to allure Professors for what are many Hereâ—ies but the Scum of Judaism and Paganism yet like in growth to the River Nilus which is famous and well known for its overflowing Streams though hidden and obscure as to its Fountain It 's the Justice of God to deliver them over to believe Lies who will not obey the Truth You are here put to understand what diffeâ—ence of days there is betwixt the Christians Jewish and Turkish Sabbaths The Christians keep theirs the first day of the Week call'd Sunday The Jews on Saturday and the Turks on Friday in Scorn of Christ who was on that day Crucified The true Church is an Assembly or such a congregation as Believes things which do not appear neither may be comprehended in the Mind that is â—t depends only on God's Word what the same saith the true Church Believes without any addition giving honour to God and taking that to be true which in the Word is delivered unto them Isa. 5.3 As to the place where this true Church is I answer 'T is wheresoever God's Word is purely taught and the head Shepheard of this Church is Christ Jesus Since nothing more provokes the Wrath of God against us than the breaking and prophaning of his holy Sabbâ—th the observance thereof can never be sufficiently inculcated intâ— Mens minds for said the spirit of the Lord to our Fore-fathers If you will noâ— heaâ—ken unto my words and keep my Sabbath holy then wiâ—l I kiâ—dle a fire which shall devour the Palaces of Jerusalem and none shall quench iâ— Jer. 17. Ezek. 2â— 26.31 God's severity has â—een remarkable on Jerusalem and upon the disobedient and wicked Prophaners of his Sabbath as may appear by many Instances The first Blow given to the German Church was on the â—ord's Day which they carelesly observ'd the day of the Lord will be a dreadful day to them that despise the day which Christ has set apart for the Zealous performancâ— of Religious Duties It is Mark'd with a Memento above all other Commandments Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy On the Lord's Day we should go into God's sanctuary and Reverence the same see Levit. 19.30 We have God's hand and seal for our observing it see Actâ— 20.7.1 Cor. 16. â— 2. Rev. 10. God is pleased to esteem it his Glory to have many Beggers such are all Men in respect of him to meet at his House or Temple to pay their duty of Thanks and holy Worship for their all since they have all things of him Mat. 18.20 Psal. 42.4 Christ himself went often into the Synagogues and Peter and John went up into the Temple at the hour of Praper Acts 3.1 and 13.23 4. The Day which is to be Sanctify'd is not the seventh but the first day of the week for the Jews Sabbath was Buried in Christ's Grave so that the first day of the week is of Divine Institution and honoured with the Name of the Lord's Day in regard of its Author who rose that day in the Morning from finishing the amazing work of our Redemption upon 〈◊〉 day he brought forth his Living Water On this day he gave his Bread of Life his Body On this day hâ— met his two Disciples 'T was on this day that the Saints which slept arose out of their Graves On â—hâ—s day the Holy Ghost descended on the Apoâ—tlâ—â— On this day Christ brought forth the light of his â—â—ew Heavens and Earth by his powerful Resurrection On this day St. Iohn â—â—d his glorious Revelatiâ—n containing the Churches state till the dissolution of the World On this day Christ visited his deaâ— Apostles saying Peace bâ— unto you behold my 〈◊〉 and feet On this day he burst asunder the Bonds of Death and broke the Gates of Hell led captivity Captive trampled upon Principalities suddued Powers triumph'd over the Grave conquer'd Sin absolv'd the curse of the Law and trod down Satan Upon this day he still rides Triumphantly in the Chariot of his Ordinances conquering all Profane â—pposition cutting down high Thoughts and â—â—bduing Sinners to himself Blessed is the Man that â—eeps the Sabbath unpolluted Isa. 56. vers 2. It iâ— likewise thought that his second coming will â—e on this day called The Lords Sabbath Day and blessed is that Sâ—rvant whom he â—inds well doing when he cometh and since we know not in what hour of â—he Watch he will come whether at the dawning of â—he Day at Noon or at Midnight we ought thereâ—â—re with more care keep our selves upon the Watch â—â—st he come upon us unawares and find us sleeping â—â—r neglecting our Duty for which we may be cast â—nto â—nquenchable fire as unprofitable Servants and â—o be for ever shut out of Gods favour and presence â—or if on Earth we do not frequent his Divine preâ—ence by assembling our selves together for the reâ—erent performing the Duty of Prayer he so oft has commanded us to observe 't is in vain to flatter ouâ— sâ—lves with the expectation of being admitted iâ—to his Presence hereafter Therefore lâ—t us here make our Salvation suâ—e that we may of his Goodness gaiâ— admiâ—tancâ—â—ereafter into his glorious Presenâ—e which is only to be obtain'd through Chrisâ— oâ—â— Lord our only Saviour and Râ—deemer by oâ—ten asseâ—â—â—â—ng â—ur selves togetheâ—â—o give Thanks and offer â—ervâ—nt Prayers to the Lord in Christ's Name this I â—aâ— will be the only way to obtain our desire which God grant we may all Enjoy and Live and Râ—igâ—â—or ever with him to give Praise and Gloâ—y to his Holy Namâ— for his gracious Goodness in Redeeming us to himself O! how happy will our statâ—â—hen be we shall only be employed to Sing Praise and Glory and Honour world without End therâ— we shall possess the fullness of Joys and never fading Pleasureâ— resting for ever from our Labours anâ— singing with Sainâ—s and Angels new Praises to hiâ— Holy Name 'T was the charming hopes of thesâ— Contâ—ntmâ—â—ts which mâ—de tâ—e Apostles so oâ—â— conclude With a Come Lord Iesus Câ—me quickly Amen Teâ—tullian was of Opinion that no Souls did enjoy the Beatifical Vision till the Resurrection at whicâ— time he supposed the order of Rising would be according to the degrees of Holiness Men had attainâ—d to in this Life And to make his Opinion thâ— more plausible he affirm'd the Resurrection woulâ— continue the Thousand Years of Christ's Reign upoâ— Earth so that the highest Rank of Christians in hiâ— opinion shall riâ—e in the beginning of the said Term and all others Rise in their turn according to theiâ—â—legâ—â—es of Piety and Wickedness and therefore 〈◊〉 said The most sloathful and negligent would be dâ—fer'â— to the Conclusion being â—o be held in Prison till they pay the utmost Farthing for this Parable he ascribes to the Morae Resurrectionis that is They are not to rise from the Dead till towards the end of the Thousand Yâ—ars 1 Cor. 15. vers 23.24 The whole Chapter gâ—ves a large Account thereof Besides St. Iohn in his Revelations
all things he gave a real Blessing unto them willing and decreeing by an Everlasting Law that Animals should naturally multiply themselves by Generation At the making of Man as is hinted before God after a Divine manner consulted with himself the Father Son and Holy Ghost concerning the Creation of his chief Creature Man as it were to this Effect We have made our several Subâ—unary Creatures in great Variety having given to them Being Life Sense and Motion but now let us make the Creature for whose sake the rest have been Created consisting of a natural Body wherein he shall partake with other Creatures in Being Life Sense and Motion and of a Spiritual Nature and Substance wherein he shall be like to us he shall be endu'd with all the faculties of a reasonable Soul with perfect Knowledge and Righteousness Thus in respect of his spiritual Soul was Man Created after the Image of God whom he likewise resembled in Integrity Justice and Holiness wherewith he was plentifully inspir'd his Soul is Immortal Immaterial seperable from the Body and so Man consisting of Body and Soul became a perfect Creature being endu'd with all things necessary to accomplish both God saw it not convenient for Man to be alone Therefore out of Man who was made of Earth he made Woman and gâ—ve a Spiritual Blessing to them and said Be ye through that power of Propagation which I give you Fruitful Multiply and replenish the Earth and be ye Possessors and Rulers of the same and God to show his care to preserve what he had thus made gave them leave to Eat freely of every Tree in the Garden only with this limitation That of the Tâ—ee of the Knowledge of Good and Evil they should not Eat In a word God finished the whole Creation by his mighty Power in the space of Six days and on the Seventh day rested rejoycing in the view of his glorious Workmanship Hence God gave a special Blessing to the Seventh day and Honoured it with this Priviledge That it should be set apart for Rest and Holiness that by this means Men might be put in mind of the wonderful work of the Creation and might celebrate with holy Zeal the celebrated Rest of their Creator Thus I have given an account of the Creation wherein the Lord God who hath Eternal Being of himself gave a Being to the Heavens Earth and all things therein which will continue as long as God pleaseth and is kept a Secret in the Mind of God though â—s I said before it is probably Collected that in 6000 years which are but as Six days in God's Account as some suppose the World will be Dissolved Then cometh Christs Thousand Years Reign who bringeth with him an Everlasting Sabbath of Rest of this Opinion were many of the Fathers and also other more modern Writers who Calculated for the End of the World thus They allowed 2000 years before the Law 2000 years under the Law and lastly 2000 years to be accomplished under the Gospel the end of which 6000 years they thought would be accompany'd by the last and most dreadful Conflagration So then if we look back we shall find that from the Creation of the World to the Birth of our Saviour is 3948 years according to the best Chronographers to which add the time from our Savious Birth to this present yeaâ— 1700 and you will find that there only remains 352 years according to this Account before the End of this World Then as many are of Opinion cometh the Sabatical Year wherein Christ will Judge the World Here consider the Destruction of Ierusalem as a Tipe and an assurance of the Destruction of the World see Mark 13. But as to the time many things make it uncertain chiefly the Words of our Saviour saying for the Elects sake the days shall be shortned who knows then dear Reader how near it may be at hand it may even happen before what I am now Writing be Printed or before any one Read it when Published Touching â—his fatal Day read 2 Pet. 3. where the Apostle discourses concerning the fiery Dâ—struction of the World which will dissolve and purifie all things Then consider what the Scripture saiâ—h touching a new Spiritual Creation How old things shall pass away and all things become new as â— Nâ—w Ierusalem dâ—scending from the New Heavens to tâ—e New Earth for God's Elect renewed People to dwâ—ll in who will have New Knowledge and New Names and Sing every moment New Spiritual Songs and Praises to God for ever What then Courteous Reader remains but that all good Christians ought religiously to eâ—pect the End of the World and the coming of Christ Matth. 24. and so by a Pious Expectation prepare themselves for it and not too curiously pry into these hidden and unrevealed Secrets neither imparted to Men nor Angels 't is God only knoweth this who knoweth all things and seeâ—h in all places let us then every where take heed what we do since we can do nothing out of his Sight for he will require an Account from us for every thiâ—g tho' never so secretly done as well as for every idle word that we speak Oh we must be accountable to him for all the time we havâ— mispent in this our Pilgrimage on the Earth All Kings and Princes must give an Account how they have Govern'd their Kingdoms whether they have as becometh God's Vicegerents mildly lovingly and carefully trained by good Examples and Commands their Subjects up in the true Worship of God Bishops and Ministers of the Word of God who have taken upon them Curam Animarum the charge of Souls must give an Account how they have behaved themselves in the Ministry whether they have fed their Flocks carefully or fed upon their Flocks The Magistrates must give an Account whether they have sought the maintenance of Virtue and the confusion of Vice or discountenanc'd the former by a shameful Connivance at the latter And all Housholders must render an Account how they have govern'd their Families whether in Reading the Sacred Scripâ—ures and offering up oâ— daily Prayers to the glory â—nd praise of God or suffering them to run without restraint to foolish Pastimes and into what Vice the dictates of their depraved Nature lead them Yea every Man and Woman must give an Account before the greaâ— Judge of Heaven and Earth of all their Deceits and ill Practices in their several Callings We must render an Account of our Works 2 Cor. 5. We must all appâ—ar before the Judgment Seat of Christ and there receive according to what we have done in the Flesh whether it be good or Evil How then will those griping Vultures make their Accounts â—hat have Oppression undone their Brethren in very deed The World is grown so cruel and hard-hearted that many can see the Poor starve in the Streets and not relieve or succour them Nay the â—ogs have the fragments of Rich mens Tables not the Poor tho' Lame or
not so to all for Medicines are like a Tool or Instrument of the sharpesâ— Edge which if not wisely guided or handled wiâ—h the knowledge dexterity and judgment thereto belonging they may bring Death instead of Health but iâ— wisely Administred they will either restore or preserve Health therefore Men are not to be admitted to administer Physick who have no lawful Call thereunto no the Phisicians hands should be washed pure â—nd clean in the waters of Understanding and Wisdom before they meddle with the hidden Mysteries of Physick There are too many leud cozening Vaâ—lets which feed upon the simplicity of the ignorant and make the pretence of Physick the cloak of their Idleness these knowing nothing themselves venâ—ure tâ—eir Patients Lives and their own Credit upon unknown and unexperienced Receits which yâ—t they boldly Administer and with them undertake to cure any Disease tho' ignorant of the Nature of the Physick and of the disposition of the Body or Part whereto they apply it yet alass many apply themselves to such before they will take the Advice of able and experienc'd Practitioners which indiscretion often turns to their great Peril many loosing their Limbs Health and Life by such Mens ignorant proceedings when as on the other hand we see by the goodness of God with the discreet applications of knowing and honest Phisicians many reap great benefit being by them wonderfully restor'd to their former health and strength The right Phisician is indeed made of God for the health of Mankind therefore take courage for many have been restored to their former State which lay long languishing under the pressâ—re of such most deplorable Distempers as might be counted incurable therefore you that are any ways by Sickness â—ore afflicted ought noâ— to dispair nor distrust God's ability with means used to râ—store you to Health and Peace of Conscience and when by God's Blessing on Man's endeavours you are Recovered let it be your Care to keep your self void of Offence towards God and Man 'till you put on a glorious Immortality In fâ—ne as for my self I humbly desire of the Lord to help me while I am here in these lower Regioâ—s amidst such boisterous Winds and Weather to endure all with a Patience becoming a Christian Phisician and in all things to obey his Divine Precepts that when my Soul shall be freed from the Prison of my Body she may also be freed from all Sufferings and translated to the happy Mansions of my God to which those Vapours that cause these Storms and Tâ—mpests can never ascend there all Tears shall bè wiped away from my Eyes and my present Sorrows turned into Joy There O Lord thou wilt give me Beauty for Ashes and the Garment of Gladness for the Spirit of Heaviness and put after all my many and grievous conflicts with the World the Flesh and the Wicked One a Crown of Glory on my Head a Song of Triumph in my Mouth a Palm of Victory in â—y Hand and so to Reign with Thee for ever and ever Amen To which happy State that all Men may Arrive to is the daily and fervent Prayer of kind Reader and loving Countrymen Your Faithful Friend and Well-wisher David Irish. David Irish Practitioner in Physick Chirurgery HIS Missellany of Pious Discourses Gloria in â—xcelsis Deo Glory be to God on High I Here purpose to give a short Explanation of the Great Infinite and first Being who Named himself Iehovah and whom we call God he â—old Moses who he was and what he should call him and agreeable to the Stile of Moses we have an account of him Rev. 1. vers 8. He is the only true Eteâ—â—â—l God who was before all things and gave Being to all things he is Everlasting and hath his Being of himself from him all things receive their Beiâ—g and in him they End saith tâ—e Lord Which is and which was â—â—d which is to come the Almighty Had he not â—amed himself Man could not have told what Name to have given so incomprehensible a Being Who made all things by the Power of his Word See Gen. 1. Man as well as all other Beings had his beginniâ—â— from God who is the Divine Author of Heat Lighâ— and Life in all Câ—eatures whatsoever whom he 〈◊〉 preserves and governs in their wonderful Frame anâ— Order he being only Infinite Eternal and all Potent far above all things that Exist or have Being iâ— follows since nothing finite can make it self thaâ— all Finite things are the effect of his Omnipoteâ—â— Power For without him saith the Sacred Pages 〈◊〉 not any thing made that was made Joh. 1. Gen. 1. wheâ—â— we are told That in the beginning of Time 〈◊〉 Holy and undivided Trinity God the Father Son and Holy Ghost made the intire and Beautifâ—â— Machin of the World by which word World is meanâ— both the Heavens Earth and Elements togetheâ— with all their Furniture if I may so speak and Inhâ—bitants He made all Animals by Pares that froâ— them others might derive their Being The Heaveâ—â— as many believe were made incorruptible and are ordain'd for the Throne of the most High for whoâ— the Earth is ordain'd a Foot-stool and all that Goâ— made he approved of as good Gen. 1. yet some paâ—â— of his excellent Handy-works soon degenerated froâ— the perfection of their Original state and became baâ— therefore he prepared Hell for Lucifer the Prince 〈◊〉 rather Ring-leader of the Defection of the wickeâ— Angels and their Successors False Prophets anâ— Evil Doers After this we read our Saviour prepared a place of Honour for his Saints where 〈◊〉 Spirits of the Righteous are made Perfect and Reigâ— with him God created the Angels to wait upoâ— and attend him their Maker but Lucifer's pride madâ— him uneasie even in the happiest of Created conditions to humble whom God commission'd Michaâ—â— the Arch-Angel to expel him from the Sacreâ— Mansions of God's Holy City for his ambitious Rebellion This was quickly done for the Loyal Champion hurry'd the Rebel into the lowest Hell and in a word clear'd the Palace of God from all the unâ—raâ—eful Confederates some of whom it's thought remaiâ— in the Airy Region for which reason perhaps Lucifer is called the Prince thereof Others of the aspiring Legions are debased and Rove to and fro up and down the Earth seeking whom they may Destroy Others were doom'd into the heart of the Earth which in an especial manner is called Hell where they remain Tortur'd and Tormenting all Evil doers that are Eternally lost for their Iniquities Finally as for Lucifer himself he is resâ—rv'd in Chains in the River Vphraâ—es till the day of Judgment and then 〈◊〉 all his wicked Agents will be hurried into the most dreadful Burning Lake God created two great Lights to give light to the Earth and made Stars without Number to adorn as it were the out-works of Heaven all which in pursuance to God's command run the course he at first appointed them In short all
Creatures which if I may so speak people the Elements are the handy works of God Man tho' the chief yet perhaps to teach him Humility was made of the mould of the Earth and as some think Adam the first Man was made on a Friday about 3 of the Clock in the Afterâ—oon and out of him Eve his Wife who bare several Children and here I cannot but observe that the first War was about Religion for Cain slew his Brother Abel by reason of his more acceptable Sacrifice Thus we may see that in the Worlds Infancy as well as now Goodness the Mark that Envy aim'd at and Innocence Persecuted by the greatest Guilt and Religioâ— suffer by the hand of Hypocrisie and Cruelty from which Good Lord deliver Vs. Tho' as you have heard God at first made all thingâ— good yet besides the mighty defection among thâ— Angels there grew also great Iniquity amongst Men so that God resolving to wash away the abominations of the World by Wâ—ter commanded Noah tâ— build an Ark into which according to God's appointment all living Creatures entred by Coupleâ— to replenish the Earth anew but note â—ere that 〈◊〉 some sorts there entred more than two that Noâ—â— might not want proper Sacrifices to offer to the Lord And thus much of Noahs Flood The Scriptures both in the Old and New Testament plainly and copiously declare the uncommunicable Attributes of the Lord being the Heraulds of his Truth and the Witnesses of his Mercies the Instances they exhibit of his ample performing the Tenure of his comfortable Promises are as sufficieâ—â— Testimonies of his Infallible Truth as the sending oâ— his only Son is of his Mercy who as his last Prophet Sealed up all the written Verities and Commandâ—we are Bound to Believe and observe This is the Son of Righteousness whose refreshing Beams 〈◊〉 Mercy shine upon our Souls to eternal Happiness Here it will not be amiss to give an Idea or Notion of God as far as the weakness of our understanding 〈◊〉 able to perform for none can say what the Essence of God is or which is the same give a true and adequate Definition of this infinitely perfect Essenâ—e because he is in all his Perfections Inâ—inite â— Spiritual Entity whose Exisâ—ence is Eternally of himâ—elf independent of all other Beings dwelling in Orbs 〈◊〉 inaccessable Light hence the Message which we have heard of God in the first Epistle of â—ohn Chap. 1. v. 5. tells us That he is of a most Pure Simple Holy Perfect and glorious Nature resembled by no Creature â—o much as by Exquisite Light in which there is nothing but clear and exact Brightness without any â—he least mixture of Darkness He is Incomprehensible therefore none but himself can give an Account what he is He had no Beginning nor can he ever have an End all times and things whether past or to come are ever present to him so that as I often inculcate it is impossible to speak him fully yet so far as it hath pleased his Divine Majesty out of his unspeakable Goodness to Reveal himself in his Word to us we may to the utmost of our capacity express as that he is a glorious Spirit full of Truth and must therefore be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Now there is no way but by consulting his Written Word to know in what particular manner we ought to Honour and Serve him Though as is said whatsoever we can say or conceive of God comes far short of his Excellency yet it is lawful as far as our weakness can reach to say or rather lisp what he is still regulating our discourse by the Line of his Word therefore I say he is an Independent Being existing of himself Ego sum qui sum Exod. I am that I am saith the Lord that is he is alone of himself for all other things are not but by him nay in him we live move and have our Being saith St. Paul He is most Perfect because he is the Fountain and Origin of all Perfection Be ye Perfect saith Christ even as your heavenly Father is Perfect He is One. See saith the Lord that I am alone nor is there any other besides me And again Thou shalt have no other Gods but me according to which we say in the Belief I Believe in one God He is simple â—or Ioh. 4.24 He is called a Spirit now a Spirit is a simple Being or a Being void of Material Composition therefore God who is in all that he is Superlative is consequently most Simple He is Eternal for saith the Lord Vivo ego in aeternum I live for ever Deut. 22. And the Kingly Prophet cries out Thou art the vâ—ry same and thy years have no end He is Immutable as he speaks in Malachy 3. I am God and not changed which is agreeable to Reason thus That is Immutable which neither can be augmented nor diminished but God cannot be augmented because most Perfect nor diminished because most Simple Therefore he is most Immutablé He is Immense as the Wise Man speaks Wisdom 1. The Spirit of the Lord hath filled all the World He is Infinite for that is Infinite which has no Bounds according to David The Lord is great and of his greatness there is no End besides he must needs be Infinite whose Perfections are all Vnlimited He is Omniscient as appears from that of the Psalmist Thou hast understood my Cogitations afar off and hast foreseen all my ways and knowest all things before they are done He is Iust according to that of David Iust is the Lord and he hath-loved Iustice. He is most Merciful for the Mercies of the Lord arâ— above all his Works Psalm He is most Good because the Fountain of all Goodness He is most True because the first Truth He is Omnipotent because he can do all that is possible and from him is all Power both in Heaven and Earth by me Kings Reign Wisdom He is lastly most Blessed because he is the Felicity of himself and of all things whatsoever 'T is from the consideration of these Divine Attrites that multitudes of Reasons may be drawn to courage us in our Duties For Example The conâ—ering of God's Justice and Power will stir up-in us â—ear of offending a Being both Iust and Omnipotent 〈◊〉 this fear will prove the beginning of the best of â—isdom I mean of an indefatigable endeavour to 〈◊〉 his Written Laws and Commandments and â—â—ese Attributes will make us know that from and in 〈◊〉 by him we enjoy Health Live Move and have 〈◊〉 Being and that all we Possess descends from the â—ther of Light see Iam. 1.17 Hence we â—ie under obligation of giving him hearty and frequent â—hanks for the daily benefits we receive from his â—â—unty Begin therefore every work in God that â—â—ereby it may by him be Perfected and for his Hoâ—â—ur and Glory ended Rely on Jesus Christ as the 〈◊〉 Foundation that can be laid for us to Build upon testiâ—ieth both
his bringing forth of Man with the help of Woman and withouâ— the help of Man observ'd in the Blessed Virgin Mary bearing our Redeemer Christ Jesus who neveâ— laughâ—d but as we read in the Scripture three times Wâ—pt First when Lazarus was Dead Secondly over Ierusalem And Thirdly upon the Cross where he delivered up his Spirit to his Heavenly Father and these things all prove the said Attributes of God There are four Duties incumbent upon Man which above others he ought diligently to perform that is to say To God Fear To his Country Love To his Parents Honour and to his Neighbours favour If we duly consider these Duties we shall look towards Heaven despise the World and prepare a Mansion for our selves in Heaven There are three especially Miserable First he that knows and teacheth not Secondly he that teacheth and doth not Thirdly he that is ignorant and yet lâ—arneth not Among the several Commands our Saviour hath laid upon us that seems not to be the least where he warns us Not to Iudge lest we be Iudged for 't is said With what measure you meet the same shall be measured to you again Besides nothing iâ— more unreasonable than to impute the fault of one Man to another but let us proceed in all cases with Clemency and Mildness remembring that we all sprang from our Grandfather Adam and consâ—quently are all a Kin to one another which the Minister confirms in his Office for the Burial of the Dead though to the meanest Person in these words Forasmuch as it hatâ— pâ—â—â—sed Almighty God of his greaâ— Mâ—rcy to take unto â—imself the Soul of our dear Brother here departed c. So that it plainly appears that we are related to â—ach other Now some of these Kindred live in the fear of God and by honest and industrious means procure a Livelihood for their Families others take ill Courses and become Reprobates hated both of God and Mâ—n and in this Case why should any thinâ— ill of another for his Brothers misdeeds though he be so nearly Allied I think he ought rather to be pittied by â—very good Christian for that he hath so wicked a Relation And since every one must answer for his own Offences and not those committed by Father Brother or Friend let us abstain from rash Censures and fly from Evil and do the things that are good thaâ— we may live for evâ—r Psal. 37.27 Again remember thâ— last day when only the Just shall be Saved then on thy Right hand shall thy crying Sins be accusing thee and on thy Left hand infinite numbers of Devils expecting thee and under thee the Sulphurous Furnace of Hell burning and above thee an angry Judge giving Sentance within thee thy Conscience tormenting without thee the World flaming whenâ—e to fly is Impossible and to continue Intollerable This will be the sad condition of every one that while Living do not refrain from Sin or having Sin'd do not truly Repent of their Iniquities thereforâ— it is said Agree with thy Adversary while thou art â—n â—he way and while time is prevent that which othâ—rwise in time will be For as one saith If it be noâ— prâ—vented it will be Repented It is thought by some that there was no Writing to instruct the â—eople before the Flood Baptised the Earth to wash away the Curse which God laid upon it for the disobedience of our first Parents yet others subscribe not to this Opinion of the want of Writing but more wisely adhere to St. Iude and to the Learned Iosephus who writ that Enoch Eâ—ected two Pillers the one of Brick and the other of Stone wherein he wrote of the Two-fold destruction of the World the one by Water and the other by Fire Some Notion of this was by Tradition as some Writers relate preserv'd even to the days of the Apostles Iude 14. The next thing I shall speak to is the final end of the World which will be effected by the fiery destruction abovementioned We read in Mat. 24. That the Apostles asked our Lord Christ about this matter the Event was that as for the day and hour he would not have them to be curiously Inquisitive because it is a Secret not disclosed to the very Angels in Hâ—aven but reserv'd in the hidden Councel of God yet Christ gave them some intimation of the condition and circumstances of the time wherein it should be viz. That as it was in the days of Noah before the Universal Deluge swept away Mankind so shall it be in that time wherein Christ shall come to Judge the World in Fire see Ioh. 1.3 and Rev. 1. vers 3.7 But as to the time when it will happeâ— we are altogether in the dark and have nothing to say but the conjectures of the Learned who suppose it may continue 6000 years from the Creation which if true yet would not the time of the World's end or last Confâ—agration be known because we have nothing but uncertainties touching the time of the Worlds beginning The World was at first a formless Chaos till God out of the abundance of his Goodness sent forth his holy Spirit which Dove-like with mighty out-spread Wings sate Brooding on the vast Abyss and made it pregnant of the World then Darkness gave place to Light and all the fulgent Lamps of Heaven appear'd as they truly are Glorious all Creatures receiv'd their Being and every Plant Tree Herb and Flower sprung from the verdant Earth which was raised above the Waters every thing of use had Seed in it self or other means to preserve its kind that a second Creation should never be requisite but as yet Man the Lordly Creature whose Province was to Rule and Govern the other Creatures was wanting He was framed with more Solemnity than all his inferior Creatures being as it were the Product of mature Council and deliberation stamp'd after the Divine Similitude inspir'd with the Breath of Life and Honour'd with many advantages beyond what any other Animal can pretend to the contemplating of which long since made the Royal Prophet break out into this Rapture What is Man that thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that thou visitest him Thou madest him lower than the Angels to Crown him with Glory and Worship Thou madest him to have Dominion over the works of thy hands and thou hast put all things in Subjection under his Feet Psal. 8.4 Moses sets forth plainly that this glorious Universe bespangled with sparkling Fires every where adorn'd with wonderful objects Proclaming the Wisdom and Omnipotence of its great Workman or Creator was in Six days made out of an Eternal Privation of Matter by the Omnipotent Fiat of God Hence because that in Six days the World and all that therein is was Created and because God rested the Seventh day it is probably Collected that in Six Thousand years which are but as Six days in God's Account the World shall â—gain be Dissolved When as is said God had Created
Blind or both but let such Rich men remember that if they would be partakers with the Poor in Heaven they must let the Poor partake with them of their good things on Earth for to feed the Poor cloath the Naked relieve Prisoners is the same as if such works of Mercy were done to Christ. The safest way of laying up Treasure is thus to make a Store-house of Heaven which at last day will afford no less than a Crown of Glory Make O Lord the way pleasant to me that leads to such an End 't is no matter what Raggs or Colours I wear with Men so I may walk with my Saviour in White and Reign with him in Glory Luk. 13.3 We must Love oâ—e another which is the very distinguishing mark of a Disciple of Christ as Malice Hatred and Revenge are the badges of an Antichristian Mind We must in all things be reform'd from the Evil of our ways especially from our neglecting God's Service and the Duties we owe to him nor must we be remiss in our Duties to our King to our Coâ—ntry and to our Neighbours if we be we may fall short of our glorious Expectations Indeed all Ordinances of God are as it were the very face of God and they who worship him therein do solemnly â—ppear before him therefore at such Seasons all Men are Bound to be holy and recollected especially Ministers when they Read or Preach God's Word God requires an exactness of Deportment of them in his Courts and 't is no wonder for do but observâ— under the Law how choice he was about all thingâ— relating to his Worship The Tabernacle was madâ— of thâ— best Wood purest Gold and finest Linnen In short every part of it was done according to God'â— Prescription and Order Such as offer Sacrifice musâ— be without Blemish God expects to be serv'd bâ— holy Men in the purest and holyest Manner purâ— must be the Person and pure the Performance foâ— Men carry the Temple of God about them and therefore ought to keep their Hearts and Spirits clean foâ— the Reception of God ought they not then to bâ— very watchful over themselves when they are abouâ— Religious Duties espâ—cially those whose duty it is to lead and enlighten others to obtain the Peace of God and Everlasting Rest But I 'le pursue this Subject no farther least I should too much râ—semble a Sheep that leaps out of the Fold to lead the Shedheard I know well every one has his Infirmity the Green-sickness is the Maids and Covetousness the Disease of some Teachers who Preach up hospitality and other virtues to the People but will not go to the cost of putting their own Doctrine in Practice On the other hand every thing has its Virtue the Bee gathers Honey out of every stinking Weed and every Weed is of more value and use than to be thrown on a Dunghill 'T is the Apostles advise That we do all things for the Edification of others hence those that can ought to Read the Scriptâ—res and other good Books while those that cannot ought attentively to give ear and lead their lives according as the Word directs see Dâ—ut 6.11 And to incite the Minds of People to a more strict degree of Piety it would not be amiss for Ministers to Write or if there be enough already Written to buy some Books of Instructions according to Scripture Rules and give away once a year to their Parishoners By this means the Sheep will know the voice of their Shepherd from the howling of devouring Wolves and also to keep them from wandring from Christs Fold and runing astray after Novelties thro' the Wilderness of this World of Errors I know there are many well-meaning People who make a Coâ—science of their doings and are free from the folly of those that run to several places that are not tost with every wind of Doctrine as those commonly are that like any Preacher better than their own whom God by his Providence hath set over them These would willingly Read what was thus given â—hem by their own Shepherd or Pasture nay some of the other fickle headed Men would also Read their Pastors gift purely out of Curiosity this I say would be a ready way to lead them to the house of the true Shepherd I mean not where Christ was Born at Bethlehem to Sing Gloria in excelsis but where Christ now is at God's Right Hand interceeding for all his Servants 'T is chiefly the Ministers Office to take care of Christs Flock who have the Power of the Keys the Power to remit Sins by teaching the Truth of Christs Word and daily Administring the Sacraments left as Conduit-pipes to convey his Grace to our hearts the doing of which being omitted by Preachers is the retaining of Men in their Sins for if Men be so wicked that they will not â—elieve in Christ Crucified after he hath been Preach'd unto them then their Sins are retained and the Truth is not in them Good Ministers have the Keys to open and shut Heaven by Preaching and Administring the Sacraments to their Flock all that truly Believe in Gods Word which is the only Rule we ought to follow shall undoubtedly be Saved It is not every one that can Pray or Preach hath Power to remit Sins no it is the Undefiled Faithful Godly Ministers who lead their lives answerable to the true Doctrine deliver'd in God's Word that can do it they open and shut Heaven as many good Prophets did by pouring out their fervent Prayers to God Almighty do perform great things One by Prayer staid the course of the Sun another by Prayer put it back and when the Clouds withheld from Raining three Years a third offer'd up his Prayers to Heaven for Rain and God was pleased to send dowâ— Rain to refresh the Earth that all things grew and great Plenty of all things made glad the heâ—rt of Man These instances make it appear what I before asserted and that Man has power with God to Theologize Astrology that is to put by or prevent by Prayers offer'd up to God what the Stars foreshew to Ensue by the Phaenomena's whereof Astrologers were wont to deter and frighten People from doing ill Let us fear God obey his Commands and Love one another and believe in his Word who promised that whatsoever his true and faithful Ministers should ask in his Name should if necessary be granted according to that gracious saying in the Holy Writ That â— what time soever a Sinner doth Repent of his Sins he shall have Pardon with this Proviso he become a New Creature by the amendment of his Life such may come in favour with Christ the head Shepherd of Souls who makes intercession with his Father for all those that Believe in him and observe his Commandments And now to comprise all in a little remember our Saviours great Commandment which was Thaâ— you Love one another and whatsoever you would that Men should do unto you that do you
Cor. 15.51 And lastly the Resurrection of the Deceased shall be by Christ effected at his Coming Christ as Man must judge Men as Men and so have Time to make his Judgment which in it self will doubtless be just Now this will take up a coâ—sideâ—able time of the Thousand Years for Chrisâ— will judge the whole World upon the Earth and â—hâ—â—arth will be the Place of Judicature and all the Boâ—ies that ever were musâ— appear in a Place on the 〈◊〉 sit for that purpose I say on the Earth for 〈◊〉 in Heaven the Wicked cannot be to receive Senâ—ence and only the Saints are caught up in the Clouds Satan and the wicked Hypocrites and oâ—â—er Sinners will be sentenc'd into Outer Darkâ—esâ— As to the Place where this great Assize will be helâ— the common Opinion is that it will be â—ear Iâ—râ—salem in the Valley of Iehoshaphat which Cosmâ—gâ—aphers assign for the middle of the Earth's superâ—â—ies for if the termini à quibus be the four Parts 〈◊〉 the World then the terminus ad quem must be â—bout the Centre Another Reason is because the Angel told the Disciples That as they saw Christ â—sâ—eâ—d from Mount Oliveâ— which is over the Valley of Iehoshaphaâ— so He should in like manner descend â—rom Heaven Now that the said Valley or some Place adjacent to Ierusalem should be the place of Judgment 't is most probable because that as Christ was â—hereabouts Crucified and put to open shame so it is likely that thereabouts his glorious Throne â—hall be exalted in the Air when he shall appear in Judgment to manifest his Majesty and Glory and so He in that place will judge the World with â—ighteous Judgment where hâ— Himself was unjustly â—udged and condemned The Order he will observe in giving Judgment will as some think be first to pronounce the Sentenâ—â— of Absolution and Bliss upon the Elect because â—e will thereby encrease the Grief of the Reprobates that shall hear it and at the same time show that he is more prone to Mercy than Judgment more forward to Reward the Good than to punish the Wicked therefore he will in the sight and heaâ—ing of all the World say to his Elect Come ye Blessâ—d of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from thâ— Beginning of the World Come you now from Labouâ— to Rest fâ—om Disgracâ— to Glory from the Iaws of Death to Eternal Life After this every Saint receives a glorious Crown from the Hands of their Righteous and Merciful Judge as the ample Reward which he promised oâ— his free Grace to all them that loved and hoped foâ— this his last and to the Blessed everlasting appearing Then every one shall take his Crown and lay iâ— down as it were at the Feet of Christ the generous Giver and prostrating themselves shall with one Heart and Voice in a Heavenly Consort Sing Pâ—aise and Honour and Glory and Poweâ— and Thanks bâ— unto thee O Blessed Lamb who sittest upon the Tâ—ronâ— Thou by Dâ—â—th Redeem'd us from being Sons oâ— Wrath and Perdition to be the Children of God Out of every Kindred and Toâ—gue and People and Nation thou hast made unto our God Kings and Priests to Reign triumphantly with Thee in thy Kingdom for ever Next follows the dreadful Sentence of Condemnation against the hardned Reprobates and eviâ— Angels immediatâ—ly after which Christ from his exalted Tribunal will arise waited on by his numerous Train of Elect and holy Angels with whom in Order and Array he will ascend Triumphantly unto the Heaven of Heavens and there present alâ— the Elect unto his Father saying Behold O Righteous Father these are they whom Thou gavest me I gave them thy Word and they Believed it I have keâ—â— them and none of them is lost Therefore lâ—t them Sing Praises to thee their God and King let them be glad and rejoyce and give honour unto thee for the Marriage of the Lamb is come and his Spouse hath made her self ready Hallelujah for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth Every thing tendeth to its proper Centre God â—s the Centre of our Souls our chiefest Good therefore the Soul like Noah's Dove cannot rest nor â—oy till she return and enjoy him she is ever desiring â—o keep a perpetual Sabbath with him to the Glory Honour and Praise of the Blessed Trinity to which â—appiness when we once Arrive we shall not only â—now our Friends departed in the Faith of Christ â—ut also joyn in a League of perpetual Friendship with all the Faithful that ever were or shall hereâ—fter be our knowledge now is but imperfect then it will be compleat for we shall know as we are known of God or as the Angels know one another Come all you that thirst after true and perfect Knowledge and employ yoâ—r utmost endeavours to â—â—ome Graduates in Christ's Heavenly University â—n this World the utmost pitch of Knowledge the â—ost diligent Students and the ablest Professors â—an with all their Faculties attain to is only the â—iscovery of the meer shaddow of our unspeakable â—reator but in Heaven we shall know God in reaâ—â—ty and in him all things perfectly we shall know â—he manner of that stupendioâ—s work of the Creation â—e shall be able to solve the difficulty of making all â—hings out of nothing and conceive the amazing â—istâ—ry of our Redemption In fine our Minds â—hich now labour in trifles with a Thousand invinâ—ible doubts will then be enrich'd with the knowâ—edge of all things possible and we shall conclude as an undoubted Verity that in the Flesh we saw but a few of God's wonderful Works in comparison oâ— what shall be revealed then unto us Let us then labour for Heaven and like wise Merchants traffick for Eternal Life as a most precious Pearl which is worth our Purchase tho' it cost us all we have Mat 13. Abraham and Sarah left their own Country and Possessions to look for this City whose Founder is God David was so enamour'd with this Divine Mansion that he rather desired to be there a Door-keeper than to dwell in the richest Tabernacle of Wickedness It was into the Kingdom of Heaven that Elias so earnestly besought the Lord to receive his Soul to which he went most willingly tho' in a Fiery Chariot And St. Paul having but once seen 〈◊〉 glimpse of Heaven ever after desired that he might be dissolved to be with Christ and well he might for as David saith At God's Right Hand are Pleasures â—or ever more If Ruth left what is usually accounted most dear her own Country and followed Naomi her Mother in Law to dwell with her in the Land of Câ—naan which was but a Tipe of Heaven only upon the Fame which she had heard of the God of Israel tho' she had no promise of any Portion therein Ruth 1.16 With how much more alacrity ought we to follow our Mother the Church to go into the Heavenly Canaan wherein God hath given us an Etâ—rnal Inheritance assured to us
believe the same We should also truly call upon God successively to send Christian good and godly Governours that they earnestly may stand for the Christian Châ—â—ch and true Religion which God hath caused to be taught among us that the same may continue manfully to resist erroneous and false Doctrine and now in our time God hath raised up certain high and mighty Heads and Princes which have been Nurses and Protectors of the Church God preserve them mercifully for the same and send continually Men able and willing so to do who shine with the Beauty of acquired and natural Parts and arâ— free to impart theâ—r Knowledge by explaining the true Sence and Meaning of God's Word to all Rational People so as thereby they may come to the true Knowledge of God and his only Son our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ so as all Nations may be led by the Word of tâ—at one Shepherd who gave his Life for a Ransom â—or all those that believe his Word which is the true â—ight that enlightens every Man in the way to Eterâ—al Life So God grant that his Gospel may for â—ver flourish amongst all Nations to the End of the World Let me in the next place exhort all Men to remember to crave a Blessing of God and be thankful to him for whatsoever they eat or drink since it all â—omes from his Bounty which affords us what his Wisdom thinks fit and necessary For such gratis and gracious Gifts as â—e daily confers upon us let us if we would avoid the just Imputation of the greatest Ingratitude give his Divine Majesty thanks How thankful was our Blessed Saviour for two Loaves and a few Fisâ—es when he blessed God his Heavenly Father for them the Issue was a miracuâ—oâ—s Encrease to show us that if we were thankful to God for a little he would give us much yet we daily see how wonderfully forgetful Thousands are when they sit down to plentiful Tables and mind not before nor after they eat to return the Giver Thanks for their nourishing Varieties I fear it will go bad with such one Day through their neglecting â—he Duâ—y of Thankfulness for what they daily receive from Heaven's Liberality 'T is God that gives or at least â—ends us all we have can we then do less than thank him for the same which undoubtedly he expects even from our Hearts as well as in formal verbal 〈◊〉 which are but signs of our inward Gratitude What are such I pray better than Heathens whâ— knowing their Duties herein rise from Meat uâ—sanâ—tified We ought not only to be thanâ—ful but also â—o bestow some part of what we have on the Pooâ— according to the Directions found â—n Sacred Writ Such as fail herein must expect God's Iâ—dignation and Rebuke when he â—alls them to an account for their Stewardship Repentance then will be too late for our now Forgetfulness Now is the acceptable Time to seek the Lord whilst he may be found for in this Life whenever we call upon him he will hear and grant our request Let the Words of my Mouth and the Meditations of all Mens Hearts be now and ever acceptable in thy Sight O Lord God our Redeemer Most Great and Glorious Lord our God thou art and there is no other God besides Thee in Heaven nor in Earth for the Heavens are thy Throne and the Earth is thy Footstool and the Heaven of Heavens is not able to contain Thee the whole Earth is full of the Glory of thy Majesty O what miserable Creatures are we Dust and Ashes not worthy of the least of thy Mercies How dare we then present our selves before Thee who art so pure and holy a God yet still through thy Mercy we have here our Being whereas thou mightest have placed us in the Abyss of Hell for ever where there is nothing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth where the Fire burns and never goes out and where the Worm namely the lost Soul never dies Let us all then with Humility jointly say We have sinned against Heaven and against Thee Let us honouâ— our Callings with the Practice of good Works and fâ—llow Pâ—acâ— with all Men. Help us O Lord now to press forward to make our Election sure and â—hâ—t we may live every Day as piously as if it were oâ—r last since we know not how soon thou may'st summon us to appear before the Tribunal Seat of Jesus Christ to give an account of all our Works dâ—ne here in the Flesh. Purge us with Hyssop and wâ— shall be clean Wash us in the Blood of the Lâ—mb and then we shall be whiter than Snow Take all our Sins and cast them in a Cloud behinâ— thy Back where they may be remembred no more Crâ—ate in us new Hearts and new Spirits so as we may walk in Newness of Life according to thy Holy Will and Commandments And if it be thy Blessed Will pity all those that sit in Darkness and under the Shadow of Death that they may come at thy appointed time to the miraculous Light of thy Gospel dispenced to all true Christians by thy true and only Son our Blessed Saviour who sitteth at thy right hand making Intercession for all those that put their trust in thee Grant if it be thy Blessed Will that we may all be taught by that Head Shepherd of thy Church who said When you pray say Our Father c. Such as would know more concerning their Duties in Prayer Publick or Private by the way of Form or would attain to pray by the Spirit according to their present Necessities or Wants let such read the incomparable little piece set out by Robert Russell 1700. 't is the Third Edition in it are Seven Sermons Price Bound 1 s. 6 d. In a word I earnestly exhort all my Readers to be piously mindful of their Duties to God and Man if you fail not in this Christian Reader God will remember you and after this Life in Eternal Bliss you will live with him at Rest. Take but a serious prospect by a powerful Imagination of all the several conditions observablâ— amongst worldly Men and you will find that not one of them sits easie upon its Possessor for the natural Man is ever a Repining and a perpetual succession of Doubts and Fears compleat the measure of his Inquietudes sometimes he câ—mplains of the Acâ—â—ons of his Superiors and Governors and if they iâ— the end should prove â—greeable to his Fancy he will yet keep up thâ— height of his Misfortunes by grieving at the unobâ—â—ging deportment of his Inferiors nor will it ever be otherwise with those that seâ—k Contâ—nt below hence those that are circled with the greateâ—t Splendoâ— find not their Perturbations at all lessened by it but think they might be mucâ— more happy and therefore strain themselves afresh in the eagâ—r puâ—suit of other Worldly advantages which if obtain'd bring â—ot the desired Content and the reason is because they look for it in the things of
this World where it is not to be found there iâ— no stâ—te of Life be it what it will but what is attâ—nded with Misery enough in those that live after the Flesh. Nay many times the very Courts of Justice torment Men abroad as mâ—ch as their Families care does at home the Country life is opprest with continual Labours at Sea there is confusion of Dâ—ngers the Merchant teaches his Estate to Swim and he that Travels with Riches gives a great Temptation to Highway-men and exposes his Life and Monâ—y to the mercy of Thieves the Rich are Plagu'd with the desire of Encreasing care of keeping and fear of losing Riches while the Poor are obnoxious to Scorn and Contempt Marriage in general is no more â—han a conjunction of mutual Perplexities and accidental Calamities Children are â—onuments of Care and for the most part very unâ—â—rtain Comforts especially in these days and on 〈◊〉 other side a single Life oft proves a solitary â—ischief or inconvenience the Fruitful bring forth Câ—res and Barrenness is counted a Curse Youth is a tormenting Fury old Age a meer lump of Infirmiâ—ies and an incurable Disease Thus there is something in every life that proves the bane of our Happiness except we entirely give our selves up to the Service of God Mat. 6.24 No Man can serve two Masters God and the World he that is a Vassal to his Wealth can never make a true Servant of God he that is a Rebel to his lawful Prince is no good Subject of Christs tho' Religion be the Pretence The Parable of the Rich Man and many other places of Scripture make out how hard it is for such who trust in uncertain Riches to enter into the Kingdom of God Therefore misâ—rable is the case of all covetous Rich persons Usurers Extortiâ—ners Thieves and Robbers not can we think better of the Envious Murderers Whore-mongers Sorcerers Idolaters Sabbath-breakers Sweaâ—ers Drunkards Gluttons and such as are given to Detraction and Anger without cause calling their Brother Fool to these add lying Reprobates the Proud the Cruel and â—â—ard-hearted Hippocrites the Sloathful and Unbeâ—iever and many prâ—sumptuous Sinners all which aâ—e threatned to be cast into unquenchable Fire as unprofitable Servants They are such as prefer Vice before Virtue Iniquity before Godliness Falshood before Truth and their own dark works before the light of the Gospel Also among the unprofitable Servants may be reckoned the Rebellious who by belying their lawful Governours rob the Peoples hearts of Obedience and so fit them for Rebellion which is a kind of Witchcraft and spiritual Theâ—â— Nay those that corrupt the Minds of others by leud Examples Hippocrites Slanderers teachers of Lies whereby â—he Souls of thâ—ir Hearers are rob'd of Eternal Life aâ—e condemn'd All that foolishly attribute to thâ—msâ—lves the benefit of Health Wealâ—h or Liberty and so deprive God of his Glory are hither refer'd such as purloiâ— from their Masters Parents Husbands Wives Friends or Neighbourâ— suffer them to incur any loss or detriment whiâ—h they might prevent are in the same Class with the former such as Rob their Neighbours either by false Weights Measures bad Wares or subtile Practices all Lawyers that make good Causes bad or Bad Good all Debtors that never design to pay all Creditors that cruâ—lly Triumph over the Bodies oâ— their poor insolvent Debtors by Imprisonment or any other kind of Oppression And lastly Envious Men who when they have done a Man what disgrace they caâ—â—y Words fall to the practice of unjust Deeds to over-throw and ruine those whom they causelesly Hate such sure cannot so much as have the least pretence to be Servants of God but on the contrary Slaves and Vassals of Satan Now to know who are unprofitable Servants I say â—â—rst They are such as are Magistrates abusing their Autâ—ority to the hurt of those they ought to Protect Secondly Such as are no Magistrates but either neglect their calling or deprave it by their wicked Practice Thirdly Rich men who relieve not the wants of the Poor with their Plenty Fourthly Learned and well instructed Christiaâ—s who suffer the Ignorant to go Astray without giving them good Advice or necessary Instructions Touching those that have their Portion in the Sulpâ—urous Lake which burneth with Fire and Brimsâ—one where Men undâ—rgo as 't is call'd the Second Dâ—ath see Revel 21.1 By this Second Death is understood the deplorable separation of the Soul and Body for ever from the Beatifical Vision or Presence oâ— God and this is the Death which the Wiâ—ked must suffâ—r yâ—t the fulness of their Punishment will not be inflicted â—pon them till the day of Judgment when thâ—ir Souls and Bodies are reunited then they will receive their dreadful Doom and condign Punishment for their Evil Deeds for your further instruction herein see Luk. 16.22 23. the 8.28 the 10.23 â—nd the 12.30 Mat. 23.23.31 and 5.24 and 13.14 â—nd 14.31 Thess. 1.10 1 Pet. 3.19 Iudâ— â— â— 7. Acts 7.5 and in many other places the Scripture gâ—ves a large account of Hell and of its Torments of which none can doubt since our Blessed Saviour said That Heaven and Earth should pass away but hiâ— Word should never pass away Therefore unless we be regenerate and renewed in Christ our condition iâ— dâ—sperate hence let us with all speed Repent and streighten the unevenness of our ways according to the Level of God's Word and Commandments let 's Love one another and do as we would be done by â—nd shew the loveliness of our Faith by the uprightness of our Works For it is not every one thaâ— cryeth Lord Lord that shall enter into tâ—e Kingdom of Heaven No It is the doing the Will of God that dwelleth in Heaven that must bring us thither We must be Born again not of the Blood nor of the Will of the Flesh but of God who in Christ is our Father and will renew his own Image in us every day more and more and apply to us the Merits of Christ's Sufferings foâ— the blotting out of all our Sins original and actual together with the guilt and punishment belonging to them Blessed is he therefore to whom the Lord hath not imputed Sin sâ—e Ezek. 18.21.2 Cor. 33.13 for to sâ—ch all the Righteousness of Christ is freely and fully imputed to the Reconciliâ—tion of them unto the Lord who approveth them as Righteous not taking notice of everâ— fault but bearing with their Frailties and Infirmities Exod. 34.67 Rom. 4.8 The godly Man hath an assurance of God's Fatherly care and protection Day and Night which care God manifests in providing all things necessary for his Soul and Body so that the godly Man is sure of having enough â— God gives his holy Angels as Ministers a charge to attend upon the Righteous Psal. 34.7 And to prevent all daâ—gers the Angels pitch their Tents about the lust for their safety where ever thâ—y go yea God will dâ—fend them with a Cloud by day and with a Pillar of Fire by night and his Providence shall hedge them from the Power of the Devil see Iude 1.9 where 't is Recorded that Michaâ—l the Arch-Angel was set to keep the Body of Moses which being secretly hiddâ—n by God was sought for by Satan by which it appears that God's good Angels keep all such as live and die in the faith of Christ and in the fear of the Lord 2 Kings 6.17 The Eyes of the Lord are always opâ—n to see their State and also his Ears to hear tâ—eir Complaint and in his good time will deliver them out of all their troubles and bring them to the glory of the Church in her perpetual Triumph in the World to come when joyned to her Bridegroom Christ Jesus in Joy that shall never have an End a tast of which Joy is in some sort made manifest unto us in the Revelations cap. 2.22 Therefore let us all with St. Stephen say Come Lord Iesus come quickly and in the mean time the Lord gâ—ant that we may be always Purging out by true Faith and Repentance the Malignity of our Spiritual Diseases till we arrive at divine and saving Health that at the End of our Bodily Infirmities the great Physician may administer a Cordial to us of his own Living Water and grant that at the Night of Death when our Sun shall set the Sun of Righteousness may rise upon us with healing under his Wings and make our Souls as the Lame-man's body in the Gospel entirely whole and so elevate us to those Light Orbs and Heavenly Mansions where the Suâ— shall no more be our Light by Day nor the Moon by Night but the Lord our God shall be ouâ— Everlasting Light and Glory Which are the Hearty Prayers of READERS Your True Friend And Faithful Servant David Irish. Advertisement THE Small-Pox being now in many Places I thought it convenient to publish That if I see the Small-Pox break out of any or but newly come out I will tell them at first sight whether there be any Danger of Death by having them or not And I do affirm That I can with God's Blessing give an Antidote against them and of such Vertue to those that are not already infected that tho they eat and drink and be always with those that have them yet shall they not have them So God preserve us all from all manner of Contagious Diseases and fâ—om sudden Death Amen