loc To keepe this holy fire alive in thy breast consider three things 1 the motives to perswade the soule to rest wholly upon God and set her delight in him 2 The meanes whereby God becomes the soules whole contentment 3 the markes and rules of triall whereby she may know she is not deceived in her choice The perswading motives are foure The first is the consideration of the infinite love of God declared and revealed unto us For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Sonne that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Ioh. 3.16 The gradation makes this affection singular (u) Eia fratres Deus voluit esse filius hominis homines esse voluit filios deit ipse descendit propter nos nos ascendimus propter ipsum haec spes est cateris quod propterea ille descendit ascendit ut in illo cum illo unum essent quiper illum â—scensuri essent S. Aug. tract 12. in Iohan. Idcirco Deus mundum dilexit amore inenarrabili inaestimabili mundum inquam qui totus in malo jacet 1. Joh. 5.19 ne quis de mundo aut in mundo de Dei desperare ausit gratia idcirco filium Dei non adoptivum sed suum sed unigemtum dedit pro omnibus ut omnibus salus offerretur ideo non misit filium ut judicaret mundum meritisque afficeret supplicijs sed ut servaret S. Hilar. lib. 6. de trinit The all-sufficient God loved where he found cause of hatred the world an enemie no friend he so loved that he gave his gift was a Sonne his owne Sonne not one adopted his onely begotten Sonne not one of many not for himselfe but to purchase thee eternall life To requite which love what recompence doth the Lord require at thy hands but thy love to him in heaven and thy affection on earth What soule can be so steely as not embrace and kisse that hand which hath care for nothing in heaven but thy salvation and for nothing on earth but thy comfort content satisfaction (x) Sic Deum loquentem inducit Euthimius in loc Margaritum quippe est sermo Dei ex omni parte forari potest S. Hieron ep 22. And when the Sonne of God ascended hee had so perfected our Redemption that there was nothing left for him to do more either in heaven or earth nor for us but to welcome his mercie and congratulate his victorie with faith reciprocall love and obedience (y) Arnob. in loc Si affixus serpens ligno filijs Israel contulit sanitatem quanto magis salutem praestat populis dominus in patibulo crucifixus si figura tantum profait quantum profuisse eredimus veritatem S Amb. ser 55. Fide hujus verbi non virtute imaginis servabantur non enim in serpente sed in Domini imperiâ—salus continebatur Epiphan haer 37. The Sunne lends the light by day the Moone her borrowed beames by night the earth beares the fruit the sea brings the fish the heavens drop her honey dewes the cloudes shade thee in the heate the birds make thee musicke and all creatures serve thee with lectures of love instruct thee to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule and with all thy might (z) In causa justitia omnes anum debemus virgo vidua nupta summus medius imus gradus aequaliter jubentur implere pracepta S. Hieron tom 9. ep 1. Stude quaeso quotidie creatoris tui verba meditare discecor Dei in verbis Dei ut ad aeterna suspicias nam tanto erit requies tua major in coelis quanto jam in terris ab amore conditoris tui requies nulla fuerit Greg. Moral Diliges Deum ex toto corde i. e. toto intellectu tota voluntate ex omni memoria Deum esse diligendum S. Aug. tom 10. ser de tempore 53. Quia Deus rebus omnibus major melior invenitur plus omnibus diligendus est ut colatur S Aug. in Psal 77. Deut. 6.5 where God layes claime to all he leaves for the creature nothing at all Wherefore remember the loving kindnesse of the Lord and the praises of the Lord according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us and the great goodnesse towards the house of Israel which hee hath bestowed on them according to his mercies and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses Esay 63.7 The second is the meditation as well of thy misery as of the necessity to be at one with God without whose favour were thy bones full of marrow thy barnes of wheate thy banquetting house of mirth thy bed of rest thy house of children thy name of honour yet thy condition is fearefull and more despicable then the silly being of the bruit beast (a) Crucior in haec flamma Luc. 16. Non enim nullâ— sed sempâ—ternamors erit quando nec vivere anima poterit Deum nec habendo nec doloribus corporis carere moriendo prima mors animam nolentem pellit de corpore secunda mors animam nolentem tenet in corpore S. Aug. civ lib. 21. cap. 3. Mirabile est enim dolere in ignibus tamen vivere sed mirabilius vivere in ignibus nec dolere idem eoâ— cap. 2. and of all creatures thou art most miserable 1. Cor. 15.19 An east winde brought the locusts into Egypt a west winde tooke them away and cast them into the red sea (b) Exod. 10.13.19 Locusta quasi tota vena est ideò infatiabilu quamdiu vivit semper â—surit Joel 2.25 from whence they were not recall'd nor shall be charged for devouring fruitfull Egypt but man is borne to serve his God raised to a stewardship renders an account of his actions at his death (c) Puto per hoc genus plagae significat homines qui cum neque seipsos ordinate regere potuerunt neque Dei regis patienter moderamina pertulere Origen in Exod. 10.13 Prov. 30.27 and reapes a proportionable recompence in so much as thrice happie are they that kisse the Sonne (d) Ne quando irascatur dominus cum dubitatione positum est non secundum visionem propheta cui certum est sed secundum eos ipsos qui monentur quia cum dubitatione solent cogitare iram dei quibus not aperte revelatur S. Aug. in loc are one with the father have the spirit for their pledge of mercie and put their trust in him Psalm 2.12 Thy misery cals upon thee to make God thy felicitie the mercie of God invites thee with proffer of balme to heale thy infirmity and the consistorie of heaven sits to eye and observe the bent of thy affections (e) Deus ipse omnium rector Dominus cum omni angelorum militia certamen tuum spectat tibique contra diabolum dimicanti parat aeternitatis coronam coeleste praemium incitamentum
Angels the glorie of traÌ„sitorie and worldly coÌ„tentmeÌ„ts after which men with eagernesse of spirit hunt (k) Jn corpore corruptibili anima constituta terrena quadam contagione constringitur tali onere quodammodo depressa curvatur ut in imo multa quam in summo vnam facilius concupiscat cogitet S. Aug. ep 156. are not primarie permanent boundlesse and eternall but onely lent-talents gifts of God beames of that sunne (l) Beatus vir qui non abiit in consilio impiorum Ps 1.1 vide ubi beatus appelleris O homo Non in divitiis non in potestatibus honoribus non in nobilitate generis aut decore pulchritudine non in corporis salubritate in quibus nihil naturae est bonum denique non solum facilem commutationem habent in connaria verum etiam ministerium ad culpam exhibent ei qui uti his nesciat Quis enim iustus propter pecuniam quis humilis in potestatibus quis misericors propter nobilitatem quis castus propter decorem illecebrosa haec magis sunt ad peccatum quam fructuosa ad virtutis profectum S. Ambr. in Psalm 1. a candle from that lampe of light and life twigs of that branch upon which so long as the dewe of his blessing descends we enjoy a comfortable use of the creatures if he speake the word the waters of comfort flowe but if once he withdraw the sap of his mercy either their glorie fades or our content in them withers Then the figtree shall beare us no more fruit thy table shal be thy snare Aboundance may surround thee (m) Psalm 78.27 28. yet no comfort thence accrewe unto thee thy dainties shall relish like Evah's figg of bitter Death and what was once appointed for thy welfare will prove the occasion of thy fall Thine asse will dash thy tender foote against the wall (n) Numb 22.25 Pharohs chariot-wheeles breake (o) Exod. 14.25 in his greatest neede the heavens become brasse (p) Deut. 28.23 the sun withdraw its light the earth denies her plentie and annoints her breasts with Gall when God shall turne the darke-side of the cloud towards us But as the Treasures of all excellencies ioy and contentments are hid in Christ as the treasures of snow and haile (q) Iob 38.22 in the Magazin of Providence so they are as durable as boundlesse are fixed without possibilitie of fading-away Who then preferres not the Ocean to the streame The roote to the flower the Sunne to the euening-starre the fountaine to the cisterne the liberall doner of all good blessings to the ofsprings which may bee lopt away Other things are in part-sufficient for man but onely God is all-sufficient (r) Gen. 17.1 other things are to be desired for God but God for himselfe (Å¿) Ad illam ergo vnam vitam qua cum Deo de Deo viuitur catera quae vtiliter decenter optantur sine dubio referenda sunt Neque enim in tempore utiliter vivitur nisi ad comparandum meritum quo in aeternitate vivatur In eo quippe nosmetipsos diligimus si Deum diligimus Deum diligimus propter scipsum nos ac proximos propter ipsum Quomodo iam beate vivimus eum illud adhuc desit propter quod unum bene vivimus S. Aug. to 2. ep 121. cap. 7. Seeing then I am affraid whiles I begg many things at the hands of God I may aske amisse (t) Velle quod non deceat idem ipsum miserrinum nec tam miserum est noÌ„ adipisci quod velis quam adipisci velle quod non oporteat S. Aug ibid. cap. 5. Divitiae quipâ—e atque fastigia dignitatum caeteraque huiusmodi quibus se felices esse putant mortales verae illius felicitatis ex pertes quid afferunt consolationis cum sit eis indigere quam eminere praestantius quae plus excruciant adepta timore amissionis quam concupita adeptionis ardore Talibus bonis non fiunt homines boni sed aliunde boni facti bene utendo faciunt ut ista sint bona Non sunt in iis vera solatia sed ibi potius ubi vera vita Nam inde necesse est vt fiat homo beatus vnde fit bonus idem cap. 2. following his steps who prayed aright One things I will desire of the Lord and but that one thing will I seeke after namely the Lord himselfe that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beautie of the Lord. Psal 27.4 Reason 3 And what can invite a Christian rather to adhere alone to God then the certaintie of solid-consolation to be there found when all other comforts faile the world is a Sea maÌ„s life the ship richly (u) Onusta incedis auro latro tibi vitandur est stadium est haec vita mortalibus hic contendimus ut alibi coronemur Nemo interserpentes scorpiones securus ingreditur magnis inimicorum circumdamur agâ— inibus hostium plena sunt omnia Caro fragilis emis futura post modicum pugnat sola cum pluribus S. Hier. ep 22. Non quaerit diabolus homines infideles non eos qui foris sunt de Ecclesia Christi rapere festinat idem ibid. loaden with varietie of the blessings of Gods left hand sicknesse is a storme death a leake which first makes the marriners throw all their loading over-board in hope of safety and then sinkes the vessell the soule is the passenger Christ the Rocke upon which if she can with the saile of love the oare of wisedome in the long-boate of faith cast the anker of hope take fast hold she shall abide safe Earthly solace worldly contentments are builded upon the Quicke-sands of vanitie (x) Quid enim in hoc mundo stabile quid vero firmum est quale istud bonum est quod semper timeas amittere quod vel auferendum abs te metuas vel à te relinquendum scias S. Hieron Tom. 9. ep 1. which when the windes of frailtie and age blow violently from the shoare of mortalitie and the surges of sorrow beate against the body of clay the fort wherein they are preserved wil like the tower of Babel come tumbling downe upon their heads to their confusion and amazement The time drawes neere when thy flesh shall faile thy heart faile ver 26. thy friends faile Physitian faile honours faile all faile (y) Si enim nihil intulimus in mundum veniendo nihil auferre poterimus abcundo falso aliquid nostrum hic esse dicimus ubi nobis totus pene mundus alienus est S. Hieron Tom. 9. ep 3. and thou faile the most and fall the lowest of all unlesse God bee thy comfort who neuer failes and thy portion for ever (z) Dabo illis solatium verum sine quo solatio quecunque sunt terrena solatia magis in eis desolatio quam consolatio
victoriae facit Huic spectaculo vide quem animum quam debeas afferre virtutem certaminis magnitudinem de expectantium dignitate metire S. Hieron tom 9. ep 1. and to crowne thy happy choice and love of him who loved us first Nor is the third consideration lesse forcible drawne from the survey of Gods ineffable excellencie and all sufficiencie to relieve us in all conditions and yeeld the soule in every estate a plenary contentment The round world can never fill mans triangular heart with solid contentation (f) Quando enim veluit habere gaudia de se invenit planctum in se totum gaudium nostrum Deus est qui vult securus gaudere inillo gaudeat qui non potest perire Aut argentum perit aut tu nemoscit quid prius verum illud constat quia utrumque periâ—urum est quid prius incertum est Nam nec homo hic potest manere semper sic aurum sic vestis sic domus sic pecunia sic lata praedia sic lux ista Noli ergo velle gaudere in istis sed gaude in illa luce quae non habet occasum quam non praecedit hesternus dies nec sequitur crastinus S. Aug. in Psal 84. tom 8. as one corner fills another empties it selfe of its former delight but the heire of heaveÌ„ is like the ayre which fils all things it findes emptie replenisheth every heart emptied of the love of the world and opened to welcome the king of glory In want his clemencie is wealth in woe thy weale in sorrow consolation (g) Osiander in loc in hunger hee is meate in thirst drinke in sicknesse physicke in all things all so that he wants nothing with God who delights in nothing but God but hee who enjoyes not the all-sufficient God what helper sufficient can hee finde in his labours what sufficient defence in dangers what counsell in his doubts what comforter in his sorrowes what refuge sufficient in his temptations to (h) Quem habent in laboribus adjutorem Sclinepius in loc verum gaudium non est doterra sed de coelo Et revera illud verum solum est gaudium quod non de creatura sed de creatore concipitur quod cum possederis nemo tollat a te Cui comparata omnis aliunde jocunditas moeror est omnis suavitas dolorâ— est omne dulce amarum est omne decorum foedum omne denique quod cunque delectare possit aliud molestum S. Bern. ep 114. yeeld him shelter and deliverance enquire of the creatures where contentment dwels and where the soule may lodge her wearied limbes in some bed of rest They will all answere with joint consent repose is not in us They send every pilgrim every passenger unto the Lord. The sea saith I am but the Lords great fish pond to furnish thy table on fasting dayes the earth saith I am his footestoole or at most the garden of God (i) Amos 9.6 watered to yeeld thee a posie of flowers the winds say we are the breath of his nostrils the clouds say wee are his chariots the fire saith I am his furnace to perfect and purge his metals the starres wee are his torchlight the heaven saith I am his throne the angels say we are his messengers the creatures say they are but provision for the men of Gods houshold so that nor any thing in heaven nor earth dare assume to it selfe the Lords prerogative (k) Pulchrum coelum pulchra terra sed pulchrior qui fecit illa S. Aug. Cateris rebus occupari potest repleri non potest Ber. Fecisti nos Domine propter te inquietum est cor nostrum donec reqâ—iescat in te S. Aug. sufficiency to settle and content the soule of man (l) Modica transitoria terrena sunt quae despicis maxima aeterna coelestia sunt quae appetis plus dicam verum dicà m Tenebras deseris lucem ingrederis de profundo fluctuum emergis ad portum de misera servitute in felicem libertatem respiras de morte denique transis ad vitam S. Ber. ep 114. which leaving the creature to embrace the Creator riseth againe from death to life This all-sufficiencie of God as it stands in relation to the soule of man is couched in that emphaticall asseveration Thou art the strength of my heart and my Portion for ever (m) Psal 73.26 Etenim hareditas mea praclara est non omnibus sed videntibus in quibus quia ego sum mihi est S. Aug. in Psal 16.5 God is the portion of his Saints five wayes 1 As children receive portions by their parents free love and great liberality not their proper merit so the interest they have in the Lord springs not from their desert but his free grace mercy in Iesus Christ (n) Quid dicturi sumus ei qui primo gratis nos facit Merita nostra fecisse ut nobis illa salus perpetua mitteretur à Domino Absit Si merita nostra aliquid facerent ad damnationem nostram veniret Non venit ille ad inspectionem meritorum sed ad remissionem peccatorum Non fuisti factus et quid Deo dedisti Malus fuisti liberatus es quid Deo dedesti quid non ab eo gratis accepisti merito igitur gratia nominatur quia gratis datur Exigitur ergo â—â—te ut tu gratis cum colâ—â— non quia dat temporalia sed quia praestat aeterna S. Aug. in Psal 43. he found out Adam in paradise Abraham in the wildernesse the child cast out in her blood and the hopelesse Paralyticke at the poole of Bethesda before hee found him in Bethel the house of God (o) Iohn 5.14 2 As the heire hath the best proprietie title unto his inheritance so the Saints the most right to Christ God is their portion and they are Gods portion for the Lords portion is his people Iacob is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 My chiefe treasure Exod. 19.5 though all the earth be mine Hee saith unto the wicked Lo-ammi for ye are not my People and I will not be your God Hos 1.9 3 In respect of fertility fruitfulnesse For as he gave the Hebrewes store of all things (p) Deut. 8.7 11.10 as well for Charitie their honour and dignitie delicacie and conveniencie as for necessitie houses to dwell in wine to glad the heart oyle to cheare and cleare the countenance milke to nourish them honey to delight them wells to wash in valleyes for Corne mountains for brasse yron and stone So God is a Rich and large portion unto every beleeving Soule which enjoyes him And as a mans Portion findes his house person necessaries even so the Lord maintaines his and procures them all things that they want nothing that is good The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my Cup thou maintainest my lot Psal 16.5 6.
reperitur S. Aug. Tom. 2. ep 121. cap. 2. But whosoeuer seekes for God shall finde him (a) Omne opus leue fieri solet cum eius pretium cogitatur spes praemij solatium est laboris S. Hier. tom 9. ep 1. ω and with him light in Goshen and bread in Iosephs Granarie when others hunger and perish in eternall-nights of darkenesse Reason 4 4 Finally the sweete relish the soule hath of Gods goodnesse in Christ makes her mount upon the wings of love soare higher then the moone build her nest in the skies overlooke all things below to embrace and enioy him whose habitation is in the highest heavens This pure affection was euer the crowne and honour of the Saints Enoch walked with God (b) Gen. 5.22 not with men because on earth he found no such companion no such communion as with God Abraham forsooke Countrey (c) Gen. 12.1 Hebr. 11.18.19 kinred friends and his only childe the childe of promise in his assurance to regaine them all and whatsoeuer els his soule desired with a thousand fold advantage in God his father and friend T' was this made S. Paul account all things dung and drosse in comparison of Christ (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Philip. 3.8 Moses to preferr the afflictions of the Church to the courtly pleasures of Egypt (e) Hebr. 11.26 the reproach of Christ to the honours of Pharoh This mov'd those Canonized-Pilgrims (f) Hebr. 11.36 contentedly to wander up and downe meanely clad poorely fed persecuted by Monarkes (g) Non in hoc mundo non timere non dolere non laborare non periclitari impossibile est S. Aug. Tom. 2. ep 82. scorned by Pezants (h) Lingua maledica sanctos carpere solita est in solatium delinquendi S. Hier. ep 27. Tantorum odia insectationemquè pertulerit quantos vitae suae dissimilitudine castigarit Castigare enim alium videtur qui ab eius coÌ„versatione dissentit Nam quae maior iniusto iniuria esse potest quam vitae iustitiae S. Hier. Tom. 9. ep 5. vnworthily handled of all tho the world was not worthy of them because God was their treasure who had provided better things for them In aword (i) Vniversa exequi sui est tituli voluminis haec sufficiant pauca de plurimis S. Hier. ep 22. cap. 4. this made all those vessels of Election whose names are written in the booke of life to long only after the Lord of life making him unto themselves in the Church Militant as he wil be to them with others in the Church Triumphant all in all (k) 1. Cor. 15.28 In Eden a tree of life (l) Gen. 3.24 in a deluge an arke (m) Gen. 7.1 in the desert a brazen Serpent (n) Numb 21.9 in hunger Mannah (o) Exod. 16.15 in thirst water (p) Exod. 17 6. from the rocke in danger Zoar in persecution a Caue in povertie riches in death life our Temple Sunne Moone day our all For as light is to be prefered to darkenesse (q) Greg. Nissen Tom. 2. Tract in Ps cap. 6. libertie to the loathsome dungeon so God of whose fulnesse we receive to all things in Heaven and earth Vse 1 Having I hope caused the scales of ignorance to fall from your eyes enlightned your understanding I may now conceive the better hope to worke upon your affections and prevaile with you to embrace this truth in the power thereof craving entertainement in the conscionable application T' is but a little text yet like the smallest graine of mustard seede (r) Luke 13.19 spreads it selfe into many branches or like Elias cloud but a hands breadth (Å¿) 1. Kings 18.44 yet overspread the heavens and refreshed the earth with store of Raine and like that little stone (t) Dan. 2.34 it serves first to breake in peeces that Golden-Image of the heathen gods (u) R. David instituit comparationem Reges aliorum populorum adorant solem aliaque astra ego te solum non posui tibisocium nec coelo nec terra Per terram in telâ—igit quatuor clementa alia corpora ex iliis constantia i. e. mundum inferiorem sunt enim ait qui adorant aquas aerem terram Barth Coppen in loc Lor. in loc Tecum socium noÌ„ volui in terra ut doceat se noÌ„ deflexisse ad peregrinos Deos religiones Genebrard in loc Non enim pereunt nisi hi qui longe se faciunt à Deo conservatore suo ipse non perdet nisi illos qui fornicantur ab illo i. e. quorum anima ducit DeuÌ„ aut alterum à veritatis coniugio se falsitate coÌ„miscet Arnob in loc Bibl. Patrum tom 5. pars 3 pag. 267. Erant qui coelestes Deos adorarent cum illos summo loco ponerent terrestres etiam quasi secundi ordinis colerent ego vero inquit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodor. in loc whom blinded Pagans and Idolatrous infidels ignorant of the true God made to themselves adoring Many Gods and many Lords (x) 1. Cor 8 4 5. some the chiefe and others of inferior ranke (y) 1 King 20.13 whom they placed some in Heaven (z) Ier. 44.18 others in Earth against the expresse practice of David and letter of the text I am the Lord thy God thou shalt have no other gods before me Exod. 20.3 Every Pagan cloathed with humanitie acknowledges a Deitie (a) Nulla gens est neque tam immansueta neque tam sera que non etiamsi ignoret qualem habere Deum deceat tamen habendum sciat Cicero lib. 1. de Leg. 54. Each page in Natures booke reveales God in Capitall letters (b) Anton. Eremita ob librorum penuriam à Philosopho quodam reprehensus respondebat Liber meus O Philosophe est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in eis cum mihi visum est oracula Dei legere licet Niceph lib. 11. cap. 43. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoret. Graec. affection curat ser 3. Inter omnes omnium gentium sententia constat omnibus enim innatum est in animo quasi insculptum esse Deos Quales sint varium est esse nemo negat Cicero de Natura Deorum lib. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iustin Martyr de Ethnicis The heavens declare the glorie of God and the firmament sheweth his handie worke Psalm 19.1 But seeing that when they knew God they glorified him not as God neither were thankfull but became vaine in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened professing themselves to be wise they became fooles and changed the glorie of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to birds and fourefooted beasts and creeping things Rom. 1.19 20 21 22 23. In the heavens they worshipped the intelligences or movers of the orbes (c) Marlorat in 1. Cor. 8.5 Sol famulus hominis est Luna ancilla
The sunne moone and starrs for gods which were created to serve them the sunne to rule the day and the moone the night Gen. 1.16 Which blinde superstition the very Iewes borrowed of the Gentiles lifting up their eyes to heaven and when they saw the sun and the moone and the starrs even all the host (d) Deut. 4 19. exercitus Sic nominantur stellae quatenus certo ordine sunt dispositae Piscat in loc Contra haec Plato in Epinomide astra esse Deos male facere legislatorem cum eis cultum sacrificia detrahit Mosen sugillare videtur eius suppresso nomine Mariana in loco of heaven were drawne to worship theÌ„ which the Lord God had divided to all nations under heaven Yea they dedicated horses and chariots to the Sunne (e) 2. Kings 23.11 and offered incense to the Queene of Heaven (f) Reginam coeli fortunam esse ait Philaster Sed te Nos facimus Fortuna Deam coeloque locamus Juvenal Sed melius alij Lunam intelligunt quae sic vocatur ob magnitudinem splendorem sicut Sol est Rex Mariana in Ier. 7.18 Ier. 44.17 unto these they coupled the Elements as the Persians the fire the Egyptians worshipped the water (g) Dr. Willet in Exod. 20. pag. 32â— Stoici Deum dicunt esse mentem quae est vniversae huius visibilis molis coeli terrae aliarum rerum velut in corpore anima Partiuntur autem vnam deitatem in multas partiales essentias in Solem Lunam sidera in animam aerem alia Epiph. contra Haeres lib. 1. Tom. 1. haeres 5. They adored men women under divers shapes and names as Iupiter Mars Mercurie Apollo They bended the knees and lift up their hands to birds of the ayre beasts of the field fish in the Sea consecrating the Eagle to Iupiter the Dove to Venus Peacocke to Iuno Raven to Phoebus Batt to Minerva (h) Tostatus in Exod. 20.4 quaest 4. The Egyptians worshipped generally the beasts which the Hebrewes sacrificed to their God (i) Exod. 8.26 Apis Isis Osiris (l) Epiph. li. 1. Tom. 1. Levit. 17.7 Et non sacrificabunt ultra sacrificia sut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daemonibus 2. Cro. 11.15 vocant horrentibus pilosis vocant hoc nomine Hebraei satyros exponunt daemones qui hiâ—corum similitudine appareant credentibus in illos addit Aben-Ezra quod phantasmate suo homines exhorrere faciant sen horripilare Isay 34.14 13.21 Pagnin Thesaur in radice Sagnar Formidare sheepe and bullocks a Calfe an Oxe Vultures Crocodiles The Syrians and Phecenians a fish the Persians a Dragon thus they corrupted themselves worshipping the likenesse of male and female the likenesse of the beast that is on the earth and of the winged fowle that flyeth in the ayre the likenesse of things creeping on the ground and of the fish that is in the waters under the earth Deut. 4.16 17 18. And to declare whither Idolatry will bring him that forsakes God they had their infernall gods Manes Pluto Proserpina sacrificing to the very devills (k) 1. Corin. 10.20 Jmpius Cerdon duo principia huic mundo praedicavit nimirum Deos duos Epiph. lib. 1. to 3. haeres 41. There was such a monstrous spawn of their Imaginarie and fictitious gods that one of their owne prophets (m) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesiod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wrote a booke of their multiplication and generation and in one verse mentions thirtie thousand gods to be adored among them n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesiod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 1. Quicquid humus pelagus coelum mirabile signant Id dixere deos colles freta flumina flammas Prudentius They had for every action and passion house and hedge mountaine and valley a god Among theÌ„ there was a god for every thing and every thing almost was made a god They had a god of Garlicke and stincking onyon-dieties in their gardens (o) Quis nescit quasia demens Aegyptus ortenta colat Crocodilon adorat Porrum cepe nefas violare frangere morsu O sanctas gentes quibus haec nascuntur in hortis Numina Iuvenal Nor yet-satisfied they fell upon their face to Monsters things without being (p) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Venus Pallas Febris Iupiter of Lybia had a Rams head Anubis of Egypt a dogs head the Fawnes Satyrs had Goats feet the Naiades and Tritones had a mixt shape of men and fishes (q) Lege Antonium Verderium imagines deor To say all in a word the number of their gods was like the sand by the sea shore or the Starres in the firmament (r) S. Aug. Civit. lib. 4. cap 8. 11. And as the Egyptians (Å¿) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herodot in Euterpe Phrygians Phenicians Babylonians were the damnable brokers and broachers of these infernall deities So the Apish Grecians were the unhappie embracers of them and the Romans their schollers (t) Romanus Cynicus Varro Trecentos Ioves sine Iupiteres dicendum sine capitibus introducit Tertull. Apologet. adversus gentes cap. 14. Who of all the rest prov'd most fantasticall in their multiplications having three-hundred Iupiters besides millions of others The bare names (u) Quot hominum linguae tot nomina decrum Cicero de natura deorum lib. 1. pag. 287. Quando autem possint uno loco libri hujus commemorari omnia nomina deorum dearum qua illi grandibus voluminibus vix comprehendere potuerunt singulis rebus propria dispertientes officia numinum S. Aug. civit lib. 4. cap. 8. Non tamen satis fuit hominibus deorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amantibus ut anima misera damoniorum turba prostitueretur unius dei veri castum dedignata complexum c. idem ibid. Varro supra triginta deorum millia collegit ideo dicitur Roma a Leone Papa omnium gentium servivisse erroribus Coquaeus in locum Aug. citat Roma quanto major sacta est sicut navis nautas tanto plures adhibendos esse deos putavit S. Aug. civit lib. 3. cap. 12. whereof whole volumes cannot containe But here was the miserie that even Gods-chosen-People unto whom he was clearely revealed in the word became foolishly-besotted after the manner of the Heathens They had their chambers of Imagery wherein Ezekiel beheld every forme of creeping things and abominable beasts and all the Idols of the house of Israel pourtraid upon the wall there stood before them seventy men of the Ancients of the house of Israel and in the midst of them stood Iaazaniah the son of Shaphan with every man his Censer in his hand and a thicke cloud of incence went up Ezek. 8.10 11. According to the number of thy cities are thy gods ô Iudah Ier. 2.28 And according to the number of the streets of Hierusalem have ye set up altars to that shamefull
gratias agamus ib. of surviving Friends Which hungry time (k) Imagines ingeniorum vera sunt aeterna monumenta St. Hieron 141 Exegi monumentum aere perennius regalique situ pyramidum altius quod non imber edax non Aquilo impotens possit diruere aut innumerabilis Annorum series fuga temporum Horat. lib. 3. carm ed. 30. that hath morseld many generations and yet gapes for more shall not be able hastily to seize on digest or murther as Caine his Brother and hide it in the Ground (l) Ex 360. statuis quae Demetrio Phalareo erectae erant omnes excepta una populi furore aut ruptae aut summersae aut venditae quod cum ille audisset at virtutem inquit cujus gratia illas erexerant minime everterunt Marianus in Schol. in St. Hieron Ep. 141. ex Plutarch Laertio FINIS A Prayer of Mr Fawcitt mentioned Page 123. * O Blessed Lord God what am I or what was my fathers house that thou shouldest continue unto me so many blessings of this life both for the soule and body in such a bountifull and liberall manner It is thy mercifull goodnesse without any desert in mee Who desire with all humble thankefulnesse as to take notice of thy great goodnesse unto mee in giving mee a liberall childs portion so to acknowledge my selfe unworthy the least of all thy mercies For Lord thou knowest I was borne in sinne and conceived in iniquity and according to my polluted birth so have I lived sinning against thy divine Majestie Not onely in the time of ignorance for thou wouldest in mercy have passed by that but in the receit of all thy goodnesse since I was called to the profession of thy name and made acquainted with thy good will and word I have more grievously sinned against thee In regard whereof I am not worthy to lift up mine eyes towards heaven the least of my sinnes being sufficient to cast me downe to hell if thou should enter into judgement with me In the remembrance whereof I desire to be humbled before thee And am sory from the bottome of my heart and soule that ever I did offend so good gratious mercifull and loving a God that hath preserved and kept me all the dayes of my life and not long since delivered me from going downe to the grave Good father of heaven I beseech thee for the Lord Iesus sake in whom thou art well peased to pardon and forgive all my sins and foolish behaviour against thy blessed majestie which is past and enable me for the time to come to walke before thee as becomes thy child servant That I may mortifie sinne dayly and bring it into a consumption in me and thy blessed spirit may ever rule and Lord it in me Fill me with all wisedome and understanding that I may labour by all meanes to be fruitfull in all good workes and please thee in all things That it may be alwayes my chiefe care to grow and increase in the favour and knowledge of thee and thy blessed Son my alone Saviour and redeemer the Lord Iesus and thy blessed spirit my comforter whom rightly to know and beleeve faithfully is eternall life Helpe hereunto good father from whom comes the will and deed And strengthen me unto all godly patience and long sufferance with cheerefulnesse giving alwayes thankes unto thee O father of heaven who hast alwayes assisted helped and comforted mee in all thy loving chastisements afflictions necessities and troubles of this life O my soule praise thou the Lord for he hath done great things for thee Thou hast of thy unspeakable goodnesse bestowed upon me a liberall portion of the outward things of this life increasing my store but all these things had been nothing if thou hadst not also given me the testimony of thy love in Iesus Christ sent into the world to redeeme my poore soule Grant Lord I may not set my heart upon these temporall mercies but make them unto me pledges of thy love and favour in Christ grant me the assistance of thy good spirit to direct mee in the conscionable use of them to thy glory make them as meanes furtherances for the doing of thy will that whatsoever I enjoy in this life I may employ to the advancement of thy praise and the good of them among whom I live As thou hast added to my outward estate so Lord increase thy graces in my soule without which my comfort in them will vanish all things comming alike to all men the difference being in the holy use of all thy mercies Wherefore make them so many bonds to lead mee to repentance and to take all opportunities whereby I may expresse how I prize that love of thine shewed unto me unto thy children as their necessities do require whilest I live before I go hence and be seene no more Loving thee for thy goodnesse and doing good to thy saints and servants for thy sake Lord what shall I render unto thee for all these great and unspeakeable blessings O that I could praise thee as I ought Lord helpe me to awaken and stirre up my dead drowsie and deceitfull heart awake my lute my harpe my glory my soule and all that is within me to praise and magnifie thy holy name I will praise the Lord whilest I have any being for his gratious favours towards mee Which I beg at thy most mercifull hands to continue unto mee even unto the end of my life And when thy pleasure shall be to take me from this world and the miseries thereof grant me to enjoy with thee O blessed father and thee O blessed Saviour and thy blessed Spirit that everlasting inheritance which thou hast laid up in heaven for mee and all them that love thee in truth of heart And seing next under thy Majesty the Majesty of Charles our most religious and dread Soveraigne is the channell and fountaine of all the happy peace plenty prosperitie wee enjoy together with the most peaceable pure and plentifull preaching of thy sacred word Lord powre upon him in the most abundant measure all spirituall eternall and temporall mercies that hee may be blessed in his person in our gratious Queene Mary and his most royall issue and this Church and Common wealth in him her and them so long as the Sunne and Moone endures All which blessing vouchsafe to grant for the Lord Iesus sake to whom with thy selfe and holy spirit be given of me all honour praise and glory now and for ever world without end In whose words and perfect platforme of prayer I humbly recommend my suits unto thee O father saying Our Father c. FINIS Menda Preli precariò emendanda Faults made faultlesse Page Line for Reade 8 26 here is There is nothing 9 1 Siloam Siloam 11 11 Nor doth it Reason 2. Nor doth it 28 10 twice have heard twice have I heard 50 16 ballance for ballance For 58 6 but it is but is 60 18 Christ Chest 80 15 exchange admit exchange Admit 93 25 tale taile 111 13 thousand thousands Margine Pag. Litera Lege 2 g mundi 6 e hominum liver 14 g Nam 21 b dijs suit fecit ibid. 59 c non 84 o Sancto 90 u germanus 99 ◠illi terrena 108 k miratur 117 x aeterna mutaret 119 r non lactescere