Thess 5.17 while wee are heere call vpon the Lord in all thy actions seek for help and counsel of him in all thy redresse and sorrow feare God hope in him beleeue in him and stay for his comming so shall mercie and grace blessings and life compasse thee euerie where round about for nonâ— euer was ashamed that put their trust in him Rom. 10.10.11 or yet that had called rightly on his name Ps. 145.18.19 for the Lord is neere vnto all them that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth hee will fulfill the desire of them that feare him hee also will heare their crie and will saue them A most comfortable Prayer to God for receiuing and accepting our Prayers I thanke thee my Lord and my God for these thy vnspeakable benefits that thou hast not onely commaunded vs to call vpon thy name in all distresse but of thy fatherly loue and kindnesse hast giuen vs to vnderstaÌ„d that thou willingly wilt heare and graunt in conuenient season whatsoeuer is good and profitable eyther to the soule or bodie I beseech thee my good God powre out on me thy holie spirit Zach. 12.10 that Spirit of Prayer Grace and Supplications that I may delight and take pleasure in calling on thee and euery day bow the knee of my heart before thee my Father who art the right father ouer all thy children in Heauen and in Earth Helpe mee daylie to apâ—proach more and more vnto thee with all confidence and trust on the name of Iesus Christ my Lord that I may call on him as a good child doth on his beloued father Graunt I may lift vp holy hands without wrath and doubting that all my Prayers yea the meanest thought of my heart is certainely heard of thee Lend me patience whensoeuer my helpe is delayed Hab. 2.3 for I cannot prescribe vnto thee time or maner though thou tarrie I may waite for thee because thou wilt surely come and wilt not tarrie Heb. 10.38 that I doe not slide backe but still liue by faith Let mee haue thy Grace whereby I may serue thee acceptably Heb. 12.28 with reuerence and godly feare for the Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him Ps. 147.11 in those that hope in his mercie gouerne mee my God and make mee remember by thy holie spirit daylie to bethinke mee of my mortallitie that I may euer bee in readinesse and may pray at euerie occasion from my heart for a blessed seperation from this world graunt this mercifull father for Iesus Christs sake in whose blessed name we call on thee saying Our Father c. CHAP. IIII. Containeth how a Christian man should behaue himselfe when God sends sicknesse vpon him Flesh. How then shall a Christian man behaue himselfe when God shall visit him with sicknesse Spirit Thou knowest not deare Soule whether God will visit thee by sicknesse or suddainely withoâ—â— bodily disease call thee hence The faithfull Soule should euer remeÌ„ber the vncertainetie of death Therefore often haue I aduertised thee that thou shouldest not delay repentance till thou beest sicke but daylie call on God yea the selfesame time thou art in bodily health stand stedfastly in the faith and good preparation wherein thou needest not stand in feare of safetie thinke vpon that rich foolish drunken Naball how hastily the Lord smote him that heâ— died Sam. 25.38 Remember that rich man who denied to Lazarus the crums which fell from his Table how short Luk. 16.22 his being here was Forget not that wretched wealthie man of whom it is sayd Thou Foole this night thy Soule shall bee required of Thee then whose shall all those things be which thou hast prouided Luk. 12. â—0 And what should I say more wee are daylie taught by euident eye-sight that innumerable numbers dye before euer they be diseased truly before God thou art of no better account than other nor knowest thou what chance he will permit to ouertake thee but if it shall so happen the Lord should call thee from hence by bodily sicknesse and cast thee downe on thy bed thou mayest thus learne to dispose of thy selfe 1 Learne to know the causes of thy sicknesse which is sinne 2 Seeke remission of thy sinnes and reconciliation with God 3 Pray to God for a gratious departure and cause the congregation to pray for thee 4 Contemne not the ordinarie menanes and physicke so thou canst haue the opportunitie of it 5 If thy sicknesse continue striue to be patient and beware of impatiencie 6 Haue euer this full assurence in thy heart that thou in thy greatest malladie and weakenesse art Gods deare child 7 If Sathan assault thee resist him by Faith so will he depart from thee 8 If thy time and houre be come giue theâ— ouer vnto Gods will and pleasure 9 If the Lord shall restore thee to thy health agayne bee thankefull euen from thy heart vnto his gratious Maiestie for thy recouerie A Prayâ—r against sudden death Preserue mee O Lord Iesus Christ if it bee thy will from a sudden death suffer me not to dye in my sinnes but that I may dâ—y and night bethinke mee on the hour of my death euer prepared in a sauing repentance in strong faith and stedfast hope that I may blessedly sleepe from hence when it shall please thee but if so be thou do not call mee by bodily infirmitie here am I in all lowlinesse before thee for I know thou art so mercifull and good that thou dost suffer nothing to betide mee but which shall be good and sauing for mee Graunt me but this that I may alwayes bee in readinesse as a good patient that both sicknesse and death may redound to thy glorie And this I craue at thy hands for Iesus Christs sake and in his name I call on thee saying Our Father c. Flesh. Now open vnto mee those nine fâ—resayd heads that I may bee taught how to vse my selfe in my sicknesse Spirit First remember well that as death is the wages of sinne so likewise are all sicknesses Gods punishments whereby hee brings vs to him when wee haue gone astray by sinne Doe not O soule as the couetous and vngodly and Inâ—idells doe who when they are â—icke beginne to wrastle and lament therefore that their costs are spent and they cannot haue health to earne more or else they begin to meditate how it happened them whether they haue Eat any vnwholsome Meats or Drunke any hurtfull Drinkes or if by other means their maladie hath taken them But remember what the Prophet saith Ier. 2.19 Thine owne Wickednesse shall correct thee and thy back-sliding shall reproue thee Know therefore and see that it is an euill thing and bitter that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God and that my feare is not in in thee saith the Lord of Hostes and therefore he who sinnes against his maker shall fall into the hands of his flesh A Meditation of
our good for we rest from our labors and enioy happinesse because the righteous mans Soule is in Gods hands Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch it And Christ himselfe professeth that hee will come againe and receiue vs vnto himselfe Ioh. 14.3 that where he is there we may be also Hearken therefore and learne what it is to dye for it is nothing else than a passage and home going to rest yea the death of the faithfull is Christs taking of them vnto himselfe A Prayer against Death O Lord Iesus Christ thou eternall true Light inlighten my heart that as a new creature I may looke vpon Death with new eyes and not esteeme it for a hurter of mee but for a messenger by whom thou callest mee from this wretched world and translatst me to the kingdome of thy Sonne from this valley of darkenesse Euen so Come Lord Iesus with that Chariot of Elias and take mee from hence Now let thy Seruant depart in peace Luk 2.29 who longeth for quietnesse rest through Iesus Christ my onely sauiour Amen Flesh. Yet Death is verie terrible cold and euill fauored wee become stiffe and so must rot in our graues Spirit That is also a punishment which God inflicts on the bodie for sinne but the children of God look not to the present shew and shape of Death but looke further off consider how pleasaunt how soone how beautifull how cleare and honourable their bodies shall rise vp at the last day and corruption shal put on incorruption 1 Cor. 15.53 this mortallitie shall put on immortallitie Then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp in victorie and by this the holie man Iob comforted himselfe for he knew that his Redeemer liued and that he should rayse him vp from the earth O how beautifull shall our bodies bee there is no starre in heauen shall be so cleere neuer shined the Sunne or the Moon so perfectly as when the Lord shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working Phil. 3.21 whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe for wee are the Lords wheat â— Cor. 15.37 Ioh. 12.24 sowen in his ground which shall rise againe and beare euerlasting fruit So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sowen in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowen in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sowen in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body there is a naturall body and there is a spirituall body A Prayer against the terror of the graue Strengthen mee ô my Lord Iesus Christ that I bee not amazed at the fearefull sight of dead members nor when I thinke vpon the rottennesse in the graue and that I shall turne to dust and ashes but helpe mee that in a ioyfull hope I may behold the beauty and cleerenesse which shall not onely bee in my soule but euen manifest in my body that I may bee encouraged thereby gladly to meet thee when euer thou shalt please to call mee to that spirituall wedding from this life vnto life eternall through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. It is very terrible neuerthelesse to taste of death yeâ— to be put in that darke hole in the graue couered with earth full of rottennesse and corruption Spirit That feare ariseth of the sense of sinne for death is our enimy and God created man to bee immortall and made him to be an image of his eternity neuertheles Wis. 2.23.24 throgh the enuy of the Diuell death came into the world and heâ—rein is a figure representing the deâ—sert of sin for the breach of Gods Law in that wee not onely die temporally heere but must eternally perish be thrust downe in to the darke dungeon of hell and there bee ouerspred with the flames of perpetuall fire with the riuers of brimstone if that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had not come to our redemption And of this comes that terrour and hangs on vs vntill wee come to the graue Euen as a man that had been pluckt out of a great fire or out of some deepe and dangerous water so oft as hee thinkes vpon it hee is afraid so is it with vs wee are greatly astonished and amazed when wee bethinke vs on that miserie wherein wee should haue beene destroyed had not the death of Iesus come betweene by whom our attonement is made with the Father But yet all the children of God should lâ—â—rne a new language and attend how the holy Gospell speaketh heereof for it calleth the death of the faithfull a sleepe and their graues chambers to sleepe in for as Iesus Christ hath taken the punishment of death from vs and suffered the paines of hell fulfilled Gods righteousnesse and procured eternall life for vs so the holy Spirit in his Gospell doth take away the harsh and hard names of death and doth comfort the Lords Elect with a new tongue Esa. 26.20 as when he saith Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doores abouâ— thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation passe ouer And in another place Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall wake some to shame euerlasting contempt and some to euerlasting life And againe our friend Lazaruâ— sleepeth Ioh. 11.11 but I goe that I may awake him out of sleepe Also the childe is not dead Matth. 27. but sleepeth and there arose many that slept and so in infinite more places Heere hast thou then thy death changed into a soft sleep and thy graue vnto a warme bed When thou diest thou art said to goe to sleepe because he that betaketh himselfe to his rest is in expectation that the next day after he shall rise and when they beat the earth of the graue with the shouell it iâ— called to shut the dore and when we rot in the earth wâ—e are sayd to rest and to hide vs vntill wrath passe ouer our soules A Praier for the mercies of Christ. O Lord God holy Spirit take thou my heart and replenish it with the comfortable mercies of our Lord Iesus Christ teach me to put due difference betwixt the Law Gospell abolish terror and feare for death and learne me that new language of Canaan that I heare it not onely with mine eares but pronounce it by my mouth that I may beleeue and in experience prooue that when the time of my dissolution shall draw neere I shall not die but sweetly sleep vntill it shall please thee by thine Arch-angell and trumpet of God to awake and raise me vp and so do I lie downe now Lord Iesus in thine armes as a childe in the mothers lap and commit my soule vnto thee and sleep as long a time as it pleaseth thee
faithfull and godly affaires yea and as thy mother was left a widdow so wast thou also fatherlesse for Ioseph liued not long with thee therefore thou knowest both estates yea what is hid from thee ô thou searcher of hearts yea ô Lord Iesus thou becamest fatherlesse for all the poore orphans sakes I deliuer vnto thee now my fatherlesse children there receiue thou them it may well be that both I they shall praise and thanke thee therfore vpon that last day Blesse and replenish their hearts with true godlinesse their bodies with soundnesse according to thy will their life with Christian education and grant them whatsoeuer may comfort them in this world or in the world to come Satiate them with a long life and shew them thy saluation ô thou horne of my saluation Thou gouernest thy children maruellously Psal. 91.16 thou teachest and rulest them euermore they know thy voice and follow it grant them patience and mercie that they neuer separate themselues from thee and neuer desist from obedience and true loue to thee and their neighbours vntill thou shalt receiue them into those eternall and euerlasting habitations to be with my Sauiour in heauen for euermore Luk. 16.9 Amen CHAP. VI. Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly giue himselfe to die ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end Flesh. I Pray you shew mee how I may quiet the feare of death to the end I may willingly adayes which speech iâ— had of death Tush saâ— they a stout heart will ouercome death A Meditation of the Soulâ— against the feare of Death But deare Soule these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations for our owne courage shall neuer carrie coÌ„fort to the hart nor hope of eternall life For these wicked mens hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexitie and griefe for they know not to whom they should come to render their Soules O but the children of God haue a farre more forcible and pithie physicke against the feare of death yea a notable secret reuealed vnto them from aboue which is in true faith and cheerefull confidence in our Lord Iesus Christ which whosoeuer hath and thereby shall lay hold on him hath a preseruatiue and antidote against all the terrors and feares of death And why wilt thou O my Soule be afraid of death knowest thou whose thou art and what thou art thou art â—arth and must returne to earth but Iesus Christ is thy Life Col. 3.3 why mistrustest thou Death is thy Life knowest thou whither thou shalt goe Col. 3 3. Iohn 14.6 Behold Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heauen attend therefore thou must and kisse his Sonne and thou shalt not perish from the way Ps. 2.12 for blessed are they that put their trust in him for hauing him thou hast all things and without him all other things are naught The Sick-mans prayer and faith in Christ. Yea my Lord Iesus Christ thou diedst for my sinnes thou hast reconciled mee with thy father thou hast ouerthrowne death and meriâ—ted eternall life for them that constantly beleeue and hold out vnto the end Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart and rest and peace and I count nothing of death for by thee Iesus Christ I haue remission of all my sinnes and am pure and righteous before God O he is a good mercifull father vnto mee I am his deare child and heauenlie heyre and now Lord Iesus I am thine own peculiar whom thou hast redeemed not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but with thy precious bloud as of a lambe without blemish and without spot And hast deliuered mee from hell yea I am thy brother and fellow heire and all that thou hast is mine yea I am thy beloued deere bride thy pleasure and thy joy thy treasure which thou hast dearely bought I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holie spirit by whom I am sealed vnto the day of redemption yea Lord Iesus thou hast so reconciled and vnited mee that I am Bone of thy Bone and Flesh of thy Flesh yea all thy creatures should rather come to naught thaÌ„ that I should bee seperated from thy loue what then can death worke vpon mee surely nothing else but that I may more nearely approach vnto thee my God Therefore respect I not death but haue life in my thoughts and mind and speake of nothing else but life for Christ is vnto mee both in life and death againe yea I will sing and say with faithfull Iob Iob. 19.25.26.27 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand at the later day vpon the earth and though after my skinne be perished wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see thee whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not an others Though my raynes bee consumed within mee Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest that I both beleeue in thee and by my faith remaine with thee eternally yea and I also know that I beleeue in thee and feele the sweetenesse of my faith taste of euerlasting life in my heart Thou art mine and I am thine and I am possessor of all that thou hast as life with euerlasting peace and joy what account I then these transitorie things Hauing thee I haue all things I could wish both earthly and heauenly A way with this temporall pleasure and beautie of this life and all other fading and perishing things for thou Lord Iesus art my comfort alone my goods and wealth my honour delight and euerlasting riches I haue trusted in thy mercie my heart shall rejoyce in thy Saluation O how dearely loue I thee Ps. 13.5 Ps. 18.1 Ps. 28.7 ô Lord my strength ô Lord my rocke my sheild the horne of my saluation and strong defence Such faith such loue burneth in my heart to thee Lord Iesus the which hath so possessed mee and incouraged mee that I am affraid neither of death nor distresse for I am sure that death it selfe and all things shall worke together for my best Now come Lord when thou wilt come I say I am certainely and surely persuaded that in thee and by thee I shall haue life and euerlasting contentment then come Lord Iesus â—hoâ— true God conclude this life destroy thou the last enemie which is death place me in my fathers inheritance whereof I haue thy bloud sprinckled on my heart an vndoubted pawne I am far from home heere and a forrâ—iner in a strange countrey take me home to mine owne that there I may sit at thy table with Abraham Isaak and Iacob that as Iohn enclined on thy bosome at the last Supper so I may rest my wearied soule on thee my God for euer Amen Flesh. I haue truely conceiued comfort and and life in mine heart if I could constantly keepe it but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of triall Spirit Thou hast thine owne
thine in Iesus Christ in whose name wee call vpon thee as hee hath â—aught vs saying Our Father c. FINIS THE SOVLES REQVEST OR A most sweet and comfortable Dialogue betweene CHRIST and the SOVLE full of heauenly and spiritual consolaâ—ionâ— to 〈◊〉 vp the heart cast 〈◊〉 for sinne and sence of Gods wrath PSALMâ— 27.8.9 When thou saydest seeke my face 〈…〉 said vnto thee thy faâ—e Lord I 〈…〉 Hide not thy face farre from 〈…〉 seruant away in anger c. LONDON Printed by Edw 〈…〉 Iohn Marriot and are to be 〈◊〉 at his shop at the White flowe◠〈◊〉 â—uce neere Fetterâ—lane end in Fleet-street 1618. TO THE WORshipful his approued good Friend M r. William Howpill grace mercie and peace in our Lord Iesus Christ. LVke the Euangelist writeth his Histâ—rie of Christ God Luc. 1.3 and Man and dedicated it to Theophilus a louer of God 2 Iob. 1.1 Iohn the Apostle writeth to the elect Ladie of Chriâ—stian loue And who should haue more interest in this my small Dialogue of spirituall comfort then they by whome the bowels of the Saints are so often refreshed Phiâ— 7. Life it selfe is tedious where the taste of the assurance of mercie is absent what peace can please where the peace of conscience raigneth not and that loue of God is not shed abroad in the heart Rom. 5.5 by the holy Ghost which is giuen vs wher forgiuenes of sin is not sealed in the soule filled with ioy which no man can take away what dainties can like when wee eate not that fatted calfe Luc. 15.23 1 Cor. 5.7 Mat. 22.12 Reuel 2.17 and pascall Lambe Iesus Christ that clâ—athed with his righteousnesse as with a garment we may enioy that hidden Manna and tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradice of God Ibid. vers 7. quenching out thirst with those pure waters of life Of the which according to the measure of grace giuen mee I haue briefly written which I recommend vnto your Worship And I beseech the God of all comfort according to the riches of his mercie hee would make you feele and fill you with all heauenly consolation that you may glorying in the Lord looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God Tit. 2.13 and our Sauiâ—ur Iesus Christ to your immortalitie To whom be all power and praise in the Church for euer 2 Tim. 4.8 Amen Your Worships in all christian duties Bartholl Robertson THE SOVLES REQVEST OR A most comfortable Dialogue betwixt Christ and the Soule full of spirituall and heauenly consolations to raise vp the heart cast downe for sin and sense of Gods wrath CHRIST O My Beloued Soule why art thou so sad frettest in thy breast knowest thou not that thy afflictions are so sanctified by my spiritâ— that euen thereby thou art made partaker of my holines Heb. 12.10 Heb. 12.14 1 Thess. 1.6 Gal. 6.14 enioyest the sweet fruit of righteousnesse and obtainest a greater measure of ioy in the Holy Ghost that thereby thou art crucified to the world and the world vnto thee haue I not put sweet wood in these bitter waters to make them sauoury destroyed that death that was in the pot of thy troubles by the meale of my mercies greeueth it thee to wade in the waters which I haue swimmed in The SOVLE O Sauiour giue mee that most precious dearest giue of all thy Holy Spirit the Comforter that I may offer a voluntary and free sacrifice of obedience to thee Giue mee that thou askest and aske what thou wilt Alas as of all other kinde of sinne so haue I in my selfe sufficient matter and seede to breed this corruption for in my feeling I cannot see comfort in my sufferings in so exceeding great measure is my vnderstanding corrupt and affections disordered CHRIST I Worke the sense of sin and mercy by degrees in my children and the yeelding to one draweth on another Take heed least at any time there be in thee an vnbeleeuing heart to depart from mee the liuing God Heb. 3.12.13 lest thou be hardned through the deceiâ—fulnes of sinne To see the length height bredth and depth of my mercy is to behold thy sinne and naturall pollution but let not thine â—eart bee eaten vp with greefe Looke alwaies to my mercies thine enemy indeede is a Lyon and so am I and that of the Tribe of Iuda of thine owne flesh he is a Serpent I am that brazen Serpent to sting all the fiery inuasions of sinne death and condemnation if I be heere so to help thee what shall I doe in glory when I come with thousands of Angels hast thou no knowledge of saluation fearest thou thy sinne is there nothing but doubtfulnesse dulnesse and deadnesse in thee thou must know whatsoeuer knowledge experience and power is in mee the same is made thine 1 Cor. 1.30 I am my Fathers counseller and am thy wisdome the Teacher and the thing taught I haue no holinesse in my selfe by the flesh by being borne of my mother yet do saue great sinners seek then righteousnesse out of thy selfe in mee who being no sinner was accounted a sinner and punished as a sinner for thee that thou hauing no righteousnesse mightest bee accounted righteous and rewarded as righteous through mee who am thy righteousnesse Hebr. the authour and finisher of thy saluation so that albeit of thy selfe to perseuere it seemeth impossible yet with mee it is both possible easie And as for the multitude of thy sinnes whereof thou complainest and thou doest well Marie-Magdalen had seuen Deuills yet first honoured with the sight of my Resurrection Moreouer Mathew a notorious and infamous Sinner crowned with the dignitie of an Euangelist and Paule whosâ— clothes tooke a Purple-dye and Crimson colour in the bloud of the Saints is one of the chief and glorious Apostles Thy naturall corruptions I doe chaunge into the power of a supernaturall grace thy wounded spirit vnto a peace of mind I am the Lord of the whole earth and the heyre of heaueÌ„ yet had not wherwith to helpe my necessitie A Lord of Libertie and yet put in Prison and yet am thy Redemption who will not suffer thee to be ouercome and wil wholly free thee from sin and anguishes in the life to come I cannot lye beleeue my Word whereby I am euidently set forth Gal. 31. and crucified before thy heart Attend Prayer which worketh a feeling of thy faith in mee To Heauen I tell thee I haue a two-fold title one by Inheritance which I reserue to my selfe alone another by purchace and conquest which I haue giuen thee freely and wilt thou not relie on these my Mercies The SOVLE LOrd Iesus I doe often call to mind the things thou hast done for thy glory and my Soules health the matter of my thankfulnesse but I do perseuere in sinne and deserue not the least crumme of Mercie that fall from thy Table anie more
Faith and not by feeling I teach thee humilitie and not to glorie but in infirmiâ—ies 2. Cor. 11.30.31 for Paul for all his Reuelations was afraid of Aretas and let downe in a basket Elias who commaunded as it were the Heauens to rayne and not to raine hid himselfe in a caue from Iesabell 1. â—i 19.9 Iacob was afraid of his brother Abraham of Pharoah and the Philistims in Gerah O how dearly loued I them but when the starre appeareth againe Mat. â— the wisemen reioiced with an exceeding great ioy Rachel had Labans gods which made him more eager to seeke them I may frowne for a while yet not alwaies retaine my anger No truely Ps. 103.9 I am not angrie at all as a Iudge to punish but as a Father to correct a brother to admonish I cannot cease to loue my owne members Doth anie man strike his owne flâ—sh at any time Thou art one of my members ingrafted in my body by my Spirit and a liuely faith I haue said and doe not repent thou that beleeuest in me art deliuered from the power of darkenesse by my Father and art translated into the kingdome of Mee his deare Sonne The SOVLE THe wordes that thou speakest sweet Redeemer of Mankind are Spirit and Life but thou speakest of affections reformed which I find not How cold are my Prayers O how hard is my hart it cannot powre it selfe out like Water before Thee it cannot admit any impression of thy Word or finger of thy spirit my wauering faith is not confirmed by it I lacke that heauenly light to discerne of my troubles and crosses aright Finally I haue little or no comfort in thy Word wanting the apprehending applyâ—â—g faith the hand of my Soule O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner O sweet Samaritan take mee vp which am halfe dead CHRIST THou hast redemption in my bloud Col. 1.14 euen the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes for they shall neuer bee imputed vnto thee neither heere nor elsewhere neither doe they raigne in thy mortall body but thou hast a serious reluctation against them neither thy vnworthines maketh thee vncapable of the greatest mercies they are of my meere and free loue and grace thou art not the obiect of thine owne faith but I my merits obedience who am by faith vnited vnto thee as a head to a member then look vpon mee I am in thee and thou art in me that which God hath conioyned who can separate it or who can plucke thee out of my fathers hand my father and I am one and my Spirit which hath wrought in thee that desire of profiting by the Word whereof thou so heauily complainest will make thee reape manifold fruits of the immortall seed of the Word in due season which is sowed in the furrowes of thy hart I do feed thee for a time with a sparing hand to sharpen thine appetite wait and trust on me and I will comfort thy heart Psal. 27.16 truly flesh and bloud hath not reuealed the hardnes of thy heart vnto thee but my spirit which worketh the sight of thy corruptions Esa. 63. â—7 I which haue begunne this good worke will performe it Phil. 1.6 It is good for thee that thou bewailest thy defects and wants quench not these motions of my spirit in thee prayer is my gift it is I that worke both the will deede Lam. 1.22 it is I that mark thy many sighs the faintings of thy heart yea my spirit doth make request for thee with sighs that cannot bee expressed when thou holdest thy peace or little knowest of it The sacrifice of God are not words Psal. 51.17 but a contrite spirit a contrite and broken heart I will not despise I know thy thoughts before thou thinke them Psal. 1 39.2 thy sighing is not hid from me I doe heaâ—e thy desire Psal. 38.9 Psal. 10.17 it is I that doe put vp as Mediator betwixt thee and my father thy prayers vnto the golden viols which are full of the precious odours of my merits thereby perfumeth and maketh them an offring of sweet smelling sauour vnto him Reu. 5.8 and purgeth their corruptions in my bloud and vnto my throne there is a purple ascent the perfectest bewty is the perfectest mixture of red and white afflictions staineth not but adorneth the beautie of my graces The SOVLE I Am not so washed I see in the lauer of regeneration but that there remaineth in mee slaines of that scarlet engrained die of my corruption I am not wholly spirit as the carnall man is wholly slesh but 〈◊〉 at ciuill wars within my selfe In the spirit I serue the Law of God in the flesh the law of sinne O deare Iesus grant me thy spirit grace 1 Thess. 5.22 that I may auoid the occasions of sinne I may make conscience of my lâ—ast sinnes I may carefully watch ouer my heart that I be not surprized at vnawares I may rest in thy promised assistance and not in mine owne power and haue recourse vnto thee by feruent praier crauing thy ayd that I may bee enabled to stand in the daie of temptations but alas deare Sauiour it vexeth mee greatly that I doe not much Lord thou knowest feele my faith nor the fruits thereof which maketh mee I know not what to thinke that I haue no true faith or if I haue it is yet in the infancy thereof CHRIST FAith is the eye hand and foot of the Soule for by it it commeth seeth and layeth hold on mee seeke light in the Word which is Truth by praier that thou bee not deceiued and follow the same light so farre as thou shalt be warranted thereby the conscience maketh the assumption but examined it by my word lest thou fall in errour and for to learne deere Soule to discerne betwixt the punishment for sinne and trial of thy faith patience and purging of Sinne for I often afflict inwardly the soule with deep sense of sinne and the bodie with crosses outwardly not to prosecute sinne in thee Ier. 51.7 for then it should follow that as the wicked mine enemies exceede in sinne so should they exceed in afflictions also but thee I lead as a louing Spouse with cords of aman Hos. 11.4 euen with bands of loue for whom I loue I rebuke For I am good a strong hold in the daie of trouble and know them that trust in me Nah. 1.7 Nourish this in thine heart it is more certaine and durable then heauen and earth The SOVLE O My sweet Sauiour thou hast taken my feet out of the mire I stucke iâ— Psal. 4.1 Luk. 1.49 and put me at more large liberty of minde thou that art mighty hast done for me great things and holy is thy name thou wilt performe thy worke toward me O Lord Psal. 138.8 thy mercie endureth for euer forsake not the worke of thy owne hands thou hast deliuered me from
vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
will and pleasure that I may serue thee with a cleane sober obedient chaste and vpright heart and voluntary deniall of my selfe O Lord my God let me bee taught alwaies by thy holy Spirit and suffer me not to fall in my weaknes and infirmities lead mee by thy right hand that all my thoughts and deedes may bee gouerned according to thy good will and pleasure My God take from me pride of heart and let all my strength and courage be from thee let not my mouth speake any wickednes neither yet boast in my sinnes much lesse abuse thy name that I may liue temperately and continently and not giue the members of my body to wantonnesse and loosenesse Rom. 12. Grant ô my God that I neither disdaine nor slander my neighbour and passe not the bounds of of my calling neither hunt after riches by vnrighteousnesse neither gape for high honours that I bee not hypocriticall nor counterfet giue me grace that I despise not the meane and weake sort but willingly lend to the needie and bestow vpon the poore Psal. 37.8.9.10 take couetousnesse from mee and preserue mee from Enuie Anger and Malice and all Vngodlinesse O my Creator purge mee from Vanitie Stifneckednesse Foolishnesse Obstinacie Wilfulnesse from a Rebellious mind and Misdemeanor O my mercifull God I entreate thee for Iesus Christ thy deare Sons sake thou wouldest giue mee an vnderstanding heart 2. King 2. to the end I may exercise my selfe in all good actions of loue and manifest my sinceritie and truth to all men assist mee that I may recompence euill with good and commit vengance vnto thee benefit and relieue my enemies and goe before euerie man in honour that I may tread the footsteps of the godlie and follow theÌ„ but shun euil continually free mee from Shame and make mee so depart this Life as professed enemie to Sinne and Wickednesse knit my heart vnto thee that I may feare thy name that I may proue know whether I am in the right way Psal. 86.11 Making my Faith in good Workes to shine before all men and deliuer mee at the last â—nd from euill that I may coÌ„temne these earthly and worldly cogitations and onely set my thoughts on things that are aboue from whence I waite for Iâ—sus Christ in whose most blessed name I do come with my prayers vnto the Throne of mercy crauing pardon for my sinnes for Iesus Christs sake in whose c. Flesh. Is it sufficient that a man once make such repentance or as it happeneth once a yeere Spirit No verily no for Iesus Christ commanded vs without intermission to say forgiue vs our trespasses Mat. 6. and we are desired to grow and encrease in the mercy and grace of God 2 Pet. 2. of our Lord Iesus Christ so should wee learne to bee strengthened in the holy Spirit in the inward man and therâ—fore euery one that is godly must make his praier vnto him in a time when hee may bee found Psal. 3â— â— Meditation of the Soule for Repentance Thou must not therefore deare soule onely once or once a month or once a yeere and after returne to thy wonted sins but they whose life must and should beâ— a continuall repentance for the Christian by the holy Sacrament of Baptisme is borne againe and made the childe of God that the old Adam in him by daily remorse and repentance should bee drowned perish and die with all sinnes and concupiscences that he may be a new creature to liue in holinesse and righteousnesse before God for euer Rom. 6. for the way of the righteous shineth as the light that shineth more and more vnto the perfit day Pro. 4.18 A Prayer for true râ—pentance O God the father of all mercy and grace who hast called mee in Iesus Christ to euerlasting purity 1 Pet. 4. and granted that by truth and vpright faith I should taste of the sweetnesse of thy grace and goodnesse become the dwelling place of thy holy Spirit and heire of thy heauenly Kingdome lead me alwaies by the selfe same spirit that I may walke forward in true repentance striuing and wrastling continually against sinne making progresse in pietie and knowledge of thee growing vp in all Christian vertues as a new-borne creature and that the more thou prolongest my daies on earth I may the more encrease in a stronger faith in thee grant that I may escape for my life and not looke behinde mee Gen. 19.17 that I turne not to my vomit aâ—gaine as the Dog and the Sow that was washed Pro. 16 11. 2 Pet. 2.22 to her wallowing in the mire so that the last bee worser then the first yea my God Luk. 11.26 my strength is nought how easily am I ouercome but thou art hee that giuest both to will and to doe according to thy good pleasure Phil. 2.13 so wilt thou also strengthen perfect and accomplish this thy worke thou hast begunne in me vntill my last end forsake me not that I doe not leaue thee take not thy hand and blessing from mee ô God my Redeemer trie mee and know my heart examine and prooue my thoughts Ps. 139.33 if I bee in the wrong way bring mee to the right path Psal. 26 2. that I may walke as the childe of light before thee in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of my life that so I may walke and liue after thy godly will and pleasure through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen CHAP. III. Wherein is contained six poynts which appertaine to a true Christian life Flesh. NOw seeing I daily encrease in repentance and must looke for great opposition whiles I am in the right way how should I behaue my selfe that my faith faile noâ— and that I goe not astray Spirit That question deare Soule is verie necessarie for albeit wee be regenerate are become Gods children by Faith yet carry wee these pretious iewels in earthen vessells and weake bodies and therefore Sathan euer goeth about like a Roaring-Lyon 2. Cor. 4.7 seeking to deuoure vs and plotteth all his engins against vs the World with her glistering shew giues euill Example verie pleasant to Flesh Bloud which also it gladly followeth and remembreâ—h not that the Broad-Way leadeth to Damnation and many enter therein and therefore deare Soule if thou wouldest continue in thy course and attayne to the end of thy Faith which is 1. Pet. 1.9 The Saluation of thy Soule thou must daily lay these Sixe Poynts before thy eyes and haue them in thy heart that thou mayest carrie thy selfe in life and conuersation thereafter continually 1 Wait diligently vpon the hearing of the Word learne to vnderstand practise and vse the same 2 Remember euer thy Baptisme 3 Often after due examination communicate of the Lords-Supper 4 See thou rightly behaue thy selfe in all worldly crosses or aduersities 5 Abide in thy calling with all watchfulnesse 6 Pray continually The
their wheat and wine did abound Psal. 4.7 and these words cannot deceiue thee Psal. 89.33 for he will not falâ—ifie his truth Vpbraideth hee thee that thou art wretched sicke and desolate c though I bee mayst thou say poore and needy Psal. 40.17 the Lord thinketh on mee therfore if I can haue but thee my God I account of nothing in heauen and in earth suppose my flesh faile and my heart Psal 73.25 thou God art the strength of my heart and my portion for euer relie ô my soule all thy life time heereon for hee will not alter the thing that hath gone out of his lips Psal. 89.34 If the diuell doth affright thee with death gainstand him with a stout and faithfull heart and say thy dead men shall liue Esay 26.19 euen with my body shall they liue awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead And so I beleeue the remission of my sinnes resurrection of my body and life euerlasting this is verily true and hereon I repose my selfe for heauen and earth shall passe away Luk. 16.17 but his word shall not fall so that all they that leane to the word shut themselues in the word shall with the word and in the word endure for euer A Prayer to the same effect Lord Iesus Christ King of euerlasting Triumph helpe that I may continually haue thy Law and Gospel before mine eyes and rule all my Thoughts Words and Deeds according to them teach mee by thy holy Spirit at euerie occasion to put them in practise that in thy Law I may perceiue my Sinne and Vildnesse with true comfort in my hart that in all miserie and griefe I may haue these sweete speeches in fresh memorie that they may bee my weapons and aâ—mour To kill my Foe Pro. 30.5 and my Sheild and defence aâ—gainst the Deuill Psal. 23.4 thy rodde and staffe to hold mee vppe my food and refreshing in alâ— trouble and anguish grant I may wholly betake mee to thy Word both sleepe and rise therewith that I may liue and die according to thy Word and if at any time my heart through weakenesse shall distrust assist mee then O Lord that I neuer despaire for neyther thou nor thy Word will deceiue mee I know and doe beleeue it O eternaâ— true God that thou wilt keepe thy Word â—herefore shall I be preserued I beleeue and know thou canst not lye therefore sâ—all I not bee deceiued and although that my heart shall doubt and denie yet art thou constant in thy promise because thou art greater than our hearts and knowest all things therefore shall I neuer be confouÌ„ded 1 Ioh. 3.20 because I put my trust in thee Psal. 25.2 To thee O God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost bee all honour dominion power and glorie now and for euer world with out end Amen Flesh. What is the second point that concerneth Christian life The second poynt Baptisme Spirit Secondly deare Soule meditate daily in thy baptisme and let it comfort thee because God thy Lord in it hath purged thee receiued thee to be his child and in it sealeth with thee that mercifull couenant that he will be thy gracicious God and father and thou shalt be his deare Son and heire yea ô my soule thy Lord Iesus in thy holy baptisme hath called thee by thy name 1 Pet. 3. Esay 62. Ier. 14. Esay 45. before thou knewest him and hath giuen thee a new name that thou shouldest bee called a Christian to witnesse that thou wert brother to Christ and fellow-heire Rom. 8. that thou shalt enioy and bee paticipant with him of all whatsoeuer hee hath bought and merited by his bloud as of remission of sinnes righteousnesse and eternall life Meditation of thy Baptisme Therfore so often as thou shalt heare or recite the Creed I beleeue in God c. I beleeue in Iesus Christ c. I beleeue in the holy Ghost c. heere is thy surmounting consolation that thou art in the number of those of whom it is sayd he that beleeueth and is baptized Mark 16.16 shall bee saued and heereby art separated from Turks Iewes Atheists and all Infidels and other vngodly persons of whom it is said but hee that will not beleeue shall be damned and finally in thy baptisme thou obligest thy selfe not to liue after the flesh Rom 8.12 Luk 1.75 to fulfill the lusts and desires thereof but to serue the liuing God in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of thy life Tit. 2.12 according to his pleasure Prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. I thanke thee my good Lord Iesus Christ for this thy vnspeakable goodnesse in that thou hast not onely taken mee aliue out of the wombe but when I was dead in sinne made me be baptized Psal. 22.9 Ephes. 2.1 and thereby enrolledst and registeredst mee in thy mercifull couenant band didst regenerate me by thy holy spirit Eph. 2.12.13 accept mee to be thy sonne and inheritor of blessednesse 1 Pet. 3.21 not that I loued thee first but thou louedst mee before I was ô my Redeemer Tit. 5.5 how can I render thankes for all thy benefits towards mee I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon thee Psal. 116.12 I beseech thee therefore vphold mee by thy holy spirit that I may stand stedfast in this couenant of grace whereunto I haue had this accesse reioycing vnder the hope of the glory of God comforting my soule therewith confirme my faith that I may cleaue vnto thee alwayes and abhorre and detest Infidelitie and Atheisme seruing thee zealously in the spirit in whatsoeuer calling or condition of life I shall liue yea my God seeing through baptisme I am dead vnto sinne and borne againe Rom. 6.4 grant me thy grace that I may walke in newnesse of life that my conuersion and giuing my members as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God may beare record before thee and men that I haue reciued that Sacrament to my weale and saluation conduct mee safely through this wearisome valley of misery neuer leaue mee vntill thou hast brought me to thy fathers Kingdome which is those riches and treasures thou hast promised mee in my baptisme and thereof assured me and sealed vp the same in my heart by thy spirit giuen vnto me Grant me gracious father forgiuenesse of all my sins that so I may walke before thee in true repeÌ„tance and amendment of life that so I may liue in thy feare and die thy faithfull seruant Amen Flesh. Shew me the third means whereby a Christian life is maintained The third poynt the Lords Supper Spirit Thirdly deare soule repaire diligently and of ten to the Lords Sâ—pper for that is the table the Lord hath prepared for his regenerate children that is the food wherwith hee strengtheneth and refrâ—sheth his new purged
8.28 Pro. 27.6 and faithfull are the wounds of a freind And truely it serueth many waies to our weale for it teacheth vs the knowledge of our sinnes for hee doth correct in measure and will not leaue vs altogether vnpunished Ier. 30.11 and therefore the Lord knoweth that the way of man is not in himselfe neyther is it in man that walketh to direct his steps Ier. 10.13.14 O Lord sayth the Prophet correct mee but with iudgement not in thine anger least thou bring mee to nothing thus hee chastiseth vs for sinne and will not leaue vs wholly vnpunished Ier. 46.28 to the end we may bee driuen narrowly to espie our sinnes and transgressions descend more earnestly into the inward parts of our harts Againe the crosse sends vs to the word of God when we are frosen in our sinnes it thawes vs again for to whom doth God teach knowledge Esa 28.9 and whom shall he make to vnderstand Doctrine them that are weaned from the Milke and drawne from the breasts and truely temptations make vs to runne to consult with Gods Oracle which is his Word Besides this it stirreth vp our Faith for such grieuances and annoyances befall vs and wee often haue the sentence of death in our selues that wee should not trust in our selues but in God which raiseth the dead who deliuereth from so great a death and doth deliuer in whom we trust that he will yet deliuer vs the crosse teach vs also to pray for Lord in trouble haue they visited thee they powred out their prayers Esa. 26. when thy chastising haÌ„d was vpon them Yea it instructeth vs to auoyde sinne for so it is sayd to the man that was cured on the Sabbath-day Behold thou art made whole sinne no more least a worse thing come vnto thee And finally it maketh this earthly life loathsom vnto vs and rayseth an earnest desire and longing after that which is to come Heb. 13.14 for heere wee haue no continuing citie but we seeke one to come but we looke for a citie which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God and therfore may it be well sayd vnto vs Arise yea and depart for this is not your rest because it is polluted it shal destroy you euen with a sore destruction and so to conclude all things serue the godly Aug. Soliloq cap. 28. to the best yea euen their veriâ— sins worke to their weale for wee alway recouer more by Christ than we loose by sinne so Peters fall of pusillanimity made him afterward bolder to auouch Christ. A Prayer for true and liuelie Faith in Christ. Lord Iesus Christ Son of the liuing God imprint this heauenly consolation in my heart and preserue mee that I neuer despaire in any kind of griefe but euer vnto my dying day perceiue thee to be a watchfull prouident and fore-seeing God for mee who as an expert artificer canst worke good workes of euill stuffe for thy iudgements are vnsearchable Rom. 9.33 and thy counsells past finding out yet neuerthelesse in thine owne time thou bringest them to purpose for the weale and benefit of thy owne Saints To thee therefore O God doe wee thy Saints and seruants giue all honour power and glorie now and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee the seuenth and last rule concerning the Crosse of Christ. Spirit Patience Prayer and Hope make the crosse light for it is good that a man should both Hope and quietly waite for the Saluation of the Lord for remembring mine affliction and my miserie Lam. 1.26 the wormewood and the gall my soule had them still in remembrance and is humbled in mee these I call to minde and therfore haue I hope And so call vpon the Lord in the day of trouble Lam. 19. 20.21 Psal. 50.15 hee will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie him beholde then the ancient fathers and marke them as an example of true godlinesse was there euer any ashamed that put his trust in thee A Meditation of the crosse of Christ. Yea my deare soule when one beares a heauy burdeÌ„ if he take it rightly on him it will not bee so heauy especially if hee haue any ayde oâ— help for to assist him in his heauy load so patience prayer and hope as hands and armes wherby the faithfull hart imbraceth his crosse goeth forth with it for patience doth all things willingly therfore is not wearied prayer steps in before God obtaineth either that the crosse shal be quite taken away or else lessened now hope makes vs not ashamed Rom. 5.5 but knoweth assuredly that God is faithfull who will noâ— suffer vs to be tempted aboue that we are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10. 13. that we may bee able to beare it but impatiency offendeth God hindereth prayer and doth all things by constraint lay the Lord Iesus before thine eyes and learne of him 1 Pet 2.21.22.23 who when hee was reâ—uiled reuiled not againe when he suffered he threatned not but committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously and vpon iust and vpright Iob If the Lord slay me Iob 13.15 yet will I trust in him but woe vnto him that hath lost patience what will he do when the Lord shall visit him Eccl. 2.24 A Prayer for continuance in Faith Lord Iesus Christ giue vnto mee long-fuffering and patience of heart that I may continue and abide in thy good pleasure and will I may cast all my care greefe and sollicitude vpon thee for thou carest for mee and euermore expect better and better at thy hands for thou onely knowest what is good for mee to thee therfore be ascribed from the bottome of my heart all honour and glory Amen Flesh. Shew mee the fifth poynt which appertaineth to a Christian and godly life Spirit Fiftly beloued Soule abid in that calling wherin God hath called thee and obserue the same with all truth and diligence that thou mayest in all thine actions giue an account thereof both before God and man for God will not that man heere vpon earth should be idle Matth. 12. 36. but hath allotted vnto euery one his seuerall trade and worke in their owne measure for the Lord our God himselfe is not idle but worketh gouerneth vpholdeth and ordereth all things preserueth blesseth heares and helps euery true heart My father saith he worketh hit herto Ioh. 5.17 and I worke yea if God should be idle but the twinckling of an eye then should the whole world decay and perish So likewise the holy Angels are ministring spirits Heb. 1.4 sent foorth to minister for them who shall bee heires of saluation beholde the Sunne the Moone and all the Starres how constantly they keep their course Psal. 8.3 Psal. 19.1 2. and perfit their appoyntment and calling euen so deare Soule should euery man that is whole euery day exercise his calling in his owne estate
earnestly and diligently for hee should learne preach gouerne correct defend spare beg augment and haue care for his household and those committed to his charge as if hee were heere euer to abide and neuer to die and that he must doe by Gods commandement and loue to his successors but hereto hee should so liue euerie day 1 Tim. 1.19 so keepe faith and a good conscience as if at euery moment hee were to take his fare-well from this world and that hee may say with Paul The time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith hencefoorth is layd vp for mee a crowne of glorie which the righteous Iudge shall giue mee at that day and not to mee onely but vnto them also that loue his appearing 2 Tim. 7.8 A Meditation of the vanity of this life Therefore deare soule walk worthy of the vocation wherewith thou art called with all lowlinesse and meeknesse and with long suffering and see also that that thou rather abide in a low estate which is better then that which the world climbeth vnto but if the Lord shall promote and exalt thee bee not proud but the greater thou art and higher in authority in this world be thou the humbler for the Lord is high aboue all nations Psal. 113.5.7.8 and his glory aboue the heauens yet hee humbleth himselfe to behold the things that are in heauen and in earth hee raiseth vp the poore out of the dust and lifteth the needie out of the mire that he may set him with the Princes of his people so the Lord casts downe the proud Eccl. 3.18 and giueth grace vn-the humble the greater thou art then the more humble thy selfe and thou shalt sinde fauour before the Lord for in lowlinesse of minde Phil. 2 3. each should esteeme other better then themselues wherfore seeke not the things that are too hard for thee neither search the things that are aboue thy strength but what is commanded thee Eccle. 3 21.22 think therupon with reuerence for thou must giue a reckoning of all thy behauiour trouble thee not with the thing that is impertinent to thy calling for there is much more enioyned thee then thou canst accomplish meddle not in strange affaires and thrust not thy selfe in any calling beforâ— God thinke not that thou art appointed vnto euerie one for such conceits hath deceiued many and theiâ— rashnes hath ouerthrown them for what profiteth it thee that thou shouldst gape for that which is not ordained for thee folloâ— not thine owne fancie in thy calling and be not proud when any man shall haue neede of thee and if aduersity and pennury shall straight the yet be of good courage because they happen vnto thee in thy lawfull calling for who will honour him who dishonoureth his own trade be alwayes diligent and craue the blessing of God which maketh thee rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Pro. 10.22 truely blessings shall be vpon the head of the iust many hunt after riches Vers. 6. and they hurt the possessour and many are feeble and poore yet the Lord helps them of his grace so that sundry do wonder therat Stay thou alwayes in thy calling and be not iealous ouer the wicked although they encrease in riches depend thou vpon the Lord for it is very easie vnto him to make a poore man rich if it be be his pleasure and for thy good call vpon mee in the day of affliction Psal. 50.15 and I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie mee aske and you shall receiue seeke and you shall finde knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you and for our assurance the reason followeth for euery one that asketh receiueth Matt. 7.7 hee that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shal be opened but heere is a very glorious and ioyfull promise Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 16.23 whatsoeuer that you shall aske the father in my name hee will giue it you and which of all is most comfortable before they call I will answer Esay 65.23 and whiles they are yet speaking I will heare the proofe whereof Dauid had in his greatest anxiety I sayd I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne the which he noteth with his accustomed particle of attention Selah The Soules meditation concerning the excellency of praier Now maiest thou contemplate thy Lord Christs example whom thou art carefully to imitate how often how diligently how willingly how heartily hee prayed how he fled to the wildernesse that he might powre out his heart to his heauenly father and there prayed not onely for himselfe but taught his Disciples and prescribed vnto them that absolute compendiâ—us forme the Lords Prayer wherby hee hath put as it were words in thine Matth. 6.9 and in all the hearts of the Elect wherby thou mayest present thy selfe before the most great glorious maiesty of God and that thou shalt not wander in thy prayers he sheweth thee how thou mayest boldly go forward vnto the thron of grace Heb. 4.16 that thou mayest finde mercy and obtaine grace to finde helpe in time of neede and in whose name thou shalt make thy supplications that is Ioh. 16.19 in my name saith hee and for their sakes I sanctifiâ— my selfe that they also may bee sanctified through the truth yea in thy Redeemer Iesus Christ thine onely Sauiours name lift vp thy hands and heart by a true and liuely faith and stedfast confidence and so truely as Christ thy Redeemer is at the right hand of his father in heauen as truely are all thy sighes and groanes and paines heard by him and hee will grant them according to his will And moreouer thou hast to consider what benefits thou sâ—alt aske and with what condition thou oughtest to pray for temporall gifts which thou art to request with this exception and restraint if it may stand with his blessed will and with thy good and saluation for the Almighty onely wise God knoweth best what his children stand in neede of and he is so vnspeakably good Luk 11.11.12.13 that hee will giue them nothing that can hurt them although they of misknowledge and ignorance doe most seriously desire it yet spirituall blessings which tend to thy saluation should bee craued of him with sure hope and full confidence such as are our heritable gifts remission of sinnes righteousnesse holy Spirit and life euerlasting euen when it shall please him Who will not then reioyce to pray when as all our teares are seene our groanings waighed and our words heard who will not seeke there where he may certainely find all goodnes who will not knock when he knoweth hee shall bee let in yea and in mid-way wee shall be met and shall receiue in our bosome all things necessarie both for soule and bodie therefore pray wee continually 1
thy word doe I hope My Soule wayteth for thee O Lord more than they which watch for the morning if it be thy pleasure O Redeemer and profitable and necessarie for my selfe that I should liue be preserued from death and destruction because that I may liue hereafter a godly holie and Christian life to my last end but if it shall not be thy will to prolong my dayes but that I must depart out of this world theÌ„ come Lord Iesus Christ my Redeemer receiue my soule into thy hands and giue me place and possession in Paradise in Abrahams bosome with the blessed Angells and all Saints Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I should vse the ordinarie meanes of Physicke in time of sicknesse Spirit Fourthly thou mayest conueniently vse ordinarie meanes and physicke then giue place to the physitian for the Lord hath created him Let him not goe from thee for thou hast need of him but beware that thou haue not recourse vnto the Physitian before thou come vnto the Lord for so did King Asa â— Chr. 16.12 when hee was diseased in his Feet therefore the Lord gaue no blessing vnto his Physicke and so he dyed But especially take heed that you vse no forbidden means and aske not counsell of Witches or those which doe helpe by the meanes of the Deuill through the abuse of Gods holie name 2 Kin. 1.6 for so did King Ahaziah consult with the Idoll of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recouer of his disease Is it because there is not a God of Israell that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron therefore thou shalt not come off from that bedd on which thou art gone vp but shalt surely dye Be circumspect also and seeke out the best practised and skilfullest Physitians for mans bodie is the pretious creature of God and should be honoured and no wayes neglected Another Prayer for the Sicke I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ true Physitian of my soule that thou hast cured my heart and clensed it from sinne by that heauenlie medicine from aboue I earnestly intreat thee who hast made all things that thou wouldest blesse these outward helpes and meanes which thou hast ordayned Mat. 8.2 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee whole and by these ayds restore mee to health but if thou wilt not those cannot helpe mee Loe here I am doe with mee according to thy will and pleasure so that euer respect bee had to thy glorie my weale and saluation Graunt these blessings vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy sonnes sake in whose name I pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. Flesh. Shew mee how I may obtayne the gift of Patience in the time of sicknesse Spirit Fiftly deare Soule see thou alwayes lay hold on patience and request the Lord that he would preseâ—ue thee from impatiencie O how pretious a thing is patience to trust alwaies in the Lords help for it is of the Lords mercie that wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 because his compassions fayle not they are new euerie morning great is his faithfulnesse for faith and patience cannot bee disseuered Heb. 6.12 Be not therfore slothfull but bee a follower of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiâ—e â—o if we rejoyce in the hope of the glorie of God weâ— must also glorie in tribulations knowing that tribulations worke patience and patience Experience Rom. 5.2.3 4.5 and experience Hope anâ— hope maketh not ashamed Behold and immitate thy Sauiour Iesus Christ Pet. 2.21.24 who hath left vs an example that we should follow hiâ— steps who his owne selfâ— bâ—re our sinnâ—s in his own bodie on the tree and euer committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously so must wee take all â—hings patiently for this is acceptable with God and in this must wee â—esemble euen our young ones who when their headakes come and make their mâ—anes to their mothers layes downe their heads in their mothers laps and crie for helpe euen so do thou my deere Soule make thou thy lamentation before the Lord cast thy burthen vpon him and hee shall sustaine thee Euening and Morning Ps. 55.22 vers 17. and Noone pray and crie aloud and let him heare thy voyce and exspect him with patience And aboue all things flie impatience for it destroyeth and corrupteth all Christian vertues it offendeth God our Lord it hindereth letteth praier and maketh vs the longer that it holds the more vehement we are so as Patience is a pretious and powerfull hearbe so Impatiencie is venimous and poyson to the heart The Sicke persons prayer for patience Take from mee Lord Iesus that noysome offence of impatiencie keep mee that it neuer haue dominion ouer mee least I make the crosse thereby heauier but plant Christian patience in my heart that I may continually attend thy blessed time and leisure for thy time is the right and thy season the true season Indeed truely make mee continually be stedfast in Hope and put my whole confidence in thâ—e 1. Cor. 10 1â— for thou art true and wilt suffer none to be tempted aboue his strength And this I intreate thee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. Shew mee some comforts if sicknâ—sse continue long with mee that so I may not despaire in Gods mercie Spirit Sixtly deare Soule if thy sicknesse abide longer time than thy expectation was thinke not that the lord hath forgot thee but vnderstand that in the greatest crosses thou art dearest vnto him Ps. 55.19 but the wicked because they haue no changes therefore they feare not God But as for thee no more than a mother can forget her child can hee forget thee Esa. 49.15.16 for behold he hath graueÌ„ thee vpon the palmes of his hands yea the sicker the child is the greater is the mothers loue and the more diligently watchfully doth she attend and so doth the Lord with thee speakes he not consolation in thy heart and saith Art thou not my deare Sonne and beloued child Ier. 31.20 I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore with louing kindnesse haue I drawne thee thy Soule shall be as a watered Garden 12. and thou shalt not sorrow any more at all I will satiate thy Soule with fatnesse 14. and thou shalt bee satisfied with goodnes saith the Lord and therefore the Lord is mercifull and gratious slow to anger and plenteous in mercie Ps. 103.8 9 10.11.13 he will not alwayes chide neyther will hee keepe his anger for euer Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities for as the heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord hath pittie of them that feare him Loe deare Soule thy Father nor mother haue such pittie towards thee as thy Sauior and therefore thou oughtest to
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
Soule at the very poynt of death Spirit First euery Christian must diligently learne to comfort himselfe by reciting the articles of our faith which is the compend and summe of all doctrine and comfortable speeches but especially hee must learne the three last articles I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes resurrection of the body and life euerlasting So the faithfull soule must apply the whole articles to himselfe in particular and so appropriate them vnto himselfe as if there were none in the world but hee alone which should haue benefit thereby Thereto the Lord hath appointed the Sacraments to confirme that our faith as faithfull and true seales and mercifull tokens whlch hee hath appointed to these articles Here thou maiest apprehend thy holy baptisme wherein thou hast receiued and concluded with God an euerlasting and inuiolable band and couenant of mercy and so art washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ Next maist thou comfort thee by the holy Supper because thou as the Son of God art nourished and refreshed at thy Fathers Table and thereby assured that thou art a true member of Christ a righteous heire to whatsoeuer Christ with the sacrifice of his body and bloud hath merited Besides these things â—hou mayest cause to bee â—ead or sayd these or such â—ike sentences of the Scripture The seede of the woman shall bruize the head of the Serpent Gen 3.15 and the Serpent shall bruize his heeles 1 Ioh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Diuell Esa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs and euerlasting ioy vpon their heads they shall obtain ioy gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead body they shall arise awake and sing yee all that dwell in the dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead Come my people enter thou into thy chambers Vers. 20. and shut thy doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation bee passed ouer Naked came I out of my mothers wombe Iob 19·25 and naked shall I returne thither the Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away blessed bee the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liueth Vers. 26. and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not a stranger Is not Ephraim my deere sonne Ier. 31.20 is hee not my pleasant childe for since I spake against him I doe earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely haue mercy vpon him saith the Lord. So verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that hee should turne from his euill way and liue I will ransome them from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from death ô death I will be thy plagues ô graue I will bee thy destruction As the Hart panteth after the water brookes Psal. 42.1 so panteth my soule after thee ô God My soule thirsteth for God for the liuing God 2. when shal I come appeare before God Why art thou cast downe ô my Soule 5. why art thou disquieted within mee hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance Whom haue I in heauen but thee Psa. 73.25 and there is none vpon the earth that I desire beside thee My flesh and mine heart 26. faileth but God is the strength of mine heart and my portion for euer Wisd. 3.1 The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them 2. In the sight of the wise they seemed to die and their departure was taken for misery 3. and their going from vs to bee vtter destruction but they are in peace Hee that endureth to the end Mat. 24.13 shall be safe Mat. 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest Behold the Lambe of God Ioh. 1.29 which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 5.24 hee that heareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into iudgement but hath passed from death to life I am the bread of life Ioh. 6.35 he that commeth to mee shall neuer hunger and hee that beleeueth on mee shall neuer thirst All that the Father giueth mee shall come to mee vers 37. and him that commeth vnto me I will in in no wise cast out And this is the will of him that sent me vers 40. that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Vers 47. Verily verily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth on mee hath euerlasting life Ioh. 8.12 I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darknesse but shall haue the light of life Vers. 51· Verily verily I say vnto you if a man keep my saying he shall neuer see death My sheep heare my voice and I know them Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and they follow mee and I giue vnto them eternall life And they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hands My father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my fathers hands I and my father am one I am the resurrection vnto life Ioh. 11.25 he that beleeueth in mee though hee were dead yet shall I liue In my fathers house are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 if it were not so I would haue tolde you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you 3. I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there you may be also I am the way the truth 6. and the life no man commeth vnto the father but by mee Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent verse 24 Father I will that they also whome thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may beholde my glorie which thou hast giuen me for thou loueâ—st mee before the foundation of the world Neither is there saluation in any other Acts 4.12 for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men wherby
impediment Behold therfore deare soule what is more acceptable and pretious who will now bee affraide of death but on the contrarie the Soule of the Vnfaithful and Vngodlie is deliuered to Sathan and caried incontinent to payne as wee may see in that Rich-mans Soule where it shall remayne in trouble and miserie Luk. 16. anguish and smart and Woe vnspeakable without all mercie and comfort for euer in stinke and darkenesse where there is weeping and guashing of Teeth to the last day at what time their miserie shall first begin to be exceeding great and neuer shall cease The Christians most earnest Prayer to leaue this world and to be with Christ his Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ my Hope and Ioy how heartilie longeth my soule for thee yea â—uen as the Hart paÌ„teth for the water-brooks so panteth my Soule after thee O God my Soule thirsteth for God Ps. 42.1 for thee O God the Liuing-God When shall I come and appeare before thee O how weary am I of this loathsome vale of misery in the which I endeuour to serue thee my God in great weakenesse I may say Phil. 1.23.24 I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is verie profitable that I may bring forth fruit yet what I should chuse I know not Lord Iesus thou euerlasting wisdome which knowest my time my dayes are in thy hands euen come take mee to thee when thou wilt my heart longeth for rest yea for that euerlasting quietnesse from this darknesse to light from sorrow to ioy from the troubles of this world to peace from loathsome miserie to glorie from imperfection to an accomplished perfection Lord Iesus thou knowest all things and doest know that my soule doth heartilie loue thee and hath an inward desire to behold thy countenance Behold most louing Redeemer the teares of loue which fall from my eyes and consider how I weep for meere ioy my heart is sicke for loue it sighes Song 8 6. Song 2.5 groaâ—es and longeth to be at home with thee to rest it selfe in thy bosome O my Lord and God how well shall I bee then How highly shall my soule crie out greatly ioying and praiâ—ing thee Mat. 17.4 Luk. 23. saying Lord it iâ— good for me to be here Lord remember mee in thy Kingdome and say vnto my soule thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise there to rest for euer Amen Flesh. Doth not the soule then long for the body seeing it knoweth it is rotten in the cold ground and expecteth the day of resurrection and euerlasting life for it Spirit I must confesse that such thoughts often make men sorrowfull but wee must vnderstand that our soules after their departing are with Christ and must haue much more vnderstanding and knowledge and farre cleerelier know Gods wonderfull righteouâ— counsell and will and therefore are perswaded that no mischaunce can befall theiâ— bodies in the earth but that they shall pleaâ—antly and softly sleep and rest and all their bones dust and ashes shall bee so kept through the Almighty power of God that they shall neuer bee consumed brought to nought but shall questionlesse and wiâ—hout all doubt rise againe Secondly the soules of the godly are in such place and ioy where is no vnquietnesse or vvretched desire foralthough they bethink them of their bodies and would haue that righteous day of doome approch Reu. 6.10 saying How long O Lord holy and true doest thou not iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth Yet such thoughts are without sorrow and appertaine to their ioy Gods glorie and praise vnto the which they alwaies submit their wils and as the children of God in this wretched life they long for their dissolution and sigh for the comming of Ieâ—us Christ and hee that doth not so hath not a sound and true loue to Iesus Christ yet the blessed soules which are with Christ. desire that all sinne in the woâ—ld should come to end and that euerlasting persecution shold then beginne but that their desire should carrie sorrow or any painefull longing vpon them it is not possible for they rest with the Lord our God and from this world for there is no time nor difference of day and night and where there is no time there can be no heauie longing for Psal 90.4 because a thousand yeares in his sight arâ— but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night And againe One day with the Lord is as a thousand yeares 2 Pâ—t 3. â— As one day therfore deare soule let such thoughts passe and cast thy selfe vnder Gods powerful hand who is thy Creatour thy hope and rest defendor and contenting perfection both in this life in that eternall which is to come A Prayer of the faithfull soule for her dissolution 2 Tim. 4. Now Lord Iesus Christ thou who seest and knowest that I haue earnest loue of thy manifestation I request thee with all my power that thou wouldest through thy defence abate the vngodly and sinnefull waies of the world and shew righteous doome vpon Sathan and all our aduersaries and let that euerlasting glorie of our ioy come when thou shalt bee all in all 1. Cor. 15. Yea Lord Iesus Rom. 18.20.22 the whole creation groaneth and trauaileth in paine together wayting for the deliuerance from the bondage of corruption and vanitie vnto the which it is made subiect waiteth I say for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God when they shall be deliuered vnto the glorious libertie of the Children of God Should not wee then verie earnestly long for the loosing of our bodies but if it bee thy holy will O Lord Iesus and that thou hast so concluded in thy counsell that I shall here abide to thy ioyfull comming againe euen so bee it my God and my Redeemer O with what ioy of heart shall I heare thy trumpet how gladly shall I leape and meete thee in the cloudes but if thou call mee from hence before and take my soule vnto thee to that peaceable Paradise Loe here am I and willingly come and shall not cease with all comfort to crie vnto thee and say Amen euen so come Lord Iesus Râ—u 22.20 come to iudge the quicke and the dead Amen Flesh. Thou beleeuest then certainely that this our bodie shall rise againe and liue with the soule eternally Spirit Yes truely that I beleeue and therefore confesse in the articles of my faith and say I beleeue the resurrection of the bodie and life euerlasting For when our Lord Iesus shall come againe vpon that last day to iudge Mat 25. â—3 and all the holy Angels with him then shall he set vpon the throne of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all Nations liuing and dead small and great Reu. 20.12 good and bad shall stand before him and the Sea shall
giue vp the dead which were in it death and hell deliuer vp the dead which were in them and the soule in a moment shall returne to the dead body thereof 1 Thes. 4.17 and come liuing before the Lord. Then wee which are aliue and remaine shall be caught vp together with them in the clouds to meete the Lord in the ayre where he shall separate them one from another Math. 25.32.33.34.41 as a sheepheard diuideth the sheepe from the Goates and hee shall set the sheepe on his right hand the Goates on the left theÌ„ shall he say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherite the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world then shall hee say vnto them on his left hand Depart from me yee cursed into euer lasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels and these shall go away into euerlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall A Meditation of the Soule on the resurrection Now deare Soule thou mayest meditate not only heereupon which is the vndoubted truth of God but for thy farther certification thou mayest ponder on these following poynts Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead bodie shall they arise awake and 〈◊〉 ye that dwel in the dust Mat. 22.31 As touching the resurrection of the dead haue yee not read that which was spoken vnto yee by God saying I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaak and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Dan. 12.2 some to euerlasting life and some to shame and euerlasting contempt I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob 19.25 and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God 26. whom I shall see and mine eyes shall behold and not another for me Verily verily Ioh. 5.25 I say vnto you the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God and they that heare shall liue c. Now mayest thou diligently marke deare soule how easie it is vnto the Lord to raise the dead Ioh. 17. for it will done by a word as wee may see when hee raised the widdowes son of Naim which was dead he onely said Young man Luk. 7.14.15 I say vnto thee arise and he that was dead sate vp and began to speake So raised he the Ruler of the Synagogueâ— daughter in Capernaum saying Talithacumi which is being interpreted Mar. 5.41 Damosell I say vnto thee arise and after this same manner also did he to Lazarus in Bethania who had now laâ—en foure dayes in the graue for hee cried with a lowd voyce Lazarus come forth and hee that was dead came foorth bound hand and feet with graue-cloths See now beloued Soule although to the eyes of man it appeared to bee impossible yet with the Lord our God nothing is impossible Luk 1.37 For as a mother knoweth well in what chamber or bed shee hath laid her childe to sleepe and thither commeth in the morning awakes and taketh it vp euen so the Lord our God knoweth where our bodies do sleep which were his own temples and habitations vnto whom it shall bee farre more easie to make vs aliue then to a mother to waken her sleeping child Besides this wee haue our Lord Iesus Christ the head of his Church not onely that hee should bee an example vnto vs but also that hee should goe before vs as the beginning of our resurrection for hee died for our sins lay in the graue the third day rose againe for our iustification 1 Cor. 15.16 Rom 4.25 Ioh. 4.19 and therefore with lowd voyce sayeth vnto vs all because I liue yee shall liue also Flesh. Shall then eternall life be such as cannot bee comprehended by man nor vnderstood in this world Spirit Yes truely thou sayest well Of the ioyes of heauen for so it is that the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him Eternall God what peace what ioy what glory what pleasant being shall they haue who would not daily meditate heereupon but who would not wilâ—lingly enioy the same who would not willingly speake and commune heereof but rather who would not feeâ—e and possesse the same oh if there were any that could teach vs the glory hereof wherof our narrow heart and shallow soule is not capable of how would we be glad to heare and ioyfully long for it Certainely deare Soule if neither Esaias that excellent Prophet nor the Apostle Paul Esay 64.4 who was rauished into the third heauens and saw things vnutterable could not declare the meanest iot of it but heâ—â— him dumb then may the glory peace and ioy be there exceeding great yet notwithstanding the holy Scripture portryeth in some places by notable sentences and speeches the supereminent goodnesse thereof so farre as our tenuity can comprise 1 Ioh. 3.2 Beloued now are we the sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but wee know that when he shall appeare we shall bee like him for wee shall see him as he is Then shall the righteous shine foorth Iob 19. Mat. 13.43 as the Sunne in the kingdom of their father Dan. 12.3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for euer and euer And GOD shall bee all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 And we shal euer be with the Lord. 1. Thes. 4.17 Who shal change our vile bodie Phil. 3.21 that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie For in the resurrection they neyther marrie nor are giuen in marriage Mat. 22.30 but are as the Angells of God in Heauen And I Iohn saw the holie Citie Rev. 21.2.3 4 5. new Hierusalem come downe from God out of Heauen prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband and I heard a great voyce out of heauen saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall bee with them and bee their God and God shall wipe away al teres from their eyes and there shall bee no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more payne for the former things are passed away And he that sate vpon the Throne sayde Behold I make all things new c. Reu. 21.22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almightie and the Lambe are the Temple of it 23. And the Citie hath no need of the Sunne nor of the Moone to shine in it for
the Glorie of God did enlighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof 24. And the Nations of them which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glorie and honour to it And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day â—5 for there shall be no night there And they need no candle neyther the light of the Sun Reu. 22.5 for the Lord giueth them light and they shall shine for euer and euer These words beloued Soule are short but replenished with vnspeakable comfort and although the Scripture had beene more large herein yet our weake and infirme hearts are such and our vnderstanding so small that wee could not comprehend it and therefore the holie Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little windowe through the which wee may see a little glance to the end wee may know what wee should beleeue and hope for and what to comfort and reioyce vs withall But when we shall come thither and possesse such ioy and such gladnesse then shall wee say one to another as old Elizabeth sayde vnto the Virgin Marie Luk. 1.45 O blessed art thou that beleeuest for there is a performance of those thingâ— which were told thee of the Lord. O eternall Life O pleasant Life O perpetuall Ioy and Peace O euerlasting Hierusalem Citie of the holie God O how pretious how beautifull art thou vnto mee thy pulchritude surmounts there is no blemish in thee My heart longeth for thee yea for Hierusalem my Mother For Hierusalem my natiue Land and for thee Iesus Christ thou which art hid there my Life Lord and euerlasting Sheepheard O holie Life O blessed Life which the Lord hath prepared for them that loue him in the which shall be no death for man shall see God face to face for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life Oh the oftner I thinke vpon thee the sweeter thou appearest vnto mee O how well wilt thou be my Soule when thou shalt bee loosed from this earthly body and so passe in freedomevnto heauen how welcome shalt thou bee how kindly shalt thou be receyued thou shalt come to great rest and securitie thou needest not stand in feare of any foe or deaâ—h Thou shalt euermore beholde the face of thy God and Redeemer Ps. 45.2 the beaâ—tifullest among the childreÌ„ of men hearest thou not him my Soule calling on thee Song 2.20 Rise vp my loue my fayre one and come away for loe the Winter is past the rayne is ouer and gone Arise my Loue my fayre one and come away Come vnto mee my Elect I haue pleasure in thy beautie come and reioyce before my face with the Angells whose societie I haue promised thee Come out of all thy distresses and feares and enter into thy Fathers rest O reioyce my Soule and be glad thou beautifull daughter for the King hath pleasure in thee O thou sweet Life shew me thy Ports and thy gates â—hy walls and thy manifolde Mansions Reu. 21. â—8 19 Thy Walls are of pretious stones and thy gates are costly Pearle and the â—treet of the Citie is pure â—old as it were transpaâ—ent glasse in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah thy light is God the God of light the Son of Righteousnessâ— neuer goâ—th downe in thee There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselues Ioh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmonie which shal be heard there O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise Father I will that these that thou hast giuen mee should be with me where I am that they may behold the glorie which thou hast giuen mee for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world A Prayer for the ioyes of Heauen O thou Fountayne of Life O springing Well of all comfort when shall I drinke aboundantly of that Water of Life which is thy consolation when shall I appeare before thy ioyefull countenaunce when O LORD shall I see that day of saluation Ps. 118.24 wherin I may reioyce and be glad O how light cleare and ioyfull shall that day be wherein there shall be no euening Math. 25. Enter my soule into thy fathers rest where I shall haue that holy Triâ—nitie one euerlasting God in three persons Come my light and Redeemer and deliuer my soule from from this miserable prison O euerlasting peace Phil. 1.4 which passeth all vnderstanding wherein the holy ones soule doth repose it selfe there is that eternall life which is to know God our Lord and to see God face to face happie are they for euer which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life and are come to that heauenly eternall and ioyfull life to liue with Christ for euer Amen Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and vngodly Spirit They shall enter both soule and bodie into euerlasting paine Of the paines of Hell for as the ioy of the godly cannot be expressed so neither can the paines of the wicked and condemned bee shewed for there is such poenarum multiplicitas acerbitas â—eternitas that is first the paine of the condemned shall bee so great and manifold that none can declare it for they shall be cast into vtter darknesse Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth They shall be tormented in the flame Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall raine vpon them snares fire and brimstone and a horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup their wormes shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Esay 66.24 and they shall bee an abhorring vnto all the people A Meditation of the soule on the paines of hell Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giueth vs to vnderstand that vnspeakeable and vnconceiueable miserie the wicked shall come to with that grieuous societie of the diuel who shall ioye in tormenting them which the religious should often meditate vpon Secondly there shall be Poenarum acerbitas for that their paine shall bee so bitter and hard that the condemned cannot endure and yet they must needes suffer it eternally for they shal seeke death Revel 9.6 and shall not finde it and shal desire to dye and death shall slie from them for there shall be neither life nor death but betwixt life and death shall they bee tormented for euermore Euen as a red hot coldron vpon a flaming furnace so shal they be in fire vnspeakeably tormented and abide in such case for all eternitie Thirdly Poenarum aeternitas for their manifolde and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end for so it is said they shall goe to euerlasting paine Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance and so haue an end would bee some comfort in their expectation but eternitie is endlesse Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the streames shall bee turned into pitch which