Virgins chearful and smiling upon each other to teach that kindnesses must flow without fraud with a candid Rom. 12.8 simple and delightful spirit Yea Holy Page recommends it when done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with singleness of heart with a generous frame casting no squint-eye or nourishing any base aim either to elevate the crest of pride or debase others into servile offices And this deportment ingenerâ—tes a sweet temper in the Hearts of Receivers Love is the Cement of the Universe and humanity is twisted into unity by kindness and concord Vertuous Heathens numbred the graces among their Deities noting it for a Species of Sacrilege not to return Favours with an aimiable Gratitude The Dispenser of Love should have a slippery memory but the Recipient should engrave it on Pillars of Marble and Pyramids of Brass The Giver should shut his Eyes when he opens his Hand Dissimulation without blame to chear an unknown person or to hide his knowledge Prov. 19.17 such a one lends to the Lord and makes Heaven his Debtor and surely there is Treasure enough to requite him while he that accepts gratefully makes God his Pay-master by Prayer If by giving we expect returns we fit like Publicans at the Receipt of Custom and give to our selves what we pay to others Self-love is never truly magnificent To pour out benefits upon persons unknown or unable to return shews delight in bounty and the pleasure of Love to see such walk at liberty whose Iron bands we have unloosed incognito A liberal man deviseth liberal things like a Prince Is 32.8 and seeks out Objects to exercise friendship that so great a Grace may never lye idle A brave Spirit judges he receives the kindness which he bestows as M. Antony said Whatever I give that I have The Europaeans purchase whole Territories with a few Beads Knives and Hammers of the naked Indians much more happy who gain an Eternal Inheritance by a few Penies Such a one bestows himself whose Coyn comes warm from the Mint of his Heart and shall be melted into a Crown of Life He that seeks a debtor does but drive a Trade hearkens to the promise because of payment He gives proudly and worships his own ambition and sacrifices to the Drag of Covetousness He deals a Loaf but full of Grits to break the teeth and a Scorpion instead of Fish to sting the Stomach Be kind to such as are hoising sail to the Indies and send precious Cordials to such as swelter under incurable maladies or those that hold out their needy hands in a dusky even Scatter your morsels to them that come from far in a Pilgrims Habit and a transient Staff Heb. 13.2 and so entertain Angels at unawares 'T is the ready way to find Treasure Trove to enjoy plentiful Crops rain'd down from Heaven and Ships blest into the Ports from Storms and Pyrats Others spend their unsanctified returns in vanities while the bowels of Saints almost cleave to their Backs and the next year their credit sinks at Land and their ships at Sea or find the way to the French Harbors while others sail in safe by the breath of Prayer We may stand in need of the meanest before the Sun shines again from the Northern Tropick and those that scrape in dunghills and rake for Nails in Chapels may ride in pomp upon Velvet Sadles before twelve Moons be wained The Old Man of Winchester found it by experience being cast into the depth of poverty by one whom he had opprest in youth Haman may climb the Tree of Justice though planted for Mordecay and blind Sampson may see well enough to pull down a Play-house upon 2000 Philistins Who knows what evil may thunder upon the Earth and where the Bolt may hit A scoffing Noble was trod to death in the Gate of Samaria 2 K. 7.29 who had mock'd a Prophet and jeered at the Windows of Heaven but a day before Cast your Bread upon the sliding waters Eccl. 11.1 which though swallowed in the Sea return through the Caverns of the Earth into the same River after many days A prudent man foresees the evil and flies into the Temple of Charity and there meditates upon both fortunes He reaps at present the plentiful crops of Peace in the Champain of a good Conscience and makes a continual Feast to himself upon the dones let fall to others He that gives to Princes and rich Equalls Prov. 22.16 may come to poverty by out-vying Such as expect returns are like Merchants in the Port Physicians in Cities and Victuallers is in Camps and such as sun their Fancies in the Usurers Walks They are Traffickers and not Benefactors and are often out-witted by Expert Sophisters who are wonderful officious in hopes of gain Like Crows that fit kawing upon an old stump watch dying Cattel with much ceremony and with fawning flatteries hop about them till they pick out their Eyes But whatever be the frame of the Givers Spirit the Receiver must not pry too narrowly into the Patrons Conscience but make his kindness the seed-plot of renown Happy are those Noble Souls who so give as to stir up a sweet memorial before God and man The amiable frame of the Giver out shines the Gift it self and cherishes Gratitude in the leanest Soil Praise is comely for Saints Ps 33.1 2 Sam. 24.23 Mat. 5.45 especially when men with Ornan give like Princes when Jebusites act like Israelites or like God himself whose Sun warms the House of the Evil and his Rain pours down upon the Field of the Wicked It becomes us to let God hear from us when we hear from him and all his Mercies to turn into Sacrifices A thankful Spirit is like a Musical Echo in the Star-chamber of Heaven Man must not only be a Concha but a Canalis Bernard not a Shell to retain but a Chanel to derive mercies Like marble Basons at Fountains when full run over to others and water the parched Plains Our Corn-fields must grow for the Poor and the Levite Deut. 12.18 19.14.27 29.16.11 14. as well as to swell our barns and cram our Garners that others hearts and faces may shine with the Oil of Joy and Thankfulness both to God and us That like the cheared Lark when enlivened by morning warmth mounts up with singing out of our sight towards the Suns Chariot and thanks him with a Sonnet and makes him rejoyce to run his Race We should learn his Lesson and praise the Fountain of Israels mercies at the dawning day Scruple not to leave the Rosy-finger'd Morn abed in Tithonus Arms. Leave the Sun a Sluggard sweating in the watry Embraces of the Eastern Ocean We need not the glittering Lamp of Venus to find out the Palace or knock at the Gate of Heaven The blessing of former the sense of present and the hope of future Mercies should all inflame us Our Souls from experienced observations of former Mercies like expert Astronomers
tire their Pens to inforce particular Duties That one Topick of Paul suffices us 2 Cor. 5.14 The Love of Christ constraineth me That love which is called by Solomon Cant. 8.6 the Flame of God I shall enlarge no further than a few points from these 3 Springs of consideration Whence we are what we are doing and whether tending 1. We came say some from the red clay in the Valley of Damascus and tend toward the pale earth in the caves of Hebron Nay we crept out of the bosom of nothing are less than nothing and vanity to compare with the Holy one that form'd us Is 40.17 and are able to do nothing without his Aid in whom we live move and have our being Act. 17.28 and shall such nothings be proud of any thing What have we that is not received and what 's received must be returned to the account of the Heavenly Donor in Joy and Praise 2. We are the Pictures of Old Adam drawn to the life by the Pencil of Satan and sin is inspired into us by his venemous breath and inflam'd to lust after every red-cheek'd apple of Sodom proud of every Fig-leaf and jet it about in Aprons made of the skins of Sacrifices sporting in our own shame cast down at the wagging of every Leaf Guilt makes us tremble at every bush Rejoyce not spiritually in any mercies can neither act good nor bear evil stumble at straws and shrink at every silly taunt against God and Holiness quake at the loss of a few shillings for any pure Ordinance or truth of Christ O miserable Man who shall deliver us Had not the Day-spring from on high visited us we had sunk into the bottom of wo and misery 3. We are passing creatures and whether tend all our glittering shows but to dust and rotteness The Scheme and Pageantry of this World it whirls away in a moment and at judgement are stript of all but shame and confusion what should puff us up and blow this bladder of pride which is prickt with the least pin of Divine displeasure and we vanish away Let 's admire and adore free grace that hath opened a way through the blood of sprinkling into the Holy of Holies and always contemplate and apply the magnificent Gift of Righteousness which infinite Love hath consigned to us that Mercy and Truth may follow us all our days Ps 23.6 and we dwell in the House of the Lord for ever CHAP. VII The honourable Duty of Gratitude GOD is the Supreme Lord Paramount of Heaven and Earth and therefore the highest Homage is due to his Name All Rivers spring from and swim into the bosom of the Ocean The Sun-beams reflect from the Earth to the Sun again Fragrant Flowers perfume the sweet Air which opens them All must be received with thanksgiving and being thus sanctified prove double Mercies Every enjoyment must turn to improvement our comforts must be exalted into helps the Viatica and Supports of our Pilgrimage while Travelling with Peace-Offerings towards Zion We must prevent God by early Praise as well as Prayer Ps 57.8 Ps 60.10.119.147 The God of my Mercy shall prevent me sings David and every Child of David must prevent God again with his Songs Jehosaphat delighted God with Instruments of Musick before his Deliverance 1 Chron. 20.21 Faith must tune an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Psalm of Victory before the Triumph Praise is the ingenious Mother of future mercies As the Virgin Mary sang at Hebron before the birth of her Son at Bethlehem Luk. 1.46 O Heavenly Contention between Mercy and Duty The Eye of Man has a Musclè which Anatomists call the Levator to help him to look up to Heaven A grateful Muscle Unthankful persons cut out that excellent Organ and corrupt the Chrystalline humour of their memories by tears and poring too much downward upon their Afflictions Many mens mercies through ill digestion ferment into Bane and Poyson Zwelser Append. ad Animadvers Fol. 1667. p. 67. As the learned Zwelfer late Physician to the Emperour Leopold tells us of a Noble German almost slain by the powders of Pearl Coral and other Cordial Species that which should have cherisht his Spirits wrought towards a dry Consumption Many like Jesurun wax fat with mercies and grow lean in praises and kick with that strength which mercy gives them and trample on those bowels that rowl towards them like great mens stomachs surcharged with dainty viands grow sick and squeezy over-eat their appetite and confound concoction with various mixtures of flesh fish luxurious Sauces then complain of splenetick fumes and flushes Like Israel quarrel at Quails and make light at Manna while qualms and maukish flegm and bitter choller flings up from their Hearts Ungrateful persons are the Grave of mercies and often cast up their rotten matter It 's an Argument of a vitious stomach to turn wholesome food into sower humours Borrichus de Aegypt p. 282. Fol. 14. p. 239. Hermes after wine took a grain of Mastick or Frankincense to hinder its coagulation into Tartar And Arnoldns orders Bdellium to be taken with Scammony to preserve the bowels from Ulcers After Kindnesses we should take in Medicines against Ingratitude There be many black instances of this base and degenerous Temper Aristotle hath many a sinister bend in his Infamous Scutcheon pourtrayed by Borrichius but for three most memorable in betraying Stagira his Native City in scorning at Plato his excellent Tutor and for dipping his finger in a design of poysoning Alexander his munificent Prince Another was that of the lean and pale Brutus Sueton. in Caesar c. 92. Plut. to whom being found among the bloody Conspiratours in the Senate-house Caesar replyed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What thou among them What thou my Son Being deemed his natural Off spring by Servilia the Sister of Cato A third may be that Nobleman Wigandus in praefat ad Herb. Borussiae who being near death by a dangerous bleeding at nose was cured with the bloud red Burnet by a German Doctor but denyed him his Reward because the Herb was found neer his own Palace Were not others of a more noble genius it might shrink beneficence into a Mushrome and blast the Flower of Love with a nitrous East Wind into the Dust Such wretches are like the beastly Capraemulgi in Aelian Aelian de animal l. c. 39. that suck the poor Goats and by their venemous mouths shrivel and dry up their Udders that they never give milk more Impudence is the Fruit of Ingratitude and genders to all manner of lewdness Gratitude is a high piece of justice and feasts the owner with a joyful Conscience A thankful and cheerful person walk together and is a grand Ornament to his profession The three Graces tread their measures before his door in Crowns of Myrtle Chartarius Imag. Deorum p. 336. They were formed by Ancient Statuaries in shape of naked
insist here nor hint about the Earth that the very Soyl where Corn grows gives a various Tincture to it and makes some more wholesome than others as may be considered in reference to Grain produced in Mineral Countries Should I amplify about Waters Water it might over-flow a Volume But this Element being truly Terra fluens Earth in Flux is impregnated with the various Salts and Sulfurs that it finds in the bellies of those mountains whence discharg'd and in the Chanels of those Champions where it sports and plays in curious Maeanders and pleasant Turnings And therefore according to its differing imbibitions is sometimes wholsom and often pernicious to humane bodies Schoockius de cerevisia Bochart de animal par 1. p. 292. 2 Kin. 2.19 Untzer p. 967. Willis Henr. de Rochas and hence 't is of great concern in Brewing and all Offices of the Kitchen For instance The Waters about Jericho were naught causing Women to miscarry The Waters among the Alps procure the Kings Evil. The Water of the River Po breeds the Stone Those at Watford in Northamptonshire make men bald at 30 and those at Carleton in Leicestershire induce a wharling in the Throat Veget. de remilit l. 3. c. 2. Juvenal sat 13. v. 161. and generally the stagnant corrupt Waters of Fennes are dangerous by naughty Ferments for the Pestilence Such as are taken up at Fountains are replenish'd with the Atoms of that Earth whence they spring and such as are near great Cities are not so wholesome especially when convey'd home by Leaden Pipes and landed and kept in Cisterns of the same Metal Plin. l. 31. c. 7. Vitruv. Lang. Ep. Albert. de Met. l. 3. c. 4. Majer Symbol p. 494. as Pliny Vitruvius Albertus Magnus Langius Majerus and other of the Learned have observ'd that Griping of the Guts Bloody Fluxes and Kings Evil are tormenting Diseases to such Inhabitants which I could wish were attended by the worthy Citizens of London my dear native City If the Earth and Water minister so many inconveniencies to the prosperous Health of Man Air. how can the Air be free which is always fill'd with Vapours and Steams from both Whence some Solutions may arise to the questions about the various Products of different Winds blowing from the Horizon Why the Nitre of the North makes the Air so bitter and the Sulfur of the South so contagious Why the East so parching and blasting being mixt with mineral Atoms from the Mountains of Germany Hungary and Thrace and in Jewry from the Mine Hills of Arabia though there may be other latent Causes intermixt Are not some places noxious to the Brain by vegetable Fumes as Arbours of Night shade Walks of Walnut and Woods of Box Nay do not many Animals where frequent infect the Air as Naturalists have observed and to name but one for warning sake Arnold It 's noted by Arnoldus out of Avenzoar that the continual usage of Cats is so unwholesome to the Body of Man that it often produces the Phthisick and Consumption of the Lungs And so do many Learned Physicians testifie by experience In Ramsey of Poysons But to hasten Fire it may not be unfit to observe that the Air may be much impaired as to wholesomeness by the very culinary Fires which we use where scarcity of Trees forces many to use dryed Cow-dung Turff Peat Seacoal and Canol instead of Wood. The crude Sulfur Arsenical Fumes that fill the Air of our city are doubtless great causes of the multitudes of Consumptions within those Walls by drawing so constantly those corroding Fumes into the Lungs Not to mention that the very Body may be much molested by Itches and Scabs in sitting by Seacoal Fires Arnold siquis p. 64. b. and the very Meat that 's roasted and Beer warmed by them is not so wholesome Bacon Nat. Hist p. 202. Let the Learned Bacon vouch my fears who affirms that the vapors of Seacoal as well as Charcoal in a close Room hath killed many and stealing in by little and little induces only faintness without any manifest strangling And to this I can attest with great thankfulness for my deliverance being forced to sit in a close Room for a long time in a late Winter and found evident recovery by change of Fuel O what cause have we to magnifie the Name of God for the sweet Air we breath in and to sweeten it more with the Musick of our Praises and that all within us should bless his Holy Name That every Western Wind with its fresh and wholesome Gales should open the Flowers of Thankfulness that every sense and all their Organs that every Nerve should strive to string the Harp of Praise Ps 139.4 not a thought in our Heart or word in our Mouth but should be known to him altogether in the Echoings and Resoundings of his Gloey That our Spiriturl Senses should be ever exercised in making him their lovely Object Heb. 5.14 and his Holy Bosom the Center of all their Songs Shall the Holy Psalmist lead the Quire Praise him all his Angels and all his Hosts Ps 148.1 Praise him Sun and Moon with all the Stars of light The Heaven of Heavens and the Waters above the Heavens The Dragons and all Deeps Fire and Hail Snow and Vapor Stormy Wind fulfilling his Word of command Mountains and all Hills Fruitful Trees and all Cedars Beasts and all Cattel creeping Insects and flying Fowl Kings of the Earth and all People Princes and all Judges Young Men and Maidens Old men and Children Praise ye the Name of the Lord for his Name is alone excellent his Glory is above Earth and Heaven Let every bright Lamp of the Firmament prove a falling Star and worship at his Footstool Let the cold Influences of the Moon wax warm with motion in the Chariot of Praise upon the mighty Waters Let the healing Balsam of the Sun which cherishes the surface of the Earth its Inhabitants from Pole to Pole inflame every living Creature with his Glory Let the Sea roar and the fulness thereof Let every River wash the Pavement of his Temple Ezek. 47.1 and run under the Threshold of his Sanctuary Let the savage Lions hasten and the ravenous Eagles fly to his Altar and pant to expire in its Flames Let all the Spices of India and Arabia perfume the Mansion of his Honour Let all Minerals Rocks and Mountains pour out streams of Oil to attend his Sacrifice Let all the Vines of Lebanon Eschcol and Sibmah thirst to empty their blood-red Liquor for Drink-offerings Let mighty Aetna Vesuvius and Hecla cast up their flaming Bowels upon his Hearth in Zion Isa 31.9 and turn all his Sacrifices into ashes Let his Priests be clothed with Salvation and his Saints sing aloud for joy for the Lord reigneth Let the whole Earth rejoyce and the multitude of Isles be glad thereof Let the Holy Angels answer from Heaven with
' Ελεοθζιαμβοσ ' ' Or the Triumph of Mercy In the Chariot of Praise A TREATISE OF Preventing secret and unexpected Mercies with some mixt Reflexions Psal 21.3 Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness LONDON Printed for John Hancock at the three Bibles in Popes-head Alley in Cornhill 1677. To the unknown Dispenser of a considerable Kindness on Thursday Febr. 4. 1674. Honoured Sir WHen I lay faint and weak in my bed under a dispiriting and wasting Distemper of the Yellow Jaundies by the holy dispensation of the all-wise God an unknown Messenger comes from an unknown Benefactor with a Token of value who determined that his left hand should not discern what his right hand did Mat. 6.3 but the Eye of God saw both Though Sir my Tongue as yet hath not found you out yet I hope my Pen may reach you Should I never arise to that happy Cognizance yet I could not suffer your kindness to lie hid under the clods of ingratitude but heartily return a publick Testimony by these Papers which I have enjoyned the duty of diligent searching out the path to the same hands and to kiss them in the dark by a private reception Aelian reports of Democritus that great Thracian Philosopher 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That he most earnestly coveted to lie hid though a great Benefactor to the world by his learned Studies You have traced his foot-steps in trampling-upon the airy bubble of vain glory desiring to be good rather then seem to be so Kindnesses done to others with a single Eye to God are consecrated into Free-will-offerings For with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 Lamprid. in Sever. Lug. B. p. 378. Alexander Sever the Roman Emperour when an Embassadour had presented his Empress with Two Oriental Pearls of price invaluable caused her to dedicate them to the Temple and Statue of Venus judging the too splendid to hang in the Ears of Mortals Happy persons that present of their gain and substance to the God of the whole Earth Mic. 4.13 Cold water in the name of a Disciple shall be warm'd at the Hearth in Zion and run to account Nay it will turn into a more precious Liquor then Gold potable and prove more Cordial then all Earthly Treasure Suidas relates Suid. p. 1197. That Hercules us'd to succour the oppressed before he was entreated and being of a generous temper wrencht the three Apples of Anger Pleasure and Covetousness from the mouth of the Dragon of Lust to intimate that no covetous man can be truly beneficent or noble minded especially to relieve the indigent with unexpected kindness and to reap no harvest but the satiating of an enlarged heart Upton de milit offic p. 172. like the Princely Eagle that disdains to eat of his prey alone Though kindnesses are to be given freely and not put to the usury of return either by open praise or secret requital yet who will plow upon the rocks or scatter his precious seed upon the sands The whole circle of Nature teaches the duty of Gratitude The wise Athenians enacted a Law Valer. max. l. 5. c. 3. â—hat ungratefulness should bear an action in their Courts and the Roman state made a Decree that Women should take the upper hand in streets because two Noble Matrons had prevail'd with Coriolanus their Son and Husband not to invade their City From whom during their abode in Britain it 's likely that Custom might be deriv'd to us To contract Let this little Treatise be hung up like a votive Table in the Temple of praise and your Honourable Name be engraven on the bowls of the Altar Acts 10.4 when your Prayers and Alms rise up like Incense for a memorial before God If any demand why these Characters came in so late for Sculpture upon the Marble Pillars Know that some showers and storms of afflictive providence from Heaven detain'd the Votary If others of uncandid breasts doom these Lines precarious I hope I may safely reply they are of a more generous Off-spring and like the Lark which sings praises in a May morning flies up towards Heaven disregarding tatling Travellers Their vitious breath like that of Cats brings Hecticks to such as hug them and distills corrosive Salt upon their own Lungs The cheerful Rose with a ruddy blush smells sweetly among the prickles of Envy and much sweeter when set among rank Onions I know not your Noble Personage nor can divine whether my Pen be pluck'd from so dextrous a wing as to fly to your bounteous bosom and utter complaints how I have weltred in the shame of silence I bless God 't was a seasonable mercy and I trust some secret mercy of more inestimable value will in due time find you out I magnifie God Prov. 30.8 I am in Agurs station and for those that have strengthned it to help some charge I beg the blessings of the God of Jabez 1 Chron. 4.10 enlarging my grateful thoughts towards the Heavenly Mansions and as the Speakers before the Conference in Plato's Timaeus went to prayer so let this Preface lift up its hand toward his Holy Temple That the scent of your name may be fragrant as the Field which the Lord hath blessed Gen. 27.27 Eccl. 9.8 That your Head may lack no Oyntment and your Garments be always white and odoriferous taken out of Cedar Chests of the growth of Lebanon Num. 24.6 That the perfuming Trees of Lignaloes of the Lords planting may grow thick and shady about your Tabernacle as in their native and genuine Soil That the Spices of Eden and the Heavenly Indies and Diamonds more orient then those of Borneo may lade your Vessels That a greater then Solomon even the true proprietor of the Isle of Ceylon the ancient Ophir would invest your Soul with Faith Psal 45.9 Rev. 3.18 that true cloth of Gold with the meekness of our blessed Saviour more soft then the Oyls of Zant or the Silks of Smyrna That your hopes of Glory may flower more pleasant and lovely then the beautiful Blossoms of the Pistachia in the Gardens of Syria and send them as experienced Tokens to your Children as holy Jacob did to his beloved Joseph Gen. 43.11 Rev. 2.8 That the first and last who was dead and is alive would wreath your Temples with a Crown of Life and keep you from hurt by the second death That the wealth of the Terra Incognita the Land of Promise may be your inheritance so little known to rambling Mortals that pant after the dust of Aegypt Suid. in Dioclet That the fatness of Heaven may drop down upon your heart Deut. 33.13 c. the dew and the deep which coucheth beneath may run by your roots the precious fruits thrust forth by the Sun and Moon and the chief things of the Eastern Mountains and the choice things of the lasting Hills and the costly things of the Earth and its fulness from every
and a Worm sent to gnaw at the Root of their Substance Many blustering Storms split carnal hopes that in broken planks of mercy they may recover the port of happiness The Paths of Mercy are wonderfully intricate that we may study and learn to discry the windings of Providence God led his people by a right or straight way says David but in a very crooked and winding way according to the Stations set down by Moses Ps 107.7 The cloudy Pillar gave them many a weary turn to chastize their crooked hearts Their Journey took them up 40 years which might have been performed in passing over but 92 Miles from the Border of Egypt to the Southern City of Canaan For Pelusium or Sin in the Land of Sinim the last City of Aegypt was distant but 92 Miles from Rhinocurura or Nahalmizraim Is 27.12 the first City of Canaan on the brook in the South of Simeons Tribe called the River of Aegypt in Scripture as appears by the Itinerary of Antonine the Emperour which at 10 Miles a day considering so vast a multitude makes but 9 days journey to arrive at the Land of Promise Yet in what vast wandrings to and fro in that howling Wilderness did they rowl about Four several times they were commanded to turn about First Exod. 14.2 Numb 33.7 Numb 14.25 Deut. 1.40 Deut. 2.3 Numb 14.34 from Etham to Pihahiroth Secondly from Mount Horeb to the Mount of the Amorites Thirdly from Zinkadesh by the Amorite Mountains quite back again to the Red Sea And Fourthly from the Red Sea northward again besides other Special Turns according to the various Stations in the Wilderness to bear their Iniquities and know Gods Breach of Promise which though failing to them that believed not and so first brake with him yet was fulfilled to a tittle with their Children whom the murmuring Fathers had consigned to be a prey in the Desert The posterity of those Repiners were taught better manners by the Briars and Thorns of Sinai We never carve well for our selves when we snuff at the portion cut out to us by the Hand of God The way to our old Lovers is hedg'd up with merciful thorns to turn us into the right way to the new Jerusalem Austin Confes l. 9. c. 9. Austin says of his Mother Monica She had learn'd the Lesson of a Vertuous Wife not to resist her offended Husband Non tantùm factor sed nè verbo quidem Not by an unseemly word much less in carriages How much more obsequious behaviour owe we to the Father of our Spirits that we may live in his love and to that Heavenly Husband of all gracious and meek Souls to gain his delight in our persons by resembling himself Then out of seeming discouragements we may draw real and experienced comforts Is 12.3 and out of the deep Wells of trouble the Waters of Salvation and Joy As the Woman of Canaan by our Lords calling her a Dog to try her Faith proved her self to be one of the lost Sheep of the true Israel which he came down to find We must behave and quiet our selves like weaned Children under all Ps 131.2 the tossings and tumblings of their Mothers Holy contentation and lowliness of Spirit must hush all the proud whimperings of our minds in the hour of Trial till we become like little Children if we would enter the Kingdom of Heaven Jacob served for a Wife Hos 12.12 and for a Wife kept Sheep in Aram says the Prophet though by an unkind brother was frighted thither and by an hard Uncle was hurried back by untoward Children forced from Shechem and by a threatning famine compelled into Aegypt and all to this end that God might nourish the People of Shem in the Land of Ham to prepare them for the Milk and Honey of the Land of Canaan at that time the possession of Ham's Posterity God glorifies many an Attribute in one single Mercy and teaches us to pry into every one and to gaze upon the Lustre and Tapestry-work of all his Mercies Though God is never the holier or wiser more powerful or just by our glorifying his Name Joh 25.6 yet 't is our duty and his tribute our homage and his condescending savour to accept it The 3 glorious persons did glorifie each other before all worlds and do still The Son was always rejoycing before the Father Prov. 8.30 The Son prays Father glorifie thy Name and a Voice from Heaven answers Joh. 12.28 I have both glorified it and Will glorifie it again And the Son prays Joh. 17.5 That the Father would glorifie him with that Glory which he had with him before the World was And speaking of the Holy Spirit he saith He shall glorifie me Joh. 16.14 yet he is pleased to set forth his Name that we should ascribe the Honour due to it Ps 29.2 Ps 50.23 He that offers praise glorifies him To this end ought we to observe what wisdom shines in contrivement what power in management against all opposition and what mercy in finishing and landing such a Favour in our Bosoms So that when we little dream such an Affair can come to pass it suddenly surprizes us with admiration and astonishment by unspeakable Mazes and winding Labyrinths without our trouble that as we now stand still and see his Salvation so we may all our lives sit still and solace our Spirits with the curious Embroidery of Divine Providence We may say as Naomy to Ruth about Boaz Ruth 3.18 Sit still for the man will not be at rest till he finish the thing this day Resignation of our concerns to the Wisdom of God should cure all anxious and querulous thoughts about Events and Issues If God design such a Mercy all the Powers on Earth cannot hinder it and if it be against his secret Will all the Princes on Earth cannot further it Yea if never so near to attainment yet a trifling surmise shall blast it Follow the conduct of Providence by the Lamp of the Word and this Ariadnes's Thread will lead through all secret and dark turnings into the pleasant Fields of Enjoyment This consideration as it should stay our Spirits in reference to all outward Mercies so more especially as to eternal Where Election hath pitch'd an eye of Love the Hand of Mercy will certainly guide to Heaven If an elect Vessel could be imagined to be in the centre of the Earth the very Bowels of the Earth should open and a Golden Chain of Mercy be let down to draw up that Soul into the Centre of Heaven I knew a Holy man Mr. Christopher Hewling who living in a profane Village in the Forest of Dean had a Godly Minister sent thither on purpose to convert him as that Reverend person profest himself For he was there but a little time I think about a year and as soon as my Friend was converted the profane people rose up against his Ministry and chased him
of Hony though little Water The French though Papists exprest their affections with briny Tears and beating their famish'd Trunks with loud cries Mon Dicu mon Dicu My God My God Cleanness of Teeth sharpned their Appetites to the Bread of Life At length they kept a Solemn day of Prayer when every day was a continual Fast Duty ended a Lad from the Topmast-head descried a Vessel and Heaven sent a benign Gale which soon brought them together She proved a Bermudas Merchant to their excessive joy which took in Mr. Leverton with his English supplyed the Rochellers wants and so they parted Upon conference the chief Person in the Ship being the Governour of Bermudas tells Mr. Leverton that that their Ship came newly from England and at her arrival fell in between two Rocks To get her off they took out their Guns and heavy Wares The next Tide rises with a violent Storm while most of the Seamen were ashore and hurries them among the liquid Flouds where the French found them on purpose to bring deliverance at the end of prayer After that a fair Gale conducts them safely to Bermudas where they who had embraced the Throne of Grace in their absence with Holy Hands now embrace their Friends with happy Arms and entertain them joyfully who had been both carried out and brought in by Prayer Here we have a French Calm at Sea awakened into a Breeze for a Haven Enjoyment and an English Calm in Haven rouzed into a Storm for Sea-adventures and both excited by Prayer The French have a storm within the Ship though a calm without and the English have a storm without to bring to the former a calm within O the vehement power of Prayer that raises storms quells the boysterous Waves at pleasure Here 's a Ship full of Provision hurried out to the Main to fetch famish'd Orators to the Harbour of Plenty What manner of Man is this Mark 4.41 said the Disciples of our Lord that the Winds and the Sea obey him O invincible Faith O Soveraign and Imperial Prayer that commandest both Calms and Storms Master carest thou not that we perish Mark 4.38 cries Prayer Christ delights to be awakened by his Holy Spouse and lays Storms asleep Christ always sails in the Ship of Prayer and though this Pilot be asleep yet he steers safely he sees the hidden Rocks and secret Shelves and needs no Star nor Compass He knows the Mystery of Longitude and wants no Tables of the four Planets attending Jupiter or the Spots of the Moon or Minute Watches to give the Distance of the first Meridian But who can measure the Length of his Love to the Church Eph. 3.18 or fathom the Depths of his Wisdom in manifestations of his Love He fins the Sails of the Churches Ship with prosperous Gales to bring her into safe Chambers He turns Calms into Storms to obey his Churches cries Ps 107.29 and raises the Waves of the Sea to invert the Psalmist that Saints are glad because of a Storm to bring them to a calm Haven O happy Storms that drive the Saylant Church to Heaven O happy Heaven that enjoys a perpetual an everlasting Calm CHAP. XII The Centemplation Mount or the Permanent Mercies of Heaven MOSES and XERXES took a view of their puissant Armies the first from a Mountain in the Plains of Moab Deut. 3.25 the other in the Plains of Abydus One rejoyced to see the Land of Canaan and the goodly Range of Lebanon extending 40 Miles in length which Israel was now ready to possess The other wept that his burthensom bulk of Barbarous Nations within a 100 Herod l. 7. p. 401. years would raise so many heaps of Bones or tumuli slightly turft over where on Death might stand and blow his Trumpet of Triumph Saints have but Jordans Valley to pass through into Eternal Joys while others wasting their precious time in vaine designs suddenly slip into eternal wo. Saints militant after many a sharp Combat enter victoriously into Paradise And although some may encounter with Fainting Drooping Qualms yea it may be set in a Cloud yet what an extasie of spirit will surprize them who after many Labyrinths and Mazes of trouble unexpectedly enter the ravishing Glories of Heaven The best may labour under fears and tears but one hour there makes amends for all When these Mists will be scattered in that Radiant Morning and all Tears wash'd away in those Rivers of Pleasure which run through the Streets of New Jerusalem Here the Inhabitants of the Earth build plant travel sail and fight upon an Atom The whole World is but an invisible point to the external Convex of Heaven and all its Inhabitants like the small Dust of the Balance Is 40.15 or a drop perishing from the Bucket nay less than nothing less than vanity The smallest Atom that rejoyces in the Sun Beams at a Chamber Window far transcends the whole Globe of Earth and Water if a Man were imagined to stand in one of the fixed Stars it could not be discern'd by the most curious Glasses nay if one stood in the Sun this circumference of about 21000 Miles could not be discovered For if the Sun be about 167 times bigger than this Earth Gassend è Ptol. in Epicur p. 784. as some Astronomers have determined while others enlarge the Suns Diameter to to much vaster extension and yet appears to us not to exceed 32 Minutes of such a Degree whereof 360 measures the Circumambient Line of the Ecliptick being its Race round about the Heavens Then the Earth must needs shrink into the visibility of a few seconds or less Nay more some have conceived by calculation that the whole Orb of the Earth's supposed motion about the Sun who is very probably the Centre of that Planetary Vortex as the Cartesians call it wherein we subsist is but a point to the Systeme or Sphear of the fixed Stars and that if the Earth all its annexed Beings were utterly annihilated it would not be wanted as being comparatively so insiderable a Particle of the Universe Plutarch de placitis l. 2. c. 13. Heraclides and the Pithagoreans held every Star to be a World What a smoak and smother do miserable Mortals raise about a petty Kingdom when Geometrical proportion may prove a Molehill to be vastly more considerable to the earth than the Earth is to the Empyraean Circumference then may an Ant shine upon a straw a more glorious Emperour than we imagine If then the inferiour Pavement of Heaven if the out Offices of the starry Chambers be so magnificent what 's the Chamber of Presence that are those Supercelestial spaces Mat. 13.43 where the Saints shall shine like so many Suns in the Kingdom of their infinitely Blessed Father Let 's a little contemplate the glorious State of the Saints after the Resurrection as far as we with sobriety and submission in this our Valley-state may inquire into those deep
of Gold for Young Men and Women Or the Happiness of being Good betimes 5. A String of Pearls Or the best Things reserved till last 6. The Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod with Sovereign Antidotes against the most miserable Exigents 7. An Ark for all Gods Noahs in a Stormy Day 8. The Crown and Glory of Christianity in 48 Sermons on Heb. 12.14 9. The privy Key of Heaven Or a Discourse of Closet Prayer 10. An Heavenly Cordial for such as have had or escaped the Plague 11. A Cabinet of choice Jewels or a Box of precious Oyntment Containing special Maxims Rules and Directions in order to the clearing up of a Mans Interest in Christ and his Title to all the Glory of another World 12. Londons Lamentations The Godly Mans Ark in several Sermons To which is added Mrs. Moors Evidences for Heaven By Edmund Calamy B. D. at Aldermanbury Christs Communion with his Church Militant By Nicholas Lockyer Sin the Plague of Plagues by Ralph Venning A true Narrative of those two never to be forgotten Deliverances one from the Spanish Invasion in 88 the other from the Hellesh Powder Plot Nov. 5. 1605. By Mr. Sam. Clark The Accurate Accountant or London Merchant Being Instructions for keeping Merchants Accounts By Tho. Brown Accomptant Short Writing the most Easie Exact Lineal and speedy Method that hath ever yet been obtained as thousands in this City and elsewhere can from their own experience testifie By Theophilus Metcalfe Also a Book called a Schoolmaster to it explaining all the Rules thereof A Word of Advice to Saints or a choice Drop of Honey from the Rock Christ A Coppy Book of the Newest and most Vseful Hands with Directions for Spelling and Cyphering Bridges Remains Being eight choice Sermons By the late Reverend Mr. William Bridge of Yarmouth A Disswasive from Conformity to the World Also Gods Severity against Impenitent Sinners By Henry Stubbes Minister of the Gospel Vennings Remains being the substance of many Sermons By Mr. Ralph Venning prepared by himself for the Press a little before his Death The Poor Mans Family book By Richard Baxter Luthers 34 special and choice Sermons Comae Berenicis or the Hairy Comet being a Prognostick of Malignant Influences from the many Blazing Stars wandring in our Horizon Gospel Love Heart Purity and the Flourishing of the Righteous Being the last Sermons of that late Eminent Divine Mr. Joseph Caryl The Young Mans Guide to Blessedness or seasonable Directions for Youth in their unconverted estate By R. Matthew Minister of the Gospel Causa Dei or an Apology for God wherein the Perpetuity of Infernal Torments is evinced and his both Goodness and Justice defended Also the Nature of punishments in general and of Infernal ones in particular displayed by R. Burthogge The Legacy of a Dying Mother to her Mourning Children being the Expiences of Mrs. Susanna Bell Published by Tho. Brooks King James his Counterblast to Tobacco To which is added a Learned Discourse touching Tobacco by Dr. Maynwaring wherein Men may see whether Tobacco be good for them or no. Strength in Weakness being a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Martha Brooks late Wife of Mr. Thomas Brooks Minister of the Gospel To which is added some experiences of the Grace and Dealings of God observed and gathered by a near Relation of the said Mrs. Brooks An Excellent Cathechism by the late Reverend Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs A Discourse of Christs Coming and the Influence which the Expectation thereof hath on all manner of Holy Conversation and Godliness By Theophilus Gale The Shepherds Legacy or forty years experience of the Weather The Young Mans Conflict with and Victory over the Devil by Faith Or a true and perfect Relation of the Experiences of Tho. Powel begun in the fifteenth and continued till the seventeenth year of his Age. Theological Treatises 1. Production of Mans Soul 2. Divine Predestination 3. The True Church Regiment 4. Predictions of Messias 5. Christs two Genelogies 6. The Revelation revealed 7. Christs Millenary Reign 8. The Worlds Dissolution By Robert Velvain Christs certain and sudden Appearance to Judgment by Samuel Malbon A brief Dâ—scription of New York and the Places thereto adjoyning with Directions and Advice to such as shall go thither by Dan. Denton A Cry for Labourers in Gods Harvest Being a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Mr. Ralph Venning By R. Bragge Minister of the Gospel Christian Directions shewing how to walk with God all the day long by Th. Gouge The Young Mans Guide through the Wilderness of this World to the Heavenly Canaan by Tho Gouge Conscience the best Friend upon Earth or the Happy Effects of Keeping a Good Constience by Henry Stubbes Patience and its Perfect Work under sudden and sore Trials Orthodox Paradoxes Theoretical and Experimental or a Believor clearing Truth by seeming Contradictions With an Appendix of the Triumph of Assurance over the Law Sin World Wants c. To which is added The New Command Renewed or Love one another with Ten Rules for the Right Vnderstanding of Scripure by Ralph Venning A.M. An Awakening Call from the Eternal God to the Vnconverted with Seasonable Advice to them that are under Convictions to prevent their miscarrying in conversion by Samuel Corbyn A. M. Now in the Press a Rebuke to Back sliders and a Spur to Loyterers published to awaken a Sleepy Age by R. A. Author of Vinditiae Pietatis FINIS