Selected quad for the lemma: earth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
earth_n	heaven_n	kingdom_n	new_a	5,868	5	6.6803	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13561	Three treatises The pearle of the gospell, The pilgrims profession: and A glasse for gentlewomen to dress themselues by. To which is added A short introduction to the worthy receiuing of the Lords supper. By Thomas Taylor, Doctor of Diuinity, and late preacher of Aldermanbury Church in London.	Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632.; Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632. Pearle of the gospell. aut; Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632. Pilgrims profession. aut; Gunter, H.; Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632. Glasse for gentlewomen to dresse themselves by. aut; Taylor, Thomas, 1576-1632. Short introduction to the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper. aut	1633 (1633)	STC 23856; ESTC S113869	74,858	266

will par● with them In which Parable conside● foure things 1. What is this kingdome 〈◊〉 heauen 2. What is this Pearle and th● goodnesse of it 3. Who is this Merchant ma● 4. What are his actions nam●ly three 1. He seeketh good pearles 2. He findeth a pearle of great price 3. He sold all to buy it For the first By the kingdome of heauen is not meant the blessed estate of the Church triumphant in heaheauen as in MATTH 5. 10. Yours it the kingdome of heauen Nor the Church militant and visible as in MATTH 13. 47. which is like a net cast into the Sea Nor the time of grace vnder Christ exhibited to preach in his owne person MATTH 3. 3. For the kingdome is at hand Nor the estate of grace wherin the elect bee iustified by faith and are lead forward by grace toward the kingdome of heauen as MAT. 13. 51. The kingdome of heauen is like a graine of mustard-seed Nor the kingdome of power by which God in heauen as a King gouerneth al the world and euery particular creature in it But by it is meant the preaching and publishing of the Gospel called here 1. A Kingdome 2. A Kingdome of Heauen A Kingdome for three reasons 1. Because the doctrine of the Gospel bringeth vs to Christ that hee as a King may reigne in vs hence it is called The Gospel of the kingdome MAT. 4. 23. 2. Because it is a powerfull meanes ordained by God to pull vs out of the kingdome of darknesse and translate vs to the kingdome of his deare Sonne Coloss 1. 13. and the Apostle calleth it The power of God to saluation Ro. 1. 16. 3. Because God hath set it apart not onely to erect vp the kingdome of God within vs which standeth in inward righteousnesse peace of conscience the ioy of the holy Ghost ROM 14. 17. but also to lead vs thorow to the participation of that kingdome of glory reserued in heauen for vs. Secondly of heauen 1. Because of Distinction from earthly kingdomes it preacheth Christ a King but withall that his kingdom is not of this world hee ruleth not after a temporall manner but sitteth as King in the spirits of his subiects and ruleth the conscience and holdeth vp this scepter of his kingdome in the hearts of men so as this kingdome is heauenly and spirituall 2. For Exaltation and aduancement lifting it vp aboue all that earthly kingdomes can afford for worth and excellency and so to stirre vp our affections and pull our eyes toward it the very name of it should rauish vs and commend the priuileges of the Gospell vnto vs. 3. For Admonition and caution that the subiects of this kingdome should receiu● th●ir lawes from heauen and cont●mning earth and ●arthly things should aspire meditate frame themselues to heauenly conuersation this very title of the Gospell should bee of power to lift vs aboue the earth Now what is meant by this pearle By the pearle is meant 1. The happy estate of grace here 2. The happy estate of glory hereafter Of which latter see REV. 21. 21. the foundations of the new Ierusalem were garnished with all manner of precious stones Iasper Saphir Chalcedon and the twelue gates were twelue pearles c. But here it signifieth the happy estate of grace in which wee are still seeking and purchasing the pearle and the good things of the Gospell as namely the glad tidings of it the offer of Christ with his merits the gift gift of faith iustification sanctification and these are called a pearle for sundry reasons 1. For the value and worth of them which passe all other treasures in excellencie and estimation As siluer is beyond brasse and gold beyond siluer so pearles are beyond gold and the good things of the Gospell beyond the most precious pea●les so saith SALOMON PROV 3. 14 15. The merchacaise of wisedome is better than the merchandise of siluer the reuenue of it is b●tter than that of gold it is more precious than pearles and all thou canst desire are not comparable to it What a world of wealth both spirituall and heauenly is manifested by the Gospell which exhibiteth Christ in whom are all treasures of grace and glory What a rich store-house is Christ himselfe the least drop of whose bloud was more precious than all the world How preci●us are all his merits and plentifull for redemption What a good thing and precious grace is faith which storeth a man with all the good things of heauen How precious is the doctrin of saluation which must not bee cast to swine as MAT. 7. 6. Well doth our Sauiour therefore call this a pearle of Great price for the most precious pearles in regard of these good things of the Gospell are but dust and clay 2. For the rarenesse Pearles are not so common as pibbles nor in the hands of common and ordinary men but fit for Princes and great personages common men know them not nor the price nor the vse of them euen so the good things of the Gospell are not knowne or obuious to euery one but Hidden mysteries vnknowne to the most part of the world and a wisedome reuealed to Babes And as Pearls are easily contemned of vnskilfull persons who are ignorant of their price and vse so the mysteries of the Gospell offer them to the Gentiles they esteeme them Foolishnesse to the Iewes they are as a Scandall Christ crucified is the very scorne of the world onely a few beleeuers aduanced to bee Kings and Priests to God know the price of this commodity and lay out for it 3. In regard of the hidden vertue and secret excellencie of them The body and quantity of a Pearle is small but the vertue and power of it great so the Gospell seemeth small and contemptible but it is the Power of God to saluation and faith in the Gospell draweth vertue from Christ to open blinde eyes to cure all spirituall diseases to raise from death in sinne to driue away deuils and breake the force of temptation all the Pearles betwixt heauen and earth haue not such power onely faith as small as a graine of mustard-seed draweth vertue from Christ and grace though it be neuer so little if sound it is of power to open blinde eyes and to carry the Saints along vnto their saluation 4. In regard of their excellent qualities as purity and cleerenesse and orient brightnesse so The Law of the Lord is pure PSAL. 19. The doctrine of grace for the brightnesse and perspi●●ity of it is as a resplendent gemme which draweth all eyes to it Secondly in Pearles is Firmnesse and strength so hard and firme are some of them as fire consumeth them not nor much strength can breake them euen so firme and sure are the promises of the Gospell all of them are Yea and Amen fire no● water prosperity nor aduersity can conquer them so

want of the thing sought for Common men if they finde health wealth friends pleasures and the like outward things are well contented corne wine and oyle to cheere their hearts But these wise Merchants seeing grace no other thing contenteth them but grace one glimpse of Gods countenance through Iesus Christ is sweet aboue all And as he that seeketh a Iewell doth looke still after it a thousand things come in his way and eye but he passeth slightly ouer them and seeth them not nor seeketh he them euen so doth the Christian Merchant and as the ciuill Merchant attaining Pearles doth rest ioyful in them as in such commodities as will helpe his happinesse in the world So the godly Merchant finding this one Pearle of the Gospell which is the grace of life goeth away reioycing and resteth well appaid for all his labours and sufferings He was before he light vpon this Pearle the most vnhappy man in the world but now he cannot hide his ioy but as the poore widow which called in her neighbors to reioice with her because she had found the lost groat Luk. 15. 9. so can he neither wholly hide nor yet expresse halfe the ioy he conceiueth in his new commodity and purchase But many seeke and that with tears that faile of grace as Esau and many shal striue to enter saith Christ and shall not be able and Ro. 9. 31 32. Israel sought righteousnesse but obtained it not Ans. Many seeke but amisse and therefore faile so Israel sought but not by faith Now the true condition of seeking as the wise Merchant and as the Word directeth standeth in fiue things 1. With an earnest and true loue desire and estimation of the thing sought this wilmake a man seeke diligently and as a thirsty person not coldly carelesly remisly slightly or negligently for such seeking shall neuer find for why did the Church seek Christ so laboriously till she found him but because it was he whom her soule loued ●an 3. 3. The watchmen that went about the City found me to whom I said Haue yee seene him whom my soule loueth And why did Mary seeke Christ hauing lost him three dayes Because shee loued him and reioyced in his person and presence which made her heart so heauy in his absence Luk. 2. 42. Behold thy father and I haue sought thee with heauy hearts The Merchant because he loueth and esteemeth of siluer doth seeke it carefully and earnestly Pro. 2. 4. and the heauenly Merchant shall finde grace vndoubtedly if he seeke it as the other doth siluer Loue is laborious hee that loueth Christ and his grace will neuer cease to seeke him nor faile to finde him See the promise in Jer. 29. 12 13 Then shall you cry vnto mee and you shall goe and pray vnto mee and I will heare you and you shal seeke me and finde mee because you shall seeke mee with all your heart Who soeuer then euer meaneth to finde God and his saving grace must vnfainedly and hartily seeke after him 2. It must be sought in the likely place and meanes of finding the ordinary place where this Pearl is to be found is the assēblies of the Saints there God holdeth forth his scepter and maketh offer of the grace of life Where was the Church to finde Christ with his graces at noone in her thirst but in the steps of the shepherds And these assemblies are the suburbs of heauen called therefore the Kingdome of grace and he that refuseth the good offers of grace in the word sacraments prayer hearing reading conferring and the like shall neuer find it No wise Merchant will slacke any good opportunity of aduancing his estate now the likely meanes in wise seeking are diligently to be vsed as 1 To search the euidence of the Pearle and this euidence is contained in the Scriptures John 5. Search the Scriptures for they witnessee of me Secondly the grant of it is from heauen by prayer Let vs therefore goe boldly to the Throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace to helpe in time of need HEB. 4. 16. Thirdly the couenant is by the application of these meanes singed and deliuered yea and witnessed by the blessed Spirit of God by a blessed change in the beleeuing heart by mortification and subduing the corruption of nature by heauenly motions heauenly mindednesse and gracious conuersation standing not in a shell a forme or shew but in the kernill power and substance of sound godlinesse Thirdly it must be sought first and principally yea onely sought and that for it selfe it must bee sought first in time As Psa. 63. 3. Early in the morning will I seeke thee The Isralites must seeke Manna the first thing they doe in the morning Esau seeketh but too late the foolish Virgins doe knock but the doore is shut 2. It must be sought in the first place Mat. 6. 33. ●eeke ye first the kingdome of heauen the righteousnesse thereof Seek neither other things before it as worldlings nor other things with it as prophane Epicures who would grasp heauen and earth together nor yet seeke it for other things as Hypocrites who professe the Gospell for fauour credit profit or some other in respect of that base things But seek it alone for it selfe and in sincerity for only such seeking findeth it Neuer will Christ be sought for loaues nor can the same eye looke to heauen and earth together Fourthly it must be sought humbly that is first out of thy selfe a man that wanteth water wil goe to the fountaine the waters of grace must flow from the fountaine and wel-head Christ Iesus seek it therfore in him and from him The eye of faith spyeth it in him and the hand of faith doth take it vp from him Secondly it must bee sought with godly sorrow repentance for sin Isa. 1. 16. Wash you make you cleane take away the euill of your works from before mine eies cease to doe euill Thirdly with reformation of heart and life Ps. 14. 4. The workers of iniquity are vnfit and vnworthy seekers of grace Fifthly it must be songht constantly Mary and Joseph neuer gaue ouer seeking Christ vntill they found him nor the Church till she found him neither must we giue ouer seeking hauing sound grace for it is not in this seeking as in other things where hauing found we rest contented and seeke no more but here hauing found the thing we sought we must seeke still for a Christian is euer wanting of grace if not in whole yet in part if not in substance yet in some degree and measure of it and therefore this worke as the husband mans is neuer at an end This must needs condemne many of vs of extreame folly and sinne how few of vs haue sought after grace as after siluer for siluer we will take great paines rise early goe to bed late and eat the bread of carefulnesse but when doe we so for grace

the chapmen and Merchants of all merchandise remained once or twice without Ierusalem But for supernaturall and spirituall trading as all the six dayes are fit so the seuenth especially is the Lords mart or market to furnish all his people with prouision for the whole weeke following And for the place All places are not fit for ciuill marts and merchants but the principall prohibited place is the Church the house of God Matth. 21. 12. Iesus went into the Temple of God and cast out all them that bought sold in the Temple ouerthrew the tables of the mony changers the seats of them that sold Doues Christ would not endure his Fathers house of prayer to be made a house of merchandise But in spirituall trading for heauen all places are fit for Christian Merchants who should goe no where but still be trading for grace and continually either bee doing of good or taking of good But especially the house of God is the most proper place appointed for the inriching of the heart and increasing of the stocke of faith and knowledge and of all graces So much for the dissimilitude betweene them Now the similitude and reason of this resemblance standeth in fiue thing 1. A Merchant man is a man that dealeth in great precious commodities The Greeke word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Merchant is no Pedler nor chapman of small wares nor taken vp in selling pins or points and toyes for babes but tradeth for great things for great bulks and quantities for great sums and dealeth in most rich commodities So the Christian Merchant carefull for heauen aymeth not at the base profits of this life as siluer gold such corruptible things for these things are but sinall in his eye and contemptible in respect of the businesse of iustification of holinesse grace and glory These are that one thing needful and that better part that taketh vp his thoughts and desires such a rich Merchant was Dauid Psa. 4. 7. Thou hast giuen me more ioy of heart than they hau● had when their wheat and their oyle did abound Let other men peddle and barter for corne wine and oyle the Christian Merchant hath a commodity beyond all this in his eye Lord lift vpon mee the light of thy countenance Such a Merchant was Zacheus when saluation was come to his house he cast away these pedling profits faster than he gat them halfe he gaue to the poore and the rest he reserued to restore fourefold Such a on was Paul who counted al things losse dung in comparison of Christ to know the vertue of his death and resurrection Such rich Merchants were the Martyrs who hauing heauen in their eie esteemed their goods libertie yea life it self not worth hauing in comparison therof For as a man if he were as high as the Moone would see the earth but as a pricke so he whose thoughts are in heauen and his eyes on things that are aboue within the veile esteemeth the earth but small and despicable For euen as the great light drowneth the lesser so the bright shining of the Sunne of righteousnesse drowneth all the lesser candles comforts of this present world Secondly there is likenesse in the skill of the commoditie hee dealeth in for as a Merchant greatly aduanceth his estate if he haue skill and insight what commodities are like to bee of the quickest returne if he know and lay out for the best conditioned commodities of euery kind So the Christian Merchant labouring for skill knowledge and sound iudgement in the matter of Religion whereby he may be able to iudge aright of Doctrines deliuered shall grow rich in knowledge and to a great measure of faith and full of Christian wisedome whence the Apostle Phil. 1. 10. prayeth that they may abound in all knowledge and iudgement to discerne things that differ and thus they shall bee rich and filled with the fruits of righteousnes ver 11. And contrariwise for want of this skill a Merchant dealing for great bulkes soone falleth into great losses But especially the Ieweller or Lapidary by ignorance may soone ouerthrow his whole estate in respect of many cheaters and couseners who can notably counterfeit Pearles and make themseeme very orient by false arts and so put away at a great price a peece of a fish bone or shell or some peece of painted glasse for rich Pearls and precious stones Euen so many spirituall Merchants decay and break for want of this skil by meanes of many imposters deceiuers heretiks false teachers Apostates Libertine Preachers and the Popish guides furnished with all arts to deceiue as with wit and speech other insinuatiue faculties that make offer of pibbles for pearls and thrust vpon men for the true Pearle of Gods word the glassie brickle cōceits of mans brains which because they haue made to glister and haue set a good colour on them they hold at as high a rate as any Pearl can be valued and now many inconsiderate persons are taken with the beauty profit or some seeming pleasure and so robbed and gulled of their soundnesse for the present an● of their expectations and hopes hereafter Now that wee may not be thus abused let vs listen to those Apostolicall precepts EPHES. 4. 14. Not to bee children wauering and carried about with euery wind of Doctrine by the decei● of men and craftinesse whereby they lye in wait to deceiue and in 1 IOH. 4. 1. Beleeue not euery spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God and 1 THESS 5. 21. Trye all things and keepe that which is good Thirdly the similitude is in their conuersing and conferring one with another Euery Merchant will bee speaking of his commodities he will make offer of his Pearles and wares of price that he may put them off into other mens hands for his owne aduantage So the Christian Merchant will be talking and conferring of this Pearle of the Gospell as in CANT 5. 6. The Spouse sp●ndeth her daies in breathing out the prayses of Christ. A faithfull Christian cannot hide grace in a napkin nor hold it so close to himselfe but hee must communicate it and make offers of it to others Such good Merchants were the two Disciples going to Emmaus conferring of Christ whom Christ ioyned himselfe with LVK. 24. 19. Such an one was Paul offering the Pearle to Agrippa and wishing all the people were such as he was except his bonds ACT. 26. 29. And the reason is whatsoeuer hee can communicate to another is his owne cleare gaine For this is the difference betweene the secular riches and spirituall A worldly rich man is rich for himselfe onely and the more he imparteth to others the lesse is left for himselfe But he that is rich in God is not onely rich in and for himselfe but these riches doe more inrich him by inriching others than holding them to himselfe and

manners fashions and customes of his own countrey a Christian stranger although he be in the world yet he is not of the world hee is of another corporation and therefore though he walke in the flesh yet hee must not warre according to the flesh He carrieth this body of flesh about him as others doe but he must fight against flesh and the lusts of it contrary to the Patrons and defenders of the corruptions that are in the world through lust The world may and must enioy our presence for a time but must at no time gaine our conformity to it Rom. 12. 2. Fashion not your selues according to this world that is the customes and guizes of it because it lyeth in wickednesse and the Christian is cast into another forme of doctrine and conuersation Art thou now sollicited to follow the lusts and fashions of this world thinke with thy selfe that thou art a stranger here and of another countrey thou liuest vnder other lawes thou maist not cast in thy lot with the wicked of the world nor giue voyce or suffrage in their meetings but be as Lot who though he were in Sodom was not of Sodom but was perpetually vexed with the vncleane conuersation of those wicked men Art thou prouoked to sweare to drinke excessiuely to lye for aduantage to breake the Sabbath for gaine to vncleannesse or any other soule lust Now say to thy selfe I am of the kingdome of light but this is a worke of darknesse this is an vnlawfull act in my Countrey and why should I practise it here seeing my Lord and King must needs know it if I commit treason here against my King and Countrey my King hath informers enow and I shall lose my whole estate there and bee banished out of my Countrey for euer Shall I saith Joseph commit this sinne against my God against my Master Seeing my Master hath kept nothing from me but sinne I will not doe this thing I will not sinne and commit this high wickednesse Fourthly A fourth duty is that seeing we are strangers here to learne to affect our own countrey and highly to esteeme it Euery man by nature loueth his natiue country best neither thinketh himselfe so well in any forraine land and strangers especially hauing parents kindred and great reuenues in their natiue soyle and being hardly intreated where they so●ourne would be glad to returne home and enioy the sight of those whomu they haue long longed to see Euen so the Christian Pilgrim Neuer did Israel more affect and extol their owne countrey in their banishment from it and captiuity in Babylon than the Christian stranger doth affectedly desire and prefer his heauenly Countrey aboue this strange land the Countrey of his captiuity For he discerneth that this is not his Country first That is a mans Country where he was borne brought vp but whence taketh a Christian his spirituall birth or where is he brought vp but in the Church and kingdome of Christ Earth giueth him a birth and being as he is man but as a Christian he is borne of God Secondly againe that is a man● countrey where his parents his ancestors deare kindred dwell and inhabit Now where dwelleth a Christian mans Father but in heauen Where is his elder brother but there Where are all his brethren and sisters sons and daughters of the same parents but there and therefore heauen is his Country Thirdly further that is a mans Countrey where his principall estate and goods are where his patrimony and inheritance lyeth and where is the chiefe portion the treasure the immortall inheri●āce of the Christian but in heauen And where else is his Countrey Now then a Christian considering on the one hand that he is in a strange Countrey and how hardly he hath bin intreated in it and so likely to be still and on the other hand that he hath a home and a father there that loueth him dearely and that his elder brother Iesus Christ and all his spiritual kindred the Saints of God are there And besides that he hath a rich portion and a large patrimony euen an immortall inheritance in heauen how can he choose but to be reared in his affections yea rauished to be there desiring nothing in the world more than to be dissolued hence to be with Christ which is best of all A Traueller hath his minde and thoughts still vpon home and saith with himselfe Home is homely And the Marriner or Sea-faring man in a storme or rough Sea hath his desires on the Shore and his minde is not where his ●ody is So is it with the Christian Passenger his minde is not where his body is and if he cannot get home in the body as soone as he desireth yet in his spirit he will mind heauen and heauenly things he will get as neere home as he can if hee cannot get into the heart of the city hee will be sure to get into the sub●bs the Church of God If hee cannot get suddenly into that Jerusalem which is aboue he will get into the Ierusalem which is from aboue and where his person cannot bee for the time his conuersation and meditation shal be in heauen for where his treasure is there will his heart be also Vse 2. In that wee are strangers with God we learne diuers things 1. The soueraignty and power of God who is the great owner and ruler of the whole earth Kings themselues who are the highest earthly Lords and commanders are but strangers with God for the earth is the Lords and all that therein is And no man sitteth in his owne but are Tenants at will vndre this great Land-Lord The greatest of men yea of Kings are but as Dauid was soiourners in his sight Leuit 15. 23. The Land is his and we are but strangers and soiourners with him 2. We must hence gather out our owne duty towards God in whose Countrey we soiourne and our duty is manifold 1. To aske leaue of God to passe through his Countrey so did Israel of Edom a wicked Prince and people Numb 20. I pray thee that we may passe thorow thy country c. It is fit to ask leaue where no right is Besides that by daily prayer for Gods leaue and fauourable loue in our way we both ascribe vnto God the honour of soueraignty and bounty as also sweeten his mercies which he giueth vs leaue to enioy all which are sanctified to vs by the word and by prayer 2 Binde thy selfe from trespassing in the way and Countrey through which thou passest So did Israel vnto Edom We will not goe through the fields nor the vinyards neitheir will we drinke of the water of the wels we will goe by the Kings way and neither turn to the right hand nor left til we be past thy borders So must the Christian be carefull he transgresse not the lawes of the Countrey in which he soiournes to sturre vp against himselfe the wrath

and reuenge of the Lord in whose Country he soiourneth bu● frame himselfe to please him by whose leaue he trauelleth through his Countrey How carefull and digent were Josephs brethren to please their vnknowne brother the Lord of that strange Countrey Much more ought we to please our brother Jesus Christ the Lord of this strange countrey through which we passe to our owne Canaan 3 Cast thy care vpon God and I depend vpon him for al needfull supplies so did holy Dauid here because he was stranger in Gods Countrey he therefore casteth his burden vpon the Lord desiring him to heare his prayer and to hearken to his cry and not to be silent at his teares A stranger ouer-loadeth nor himselfe with cares and carriages but carrying a competent viaunce with him dependeth for all necessaries vpon them where he soiourneth so a Christian stranger need be in nothing carefull but in all things let his request be shwed vnto God the King of the Countrey in prayer All 〈…〉 exexcessiue carefulnesse is to bee auoyded of a Christian yea suppose the care bee about things lawfull if it be excessiue it is sinfull and vnseemely in a Christian Pilgrim Let thy chiefe care be to commit thy way unto the Lord and trust in him and he shal bring it to passe Psal. 55. 22. Cast thy care vpon the Lord and hee shall nourish thee 4. Bee much in thankfulnesse vnto God for all the comfortable blessings thou receiuest in thy Pilgrimage a stranger thankfully accepteth all the fauors shewed him in a strange Countrey and so did holy Dauid when God had enabled him to prepare abundantly for the building of the Temple breake out into abundant praises We thanke thee our God and prayse thy glorious name But who am I or what is my people that we should offer vnto thee for all is thine and of thine owne haue we giuen thee for wee are strangers before thee and soiourners as all our Fathers were And surely it well beseemeth the iust to be thankfull seeing they are strangers in the Lords land and all the comforts they enioy are his by right and possession and theirs onely by leaue and thankfull acceptation 5. Be contented and patient if this great Lord deny thee any thing thou wouldst haue whilest thou passest through his Countrey so was Israel when Edom out of a churlish and hurtfull mind denied them peaceable passage But the Lord of this Countrey knoweth what is fit for vs and neuer denieth any thing out of a churlish minde neither can deny any thing good in it selfe and good to vs and if he withhold any hurtfull things we must be not only patient but thankfull Vse 3. In that we are strangers and trauelling to our country as all our Fathers haue done before vs it appeareth that our wisedome will be to resolue of paines and trauell all the daies of our life and not to expect rest till the night of death come when dying in the Lord we shall rest from our labours and because this is not our rest we must arise and depart hence And seeing we can no more auoid this weary iourney than any of our Fathers could do we must rather bestow wise and carefull thoughts in fitting our selues to our iourney and in behauing our selues through our way than to expect to auoid the tediousnesse and difficulties of it Quest. How may we fit our selues for our iourney home into our owne Countrey Ans. A traueller fitteth himselfe to his iourney two 〈◊〉 specially 1. By casting off 〈…〉 behinde him 〈…〉 burden or 〈…〉 2. By prouiding for himselfe things fit for his iourney Of the former sort there be three especiall encumbrances that the Christian Pilgrim must lighten himselfe of The first of them is sinne which as an intollerable burden presseth vs downe and hangeth fast on and therefore the Apostle counselleth to cast it off if we meane to run the race before vs. Now the way to lighten our selues of this weight is to exercise eueryday the grace of repentance and mortification and daily to take some sinne or other in hand and at least to slake and abate the power of it that if we cannot be rid of the sinne in respect of the presence of it yet we may be rid of the reigne and command of it The second are earthly cares profits and pleasures which are as heauie stones tyed vnto vs and pressing vs from heauen to earth making heauie and sadde the soule and vnweldy in her motions The way for vs to lighten our selues of these encumbrances is daily and continually to eleuate raise our thoughts homeward and heauenward and exercise our selues in holy meditations praiers and praises sundry times through the day For as he that would keepe a Clocke in true motion must euery day sundry times windevp the plummets which are still drawing downward euen so must we doe with our hearts the cares and pleasures of the world are as plummets of Lead pressing down the soule incessantly in her motion towards heauen and he that would continue his motion must daily winde vp his heart towards God and by maine strength of grace fetch it vp from earth that it may be firmly setled on heauenly things delighting it selfe with the riches of heauen and with contemplation of those pleasures that are at the right hand of God for euermore The third encumbrance is the feare of death which presseth vs all our life and the Christian must lighten himselfe of this burden by looking beyond it to his owne home by longing after the liuing God whom none can see in the body and liue by considering that the neerer he is to death he is so much neerer home and what stranger feareth to goe home or is sorry when after a long absence he is entring into his owne Citie Secondly A wise Christian will furnish and prouide himself with necessaries and needfull supplies to helpe him through his iournie There be fiue things especially which a traueller must fit himselfe withal that his iourney may be lesse tedious and more prosperous to himselfe 1. The knowledge of the direct way Now whereas no man knowes the way to the heauenly countrey without Gods teaching euery one must go to God himselfe first and then to such as God hath appointed to be the directors and instructors in this way The former we see in holy Dauid Psalme 119. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth therefore hide not thy Commandements from me He knew well how hardly a blinde man could performe a farre and dangerous iourney and thus it is onely th● Commandement that shews the way to this heauenly Countrie Why was Dauid a blinde man or did he not know the ten Commandements Euen Dauid who was not stone blinde but much enlightned was blinde in part and still earnest that the LORD would further open his eyes to see the way more plainly and clearely than yet he did And though he knew

the words and true sence of the ten Commandements yet he desireth still to be led further into the particular vse application direction and obedience of them and of all other parts of the Word which he saith is exceeding large And for the latter As a stranger in an vnknowne Country and way wil euer be asking the way of euery one neuer so simple who knoweth the way better than himselfe aud will obserue the senerall markes and statues by which he may know whether he be right or no So must euery Christian Pilgrim be inquisitiue of his way for which purpose he must frequent the ministry of the word diligētly which God hath erected to be as A light in a darke plabe as the Pillar of the Cloude and fire by night and by day to direct vs through this dry and desart wildernesse as Ariadnes threede to helpe vs through this troublesome Maze and Labyrinth and as a voyce behinde vs saying This is the way walke in it An inquisitiue Christian will be still consulting with Gods Ministers about the way of God and conferring with priuate Christians be they neuer so meane in place or appearance concerning their great iourney betweene heauen and earth and will take speciall notice of the markes of their way as whether it be the narrow way or the broad way whether it be strewed with crosses or pleasant to the flesh whether it be a cleane way or a foule dirty and miry way of lusts whether it be an old beaten way by the feet of ancient beleeuers the Prophets the Apostles and holy men yea of Iesus Christ himselfe or a new broken and deuised way vnknowne vnto them and the Scriptures whether it be a right way or a crooked path of by-lanes turnings to the right hand or to the left whether it be a lightsome or a darke way and the like Thus inquisitîue and carefull will a Christian Pilgrim be of the best directions he can get as the poore iaylor will know of Paul his prisoner what he may doe to be saued and it is none of the lightest plagues of God to haue an heart vnwilling to aske about the way of heauen A second comfortable helpe in an vnknowne way is a good guide The Christian stranger hath need of a guide and the best guide is God himselfe yea and more God is the onely guide In any other way or iourney the natiues or inhabitants can guide a stranger from place to place but here none but God can be our guide Psalm 25. 9. He will guide in Judgement and teach the humble his way Quest. But how then may a m●an get God to be his guide Answer By two speciall meanes 1. By earnest Prayer Dauid knowing that none but GOD could guide him prayeth Psal. 143. 8. Shew mee the way that I shall goe And verse 10. Let thy good Spirit lead me vnto the land of righteousnesse 2. By constant subiection to Gods word for GOD goeth before vs by his word as he did before Israel in the Pillar of the Cloud and fire and willing obedience to Gods word maketh God our guide Thirdly A stranger in his way needeth his viance or prouision for his expēce The word of God is the Christians viaticum and supplieth all his needs it offoords him food in his hunger being the bread of life and the Mannah that came down from heauen it yeeldeth him drink in his thirst being water of life whosoeuer thirsteth is called to thes sweet waters of consolation drawne out of the wells of saluation it affoords him Physicke in his soules sicknesse strength in his weakenesse and neuer leaueth him that learneth vpon it without sufficient means to helpe him through his iourney Fourthly a traueller hath need of a weapon to defend himselfe and to wound or keepe off his enemies The same word of God is a speciall part of our spirituall armour it is the sword of the Spirit And as Dauid said of Goliahs sword Oh there is none to that giue me that so there is no sword to this for the repulse of all spiriall enemies and for the sure defence of him that shall buckle it close vnto him Besides that it directs him to obtaine and fasten vnto him all the other peeces of Cstristian armour so as in no part he lye open or naked to danger Fifthly A Treueller hath need of good company which is pro vehiculo as good as a Waggon or Coach to carry him with the more ease through the tediousnesse of the way The same testimonies of God are sweet companions and helpe to deceiue and pas●e ouer our time comfortably if wee can talke of them in the way and in the house and in the field and if we can whet them vpon our selues and others if wee make them The man of our counsell and meditate on them night and day hee is neuer alone that hath God and Christ conferring counselling and directing him in the Scriptures neither is hee alone who when hee is most alone is in Soliloquie with God this man wanteth neither company nor comfort Now how happily shall this man compasse his iourney and goe singing through the most tedious wayes of his Pilgrimage that hath thus fu●nished himselfe with the vnderstanding of his way with a faithfull and vnerring guide with sufficient prouision for his expence with a seruiceable weapon and with a sweet and chearfull Companion Vse 4. In that we are Pilgrims in the way to our Countrey In this way we must learne to demeane our selues as way-faring men and imitate the Pilgrim in these particulars 1. To be stirring early for our iourney and take the day before vs that we may dispatch our iourney before we be benighted It is our Lords counsell to worke while the day lasteth because the night commeth wherein none can worke Joh. 11. 9. And his owne practise propounded for our imitation John 9. 4. and imitated by the Saints whose praises are in the Scriptures Holy Dauid serued out his time according to the counsell of God that is while he liued he was a seruant of God for the good of the age in which he liued And the Apostle Peter exhorteth that henceforth so much time as remaineth in the flesh wee spend according to the will of God Wel did the holy men consider what an aduantage it is to set out in the way of God early euen in the morning of the life What a sweet comfort it is to be early graced that we haue but a short day passed away in a few houres to trauell in that this day stayeth not but hasteneth from vs that this day is the onely time to walke in and that this day being shut in there is no more time to worke or walke in and therefore did bestirre themselues lest they should fall short of their intended iourney 2. As a man in his iourney will be glad of any good company that will goe but part of his way with

him So must the Christian in his iourney be glad of company in his way to heauen and heartily embrace the fellowship and society of the Saints which meane to goe through with him Indeed if a man would choose to sort himselfe with euill men he might get more company but they goe the contrary way but a wise traueller will rather chuse to goe with one or two yea or alone in his right way than goe a cleane contrary way for company Let vs be glad to meet our countrey-men in this through-fare be kinde to them for the same Countrey sake and as we shall easily know them by their language habit and conuersation so let vs heartily affect them and vndiuidedly cleaue vnto them 3. In this way be glad as a stranger in a strange Country to s●nd home vpon euery occasion offering it selfe send home thy prayers thy daily desires thy thoughts thy meditations thy praises thy sacrifices thy loue-tokens And because some thing is to be done for thee at home now in thine absence beseech Christ thy best friend to set forward thy businesse there and to looke to thine occasions lest all goe to wracke by preparing a mansion for thee by making intercession for thee by sending out his Spirit for thy direction and comfort till thou returnest home vnto him eternall praises and thankes for such great fauours so freely conferred vpon thee 4. In this way be content if sometimes thou art weary as one that goeth vp a steepe hill if sometimes thou sighest and pantest in thy painefull travell through a foule way and stormie weather Let the tediousnesse of the way make thee desire the wayes end and to couet to be at home with Christ which is best of all But be sure in thy wearinesse thou sit not downe much lesse looke backe with Lots wi●e but presse hard forward to the make as one resolued to goe through and perseuere to the end considering that after an hill commeth a valley after foule way commeth faire and after a storme a faire shine and gleame againe Heauinesse may endure for a night but ioy returneth in the morning If wee haue neede of patience for a while it is but to enioy the promises If the sufferings for Christ encrease so shall also the comforts And many are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of all The end which crowneth all thy labour is worth all thy paines and patience Vse 5. Seeing all the Saints are strangers here as all our Fathers haue beene Here are sundry grounds of comfort arising hence to beleeuers 1. Against the disgraces and open iniuries they perpetually sustaine from the hands of euill men and the small fauour they finde in the world for what can they looke for other being strangers but strange vsages and entertainments from the world If they were of the world the world would loue them as her owne Euery Corporation preferreth into offices her owne free men and inhabitants and it were folly for a stranger passing but through ●o expect those places and preferments he must rather cast to endure wrongs where his worth is vnknowne and expect no remedy or release at any of their hands but herein comfort himselfe that he hath credit and can haue right in his owne countrey and if he were once at home he should put vp no such wrongs and indignities 2. Against the troubles and oppressions of the Saints of God in these heauie times of warres and bloudie persecutions in which the Captaines of Antichrist chase the godly from their seates houses estates and countries not suffering the Doue of Christ a rest for the sole of her foot Here is a ground of comfort 1. That all the furie of the enemies exiling and banishing the godly can but make them strangers and so were they before wheresoeuer they dwelt in any place of the earth It is no great addition of misery to banish him that was in banishment before or to driue a man out of one strange place into another He that is already a stranger vpon earth in affection can easily become actually a stranger if God call him vnto it 2. When the enemies haue exercised all their rage they cannot banish them out of GODS Countrey but they are strangers before GOD who is equally present with them in one corner of the earth as well as in another to protect them to prouide for them to pittie them and guide them home to their owne Countrey 3. Although the enemies would be endlesse in their rage against the Saints and were they to liue euer they would euer nou●ish and exercise an immorttall wrath against the people of God yet can they not inflict so much mischiefe on them as they desire For besides that themselues are mortall and besides the justice of God breaking quickly to peeces the roddes of his wrath and casting them into the fire the godly themselues are but strangers here and of short continuance so as suppose their sufferings be sharpe yet they be but short The roddes of the wicked shall not alwayes lye vpon the lot of the righteous as they desire they should seeing the godly are strangers as well in time as in place and themselues not continuing their misery cannot be continuall 3. In the many losses of these worldly and corruptible things which take them to their wings and flye from one master to another aey meanes of warre mortality and many casualties a Christian hath comfort that he being a stranger here he hath no great estate to loose some Moueables such as he carryeth along with him in his iourney he may loose by the way but his estate and inheritance is safe enough at home Nay in that great and finall destruction of the whole world by the dreadfull fire of the last day When the heauens shall passe away with a noise and the elements shal melt with heat and the earth with the workes that are therein shall be burnt vp When all other men shall be loosers of all their whole estates onely the godly because they are Strangers here they shall escape all these things and be no loosers at all If some whole Citie should be consumed by fire when the whole multitude of Inhabitants sustaine losse and beggerie by 〈◊〉 Accident a stranger 〈…〉 but passing through the 〈…〉 and hath his estate and 〈…〉 elsewhere he 〈…〉 at all So the 〈…〉 in that day 〈…〉 nor 〈…〉 who had no other portion but in this life 4. As his estate is safe so likewise is the person of the godly Pilgrim For he not being of the world he shall not perish wi●h the world It was happie for Lot that hee was a stranger and scorned as a stranger by the Sodomites for when all they were scalded with a shower of fire and Brimstone the Lord being mercifull vnto him his person was in safetie Seuer thy selfe from the condition of sinfull men estrange thy selfe from the condition of