Selected quad for the lemma: earth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
earth_n	heaven_n	lord_n	psal_n	11,566	5	7.4572	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B01127	Salomon's pest-house, or tovver-royall. Newly re-edified and prepared to preserve Londoners with their families, and others, from the doubted deluge of the plague. Item, a laudable excercise [sic] for those that are departed, or shall depart out of the city into the country, to spend their time till they returne, a handfull of holy meditations usefull and requisite for Gods people, men and women, of all estates and degrees, in these doubtfull dayes, whether troubled in body or minde, and whether Gods visitation of the plague increase or decrease. / By the reverend, learned and godly divine I.D. preacher of Gods word. ; Whereunto is added Mr. Holland's admonition, and Mr. Phaer's prescription for bodily physicke. Also London looke-backe: a description or representation of the great and memorable mortality ann. 1625. in heroicke matchlesse lines,.	I. D.; Holland, Henry, 1583-1650?	1636 (1636)	STC 6176.5; ESTC S91591	52,813	78

are not once mindfull of them but we must as well carrie with vs in our prayers the seruants which are vnder vs as shee that lieth in our bosome And the Oliue plants which are round about our tables Psal 108.3 The Athenians would offer sacrifice but onely for their owne Citie and their neighbours of Chios but wee Christians must pray not onely for the mother Citie but for all the daughters Christ teacheth vs to say Our father c. as if wee all came from one wombe It is a principle both of nature and policie Vis vnita fortior Strength vnited receiueth more strength It holdeth likewise in Diuinitie If the prayer of one righteous person auaileth much the prayer of many righteous shall auaile more If the Syrophenician obtained for her daughter the sute shee made much more the whole Church of England shal obtaine for all her daughters Where two or three be gathered together in his name he is in the midst of them Much rather in the midst of a people in the midst of thousands in whom there is Anima vna cor vnum One soule one heart one tongue as if they were all but one man Lord heale the sores of our land for behold both the mother and the daughters the head and the members doe prostrate our selues before his Maiestie Yee of the sect of Rome diuide not at this time of the plague in your prayers the soule the voyce and language of the Countrey into two places Eliah and his companie praying in one place and with one stile O Lord God of Abraham and yee in another O Baal heale vs Some praying for the life of Dauid and some for the life of Iabin As for vs we will pray for the Lords annoynted our Soueraigne that God may hide Him vnder the shadow of his wings from the noysome pestilence knowing that this is one of the parts of our obedience towards him that we as Constantine the great taught his souldiers to shew their allegiance in nothing more then this should pray for him yea for his royal Consort his hopeful posterity their Families I end this point with the saying of an ancient Fathe● That there ●s no better Guard or Halbards to safegard a Prince than the prayers of the Righteous Before I come to the third branch of this discourse Three rules to be obserued in our going to this place giue leaue Christian Readers to the spirituall Physicians to lay downe three rules which are to be obserued in this our spirituall departure to the name of the Lord. The bodily Physicians touching departure prescribe as is before said three rules Longè citò tarde Goe farre off depart speedily returne slowly The same rules are to be obserued by the righteous 1 Longè First we must flie far not with the prodigall forlorne son in a far Countrey far from the feare of God and thought of death or with Ionah from the presence of the Lord who rideth on the Cherubins can ouertake vs for whither shall I goe Psal 839.9 saith Dauid from thy spirit Or whither shall I flee from thy presence But farre from this world and the earth vnto the holy temple and mountaine vnto heauen which is high aboue the earth as Dauid speaketh Psal 103 11. vnto that place which is called the land of the liuing Secondly flie farre from the plague of sinne and the infected ayre of this world and being come vnto that farre Countrey the Lord of the soyle will receiue you 2. Citò The second rule is flie speedily and deferre not your departure which rule is not in any maner to be omitted it is the counsell of the wise man Iesus Syrach Eccle. 38.9 My sonne faile not in thy sicknesse but pray vnto the Lord and he will make thee whole T is the commandement of the Lord to call vpon him in the time of need Psal 50. Which must be performed with speed according to the example of Dauid Psal 119. I will runne the way of thy Commandements If wee make hast to flie into the Countrey and forget to goe speedily vnto this Sanctuarie it is as Augustine speaketh of another matter Cursus celerrimus praeter viam A swift race besides the way Hast in this matter is praise worthy a man can neuer run too fast that runneth to this place The delay that Elizeus made let me go kisse my Father those shifts in the Gospel Let me first go burie my mother or take leaue of my friends are not admitted in this businesse commune not therfore with flesh blood If in the time of plague we make such haste to depart before we haue ordained our businesse aright or bad our friends farwel How much more ought we to hasten our spiritual voyage While the fal-bridge is let downe let vs make speed to enter Many because they went not far nor made speed to depart haue endangered their bodies but many more because they fled not from the contagion of sin with speed haue endangered their soules therfore as the Apostle speaketh 1. Cor. 9. of another matter so I may say of this going So run that yee may obtaine 3. Tardè The third rule is Returne slowly that is continue where thou art a necessarie rule to be obserued in the going to the name of the Lord. It is the rule of the spirituall Physicians Eph. 6.18 Rom. 12. 1. Thes 5. Pray continually c. As it is prescribed so it hath beene practised Luk. 21.36 the woman of Canaan continued in her prayer and returned not in hast They which are in the Countrey although there bee many things which might mooue them to returne yet for the safetie of their bodies they continue till the plague be ceased So continue in thy prayer by the Lord and be not wearie of wel doing Although three things might haue mooued the Syrophenician to returne the silence of Christ her back-friends and the odious names giuen vnto her yet these discouragements her poore soule digested obtaining both a cure for her daughters infirmitie and a commendation for her faith O woman thou hast wrought a miracle by the preseuerance of thy prayer and hast giuen to thy Sauiour occasion to doe a memorable act conuenient to his nature glorious to his holy name Let vs at this time follow her perseuerance and although the Lord should seeme to be silent for a time yet let vs not draw backe that we may receiue a cure both for our soules and bodies and deserue a commendation both by God and other nations and thereby giue occasion vnto the Lord to shew his omnipotent power in the ceasing of the plague and to doe an act in England conuenient to his nature and glorious to his holy name And as Iacob wrestled with the Angel and would not let him goe vntill he had receiued the blessing So let vs as it were striue with the Lord by our prayers and let him not goe

the excellencie of praier it is a remembring of our best friend whose remembrance is comfortable to our distressed soules The subiect of our memoris haue beene along time commodities pleasures riches honor triumphs therfore ô England behold another subiect to exercise the art of thy memory If then we haue forgotten him by our feruent prayer in our sin let vs now remember him by our feruent praier in our affliction Many haue practised the art of memorie according to the memoratiue Art and precepts of memorie which appoint places and their furniture for the helpe of such as are vnexperienced but let vs practise the art of this holy memorie let God be the subiect in this our afflictiō let these be our helpes First let vs remember in our praier the commandement of God Psal 50. Secondly the name of him whom we call vpon that it is Iehouah Lord our God a God not in shew but in substance and performance a strong God a towre of defence they that know this name wil trust in him Psal 9.10 Thirdly what he is by nature how sweet and amiable how rich in mercie Eph. 2. Fourthly what he is by promise how faithfull and true 2. Tim. 1.3 Lastly what he is by couenant made vnto Abrahams seed not in the blood of bulles but in the bloud of the seed of Abraham Further Dauid hath shewen his wisdome that in the choice of the place taking his marke aright and directing his petition to the true and proper periode Imitate the wisdom of king Dauid in his choice he that goeth to a place runneth aright and wisely if he be wise and not by crooked and erroneous waies Dauid sheweth vs the right way for to what place should we goe but to this when our sorrowes are multiplied shall we follow the waies of the wicked and say with them Malac. 3. It is in vaine that I haue serued him and what profit is it that I haue kept his Commandements Or shall we runne vpon the way of impatience adding griefe to griefe liuing the life of Caine or dying the death of Iudas drowning our soules in a gulfe of desperation Shall we spend the time in bannings execrations cursing the day and night the earth that beareth vs the ayre that inspireth vs Not so O Christian soules call vpon the name of the Lord with Dauid there was neuer name so worthie to be called vpon in heauen or earth so mightie for deliuerance so sure for protection so gainefull for successe so compendious to cut off vnnecessarie labours as the name of Iehouah Hauing vnderstood the Conscience Humilitie Memorie 6. The causes to mooue vs to goe to this place and Wisedome of Dauid let me open to you the reasons to mooue perswade vs to go to this place Fiue things mooue the sons of men in the time of plague to depart from contagious places vnto a purer ayre First the counsel of the Physicians Secondly the practise of others Thirdly the danger or perill which they are like to fall in Fourthly desire of health and life Fifthly the experience of successe Let the same be motiues vnto vs in this infection to perswade vs to run speedily vnto this Arke of Noah First it is prescribed by the whole Colledge of the spirituall Physicians by God the father Psal 50.15 King Dauids Physician by God the son who prescribing the remedies which men ought to vse in the last dayes in which the Trinitie of punishments Famine Warres and Pestilence should reigne giueth this counsell Luke 21.36 Watch and pray continually by Prophets Apostles wise men Iam. 5.13 Eccle. 38.9 and 17.23 Secondly the practise of the spirituall Physicians as they haue prescribed it so they haue also practised it haue fled vnto this place to this Sanctuarie went the renowmed Patriarkes the godly Princes the holy Prophets the blessed Apostles the Prince of glory the son of the immortal God the constant Martyrs whose examples ye shall find in the store-house of the Scriptures The example of the bodily Physicians of which some depart in the time of plague hath much force to make vs hasten our departure how much more ought the practise of the spiritual Physicians spurre vs forward vpon our spirituall voyage Thirdly the danger which is threefold In nobis circa nos contra nos In vs round about vs against vs. In vs the plague of sin round about vs the fire of the present plague against vs Sathan who seeketh to make vs curse the Lord and the fire of Gods wrath and anger To auoid this threefold danger run to the Towre and to this blessed Zoar. The fourth motiue is the desire of life and health we need at this time a double health the health of the soule and body let vs therefore goe boldly vnto the throne of grace that we may receiue mercy and find grace to helpe in time of need Heb. 4.16 Why went that woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelue yeares vnto Christ but that she might receiue her health Matth. 9.20 vers 12. The sicknesse of the plague is an issue of blood which being once opened will euer run and keepe a course if it be not stanched by the power and mercie of God which mercie is onely obtained by going vnto his sacred name to obtaine this double health Dauid went vnto this place 1. Chron. 21. that the plague of his soule might be healed and the bodily plague be remooued If we are as it were dead for sorrow prayer will reuiue vs for it is Vita animae the life of the soule as Chrys termeth it Est anima ipsius animae It is the soule of the soule If we goe into the Countrey which cannot saue vs how much more ought we to flie to this name which hath the power to do it this his power being accompanied with mercy and kindnesse for thou O Lord art good and gracious and of great compassion Psal 8 6. Fiftly experience of good successe is the last motiue they which haue fled to this place haue not beene stopped by the way but haue had good speede Goe vnto King Hezekiah Iob Dauid and the rest and they will preach vnto you by experience the experience of this successe This successe is grounded vpon three things as vpon three firme pillars the Power the Will and Promise the Goodnesse and mercie of God His power I haue heard it that power belongeth vnto God Psal 62.11 There was neuer affliction or sore so great but the hand of that Physician hath beene able to master it the least finger of his right hand being of more puissance then the whole arme of flesh His will and promise Psal 91.1 Ioel. 2.32 Iam. 5.15 Eccle. 31.9 Matth. 7.7 Ioh. 14.13 The King of heauen is not like vnto the Princes of the earth or vnto that Philip of Macedon who answered vnto the widow comming in his Court to him to be heard I am not at leisure vnto

vntill he haue heard vs in that which we aske of him in this afflicted time Let our prayers be now as the showers of the raine if the first showre faileth of watering the earth sufficiently the second the third or the fourth wil fulfill the thirst thereof Let vs be like vnto the widow Luk. 18. and our importunitie will draw him vnto audience but yet let vs hold a better opinion of the Iudge of the world then of a common vulgar friend It delighted his eares to heare our redoubled obsecrations and he suspendeth our desires in expectation that we should be importunate to craue The bodily Physician cannot away with the importunate patient but God Habak 2.3 King Dauids Physician loueth the importunate prayer more acceptable is to him the end of our prayer then the beginning I would the children of light were as wise in their generation as the wodden Priests 1. Reg. 18. who cried long to Baal yea cut themselues with kniues that they might be heard and what ought not wee then doe to obtaine our suite Let nothing then mooue vs to returne but as the King of the Philistines 1. Sam. 6. though they had Calues at home yet they kept the straight way to Bethshemesh and held one path turning neither to the right nor to the left hand neither euer stood still till they came into the field of Iosuah So in our going to the name of Iehouah the affection of our soules bearing the Arke and coffer of our suite though it hath worldly allurements to draw it backe as the Kine had Calues yet let it in the way to the house of God as they to Bethshemesh hold one path of perseuerance turning neither to the right or left hand with wandring cogitations till it commeth into the field and garden of God and there let it remaine Many heretofore hauing not continued in the Countrey in their hasty returning haue fallen sicke and died So many hauing not continued in this strong bulwarke haue endangered both body and soule And thus much hitherto of the second part The third part containing the houshold stuffe which we must carrie vnto that place There followeth now the third and the last which openeth vnto vs the houshold-stuffe which we must carrie with vs thither noted in the word Righteous As they which goe in the country in the time of plague carrie with them their houshold-stuffe their furniture and those things which are necessarie for their bodies and as Noah entring the Arke carried with him necessaries so likewise in our going to this place we must carrie with vs those things which are necessary for our soules that wee may be receiued by the Lord of that soyle and without which we cannot goe thither There are fiue peeces of spirituall houshold-stuffe which are necessary for vs 1. Repentance noted in the word Righteous The first is Repentance and holines of life for hee that is righteous giueth himself to righteousnes And this furniture carried with him Dauid 2. Sam. 24.11 As they which goe in the country haue their reasons why they carrie with them such and such necessaries So giue me leaue in the opening of this furniture to shew you also the reasons which must moue vs to carie them with vs. As for this first 2. Tim. 2.19 the first reason is the prescriptiō of the spiritual Physicians it is the Apostles precept Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie The second is that we may be receiued for the righteous Lord l●ueth righteousnesse his countenance doth behold the iust Psal 11.7 His eyes are vpon the righteous and his eares open to their cry but his face is against them that doe euill Psal 66.18 to cut off their remembrance from the earth Psal 34.15.16 If I regarde wickednesse in my heart saith Dauid the Lord will not heare me For as Salomon testifieth the Lord is farre off from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous Prou. 15.29 Draw therefore neere to God and he will draw neere to you cleanse your handes ye sinners and purge your hearts ye wauering minded Prou. 28.9 Iam. 4.8.9 The third is that the bodily plague may cease for how dare we approach vnto the Lord to craue that it might be remooued and yet carie with vs the inward cause thereof let the Physicians maxime heere preuaile remooue the cause that the effect may cease Let vs not as the sonnes of Iacob bring into the presence of our father Psal 59. the garment of Ioseph which we our selues haue be blooded As Aaron could not come before the Lord before he was washed so let vs not go vnto him before we haue cleansed our selues from infection of the soule And as Iacob Gen. 42. exhorted his sonnes when they were going to Ioseph carry with you the best fruits of the land and giue them him so let vs in our going to the true Ioseph Iesus Christ carrie with vs the best fruites of our hearts to offer vp the sacrifice of our prayers leauing our corrupt affections as Abraham left behinde him at the foot of the hil his asses I conclude this first point with the saying of Chrysostome as in a garland it is not enough that the flowers be pure and cleane but the hand also which handleth them so it is not sufficient that the words of our prayers be holy but the heart also which conceiueth them 2. Faith The second piece of houshold-stuffe Faith for the righteous is also hee that beleeueth in Christ and is righteous through the righteousnes of Christ the righteous 1. Sam. 14. This furniture carried Dauid with him for as hee had a desire of health and remission of his sinne so hee had also a stedfast faith and confidence that it should be forgiuen him This persuasion of deliuerance and hope of obtaining we must haue with vs enterteining it in our hearts The reasons are first the prescription of the spirituall Physicians it is the Apostles precept Iam. 1.6 Let him aske in faith and wauer not And in the fourth to the Heb. 16. that we should goe boldely to the throne of grace drawing neere vnto him with a true heart in assurance of faith Heb. 10.22 casting not away that confidence which hath recompence of reward Vers 35. t is the counsaile of Christ Mar. 11.24 Secondly carrie it with thee that thou maist receiue that for which thou goest vnto him faithfully Psal 145.18 And whatsoeuer yee shall aske in prayer if yee beleeue yee shall receiue it Math. 21.22 Without this there is no going thither Rom. 10.14 But as righteousnes and trueth kisse each other so must prayer and faith which is the ground of prayer first beleeue and then speake this was the order of Dauid Psal 116. this faith will make vs acceptable to the Lord of that soile and make vs finde fauour at his hands Faith is a beautifull queene as highly fauored of

that come from contagious places either the Lord of the soile or the magistrate of those places forbidding it but as for that heauenly Ierusalem and the Lord of the liuing thervnto euery one may resort the Lord and magistrate of heauen doth not interdict it Dauid cried vnto the Lord and said thou art my portion in the land of the liuing Psal 142.5 At Rome the housen of the Aediles were alwaies open for all men that they might resort thither to haue their causes heard and so is the house of the Lord for the afflicted soules In some places there are appointed as I my selfe haue seene watchmen with halbards to aske the passengers from whence they come and sometimes to keepe out those that come from infected places but in our going to this place we need not to haue such feare for as Chrysostome saith Hic non est miles assistens qui expellat here there is no Sergiant or Soldier to keepe thee out If the cities of the earth shut their gates before thee thou canst not enter As for that heauenly Ierusalem it is not lockt and although it were prayer as Augustine speaketh is a key to open heauen to bring thee to the presence of God Serm. 226. detemp the Towne and Villages in times of infection although they receiue some yet they will not harbour many and often there is no place for multitudes but so is it not with the name of Iehouah with this strong tower it is not like vnto the bulwarkes of mortall men into the which if too many enter they will hinder one another this fortresse can receiue millions and millions without any impediment Further the temple is also interdicted to the infected for they are commanded by the magistrate to keepe their housen for a time or if they come they are entreated to sit a side but the Lords holy temple aboue in heauen is not forbidden vnto the infected nor to any man it is lawfull for them to go thither and pray and that with the successe of Dauid Psal 18. In my trouble I did call vpon the Lord and cried vnto my God and he heard my voyce out of his Temple 6. A place neere vnto the Citie Sixtly some make a choyse in the plague time of a place which is neere whereunto they may easily goe without any great trouble or cost the name of the Lord is such a place compendious to cut off vnnecessarie labours yee need not to runne farre the Lord is neere as the Prophet speaketh to all them that call vpon him neither will it cost vs any thing mony or merites intercession of friends or gifts Poore men yee that want friendes or money and therefore cannot prouide your selues a place be not dismaide behold here is a place which will cost you nothing It is a place whereunto we may go at all times at dinner time and at supper as Chrysostome speaketh in the day time and at mid-night in thy health and in thy sicknesse the sicke man may ly downe vpon his bed and goe vnto it and when with King Ezekiah he cannot vse the feet of the flesh yet may he vse the feet of the spirit In a moment we can flie thither for as soone as we haue finished our prayer we are alreadie come to this place and to the Lord of this soyle our prayer and God meeting one another in heauen as Iesus Christ and the woman at the Well Ioh. 4. As for earthly places whereunto men resort either they are far off vneasie to goe vnto and that with trouble and cost or expences sometimes we are stopped we must haue Warrants and Certificates of the Parish Church-wardens that our house is not infected before we can be admitted all this trouble we need not in the time of plague in our going to the name of the Lord nothing will stop vs the bodily plague shall be no impediment for wee haue a warrant that we may passe the King of heauen his warrant in the 50 Psalme Call vpon me The warrant of the infected c. and therefore this place is better then the earthly where the fearefull sonnes of men dwell which feare the apparrel houshold-stuffe yea and thy letters I know nothing then to stop our passage but the plague of the soule as the Lord of this soyle telleth vs in the 2. Cor. 6.17 Touch none vncleane thing and I will receiue you But I heare the weake conscience obiect Obiection I am infected with the plague of the soule and therefore it is not lawfull for me to call vpon the name of the Lord it is for the righteous as Salomon speaketh but alas I am vnrighteous and how can I therefore go vnto this strong tower The answer is Answer for thy comfort O weake conscience that Salomon speaketh not of them that are righteous by their owne righteousnesse but by the righteousnes of Christ Iesus such are all the faithful in whose mortall bodies the plague of sin doth not remaine their infirmities being healed by Dauids Physician Psal 103. If yee desire a certificate thereof you haue the Gospell subscribed and sealed by God the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost If yee desire a witnesse ye haue a threefold witnesse The spirit the water and the bloud 1. Ioh. 5.8 7. A place where we may haue a Physician Lastly wee make choyse of such places where if need be we may haue good Physicians for we esteeme it a great miserie to be destitute of a good Physician and of meanes to helpe vs in our neede The place of refuge whereunto Dauid fled and wee also ought to flie following his direction hath the best Physician which is both in heauen or earth God the Father King Dauids Physician who hath both health and sicknesse life and death in his power to dispose of them for our good and saluation knocke therefore boldly with the hand of prayer and repentance at the gate of his mercie and thrust in his hands both thy life and health And thus much for the qualities and properties of the place To pray for others is also requisite Further we haue to obserue that Dauid went not to this place of refuge alone but with his whole family for he prayed with the Elders of the people for the people and for the deliuerance of his whole kingdome Herein imitate King Dauid remember in thy prayer thy whole family and the state of the whole kingdome the Tribe of Iudah and the Tribe of Leui. There are foure sorts for which we must pray First for those which are Supra nos aboue vs Secondly for those which are equall vnto vs. Thirdly for those which are Sub nobis vnder vs Fourthly for those which are Contra nos against vs. In the going to the name of the Lord wee must not imitate the negligence of many who depart into the Country and care onely for themselues as for their families or at least their seruants they

the King of Kings as euer Esther was of King Ahassuerus she shall not be stayed without at the gate but with an humble presumption may approach into the inner court and shall receiue her request for if we shall receiue a kingdome Luk. 12. how much more that which is lesse being asked by faith come not then without this aduocate Cyprian in his treatise de Idol vanit sayeth speaking how he and his brethren did much good in the visitation of the sicke prout fides patientis adiuuat aut gratia curantis aspirat that he prospered according as they and the patient had faith to speake vnto God the greatest enemie to the efficacie of our prayer is distrustfulnes And therefore God forbid saith Augustine that what wee desire God to doe for vs with our mouthes we should deny him to be able to doe in our hearts A heathen man Seneca could say in Hippolito he that asketh fearefully and doubtfull teacheth him to denie of whom he asketh and men doubting they shall not obtaine make God vnwilling to heare them As vnbeleefe did shut the doore vnto the Iewes that some of them enter not into Canaan a tipe of heauenly Ierusalem so distrustfulnes is able to shut our praier out of that heauenly Canaan And therefore as Iacob going to his father Isaac to receiue the blessing put on the garment of his eldest brother so let vs going to our heauenly father to obtaine our request be cloathed with faith through the righteousnesse of our eldest brother Iesus Christ Further this confidence giueth vs entrie into that place Open the gates saith the prophet Es 26.2 that the righteous Nation which keepeth faith may enter in Faith is a key that openeth vnto vs the gates of the citie Thirdly this furniture is necessarie for the feet which must beare vs thither that they may be firme stedfast and faile vs not in the way the moisture and iuice whereby the spiritual feet of our prayers are nourished is faith By faith yee stand saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 1. It is the root that beareth vs the legges and supporters and the strong men that hold vs vp that we fall not As the Doues nest is in the clefts of rockes that cannot be assaulted so faith resteth it self in the wounds of Christ it casteth an anchor in knowledge of the true God and standeth as firme as mount Sion that cannot be remooued Fourthly we must carrie it with vs that we may liue why doe we with our houshold-stuffe goe into the Countrey but because we are desirous of life If in the going to the name of Iehouah for remission of sinne and spirituall life and for the remoouing of the effect of sinne the bodily contagion we are desirous of it we must not forget this furniture for by Faith we liue Abac. 2. It is the life of the soule and the soule and spirit of the new man Wee may haue a name that wee liue but indeede wee are dead to God-ward if wee beleeue not doubting then neither of might mercie or of his promise because they are passed by couenant oath before vnmooueable witnesses the best in heauen and the best in earth and because they are signed with the finger of the holy Ghost and sealed with the blood of his annoynted and beloued let vs with a holy confidence runne to this place in this afflicted time of the contagion that we may receiue mercie 2 Humilitie The third peece necessarie for our voyage is Humilitie which excludeth all opinion of our owne worthinesse and righteousnesse 2. Sam. 24. Dauid carried his furniture with him yea this royall ornament as appeareth out of two things First out of the tearme and phrase of obseruation I beseech you a proper terme of submission and the poore suters phrase Secondly out of his bodily prostrating of himselfe in sacke-cloath with the Elders of Israel 1. Chro. 21. Herein let vs in this time of plague imitate King Dauid in our going to the name of the Lord carrying with vs this ornament this submission and lowlynesse let vs vse the poore suters phrase not pride of speech saying we are worthie O Lord let vs not goe thither to bragge as many runne into Country to the dominiere but let vs pray that the Lord will giue vs with vs this submission that we may bow not only the knees of our bodies but of our hearts yea that we may euen bow the very phrase of our words with Dauid that wee may vtter them as if the smallest Grashopper of the earth were to speak with feare and reuerence before that dreadfull Maiestie Three things must mooue vs to carry it with vs in this our voyage First the person to whom we goe his greatnesse excellencie Maiestie his glorious name which is Iehouah It was the counsel that Aesope gaue to Solon enquiring what speech he should vse before Craesus either very little or very sweet said he If when we goe to the Princes of the earth who are but smoake and vanitie wee speake with humilitie much more doth the presence of the most high God require it Secondly the consideration of our owne persons which doe goe thither the conscience of our owne vnworthinesse and deformitie of sinne wherewith we are spotted let vs then with Abraham speaking to the Lord Gen. 18 confesse that we are but dust and ashes Let vs as Lazarus with all our vlcers which are many in the time of plague and withall our sores detected and laide open lie before the gates of him who is rich in mercy lamenting crauing and beseeching to be refreshed Christians learne of Christ to pray who although there was no vnworthinesse in him yet hee kneeled fell vpon the ground the footstoole of his owne Maiestie and lay vpon his face which neuer Angel beheld without reuerence The third is that our comming to him may bee acceptable and that we may receiue the health we sue for To him looketh the Lord that is poore and of a contrite spirit Esa 66.2 which hee will not despise Psal 51.17 for he is neere vnto them that are of a contrite heart and will saue such as be afflicted in spirit Psal 34.18 The prayer of him that humbleth himselfe Eccle. 35.17 goeth through the clouds the Lords mercy can onely giue vs the twofold health which we sue for at this time now this mercy to whom doth he giue it but to the humble 1 Pet. 5. Humility is both grace it selfe and a vessell to comprehend other graces and she emptying her selfe by a modest estimation of her owne gifts is filled againe by the Lord. Let vs now beloued as it were striue by humility with the Lord according to the policy of Iacob Let vs winne by yeelding and the lower we stoupe towards the ground the more aduantage we shall get to obtaine The Lord to whom we goe if this humility be in vs will both dwell with vs and in vs. O Lord saith Austine

that the righteous onely goe to this place the name of Iehouah is not like vnto the earthly places vnto which in the time of infection resort both good and bad The vngodly may make a shew to goe into it but yet they connot come thither for there is the spirit of prayer Zach. 12. which is giuen onely to them that bring with them this spirituall furniture As for weapons to safegard our selues wee neede none for this houshold-stuffe are spirituall weapons Ephes 6. This shall suffice for the Arke of Noah A trusty friend and seruant appointed by the Magistrate of heauen to aide the sicke in the time of Plague Now because the Ciuill Magistrate appointeth in euery Parish trustie men to aide the infected and to prouide them with necessaries Giue mee also leaue to shew vnto you beloued a trustie friend and seruant to ayde the sicke appointed by the Magistrate of heauen If yee are desirous to know who it is Prayer is his name Psal 50 Call vpon mee c. Dauid hath vsed this faithfull friend in the time of the plague he hath sent it as an Embassadour into the Court of heauen to sue for peace he sent not merites distrustfulnesse impatience or blasphemies but prayer the surest and effectuallest Embassadour happy for successe Wee are all desirous if the Lord visite vs with the rod of Dauid to haue some trustie and faithfull friend or seruant to keepe and ayde vs to dispatch our businesse to send here and there and to prouide vs with necessaries and wee make much of such that will assist vs in such a fearefull sicknesse Wee can haue no better seruant then King Dauids friend who hath many good qualities we desire in the time of plague a seruant or friend 1 Faithfull in whom wee finde these good qualities The qualities of this friend First Faithfulnesse for many haue beene robd by their keepers as experience teacheth Prayer is a messenger of especiall trust it wil trauaile with vs by day awake with vs by night it will not forsake vs by land by water in weale in woe liuing or dying it is our last friend and indissolublest companion Secondly 2 Quicke wee desire one quick of speed Prayer is able in a minute to mount aboue the Eagles of the skie into the heauen of heauens and is a chariot of fire bearing vs aloft into the presence of God to seeke his assistance hee knoweth to addresse himselfe in waies vnknowne in the stillest silence of the night till he come to the secrets and chamber of the Lord King Dauids Physician Thirdly wee seeke one who is willing and is not afraid 3 Willing for they are scarce to be found prayer is such a friend he is not afraid to be with thee neither the tediousnesse of the way or difficultie of the passage can hinder him from his purpose Fourthly 4 Learned we are desirous to haue one that can speake language which the Physician can vnderstand if need were to send him thither and who can prouide vs of necessaries such one is prayer for what language soeuer it speaketh the Physician of heauen can vnderstand it Fiftly one that is able to comfort vs in our distresse 5 A comforter such a comforter is praier it is the life of the soule if thou art perplexed with such griefe of heart as neither wine according to the aduice of Salomon nor strong drink can bring ease vnto thy spirit melting like waxe finding no comfort at all either in light or darkenesse pleasures or riches kinsfolkes or friends wishing with Iob 4. O that thou wouldest hide mee in the graue and keepe mee secret vntill thy wrath is past yet then this friend is our comfort hee will speake for vs vnto the Lord King Dauids Physician by this we may flie into the bosome of Gods mercies If any then be afflicted amongst you let him pray Iam. 5. The reason why we desire a friend with all these qualities is that he might both aide and prouide vs with all necessaries prayer is a friend who is able to dispatch all our businesse Desirest thou a Physitian in thy sicknes to cure thee send this friend praier to King Dauids Physician dwelling in heauen and he will bring him with him If thou needest physicke to heale thee and which is good for thy disease send prayer into heauen to fetch the hearbe of patience which groweth not in our owne garden If thou desirest necessaries for thy soule send him to the Lord he will fetch for thee all that thou wantest the bread of life that heauenly Manna the bloud of Christ the waters of mercy Needest thou a comforter send praier vnto the Lord and he wil bring with him the best comforter of the sicke the holy Ghost it is his name Iohn 14. he will not feare to come to thee as often the bodily Physician Lastly if we desire our friends to come and visite vs send prayer for them and they will come God the father God the sonne God the holy Ghost No friend then better then prayer There are some bad seruants of which we must take heed and as in the time of plague there are some bad seruants who robbe and bereaue the sick of that he hath so there are some wicked friends who will depriue vs of spirituall comforts if we be not ware of them First if we should vse the aide of merits and send them vp 1 Bad seruants Merites the starres in heauen would disdaine it that wee which dwell at the footstoole of God dare to presume so farre when the purest creatures in heauen are impure in his sight Ephes 6 4. Secondly if we send vp feare and distrustfulnesse 2 Feare the length of the way will tire them out they are as heauy and lumpish as gaddes of yron they will sinke to the ground before they come halfe way to the throne of saluation Thirdly if we send vp blasphemies and curses 3 Blasphemies all the creatures betwixt heauen and earth will band themselues against vs. The Sunne and Moone will raine downe bloud the fire hote burning coales and the ayre thunderbolts vpon our heads And therefore let vs not vse the ayde of these three bad seruants As prayer is a seruant to ayde the sicke so it is a trustie friend or seruant to keepe your housen and families O ye Londoners that are departed in the Citie yee vse the ayd and trust of others but they are not the best for they are mortall and corruptible exhort them therfore to vse this friend towards the Lord both for you for themselues for except the Lord build the house they labour in vaine that build it except the Lord keepe the citie the keeper waiteth in vaine saith Dauid Thus I haue shewen you that be at London beloued of God called to be Saints Salomons Pesthouse Psal 127.1 to enter in with your families I come now to you beloued that haue

left your mother Citie for a time which hope to returne An exercise for the Londoners that are in the Countrey your departure I will not disprooue nor wiser then I if ye haue vsed it lawfully remembring in your exile the affliction of Ioseph And spending the time in those things which make for the peace of your Citie To refresh your minds and spend your time there because the workes of your vocation you cannot exercise diuers other exercises I know are vsed perhaps not so well as ye might all of them I doe not condemne but it is to be feared that the exercises of some haue been are friuolous game some quarrellers and that carding dicing and that Cup challenging Profession by which many drinking to health drinke themselues out of health haue beene to others as vsuall pastimes as the fields to walke in Giue me leaue beloued to shew you a better Exercise and another pastime the pastime of King Dauid a royall exercise which he vsed in the time of plague his prayer and inuocation with the elders of Israel spend herein your time beloued till ye returne when your Mother mourneth will you sport when the head smarteth shall the members be senselesse pray with the Prophet for the peace of your Ierusalem It is the Apostles precept to pray continually which if it euer was time to practise it is at this present The praise of Prayer Suffer mee to enter into the praise of this exercise diuers things doe adde commendation to it which ought to perswade you to the vse thereof 1 It is Diuine The first argument of praise may be taken from the author thereof Not Moses or Samuel Prophet or Apostle Patriarke or Martyr but God the father God the sonne God the holy Ghost the blessed Trinitie haue beene the authors which make it diuine and heauenly exercise 2 Honourable The second argument from the persons which haue vsed it we delight in Exercises which are accounted honorable which men of credite and good account doe commonly vse this Exercise is honorable yea royall not base and contemptible onely haue spent their time with it but Kings and Princes King Dauid Manasses Ezechiah and the rest The blessed Prophets Patriarks yea the Prince of glory the sonne of the immortall God Christ Iesus It is so heauenly and honourable that by prayer we doe approach neere vnto God and doe as it were conioyne our selues with him while we are in the body we are absent from home but by prayer we doe ascend into heauen prayer being as it were the band of our internall coniunction with God Further it is honourable not only in regard of the persons which haue vsed it but also to God and vs. To God for thereby we honor and glorifie him Psal 50. acknowledging that all might glory felicity health and saluation belongeth to him and that from him alone we must receiue it To vs for thereby we are familiar with the Lord if it be an honor for vs to be familiar with earthly Princes which are but dust and ashes O what an honour is it then to be familiar with the King of Kings and Monarke of the world It is the chiefest honour whereunto he can aduance vs when hee giueth vs the spirit of prayer If we desire the valour of Knighthood by prayer wee may stand in place where Gods hand hath made a breach and doe as much as all the chariots and horsemen in a kingdome If you esteeme it an honour to be in the seruice of the Prince giue your selfe to prayer it is one of the chiefest parts of Gods seruice Yea it is so excellent that the sacrifice of praier is offered alone to him Christian whom Salomon calleth excellent and glorious It is an honor to be a christian let vs therefore vse the christian exercise two things doe admonish vs our name and the example of Christ Christians we are called annointed also to be Priests and Prophets and that royall Priesthood in Christ Iesus As the Priests offered the sacrifices of bullocks and rammes so let vs offer the sacrifice of prayer which hath also beene Christs exercise Mercy hath praied and shall not miserie Charitie hath praied and shall not iniquity pray the Physician prostrated vpon the ground praieth and shall not the sicke and the patient call vpon the Lord the innocent and he in whose mouth there is no fraud praieth and shall not the sinner the Iudge prayeth and desireth that the Lord would be mercifull and spare his people and shall not the guiltie bee suppliant to receiue mercie The pleasure of it 3 Delectable may bee the third argument of commendation this exercise is pleasant and delectable To spend the time in the Country diuers vse pleasant and delectable Exercises this is both acceptable to God and pleasant to man to God for the sweet odours of our prayers ascend into heauen Apoc. 8. 1 To God And as the sent of incense Odoriferous things is pleasant to the nostrils of mortall man So the prayer of the righteous saith Chrysostome is pleasant to the immortall God It is not then the lamentation of men eiulation of women and children mingling heauen and earth together with a confusion of out-cries that is acceptable to God and which can enforce him to giue vs audience but it is humble prayer the voyce of repentance which as Iesus Syrach speaketh Eccl. 35.16 shall bee accepted with fauour 2 To man and reach vnto the cloudes Secondly to vs all that our heart desireth is in this Exercise Some being in the Countrey spend their time in discourses prayer is a discourse with our beloued If it was a pleasure to Iacob to speake vnto Rachel and to Ionathan with Dauid O what a recreation is it for our soules that they may familiarly speake with him whose loue vnto vs is better then gold or pearle If wee delight to speake languages by prayer wee may speake the excellentest language which hath euer beene the language of Canaan let vs not feare to discourse with the Lord by our prayers for hee is not like vnto the spruce and finicall sonnes of men feare not saith Chrysostome he seeketh not at thy hands painted eloquence an angelicall tongue filed phrases but beholdeth only the beauty of thy soule Others take their pleasure while they are in the Countrey to ride vp and downe in their Coaches and Chariots being carried therein betwixt heauen and earth Let prayer bee your Coach beloued it is as one saith as a Chariot of fire bearing vs aloft in the presence of God able to mount vs aboue the Eagles of the skie to seeke the Lords assistance In the time of plague there was heretofore appointed a Waggon or Coach to carry the sicke to the Pest-house there to bee healed there is no better Chariot to carry our soules vnto the house of heauen to bee healed by that heauenly Physician then humble prayer Some