And a so running so run that ye may obtain It is as true Mat. 24.46 1 Co. 9.24 Acts 8.30 there is a so reading Understandest thou what thou readest Now that thou mayst not only read but so read Gods Book and Mans Book if the Book of Man be according to the Book of God take these following Directions Be conscientious in reading Direct 1. 'T is not enough to own Duty but we must be one with the Duty which we own 'T is not cursory but a cordial and conscientious reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.23 that 's promising for an advantagiâ—ous issue Whatsoever ye do do it heartily from the heart from the very soul 2. Let not one Duty justle out another There 's hearing as well as reading and praying as well as hearing pray before thoâ— readest and pray over what thou readest Not only reading but also exhortation and doctrine were at the same time anâ— with the same breath imposed by Paul upon Timothy Give thy self to reading to exhortation 1 Tim. 4.13 and to doctrine 3. Engage the Spirits Influence and Impress It will be to little purpose and profiâ— to engage in this work without the Spirit 'T is the Spirit that searcheth all things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Co. 2.10 yea the Depths of God so the Greek 4. Let thy heart be a Cabinet for what thou readest Jewels are not onely to bâ— looked upon but also to be locked up Bâ— in a holy imitation of that holy Matronâ— who kept the sayings of her Son Luk. 2.51 yea of heâ— Saviour in her heart 5. Make Faith of what thou readest Therâ— must be believing as well as reading Forâ— as the Precept is a Rule for Obedience 〈◊〉 the Promise is a Ground for faith ' Tâ—â— â—ike to be with Reading as it was with Preaching not profiting Heb. 42. not being mixed with faith 6. Look unto Jesus There 's no going about this work without Christ For without him we can do nothing Look unto him therefore as the Actor as well as the Author of Grace Ioh. 15.7 Now that this Christ may be with Thee and signally bless reading unto Thee cordially prays Reader Thy Friend and Servant for Jesus sake RI. MAYHEW THE CHILD'S DUTY ECCL 12.1 first part thereof Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy Youth THAT Solomon Israels Sage is the Pen-man of this Book of Ecclesiastes or the Preacher appeareth both from the Style thereof and from the Title thereof In this Book ye have the Inscription of it and then 〈◊〉 general Proposition about it 1. An Inscription The Words of the Preacher Eccl. 1.1 Son of David King in Jerusalem Now in this Inscription you have a Description of Solomon in a threefold Relation 1. In his natural Relation the Son of David 2. In his Civil Relation King in Jerusalem And that this is Solomon is evident for David had no other Son King in Jerusalem 3. In his spiritual Relation A Preacher The words of the Preacher Son of David King in Jerusalem 2. A general Proposition This sets forth the utter insufficiency of all things under thâ— Sun to make a man truly happy and blessed together with the extream vanity which is in them in order to such an end Now this is proved two ways 1. From the Mortality of man One Generation passeth away and another Generation cometh Eccl. 1.4 but the Earth abideth for ever 2. From the Instability of all other Creatures 1. In respect of their weakness to minister satisfaction to so noble a creature as man Thâ— Sun ariseth goeth down and hasteth to thâ— place where he arose The wind goeth towarâ— the South Eccl. 1.5 6 7. and turneth about unto the North it whirleth about continually and returneth again to its Cireuits All the Rivers run into the Sea yet the Sea is not full unto the placâ— from whence the Rivers come they return 2. In respect of the restless and fruitlesâ— labour which is taken in seeking satisfaction from such things as only affect the senses All things are full of labour man cannot utter it Eccl. 1.8 the eye is not satisfied with seeing nor thâ— ear filled with hearing 3. In respect of the continued Vicissitudes and Returns of the same things The thing that hath been it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done and there is no new thing under the Sun Eccl. 1.9 10 11. c. 4. From Solomons own Experience in these â—hings Vauity of vanities saith the Preacher â—â—ll is vanity This also is vanity and vexation â—f spirit Not onely vanity Eccl. 1.2 chap. 2.26 and so unâ—ble to satisfie the soul but also Vexation â—ausing much sorrow of heart to those that â—â—re inordinately conversant about them But to the Text Remember now thy Creâ—tor in the days of thy youth Now rememâ—er now In the Greek and vulgar Latin â—now is and And remember thy Creator in the â—ays of thy youth 'T is well read either way This Text is an Exhortation unto a timely â—nd youthful remembring of God and so â—ook like an Inference drawn from the vanity â—f Childhood Eccl. 11.10 and youth with which the â—ormer Chapter ends for childhood and â—outh are vanity Remember now thy Creaâ—or in the days of thy youth Wherein you â—ave the Object the Act and the Season for that Act upon thee 1. The Object Creator or Creators Father â—on and Spirit the first purposing the second â—urchasing the third Perfecting 2. The Act Remember This word hath vaâ—ious significations but properly it signifies to â—all to mind or keep in mind yea to call to mind â—nd keep in mind Thus Peter remembred the â—ords of the Lord. He reflected what he had â—een a doing and resorded what he had done So then a remembrance is properly a call to mind and keeping in mind Art thou câ—â—â—â— to call my sin to remembrance and to slay son 3. The Season Now or in the days of tâ—â— Youth Here 's the Season for the Act 〈◊〉 on the Object Seaeson in the days of thy Youth 〈◊〉 not said in the Years of thy Youth but in 〈◊〉 days of thy Youth It is not said in the Tâ—â—â— of thy Youth but in the days of thy Youâ—â— to intimate that our life is but a few day it 's but a vapour a span a flower a shadowâ— dream Though Death be before the 〈◊〉 Mans face yet Death may be behind tâ—â— young Mans back In the days thereforâ— of thy youth while thou art yet young veâ—â— young in the beginning of thy days rememâ—â—â— thy Creator yea Creators Father Son aâ—â— Spirit Remember the VVill of the first tâ—â— Worth of the Second the Work of the Thirâ—â— To the making of Man a Council was call in Heaven Gen. 1.26 Come let us make man Remeâ—ber the Father so as to know him and 〈◊〉 inwardly yea intimately acquainted wiâ—â— him
calls when he will Caesar when he saw Alexanders Statue wept having though young done so much when himself had done so little Dost thou see a green one in the way to Heaven when thou a gray one art in the way to Hell Here 's cause for mourning but not for despairing because God who can have mercy on whom he will will have mercy when he will 2. To those in a state of Grace 1. Art gray but gracious make then death familiar There are few that have much familiarity with Christ when they die but those that have made death familiar before they die That 's the soul that goes singing home when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives That 's the soul that can laugh death in the face when he dies that makes death familiar while he lives This is the soul that through grace can say Oh death where is thy sting Oh grave 2 Tim. 4.6 where is thy victory Paul had not only a knowledge that he should not long live before he died for he could say I know the time of my departure is at hand Phil. 1.23 but he had made death very familiar while he lived for he could say I desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far much better Man is a Mass of Mutabilities be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mutability Man is but a wink of life be daily therefore reading Lectures upon thy mortality the Heathens Embleme for life Oculus apertus oculus clau 〈◊〉 was an eye opâ—n and for death an eye shut as if there were no more difference between the living and the dying but the twinkling of an eye 2. Art gray and gracious multiply cries then for thy children if thou hast children Thus Abraham did Oh that Ishmael might live in thy sight Now he having such a spirit of Prayer would not only pray for the life of his body but also for the life of his soul according to my Charity towards him Thus David did for the child he had by Bathsheba at first the child was sick He prayed and fasted and lay upon the earth all night Now David 2 Sa. 12.16 having such a spirit of Prayer such is my charity concerning him also did not only pray for the life of the body but also for the life of the soul Have not many sick children and some sinful children multiply cries then for these Oh Lord make this Ishmael an Isaac Oh Lord make this Esau a Jacob Oh Lord make this Cain an Abel Oh Lord make this Benoni a Benjamin this son of sorrow a son of my right hand Oh Lord make this Dinah a daughter of Abraham this wandring daughter a believing daughter 3. Art gray and gracious and hast children concern thy soul then with their Education Good Parents good Masters good Tutors and good Guardians are many times great Blessings to Children Now that Parents are to look after the Education of their Children ther 's both Precept and President Precept Commands are Obligatory the Commands of God and Christ are not to be Dispenced with these are to be Dispatched not Disputed a Dispensation from the Italian-Monster is altogether Insignificiant as to these Commands Now that there is a Parental obligation for a filial Education is evident And ye Fathers provoke not your Children to wrath lest they be discouraged Eph. 6.4 but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Nutriment of Soul as well as Nourishment of Body should be in the Parents Eye If the Father be desirous that the Body of the Child should grow bigger he is to be more then desirous that the soul of the Child should grow better Only take heed to thyself Deu. 4.9.10 and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons Specially the day that thou stoodst before the Lord thy God in Horeb when the Lord said unto me Gather the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the dayes that they shall live upon the Earth and that they may teach their Children This is still evident by what follows These words which I command thee this day Deu 6.6 7. shall be in thy heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy Children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Once more Isa 38.9 The Fathers to the Children shall make known thy Truth 2. President How careful were the Heathen that Chidren might have Education Morally good Now not Christian Parents Believing Parents endeavour an Education Spiritually good An Vnbroken heart and an Vnchatechised head Gen. 18 19. will keep distance enough between a Sinless Creator and a Sinfull Creature Is there not sufficient President for this Practise Did not Abraham read Divinity Lectures to his Family Take the Testimony of God himself For I know him that he wlll Command his Children and his Household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to doe Justice and Judgment c. Thus Abraham did and did there not grow upon the Stalk of his Instructions as as eminent service and obedience to the Father of flesh and to the Father of spirits as ever was was not Isaac willing to offer his Throat to the sacrificing Knife was not Isaac's faith great as well as Abrahams the sons as well as the fathers And was not the son's life as dear to him as the fathers son was to him Once more and no more as to this I will open my mouth in a Parable I will utter dark sayings of old which we have heard and known and our Fathers have told us we will not hide them from their childrer shewing to the generation to come the Praises of the Lord c. for he established a Testimony in Jacob and appointed a Law in Israâ—l which he commanded our fathers that they should makâ— them known to their children that the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children Ps 78.2 3 4 5 6 7. That they might set their hope in God and not forget the Works of God but keep his Commandments Question 1. But what Reasons may be given besides Precept and President why Parents should Concern their Souls with the education of their Children Solution 1. Because of its ordinary Tendency Train up a Child in the way he should goe what then and when he is old he will not depart from it In which words Pro. 22. â— you have the Fathers Duty and the Childs Mercy the one to train up when young the way he should goe the other to be trained up when young the way he
should goe that when he is old he may not depart from it God who wills all men to be saved is pleased to bless the Fathers Duty and make it the Childs Mercy Soul Education in Childhood is often and Ordinarily though not alway blessed to Children 'T is true Joash King of Jerusalem was Seemingly Religious 2 Chro. 24. 2.17 18. so long as Jehoiada lived but Jehoiada dying the Religion of Joash seemed to be laid in the same Grave with him no sooner did Jehoiada dye but the Religion of Joash dyed also Thus possibly it may be that old age may out-live Education in Childhood but 't is not Vsually so at least 't is not alway so let Parents therefore Concern their Souls with the Education of Children 2. Because all Children are Children of Wrath by Nature Paul writing to the Saints at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus tells them in words at length That they had in times past their Conversation in the lusts of the flesh fulfilling of the desires or according to the Greek the wills of the flesh Eph. 1.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2.30 and of the mind and were by nature Children of wrath even as others Now are Children Naturally Children of wrath Are they Obnoxious to the pouring out of the Vials of infinite and unmixed wrath Are they in a desperate state in a dangerous state in a damnable state Oh how Incumbent then is it upon Parents to look after their Education 3. Because a mans Children are himself Children are Parents Multiplyed Children are neer unto Parents The Apostle hath a lofty Expression Concerning the Relation between a Husband and a Wife Husbands love your Wives even as Christ loved the Church Eph. 5.25 26 27 28. and gave himself for it That he might Sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word that he might present it to himself a Glorious Church not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish So ought men to love their Wives as their own bodyes he that loveth his Wife loveth himself Thus ther 's a neer Relation between a Father and a Child a Mother and a Child and do not one come out of the Bowels of the other Let Parents therefore look to the Education of their Children Cameliâ— the Mother of the Gracchi Haec sunt Ornamenmea 4. Because Children are a mans Cheifest and Choicest Chattels I have read of a Matron of Campania who laying before Camelia her pearls with her costly Attires and Furnitures Camelia held her in discourse till her Sons came home and then Pointing to her Sons said These are my Ornaments these are my Jewels Children are the greatest Jewels and the richest goods in a mans worldly Inventory The Spirit therefore staging the Suffering of Job begins with his Children There were born unto him seven Sons and three Daughters Job 1 2. The man had no less then ten Children And more Sons then Daughters he had seven Sons and three Daughters Children if Beautifyed and Blessea with Grace are a great blessing the Greatest blessing for a Mutable and a Mortal blessing let Parents therefore look to the Education of their Children 5. Because the real Change of a Child and that in Childhood makes Musick upon Earth Oh what Musick was there upon the return of the Prodigall Bring hither said the Father the best Robe what shall he who probably had scarcely a Rag to his back have a Robe now yea the best Robe now put upon him Put a Ring on his Finger What shall he who possibly had not a Glove for his hand have now a Ring for his Finger Put shooes on his Feet Luke 19.22 23. Is the man Shooe-less and shall he have Shooes Put upon his feet now Bring hither also the Fatted Calf and kâ—ll it What shall he who fed upon Husks at best before eat of the Fatted Calf now Bring hither the Fatted Calf and kill it and let us eat and be merry My Son was dead and is alive again and was lost and is found and they began to be merry Ther 's Musick upon Earth for the change of a Child let Parents therefore look to the Education of Children 6. Because the real Change of a Soul makes Musick in Heaven As Men so Angels Rejoyce at a Change of Sinners There shall be joy in heaven over one Sinner that repenteth Luk. 15.7 more then over ninety and nine just Persons which need no Repentance That is which see no need of Repentance There is joy in heaven in the presence of the Angels of God over one Sinner that Repenteth Lu. 15.10 Now if there be such Musick upon Earth and in Heaven too upon the real Change of a Sinner let Parents then look to the Education of their Children 7 Because of the Promise The promise it unto you and to your children and to all that are afar of Acts 2.39 But who are these to as many as the Lord our God shall call that is effectually call But what is the Promise The Promise is the gift of the holy Spirit Repent and be baptised Acts 2.38 every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit That is if I mistake not a greater efflux of the Spirit I will peure water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry Ground Isa 44.3 I will poure my Spirit upon thy Seed and my blessing upon thy Off-Spring Take one place more As for me this is my covenant with them saith Jehovah my Spirit that is upon thee Isa 59.21 and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds Seed saith Jehovah from henceforth and for ever Is not this a good Encouragement now and is there not strength of reason that Parents should look after the Education of their children 8. Because of the Times What reason the Apostle gives for Redeeming of time may I give for Educating children Redeeming the time why because the dayes are evil So Educate Children Religiously why Eph. 5.16 because the dayes are evil Is not the time evil evilly evil and shall not children be religiously educated Did ever any Age sin as this doth and ever any place sin as England doth where there was such a plentiful and powerful Preaching of the Gospel Oh the Madness and Murder now Oh the Prefaneness and Polygamy now Oh the Fornication and Adultery now Oh the Cursing and Swearing Cheating and circumventing now Oh the Carnality and Covetousness now Oh that Pestilential and Prodigious Atheism now Doth not Atheism begin to break her Banks What Foundation-truth almost is there that is not unbelieved now or Disputed now or opposed now Doth not all manner of Sin come in like an
a Reason for imposing that Duty 1. The Duty imposed Keep thy heart with all diligence 2. The Reason for imposing the Duty For out of it are the issues of life I am to concern my self if Christ concern my Soul with the Duty imposed Keep thy heart with all diligence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So your Translation but the Hbrew thus Above all keeping heep thy heare And the Septuagint thus With all keeping keep thy heart In this part of the Verse you have the Person and the Praedicate 1. The Person Now this may be under stood either Physically The Person and literally or Metaphyfically and Spiritually If Literally then Solomon speaks to his Son and Children are to obey their Parents If Spiritually then a greater then Solomon is here and he speaks to a Saint Now Christ is to be obeyed for he is the Author of eternal Salvatior to those that obey him Thus if I mistake not we are Arrived at the Person The Praedicate 2. The Praedicate or what is spoken concerning this Person Herein you have 1. The Act Keep The Greek word signifies solicitously to keep and save something lest it be lost or taken away by others Keep 2. The Subject Heart thy heart Keep thy heart 3. The Direction With all keeping or above all keeping Above all keeping keep thy heart Men will most of all keep the heart from wounding for a wound in the heart is Mortal Thus Spiritually we are especially and Solicitously to keep the heart to watch the thoughts of the heart Above all keeping keep the heart The Words thus opened the Meditation follows That 't is incumbent upon a Son of God above all keeping to keep his heart Medication If a methodical discourse may be blessed to Edification let this then be the Method to inquire after these things 1. Whether the heart of man must be kept above all keeping 2. What this heart of man is that must be kept above all keeping 3. How the heart of man must be kept above all keeping 4. Why the heart of man must be kept above all keeping 5. What use may be made of this that the heart of man must be kept above all keeping 1. Whether the heart of man must be kept above all keeping What Solomon says concerning Getting with all thy getting get understanding I may say concerning Keeping with all thy keeping â—eut 4.9 yea abovt all thy keeping keep thy heart Keep thy heart above all keeping Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy Soul diligently c. Keep thy Soul that is keep thy self The Soul is often put for the whole man Where one Evangelist saith lose his Soul another saith lose himself Keep thy Soul â—a 16.26 that is thy self diligently or vehemently Luke 9.25 Take ye good heed unto your selves that is unto your Souls Take good heed Deu. 4.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 keep vehemently your selves your Souls so the Greek Keep Vehemently the word implyeth Strength as well as Diligence But take one Vote more for the Evincement of this Truth 1 Ti. 5.22 Keep thy self pure Keep thy self thy Soul pure or holy The Apostle here makes use of the same word that the Seventy doe in my Text Primum vivens ultim immoâ— teâ—s above all keeping keep thy heart Keep thy self pure thy Soul pure thy Heart pure the Heart is the principal Seate of the Soul that being the first that receives life and the last that keep it 2. What the heart of man is that must be kept above all keeping 1. The heart is sometimes put for the whole man My Son give me thy heart That is give me thy self thy Soul give me thy whole self thy whole Soul by a Sinecdoche of the part Deu. 6.5 for the whole Thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mighâ— To the same purpose do the Psalmist speak Pâ—al 51.10 17. Create in me a clean heart Oh God! and renew a right spirit within me The Sacrifices of God are a broken spirit a broken and a contrite heart Oh God thou wilt not despise So that the heart is put for the whole soul because the Soul keeps her Residence in the heart and there shews her self most present as it were in her Chair of state 2. The Heart is somtimes put for the Faculties of the soul 1. For the understanding and mind For the understanding It is expressly said That the Lord opened the heart of Lydia Act. 6.14 It s Gods Prerogative Royal to open the heart Lydia's heart was opened but God was the Opener of her heart You have her understanding in the things that were spoken by Paul And as for the understanding so for the mind The whole multitude wâ—re of one heart Act. 4.32 and of one soul 2. For the Affections Where the Treasure is there will the heart be also Mat. 6.21 The heart is rather where it loveth then where it liveth The Affection will be where the Object is 3. For the Will. If thou shalt confess with thy Mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart â—om 10. that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved 4. For the Memory 'T is said of the Mother of Jesus that she kept her Sons sayings in her heart â—uke 2.51 She recorded and registred them down within she remembred what he said 5. For the Conscience The Conscience is a thousand Witnesses for or against a man If our heart condemn us 〈◊〉 illc teâ—es Jo. 3.20 God is greater then our hearts and knoweth all things If our heart condemn us that is if our Conscience condemn us Conscience is Gods Deputy and Notary Gods Vicegerent and Viceroy within despise not therefore the voice thereof Oh! do not turn off Conscience as Faelix turned off Paul Go thy way for this time when I have a convenient season I will call for thee 3. How this heart of man must he kept above all keeping This word keep is a military word a Metaphor taken from Souldiers that keep a City or Castle Quest But how do Souldiers keep a City or Castle Solut. I have not been trained up a souldier and therefore may discover some weakness but I would hope not to discover any lightnese 1. Souldiers are stocked and stored with Provisions for their Persons and for the Place 1. For their Persons Men that keep a City or a Castle are accommodated with Provision as bread beer beef c. Though a City or a Castle may be so strong that it is not easily stormed and the walls scaled by the Besiegers yet the besieged for want of Provision may be starved out The god of this world will lay a close siege to the heart if therefore this be not well stecked and stored with grace it may be taken when it is stormed Walk in the spirit Gal. 5.16
of their hearts Oh says one Ezek. 36.26 my heart is a stony heart a slinty heart a rocky heart but God for this can give a heart of flesh Oh saith another my heart is like the nether Milstone The lowest Milstone is the hardest Milstone Oh saith a third my heart is hard as an Adamant Job 41 2â— Now an Adamant is utterly impierceable the Fire not being able to consume it nor the Hammer to break it Shall not this heart then be kept above all keeping 6. 'T is a proud heart Proud There 's much pride in that heart that is most humble nay may not a man be proud of his humility God resisteth the proud â—am 4.6 Some are proud of their Robes others are proud of their Rags Some are proud of their Chains of Gold others are proud of their Chains of Iron Him that hath a high look and a proud heare will I not suffer Ps 101.5 Humility is the Ornament of Angels but Pride is the deformity of devils Angels are humble in the midst of all their Triumphs but Devils are proud in the midst of all their Torments and Tortures Oh what Garden is without this weed what Scutcheon is without this blot was not Pauls spirit tympanious 1 Co. 12.7 Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations there was given unto me a thorn in the flesh the Messenger of Satan to buffet me Oh how apt men the best of men to be lifted up in themselves under singular and signal discoveries A Paul when he is led into the Secret of God is apt to be lifted up in himself his heart is climbing under those towring revelations Those that curiously observe the Workings and Counter-workings of their own hearts may find after duty their hearts aspiring and climbing upon some singular and signal appearance of God under duty Is not the heart apt to rise and bubble after a duty upon some smiles shines and showers of mercy under the duty Shall not this heart then be kept above all keeping 7. 'T is a Passionate heart Passionate Eph. 4.26 Psa 7 11. There is a holy Passion Be angry and sin not A man may be angry with sin and yet not sin being angry A man also may be angry with sinners as sinners God is angry with sinners every day Thus men may be angry with sinners as sinners they may be angry with the sin of the Person but not with the Person that sins There is then a sin-less passion and a Son of God may yea a Son of God must have a holy indignation against others especially against himself as Moses had against the Calf He burned it to Powder cast it upon the water Ex. 32.20 and gave it to the Children of Israel to drink of it But as there is a sin-less so there is a sin-ful passion Moses the Mirrour of Meekness for a meer man was not without his Pettish humour Hear ye Rebels Had it not been more becoming language to have said Hear ye Israelites But hear ye Rebels Numb 20.10 11. must we fetch you water out of this Rock Yea he smites the Rock thrice when he should not have smitten it once Jonah a Dove as the word signifies and a Dove they say is gall-less was not without this Plague-sore Dost well to be anqgy â—na 4.9 and 't is Johovah that speaks it And he said I do well to be angry even to death As if he had said I am angry and I do well to be angry I do well to be even angry I am angry while I live and do well to be angry till I dye Oh this was a sad and a Sinful passion Ask those that are not strangers to their own hearts and they will tell you that they have Passionate hearts Oh saith one I want a Bearing and a Forbearing Spirit Oh saith another I have not yet learned if their be two senses left to take things in the best sense Shall not this heart then be kept above all keeping â—eep â—â—gustâ—s â—â—â—nde â—rofunâ—um â—ot only â—rofunâ—um maâ—nt sed â—ali Pro â—undum 'T is a deep Heart The Sea is a great Depth but who can say what a Depth the heart is The Philosopher calls it the greatest Depth in the World Another calls it a great Depth Where is the Man or the Woman in whose heart Christ hath taken up his Residence by Faith that cannot set his Seal the heart is a great Depth I may call it not only a deep evil but the Depth of evil not only a wicked Gulf but the Gulf of wickedness There are Depths in the heart of man which the Line of man whether of Nature or of Grace cannot sound and such Turnings therein which man cannot find out but God hath a Line that can sound all the Depths of the heart and a Thread that will Lead him into all and through all the Labyrinths thereof Did the woman say The well is deep But who can say how deep the heart is Joh. 4.11 They search out Iniquities they accomplish a diligent search or according to the Margent Psal 64. â— they accomplish a search searched both the inward thought of every one of them and the heart is deep Shall not this heart then be kept above all keeping 6. 'T is a deceitful Heart Deceiâ—â—â—â— There are Millions upon Millions of Deceits in the heart The World is a great Cheat but the heart is the greatest Cheat in the World This Lubim the heart of Man as the word signifie is apt to take many false Stiches in the work of Salvation For. 1. 'T is apt to take Morality for Grace Now Morality is but Nature refined 't is old Adam in a better Dress That profound Moralist thought possibly that he wanted nothing when he wanted Grace for he wanted Christ and if a man would have Grace he must have Christ Master all these have I observed from my Youth Ma. â— 2. The heart is apt to take the shew of grace â—â—e fiâ—â—le non 〈◊〉 idem â—â—ny for grace Things may be alike but not the same The Naturalists say that there is a Beryl-stone which resembles the true Diamond Thus some things look like grace but are not grace The heart of Man would not onely deceive others and our selves in a way of Dissimulation concerning that which indeed is and in a way of Simulation counterfeiting that which indeed is not but it would deceive even God himself and impose upon the All-wise As the Tongue is the greatest Troubler in the World so the Heart is the greatest Impostor in the World Oh what Arithmetician below a God can enumerate the veins of deceitfulness in the heart No wonder that Prophetical Narrative concerning the heart is transmitted to Posterity â—er 17.9 The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it Now shall not this heart which is
Armed man and like a Mighty Stream threatning to bear down all before it Oh what Generation is the next like to be if this be thus Vpon Pauls healing the impotent man the cry was Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men Act. 14 1â— But may not the cry now be Devils are come up to us in the likeness of men Are there not many men now like so many Incarnate Devils Do they not look upon Oaths as the greatest Rhetorick and upon Adultery as the greatest Pleasure Do they not look upon Murder as a just revenge and upon Polygamy as an Ornament to worldly Grandure If this Generation be thus what is the next Generation like to be I have read of one Father and 't was pity there should be that one to read of who liked his Children the better for resembling him in wickedness I have also read of others who hearing their Ancestors were gone to hell said that they would go thither too Do not many Parents now seem to be unwilling to go to hell without their Children indulging them in all manner of Impiety and Impurity Is it not enough for them to go to hell but must their Children follow them Certainly now these things considered it is incumbent upon Parents to look after the Education of their Children 2. To the Young Now these have Grace or have it not To these therefore distinctly 1. To the Young that have Grace I have two words to these 1. Art Green and yet hast Grace Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Hath God plucked thee as a brand out of the Fire and left the rest of the Children to dwell with everlasting Burnings Oh infinite mercy Art not only born but born again born of water and of the Spirit Oh Matchless mercy Are not only many young ones but many old ones yet in their blood bleeding to death and 't is to be feared an Eternal death and hath Jehovah God said unto thee Live Oh Admire then the Riches of Free-Grace Oh let this be thy Holy and thy Heavenly boasting in all places 1 Cor. 15.10 and amongst all Persons By the grace of God I am that I am 2. Art Green and yet hast Grace Be joyous then thy Joy may be greatest when thou art Oldest Polycarpus could say when he was old Thus many years have I served my Master Christ and hitherto hath he dealt well with me Those are like to have most Peace when and while they are old that have Grace when and while they are young For thou art my hope Oh Lord God thou art my trust from my youth Psal 71.5 17 18. Oh God thou hast taught me from my youth Now also I am gray-headed for sake me not 2. To the young that have not grace Art young and hast not grace set then upon this work and Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Oh now begin to concern thy soul with the concerns of thy soul Quest But what Directions may be given to young ones that are graceless ones Solut. 1. Look not upon death at a distance in the days of thy youth Many if not most young persons look upon death at a distance and 't is death to them to think upon death Oh how many young persons are there that greedily swallow down that of the Psalmist Psal 90.10 The days of our years are three score years and ten or according to the Margent As for the days of our years in them are seventy years Oh say not we have Calculated our Nativity and we finde our years to be three score years and ten Is there one of threescore and ten that lives to threescore and ten 2. Shun the Occasions of sin in the days of thy youth If thou wouldest not fall down of â—he Plague keep clear of the Pest house May not I say with that great Doctor of the Gentiles Flee youthful lusts 2 Tim. 23.22 3. Be very conversant with the holy Scriptures of truth in the days of thy youth Be much in reading the Scriptures Oh there 's no book like unto this Book Oh soul this Book is the Book of Books Other Books are called the books of men but the Bible is called the Book of God Oh turn over these leafes and converse these lines On soul in those lines thou mayst read the Love that Christ had to little ones Suffer children yea little children saith Christ to come unto me and forbid them not Mat. 19.14 for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven 4. Wait at Wisdomes Gates and in her Galleries in the days of thy youth Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word Preached Jam. 1.19 May not I say to thee as the Apostle did Be swift to hear slow to speak slow to wrath 5. Look upon thy self as lost in the days of thy youth Suppose Parents gracious yet they cannot entail grace upon their Posterity Oh Child believe me thou canst not go to Heaven by thy Fathers Copy thou must have a Christ of thine own Grace of thine own or dying thou wilt be damned and thaâ— for an eternity Mar. 16.16 He that believeth not shall 〈◊〉 damned not may but shall be daâ—ned Look unto Christ in the days of thy youth Thou art a Sinner Lastly but Christ is a Saviour thou art a great sinner but he is a great Saviour Oh Child Luk. 19.10 thou art lost but Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost Not only to save but also to seek in order to saving that which was lost But to close this Discourse If thou hast any love to thy self love to thy soul concern then thy soul with the concerns of thy soul in the days of thy youth Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 3.11 Heart Keeping the hardest Keeping PROV 4.23 Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the Issues of life THAT Solomon is the Author of this Book in general is generally acknowledged but he is so the Author of this as David is of the Psalms for as the whole Book of Psalmes is not Davids so the whole Book of Proverbs is not Solomons A Proverb and a Parable differ more in sound then in sense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are of very near Affinity for they are are the speeches of wise men yea they are the Extracts and spirits of wisdom I will open my Mouth in a Parable Psal 78.2 I will utter dark sayings of old These are called Aenigmata dark Sentences To understand a Proverb and the Interpretation Prov. 1.6 the words of the wise and their dark sayings So that a Proverb properly signifies a Parable and a Parable properly signifies a Proverb Sed quid moror istis Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life In these words you have a Duty imposed and