he was transformed into a Cow .

Reader hearken to Gods Watch-word ; Ye are all children of light , and children of the day ; we are not of the night nor of darkness : Therefore let us not sleep as do others , but let us watch and be sober , 1 Thess. 5. 5,6,7 . Sleep is not seasonable in the day of grace , nor sutable to a childe of light : They that sleep , sleep in the night , Rom. 13.11 . The night is for sleep , therefore in it God draweth a curtain of darkness about us ; as the Nurse when she would lay her babe to sleep , throweth a cloth over the head of the cradle . But the day is for watching , for working .

He hath little reason to give himself to sleep who is every moment surrounded with mortal enemies , which are neither few nor weak . Naturalists tell us that the bird Onocratulus , and the Pellican take their rest with their Beaks upright , expecting the Hawk ; and that the Whale and Dolphin sleep with their heads erected above water , for fear of hurt . Though there were but that one text of Scripture 1 Pet. 5.8 . relating to this duty , t were enough to alarm any wise man , and to call him to his arms ; Be sober , be vigilant ; for your adversary the Devil walketh about as a roaring Lion , seeking whom he may devour . If that voyce among the antient Romans , Hannibal ad portas , Hannibal is at the gates , were sufficient to make them leave whatsoever they were about , and run to their weapons , and stand upon their guard ; what watchfulness should this voyce of the holy Ghost , The Devil is at the door , call thee too ? Reader , Take that verse a little in pieces , and see what a foe thou hast to fight with , and then tell me whether it doth not concern thee to watch . Consider , 1. His Power ; Your adversary the Devil : It is not a weak man , but a mighty Devil . Thou art not called to wrestle with flesh and blood , but Principalities and powers , Is man a match for a Devil ? or a stripling nodding , fit to enter the Lists with Goliah ? What is a Pigmie to a Giant , or a a dying creature to the Prince of the powers of the air ? Had David been asleep when the Lion out of the wood came against him , the Lion had sooner tore him by the throat , then he had taken the Lion by the beard . The cobweb may as soon withstand the broom in the maids hand , and the dust oppose the force of a violent wind , as a nodding secure Christian the temptations of Satan . 2. His Policy ; Seeking whom he may devour ; Had our enemy strength without craft , there were not so much danger , nor cause of vigilancy ; but when he hath seven heads as well as ten horns , and exceeds us in subtilty as much as in power , it concerneth us to be watchful . He that playeth with a cunning Fencer , will heed his wards the more . Reader , the Devil hath a shrewd guess what Dalilah is most likely to entice thee , and deprive thee of thy spiritual strength ; and if amongst all the uncircumcised there be any that will fit thee , thou shalt not want her . He hath not walked too and fro in the earth so long for nothing ; but he knoweth what weeds will take best and thrive most in the soil of thy heart , & be confident he will help thee both to the seeds and plants of them . The subtle serpent that could wind himself into Paradise , knoweth surely how to wind himself into thee . If he were too crafty for man when he was perfect , much more is he for man polluted ; And can such a strong politick foe be resisted , when thou art lazing upon thy bed of security ? 3. His Industry ; Your adversary the Devil goeth about . He is a diligent servant never from your elbow ; As Ioseph's Mistris , when denied , still sollicited ; and Sampsons Harlot pressed him with continual importunity night and day , that his very soul was vexed unto death . So the Devil serveth men , he will never forsake them , but follow them with his darts and assaults , till they are safe in heaven from hi● , or safe in hell with him . He is called the Prince of the powers of the air , and his Angels , spiritual Wickednesses in high places ; the air is the seat of his Empire ; and truly as ravenous foul hover up and do●n in the air , to catch and kill little chickens , and though they be frighted away by any one , yet they lye near at the catch , and the person is no sooner gone , but they are descending to destroy them : So those infernal spirits are hovering up and down , walking too and fro to defile and destroy souls ; and though they are resisted and foiled , yet they impudently continue their former endeavours to undo us . Now hath he any time for sleep that is every moment in such danger ? 4. His Cruelty ; As a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour . The Lions of the Forrest have no pitty ; Lest he tear my soul like a Lion , renting it in peices , Psal. 7.2 . The Lions brake the bones of Daniels accusers before they came to the bottom of the Den : But the Lions of hell have much less pity ; his tender mercies are cruelties indeed ; it is not the loss of thy life , but of thy soul , and thy God , and thy Christ , and that for ever which he looks after . The racking of thy body , and renting thy bones , is nothing to the flames , and whips , and torments which he makes men suffer , and that not for a day , or week , or year , or age , but to all eternity .

Reader , is there not infinite reason for watchfulness ? Had not the Apostle ground enough for his precept , Be sober , be vigilant , when our adversary is so strong a Devil , so sedulous going about , so cruel as a roaring Lion , and so crafty , seeking by all means whom he may devour ? Yet alas , this is not all , Go where we will , we see abundant cause to look well to our feet . Every place we come into is a net to ensnare us ; we cannot look out of our eyes , but we see a baited hook ; nor open our ears , but we hear the Syrens songs ; we cannot put forth our hands , but we touch pitch ; nor set our feet , but in the midst of nets ; every part of the body is a Iudas , a Traytor to the soul. Our crosses and afflictions , if we be secure , will be to us , as the Goal to a prisoner , filling us with Vermine : Our greatest earthly comforts if we be not watchful , prove but like traps set for vermine , pleasant and killing . When the world sings most sweetly in our ears , she doth but like Orpheus with his pipe , endeavour to lead us by the ears into unquenchable flames . Theives with provender in their hands catch horses to steal them : The world allures our hearts by its pleasures and profits , and steals them from God . Our own hearts are Iacobs , Supplanters of us , deceitful and desperately wicked . As the water-foul in Friezland will decoy other wilde foul in a net , and then give a watchword to their Master to seise on them ; so officious will our own hearts be to the Devil ; And shall we not watch and pray that we enter not into temptation ?

Sleep is the great Leveller , which makes all equal . The strongest Sampson is as liable in his sleep to be slain , as the smallest infant ; When a deep sleep from the Lord had seised on Saul and his Souldiers , how easily might David if he had pleased , have killed them ? He took away Sauls Spear and Cruse of Water , to assure him that he could have taken away his life . Ah! how soon may the Devil , or World , or Flesh , defile , deceive , and destroy a sleeping soul ! Bees , that have many enemies , Mice , Spiders , Drones , Hornets , Birds and Beasts , never dare , say Naturalists , to give themselves to security , but night and day have their Scouts , and Centinels , and Corp-du-guard , to keep watch and ward , lest some of their many enemies should on a sudden surprise them ; The Christian may learn this duty from such creatures ; Spiders weave their Cobwebs near the Flowers where the Bees use to gather , and also just over the passage out of their Hives , that so at their going out , but especially at their comming in , laden and weary , they may catch them , and make a prey of them . David saith , In the way wherein I walked , have they privily laid a snare for me . So mayst thou Reader say , In the way wherein I daily walk , doth Satan privily lay Baits to catch me , at my Table , in my Closet , in my Shop , in my Bed , in the Streets ; in all places where I go , he hath laid snares for my soul. If there be a snare , and such danger in all things , then let me advise thee , if thou woulst avoid them , in the words of Paul to Timothy , Watch thou in all things , 2 Timoth. 4. 5.

Watch against sin , against all sin . The Gardiner doth not onely watch over his Flowers , to water and cherish them , but also watcheth all weeds , to pluck and root them up . Take heed lest there be any root of bitterness ; Epiphanius tells us , when a dead corps was carried by any of the Israelites houses , they used to shut their doors and windows , intimating that men must be watchful against the sent and infection of sin● ; It s in vain for a Captain to guard one gate of a Castle , to prevent the enemies entring there , if he leave another open , when the whole Fort is beleagured , and surrounded with mortal enemies .

Watch especially against thine own sin . If a man have many wounds , whereof one is more dangerous then the rest , being near a vital part , though he will be mindful and careful of all , yet he will have a special care of that which is most dangerous ; A Christian must watch against all sin , all soul-diseases , but principally against his own sin ; that disease which is most dangerous ; as a wise Governour will have a special eye upon that particular person in his Garrison , whom he knoweth to be a Traytour .

Watch for the doing of good ; For seasons of Prayer , and Hearing , and Christian Communion . The Country-man watcheth for the Bell ringing on the Market-day , when the sacks will be opened , that he may buy food for himself and his family . The Mariner watcheth for the Tide ; The diseased folk watched for the moving of the waters , by the Angels . David watched as a Sparrow on the house top , where he might peck up some corn , get some spiritual nourishment . An opportunity of worshipping God is a jewel , the Christian may well watch to take it up .

Watch in duties ; The Child must be watcht at School , or he will play and toy instead of getting his lesson . The heart must be watched in an Ordinance , or it will wander wholly from the business in hand ; continue in prayer , and watch in the same , Col. 4. 2. Take heed how ye hear ; The Bible will drop out of the sleepers hand , and prayer is a wrestling with God , which is not a work to be done nodding ; They who talk in their sleep , talk idly .

Watch after duties . Running carelesly into the open air , immediately after the taking of Physick , is dangerous . When the Garden is drest , and the seeds sown in it , we must watch it , lest Hogs get into it , and root up all . Satan thinks to take the Christian at an advantage , after the duty is over ; and though he could not beat him in the fight , yet to do it when the Saint hath laid by his weapons . It was a wise speech of Marcus Aurelius , after he had vanquished Popilion , General of the potent Parthians , and won the day , I tell thee of a truth , that I stand in greater fear of fortune at this present , then I did before the battel , for she careth not so much to overtake the Conquered , as to overcome the Conqueror . Truly , Satan will be industrious to destroy both the conquered utterly , and to overcome the Conquerour .

Watch thy senses ; These are the Cinque-ports , as one calls them , of the Isle of man , which if not well garrisoned , will let in strangers and disturbers of our peace . At these Havens much of Satans lading is taken in . Io● made a Covenant with his eyes , he would not suffer them to gad and gaze at random , lest they should return defiled . Democritus walking abroad , would shut his eyes , lest by their wandring , his mind should be taken off from the contemplation of honest things . Acteon became , as the Poet fancieth , meat for his Dogs , by suffering his eyes to wander . Lusting hath often been the issue of looking , witness Iosephs Mistriss , David , Achan , the Israelites , Numb. 15. 39. Stratonice took Mithridates with a Song . The heart hath often been angled into sin by the ear , and led into temptation by the eye● therefore Cassian relates that to preserve the cleanness of the heart , the Egyptian Masters taught that men must be Surdi , Caeci , Muti ; Deaf , Blind , and Dumb. If those out-works be well guarded , the Royal Fort is in the less hazard . Shut up the five windows ( i. e. guard the five senses ) that the whole house may be full of light , according to the Arabian Proverb .

Watch your affections ; If those waves be tempestuous , they will cast up much foam and froth , mire and dirt . He had need to make a strong wall , that would keep these raging waters within their bounds .

Watch your Tongues ; The Sea hath not more need of banks to keep it in , then the tongue of a bridle ; The tongue is compared to a Sword , to a Razor , both which are keen weapons , and must be handled warily , Psa. 39. 1 , 2. I said , I will take heed to my ways , that I offend not with my tongue ; I will keep my mouth with a Bridle , whilst the wicked are before me .

Watch your hearts ; The heart is the Forge , the spring of life , and a wound there is mortal . Keep thy heart with all diligence ( super omnem custodiam , above all keeping , Merito deb●t somper senare in a●ribus Vigilate . Bucer in 13. Mark . Jun. ) out of it are the issues of life . Watch over all things , watch in all things ; This voice saith Bucer , should always sound in our ears , Watch , Watch.

How frequent is Christ in his Precepts to this duty ? as knowing fully the weight and concernment of it ; Watch ye therefore , for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh . Watch and Pray , lest ye enter into temptation . What I say unto you , I say unto all , Watch. And he is as frequent in his promises to it , Blessed is that servant , whom his Lord , when he cometh shall find watching ; Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his Garments ; and if he shall come in the second or third watch , and find him so , blessed is he , Luk. 12. 37 , 38 , 43. Surely , Blessedness is worthy our waking ; Bliss is worth keeping our eyes open a few days for . Apollonius , held in his time for an Oracle , coming early in the morning to Vespasians gate , Philostr . in vit . and finding him ( then a private person ) up and at study , he said to his Companion , This man is worthy to raign and command an Empire , which afterwards came to pass ; He that watcheth with Christ the short hour of this life , shall be counted worthy to raign with him in his Kingdom for ever . Sion , which is frequently put for the Church of God , signifieth a Watch-Tower , because from that hill , a man might see the Holy Land , and all the Countries thereabout , but the spiritual signification of it may be this ; that all the members of Gods Church must be like Souldiers in a watch-tower , observing who commeth in and who goeth out , lest Traytors should steal into the fort of the heart undiscovered .

Fifthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , Think often of thy dying day , and of what price and value godliness will be to thee at such a time ; There are few thoughts more terrible or more profitable then of death . Hence it is , that God commands man so often to remember his latter end , because the meditation of it is so gainful to him . The first day man was made , he was called to think of his last day ; God minded him of death in the Tree of Knowledge , and the threatning annexed to the Prohibition , that he might thereby keep him from sin . Satan could not prevail with Eve , to taste of that killing fruit , till he had prevailed with her to distrust that threatning of death , ye shall not surely dye , Gen. 3. 4. After the fall , God reneweth this meditation , by turning the conditional , into an absolute commination ; Dust thou art , and to Dust thou shalt return ; and though the Holy Ghost omitteth many particulars about Gods carriage with the long-lived Patriarchs , and their holy conversation before him , yet he is exact in registring their deaths ; And he died , and he died , of every one , Gen. 5. to quicken us to fear God , because we are but dying frail men . There is hardly any thing about which we deal , but God gives us by it a Memento of Death . Our Cloaths are all fetcht out of Deaths wardrobe , our food out of deaths shambles ; The Sun is an emblem of lifes posting , the night of the chambers of darkness ; the year hath its autumn , the day its night . Our candles should mind us of the wasting of our days , the evening of the shadow of death ; our undressing , of our putting off our earthly tabernacles , and our lying down in our beds , of our lying down in our graves .

If thou wouldst make Religion thy business and main work , think often and seriously of thy death and departure of this world ; He that guides and steers the ship aright , sits in the stern or hinder● most part of it ; He that would order his works , his way , according to God , must be frequent in the meditation of his end ; The end of his days , must be at the end of all his thoughts . Zeno Cittiaeus , consulted with the Oracle , how he might live well , and received this answer , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . If he would be of the same colour with the dead .

Reader , if thou wouldst live much and well , get thy heart as much affected with godliness , in health , as it will be in sickness ; Have the same thoughts of it , the same seriousness about it , the very same carriage towards it , whilst the world salutes thee with its smiling face , and bewitching features , which thou wilt wish thou hadst had , when thou shalt come to take thy leave of it , and lye upon thy dying bed . Be of the same colour with the dead . O what thoughts have the dead of godliness , and of making it ones business ! The dead in Christ , and the dead out of Christ , have both other manner of thoughts of Religion , and making it ones occupation , then thou canst possibly imagine .

Those who while they live delay repentance , and dally about Religion , minding it as if they minded it not , who neither in their dealings with men , nor duties towards God , nor in their relations nor vocations , make it their business , but mispend their precious time , misimploy their weighty talents , neglect God and their eternal welfares , as if they had not been made to mind either ; when they come to dye and perceive in good earnest , that that surly Serjeant Death , will not be denyed , but away they must go into the other world , and fare well or ill for ever , according as their hearts and lives have been , godly or ungodly , good or bad , here good Lord , what thoughts have they then of godliness ? How hearty are their wishes , that they had made it their business ? What Worlds would they give that Religion had been their principal work ? What prayers and tears do they poure out for a few days to mind it in ? What sighs , and sobs , and groans , that they have neglected it so long ? What purposes do they take up , what promises do they make , if God spare them , to follow hard after holiness , and make it their onely business ? A Philosopher asking Euchrites , which of the two he had rather be , Craesus , one of the richest and most vicious in the world , or , Socrates , one of the poorest and most vertuous ; Eucrites answered , Craesus vivens , & Socrates moriens , Craesus while he lived , and Socrates when he dyed . The Cuckoe when wearing away , changeth her noat . The worst men when they come to dye , alter and change exceedingly .

It is worthy our observation , that those who are greatest strangers to death , are most familiar with the works of darkness . No place abounds more in Wolves ( no person in wickedness ) then where this Mastiff is wanting ; Jerusalem hath greivously sinned , her filthiness is in her skirts , she remembreth not her last end , therefore she came down wonderfully , 1 Lamen. 8. 9. Jerusalem hath greivously sinned ; hath sinned sin , Heb. Hath committed a great or greivous sin , so the Chaldee . Behold here the colour of her sin , is was not of an ordinary dye , but of a black , a bloody , an heinous nature ; Her filthiness is in her skirts ; Lo here , her carriage after her sinning ; she made of it an open shew , so far was she from shame . It is a term taken from prostituted Strumpets , or monstrous women , saith Diodat . The outward looks of the former , bewray her inward lusts , and the marks of the latters defilement are visible on her garment ; thus the shew of Ierusalems countenance , did publiquely evidence her crime . She did as clearly by her skirts proclaim her filth , as if it had been written on her face , and engraven on her forehead ; Here was impiety in her practice , Ierusalem hath greivously sinned ; and impudency to purpose , Her filthiness is in her skirts ; But what dust was that which bred such vermine ? what polluted seed was that which begat such a poisonous serpent . Reader , Immunditiae suae in fimbrlis suis mercedem nondum recordata . Trem. if thou wouldst know the Mother which brought forth , and bred up this ugly Monster , She remembreth not her last end , therefore she came down mightily . It was her forgetfulness of death , which nourished and cherished her wicked deeds ; They who mind not their reckoning , care not how much they riot and revel .

They who put far away the evil day , cause the seat of violence to come near , Amos 6. 3. The further we drive death from our thoughts , the nearer we draw to sin . They who fancy their foe to be very far off , will not prepare and make ready to fight . Men that are young , do not consider , that the old Ass often carrieth the skin of the young to the Market ; that death comes like a Thunderbolt , and Lightning , and blasteth the green corn , and consumeth the strongest buildings ; if they did , they would flee youthful lusts .

He who seeth death at his door , will be most diligent about his duty ; A serious consideration of the death of the body , will be a soveraign , though a sharp medicine to kill the body of death . The Naturalists tell us , that the ashes of a Viper , applied to the part which is stung , draweth the venome out of it . They who look on themselves as Pilgrims and strangers , will abstain from fleshly lusts , which war against the soul , 1 Pet. 1. 17. Who would make his Belly , his Gut , his God , who considereth that every meal may be his last , or that thinketh , his dainty diet , his fine fare , doth but provide a greater feast for wormes ? Who would give way to sinful wantons , who beleiveth that whilst he is unloading his lust , God may put a period to his life ? He that is high in conceit of himself , little dreameth how low he must shortly be laid ; Who would be proud of that body which shall ere long see corruption , become such a noysom loathsom carcass , that the nearest and dearest relations will not endure the sight or sent of it ? He who loveth the world inordinately , forgetteth that he may leave it suddenly , and must leave it certainly ; Would Haman have bragged so much of Hesters banquet , if he had known that his own corps should be served in for the last course ? Would the Israelites have tempted God for meat , if they had thought that death should have been their sauce ? Would Achan have coveted the golden wedge , if he had mused of his so sudden departure into the other world ? Without question , he would have forborn the Babylonish garment , if he had seen death at his back , so ready to strip him naked . Had the rich fool thought that his bed should that night have proved his grave , he would never in the day have prided himself in his goods . Who would not at Gods call vilifie that flesh which will be ere long a lump of filth ; and be choice of that soul which lives for a more high and heavenly flight !

It is reported of the Brachmans , that they use no cloaths but Bear-skins , no houses but Caves , no food but such as nature dresseth ; When Alexander came to them in his travails , he asked them the reason of this severe kind of living ; They answered him , We know we shall dye ; whether to day or to morrow we know not ; and therefore why should we take care , either for power to govern others , or for riches to live in pleasures , or for honour to be esteemed of ? None are so loose to the world ( that great hinderance of holiness ) as they who ponder they must leave it . Travellers who look on themselves near their journeys end , care not to burden themselves with much baggage ; Their moderation will be known to all men , who believe , The Lord is at hand .

Those who are most mindful of their deaths , are most faithful in their lives ; Iob was eminent in grace , because Iob was daily conversing with his grave ; All the days of his appointed time , he waited till his change came , Job 14. 14. That servant will follow his work most and best , who expecteth his Masters coming every moment .

It is said of the Kite , Considerat●o mortis tanquam caudae ad vitam optime regendam confert . that by the turning of his tail , he directs and winds about his whole body ; The same is reported of the Glede or Puttock . Fish also , say Naturalists , turn and wind about by the fins in their Tails . Reader , could I but prevail with thee to mind the end of thy life , it would help thee very much to order thy conversation aright ; O ( said God ) that my people were wise , then would they consider their latter end , Deut. 32. 29.

The Thebans made a Law , that no man should build an house for himself to dwell in , before he had made his grave . Several of the Philosophers had their graves made before their doors , that when ever they went abroad they might remember their deaths ; If thou wouldst but in thy out-goings and in-comings , behold the place of thy burial , I doubt not but thou wilt be watchful over all thy ways . When thou art in the midst of thy delights ( as Ioseph of Aritmathea ) have thy tomb in thy garden , and it may prevent thy surfeiting by those dainties ; When thou sittest at Table , let the first dish set before thee be ( according to Prester Iohns custom ) a deaths-head , and then with what fear wilt thou feed , how thankfully wilt thou receive the creatures , even as through the beloved Son ? how soberly wilt thou use them , even as in Gods sight ? If God raise thee to the height of prosperity , and some friend do but ( as Moses and Elias to Christ , when his Face did shine as the Sun , and his Raiment was as white as Snow , Luk. 9. 30 , 31. ) talk to thee of thy decease , which thou must shortly accomplish , it will abate thy love to the worlds withering vanities , and quicken thine endeavours after the eternal weight of glory . If God cast thee into great adversity , and thou dost but consider thy time here is but short , and therefore thy troubles cannot be long , this will make thee contented in the saddest condition . When thou beholdest thy relations , and fore-thinkest that thine eternal separation from them is at hand , and that within a few days thou shalt never have another opportunity to help them heaven-ward , how will it stir thee up to do them all the good thou canst now , both by thy Precepts , Pattern , and Prayers ? If when thou attendest on publique Ordinances , thou wilt but cast thine eye on the Graves in the Church-yard , as thou passest along , and meditate thus , Within a little time I must be laid in the dust , when I shall hear no more , pray no more , enjoy a Sabbath no more , when I shall never , never , more have a tender of a Saviour , never more have a season to beg mercy in for my poor soul. After such awakening thoughts , with what attention wouldst thou hear ? with what affections wouldst thou pray ? with what intention and devotion ? with what seriousness and uprightness wouldst thou perform every duty ?

Some say that nothing in this world is so strong as death , because it subdueth the mighty , it conquereth the greatest conquerours , it overcometh all . Sure I am , that death hath great force and power over mens souls , as well as over their bodies . The thought of it hath raised some to a spiritual life . The consideration of death hath also caused others to live much in a little space ; when they have s●en the ●un of their lives near setting , and the night of their deaths approaching , they have in the day followed their work with the greater diligence ; None will work so hard as they who think themselves near their everlasting homes .

There were two Emperors , Adrian and Charles the fifth , that in their life time caused their Coffins to be carried before them , and their exequies to be solemnly celebrated , to this end possibly that considering they were but men , dying men , they might thence be righteous in their government , and virtuous in their actions .

It is reported of Turannius , Sen. de brev. vit. cap. ult. that after he was ninety years old , he got leave of Caesar to retire himself from Court , and the old man would needs be laid in his bed , as one that had breathed out his last , and all his Family must bewail his death . Friend , do thou in earnest , what he did in jest ; Suppose thou wert this day to bid adiew to thy Friends , Relations , Honours , and Possessions , and to travail into the unknown other world , to take thy leave of hours , and days , and months , and years , and time , and to sail into the boundless Ocean of Eternity ; Suppose thou sawest death creep in at thy Chamber window , come up to thy Bed-side , draw the Curtain , take thee by the hand , and tell thee that he is come from the Infinite Almighty , jealous , most holy God , to fetch thee immediately into his presence , there to answer for all thy thoughts , words , and deeds , and to receive either matchless and endless pain , or unchangeable and unconceiveable pleasures , according as thy practices have been ; What wouldst thou think at such a time of godliness ? Good Lord , what a price wouldst thou set upon it , what wouldst thou not do or give for it ! Then godliness will be godliness indeed , as little and as lightly as thou settest by it now . And why is it not worth as much now ? Dost thou not see death like a Mole digging thy grave under thee ? Dost thou not feel that worm within thee , which will ere long consume thee ?

Beleive it , thy death may be nearer then thou dreamest , the glass of thy life may be almost out , though thou thinkest it s but new turned ; The Murdering-peice which kills thee , parting thy soul and body , may be discharged with white powder , give thee no warning at all . The next Arrow which is shot may hit thee ; The next time the Bell goes , may be to tell others that thou art dead ; The next time the Earth is opened , may be to receive thy body in ; Thou seest some fall on thy right hand , some on thy left hand , some of thy very age , and of greater strength and health , and canst thou esteem thy self shot-free ! Is not every carcass a cryer , and every Tomb a teacher , calling upon thee to number thy days , and apply thine heart unto wisdom ?

Silly man is like the foolish Chicken ; though the Kite comes and takes away many of their fellows , yet the rest continue pecking the ground , never heeding their owner , nor minding their shelter . Death comes and snatcheth away one man here , a second there ; one before them , another behind them , and they are killed with death , undone for ever , Rev. 2. 23. yet they who survive , take no warning , but persist in their wicked and ungodly ways ; They are destroyed from morning to evening , they perish for ever , without any regarding it . Doth not their excellency which is in them go away , they dye even without wisdom , Job 4.20 , 21.

It is the saying of an Heathen ; Muson apud Stob. Ser. 1. That it is impossible for a man to live the present day well , who doth not purpose to live it as his last . I may say to thee , Friend , It is impossible for thee to live the present day ill , if thou wilt but live it as thy last day . If thou dost but consider , Well , this place may be the last place I shall come into , shall I pollute it with sin ? or shall I not rather perfume it with sanctity ? This expression may be the last that ever I shall speak , shall it ●e tainted with vice , or shall it not rather be seasoned with grace ? This action may be the last that ever I shall do , and shall it be a deed of darkness , or shall it not rather be a work of the day , of the light ? This Sermon may be the last that ever I shall hear , and shall I now be heedless ? After this I shall never more have a call from Christ , and ●hall I now be careless ? This Prayer may be the last Prayer that ever I shall poure out to God ; if God deny me now , I am damned and undone for ever , and shall not my head , and heart , and will , and mind , and all be working , that it may be a prosperous , a prevalent prayer ? This Sabbath may be the last Sabbath that ever I shall sanctifie ; I may from henceforth and for ever be deprived of all such opportunities of getting and increasing grace , of serving and honouring my Saviour , and of working out my own salvation ; If I sow not now good seed , I must never expect an happy harvest . If I buy not now , the market will be quickly over . Shall I lose any precious minute of this holy day ? Is it time now to trifle about the affairs of my soul and eternity ? Well , I will through Christ , take heed how I hear ; I will hear in hearing , I will pray in praying , I will hear , and hearken , cry and call , with all my heart , and strength , and soul , and mind , that if it be possible , the Lord may not leave me without a blessing . When the Oratour thinketh he is at the close of his Oration , then he useth his chiefest Art and Rhetorick , to move his Auditors affections , he would have his last part his best part .

O Reader , if thou wilt but often wind up this weight of thine approaching death , it would keep thy soul in a quick spiritual , and regular motion at all times . As ashes preserve fire , and keep coals from going out ; so the thought that we shall ere long be turned into ashes , will preserve the fire of grace alive , and in action .

Sixthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , Mind a daily performance of sacred duties ; He that hath nothing of his own , whereupon to live , must be frequently fetching in provision from the Shops or Market , where it is to be had . The Christians life is maintained , not by himself , but by what he receiveth from God ; Not that we are sufficient of our selves ; our sufficiency of God ; therefore there is a necessity of daily converse with God by holy Ordinances , and of waiting at his gate , as the beggar who hath neither a bit of bread , nor a penny to buy any , at the rich mans door for supply . Our spiritual strength is like Israels Manna , rained down daily ; we are kept by a divine power , and allowed but from hand to mouth , that we might continually depend on , and resort to the Lord Jesus for our allowance . Paul speaks in some places of his great disbursements , how much he laid out for God and his people , that he laboured more then all the Apostles ; but you must think , Whence had Paul such a spiritual stock , that he was able to outvy all others in his expences ! he tells you , that the Son of God kept house for him , and that he was the Steward to spend of his treasure , and thence his disbursements were so large ; I live , yet not I , but Christ liveth in me , and the life that I live in the flesh , is by the faith of the Son of God , Gal. 2. 20. As the Plant Mistel , having no root of its own , both grows and lives in the stock or body of the Oak ; So the Apostle having no root of his own , did live and grow in Christ . As if he had said , I live , I keep a noble house , am given to Hospitality above many , in labours more abundant , in watchings , in fastings more frequent , in perils , and dangers , and deaths often ; but the truth is , I do all this at anothers cost and charge , not at mine own , I am beholden to Christ for strength to do and suffer , whatsoever I am called to . He carrieth the purse for me , and gives out to me according to my necessities . I have not a farthing of my own , wherewith to buy the least morsel . I can do noth●ng of my self , but I can do all things through Christ strengthning me .

Man is a weak creature , and so far from runing , that he is not able to creep in the way of Gods commandements , unless Christ strengthen him ; Without me , ye can do nothing , Joh. 13. 3. If Christ with-draw himself as the Sun , he carrieth the light of holiness along with him ; The easiest duty is too hard , and the weakest enemy too strong for us , unless Christ assist us . 'T is upon his wings alone that we can mount to Heaven , in an Ordinance , and through his power , that we do improve any Providence . It is not the standing Army of habitual grace , that will make the Christian a Conquerour , he must daily be recruted with Auxilaries from Heaven . The watch-man doth not onely make the watch , and set every wheel in its right place , but he or some other must wind it up daily , or it will stand still . Exerci●ing grace is as requisite to our spiritual motion , as habitual grace to our spiritual being . The Razor , though it be never so sharp or keen at first , if it be used , must be often at the Whetstone , or it will grow dull .

The Wife that hath frequent occasions for money , for provision for her Self , and Children , and Servants , and for Cloaths and all Family necessaries , and not a penny but what comes out of her Husbands purse , and he fearing she should be prodigal , lets her have money by driplets , but from hand to mouth , must be always going or sending to him , or otherwise starve . The Shopkeeper that drives a great trade in the Country , must go often to London , or abroad in other parts , to fetch in commodities . The Israelites in the Wilderness were maintained for water by the Rock . They drank of the Rock that followed them , and that Rock was Christ The Rock followed them , they did not only drink of it at first , but had a constant mornings draught , and drank of it often in the day , it ran i● a stream after them , and every day supplied them . It s no marvail the Apostle commandeth us , Pray continually , Pray without ceasing , Pray evermore , when he knew all our living was got by begging , that all our supplies must be from above , and we must expect nothing without asking ; Ordinances are the food of the soul. As Cows afford us both Milk and Beef ; so Ordinances are Milk to Babes , and Meat for strong Men. Our God is the Fountain of Spiritual , as well as of natural life . It s said most truly , in respect of a Natural life , In him ( meaning God ) we live , and move , and have our beings , Act. 17. 28. We live ; Now as God hath made the heart the spring of natural life , and hath drawn from thence a multitude of arteries , to carry the vital spirits through the whole body , and disperse life through every part of it . So he hath made the Mediatour , the spring of spiritual life , and his Ordinances the Arteries , to convey life to every part of the soul. In whom we move ; As God hath from the head derived manifold sinews , to carry out thence the animal spirits , and with them the faculty both of sense and motion over all . So the Lord , from Jesus Christ the Churches head , through the sinews of sacred duties , conveyeth spiritual sense and motion to all his members . And have our being ; To preserve our being , he hath made the Liver a fountain of blood , and from thence drawn the Veins to convey it over the body , to the nourishment of the whole ; Ordinances are those Veins which convey and disperse gracious spirits over the whole new man ; With him is the well of life , Psa. 36.

Sacred duties are as needful every day for our souls , as food and raiment for our bodies . The body must continually be repaired with nourishment , because it is continually consumed by our natural heat ; Yesterdays bread will not keep the laborer to day in strength and vigor to go through with his work ; he must have new diet , or he cannot hold out . Friend , I must bespeak thee , as the Angel to Elijah , Vp and eat , for the journey is too great for thee ; Vp and be doing in Prayer , and Scripture , and holy Ordinances , that thou mayst feed and receive spiritual nourishment ; for otherwise the business of exercising thy self to godliness , the duties required of thee to be performed , the graces to be exercised , the temptations to be resisted , the deadly enemies to be conquered , will be too hard for thee , the journey will be too great for thee ; The Amalekite by long fasting , grew faint and unable to go his journey . If the bringing stream be not as large as the running stream , the bottom will quickly be without water . The greatest stock will lesson apace , if a man spend daily on it , though but in a small quantity , if he hath no way of getting . Those that are under-kept , and called to hard labour , can never perform what is required of them . The spirits daily are decaying , and if not daily renewed by proper nourishment , we perish . The Vessels that are always leaking , must stand constantly under the conduit to get what they lose . When Ionathan through fasting became faint , He tasted a little honey and his eyes were enlightened ; How much more , said he , if happily the people had eaten liberally of the spoil of their enemies which they found ? for had there not been now a much greater slaughter among the Philistines , 1 Sam. 14. 29 , 30. The more a Christian mindeth Divine Ordinances , in obedience to Gods precept , and affiance on Gods promise , the more strength he shall receive to conquer his spiritual adversaries , and to discharge the several duties incumbent on him . The truth is , our religious life , our heavenly flame is like a straw fire to mault , which must constantly be tended and fed with fuel , or it will go out . There is no● more need of the Shepherds constant and daily tending his weak sheep in the summer season● then of the Saints daily regarding his precious soul. As trees being well ordered with skill and diligence , they become abundantly fruitful , but being left to themselves , without culture and care they bring forth little or no fruit . So Christians by a diligent use of means abound in the fruits of righteousness , but neglecting ordinances they decline and decay .

The heart of man is , like Reuben , unstable 〈◊〉 water , and is stablished with grace ( Heb. 10. ) which cannot be expected , but through the means of grace . The Viol that with every change of weather is apt to be out of tune , must be constantly hung within sent of the fire . Whilst we are in the care of this world , we are full of damps , and therefore need all means of quickening . Our hearts are like Clocks , twice a day at least , the Plummets must be pulled up , or their motion and course will be hindered .

Indeed as God could preserve our bodies without food or any sustenance , by his omnipotent power , as he did Moses and Elijah forty days together , but he will not where he affordeth ordinary means ; So he could preserve our souls in life without ordinances , but he will not , where his providence giveth us opportunity to enjoy them .

Reader , I must say to thee , as Iacob to the Patriarchs , Behold I have heard that there is Corn in Egypt , get you down thither and buy for us , that we may live and not dye . Behold thou hast heard there is spiritual food in Heaven ; the Son of Ioseph hath his granaries full of Corn , go thou thither daily by sacred duties , that thy soul may live and not dye . There is a sensible decay of the strength in Husbandmen ( whose work is great ) upon one days abstinence . If tradesmen grow careless of their business , and neglect their Shops , they quickly decay in their estates . When Christians grow careless of duties , and neglect their Closets , t is no wonder that they decline in their spiritual stocks . When the Moon hath her open side downward , she decreaseth , but when her open side is upwards towards Heaven , she increaseth in light . There is no growing in grace and holiness , but by conversing with Heaven . Grace , like Armour , may easily be kept bright , if it be daily used , but if it hang by the wall , it will quickly rust , and cost much time and pains to scoure .

Much fasting takes away the stomach ; and omission of Closet duties at one time , makes a man more backward to them , and dead about them another time . When a Scholar hath plaid the Truant one day , its difficult to bring him to School the next day ; Fear and Shame both keep him back , when he comes thither he is the more untoward about his book . Our deceitful hearts after they have discontinued holy exercises , and are broken loose , are like horses gotten out of their bounds , not found or brought back without much trouble . When an instrument is daily plaid on , it s kept in order , but if it be but a while neglected and cast into a corner , the strings are apt to break , the frets to crack , the bridge to flye off , and no small trouble and stir is requisite to bring it into order again .

We read of the Iews daily sacrifice , which was Morning and Evening , Exod. 29. 38. and 30. 7 , 8. David was for Morning and Evening● , Luk. 1. 10. ● and Noon-tide , Psa. 55. 17. Daniel was three times a day upon his knees , Dan. 6. 10.

In the Morning the Saints were at their devotion , which is thought to be the third hour , when the Holy Ghost descended on the Apostles , Act. 2. 15. This is deemed to be our ninth hour .

The midle or mid day prayer was termed the sixth hour , which is our twelfth , Ioh. 4. 6. At this time Peter went up to the house top to pray , Act. 10. 9.

The evening Prayer was at the ninth hour , which is our three a clock in the After-noon ; Now Peter and John went up together into the Temple at the hour of prayer , being the ninth hour , Act. 3. 1. So Cornelius , Act. 10. 30. At the ninth hour I prayed in my house . Some think the Primitive Christians had these three hours in such regard and use , that thence they were termed Canonical hours . David tells us , Seven times a day do I praise thee , because of thy righteous judgements , Psa. 119. 164. Psa. 119. 62 , 164. 1 Thes. 5. 17. The more frequent a Christian is at holy duties ( supposing he doth not make the commands of God to interfere , and neglect his calling and family , when his presence is required in them ) the more thriving he shall be in his spiritual trade . The oftener we go to the Fountain or River , the more water we bring thence . As Runners in a Race do daily diet their bodies , and use exercise to keep themselves in breath , that they may be more able and active when they run for the wager , whereas if they should neglect it , they would grow pursie and shortwinded , and unlikely to hold out , when they run for the Garland ; So Christians who would hold out to the end , and so run as to obtain , must be daily feeding and dieting their souls , and renewing their strength by these means which God hath appointed .

As the Sun is the cause of life , and groweth in vegetables , so is the Son of God the efficient cause of motion and growth in Christians ; where the Son is present in any soul , there is spiritual mo●ion and growth budding , and blossoming , and bearing fruit , but when the Sun with-holds and with-draws , when this Sun departs , the soul is at a stand ; Now Ordinances are the means whereby the Mediatour conveys heat and life , and growth to men .

CHAP. XI . Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness ; Frequent Meditation of the day of judgement ; A daily Examination of our hearts ; Avoiding the Occasions and Suppressing the beginnings of Sin .

SEvently , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness , Meditate much upon the day of Iudgement . They will prepare themselves best to the battel , who always hear the sound of the last trump in their ears . Zisea that valiant Captain of the Bohemians , commanded his Country-men to flea off his skin ( when he was dead ) and to make a Drum of it . Which use ( saith he ) when ye go to battel , and the sound of it will drive away the Hungarians or any of your enemies . Could the Christian , but with Ierom , hear the sound of the last trumpet in his ears at all times , it would encourage him in his spiritual warfare , and enable him to fight manfully , and to cause the enemies of his salvation to flee before him . He who can frequently by faith view the Judge sitting on his Throne of Glory , hear the last trumpet sounding : behold the dead raised , the books opened , the godly examined by the Covenant of grace , all their duties , graces , services , sufferings , publiquely declared , approved , and rewarded , the wicked tried by the Law of works , all their natural defilements , actual transgressions , in thought , word and deed , which ever they were guilty of , with their crimson bloody circumstances , openly revealed , their persons righteously sentenced to the vengeance of the eternal fire , and that sentence speedily without the least favour or delay executed on them , will surely loath sin , as that which brings him certain shame and torment , and follow after holiness , which will be his undoubted credit and comfort at that day . The Apostle writing to the Iews concerning the terror of that day , how the Heavens must pass away with a great noise , and the Elements melt with fervent heat , the earth also and the works therein burnt up , makes this use of it , Seeing then that all those things shall be dissolved ; What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness ? And again , 2. Pet. 3. 11 , 14. Wherefore beloved , seeing ye look for these things , be diligent , that ye may be found of him in peace , without spot , and blameness . He had need to be exact in his conversation , who must undergo so strict an examination . Well may the time of judgement be called a day , for it will declare and manifest the worth of grace and holiness , which in the night of this life is not observed .

Ah , who can conceive the value which the vilest wretch on earth will put upon holiness at that day ! then grace will be grace indeed , and godliness will be godliness indeed . Then they who mock at Saints for their purity and strictness , and look upon Sanctity but as Hypocrisie , and the acting of a part to cozen the world with , and think it is enough to put God off with a few prayers now and then , when their pastimes and lusts will give them leave , will call to beleivers as the foolish to the wise Virgins , Give us of your oyl , for our lamps are gone out ; then the graceless Princes and Potentates of the world will throw their Crowns and Diadems at the feet of the meanest Christian , for a dram of his grace and holiness .

The Apostle speaking of that day , puts the question , Where shall the sinner and ungodly appear ? 1 Pet. 4. 18. Now indeed , those that ●coff and deride and scorn at holiness , and holy ones , may appear before great men in many parts of the world with praise and applause ; Now , they may appear in the Country , and be respected of their Drunken , Atheistical , Brutish Neighbours , and probably be the more honoured for their opposition to the Spirit of grace and holiness ; but then , Where will the sinner and ungodly appear ? Not in Heaven , for that is no Stie for Swine , no Kennel for Dogs , no Gaol for Malefactours , no place for such unholy God-provoking persons ; Into it can in no wise enter that which is defiled or unclean . Such a Pallace is not fit for Beasts ; Snakes , and Serpents , and Adders are more fit for the bosome and embraces of men , then such men for the bosome and embraces of God . Heaven cast out wicked Angels , and will not take in wicked Men ; Where shall they then appear ? Not on Earth , for that will be burnt up with fire ; Their Houses and places must know them no more for ever . The earth groaned under their weight whilst it bare them , but now is eased of such loads , and shall not be pestered with such Plagues again . But where shall they appear ? Not before Christ the Iudge with any comfort , for him they have derided , buffeted , crucified , they have rejected his Laws , trampled on his blood , told him to his face , that they will not have him to raign over them . But where will they appear ? Not before the Saints , for they have maligned , oppressed , imprisoned , persecuted them as a company of Cheats , and Hypocrites . O where shall the sinner and ungodly appear ?

1. Consider , The holiness of the Iudge ; He is the holy Iesus . He loveth righteousness , and hateth iniquity , Psa. 45. What will the ungodly sinner do , when he shall be judged by the holy Saviour ? Who can stand before this holy God ? 1 Sam. 60. 20. His eyes are like a flame of fire , and so he knoweth the most secret works of darkness . His Law is very pure , and observeth and condemneth the least spots , the least defilement , and how will unclean ones endure to be judged for their everlasting lives and deaths , by such a Law ? His throne is a white throne ; and how will the black sinner do to stand before this white throne ?

Reader , Thou hadst need to be a faithful and loyal subject , if thou wouldst then be owned and acknowledged by thy Soveraign . How exact should he be in his life , who must be tried by so holy a Law ? If thou callest him Father , who without respect of persons , will judge every man according to his works , pass the time of thy sojourning here in fear , 1 Pet. 1. 17.

2. Consider , The strictness of his proceedings ; Every thought , word , and action shall be revealed , examined , and weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary ; There is nothing hid that shall not be revealed , nor secret that shall not be made known . The thoughts of thy heart shall then be as visible as the features of thy face . When God shall judge the secrets of mens hearts by my Gospel , Rom. 2● 16. All thy words will then be as audible as if thou hadst had a voice to reach every child of Adam , both alive and dead ; Verily I say unto you , that of every idle word , ye shall give an account at the day of Christ , Mat. 12. 36. Every action of thine will then be legible , not onely to God , as it is at this day , but also to Angels and Men ; We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ , to give an account of all things done in the body , whether they be good , or whether they be evil ; 2 Cor. 5. 10. All the works of darkness will then be brought to light ; We must all appear , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 not onely be present in person , and not by a proxy , but be laid open and manifest , be transparent , so the word signifieth , to give an account of every thing done , &c. to render a reason of every individual thought , word , and deed ; what was the principle from which we acted , what was the rule by which we acted , what was the end for which we acted . When Benjamins sack was opened , the silver cup appeared . On that Fair-day , all mens packs will be opened , and then it will be known what ware they carry about with them .

Hence some have conjectured that it will not be a short time , nor the judgement soon passed over . It is called a day , but not in relation to our natural , or artificial days , for Christ judging as man in his humane nature , by his divine power , will probably employ a far greater time in searching into , and publiquely revealing every mans condition and conversation . Per quot dies hoc judicium extendatur incertum ●st . Scripturarum more diem poni solere pro tempore nemo nescit . Aug. de ●●vit d●i l. 20. cap. 1. Though I am not of their opinions , who say , it will be precisely a thousand years● because it s said , A thousand years are in thy sight but as one day ; Yet I judge it to be taken indefinitely , and as A●stin saith , That the day of judgement shall begin is certain ; but when it shall end is uncertain . I find two Divines , eminent both for grace and learning in their generations , speaking ; One saith , I humbly conceive that the day of judgement shall not be passed over in an instant , but shall be of long continuance ; sor if Christ should judge onely as God , he could dispatch it in a moment , but he judging as man , it must be after the manner of men , that the creature may understand , admire , and approve what is done . The other saith , It must take up some large quantity of time , to manifest all the secret sins of men , and therefore it may be made evident , both from Scripture and reason , that the day of Christs kingly office , in judging the world , shall last happily longer then the day of Christs private administration , now in governing the world .

3. Consider , The weight of the sentence ; It s called the eternal judgement , because the sentence then pronounced , shall never be reversed , but stand for ever . In this world God judgeth men , sometimes mediately , sometimes immediately , which is the first judgement , from which men may appeal by repentance to his mercy-seat ; but this the last judgement , once for all , once for ever , in which men receive their final , their eternal doom , Ioh. 11. 24. Here Iacob appeals from Laban , to an higher tribunal , Gen. 31. 53. And David from Saul , to the King of Kings ; The Lord judge between me and t●ee , 1 Sam. 24. 12. Psa. 17. 2. And Paul appeals from Festus to Caesar , I stand at Caesars judgement seat , Act. 25. 10. But then there can be no appeal to an higher Court , no writ of error can be brought , no arrest of judgement , no second hearing obtained ; The sinner condemned to eternal death then , is gone for ever ; no pardon , no , not so much as a Reprieve can be procured for one hour . The Saint absolved and declared an heir of eternal life , is blessed for ever , he shall be beyond all fear , all doubts in himself , above all shot , all opposition from others ; In this life , Niniveh was threatned , Niniveh repented , and Niniveh was ●pared ; the sentence pronounced was not executed , at least it was respited ; but then every sinner will repent , weep and wail , but repentance will be hid from the eyes of the Judge , all their tears will be in vain ; when they are cast , then they are gone for ever .

To provoke thee to holiness ,

4. Consider , The felicity of the godly at that day ; O , with what joy will they lift up their heads , when that day of their redemption is come ! This life is the day of their oppression and persecution , but that day will be the day of their redemption . At this day they are troubled and vexed with a tempting Devil , and deceitful hearts , and false , proud , unbeleiving flesh ; but that will be the day of their redemption from them all . No wonder they love the appearing of Christ , and look and long for his appearing , when it will be the day of their redemption , and time of their refreshing ●rom the presence of the Lord . When thousands and millions shall howl and lament ; When the Oratour will be silenced , and have his mouth stopped ; When the Souldier that durst venture into the mouth of the Cannon , and dare death it self , shall play the Coward , and seek for any hole to hide himself in ; when the Captains , and Kings , and Nobles , shall call to the Rocks to fall on them , and the Mountains to cover them , from the presence of the Lord , and the wrath of the Lamb , even then the godly shall sing and rejoyce .

1. Their godliness will then be mentioned to their eternal honour ; As God hath a bag for mens sins , ( Thou sealest up mine iniquities in a bag ) so he hath a book for their services ; A book of remembrance was written before him , for them that feared the Lord , and thought upon his name . Then all their prayers , and tears , their watchings , fastings , faith , love , zeal , patience , almes , imprisonment , loss of goods , name , liberty , life for Christ and the Gospel , will be manifested to their honour , and praise , and glory , at the coming of Christ , 1 Pet. 1. 7. Mat. 25. 34 , 53.

2. Their names will be then vindicated ; With the resurrection of bodies , there shall also be a resurrection of names . Now indeed , the throats of wicked men are open Sepulchres , wherein the credit of the godly is buried . Ioseph is an Adulterer , Nehemiah a Traytour , Ieremiah a Rebel against the King , Paul a mover of sedition , a pestilent fellow , and one that turned Christian for spite , because the High Priest would not give him his Daughter in Marriage ; but when the Sea , and Death , and Hell , shall give up their dead , then shall the throats , the open Sepulchres of wicked men , give up the names of the godly ; Then their righteousness shall be cleared as the Sun , and their uprightness as the noon day .

3. Their persons shall be then publiquely acquitted ; They shall be cleared by publique proclamation , before God , Angels , and Men. Hence it 's said , Their sins shall be blotted out , when the time of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord . The sentence of Absolution passed in their conscience by the Spirit at this day is sweet , and puts more joy into their hearts , then if all the Crowns , and Scepters of this world , had befallen them ; but O how comfortable will it be to be declared just by the Judge himself , before the whole world , at that solemn and imperial day ! They may then ring that challenge , Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect ? Rom. 8. 33. And none will accept it , or take up the Gantlet . Who ? Shall God , whose Children and Chosen they are ? No ; It is God that justifieth . Shall the Iudge ? No ; It is his undertaken-work to present them to the Father without spot or wrinckle , or any such thing . He hath washed them in his own blood , and made them as white as innocent Adam or Angels ; He was judged for them , and will not passe judgement against them ; He cannot condemne them , but he must condemne himself , for they are his members , his body , his brethren , bone of his bone , and flesh of his flesh . Shall the Law ? No , They have fully answered all its demands , superabundantly satisfied it through their surety , both in perfect obedience to all its precepts , and undergoing its punishment : What the Law saith , either in regard of commanding compleat subjection , or cursing for the omission of it : it saith to them that are under the Law ; but they are not under the Law , but under Grace . Shall Conscience ? No ; Next to God and Christ its their best friend : as Christ pleads for them to his father , so Conscience pleads for them to themselves . This is their rejoycing , the testimony of good Consciences , that in simplicity and godly sincerity they had their conversations in this world , 2 Cor. 1. 12. Shall Satan ? No ; The accuser of the brethren will be then cast down , and his place will be found no more in Heaven : then , then , those blessed promises will be performed , The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents head : and the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet .

4. The Saints happiness will be then perfected , and he shall never know more what sin or sorrow meaneth , or what want of Gods favour , or doubt of Christs love , or defect of joy and comfort meaneth : The Christian hath so much laid out upon him in this world , Vocation , Adoption , Pardon , Peace , Joy in the Holy Ghost , hopes of Glory , that in the worst condition that Men and Devils can plunge him into , he finds cause to say , Yet God is good to Israel , to them that are of a clean heart : but then when he shall enjoy all that is laid up for him , and know the full extent of Gods promises to him , the all of Christs purchase for him , and the utmost reward of his piety : then surely he will cry out with the Psalmist , O how great is that goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee , which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men ! Clemens Alexandrinus makes mention of a place in Persia , where there were three Hills ; when people came to the first , they heard a clashing of armour ; when they came to the second , they heard a confused noise ; when to the third , nothing but songs of triumph . At the day of the Saints Conversion , he comes to the first hill , then he heareth a clashing of armour , listing himself under the Captain of his salvation , and proclaiming open war , against the world , flesh , and wicked one . At the day of death , he comes to the second hill , a confused noise , his friends are weeping and grieving , his wife and children are mourning and bemoaning their loss ; though his soul be rejoycing to think of the rest to which it's going , yet the flesh sweateth , panteth , is pierced and pained . At the day of judgement , he comes to the third hill , where he heareth nothing but songs of triumph , Victoria , Victoria , Hallelujahs , Salvation , Honour , Glory , Praise to the Lord , and to the Lamb for ever . At that day of judgement , the whole world shall see and say , Verily there is a reward for the righteous ; Then shall the wicked return and discern a difference between them that fear God , and them that fear him not . Then Grace will appear in all its embroydery and glory on that day of its coronation , when the worst in Hell shall admire and adore it . Now holiness hath a wonderful disadvantage , partly by the persecutions , afflictions , bonds , and imprisonments , that attend it ; and chiefly from the darkness of mens understanding , and the weakness of their eyes , they are not able to view the thousandth part of its comeliness ; but then Holiness shall be freed from that black Guard of Hell that dogs her to destroy her ; and then the eyes of all the world shall be strengthned so much as to behold her amiableness , then she shall be owned , honoured , acknowledged by God , Angels , and all the Children of Adam ; then she shall be attended , not with Mulcts , and Penalties , and Bonds , and Fetters , but Crowns , and Scepters , and Palms , and Kingdoms ; and then , O then , how lovely , how beautiful will she be indeed !

5. To affrighten thee from sin , Consider , the misery of sinners at that day . It s called the day of perdition of ungodly men . Sin will be sin indeed at that day . When sin shall be stripped naked of the favour and countenance of great men , of the preferments , and advantages , and riches , and honours , and offices , with which it is cloathed here below , and instead thereof be invested with fire , and flames , and brimstone , and blackness of darkness , and whips , and serpents , and unconceivable and eternal torments , what an ugly loathsom strumpet will she be , even in the eyes of them that now dote on her , commit whordome with her , and sacrifice their strength , and time , and estates , and souls , and God , and Christ , and Heaven , and all to her ? Then the Drunkard will find his liquor more bitter then wormwood , when he shall have a cup of pure wrath without the least mixture of mercy brought to him , and he forced to take it down , though there be eternity to the bottom . Then the Persecutor of Gods people shall find that it had been better to have been rotting in a ditch , or boyling in a furnace of lead , then to have spent his time in wronging the poorest meanest member of Christ ; when God shall recompence tribulation to them that persecute his people , and to them that are persecuted rest and peace ; Then every sinner will believe and feel what now , though God himself tell him , he will be an infidel in , that it is an evil and bitter thing to depart away from the living God . The wicked is reserved ( as the Beast for the slaughter-day ) to the day of destruction , he shall be brought forth ( as the condemned Malefactour on execution-day ) at the day of slaughter ; Ah how dreadful will the sinners doom be then ! The tribunal of the Judge , will be a tribunal of fire ; He shall come in flaming fire , to render vengeance , &c. The Law by which he will try them , shall be a Law of fire , or a fire of Law , Deut. 33.2 . The Judge himself to them will be a consuming fire , Heb. 12. 28. And the judgement which he will denounce against them , will be , Go ye cursed into everlasting fire , prepared for the Devil and his Angels for ever ; Ah who can dwell in everlasting burnings ! who can abide devouring flames ! Who can imagine the shame that will cover their faces , the horror that will fill their hearts , the terrors , and tortures , and torments that must seize them for ever ? If Iudas was so ashamed when he saw Thamars signet and staff , the remembrances of his sin ? how will they be confounded , when all their revellings and roarings , their chambering and wantonness , their cursing and swearing , and all their sins shall be opened before all the world ? If Herod was so afrighted when he supposed that John was risen from the dead , that the Baptists ghost by walking in his conscience robbed him of all comfort ; what afrightment will possess them , to see the Saints whom they have nick-named , disgraced , imprisoned , and it may be murdered , risen from the dead , owned and honoured by the Judge , and the chief Favourites in the Heavenly Court ? If Saul was so troubled when he did hear Christ call to him out of Heaven , that he fell to the ground ; what trouble , what tribulation will possess them , whom he shall curse with a bitter curse , and call to Devils to seize on , and associate with , and prey upon for ever and ever ? The Saint shall find mercy , the sweetest mercy in that day of judgement ; but the Sinner shall have judgement , the sorest , the most cutting , killing judgement , without the least drop of mercy . If the day when God gave the Law was so dreadful , full of thundrings and lightnings and fearful noises , that the people cryed out , Let not God speak to us , lest we die , and Moses himself did exceedingly quake and fear ; and if the day were so dreadful , when the Son of Gods infinite love bare the curse of the Law , that the rocks were rent , the earth trembled , the Sun was darkned ; how dreadful will that day be , when God shall make inquisition into , and deal with the vessels of wrath for the breath of the Law ? Who can abide that day of his coming ? Who shall stand when he appeareth ? Well may it be called the great and terrible day of the Lord Iesus ; Well might the wise man , when he had seemingly laid the reins on the young mans back , and given him leave to run on in the way of his own heart and eyes , pull him in with this Curb ; Remember that for all these things God will bring thee to judgement .

When Sapores King of Persia , had raised a violent persecution against● the Christians ; Vsthazanes an antient Nobleman , and a Christian , who in the Kings minority had the Governmen● of the People , was so terrified , that he denied the Faith ; but siting at the Court Gate , when Simeon an old Bishop , and holy person was leading to prison , he rose up to salute him ; but the good Bishop frowning on him , turn'd away his head with indignation ; upon which Vsthazanes fell a weeping , went into his chamber , put off his Courtly attire , and burst out into this speech ; Ah how shall I appear before the great God of heaven , whom I have denied , when Simeon but a man will not endure to look upon me ! If he frown , how will God frown , when I come to appear at his Tribunal ? Upon these considerations , he repented of his Apostacy , assumed courage , and be-became a glorious Martyr for Christ . If Felix an Heathen trembled , when Paul reasoned of judgement to come ; nay , if the very Devils so far believe that day , as to tremble at the thoughts of it , well may the consideration of that day make Christians tremble at the thoughts of sin , and not dare thereby to treasure up wrath upon their heads , against that day of wrath , and the declaration of the righteous judgement of God .

Reader , At this day think much of that day of judgement , hereby thou wilt be stirred up to judge thy self , to repent of sin , to ensure an interest in Christ the Judge , to keep a good conscience , and so to think , speak , and act , as one that must be judged by the Law of liberty , 1 Cor. 11.31 . Act. 3.19 . and 17. 31. 2 Pet. 3. 11. Eccles. 12. ult. Iam. 2. 12. Act. 24. 16.

Eighthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness ; Call thy self often to account . This is a special help to holiness ; I considered my ways , and turned my feet to thy testimonies , saith David , Psa. 119.5 . A man that goeth out of his way , will continue wandering , if his mind be occupied about other things , and he consider not what he is doing , and whither he is going . The Christian that is careless of his carriage , and seldom compareth his heart and life with the divine commands , to observe how they agree or disagree , will never order his conversation aright ; When a clock is out of order , we take it to peices , and search where the fault lyeth , knowing that one wheel amiss may hinder the going of the whole Clock . Our hearts are every day out of order , our work must be to take them to peices by Examination , and to see where the great fault is . Seneca's sober young man , Ita laborat , ita ludit , ita caenat , ita potat , ita loquitur , ita vivit , ut qui ephemerides Patri est approbatur●●● so labours , so playeth , so eateth , so drinketh , so speak● , and so lives , as one that is daily to be accountable for all to his Father . He that would keep his spiritual estate , must keep his Account-books well ; The neglect of this , hath been the breaking of many Tradesmen . When Shop-keepers live high , far above their incomes , and for want of searching into their Books , are ignorant whether their gains will allow such large expences , it is no wonder if they prove worse then naught . They who expect the coming of great and severe strangers , who will observe narrowly how their house lyeth , and how their vessels are kept , and publish it either to their credit , or discredit , according as they find ; will keep their houses in order , sweep them clean , have their pewter bright and clear , and all things exactly in their places . When the Christian looks every night for the coming of Gods Deputy , his conscience , to spy and search into his heart and life ; how clean and holy both have been kept all the day , it will be a special means to make him watchful over his ways , and exact in his carriage and conversation . Bee-Masters tell us , that they are the best hives which make the greatest noise ; So that conscience is the best , which makes the greatest noise in daily reasonings and debates before its own bar .

Examination is the quickest way to bring the erring sheep home to the fold . Honest men will examine their weights and measures by the standard , that if they be defective they may be mended . The honest heart will examine its thoughts , its words , its actions by the Royal Law , that their unsutableness to its strictness and latitude may be repented of , and to the utmost of its power reformed , Let us search and try our ways ; For what cause ? What will be the issue of such a scrutiny ? And turn again to the Lord , Lam. 3.39 . What man will seek to a Physitian , or accept his advice , or take his prescriptions , who doth not know himself distempered , and feel his disease ? T is examination of our hearts and lives , by the holy and pure Law of God , that gives thee knowledge of our spiritual sickness , and helpeth us to feel it , to prize our Physitian , and thankfully and heartily to accept his directions for our cure .

It s observed of the Dutch-men , that they keep their banks ( notwithstanding the threats of the insulting Ocean ) with little cost and labour , because they look narrowly to them , and stop them up in time ; If there be but ; a small breach , they stop it presently , and hereby save much charge and trouble . Frequent examination will do this courtesie for the Christian , it will maintain his peace with little charge and trouble comparatively ; As soon as any breach is made by sin , that Arch-make-bate , between God and the soul , it will help the Christian to run presently to Christ to heal and make it up in Heaven by his merits ; and in the soul , by his purifying and pacifying spirit .

The counsel which the Philosopher gave the young men at Athens , may sutably and profitably be applied to Christians ; That they should often view themselves in a glass , that if they were fair and well featured , they should do such things as were beseeming their amiable shape ; but if soul and ill-favoured , that then they should labour to salve the bodies blemishes , by the beauties of a mind , accoutred with the ornaments of vertue and good literature .

Examination is a special preservative against sin ; No Children are more bold to defile themselves , and to play with dirt , or rake in kennels , then those who know their Parents are so foolishly fond ( like David of Adonijah ) that they never displease them at any time , in saying , Why hast thou done so ? The Child that expecteth to be reckoned with at night , will be careful how he dirtieth his cloaths in the day .

Examination will help the Christian , if not to hinder a coming disease , yet to prevent its growing and increase .

The Ship that leaketh , is more easily emptied at the beginning then afterwards ; The Bird is easily killed in the Egge , but when once hatcht and fledged , we may kill it when we can catch it . A frequent reckoning with our selves , will pluck sin up before it is rooted in the soul.

Examination will help the Christian that hath fallen and bruised himself , to heal the wound whilst it is fresh , before it is festered ; This one advantage , if there were no more , is extraordinary . As the sting of a Bee , though the Bee be fled , works it self into the flesh deeper , and diffuseth its venome more strongly , causing the greater pain , that every man , unless foolish , will speedily pull it out , lest he encrease his own anguish ; Truly so doth sin , though the honey , the pleasure of it be gone , yet the sting remains , and the longer it is before it is pulled out by Faith and Repentance , the deeper it works it self into the soul , and the more sorrow it will put us to in this or the other world .

T is examination at night , that brings the soul to mourn for , and repent of its failings in the day ; T is like the tree which C●esias speaks of , in describing India , that besides fruit , distilleth certain tears , of which are made Precious Amber ; or as the drops of the Vine , its excellent against the leprousie of sin . Ephesus would never repent till they examined and considered whence they had fallen .

When sin is admitted into the soul , and as a Theif in the night stole in at unawares , when the eye of the souls watchfulness was fallen asleep ; Examination will light the Candle of the word , and search the house narrowly , and find out this ill guest , and before it hath done so much mischief as it intended , apprehended it , indict , condemn , and execute it .

Examination every day , is like purging the body at the beginning of a distemper , which takes it before it hath habituated it self , and so is much the more easily repelled . An enemy may much sooner be forced out of his holds , when he hath newly taken possession , then when he hath continued so long as to cast up his banks , make his ditches , placed his Guns , and fortified them . After we have been foiled by our spiritual enemies , and by examination find out the cause , it will make us more watchful at that gate at which they enter'd , and careful of that particular wherein they got the advantage of us . As when David had received intelligence , that the Amonites had given his Army some small defeat , he sends Ioab word of the reason , they went too near the City , and wisheth him to make the battel more strong against the place , 2 Sam. 11. So examination finds out the reason of a Christians defeat by Satan , either it was through self-confidence , or want of spiritual watchfulness , or love to some known sin , and helpeth the Saint to bewail the cause of his defeat , and directe●h him how to provide better against the next onset :

Frequent examination keepeth the conscience raw and tender , that the least touch of sin will be offensive and troublesom to it . When the heart is used to yeild at a small Willow , it will never be quiet under a great Oak . Searching into our souls , makes sin more loathsom to us . Whilst these filthy sinks are unstir'd , they do but little disturb us , or annoy us with their filthy savour , but when by examination we rake into them , their noysom stench offendeth us extremely , and shews us what need we have of cleansing .

Examination every night , will help the Christian to a good nights rest ; How comfortably may he lye down , who hath made all even with his Maker , and heard his everlasting Father bidding him Good-night ? How quietly may he sleep , who hath his pardon under his Pillow ! he needs not fear any Officer to call him up at midnight , and attach him for any treasons or misdemeanours .

It s said of Cato , that constantly at evening he would call to mind what ever he had seen , Cicer. de Senec. read , or done that day . It was Pythagoras rule to his Scholars , That they should no night suffer sleep to seise their senses , till they had three times recalled the accidents and passages of the day . O what a shame is it , that Moralists who had no true sense of the benefit of such a duty , should out-go the Christian in the performance of it ! That many persons should know the Chronicles of other Countries or Kingdoms , some ages past , and yet not know the passages of their own souls one day past !

Reader , If thou wouldst walk closely with God , and keep even with him , reckon daily with him ; Call thy self to a strict scrutiny , What do I ? how live I ? where am I ? is the work I do , warrantable by the word or no ? is my life the life of Faith , of Holiness , or no ? am I in Gods way , under his protection , or no ? Have I truth of grace , the power of godliness , or do I please my self with the form of it ? Do I thrive and increase in grace , or do I decay and decline ? Suppose I were to dye this night , what ground have I to hope for Heaven ? what assurance that I shall escape the power and rage of frightful Devils ? What evidences have I , that I am a new creature , engrafted into Christ , and thereby entitled to life and bliss ? Thus feel the pulse of thy soul , enquire into its state , visit it often , and see how it doth .

Call thy self to an account for thy sins ; Let heart and life sins , open and private sins , omissions , commissions , personal , relative , be all reckoned for . Ask thy soul as Rebecah , Why am I thus ? Why am I so false to my God ? so unfaithful to my Covenants ? The heart is like a Ditch , into which filth is continually running , and therefore it behoveth thee by examination , to be always emptying it . The Stable that is daily fowled , must be daily cleansed ; The hands that are daily contracting dirt , must be daily washed . Our souls are more polluted and diseased then our bodies ; we have always a filthy issue of sin running , which we must be daily searching into , and dressing , or our stench will make us loathsom to , and unfit for any communion with God or his people .

Call thy self to an account daily for thy mercies ; Ask thy self , How much am I indebted to my God ? what privative , what positive mercies do I partake of ? what old , what new , what night , what day mercies , what mercies at home , what abroad , what personal , what domestical , what national mercies do I enjoy ? or am a sharer in ? what bodily , what spiritual mercies do I receive ? what time , what talents , have I to trade with , and reckon for ? This will help the soul to be speedy and hearty in thankfulness , and force it to Davids Interrogation , What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits ? What hot love should I return , what an holy life should I lead ? Do this daily ; It is much better to pay sums when they are little , then when they are large . Wise men that are able , find it the best way to pay ready money for their wares . Neglect herein , causeth many mistakes and inconveniencies , and many times differences amongst friends .

Having spoken to this particular in the sixth Chapter , I shall say no more to it here , though indeed I judge it next to a new nature , not inferiour to any means of godliness .

Ninthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , Avoid the occasions of sin ; he that would avoid the commission of sin , must avoid the occasions of sin . If we would not fall down the Hill , we must beware of coming near the brow of it . Keep thee far from an evil matter ; Children which in frost venture upon the Ice , may possibly be safe , but yet many times they break their limbs , and sometimes lose their lives . It s possible for a Saint to come off safe from occasions of sin , but is very seldom seen . A fair booty makes many a man a Theif , who otherwise might have lived honest . It was counted therefore a great part of wisdom in Alexander , when he had taken the beautiful daughters of Darius Prisoners , not to see the fair Ladies , lest their beauty should have enticed him to folly ; The same word in Hebrew , signifieth both an eye and a fountain , to shew that from the eye , as from a fountain , sin doth too often flow ; Iobs practice was such , that he would not look on a Maid , lest he should lust after her ; And Davids prayer was , Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity . We take the wind of those that are infected with contagious diseases . The wise man gives notable counsel to men , if they would avoid drunkenness ; Look not upon the wine when it is red , when it casteth its colour in the glass , Prov. 23. 31. When it laughs in thy face , then shut thine eyes , lest it steal into thy heart ; We are ready to think , what hurt , what danger is there in beholding , the wine in the glass , sparkling and brisky ? But Solomon knew that from looking on it , men come to like it , from liking to tasting , from tasting to a draught , from one draught to another , till the man is metamorphised into a beast . Gen. 39. 10 , Psa. 119. 37. The wise Socrates could advise men to beware of those meats which would entice men without hunger to eat , and those drinks which would entice a man without thirst to drink , knowing that if men come within those traps and baits , they are easily taken . A guest may easily be kept out of the house at first , but if once entertained , its hard to turn him out of doors . When a Governour of a Fort once comes to parley with the enemy that besiegeth him , there is great fear that the place will be surrendred . I have read of one that having a great mind to go to Rome , yet knowing it to be a corrupt place , and a corrupter of others , entered the City with his eyes close shut , neither would he be perswaded to see any thing there but Peters Church , which he went to visit . Solomon perswades his Son , if he should not be enticed by the Harlot , that he would not come near her house , Remove thy way far from her , and come not near the door of her house , Prov. 5. 8.

He that carrieth always along with him , an heart ready to break out into a flame , prone to all wickedness , had need to take heed of those Bellows that will help to blow up the fire . I more fear , saith Luther , that which is within me , then that which is from without . When a distempered stomach comes to meet with tossing waves , sickness ensueth , though the prime cause is not from the Billows without , but Choler within . Occasion and the heart , are like Dinah and Sechem , if they meet , they usually part not till folly is committed . Those that desire to hinder the generation of Vice , that brat of Hell , must keep the Male , occasion , and the Female , a wicked heart asunder , one from the other . They who have bodies always ready to take infection , must be more careful of their diet and company then others ; Insensible Vapours bring forth horrible Tempests ; Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth . The best heart is like a flint ; there is fire in it , though it doth not appear ; occasion is the steel that fetcheth it forth , which being let alone would be quiet . Bees in winter being sensible of their weakness , keep their hives , and will not expose themselves to the sharp air and bitter frosts , lest thereby they sicken and dye . Alas , how weak is man ! how unable to resist the occasions of sin ! no more then the Hound can forbear pursuing the Hare before his eyes , and therefore it concerns him to avoid them . A candle newly extinguished will quickly be lighted again . Powder meeting with a light match , presently takes fire .

For this cause it was ordained of God in the law of the Nazarite , who did for a time specially consecrate himself to God , that besides his not coming to the dead , and suffering his hair to grow , he should abstain from these things ; 1. from wine , and strong drink . 2. From the vinegar of wine or strong drink . 3. From any liquor of grapes , though it were but the water wherein they were steeped . 4. From the green or moist grape . 5. From the dried grape or raisin . 6. From the husk or kernel of them , Numbers 6.3,4 . Had the Nazarite eaten but the skin of the grape or raisin , he had broken the law : Hereby the holy Ghost would teach us that those who separate themselves from the world , to be in a special manner serviceable to the Lord , must avoid not onely plain sin , but the appearance of sin , and all occasions of it , though we may look upon them but as the husks of grapes , to be of small moment and little danger . Beza giveth this reason why the Levite , when he saw the man that fell among theives , passed on the other side of the way , Ne cadaveris contactu pollueretur ; Lest he should be defiled with the touch of the corps . He would be so far from touching a dead carkass , that he would pass on the other side of the way when he saw one dying . Enter not into the path of the wicked , and go not in the way of evil men ; avoid it , pass not by it ( i. e. come not not near it ) turn from it and pass away , Prov. 4. 14 , 15.

He that will do all he may , will quickly do what he may not . It s lawful to enjoy bodily pleasures and delights , but not to buy them with hazard to our souls . Souldiers in a Garrison that venture to the outmost line , are often snapt up by those that besiege them . We sometimes when in danger of a siege , burn down those houses in the skirts of the City which might be serviceable to us , when we cannot well defend them , lest they should prove helpful to our enemies against us . Theseus is said to cut off his golden locks , lest his adversaries should in fight take hold of them . Even in things lawful its commendable for Christians to deny themselves , when there is danger by taking liberty therein of gratifying the enemies of their souls . Cotis King of Thracia manifested possibly more prudence then prodigality in breaking the cupboard of curious glasses presented to him , Plutarch . lest ( his nature being extremely cholerick ) he should deal too severely with his servants in case they had broken any of them . Aristotle hath a story of Satyrus , that being a pleader , and knowing himself passionate , and in that drunkenness of the mind apt to commit many indecencies , and to rush into foul extravagancies , he used to stop his ear with wax , lest the sense of ill language should move him to choler .

Reader , as thou wouldst shun sin in the action , shun it in the occasion ; Q●antum possumus a lubrico recedamus , &c. Sen. Epist. ad Lucil. remember thou carriest thatch about thee , and therefore oughtest to avoid the least sparks . A little wind will drive a ship with the stream and tide ; and a small temptation may carry thee that way which thy wicked heart inclines thee . A little pulling will draw a strong man whether he is willing to go ; its safest therefore to be out of harms way , and the greatest magnanimity to flye from the sight of such an enemy as sin is ; He hath most true courage who makes a timely retreat before he be wounded .

CHAP. XII . Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness ; An humble frame ; Suppressing sin in its first rise ; the knowledge of God .

TEnthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to Godliness , Walk humbly with thy God . A tree the more deeply its rooted , the more it groweth under ground , the more upward in fruitfulness : The Christian will find that by growing in humility , he shall thrive in godliness . He that turneth his eyes upward is ready to stumble at every rub that lyeth in his way ; but he that looketh downward , seeth and avoideth those stones . A proud man , is like a little man with an high-heeld-shooe , raised thereby in his own conceit , above others of the same rank , but it fits him with many a fall . The proud person giveth not glory to God , and therefore must not expect that God should give grace to him ; But the humble man honoureth God , and sanctifieth his name , and sets the Crown on his head , and so may expect ( because God hath promised ) that God should honour him , and sanctifie his soul ; God resisteth the proud , but giveth grace to the humble . He leaves those high hills barren , but makes the valleys to abound in Corn. T is in vain to undertake to pour liquor into a full Vessel , it will all run over , but the empty Vessel will receive it . The proud person is full still of self , and so will not be thankful for an almes ; but the humble man is empty , hungring , and thirsting , and he shall be satisfied . Proud Vashti divorceth her self , and provoketh her Lord to disown and disclaim her ; but humble Hester is thought worthy of a Crown , and admitted into the Kings embraces . The fig-tree that blooms not at all , brings forth most pleasant fruit , when the Sallow which hath most glorious palms is barren . Hypocrisie kills the flower of grace at the root , Pride nips it in the bud . Sincerity like Paul , planteth grace ; Humility like Apollo , watereth it , and helpeth it to flourish . We may take notice all along in Scripture , that the humblest men , were the holiest men ; and those that were eminent for any grace , were eminent for Humility . The deepest streams were most silent , and made the least noise . Abraham was famous for Faith , strong in Faith , he beleived in hope against hope , but loe how lowly was he ! Behold I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord , who am but dust and ashes . So Iacob , named Israel by God himself , for his fervency and prevelancy in prayer ; I am less then the least of all thy mercies . David , that man after Gods own heart , I am a worm and no man , as a Child wea●ed from his mothers breasts , for humility . So As●ph , Psa. 23. 21. Agur , Prov. 30. Isaiah , Isa. 6. 3. The Virgin Mary , the Centurion , the Syrophenician , Paul , all like full vessels sounded not their own praise , and like Stars , the higher they were in holiness , the less they appeared . When Elizabeth had conceived , she hid her self three months ; they who are the most fruitful in holiness , make the least boasting of it . Lord , said holy Hooper , I am Hell , but thou art Heaven ; I am full of sin , but thou a gracious God . Bradford would subscribe his Letters , The most miserable , unthankeful , hard-hearted sinner , John Bradford . The greater the fire of grace , the less the smoke or shew of it to the world . The weightiest Wheat seeks for the lowest place , when the light chaf● flyeth in the Air.

Whe● the Sun is at the highest , the shadow is the least , and the more directly the Sun shineth on u● , the less our shadow is ; so the higher Christians are in Gods favour , the lower they are in their own ey●s ; The more God exalted David , the more he debased himself , What am I , and what is my Fathers-House , that thou hast brought me up hitherto , and yet thou speakest of thy servants house for a great while to come ? 2 Sam. 7. 18 , 19. This was Davids language , when Nathan brought him word that God would build him a sure house . Those trees which spread much and grow low , near the ground most commonly bring forth more and larger fruits then high trees , that aspire up into the air . The highest trees are barren ; so the proud and high-minded man , but with the lowly is wisdom .

The humble Christian is nearer God then others , and so must needs thrive above others ; though God beholdeth the proud afar off , he dwelleth in the humble heart . The lowly Christian is most lovely in his eye , and shall have most of his company . God appeared to Moses , not in a lofty Cedar , but in a low , mean , ●bject bush . If he that walketh with wise men becomes wise , and is the better for such good company ; what good doth the humble Christian get by walking with his God ?

Pride is like the Remora to a ship , which will arrest it under full sail ; hinder the Saint in his heavenly passage , when he is making the greatest speed . it s like those weeds which are of so poisonous a nature , that they will suffer no good hearbs to grow near them . The servant that hath been trusted and honoured by his Lord , if he prove a Theif , and steal from his Lord , provokes him to take his stock out of his hands , and to trust him no longer . The proud man steals from God , and robs him of that glory which is due to him ; and therefore it s no marvail if he deny to trust such an unfaithful servant with any more spiritual riches .

'T is the empty Barrel that makes the greatest sound . The poor women that have nothing but a few Matches , or Pins , or Band-strings , or Thread-laces ; the men that have onely a few Brooms , or some Small-coal , or Roots , make a great stir , and loud noise about the City , and would have every body acquainted with their ware . When the great Usurer that is worth thousands in Bills and Bonds , and the rich Shopkeeper , whose estate swelleth to a vast bulk , never proclaim what they are worth , but rather endeavour to hide it ; Those that have least spiritual riches , are most guilty of boasting ; Laodicaea bragged much that was poor , and miserable , and blind , and naked , and worse then naught , They who are fullest of Faith , and richest in good works , make the least sound ; When their hearts and lives like the face of Moses , shine brightly with grace and holiness , they do not , they will not , know it . They consider their greatest light and lustre , is but a reflection from the Father of lights , and therefore they have no reason at all to boast of borrowed goods .

The worm of pride breeds soonest in rotten wood . The proud Pharisee who justified himself , had nothing in him but matter of condemnation : When the poor humble Publican , affected with his own vileness and baseness , had something of worth in him , even his sense of his own unworthiness . Brass makes a greater sound , and is heard farther then Gold , but every one knoweth there is no comparison between them ; Chaff is seen above the Wheat , not because it is better , but because it is lighter .

Alas , what is man ? what hath man that he should be proud ? He is but enlivened dust , moving earth , refined clay , that which beasts trample under their feet ; He hath nothing that good is , but what he hath received ; He lives wholly upon the alms and charity of another . A proud heart and a beggars purse do not agree . As he is a sinner , he is more vile and base , more noisom and loathsom then any Toad , or Snake , or Serpent , and hath he any reason to be proud ? Reader , be cloathed with humility ; learn of thy Redeemer , for he was meek and lowly in heart . Though he thought it no robbery to be equal with God , yet he made himself of no reputation , and took upon him the form of a servant , Phil. 2.7,8 .

When pride cometh , then cometh a fall . As a Wrastler , if he can lift his fellow from the ground , quickly gives him a fall ; so the Devil , if he can lift up with pride , doubts not but to throw them . Physicians observe that the Dropsie and Consumption are usually together : when once thou swellest with this Dropsie of pride , expect a Consumption of thy godliness . He walks but dangerously who walks on high places , as on the ridges of houses , and on ropes ; he that walks below is more safe . Angels , Adam , David , Hezekiah , Peter , and many others in Scripture confirm the Wisemans Proverb , Pride goeth before a fall . Trees that are set on mountains are easily shaken and torn up by the roots , when stormy winds arise . Indeed t is no wonder that a proud man should fall into sin , for he relieth on his own strength , which is but a broken reed . Peter had not fallen so fouly , if he had not undertaken to stand upon his own legs , which were too weak to bear his weight ; But before honour is humility . The lower the foundation , the higher the building .

A proud man hath a great infelicity , in that he is his own enemy , and makes all others his enemies . God is his enemy ; there is no sinner whom he proclaims such open war against , in such express terms , as the Proud ; God setteth himself in battel array against the proud . T were better Earth and Hell should unite their force against him , then one God . Ah who knoweth the power of thine anger ! Men are his enemies ; he disdaineth others for their meaness or pove●ty , or want of parts , and they disdain him for his pride . He that over-valueth himself shall soon be under-valued by every one . Pride makes him scorn friends ( for familiarity would deprive him , he thinks , of that reverence which he deserves ) and therefore all must be his enemies ; but he is his own enemy most , in cutting such a gash in his soul by his pride , and making way for all other sins to fall on . He that is lifted up with pride , quickly falls into the condemnation of the Devil . Satan had found this vice , Pride , by experience so prevalent to draw the creature from God , that he knew no better bait to catch Adam with , Ye shall be as gods ; and when afterwards he encountred David , 't was with this weapon ; he tempted David to number the people .

Yet alas , though it be so prejudicial , how natural is it to us ? Pride is a weed , a worm that gets into the best Garden . It was a witty taunt which a proud Cardinal had from a friend of his , that upon his election went to Rome on purpose to see him , where finding his behaviour stretcht to nothing but pride and state , he departed and put on a mourning suit , and the next day comes in black to visit him ; The Cardinal asking the cause why he was in mourning , he answered , It was for the death of Humility ; which fetcht its last breath in him when he was elected Cardinal . Most of us have cause to put on mourning upon the same account .

Eleventhly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , Suppress sin in the beginning . This foul Bird is easiest kild in the egge . When a fire is first broke out in a Chimny it may with much less labour be quenched , then when it hath seised the Timber of the House ; What small beginnings had those fires which have conquered stately Pallaces , and turned famous Cities into ruinous heaps ? An Hair is but a little thing , yet some have been choaked with it ; If the Tetter be not killed , it will come to be a Ring-worm . Passion at the first kindling may be quenched , but if let alone , sends such a smoke into the understanding , which thickens into a cloud , and hinders us from the sight of our selves and our duties . The Tree may soon be pulled up , before it hath taken root , but then it may be too hard for the strongest man . A prick with a Pin , or a Thorn , being let alone , hath sometimes caused the cutting off of a limb , nay , the loss of life . Minutes to sin , are like Cyphers to a figure , which quickly increase it to vast sums . Sin increaseth by degrees , Iam. 1. 14 , 15. First it surprizeth the heart in a thought , then it stealeth into the affections for approbation , then the affections plead with the will for its consent , and then that commandeth the act of it , and frequent acts cause an habit , and custom in sin causeth despair , despair causeth men to defend sin , their defence of sin a boasting and glorying in it , and the next step is Hell . Sin is therefore fitly by the Prophet compared to a Chain , for one link draweth another .

As the Ivy by little and little creepth upon the Oak , till at last it doth destroy it ; so doth sin cling about the soul , and by degrees over-run and undo it . When the water begins to freeze , it will hardly bear a peny weight ; let it alone a little longer , and it will bear a shilling , then a pound weight , then a man , then a horse , then cart and load and all . As the cloud which Elijahs servant saw , was at first no bigger then a mans hand , but afterwards it spread till it covered the Heavens . Peter first denyeth his Master , then sweareth , then curseth , and forsweareth himself . Cain first ha●bours envious thoughs of his brother , then murdereth him in his heart , then kills him with his hand , then quarrelleth with God and despaireth . There is no staying when we are once down the Hill , till we come to the bottom ; If this Giant of sin get in but a limb , he will quickly get in his whole body . Wanton thoughts , if not stifled , bring forth actual uncleanness . Sin is like water , if we give it the least way , run it will in spight of us . If we get not the conquest over it in its infancy , we shall not overcome it when it is brought to maturity . He that cannot put out a spark , will be much more unable to put out a flame . The smallest of these twigs , will prove thorny bushes , if not timely stubbed up .

The Horse must be broken when a Colt , and the Lion tamed when a Whelp ; It s best to deal with sin , as Iocasta with Oedipus , to cast it forth in its infancy . The Israelite must dash these Babylonian Infants , against the wall , if he would be a blessed man , Isa. 13.18 . The Christian that checketh and curbeth sin when it first appeareth , doth as David to the Philistine , wound it in the forehead , and so slayeth it certainly . As the Snail by little and little creepeth up from the root of the tree to the top , consuming the leaves as it goeth , and leaving nothing behind it but filth and slime : So sin gradually infecteth the whole man . This poison if not presently vomited up , as soon as taken down , flieth to , and destroyeth the vitals . The Apostle calleth it a Canker , and truly so it is in regard of its spreading nature , both as to persons , from one man to another , and to parts , from one faculty of the soul and member of the body to another . How dreadful was the effect of a few boys joyning with Massianello in Naples , anno 1647. whom the officers and people laughed and jeered at , instead of subduing ! What murders , and burning Palaces and Churches did ensue and arise from so contemptible means ! Therefore as wise Princes will be heedful to suppress riots , and petty insurrections , knowing that if they be let alone they will break out into open rebellion , and cause much bloodshed and mischeif : So Reader , do thou stifle and kill sin in the womb , before it be quick , lest thou like the young Serpents , if brought forth , it tear out thy bowels , and its birth cause thy death .

Twefthly , If thou wouldst exercise thy self to godliness , study the knowledge of God . T is ignorance of God , that is the original of all sin . Did men know the sad fruits of his fury , they durst not by sin provoke him . Did men know the sweetness of his favour , they would do , they would suffer any thing to please him . It is in the mist of ignorance that they lose their way , and wander from him who is the chiefest good . The Devil is bound in chains of darkness , and so are all his Children .

They who know God most , love him most , and fear him most , and trust him most . It is life ( spi●●tual , and the seed of life ) eternal , to know thee the onely true God , and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent , Joh. 17. 3. All godliness , all grace , is seminally in the knowledge of God , and floweth from it . They who with open face behold the Lord , though but as in a glass , are changed into his image , from glory to glory ; from one degree of grace to another , ● Cor. 3. 18.

They who know the infiniteness , and immensity of his being , cannot but despise all things for him , esteem all things as nothing to him , as nothing without him , look on the whole creation , as less then nothing in comparison of him . Ah what admiring , reverent thoughts of that being of beings , of him whose name is , I am , have they who lanch a little ( for 't is but a little that they can here ) into this Ocean ! All Nations before him are as nothing , and they are counted to him less then nothing and vanity ; they canno● but desire and labour to enjoy so boundless a portion .

They who know the power of God , cannot but fear him , and stand in awe of his presence and threatnings ; They fear him who is able to cast soul and body into hell , Mat. 10. 28. Heb. 12. 27 , 28. They will depend on him , because there is no want which the Almighty cannot supply , no weakness which he cannot remove , no danger which he cannot prevent or support in . Acquaintance with him who is mighty in strength , makes the Christian resolute in Gods cause , and as bold as a Lion at his call and command .

They who know the eternity of God , will chuse him before temporal vanities ; What are the pleasures of sin for a season in his eye , who seeth the pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore ? What are the honours on earth , to him who knoweth the eternal weight of glory ? What are temporal relations , in comparison of the everlasting Father ? Nay , what is his natural life to eternal life ? no good is little that is eternal ; how great then is the infinite and eternal God ?

They who know the wisdom of God , will submit to his Providences , and acquiesce in all his dispensations . He is wise in heart , his understanding is infinite , and he knoweth what is best for thee and me and all others , and therefore there is all the reason of the world , why I should rest in his will and be satisfied in his pleasure . It is the Lord ( saith the soul in his greatest afflictions ) who is infinite in wisdom , and knoweth what will do me most good ) Let him do what seemeth good in his eyes .

They who know the faithfulness of God , will credit his word , and make him the object of their Hope and Faith ; They that know thy name will trust in thee , Psa. 9. 10. His truth commandeth our trust . We will rely on faithful men , who will not lye , but the Christian seeth infinitely more reason to rely on the faithful God who cannot lye .

They who know the mercy and love , and goodness of God , will love , and admire , and trust , and praise him . The knowledge of his love to us , will call out our love to him , as one that deserves it , being infinitely amiable in himself , and the more deserving of our love , for his love to such loathsom ones as we are . It will cause us to rely on him ; for infinite love , joyned with infinite strength and faithfulness , will not , cannot deceive us . It will help us to see the odious nature of sin , in that it is an abuse of infinite love ; The goodness of God will lead the soul to repentance .

They who know the holiness of God , will sanctifie him in their approaches to him , and walk humbly and watchfully with him . They know that sin is loathsom to him , because contrary to his holy nature , and therefore they hate it ; they know that holiness is lovely , as it is his Image and Excellency , and therefore they follow after it . They are upright , and serious , and zealous , and humble , and reverent in their holy performances , because therein they have to do with such a holy God .

They who know the anger of God , will stand in awe and not sin ; They know that God is not to be mocked ; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God , for our God is a consuming fire . They know his fury is terrible , intolerable ; none can abide it , no sinner can avoid it ; therefore they hate sin , the object of it , and flie to Christ , who delivereth from it .

O what a work , a gracious sanctifying work doth the knowledge of God make in the soul ! It makes the understanding to esteem him above all , the will to chose him before all , the affections to desire him , to delight in him more then all ; the whole man , to seek him , to serve him , to honour and praise him beyond all in Heaven and earth . What is the reason that God is so much loved , admired , and worshipped , and glorified in his Church , when all the World besides despise him , but this , In Judah is God known , his name is great in Israel ! Psa. 76. 1.

O Reader , be confident of this ; the more thou knowest of the excellencies of God , the more thou wilt prize his Son , submit to his spirit , crucifie the flesh , contemn the world , fear to offend him , study to please him ; the more holy thou wilt be in all manner of conversation .

Hence the main work of Christs prophetical office was to reveal God to the world .

And the Devils great work is to keep men from this knowledge of God , knowing that it will tend so exceedingly to their sanctification and holiness , and to the overthrow of his interest . The Miller mufleth and blindeth his Horse that draweth his Mill , and thereby keeps him at his round , deceiving him , in making him to think he goeth forward . The first work of the Philistines was , to put out Sampsons eyes , and then they made him grind at their Mill and make them sport . The Eagle ( saith Pliny , Nat. Hist. lib. 10. cap. 20. ) before he setteth upon the Hart , rolleth himself in the Sand , and then flyeth at the Staggs head , and by fluttering his wings , so dustieth his eyes , that he can see nothing , and then striketh him with his Talons where he listeth . Satan darkneth mens understandings , and thereby commandeth their wills and affections , and destroyeth the whole man ; If our Gospel be hid , it is hid to them that perish , whom the God of this world hath blinded their minds , lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ , who is the Image of God should shine unto them , 2 Cor. 4. 4 , 5.

When men are spoken in Scripture to be vicious and prophane , they are onely said not to know the Lord , and there is no knowledge of God in the land , Ier 4 22. Hos. 4● 1. and when God undertakes in his Covenant of Grace to sanctifie and make men holy , he is said to put his knowledge in their hearts , and his promise is , They shall all know me from the least to the greatest , Heb. 10. Ier. 31.34 . And they that would grow in grace , are commanded in order thereunto to grow in knowledge , 2 Pet. 3. 18.

Ignorance is the mother of all irreligion , of all atheism , Ephes. 4. 18. They are alienated from the life of God , through the ignorance that is in them , because of the blindness of their hearts . As Owles , sinners may see in the night of this world , have some knowledge in worldly affairs , but they cannot see in the day ; are ignorant of spiritual , of heavenly things . Sin , like the pestilence David speaks of , walketh in the dark , Psa. 91.5 . And Satan is the enemy that soweth his tares by night . This is one cause why sin is called a work of darkness ; It is from that darkness which is in mens understandings , that they turn their backs upon God , and run upon their own eternal ruines . It were impossible for the rational creature to be so desperately mad as to play with the wrath of God , and slight the love of God , to neglect his mercy and despise his justice , if they did but know God . When Princes go incognit●s , in a disguise , and a●e unknown , then they are disesteemed . Hence they who are obstinately prophane and resolved on wickedness say unto God , Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy ways , Job 21. 14. The hooded Hawk , that seeth not the Partridge , will never flye after it . The Israelites pitched in Mithkah , which signifieth sweetness , before they removed to Cashmonah , which signifieth swiftness . They onely who know the sweetness of God , will flye to him with swiftness ; Ignoti nulla cupido . He who knoweth the Allsufficiency of God , will never turn to the Creature ; even as the Bee , if it did not find honey enough in one flower , would never hasten to another .

Those that are ignorant of God , abound in all manner of Atheism and wickedness . The Families which know not God , will not call on his name . There is no truth , no mercy ; but lying and stealing , and swearing , and killing , where there is no knowledge of God , Hos. 4. 1 , 2. 'T is no wonder to see blind men stumble and fall , and break their limbs . I do not marvail to see ignorant men , who know not God , to live without him , to turn him out of their hearts and houses , as if they had no dependance on him , or ingagements to him .

Whence is it that men are regardless of their souls and eternal estates , that they dance over the unquenchable lake , and are merry and jovial at the very brink of destruction , that they despise the God that made them , preserveth them , bought them , and hath them in his hands , and at his mercy every moment , that they slight his Son , his Spirit , his Law , his Love , his wrath , his promises of eternal life , as if they were things of no value , and rather fit to be trampled on then esteemed ; that they can lye down and sleep , and rise up and eat , and d●ink , and follow their sports and pleasures , and laugh and sing under the guilt of sin , and curse of the Law , and infinite wrath of the Lord , but their ignorance of God ? Ah did they but know his holiness , his Jealousie , his Power , his Justice , they they would s●oner undergo any misery that men could inflict on them , then incur his anger , or provoke him to jealousie ; they would never neglect ●is Worship , or put him off with a few heartless prayers ; Ludentes cum Deo ut pueri cum suis puppis , as Calvin hath it , Playing with him as children with their babies , when they come immediately to his presence , and pretend to seek his face .

The holy times under the Gospel wherein the people of God sho●ld be of one hea●t , are spoken of as proceeding from this cause ; The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord , as waters cover the sea , Isa. 11.9 . The perfection of grace and holiness in heaven will be the effect in part of this knowledge of God ; When we shall see him ( perfectly ) we shall be ( perfectly ) like him , 1 Ioh. 3.2 .

Reader , be perswaded therefore to study this knowledge of God ; think no labour too much for it● pray , and read , and hear , and confer , and mourn that thou mayst know God . Beleive it , it is a jewel that will pay thee well for all thy pains ; Encline thine ear unto wisdome , and apply thy heart unto understanding . Yea , if thou cryest after knowledge , and liftest up thy voice for understanding . If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord , and find the knowledge of God . For the Lord giveth wisdom , and out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding , Prov. 2. ver. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. Did men but spend that time and strength about the knowledge of God , which they spend in endeavouring to raise their families , and advance their parties and interest , and to suppress them that in their apprehensions stand in their way ; we should quickly have a Nation as famous for peace , and love , and holiness , as now it is notorious for divisions and prophaness .

CHAP. XIII . Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness . A contented Spirit ; Avoiding those things that hinder Godliness .

THirteenthly , If thou woulst exercise thy self to Godliness , Labour to get a contented frame of heart . A setled fixed fr●m of heart as to all outward occurrences , is like Ballast to a Ship , which will help it to sail trim in all waters ; whereas a discontented spirit is as a light smal boat in the Ocean , tossed about with every blast , and always in danger of drowning . I doubt not but the great Apostles diligence to learn this lesson perfectly ; I have learned in what state soever I am to be contented ; I know how to be abas●d , and how to abound , Philip. 4. 12. was a special means of his extraordinary growth , and proficiency in grace . It is generally observed that peevish persons whom nothing pleaseth , are usually lean and thin in their bodies ; but those who are of chearful tempers , and not overmuch troubled with any disasters , are thriving and healthful . The discontented soul , whom eve●y heat or cold above ordinary puts into a fright or fever , will rather decline then increase in his spiritual health ; but the Christian who is ever chearful in his God and Saviour , and lives about these lower things as one indifferent about them , will never be hindered by them in his work of holiness . As a sickly man is hindered in his journey by every storm , and ready to run to an House or stand under an Hedge at every shower ; so is a discontented person , ready to turn aside or stand still at every unexpected providence ; when a contented man like a lusty resolved travellar , keeps on his course whatsoever weather comes . Godliness requires a contented mind to grow in , 1 Tim. 6. 6. It is said of the Pelican that she is caught by the Shephards in this manner : They lay fire not far from her nest , which she finding and fearing the danger of her young , seeks to blow out with her wings , so long till she burns her self , and makes her self a prey out of foolish pity to her young . So many men out of unwise pity to their relations and possessions , when they are at any time in danger for want of this contented spirit and q●iet submission to infinite wisdom , trouble themselves so much , and so long about them , till they make themselves a prey to Satan , and no whit preserve or secure those persons or things about which they are so immoderately anxious and sollicitous .

Whilst we are in this world , we must expect various winds , some sharp , some warm , some nipping , some refreshing , some with us , some against us , and unless we are prepared for all by an holy pliableness , we shall be injured by every one ; Every strong wind , whether with us , or against us , will be ready to overturn us , if we want this ballast . There is no condition in this life so blessed , as to afford the perfection of content ; and yet there is no estate in this life so wretched , but a Christian may be contented with it . If thou hast as much as thou wantest , thou hast as much as in reason thou desirest , and therefore hast cause to be contented .

The way to true Riches , saith Plato , is not to increase our heaps , but to diminish the covetousness of our hearts . It were well for the world , saith another , if there were no Gold in it ; but since its the Fountain whence all things flow , it s to be desired , but onely as a pass to travail to our journeys end without begging . Every man is rich , or may be so , if he will equal his mind to his estate , and be but poor in his desires ; He that hath most , wants somthing , as Haman , when he had the commander of one hundred and twenty Provinces at command ; He that hath least , wants nothing , if he want not a contented spirit .

He that can bring his heart to an even poize in all providences , will avoid many temptations , and escape many snares in which others are entangled . The want of this renders many a mans life as unserviceable to God , as uncomfortable to himself . The discontented person like the Sea , is seldom seen without storms and tempests ; A small matt●r puts him out of order and joynt , and so unfits him for spiritual actions . As hot Iron , the smallest drop sets him a hissing , like a rufled skein of silk , every way taken to compose him , entangleth him . Discontent like Ink poured into a Bottle of Water , turns all into blackness ; O Frind , beware of it .

It hinders from praying ; A discontented man will rather poure out his passions then any sober prayers , before the Lord .

It hinders examining our selves ; Though quiet and calm waters will like a glass , if we look into it , shew us the image and likeness of our selves , yet troubled and muddy waters will make no such representation . Though the heart when calm and contented , Joh. 14. 27. Psa. 55. 45. may shew us the face and features of our souls , yet if muddied by discontent they cannot do it .

It hinders from hearing ; The noise of passion drowns the voice of the Preacher . Men must with meekness receive the ingrafted word , if they desire it should save their souls , Iam. 1.

When a Fountain is troubled , there can no Water be drawn out of it , but what is filthy and unsavoury ; When a person is discontented , all his duties are distas●eful and unacceptable to God . Therefore Christ more then once diswads his Disciples from it ; Let not your hearts be troubled ; Let not your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid , Joh. 14. 1 , 27.

Diogenes resolved , since many evils would befal him , to keep himself steady in all ; he would oppose Resolution to Fortune , Nature to the Law , his Reason to his Affections ; But the Christian hath a better guide , and better grounds for contentedness .

There be several thoughts which may quiet and compose the heart in all occurents .

1. That Infinite wisdom ordaineth whatsoever befalleth me , and the present condition that I am in , is ever best for me . If a greater portion of outward good things , had been good for me , I had had it ; my Father is not so careless of his Children , as to deny them any thing that is good for them , and if it be not good for me , why should I defire it ? He acteth without reason , as well as without religion , who craveth what is hurtful to him . If my condition were cut out by the will of malicious men , I might have some ground of grumbling ; but when it s cut out by the infinite wisdom of a gracious God , I have not the least cause of discontent . I take it ill if my Children be not satisfied with what food and raiment I think fitten for them ; and may not God much more take it ill at my hands , if I sit not down quietly with his allowance , be it more or less ? 2. That the smallest mercy is above my merits ; If my condition be not so good ●s ● desire , yet it is better then I deserve ; If my estate be not so flourishing as I would it should be , it is not so bad as I know it might have been ; Beggars must not be chusers ; They who have nothing but of charity and almes , must be satisfied with a bare allowance , and contentedly be at anothers disposal ; Why doth living man complain ? Lam. 3. 39. Man , a reasonable creature , and complain against his Maker ! Living man complain , when the most miserable estate out of Hell is a mercy to him ! 3. That be our estate as low as it will , it is better then we brought with us into the world . Some give us this reason , why man ( when none besides of the visible creatures ) is born naked , weeping , helpless , b●t to teach him contentedness . Have I any food ? I brought none with me ; Is my garment course and thin ? I was born naked ; Am I blest with any comforts ? I came into the World without any ; Naked came I into the world , and naked shall I go out of the world ; The Lord giveth , and the Lord taketh away , blessed be the name of the Lord . 4. That a better condition might and would make me worse ; If I were mounted high in the world , I should be like the Flag at the top of the Mast , more liable to storms and winds . The full purse invites the Theif , and perhaps may occasion a stab ; when the empty pocket is secure , and the poor man may travail the road without any such danger . Low shrubs escape many a cold blast , with which tall trees are assaulted ; They have no changes , therefore they fear not God , Psa. 55. 7. Atalanta lost the wager she ran for , by gathering up the Golden Apples which Hippomenes for that purpose had thrown in her way . 5. That others who are better then I and more holy , are worse for this world , and suffer more hardships . In spiritual things look on those above thee , that by an honest emulation thou mayst reform and amend ; but in temporal things look on those below thee , that thou mayst not complain or murmur . How many are in fetters , wandring up and down from house and home , set upon the wrack of diseases , and have an ounce of misery for every dram which thou hast ? stay Sirs , said the wise Hary in the Fable , let our estate content us , for as we run from some ; so others run from us . 6. That all shall work for my good . The Saint is sure to thrive by his sufferiugs ; When Children meet with Nuts , or Apples , or Primroses in their way , those are oftimes occasions to make them loyter in their errands , incur their Parents anger , and sometime their late return finds the door shut against them ; when such as meet with danger make the more haste , and their speed procureth them the greater welcome . They who meet with pleasures are apt to loyter ; they who meet with miseries make the more haste , and shall find the better chear . The Christian hath a promise , and the very Godhead of the Almighty engaged for its performance : We know that all things shall work together for good to them that love God , to them that are called according to his purpose , Rom. 8. 28. Why should not the Christian with an holy resolution hold a steady course in all weathers , and though he be forced with cross winds to shift his sails and catch at side winds , yet wisely steer and keep on his course by the Cape of good hope , when he may be certain that every wind that bloweth shall help him forward to his eternal joyful Haven . Though we cannot see how some passages of Gods providence , as persecution , opprossion , loss of relations or estates , sickness or disgrace , should do otherwise then hurt and injure us ; and are ready to darken counsel by words without knowledge , and to say as Iacob , Joseph is not , and Simeon is not , all these are against me . Children are not , Honours are not , Riches are not , Liberty is not ; All these are against me . But Christ may say to us of such severe dispensations , as once to Peter ; What I do thou knowest not now , but shalt know hereafter . The issue will prove a truth in Gods promises , and the conclusion will speak what was in the womb of the promises . I am confident when God sendeth afflictions , they are at that season more fit for me then outward mercies ; and though at present I am ready to blaspheme , yet when I find the fruit of them in being thereby partaker of his holiness I bless him for them . A Lacedaemonian woman , when Sparta had got the day in a battel , could not onely submit but rejoyce though her five Sons were slain in the fight . If I get the victory over one sin , I have cause to rejoyce , though it cost me some outward comforts . 7. That the more I repine the worse I make my condition . A discontented man like one in a barrel of Pikes , which way soever he turns he finds something that pricks , he is best at ease when he lieth still . Murmuring turns whips into Scorpions , and makes that which would be but as a little Finger , heavier then weighty loynes . They who by an even poize may sit safe in a Boat when the waters are rough , by rising up or stirring , are drowned . Passions like rain or mist to the best firrs , breed vermine in the soul. Because this man hath not what his lust craveth , he enjoyeth not what God hath given him ; but like an Asse feedeth on hearbs , whilst he carrieth better food on his back for others . A single mischief by discontent is made double . The Prisoner galls his legs by striving with his fetters .

8. The examples of others may have some prevalency with us ; Abraham , Moses , Paul were eminent for this grace .

Many Heathen who were ignorant of the wisdome , goodness , and faithfullness of God , yet upon principles of morality were constant and even in their behaviours , not changing their countenances with the change of their fortunes and conditions , but bringing their mind to their estates , when they could not bring their estates to their minds . Xantippe said of Socrates that she always found him returning home ( though he often met with affronts and abusive language abroad ) with the same face and carriage with which he went out . Furius Camillus was ever like himself , neither by obtaining the dictatourship inflamed with arrogancy , nor being banished his Country fick with melancholy . The whole body of Rome after their disaster at Canna , where their Consul was slain , and the flower of their Gentry and Souldiery cut off by Hannibal ; when the whole world did ring their Passing-bell , and judged their Fortune dying and desperate , were even then Heroick in their carraiage , and acted nothing unworthy their former greatness . In their Asian enterprise they proposed before the battel conditions to Antiochus as if they had conquered him , and after the ●ight and victory offered him the same terms as if they had not conquered .

Abdolomius a poor Gardine● , though of the Kings stock , when advanced by Alexander to be King of Zidon , and asked by him how it was possible for him to endure his poverty with contentedness ; answered , I pray the gods I may continue the government of this Kingdom with the like mind ; for those hands were sufficient for me to live by , and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing .

9. The Lord is righteous in all his ways , and holy in all his works . He doth thee no wrong , he cannot do thee any wrong , now why shouldst thou complain when not injured ? It s unreasonable to murmur when a man hath right done him . 10. God is gracious and good in all his dealings with thee .

If thine estate be but little , yet that little with the fear of the Lord is better then the possessions of many wicked men , Psal. 37. A penny which is the earnest of some great bargain , is another manner of thing then an ordinary penny , and more worth then many pounds , being given and received under another notion Thy little is an earnest of infi●itely more then thou canst imagine , and therefore more precious then others thousands . A dinner of hearbs with the love of thy God , in infinitely more elegible then the stalled Oxen of the wicked , and his wrath therewith . Who would desire Eglons present with the dagger ; Siserahs milk with the nail , and hammer ; and Hamans banquet with the gallows , that trod upon the heels of it ? Truely such is the riches of every wicked man .

The smallness of thy temporal , may increase thy spiritual estate . If God recompence thy want of earthly , with a supply of heavenly riches , thou art no loser . Nicepsorus tells us of one Cyrus a Courtier , in the time of Theodosius the younger , who through the envious occupation of some favourites being spoiled of his goods , of a Pagan became a Christian , and of a Christian a Minister of Christ . Endoxia the daughter of a Philosopher in Athens , being cast out of her Fathers house by unkind brethren , and coming to Constantinople to beseech Theodosius to right a poor Orphan , found such favour in his eyes , that he made her his Queen . Affliction is the way to honour with men , to more holiness from God ; when Prosperity causeth our fall both into sin and misery . He holds the garments of his godliness fast in a boysterous wind , who would lay it off in a Sunny day .

Lastly , If thou woudst exercise thy self to godliness , take heed of those things that will hinder thee therein . As if a man would have his trees to thrive , he must not onely open the earth sometimes , and mind its watering , but also lop off superfluous branches ; and as a Gardiner if he would have his hearbs and flowers to flourish , must be sure to keep his Banks and Beds well weeded , as well as dunged or watered ; so if thou wouldst thrive and flourish in godliness , ●●ere is a necessity of avoiding what is hur●ful to it , as well as of using what is helpful .

There be several things which will keep a Christian from the exercise of his holy calling , some of which I shall but briefly name , having had occasion to speak of others , and also to these in other Chapters .

1. Avoid evil company . Wicked persons delight to have or to make fellows . Hence we find in Scripture that they go as the unclean beasts into the Arke in pairs ; Adam and Eve , Simeon and Levi , Ammon and Ionadab , Hymeneus and Alexander , Phygellus and Hermogenes , Ananias and Saphira . Can a man take fire in his bosome and not be burned ? Expect not that the flowers of thy graces should flourish , unless these weeds be removed from them . He that walketh in the rain must expect to be wet , he that walketh in the Sun must expect to be tanned , and he that walks among polluting persons must expect to be polluted .

2. Take heed of idleness . An idle man is like an heap of dry straw , quickly fired by the sparkes of Satans temptations , Prov. 28. 19. 1 Tim. 5. 13. 2 Thess. 3. 10 , 11.

Whist the Oyster lieth gaping against the Sun , he is devoured by the Crabfish . Whilst the Christian lieth lazing on the bed of idleness , he is a prey to Satan .

The purest river water if it stand still in a vessel , will become unsavoury . The best corn if not stird will be musty . As the Caterpillar consumeth the leaf , and the Canker the rose , so will idleness thy godliness , Ezek. ●6 . 49.

A● men in war lying in the field , if they be slothful and lie lazing on the ground , must expect to be a prey to their enemies . The Amalekites found this by experience ; the sluggard will rather be kild , then take the pains to defend himself . A slothful man , who will not imploy his stock , cannot expect to improve his stock . The diligent hand maketh rich in goods and in grace .

3. Love not the World ; The thornes of the world hinder the growth of the good seed of grace . This worlds best , are the other worlds worst husbands . It s hard for the Periwinckle in the Sea to swim , because of the house on her back ; It s impossible for them to swim Heaven-ward , who have the world not on their backs , but in their hearts . The more thou delightest in this world , the more thou wilt neglect the other world . He who is taken with , and fond of an Harlot , will quickly abate in his love to , nay cast off his-honest wife . The Palm tree is least at the bottom , and the higher it groweth , the thicker and greater it is , contrary to all other trees . The higher a Christian mounts in his affections , and the more heavenly he is , the more he wil● thrive in Christianity . The Child cannot thrive that feedeth on Dirt ; the more a man love●h the earth , the lesse he will do or suffer for heaven ; Such Esaus will sell the birthrigh● for a mess of pottage ; such Gehezies will dishonour and be●ie their Master for a talent of silver ; Such Achans will destroy themselves and families , and trouble a whole Israel for a wedge of gold ; Such Iudasses will sell their Lord and Saviour for a goodly price , Thirty pieces ; For a piece of a Bread such a one will transgresse . The fire which breaks out of this bramble , devours the Cedars of Lebanon . The Athenians did set up a pillar , wherein they published him to be an enemy to their City , who should bring gold out of Media , as an instrument to corrupt them . Inordinate love of creatures , is a canker which in time will eat up the very life of godliness . Reader , If thou art risen with Christ , seek those things that are above where Christ is . It is recorded by divers Historians , both of the East and West Indians , and some Blackamoors in Guinea between both , that many subjects willingly dye with their Princes , and Women with their Husbands ; that some Men give their Wives , others their Children , others their Servants to be buried alive in the Grave , with their Kings to serve him ( as they conceit ) in the other world ; that some Women cast them●elves into the fire , in which the dead bodies of their Husbands are consumed . If those can cast away and contemn the world , and all things in it , for the love of a poor wretched creature ; what a shame is it to Christians , if the love of Jesus Christ their Head , their Prince , their Husband do not mortifie them to the world , and make them dispise all in it , to injoy him whilst they live , and to be with him where he is when they dye ? 4. Allow thy self in ●o known sin ; This like a thief used to the shop , which will steal away all thy gains , and keep thee assuredly from thriving in thy heavenly calling . There is no possibility of making Religion thy business , without the gracious concurrence of the holy Spirit ; he it is that must lay the foundation , rear up the building , and perfect what he beginneth , but thou canst not expect his company or assistance , if thou harbourest any corruption in thy heart ; though this Dove may flye to thee , desirous to make its abode with thee , as the Dove went of out the Ark , yet if it behold the earth under water , thy heart in any way of wickedness , it will return again whence it came ; Doves will lye clean or be gone . Bees will not continue in a stinking or impure Hive , therefore those that would not loose them , prepare the stools where they set them with perfumes and sweet-smelling boughs , lest ill savours force them to forsake their stations . Thus saith Chrysostom , deals the holy spirit ; Our souls are the hives , which if perfumed with grace , invite his presence , but if polluted with any known sin , provoke him to depart . O let there not be any way of wickedness in thee , if thou wouldst run the way of Gods commandments .

CHAP. XIV . Motives inciting Christians to exercise themselves to Godliness . The Vanity of other exercises ; The brevity of mans life ; The Patterns of others .

THirdly , I shall annex some Motives to quicken thee to exercise thy self to godliness , and then conclude the Treatise .

First , Consider , The vanity of all other exercises and labours ; The wise man begins his Ecclesiastes with Vanity of Vanities , all is Vanity ; and after a large and exact demonstration thereof makes this use , and ends his book with , Hear the conclusion of the whole matter , fear God and keep his commandements , for this is the whole duty of man . It may be Reader , thou takest much pains , and spendest much time , thou risest early , and sittest up late , and wastest thy body , and wearest out thy strength , and toylest , and moylest about the things of this life ; but alass , to what purpose ? to what profit ? The foot of all thy accompts , when at the end of thy life the total comes to be summed up , will be onely Ciphers , and signifie nothing ; Thou workest all this while at the labour in vain ; like the Disciples , thou fishest all night and catchest nothing ; thou spendest thy strength for what is not bread , and thy labour for what will not satisfie ; If the word of truth , and the God for whom it is impossible to lye , may be beleived , all the things of this life separated from godliness , are lying vanities , broken cisternes , ashes , lyes , wind , vanity of vanities , and things of naught , Joh. 2. 8. Ier. 2. 13. 1. Sam. 12. 21. Hos. 10. 13. and 12. 1. Eccles. 1. 2. Hab. 2. 13. It is Chrysostoms saying , that if he had been to Preach to all the world , and could so have spoken that all should have heard him , he would have chosen that Text ; O mortal men , how long will ye love vanity , and follow after leasing ! Democritus gave that for the reason of his continual laughter , which occasioned his Country-men to look on him as distracted ; That when he beheld the labour and diligence , the running and riding , the sweating and painting ; nay , the fighting and killing of men to get one above another , and to heap up a fading treasure , he could not but deride their folly .

Indeed though the Heathen laughed at the ridiculousness of such persons , the sensible Christian seeth great cause to weep at the emptiness and unprofitablenss of such actions , and the madness of the Agents . Cyprian advised his friend Donatus to suppose himself at the top of the highest mountain , and thence to behold the tumults and chances of this wavering world , and told him that then he could not but either laugh at it , or pity it . It s no such wonder that brutish horses should leave good provender to feed on litter , as some Jades do ; but that men who are indued with reasonable souls , that seeming Christians , who have a Table spread before them with hidden Manna , with Angels food , with meat indeed , and drink indeed , withal t●e dainties of Heaven , should neglect these and feed on ashes , may well be matter both of admiration and lamentation .

The holy Ghost tells such , that they follow after vain things which cannot profit them , 1 Sam. 12. 21. All outward things are like an olive or date stone hard to crack or cleave , but when with much labour they are opened , they are nothing worth .

The Wise Moralist speaking of such laborious loyterers as work hard for nothing , compares them to such as spend many months to learn to write with their feet , and when they have learned it , are never the Better for it . Caesar compares them to such as fish for gudgeons with a golden hook , hazard more then the fish when taken are worth . Life is precious , health , and strength , and time are precious ; because all these have a relation to an eternal estate ; now how foolish is he that wasteth them upon toys and trifles , and neglecteth provision for the other world ? Surely every man walketh in a vain shew , surely they are disquieted in vain , Psal. 39. 6.

Observe Rearder , how dearly men pay for their guilded nothings , for their earthen potsherds coverd with silver dross ; they walk up and down , run hither and thither , disquiet themselves with cares and fears , and heart piercing frights and vexations for a vain shew ; The people labour in the fire , and weary themselves for very vanity , Habbak . 2. 13. Their work is hot and hard , they labour in the fire , even to lassitude and weariness . But is it about the noble concerments of their immortal souls ? Is it that their sins may be pardoned , the vitiosity of their natures healed , and that their souls may be fitted for the heavenly mansions ? No , it is for very vanity . For that which will not afford them the least good , or make them in any respect better , or blessed . Alas , how much below , nay contrary to reason doth man act , to cast away pearls upon swine , gold upon dross , diamonds upon dirt , to throw away his time and seasons of grace , which are more worth then rubies , then all riches , upon that which is vanity and vexation of spirit !

It was a worthy check , which Cineas the Oratour gave to the monstrous Ambition of Pyrrhus ; When that King of Epyrus was solicited by the Tarentines and other people in Italy , to become the head of their league against the Romans ; whilst he was musing upon that affair , his favourite Cineas came into his presence , and perceiving the King in a study , desires the knowledge of his thoughts ; Pyrrhus courteously opens his heart to him , and asketh his advice whether he were best to accept of that honourable offer or no ; but resolving before to joyn with them , and promised him self success ; The Oratour answerd him , That in case he should joyn with them and prevail , What would he then do ? Pyrrhus told him , Then Sardinia and Sicily will be at my command . Cineas consented and replied , What then will you do ? Pyrrhus told him , Then Africa will soon be conquered . Cineas asked , What then will you do ? Then said Pyrrhus , Grecia will yield to my victorious armes . Cineas continued , When Grecia is brought under what will you do next ? The King perceiving the intention of his favourite , replied smiling , Then Cineas We will sit still rest our selves and be merry . That said Cineas you may do presently without any bloody fight or barbarous outragious acts , without tiresome marches , pinching quarters , tormenting fears of losing the day without any hazard or danger to your self or others .

Truly Reader , I may tell thee , if thou art one that busiest thy self about a throng of worldly businesses , and crowdest thy mind and heart with projects and designs , to increase thy heaps , and advance thy name , and provide for thy children , and procure thy self a comfortable subsistance for a few days , that after all thy care , and trouble , and restlesness , and vexation , and hazards , and dangers , thou wilt be never the better : Thou wilt , but like them that spend their time , and money , and thoughts for the Phylosophers stone , reap thy labour for thy pains , and find all unprofitable . Felix Platerus is of opinion , that all Alchymists are mad , in being so laborious for nothing .

May I not say to thee truly concerning thy pains and time , what Iudas did falsly concerning the Oyntment , To what purpose is this Waste ? To what purpose is thy waste of time , and strength , and health ? Alas , what profit will all thy pains bring thee in ?

The Vanity of other labours will appear in that all other things are Unsuitable , Deceitful , Unsatisfying , Vexatious and Uncertain .

1. Vnsuitable to thy soul. Gold is unsuitable to hunger , food to the sick , honour to the weary ; so are all the comforts of this life to thy soul. What is an earthly treasure to the poor in spirit ? what is the best Physick garden to a wounded conscience ? what are all the dainties on the table of the Creation , to one that is hungry and thirsty after the righteousness of Christ , and the grace ? of the Spirit ? Bodily things are not suitable to our spirits , nor temporal substance to an immortal soul. The fattest increase of the earth , is from the excrements of beasts , which must needs be far from answering the nature of an heaven born spirit .

2. Deceitful . As Iael to Sisera , the world brings forth meat to us in a lovdly dish , and saith , Come in my Lord turn in ; but she puts her hand to the nail , and her right hand to the Work-mans hammer ; with the hammer she smites foolish Sisera's that trust her , she smites off their heads after she hath pierced their temples . It serveth its greatest darlings in their extremity , as Plutarch reporteth Pompey to have served Cicero ; who when Cicero fled to him in his misery for succour , fled out at a back door , and left him to the mercy of his enemies . The world next mans heart is the greatest cheat and impostour in the world . Like an Host it welcomes us in our Inns with smiles and embraces , but kills us in our Beds when we suspect no such matter . As the wiseman wisheth them to be moderate and abstinent at a full table , and to put a knife to thy throat , for they are deceitful meat ; so I may say of all the dainties and delicates of the Creation , they are deceitful meat , pleasant but poyson . Like the Bramble the world promiseth us protection and refreshment under its shadow , if we will suffer it to be our King and reign over us , but a fire comes out of it to destroy the Cedars of Lebanon ; the souls of men .

As the Plover to put a man out of his way , flyeth before him clapping her wings , that he minding the noise she makes , and following her , might not find her nest . So the world with its noise and clamours , its songs and musick , keeps men still in admiration of her , and hinders them from finding out her cozenage and theivery . He that trusteth in vanity , vanity shall be his recompence , Job 15. 31. It is reported of one Oromazes that he had an inchanted egge , in which ( as he boasted himself ) he had inclo●ed all the happiness of the world , but being broken , nothing was found in it same wind . Truly , such is the worlds inside , wind , whatever appeararance it hath in the eye of a worldling ; As the forbidden tree seemed to promise knowledge to our first Parents , but it took their knowledge from them , and brought in ignorance ; so the world promiseth great matters , much joy and delight , but payeth us with the contrary sorrow and horror . The worldlings voice is like that of the thief , Come let us lay wait , &c. We shall find all precious substance , and fill our houses with spoil ; when alas instead of precious substance , they find pernicious shadows ; and instead of filling their Houses with spoil , they fill their hearts with Gall and Worm-wood . The world as a cunning Curtizan flattereth and fawneth upon the young gallant , to commit spiritual uncleanness with her , and then casteth him from the height of fancied delights , into the depth of real horror , Proverbs 1. 10 , 11.

3. Vnsatisfying ; All these sublunary comforts are but skin-deep . As a mist they may wet the blade , but leave the root of the corn dry , they may cause a smile in the face , but cannot refresh the heart , or satisfie the soul ; The Country-man thinks if he were at the top of some high hill , he should touch the Heavens , but when with much pains and sweat and toil , he is gotten thither , he finds himself deceived . Men think if they could attain to such a degree of honour , or such a quantity of riches , or enjoy such brutish pleasures , then they should be satisfied , but they find their thirst after creatures , as immoderate as before ; like men in a Feavor or Dropsie , the more they drink , the more they desire ; He that loveth silver , shall not be satisfied with silver , nor he that loveth gold with increase ; Many men have too much of the world , but no worldly man hath enough ; His voice still is like the Horse-leech , Give , Give . Though he hath enough to destroy him , yet he hath not enough to content him . When the Parthians had taken Crassus the covetous Roman , who had robbed the Temple , they poured molted Gold into his mouth , saying , Drink now thy fill thou greedy wretch , of that which thou hast so long thirsted after . The Covetous Caliph of Babylon , when taken Prisoner , was set by the Great Cham of Tartary , in the midst of those treasures which he had wretchedly scraped together , and bidden eat his fill and satisfie himself , but amongst all his heaps of silver and gold , he was miserably famished . The soul will starve for all the food which the whole world af●ordeth it . A worldling is like Tantalus , who had Apples at his Lips , and water at his Chin , yet pined for want ; In the midst of his sufficiency , he is in straights ; If thou tryest the whole creation , and empannellest every creature upon the Iury , to enquire where satisfaction is to be had , they will write Ignoramus upon the Bill ; If thou askest the Sea , it will answer as concerning wisdom ; The Sea saith , It is not in me ; And the Depth saith , ●It is not in me ; The Earth saith , It is not in me ; Ask every worldly blessing particularly , and it will say , It is not in me . Thou mayst call and cry to them in thy need for comfort , as eagerly and earnestly as Rachel for children , and will each answer as Iacob did here , Am I in Gods stead , that hath with-holden thy desire from thee ? Or as the Angel to the women , Why seek ye the living among the dead ? he is risen , he is not here ; Am I a poor finite being in Gods stead to satisfie the vast desires of thy capacious soul ? Why seekest thou living comforts , amongst dead creatures , it is gone , it is not here ? The World entertains its best guests , no better then Caligula did his favourites , whom he invited to a feast , and when they were come , set golden dishes , and golden cups empty before them , and told them , they were welcome , and he would have them feed heartily ; All the trees in the garden of the creation , are like those trees which Solinus mentioneth in Assyria , the fruit whereof seemeth as yellow as gold , but being toucht , is as rotten as dirt . 4. The things of this world are vexatious . Their sting paineth far more then their honey pleaseth ; They are like the Egyptian reed , which will not onely fail them that trust it , but also pierce them with splinters , and wound them deeply , sooner or later ; They who will be rich , pierce themselves through with many sorrows , 1 Tim. 6. 9. Instead of satisfaction , thou wilt find vexation . The things of this world are not onely wind , for their vanity ; but also thorns , for the vexation they cause . As when the blood is corrupted by a poisoned Arrow , it flieth to the heart , thinking to find some remedy there , but as soon as it toucheth the heart , it findeth death where it lookt for life . Thus men that are pressed with miseries , run to the world as their refuge , hoping to finde comfort and refreshment there ; but alass , that doth increase their afflictions , and gives them rather matter of more mourning then any abatement of their sorrows . They who dive into the bottom of this Sea of the world to the hazard of their lives , instead of the pearl of contentment and happiness , which they take such pains for , bring up nothing but their hands full of the sand and gravel of vexation and anguish . All the ways of worldly delights are strowed with nettles and briars , so that its greatest darlings are but like Bears robbing a Bee hive , that with much labour get a little honey , but are soundly stung for their pains . Therefore reason , much more religion may sound a retreat , and call us off from our eager pursuit of these lying vanities . Car on il ny● ar●en a gaigner que des coups , volontiers il ny vapas : No man makes haste to the market where there is nothing to be bought but blows . 5. Vncertain . There is no constancy in outward comforts . As Brooks in Winter are carried with violence , and run with a mighty stream , flowing over with abundance of water on every side , when there is no want nor need of waters ; but in the heat of Summer is dried up , when water is scanty and hard to be had . Such is the friendship of the world ; t will promise us many things when we have need of nothing ; but when the wind turns and afflictions overtake us , it is like a tree withered for want of sap , and as a ditch without any water to refresh us . When the sun of our prosperity is hid and coverd with a cloud , these shadows vanish and disappear . As leaves fall off in Autumn , so doth the friendship of creatures fail men , when the sap of that maintenance which commanded their company , is withdrawn from them . Man in honour doth not abide , Psa. 49. As the rising Sun , coming into our Horizon like a Giant , ready to run his race , appearing to us with a full and glorious countenance , within an hours space is obscured with mists , or darkned with clouds ; and however , if it meet with neither of these , when it arriveth at its noon-day height , it declines , descendeth , setteth , and is buried under us : So the Ambitious person sheweth himself to the world as chief favourite at Court , with much pomp and pride , by and by his honour is eclipsed , by the hate of the People , or frowns of his Prince , or envy of his fellow Courtiers ; or if not , yet he dyeth , and carrieth nothing away , and his glory doth not descend after him . The like is evident of earthly treasures , they are soon gone , though not soon gotten . As a gallant ship , well riggd , trimmed , tackled , manned , with her top and top gallant , and her well spread sails , putteth out of harbour to the admiration of many spectators ; but within a few days is split upon some dangerous rock , or swallowed up of some disasterous tempest , or taken by some ravenous Pyrate ; so are this worlds goods on a sudden taken from their owners , or their owners from them .

There is a hole in our strongest Bags , and rust in our choicest mettal . The Apostle calls riches uncertain riches , and honour a fancy , and all the things of this world a fashion , 1 Tim. 6.17 . Act. 24. 1 Cor. 7. 29. We are not certain to keep these birds in our yards whilst we live ; for Riches make themselves wings and flie away ; but we are certain , if they do not leave us , that we shall leave them . We brought nothing into this world , and it is certain we shall carry nothing out of the world .

Reader , how unwise is he who neglecteth eternal substance , for fading nothings ! The Romans are recorded as guilty of much folly , that in their fight with Mithridates , they were so eager after their prey , that thereby they missed taking the King , who could not otherwise have escaped their hands . Ah! how foolish art thou , if through thy violent pursuit of a perishing world , thou shouldst lose an eternal kingdom ! As Constantinople was lost through the covetousness of the Citizens ; so is the crown of life and glory , the City that hath a foundation through mens eager endeavours after earthly things . The beloved Disciple doth not unfitly represent all the beauties , and glories , and excellencies of this lower world , under the name and notion of the Moon , which is ever in changes , and never looks upon us twice with the same face , and when it is at the fullest , is blemished with a dark spot , and next door to declining , Rev. 12. 1.

An old man of Brasil discoursing with the Merchants of France and Portugal , and perceiving the long and dangerous voyages which they took to get riches ; asked them , If men did not dye with them as well as in other Countries ? They told him , Yea. He asked them , who should possess their riches after their deaths ? They said , their Children if they had any ; if not , their next kindred . Now , saith the old man , I perceive ye are fools ; for what necessity is there for you to pass the troublesome Seas wherein so many perish , and to run so many hazards ? Is not the earth that brought you up , sufficient to bring up your children and kindred also ? We have children and kindred that are likewise dear to us ; but when we consider that the earth which nourisheth us is sufficient to nourish them , we rest satisfied .

That busie Bee and great trouble-world Alexander , had a tart yet wise reproof from Diogenes , when being taken with the Philosophers witty answers , he bade him ask what he would and he would give it him ; The Philosopher desired him to grant him the smallest portiou of immortality . Alexander said , that is not in my power to give ; Then saith the Philosopher , Why doth Alexander take such pains , and make such s●ir to conquer the world , when he cannot assure himself of one moment to enjoy it ! Ah! why should thou neglect thy God and Christ , and soul and eternal good , and tyre and weary thy self night and day , for these unsatisfying comforts which may leave thee to morrow , and of which thou canst not secure the enjoyment of one moment ! If God complain of wicked men , and threatens them with fierce wrath and fiery indignation , for selling the righteous for silver , and the poor for a pair of shoes , and would make them know that he valued his people at an higher price , and would not suffer them to be sold at such a rate : What will become of thee if thou shouldst sell thy soul , thy salvation , thy God , thy Christ , for silver , for vain , unsatisfying corruptible silver , when their value is above millions of worlds ! O take heed that thou dost not cast away thy self for such transitory trifles . Let not the Worlds venison cause thee to lose thy Fathers blessing ; T was a poor change of Glaucus to exchange gold for copper ; but O what a sad exchange wilt thou make to exchange heaven for earth , the endless fruition of the blessed God for a moments enjoyment of creatures !

Thou wouldst condemn that Mariner of folly , who seeing a Fish in the water , should leap into the Sea to ca●ch it , which together with his life he loseth ; What a fool art thou for mortal comforts to lose an immortal crown ! The women of Corinth , saith an ancient Father , did set up Tapers at the birth of every child , with proper names upon each of them , and that Taper which lasted longest in burning , had its proper name transferred to the Child . God himself gives the highest and richest , though conceited worldling , his name ; Thou fool , this night , &c. Nabal is his name , and folly is with him .

The plain truth is , the world is the ruine and destruction of men . Its pleasures and honours make the sinner merry and jolly , as the hearb Sardonia the eater , who eating dyeth ; They that will be rich , fall into temptations and snares , and many hurtful lusts , which drown men in perdition , 1 Tim. 6. 9. The world serveth its darlings as that tyrannous Emperor did his servants , let them through a sliding floor into a Chamber ●ull of Roses , that being smothered in them , they might meet the bitterness of death in sweetness ; O do not spend thy strength for that which is not bread , but hearken to Christ , and thou shalt eat that which is good , and thy soul shall delight it self in fatness , Isa. 55.3,4 .

Secondly , Consider the brevity of thy life . He who hath but a little time , and a great task , must work hard , or his work will not be done . The Birds know their time , and improve it ; in some Countries , the shorter the days are , the faster they flye . Heathen have been sensible of this . Theophrastus cryed out on his dying bed , Ars longa , vita brevis , Time was short , and not sufficient for humane arts and sciences . Seneca saith of himself , Nullus mihi per otium exiit dies , partem noctis studiis devovi ; I lose no day through idleness , but even devote part of the night to my studies . The very Devils follow their cursed trade with the greater diligence , knowing that their time is short , Rev. 12. 12.

Now Reader , Consider how few thy days are ; What is your life ! even a vapour , a coming , and a going , a flood and an ebbe , and then thou art in the Ocean of eternity . I have read of one , that being asked , What life was ; was answered answerless ; for the party of whom the question was demanded , onely turned his back and went away . We come into the world and take a turn or two about in it , and God saith , Return ye Children of men ; A little child may number the days of the oldest man ; We project high things , and lay foundations for an earthly eternity ; but the longest life is less then a drop to that Ocean . Yet alas , the most are blown off in the spring , and few continue to fall off in Autumn . Plutarch compareth Galba , Otho , and Vitellius , in regard of their short reign , to Kings in Tragedies , which last no longer then the time in which they are represented on the Stage .

The River Hypanis in Scythia , bringeth forth every day little bladders , out of which come certain Flies , which are bred in the morning , fledg'd at noon , and dye at night ; Man cometh up like a flower , and is cut down , he fleeth as a shadow and continueth not , Job 14. 2.

This short time posteth away with speed ; How soon do our days vanish ? Iob tells us that his little time made great haste to be gone ; My days are swifter then a Weavers shuttle , Job 7. 6. The Weavers shuttle is an instrument of very swift motion , and so swift that it is used for a Proverb , for all things that are swift and speedy . Radius Textoris dictum Proverbiale ; Radio velocius . The Latines express it by a beam of the Sun , or a word which signifieth a ray , which is darted in a moment from one end of the Heavens to another ; Such speed doth our life make to pass away .

Cardinal Bellarmin , when he had a full prospect of the Sun going down , to perceive the quickness of its motion , took a Psalter in his hand , and before he had twice read over the 51. Psalm , the whole body of the Sun was set , whereby he concluded , the earth being twenty one thousand miles in compass , the Sun must go seven thousand miles in half a quarter of an hour ; However the Cardinal might be mistaken in his reckoning ; Yet , Mans days are swifter then a post , they flee away , they see no good ; They are passed away as the swift ships ; as the Eagle that hasteth to the prey , Job 9. 25 , 26. It s our shame and misery that our days should be so swift , and we so slack ; that our time should be as speedy as a post or ship , or Eagle , and our hearts as slow about our eternal concernments , as a Snail . Our negligence herein speaks us brutish , and void of common sense . Reason will teach him that followeth its directions , to be most indust●ious about matters of such importance .

The Heathen Historian can agree with Scripture , in this ; Vita nostra sicut fabula , non refert quam diu sed quam bene ; Liv. l. 15. c. 7. Our life passeth away , as a tale that is told ; it matters not much whether it be long or short , but whether it be well or ill .

Surely it concerneth thee Reader to make Religion thy business , and work the work of God , when thine everlasting happiness dependeth on it , and thy time is so short that thou hast to do it in . In the days of Ptolomeus Philopater , when the huge and great Anchor of the Ship Thalmegos was laid out upon the shore , the Children of Alexandria did ride upon the stalk and crept through the ring of the Anchor , as if it had been made purposely for their pastime , whereas wise men knew it was appointed for better uses , namely , to stable and make sure the great vessel in storms and tempests .

Truly , so do too many serve time , they play and toy , and trifle it away , as if God had given it to them for that end ; when he who hath but half an eye , as we say , may see that it was given for better purposes , viz. to furnish his soul for his eternal voyage , and thereby to help to stablish and fasten him when he shall lanch into the stormy Ocean . Protogenes made himself ridiculous in the judgement of all that are sober , for spending seven years in drawing Ialisus and his Dog ; for though the most excellent Pictures are longest in drawing , yet to spend years about that which may be finished in days , argueth want of wisdom . But having spoken somewhat largely to this in the sixt Chap. I am the more brief in this .

Thirdly , Consider the examples of others , who have wrought hard at this heavenly Calling . Cicero tells us , Nothing prevailes more with men then similitudes and examples ; Indeed worthy patterns are of great power . Thucydides brake forth into tears out of love to learning , upon hearing Herodotus read an history that he had written . Themistocles tells us , The statue of Miltiades would not suffer him to sleep . Alexander was much provoked to valiant acts , by reading the prowess of Achilles and Hector in Homer . Cesar was so stirred to courage by reading the conquests of Alexander in his youth . that he wept for anger that he had done nothing worthy of himself at that age . Iron put into the fire is turned into fire ; con●ider therefore the Prophets and Apostles of the Lord , how diligent they were at their duty , how hard they wrought for God .

The great Apostle was indefatigably industrious for his soul and his Saviour . Consider him in reference to his outward man , how unwearied was he at his Masters wo●k , and in reference to his inward man , how zealous , how fervent in spirit , serving the Lord ! From Jerusalem to Illyricum I have preached the Gospel . His travails are computed to be 12970. miles . He gives us when necessitated thereunto , a brief Catalogue of his actions and passions for Christ . Are they ministers of Christ ? I am more , in labours more abundant , in stripes above measure , in prisons more frequent , in deaths oft . Of the Iews five times received I forty stripes save one . Thrice was I beaten with rods , once was I stoned , thrice I suffered shipwrack , a night and a day have I been in the deep . In journyings often , in perils of water , in perils of robbers , in perils by mine own Countrymen , in perils by the Heathen , in perils in the City , in perils in the wilderness , in perils in the sea , in perils by false brethren . In weariness and painfulness in watchings often , in hunger and thirst , in fastings often , in cold and nakedness ; besides those things which are without , that which cometh upon me daily the care of all the Churches . Who is weak , and I am not weak ? who is offended , and I burn not ? 2 Cor. 11. 23. to 30.

Reader , think , thou hearest the Apostle speaking to thee , as once to the Corinthians , Be ye followers of me , as I am of Christ How did our blessed Saviour work the work of him that sent him while it was day ! He went about doing good . Godliness was his meat and drink , I have meat to eat , which ye know not of . My meat is to do the will of him that sent me , and to finish his work . He wrought so hard that he forgot to eat his bread , and was taken by his kindred to be mad . It was his sleep and rest . He went into a mountain to pray , and continued all night in prayer to God . He prayed with strong cries and groans : And being in an agony he prayed the more fervently . He was taken to be about fifty years old when he was little above thirty , so much was he worn out with labour for his God , Act. 10. 38. Ioh. 4. 34. Luk. 6. 12. Mar. 1. 34. Heb. 5. 7. Mar. 3. 20.

O Reader , let Christ be the Copy after which thou wilt write , and the pattern which thou wilt follow , and be a follower of others as they are of Christ Jesus . Did Christ work so hard for thee ? did he lose his food , and sleep , and wear out himself , that his strength was dried up like a potsherd , and his heart was melted like wax in the midst of his bowels ? and wilt not thou spend and be spent for thy Saviour ? I would say for thy own soul ; for in serving him thou servest thy self . Think of it when thou art trifling away thy time , and neglecting thy spiritual watch , and dull and dead in holy duties , how eager and earnest , how zealous and sedulous thy Lord Jesus was in working out thy salvation ; he did not play , nor dally about the work of thy redemption , but made it his business , and did what he was called to with all his heart , and soul , and strength .

CHAP. XV. The excellency of this Calling , and the Conclusion of the Treatise .

FOurthly , Consider the excellency of this Calling . As it is said of God in respect of beings ; Who is like thee O God! Among all the Gods none is to be compared to thee . So I may say of godliness in respect of Callings , What is like thee O Godliness ! amongst all callings none is comparable to thee .

1. It is the most honourable Calling . The Master that thou are bound to , is King of Kings , and Lord of Lords , the Fountain of honour , and Lord of glory ; One of whom the greatest Princes and Potentates of the world hold their Crowns and Scepters , to whom they must kneel and do their homage ; One to whom the whole creation is lesse then nothing . The work that thou art imployed in , is not servile and mean , but high and noble ; the worship of the great God , walking and conversing with his blessed Majesty , subduing brutish lusts , living above this beggarly earth , a conversation in heaven , a conflict with , and conquest over this dreggy flesh and drossy world , and powers of hell , to which the greatest battels and victories of the most valiant warriours that ever drew the sword are worse then childrens play . To conquer our passions is more then to conquer kingdomes . Th●mistocles is renowned by Cicero for telling some who disparaged him for his ignorance in playing on the Lute ; That he knew not how to play on the Lute , yet he knew how to take a City . To subdue one lust is more then to subdue a thousand Cities . Thy fellow servants are the elect of God , glorious Angels and Saints , who are higher then the Kings of the earth ; Princes in all lands , a crown of glory , a royal diadem , a chosen generation , the excellent of the earth , vessels of Gold , the Children of the most high , of whom the world is not worthy . The Priviledges of this calling and company are eminent . Adoption , remission , growth in grace , divine love , perseverance ●n holiness , an eternal kingdom , are all contained in the Charter granted to thi● Corporation . The covenant of grace , that hive of sweetness , that mine of gold , that cabinet of jewels , to which all the world is but an heap of dust , is their part and portion , and contains more in i● for their comfort , then heaven and earth is able to contain .

To serve God is one of the fairest flowers in the Saints garland of honour ; hence the Lords kinsman glorieth in being the Lords servant , and the Lords Mother calleth her self his handmaid , Iude ver . 1. Luk. 1. 38. If the meanest offices about earthly Princes are esteemed honourable , what an honour is it to wait on the King of heaven ? The Saints duty is their preferment , and that service which is commanded them a priviledge . The great Apostle boasteth of his Chain for God as his glory and credit , and holdeth it up as a mark and badge of honour : For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain , Act. 28. 20. and begins one of his Epistles with this honourary Title , Paul a prisoner of Iesus Christ , Philem. 1.

It is not earthly riches that make a man honourable ; we mistake in calling and counting rich men the best men in the Parish : Riches without godliness are but a gold ring in a swines snout , for which the brute is nothing the better . It is not aiery applause or worldly preferments that will make a man honourable . Titles are but like feathers in the hat , or glistering scarfes under the armes , which adde not the least worth to the man that wears them . A great letter makes no more to the sense of the word then a small one . Worship , Honour● Grace , Highness , Majesty , make nothing to the real intrinsick value of any person . The ungodly Monarchs of the world are but beasts in Gods account . Anti●chus Epiphanes , whose name signifieth Illustrious , whom the Samaritans stiled the Mighty God , is called by the Holy Ghost , because of his ungodliness , a vile person , Dan. 11. 21. In his days shall stand up a vile person . All honour without holiness is fading , as well as fancied rather then real . External nobility though it glister in the face of the world , is but as Seneca saith , vitrea , brittle as glass , and compounded of earth . The Potentates of the world are often like Tennis-balls , tossed up on high to fall down low ; Hence some of the wiser Heathen have called them Ludibria fortunae , the scorn of fortune . Haman honoured one day , the next day hanged . Gelimer the Puissant Prince of the Vandals , Bellisarius , Charles the fifth and Henry the fourth Emperours , and many others experienced the brittleness of worldly glory . But that honour which is from above is true and eternal . Plutarch tells us the Roman nobles , as a badge of their nobility , wore the picture of the Moon upon their shoes , signifying as their nobility did increase , so it would decrease . All priviledges , all prerogatives , all titles , all dignities without godliness , are vanishing shadows . T is the new creation that rendreth the children of Abraham like the glorious stars in heaven .

The world looks on the Saint ( possibly he is poor and mean in the world ) as the Jews lookt on Christ ; As a root out of a dry ground , and so saw no form nor comliness in him ; but they who could pierce into the inside of Christ , could see that in him dwelt thee fullness of the godhead bodily ; and they who can see into the inside of Christians , behold the Kings daughter all glorious within . As the precious stone Sandastra hath nothing in outward appearance , but that which seemeth black , b●t being broken poureth forth beams like the Sun . So the Church of Christ is outwardly black with affliction , but inwardly more bright and glorious then the Sun , with thriving vertues and celestial graces . The power of godliness in a mean Christian is a rich treasure in a mean Cabinet ; but vice in robes , in scarlet , is poison in wine , the more deadly and dangerous .

Tamberlain tomb was rifled by the Turks and his bones worn by them for Iewels , though their enemy , and one that had conquered them in divers combates , and captivated their Emperour , and carried him up and down in an Iron Cage for his foot-stool . God makes his people honourable in the eyes of the wicked : Since thou wast precious in my sight thou art honourable , and I have loved thee ; therefore will I give men for thee , and people for thy life . The sons of them that afflicted thee shall bow before thee , and thine enemies shall lick the dust , Isa. 43. 4. A wicked King Iohoram honoreth and waiteth on a Servant of God , Elisha ; Herod reverenceth the Baptist. Grace is a powerful , though silent Oratour , to perswade all that see it to love and honour it . What Diogenes spake of learning , is truly applicable to grace , or the knowledge of God in Christ ; It makes young men sober , old men happy , poor men rich , and rich men honourable .

When Agesilaus was ready to dye , he charged his friends that they should not make any picture or statue of him ; for saith he , If I have done any thing that is good , that will be my monument ; but if otherwise , all the statues you can make will not keep my name alive . The Egyptians in their funeral orations never commended any for his riches ( because they thought them the goods of fortune ) but for his righteousness and justice .

Piety is a lasting pillar , that causeth the righteous to be had in everlasting remembrance . Time shall not out-live the Saints honour ; grace renders him more illustrious then ever the Mausolean mountan did that Carian . As the hairs of Tarandrus are not to be pierced with any weapon ; so the name of a Saint cannot be hurt by all the slanders and calumnies of the wicked . They who are Sainted in Heavens Calendar , and whose names are enrolled in the Lambs book of life , are truly honourable and eternally glorious , maugre the malice of Men and Devils . The disgrace which the wicked cast on the righteous is at worst , but like the noise of some loud tongu'd gun , ceased as soon as heard ; but the honour which God and Scripture put upon the godly , is a pillar which endureth to all eternity ; such a monument as neither age , nor time , nor envy , can waste or wear out . Demetrius under all the obloq●y and contempt which his countrymen cast upon him , could comfort himself in this , that Though the Athenians demolished his statues , yet they could not extinguish his vertues , the cause of raising them .

Sin is so base and beggarly , so loathsome and shameful a thing , that not onely the children of God , but even wicked men have been unwilling to own it , and ashamed to be taxed with it , or found out at the commission of it . When Godliness is so high and honourable , so noble and excellent a Mistress , that those who deny the power of it , will take upon them the form of it ; they who hate its work , will wear its livery . There are hardly any jewels of grace , but for each of them vice hath counterfeit stones O! how noble a Mistris , how honourable a Lady is that , whom all pretend relation to , and even those that hate her would not be thought her enemies , but blush to be taxed as strangers to her .

2. It is the most comfortable and delightful Calling● Satan would represent Christians under ugly vi●zards , and Christianity frightful , to make men loath both the one and the other ; As he transforms himself the Prince of darkness , and his ways which are darkness , into an Angel of light and seeming light , so he endeavours to transform Christians , who are children of light , and their holy ways , which are paths of light , into children of darkness ; and paths of darkness . He endeavours to make men think the power of godliness Antipodes to all chearfulness , but holine●s is far from such a crabbed face , and austere countenance as he would have us fancy . No trade hath so much mirth with it and in i● ; Ioy is one essential part of this Calling , The kingdom of God consisteth not in meats and drinks , but in righteousness , and peace , and joy in the holy Ghost , Rom. 14. 17. The servants of God do not onely rejoyce in the fore-thoughts of their reward , to think of the time when their Indentures shall expire , and they shall enjoy the glorious liberty of the sons of God ; We rejoyce in hope of glory ; but also in their work , they are joyful in the house of prayer , they sing at their work : Thy statutes are my songs in the house of my pilgrimage ; nay , at the hardest and most tiresome of their work . We rejoyce in tribulation ; My brethren count it all joy ; when ye fall into divers temptations . Joy is the beam which is darted from the S●n , the stream which floweth from the fountain of godliness : It is observable that the beginning , the lest degr●e of grace causeth joy , great joy , what then will its growth and perfection do ? When Christ did but call to Zacheus he came down hastily , and received him joyfully , Luk. 19. 6. When the Eunuch was converted he went home rejoycing , Act. 8. 39. When the Samaritans had received Christ into their hearts at Phillips preaching , there was great joy in that City , Act. 8. 6 , 7 , 8. The Jaylor after his heart-quake , rejoyced , believing in God with all his house , Act. 16. 34. The joy of the Saints as it is invisible , so it is unutterable In whom believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable , and full of glory , 1 Pe● . 1. 7. For the measure of it , it s compared to the joy of harvest , to the joy of the bridegroom and bride on their Wedding day , Isa 9. 3. Hosea 2. 19.

Hence it is that Grace and Godliness are compared to , and set forth by those things which are pleasant and delightful , and bring joy with them . As Musick , the joy and delight of the ears ; a feast , the joy and delight of the taste ; to light , the joy and delight of the eyes ; life , wine , which rejoyceth the heart ; perfumes , which delight the sent ; good , the joy of the will ; truth , the joy of the understanding ; godliness hath joy proper and sutable for every sense , whether outward or inward . As the higher the Sun is the greater its light is ; so the holier , the Christian the greater his joy is . The more clear the fire burns , the more comfortable it is ; smoak fetcheth tears from our eyes . When grace burns clear , its refreshing indeed ; t is the smoak of sin that turns our houses into Bochims , places of weeping ; when good men step awry not pondering their goings , then they wrench their feet , or put their bones out of joynt , and so put themselves to much pain .

Indeed , wicked men who are ignorant of the mystery of godliness , becuase they see no sun-shine in the faces of godly men , judge it to be foul weather in their hearts ; As the Roman Souldiers , when they entered into the Sanctum Sanctorum , and saw no Images , presently reported the Jews to worship the Clouds ; but a Christians joy is as far out of wicked mens sight , to discern it as out of their power to remove it ; A stranger intermedleth not with his joy ; your hearts shall rejoyce , and your joy shall no man take from you . A wicked mans joy is most in his face ; As a Black-a-more , he is white no where but in his Teeth . Seneca compares him to a Commander in a desperate battel , who least his Souldie●s should run away , sets a good face on it , when he is inwardly terrified , and full of fear ; he is like one in an high desperate fever , having a good colour when his heart is heavy , and he is at the gate of death . The Godly mans joy is most in his heart , he is like that f●sh which hath a rough outside , but a pearl within . When there are storms without , there is musick within , peace of conscience , which passeth all understanding . A wicked man is as a book of Tragedies , bound extraordinary , gay and guilt on the out-side , but full of doleful , dreadful stories within , or as Alexander said of Antipater , he was white without , but purple within ; his face may be white and smiling , but his conscience is red and fiery . But the godly mans inside is his best side , though his full sacks of joy and delight are not opened till he comes to his Fathers house , yet the blessed Jesus gives him , as Ioseph the Patriarchs , sufficient provision for the way . The Law gave the first fruits of the earth to God ; the Gospel gives the first fruits of Heaven to men , which are both an earnest and a taste of their glorious and everlasting harvest .

All sorrow proceeds from sin ; As the shadow followeth the body , so doth grief follow guilt . Lust like rotten flesh or wood , will breed worms to gnaw in the sinners bowels ; Therefore it s no wonder that Nabal , Saul , and Belshazzar , when their lusts flew in their faces , dyed , or were ready to dye with horror . If a godly man sin wilfully , and wound his soul , it s no wonder if he feel the smart and pain of it . When David steps awry , and slips with his feet , and falls dangerously , he may well keep his bed , and water his couch , and cry out of his aches and broken bones ; yet the very sorrow of a Saint for sin against his God , hath more real joy and delight in it , then all the skin-deep pleasures of gigling Gallants . Crates could dance and laugh in his thread-bare coat , and his wallet at his back , which was all his wealth . The Saint can rejoyce in his saddest afflictions , though he seldom live in Palaces , yet he always lives in a Paradice , having ( if he be careful to keep a good conscience ) a constant youth of joy , and perpetual spring , as that place they write of under the AEquatour ; The tears of those that pray , saith Austin , are sweeter then the joys of the Theatre .

It s true , godliness doth abridge men of sinful pleasures , but it s the more pleasant for seperating it self from that which is worse then poison . Agesilaus could taste by a natural appetite , that such pleasures are more fit for Slaves then Freemen ; Averroes and the rest of the Arabian Philosophers , are ashamed of that sensual and beastly Paradise , which their Mahomet provided for them , as most unworthy the soul of man , and infinitely sho●● of true delight .

Godliness doth not deny us our natural delights , onely rectifie and regulate them , lest we should surfeit on them . It do●h not deny us drink but drunkenness , nor meat but gluttony . Nature even in things in themselves lawful , would run out unlawfully , if she were not restrained ; Grace onely keepeth the reins in its own hands , least that skit●ish Colt should through its wantonness break its own n●ck . It is as the Pale to the Garden , to preserve the flowers in it from Beasts , or as an hedge to a Field , to keep what is in it within bounds . As Leonidas the Captain , perceiving that his Souldiers left their Watch on the City Walls , for the Ale-houses , commanded that the Ale-houses should be removed to the City walls , that they might both enjoy their pleasure , and discharge their duties together . Godliness alloweth men the comfort of their Relations , and Possessions , only it so limiteth our delight in them , that we may not by them be hindered from working the work of God , and minding our eternal salvations .

Godliness brings more noble and excellent pleasures . Others are puddle-water , those pleasures which godliness giveth , are pure and clear streams , such as flow from God himself ; There is more sweetness in one drop of the Fountain , then in all the waters of the Sea ; There is more joy , more comfort , in a little communion with God , then in the greatest confluence of creature-enjoyments . Conf. l. 9. c. 1. Austin saith , How sweet was it to me on a sudden to be without these sweet vanities ; thou Lord who art the true sweetness , didst take them frem me and enter in thy self , who art more pleasant then all pleasure , and more clear then all light . The world , as they say of Fairies , deprives of true children and puts changelings in their room ; deprives men of true substantial joy , and gives them shadows in the room ; but godliness on the contrary , deprives oft painted poisons , and gives them wholsome and real pleasures . All the comforts of this world to a person void of grace , are but as a sack of perfumes , and medicines , and cordial drugs to the back of a galled horse , which may vex and inrage his sores with their weight , but do not ease or abate his pain with their vertue . A Saints life , notwithstanding his greatest sufferings , whilst it is blessed with the smiles of his father , is an heaven upon earth ; but the sinners life , notwithstanding his honours , and pleasures , and riches , and relations , whilst under the wrath of an infinite God , and anguisht with the gripings of a guilty conscience , is little less then an earnest and taste of hell . Grace is sugar to sweeten all our crosses , and sin is vinagar to sower all our comforts . The iron seems to embrace the load-stone with great delight , and to be rapt with an amorous extasie . So as Thales thought it animal , and yet that motion is void of the least sense of pleasure . The wicked man seems by his smiling face and gigling countenance , to be the onely merry man , when he is as far from true pleasure as from true piety . The least Bee finds more delight in making and tasting a little honey , then the great Sun and all his glorious attendants in their high and perputual courses . The meanest Christian hath more comfort in making sure his salvation , and tasting the sweetness of his Saviour ; then the Kings of the earth , and their Courtiers , in their abundance of all earthly comforts .

The Wi●e man tells us concerning the ways of wisdom , wherein a Christians daily walk is ; Her ways are ways of pleasantness , and all her paths are peace , Pro. 3. 17. And the Saints find them so by experience . The word of God , which is the rule of their work , is sweeter to them then the honey and the honey comb , and they delight to do the will of God . The sinners life is an uncomfortable life , be●ide those inward gripes and horror , which sin causeth in the conscience at present , and its end the sting in the tail , which is the eternal fire ; there is trouble , and fear , and shame , and vexation in the very act or commission of many sins . To forgive an injury , which is one peice of Christianity , is pleasant and delightful ; but to revenge an affront , what heats and colds , what passions and perturbations doth it cause ? To love our neighbours , and wish their wellfare , is a sweet thing , a reward in it self , it hath meat in its mouth ; but to envy my neighbour , because he is richer , or more honourable , or hath larger gifts , and more friends then my self , is as rottenness to the bones , it wasteth and consumeth the inward parts , as rust eateth out iron , according to Solomons phrases . A Contented man hath an heaven upon earth , all the year with him is spring-time or summer , like a child he takes no carking care for food , or raiment , or house●rent , but minds his duty , and leaves all to his father who knoweth what he hath need of : But the Cov●tous , who like the barren womb , hath never enongh , pines with fear of want , & can neither eat , nor drink , nor sleep quietly , lest he should lose what he hath , or not have sufficient to hold out ; nay , he will not allow himself convenient food or raiment , though he have never so much ; but like a beast feeds on thistles , when he hath all sorts of provision upon his back . Temperance hath health , and strength with it , and thereby renders the other comforts of this life savoury and comfortable ; so also Chastity . But ●luttony , and Drunkenness , and Whoredom ; bring weakness and sickness on mens bodies , and imbitter all other blessings , besides the fear of being discovered , to the shame and disgrace of the Authors , which tormenteth not a little . There is comfort in dealing honestly and righteously , but if a man will cheat , and cozen , and filtch , and steal ; no wonder , if he tire his head with plots and projects ●o carry it on cunningly , and secretly , and terrifie his heart with apprehention that it will be known , and then he shall be branded for a knave , or suffer the penalty of law in a more severe degree .

The sinner is hurried hither and thither by his opposite Lords , and contrary lusts ; and torn piecemeal by them , as a man by beasts , which draw the parts of his body contrary ways . The Commands of sin are harsh and heavy : No Tyrant ever put his subjects upon more crabbed , painful work ; But the Commandments of God are not grievous , 1 Joh. 4. 3. Sin is s●avery , and its servants , worse then those that row in Turkish Gallies ; but Gods law , is a law of liberty , and they walk at liberty who seek his precepts . The ways of sinners are called crooked ways , rugged ways , which are unpleasant to travail in ; but the ways of God are called strait ways , plain paths , which are delightful to passengers . I am confident the true Christian hath more true pleasure in suffering for Christ , or one act of mortification , or victory over one lust , then the highest earthly Potentate hath in his largest dominions , in the multitude of his subjects , in the richness of his kingdoms , and in all the honour that is done him , or good things enjoyed by him all his days .

3. It is the most profitable Calling . Reader , this argument is Achilleum , or instar omnium , the strongest argument , and instead of all ; with most men gain is the great God of this world , that commandeth all their heads , and hearts , and hands ; to whom they bow down the knees both of their bodies and souls . The theif & murderer are quickened by this to their hellish trade ; Come let us lay wait for blood , let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause . We shall find all precious substance , we shall fill our houses with spoil , Prov. 1. 9 , 10. The Sechemites upon this ground , will endure the pain of Circumcision , and throw up their former religion ; Shall not their beasts , and their cattel , and their substance be ours ? The Soul - for this , will scale the Walls , and leap upon the Pikes , and run upon the Mouth of the Cannon . The Husband-man for this , will rise early , go to bed late , eat the bread of carefullness , toyl and moyl all day , and make a drudge , a slave , a pack-horse of himself all the year . The Merchant for this , will plough the Ocean , dance upon the surging billows , suffer many dangers and deaths through his whole voyage . The Shop-keeper for this , will croud into any hole of the City , break his sleep , waste his health , run about hither and thither , early and late . Gehezi , Achan , Iudas , Balaam for this , will venture their bodies , their souls , any things , all things . Profit is such a bait , that all will bite at . The Devil , that Arch Politician , who hath had so many thousand years experience ; besides , his extraordinary natural knowledge , could not judge any Topicks more likely then this to take with our blessed Saviour . All these things will I give thee , if thou wilt fall down and worship me . The gods themselves were said by the Athenians to be corrupted with Philips gold , that their Oracles still were in favour of him . Money is the absolute Monarch , which can put men upon the most dangerous defignes : Therefore Cassius ( surnamed the Severe ) one of the wisest of the Roman Judges , in all doubtful Causes that came before him , would demand , Cui bono , Who gained , or had the profit ? well knowing that that is the bias which turneth men aside to wrong others ; and the heady , wanton horse , which breaks through the fence to trespass upon neighbours .

Now Reader , If profit will prevail with thee , Godliness with contentment is great gain . All the gold of the world is dross , all the diamonds of the world are dirt , all the gaines of the world are loss to this gain of Godliness . Egypt watered by Nilus hath four rich harvests , say some , in less then four months . Solinus saith , the Egyptian fig tree beareth fruit seven times in a year : Godliness brings forth 30 , 60. , 100. fold increase ; It giveth an hundreth fold in this world , and in the world to come life everlasting . After ye had your fruits unto holiness , in the end everlasting life , Mat. 19. 29. Rom. 6. 22. Did the sinner but believe Scripture , that speaks the infinite reward of holiness , he would quickly set up this trade , Pinder the Poet saith , in regard of the fertility of Rhodia , and the wealth of the inhabitants , that it rained gold in that country ; The fruit of wisdom is better then silver , and the gain thereof then fine gold . She is more precious then Rubies , and all thou canst desire is not to be compared to her , Prov. 3. 14 , 15.

Lucian fancieth all the Heathen gods and goddesses sitting in Parliament , and each making choice of that tree which best pleased them . Iupiter chose the Oak for its strength , Apollo the Baytree for its greeness ; Neptune chose the Poplar for its length ; Iuno chose the Eglantine for its sweetness ; Venus chose the Myrtle-tree for its beauty ; Minerva sitting by , demanded of her Father Iupiter , why since there were so many fruitful trees , they all had chosen barren ones . He answered , Ne videan●ur fructu honorem vendere , Lest they should seem to sell honour for fruit ; Minerva replied , Well , Do what you please , I for my part make choice of the Olive for its fatness and fruitfulness . They all commended her choice and were ashamed of their own Folly . This fiction doth fitly represent the foolishness of men at this day in chusing the honours and preferments , and glory of the world , which are barren and unfruitful things of no w●rth in the other world , before that honour which is from God , and the eternal weight of glory , and also the convictions of their consciences another day , which will force them to be ashamed of their own folly , and to commend the choice of a Christian for preferring grace and godliness , which will stand him in stead in an hour of death , and day of judgment , and bring him in unspeakable gain , before the aery honours and withering vanities of this life .

Reader , If thou wilt give conscience free liberty to speak its mind ? I know it will tell thee , that no calling is comparable to this for profit .

The gain of Godliness is real gain , rich gain , certain gain , eternal gain .

1. It s real , if the word of truth may be trusted , its fruit is therefore called substance , in distinction from earthly riches , which are shadows . I will cause them that love me to inherit substance .

2. It s called also true riches , other riches are fained ; hence also godly men are said to be rich towards god , and other men to be rich in this world . It s rich gain , as it hath relation to the best part , it makes the soul of man truly precious , as it is serviceable to our last end , and prepareth man for the fruition of God , and also as its reward is unconceivable . The vessels of mercy shall swim in an Ocean of glory . Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard nor can the heart of man conceive what God hath layd up for them that love him , 1 Cor. 2. It s reward is beyond all expression , above all apprehensions , no comparison can fully resemble it , no understanding conceive it .

3. It s eternal gain ; Other gains are fading , deceitful brooks , dying flowers , withering goards , and vanishing shadows ; Riches are not for ever , Pro. 29 Man in honour abideth not , Psa. 49.2 . The pleasures of sin are but for a season , Heb. 11. 25. But this gain is for ever . The fear of the Lord is clean , enduring for ever , both in the nature of it , t is incorruptible seed , and in the fruit of it , which is the gift of God , eternal life . Though other trades shall all fail , as useful onely in this needy World ; though other callings shall vanish , and time it self shall be no more , yet this trade , this calling , shall r●n parallel with the life of an immortal soul ; though gold be a corruptible mettal , the gain of this calling is better then much fine gold ; it s an inheritance , undefiled , incorruptible . Our work , whether in doing or suffering the Will of God , is but for a moment , but it works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . O what an happy good , what an excellent gain , is that which is eternal ! Mary hath chosen the good part , which shall never be taken from her . When thy Lands and Houses shall be taken from thee , thy place and dwelling shall know thee no more ; when thy Friends and Relations shall be taken from thee ; Son of Man , behold I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke ; when all the comforts of this life shall serve thee as vermine and lice do a dead man ; though they stick close to him in his life , run from him at death ; this Calling will stand by thee , encourage thee , never leave thee nor forsake thee . In other things thou chosest for that which is most lasting . If thou buyest an house , or beast , or suit of apparel , thou art desirous to have that which is most durable and strong . O why shouldst thou not chose that good which is everlasting ! When Demetrius had taken Megara , and his Souldiers plundered the City , he fearing the Philosopher Stilpo might receive some loss , sent for him , and asked him whether any of his men had taken any thing of his ; Stilpo answered , No , for I saw no man that took my learning from me . Godliness is such Wealth , such Learning , as will abide with thee in general plunder ; indeed neither men nor Devils can rob thee of it .

4. It s certain gain . He that sets up of this trade , may be trusted ; for none ever brake of this calling . God himself , whose is the earth , and the fulness thereof , is bound for them , and hath undertaken for their perseverance , and growth , and gains . The Merchant that trades into the other world , is not properly a Merchant-venturer ; for the Gospel , which is the Ensurance Office , hath engaged infinite power , and love , and faithfulness , for the security and safe return of all the Vessels which he sends forth ; The Promises are all yea and amen , the sure mercies of David ; The Covenant of grace , which containeth all their gains and riches , is stable in all things , and sure , 2 Cor. 1. 20. Isa. 55. 6. 2 Sam. 23. 5.

If there were a free trade proclaimed to the Indies , and every man that went , promised as much gold as he would desire , and a certainty of making a good voyage , who almost would stay at home ? what crowding would there be to Port-Towns ? and what hast to take shipping .

Reader , Though God will not suffer this to be , in reference to earthly treasures , knowing out of his infinite wisdom how hurtful they would be to immortal souls ; yet he offereth thee all this and infinitely more , in calling upon thee to mind godliness ; He saith to thee , as Ioseph to his brethren , Gen 45. 18. Come unto me , and I will give you the good of the Land of Egypt , and ye shall eat the fat of the Land ; Come unto me and I will give you the good of Canaan , and ye shall eat the pleasant fruits of that Land flowing with Milk and Honey .

O Reader , didst thou know the worth of this jewel , thou wouldst trample upon all the wealth of this World as dung , in comparison of it . Little dost thou think or imagine the advantage , the vertues of this Diamond ; It is the true Loadstone that draweth all good to it . Luther saith of one Psalm , This Psalm hath done more for me , then all the Potentates of the World ; I may say to thee , This calling will feed thee with bread that came down from Heaven , and cloath thee with fine linnen , the robes of Gods own righteousness ; t will protect thee and maintain thee , t will advance and honour thee , t will inrich and ennoble thee in life , refresh and rejoyce thee in death , crown and reward thee after death , do more for thee then all the Princes or Potentates , Relations or Pos●Possessions , Persons or Comforts upon Earth can do .

In thy prosperity and enjoyment of outward good things , godliness would like Sugar and Spice , correct their windiness , and make them wholsom and profitable to thee . It would like Elisha's Meal and Salt , make thy Meat sweet and savoury , and thy drink pleasant and refreshing to thee . It would make thy bed soft and easie , thy garments warm and sweet sented . T will so far abate thy appetite to this luscious food , that thou shouldst not feed immoderately to the surfeiting thy soul.

As the fiery bush which Moses saw in the Mount Horeb , though it was in a flaming fire , did not consume ; Or as the shining worm , that being cast into the fire , doth not waste , but is thereby p●rged from its filth , and made more beautiful then all the water in the world could make it ; So Affliction should not ruine , but reform and purifie thee ; In the greatest danger , this will be thy defence . Though others like the old world , Dares Phryg . de bello Trojan● . are drowned , are destroyed in these waters , yet thou shouldst ride safely in a well pitcht Ark , and to free thee from any fear of miscarrying , the Lord himself would shut thee in . When others are in the open air , on whom storms and tempests have their full force , thou shouldst be housed in Gods presence-chamber , and kept secret by his side . As Gideons fleece , thou shouldst be dry , when all about thee are wet . The whale of destruction may digest thousands of Mariners , but one godly Ionah is too hard for him . The torrent of fire that ran from . AEtna , and consumed the Country , yet parted it self to safeguard them that releived their aged parents . When the Grecians had taken Troy , and given every man liberty to carry out his burden , they were so taken with the devotion of AEneas , in carrying out first his houshold gods , and ( upon a second licence ) his old Father Anchises , and his Son Ascanius , instead of treasures , which others carried out , that they permitted him to carry what he would without any disturbance . Ieremiah in the Babylonish captivity , was tendered and regarded highly by the King of Babylon ; When Sodom was destroyed , Lot was preserved . It was storied of Troy , that so long as the Image of Pallas stood safe in it , that City should never be won . It is true of godliness ; so long as the fear and love of thy God are within thee , so long as thou makest religion thy business , nothing shall hurt thee , every thing shall help thee ; godliness will bring in all gain , and at all times ; No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly . A Child of God by adoption , is in some sense like the Son of God by eternal generation , heir of all things , 1 Cor. 3.30 , 31. Whether Paul , or Apollo , or Cephas , or Life , or Death , or things present , or things to come , all is yours , and ye are Christ's , and Christ is God's . Nay , the Christians riches are not onely unsearchable , Ephes. 3. 8. but also durable , Prov. 8. 15. When a wicked man dieth , all his riches dye with him . His treasue is laid up on earth , therefore when he leaves the earth , he leaves his treasure , Psa. 49. 17. When a godly man dyeth , his riches follow him , Rev. 14. 13. His treasure is in heaven , and so when he dyeth he goeth to his gains .

O Reader , what an argument is here , to provoke thee to piety , godliness is profitable in all conditions , in all relations , in both worlds ! In prosperity , t will be a sun to direct thee , in adversity a shield to protect thee ; in life t will be thy comfort , and which is infinitely more in death , that hour of need 't will be thy enlivening cordial ; The smell of Trefoil , is stronger in a cloudy dark season , then in fair weather . The refreshing savour of the sweet spices of grace , is strongest in the Saints greatest necessities .

When Death , the King of terrors , comes to enter the list , and fight with thee for thy soul and eternal salvation , for thy God , and Christ , and Heaven , and happiness , when all thy Riches , and Honours , and Friends , and Relations , would leave thee in the lurch , to shift for thy self , as Dogs leave their Master when he comes to the water ; Godliness would be thy shield to secure thee against its shot , and make thee more then a conquerour over it . Thou mightest call thy dying bed , as Iacob the place through which he travailed , Mahanaim , a Camp , for there Angels would meet thee to convey thee safe through the Air , the enemies country ( of which Satan is Lord and Prince ) to thy Fathers houses , where thou shouldst be infinitely blessed in the vision and fruition of thy God and Saviour for ever . Godliness would be the Pilot to steer the vessel of thy soul aright through those boysterous waters , to an happy port . The Arabick Fable mentions one that carried an Hog , a Goat , and a Sheep to the City ; the Hog roared hideously , when the other two were still and quiet , and being asked the reason , gave this account of her crying , The Sheep and Goat have no such cause to complain , for they are carried to the City for their Milk , but I am carried thither to be killed , being good for nothing else . The Ungodly person may well cry out sadly , when sickness comes , for then guilt flyeth in his face , and conscience tells him , death will kill him , he is good for nothing but to be killed with death , Rev. 2.25 . he never honoured God in this world , and God will force honour out of him in the other world . He may well screech out dreadfully at the approach of death , whose body death sends to the grave , and his souls to intolerable and unquenchable flames , but the godly man may bid death welcom , knowing it will be his exceeding gain and advantage .

Reader , When others like the Israelites are afraid and start back at the sight of this Goliah , thou mightest like little David , encounter him in the name of the Lord and overcome him . Thou mightest triumphantly sing in the ears of death ; O death , where is thy sting ! O grave , where is thy victory ! The Lord of life would sweeten death to thee , and subdue it for thee ; nay , make it at peace with thee , that thou mightest say to death , as Iacob to Esau , I have seen thy face , as if it had been the face of God , who hath made thee to meet me with smiles instead of frowns . Death would help thee to that sight , to that knowledge , to that state and degree of holiness , for which thou hast prayed , and wept , and fasted , and watched , and laboured , and waited many a day ; as it s said of Iob , there was none like him in the earth ; so I may say of this calling , there is none like it upon the face of the earth ; the very enemies of it in their hours of extremity being judges . Ah who would not work for God with the greatest diligence , and walk with God in the exactest obedience , and wait upon God with the greatest patience ; when he is assured , that in the doing of his commands there is such great reward ; and those that sow to the spirit , shall of the spirit reap life everlasting !

The Conclusion .

Reader , I have now ended this Treatise , but whether thou ( if a stranger to this calling ) wilt put an end to thy carnal fleshly ways , and begin this high and heavenly work or no , I know not . If thou art ambitious , thou hast here encouragement sufficient ; godliness will ennoble thee , and render thy blood not only honourable , but royal . If thou art voluptuous , here is a bait which may take thee ; godliness will bring thee to a river of pleasures , to such dainties and delights as take the hearts of perfect and glorious Angels . If thou art covetous , here is a golden weight to turn the scales of thy desires and endeavours ; godliness is profitable unto all things , it hath the promise of this life , and of that which is to come ; when thy house , and lands , and honours , and neighbours , and wife , and children , and flesh , and heart faile thee and forsake thee ; godliness would say to thee , ( and stand to it also ) as Peter●o ●o Christ ; though all forsake thee , yet will not I. W●en the worlds Trinity , Credit , Profit , and Pleasure serve their lovers and worshippers as Rats and Mice do an house , leave it when it is on fire , flye from them in their need and extremity ; godliness would stick to thee as close , as fast as Ruth to Naomi ; where thou goest it would go , where thou lodgest it would lodge ; nay , it would follow thee into the other world , and abide with thee , a cordial , a comfort for ever ; It would give thee cause to say to it , as she to her daughter in law , thou hast shewed more kindness to me at the latter end then at the beginning .

What canst thou have to object against godliness , that sets thee at such a distance from it ? Wilt thou believe a lying world , a deceitful flesh , a destroying Devil , or the God of truth ? Who is thy greatest enemy , God or they ? Who will do thee most good , God or they ? If thou wilt be tryed by the confessions of the greatest enemies that godliness hath , even they in their hours of extremity , will tell thee grace is of infinite worth ; godliness is the best of all . Ah how happy had we been at this hour , had we been as faithful servants to Religion , as we have been slaves to foolish lusts and pleasures !

If Reason may be heard , thou wilt not defer one moment the entering thy name in this society , and binding thy self Apprentice to thy Saviour ; thou mayst see plainly that it is thine interest as well as thy duty ; and all thy happiness for this and the other world dependeth on it . If Scripture may be heard , thou wilt quickly set about thy general calling , and make Religion thy business ; it calleth loudly to thee , to turn thy back upon earth , and face about for heaven ; to forsake the flesh , before the flesh forsake thee . It telleth thee plainly under the hand of thy Maker ; that if thou livest after the flesh , and sowest to the flesh , thou shalt dye eternally . If the Conscience within thee may be heard , thou wilt presently give a bill of divorce to thy carnal bruish delights , and strike an hearty Covenant wit Jesus Christ ; It often warneth thee of thy duty and danger , and terrifieth thee with the foretho●ghts of that fire and fury which thou art hastening to ●eel . If thy friends and relations , who have any sense of a jealous God , and eternal estate may be heard ; then thou wilt immediately hearken to the counsel I commend to thee from God , and exercise thy self unto godliness . They advise , and perswade , and intreat thee to turn over a new leaf , and lead a new life , and to mind in thy day the things of thy peace . If the God upon whom thou livest , by whom thou movest , from whom thou hast thy being , may be heard , thou wilt now wink on the world , crucifie the flesh , loath thy self for thy filth and folly , and devote thy heart and soul to his fear . He commandeth thee by his dominion over thee , and thy obligations to him ; he threatneth , promiseth , affrighteth , allureth , and all to make thee mind thy allegiance to him , and the work he hath given thee to do in this world . If thy Saviour , who humbled himself for thy sake , and took upon him the form of a servant , and in thy nature was buffeted , scourged and crucified , may be heard , then thou wilt immedately take the counsel that is given thee , and turn to the Lord with all thy heart , and loath thy self for all thine abominations . He pleads with thee most pathetically , presenteth to thee the stripes and wounds which sin caused in his blessed body ; the blood which he shed , the ignominy he endured , the agony , the death he suffered , and all to satisfie for sin , to make himself Lord both of the dead and living ; he tells thee , he gave himself for thee to redeem thee from all iniquity ; and to purifie thee to himself a peculiar child zealous of good works . If the daily , and nightly , and hourly mercies that thou injoyest ; if the sickness , or pain , or loss , or disgrace , or afflictions which sometimes thou sufferest , may be heard , there would not be so much ado to perswade a wretched creature to be blessed , and an ungodly person to be holy and happy . If the inanimate and irrational creatures , the earth beneath thee , the heavens above thee , the beasts and birds about thee might be heard ; thou wouldst whilst it s called to day , now after so long a time attend to the call and command of him , in whose hand is thy life and breath ; and follow after holiness , without which thou shalt never see the Lord . Shall a Centurions servant go , when he bids him go , and come when he bids him come ? and wilt not thou go and come at the voice of God ? Did Balaams Ass speak at Gods command , and reprove the madness of the Prophet ? Did Ravens at Gods command feed Élijah ? Did Cater-pillars , and Locusts , and Frogs , and Lice execute Gods judgements upon Pharaoh ? Do fire , and hail , and snow , and vapours , and stormy winds fulfil his word ? Doth the earth open , the rocks rend , the stars fight in their courses , waters stand up in heaps as a wall , the Moon stand still , the Sun go backward , wildernesses tremble , things cross the course of nature to obey , his pleasure , and wilt not thou obey him ? O man , bethink thy self ! wilt thou be worse then these irrational and inanimate creatures ? are not thy engagements to God infinitely above theirs ? what wilt thou have to say for thy self , when every stone in the street , as well as star in the heavens ; when every bi●d , and beast , and fowl will condemn thee ? O where wilt thou appear !

I must tell thee that a perillous time , a day of extremity , an hour of trouble and anguish is hastning upon thee ; which thou canst no more escape or avoid , then thou canst flye from thy self ; when the pleasures , and delights , and honey , and beautiful countenances of those Scorpions , thy fleshly lusts will all be past and gone , but the sting remain to pierce and torment thee , when those dreggy waters in which thou bathest thy self now will all be dried up ; when all thy possessions , and preferments , and friends , and relations will serve thee , as women their flowers when they are dead and withered , who throw them away ; or as sinking floores that will fail men when their weight is on them . And then , O then what wilt thou do ? Thou wilt wish that religion had been thy business , and call , and cry to it as the Elders of Gilead to Iephthah , when the children of Ammon made war with them . Come thou and be our Captain , and save us from our enemies . Come thou and be my Captain , to save me from the curse of the law , the terrors of my guilty conscience , the wrath of the Infinite God , and the torments of the eternal fire . But godliness will answer thee as Iephthah did them ; Did not ye hate me , and expell me out of my Fathers house ? & why are ye come unto me now ye are in distress ? Didst not thou hate me , and expell me out of thy heart and house ? didst thou not deride , and jeer , and persecute me , against all the commands , and threatnings , and promises , and intreaties of God , and his word ? and why art thou come to me now thou art in distress ? I must tell thee , thou wilt then weep , and howl , and lament to God , as the Israelites did in their extremity , Deliver us only we pray thee this day . Lord help me , Lord save me , Deliver me this day from the jaws of the roaring Lion ; Lord , let not hell shut her mouth upon me . Who can dwell in everlasting burnings ? who can abide devouring flames ? But thou mayst expect the same answer which God gave them , Go and cry to the gods which ye have chosen , let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation . Go to the flesh , and the world ; Go to thy riches , and honours , and sinful delights , which thou hast chosen and preferred before me , and let them deliver thee in this time of thy tribulation . Where are those gods , the rocks in which thou trustedst ? Let them rise up , and help thee , and be thy protection , Iudg. 11. 6 , 7. Iudg. 10. 15 , 32. Deut. 37. 38.

A Saint can sing in such a day of trial , knowing that death is come to him as the Angel to Peter , striking on his side , not to hurt but to awaken him , to beat off his fetters , and set him in the glorious liberty of the children of God .

The Saint and the Sinner never differ so much , at least in open view , as in their ends . Sin in the bud is sweet , but in the fruit bitter ; and holiness though at first draught seems not so pleasant , yet afterwards is all sweetness .

Though the path of sin be smooth , and pleasing to thy flesh ; yet thou wilt find it slippery , and killing to thy spirit : It s like an evening star to usher in a night of blackness , of darkness for ever . The way of holiness is more harsh to the body , but the onely Nectar of the soul ; Ah Reader , if thou wilt but choose it , thou wilt find by experience , that t will be like Hannibal's passage over the Alpes , a way which will require some pains , but t will lead thee into the heavenly Paradise , at that did him into the worlds garden , Italy .

Reader , Let me therefore bespeak thee , or rather God himself . Thus saith the Lord of Hosts , Turn unto me saith the Lord of Hosts , and I will turn unto thee , saith Lord of Hosts , Zach. 1. 3. After all thy neglect and contempt of God and his word , after all thy wandrings and wickedness , thou hast one call more to turn and live ; In which thy Maker doth three times pawn and interpose the authority of his name to confirm his word . The Lord of Hosts , three times he doth as it were bring his Angels , his Hosts with him , in this precept and promise ( as once to Sinai at the delivery of the law . ) 1. As witnesses of his truth . 2. As avengers of him on them that despise his call . 3. As rejoycers for those that turn unto him . O friend , Consider it , that God who might have turned thee into hell , commandeth thee now after all thy folly and lewdness to turn to him ; yea , he promiseth that if thou dost come at his call , he will meet thee half way , and turn unto thee . It is not for his own sake that he is so earnest with thee , for he can be happy without thee ; he hath no addition by thy salvation , he suffereth no diminution by thy damnation ; but he calleth on thee for thy good , that thou mightst be happy in his favour . It was the saying of Antigona that she ought to please them with whom she hoped to remain for ever . Ah doth it not concern thee to please that God upon whom tho● dependest for thy eternal weal or wo ?

When Antiochus was in Egypt in armes against the Romans , they sent P. Popilius with other Ambassadours to him ; where when he had welcomed them , Iustin Lib. 34. P. Popilius delivered some writings to him containing the mind of his Masters ; which he he commanded Antiochus to read , which he did . Ios. Lib. 12. Cap. 5. Then he consulted with his friends , what was best to be done in the business . Whilst he was in a great study , P. Popilius , with a wand that he had in his hand , made a circle about him in the dust , saying , Ere thou stir a foot out of this circle , return thy answer , that I may tell the Senate whether thou hadst rather have war or peace . This he uttered with such a firm countenance , that it amazed the King ; wherefore after he had paused a while , he answered , I will do what the Senate hath written , or shall think fit .

Reader , I shall onely allude to it and conclude . Thou art if in thy natural estate , a rebel against God ; thy heart is full of enmity , and thy life of treason against his blessed Majesty ; thou art daily discharging whole vollies of shot against him ; he hath sent me as his Embassadour to offer thee terms of peace , and to require thee in his name to throw down thine armes , and to submit to his mercy . I know , thou art ready to consult with thy seeming friends , but real enemies , the world and the flesh , what thou wert best to do in this case ; but whilst thou art thus musing , I charge , and command thee in the name of God , and by his authority who sent me to thee , that before thou closest the book , thou returne to thy Maker in thy conscience thine answer , whether thou hadst rather have peace with him , whose wrath is infininety worse then death , and whose favour is better then life , or war ? If considering the excellency , necessity , and profit of godliness , thou sayst , I will through the help of Christ do all that the Lord hath written , or thinketh fit to be done , in order to my recovery out of this estate of woe and misery ; I shall inform thee that God is ready to receive thee , the Spirit to assist thee , thy Saviour to embrace thee , the rich and precious promises of the Gospel , containing pardon , love , peace , eternal life , are all ready to welcome thee : But if thou deniest thy God , thy real , able , and faithful friend , and wilt gratifie thy profest , though politick enemy the Devil , so much as to continue in thine ungodly courses , I must assure thee , that Phrygan like , thou wilt repent when it is too late ; and be taught by woful experience , that it had been far better to have hearkened to the Counsels and Commands of God ; that with prudent Prometheus thou mightst have forseen a danger , and shund it ; then to walk on in the broad way to hell , with foolish Epimetheus without any consideration till thou art unconceivably and irrecoverably miserable , and plunged in that lake , and amidst those dreadful torments , of which there is no

FINIS .

AN Alphabetical Table OF THE Chief Heads contained in the foregoing Treatise . A CHristians should Admonish one another . 285 How . ibid. Afflictions tend to a Christians advantage . 814,815 Anger resteth in the bosome of fools . 44,45 B Backbiting to be avoided . 271 The great danger and evil of it . 272 , to 275 A Backbiter wounds three wi●h one arrow . 274 Christians must bear with one another . 288 A threefold burthen Christians must bear for each other . 289 Their Civil , Spiritual and Natural burthens . ibid. The Beasts of the field may teach men . 453 Beasts teach man six lessons ; Thankefulness to God ; Dependance on God ; The dread of God ; Diligence in our callings ; Innocency ; Wisdom . 453 , 454 Birds of the Air teach man eight Lessons● 454 , to 457 Christians must use a conscience in buying . 17 C CHristians should be diligent in their particular Callings . 511 Christians must avoid censuring . 266 The great evil of censuring . 267 How to apply our selves to civil men in sickness . 577 Saints must be careful in the choice of their Companions . 90 , 133 The benefit of Company . 86 , 87 , to 90 , 138 , 139 The great danger of evil Company to draw men to sin . 9● , to 95. 133 , to 135 to draw men to suffering . 95 , to 99 , 136 The Great advantage of good Company . 98 , to 101. 241 , to 247 A mans Company will discover him . 101 , 102 , 139 Christians should Company with them that are godly . 109,110,140,141 because they are godly . 116,117 Whether a Christian may not be more intimate with some godly Companions then others . 119 Two Cautions about it . 120,121 Christians should endeavour the spiritual good of their Companions . 121 , to 125,182 Saints may sometimes use , but should not chuse the Company of sinners . 109,110 Objections against it answered . 124 , to 128 Evil Company infectio●s● 156 , 157 Saints may be the better for evil Company when they are called to it . 158 , 159 , 177 Wherein . 179 , to 182 Christians must guard their souls in evil Company . 160,161 not needlesly expose themselves to sufferings . 167 Saints must not disown Christ in any Company . 172 , to 175 Saints should endeavour the Conversion of sinners . 182 , 183 How . 183 , to 189 By good Company pious souls have been confirmed . 245 Erring Saints recovered . ibid. Dull Christians quickened . 246 Much sin prevented . 248 Christians must watch themselves in good Company . ●62 What sins Saints are most prone to in good Company . 263 The Communion of Saints the most excellent Communion . 236 , 250 , 257 Wherein the Communion of Saints consisteth . 275 In a mutual communication of their gifts and graces . ibid. In joyning in the Ordinances of God . ibid. In serviceableness each to other . 276 Wherein . 280 , to 287 A Contented spirit a great help to godliness● 809 Nine Arguments to Contentedness in the most afflicted condition . 813 Christians should receive Counsel . 301 Penitent Christians should be comforted . 283 It s a duty to be courteous . 39 Courtesie is an ornament to Christianity . 40,41 D EVery day to be begun with duty . 496 Arguments to it . ib. to 499 Christians should exercise themselves to godliness , in their dealings with all men . 5 It s a sign of hypocrisie to be careless in dealings with men . 7 , to 10 The credit of Religion is much engaged in our Dealings with others . 11 , to 14 In our dealings with others we must be righteous . 15 Courteous . 39 Meek . 42 The Principle of a Christian in his dealings , must be gracious . 51 , 52 The end of a Christian in his dealings must be minded . 53 , 54 A daily performance of holy duties to be minded . 756 The necessity and benefit of daily duties . 757 , to 760 Christians should exercise themselves to Godliness on a dying bed . 611,612 What it is to dye in the Lord . 612 Three things in it . ib. In what respects Christ was obedient to the death . 6●5 Death is a serious thing . 619 Death will try men . 620 At death man is stated for eternity . 622 Satan is busie to assault at death . ib. 623 A death bed is a special season to honour God . 624 It s the last opportunity . 627 How Christians should honour God on a dying bed . 628 In commending God and godliness to others . 629 In commending our selves to God . 633 In praying for our Relations , the Church , our Benefactours , and our Enemies . 634 , to 637 In exercising grace on a dying bed . 637 What graces Saints should especially exercise on a dying bed , Faith , Courage , Repentance , Charity , Patience . 637 , to 647 Our whole life should be a preparation for Death . 633 , 634 In what respects , or how a Saint may dye with comfort . 658 , to 662 Meditation of death a special help to holiness . 745 , to 753 The great mischif of discontent . 811 , 812 E CHristians must spiritualize earthly things . 372,373 Several examples hereof . 374 , to 380 The earth teacheth man four lessons . 457 Earthly things , unsutable , unsatisfying , vexatious , deceitful , and uncertain . 828 , to 840 Ejaculations profitable . 435 Christians must look to their ends in their actions . 53 , 54 Frequent Examination of our selves and our ways a duty . 523 , 786 The great advantage thereof . 524 , to 727.781 , to 786 Examples helpful to encourage us heaven-ward . 841 F FAith necessary if we would exercise our selves unto godliness . 706 The excellency of Faith . 707 Faith destroyeth sin . 708 Overcometh the world . 712 Faith overcometh the affrightments of the World . 713 , 714 Faith overcometh the allurements of the world . 716 , 717 Faith enableth to overcome Satan . 720 the flesh . 722 Faith deriveth grace from Christ . 724 Faith sets all other graces at work . 725 Faith makes Ordinances profitable . 727 Nine Questions to them that neglect Family duties . 508 , to 511 Fear , sinful when . 179 There can be no true Friendship betwixt a godly and a wicked man . 105 , to 108 Who is thy best friend . 303 , 345 G SEtting God always before our eyes , a great help to godliness . 729 , to 737 The knowledge of God a great help to holiness . 801 , to 809 Gods Omniscience . 493 , 494 Gods Patience , Vide Patience . Gods word , Vide word . Means whereby Christians may exercise themselves to Godliness . 695. Vide Means . Godliness the most excellent Calling . 844 The most honourable . ib. The most comfortable . 849 The most profitable Calling . 858 Twelve serious thoughts to quicken all to Exercise themselves to Godliness . Vide , Epistle to the Reader . H THe heart , the great work-house of thoughts , words , and actions . 698 The necessity of a new heart in all that would make religion their business . 699 , 700 The heart of man backward to good . 255 prone to evil . 364 must be watched . 369 Holiness is honourable . 844 Humility an help to holiness . 792 The Excellency of humility . 793 , 794 Vnrighteousness a sign of Hypocrisie . 7 , 8 I THe evil of Idleness . 820 The great mischief of Ignorance . 806 The Ignorant should be instructed . 280 , 281 A serious consideration of the day of judgement , a special help to godliness . 765 Dreadfulness of the day of judgement to wicked men . 767 , 776 The day of judgement will be comfortable to Saints . 772 Their godliness will be mentioned . ibid. Their names vindicated . 773 Persons publiquely acquitted . ib. Their happiness will be perfected . 774 Justice to what resembled . 39 Justice , Vide , Righteousness . K THe Knowledge of God a special means of godliness . 802 Subjects should pay tribute to their King . 38 , 39 L LIfe is uncertain . 490 Life is short . 838 Love should be among Christians . 2●5 Why the Commandment of Love is called a new Commandment . 236 The fervency of Christs prayer for love . 237 Sad effects of want of love among Christians . 239 M MEans whereby Christians may exercise themselves to godliness . 695 A good Foundation . 696 Living by Faith . 746 Setting God before our eyes . 729 A constant watchfulness . 734 Meditation of our dying day . 745 Dayly solemn performance of holy duties . 756 Frequent thoughts of the day of judgement . 765 Calling our selves often to account . 780 Avoiding occasions of sin . 787 Walking humbly . 793 Suppressing sin in the beginning . 799 The knowledge of God . 801 A contented frame of spirit . 809 Avoiding those things that hinder godliness . 819 Meditation useful . 388 What set Meditation is . 389 , to 396 An example of set Meditation on the Word of God . 398 Another example on the patience of God . 466 It s a christians duty to be meek . 42 The excellency of meekness . 43 Meekness a sign of a wise man . 44 The Christians meekness should not hinder his zeal for God . 46,47 A meek man a good Neighbour , in what respects . 48 , 49. N NAture is corrupted , and must be renewed . 571 O OCcasions of sin must be avoided . 787 Obedience must be universal . 8 , 9 P PAtience of God wonderful . 467 Gods Patience amplified in twelve considerations . 467 , to 476 The causes of Gods patience . 476,477 The Application of Gods patience . 485 The vanity of Pride . 795,796 Christians must look to the Principles of their ordinary actions . 50 , 51 Men must pay what they owe. 20 Payments must be in good money . 21 Q ITs good for Christians sometimes to put Questions to their own souls . 524 The manner how they should do it . 546 , 547 The benefit of it in four particulars . 525 , 526 R REgeneration necessary . 695 Christians should rejoyce in others graces . 308 The credit of Religion much engaged in a Christians publique dealings . 11 , to 61 It s the duty of Saints , to reprove them that sin . 165 , 188 , 285 , 286 Reproof must be given seriously , seasonably , prudently , compassionately . 191 , to 204 It s a Christians duty to take a reproof kindly . 302 , to 306 Christians ought to be righteous in their dealings with all men . 15 In their works . 16,64,65 In buying . 17 , 18 , 19 Wherein Righteousness in buying consisteth . 20 , 21,65 Christians ought to be righteous in selling . 22 Wherein it consisteth . 23 , 24,25,66,67 The general rule of righteousness . 27,69 Christian● ought to be righteous in their words . 34,70 S SAtan a strong , crafty , industrious , and cruel enemy . 336 , to 339 Sinful shame , what . 174 Christians must be righteous in selling . 22 It s a sin to work upon the ignorance or poverty of the Seller . 18 , 19 Its a duty to visit the sick . 554 , 557 Great caution about it . 555 It s a special season of doing and receiving good . 559 , 560 It may be the last opportunity . 565 We must be acquainted with the state of sick persons souls . 568 Sutable application must be made to the sick . 570 Five things cheifly to be insisted on to the carnal sick . 571 , to 576 How to apply our selves to civil men in sickness . 577 Three great lessons all should learn by sickness . 579 How to apply our selves to Saints in their sickness . 578 We must deal faithfully with the sick . 581 It s a duty to pray with , and for the sick . 582 Much good may be gotten by visiting the sick . 584 We may learn our own frailty , the worth of health , the price of time , the excellency of grace . 585 , to 588 Sinful silence , what . 165 What it is to be silent in evil times . 168 Sin to be suppressed in the beginning . 799 Open sins worse then secret in a threefold respect . 13 God hates sin . 467 How many ways we may partake of other mens sins by provocation complyance , Silence . 164 , 165 , 186 No true friendship betwixt Saints and Sinners . 104 , 108 , 141 , 142 Christians should be careful of their carriage amongst sinners . 155 Christians should not needlesly accompany with sinners . 111. Vide company . In what respect Sinners are said to be without . 155 Sinners joyn hand in hand to oppose the interest and Kingdom of Christ . 153 What it is to sit with vain persons . 112 Slothful Christians must be quickened . 282 Soliloquies a duty . 432 It s a Christians duty to be holy in Solitude . 354,355 The danger of neglecting our watch in Solitude . 362 The great benefit of seasonable Solitude . 357 To make conscience of our carriage in Solitude , is a good sign of sincerity . 365. Wherein it consisteth . 369 , &c. In guarding the heart against vain thoughts . 369 In spiritualizing earthly objects . 372 In solemn Meditations . 388 In Soliloquies . 432 Secret Ejaculations . 435 The evil of needless Solitude . 257 The sorrowful must be comforted . 283 T CHristians must be thankful for restraining grace . 180 , 181 Vain thoughts must be watcht against . 369 Time is precious and must be redeemed . 263,264,578 Trees teach men ten lessons . 460 , to 464 V VAin thoughts , what . 370 Unrighteousness a sign of Hypocrisie . 7,8 . 58 The folly of unrighteous men . 25 , 28 , to 34 W THe life of man compared to a Walk . 1 The life of a Christian to a walk with God . 2 In what respects a Christians life is said to be a walking in the light . 2,3 . Christians must watch . 514 Watchfulness requisite in evil company . 155 , 160 , 161 Watchfulness a great help to Godliness . 734 Great reason for watchfulness . 741 We must watch against sin . 741. for doing good . ibid. in duties . 742. after duties . ibid. our senses . ibid. our tongues . 743. our heart especially . 744 Every Week-day to be devoted to God . 488 Motives to it . 490 , to 496. Wherein it consisteth . In beginning the day with God . 496 Diligence in our callings . 511 Redeeming time . 518 Constant watchfulness . 514 Self Examination . 523 Evening duties . 527 Our words should be the language of our hearts . 34 The excellency of the Word of God , largely described in its four causes . 398 , &c. The Word of God is true . 412. holy . 408. perfect . 411. powerful . 410 Why the Word of God is compared to light . 416 Why to rain . 419 World not to be loved . 821 The vanity of worldly things . 824 Worldly things unsutable to our souls . 8. 8. unsatisfying . 830. deceitful . 828. vexatious . 832. Z ZEal , what it is . 179 Christians should be Zealous . ibid. FINIS .

These Books following are Printed for , and sold by Thomas Park-hurst , as the three Crowns at the lower end of Cheap-side , over-against the great Conduit .

Folio's .

THe History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piedmont ; By Sam. M●rland .

A Commentary upon Iob , Psalms , Proverbs , Eccl●si●stes , and the Song of Songs ; By Iohn May●r .

Exemplary Novels , a famous Romance .

An Exposition upon the first Epistle of Iohn ; By Iohn Cotton .

An Exposition upon the second Epistle to the Corinthians ; By Rich. Sibs .

The bowels of tender mercy sealed in the everlasting Covenant , wherein is set forth the Nature , Conditions , and Excellencies of it , and how a sinner should do to enter into it , and the danger of refusing this Covenant Re●ation . Also the Treasures of Grace , Blessings , Comforts , Promises , and Priviledges , that are comprised in the covenant of Gods free and rich mercy , made in Jesus Christ with Beleivers ; By Obadia● Sedgwick B. D.

The Parly of Beasts , or , Morphandra , Queen of the inchanted Island , with Reflexes upon the present state of most Countries in Christendom ; By Iames Howel Esq

The dead Saint speaking to Saints and Sinners living● in several Treatises ; viz. The fulness and greatest evil that is in sin , on 2 Sam. 24. 10. The love of Christ to his Spouse , on Cant. 4. 9. Nature and Royalties of Faith , on Iohn 1. 15. The slowness of heart to believe , on Iohn 1. 50. The causes signs and cure of Hypocrisie , with motives and helps to sincerity , on Isa. 58● 2. The wonderful workings of God for his Church and his people , on Exod. 15● 11. Never before published ; By Samuel Bolt●●● D : D.

Quarto's .

AN Exposit●on upon the nineteen last Chapters of Ezekiel ; By Will . G●eenhil .

An Exposition on the first eighteen verses of Iohn ; By I. Arrowsmith :

An exposition on the book of Canticles ; By R. Robotham .

A Treatise sh●wing the right ordering of the Bee ; By Sam. Purchas .

An Exposition on the 15 , 16 , 17. Chap. of Iob ; By I. Caryll .

An Exhortation from the Churches of Bohemia to the Church of England ; By Iohn Amos Comenius .

The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a sinner in the sight of God , justified by the God of truth in his holy Word and the Cloud of Witne●●es in all ages ; By Charles Chauncy of New England .

The whole Tryal of the Marquiss of Arguile .

An Exposition upon the 4. Chap. of the 2. Epist. to the Cor●nthians ; By R. S●bbs .

Comfortable Sermons on Psalm 24● Preached before the Lady Elizabeth , her Grace ; By Daniel Dyke . B. D.

God save the King , in a Sermon preached the day after his Majesty came into London● by Anth. Walker , Preacher of the Gospel .

An Antidote against Anabaptism , wherein the baptizing Infants , taking Tythes , &c , are f●lly vindicated ; by Aylmor Haughton .

The Conversation as heavenly , and as natural , in two Treatises ; by D. Stoughton .

Jesus Christ the mystical or Gospel Sun , sometimes seemingly Eclipsed , yet never going gown from his people ; opened in a Sermon at Pauls Church ; before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor , Aldermen● &c. March 28. 1652. the day before the l●●e Solar Eclipse ; by Fulk Beller . M. A.

A Sermon Preached before the Honourable House of Commons , at their late Monethly Fast , being on Wednesday , Iune 30. 1647. by Nath. Ward .

A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England , agreed upon , & consented unto by their Elders & Messengers , in their meeting at the Savoy , Oct. 12. 1658.

Mesolabium Architectonicum , that is , a most rare and singular Instrument , for the easie , speedy , and most certain measuring of Pla●ns and Solids by the foot ; invented long since by Mr. Tho. Bedwel Esq

A Changl●ng no company for lovers of Loyalty , or the Subjects Lesson in point of sacred submission to , and humble compliance with God and the King .

The beauty of Magistracy , in an Expositioo of the 82. Psalm , where is set forth the Necessity , Utility , Dignity , Duty , and Mor●lity of Magistrates ; by the labours of Tho , Hall B. D. and Pastor of Kings Norton , and George Swinock M. A. and Pastor of Great Kimbel .

Large Octavo's .

FOur profitable Treatises , very useful for Christian practice , viz. The killing power of the Law , the spir●tual watch , the New Birth , of the Sabbath ; by the reveren● , W. Fenne●● late Minister of Rotchford in Essex .

Enchirid on Iudl●um , or Iehoshaphats charge to his Judges ; together with the Catastrophe Magnatum , or King Davids lament●t●on at Prince Abners Incineration● by Iames Livesey , Minister of the Gospel at Atherton .

The greatest loss , upon Mat. 15 , 26 ; by the same ●uthor .

Meditations , Divine and Moral ; by Henry Tabb , M. A.

The Psalms of K. Dav●d translated by K. Iames.

Will●ul impenitency the greatest Self-murther ; by that able , faithful and laborious Minister of Jesus Christ , Mr. W. Fenner .

〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , the Almost Christian discovered , or the False professor tryed and cast ; by Matthew Mead.

Spiritual Wisdom , improved against Temptation , by the same Author .

Pharonnida , an Heroick Poem ; by VVill . Chamberlain .

The good old way of Perkins improved , in a plain Exposition of Perkins Catechism , by C. Broxholme .

A Treatise of Self-denial , with the Necessity and Excellency of it ; by Th●●philu● Polwheele .

The Hippocr●tes Ladder ; by John Sheffield .

The Christian compleatly armed ; by R. Robinson .

A practical discourse of prayer , wherein is handled the nature and duty of prayer ; by T. C●bbet .

The Righteo●s mans tower ; by Ier. Dike .

Mount Ebal levelled , or a redemption from the ●urse ; by El. Wales , with Mr. Calamies Epistle .

Tentations ; their nature , danger , cure ; to which is added , his Remains ; by R. Capel .

A Wedding-Ring , fit for the finger , ●ogether with the Non-such Professor ; by W. Secker .

The History of the Turkish Wars in Hungary , Transilvania , Austria , Silesia , and other Provinces of the German Empire , from the first invasion of Amurath the second , Anno. 1432. to this present year , 1664. to which is prefixed a shor● discourse of the state and government of the said Provinces .

The spiritual taste described , and a glimpse of Christ discovered , in two parts , grounded on Psalm 34. 8. and Mal. 4. 2. by R●b . Dingley , M. A.

Small Octavo's .

CAtechizing Gods Ordinance , in sundry Sermons ; by Mr. Zach. Cros●on .

A bridle for the tongue , or a ●●eatise of ten sins of the tongue ; viz. Cursing , Swearing , Slandering , Scoffing , Filthy Speaking , Flattering , Censuring , Murmuring , Lying , and Boasting , on Iam. ● . 26. by W. Gearing .

The Pastor and the Clerk , or a debate ( real ) concerning Infant Baptism ; by Iohn Ellis .

Habakk●k's prayer applied to the Churches present occasions , on Hab. 3. 2. and Christs counsel to the Church of Philadelphia , on Rev. 3. 11. by Sam. Balmford .

The Rudiments of Grammar : The Rules composed in English verse , for the great benefit and delight of young beginners ; by Iames Shirley .

The Ladies Dispensatory , containing the Natures , Vertues , and Qualities of Herbs and Simples useful in Physick , reduced into a methodical order , for their more ready use in any sickness , or other accident of the body .

The godly mans Ark in the day of his distress , discovered in divers Sermons ; the first of which was preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Moor. Whereunto is annexed , Mrs. Elizabeth Moors Evidences for Heaven , composed and collected by her in the time of her health , ●or her comfort in the ●ime of sickness ; by E. Calamy , B. D.

The Gale of Opportunity , and the beloved Disciple ; by Thomas Froysal .

Sion in the house of mourning , because of sin and suffering , being an Exposition on the 5. Chap. of the Lamentations ; by D. S.

Moses unvailed , or those figures which served unto the pattern and shadow of heavenly things , pointing out the Messiah Jesus Christ , briefly explained ; whereunto is added , the harmony of the Prophets , breathing with one mouth , the mystery of his coming , and of that redempt●on which by his death he was to accomplish ; By Will . Guild .

Good company , being a collection of various , seriou● , pious meditations ; by I. Melvin .

A Religious Treatise upon Simeons song ; or Instructions how to live holily , and dye happily● by T. Woodriff , B. D.

The Reformation , in which is reconciliation with God and his people ; or a Catechism unvailing the Apostles Creed , with Anno●ations ; in which Faith , Ordinances and Governments are professed , as in the Primitive Times , in opposition to all Errors and Here●●es ; by W. K.

Prospering prophaneness , provoking holy conference , and Gods attention ; several Sermons from Mal 3 15 , 16 , 17. by Zach. Crofton .

The Catechism of Hugo Gr●tius , done into English .

Benedictio , Valediction , or the Remembrancer of thy friend , and thy end , being a farewel Sermom , Preached at the house of the ( late ) Right Honourable Letitia Lady Paget , D●wager , deceased , by her Chaplain Anth. Sadler .

Ioh. Am. Comenii schola , Ludu● Encuclopaedi● viva , i. e. Ian●● Linguarum praxi● Comicae .

A divine Cordial , or the transcendent Priviledge of those that love God , and are savingly called .

A word of comfort for the Church of God .

The Holy Eucharist , or the mystery of the Lords Supper briefly explained .

A Plea for Alms , in a Sermon preached at the Spittle in Easter-week . All four by Tho. Watson .

Poems of divers sorts , by Sir Aston Cokain .

The Protestants Triumph ; wherein the divinity , excellency , antiquity , and Certa●nty of our Religion is asserted against the Papists , by Charles Drelingcourt .

Twelves .

THe dangerous rule , or a Sermon preached at Clonmel in the Province of Munster in Ireland , upon Aug. 3. 1657 before the reverend Judges for that circuit ; by S. L.

The womans Glory ; a Treatise a●serting the honour of that Sex , by manifesting that Women are capable of the highest improvements : by Sam. To●shel .

The discovery of the most dangero●s dead Faith ; by Iohn Eat●● , M. A.

Christ a Christians only Gain ; by R. Vi●es :

A plain Answer to this practical Question , What course a Christian may take to ha●e his heart quickened in the duty of secret prayer . By Rich. Mayo , late of Kingstone .

The dying Fathers last living Legacy to his only Son .

A most excellent Treatise , containing The way to seek Heavens Glory . To flye Earths Vanity . To fear Hells Horror . With the Bell-mans Summons . A Good day well Improved . Death disarmed , at the Funeral of Dr. Hill . The Balm of Gil●●d for the Wounds of England , By Anthony Tu●kn●y .

The true Evangelical temper , wherein Divinity and Ecclesiastical History are interwoven and mixed ; both to the profit and delight of the Christian Reader ; on Isa. 11. 6 , 7 , 9. by I. Iackson .

Twentyfours .

GRoans of the Spirit , or a Tryal of the truth of prayer .

A Handkercheif for Parents wet eyes , upon the death of their Children ; or Friends .

FINIS .

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