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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	earth_n	lord_n	soul_n	10,053	5	4.7640	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17397	The marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises containing directions about sixe of the waightiest things can concerne a Christian in this life. by N. Bifield, late preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.	Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622.; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Beginning of the doctrine of Christ. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Spirituall touchstone. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Signes of the wicked man. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Promises. aut; Rules of a holy life. aut; Byfield, Nicholas, 1579-1622. Cure of the feare of death. aut	1630 (1630)	STC 4222; ESTC S120511	234,877	800

haue what hee will aske of him that is able to giue what hee can aske Marke 11. 24. Ephes. 2. 10. The ninth priuiledge is The seruice and attendance of the Angels The Angels doe pitch their tents about those that feare God Psal. 34. 7. and are ministring spirits to euery heire of saluation Heb. 1. vlt. Oh the dignity and safety of that man whom the glorious Angels do guard and attend vpon The poorest Christian hath a better guard vpon him then the greatest Monarch in the world that is not a Christian. The tenth priuiledge is the Communion of Saints he is mystically vnited in one body to all the worthies that are in heauen or earth and doth effectually enioy the benefit of communion of Saints too large to be here reckoned vp If it were no more but the profit he hath by the prayers of the godly all ouer the world were it not a great fauour Eph. 2. 19 3. 6. Phil. 1. 5. Col. 2. 19. besides all the comforts hee hath in the fellowship with the godly The eleuenth priuiledge is the inheritance of the earth which is restored to him in Christ so as he now possesseth that which he hath of the earth by as good a title as euer Adam held Paradise yea so as whatsoeuer in the whole earth is good for him shall not be withheld from him Math. 5. 5. Psal. 84 11 12. Outward prosperity he is sure of so farre as it is good for him Iob 8. 7. Psal. 37. 5. The last priuiledge is that Inheritance immortall incorruptible and that fadeth not reserued for him in heauen which for excellency passeth all that which euer the eye of m saw or the eare of man heard or the heart of man can conceiue 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. Now then to summe vp all this let a Christian tell his owne soule plainly and vpon cleare proofe by the signes of a childe of God that he is in fauour with God and that Christ is his and that he hath obtained strange deliuerance and that all his sinnes are forgiuen and that the holy Ghost dwels in him and that the image of God is restored in him and that he is free to Gods house and that he may beg any thing of God and that he hath Angels to waite vpon him and that he is neere of kinne to all the Saints in the world and that he is Lord of the earth and that hee shall certainly goe to heauen when he dieth Let this I say be told to his soule can he be dismaid will not the Peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding keepe his heart and minde and that constantly for euer CHAP. IIII. Shewing how the godly may support their hearts against all outward afflictions HItherto of the Priuiledges Now it followeth that I should open those consolations that may support the hearts of men against all the distresses of this life And first I would shew how the Lord is pleased to comfort his seruants in seuerall Scriptures against all the outward afflictions may befall his seruants in this world By outward afflictions I meane such as these wants losses wrongs troubles exile imprisonment sicknesse feares pouerty or any other thing wherewith the life of man is molested in any condition Now there are many excellent wayes of abundant comforts against these or any of these as First if wee consider by the commonnesse of them All thing●… fall alike in these things Eccles. 9. 2 3. Euery man that is borne of a woman hath but few dayes and is full of trouble Iob 14. 1. Christ had no Disciple but he is told afore hand Hee must take vp his crosse and that daily Luke 9. 23. There can be no affliction but what accompanieth or may accompany the nature of man 1 Cor. 10. 13. The same afflictions are accomplished vpon our brethren which are through the world 1 Pet. 5. 9. And we haue the Prophets and greatest worthies of the Lord for an example of suffering Iam. 5. 10. And 〈◊〉 the godly must through many tribulations enter into the kingdome of God Acts 14. 22. Secondly if wee consider that God takes notice of vs and of all our trials The Lord knowes the way of the righteous Psal. 1. 6 None of our 〈◊〉 are hid from him All our desires are before him and our groaning is not hid from him Psal. 8. 9. he knowes our soule is in aduersity Psal. 31. 7. And as he takes notice of all our troubles so he takes notice of all that is good in vs Hee knowes them that are patient and trust in him Na●…um 7. Thirdly if wee consider the wonderfull compassion of God in the afflictions of his people he doth not willingly afflict but regards vs with pitie with loue thinkes of redeeming vs and sends the Angell of his presence to comfort and saue vs and in all our afflictions is afflicted with vs Esay 63. 8 9. Fourthly i●… wee consider the high estimation that God holds of his seruants notwithstanding their afflictions Crosses may make men loue vs the lesse but they doe not a i●… discommend vs before God Hee can take notice of his seruants in their distresses as well as if they did shine in the greatest outward splendor in the world This is the consolation that GOD speakes to vs euen when he corrects as to his children and for that reason wee should not refuse his chastening Heb. 12. 6. Prou. 3. 11. We may bee honourable in Gods sight though wee be in a most forlorne and despised condition in the world we may I say bee precious in Gods sight greatly beloued Esay 43. 4 5 6. The Apostle Peter shewes that a poore seruant when he suffers hard words and ill vsage from his master doth herein finde acceptation with God 1 Peter 2. 19 20. Now this is an instance beyond exception For what condition more vile then of a seruant and what crosses were likely to be disregarded of God sooner then these domesticall indignities yet we see a proofe of the regard and loue of God euen in those things 5. Fifthly if we consider the victory of Christ ouer the world Our Sauiour vseth this as a consolation he tels his Disciples In the world they shall haue trouble but hee would haue them bee of good comfort hee hath ouercome the world so as now they shall neuer bee hurt by their troubles Their crosses may bee too hard for thē to master but Christ can order them so as in him they shal haue victorie ouer them But of this more afterwards Ioh. 16. 33 Sixthly if wee consider the presence of the holy Ghost hee is giuen of Christ and the Father to bee our Comforter and as our afflictions abound so shall our consolations also Ioh. 14. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 4. Now how shall a man be dismayed that hath Gods Spirit within him to hearten him and assist him and refresh him and make glad

THE MARROVV OF THE ORACLES OF GOD. OR Diuers Treatises containing Directions about sixe of the waightiest things can concerne a Christian in this life By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex The seuenth Edition LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND most Noble Ladie the Ladie Lucie Countesse of Bedford MADAM THESE ensuing Treatises hauing receiued their birth at seuerall times being but little Ones sought them seuerall Guardians to protect them being now all ioyntly to goe into the world together to seeke entertain ment they humbly present themselues vnto your Honour beseeching your generall protection and your noble admission to doe you and your Noble Family their first ioynt-seruice and from thence they are contented to beare their aduenture for their entertainment abroad in the world And the rather am I emboldned thus to end them with this Petition to your Honour because in the first conception of them in the publike Doctrine you were pleased to conceiue so good hope of them as to desire the profit of their seruice as they should be 〈◊〉 and fitted thereunto As they are mine they are worthy of little respect but as they haue receiued spirit and life from the heauenly Word and will of God so they are meete to attend your most retired presence and to be trusted with the charge of your greatest treasure not doubting of your Honours noble and religious respect herein I desire to remaine Your Honours Chaplaine in the things of Iesus Christ ●…o serue you euer N. BIFIELD THE BEGINNING OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST OR A Catalogue of sinnes Shewing how a Christian may finde out the euils he must take notice of in his Repentance With Rules that shew a course how any Christian may be deliuered from the guilt and power of all his sinnes By N. BIFIELD late Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in MIDDLESEX Lament 3. 40. Let vs search and try our wayes and turne againe vnto the Lord. LONDON Printed by Iohn Legatt and are to bee sold by P. Stephens and C. Meredith at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1630. THe Contents of all the six Treatises thou shalt finde in the first Chapter of the first Booke TO THE MVCH HONORED LADIES the Ladie ANNE CLEERE and the Ladie ANNE PINCH and the Ladie IONE HERICKE N. Bifield wisheth all increase of the true grace of Christ and the blessed fruition of the glory of God in heauen Worthie Ladies LAmentable are ●…he ruines into which the natures of men are generally fallen by their sinnes which appeares especially by the waies men take in the businesse of their soule The most men are cleane out of the way to heauen and walke in by wayes of their owne which are called in Scripture The waies of the wicked The waies of their owne hearts Peruerse waies Darke and slipperie wayes The way of iniquity All meeting in that broad way that leadeth to destruction being wholly ignorant of the way of life and peace yea the most of them speake euill of the good way of God and persecute it Some there are that are so farre enlightned as not to like the common roade way of the multitude and after some enquirie haue found them out wayes that seeme good in their owne eyes and they are wonderfully well pleased with their course but the issues of these wayes are death too as well as the former And the more is this danger increased vpon men because the way of life is but one and it is a narrow way and hard to find and may be sought by many and yet not found Yet this hope is left vnto forlorn men that there is a way to heauen and happines A way of righteousnesse and peace a way of mercy and truth a way of wisedome A way that men may securely and safely walke in a way in which Christ will guide thē God the Father will keepe them and the holy Ghost leade them by the hand and direct them in all the passages thereof Onely it concerneth vs to aske the way with all importunitie of God and to attend vnto the directions of the Word of God apply our hearts and suffer our selues to bee disposed aright that our eyes may see the saluation of God And in particular wee must looke to three things First that if the Lord shew vs that mercy to direct vs in the way we must take heede that wee neglect not or despise notthe care of walking in the way Second ly that with all diligence we auoide going about and make straight stops to our feet And thirdly with all feare watch our selues that we fal not off with the errors of the wicked from the good way of God and so our latter end be worse then our beginning I haue vndertaken by the assistance of God and the direction of this blessed word to single out the choisest things I could finde in the Scriptures concerning the entrance into the way of God and those first path which are called Holy Th●… substance of these directions I haue digested into the Treatise following which I dedicate vnto your Ladiships as a testimonie of my thankfulnesse for the respect you haue shewed vnto my Ministerie both in your constant resort vnto it in the weeke dayes while you liued in a neighbour Parish and in that two of you are pleased to come to liue amongst vs and so are become a part of my charge As also to manifest to the world my obseruance of your Ladiships for the good report you haue amongst the godly for the grace of Iesus Christ and your vnfeigned loue of the truth Beseeching your Acceptation Perusall and Patronage of these I take my leaue and commend your Ladiships to the God of Mercie and Truth who guide comfort deliuer sanctifie and preserue you all vnto the day of Iesus Christ. Your Ladiships to be commanded in Iesus Christ N. BIFIELD Febr. 12. 1619. The chiefest things contained in the first Booke CHAP. I. THE Contents of all the sixe Treatises briefely set downe pag. 1. to the 7. The persons whom those Treatises doe concerne p. 8 Encouragement to the studie of these things p. 8. to 11 Generall directions by way of preparation p. 11. 14. CHAP. II. THe Rules that shew distinctly what men must doe about their sinnes p. 14. to 36 Motiues to perswade to the care of these Rules p. 15 Three Rules of preparation pag. 16. 17 Foure things deliuer vs from all sinnes past p. 17 About the gathering of the Catalogue of sinnes p. 17 About the confession of our sinnes p. 22. to 24 About sorrow for our sinnes and how ●…t may be attained p. 24. to ●…7 About the application of the promises and how it may bee done p. 27. to 3●… The speciall promise made to such as have-confessed and sorrowed for their sinnes p. 29. 30 How men may know

cannot haue such force to melt the waxe as the beames of Gods presence haue to melt the heart Iames 4. 6 7 3. 7. The Apostle Paul being a sturdy Pharisee had his heart beaten to power with the feare of the tenth Commandement that told him Hee must not lust The knowledge and consideration of the abundance of sinne-guiltinesse he hath drawne vpon himselfe by the inward fruits of his euill nature kil'd him outright brake his pride and mortified him as hee at large repeates Rom. 7. 8 Remember the passion of thy Sauiour the pouerty banishmēt ignominie temptations the apprehension forsaking arraignment condemning and cruell death which hee suffered for thy sinnes Looke vpon him that was pierced for thy sake Zach. 12. 10. 9. If of thy selfe thou canst not yet attaine vnto sorrow for thy sins get some godly Christian that is endued with the gift of prayer to ioyne with thee in priuate that so the Lord may bee pleased to grant in Heauen what we of him doe aske on earth 10. Lastly If all other meanes faile then set a day a part by fasting for the day of a fast was called the day of afflicting or humbling the soule Leu. 16. 29. both because it was the maine duty to bee driuen after on that day and besides because the Lord vsually did blesse his owne ordinance so as hee gaue an humbled heart to those that sought it of him CHAP. VII Shewing how the Spirit of adoption may bee attained and also how the seuerall gifts of the Spirit may bee framed in vs. THus of humiliation If followeth that I shew how he may attaine to the other sacred gifts which are markes of a godly man as in the first sort of gifts how he may attaine to the loue of the Word the gift of Prayer the f●…are of God the loue of his enemies and the desire of the comming of Christ But before I enter vponthese it is necessary to shew him how he may attain the Spirit of Adoption which is necessary for these al other graces And concerning the Spirit of Adoption if any aske how it may bee attained Or rather how it may bee stirred vp in vs that we may feele his working in vs I answer That hee is had and stirred vp by inuocation God is pleased to declare himselfe willing and ready to bestow his Holy Spirit vpon men If they aske him of him by hearty praier Hee that hath giuen vs his Sonne will not deny vs the Spirit of his Sonne to be giuen into our hearts Gal. 4. 6. And this our Sauiour Christ assures vnto vs in the Parable Luke 11. 9. And I say vnto you Aske and it shall bee giuen you Seeke and ye shall find Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you 10. For euery one that ask●…th receiueth and hee that seeketh find●…th and to him that knocketh it shall be opened 11. If a Sonne shall aske Bread of any of you that is a Father will he giue him a Stone Or if he aske a Fish will he for a Fish giue him a Serpent 12. Or if hee aske an Egge will he giue him a Scorpion 13 If yee then which are euill can giue good gifts vnto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father giue the Holy Ghost to them that desire him 2 Wee must waite vpon the preaching of the Gospel where the Holy Ghost vsually falls vpon the hearts of men 3 When we feele the motions of the Spirit knocking at our hearts or any way surprising vs we must with all readinesse open the doores of our hearts that the King of Glory by hi●… Spirit may enter into vs. The next question is then What wee should doe to get and preserue in vs the constant loue to the Word 1 The answer is First That we should seeke to settle our selues vnder the powerful preaching of the Word euen such a ministerie as doth set out the glory of the truth and of the Kingdome of Iesus Christ. 2 Wee must make conscience of it to pray vnto God to quicken vs and inflame our hearts to the loue of his Lawes as Dauid often did Psa. 119. 3 Take heed of excessiue cares and the ouer-reaching of desires in the emploiments of the world or the immoderate vse of worldly delights for those choake the seed of the Word and alienate the affections from it and so doth any grosse or beloued sin Heb. 3. Math. 13. 4 Take heed also of personall discord with such as feare God especially with thy Teachers for this doth by secret degrees make the heart carelesse and negligent and in some things wilfull and if it be not looked to in time will bring men from the liking of the Word as they haue been drawne from the liking of such as loue the Word 5 Take heed of vngodly companie For in such companie is quenched the sparkles of liking when they are kindled yea and the flames of affection are much dulled in whom they are best excited Psal. 119. 115. 6. Such as find some beginnings of desire after the Word and liking to it must take heed that they estrange not themselues from the exercises thereof For if they heare or reade but now and then either the heart will neuer bee throughly heated or if it bee it will easily waxe cold againe and yet herein some are to bee warned to take heed of disordered excesse for that will breed dulnesse as well as neglect As when they will reade daily for diuers houres or when they prouide vnto themselues an heape of Teachers as some that liue in great Cities thinke it Religion to heare all sorts of men and all the Sermons can bee come vnto As if the power of godlinesse lay onely in the vse of the meanes of godlinesse 7. We must practise what we heare and labour to shew foorth the fruit of the doctrine He that would bee in loue with husbandry must sow his seed in his ground and then the gaine of the Haruest will still allure him to like the Trade If wee be fruitlesse hearers of the Word wee cannot loue it or if we doe it will be but for a flash or small time Thus of the loue to the Word He that would learne to pray must follow these directions 1. He must goe to God in the Name of Christ and beseech him to giue him words and by his Spirit teach him to pray It is God onely can make a man speake a pure Language For hee onely can instruct the heart of man and endue it with this heauenly gift Romans 8. 26 Ephesians 6. 18. 2 It will much helpe him to ioyne himselfe to such as call vpon the N●…me of the Lord with a pure heart ●…specially in the dayes of their humiliation 2 Timothy 2. 22. 3 There are three distinct things which a man may with singular profit propound vnto himselfe in his prayers

therfore thy case is the more comfortable because thou feelest the weight and burthen of thy sinnes as the places of Scripture following most euidently and comfortably shew namely Psalme 34. 15. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous and his eares are open vnto their cry Math. 11. 28 29. Come vnto me all ye that are wearie and heauy laden and I will ease you Takemy yoke on you and learne of me that I am meeke and lowly in heart and you shall find rest vnto your soules Ierem. 31. 25. For I haue satiate the wearie soule and I haue replenished euery sorrowfull soule And their soule shall bee as a watered garden and they shall haue no more sorrow the latter part of the 12. verse c. Esay 63. 9. In all their troubles he was troubled and the Angel of his presence saued them In his loue and in his mercy hee redeemed them and he bare them and carried them alwaies continually Psalm 31. 21 22. Blessed be the Lord for hee hath shewed his maruellous kindnesse towards mee in a strong Citie Though I said in my haste I am cast out of thy sight yet thou heardest the voyce of my prayer when I cryed vnto thee Psal. 103. 9. He will not alwayes chide neither keepe his anger for euer Ob. But I offend daily Sol. That is cleerely answered in Gods promise For he saith he will multiply pardon or abundantly pardon Esay 55. 7. Ob. But I find I grow worse then I haue beene my heart is much out of order Sol. If there be an heart in thee desirous to returne there is comfort also against this distresse The Lord will heale thy backe-stiding if thou take vnto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosh. 14. 2 3 4. Behold saith the Lord I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and reueale vnto them the abundance of peace and truth Ieremie 33. 6. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and yee shall goe forth and grow vp as the Calues of the Stall Malachy 4. 2. Ob. But I am extremely burthened with my ignorance this is a continuall grieuance vnto mee Sol. There are many comforts against ignorance 1. It is a speciall promise of God in the new Couenant that he will write his Laws in thy heart and hee will make thee to know the Lord Thou maist goe boldly to the Throne of Grace to beg further illumination of the Spirit of God This is one of the suits God cannot deny 2. God hath promised to leade thee by a way which thou hast not knowne Hee will preserue thee by his knowledge though thou bee vnacquainted with the way thy selfe He that lede his people from Babel to Sion when they scarce knew a foote of that long way wil leade thee in the straite way from Earth to Heauen if thou seeke a way of God as they did Esay 42. 16. 3 We haue such an High Priest as knowes how to haue compassion on the ignorant He that required that propertie of the High Priest in the Law will much more expresse it himselfe Hebrewes 5. 1 3. 4. This must be thy glory and the crowne of reioycing that though thou be ignorant of many things yet thou knowest God and Christ crucified and this is eternall life Iohn 17. 3. 5 The Ministers of the Gospel are ours and therefore if wee attend vpon the Word and continue in it we shal know the truth their instructions shall bee daily distilled into thy heart like drops of raine 1 Cor. 322 23. 6 The anointing thou hast receiued shall teach thee all needfull things and leade thee into all truth 1 Iohn 2. 27. 7 There is a seed of heauenly doctrine cast into thy heart which shall euen remaine in thee It is indelible it cannot be blotted out 1 Iohn 3. 9. 8 Lastly Knowledge is the gift of Christ and as wee know that he is come so we beleeue that he will giue vs vnderstanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true euen in his Sonne Iesus Christ this is the true God and eternall life I Iohn 5. 20. Ob. But we want or haue lost the meanes of knowledge our Teachers are taken frem vs. Sol. It is true Where vision faileth the people faint but yet 1 After God hath giuen you the bread of affliction and the water of aduersity hee will restore Teachers and no more restraine instruction Esay 30. 20. 2. Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how God can prouide He can open Riuers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry vnto him Esay 41. 17. 18. 3. If ordinary meanes faile and bee denied God will then supply of his Spirit make that meanes which is left to suffice for thy preseruation and building vp Philip. 1. 19. Now that there may bee the more abundant support vnto our hearts in this case of infirmities I will open two places of Scripture that doe meet with the most obiections of our hearts The first is Exodus 34. 6 7. where the Lord proclaimeth the goodnesse of his nature that all men may take notice of it and giue him the praise of his rich grace where hee so describeth the Lord that in his titles hee giueth an answer to many obiections 1. If thou say thy infirmities may alienate the Lord from thee He answers that he is Iehouah alwayes the same vnchangeable Hee will not alter his loue towards thee but loue thee to the end and for the more assurance he repeated that title twice because he knowes we most doubt of that and haue most need to be succoured with that argument as the foundation of all our comfort 2. If thou say thou hast strong inclination to sinne or strange temptations or great impediments or many aduersaries and discouragements Hee answers that hee is God or strong to signifie that nothing shall hinder the worke of his grace towards thee but hee will keepe thee by his power and maketh his grace sufficient for thee 3 If thou say Hee is of pure eyes and cannot but discerne thy faults and sinne is sinne in the sight of God He answers That he is mercifull 4 If thou say Thou deseruest no such mercy He answers That he is gracious and doth not stand vpon desert He will shew mercy not because thou art good but because he is good 5. If thou say The daily repeating and renewing of thy sinnes may prouoke him though hee be mercifull and gracious He answers That hee is long-suffering 6 If thou say Thou hast many defects and wants to bee supplyed He answers That he is full of goodnesse 7 It thou say Thou art ashamed of thy ignorance which is more then can be conceiued Hee answers That he is abundant in truth to supply thy defects and to performe his promise though thou haue but a little faith 8.

dissolued that hee might bee with Christ Philip. 1. 2●… In which words he imports two things in death First that there is a dissolution of the soule from the body and secondly that there is a coniunction of the soule with Christ. Now which is better for vs to haue the body or to haue Christ The same Apostle saith else-where that they are confident in this they had rather be absent from the body and so to bee present with the Lord then to bee present with the body and absent from the Lord 2. Cor. 5. 7 8. Now the true reason why men feare death is because they looke vpon the dissolution onely and not vpon the ●…oniunction with Christ. 14. In the 1. Cor. 9. 24. our life is compared to a race and eternall life to a rich prize not a corruptible but an incorruptible Crowne Now death is the end of the race and to dye is but to come to the goale or race end Was euer Runner so foolish as to be sorrie that with victorie he was neere the end of the race And are we afraid of death that shall end the toyle and sweate and danger of the running and giue vs with endlesse applause so glorious a recompence of reward 15. In the Ceremoniall Law there was a yeere they called the yeere of Iubilee and this was accounted an acceptable yeere because euery man that had lost or sold his lands vpon the blowing of a trumpet returned and had possession of all againe and so was recouered out of the extremitie in ●…hich hee liued before In this life we are like the poore men of Israel that haue lost our inheritance and liue in a manner and condition euery way straitned now death is our Iubilee and when the trumpet of death blowes we all that die returne and enioy a better estate then euer we sold or lost Shall the Iubilee be called an acceptable time and shall not our Iubilee be acceptable to vs Esay 61. 2. 16. Death is the day of our Coronation we are Heires apparent to the Crowne in this life yea we are Kings elect but cannot bee crowned till death 2. Tim. 4. 8. And shall not that make vs loue the appearing of Christ Is a King afraid of the day of his Coronation 17. To conclude this first part of Contemplation If we did seriously set before our eyes the glory to come could our eyes be so dazeled as not to see and admire and haste to it Aske Paul that was in Heauen what hee saw and he will tell you Things that cannot be vttered Happinesse beyond all language of mortall man If there were as much faith on Earth as there is glorie in Heauen Oh how would our hearts bee on fire with feruent desire after it But euen this faith is extremely wanting it is our vnbeleefe that vndoes vs and fils vs with these seruile and sottish feares And thus of the Meditations taken from the happinesse wee enioy by death which should make vs conclude with Salomon That the day of Death is better then the day when one is borne CHAP. V. Shewing the miserie of life in wicked men NOw it followes that I should breake open the miseries of life the consideration whereof should abate in vs this wretched loue of life The miseries of life may bee two waies considered for they are of two sorts either such miseries as load the life of Nature or such miseries as doe molest the very life of Grace The miseries that accompany the naturall life of man while he remaines in the state of Nature onely who can recount I will giue but a briefe touch of some heads of them First thinke of thy sinnes and so three dreadfull things may amaze thy thoughts For first thou art guilty of Adams sinne for by that man sinne came in vpon all men euen the guilt of his sin Rom. 5. 12. Secondly thy nature is altogether vile and abominable from thy birth thou wast conceiued in sinne Psal. 51. 5. And this staine and leprosie hangs on fast vpon thy nature and cannot be cured but by the blood of Christ only Heb. 12. 1. And this is seated in all the faculties of thy soule For in thy Minde there is Ignorance and Impotency to receiue knowledge and a naturall approouing of euill and errour rather than the truth and sound doctrine Those wayes seeme good in thine eyes which tend vnto death 1. Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 7. 2. Cor. 3. 5. Pro. 14. 12. And this thou maiest perceiue by this that thou art not able to thinke a good thought but canst goe free for dayes and weekes without any holy cogitation and besides thy minde is infinitely prone to swarmes of euill thoughts Gen. 6. 5. Againe if thou behold thy Conscience it is impure polluted without light or life or glory in thee shut vp in a dungeon excusing thee in many faults and accusing thee for things are not faults but in thy conceit and when it doth accuse thee for sin it rageth and falleth mad with vnbridled fury and terrors keeping no bounds of Hope or Mercie Further if thou obserue thy Affections they are altogeth●…r impotent in that which is good there is no lust in thee after that which is good and yet they are all out of order and prone to cōtinuall rebellion against God ready to be fired by all the enticements of the World or the Diuell Gal. 5. 24. Thirdly vnto these adde thy innumerable Actuall sinnes which are more then the haires of thy head multiplyed daily in thought affection word and deed the least of them deseruing hell fire for euer thy sinnes of Infancie Youth Old age sinnes of O●…ission and Commission sinnes in Prosperitie and Aduersitie sinnes at Home and Abroad sinnes of Infirmitie and Presumption If Dauid looking vpon his sins could say They haue so compassed me and taken such hold on mee that I am not able to looke vp Oh then if thou haddest sight and sense how might'st thou much more cry out of the intolerable burthen of them and the rather if thou obserue that many of thy corruptions reigne tyrannically and haue subdued thy life to their vassalage so as thou art in continuall slauerie to them Thus is thy life infested with these vnspeakeable inordinations and thus of the first part of thy infelicitie in life Secondly if thou obserue but how God hath auenged himselfe vpon them and what yet remaineth vnto thee how can thy heart sustaine it selfe For 1. Thou art a banished man exiled from Paradise and made to liue without hope to returne thither The best part of the earth thou shalt neuer enioy 2. The earth is cursed to thee and it may bee a wofull spectacle to see all the creatures subiect to vanitie and smitten with the strokes of God for thy sinne and groaning daily round about thee 3. Looke vpon thy most miserable soule for there thy

mournest because thou canst not liue an hundred yeeres hence 7. Thou hast no power of the morrow to make it happy to thee If thou die young thou art like one that hath lost a Die with which he might as well haue lost as wonne 8. Consider the proportion of time thou desirest to thy selfe reckon what will bee spent in sleepe care disgrace sickenesse trouble wearinesse emptinesse feare and vnto all this adde sinne and then thinke how smal a portion is left of this time and how small good it will doe thee What can that aduantage thee with such mixtures of euill It is certaine to liue long is but to be long troubled and to die quickly is quickly to be at rest 9. Lastly if there were nothing else to be said yet this may suffice that there is no comparison betweene time and eternity What is that space of time to eternity If thou loue life why doest thou not loue eternall life as was said before CHAP. XV. Of them that would liue to doe good BVt I would liue long to doe good and to doe God seruice and to benefit others by mine example Sol. First search thine owne heart it may be this pretence of doing good to others is pleaded onely because thou wouldest further thine owne good Thou wouldst not seeke the publike but to finde thine owne particular 2. God that set thee to do his worke knowes how long it is fit for thee to be at the same hee knowes how to make vse of the labors of his workmen He will not call thee from thy work till it bee prouided to dispatch his businesse without thee 3. It may be if thou be long at thy worke thou wouldst marre all thy last workes would not bee so good as thy first it is best to giue ouer while thou doest w●…ll c. 4. If God will pay thee as much for halfe a day as for the whole art thou not so much the more to praise him 5. It is true that the best comfort of our life here is a religious conuersation but thy Religion is not hindered by going to heauen but perfected There is no comparison betweene thy goodnesse on earth and that in heauen For though thou mayest doe much good here yet it is certaine thou doest much euill heere too 6. Whereas thou perswadest thy selfe that by example thou maiest mend others thou art much mistaken A thousand men may sooner catch the plague in an infected Towne then one be healed It is but to tempt God to desire continuance in this infectious world longer then our time for the best way is to get farre from the contagion I●… diuers fresh waters fal into the sea what doth that to take away the saltnesse of the sea No more can two or three Lots reforme a world of Sodomites CHAP. XVI Why men may not make away themselues to be rid of the miseries of life Ob. 5. BVt then it seemes by this that it were a mans best course to take away life seeing so much euill is in life and so much good to bee had in death Sol. 1. I thinke the most of vs may bee trusted of that danger For though the soule aspire to the good to come yet the body tends vnto the earth and like an heauie clog weighs men downewards 2. That is not the course we must cast the world out of our hearts not cast our selues out of the world It is both vnseemely and extremely vnlawfull It is vnseemely for it is true we ought willingly to depart out of this world but it is monstrous base like cowards to runne away out of the battell Thou art Gods souldier and appointed to thy standing and it is a miserable shame to runne out of thy place When Christ the great Captaine sounds a retrait then it is honorable for thee to giue place Besides thou art Gods tenant and doest hold thy selfe as a tenant at will the Landlord may take it from thee but thou canst not without disgrace surrender at thy pleasure and it is extre●…me slothfulnesse to hate life onely for the toyles that are in it Secondly and as it is vnseemely so it is vnlawfull yea damnable It is vnlawfull for the souldier that runnes away from his Captaine offends highly so doth the Christian that makes away himselfe and therefore the commandement is not onely Thou shalt not kill other men but generally Thou shalt not kill meaning neither thy selfe nor other men Besides wee haue no example in Scripture of any that did so but such as were notorious wicked men as Sa●…l Achitophel Iudas and the like Yea it is damnable for hee that leaueth his worke before God calls him loseth it and besides incurres eternall death As the souldier that runneth away dyeth for it when he is taken so the Christian that murdereth himselfe perisheth I say that murdereth himselfe being himselfe CHAP. XVII Why we should not bee troubled to part with our friends MIght some other say I could more willingly dye but mee thinkes it is grieuous vnto mee to part with friends and acquaintance I cannot willingly goe from my kind●…ed and my familiars life is sweete in respect of their presence and loue and societie Sol. It is true that vnto some mindes this is the greatest contentment of life of any thing but yet many things must bee considered For First amongst an 100. men scarce one can by good reason pleade that I meane cannot say that hee hath so much as one sound friend in the whole world worthy to be reckoned as the stay of his life Secondly those that can plead felicitie in their friends yet what is it one pleasing dreame hath more in it then a moneths contentment which can bee reaped from thy friends Alas it is not the thousandth part of thy life which is satisfied with delight from them 3. Thou s●…st thy friend●… drop away from thee from day to day for either they dye or they are so farre remoo●…d from thee that they are as it w●…e dead to thee and sith they are gone who would not long to go after them 4. The friends that are left are not sure to thee men are mutable as well as mortall they may turne t●… be thy foes that now are dearest vnto thee or if they fall not into tearmes of flat enmitie they 〈◊〉 grow full and wea●…e of thee and so carelesse of thee 5. If none of these would satisfie thee yet what are thy friends on earth to thy friends thou shalt finde in heauen This is an answer beyond all exception 6. Lastly by death thou doest not lose thy friends neither for thou shalt finde them and enioy them in another world to all eternity and therefore thou hast no reason forthy friends sake to be loth to dye 7. But might some one say All my griefe is to part with my wife and children and to leaue them especially in an vnsettled estate 1. Hast

conuersation may be formed in thee 1 The worth of the promises Eph 〈◊〉 6 9 P●… 4 Rom. 4. Rom. 9. Eph. 3. 6. 2. To whom the promis●… belong Eph. 2. 12. Gal. 4. Gal. 3. 22. Heb. 6. 17. 1 Tim. 4. 8 3. The vse of the promises 〈◊〉 Tim. 6. 7. 8. 〈◊〉 Pc●… ●…4 4 The infa●…libilitie of the promises proued by ●…waies 〈◊〉 They are all but a●… o●…e promise 〈◊〉 From the nature of God 〈◊〉 From the antiquity of them 4 From Gods writing 5 Fromm Gods oath 9 From the messengers sent about them 7 From the ministerie of Christ him selfe 8 From the death of the Testator 9 From our Ano●…uting 10 From the exte●… of the promiser 11 From the time of giuing the promise The promise sealed 4 wayes 〈◊〉 In his Councell 2. In his Sonne 3. In his Spirit 4. In the Sacraments 13. For experience 6. Rules to be obserued if wee will profit by the promises 2 Cor. 1. 20. Rom. 4. 14 Gal. 3. 22. Rom. 4. 16 Ps. 119. ●…1 Hebr 6. 18. Heb. 6. 12. 3. Sorts of promises 1. Priuiledges 2. Comforts in afflictiō 3. Rewards of certaine graces Sorts of afflictions Note 12. Priuiledges of the godly 1. The loue of God Eze. 36. ●…8 Ioh. 14. 21. 3. Properties in Gods loue 1. It is free 2. It is eternall 3. It is infinite The secōd priuiledge is the giu●…ng of Ch●…t to them The third is deliuerance and th●…t from diuers grieuous things The fourth is forgiuenes of sin The 〈◊〉 is the inhabitation of the holy Ghost The sixt is the restoring of Gods Image The 7 is freedome in Gods house The 8 is the hearing of his prayer The nin●… is the attendance of Angels The te●…h is the c●… munion of Saint The 〈◊〉 is the inheritance of the earth The 〈◊〉 is the inheritance of heauen What is meant by outward afflictions The godly man may comfort himselfe against afflictions by the consideration 1. Of t●…e commonnesse of the●… Of Gods knowledge of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and desires Of Gods compassion Of Gods high estimation of vs. Of the victorie of Christ. Of the holy Ghost comforting vs. Of the issue o●…t of trouble Of the measure of out afflictions Of th●… short continuance of them Of the good ●…ffects of them What thou must do in thy affliction Men need comfort against reproaches Thoumaist comfort thy selfe in th●… consideration 1. Of the notice God takes of them 〈◊〉 Of Gods great account of vs 〈◊〉 Of thy good report among the godly 4 Of thy Praise thou shalt haue in the day of Christ. 5 Of praise from them that now reproach thee 6 Of the small things-thou suf●…rest Of the example of Christ. 8 Of the cause of thy reproaches 〈◊〉 Of the condition of all the godly 10 Of the presence ●…nd assistance of the Holy Ghost 11 Of the condition of those men that doe reproach thee 1. 2. 3 12 Of the course God will take for thy clearing and comfort Ob. Sol. Ob. 2. Sol. Ob. 3. Sol. Ob. 4. Sol. Ob. 5. Sol. Ob. Sol. Ob. 7. Sol. Ob. 8. Sol. Ob. 9. Sol. Ob. 10. Sol. Ob. 11. Sol. Foure wayes to auoid reproaches He may comfort himselfe from the consideration 1. Of the common condition of all the godly 2. Of Gods appointment 3. Of our refuge in God 4 Of the prediction of Christ. 5 Of the d●…liuerance promised 6 Of Gods iudgement vpon our aduersarie●… 7 Of the effects and consequents 〈◊〉 Of our own gaine by them 2. Things taken for granted Satan tempts vs fiue waies 〈◊〉 Sorts of temptations by suggestion 1 T●…mptations to blasphemy 〈◊〉 Temptations to particular sinnes Temptations to despaire 9 Occasions of temptations Solitarines Security Pride Anger Dalliance with euill thoughts 6 Intemperate vse of outward things 7 Vnsetled●…es in faith 8. Triall of faith 9. Relapse into some grosse sin Hee may comfort himselfe from the consideration 1. Of the common condition of the godly 2. Of the measure 1 Of the short continuance 4 Of diuers things in Christ as 1 His example 〈◊〉 His victory ouer the diuel 〈◊〉 His sympathy 4 His in tercession 5 His vertu●… for he ling vs. 6 His suc cour 5 Of the ●…sue out of temptatiō 6. Of the effects Ob. How wee m●…y pray against temptations How wee may know that wee are not ouercome of temptations Note Two signes Two sorts of promises What is meant by infirmities The comforts raised from the consideration 1 Of thy age in Christ. 2 Of thy condition now vnder Grace 3 Of the fruitfulnes may b●… in a weake Christian. 4 Of the goodnesse of Gods nature For he is 1 Gracio●… 2 Merciful 3 Slow to anger 4 Ready to forgine 5 Of the hope of strength Of many things in Christias 1 His opinion of vs. 2 His comdassion 3 His Intercession 4 His blood 5 The imputation of his righteousnesse The helpe of the Ministerie Of diuers particular fauors God hath assu●…ed vs of Note Of what God may bring thee to 8. Constructions about ignorance in the godly The full explication of the words in Exo 34. 6 7. The full explication of the words in Ezek ●…6 ●…5 c. Foure things may assure vs that God will keepe vs from falling away 1. His promises 1 Cor. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Hi●…●…cree 3 Three attributes in God viz. His faithfulnesse His power His loue 4 His seale What God will doe to keepe vs from falling away Three things in Christ may comfort vs 1. His intercession 2 His office here in 3 His power 3 Things in our selues may comfo●…t vs Those promises referred to three he●…des The scope Thy warra●… The profit of the course The easinesse of the course Marke this direction The rules of life are either generall or particular The generall rules concerne either The helps to a godly life Or secondly the manner of wel doing Who so will addresse himselfe to an holy course of life And hee that would prosper in seeking knowledge must obserue nine Rules 1. He must esteeme knowledge 2 He must not consult with flesh and blood 3. He must redeeme the time 4. He must be wise for himselfe 5 He must be swift to heare 6 He must study only profitable things 7 He must st●…ue to increase in knowledge 8 He must propound his doubts 9 He must be rightly ordered towards his Pastor 1. To pray for him 2 To obey him The third rule Hee must get out of euill company 4 He must resolue to practise 5 He must settle his outward estate 6 He must keepe com pany with the godly 7. He must not be the seruant of men 8. He must looke for the comming of Christ. 〈◊〉 H●… must not regard what the multitude doth 10 Hee must in all things giue thanks 11. He must stu●…y to be quiet Note 1 Thes 4. 11 1 Hee must k●…epe a strict co●…rs in following onely profitable things 〈◊〉 He must be 〈◊〉 daily in the reading of the holy Scriptures 14 Hee must k●…pe his fi●…st