when of things that cannot indeed bee separated the one is vnderstood and omitted the other ver grat light and heat cannot bee separated in the fire yet the light may he considered not the heat or the heat and not the light So charity and good works are not negatiuely separated but priuatiuely made as effects consequents not concurring causes of iustification Sembably my Beloued although we cannot really separate betweene your sinnes and your persons yet negatiuely we say that we intend not your persons but priuatiuely in our mindes we consider your sinnes bearing the image of Satan at which wee strike I say at the image of the Deuill and Satan not at your persons made as we our selues after the similitude of God O that yee would beleeue this and when your sinnes are smitten on the face with the rod of the mouth u Isa 11.4 or with that sharpe two edged sword which goeth out of the mouth of the Lord x Reu. 1.16 ye would reason with your selues or commune with your owne heart and be still or speake on this wise one vnto another in the faithfull assemblies This Preacher speakes with authority aboue himselfe it s the very word of God which hee preacheth the word which he preacheth is quicke and powerfull y Heb. 4.12 pierceth and diuideth things asunder in vs discerneth the thoughts and intents of our hearts pulleth downe strong holds z 2 Cor. 1â— 4 5. casteth downe imaginations and euery high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God apprehendeth our sins grappleth with them euinceth them conuinceth vs 2 Tim. 2.15 dealeth as a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly diuiding the word of truth applying it according to the rule thereof Are wee not our selues or many of vs husbandmen what doe we our selues in our profession doe wee cast our seed into vncleane places or amongst bryars thorns and stones rubbish no we first clense and manure our ground sowe afterwards our seed and haue long patience for the precious fruit besides in our orchards when we plant or graffe doe we suffer to grow the fiens of the crab-tree No we cut them off and cleanse the stocke What then doth the spirituall husbandman more in his spheare than we in ours before he will sowe the holy seed or let in the heauenly plant hee laboureth with great difficulty to prepare the ground where he would sowe and purge the stocke on which he would ingraffe the word Must hee therefore be blamed or slouenly would we haue him to doe his worke or negligently or vnfaithfully Absit God forâ—id This in our owne seruants is not tolerated much lesse it to bee in the seruants of the Lord * Ier. 8.11 To cry peace peace when there is no peace is to heale hurts slightly * false Prophets will doe it but otherwise the man that is sent from God Consider what I say and God giue you vnderstanding The word to be ingraffed the stock is to bee cleansed The stocke cleansed incision for insition is made a diuision made betweene the soule and the spirit a Heb. 4.12 Nomen aâ—timae saepe idem valet quod spiritus sed cum simul iunguntur prius comprehendit sub se affectus omnes c. Caluin in lic Allegoria quadam hyperocha â—dumbrare vâ—luit Apostolus diuinisermonis vim efficaciâ—m c. Bâ—llinger naturall things and spirituall things reason and the light which is the life of men the affections and the intellectuall facultie This diuision Experience reacheth tacitè and conuerts best know how it is How were the first pricked in their hearts and diuided in themselues nâ—t knowing what to doe b Act. 2.37 after the incision made before before the immission of the heauenly plant nor doth any man The word which saueth the soule of whom receiued without much affliction by the internall diuision after the infition Such it is I thinke as the groanings of the Spirit making intercession according to the will of God it cannot be vttered the Thessalonians receiued the word with much affliction but what kind of afflâ—ction or how grieuous it was he saith not Therefore whensoeuer incision is made your heart smitten and smiting you being smitten by the word attend still or diuided in you selues all the faculties slit and clouen the affections your reason visited with the day-spring from on high your vnderstanding illightened your soule fainting your spirit panting a conflâ—ct begunne and a striuing within you as in Rebeccahs wombe betweene Esau and Iacob Nature and Grace Bee not dismaied for this must be and is where the word is about to bee ingraffed to the sauing of the soule 3. Incâ—sion for insition made the sien of holy science is infited and set in the word let in that heauenly plant by heauenly Art into the vnderstanding The sense giuen thereof and the reading vnderstood Therefore hearing the word of the kingdome apply your heart to wisdome and your minde to vnderstand the wondrous things d Psal 119.18 the mysteries which were kept secret since the world began e Rom. 16.15 yea pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the spirit that it may bee giuen vnto you to know the mysterie of God f Coloss 2 2. 1 Tim. 3.16 and of godlinesse that seeing yee may see that hearing yee may heare and vnderstand h Mat. 13.16 Dauid prayed how often Gâ—ue me vnderstanding make me to vnderstand An vnderstanding heart Salomons hearts desire i Reg. 3.9 and Pauls that the Churches might abound more and more k Phil. 1.8 9. in all knowledge and in all iudgement in all wisdome and spirituall vnderstanding This by the Word The word read or heard and not vnderstood profiteth not but by reading and hearing and prayer made to God entrance is made into the vnderstanding heauenly light let in and worldly darknesse out l Psal 119 130 The entrance of the word giueth light it giueth vnderstanding to the simple 4. The sien insited is bound fast and closed about with all louing affections stirred vp vnto it yea shut vp and riuetted in the heart to dwell richly therein in all wisdom not left loose for graffes so let fall out anon or be blowen out Therefore loue yee the incitiue word lest ye lose it vnawares embrace it with all complacencie of affection so shall no storme stirre it nor force amoue it it is not enough to receiue the word except ye receiue the loue of the word Shall not some be damned because they receiued not the loue of the truth m 2 Thes 2.10 O how I loue thy laws n Psal 119.97 saith Dauid it is my meditation all the day yea day and night the exercise of the blessed man it is inclosed within him it is in his heart and loued with his heart the heart as soone to be lost as the word ingraffed therein and
would bee remembred with all his afflictions b Psa 132.1 particulars inducted in Psal 22.102 and this 119. c Psal 119.23.61 69.85 86 87. Psal 102.3 4.8 Vers 23 Vers 78. Vers 61. the princes the powers the proud the wicked combined against him yea sworne against him and mad against him Vers 6â— what lies sorged they what pits digged they Vers 84. persecuted wrongfully Vers 36. consumed on the earth Vers 87. waited for to be destroyed Vers 95. hunted with dogs Psal 22.16 their feet swift their mouths deepe as wide and their teeth as sharpe compassed about with many bulls Vers 10. beset round with strong bulls inclosed with the assemblies of the wicked Vers 16. gaped on with their mouthes Vers 13. laughed to scorne Vers 7 smitten with their tongues Psal 52.2 3 4. 120 3 4. their tongues as speares and razors and words as swords powred out liâ—e water all his bones sundred his heart like wax melting in the midst of his bowels Psal 12.14 his strength dried vp like a potsheard Vers 15. the reproach of men Vers 6. yea a worme and no man cast out and brought into the dust of death Vers 15. Preuention Maruell not that Dauid the seruant of the Lord sound faithfull as Moses in all his house a man after his owne heart which fulfilled all his will Acts 13.22 Beloued as his name sounds and beloued of the Lord was exercised with such anxious and crieuous afflictions for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Beloued d Eph. 1.6 i. Iesus Christ the elect of God are all accepted as Dauid was and called all Iedid his beloued e Psal 127.2 yet none exempted from the sufferings of the present time no not one not one amongst the excellent from Adam to Christ from Christ to this our day that hath not in some measure tasted of the cup which is full of mixture f Iude v. 3 common as the saluation and the grace of God which bringeth saluation * Tit. 2.11 tentation and tribulation g 1 Thes 1.6 The Thessalonians receiued the word with much affliction h Heb. 10.32 The Hebrewes inlightned indured a great fight of afflictions A conclusion offered The whole houshold of faith all the fellow citizens all that liue godly all the sons of God all the children of light all that hold forth the word of life are in this life partakers of afflictions Thus I might conclude Obiect Obiect But this doore opened some will oppose themselues speaking on this wise Hard is this saying to the Non-afflicted that enioy this worlds ioy prosperity and peace for being without any manner of affliction whereof all are partakers that are i Heb. 12 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sons elect beloued and accepted are they not Sp. hated reiected reprobated as Edom k Mal. 1.2 3 4. reserued as the wicked to the day of destruction Answ Answ Carnall the peace altogether and without truth or pride and security the fruit thereof with hardnesse of heart it 's as the prosperitie of fooles a blessing cursed and the praeludium to destruction m Psal 92.6 A brutish man knoweth not ☞ neither doth a foole vnderstand this but the spirit speaketh expresly When the wicked spring as the grasse Psal 92 7. and when all the workers of iniquity flourish it is that they shall bee destroyed for euer Take for example the two notorious fooles n 1 Sam. 25 the one the man of Maon whose possessions were in Carmel a very great man hauing three thousand sheepe and one thousand goats and liuing in prosperity yet smitten in a moment his heart died within him and he became as a stâ—ne o Luc. 12.19 the other the man in the parable who when his ground brought forth plentifully wanted roome where to bestow his fruits would therefore inlarge his barnes and hauing therein laid vp much goods for many years sing without grace requiem to his soule Soule take thine ease eat drinke and be merry but the same night his soule was required of him Contrà this I say and testifie in the Lord that outward peace and prosperity had with the peace of God and of conscience the Kingdome of God first sought and found with his righteousnesse it s the blessing of the Lord without affliction or sorrow added with it p Pro. 10.22 Saint Iohns prayer for Gaius was that he might prosper and be in health as his soule prospered q Io. ep 3. 2. A man behauing himselfe wisely in a perfect way walking within his house with a perfect heart r Psal 102.2 Gen. 17.2 Micah 6.7 vprightly before God humbly with him doing iustly louing mercy casting on the waters dispersing giuing to the poore communicating with the affliction of others in distresse if peace truth be with him in his dayes it s the face of God shining on him the light of his countenance and the euidence of his prouidence how otherwise should the poore afflicted bee releeued and their soules sustained Å¿ 1 Reg. 18.13 Obadiah not in case to doe it who shall hide the Prophets in a caue and feed them with bread and water Nehemiah not in fauor with Artaxerxes t Neh. 4 2 3 4 c. who shall procure any fauour to Ierusalem Onesiphorus u 2 Tim. 1.16 Philo. â— 7 Philemon and others not enriched and enabled how shall Paul or the bowels of the Saints be refreshed Dauid poore afflicted had friends of ability through the Lord to vphold his soule x Psal 54 4. for the Lord he said was with them y Psal 35.27 The Lord loueth the prosperity of his seruants Therefore blessed with it they blesse him for it and z Iob 31.22 the loynes blesse them of all that are refreshed by them their righteousnesse endureth for euer and their borne shall be exalted with honour * Psal 112. vlt. Neuerthelesse afflicted without controuersie Outwardly Inwardly 1. Outwardly reproached and enuied for following and doing the thing that good is a Eccle. 4.4 I considered saith the Preacher all trauell and euery right worke and for this a man is enuied of his neighbour Cain who was of the wicked one slew Abel wherefore because his workes were euill and his brothers righteous b 1 Io. 3.12 Ioseph was afflicted of his brethren c Gen. 37.4 Daniel accused of the Presidents d Dan. 6.4 Iesus Christ reiected of his owne e Io. 1.11 and they that exercise themselues to liue godly in him f 2 Tim. 3.12 persecuted of vnreasonable and wicked men * 2 Thes 3.2 wherfore know ye not that there is enmity put betweene the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent g Gen. 3.15 Demetrius had a good report of all men h Io ep 3. 10 12. yet Diotrephes prated
of the Lord wherefore should I wait on the Lord any longer What hope is in or is of such Not the Anchor which is firme but the Spiders web which perisheth Woe vnto the people that be in such a case what is ours now The Church in tribulation S. Iohn subscribed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apoc 1.9 A brother and Companion in tribulation How doe wee or what when When Hannibal besieged Sâ—guntum a confederate Citie with Rome the Capitoll of Rome one said was assailed the danger and losse abroad is ours ours the common calamities of the dayes the dayes are euill yea so euill they are that a man may say I haue no pleasure in them h Psal 60.1 2 3. Hath not the Lord cast vs off Hath hee not scattered vs Is hee not displeased with vâ— Doth not the earth tremble Is it not broken Doth it not shake Haue wee not hard things shewed vs and beene made to drinke the wine of astonishment Behold we not the shaking of the hand of the Lord which hee shaketh ouer vs stretched our still not turned away his wrath i Isa 9.12.17.21 for all that is done the enemie hath done exploits groweth horribly boasteth himselfe in mischiefe cryeth there there so would wee haue it ensignes set up for signes the profession in corners Religion in the straits schisme and vngratious heresie a float a floud of many waters roares in our eares the first borne of many the hope of Germany how suddenly surrepted Ah alas The Lord calleth vs to weeping and to mourning and to baldnesse and to girding with sachcloth k Isa 22.12 13. yet behold among vs ioy and gladnesse slaying oxen killing sheepe eating flesh and drinking wine dissolute and resolute we we refuse to be reformed we walke contrarie to the Lord who striketh and walketh therefore contrarie vnto vs yea in furie as hee spake in Leuit. 26. l Leuit. 26.28 chastizing and punishing vs seuen times more rebellious more and more I close with one of Ieremies Lamentations m Ier. 8.18 When I would comfort my selfe against sorrow my heart is faint in me Vse 3 3. For information and sith that the Lord afflicteth whom he loueth may the afflicted bee informed by three notes whether or no they are afflicted in loue For first whom the Lord loueth hee loueth vnto the end and will not cease from arguing and chastening them vntill they be conuerted and reclaimed so much the spirit expresly n Reuel 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As fathers conuince before they chastise their children make knowne their faults and multiply stripes vntill they coÌ„fesse theÌ„ promise reformation semblably the Lord not leaue will hee them whom he chuseth halting betweene two but cause them by chastening them to approach vnto him o Psal 65.4 and 94.12 compared The purifying hand vpon them the drosse is purely purged and the tinne taken away p Isa 1.25 euerie sonne which is scourged commeth out from among the multitude which doe euill toucheth not the vncleane thing q 2 Cor. 6.17 is thorowly separated before hee bee receiued or can be Bee it so that the wicked the hooke in their nose returne not are not purged in the fornace from their filthinesse nor will bee what shall bee done Not purged thereby they shall neuer hee purged r Ezek. 24.13 Vessels of wrath to be filled with the furie of the Lord But correction in loue causeth the Beloued to come in confessing their sins and their profiting appeareth in the amendment of their life Dauid scourged was sensible of his fault and corrigible the correction of the Lord he refused not but receiued for his good confessed the same Good it is for me that I haue beene afflicted that I may learne thy statutes Å¿ Psal 119.67.71 for before I was afflicted I went astray Psal 119.67.71 but now haue I kept thy word Manasseh taken among the thornes and bound with setters knew at length that the Lord he was God t 2 Chron. 33.12 Ephraim bowed yeelded u Ier. 31.20 Israel vexed with all aduersitie torne and smitten approched x Hos 6.1 2. When a man chastized approacheth vnto the Lord and yeeldeth himselfe confesseth and forsaketh his sin hee may count it all ioy yea giue glorie to the Lord and make thus confession y Psal 119.76 I know O Lord that thy iudgments are right and that thou hast in faithfulnesse afflicted thy seruant Note 2 The second loue-token is Consolation receiued in the dayes of euill coÌ„municated afterwards for whom the Lord loueth he comforteth in euerie tribulation and inableth them thereby to comfort them which are in any trouble By the comforts wherewith they were themselues comforted of God z 2 Cor. 1.4 6 7. As sufferings abound so consolation aboundeth and is participated to them that are partakers of the sufferings Dauid scourged for his sin was comforted humbled for it afterwards what would hee Teach transgressours the wayes of God conuert sinners vnto the Lord a Psal 51.13 Peter hauing erred and being conuerted what should hee strengthen his brethren b Luk. 22.32 When a man is refreshed being afflicted and as he hath receiued any grace if he as a good steward minister the same vnto other lying in the like distresse and communicate with their affliction he hath not been afflicted and refreshed in vaine but to good effect in loue and in mercie to be a vessell of mercie and conduit of loue from the fountaine to the cisterne from the Lord to his chosen in the great tribulation Note 3 The third is a minde content with the present things and present state this the obsignation of the spirit e Ephes 4.30 a certaine diuine impression of light a secret manifestation of grace the God of all grace to them that open vnto him when hee knocketh at their doore with the hammer of the crosse manifesting d Io. 14 2â— himselfe in an admirable manner and filling their hearts with vnexpressible gladnesse e Act. 14.17 giuing them Manna supping with them f Reu. 3.20 bringing them to the banquetting house g Cant. 2.4 5. staying them with flagons comforting them with apples girding their hearts with his peace which passeth vnderstanding h Phil. 4 7. powring the spirit of grace and supplications vpon them i Zach. 12.10 giuing them an vnderstanding that they may know him that is true k 1 Io 5.20 opening the treasures of his all-sufficiencie fashioning their hearts and adapting their mindes to the present condition whatsoeuer it is no sutablenesse nor agreeablenesse between the minde and the condition What is the life but a kinde of liuing death but suiting and agreeing the condition to the minde the appetite accommodated and thing desired had had is that one thing which is instar omnium as it were all things Men of heauie hearts mirth and musike grieue when as weeping
incorporated Psal 40.8 Psal 51.6 desired in the inward parts and hidden in the hidden part 5. bound fast and closed about the impe of the word inserted it is consepted and strengthened yea as an orchard or vineyard with wals and hedges fenced and fortified with holy cares and godly iealousies lest wilde and harmefull beasts breake it off or bite it off or come nigh it to hurt it How many caueats hath the Apostle in his Epistles to this purpose Deceiue not your selues Be not deceiued r 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal. 6.7 Let no man deceiue you with vaine words Å¿ Ephes 5.6 Let no man beguile you with inticing words Let no man spoile you through Philosophie and vaine deceit after the tradition of men or after the rudiments of the world t 2 Coloss 2. â— Besides the beasts of Ephesus u 1 Cor. 15.32 and the grieuous wolues x Act. 20.29 what care tooke he to detect and defeat to preuent and preuince * Prauincire Gal. 2.5 propugning the truth oppugning the aduersaries not giuing to them place by subiection no not for an houre that the Gospell stablished might continue for euer Let the same minde be in you which was also in him The word ingraffed hedge yee about fence and keepe safe from malignant persons euill cogitations cares riches the pleasures of this life vnbeleefe Apostasie and such like The enuious man will if he can make a breach vpon it and bring in these destroyers Therefore take yee heed yea let him that thinketh he standeth z 1 Cor. 1â— 11 12 take heed lest he fall or bee surprized in an houre that hee knoweth not Finally fruit is expected to bee had vnto holinesse and the end euerlasting life a Rom. 6.22 Summer and winter the plant the same fat in old age and flourishing as the Palme tree not blasted with the winds of other vaine doctrines not nipped with the frosts of hearts hardnesse or natures remissenesse not beaten downe by the messengers of Satan buffeting the branches nor withered so much as in one leafe with the extremities of the times but as those that be planted b Psal 92.13 in the house of the Lord the c 1 Cor. 3. â— increase giuen of God fruitfull in old age and comfortfull in affliction Let a man therefore examine himselfe and brethren proue your selues whether yee haue or no the comforting word which is the ingraffed word The heart vncleane incision not made for insition no siâ—ns immitted nor closed about with louing affection no sensure about it nor any fruit appearing it is not ingraffed nor affordeth it refreshment to the soule that is wearie But the heart cleane through the word which is spoken incision made the impe setled and closed on euery side with embracements of loue fenced and fruitfull it is ingraffed and THE WORD which is comfort in affliction Remaineth what is expected De ratione consolandi how and in what manner the poore afflicted are comforted by the word In Isay 30.21 it is said Thine eare shall heare a word behinde thee saying This is the way c. d Emphaticè verbum audiendi ponitur Deum hic padagoge comparat quâ— pueret sibi ante occulas statuit c. Marloâ—â—t in loc As pupils from behinde them heare the voice of their Schoolemaster or Tutor teaching and admonishing them so the seruants of the Lord his heauenly-voice and in their affliction they are by the word mixed with faith incordiated hid in the heart inscribed and ingraffed informed and comforted as here followeth 1 By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are effects of Gods decree which is sealed and remaineth sure as e Psal 125.1 Mount Sion not to be remoued fals a sparrow to the ground f Mat. 10.29 or an haire from the head without him The sufferings of the Saints are fore-ordained as themselues foreknowne g Rom. 8.29 Thus when I remember I powre out in mee my soule thus * Psal 42.4 Hath God decreed to me and appointed mee to beare the euill vpon me I will without any reluctation beare it the stiffe-necked striue with the yoke to their hurt it is good to yeeld in youth h Lam. 3.27 in the first houre in the last all must Dâ—th Shimei curse mee The Lord hath bidden him i 2 Sam. 16.10 Doth Saul persecute me Vexed he is with an euill spirit sent from the Lord k 1 Sam. 19 9. Doe other men vnreasonable and wicked insedable and absurd insest oppose plot against me thrust sore at me that I might fall and fal into the pit which they haue digged for me l Gal. 3.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are as Paul of the Galatians mad men distracted in their minds they know not what they doe what m Io. 8.44 doe they but the lusts of the deuill What are they but his agents and instruments yet permitted all of my Lord my God to humble me to proue me n Deut. 8.2 to know what is in me whether I wil trust in him cleaue to him or * Tentatio probatio in non perditionis it is a tentation of probation not of destruction Doth sicknesse afflict me it is the seruant of the Lord comming and going as the Centurions o Mat. 8.8 9. according to his word Doth any pressure or other disaster ingrauate or grieue me nothing happeneth or is done nor shall happen or bee done vnto me but what the hand of God and his counsell hath before determined to be done p Act. 4. â—â— Therefore being vile in mine owne eyes and base in mine owne sight q 2 Sam. â— 22 I say as he that went vp barefoot by the ascent of Mount Oliuert r 2 Sam. 15 2â— Behold here I am let the Lord doe to me as seemeth good vnto him Surely hee will not cast off for euer but though hee cause griefe Å¿ Lam. 3 32 yet will he haue compassion and This is my comfort in my affliction 2 By the word through faith they vnderstand That afflictions are arguments of the adoption of sonnes vnto God t Heb. 12.6 euery sonne whom hee receiueth flagellat hee scourgeth yet not in his anger but with iudgement to teach them his iudgements Impunity a note of bastardy yea saith the spirit u Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if ye be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye bastards and not sonnes Bastards may escape that increpation correction discipline nurture which sons must suffer many vile seruants haue much more liberty and mony in their purse than many dears children The naturall sonne a bodâ—e prepared him had his eares bored and opened as other mens Isay 50.6 x Isa 50.6 A man of sorrowes and acquainted with griefes y Isa 53.3 tempted himselfe z Heb. 2. vlt. buffeted and smitten yet not rebellious neither turned hee away
in all riches reioyced in k Psal 119.14 Is it not pure l Psal 19.7 is it not perfect sure and sound durable and delightfull most holy and most necessarie Doth it not conuert or returne the soule m Psal 19.7 being in a swoune ouercome with the present maladie or miserie and make it come againe Doth it not quicken n Psal 19.50 is it not the life o Deut. 32.47 euen The word of life p Act. 5.20 liue wee by bread q Mat. 4.4 or thereby Is it not the seed and food of life milke r 1 Cor. 3.2 and strong meat Doth it not vanquish the wicked one Å¿ 1 Io. 2.14 bruize his head and him vnder foot Is it not a sword t Pro. 30.5 to wound his scalpe and a shield u Ephes 6.16 to quench all his fierie darts Doth it not reioyce the heart x Psal 19.7 8. make wise the simple enlighten the eyes enrich the poore y Colos 3.16 sanctifie euerie creature z 1 Tim 4.5 keepe from sinne a Psal 119.11 heale the diseased b Psal 107.20 and comfort the afflicted This the report from Heauen of the Word which is settled for euer c Psal 119. in Heauen But a voyce is heard in the lower Ramah's the myrie place d Ezek. 47.11 and marishes giuen to salt and not healed by the riuers of waters which flow from the Sanctuarie Giue vs for our comfort the honours of the world the treasures of the earth the pleasures of this life potent friends and le ts continue in our sinnes This our comfort and these Oh what comfort in these against the word or without the word with All that is in they world 1. What comfort in the honors of the world Honores mundi tumores mundi Eucher the honors of the world the tumors thereof tumors and burthens not of God not of God the word of God not with them Consider what is said in Iob. 10.35 Gods they or Infidels rather vnto whom the word commeth not How can they beleeue which receiue honour one of another e Io. 5.44 and seeke not the honour that commeth from God only in the comming of the word How doe they beleeue which loue the praise of men f Io. 12.43 more than the praise of God How doe they beleeue that haue not nor hold forth g Phil. 2.16 the word of life This the Beraeans had the Pharisies that Who best yet glorious they are and honoured wee see but know wee not that their glorie is their shame h Phil. 3.19 their excellencie their ignominie and their end obscuritie Ierome not amisse to his rising and aspiring friend Hier. ep 14. cap. 14. It s safer to stand on the firme earth than to sit high on a rotten scaffold Vanitie of vanities vanitie of vanities what else is all the honour of the world 2. What comfort without the Word in the treasures of the earth The treasures of the earth melting snow-balls i Iob 38.22 Greg. in loc swift flying k Pro. 23.5 Eagles vncertaine l 1 Tim. 6.17 deceitfull m Mat. 13.12 strong Cities razed and high towers demolished in a moment Idols scandals n Ezek. 7.19 stumbling blocks of iniquitie leaders into temptations foolish and hurtfull lusts They that will be rich o 1 Tim. 6.9 fall fouly They that trust in their wealth and boast themselues in the multitude of their riches p Psal 49.6 7 8 11 12 13. none of them can by any meanes redeeme his brother nor giue to God a ransome for his soule neither for their owne Their inward thought is folly as their way and howbeit their posteritie may approue their sayings as their doings as men wise according to the flesh yet brutish they are and like the beasts which perish Their riches shall choke them for they choke the good seed of the Word q Mat. 13.22 or swallowed downe they shall vomit them vp againe r Iob. 20.15 18. God shall cast them out of their bellies Verily verily this egestion will be wofull and full of deadly paines Therfore Goe to now yee rich men Å¿ Iam. 5.1 2 3. weepe and howle for the miseries which shall come vpon you your riches are corrupted your gold and siluer is cankered and the rust of them shall bee a witnesse against you and eat your flesh as it were fire yee heape treasure together for the last dayes * Rom. 2.5 yea yee treasure vp wrath vnto your selues against the day of wrath Faithfull but fearefull is the saying of Iesus Christ in Matth. 19.23 A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of Heauen A difficultie noted not an impossibilitie for after the Ordinarie Glosse a Gable i. vntwisted a Camell also Deposito onere flexis genibus may goe thorow that strait gate in the wals of Hierusalem which for the narrownesse thereof was called Foramen acus or the Needles eye But wealth a strong City in conceit and an high Tower as it is the rich mans that is not rich towards God Prou. 18.11 and Luk. 12.21 compared the impossibilitie may be auouched and auerred 3. What comfort in the pleasures of this life the pleasures of this life flashes of lightning Fulgurations Plutarch Simul orientes morientes arising and dying together As the fashion of the world â—mpia dolore voluptas they passe away and followeth heauinesse f Pro. 14.13 cast out into vtter darknesse what weeping what howling what gnashing with the teeth Dead while they liue they that liue in pleasure g 1 Tim. 5.6 Ye haue liued in pleasure h Iam. 5.5 and been wanton an apt reproofe Awake to righteousnesse i 1 Cor. 15.34 good counsell Moses his patterne good k Heb. 11.25 Barzilla's resolution godly l 2 Sam. 19.35 the Preachers censure of mirth and laughter iust m Eccl. 2.2 carnall pleasure the high way to Hell going down to the chambers of death n Pro. 8.27 Had here in the depths of hell what is to bee had Aske Abraham or thinke on his answer o Luk. 16.25 Trâ—hit sua quemque voluptas bought with griefe yet how many drawen away thereby and inticed As hee that loueth siluer so is he that loueth pleasure Semper voluptas samem sui habet transacta non satial Hieron neuer satisfied not euer edified on the most holy faith The voluptuous of the word heard bring no fruit to perfection p Luk. 8.14 Was Salomon a Cynicke in his old age Faithfull is his saying and worthy of all acceptation Sorrow is better than laughter q Eccles 7.3 4. for by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth 4. What comfort in carnall friends Friends as
the reeds of Aegypt or as reeds in the wind shaken vnstable as the vnrighteous Mammon No friend this for a friend loueth at all times r Pro. 17.17 cap. 18.24 and in aduersitie most A brother rather a rare friend one that sticks fast as cemented or glued V. Cartwright in loc I haue considered that in Prou. 18.24 but all are not viri amicoruÌ„ nor haue vim amicabilem As friendlinesse is shewed so is it to be shewed but as it is sound so lieth the opinion The colours of friendship not laid in the oyle of the word a false varnish it vanisheth as the tale that is told Wherefore what the Holy Ghost hath of worldly wealth might be said of worldly friendship Hee that trusteth therein shall fall Å¿ Pro. 11.28 Besides a curse is denounced t Ier. 17.5 6. Cursed is the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and whose heart departeth from the Lord for hee shall bee like the heath in the desart like the parched places in the wildernesse like a salt land and not inhabited Therefore the sweet Psalmist of Israel said u Psal 146.3 4. Put not your trust in Princes nor in the sonne of man in whom there is no helpe his breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth in that verie day his thoughts perish But Wolsey's confession might x Quod Regi potius quam Deo studuisset placere Scultet Aâ— be made of many Many seeke the friendship of great men more than the fauour of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ * 2 Tim. 3.5.15.25 Istos auersemur From such turne away 5. What comfort to be had in sinnes Miserable comforters these and causes of confusion Dalilah's in conceit in effect also deceiuing the heart destroying the soule Blesse a man may himselfe in his owne heart saying I shall haue peace though I walk in the imagination of mine own heart to adde drunkennes to thirst y Deut. 20.19 But There is no peace to the wicked saith my God z Isa 51. â—1 At the doore of the sinner lieth his sinne y Gen. 4.7 Peccatum i. â—ana peccati quae quasi caâ—it aut Cerberus cubâ—ns fores peccati obsidet tanquam peccati vindex Corn. de lap in loc as a ban-dog to plucke out his throat and to teare him in peeces none being to deliuer Who should the Lord Nay he is not chosen nor hath beene serued but sinne preferred let him goe that and cry vnto that which hee hath chosen and to that which hee hath serued This was once the answer of the Lord and this I will deliuer no more z Iudg. 10.13 14. who then should should the Minister of the Lord By what meanes the Ministerie contemned * 2 Cor. 5.18 which is committed to him visit he may a man sicke with sin vnto death yet not saue him from the death which reigneth by sinne in his mortall members pray for him he may but according to that of Ambrose to Theodosius * Si dignus non sum qui a te audiar nec etiam dignus qui pro te a Deo exâ—udiar If he will not heare the Minister speaking from God how shall God heare the Minister speaking for him O consider this all yee that comfort your selues in your sinnes following inconsiderately the multitude that doe euill after these of pleasure dayes of mourning will come and euill daies yea yeares wherein wee shall say Wee haue no pleasure in them a Eccles 12.1 nor any comfort from the time that is past What comfort from the time that is past of this life the lusts of men followed and thwarted the will of God b 1 Pet. 4.2 What comfort in those things whereof shame is the glorie and destruction the end e Phil. 3.19 What 's the end of rioting drunkennessâ— couetousnesse voluptuousnesse idlenesse vnrulinesse vncleannesse vngodlinesse or what 's the glorie What fruit had in these things d Rom. 6.21 or what comfort to be had e Isa 5.3 Iudge I pray you betweene God and the vines which bring forth wilde grapes Art thou ô man an Ephraimite f Isa 28.1 a drunkard I meane like those of Ephraim risest thou vp early in the morning that thou maiest follow strong drinke and continuest thou vntill night till wine pursue thee Art thou mightie to drinke wine and a man of strength to mingle strong drinke g Isa 5.11 22. Woe and woe I finde yea woes vpon woes in the Scriptures against thee h Hab. 2.15 but except thou repent no comfort finde I for thee in the Oracles of God Art thou a couetous person a louer of earthly things more than of heauenly is thy heart set on thy riches increasing is thy desire inlarged as Hell i Hab. 2.5 can it not bee satisfied Thou shalt neuer be satisfied with that which thou couerest thou consultest by coueting an euill couetousnesse to thy house shame to thy house thou sinnest against thine owne soule k Hab. 2.9 10. Thou art an Idolater and abhorred of the Lord These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort finde I in the Oracles of God Art thou a swearer swearest thou in thine ordinarie communication Thou takest the name of thy God in vaine Leuit. 24.11 Nakab defigens trans figens V. Trem. thou smitest him on the face Moses saith more Thou piercest him thou strikest him thorow Hee that blasphemeth traiecteth him whom hee blasphemeth and as the lying or backe-biting tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it l Pro. 26.28 so the swearing tongue the Lord. Thou champest the bloud of God betweene thy teeth ô barbarous Caniball Thou diggest vp his wounds ô damnable exulteration Thou exposest him to shame ô impudent Miscreant Thou art not guiltlesse m Exod. 20.7 but cursing cursed The curse is vpon thee and entred into thy house The long flying roll n Zech. 5.2.5 houereth ouer thee yea the vengeance of Heauen to cast thee downe into the damnation of Hell These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort finde I for thee in the Oracles of God Art thou a Sabbath-breaker seekest thou on the holy day of God and findest thou thine owne pleasure speakest thou thine owne words o Isa 58.13 and doest thou on that day thine owne works Thou dishonourest God p Rom. 2.23 thou pollutest his worship q Ezek. 22.8 thou prouokest the eyes of his glorie r Isa 3.8 thou breakest his Law thou makest it void Å¿ Psal 119.126 2 Chron. 19.2 A minori admaius Ior. 17.27 Therefore wrath is vpon thee from before the Lord The fuell of iudgement lieth in thy gate and thou puttest to the fire which shal when God will kindle where it lyeth These things I finde in the Scriptures against thee but except thou repent No comfort