and vvound them for so bloudy a crime yea that they reioyce and glory in it many of them and make a sport and pastime of it O horrible impietie Pro. 10.23 and 14.9 How are the consciences of such seared and their hearts hardened yea how like are they vnto Sathan their father who was a murtherer from the beginning Ioh. 8.44 and delights in nothing more then in hunting after the precious life of man and wounding his soule vnto death by entising and drawing him vnto wickednesse O blessed Lord farre be it from me at any time to commit so great a sinne against thee against my neighbour against the life and soule of any vvhich ought alwayes to be most deare vnto me Let me not be a meanes to wound the conscience of my brother by giuing him any iust offence by walking before him in any scandalous course let me neuer be an occasion of death vnto the soule of any by seeking to draw him to the commission of any sinne or to the practise of any kinde of vngodlinesse by any meanes whatsoeuer O farre be this from mee yea O Lord let me be as much afraid of this as much abhorre it as the murthering and destroying of the body of any which is so horrible a sinne that euen the Heathen themselues by the light of nature haue seene and iudged it to be worthy of the sharpest and most cruell death And let me seeke by all meanes rather to saue and preserue the liues and soules of men yea Iam. 5.20 of mine enemies by keeping them as farre as in mee lyeth from sin which is the cause of destruction and by turning their feete out of the waies of death and shewing them the path which leadeth vnto euerlasting life and happinesse and walking therin before them that so we may at length reioyce together Luke 15.9 10. and be made partakers of that glory of thy Saints in the highest heauens Amen What ought to be the maine care of euery one in this life THe Heathen Orator could say that none is so foolish Demosth so sloathfull as to neglect his owne safetie This is true indeed of the safetie of the body He is a monster in nature that doth not seeke by all good meanes the preseruation of it there be but few that may be complained of in this regard But the eternall saluation of the soule who seeth not how little it is regarded of the most how strangely neglected how faintly sought after yea of many scarce thought vpon O folly of follies and desperate sloathfulnesse yea extreame madnesse of men vvho are so sottishly carelesse of that which of all things most nearely concernes them For what would it aduantage them to game the vvhole vvorld Mat. 16.26 and to hazard the losse of their owne soules yea of soule and body for euer O blessed Lord let the counsell of the vvicked seeme foolishnes vnto mee and preserue me and all thine from the same both now and euer Let mee euer be most carefull of that vvhich is most necessary Luk. 10.42 more solicitous of the eternall saluation of my soule then of the safetie and preseruation of this mortall and corruptible body vvhich is shortly to be turned into the dust and made foode for the crawling wormes or baser vermine Aboue all cares let mee be carefull of this to seeke by all means and to vse all diligence to make my Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 that so I may haue comfort in this that I am ordayned to life and shall be preserued by thy mighty power 2 Tim. 4.18 1 Pet. 1.5 vnto that glorious saluation vvhich is prepared to be shewed in the last time vvhen thou shalt be glorified in thy Saints 2 Thes 1.10 and made marueilous in them that beleeue yea that so soone as the earthy house of this tabernacle is dissolued 2 Cor. 5.1 and this vveake and fraile body turned into the earth out of vvhich it vvas taken I shall be receiued into those heauenly habitations those celestiall mansions and be made partaker of that rich that immortall vndefiled and neuer-fading inheritance purchased vnto mee by the bloud of thy Son and reserued for mee in the highest heauens vvhere thou raignest in endlesse and vnspeakable glory blessed for euermore Amen Christians often ill Iudges of themselues and their owne estates THe Children of God who are marked out by GOD himselfe vnto life and saluation are oft-times ill Iudges of themselues they discerne not aright of their owne estate because they measure themselues by an vncertaine and deceiueable rule viz. not by the Word of GOD which is of infallible trueth but by sense and feeling and by present apprehension of things offered vnto their thoughts vvithout due consideration of the wise and gracious dispensation of the Lord in his dealings with his children Sometimes hee filleth their hearts with ioy Psal 30.5.11 Isai 66.11 2 Cor. 1.3.4 1 Pet. 1.6.8 and causeth them to feele the sweetnesse of his diuine and heauenly consolations that so they may haue a taste of his goodnesse yea of the exceeding riches of his grace and mercy wherewith he imbraceth them in Christ Iesus Psal 10.1 13.1 2. 22.1.42.5 119.82.143 1 Pet. 1.6 2 Cor. 6.10 Sometimes againe he seemeth to hide his countenance from them for a while and vvithdraweth those comfortable and glorious feelings vvherewith they vvere before vvonderfully refreshed and wherein their soules reioyced in vnspeakable manner that thus they may be the more humbled in themselues knowing that all is from him and not from themselues and become the more earnest suiters vnto him for the enioying of that Psal 34.4 wherein they see their blessednesse consisteth as also that he might vveyne them the more from this wretched vvorld and cause them to aspire vnto that heauenly life where these comforts shall be alwaies present with them in more excellent manner Psal 16.11 6.8.9 without any intermission or alteration O blessed Lord teach me alwaies to iudge rightly of my estate not according to feeling or the present disposition of my vnsetled minde but according to the rule which thou hast giuen vs in thy vvord which neuer fayleth Though thou dost not alwaies cause me to taste of that heauenly Manna Reuel 2.17 vvherewith sometimes thou dost refresh me though thou dost not alwaies looke vvith a cheerefull face and vvith a smiling countenance vpon me causing thy light to shine in my heart but makest as though thou vvert angrie and much displeased vvith me and gauest no eare to my humble supplications which I powre out in silence before thee yea Psal 22.2 sufferest me to be exercised with many and grieuous temptations and to indure many a hard and doubtful conflict with that deadly enemy and aduersary of mine who thereby seeketh to make a prey of me yet let me alwaies lift vp my heart vnto thee Psal 27.14 Iames 1.2 and
quake within him for the greatnesse of the horrour thereof Heare O yee foolish yee of stiffe neckes and stony hearts how long vvill you be thus blinded how long shall your owne vvicked hearts deceiue you o Ier. 17.9 how long vvill you suffer your selues to be deluded by Sathan that deadly enemie of yours vvho seekes to make a prey of you for euer how long will you suffer your selues to be so bewitched and inchanted by that enuious p Mat. 13.28 and malicious Spirit that the remembrance of these things should no more moue you no more affect you vvorke no more vpon you then it doth Are you afraid of the first death and doe you not much more feare this second death which of all euils is the most fearefull the most dreadfull yea in comparison of which the other is scarce a shadow of death though a fore-runner of it and a way and entrance vnto it to those that shall perish Doth that astonish you and shall not this much more Are you so secure so stupid so senslesse Assuredly a very strange thing it seemes vnto mee and may well be so esteemed of all that consider of it how prophane gracelesse and vngodly persons when they heare or when they thinke of these things should not be terrified and affrighted with them and drawne with the feare and dread thereof from all their wicked and sinfull courses which heretofore they haue liued in the Swearer from his oathes and blasphemies vvith which hee hath pierced the heauens the Drunkard from his drunkennesse that bruitish and sottish vice the Prophaner of the Sabbath from his prophanations thereof the filthy person from his filthinesse and vncleannesse and shamefull pollutions the couetous Vsurer and Oppressor from their couetousnesse vsury and oppression of their poore Brethren and neighbours among whom God hath placed them to the very q Deut. 5.11 Mat. 26.11 end that they should shew mercy and compassion vnto them and not crueltie and rigour in a word euery impenitent sinner from the sinne and vvickednes wherein they haue heretofore liued and delighted and continued from time to time carelesly securely boldly and presumptuously as if all were well as if there were no cause of feare no such danger imminent or ensuing and ready euery moment to seize vpon them for nothing holds them vp from falling into the depth of that bottomlesse gulfe but onely the small twine-thread of their fading and vncertaine life which is ready to be cut in sunder euery minute euery breathing while O that they were wise r Deut. 32 29. Hosea 14.10 to vnderstand and consider of these things O mercifull LORD who art mighty in power and terrible in thy Iudgements doe thou strike their hearts with the horror of thy wrath and vengeance to come Smite their soules that they may tremble before thee and fall downe groueling vpon the earth in the apprehension of the greatnesse of their miserie that is to come vpon them if they doe not conuert and turne vnto thee Those that will not be drawne with the cords of thy mercy patience and long-sufferance to come vnto thee by true and vnfayned repentance doe thou euen constraine and compell them and driue them forward with that rod of iron euen with the feare of thy most fearefull and yet most iust and righteous Iudgements O doe thou giue them a sight of that dreadfull and vvofull miserie which shall ouer-whelme the wicked for euer Let them haue a right discerning and a true apprehension of it Let them beleeue it and tremble at it and be drawne thereby to turne out of all the wayes of wickednesse vvherein heretofore they haue vvalked being deceiued with the deceitfulnesse of sinne and Sathan let them so feare it that they may preuent it flye from it and be preserued from perishing in that great deluge with the world of the wicked whom thou hast ordained s Rom. 9.22 of old vnto destruction and euerlasting confusion And raise vp the heart of thy seruant both now and alwayes I humbly intreate thee to vnfayned thankefulnesse for that thou hast in some measure touched my hart with the consideration of thy iudgements prepared for the wicked and hast caused the feare and dread of them to be t 2 Pet. 3.15 saluation vnto mee humbling mee thereby and causing mee to stand in awe of thee and to flie from the wrath and vengeance to come vnto the throne of thy grace and mercie in Christ Iesus my Sauiour and Redeemer who hath giuen himselfe to death for mee to free and deliuer mee from that death and hell O doe thou continue still good and gracious vnto me Let thy mercy and vnspeakeable kindnesse so freely vouchsafed vnto mee in thy beloued Sonne be the principall motiue euen to force and constraine mee to hate all sinne and to abandon all iniquitie but let mee also be mindfull of thy dreadfull iudgements to be inflicted yea powred forth vpon them that forget thee v Psal 9.17 and are disobedient x 2 Thes 7.8 vnto thee and to that heauenly voyce of y Heb. 3.7.8 thine whereby thou daily callest them if they had eares to heare or hearts to vnderstand let mee alwayes feare the second death which is the death both of the body and soule more then the first death which is the end of this short and transitorie life and yet let mee liue so as I may not be in a slauish feare of eyther not of the first death because it shall be no death vnto mee but an end of my miserie and wretchednesse vnto which I am and shall be continually subiect as long as I liue in this valley of teares this place of mourning as one in exile and banishment out of his owne Country and a meanes of entrance into life and glory euen of that glory which is endlesse and vnspeakeable Not of the second death because through the riches of thy grace and mercy I am already passed from it z Ioh. 5.24 8.51 Rom. 8.1 Eph. 2.5.6 that so howsoeuer it may shew it selfe vnto me in a dreadfull shape yet it shall neuer haue power ouer me being one of thy redeemed ones to whom death a 1 Cor. 15.57 and Hell it selfe is subiect The blessednesse of the life to come how much to be desired THE life present how sweet doth it seeme vnto men how much desired is it of the most how loth are men to part vvith it what will they not doe that they may preserue it But the life to come how little is it affected of the greater sort how faintly desired how willingly parted with for euery sinfull lust euery fruitlesse vanitie the deceitfull pleasures and transitory profits and commodities of this fading and perishing vvorld Oh the sottishnesse and bruitishnesse of men the vvicked off-spring of prophane Esau a Gen. 25.35 Heb. 12.16 that for a small portion of these temporall things sell away all their hopes vnto that eternall
comfort my selfe in thee continually knowing assuredly that thou art present vvith me when thou seemest to be farthest absent from me that thy gracious hand sustaineth and vpholdeth me Psal 34.18 Gen. 42.7 45.1 and that thou louest me dearely when thou seemest to deale most roughly vvith me and that thou vvilt neuer leaue me till thou hast through many changes brought me through the vvildernesse of this world to the possession of that heauenly Canaan vvhere after I haue been exercised heere for a while for the triall and increase of thy graces in me I shall be satisfied vvith the pleasures of thy house Rom. 5.3.4 Iames 1.3.4 and drinke the vvaters of comfort out of the vvell of saluation yea vvhen I shall see thee face to face continually and reioyce vvith that ioy before thee which shall neuer haue any change nor can euer be taken away from me Sathans pollicie in making the faithfull to distrust God in his promises SAthan when he cannot otherwise preuaile with the children of God seeketh to cast many doubts into them of Gods mercy goodnesse and truth in the performance of those rich and gracious promises vvhich he hath made vnto them 2 Cor. 2.7 11. and to disquiet their consciences with restlesse feares that so seeing hee can by no meanes depriue them of that glory and happines which hereafter they shall enioy for euer in the heauens yet he may bereaue them of those inward spirituall comforts and heauenly refreshings wherwith their soules should bee cherished their hearts strengthened 2 Cor. 5.6.7 and their liues vpholden vvhiles they continue here as pilgrims strangers vpon earth absent from the Lord and in hope and expectation only of the fulnesse of that glory and blessednesse which hereafter they should haue the fruition and possession of for euer O mercifull and gracious Lord stablish my heart I beseech thee vvith thy grace Iohn 8.44 Let me neuer giue eare to Sathan that lying spirit who enuies at that blessed estate vvhereunto in the riches of thy vnspeakable mercies thou hast freely called me but let me beleeue thee who art the God of trueth and faithfulnesse and rest vpon thy word and promises which abide sure and stedfast for euermore 1. Pet. 1.25 when all other things faile and come to nothing Farre be it from me that I should receiue the witnesse of man vvho is subiect to error and deceit and not much more giue credit vnto that inward testimony which thou who neuer deceiuedst any that trusted in thee 1 Iohn 5.9 scalest vnto my soule and conscience by the effectuall working and operation of thy holy and blessed spirit yea hauing receiued so many pledges of thy loue so many and so cleare euidences of thy goodnesse thy trueth thy power and thy wonderful prouidence which worketh in all things so that they that are dimme-sighted may behold the but same a farre off let me shake off all infidelity vnfaithfulnes and rest euer assured of thy mercie that so my life may be comfortable my death ioyfull yea in life and death I may be satisfied vvith the sweetnesse of thy grace and so at length be filled with the riches of thy glory in that heauenly kingdome of thine which thou hast promised vnto me Dispaire or distrust of Gods promises a great sinne TO doubt of Gods promises to dispaire of his mercies is a grieuous sin and a most hainous offence in the eyes of God For therby men rob God of his glory Rom. 4.20 they doe him great iniurie making his infinite mercy lesse then their sinnes Psal 51.1 103.11.12 108.4 whereas the multitude of his mercies are as a bottomlesse depth able to swallow vp the greatest offences that are committed against him if they be truely repented of yea Act. 3.19 1 Ioh. 5.10 they call his truth and faithfulnesse into question Isai 57.15 16. Math. 11.28 and make him a lyar seeing he hath promised forgiuenesse to all those that being truely humbled sue vnto him for mercy Lo such is their faithlesnesse they vvill not beleeue him of his word who is the God of trueth nor giue credit to the trueth vvhich he who neuer failed any hath sealed Exod 34 6 Ierem. 10.10 Deut. 7.9 Iosh 21.45 whereas they will credit a man who may deceiue them No doubt ought once to bee made thereof of those vvho know vvhat God is Num. 23.19 2 Cor. 1.20 and how firme and stable all his promises are or if any doubt shall arise from the corruption of that euill and vnbeleeuing heart which is in man Heb. 3.12 Luk. 9.41 or the suggestion of Sathan who being a maine enemy as to all grace so especially that of faith which is as it were the life and the anchor of the soule seeketh continually to cast many doubts and vaine feares into the minde it is not to be yeelded vnto by any meanes Psal 42.11 Iames 4.7 Mat. 8.26 but to be checked presently resisted and driuen backe as it were vvith strong hand knowing that the testmony of the Lord is true more certainty in it then in the warrant of any mortall man yea then in all the writings Euidences Seales Indentures and witnesses which al the men in the world can afford vs. O Lord make me now and alwaies such as to whom thy promises belong and hauing wrought this gracious vvorke of thine in me strengthen my faith that I may haue full assurance and confidence in thee through thy Christ and apply vnto my selfe all those gracious promises vvhich thou hast made vnto me in thy word vvhich shall stand for euer O keepe mee from doubting of thy trueth and faithfulnesse at any time Ier. 17.13 Heb. 10.38.39 least it displease thee and cause thee to vvithdraw thy selfe from mee The small number of them that shall be saued THat there are but few that shal be saued many damned is a truth which the word of God hath sealed yea which Christ who is the trueth it selfe with his owne mouth hath ratified vnto vs Mat. 7.13 Luk. 13.24 calling the way to life a strait gate and narrow way which is found but of a few but the way to death and destruction a wide gate and broad way in vvhich most vvalke VVhat neede we other proofe How can vve once doubt of it How dare we euer call it into question or enter into dspute of it But because many through Sathans suggestion and the peruersnes of their owne wicked disposition are hard of beleefe euen of those things vvhich in Scripture are most cleare and euident vnto vs Loe therefore a plaine demonstration of it that so if thou beest so faithlesse that thou wilt not beleeue it with thy heart thou mayest see it in a sort with thine eyes and confesse it with thy mouth when thou art so manifestly conuinced of it To calculate therefore as it were the number of those that walke in this narrow way to
27.28 and of Lot did when their destruction was at hand and euen drowne our selues in such dangerous loosenesse and securitie as the most doe whiles our enemies cut our throates 1 Thes 5.6 Is it meete I speake to them that are of any vvisedome or vnderstanding to discerne vvhat I say is it meete that vve should be thus vaine thus negligent thus desperate euen vvith the vvicked of the vvorld letting goe the hope of life and plunging our selues into the depth of euerlasting confusion and condemnation in so vvretched a manner O consider of this all yee that forget God and casting away the meanes of grace vvhich hee offereth runne on headlong in a violent manner as you are led yea driuen by Sathan vnto your own destruction Thinke of this What doe you O men blinded and deluded by that deceiuer vvho as he hath beene alwayes a murtherer so now seeketh to murther your soules yea Ioh. 8.44 soules and bodies for euer Will you still suffer your selues to be mislead by him Will you needes barre your selues out of heauen yea out of all hope of heauen and happinesse Will you needs for the sweetnesse of a fewe transitorie pleasures profits and delights depriue your selues of so great glory those full and euer-flowing streames of all heauenly pleasures and delights which if I had the tongue of men and Angels 1 Cor. 2.9 I were not able fully to expresse Will you needs be so foolish and vnwise as for the obtayning of these fading perishing things in a sinnefull manner to cast away your selues for euer Will you needs set vpon your selues the brand of eternall perdition the notes and markes of a reprobate so that they that see you may say Loe there goes one that walkes in the broad way to hell and destruction Or do you thinke that walking and continuing in that broad way it is possible for you euer to be saued and to enter with that smal number into that glorious kingdom Ioh. 3.3 or to escape that fearefull pit of endlesse confusion O be not so secure so foolish and vnwise in that which so greatly so nearly concernes you O bee not so great enemies to your owne soules so cruell and mercilesse to your selues Doe not so desperatly depriue your selues of so great glory and happinesse in comparison of which all the things of this world pleasures Matt. 16.26 profits honours and whatsoeuer else is most highly accounted of in the world are but draffe drosse dongue dreams and fancies vaine and transitory things not worth the speaking of Doe not so vnwisely doe not I beseech you in the feare of the Lord and in the bowels of Christ Iesus cast away your soules in such a carelesse manner vvhich he came to saue with his pretious bloud yea and sweat drops of water and bloud that hee might redeeme the same 2 Cor. 5.20 Christ Iesus himselfe intreateth and beseecheth you in the mouthes and by the meanes of his owne Ministers in and by whom hee speaketh to you to leaue the broad way Luk. 13.24 2 Pet. 1.10 Phil. 2.12 vvherein you walke and to striue to enter in at the narrow gate to giue all diligence to make your calling and election sure to work out your saluation vvith feare and trembling O therefore heare his voice whiles it is time and let not Sathan stoppe your eares and delude and bewitch you as hee hath done heretofore and as hee doth the greatest part of the vvorld to their vtter ruine and euerlasting confusion both of body and soule Oh his sleights and pollicies how many and how treacherous they are O let him not keepe you any longer from vvalking in this narrow way to life and cause you to walke on in that broad and crooked way the end and issues whereof howsoeuer they seeme pleasing to you Pro. 12.15 14.12 are death and endlesse vvoe and miserie If the feare of loosing heauen happinesse which the enioying of all the things of this vvorld cannot recompense will not moue you let the danger of falling into hell and damnation amaze you and cause you to stand at a stay and to goe no further in so fearefull a way but speedily to recall yourselues and to turne out of it The very bruit beast will not runne into a deepe pit or any danger which it seeth before it in the way wherin it should goe but vvill turne aside vvith Balaams Asse and seeke by all meanes to escape and auoyd it and vvill you be more vnwise then the brute and vnreasonable creature taking rather the way of death and destruction then the way of life and saluation If you will needs be so brutish and senselesse and vvill by no meanes be reclaimed go on as those who are destitute of vnderstanding and all true spirituall vvisedome and fulfill the measure of your vvickednesse till you perish in it and complaine vvhen it is too late of your great folly in making so bad a choise and following so vnwise and dangerous a course though you vvere often forwarned of the wretched end of it But Lord though others be so carelesse and secure yet let it not be so vvith any of thine let them shake off all slothfulnesse and negligence in so weightie a matter as concernes thy glory and their owne euerlasting either wealth or vvoe yea let them neuer be at quiet neuer at rest till they know certainely and vpon good euidence that they are picked and sholed out of that great number that shall perish and be damned for euer to be of that little flocke that shall liue with thee eternally And make me truely thankefull I humbly pray thee for this gracious worke of thine towards me O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast vouchsafed vnto me herein in that it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy grace through Christ to make me one of that small number for vvhom thou hast prepared a kingdome that thou hast caused me to vvalke in the narrow way which leadeth to life and saluation vvhen as thou sufferest the most to runne on headlong in that broad and crooked vvay which leadeth to death euerlasting destruction What am I or vvhat is there in me more then in others that perish that thou shouldest shew this fauour vnto me more then vnto them It is onely thy loue and thy vndeserued kindnesse which it hath pleased thee of thy bountie and goodnesse in thy Christ to vouchsafe vnto me O let me neuer be vnmindful of the same But let the oft and serious consideration thereof draw my heart and all my affections vnto thee causing yea euen constrayning me to loue thee entirely and vnfainedly aboue all things to feare thee to stand in a holy awe and reuerence of thee continually and to seeke by all meanes to glorifie thee And let me neuer be discouraged vvith the straitnesse of the passage or the many difficulties which I shall meet with
him f Mat. 10.24.25 38. in no other way then hee hath gone before vs not to drinke of any other cup then hee hath first more deepely tasted of then we euer can doe although our afflictions vvere mingled vvith much more gall and bitternesse then eyther they are or haue beene O mercifull Lord let mee be ready alwayes with a willing a patient and chearefull minde to suffer rebuke for thy sake let it not seeme g 1 Pet. 4.12 strange or yrkesome vnto mee though for thy name I be hated h Psal 44. 64 3. reuiled slandered and laden with many reproches yea couered vvith shame and ignominie vvhiles the enemies of thy grace and truth speake cruelly despitefully and disdainefully against mee all the day long yea let me reioyce herein because hereby in some sort I am made conformable vnto thee i Col. 1.24 1 Pet. 4.13 2 Cor. 4.10 When they speake bitter things against mee being assured of mine innocence let me take them vpon my shoulder and binde them as a crowne vnto mee k Iob 31.36 Yea O Lord seeing thou dost not vouchsafe that honour vnto mee vvhich thou hast done to many of thy deare and faithfull ones whom thou hast made glorious by their sufferings to vnder-goe stripes bonds imprisonment l Psal 44.22 Hebr. 11.37 and death it selfe for thy names sake and for the profession of thy holy and heauenly truth let mee account it a part of happinesse vnto me and a speciall fauour of thine towards mee that I may suffer these lesser things for thee euen the hatred contempt and reproach of the world which alwayes m Mat. 16.24 accompanyeth those that vvill be thy Disciples and let mee labour by all meanes to prepare my selfe for the enduring of greater matters euen the losse of all earthly commodities and the shedding of my dearest bloud if it shall please thee vvho art the Lord of my life and death to aduance mee vnto that high dignitie and to crowne mee vvith that glory and blessednesse to become one of thy Witnesses and to seale vp my Profession by resisting vnto bloud Comforts for the afflicted OR A Preseruatiue against impatience or discontentment in any kinde of Crosse or Affliction consisting of diuers branches The first drawne from the eternall decree and good prouidence of the Lord therein I. ALL things come to passe by the a Psal 103 19. Pro. 19.21 Eccle. 3.14 Isa 45.7 Dan. 2.21 Amos 3.6 ordinance of GOD euen as he hath purposed and decreed His diuine prouidence ordereth and disposeth all things There is not any thing which is done on the earth or happeneth vnto any man but he foreseeeth it long before determineth of all the circumstances of it both when b Gen. 45.5 Exod. 21.13 Mat. 10.29 30. by what meanes and to what end and purpose it shall be effected and when it is brought to passe either is the proper and chiefe agent in the doing of it or suffereth it to be done by others according to the determinate c Act. 4.28 Iob 30.27 counsell of his owne will O righteous Father the houre is come which thou didst foresee and fore-ordaine from euerlasting should come that appoynted time of thine is come wherein as before thou hast decreed so now I see it is thy will and pleasure that thy Seruant should be exercised and tried with diuers temptations and manifold afflictions Thy d Psal 32.4 hand Lord is vpon mee thou hast cast mee downe and humbled mee thou hast suffered me to be laden and oppressed with many sorrowes and miseries O giue mee grace euer to looke vp vnto thee to see and acknowledge thy diuine prouidence in all things which befall mee and wholly to subiect and submit my selfe vnto thy heauenly will and pleasure e 1 Sam. 3.18 vvith a patient and cheerefull minde resting and staying my selfe vpon this that thou doest all things most righteously and with great wisedome yea that thou who seest and disposest of all things that come to passe in the world knowest that this present estate how f Hebr. 12.11 grieuous soeuer vnto the flesh is most behouefull most profitable for me and that the afflictions vvhich are laid vpon me are and shall be for my greatest good g Rom. 8.28 euen the weakening of the power and strength of sinne and for the increase of the h 2 Cor. 4 16. graces of thy Spirit in me Behold Lord I am in thy hands deale with me in mercy goodnesse as it pleaseth thee i 2 Sam. 15.26 I yeeld my selfe wholy vnto thee to bow and bend my crooked vvill and to rectifie and make it conformable vnto thy holy and blessed will in all things Correct and chastise me in thy fatherly loue and compassion and in such a tender care ouer mee as I may see that thou seekest to doe me good and that I may finde those things redressed that are amisse in mee and giue vp my selfe vvith all humble submission to walke dutifully and obediently before thee all my dayes doing that which thou commandest and following the rule and direction which thou prescribest vnto me out of thy heauenly Word II. From comparison of the present afflictions with the glory to come ALL the miseries whereunto the godly are subiect in this life although they be a Psal 35.19 Act. 14.22 many and grieuous are nothing in comparison of that glorie which is reserued for them in the life to come not so much as a drop of water is to the maine Ocean For these are b 2 Cor. 4.17.18 finite and temporall that infinite and eternall How then should not any at the Lords appointment indure all these things patiently and cheerefully in the certaine hope and assured expectation of that excellent and c Gen. 15.1 2 Cor. 4.17 exceeding great reward that vnspeakeable felicitie and happinesse vvhich after a while they shall be made partaker of for euer How should they not rest well content though their cup were farre more bitter then it is yea though they were to drinke nothing but gall and vinegar all their liues and to bee fed vvith wormewood euen the greatest and most bitter afflictions that could possibly befall a man in this life How should they not most willingly and ioyfully vndergoe the Crosse and beare the burthen that is laid vpon them yea though it were twise as heauie as it is and did much more presse them then it doth seeing they are shortly not onely to be eased of it but also in stead thereof to be crowned with such glory as the heart of man is not able to conceiue of and the sight yea the glimpse whereof if it were now presented vnto his view vvould wholly rauish and ouercome him with the admiration of it d Exod. 33 20. None know fully what it is but onely the Saints that are already glorified euen the Citizens of that heauenly kingdome who haue the fruition
braued it out most for a while in mirth and iollitie with-holding themselues from nothing which their eyes desired nor with-drawing their hearts from any worldly ioy and carnall or sensuall delight haue not long after when they could by no meanes driue away that euill Spirit which so much vexed disquieted and tormented them burst out into fearefull vvords of extreame despayre yea and some of them being vveary of their liues and feeling the Flames of Hell in their soules Achitophell o 2 Sam. 17 23 Mat. 27.5 or Iudas-like laid violent hands vpon themselues and in a most vnnaturall manner became as it vvere their owne executioners O LORD GOD keepe my soule I beseech thee from taking any delight in the sinnefull pleasures of the wicked p Iob 21.16 let them not be sweet vnto my mouth nor pleasant vnto my taste lest I feele the bitternesse thereof in the end yea rather let mee lothe them and delight in those things which are pleasing vnto thee my GOD that so in my greatest sorrowes I may haue much inward ioy and finde comfort when as outwardly I taste of nothing but misery and affliction The carnall and wicked man wakened out of his sleepe ALthough many vvho now lye steeping in the brine of this world and euen soaking in their sinnes liue for the present at least in outward appearance a E 1 cles 8.11 11.9 Luk. 12.19 as merry and iocund as any thinking all is well vvith them and so be at rest and quiet vvithin themselues whiles they are setled vpon their dregs yet when GOD shall once let loose the cord of their consciences and giue them a sight of their sinnes and the multitude and haynousnesse thereof and setting them all in order b Psa 50.21 before them write sharpe and bitter things against them for the same then they shall quickly finde a strange alteration within them c Rom. 7.9 10. They shall startle as men sodainely awaked out of a dreame hauing most fearefull apprehensions dreadfull obiects presented vnto their mindes which will make them to shiuer and tremble with great perplexitie and amazement Their day shall be turned into night their light into darkenesse their mirth into mourning their ioy into heauinesse their greatest solace into extreame woe and misery All their sweetest pleasures wherein they were wont to bathe and refresh themselues shall become painefull and bitter vnto them their chiefest delights yrkesome and most vnpleasant so that their soule shall refuse all comfort yea they shall be troubled dismayed amazed terrified and affrighted exceedingly vvith the view of the huge masse of their vile and abhominable sinnes vvhich though now they be hid from their eyes yet then in most ougly manner shall lie before their faces in open sight euen the sinnes of their youth the sinnes of their age the sinnes which they haue committed alone in secret which the eye of none vvas witnesse of and vvhich they haue committed eyther with others or openly in the presence of others euen all their most grieuous and haynous impieties which euer heeretofore haue escaped them and vvhereby from time to time they haue prouoked the Maiestie of the most high shamefully defiled and dishonoured themselues and many waies grieued and displeased others Then hell and destruction shall shew themselues vnto their soules and a dreadfull and horrible feare take hold of them yea the sound of feare d Iob. 15.21 shall be continually in their eares and great astonishment in their hearts so that they shall be readie to quake at the shaking of euery leafe and to tremble at the hearing of euery sodaine noyse as that prophane and heathen Emperour who was so terrified vvith euery thunder-clap that he sought for corners to hide himselfe when he heard it comming and to flie vvhen none pursueth them e Pro. 28.1 but onely that euill and guilty conscience of theirs which being raised vp like a fierce and raging Lion which hath beene a long time a sleepe and is now sodainly awakened by the dreadfull hand of Gods iustice will neuer leaue following and pursuing them till it hath brought them to their most deserued punishment euen to finall desperation in this vvorld and to eternall perdition in that vhich is to come where they shal drinke of the cup Iob. 5.27 euen of the bitter cup of the fiercenesse of the vvrath of the Lord for euermore O mercifull God let mee neuer lye carelesly and securely in my sinnes let me not at any time delight in any of them let me not blesse or sooth my selfe in the least of them but let me be alwaies carefull to keepe my selfe pure and vnspotted of them that so I may not onely auoid those terrours and that wofull misery vvhich shall surely come vpon all the wicked and vngodly eyther in the time of their life or in the houre of their death or else in the day of iudgement and after for euermore but also that I may haue that peace of a good and quiet conscience vvhich may alwaies rest and abide with me and be a comfort and refreshing vnto me both in life and in death and in the day of thy comming euen that blessed appearance of thy Sonne vvhich all thy Saints daily expect and long for Worldlinesse a fearefull signe of one destitute of the true loue of God SEest thou any that is very eagerly set vpon any vvorldly thing pleasure profit honour or whatsoeuer else it be thou maiest assure thy selfe that whiles he is so much addicted vnto these earthly things the loue of God is very small or not at all a 1 Ioh. 2.15 in him He that loues God vnfainedly sincerely and entirely as he ought cannot as long as that loue of his abideth in him be greatly affected vnto any other thing nor haue an excessiue desire and longing after the fading vanities of this world for God will wholly possesse his soule and satisfie him abundantly so that he shall find contentment in him b Psal 73.25 Psal 119.57 Lamen 3.24 howsoeuer it fare otherwaies vvith him Blessed Lord kindle in me daily more and more I humbly beseech thee a sincere and vnfained loue of thy Maiestie who hast alwaies shewed thy selfe so exceedingly gracious vnto me doe thou euen inflame this cold and frozen heart of mine that so louing thee with that truth and earnestnesse of affection which ought to be in me and hauing my desires alwayes towards thee the loue and desire of these vaine and earthly things may be daily abated and diminished vvithin me yea I may banish farre from me all loue vvhich is not in thee and for thee vnto whom onely I am to giue my heart with all the affections thereof and that absolutely vvholly and entirely The folly of the Worldling ALL would condemne him for a foolish and vnwise man that would not exchange siluer for gold Psal 107.43 lead and baser mettall for pearles and precious stones And yet loe
dealing so vnkindly yea so rebelliously with him who hath shewed himselfe once yea often and that many waies so kinde and gracious vnto them Oh it should euen inforce them to come e Ier. 3.22 vnto him presently without all delayes it should winne their hearts and cause them to refuse his grace no longer to stand out no more against him but to bow and bend themselues vvholly to his will in all things and to desire by all meanes to recompence their former vnkindnesse and exceeding ingratitude and vnthankefulnesse towards him vvith so much the greater care and conscionable indeuour to walke humbly dutifully and thankfully before him in time to come studying how to please him and to returne glory vnto him This effect it should haue in all of vs. How sottish therefore are those that thereby become the more obdurate f Rom. 2.7 and hard-hearted vvho the more kinde and gracious the Lord is in bearing with them for their sinnes past doe become the more vnkinde and rebellious against him not onely continuing in their former sinnes and wickednesse but also adding thereunto new and greater sinnes daily and so growing euery day worse and worse the more that hee extendeth his goodnesse and patience towards them O faithlesse and stiffe-necked people men of stubborne and rebellious hearts and eares Doe you so reward g Deut. 32 6 the Lord for his great mercy towards you when you were altogether vnworthy of it yea deserued nothing but that the viols of his wrath and furie should be powred out vpon you Is this your kindnesse to your God vvho hath so exceeded in his grace and bounty toward you Is this your dutifulnesse your loyaltie your requitall of his fatherly compassions ouer you Doe you so answere him O how fearefull yea monstrous a thing is this that men should be made worse by the goodnesse of God how miserable are they that will make the mercies of God an occasion of their owne miserie and how ingratefull are they who the more kinde the Lord is towards them shew themselues the more wicked and rebellious against him We would blush and be ashamed to deale so with men and shall wee deale so with the euer-liuing and most glorious God that great God of the whole world who made vs when we were not and is able presently to cast vs both body and soule into hell-fire there to bee tormented for euermore Farre be it from me O Lord so highly to offend thy maiestie O let me neuer abuse the riches of thy bountie and patience least thereby I heape vp vnto my selfe wrath against the day of wrath and vengeance but let thy long-sufferance be saluation h 2 Pet. 3.15 vnto me euen a meanes to mollifie my heart to draw me daily nearer vnto thee and to cause me to walke more humbly dutifully obediently before thee yea as thou striuest continually by thy spirit to winne me vnto thee and euen to ouercome me with thy gracious and mercifull dealing towards me so let me striue and endeauour with all my strength and with all the powers of my soule and bodie to returne all thankefulnesse vnto thee and to testifie the vnfained thankefulnesse of my heart by entire and constant obedience vnto all thy lawes and commaundements and the more thy kindnes is inlarged towards me the more let me increase in loue and dutifulnesse vnto thee than thus I may at length see that promised saluation of thine in the hope and expectation vvhereof I doe and vvill rest continually A looking Glasse whereby to see what our estate is whether we be true Conuerts or no. THere be many that thinke they are conuerted vvhen indeed they are not a Prou. 12.15 14.12 but lye still in the state of sinne of death and of condemnation So b Ier. 17.9 deceitfull is the heart of man and so guilefull that arch-enemie of mankind Sathan who in a malicious and vnsatiable manner hunteth c Iob. 1.7 1 Pet. 5.8 continually after the liues and soules of men that oft times hee bleareth the eyes of men and deludeth them with counterfait semblances with vaine imaginations and shadowes of things that are not that so hee may cause them to rest carelesly and securely in that fearefull dangerous estate wherin they are till in the end he maketh a prey of them so that none is able to deliuer them out of his hands or to plucke them out of his iawes It is good therefore for euery one to take sure triall of himselfe d Lam. 3.40 2 Cor. 13.5 and to see that he standeth vpon firme e 1 Cor. 10 12 ground lest otherwise he perish vnawares and fall downe sodainely into the pit of euerlasting destruction vvhen he thought he vvas farre off from it and finde himselfe in the depth of hell vvhen as before hee dreamed of no such matter but deemed himselfe to be in as good estate as any though now too late hee bewaileth euen with f Luke 16.24 Hebr. 11.42 teares his great folly and marueilous securitie vvhich hath brought him to that place of vvoe and torment which hee thought not of till hee found himselfe in it and out of which hee cannot now recouer himselfe g Luke 16.26 though he had a thousand vvorlds to giue for his ransome Lest therefore thou beest as others haue beene vvho now grone in hell for it beguiled by the deceitfulnesse of thine owne corrupt heart and the subtilties and illusions of Sathan h 2 Cor. 2.11 vvho seekes nothing but thy ruine and vtter ouerthrow looke diligently into this Glasse which out of the Word of GOD I set before thee whereby if thou hast not a mist before thine eyes thou mayest rightly discerne vvhether thou art yet a true Conuert or no or else lyest still rotting and putrefying in the corrupt estate of nature not hauing as yet the worke of grace vvrought in thee howsoeuer heretofore thou hast flattered thine owne soule and thought that the vvay wherein thou vvalkest was right when as the end and issue of it is death and destruction i Prou. 16.25 First therefore vvhere true repentance is and vnfained conuersion there is a true knowledge k Psal 51.3 sight of a mans sinnefull estate and the wretchednesse and miserie vvhereinto he is plunged a knowledge of the sinne vvherein hee was conceiued l Psa 51.5 and borne viz. the sinne of Adam imputed m Rom. 5.12.18 to him as his owne and his owne inherent n Rom. 7.24 and inbred corruption together with his many and grieuous actuall transgressions of the most holy and righteous lawes and Commandements of GOD for vvhich the curse of God hath seized vpon him so that he is the o Eph. 2.3 childe of wrath and perdition Hee seeth himselfe of himselfe to be most wretched and miserable being assoone as hee came into this vvorld as a most loathsome leper in the eyes of God
deepe prison h Deut. 32 22 Pro. 7.27 and darke dungeon of Gods wrath appointed for the execution of his dreadfull vengeance vpon all the children of disobedience vvho vvould not know him nor what should be their happinesse that darke and dismall place that burning lake that fiery furnace i Mat. 13.15 and bottomlesse gulfe of deepe despaire the pit of hell that Tophet prepared of old for them large and deepe according to that k Isai 30.50 propheticall description thereof in briefe a place of vnspeakeable horrour and terrour worse then the most stinking prison or the most loathsome dungeon in the world there is no comparison the sight yea the very thought of it were enough to flait a man The darknesse of Egypt was fearefull and full of amazement and astonishment yet nothing to this The paines and torments there to be indured are shadowed out vnto vs in Scripture by l Psal 11.6 Mat. 13.42 25.41 fire and brimstone storme and tempest the worme that neuer dieth m Esai 66.24 Mark 9.46 chaines of darkenesse n 2 Pet. 2 4 Iudde 1 Mat. 8.12 22.13 and blacknesse of darkenesse All fearefull and dismall names and yet but semblances it may be and shadowes of those more grieuous tortures and that dreadful and hellish miserie vvhich then shall be powred out both vpon their bodies and vpon their soules and all the seuerall parts and members thereof in vnspeakeable and most wofull manner Tribulation o Rom. 2.9 anguish and great astonishment shal seize vpon euery one of them and wholly possesse them yea swallow them vp as it vvere with open mouth They shall haue a hell without them and a hell also within them euen their owne guiltie and disquieted consciences vvhich like a worme p Mark 9.44 shall continually lye gnawing vpon their soules vvith the remembrance of their fearefull sinnes past the great blessednes glory which through their folly they haue depriued themselues of and the extreame woe and miserie into which they are plunged yea their consciences shall vvound them in most fearefull manner the nips and pangs thereof shall be vvorse then the bitings of the venemous Cockatrice or the stingings of the poisonous Scorpion yea vvorse then death it selfe VVee see how that euen in this life when the Lord sometimes doth but suffer that worme to beginne to nible q Pro. 18.14 Esa 57.20.21 at the soules and consciences of vvicked men and cause them but as it vvere a farre off to behold the flashings of hell fire vvith which afterwards they shall be tormented for euer that euen this vvhich is but the beginning and forerunner of their sorrowes doth make them to rore out nay driue some of them to make away themselues eyther by hanging their owne selues as that great politician r 2 Sam. 17 23. Achitophel and that couetous and treacherous s Matt. 27.5 Iudas did or by drowning themselues or cutting their owne throats as others haue done as vvee haue knowne by wofull experience Oh then how vvofull and how grieuous shall it bee vnto them vvhen that worme of conscience shall continually lye fretting vpon them and biting in sunder as it vvere their very heart-strings nay gnawing in most fearefull manner vpon the most inward tenderest parts of their soules vvhiles they shal lye frying in the fiery flames being scorched on euery side with the fury of Gods wrathfull indignation which then shall be kindled against them and burne to the bottome of hell Then doubtles they shall desire to die but death shall flie far from them They shall curse and banne themselues and those that were companions with them in wickednesse by whose meanes a greater measure of wrath is powred out vpon them they shall cry out against their former sottishnesse and securitie that they had no more care to keepe themselues from comming into that place of torment t Luk. 16.28.29 though they were so oft admonished and forewarned of it by others who had more pittie of them then themselues O the remembrance hereof it will cut their hearts it will pierce their soules it will cause them to curse themselues and the day and houre wherein they were borne the time wherin they forsooke GOD and gaue themselues ouer to the seruice of sinne and Satan yea it will cause and constraine them to crie shame vpon themselues and their folly and madnesse in suffering themselues to be so deluded so deceiued through the deceitfulnesse of their crafty and deadly enemies who now when it is too late they see in all those pleasing courses wherewith they delighted them sought nothing but their vtter ruine and ouerthrow Neuer did v Iob 3. Iob in that weakenesse and extremitie of his curse the day of his birth as they then vvill the day of their birth and entrance into the world nay as they shall the time wherein they liued in the world and wherein they gaue themselues to the seruice and slauery of sinne and Sathan who hath now rewarded them x Rom. 6.23 to the full as they were oft before told that he should except they looked to themselues in time and shaking off all societie and fellowship with him returned vvillingly speedily and vnfainedly vnto the Lord. O the depth of miserie vvhich then shall come vpon them Their countenances shall waxe pale and wanne their hearts faile them and their soules euen rend in pieces vvith horror and amazement whiles they shall lie howling crying and shriking and in vaine powring out their mournefull complaints Woe woe is vs y Esa 33.14 Who is able to dwell with this deuouring fire Who is able to indure these fearefull burnings But to leade thee on yet further to the viewing of their companions with whom they shall abide in that place in those torments Their company what shall it bee None but hellish ghosts and damned creatures like themselues who as it were so many furies and barking hell-hounds appearing each to other in dreadfull apparition shall send forth such fearefull and hideous noises such horrible outcries such yellings and rorings as shall make that hollow vault that infernall prison to shake and their hearts to tremble within them yea euen to breake in sunder vvith the most dreadfull apprehension of their hellish miserie If the very appearance but of one of those damned spirits as we haue heard of some is sufficient to affright a man and to scare him out of his wits Oh then how fearefull how wofull will their estate be when they shall be thrust into the company of Sathan and constrained to dwell remaine and to lodge as it were with him and the rest of that hellish crue and viperous brood euen all the Deuils reprobate and forlorne wretches the number of whom cannot be numbred z Mar. 5.9 To this adde the time how long they shall indure such wofull miserie in that place of torment euen for euer a fearefull word for euer
bloudy voice of Caine once proceed out of my mouth or the least thoght of it once lodge in my breast Am I my brothers keeper Gen. 4.9 O let not the bowels of compassion euer be so wanting in mee that I should as farre as in mee lieth suffer any of thine to perish through the neglect of that dutie vnto which thou hast so straitly bound mee but let mee alwayes bee ready with all wisedome and Christian affection both to exhort and admonish others Pro. 15.31 Heb. 13.22 and to be rebuked and reclaimed my selfe whensoeuer I shall wander and goe astray from thee and from thy wayes A Preseruatiue needfull in these corrupt and infectious times THey that liue in a bad ayre or infectious places will be carefull to prouide themselues of preseruatiues that so they may not receiue that hu t thereby which otherwise cannot bee well auoyded What poyson is so infectious as sinne vvhat ayre so corrupt and dangerous as the example of the wicked and prophane multitude and what age more contagious then this in which wee liue wherein vertue is become odious yea as a thing monstrous amongst many Zach. 3.8 pietie accounted simplicitie and foolishnesse a reproach and disgrace vnto men so that the most are halfe ashamed of the very profession of it and vice and vngodlinesse aduanced and much made of as though it were a speciall grace and ornament vnto those that haue put it vpon them How trulie may we say with the Wise-man in this regard Eccle. 6.7 I haue seene seruants on horseback Princes walking as seruants on the ground bruitishnes and base seruile courses extolled and set in great excellencie and the most princely and heroicall vertues and graces of the minde debased and troden vnder the feet of the vile and contemptible Assuredly Iob. 30.8.9 1 Ioh. 5.19 the world lieth in vvickednes the very dregs and sinke of former times is falne into this last and worst age the venime whereof spreads it selfe daily more and more to the corrupting of others How needfull therefore is it for euery one in such infectious places and in so contagious an aire to get the best preseruatiues whereby they may bee kept from that poysonous steame with which most are corrupted and vvhich in the end will proue deadly if it bee not timely preuented O LORD seeing it cannot be auoyded but that I must liue for a time in this present euill world Ier. 9.2 vvhere vertue and true godlinesse is contemned and vice and wickednes gets the vpper hand the examples vnto goodnesse so rare vnto vngodlinesse so many abounding euery where seeing there be so many occasions to infect and poyson my soule and to draw me from that simplicitie godly purenesse which thou requirest Psa 51.6 2 Cor. 1.12 O giue mee grace by all meanes to prouide my selfe against the danger of this euill by vvalking wisely and circumspectly yea Eph. 5.15 do thou so preserue mee vvith thy grace that I may neuer be corrupted as others are nor fall from my vprightnesse and sinceritie but carefully auoiding all occasions of sinne as the very bane of my soule be free from those deadly diseases into which others fall without recouery and so die and perish in them Delight in sinne what folly it is I Can neuer maruell enough to see the extreame folly of the most who finde so much sweetnesse Iob 20.12 13 and take so great pleasure delight in those things which they know will be as bitter in the end as gall and wormewood nay as death it selfe Pro. 20.17 Iere. 2.19 Eccl. 7.10 Poyson though it be sweet yet because it is deadly is carefully auoyded but sinne which is the bane of the soule how greedily is it swallowed Rom. 6.23 because it is pleasant to the taste Lord suffer me not to eate of the dainties of the wicked lest I perish with them but cause thou my soule to loathe and abhorre them that so I may liue for euer Amen How dangerous it is to take liberty vnto ones selfe in any one sinne HEe that giueth himselfe libertie in any one sinne is as one that lifteth vp the sluces or breaketh vp the damme 2 Sam. 11.2.4.15 Matth. 26.70.71.72 euen flouds will ouer-flow and ouer-runne him many great and dangerous waters will breake in vpon him and ouer-whelme him if hee looke not to it in time Good Lord suffer me not vvillingly to yeeld vnto any sinne at any time but grant that I may be carefull alwaies to stoppe it at the beginning least it get a head and preuaile against me yea doe thou make vp the manifold breaches of my soule least I be drowned in perdition and perish with the world of the vngodly Another ONe rotten member vvill hazzard the whole body if it be not in time cut off and so the danger thereby preuented This is true in the body much more in the soule one sinne will bring death and destruction both of body and soule Ezek. 18.31 if there be not a timely preuention Lord if my right eye cause mee to offend Mat. 5.29.30 let mee not spare but pluck it out and if my right hand cause me to offend let mee not delay to cut it off and to cast it from mee Let no sinne bee so deare vnto mee as that I should be loath to be ridde of it yea not willing to cut it cleane off from mee though with painefulnesse rather then thereby to perish euerlastingly Custome in sinne how dangerous it is AS hard is it to plucke vp a tree by the rootes as to cause him to leaue his sinne Ier. 13.23 who hath a long time beene accustomed vnto it Experience euery where giueth too euident proofe of this in the vncleane person the drunkard the couetous worldling c. The longer that any hath continued in any sinfull course the more is he daily rooted and setled in it and with the more difficultie drawne from it vnto goodnesse His minde becommeth euery day more blind his conscience more seared his heart more hardened his vvill more crooked his affections more disordered and himselfe faster tyed and bound Act. 8.23 as it were vvith many cords and chaines vnto his iniquitie so that it is impossible for him to be loosed and to be pulled out of the snare of Sathan 2 Tim. 2.26 except the LORD vouchsafe an extraordinarie grace and worke as it vvere a miracle vpon him So dangerous a thing is custome and continuance in any sin in any kinde of wickednes O Lord although through weaknesse and frailety I fall daily into sinne Eccl. 7.22 1 Ioh. 1.8 and cannot doe other-wise yet let mee neuer lye or continue in the same but seeke presently to recouer my selfe and to arise speedily out of it that so howsoeuer I am subiect vnto many sinnes yet not one of them may at any time haue power and dominion ouer me Another SEest thou how it is
with him that is tumbling downe from an high and a steepe hill how hee cannot possibly stay himselfe till he come vnto the bottome and by that fearefull downe-fall be quite depriued of life so that he can rise no more but lyeth groueling on the earth as a dead man not able to stirre hand or foote so is it with those that once giue themselues to the committing of any sinne or to delight in any wicked and vngodly course they fal daily more and more and that very dangerously neuer staying till in the end if the Lord be not the more mercifull to holde forth his hand to keepe them from that danger and to saue them they fall right downe into the bottomlesse pit euen into the depth of hell the place of vvoe and torment to the endlesse perdition both of their soules and bodies O Lord order my wayes aright grant that I may auoide all occasions and prouocations vnto euill and that I may walke wisely and circumspectly all my dayes that so I may not onely be preserued from that vvofull downe-fall of the vvicked but also liue in peace and safetie vnto the end and in the end hauing escaped the danger of this euill and sinfull world may liue with thee in glory for euer Amen Sinne committed presently to be repented of HEe that hath taken downe poyson wil labour as soone as hee can possibly to cast it vp againe or else to procure some remedie for it least otherwise it proue his bane and the sooner hee doth this the better it will be for him Euery sinne that any one committeth is poyson to his soule if hee seeke not to be cleare of it hauing once drunke it downe it vvill be his ruine his death How carefull therefore ought euery one to be when he hath fallen into any sinne to seeke for a present remedy against it to purge and cleare himselfe of it by casting it vp againe by a true and vnfained confession of it and to take heed that hee endeuour by all meanes to abstaine for euer after from it least otherwise hee perish with it Good Lord let me alwayes consider how dangerous sinne is vnto my soule how that if I lye in it if I keepe it in me vnrepented of it must needes be my destruction and therefore whensoeuer through frailtie or infirmitie I shall be ouer-taken with any sin and drinke downe that deadly poyson vvhich Sathan offereth vnto mee in a golden Cup and vvhich my corrupt nature doth exceedingly desire and long after Iob. 15.16 thinking that there is great sweetnesse in that which indeede is as bitter as death Ier. 2.19 graunt that I may haue an inward loathing of it and finding my soule surcharged with it presently empty my selfe of it and be more careful for euer after to refraine from it that so I may not dye but liue and prayse thee Sinne truely deciphered that being once knowne it may be euer loathed and abhorred of all A Strange thing it is that men should delight in any sinne yea that they should not lothe and abhorre vtterly abandon it for euer if they eyther consider the vile and cursed nature of it or the wofull and damnable fruits and effects of it First it is the most vile and abhominable thing in the world the stincke and noysome smell of it hath infected heauen and earth and made all those glorious Creatures the Sunne the Moone the Starres subiect vnto vanitie so that they must be purged by fire in that great day of the Lord. Rom. 8.20 2 Pet. 3.10 In Scripture besides many other names which set forth vnto vs the filthinesse thereof Ezek. 16. Ierem. 13.27 Psal 51.2 it is compared to the most loathsome disease in the world euen the filthy and contagious Leprosie a disease so much abhorred that hee that was infected therewith among the Iewes by Gods owne ordinance was to be excluded and shut out from all company Numb 5.2 2 Kin. 15.5 as vnmeet to liue and conuerse amongst men and yet this was but a type and a shadow of the filthinesse and vncleannesse of sinne If wee had seene the Iewes Leprosie it vvould haue seemed very loathsome to vs we would haue wondred at it for the contagion of it was such that it did not onely infect the vvhole man who was tainted with it but his garments also which vvere about him Leu. 13.47 and sometimes also the very wals of his house 14.34.45 so that it was faine to be broken downe and to be cast out of the Citie into an vncleane place But if we had eyes to see this spirituall Leprosie of the soule it would seeme much more loathsome vnto vs wee vvould vvonder at it at our selues that we should once euer giue our selues in any sort to delight in it yea it would humble vs and cause vs to blush Rom. 6.21 and to hang downe our heads for shame nay with holy Iob Iob 42.6 euen to abhorre our selues and to abase our selues vnto the dust and to thinke of our selues as most vile and more loathsome then any Lazar that lyeth by the way full of blaines and sores vnworthy euer to come into Gods presence or to partake of his holy things who are so vnholy our selues and so exceedingly polluted and defiled from top to toe Isa 1.6 from the crown of the head to the sole of our feete with that inbred corruption and actuall pollution yea wee would neuer be quiet or at rest in our selues till wee had procured that grace and mercy of the Lord whereby we vvere washed and cleansed from the filthinesse of our sinnes and iniquitie Psal 51.7.2.7 Heb. 10.22 vvith the sprinckling of the bloud of that immaculate Lambe and the pouring out of those cleane vvaters of his sanctifying Spirit Ezek. 16.25 Zach. 13.2 which flow out of that heauenly Sanctuarie and so found the vncleane Spirit departed from vs. Such is the filthy and loathsome contagion of sinne nay surely it is so ougly so vile and so loathsome that neyther I nor any else is able fully to decipher or to expresse the ouglinesse and loathsomenesse thereof if wee vvere able to paint it forth or to lay it open in it true colours there is no man but vvould euen be flaited and affrighted at the very sight and appearance of it there is none but vvould hate and abhorre it more then the most loathsome Toade the most venemous Serpent or the ougliest Creature in the vvorld For there is no toade so loathsome no Serpent so venemous no creature so ougly as sinne is nay if a man if it were possible should make a confection of all the Spiders Toades Snakes Adders Serpents Vipers and all the most filthy things in the world it vvould not be halfe so vile and infectious as Sinne is That this may appeare yet more clearely thinke with thy selfe what is the most detestable and execrable thing besides sinne that possibly
can be named Is it not the Diuell I know thou vvilt and needs must say so For his very name doth affright men and vvhen vvee haue named him vvee thinke that we haue reckoned the worst and the most loathsome hatefull thing that can be yet I tell thee that euen Sathan himselfe that hellish Fiend is not so filthy so loathsome and deformed as sinne is Maruell not at this as though it could not so be but consider throughly of the matter and thou wilt easily perceiue and willingly acknowledge it to be so For vvhat is it that makes the Diuell so much abhorred both of God men and Angels Is it not sinne and sinne onely yes doubtlesse it cannot be denyed For who knowes not that knowes any thing that those damned Spirits euen all the Diuels in hell Iude v. 6. were at the first more glorious excellent louely and amiable Creatures then any mortall man whatsoeuer yea that they were like Starres Angels of light shining and glistering with puritie holinesse and righteousnesse before they vvere stained and defiled vvith the loathsome contagion and infection of sinne and transgression Sinne onely it was that blemished that goodly beautie Sinne onely it was that darkened that vvonderfull brightnesse and that resplendent glory vvherein they vvere at the first created and wherein they should for euer haue continued had they not sinned against the Maiestie of GOD their Creator Sinne onely it vvas that dimmed all their light and damped all their glory the beames vvhereof vvould haue dazeled any mortall eye Sinne onely it vvas that of Citizens of that Royall palace that heauenly Paradise that celestiall Ierusalem 2 Pet. 2.4 the Presence-chamber of the Lord of glory made them wretched bond-slaues and most miserable captiues in that deepe dungeon and darke prison of hell vvhere they are kept in euerlasting chaines of darknesse vnto that great damnation Sin onely it vvas that transformed them into damned Spirits cast them downe from the brightnes of heauenly glory into the darknesse of hellish misery and of bright-shining Starres as it were made them most ougly and loathsome Diuels In briefe Sin and Sinne onely it vvas that made them as loathsome as euer they vvere louely as ougly as euer they vvere amiable as greatly abhorred of God and of all his holy and elect Angels as euer they were loued of them before And were they freed from sinne they vvould become Angels of light glorious creatures Now then if sinne doth make others yea such glorious creatures as the Diuels once were so vile and loathsome yea odious vnto all other creatures oh then how vile and loathsome a thing is sin it selfe Surely so hydeous a monster is this monstrous Monster I know not how to tearme it of Sinne that those vvhose eyes GOD hath once opened that they are able rightly to discerne of the same vvill vnder-goe any torment 1 Ioh. 3.8 any sorrow any punishment whatsoeuer rather then once vvillingly commit the same as wee may see in the examples of many holy Martyrs Heb. 11.35 36.37.38 and godly Professors who haue endured the losse of their goods lands liuings yea and life it selfe and willingly suffered all kinde of tortures and torments that their cruell Aduersaries and bloudy Persecutors could deuise or imagine rather then they vvould be brought to that one sinne of denying the knowne truth or dissembling their profession Notable to this purpose is the saying of that auncient and religious Father that he would wish rather to be torne in pieces with wilde beasts then willingly and vvittingly to commit any sinne And from a more heroicall and diuine spirit Anselme was that speech of him that professed that if hee should haue the choyse eyther to burne in hell fire continually or to sinne any sinne willingly hee vvould rather choose those endlesse vnspeakeable torments then yeeld consent to the other so vile and monstrous did sinne seeme vnto him What should I say more Men would bee much afrayde if the Deuill should appeare vnto them in some shape yea the very naming of him strikes a deepe impression of feare into many But could these once behold sin it selfe which makes the deuill so odious if they could view it as it is indeed they would be wonderfully flaited and affrighted at the very appearance of it it vvould make their hearts to tremble within them and their haire to stand vpright on their heads they would flie from it more then from the most poisonous Serpent or venimous creature in the vvorld yea as much as from the Deuill himselfe They would neuer shake hands with it as they haue done heretofore they would neuer keepe company with it they would neuer be quiet till they were freed from the dominion and slauery of it It would bee euen death vnto them to haue any fellowshippe therewith as no doubt it is to the godly man who because hee seeth he cannot be fully rid of it in this life therefore is constrained often to crie out as one that were stabbed at the heart Woe is me that I remaine in Mesheth Psal 120. and dwell in the tents of Kedar or as one that had the pangs of death vpon him Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this body of death So it is with the religious soule vvhen it is ouerswaied with the corruption of it owne sinfull nature or carried away violently in a sort with the forcible blasts of Sathans temptations Oh so far it is from doing it willingly or from taking ful delight in it that it rather complaines and mournes bitterly though secretly oftentimes for it It gals that man at the very heart for it it is as it were a pricke in his eyes or a thorne in his side yea euery sinne vvhich hee commits when hee once knowes it is as an Awle at his heart it stingeth and woundeth his conscience and maketh him to mourne like a Doue and chatter like a Swallow In a word the very consideration of this that he should commit so filthy a fact and so foule an offence causeth his heart and soule euen to bleed within him Neither hinders it any thing at all which some might bring with some colour for the gaine-saying of this What is sinne so vile and loathsome a thing as you make it How comes it to passe then that it seemes so sweet so amiable and pleasant as it doth vnto the most How commeth it that it allureth enticeth and draweth men vnto it causing them to follow it to loue embrace ioy and delight in it yea to serue obey it with all greedinesse and to spend all their time their strength vvit and vvealth in the seruice of it Can sinne be so vile and deformed a monster and yet bee sought after vvith such great care and diligence and pursued vvith so great delight and cheerefulnesse as if it vvere some excellent pretious thing vvhich might vvell cause all to be enamoured
of it and waite and expect continually for the comming of those vnto whom it is promised that so being e Heb. 11.40 consummate the number of them fully accomplished they may reioyce together in most glorious manner for euermore O blessed Lord thou seest what a heauie yoke is now vpon me vnto how many miseries and grieuances both of body and minde I am continually subiect by reason of my sinnes f Psal 38. I am in a strange land g Exo. 2.22 Hebr. 11.13.14 where I haue many enemies alwayes warring against mee and euen seeking to oppresse mee with that bondage and seruitude which they vvould bring vpon mee My dayes are h Gen. 47.9 few and euill full of trouble and affliction full of griefe and sorrowes many feares and dangers many distracting cares earthly vanities doe breed me continuall annoyance and great encumbrance and vvould make this life of mine yrkesome and burdensome vnto mee if I had not hope of a better i 1 Cor. 15 19. O doe thou giue me patience to vvait vpon thee and in expectation of the accomplishment of thy free and gracious promise to passe on the rest of my appointed time in this vale of miserie cheerefully comfortably and contentedly Graunt that I may set my face alwayes towards heauen the place which thou hast prouided for me and that I may continually lift vp mine eies vnto that crown of endlesse vnspeakeable glory vvhich all the afflictions of this present time are in no sort to be accounted worthy of k Rom. 8.18 and which thou that art the righteous God infinite in mercy and truth and vnsearchable in thy loue and kindnesse towards thy elect and chosen ones vvilt in due time l 2 The. 1 6.7 1 Pet. 5.10 euen after that I haue suffered here a while on earth freely vouchsafe to bestow vpon me to the praise of the glory of thy grace through the merits of thy Sonne and my onely Sauiour who with thee and thy Spirit is blessed now and euer Amen III. From the benefit that comes thereby it being Phisicke to the Soule VVEE vvill take downe bitter pilles sowre and loathsome potions for the good of our sicke and diseased bodies and for the procuring of our decayed health Is not the soule of more vvorth then the body Is not the health and good estate thereof more to be respected more regarded and sought after then of the other Surely I thinke there is none so voyd of sense and reason but will freely acknowledge it O mercifull LORD thou seest what a sicke and diseased Soule I haue how exceedingly it is distempered euen in all the powers and faculties thereof O then let no affliction though neuer so bitter in it selfe when I first taste of it seeme grieuous vnto me since thou sendest it for the health of my Soule which is so corrupted with sinne yea let mee willingly cheerefully and thankefully drinke downe the bitterest cup which thou shalt offer vnto me knowing that for the present tartnes I shall finde much sweetnesse in the end a Heb. 12.11 yea being assured that it vvith all things else shall worke together for my good b Rom. 8.28 euen for the increase of thy grace in me and for the furtherance of my Saluation hereafter Another IF thy Phisition cures thee of some dangerous disease thogh he vse many sharpe medicines and puts thee to much paine for the while yet thou both thankest and rewardest him Wee are all of vs by nature sicke most dangerously a Isa 1.6 euery one of vs is diseased with a most grieuous malady the issue whereof will be death b Rom. 6.21.23 if it be not looked to in time If the Lord then the sole and soueraigne Phisition of our sicke and diseased Soules take the cure of thee vpon him if hee apply many sharpe and bitter medicines which although they be grieuous smarting for the present yet heale thee at length when as thou art in so desperate an estate that there had beene no helpe if this remedie had not beene vsed vvilt thou complaine saying that hee deales hardly vvith thee and so become impatient and discontented vvhiles thou art vnder so gracious and mercifull a hand Is this the thankefulnesse which is due vnto the LORD for so great a benefit vvhich he vouchsafeth vnto thee for so great a cure vvhich he intendeth hereby to vvorke vpon thee Is this the recompence is this the reward that thou giuest vnto that good Physition who tendred thy wretched and miserable estate and sought to heale thee of that grieuous disease which were deadly if he should not cure it O my God who seest how I am sore diseased how many and how dangerous maladies I am continually subiect vnto haue mercy vpon me worke thine owne worke vpon me Loe b 2 Sam. 15.26 here I am Cut me launce me giue me the bitter potions of many troubles and afflictions and let me drinke daily of them rather then that I should not be healed and cured rather then that my disease should proue mortal and deadly O Lord correct me but in mercie c Iere. 10.24 not in wrath and indignation deale graciously with me as thou art wont to doe with thy children whom thou louest and whatsoeuer it shall please thee to doe vnto me since I know it is and shall be for my good let me with patience subiect and submit my selfe wholly therein vnto thy gracious and fatherly care and prouidence yea seeing that I cannot make any other recompence vnto thee for this mercie and goodnesse of thine towards me grant that I may now and alwaies returne vnto thee true praise and thankfulnesse with faithfull and constant obedience which are the things thou only requirest and which I vnfainedly desire to performe vnto thee Lord helpe me in my weakenesse and strengthen me with thy grace whereby I may be inabled for the performance of them for euen this is thy gift also who art the author and giuer of euery good thing all is from thee to thee be glory for euermore Amen A further inlargement of the benefit thereof THE benefit which Winter brings is not perceiued till it be past and ouer and the Spring approching and drawing on but then when we see the hearbs flowers fruits and trees begin to reuiue and to recouer their decayed life to waxe greene and to flourish in most pleasant and delightfull manner then we can easily say as the truth is that without Winter this had neuer beene thus that if there had not beene such hard weather such cold and nipping frosts we should not haue had such a goodly spring nor that hope of a plentifull haruest which now the earth promiseth and we with ioy expect All see this in naturall things few see or acknowledge it in those things which are spirituall and yet thus it is in them yea much more in them then in these Whiles affliction
aduersitie like a cold winter pincheth men they complaine much of the hardnesse and extremitie thereof and would gladly bee altogether freed of them forthwith thinking that because they are for the present grieuous therefore they are no waies profitable but onely hurtfull vnto them but afterwards when they are ouer and the rigor and sharpnesse thereof changed into a temperate and warmer spring if they be such as God loueth and as indeuour to make the best vse of his dealings with them then they finde that they haue gained much and receiued no small benefit by them euen that they haue caused the sweet a Heb. 12.11 and quiet fruits of righteousnes of peace and true ioy to budde and to sprout forth in them more then euer otherwise they would haue done to giue them good hope that they shall haue a ioyfull and a more plentifull haruest so that they cannot but in the comfortable experience of the truth thereof say with that holy b Psal 119 71 seruant of God whom the Lord exercised much with his chastisements c Heb. 12.6 because he loued him much that it is good for them that they were afflicted O Lord giue me grace to indure thy fatherly corrections patiently and willingly yea to blesse thee and to be truely thankefull vnto thee for them seeing thou bringest them vpon me in loue for my good euen that being pinched with the extremity therof for a while I might thereby be the better rooted in grace and godlinesse and hauing receiued increase of spirituall sappe and moysture bring forth euer after more abundantly the blessed fruit of faith of hope and true holinesse to the glory of thy name and to the peace and vnspeakeable ioy of mine owne soule and conscience Another to the same effect SEe the Husbandman how great paines he taketh in tilling in sowing and in manuring his ground and how long he d Iam. 5.7 waiteth expecting the former and the later raine hoping howsoeuer for the present he seeth no fruit of his labour yet that at length euen in the due time and season he shall be recompenced with a large croppe and with a plentifull haruest Thus it is with vs that are the children of God This life is our seed-time our haruest in the life to come What though now for a vvhile how little a while e Heb. 10.37 we sow in teares yet are we not to faint but to trust in those gracious promises vvhich the Lord hath made to vs and to rest in hope with patience f Pro. 14.26 being assured that hereafter vvee shall reape in ioy g Psal 126 5 euen the fruits of righteousnesse and holinesse to our endlesse glory and happinesse O mercifull Lord doe thou teach me patiently to wait h Psal 37.1 for the accomplishment of those rich and sweet promises which thou hast made vnto me and vvith full confidence to depend vpon thee alwaies in all things I haue heard once and twise yea oftentimes of the patience of thy Saints i 2 Cor. 6.7 Iames 5.10.11 Heb. 11.36 37 in their miseries and distresse and what end and issue thou gauest vnto them how exceeding gracious thou shewedst thy selfe vnto them after thou hadst for a vvhile tried and afflicted them and found them faithfull and constant Lord let their example be alwaies before mine eyes that so following their steppes in faith in patience and long sufferance in all those afflictions wherewith it shall seeme good to thee vvho knowest what is best for me to trie and exercise me for a season I may bee blessed k Iob. 5.17 and receiue vvith them the l Pro. 16.10 Lamen 3.25.26 Iam. 1.12 Hebr. 11.38.39 promise vvherein I know thou vvilt not fayle me nor any of thine that withdraw not themselues from thee IIII. From the goodnesse of God in deliring his children out of them INto what depthes of miserie a Psal 69.1.2 34.4.19 hast thou brought me O Lord and drawen me out of them againe in thy due time euen in my greatest feares Thou hast shewed thy selfe exceeding gracious vnto mee causing the light b Psal 112.4 97.11 Iob. 33.28 Psal 94.19 of thy countenance to shine vpon me and to refresh me euen vvhen I trembled to see that fearefull darkenesse vvhich vvas readie to ouerwhelme me did thy light thy grace and thy fauour breake forth and inlighten me aboue that I could eyther expect or desire Thou hast suffered me to fall into many and deepe * Ps 88.15 16 2 Cor. 1.8.9 waters wherein I feared that I should sinke and rise no more but thou hast caused me to swim out of them again * 2 Cor. 7.6 thy hand hath drawne me out of those deepe and raging vvaters which did euen runne ouer my soule thou hast deliuered mee and giuen me a ioyfull issue out of all my temptations euen those whereby that cruell enemie and malicious aduersarie thought to haue preuailed most against me and to haue drowned me in eternall perdition O let my Soule neuer cease to sing prayses vnto thee who art my Sauiour and deliuerer Let mee euer giue that glory vnto thy name O my God which is due vnto thee and let me continually in all my necessities in all my distresses tryals and temptations depend wholly and only vpon thee who art my Redeemer in whom I trust and from whom alone commeth saluation Thou hast deliuered my soule from a great death thou hast broken the net wherein I was taken so that I escaped in my greatest danger thou dost deliuer c Psal 34.19 me euery houre euery moment in thee I trust that thou wilt d 2 Cor. 1 10. Iob 5.19 hereafter deliuer mee yea this I know that thou wilt suffer no euill to come vnto mee e Psal 91.10.15.16 but wilt free mee therefrom yea saue me and bring me to glory and happinesse V. From the end and issue of them in that they are the way to Heauen THe children of Israel could not come to Canaan that promised Land which flowed vvith Milke and Honie but they must first passe thorow a desolate a Exod. 16 17.1.3 Num. 14.1.2 21.6 and a dangerous wildernesse where they were exercised vvith many trials and afflictions being sometimes in perill of death by those flying and fiery Serpents sometimes in feare and hazzard of their liues and ready to haue perished with thirst otherwise And in like manner it is with all the children of God his chosen Israel They deceiue b Act. 14.22 Rom. 8.17 themselues if they looke to come vnto that celestiall and heauenly Canaan and to receiue the inheritance vvhich the Lord hath promised them in so good and pleasant a Land before they haue passed thorow the troublesome wildernesse of this euill world where they shall bee c 2 Tim. 3.12 exercised with many trials sundry kind of afflictions Lord sith this is the way to happinesse since by
altogether stained and p Ezek. 16. Iob 9.30.31 defiled both in soule and body with the filth and contagion of that originall corruption and pollution which cleaueth fast q Heb. 12.1 vnto him and couereth him as the flesh wherewith he is couered on euery side so that there is no sound part either in soule or body yea nothing but wounds r Isa 1.6 swelling and sores full of corruption Hee seeth that as hee was borne thus sinnefull by nature so that hee hath continued therein euer since he had his being in this vvorld yea that he is become euery day more corrupt s Gen. 6.5 8.21 Iob 15.16 more vile and abhominable his whole life hauing beene nothing else but a multiplying of sinne vpon sinne and transgression vpon transgression by the violating and breaking of the commaundements of God Hee seeth himselfe heereby to bee accursed t Gal. 3.10 Ioh. 3.18 hauing the Law continually thundering out that fearefull sentence against him vvhereby hee stands as a condemned wretch before God subiect to all plagues and v Deut 28.15.16 c. miseries in this life and to euerlasting x Mat. 25.41 Ioh. 5.29 torments both of body and soule in the life to come yea that he is pressed downe by that fearefull condemning sentence of that most iust and righteous law euen to hell-gates and that the dore is ready presently to be opened vpon him y Iob 21.13 Isa 5.14 euen assoone as the messenger vvhich continually attendeth vpon him readie to execute the law of his Creatour and most iust Iudge shall knocke at the same by death that so he may haue entrance into that place of torment prouided for him the congregation of the dead z Pro. 21.16 and damned vvhere he shall receiue the wages a Rom. 6.23 and due deserts of all his sinnes and rebellions against that infinite and glorious Maiestie for euermore Being thus brought to the knowledge and sight of his sinnes and wretched estate by the same and that through the preaching b Rom. 7.7.8.9.10 of the Law whereby it is discouered and made cleere vnto him as in a Glasse hee knoweth vvithall seeing the vvord of God which shall stand for euer hath sealed it c Exek 18.4 Ioh. 8.24 that if hee die in that estate hee must needs perish and be damned eternally vvithout all hope of recouery and therefore is marueilously humbled in himselfe being cast downe vvith the sense and feeling of his owne wretchednes and that vvoful estate into which he is plunged so that although heretofore hee reioyced in it and made a mocke of it d Pro. 14.9 vvhen hee vvas put in remembrance of it by others yet now hee hangeth downe his head with e Rom. 6.21 Ezra 9.6 shame and sorrow like a guiltie and condemned person ready to goe to the place of execution yea he is vvholly possessed with the spirit of bondage f Rom. 8.15 Isa 66.2 which filleth and striketh his soule with much feare anguish and exceeding horror and amazement so that his heart quaketh his conscience is wounded within him and his flesh trembleth for feare g Acts 16.29 9.6 of Gods vvrath and vengeance vvhich euery moment is ready to seize vpon him yea he groaneth vnder h Matt. 11.28 the heauie burthen that lieth vpon him and oppresseth him in most grieuous manner It causeth him to grieue to sigh to sorrow to mourne and lament for the miserie vvhich is come vpon him and to desire i Act. 2.37 16.30 Rom. 7.24 aboue al things in the world to be freed from it to be let loose as it were out of that hell into which in a sort hee findeth himselfe plunged being in his owne apprehension as a forlorne and condemned wretch Being thus broken-hearted thus wounded and humbled vnder the mighty hand of GOD and cast downe vvith the sight and sense of his sinne and of the curse and vvrath of God and all those horrible iudgements of his hanging ouer him for the same feeling himselfe to be as a damned creature dead and lost both confessing it k Luke 15 21. Iob 31.33 39.36.37 Pro. 28.13 and complaining of it vncessantly and seriously bethinking l Luke 15.17 himselfe how hee might if it vvere possible come out of it he heares by the preaching of the Gospell m Luke 2.10 of the meanes how to be deliuered from that so miserable and vvoful estate and condition in which for the present he is inwrapped and to be restored vnto full and perfect happinesse viz. n Isa 53. Matt. 3.15.17 the absolute obedience and satisfaction of CHRIST IESVS the promised Messiah vvho being the Sonne of God deare vnto his Father became Man o Gal. 4.4 Rom. 8.3.4 1 Pet. 2.24 subiect vnto the Law and fully satisfied the iustice of God by taking the p Gal. 3.13 curse vpon him and fulfilling the Law of God and so deliuered the prisoner q Esa 42.7 61.1 Luke 4.18 out of the prison-house and let them that were bond goe free by his death freeing them from sin death and condemnation r Rom. 8.1 3.24 5.19 2 Cor. 5.21 Hebr. 9.26 28. Ioh. 1.29 and restoring them to righteousnesse life and euerlasting saluation and happinesse so that nothing can euer after bee layd vnto their charge Hauing attained to the knowledge of this great and glorious worke of mans redemption vvrought by CHRIST Act. 13.38 1 Ioh. 5.9 and knowing that there is no other meanes to be saued s Acts 4.12 Rom. 8.3 there is bred in him a marueilous desire and vehement longing to be made pertaker of the same a hungring and thirsting t Esa 55.1 Mat. 5.6 after Christ and his righteousnesse and the redemption and saluation purchased by his death and bloudshed euen as a man that were ready to die for thirst v would desire drinke Iudg. 15.18 or a man condemned to die some cruel death would long for a pardon and withal a prizing x Matt. 13.44.46 of it at a high rate far aboue all other things in the vvorld whatsoeuer yea y Phil. 3.8 a base account of all other things in comparison thereof esteeming this the onely treasure on earth that which if hee may obtaine he would thinke himselfe a happy man and can neuer rest satisfied by any meanes till hee finde that hee as well as others hath his portion in it and therefore willingly forsaketh his sweetest sinnes and denieth himselfe * Luk 9.23 that he may obeaine it Heereupon followes faith in Christ in and by vvhom this great benefit is receiued an earnest seeking and suing vnto him for the obtayning of this grace and mercy at his hand that is knowing what the promises of the Gospel are z Matt. 9.13 Reuel 21.6 22.17 Isa 55.1 Mat. 11.28 Ioh. 7.37 how that Christ cals and inuites graciously all that feele the
him desirous to be vnloosed and to finde ease comfort and refreshing in him but their hearts are euen dead vvithin them and they are strangers from this life of grace and y Gal. 2.20 faith which is in Christ Iesus And no maruell then that there appeares in them so little or no loue of him so small desire to please him and to testifie their loue and thankefulnes vnto him by their new obedience and carefull and conscionable walking in his commandements seeing they neuer tasted fully of the sweetnesse and the exceeding ioy and comfort arising from that wonderfull benefit and vnspeakable mercie which is sealed vp to the soules and consciences of true penitent sinners and such as haue receiued Christ by a sauing faith to be their wisedome z 1 Cor. 1 30. their righteousnesse their sanctification and redemption O mercifull LORD how great is thy goodnesse and mercy towards mee that whereas thou sufferest many yea the greatest part of the world still to wander in the wayes of wickednesse and to sit in the shadow of death and darknesse eyther not seeing their misery and wofull and most wretched estate and condition or else seeing it to be so secure so carelesse and so hard-harted as not to regard it and to labour to come out of it being beguiled through the deceitfulnesse of their owne harts and the craft and delusion of Sathan yet in the vnsearchable riches of thy abundant grace and a 1 Tim. 1 14.17 mercy towards mee in Christ Iesus hast opened mine eyes vvhich before were shut vp as well as others and turned me from darkenesse to light and from the power of Sathan vnto thee my blessed Lord and Sauiour raising mee out of the graue vvherein I was dead and buryed deliuering me from the Kingdome of darkenesse and translating mee into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne giuing me assurance of the forgiuenesse of my sinnes and a comfortable hope and expectation of that ioyfull inheritance prouided for thy Saints and chosen ones in the highest heauens What shall I returne vnto thee answerable vnto so great loue vnto such fatherly compassions and vnspeakeable mercies of thine towards me Thou mightest haue suffered mee to continue in my blindnesse and ignorance as well as others to haue beene as carelesse as secure and as hard-harted as any others and so to haue perished with them dreaming that all had beene well with me whiles I lay rotting in my naturall and corrupt estate For what am I or what haue I beene that thou shouldest respect me more then others Thou mightst for my sinnes so many and so grieuous iustly haue forsaken mee as thou hast done them But thou hast not so dealt with mee Blessed be thy name both now and euermore O touch my heart with the due meditation of this thy gracious goodnesse towards mee And teach mee daily to labour to feele this worke of thine more and more effectuall in me by renuing my repentance for my sinnes whereby I haue and doe daily and hourely displease thee in the breach of thy righteous lawes and commaundements Let me see my sinnes and transgressions and the misery vvhereunto they make me subiect and seeing them let me bewaile them yea lament and mourne for them and be truely humbled with the consideration of them Let me freely and vnfainedly confesse them vnto thee and that vvith shame and sorrow of heart And let them cause me wholly to renounce my selfe to iudge and condemne my selfe yea to abhorre my selfe and to flie vnto thee in the name of thy Sonne my blessed Sauiour in whom there is mercy and plentifull redemption b Psal 130.7 Let me hunger and thirst after his righteousnesse more then after any thing else vvhatsoeuer yea let me highly esteeme of it and make more precious account of it then of all the riches and treasures of this world desirous though with the losse of all other things to winne Christ and to be found in him clothed and couered with those precious robes of his And let me by the hand of a true sauing faith apply vnto my selfe the merits of his death and passion his righteousnesse his obedience and his full and perfect satisfaction being certainly assured that all the promises of the Gospell belong vnto me And let the knowledge and full perswasion hereof cause me to reioyce yea to glorie in thee and in this vvonderfull and vnspeakeable mercy of thine towards me euen with that ioy of thy spirit which is most glorious c 1 Pet. 1.8 and fill my heart and soule with that peace which passeth all vnderstanding And with all let it stirre me vp continually to walke before thee in all holy obedience desiring and endeauouring in all things to please thee and to approue my selfe and all my actions vnto thee dying daily more and more vnto sinne and liuing vnto righteousnesse and labouring by all meanes to bee cleansed from all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit and to grow vp to full holinesse d 2 Cor. 7 1 in thy feare that thus I may haue good euidence that I am thine that thou hast wrought thy gracious vvorke in me and wilt perfect it daily more and more till thou bringest me vnto that glory which thou hast prepared for me in thy heauenly kingdome through the merits of thy Sonne my blessed Lord and Sauiour to whom with thee and thy Spirit be all praise power and dominion both now and euermore Amen The godly man is alwaies blessed neuer miserable THe godly cannot but be alwaies blessed * Iob. 5.17 yea then when he seemes to be most miserable in the eye of the vvorld and to sense and carnall reason For when he is at the worst hee hath those things vvhich hee would haue being contented with any a Phil. 4.11 estate which the wise and gracious disposer of all things seeth fittest for him yea he cannot haue better things in regard of his present estate in this life then those things vvhich he hath and enioyeth euen then when he is laden and oppressed vvith many miseries Is he humbled through afflictions this is that which he vvould haue b Ier. 10.24 Iames 1.2 10 he had rather be continually vnder the Crosse then destitute of those excellent graces of c Rom. 5.3 patience humility d Mat. 11.29 Ioh. 12.26 without which he cannot be the disciple of Christ nor approued of God e Psal 4.6 119.13.5 of vvhom aboue all things he desires to be accepted and fauoured Is he poore he is vvell contented therewith seeing he is largely recompensed with the greater supply of those better riches * Phil. 4.19 those heauenly treasures both of grace and glory Hee would not change his portion with the greatest and richest Monarch in the world that aboundeth in worldly wealth f Psal 4.6.7 and wanteth those spirituall and heauenly treasures which he enioyeth and which shall neuer be taken from him vvhereas the
3.13.14 and treasures farre aboue Siluer Gold Pearle or whatsoeuer else the world can afford vnto them and the continuall hope and expectation of that future and promised glory h Ephes 1.18 which maketh their soules to i 1 Pet. 1.3 blesse thee vncessantly who art so rich in grace k Eph. 2.7 and mercy towards them besides those many other priuiledges vvhich thou hast vouchsafed them concerning their temporall life and outward estate viz. Protection of Angels those glorious Ministers which thou sendest forth to be Attendants l Psal 91.11 Heb. 11.14 on them Promise of thy especiall Prouidence m 2 Chron. 2.5.8 4.10 Heb. 11.13.5 ouer them and a n Mat. 6.26 32.3 7.11 continuall and fatherly care for them from whence necessarily followeth a remouall o Rom. 8.28 of all euill from them and a supply of all good p Psal 23.1 84.11 euen of all outward and earthly blessings vnto them which thou in thy wisedome seest to be conuenient or necessary for them for their comfortable and safer passage through the Wildernesse of this world till they come to that promised rest that heauenly Canaan that thus hauing mine eyes enlightened to behold those things which thy word so clearely teacheth and my heart rightly seasoned with the serious consideration of them I may daily be drawne nearer vnto thee with that sweetnesse which I finde in thee in comparison of which all other things are bitter and distastfull to such as haue true vnderstanding and their senses rightly exercised q Heb. 5.14 to discerne betweene good and euill The frequent meditation of Death how necessary HE that hath Death alwayes before his eyes will neuer haue his thoughts set vpon any thing vvhich is base sordide and seruile or desire any thing in this vvorld excessiuely and inordinately This will make him to haue a very meane esteeme of all these earthly vanities this will cause him with an equall minde to vse prosperitie and aduersitie a Psal 90.12 and to be rightly disposed in either being neither too much lifted vp vvith the one nor too much cast downe vvith the other considering how short and momentarie eyther the benefit and pleasure which is inioyed by this b 1 Cor. 7.29 Heb. 11.25 or the paine which is feared by that will be This will be a bridle to curbe and restrayne him from all things that are vnlawfull and to make him vse those things which are lawfull if rightly vsed with more moderation and with lesse excesse wherein many doe much offend which I am perswaded they would not doe if they once acquainted themselues with this wholesome and necessary Meditation whereunto many are meere strangers yea enemies c Isa 28.19 Amos 6.3 they cannot abide to heare of it or to call it to remembrance nay they shew themselues to be afraid to thinke on it deliberately euen then when it puts it selfe vpon them as being that whereby they suppose they are brought to meete their greatest enemy in the face whom they most dread and flye from and the sight of whom though a farre off they imagine would be very hurtfull and dangerous vnto them damping them in their resolued courses d Lu. 12.19 and scaring them from those sinnefull and pleasing vanities wherein they now delight themselues in excessiue manner O blessed LORD as Death is alwayes euery where present and imminent ready continually to seize vpon me so grant that I may haue mine eyes open to see it standing neare vnto mee and that I may continually present the serious meditation thereof vnto my minde and all my thoughts that thereby I may be brought to suffer the greatest miseries vvhich shall befall mee in this world patiently quietly and contentedly knowing that they will come quickly to an end e Heb. 10.37 and to make the right vse of prosperitie if it shall please thee to send it not being too much addicted to the profits pleasures and delights of this beguilefull and deceiueable world Especially let me with the due meditation hereof be wholly with drawne from the loue and liking the affecting and desiring of all those things which are vile and sinfull seeing the remembrance of these in death will be bitter the sting painefull the smart grieuous and intollerable The resurrection of the good and bad in the last day how different it shall be OH how glorious will the day of the Resurrection be how comfortable to the godly how terrible to the wicked The godly they shall rise by the mighty power of Christ their Sauiour a 1 Cor. 6.14 Hee who is the Head b Eph. 5 23 being raised all they being his c 1 Cor. 6.15 Members and vnited vnto him in a mysticall manner d 1 Cor. 15 13.20.23 c. 1 Thes 4.14 shall be raised with him in their appointed time by reason of that vnion which is betweene him and them But the wicked they shall rise by the terrible and dreadfull e Iohn 5.28.29 1 Cor. 15.52 voyce of Christ their Iudge summoning them to make their appearance before him that sentence may be pronounced against them like as when a Malefactor is brought out of the Iayle to the Barre that hee may receiue his deserued doome and be hastened to his execution Againe the godly they shall come out of their graues wherein they haue beene a long time held as prisoners and captiues vnder death f 1 Cor. 15 54.55 they shall come forth with great ioy and triumph looking vp vnto their blessed Sauiour whom they haue so long expected and desired g Rom. 8.23 Luke 21.28 Reu. 22.20 Oh what a comfort and refreshing h Act. 3.19 shall this be vnto them who can expresse it But the wicked on the contrary they shall start vp like men scared and sodainely affrighted waking out of some fearefull dreame but it shal be no dreame As soone as they beginne to looke out of their graues they shall behold the heauens on a flaming i 2 Thes 1.8 2 Pet. 3.12 fire round about them and Christ as a mighty GOD and a most seuere and dreadfull Iudge with a fiery eye and a frowning countenance looking downe vpon them from aboue euen out of that great Throne k Mat. 25.31 which shall haue streames of fire issuing out from it on euery side l Dan. 7.9.10 so that they shall be amazed and euen at their wits end m Mat. 24.30 at the very appearance of him and wish with all their harts that the very hils and Mountaines would fall vpon them and n Reu. 6.16 couer them from his presence and from the fiercenesse of his wrath which shall seize vpon them in most o Luke 19.27 fearfull manner Furthermore that it may yet appeare how great a difference there shall be betweene them in that day the godly shall rise in a glorious manner being made incorruptible p 1 Cor. 15
42.43.44.49 spirituall heauenly full of beautie and excellencie farre aboue that wee are able to conceiue or thinke their bodies which haue lyen in the dust and beene subiect to much basenesse q Iohn 11.39 Iob 10.21 22. 17.14.16 and loathsomnesse being now euen like vnto the glorious body of Christ r 1 Cor. 15 49. Phil. 3.21 1 Iohn 3.2 himselfe vnto whom then they shall be made conformable shining as the Starres s Dan. 12.3 yea as the t Mat. 13.45 Sunne in brightnesse for euer and euer The wicked on the other side shall rise in a most base and ignominious manner euen to shame and perpetuall contempt v Dan. 12.2 They that haue had the greatest beautie and excellencie here being not inferiour to proud and aspiring Absolon like vnto vvhom in all Israel there was not any for goodly feature from the sole of the foote vnto the crowne of the head there being no x 2 Sam. 14 25. blemish in him shall there be abhorred of GOD y Isa 66.24 and of all his Saints and Angels There can be no greater deformitie then that wherewith their bodies shall then be couered that they may be loathed of all yea of their owne selues being altogether disfigured with the vgly Image of Sathan so that they shall not be able to lift vp their heads for shame but stand like z Gen. 4.6 Caine or worse with flaited hellish and deiected countenances euen confounded in themselues and wishing that they were cast presently into the darkest corner of Hell where they might not behold themselues much lesse eyther see or be seene of others especially of those bright eyes of that glorious Iudge who is so * Hab. 1.13 pure that he cannot behold euill without great detestation Oh who is able to conceiue the shame and confusion with which they shall then euen wholly be ouerwhelmed And finally whereas the godly shall bee made partakers of euerlasting life a Ioh 5.29 Rom. 2.7 and happinesse in the highest heauens they shall bee deliuered vp to euerlasting death and condemnation b Mat. 25.46 Psal 11.6 Reue. 21.8 in the lowest part of hell where they shall be tortured with endlesse and vnspeakeable torments for euermore being banished for euer from the blessed and comfortable c 2 Thes 1 9 presence of the Lord. Gracious Lord teach me daily more seriously to consider vvith my selfe of the great difference that shall be betweene thy children and those that are seruants to Sathan and corruption Seeing that the one shall be raised vp in the last day to that ioy glory and happinesse which is vnspeakeable the other to end lesse wretchednesse and miserie O therefore let me be stirred vp to endeauour my selfe to haue alwaies a cleare conscience towards d Act. 24 15 16 thee and towards men and to abound euery day more and more in the works which thou hast appointed e 1 Cor. 15 58 knowing that my labour shall not be in vaine in thee And neuer let me enuie f Psal 37.1 at the flourishing estate and vaine supposed felicitie of the wicked in this world seeing the day is comming and hasteneth on a pace g 1. Pet. 4.7 wherein they shall bee cloathed with shame and dishonour and cast out of thy presence for euermore receiuing according to that which they haue done in their bodies g 1. Pet. 4.7 and eating the fruit of their owne vvaies h 2 Cor. 5.10 which they shall finde to be more bitter then death it selfe i Isai 3.9.11 howsoeuer now the remembrance of these things by reason of their ignorance k 1 Pet. 3.5 blockishnesse and cursed infidelity doth little or nothing at all affect or moue them The second death how exceeding fearefull and dreadfull it is MANY eye the first death much and are flaited and almost affrighted at the sight yea at the thought of it it striketh a feare and a terror into them But they looke but seldome and scarce with halfe an eye vpon the second death a Reue. 21 8 which begins where the other ends and is farre more dreadfull to all those that haue a right discerning and true apprehension of it Alas that is nothing to this no more to be compared to it then a little sparke to a great flame or a small droppe of water to the whole wide and vast Ocean For the first is of the bodie onely the second both of the body and soule b Math. 10 28 The one for a short time the other without all end of time of as long continuance as eternity c Math. 25 41.46 it selfe The one oft-times not so grieuous as the fits and pangs of many diseases the other more dolorous and painefull then all the sicknesses and diseases in the world though they were all laid together vpon one man In briefe the one is finite and such as many haue sustained d 1 Sam. 15.32 with vndanted courage and resolution the other infinite and vnsupportable not able to be borne or indured of any creature without hellish miserie Wilt thou behold the gastly face of this dreadfull enemy yet more clearely and fully discouered vnto thee Heare then hearken and beleeue that which the word of GOD which shall indure for euer e 1 Pet. 1.25 hath sealed and which all must beleeue that will not shew themselues to be no better then the heathen and infidels In this second death first there is a separation of the soule yea of the whole men both soule and bodie from the gracious presence f 2 Thes 1.1 of that glorious God without whom there can be no true blessednesse an vtter separation and banishment from him g Math. 7.23 13.41 25.41 and from that ioyfull and comfortable societie and fellowship of all his elect Saints and Angels a finall depriuation of all hope of entrance into that heauenly Canaan that new and celestiall Ierusalem the Citie of the euerliuing God of which so glorious things are spoken and the losse wherof will not lesse vexe torment the soule of the damned as that ancient and golden-mouthed Father not vainely supposed then all the paines and tortures of hell Chrysost Be sides this there shall be paines and torments vnspeakeable vnsufferable such as may dampe the stoutest champion and the most yron-hearted wretch in the world if he shall but enter once into a serious through consideration of them if eyther he regard the place of torment vvhere that wofull miserie is to be indured the pangs and tortures themselues the company with whom they are to remaine in the suffering and induring of them Or lastly the time which they shall indure them Euery one of them is enough to strike a terrour into a man and to make his heart to quake to thinke of them i Esai 14.9 34.9.10 Reue. 1.18 20.13.14 1 First the place is no other then that