they all deceiued and therefore deceiued because they neuer tasted it For did they make a taste hereof they would then quickly proue it not a bondage but a freedome not bitter but pleasant not sowre but sweete Psalm 19.10 yea sweeter then the honie and the honie combe Did they once but take a perfect view hereof with the wisest Salomon they would subscribe and say that neither the gold of Ophir Prouerb 8.12 nor the mines of India nor al the pleasures in the world were in any sort to bee compared to it Yea they would say with him that heere commendeth this taste vnto them Psalm 84.4 5. Blessed are they which dwell in Gods house for they will euer praise him Blessed is the man whose strength is the Lord One day in Gods house is better then a thousand elsewhere 10. It is better to be a doore-keeper in the house of our God then to dwell in the tabernacles of wickednesse 11. for the Lord God is the Sunne and shield vnto them he will giue grace and glorie and no good thing will hee withhold from them that haue tasted of him His mercies to them are endlesse his fauors numberlesse his comforts infinite he is glasse to their eies musicke to their eares Honie to their mouth Balme to their smel contentation to their will continuation to their happinesse When a man hath once taken a full taste of him No comfort in the world to the comfort of Gods children Philip. 3.7 Eccles 1.1 Eccles 2.2 Philip. 3.8 all worldlie dainties will seeme but vanities all worldly gaines will seeme but losses all worldly pleasures will seeme but toyes all worldly delights will seeme but madnes all worldly treasures will seeme but dungie trash 1. Sam. 18.27 The very taste of this is like vnto Ionathans tasting of the honie combe whereof when he had put but a drop into his mouth his dimme eyes were clarified to a quicker sight The taste hereof is like vnto the Poets riuer Lethe Virgil. Aeneid lib. 6. whereof whosoeuer had a taste did soone forget all other delights and pleasures The taste hereof made Peter to confesse that Bonum est esse hîc Matth. 17.4 It is good abiding here 2. Cor. 12.3 It made Paul in an ecstasie to forget whether he were in the bodie or no The very taste heereof is enough to rauish the soule and to cause it to say with Iacob I haue enough Gen. 45 26. I haue tasted of this all other pleasures seeme sowre to rellish bitter to be out of taste O that I had now but Ananias his gift Act. 9.17 that to giue a glimse of the eye-dazeling lustre of this so glorious light I could but touch the moleblind Sauls the earth-worme scoffers of this our age and make the scales fall from their eyes how cleerely should they see D. Eedes Sermon of heauenly connersation Philip. 3.20 2. Cor. 1.12 Galat. 6.15 1. Tim. 6.6 1. Cor. 1.9 Reuel 7. Psalm 34.8 and seeing taste and tasting testifie that there is no estate like to a Christian conuersation no ioy to the solace of a religious heart no peace to the peace of consciēce no glorie to the crosse of Christ no riches to godlinesse no wisedome to that of the spirit no pleasures to the soule delights no sweetnes to the sweetnes of the Lord. My soule Greater sweetnesse in the Lord then at the first before the feeling of it can be imagined thou must needes confesse hadst thou been put to thy choice before thou didst feele a taste heereof thou couldest not haue asked or desired the tenth part thereof the Lord hath giuen more then I could aske or thinke more then had I all the tongues of men and Angels I were able to expresse yea more then any heart but that which feeleth it can beleeue So that thou my soule and what doe I speake of mine euery beleeuing soule can say no lesse as Shebaes Queene said of Salomons wisedome 1. King 6.6 7 8 9. so maist thou say of this sweet taste of heauē It was a true word which I heard related to me of the most sweet dainties of Gods children when I was in mine owne corruptions fedde with draffe with fancies and dreames and deceitfull pleasures howbeit I beleeued not this report till I came and saw it with mine eyes and had a feeling and a taste thereof but loe now I see the one halfe was not told me for the sweetnes I feele in the taste hereof doth farre surpasse al that euer mine eares did heare reported of it or mine heart could possibly imagine to be in it And whereas in other delicates satietie may breed lothsomnesse The longer it is enioied the sweeter it is proued and the continuall vse of one sort of meate may glut the stomacke in this taste of the sweetnes of the Lord the longer I enioy it the better I know it the sweeter I feele it the more delight I perceiue in it and receiue from it The longer I taste it the more I am enamoured on it still more and more comfortable I proue it like to Ezechiels riuer which hee saw issuing from vnder the threshold of the temple Ezech. 47.1 2 3 4 5 6. which at the first arose but to the ancles then to the knees afterwards to the loines and at the last became a riuer which did ouerflow Here in this life we can haue but a taste And yet my soule here in this life whiles thou art soiourning in this vale of teares thou canst haue but a taste 1. Cor. 13.9.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here thou canst only know in part and feele in part and taste in part and see it but darkly as through a glasse The full fruition thou shalt enioy when thou shalt come to sing Haleluiahs in heauen with the quire of heauen vnto the King of heauen Reuel 19.4 at whose right hand are fulnes of ioy for euermore Psal O sweete Lord if the taste of thee bee so excellent how superexcellent shall that sweetnes be Psal 36.5 Augustine when I shall be satisfied with the fatnes of thine house and drink out of the riuers of thy pleasures If the glimmering light of our happinesse bee so glorious how full of glorie shall the full prospect be If there bee so great solaces for thy children in these daies of teares what shal there be in their day of mariage If our iaile containe such ioyes what shall our countrie and kingdome doe O my Lord and God thou art a good God The infinite sweetnes of the Lord. How great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee and done to them that put their trust in thee Psal 31.9 euen before the sonnes of men Psal 40.5 O Lord my God thy comforts are so many that none can count them I would declare and speake of them but they are
more then I am able to expresse An vnwise man knoweth it not Wicked mē think it otherwise Psal 92.6 and a foole doth not vnderstand this An vnregenerate man cannot feele it and a child of Belial though he had eyes as cleere as Crystal cannot behold it Such as make sinne their solace and reioyce onely in the pleasures of iniquitie haue thy beloued ones Lord Wisd 5.4 in derision and count their life madnesse their conuersation dumpish their profession grieuous Cantic 5.9 They say vnto vs What is your welbeloued more then another welbeloued Vers 10. what is your welbeloued more then another Louer Will they needes know it Vers 11. why Our welbeloued is white and ruddie the chiefest of tenne thousand Vers 12. Vers 13. his head is as fine gold his locks curled and black as a rauen his eyes are like doues vpon the riuers of waters Vers 14. his cheekes are as a bed of spices and as sweete flowers his lippes like lilies dropping downe pure myrrhe Ver. 15. his hands as rings of gold set with the Chrysolite Vers 16. his hollie like white Iuorie couered with Saphires his legges as marble set vpon sockets of fine gold his countenance as Lebanon excellent as the Cedars his mouth is as sweete things and he is totus delectabilis whollie whollie delectable Yea thou our God art delectable all together Nothing in God but full of sweetnes sweete art thou in thy word sweete in thy promises sweet in thine inward consolations sweete in thy mercies sweete in thy iudgements How perfect is the law of the Lord Psal 19.7 connerring the soule Vers 8. The statutes of uerting the soule The statutes of the Lord are right and reioyce the heart Vers 9. The commandement of the Lord is pure and giueth light vnto the eyes Vers 10. The feare of the Lord is cleane and endureth for euer The iudgements of the Lord are truth and righteous altogether and more to be desired thē gold yea thē much fine gold sweeter also then the honie and the honie combe Psal 109.21 How sweet are the mercies of the Lord and that my soule knoweth right well which forgineth all mine iniquities and healeth all mine infirmities which redeemed my life from the graue Psal 103.3 4. and crowneth me with mercies and compassiōs And what shal I say of his iudgements May we not see Sampsons riddle heerein expounded without the helpe of any Sphinx Iudg. 14.14 Out of the strong commeth sweetnes and out of the lion the honie combe O how sweete are his corrections as the pretious balme of Gilead as cauterismes in physick and not as punishments in hostilitie O sweet Sauiour thou hast well said it and we finde it true Matth. 11.29 Cant. 9.16 Thy yoke is easie and thy burthen is light yea thou art wholly delectable O they bee blessed whos God is the Lord Iehoua The securitie of those vvhich haue tasted the Lord. Psal 84.5 Isai 48.21 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee and in whose heart are thy waies His soule shall dwell at ease when the wicked shall bee afraid of their owne shadow and tremble like an Aspin leafe at euery little blast of winde or thunder-clap Psal 91.1 Hee that dwelleth vnder the shadow of the Almightie Psal 46.2.3 his soule shall dwell at ease though the earth be moued and the waters of the sea rage and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same their mindes are void of feare And why Verse 4. There is a riuer whose streames make glad the citie of God Psal 91.4 Hee couereth them vnder his wings and they are safe vnder his feathers They know and are assured that all things shall worke together for the best to them Rom. 8.28 that they are beloued of God Reuel 21.27 Isai 1.18 their names written in heauen and their though crimson sinnes washed in the blood of the Lambe Reuel 7.14 and that neither height nor depth nor death nor life nor any thing shall bee able to separate thē from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus their Lord. Rom. 8.38 The ful assurance whereof when they hold in better tenour then they can hold any thing in this life by seale lease writing witnesse or any other way that law can deuise O how it glads their hearts and cheereth vp their vitall spirits What an heauenly comfort is it for them to meditate thus often with themselues Psal that they shall see the good pleasures of the Lord in the land of the liuing 2. Cor. 5.1 and haue an house not made with hands but eternall in the heauens Stoope downe to this all comfort of wealth Wicked men oft desire his comfort and would giue a world for it pleasure or delight in the world in what account or price soeuer they bee with worldly fooles there is neuer a Balaam were he well aduised but would giue them all for one quarter of an houres feeling of Gods louing kindnes sweet countenance toward him Numb 23.10 Sillie wretches albeit they would seem to spend their daies in mirth and with a light heart to passe away the time Iob 21.13 yet God hee knoweth with wearie sighes and grones that cannot be expressed many a time their soules thus reason with themselues O how happie are they whose names are written in the booke of life O that they might die the death of the righteous and that their latter end might be like his O what an vnspeakeable treasure is the peace of conscience yea and what they would giue for a taste thereof how many thousand worlds if it were in their power for a part in Gods kingdome But these pleasures are onely for the Bridegromes friends Matth. 25.10 these dainties are for the children such whelpes shall not bee suffered to taste so much as of the crummes that fall from the childrens table Mark 7.27 Behold saith God my seruants shall eate and yee shall be hungrie Only the godly feele enioy it my seruants shall drinke and ye shal be thirsty my seruants shall reioyce Isai 65.13.14 and ye shall be ashamed my seruants shall sing for ioy of heart and ye shall crie for sorrow of heart and howle for vexation of minde Iohn 4.32 They haue another meate to eate which the world knoweth not they haue another drinke to drinke which others dreame not of for their meate is of the tree of life Reuel 22.1 and the Nectar which they sup out of the sweetnes of their gratious God is as a well of water springing vp to euerlasting life Iohn 4.14 Gods seruice not grieuous to his So that they feele that most delightfull which to the wicked and vngodly is most irkesome they see and feele the seruice of the Lord to bee the chiefest freedome Heb. 11.6 because the Lord is a
clothed with our house from heauen There we haue in store laid vp for vs an inheritance immortall and vndefiled that fadeth not away 1. Pet. 1.4 and 18.19 but is reserued in heauen for vs bought and purchased not with gold and siluer but with a farre more excellent price euen with the pretious blood of Christ Iesus Had I the tongue of men and Angels yet were I not able to expresse the least glimmering light or taste of this reserued sweetnes Paul himselfe rapt vp into the third heauen 2. Cor. 5. and hauing heard things that were not to bee vttered and seene sights not to bee specified passeth them ouer with this preterition The sweetnesse reserued for Gods children in heauen is such 1. Cor. 2.9 as no eye hath seene nor eare hath heard neither is the hart of man able to conceiue O happie and thrice happie they that shall one day feele and see and taste the same Mine heart reioyceth my soule leapeth my tongue and penne exult to think vpon the sweetnesse of it and to thinke vpon mine owne happinesse who am right well assured that one day I shall enioy the same O when shall I come to appeare before the Lord in heauen My soule longeth Psal 84.2 yea and fainteth for these courts of the Lord my heart and my flesh reioyceth in the liuing Lord for I am sure that my redeemer liueth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this carcase of mine yet shall I see God in my flesh Iob 19.25.26.27 whom I my self shall see and mine eyes shall behold and none other for me though my reines be consumed within mee O happie time it ioyes my very hart to thinke of it before it comes where this poore soule of mine bidding a farewell to my bodie for a while shall be carried with no meaner attendants on it then a guard of angels into Abrahams bosome there to take possession of a kingdome vpon the receit whereof it shall enter the fee simple of life which it shall neuer lose O what a glorious welcom and meeting shall it haue with al the companie of celestiall euer blessed spirits with Angels and Archangels Cherubims and Seraphims principalities powers thrones and dominations with Abraham Isaac Iacob and all the holy Patriarks with Isay Ieremie Hosea and all the famous Prophets with Peter Iames Iohn and all the rest of Christs Apostles yea with the whole companie of Martyrs Innocents Confessors and Saints of God with them together to enioy the highest degree of the communiō of Saints for euermore Why my soule there is wonderfull sweetnesse laid vp in heauen for thee the time is comming when thou shalt enter into thy glorie where is a citie and the gates of it are pearle and the streetes of it gold and the walles of it pretious stones and the Temple in it the Almighty God and the light of it the Lambe and the vessels to it the Kings of the earth where is a riuer the spring of it is the throne of God and the water of it Crystall and the bankes of it set about with the trees of life where there is a banquet and the cheere is ioy the exercise singing the dittie Halleluiahs Vers 4. the Quire Angels where all teares shall be wiped away from thine eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor paine where there is infinite ioy and mirth without sadnes health without sicknes light without darknes felicitic without abatement all goodnesse without any euill where youth florisheth that neuer waxeth old life lasteth that neuer endeth beautie that neuer fadeth loue that neuer cooleth health that neuer diminisheth ioy that neuer ceaseth where sorrow is neuer felt complaint is neuer heard matter of sadnes is neuer seene where in the same instant I shall be rauished with seeing satisfied with enioying secured for retaining O sweetest happinesse how doe I long for to be filled with thee how doe I hunger and thirst after thee But euen heere alreadie I haue more then either I could desire or deserue I will not leaue my solace in this world for the worldlings heauen a dramme of Christian comfort is better then a pound of earthly ioy I had rather enioy a taste of this then to liue at rack manger in any other happinesse FINIS True delight Or THE WORLDS Farewell and Christs Welcome TO THE WORSHIPFVL Mr. GEORGE BAINARD and Mistris BAINARD his Wife HAuing begunne to make these my priuate Meditations publique and sending them vnder the protection of many their best well-willers to see the world I should much forget my selfe Worshipfull and most especiall benefactors if I should forget your names in these my multiplied dedicatiōs There is no man liuing who may claime that interest in mee or challenge my very best endeuours in that measure as your selues who may iustly say to me as Paul did to Philemon Philem. 19. Thou owest vnto vs euen thine owne selfe For besides that your house hath been to me as the house of Onesiphorus was to Paul 2. Tim. 1.16 euen this also that I my selfe haue an house to dwell in and a pastoral charge to labour in I may impute it vnto your selues as principall meanes raised vp by God to procure it for me Iob 31.20 The loines of me and mine may blesse you because by your meanes wee are cloathed with a fleece I haue nothing to returne vnto you for your so great paines but these few homelie papers the poore present of an euer remaining debtor I would they were as worthie of any respect with you as in many respects they doe belong vnto you My soule perswadeth it selfe that you both are of the number of those Reuel 6.4 who haue receiued the seale of the lion of Iudah Galat. 6.16 that long since the world hath bin crucified vnto you and you vnto the world that you haue proposed Christ Iesus to your selues the onely gaine Philip 1.21 I therefore send not vnto you this farewell which I haue sung vnto the world to perswade you but rather to encourage you Phil. 1.6 He that hath begun a good worke in you will performe it and encrease it more and more Vers 9. And this I pray that your loue may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all iudgement Vers 10. that yee may discerne things that differ and may be pure and without offence vntil the day of Christ Amen Yours in the Lord Iesus G. W. True delight PHILIP 3.8 Yea doubtlesse I thinke al things but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Iesus my Lord for whom I haue counted all things losse and doe iudge them to bee dung that I might win Christ IN these desperate diseased times wherein men are so vniuersallie drunken with their owne conceits to see how fondly conceited the selfe pleasing humors of Adams children are I know not whether with Democritus I might laugh
remember not the peace of this our Sion let our tongue cleaue to the roofe of our mouth yea if wee preferre not Ierusalem to all our mirth Yours intirely in Christ Iesus G. W. The Mourners Lamentation PSAL. 119.126 It is time for thee O Lord to work for they haue destroyed thy law TRue it is Lord that we are not to appoint thee thy times and limits for thou art the Ancient of daies Daniel 7.9 Gen. 1.15 Times Creator and destinator Neither doe wee presume to presse in at the portall of thy priuie chamber to know the times and seasons which thou our Father hast reserued in thine owne power yet Lord Act. 1.17 thou hast taught vs as to discerne the face of the skie Matth. 16.3 so to descrie the signes of times and from the cause to expect the effect which necessarily doth ensue Psal 103.8 Thou art a God full of compassion and mercie slow to anger and of great kindnes and thou doest sustaine many wrongs of the sonnes of men being crushed with their sinnes as a cart is laden with sheaues but if still they continue to load thee thou wilt ease thy selfe of that burthen and cast it on the ground of confusion Thou art slow to anger Nahum 1.3 but great in power and wilt not surely cleere the wicked Thou doest for a long space hold thy peace at mens sins and art still Isai 42.14 Psal 7.12 and doest restraine thy self but if men will not turne thou wilt whet thy sword and bend thy bow and make it readie Patient thou art and for a long time doest forbeare thine hand but when the forehead of sin beginneth to lose the blush of shame when the beadrole of transgressions do grow in skore from East to West when the crie of them pierceth aboue the clouds when the height of wickednes is come vnto the top Gen. 15.16 and the fruits thereof are ripe and full then it is time for thee Lord to take notice of it to awake like a giant Gen. 18.21 Psalme and to put to thine alreuenging hand But our sins are alreadie ripe yea rotten ripe the measure of our iniquities is full vp to the brimme Doubtlesse our land is sunken deepe in iniquitie Isai 3.8 Our tongues and works haue bin against the Lord to prouoke the eyes of his glorie Isai 3.9 the triall of our countenance doth testifie against vs yea wee declare our sinnes as Sodome Gen. 18.20 we hide them not the crie of our sinne is exceeding grieuous Iam. 5.4 the clamors of them pierce the skies and with a loud voice rore saying How long Lord holy and true Reuel 6.10 Ierem. 9.9 how long ere thou come to auenge thy selfe on such a nation as this is If there were but one vniust man amongst vs Sinne in all sorts of people iniquitie for this one mans sinne were lamentable Iosh 7.1 much more now when whole families nay whole streetes yea whole towns and cities are such the case is to bee lamented and the estate to be feared when like a Gangrene sinne hath eaten thorow euery ranke of people and in a bodie politique from the sole of the foote vnto the head there is nothing whole therein Isai 1.6 but wounds and swellings and sores full of corruption In Children Psal 22.31 when our yong children which should be a sanctified seed to serue the Lord sucke blasphemie from the dugge and not learne to speak before they learne to sweare filling each house and streete and high way with their othes In yong men Eccles 12.1 whē our yong men which should remember the Lord in the daies of their youth haue their heads full of drunkennes their eyes full of adulterie their tungs full of ribaldrie their eares full of flatterie their hands ful of blood their feete full of vanitie destruction only and calamitie being in their waies Psal 14.3 and no feare of God before their eyes When our old men which should be sober In old men are giuen to drunkennesse which should be chast Tit. 2.2 are giuen to wantonnes which should be discreet are full of foolishnesse which should be sound in the faith are as ignorant as horse and mule which should be in charitie are full of enuie which should take their farewell of the earth are thē most greedie of the earth when themselues are more then halfe earth In women 1. Tim. 2.9 When our women which should adorne themselues with shamefastnes and modestie striue who can most disguise themselues in cloathes of vanitie Isai 3.16 and in stead of hauing the hiddē man of their heart vncorrupt 1. Pet. 3.4 looke onely to their outside to paint that vnto the world In the Commons When our common and ordinarie sort of people are murmurers complainers Iude 16.17 walkers after their owne lusts makers of sects fleshly minded and ful of prophanenes When the children shall presume against the ancient Isai 3.5 and the vile against the honorable When young and old shall thus openly without blush of shame expose their sins to the sunshine of the world when euery one hunteth his brother with a net Mich. 7.8 Psal 12.2 and in one body there is a double heart Ierem. 9.9 Shalt not thou be auenged for these things O Lord shall not thy soule be auenged on such a nation as this But bee it that generally the common sort of men were so ill inclined In Ministers yet so long as the watchmen of the Lords vineyard were vnpolluted with blood Groenham in his common place of sinne cap. 62. there were some hope the rest might bee recouered But when they which should be eyes to others themselues are blinde as beetles Matth. 6.23 whē they which should be lamps to others Matth. 5.14 haue no oyle within their lamps when they which should bee Pastors to feede the flock of Christ Matth. 25.8 Ezech. 34.2.3 clothe themselues with the fleece and eate of the fat but feed not the sheep Malach. 1.7 when they at whose mouth the people should seeke the knowledge of the law speake good of euill Isai 5.20 and euill of good put darknes for light and light for darknesse bitter for sweete and sweete for sower when they that should be faithfull stewards Luke 12.42 giuing to Gods household their portion of meate in due season 2. Cor. 2.17 make merchandise of the word of God selling the cause of the Lord for handfuls of barley and pieces of bread Ezeth 13.19 when they which should shew the people their transgressions Isai 58.1 and the house of Iacob their sinnes heale the hurt of the people with sweete words saying Beace peace when there is no peace Ierem. 6.13 when they that liue of the Altar 1. Cor. 9.13 liue from the Altar and working euill in the eyes of the people cause men through
But what should I speake of the losse of these toyes and trifles they must part with life it selfe Iob 2.4 Skinne for skinne and all that a man hath will hee giue for his life But all the wealth and riches in the world cannot purchase one houres lease of longer life Death will claime his due an inexorable creditor which when it cannot chuse but breede an horror in the heart of him that lieth a dying so will it fill his soule with direfull griefe to call to minde the vaine attempts of his forepassed life whē they shall sigh for griefe of mind and say within themselues O senselesse we and more then frantick fooles We haue wearied our selues in the way of wickednesse Syracides 5.1.3.7.8.9 and wee haue gone through dangerous waies but we haue not knowne the way of the Lord. What hath our pride profited vs or what profit hath the pomp of our riches brought vnto vs all those things doe passe away like a shadow 2. Cor. 5. and as a post that passeth by At that day will God be knowne of them to be a terrible God and dreadfull Hee will then write bitter things against them Iob 13.26 and make them possesse the sinnes of their youth The conscience will come in then with her bill of accounts and shew many old reckonings and arrerages of sinnes and Satan will shoote foorth many millions of canons of desperation against the sicke besieged soule and lay before his eyes the large bedrole of their sinnes which when the guiltie conscience cannot denie O how it filleth the heart with horror and souseth the dreadfull soule with feare How bitter and lamentable is that parting farewell which they make to their departing soule Aelius Adrianus Animula vagula blandula quae nunc abibis in loca pallidula frigida nudula c. like that of Adrian the Romane Emperour when he was now a dying My darling soule poore soule poore fleeting wandring soule my bodies sometimes best beloued ghest and equall whither art thou now going pale wanne and naked into places vgly dismall full of horror and tribulation Yet happie yea thrice happie were it The wicked haue no peace after death if death were the Catastrophe of the sinners Tragedie and the end of their being might come with the end of their earthly liuing Their soules posting to hell happy were it for them if like to dogges and toads and beasts they might perish and bee no more but loe their chiefest woe is yet to come for when they lie in the graue like sheep Psal 49.14 Iob 19.26 death gnaweth vpon thē whiles wormes destroy their carkase hell fire seaseth vpon their soules and vexeth them with torments What shall I heere recount the sudden dreadfull passage of their soules from the bodie to their doome dragd downe by furious fiends of hell vnto their place of torment 2. Pet. 2.4 Iude 6. where they shall be in euerlasting chaines vnder darknes vnto damnation and to the finall iudgment of the great day At which day good Lord what horror amazement will affright them when the vngodly whose bodies are rotten in the dust of the earth The horror of the wicked at the day of resurrection Matth. 25. shall on a sudden be roused from their deadly sleepe by the Trumpet of an Angell and like guiltie malefactors they shall come foorth of the filthie dungeon of rottennes to appeare at the tribunall for their triall 2. Cor. 5. What a dreadfull day will that bee for those that haue passed their time securely here in this world how will they be amazed at the suddennes of this their rousing vp from the bed of death What a sea of miseries and terrors shall rush vpon them when on a sudden being raised vp Matth. 24.30.31.32.33.34.35.36.37 and apparelled with the same robes of their bodies so long laid vp in the wardrope of the dust they shall heare about their eares so hideous a noyse of Trumpets sound of waters motion of all the elements when they shall see the earth reeling and tottering the hils and dales skipping the Moone darkned 2. Pet. 3.12 the Starres falling downe from heauen the firmament shiuered in peeces and all the world in a flaming fire If Adam Gen. 3.8 after his eating of the forbidden fruite would faine haue hid himself from God walking in the garden at the coole of the day how shall the desperate forlorne sinner then abide the presence of the Iudge 2. Thess 1.7 not walking in the coole of mercie but comming in flaming fire and sitting in his throne of Maiestie Matth. 25.31 Reuel 20.12 when the books shall be opened when not onely they shall be called to account for their grosse and hainous sinnes Matth. 12.36 but shall be compelled to giue account for euery idle word Rom. 2.16 and their verie secret thoughts shall be brought to iudgement 1. Cor. 1. Alas what wil those wise people doe then that now liue in delights and count a christian conuersation foolishnesse What shift will they make in those extremities what will they answere for themselues doubtlesse they shall not be able to answere him one of a thousand Iob 9.3 whither will they then turne themselues Will they hope that the Bill of their Inditement may be lost Reuel 2.23 They haue small hope of that for he who is their Iudge searcheth the heart and reines yea all things are naked and open to his eyes Hope they that their greatnes shall countenance them out Behold he findeth no stedfastnes in the Angels Iob 4.18.19 how much lesse then in them that dwell in houses of clay and whose foundation is in the dust Doe they perswade themselues that they can bribe the Iudge Loe Prou. 11.4 Matth. 16.16 riches auaile not in the day of wrath and what shall a man giue for a recompence of his soule Doe they hope vpon a Psalme of mercie or a pardon There was a time indeed when that was offered vnto them if with repentant mindes they would haue accepted of the same but now there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin Heb. 10.26.27 but a fearfull looking for of iudgement which shall deuoure the aduersaries Good Lord then what will the wretched sinner doe at that most dolefull day what shift will he make He shall euen drie vp for very feare Matth. 24. Hee shall seeke death and death shall flie from him Reuel 6.15.16 He shall crie to the hils to fall vpon him and to the mountaines to couer him But all in vaine for there shall hee stand a desperate forlorne caitise wretch vntill he receiue that dreadfull and irreuocable sentence Matth. 25.41 Goe thou cursed wretch into euerlasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his angels Which finall sentence once pronounced The endlesse miserie of the wicked after the day of iudgement me thinks my heart doth quake to thinke
A POSIE OF SPIRITVALL FLOWERS TAKEN OVT OF THE Garden of the holy Scriptures consisting of these sixe sorts Hearts ease True delight The Worlds wonders The Soules solace Times complaint The doom of Sinners Gathered for the Encouragement of beginners Direction of proceeders Meditation of good hearers Consolation of true beleeuers Expectation of Sions mourners Confusion of irrepentant sinners By George Webbe Minister of the Word AT LONDON Imprinted for William Leake 1610. Hearts ease A TASTE OF Happinesse Or BRIEF DESCRIPTION of that sweetnes which Gods children doe finde in his seruice TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull Sir Henry Baynton Knight and his worshipfull Ladie the Ladie Lucie RIght Worshipful I shuld thinke my selfe exceeding happie if whiles the skilfull Bezaleels and Aholiabs Exod. 36.1 of our age doe adorne and beautifie the Sanctuarie of the Lord with their curious rich and worthie workes I might but bring one sticke or stone to the building of the same But how great soeuer my desire is I am too well priuie to my selfe quà m sit mihi curta supellex how vnsufficient all my sufficiencie is Whiles others lanch foorth into the deepe it is fittest for me to sit and mend my nettes at home Matth. 4.21 Luke 21.1 whiles the rich men cast their gifts as well they may into the treasurie I haue but two mites yea those but small ones also to cast in One I haue alreadie cast into the treasurie and it hath found acceptance the other I am now to cast in it is all that I haue God grant it may obtaine the like fauourable countenance A smaller mite there could not be for I cannot call it a Work nor a Treatise nor so much as words for they are but Thoughts euen those my meditating thoughts which according to Dauids counsell at leisure times Psal 4.4 I haue communed with mine own heart in silence That I haue cōmumicated them abroad and made thē publike it was neither for any excellencie I deemed in them nor for any vaine glorie I hunt after by the publishing of them If any man otherwise cōceiue of me and it this is mine apologie Rom. 14.4 I stand or fall to mine owne master I was induced to the publishing of them partly because I haue perceiued by experiēce how much people are now delighted with this kinde of writings and how great good hath been receiued from them and partly that I might leaue some publike testimonie of my thankfull minde to such as in ample manner had deserued the same at my hands Wherein giue mee leaue right Worshipfull in the first place to salute you both by presenting vnto you the first of these my selected flowers your kind acceptance of my other simple treatise dedicated to another maketh mee presume of your fauour vnto this which is dedicated to your selues I present you here with a taste of Happinesse an Enchiridion to make you more and more in loue with godlines Heb. 6.5 that you may taste how sweete the Lord is and hauing tasted of that sweetnes may repose therein your chiefest pleasures Had I the tongue of men and Angels I could not speake one halfe of that which they who taste hereof enioy Take a taste then of this little taste which here I haue prouided for you expect not in it conceited cookerie I seek to profit rather then to please if you come with an appetite vnto it though it want the sauourie sauce of eloquēce yet will it rellish well enough vnto you The Lord God euermore prepare your hearts to receiue it and grant a good digestion to you in it Your Worships euer to commaund in Christ Iesus G. W. A TASTE OF Happinesse PSAL. 34.8 Taste and see how good the Lord is Blessed is the man that trusteth in him WHEN Nathaniel though otherwise an Israelite indeed A man in whom there was no guile Iohn 1.47 yet herein had sauored of a spice of incredulitie 45. in that when Philip had brought him newes of our sweet Sauiour 46. whom long they had expected and now found at Nazareth it could not sinke into his minde vpon the sudden that so faire a iewell should bee found in so foule a place Philip to take away that scruple willeth him to make his eyes the witnesses of that which had bin related to his eares that both his eyes and eares giuing ioynt testimonie hereof vnto his heart he might not bee incredulous but beleeue Come saith he and see O that our scarse half Nathaniels who come far short of him and content themselues only with a ciuill cariage of thēselues not seasoned with religion thinking that superfluous and obiecting Can there any good thing come of godlinesse O that they would follow Philips counsell would they would come and see O that our earth-turmoiling Nabals who no whit sauour of Nathaniels spirit 1. Sam. 25.10 but doting vpon these vnprofitable profits of the world blush not to pollute the ayre with such blasphemous speeches Iob. 21.15 VVho is the Almightie that we should serue him and what profit should wee haue if wee should pray vnto him which count it but a vaine thing to serue God and demand of vs Malach. 3 14. What profit wee haue by keeping his commandements and what pleasure it is that wee walke humbly before the Lord O that they would take a little of Nathaniels paines to come and see Psal 34 8. or hearken vnto Dauids counsell Oh that they would taste and see how gratious and sweete the Lord is what a good master hee is whom the godly doe serue what a good Prince he is whom the righteous doe obey what a sure carde he is on whom the faithfull trust how sweete hee is to them that loue him what a rewarder hee is to thē that feare him what a comforter he is to them that depend vpon him The vnexperienced rusticke that neuer tasted Candies Sugar perceiueth no more sweetnesse in it then there is in Allum and Aesops cock thinketh better farre his graine of barlie in the dunghill then he doth estimate the richest pearle and Baalams Asse that neuer tasted the sweete fruite of Bees supposeth there is much more sweetnes in his thistle and wretched soules whose soules are out of taste and neuer made triall of the sweetnes of the Lord doe thinke that plus Aloes quam mellis habet that it hath much bitternes and but little sweetnes Then sillie they thinke nothing in heauen worth the hauing the reason is By groueling so much here on earth they are so farre off that all there is out of their kenning The diet of a Christian conuersation thinketh the ordinarie and common Christian is but ordinarie and common fare why should we affect it It is too straite saith the Libertine wee cannot well endure it It is too bitter saith the wanton wee cannot well digest it It is too sowre saith the Epicure and hath no pleasure in it Alas poore soules how are
God hath so made his maruellous workes that they ought to be had in remembrance O let me euer be meditating on them and neuer be vnmindfull of the Creator of them whiles I can not sufficiently admire at them let my soule in silence euer beate vpon this straine Psal 8.9 O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the world FINIS THE ANCHOR of the Soule Or THE ONLY SOLACE of a Christian here in this life TO THE WORshipfull Mistris Gertrude Dantesie THe Lord as Iob witnesseth doth visit man euerie morning and trie him euery moment Iob 7.18 Many and sundrie are the waies of these his trials Gods children haue experience of them you your selfe haue had your share in them I therefore send vnto you heere an anchor wherewith at all times you may take sure hold fast though the tempest arise and the winaes blow Matth. 7.26 and the waues dash neuer so violently against your ship I commend this little meditation following vnto your reading not for the worthines of it as it is here contriued but for the sweete comfort of that matter to which it aimeth I know you are better stored with richer meditations in your own breast then my barren garden can present vnto you yet I presume so much vpon your wōted kindnes that I doubt not of your acceptance of these my abortiue labours who haue giuen me so great encouragement from time to time by your attentiue presence at my implumed Lectures The Lord hath opened your heart as he did the heart of Lydia to be attētiue to those things which are taught Act. 16.14 whē the greatest part of your sexe and ranke like Martha encumber themselues about many needles things Luke 10.41.42 like Mary you haue chosen the better part Goe on in that good course which you haue begun if this poore mite which I offer here vnto you may in any sort in this good course further you I haue all that my wishes aime at And so I commend the following meditation to your vse and Gods blessing Yours both in heart and endeuours G. W. THE ANCHOR of the Soule 1. TIM 1.15 This is a true saying and by all meanes worthie to be receiued that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners whereof I am chiefe AVgustine as Possidonius doeth record for the more deepe impression of his most serious meditation was wont to chuse out of Dauids heauenlie Psalmes certain select sentences which in his bed-chamber walles he caused to be engrauen that he might reade and meditate thereon euen in his bed Of all the golden sentences in the booke of God which I would chiefly chuse to meditate vpon this shall be my choisest motto of all the flagrant flowers in the garden of the Lord this shall be the sweetest smelling posie to my soule whether I eate or drinke or sit or walke to muse and meditate vpon this worthie word of Truth by all meanes worthie to bee thought vpon That no lesse then the Sonne of God and Prince of peace Christ Iesus my Lord my God should vouchsafe to come into the world and take vpon him our nature to saue sinners his greatest enemies in which predicament I G.W. humbly and ingenuouslie acknowledge my selfe to be the chiefest This is the anchor on which my billow-beaten Barke doth rest whiles it is sailing through the Ocean of temptations to the cape of neuer failing Hope this is my Quietus est when my conscience is called vnto her sinnes account this is my fortresse against the enemies assault my shield buckler against their fierie darts the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of my faith and full assurance of mine yea mine owne saluation Which although the Diuell bids my soule despaire of and Antichrist would faine perswade me at the least to make a doubt thereof yet blessed be the Lord my God I feele the full assurance of his loue neither needs my soule to wauer between hope and despaire For why we haue a most sure word of the Prophets 2. Pet. 1.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Apostles testifying the certificate thereof vnto our soules whereto as to a stable pillar wee may leane Luke 6.48 The fabricke of my faith is not built vpon the sand whose foundation may shake or flit away but it is built vpon the rocke which all the windes and waues of Hell can neuer shake If Hope-well onely were the Cable of my ship and I were forced to cast Anchor at Aduenture the Straits of care would be too deep for any hold and waues of feare would quickly blow mee to the rocke Despaire Liuius If like metius Suffetius his bodie my soule were racked asunder betweene hopes and feares what comfort could I haue of any worldly comfort or if my perswasion onely heerein were coniecturall grounded vpon no better foundation then on likelihoods how could I chuse but be dismaied with a mutinie of doubts Or were my certaintie herein but the warrant of a mortall man I might be soone beguiled by trusting to so fickle ground But this hope is more then hope my confidence is not coniecturall but infallible my warrant is sealed vnto mee more then by the bare word of a mortall man For hee that hath the words of truth yea who himselfe is Truth it selfe Iohn 14.6 doth assure the truth of this vnto my soule 2. Pet. 1.21 The Apostles which spake not of thēselues but as they were inspired from the holy Ghost confirme the same vnto mee Iohn 21.24 Ephes 4.30 and I know their testimonie is true The spirit of God whereby we are sealed vp to the day of redemption Ephes 1.13 hath sealed the same vnto me and giuen the earnest of it vnto my spirit 2. Cor. 1.22 Things that passe to and fro amongst men Perkins treatise of Conscience though they bee in question yet when the seale is put to they are made out of doubt and the giuing of earnest is an infallible signe and token vnto him that receiueth it that the bargaine is ratified and that he shall receiue the things agreed vpon Why goe to then what needes thou doubt my soule or make any scruple of thy sure saluation seeing thou hast it already vnder hand and seale yea vnder farre surer euidence then any writing lease seale witnes or any humane order can imagine But more my soule God that hath sealed it vnto thee hath alreadie giuen thee the earnest herein of his owne spirit and therefore returne vnto thy rest thou needest not feare thou hast a pledge alreadie But yet To acknowledge certaintie of saluation is no presumption me thinkes I dare not be so bold to be thus confident flesh and blood doubteth will come within the compasse of presumption vnlesse the same be certified by some special reuelation Hagar Iob 2. thou talkest like a foolish woman Is that presumption which of purpose belongeth to thine apprehension
into this maruellous light Iohn 15.19 and hath chosen you out of the world that you should not perish with the world Doubtlesse the peace of conscience Philip. 4.7 that peace which the godly doe enioy is an inualuable treasure it passeth all vnderstanding This peace shall euer be vpon the Israel of God though there be no peace at al vnto the wicked As you therefore haue begun in the spirit so I cease not to pray for you Colos 1.9.10.5 that you may be fulfilled with the knowledge of the wil of God in all wisedom and vnderstanding that you may walk worthy of the Lord and please him in all things being fruitful in al good works and encreasing in the knowledge of God for the hopes sake which is laid vp for you in heauen whereof you haue heard before by the word of truth which by me and others hath bin preached vnto you And here I leaue with you these following meditations as a testimony of my thankfull remembrance of many kindnesses which you haue shewed vnto me and not to me alone but to all those which come in the name of a Prophet amongst you Matth. 10.41 Reade meditate and vse it to your comfort and the God of peace sanctifie you both in soule and bodie and keepe you with all yours blameles vntill the comming of our Lord. Yours euer in Iesus Christ G. W. THE SINNERS Doome ISAI 57.21 There is no peace saith my God vnto the wicked FRet not thy self saith Dauid because of the vngodlie Psal 37.1.2 neither bee thou enuious for the euill doers for they shall soone be cut downe like grasse and wither as the greene hearbe Me thinkes it should be an easie matter to disswade any man from enuying them who are rather to be pitied because they are set in slipperie places The seeming prosperitie of the wicked rather to be lamented because their estate is so dangerous fickle and full of woe For albeit these are they that seeme to prosper in the world and to encrease in riches Psal 73.12.5.7 which are lusty and strong and not in trouble like other men their eyes stand out for fatnes and they haue more then heart can wish Though they liue and waxe old Iob 21.7.8.9.10 and grow in wealth their seed is established in their sight with them and their generation before their eyes Their houses are peaceable and without feare and the rod of God is not vpon them Their bullock ingendreth and faileth not their cow calueth and casteth not her calfe Psal 49.11 Though they thinke their houses and their habitations shall continue for euer euen from generation to generation and call their lands by their names Though the people fall downe vnto them and they be deemed the only happie men in the world The vnmasking of the wicked Psal 73.17.18 yet let a man but goe into the Sanctuary of the Lord seek to vnderstand their end and he shall finde that their wealth is not in their own hand Iob 21.16.17.18 but they are set in slippery places and their change is fearefull O how oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out and their destruction come vpon them at vnawares he shall be as stubble before the winde and as chafe that the storme carieth away O how suddenly are they destroyed perished and horribly consumed Psal 73.19.20 as a dreame when one awaketh so shall the Lord make their image despised For why Iob 21.30 the wicked is kept but as a stalled oxe vnto the day of destruction he shal be brought foorth vnto the day of wrath In the hand of the Lord there is a cup the wine is red it is ful mixt Psal 75.8 and hee powreth out of the same surely the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drink the dregs therof This is Gods iust doome vpon them they shal be like the raging of the sea that cannot rest Isai 57.20.21 whose waters cast vp dirt and mire There is no peace saith my God to the wicked And surely how true this restlesse doome of wicked wretches is The restlesse and wretched estate of the wicked euen in this life who seeth not that hath but an eye to see and an heart to vnderstand whose mouthes though they bee set against heauen Psal 73.9.6 and their tongue walketh through the earth though pride be a chaine vnto thē and crueltie couereth them like a garment Iob 21.9 Though the houses of their hearts seeme peaceable and without feare yet God he knoweth their dolefull mindes are tossed vp and downe with many a blast of anguish and blowne about with many a gale of terror like surging waues which rage vpon the seas Pompon Mel. lib. 2. and like Euripus which euer boyleth and is in cōtinuall agitation The wicked man is continually as one that trauelleth with child Iob 15.20.21 oppressed with inward throbs and gripes of heart A sound of feare is euer in his eares terrors shall take him as waters Iob 27.20.21 and tempest shall carrie him away by night the cast winde shall take him away Prou. 28.1 and hee shall flie when none pursueth him And why The worme of conscience there is a worme that neuer dieth which is alwaies nibling at their hearts and like the Poets furies lashing their guiltie conscience with accusing horror Mark 9.44 In the middest of all their hearts delights pleasing mirth there appeares an hand writing before their eies which troubleth their thoughts within them and maketh the ioynts of their loines loose Dan. 5.6 and their knees to smite the one against the other Whiles they seeme to enioy their chiefest iollitie there hangeth ouer their head a waightie sword by a small twine of threed when they full faine would put God out of their mindes Amos 6.3 and put the euil day farre from their thoughts and would reioice in their youth and cheere vp their heart in their delights will they nill they an heauie hammer knocketh this memento into their hearts Eccles 11.9 Know that for all these things God wil bring thee vnto iudgement Yea his eye shall faile with fearfull looking for the dreadfull iudgement and violent fire which shall deuoure the aduersarie Heb. 10.27 But say some senselesse soule and cauterised conscience should be so fast asleepe as not to feele this smart Want of feeling this horror of conscience in the wicked most desperat as doubtlesse many sinners are yet shall wee thinke their case as void of feare No no a deadly lethargie possesseth such mens soules whose pangs may well be thought most grieuous then when least they are felt and whose estate is most terrible when they are most insensible 1. Tim. 4.2 whose consciences are seared with an hot iron O take heede of such for well wee know that such a one is peruerted Tit. 3.11 and sinneth being
damned of his owne selfe and being senselesse of his sinne is giuen ouer to a reprobate sense Rom. 1.24 and being past feeling Ephes 4.19 giue themselues ouer to worke all vncleannes euen with greedinesse being alreadie within the iawes of hell before they bee awares And well I wote that when such sleepie soules shall awake and wake they shal securely now although they sleepe that then their horror shall be the greater farre like wilde beasts which though so long as they lie asleepe seeme tame and gentle yet being roused vp are fierce and wrathfull In the meane Sinners Gods enemies albeit in outward shew they may seeme ioyfull yet let them know their case is fearfull for if the wrath of an earthlie King bee raging how dreadful then must needs be their estate who are professed enemies to the King of Heauen Isai 26.11 Surely he hateth all those that worke iniquity Psal 5.6 and both the wicked man and his wickednes are in hatred with him Psal 14. Prou. 15.9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord Isai 1. Psal 50. Hee cannot abide nor permit the sinner to praise him to pray vnto him or to take his couenant in his mouth no maruell then if at the last day hee shew such rigor vnto them who in this life are so extreamly hated and detested of him Gods threatnings against sinners What peace then can they haue that haue the Lord of hosts to be their enemie Psal 10. God shall raine snares of fire vpon sinners brimstone with tempestuous windes shall be the portion of their cuppe the Lord shall breake their teeth in their mouthes Psal 57.6.9.10 and shoote foorth his arrowes and destroy them Hee shall carrie them away as a whirle winde in his wrath and wash his feete in the blood of the vngodlie He will powre out his wrath vpon them and fulfill all his anger in them Ezech. 7.8.9.10 Hee will iudge them according to their waies and lay vpon them all their abominations neither shall his eye spare them neither will he haue pitie on them and they shall know that hee is the Lord that smiteth them Cursed be they in the towne and cursed in the field cursed in the fruite of their bodie Deut. 28.16.17.18 and cursed in the fruite of their land the increase of their kine and in the flocks of their sheepe cursed when they come in and cursed when they goe out cursed in their bodies and cursed in their soules Now then let them boast while they will of their prosperitie The beginning of hell here in this life to the wicked and let such as are like vnto them flatter them in their follie though they seeme with Capernaum to be lifted vp to heauen Matth. 11.23 yet behold alreadie they are in the confines of hell though they haue a name of mightinesse yet indeed they are in the lowest estate of abiectnes Though they may seeme the only men that liue yet they are but dead whiles heere they liue 1. Tim. 5.6 Though worldlings do admire them Rom. 6.16 yet are they but the Lords laughing stockes Sinnes slaues and Satans drudges Poore woodcocks are they ensnared in Satans springs 2. Tim. 2.26 Rom. 9.22 vessels of wrath ordained for the Diuels blacke kitchin alreadie treading the waies of darknesse Prou. 4.19 Exod. 3. the prince of darknesse taske mē in the works of wickednesse yea they dwell alreadie in the land of darknesse and in the shadow of death Psal 107.10 being fast bound in miserie and iron Psal 37.8 when Gods children are satisfied with the dainties of his house Luke 15.16 they feed on husks of sinne and draffe of beastly life when the soules of the Saints are temples of the holy Ghost 1. Cor. 6.15 Reuel 18.2 their soules be nests of Scorpions dungeons of Diuels Reuel 21.27 when Gods children haue their names registred in the booke of life their names are engrossed in the book of perdition being alreadie in the power of the Diuell and his angels 1. Tim. 5.6 subiect to sinne and all temptations dead in trespasses and sins whiles in their bodies they bee aliue and when they die hauing this death the earnest penie of the second death For certainly The dolefull estate of the wicked in the day of death The reioycing of the wicked is but short and the ioy of hypocrites is but a moment though his excellencie mount vp to the heauen his head reach vnto the clouds Iob 20.5.6.7.8.9 yet shall hee perish for euer like his dung and they which haue seene him shall say Where is he He shall flee away as a dreame and shall passe away as a vision in the night Goe he shall there is no remedie Iob 10.22 into the land of darknesse and shadow of death into a land I say darke as darknesse it self and into the shadow of death where is none order but the light is there as darknesse Heb. 9. Eccles 3.19 And albeit this is the condition of the iust as well as the vniust and as the one dieth so must the other die and returne vnto the dust yet good Lord how great a difference is there betweene the righteous and the wicked at the day of death Mark the vpright man Psal 37.37 and behold the iust for the end of that mā is peace when ghastly death approcheth with her inexorable destinie then doe they lift vp their heads Luke 21.28 for that their redemptin̄ draweth nigh from the labours and toyles of this world Psal 40.1.3 Blessed then are they that feare the Lord the Lord wil strengthen them vpon their bed of sorrow and make their bed in their sicknes So that with holie Hilarion they then begin to cheere vp their soule Hieron in vita Hilarion Exito anima mea exito c. Goe out my soule goe out thou needest not feare thus long thou hast serued Christ why shoul dest thou now bee afraid to goe to him But for the wicked and vngodly man as there is no peace to him during the whole course of his life so shall hee finde least peace at the houre of death O Death how bitter is the remembrance Eccles 41. of thee to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions how irksome shall it bee to an vnrepentant sinner when hee shall see Death it selfe standing before his face to arrest him and approching vnto him with this incultable doome Thou soule Luke 12.19 this night I must take away thy soule from thee and then whose shall these thy pleasures and thy profits be A wofull anguish must thē needs possesse his heart when hee must part from all his earthly ioyes pleasures commodities which he hath trauelled for with the hazard of his soule and finde no profit in them but that hee hath trauelled for the winde Eccles 5.15