preparation yea scarce once thinking or considering with themselues vvhat they are before whom it is that they are to stand and what businesse they haue in hand which if they did sure it would make them to stirre vp their lumpish and drowsie affections and to settle themselues vnto it in another manner then they doe yea with farre more reuerence and preparation then if they were to appeare before the greatest Monarch on earth and that when he were in his greatest State and Royaltie attended with all his Nobles and Peeres in the most maiesticall manner that could be O most mightie and most glorious God let me be alwayes affected vvith the consideration of thy glorious and diuine presence as I ought to be especially when I approach nearer vnto thee eyther to offer vp my humble suites and supplications by prayer vnto thee for the obtayning of grace and mercy at thy hands or to attend vpon thee in that holy ordinance of thine to heare thee out of thy word teaching me what thy will and pleasure is towards mee or to be couersant in reading meditation or any other holy and religious exercise whereby I may be furthered in the wayes of grace and saluation Farre be it from me to thrust my selfe into thy holy and sacred presence as the manner of the prophane and vngodly ones is without a carefull and conscionable endeuour to haue my heart rightly prepared and my affections truely sanctified O Lord this is not in my power more then in any other it is thy grace onely let it please thee therefore to giue it vnto me Purge my heart I beseech thee from all things which cause mee to offend free my minde from euery thing which might be a cause of any distraction vnto me lift vp my soule farre aboue all earthly cogitations and desires and possesse mee with such an entire loue and such a holy reuerence of thy Maiestie that thou maiest alwayes be truely glorified of mee Leuit. 10.3 whensoeuer I draw neare vnto thee and enter into thy presence to performe any duetie which thou requirest of mee Heare mee O Lord and that onely for the merits and mediation of thy Sonne and my blessed Sauiour and Redeemer Christ Iesus in whose Name alone I poure out all my suites and supplications vnto thee and looke to obtaine grace and mercy from thee Humilitie the way to true knowledge and spirituall vnderstanding MAny there be that haue taken great paines and beene very industrious in searching after many things the knowledge and vnderstanding whereof although excellent in it selfe and worthy the labouring for yet they could neuer attaine vnto because they sought not for it with a meeke and humble heart and with a purpose to vse it to the right end and for the greatest benefit both of themselues and others but for sinister and by-respects They that are most humble shall be best learned and receiue the greatest blessing in the vse of the meanes which God hath appointed The Lord reuealeth his secrets vnto them Psal 25.9 which are hid from the proud Mat. 11.25 1 Cor. 2.11 12. and such as are wise in their owne eyes They shall vnderstand the wonderfull things of God the great things of his Law those deepe Mysteries contayned in his word euen those things which the vvisest of this world and the learnedst Scribes amongst men cannot reach vnto shall they comprehend and vnderstand because the Lord hath promised to giue them the teaching of his Spirit that holy annoynting 1 Ioh. 2.27 and will send downe that light from aboue vvhich will so illuminate and inlighten their mindes Ephe. 1.17 18 Ioh. 7.17 that they shall see clearely into those things which are darke and obscure vnto others Good Lord I humbly bowe the knee of my heart and soule before thy glorious Maiestie suing vnto thee earnestly and instantly in the mediation of thy Son for a further increase a greater measure of that heauenly grace for this I will pray yea cry vnto thee daily and vncessantly Doe thou therefore vouchsafe to grant it vnto mee and more and more to increase it in me Giue mee a meeke spirit a lowly minde and an humble heart a heart which may be set not for the seeking of my selfe for that were wickednesse but for the aduancement of thy glory referring all my studyes and endeuours to the end which thou hast appoynted that vvee should ayme at continually and then I know that thou wilt reueale thy will vnto mee and giue mee vnderstanding of thy word as farre as is requisite and necessary for mee yea that thou wilt cause me to conceiue and comprehend those things which are wonderfull and which none can search into or finde out but those alone that haue thy Spirit to be their teacher which thou hast promised vnto them onely that are of a meeke spirit and of an humble minde which is a thing exceeding pleasing vnto thee Iames 4.6 and wherein thou much delightest but abhorrest all those that are of a proud heart and deniest thy grace vnto them Humilitie the fruit of true sauing knowledge HE that knoweth things aright as hee ought to know them especially if he hath attained vnto the knowledge of himselfe and of his maker the better he knoweth and vnderstandeth these things the more lowly the more base and vile will hee bee in his owne eyes and the more will hee magnifie and extoll his God the Creator and the Lord of all things They are but smatterers 1 Cor. 8.2 1 Tim. 6.20 and nouices of true knowledge and vnderstanding whatsoeuer they may seeme to themselues or others who haue not as yet learned to esteeme meanly of themselues Gen. 18.27 Isai 40.17 and verie highly of the God of glorie the aduancement of whom is the chiefe end vnto which all knowledge should tend and aime most directly Grant O Lord that I may vse all meanes whereby I may come vnto that knowledge which is necessarie and conuenient for me especially that I may know my selfe aright euen what I am in my self and of my selfe a worme of the earth a wretched and sinfull man dust ashes and thee the mightie Creator and glorious God of heauen and earth the possessour of all things infinite in power and maiestie the brightnesse of whose glorie the Angels themselues cannot fully comprehend that hereby I may learne alwaies to humble and abase my selfe and to glorifie and extoll thy name for euer and euer The right vse and end of all knowledge IT is an ordinary thing amongst men to studie rather to know much then to liue well from whence it commeth as euerie one that is of any discerning may easily see and obserue that many whiles they haue their heads stuffed with multiplicitie and varietie of learning yet haue their liues barren and altogether fruitlesse and vnprofitable How doe such deceiue themselues whiles they professe themselues to be wise Rom. 1.22 yet herein they
are written with the finger of the Spirit of God and wherein the manifold and vnsearchable vvisedome of God and those great and glorious mysteries are most clearely reuealed to them that haue eyes to behold them Ephe. 3.9.10 Next vnto this the heauens are the clearest and fayrest Booke that vve can open or reade in Thence wee may learne what profound and excellent knowledge yea hee that hath skill of neuer a Letter may herein read distinctly the magnificence â—â—b 37.23 â—â—al 19.1 the power the wisedome the glory and maiestie of the Almightie Lord and Creator of all things â—â—m 1.20 Hee is altogether inexcusable that hath no skill no desire no endeuour to gather instruction vnto himselfe out of it or that hauing it so long open before him shewes himselfe to be a Non-proficient one that is nothing at all bettered by it in regard of his knowledge and vnderstanding of those things vvhich concerne GOD and his Worship and Seruice Lord let that Booke of thine be neuer closed or sealed vnto me neyther let mine eyes bee so dimme that I should not bee able to reade those things which thou hast written therein in such great and Capitall Letters and vvith such a cleare and legible hand but giue mee the right vnderstanding of the same and grant that from thence I may learne to feare to loue to praise and extoll thy great and glorious Name vvho art so exceeding vvonderfull in all thy workes Gods marueilous workmanship in the frame of the world IF thou seest a stately Palace or some rare and exquisite frame wrought by the hand and by the curious Art of man thou dost presently vvonder and admire at it and vvithall giue large commendations of him whose workemanship it was Loe thou beholdest euery day that most exquisite and glorious frame of heauen and earth the worke of Gods owne hand Psal 8.3 and 135.6 the roofe vvhereof is bespangled and adorned vvith those celestiall creatures Eccle. 3.11 those glorious Lights the Sunne the Moone and all those bright and glittering Stars in vvhich the wonderfull glory and vvisedome of the Creator shineth forth so clearely Psal 104.24 111.2 that euen the blinde Heathen could not but see and acknowledge it yea the vvhole building whereof euen euery part of it is most admirable such as that it sheweth plainely that it had no other to be the Maker and builder of it then GOD himselfe Iob 38. and yet thou neuer or seldome lookest vpon it vvith an holy admiration thou art neuer moued with the serious consideration of it to acknowledge the great and vvondrous vvorke of God therein and to magnifie the Creator of all things O the blindnesse and senslesnesse nay Psal 92.5.6 brutishnes of man Lord doe thou raise vp my thoughts to the due meditation of thy vnspeakeable wisedome power goodnes mercie in those things which thou hast created and made for thine owne glorie and for the vse and benefit of man euen those wonders of thine in the heauen the earth the sea and all places Psal 107.12.24 Rom. 1.20 Let me in them see the inuisible things of thee who art God and Lord of all euen the infinite power and glory of thy eternall and incomprehensible Deitie Iob. 26.14 Let me acknowledge thy goodnesse and mercie towards mee a worme of the earth for whose sake thou hast made heauen and earth yea let mee neuer cease to praise and glorifie thee vvhose name is so excellent in all the vvorld who art Creator and Gouernour of all things holy and blessed for euer Amen The creatures prouoke man to serue his Creator ALL creatures serue their Lord and maker The birds of the ayre by their pleasant notes and cheereful melodie sing praise vnto their Creator Psal 104. the fishes of the Sea the beasts of the field by seruing for the vse of man according to the ordinance and appointment of God Euen the creatures without sense and life the Sunne the Moone the Starres all these keepe their places their motions which he hath assigned vnto them al these declare the glorie of God their maker and shew forth his power and wisedome Psal 145.10 Man only is found disobedient vnseruiceable nay rebellious against his Creator who of all should chiefly be seruiceable and obedient vnto him since all things were made for his sake euen to draw him to loue to duetie and obedience that so he might glorifie his Creator vvho had so highly honoured and aduanced him Ierem. 8.7 O blessed Lord farre be it from me to be more senselesse then the bruite beasts yea the insensible creatures themselues O let it be farre from me to be so vnkinde so vndutifull so ingratefull so stubborne and disobedient towards thee my God my Creator my Father my Soueraigne to whom I owe all seruice and homage yea let me passe the beasts in dutie and obedience or else euen they those dumbe and vnreasonable creatures shall be witnesses to testifie against me and cause thee to proceed in iudgement Psal 8.4.5 and to giue sentence with more rigour and seueritie to my deeper condemnation The greatnesse of the benefit of the redemption of mankind by Christ and how much we are bound vnto God for the same IF any one of vs were taken by his enemy put into a darke prison or deepe dungeon where he could see no light of the Sun or of the Moone not any of the Starres for a long season and besides this were laden also with many heauy chains and yrons and no waies able to helpe himselfe out of that misery yea in regard of any meanes which himselfe could vse were cleane out of all hope euer to bee deliuered sure to rot and perish would he not thinke himselfe much beholding and greatly indebted vnto him that should freely of his owne loue and voluntary accord seeke to bring him out of that wofull estate vnto light life and libertie especially if so bee that hee that did him this fauour were one of whom hee neuer deserued any thing yea to whom hee had beene a professed and open enemie 1 Tim. 1.17 Reuel 4.10.11 O then how much more ought wee euen all such as are the chosen of God and the redeemed of Christ Iesus to magnifie the grace and the tender mercie of God our Sauiour towards vs how deepely are we to acknowledge our selues to be indebted vnto him for the exceeding riches of his loue and vnspeakable kindnesse towards vs how are we to praise his name and to extoll his infinite goodnes and bounty so graciously vouchsafed and so manifestly declared vnto vs seeing that no prison no darknesse no bondage no miserie is Isai 42.6.7 Zach. 9.11 or can be like vnto that vvherein vve were inclosed and shut fast vp vvithout all hope of euer enioying the light of that glorious Sunne of righteousnesse or once beholding the bright beames of that rich grace mercie of God which
to ouerturne all Religion and Pietie * Tantum abest quin decorum ordo nisi ista politia moderatione obseruari possit vt praesentissima impendeat Ecclesiae perturbatio ruina si dissoluatur j. In briefe The neglect of the Sabbath day is the ruine of the Church Caluin Instit lib. 2. cap. 8. sect 32. A notable politie of that wilie serpent And a marueilous eyther blindnes or presumption in them who are so bewitched by him For what God hath hallowed how should man once dare to prophane or to accoūt common vnhallowed But those vvhom God who is the light of our eyes hath caused the light of his sauing grace to shine more clearly vnto are otherwise minded otherwise affected They acknowledge it not only a iust equal thing that the Lord should haue one day of many dedicated wholy deuoted to his seruice a shame it were that any should deale sparingly with him herin who hath bin so prodigal to them but also they accoūt it a great argument and euidence of Gods speciall care ouer them and singular goodnesse towards them vvho in this estate of their frailetie and weakenesse hath in mercy appointed so excellent a helpe and so necessary a meanes for them to gather spirituall strength and increase of grace vvhereby to stand out against Sathan their deadly foe and to walke on cheerefully comfortably and constantly through the wildernesse of this troublesome vvorld to that promised rest that heauenly Canaan yea they reioyce greatly in it g Isai 58.13 finde much sweetnesse and delight in it long for it before it comes and when it is come solace themselues in it exceedingly And no marueile for they see and finde that it is the market-day of their soules vvherein according to Gods appointment they gather that heauenly Manna that bread of life vvhereby they are nourished and strengthened all the vveeke after and increase daily in that spirituall life of grace and godlinesse till they come vnto that measure vvhich GOD hath allotted vnto them They see how hereby they recouer themselues from sinnes past arme themselues against sinne to come grow in knowledge increase in faith hope patience and all other Christian vertues haue the inward man repaired and in a word vvhereas on other daies their mindes are troubled and distracted vvith worldly businesse this day they haue libertie to recall themselues as it were to draw neere vnto the Lord and sweetly to repose themselues in him who is their peace rest and happinesse and therefore they ioy reioyce herein Againe their Sabbath-day heere on earth as it doth expresse * Ambros in Psa 119. calleth aeternam vitam magnū Sabbathum August lib. 22. de ciuit Dei ca. 30. Sabbathum maximum where he saith it prefigureth the rest of the bodie and soule so it doth put them in minde of that eternal Sabbath which they shall celebrate for euer in the heauens that peace that ioy and that perfect rest and happinesse vvhich they shall shortly bee made partakers of for euer in those glorious mansions those celestiall habitations It is as it were a mappe or an Embleme to them of that Angelicall life which their soules longeth after and the very remembrance vvhereof doth vvonderfully refresh their grieued minds and languishing spirits vvhiles they vvander in this wearisome vvildernesse where they haue so many enemies continually assayling them so many difficulties with vvhich they are continually incumbred The sanctifying of this day doth bring them as it were from Aegypt to Canaan and from Babell vnto Sion i Heb. 11.10.16 It cals them home to their owne countrey giues them a view of it though a farre off and affords them a tast of that spirituall and heauenly life vvhich afterwards they shall liue for euer in glorious manner How therefore can it bee but that they should reioyce in it and in no vvise thinke it burdensome vnto them as carnall and worldly men doe O my God forgiue me that I haue had no more care of this dutie heretofore and teach me to be more mindfull of it hereafter As thou hast appointed this day to be wholly bestowed vpon thee and thy seruice so I humbly pray thee to guide me therein vvith thy grace and spirit that it may be my delight to consecrate it as * Isa 58.13 glorious vnto thee O let me not by any meanes pollute it by doing mine owne waies nor seeking mine owne will no not so much as speaking a vaine word but let me giue my selfe therein wholly to the duties k Act. 16.13 Psal 122. Nehe. 8.8 Act. 17.11 Psal 92.1 145.5 Mal. 3.16 1 Cor. 16.1.2 vvhich thou requirest of me both publique and priuate as hearing thy word preached with all reuerence and carefull attention reading the same prayer meditation and godly conference whatsoeuer else whereby I may be furthered or a means to further or helpe forward others in the wayes of grace and godlinesse that thus being obedient vnto thy commandement vnto which I am tied by so many bonds thy blessing may be vpon me thy spirit may dwell with me I may daily more and more be built vp in sauing knowledge and true holinesse I may grow strong in thy feare finding the powers of sinne and Sathan euery day more and more weakened in me and after that I haue at thy appointed times indeuoured to keepe a holy and religious Sabbath heere on earth I may hereafter keepe an eternall Sabbath with thee in the heauens praysing and magnifying thee vncessantly and enioying that perfect rest and happinesse which thou hast promised and I daily expect and hope for that only through the merits of thy deare Son my blessed Sauiour to whom with thee thy spirit be all praise now for euer Prophanenesse how fearefull the end of it will be THe Fig-tree a Math. 21 19 was accursed because it had leaues onely but brought forth no fruit how much more they then that haue cast away the leaues also hauing not so much as the shew and outward profession of religion and godlinesse It 's a heauie and dreadfull sentence which is to be pronounced against the vnprofitable seruant that hath not improued the Lords talent which he gaue vnto him and made the best vse of it for his masters aduantage so as might be most for his glory and the good and benefit of others amongst whom he liued b Math. 25 30 Cast that vnprofitable seruant into vtter darkenesse there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth O then what shall become of those that are not onely fruitelesse and vnprofitable in their course but prophane and openly euill so as the world doth point at them and cri◠shame vpon them though they are so hardened many of them that they neuer blush for it c Ier. 5.3 6.15 nor will be ashamed but d Hose 7.10 glory in it that doe not onely omit that which is good setting themselues
and glorious is that celestiall mansion the kingdome of glory in the vvhich the Lord of glory dwelleth in the fulnesse of his glorie and maiestie There is no night no darkenesse in it but the brightnesse and glory of the Lord doth shine continually most gloriously in it yea farre more brightly then the Sunne vvhen it is in his greatest strength Nay the glory and shining beauty thereof is so great that the resplendent brightnesse thereof doth as farre excell the brightnesse of the Sunne and Moone as they doe exceed a little candle at noone day Our eyes as now they are vvere not able to behold one glimpse thereof s Exod. 40 34.35 but would be dazeled presently and ouercome with the shine and luster of it We cannot see it and liue We see how glorious the outward Court * Iob. 37.18 or pauement of it is in vvhich those celestiall bodies as so many burning lampes t Iob. 38.7 Psal 148.3 doe shine forth most clearely with their glittering and radiant beames and cause the diligent beholder to stand u Iob. 137 14 as one amazed vvondring at the skill and marueilous wisedome of the maker of so curious and glorious a workemanship so excellently adorned and garnished in euery part more then if it were all sprinckled with the most bright shining pearles or pretious stones that the vvhole earth can affoord how much more glorious then thinke you must the inward Court needs be Besides vvho is able to consider how large and spacious that glorious mansion is who can mete out the breadth the length or compasse of that heauenly Citie If one starre as the learned doe in that Art affirme bee many times greater then the whole earth vvhat is the firmament in vvhich there are so many starres and some of them of greater magnitude and if the firmament be so large what may we thinke is the heauen of heauens vvhich compasseth in all the other as a lesser circle It passeth mans vnderstanding both for glory and greatnesse O how blessed and happie are they that shall be Citizens of such a Kingdome that shall liue in such a glorious place for euermore euen in the presence chamber of the Lord of glory Assuredly this world is but a barren wildernesse a wearisome prison yea a darke dungeon in comparison of it But to giue thee yet a further view of that heauenly life As the place vvhere they shall liue is wonderfull glorious so the company vvith whom they shall liue in that place is no lesse glorious yea farre aboue it It doth exceed it by many degrees For what company shall they haue there Euen the blessed societie of all the Saints Patriarches Prophets Apostles Martyrs Adam Enoch Noah Abraham Isaak Iacob Iob Dauid Daniel c. x Heb. 11. 12.22 Euen all those worthies and renowmed ones that haue beene from the beginning of the vvorld to this present or shall be to the end thereof the beholding of some one of vvhom is greatly desired of vs and would wonderfully content vs. They shall bee companions of Princes yea the least and meanest of their companie shall be greater then the greatest Prince in this world for they shall all be crowned Kings * Reue. 1.6 and triumphant Emperours set vpon heauenly thrones y Ephe. 2.6 Reue. 2.26 27. 3.21 These are their familiars and companions and with these together with that innumerable multitude of the elect and chosen Angels those coelestiall and heauenly creatures shall they continually liue and conuerse each ioying and delighting in the company and societie of the other as being partakers of the same glory and truely louing and entirely affecting one another more then euer Ionathan did Dauid vvhose loue notwithstanding was wonderfull z 2 Sam. 1.26 hardly to be patterned Being knit among themselues by the band of one spirit into a holy communion they shall haue as it vvere one soule willing the same things affecting the same things and re ioycing mutually and continually in him who is the fountaine of all their ioy glory and happinesse The ioy of one shall be the ioy of all and the glory of one the glory of all Nay which is farre farre greater matter and the thought vvhereof may euen rauish our soules they shall enioy the sweet and heauenly company of their blessed Sauiour and Redeemer a Ioh. 12.26 17.24 Christ Iesus the Prince of peace b Isa 9.6 1 Tim 6.15 the King of glory yea the glory of heauen and earth the image of his Father c Coloss 1 15 Heb. 1.3 Iohn 1.9 in vvhom those things which are inuisible are seene the brightnesse of the euerlasting light the vndefiled mirrour of the maiesty of God the desire of all nations * Haggai 2.8 whose name is Wonderfull whose power vnspeakable the beholding of vvhom euen whiles hee was heere on earth in the state of his frailty and humilitie made good old Simeon to reioyce exceedingly d Luke 2.28 and vvould haue gladded the hearts of many Kings and Prophets e Math. 13 16.17 that were before him who desired and longed after this and would haue accounted themselues happy in the enioying of it They shall enioy his company whom the Angels doe reuerence and adore f Heb. 1.6 Psal 97.7 and the very sight and appearance of vvhom will be an exceeding refreshing * Act. 3.19 vnto them yea cause their hearts to spring within them g Luke 1.41 as the babe did in Elizabeths wombe at the salutation of the blessed Virgin Oh how shall their hearts be rauished with ioy when they shall see the Lord of the family the heire of the whole world the Prince of glory clothed with their nature c Luke 12.37 13.29 and sitting downe at the same table with them and speaking most sweet and comfortable vvords vnto them Eate d Can. 5.1 O friends drinke and make you merry O welbeloued They shall haue fellowship familiaritie acquaintance with him as one brother vvith another e Mat. 12.49 Hebr. 2.11 to their vnspeakeable comfort the very consideration vvhereof makes their righteous soules now in the time of their absence * 2 Cor. 5.6 from him to crye out as Paul did f Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolued and to be with Christ for that is best of all And vvith the Spouse in the Canticles g Cant. 8.14 O my welbeloued flee away and be like vnto the Roe or to the young Hart vpon the Mountaines of spices and vvith the Spirit and the Bride in the Reuelations h Reuel 22 7.20 Come come Lord Iesus come quickly Oh that wee may once see thy face and behold that brightnesse of thine who art so wonderfull in thy Saints and redeemed ones Here is their hope their ioy and their reioycing And vvith him they shall enioy the gratious and most comfortable presence of the blessed and glorious Spirit yea of the Father
so great a villany against so great a God Saint Iohn fell downe in a swound at the very sight and appearance of him Reuel 1.17 Iohn 18.6 Exod. 33.20 Iudges 13.22 And no maruel for who is able to see him liue who is able to behold the greatnesse of his glory the brightnesse of his Maiestie And is it not then a great marueile that thou vvhosoeuer thou art darest be so bold as to set thy self against him euen to spit in his face as it were by preferring euery vile creature before him and doing that which is so displeasing and abominable in his sight hauing had expresse charge and commaundement of him to the contrary Ierem. 2.12 O heauens be astonished at this be afraid and vtterly confounded so vve may well crie out considering the strangenesse and vvonderful boldnesse and presumption of sinnes in this high dishonour and open contempt of God Oh that mens eyes were open that they might plainly see and consider of these things Psal 103.14 104.29 O that they would cast downe their eyes and see what they themselues are dust earth weake and fraile creatures whose breath assoone as it is taken from them they die and perish and withall lift vp their eyes and see what an infinite powerfull and glorious God what a high mighty and dreadfull maiestie they offend and prouoke grieuously in the wilfull commission of any one sinne whatsoeuer It is a wonder yea it is the wonderfull and vnspeakeable mercy of God that the vvhole frame of heauen and earth is not for sinne yea for one sinne vtterly confounded and brought to nought And it may vvell seeme marueilous and vvonderfull in our eyes that the Lord being of such infinite glory power and maiestie should beare with men for the committing of the least sinne that can bee being a thing so contrary to his nature euery way so much abhorred of him O therefore that men would loue him for his goodnesse and great mercy in hauing spared themselues thus long who committed so many and so great sins against him and that they would feare him for his power and vnspeakeable Maiestie and bee mooued thereby neuer willingly to offend him hereafter by doing the least sinne whatsoeuer as men count little but carefully shunne it yea hate detest and abhorre it from their hearts and soules For this end consider yet further how pleasing it is vnto Sathan as it is exceeding displeasing vnto God so wonderful pleasing delightsome vnto him He delights in it as being his owne brood and cursed of-spring he first brought it into the world Iohn 8.44 and him it representeth being the expresse image of his corrupt and monstrous nature and therefore he must needs take pleasure in it seeing euery thing loueth his owne and that which doth most resemble it selfe Besides how pleasing it is to him it is euident by that great desire which he hath and that great diligence which he vseth to draw and euen to force men vnto it It is neyther siluer gold iewels pearles or any such like pretious thing in the world vvhich he seeketh after He cares not for all these he regards them not at all he is not so couetous or ambitious in this regard as men are But this is his care his studie this he laboreth for and aymeth at continually euen to make the soules of men spotted and defiled with sinne that so he may see in them the resemblance of his loathsome visage and ougly deformity This he continually hunteth after about this he spendeth all his labour and industrie He seeketh continually where he may hatch this cockatrice egge and so bring forth that loathsome monster of abhominable sinne He compasseth the earth to and fro and trauerseth ouer euery part and parcell of it sparing for no pains so that he may effect this All his plots and proiects tend vnto this It is euen meat drinke vnto him to bring men hereunto And therfore he vseth many fetches many policies craftie deuises to inueigle to insnare and to intangle men before they be aware of him one while by this means another by that For as the Scribes and Pharisees compassed sea and land to make a Proselyte Math. 23.15 a superstitious hypocrite like vnto themselues Iob. 2. â— So Sathan seekes by all means to make others like vnto him euen besmeared and defiled with sinne as he is Hee makes as though hee were a friend when he is a most deadly foe yea he will not sticke to giue men a view of all the pleasures profits and preferments of this life and to say vnto them as he did vnto Christ Math. 4.9 All these will I giue thee if thou wilt worship me if thou wilt obey me in the commission of any sinne Thus he offereth continually vnto his guests a draught of most deadly poyson in the golden cup of sinfull and worldly pleasures profits and delightes that so with the sweet relish and pleasant sauor therof he may intise allure them to drink deeply of it till they be inchanted by it and become like vnto himselfe transformed into his own image In briefe he seeks by all means to draw and euen to hale men vnto the committing of it It 's his daily and vsuall trade He neuer setteth himselfe to any other busines He is neuer at rest but alwaies stirring and striuing to atchieue and to bring to passe this diuelish enterprise and will neuer be satisfied although he hath imployed himself his wicked instruments in this cursed worke both night and day almost for the space of these six thousand yeers together With such an eager desire to effect accomplish it is he carried continually an euident proofe that he hath marueilous delight and pleasure in it Now who would delight in that which the diuel so much delighteth in who would take any pleasure in that which is so pleasing vnto him What a shame disgrace is this to any one what a blot and staine vnto the soule of man There is none of vs but would take it very hainously of him that should tell him that hee did nothing else in the whole course of his life but seeke to please the Diuell and to satisfie his desires yet thus doe all they that loue sinne and giue themselues to any kinde of iniquity Fie vpon it that any should so much forget himselfe as to take any pleasure or delight in pleasing so foule a fiend so deadly a foe thereby in the meane while vexing and grieuing the good and gracious spirit of God Rom. 6.21 Who should not blush euen to thinke of the committing of it seeing thereby he not onely displeaseth God whom he ought to loue aboue all things but also exceedingly pleaseth the Diuell making him sport and pastime as it were and causing him to triumph ouer him who of all creatures ought to be most loathed and abhorred of him To please the Diuell and to displease
God what a shame is it to honour a slaue and to dishonour the Master what a folly is it to labour to serue him and to fulfill his lusts with the losse of their owne soules yea to preferre him before the eternal and most glorious God of heauen earth the author of all our good oh what a haynous and horrible fact is it what greater abomination can be deuised And yet thus doth euery one that liueth in sinne willingly He placeth the Diuell before God hee selleth himselfe from God to the Diuel for a few transitory pleasures profits and preferments of this wicked world nay hee doth as it vvere put God and the Diuel together in one and the same ballance God in the one Scale and the Diuel in the other and at last makes the Scale wherein the Diuell is to weigh heauiest preferring him before the Lord of glory A wonder of wonders it is that any should be thus foolish thus sottish and senslesse and a thing vvhich one vvould thinke incredible if we did not see thousands continually thus blinded and bewitched by Sathan Consider yet further the cursed and wofull effects of sinne and wonder how thou canst delight in it any longer It cast the vvicked Angels from heauen to hell 2 Pet. 2.4 from the height of glory to the depth of misery Gen. 3.24 It turned our first Parents and all their posteritie out of Paradise whereas before they were in a most blessed and happy estate made them of all creatures next vnto Sathan himselfe most miserable odious and abhorred of God and subiect to infinite euils in this life Deut. 28. Leuit 26. Psal 32.10 Pro. 24.20 Isay 6.10 and 57.20.21 Ephes 2.2 and in the life to come infinite sorrowes plagues miseries and most fearefull iudgements blindesse of minde hardnesse of heart deadnesse of spirit horror of conscience vexation and anguish of soule bondage vnder Sathan the Prince of darknesse and banishment from God the fountaine of all blisse 2 Thes 1.9 and the hope of the glory of his heauenly Kingdome It defaceth Gods Image disfigureth the soule and makes men monsters Isay 1.3 worse then the bruitish creatures All these are the fruit of sinne besides the many and grieuous maladies and diseases with which the body and outward man by meanes hereof is afflicted and oppressed who is able to rehearse them or who is there that doth not often complaine of them and grone vnder the burthen of them And finally it openeth a gate into hell and setteth it wide open for men to enter in at to their eternall confusion Mat. 7.13 The Diuell is the Porter as it vvere standing continually at the gate ready to receiue them in and sinne is the key that vnlocketh the dore Pro. 21 1â— and leadeth vnto that place of destruction the Congregation of the dead and damned And such is the folly and extreame madnesse of wretched and sinfull men that they daily knocke at hell gates and call as it were for the Porter to let them in yea as though that were not enough they bring the key and open the dore themselues which leadeth vnto the fearefull place of endlesse desolation Who is there so blinde so hard-hearted so void of Grace yea Reason and common vnderstanding vvith whom all these motiues should not be of force to cause him to lothe all manner of sin and vtterly to forsake the same and to giue it an euerlasting farewell Eph. 5.11 how pleasing and delightful soeuer it hath seemed heretofore yea that should not thinke it too much that hee hath done heretofore 1 Pet. 4.3 and bee ashamed of it Psal 119.106 and purpose and resolue willingly neuer to doe the like hereafter O mercifull GOD discouer vnto mee daily more and more the cursed nature and vvofull effects of sinne and iniquitie let the filmes and scales which Sathan seeketh to draw ouer mine eyes to blinde and delude me be taken away from me Let not those faire shewes and counterfeit glosses of sinful pleasures profits honour and the vaine and deceitfull things of this world vvith which hee seekes to bleare mine eyes any longer deceiue me as they doe the most But let me see daily more clearely in the Chrystall glasse of thy Word the ougly and deformed image of sinne the wretched nature and fearefull and damnable effects of it how haynous and grieuous it is in it selfe how exceeding offensiue vnto thee and how pleasing and delightfull vnto Sathan how it alienateth and estrangeth men from thee Isay 59.2 defaceth thy Image and transformeth them into the likenesse of Sathan Iohn 8.44 1 Iohn 3.8 maketh them his slaues and vassals how it depriueth them of thy grace of all good things Ier. 5.25 and bringeth all euill and mischiefe vpon them both in their bodies and soules in this life and in the life to come Let me see these things and wisely consider of them and so bee brought to a true hatred and thorow dislike and detestation of all manner of sinne and wickednesse how pleasing soeuer it hath been vnto my nature heretofore and howsoeuer it seeketh with deceitfull pretences to draw me vnto it againe O let me not bring so great a blot and so foule a staine vpon my soule by doing that which is such an abhomination vnto thee and would bee a cause of so much woe and miserie vnto mee But teach mee to auoyd it and to flye from it whensoeuer it first presents it selfe to me in what shape or disguised forme soeuer it seeks to inchaunt mee yea the more closely and couertly that it seekes to winde it selfe into me and to finde intertainement within me the more let me abandon it and forsake it hating it euen vvith a perfect hatred as thou hatest it And let my vvhole delight bee in seeking to please thee more then euer I haue displeased thee heretofore Let it be the ioy of my heart to walke continually before thee with a pure and a sincere and vpright heart in all the wayes of righteousnesse and holinesse and to cleaue fast vnto euery good thing vvhich thou commaundest that so I may not onely be freed from thy wrath and from the euils and miseries which sinne bringeth vpon the vvicked and vngodly but also be receiued into thy loue be made partaker of the riches of thy grace and glory thou mayest take pleasure in mee and reioyce ouer me thy poore creature to doe mee good all my dayes the Angels in Heauen Luk. 15.10 those glorious attendants of thine may reioyce and sing to see thy name glorified by mee and at length may translate mee into that blessed kingdome of thine there to liue and reigne with thee and with all thy elect and holy Ones in fulnesse of glory and happinesse for euermore and that onely through the merits of Christ my Sauiour who with thee and thy Spirit bee blessed and praysed both now and alwayes Amen Another most
pleasures profits riches and reuenues of the whole world Behold the base estate and condition which he tooke vpon him for thy sake Behold the shame and reproach which he sustained for thee and for thy sinnes Behold his face whom the Angels Heb. 1.6 those celestiall creatures doe reuerence and adore spitted vpon for thy cause Behold him who is the Authour of blessednesse become accursed for thee that he might free thee from that curse which was due vnto thee Behold him Isa 66.1 whose Throne is in the highest Heauens the Lord of Glory and Maiestie descended downe into the earth and abased to the lowest degree of humiliation becomming as one of no reputation Phil. 2.6.7 Psal 22.6 a worme not a man that so he might exalt thee and raise thee from shame to glory from Hell to Heauen from the depth of miserie and wretchednes to the height of endlesse and euerlasting blessednesse What should I say Behold the Lord of life dying vpon the Crosse that hee might bring thee from death to life and make thee of a childe of wrath and perdition an Heire of glory and Saluation See his Head crowned with thornes his body sweating drops of blood for the anguish that he was in for thy sinnes See the bloud streaming forth out of his side to vvash and cleanse thee from thy wickednesse See the fountaine of his loue his grace and mercie set vvide open vnto thee Zach. 13.1 All these cry loud vnto thee and are as a shrill voyce in thine eares to call thee from thy sinnes and to cause thee vtterly to abandon all thy former vvickednesse euen that vaine conuersation vvherein heeretofore thou delightedst And wilt thou yet continue therin God forbid O heart more harder then the Adamant or flintie Rocke if these things doe not moue thee and cause thee to relent if nothing else will neither remembrance of the vilenesse and loathsomnes of sinne the fearefull and wofull miserie and bondage vvhereunto it bringeth thee the stingings of conscience wherewith it vvoundeth the soule and maketh it to smart grieuously oftentimes vvhen none perceiueth it nor the many iudgements which it exposeth thee vnto both here in this life and much more in the life to come in hel fire for euer If none of these will yet let this this I say euen the due and serious consideration of the great and vvonderfull things that Christ hath done for thee to redeeme thee from thy sinnes and to loose the bonds of thine iniquities 1 Ioh. 3.8 O let this draw thee from the same in a forcible maner yea let his infinite and boundlesse loue and mercie towards thee herein euen breake thy stonie and steely heart and cause it to melt into teares for thy sinnes past to grieue to sorrow to mourne and lament for the same and to purpose and resolue vvith thy selfe neuer willingly to offend him hereafter though thou mightst gaine thereby a thousand worlds Let thy heart be sooner plucked out of thy body then thou drawne from this godly purpose and Christian resolution vvhich vvell becommeth all that are Christs redeemed 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Ioh. 3.9 and vvill bee in thee if thou beest a true Christian indeed and not in vvord and shew onely O blessed Lord and Sauiour when I looke vp vnto thee and consider thy marueilous Loue and Bountie in that great and gracious vvorke of thine in redeeming mee from that miserable estate into vvhich I vvas plunged as vvell as others vnto that glorious condition of thy redeemed ones how thou abasedst thy selfe to become man for my sake to be accursed that thou mightest free me from the curse which I had brought vpon my selfe to dye that so shamefull a death and to be buryed in the earth that thou mightest raise me out of the graue of my sinnes and bring me from sinne death hell and damnation vnto grace life and euerlasting saluation in that blessed and glorious kingdome of thine vvhich thou reseruest for mee in the heauens when I looke vp vnto thee and call to minde how wonderfully thou hast dealt with me in these things and on the other side cast mine eyes vpon the vvhole course of my life past how vile how sinfull it hath beene and view my estate present how many and grieuous the sinnes are vvhereby I haue prouoked thee daily euen since thou calledst mee to the knowledge of that sauing grace of thine my heart faileth vvithin mee I am ashamed and confounded in my selfe that I should haue beene found so vnkinde vnto thee who hast beene so exceeding kinde and gracious vnto me O doe thou cause mee daily more and more to see and bevvaile the greatnesse of my sinne herein and heale my soule in whatsoeuer I haue offended thee O let thy loue thy goodnesse thy grace and bountie in redeeming mee so wretched so vnworthy a Creature by thine owne bloud from so fearefull and vvofull a condition into so blessed and glorious an estate O let it constraine mee to loue thee vnfainedly let it dissolue me into the teares of true and vnfained repentance for all my sinnes and transgressions vvhereby I haue displeased thee my God and Sauiour and let it vvorke in mee a perfect hatred and loathing of all kinde of vngodlines and a continuall desire and endeuour to please thee and to shew forth my thankfulnes vnto thee by walking carefully before thee in all the duties which thou commandest me that so I may be euery day more assured that I am one of that small flocke which thou hast redeemed with thy precious bloud for whom thou hast prouided that glorious Kingdome in the heauens Drawing others vnto any wickednesse a bloudy and fearefull sinne MVrther is abhorred of all men and that most iustly for it is a fearefull and a crying sinne committed Gen. 4.10 nor approued of any but such as haue lost in a manner the very nature of man and become as it were bruite and sauage creatures yea monsters such as are to be driuen out from the company and societie of men and to be depriued of this light which they doe enioy and are no wayes worthy of Deu. 19.13 But yet behold a strange thing and much to be vvondered at to murther the soules of men by drawing them to wickednesse by ill counsell Pro. 18.21 or by corrupt example of life or otherwise is slightly accounted of not had in that detestation among men that the other although as it is more common so it may well be sorted and rancked with it Is not the soule more pretious then the body Mat. 16.26 the life of the soule more vvorthy and farre more to be regarded then the life of the body Why then is not the murthering of this accounted as wicked as haynous as the other why is it not as much abhorred of all men vvhy are not such esteemed rather monsters then men and how is it that their owne consciences doe not accuse
and vvound them for so bloudy a crime yea that they reioyce and glory in it many of them and make a sport and pastime of it O horrible impietie Pro. 10.23 and 14.9 How are the consciences of such seared and their hearts hardened yea how like are they vnto Sathan their father who was a murtherer from the beginning Ioh. 8.44 and delights in nothing more then in hunting after the precious life of man and wounding his soule vnto death by entising and drawing him vnto wickednesse O blessed Lord farre be it from me at any time to commit so great a sinne against thee against my neighbour against the life and soule of any vvhich ought alwayes to be most deare vnto me Let me not be a meanes to wound the conscience of my brother by giuing him any iust offence by walking before him in any scandalous course let me neuer be an occasion of death vnto the soule of any by seeking to draw him to the commission of any sinne or to the practise of any kinde of vngodlinesse by any meanes whatsoeuer O farre be this from mee yea O Lord let me be as much afraid of this as much abhorre it as the murthering and destroying of the body of any which is so horrible a sinne that euen the Heathen themselues by the light of nature haue seene and iudged it to be worthy of the sharpest and most cruell death And let me seeke by all meanes rather to saue and preserue the liues and soules of men yea Iam. 5.20 of mine enemies by keeping them as farre as in mee lyeth from sin which is the cause of destruction and by turning their feete out of the waies of death and shewing them the path which leadeth vnto euerlasting life and happinesse and walking therin before them that so we may at length reioyce together Luke 15.9 10. and be made partakers of that glory of thy Saints in the highest heauens Amen What ought to be the maine care of euery one in this life THe Heathen Orator could say that none is so foolish Demosth so sloathfull as to neglect his owne safetie This is true indeed of the safetie of the body He is a monster in nature that doth not seeke by all good meanes the preseruation of it there be but few that may be complained of in this regard But the eternall saluation of the soule who seeth not how little it is regarded of the most how strangely neglected how faintly sought after yea of many scarce thought vpon O folly of follies and desperate sloathfulnesse yea extreame madnesse of men vvho are so sottishly carelesse of that which of all things most nearely concernes them For what would it aduantage them to game the vvhole vvorld Mat. 16.26 and to hazard the losse of their owne soules yea of soule and body for euer O blessed Lord let the counsell of the vvicked seeme foolishnes vnto mee and preserue me and all thine from the same both now and euer Let mee euer be most carefull of that vvhich is most necessary Luk. 10.42 more solicitous of the eternall saluation of my soule then of the safetie and preseruation of this mortall and corruptible body vvhich is shortly to be turned into the dust and made foode for the crawling wormes or baser vermine Aboue all cares let mee be carefull of this to seeke by all means and to vse all diligence to make my Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 that so I may haue comfort in this that I am ordayned to life and shall be preserued by thy mighty power 2 Tim. 4.18 1 Pet. 1.5 vnto that glorious saluation vvhich is prepared to be shewed in the last time vvhen thou shalt be glorified in thy Saints 2 Thes 1.10 and made marueilous in them that beleeue yea that so soone as the earthy house of this tabernacle is dissolued 2 Cor. 5.1 and this vveake and fraile body turned into the earth out of vvhich it vvas taken I shall be receiued into those heauenly habitations those celestiall mansions and be made partaker of that rich that immortall vndefiled and neuer-fading inheritance purchased vnto mee by the bloud of thy Son and reserued for mee in the highest heauens vvhere thou raignest in endlesse and vnspeakable glory blessed for euermore Amen Christians often ill Iudges of themselues and their owne estates THe Children of God who are marked out by GOD himselfe vnto life and saluation are oft-times ill Iudges of themselues they discerne not aright of their owne estate because they measure themselues by an vncertaine and deceiueable rule viz. not by the Word of GOD which is of infallible trueth but by sense and feeling and by present apprehension of things offered vnto their thoughts vvithout due consideration of the wise and gracious dispensation of the Lord in his dealings with his children Sometimes hee filleth their hearts with ioy Psal 30.5.11 Isai 66.11 2 Cor. 1.3.4 1 Pet. 1.6.8 and causeth them to feele the sweetnesse of his diuine and heauenly consolations that so they may haue a taste of his goodnesse yea of the exceeding riches of his grace and mercy wherewith he imbraceth them in Christ Iesus Psal 10.1 13.1 2. 22.1.42.5 119.82.143 1 Pet. 1.6 2 Cor. 6.10 Sometimes againe he seemeth to hide his countenance from them for a while and vvithdraweth those comfortable and glorious feelings vvherewith they vvere before vvonderfully refreshed and wherein their soules reioyced in vnspeakable manner that thus they may be the more humbled in themselues knowing that all is from him and not from themselues and become the more earnest suiters vnto him for the enioying of that Psal 34.4 wherein they see their blessednesse consisteth as also that he might vveyne them the more from this wretched vvorld and cause them to aspire vnto that heauenly life where these comforts shall be alwaies present with them in more excellent manner Psal 16.11 6.8.9 without any intermission or alteration O blessed Lord teach me alwaies to iudge rightly of my estate not according to feeling or the present disposition of my vnsetled minde but according to the rule which thou hast giuen vs in thy vvord which neuer fayleth Though thou dost not alwaies cause me to taste of that heauenly Manna Reuel 2.17 vvherewith sometimes thou dost refresh me though thou dost not alwaies looke vvith a cheerefull face and vvith a smiling countenance vpon me causing thy light to shine in my heart but makest as though thou vvert angrie and much displeased vvith me and gauest no eare to my humble supplications which I powre out in silence before thee yea Psal 22.2 sufferest me to be exercised with many and grieuous temptations and to indure many a hard and doubtful conflict with that deadly enemy and aduersary of mine who thereby seeketh to make a prey of me yet let me alwaies lift vp my heart vnto thee Psal 27.14 Iames 1.2 and
vvhiles I walke in this narrow way seeing that it tends to life and saluation but let me goe forward vvithout faynting at any time yea with much cheerefulnesse and delight knowing that all these light and momentary afflictions are no waies worthy of that glory Rom. 8.18 vnto which through the straitnesse of this gate I shall shortly haue passage All that are of the Church visible or militant shall not be of the Church Inuisible and Triumphant MAny haue accesse into the Princes outmost chamber who are not admitted into the chamber of Presence but excluded and shut out from hauing entrance thereinto In like manner Many are brought to the fellowship of the visible Church which is as it were the outmost chamber of the house of God the palace of that great King and a fauour it is that is vouchsafed them herein for all doe not attaine vnto it Psal 147.19.20 but few are so blessed as to be led by the spirit further into that secret and priuie chamber where God shewes his familiar presence Cant. 2.4 and vnto vvhich none are admitted but they vvho are of the communion of Saints Hebr. 12.22.23 of the court of heauen heires of the glory of that coelestiall kingdome where they shall alwaies attend vpon the Maiestie of the highest the great God of the vvhole world O Lord it is thy mercy that thou hast called mee to haue a place in the visible Church here on earth and to liue among thy Israel thy Saints and chosen to enioy thy word and Sacraments and to looke as it vvere Cant. 2.9 through a câ—euis into the holy of Holies for the greatest part of the world haue not obtained thus much How many thousands of Iewes Turkes heathen doe we see at this day excluded and cast out from the lists and outmost bounds of thy Church Reuel 11.1.2 But it is thy vvonderfull and vnspeakeable goodnesse towards me that thou hast admitted me into the chamber of Presence calling me to the blessed fellowship and communion with thy Saints yea vvith thine owne selfe making me one of thy Israel Iohn 14.21.22.23 Gal 2.20 Phil. 3.10 Reue. 3.20 one of thy Saints and chosen a true member of the Church militant heere on earth and heire of the glorious and triumphant Church in the highest heauens where I shall liue with thee for euer Iohn 14.2 17.24 O blessed be thy name for the riches of thy loue infinite grace vouchsafed vnto me herein through Christ Iesus my Lord. Thou mightest iustly haue excluded me as well as others yea euen from the outmost courts of thy Sion but it hath pleased thee O Father to magnifie thy great mercy towards me thy poore and vnworthy creature that so my heart might be drawne vp the more vnto thee and inflamed vvith an vnfained loue of thee O therefore that thou vvouldest knit my heart and soule vnto thee and cause me to set all the affections of my loue ioy and delight in thee to vvhom onely they are due and to whom alone I desire they may be giuen And teach me withall to seeke daily more and more to presse forward and to striue to get nearer accesse vnto thee indeauouring by a holy life and godly conuersation to obtaine full and comfortable assurance that thou hast called me into the communion of thy chosen ones admitted mee into the chamber of thy gracious presence Iohn 8.35 and that I shall abide in thy house for euer euen in those glorious mansions and heauenly habitations vvhere thine honour dwelleth and where all thy Saints shall reigne and triumph vvith thee for euermore The blessed estate of a true Christian in regard of that spirituall and heauenly vnion that is betweene Christ and him OH how blessed a Vnion is there betweene Christ and euery true Christian Who is able to expresse it who doth not admire and vvonder at it It is a great matter for them to be accounted his friends Ioh. 15.13 15. Mark 3.34 Leuit. 25.25 Heb. 2.11.12.13 his kinsmen his brethren his children as all these names and titles he giues vnto them in the Scriptures But this is not all it is not one halfe for they are not onely tyed vnto him by these strait and sacred bonds of friendship kindred and brotherhood but they are made one with him one flesh Ephe. 5.31 Ephe. 5.30 1 Cor. 12.12 Hebr. 2.11 one bodie yea in a sort himselfe hauing his owne name giuen vnto them as afterwards To shadow out this vnion vnto thee by those types as it were and semblances by which the Scriptures haue declared it vnto vs in that maner that our fraile nature is able to conceiue of it for the vveakenesse and shallownesse of our capacity is such as it is not able fully to comprehend it in the excellencie of it Seest thou not what vnion there is betweene the head and the members of the bodie So it is betweene Christ and true Christians They are knit vnto him as it were by the sinewes of the spirit and by the bond of faith as the members of the bodie are vnto the head and from him as from the head Ephe. 1.22 5.23 Gal. 2.20 life floweth into the whole bodie the life of grace and spirituall motion and action is conueyed and communicated vnto the Church and all the faithfull members thereof vvhich are the bodie of Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 4.12 Againe this vnion betweene Christ and them is compared to that which is betweene the Vine and the branches So Iohn 15 1.2 that as the stocke and the branches grow together so the faithfull being rooted in Christ and set as it were into him a Rom. 6.5 as branches of that heauenly Vine receiue life and sappe from him growth of all spirituall and heauenly graces It is compared to a fountaine and the waters issuing and steaming therefrom b Ioh. 4.14 Likewise to the corner-stone in a building and the stones that are built vpon the same c Ephe. 2.20.22 For so Christ is often in Scripture compared to the corner-stone vpon which as their manner of building in old time in those parts was the whole building was fastened combined and so reared vp and the faithfull compared to liuing d 1 Pet. 2.5 stones built vpon that sure foundation and thence also called the temple of the holy Ghost e 1 Cor. 3.16 6.19 Ioh. 14.23 Reue. 3. wherein God himselfe dwelleth f â—0 and will dwell for euer It is compared also to the bodie and the apparrell vvhich clothes and couers it and shelters it from cold and raine and from the iniury of the weather whence the faithfull are said to put on Christ g Rom. 13 14 Gal. 3.27 And lastly to the Husband and his Spouse whence Christ is often called the Husband of his Church h Ephes 5.23 Mat. 25.6 the Bridegroome which is preparing for his marriage solemnities and
vnto him in a more strait and neare vnion then the members of the naturall body are knit and vnited vnto the head For they may be seperated from it and so perish but there is no seperation no diuision no dis-vnion possibly to be made betweene d Rom. 8.39 Christ and any one of his members much lesse the whole Church Againe for I had rather bee too plentifull then too sparing in the illustration of this so excellent and so heauenly a truth as all the members of the body are vnited vnto the head and quickened by one and the same soule vvhich animates them and conuayeth naturall life vnto euery one of them So all the faithfull vvhether they be in Heauen aboue or in Earth below of the Church militant or triumphant are ioyned and vnited vnto CHRIST by one and the selfe-same Spirit vvhich comming from the Head CHRIST IESVS giueth spirituall life quickening and motion vnto them so that the vvhole body being coupled and knit together e Ephes 4.16 by euery ioynt receiueth increase of grace by degrees and groweth vp daily more and more till the body of CHRIST vvhich is his CHVRCH bee fully perfected and consumated receiuing the f Ephes 4.13 accomplishment of all Grace and Glory in the highest heauens This is the first meanes whereby this vnion is made betweene CHRIST and the faithfull euen this sacred bond of the Spirit And from this efficacie and operation of the spirit vniting vs vnto CHRIST it is said by the Apostle that wee euen all beleeuers haue drunke into the same g 1 Cor. 12 13 Ephes 4.4 Spirit And againe that wee are baptized into one body that is wee are made one Body vvhereof Christ is the Head Now that other bond by vvhich they are tied and vnited vnto Christ and that on their part is Faith For the Spirit of God hauing begotten a true and liuely faith in vs by the preaching of the Word by meanes of this excellent grace we are vnited vnto Christ For thereby we lay hold on Christ with all his merits and h 1 Cor. 1.30 2 Cor. 3.18 Phil. 3.21 1 Ioh. 3.2 Gal. 2.20 benefits and apply them in particular to our selues and so become one vvith him all vvhich he hath done for mankinde being made as proper vnto vs as if it were our owne And hence it is that Christ is said to dwell in our hearts by i Ephes 3.17 Faith Faith is the hand as it were whereby vvee receiue Christ being offred vnto vs in the Word by meanes of it Christ is made ours and we his by an inseparable vnion And thus wee haue at large described that spirituall and mystical vnion vvhich is betweene Christ and the faithfull his members So neare and so strait a vnion that the holy Ghost in Scripture giueth sometimes as was sayd the name of Christ himselfe vnto the Church and calleth it by his owne name euen as the name of the husband by reason of that vnion betweene them is giuen vnto the Wife and she called by his name As k 1 Cor. 12 12. the body is one saith the Apostle hath many members euen so is Christ that is the Church of Christ Such is the nearenesse and efficacie of that spirituall coniunction of Christ and the faithfull that he cals them not onely Christians as sometimes they are l Acts 11.26 named or his Spouse his Sister his m Cant. 5.2 Loue his Doue his Vndefiled c. but euen Christ his owne name Whence also it is that that vvhich is done to the Church or any member thereof he accounteth it as done to himselfe whether it be good or euill The workes of Loue and Charity done to his poore members in the day vvhen hee shall sit vpon his Throne to iudge the World he will pronounce them to haue beene done vnto himselfe I was a hungry n Mat. 25.35.36.40 and ye gaue ME meate I thirsted and yee gaue ME drinke naked and yee clothed ME sicke and ye visited ME c. In as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these MY Brethren yee haue done it vnto ME. And when Saul persecuted the poore Saints of God and breathed out threatnings slaughter against them Christ looking downe from heauen and beholding him cries out vnto him with a loud voice o Acts 9.4 Heb. 4.15 Zach. 2.8 1 Cor. 12.26 Saul Saul why persecutest thou Me The Foote is wounded on earth and the Head feels it and complaines of it from Heauen The persecution or wrong done to his Church or any member thereof he esteemeth it as done to himselfe O my soule raise vp thy selfe vnto the oft and serious consideration of this spirituall and mysticall vnion of the faithfull with Christ their head and Sauiour Oh how full is it of sweetnesse much comfort and inward solace Thinke of it and beleeue it without all wauering and doubting Say not as carnall men are wont and as Nicodemus did in a point of like nature How can this be p Iohn 3.9 6.42 How can Christ being in heauen so farre distant from vs in regard of bodily presence be vnited vnto vs Reason not so as flesh and blood will suggest vnto thee but beleeue this stedfastly and assuredly as if thou beest spirituall and not carnall thou wilt and canst not doe otherwise The trueth of God hath sealed it the Scriptures in many places ratifie and confirme it and it is a great measure of infidelitie to denie it or to doubt of it Thou seest it not vvith the eyes of thy body What then vvilt thou beleeue nothing but that which thou seest with thy bodily eyes then thou wilt not beleeue that there is a Vnion betweene thy soule and thy body for thou seest it not with thine eyes and yet if it were not thou wert a dead man and a liuelesse carkasse Thou wilt not denie but that there is a Vnion betweene man and wife though they be distant in place yea though the one of them be in this country and the other in that for it is a receiued Maxime or rule granted of all that distance of place dissolueth not the marriage-bond both Gods law and mans law so determineth it and wilt thou be so faithlesse as not to beleeue that there is a Vnion betweene that heauenly bridegroome Christ Iesus though he be in heauen and his faithfull members many of them on earth Shall not faith be of more efficacie then nature Thou wilt not denie that which experience teacheth thee except thou beest blinde that the sight of the eye of thy bodie in a moment of time as it vvere and in an instant doth reach vnto the Starres in the firmament and is in a sort vnited vnto them though so many thousand miles distant from thee and wilt not thou graunt much more that faith which is the eye of the soule and of a farre more powerfull and piercing nature may
this is the folly of the most in the vvorld euen such as otherwise are men of vvisedome and vnderstanding they will by no meanes forgoe the earth and the sinfull profits and pleasures of it which are but drosse and vanitie a Isa 55.2 for the enioying of heauen and happinesse it selfe How hath Sathan bewitched and besotted them It is marueilous strange to consider that the reasonable soule of man should be so seduced and deluded through the craft and wilinesse of Sathan who lieth in wait to deceiue and to bring men vnto confusion b 2 Pet. 5.8 Blessed Lord let the things of this world be vile and base in mine eyes in comparison of the felicitie of thy Saints and the glory of thy kingdome Keepe me now and alwaies from the foolishnesse of the wretched worldling and make me wise to see the difference betweene those most excellent and glorious things and these which are but fading and transitory Worldlinesse meere dotage VVE would wonder at him that would dote vpon a Strumpet a Pro. 7.7.22 that sought his life Such a one is euery couetous worldling or whosoeuer else is enamoured with the things here below pleasures profits honors The world with the sinfull and deceitfull shewes thereof doe secretly fight b 2 Pet. 2.11 against the soule of man yea seeke the vtter ruine both of soule and bodie they are the Deuils nets c 1 Tim. 4 6.9 and snares And the worldling is strangely besotted with this inchantresse he very fondly doteth vpon her and is drawne away with her allurements to his owne destruction And though he be often warned and admonished to take heed of her baites and to auoyd the mischiefe which she euen vvhiles she laughs and smiles vpon him seekes to bring him vnto yet he will not be drawne from her nor from her adulterous loue but runneth a d Hose 2.5 Iam. 4.4 whoring after her and is so bewitched with her that hee will not leaue her till shee hath wrought his vtter ouerthrow Mercifull LORD let not this world nor any thing that is in this world euer be able to preuaile against me so that I should perish with it But be thou powerfull in me by thy Word and Spirit draw my heart euery day more and more from these fading and perishing things and cause it to be set wholly vpon thee e Prou. 23.26 to whom of right it belongeth Discouer vnto mee daily more and more the f 1 Tim. 6.17 Eccle. 1.14 deceitfulnesse and vanitie of all things here below Let mee not vvith those vvhose eyes Sathan hath blinded with the false shewes of this deceiueable world dote vpon any earthly thing but let my loue be set vpon thee my ioy and delight be onely in thee and those blessed and glorious things which thou hast prepared for me in the heauens and in comparison of which all the things of this earth are but meere vanitie A Christian must not liue as one of this world A CHRISTIAN is not a man of this vvorld he is a soiourner and a stranger here vpon earth So haue a Gen. 23.4 47.9 1 Chro. 29 15. Psal 39.12 119.19 2 Cor. 5.6 Heb. 11.13 Hebr. 12.22.23 Abraham Iacob Dauid and other holy men of GOD acknowledged themselues to bee Heauen is his Country there is his mansion and dwelling place where he shall haue his abode for euer there is his God and blessed Sauiour his life and hope there are his best friends his neerest kinsefolke vnto whom hee is linked with the straitest bonds of perfect loue and amitie there are his chiefest riches and treasures euen that b Eph 1.18 1 Pet. 1.4 glorious inheritance that celestiall kingdome which shal haue no end no change Oh then why doe wee not vveane our hearts more from this vvorld vvhy doe we not shew ourselues strangers here by estranging c 1 Pet. 2.11 our affections from these things here below and lifting them vp vnto the desire and contemplation of those excellent things vvhich are aboue d Col. 3.2 vvhy doe wee not liue as Citizens of that heauenly Countrey If wee be Christians heires of glory vvhy is not our e Phil. 3.20 conuersation in heauen but on earth as if vvee were men of this world to liue here for euer and had no better * Heb. 11.16 things prouided for vs then those which the wicked of the vvorld enioy and which shall perish with them Is our Sauiour in the Heauens and doe wee lye groueling on this Earth like mucke-wormes Is our portion with the Saints in glory and doe wee in a base and seruile manner fasten our affections vnto this world which is but our prison vvherein vve are detained till the time of our libertie and redemption f Rom. 8.23 come O blessed Lord as in the riches of thy vnspeakeable mercies thou hast called me out of this world vnto the hope of g 1 Pet. 1.3 glory giuing mee some comfortable assurance of the full possâ—ssion of those glorious mansions h Ioh. 14.2 prouided for mee and all thy Saints in the highest Heauens so draw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more vnto thee Raise vp my soule and all the affections thereof from Earth to Heauen Let mee vse this world i 1 Cor. 7.31 as if I vsed it not Let me carry my selfe as a stranger and one that is from his owne home alwayes ready and willing to depart from hence k Phil. 1.23 yea euer in my thoughts aspiring vnto that heauenly country l 2 Cor. 5.2 desiring and longing to bee with thee my God and Sauiour and to haue the fruition of that glory and happinesse vvhich thou reseruest for me and which I am no wayes worthy of but that it hath pleased thee graciously to respect me in the merits and worthinesse of thy Sonne in whom and through whom thou hast done great things for me and to whom with thee and thy good Spirit bee all praise and glory now and for euer Amen Another IT ought to be the continuall and earnest desire of euery true Christian that his heart may daily be more and more alienated and withdrawen from the things of this world a Psal 73.25 1 Cor. 7.31 which are but shadowes and meere vanities and more neerely vnited vnto God in whom alone that true comfort and happinesse is to be found which is not elsewhere to bee obtained O LORD increase this desire in mee and be gracious in giuing mee to see the desire of my heart therein fulfilled and accomplished vnto mee and in mee O draw mee from the inordinate loue of this vaine and sinnefull world wherevvith many are so much insnared let mee finde my affections euery day more estranged and separated from the same and graunt that I may be wholly vnited vnto thee my GOD delighting continually in thy presence and receiuing from thee that plentifull increase of the heauenly graces
a Esa 66.24 Matt. 25.41.46 2 Thes 1.9 vvithout any intermission any ease or hope of recouery It will not be for a yeere a hundred a thousand no nor a hundred thousand yeres that they shal indure those torments but for euer yea for euer and euer It swallowes vp my conceipt when I thinke of it If they might indure them but so many yeeres as there bee sands on the shore Fishes in the Sea Starres in the Firmament or grasse piles vpon the ground it vvere some comfort though God knowes very small considering the grieuousnesse of the torment in that time to be suffered the bearing of vvhich but one houre one moment were enough to quaile the greatest Champion that euer was and to dampe the stoutest courage in the world though neuer so hardie but yet when so many thousands of yeeres and ages are passed ouer their torments alas shall bee as fresh and new to beginne as euer they vvere and as farre from an ending as at the first beginning For there shall be no end of them but as long as the Sunne and Moone lasteth as long as Heauen and Hell lasteth yea as long as God is God so long shall they endure those torments in that wofull place of vvoe and torment If it vvere not for hope wee say the heart would breake Sure then their hearts may breake vvell enough for they shall be out of all hope It vvill be in vaine for them euer to looke for any ease any comfort any succour no not for the least refreshing that may be were it but so much as that rich glutton b Luke 16. desired euen one small drop of water to coole their tongues vvhich together vvith all the parts of their bodies and faculties of their soules shall be for euer tormented in that flame Though they should neuer cease crying c Matt. 7.22 Lord Lord they could not obtaine it at his hands for then the Lord will be deafe to them d Prou. 1.28 hee will not heare them he will not be intreated of them Nay I say yet more though e Ezek. 14.20 Noah Iob Daniel yea all the Saints and Angels in Heauen should with one consent put vp their earnest suite and make continuall supplication for them vvhich notwithstanding they shall be farre from rather f Psa 58.10 64.9 reioycing in the vengeance that shall be powred out vpon them for euermore yet if it could be imagined they might be brought to doe this for them they should nothing preuaile for the release or recouery no not for the mitigating of the paines of some one of them in the least manner but after thousands thousands yeres gone and past they should still lye frying in that g Mat. 13.42 fiery fornace that scorching fire in comparison of which our fire is but a painted fire yea no fire lye bound and fettered hand and foote h Mat. 22.13 hauing the flames of Gods wrathfull indignation scorching their soules the worme of conscience lye gnawing vpon their consciences for euermore their pangs horror and miserie rather increasing euery day and growing to greater extreamities then any wise abating or diminishing in any manner Yea so farre shall any be from helping or succouring them in that vvofull condition into which they shall be plunged that there shall be none to pitie them or to take any compassion of them If children should cry to their parents vvho whiles they liued with them on earth were most tender-hearted towards them being no lesse affected vvith their miseries then with their owne yet then they should be moued with no pitie towards them And if Parents should make their mone vnto their Children they would not once be touched with it they would not regard it for i 1 Cor. 15 24.44 nature and all naturall affection shall then be quite taken away there shall eyther be no knowledge or at least no respect of Parents Children Brethren Sisters Kindred Friends or Acquaintance as they are such but Gods glory shall be onely eyed and regarded of all those that shall be made partakers of his glory in the heauens They shall haue no pitty no compassion towards those who though they were their friends in this world and neare vnto them in many respects yet now they see to be Gods enemies k Luke 19 27. such as hauing before cast him off are now iustly separated from him and cast out of his presence for euer and therefore not loued but hated of him and all that are his who shall loue onely where hee loueth and hate where hee hateth yea so farre shall any be from pittying them or being affected with their misery that they shall be laughed at on all hands God shall laugh them to scorne l Psal 2.4 Prou. 1 2â— and haue them in exceeding derision The Angels shall laugh at them All the Saints shall laugh at them and m Psal 58 10 reioyce in their miserie seeing the glory of Gods Iustice shining forth in their iust and deserued condemnation O fearefull and lamentable estate and condition And if it be so feareful to heare of these things which shall befall the wicked vvhen they shall be cast into that place of torment prouided them in the congregation of the dead and damned how dreadfull shall it be for euer to endure them Tremble at this O yee carelesse and secure ones Be amazed and astonished at the very remembrance of it O yee prophane and vngodly wretches that liue and wallow in your lewd and sinfull courses blasphemies prophanations of the Sabbath contempt of Gods ordinances adulteries vncleannesse or any other wickednesse whatsoeuer vnrepented of Tremble and be amazed at it as doubtlesse yee would if your eyes were not blinded by the deceitfulnesse of Sinne n Heb. 3.13 and your hearts hardened through the suggestions of Sathan and your soules euen bewitched and inchanted by that euill Spirit which driueth you on head-long to that wofull place of endlesse torments neuer letting you see the dreadfulnesse of it till you be plunged so deepe into it that there is no hope for you of any recouery out of it What will you doe when these things shall come vpon you yea like a raging Sea with great violence rush in vpon you to your euerlasting confusion Of all the wonders in the world this mee thinkes is the most strange and wonderfull that men men otherwise of wisedome and vnderstanding knowing considering with themselues as the word teacheth that there are such things prouided prepared for the wicked and impenitent liue notwithstanding as if they neuer feared any such matter but boldly and most presumptuously continue in their former vngodly vvayes delighting in sinne and wickednesse and euen hastening forward vnto that place vnto those torments the very thought of the enduring of the least of which if it were but but for one houre vvere enough to amaze and astonish a man and to make his heart to
inheritance those glorious possessions in that heauenly Canaan and so that they may enioy the life present according vnto their owne desires altogether neglect the life to come and shew themselues to be euery way regardlesse of it How hath the world blinded them How hath Sathan bewitched them And who doth not euen wonder at them and at the strangenes of their folly and simplicity herein or rather dotage and extreame madnesse For what comparison is there betweene this life and that which is to come This is an earthly life b 2 Cor. 5.1.2 1 Cor. 15.48.49 that a heauenly This life is fraile momentarie we haue no certaintie no assurance of it c Iames 4.14 one houre one minute that euerlasting d 1 Pet. 1.4 and subiect to no change This sinfull e Iob. 14.4 15.16 and full of much impuritie and manifold pollutions that free from all kinde of contagion f Ephe. 5.27 and impuritie whatsoeuer This painefull g Iob. 14.1 Mat. 6.34 and full of griefe sorrowes and much misery and wretchednesse euery day brings his griefe his burthen griefe of bodie of minde from within vs without vs and on euery side of vs. Who is there that complaines not of it That not only void of all griefe sorrow anguish and miserie h Isai 25.8 all teares being cleane wiped away and the daies of mourning past and gone but also abounding with all kinde of ioy spirituall delight heauenly solace and endlesse and vnspeakeable blisse and happinesse The night is gone the Sunns risen all darkenesse scattered and the former bitternesse swallowed vp with the sweetnesse of that heauenly Manna wherewith the Saints are continually refreshed enioying pleasures i Psal 16.11 at the right hand of God for euermore Shall I set before thee more euidently the brightnesse of that glory and the full and absolute perfection of the blessednesse of that immortall and neuer fading life of the Saints of God in that glorious kingdome prepared for them Oh that we had eares to heare it eyes to see it mindes to vnderstand it and hearts duely and rightly to consider of it Doubtlesse it would euen rauish our hearts and soules and draw vs as it were out of our selues and aboue our selues It would raise vp our affections and make vs farre more heauenly affected then we are or vse to be yea it would cause vs to grow wearie of this vvorld and to aspire and long after that life of the Saints in glorie nay euen to sigh k Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 5.2 4.8 and breath after it vncessantly with restlesse desires For vvhat is there in this heauenly life which may not euen wholly affect vs and cause vs to sigh earnestly and continually after it First the place in vvhich they that haue attained vnto it do liue is most glorious and excellent the Citie of the great God the royall pallace of the glorious king of heauen and earth vvhere there are innumerable l Ioh. 14.2 mansions prepared for many thousands of elect men and Angels yea it is the glittering chamber of presence where the king of glory and maiesty sits continually in his throne accompanied and attended with the whole court of heauen A paradise of pleasures hauing streames of water of life flowing in euery place of it and trees of life euer budding euer blossoming in it that earthly Paradise m Gen. 2. was but a shadow of it and there was no meeter place in earth to shadow it out vnto vs then that where nothing was wanting that might be for the delight and refreshing of the inhabitants thereof The streetes gates yea the whole frame and and building thereof are nothing but gold pearle and precious stones shining and glittering in most glorious manner Nay so great is the glory and excellency thereof that all the purest and finest gold if it were that of Ophir the choisest pearle and the most costly and precious stones in the world are nothing in comparison of it scarce so much as a shew or a resemblance of it For it pleaseth the Diuine spirit by speeches borrowed from things which are most glorious in the eyes of men of greatest esteeme in the world to shadow out the glory of that place vnto vs and to teach vs thereby in this our frailtie in some sort to conceiue of those excellencies which no man is able fully to conceiue or to apprehend The glory of that heauenly Citie farre passeth and surmounteth all such terrene and earthly things though neuer so highly accounted of amongst men And no marueile for if the suburbs * Psal 19.1 as it were of that Citie be so specious and goodly to behold as our eyes are daily witnesses what then must the Citie it selfe needs be If the works n Iob. 37.14 of God which we see heere below be so wonderfull and glorious as who is there that knoweth any thing that doth not admire and and wonder at them what then shall we thinke of those that we see not * 2 Cor. 4.18 and which shall be reuealed onely vnto the Saints and Angels in the highest heauens in that heauenly mansion where the Lord dwelleth * Psal 103 19 in maiestie and glory what should I say Gloririous things are spoken of thee O thou Citie of God o Psal 87.3 If the Psalmist might say that truly of that earthly Ierusalem how much more may it be said of that heauenly Ierusalem vnto which the other though a type and figure of it was nothing comparable Wonderfull and glorious things are spoken of it and yet all that hath beene or can be spoken thereof is not the one halfe of that glory and excellency which the Saints shall finde there when they are once entred into it For as the Queene of Sheba said when she saw Solomans Court p 1 Kings 10.5.7 so and much more shall they say when with their eyes they shall behold the Court of heauen where a greater then Solomon euen the great God of the whole world shall sit in his throne hauing thousands thousands ministring vnto him q Dan. 7.10 and ten thousand thousands of glorious creatures men and Angels waiting and attending vpon him They shall acknowledge and account themselues happy in the acknowledgment of it that the report which they heard thereof with their eares whiles they liued heere on earth as it were strangers * Heb. 11.13 and a farre off was inferiour vnto that which they now see with their eyes and reioyce whiles they see it with ioy that cannot be vttered O how amiable are thy dwelling places O Lord of hostes r Psal 84.1 Thus did the Prophet admire at the glory of the Tabernacle of the Lord at Ierusalem How much more may we in a holy admiration and wonderment speake the same concerning that glorious and heauenly Pallace vvhich is prepared for the Saints in the heauen of heauens O how amiable how excellent
as whether the Saints in glory shall know one another the father the sonne the mother the daughter one neighbour another or one friend the other c. So much onely I will say hauing ground for it out of the Scriptures that no manner of knowledge shall bee wanting vnto them which may make for the increase of their happines neyther shall the knowledge of this be wanting vnto them if it will make them the more happy But to proceede Their Wils also shall be perfectly sanctified so that they shall will onely that which is good that which God willeth and not possibly be once moued or inclined vnto that which is euill that which GOD willeth not They shall not onely haue a will not to sinne but also an impossibilitie of willing that which is sinfull otherwise then it was with Adam in his greatest perfection Their Affections shall bee rightly ordered and tempered yea in an excellent frame and harmony without any vnpleasing discord They shall onely affect that loue that ioy and delight in that which is pleasing and acceptable vnto God and making most for his glory and so much the more ioy and delight in it as they shall know it to be more pleasing and delightsome vnto him Yea they shall haue that measure of holinesse infused into them both into their Wils and Affections and all the faculties of their soules that they shall be holy according vnto the capablenesse of their nature euen as God himselfe is holy pure as hee is pure righteous as hee is righteous For then is the time and not before as some foolish Heretiques haue fondly dreamed when the Church that glorious Spouse of Christ and euery member thereof shall be without spot or wrinckle k Eph. 5.27 without staine or blemish as it becommeth the vndefiled Spouse of that heauenly Bridegroome the Lambes wife l Reu. 19.7 Their soules shall be so purified so purged with those cleane waters which flow out of the Sanctuarie that they shall not onely be free from all sinne but which is more not so much as once subiect to the least sinne nor any fit subiect for sinne to worke vpon They shall be pure and Angelicall In briefe they shall shine most gloriously glistering with all heauenly graces of the diuine Spirit for they shall be made partakers of the diuine nature m 2 Pet. 1.4 in more full manner not that the diuine essence shall be infused into them but that those diuine and heauenly qualities of wisedome glory righteousnesse holinesse puritie c. wherein the Image of God consisteth shall bee communicated vnto them in plentifull and abundant manner so that if their bodies as the Truth it selfe hath said shall shine as the Sunne then their Soules shall shine no doubt farre more gloriously O how excellent shall the brightnesse thereof be who is able to conceiue it Blessed are they that shall be partakers of it Thus the Saints shall be glorious in their bodies glorious in their soules yea both in body and in soule they shall bee clothed as it vvere vvith long white n Reu. 3.4.5 7.13 robes of glory and dignitie hauing Palmes in their hands in signe of victory and triumph ouer Sinne Sathan Death Hell and Damnation and Crownes on their heads in signe of royaltie sitting also with Christ Iesus in his throne o Reu. 3.21 euen as he sitteth with his Father in his throne They shall liue like kings yea raigne and triumph like Emperours hauing conquered the World p 1 Ioh. 5.4.5 and the Prince of the World q Iohn 12.31 Sathan and his infernall host r 1 Cor. 15.55.57 Rom. 16.20 Keu 20.13 There shall be glory without measure in the presence of that glorious God yea all the glory of the most glorious things in the world is nothing vnto it All the pompe royaltie and magnificence of all the most Princely Potentates and mightie Monarchs in the whole earth with all their glorious glittering shew though euery one of them were as glorious yea more glorious then Salomon was when he was at the height of his glory were nothing vnto that glory but euen as dust no more to be compared to it then brasse to the finest Siluer or Copper to the purest Gold To be briefe for words cannot expresse these things to the full Paul when being rapt into the third heauens hee had a view thereof said that hee saw things s 2 Cor. 12.4 that cannot be vttered where that great Apostle is silent who can speake To be briefe therefore so glorious shall their estate then be that in an holy admiration they shall euen wonder at it for indeede marueilous and wonderfull it shall be farre aboue that which they expected whiles they lay crawling like Wormes vpon this lower earth and had their habitation in these baser cottages these houses of clay yea as Luther that hammer of Antichrist said of Abel so it may be said and shall be verified of euery one of them They shall be in better estate and condition then if they had the possession of a thousand worlds with all the riches and glory thereof And hence to leade thee on yet further with mee for I am as one in a Maze I know not where to get out such varietie offereth it selfe on euery hand in this diuine Meditation for the minde that is heauenly affected to exercise it selfe in Hence I say from the fruition and apprehension of the greatnesse of that glory and happinesse of theirs shall arise and spring forth vnto them and in them abundance of peace and ioy They shall be filled and replenished vvith true peace and vvith spirituall and heauenly ioy euen that ioy vvhich shall rauish their hearts and soules They shall liue a heauenly and an Angelicall life singing and reioycing hauing that new song continually in their mouthes which they with the rest of that celestiall quire euen all those blessed Angels and glorious spirits shal continually sound forth Haleluiah praise and glory and wisedome and thankes and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen They shall haue fulnesse of ioy in the presence of God and be euen satisfied with those pleasures of his right hand for euermore a Psal 16.11 yea all pleasures and delights which this world can afford are but vaine shadowes smoake trifles for children and babes yea no pleasures no delights in comparison of those sweet pleasures delights wherewith the Saints shall be refreshed in that glorious Kingdome They shall feed daily vpon that Manna b Reuel 2.17 of diuine and heauenly consolation and all spirituall comforts which the heart of man can desire nay more then the heart of man can thinke of They shall drinke downe the cup of saluation and gladnesse c Isai 12.3 and draw waters of life out of the riuer of his pleasures vvhich shall flow forth abundantly vnto them Then they shall indeed tast d Tim.
2.3 Psa 31.19 how sweet and how gracious the Lord is vnto his chosen and beloued ones Their hearts shall reioyce and glory in him And no marueile that they shall haue such peace and ioy in the presence of God For if they finde now such inward spiritual ioy in their soules and consciences in the place of their exile and banishment yea in their prison as it were euen this valley of teares when God letteth some bright beame of his gracious countenance shine vpon them through the thicke clouds of many temptations and afflictions wherewith they are continually exercised when by his word and spirit he giueth them but a droppe of that diuine and heauenly comfort as they alone know what a refreshing this ioy is vnto them who haue truly tasted of it e Pro. 14.10 others are strangers to it how great then must their ioy needs bee when being taken vp into heauen the place of their glory those celestiall mansions God shall cause the light of his countenance to shine fully vpon them when he shall reueale himselfe perfectly vnto them when he who is the God of all true comfort and consolation shall powre out himselfe vnto them and open wide as it were all the fountaines of his rich grace and mercy towardes them in Christ Iesus and cause them to tast of the plenteousnesse of his house f Psal 36.1 and to drinke downe abundantly the vvaters of his diuine and heauenly comforts If the poore distressed Saints of God whiles they indure many miseries and afflictions in the world and of the world yet notwithstanding haue that peace g Phil. 4.7 which passeth all vnderstanding a continual feast * Pro. 15.51 and reioyce with that ioy which is vnspeakeable and glorious as the Scripture testifieth h 1 Pet. 1.8 euen whiles they are absent from Christ not seeing him with bodily sight * 2 Cor. 5 7 but only belieuing in him looking vpon him with the eyes of faith in the promises of the Gospell how great then and wonderfull shall their ioy be vvhen being freed from all these miseries whereunto they are now subiect they shall be present with Christ their Sauiour whom so long before they expected and desired see him with their eyes i 1 Ioh. 3.2 Iob. 19.25 26 yea liue and conuerse with him in familiar manner and be made partakers with him of the same glory k Ioh. 17.1 22.24 into vvhich he is exalted that in his time appointed he may draw them vp vnto him l Ioh. 14.3 make their hearts to reioyce in him and in his saluation If their ioy wherewith they now reioyce euen in this valley of misery this place of mourning be vnspeakeable and glorious passing all vnderstanding as the word of truth teacheth and the Saints by comfortable feeling and experience doe well know and thankefully acknowledge what then I beseech you consider of it what shall it be in that place of triumph that Paradise of pleasures that glorious and celestiall kingdome where they shall keepe a continuall Sabbath and being clothed arrayed with the rich robes of holinesse righteousnesse glory and shining as Starres yea as the Sun in the brightnesse therof shall haue their hearts filled with reioycing and their mouthes with himnes ioyfull Haleluiahs euen heauenly ditties of praise thanksgiuing vnto him that sitteth on the throne O that we had harts to conceiue aright of these things And to all these adde yet moreouer the time which they shal liue in so blessed an estate in that glorious place If this blessednesse and glorie of theirs were mutable and changeable as all things here below are it were not so great and so much to be admired as it is for nothing is perfectly happy that is not permanent and euerlasting But it is otherwise it admits no change no alteration All things which any can enioy in this life m Eccle. 1. 1 Cor. 7.31 1 Ioh. 2.17 are transitory and fading riches pleasures strength health beauty honour or whatsoeuer else in this world is most made account of and seemeth to haue the greatest perfection in it n Psal 119.96 but that happinesse and felicitie of the Saints in light shall neuer fade It 's an inheritance immortall o 1 Pet. 1.4 2 Cor. 4.18 vndefiled and euer continuing in the heauens The measure of it shall bee in a manner infinite the continuance of it infinite altogether The time thereof shall be without time for time then shall be no more there shall be neyther daies moneths nor yeares as now there are There shall be no end of it no decaying of it no diminishing or abating of it But it shall continue as long as the heauens yea as long as God himself shall indure without any ceasing or intermission any change or alteration or the least shadow of change of the excellency of that estate vvherein they shal at the first be As the hell of the wicked so the heauen of the godly shall be perpetuall O blessed and happy estate where there shall be nothing but peace ioy glory happinesse and felicity and that not for a time but for euer euen as long as eternity it selfe lasteth O life to be desired farre aboue this corruptible this vaine and transitorie life which the most doe so much make of yea preferre it before the other loath to leaue this that they may attaine vnto that O the brutishnesse and sottishnesse of the men of this vvorld that are so strangely and so fondly affected as to neglect so great saluation so glorious a life for the enioying of the vaine and sinnefull pleasures and profits of this life which last but for a season How hath the Deuill bewitched them How doe their owne wicked and corrupt hearts blinde and deceiue them that they should euen preferre a dunghill of earth as it were before the glory of that heauenly pallace or that they should bee vnwilling to forgoe the earth and to forsake their pleasing or gainefull trade of wickednesse that they may enioy Heauen and the happinesse of Gods Saints and chosen ones Oh these things are hid from their eyes p 1 Cor. 2.9 Luke 19.42 they perceiue no more vvhat the glorious life of the Saints is then a bruit beast discernes of the life of a man or if they know them in some measure yet are regardlesse to seeke after them how great is their folly and madnesse who vvould not wonder at them yea vvho is not amazed to thinke of them Assuredly such as haue wisedome and vnderstanding to discerne of these thingâ— aright and faith to beleeue them as they ought vvill not be kept backe from them with a thousand worlds q 2 Cor. 4.18 if there were so many they were offered vnto them seeing all glory pleasures profits and commodities of this world are nothing comparable thereunto But whence is it that if the estate of the life to come be
so excellent and so much to be desired that men euen such as looke to haue a share therein as vvell as others are so little affected with it so loth and vnwilling to leaue this poore and wretched life of theirs to attaine vnto it Blush and be ashamed of this you that haue any assurance indeed of that glorious and euerlasting life that you should once be so much ouertaken as to be vnwilling to depart out of this world to go vnto the other which is so much r Eccles 7.3 Phil. 1.23 better to make exchange of Brasse for fine Siluer of Copper and baser Mettals for the purest and most refined gold in a word of a miserable and sinnefull and vncertaine life for that most blessed incorruptible and immortall life reserued for the Saints in the highest heauens O the marueilous infidelitie of ours if it be thus with vs What should I say A wonderfull thing vndoubtedly it is that any one that hath any vnderstanding to know these things any measure of Faith to beleeue them should be so carnall so earthly so sensuall s 1 Cor. 15 19 as to regard this wretched life here vpon earth more then that blessed life in those heauenly and glorious mansions Whom should not the consideration of it alienate estrange from this vvorld withdraw their affections from it and weane altogether from the sinnefull and inordinate loue of it and cause them as it were with Eagles wings to soare aloft in the oft and serious contemplation of that blessed and glorious estate and in the earnest and ardent desire to be made pertaker of it being taken from Earth to Heauen from vanitie and miserie to that endlesse and vnspeakeable felicitie and happinesse O blessed LORD forgiue mee my dulnesse in this regard strengthen my faith and hope and affect my heart I humbly pray thee more and more daily with an vnfained desire and longing after that celestiall and heauenly life Let me not be glewed to this world nor to any thing in this world which is but vanitie dreames and fancies but hauing mine eyes opened to see what the riches of the glorious inheritance of thy Saints is let me sigh breath after the same vncessantly as thy seruants haue done t Rom. 8.23 2 Cor. 5.24.8 Phil. 1.23 and long continually for the time when with these eyes of mine I shall see the felicitie of thy chosen and reioyce vvith the ioy of thy people in that blessed and glorious kingdome vvhich thou hast promised vnto mee and wilt in due time giue vnto mee for thy mercies sake in thy welbeloued in whom it hath pleased thee to imbrace me before all worlds Let mee reioyce alwayes in all my afflictions wherewith thou shalt exercise me vnder the hope of that glory v Rom. 5.2 8.18 Iam. 1.2 Heb. 10.37 with which shortly thou wilt crowne me for euer and esteeme the best things of this earth as dung in comparison of it and all the glory of this world but as withering grasse Let me be willing alwayes x Isa 40.6.7 1 Pet. 1.24 at thy cal to depart hence hauing before layd a sure foundation and indeuoured to keepe faith and a good conscience in all things yea reioyce vnfainedly when thou shalt send thy messengers those heauenly Ministers to take me into their armes * 2 Tim. 4 7.8 and to conuey mee into those celestiall mansions there to liue and raigne with thee and all thine elect and chosen ones in that glory which shall haue no end and that onely through the merits and mediation of thy Sonne my blessed Lord and Sauiour to whom with thee and the Spirit of life and grace be all praise and glory both now and euermore Amen FINIS DEVT. 30.19 I haue set before you life and death blessing and cursing therefore chuse life Soli Deo gloria Faults escaped Page 11. line 13. of read in p. 16. l. 22. goodly r. godly p. 17. l. 9. holy r. holily p. 32. l. 15. what r. most p. 85. l. 9. desert r. defect p. 122. l. 22. sinnes r. sinners p. 150. l. 7. after neither adde the. p. 176. l. him r. them The rest are of lesser moment
God conuerted themselues from the crooked and dangerous wayes of sinne and wickednesse wherein before they walked a Tit. 3.3 together with others seeke not to bring others into the right vvay with them that so they may both escape that danger which was ready to fall vpon them Good LORD as it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy mercies to recall me out of the by-pathes of sinne and iniquitie wherein I haue a long time wandered and gone astray and the end and issues whereof are death and perdition so giue me thy Spirit I humbly pray thee whereby I may be stirred vp daily as to renue my conuersation and repentance so also in a b Iude 22.23 Psal 51.13 compassion of others to seeke by all meanes to winne them and to bring them out of the wayes of destruction into the wayes of life and saluation by labouring their speedy and vnfained conuersion vnto thee that so we may ioyntly with one heart and c Luke 15.31 1 Tim. 1.17 voyce praise and glorifie thee both now and euermore Amen The miserable estate of a wicked and vnconuerted person O How fearefull and miserable is the estate of euery wicked and vngodly man both in life in death after death and for euer As soone as he commeth into the world hee is as a loathsome a Leuit. 13.45 Iob 14.4 Psal 51.5 Ezek 16.4 5.6.8 Leper in the sight of God stript b Rom. 3.23 of all righteousnesse and holinesse and altogether stayned and defiled with the filth and contagion of originall sinne and corruption There is no c Esa 1.6 whole part sound in him He is borne a d Ezek. 16.3 Iob. 11.12 limme of the old Adam yea the childe of e Eph. 2.3 wrath and of the curse subiect vnto hell death and damnation f Rom. 5.12.16 And the longer hee liues the more he increaseth this miserie and wretchednesse of his wherein hee was borne Euery houre addeth moment thereto so that he becommeth at length the childe of the Diuell g Ioh. 8.44 1 Iohn 3 8. seauen-fold more then hee was before The curse of the Law and the wrath of God seazeth more and more vpon him h Ioh. 3.36 Galat. 3.10 His person is not i Rom. 8.8 Psal 5.5 accepted of God yea he hates k Pro. 15.8 21.27 him nay his best seruices vvhereby hee vainely thinketh that he meriteth much at his hands as his Prayers Almes and outward morall vertues are an abhomination vnto him hee loaths and abhorres them they are as stincking l Esa 1.13.14 carrion in his nostrils burthensome vnto him He hath no right nor interest vnâ—o the things of this m Hosea 2.9 world which hee enioyeth but is an vsurper and intruder into other mens n 1 Cor. 3.21.22 possessions and standeth indited in the Court of Heauen for theft and robbery howsoeuer hee be free in the Courts of men yea and shall one day in the presence of the whole world hold vp his hand at the Bar of Gods Iudgement-seate and answere o Luk. 16.2 for the vniust vse and possession of the things that were not his owne but others from whom hee detayned them Hee is a drudge vnto the world and a slaue and vassall p Ioh. 8.34 Rom. 6.20 2 Pet. 2.19 to sinne and Sathan Hee euen that cursed Fiend q Ephe. 2.2 who ruleth in the hearts of the children of disobedience hath set vp his Scepter in his heart and ruleth and swayeth him altogether as it pleaseth him yea in most wofull manner tyrannizeth ouer him and layeth many and heauy bonds and fetters vpon him vpon euery part of his soule and body and so hauing dominion and power ouer him leadeth r 2 Tim. 2.26 him as it were in triumph after him as a most miserable thrall and bondslaue captiuated to euery vile lust wherewith it shall please him to insnare him Pride Couetousnes Vncleannesse Maliciousnesse Enuie c. Nay there is no thraldome no bondage like vnto that vnder which hee is held by Sathan and by the s Eph. 6.12 Powers of darknesse The bondage of the Israelites of old vnder that cruell and hard-hearted Tyrant t Exod. 1.11 c. 2.2.23 3.7.9 Pharaoh or of the poore captiuated Christians now vnder the barbarous Turke is but a shadow thereof yea but a dreame of a shadow in comparison of it For here not the body onely but the soule also and the whole man is bound yea laden and pressed downe with many heauie chaines and irons and that which maketh his miserie so much the greater whiles hee seeth v Isay 6.9.10 Rom. 11.8 Reu. 3.17 not nor feeleth that misery and wofull estate whereinto hee is plunged but reioyceth and x Prou. 12.15 14.12 glorieth in it thinking himselfe to be as y 1 Cor. 4.8 Iohn 8.33 free as any yea he thrusteth himselfe daily more more into the very depth of bondage and miserie and such is his extreame sottishnesse wherewith Sathan hath euen infatuated him thinking them to be his greatest z 1 Kin. 21 20 enemies who are his best friends seeking to pull him out of the clawes of Sathan and to free him from the power of death and darkenesse euen from that wretched bondage and slauery into which the prince of this world that deadly enemie of mankinde hath brought him Hee is a dead man whiles he liueth dead in trespasses a Eph. 2.1 Col. 2.13 and sinnes and lieth rotting and putrefying in the graue of his corruptions neither hearing the liuely sound of the voyce of the Sonne of God nor hauing any b 1 Cor. 2.14 taste or feeling of things spirituall and heauenly Hee hath no true sound constant ioy c Iob 20.5 or comfort in his life time no d Isay 57.20.21 perfect peace but onely flâ—shings of carnall and worldly ioy which is as the crackling e Eccles 7.8 of thornes vnder the pot and the f Prou. 14.13 end whereof is heauinesse and much anguish of minde and spirit yea terrour of soule and conscience g Iob. 15.21 27.20 which is his hell in this life and the fore-runner of those infernall torments and hellish pangs which he shall endure for euer in that place of woe and torment prouided for him euen in the h Prou. 21.16 congregation of the dead and damned where hee shall take vp his restlesse resting place for euermore He lyeth open continually al to the plagues and iudgâ—ments i Prou. 24.20 Psal 27.9.30 of GOD and may well feare that the Lord will strike him dead euery houre euery moment as hee did k Acts 5. Ananias and Saphira and make him a fearefull spectacle of his wrath and iust vengeance vnto others causing eyther the waters to ouerflow and drowne him as they did the old l Gen. 7. world or the Earth to open the mouth presently and to
swallow him vp as it did Corah Dathan m Num. 16 and Abiram and their complices and confederates or Fire and Brimstone to raine downe from heauen and to consume him as it did n Gen. 19. Sodome and Gomorrha and those other Cities vvhich the Lord made a Looking-glasse vnto the world or the Ayre he breathes in to poyson him as it did so many thousands in those late contagious and infectious times neuer to be forgotten when the Arrowes of the Lord were scattered farre and neare and drunke vp the liues of so many of all sorts with the venime thereof or the * Hab. 2.11 House he dwelleth in to fall vpon his head as it did vpon the Philistimes o Iudg. 16.30 whiles they were sporting with Sampson or euill Angels p Psal 78.49 to smite him and to wound him to death immediately as they did the Egyptians whiles they oppressed the people of GOD or the Wormes and Lice to eate him vp and to consume him as they did q Acts 12.23 Herod when hee was in the height of his pride and insolencie or the very Meate and Drinke which hee takes for nourishment to be come his bane euen deadly poyson vnto him as Histories doe report of some or a hair to choake him Yea hee may well feare that all the Creatures vvill band themselues together conspire his ruine and worke his vtter and irrecouerable ouer-throw as doubtlesse they would seeing they are enemies to all that are the Lords enemies and vvithall groane vnder the weight and burden of the sinnes of the wicked but that the LORD restraineth them for a time that hee may heape r Gen. 15.16 vp the measure of his wickednes and so after he hath s Rom. 2.5 treasured vp wrath against the day of wrath bring the greater destruction and more fearefull desolation vpon him in the end euen that which shall presse him downe into the very bottome of hell and the lowest places of that deepe and darkesome dungeon where after that dreadfull sentence t Mat. 25.41 passed against him in the day of Iudgement hee shall lye bound and fettered hand and feete in most grieuous and vnspeakable tortures v Mat. 13.42 24.51 25.30.46 Mark 9.44 and torments for euermore hauing the worme of conscience continually gnawing vpon his soule and fretting and vexing his conscience and the fire of Gods wrathfull indignation and fury scorching him in most fearfull manner yea the full viols of the fiercenesse of the wrath of the Lord continually poured vpon him so that he shal lye yelling roring crying continually making such fearefull clamours and hydeous noyses as would astonish the heart of the hardiest and stoutest Champion on earth to heare yea affright him and cause him to be at his wits end Nay what shall I say All this is but a shadow of that wofull misery and those grieuous and hellish torments which then and there hee shall endure for euer without any ease any hope of intermission or recouery no not though x Ier. 15.1 Ezek. 14.14 Noah Iob Daniel yea all the Saints and Angels which notwithstanding they shall be farre from rather reioycing in his miserie then pittying him or seeking to helpe or comfort him though all they I say should in compassion of his vnsupportable misery seeke and sue vnto the Lord for some release for him though it were after many thousand yeeres Oh whose hart doth not euen breake within him to thinke of this so vvretched estate and condition of the wicked and vngodly y Iob. 20.29 although they be so blinde that they see it not or so secure and carelesse that they regard it not but goe on with great boldnesse and presumption in a strange manner till they drinke of the very dregs of that bitter z Psal 11.6 cup which is prepared for them It was well said of One that he would not be in the estate of a wicked man halfe an houre for the whole world Who would that knowes what it is or wisely considereth what hath beene said of it out of those diuine testimonies vvhich the Truth it selfe hath sealed Blessed be thy name O Lord that it hath pleased thee in the riches of thy grace and mercie through Christ my Sauiour to draw me out of that wofull miserie when I was as deeply plunged thereinto as others O let me neuer forget that vnspeakeable goodnesse of thine towards me therein let me neuer cease to blesse and praise thy name for the same and to testifie my vnfained thankfulnesse vnto thee by continuall and constant obedience vnto all thy holy and righteous lawes and commandements and that euen vnto the end of my daies a Psal 119 5 And open the eyes I beseech thee of those that dâ—â—ct lye in that naturall and coâ—â—â—â— estate of theirs being for tâ—â— present in great miserie and vvofull wretchednesse and yet see not their miserie but are couered with darkenesse and with the shadow of death O let thy sauing grace shine out vnto them that so they may turne from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan to thee their God and in the sense and acknowledgement of b 1 Tim. 1 16.17 the great things thou hast wrought for them in deliuering them from so miserable and fearefull a condition into that blessed and glorious estate of thy chosen together with all thy Saints and redeemed ones returne praise and glory vnto thee both now and euermore Gods patience prouokes men to speedie and vnfained repentance and conuersion THE patience and long sufferance of the Lord should be a strong cord and forcible meanes to draw a Rom. 2.4 Ier. 13.27 Hosea 6.4 11.8 men vnto repentance yea it ought euen to constraine them presently to turne vnto him and to cast away all their sinnes whereby they haue heretofore offended him and grieued his spirit vvhich hath striuen b Gen. 6.3 so long with them and yet is loth to depart from them and to leaue them to themselues and to their owne wayes the end vvhereof would be perdition and euerlasting destruction Oh that gracious dealing of his vvith them in bearing with them so long who haue so oft and so many wayes prouoked him that great and vnspeakable kindnesse and goodnesse of his in continuing vnto them life health and all these outward blessings and which is a farre greater thing offering c Prou. 1.21.22 2 Cor. 6.2 Heb. 3.15 2 Pet. 3.9 vnto them from time to time the meanes of grace and saluation and seeking to bring them to heauen and happinesse whom he might long since haue stript and vtterly depriued of all these things yea cut them off from the face of the earth and cast them into hell to receiue the wages d Rom. 6.23 and due deserts of their sinnes This this it should euen breake their hearts make their soules to melt within them for their marueilous ingratitude and vndutifulnesse in