may alwaies make pretious account of the least measure which it shall please thee in mercie to vouchsafe vnto me referre it wholly to thy honour and glory And sith whatsoeuer I am I am in thee whatsoeuer grace I haue I haue it from the whose gift onely it is let me be content with that portion which thou in thy wisdome and goodnesse allottest vnto me and knowing that for the present it is sufficient for me neither enuie those that haue receiued more lest I repine against thee nor despise those that haue lesse lest it displease thee and cause thee in iustice to withdraw that grace from me which in mercie thou hadst freelie giuen vnto me and to bestow it vpon those who would make better vse of it Death alwaies to be desired of the godlie IF anie shall take away from me my torne and ragged-worne coate and in stead thereof put vpon me a new and a better shall I thinke that I haue anie iniury done vnto me haue I anie cause to complaine as if I were wronged If the Lord vncloath me by depriuing me of this temporall this sinfull and corruptible life and in stead of it cloath me with that which is eternall incorruptible and most glorious doth he hurt me doth he any wrong or iniurie vnto me shall I complaine yea rather Lord let me desire alwaies to remoue out of this bodie and to dwell with thee for euer Let me desire earnestlie to put off this corruption to be dissolued to be with Christ my Sauiour in the heauens for this is that onelie happinesse and felicitie which I expect and hope for Lord euen when it pleaseth thee let me see thy saluation which thou hast promised The imprisonment of the godlie in this life THe godlie whiles they remaine in this world liue as it were in perpetuall imprisonment They are laden with manie chaines and fetters which lie heauie vpon them and cause them to sigh in themselues and to long earnestly for the time of their deliuerance freedom O blessed Lord thou knowest what a burden vnto my soule this corruptible and sinnefull bodie of mine is which I carry coÌ„tinually about with me and how this earthlie mansion keepeth downe and oppresseth my minde and maketh me heauie and vntoward for the performance of that good which thou commandest and wherein my heart desireth to approue it selfe vnto thee I am so fast in prison so much encumbred with manifold annoiances which are as it were so manie heauie irons pressing downe my minde and hindring me from walking before thee with that freedome of spirit and that cheerefulnes and alacrity wherein thou delightest that my soule mourneth secretlie within me and longeth to be freed from this miserie and bondage wherein I am now detained O Lord when wilt thou set me at libertie Continually doe I expect and waite for the redemption of this earthlie and sinfull bodie The vanitie of all earthlie things OH the vanitie of the things of this world riches pleasures honour whatsoeuer else to him that hath a carnall and fleshly eye may seeme most pretious and glorious how fruitles how fading and transitorie are they was there euer anie that found any true peace any sound ioy or contentment in anie or in all of them What a vaine thing then is it for any one to be carried with such an vnsatiable desire after them yea to place if not his onely yet his chiefe happines and felicitie in them as many doe O Lord draw my heart daily more and more from the things of this world whereunto the most are so fast glewed weane my soule both from the loue and desire of them and let my delight be in thee let me reioyce in thee continuallie yea let my soule alwaies long after thee and in comparison of thee esteeme of all these earthly things but as drosse meere vanitie A true discerning of the worlds vanitie maketh men willing to leaue it and desirous of a better estate out of it MAnie there be that complaine of the vanitie and deceitfulnesse of this world and yet are loth to leaue it to depart out of it Such either had neuer a true sight of the vanitie of all things here below and of the wretchednesse and miserie whereunto men euen the best are subiect in this life or else they neuer indeed fullie tasted of the blessednesse and felicitie of the life to come euen those endlesse ioyes and vnspeakable glorie which are prepared and reserued for the Saints in the kingdome of God or if they haue in some sort tasted of this heauenly gift yet without any certaintie or assurance that it belonged vnto them and that their right and portion should be in it and therefore could not be so soundly affected with it as thereby to be brought into a true dislike and contempt of this present euill world which notwithstanding at least they wouâ—d seeme to be out of loue with The man that seeth indeed how vaine how deceitfull and how miserable this world is and hath withall receiued the first fruits of the spirit of God and tasted of the sweetnes blessednes of the world to come and also knoweth that the assurance of the promise thereof is made and sealed vnto him and that by the truth it selfe euen by him whose word shall stand when heauen and earth shall passe away that man as he shall finde cause enough to complaine of this euill world wherein he liueth so it cannot be but that he should desire vnfainedly to be gone out of it to make change for a better euen that which his soule longeth after and in the hope and expectation whereof he resteth continually sighing in himselfe and waiting earnestly for the fruition and full possession thereof when as being vnclothed of the burden of this flesh loosed out of the prison of this earth he shal be clothed with glorie and immortality and liue for euer in that celestiall mansion not made with hands but eternall in the heauens O Lord when shall I be fullie deliuered from the bondage of corruption vnto which I am now daily subject when shall I lay downe this bodie of sinne and death which I now carrie continually about with me when shall I remoue out of this earthlie tabernacle when shall I leaue the wildernesse of this wearisome world and departing from hence be translated into that glorious kingdome of thine which thou hast promised vnto me My soule longeth to dwell in thy courts to see thy saluation to enioy thy blessed presence and to liue and rest with thee continuallie For here alas I find no resting place yea I see vanitie wretchednesse and miserie on euerie side in euerie place One sorrow succeedeth another The snares of many afflictions and temptations haue taken holde of me many deepe waters haue passed ouer me and euen almost ouerwhelmed me I am assailed continually with many and those verie dangerous and perillous enemies who fight against my
am for a while to wander in the wildernesse of this world and here to indure much hardnes and to passe thorow many difficulties and troubles before I can enter into the land of promise yet let me neuer faint or be discouraged much lesse be so euill disposed as to repine or murmure at any time against thee and desire to returne to the sinfull courses of the world or linger after these earthly vanities but goe forward according vnto thy direction with faith hope and patience looking continually for the performance of thy gratious promise that so at length I may enter into thy rest and liue raigne with thee eternally The hurt and danger which sin bringeth WHat euill is there that sinne bringeth not with it It closeth the Lords hand it drieth vp the fountaine of his blessings and mercies it keepeth all good things from vs it pulleth downe all kindes of plagues miseries and iudgements in this world and in the end will not onely barre the gates of heauen against those that liue and die in it without true and vnfained repentance but also setteth hel-gates wide open for them draw them right downe into the depth of endlesse perdition and destruction the house of darknesse and the place of the damned O what follie is it to delight in sinne which is euerie way so hurtfull and dangerous not onely depriuing vs of that which is good but also bringing vpon vs the greatest euils O Lord keepe me from falling into anie sinne let me euer abhorre it and flie from it as from my greatest enemie so shall I be free from thy fearefull iudgements the wages due desert of sinne yea so shall I be compassed with thy mercies and crowned with thy blessings for euer Death alwaies to be expected and prouided for LOrd thou hast gratiously sent thy harbingers aforehand to forewarne me of thy comming Let my maine care be to be alwaies readie prouided for thee that so that day which is iustlie feared of the most yea the remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many euen those that take their pleasure in wickednes may be most welcome and ioyfull vnto me the end of all my miseries and the entrance into that glorie blessednes which thou hast promised and which I expect and long for I desire to be dissolued and to be with thee my Sauiour for that is best of all Another of the same AS the Lord will come in that last and generall iudgement when he is not looked for of many so by particular iudgment euen by vnexpected death he doth now often suddenly surprize many when they thinke little he is so neere It is not seldome that we haue such glasses set before our eyes wherein we may cleerely see the truth hereof although indeed few there be that delight to look thereinto the view notwithstanding and daily consideration whereof were verie profitable for them Lord let me euer be mindful of my frail mortall estate and condition in this world let me alwaies be ready at thy call euer prepared for thy comming in the day of my dissolution which as I am perswaded is not farre off so it may be neerer then I thinke of O let me liue euery day as if it were my last day euery houre and moment as if it were the last houre and minute of this transitorie and vncertaine life of mine that so whiles I liue I may die dayly and when I die once I may liue for euer Gods glorie carefully to be sought for in all things ALl things were made for Gods glorie For this end the Lord giueth being vnto all creatures for this we liue moue and receiue all those blessings which we enioy And there is none of vs but shall be called vnto an account when the day of reckoning commeth how we haue referred all our actions vnto this end whether we haue in all things and aboue all things sought the glorie of God and the aduancement thereof by all good meanes euen to the vttermost of our pâ—â—â—er and abilitie Euerie houre that hath been spent otherwise 〈◊〉 registred and must be answered for in that day Oh what a heauy account shall the most haue then to make who now make this the least part of their care yea who altogether peruert the end for which they were created and sent into the world being so farre from glorifying God in all their actions that they doe nothing but dishonour him thoroughout the whole course of theit liues giuing that vnto Sathan which is the Lords due and which he calleth for continually of them where shall they appeare when he shall require these things at their hands Certaine I cannot but wonder that such can sleepe in rest one houre whose case is so fearefull and miserable especially since they know not how soone how suddenly they shall be called to their reckoning if not at that generall Audit yet at their particular counts-day the day of death Lord as thou hast made me for thy glory so let my eye be alwaies fixed vpon the same let me be carefull alwaies by all meanes to seeke the furtherance and aduancement of the same yea doe thou inflame my heart with a holy zeale thereof Let the coales thereof be fiery and the flame vehement that so nothing may be able to quench it not the deepe waters and raging streames of the greatest troubles and afflictions which can betide me no not the losse of life it selfe and all things which I enioy or this world could afford me Oh that thou wouldst kindle and increase this grace daily more and more in me and cause it to breake forth in all the actions of my life that so glorifying thee here for a while I may hereafter be glorified of thee for euer euen with that fulnes of glory which thou wilt giue vnto thy Saints No standing at a stay in Christianitie HE that thinketh that he hath attained to perfection and therefore standeth at a stay and striueth to goe no further may well suspect himselfe and feare that either he is vndermined with a dangerous temptation or else that indeed be hath heretofore deceiued himselfe and his owne soule thinking himselfe to be some thing when he was nothing and iudging farre otherwise of his estate then he ought to haue done Lord let me euery day more and more see mine own weakenesse and vnprofitablenesse euen how farre I come short of that which thou requirest of me that so forgetting that which is behind I may endeuour my selfe vnto that which is before and striue daily to make further proceedings and to attaine to a greater measure of grace and godlinesse till I come vnto that perfection which it hath pleased thee from whose diuine dispensation onely it is to allott vnto me The benefit which is receiued by the mutuall prayers of the faithfull THe prayer of one righteous man is neuer without fruit but auaileth much if it be feruent and proceed from a pure mind and a beleeuing
soule and seeke by all meanes the vtter ruine and subuersion thereof yea there is scarce one day but that I passe thorow many deaths so many are the grieuances whereunto thy children are continually subiect whiles they haue their abode in this place of vanitie of death and miserie How therefore should not that day be pleasant and not bitter vnto me how should I not haue a feruent desire to be dissolued so to remoue from earth to heauen since that as long as I liue here in this world I cannot be freed from all miseries nor attaine vnto full and perfect blessednesse which is onelie to be expected in the world to come where I know that I shall enioy it and haue the fruition of it for euer in thy kingdom All the daies of my appointed time will I waite vntill my changing shall come euen the time of refreshing which I desire and hope for and which thou O Lord when it pleaseth thee wilt vouchsafe in mercie and goodnesse to grant vnto me Lord I haue longed for thy saluation Of whom death is most feared HE that alwaies feares death excessiuely neuer made conscience to liue well He that is carefull to liue well will neuer be ouermuch afraid to die though death in it selfe be of all things the most fearefull and terrible or if he doe feare it when it first looks vpon him with a gastly countenance yet when the vizard which it hath put vpon it be plucked away with the due and serious meditation of it the feare and dread of it will vanish away presently Lord let it be my care and earnest endeuour so to liue and to passe the time of my dwelling here euen these short and euill daies which thou hast measured out vnto me that the remembrance of ensuing and approching death may neuer be bitter or grieuous but ioyfull and pleasant vnto me Sathans craft and guilefulnesse in deceiuing men THe Diuell goes alwaies masked vp and downe in the world in a disguised manner and neuer or seldome sheweth himselfe in his owne likenesse because then he knowes well enough euery one not without cause would be afraid of him flie from him and haue nothing to doe with him for who would not shunne his deadly aduersarie whom he saw nothing but plotting his owne destruction and ouerthrow but vsually he comes like a false friend with the pretence of a seeming good he appeares and offers himselfe vnto men in the shape of pleasure profit honour euen those things which are pleasing vnto their nature and whereby they may most easily be enticed and drawne away after him How many thousands hath he by these slights and policies of his deluded and deceiued how doth he hereby preuaile against men till he secretly work their irrecouerable ruin and that many times before they be aware of any such matter but feede securely greedily vpon those things which he profereth vnto them not seeing the snare which is laid for them O Lord let me alwaies suspect and feare the deceitfulnesse of Sathan in the things which are most pleasing vnto me which with the shew of pleasure profit worldly cōmodities and aduantage do most allure me and draw my heart after them or cause me to set my affections inordinatly vpō them that so in what counterfait forme soeuer that deceiuer shall seek cunningly to insinuate himselfe into me I may discerne his craft take heed by all meanes that I be not at any time beguiled and deluded by him Sathans seuerall baites for sundrie persons THe Diuell hath a baite for euery age for euery place and person and according to the occasions and opportunities he fitteth them all to their seuerall natures dispositions and inclinations For the couetous he hath a siluer hooke and a golden baite the riches and commodities of this deceitfull world for the voluptuous sinfull pleasures and sensuall delights for the ambitious honour and bewitching preferments to such as are cholericke he ministers those things that may kindle their wrath and inflame their furie for the melancholick he laies the baite either of vnprofitable solitarines or of pining enuy And thus by one meanes or other he seekes continually to entice them to swallow his baite which he so guilefully profereth vnto them that being once taken with it they can hardly escape the danger which he laboureth to bring them vnto except the Lord be the more mercifull to pull the hooke out of their nostrils and to set them at libertie againe Blessed Lord giue me to see vnto what sins I am either by nature or otherwise most addicted and whereby Sathan seeketh chiefly to insnare me and to draw me vnto perdition and hauing grace to see them let me also haue wisdome and strength to shunne and auoide them that so I may not be deceiued by Sathan nor perish with the multitude whom he hath taken in his snares with those baites which he hath laid for them The occasions of sinne carefully to be auoided HE that saith that he is loth to offend God through the commission of any sinne and doth not carefully auoide the occasions whereby he may fall into the same is like to him that telleth vs that he is loth to be burnt and yet dreads not the fire when he is neare vnto burning yea rather will needs runne into the flame wihch is readie to scorch him or that he is loth to be drowned and yet goes so neere the pits brinke that it is almost impossible for him not to fall into it and to perish in it O Lord let me not be so vnwise as to deceiue my selfe as many doe by taking too much libertie vnto my selfe in those things which though lawfull in themselues yet may be a meanes through the corruption of my nature the temptation of Sathan to draw me to sin against thee But giue me wisdome in all things to foresee and preuent the danger that may come vpon me for want of due prouidence and watchfulnesse and make me euer as carefull to auoide the occasions of sin as sinne and death it selfe So shall it neuer haue power or dominion ouer me whereas otherwise it cannot be but that I should fall oft and dangerously Respect of persons IT is a great fault and yet ordinarie to respect men more for the outward trappings of the bodie then for the inward graces and vertues of the mind If one be of a goodly personage or richly apparelled and attired he shall be regarded and much set by although his mind be neuer so deformed destitute of all grace and goodnesse euen those inward endowments which are the greatest excellencies If another be more base or meane in these outward respects howsoeuer he be inwardlie decked and adorned yet there is no reckoning or very small account made of him What is this but to preferre the body before the soule that which is terrene earthly and coruptible before that which is spirituall heauenly and immortall Salomon the
heart with the sprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Christ Iesus the righteous purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions euen those which are most secret and open to the view of none but of thy all-seeing maiestie whose eye pierceth thorough all things and seeth and discerneth perfectlie those things which are hid from the sight of men and which we our selues are ignorant of Cleanse me both in soule in bodie and in spirit from the filthinesse of all sinne and iniquitie and from the staine of all inbred corruption and so sanctifie me throughout with thy grace that I may be a fit temple and mansion for thy holy spirit to rest in yea that thou maist delight to remaine to abide and to dwell with me for euer which is the onely happinesse and felicitie which my soule desireth and longeth for and which I know assuredly thou who hast promised it wilt not denie vnto me Grieuing of the spirit of God THou art vnwilling to giue iust occasion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued and so for thy vnkind dealing with him be moued to leaue thee and depart from thee in displeasure hauing no delight no desire to return any more vnto thee no scarcely though he be much sought vnto and intreated with great importunitie Why then dost thou daily and hourely deale so vnkindly with thy best friend why dost thou grieue the spirit of God which is the onely comforter and without whom thou canst neuer haue anie true peace or contentment in any estate or condition of life Why dost thou continually offer him so iust cause to turn away from thee yea to remoue farre off and to denie any more to visite thee with that gratious and comfortable presence of his though thou shouldest hereafter neuer so oft and so earnestly seeke and sue vnto him O my God forgiue me my sins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy spirit of thine by whom thou hast sealed me and assured me of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ Forgiue me those manifold sinnes and trangressions whereby I haue from time to time most grieuously displeased and prouoked thy maiestie who hast continually shewed thy selfe euery way so good and so kinde vnto me Hide thy face from them and let them neuer come into thy remembrance to be a meanes to cause thee as iustlie thou maist to depart and to take thy spirit from me lest I die and perish But notwithstanding my vndeseruednesse for thy promise sake doe thou stil in mercie vouchsafe freely to continue thy wonted and accustomed loue and kindnesse vnto me Giue me not onely the presence but also the grace and comfort of thy spirit yea let it alwaies rest and remaine with me that so my spirit may liue and praise thee O Lord this I know that nothing but my sinnes can hinder this goodnes and blessing of thine from me forget therefore I pray thee my sins past couer my sinnes present and keepe me from falling into sinne hereafter and then I am assured that thy blessed and gratious spirit shall dwell with me and comfort me both now and euer according vnto thy promise Spirituall desertions THe Sunne may be eclipsed for a while by the interposition of the thicke duskie bodie of the Moone but that being remoued it will quickly cause the bright beams therof to shine forth again vnto the world The Lord may hide his face from me for a time by reason of my sinnes which onely can make a separation and diuision betweene him and me and cause him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me but sure I am that he will neuer vtterly forsake me for his foundation is surely laide his loue and grace is vnchangeable He hath been once nay often gracious vnto me and will continue so for euer O my God keepe me from sinning against thee so shall the light of thy countenance shine alwaies vpon me so shall I feele the comfort of thy presence remaining with me in life in death after death euen for euer The truth and faithfulnesse of God in performing his promises THe Lord is mercifull in promising and true in performing whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto his children We haue no other title to the least of Gods blessings but euen this his mercie and truth to claime them by and hauing that wee need no other O Lord although my sinnes are many and grieuous and might iustlie cause thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me yet Lord thy truth and faithfulnesse indure for euer O thinke vpon thy couenant and according to thy mercie do thou alwaies remember me and looke vpon me Euen for thy promise sake haue mercie vpon me and notwithstanding my sinnes call for iudgement yet doe thou continue still to be good and gracious vnto me in the supplie of thy manifold blessings and mercies The comfort of a good conscience especially in death A Good conscience is a continuall feast as in and thoroughout the whole life time so especiallie in the houre and in the verie agonie and pang of death With what sweet pleasant food of diuine consolation doth it then feed the soule refresh the mind when all other comforts faile and become as running streames dried vp in the heate of summer nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this Wouldst thou see this as it were in a glasse clearely represented vnto thy view Suppose that euen now thou sawest one lying at the point of death vpon the bed of his sorrowes readie to take his last farewell of the world to lay downe his bodie in the dust where he should haue corruption to be his father and the crawling worme his mother and his sister and the graue his house and dwelling place for a long season whiles his soule being separated from his bodie should depart into a farre countrie Suppose now at this instant thou sawest one in this estate as thus most certaine it shall be with thee with me with all of vs what thinkest thou would be the greatest comfort vnto him what is it that would most refresh him and cheere him vp Fine fare or sweete iuncats Alas he takes no pleasure in them he cannot tast them though they be neuer so daintie or if he could yet should hee take no delight nor finde any sweetnesse in them for it is his soule that now hungers and thirsts and seeks for comfort whiles his bodie is almost senselesse He desireth he looketh for spirituall foode wherewith his fainting soule and languishing spirits may be fed and refreshed and not for corporall yea that is loathsome vnto him Sweet musicke and delightsome melodie Alas the daughters of singing are now abased he is almost past hearing and though he could heare it neuer so well yet it would not be any refreshing vnto him he could not solace himselfe in it yea rather
it were continually with manifolde vexations and distractions The only way to liue peaceably and ioyfully is to leade a holie and a religious life in al sinceritie and vprightnes This bringeth with it that sweete peace and that inward solace and ioy which the world cannot giue O blessed Lord the daies of this my pilgrimage are few and euill make them comfortable vnto me I humbly pray thee by leading me forward in the waies of righteousnesse and true holinesse grant that I may alwaies endeuour my selfe to haue faith and a good conscience before thee and before all men and to walke continually in simplicitie and godlie purenes without al guile hypocrisie that so my heart may reioyce in thee vnfainedly yea euen be filled with that ioy which is vnspeakable and glorious How they are to liue that are redeemed by Christ IT is a shame for the Lords free man to make himselfe a seruant a drudge and a slaue to the world to sinne and Satan Hee that Christ hath redeemed must liue like one set at libertie being alwaies very carefull and warie that hee be not intangled nor ouercome with any lust with any corrupt and vnlawfull affection lest thereby he bring himselfe into that bondage and seruitude then which there can be nothing more wretched and miserable O Lord since it hath pleased thee of thy infinite goodnes and mercie to redeeme me with so great a price euen with the pretious blood of thy deare Sonne that immaculate Lambe graunt that being freed from that estate of corruption vnto which before I was in bondage and hauing escaped froÌ„ the filthinesse of the world wherewith I was formerlie stained and polluted I may be carefull to renounce all those vngodly courses euen that vaine conuersation wherein I walked and delighted before I knew thee and that sauing grace of thine which thou in the riches of thy mercies hast reueiled and manifested vnto me and that I may daily more and more labour and striue after spirituall libertie and freedome liuing as thy seruant as thy redeemed one and shewing foorth the vertues of thee my God and Sauiour who hast called me out of darknesse into that maruellous light of thine Gods loue and fauour to be sought for aboue all things and his wrath feared IF wee bee out of fauour with men of no esteeme no reckoning amongst them If despised and disgraced of the world and made as such as are vile and of no reputation If wee bee but in daunger to lose our goods our riches our lands and liuing or to haue our outward estate by any meanes impaired and decayed or in any sort diminished If any of our dearest friends and nearest kinsfolke die and depart from vs for a while or if we our selues be in any perill of death loe then we are very sad and heauie we are exceeding pensiue and grieued out of measure as though no greater euill could befall vs. But if we be cleane out of the loue and fauour of God then which there can be no greater miserie if we be not regarded of him but are vile in his sight such as by reason of our sinnes hee doth lothe and abhorre more then wee doe the vgliest and the loathsomest creature in the world and doth many waies testifie the signes of his hatred and the deepe displeasure which hee hath taken against vs If wee be in continuall danger to hazard the most desireable goods which are better then all things which this whole world can affoord euen those pretious things of God wherin onely true happinesse and felicitie consists If wee be in neuer so great and apparent danger and ieopardie to lose the vnspeakable riches of that glorious and immortall inheritance reserued for the Saints in that heauenly kingdome that celestiall Canaan the Paradise of God where there are such ioyes such pleasure such blessednes as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or to comprehend If our neerest and inmost friend which resteth continually in our bosome and in the secretest lodgings of our hearts vnto whom wee professe the greatest loue and friendship that may be in briefe to whom wee are ioyned and vnited with so neere and strait bands that it is death for vs at any time to bee seuered and separated for the least while for one moment euen our owne soule if that bee dead in vs whiles it seemeth to liue dead in trespasses and sinnes whiles it liueth according to the flesh delighting in those things which are vnlawfull dead in regard of the life of grace whiles it liueth the life of nature yea continuallie in extreame danger to die eternally euen that second death which of all euils is the most fearfull most wofull aboue that any man doth thinke or can imagine though he haue â—resented vnto his minde the most dreadfull things and fullest of horror that can possibly enter into the heart of man yet behold such is the sottishnes of mans nature though wee knowe these things yet wee are not inwardly touched nor moued with them as we ought to be though we reade of them our selues though wee heare of theÌ„ oft by others yea though the Lord from day to day and from time to time causeth them to sound in our eares by the ministerie and preaching of his word in the mouthes of his faithfull seruants whom he sendeth and by the inward and secret voice of his spirit which suggesteth these things vnto vs yet our hearts are not affected with the consideration of them wee haue almost no sense or feeling of these euils and miseries wee make no account of them we are little seldome or neuer troubled with the meditation and remembrance of them The feare and danger of them doth not strike our soules with griefe and sorrow nor make vs so pensiue and heauy as the feare and dread of farre lesser euils doe Wee grieue more at the losse of the fauour and countenance of men yea of carnall and worldly men then of that glorious and immortall God whose louing fauour is better then life and the want of it worse then death we grieue more at the losse of the things of this world which are vaine earthly and transitory and such as can neuer make the owner of them trulie blessed and happie though he had them in greater abundance then his heart albeit neuer so vnsatiable could desire theÌ„ of the things of the world to come which are most excellent heauenly and enduring for euer in the hope and expectation whereof there is ioy and comfort vnspeakable and glorious euen whiles they are not seen but beleeued and in the full fruition and possession whereof there is entire and absolute felicitie and blessednesse We are grieued more at the death and departure of our friend then at the death and destruction of our owne soule more troubled with the feare of the losse of this temporall life which is alwaies fading and whereof wee can haue no certaintie or assurance one houre no not
from the Eagle to the flie from the Cedar of Libanus to the Hyssope that groweth vpon the wall from the starres of heauen to the dust of the earth and from the Angels of God to the wormes that creepe vpon the ground Who is there that considereth of them aright or is so affected with them as he ought Lord let me alwaies delight to be searching into them and in them as in a glasse see cleerely thy wisdome and mightie power and learne to know thee the Creator of all things both in heauen and in earth and in all places and knowing thee to worship and serue thee in spirit and truth lest I be like vnto the heathen who when by the frame and workmanship of the world and the creatures therein wherein thy maruellous wisdom is ingrauen they knew thee to be God and yet glorified thee not as God became vile and abominable and altogether inxecusable forsaking thee their Creator who art blessed for euer Amen Worke of Redemption OF al the workes of God that of the Redemption of man-kind is most wonderfull and glorious whether we consider the person of the Redeemer the persons redeemed or the meanes and manner in and by which it was effected and brought to passe It passeth all knowledge all vnderstanding The Angels â—et 1.12 those heauenly creatures doe admire at it and desire continually to haue a more cleare and perfect insight into it as being so great and vnsearchable a mysterie that no creature is able fully to comprehend the breadth the length and depth and height of it Oh the maruellous blindnes of men for whom it was wrought that they can see and discerne so little of it their great forgetfulnes that they so seldome remember it their extreame sottishnes that they scarce euer admire it in that holy maner that they ought yea rather little regard it and esteeme very lightlie of it O merciful God farre be it from me to sinne so great a sinne against thy maiestie by prising so inestimable a benefit so much vnder the worth and value of it and by being so meanely affected with it as the most are yea let me and al thy redeemed ones alwaies cleerely behold and faithfully remember this great and gratious worke of thine towards vs let vs highly esteeme of it reioyce continually and glorie in it and vncessantlie praise and magnifie thee for it for euer What can be rendred vnto thee O Lord for so great loue for those exceeding riches of thy grace towards vs in Christ Iesus what can be rendred vnto thee worthie of that infinit goodnesse of thine sufficient for so vnspeakable mercie and bounty All that we can returne vnto thee for it is honour glorie and thanksgiuing O let vs neuer be found wanting in this seeing we owe vnto thee much more although there is nothing that thou more desirest of vs and yet euen this is thy gift also yea thy especiall grace O doe thou make me truly and vnfainedly thankefull Mercies of God WE can neuer be sufficiently thankfull vnto the Lord for the least of those blessings which he daily and most freely vouchsafeth vnto vs health peace libertie maintenance and continuall protection preseruation c. and yet who is there almost that is heartily and vnfainedly thankefull for those great and wonderfull mercies of his which coÌ„cerne our eternall happinesse saluation in the heauens euen that glorious estate which of his free grace and bountie he hath promised vnto vs and will in due time giue vs full possession of for euer O the exceeding dulnesse of the hearts of men that are no more mooued with the consideration of these things yea that esteeme more of those ordinary kindnesses which are shewed vnto them by men then of all those infinit and vnspeakable blessings and benefites which are vouchsafed vnto them by so gratious a God so kinde and louing a Father O Lord let me neuer be vnmindfull of the least of thy mercies and fauours which thou hast shewed vnto me from the beginning of my life vnto this present giue me a thankful heart for them especially lift vp my heart and soule vnto a due and serious meditation of those great and inestimable mercies of thine wherein thou hast in a speciall maner shewed thy selfe so exceeding good and gratious vnto me in electing me vnto life and saluation in freeing and deliuering me from that wretched estate and that wofull miserie whereinto I was so deeply plunged by the sin of my first parents in redeeming me therefrom by so deare a price euen the death of thine own Sonne my blessed Sauiour in adopting me into the number of thy children by faith in him and in prouiding that glorious mansion for me in the heauens there to liue and raigne with thee for euer O giue me a liuely sense and feeling of thy goodnesse thy loue and vnspeakable mercies so gratiously vouchsafed vnto me so vile and vnworthie a creature Inflame my heart with an vnfained and most entire loue of thy maiestie and let my mouth alwaies praise thee yea let me in heart in soule and with all the powers of the same praise thee continually and yeeld that glorie which is due vnto thee both now and euermore Amen The folly of the wicked to be wondered at I Maruell much when I reade how the Israelits being in the way to Canaan a type of heauen for the goodnesse and pleasantnesse of it desired so oft and so earnestly to returne againe into Egypt a figure of hell it selfe where they had been so hardly intreated yea so cruelly and vnmercifully handled But much more do I maruell can neuer sufficientlie wonder at those who when the Lord offers to bring them out of the house of that spirituall bondage and not onely to free them from the power of darknesse and the tyrannie of sinne and Sathan but also by the light of his word spirit to leade and conduct them safely into that heauenly Canaan which floweth with the milk honie of his rich and plentifull graces euen the inheritance of his chosen the place where his honour dwelleth desire rather notwithstanding still to be vnder the hands of their cruel taske-masters in the kilnes among the bricks and in the yron fornace and to indure the most seruile and the most wofull and wretched thraldome and slauery that euer was or can be possibly that so they may fill themselues with the Onions and Garlike of Egypt Lord let the couÌ„sell of the wicked be farre from me suffer not thy seruant to delight in the waies of such a foolish generatioÌ„ who know not thee nor regard that which should be their happines But let me euer praise thee with ioyfulnesse that thou hast deliuered my soule out of the hands of my cruell and deadly enemies and brought me from the house of bondage the kingdome of darknesse and death it selfe into the wayes which leade vnto thy heauenly and glorious kingdome And although I
whom I am able to doe all things The folly of worldlings and wickedmen WE are ready to laugh at the follie of him that we see make more account of toies and trifles then of things of greater worth and moment that will be better pleased with a gay feather then with a rich iewell with a garded and partie coloured coate then with a costly raiment and goodly attire And yet behold such is the follie and simplicitie euen of those who seeme to be the wisest in the world both in their own eyes in the eies of others who neuer knew the wisdome which is from aboue but that onely which is earthlie and sensuall with Heuah they preferre an Apple before Paradise with Esau a messe of pottage before the inheritance of that celestiall Canaan the land of promise which floweth with milke honie with the prodigall sonne the huskes of swine in a strange countrie before the best fare in their fathers house in briefe the toies and trifles of this world euen the vaine and sinfull pleasures and delights and the transitorie profits and commodities thereof before those hidden treasures those inestimable riches of ioy glorie and euerlasting happinesse and felicitie prouided for the Saints in the highest heauens euen the pretious things of God which can neuer be ouer prized or set at too high a rate Can there be anie greater follie then this Is not the simplicitie of those that are thus strangely besotted to be laughed at by those that know what true wisdom is yea rather to be pitied euen bewailed with teares although they in the meane while see not their foolishnesse but reioyce in it accounting it wisdome and themselues the onelie wise and prudent men whereas if their eyes were open that they might discerne rightlie of things which now by reason of their blindnesse they cannot they could not but see plainly and acknowledge freely as the truth is that of all men they are the most vaine the most vnwise and extreame foolish Lord giue me not ouer to the follie of mine owne heart but indue me with true spirituall wisdome and vnderstanding that so I may not with the men of this world whose mindes are darkened and depriued of the light of grace and knowledge choose death rather then life shame rather then glorie hell rather then heauen vanitie and miserie rather then endlesse and vnspeakable happinesse the seruice of sinne and Sathan and the fruits and deceiuable pleasures and profits of this world rather then the seruice of thee the euerliuing and most glorious God and the blessed hope of the enioyment and full possession of that rich inheritance of thy chosen euen those inualuable treasures of glorie blisse and happinesse but that my iudgement being cleared and my heart sanctified I may now and alwaies make greatest account of those things which are most pretious and chiefly to be desired and sought after of all those that will be the sonnes of true wisdome The bondage and slauerie of the wicked WE would wonder at him that being laden with manie irons chained and fettered hand and foote so that he were not able to mooue from the place where he lay should notwithstanding perswade himselfe that he were a free man and none more at libertie then he This is the estate of the wicked they are bound hand and foot yea all the parts and powers of their soules haue manie heauie chaines and irons lying vpon them whereby they are euen pressed downe and brought into great miserie and bondage and yet they poore wretches such is their blindnesse though plunged into the verie depth of that wofull miserie and hellish thraldome yet neither see nor perceiue the same but thinke themselues as free as the best and reioyce in their estate when as they are the seruants of corruption the slaues of Sathan subiect to the power of darkenesse Lord giue me daily more and more to see that wofull miserie and feareful bondage and slauery which Sathan by sinne bringeth vpon the soules of men yea both vpon their soules and bodies And grant that seeing it I may bewaile it both in my selfe and others and labour to be restored vnto perfect libertie and freedome being truly thankfull vnto thee for this that thou hast in part freed me alreadie making those bolts lighter and those bonds looser and earnestlie desiring and expecting the time when that which is in part shall be fullie perfected euen the day of redemption which I pray thee to hasten The fond and preposterous course of the wicked in preferring the health of their bodies before the saluation of their soules IF any be in danger but to lose a finger he will presentlie with all diligence and carefulnesse seeke vnto the Physition or Chirurgion for to saue one ioynt of it if it may be possible But to lose their soules how small reckoning doe most men make what a preposterous course is this Is the bodie of more worth then the soule is the life and safetie of this corruptible bodie yea of one little member thereof to be more esteemed more carefullie prouided for then the eternall life and saluation of the soule yea of soule and bodie Is anie so destitute of reason and vnderstanding as once to imagine this And yet behold such are the liues and practises of most men that either they doe or at least would so perswade themselues or else how could they be so carefull for the maintenance and preseruation of their bodilie health and outward estate and so carelesse yea desperate neuer regarding the present and future estate of their soules but passing awaie their daies most securelie in the sinfull pleasures and delights of this euill world euen bathing themselues therein whiles in the meane time they willinglie if not wilfullie depriue themselues of euerlasting life and saluation and hasten forward vnto that endlesse perdition and destruction which is prepared for them Blessed be thy name O mercifull Lord that thou hast not giuen me ouer to the foolishnesse of the wicked who shall perish for euer but vouchsafest thy grace vnto me whereby thou hast made me more carefull to seeke for the assurance of the good estate of my soule in this life and the eternall saluation thereof in the heauens after this transitorie life is ended then for the procuring of the life and safetie of this mortall corruptible body of mine which shall be turned into dust and rottennesse Increase this grace in me and in all thine that so we may haue full assurance that we are thine and that when the earthlie house of this our tabernacle is destroied we may liue with thee in glorie for euer euen in that heauenly kingdome that celestiall mansion which thou hast prouided and prepared for vs and for all thy Saints The forwardnes of the wicked in the way to hell ought to prouoke the godlie to make the more speede in the way to heauen IS it not strange to see the wicked runne faster to
especially in the last houre when all worldly comforts shall flie from vs and vtterly forsake vs As Rahabs threed was better vnto her then all her goods and substance wheÌ„ the sword came so wil this be better vnto vs theÌ„ all the world when death comes assailes vs which we know not when or how soone it will O mercifull God I beseech thee make me wise to consider of these things that so I may finde comfort both now and hereafter when I shall most want it most desire it and when as without it I cannot but bee exceeding wretched and miserable Grant me thy grace to serue thee in righteousnesse and holinesse all my daies yea to walk before thee in truth and sinceritie with a perfect heart and to doe alwaies that which is good in thy sight and pleasing vnto thy Maiestie that so hauing my coÌ„uersation in this world in simplicitie and godly purenes I may haue the testimonie of my conscience to be my reioycing and as it were a continuall feast vnto me al my life long in all troubles miseries and afflictions whatsoeuer yea and that when this short and transitorie life shall draw to an end and al worldly comforts become vaine and no waies auaileable vnto me I may haue the sweete comfort and solace hereof following and accompanying me vnto death and resting and remaining with me in death that so when at length I shall send foorth my last breath calling to minde and recounting my sinceritie in thy seruice and resting vpoÌ„ thy gracious promise for the couering of my manifold defects and infirmities with thy sonnes righteousnes I may then euen lift vp my head with confidence and boldnes and taking my farewell of this wearisome world depart hence with ioy and reioycing knowing assuredly that I shal not die but liue being clothed with glorie and immortalitie for euermore This is my life my hope They â—hat liue not thus they die whiles they liue and wheÌ„ they once die they die for euer Oh therefore that all would so liue that thus they might haue peace and comfort whiles they liue and in the end die the death of the righteous and be made partakers of their glorie which many wish for few seeke after but fewest of all attaine vnto Sinne exceeding dangerous though pleasant for a time SInne is sweet and pleasant for the present at least it seemeth so to the wicked who neuer tasted of any sweeter delicates But certaine howsoeuer they relish it for the present yet doubtlesse they shall finde to their griefe and sorrow that in the end it will bee as bitter as gall or wormewood yea as death it selfe O Lord let me neuer delight in those deceiuable pleasures of sinne which last but for a season the end whereof is bitternes and destructioÌ„ let mee neuer willingly take down no nor so much as once taste of those poysoned morsels which the wicked vngodly swallow with so much greedinesse as though they could neuer bee satisfied or glutted with them but let me bee alwaies carefull to auoide all sinne as I would doe the rankest poyson which being though neuer so little but once tasted of present death must needes followe except there be a speciall recouerie by that sole and soueraigne medicine of Christs righteousnes which is neither giuen nor can be applied to any of those who wilfully and desperatly drinke downe any of that deadly poyson though they be oft forewarned of the danger of it The vsuall euent of Satans practises against the Church of God IT hath alwaies been and it is diligeÌ„tly to be obserued that by what plots and practises soeuer Satan hath attempted the vndermining of the Church of God and the finall subuersion and ouerthrow of the same they haue turned in the end if not to the ruine yet to the weakning of his owne kingdom so that he receiued the greatest foile where hee thought he should haue most preuailed Especially wee of this nation haue seene this more apparaÌ„tly in later yeers and as it was the Lords doing and wonderfull in our eyes so ought wee neuer to forget it but to bee alwaies mindfull of it yea to make report of it vnto those that are a farre off and to rehearse it hereafter to those that are yet vnborne that so the goodnes of the Lord the care which he hath ouer his Church may bee knowne and acknowledged and due thankes praise and glorie be returned vnto him by many for the same in all ensuing ages O Lord remember thy wonted mercies and continue still good and gracious vnto thy Church chosen O be thou fauourable vnto thy Sion and build vp the walles of Ierusalem make vp the breaches and repaire the ruines and the desolate and decaied places thereof disappoint Satan in al his mischieuous counsell and diuellish policies deuices wherby he seeketh the ouerthrow of it Cast out all the cursed Iebusites which disturbe the peace and are enemies vnto the prosperitie of it keepe it as thy little flock which hath alwaies been tender and deare vnto thee loue it and delight in it as in thine owne spouse which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe out of all the nations of the earth blesse and sanctifie it with thy grace defend it alwaies with thy mightie power Compasse it with a wall of fire round about and fight thou from heaueÌ„ against theÌ„ that fight against it Thus O Lord bee thou gracious to thine owne inheritance thy chosen Sion Let peace bee within the walles and plenteousnesse within the palaces thereof that so thy Gospell may florish thy name be glorified thy seruants comforted thy Saints repaired the number of thy children on earth accomplished these sinfull daies finished and finally the glorious kingdom of thy Son fully established for euer in the heauens Amen Christians ought to keepe continuall watch in regard of Satans assaults SEest thou not how carefull those that are besieged assaulted of their enemies are to haue their Centinels and to make their defence sure and to fortifie those places especially where the enemie giueth the fiercest onset or where there is more danger that a breach should be made for his entrance Behold thou art coÌ„tinually enuironed with many spirituall enemies the powers of darknesse which haue beset thee round about on euery side They haue laid a strong siege against thee and assault thee euery houre euery moment seeking by all meanes to make a breach into thy soule and to bring both thy soule and bodie to perpetuall ruine and desolation and wilt thou then be secure wilt thou bee carelesse nay wilt thou foolishly set open the gates consenting vnto sin in the temptations thereof that so Satan may enter in and make a spoile of thee O Lord though many bee so foolish and vnwise yet suffer not me to bee like vnto them but since so many and so dangerous enemies those spirituall wickednesses doe bend their forces and intrench themselues about me continually grant
that I may bee wise to preuent the mischiefe which they intend to bring vpō me make mee alwaies watchfull and carefull to stand for my defence and safetie against them especially let me seeke and endeuour by all meanes to fortifie my soule against those sinnes whereby Satan doth most assaile me and to get strength against those weaknesses whereby hee may soonest haue aduantage of me and bring me into danger yea O Lord doe thou watch ouer mee doe thou strengthen me Heale all my infirmities repaire the ruines of my soule make vp the manifold breaches therof Compasse me about with thy grace and fauour that so none of those spirituall enemies may euer haue power ouer me but that I may be defended from them in the time of this my warfare heere on earth and hereafter triumph gloriously ouer them in the heauens for euermore Greater care is to be had of things to come then of things present O How carefull are most for their bodies how carelesse for their soules For the things of this world what paines what labour doe they willingly vndergo for those of the world to come how remisse how exceeding negligent are they Lord grant that I may be alwaies most carefull of that which is most necessarie that I may preferre heauen before earth those things which are spirituall before those that are corporal things which are permanent and euerlasting before the lying and deceitfull vanities of this world endlesse and vnspeakable glorie and happines before vaine and supposed felicitie Gods all-seeing presence THe eyes of the Lord are open vpon all the waies of men hee seeth and obserueth them euen those things which they doe in greatest secrecy are most cleere and manifest vnto him they are naked discouered in his sight and he taketh notice of all of them O therefore how great is the boldnes and audaciousnes of such as dare presume willinglie and wittinglie to commit so grieuous and so odious sinnes whiles they are in so glorious a presence who is so prophane and so gracelesse that should not be ashamed of this yea that should not bee euen astonished in himselfe to consider that all his sinnes whereof some one of them if it should bee made knowne vnto the world would make him blush and hang downe his head for shame lie open and vncouered before the face of almightie God euen the cleere eyes of that infinite and glorious Maiesty who is so pure that he cannot abide any vncleannes yea that hee cannot once endure the sight of any thing which is spotted and stained with the filth of sin O Lord let me alwaies see thee present with me viewing marking and obseruing the whole course and carriage of my life not only how I compose my selfe outwardly before men but how euen the thoughts of my heart are framed within me that thus I may not onely bee restrained frō the commission of outward actuall wickednesses which euen the shame of the world causeth many that are altogether voide and destitute of thy sanctifying grace to refraine themselues from but also may feare to giue entertainmēt to any motion vnto the least sinne and striue after holinesse and puritie that so I may bee approued of thee and finde grace and fauour in thy sight A motiue to patience vnder the crosse ALthough it be grieuous vnto vs yet it is good for vs to bee vnder the crosse It is no small benefit which we receiue by afflictions if we looke vnto the end and issue of them for thereby wee are humbled more then we were made more earnest and feruent in prayer readier to seek vnto the Lord to cleaue faster vnto him and to depend solely and wholly vpon him making him our hope our stay and onely refuge yea thereby our faith hope patience and all other graces of Gods spirit are exercised and increased and that inward man of ours daily more and more renued whiles wee are outwardly oppressed and afflicted In briefe thereby we are weaned from the world and the vaine and transitorie things thereof and made not onely mindfull but also desirous of the day of death and of the time of our dissolution whenas being freed from all those miseries wherewith we are and shall be compassed on euery side as long as wee liue in this wretched world and carrie this bodie of sin about with vs wee shall enter into that resting place where wee shal want nothing which may make for our blessednesse and felicitie Let nothing then be distastful vnto me which thou seest to bee good for me O Lord but let me euer be content if it so pleaseth thee to drinke downe willingly the bitterest cup of the most grieuous affliction which thou shalt offer vnto me seeing that in the end thereof I shall find much sweetnes None euer free from the temptations of Satan THere is none that is not often assailed by the tēpter euen the most holie and righteous men that liue vpon the earth when one temptation is resisted and passed ouer they are to expect another and to prepare themselues for it vnlooked for blowes are most dangerous O Lord I see how busie that enemie of mine is how many waies he laboureth to vndermine me and that especially when I am least aware of him O let me be alwaies readie to meete him in the gate before hee enter too farre vpon me let me not be secure and carelesse but very watchfull and vigilant euer prepared to encounter with him and to resist him especially in the beginning of his assaults wherein if I withstand him with faith courage and resolution I doubt not but with thy grace I shall in the end easilie get the victorie of him and see him flie before me Satans temptations sometimes more grieuous and dangerous then at other times SOme haue more grieuous temptations presently after their first calling and conuersion vnto God some long after some throughout their whole life haue that euill one vncessantly casting many fiery darts at them thereby if it were possible to wound them euen vnto death almost euery moment or at least to make their liues wearisome irkesome vnto them These are not to faint or to despaire whiles they are thus tempted but to be the more carefull to bee alwaies well appointed and readie furnished with the whole compleate armour of God whereby they may bee able to defend themselues frō the rage and malice of that furious enemie and deadly aduersarie of theirs who thirsteth after the blood of their soules and desireth nothing more then their vtter ruine and confusion Since hee is so fierce and eager vpon them they are to bee thus armed continually and withall to pray vnto the Lord and that oft and more earnestlie that he would shield and safegard them and giue vnto thē a ioyfull issue out of all their temptations and then no doubt at length they shall see the saluation of the Lord in the ouerthrow of that malitious enemie by whom heretofore they haue
eye of his soule that vnspeakable glorie and those endlesse riches and treasures of euerlasting felicitie and blessednes which to the eye of the bodie are inuisible and cannot be seene of any but of those onely which are spirituall O blessed Lord what is there on this earth wherein my soule can finde any pleasure or vnto which I should giue the affections of my heart On euery side I see nothing but miserie and vanitie continuall occasion of griefe and mourning My treasure my ioy and happinesse is in heauē euen in the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where thou hast prepared such things for me as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or comprehend O therefore let mine eye neuer be fixed vpon any earthly obiect but let me alwaies be looking vp vnto thee and to that heauenly mansion where such glorious things are reserued for me Especiall fauours of God towards vs often and more especially to bee remembred of vs. IT is a good thing to be often meditating vpon the goodnesse and louing kindnesse of the Lord towards vs in those speciall fauours and blessings whereby hee hath chiefly and most euidently manifested his loue vnto vs and his fatherly care ouer vs yea the least of his mercies ought daily to be remembred of vs that so in all things wee might stirre vp our selues vnto true thankfulnes which is a thing wherewith he is greatly delighted and for which hee extendeth his louing fauour in a more plentifull encrease of his blessings and benefits O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse towards me how exceeding gratious hast thou been alwaies vnto me The mercies which thou hast freely vouchsafed vnto mee are infinite and innumerable I am not able to recount thē O let me euer be thinking of them and lifting vp my heart continuallie with vnfained praise and thankes vnto thy Maiestie for them that so it may please thee to cause the light of thy grace and fauour to shine still vpon me euen vnto the end of my daies How the conscience is disquieted and wounded HE is a happie man that doth alwaies carefullie auoide euery thing whatsoeuer it be that may be either a staine or a burthen vnto his conscience he shall surely enioy the benefit of a quiet and of a peaceable minde with much freedome and libertie of spirit whereas on the other side he that hath little or no care of this dutie that regardeth not how hee defileth his conscience or what loade hee laieth vpon it by doing those things which are either altogether vnlawfull in themselues or else vnlawfull vnto him because either hee hath no warrant for the doing of them or else faileth in the maner of the doing of them hee thereby brings a greater miserie vpon himselfe then for the present hee can thinke of and for which hereafter hee shall meete with much vntimely griefe and sorrow and taste of much bitternes in his soule and spirit O Lord let me bee carefull alwaies to vse all meanes whereby I may keepe a cleere and a pure cōscience doing that good with all diligence which thou hast commanded and abstaining with all my strength from that euil which thou hast forbidden and from whatsoeuer I cannot haue resolution out of thy word for the lawfulnes of it that so I may haue comfort both in life and in death The dulnes and sottishnes of worldlings O The dulnes of the hearts of men who minde only those things which are present neuer regarding those which are to come How sottish is the nature of man that delighteth only to lie groueling on this earth and to satisfie his carnall his sensuall appetite in the enioying of these things which are but vaine and corruptible yea that neglecteth euen heauen and happinesse it selfe so that hee may haue his fill of them O Lord let me alwaies be far otherwise affected then the men of this world are who sauour onely of those things which are carnall and earthly vaine hope of a long life vpon earth as many doe When it is morning let me think that I shall not liue vnto the euening and when the euening is come let me not promise vnto my selfe assurance of life vntill the next morning sith there is no power thereof in my hands But let me liue so continually as if death were to seize vpon me presently yea let me so liue alwaies as if I were to die the same instant euen whē death might seeme to bee furthest off from mee that thus hauing death alwaies present before mine eyes I may learne daily to die vnto the world esteeming the things thereof as nothing though neuer so highly prized of the men of this world and to aspire daily more and more vnto that spirituall and heauenly life in thy Christ that so when bodilie death shall close vp these eyes of mine I may not rest in darknesse and be as those that are cut off from their hope and lost their comfort but depart in peace into that light of glorie where I shal enioy thy blessed presence and behold thee face to face for euermore to my vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie As is the life of a man so is his death and finall estate AS is the life of man so is his death and as it is with him in death so shall it bee in the last and dreadfull iudgement Hee that hath a care to liue well it cannot be but that he should die well and he that dies well shall assuredly finde the iudgement day to bee a maruellous refreshing vnto him On the other side he that liues ill how can he haue any hope that he shall die well and if hee be miserable in his death how much more in the day of iudgement Oh what a terror shal that day be vnto him who is able to conceiue what a sea of miserie and horrour shall then suddenlie ouerwhelme him in most fearfull manner O my God thou who art my strength my hope and my saluation giue mee both an earnest desire and a carefull endeuour to direct all my waies and to order the whole course of my life according vnto the rule prescript of thy holy word let it bee my care to haue a good conscience in all things and to liue so that my life being approoued of thee my death may bee blessed and my appearance before thee in the day of thy comming with ioy and comfort when as the wicked shall not bee able to stand in thy presence but call to the mountaines and to the rocks to fall vpon them and to hide them from the fiercenes of thy wrath which shall be as a consuming fire to deuoure all the vngodly of the earth Iudgement day how terrible it will be to the wicked THe angrie countenance of a seuere Iudge how dreadfull is it vnto the malefactor that stands endited at the barre before him what a terror doth it strike into him how doth it astonish and amaze him
or worthinesse of mine owne but onely in thy mercie O Lord and in the al-sufficient merits of thy Christ my Lord and blessed Sauiour who hath giuen himselfe to death for me and powred foorth his pretious blood vpō the crosse to make full satisfaction for me and to reconcile me vnto thy Maiestie Loe therefore I doe humbly prostrate my self O Lord before the throne of thy grace and mercy in Christ Iesus I doe renounce my self and vtterly disclaime mine owne righteousnes acknowledging it to bee but as a stained and polluted cloth and desire only to appeare before thee in that righteousnesse of thy Sonne and to be found in him whom alone thou hast made vnto mee wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Were it not that I had comfort in this I should be of all creatures the most miserable yea had I not trusted herein I had long since perished and bin vtterly confounded Behold mee therefore O gracious God and louing Father behold me with the eye of thy mercie Looke vpon mee not as I am in my selfe all stained and defiled with sinne and iniquitie but in thy Sonne euen that iust and holy one who only is my righteousnesse and my saluation and in whom alone I do and will trust both in life and in death Accept therefore of me graciously in him Clothe and couer me with the pure and spotlesse garments of his righteousnes and holinesse that so the filthinesse of my pollution may neuer appeare in thy sight who art of so pure eyes that all sinne is an abomination vnto thee let the merit of his obedience of his death and passion whereby he offered himselfe a sacrifice pleasing and acceptable and of sweete smelling sauour vnto thee for all thy chosen and redeemed ones be a full satisfaction for me and for all my sinnes though neuer so many and so grieuous Let me through faith in him be made partaker of his puritie of his innocencie of his righteousnes of his holinesse and of his perfection that so howsoeuer I am in my selfe vncleane sinfull vnrighteous vnholy and full of manifold infirmities and imperfections yet in him and through him I may appeare in thine eyes pure as he is pure innocent as he is innocent righteous as he is righteous holy as hee is holy and perfect as he is perfect and being accepted into thy grace and fauour through him in this life may haue cōfort and confidence in death and in the day of iudgement and liue with thee in glorie in the life to come together with Christ my Sauiour redeemer and with thy blessed Spirit and with all thy Saints and elect Angels in that kingdome which thou hast prepared and of which I rest in cōtinuall hope and expectation desirous of the accōplishment of thy promise which is endlesse blessednes and felicitie A comfort for afflicted consciences THere is none that receiueth a great measure of spirituall comfort and diuine consolation whereby his spirits are cheered and his soule refreshed and filled with inward ioy and gladnes but he hath vsually some grieuous temptation either going before or following after it Thus the Lord doth ordinarily deale with his children there are none of his Saints but haue experience of it in themselues The Lord doth not alwaies cause the ioyfull light of his cheerfull countenance to shine cleerely vpon them he doth not alwaies fill their hearts with that peace which passeth all vnderstanding or rauish their soules with that inward and spiritual ioy and comfort which is vnspeakable and glorious neither doth hee alwaies absent himselfe or hide the brightnes of his face from them but sometimes he doth graciously visite them and causeth them to taste abundantlie of the sweetnes of his kindnesse his mercie and goodnesse so that they are exceedingly refreshed and feele such diuine and heauenly comfort and inward solace as that they are not able outwardly to expresse it and sometimes again as though hee had forgotten them he seemeth to hide and to absent himselfe from them and suffereth them to be assailed with some grieuous temptation so that their day is turned into night their light into darknesse their ioy and gladnes into sorrow and heauinesse And this the Lord doth that he may cause them to acknowledge this to be his gift euen that inward spirituall comfort wherewith their spirits doe reioyce before him and therefore to be thankfull vnto him whē they receiue it or haue a more especiall sense and feeling of it as also to make them to depend wholly vpon him who is the life of their soules and without whom there can bee no true solace no found ioy and withall to exercise their faith their hope and their loue the proofe whereof is seene in those spirituall desertions O Lord God if it be thy will let thy spirit of peace and cōfort alwaies rest vpon me let me taste cōtinually of the sweetnes of thy mercies wherewith thou art wont to refresh the soules of thy seruants after that they haue been wearied and oppressed with any grieuous affliction or temptation but if it seeme good vnto thee for the triall of my faith and for the exercise of the graces of thy spirit in me to withhold at any time this blessing for a while from me and to depriue me of the liuely sense and feeling of spirituall and diuine consolation yet let me not faint but rest in hope and expect with patience the time of thy gratious and heauenly visitation with which according vnto thy promise thou wilt refresh and comfort me giuing vnto me the oyle of ioy for mourning and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse that so thy name may bee glorified of mee in the thankfull acknowledgement of thy goodnes towards me The Christians glorious conquest THere is none that can attaine vnto so great a conquest in this world as a true Christian Hee through the grace which hee receiueth from Christ who daily assisteth him and is alwaies present with him sustaining him with his effectuall power is able to doe more then all the greatest Monarchs or mightiest Potentates in the earth can possibly doe of their own strength yea though they gather all their forces together For he doth not only conquer himselfe and subdue his own lusts which rebell against the spirit of his minde but also he ouercommeth this world yea the prince thereof euen Satan himselfe with all those spirituall wickednesses which raigne in others and haue thē continually in subiection vnder them O Lord without thee I am able to do nothing with thy helpe there is nothing but shall bee easie vnto me Let it please thee continually to assist mee with thy grace and to strengthen mee with thy mightie power that so I may daily see all mine enemies more and more subdued vnto mee and hauing gotten the victorie and conquest of them in this life may hereafter receiue that crowne of life which thou hast promised vnto all thē that ouercome liuing
transitorie things of this world O Lord God thou only art my God whom haue I in heauen but thee or what is there that I should desire on earth in comparison of thee O let my hart be alwaies fixed vpon thee let my soule loue thee delight in thee seeke and long after thee aboue all things which is that inward and spiritual worship and seruice which thou requirest of all those vpon whō thy name is called of all those that acknowledge thee the Lord to be their God The miserable estate of a worldling HE that doth once imbrace this world can hardly be loosed from it and brought to follow Christ and to cleaue vnto true religiō in the trueth and sinceritie of the profession thereof yea such is the bewitching nature of it that it will daily more and more fasten vpon him and claspe round about him so that he shall haue no power to free himselfe againe except an extraordinarie grace be ministred vnto him of God Of all men of whom there may be any hope a couetous worldling is in this regard most miserable and his estate most dangerous since that it is harder for him to be reclaimed then for any other for of all sinnes out of which there may be any recouery that sinne of auarice and couetousnes is most irrecouerable O blessed Lord let not my heart be glewed at any time vnto the things of this world Let not the immoderate care and desire thereof take hold of me let it not be rooted in me but let me alwaies enioy such freedome by thy grace that I may willingly readily and cheerefully performe those duties which thou requirest of me yea that I may cleaue fast vnto thee and runne with libertie the waies of thy commandements The vnpleasant and distracted life of a carnall and wicked man WHat pleasure is there in the life of a carnall and wicked man who is carried away with the vaine and inordinate desires of his owne heart Before he hath obtained that which he lusts after he is restles and vnquiet All that he had before doth him no good because hee wants that when he enioyes it he is grieued displeased yea vexed because it doth not satiffie him nor yeeld him that contentment which he looked for in it Afterwards he is perplexed and troubled in minde by reason of the guilt which he hath brought vpon his conscience through his sinne the sweetest fruite whereof in the ende is nothing but shame and sorrow yea much bitternes Thus he is continually disquieted discontented and distracted whiles he followeth his vnlawfull desires and yeeldeth to his disordered and distempred affections he hath no peace no ease no rest Witnes the proud person the couetous the voluptuous the ambitious the enuious and malitious and whosoeuer else he be that letteth loose the raines to any vnbridled passion any inordinate affection It is a meere slauery to be a seruant vnto any such lusts the onely meanes to obtaine true libertie hearts ease peace and sound contentement to resist them and to get the mastrie ouer them and to be no wayes bound to them O mercifull Lord let me not be addicted to these things which are base earthly and sensuall let me neuer willingly yield vnto any sinfull desire of my corrupt nature but giue me grace alwaies to bridle yea to subdue and to mortifie those wicked affections which otherwise would preuaile against me that so beeing ouermastered and euen brought into subiectiō vnder me through the working of thy gracious spirit in me I may passe the whole time of my life hereafter in rest quietnes and true peace and contentednes and serue thee with perfect libertie and freedome all my daies The life of the righteous as well to be sought after as their death wished I Marueile not that all men euen the most wicked and prophane of the world do with cursed Balaam desire and wish for the death of the righteous seeing the end of it is true and perfect blessednes and the want of it extreame woe and miserie But this seemes very strange vnto me that they should not as well desire the life of the righteous not onely because this is the meanes to come vnto the other that necessarily depending hereupon but also since herein is true happines to be found and that which is to be desired of all men and without which man cannot but be miserable and euen a burthen vnto himselfe For the righteous the sincere and vpright in life and conuersation they onely leade a peaceable a comfortable and a ioyfull life They reioyce not so much in the face as in heart not so much to the teeth outwardly as in soule and spirit inwardly whereas the hypocrite the false hearted and all that loue vnrighteousnes neuer haue any true mirth any sound ioy but only a false counterfeit image thereof which when it is at the best is but hollow rotten and vnsound yea whē they sport themselues in their carnall and worldly delights most immoderatly and break foorth into excessiue laughter yet then their ioy is but the fit as it were of a frantick or mad man they know not what they doe and at length their sorrowfull dumpes their troubled thoughts and distracting cares returne againe vnto them vnsent for they break off their laughter with a sigh and end their mirth with heauinesse anguish and great perplexednes yea the Lord filleth their soules with much bitternes so that many times to bee eased of it they could willingly be rid of their liues in which they finde so small comfort Lord let me be as carefull to leade a good life as to make a godly end let me hate all vnrighteousnesse and forsake all the waies of the vngodly and let me seek by all meanes to attaine vnto true holinesse and striue after sinceritie and vprightnes that so the spirit of ioy and gladnesse may rest continually vpon me and cause me alwaies to reioyce vnfainedly in thee with that inward spiritual ioy and comfort the sweetnes whereof none knoweth but thine only euen those whom thou hast giuen to taste of it and which being once giuen of thee from whom alone it proceedeth none is able to take it away againe The follie and danger of deferring Repentance IT is exceeding follie in men to liue carelesly and securely all their life long and to put off all vnto their dying houre vainly supposing that it will be enough for them then to commend themselues vnto God and to desire him to take them to his mercie Alas such know not what they doe they know not the price of their soules for surely if they did they would neuer put them in aduenture to the last houre They consider not the danger of losing them for euer for then certainely they would quickly be of an other mind they would look about them they would not set all vpon such a ticklish point nor put themselues vnto that hazard no not for the gaine of
the whole world but they would presently cut off all delaies which in good things are alwaies exceeding dangerous and seeke diligently by all meanes to leade their liues in that manner and so to secure their estate that in death they might haue assurance that they should not die but liue hauing their soules translated and carried though not by firie chariots as Elias was yet by the hands of those heauenlie Angels which continually waite and attend vpon them from earth to heauen from this vale of miserie to that place of endlesse glorie and happinesse O Lord keepe me from that extreame follie and simplicitie of the wicked whom Satan hath so deceiued and deluded that they should be carelesse of that which most neerly concernes them euen their future and eternall estate after this life which depends vpon the course of their life lead in this world which is short and momentarie Let it bee my care and endeuour euery day to seeke by a holy conuersation to be assured of the certaintie of my election and of my blessed and happie estate after this life euen my future glorification in thy kingdom that so I may be alwaies prepared and rest continually in a ioyfull hope and expectation of the accomplishment and fulfilling of thy gratious promise Freewill IT is a vaine thing to thinke that a man hath freewill vnto that which is good As well maist thou perswade me that a stone can moue it selfe or that a dead bodie can raise it selfe out of the graue Except the Lord put to his hand wee can neuer moue our selues no not to one good motion one good thought or desire much lesse giue our selues to the constant practise of that which is good Except the Lord put new life into vs except he quicken vs with his spirit we are al but dead men and shall lie in our graues vntill we be awaked vnto iudgement O Lord the fountaine of grace and life doe thou quicken me so shall I liue do thou lift me vp so shall I rise out of the graue of sinne and death Doe thou draw me so shall I come vnto thee yea so shall I euen runne with libertie in all the waies of thy commandements Heare me O Lord and help me for in thee doe I trust in whom onely I liue moue and haue my being and without whom all my life is but death Without thee I can doe nothing In thee and by thee all things What worship God especially requireth MAny performe outward worship and seruice vnto God few that which is inâ—ard Both are required but the latter is chiefly necessarie without which the former though commanded is neither pleasing nor acceptable yea vile and abominable vnto him that hath alwaies loathed such dead carcases such liuelesse sacrifices Lord giue me grace alwaies to offer vnto thee a whole burnt offering to serue thee as in bodie which thou hast made for that end so especially in spirit and in truth so shall I not bee reproued yea then thou wilt accept both of me and of all my sacrifices and be exceeding gracious and mercifull vnto me aboue that I can expect or desire Christians are willingly to resigne themselues and all that they enioy to Gods will ALL those things which wee enioy in this world are not our owne but Gods he gaue them to vs to vse and at his pleasure he may call for them and cause vs to restore them to him againe since he alone hath absolute right and interest in them Whiles wee haue them wee are to haue a care to vse them well and not to neglect them or to bee regardlesse of them We ought to vse them and yet not so to vse them as if they were our own but lent vnto vs by another of whom we haue receiued them When hee taketh them from vs we are willingly to restore them and readily without any murmuring or repining to part with them sith they were but lent vnto vs for a time for our conuenient or necessarie vse and are now called for againe by the right owner of them so that to bee vnwilling to returne them at his commaund is not neither ought to bee otherwise esteemed of vs then as the vsurping or violent detaining of another mans goods against his will and pleasure euen theft and robberie against the highest What meaneth it theÌ„ that many are so loth to restore the things which God hath giuen them the vse of for a while and now requireth of them againe What meanes it that many are so grieued to part with those things which the Lord hath lent them vntil such time as he should call for them Yea why is it that many complaine so grieuously as if they were greatly iniured or had very hard measure offered vnto them when the Lord taketh from them their wiues their children their friends their goods their lands liuings or their life it selfe Are they their owne and not Gods Why then should they sinne against him by repining that they cannot keepe them against his will Hath he giuen vnto them the vse of them thus long doth he now call for them and require them againe of them Why then should they not with al willingnes and thankfulnes restore them acknowledging themselues much indebted vnto him for the fruition of them and the benefit they haue receiued by them hitherto O Lord thou hast freely and most graciouslie vouchsafed many blessings and benefits vnto me euen in the things of this world the least whereof I am altogether vnworthie of thou hast giuen me life health friends and a competencie of these earthly things which in wisedome thou sawest to bee conuenient for me thou art the author and giuer of them as of all other things which are good Whiles it pleaseth thee to continue them vnto me for my vse giue me grace to vse them soberly in a sanctified manner so as may be most for thy glorie and my comfort both here and hereafter wheÌ„ it shall please thee to take theÌ„ away from me and to depriue me either of any or of all of them grant that I may with a willing minde and with a thankfull heart returne them againe vnto thee saying with that faithfull and constant seruant of thine whom thou hast made a paterne and president vnto me Naked came I out of my mothers wombe and naked shall I returne thither euen into the bellie of the earth which is the mother of vs all the Lord hath giuen and the Lord hath taken it blessed be the name of the Lord. Forgiuing of others how necessary for all men HE can neuer truely and freely forgiue those that offend and iniurie him that hath not first tasted of the infinite loue and fauour of God in Christ towards him in the forgiuenes of those manifold sinnes and innumerable and most grieuous offeÌ„ces whereby he hath displeased and prouoked him But he that hath a true apprehension and a liuely sense and feeling hereof in his owne soule
fulnesse of thy presence and drinke abundantly out of the riuers of thy pleasures for euermore The old man neuer dies in this life EVery Christian as long as hee liueth in this world hath the old man liuing in him hee is in part but not wholly crucified and slaine hee hath receiued his deadlie wound and lieth a dying euery day but will not bee quite dead till the soule be separated by death from this earthly this sinfull and this corruptible bodie O Lord subdue and mortifie daily more and more I humbly pray thee the corruption of my nature let mee feele the power and strength thereof weakened and decaying in me put thy spirit into my hart wâ—ich may striue continually against it and suppresse the force of it so that although in some sort it liue in me yet it may not raigne at any time nor haue dominion ouer me And when it pleaseth thee make an end of these wretched and miserable daies and deliuer me from this bodie of sinne and of death which I carrie continually about with me that so being wholly freed from the bondage vnto which I am now subiect and restored vnto perfect libertie I may serue thee with all cheerefulnes and alacritie as thy holie Angels and Saints in glorie now doe and shall for euermore A free minde how to be obtained THere cannot bee a free minde where the heart doth not continually rest vpon God and stay it selfe vpon him only Hee that doth this shall quickly finde all sinfull and immoderate feare and the excessiue and inordinate loue of all earthly things much diminished and abated in him yea flying quite away and vanishing in such sort as if hee had neuer bin annoied or encumbred with them He that doth it not it cannot bee but that he should liue and spend his daies in coÌ„tinuall disquietnes yea in great miserie and vexation of minde and spirit by reason of many distracting thoughts superfluous cares and vaine desires which will euen pierce his soule with many sorrowes and oppresse his minde with much griefe anguish and perplexitie Ah Lord thou knowest the secret thoughts and desires of my heart thou seest what it is that my soule longeth after how faine I would serue thee with that cheerefulnesse of minde and that freedome of spirit which is the sacrifice wherein thou art so much delighted Haue regard vnto me I humbly intreate thee consider my request which I powre out vnto thee from a heart vnfained Giue me daily a greater measure of thy grace whereby I may breake thorow those snares which are laid for me and wherewith I am readie continually to bee intangled and grant that I may resigne my selfe wholly vnto thee and rest yea set and fixe my heart euen roule my selfe vpon thee that so I may passe the rest of my pilgrimage heeâ—e on earth peaceablie cheerefullie and comfortably as one that is set at libertie from all sinfull and inordinate affections from the vaine desires and the needlesse and troublesome cares of this euill and wicked world Amen An effectuall motiue to true humilitie and lowlines of minde OH how meanly ought euery one to esteeme of himselfe How little ought he to be in his owne eyes seeing that in himselfe he is nothing notable of himselfe no not so much as once to thinke that which is good If he were as wise as Salomon so famous for his wisedom and vnderstanding yet if the Lord did not continually guide his heart and direct his stâ—ppes there would be much follie aâ—d vanitie sound with him If he were aâ— râ—ghteous as Dauid â— man after Gods owne heart yet if the Lord did not alwaies preserue him and strengthen him through the assistance of his gracious spirit he would fall most dangerously yea if he were as pure and as holy as the Angels themselues those heauenly spirits yet if the Lord should not sustaine him with his especiall grace and continue him in that estate but withdrawe his hande from him he would quickly fall as it were a starre from heauen and all his glorie being lost and his light dimmed yea quite extinguished become like vnto Sathan the prince of darkenes nothing but sinfulnes and impuritie There is no wisedom no righteousnes no holines no stedfastnes but onely in God and of God who is the fountaine of all grace and goodnes and from whom the streames thereof are to be deriued into the hearts of men or else there wil be nothing but barrennes and emptines in them God is all in all the best without him are as nothing hauing no power no ability to do any thing which is good What is it then that men should glorie of in themselues Or how should they not alwaies haue a verie meane conceite and esteeme of themselues yea euen annihilate themselues and giue the glorie of all vnto God vnto whom alone it is due O blessed God giue me that meekenes of spirit and that true humblenes of minde which as it is a thing rare and pretious in it selfe so of thee verie much set by Teach me considering mine own weaknes of which I haue daily experience and my insufficiencie of my selfe and of my owne strength to doe to will or to thinke any thing which is good to be lowly vile and abiect in mine owne eyes yea to esteeme my selfe as nothing without thee and alwaies acknowledging mine owne feeblenes and manifold fraileties and infirmities to depend wholly and onely vpon thee yea to cleaue fast vnto thee and to ascribe the praise and glorie of whatsoeuer good is wrought in me or by me vnto thee alone who art the God of my streâ—gth the author and giueâ— both of grace and glorie and the beginner and finisher of euery good thing which is wrought in any of thy children Another THE more that any one doth emptie himselfe of his owne worth and goodnes the more will the Lord fill and replenish him with the abundant riches of his diuine and heauenly grace The lower that he doth abase and cast downe himselfe the higher wil the Lord aduance him and lift him vp euen farre aboue that which he did either desire or expect Thus his gaine wil be exceeding great in that wherein to others he may seeme to suffer some losse much to preiudice himself O Lord grant I beseech thee that I may euery day be more humbled with the sight of mine owne vnworthines of my spirituall pouertie and beggarlines that so it may please thee to inrich me with the greater measure of thy grace let me yet be more vile in mine own eyes that so I may at length be exalted of thee aboue that which I deserue and be crowned with honour and glory in thy kingdome for euermore Vainglorie what a vanitie and follie it is VAinglorie as it is a common disease in the world so the greatest vanitie that can be yea meere follie and madnesse itself It argues euidently that he that is carried away with it
shewe thy selfe maruellous towards them aboue that we are able to thinke or coÌ„ceiue in this frailetie of ours which is not able to comprehend the brightnes of that heauenly light which thou wilt cause to shine forth vnto them in a wonderfull and glorious maner no more then our bodily eyes are able to behold the glittering beames of the Sunne when it is in the full strength thereof O blessed Lord affect my heart with the due consideration of that maruellous glorie of thine euen that happie and glorious condition which in thy vnspeakeable mercie and kindnes thou wilt raise me vnto as soone as these wretched dayes of sinne and miserie are ended And let the remembrance thereof cause me continually to sigh and to long after it and to rest euer in a ioyfull expectation of it desiring either to be dissolued by death or which I rather desire to see my Sauiour comming in the cloudes with glory and maiesty attended with thousands of Saints and Angels that so I may haue entrance into that heauenly paradise and take full possession of that rich vndefiled and neuer fading inheritance enioying the sweete fellowship and communion of all thy chosen and beloued ones yea liuing continually in thy most blessed presence and beholding that maruellous light wherein thou dwellest who inhabitest eternity Who shall be citizens of that heauenly kingdome THey that will be citizens of the kingdome of heauen must first liue as pilgrims and strangers here vpoÌ„ earth They must passe by all these transitorie and earthly things vsing them when they haue occasion as if they vsed them not They must not set their hearts vpon any thing which is here below but aspire alwaies vnto those things which are aboue desiring and longing with an earnest affection to bee at home euen at that heauenly mansion where the place of their perpetuall rest and abode is and where they shall continue for euer with that blessed companie and society of those glorious and celestiall creatures which now continually desire and expect their comming that so they may reioyce together in the fruition and accomplishment of the same felicitie and happinesse O Lord let my heart I beseech thee bee more and more daily alienated and estranged from this world and the things thereof which are but meere vanitie and let me carrie my self continually as a pilgrime and soiourner heere on earth as all thy Saints haue been not suffering my affections at any time to bee fastened vnto any of these fading and transitorie things but weaning them altogether from the same resting alwaies in a desire and ioyful expectation of my returne vnto that blessed home of mine that so when this wearisome and sinfull course is ended I may be receiued into thy celestiall mansion and liue with thee in glorie for euer Soli Deo gloria AN ALPHABETICAL Table of the chiefe points contaiâ—ed in the seueral Meditations A ACcount of all our actions to be giuen to God pag. 27 Affections ouermastered with much difficultie pag. 263 AfflictioÌ„s the necessitie of theÌ„ 94 the benefit thereof 153. the Ancre of the soule in afflictions 96. A comfort for the afflicted pag. 370 Ambitious mans Idoll pag. 309 Angels watch ouer the godly pag. 36 B BLessings of God not the lesse to bee regarded because they are common 34. especiall blessings and fauours especially to be remembred pag. 201 Blindnesse of minde a great miserie pag. 293 C CAre ought rather to bee had for the soule then for the bodie 49. for things to come then for things present pag. 149 Censurers the danger of their sinne pag. 168 Christians must neuer stand at a stay 30. what manner of life it becomes them to leade 110. 342. their imprisonment in this world 66. their life a pilgrimage on earth 106. God their â—â—ght and guide 368. their glorious conquest 261. 263. Their excellencie 216. their paradise in this life 395. How they are esteemed of in the world 267. 275. what reckoning they are in with God 277. A singular priuiledge of theirs 244. how they are to iudge of their estate pag. 377 Comfort for afflicted consciences pag. 257. 370 Compassion towards others in their griefes pag. 337 Confidence in any creature a vaine thing pag. 230 Conscience the comfort of a good conscience especially in death 125. how the conscience is disquieted pag. 203 Contentednes in all estates pag. 90 Couetousnesse a dangerous disease 91. Idolatrie pag. 309 Crosse seâ—â—fflictions D DEath alwaies to bee expected and prouided for 24. 25. 108. to be desired 65 of whom it is most feared pag. 76 Deniall of a mans selfe how necessarie pag. 365 Desertions of the godly pag. 122 Deuotion hindred first by sinfull lusts 1. secondly by worldly cares 3. thirdly by Satans suggestions pag. 6 E EState of a Christian how to be iudged of pag. 377 F FAith pag. 246 Feare of God pag. 296. 299 Forgiuing of others how necessarie pag. 329 Freedome of minde how to bee obtained pag. 384 Freewill pag. 322 G GOds glorie carefully to bee sought after in all things 26. His truth and faithfulnes 123. His loue and fauour to be sought for aboue all things and his wrath feared 344. his especiall prouidence ouer his children 86. his all-seeing presence how it ought to affect vs. 150. his presence how blessed and comfortable a thing it is pag. 380 Grace different degrees thereof in the godly 61. 63. the decay of it dangerous pag. 100 H HArdnes of heart what a fearfull plague it is pag. 295 Haste of the wicked to hell prouokes the godly to make the more speed to heauen pag. 53 HeaueÌ„ who citizeÌ„s thereof pag. 404 Heauenly-mindednes pag. 199 Holy Ghost how the soule is to be fitted and prepared for the entertainment of so glorious a guest 116. grieuing thereof pag. 118 Humilitie motiues thereunto pag. 227. 386. 390 I INfirmities of others must be borne with 172. Why the Lord suffereth oft times the infirmities of his children to be knowne to others pag. 233 Iudgement day how dreadfull it will be to the wicked pag. 211 Iustification by faith only pag. 246 K KNowledge conscience and practise must goe together pag. 303. 306 L LIfe the shortnes and vncertaintie of it 206. As is the life of man so is his death and finall estate 209. the life of the righteous as well to be sought after as their death wished pag. 315 Life to come how it is to be desired in regard of the excellencie and glorie of it pag. 399 A comfortable life how to be obtained pag. 339 Liues of the Saints of old and men in these daies how different pag. 179 Loue of God by what meanes it decaieth in men pag. 289 Loue of the world a cause of distraction and much disquietnes pag. 374 M MEditation of things holy and diuine by what meanes especially it is hindered and interrupted pag. 1. 3. 6 Mercies of God pag. 15 O OLd man neuer dies in this life pag. 382 P PAtience of God pag. 114 Patience in affliction pag. 153 A signe of a well growen Christian pag. 279 Prayers of the faithfull what benefit they bring to others pag. 31 Prouidence pag. 86 R REdemption pag. 12 Repentance the follie and danger of deferring it pag. 319 Reproches comfort therin pag. 334 Resigning of a mans selfe and al that hee enioyes to Gods will pag. 325 Respect of persons for outward ornaments and indowments more then for the inward vertues and graces of the minde how vnbeseeming a thing it is pag. 84 S Satans guilefull temptations 76. 79. 102. his policie and practises against the Church of God what euent they vsually haue 143. None free froÌ„ his temptations 155. Whom he tempteth most pag. 162 Securitie the danger of it pag. 38 Seruice of God the greatest freedome pag. 356 Sin how hurtfull and dangerous it is 22. 99. the occasions of it carefully to be auoided pag. 82 Sinfulnes of mans nature corrupted pag. 281 Spirit of God the life of the soule 286. See Holy Ghost Suspition pag. 231 T TEmptations Diuers kinds of them in the godly 157 more danger in lesser temptations sometimes then in greater 165. See Satan V VAinglorie 242. the follie and vanitie thereof pag. 392 Vanitie of all earthly things pag. 63. W WAtchfulnes pag. 146 Wicked their follie 18 42. 49. 281. 361. their bondage and slauerie 47. what an vnpleasant and distracted life they leade 312. What difference there is betweene their estate and the estate of the godly eueÌ„ in this life pag. 236 Word of God the vnfruitfull hearing of it dangerous 59. it ought to bee heard with feare and trembling pag. 299 Worldlings their follie 42. their dulnes and sottishnes 205. 281. their miserable estate pag. 310. 574. Worldly mans Idoll pag. 309 Worship what it is that God especially requireth 323. hindrances thereunto pag. 238 Z Zeale pag. 240 FINIS