that hee found himselfe deserted but in him are we takē vp saued Martyrs and witnesses of the trueth haue suffered great and grievous tormentes but divine consolation from aboue did aboundantlie shine in their soules the part which tyrantes could not kill nor touch looking vnto Iesus the author and finisher of their faith who for the joy that was sett before him indured the Crosse Heb. 12.2 and despised the shame and mocking of them that stood by who turned his holie word in scornefull jest as though hee had called for Elias Christs Soule now beeing burnt vp with the wrath of God for Sinne Psal 69.22 and all the moisture of his body dryed vp with the same yet did hee not quensh his thirst vntill the wrath of his Father was satisfied Iohn 19.28 the infinite wrath of God thirsted after the blood of the mediator bearing our sins Mat. 11.2.8 Esay 12.3 was not quenshed till the Blood of the Mediator was dryed vp But blessed bee Iesus that had a spirituall thirst pleasure to obey his Father to the death Esay 55.1 to saue thy soule from hell and yet in bitter malice and scorne they tooke a watersponge and putt it to his mouth on a reede The wrath of his Father was begun to bee mitigated yet the wrath of the Iewes could not be asswaged for when hee was liuing they raged against him when hee was dead they persecut him when hee vvas in glorie they would shame him The Lord seeketh but chastismēt the wicked seeke overthrow of bodie and soule if it were possible For Evahs sweet Apple Christ must drink this bit er liquor both thy bread drinke must bee boght with the blood of Iesus To them who are sanctified all things are sanctified If thou bee not found in him thou shall bee accused as a violent possessour of what-soeuer thou hast Now thou dost heare him daylie in his members calling vpon thee I hunger I thirst Mat. 25.35 but thou convertest Gods good creatures to the fulfilling of thy lust rather bereaueth the servants of Christ that that they haue than vouchsafe anie thing on thē Christ after he had drunken cryed out in the audience of them al It is finished the work of Redemption is ended the ransome is payed to buy heaven conquere life which is the first vvorke and to put vs in possession of it which hee began at his Resurrection shall continue till his comming againe declared that no mā did take his life from him but layde it downe Iohn 10.17.18 and would tak it vp againe for he was not a cōmon man but God also to keepe his life or put it out at his pleasure Hee might haue liued lōger by the strength of Nature for the other two out-liued him and were not dead till they came and broke their legges And now when he yeelded vp the Spirit he had a divine power aboue Nature which put out the life saying Father into thine handes Psal 31.5 I commend my Spirit vvhile his Soule was loused from his bodie vvith joye Which sweete death hee did communicate vnto his Martyres Act. 7.59 as Steven all his members Consider heere vveake Soule that Christ hath purchast vnto thee the great benefite of Adoption Iohn 20 1◠For thy Brother Christ hath made his Father thy Father therfore vvil haue a Fatherly care of thee for euer For vvho is more faithfull 1. Pet. 4. 19. than our Father to vvhō vve commend our soules vvhich doe not perish but are kept by him 1. Cor. 15.21.22 while they bee joyned to the bodie at the resurrection are receiued vvhen vvee depart this life in his Armes vvho will not suffer them to be taken from his hands but vvill surelie keepe them in peace Be thou therefore carefull of thy Soule at al times but speciallie at the houre of separation for then the devil is busie to devour thee For be knoweth his time to bee short the gulfe of hell open to swallow thee vp If Iesus who had no sin be so careful for his Soule how carefull shuldst thou be who is nothing else but a masse of sinne yea he cryed so loud that the Earth quaked againe and the Temple raue asunder now to declare his Power and Victorie to terrifie the Iewes of whom hee is so mishantly handled and to bring if it were possible that stubborn people to Faith and Repentance Now hath the Doue gone out of the Arke which wil returne with an Oliue branch in signe of peace The Deludge is the wrath of God for Sinne the Arke is Christs Bodie the Doue his Soule At his Resurrection how great joye peace and comfort doeth hee purchase to man-kinde Rom. 4.25 For as he dyed for our sinnes so rose he for our righteousnesse Thē yeelded delivered hee his Spirit which was not taken from him against his vvill For hee hanging on the Crosse did make all the creatures quake and tremble Great was his humilitie beeing made obedient to his Father vnto the death euen the death of the Crosse of the vvhich thou may learne the exceeding greatnesse of his Majestie who euen then whē hee was exalted from the earth did draw all things vnto himself for where a Testament is there must bee the death of him that made the Testament Heb. 9.16 for the Testament is confirmed when men are dead for it is yet of no force as long as hee that made it is aliue So behoued this Testament leauing such an inheritance to his Saintes in that exceeding great glorie bee ratified by the blood of the Testator which is the ground of thy Salvation His death is thine honour the assurance of thy life is the assurance of his death his ignominie and shame is thy Glorie Now haue we heard of the Passion and death of Christ novv shall wee touch briefelie the thinges vvhich followed thereafter The fift Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. THere fell out immediatly foure things of the which two did teach the people The other two the quaking of the earth renting of the Rockes did threaten destruction for no man to take all excuses away shall perish without advertisemēt The first of these the vaile of the Temple is rēt after the darkening of the Sun in Christes greatest humiliation The Father gaue greatest tokens of his Glorie who is the Lord of Life for dumbe senselesse creatures did shame the Iews and glorified their Maker The Temple was divided in two For the Priest went alwayes into the first Tabernacle and accomplished his office Heb. 9.6.7.8 but into the second went the high Priest alone once everie year not without blood which hee offered for himselfe and ignorances of the people Betwixt these was a faire vvall overgilt with fine gold vpon the which hang a glorious Tapestrie wroght curiously which did hide the Sanctuarie
esteeme all things doung in respect of him Let mee feele sensiblie O Lorde that I am rooted Eph. 2.20 and builded in him Let vertue proceed from him to heale my diseased soule in him Lord bee well pleased with mee thy weake servant Furnishe mee with grace to doe everie point of thy worshippe with some peece of good conscience that in the end thou bee not ashamed of mee nor denie mee not to bee thine but mayest call vpon mee saying Come faithfull servant Mat. 25.21 enter into thy Masters rest vnto the which rest O Lord of thy infinite mercie bring this poore soule of mine in thy owne good time Amen Evening Meditation of the sixt Day WHAT shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefites bestowed vpon mee a sinfull worme Psal 116.12 I haue found thy kindnesse in outward things I haue had a proofe of thy favour in inward mercies If Ruth Ruth 2.3 when she found favour with Boaz in suffering her to gather cornes on his field amongst his slaves and give her bodilie refreshment with his servants made such an humble confession saying What am I that I should haue found favour in thine eyes and that thou shouldest knowe mee seeing I am a stranger What may I say to thy Majestie who albeit I was a stranger from the wombe yet hast thou O Lord received mee to mercie and communicatest of thy spirituall Treasure to my soule O Lord thou hâ—st powred in life in my soule where Death had taken seasing yea as thou quickened Lazarus his dead bodie Iohn 11.43 so hast thou quickened my dead soule thou madest light to breake vp where there was nothing but darknesse As the morning clowde passeth away at the rising of the Sunne so the clowde of naturall darknesse passeth away at the breaking vp of the light of thy Face Thou hast O Lorde brought libertie to my soule where I was fettered in the chaines of an vnbelieving heart whereas at my first wakeninges I found terrours feares accusations and great inward griefes thou hast now pacified my soule and brought peace and joye to mine heart Blessed bee the time that ever I knew thee happie was that houre wherein thou manifested thy selfe vnto mee Peter Iames and Iohn were so ravished with the glorie of Christ his transfiguration Mat. 17. 1.2 that they desired never to have removed off that mountaine so Lord the smallest glimmering of thy light doeth so delight the heate that it maketh vs to forsake all that wee may abyde with thee I say to thee Ruth 1.16 O Lord as Ruth said to Naomi where thou goest I will goe My deare Lord strengthen my weak faith that day by day I may get a faster grippe of Iesus Christ and howbeit I continue not at all times in the like degree of feeling yet let never my faith faile mee and whensoever I misse thee give mee grace to seeke thee with a sorrowfull heart vntill I finde thee Leade me forward from faith to faith and feeling to feeling vntill faith end in sight and feeling in a perfite fruition of these supernaturall joyes which I longe for and daylie awaite in Christ Iesus our Lorde and Saviour Amen Morning meditation of of the seventh Day IT hath pleased thee O Lord to separate this Day from the rest of the dayes for thine onelie worshippe LORD in like manner separate mee from my corruptions and in some measure sanctifie mee this Day to thy service that I may dedicate the same whollie to thy service and not onelie cease from medling with my worldlie businesse but I may cease from sinne and haue all the powers of my soule lifted vpward O Lord warme mine heart with the loue of thee inslame mine affections with the zeale of thy Glorie Oh Lord how long shall I dwell in the tentes of Kedar Psal 120.5 when shall this wearisome pilgrimage be ended when shal that blessed Iubile come when all thy Saintes shall be set at libertie and wee to enjoye perfect rest with thee for euer Heere I am oppressed with feares doubtinges deadnesse of spirit blindnesse of minde In the meane time sweet Christ Iesus leaue me not in this place of my banishment for thou art Light and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in darknesse Iohn 8.12 Thou art Life and without thee there is nothing but present Death Thou art the Way and without thee I can doe nothing but walke in the broad way Goe thou before mee my deare Sauiour then shall I cheerefulie follow thee let mee see the way I should walke into and lead mee into that way Make the light of thy face continually shine vpon my soule that in thy light I may see light And now O Lord since I am to goe to thy house to heare thy will out of thy Word be thou my convoy and giue mee grace to take heede to my feete Eccl. 4 5.1 when I goe to the house of the Lord grant I may watch so narrowly over mine heart and minde that I bee not wandring in tyme of thy worshippe make thy word comfortable vnto my soule yea let it bee sweeter to mee than the honey and the honey combe that I may returne from thy Service with a minde more illuminated and heart by grace better established and affection better informed and all the powers of my soule in a greater measure sanctified finally so rule me by thy good Spirit this day that no part of it bee stollen away from thy service but that I may spend it so regiouslie that when the Evening shall come I may reape the peace of a good conscience the which peace is to mee an arles pennie of that endlesse Peace I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christe our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the seaventh Day O Lord my God although thy Majesty knoweth it was my purpose in the Morning to haue spent this whollie day in thy service yet I haue stollen a part of it froÌ„ thee my minde hath gone a whooring after other vanities no I dare not but confesse that euen in the verie houre of preaching and prayer my heart hath wandred from thee Oh Lord it is easie to promise obedience but not so easie to performe I perceiue by doolefull experience that my soule is subject to such inconstancie that I can not keep it in the state with thy Majestie no not the space of one day no Lord not one houre yea scarse a quarter of an houre I resolve wel Rom. 7.18 but practise nothing my desire is euer to walke with thee but alace everie moment I wander froÌ„ thee manie are the changes whervnto I am subject sometime I finde the Spirit-slightering vpward incontinent drawing downe to the earth sometimes delighting to talk with GOD at other times wearying of spirituall exercises sometime marveilouslie enlightned with a great light at other times plight with a palpable darknes â— Pet. 1. sometimes rejoycing with
Rom. 12 13. Mat. 11 25. Luc. 10.21 Iohn 7.4.46.49 1. Cor. 13.2 The Lord did bide those thinges from the wise and learned and reveiled them to Babes They were blind leaders of the blind learning profiteth not vnlesse it bee accompanied with Humilitie and Love Thus seeing they see not and groping they finde nothing Act. 17.17 The Athenian Philosophers Epicures and stoicks Act. 2.13 most of al withstood Paul The religious of everie Nation vnder heauen mocked Peter The Syrenians Act. 6.12 they of AlexaÌ„dria desputed with Steven and falslie accused him And finally the whole Iewish nation at Ierusalem 〈◊〉 little handful only excepted which did not dreame of 〈◊〉 spirituall Kingdome combined to conclude his death as was fore-spoken The people raged Psal 2. 1. the kinges of thâ— earth band themselues and the Princes are assembled togetheâ— against the Lord and againsâ— his Christ Destitute of aâ— Consolation Col. 1.16 in so much a the Creator of the Armeis oâ— Angels had neede of one oâ— them Heb. 2.7 Luc. 22.43 Luc. 16.22 O! but One frâ—â— Heaven to comfort him so greatlie was hee forsaken of hiâ— Father for our sinnes Neither yet shall the Angels leave thee in the like houre of death and necessitie of helpe if thou trust in him which alwayes beholde the face of his Father in Heaven Mat 18.10 By which Christ evidentlie declared it was no jest nor collusion betwixt his Father him but that in deed in truth he was terriblie astonished and agast Mat. 26.37 while his Bloode did so copiouslie runne from him but his Father was highlie offended Psal 6. 1. and greatly inraged at our sinnes for hee is a GOD Psal 11.5 that loveth righteousnesse but the wicked and him that loueth iniquitie doth his Soule hate Wherefore Christ was wounded for our transgressions Esay 53.7 hee was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him though hee had done no wickednesse neither was there fraude in his mouth Despise not thou deare Soule those who at the feare of Death are most dejected humbled and stupefied neither yet judge those to haue the better cause who yeelde themselves foolishlie and too boldlie to Death But bee thou taught to bee god-lie afrayed of the separation of the Soule Luc. 12.40 from the Body and ever as Death were instant to foresee the same and learne to die which followeth thee at the heeles as the shaddow doeth the Body LORD Psal 90.12 teach vs to number our dayes and apply our hearts to wisedome For the meditation of Death is greatest Philosophie Remember my Soule thine ende and thou wilt not sinne for euer and the more the outwarde man decay be thou renewed strengthened in the inner-man And heere the first and second Adam doe meete for the first in the Garden made a beginning of our miserie Gen. 3.2 and the second builded the ground of his Passion for our Redemption in the Garden 2. Cor. 5.18 That is I say that amongst greatest pleasures meditate of thy mortalitie There Christ was taken and bound Iohn 18.2 the place was knowne to Iudas because Christe would not shunne the occasion of our deliverance but hee would not haue him to know the person with whom hee was to eate the Passover by name least he should had sought meanes to prevent the same which hee could not because his houre was not come The second Step to ascend by SEcoundlie thou mayest conceive poore Soule that thy Spouse suffering was exceeding great when beeing sorrowfull and grieuouslie troubled hee said Mar. 14.34 My Soule is heavie even vnto death Hee that said vnto his servant in the Prison Act. 23.11 Bee of good courage now is afrayed of his imminent passion beeing like to vs in soule and bodie and infirmities Heb. 4.15 and all thinges Sinne excepted As God hath said I am the Life and restoreth the dead to life exhorting his Disciples Iohn 5.25 not to feare them that can kill the bodie but not harme the soule as God I say howe can hee bee afrayed to whome the Sainctes doe sing The Lord is with mee Psal 117.6 therefore I will not feare what man can doe vnto mee The humane nature was borne to suffer and to bee partaker of all our afflictions that hee might communicate solide constancie of his power to vs for vnto the world hee came as a rich Marchant traffecting with vs that of his fulnesse wee might all receiue Iohn 1.16 taking ours by a marveilous translation Col. 1.13 and exchange Iam. 1.5 Mat. 26.53 and giving his most liberallie and reproached no man giuing I say for shame Honour Salvation for Dolour for Death Life and though hee might command moe than twelue Legions of Angels to aide him hee had rather receiue our feare than exercise his owne power yea it aggreged his griefe Mat. 26.24.31 Iohn 13.1 Iudas treason the scandall of the Apostles whom hee loved to the end rejection of the Iewes Esay 48.4 for whome hee had done so much And the fearfull destruction of Ierusalem on which there was not to bee left a stone vpon a stone Mat. 23.38 So that hee had forewarned the mourners thereof Luc. 23.28 weepe not for mee but weepe for your sevels sayeth hee and your children When thy Loue beloved Soule was transfigured on mount Tabor Mat. 17.2 his face shined as the Sunne but now he is despised and esteemed nothing both pale and wan for there was no bewtie in him now who before was fairer Esay 53.2.3 than the Chrildren of men but now despised Psal 45.2 and rejected of men A man full of sorrowes and bad experience of infirmities that by sufferinges hee might learne obedience And he who taught his Disciples to pray for vs and for himselfe Iohn 16.26 Heb. 7.25 9.24 practised the same lesson by blessing prayer by his owne mouth not once in that short moment of time but thrice according to the weight of that imminent necessitie O Father Mat. 26.39 if it bee possible let this Cuppe passe from mee meaning his bitter passion and the dregges of the vialles of Gods wrath not that hee was vnwilling to drinke therof for hee went alwayes about his Fathers bussinesse Mat. 3.15 and it was meate for him to doe his Fathers will submitting himselfe that hee might fulfill all righteousnes But these earnest speeches declared the heavie burthen of sinne which lay on him the painful griefe which hee endured the greatest tormentes and terrors which hee sustained for thee vnthankefull Soule and his Elect. The Soule of thy Bride-groome was from Heaven Mat. 1.20 heavenlie never bespotted and defyled with any vncleannesse 1. Pet. 1.19 Act. 2.27 but pure without corruption Notwithstanding that it was sadde and touched with the feare of Death for thee which hath deserved the same 1. Pet.
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in
woundes salue for my sores whose mercies are infinitelie more than my detestable sinnes can bee I haue wandred alace like a lost sheepe Good Sheepheard seeke mee and bring me home againe O Lambe of God who taketh away the sinnes of the world let the light of thy countenance shine on me and looke on mee as thou didst on Peter By dying thou hast overcome Death and brought agâ—ine Life by rysing therefrom If I had the knowledge of Angels and all my members were converted into tongs never should I be able worthily to magnifie the boweles of thy compassion extended to mee wretched sinner which passeth all vnderstanding Thou didst not take deare Christ the Angels but the seed of Abraham beeing made like vnto mee in all things Sinne excepted which nature thou hast glorified in the heavens Now since it is humane nature wherein thou raignest I beleeue also to reigne and bee glorified with thee And albeit my sins hinder me in the constant course of my Salvation yet thy loue this Commnuion and coniunction taketh all lettes out of the way Thou art not so hard O Lord as to despise mee since thy Sonne hath caried my nature vnto heaven Canst thou forget that which thou hast fast by thee No truelie thou art slow to anger full of mercie with thee is plentifull redemption Most louing art thou for no man hateth his owne flesh at any time thou O God louest thy Sonne and they that are his which are risen with him and placed by Faith hope in heavenlie places I was not worthie to bee thy servant but thou hast made mee thy Sonne and fellow-Heire with my Brother Christ Consider the paines of my Redeemer and pardon the redeemed his offences Why did he so obedientlie suffer the punishment of disobedience but onelie to saue mee and thine Elect There was no goodnesse in mee that could induce thee to the same it was thy bountie and free mercie and now thine hand is not shortned but it can saue mee Wil thou then try thy power against straw and stubble against mee who am but a shaddow and lighter than vanitie My sinnes are alwayes in my sight still representing before me thy anger I feele the grievous burthen of them thy iudgements against them but thou will not the death of a Sinner but that hee should turne and liue Enter not therefore in iudgement with mee O Lord for no flesh shall bee iustified in thy sight for thy Christ whom I imbrace by a true Faith is made vnto mee righteousnes wisedome and redemption To whom with thee and the holie Ghost bee all glorie and praise for euer Amen A PRAYER BEFORE the Communion WOunderfull must thy loue bee O Lord towards mee poore and miserable Sinner that thou woldest haue thy deare and onelie Sonne to suffer all tormentes and death for mee and to take vpon him all my infirmities and miseries yet not contented therewith wouldest haue the remembrance of this thy great mercie least it should be forgotten razed out of mine heart and that my Faith should not waxe faint sith thy Sonne hath ascended vp to Heaven after a strange and wonderfull manner fed and nourished mee and distilled in mee that spirituall Life by the meanes of his Bodie making the Crosse the wine-presse out of the which those grapes liquor of eternall life are drawne out Giue me thy holy Spirit that I may haue streÌ„gth against Sathan the World the Flesh Grant spirituall life to abide in mee as the branches hath that naturall from the wine that forsaking my selfe louing of my selfe I may liue in thee by thee and for thee vntill I come vnto thee where I shall see thee face to face True it is O Lord no reasoÌ„ can reach to this spirituall food but Faith onely doeth goe through for by those visible Elements I dâ—e apprehend spirituall and invisible graces and that not by imagination for as Breade doeth nourish the body so doest thou O Christe the soule And as Flesh is a substance so thou Sonne of God incarnate is the cause of this substantiall nourishment of my soule As life is in the bodie so Christ by his Blood shall giue mee life and is my life the condition estate of my flesh my blood and my whole life was more than miserable but by throgh and in thee O Christ all things were restored and made perfect in me The forebidden blood of beastes in the Law should make me shunne a brutish and a beastlie life But thy Blood teacheth mee to liue a Christian holie righteous and sober life For it is not nowe I that liueth but thou in mee who is only consubstantiall with the Father and holy Ghost yea this vnion I haue with thee by true faith as the head with the members an vnion I say of affections wittes participation of heavenlie and eternall blessednesse that I liue not to my selfe but to thee O Lord who loued me and gaue thy selfe for me For they that liue on sweet meates haue sweete breath so they haue a sweet odour in all their words works who taste of this spirituall and heavenlie food in whome Christe doeth spiritually dwell by faith O Christ thy manhood was seene on earth but the God-head not at all yet did great wonderfull things without changing or coÌ„founding of natures so in these Symboles Christs bodie I see not which notwithstanding worketh in me a beginning and grouth of renovation The body of the Sunnes light aboue is in it selfe whole albeit it bee dispersed heere beneath so thou O Christ is aboue in heaven whole yet dost communicate to everie belieuer to bee partaker of thy Body and Blood but diminution or weakening of thy selfe which thou offeredst for me weak not inclosed in me when thou is receiued of mee without any dishonour at all to thy Maiestie when thou commeth vnto this my sinfull cottage hauing mine heart to be thy Temple and dwelling place who filleth the heavens and the earth thy Footstoole O happy is he that doth eate the flesh of my Lord and Saviour with earnest desire to obey his will and stayeth on his promises trusting alwayeâ— on him In this earth am I partaker of Christ by the helpe of his word Sacraments But in heaven aboue without any externall meanes I shall feede on that heavenlie Breade and drinke of that spirituall drinke feeling in effect his presence and enioying that glorious life fulfilled in the Kingdome of God where I shall hunger no more neither thirst any more neither shall the Sun light on mee neither any heate For thou O Lambe which is in the midst of the Throne shall governe mee and lead me vnto the liuelie fountaines of waters And thou sweete Saviour shall wype away all teares from my eyes O happy day when I shall feede on that heavenlie Manna the food of thy holy Angels in that Paradise and thrise happie am I in Christ to taste of the sweetnesse of the life
brasen Serpent which Moses lifted vp in the Wildernesse I am stinged with the fyrie Serpent of sinne I looke for health in Christ lifted vp at thy right hand Poore sicke creatures gotte health to their bodies at the poole of Siloam Iohn 9.3 I looke for health to my soule at Silo in Christ my Saviour Come Lord Iesus Isai 61. 1. thou that deliverest the prisoner and openest the eyes of the blinde Deliver my soule from the bondage of sinne anoint mee with thy eye salve Come as the sweete Samaritane and poure of thine Oyle into my wounded spirit Come my onelie Comforter leade mee to thy cellars Cant. 2.5 refresh mee with thy flagons comfort mee with thine apples Come the Husband of my soule furnish out of thy Ward-robe a garment to cloath my inward nakednesse Come Light of the World Iohn 1.9 bring light to my soule plunged in palpable darknesse Streatch foorth thy wings O my Soule mount above vpon the chariot of spirituall meditations Delite thy selfe in the memories of the joyes to bee revealed the like whereof the eye never sawe the eare never heard 1. Cor. 2.9 neither ever entred in the heart of man to vnerstand Abide not still in Babell neither long for the flesh pots of Aegypt Sighe to the Lord vntill thou bee delivered out of the prison-house of this bodie Phil. 1.23 and so bee with Him which is best of all And to this purpose my gratious Lord sanctifie my rest this night when the bodie sleepeth Psal 11. let the Spirit watch Bee thou ever in my minde and let thy word bee the matter of my meditation Keepe mee out of the hands of that roaring Lyon 1. Pet. 5.8 who greedilie hunteth for my soule let him get no vantage of mee in the night who tempteth mee continuallie in the day Let my thoughts and visions bee pure and holie being set on thee on thy heavenly kingdome Let my last thought this night and my first thought to morrow bee of thee that so my spirit being ever with the Lord while I am absent in the bodie in thine owne time both bodie and spirit may rest with thee for ever through Iesus who hath prepared that rest Amen Morning meditation of the second Day LET thy servant O Lord haue accesse this morning vnto the throne of thy grace Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee Oh Lord I come as emptie of grace to thy Majestie at this time as I had neâ—er received grace It grieveth mee O LORD to bee so â—rodigall of thy spirituall blesâ—inges Thou gavest mee O Lord some faith some measure of divine light some feelâ—ing some assurance of thy favour which bred such joy and peace into my soule as passed all naturall vnderstanding but in stead of these infidelitie darknesse and senselesse doubtings are stolne in into my soule O Lord Hos 13.9 my destruction commeth of my selfe but my deliverance commeth of thee The prodigall childe Luc. 15.17 when hee had wasted all hee had no other refuge but returne to his father O Lord where shall I go now in my greatest distresse to whom shall I make my mone I will returne vnto thee my loving Father I know thy treasure cannot bee emptied I do confesse I haue sinned against Heaven and against Earth and against thee Luke 15 21.22 and is no more worthie to bee called thy sonne As thou opened the eyes of Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and made her see a Well of water so Lord open the eye of my soule that I may see that fountaine of Life from whence my soule may receiue the waters of true consolation Father send downe that lightening Spirit of thine to renew my faith my feellings and my assurance seeing I am content to forsake all things to enjoy thee and counts all things doung in respect of thee I confesse O Lord that these desertions are just punishments of my negligence in thy service I take no such paines to entertaine thy Spirit as I should doe I watch not so narrowlie over my heart as I ought I labour not so painfullie to mortifie and subdue my sinfull affections Col. 3.5 as becommeth my Christian calling Show mee O thou whom my soule loveth Cant. 1.6 where thou feedest where thou lyest at noone Psal 23. leade mee to thy pasture put in thine hand at the hole of the doore of my soule Cant. 5.4 and my heart shall bee affectionat towards thee Many times O Lord by doing of evill Rom. 7.19 and by leaving of the good vndone haue I grieved thy Spirit yea allace I doe what in mee lyeth to quench the Spirit Ephes 4.30 but O Lord 1. Thess 5.19 thou knowest that I am grieved in grieving thee I am displeased with my selfe for displeasing thee I know O Lord it is some great sinne that hath moved thee to punish mee with these desertions Lord open mine eyes that I may see it Lord open mine heart that I may repent for it I am content O Lord to quite anie thing to enjoy thee If thou looke blytlilie vpon mee I care not who frowne vpon mee Ah Lord that sinne which is not thy creature should so mightilie prevaile against thy creatures I sinne Lord but with a wrestling there is indeed a lawe in my members rebelling against the law of my spirit Rom. 7 13. the evill I would not doe that I doe the good I would faine doe I doe it not I take thy Majestie to witnesse Lord it is my hearts desire that the flesh and powers of corruption be weakened that the Spirit and renewed part of my soule bee strengthened There was long warres betwixt the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. and the house of David but in end the house of David was strengthened and the house of Saul weakened O Lord weaken the power of my corruption and strengthen the power of the grace of God in mee Ismael and Isaac will not aggree in one familie Gen. 21.10 there can bee no agreement betwixt the flesh and the Spirit Lord crucifie the slesh with the lusts thereof quicken the Spirit that my inner man may grow Thou knowest O Lord that I am crossed mightilie by the remnants of the olde man When my soule woulde mount vp vpon the wings of prayer to the Heaven I am borne downe to the Earth When I resolve to go forward into a good course I am drawne backward by the cords of a corrupt nature If Iehoshua found fault with the people of God that they were slow in marching forward towards earthlie Canaan how may Iesus finde fault with mee hee brought mee indeede out of spirituall Aegypt but slowlie make I forward to heavenlie Canaan O Lord thou that sent thy Angell to Eliah 1. Kiâ— 19. when hee was sleeping vnder the juniper tree and commanded him to arise and eate for hee had a longe journey to goe Send
vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
and where I am a weak creature in a waste Wildernesse Therefore as thou carried thy own Israel vpon Eagles winges through the wildernesse towards that earthlie Canaan carrie mee through this waste Wildernesse of the Worlde vntill I come to mine heavenlie Canaan Thou knowest O Lorde my soule is as a shippe tossed to and fro with continuall tempests manie times when I haue a straight course to Heaven I am driven aside by the contrarie windes of my corrupt affections Lord Iesus bee thou Pylote to the Shippe of my soule that I make no shipwracke as tentations followeth tentations like the waues of the sea everie one vpon the backe of another so let grace bee doubled that although Satan seek to winnow me as wheat yet he prevaile not I long O Lord to be with thee where Satan will not tempt sin will not accuse and these vnrulie affections will not trouble me Ah when shall this poore spirit bee disburthened of this lodging of clay that that which is divine may behold thy divine Majestie alwayes so long as I am heere in the bodie Thou that teachedst Davids fingers heere to fight Psal 18.33 so that a Bow of brasse was not able to withstand him So strengthen thou mine arme that I may bee able to resist these malitious enemies Thy servant David overcame the Lyon and the Beare and the vncircumcised Philistim yet was hee overcome with his vncircumcised heart Of all difficulties it is the greatest to â—me man to overcome himselfe Lord helpe mee by grace to sight against my selfe I will not despare Lord notwithstanding of all these enemies so long as I may make my plaint to thee Thy eyes are vpon the lust Psal 34.15 thine eares open vnto their crye Thou didst heare the groanings of thine owne Israel Lorde heare the gronings of my soule Thine eare O Lorde is not heavie Esay 59 1. nor is thine hand shortened streatche foorthe the arme of thy mercie and help my distressed soule Didst not thou command the stormie windes and raging seas when thy Disciples were in hazard and they obeyed thee If my small affections never rage so mightilie if thou wilt command peace they will settle and bee obedient to thy voice And now O Lorde this daye wherein I am entred I know not what inconvenient I may meete with leade me safelie through all difficulties O thou that art the shepheard of my soule Psal 23.1 that I safelie going through the snares of this daye at evening I may bow my knees and sound thy praises in Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fifth Day I Haue wandred froÌ„ thee O Lord this day That troublesome Spirit hath oppressed my Spirit with varietie of vnnecessarie affaires I bussie my selfe about manie thinges Luc. 10.42 but yet one thing is needfull I finde by daylie experience that the cares of this worlde are thornie cares they pricke and annoy my soule Mat. 13.7 they chocke the seede of grace which in mercie thou didst sowe I to mine heart they are mightie impediments to the growth of my inner man I pray thee let not these earthlie cares diminish mine inward peace nor prejudg my vnion with thy Majestie nor draw on darknes vpon my mind but O Lord let the secret beames of thy lightsome face continuallie shine vpon my soule Let mee ever live in a spirituall sense of my vnion from the which such inward joy may flow to my spirit as may make all estates acceptable to mee O Lorde of all difficulties I finde it the greatest to keepe the heart in a sense of thy presence I confesse O Lorde for all the paines I haue yet taken in thy worship if thou yet leave mee I may fall into as great Athisme as they who never knew thee Therefore waken my Spirit renew my senses lift vp all the powers of my soule Phil. 3.19 that I may ever minde heavenlie things True it is O Lord my earthly calling is a great impediment to my heavenlie calling althogh I were no ways distracted but all times gave my selfe to reading prayer and meditation it were litle enough for the intertaining the life of Christ in my soule But O Lorde as thou hast laide a double burthen vpon mee so double thy Spirite vpon mee that even whilest I am doing the points of my earthlie calling my spirit may bee above Lorde open mine eyes that I may see my predominant sinnes let mee not bee a slave to my affections but give mee grace to strive against everie sinfull motion And as thou O Lord dost now cover all thinges heere beneath with darknesse so cover my sinnes that they bee not seene againe Let never mine heart bee so farre from thee as it hath beene neither bee thou so longe absent from my soule Esay Write my name vpon the palmes of thine hands and let mee be as a signet vpon thy right hand O thou the Watchman of Israel Psal 121.3 who neither slumbrest nor sleepest bee thou my keeper this night Let this temporall rest bee a pledgde to mee of that everlasting rest which I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the sixt Day I Complaine to thy Majestie of the vncessant malice of my sworne enemie hee is a restlesse tempter and I am a carelesse resister hee knoweth my weaknesse and taketh his advantage of my infirmities When I haue best resolutions to serve thee then rageth hee most against mee and when I set my face towards heaven then hee laboureth to dryve me froÌ„ the right mark that Evill one albeit I went not to my rest after in calling vpon thy name yet hath caryed my fantasie after profane earthlie and carnall thinges Ah Lorde I what hee cannot accomplishe in the daye hee laboureth to bring it to passe in the night Take not these for mine actions but for mine enemies divelish suggestions I wold wish the minde were so pure and the heart so spirituallie disposed that ever sleeping or waking I were about spirituall matters And because O Lord thou canst not dwell inro a filthy heart sweepe the house of my soule wash mee a-new Psal 51.7 and make mee cleane prepare a lodging for thine owne Spirit into the secreet corners of mine heart possesse thoâ— thine owne dwelling for thou hâ—st bought it with the bloode of thine owne Sonne Keepe me O Lord 1. Iohn 1.7 1. Pet. 1.5 vnto that Life which thou hast keeping for mee and whilest I am heere in the bodie save mee from carnall securitie Let my delite ever bee to watch and praye and multiplie the spirit of prayer vpon mee Mat. 6.6 Let mee not wearie of wel-doing but leade mee in thy pathes I am sorie that my time hath beene so wasted time slydeth away and I profite litle or nothing in it Let no day slippe away without some spirituall advantage O Lord I count it my greatest gaine to gaine Christ Phil. 3.8 yea I
is the power of God neither did the Iew touch this cursed tree to helpe Christ to the hight of Mount Calvarie but constrained this Lybian famous for his two vertuous godlie sonnes Alexander Rufus to suppor our Saviour not for any compassion or louing affectioÌ„ they caried to him for they hated him to death but eueÌ„ to declare the acceptation of the Gentiles to the participation of grace in the Lords accepted time And now is Iesus come to the place of Golgotha who had sanctified it vnto his martyredome and those publick torments to whoÌ„soeuer shuld die in constant profession of his Name For Num. 24. he is that brasen Serpent that whosoeuer looketh on him by a livelie and true faith Iohn 14. shall bee healed of all their infirmities for our Saviour did die the cursed and execrable death to releiue vs from the curse therefore seeing wee are bought for a price Gal. 3.13 we should glorifie God in our bodies and in our spirits 1 Cor. 6.20 for they are Gods Nowe did hee hang sorrowfull Soule with out streatched armes to welcome and imbrace readily all that wold come vnto him Mat. 11.28 hee is lifted on high as exposed vnto all that would beleeue in him to show that by crosse and calamitie we must enter to glorie He would hang I say betwixt heaven and earth to reconceale them together for vvhen hee was exalted froÌ„ the earth hee did draw all things to him and naked did hee hang to cloath thee with his righteousnesse and holinesse confirme thee against crosses and povertie when thou shall know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. Cor. 8.9 that he being rich for thy sake became poore that thou through his povertie mightst be made rich for more are wee in obligation to his povertie by which we were redeemed than by his riches by which we wer created for what benefite was it to haue beene borne if vvee should not haue beene delivered froÌ„ eternall death And therfore neither hunger nor nakednesse nor death it selfe can separat vs from this loue and conjunction with him Rom. 8.38 The pride of our Progenitours Adam and Eue brought this base condition on Christ when as the Lord cladde them for hyding of their nakednes but now the world is giuen to supersluity of vanitie in their rayment Esay 3.19 â—26 21 which is a conspicuous badge of their rebellion against God But our David is scorned of Michal for his nakednesse but more glorious is be than the verie Angels in heaven for bringing home the Arke of the promises and the sealing vp the Covenant betwixt God and man by his blood death He is the Tree in the midst of the Paradise of God which sweetneth the bitter waters of Meribab 1. Sam. 6.16 O giue vs grace deare Iesus that wee may comprehend with all Saintes which is the breadth and length and deepth Eph. 3.18.19 and hight and to know this thy loue which passeth knowledge that wee may bee filled with all fulnesse of God Now may they tell all thy bones all thy nerves sinewes and veins are drawne in length Psal 22. thy whole body disjoynted they pierced thy hands and feet and rivers of blood did burst out Behold all that goe by the way Lam. if there bee anie dolour like vnto my dolour The second Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. NOwe in this Mount Calvarie hee beginneth to thirste wherefore the Iewes to fulfill the Scripture thogh far beside their mindes They gaue mee gall in my meat and in my thirst they gaue mee Vinegar to drinke But Salomon hath counselled more charitably Giue yee strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish Pro. 21.9 wine to them that haue griefe in heart but the Son of God was destitute of all consolatioÌ„ that we might receiue aboundance of comfort in him Psal 16.11 For in his presence is fulnesse of joy and at his right hand there is pleasures for euermore But hee vvould suffer thirst that hee should not hasten death vnto himselfe before the appointed houre for he knew the Lord vvould bring all this busines to a blessed event Hee would I say beside these tormentes inwardlie in his Soule against the wrath of God Hell Death Law and condemnation suffer also in all his outward senses in his Tasting the bitternesse of gall in his Sight the bespitting watching in his Hearing blasphemie mocking in his Touching beating buffeting whiping crowning with thornes in his Smelling the filthy bespitting and vile odour over-spreading that precious Bodie whereby it was imbrued and these many stripes receiued he for vs. And nowe consider my Soule what shal be the pains they shall suffer in soule and bodie who shal not be found in Christ The rich glutton in Hell could not obtaine one drop of vvater to coole his tongue in that burning torment Terrible is that drouth and hotnesse that sinne bringeth with it Mat. 5. But blessed are they that hungers and thirste for righteousnesse for they shall bee filled Iohn 4. and haue in their bellie the fountaine of living water Iesus Christ Whilst thou art quaffing and scolling sweete and delicious cuppes to the contempt and abuse of Gods creatures remember this bitter and sowre drinke of Christ which wee doe make him drinke againe how oft soeuer wee doe injurie to his members Then beware of all that can separate thee from this thy Christ especiallie of bad prophane idolatrous society for their god is not as our God and their wine is of Sodom and Gomorrha their grapes are grapes of gall their clusters are bitter their wine is the poyson of Dragons and the cruell gall of Aspes Well might Christ haue said My strength hope is perished from the Lord Lam. 3.19 remembring mine affliction my mourning the wormwood and the gall Now vvhile our Saviour is thus fastned to the Crosse hands and feete as our high Priest at his Altar For everie high Priest is taken from among men and is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that hee may offer both giftes sacrifices for sinnes so likewise bee in the dayes of flesh did offer prayers supplications Rom. 12.15 Mat. 18.35 yea for his verie enemies and so should wee forgiue and it shall bee forgiuen vs. Heere hast thou deare Soule great matter of comfort and consolation neuer to bee casten down despare with the opinion of thy own sinnes Thou hast an high Priest 1. Iohn 2. Esay 63.12 and Advocat with the Father euen Iesus Christ the lust to whom thou shouldest haue recourse in all thy tentations and boldlie approach to the Throne of grace that thou mayst receiue mercie grace in tyme of neede When the Princes did stone Zacharias hee said Lord looke to it and require it and so did the blood Abel call for
serving of him according to his will be afraied of his justice vvhereby hee will surelie punish the wicked Place thine hope in his eternall mercie bottomlesse grace and euerlasting glorie The third and last Steppe of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by contemplation of Christs entrance there ANd now Pilgrime Soule wilt thou aspire vpward yea let mee heare Lord thy loving kindnesse in the morning for in Thee is my trust Psal 143.8.9 Show mee the way that I should walke in for I lift vp mine heart vnto thee Deliver me from mine enemies for I hide me with Thee Remember mee with the favour of thy people Psal 106.4.5 Visite mee with thy Salvation that I may see the felicitie of thy chosen and rejoyce in the joye of thy people glorie with thine Inheritance Poure cleane water vpon mee make mee cleane from my filthinesse Ezek. 36.36.37 Giue me a new heart and a newe spirit Take away that stonie heart out of my bodie and put in an heart of flesh that I may walke in thy Statutes and keep thy Iudgements For thou art the Poole of Bethesda Iohn 5.4 with fiue porches vvithin the vvhich vvhosoeuer steppeth in and doth cast the anker of Faith in the depth of thy wounds shâ—ll be made whole of whatsoeuer disease hee hath But alace whosoeuer washeth himselfe because of a dead bodie Eccl. 34.26 toucheth it againe what availeth his washing for no vncleane thing shall enter into thy Kingdome Such as doe returne with the Dogge to his vomit beleeue but for a season Pro. 26.11 and in the day of temptation goe away But I sorrowfull Soule as the Hart brayeth for the rivers of waters Luc. 8.13 Psal 42.1 so doe I pant after thee O God ascended But woe is mee sinne is a sicknesse incurable which none can forgiue but thou O Christ Luc. 5.21 who putteth away iniquitie for thine owne sake Luc. 7.48 and will not remember sinnes For this purpose will I weake Soule make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel Esay 43.25 2. Chro. 29 1â— that hee may turne away his face from me and now will sorrowe that I doe not feele my selfe so much sorrowfull for the weight filthinesse multitude of my sins whose number doth passe the sand in the Sea-shore and doe beare mee downe as a heavy burden are growne over mine head With Peter not of infirmitie once and againe but infinite times haue I denyed Thee With Iudas I euen I haue betrayed Thee Heb. 6.10 With Iewes Gentiles I crucified Thee often haue I renewed thy wounds trode thy precious blood vnder foote vvith my louers hath my soule gone a whooring notwithstanding of that promise of marriage in my Baptisme vvhereinto I vvas betroathed vnto thee confirmed in thy blessed Supper ratified on the Crosse in thy blood to bee solemnized in thy glorie vvhereof I received the first fruites and earnest of the spirit Now alas doe I know and behold that it is a bitter and an evill thing to haue forsaken thee my God Ier. 2.19 and that thy feare was not in mee And these displeasures haue I O my Christ because I dearlie loue thee although there were no hell nor punishment at all I doe acknowledge all the tormentes of the world can not satisfie for the least imagination of the thought of mans heart Gen. 6.5 which is onely evill conâ—inually yea my righteousnesse if any I haue vvhich is the beautie and flowre of all that is best in mee is as a fiâ—thie clout But tâ—ou promisedst in trueth â—sâ—y 64.6 wilt performe in mercie that thou wilt not the death of a Sinner but whensoeuer hee shall repent bee shall liue Lord accept of the desires groanes of my heart Heare my cryes and vveeping forgiue my frailtie wipe awaye the filth and corruption of my soule furnish mee strength and spirituall courage against the life of sinne so pregnant and powerfull vvithin mee Inflame mine affections zealouslie to bee disposed to thy glory graÌ„t Perseverance Loue Hope and all Christian vertues vnto my last breath for I resolve by thy grace O my God to walke in thy vvayes the rest of my dayes I haue to spend lameÌ„ting for by past offences promise to shunne all occasions of evill hereafter O of how short continuance is this life Esay 40.7 endles is the eternitie in that life to come Iob. 2.7 plentifull is that reward Wisd 2.3.4.21 it is momeÌ„tary that pleasureth euerlasting that annoyeth yet as the Lordes greatnesse is so is his mercie Rom. 8.28 And therfore doe I account that the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall bee showne 2. Cor. 4.17.18 for the light affliction which is but a moment causeth a farre more excellent and an eternall weight of glorie The thinges which are seene are temporall Gal. 3. 1. but the things which are not seene are eternall I know troubled Soule it beboued Christ whom thou didst see suffer and so enter into his glorie Luc. 24.26 in thy Place to take state and possession that wher hee is thou mayst be also for he hath married thee vnto himselfe for ever â—os 2.19 yea hee did marrie thee in righteousnes and judgements and in mercie and in compassion he hath euen married thee in faith fulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. â—ant 2. 16. Therefore thy beloued is thine and thou art his it is the voyce of thy welbeloued that knocketh saying OpeÌ„ to me my Doue my Sister â—ant 5.2 my Loue my well-beloved for mine head is full of dew and my lockes are wet with the drops of the night Say not deceitfull Soule to thy Christ Goe and come againe â—ro 3.28 and to morow I will giue thee if thou now haue it Remember the portion thou shalt haue vvith him in wed-locke who hath acquired vnto thee by his Poverie a Kingdome by his sorowes thy joy by his travles thy rest by his shame thy glorie by his Death thy life vvho vvould buy a match at such a deare and costlie rate Returne therefore disobedient Soule vnto the Lord hee will not let his wrath fall vpon thee for hee is mercifull Lam. 3.12 and will not keepe his anger And who is great like vnto him who takâ—th away iniquitie and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his wrath for euer because mercie pleaseth him hee will turne againe Micah 17.18.19 and haue compassion yea hee will subdue thy iâ—iquitie and cast all thy sins in the bottome of the Sea For thy Christ did come into this world to finish the wickednes Dan. 9.24 to seale vp the sinnes and to reconceale the iniquitie and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse Rev. 3.20 And novv behold poore Soule he standeth at the doore