light at the first so that this I conceive at the first was made that huge Oâ—b or Sphear of Heaven without Sun Moon or Stars and together with it the common matter of all inferiour Bodies for first he saith the Heaven and Earth were made but he doth not say that the Heaven but the Earth only was without form and void And the Spirit of God moved upon the Waters Or hovered over this mixed Mass of Earth Waters as the Bird over her Egge by its divine vertue framing and shaâ—â—ng distinct and several sorts of Creatures out of this common lump On this first Day was the Light created as an active Instrument to distinguish Time and as I conceive so also to be used in bringing forth distinct and special Creatures by vertue of a quickning operative heat accompanying this Light This Light you see was before the Sun which was not created until the fourth Day And in probability this Light was fâ—xed and radicated in the Heavens and so shined here upon this confused heap of the Earth and Waters for had it been without a subject scattered abroad throughout the vast and void empty spaces between Heaven and Earth on every side where had the distinction been between Day and Night And therefore I conceive that this excellent Creature being seated in Heaven by the Father of Lights did shine upon half the Earth at once as now the Sun doth and so was caâ—ried about with the motion of the Heavens and made Day where it shone and left the Night there whence it removed so that whiles the Earth continued without form and had its face coveâ—ed with darkness there was the first Evening and when the Light was made and shown upon the Earth out of darkness there was the first Morning and this Evening and Morning were the first Day SECT 2. IN the second place is to be considered the distinction and division between the greatest parts of the Earth and Waters 1. The division of the upper parts of the Waters from the lower parts of the same which was by the Firmament or Body of the Ayr which God made between the upper and lower parts of the Water which I apprehend thus That although the Earth and Waters lay confused together in one heap yet the thinner parts of this lump coming neerer the nature of Water was raised to the upper part and that these muddy Waters lying in an huge heap above the grâ—sser and more earthy part the Spirit of God did penetraâ—e into them and bâ— his vertue rarily the middle part of this wateâ—y matter turning it into an huge spacious but much purer and thinner body of the Ayr which is called an Expansion or out-spread Covering wherâ—by a separation was made between the Wâ—terish matter compassing and hiding under it the whole Earth on every side and the upper parts of the Water which in Cloâ—ds and Exhâ—lations were drawn and raised up some higher some lower above some parts of this Ayr or Covering And this Firmament is called Heaven even the same spoken of elsewhere in Scripture The Heavens shâ—ll hear the Earth Hos. 2 21. That is the Ayr shall showre down fattâ—ning Showres upon the Earth and so we â—ead of The Fowles of Heaven that is of the Ayr As S. Paul also calleth the Heaven of the blâ—ssed Saints and Angels The third Heaven aâ—d â—o propâ—rtionably that which is the place of the Sun and Stars is the second and this of the Ayr here mentioned is the first Heaven and this Evening and Morning wherein this was doâ—e was the second Day though yet without a Sun 2. As there was a distinction of the upper and lower parts of the Waters so now of the Waters from the Earth the Waters â—hat encompassed wholly overwhelmed the Earth before being by the Word of God gâ—â—hâ—red togetâ—er aâ—d shut up in one plâ—ce and called Seas so that the dâ—y Lâ—nd whâ—â—h was alâ—ogether hidden before did now appeaâ— the wisdome of God thus provid ng for those Creatures which he puâ—poâ—ed to place upon the Earth Next to this was â—he furnishing the Earth with Plâ—nts Trees Herbs Grass c. which were the first Creatures that had life and that the first degree of life vâ—z Vegetation without senâ—e or motion from place to place yet endâ—ed with a seminal vertue enabling them to propagate their kinde and to bring forth an encrease And this was the work of the third Day when as yet the Sun was not created SECT 3. NOw follow the Ornaments of the chiâ—f part of this glorious Building 1. Of the Heaven on the Fourth Day 2. Of the Ayr and Waters on the Fiâ—th Day 3 Of the Earth on the Sixth Day Now the Lord having without Sun Moon or Stars given Light to the World three Days together doth by his All-mighty Word create Lights in the Heaven viz. the great Light of the Sun which should now henceforth become a Fountain of Ligâ—t both to other Stars and to the rest of the Woâ—ld by which the Day should be ruled and then a lâ—sser Light though in appearaâ—ce great to us at a neerer distance than other stâ—rs even the Moon to rule the Night so that now there should be some Light in the Night and not meâ—r Daâ—kness as in the three former Nights but either the Moon should shine with greater bâ—ightness on the Earth or aâ— least the Stars shâ—uld give some lesser Light in the absence of the Moon and even in the most cloudy Night should give some little abatement of utter Darkness But this was not all these glorious Bodies were to serve for Sâ—gnes and for Seasons and for Days and Years Wherein I. I embrace the Opinion of Parâ—â—s who acknowledgeth the Stars to have a thâ—â—e-fold kind of Signification Natural Civil Divine 1. Natural as they signify and fore-shew Rain and Drought Cold Heat Famine Plenty Eclipses c By their rising setting opposiâ—ion conjuâ—ction c. 2. Civil As they shew unto divers sorts of Men when is fit time for several employments viz. Pilots Fishermen Husbandmen Physicians c. 3 Divine So they many times foreshew the judgments of God â—o come as Wars Pestilences Conâ—lagâ—aâ—ions and fearfull alterations of States and Kingdomes II. As they are for Sigâ—es so likewise for Seasons The S n by his vaâ—iety â—f motion making the â—pring Sumâ—er Autâ—mn and Winter and the Moâ—n making nâ—w Monâ—tâ—s by her changes and revolutions III. They are likewise for Days and Yâ—ars the Light carried about bâ—fore made the Day but now the Sâ—n should measâ—re the Day from this fourth Day to the last Day the Day of Judgment by encâ—mpassing the Earth in twenty and four hours making a naâ—ural Day compleat and by a full revolution to the same point where it begun making a full Year IV. To give Light to the Earth without which all the Creatures would be in Darkness and with that Light to impart a câ—erishiâ—g heat and warmth without which the
are none of those that are born up by the spirit of God above the earth Consider how little contenteth one of these creatures and then learn to be ashamed that thine appetite is so much beyond thy necessity and practise mortification As far as we can guess the birds take more delight in flying and singing than they do in feeding and therefore they have soon done with this so should a christian be more delighted in conversing with God in walking in the spirit in running the ways of his commandments than in serving the necessities of nature yea it should be his meat and drink to do the will of God as it is a delight to the bird to sing and soar aloft Again as the bird useth not these things so as to make her unfit to fly so a Christian must not abuse meat and drink so as to clogg and dull his spirits and make him more dull and dead in the service of God but so to refresh himself that he may be the more chearful and lively in his heavenly flight 7. As the Bird not sowing nor gathering into Barnes as our Saviour telleth us yet is fed by our heavenly Father so should a child of God depend upon his providence without distrustful eares against the providence of God though not without moderate and christian cares which serve the providence of God 8. As the Bird having found somwhat to satisfie its hunger by its chirping calleth others to partake with it so should christians chearfully invite others to partake with them of those things that God hath given them and not like the hog grunt and wrangle at any that feedeth near them 9. As the Bird doth not so much as light upon the ground without the All-guiding providence of God Mat. 10. So should a christian learn to depend upon the providence and protection of God who is of far greater price in the esteem of his heavenly father than many sparrows know certainly that thy hairs are numbred and that none of them can fall to the ground without thy heavenly Father 10. Consider that as when the Bird flyeth highest it taketh least notice of earthly things and is least moved with them and affected toward them so when a Christian is most raised in spiritual affections to the greatest height of heavenly-mindedness keeping nearest heaven then is the earth farthest out of sight and he is least moved with the things here below and best able to contemn earthly vanities he is too far above these to be much affected toward them Therefore this should make us think of the exhortation of the Apostle Mind the things which are above and this should teach us to help our selves against earthly affections and fleshly lusts Think with thy self what is the reason that I am so earthly-minded that my affections are so engaged to this or that in the world yet I cannot come off nor free my self that I can scarce perswade my own heart to be without these and these things it is this because my heart is not carried aloft it draweth too near the ground it withdraweth too much from God if I should keep up my heart closer to God these things would be out of sight the earth would seldome be in my thoughts at least not so as to work much upon my affections On the other side you see that those Birds which use so much upon the ground they fly but softly as may be seen by those that use about our houses so also those Christians that are much taken up with the dealings and business of the world they fly but softly have but slow affections and sluggish motions to the things of God they go but coldly about good duties and therefore we should pray for a greater measure of the spirit to bear us upward 11. Consider also that as the Bird can mount up into the air and yet light upon the earth too and receive some refreshment there whereas the Beast cannot mount up and live in the air so a Christian can and may partake of the natural comforts and refreshments of this life though in a moderate manner and measure as well as the natural man But the natural man cannot mount up to heaven cannot live in the air cannot live by the spirit he hath no relish of spiritual things The spiritual man judgeth all things he can discern what is in nature but himself is judged of no man his excellency cannot be discerned by the eye of nature 12. Again as the Birds live in a stormy element and feel much alteration of weather heat cold winds c. as the air is the most unsetled of all other parts of the Creation so Christians do live in a condition subject to manifold alterations subject to many stormes of persecution and temptation And as the Birds are then especially in danger by snares and ginnes when they are upon the earth to which they are not subject when they are aloft in the air so a Christian is then in danger to be ensnared and entangled when he dealeth with earthly things and is most affected to the things below when he is most heavenly-minded then is he most out of danger of these snares 13. The Birds in the air meet with Birds of prey there also which are ready to seize upon them and destroy them so the Devil who is called the prince that ruleth in the air doth especially chuse to assault those that walk in the spirit even then when they are most spiritual endeavouring to pull down those that are highest in the favour of God as David c. therefore special watchfulness must be used by such 14. As the Birds are of all other living Creatures the most chearful as they are highest above the earth and nearest heaven so should a Christian labour of all other men to be most cheaâ—ful replenished with heavenly joys as he is nearer heaven and farther from the earth than others God is infinite in all goodness and happiness and the nearer to God the more happy and the greater cause of chearfulness As the Birds are most chearful in a clear sun-shiny day so is a Christian when the light of Gods countenance shineth on him As the Birds sing most chearfully after a sweet refreshing showr so should a Christian go away most cheared from the word of God when it hath distilled upon him as the dew of heaven As the Birds are merry in the spring so a Christian is when there is a spring and encrease of grace in his soul and a nearer approach of the sun of Righteousness and a special warmth of Gods love is shed abroad into his heart As the birds by chirping do set others on singing and many join together in consort so one christian should draw another by example to yeild up sweet songs of praise to God and many should join together with one spirit to glorifie the Lord. As the Birds sing although they know not where to have their next supply of
were made was made of nothing by him for it is impossible that any thing can be of it self but God who is the Beeing of Beeings and the Fountain of all things else IV The form or order of the Creation is seen in the orderly placing of all things created the Heaven in the highest place as the roof of this glorious building decked with the Sun Moon and Stars under these as some say an Element of Fire we are sure an Element of Ayr being of a pure invisible substance coming nâ—erer the nature of Heaven than thâ—se grosser Bodies which are placed below next that are the Waters more gross than the Ayr yet more pure and light than the Earth being naturally above the Earth containing it on every side and that is the proper place of the Waters but the Almighty Creator did shut it up in narrower limits commanding the Waters which covered the whole Earth to gather themselves together into one place of the Earth for this purpose that the dry Land might appear for the use of Men and Beasts c. which he had appointed to live upon the Earth Genes 1.9 yet so that he giveth it leave now to overlook the Earth as it were in lieu of that right which it hath to stand above by its Creation as you may see if you look on the Sea where the Shore is level and not mountainous yet hath the Lord by his decree as it were barred and bolted it up Iob 38.10 11. saying Hitherto shall you come but no farther and here shall thy proud Waves be stayed Psal. 33.7 He gathereth the Waters of the Sea together as an heap he layeth up the depth in Store housâ—s kept as it were under Lock and Key So the Apostle saith 2 Pet. 3.5 The Earth was standing out of the Water and in the Water In the lowest place is the Earth by the mighty hand of God fixed unmoveably in the midst of the great Creation resting upon no Foundation but the Almighty arm of its Creator having the Heavens round about it The more particular survey of the comeliness of several Creatures we may consider of afterwards thus briefly of the main Frame V. The end why God created all could not be his own encrease of happiness and contentment for he was All-sufficient of Himself and sith the Creatures were meeâ—ly nothing having no beeing at all without Him they could give nothing to him which he had not without them in himself for all that they are or have is wholly of him and from him and therefore the ends we conceive the Lord to aim at are two viz. To communicate his goodness To manifest his glory 1. He did it to communicate his goodness He made all things that he might give unto them Beeing and perfection of Beeing according to their kinds Himself being the Beeing of Beeings infinitely perfect not to receive from them who are nothing without Him 2. The second and main end is the manifestation of his glory which doth not add any thing to him but sheweth what is in â—im though incomparably short of â—hat he is so by the Creation he sheweth forth the glory of his Eternity in that bringing foâ—th the World in the beginning of time he is manifested to be before all time The glory of his infinite presence in that he hath raised and supported this huge fâ—ame of Heaven and Earth The glory of his infinite wisdome in the most excellent composition of this goodly building The glory of his All-mighty power in bringing so great a work out of nothing The glory of his infinite goodness in communicating Beeing unto that which was nothing Of his holiness in making all things good not one spot defacing any part of his work Of his infinite mercy in delivering the Creatures out of misery which had not been manifested without a Creation Of his infinite justice in punishing the rebellion of his Creatures which had not been evidenced but by a Creation Of his perfect trâ—th in his dealings wiâ—h the Creatures which how had it been made known had there not been Creatures made Of his glorious providence in governing and disposing things Created VI. Tâ—e effect is the last thing to be considered which is the whole Creation the whole body and frame of the Creatures which may be generally considered in the whole as the Lord looked upon all together and saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good which you must understand is meant 1. Of a natural goodness or perfection in every Creature whereby every one was made perfect and compleat in its kinde without all natural defects 2. Of a special goodness or holiness in the reasonable Creatures Angels and Men. Thus of the Creation in general of the several kinds of Creatures in special I shall speak more hereafter CHAP. II. Use 1. THis condemneth the Atheism of all those who deny or doubt of this truth and imagine that the World was not created of God but that it was without beginning which senseless conceit the World it self conâ—uâ—eth for who but a fool cannot see that no Creature could make it self for then it should be before it self then it should be and noâ— be at the same time neither can the mâ—st excellent Creature make the least or vilest out of nothing it being a work of him alone who is the Fountain of Beâ—ing yea the changeâ— and alterations of the World and the things thereof the fadings decays and imperfâ—ctions of it do all prove it had a beginning and that it enclineth to an end for that which is withoâ—t beginning is also without alteration Now sith the World must have a beginning it must needs have it from one of infinite excellency and perfection which is God alone none else could frame so great so glorious a Building 2. If God made the World and all things in it then let every part of the World and every Creature in the World put thee in mind of God that made it Let every thing that hath Beeing serve as a Stream to lead back thy thoughts to God who is the Spring and Fountain of all Beeing When thou seest the Sun to shine the Moon and Stars to give some light borrowed from the Sun look thou to the Father of lights and let that created light and brightness which is in these Creatures enable thee to see him that is invisible from whom the Creature receiveth all its excellency Every Creature which thou seest is a part of his Workmanship and putteth thee in mind of its Maker but these viz. the Sun Moon and Stars Heaven and Earth are the same immediate works which the Lord made at the fiâ—st Thou seest that Sun that Moon those Stars that Earth which God did immediately bring forth by his All-mighty Word· The Tâ—ees the Beasts the Birdâ— aâ—e all his Creaturâ—s all bâ—oâ—ght out of the Mass and common 〈◊〉 whâ—ch 〈◊〉 â—he first was without foâ—m and 〈◊〉 and all thâ—sâ— in
wisdome of the Lord in stretching out the huge and far-spreading body of the Heavens encompassing all the rest of the Creatures after-mentioned And let the wonderful circuit of this Creature make thee with much holy admiration to look upon that infinite Iehovah by whom it was created and if the Heavens be so great that they exceed thine imagination how great is He of whom it is truly said that Neither the Heaven nor the Heaven of Heavens can contain Him if the Heavens be so glorious how unspeakable is His glory and Majesty who hath the whole Heaven for his Throne and treadeâ—h upon the Earâ—h as his Foot-stool yea consider that if Gods wisdome power greatness c. be so notably manifested in these Earthly Creatures which we see it is much more gloriously apparent in the wonderful frame of the Heavens which we can scarcely see by reason of their distance not doubting but that the Heaven doth as far excell these lower Creatures in the excellent perfections of its nature as it is above them in height of scituation 2. Again let this make thee wonder at the goodness of God with a thankfull heart who hath not only given Man a pleasant dwelling here on Earth plentifully furnished and a Lordship over other Creatures bâ—ought out of the same common Mass with himself but also offereth him a place in the highest Heaven that he may dwell for ever in his glorious presence yea that he may sit down with him in his Throne as it is said in the Revelations so that Man who is but dust and ashes even a very piece of this lower Earth shall be exalted above the rest of the Creatures and made to dwell for ever before the face of God seeing then the Lord hath made Heaven for Man to possess let not the Earth then so steal away thy heart O Christian as if there were no better thing than the Earth for thee to enjoy let the Heaven be of greater force to raise and lift up thy heart toward it than the Earth to sink it down-ward see thine own folly and bewail it that thou hast spent more precious hours employed more serious thoughts upon some few spans of the Earth or in gathering some few pieces of white and red Earth than in seeking an assâ—â—ed title of an inheritance in those glorious and spacious Heavens Think with thy self that no pains can be too much no service too hard no endeavours too constant no affection too eager in seeking Gods Kingdome and its righteousness When God would comfort Abraham in hope of the promised inheritance and so make it a motive to him that he might be stirred unto obedience and strengthened in the faith Look saith the Lord East-ward and West-ward North-ward and South-ward for all the Land which thou seâ—â—t to thee will I give it and to thy Seed for ever Genes 13.14 15. So wouldest thou have encouragements for obedience wouldest thou know why thou shouldest do these and these duties and shun these and these sins then look up to Heaven haâ—e an eye to the glorious inheritance which God hath provided for thee Wouldest thou fain be above the reach of malicious tongues or other injuries look up to Heaven they shall not touch thee there Wouldst thou learn contentedness with thy portion look up to Heaven Thou arâ— apt to think thou hast not enough here but when once thou shalt take hold of that Heavenly Kingdome thou shalt say I have enough Look up to Heaven and remember that Christ is there in the same nature of Man wherein now thou walkest up and down making intercession for thee and that thou hast a sure friend a Sureâ—y and Advocate a Spokesman one that is thine Head and to whom thou art united as a Member now in the highest part of the whole Câ—eation Consider the dignity and priviledge of a Christian whose happiness is as far above that of the Worldling as the Heaven is above the Earth 3. Consider the restless motions of the Heavens never at a stop never abating in any degree the swiftness of their motion and learn both the perfection of God whose providence is in a continual course by which as well the Heavens as the lowest Creatures are carried about all in him moving and having their Beeing and on the other side take notice of thy duty and learn to go on in a restless course of godliness as one carryed about by the power of the spirit as the first mover in all the ways and works of God whereby the heart as the first wheel is stirred and the whole outward Man carried about by that motion from which proceedeth both to will and to do according to his good pleasure In the second place to the first Nights work belongeth the Creation of that first confused lump and mass of things here called Earth but having in it as it were the stuff and materials of all these lower Bodies 1. Consider what a rude mishapen lump this was at the first and in thy thoughts strip the Earth of all its glory consider it bare and naked without Grass Trees Herbs Men Beasts Light or any thing that belongeth to its comeliness furniture or perfection and then remember that as it had Beeing so all its excellency and beauty was from the Lord and therefore suffer not any thing belonging to the Earth not any thing that partaketh of it or is of kin unto it to draw away thy heart from him who gave it all that it hath let not that which is wholly God's dâ—aw thee from God but rather lead thee to him Take the Earth as it was of it self and it was nothing take it as it was in the beginning of its Beeing and it was as good as nothing it had not any excellency of Beeing to draw thine heart after it if then thou hadst been Created and then conclude it were a madness to conceive it thus to be decked and dressed up by the Lord himself for this purpose that it might draw thy heart from him and move thee to prefer it above him 2. Learn here to see a Picture of thy state of unregeneration thy body of sin what is it bâ—t a very Chaos a rude confused lump of disordered lusts Earthly affections and muddy distempered passions Is it not without its proper form Doubtless the Soul hath lost that beautiful shape and Image of its Maker consisting in wisdome righteousness and true holiness darkness is upon the face of it What a misty Night shadoweth the understanding of every natural Man so that hâ— canâ—ot diâ—cern the things of God Alas he hath no Light the Day is not dawned neither is the Day-star risâ—n upon his Soul he speaketh readeth heareth of God of his love in Christ bâ—t hath no cleer sanctified aâ—â—reâ—ension of any Heavenly mystery he looketh blindly upon his sins upon his afflictiâ—ns upon his crosses upon his comforâ—s upon all or many of these that which the faithful Soul sees whose eyes have been
golden mines Learn to humble thy self before him whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter than the Sun who knoweth many more faults in us than we can see in our selves be we never so watchful who is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things Let it not seem incredible unto thee that God should be every where present and see all things in all places seeing the Sun which is one of his Creatures and but apart of his fourth day's work doth at once shine many hundred thousand miles if you reckon how his light reacheth downward from heaven to earth and that Northward Southward Eastward Westward yea from heaven to heaven for when it is on the other side of the earth it shineth on the Moon on this side the earth and causeth it to shine yea it shineth upon every tree upon every little grass and doth as it were in its kind look upon the smallest thing Is it then to be doubted that God who can make a thousand Suns as excellent as this with a word should be in all places at once and see all things at one view Even reason may teach us that it is more strange that the Sun being a Creature should shine so far and on so many Creatures at once than that the Infinite God should be thus every where present and see all things Yea thou maist assure thy self that as the Sun is not polluted with the loathsome puddles and dunghils on which it shineth so neither is the Lord by filling all places even there where are the greatest pollutions He is no farther from happiness in Hell than in Heaven for himself is Hiâ— perfection and excellency from whom no degree of happiness can be taken 8. Consider also the swiftness of the Sun which is beyond the thought of man wonderful is the work of God in this regard if we consider what an huge compass the Earth hath and then how the heavens are above the Earth so that the Sun in twenty four houres doth not onely go round about the Earth but also round that huge compass between Heaven and Earth I cannot conceive but that it must needs go many hundred thousand miles in one hour Now is it not easier for God to be every where at once â—han for the Sun to make such a speedy course yet notwithstanding the time of thy life goeth as fast as the Sun it self for it carrieth about thy time thy days thy years thine age with it Oh consider every time thou seest the Sun in his race my life runs along and keepeth pace with this Sun a thousand times faster than any Eagle can fly in the ayr I sit still but my life runneth post I am idle but my time is every moment in a speedy course nay I go backward when my time runneth forward woe is me that I grow less careful in hastening on in my journey that I linger that I go out of the way when my days are carried away upon the wings of the Sun oh call to God for quickening grace that the spirit of God may lift thee up and carry thee on in a farr more speedy course of holy obedience When thou thy self lackest means to pass away the time or hearest others complain in this regard look up to the Sun and think with they self doth not the Sun go fast enough surely time goeth along with it and never laggeth one inch behind it is it not a madness then to call for more help to drive it forward Is there not much more cause to labour by all means to make hast after our time which we have already lost which hath long since out-run us let us take time to bewail our loss of time and be ashamed any more to complain of it as if it were too slow-paced 9. Consider that as the Sun is not the Authour nor cause of darkness when he taketh away his beams from us but the darkness followeth upon his removal so God is not the Authour of sin or blindness when he most justly denieth his light and graces to the unworthy sons of Adam but that sin followeth thereupon glorify his perfect purity and do not conceive one thought against him so as to enwrap him with thy self in guiltiness but say with the Psalmist The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works Thus much for the Sun SECT 3. NOw follow the Moon and Stars The Moon which is appoinâ—ed to rule the night is a Creature where we may behold the glory of God though more dimly shining than in the Sun 1. Here see God's wisedome and goodness in mitigating the darkness of the night that when the Sun is out of sight yet we should have a Moon to give us some though not so great a light and if both be sometimes absenâ— yet then we have the Stars to make some abatement of utter darkness How wonderful was the Lord in his works who was pleased not onely to give us so great a light by day but also to set up candles for us in the Heavens in the night time even so should we think also how the Lord dealeth with his servants if he take away the Sun-shine of comforts from them even fulness of joy yet even then he leaveth some Moon-light or Star-light at the least some glimmerings whereby they conceive some hope and are though not much cheered yet supported Be thankful for the least degree and wait patiently for a greater measure seek to him stand not in thine own light let not thy soul refuse comfort or if there be no Moon or Stars to be seen by reason of the clouds yet I am perswaded that in the darkest night there is some little degree of light though not scarcely to be discerned by us yet I do not think it is ever so dark as in those three nights before the Sun was made so in the greatest decay of grace the greatest darkness of spiritual desertion when there is scarce any degree of spiritual life grace or comfort to be discerned yet in every true Christian who once was made a new Creature there is some degree and it is not with him as it was before the Sun of righteousness was risen upon him there is not that utter darkness that was upon his soul while it was in that more confused chaos and heap of unregeneration 2. The Moon in respect of the Sun is as the Church in respect of Christ the Moon borroweth her lâ—ght of the Sun so doth the Church her graces righteousness and all her happiness of Christ the Sun of righteousness What a poor Creature is the Moon how dark is it when the Earth cometh between the Sun and her how empty would the Church be of all light grace comfort if Christ should be hidden from her when the Moon is most enlightened by the Sun yet there are some dark spots to be disceâ—ned in her so when the Church is most replenished with the beams of this Sun of
the nourishment of the body and so for the preservation of life and this also yeildeth abundant matter of delight and refreshment Iob saith Doth not the ear try words and the mouth or palate tast his meat Iob 12.11 That is doth it not by tasting try it for God hath given this ability to the Creatures to try what is agreeable to their bodies and what is displeasing In the last place the Touch or Feeling is may rise again an incorruptible immortal spiritual glorious body like the body of Christ at his comming through his mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself SECT 4. IV. EVen this earthly frame of the body proveth it an hard thing to put off earthly affections and therefore care and striving should be used in it The body being made of dust it will return to dust again not onely in the final dissolution but also in the present inclination it now leaneth to the earth and resteth on the earth Man is deeply in love with his own Element and strongly tyed to it in his affections It is said of one that being one of Three who demanded of the Orracle which should be chief and hearing that he should be the man that first should kiss his Mother he fell down and kissed the earth as accounting it the common mother of all men are so in love with the Earth that they embrace it and as it were kiss it in their affections as a Mother out of whose womb they had their beginning although the Oracles of Gods word condemn this folly and teach them that thus doing they shall be least in the Kingdom of God and that this doting love of the world is enmity with God Therefore we should pray earnestly to God that he would change this earthly temper of our souls into heavenly affections How needful is it for us to practise that of our Saviour even to forsake our selves our selves being earth we must renounce our earthly selves and deny our selves for though we could restrain our selves somwhat from outward earthly courses yet so long as we keep our earthly affections our hearts will cleave to the earth Special cause we have to study that book of the Wise man throughout which teacheth us the vanity and vexation of spirit that is in earthly things and to see and admire the treasures and riches of Gods Kingdome that apprehending better things we may make better account of these SECT 5. V. IN as much as God made our bodies we must yeild up our bodies to his service for God made all things for himself saith the Scripture He made not the body for the Devil nor for the world nor for lust nor for drunkenness but for Himself let us well consider this and learn to give God his due The Idolater will bow with his body to Idols and say that he keepeth his heart to God but he must know that God made the body as well as the soul and if he made all things for himself then the body as well as any other thing The prophane person that abuseth his Tongue to swearing wanton wicked discourses to railing scoffing c. the Adulterer which sinneth against the whole body as the Apostle sheweth the Drunkard who abuseth his body to excess of swilling and drinking the wanton that abuseth his eye to careless wandring and openeth his ear to vanity he that pleaseth his palate and loveth his pleasures more than God he that thinketh his body given him for no other purpose but either to drudge about earthly things or to â—ast of earthly delights even such a one is apt to say he hath a good heart toward God But be not deceived God made this Body for Himself and therefore we must not abuse any part of the Body to his dishonour nor make any member of it an Instrument of unrighteousness but to give up the members of our bodies as Instruments of righteousness unto holiness let us not think a little pains of the body too much to bestow in the service of God in hearing the word in prayer in humiliation c. but let us glorifie God as in our souls especially so in our bodies also for they are Gods as well as our souls SECT 6. VI. IN that God made the body care must be used to preserve and not to destroy thine own body or thy brothers we must not pull down this tabernacle which God himself hath pitched but must leave it to his disposing using all lawful means to keep it up and to preserve it strong untill he please to dissolve it shun intemperancy and excess in things that please the appetite in meats and drinks c. Use those means which God hath given thee to repair this house which God Himself hath builded for thy soul to dwell in let the life and body of another be precious in thy sight and do thy endeavour to preserve it And let us know that in some case not to save life is to destroy viz. when there is special means calling and opportunity to do it in times of necessity some means must be used to prevent the famishing of many therefore at such times we should freely give without grudging to the relief of others Remember that it is for the preservation of those bodies which God hath made And let this keep thee from laying violent hands on thine own body it is a loud crying sin to destroy anothers body because God hath made it but most horrible to destroy thine own sith God hath made it and hath given thee a special charge to keep it Moreover sith God hath made the body let us rely upon Him for the maintenance of the body He hath made it and he will keep it he hath given a mouth and he will give meat he hath given a back and he will cloath it Thus may a Christian that hath recovered his forfeiture in Christ reason from the love and promise of God And therefore in hard times our wants should be special motives to drive us home to God through Christ that being in him we might assure our selves of all needful supply for the body from his hand that made it there is not the poorest among us but if they would effectually turn to God and depend upon him they should find they have no cause to despair in regard of bodily helps they should find him supplying or supporting and one way or other providing for them SECT 7. VII HAth God made thy body upright and looking up toward heaven this should teach thee to mind the things that are above to be heavenly-minded It is a great shame that the body should look upward and the soul and affections bend downward to the things of the earth There is many times an upright body and Curva interras anima a Crook-backed soul leaning toward the earth so that whereas the soul should raise the body and make it the better because of its Union with an immortal Spirit it rather
it was perfect in its kind and therefore he had so much knowledge of his excellency as was sufficient to make him admire him love him magnify him above all things and so much as was sufficient cleerly to direct him in any duty which by the first Covenant and Law of his Creation he owed unto him so that as God knew himself so Man had a cleer knowledge of God and therein did bear his Image Then had he also a perfect knowledge of the Creatures sc. of Himself and Others Himself he knew both soul and body and well understood the nature and vertue of each faculty in the one and the temper and use of each member or parts in the other And this appeareth by the knowledge which he had of the Woman at the first sight This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man He had a perfect knowledge of all the other Creatures here below he knew the Trees of the Gardens the Herbs Grass and all sorts of Plants and the natural vertues and properties that were in them he knew the Beasts of the Field the Fowls of the Ayr and Fishes of the Sea and so Adam gave fit and proper names to all Birds and Beasts so I doubt not but he knew the nature and several kinds of all Minerals mettals precious Stones c. together with the course and motions of the Heavens Sun Moon and Sâ—ars Thus did the understanding which is the eye of Mans soul represent the infinite knowledg of God and bear its Image And those things which we call now hidden qualities in the Creatures were not hidden from him and are now covered from us not in regard of their own natures but in respect of our blindness contrary to that light which was natural to us in the Creation But all this while Man had no knowledge of evil he knew not what ignorance or error meant he knew not what a stubborn will an hard heart a polluted conscience was he had no knowledge of the nature of diseases nor of their remedies no nor of the cure of sin nor of the washing away of its guilt and pollution Therefore the promise of this new kind of knowledge made by Sathan caused the Womans Ear to itch and her Heart to long as imagining her self capable of some higher perfection which God had not given her for this knowledge concerned not that estate of Man or did it make for his happiness SECT 2. II. HIs will was perfectly bent to obey and cleave unto his Creator whom he knew to be infinitely more excellent than all the Creatures and from whom he saw he had received all the good and happiness which he enjoyed he was fully resolved never to forsake him knowing there was none in Heaven or Earth to be regarded in comparison of him in every affection of his heart and soul he did carry a lively Image of his Maker He loved God most intirely whom he saw to be the greatest good beyond comparison and he loved whatsoever was agreeable unto God and herein he did resemble God who loveth himself with a most perfect love and loveth whatsoever is agreeable to himself he perfectly hated whatsoever was contrary to God all manner of sin and transgression as the Lord also hateth it If he had any actual desire it was most holy but I see not what he could actually desire in that estate unless it were the continuance of that happiness which he had and that neer communion with his God for he was full already and had as much joy holiness and happiness as he was capable of so that his desire of good was not to have it increased but only to have it continued to him but he had not the least desire of any evil his Ioy was wholly in God who was his happiness and in whom he found most sweet and full contentment He had no matter of grief within or without him nothing that should lessen his joy or imbitter his comfort sin which is the fountain of sorrow was not then found in the World As for sorrow he had none actually stirring in him though an ability he had which afterward he had much cause to employ His trust and confidence was in God and he believed that which he revealed to him So long as he stood firm he believed that threatning In the Day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the Death And when Sathan by his lying suggestion brought him from his stedfast belief of this Truth then his Feet were more than almost gone his steps had more than well-nigh slipped But while he remained in his state of Creation he believed without doubting yet had he not actually faith in Christ as a Redeemer which is that grace whereby the Elect in this new Covenant of the Gospel are saved for being free from sin he needed not a Redeemer to satisfy for his guilt by his Death yet I doubt not but that he had an ability to believe whatsoever God should reveal unto him and so to have believed this truth if it had been revealed Aâ— for fear he was free from all slavish fears of vengeance or misery perfect love casting out all such kind of fear Yet I am perswaded that he could not want an holy humble reverence and submissive respect unto his Maker Courage he had in perfection not fearing all the World whiles he knew that God was with him As for Desperation it was far from the height of his happiness who was not subject to the least distrust An holy anger a divine flame of zeal for his beloved Creators glory I cannot think was wanting in him inasmuch as the very Angels are called Seraphims or Fiery Spirits Thus brightly did the Image of God shine in the Face of Mans Soul at his first Creation and though he were infinitely unequal to him he had not any spot of sin or impurity in him to make him uâ—like or contrary to him that made him God made Man upright saith the wise Man Eccles. 7.29 and so he made him like himself SECT 3. 3. BUt besides these excellencies he did also otherwise resemble his Creator and that is the second thing the inferiour part of Gods Image in Man and that in two sorts of things 1. In things belonging to the Body it self 2. In things without his Body 1. Of the things belonging to the Body you have heard before when I spake of the Creation of the Body sc. the beauty and excellent temper of the Body for though the Lord hath no Body being an infinite and most glorious Beeing yet these things as they were excellencies and things that made somewhat for the happiness of Man they were in some sort resemblances of the divine glory and excellency of God To these I may add also Immortality for the Body also was by the goodness of its Maker free from Death had not Sin made a forfeiture of his life
natural hea and living Creatures would â—â—on be extinguished And this Evening and Morning was 〈◊〉 Fourth Day viz. with those â—hree that were before the Sun but the first Day wherein there was a Sun to give Light Thâ— nâ—xâ— Day the Ayr and Waâ—ers were furnished where it seemeth that God brought both Fowles and Fishes out of the Waters so it seemeth the Fowles were brought forth out of the Waters above the Fiâ—mament and now are appointed â—o fly in the Fiâ—mament or Ayr and the Fishes weâ—e brought forth out of tâ—e Waters bâ—low where yet they abide and swim this was on the fiâ—â—â— Day On the Sixth Day was the Earth furnished with Beasts and creeping things of every kinde And last of all was created a Lord of the rest even Man upon the same Day of which more hereafter Thus much for these bodily Creatures concerning which something may be profitabâ—y spoken by way of Application and someâ—hing also by way of Allusion CHAP. II. Use 1. IN that God did choose to make the World in this space of time who could as easily have made it as well in one moment as in six Days this should teach us to take time for Meditation on his Works He that could in one instant at one word have brought forth Heaven full of Stars the Ayr full of Fowls the Water full of Fishes the Earth full of Beasts creeping things Trees c. was pleased to make several Days works of this wonderful Creation and to proceed distinctly and orderly in his work teaching us by the manner of his working only by his Word without Instruments that he could have done all at once which now he did at several times it being as easie for Him at one word to say let there be a perfect World as at one word to say Let there be Light and on the other side by this stay and pause in working teaching us to stay in our thoughts and to cause our minds to dwell upon his glorious works our minds I say which are of narrow capaciâ—y and can but take in things by peece-meale into their consideration The eyes of our Souls are but narrow and it is not enough for them at one glance to view the whole frame of this glorious Building but rather by setled Meditation to fix themselves upâ—n it and leisurely to pass from one part and point thereof to another and in every part to admire the Infinite and All-sufficient perfection of the Worker It is that which may make us ashamed and tremble also 〈◊〉 God should call our Consciences to account few of us could say that of â—ll the time we have spent ever sith-hence we had the use of ouâ— understandings in a serious Meditation on Gods works to this end that we might glorify the Maker would not make up one Week not one six Days not so long as the Lord was in bringing them forth Is not this a shame for Man who was made of purpose to glorify God in his works that he should not in all his life spend so much time in meditating on the works of God notwithstanding his dulness and sloth of apprehension as the Lord was pleased to take in making of them notwithstanding his Omnipotency which could have made them all in less than one minute as easily as in a thousand years Thâ—s therefore should cause us to humble our selves for ouâ— failing in this regard whereof we are guilty in an high degree and move us to spend more hours in studying this great Book of Nature which the Lord hath spread open before us therein describing unto us those invisible things of his Eternal Power and God-head in such plain and legible Characters that he which runneth mâ—y read them every main part being as it were a several Volume the Heaven the Aire the Earth and Waters every Creature in thâ—se being a several Leaf or Page every part of each Creature every natural property quality or created vertue in each being a several liâ—e or at least word or syllable deserving a studious and attentive Reader that is one that will seriously take into his thoughts the admirable incomprehensible excellency and perfection of the Maker And as our Saviour speaking of Daniel's Prophesie concerning the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place saith Let him that readeth consider so say I of these great works of Gods Creation which we may call the Books of Nature written with the Finger of God let him that readeth them consider let him that looketh upon them not do it with a careless eye but with attentive thoughts and most effectual Meditations yee may not herein be like idle Readers that only loâ—k at the beginning of a Book to see the name and then throw it away again And what if I should say it were expedient herein to follow the same order in considering of the Lords works as the Lord himself did in their Creation that is to bind our selves to do the work of the Day in its Day namely on the same Day wherein each work was done to meditate on the work of that Day I will not say that he sinneth who doth not follow this order I know no such warrant But this I say considering our weakness who must have time to make a distinct consideration of things considering how apt we are to be carried away with idle impertinent and unprofitable musings and so to look away fâ—om those things whereupon our thoughts should especially be fixed considering the great and admirable variety of Creatures and of natural qualities and perfections in those Creatures all issuing from that one single but All-sufficient perfection of an infinite God especially considering that the Lord hath been pleased not only to let us know how many Days he spent in the Creation of all the whole but also particularly and distinctly to acquaint us with his several Days works telling us what he did the first Day what he did the second Day c. â— dare boldly say it is expedient even to tye our selves to set apart some time in those several Days for a more special view of those several works The work it self is necessary and a more natural and convenient order to be used in performing it I cannot think of than this which I now propose CHAP. III. Meditations on the first Days Work SECT 1. LEt us now consider what was the first days work and that upon the first day which now we call the Lords day and therein first consider what was done in the Evening of that Day and then what was done in the Morning 1. What was done in the Evening it seemeth that in the Evening or Nâ—gâ—t was maâ—e the Heaven without Light the Earth wiâ—hout form darkness câ—vering the face of the deâ—p and the spirit of God moving upon the surface of the Waters And here is plentiful maâ—ter for thy thoughts to work upon on this first day of the week 1. Then admire and magnify the wonderful power and
righteousness viz. the graces of Christ-Iesus yet she hath her spots in this life which shall never wholly be done away until the life to come when she shall be presented by Christ to the Father not having spot or wrinckle or any such thing and therefore to imagine a Church on Earth free from all blemishes is to fancy a Moon without spots 3. As the Moon having received light from the Sun giveth light to others so that they see by the light of the Sun shining in the Moon and then reflecting from the Moon upon the Creatures here below so the Church and every true member of it having received the light of heavenly knowledge and sanctification from the Sun must cause this light to shine before men that they may see his good works and so be moved to glorify his Father which is in Heaven yea to glorify Christ-Iesus who is the Sun from whom the light which shineth in their hearts is derived and received And to be wholly dark and voyd of the fruits of holiness is an argument that we have no communion with Christ-Iesus you must therefore shine to others by an holy Example that they which will not see by the Sun-shine of the word may yet see by the Moon-light of their lives derived from this Sun 4. Again as thou seest the Moon to shine in a very dark night as it cannot chuse but shine having received light from the Sun so in the midst of a most crooked generation in evil times in places that abound with children of darkness and works of darkness a Christian must not forbear to shine in holiness having received light from Iesus-Christ 5. The Moon careth not though thee vish persons hate her light because it discovereth their works of darkness â—either doth she cease to shine because the dogs bark at her so a Christian having received light from Christ must not care though the wicked are offended at that light which shineth in his life whereby their contrary practises are discovered the more clearly to be hateful works of darkness neither must he cease to shew forth this light because the doggish tongues of wicked railers and scoffers be moved against him keep on in thy course as the Moon doth all this while and let thy light shine before men that even the night-Walkers and Children of darkness may be converted and convinced by it 6. As the Moon by being Eclipsed doth shew that the light it hath is not its own but is received from the sun in as much as the body of the earth coming between the sun and it is seen to take away her light which if she had of her self she needed not to look toward another for it so also the Eclipses and intermissions of the Acts of grace and motions of the spirit in a Christian do oftentimes make it manifest to himself and sometimes to others too that the light which he hath is not of himself but received from Christ at whose pleasure it is either imparted or denied Therefore learn thou to work this good out of that evil even by thy failings to see thy emptiness and to give glory to him by whose free grace thou art what thou art 7. Again as the Moon is unconstant and full of changes and yet still receiveth some light so the Church hath been in an unconstant unsetled condition is full of changes yet never without some light she is sometime waxing somtimes waning somtimes flourishing in grace and in the purity and plenty of the word preached like the full Moon and then again declining then again renewing so that though the Moon be always visible yet is she at somtimes but darkly visible so the Church is always visible unto them who have eyes to see her but at somtimes she maketh a dimmer appearance than at other 8. Moreover as the Moon when she is in conjunction with the Sun doth then shine less unto us than when she is in opposition one half space of heaven distant from it for when she is joined with the Sun she is at the change but when there is this diametrical opposition she is at the full so when Christ was here in the flesh conversing with the Church it was then but in a mean condition even in the change from Judaism to Christianism so that now presently it became a new Moon changed from a Jewish Synagogue to a Christian Church but in short time after his ascension through his spirit abundantly poured down upon it when there was a diametrical opposition between Him and It then it was at the full and therefore he told them aforehand that it was expedient he should go away from them and then he would send the Comforter even his blessed Spirit whereby they should be made to shine more brightly in knowledg and graces than before whilst he was with them SECT 4. THe Stars also those glistering pearls of the Orb of heaven are notable and bright evidences of an infinite and most glorious Creatour every one doth set forth his praise even as if the heavens had as many Tongues as Stars to proclaim his excellency to the Earth 1. Admire him therefore in the numberless multitude of the stars admire him in their constant and orderly motions admire him that telleth the number of the Stars and calleth them all by their names Think of the star that guided the wise men unto Christ and pray that the day Star may rise in thine heart 2. Consider how bright the Stars shine in a cold night and think how thy soul should shine in grace in time of adversity 3. Consider that neither Moon nor Stars do carry any special brightness in the presence of the Sun and though the Moon be seen yet she shineth but dimmely or not at all but the Stars are not apparent so the Church in general hath no excellency in comparison of the Excellency of Christ and as for the particular members they are like stars after Sun rising their beauty is scarce to be discerned 4. Remember our Saviours comparison who calleth the Ministers of the Church Stars which he holdeth in his right hand Rev. 1. and therefore think that as the Stars are the ornaments of the heaven so are faithful Ministers the ornaments of the Church and not esteemed by Christ as they are by the world the off-scouring of all things 5. Consider those Comets or Blazing-stars though they make a greater blaze than the true stars of heaven yet were they never fixed in the heavens and therefore are soon extinguished so those hypocrites that make but a blaze for a time they were but Meteors wandring in the air of unstable affections not fixed in the Church nor engraffed into Christ. 6. As the stars are numblerless so are the heirs of glory though far short of the reprobates let the hope of a glorious condition like that of the stars make thee heavenly-minded and teach thee to comfort thy self in God who hath provided such great things for
thee CHAP VII Meditations on the fifth Days Work SECT 1. COme we now to the fifth day which with us is usually called Thursday the story of which days work we have laid down in Gen. 1.20 21 22 23. Wherein the waters were furnished with fishes and other Creatures that live there and the air with fouls and such creatures as live in it 1. Here consider that after those four days when the heavens were furnished with lights and the earth beautified with plants springing out of it by vertue of the word of God yet all this while there was not one creature throughout the whole Creation that had sense or power to move from place to place not one fly or the least thing moving in the air not one fish swimming throughout the seas rivers or other waters not one worm creeping on the earth here then admire the wonderful power and wisdom of God who on the fifth day by his All-commanding word filled the air with multitudes of Creatures flying there the waters with abundant of fishâ—s swimming there this was done even in a moment Consider what numberless swarms there were both of fouls and fishes brought forth on the fifth day whereas the very day before there was not one of any kind to be found in any part of the Creation And as the wisdom of God joined these two sorts of creatures together so he made in many respects a special affinity between them as the fouls are covered with feathers so the fishes with scales as the fouls move in the air so do the fishes in that element which cometh nearest the nature of the air as the fouls have wings to fly withall so the fishes have â—innes whereby they swimme and that is a motion very like to that of flying yea some of either kind do communicate with each other in their element for as we have water-fouls so there have been flying-fish in great abundance so that here you may magnifie the wisdome of God who in the day that these creatures were made did imprint upon them such properties and qualities as should be evidences to the end of the world in some sort that they were but the work of one and the same day 2. Consider here that as the Lord hath appointed the fouls to fly in the air and the fishes to swimme in the sea confining each to his own element for the general though some few particulars be suffered to live in both this should teach us to walk within the compass of our callings and not to think we shall mend our selves in a different element or another kind of course without some special cause Some few may have some special warrant to change their callings as Amos to leave his flock and teach the people and Peter to leave his nets and fish for men These had an immediate call from God and so I dare not deny but that in case of great necessity when the Church is destitute of able Ministers some well-studied in the Scriptures and experienced in the mysteries of grace may take upon them the office of the Ministry being lawfully separated unto that function yet this will prove no more that every one may at his pleasure run from the shop to the pulpit than it will follow that all the fishes in the sea may fly up into the air because some few do so And this should especially â—each Christians who are called unto holiness to take heed how they leave their element They are bidden to walk in the spirit even as birds fly in the air and in this element they must keep for as the air giveth breath unto the fouls that fly in it so the sanctifying spirit giveth the new life unto those that walk in him the waters would choak and drown the fouls if they should fall into them so sin is that which endangereth the spiritual life when a christian falleth into it The air giveth a speedy flight and motion to the Birds whereas the waters would wet their wings and cause them to move but slowly if they fall into it so the spirit when a Christian walketh in it carrieth him along with winged-affections and setteth his heart in a speedy motion upon the things of God making him ready unto every good work but if he fall into sin which is like the waters of the dead sea that Lake of Sodom his heart is like a bird drenched in water his affections are deaded his heart moveth but slowly yea many times he lieth for dead and there is scarce any motion of the spirit to be discerned in him And as in such cases a foul had need of more than ordinary means to help as to be held over a warm fire c. So a christian that he may recover his wings again and have his heart spiritually affected and enlarged toward God had need of special humiliation special meditation pâ—aier and other warming and quickening means to raise him up 3. As the air giveth breath and motion so also it giveth support to the birds and it carrieth them even as the earth doth the beasts which go up and down upon it so doth the spirit also give support unto all that are born of the spirit They are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation If it were not ordinary it might seem strange that the air which none can see being so thin a substance should carry so many millions of souls as there are in it flying up and down wonderful is the power of the blessed invisible spirit who supporteth so many thousand christians by his sanctifying vertue against all the powers of darkness 4. As these birds do now live in the air so were the fouls created in the air at the first so whosoever walketh in the spirit was also born of the spirit he had his begining in this element 5. Consider that as the Birds although they live and move in the air yet they come down to receive some refreshment from the earth so the Lord alloweth his children to receive some nourishment from the earth and to partake of its refreshments yet so as they must not delight in the earth as in their element nor in the things of the earth as their chiefest contentment but like the birds of heaven having supplied their necessities must be ready to soar aloft again and not in their affections be still groveling here below 6. You see how sparingly the birds take of the water a bird doth not drink like a beast it rather sippeth so should a christian sparingly use the pleasures of this life rather sipping like the bird than swilling like the swine As for those that give themselves to drink down iniquity like water and to commit sin with greediness they are none of those who have their conversation in heaven nay those that glut themselves with earthly pleasures knowing no better contentments than in such things as please the senses the appetite the eyes ears tast c. They
should learn to bless God for every faculty of our souls we are too unthankful for all sorts of mercies but yet more apt to give thanks at least outwardly for things without us than for those more excellent things within us Thus many a one saith I thank God for health for meat and drink c. that never not so much as in words doth give him thanks for his soul and the several faculties of it How seldome hath God any praise for our understandings our judgments our memories our reason wills and affections how lame would our souls be without the will and affections how blind without reason memory or understanding yet how unthankful are we to him that made them we should râ—ckon these among the chiefest of Gods blessings next to the sanctifying graces of Gods spirit and accordingly shew our thankfulness for them to his glory SECT 2. II. IN as much as the Soul is more excellent by its Creation than the Body this sheweth that our care should be greater for the soul than for the body Nature it self might teach even a natural man to be more careful of the natural good of the soul than of the body which yet is contrary to the practice of man You will say the Natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit neither can he discern them because they are spiritually discerned But I speak now of such natural good things as tend to the enriching and perfecting of the soul and mind of man namely such knowledg in Arts and Sciences as concerneth the things of this life How many do preferre the things of the body above these But the principal thing is that which concerneth the spiritual happiness heavenly perfection of the soul. These things which are the most excellent endowments of the most excellent part of man are less regarded and sought for than those that are the meanest appurtenances of the body which is the meanest part The least saving grace being a thing belonging to the perfection of the soul is worth more than the whole body which without the soul is but a dead lump of earth Can a Maid forget her ornament oâ— a Bride her attire yet my people have forgotten me days without number saith the Lord Ier. 2.32 what a shameful indignity is this to the Majesty of God when ornaments of the body toyes head-tyres or the like serving to dress up an earthly carkass shalâ— be better remembred than God himself yea shall be remembred when he is forgotten Thus every thing belonging to the body is thought of but the soul is forgotten the eye must be pleased the ear must be tickled the palate must be delighted great ado must be made for back and belly but where is the care for the soul we can starve that yet never feel any hunger we can let it pine away yet never complain of weakness we can suffer mortal diseases most dangerous corruptions to grow upon our souls and never see our need of spiritual physick How many a soul is swollen with pride and over-grown with vile affections and yet no care is taken of it but it is let alone as if all were well yea what deadly wounds do men daily give to their consciences by swearing lying drunkenness by unjust and indirect dealings with others yet all this is esteemed as nothing no care is used to have it cured nay he that shall desire to cure it or perswade them from these desperate courses tending to the destruction of their souls shall be hated as an enemy Our very creation should make us ashamed of this folly that all the care is taken for the body framed out of the dust and the soul is utterly neglected which the Lord himself breathed into the body Fâ—ar not them saith our Saviour Mat. 10.28 which after they have killed the body can do no more but fear bim which can cast the body and soul into hell-fire Yet he that shall follow our Saviours counsel in this shall be thought to be a fool by many men he that will rather suffer harm in his body or loss in his goods and such things as concern the body than hazard his soul upon any sin which is death to the soul is thought to do it in simplicity for want of wit whereas even reason might teach us that the soul is a thousand times better than the body and the misery of the soul incomparably beyond the punishments that can befall the body in this life Let us then labour to prevent the everlasting destruction of the soul and fear it more than a thousand deaths of the body if it could possibly endure so many Think that a precious thing that weigheth more than the whole earth in the ballance of the sanctuary and the judgment of Christ. What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul Oh learn to prize thy soul a precious Creature and immortal Spirit and make it appear thou makest more reckoning of it than of thy body thy body is but a small piece of earth but the whole earth is not able to bring forth or yeild matter for one soul which is of an higher nature SECT 3. III. THis should teach us also that the greatest good which one man can do for another is that which is done for his soul. The feeding cloathing and refreshing of anothers body is a good work if rightly performed but the good which is done to the soul is a better work as the soul is better than the body This therefore should reform a gross folly among us whereby it is conceived that there is no good work in a manner besides that which is done to the body It is true that he who hath this worlds good and yet doth no good in this kind doth not truly perform any other good work but yet this on the otherside is a gross errour to conceive that the best thing that a man can do is to help the outward man and that the doing of this is enough to excuse him from doing good to the souls of others This is a gross carnal conceit it is as much as to affirm that the body is better than the soul earth than heaven mortality more excellent than immortality and a lump of flesh more worth than a spiritual being Now men are so far from esteeming that best which is done for the good of the soul that they account those admonitions and reproofs which are tendered to them for this purpose the greatest signs of ill-will that any man can shew to others no man is accounted a worse neighbour than he that will seek to pluck mens souls as brands out of the fire of Gods wrath by shewing them the danger of their sins If men want for the body what outcrys are there made against the hardness of others hearts men are so hard-hearted now a days that they will not give a poor man a bit of bread they will see him starve first and somtimes