it tends to Eternal Life The Painter Appelles placed an imaginary fame in a curious Draught and many for the Apprehension of a Fame make themselves infamous as Alexander was called Totius Orbis Praedo But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever 1 Pet. 1. 25. which by the Gospel is Preached unto you Many mâ—ns Reputation dies here their Names â—ot Buâ—â—aithful Preaching never dies God has a Register of it it'â— received in the Heavens impressed upon the Hearts of Converts thereby is a living Monument erected in the Lives of Men. Ye are our Epistle sayes St. Paul to the Corninthians and though Faithful Ministers do not succeed yet their Reward is with their GOD and their Euge waits them in Heaven Well done thou good and Faithful Servant More particularly let us consider the parts of this Text in these particulars 1. The Endeavours of this Faithful Minister 2. The extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease 3. The Inculcating the Things of the Gospel so as they may take Impression by way of Remembrance upon the Hearts of Men in all Ages First The Endeavours of this faithful Minister And it teacheâ—h us of this sacred employment to follow this Copy to contribute our best Endeavems for the good of Souls This is all that man can do Paul can but Plant and Apollo water but GOD gives the increass And tho our endeavours be frustrate yet if we do our duty our judgement is with the LORD We are but dispensers of the means of Grace It is the LORD that giveth Grace and we should be earnest with people not to receive the Grace of GOD in vain or that dispensation wherein the Grace of God is given that is the Preaching the Gospel of CHRIST We should contribute our outmâ—st endeavours for the work is great the opposition strong And since we have Received this Ministry let us not faint our Blessed Saviour in his Ministerial Office was frustrate How often would I have gathered thee sayeth he to Jerusalem and â—e would not â—et us do our duty then and commit the Event to GOD. 2ly The Extent of his Endeavours even after his Decease A Faithful Mininister has Ministerial Affections for the Glory of GOD and the good of the Church they cannot consine their wishes to the little compass of a short time they expatiate in their desires and if it were possible they could tarry while CHRIST come as it was groundlessly supposed by the Beloved Disciple They would be glad to improve the opportunity But to consider more particularly the import of this his endeavour it is certain as he doth not here intend in a Ghostly way to preach to them after his decease for GOD useth not to send to the Living from the Dead the dispensation of the Gospel is now to Day if ye will hear his Voice so is it to be understood of his Actions in time as Abel tho dead yet speaketh Moses his Word yet judgeth and the Hand Writings of Ordinances yet stand while they be cancel'd Thus CHRIST's Word shall Judge Men at the Great Day and good Works shall have their Approbation then And the Womans anointing of our Saviour speaketh to every Generation Mat 25 42 43 Wherever This Gospel is preached and the whole Cloud of Witnesses have Monuments erected for them in the Word of GOD And for this Apostle besides his writing of some part of Canonick Scripture which endureth for ever he was an extraordinary person in his Call in his Calling in his miracles in his Actions and in his sufferings for CHRIST all which serve to preach after his decease which others in their measure also do So that hence it may be observed that Faithful Ministers of the Gospel by their Doct. 1 Life and labours remains famous living Monuments after their Decease Their works follow them and also they leave impression behind them it is a glory to do well in our Office and die a faithfull Stewart of the Mysterie of GOD to save our own Souls and them that hear us to make after Generations bless us Fame indeed should not be our design for that may savour of Pride and Vanity But the work if good will praise thee in the gate O then let us act for Eternitie Preach as we shall give an Application account labour to do well and it shall not be forgotten For to win a Soul is a great prize and to help Peoples Faith and to follow them with wholesome Doctrine that they may follow after Peace and Holiness is a great duty All true Holiness is from GOD and he hath said honorantes me honorabo Iâ—le honour them that honour Me 1 Sam. 4. 5. And the mercy of doing good in our time and in the Church as it shall meet us in another World so may it sweeten all the difficuldifficulties we meet with in the way of our duty in this But the third thing to wit the inculcating the things of the Gospel so as they may take impression by way of Rememâ— brance upon the hearts of men in all Ages will more clearly unfold this duty of a Gospel Minister to help people to a well improved Remembrance The Apostle much insists upon the word Remembrance and every faithful Minister and Particularly one who desires to be found faithful shall labour to bring these things to peoples Remembrance both in this life and after it and so to leave his Flock the most lasting legacie It is clearly then observable that it is a great part of Gospel Ministers duty Doct. 2 to help peoples minds to retain and improve Gospel truths for their Salvation To Preach these things Phil 4. 9. over and over again to show them how much a sanctified memory of these things tends to their faith and happiness For the mind of man is the Spirit within him that is the Candle of the LORD The great Repository of holy truth And makes Religious actings flow from a solid understanding which influenceth the will freely to work and enlargeth the affections to run with delight in the wayes of GOD. Now to be more particular in this I shall desire you to consider 1st Facultas Retinens the mind Retaining 2ly Res retenta the thing remembred 3ly The help a faithful Minister gives to this Holy art of Remembring 4ly Peoples improvement by right remembring First Facultas Retinens the mind retaining It may be considered that there is first a natural memory whereby some have said Nescio quid sit oblivisci I know not what it is to forget which is most fresh in youth and turns Crazy in old age others again are so dull in their mind or rather careless that their memorie is like a Sive which letteth Clean Water pass through but Retaineth Dregs of such it may be said that they wot not what it is to Remember 2ly There is an artificial memory much helped by Reading and frequent study and Meditation 3ly There is a Religious memory wrought by the Spirit of GOD
brâ—ken and Strangers shall not meddle with our Jâ—yeâ— nor the Impure eat the Childrens food This shall confute all such as decry Religion and comfort all that have the Real Life of it and make them say with St. Paul The Life we now live is by Faith in the Son of GOD. 4ly This will open a door and Entrance to the Kingdom of Oâ—r LORD JESUS CHRIST and will prove a more solid way to make us Draw near to GOD with full assurance of faith and be a more sure ground to us than all the heats and heights of Religion which are but transient and perhaps flow from humour and Complexion but this makes the spirit of Gâ—ory dwell in us Gives us a clean conscience washt with pure water Heb 10. end to draw near to GOD So that a trembling humble Ghâ—istian that with St. Paul cryes â—ut O wretched man that I am Rom. 7. end May be neerer the Joy of the Lord than the other So that whoever seek a proof of Christ sn us We shall prove it best by Works and Fruits and the New Creature is the most infallible mark of beinâ— in Christ 2 Cor 5 17. and True siâ—â—cere Obedience is the great specifick and genuine propertie of true Christianism And further to clear you in all this let us confront the privilidges and properties of the Christiâ—n if any separate them he is like a Man catching the Crown with out the Conquest but the true Christian reacheth one hand in the Crown and wiâ—h the other holds his Wâ—apon to fight for the Prize that through â—aith and pâ—tience and unwearied Wâ—ll â—â—ing he may inheriâ— the Promises What more excellent then the precious Promisâ—pâ—ut we must add Vertue to our faith 〈◊〉 thâ—se Promises the Christians Claim is indâ—ed great for all are yours sayeth 〈◊〉 But such as are Christs sayeth he have crucified the flesh with its lusts and effections But to come nearer the conâ—â—xt from 2. ver to this 12 the Apostlâ— speaks of beleivers attaining like precious faith with the Apostlesfor their is but one faith which the Apostles Beleived prâ—pagated once delivered to the Sa 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 Jâ—de sayeth and this faith Acts 15. 9. purifiâ—th the heart and life And having that same faith of the Apostles we should live according to our measures as the Apostles then should the Pure and Primitive Church revive But alas Were St. Paul now at Rome he should find it much more Heathen than in his time and very unlike these whose faith was spoken of through the World O then if people would walk suitably to that noble Gift of Faith which is given us 2ly The full Instructions the Christians have All things sayes the Apostle that pertain to Life and Godliness Glory and Veriâ—e We want nothing to furnish us for every good Work The whole Council of GOD Acts 20. 27. All things to make us Godly and Glorious we have the Word of GOD to make us wise to Salvation and the Spirit of GOD to lead us into all Truth Improve then your priviledges For if ve know these things happy are ye if ve do them 3ly We have the great Gift of the Promises as the Apostle sayeth here But yet having these Promises let us cleanse our selves from all silthiness of flesh and spirit 2 Cor. 7. 1. and take head least a promise being made thus of entering into his Rest we fall short But if Piety be joyned with the Promises then we partake of the Divine Nature and have another Spirit a new Heart Lifâ— and new Affections and thus the Saiâ—â— are in their measure Divinized and spâ—ritualsed and Created after GOD 〈◊〉 Righteousness and true Holmess And so to conclude this truth 〈◊〉 would warn you not haâ—ilv to catch aâ— the Promises but labour to lay hold on them by a lively Faith and Well-doinâ— Be not too â—aring least ye presume prove your title first And then glory in your priviledges make your selves meet for the Inheritance and then you are sure of it and let the glory of that great Claim indeer your Hearts to Duty to joâ—n your selves in a perpetual Covenant with the LORD never to be forgot Jer. 50. Sermon II. The Duty and Diligence of the Apostolick Câ—rate or Gospel Minister described With the Matter and manner of his Preaching and the Quality of Christians in the time of the prime of Christianity Vpon Verse 12. THe Apostle falls now to a closs Application of the Doctrin formerly mentioned in this Chapter wherein he relates the Duty of the Minister that he should not be negligent but busie in the exercise of his holy Office 2ly The great Subject of his Dâ—ctrine these Things 3ly The way of his Iâ—culcating the said Doctrine upon the Hearts of People And 4ly The Qualification of People in these Times I begin with the First bâ—th negatively and positively described Doct. 1 which teacheth us That a Gospel Minister should be very intent upon his great and weighty Work This St Peter declares of himself and St. Paul also frequently mentions his great business These two Pillars of the Church the Apostles of the Câ—rcumcision Uncircumcision follow the the great Luminary their Blessed Master and stand as eminent Examples to all the Officers of the Church of Christ And this Apostle describeth his Duty 1st In his care for the Good of Souls to whom he wrote 2ly That he was not negligent but Diligent in his Imployment First His great care for the Church and the good of Souls The care of Souls is worthy to â—e fined from the most intensive affections of the Hâ—art It is such 〈◊〉 Pious and Divine Affection that GOD Himself describs His eaâ—nest Compassionâ— to His People thereby As our Saviout shâ—ws us in His Sermon upon the Mount Upon which account St. Paul bids us be careful for nothing but by Prayer and Supplication make our request known to GOD And St. Peter so exhorts also casting all your caâ—es upon GOD who careth for you It was our Saviour's care for Souls that brought Him from Heaven to us and when on Earth made Him so diligent to Preach Pray and Weep for his Church This care of Souls went nearer St. Pauls Heaâ—t than all his troubles for beside all things that are without said he that which comes upon me dayly the care for all the Churches The true natural Father hath a great care for his Children and the Spiritual Parent no less for I have no greater Joy sayeth St. John than to see my Children walking in the Truth Fâ—r such is the subtility and labour of the evil one â—o seduce and corrupt our Flock And alas such is the carelesness and incuriousness of the most as to Spiritnol Matters like Gallio careing for none of these things and such are the many incumbrances anent the World and what is worst of all even a careful Contrivnance of many to prosecute their sinful ends that a faithful Minister shall find great Reason of serious
so much neglected The Pharises in old turned superficial in their Religion by their Zâ—al for their traditions and it is to be feared that Christianity is much exanimated by such a cry for the outward part with too great neglect of Charity and the holiest of all where only we can find the propiratory And to be more particular these things that we are mainly to insist upon may be taken up in these particulars following 1. The necessaria or things absoluty needfull to Saâ—vation 2ly The Prosecution of the great design of the Gospel 3ly The Right informing of what we have been what we are and what we shall be 4ly The consideration of the last things so useful for the salvation of our souls and so clearly manifested in the Gospel First the things absolutly necessary for salvation as the true Knowledge of GOD and the Mediator and the operations of the Holy Ghost in the illumination and sanctification of our hearts These are the Revelation of that mystery that was hid from ages which refresh the Soul in the true knowledge of GOD and directs our Spirit to worship him in spirit and in trâ—th and to love fear â—bey and châ—ose him as our Portion â—â—â—e and hereafter wâ—ich overaweth the â—â—ul with a reverential fear of his naâ—e and shaâ—tech abroad Divine love in our hearâ—s whereby we are veâ—â—y much Refâ—â—shâ—d with the Bread of Angels and Saint And â—hen we look upon GOD in the Mediator we take him up aright And by our applying of and imploying CHRIST in his Mediatorial office we come to get Victory oâ— ver Hell and Death and by the commiting our selves to the Guidance of the Spirit it makes a spirit of Glory Rest upon us It fills our hearts with a wonderous Jubilation and joy and fiâ—â—s us tâ— have our Conversation in Heaven from whence we look for the Saviour Phil. 3. 20. 2ly The prosecution of the great design of the Gospel We are taught by the Aâ—pâ—aâ—ance of the Grace of GOD to deny all ungodliness and Worldly lusts and to live Godly Righteousâ—â— and Soberly in this present World Tiâ— 2. 11. This is the right management oâ— our Knowledge and Christian Calling whereby we are directed and assisted to put in Practice our holy Religion 3ly And it is very behoovful in our Christian Course well to consider what we have been that we may be humbled To consider what we are that we may be Cautious and Circumspect And Iabour to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge to our LORD JESUS CHRIST To answer our Gospel Education in all tke Relations and Turns and Exigents of our Life And what we shall be is best known by 4ly The consideration of the Novissima or Last Things That we entertain frequent Meditations of Death that so we may be ready when GOD's time comes To be wise to consider our latter End and wisely to number up our Dayes To Judge our selves that we be not condemned at the Last Judgement To consiâ—er Hâ—ll that we may put a Beacon over Tophet to flee from it And to recreat our selves with the Prospect of Heaven to encourrage us To make meet for that Inheritance with the Saints in Light Nâ—w that all these things may be layed to Heart entertained and improved in our Christian Life I shall subjoyn these Reasons following 1st The Orignal of these things 2ly These things contain our Right and Title to Glorv And 3ly They contain our Portion and Patrimonâ— in HEâ—VEN First There Original They are ◠〈◊〉 from above They are wholy Divâ—ne the Etâ—rnal Truth of the Eternal GOD They are neither Humane Inventions nor Traditions but the â—â—ictates of Eternal Reason so Pure so Excelâ—ent so True and so Just that they discover the Fountain from whence they flow The Gospel then is a Divine Thing every Truth thereof is a Ray of Eternal Light and the Preaching of the â—ross of CHRIST tho to the blinded World of no account being to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness Yet is it to be Gloried in by true Beleivers as the Issue of Eternal Love and the great product of Heavenly Council and Covenant 'T is wholly composed of Glories discovers unto us the everlasting Love Precious CHRIST and Precious Promises great Rewards and an Eternal Crown 2ly These Things contain our Title to Glory Our Charter of Inheritance with the Saints in Light Which Composed according to the Terms of the Covenant of Grace That GOD is our GOD and we His People Which Charter wâ— should understand as being sealed with the Word aâ—d Oath of GOD And upon our part ougâ—t to be sealed with persevering Fidelity so that we need not run to turn the leaves of our destiny in the secret Council of GOD but search the revealed Will that our names by Well doing may appâ—ar to us to be written in the Book of Life 3ly These things contain our Portion and Heavenly Patrimonie For 1 Cor 3. End If we be CHRISTâ— all is ours If Genuine Christians Then are we Sons Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST Gal 4. 7. The Unsearchable Riches of CHRIST are Thine We should then oftâ—n read our Charter rejoice in our high Descent improve our Priviledges as the Children of GOD and labour to comprehend with all Saints the dimensiâ—ns of the Love of GOD seek to have a heart to these things for they contain a great prize if not put in the hand of a fool These Things are the Light of a Christian and the Conscience of them the Conduct of a Believer and the Beleif of these Things his â—rown And as to the manner of the Apostle's bearing in these Things upon People is by way of Remembrance Gospel Ministeâ—â— are subordinate Mediators betwixt GOD and â—eople They are the LORD 's Râ—â— membâ—ances Isa 62. 6. 7. For the Peoples Good and Peoples Remembrances of their Duty to GOD they must warne admonish Remember and inculcate Truth upon Peoples hearts by frequent Admonition and Repetition Phil 3. 3â— But this Remembring being so much mentioned by the Apostle here I shall refer to a particular discourse ere I conclude this subject and so I come to the last parâ— ticular Which containeth the Knowledge and Establishment of Christians in the prime of Christianity and clearly informeth us of the exact Instruction and stability of Primitive Christians in the 〈◊〉 3d. Faith The Prophets foretold this Light that the People should be all taught of GOD. Which is clearly fulfilled under the Gospel as you may see by comparing 2 Chap of st John with 2 Chap of the Acts For in effect Ignorance is the greatest impediment of the Comfort and Duty of Religion and a great Prognostick of a fatal and judicial stroak it hindereth the Action of Religion and the Pleasures of it and puts People in an Element where Satan the prince of darkness works and hinders them from the Light and Liberty of the Children of GOD. Sermon III. The Expediency and Vsefulness of
with most natural and â—â—easant inclinations For it 's hard to act â—gainst tide invita Minverva this makes â—ut â—oil and labour to little purpose and â—ithout proficiency And although Suâ—eriors are not fully to be concluded by â—â—e swing of their Children's inclinations â—et are they carefully to observe their â—ay in their after Education and Act â—ccordingly in the Observing the methods of the Stage following STAGE Fourth From the 12 to the 18 Year of Man's Age. The Contents Resumeth the Doctrine and Instructions for Children And further presseth home the special concerns of their life wâ—â— the Reinforcement of the Care and Duâ—â— of Parents and Overseers with a Traâ—â—tion from Child hood to Growing Aâ—â— and entrance upon the Limits of Youâ—â— with some Rules and Motives directâ—â— and pressing this § 1. IT is now high time for theâ— O Man to lift up thy Eyeâ— higher then the firmament and 〈◊〉 mind thy Creator look well then thaâ— thou consider thy bounden duty 〈◊〉 GOD the timous dedication and givinâ— up of thy name to Him and to poâ—der thy early engadgement and Baptismal Vow and as Baptism is the Lâ—ver of Regeneration thou art to look 〈◊〉 it hath any influence upon thee and 〈◊〉 thou finds any thing of the motions of aâ— new life within thee if Baptism has haâ—â— lowed thee and if thou does seriously consider that thou art washed that thou mavest begin now to escape the polutious of the World through lust and that as new born Babes thou desire the sincere milk of the word that thou mayest grow thereby and if thou hast learned the Language of Canaan to speak with GOD and for GOD if thou hast attained to any discretion to put on Modesty humility and patience If thou hast learned to govern thy homour propassions and passions If thou yet knows any thing of the Vanity and Deceitfulness of the World and the necessity of renuncing the same If these things be in thee O Child of Man then thou layest a good foundation against the time to come and for thy progress in Piety and Vertue § 2. And for Parents and Overseers Let me in all modesty enquire of you if your heart approves you as to your Duty to your Children and Pupils in order to their Religious education Some are ready to boast of Blood and Kinred Friends and Riches and other worldly priviledges but the great bussiness is to look well they be illuminated with the Rayes of Grace and the beauties and properties of Religion As also if you have used the rod with discretion for he that spareth the rod hateth the Child sayeth Solomon Which must be used not out of passion but from good Principles to holy ends For this is an instance of your Tender love of them since GOD Himself the Father of us all hath said Whom I love I Chastise that we may be Zealous and Repent Rev. 3. 21. And â—e chastneth every 〈◊〉 whom He Receiveth Heb 12. 6. Folly is knit to the heart of the Child till the Rod of Correction take it out And it is far better for your Children to feel the Lash of your Rod then to be stricken and wounded with the effects of their own after miscarriage when their own Iniquity find them out § 3. And it is an excellent Mean for your Childrens happiness that you study their genius and proper Gift as I before hinted that so ye may prepare them to enter such Callings as may make them most useful in their Generation That their Calling be laudable and approved as little lyable to snares as possible a Calling that may most naturally dispose them for a course of Vertue And therefore they would be instructed to be Industrious Honest and diligent in the Exercise thereof And of whatever Rank they be it is a greater blemish then obscure blood to be idle in their Generation So that even the Noble and Rich as they have a High and Noble general Caling So must they act in some particular Calling and Exercise in these more Eminent Spheres GOD has placed them in And if ye find your Children's genius so disposed it may be very helpful and behoveful for their Comfort in this Life and that to come to give them to GOD and separate them for the Holy Tribe by the Holy and Honourable Calling of the Gospel Ministry Wherein if Men would answer their Character they might get Esteem and Respect and with their Master Grow in favour with GOD and Man § 4. Neither is the Femal Sex to be neglected as to this Religious Education The Daughters are to be directed as well as the Sons For as they have Interest in the Covenant 2 Cor 6. to the end I will be a Father unto you sayeth the LORD and ye shall be unto Me Sons and Daughters So when our Sons are as plants grown up in their Youth and our Daughters as Corner Stones polished after the similitude of a Palace it is a great token of the Happiness of a People Psal 144. 12. 15. Our Danghters are not born or bred to be idle For beside their General they have a particular Calling to be Employed in For which end and to illuminate their life they are to be very careful and such as Oversee them that they be neither like a gadding Dina nor a painted Jezebel or like the Daughter of Midian who were a stumbling block by the counsel of Balaam to the People of GOD They must shun the way of the prostitute Woman in the Prov and learn to do vertuously after the Copy of the gravest Matrons And to attire themselves with modesty and Vail themselves with shamefacedness and learn Humility which is a foundation Grace and to beware of pride and vanity since this may make them like the daughters of Zion Isa 2. 24. and bring baldness and a Scab upoâ— them in stead of Beauty They would labour also to refine Purifie all their Passions by giving Christ who is fairer than the Soâ—â— of Men The first and highest place in their love and to Espouse themselves to such a Blessed Husband ere they think upon their Nupâ—ials That when by the Approved methods of GOD and their Parents they begin a conjugal state they may enter the Marriage bed White as Swans and Purer then the Snow of Lebanon They would learn also to moderate all their affections speech and way with the Spirit of meekness for a meek and quiet Spirit is the Ornament of a Woman 1 Pet. 3. 4. And this being observed let them be as vertuous as they can both in a single and married life Let reason rather then Romances be their Study let them Deck their minds ere they adorn their Body Let them consider that they are the Weaker Vessel and under subjection and still think it to be unsuitable to their Sex and way to be Imperious and not to keep within the Sphere in which GOD hath placed them least they make Clamour Noise and in discretion which doth
have no excuse to neglect Religion in thy most busie Employment It will be good also that thou be a keeper at home and be not like a Bird that wanders from his Nest Let no sinful diversion especially the Tavern take thee away from thy Trade And if thou enclines to Religion follow not the guise of the Times be not carryed about with every wind of Doctrine Rather follow the Faith of the Orderly Church For it is very dangerous for love to a Sect to cutt the Church and break the Staves of Beauty For as long as thou reels with this giddy humour thou canst not well fix in a solid course of Religion And Lastly Beware of Discord and Division in thy family For 〈◊〉 consumes the Substance thereof makâ—â— many careless and desperate is an Enâ—â—my to all thâ—iâ—t For A house diviâ—â— cannot stand § 7. And for the management bâ—â— of thy conjugal Relation and callingâ—â— must here in the beginning of thy settâ—â—ment Recommend unto thee domâ—â—tick devotion and â—amily worship a duâ—â— that none of the seed of Jacob should â—â—cline it being their Fathers practice whâ—â— house was a Bethel to GOD a little Teâ—â—ple for the LORD of Glory who hâ—â— this duty brought down to him from 〈◊〉 famous Grandfather Faithful Abrahâ—â— who is commended for the Religious Gâ—â—vernment of his Family whose steps 〈◊〉 sau treased a man much of Contempâ—â—tion at home And thô Jacob hâ—â— Greater incumbrance and a more nuâ—â—erous family Yet his house as well 〈◊〉 person was consecrated to GOD. aâ—â— not only the Jews but also Christiaâ—â— should follow the Steps of these Venerâ—â— Patriarchs to be lively portractures of thâ—â— vertues as Images of their nature Aâ—â— this duty is so proper to the family thâ—â— before the Church was enlarged 〈◊〉 Master or Father of the House was â—â—iest and did officiate in the dayly Sâ—â—â—ifice at home And when the Church 〈◊〉 made more ample it is constitute of â—amilies which if Heterogenius to the â—ody they are but useless and corrupt â—embers Whereas the Families of the Faithful are blessed of GOD And His â—rath power'd out upon such families as all not upon His Name Jer 10. 25. Joshua that great Capâ—ain of the LORDS â—ost did not suffer his military Affairs 〈◊〉 hinder him and his House to serve GOD tho all Israel should neglect it David after him in the midst of a Bloomâ—â—g State under the burthen of a Crown and Countrey Yet walked Righteously in his House And every Tribe Family is called to pray and mourn a part Zech 12. 13. And the Gospel hath set up this Duty clearly Christ hath promised to be among the midst of two or three conveened in his Name And we read of the Church being in particular Houses and the Centurion feared GOD with all his House Acts 10 2. And Christ hath made 〈◊〉 a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Generation And this doth rather prepare for than invade a setled order of a Priesthood Private and Publick duty doth not interfere and Clash Thou must not only pray for thy Family but pray in thy Family Is the LORD the GOD of all the Familys of the Earth and not of thine Shalt thou wish GOD a Catholick service and cutt of thy Family by schisme This were to joyn thy House to another GOD or else to have none at all Let all Houses then that Smoak Smoak with Sacrifices to GOD for the House of the Godly is under a special Protection his Eyes are open to their Prayers GOD is a Shadow and Covert over the Roof of such Families It 's good To declare his Faithfulness every night and his Loving Kindness every morning Psal 92. 2. Let the People praise Thee O LORD let all the People praise Thee And Lastly This Duty of Family Devotion may be called Ezekiels Sign and Mark that saves from the destroying Angel and if any trouble fall out GOD knows how to deliver the Godly out of Temptations This Family worship is the great Characteristick of a Christian it makes thy House thy Home and gives thee Repose in thy Perigrination it makes thy house a Dutyful Tenement to the Great Land-Lord it payes due Rent to GOD it is the Bond and Beauty of thy House and makes thy Family like Jerusalem compact together § 8. Let every Christian then Regard Domestick duty which is so necessary and useful to guide the family and to consecrate and cover thy house which if thou Rule well with discretion and good Government thou shall find some leasure if it were but as long as to take thy Brakefast thou may conveen thy family and joyn together and seek GOD it would never hinder thy business but rather advance it if thou pretend thy ignorance it is much to be imputed to thy own fault and the neglect of thy Soul And if you say it is not the custom of many of your Rank Alas You are ready to follow an evil custom but to imitate what is good you have neither heart nor hand yet I am loath to leave thee in such neglect and therefore for meaner Capacities I shall subjoyn the Practice of Domestick Devotion and family Worship The Morning Prayer O Eternal and ever blessed GOD our blessed Creatour Preserver and Redeemer the fountain of Life and the Father of Lights the Keeper of Israel who never sleeps nor slumbers this poor family falls down before Thee this Morning and with all humble Devotion praises thy exalted Name for all thy mercies to Mankind and to us and that Thou has protected and refreshed us the night bygon and raiseâ— us up this morning in any health and hope Glory to Thee who hast given us time to rcpent LORD give us Grace to repcnt and to work oâ— the work of our own Salvation LORD heal oâ—â— corrupt nature sweeten our humour and seasâ—â— our heart with Grace slay our corruptions anâ— give our heart a right set with Thy healing haâ—â— perfect our Faith and guide us by Thy Spirit Vphold us with Thy Arm Refine and â—â—our hearts and passions set a Watch at the dâ—â— of our lips be at our right hand we shal nevâ—â— be moved give us to set Thee alwayes before 〈◊〉 and while it s called the day that we harden 〈◊〉 our hearts but hear thy Word and Voice thâ—â— we may spend the rest of our dayes in Thy 〈◊〉 and sincere Obediâ—nce save us from sin and Satan the deceits of the World and all dangerâ— of Soul and Body LORD bless our Famiâ—â— with Grace Peace Comfort and Contentmenâ—â— Heal the Church rule the publick Governmeâ—â— of Chureh and State Bless the Parish withâ—â— Gospel Blessing strengthen our Pastor prepaâ—â— us for Death and Judgement guide us all our dayes by Thy Council in Thy fear grant us a blessed and happy End and hereafter receive us unto Thy Glory through JESVS CHRIST our LORD in whose Name and Words 〈◊〉 pray Our Father c. And in the evening again labour to Recollect
settling of your Family and the Education of yoâ— Children I have already discoursed 〈◊〉 that now it remains principally that yâ—â— be instructed in your present duty Aâ—â— for this there be these things worthy 〈◊〉 your enquiry and observation First Wâ— Product and fine your work is come to both as your generall and particular Calling 2ly Wâ—â— course ye are upon as to the setting forth 〈◊〉 religious and rational settlement of the Childrâ— that God has given you 3ly If you have religioâ— disposed of all your spiritual and secular Conâ—â—n to good and holy Ends. § 2. First In this Course of thy lifâ— its time to stand and pause look about yoâ— behind you and before you its high tiâ— now to know where ye are and what yâ—â— are and if â—e have gathered any Stock Grace and Vertue and in fine what the Product of your general and particulaâ— Calling § 3. And for the Resolution of the first Qâ—ere thou must look what thou has done since every one must give an account of himself to GOD and thou knows not how soon Yea thô thou should neglect GOD hath a Register Let conscience therefore read the legend of thy life seriously digest the scenes acts thereof that so thou may attain to some clearness as to thy state and case and be the Better prepared for following duties and tryals To think on thy former wayes Psalâ— 119. 59. Reâ—apitulate and Recognize thy former doings that thou mayest take a more serious account of thy errors failours and â—ollies that you May retract what is amiss and it is high time now seriously and unâ—eignedly to Repent and to correct what hath been wrong to put your self in a better dress for your following Life and for Death and Judgement which are to follow that And if thou has been so happy by Grace to do any Good you are to keep warm the Nursery of your Vertues Take the little Foxes that hurt the Vineyard and seek to serve GOD with full purpose of Heart and a settled and solid Course of Duty And if thou lean upon GODS Direction and not to thine own Understanding The LOâ—â— hath fully shewed thee what 〈◊〉 good Mic 6. 8. And here it will be very pertinent for thee to regrate thy former â—â—rayings and sad omissions O 〈…〉 rmer life is but like a Dream Learn therefore O man to be sober and Vigilant and build suitable Work Work out your Salvation and by the diligent use of the means and practice of Vertue Make your Calling and Election sure Look to the frame of thine Heart the state of thine Affairs and the Case of your Family and particular Calling And do not satisfie thy self so as not to acknowledge that thou might have done more than thou has done and to take that Check from the Apostle that Whereas ye might have been teachers of others ye had need to be taught the first principles of the Oracles of GOD Heb 5. 12. If a Man now be scrious he will easily see great blanks in his Life And great emptiness in what he has done particularly as to Devotion and Charity Which our LORD declares will be a great Charge against the World in that day he will Judge it And if thou will be convinced thou shall find that thou has much adoe that the most part does less than they should do for there is much Work behind thee to undoe To put away all superfluety of naughtiness as St. James sayeth Jam 1. 21. we cannot indeed get Yesterday again nor undo sin once done but there is yet time for thee to take such wise measures as to undo thy sins by Repentance and make up thy failoures through Faith in the perfect satisfaction of Christ who sayes himself I have done the work which Thou gavest me to do Joh 17 5. § 4. 3ly Look how thou hast ordered thy family the oeconomy whereof if it be guided by Grace and Peace doth very much advance Religion and Humane society for if Families were walking in the clear Orb of Religion it would lay the foundation of Righteousness in a Nation if the Husband were dutiefull to the Wife of his bosom and the Wife respectfull to the Husband of her Youth if the Children were obedient to their Parents and the Parents carefull for the spiritual and secular concerns of their Children if the servants were dutiefull to their Masters and the Masters gave what is just and right to them then would a golden Age revive and the Land shine as a lamp and especially if the Parents labour to ripen their Children to Religion and Vertue and to settle them in a course of life that may tend to contentment and by all means labour to promote love peace and comely order of theâ—r station and of the Church of GOD that from their house as a Bethelâ— they go up to the Temple and there receive instruction and offer sacrifice and return home with the bâ—â—ssing of the Gospel of peace and that it be the great care of younger elder to shun idleness unnecessary digressions ill company divisive destructive Employments having such a great work adoe as to commend Religion by their ways and walk worthily in their Generation The Prayer LORD who knows his errors cleanse thou me from secret and known sins I know enough of my self to humbâ—e me But thy Eyes which are as flames of fire sees more in me than I can observe Accept Good LORD the humble designes I have had to do well and pity my faint performance make up my wants through him who is perfâ—ct in whom thou aquiesces and I repose I find great dissatisfaction in any thing in me that has been contrary to thy Eternal will and holy word LORD now I aim no lower than to center my soul in thee I have been but too slow give me the wings and alacrity of an Angel to do thy will I can never be well till I be at thee O help me GOD. Amen Period third Of the future Age or what is to come in the Declensions of Nature And the Stages thereof MAN is now to be looked upon as enterring his declining Age For as he riseth in his Youth and maketh progress in the Augment of his Life from the 30 year thereof to the 50 So hath he much adoe when he begins to hang his Head and to decline from the 50 year of his Age to the End His gloss and sprightful Feature is now much failed and he looketh out with the aspect of old Age And gray hairs are here and there upon him Hos 7. 9. And except some be swelled with a load of Flesh and have a Ruddy Tincture from the Cup and there are others that do Remain longer undecayed through a more vigorous Constitution yet shall they begin to find some declining in all the Organs and therefore from what we have seen in our by gone time and what we see in our selves and others We may
powerful Engine even the Power of GOD unto Salvation Rom 7. 16. that if it were not opposed by the petty power of Men and GOD may suffer this for good and holy ends it would certainly make a sensible change in the Christian World This Gospel not only pressing and propounding a pure Faith and also good manners and impartially distributing to every Rank their Duty It cannot be suffered in this Luxurient and Wantoâ— Age when the lusts of Men not the Golâ— pel carries the sway And further if thâ— methods of Christs Oeconomy for the government and the Education of His Disciples were not despised and not considered all would be observant of their Station and Relation But alas Baptism and Baptismaâ— Engagements are very little headed by Parents or Children and Confirmation is either not in use or not in force And the Keyes both of Doctrine and Discipline are cunningly thrusted out of the Churches hands and the great Men of the World will have it so and the most of Men hate restraint and therefore love to have it so but let the Godly humble and mourn for all this and pray that the Gospel may yet have its Native Power and the Sacraments and the Discipline of CHRIST have their Genuine force that the Church may be yet Patronised and become fair as the Moon beautiful as the Sun and terrible as an Armie with Banners Cant. 3. 6. Then would Religion shine in its glory then would differences be healed and good and bad be discovered then People would return to the LORD with their faces thitherwaâ—d then would GODS Day â—rdinances and Ministers Be punctually looked to and respected then would GOD be set up in the Houses and Hearts profession and practices of Men and a golden Age woulâ— be Restored that all the Godly mighâ— cry grace to the work and Glory to the Workeâ— The Prayer LORD heal a sinful World and a sadly corrupted Church and open the Eyes of the powers and of all people more to mind the things oâ— Jesus Christ Heal the Backslidings of this sâ—â—ful Generation and bring us out to the Light thâ— we may see thy Righteousness let the time even thâ— set time to favour Zion comeâ— and regard thoâ— O LORD the Prayer of the destitute who loves Zion even in the Dust Revive the pregnant Pâ—â—rity of Primitive Christianity after the dierfull declensions of many generations come LORD down upon mount Zion O Lyon of the Tribe of Judah and roar with terrour that all the wicked of the Earth may tremble And display 〈◊〉 banner for all that long and wait for thy Salvation Amen § 7. 2ly As to any Form of Devotioâ— used in this Treatise I need not apologize much since this hath been impressed upon the Rational World by invincable rable Arguments Only as to my Mite and Measure I shal desire you to consider First That by the Commandment of GOD himself Forms were used in the Jewish Church And not only the Matter but the Words were put in Moses's mouth by the LORD Num 6 from 22. to the end And at the resting of the Camp of Israel And by the Prophet Hosea returning Israel is bid take with him words Hosea 14. 2. And say Take away all iniquitie And the whole of the Jewish worship Sacrifices was directed by GOD in a constant form of Incence and Oblations And in the times of the new Test John the Baptist taught his Disciples the form of Prayer and Christs Disciples crave of Him the same direction who said unto them when â—e pray say Our Father c. Which Prayer was still in use amongst the Disciples of Christ as it is probably inferred from that of St. Peter If ye call on the Father c. 1 Pet 1. 17. Where probably the Apostle Judgeth it to be the constant custom of Christians to say the LORDS Prayer And the Primitive Church had it's Liturgies which hath been the practice of the best of Churches It were therefore Good that a novice sect of men that are so much against forms should not so superciliously imagine that doubtless they are the People and that Wisdom dwells with them And that they are only competent to Reform the Christian World in it's practice of Devotion for 16 Ages since they themselves use a form of Benediction and dimission of the people according to the Appostolick practice Tâ—â— Grace of our Lord Jesus c. And 2ly If it be considered impartially this doth not restrict Men especially Gospel Ministers to a Form but are allowed without doubt to express their mind to GOD in the method of their own conceptions providing it be done with gravity knowledge and great deliberation But it would be adverted that Forms do not stint the expressions of Mens Gifts and the Spirit of Prayer doth not soly assist in these extemporary Gifts but also doth Act in the Calm Element of an approved form since it is not the matter only but the heart guided by the Spirit that helpeth to a Right way of Devotion and it may be in Charity Judged that the devout praâ—ing The LORDS Prayer may do it with as much if not more of the Spirit than by an extemporarie Gift and I am confident The experiences of many deâ— vour persons will say no less So that it seems a Stupendious conceit in men to deny the constant use of that Divine Prayer uttered by the heart and lips of himâ— that was full of the HOLY GHOST And for my self I would Shrink to lay aside the use of these venerable and comprehensive words which are â—o be looked upon as the season and incense of all our Oblations And therefore I hope It shall not be thought impertinent to Summ up the matter of this treatise in all it's Periods and Stages into some particular Suitable forms which for clearness sake I shall ser down according to the six dayes of the Week and the LORDS Day The Prayer to be used upon Munday for Childhood OCreatour and Preserver of Man Thou made us and not we our selves Psal 100. And I was cast upon thee from the Womb Psal 22. 9. Thou madest me hope with an implicite Dependance while I was upon the Breasts O what a Blessing is it to be sanctified in the Womb and from the Womb This is a singular Grace indeed and all that are under the Rayes of the Gospel have the nearest access thereunto especially when by the happiness of Education it is early transmitted unto the Mind O LORD there have been myriads and millions of people before me And thou hast brought me forth in the last dayes and I am nothing but an empty Vessel without Thee I am lately sprung out of nothing and am nothing and have nothing and better had it been for me to have been nothing than want Thy Incorruptible Grace O LORD prevent me in the morning of my short day and Instill some Tincture in this new Vessel which may give it a lasting Relish Season my
care and even to 〈◊〉 out with St. Paul Who is sufficient for these things For his trust is great his Charge weâ—ghtâ— and his Opposition strong and his peoplâ— for the most running sâ—riously in pursuit of their lusts That upon all these Considerations he may be a most faithful Watch-Man and give â—meous Loud seasonable and impartial warning to all that he may be free of their blood This care will make him spend and be spent for the interest of their Souls The worth of a Soul is unspeakable and the winning of a Soul is greater than the winning of a strong City And such as know the worth of a Soul which GOD made after His own Image And Christ shed His Blood for will think they cannâ—t be enough serious in doing their Dutie in order to its Salvation this care as it cannot but take up the man so is it very essential to the Holy Office and may serve to take off the hearts of such as are imployed from Worldly cares and vanities and to set us about out Work with all care and seriousness knowing that as the wâ—rk iâ— great so â—he Reward is gloriouâ— and such as turn many to righteousness shall shine as the firmament Dan. 12. 3. And this care will certainly not suffer any serious Man to be negligent in his Office but very diligent and dutieful For No Man that knows the great compassion of the High Priest and his inspection over all with searching eyes like flames of fire and that knows the natural eflects of Sloth and negligence especially in concerns of greatest consequence and considers the account of his Stewartship and the great Glory of being faithful in his Generation will fold his hands to slâ—ep in sloth and negligence And in Regard that this nâ—gligence is so unbecoming a Man in Holy Orders it â— will be found to be one of the greatest defects of a Gospel Minister Ah! to be negligent when Satan is vigilant and when others are busie about their secular Callings to sâ—â—ep in the time of Harvest and to stand idle when the Vineyard hath need of dressing to be negligent in the concern of Souls and Salvation argues a great security and unworâ—hiness And that thou be not negligent Thou must mind the concerns and ends of â—â—y holy Calling that thou shun unnecessary diveâ—sions and leave not thy Flock least the Wolf come and thou expose thy self to sin and disrepute and thy people like a Corn-field to be overgrown with Weeds Thou hast work enough at Hâ—mâ— to read pray contemplat GOD search the Scâ—tptures and like a good Physâ—â—ian study the Case of thy People that thou mavest apply suitable cures and have thâ— flock in order and such a face of Relâ—gion in it that thou have the Applause of Man and the Approbation of GOD and receive that Euge Well done Good and Faithfull Servant And â—or the positive part to be diligent is no less necessary for to rise in the morning and be idle all the day is no Advantage to the common Interest No No our Work is worthy of our While and our Calling of our Cair ond bussiness Let our diligence therefore appear first in our Willing Going about our Work as St. Paul speaks If I do this willingly Which Alacâ—ity was so in him that he protests Woe unte me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor 9. 1. and St. Peter pressâ—th this Willingness 〈◊〉 Pet. 5 1. diligence imports a delight we should noâ—serve God as the Israelites under the Task Masters of Aegypt we are anointed we should â—un gâ—â—â—ly 2ly This Dâ—â—igence in a Gospel Miniâ—ter carries in it the Use of all the Means that may serve to reach the ends of the Gospel as faithfull preaching seasonable dispensation of the Sacraments painfull instruction of People impartial Discipline and sincere earnest and constant Devotion which now I shall not enlarge upon since it is ad Clerâ—m And 3ly A firm and steddy resolution to endure hardness and never to complain of our Calling because of the difficulties in this World that attend it so that in fine if the business of our Calling be our Work our Cair our Duty and Delight we hope we shall not be accounted negligent and incurious but Concerned and Diligent by our Great Master for it is a smal thing to be judged by Man there is One that judgeth and that is the LORD Yet as the Ministers of the Gospel are Angels by their Commission they are but Angels in the Body and have the Treasure of the Gospel in Earthen Vessels So that People must look upon them not aâ— all spirit thâ— they be labouring to walk after the spirit and receive their word not as the word of Man but as indeed it is the word of GOD and as the best of men will not refuse â—o confess their inâ—â—â—mities especialy for such a holy Work so should not people because of their infirmites Refuse the word but labour to be the more diligent themselves especially in being Serious solicitous and diligent in the matters of Religion and their Soul And when I consider how busie men are about the World and nimble in pursuit of their lusts the little care they have of their Soul and the concerns of their Salvation how negligent they are in duty and attending of Ordinances what liâ—tle attention goes along with their hearing and so smal Meditation after it I fear we may conclude that the great fault lyes at your own door Therefore Good people look to your Selves bestir your selves more in the affairs of Religion and this will make your Pastors Sprighty and animate them to be lively in praying for you and Preaching to you For dull people very much deadens and discourages a Gospel Minister and it is very sad to be gathering good purpose every week for a careless people that will scarse gather to heaâ— him and if they come they too much discover the Byass of their heart which they have left behind them I come now to the 〈◊〉 to witâ— the subject matter of the Aâ—â—stle's writing 〈◊〉 Brench preaching to wit 〈…〉 concerning these things which are the things of CHRIST the things of Salvation the great Concern of Souls and the things of duty and the Kingdom of GOD which things our LORD mentions John 13. 17. If â—e know these things c. The Gospel and the great things thereof mostly contradicted by the World So that it is clearly observable that the holy Appostles in their writings Doct 2d and Preaching keepeâ— close to the Gospel and this is the Theam that all our Sermons should aim at to Preach CHRIST and the Glad things through him It is a subject of so great light that iâ— it be well pursued it will diâ—sipate all the Clouds of error ignorance sin and unbelief it is the life and Soul of our Religion and it argues a great decay when Circumstances are pâ—essed with so much violence and the substance of faith and holiness
time of plowing and sowing in order to our great harvest We must work while it is called the day for the night cometh wherein no man worketh John 9. 11. What ever our hand findeth to do we must do it with our might for there is no knowledge nor work in the grave Ecl. 10. 9. The present time is the season of preaching â—o day if he will hear his Voice Ere long the Pastor's Mouth will be closed as well as your Ears GOD useth not to send a Seminary from the Dead to preach the Gospel the Living shall praise Him and act for Him for in this short Life all our Bussiness must be done in order to Eternitie the LORD doth not cause preach to the Dead for in the state of Separation our Bodily Organs are consumed and the Soul is under its everlasting Sentence it s therefore absolutely necessary that we plye our Work in time with all Alacrity and Diligence But this must be more particularly unfolded by the consideration of these following heads 1. The great care that serious men should have to make use of the Season 2ly Their great Diligence that they should manifest in their weighty Work 3ly The Frailty and Brittleness of our mortal Life our Soul is in a Tent or Tabernacle 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account 1. The great Care that Serious Men should have to make use of the Season This is not the Work of Yesterday for that is past and cannot be recalled nor of to Morrow for we know not what then may be Prov. 27 1. Therefore we should not bost of it for we know not what a Day may bring forth But it is the Work of the Present 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Instant which passeth as a Thought and will not abide Delayes and as we know not if we shall preach another Day so people know not how long the Voice may be behind them saying This is the Way But this they may know that it is the Voice of GOD that calletâ— them and they know not how soon iâ— it may be silent and the Heavenly Oraclâ— give no more Response 2ly The great diligence that Serioâ—â— Men should manifest in their Weighty Work Their Work is a Harvest the Labourers should be busie and tho GOD doth not allow that with too fast driving we put our selves out of Breath yet since the Work tho very weighty is so pleasant and so necessary and the exercise of the greatest Charity of the World to do good to Souls and since we have anointing Oil and the Aid of the Spirit to enable us we should not be idle nor taken up with Triffles and vain things and especially shun all worldly and sinfull Distractions that we may be well excercised in so good and necessary a Work 3ly The frailty and Brittleness of our mortal life Our life is both short and uncertain we are Pilgrims on Earth and sojurn as all our Fathers have done our Soul is in a tent and our life is but Transient ambulatory and transitory we are Pilgrims Souldiers strangers and not at home we have no continuing abode here the Tabernacle and Tent may soon be lowsed our passing house fall about our ears Which as it should prevent our taking our Rest on Earth so should it make us busie while we are in this Tabernacle and animate us in all our travels on earth with our priviledge that we shall come to a Temple and have a House with GOD Eternal in the Heavens 4ly The Reinforcement of the Remembrance upon this account the Apostle makes much use of this Word for Ministers are GOD's mouth they should admonish and incite People to duty People should be warned for they are secure and become tuchy when they are awakened they are ready to say Peace Peace before sudden destruction Come We should therefore seek supplie to our Lamps in time and to have our Wedding Garment in hand against the Bridegroom come there be many things to give us Memento and Ministers should never forget to give this warning but labour to keep people on foot to Run their Race unto the End Sermon IV. Of the Practical Knowledge of Death and the Information and Warning that the LORD giveth some of His Favourites thereof Knowing that shortly I must put off this Tabernacle Verse 14. ALTHO no doubt this Holy and Reverend Father had his Soul still upon readiness to render it up on his Master's Call with all Chearfulness And tho he was animated to Duty by an extraordinary Help of the Spirit Yet the Knowledge he was shortly to put off his Tabernacle did serve as a motive in him to excite him in his holy Work As his Master before him John 9. 4. 2 Wherein we may Consider 1st His Resolution Practical Knowledge of his approaching dissolution 2ly His favourable Representation of Death a putting off this Tabernacle and giving the Soul more room to commerce with GOD. 3ly His more than ordinary Information of this his Deseace As to the First we may observe that the Practical Knowledge of Death serves much to make serious Doct. 1 Men well Employed All men know they must die but few consider and improve it Which maketh Moses in the Name of the LORD so pathetically cry out O that they were wise to consider their latter End Deut. 32. 26. And Jeremiah so sadly to lament That Jerusalem was taken away because she knew not her last end The best of Men have layed this to Heart I have run sayeth St. Paul Cor 9. 26. For Death puts a Period to all Business Eccles 9. 10. Death puts us ab agendis a Judgement immediatly follows where account must be given of our Stewartship Who is then that faithful Servant that when the LORD cometh shall find so doing and busie about his work Do not say the LORD delayeth his comming let not GOD's Patience make thee procrastinate but be the more busie that thou hast a day to labour in 2ly If thy Work be imperfect and not done it will remain undone for ever and except Christ stand for thee thou will enter imperfect to ternity It is dangerous to sleep our time or triffle it but rather if thou hast loitered double thy diligence This practical knowledge of Death concerns all Men Omnes Tangit from the Court to the Countrey from the Palace to the Cottage Death hath an Universal Empire over all Ranks Sexes Ages Goodness Greatness Riches and the Greatest power and strength cannot prevent it bribe it nor oppose it It is the Messenger of the Great King It cannot be deforced disce mori learn to die is a great lesson it is a great principle in Practical Religion as nosce teipsum to know thy self is necessary Death comes upon many with a surprise and unaware it creeps on Gray hares are here and there on us ere we advert There are some inconsiderate and layes it not to heart Some are dead and drowned in interest and sing