flash as the fire of Thorns but joyes maintained with joyes joy leading to joy a standing boundless joy an ending endless Joy whereas the wicked mans joy is brewed with sorrow compassed with it tends to it and ends in it but hath it self no end 8. Unmixt others muddy impure mixt with sin guilt gripes of conscience and when ready to run over cooled with the hand-writing upon the wall the remembrance of his sin the apprehension of Gods wrath But Spiritual joy is the purest thing in the world as the light of the Sun light without darkness as his warmth pure without smell or smoak 9. Permanent never eclipsed not by any disease or danger threatning death 2 Cor. 1. 12. not any distress 2 Cor. 16. 10. as sorrowing but alway rejoicing John 16. 22. Your joy shall no man take from you They must needs swim in Joy whom Christ holds up by the chin And as Josephs bow so the Christians joy must needs abide in strength when hee hath such a wall at his back and such a well at his foot At this Beer-la-hai-roi Hagar may fill her empty bottle as oft as she will and thirst no more 3. This directs what to do when wee complaine wee cannot profit and do not thrive The heart yeilds not the sin decayes not Go to Christ desire to be under the direct beames of the Sunne Trees thrive not in the shady side Cry Blow O North wind and breath O South wind distil O raine and look out thou Sun upon my Garden that the Spices thereof may flow out Let my Beloved come into his Garden and eat his pleasant fruits Hast thou a heart that will not yeild under Judgments his Love can melt it The Manna dissolved by the Suns gentle heat that was hardned and dryed in the Oven or boiling pot Whom the furnace of Judgments burn and the Oven heated with wrath doth bake and harden the melting love of Christ doth mollifie The last and â—orest Vyal upon sin which ends the mystery of iniquity and finisheth Satans Kingdom is poured from the Sunne The brightnesse of Christs appearing is the destruction of Antichrist and is that which alone distroyes the works of the Divel in the heart Cry out therefore with the Church Oh that thou wouldst rent the Heavens and come and make this Mountaine melt and this rock flow at thy presence as when the melting fire burneth the fire causeth the waters to boyle As thou didst of old at Mount Sinai when thou didst terrible things that wee looked not for Is my heart harder then the rock higher then Mount Sinai break this Rock cast down this Mountain Though I have had my part of Terroâ—s and been brayed with the pestle of afflictions though I have not wanted for light yet my heart yeilds not my heart freezeth in the shade in midst of noon day light as in the depth of Winter There is one thing only remains and the work is done Shine out thou Sun of Righteousnesse and with the warme beams of thy favour melt those Rocks of Ice and bring downe these Mountaines of snow Thou causest thy Spirit and warmer breath to blow and the waters flow Psal. 147. 18. 4. Comfort to them that have Christ near to them They are like those Countries near the Line they shall have a perpetual Spring no Autumn A constant Summer no Winter in their year but a renewed and successive harvest These shall never want Grace sufficient and peace necessary Their tree casteth not leaf nor loseth fruit Christ will be both Sun and Shield he will go with you in trouble In the fire go with you and be a Sheild to keep you from burning in the water be a Sun to warm you and keep you from shaking So he was to Jacob Sun by day burnt him not and frost by night starved him not The Lord will create upon every dwelling place in Mount Sion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoak by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence and there shall be a Tabernacle in the day time for a shadow from the heat and for a place of Refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain When the worldlings heart is cold in his belly as Nabal who became as cold as a stone and when like old David thy native heat is decaied so far that no cloathes nor fire can keep thee warm Christ the Shunamite shall lye in thy bosom and cheer thy heart that thou shalt say for joy Aha I am warm the world is well amended with me The Winter is past the rain is over and gone the Flowers appear on the earth the singing of Birds is heard in the air and the voice of the Turtle soundeth and the Spring is come CHAP. XIIII The Suns Regency ANother Property of the Sun is his Regeâ—cy herein a shadow of Christ and his Regal Office The Lord gave the Sun to rule by day 1 His Rule is Monarchical The Sun hath no Peer but is an absolute Monarch So is Christ the sole King and Lawgiver in his Church who will admit of no Compartners in his Government 2. His Dominion is the largest Christ and the Sun no third both the universal Monarchs of the World whose Dominion is without bounds from Sea to Sea and from East to West 3. The Suns Dominion is the most ancient we read of began before mans The Suns the fourth day mans not till the sixth Christ is the everlasting Father who had a Kingdom in Heaven before there was man on Earth Our ancient Families are but of yester day to him The Princes of Zoan are Fools the Counsellors of Pharaoh are brutish How say ye to Pharaoh I am the son of the Wise the son of ancient Kings Egypt above other Nations had ever gloried in her Antiquity 4. For Duration both shall continue to the worlds end These two Monarchs have out lasted all others have seen the fatal dissolutions of royal Families and the Translation of all other Monarchies And both shall determine together when the Sun resigneth his then shall Christ also resigne his Kingdome into the Fathers hands 5. For Power the greatest Potentates Other Kings and Commanders are only titular many times these have uncontroulable commands The Sun hath power over all Creatures the earth aire seas it raiseth stormes and doth allay them gives Law to day and night the worlds first subdividers to winter and summer le ts in both frost and snow by his withdrawing and by his looking out dissolves them The Sun of Righteousnesse hath like but greater power hath all nations times seasons in his dispose He hath for the nations an Iron rod for Antichrist his Vyals and for his Church sharp storms sometimes he permits hereticks le ts lose persecutors and at his pleasure bindeth them up The Dragon he let loose three hundred years the Beast one thousand two
apprehension appointed as sheep for slaughter yet Goâ— promiseth to feed them Those who fe 〈…〉 God most may have most fear of Hell aâ—â— though they fear and fly sin they fear theâ— shall never fly damnation They have sometimes failing of eye and faintings of hearâ— rottenness in their bones yet is God thâ— God of their Salvation When the wickeâ— who make a mock at sin and sing Peace Pea 〈…〉 to themselves in life shall at death cry out Despair despair The trembling Believe who cryes Fear fear in his life shall sin 〈…〉 Hope hope in his death There is alw 〈…〉 least fear of their damnation who feaâ— damnation most and sin more the cause oâ— it A thousand times better fear withouâ— danger then security without safety 2 This secures the state of such pooâ— Believers who have only this grace of fe 〈…〉 in them without the perception of any other at present I may say to all those 〈…〉 after another as Absolom to every Israelite that came neer him yet without falsehood and flattery See thy matter is good To thee this Promise belongs believe urge pray wait for it it wil not ly the vision of it is for an appointed time if it tarry do thou also tarry The Sun shall rise upon thee one day and thou shalt see the desire of thy heart Yea the day-break is past already where this holy fear is wrought it is the gray and dark morning foregoing a fair day The Lord delighteth that is is more then ordinary pleased in such as fear him saith the Psalmist And next to the holy Angel in Heaven the humble Saint on earth is the fittest Mansion for the High and Lofty one who will dwel with him that is of a contrite heart and trembleth at his word Object But I have so many fears Answ. The more is thy security Vis in timore securus esse securit atem time Fear nothing but security and thou hast best security against fear 2 Thy fears are Religious fears thou fearest evil with fear of abhorrence God with fear of Reverence dreadst his displeasure art tender of his dishonour obeyest his Word â—uest for his favour fear not only thus fear still and thou art safe 3 Christ his method is to kill and make alive wound and heal as Joseph he speaks roughly at the first he cut down Saul at one blow to make him a chosen Vessel hee darts hell into the conscience He comes with fire and soap into his Temple and who may abide the day of his coming His eyes are as a flame of fire in his hand a fan in his mouth a two edged sword There are two notable dayes of the Lords coming the two saddest dayes of all others 1. To the godly here who in the first appearing of Christ in their Conversion are in bitternesse when they see him whom they have pierced and they mourne because of him as with the mourning for an only Son a sad unforced unfained renewed long lasting and heart breaking mourning 2. The other day is more sad when Christ shall come in the clouds then shall all Tribes wail because of him The wicked that never mourned here penitentially shall mourn despairingly But where the first mourning is past the first woe is past and the last mourning is prevented The way to Heaven lyes by Hells Suburbs and to Salvation by Shenâ—h and Bozez nothing but steep and sharp Rocks on the one side and the other The whirlewind earthquake fire then the still voice to Elias The horror of great darknesse the smoaking furnace the Lamp of fire then the Covenant to Abraham The Fullers soap Refiners fire the burning Oven then the Sun of Righteousnesse The Lord hath no readier way then to expel fear by fear hellish by heavenly therefore he takes so much paines with his people by Mount Sinai terors to drive this nayle of holy fear deep into their hearts The Lord is come to prove you that his fear may be in you fear not Therefore is the true fear of God oft prescribed as the onely remedy against all hurtful feares Fear not but fear 1 Sam 12. 20. 24. Exod 20. 20. Isai. 8. 12 13. Mat. 10. 28. Notes of this holy fear are 1. It must be a fear of Devotion Act. 2. 5. This makes truly devout puts upon the exercise of all duties of Holinesse Cornelius his fear A devout man one that feared God with all his house gave much Almes and prayed alway 2 Of diligence Work out your salvation with fear and trembling Not fear of negligence as the evil servant feared and hid the Talent Lots fear who feared and fled to the Mountains that he might escape Moses fear who was afraid fell downe fasted prayed besought God would not be put off with any denyal 3 Of dependance on God in the use of Meanes Noahs fear He by faith was moved to fear and thereupon prepared his Ark. True faith increaseth lesseneth not religious fear fear confirmes not infirmes faith Such as fear God and hope in his mercy are joyned 4. Of obedience That fear the Lord and obey the voice of his servant This is the feare of the servant not a servile fear The good servant must obey his Master with fear and trembling 5 Or Love the fiâ—â—al fear who feare the Lord and his goodnesse Hoseâ— 3. 5. 6. A sin-resisting fear Jobs fear Ioh 1 1. 7 A heart-sanctifying fear Isa. 8. 12. 3 This informs us that God is pleased to take notice of every grace even the least and lowest and every gracious inclination in any of his Servants To fear his Name is no great matter yet these have a promise To think on his Name lesse yet set down in a Book of remembrance God seâ—s down how many good thoughts a poore soul hath had As Evil thoughts in wicked men are taken notice of they are the first fruits of the evil heart Mat. 15. 19. So good thoughtâ—â—â—e they which ly uppermost and best discover a good heart A desire is a small matter especially of the poor man yet God regards the desire of the poor And calls a good desire the greatest kindnesse The desire of a man is his kindnesse A Tear makes no great noise yet hath a voice God hath heard the voice of my weeping It is no pleasant water yet God bottles it up A groan is a poor thing yet is the best part of a Prayer sometimes Rom. 8 26. A sigh is less yet Psalm 12. 5. God is awakened and raised up by it A look is less then all these yet this regarded Jonah 2. 4 Breathing yet less yet Lam. 3. 56 the Church could speak of no more Panting is less then breathing when one is spent foâ— lack of breath yet this is all the godly can sometimes boast of Psal. 42. 1. The description of a godly man is oft-times made from his least quod
his hard bondage Christ Iesus had that first Testimony before that first and great tentation of forty dayes Moses and Gideon were prepared and forearmed with several signes that they might not dread those difficult undertakings they were set upon if we have well provinder'd the horse over night his Master reckons he may travel him the farther next day Expect some change of weather when thou seest the Sun rising early and shining gloriously 4. Often againe after some great and sad tryal Iacob never so much afraid of Esaus face a little before he saw Gods face and when he heard of Esau coming with his Troops to cut him off hee saw Gods host encamping at Mahanaim to secure him after the Trumpet had sounded louder and louder in Sinai terrours Moses spake and the Lord answered after the last and sorest throw the child is borne And after the great thunderclap heaven is opened and the refreshing showers fall plentifully on the thirsty earth 5. Often even when under the heat and brunt of sorest tryalls and conflicts Holy Steven standing before the Judge who condemned him and the people who shut their ears against his Apology sees heaven open and his Saviour standing up to absolve him in heaven who was condemned on earth in the midst of the fiery furnace the Son of God walked among those precious sons of men Into the dungeon where Paul and Silas were cast the Sun arose and shone out at midnight The spirit of Glory and of God never sits neerer nor rests longer upon any then upon Gods servants under their greatest sufferings 6. Sometimes again after some singular act of a well tryed obedience After that high acting of Abrahams faith and obedience in a ready offering of his son God could not hold but speaks expressely By my selfe I have sworn that in blessing I will blesse thee The like to Jacob after hee had sanctified his whole family and had taken his journey to Bethel the Lord appeared more fully and renewed the former promise and covenant with him 7. But if at none of these forenamed times then usually a while before they taste â—f death The Sun breaks out when near â—â—tting and gives the signe of the faire day â—f eternity following Moses saw not Canaan but at Nebo there saw and dyed Steâ—â—en saw heaven open at his death never before before he had been full of faith now of Assurance before of Courage now of Comfort hee had believed in Christ before â—ow hee beholds him hee was a precious Saint before now like an Angel full of glory from a lower heaven here on earth he ascendes to a higher from vision he goes â—o fruition Iesus Christ gave up the Ghost â—n peace after that bloody agony in the garden his bloudy death on the Crosse and after that double horrour of darknesse The Sun withdrawing his natural and the Father his divine â—ight from his spirit yet all ended well 8. But if not then nor before then certainely immediately upon the dissolution then is this and all the other promises not fulfilled in life perfectly accomplished therefore wee are said here on earth to embrace the promises there to inherite them Here the childe of God is heire of the promises yet as the great heire during minority hath but a smal part not the whole of his inheritance till he come to full age Death is the time to us when we come to that state There are many promises never actually and wholly fullfilled til death then are they all to the full Manyare called Blessedâ— here that are onely so by vertue of a promisâ— to be fulfilled then Blessed are the poor iâ— spirit Blessed such as mourne as hunger anâ— thirst after righteousnesse They have thâ— promise now they have the blessedness anâ— the fruition of the promise then Now juâ— ad rem then jus in re 9. Lastly after all and above all at thâ— day of judgement There shal be a rising oâ— the Sun and a rising of the Saints when thiâ— Bridegroome shal put on his glorious robe attended with ten thousands of his Saints the children of the Bride-chamber and shall be admired in all those that believe hee with his Crowne on his head they with theiâ— Palmes in their hands Then shall bee saiâ— to all that feare his name arise and stand up from the dead and Christ shall give thee light arise and shine for thy light is come Theâ— shall all feare cease teares be wiped away death and finne be svvallovved up in victory darknesse and shadows flye away And thâ— Lamb shall be the Sun this Sun shining iâ— his strength never more to set to all eternity Then shall the Sunne be ashamed and the Moone confounded when the Lord of Hostâ— shall reigne in Mount Zion and in the New Jerusalem and before his Ancients gloriously 1. This shewes that the people of God may expect and meet with sad times here both for themselves and for the Church They who can say are there any comforts like my comforts Shal there be any joys like my joyes May at present say Behold and see if there be any sorrows like my sorrows I am he who hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath Hee hath led me and brought mee into darknesse and not into light In the world tribulation is the Churches legacy and first payment In Christ peace their last portion and ful payment 2. Yet may the godly expect glorious times also many are apt to dream of such on earth but that will not be til Christs kingdom is of this world which never was yet There are two glorious times the godly may expect 1. On earth for their souls when this glorious promise is fulfilled when this Sunne of righteousnesse hath risen on them with healing in his wings This is the most glorious day to be expected on earth All Solomons glory nothing to this The approach of God in those signal manifestations of his presence to Isaael is oft called the glory of the Lord and the greatest glory of his people 2. The other is in heaven There are glorious times to bee expected indeed when the Sun shall no more give light by day nor the Moone by night but the Lord shall be thy everlasting light and thy God thy glory These are the onely glorious times the Scripture speaks of Therefore let the over-busie and earthy Disciple take off his thoughts from Kingdomes and the right-hand and left-hand in seats of glory And think againe of the old Cup and Baptisme of Christ wherin the true professour may sooner become an Anabaptist then he is aware Baptized not baptismo flaminis but sanguinis not flaminis but flammae not with the holy Ghost but with fire 3. This informes us that the foundation of all true peace and comfort is layd in Grace The Sun of righteousnesse onely riseth on them that feare his Name Grace and
hundred and sixty and at his pleasure can put his hooke into their nostrils and his bridle into their jawes 6 The most sweet and pleasent Government to their Subjects 1. Both ever present commit not as did the Persian Kings the managing of state affairs to others while they sate still pursuing their pleasures and taking their ease But both are daily overlooking their charge Lo I am with you alway 2. The government of both is the government of the day not of the night Satan is the ruler of the darknesse of this world as much difference between Christs and other governments as between day aud night day and night divide the world between them so Christ and Satan he who is not of Christs Kingdome is under the Prince of darknesse Christs government is ful of 1. Light we know whom we worship our service is a reasonable service No Altar to an unknown God or Saint in Christ his Temple 2. Full of delight He the Prince of peace under whose protection his people sit as of old under Solomon eating drinking making merry not secured by Armies but by Solomons wisdome 7. Other Governors and Prince may usurp a power over the lives and states of their subjects none ever attempted upon their minds and bodies to form the constitution of them or to alter an haire of their head from black to white But these two have a Dominion over both the Bodies and Spirits of men The difference of saces colour complexion skin hair eyes voice beauty is from the force of the Sun the difference of stature talnesse strength and constitution of their bodies to hardâ—nesse or effeminatenesse and delicacie is from the Sun yea the difference of disposition of mind for courage prowesse chastity sobriety Temperance whereas other nations are vicious false treacherous luxurious is attributed to the Sun making that difference between clime and clime the difference that is between nation and nation Christ hath made it that some have better lawes more love to God abhorrence of evill and that difference between person and person Christ only hath put Here is 1. an encouragement to pray and hope for the bringing in of the Gentiles yet uncalled God having promised That from the rising of the Sun to the going down thereof his name should be great among the Gentiles and in every place Incense and a pure Offering should be offered unto his Name And that Christ shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth 2. This may support the Churches faith in all changes Let enemies rage Heresies arise spread prevaile let persecutions and errors unite and gather as a snow-bal This Sun can scatter them as darknesse melt them as snow can cast the burning Mountain into the sea When the whole world became Arian it was but for him to say againe Let there be light and it was so When that Arch Apostate Iulian endeavoured to bury Christianity in oblivion and had opened the widest door of toleration to all Religions but the True that ever was great Athanasius cryed out Nubecula nubecula cito transitura The bubble brake the Malignant vapor was dissolved and his mischievous plots fell upon his owne pate and dyed with him We are afraid of stormes and clouds and very shadowes look up to the Sun it doth rule it will arise break out and scatter all If the Ordinances and Dominion of the Sun should cease or if it could be pulled out of Heaven or stayed in his course if all mists darkness could put out the light of it then might we fear But the Churches comfort is The Lord reigneth therefore let the Earth rejoice let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof Psal. 97. 1. 3. If the Sun rule the day not the night then must we be children of the light and of the day not of darknesse and night as others Christ will owne no such subjects but send them packing to the Prince of darknesse to whom they belong 4. Take notice of the cause of that difference betweene men and men The Stars make not men wise simple rich poor vertuous vicious Christ makes it Some are chast sober zealous valiant for the Truth others not To them it is given to others not given God did often sever between Israel and the Egyptians Israel had the pillar of fire Egyptians cloud of darknesse Israel had the Sun in Goshen Egypt no Sun for three dayes Jacob is loved not Esau Isaak had the Promise not Ishmael Peter is prayed for and kept Judas only admonished not kept nor prayed for The reason is hiâ— Soveraigne Dominion He doth according to his will in the Army of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What dost thou Dan. 4. 35. Grace goes not by Planets â— we say showres sometimes do but by the wise and free dispose of this greâ— Sun Object If the Sun be given to rule and tâ—â— Sun and Moon be set for signes at the Scripture saith doth not this warrant the Astrologers Art of Iudiciary Calculation and peoples consulting them Answ. What consequence is here God set them for signes therefore we may erect a figure and foretel events whom we shall marry when we shall what death what successe of this or that undertaking God hath called them signes he must men may not make the signification He calls the Rainbow a sign is it to calculate by he gives the signification to confirm the general Creature Covenant that there shall bee no universal destruction by another Floud He calls the Passover Circumcission Sabbath yea his Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel signes he tells the signification where have these Astrologers these signes interpreted to foretel such events 1. They are signes for Natural things shewing seasons of the year for Summer winter heat cold 2. Civil and Oeconomical signs as Sphanhemius calls them to direct when to plant low sail c. 3. They are Prodigious and terrifying sometimes when the Sun is eclipsed or turned into darkness Moon into bloud when the stars fall warning the secure world of the judgment of God drawing near But never signes of fortuitous and causal events or of voluntary actions The madnesse of the deceiving Prophet is not here more to be condemned then the blindnesse of the deceived people who run after them and with open hands carry to them the rewards of their lying Divination is to be pityed Wicked Ahab gives more credit to Zedekiahs signes the Iron hornes then to Micajahs Sermons The Socerer he loves the Prophet he hates and so hee prospers God saith of such Take them Satan Go entice perswade prevail and take them when thou hast done Who ever prospered less then they who forsaking their owne Mercy went to them Who dyed more miserably then such as made use of them Balak Ahab Iezabel Ahaziah Haman Belshazzar and that great Nebuchadnezzar
who at every turne called in Astrologers Chaldeans Magicians Dream-mongers to advise with was turned out of his Kingdom yea turned out of Man after all these dismal consultations with those of Satans Cabinet Councell Nay the greatest Artists in this black Art have not onely wilfully plunged their souls into eternal perdition but notwithstanding all their Star skill and their Covenants with Hell to prevent it the dreadful judgments of God have fallen most remarkably on their own heads Their great Grandfather Balaam slain by the sword Jezabel their Grandmother torn in pieces by dogs the like befel Asclaterion a famous Mathematician who took upon him to foretel Domitian the Emperour both his and his own death What became of Dr. Lamb in our remembrance Stories are full of examples Why did not these foresee those ends if they did foresee why did they not by all their Art prevent them Yet what a reproach is it to Christian Religion that such a generation of men should be suffered Not only Christian Emperours by their Edicts have punished but even Heathen States Augustus banished them Rome Tiberius and Claudius out of Italy Vitellius put them to death Domitian made two Acts to banish them out of City and Countrey The Primitive Heathens left these Arts and became Christians we set up these Arts and become Heathens They burnt those curious Art Books and took up the Bible do thou burne the Bible if thou resolve to meddle in these Books full of nothing but Vanity Uncertainty Lying Falsehood and Impiety 1. Of Lying Said Tully How many things did these Astrologers say to Pompey Crassus and to Caeâ—ar in my remembrance that each of them should â—y in Peace Age Honour that I wonder saith hee that any will yet believe them whose former Predictions all prove false It is a notable story of Galeacius Prince of Millain an Astrologer told him he should dye suddenly and himselfe live long the Duke commanded him to be presently hanged to prove him a Lyar and himselfe lived long after 2. Of Impiety To give you the relation of a Papist and a famous Jesuite of the Practices of Rome and the doleful effects thereof In those few yeares saith hee I was at Rome I saw many great men undone by these Astrologers who promised one should dye a Cardinal another a Pope who were all deceived not onely of their hope but of their salvation For when saith hee they dreamt not of dying till they came to these promotions they never prepared for it yea being stricken by death and admonished by their Physicians they yet regarded not which saith the Learned Jesuite is the onely Fraud of the Divel who by these baites â—ayeth wait for poore souls as a wolf for the sheep that he may devour them CHAP. XV. The Suns Activity and Motion the last Property WE are now come to the last Property of the Sun his Activity and Motion herein a further Resemblance of Christ. The Motion of boâ—h is 1. Restlesse and perpetual The Sun never stands still what ever the other Creatures do it is not an idle spectator of humane affairs but is it selfe most active When drest in his glory sits not as our Ladies to be looked on or as the Persian Emperours in a Chair of State to be worshipped But as Job in his splendor who led others in their way and sate chief as the King in the Army The Sun alwayes is in motion Christ alwaies in action vigilant sleeps not The Sun makes night to others by withdrawing it self never had yet one night of Rest or one day of Sabbath 1. Then behold the great care and pains of Christ who travels as a Gyant His life was nothing but labour he went about doing good The Sun walketh to day and to morrow The Father worketh hitherto and still worketh and I work saith the Son The Sons work in his Humiliation was hard work in his Exaltation he worketh still not so hard but higher work Who knoweth the care of a Master of a Family of a General in an Army of a Publick Magistrate Moses was tired out with the encumbrance of his weighty Office and of the oversight of Israel all day from morning to night 2. Be like these two great Lights stand not still The Sun hath but an imaginary solstice twice per annum let not thy whole year be a Solstice or pingue Otium Heavens are always in motion Earth only stands still let heavenly minds be moving Tempus est mensura motus motus Temporis Let not time be the measure of thy life but motion and action Let it not be said he lived so many years but did so many memorable actions he saw so many dayes but the dayes saw him doing so many good acts that there may bee Latitude in our lives as well as longitude 1. In Gods work be not negligent To do Gods work negligently and the worlds over diligently both are accursed Not slothful in business fervent in prayer serving the Lord. The Oxen and Farm have A must in the Worlds sense the Christian saith no must for the world Must is only for Gods work I must work the works of him that sent me Again Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business Take heed of being early in the shop late in the closet busie at the Farm idle in the Vineyard awake at the Exchange asleep at Church That the Christian be not drowned in the good Husband 2. In thy honest Calling All things are full of labour and man born to it Heavens alwayes moving winds blowing sea flowing springs running earth moves not yet rests not neither is alwayes bearing fruits trees seeds in Winter if it bears not yet onely lyes in after hard labor to get strength for new births No Creatures made to be idle the mighty Elephant Warlike horse paineful Oxe yea the little Ant and Bee The Christian is not exempted when the Talent of Grace is given it is with this charge Occupy till I come Angels have their charge Adam in his Innocency had his Imployment the second Adam all whose life was a state of Innocency yet had his work If the Master be up at work a shame for the Servant to be in bed If Caesar say Eamus the soldier marches after The Sun looks into thy Chamber and saith up sluggard I rested not all night wilt thou rest all day The little Ant to work sluggard or to begging I have no Master to compel me to labour but I hate idleness The idle person is a Monster in nature a bryar in the field a weed in the Garden a Drone in the hive a thief in the candle What wretches they whose life is but a long vacation whose work is to eat drink play they rise dress dine halfe their dayes work is done they play sup undress and there is the other half The soul in such Drones is but as salt to keep the body
any object opposite change or chance whatsoever that may fall out The Sun beholds all objects all the works of Nature many of which have a natural ill savour all the Acts of men many which have a woâ—se moral noisomeness but the Sun is not at all tainted nor his beams defiled by the sight Christ Jesus is privy not accessory to all the Oppressions Treasons Murders Whoredomes c. acted under the Sun an observer of all the damnable Heresies and pernicious Doctrines that are broached but his Perfections are not in the least impaired because he receives no taint he is no approver of them 1. This shewes us that God receives nothing from the Creature He did not out of any necessity or indigence create the world we want a house therefore build a horse therefore buy a servant therefore hire but God did not create heaven because he needed a house or the Angels and men because he wanted Servants He had the same perfect blessedness in himself before there was a world or Creature The Sun receives not his light from our eye but our eyes from his light 2. If he be perfect then cannot wicked ones when they do their worst hurt or prejudice him Whoredomes Heresies reach not him Look unto the Heavens and see and behold the clouds which are higher then thou If thou sinnest what dost thou against him or of thy Transgressions be multiplied what dost thou unto him Thy wickednesse may hurt a man as thou art and thy Righteousnesse may profit the son of man 3. Lesse doth hee need our Duties If thou bee Righteous what is that to him or what receiveth he at thy hands Set not up thy rush candle to the Sun it needs it not it beares it not but puts it out All the Starres in Heaven and Lights on earth are abashed and appear not in the Suns presence Even that which was made so glorious that is the face of Moses had no glory said the Apostle in this respect by reason of the glory of Christ that excelleth But he that put on a Vayle when hee came from God to speak to Israel that hee might hide his Glory needed to put on another Vaile when he went in unto God to hide his Imperfections CHAP. VIII Unchangeableness the last Incommunicable Attribute VVE are come to the last Incommunicable Attribute Unchangeableness All things below are subject to mutations Kingdomes are changed and Republicks changed Men Manners Cities Families Congregations changed Apparel Fashions Opinions daily changed and which is saddest of all there are changes in Religion yea the Moon is daily changed but the Sun never his Essence the same Light as clear Heat as cheering Influence as operative Motion as swift as ever Hence the Sun is often in Scripture brought in as a demonstration of the unchangeablenesse of Gods Decrees Love and Promises towards his people Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a light by day and the Ordinances of the Moon and Stars by night If those Ordinances depart from me saith the Lord then may the seed of Israel cease c. Again If you can break my Covenant of the day and of the night that there should not be day and night in their season Then may my Covenant be broken with David my servant c I suppose it but a dream of the Astronomers that the Sun is come down lower and moveth neerer the earth by one fourth part then it did in ancient times But be it so Christ is the Sun unchanged in his effence grace glory merits all-sufficiency unchanging in his purposes promises gifts callings love compassion to his people He is Alpha and Omega the same yesterday to day and for ever the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world And if he be at all changed it is in his Approximation and neerer approach to the earth in his incarnation and the other passages of his Humiliation App. 1. Then is Christ able to save to the utmost all that come unto the father through him he hath the same penny for the last as for the first His hand not shortned nor mercy abated It is remembred of Moses as that which was not ordinary that after an hundred and twenty years his eye was not dim nor his natural strength abated And that more strange that all the Israelites garments waxed not old in forty years space But how admirable is it that the eye of the Sun is not made dim nor strength abated nor do his garments wax old after six thousand years He is as a mighty Gyant as fresh after so great labours and after so many ages revolution as ever and as faire as the young Bridegroome as the Psalmist hath it the emblem of this our Sun and his unchangeablenesse He is Lux Perennis hâ— is fons perennis the Sun whose light thâ— spring whose water is perpetual generations passe the Sun remains new Travellerâ— come to the old fountains where their fathers drank there they are and as fresh they runne there Abraham drank anâ— there do we He believed and it was counted to him for righteousnesse we believe anâ— it is our righteousnesse â—here David dranâ— in his time he believed and therefore spake wâ— also believe and therefore speake there dranâ— Paul long after and was revived he believed and obtained mercy and was set forth for an example to all after beleivers It is the most glorious Anthem that ever the Church militant sung His mercies endure for ever therefore appointed to be sung in their most Solemn feasts Besides you have it twenty six times in one Psalme the burden of every verse a meditation that can never be oft enough repeated remembred studied and believed 2. Is Christ so unchangeable then if he hath appeared to thee once chosen called loved thee his love is an everlasting love free at first and without cause firm to the last and without change His gifts and callings are ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without repentance The Sun is the faithful witnesse in heaven if it did shine into thine house yesterday it wil to morrow and for ever as long as the house stands The Scripture usually comforteth godly ones upon this consideration God is faithful by whâ—m ye are called into the fellowship of his Son Iesus Christ. Therefore he shal confirm you unto the end that ye may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Iâ—sus Christ. Again faithful is he who calleth you who also wil do it Hence the godly soul comes to safe Anchor after all storms My salvation is not in my hands it is in Gods my unfaithfulnesse hazards it his faithfulnesse secures it my unbelief shakes it his faith settles it my mutable wil and condition endangers all his immutable decrees and love secures all my foundation is subverted my seals cancelled the foundation of God yet abideth sure and hath his seal Our happinesse
out of a hard soil ever do man only made worse by such removes Man cannot abide in Honour Man when exalted is corrupted The lowest and darkest Cellars keep our Beer fresh Wine quick meat sweet which would corrupt in upper roomes or in the Sun Jeroboam in the dust more industrious then any other in the Throne more impious then any that ever came after they all might go to him to learn And he that before had been in the Garden of Eden and was looked on as a holy Angel the Annointed Cherub to whom Daniel and all the Men of God were as no body had the most iniquity found in him after he was perfect in his wayes and had by his Policy made all fit to his hand as he would have it Good men when Great resemble God with whom Mercy is sweetly matched with Majesty and Grace with Glory But the wicked are like Satan who when ever he gaineth more power employs it to do more mischief He riseth up saith Job and no man is sure of his life No man can say what he hath and what is his own speaking of the wicked man armed with Power 4. How great is the folly of the sons of men who toil sweat fret sue go to Law go to War yea venture to go to Hell to get these earthly things and when they have done what have they got but their labour for their pains in this life and after this worse pains for their labour Why dost thou set thine eye on that which is not What are these to Heaven The Sun is nothing in comparison of the Heaven of Heavens the Earth nothing to the Sun thy Farme or Lordship nothing to the Earth thy Cottage or Manner is nothing to England and England it self an inconsiderable nothing to the Earth Thy Lordship is not mentioned nor to bee found in the Map of the Earth and if by seeking it thou losest heaven too how miserable art thou They are beg'd for fooles who have a fair estate befallen them and sport themselves with Rattles How many wise Worldlings may bee beg'd for Fooles We count it childishnesse to see our boyes to run after painted Butter-flyes wrangle for a Top and fight for a Ball We are the more children who pant as if out of breath for the dust of the Earth The Philosopher on this Meditation of the Heavens Magnitude and Earths meanness breaks out into a Passion That men like children strive for an atom And hereupon Du Bartas excellently For though a King by wile or war had won All the round earth to his subjection Lo here the guerdon of his glorious pains A needle point a mote a mite he gaines A nit a nothing did he all possess Or if then nothing any thing be less O Lord said Austin Thou art and besides thee nothing of which nothing thou hast made Heaven and Earth those two the one of which is next to thee the other next to very nothing The highest heaven yet thou art higher the Earth so low as nothing lower Heaven is great but Earth little CHAP. XI The Glory of the Sun the second Property THe Sun is the most glorious Body in the World from whose Glory light is borrowed to set out the greatest Glory whatsoever 1. The Church Militant in her greatest Glory and richest Robes is described to be cloathed with the Sun 2. And which is far higher the Saints Triumphant in that great day of Gods greatest glory and mans when Christ shall be glorified in the Saints and the Saints in him shall have their glorified Bodies shining as the Sun 3. Yea which is more then either when Christ himself had that great promise fulfilled That the Kingdome of Heaven should come with power and was transfigured His face then shined as the Sun That was a glorious day when two Suns shone together But what will that be said famous Mr Bolton when there shall be so many Saints so many Suns There is one glory of the Stars another of the Moon but a far other of the Sun said the Apostle There is one Glory of Saints another of Angels but another far greater of this Sun Moses had much glory in his countenance such as Israel could not behold til his Vaile was on but he needeth a Vaile when he comes into the presence of this Sun to hide his defects Solomons glory was such that the fame astonished a Queen but the â—ight dazeled and struck her dead There was no more spirit in her it is said Angels have a far greater measure of glory Daniel the greatly beloved Prophet and Mary the greatly beloved Virgin could not stand before it He fainted she feared But Christ is above all Thus saith the Lord the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One to him whom man despâ—seth to him whom the Nation abhorreth to a servant of Rulers Kings shall see and arise Princes also shal worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the Holy Ore of of Israel and he shall chuse thee Yea the Angels themselves cover not their feet only but their faces when they come before Christ. The Sun is exceeding glorious though it dwelleth in that Light accessible so that his glory doth superare visum our eye is so weak we cannot see and see but Christ who dwelleth in that Light Inaccessible his glory doth superare Intellectum we cannot see and live 1. Therefore admire and adore this glorious Sun of righteousnesse This is no creature worship to worship Christ it is the Fathers wil the same Divine Honour should be given to the Son as to himself Worshâ—p this Rising this Warming this Healing Sun Angels Principalities and Powers stoop and submit themselves to him Do to Christ as the Philosopher who viewed and gazed on the Sun as long as he was able then not able to comprehend his glory could have wish'd himself with the Sun that he might know it perfectly If Erastus was so in love with Learning that he could gladly have dyed to have his questions resolved which he could not satisfie himself in Why should not the Christian desire to be with Christ in whom though he doth believe and joy with joy unspeakable and glorious yet hath he never seen him nor can he know him as he is 1 Pet. 1. 8. 2. Pry not then into the Ark nor presse beyond those bounds set us below at the foot of the Mount to comprehend those unconceivable mysteries of Christ his Deity Personality Hypostatical Union which the busie wits of the world studying to reach by their humane reason have fallen into the most monstrous heresies of the world Faith must begin where Reason ends What vessel can contain the Sea or what visible eye can see â—n â—nvisible Deity The Suns beams in reflection are delightfull but the Sun directly looked upon doth blind thee it must be an Eagle-eye can endure it It is no wonder
cannot apprehend thee do thou comprehend me The childs little arms cannot clasp about the Father yet the fathers do embâ—ace his childs nevertheless Oh Lord I am shut up I cannot come forth to thee when doors are shut but thou couldst come in to thy Disciples when all doors were shut Thou hast wings and canst come swiftly make no tarrying O my God The Chariots of the Sun tarry not beyond the appointed hour Lord Why are the wheeles of thy Chariot so slow If it be paved with Love O that it were driven or drawen by Love that it might move more swiftly The Sun with his wings flies not only over Rocks and Mountaines but over Seas and Lands without any labour Why art thou so far off O Lord and standest as a mighty man astonied that cannot save Lord why is light given to him that is in misery if I may not see the light of thy countenance to lessen my misery Why do I behold the Sun if I may not behold the Sun of Righteousness How sad is it to see day abroad and night within all light on earth all dark in Heaven Take away thy Sun rather then thy favor my life rather then thy light which is better then life If I may not see the Kings face any Exile had been better If I may not have thy presence any wilderness is good enough to mourn in Thou hast stricken me down as thou didst Saul and I am stricken blind but wilt thou neither thy self tell me what thou wouldst have me do nor send some Ananias to me Thou hast shut me up in unbelief but wilt not thou open the Prison doors that the ransomed of the Lord may come forth with joy on his head that his sighing and mourning may flee away It was said of the worst of Tyrants it can never be said of the God of Mercies This is he that openeth not the house of his prisoners Use those means forementioned attend on preaching prayer reading meditations godly society holy conference on Sabbaths Sacrament dayes Look on thy fleece after thou hast prayed draw up thy net after thou hast cast it forth stir up Faith resigne thy selfe only limit not the Holy One for time way meanes and manner The patient expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever nor shall the long tarrying of God be prolonged for ever Though God never giveth grace for the use of the meanes he usually giveth it in the use of Means CHAP. XXII Of Christ his healing the soul. Diseases of his People WIth healing under his wings Doct. Christ the Sun of Righteousness will not only rise with light to dispel darkness but with healing to remove all the Spiritual Diseases of such as fear God He is the great Physician of bodies as well as soules Hee healed all manner of sicknesse and every Disease among the people But this is to be understood of Spiritual Diseases Christ is not a Natural but Spiritual Sun hath not Natural but Spiritual wings and gives Spiritual health The people of God are as so many impotent persons lying by the pooles side attending on his Ordinances in expectation of cure from Christ. And as the Diseases of the body are many not easily numbred so those of the soul more One is troubled as Peters mother in Law with a Feaver sometimes very cold sometimes a hot fit no even Temper Another hath a withered hand can by no meanes stretch it out to act Faith a third hath an universal Palsie which takes away the use of all his limbs can do nothing to help himself but must be born on other mens shoulders and saved by the communion of Saints another hath by some great fall broken his bones as David and he lyes by it full of aches and complaints another hath a sore rupture in his heart which much torments him another a bloudy issue of foul corruption continually running another sore wounded by falling among Cutters and Robbers another hath a spirit of infirmity which bows him downe to the ground cannot lift up himself to a heavenly conversation another complaines of barrenesse Ordinances have no fruitful efficacy as to him but like the unsavoury waters another of bitternesse Ordinances seeming to be the savour of death to death he fears and causing to miscarry as those waters 2 Kings 2. 19. Another sadly complaines of an universal Cachexia Atrophy and dislike a sad Disease called Non proficiency which is next door to a Consumption of such the Text speaks they shall be healed and then grow as the fatted Calves Another againe complaines he is not one Disease but all Diseases from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot wounds blaynes putryfied sores Totum pro corpore vulnus Christ will undertake the cure of all Many other Diseases there are incident to several Christians But five especially all the people of God are afflicted with 1 They all alike partake of that morbus naturae described by the Prophet borne children of wrath brought into the world naked crying defiled lying in their bloud unable to help themselves uncapable of help from creatures these doth Christ pity to see them dying and saith Live washeth annointeth feedeth closeth nurseth adorneth at last glorifieth them 2. Besides this all the godly are born blind as he John 9. and are not like many other creatures whose young see not for certaine dayes but after that nature gives them sight but we should never see if Christ did not annoint our eyes with his eye-salve 3. After these two are cured all the Elect complaine yet of another the most dangerous disease in the world whereof Pharaoh died without remedy and Nabal without sense the Stone the Stone of the heart worse then that in the rains or bladder which Nature may expell or Art may cure but nothing will help here but manus Christi He quite taketh away the stone and filleth it up with flesh 4 After he is cured of this every child of God comes to be stricken and sick of the Plague the worst Disease in his heart the worst place a painful killing tormenting Disease and besides infectious The Plague infects the breath sweat urine cup dish so this plague of heart infects all our duties acts desires Sacramental Cup and Bread Every one hath his plague in his heart and when he seeth it and cryeth â—ut to Christ he will cure it This all the Godly have but it ripens breaks runs and none dye of it The wicked have taken the like Infection but it lyes within them never breaks to put them to that paine but they irrecoverably dye of it 5 After this there is another Disease still whereto all the godly are subject the Falling sickness ever since that fowle fall of our Parents As Mephibosheth and his nurse fell together and he lame all his life after We
dismounted and throwne beside his confidence and fighting on his knees overcomes his enemy Pride is such a wild Beast and such an enemy to Grace that God leaves the Canaanite within us to learn us war that it should not rise up against us to destroy us As the wise Physician leaves his Patient to conflict with a lesse distemper to break the force of a mortal Disease Object But I have had stronger and more stirring desires formerly I am cold and flat to what I was is not this a decay Answ 1 There are at first legal stirrings raised from the Lawes terrors and heightned by the quicknesse and sharpnesse of strong convictions which gall and wound the conscience such a one is as on a Rack he roars cryes out takes on he hath drops of Gods wrath falling on him which puts him into a flame as one in a feaver who cryes out Drink drink This is a diseased not right thirst And there are Evangelical stirrings and desires begotten by the Spirit raised by the Gospel cherished by the Promise These are not so loud turbulent make not like noise but argue more grace The former said Give me ease I am sick I am damned give me a pardon or I dye This saith Give me grace let me have Christ let me be renewed or I dy There was more of selfe-love in those first desires more of love to God in these 2 Hast thou not 1. Bemoyled and bemired thy selfe with the world We cannnot both prize Christ and Mammon grow in Grace and Wealth The stomack that feeds on coals and ashes and such trash must needs forsake his meat 2 Or hath not spiritual pride given thee a fall Thou seest not that need of dependance on God use of Ordinances frequency of Duties but art in conceit above all Take away the wood the fire goes out 3 Happly thou hast obtained thy desire Why should the Sponse seek fear be so solicitous when she hath found her Beloved as when she mist him Shall the children of the Bride-chamber mourn when the Bridegroom is with them Say to thy soul Now return to thy rest The Flouds stop their course when come to the Sea The stone rests when at the center Hope deferred makes heart sicl desire obtained is a tree of life A poor man condemned to dy falls down intreats weeps cryes out for his life it is granted he kisseth the pardon blesseth the Prince thanketh his friends he leaps joyes praiseth God A Month after this man is not so full of joy or grief or care yet his life is as dear to him as ever it was 4 Thou hast more work to do then thou couldest apprehend Thy desires are divided into many streames which then were confined to one object Then thou more earnestly thirstedst after knowledge prayedst more for pardon now more for a broken heart Increase of Faith power against this Lust skil to manage this calling that business and to look to the whole charge of God and the whole Armour of a Christian. One work in hand goes on faster but when wee must use the Sword and Trowel fight and build this Church work goes slowly an end Object 3. But my desires are not uniform equal sometimes up sometimes down I know not what to think on it Resp. This may bee and yet all well 1 This may come from the different actings and assistance of the Spirit which is a free Agent as the wind blowes sometimes higher then the Ship moves faster The Spirit is not as fire or other natural Agents which alway act to the utmost of their activity fire burns as much as it can at all times The Spirit not so but as it pleaseth When the Spirit moved the wheels they moved when it stood they stood When the Spirit of God came upon Samson he was more then a man when the Spirit departed he became like another man 2 Faith acts differently and the Affections are raised or abated according to the actings of Faith The more faith is acted in the perswasion of the love of God the more thou lovest prayest obeyest c. 3 Thy mind is better prepared by spiritual Meditation therefore thou art more affected at another time thou hast slackned thy thoughts and thou art more dull 4 Is not thy body or mind distempered with melancholy This makes thee as blind Samson to the Philistins sport for Satan Luther was wont to call the melancholy head the Divels bath where he could cool and refresh himselfe There are two sights which above all other please Satan 1. To see a wicked man merry 2. A godly man sad He reckons himselfe sure of both when he seeth them thus Object But I find those corruptions in my heart which I never suspected what a sad growth is this Answ. As the day lengthens the cold strengthens When thou wast alive without the Law and thy sins thou wast dead really when sin revives thou art alive As sin reigned unto death so grace by righteousness reigneth to eternal life There may be these two opposite Kings in one Kingdome reigning sin or raging rather and Grace reigning death and life reigning sin and death reigne in thy apprehension Grace and life in Gods intention Where sin aboundeth most Grace aboundeth the more in one sense that is Grace is seen and set out the more to pardon so much sin So in another sense it is as true where Grace abounds most sin abounds the more in making opposition so new so great so strange against Grace Doubtlesse the greatest Scholers have the greatest Doubts and Objections which they cannot answer and the highest Saints have the sorest temptations The more the Spirit lusteth against the flesh the more the flesh lusteth against the Spirit But what doth thy resisting of sin lamenting for it watching and praying against it signifie but that thou art fighting the Lords battles and thou must never think of putting off thy harnesse till death There is no triumphant Church on earth all the Saints are militant We must not look to see the Egyptians drowned till we are on the other side the red sea It is enough if the Lord keep a distance between them and us here that they may not come so neer as to overcome us though in continual sight to terrifie us Sin hath received his deaths wound by Christ his death and the Law of the spirit of life in Jesus Christ but in the grave it is not on the Crosse it is but it is long a dying as if it had nine lives as we say the legs and armes of it are broken it can never come downe it is fast nayled to rule over thee dying it is not dead but shortly what is now dying thou shall see dead and what now thou seest on the Cross thou shalt see in his grave when sin and death and hell shal be cast into the lake of fire All swallowed up in victory Lastly This and all the other