paratam lo â—è toculentissimam ampâ—â—ssimam bonis omnibâ—â—â— instraâ—ctissimam Jac. Capellus Ostendit hoc nomine Apostolos Deo fiâ—ere debere quod in domo Patris sui variae sint paratae mansiones A transsugis sumpta Metaphora quibus magno solatio èst habere varia Asyla ad consugièndu quae promittit Christus sive praesentem vitam spectes sive futuram Zegerius moment if compared unto the 3 Mansions in my Fathers House Fifthly Imagine these afflictions I which for the present seen so grievous were worthy to be compared unto the Joyes that are set before us yet [1] Deur 4.29 believe in God God is [2] Psal 47.7 King of all the earth Again I say believe in God Faithfull are the [3] Prov. 27.6 3.11 Job 5.17 Heb. 12.6 Revel 3.19 wounds of a Friend I know O Lord that thy Judgements are true and that thou in 4 very faithfulnesse hast afflicted me Sixthly Believe also in Christ In Him thou mayest find peace He [1] John 14.29 foretelleth thee that he hath [2] John 16.33 overcome the world for thee He hath [3] John 13.15 given thee an Example of [4] Luke 21.29 possessing thy Soul in patience His peace he [5] John 14.27 giveth unto thee and what he giveth that he [6] ibid. leaveth with thee He putteth that into thine eye which will make thee see the better soweth that in thy [7] Psalm 126.5 Heb. 12.11 tears which will bring forth fruit to thine accompt even the peaceable fruits of Righteousnesse Once Jesus Christ doth in thy sufferings give thee the [8] Phil. 1.29.3.10 2 Cor. 4.11 Credit the Reputation the honour of having a fellowship in his sufferings A second Life of Comfort here is Against the death of our Friends namely [1] Videbat eos commotos antecedentibus de suâ morte Sermonibus it áque eos erigit Grotius in John 14.1 against the [2] 2 Sam. 1.26 18.33 John 11.3.33 Phil. 2.27 Death of our Friends Thou who art a follower of God art thou troubled on every side So were these Disciples Art thou disappointed of worldly hopes So were these Disciples Is some dear Friend deceased Loe these Disciples were [3] John 13.33 16.6 fain to part with their dearest Jesus What it was to be bereaved of so good a Master you have [4] viz. p. 235. already seen but This was not all When Jesus had escaped death was [5] Luke 24.21 beyond all hopes raised from the Grave was beyond all hopes restored unto them again for his Disciples then again to lose Him to lose Him whom [6] Cant. 3.4 their Soul had found Him who [7] Revel 1.18 was dead and is alive and behold he liveth for evermore This this is much very much One would think if at Christ his death his Disciples hearts were troubled they would have been at his [8] Acts 1.6,11 ascension troubled much more Did I not say unto my Lord [9] 2 Kings 4.28 Do not deceive me If when Christ dyed all their hopes [10] Luke 24.21 dyed with him then much more when he arose their hopes [11] Luke 33.34 Acts 1.11 revived also Consider now For Jesus after that he had overcome death to depart from his Disciples again to depart from them now no more by a necessity of death but during health and life to ascend from them [12] Luke 24.9 just then when they [13] Luke 24.6 expected the issue of his [14] Matth. 21.7 8 riding in triumph of his [15] Matth. v. 9 15 accumulated Hosanna's of his declaring and owning of himself to be the [16] Matth. 2.2 27.11 King of the Jewes the long expected [17] Matth. 21.15 Luke 2.11 Son of David yea the [18] Matth. 3.17 17.5 Rom. 1.4 Son the only Son of the great and only God Loe ye here a tryal yet see when this dear this potent friend thus unexpectedly ascended I say when the most loving Jesus most unexpectedly departed his Disciples which had formerly drooped were now so far from being at all troubled that they were [19] Luke 24.52 filled with great joy Consider consider my Beloved When the God of all flesh taketh away from us our best our nearest friends he can and if we trust in him he will leave a greater comfort [20] John 14.16 16.17 behind them This for the death of others Against our fear of death Is now thlne own death thy [1] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist terrour I say is the darknesse of the shadow of death thy discomfort Fear thou [2] Psal 23.4 none evil He who hath [3] Joh. 16.8.5.4 taught thee to live will [4] Phil. 4.13 help thee to dye Women bring forth in sorrow but it is to their comfort for their repeated pains in Child-bearing [5] 1 Tim. 2.15 teach that fearful Sex how to overlook a lesser pain namely that of death As when the Moon so when the soul is in the change she is then nearest unto the [6] Psalm 84.11 Sun When Christ came from Bozrah his dyed [7] Esay 63.1 Garments drew the [8] 1 Cor. 15.56 Fiducia Christianorum resurrectio mortuorum Tertul. de carnis resur sting out of Death and as of the flesh of Adders are made Antidotes against poyson so of that sting is now made a Cordial for the deceasing Party The Grave seemeth to [9] Prov. 30.16 Rom. 3.13 gape like the red Sea mean while it maketh way for our more speedy coming unto the promised Rest Christ was placed within the Grave that we [10] 2 Cor. 4.10 Col. 3.4 See Bishop Reynolds his Churches Triumph over Death might step over it with ease The Believer now a dying is onely passing from death to life nay more from the death of sin unto him who is [11] John 14.6 1 John 3.2 Col. 3.3 4 The Life The Earth provideth a Rest for our Bodies the Heavens contain a Rest so our souls but Jesus Christ will be a Rest unto them both True Death [12] Rom. 5.12 passed upon all these Disciples This [13] John 21 19 spake Christ signifying by what death he should glorifie God viz. Peter was to put off his earthly Tabernacle [14] 2 Pet. 1.14 shortly As for St. James he was [15] Acts 12.2 killed with the Sword Great very great [16] Gal. 2.9 Matth. 19.28 were these Apostles but notwithstanding their greatnesse as (17) Psal 82.7 Princes so THEY must dye like men A Believers Comfort is [18] Job 30.23 not that he shall not dye but that he shall not dye the everlasting death of common men Of the beloved Disciple himself the Lord Jesus never said [19] John 21.23 he shall not dye but Unto him he said [20] John 14.2 In my Fathers House are many Mansions The least child of God can now [21] Revel 1.18 fetch a stride
quite over Hell There is now but a step [22] 1 Sam. 20.3 between us and Death and [23] 1 Thes 4.14 1 Cor. 15.52 1 John 3.14 not a step between Death and Heaven Death is swallowed up into [24] 1 Cor. 15.54 52 Victory that is as the phrase importeth into Eternity Could we not step beyond Death the foresight of Death would sting us unto the very heart but Jehovah [25] Judges 6.24 Shallom Faith vieweth every thing in the words of Jehovah who giveth being unto every Promise The mighty Jesus is ascended nor is it possible to [26] Christus etsi solus resurrexit tamen non totus Bernard detain the [27] John 6.39 54 56 11.25 26 14.19 20 17.23.24 redeemed from [28] Esay 43.1 49.24 their Redeemer a Christian from Christ his Lord a member on earth from [29] Esay 43.21 The Head in Heaven Wherefore unlesse thy heart be a heart of Vnbelief Let not thy heart be troubled Believe in God believe also in Christ Is thy desire toward thy Saviour thy Saviour reacheth forth his hand It shall be unto thee no trouble at all to [30] Rom. 7.24 compared with Job 19.27 passe from death which of an old enemy is made a new Friend unto life now no more mortal but everlasting Is thy [31] Matth. 25.6 24.44 midnight soul upon departure Let her go forth to meet him whom her soul loveth Behold her Bridegroom cometh yea rather is [32] John 14.8 already gone gone [33] John 14.3 to prepare a place for thee I say for thee In my Fathers house are many Mansions and because many one [34] Ibid. for Thee Verily there remaineth a [35] 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Similitudo sumpta ab uno comitum qui in itinere praegressus ad diversorium ibi caeteris cubicula assignat efficitque ut venientibus parata sint v. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hic ut c. 12.32 valet postquam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Continuatur similitudo nam solent qui primi in diversorium venerunt caeteris jam adventantibus obviam procedere eos inlroducere idem quod Christus Act. 1.11 redâ—â—â—s effecturus erit Grotius in Joan. 14.2 3 35. Heb. 4.9 See Mr. Baxter his Saints everlasting Rest. Rest for thy soul into thy Fathers bosome resign thy spirit 4. Thy greater trouble is Against the corruption of our sinful Nature not that thou shalt dye in the Lord but that thou dost live in the flesh I say not the shadow of death but the [1] Rom. 7.13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 23 body of sin dishearreneth a gracious soul Give me any death but the death of sin To do evil is to [2] Compare Isa 59 2. with Psalm 125.5 depart from God and this is indeed a [3] Compare Psal 28.3 with Luke 13.27 sad departure for this Let your heart be troubled provided your trouble be a sanctified trouble such a sorrow shall be turned into joy into a spiritual joy inasmuch as from this Gospel you who believe may [4] Isa 66.11 such strong consolations Thou broken and contrite heart as assuredly as thou mournest thou [5] Isa v. 2.57.15 Luke 6.20 21 shalt be comforted Watch over thine [6] Isa 21.36 Psalm 18.23 own sin Give thy self [7] 1 Thess 5.17 unto prayer Be ever [8] 2 Pet. 1.10 upon Duty Exercise thy self unto (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 godlinesse Giving all (10) 2 Pet. 1.5 3.18 diligence strive to grow in grace and in the delightfull knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord so doing Let not thy heart be dismayed Know Sin was a (11) Videbat eos commo'os de antccedentibus de abnegatione sermonibus Grotius in Joan. 14.1 chief trouble of these Disciples hearts To forsake Him who hath loved and chosen us To love our selves more then we do love him in whom the great God is so well-pleased This you will yield is a very great defection He (†) Luke 9.23 Mark 8.38 that taketh not up His Crosse his daily crosse neither followeth Christ crucified into whatsoever perils this his crucified Lord shall conduct him such a one is unworthy of so great so good a Master Whoso is ashamed of Jesus Christ of him Jesus Christ hath just reason to be more much more ashamed Meek he is yet the wrath of this Lamb hath as justly as mercifully threatened that Whosoever denyeth Him before (12) Matth. 10.33 2 Tim. 2.12 frail men here upon earth him will He deny before his dread Father in heaven In one word (13) Rev. 21.8 Hell is a portion for the fearfull and fearfull were these Disciples neverthelesse so far was Christ Jesus from not forgiving them their trespasses that he most compassionately preventeth them Let not your heart be troubled Wherefore all ye who (14) Ezek. 6.9 20.43 36.31 loath your selves for your iniquities loath your selves and them more and more Alas no (15) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Toad is so ugly in mans sight as mans venomous nature is in the holy eyes of the most pure God A sinfull condition is an (16) Psalm 51.5 Job 25.6 odious condition wicked deeds are shamefull deeds gracelesse practices are wretched practices practices better becoming the Devils who are accursed of God then the Disciples who were blessed of the Lord Mean while Give God the glory (17) Haec alia adduxerunt Gregorium ut clamaret O Faelix culpa quae talem meruit habere redemptorem Quae verba ego non facilè dicerem siquidem in illâ causâ nihil video quod non sit miserum flebile Pet. Martyr ubi infra 27. His arm is not shortened that it cannot save He can remove from us as well all our staines as all our guilt He who delivered us from so great a death could had he seen cause so to do have quite warded off the lesser wounds The Lord Christ could have strengthened his Disciples every whit as much before his Ascension as after his Ascension he did and would he so please He could since Adams fall make us every way as perfect as before that fall of Adam we were yea he is able to make us both as unspotted of sin and as gloriously gracious in this present evil world as we shall be in the next This he is able to do but he according to His wisdom seeth cause to the contrary this this alone may comfort us against our sinfull nature that God the infinite God is wise His wisdome is a Believers comfort And yet Why hast thou made us to err [1] Esay 63.17 from thy wayes Wretched men that we are whence is it that the sanctifying Spirit [2] Relictae quidem suat animi vires actiones verum destitutae suâ rectitudine atque idcirco pravae corruptae Pet. Martyr Lo. Com. Classis secnad cap. 1. sect 25. leaveth in our vile hearts the remainders the dregs
or put up petitions any more If any Mercy can melt thy stony heart [41] Rom. 2 4 Gods forbearance will it will melt it into fervent duties The sincere Convert husbandeth hours unto the best advantage and maketh length of days life [42] Rom. 2.7 more abundant MOTIVE V. Motive V. Gods Sentence As sure as death in the grave there is as I just now told thee no Redemption when once sentence is passed [1] Eccle. 11.3 Mat. 25.46 upon examination had there is then no repealing so soon as ever thy farthing [2] Prov. 20.27 24 20 candle is burnt out thy soul if it savoureth not sweet in heaven it is cast into the fire of hell and all this in a moment in (3) 1 Cor. 15.52 the twinkling of an eye sooner then thou canst think of it At this very instant how immediately canst thou the image of Gods Omnipresence how immediately canst thou think of hell although hell be so great a distance off how immediately can thy thoughts ascend even the highest heavens Swift was that last thought of thine but thy souls flight shall be swifter then was thy last thought Man for want of consideration wasteth hours and minutes the (4) Dau. 7.9 ancient of days doth not so Unto him who inhabiteth eternity every little time is so precious that in less space then the space of one moment he dispatcheth the soul from this prison of flesh unto his high Court of Justice and again from his high Court of Justice unto the place of execution or of glory as Justice shall give sentence I say thy breath of life once expired thy winged soul is allowed no time at all to look back no it forthwith appeareth before the judgement (5) 2 Cor. 5.10 seat of God and from thence forthwith unto the joys or miseries by order appointed Thy flesh indeed that is dispensed with until the general (6) John 6.40 Assizes but her Proxie thy spirit that giveth her appearance upon the very first day of the Term. While thy breathless bosom is yet warm either for thee or against thee sentence is pronounced I therefore again exhort that thou wouldest make thy peace with thy God while life nay while health continueth for with thy dying body dyeth all hopes of future repentance When death is once come opportunity is gone Opportunity is therefore gone because Judgement is come Motive 6. MOTIVE VI. Death approaching it stealeth upon thee while thou sleepest Couldest thou return into thy first Infancy and thence begin (1) 1 Cor. 9.24 the race that is set before us thine advantage were little enough either for the running of a race so long or for the obtaining of a prize so high but alas a great part of thy life is already consumed and already consumed in vanity thou art almost out of breath before thou hast at all buckled (2) Luke 12.35 thy self to thy work The Affairs which thou in this thy pilgrimage must of necessity perform are exceeding great but exceeding (3) Gen. 47.9 small is that space of time wherein thou must disspach them although thy duties are not easily compassed thy life is quickly (4) Psal 39.5 spanned thy life is at longest but a winters day thine employment is the business of a whole age of this thine employment an accompt thou must give but how soon (5) Act. 1.7 it is not for thee to know Thou seest on every side many much younger then thy self called away to give up their accompts and of them none so unexpectedly as those who were the healthiest persons Such as least look for him meet their (6) Mat. 24.44 Lord first if ever he (7) Rev. 3.3 come upon thee as a thief it is then when time stealeth from thee to thy disprofit rather then death should overtake (8) 1 Thes 5.4 thee meet it die daily if thou wouldest live for ever if thou wouldest not forget thy self (9) Deut. 32.29 remember thy last end if at any time thou art more unprepared to give up thy last accompt then other at that time above all others look for and hasten unto the coming (10) 2 Pet. 3 12 of the day of thy God if in that day thou wouldest be found faithful in this thy day abide watchful persevere in well doing if thou wouldest endure unto the end redeem thy time if thou wouldest enjoy thy Redeemer and if thou wouldest not fear death fear God MOTIVE 7. Motive 7. A seventh Motive inviteing thy soul to hold fast that which is good is thy natural insufficiency At thy first Creation there was in thee the spirit (1) Gen. 1.26 of a God the light of that spirit Adam quenched and in Adam thou In baptism the same spirit entered into a Covenant with thee the same spirit thou hast again grieved and quenched none of all his mighty workings have prevailed upon thy heart carnally minded thou hast been spiritually minded thou wouldest not be Of all those graces which the holy Spirit of God may justy call for thou canst not produce one Consider now thou hast failed of (2) Furor est post omnia perdere naulum his saving gifts wilt thou render the common gifts of that bountiful spirit useless too the more ungrateful thou hast been in rejecting the one the more thankful thou shouldest be in making a benefit of the other the greater want thou findest of that sufficiency which thou mightest have had from God the greater reason thou hast to plow up the fallow ground of thy heart that thou mayest sow to the spirit if thou hast been so unfaithful that God would not adventure with thee his ten talents be so trusty that God may not repent him of that one talent now in thy hands or if thou hast embesled that Talent yet at least restore unto God his napkin having robbed thy Master of his moneys do not keep from him his purses too thou hast cut off thy (3) Jer. 10.23 legs therefore use (4) Psal 25.12 Hos 6.3 crutches the more thou hast dulled thine (5) Eccl. 10.10 axe the more pains thou must take in hewing thou hast blunted the edge of the spirit it concerneth thee to make the best use thou canst of thine affections thy memory and thine understanding the more graceless thou appearest the more thou art obliged to use all means of grace the Word of God is two-edged as I cannot hope for salvation without the help of Gods Spirit so neither can I (6) Pro. 1.23 Luke 11.13 Rom. 10.17 expect the help of Gods Spirit unless I wait for it in the use of means I (7) Luk 16.11 12 Mat. 25.23 28 must be faithful in my natural abilities if I would be entrusted with spiritual Beside God (8) Luk. 1.53.29 filleth the hungry with good things the more empty thy vessel the more capacious it is to receive the (9) 2 Kin. 4.6 ointment
20 deserved a Pillar much more doth Hers. That Rachel followed after [5] Gen. 31.35 35.2 Justly might Rachel be buried Esay 1.29 nader an Oak idol fancies this after true godlinesse after the God of holinesse she followed not after false Gods Seeing now her steps followed God her works follow her Her name is [6] Eccles 7.1 precious among us and as [7] Mrs. Rutters body was embalmed her body so her [8] Nee doleas quod talem amiseris sed gaudeas quòd talem habueris Hieron in Epitaph Nepotian page 23. Memory is embalmed She hath travailed [1] Qaid invidetis bonam mortem cui dare vitam non potestis Plin. lib. 2. Epist. 20. quite thorow all that this world can [2] Eccles 1.2 7.1 afford viz. Troubles of heart She went farre into the Kingdome of Grace viz. she believed in God she believed in Christ And hath already entred the Kingdome of Glory possessing mansions in her Fathers house While she abode on earth she delighted in Saints now with [3] Illum non emori sed emigrare mutare amicos non relinquere intelligeres Saints she abideth Complain not then that she departed hence in the midst of her age for a vertuous life is a [4] Wisdom 4 7 8 9 Placita erat Deo anima illius in brevi spatio multa complevit S. Hieron Fitaph Lucinij long life Untimely her death was but as the Father of Alexander said [5] Plutarch Apothig in Philippo of his Friend Hipparchus the untimelinesse was not unto her self but unto us Not unto her self for God [6] Gen. 5.24 took her no nor yet unto us for The [7] Matth. 6.20 Acts 21.24 good will of our God be done Life may by no meanes be neglected great is the blessing of long life especially there where it is found in [1] Whereas green fruit and a young man want their true taste Old age is the vessel of prudeace the way of wisdome Yet compare the long life of common persons with the short life of this singular Christian In looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God many a One is so dull so slow that after the irksome labours and sorrowes of fourscore yeares his unprepared soul beginneth to cry O spare me a little before I go hence But this Christian began early in the Morning and loe she hath finished her course betimes She [2] Nos dolendi magis qui quotidiè stamns in praetio peccatoruâ— vitiis sordidamis vulaera accipimus de â—â—oso verbo sumus reddituri ratâ—â—em Idem ib.d. found favour with the Lord in the [3] Esay 57.1 We may say coâ—ceming Mrs. Rutter as our said of S. Anselm Hoâ— tempus ci datum est ut majus boaum ci in aeternitate daretur midst of her age The Race which was set before her she run as well with good speed as with patience She ran and so ran that at the one half of her yeares she obtained mercy Call to mind her dayes which she hath passed you will acknowledge them [1] aetarem ultra putet L. Florus lib. 1. Prolog worthy your imitation yea and worthy your thanksgivings too Think upon her present life you will finde in it Life more abundant Life most worthy your more abundant thanks most worthy your more abundant rejoycings too True WE cannot roll away the Stone from her grave but in due time the good Angel in my Text [2] Hos 6.2 will Yea She her self being [1] 1 Cor. 15.32 dead yet [2] Fiducia Christianorum resurrectio mortuorum Tertul. speaketh while her first Resurrection is an earnest of her second Wherefore Let not your heart be troubled Or if for a season troubled it be imitate Her for whom ye mourn As she did so do you Believe in God believe in Christ then as she doth so shall ye ye shall enjoy mansions in my Fathers House rather as she doth so shall ye ye shall glorifie your God as God Time it self [3] Rev. 10.6 must dye ye Death it self [4] Rev. 21.4 must dye but every soul which rejoyceth to glorifie God [5] Quamdiu hic moramur peregrinamur à Dommo Ad hoc anti sumus ut mâ—â—eamus aterni Hi ron ad Paul super Blesillae filae obitum Therefore as She in her Funeral Rings Posie saith I am not lost but gone before So we Non amâ—simus sed praemisimus August ad Iralicam viduam Epist 6. Non moeremus quod talem amisimus sed gratias agimus quòd habâ—â—mus imó quòd habemus Deo enim Matth. 22.32 vivuâ—t omtia quicquid revâ—titur ad Dominum in Eph. 3.15 Familiae numero computatur S. Hieron ad Eustoch in Epicaph Paul endureth for ever for which everlasting mercy and for every other mercy of his both to our bodies and to our souls ever for ever blessed be the Name of the Lord. Amen THE Jewes when they build a House are [1] J. G. out of Leon Moden digit Rili Hebraia Part. 1. bound to leave some part of it unfinished in remembrance of the destruction of Jerusalem By the same Rule in memory of this Friends dissolution I should break off here I should here leave my Discourse dying [2] John 11.16 at the Gentlewomans Grave unperfected Beloved compasse all that is before me I cannot yet neither am I inconstant unto [3] See the method proposed p. 272. my self neither dare I be forgetful of my God even of your God and mine viz. What prayses I bring I sacrifice not unto the dead but unto [4] Rev. 1.18 Him who is alive and liveth for evermore Wherefore By these few and slender instances which both I have newly given and you have patiently received I say by these few and slender instances of those many and large favours wherewith the Lord richly [1] That may be truly said of this Mrs. Dorothy Rutter which was said of Socrates Whosoever knew him loved him and honoured him and they that did not so it was because they did not know him enamelled the perfections of this One single short-lived Friend Judge I pray you between Our God and Us concerning the whole multitude of his mercies toward Vs toward Ours toward all believers from common mercies not excluding unbelievers and reprobates Concerning life past present future day by day hour by hour doth this God vouchsafe renew accumulate upon these sinful soules and bodies of ours mercies multifarious numberlesse unsearchable Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gifts Utter them we cannot Point toward them [1] Quia ipsa sibi obstat magnitudo rerumque diversitas aciem intentionis abrumpit faciam quòd solent qui terrarum situs piagunt in brevi quasi tabellà tolam ejus magnitudinem amplectar L. Florus l. 1. Prolog we may Revise a little those three great Kingdomes upon which we were entring having a little viewed them
and much health be hardly found in one person Beloved I urge not these as complaints but as vindications the sincere Minister hath (5) Fhil 2.20 2 Cor. n. 28 29 Sancta laudabilis est in religionis negotio impatientia Jeron other cares wherewith to busy his thoughts then these low troubles his soul is too spiritual to be satisfied with any thing under the (6) Phil. 3.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Chrysost Master whom he serveth these earthly cloggs which the world calleth Mony Wealth Pleasure Honour c. He rather useth then desireth true without them live (7) paupertas ridiculos hommes facit Qui mirantur opes hi nulla exempla beati Pauperis esse putant he cannot he cannot without them so (8) Saepius emoliunt eleemosynarum dona quos non commovent concionū verba 1 Tim. 3.8 Tic. 1.8 live as becometh his vocation they are that oyle of the sanctuary which the wisdom of the all-sufficient God hath made necessary to preserve our light of life and consequently the light of the Gospel from extinguishing wherefore since a Minister can no more subsist without these then without the aire which he breathes in stoop he must to take them up for his livelyhood and seeing he must of necessity encumber himself with these requisite supplies very equal it is that what is his right be tendered unto him not only as his due but as his encouragement and (9) Philem. 14. Phil. 4.14 17 comfort If the over-watched Midwife be wearied and humbled with the loud cries dolefull complaints and fearfull pangs of a woman labouring and travailing as well for her own life as her infants your courtesie considereth not only this midwifes handinesse but her discomforts not only her dexterous skill but her irksome watchings In stead of enjoying the sweets of some pleasant garden the Chirurgeon tieth himself up unto his patients wound dresseth bruises deep and putrified sores enough one would think at once to affright and poison him in this Chirurgeon ye regard not only his art but his patience The Physician neglecteth his estate his home his ease his sleep his health to attend the groans of a dying man for these his self-denials the mercilesse souldier would not (1) Dr. Gauden Hieraspistes p. 490. grudge him his twenty shillings a day The (2) Pro. 18.20 Aestuat infalix angusto◠mine eloquent Lawyer who neglecteth his own estate to secure thine crowdeth sweateth and wearieth as well his whole body as his tongue thou wilt not for shame offer this Lawyer a single fee The infirm Judge though aged and crasie rideth his Circuit through ill ways and worse weather he afflicteth his weak body to relieve the oppressed sitteth all day long in much pain to ease his country of many vexations the King him-self will see this judge rewarded Beloved great are these inconveniences but no burden under that which crowneth his sacred Majesties royal vigilancies and Princely affections can equal those throws (3) Gal. 4.19 wherewith the Ministers of Jesus Christ travaile Who hath believed our Report is (4) Jonah 4.1 2. compared with Esay 53.1 an afflicting question Dear people we mourn in secret for your (5) Eccles 2.2 No indifferent gesture is so seldom without sin as laughing for it is commonly raised upon things to be pitied K. James flores regii Aphorisme 54. laughter we grieve because ye lay not your sins to heart so sad an accompt of the flocks to us entrusted so little fruite of our great labours of the souls for which Christ died so many posting to Hell forbear ye tears if ye can we I am sure cannot the names written upon our (6) Exod. 28.29 brest-plate stick too close upon our bosom to afford us any such ease Omitting then what we suffer in our name peace wealth and health is any revenue or honour a suitable requital for these our frequent alas our constant discomforts If ye Parents have in your hearts any bowels of pity over one childes ricated consumption anothers angry blaines a thirds bruised limbes a fourth burnt in your fire or other like calamities from which God forefend ye have then a little turning a little of the melting of our bowels a little taste of our inward bleedings ye will then see us in the same Positure as was the sister of that forlorn Moses Exod. 2 4 or as was Hagar when she had eys able to weep but not able to (7) Gen. 21.16 see the perishing of Ishmael yea in the same Positure as was Rachel then when she therefore wept for her Children because they (8) Jer. 31.15 were not Beloved He that could have with-held (9) Prov. 31.6 wine from either Hagar or Rachel deserved little himself either take from us these waters of affliction else mix with these waters some wine of gladness Lay ye aside the hardness of your hearts we will then be content to make Brick without Straw Affright us no more with frequent Symptomes of your everlasting death and then debar us of what worldly shelters our earthly Tabernacles may justly demand either preserve your precious souls from being lost or grudge not our bodies the melancholick comfort of a mourning weed But if our trembling hearts therefore die daily because ye daily neglect to escape death afford us we beseech you some of your weak Julips for Cordials ye can give us none Since we must suffer heaviness because some of you repent not of your unbelief allow us that liberty which was not denied unto the persons in my Text The person here speaking was a man (10) Compare Mat. 26.36 and Joh. 18.1 with Luke 22.39 of sorrows ye therefore sometimes find him in (11) Ibid. a Garden of pleasures Cause enough he (12) Compare Mat. 13.34.19.41 Mat. 23.37 had to weep over Jerusalem repine not if he (13) Compare Mat. 21.7 Luke 19.37 compared with Judg. 5.10 ride to it as (14) Ibid. honourably as he can Since the (15) Psal 69.9 Reproaches of his God fell so often upon him blame him not if he (16) Mat. 21.9 accept of Hosannas since he doth (17) Luke 22.15 not refuse to be crucified upon (18) Luke 23.33 one Mount grudge not to see him (19) Mat. 17.1 2. transfigured upon another if he disdain not a (20) Luke 2.12 Manger spare him your presents As for the Persons here spoken to they are likewise spoken to in the tenth Chapter of St. Mark where for what they suffer in verse 29 they receive a hundred fold in verse 30. 21 Mat. 2.11 I conclude then so long as the yerning of our bowels beggeth of you Believe in God believe in Christ In your Fathers house are many Mansions So long your Equity if not your Bounty will treat us Let not your heart be troubled 2. If our necessary Supplies part from you with an Evil Will we then address our selves unto you all not
holy fear thy slumbering conscience is thorough mercie a little awakened hath at length a little feeling dreameth now at last what an evil thou cherishest by maintaining enmities against the great God for (1) Esa 59 18 he will repay fury to his adversaries and recompence to his enemies Possibly thou beginnest to perceive what a desperate presumption it hath been to make it thy sport to crucifie (2) Heb. 6 6 Christ for had (3) 2 Kings 9.31 Zimri peace who slew his Master Possibly a fore-sight of judgement to come hath affected thy soul with present horrour for the (4) James 2.19 Devils themselves beleeve and tremble Which if thou according to thy wonted impenitencie canst not doe be confounded and astonished at the sense of thy (5) Esa 1.2 Jude 15. crying guilt Except thou repent and believe loe vengeance is at hand lieth ready in store (6) Mat. 3 10 Esa 65.6 and will in an hour which thou art not aware of swallow thee up for ever and ever Alas thou hast foolishly and childishly (7) Jer. 4.22 5.21 25 like one stupid or Starke madd with all contempt and heedlesnesse in the most unthankfull manner that malice it self can suggest from thy youth up despised thy (8) 2 Sam. 12.9 Num. 25.31 1 Sam. 2.30 Lords pleasure and thine own peace No marvell then if wrath already smoaketh against thee alas (9) Deut. 29.19 20. it already breaketh out and as it flasheth first into thy (10) Rom. 2.15 1 John 3.20 conscience scorching that so it will hereafter flash upon thy soul (11) Gen. 2.17 Rom. 6.23 Ezek. 18.4 affrighting that from thy body and will in the end seize again upon thine unclean body (12) John 5.29 forcing that lump of sin to accompany thy lost soul as well in suffering torments as in contracting guilt Now if the Lord hath a mind to destroy thee (13) Esa 63.17 2 Chron. 25.20 Mat. 13.14 15. Deut. 29.4 he will go on to hide from thee these sore evils but possibly the power of the Word hath wrought upon thee possibly thou art afraid of Gods judgements I trust the Lord hath caused thee to tremble at his threats I hope thy heart smiteth thee I hope thou seekest for Jesus If so then but not until then be of good cheer The Master calleth thee I beseech thee therefore whosoever thou art ponder thy life past the hours dayes weeks moneths years which thou hast spent not in service to but in rebellion against a God patient indeed but just and (1) Nahum 1.2 jealous Consider again and again that thou canst not be at the same time in a state of unbelief and in the state of salvation too it will cost more then so to work out thy salvation wouldest thou know in this thy day the things which belong unto thy peace thou wouldest what pains soever it shall cost thee watch and pray and strive and strive to make thy calling and election sure Hell flames are about thine ears wilt thou lye still and be burnt in thy bed Art thou so foolish a Coward that thou wilt wink while the Devil stabbeth thee Is it more tolerable to endure torments in hell then to exercise repentance upon earth Are unquenchable flames more to be desired then the Mansions in heaven Is it safer to continue a Judas then to approve thy self a sincere convert and a sound beleever Wilt thou still refuse eternal life rather then accept of it upon Gods terms I deal plainly with thee unless thou canst truly say I (1) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Milesius Thales am not I except thou canst say I my self was (2) Joh. 3.7 Tit. 3.3 such another Judas as is here secluded from these Disciples here spoken unto in this Text except thou canst say such (3) 1 Cor. 6.11 a one was I but I am washed but I am sanctified but I am justified Until thou canst say I was (4) Ephes 2.1.2.3 a child of disobedience I was dead in Trespasses and sin but am now quickned am now a (5) 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 new Creature except thou canst say (6) Rom. 7.25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord this stone of unbelief presseth thee for a mute if thou persist in this stubborness thy hard heart may well be called stony for it shall be nothing (7) Pro. 10.20 worth unless to make a fearful (8) Gen. 19.26 monument of inexcusable guilt and of ineffable Justice There is a (9) 1 Kin. 8.38 Plague in thy heart wilt thou not be made whole when (10) Si non modo quando shall it once be Jer. 13.27 Thou With Joy of whom I travail in birth until Christ be formed in thee the Prophet raised up (1) Deu. 18.15 like (2) Deu. 30.15 unto Moses hath set before thee this day Life and Death viz. Life that thou mayest escape death Death that thou mayest seek life I have heard of one in a Swoon who was mistaken for dead layed out for dead wrapped in a Winding sheet coffined A familiar but sad story related applyed and buried too for dead the same person awaking out of his Trance and finding himself coffined by struggling for life bruised his body to death Shall I apply this He when people thought him quite dead was alive thou O unbeliever hast a name that thou livest but art dead He when he found his body buried bruised it to death couldst thou complain that thou art dead there were hopes of thy life true thy body of sin hath indeed been hitherto merely a black Coffin for thy departed soul the worser Grave-stone of the two remaineth fixed on thy heart of unbelief as immoveably as ever the dust of death lay upon that interred friend nevertheless the good Angel in my Text can (3) Mat. 28.2 roll away this stone He who (4) Joh. 11.44 called Lazarus forth of his grave can speak to thee the dead (5) Joh. 5.25 have heard his voice and thou mayest the Author of this Gospel hath (6) 2 Tim. 1.10 abolished death and brought immortality and Life to light werefore he saith Awake (7) Eph. 5.14 thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee life Set thy soul in order for thou mayest live and not dye Object Object I am fitted for destruction and therefore (1) Rom. 9.22 for ought that I know am a vessel of wrath Answ Answer Though thou art fitted for destruction thou art for ought that thou knowest (1) Eph. 1.4 chosen in Christ Object Object I have in me all the signs of a (1) 2 Cor. 13.5 Reprobate Answ Answer Thou hast the more need to (1) Phil. 2.12 work out thy salvation for God (2) 2 Pet. 3.9 would not have thee perish he would have thee (3) 1 Tim. 2.4 saved Object Object The (1)
of grace then those [11] Isa 41 2.55.5 Jer. 4.2.10.7 Zech. 2.11.8.22 Turks have which worship Mahomet the same God which (12) Isa 38.19 Eccle. 8.113 Dan. 4.17 Psal 66.9 spareth unto thee the breath of life while Judas Julian nay while some born since thou wert born are grievously tormented in Hell the self same God would have thee [13] Ezek. 33.11 escape the everlasting torments due unto thee and to thy heart of unbelief Thy Rebellion [14] Isa 1.2 4 24. Nahum 2.2 6. hath been inexcusable and thou liest wholly at the power of that King against whom thou hast rebelled yet lo he offereth [15] Ezek. 18.32 Isa 55.7 a Free Pardon yea he offereth terms of Peace every way for thine advantage thou (16) Rom. 8.7 art at enmity with him but he hath Love free (17) Hos 14.4.2.19 love everlasting loves for thee though (18) Psal 9 17 11.6 Hell be thy portion fain would God entitle thee (19) 1 Pet. 1.4 to an inheritance in heaven When thou hast done all that ever thou canst be able to do thou wilt be at the best but an (20) Luk. 17.10 compared with Mat. 25.30 unprofitable creature I wiss yet loe God longeth to (21) Deut. 4.6 7.28.58.10.21 Psal 34.2 Jer. 17.14 honour thee with his service as (22) Deut. 3.1 Ezek. 6.9 corrupt as thine affections are God (23) Hos 2.14 Jer. 3.14 Isa 54.5 wooeth thee for them as wicked as thy heart is God (24) Gen. 6.5 compared with Jer. 4.14 and Prov. 23.26 calleth for it if thou wilt not believe him search the Scriptures in them he offereth thee his (25) Prov. 1.23 own Spirit in them he offereth unto thee his his own Son Oh he taketh glory Luke 19.10 in saving so lost a sinner as thou art Thou witness thy life past thou hast had no (26) Psal 14.4 knowledge of God let it be Gods glory that he can cause thee to (27) Jer. 24.7 know him thou hast a stony heart of thine own let it be the glory of thy God that he can (28) Ezek. 36.26 give thee a heart of flesh The Lord hath (29) Deut. 29.4 not given thee a heart to perceive nor eyes to see nor ears to hear unto this day let it now be his praise that he hath giveth thee a (30) Pro. 20.12 hearing ear a seeing eye and a believing (31) Phil. 1.29 heart too Thou hast had no (32) Rom. 3.18 Job 6.14 fear of God before thine eyes let God have the honour of (33) Jer. 32.40 Psal 51.6 10. putting his fear in thy inward parts Happily God hath hitherto winked (34) Act. 17.30 at thy carelesness on purpose that the (35) Rom. 5.20.7.13 transcendency of thy guilt may exalt (36) Luk. 7.47 Isa 30.18 Psal 130.4 his free his unsearchable mercies the (37) Luk. 51.13.25.11 Dan. 9.9 Lord forgive thy sins for they are great the Lord help (38) Mar. 9.14 thine unbelief for thy heart is not stedfast the Lord have compassion upon thee for (39) Heb. 5.2 thou art ignorant The holy God can write his Law even in (40) Jer. 31.33 thy heart he can pour upon thee a (41) Zec. 12.19 Spirit of Prayer and of supplication In all thy doings (42) Ezek. 21.24 thy sins appear but the person speaking in my Text can take away those (43) Zech. 3.4 Isa 64.9 filthy rags from thine incurable wounds thou hast no (44) Jer. 30.13 healing Medicines but the Physitian in my Text is the God of thy health he (45) Jer. 30.17 can heal thee and all thy back-slidings he can cause thee to draw near and to (46) Jer. 30.21 approach and to come with (47) Heb. 4.16 boldness unto the Throne of His grace Sinner thou hast (48) 2 Kin. 17.17 sold thy self to work wickedness but be no longer the (49) Rom. 6.16 servant of a Devil for Christ (50) 1 Cor. 6.20 hath bought thee and that not with corruptible gold but with his own blood his precious blood his precious his most precious blood Greater love hath no man (51) John 15.130 then this viz. that he lay down his life for his friend but Christ commendeth his love toward thee in that thou being (52) Rom. 5.8 an Enemy a polluted an inconsiderable a contemptible enemy and He being a righteous a holy person a person therefore a man (53) Heb. 2.14 because a God died died the shameful death of the Cross and despised the shame because he died for thee Who (1) Rom. 8.34 is he that condemneth It is the person speaking in my Text that died Thou who hast been so careless of Christ hitherto happily thou now turnest over a new leaf happily thou wilt now (2) Ephes 5.16 redeem thy time and amend one the (3) Jer. 7.3.23.22 evil of thy doings thou wilt put away from thee if thy canst thou wilt be renewed (4) Eph. 4.23 Col. 3.10 as well as thou canst in the spirit of thy mind happily thou art mortified and grieved and full (5) Zech. 12.10 of bitterness for the (6) Eccles 7.25 wickenness of thy folly happily thou resolvest to (7) 2 Cor. 7.1 clense thy self from all filthinesse of the flesh and of the Spirit to give (8) 1 Thes 5.17 thy self unto prayer to exercise (9) 1 Tim. 4.7 thy self unto godlinesse and to (10) 2 Cor. 13.9 strive after perfection all the days of thine appointed time if so this is a good change of mind in this thy good resolution go on prosper this notwithstanding know unless thou make the person speaking in my Text thy Refuge thy practise of Piety will never (11) Heb. 10.22 Tit. 3.5 quiet thy conscience the reason is though a (12) Rom. 8.15 spirit of bondage may restrain thee from evil and may presse thee upon duties yet it can (13) Ephes 2.9 never render thee acceptable in the presence of an offended God alas the best works that ever thou canst perform (14) Tit. 1.15 Gal. 2.16 shall never be able to satisfie the most infinite Justice of a provoked God no not (15) Heb. 9.22 for the least of the least of all thine infirmities Be as upright as ever thou canst yet of all those innumerable debts due from thee unto thy Lord thou shalt never be able to pay (16) Mat. 5.26 one mite that is sterling if this alone be that Plea by which thou hopest to (17) Rom. 3.20.24 answer the Law never never look the severe Judge in the face assure thy self that the just Judge of all the earth will do right Judas (19) Mat. 27.4 repented himself of his evil and yet Judas (20) Act. 1.25 perished in his transgression and so mayest thou if thou hope to pacifie God by thine own righteousness How then shall my Conscience obtain peace with
Christ hath (4) Gen. 3.15 1 Pet. 5.8 Rom. 5.12 21 no such occasions of complaint we have indeed received a mortal over-throw in the fall of Adam great is the misery great is the reproach many are the troubles which that old Serpent hath maliciously brought upon us all But our comfort is that (5) 1 John 4 4.2.13 14 5.4 5 as our shame dieth not so neither dieth our Adversary the Devil No He is so full of his stratagems so good at tempting that he daily appeareth in his likenesse daily giveth us fresh opportunities of (6) 1 Pet. 5.9 James 4.7 avenging our selves upon his pride while through Christ who (7) Phil. 4.11 strengtheneth us we daily (8) Eph 6.13 withstand him (9) James 4.7 resist him wound (10) Gen. 3.15 Psalm 68.21 118.7.41.11 his head and put (11) 1 John 2 14 him to flight He who resisteth stedfast in the faith shall see his desire upon his enemy By this we know that God favoureth us because our enemy doth not (12) Psalm 41 11 triumph over us Seventhly The wise Virgin will not then (1) Mat. 25.4 be to seek for oyl when the bridegroom is comeing Neither will the experienced believer want a (2) Psalm 23.4 staffe while he either [3] Gen. 32.10 foardeth Jordane or climbeth the wearisom top of [4] Deut. 34.1 Pisgah He knoweth that every [5] Eccles 12.1 Jer. 12.5 mile is two in winter He is so thriving that he [6] John 12.35 layeth up a penny against Christmas He walked [7] Eph 5.16 while he had light [8] 1 Tim. 6.19 and made provision for a dear day He cannot say So many years I have lost the [9] Psalm 90 12 more years he numbreth the more he applieth his heart unto a spiritual wisdom He expecteth the [10] 1 Peâ— 5.8 assaults of Sathan and therefore armeth himself with [11] Ephes 6 14 16 17 sheild and helmet He is not now to make his last will at least his Soul he hath [12] Psalm 86 2 bequeathed unto God Ere ever [13] Revel 2 22 he be layed upon his bed of languishing he hath set his soul in order so doing He valueth a [14] Psalm 95 7 8 Luk. 19.42 2 Cor. 6.2 John 7.34 feather in hand more then a bird in the aire and esteemeth one [15] 2 Tim. 3.5 Eph. 6.6 7 Josh 24.14 ounce of sanctified goodnesse before a whole bushel of fruitlesse ostentation He furnisheth his heart [16] Psal 119 11 with spiritual knowledge exerteth [17] Esa 64.7 2 Peâ—â—â— 3 18 his knowledge into faith his faith into strong assurance his assurance into a love unfeined when chill age [18] Eccles 12 1 benummeth and palsieth as well his understanding as his head he then [19] 2 Tim 4.7 knoweth in whom he hath believed He can then live [20] Col 3 16 upon the quick stock When his sight and Hearing utterly fail then [21] Psal 71 18 Heb 13 5 John 13 1 Phil 1 6 Jude 24 Revel 1.18 then as in winter Swallows and summer birds subsist upon a vital heat and are of themselves a nourishment unto themselves the spirit of God that [22] Phil. 119 4.19 sustaineth him and so richly doth Gods word dwell in his retired memory that his meditation [23] Psal 1.2.63 6.104.34.119 97 99. 1 Tim. 4.15 Josh 1 8. knoweth no night Eightly He who [1] Deut. 28.66 Esa 33 18. feareth death enjoyes not life He therefore [2] 1 Cor. 15.31 Ipsa consuetudine matus exolescit Plin. lib. 1 Ep. 4. dieth daily The consumed candle while it winketh and winketh untill it catcheth after [3] Psal 18.28 Job 21.17 her vanished flame night by night reneweth unto him the future [4] James 4.14 expiration of his deceasing Soul Nor is it any new thing with one of his age [5] Job 17.13 to go to bed in the dark His Lords leisure he [6] Psal 27.14 tarrieth His masters [7] Job 14.14 call he attendeth but can most chearefully [8] Revel 14 13 rest from his labours so soon as ever his God shall allow him [9] John 11.12 Job 3.13 to sleep He sleepeth sweetly who [10] 1 Thess 4 14 sleepeth in Jesus Ninthly A necessity is layed upon the long-lived Christian His old age hath no time to dally in He hath received (1) Charon me momordit Demonax in Eras Apo. l 8. his praestomoney and must march If to Heaven (2) John 5.29 he will not to Hell he shall Other (3) Gen. 27 2 people may die but he must Wherefore he of this necessity [4] Nihil neque meum est ne jue cujasquam quod auferri quod cripi quod amitti potest M. T. Ciceronis Paradoxa maketh a vertue so great a vertue that the nearer he cometh to the shoare the more he prepareth for rocks If at any time Nature beginneth to shrink Grace upbraideth it or if through melanchosly his dejected soul draweth a little back she recoileth [5] Phil. 1.23 with a more vigorous resolution Nay if the God of his life should freely put it unto his choice whether he would be [6] Gen. 5.24 translated like Enoch caught up [7] 2 Kings 2.11 like Elijah or dye the death like their and his Master He would refuse Elijahs fiery Chariot and Enochs milder assumption for one dust of his Redeemers [8] Compare Job 30.23 with Luk. 7.6 7 and 1 Cor. 15.55 57 John 11.16 Grave I say he would with a holy ambition desire to taste of that Cup which his dearest God did [9] Heb. 2 9 drink off and sweeten From a transitory life to an everlasting life passe he would but upon no easier terms then [10] St. Peter thought himself so unworthy to be crucified as Christ was that he obtained leave to be crucified with his heels upwards what his Lord and Master accepted before him and for his sake Lastly Of all the Romane Souldiers none no not the Principes themselves were so great a stay unto the Empire as [1] For Ad Triarios ventum est if once the stresse of the Battel came unto them were the Veterani and among all the Souldiers of Jesus Christ none are more exemplary unto the Churches of God then are they who are aged [2] Psalm 71.18 as well in the practice of piety as in the multitude of days Polycarpus gave us an instance of this said he [3] Enseh Eccles Hist Eighty five years have I served God neither hath he ever offended me at all how then can I to escape Martyrdom revile my King who hath hitherto kept me 1 Therefore reverence your gray hairs O aged [1] Qu bus nihil opis est in i sis ad bene bia qu vivendum iis omais gravis est aetas qui autem omnia bena â seipsis petunt iis nihil potest
more then when we through his mediation make use of his Spirit to glorifie our God Object If the holy Spirit may be so easily had if Jesus Christ be so forward to seize and seal us then may flesh and blood (1) Thus the urgodly Psalm 36.2 slat reâ—h herself in his own eye until his inequity be fâ—â—d to be hateful borrow a little more freedom Some piety and some pleasure some godlinesse and some worldlinesse may the one help out the other Though we go on in our practices a while longer we will be so wise unto salvation that before death surprize us we will settle our selves once for all to repent believe obey live strictly c. Answ [1] Psal 59.5 119. v. 119.155 Satan can furnish us every day in the year with as handsome a device as is this There is no resolution more common among the sonnes of men then this is but withal none more pernicious none more devillish This is Sir Politique Would-be his smooth forecast a project fit for a limb of the Devil for certainly no child of God (2) Nolite sperare in iniquilate nolite peccare in spe Bernardus Serm. 2. de Advent In viis custodict nunquid in Praecipitiis Idem in Psalm 91. dareth to harbour so prodigious a thought in his bosom What! Will you serve the Holy Ghost as you serve your dogs Will you (1) Ezek. 14.3 make use of the holy Spirit hereafter to hant and catch your prey but turn him quite out of doores now while you sit down at meales There is not a greater (2) Esay 26.10 spice of Atheism in the heart of man then this Then is the stone of unbelief (3) James 1.7 most unlikely to be rolled away from thy door when it sinketh deepest in such sandy Foundations Know son of Belial know To (4) Porcis comparandi sunt qui ca prius concupiscunt ut luto caenoque involvant quae mox avidè devorent Parker de antiq Brit. in praefat neglect God in our sicknesse To trample under foot the blood of Jesus hoping to serve our turn upon it hereafter This is not to glorifie but to delude God! This were not to obey but to command the Almighty It is not to have a true fear of the Lord but a false love of our selves Take it for a Rule although it glister never so much that is (1) James 2.17 26 1.27 no true grace which feedeth upon delayes One who now feareth he is now drowning (2) Sera nimis vita est crastina timor addidit alas 1 Tim 6.12 will not say To morrow I will strive to swim The finger which feeleth a burning coal will quickly hands off Whoso espyeth gold dropped in the street will not passe over it to day saying I will come and look after it at night nor will one who is a sincere follower of Christ Jesus ask (3) Matth. 8.21 suffer me first to bury my dead This (4) Vive hodie Nauseabit ad antidotun qui hiavit ad venenum Tertul. cont Gnost cap. 5. future repentance this future faith which you sinners store up in your idle imaginations is not Repentance but Ignorance not faith but fancy a meet (5) Sub lege est qui timore supplicij quod lex minatur non amore justitiae se sentit abstinere ab opere peccati noâ—dum liber nec alienus à voluntate peccandi In ipsâ caim voluntate reus est quâ mallet si fieri posset non esse quod timeat ut liberè faciat quod occultè desiderat Augast de nat grat cap. 57. Esecta in naufregio dominorum adbuc suâ—t quia non eo anâ—mo ejieiuatur quo lâ—eas habere nolint sed ut periculum effugiant lib. 41. cap. 9. Sect 8. glow-worm having no light at all except what it borroweth from darknesse Hypocrites if you see many such glow-worms it is night with you ye walk in darknesse and since ye know not wether ye go I will inform you you are going directly in the road way to hell although you want eyes to see him the Devil walketh with you step by step Do ye not feel him bearing sway in your hearts He laugheth at your security he laugheth but keepeth himself invisible he keepeth himself invisible and leadeth you onward to perdition Escape for your life return the Lord Jesus he calleth after you His Spirit giveth you to understand that To repent believe c. is not to flatter thy God that thou wilt forsooth hereafter become dutiful but to deny thy self forthwith viz. to stand in present (1) Therefore all commands in Scripture requiring us to repent believe c. enjoyn us to repent believe c. presently awe of Gods justice to fear his displeasure to delight in his Commandements to obey his Authority to (2) Deum colit quisquis imitatus est Seneca Ep. 95. reverence his holinesse to rejoyce in his praises c. which to do since we are of our selves so strangely indisposed we seek for a communion with and for assistance from the co-operating Spirit and this Spirit we cherish that by it we may be (3) Suavissima est vita indies sentire se fieri meliorem more and more enabled to glorifie our God Object Since the glory of the Eternal Power is so great that it cannot be (1) In this Book see pag. 280.281 encreased and so infinite that it cannot be diminished Whence is it that God expecteth glory from man and man seeketh to glorifie God Answ Seeing vain man is so selfish that though he is not (1) Non nobis so'uÌ„ nati sumus Cicero born for himself alone he would little benefit others were it not that he sought his own prayse rather then he (2) Of this Treatise see p. 239 240. should not be instrumental unto the service of the chosen of God there is indeed implanted in him an affectation of glory The numerous and excellent Writings of all heathen and many Christian Authors the invention and improvement of Arts and Sciences yea the most famous Works throughout the world may most of them be ascribed unto the vain glory of their performers But we may (3) See also pages 280 281 282 284 and there N. 5. conceive no such unworthy thoughts of the infinite God as there is in him no defect so there can be in him no affectation The great God willeth that we should glorifie him partly in regard of us partly in regard of himself 1. In regard of us God infinitely delighteth to communicate good giveth us occasion to glorifie him that thereby He Himself may take occasion First to relieve (1) Psalm 50.15 our necessities Many charitable Christians fall to building planting mounding sim for no other cause but that they may relieve the needy in finding work for them just so the liberal God (2) Esay 32.8 deviseth liberaâ—â— things Secondly to (1) Vere