lost by Adams fall and though the Oxe knowes his owner and the Asse his Masters crib yet those naturall men that have most meanes of knowledge living in the visible Church are ignorant of God Isai 1.3 Ier. 4.21 As for Pagans they are more remote from saving knowledge and are said to be darknesse Ephes 5.8 full of darknesse Rom. 1.21 and to be without the Knowledge of God 1 Thes 4.5 Secondly we are receivers of saving knowledge being destitute of it in our selves It is given us from him who both gives every good giving and every perfect gift Iames 1.17 It is the Lord opens our eyes Acts 26.18 and gives us the spirit of Revelation Ephes 1.17 It is God shines into our hearts to give us the light of saving knowledge 2 Cor. 4.6 3. How we attaine saving knowledge 1. We attaine it freely without merit Gods Will is the cause wee know him and partake of mercy Ier. 31 33 34. 2. We obtaine saving knowledge by vertue of the new Covenant God hath promised this blessing to his people Heb. 8.11 3. Wee obtaine it by the Word published and preached Ier. 3.15 We are fed with knowledge not starved with ignorance 4. By our union with Christ in him are all the Treasures of knowledge and wee are enricht by our union and conformable to our Head in knowledge Col. 2.3 5. By the cohabitation of the spirit hee brings saving light with him 1. Iohn 2.20 As the Spirit is an unction for our honour and life and quickning so he is a Teacher to give light and direction Question How is saving knowledge preserved Answ 1. By the meanes that doe beget it the Word begets knowledge so the Word preserves it How it s preserved 2. It is preserved by exercise exercising our understanding to know studying heavenly things keepes knowledge from decay and addes to it 3. By committing our knowledge and our soules and all to keep to him is able to preserve us where we make a surrender there God is a Preserver 4. We tye things that we feare to lose tye the knowledge to the Rule and let the Knowledge and the Word be united as the Cause and the Effect 5. Fasten something to knowledge that it may abide fasten to it Humility Love and Practice then it will remaine 6. Conferre with others communicate what you know partake of others knowledge mutuall exchange makes a combination so we are more firme 7. Esteeme of knowledge as of your greatest treasure then your care will be to keepe your Jewell lock it up in a good conscience and it will bee safe and sure 8. Delight in knowledge and take pleasure in understanding then no price can buy it and wee shall still be conversant with it and never let it depart from us Question What is God This is one of the deepest questions in Religion It is reported of the heathen he required three dayes to answer then three dayes more still three more for the more he studied he found his weaknesse to answer Answer We soone may erre in our definition of God our errors herein are most dangerous if they be defended damnable Yet it is necessary to give an answer as wee are able 1. Because some will question Where is your God Psal 42.10 2. To stay our owne thoughts which are restlesse till we can conclude something concerning God our satisfaction is the more to know a glimpse of God and to perceive him wee may have this knowledge encreased a little here and much hereafter 3. In respect of the worship of God We must worship that we know John 4.22 t is reproved to worship an unknowne God Act 17 23. 1. To speake what God is the safer way is to declare negatively what he is not He is not Mortall Corporall Corruptible thus we ascribe to him all excellency 2. To know what God is let us search the Scripture for his word can best testifie of him Psalme 138.2 Iohn 5.39 3. We must conclude all we can know of God is but in part here in this life We heare of him but a little portion Job 26.14 Wee know in part and see but darkly as through a perspective glasse 1. Cor. 13.12 4. The end of our study to know God should bee for to glorifie him by our acknowledgement of him to bee the onely and absolute Lord admiration of his excellency praising of him in our speeches actions sufferings of which we shall consider in the next place It will the better be answered if we consider 1. What he is not 2. What he is First God is not 1. Created 2. Visible 3. Comprehended 1. God is not created but the Creator Gen. 1.1 1. What God is not 1. not created All we can conceive of or number is comprehended under two heads the Creator and the Creatures God is the Creator all besides himselfe are Creatures both the Angels the heavens the earth and all things in them whatsoever 2. God is not visible our bodies cannot see a spirit 2. Not visible God is a most pure and spirituall Essence therefore cannot be seene 3. God is not comprehended our capacity is too shallow to conceive of him he is invisible to our bodies 3. Not comprehended and incomprehensible to our soules Quest What meane you by Incomprehensible Answ The word Incomprehensible signifies that wich cannot be found out or numbred Tremelius and Junius use a word in Psalme 145.3 Pervestigationem esse which is a finding out To shew the meaning of Gods incomprehensiblenesse he saith Magnitudini ejus non esse pervestigationem his greatnesse is incomprehensible that is cannot be found out Wilson expounding Incomprehensible saith 't is that the World cannot containe nor mans wit conceive 2. What God is Secondly what God is 1. He is the Creator of all things 2. Invisible to the eye 3. Incomprehensible to the minde 1. He is a Creator First he is a Creator of all things therefore is to be separated from the creatures in our distinctions and is above the creatures in priority of dignity and time To create is to worke without instruments or materials What it is to create Applications 1. To conceive of God as a Creator above all created Natures whatsoever Rom. 11.36 Of him through him and for him are all things Of him as the first Cause by him as the Preserver for him as their End wherfore they were made Of him without any mover by him without a helper for him and none other cause 2. Not to contend withâ—â—â— our Creator about his Decrees or proceedings this is to bring a woe upon our selves Rom. 9.20 to strive with our Maker Isai 45.9 3. To praise and glorifie him for this because he created all things Revel 4 11. Thou art worthy to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things Secondly God is invisible to the eye Iohn 1.18 No man hath seene God at any time 2. He
height of glory I looke for a Heaven above First let mee be heavenly ey'd to read secondly heavenly minded to contemplate thirdly heavenly changed to beleeve to convert to be renewed Sect. 2 Secondly Of the clearenesse of the Heavens IT is the elementary Heavens I now thinke upon they are for clearenesse and purity compared to molten glasse Iob 37.18 And the blewnesse of them to our view is because of the farre distance betweene the eye and the object Reflexions 1. If Heaven be so pure that we see Deut. 26.15 how pure are the invisible Heavens that is a pure place called Gods holy habitation 2. Gods dwelling is pure He will not abide in a sinfull soule nor with a profane heart I must be purged clensed and humbled if I will have God with me Isai 57.15 3. If Heaven be so pure then God himselfe is a pure and holy God 1. John 3.3 4. A pure conscience a cleane heart a sanctified soule is a kind of Heaven on earth When I looke towards Heaven and consider the purenesse of the Element let me desire to be pure it is heavenly and excelent A legall purity I can never obtaine here an Evangelicall purity I must endeavour after to be cleansed from my guiltinesse by Christs blood and from my filthinesse by his Spirit Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the height of the Heavens HEaven is the Throne of God Matth. 5.34 and Thrones are on high Solomon had staires to ascend to his Throne because he sate as Judge above the people 1. King 10.18 19. So Gods Throne is on high The Heaven is high above the earth Psal 103.11 as the large circumference to the little Center the distance is very great men may ghesse at it but not certainely conclude how farre it is Reflexions 1. Feare 1. What cause have I to feare the Lord for as farre as Heaven is above the earth so large is his mercy to them that feare him Psal 103.11 This should enlarge my endeavour after the feare of the Lord. 2. Circumspection 2. God sees all our actions here below for hee dwelleth in the high Heavens and from thence beholds us Psal 33.14 3. Heavenly mindednesse 3. Though the visible Heavens be high yet our humane flesh is carried higher Heb. 4.14 9.24 Christ is ascended farre above all Heavens Ephes 4.10 There I hope to come there I desire my heart may be often Colos 3.1 Sect. 4 Fourthly Of the largenesse of the Heavens THE Heavens for their largenesse are said to bee spred out Iob 37.18 Psal 104.2 Ier. 51.13 The largenesse may be demonstrated three wayes 1. By a visible apparision for wee can see on our Horizon but halfe of the Heavens In the Moneth of March when the Sunne riseth at 6. and sets at 6. wee then may make a tryall 2. By an Astronomicall relation or Geometricall collection the Earth is large yet it is but as the Center to the Heavens circumference 3. By a divine conclusion Heaven is the dwelling of the great God and the receptacle of the Saints Psal 2.4 Iohn 14.2 Therefore the visible Heavens bee large though not so large as the invisible Reflexions 1. God is a great God great Princes are knowne by their great Palaces so I know God is a great God by his dwelling place 2. I perceive a progresse from little to great from the little wombe of my Mother to this great world the habitation of mortals I trust I am going from this little Terrene Globe to the large Heavens the habitation of Angels 3. Though the Heavens are large yet they cannot containe God 1. Kings 8.27 God comprehends all and is incomprehensible himselfe 4. I may be straitned and put in prison on earth but when I leave earth I shall come to a large place above the large visible Heavens called for largenesse a Kingdome Luke 12.32 Sect. 5 Fifthly Of the firmnesse of the Heavens THey are called Firmament for stability Psal 19.1 Our bodies are generated and soone corrupted but the Heavens continue to this day Psal 119.90 91. Reflexions 1. These Heavens we see continue a long time but the Heaven I hope for continues without alteration to eternity A Kingdome it is that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 2. Gods Worke is excellent being out spread and firme If a Brazier or Gold-smith stretch out his metall it loses firmenesse and growes to weaknesse Gods workes are admirable 3. Heaven is firme but the Word is more firme Mat. 5.18 Those that looke so much on security doe teach me where to looke for it 2. Pet. 1.19 We have a sure word of the Prophets Psal 93. Sect. 6 Sixthly Of the motion of the Heavens THe earth is fixed and hath foundations Micha 6.2 and hangeth on nothing Iob 26.7 but the heavens have a yeerely monethly daily revolutions Astronomers hold an opinion of divers sphaeres the neerest is the sphaere of the Moone the next where Mercury is the 3. hath Venus the 4. the Sunne the 5. Mars the 6. Iupiter the 7. Saturne the 8. the other Starres the 9. Compasses the rest and turne about every day this is above common capacity but certainly the earth turnes not round as meat on a spit but is fixed and stands still and the heavens are in motion Reflexions 1. I now have found who can make the perpetuall motion men would doe it God hath done it I honour his worke I blame mans folly 2. It is heavenly to be in motion it is earthly to be dull and sluggish I desire to be ready to every good worke Tit. 3.1 and to run the way of Gods Commandements Psal 119.32 3. I shall be of swift motion at last 1. Cor. 15 44. at the resurrection Seventhly Of the heavens dissolution or redintegration AT the last they shall waxe old as doth a garment Psa 102.27 and at the last day shall passe away with a noise 2. Pet. 3.10 and be folded up as a booke or role Isa 34.4 Heâ— 1.12 and shall be disolved 2. Pet. 3.12 the Angels have forme not matter so are everlasting we have matter and forme generation and corruption the heavenly sphaeres have matter and forme of long duration but not for ever whether they shall be annihilated or redentigrated whether brought to nothing or refined and remaine with the earth as monuments of Gods eternall power and wisedome I am ignorant of it and leave it to them more wise to judge Reflexions 1. Oh with what detestation should I thinke of sin It is sin hath tainted this great fabricke and will bring a dissolution 2. There is something will stand me in stead and is of great consequence at that time when all my silver and gold is melted and the world burned that is holinesse which now I must prize at a high rate and pray and labour for it 2. Pet. 3.11 3. If heaven mâ—st be disolved that is so firme then my fraile weake body will soone come to a dissolution I am earth and must
more for a time than a fixed starre 4. A Meteor is after his advancement burned so is an Hypocrite his end is to be burned 5. A Meteor rises not under the Equinoctiall line nor in the hot south nor in the cold north nor doth an Hypocrite grow where is the feeling of Gods presence nor where is the heat of true zeale and fervent devotion nor yet in the cold among Pagens Heathens and Infidels 6. There be divers formes of Meteors some round some streaming like Piramides so some Hypocrites goe round like the Mill-horse still the same and are as the spider still in their cicular motion some are streaming like Iehu and Demas so long as the clammy matter of worldly hopes last and then goe out some are great below and narrow above large toward the world and little toward heaven like to Piramides 7. Some Meteors are thinne and are soone fired and consumed some more full of matter and endure longer some are fearefull to behold so some Hypocrites are soone discovered some are longer in their professions others are terrible in their deaths So much of Meteors Of the Winds 1. Of the generation of the windes 2. Of the diversity of Windes 3. Of the usefulnesse of them 4. Of the strength of the winde 5. Resolves concerning the winde Sect. 1 First of the generation of the Windes SOme Naturalists have ghessed at three causes First that the Sunne drawes up thinne vapours and exhalations they falling downe by violence turne to winds Secondly some thinke the aire being pend up in vaults and caves of the earth having a vent doe breake out and so spread in windes blowing on the earth Thirdly some hold certaine vapours meeting together from betweene the mountaines comming from the crannies of the earth are the windes some to all this thinke there is a soft moving of the aire yet it is not winde but a coole vapour But he that made them tels us a better doctrine Ioh. 3. thou knowest not from whence it commeth we must deny our curiosity and submit to the verity No man knowes from whence the windes doe come this is a lawfull ignorance Sect. 2 Secondly of the diversity of windes THe East winde is hot and dry of the fiery nature The West winde cold and moyst of the watery nature The South winde hot and moyst The North winde cold and drye The windes betweene these are qualified of the severall tempers whereof they doe participate Sect. 3 Thirdly of the usefulnes of the Winds 1. They carry the Clouds and bring us Raine 2. They cleare the Ayre for our health of body 3. They cause our ships to fetch Commodities 4. They make our Mils to grinde our Corne. 5. They coole the Ayre in the Summers heate 6. Without the Winds nothing would grow or prosper Reuel 7.1.3 Sect. 4 Fourthly of the strength of the Wind. 1. The Winds do raise the mighty waves of the Sea Ionah 1.4 Psal 107.25.26 2. The winds have blowne downe houses Iob 1.19 3. The Winds rend the Mountaines and breakes the Rockes 1. Kings 19.11 And experience proves the winds have carried away rickes of Corne and Hay rooted up and torne great trees The fierce winds mooves the great ships Iames 3.4 Sect. 5 Fifthly resolves concerning the Wind. Quest 1 Which is the most notable and famous Wind Answ The East-wind of which the Scripture speakes how it hath beene Gods instrument divers times for famous uses 1. An East-wind divided or dried the Red-sea Exod. 14. ver 21. 2. An East-wind brought the Grashoppers on Egypt Exodus 10.13 3. An East-wind perplexed Ionah Ionah 4.8 4. An East-wind brake the ships Psalm 48.7 The East-wind is vrentem ventum a searing Wind and is sayd to blast Gen. 41.6 to scatter Iere. 18.17 The East-wind is hurtfull to the fruites trees and leaves Mr. Calvin on Isaiah the 27.8 Quest 2 How is the Spirit of God and the Wind alike Answ 1. The Wind is powerfull and strong so is the spirit of God 2. The Wind sweetly cooles and refreshes our bodies in the heate of Summer so the spirit doth sweetly refresh and comfort our soules in the heat of tentations afflictions 3. When men fast then there encreases wind in their stomackes and when men fast the spirit of God encreases in their soules 4. Without the wind nothing can grow and prosper so without the spirit nothing can prosper concerning our salvation 5. The wind is on the Sea and Land with a kinde of vbiquitie so the spirit is every where being truely omnipresent 6. The wind is invisible and cannot be seene so is the spirit of God invisible 7. By the effects we conclude the wind hath blowne and wee do feele it sencibly to blow So by effects wee know the spirit of God hath been working and we feele his holy motions and consolations 8. We cannot command the Wind to come nor hold it alwayes with us at our pleasure nor can we obtayne the motions of the Spirit when we wil nor retaine them at our pleasure The disparity betweene the Winde and the Spirit 1. The Wind is a creature the Spirit is a Creator 2. The wind is an unreasonable creature the Spirit is the Doner of reason to the creature 3. The wind is alwayes limitted in his proper sphaere the Spirit is unlimitted and fils Heaven and earth 4. The wind blowes equally on all both good and bad but the spirit of God blowes on the Elect and makes a difference 5. The winds blow and often doe harme where the spirit comes he alwayes doth good 6. Sathan hath beene permitted to raise the wind Iob. 1. but was never permitted to give the good spirit 7. VVind in the body makes men sicke But the spirit in the soule makes men well 8. The most favourable winds can bring but to a temporall haven the blasts of Gods spirit brings to a blessed Heaven 9. When the Windes blow strong it hinders men in their journey but when the Spirit moves strong we make the more speede and with the more comfort and lesse trouble Quest 3 Why did the Poets call Aeolus the King of the windes Answ Because the windes did arise about the Aelion Ilands whereof he was the King they saw the place where the windes arose but looked not up to him that raised them Quest 4 Why did the Jtalians make a God of the Winde and dedcate a Temple to it Answ Because when Sigismund had prepared a mighty Navy to invade Italy a strong North winde tare and sunke his ships and dispierced his army then the Jtalians made of the winde a God being ignorant that there is a Creator of the windes Amos the fourth the last verse The Wine is but a creature Quest 5 How differs the Whirle-winde from other windes In three particulars Answ 1. Other windes are single for kinde but the Whirlewinde is plurall two windes are involved together Secondly other windes spread abroad the Whirlewinde hath a circular-like motion it holds
together and runnes round Thirdly other windes doe continue longer in motion the Whirle-winde parts assunder and is sooner dissolved Quest 6 What thoughts are we to have when wee doe thinke on the winde or feele it Answ Such as these or the like 1. To think of Gods goodnes which now opens his treasures and sends forth the winds to us 2. I should have thoughts of obedience for the windes obey Christ 3. I must beleeve more than I see I cannot see God nor Angels nor my owne soule nor the Winde yet beleeve all this to be 4. I may thinke of my mortallity for my life is as the winde that passes away Psalme the one hundred and third 5. I should desire the Spirit of God which as the winde blowes where it listeth to blow on my soule that I may be truely regenerated and so flourishing in grace that I may bee as a garden Iohn 3. Cant. 4.16 Quest 7 How are wicked men like the winde Answ 1. In their rage and malice the blast of the mighty is as a storme Isaiah Chapt. the twenty fifth verse the fourth 2. In their mutability the windes are variable and inconstant so are wicked men in their words Psalme 5.9 in their deedes therefore compared to a broken tooth or sliding foote and wee are fore-warned not to put confidence in them Mich. 7. 3. The windes are in all parts wheresoever we goe and the wicked walke on every side and are in all places Psal 12.8 Quest 8 How are the wicked like a storme in their malice and persecutions Answ 1. A storme comes of windes and water two contrary elements so wicked men are sometimes differing among themselves yet joyne both against the godly Manasses against Ephraim Ephraim against Manasses both against Iudah Isaiah Chapter the ninth verse twenty one 2. A storme comes often times in secret when men are asleepe so wicked men come on the godly at unawares Psal 11.2 3. The storme comes to spoyle and undoe men so the wicked will spoyle and undoe the godly as saith the Prophet they will undoe a man and his heritage 4. The storme doth wet but not wound us so the persecutions of the wicked doe wet our cheekes with teares but hurt not our soules 5. The storme is not in all places nor lasts alwaies nor is the rage of the wicked on all persons nor all times Revel 2.10 Sathan shall put some of you in prison some not all and yee shall have tribulation tenne dayes not alwaies the time is limited Quest 9 Why are the godly resembled to a garden and the Spirit to the North and South winde Cant. 4.16 Answ 1. As in a pleasant garden that with sweete gales of winde hath prospered there men doe take pleasure to walke so Christ takes delight to be among his gracious people 2. In such a garden is variety of hearbs and flowers fruits and spices so in the people of God are variety of gifts and graces 3. Such gardens are fenced and walled so Gods people are protected and defended 4. Such gardens are weeded and watered so Gods people are purged and instructed 5. In such gardens is beautifull order so it is with Gods people in their severall places they performing severall duties medling each Christian with their owne businesse are in a beautifull order 6. As such a Garden seemes dead in winter yet there is life at the rootes so Gods people doe seeme dead in afflictions yet there is grace in their hearts 7. The garden is the most beloved plot of ground though the owner have much land so the people of God are beloved above others though all the earth be the Lords 8. A blinde man and one that cannot smell hath small felicity in such a garden so those Sathan hath blinded and those that have no spirituall savour doe finde small comfort or felicity in the company of the goâ—ly though they bee excellent in graces and the gales of the holy Spirit as the North and South winde hath blowne upon them Thus having gone thorow with some digressions and many imperfections the Heavens the Sunne the light before the Sunne the Moone the Stars the Aire the Clouds the Raine-bow the Raine the Earth the Water the Fire the Windes I here make an end of these Meditations and conclude the few leaves ensuing with Meditations of Man in whom is the Compendium of all the reste he hath matter and substance with the Heavens reason with the Angels light with the Sun a parcell out of the earth sence with beasts growth with trees I had almost forgot sin with Divels The Exordium ALl our thoughts can reach unto may be considered in two heades The Creatour and the creatures The Creatour is knowne to us in his Essence and his Attributes the creatures are two wayes considered invisible and visible the invisible two wayes either the habitation or the inhabitants the habitation expresse two wayes made though without hands and glorious the glory expresse two wayes in the perfection and perpetuity the perfection two wayes freedome from all evill the presence of all good The Inhabitants considered two fold the Angels and Saints the Angels considered two wayes in their Nature and office their Nature considered two wayes in the puritie and celeritie their purity is considered derivately and comparatively their office is two fold to praise GOD to doe service to the Elect their praises are these two wayes considered as t is sincere and perpetuall their service to the Elect is unseene and certaine Againe the Angels are considered in their number their number is knowne to GOD unknowne to Man the Saints are considered in their Soules there in their bodies here in the grave onely two excepted Henoch and Elias whose bodies are in Heaven before as types of Christ as evidences of the Resurrection The visible creatures are two fold the Heavens and the Earth the Heavens are two wayes considered in their sphaeres and orbes or in other phrases the Heavens and their ornaments the Heavens are considered as out-spread and firme the orbes are two fold the Sunne and the Planets the Sunne is considered in his light and swiftnesse in his light is two things as t is the fountaine and as t is communicated the Moone is considered in her mutation and blemishes the Stars are set forth in multitude and glory The Earth is considered singly or coniunctively coniunctively by a Synecdoche as t is land and water making one globe The waters are considered in the Sea in the Rivers the Sea is considered in his bounds in his motion the motion is considered in the flowing and ebbing the bounds are considered in the stabilitie and perpetuitie The Earth is singly considered in the substance and dependance the dependance on Gods power in the Aire the substance in the massinesse and riches the riches latente or patente the patente invegatives or the sensitives the sensitives have life and feeling the vegatives are part in the earth part above the earth
26.16 3. Be more zealous Revel 3.19 4. Learne to pitty others Heb. 4.15 In Sathans buffettings to keepe the sence of Gods favour 1. Pray earnestly 2. Labour to see your unsufficiency 3. Being pricked and restlesse looke on Gods sufficiency 2. Cor. 12.7 8 9 10. In desertions 1. Resolve to walke by saith 2. Cor. 5.7 2. Prize favour above all things Psal 63.3 3. Waite patiently for the Lord. Psal 40.1 4. Expect consolation Isaiah 54.8 6. Resolve to cleave to God Iob. 13.15 Sect. 3 Thirdly how we may know we are in the favour of God 1 BY our Vocation those he favoured before time he calleth in time Rom. 8.30 He calls them to holinesse here 1. Thes 4.7 and glory hereafter 2. Thes 2.14 2. He manifests himselfe and his will to those hee favours Matth. 16.17 He gives them the Spirit of revelation Ephes 1.17 whereby they perceive those mysteries which are hid from the world Matth. 13.11 Iohn 15.15 3. The mollifying of the heart is a token of his favour Rom. 9.18 Sect. 4 Fourthly how is the sence of Gods favour preserved 1. BY our esteeme and prizing his favour 2. By our carriage in regard of relation to him Quest 1 How may I know I esteeme Gods favour and prize it at an high rate Answ 1. By the streame of your thoughts for our thoughts runne on that we doe esteeme Psalme 119.127 128. 2. If we oppose Gods favour against mans malice the one swallowes the other 3. Our esteeme appeares by our desires Canticles 1.1 We desire tokens of his love and favour 4. We lament the losse of his favour Psal 77.10 5. We receive his favours humbly as of favour 6. We desire nothing which stands not with his favor 7. We keepe and use his blessings as favours 8. We will not breake with him for others favour Quest 2 How may I obtaine this esteeme Answ 1. Consider the excellency of it Gods favour is the happinesse of Angels How happy was Adam in Paradise when he enjoyed it how happy were the Martyrs that felt it how comfortable are our lives when wee do taste it 2. Consider the necessity we cannot be strong to performe duties nor patient to beare crosses without it the Divels are nimble and active potent and vigilant but what good doth all this to them they wanting Gods favour it is this which addes wings unto our duties and is as oyle to our soules Nehem. 8.10 3. Consider the benefit of Gods favour it makes us presently happy and like to the angels in heaven it makes us accepted the sence of Gods favour quickens our spirits enlarges our hope hope makes us industrious we hope for perseverance and goe on comfortably The perswasion of Gods favour is as the great wheele that moves all the rest it is so beneficiall that it is better than life excelling life being a peculiar and durable over-topping all miseries and bringing to all felicity to our full satisfaction at last in heaven where the beames of his favour will make us glorious Lastly his favour is preserved by our carriage in regard of our relations to him we have relations to him divers wayes 1. As he is a King Matth. 5.35 2. As he is a Master Col. 4 1. 3. As he is a husband Hosea 2.19 4. As he is a head Ephes 5.23 5. As he is a husbandman Iohn 15.1 First as he is a King and we his subjects 1. We are to rejoyce in our King Psal 149.2 2. To keepe his lawes labouring to know them and justify them to be good by loving them and obeying them 3. We must fight his battailes 4. We must keepe the Kings peace By yeelding to others in some cases Matth. 17.27 By gentle answers Iudges 8.3 By endeavouring to be like minded Rom. 15.5 Secondly as he is a Master we owe to him 1. Reverence both inward and outward 2. Faithfulnesse both serving our time using his talents for his owne advantage and doing all his workes after his owne minde Thirdly as he is a husband united to us 1. We should diligently observe his nature 2. Humbly acknowledge his free grace that tooke us who had neither beauty nor dowry 3. Expresse duty to his commands from our love 4. Affect him with content and satisfaction 5. Labour to imitate him as we are capable 6. Endeavour to be cheerefull with him and before him Fourthly as he is a head and we members 1. To acknowledge both life and wisedome is from him 2. Follow his directions let the head be guide 3. Confirme to his death and resurrection 4. Harme not but love the poorest member Fifthly as he is a husbandman 1. Take heede of barrennesse 2. Labour to abound in fruit Iohn 15.8 3. Let your fruit be seasonable Psal 1.3 4. Let your fruit be lasting Psal 92.14 Of Glory 1. What Glory is 2. Of the glory of the creatures 3. Of the glory of the Creator 4. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First What glory is GLory is excellency dignity honour splendor as the Crowne on the head as the light to the world we may see it by contraries and comparisons 1. By contraries so darknesse is opposed to glory for light is glorious Weaknesse is contrary to glory it is strength is glorious and honourable Also shame and death are contrary to glory but nothing more than sinne for that deprives of glory of endowments and excellencies which we had originally Rom. 3.23 or thus we are by sinne deprived of the glory of Communion with God of acceptance and by desert deprived of the glory of heaven sinne brings on us that which is contrary to glory as weaknesse sicknesse shame death and darknesse 2. We perceive glory by degrees there is the glory of the Morning the glory of the Moone the glory of the Sunne The Starres differ in glory men differ in dignity and glory So much what glory is Sect. 2 Secondly Of the glory of Creatures WE may consider the creatures either celestiall or terrestriall the celestiall are the Angels or the heavens the heavens either invisible or visible and elementary as is above our heads with their ornaments 1. Of the glory of Angels the Lord is the God of glory Acts 7.1 and these doe stand as his hoste round about him and the raies of his glory shines on them and makes them exceeding glorious These Angels have sixe wings with two wings they cover their faces not able to behold Gods glory with two they cover their feete so that we that are mortalls cannot behold their glory with the other two wings they flie with a glorious swiftnesse They are said two have foure heads and the one is as a man for they are most honorable for wisedome the other as a Bull for they are glorious for strength the third is as an Eagle for they have a glorious expedition and celerity in their messages the fourth head is as a Lyon for they have a glorious courage 2. Of the glory of the invisible heavens It outstrips
observe these things 6. God hath made his workes for this end that wee should behold them Isaiah 40.26 and have them in rememberance Psal 111.4 Thus we shall be able to exalt God in our hearts and declare his workes to others so God will be glorified others edified our soules much delighted and a weighty duty discharged and God will recompence us with revealing his loving kindnesse to us Psal 107.43 Of the worke of Creation 1. Who created all things 2. Whereof all things are made 3. The time when they were made 4. For what end all things were made Sect. 1 First who made all things THe maker of all things is God it is his prerogative to create Gen. 1.1 God made heaven and earth Col. 1.16 his workes are visible and invisible 1. Creation is a worke of the whole Trinity 2. All was made by the power of his word 3. In wisedome all was made First creation is a worke of the Trinity as appeares 1. The Father created Ephes 3.9 who created all things by Jesus Christ 2. The Sonne created Colos 1.16 Heb. 1.10 3. The Holy Ghost created Iob. 26.13 Iob. 33.4 Secondly all was made by his word Gods word is either first substantiall or secondly written or thirdly operative Though God made all by his substantiall word yet that is not meant when he saith let there bee this or that for the operative word was in time the substantiall word was eternall Psal 33.9 the word was a willing things to bee not a sounding of syllables so that without toylsomnesse with great facility God created all things he spake the word and it was done 3. In wisdome all was made Prov. 3.19 Jehova sapientia fundavit terram statuit coelos intelligentia Psal 104.24 1. God makes the creatures without sence these are superior as the light the firmament and ornaments of heaven as Sunne Moone and Starres or inferiour as the seas earth trees and plants 2. He makes the sâ—nsitive creatures as beasts fishes and fowles then the reasonable creatures man and woman Some creatures have matter and forme and generation as men some no generation as the heavens and sunne c. some have distinct formes without matter as Angels some are bodies without immortall spirits as beasts some are immortall spirits without bodies as Angels some are immortall spirits and bodies as men Reflections 1. Let me lift up mine eyes A desire of 1. Contemplation and behold who hath made all these things (a) Isai 40.29 and bringeth out their armies by number and calâ—eth them by their names then shall I see his eternall power and god-head by his visible works (b) Rom. 1.20 and let me cast my thoughts on the sea where goe the great ships (c) Ps 104.26 and are creatures innumerable there is the great Leviathan that sports himselfe in the waters which God hath kept in with bankes by his decree (d) Iob 38.11 let me looke on this earth hanging in the aire (e) Job 26.7 the foot-stoole of my Creator (f) Isai 66.1 and then break out to admiration and say 2. AdmiratioÌ„ 2. O Lord how wonderfull are thy works in wisdome hast thou made them all (g) Ps 104.24 when I behold the heavens the workes of thy hands the moone and the starres (h) Psal 8.3 then I thinke thou hast got thee an excellent name and renowne in all the world and for my owne part I give glory to thee and acknowledge none is like to thee none can doe thy workes Psal 86.8 3. Supplication 3. O Lord my Creator enable me to remember thee now in my youth before the evill day doth come (i) Eccl. 12.1 with such a remembrance as to turne to thee (k) Psal 12.27 and doe thou remember me with the favour of thy people (l) Psal 106.4 thy hands have made me and fashioned me oh give me understanding (m) Ps 119.73 and thou which first didst create me doe thou new make me grant that I may be a new creature (n) 2 Cor. 5.17 Create in me a new heart (o) Psal 51.10 and renew me in the spirit of my minde (p) Eph. 4.23 that I may serve thee with gladnesse and cheerefulnesse for thou hast made us and not we our selves (q) Psal 108.2 3. I am thine by creation oh make me thine by redemption and grace 4. GratulatioÌ„ 4. Fill my heart with thy praises that thy noble workes being in my eyes thy high acts may be in my mouth and I may often say thou art worthy to receive honour and glory and power for thou hast created all things (r) Rev. 4.11 let me ever bee resolute to praise thee as for the workes of creation in the generall so for forming my selfe in particular (Å¿) Psa 139.14 thou hast cloathed me with skinne and flesh and united my bones and sinewes (t) Iob 10.11 I praise thee for my being for my well-being O let me praise thee in an everlasting well-being 5. Resignation 5. Thou hast made me and put a living soule within me and set me on the earth to live and breath a short time and then thou wilt bring me to death the house of all the living (u) Iob. 30.23 dust I am and to dust I must returne (w) Gen. 3.15 so thou hast ordeined all must dye (x) Heb. 9.27 because all have sinned (y) Rom. 5.12 grant that all my dayes I may waite till this change come (z) â—ob 14.14 and so become wise to consider my latter end (a) Deu 32.29 wheresoever I die or howsoever grant I may in much assurance commit my soule into thy hands as into the hands of a faithfull Creator (b) 1. Pet 4.19 Sect. 2 Secondly Whereof God made all things HE made all things of nothing to create is to produce something out of nothing to worke without materials Heb. 11.3 the things we see were not made of things which did appeare Reflections I desire 1. Faith 1. Had I beene trained up onely in morall Philosophy I had learned that of nothing comes nothing Indeed it is so in mans worke but in my Bible I learne that of nothing come all things it is so in Gods worke 2. 2. Reverence What cause have I to feare and reverence this great Creator I my selfe once was nothing now have life and being and substance oh cause me to repent and to prize thy favour or else I shall be at last worse then nothing 3. How easie is it for God to helpe his Church 3. Dependance he can worke without materials if he wills the good of his people no adverse power can hinder him 4 In me is nothing that is good 4. Regeneration Lord create in me that may make me acceptable in thy fight which may be to me a pledge of thy love Sect. 3 Thirdly The time when all things were made
as the center to the circumference earthly substance it poises downewards the earth is in the middle and heaven is round about it heaven is above Exod. 20.4 earth is beneath heaven is on high Psalm 103.11 earth below heaven is Gods Throne Mat. 5.34 earth his Foot-stoole when God is said to looke downe upon the earth he is said to looke downe from heaven (e) Deu 26.15 Psalm 33.13 1. How shall I ascend so high Reflexions that am now so farre from heaven I am as farre as can be from that blessed place no farther place from heaven then earth is except it be hell yet I looke for three ascentions thither First in my mind and affections Colos 3.1 Secondly with my soule when I depart hence Thirdly with my body after tâ—â— Resurrection 2. Distance of place cannot hinder spirituall Communion with Christ I may have relation to him who is on high though I be below The Sunne in the Heavens communicates his light and heate to us below the foote participates with the head by vertue of corporall union though the foote being on earth the head in the aire Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the fashion and forme of the Earth IT is for forme and fashion not a triangle nor square nor long nor a semicircle but round called in Psal 93.1 and Psal 96.10 and Psal 98.7 Orbis habitabilis An Orbe for roundnesse and in Isai 40.22 it is called a Circle The Equinoctiall The Articke The Antarticke The Tropicks men usually call it the Terrestriall Globe as heaven is called the Caelestiall Globe and as Astronomers doe attribute five Circles to their Caelestiall Globe so Geographers make as many in this Terrestriall Globe they have their five Zones the hote Zone and the two extreames for cold and the two temperate Zones so then the earth is a round Globe 1. This calls for my delight I can with delight looke on the effigies of mans making Reflexion why should I not to looke on the Globe of Gods making I looke on mans little Globe with the eye of my body I contemplate Gods great Globe with an act of my mind 2. This Globe is Gods Theater whereon all the inhabitants are actors here are acted daily sinfull civill pious acts and the exijt of every man is from this Globe is to a bottomlesse pit or to the new Ierusalem which is foure square firme and sure with what feare and care shall I act my part Mat. 25.23 that it may be said well done Sect. 4 Fourthly of the nature and quallity of the earth 1. It is dry 2. It is cold 3. It is heavy IT is drye of it selfe for though it be called Humus moyst earth yet it is not so of it selfe but an adjunct of water for of it selfe it is Arida dry land Gen. 1.9 Also the earth is cold of it selfe as we may percevie in Cellers and where men digge deepe and in shady places where the Sunne doth not come also the body of a dead man is cold which is of earthy matter Lastly it is heavy a basket of earth on a mans shoulders is heavy and we say of a man who is of a heavy disposition that he is lumpish that he is like a heavy lumpe of earth Reflexions I am dry by nature being made of earth without all spirituall moysture whatsoever I have it is added to me but it comes not from me but all grace that softens and makes plyable comes from him who powers out his Spirit on his servants and in the wildernesse waters breake out and streames into the desarts Isai 35.6 2. I am as earth cold without the heate of zeale and love benumbed and without life and vigor it is Gods Spirit comes to kindle in my heart the fire of true zeale and the heate of charity 3. I am heavy earth and lumpish in all holy duties wanting spiritualnesse untill God revives mee I cannot rejoyce in him Psal 85.6 till he quickens me I cannot call upon his name Psal 80.18 I cannot give first to him Rom. 11.35 I am but a lumpe of sinnefull earth and can doe that is evill but nothing that is good it is God who workes all my workes for me Isaiah 26.12 Drinesse should cause me to thirst for a present sutable large satisfaction Coldnesse should make me stirre and labour for heat and lumpishinesse should provoke me to pray to be quickned according to Gods loving kindnesse Psal 119 88. 4. I much rejoyce in hope and remembrance of that day when all heavinesse and lumpishnesse shall flye away and my body shall be raised so as it shall become spirituall 1. Cor. 15.44 we shall then be ut Angeli as the Angels Mat. 22.30 Sect. 5 Fifthly of the earthes subsistance THough it hangs in the aire yet it is upheld by a divine power Heb. 1.3 No creature is independent God hath made the earth and hangs it upon nothing Iob 26.7 The earth at first had being by the power of God and stil is supported by the same power to this day Conclusions 1. There be many things man could yet never attaine unto as First the perpetuall motion Secondly the Philosophers stone Thirdly fire incombustible Fourthly to make a heavy thing hang in the aire so that wee may say of God there are no workes like thy workes Psalme 86.8 Men have tryed and could not effect their designes but if God but speake it is done Psal 33.9 2. The earth is upheld by God without supporters and secondary helpes Oh that I could trust in God with all my heart Prov. 3.5 then though others forsake mee yet the Lord will support mee Psalme 27.10 Sect. 6 Sixthly of the greatnesse of the earth THe earth is great simply considered yet but small comparatively as the Center is small compared with the circumference of old they held the compasse of the earth to be 50000 miles as Aristotle others held it 34625. Some differed from them and ghessed it 31500. But of late those which have compassed the whole Ocean doe say it is 19080 miles the Diameter 7000 from us to the Center 3500 miles 1. An elevation 1. The great globe of the earth is but a little poynt being compared to the heavens and my portion in it but a little being compared with the whole and if I had it all it could not be a sufficiency to my minde nor could my enjoyment be long O that God would unglue my affections from this little and enlarge them toward his owne greatnesse 2. A Contemplation 2. I was once nine moneths contained in a little roome and I have forty yeares beene contained in this little world I am much enlarged by comming from the wombe to the world there I had reason potentially and a life of obscurity here I see a bright Sunne and Moon and Stars a earth and waters and innumerable creatures for my admiration and delight use and service my life in the next world as farre yea farther exceedes this
world in heaven the life in the wombe is secret the life in the world is active the life in heaven is contemplative a life of vision The life in the wombe is secret in the conveyance and in the continuance In the conveyance Eccles 11.5 Thou knowest not the way of the Spirit In the continuance being nourisht by the Navill and preserved by a Divine Providence rather to be admired than disputed 2. The kindes of life are three a life of Nature a life of Grace a life of Glory The life of Nature is in such things as the strength of Nature can acte all attaine not to the like operations nor the same man is all times alike one man excelles another and the same man in time he doth excell his former actions some have attained to a great knowledge of the heavenly sphares and orbes some to the knowledge of the terrestriall globe finding out the minerals that lay hid and the Nature of the Creatures that doe live and growe on the earth man hath divided the world into foure parts for distinction of Countries and people some attaine to Arithmetique some are Musicall man hath found out writing printing Martiall discipline Navigation policie in Governement curious Arts Phisique Rethorique Logique much varietie for the being and well being of humane life The life of Grace is a spirituall life which onely the regenerate doe attaine unto 1. Consider how it is communicated 2. How it is manifested 3. How it is preserved First how it is communicated Christ is the originall of light and life Iohn 1.9 He is the way the truth and the life John 14.6 He is the Resurrection and the life John 11.25 He is a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 Giving life to his members This life is called spirituall life 1. Because the Spirit of God workes it 2. Because the carnall man knowes it not t is the spirituall man hath spirituall life 3. T is employed in spirituall things spirituall motions spirituall words and actions Secondly how t is manifested 1. By prayers desires longings after God where is breath there is life 2. By sence of sin to feele Idle thoughts indisposednesse to duties c. there is life for where is sence and feeling there is life 3. Affections against sin and for GOD argues life for where is heate is life 4. To doe good workes workes of mercie workes of pietie workes of mortification argues life for where is motion and action there is life Thirdly how spirituall life is preserved 1. By a good diet we must strive for appetite and for food labour and salt things and sharp things brings appetite we must exercise our selves in the Law and applie the curses and the threatnings home to the soule this will make us to hunger for Christ for mercie and grace then labour for nourishment the word preacht and reade the Sacraments and prayer and conference and meditation are spirituall nourishments to preserve spirituall life 2. Life is preserved by exercise we should put forth our habilities in duties as in Gods sight and for Gods Glorie here stirring is for soules health 3. Life is preserved by Physique 1. There is preventing Physique to remember Gods Presence Gods Law the great accompt the mercies we enioy the example of Christ these meanes keeps us from sinfull diseases 2. There purging Physique true sorrow free Confession humiliation prayer turning to God 3. There is restoring Physique to embrace the tender of mercie the promise of grace to lay hold on the bloud of Christ to ponder what is Gods sweete Nature what GOD hath beene to others what he hath beene to us formerly what he is to us at this present what a sweete Mediatour we have at the right hand of GOD this may restore us In the third place as there is a life of Nature and a life of Grace so there is for the soule a life of Glorie 1. There is an eternall life of Glorie 2. The felicitie of that life That there is an eternall life t is plaine Mark 10.30 In the world to come eternall life Iohn 3.16 Whosoever beleeves shall have everlasting life Eternall life is foure and twenty times to be read in the New Testament besides the other names of heavenly Glory heavenly inheritance c. The Arguments to prove an eternall life 1. Other wayes the Scriptures would be false which doe so manifestly reveale it unto us 2. Els we loose an Article of our Creed 3. The verie heathens have guessed at it 4. Els the Saints of all people were most miserable 1 Cor. 15.19 The Felicitie of that life 1. T is a life of Glorie in a Kingdome of Glorie with the God of Glorie 2. T is a life of pleasure Psalme 16.11 There is sweetnesse with our Glorie then they that mourned here shall laugh those that fasted shall feast and them imprisoned shal be enlarged 3. T is a life of triumph there be palmes in their hands in token of victorie then the poore child of God that is now militant shall triumph 4. T is a life of safetie there no theefe can come to rob no enemie to assalte no Divell to tempte there shall be no arrest no suite nor accusation against us 5. A life of love Love is the Law of the Kingdome everie one is glad of anothers felicitie so the ioy is mixt and enlarged they so abounding in love one to another and all to the Lord. 6. T is a spirituall life glorified there is no thirst nor wearinesse or lumpishnesse 7. T is a life of knowledge Ignorance is expelled we know here in part but then we shall know in perfection 8. T is a life of praises then prayers cease but praises never cease we shall doe it for ever with spiritualnesse and livelinesse and againe we sound forth the praises of God and againe and againe with infinite sweetnesse 9. T is a life of Communion with Christ and the Angels and all the Elect we shal be all of one mind none shall separate from this assemblie nor one profane man be admitted 10. T is a life of Satisfaction we shall say Lord I have enough Lord I am full I am satisfied richly rewarded here we ever want something but that life knowes want of nothing Of the death of the Soule 1. What Death is 2. How the Soule can be said to die 3. The cause of death 4. The signes of death First what death is Plinie calles it ruine Horace the last line of things Some call death a dissolution or departing sometimes t is afflictions 2 Cor. 1.10 Who delivered us from so great a death sometimes t is a dangerous thing 2 Kings 4.40 Death is in the pot Death is the separating the Soule from the body Heb. 9.27 our living out of Gods favour and without the Word of God is the shadow of death The separation of the Soule from the body is bodily death the separation of grace from the Soule is spirituall death the separation of the
the senses be in the Head Section 1 First the Head is obvious most seene IT being placed on the bodie high things we soone perceive as a hill or mountaine or tree so presently wee looke on the face and espie frowning or smiling deformitie or beautie Conclusions 1. There be three Heads Mysticall Politicall Naturall Mystically Christ is the Head of his Church which he hath redeemed Politically the Prince and Governours be Heads So are Masters of Families the Heads of their Families Naturally the Head of the body is the Head and Chiefe As my mysticall Head is obvious not onely to the Angels and Saints in heaven by vision but to the Saints on earth by Faith Heb. 2.9 Wee see Iesus Crowned c. So is my naturall head to all Spectatours As I am the Head of a Familie I am obvious to GOD who sees my faylings and forgives mee to my Conscience who sees and checkes me to men who see and censure mee 2. My Governours as Heads Politicall are obvious God give them Grace to be good examples then wee the people may looke on them and learne vertue and godlinesse wisedome and moderation 3. LONDON is an Head Citie as the Head of Aram was Damascus Esay 7.8 And a Citie obvious to the Land O that they might see here Pietie and Godlinesse Temperance and Justice and lesse pride riot and wantonnesse Section 2 Secondly the Head is honourable and the members are honoured for the Heads sake THE Naturall Head is honourable so is the Politicall 1 Pet. 2.17 Kings must be honoured 1 Tim. 6.1 Masters must be honoured but Christ who is the mysticall Head of his Church he is to be honoured above all Conclusions 1. Loftie lookes will not honour my Head but Wisedome will make my face shine Eccles 8.1 And modest cariage to men and devotion to GOD is the exact way to make my head comely and honourable 2. As a Governour and Head of a Familie my honour is to give example of Pietie moderation diligence mortification patience and zeale 3. I raise my thoughts to Christ who is most excellent in dignitie and honour he that is Head of the Church is the most excellent 1. The Politicall Head is subordinate he is absolute and independant 2. Men rule those that have a present being Christ is Head of them departed and of them yet unborne 3. Men are Heads by Government Christ is Head by Influence 4. Men governe often uniustly but Christ alwayes righteously he is most honourable Section 3 Thirdly the Head is united to the Body The Anatomists say in the Head and necke be 125. muscles there is a neare and strong and inseparable union betweene the head and the bodie There bee foure Unions considerable 1. A Naturall betweene the head and the body 2. Matrimoniall betweene man and wife 3. Divine betweene the two Natures of Christ. 4. Mysticall betweene Christ and his members Conclusions 1. My feete and toes though farthest off are united to my Head being members 2. If I be a hundred miles distant yet I am united to my wife in the Matrimoniall bond 3. Christs God-head and Manhood make one Christ as soule and bodie make one person 4. I am Mystically united to Christ though he be in Heaven and I on earth Section 4 Fourthly the Head conveighes Influence to the rest of the body All the nourishment is received into the head and so conveighed to the members the head lookes out takes care for the whole bodie so in the Politicall or oeconomicall Head Dignitie and Dutie are copulatives Conclusions 1. Not to envie them in Dignitie they have honour but accompanied with cares and great accompts 2. To love my Governours and to labour to preserve their lives credits and comforts from them I have direction and protection let me returne my prayers love and service 3. I will shunne irregularitie t is Iesuiticall and Brownisticall I must learne to submit where men crosse not God In things indifferent their part is to direct mine to obey 4. Christ is the Head a quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15. Iohn 1. Of his fulnesse we all receive All good desires motions inclinations all Grace and goodnesse life and spiritualnesse is derivative from this Head Who is blessed for ever Section 5 Fiftly the Head is sensible All the senses are in the head though not all onely in the head for the touch is all over the bodie Conclusions 1. Christ our Head is sensible in their troubles Of old he was troubled with them Esai 63.9 And in the New Testament he saith to Saul Why persecutest thou mee Acts 9. 2. Godly Governours are sensible of the estate of their people as David 2 Sam. 24.17 What have these sheepe done Let thy hand be against mee and my fathers house 3. The Naturall Head is sensible of the wrong done to the members the Tongue will speake the Eie will weepe the Eare hearken for a remedie So much of the Head Of the Eyes of man 1. The cause of Seeing 2. The benefit of the Sight 3. The miserie of Blindnesse 4. The gracious employment of the Eyes Section 1 First Of the cause of Seeing THE Naturall cause is from the spirits comming from the Optick Nerves into the Apple of the Eie wherein there is a Crystalline humour which receives as by a mirrour the kindes of colours and the figures numbers motions of bodies The Nerves of the Eie are seated betweene the place of the Originall there is a meeting like the forke of a tree and the spirits meete together so the Obiect is one otherwaies all things would seeme double to us Anatomists say there are six inner parts of the Eie 1. The Fat which is placed above the Eie for to defend it from cold to keepe it from the hardnesse of the bone and to fill up the distance of muscles to further the quick motion 2. The Glandule is seated in the upper part of the Outer Corner lodged in the Fat and full of moisture to helpe the Nimble motion 3. The Nerves being in Number six whereof foure be straight and two Oblique or winding 4. The Tunicles are six in number The first Adnata membrana the utmost pannicle which cleaves to the Eie and makes it firme The second is Cornea t is firme and bright The third is Vvea which some count the fourth thinne Membrane wee see our selves in the Apple of ones Eie from the hole of Vvea The fourth is Membrana Pupillaris the membranous Circle compassing the Ball or Apple of the Eie The fift a Cristalline humour The sixt like a spiders web 5. The Humours There is first the watrie humour secondly a crystallick humour the third is like moulten glasse exceeding the other two in quantitie 6. The Vessels of the Eie either externall from the veines that nourish the Eie or internall from Chorion and Cerebellum there be two Nerves appointed for the Eie one for sight called Opticus the other for motion called Motorius And now I
Spirituall use is to decline those which savour of earthly things 3. Quest What learne wee from Psalme 17.14 where the wicked have their Bellies filled with hid Treasures Ans 1. Gods Bountie to wicked men He fills their Bellies 2. I am not to Judge of Gods Favour by the Bellie For all comes alike to all sorts of these earthly Treasures Eccles 9.1.2 4. Quest What learne we from Nabuchad-nezzars Image whose Bellie was Brasse Dan. 2.32 Answer 1. The Bellie and Thighes signified the third Monarchie obtained by the Grecians who ruinated the Persians compared to a Bellie because as the meate staieth not long in the Bellie so Alexander got many Kingdomes yet enioyed them but a short time 2. The Grecians were as a Bellie given to Drunkennesse Gluttonie and excesse Alexander gave one Protarchus a Talent for drinking foure Measures of wine which contained each of them a Gallon and a Pinte but died within three Dayes and 41. men more by excessive drinking 5. Qu. What learne wee from Philippians 3.19 where t is said of some Their Bellie is their God Ans 1. They mind their Bellie most and care to fill it and live like Epicures a sensuall life 2. There is a flat opposition betweene Gods Children and worldlings The one looke for a Saviour the otheâ—â—â—nd is Damnation The one â—â—teeme their bodies vile the other make their Bellie their God the one minds earthly things the other have their conversation in Heaven Of the Thighes Legs and Feete 1. Of the uniting of these parts together 2. Of the bones of these parts and of the bodie 3. Resolves Concerning these parts 4. How a man is a Medium betweene an Angell and a Beast with a view of other Mediums Section 1 First Of the Vniting of these parts together that is Of the Thighes Legs and Feete THE lower parts of mans Bodie answer to the Armes for as the Arme hath Shoulder Elbow and Hand so the lower parts have Thighes Shankes and Feete The Thigh hath but one bone which is the longest and greatest in the Bodie and the Thighes are united to the Legs and Legs to the Feete with such admirable wisedome that if the uniting were stiffer we could not move and be so active if more limber we should be weaker and feebler and unfit for burthens and strong Actions Section 2 Secondly Of the bones of these parts and of the whole Bodie THE Thigh-bone is onely one and the Shanke-bones two a greater and a lesser The foote is divided into three parts the bones of the feete are seven in a foote the first called Os balistae the second the Heele-bone the third the bone like a Boate the fourth is the largest Bone the other three be the wedg-like bones Bones grow without some Middle Substance three wayes First by a line as the bones in the upper Jaw and Nose doe grow 2. As the Bones of the Scull are united 3. When one Bone is fastned within another as in the Gummes If Bones be united by a Medium t is by a Cartilage or gristle or a ligament or string which is unsensible and is not hollow Section 3 Thirdly Resolves Concerning the Thighes Legs and Feete in their Order First Concerning the Thighes 1. Quest VVHY did Abraham cause his Servant to put his hand under his Thigh when he gave him an Oath Ans 1. Some thinke for to signifie the firmenesse of an Oath because the Thighes be the Pillars of the Bodie 2. Others thinke it was to trie the subiection of his Servant in Obeying his Command 3. The most likely Cause was I adiure thee as thou expectâ—st the Messiah to come of my loines to be faithfull to mee in a Mysterie to fore-shew the Messiah was to come from his loines in this Phrase the Israelits came out-of Iacobs Thigh Gen. 46.26 This kind of Oath was not usuall for the hand was lifted-up when they did sweare Gen. 14.22 There is something in the Mysterie for the word Jerek a Thigh in Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Oath in Greeke Ainsworth on Gen. 24. 2. Qu. What may we learne from Iacobs halting on his Thigh Gen. 32.31 Ans 1. Wee are not rashly to Judge those to be wicked who have Infirmities or deformities Moses was defective in Speech Mephibosheth was Lame Lea Bleare-eyed Isaak Blind and Iacob Halted 2. In our Tentations and Wrastlings with God we have our Infirmities Psalme 35.15 Reade the Marginall Note 3. Hee prevailed yet went away halting Which may teach us to be humble after wee have done our best and sped never so well 4. The Iewes eat not the Sinewes of the Beast in the right Thigh but of the Fowles they doe because there is no hollow in the Thigh 3. Quest What is that Sword Christ girds on his Thigh Psalme 45.4 Ans T is the Sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 The girding on the Thigh is to make it readie Exodus 32.27 4. Qu. What doe the Iewes report of the Woman whose Thigh did rott after she had drunke the bitter water Numbers 5.27 Ans 1. They say being guiltie her face looked yellow 2. Her Eyes did stick-out 3. Her Bellie did swell 4. Her Thigh did rott and in the same houre the Adulterer did dy But if she were Innocent 1. Her Countenance would looke Chearefull 2. If she had any disease it left her 3. She should Conceive Seed 4. She should have easier travaile than before 5. If she had Females before now it should be a Male. Resolves Concerning the Legs 1. Quest VVHat is meant by making bare the Legs Esai 47.2 Ans Their slaverie is set-forth by the Mil-stones and their shame by the loosing the Locks and making bare the Legs to passe not onely through the Streets but through the Floods Now their wickednesse shall be discovered and appeare in open view to their great dishonour 2. Quest What learne we from Iohn 19.36 Not a Bone of CHRIST was broken when those crucified with him had their Legs broken verse 22 Ans Christ was prefigured in the Paschall Lambe Exodus 12.46 1. The Lambe was without blemish so was Christ 2. The Lambe must be killed so must Christ. 3. The Postes of their Doores must be sprinckled So our Hearts must be sprinckled with the Blood of Christ Heb. 12.24 1 Pet. 1.2 4. The Lambe was roasted with fire Christ he felt the heat of GODS Wrath. 5. The Lambe was to be eaten whole so Christ had not a bone broken when the Legs of them Crucified with him were broken 3. Qu. What were the Creatures with Legs above their Feete lawfull to be eaten Levit. 11.21.22 Ans They were severall sorts of Locusts The first are more common and their Name the Learned say is from their shortnesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others say they are named from their multitude Exod. 10.4.5 The second sort have their Name from a Rock because they breede in stonie places The third is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
with victory and spread his owne praises by using instruments to suppresse the pride of the enemies and by spreading his Gospell 7. Let us in all the victories we heare of that are for the Churches welfare give God all the honour and glory that we are able by looking beyond the instruments to the Lord of hoasts that imployes them The horse may be prepared for the battaile but salvation is of the Lord therefore to him let us bow and worship and acknowledge his right hand and say the Lord hath triumphed valiantly to him let us sing it is the Lord of Hoasts to whom wee should give the glory and the praise as we have a patterne Exod. 15. Judges 5. 8. Here is comfort against Principalities and powers the mighty enemies of our soules the Lord of Hoasts is with us mighty to save through him we shall doe valiantly How God is made an Idoll 1. What an Jdoll is 2. How men make God an Jdoll 3. Their punishment that make God an Idol 4. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First what an Idoll is AN Idoll is an unlawfull representation of a false God an Idoll is a resemblance figure or shape the making of an Idoll of a false or Image of the true God either molten carved or painted is unlawfull for no man ever saw his shape Deut. 4.15 Isai 40. if it be to make us to mind God t is condemned Exod. 32.8 and God was displeased 1. Cor. 10.5 Sect. 2 Secondly How men doe make God an Idoll T Is impossible to turne the essence of God to an Idoll but men are said to make God an Idoll in imagination and in conversation in imagination that conceive of God to be like an Idoll that thinke God will doe neither good nor evill that God sees not Zeph. 1.12 Ezek. 9.9 Psal 94.7 they could conceive no otherwise of an Idoll Men make God an Idoll in his worship 1. When they prepare not their hearts nor fit their affections for his presence they could doe no otherwaies were they to come before an Idoll that could take no notice of their hearts 2. When all their religion is in the Temple there they leave their God if they served an Idoll in the Temple he could not see their behaviour in their houses nor have they communion with him at home these men carry themselves as if God were an Idoll only setled within the walls of the Temple This is indeed the principall but not the sole place of Gods worship 3. When men invent wayes to worship God and follow their owne devices and imaginations they make God like an Idoll which cannot direct his worshippers but they will teach him how he must be served they could doe no more to an Idoll In conversation men make God an Idoll 1. When they say it is in vaine to serve God and to walke humbly before him that thinke God will not reward his servants they could thinke or say no more of an Idoll which receives all and gives nothing 2. When men commit horrible sins in secret were God an Idoll they could doe no more as if he would never call them to a reckoning 3. That opposes the godly and persecutes them were God an Idoll then they might trouble his servants without feare or danger 4. When men scrape together aboundance of wealth by wicked meanes then on their sicke bed they thinke by some dead workes to satisfie for all as if God were an Idoll that for a few scraps of that is evilly gotten would be dumbe for ever 5. When men forsweare themselves and call God to witnesse to a lye were he an Idoll that could not see their abomiâ—ation nor be revenged they could doe no more against him Sect. 3 Thirdly Their punishments that doe thus make God an Idoll 1. GOD hath a base esteeme of them 1. Sam. 2.30 those which despise him shall be despised they shall find him no Idoll but a living God when they fall into his hands Heb. 10. and a seeing God when he sets their sins in order before them Psal 50. 2. They thinke he sees not he punishes them with blindnesse Isai 6. so they have eyes and see not they come to his worship with no more preparation then to come before an Idoll and goe away with no more blessing then if they had bin before an Idoll 3. They will bring in humane inventions into his worship and prescribe rules out of their owne braine he rejects all their services and makes them loose all their cost and paines and tells them their worship is vaine Isai 1. Isai 66. Mat. 15. 4. They sinne freely as if he were an Idoll God lets them alone throwes the raines on their necks so they being let alone doe live most abominably and fill up the measure of their sins Note and heape up wrath thus God abhors them and gives them over to spirituall judgements he accepts not their services he reserves wrath for them and reserves them for wrath this is their punishment it is most bitter Sect. 4 Fourthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HOw is it said an Idoll is nothing Answ It is nothing in comparison of a God it is something for matter and forme it is nothing for divinity it it nothing that is spoken in contempt it is an empty foolish vaine fiction it is good for nothing Quest 2 Where did idolatry first begin Answ It is likely from the brood of Cain it did first arise Cain he left the true God and his service and it is probable he would worship somewhat Quest 3 Why did the Jewes so often fall to idolatry Answ 1. Mans nature is very prone to that sinne therefore God gave the second commandement to restraine us 2. They being mingled with the heathen learned their waies and were inticed by their example 3. Sometimes their Princes were idolaters then they turned for feare 4. The idolaters had glorious deckings of their Images this did moove the carnall to be wonne 5. The zeale of idolaters to cut their flesh and burne their children was powerfull to allure them Quest 4 What is the best prevention of idolatry Answ 1. To be truly informed of the nature of God that we may give to him divine worship and not to them which by nature are no Gods Gal. 4.8 Ignorance is the mother of idolatry not devotion 2. Consider Gods law negative and affirmative negative hee forbids all divine adoration to be given to Creatures Exod. 20.4 whether in heaven as the Sunne Moone and Starres Deut. 4.17 or the Angels Revel 22.9 or any Terrestriall creature whatsoever Affirmative Gods Law bindes us to worship him and him onely Matthew 4.10 to call upon him in the day of trouble Psal 50.15 it is the Lord of hoasts must be worshipped Zach. 14.17 3. Consider the judgements have befallen idolaters 1. They are punished in their soules with blindnesse and a reprobate sence Jsaiah 6. Romans 1.24 2. They are punished first or last in their bodies God lets
in the enemy Iudges 5.8 Iudges 10.14 15. 3. In the life to come they are shut out of heaven 1. Cor. 6.9 4. To prevent idolatry we should shunne their society and converse with them onely by constraint and necessity not to choose them for lodgers in our houses but wee are to abhorre them as vessels in whom is no pleasure and to manifest our detestation as wee have power in our hands Deut. the 13.6 7 8 9 10 c. 5. Te endeavour to give God a spirituall and sincere worship by these meanes idolatry will be prevented Quest 5 How shall I give God a spirituall worship and service Answ 1. Prepare to come before him Psal 26.6 2. From the helpe of Gods spirit to worship him 3. From the inward affections spiritually 4. Lively fervently cheerefully Spirit and life is required in the service of the living and true God The contrary is 1. To come carelesly without reverence 2. To performe spirituall duties only from a naturall carnall heart 3. To give only an externall worship 4. To performe the duty with deadnesse coldnesse and lumpishnesse How to conceive of God when we pray 1. What it is to conceive 2. How we must not conceive of God 3. How we may rightly conceive of him 4. Questions resolved 5. Applications to edifie Sect. 1 First What it is to conceive THe word signifies a gathering things together to conceive is to apprehend conceptions they have copulations By the way we may observe unlesse Gods spirit doe joyne with our spirit our conceptions will prove but abortives or monsters The foundation of the right conceiving of God must be by a better spirit then our owne and by better light then nature affoordes us To conceive is to apprehend to roule in our minds and to conclude to understand in some measure to know Sect. 2 Secondly How we must not conceive of God 1. VVE must not conceive him out of the Trinity of persons as the Turkes doe 2. We must not conceive of him after any bodily shape as the Anthropomorphits did 3. Nor conceive of him shut up in the Circle of heaven as some kinde of Atheists doe 4. Nor a God all made of mercy as some ignorant persons doe 5. Nor all of Iustice as some despairing persons doe 6. Nor as a God regardes not what is done here below as some doe that deny his providence Ezek. 8. 7. Nor as a forgetfull God Psal 10.8 8. Nor must we conceive of a multitude of Gods as some heathen did 9. Nor of a superiority or inferiority in the Trinity in respect of essence or time 10. Nor must we conceive of God as of a thing we can comprehend in the scantling of our thoughts or imaginations Sect. 3 Thirdly How we may aright conceive of God 1. VVE must indeavour to conceiue of him as an infinite essence in Trinity of persons 2. We must conceive of him in his attributes as absolute incomprehensible eternall immutable invisible omnipresent c. 3. We must conceive of him as a God that will become unto through a mediatour in himselfe he is a consuming fire Heb. 12. last through Christ we have acceptance Heb. 13.15 4. We must conceive of him as good gracious loving mercifull a God hearing prayers Psal 65.2 delighting in prayers Prov. 15.8 Sect. 4 Fourthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HOw can we conceive of him who is invisible Answ We conceive of our owne soules that they are and have being yet we see them not we conceive not of God in his perfection yet a little portion we know of him and see him as Moses Heb. 11. Quest 2 How can we conceive of him who is incomprehensible Answ We conceive him to be as hee hath revealed himselfe we conceive of him with admiration adoration subjection divine reverence c. Quest 3 God hath appeared to the eyes of men in some * May we not conceive of him in some shape shapes and representations Ezek. 1. Dan. 7 He appeared to the capacity of his servants yet forbids adoration to any shape Deut. 4. Quest 4 Christ saith the Father is greater than hee and Saint Paul saith God is Christs head is there not superiority in the Trinity Answ It is spoken in regard of Christs humanity else hee and the father are one Quest 5 Did the Fathers in the old Law know there was a Trinity Answ They did Isaiah writes of Trinity Isaiah 61.1 and David Psal 33.6 The learned Rabbins speake of it Quest 6 What false gods have men conceived of to worship and serve Answ Some have worshipped and made gods of the hoast of heaven 2. Kings 21.3 The Persians worshipped the Sunne the Syrians worshipped Ashtaroth the Philistims Dagon the Moabites Chemosh the Amonites Moloch the Egyptians a Calfe the Babilonians an Idol named Bell the Athenians Appollo Carthage worshiped Iuno the Ephesians Diana the Moores the governours of their Countrey the Papists the Virgine Mary the Indians it is said doe worship the divell all men doe worship something Quest 7 How comes there such a mistake in the world Answ 1. Man naturally is in darknesse and stumbles at stocks and stones 2. Man naturally is foolish and beguiled with pictures and bables and Images 3. Man naturally is sensuall and desires first to see then to worship Sect. 5 Fifthly Applications to edifie 1. THis shewes it is hard to conceive aright of God when we doe pray 2. There must of necessity be some competent measure of knowledge in a true Worshipper 3. Let us alwayes minde Christ our blessed mediator when we come to pray 4. We should come with all reverence we can unto the Lord and labour in our prayers to conceive of him as he hath revealed himselfe 5. So let us conceive of God that we move towards him and desire after him Prayer is a compound of heavenly graces if ever we apprehend Gods favour in an especâ—all manner if ever we have rapture of Spirit joy the light of Gods countenance or strong assurance it is in prayer Of the workes of God Sixe reasons why we should meditate on the workes of God 1. BEcause his workes doe shew forth his power Rom. 1.20 and his glory Psalme 19.1 By steppes we ascend from the creature to the Creator and so gaine knowledge of him 2. It is a duty to search out the workes of God and cheerefulnesse is required in the duty Psalme 111.2 3. Because Gods children should differ from wicked men who regard not the workes of the Lord. Isai 5.12 4. There is danger of ruine and destruction if men regard not Gods workes Psal 28.5 6. 5. Examples goe before us of the godly that have meditated of Gods majesty and of Gods workes as in the booke of Iob at large and David Psal 145.5 This is a true signe and mark of a wise man Psal 92. there it is negatively set down an unwise man wil not consider and 't is affirmatively set downe Psal 107.43 who is wise he will