Mercy that no deadly â—oison of Satan doth now harm us as our Lord did promise unto all Believers after his Resurrection Mark 16.17,18 Oh that all we Aged Ones could sincerely praise the Lord for this high Favour that 〈◊〉 now find by sweet experience we can better resist the Devil now so as to make him flee from us Jam. 4.7 We can now resist him more stedfastly in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8,9 than we were able to do in our youthful days and tho' we be able through Grace to say this yet out of an Holy Jealousie over our own Hearts we must still make a farther enquiry what is the principal procuring Cause of such an happy and easie Conquest over our own Corruptions and Satan's Temptations now in our Old Age whether we be not more beholden herein unto the decays of our own Natures in us than to any strength of God's Grace freely given to us because we may die to sin by the deficiency of our natural strength of Body when sin doth not die to us through those powerful Operations of the mortifying Spirit of Grace Rom. 8.13 but more of this after c. Now come we to the Second Reason why a Good Old Age is a great blessing because the goodness of it is not only a blessed Antidote and Preservative against those threfold Evils before-named but also it is a blessed Preparative for Death at the end of our Old Age and of our Lives This preparation for Death is not only an universal but also an indispensable Duty for after death comes the Judgment Heb. 9.27 then is the time of Reckoning which our Lord Requires after his Returning however long or short it be wherein all Mankind both the good and the bad Servants must Reddere Rationem or give an exact account of their Stewardship whether they have wasted or improved their Lord and Master's Goods Matth. 25.14,19 Luke 16.1,2 and 19.15 c. as I shew at large in my Fourth Volume of the History and Mystery of that Parable pag. 185 186. Now every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day for then the Spirit returns to God who gave it Eccles 12.7 when the Body returns to Dust of which it was first made Gen. 2.7 by rotting in the Grave c. Then the Soul goeth to God not to dwell with him for there the Speech is made of all Men both bad and good but to be disposed of by him for his Final Estate then is the Soul or Spirit as being there opposed to the Body to receive its Final Doom either for Everlasting Weal or for Everlasting Wo. Therefore to prepare for Death is a most necessary tho' it be a much neglected Duty Now such as be good in Old Age their goodness consists in being alway prepared for it both Habitually and Actually they learn to die daily 1 Cor. 15.31 and makes Death familiar to them both at Bed and Board Their Conversation is in Heaven while their Commoration is here on Earth Phil. 3.20 They labour and learn to live with dying Thoughâ—s because they hope at last to die with more living comforts They have Heaven as an happy Harbour of Rest in the Eyes of their Hope which serves to season and sweeten all Sorrows and Sufferings to them as it was with blessed Paul who had his Eye fixed upon that Crown of Glory which was laid up for him and for all Believers 2 Tim. 4.8 and therefore he was not at all discouraged at his light Afflictions which were but for a moment in comparison of that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 where we have a most elegant Antithesis or opposition and a double Hyperbole beyond the reach of our English Translation As thus 1. For Affliction here is Glory 2. For light Affliction here is a weight of Glory And 3. For momentary Affliction here is Eternal Glory and the sight of this by an Eye of Faith put Paul upon his Cupio Dissolvi I desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.21,22,23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there signifies to loose off from the shore of this Mortal Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality which he accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is far far better and best of all Thus this preparation for Death had caused Old Simeon before this Apostle even to sing his Soul out of his Body as before This likewise made that Good Old Man Job to say I would not live always Job 7.16 for he hoped to behold his Redeemer c. Job 19.25 Thus may we accordingly say we would not be Young always because we have been so hampered and pester'd with many youthful Lusts which now through Grace a Good Old Age hath weakened An Hoary Head that is found in the way of Righteousness doth ripen fast like good Fruit upon the Tree of Life in its Autumn and becomes day by day more mellow for Death and hath nothing thâ—n to do but to die being able through Mercy to say with his sweet Saviour Father I have finished my work which theâ—… gavest me to do in the World John 17.5 Oh how ready was David how willing and how prepared to die and to fall asleep in Jesus 1 Thes 4.14 when he could say his Conscience bearing witness with him in the Holy Ghost as Rom. 9.1 that he had served out his Generation in his whole Generation-work according to the will of God Acts 13.36 The Third Reason why a Good Old Age is a most rich Blessing and Benefit to the Sons and Daughters of Mankind is because it doth priviledge them with a true Title unto Mansions of Glory prepared for them in a better World Such as have continued in ways of Holiness all their Life and become faithful unto death Rev. 2.10 they shall assuredly at the last arrive at the Haven of Heaven and Happiness when they die for God himself hath assured us and God Keeps the best and surest Ensuring Office that having our Fruit unto Holiness then our end shall be Eternal Life Rom. 6.22,23 for then comes first the Joy of Harvest as when fruitful Fields are white unto Harvest John 4.35 then comes the Husbandman with his Sithe or Sickle and cuts down his Corn binds it up in Bundles and carries it Home to his Barn c. even so God the great Husbandman as Christ calls him John 15.1 when he sees his old Servants as it were white unto Harvest with Hoary Heads and fully ripened in the way of Righteousness then doth he take them down by the hand of Death and gathers them Home into his heavenly Garners Our Lord doth certifie this great Truth to us over and over again saying that Heaven is surely secured for us and we are likewise safely secured for Heaven by the mighty Power of God the word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth we are kept as with a Guard and in a Garrison and that at the last we shall receive the end of our Faith even the
salvation of our Souls 1 Pet. 1.4,5,9 Insomuch that Death which is in it self no other than Nature's Divorce the Bodies Prison the Soul's Banishment the Arrest of Judgment the Curse of Sin and the King of Terrors as well as the Terror of Kings Job 18.14 unto all Mankind in General yet such a change doth the power of Godliness both in Young and Old that are chosen and called make in their Changes from one World to another that their Death's is only their 1. Harvest or Ingatherings into God's Garner c. 2 'T is the Joy of Marriage which is called a Rest in the House of the Husband Ruth 3.1 so Death is our Rest A Rest from their Labours Rev. 14.13 they shall Rest 1 st From their Labours of Necessity their Needs of Nature shall then cease for ever they shall Hunger no more they shall Thirst no more c. as they have done while in the Body 2 dly They shall Rest from their Labours of Infirmity they shall never complain of any more Aches and Pains in any one of the parts of the Body as they have done frequently heretofore in the time of their Mortality 3 dly From the Labours of their Callings c. they shall toil no more in the Sweats of either their Brows or their Brains c. And 4 thly Which is above all they shall Rest from their Labours of Iniquity a Laboribus Peccati as well as Officii they shall never sin any more whereas heretofore in the time of their sojourning upon Earth they had this weight upon them which they could never lay aside nor cast it off and sin did then easily beset them so that they could not run the Race that was set before them Heb. 12.1 Because of the Law of the Members that did continually war against the Law of their Minds and oft bringing them into Captivity yea and as oft making them to cry out Oh wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me c. Rom. 7.23,24 But now Christ is come to them and knock'd off all their Fetters which formerly clogg'd them c. and setteth them at perfect liberty Isai 61.1 and those whom the Son of God doth free they are free indeed John 8.36 3. Death to those that die in the Lord and in a Good Old Age also is not only the Christians Harvest Marriage and Rest as before but 't is likewise their Conquest over all their Spiritual Enemies so they have also the Joy of Victory as well as of Harvest of Marriage and of Rest They are become by their Holy Life and Happy Death more than Conquerors Rom. 8.37 even Triumphers in Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 and so as they have won the Crown of Glory by their overcoming the Wicked one through the strengthning Love of Christ upon them so they shall wear it as Kings Rev. 1.6 and as Conquerors for evermore 'T is said the last Enemy to be destroyed is Death 1 Cor. 15.26 Now to all true Believers Death is already swallowed up in Victory ver 55. as Fuel is swallowed up by the Fire and as the Sorcerers Serpents were swallowed up by Moses his Serpent so that they can say to Death when it comes to them as Jacob said to Esau surely I have seen thy Face as the Face of God Gen. 33.4,10 Thus that Esau Death doth meet a Member of Christ with Kissing rather than with Killing or so much as Frowns yea and guards him home to his Father's House as Esau guarded his Brother Jacob Home to Canaan after his long absence from it he went before Jacob as his Life-guard ver 12. Thus after a long Conflict by the Indwellings of Sin all our Life comes the Conquest at the last in our Death Alas we cannot beat sin out of Doors as Sarah did the Bond-woman Hagar but this Fretting Leprosie sin can never be either washed out or scraped off from the Walls of our Earthly Tabernacles until the House that is infected with that Plague be demolished by Death and the Stones and Timber thereof be altogether taken down As it was thus in the Type under the Law concerning the House of Leprosie Levit. 14.43,44 So it is with our Houses of Clay as the Antitype which can no way be Amended but must be Renewed and this is only done in part while we are in the Kingdom of Grace But this cleansing Work is compleatly perfected when Death gives us a dismission from hence into the Kingdom of Glory The belief of this made Old Simeon sing his Soul out of his Body and Paul the Aged Phil. v. 9. was not only a Conqueror but which was more even a Triumpher in Christ as before for he sang a Triumphant Song over Death and the Grave singing as well as saying Oh Death where is thy Sing and Oh Grave where is thy Victory 1 Cor 15.55 This is the boldest and the bravest Challenge that ever any Mortal Man did ring in the Ears of Death in which words he as it were out-braved it calling it Craven to its Face as the Vulgar saying is and bids it do its worst to him that it could do like the Philosopher Anaxarchus who with an undaunted Courage told the Tyrant who was beating his Body to pieces with a great Iron Pestle in a large Mortar made purposely for that Barbarous Butchery in the very Act of his Martyrdom he most confidently cryed out to his Tormentor Tunde Tunde Tyranne Vasculum frangis sed Anaxarchum non Laedis Beat on beat on thou Bruitish Tyrant thou indeed doth break the Vessel of the Man but thou can never hurt Anaxarchus the Man himself Much more might this blessed Apostle insult over this greatest of Tyrants that universal Destroyer of Mankind to wit Death with his Javelin in his hand seeing he was so able as to render such weighty Reasons for his Triumphing Insultation as he saith the Sting of Death is Sin c. ver 56. signifying hereby that our dear Redeemer had been the Death of Death by his Death Mors Mortis Morti Mortem quoque Morte dedisset The Death of Christ gave Death its Death as it was prophesied of him Oh Death I will be thy Death c. Hos 13.14 thus our Saviour did disarm Death and took out the Sting from this Venemous Serpent so that we may now as safely put Death into our Bosoms in a serious Meditation of dying Daily as some men whom I have seen have with enough of safety put into their Bosoms a Snake whose Sting was before pulled out If Death do now shoot out any Sting at us we may thank our selves for our not being more constantly sound in the way of Righteousness If at any time we turn aside to crâ—…ked Paths there will the old crooked Serpent meet us and he will not only sting us there but also leave his Sting behind him in us as the Bee doth to those that are stung by it and this may be the procuring Cause of many sad effects
Back-burdens Now who would not but be disburdened and be at Ease and Rest in the Grave the Weary find Rest Job 3.17 but the Rest that is found in Christ Matth. 11.28,29,30 is for the Soul as well as Body c. Rev. 14.13 and who would not be willing to put off Rotten Rags and to put on Royal Robes c. Many more Cordials might be mentioned as 7 thly For me saith Paul to die is Gain Phil. 1.21 because Death to a good Man brings freedom from all Evil and a fruition of all Good And hereupon he 8 thly He desired to be dissolved c. ver 23. The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to launch forth to loose off from the Shore of Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality and Glory this was all his Song he longed to be with Christ ever after he had been wrapt up to the Third Heaven 9 thly Yea and Old Simeon thought it best of all with Paul to die when he sang that sweet Song Lord now let thy Servant depart in peace c. Luke 2.29 as is largely spoke to before adding only this here he only saw the Lord's-Christ in weakness with an Eye of Sense but we see him in Glory with an Eye of Faith therefore may better depart not in Peace only but also in Joy and Comfort 10 thly How couragious was that Proto-Martyr Stephen against the Terrors of a most Terrible Death after he had seen the Heavens opened and Christ standing at the Right Hand of God Acts 7.56 The like Prospect we have offered to our Faith which is the Key that opens Heaven and may we but fix our Spiritual Eyes upon that Glorious Object this would wonderfully enable us to lay down our Mortal Bodies in peace and send up our Immortal Souls into the Hands of him that bought it crying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Lastly But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.57 with 55 56. Thirdly The Cordials against Terrors of the Day of Judgment which surely follows Death Heb. 9.27 and which is called a Terrible and Dreadful Day very often in Scripture as that Day shall burn like an Oven Mal. 4.1 the Sun turned into Darkness and Moon into Blood Acts 2.20 and Elements shall melt with fervent Heat c. 2 Pet. 3.10 and the Lord will come in flaming Fire c. 2 Thes 1.7,8 and with Fire and Sword will God plead with all Flesh c. Isai 66.15,16 see likewise Joel 2.31 Matth. 25.31,32 Rev. 1.7 c. Now if a Crack of Thunder and a Flash of Lightning at the breaking of a single sorry Cloud do so affright us how much more when the whole Heavens break and drop down like Scalding Bell-Mettal about our Ears c. Yet Note well 1 st There is Comfort for the Chosen Ones they shall be caught up in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall ever be with the Lord and therefore comfort your selves c. 1 Thes 4,16,17,18 2 dly As Death leaves us so the Day of Judgment will find us as the Tree falleth towards the South or towards the North there it lieth Eccles 11.3 Even so as is before observed if we fall by Death upon the Right Hand of Christ among his pretious Sheep then are we called upon to lift up our Heads for the Day of our Redemption is come Luke 21.28 Ephes 4.30 that way the Tree leans that way it falls Oh that while we live we may lean to Christ 3 dly The due Observation of the main end of Life is to be useful to the end of our Lives wee should be ever ready Matth. 24.44 May we but become good Stewards then blessed is that Servant whom his Master shall find so doing ver 46. 4 thly Tho' we be conscious to our selves that our Obedience has been exceeding narrow to God's Commandments which are exceeding broad Psal 119.96 yet may we rejoice with Trembling Phil. 2.11 because our Judge is our Advocate who became sin for us c. that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 1 John 2.1,2 5 thly May we but upon good grounds be persuaded that we are justified by Faith then have we peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 5.1 this is known if we be sanctified by the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 For this latter doth evidence the former and having got God's Seal and Earnest which he never gives to a Reprobate then fear not Gen. 15.1 6 thly Be sure to have the Line of Scarlet Thread bound to our Windows as Rahab had Josh 2.18 this was the saving Colour a Red Cord Thus Israel's Door-posts must be Red with Blood when the destroying Angel passed over Egypt Rahab made haste and delayed not as Psal 119.60 So soon as she dismissed the Spies long before Jericho fell c. Oh could we get this Scarlet Line the Blood of Christ fixed upon our Hearts this Sign saved Rahab and made her famous Heb. 11.31 and Jam. 2.25 then our Joshuah will save us and say to us also Come ye blessed of my Father inherit c. Matth. 25.34 In the mean time we Aged Ones must be ever praying Lord cast me not off in my Old Age and forsake me not when strength fails me Psal 71.9 Laus Ei Soli tribuatur omnes Cujus Afflatu Labor extat omnis Fructus ut Vitae reserantur omnes orbis in Oras FINIS Christopher Nesse aetatis suae 56 1678 Minnister of the Gospel in fleet Street London
A Divine Legacy Bequeathed unto all MANKIND OF ALL Ranks Ages and Sexes Directing How we may live Holily in the Fear of God and how we may die happily in the Favour of God both which Duties are of Universal Concern The Rules here are how to be Truly Valourous in warring a good Warfare and in fighting the the good Fight of Faith while we Live and to be Blessedly Victorious when we Die By Christopher Ness Minister of the Gospel in London Exitus Acta probat Finis Coronat Opus saith the Philosopher Our Last Works should be our Best Works saith our Lord Rev. 2.19 London Printed by T. S. and sold by T. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside and J. Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-yard 1700. The Epistle to the Reader Candid Christian I Have been now through the Grace and Mercy of my good God a Labourer in my Lord's Harvest and a Vine-dresser in my Master's Vineyard almost Threescore Years wanting but a very little of it and in the space of those last Twenty Years I have through the good hand of my God upon me as Ezra's phrase is Chap. 7.6,9 been enabled to publish to the World this following Catalogue of Books little and great As 1. The Crown and Glory of a Christian in the Year 76. 2. A Christian Walk and Work on Earth till he come to Heaven in the Year 77. 3. The Chrystal Mirror or Christian's Looking-Glass shewing the Treachery of the Heart in the Year 78. 4. An Antidote against the Poison of Popery in the Year 78 79. 5. A Discovery of Antichrist in his Rise Reign and Ruine in the Year 79. 6. The Devil's Patriarch in the Life of Pope Innocent XI in the Year 80. 7. A Spiritual Legacy to Young Ones in the Year 81. 8. A Church-History from Adam to this Day and a Scripture-Prophecy to the End of the World in the Year 81 82. 9. A New-Years Gift for Children in the Year 83. 10. The Wonderful Signs of Wonderful Times in the Year 84. 11. An Half Sheet upon the Comet or Blazing-Star 12. Three Sheets inlarged upon the same Subject 13. A Whip for the Fools Back who did Ridicule God's Holy Ordinance of Marriage c. 14. A Key with the Whip unsolding the Intreagues of Absalom and Achitophel both these latter are writ in Satyrical Verse 15. Advice to the Painter about the Earl of Shaftsbury's enlargement from the Tower in smoother Verse 16. An Astrological and Theological Discourse upon the great Conjunction ushered in with a great Comet c. 17. A Strange and Wonderful Trinity or Triplicity of Stupendious Prodigies namely consisting of a Wonderful Eclipse of a Wonderful Comet and of a Wonderful Conjunction all these without Date were written between the Year 82 and 89. 18. My First Volume in Folio called a Compleat History and Mystery of the Old and New-Testament both Logically discussed and Theologically improved beginning at Adam and ending at Moses 19. The Second Volume in Folio having the same Title with the first begins with Joshuah and ends at Solomon's Birth 20. The Third Volume in Folio with the same Title begins at Solomon's Life and ends at the end of the Old-Testament 21. The Fourth Volume in Folio with the same Title begins at the Birth of Christ and ends at the Death of John the Divine which is an Exposition of the whole New-Testamen All these Four Volumes are now commended to the World by Three of our Learned and Judicious Divines namely Mr. Matthew Barker M. George Griffith and Mr. Samuel Slater which Testimonial is printed at the bottom of the Dedicatory Epistle to the Fourth Volume under their own Three Hands Tria sunt omnia instar omnium c. this Work hath taken me wholly up from the Year 89 to this Year 99. And now 22. This Divine Legacy which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multum in parvo much in a little Isocrates wrote his best Book the last and Plato died at 81 with his Pen in his Hand and Demosthenes desired to do so c. Yet have we better Examples than those Philosophers for Joshuah when he was going the way of all the Earth and stricken in years Josh 23.2 and 14. did then give most grave and godly Counsel to the Old-Testament Church Chap. 23. and 24. And Paul the Aged wrote the more effectually to young Philemon under that Title of Veneration Philem. ver 9. And the Beloved Disciple John who while Young leaned upon his Lord's Bosom Joh. 13.23,25 did under the Venerable Name of Elder 2 Joh. 1. and 3 Joh. 1. write his first General Epistle to Children Young Men and Fathers in the New Testament 1 Joh. 2.12,13,14 but above all God himself thunders out threatnings against Children Young Men and Aged Jer. 6.11,12,13 In congruity to those perfect Patterns I an Old Servant of Christ have drawn up this Directory talis qualis est to all Ages especially to us that are Old adding only 1. That Old Age is a dead weight 'T is then a difficult Duty to turn unto God when we have been turning and running from him all our former Days No Spur can move a Founder'd Horse and Hard Wax takes no impression When the Body is weak and Presumption is strong to say God is merciful is said truly but not safely Therefore 2 All must be careful to live well while Young and then shall we die well whether Young or Old 3. When we have seen an end of all worldly Perfections then may we best see that God's Commands are exceeding broad and all our Obedience to be exceeding narrow Psal 119.96 The Good Lord grant that this Legacy may come to you in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ Rom. 15.29 Amen THE CONTENTS OF THIS Divine Legacy CHAP. I. COntains faln Man's Malady and Danger pag. 1. to 42. CHAP. II. Faln Mam's Remedy and Deliverer p. 43 to 63. CHAP. III. The Redeemed are Conquerors by their Strong Redemer p. 54 120. CHAP. IV. Advice to Young and Old to war a good Warfare in God's Armour and Watching unto Prayer p. 130 to 177. CHAP. V. The Characters of True Conquerors through the strength of Christ p. 177 to 232. CHAP. VI. Advice to the Aged for saving the Soul p. 232 to 319. CHAP. VII The Holy Means for making Old Age to become a Good Age p. 320 to 357. CHAP. VIII Contains both Counsel and Comfort 1. Against the Evils of Old Age. 2. Against the Fears of the Hour of Death And 3. Against the Terrors of the Day of Judgment p. 358 to the last CHAP. I. Man's Malady and Danger MAN's Life is a Warfare Job 7.1 Margin which the Septuagint reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to signifie a place of Pirates as Paul was in perils often both by Sea and Land 2 Cor. 11.26 so are we all while in this lower World for Satan is both a Robber by Land that seeks not for Straw but
heeded and observed The similitude runs in parallel lines betwixt the two kinds of Sleeping and Watching both of that which is Natural and of that which is Spiritual For as in natural or literal Sleep that immortal part of man the pretious Soul layeth as it were dead and buried in an House of Clay all its noble parts and gifts seem then to be lost and Man all the time he lies asleep doth differ very little either from a Beast or a dead Carcass which made that famous General Epaminondas say Qualem inveni talem reliqui when he was blamed for cruelty in killing his Centinel whom he found sleaping to the hazard of the whole Army c. and his Apology was I left him but as I found him c. He looked upon him as one dead while he lay asleep c. But when those Vapors that cause Sleep are digested and consumed by the Natural Heat of our Animal Spirits and when those Obstructions of all our Senses are thereby removed then saith the Philosopher Panduntur Meatus Reditque opus Sensationis id est Vigilia quae est Sensuum Actio Motus quem Calor Spiritus in omnia Membra effusus efficit that is the Heat and Spirit being then defused into all our Members from Head to Foot all the passages of our Senses are opened c. and then we awake from our Sleep c. Even thus it is with us in that which is called a Mystical and Spiritual Sleeping and awaking out of it It was corrupt Humours that caused both the Spouse and the Wise Virgins to fall into a slumber and those Vapors do arise out of the Body of Sin that unrenewed part in us which do for a time obstruct the operations of a Spiritual Life in us But when the Spirit of Grace which is called the Spirit of Burning Isa 4.4 reviveth and burns up those corrupt Humours in us then is it that we awake arise and go forth to shake our selves as Samson did when the Philistines were upon him Judg. 16.20 This is called our awaking unto Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.34 and standing up from the Dead Ephes 5.14 Awake Awake saith the Lord Isa 52.1 and Arise Shine c. Isa 60.1 The Fourth Inquiry is what is the proper Object or Subject of this Spiritual Watching Answer This Christian Vigilancy is most highly concerned in this Watching-work as it hath a Respect and Relation to a double Trinity the first is a Trinity of Friends to wit the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost And the Second is a Trinity of Foes namely the World the Flesh and the Devil All these both Friends and Foes are to be duly and daily watched in our warring the good Warfare 1 Tim. 1.18 and in fighting the good Fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6.12 First of the first The Trinity of Friends that must be watched is 1 st God the Father must be watched this Lesson we should learn from Christ who did so saying We speak that we know and testifie that we have seen Joh. 3.11 and farther The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do Joh. 5.19 and the Father loveth his Son and sheweth him all thing that himself doth ver 20. And as I hear I do not doing mine own will but the will of my Father who sent me ver 30. Now if Christ that holy Child watched what he saw and heard from the Father by that Divine and Unspeakable Communication between them c. how ought Christians to watch likewise having an Unction from the Holy God that teacheth all things 1 Joh. 2.20 It is said of Israel Veshameru Mishmereth Custodiebant Custodiam they watched the Motions of the Lord in the Cloudy Pillar Numb 9.19 they kept Watch and Ward Night and Day to see when the Cloud would arise that they might be at every hour ready for removing Thus David set God always before him Psal 16.8 So ought we to do that we may learn to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Children should learn to be like their Father Matth. 5. last in the Quality of Holiness tho' we cannot come up to an Equality of his Holiness Thus we ought to pass more and more into the likeness of that Heavenly Pattern If our Eyes wait upon the Lord as the Eyes of a Servant upon his Master c. Psal 123.1,2 then is there Hope concerning both our Conformity to God and our Communion with God We ought to watch God's Pillar of Providence as Israel did the Cloudy Pillar for there is God's Voice in the work of his Providence Were we but Men of Wisdom to watch hear and undestand it aright Mic. 6.9 we should learn the sooner to follow Providence the better the neglect whereof doth oft bring damage and detriment to us c. But tho' God's Providence may be too dark and deep for our dim Eyes to see and for our dull Ears to hear yet blessed be God his Precepts and his Promises are all so plain that he who runs may read and hear them and our not watching them makes us neglect Godliness The 2 d Friend is God the Son must be watched for we know not either the Day or the Hour wherein he will call us either to Death or to the Day of Judgment every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day c. as before and because we cannot foresee it therefore must we ever expect it and spend every day as if it were our last day Hereupon we are all commanded to be always upon our watch and to be also ready for his coming Matth. 24.42,44 where our Lord useth seven Argument from ver 37. to the end of that Chapter as so many motives to stir us up unto watchfulness the day and hour knoweth no man c. ver 36. ideo latet unus dies ut observentur omnes that we might watch continually for that uncertain certain day The Harlot grew bold to sin on this account because she knew her Lord would not return till such an appointed time Prov. 7.10,18,19,20 Whereas secure Sinners may hear Thou Fool this night shall thy Soul be taken from thee Luke 12.20 He will come unlooked for and Dichotomize cut asunder and tear his Soul from his Body by force c. Matth. 24.50,51 'T is a blessed Badge pinn'd as it were upon sanctified Souls Sleeves that they wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 1.2,7 1 Thes 1.10 as it was the character of Old Testament Saints that they waited for the consolation of Israel in Christ's first coming Luke 2.25 how much more ought we to lift up our Heads and Eyes for beholding the comfort of his second coming Luke 21.28 looking for and hastning unto it as desirous to meet him in the way 2 Pet. 3.12 crying continually O mora Christo veni come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22.20 All such as have taken many sweet Turns in communion with Christ upon the Mountain of Spices
that those Young Ones are so c. Thus it appeareth that we now live in that last Iron Age even in the very Dregs of Time and we must expect ultima Senescentis Mundi deliria the last and the worst dotages of a decrepid and of a dying World c. The Second Part is the Duties which â—re to be done by all of us in our Old Age that we may not be deprived of â—hat Double Crown of Glory both of that â—n the Kingdom of Grace here and of that in the Kingdom of Glory hereafter seeing those two Crowns are the proper Dues of a Good Old Age by a Divine Promise wherein the great God hath made himself a Debtor unto all godly Aged Ones And if any of us be not such we shall not only lose the former of these Crowns to wit that of Respect and Reverence but be despised for our Dotage c. Let no Man take that Crown Rev. 3.11 â—n this Life but that which is worst of â—ll we shall lose likewise the latter and the better Crown in the Life to come Therefore to prevent this double loss many Duties are to be done The First Duty is We must examine â—ur States and Standings Godward c. whether we be still in the State of Nature and yet not broken off from the Wild Olive or we be in the State of Grace and now engraffed into that blessed and bleeding Vine the Lord Jesus Rom. 11.17 The great Apostle doth earnestly press us to the right doing of this first Duty 2 Cor. 13.5 where he useth a double Expressions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Try your selves and Prove your selves know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Wherein he alludeth both unto Goldsmiths and unto Lapidaries who have their Lydius Lapis or Touch-stone whereby they discover true Gold from thaâ— which is Copper or Counterfeit and Natural Diamonds from Artificial Bristol-stones And those double Terms of Art are to stir us up that we may redouble our diligence in that most needful yet much neglected Duty of Self-examination foâ— tho' the decisive and final Trial of our Eternal Estate doth immediately and solely appertain to God in the Court of Heaven yet the Disquisitive and Soul-Comforting part doth belong to our selves in the Court of our own Consciences And therefore as an Omission or an Error here is most easie so it is of mosâ— dangerous consequence in filling our Spirits full of doubts and fears what shalâ— become of our Souls when our Bodies drop down into the Grave Hereupon the Divine Precept is doubled both in this Apostles Charge and in that of the Prophets also Excutite vos iterumque excutite as Tremellius renders the words Zeph. 2.1 The Second Duty is That we should make good proof of our Graces especially of that Foundation-grace of Repentance unto Life as it is called Acts 11.18 granted unto us Gentiles for where right Repentance towards God is given 't is always accompanied with faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20.21 This Grace of Repentance is so exceeding necessary that both our Lord himself and his Forerunner John the Baptist began their Ministry with this indispensable Doctrine Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand Matth. 3.2 and 4.17 and Mark 1.15 Join Repent and Believe both together Now seeing the Tree is known by its Fruit whether it be good or bad Matth. 12.33 Luke 6.44 If we be no better than Bramble-Bushes no Grapes of Grace can grow upon us but if we be Trees of Righteousness of the Lord 's planting and watering as Isai 61.3 then shall we bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance Matth. 3.8 Now the true Notion and Nature of this Grace of Repentance is our turning from Darkness to Light Acts 26.18 and our returning from the faln Estate by the first Adam into a renewed Estate by the Second Adam As we are all Metaphorical Trees Aristotle calls Man Arbor inversa a Tree turned upward making the Head as Root and the Arms and Legs the Branches of this Tree c. Bernard calls Man Inversus Decalogus as quite contrary to God's Law therefore must he be turned up-side down as the Picture of the Horse and then right c. We have our Standing Time in our Life and we must have our Falling Time at our Death the Ax whereof is laid to the Root of us in those manifold Distempers which attend Old Age as if God were taking his Aim where to cut us up and how to hew us down Matth. 3.10 Now as all Trees be they strong Oakes or lofty Cedars must have their time of falling so all Mankind be they of never so robust a Constitution and be they of never so high either of State or of Stature must have a time of dying Heb. 9.27 and as Trees what way they mostly lean that way they usually fall whether it be Southward or Northward Eccles 11.3 So we ought to examine our selves which way our Wills and Affections do lean whether Southward towards the Sun of Righteousness Mal. 4.2 As 't is recorded of Abraham who walked with God that his Journyings were still towards the South towards the Sun Gen. 12.9 So all the Sons and Daughters of Abraham should hang Heavenward and should lean Southward then may there be good grounds of a lively Hope that when we die we shall fall upon the Right-hand of Christ among the fruitful Sheep and shall hear those comfortable words Come ye blessed of my Father c. Matth. 25.33,34 But if on the other hand we do not find that we have with David considered our former evil ways and turned our Feet our Affections towards God's Testimonies Psal 119.59 If yet we are not returned to God by Repentance but are still journying toward the North towards that cold Country where there is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth for cold tho' it be a fiery Furnace for heat Matth. 13.42,50 If we lean Northward and hang Hellward we shall surely fall upon the Left Hand of the Judge among the sâ—…nking Goats and receive that sad Sentence Depart ye Cursed c. Matth. 25.41 As the Tree where it falls Northward or Southward there it lies Eccles 11.3 even so where we fall at our Deaths whether Northward upon the Left Hand of our Judge or Southward upon the Right Hand of our Redeemer there we shall lie until the Resurrection-day for after Death comes the Day of Judgment Heb. 9.27 Then all both good and bad shall rise again c. The Third Duty of us Aged Ones is Not to dally or delay that weighty Work of making our Peace with God according to that Divine Counsel Acquaint now thy self with God and be at Peace with him and thereby good shall come unto thee Job 22.21 This great Duty must be now done we have been asleep or Strangers to God long enough Ephes 2.12 and 4.18 1 Pet. 4.3 Now is the accepted
becometh slow and Feeling daily faileth c. 2 dly Or the Golden Bowl be broken that is the Heart as some sense it which is the primum Vivens ultimum Moriens the first that Lives and the last that Dies therefore is it called the Fort-Royal of Life Or the Pericardium about the Heart which the Soldier pierced with his Spear in our Saviour's side from whence there came forth Blood and Water John 19.34 and 1 John 5.6 But others do interpret it to be rather the Head or Skull called the Brain-pan for the Brains are contained within the Meninges thereof and the Piamater covereth them like a Swathing Cloth or the inner Rind of a Tree as in a Cup or Bowl and a wound in this is ever mortal Now the Hebrew word here being the same with Golgotha which signifies a Skull 2 Kings 9.35 Matth. 27.33 and Judg. 9.53 all this make the latter Interpretation the more probable for when Death comes with his Javelin or Dart to wound the Brain-pan or Skull which is round like a Cup or Bowl and is called here Golden because of its colour then the Sutures or Seams of the Skull are parted asunder from whence it comes to pass that the Chaps of Dying Persons do fall and the Almonds of their Ears are stopped c. Oh what cause have we break forth into David's words saying We are wonderfully framed Psal 139.14 If the pretious Office of this Golden Bowl for preserving the Brain c. be well considered 3 dly Or the Pitcher be broken at the Fountain that is either the Veins at the Liver as some say which is the Shop of Sanguification or Blood-making those Veins carry Blood from the Liver into all parts of the Body by way of Circulation c. Or as others understand it the Arteries which carry Spirits from the Heart and conveys Nourishment Sense and Motion from one part to another c. There is yet a Third Sense put upon this Pitcher that is the Bladder is broken at the Spring of Water or Urin c. Now as when either the Veins at the Liver especially the Vena Cava Vena Porta as the Anatomists name them or the Arteries at the Heart do come once to lose their drawing and distributing Office and Vertue then the Body doth immediately decay even so when the Muscle at the Neck of the Bladder comes to be broken and loseth its Retentive Faculty then the Water or Urin doth run insensibly from a Dying Person without stay 4 thly Or the Wheel is broken at the Cistern that is according to the Sentiments of some Expositors the Head which draweth all the Operations of Life from the Heart and hence it is that when any dreadful Fright is apprehended by our Heads and suddenly doth surprize us we presently are struck with a Paleness because all the Blood in our Faces doth run back to the Heart as to the Fountain of Life c. But others are of opinion that by this Wheel broken at the Cistern must be meant the Lungs broken off from their double Office and Motion of Inspiration and Respiration and this Breaking or Obstruction is caused by Phlegmn from the Stomach which is as a Cistern from all parts of the Body c. The Lungs are as a Wheel transmitting the Air in and out by a Motion up and down like to that of a pair of Bellows which Men learnt to make from the posture and operations of Mens Lungs that were of God's making and thus indeed Man learns all other Artifices from God the great Artificer God instructs the Husbandman Isai 28.26 and all others also Now tho' there be no open Passage betwixt the Stomach and the Lungs and therefore there is no ordinary purging of the Lungs but upwards by spitting and coughing yet when the Stomach is overcharged with Phlegm the former distilleth the latter into the Lungs and thereby stoppeth them in their Motion This may be exemplified thus when a Man or Beast is dead there seemeth no way of entrance for Water into the Bladder no not so much as for any Air for if we blow the Bladder full of Wind none of it will issue out and yet while Life lasteth in the Body both Water and Sand doth pass through little Veins called Valvulas into the Bladder even so by some such like secret passages doth the Cistern of the Stomach convey Phlegm into the Lungs yea sometimes to the very stifling of them and upon this stoppage of the Lungs with Phlegm so that the Wheel cannot turn the Air or breath up and down and in and out to the Nostrils Then from this obstruction of the Lobes whereof the Lungs do consist so that their Motion like a pair of broken Bellows is broken off then followeth the Rutling in the Throat which is the common Herauld proclaiming that Death is at Hand c. NB. Note well How Solomon the Eldest Son of Wisdom hath left upon Record in Eccles 12. a most sublime Lecture of Anatomy as well as of Divinity in his Dissection of the infirm Body of Old Age which he sweetly setteth forth by a continued Allegory Ubi quot Lumina imo Flumina Orationis that is containing so many Lights yea and Floods of Eloquence and all this Solomon did not so much to demonstrate his own excellent Skill and unparallel'd Prudence but more especially and principally to instruct yea and to provoke all Mankind to become wise unto Salvation and to remember our Creator early before any of these Evils of Old Age come upon us c. CHAP. VIII Counsel and Comfort to Young and Old against the Evils of Old Age the Fear of Death and the Terror of the Day of Judgment THIS Eight Chapter consists as well of Comforts as of Counsel against the Evils of Old Age against the Fear of Death and against the Terror of the Day of Judgment First The Comforts against the Evils of Old Age 'T is a Time desired by all who are they that would not live long c but 't is welcomed by few because of the Burden of Distempers that it brings along with it c. If God bless us to live up to Old Age we ought not to complain of it for 't is a blessing we must bless God for Length of days is from the Right Hand Riches and Honour from the Left Prov. 3.16 And God promised to his Jerusalem after its Restoration that there should be Old Men and Old Women in the Streets of it with Staves in their Hands Zech. 8.4 yea and it was God's Curse upon the House of Ely that not any that were Old should be found in it 1 Sam. 2.32 Therefore if God do still preserve the rotten Thread of our Lives and draw it out to last so long and yet the Clue have a little more Yarn upon the Botton Oh how thankfully ought we to welcome this Guest of Gods own sending and not to complain of it as our great