nourish it within thy Sanctuarie that I beeing brought through this shaddowe of the darke worlde by thine externall and internall light may come to that place where there shall bee no night and where there needeth no Candle Rev. 21.23 neither the Sunne nor the Moone to giue light euen where thy glorie shineth and where the Lambe himselfe giueth light To whome with thee O Father and the holie Spirit bee all honour praise power and dominion now and euermore So bee it A MEDITATION VPON THE LORDES second dayes vvorke THE Heauens were created the seconde Daye The worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the natiue language is taken frō the Waters because the Waters are there and descende from thence The Greeke worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato takes as it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conspicable because it is objected to the sight of all men The Latine Coelum because it is Coelatum carued with goodlie Ornaments and Firmamentum from the surenesse of it and Expansum because GOD hath spred it foorth as a Curtaine Ps 104.2 The Heauens haue three significations in the Scriptures First it is taken for the Aire wherein the Fowles and Birdes doe flie Mat. 6.26 Heauen hath three significatiōs Secondlie for the Firmament And thirdlie for the Seate of the Angels and blessed Soules Paradise the Bosome of Abraham the third Heauens wherevnto the Apostle Paul was rauished These three were made this day God created a faire Theatre to himselfe this daye wherein there should bee innumerable Quiristers neare vnto his Throne of pure Seraphims and Cherubims euerie one prouoking other to his prayse and saying Holie Revel 4.8 holie holie LORD GOD Almightie c. And againe there are infinite Aëriall Quiristers who fill the ears of men with their pleasant Songs by their example prouoking men to laude their Creatour And there is a Parpane and middle inter-stise which is the sole and grounde of his vpper House and the Roofe of his neather House to couer the Worlde by an admirable manner I marke three thinges in the Creation of the Heauens Thre things obserued First the order which GOD vseth in the making of them for seeing Man was to bee made of an Heauenlie Soule and an Earthlie Bodie and was to dwell in Heauen for euer and on the Earth onlie for a little time hee maketh the Heauen first If Heauen was first made then seeke it first setting it aboue the Earth and making Man to bow vpwardes looke vnto it and not downward towards the Earth as the Beasts doe being the place of his abode perpetuall remaining The consideration wherof should make vs to vse that same order in our actions which God did in his Albeit our bodies be on the Earth let our hart bee in Heauen Let vs put Heauen in our heart before the Earth let vs looke vnto it and haue our conuersation in it albeit our bodies be captiuate in the earth let our hearts be in our owne Countrey where wee shall dwell for euer Next God grounded the Heauens vpon the second day and perfected them vpon the fourth day God worketh by degrees This is his common forme both in his Spirituall works and in his naturall he worketh by degrees he layeth the foundation of his benefit and after he finisheth it Therfore let vs not hasten nor precipitate but attend Gods will who will perfect our earthly and heauenlie comfort in his owne time Last yee see he bindeth vp the Cloudes in the Aire that they cannot drowne the Earth as he wardes the Seas by the sands By weake meanes God preserueth man to teach vs how God by these weake meanes doeth preserue Mankinde Which if he doe to his enemies what should his Elect Children looke for at his hands A PRAYER Vpon the LORDES second Dayes Worke. O Almightie GOD Thou who created the Heauens the second day inspire my soule I beseech three with heauenlie Meditations inlarge mine heart and loose my tongue to thy praise Ouer-shadow mine heart with thy grace as thou couerest the Eearth with the Heauens that I may consider thy power and goodnesse towards me in this thy workmanship Thou needest not the Heauens O Lord for before the Heauens were thou wast the Heauen of Heauens cannot containe thee 1. King 8.27 but thou madest them for me Therefore lift vp my minde by a spirituall meditation that with heart and minde I may seeke for thee in them and loue them for thee who is in them Thou dwellest in a light vnaccessable I cannot enter into thy Throne to see but I prostrate my soule before the gates of thy grace wrapped in the beggersie clouts of my sinne and at thy commandement I knock Long for Heauen where thou mayest see God Cant. 5.12 Cast the crumms of thy mercie to me that I faint not in this wildernesse Looke with the eyes of the Doue out of thine holie Temple Heare the voyce of my prayer and gather my teares into thy Bottle who am in a strange countrey and so long absent from my Lord and Husband who is now dwelling with thee Looke foorth at the grates of thy Fathers window Cantic 2.9 O thou whom my soule loueth and cure the griefe of mine heart by thy gracious countenance Should wee dwell sundrie so fare I here thou in the heauens hasten thy comming in the Cloudes or hasten my departure by death that I may enjoye the sight of him whome my soule loueth O Lord the Heauen is full of thy glorie when thou commest out of thine Yourie Palaces Psal 45.8 and out of the moste holie places and shewest the signes of thy presence amongst thy Sainctes then the foundations of the Heauens shake then the innumerable legions of the Coelestiall Spirites rayse vp their voyces Psal 18.7 sounding thy prayses they fill al thy Temple speak words which cannot bee expressed Thine holie Armie of twentie thousand thousandes of Angels Revel 7.4 9. and of euerie Tribe of Israel twelue thousand and of all the Nations vnder the Heauens innumerable thousandes Their voyces are like the sound of the Thunder Rev. 14.2 or as the noyse of manie Waters O our God howe glorious art thou in thine holie Temple O that Spirituall Musicke and the Harpes of God wherevpon thy Sainctes doe play both daye and night The twentie and foure Elders Rev. 7.14 15. and the rest who made their long Robes white in the bloode of the Lambe thou leadest them to the pure Fountaines of Waters thou hast wyped away all teares from their eyes They sing Prayse Glorie and Wisedome Thankes Honour Power and Might bee vnto our GOD for euermore The foundation of that Citie is of precious Stones The Iasper the Saphyr Rev. 21.19 20.21 27 and the Emarald the Topaz and the Hiacinth The twelue Gates are twelue Pearles The Streete of the Citie is pure Golde as shyning Glasse There is none vncleane thing
in that Citie but those who are written in the Lambes Booke of Life O that Water of Life Rev. 22.1.2 cleare as Crystall proceeding out of the Throne of God! There is the Tree of Life which beareth twelue manner of Fruites and rendereth Fruite euerie Moneth O! that is the true Land of CANAAN Exod. 3.17 which floweth with Milke and Honey which is promised to the Elect Children O how blessed are those who stand before thee O Lord 1. king 8.8 and heare thee and see the beautie of thine House O howe amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord God of Hostes It is better to bee a Doore-keeper in thine House than to bee a Monarch of the whole Worlde Psal 84.1 As the Hart brayeth after the Riuers of Waters Psal 42.1 so doeth my soule pant after thee my liuing Lord. O my GOD when shall I appeare before thee in Sion Nowe my soule returne vnto thy rest for the Lord will pittie thee and will deliuer thee from this Prison and from these wylde Beastes which vexe thee on euerie side and from sinne which daylie troubleth thee and will bring thee to the sight and fruition of the Eternall Ioye which is in the Heauens O glorious GOD I haue not yet seen the HeaueÌ„s where thâ— Saints are but in the myrrour of the Gospell But I see daylie these viâ—â—ble creatures and the Firmament NOTA. If there be such beauty in the outward part of the heauens what is within which are euen the workes of thine owne hand Then if there bee such beautie in the outwarde partes of thy Palace O LORD what will wee looke for in thy Gabinet O my GOD as often as I beholde these outward Heauens then let mine heart inward affections be mounted vp by an holie desire and meditation that the eye of my soule may pierce thorow these thy visible workes euen to the companie of my Brethren the First-borne and to that innumerable number of Angels and Sainctes Oh bee thou my Guide O my LORD and bring mee through the perils of this Wildernesse vnto thine heauenlie Palace euen for the merites and blood of IESVS CHRIST thy well-beloued Sonne our Sauiour AMEN A MEDITATION Vpon the LORDES thirde Dayes Werke IN the Creation of the third Day there bee two principall thinges to bee obserued First The manner of the Creation by separation of the Waters whereby were created two Elementes the Water and the Earth Next The Blessing of GOD. Since there is no difficultie in the wordes I will obserue foure thinges First That so long as those two Elementes were in the confused Chaos so long they were both vnprofitable and each one hindered other but assoone as they were separated Confusion is vnprofitable they were both fruitfull Euen so is it yet where Anarchie hath place either in Church or Policie there shall bee no Blessing in neither of them But happie is that Church and Common-wealth where all thinges are ruled by order and no place is left to confusion Gods blessing inricheth Next the Earth was created barren God spake the worde and it fructified If this was the estate thereof before Sinne howe much lesse nowe beeing subject to a curse will it bring foorth anie good thing without GODS Blessing God prouided for his creatures before they were Thirdlie yee see that God blessed it with Cornes Trees and Fruites for the sustenance of Man and Grasse for Beastes before he made anie of them He prouideth the Milke in the Breast of the Woman as a liuelie fountaine before the Childe be borne Then if he was so prouident before Man was made will he neglect vs Much more when they are when wee are made to his owne Image Let vs seeke him truelie and doubt not Fourthlie there is a treasure which God hath hidden in the Earth for Man Golde and Siluer to inrich him Coales Wood and other firing for his heate Stones for his Building c. and on the face of the Earth Gods hidden treasures should prouoke vs to thankefulnesse Cornes Hearbes Trees Wines Oyles and varietie of crearures both for his pleasure and profit When wee behold daylie these good benefits let vs be drawne by each one of them to thankfulnesse of our Creator Let vs seeke the right vse of them that wee spende them not vpon sinne Finallie by these earthlie blessings call to minde the spirituall Riches Seeke spiritual riches and Foode of our soules that wee may not labour for the foode that perisheth but for that Foode which doth endure for euer Iohn 6.27 A PRAYER Vpon the LORDES thirde Dayes Worke. ETernall God and most louing Father as thou increasedst this thy hudge workmanship of the Worlde and hast created the Earth vpon this third Day so I beseech thee to increase thy Spirit within me and create in my barren colde and earthly heart fruitfull considerations to thy Majesties Glorie O Lord as thou preparedst in the seconde Daye the Heauens to bee the Citie of our remaining so hast thou ordained and established the Earth to bee the place of our Pilgrimage and wandering as the people of Israel were in the Wildernesse fourtie yeares before they came to the land of Promise Similitude Yet O Lord the Earth is thine and the fulnesse thereof There is no constant abiding to me in this Earth I lodge heere in tents I wander now heere now there helpe me poore Pilgrime in this desart place that I may finde thee a Pillar of Cloude in the day to couer me Exod. 13.21.22 and a Pillar of fire in the night and darknesse of this world to illuminate me to see the way to Canaaâ— Thou openedst a fountaine to Hagar the Bond-woman and her childe Gen. 21.19 when they were steruing for thirst I am not the childe of the Bond-woman but of the free-woman Open the fountaine of the House of Dauid and giue me of the water of life and satisfie my soule with the fatnesse of thine house Ezech. 13.1 Iohn 7.38 Psa 39.12 I am a Stranger heere on Earth as my Fathers were before me Let me not walke then as a stranger among the Philistims and Babilonians If I were a citizen and a man of their owne Ioh. 15.19 they would loue me But because I am not of them neither follow them nor their manners therefore they hate me My Mothers sonnes and familiar friends count me a stranger they stand farre from me Psal 69.8 in the day of trouble Draw thou nigh vnto me when they goe farre from me Iob 19.14 Wilt thou leaue a poore Suckling to die him alone in this wildernesse Though my Father and Mother forsake me yet thou wilt gather mee vp I am a Widow for my Lord and Husband is with thee Psa 27.10 I am his Turtle Doue lamenting mine alone till I see him Bring me thorow the straits of this Pilgrimage Psal 42.7 I steppe out of one deepe to
raging stormes of the Sea commeth greatest tranquillitie and calmnesse Simil. so after a disquieted minde God sendeth greatest consolations A PRAYER FOR A TROVBLED CONSCIENCE O Lord art thou also become mine enemie hast thou hid thy countenance in displeasure Oh that my griefe vvere vvell weighed Iob 6.2 and my miseries laide together in the Ballance they would bee farre heauier than the sand of the Sea for thine Arrowes are in me and the venome thereof drinketh vp my spirit I eate Gall for my Meat Psa 69.21 my Drinke is mingled with Vinegar Oh that God would destroy me I burne with sorrow spare me not O Lord yet haue I not denyed the wordes of the holie One Iob 6.10.11 Iob 7.6 c my strength is not the strēgth of a stone my dayes are swifter than a Weauers shottle Iob 7.6 c and flie away like the winde I speake to thee O Lord in the trouble of my spirit and moue in the bitternesse of my minde Am I a Whale fish that I am kept in ward I abhorre my life for my paine is greater than I am able to beare Genes 4.13 Iob 19.13 c. I haue none now to help me all haue forsaken me I am left to be a prey to my spirituall enemies thou hast set my secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance I inherit now the sinnes of my youth Iob 20.11 and 7.3 Psa 50.21 and the moneths of vanitie which I passed Thou hast put my sinnes in order and those things which I thought light by ydle thoughts and speaches now I finde them like mountaines so terrible is thy Tribunal and thy Face burning like fire The Heauens are not cleane before thee Iob 4.28 and 15.15 and 15.16 thou foundest no steadfastnesse in the Angels how much lesse can I who haue drunken in iniquitie like water bee justified before thee If I would justifie my selfe when thou hast reasoned with me 9.3.20 mine owne mouth would condemne me though I were just yet I could not answer but I would mak supplication to my Iudge and 9.15 If I wash me with snow water purge mine hands most cleanly 9.30.31 yet shalt thou plunge me into the pitte mine own cloathes shall make me filthie What shall I doe O thou Sauiour of men Wilt thou absent thy selfe for euer Hath God forgotten to be mercifull Psal 77.7.8.9 c. Will hee show no more fauour to my miserable soul doth his promise faile for euermore hath he shut vp his tender mercies in displeasure He hath lifted me vp and casten me down again He hath shot at me with his Arrowes as at a marke Then I said This is my death Iob 7.20 and 16.13 Psa 77.10 Yet I remembred the yeeres of the right hand of the most High and how he deliuered his children by his mightie arme Is the Lord like man that he can repent and Whom he loueth 1. Sam. 15.29 doeth he not loue to the end Manie pledges of thy fauour I haue receiued in my youth wilt thou nowe reject me in my gray haires Is there any shaddowe of change in thee Albeit all men be liars yet thou art faithfull and constant for euer Thy Sonne said Heauen and Earth should perish but one jot of thy word should not fall to the ground Matth. 24.35 But all the Scriptures proclaime thy mercie thou cryedst in the Campe of Israel with thine owne voyce The Lord is mercifull full of compassiō of great kindnesse Exo. 34.16 shewing mercie vnto thousands Therefore O Lord haue mercie vpon me miserable wretch cure my wounds powre in the Oyle and Wine of thy Sonnes blood and spirit that I may be made whole For out of the deepe places of a grieued heart haue I called Psa 130.1 vpon thee If thou wouldest obserue mine iniquities vvho can be saued Psa 130.3 4. But mercie is with thee that thou mayest be feared For euen as when the Sunne departeth in Winter then all tempests arise Snow Haile Frost Simil Windes c so when thou obscurest thy countenance from me then the Winter of all tēptations ariseth aganst me the Deuill my spirituall enemie raiseth vp such fearfull temptations that through the multitude of sinnes he terrifieth me euen in the night when I would haue slept he thought to haue made me to despare of thy mercies but O Lord I know that thy mercies are more infinite than my sins are or can bee yea though my sinnes be moe than the haires of mine head Psa 40.12 yet thy mercies are as the Sandes of the Sea or the Starres of Heauen which cannot be numbred Therefore O God let thy face shine vpon mee and I shall bee saued Psa 31.16 Mine enemies are risen vp against me and as thornes they pricke me on euerie side Psa 42.10 Psal 22.8 they say Now where is thy God he trusted in the Lord let him deliuer him let him saue him seeing he loueth him Psa 38.20 and 11. Psal 41.9 Yea those who render euill for good are mine enemies because I followe goodnesse My friends and familiars haue forsaken me and he that ate at my table hath lifted vp his heele against me yea he with whom I went vnto the House of God and communed with him of spirituall matters and who prayed with me and exercised the parts of diuine worship doeth scorne me saying Where is thy confidence thine hope and thy feare which thou hast of God But O Lord let me not be ashamed Psal 25.3 because I put my trust in thee O thou Sunne of righteousnesse come with the bright beames of thy countenance disperse and chase away the clowdes of my sinnes and of all these temptations chase away my spirituall aduersaries and giue not my temporall enemies cause to rejoyce ouer me neither yet to dishonour thine holie Name that when others say Beholde this poore man called vpon the Lord in his miserie Psal 34.6 and he heard the voyce of his prayer they may turne also vnto thee and be saued for I will consecrate my selfe to thy Name for euer through Christ Iesus my Lord and Sauiour to whom together with thee O Father and the holie Spirite bee all prayse honour glorie power and dominion World without ende So be it A MEDITATION VPON THE ESTATE OF KINGES KINGES are the principall and chiefe mēbers of the Church and are Heads of that Church which is within their Dominions and therefore euerie King ought to doe the part of an Head vnto her that is To fore-see her wealth maintaine her libertie speake for her heare those things which concerne her weale defende her from persecution and oppression and that shee bee not craftilie dealt withall as Pharoah did to the Israelites Exod. 1.10 11 Psal 45.7 lest they touch the Lordes Anointed and hee rebuke them and roote them out All good Christians are most duetifullie
another I goe through Fire Water carie me therefore from strength to strēgth Psal 84 7 till I appeare before God in Sion There are heere innumberable wylde Beastes young Lyons and fyrie Serpents to sting me but I looke to thy Iesus that Serpent of Brasse Men in danger of the serpents of this world Iohn 3.14 Of the thornie cares of this worlde Of the tentations of Sathan mouing to desperation or presumptiō Similitude 2. Sam. 3.39 who was erected vpon the Tree of the Crosse that he might cure remede me And again I walke vpon Thornes euen the thornie cares of this earth euery morning mine heart is vexed and pricked with them They vnquiet me so that they disturbe that peace which my soule shoulde haue with my God And whiles I am scarce fred of these thoughts Sathan with the temptation of sinne assaulteth mee hee buffetteth mee hee setteth my sinne in order before me and letteth mee see in a Glasse my whole iniquities O Lord bee mine helper my comforter and a strong Tower vnto mee for the sonnes of Zerviah are too strong for mee but I will not feare them if thou bee with mee Thy Rod and Shepheardes Staffe Psal 23.4 will comfort mee though I were walking through the shadowe of darknesse and in the valley of death But O Lord I haue yet farther to complaine that when I haue escaped these stormie tempestes and waues which inuaded me vpon the left hand then Sathan riseth vp on my right hand as an Angell of light and taketh mee vp to the Mountaine and offereth mee Riches Honoures Pleasures c. if I will walke in his wayes and worship him Luke 4.6 as hee did vnto Christ Iesus Lord let mee not taste of these Delicates or of the poysonable Cuppe of sinne Let mee not bee allured with the fruites of sinne albeit they present-faire thinges Let mee not run as a foolish Fish vpon the alluring baite of vnrighteousnesse Similitude I am more contented through pouertie 2. Cor. 6.8 and reproaches through a good report and an euill report to walke in this Earth in a good conscience with thy fauour than to possesse all the Treasures of Babel and to haue the losse of thy countenance Let the Earth bee soure vnto mee that the Heauens may bee sweete to mee Although the Earth smyle vpon mee vet it is but the smyle of mine enemie But albeit thou wouldest cast down thy coūtenance vpō me yet it is the downe-looking of my Father who will gladden my soule at last O my God thou hast commaunded the Earth which of its owne nature is dry and barren to yeelde Foode for my necessitie Thou hast commaunded mee to craue my daylie Bread at thine hand with a promise that if I aske Mat. 6.11 Matt. 7.7 it shall bee giuen mee Therefore O Father giue I beseech thee a blessing to the Earth and my labours therein that I may prosper Giue mee such a measure of thy creatures whereby I may not bee chargeable but rather helpfull vnto others Thou diddest feede thy People with the MANNA in the Desart Ex. 16.13 17.6 1. King 17 4.9 and broughtest them the Water out of the Rocke Thou fedst Eliah by the Rauen and likewise the Widow of Sareptah by thy secret blessing O Lord of Hostes thou art no lesse carefull of thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy Sonnes bloode than thou wast of the seede of Abraham thy seruant Hos 2.19 Sende therefore to the Earth the first raine Marrie me to thee in mercie and compassion that thou mayest heare the Heauens and the Heauens may heare the Earth and the Earth may heare vs thy people Lord let me take them out of thine hands as tokens of thy fauour and earnest-pennies of better things prepared for me in Heauen O Lord the Earth is defyled with cruelties and filthinesse and casteth vp horrible cryes to thy Majestie against the inhabitans thereof it is ladened with a burthen of sinfull creatures Rom. 8.23 it lifteth vp its head cryeth and groaneth as traueling with childe waiting for the day of our redemption for then it shall be deliuered from the burthen O Lord take away the burthen of sinne from the Earth and purge by thy blood the transgressions of vs thy people Sanctifie vs O Lord that the creatures may be sanctefied to our vse and we to thy seruie through Christ Thou hast hidde in the Earth thy great treasures of Golde Siluer Yron Brasse and Coales c. and the world is set on fire in presute of those things yea for Golde they wil renounce their God forsweare their Father perish their soule and their life their King countrey and their Parents O Lord this is a couetous people whose heart is set vpon these perishing and vncertaine things But O Lord thou art better to me than thousands of Golde and Siluer All say Psal 119.72 Psal 4.6 Who will shew vs any good thing but Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me Their treasures are hid in the depths of the Earth and they treade vpon them but thou O my treasure art hid in the height of the Heauens The Theife diggeth Mar. 6.20 and the Roust doeth consume their treasures but thou art incorruptible Their treasures are stollen from them but nothing can separate thee from vs neither death nor life neither things present nor things to come Rom. 8.35 Let mine heart be with thee where thou art for thou art my treasure Let me finde mercie with thee Gen 33.11 and then I haue all these things for thy loue is better than Golde Thy seruant Salomon made choyce thereof 1. king 3.9 and it was Dauids his fathers choyce who for loue of thee craued one thing That he might dwell in thine House all the dayes of his life Psal 27.4 Luk. 10.42 And Marie the sister of Martha desired that one thing Golde is not able to saue me from the Graue but my God thou wilt raise me vp at the last day What pleasure hath man of Golde when he dieth but he casteth it away and calleth himselfe a foole that he should haue taken pleasure in it he biddeth distribute to the Poore whom he spoyled all his dayes But when I die then I possesse my treasure which I longed for death which separateth me from the Earth conjoyneth me to thee and filleth vp my joye when I haue receiued my treasure Further O Lord as thou hast hidden these treasures vnder the Earth so thou hast decored the face of the Earth with thy great blessinges O when I looke vnder my feete and beholde euerie one of thy creatures I see in them thy power and thy glorie yea I see thou hast appointed the Worme to beate downe my pride In the basest creature may be seen Gods glorie Thou hast painted the face of the Earth with all sortes of colours delectable to the sight yea the Lillie passeth
benefires O Lord and I haue beene a great abuser of the same Thou didst make the Light vpon the first Day I haue abused it yea when thou sent mee a better Light for my soule I continued still in the workes of darknesse Thou vpon the second Day didst create the Heauens but I haue sinned against the Heauens Luk 15.18 and against thee and am not woorthie to looke vpwardes Thou didst make the Earth vpon the thirde Day but I am an vnprofitable burthen vnto it Thou didst make the Sunne and Moone vpon the fourth Day to shine but whilest they were shâ—ning I was sinning as though those glorious Vessels were appointed to carrie light to let mee see to commit iniquitie And nowe vpon the firth Daye thou furnishest two extraordinarie great Commodities for mans vse the Sea is prepared with Fishes and the Aire with Fowles and Birdes vnto my necessitie O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisedome hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy Riches thou hast commaunded the Sea to giue mee Fishes and the Aire Fowles thou hast put life into them and they are appointed to die for the maintenance of my life God letteth his creaturs die that we may liue Is not then my life precious vnto thee who makest so manie to die that I may liue But I am not onelie fed with them but am the price of thy Sonnes Bloode O Lord what am I that thou shouldest haue made them al to die that I might liue Then I beseech thee let my life serue to thine honour yea if my death might honour thee I desire to liue no longer Thou giuest me daylie Fishes out of the Seas and out of the Râ—uers Manie are steruing with Hunger and yet thou feedest mee Oh forgiue mee that sometimes I haue loathed those thy good creatures and abstract them not from mee although I haue contemned them heeretofore O Lord what prooues of thy deliuerie haue I had Thou broughtest mee to the Hauen and I forgot the Vowes which I promised vnto thee in the bitternesse of mine heart Nowe Lord I prayse thee for thy notable deliueries whereby thou hast kept mee and hencefoorth let me not doe what I will but what thou wilt and commaund mee as long as I liue Thou mightest haue made mee a baite and foode for the Fishes but yet thou hast made them foode for mee Let it bee O God to thy glorie and for the good of thy people for thou sendest them to the Nette of thy prouidence Let me therefore depende vpon thee I cast me ouer vpon the knees of thy fauour The Lyon shall be hungrie Ps 34.10 but those that feare thee shall lacke nothing which is good for them Oh that if I could be allured by these thy loue-tokens to praise thee aright and that I might bee stirred vp vnto a duetie to the Poore who are in necessitie O liberall God why should I receiue so aboundantlie and giue backe so niggardly and sparingly Open enlarge mine heart O Lord Psal 119. that mine hand may distribute these thy creatures to the hungrie poore and needie as a sure token which thou requirest of my thankfulnesse towardes thee Faythfull Fishers O Lord sende foorth vnto the Sea of this Worlde faythfull Fishers who may drawe manie soules from it vnto thine heauenlie kingdome Purge thine holie Church O God from all Hyrelinges and such as are not fishers of men And againe O Lord as thou hast prepared the Fishes in the Seas for my sustenance so hast thou likewise commanded the Aire to furnish all manner of feathered Fowles to my vse Therefore I giue thee thanks with my whole heart that thou sacrificest thy creatures out of al places for me beseeching thee that I may sacrifice the corruptions of my nature Further O Lord I learn by the Fowles that they flie in the Firmament but they feed on the earth Simil. Lord howsoeuer that I must seeke my foode here yet let my conuersation be in the Heauens When that in the Sommer I heare the sweet voyce of these Birdes which by their Angelicall Harmonie may justlie bee called the Ministers of Musicke I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon me thy poore creature and open my Lips and loose my Tongue that I may sound foorth thy praises and that by these thy creatures I may still finde newe prouocations to bee stirred vp to proclaime thy goodnesse that I being initiate entered into thy praise here may glorifie thee eternallie in Heauen through Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen A MEDITATION Vpon the LORDES Sixth Dayes Worke. VPon the sixth Day the LORD openeth the Earth and maketh it to bring foorth his Treasures and bringeth foorth Beastes of all sorts for Mans vse and last of all hee made Man Gods power out of the dead Earth bringeth Man and Beast First yee see the power of the worde of God which of that dead and colde bodie of ehe Earth brought foorth so manie liuing creatures which were not before This is a great Argument for the affirmance of the resurrection of our dead bodies Argument for the resurrection of the body for if hee brought out of the bosome of the Earth and gaue life which was not how easie is it then for him to raise out of the Earth the bodies which were liuing and to cause the Sea the Aire and the Earth render an account of the Bodies consumed in them The Lord created Kyne and Sheepe for his Rayment the Oxen to labour his Ground and the Horses for Carriage yea and the Worme to decore him with Silke As for the Lyon and other wylde Beastes which are enemies to Man it is to bee vnderstoode that it was not so at the beginning for at the first the Lyon the Tyger c. were as obedieÌ„t to Man as the Lambe Sinne hath inaâ—med MaÌ„ aganst God the Beastes aganst Man 1. King 13 24. 2. King 2.23 Nota. Creeping thinges not created in vaine Exod. 8.6 but alace sinne stirred vp and inarmed Man against God and the Beastes against Man as the Lyon against the young Prophet and the Beares against the young Children which mocked Elisha Therefore when wee get anie injurie by the creatures let vs call to minde that it is for our sinnes studie to bee reconciled to our Creator As for the innumerable creeping thinges let vs not thinke that God hath created them in vaine for he hath vsed them as great Hostes to punish his aduersaries whensoeuer he pleased as the Frogges for Pharoah and the little Vermine for Herod yea Act. 12.23 the Worms to sease vpon the Bodies of all Flesh which although neuer so daintilie fedde must bee a Prey vnto them And againe Men are compared to Beasies whâ—se nature is beastlie Psal 10.9 Psa 17.12 Psa 22.12 13.16.20.21 c. Isa 56.10.11 Gen. 49.14 16. let vs remember that Men are often times in the Scripture compared vnto diuerse
Beastes and get the names of such Beastes whose fashions and conditions they are moste addicted to followe They are called Lyons Rauens Beares Bulles of Da-shan Swyne Dogges Vipers c. The couetous Pastours are called dumbe greedie Dogges who cannot barke and neuer are satisfied Issachar is compared vnto a wylde Asse which concheth betwixt two Burdens and Dan vnto a Serpent and there are manie of the Trybe of Dan which byteth the Horse heeles and the ryder also And albeit there bee manie Adulterers and Murderers of the Trybe of Dan which shall enter into Heauen yet the Serpent-kynde of the Trybe of Dan shall not come there Plinius sayeth that there are three kyndes of Serpentes One which killeth all Strangers and spareth Countrey folks Plin. lib. 8. cap. 59. another which killeth Countrey folkes and spareth Strangers and the third which spareth none of them and there are people of all these sortes But I marke one thing in the Serpent wherein it differeth in crueltie from all other Beasts A remarkable marke of the Serpit against Man for the Lyon and Wolfe seeke after Mens Blood for the loue of the Bloode wherevpon they feede but the Serpent which feedeth vpon the Dust out of an hatefull desire of naturall reuenge thirsteth after Mans Bloode albeeit it getteth none other gaine thereby but onelie the satisfaction of her cruell minde representing manie deuilish and serpent-like people Nota. who albeit they get none other commoditie by the destruction of godlie persons yet they holde their selues satisfied that they haue gotten the malicious intent of their wicked heartes brought to passe Man of greaâ—est price is made last Now when the Lord had furnished his House with store of al good things as a louing and carefull Father hee builded an House to his Sonne and he â—illed it with all plenishing Simil. and then hee putteth his Sonne into it as God placed Man Hee maketh Man with aduisement Let vs make Man sayde the Father to the Sonne and to the Spirit Gen. 1.26 For this aduisement telleth vs that the Creation of Man is more than the Creation of the whole Worlde for Man is called a little Worlde because in him is comprehended a worlde of wonders in his Bodie and Soule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When hee sayeth To our Image then hee clearlie designeth the Trinitie of the persons Trinitie by the worde plurall And when hee sayeth Image in the singular Vnitie then he noteth the Vnitie of the substance The Image of GOD standeth not in the bodilie representation Wherein Gods Image standeth Isa 40.18.20 c. but in the giftes of the mynde therefore it is a grosse Idolatrie for Christians who knowe God to bee an infinite Spirite to close him within the compasse of a finite Image or to picture him with coloures who is capable of no qualitie Levit. 26.1 and which hee himselfe dischargeth by his Lawes For his Image standeth in Righteousnesse and Holinesse Mercie and Loue. GOD made Man and Beast of one substance The substaÌ„ce wherof wee are made should teach vs humilitie euen to teach vs humilitie and if wee had not soules wee differ verie little from Beastes But the power of God appeared so much the more who could produce out of so base a Subject such a glorious Workemanship As the cunning of the Artificer is much more admired Simil. who out of a base matter can worke fynelie than of a strong Mettall Then Mans bodie being so artificiallie made he breathed in him an heauenlie substance which is a spirit as God is who can neyther bee seene nor felt As the Heauens are more excellent than the Earth The wonderfull vnioÌ„ betwixt the Soule the Bodie and could worke without it which the Earth could not doe without the Heauens so can the Soule without the Bodie prayse God as it doeth in Heauen which the Bodie could not doe without the Soule In this life they haue mutuall operations the Soule directeth and the Bodie is directed the Bodie is blinde without the Soule and the Soule would bee creeple without the Bodie Let the Soule therefore commaund the Bodie in those thinges which are lawfull and let the Bodie obey the good direction of the Soule which both being made vp to the Image of GOD they may represent Him in all their actions A PRAYER Vpon the LORDES sixth Dayes Worke. O Lord God Father of Mercies and God of all consolation looke downe vpon mee I beseech thee with the Eyes of thy mercie and sithence thou hast created Man vpon the sixth Day create mine heart anewe and anoint it with a fresh remenberance of thy power and goodnesse that I may become a newe creature Vpon the fifth day thou plenishedst the Aire with Birdes and the Sea with Fishes innumerable Genes 1.21 and now the Earth yeeldeth all sortes of Beastes likewise euen to mans vse and they are brought vnder subjectioÌ„ that I might bee free they lay downe their liues for mee that I may liue by them and albeit both I and they bee made of one substance yet thou hast preferred mee aboue them all and hast put them vnder my feete Psal 8.6 so deare am I vnto thee I thanke thee O Lord that thou of thine vndeserued mercie and loue hast made thy choyse of mee Nota. God made choyse of â—s let vs â—herefore make choyse of God Genes 2.20 Oh Lord cause mee to make mine onelie choyse of thee Amongst thy creatures there is none like vnto thee Adam could not finde one equall to himselfe amongst all thy creatures till out of himselfe thou madest one like vnto himselfe O Lord there is nothing in Heauen nor in the Earth can satisfie my soule thou art the perfection of beautie thou hast giuen me the rest giue me thy selfe without whom neither the creatures visible nor inuisible will content mee Yet seeing it pleaseth thee that they should be appointed to feede cloathe and ease me make me the more able by them to goe forwarde in thy seruice let not that malediction and curse fall vpon mee Let vs beware that wee fight not against the Lord with his owne benefites that I should fight against the God of my life with his owne benefits to whom I am so infinitly oblished for his gracious gifts bestowed on me O Lord I haue receiued some new comfort in the day of my tryall when for my humiliation it pleaseth thee to punish me with pouertie then Sathan biddeth me turne the stones into bread as he did vnto Christ and seeke vnlawfull meanes for my reliefe But Matth. 4.3 Lord augment thou my fayth and let me depende vpon thy promises that I may build vpon them as vpon a sure Holde and speake boldlie with thy seruant Dauid The Lord is my sheepheard I shall not want Psal 23.1 No Prince of the Earth can say this word Nota. but a poore christian depending vpon thee may
HEPTAMERON THE SEVEN DAYES That is MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS Vpon the vvorke of the LORDS CREATION Together with other certaine Prayers and Meditations most comfortable for all Estates c. By M. A. Symson Minister at Dalkeith SAINCT-ANDREWS Printed by Edward Raban Printer to the Vniversitie 1621. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND VERTVOVS LADIE DAME MARGARET HAY Countesse of Dumfermeling Eternall Felicitie MADAME SInce it hath pleased our OMNIPOTENT CREATOR and gracious Redeemer to heape vpon your Ladiship manie and sundrie honourable Priuiledges of Nature and Grace and by them amongst manie others your good Friendes and Seruantes to ingage mee of a long time to honour serue your Ladiship with such Graces and Dueties by manie Testimonies of your comfortable kindnesse and care of mee as I haue hitherto with a constant intention to bee thankfull declared my willingnesse to expresse that I should not come with the common sort of this declining Age guiltie of the foule imputation of Ingratitude as the weaknesse of my wit and skill might afford I did communicate with your Ladiship for your priuate vse these MEDITATIONS vpon that fundamentall ground of Faith which is THE LORDS CREATION OF THE WORLD to bee vsed of your Ladiship with daylie Prayer Meditation that yee might neuer want matter wherein yee might rejoyce in the goodnesse wisedome and power of that Creator with a perswasion that his wise Prouidence reacheth vnto the conseruatioÌ„ of the same in Mercie and Iustice vnto the consummation of the Worlde wherein your Ladiship hath your comfortable entresse euen according to the Lordes euerlasting Decree of your Election Calling Iustification Sanctification and hope to bee glorified with all the rest of his Saincts and elect Angels in the euerlasting sellowship of his Kingdome besides the manie Obligations wherewith I stand indebted to my Lord your Noble Husband for his Lordships fatherlie care and patrocinie of mee in all mine affaiâ—es that your honour should not bee smoothered in the Christian affection which yee carrie to the Common-wealth of the Lordes Church not onelie in permitting but likewise in vrging that this Benefite might bee made of a publicke priuiledge to the vse of all them that by a common affection with you striue to worke out their saluation in feare and trembling and so make their election sure I haue according to my duetie dedicated this little Treatise to passe foorth vnder your Ladiships protection that the thankes of the paines which I haue taken in contriuing the same for your Ladiships priuate vse may redound vnto your selfe Madame from as manie as shall finde the benefite thereof for their information and stirring vp vnto anie duetie of Religion And as it can neither stand with my Profession your Ladiships sinceritie nor yet the superlatiue dignitie of such a glorious subject to pollute the same with the intising wordes of humane wisedome knowing your Ladiship to be as farre from all delight in assentation and flattering as yee are from the affectation of salfe and vndeserued praise I haue contented my selfe in the simplicitie of the Lordes trueth to commende vnto your Ladiship and all the rest of Gods Sainctes the constant and carefull practise of the Fayth and knowledge which may bee reaped by the reading and meditation of this Doctrine with Prayer and thankesgiuing to the Lord for the happie successe of the same not that I would wish your Ladiship by this distinction of the matter to seuerall dayes to bee so superstitiouslie tied vnto the same as if the whole particulars of the Creation should not bee at all times before your Eyes as a faire Garden whereof yee should beholde the beautie and smell the fragrant Odours together But heerewithall if it may please the Lordes gracious Majestie yee may resent the goodnesse power and wisedome of God in the Creation of euerie creature vpon its owne day when it was made So wishing the successe of these exercises to bee according to mine affection and intention for the Christian profit and progresse in the faith of the trueth which is according to godlinesse I beseech God to blesse your Ladiship with my Lord your Husband and your hopefull Sonne Lorde CHARLS with all Prosperitie in this Life and euerlasting happinesse in the Life to come I rest Your Lad. seruitour A. SYMSON TO THE CHRISTIAN READER GEntle and Christian Reader sith yee receiued so tenderly my first Booke Of the seuen words which our Lord spak vpoÌ„ the Crosse I haue taken courage to present this Booke Of the Creation also to your consideration which suppose it preceed the other in time so long as the Creation of the Worlde doeth Mans Redemption purchased by the death of Christ yet they succeede in effect and woorth for it had beene farre better that neither the World for vs nor wee for our selues had beene made than that wee should not haue beene redeemed by him This if yee peruse diligentlie and meditate consideratiuelie I doubt not but that yee shall see the Lord more clearelie in his owne workes this beeing as it were a mirrour and looking Glasse wherein wee may perfectlie beholde Himselfe his Omnipotencie Wisedome Loue Goodnesse c. By this also yee may draw nearer and nearer vnto the Lord your God and become more frequent and acquainted with him by daylie meditating vpon his woorthie Workes praysing him giuing him thankes for the same and praying vnto him to continue his graces towardes you still vnto the ende I did reade Sainct Ambrose his HEXAMERON and the woorthie D. BARTAS and I trust yee shall perceiue the direction of one Spirit guiding vs all vnto one and the selfe same Ende I perswade my selfe that there are manie well minded Christians who will likewell of this Booke and againe others will perhaps dislike of it euen such as esteeme of nothing but that which is forged in their owne Shop yea they know no better means to grace themselues than by disgracing others as Sainct Hierome sayeth in his Epistle vnto Sainct Augustine But I craue at thine handes most courteous Reader that since in anie mans worke there will â—ee some Drosse amongst Golde thou wouldest choose the best if iâ— were but in the Dongue-hill and passe by the other with a chaâ—itable construction in the meane time accepting this in good part and if it please God to continue his graces with mee thou mayest expect more 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A. Symson ON THE BOOKE GOD binding with hid Tendons this great ALL Did make a LVTE which had all parts it giuen This LVTES round Bellie was the azur'd Heauen The Rose those Lights which Hee did there install The Basses were the Earth and Ocean The Treble shrill the Aire the other Strings The vnlike bodies were of mixed things And then His Hand to breake sweete Notes began Those loftie Concords did so farre rebound That Floods Rocks Meadows Forrests did them heare Birds Fishes Feasts danc'd to their siluer sound Onlie to them Man had a deafned Eare. Now him to
the glorie of Salomon What Flowres for the smel Mat. 6.28 what Hearbes with such rare vertues for the preseruation of man yea there is not the basest weed wherein there is not inclosed some speciall vertue for the maintenance of mans nature All thinges on earth created fo◠mans vse Psal 105.16 Ibid. 104.15 NOTA. The Cornes are againe brought foorth which are the staffe of bread to strengthen him and the wynes which doe glad mans heart and the Oyle which maketh him to shyne the Figges which are sweet to the taste Then Lord if thy creatures doe yeelde such comforts to me is there not much more consolation in thee Thou hast giuen me a large portion of all these benefits which thou hast withholden from others Giue me thy selfe with them or else take them all from me Three things I doe aske at thy Majestie Three requests 1. first let not these benefits which I receiue daylie become snares to me to draw me from thee Giue me no moe of them than may further me to thy seruice When thou giuest me any new earthlie gift then presentlie with it giue me a newe remembrance of thee that it may bee a Loue-token of my Lord whereby I may bee kindeled to loue thee the more Next I beseech thee that whatsoeuer earthlie gift I get thou wilt put some secret blessing therein that it may bee profitable vnto me Thou giuest thy benefits to manie and blowest vpon them so O Lord likewise blow vpon me with the blast of thine owne Spirit and bid thy creatures increase and multiplie And last of all let mee not bee taken with an excessiue desire of them but that with an open heart and hand I may bee comfortable vnto others O Lord let my Cup ouer-flow and let not my left hand knowe what my right hand doeth psal 23.5 Matt. 6.3 but as thou giuest liberrallie and freelie so with a free heart I may giue to thy Sainctes who are of the Familie of Faith psal 16.3 Let me bee a seruant of them and wash their feete And seeing thou art wise in the dispensation of thy benefits to me sometimes thou wilt haue me to abound sometimes to want in the one to haue a proofe of thy liberality in the other of thy chastisements learne mee in euerie estate to be content Pray for contentmēt and giue mee that heauenlie benefite of contentation the Note and Marke of thy Children And sith I brought nothing into the world Iob 1.21 I will carrie nothing out of it Giue me Meat Rayment with contentment And giue mee thy poore creature the assistance of thy principall Spirit that when I shall depart from these creatures and they from mee euen as thou gauest them vnto mee so I may bee heartilie content that I by the separation from them may perfectlie be vnited vnto thee for thou art my portion my lot and euerlasting inheritance So bee it A MEDITATION Vpon the LORDES fourth Dayes Worke. GOD made the azury Heauens vppon the second Day and now hee carueth them vppon the fourth Day and decoreth them with a multitude of Coelestiall Lights as is wonderfulll to beholde such glorious Tortches so infinit in number and powerfull in operation Notwithstanding Pharoahs daughter brought vp Moses in the Sciences of the Aegyptians and namely in Astronomie as some Writers testifie wherein they with the Caldeans were most curious Yet the Spirit of God by his Penne To auoyde curiositie describeth the Starres simplie without any curiositie Whereby God would teach vs to be wise with sobrietie and search no deeper in these profound actions of God than it doeth please him to reueale vnto vs or that may be to his glorie lest through our deepe searching our wit be dazeled and so befall vs as it did to the Astronomer who in a Winter Night searching the Starres fell into a Well Similitude and died He curiously seeking the knowledge of the Starres forgot the Earth and so lost both Heauen and Earth In the TREATISE of the fourth Day Moses first setteth down the creation of the Sunne Moone and Starres Next the ends for which they were made which were three First for Dominion the Sunne should rule the Day the Moone the Night Secondly for Distinction that they might separate the Day from the Night And thirdlie to be significations for signes and seasons First hee setteth the Sunne in his Tabernacle who commeth foorth daylie like a Bridgroome psal 19.5 or like a valiant man readie to runne a race God hath put into the Sunne such beautie and such wonderful operations which are but sparks of that Majestie and wonderfull operation power which is in himselfe The majestie which is in the creatures is but a sparke of that which is in the Creator Ezech. 8.16 Ier. 7.18 2. King 23 5. The admiration whereof made not only the ignorant Gentiles to adore them as Gods in consecrating the dayes of the weeke to the seauen Planets but also the superstitious Iewes did adore the Sunne and Moone as the King and Queene of Heauen and did maintaine that they did waile against Ieremie Ezechiel I will speake first of the Sunne by Gods helpe without curiositie seeking only out those things of him by which wee may praise God I obserue then in him three things to wit his qualities his courses and his defects His name is Sol quasi solus alone domining ouer the rest to whom he imparteth his light Sol quasi solus And againe by the brightnesse of his appearance he obscureth them all 1. The Sunne giueth light Now I would yee considered that if a created Sunne containeth such measure of light as illuminateth all the world yea the Heauen also who will not thinke but Iesus Christ If one created Sun can giue light to all may not Christ giue light vnto all who is God himselfe Sol justitiae the Sunne of Righteousnesse is able to giue life and light to all the world without the helpe of the light of these halfepennie Candles the merits of men For a thing vnperfect may be made more perfect by addition augmentation as one Candle by another Similitude but a thing perfect is disgraced by addition as if yee would bring a pot of water to the Sea or light a Candle to the Sunne Thinges perfect are disgraced by addition or breath in the Aire So to augment or adde any thing to him is to dishonour him and pulleth his glorie from him as though hee were not sufficient I am the Lord saith he and none besides me And againe if the Starres dare not appeare before the Sunne what madnesse is it to present the filthie and menstruous clouts of mens merits before God Iob 4.18 who did finde follie in his Angels and the Heauen it selfe is not cleane before him 2. The Sunne giueth life The other qualitie of the Sunne is hote by which he reuiueth
signifie Some Planets but each one of them hath a seuerall office and compleateth his course in his appointed time as the Sunne and Moone doe and haue their particular operations vpon the inferiour creatures As for the Comets they take their name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Comets which is called the haire because they seeme to carrie as it were haire about them of whom Plinius maketh mention in his second Booke of his naturall historie and twentie fiue Chapter The ends of their creation Simil. As for the ends of their creation First the Sunne was created to rule the Day the Moone the Night So this darke and blinde world is ruled by the light of Christ and of his Church which is illuminated and directed by him But I maruell how the Church of Rome can call her selfe the Sunne and the Princes of the world the Moone for if she be the Spouse of Christ then must she be the Moone of whom is spoken in the Scripture and Christ must be her Sunne So in comparison of her the secular persons are the Earth I maruell likewise of these against whom Ieremie and the rest of the Prophets so oft speaketh who thinke that their life and the events thereof still depend vpon the Starres or Plannets which is a manifest idolatrie putting them in Gods place NOTA. But let vs learne that the superiour creatures haue so power ouer the inferriour bodies that wee leaue all the euent of them to God Against the curiositie in searching our euents 1. Sam. 28.18 the maker and guider of all let vs seeke his fauour depende on his prouidence without any curious searching of our euent lest wee receiue the answere of Saul A PRAYER Vpon the LORDES fourth Dayes Worke. GRACIOVS GOD and mercifull Father who hast filled the Heauens with such infinite Lightes vpon this fourth Day inlighten mine vnderstanding I beseech thee that I may see thy power and thy glorie in these thy good creatures and through them as through spectacles let me look in to the Father of Lights Thou hast created the Sunne who by his beautie and bountie hath adorned the whole Earth As the Sun shineth on the bodie pray that Christ may shine on the soule hee ariseth each morning on my bodie so I pray thee that the Sunne of Righteousnesse the Sunne Iesus Christ may shine vpon my darkened minde euerie daye and houre and chase away the cloudes of ignorance and of sinne from my soule that thou mayest shine brightly in me Woe is mee my Lord howe manie times hath the Sunne shined vpon mee and as Absolom before the Sunne committed wickednesse 2. Sam. 16 22. so I before the Sunne in the pride of my wicked heart haue often times sinned against thee O my Father and therefore I confesse that I am not woorthie that the Sunne should shine vpon mee O Lord Iesu spreade thy Mantle ouer mee that thy Father beholde not my wickednesse Thou puttest light in the Sunne that hee may shine therefore Lord put knowledge and vnderstanding in mee Thou hast put hotnesse in the Sunne Oh warme mine hart with thy loue that through the loue I beare to thee I may also breake foorth in the loue of my Neighboures And as the Sunne runneth constantlie in his course at thy commaundement so Lord let mee run all my dayes in the path of thy Law for hitherto I haue run as a wylde Asse in the broade way of destruction yea I brayed after the desires of sinne psal 42.1 as the Hart doeth after the Riuers of Waters and nothing could haue satisfied mee vnlesse I had obtained my sinfull desire Now Lord haue mercie vpon me draw my feet out of the vnhappie way of sinne let me runne with as speedie a course in the way of thy seruice Let vs bee more diligēt to serue God than wee were before to sin against him that as Sainct Paul thy seruaunt was more diligent in thy employment than he was in the destruction of thy Church so I may be more busied in thy honourable seruice than I was in seruing mine owne affections and in the seruice of Sathan Alace O Lord howe slow am I to doe thy seruice But if thou wilt drawe mee I will run after thee Oh drawe mee by the Cordes of thy loue Cantic 1.3 yea rather than I should lie behinde force mee with the Cordes and Whippes of thy visitation that I may learne to runne a quicker swifter pace than I haue done heeretofore But alace NOTA. that the Sunne which is a senselesse creature should neuer bee wearie and that I should so soone bee tyred in seruing of thee The Sunne constant in its course O louing Father stirre vp a constant zeale of thine honour in mine heart I beseech thee that as I goe forwarde in yeeres so I may make greater progresse in godlinesse O LORD when I see the Sunne and the Moone and the Starres c. which are the workes of thine owne hands O then I thinke with my selfe What is Man that thou shouldest visit him or the sonne of man that thou shouldest magnifie him For albeit the Sunne were in the highest top of its beautie glorie yet it is but my seruant and likewise the Moone The Sunne serueth vs let vs serue GOD. and the Starres Then fye vpon mee if I shall not in whatsoeuer estate I am serue thee O my gracious God who hast made so glorious creatures for my vse LORD I pray thee let my light so shine before men that all who beholde my conuersation may take occasion to glorifie thine holie Name O Father of Lightes lighten thou my Candle that it may shine clearelie and furnish it with the Oyle of thine holie Spirite and Worde that it may shine euen as a bright Morning Starre in thy Kingdome Thy seruant Paul O Lord 1. Cor. 15.41 sayeth that there is one glorie of the Sunne and another of the Moone and another of the Starres It is true there is great diuersitie amongst the Sainctes heere on Earth and likewise great difference of glorie in the Life to come But O my God let mee shine but as the least of thy Starres that I may bee fixed in thy Firmament and giue out my light of knowledge and good life vnto this darke Age. The Moone knoweth the time of her change and as shee changeth so doe all the inferior creatures with her for all men are grasse and there is no steadfast abiding for them heere But O Lord heerein is my comfort The Moone changeth but God can not change Ps 90. ◠6 Psal 90.2 Luke 1.5 that there is no shadowe of changing with thee Thou art from euerlasting to euerlasting yea my God thy kindnesse and trueth abideth from generation to generation euen vnto such as feare thee and attende vpon thy mercies and goodnesse O vnchangeable God I finde none alteration with thee for although men runne
last at afternoone meditate vpon the word which thou hast heard harow the ground by conference and visit the sicke breake thy Bread to the hungrie thou shalt find such infinit occasions of spirituall exercises vpon the Sabbath that thou hast no neede to spende it ydlie for lacke of better exercise Great differance betwixt Rest and Ydlenes But it is to be vnderstoode that there is a great difference betwixt Rest and Ydlenesse for ydlenesse is euer taken in an euill part and is the foster-mother of all sinne and there is no day in the weeke wherein God hath permitted it Sixe dayes shalt thou labour sayeth the Lod. Exod. 20.9 2. Thess 3.10 And the Apostle Paul dischargeth to giue foode to those who worke not But Rest is euer taken in a good sense when we are commanded to cease from one sort of exercise that we may be occupied in a better for the thornie cares of this world wil impede deuotion therefore God willl that we lay them aside for a while to the ende we may the better waite and attende vpon Gods diuine Seruice Wherevpon vpon it followeth necessarilie that the Sabbath is not only abused by such as worke their earthly businesse thereon but also by such as cease in bodie and their mindes and mouthes are filled with worldly affaires Then this Rest consisteth in two things ceasing and working must be the most diligent day in the whole weeke Spirituall rest both in regard of the soule that hath her principall operation that day and the ende of her labour which is God his kingdome which only wee should seeke that day This Rest must be totall and not partlie The Sabbath dayes rest must bee totall and not parted for the soâ—le all the faculties thereof and the bodie with her members must bee put to worke for Gods glorie Wee must not employ our cogitations to think vpon these earthly thinges Haue not our mindes beene worne as Milstones grinding gaine to the world these dayes bygone The Beast careth but for things present Simil. but thy care hath bene for things to come thou wilt serue God this day with thy mouth and thy god Mammon with thy mind God esteemeth and judgeth thy seruice from the inwarde disposition of thine heart as he doeth all things for he looketh not as man doth God judgeth of maÌ„ by his heart 1. Sam. 16.7 If with thy heart thou drawest neare vnto him then thou hast obserued his Sabbath for the heart will carrie thy body which the bodie cannot for thy soule will goe where she pleaseth albeit the bodie be in the Temple of God Next vpon the Sabbath it is required that our hearts and affections be spirituallie disposed with a delight and pleasure in the Lord. Heerefore the Lord craueth by his Prophet that his Sabbath should be a day of delight Isa 58.13 for there is none action which a man inteÌ„deth with hope of gaine or pleasure albeit it bee painfull that hee hath not delight into but specially in the works of sinne which Sathan baiteth with wonderfull delights If we haue taken such pleasure in the seruice of sinne whose ende is death shall we not rejoyce when we goe to the house of our God seeing only that seruice which is done with joy of the heart on the Sabbath is acceptable to God and profitable to thy soule What shall we thinke of such Recusants who will not heare the voyce of their Bridegroome Recusants damned such as for feare come to the Church Simil. neither will come to the Sanctuarie of God or of such who for feare of lawes for shame or custome doe come I will compare them to a shrewde wife married to an Husband who refuseth to him cohabitation and if sometime she be enforced to come to his societie she signifieth by her countenance and outward behauiour that her heart is not with him and therefore is not worthie that he should delight in her As also those Christians of whatsoeuer estate they bee which vse their games and pastymes on the Sabbath Gamesters rebuked whether in the house or in open albeit the one is more offeÌ„siue thaÌ„ the other yet in themselues they are both sinful for in so doing they declare howe little delight they haue in things which are better 1. King 3.24 Simil. Then yee would cut the child in twaine as the whoore would haue done but the Lord to whome the Sabbath belongeth sayeth Either giue me the whole day or take it all to thy selfe The Lord is the Lord of the Sabbath it is his owne day the rest he hath giuen to thee take of thy sixe dayes and robbe not him of his one As the Rod of Aaron swallowed vp the Rod of the inchanters of Egypt Simil. Exod. 7.12 so let the delight of God deuoure all other pleasures And as wee must make conscience of our thoughts and all actions so wee must beware of ydle speaches on his Sabbath Ydle speaches on the Sabbath for if the tongue bee a most noble member when should it bee occupyed in his seruice if not on the day of his rest will not thy tongue finde in that infinite God Nota. infinite matter of speach of the proofes which thou hast had of his power fauour wisedome justice patience c that thou needest not for lacke of spirituall purpose to talke ydlie Besides that his word is an Ocean of matter furnishing thy tongue so well to sing his prayses And so on the Lordes day let vs speak the language of Canaan Further Isa 19.18 we must not goe our owne wayes or doe our will the way which hee hath prescribed vs to goe is to his House and to visit the sicke indigent and not to goe make our merchandise vpon this day The people of Israel went out to seeke Manna vpoÌ„ the sabbath Exod. 16.27 but they found nothing neither shal our Sabbath erraâ—ds find any benediction So on the Lords Sabbath let our mindes our members On the Sabbath let all our members bee occupied in Gods seruice cease from the world and much more from sinne that wee may meditate vpon the Lawe of God Our eyes may beholde his works glorifie him in them our eares may heare his word our tongue may proclaime his praise our knees may bow downe and worship him we may lift vp our hands to heauen our feete may goe to his house so all may concurre in his majesties Sabbath to his honour The promise which God giueth if we obserue it is That we shall mount vp to the high places of the earth Isa 58.14 this is temporall and he will feede vs with the heritage of Iacob our father this is spirituall Godlinesse then hath the promise of this life and the life to come Godlinesse hath a twofolde promise for there is no doubt but the diligent seruice of God vpon this day shall procure a
thy Spirit may make the whole counsell of God knowne to the people that they keepe nothing backe nor adde nothing lest thou O God adde vnto them the curse of thy Law Rev. 22.18 scrape their names out of the booke of Life And because thy Church is vnder continuall dangers O Lord keepe her and all her members from the cruell rage of all her enemies Lord let the malice of her aduersaries turne to themselues and bring confusion vpon all such as hate Sion Lord giue peace to her Walles and her Palaces and blesse those that blesse her Psal 122.7 and curse those that curse her keepe her like the Apple of thine Eye Psal 17.8 which thou louest Thou wilt bee with her in the middest of the fire and the water that she bee not destroyed nor ouer-whelmed By thine hand O Lord she hath bene preserued They lay shares for the poore Church but cut thou them asunder yea Psal 7.16 and 57.6 trappe them in the net which they haue laide They haue digged a pitte let them fall into the midst of it So shall come to all the enemies of our God and his Church Let them be as a turning Wheele and 83.13 and a rolling Ball. Let them be as smoake which vanisheth before the winde and. 68 2. and as Waxe which melteth in the Sunne Let them be like a lumpe of Lead vvhich sinketh to the bottome of the Sea O Lord if it were any particular reuenge of mine owne I vvould pardon their vvronges But alace it is done to my Mother thy Spouse how shall I beare it Burie them in eternall forgetfulnesse vvho haue done such despitefulnesse to her as that cruel Antichrist and his adherents haue done And to the effect that thine enemies may bee discomfited arise O Lord sharpen the Arrowes of thy Worde by vvhich thou mayest pierce the hearts of the Kinges enemies Psal 45.5 Draw the Sword of thy Word Heb. 4.12 which is two-edged that it may cut to the diuision of the marrow from the bones Let not thy holy Word be as a dead letter any longer in the mouths of thy Ministers but make it a quickning spirit to bring downe great Holdes let the breath of thy mouth confound thy foes that thy Ministrie may be powerfull and the world may see that thou hast not left thy Church without both counsell and comfort 1. Pet. 1.22 that men are not only hearers but also doers of thy word And againe I pray for thy Ministrie that they may be faithfull Stewards of thy Mysteries 1. Cor. 3.12 vigilant Watchmen diligent Shepheardes wise Builders not of stubble 1. Pet. 2.4 but of Golde vpon the foundation which is Christ and that their only care be to see the glorie of thy Name and for the good of the Church which is our Mother Blesse and increase the fruit of her Wombe let her grow in number like the Starres of Heauen let her bee fruitfull in her age let her sonnes be like Oliue Plants bringing foorth fruit let her daughters be like carued corner Stones Psal 144.12 in whose hearts thou wilt carue thine Image in the similitude of a Palace And blesse her with the blessing of Heauen and of the earth and of the deepe Gen. 49.25 and let all the eternall blessings which my soule can wish bee vpon thy Spouse my Mother the vniuersall Church vpon all her children friendes and seruants yea whosoeuer loueth the peace of thy Church let them prosper I pray namelie to thee O Lord for thy Church in France Bohemia Pray for the Church in France and Bohemia which thou began with the bloode of innumerable Martyres which thou hast made to grow amongst the middest of thine enemies Maintaine O Lord the vvorke vvhich thou hast begunne amongst them giue them wisedome that they be not circumueaned with the policies of their aduersaries and that in this dangerous time they may cleaue only to thee who will be both their wisedome and protection O Lord looke vpon this Church which thy right hand hath planted in this Yle of Britane thou translated this Vine out of Aegypt and diddest plant a Vine-yarde to thy selfe thou didst hedge it about with thy prouidence thou confoundedst all her enemies thou buildedst a watch-tower in the middest thereof Isa 5.1.2 c. Psal 80.8 and sent watchmen accordingly to giue warning to them But O Lord thou crauedst lookedst for wine-grapes they yeelded thee wilde-grapes So that now we deserue that thou shouldest pull downe the hedge and suffer the wilde Boare to enter into thy Planting Remember O Lord thine ancient mercies and forget our iniquities digge vs O Lord and take paines vpon vs that we may be fruitfull And finallie O Lord blesse all the visible Congregations of people who call vpon thy Name and all the particular persons whose names are written in the Booke of Life fill vp the number of thine Elect cal them effectually by thy word that we may bee all one Folde vnder one chiefe Shepheard Shorten O Lord the dayes of sinne Ioh. 10.17 and hasten thy comming Lord Iesus that thy Spouse beeing prepared a pure Virgine she may be taken vp to the newe Hierusalem to Heauen Rev. 21.10 where after the infinit Battels temptations of this world she may reigne eternallie and bee crowned in thy Kingdome with Christ her blessed Lord and Sauiour AMEN A MEDITATION VPON THE HOLY COMMVNION THERE are two great Seales which God hath affixed to the Charter of his word to wit Two Seales affixed to the Word the Sacrament of Baptisme and of the Lordes holy Supper Albeit the Church of the Iewes was loadned with manie Sacraments as the Passeouer Circumcision Manna Christians haue fewer Sacraments in numbeâ— than the Iewes but mâ—re in sigâ—ification and amplification the Rocke the Clowde the Sea c. Yet God hath giuen the Christian Church Numero pauciora factu faciliora significatione ampliora that is Fewer in number easier to be done and of more large signification The Sacrament of Baptisme is a Sacrament of Initiation when wee are entered into the Familie of God and the Sacrament of the Supper is a Sacrament of Confirmation whereby the Children of God who are spirituallie borne in Baptisme in the Bath of Regeneration by the remission of their sinnes in Christes bloode which is signified by the washing of water the same are fedde at his Table in the Sacrament of the Supper are fedde by Christes bodie and blood Poâ—h the Sac aments ha e one substance vnto euerlasting Life Both these Sacramentes offer one Christ who is the substance and matter of them both albeit diuerslie First the diuersitie is in the time The Sacraments differ in â—â—e things for Baptisme must goe before the Supper neither can anie communicate who are not first baptized Next Baptisme to one the Supper to manie for otherwise it
and Israel amongst the Heathen People Hee fedde the House of Iaakob in Aegypt by Ioseph Elimelech and Naomi in Moab the Prophets in the Caue by Obadiah Eliah by the Rauen and the Widow by Eliah Though the Lyons sayeth Dauid doe lacke are hungrie yet those that feare the Lord shall want nothing that is good yea in the dayes of Famine they shall haue enough and shall laugh at Dearth and Famine But in the time of Famine let vs remember howe often times wee haue exceeded measure in prodigalitie and howe wee haue hardened our heartes to the poore and needie and let vs repent and mourne for the same Next looke that thou despare not but humble thy selfe vnder the hand of the Lord and put thy whole trust in his promise who is faythfull but beware that thou seeke none vnlawfull meanes for thy reliefe And lastlie let vs pray feruentlie and often attending Gods pleasure with patience and then no doubt Hee will prouide meanes for our comfort vnlooked for A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF FAMINE IVST and righteous art thou O Lord God who hast so manie wayes to humble mee for nowe thou hast taken from mee thy good benefits which thou gauest mee I confeâ—â—â— O Lord that when my wayes were ouâ—-flowing with Oyle and Butter Iob 29.6 â—en I brake not my Bread vnâ—â—â—â—â—uâ—â—rie Psal 30.6 I say de in my prospeâ—â—â— I wilâ— neuer bee mooued but tho â—â—â—â—nedst thy countenance and I perâ—â—â—d Thou gauest mee O Lord Iob 1â— 21 and thoâ— hast taken from mee blessed bee thiâ—â— holie Name I repent mee oâ— my former abuse the contempt of thy benefâ—â—es and thy people But I returne to thee O my Father Luke 15.19 with teares I confesse that I am not woorthie that thou shouldest bestowe anie moe vpon mee Yet Lord I beseech thee to haue mercie vpon mee and let mee bee as one of thine hyred Seruantes For I will put my confidence in thee and I will seeke thee earlie because I knowe thou hast a thousande means for my reliefe comfort which I see not my selfe O Lord thou hast wounded me oh Iob 5.18 heale mee againe Thou filledst the Widowes Barrels with Oyle 1. King 17 16. and the Riuers of thine Oyle are not yet dried vp but continue still for they are euerlasting Powre downe therefore I beseech thee o thou plentifull God some droppe of thy goodnesse vpon mine emptie soule for the time of my necessitie is the time of thine oportunitie Make mee an example of thy liberalitie that all the worlde may see that thou leauest not those which put their trust in thee Shew some tokeÌ„ of thy fauour vnto mee and I shall praise thee For since thou gauest thy Christ for mee NOTA. wilt thou not much rather giue mee other thinges which are good for mee And last seeing thou hast prepared that hidden Manna for mee and the Tree of Life Revel 2.17 22.1.2 the Waters of Life yea and the whole Treasures and Crownes in thine euerlasting Kingdome then I doubt not O Lord but that in this short time of mine abiding heere thou wilt bee carefull for my prouision But howsoeuer it bee I am content of thy wise dispensation and teach mee my God I beseech thee to bee contented to abound and to want Phil. 4.11 that neither in wealth I presume and misknowe thee nor that in pouertie I may faint and tempt the Lord my God but that in euerie estate I may glorifie thee and speake good of thy Name Euen for Christ Iesus sake AMEN A MEDITATION OF PESTILENCE THe Pestilence is one of Gods three Arrowes Causes of Pestilence Psal 91.6 which flieth in the mid-day and in the night killeth manie The causes of it are the contempt of the Lord an extraordinarie persecutioÌ„ of the Church Lev. 26.25 or else the pride of Princes who confide ouer much in the multitude of their Subjectes 2. Sam. 24.10 as Dauid did There are manie sorts of the Plague after which it obtaineth diuers names as Bubo Blew-blawart the Flexes The Pest is most daungerous in 4 respects the Charbuckle c. The Pest is most dangerous in foure respectes first because it is contagious and infecteth the aire secondlie it is speedie and flieth like an Arrow thirdlie it is vehement and extreame painfull and fourthlie it is cruell separating those who are bound by nature as Parentes from Children Husbandes from their Wiues c. Vnder the time of the Plague vvee should fall downe before God Wee should stoupe when we see the Sword in the hand of the Angel Let vs confesse our particular sinnes with Dauid saying I and my fathers house haue sinned 2. Sam. 24.17 Psa 51.17 Wee must offer vp to GOD the Sacrifice of a contrite heart and present vnto him the perfect Oblation of Christ That the Plague may cease there is none Arte or diligence of man or yet Physicke to bee vsed but the next remedie is onelie true repentance in CHRISTES Blood A PRAYER IN THE TIME OF PESTILENCE O Lord I confesse that I am worthie that thou shouldest powre foorth all the Violes of thy wrath against me Rev. 6.14 and all the plagues which are written in thy Law for the stinke of my sinnes pierced the Heauens forced thee to send down this filthie and infectiue Botch to bee auenged vpon mine abhominations whereby I haue polluted the Earth O Lord bee mercifull to me and take away mine iniquities I retiere to the shadowe of the Almightie for a refuge and couer Psalm 9.9 and I hide me in the secret of thy Tabernacle Thou shootest thine arrowes in the mid-day yea they slay innumerable thousands in darknesse at thousand falleth at thy side Psal 91.7 and ten thousands at thy right hand and yet thou hast spared me praised bee thy Name for euer If the men of Benjamin failed not in their shooting at an haire-bredth Iudges 20.16 can the eye of the Lord or his hand wauer all things are done by thy prouidence Marke mee with the letter of mourning and with the blood of the Lambe Ezech. 9.4 Rev. 20.15 write me in the booke of Life that in the day of thy great slaughter the Angel of thy wrath may passe by me I ly wrapped in the mantle of my Sauiour before thy Mercie Seate beseeching thee to deliuer me from this plague if it please thee And if thou hast appointed that I should die therein sanctifie my death that it may bee acceptable to thee sanctifie my faith with the assurance of thy loue that albeit I be seperated from men yet thou wilt not be seperated from me sanctifie my patience that I may drink in this Cuppe chearfullie sanctifie in ende my memorie that I may remember thy inercies in the midst of thy plagues Lord let the joy of thy presence swallow vp all my pangues that hauing receiued the finall victorie in the blood of
Gates of Hell by Stripes and Wounds our Lord weÌ„t before vs. The feare of Death springeth of the weaknesse of faith and our great loue of the world begets in vs great desire of life and our little sight of Glorie maketh ouer great feare of Death RemeÌ„ber that there are two Deaths and feare the greater There are two deaths Rev. 20.14 the first Death is the separation of the soule from the bodie but the second Death is the euerlasting separation of God froÌ„ the soule If thou be partaker of the resurrection from sinne the second Death shal haue no power ouer thee therfore thou needest not to be afraid of the first Death if thou be deliuered from the second 2. Thou needest not to feare the first Death Death is vniuersall for it is a fatall necessitie laide vpon all Flesh Kinges Prophets People c. all must depart A profitable exchaunge by death 3. There is great gain by the exchaÌ„ge for wee get a Palace for a Prison rest for labour libertie for bondage God for men the companie of Angels for the companie of sinners and finallie the Heauens for the Earth 4. Thou mayest take comfort in thy death Present joy by death without delay Luke 23.43 NOTA. Sinne is taken away Simil. The-paines of death are short because thy soule shall not bee holdeÌ„ in suspense nor stand at the gates of HeaueÌ„ nor goe to Purgatory for new tormentes for in the day of thy death thou shalt be with the Lord in Paradise 5. The sting of Death is taken froÌ„ it which is Sinne then Death can doe thee no more harme than a Serpent which wanteth a Sting 6. The pangues of Death which thou sustainest are but momentaneall but thy joyes shall be eternall as Paul saith to the Romanes Chap. 8. Vers 18. Inward comfortes The soule shall shortlie returne 7. God mixeth his inward comforts with thine outward crosses 8. Thy bodie shall sleepe a little thy soule shal returne shortlie the Comforter shall assist thee Christ is praying for thee in Heauen the Sainctes on Earth are crying to the Redeemer the Angels are readie to conuoy thy soule to eternall blisse 9. Heere is thy comfort Christ thy Sauiour suffered the pangues of Death in the highest degree Christ suffered death Matth. 10.24 Shall the seruant be aboue his Master And as he died so he rose againe and ouercame Death in his owne denne Then if the Head bee risen will hee not raise after him all the members of the bodie Yes surelie Lastly The right desire to liue or die Psalm 6.5 Isa 38.7 if thou find a desire in thee to liue longer let the cause of thy desire be that thou mayest liue better as Ezechias and Dauid saide Shall the dead prayse thee And What signe shall I haue to goe to the House of the Lord And if thou desire to die Christ aduantage in life and death see that it be not for thine earthlie burdens but for sinne which thou weariest to beare and for the desire of the fruition of the glorie of God A PRAYER AT THE HOVRE OF DEATH EVerlasting God and my most mercifull Father in Iesus Christ I thy poore Prisoner bound by the Chains of Sicknesse to this Bed vpon whome the bondes of Death are seasing and taking holde I fall downe before the throne of thy Mercy beseech thee to giue me thine holie Spirite that seeing I am going the way of all flesh I may rightlie resolue 1. King 2.2 with solide judgement and perfect memorie anent my departure that as thou hast prepared a place for mee Iob 14.2 so thou wilt prepare mee for it that I being purged by the blood of Iesus sanctified by thy Spirit may enter into the present possession of that inheritance promised to mee And because manie times I learned by thy Worde that I must die by daylie experience in the death of others thou gauest mee warning as also I haue carried in mine owne bodie the markes of death by diuerse diseases yet Lord nowe at last I learne by mine own proofe that which I would not learne by others Nowe therefore O Lord when I looke backe to my former life and consider the sinnes of my childhood and mine age what things I did ignorantlie and what I did against mine owne conscience my forgetfulnesse of thy mercies and mine ingratitude to thee for thy goodnesse mine open sinnes and my secret sinnes my presumptions mine injuries to others mine intemperancie my slouthfulnesse and neglect of thy worship all these sinnes so oft committed by mee beeing put in a masse and manie moe with them I beseech thee most mercifull Father that thou wouldest vouchfase to bind them vp together in the bundle of thy mercie and burne them in the fire of thy loue burie them in the graue of eternall obliuion and make mee nowe quite of them that they burthen mee no more and I beseech thee that now in this my last battell thou wilt so strengthen my faith against infidelitie and distrust that as by thy power I haue ouercome the maine hoste of sin so by thy grace these remnants of a defeated Armie those stragling Souldiours who are shaking their weapons vpon mee they may bee scattered by thine hand that the work of my saluation may now in mercie bee crowned and finished that now I may cry with my Sauiour at his death Consummatum est It is finished Ioh. 19.30 He finished vpon the Crosse the worke of saluation for me now O Lord finish it in me vpon this bedde I acknowledge ô Father that I am infinitlie obliedged vnto thy Majestie for thine innumerable benefits which I haue receiued at thine handes in the time of my life for thou euer didst loue me with a Fatherlie affection thou caredst for mee thou prouidedst in due season to my necessitie thou fedst me thou defendedst mee thou nurturedst me c. Simil. Exod. 19.4 And as the Eagle carrieth the little ones so hast thou carried mee in the armes of thy mercie But in speciall thou broughtest mee from ignorance to the knowledge of the trueth madest mee to be borne in the bosome of the Church gauest me that eternall life Iohn 17.3 which is to knowe thee to bee the true God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ the Sauiour of the Worlde Yea when I fell into manifold dangers in this Wildernesse the perils of waters of fire of pouertie of sicknesse of decietfull and wicked men c. thou deliueredst mee from them all by thy mightie and out-stretched arme and hast giuen me this time to resolue with thee to repent and thanke thee for thy benefits For all which thy mercies and excellent benefites both spirituall and temporall I render vnto thee moste heartie thankes praise and glorie to continue for euermore As for anie good thing which is now wrought in mee it is not of mee O Lord but thy grace working in mee who makest thy power to bee knowne in my weaknesse And if thou wouldest look narrowly to my best actions thou wouldest finde in them a thousand imperfections Therefore I couch vnder the Garment of my Lordes righteousnesse oh spreade the Mantle of thy Mercie ouer mee And as for the Worlde I disclaime and renounce it as a false and deceitfull friend which promiseth faire things to those that seeke it but for golden offers it crowneth them with thornes I bid good-night to all my Friends Acquaintances and good Christians and I exhort all you who would haue peace in your latter ende and die the death of the Righteous Numb 23.10 Mat. 7.13 that ye would treade the footesteps of Iesus Christ goe thorowe the straite way keeping faith and loue with the Sainctes to the ende 2. Tim. 4.8 that seeing I haue gone before you and run my race and shortlie shall receiue the Crowne of Righteousnes yee would rejoyce in my victorie and not bee forâ—e for my remoouing And I pray God to bee with you all and to conuoy you safely vnto his Kingdome that wee may all meete joyfullie in his glorie And seeing I feele all the members of my bodie decaying and giuing ouer their office my grinders sailing my sight and hearing decaying Eccl. 12.3 my strong men trembling let the hidden man of mine heart be sanctified by thy grace that I may haue a cleare sight of my Lord and Sauiour and so depart in peace with olde SIMEON thy Seruant Now my Soule returne to thy rest for the Lord hath beene beneficiall to thee Psa 116.7 I commit my spirite into thine handes O LORD take it and by the conuoy of thy moste holie Angels carrie it vnto thy Kingdome And for my bodie I commit it to the dust from whence it came to sleepe there till the Day dawne and my LORD returne and rayse it vppe againe that thou with it may receiue that eternal glory which is prepared for vs thorow Christ Amen FINIS THE PRINTER TO THE READER BEcause it is vnpossible that Bookes of any quantitie in the first Impression should escape all Faults and especially in the absence of the Author therefore it shall please the Christian Reader to auoyde partialitie judge charitablie and correct diligentlie such errours as on our behalfe vnwillinglie haue escaped our correction all which God willing at another time wee shall amende most attentiuelie
quikneth and comforteth all the inferiour creatures by his comming to the Earth in Sommer Psal 19.6 By his remouing they are as it were comfortlesse and dead So Christ is both the light and life of the world by whom wee haue not only our naturall beeing but also the life of our soules I am the Way the Life and the Trueth Iohn 14.6 sayeth hee So that without him there is nothing but death Therefore as wee see light and heate in the Sunne Light and heate together let vs followe these two qualities of the Sunne that we haue light and heate saith and loue And as the High-priest carried in his Ephod his Vrim Simil. Ex. 28.30 and his Thummim that is Illumination and Perfection So should all Christians haue the true knowledge of God and faith working by loue As for the course of the Sunne he is in continuall course The course of the Sun without interruption since his creation But in the dayes of Ioshua when he stood and in the dayes of Ezekiah Iosh 10.12 2. king 20.2 when he stayed his course came backe ten degrees By which his constant course we are taught to runne forward in that good race of Christianity without wearying Learne at the Sunne to run a constant course NOTA. and we must stay neuer except it be to see the exterminion of Gods enemies and turne backe vnlesse it be from sinne to Gods obedience The course of the Sunne is through the Zodiacke which deuydeth the Aequinoctiall in two equall parts the one halfe to the North the other halfe to the South painted vnder the figures of Beasts the twelue signes coelestiall the Lyon Bull Ramme c. It is called Zodiacke from the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What the Zodiacke is a Beast The Sunne in his course passeth monethly through one of these twelue signes whereby he compleateth his course in twelue moneths He knowes his apointed times giuen him by God Ps 104.19 which he transgresseth neuer He ariseth dayly in his proper time to giue light to vs let vs then rise earlie out of the bed of sinne Simil. It riseth early let vs rise earlie from sinne that as he goeth forward euerie houre of the day in light so wee may goe after him to doe the works of light which God hath commanded vs. This way made Dauid his Progresse at Morning Noonetide and at Euen in the Night he arose with the Sunne went forward and when he sate he ended with the praising of God Ordinarie defectes of the Sonne His defects are some ordinarie by the inâ—erposition of the Moone betwixt him and the Earth which are rare and sometimes prodigious presaging the eclipsing and death of some rare Prince as the eclipse in the yeere of God 1596. presaged the death of the most Christian King HENRIE the fourth of FRANCE HENRIE the Pearle of France Prince Henrie of Britane and the eclipse of the Sunne the yeere 1612. wherein that excellent Prince HENRIE the Prince of Great BRITANE the Pearle of the World died and was remooued to all our griefes Some defectes are extraordinarie as that which was at the death of Christ for the space of three houres Extraordinarie defects of the which Dionysius Areopagita sayde Aut Deus Naturae patitur aut Mundi machina dissolvitur that is Either the God of Nature is suffering or else the Worlde is dissoluing The Moone is compared to the Church as the Sunne is to Christ The Moone This is a prodigious thing wheÌ„ the Church which shoulde bee the light of the darksome worlde shee goeth betwixt Christ and vs and hideth his beautifull face from vs the which truelie the Church of Rome hath done manie yeeres The Lord let her see howe shee hath beene the cause of that great Ignorance wherin our fore-fathers were plunged for a long season yea shee still hath a desire to nourish Darknesse and calleth Ignorance the Mother of Deuotion The Moone is the other great light but inferior to the Sunne first in place secondly in qualitie thirdly in light because it hath lesse light than the Sunne and some doe thinke that shee borroweth her light from the Sunne Fourthly in honour for she gouerneth the Night but not the Day And fiftly in that the Sunne is constant shee mutable hee hote shee colde hee dry and shee moyst As the Sunne doth represent Christ so doth the Moone the Church which shines in the dark night of this world The comparation of the Moone with the Church being ruled by Christ who can rule and gouerne his Light When the Moone is in the point nearest the Sun then her light is darkened and hidde from the worlde and shee is in her change NOTA. But when shee is farthest from the Sunne then shee is in her greatest perfection The Moone the nearer the Sun the lesser light the Church the nearer Christ the greater farre differing from Christ and his Church For when the Church is nearest Christ then shee shineth in her perfect glorie and shee decreasseth when shee flieth farthest off from him But heerein shee resembleth the Church for that part of the Moone which is toward the Sunne is euer illuminated the rest of her bodie being darkned The Church as farre as shee looketh to Christ is light so likewise the Church so farre as shee looketh to Christ the Sunne of Righteousnesse shee is light in the Lord but so farre as shee is turned from him shee is nothing but darknesse The Eclipse of the Moone happeneth when the Earth is interponed betwixt her and the Sunne Eclipse of the Moone And so the Church of Christ alace suffereth this Eclipse when the earthlie cares of this life goe betwixt Christ her whereby it doeth come to passe that the world is spoyled of light as we see in the Romish Church which was so long glorious as in her Martyrdome she contemned the world but after when she enjoyed peace and was promoted to honour and wealth she became earthlie minded and her Godlinesse was soone turned into Greedinesse The Starrs As for the rest of the Starres they are innumerable and yet I will affirme that there is not one of them which is ydle but hath a speciall vse for which it was created For as in the Earth the Lord made nothing in vaine for hee sawe that whatsoeuer hee did it was good Then if it was good Gen. 1.10 it behoued to serue for some good vse So in the Heauens likewise hee saw that all was good Some fixed For the Starres there be some fixed as their name Stella à stando beareth So wee should studie to bee fixed Starres in the right hand of CHRIST Rev. 1.16 20. Some of these are remarkable whereof GOD himselfe speaketh vnto Iob as the Hyades Iob 9.9.38 3. Pletades and Orion The Planets haue their name from erring for so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doeth