their wheat and wine did abound Psal. 4.7 and these words cannot deceiue thee Psal. 89.33 for he will not falâ—ifie his truth Vpbraideth hee thee that thou art wretched sicke and desolate c though I bee mayst thou say poore and needy Psal. 40.17 the Lord thinketh on mee therfore if I can haue but thee my God I account of nothing in heauen and in earth suppose my flesh faile and my heart Psal 73.25 thou God art the strength of my heart and my portion for euer relie ô my soule all thy life time heereon for hee will not alter the thing that hath gone out of his lips Psal. 89.34 If the diuell doth affright thee with death gainstand him with a stout and faithfull heart and say thy dead men shall liue Esay 26.19 euen with my body shall they liue awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead And so I beleeue the remission of my sinnes resurrection of my body and life euerlasting this is verily true and hereon I repose my selfe for heauen and earth shall passe away Luk. 16.17 but his word shall not fall so that all they that leane to the word shut themselues in the word shall with the word and in the word endure for euer A Prayer to the same effect Lord Iesus Christ King of euerlasting Triumph helpe that I may continually haue thy Law and Gospel before mine eyes and rule all my Thoughts Words and Deeds according to them teach mee by thy holy Spirit at euerie occasion to put them in practise that in thy Law I may perceiue my Sinne and Vildnesse with true comfort in my hart that in all miserie and griefe I may haue these sweete speeches in fresh memorie that they may bee my weapons and aâ—mour To kill my Foe Pro. 30.5 and my Sheild and defence aâ—gainst the Deuill Psal. 23.4 thy rodde and staffe to hold mee vppe my food and refreshing in alâ— trouble and anguish grant I may wholly betake mee to thy Word both sleepe and rise therewith that I may liue and die according to thy Word and if at any time my heart through weakenesse shall distrust assist mee then O Lord that I neuer despaire for neyther thou nor thy Word will deceiue mee I know and doe beleeue it O eternaâ— true God that thou wilt keepe thy Word â—herefore shall I be preserued I beleeue and know thou canst not lye therefore sâ—all I not bee deceiued and although that my heart shall doubt and denie yet art thou constant in thy promise because thou art greater than our hearts and knowest all things therefore shall I neuer be confouÌ„ded 1 Ioh. 3.20 because I put my trust in thee Psal. 25.2 To thee O God the Father Sonne and holie Ghost bee all honour dominion power and glorie now and for euer world with out end Amen Flesh. What is the second point that concerneth Christian life The second poynt Baptisme Spirit Secondly deare Soule meditate daily in thy baptisme and let it comfort thee because God thy Lord in it hath purged thee receiued thee to be his child and in it sealeth with thee that mercifull couenant that he will be thy gracicious God and father and thou shalt be his deare Son and heire yea ô my soule thy Lord Iesus in thy holy baptisme hath called thee by thy name 1 Pet. 3. Esay 62. Ier. 14. Esay 45. before thou knewest him and hath giuen thee a new name that thou shouldest bee called a Christian to witnesse that thou wert brother to Christ and fellow-heire Rom. 8. that thou shalt enioy and bee paticipant with him of all whatsoeuer hee hath bought and merited by his bloud as of remission of sinnes righteousnesse and eternall life Meditation of thy Baptisme Therfore so often as thou shalt heare or recite the Creed I beleeue in God c. I beleeue in Iesus Christ c. I beleeue in the holy Ghost c. heere is thy surmounting consolation that thou art in the number of those of whom it is sayd he that beleeueth and is baptized Mark 16.16 shall bee saued and heereby art separated from Turks Iewes Atheists and all Infidels and other vngodly persons of whom it is said but hee that will not beleeue shall be damned and finally in thy baptisme thou obligest thy selfe not to liue after the flesh Rom 8.12 Luk 1.75 to fulfill the lusts and desires thereof but to serue the liuing God in righteousnesse and holinesse all the daies of thy life Tit. 2.12 according to his pleasure Prayer for a new life and faith in Christ. I thanke thee my good Lord Iesus Christ for this thy vnspeakable goodnesse in that thou hast not onely taken mee aliue out of the wombe but when I was dead in sinne made me be baptized Psal. 22.9 Ephes. 2.1 and thereby enrolledst and registeredst mee in thy mercifull couenant band didst regenerate me by thy holy spirit Eph. 2.12.13 accept mee to be thy sonne and inheritor of blessednesse 1 Pet. 3.21 not that I loued thee first but thou louedst mee before I was ô my Redeemer Tit. 5.5 how can I render thankes for all thy benefits towards mee I will take the cup of saluation and call vpon thee Psal. 116.12 I beseech thee therefore vphold mee by thy holy spirit that I may stand stedfast in this couenant of grace whereunto I haue had this accesse reioycing vnder the hope of the glory of God comforting my soule therewith confirme my faith that I may cleaue vnto thee alwayes and abhorre and detest Infidelitie and Atheisme seruing thee zealously in the spirit in whatsoeuer calling or condition of life I shall liue yea my God seeing through baptisme I am dead vnto sinne and borne againe Rom. 6.4 grant me thy grace that I may walke in newnesse of life that my conuersion and giuing my members as weapons of righteousnesse vnto God may beare record before thee and men that I haue reciued that Sacrament to my weale and saluation conduct mee safely through this wearisome valley of misery neuer leaue mee vntill thou hast brought me to thy fathers Kingdome which is those riches and treasures thou hast promised mee in my baptisme and thereof assured me and sealed vp the same in my heart by thy spirit giuen vnto me Grant me gracious father forgiuenesse of all my sins that so I may walke before thee in true repeÌ„tance and amendment of life that so I may liue in thy feare and die thy faithfull seruant Amen Flesh. Shew me the third means whereby a Christian life is maintained The third poynt the Lords Supper Spirit Thirdly deare soule repaire diligently and of ten to the Lords Sâ—pper for that is the table the Lord hath prepared for his regenerate children that is the food wherwith hee strengtheneth and refrâ—sheth his new purged
our good for we rest from our labors and enioy happinesse because the righteous mans Soule is in Gods hands Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch it And Christ himselfe professeth that hee will come againe and receiue vs vnto himselfe Ioh. 14.3 that where he is there we may be also Hearken therefore and learne what it is to dye for it is nothing else than a passage and home going to rest yea the death of the faithfull is Christs taking of them vnto himselfe A Prayer against Death O Lord Iesus Christ thou eternall true Light inlighten my heart that as a new creature I may looke vpon Death with new eyes and not esteeme it for a hurter of mee but for a messenger by whom thou callest mee from this wretched world and translatst me to the kingdome of thy Sonne from this valley of darkenesse Euen so Come Lord Iesus with that Chariot of Elias and take mee from hence Now let thy Seruant depart in peace Luk 2.29 who longeth for quietnesse rest through Iesus Christ my onely sauiour Amen Flesh. Yet Death is verie terrible cold and euill fauored wee become stiffe and so must rot in our graues Spirit That is also a punishment which God inflicts on the bodie for sinne but the children of God look not to the present shew and shape of Death but looke further off consider how pleasaunt how soone how beautifull how cleare and honourable their bodies shall rise vp at the last day and corruption shal put on incorruption 1 Cor. 15.53 this mortallitie shall put on immortallitie Then shall be brought to passe the saying that is written Death is swallowed vp in victorie and by this the holie man Iob comforted himselfe for he knew that his Redeemer liued and that he should rayse him vp from the earth O how beautifull shall our bodies bee there is no starre in heauen shall be so cleere neuer shined the Sunne or the Moon so perfectly as when the Lord shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like vnto his glorious body according to the working Phil. 3.21 whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe for wee are the Lords wheat â— Cor. 15.37 Ioh. 12.24 sowen in his ground which shall rise againe and beare euerlasting fruit So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sowen in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowen in dishonor it is raised in glory it is sowen in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowen a naturall body it is raised a spirituall body there is a naturall body and there is a spirituall body A Prayer against the terror of the graue Strengthen mee ô my Lord Iesus Christ that I bee not amazed at the fearefull sight of dead members nor when I thinke vpon the rottennesse in the graue and that I shall turne to dust and ashes but helpe mee that in a ioyfull hope I may behold the beauty and cleerenesse which shall not onely bee in my soule but euen manifest in my body that I may bee encouraged thereby gladly to meet thee when euer thou shalt please to call mee to that spirituall wedding from this life vnto life eternall through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauiour Amen Flesh. It is very terrible neuerthelesse to taste of death yeâ— to be put in that darke hole in the graue couered with earth full of rottennesse and corruption Spirit That feare ariseth of the sense of sinne for death is our enimy and God created man to bee immortall and made him to be an image of his eternity neuertheles Wis. 2.23.24 throgh the enuy of the Diuell death came into the world and heâ—rein is a figure representing the deâ—sert of sin for the breach of Gods Law in that wee not onely die temporally heere but must eternally perish be thrust downe in to the darke dungeon of hell and there bee ouerspred with the flames of perpetuall fire with the riuers of brimstone if that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had not come to our redemption And of this comes that terrour and hangs on vs vntill wee come to the graue Euen as a man that had been pluckt out of a great fire or out of some deepe and dangerous water so oft as hee thinkes vpon it hee is afraid so is it with vs wee are greatly astonished and amazed when wee bethinke vs on that miserie wherein wee should haue beene destroyed had not the death of Iesus come betweene by whom our attonement is made with the Father But yet all the children of God should lâ—â—rne a new language and attend how the holy Gospell speaketh heereof for it calleth the death of the faithfull a sleepe and their graues chambers to sleepe in for as Iesus Christ hath taken the punishment of death from vs and suffered the paines of hell fulfilled Gods righteousnesse and procured eternall life for vs so the holy Spirit in his Gospell doth take away the harsh and hard names of death and doth comfort the Lords Elect with a new tongue Esa. 26.20 as when he saith Come my people enter thou into thy chambers and shut thy doores abouâ— thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation passe ouer And in another place Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall wake some to shame euerlasting contempt and some to euerlasting life And againe our friend Lazaruâ— sleepeth Ioh. 11.11 but I goe that I may awake him out of sleepe Also the childe is not dead Matth. 27. but sleepeth and there arose many that slept and so in infinite more places Heere hast thou then thy death changed into a soft sleep and thy graue vnto a warme bed When thou diest thou art said to goe to sleepe because he that betaketh himselfe to his rest is in expectation that the next day after he shall rise and when they beat the earth of the graue with the shouell it iâ— called to shut the dore and when we rot in the earth wâ—e are sayd to rest and to hide vs vntill wrath passe ouer our soules A Praier for the mercies of Christ. O Lord God holy Spirit take thou my heart and replenish it with the comfortable mercies of our Lord Iesus Christ teach me to put due difference betwixt the Law Gospell abolish terror and feare for death and learne me that new language of Canaan that I heare it not onely with mine eares but pronounce it by my mouth that I may beleeue and in experience prooue that when the time of my dissolution shall draw neere I shall not die but sweetly sleep vntill it shall please thee by thine Arch-angell and trumpet of God to awake and raise me vp and so do I lie downe now Lord Iesus in thine armes as a childe in the mothers lap and commit my soule vnto thee and sleep as long a time as it pleaseth thee
42. Haue mercy on me ô God 51. And so according to the seuerall constitutions of thy Soule and as thou findest thy tentation to encrease or bee diminished thou mayest make election of this or that Prayer or Psalme in the Scripture And if it be so that thou growest exceeding weake and that thy speech begin to faile thee these sentences which are but short thou mayest remember Lord now lettest thou thy seruant depart in peace Luk. 2.29 Luk. 25. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit Psal. 31. Into thy hands I commit my spirit thou hast redeemed me Lord God of truth Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Act. 7.59 Abide with vs Lord Iesus Luk. 24.29 for it is towards euening and the day is farre spent I desire to bee dissolued Phil. 1. and to be with Christ. Flesh. What shall they then doe that stand by when as they see the sicke take his last goodnight from this world and to depart comforted in Soule and to attaine a blessed end Spirit They are to lament and mourne seeing it is a thing very naturall it cannot bee forbidden but thou must not sorrow euen as others which haue no hope for we that are Christians must admit comfort ought to bee constantly and certainely perswaded that our dead are not dead but sleepe that they doe not perish neither are lost but deliuered from this wicked world and gone home to the Lord and would not for the price of this whole world if it were possible to returne hither againe and therefore wee should rather be thankefull vnto God for their happy dedeparture and learne of them to liue regiously and Christianly and remember them who haue spoken vnto vs the word of God whose face wee should follow considering the end of their conuersation Heb. 13.7 and therefore falling on their knees they may pray as followeth The Prayer of those that are about the sicke person when hee is departed We thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ thou euerlasting Prince of life for vpholding this thy creature in true confession and constant faith and for granting him a blessed departure O how gloriously shall his soule bee carried to heauen to euerlasting rest and ioy by the Angels to Abrahams bosom thine owne celestiall spirits attend at his beds side although with our carnall eyes wee doâ— not apprehend them now doth hee repose himselfe in the Lord Iesus armes now hath all displeasure and greefe an end now shall the Lord wipe away all teares from his eyes Reu. 21.4 and giue him euerlasting peace and comfort with ioy and sâ—luation Now euerlasting ioy shal be vpon his head hee shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse Esa. 35.10 and sorrow sighing shall flie away O thou blessed Soule ô deere and sweet friend happy is the case thou art in thou hast borne Christs yoke now art thoâ— dead but yet thou liuest ô Lord Iesus haue mercy vpon vs that are liuing and as yet remaine on the earth and teach vs to runne out the course of this irkesome misery to the end that we may imitate such faith and constancie daily and hourely to bee prepared that wee as this thy creature hath done may make a blessed good-night and follow him with peace and ioy To raigne with Abraham Isaak and Iacob in heauen for euermore Amen CHAP. IX Declaring where the immortal soule goeth after death the resurrectioÌ„ of our body the ioyes of eternall life and paines which the vngodly haue in their destruction Flesh. NOw seeing the soule is immortall what becommeth of it or whither goeth it after this worldly death Spirit Heareof speaketh the Scripture in these and other places full of comfort and consolation Feare not them which kill the bodie Mat. 10.28 and are not able to kill the Soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both Soule and bodie in Hell I desire to bee dissolued Phil. 1.22 and to be with Christ which is farre better The Theefe on the crosse when he was to giue vp the Ghost sayd Luk. 23.43 Lord remember mee when thou commest into thy kingdome and Iesus sayd vnto him To day thou shalt be with mee in Paradise The Soules of the righteous are in the hands of God Wisd. 3.1 and there shall no torment touch them In the sight of the Wise they seemed to dye 2. and their departure is taken for miserie And their going from vs to be vtter destruction 3. but they are in peace Though the righteous be preuented with death Wis. 4 7. yet shall they be in rest There remaineth therfore a rest to the children of God Heb. 4. Luk. 16.22 And it came to passe that the Begger dyed and was carried by the Angells vnto Abrahams bosome But now he is comforted and thou art tormented Vers. 25. Ioh. 14 2. In my Fathers house are many Mansions if it were not so I would haue told you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you I will come agayne and receiue you vnto my self that where I am there may you bee also For wee know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolued 2. Cor. 51. wee haue a building of God an house not made with hands eternally in the heauens Therefore wee are alwayes confident knowing that whiles wee are at home in the bodie wee are absent from the Lord. But yee see mee Ioh. 14.19 because I liue yee shall liue also Set your affections on things aboue Col. 3.2 not on things of the earth But Hierusalem which is aboue is free Gal. 4.26 which is the mother of vs all Ps. 16.11 Thou wilt shew mee the the path of Life in thy presence is fulnes of ioy at thy right hand there are pleasures for euermore A meditation of the Soules departure and blessednesse after death Behold deare Soule these speeches ful of comfort proceeded out of Gods mouth to witnesse that there must be a seuerall consideration had of mens soules for the Soule is a Spirit as are the Angells and Immortall and when the Soule of the righteous shal be sundred from the bodie it shall be taken by the Angells and carried to God to liue with Christ in Paradise aboue in the Heauens where it shal bee in glorie and rest in Gods hand farre from sorrow or griefe for wheÌ„ the Soule is seperated from the bodie it is at freedome and can doe much more without the bodie than when it is ioyned vnto it and imprisoned therein because the bodie in this life is verie heâ—uie and hindereth the Soule froÌ„ seeing heauens comfort while it is here vpon earâ—h it can prayse God honour and serue him reioyce and comfort it selfe therewith while it is in this mortal and miserable bodie much more can it perfect and doe when it is without sinne and natiue corruption and hath no such let and
finally by Death which shall end the battle betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit The Sunne and Moone doe not perish in their Eclipses no nor loose Light for euer Neyther the sence of my goodnesse in thee shall loose his vertue for euer I found thee when thou soughtest mee not I will returne vnto my owne worke I sende blessing with crosâ—es least thou shouldest despaire and crosses with blessinges least thou shouldest presume Grieue thee not at my vvise Dispensation The SOVLE I Finde deare Redeemer an interchangeable condition of Sorrowe and Comfort of Faith and Feare I haue had some affection to heare knowledge of thie Will purpose of amendment in zealâ— of Spirit called vpon Thee but nâ—w I am in such agonie and conflict of conscience that my Sinnes at all times yea in my Prayers yea while I begin to speake with thee â—ow sweet Iesus so liuely present themselues to my inward sight that I am almost agâ—st and at my Wits-end CHRIST AS the sence of an aguish Man is corrupt so is thie iudgement in Temptation things that are seeme not to be or not such as they are Heb. 10.32.34 Iob. 29.3 Ps. 77.6.12 spirituall things must bee spiritually discerned When Men are diseased deare Soule it cannot thereof bee concluded that they were neuer in health none can say they are a sleepe which are so indeed Preseâ—â— discomforts take away the sence of mercie for a time but in heauinesse and anguish of thy Spirit remember comforts past and assure thee of my returne in due time The day was when thy assurance of my fauor was such as Saâ—han himselfe could not then deny the testimony which then my Spirit did beare to thie Spirit Kom 8.16 greater than eyther the testimonie of Men or Angels for I loued thee before the foundation of the World was layd Be not cruell vnto thy owne bowells Why wouldst thou conspire with Sathan against thy selfe rather resist him 1. Pet. 5.9 beeing stedfast in Faith Resist him I say and hee will flie from thee for hee cannot worke any thing in thee but by thy own consent no motion shall hurt thee whereunto thou giuest not consent in hart thou hast no sinne whiles in heart thou longest to bee free from it thou wantest no goodnesse which in heart thou couetest tâ— haue Rom. 7. It is Sathans nature to contradict my spirit for thus hee doth distresse and anguish afflicted soules holding them in the cogitations of their sinnes and suffers them not to see the length bredth heigth and depth of my mercies Eph. 3.18 neither to know that my lâ—ue which passeth allvnderstanding that thou mayest be filled with all the fulnesse of mee who shall once determine these conslicting daies where I which am in the mids of the throne shall feede thee and lead thee vnto liuing fountaines of waters Reu. 7. â—7 14 13. Heb. 10.37 and shall wipe away all teares from thine eyes Cast not therefore away thy confidence which hath so great recompence of reward And to vse thine enemies weapons against himselfe he seeketh by torment of minde to driue thee to dispaire This is the most euident and sensible testimonie of grace and fauour with mee if thou feele iâ— thy selfe the conflict of the flesh and spirit that is of faith against vnbeleefe and of mee in thee against his power and which is more thou must know the worke of sanctification beginnes in the heart and thence floweth into our whole life Now thoughts meditations and desires are deeds before me and the fruits of faith are testifications of my spirit dwelling in thee more pregnant and euiden then they may or dare bee by Sathan himselfe denied Striue not so to that thou hast not as thou forget that which by my grace thou hast already but assure thee of the continuance of it for â—e that beleeueth maketh no haste but liueth by faith good things to come thou must hold in hope Hab. 2.3 and pursue them in peace for yet a little while and I that shall come Heb. 10.37 wil come and will not tarry couenant made in the sprinckling of my bloud My people after their calling may fal in many foul sins for this cause haue I coÌ„mended my mercy in the Law for many and seuerall sorts of sins Exod. 24.6.7 The Iewes in Esaias daies were as Sodom Gomorrha yet I said though their sinnes were â—s crimson Esa. 1.10 they should bee white as snow I exhorted them to turne to mee Esa. 31.6 which had deepely reuolted yea when they had rebelled and vexed my holy spirit yet I desired them to pray vnto mee and forgaue them Esa. 3.7.10 15.16 and did I not heare Ephraim bemâ—aning himselfe thus thou hast chastized me and I was chastized as a bullocke vnaccustomed to the yoake Ier. 31.18.20 turne thou me and I shall be turned thou art the Lord my God But since I did speake against him as now thou doest against thy selfe I do earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troâ—bled for him I wil surely haue mercy vpon him surely I am â—esus Christ vnchangeable was yesterday is to day and shall bee the same for euer Heb. 13.8.6 I am thy helper feare not what man can doe vnto thee wheÌ„ sicknes is at the highest then there is greatest hope of diminishing hee cannot bedrowned which hath his head aboue the water I am thy head in heauen who haue bruized the Serpents head on earth The SOVLE OH I feele if thy spirit make mee free Ioh. 8.36 I shall bee free indeede create in mee a cleane heart deare Iâ—â—us and renew a right spirit within mee restore to me the ioy of thy saluation and establish me with thy free spirit let my prayer be directed in thy sight as incense and the lifting vp of my hands as an euen sacrifice Psal. 141.2 Psal. 119.108 O Lord I beseech thee accept the free offerings of my mouth teach mee thy iudgements Zach. 19.9 Reioice greatly my Soule behold thy King is come vnto thee he is iust hauing saluation he is lowly O open ye the gates of my soule and let in the Prince of glorie Thou that dwellest in the heauens doest looke vnto me that am poore Esa. 66.2 and of a contrite hâ—â—r 〈◊〉 and I tremble at thy words I was very sore â—â—flicted ô Lord quicâ—en me according to thy word Psal. 119.10 119 52. I haue remembred thy iuâ—gements of olde and haue beene comforted I liue yet not I now but thou liuâ—st in me thy father that gaue me vnto thee is greater then all Gal. 2.20 and none can take me out of thy hand Ioh. 10.29 To thee therefore that loueth me and washeth mee from my sinnes in thine owne bloud and hast madâ— mee King and Priâ—st vnto Thee onely wise God my Sauiour bee glory and Maiestie dominion and power now and for euer Amen FINIS
temporall bee enemies to sinne from our harts take pleasure in righteousnesse learne to know aâ—ight the misery of this sinnefull life neglect the pomp and traine of this world haue inward deâ—ire and constant purpose after the heauenly mansions loue the Lord Iesus Christ with all our sâ—â—lesmind and strength and daily thirst for his second comming perseuering in a Christian calling and prepared at all times to make a happy departure from this vale of miserie And this is that heauenly preparation to a blessed death by the which we are distinguished and separated from the misbeleeuing Ethicke Turke and Iew and from the disobydient hypocrite and children of this world of the which there are a great number alas on whom the Sun of righteousnesse hath not shined but sit as yet in darknesse and in the shade of death haue neither heard nor yet can speake of Christ indeede some might haue heard but with the deafe adder they shut their eares at the voyce of the Inchanter Others doe heare sermons but yet did neuer know Christ for their Sauiour and Redeemer because the Word was not mixt with faith in the heareâ—s such are good lip-Christians but their harts are far from him they boast of faith but declare it not by their workes and talke of eternall life but will not learne the way to come thither And if thou wouldest gentle Reader be taught aright then must thou often read diligently heare and meditate vpon Godâ— Word exercise thy selfe daily in it and liue according thereunto for now there is praised be God the holy Scriptures in euery mans hand and sundry and diuers comfortable and holy bookes out of that pure Fountaine which holy Fathers haue penned by the which thou maist be taught profitable doctrine liuely faith holy admonitions for a Christian life and blessed death of the which Writers some are some what obscure for the Simple-ones and full of disputations and logicall discourses And to ease thee of them I haue here set downe a plaine Treatise for thy instruction aâ—ter my long experience and visitation of the sicke distrâ—ssed and â—ssâ—ulted by Sâ—tan tryall of crosses in aduersities and sense of the sting of death Whereby being long exercised of my owne proofe I do now publish vnto thee for the benefit of gods Church wherevnto I was much importuned by many godly and religious persons I was much holpen in this Worke by that reuerend Father Martinus Mollerus Preacher at Gorliâ—z in Silesia whose worthy works are well knowne entreating mee to set forth these comfortable rules hauing had so long tryall Which I did still intend but was hitherto hindred Sâ—than doubtlesse enuying the benefite and publication thereof and therefore I the most vnworthy of all Christs seruants doe reioyce onely in Gods mercy and say with Paul Cor. 15.10 Noâ— I but the grace of God which was with mee hath caused these to câ—me to light trusting it shall tend to the praise and glorie of God benefite and weale of his Church and to be a spur to euery priuate man vnto a Christian life and holy death for it is the meaner and weaker sort that it is written to their â—dification and saluation For it often happeneth that sundry in a strange Countrie cannot haue the vse of Preachers neither yet in warfare nor sailing nor yet at home in the time of plague and pestilence can they haue frequent society with the men of God to bee taught by them And there are men where no plantation of the Gâ—spel is sighing and groâ—ning for the word of grace comfort and admonition In these and the like defects this little Manuell can supply the place of a Friend to speake vnto them that we be not hindred in our Christian course but constantly go foward that through the mercy of God we may make a blessed departure and glad good-night from this world which our good and gracious God gâ—aunt vnto vs for his owne merâ—â—eâ— sake when it shall please him to translate vs from this Hadradrimmoâ— and vale of miserie Amen THE CROWNE OF LIFE CHAP. I. Wherein is contained that men are not only mortall but also altogether ignorant when how or in what place God will call them out of this present life Flesh. I PRAY YOV shew mee the contents of the whole Bible and suâ—me of all the Sermons preached by the holy men of God Spirit That is to learne to liue Christianly Psal. 90.12 Eccl. 12.1 and die blessedly A meditation of the soule to liue for euer O Lord my God helpe mee in such wayes to liue in this world that I may elsewhere liue with thee eternally Reu. 2. 3 for what haue I in this present world but thee or what in the heauens but thee Psal. 73.25.28 It is good for mee to cleaue vnto thee Flesh. What call you a Christian life Spirit This is a Christian life that a man should rightly know first the Lord his God Ier. 9. Psal. 79. Exod. 20. Deut. 6. Mat. 28.19 Psal. 67. Ioh. 17. Ioh. 1.14 Ezek. 18. and secondly himselfe first I say the onely one God in essence or being distinct in three persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost that the middle one of these three which is the Sonne was sent of God into the world and there hath taken our humane nature vpon himselfe to become our Redeemer and Sauiour thereto man must learne to know himselfe aright that is that we are poore miserable vile sinners in Gods sight and shall be eternally condemned vnlesse we be conuerted and lay hold by a stedfast faith on this Sonne of God become new creatures and continue in obedience to God and loue to our neighbours euen to our last end The Christians godly Praier O thou only one eternall almighty God Father Sonne and holy Ghost threefold in persons but one in substance power and glory I humbly intreat thee teach mee to know thee and my selfe truly that I may more and more increase and grow daily in this knowledge to the end that I may so addresse my short and wretched life here on earth that it may redound to thy praise and feare to the good and benefit of my neighbour and by no meanes be hurtfull to my selfe alwayes walking as in thy presence in humilitie and holinesse Amen Flesh. What call you a happy or blessed death Spirit To end and conclude the dayes of this life in true faith Luk. 2. Philip. 1. recommending thy soule to the Lord Iesus with an heartie desire and longing for a ioyfull sleeping from this world in patience to bee with the Lord. 1 Tim. 4. A praier for a happy departure Lord Iesus Christ thou only knowest my time and houre Matt. 6. Act. 7. I request thee from the bottome of my heart to vouchsafe vpon me an happy departure from hence and to preserue my soule from all anguish and annoyance that so I may rest with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Shall all mankinde
teares as a well cease not neither leaue off for the Almighty is angry for thy sinnes Lam. 2. pardon them ô Lord I beseâ—ch thee and grant that when I shall sleepe in death my bodie may rest temporally and my soule may liue with thee eternally for Iesus c. Flesh. Shall man then in such sorrow doubt and despaire for his sinnes Spirit No God forbid but he should embrace the second part of Christian repentance which is faith in our Lord Iesus Christ who hath satisfied for our sinnes and reconciled vs to God his heauenly father Rom. 5. in this case raise vp encourage thy selfe learne comfort after this manner ô most louing Iesus Christ thou most sweet Sauiour and Redeemer how heauy is my hart how sad is my Soule in my brest Ps. 43.5 Esa. 38. My God thou hast broken all my bones like a Lyon I beseech thee that thou wouldest not despise my contrite and broken hart my Redeemer Ps. 51.17 giue mee thy mercifull hand and draw mee out of this heauinesse and suffer me not to sinke and perish of too much sorrow O my God I thanke thee thou hast touched my heart in making mee vnderstand my sinnes and giuing mee thy mercie to bewaile theÌ„ vnfainedly O I am become godly sorrowfull not to my hurt for godly sorrow worketh Saluation 2. Cor. not to be sorrowed for where else might I haue found comfort for my disquieted Soule of what other shold I haue found rest for my broken heart but of thee onely ô most dearely beloued Sauiour for thou camest into the world to saue miserable sinners 1. Tim. 1. therefore is thy name Iesus Mat 1. to saue thy people from all their sinnes Here am I ô Sauiour although a verie great yet a Penitent sinner Loe I heare thy comfortable voyce Mat. 11. Come vnto mee all yee that are laden and we aried I will refresh you Bâ—hold my God I come and bring with mee a sorrowfull broken Ps. 51.17 and contrite heart O reuiue my dead soule O heale my sinfulâ— wounded conscience O Lambe of God that takest away the sins of the world take from mee my sinne Ps. 51.9 and the guilt thereof and forgiue all mine iniquities Thou art my Redeemer and the onely sacrifice by which God thy Father and I am reâ—conciled Ioh. 3. for as Moyses exalted the Serpent in the wildernesse so wast thou exalted on the Crosse to the end that I and all that beleeue in thee should not perish but haue euerlasting Life Mar. 9. I beleeue Lord helpe my vnbeleefe yea Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee Ioh. 21. albeit with a weake faith neuerthelesse by the same little small faith I put all my trust and confidence in thee and beleeue doubt not I beleeue and know well that all my bitter and grieuous sinnes are surely and verely satisfied for and remitted by thy bloud and death I know and beleeue I am assured and persuaded ô my Redeemer that thy pure conception cleanseth my sinfull conception thy vndefiled birth purgeth my vncleane birth thy holie life sanctifieth my sinfull life thy humiliation is my exaltation thy hellish sorrowes are my heauenly comforts thy bonds are my freedome thy contempt is my honour thy sores are my salue the expulsion of thee is the in-bringing of mee thy smart and payne is the ioy of my Soule thy desert is my Redemption thy passion and death is a sacrifice for all my sinnes thy obedience is satisfaction for all my wickednesse thy descending into hell is my deliuerance from the Deuill power and force of hell Rom. 4. thy resurrectiâ—on is my righteousnesse and thy ascending into heauen is a seale and assurance that I am heire of eternall Life and that through Thee I haue alreadie right title and possesion of the kingdome of heauen Yea Lord Iesus all these hast thou merited for me giuen and bestowed them freely vpon mee and thy heauenly Father accepts of them and accounts them to mee in such maner as if I had deserued all the same in my owne proper person and as if euerie faithfull ones Redemption had beene purchased by himselfe Mat. 9. bee joyfull therfore comfort thee thy sinnes are forgiuen and thou reighteous before God thou hast a mercifull Father in heauen thou art heire of eternall Life thou hast the earnest of thy inheritance in thy heart which beares witnesse vnto thy spirit that thou art the Sonnâ— yof God Who will craue ought here is Christ that hath payed and satisfied for thee Who will accuse thee Rom. here is God that pronounceth thee Iust and Holie Meditation of the Soule of faith in Christ. Doest thou meditate on that hurt thou incurredst by the first fall doth that corruption deriued vnto thee from Adam grieue thee O giue thankes and praise to the Lords name for thou hast obtayned more in Iesus Christ thy Redeemer than thou hast lost in Adam the trespasser ô miracle of all miracles who can comprehend such things bee glad ô my soule and consider narrowly what thou losest in the first what was gotten in the second Adam againe Behold how Sathan is disappointed of his purpose for hee minded to draw thee altogether and finally from God and to draw thee in the pit of Gods euerlasting displeasure but contrarywise Christ thy Lord hath not onely reconciled thee with thy father quenched his wrath and anger and purchased mercy to thee but also hath aduanced thee to such vnspeakable promotion Heb. 2. that thou art become Gods kinsman for he hath taken thy flesh bloud vpon him thou couldest neuer haue come to higher promotion and preferment vnlesse thou hadest beene euen God himselfe And Sathan bethought him to driue thee out of the garden of Paradise and so bereaue thee of the companie and societie of the holy Angels but quite contrarie Christ thy Sauiour not only brings thee to that healie Paradise and eternall life but exalteth thee aboue all Angels and maketh thee most honourable in that he took not the Angels but mans nature vpon him Heb 2. Sathan also intended to take from thee the food of life and it so happened for the Lord God excluded man by reason of his transgression that he should not eat of the tree of life in Paradise Gen. 3. but now Christ is that nourishment Ioh. 6. and tree of life farre more excellent and good then that first which extends and dilateth his boughes and branches whereby wee come vp to heauen hideth vs vnder him feedeth vs of him and wee are satiate and shall haue vnder his shadow quietnesse and rest for euermore Againe Sathan would haue carried thee from thy righteousnesse cast thee deepely downe into sinne spoyled thee of thy originall justice wherein without sinne thou wert first created to Gods similitude but on the other side Christ thy Lord freely giueth thee a
constanter surer and better righteousnesse which is his merit and satisfaction by Faith imputed vnto thee Philip. 3. and is that Righteousnesse which God onely accepteth of Sathan moreouer by Adams sinne hath blotted and defaced Gods Image in thee and deadly wounded thee in all thy powres and operations and left thee lying halfe dead Luk. 10. so that there was no desire or motion left or remayning in thee to satisfie Gods will and therefore shouldest die â—ternally but on the contrarie Iesus hath not onely clothed thee with his owne righteousnesse Gal. 3 27. Esa. 55. Col 3.10 healed thy soares and wounds by his stripes and death begot thee againe by the holie spirit and imprinted his image of new but also he will at the last day cleare thy mortall bodie and make it like to his glorious bodie To be short Sathans course was to take all thy gifts and heauenly ornaments from thee and throw thee head-long to euerlasting perdition but Iesus Christ opposed himselfe and ayded thee in such wayes that not onely hee tooke this flesh and bloud vpon him satisfied for thee made attonement for thee reconciled thee with his Father obtayned eternall remission for thee gaue thee his righteousnesse his holie spirit and euerlasting life but also he promoted thee to bee accounted righteous holie Gods child Gods heyre his brother his cousin his bride and bed-fellow heyre the Temple and habitation of the holy and glorious Trinitie Now mayest thou say deare Soule Omnia benefecit Mar. 7. He hath done al things well and therefore ô Lord thy name be praysed and glorified for euer euer ô my God how gratiously hast thou comforted me how mildly hast thou refreshed my drowsie and drooping Soule how sweete is thy consolation wherfore now I am quiet and setled in mind and will say truly thou art that mercifull Gate and Ladder to eternall Life Ioh. 14. Gen. 28. Thou art the Way Veretie and Life no man commeth vnto the Father but by thee thou art the Way and there is Saluation in no other Act. 4. for there is no other name giuen vnto man vnder heauen in the which wee shall be saued but in thy name Thou ar the Truth for he that abideth not in thy learning hath not God but he that abides in thy learning hath both the Father and the Sonne Thou art Life for hee that beleeueth in thee hath eternall Life but he that beleeueth not in thee shall not see Life but Gods wrath shall abide on him The Sinners prayer to relie on God O Iesus Christ Ioh. 1. who art that right and heauenlie doore without whom none can come to the Father graunt that by a true and constant faith I may euer depend and relie vpon thee by thee mount vp to heauen and there be possessor of that euerlasting inheritaÌ„ce of glorie prepared by thy Son my Lord and Sauiour in whose name I call vpon thee saying as hee himselfe hath taught mee Our Father which art in heauen c. Flesh. Seeing that now by Christ I am reconciled vnto the Father and iustified before him by Faith and in my hope alreadie blessed may I doe what I will vntill the day of death Spirit No by no meanes beloued Soule for if true Faith be in thy heart Rom. 8. and thou made a new creature by the holie spirit thou must think for other wise for the regenerate delighteth in a new life attentiuely watcheth that hee fal not into sinne and is grieued in his heart for his owne and other mens vngodlinesse Pro. 24.16 abhorreth and hateth sinne eagerly and if the faithfull man be miscarried and seduced by Sathan or fall by inborne and naturall infirmitie hee daylye repenteth and comforteth himselfe in Iesus Christ whose seede abideth in him therefore there is no condemnation to him Rom. 8.1 seeing by the hand of Faith hee alwayes apprehendeth Iesus Christ and therefore did I call new obedience the Third part of Repentance which declareth it selfe in a iust sober godlie life and conuersation both to God and man in thankefulnesse and loue so mayest thou daylie exercise thy selfe in forme following A most excellent Prayer for all times to be vsed I thanke thee my God heauenly father for creating me according to thy similitude and likenesse Gen. 1. and when I had fallen away by sinne and therby became the childe of wrath thou didst bestow and freely giue thy well-beloued sonne to bee my redeemer what shall I render vnto the Lord for all his benefits towards me Psa. 116.12 gouern me by thy holy spirit that I may take pleasure in thy Law for in vaine serueth man thee Matt. 15. by mens lawes and traditions grant that I doe no more liue after the flesh Rom. 8. but after the spirit so that I may fight that good fight alwayes keeping faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1. teach mee euer to bee of the minde that Iesus Christ my Lord was of who hath left me an example that I should walke in his foot-steps Phil. 1. 1 Pet. 2. Ephes. 6. Rom. 12. Ioh. 2. Gal. 5. strengthen my faith and hope that I may withstand Sathan and not fashion my selfe like to this wicked and euill world for her course tends to destruction giue mee thy grace that I may euer crucifie my sinnefull flesh mortifie and daunt the sinnefull lusts and concupiscences thereof that I may daily die to sinne and exercise my selfe in all goodnesse and vertue 1 Cor. 9. helpe me my Lord euer to feare thee from my heart to loue thee with all my power Deut. 6. and with all my strength that all my ioy and pleasure may be in thee Psal. 18. grant that I thy creature may aright know thee my creatour and bee found faithfull manfull couragious in seeking thy glory 1 King 19. and in all humility euer call on thee I may desire thy word more then gold yea more then fine gold and bee obedient to thy commandements Ps. 19.8.10 for in keeping of them is great reward Ezek. 19. ô Lord Iesus Christ enflame my heart with thy loue Psal. 73.25 that I may esteeme thee aboue the greatest treasure and that I may consider what it is to loue this wretched world bow my heart to thee my redeemer that I may repute this earth and the glory thereof to bee as it is indeede nothing and that I may long and groane for that eternall Kingdome to come ô Lord keepe me from immoderate sollicitude and care for worldly sustenance and cause mee neuer giue trust to this temporary life Grant vnto mee ô my redeemer stedfast patience vnder the crosse of all afflictions constant magnanimity fortitude and faith in all tentations and that in the crosses of this life I despaire not grant gracious father that I may humble my selfe in greatest prosperity encline my heart to godlinesse and make my will conformable to thy
thy word doe I hope My Soule wayteth for thee O Lord more than they which watch for the morning if it be thy pleasure O Redeemer and profitable and necessarie for my selfe that I should liue be preserued from death and destruction because that I may liue hereafter a godly holie and Christian life to my last end but if it shall not be thy will to prolong my dayes but that I must depart out of this world theÌ„ come Lord Iesus Christ my Redeemer receiue my soule into thy hands and giue me place and possession in Paradise in Abrahams bosome with the blessed Angells and all Saints Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I should vse the ordinarie meanes of Physicke in time of sicknesse Spirit Fourthly thou mayest conueniently vse ordinarie meanes and physicke then giue place to the physitian for the Lord hath created him Let him not goe from thee for thou hast need of him but beware that thou haue not recourse vnto the Physitian before thou come vnto the Lord for so did King Asa â— Chr. 16.12 when hee was diseased in his Feet therefore the Lord gaue no blessing vnto his Physicke and so he dyed But especially take heed that you vse no forbidden means and aske not counsell of Witches or those which doe helpe by the meanes of the Deuill through the abuse of Gods holie name 2 Kin. 1.6 for so did King Ahaziah consult with the Idoll of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recouer of his disease Is it because there is not a God of Israell that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron therefore thou shalt not come off from that bedd on which thou art gone vp but shalt surely dye Be circumspect also and seeke out the best practised and skilfullest Physitians for mans bodie is the pretious creature of God and should be honoured and no wayes neglected Another Prayer for the Sicke I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ true Physitian of my soule that thou hast cured my heart and clensed it from sinne by that heauenlie medicine from aboue I earnestly intreat thee who hast made all things that thou wouldest blesse these outward helpes and meanes which thou hast ordayned Mat. 8.2 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee whole and by these ayds restore mee to health but if thou wilt not those cannot helpe mee Loe here I am doe with mee according to thy will and pleasure so that euer respect bee had to thy glorie my weale and saluation Graunt these blessings vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy sonnes sake in whose name I pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. Flesh. Shew mee how I may obtayne the gift of Patience in the time of sicknesse Spirit Fiftly deare Soule see thou alwayes lay hold on patience and request the Lord that he would preseâ—ue thee from impatiencie O how pretious a thing is patience to trust alwaies in the Lords help for it is of the Lords mercie that wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 because his compassions fayle not they are new euerie morning great is his faithfulnesse for faith and patience cannot bee disseuered Heb. 6.12 Be not therfore slothfull but bee a follower of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiâ—e â—o if we rejoyce in the hope of the glorie of God weâ— must also glorie in tribulations knowing that tribulations worke patience and patience Experience Rom. 5.2.3 4.5 and experience Hope anâ— hope maketh not ashamed Behold and immitate thy Sauiour Iesus Christ Pet. 2.21.24 who hath left vs an example that we should follow hiâ— steps who his owne selfâ— bâ—re our sinnâ—s in his own bodie on the tree and euer committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously so must wee take all â—hings patiently for this is acceptable with God and in this must wee â—esemble euen our young ones who when their headakes come and make their mâ—anes to their mothers layes downe their heads in their mothers laps and crie for helpe euen so do thou my deere Soule make thou thy lamentation before the Lord cast thy burthen vpon him and hee shall sustaine thee Euening and Morning Ps. 55.22 vers 17. and Noone pray and crie aloud and let him heare thy voyce and exspect him with patience And aboue all things flie impatience for it destroyeth and corrupteth all Christian vertues it offendeth God our Lord it hindereth letteth praier and maketh vs the longer that it holds the more vehement we are so as Patience is a pretious and powerfull hearbe so Impatiencie is venimous and poyson to the heart The Sicke persons prayer for patience Take from mee Lord Iesus that noysome offence of impatiencie keep mee that it neuer haue dominion ouer mee least I make the crosse thereby heauier but plant Christian patience in my heart that I may continually attend thy blessed time and leisure for thy time is the right and thy season the true season Indeed truely make mee continually be stedfast in Hope and put my whole confidence in thâ—e 1. Cor. 10 1â— for thou art true and wilt suffer none to be tempted aboue his strength And this I intreate thee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. Shew mee some comforts if sicknâ—sse continue long with mee that so I may not despaire in Gods mercie Spirit Sixtly deare Soule if thy sicknesse abide longer time than thy expectation was thinke not that the lord hath forgot thee but vnderstand that in the greatest crosses thou art dearest vnto him Ps. 55.19 but the wicked because they haue no changes therefore they feare not God But as for thee no more than a mother can forget her child can hee forget thee Esa. 49.15.16 for behold he hath graueÌ„ thee vpon the palmes of his hands yea the sicker the child is the greater is the mothers loue and the more diligently watchfully doth she attend and so doth the Lord with thee speakes he not consolation in thy heart and saith Art thou not my deare Sonne and beloued child Ier. 31.20 I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore with louing kindnesse haue I drawne thee thy Soule shall be as a watered Garden 12. and thou shalt not sorrow any more at all I will satiate thy Soule with fatnesse 14. and thou shalt bee satisfied with goodnes saith the Lord and therefore the Lord is mercifull and gratious slow to anger and plenteous in mercie Ps. 103.8 9 10.11.13 he will not alwayes chide neyther will hee keepe his anger for euer Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities for as the heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord hath pittie of them that feare him Loe deare Soule thy Father nor mother haue such pittie towards thee as thy Sauior and therefore thou oughtest to
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
Lord Iesus Christ an Almighty promiser and powerfull performer vnto thee for saith he all the father giueth me Ioh. 6.37.38.39.40 shall come to mee and him that commeth vnto mee I will in no wise cast out for I came downe from heauen not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me and this is the fathers will which hath sent mee that of all which he hath giuen mee I should lose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day and this is the will of him that sent mee that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeuâ—th on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Heare then deare Soule what comfortable speeches these are out of the mouth of Verity it selfe Wouldest thou haue more to glad thine heart and stirre thy courage Heare the Lord him selfe witnessing who cannot lie thy faith sâ—all not decay thou shalt not bee lost but abide constant to the lad end And againe I haue prayed for thee Luk 22.13 that thy faith faile not for my sheepe heare my voyce and I know them saith hee and they follow mee Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand my father which gaue them me is greater thaÌ„ all no man is able to pluck theÌ„ out of my father hand I and my father am one And againe Mary hathchosen the good part Luk. 10.42 which shall not bee taken away from her A Meditation of the soule of faith in Christs promises How could the Lord giue vnto thee greater security thou hast his promise that he by the power of his holy Spirit shall giue his word for thee thy faith shal not decay and will not his father heare him when he prayed for Peter and for thee that thou shouuldest not be pluckt out of his or his Fathers hand and that the good part in thine heart should not bee reft from thee Now therefore art thou sure both of eternall life and of thy constancy and perseuerance thereunto and that thou through his mercie mayest stedfastly abide vnto the end hee will not leaue thee and thou shalt not leaue him yea thou shalt apprehend him oâ—â—hom thou art apprehended Therefore bee of courage and comfort thy selfe and say with Paul I know whom I haue beleeued 2 Tim. 1.12 and am perswaded that hâ—e is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day And in another place I am perswaded that neiâ—ther death nor life nor Angels nor principaliâ—ies nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall bee able to separate vs from the loue oâ— God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. The sicke mans Prayer and comfort in Christ. O Lord Iesus Christ Thou alone art my eternall Portion and Part which I haue chosen and am certaine that euen when mine heart shall breake it shall not bee taken from mee ô Thou Almighty Redemer who can doubt of thee ô Thou powerfull Sheepheard who shall pluck me out of thy hands ô Thou louing Sauiour 1 Ioh. 4.8 who art loue it selfe who will separate me from thy loue Thou hast kindled and raised in mine heart already a taste of the sweetnesse of the euerlasting habitations and thou hast made me haue experieÌ„ce therof by many and ioyfull deliuerances Yea Lord I perceiue the witnesse of thy holy Spirit in mine heart which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am the childe of God and so fellow-heire with thee thou art the vine and I am a branch in thee thou art the tree of life and I am engrafted in thee thou art the Bride-groome and I the Bride wedded vnto Thee made one with thee and ioyned with thee by an euerlasting indissoluable couenant that neither the Diuell or distresse shall weaken crosse or infirmity loose and breake for euer For I am betrothed vnto Thee in righteousnesse Hos. 2.19.20 in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies yea I am betrothed vnto Thee in faithfulnesse and I doe know thee my Lord. O how burneth my heart to thee Psal. 42 2. O when shall I come and appeare before thee my God in heauen there to liue with thee for euer Amen Flesh. What shall the Christian doe when hee shall not finde such assurance of faith but great imbecillity coldnesse and drowzinesse oftentimes doubting whether he be one of the Elect or not Spirit Hee should not suffer such doubtings and weaknesses to lodge in his hart but remember that the Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence Matth. 11.12 and is gotten by force and the violent take it by force yea thou shouldst bee mindefull of the Apostles admonition 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee saith he in remembrance that thou stirre vp the gift of God which is in thee and he will comfort thee with these words A bruized reede wil he not breake Esay 42.3 and the smoaking flax shall he not quench and hee shall reuiue thy soule by that comfortable promise be not afraid onely beleeue Matt. 9 29. thy faith shall make thee safe for according to thy faith it shall bee vnto thee And therefore be of good cheere Matt. 9.2 thy sinnes be forgiuen thee For daily experience doth teach that the more one resorts to the word of God and pondereth vpon the comfortable sentences of the Scripture in his minde he obtaineth the greater comfort in his heart but especially when he meditates vpon this heauenly summons and citation of the Lord Mat. 11.28 Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest A Meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world O perceiue deere soule how mercifully and louingly the Lord cals vpon thee how he gathereth thee euen as a hen gathers her chickens vnder her wings Matth. 23.37 or as a good sheepheard goeth after that which is lost Luk. 15.4.5.6 vntill hee finde it and when hee hath found it hee layeth it on his shoulders reioycing and when hee commeth home hee calleth together his friends and his neighbours saying vnto them rejoyce with mee for I haue found the sheepe which was lost Consider therefore that thou art euen one of these who are wearied and burthened to whom the Lords Proclamation belongeth and therefore wheere hee saith Seeke my face continually answer thou in thy heart and say I will seeke thy face continually Thus the Lord will looke vnto him that is poore Esay 66..2 and of a contrite Spirit trembleth at this word Knowest thou not deare Soule that the Lord receiues him that is weake in faith For a weake faith is a true faith when as it wrastleth striues and leaues not off but sticketh vnto the word wherein in the promise is contayned And therefore is it well sayd by Luther In
Grant ô God that my soule may liue and raigne with thee eternally Amen Flesh. Thou sayest well yet I see when men are in the agony of death their eyes turne in their heads they become blackish and they sweat for paine Spirit That is not onely to be spied in the children of this world who depart with out repentance but euen in the verie faithfull and Saints of God for so the sinnefull and deadly body must feele the sting of death and vndergoe the the punishment and waâ—ges of sinne and although wee see in the children of God such anguish and smart it is nought for so they easily ouercome all the miseries and bitternesse thereof for the comfort of Iesus Christ is so great that he is insteede of all things vnto them and that name Iesus so sweet that it consumeth all the acrimonie and bitternesse in death and causeth the faithfull in the verie period of death to taste euerlasting ioy and saluation A prayer to Christ to keepe vs from a troublesome death Lord Iesus Christ thou who tasted st the bitter vinegar of death vpon the Crosse due vnto my sin and hast greatly complained and bemoaned thy selfe and in the daies of thy flesh didst offer vp prayers and supplications Heb. 5.7 with strong crying and teares vnto him that was able to saue thee from death and wast heard in that thou fearedst I beseech thee keepe me from a troublesome and paine full death Fill my heart with liuely faith and a rich hope that I be not greatly affraid of death nor terrified for the sting thereof O Iesus let thy deare and sweet name neuer depart from my heart and memorie vnto my last breth that I giue vp the Ghost and commit my soule vnto thee to rest for euermore Amen Flesh. Is there no kinde of phisicke then a man may vse that hee should not taste the sharpe sting of death Spirit Yes verely Ioh. 8.51 for so the Lord thy redeemer hath said Verily verily I say vnto thee if a man keepe my saying hee shall neuer see death Thou must then learne rightly to applie this phisicke which is Iesus Christs word not the word of Moses which is Gods law nor mans word diuels or witches but the mercifull preaching of the Gospell in the which hee promiseth vnto all belieuers remission of sins righteousnesse which is accepted before God the holie spirits consolation and life eternall And this is the word which the Lord giueth to the hearts of the Saints the which vpholdeth them and whereon they relye both in life and death and finde Christ and consolation therein with the which they are so detained and comprehended that they taste not the bitternes of death because of that sweetnes that is in his promise and comfort that is in his word For Christ is in his word and the word carrieth Christ and his power he who wil haue the Lord must haue his word and hee who hath the Lord himselfe the sweetnesse of his grace and comfort shall neuer see death thâ—t is shall neuer be agashed or tast the smart of death and so the Lord himselfe expoundeth it Verily Mat. 6.28 verily I say vnto you there be some staÌ„ding here which shal not taste of death till they see the Son of man comming in his kingdome And again Luk. 9.27 But I tell you of a truth there be some standing here which shal not tast of death vntill they see the kiâ—gdome of God that is they build vpon his true word taste Christ and his comfort in the word yea they winde themselues in the word as a dead corpes is wrapped in his winding sheete and so it commeth to passe they feele Christ and his mercie in his word and thereby taste in their hearts euerlasting life O thou pretious pleasant and excellent doctrine which art certaine and cannot deceiue What would you haue more O deare Soule and for what stayest thou Rom. 3.4 Receaue that heauenly doctrine in thy heart vse it well keepe it daily yea euerie moment Behold how bosting and bragging the world is hauing found phisicke for an ague tooth-ach or for the eyes how costly and prâ—tiously doe they esteeme it How much more should wee glorie in this our redeemer Heauenly and diuine phisicke which hath taken away death the father ouer all sicknesses Thou needest not inquire of the trial proofe hereof behold the examples of the faithfull which haue vsed this phisicke and by the benefit thereof haue felt no griefe in their vnspeakeable paines as Saint Stephen Act. 7.56.59 Who being full of the holy Ghost and faith in Iesus Christ looked vp steadfastly into heauen and saw the glorie of God and Iesus standing on the right hand of God they stoned him calling vpon God and saying Lord Iesus receaue my spirit And Paul hauing this preseruing phisicke durst daily bragge against death I desire to depart and to bee with Christ. So did Ignatius and so Policarpus and S t. Laurance with S t. Vincentius and infinite numbers of others A prayer of the Christians stedfast hope of Heauen O Lord Iesus Christ thou hast the words of eternall life Ioh. 6.68 how doth my soule thirst and long after thy consolation yea my redeemer He that meditates on thy word diligentlie he hath that true heauenlie phisicke which shall neuer faile in time of death but fetteth it selfe against the gates of Hell O Lord Iesus feede my hungrie heart with thy word and ouer-sprinkle mee altogether and at all times with thy comfort for thy worde and thy truth abideth for euer therefore shall I by the meanes of faith in thy word be preserued for eeuer for hee that belieueth thy word belieueth in thee and hee that keepeth thy word hath thee and hee who hath thee hath eternall life and hee who hath life neither can nor shall taste of eternall death for thou art the resurrection and the life Ioh. 11.25 he thâ—t belieueth in thee though he were dead yet shall he liue and whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in thee shall neuer die Beleeuest thou this my soule yea Lord Iesus thou knowest all things thou knowest I beleeue in thee and haue thee in mine heart and that I do comfort me in thy word rest and repose my selfe therupon therefore am I certaine that I am one of those which shall neuer see death taste his bitternesse or feele his sting Grant me this Lord Iesus Christ for thy true holy words sake For vnto thee doe I commit both soule and body helpe mee therefore euen for Iesus Christ his sake to whom bee giuen all glory and honour now and euer Amen CHAP. VIII CompreheÌ„ding remarkable sentences of Scripture with some earnest praiers to be powred out for them that are in present perill of death as also how they should behaue themselues that are present with the sicke person Flesh. I Pray thee rehearse some sentences of Gods holy Word wherewith I may comfort my
giue vp the dead which were in it death and hell deliuer vp the dead which were in them and the soule in a moment shall returne to the dead body thereof 1 Thes. 4.17 and come liuing before the Lord. Then wee which are aliue and remaine shall be caught vp together with them in the clouds to meete the Lord in the ayre where he shall separate them one from another Math. 25.32.33.34.41 as a sheepheard diuideth the sheepe from the Goates and hee shall set the sheepe on his right hand the Goates on the left theÌ„ shall he say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherite the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world then shall hee say vnto them on his left hand Depart from me yee cursed into euer lasting fire prepared for the Diuell and his Angels and these shall go away into euerlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternall A Meditation of the Soule on the resurrection Now deare Soule thou mayest meditate not only heereupon which is the vndoubted truth of God but for thy farther certification thou mayest ponder on these following poynts Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead bodie shall they arise awake and 〈◊〉 ye that dwel in the dust Mat. 22.31 As touching the resurrection of the dead haue yee not read that which was spoken vnto yee by God saying I am the God of Abraham the God of Isaak and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake Dan. 12.2 some to euerlasting life and some to shame and euerlasting contempt I know that my Redeemer liueth Iob 19.25 and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God 26. whom I shall see and mine eyes shall behold and not another for me Verily verily Ioh. 5.25 I say vnto you the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of God and they that heare shall liue c. Now mayest thou diligently marke deare soule how easie it is vnto the Lord to raise the dead Ioh. 17. for it will done by a word as wee may see when hee raised the widdowes son of Naim which was dead he onely said Young man Luk. 7.14.15 I say vnto thee arise and he that was dead sate vp and began to speake So raised he the Ruler of the Synagogueâ— daughter in Capernaum saying Talithacumi which is being interpreted Mar. 5.41 Damosell I say vnto thee arise and after this same manner also did he to Lazarus in Bethania who had now laâ—en foure dayes in the graue for hee cried with a lowd voyce Lazarus come forth and hee that was dead came foorth bound hand and feet with graue-cloths See now beloued Soule although to the eyes of man it appeared to bee impossible yet with the Lord our God nothing is impossible Luk 1.37 For as a mother knoweth well in what chamber or bed shee hath laid her childe to sleepe and thither commeth in the morning awakes and taketh it vp euen so the Lord our God knoweth where our bodies do sleep which were his own temples and habitations vnto whom it shall bee farre more easie to make vs aliue then to a mother to waken her sleeping child Besides this wee haue our Lord Iesus Christ the head of his Church not onely that hee should bee an example vnto vs but also that hee should goe before vs as the beginning of our resurrection for hee died for our sins lay in the graue the third day rose againe for our iustification 1 Cor. 15.16 Rom 4.25 Ioh. 4.19 and therefore with lowd voyce sayeth vnto vs all because I liue yee shall liue also Flesh. Shall then eternall life be such as cannot bee comprehended by man nor vnderstood in this world Spirit Yes truely thou sayest well Of the ioyes of heauen for so it is that the eye hath not seene nor the eare heard nor entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him Eternall God what peace what ioy what glory what pleasant being shall they haue who would not daily meditate heereupon but who would not wilâ—lingly enioy the same who would not willingly speake and commune heereof but rather who would not feeâ—e and possesse the same oh if there were any that could teach vs the glory hereof wherof our narrow heart and shallow soule is not capable of how would we be glad to heare and ioyfully long for it Certainely deare Soule if neither Esaias that excellent Prophet nor the Apostle Paul Esay 64.4 who was rauished into the third heauens and saw things vnutterable could not declare the meanest iot of it but heâ—â— him dumb then may the glory peace and ioy be there exceeding great yet notwithstanding the holy Scripture portryeth in some places by notable sentences and speeches the supereminent goodnesse thereof so farre as our tenuity can comprise 1 Ioh. 3.2 Beloued now are we the sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what we shall be but wee know that when he shall appeare we shall bee like him for wee shall see him as he is Then shall the righteous shine foorth Iob 19. Mat. 13.43 as the Sunne in the kingdom of their father Dan. 12.3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starres for euer and euer And GOD shall bee all in all 1 Cor. 15.28 And we shal euer be with the Lord. 1. Thes. 4.17 Who shal change our vile bodie Phil. 3.21 that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie For in the resurrection they neyther marrie nor are giuen in marriage Mat. 22.30 but are as the Angells of God in Heauen And I Iohn saw the holie Citie Rev. 21.2.3 4 5. new Hierusalem come downe from God out of Heauen prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband and I heard a great voyce out of heauen saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shall be his people and God himselfe shall bee with them and bee their God and God shall wipe away al teres from their eyes and there shall bee no more death neither sorrow nor crying neither shall there be any more payne for the former things are passed away And he that sate vpon the Throne sayde Behold I make all things new c. Reu. 21.22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almightie and the Lambe are the Temple of it 23. And the Citie hath no need of the Sunne nor of the Moone to shine in it for
the Glorie of God did enlighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof 24. And the Nations of them which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glorie and honour to it And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day â—5 for there shall be no night there And they need no candle neyther the light of the Sun Reu. 22.5 for the Lord giueth them light and they shall shine for euer and euer These words beloued Soule are short but replenished with vnspeakable comfort and although the Scripture had beene more large herein yet our weake and infirme hearts are such and our vnderstanding so small that wee could not comprehend it and therefore the holie Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little windowe through the which wee may see a little glance to the end wee may know what wee should beleeue and hope for and what to comfort and reioyce vs withall But when we shall come thither and possesse such ioy and such gladnesse then shall wee say one to another as old Elizabeth sayde vnto the Virgin Marie Luk. 1.45 O blessed art thou that beleeuest for there is a performance of those thingâ— which were told thee of the Lord. O eternall Life O pleasant Life O perpetuall Ioy and Peace O euerlasting Hierusalem Citie of the holie God O how pretious how beautifull art thou vnto mee thy pulchritude surmounts there is no blemish in thee My heart longeth for thee yea for Hierusalem my Mother For Hierusalem my natiue Land and for thee Iesus Christ thou which art hid there my Life Lord and euerlasting Sheepheard O holie Life O blessed Life which the Lord hath prepared for them that loue him in the which shall be no death for man shall see God face to face for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life Oh the oftner I thinke vpon thee the sweeter thou appearest vnto mee O how well wilt thou be my Soule when thou shalt bee loosed from this earthly body and so passe in freedomevnto heauen how welcome shalt thou bee how kindly shalt thou be receyued thou shalt come to great rest and securitie thou needest not stand in feare of any foe or deaâ—h Thou shalt euermore beholde the face of thy God and Redeemer Ps. 45.2 the beaâ—tifullest among the childreÌ„ of men hearest thou not him my Soule calling on thee Song 2.20 Rise vp my loue my fayre one and come away for loe the Winter is past the rayne is ouer and gone Arise my Loue my fayre one and come away Come vnto mee my Elect I haue pleasure in thy beautie come and reioyce before my face with the Angells whose societie I haue promised thee Come out of all thy distresses and feares and enter into thy Fathers rest O reioyce my Soule and be glad thou beautifull daughter for the King hath pleasure in thee O thou sweet Life shew me thy Ports and thy gates â—hy walls and thy manifolde Mansions Reu. 21. â—8 19 Thy Walls are of pretious stones and thy gates are costly Pearle and the â—treet of the Citie is pure â—old as it were transpaâ—ent glasse in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah thy light is God the God of light the Son of Righteousnessâ— neuer goâ—th downe in thee There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselues Ioh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmonie which shal be heard there O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise Father I will that these that thou hast giuen mee should be with me where I am that they may behold the glorie which thou hast giuen mee for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world A Prayer for the ioyes of Heauen O thou Fountayne of Life O springing Well of all comfort when shall I drinke aboundantly of that Water of Life which is thy consolation when shall I appeare before thy ioyefull countenaunce when O LORD shall I see that day of saluation Ps. 118.24 wherin I may reioyce and be glad O how light cleare and ioyfull shall that day be wherein there shall be no euening Math. 25. Enter my soule into thy fathers rest where I shall haue that holy Triâ—nitie one euerlasting God in three persons Come my light and Redeemer and deliuer my soule from from this miserable prison O euerlasting peace Phil. 1.4 which passeth all vnderstanding wherein the holy ones soule doth repose it selfe there is that eternall life which is to know God our Lord and to see God face to face happie are they for euer which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life and are come to that heauenly eternall and ioyfull life to liue with Christ for euer Amen Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and vngodly Spirit They shall enter both soule and bodie into euerlasting paine Of the paines of Hell for as the ioy of the godly cannot be expressed so neither can the paines of the wicked and condemned bee shewed for there is such poenarum multiplicitas acerbitas â—eternitas that is first the paine of the condemned shall bee so great and manifold that none can declare it for they shall be cast into vtter darknesse Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth They shall be tormented in the flame Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall raine vpon them snares fire and brimstone and a horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup their wormes shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Esay 66.24 and they shall bee an abhorring vnto all the people A Meditation of the soule on the paines of hell Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giueth vs to vnderstand that vnspeakeable and vnconceiueable miserie the wicked shall come to with that grieuous societie of the diuel who shall ioye in tormenting them which the religious should often meditate vpon Secondly there shall be Poenarum acerbitas for that their paine shall bee so bitter and hard that the condemned cannot endure and yet they must needes suffer it eternally for they shal seeke death Revel 9.6 and shall not finde it and shal desire to dye and death shall slie from them for there shall be neither life nor death but betwixt life and death shall they bee tormented for euermore Euen as a red hot coldron vpon a flaming furnace so shal they be in fire vnspeakeably tormented and abide in such case for all eternitie Thirdly Poenarum aeternitas for their manifolde and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end for so it is said they shall goe to euerlasting paine Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance and so haue an end would bee some comfort in their expectation but eternitie is endlesse Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the streames shall bee turned into pitch which