Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	behold_v	earth_n	lord_n	7,583	5	3.8961	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A50403	A memento to young and old: or, The young man's remembrancer, and the old man's monitor. By that eminent and judicious divine, Mr. John Maynard, late of Mayfield in Sussex. Published by William Gearing, minister of the Gospel	Maynard, John, 1600-1665.; Gearing, William.	1669 (1669)	Wing M1451; ESTC R216831	88,644	216

to sensuality and vain youthfull affections First evils in general and then the loss of all earthly pleasures then dimness and darkness weeping cloudy weather Ver. 2. and so he goeth on in the words following Thus doth St. James deal with secure and carnal rich men whose hearts did rest with a kind of muddy contentment in their abundance of worldly things not seriously thinking of sad alterations that might follow Jam. 5. 1 2. Go to now ye rich men weep howl for the miseries that shall come upon you your riches are corrupted and your garments moth-eaten c. and ver 5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been wanton ye have nourished your hearts as in the day of slaughter As the beast that is full fed and fatted is wanton and frollick feeding without fear or foresight of the Butchers Axe even in the same morning when he is to die before night even in the day of Slaughter so do ye please your selves and satisfie your own lusts without any serious consideration aforehand of the Axe of God's wrath that lyeth at the root of all such unfruitfull Trees and is ready to give an irrecoverable stroke ye do not carefully forethink of the evils that shall come upon you and therefore I present these unto your thoughts We have a notable example in this kind both of wisdom in Noah and of folly in the men of that Generation living together with him Heb. 11. 7 By faith Noah being warned of God of things 〈◊〉 seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark 〈◊〉 the saving of his House by the which he c●●demned the world and became heir of th● righteousness which is by faith Here wa● his notable faith and heavenly wisdom H● was warned of God of things not seen as 〈◊〉 not only of such things as at that time 〈◊〉 not to be seen in present being when he received this warning but of things the 〈◊〉 whereof were never seen in the world before of such things as neither he nor any of 〈◊〉 Fore-fathers from Adam to his own 〈◊〉 ever had any experience of viz. Th●● things mentioned Genes 6. 17. Behold 〈◊〉 even I do bring a flood of waters upon 〈◊〉 earth to destroy all flesh wherein is the br●● of life from under Heaven and every 〈◊〉 that is in the earth shall die These 〈◊〉 strange things not seen as yet no● 〈◊〉 heard of since man was created that 〈◊〉 Lord at one stroke should destroy so 〈◊〉 millions of his creatures not only men ●●men and children but all other things 〈◊〉 breathed It was now a great work of 〈◊〉 to believe this beyond the experience of the world and against the mocks and 〈◊〉 of the whole world and great wisdom to provide so carefully against it preparing an Ark for the saving of his House Herein he condemned the unbelief and folly of the world whose sensuality earthly-mindedness and deep security our Saviour declareth Matth. 24. 38. in the daies that were before the flood They were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage untill the day that Noah entred into the Ark and knew not untill the flood came and took them all away Noah did foresee and prepare for this notable change before it came but the world of the ungodly continued in deep and dead security They would not believe that the flood-gates of Heaven should be opened so wide as to pour down an universal deluge upon the earth they knew not they considered not of this wofull change untill the flood came and took them all away CHAP. II. NOw the reasons why this is to be accounted a point of wisdom necessary for every Christian are 1. Because a change will certainly come Eccles. 1. 2. Vanity of vanities saith the Preacher all is vanity All is vanity and uncertainty There is no pepetuity nothing changeable in man or in the outward condition of man here on earth yea many changes and strange alterations may befall those that seem to be in a most setled condition many may come some must come Thou that art in prosperity maist fall into adversity Thou that art rich maist become poor Thou that hast Children maist become childless Thou that hast Friends maist become friendless Thou that hast health maist have sickness Thou that art young and strong maist become old and impotent Thou that art a liberty maist be a prisoner These things may come but there is another change that must come namely Death Thou that art living man or woman must be turned into a dead carkase Thou that art now reckoned among the living must be accounted among the dead Thou that now seest hearest speakest walkest c. must become blind speechless senseless not able to move or stir a corps without life breath or motion Thou that now conversest with men must be forgotten and become a dead man out of mind yea thou that now sittest here at this time must stand before the Lord's Judgement-Seat Oh then it is wisdom to be aforehand with these changes and alterations that they may not surprize and overtake thee unprovided 2. It is uncertain how and when these changes shall come Jam. 4. 13 14. Go to now ye that say To day or to morrow we will go into such a City and continue there a year and buy and sell and get gain whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow for what is your life It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away For that ye ought to say if the Lord will we shall live and do this and that Our life is so uncertain that in that respect it may rather be said to appear then to be and it appeareth but for a very little time the date of it is soon expised It is even a vapour and a vapour doth quickly vanish riseth in the morning and is dissolved before noon we may promise our selves years but are not sure of the next day So it proved in that rich mans case Soul thou hast goods laid up for many years He had a short answer Thou fool this night shall thy soul be taken from thee It is therefore a ●ecessary point of wisdom to foresee and provide for this change 3. Great miseries and inconveniences follow upon such alterations when they are not foreseen and provided for many opportunities are lost which never can be recovered such changes happen as deprive men of all ability of doing that which they might have done at ease if they had foreseen these things and taken their time and men may look back with many sad thoughts and much bitterness of spirit upon their neglects and losses this way when it is too late Some few daies weeks months wilfully lost and wasted before will seem more worth unto them than all the world and the treasures and glory of the world when once these changes have overtaken them and come upon them unawares and disabled them for ever Much discomfort cometh

are secure and content themselves with present things they foresee not dangers miseries death destruction marching furiously towards them untill it be too late the poisoned shafts of death piercing through their hearts and cleaving the body and soul asunder But a Christian must be a watchman and still stand upon his watch-tower that he may descry changes and dangers afar off that he may see death riding post towards him on his pa●e horse Revel 6. 8. and Hell following that he may betimes provide against it and may escape the sting of death laying hold on Christ and may escape the damnation of Hell Death hath many thousands by the throat ere ever they see it coming and arm themselves against it They use to say of such who when they first ●ell sick had the symptomes of death upon them that they were taken with death Beloved every one that death surpriseth before he be provided for it may well be said to be taken with death Death hath taken hold of all such and hath them within it's power But he that is aforehand with death and is a partaker of life in Christ cannot be taken with it but he hath death rather in his power and is a conquerour over death by the power of Christ. Others are taken unprovided they are taken sleeping in their sins when death driveth it's nail into their heads as Jael did into the head of Sisera Oh then be watchfull to foresee and provide for changes to come Sickness may be coming poverty may be coming general calamities may be at hand Wars may be marching furiously towards a Land the Angel may be coming with his destroying Sword The Arrows of Pestilence may 〈◊〉 now laid to the Bow and drawn to the he●● and ready to fly abroad among us Darkne● may be coming the loss of the glorious Gospel of Christ may be at hand Anti-Christ may be coming Howsoever these things may fall out it is most certain that Death is a coming not many daies journey from each of our doors and perhaps even now ready 〈◊〉 knock at some of our gates None of 〈◊〉 know who shall be first visited by it and they that are not provided for it aforehand may assure themselves that Hell will follow Death close at the heels Oh then learn to 〈◊〉 daily that death may become familiar to you and not come as a stranger or an enemy or an Executioner when it doth come but rather as a friend to let your Souls out of this prison of the flesh that ye may enter into glory and blessedness SERMON VI. Eccles. ●2 1. nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them CHAP. I. IN this last Clause of the Verse the daies of Old Age are opposed unto the daies of Youth in these terms The years wherein 〈◊〉 shalt say I have no pleasure in them Hence I note Observ. That this short and mortal life may outlast the pleasures and all the contentments of this life This life is short yet as short as it is it many times is longer than the comforts of this life longer than the delights and pleasures of this world There 〈◊〉 be years within the compass of this shor● 〈◊〉 wherein a man shall find no pleasure 〈◊〉 shall be weary of himself Man is bu● of short continuance the longest liver among men shall quickly go hence and ye● many a man and woman may and do out-live the comforts of their lives survive al● the pleasure and contentment that ever they had here below And if something remain wherein they can take delight yet it is so little in comparison of those things which they have lost that they think their good daies be gone and past They have lived to see the pleasures of life vanish away life smoak and do often look back with 〈◊〉 hearts upon the times wherein they enjoyed such and such things wherein it was thus and thus with them So it was with David he had been a victorious King and prosper●● exceedingly in his wayes but in the lat●● part of his life his Daughter was deflow●●● by his Son and that Son killed by another Son when he was feasting the same Son rebelled against his Father defiled his Concubines sought his life and was slain in rebellion Then Sheba rebelleth and not long after David lieth bed-rid and no clothes could keep him warm 1 Kings 1. Whe●● were now the pleasures of life might 〈◊〉 he very well have said of these last years 〈◊〉 his life I have no pleasure in them It is true he did comfort himself in God and in 〈◊〉 assured expectation of a better life but the pleasures of this life were gone and past and if he had been one of those that have hope only in this life what good had all the former pleasures of this life done him That which was verified of this good King was true also of one of his best Subjects viz. Barzillai the Gileadite who had so liberally supplied King David when he was forced to flee from Absalom The King would now have him to be his Guest at the Court and to live with him at Jerusalem But thus he answereth David 1 Kings 19. 35. I am this day fourscore years old and can I discern between good and evil Can I taste what I eat or what I drink Can I hear any more the voyce of singing men and singing women Wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burthen to my Lord the King The pleasures of this life are gone with me saith Barzillai I was wont I could relish my Meat and Drink now I cannot Musick now is no Musick to me I have out-lived the delights of this world Now if these men did out live the outward comforts and contentments of this life how much more do many wicked persons How was it with Saul He was preferred beyond his expectation before all the men of Israel He overcame the Ammonites and Philistines and was in a flourishing estate But for his sin the Lord blasted all the comforts of his life took away those gifts of his Spirit from him whereby he had fitted him for the Kingdom suffered an evil Spirit to vex and torment him gave him over to torment himself with envy and bitterness of spirit to vex himself with Davids success answereth him not in his distress leaveth him to consult with a Witch and thereupon to receive a sad answer and to hear his doo● which soon after was executed upon him Thus ye see in these examples how this sho● mortal life lasteth beyond the pleasures and comforts of this life We have also a notable example in this kind in King Jehora● a wicked Son of a good Father He had a flourishing Kingdom left by his Father but after that he had slain his Brethren and wrought much wickedness the Kingdom of Edom revolted from him Ver. 9. 10. So did the City of Libnah He was severely threatned from Heaven Ver. 12 13 14 15.

which threatnings took effect accordingly The Philistines and Arabians brake into his Kingdom entred his Place took away his Goods his Wives his Sons all save 〈◊〉 youngest Ver. 16 17. Then also the Lord smote him with an incurable Disease in his Bowels and after two years torment as it seemeth his Body rotted and his Bowels fell out so that he died of sore Diseases and had not that honour at his Funeral which was usually done unto Kings See how his life out-lasted the comforts of his life and yet his life was short he died when he was about forty years old and reigned eight years Now ye may see by these examples that there are two wayes in general by which it cometh to pass that the comforts of this life are shorter than life it self and that this life out-lasteth them all and that is 1. By reason of old age 2. By reason of crosses afflictions 1. In respect of old age so it was with David and Barzillai So it is expressed at large in this last Chapter of Ecclesiastes where he sheweth how the daies of old age are such many times that a man hath no pleasure in them and sheweth at large how the several parts of the body decay and the powers of nature fail The Grashopper shall be a burthen that is every little thing shall trouble them And desire shal fail They shall have no mind to any thing Therefore also it must needs be that delights should fail they should joy in nothing all the pleasures of Youth and the delights of Life are gone Moses saith Psal. 90. 10. The daies of our years are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be fourscore yet is their strength but labour and sorrow Yea and some ere they be threescore do feel the burthen of Old Age as much as others do at fourscore 2. In respect of sufferings and afflictions some do out-live the comforts and pleasures of this life So did Job but that afterwards the Lord restored his prosperity to him in an extraordinary manner So Saul it seemeth in respect of age might have enjoyed many a fair year but all was blasted and his Kingdom did him little good The Lord declared himself against him So ye see in the example of Jehoram the Lord may take away those comforts from a man that the loss of them may drown all the pleasures of this life embitter all those sweets that this world can afford to us CHAP. II. THe Reason in general is the sin of man that hath shortned life made it mortal which had it not been for sin should have been imortal That hath made the comforts of life shorter than life it self which should have been everlasting as life it self should have been immortal had not sin given a deadly wound both to the life of man and to the comforts of this life Man should have had no thorns nor thistles to have vexed him in Paradise if he had not let Sin into the Garden but Sin being let in cast him out into a thorny world ful of miseries whereby his short life was made bitter to him and the pleasures of life not so long-lived as life it self Many times the special sins of men are the cause of this and that both of God's Children and of the wicked The special sins of the Godly as in David his sins into which he fell made the latter part of his life full of bitterness and had not he been able to comfort himself in God and to have refreshed his heart with his saving love and mercy how could he have been able to bear up his Spirit under such grievous burthens So the Lord doth many times change the outward condition of his Children and causeth them in stead of many outward comforts formerly enjoyed to eat the bread and drink the water of afflictions and causeth sad times to pass over them insomuch that all the comforts of this life do no way yield them so much content as their outward afflictions do bring bitterness upon them On the other side the special sins of the wicked do sometimes move the Lord to turn their laughter into mourning and to bring a a dark Cloud on all the Sun-shine of their outward comforts so that all things in the world shall look sad upon them and this he seemeth to do for two causes 1. To bring them home to himself that being taken off from carnal contentment in outward delights and brought to deal seriously with their own hearts and to consider their wayes and finding nothing in the world for their hearts to rest upon they may be made to turn to the Lord and to seek peace with him and comfort in his love Thus it was with Manasseh whiles he flourished in his Kingly dignity and had what his heart could wish how did he exceed in wickedness But when the Lord gave him that blow by the hand of the King of Babylon which struck him down from his Throne and ●aid him in fetters then in his affliction he besought the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his Fathers and prayed unto him and he was entreated of him c. 2 Chron. 33 11 12 13. 2. The Lord seemeth to do this many times to manifest his Justice and to let the wicked know what they are to look for in another world Thus he seemeth to have dealt with Pharaoh Saul and many others This I am perswaded the Lord doth often aim at even in those changes which are brought with Old Age. Many which have been flourishing in their daies and abused their prosperity their bodies decay with old age and their outward means wither together with them and they are set before the world for spectacles wherein men may read the vanity of all things under the Sun together with the fading and uncertain condition of all the comforts of this life I mean of such who after Youth and riper years spent in sin and impenitency do afterwards go creeping under the burden of Old Age and have no heart to seek the Lord in sincerity but their hearts die within them and become like Nabals having lost the content which they took before in the pleasures of sin and wanting grace to raise their hearts to the Lord that they might delight their Souls in him Many such examples may be observed in the world 3. Sometimes the Lord doth this to exercise the graces of his Children and to make them examples unto others of patience and stedfastness in his ways as it was with Job who continued in his integrity after that those great changes were brought upon him CHAP. III. Use. I. HEnce we may be brought to a consideration of the shortness and uncertainty of all the contentments of this present life How short is life it self And yet the pleasures of life are shorter than life Psal. 39. 5. Behold thou hast made my daies as an hand-breadth saith David There is the life of