English words being more then dissillables the other generally having their antepenultimaes A competent estate and that which is far greater are not differenced as to the content of the enjoyer for though this may ruffle more and the pomp may be greater yet it signifies the same to the owner He that hath an horse to ease his insirmity is as well supplyed in that for which an horse is usefull as he that must stay till four or five servants be ready to accompany him and he as well stored that hath an honest entertainment wherewith to bid his friend welcome and can shake hands with him in token 't is hearty as he that with a numerous service and solicitous ceremony must complement his Guest to a Non-plus 2 They say That he who will find an Hare sitting or Partridge lying must alwayes keep in his mind the Idea of those creatures as they are in that posture which the fancy being prepossessed with will presently apprehend them or any like them When the mind is forestalled with prejudice either against persons or things it soon beleeveth what it pre-conceiveth and will either find crimes or make them 3 I had a Bullock so swollen with wind that it break his Diaphragma and the poor creature dyed in great torture yet I considered it fared better with it then with a man afflicted with the Gout or Stone because wanting reason its miseries were not aggravated by a reflexion of the mind upon the pains suffered It is not the least of the happinesses of a man having grace that he is able to discern those gifts and to behold himself like the Kings Daughter all glorious within so shall it be no small addition to the infelicities of the damned that they shall have the exercises of their reason which they have so much abused to consider the goodnesse of that God of whom they are deprived and the greatnesse of those miseries by which they are punished 4 Two Goats meeting together on a long narrow Bridge the straitnesse of which was such that neither could go by other nor turn about to go back one of them lay down flat while the other went over him and so there became easie passage for both When the interest of dissenting parties meet in such narrownesses as are hard to be accommodated how much would the submission of one part to the present necessity conduce to the advantage of both 5 Being to confer the going of my Watch with a San-Diall which was to be set by the Compasse and finding it not to agree therewith my unwillingnesse to have my Watch convicted of error made me ready rather to set the Dial by my Watch then my Watch by the Dial. Lord how many times hath my self-love induced me by false interpretations and glosses to bring the strait rules of thy Word to a complyance with my irregular affections then by an holy submission to make my affections comply with the rules of thy Word 6 I saw a Kitling practising the way to mouse with active motions and ingenuous turns gaining an aptness to prey in all postures and I observe other creatures by a natural instinct are prompt to those functions which are proper to their species but man knows nothing except to cry but what he is taught Lord as my great desire is that those whom thou hast given me may not be as they were born fools so give me to care chiefly that they may be spiritually wise 7 Being abroad one day my Horse got loose and run away from me and would not be recovered till he came to the Stable Dore I followed after him full of anger and purposes of punishing till I thus considered Lord am I thus angry that a creature by thee subjected to my Dominion doth thus shake off the yoke and retract his serviceableness when I a Subject to thy Soveraignty by an originall and every way unlimitted right so often have with drawn my service from thee Oh let me with more diligence and universality approve my obedience to thee and with more patience suffer neglect from them 8 The motion of the Primum mobile not only hurryes about the inferiour Orbs but even the Comets also seated in the aire are whirl'd about with the same Circulation Not only those of the same gang are turned about by the vertigo of Faction but many times also well meaning souls of different Principles and designs are transported by their vicinity with the same passions 9 Thunder is rare with us in the winter and prodigious in that season according to that saying Winters thunder is Englands wonder because those hot and dry vapors of which Thunder is generated are not exhaled from a rigid and congealed earth as ours then for the most part is Lord when my heart was frozen in that Winter of impenitency and unbelief the thunder of conscience was not frequent that inconsiderate estate seldome producing any such apprehensions but since my soul hath been brought out of that Prison conscience hath been londer and its checks are more often O let conscience every day have lesse cause to speak but let it every day be more quick of speech 10 The return of the Sun is no less certainly expected in Green-land where the night is of some moneths then with us in the Summer Solstice when day is never quite shut in Lord that eternall glory which thou hast promised and I by faith have apprehended how far off so ever is no lesse certainly expected then that daily bread wherewith I am by thee so frequently supplyed nor let me more despair of the Sun-shine of thy favour in the long night of trouble then in those perplexities which endure but for a very little season 11 Passing with a Candle from one room to another I saw they were only enlightned as I brought the Candle in successively one after another but as soon as the Sun arose they were altogether and at once enlightned Lord the knowledge which I have of my heart is only by degrees as I view the affections and actions of it one after another but thou beholdest them at one view those that are past present and to come Oh do thou who art so perfect an Anatomist and so exactly knowest my frame what it is straiten what is irregular cure what is corrupt and supply what ever defect thou findest there 12 I took a Plumb-stone and would have crackt it but could not I would have cleft it with a knife but it was not penetrable I set it in the ground and after a few dayes I found the kernel had shot out a tender sprout which had split the shell and â—ade its passage through Lord the hamnser of assliction breaks not this stony heart the sharp sword of thy threatnings pierce it not but let the sweet efficacies of thy mercies quicken the infused principle of thy grace that it may cleave all obstacles and send forth shâ—â—ts bearing fruit to thee abundantly 13 Being in London and
speaking to us in the Scriptures which is better 151 The Embassadors of the French King charging the Earle of Charalois in bitter termes with a confederacy with the Duke of Britaine the Earle many times intreating his Fathr Philip that he would give him leave to speak for himselfe the old Duke in the end said I have already answered for thee as me-thinketh a Father should answer for his Son but if thou hast a mind to speak thy selfe bethink thy selfe to day and speak to morrow and spare not The words which we are to speake to captious greatnesse need much premeditation that they may admit of no exception But Lord there is not a word in our mouthes which is not written in thy Book for which we must nor give an account to thy justice But Oh that therefore I were so wary as to set a watch before the door of my mouth that I offend not with my tongue 152 Two brothers travelling upon the road fell in discourse of a woman known to them both which one of them praised as very handsome the other thought her faire but not so faire which difference in Judgment though nothing pertinent to either yet grew to that passe as that they fell together by the ears and had slaine one the other if not accidentally parted How many different opinions are there among us Brethren of the same Religion as to fundamentalls so far from being necessary to Salvation that it is questionable whether they be any thing pertinent which yet we are so hot about that nothing but bloud will part us when the things for which we have quarelled would pose a good invention to tell you what tendency they have to the edifying of the Body of Christ 153 The Leigeors having broken the peace made with the Duke of Burgundy for performance of which they had given 300 Hostages it was debated in the Dukes Counsell what should be done with the Hostages The Lord of Contay advised to kill them all a person of great wisdome and moderation and never before observed to speak so cruelly How uncharitable is it to censure any man for one Act committed when a sudden passion or acrimonious humor may bias the mind quite beyond its accustomed tenor 154 Of those Hostages which they of Leige had given to the Duke of Burgundy for the performance of their Covenants with him upon their breach of which he sent home unharmed the greatest number proved unthankfull and tooke Arms against the Duke but five or six of them were so mindfull of the benefit they had received that by their meanes he entered Leige an enterprize so eminent that a servant of the Duke said he durst hardly have craved of Gods hands so great successe Excellent is it to do good and to communicate for though the subjects of our benefaction may many as in a Lottery prove blankes yet we may many times meet such a prize as may make ample amends 155 The City of Venice begetteth wonder in the beholders in this chiefly to see so many stately and magnificent structures lifting up their towring heads as if like the Poets Venus they had been begotten of the Seas foame and in that place ejected or else seated there by as great a miracle as that Faith should worke which should say to that mountaine be thou removed and set in the midst of the Sea The excellent and glorious vertues of the servants of God deserve our view and imitation but this makes them works of wonder that they have their seat in such hearts as are not unlikely onely but having in some respe4ct an impossibility to such productions 156 Ericthonius being lame in his feet first invented the Chariot to hide that imperfection and Pericles being long headed was therefore alwayes represented with an Helmet and our Queen Anne covered the Wen in her neck with a Ruff which she first brought in fashion How do we wish that the deformities of our bodies never were or might ever be hid a crooked leg or gibbous shoulder how it troubles us which yet if concealed can never be rectified but happy we if we were as sensible of the deformities of our souls for the remedying of which crookednesses the holy Spirit hath given us such strait rules to comply with 157 Ravillak that murthered Henry the fourth of France ☞ though in his execution he suffered most exquisite torments yet was observed never so much as once to name the name of God or any other way make shew of repentance Who would put off repentance to a dying bed in confidence to have it then at our call when sicknesse with the very presentations of death its selfe leaves that heart unmollified which custome in sin hath hardened 158 Alibiades went to one of his friends houses that had a great feast and bad one of his servants take away halfe the Plate that stood on the Cupboard wherewith the guests incensed said It was a bold and injurious part nay saith the Master very favourable hath he dealt with us that he hath left us any when he might have taken all Lord when thou cuttest off our suprfluities we are ready to repine that thou dealest hardly with us but what cause have we rather to acknowledge thy clemency and goodnesse that mayest take all and yet leavest us any thing that can claime nought 159 Fabius Maximus rode on horseback to his Son being Consull then disparching affairs of State in the Market place which the Son seeing senr an officer to command his Father to alight and come on foote if he had any thing to say to the Consull While all wonder at the unhandsomnesse of this Command the Father alights and hasting to his Son imbracing him applauds his magnanimity that he had preferred the honour and interest of the Common-wealth before that of a Father Lord thine is the Soveraigne interest of the world and happy we if the sense of that lye so much upon our hearts as that whatsoever is deare and precious to us else be made to vail Bonnet to thy concernments 160 A Lacedemonian having lost his Son and being reproved as indulging his sorrow in that he wept for him answered I am not so much to be reprehended Natura enim me flebilem fecit Lord if we much lament the losse of our deare relations let it not be the effect of our impatience but the issue of our affection 161 Dionisius being expelled Sicilia and banished to Corinth was asked What good the doctrine of Plate had done him who replyed To beare this adversity patiently Lord if the times any when should prove so disasterous as to prevent the more favourable effects of thy truth as instead of that love and veneration it should beget to render the professors of it the subjects of persecution yet let us never be disappointed of this fruit that we know how in patience to possesse our souls 162 Alexander being at Troy one offers to shew him Paris his Harpe I marry said
Christian Chymistrie EXTRACTING The Honey of instruction from variety of OBJECTS BEING An handfull of Observations Historicall Occasionall and out of Scripture With Applications Theologicall and Morall By CALEB TRENCHFIELD sometime Minister of the Church at Chipsted in Surrey Go to the Ant thou sluggard consider her wayes and be wise Pro. 6.6 I went by the field of the slothfull and by the Vineyard of the man voyd of understanding Then I saw and considered it well I looked upon it and received instruction Pro. 24.30 32. London Printed by M. S. for H. Crips at his shop in Popes-head Alley next Lombard Street 1662. To my ever Honoured Uncle Daniel Shetterden Esq SIR Why I should dedicate this small piece to you will not be askt by those to whom we are both known why I should not would Your great respect to a godly faithfull Ministry hath merited to be in this kind confest by much abler pens but your particular favour to me challenged the first fruits of mine You gave out your hand when I first began to go and your incouragement and assistancy then besides what since requires to be first acknowledged now My capacity extends not to a fatted Calfe out of the stall I here present you with a Bunch of Grapes like those of our Countrey comparatively sower nay positively so for 't is out of mine own Vine yard and I dwell in a cold aire and churlish soile that would abase even a generous Vine being fitter for perry and sider If you can pick out hence any Grape meet for your pallate that may be for food or physick if not like Wine to cheare the heart yet as vinegar to whet your stomack to what 's better I shall be glad if I may be but in this kind serviceable to your better thoughts and intend your heat though per antiperistasin I know you have candour enough favourably to interpret what admits it and charity enough to cover what 's faulty and goodness enough to accept of and patronize what is if any such here be worthy of it in confidence whereof I lay these before you in testimony of my desires to serve you and on purpose to shew that I would do some thing to approve my self somewhat worthy to be Your so much obliged Nephew Caleb Trenchfield CHRISTIAN Chymistrie 1 SCypio Africanus being shew'd a very rich shield answered that it was the manner of the Romans to trust more in their right hands then their left But most of those Champions set down in the Lords book of Worthies are memorized rather for the defensive then offensive and there is usually more honour got in that field by suffering then doing 2 Agesilaus playing with his young son and riding upon a reed to make him sport was dirided by one of his familiars as being too vaine to whom he answered hold thy peace till thou thy self art a father and then we will heare thy advice When we meet with infirmities which have befallen some of the servants of God in their exigencies we are ready to deride their weaknesse or suspect their sincerity but let us suspend our Judgements till our soules be in their soules stead 3 The Miuturnians changing their purpose of slaying Caius Marius into purposes of conveighing him to the Sea side were in their passage thither either to go a great way about which his danger would not allow or to go through a wood which they accounted sacred and the highest sacriledge to carry any thing out of it that had been once brought into it In this exigency an old man among them steps out and resolves the doubt saying no way was to be scrupled whereby Marius might be saved Our dayes have shewn us many of that opinion that nothing should be accounted holy which stood in the way of their ambition but Lord make me alwayes willing rather to go about for the obtaining of my purposes then to tread over where thou hast set bounds 4 Cardinall Poole being chosen Pope by a free and faire Election yet either out of an high conceit of his own worth or too much desiring to shew his moderation and integrity would not then be confirmed but willed the Conclave to consider of it till the next morning in which time another of the Cardinalls had so prevailed with the rest that they rejected Poole and chose him Pope Those things which we apprehend our selves to be excellent in we commonly desire so much to make a shew of that like Physitians who willing to appeare richly clad swelter in Plush in hot summer by our ostentation we render that ridiculous and offensive which might otherwise prove greatly to our reputation and advantage 5 Philip King of Macedon being importun'd by a poor widdow to do her justice answered that he was not at leasure to whom she replyed then cease to be a King for to do justice is that you are a King for which he hearing apprehended himself so homely spoken to that he took care of her cause incontinently Lord thou requirest of us that we should do thee service but we are ready to say we cannot intend it but it may well be replyed to us then cease to live for therefore gavest thou us our lives that we might lay them out in thy service 6 Hipponicus intending to dedicate a costly statue was advised by a friend to imploy Policletus a famous workman in the making of it but he said That he would not make use of such an one in that businesse whose Art should be rather regarded then his cost When in preaching the great truths of Gospell Salvation the enticing words which mans wit teacheth art sought out the art is so much lookt upon by the auditors that the matter is for the most part lost 7 A Limner being desired by a certain person to draw for him an Horse tumbling which he mistaking drew one running which when he had brought home the person imploying him grew angry that according as he had appoynted he had not represented him tumbling to whom he answered Turne the piece and your running Horse is a tumbling one Many differences have been among us wherein we have been very angry that others have not concur'd with our apprehensions when the difference hath been onely the different way of representing 8 Diogenes seeing some Rhodians gorgeously apparelled while others admired them said Tush That 's nothing but pride and seeing some Spartans by in their thred-bare Caps said That 's but another sort of pride When the vaine men of the world apply to a fantastick gallantry t is manifest that it is nothing but pride Oh would that when religious persons appeare to deny the world they did not give cause to say that theirs is pride too 9 Scypio the Conquerour of Hanniball and scourge of Carthage though by many triumphs he had replenished the common treasury yet in all his life never bought one acre of ground for himself nor left money enough in his Coffers to bury him
How many men have damned their souls that they might dye rich and to that end like overflowing Rivers have growne great by the ruins of their Countrey upon this account chiefly that they may go out of the world wealthy when Scypio's moderation and abstinence have reared him up a more glorious Monument then his Conquests 10 Philostratus being imployed by Ptolomy in building that famous Pharos neer Alexandria engraved in the solid and durable Marble his own name and in plaister over it the Kings that his in time being worne off his own might be seen to perpetuity Sin imprinteth in my fancy favourable and specious conceits of it but there are characters in my conscience of another tenour which will abide there when the other are vanisht and no more to be remembred 11 William Wickham being appoynted by King Edward in building a stately Church wrote in in the windows This work made William Wickham for which being charged by the King as assuming the honour of that work to himself as the author being onely overseet he answered that He meant not he made the work but that the worke made him being before but beggarly and then in great credit Lord when we read in thy Word that we must work out our own Salvation thy meaning is not that our Salvation should be the effect of our work but our work the evidence of thy Salvation 12 The Empresse Maud being closely beset by her enemies neere Winchester caused her selfe to be put into a Coffin and as one dead was safely conveighed through their Troupes Evill concupiscences beset my soul with an almost impossibility of escaping but the way to avoid them is by becoming dead to sin not to live any longer therein 13 They tell of a Tree in Japan that flourisheth and is fruitfull if kept in a dry earth but with moysture which causeth other trees to flourish withereth Such is the sincere Christian to whom the crosse is a crutch affliction raiseth up his affection and the heate of persecution makes his graces flourish and fruitfull but the gentle showers of prosperity decayeth his greennesse and usually makes his graces torpid if not livelesse 14 Among the Turks every one is of some Trade the Grand Seignior himself though Lord of so many Countries yet daily imployes himselfe in some chosen Occupation because even Adam in Paradise was by divine appointment not left idle An huge condemnation to those of our times who think it a disgrace to be ingaged in any profitable imployment whereby they may promote the common good and their own being almost all onely of the trade of that Assirian whose Motto was Ede bibe lude 15 Herbert in his travells tells of Fowle which if you shoote some the rest fly not away but render themselves an easie prey to him that will kill them How many such foolish men are there whom others harmes make not wary but are intangled in the same fetters of lust and misery wherein they have seen others and themselves have been formerly ensnared 16 The River Tigris passing through the Lake Arethusa mingleth not his waters with it but retaines its tast and colour different from that of the Lake Such should the Christian be though conversing in the world yet reserving the savour of Godlinesse and colour of religious profession unallayed 17 The Virgins of Miletus through an unkind Melancholy being their own executioners and that mischief much encreasing there was a Law made that those so dying should be carryed naked exposed to view through the City upon which that evill ceased modesty and the shame of being so laid open though after death prevailing more then all other considerations could How sad is it that among us professing Christianity there should be of the shamefacer sex straining healths through their Smocks c. and prostituting that vertue which by the heathen was estimated at so high a rate 18 The Hircanians do use to banquet under the falls of their Rivers as in the shade which are so steep that they shoote over their heads It often is that wretched sinners riot it under the guilt of those sinnes that a tender conscienced person would tremble to think of 19 They have Trunks in India called Sampatans through which they shoot arrows so invenomed that if they prick the skin it is very dangerous but if they draw bloud it is irrecoverably deadly The first motions to sin arising from that root of bitternesse appeare never without sad effects but Lord let them never draw bloud by consent from my will that their deadly venome should seize my vitalls 20 Demetrius King of Syria being taken prisoner by the King of Parthia and by him marryed to his own sister and with all desirable things entertained oft attempted and at laft effected an escape into his own Countrey Lord with what enjoyments soever I am derained from thee yet let the desire of my soule be to thy name and to the remembrance of thee and at last let me obtaine an happy escape to thee 21 Maud the Empresse being besieged by the forces of King Stephen in Oxford when the snow covered the ground made her escape thence by arraying her self and followers in white sheets Lord I am besieged by thy justice and the guilt of sin compasseth me about on every side but Oh cloath me with the white Robe of thy Sons Righteousnesse that I may escape the execution of thy vengeance 22 Sixtus Quintus being a great abettor of the Spanish Faction when a Cardinall was the greatest enemy of it when chosen Pope the Papall dignity not being compatible with the Spanish greatnesse in Italy Lord how far soever I abetted the reigne of sin in my heart before I received thy Spirit of adoption yet now let me ever be a zealous opposer of it the Kingdome of sin being so inconsistent with the dignity of a son 23 The Papists say that their pictures of the Virgin Mary are exactly like her being begun by Angels and finished by Saint Luke though 't is to be seen that in them the Painters have used their wonted liberty not two of them being in all things alike and one of them of no small fame representing a blackmore Nay there was a fellow of them that like Apelles with his Hellen from the beauties of severall courtisans before him drew the picture of this Virgine How safe and to our credit is it to continue in the truth for the children of the father of lyes at one time or other will shew their cloven feet and to our shame discover their breed 24 Though the Northern people have made many irresistible irruptions into the South like a torrent bearing all before them yet 't is observed that they never obtained any durable Empire the Southern wit being an overmatch for the Northern strength If concupiscence break forth and hurry into sin exercising some sudden acts of tyranny yet let it not get any stable dominion let the efficacy of thy grace
every day weare out the strength of sin 25 William Wickham begging of King Edward the Bishoprick of Winchester was told by him It was not fit for him he being no learned man to which he answered That in recompence thereof if his Majesty pleased to bestow it he would make many learned men which he effected by erecting Winchester Colledge How many of those goods dedicated to the incouragement of the learned have since the dayes of Henry the Eighth fallen into illiterate mens hands 't were well if they had so much of Wickhams conscience as to reimburse some of them at least to those primitive pious ends 26 A certaine person of that Parliament wherein the Statute for the releife of the poor passed and a great indeavourer for the procuring of that Act coming down into the Countrey askt his Steward what the people said of that Statute who answered that he heard a labouring man say that whereas formerly he was wont to worke six dayes in the week now he would worke but four which abuse of that good provision so affected that pious Patriot that it drew teares from his eyes in abundance Lord thou hast made many provisions in thy Word for my supportation and comfort and hast promised in my necessities thy supply and protection but let not my presumption of help from thee cause my neglect of any of those meanes for my Spirituall or temporall preservation which thou hast injoyned 27 The Sea called Sargasso though four hundred miles from any land and so deep as no ground is to be found by sounding yet abounds with an herb called Sargasso like Samper so thick that a Ship without a strong Gale can hardly make her way Lord if temptation from without be never so far removed yet the corruption of my heart doth continually send forth the bitter fruits of evill thoughts so that good purposes find very difficult passage but blow thou with the fresh gales of thy Spirit that my resolutions to serve thee may have a free course notwithstanding 28 A certain person pretending himself borne blind and cured of that defect by visiting the shrine of Saint Albon with great concourse of people admiring the Saint and praising his faith was brought before Humphrey called the good Duke of Glocester being at that place the very day of the cure who seeming to desire satisfaction on the perfectnesse of the cure askt the man What colour his gown was of he answered Purple and in that rightly and so of the colour of any other thing of which he was askt where by he discovered his own hypocrisie for said the Duke If the Saint hath given you your sight he hath not withall given you the knowledge of colours which is not attained but by experience Lord thou hast wrought a cure upon the eyes of my mind by enlightning them with thy truth but let me not render thy cure suspected by undertaking to discerne those Mysteries which are onely to be knowne by experience in heaven 29 Sir Edwin Sandys reporteth upon his own knowledge of devout Papists who have dared to perjure themselves in judgement presuming upon the present and easie remedy of confession Lord thou hast in thy Word discovered repentance and faith in the Bloud of thy Son as the meanes of blotting out of the sins of my soule and how apt is my heart to take liberty to sin with purpose of applying this remedy against the evill consequences of it but let me not so trample under my feet the Bloud of thy Covenant as an unholy thing but keepe me that such presumption may not prevaile over me 30 Upon the Coast of Norway the ayre is so subtilly peircing that it insensibly benums the members chills the bloud and brings certain death if not with speed prevented as our King James had experience when there he was a Royall Suiter to Queen Anne The ayre of ill company with a pestilent contagion doth seize the heart if not with a diligent and constant resistancy repelled Lord I would not willingly be where such a breath rageth lest like Joseph I learne to sweare by the Life of Pharoah but if by thy providence I am cast into such company let me be like Salt to season them and not be leavened by them 31 In the King of Persia's Court there was an allowance of severall Countries for the maintenance of his wives apparell one Countrey for the tire of their heads another for their necks and other for other parts of their bodies The English nation wants little now of being at that passe for if a Gentleman have twenty Farmes how many of them must be parcelled out for his wife one of them unlesse of good revenue not sufficing to furnish her with laced shooes and other tingling ornaments belonging to them And truly this vanity hath so far prevailed on both sexes that it starved the poore and driven all good hospitallity out of doores 32 Malhamut the King of Cambaia accustomed himself so to the eating of poyson that his breath was venomous to those that spake with him and those women which he used for his lust were never the subjects of a second dalliance but dyed in the congression Those that accustome themselves to sin their very company is contagious but a strict familiarity with them cannot be had without the greatest danger 33 Bajazet the great Turke being in his March against Tamerlane overheard a Shepherd sweetly tuning his Oaten pipe to whom he said Happy thou that art not distracted with these solicitous and weighty cares We oft admire the peace and contentedness of the meane estate but are more in love with the pomps and vanities of the wealthier like Alexander who said Vellem Diogenes esse si Alexander non essem 34 Apelles coming to the house of Protogenes and not finding him at home was by the servant required his name that he might tell his Master who was there to speake with him in answer to whom he askt for a pencill and therewith drew a line on a tablet there standing and bid him shew that to his Master when he came home at sight whereof by the Art exprest therein Protogenes knew none but Apelles hand did it Lord the impulses of thy Spirit of Satan and my own corruption make their accesses to my heart but without a name by which they may be knowne whose they be but if the lines drawne on the tablet of my heart be holy regular and conformable to the rules of thy Word I know then 't is thy hand that did it but if they impresse other Characters let them be disdained as none of thine and the doore shut against them as those that are minded to destroy 35 The Romane State never met with such disasterous fortune as when assailed at their own doores The Gaules and Hanniball afterward Warring upon them in Italy bringing their Common-wealth almost to an utter expiration because in forraigne Wars they fought much with Auxilliary strength beside their own
brought off but was there slaine and the horse recovered Lord in that valuation which my heart sets upon the things here let me observe that due subordination least while I too much prize the things I love much those very things procure the losse of those things I love more 48 At Boghar a Citie of the Zagaethaian Tartars there is a River which causeth to them that drinke thereof a worme in the legge which if not pul'd out or partially proves certainly deadly Such is sin if entertained in the soule begetting a guilt and fearfull expectation of Gods vengeance and surely damnable if not cleansed out by faith in the Bloud of Jesus 49 The Germans knowing themselves no matches for the Italian in respect of their craft and subtilty make amends for that want by a peremptory sticking to those resolutions which they had before considerately taken up I find my selfe no wayes able to deale with that old Serpent who hath so many methods of deceit but let him say what he will or can Lord do thou fix me irremovably on this resolution I have said I will keep thy Commandements alwayes even to the end 50 The Inns of Poland give no entertainment to the traveller but bare walls without bed or board or other accommodation whatsoever Alas how oft is my heart such a guest-chamber to good thoughts and pious designes where they find such welcome as decayed persons have from their wealthier friends 51 In Peru a man may passe from Summer to Winter in a few houres there being in the plaines a louring skie continually stormes and everdropping clouds when at the same time the mountaines have a serene heaven and a verdure in all respects suitable to a Summer season Such variety doth my heart afford where the old man rageth with unruly passions and disorderly affections and irregular concupiscences But blessed be God within a little space a better face of things is to be seen the regenerate part bringing in that calmnesse meeknesse and regularity agreable to a Gospel Sunshine yea even then the spirit is willing when the flesh is weake 52 When Cyrus besieged the Citie of Babilon the River Euphrates was the greatest obstruction to his designe till he cut out many channels and diverted the streame into them which before when united was deeply Navigable but now divided became in every place fordable The diffusion of the mind into variety of thoughts and subjects renders it uncapable of any deepe search but he is like to be profound that sums his thoughts to one purpose till obtained Vnite my heart to the feare of thy Name 53 There is a Plant in Sumbrero an Iland of India which is locomotive the roote being a worme like an house snaile if this Plant be taken up it dryeth into a solid stone by how much it had exceeded other Plants in sense and motion by so much more degenerating into a stone it exceeded in hardness Thus it is with those who being once enlightned and by a tast of the powers of the world to come transported beyond the common sort of inconsiderate soules if they apostatize they become the worst and most stony hearted of men bitter scoffers or cruel persecutors 54 The City Weinspurg of the Guelphian Faction being besieged by the Emperour and cruelly threatned the women of the City besought him they might have leave to depart taking with them only what they could carry on their backs to which he consenting they each past forth bearing on their backs their husbands If love could procure a compliance between married couples in those things not so easily nor in some respects possibly so seemely yet for generall advantage it would be found an expedient oftentimes conducing not to the comfort onely but safety of both 55 Peter Walde a rich Merchant in Lyons walking the streets with some of his friends one of them fell suddenly downe dead with which spectacle he was so affected that he immediately reformed his life became the beginner of the Waldenses which for so many ages have stood forth couragious Confessors of the Truth Lord how suddenly and unexpectedly mayest thou call for this breath that is in these nostrils and time to me shall be no more let me therefore improve the present time to do thee service and secure my soul being the time to come depends upon so much uncertainty 56 There is a tree in Mindanao the halfe of which Easterly sited is a great Antipoison but that part respecting the West the greatest poyson in the world So is it in the regenerate where the fleshly part perpetually brings forth the venomous offspring of vile lusts but the spirituall part is in a constant resistancy against those poysonfull effects 57 There are a sort of fishes in the Southern Ocean which when pursued by other fishes in the Sea fly into the ayre but are then made a prey to a Sea fowle which continually watcheth that opportunity Lord if I am in private my own unruly passions disquiet me if in publick temptations from without assault me but Oh let thy grace be sufficient for me that though I be Concussus I may not be Excussus though on every side and ever assailed yet never overcome 58 There is an Idoll in Madure a part of the East-Indies called Chocanada which they say in a vision willed a Priest to signifie to the King of Madure that one of they two must abide in his house upon which he unwilling there should be any competition between him and his Idoll resigned his Palace to him How is it that we are lesse complying with our God not expelling that worst part of our selves our lusts that he may be intempled in our hearts 59 A certain Noble man of France was wont when his Armor was buckled on and approaches made to battell to be taken with such a trembling that it loosed the retentive faculty of his body yet valourous in the face of his enemy and with much courage lost his life at the battle of Pavye Lord the very thought of what persecutions may befall because of thy truth makes my heart tremble but if thou ingage me in that combate supply me with thy assisting grace that like that Saunders my present weaknesse may be succeeded with a most stout contestation against thy most inveterate and bitterest enemies 60 The Aegyptians were wont with great cost and enquiry to search out a Bull to be their Apis whom having worshipped for a time after their superstition they drowned in a fountaine and then with great lamentation for his losse they imployed the like cost and quest for the finding of another Oh the hazards and hardships wherewith the things of this world are sought by us which being had we as foolishly spend as if indeed Satius esset quaerere quam quaesisse when like the Hawke we leave the killed Quarry and pursue that which flyes away 61 The people of Numidia are said not to wash their hands in some yeares an
excusable fault for they have not water in those Deserts wherewith to do it If the poor Indian be an irreligious prophane unmortified sinner he will be in some respect or comparatively excusable the Fountaine opened for sin and for uncleannesse being set far off from him but what Apology will be found for such in our Western world where that fountaine is Prae manibus 62 There is a Poole in Comogena that sends forth a mud that burneth and is not to be quenched but with earth Lord my heart emits burning desires after worldly things which will be quenched in the grave at last Oh that the consideration of my latter end might do it now 63 The same yeare that Saguntum was destroyed by Hanniball a child was borne there which forthwith returned back againe into his mothers womb Lord the miseries undergone by us in this vale of teares might make us of his mind who faid that they were happiest who were never borne and they next which dyed soonest but if it be thy will that they shall be suffered by us yet let them by thy grace be sanctified to us that what is necessary may yet be profitable and what cannot be avoided may yet be the better by patience endured 64 They tell of an huge golden Idoll among the East-Indians borne in a massy chariot drawn by foure Elephants in procession under the wheels of which many persons somtimes to the number of five hundred at once put themselves and are so squeezed to death at which times also many cut off gobbets of their flesh and offer them to the Idoll slaying themselves at length in like devotion Hey me that such should be the effects of a blind zeale to a blinder Deity and that we should shrink from the service of the living God for feare of the losse of profit or credit yea that those our lusts so peremptorily required should not be cut off in devotion to him 65 You may behold the Aegyptian temples on the outside glorious with all possible magnificence but within no other Deity then some vile Cat or other such contemptible creature So is it with the outward pomp of Papisticall devotion yea and with the hypocriticall formalities of an onely ourside Religion wherein nothing is more solemne then the furniture of ceremonies nothing lesse then the devotion of hearts 66 At Segelmesse a City in Numidia they have no Fleas a priviledge they much boast of but are miserably infested with scorpions Wicked men think they are greatly happy in being free from the precisenesse and troublesome limitations which the godly comply with a poore priviledge if compared with those scorpions assured guilt and terror of conscience which every act of sin brings along with it 67 Captaine Saris sailing to Japan divers of the Japanenses by a Religion the Jesuits had taught them fell down on their knees to the pictures of Venus and Cupid in the Captaines Cabbin supposing them to be the Images of Jesus and his Mother this the Jesuits will excuse and say though the object be erroneous yet the worship was good the intention being aright directed Lord if my charity have been mistaken thinking I have relieved the truly necessitous when I have given to a sturdy vag bond yet accept I pray thee the sincerity of my intentions to do good to thy distressed members and for the time to come let my mistakes be on the right hand like those who instead of being Hosts to strangers entertained Angels unawares 68 There is a Well formerly dedicated to Jupiter Ammon which is very warme in the dawning of the day but cooleth as the Sun gets to his height and after recovers its warmth as the Sun beams decline from it So is it with the heat of spirituall zeal of pious souls which the Sunshine of prosperity usually makes languid and well were it if it could be againe recovered as that declineth 69 A certain Merchant travelling through the Lybian Deserts being oppressed with thirst gave ten thousand Duckets for a Cup of water How sensible are men of their bodily wants and how expensive in supplying them but how many would dye eternally through the spirituall thirst of water of life before they would be at the thousandth part of that cost for supply 70 The Indian King of Mexico in his Coronation was cloathed with a garment painted with Skulls and dead mens bones those rude people intending to admonish him in his new Soveraignty of his own mortality And how well were it if with us of more knowledge there would be more remembrance of those chambers of death where the pomps and vanities of this world shall passe but a long reckoning shall remaine to be accounted for 71 The Isle of Saint Thomas upon the coast of Africk is so excessively hot that European bodyes are not able to walke there and the earth perpetually drie there being neither Rivers nor raines but in the mid'st of the Isle there is a mountaine stored with Wood over which a cloud continually hangeth that distilleth so large a dew upon these trees as runneth downe thence so plenrifully as supplyeth the thirst of men and beasts and plants Lord this heart of mine is as a barren and thirsty land where no water is and the heat of inordinate desires so rageth that resolutions of well doing are languid and the exercises of thy grace faint But Oh let the cloud of thy presence be upon the mount of my retirement that from thence may flow plentifull distillations of thy grace for the remedying this barrenness and relieving this faintnesse I will run the way of thy Commandements when thou shalt enlarge my heart 72 A certaine person falling into the hands of the Indian Caniballs being sicke and faint was by them dismissed without farther harme as being judged by them unwholsome food How often is it that those very things which we lament and trouble us by God wise and gracious dispensation become preservations to us 73 The Commons of England being very importunate with Edward the Fourth to make War in France he consented to satisfie their importunity though willing rather to enjoy the fruit of his Wars and toiles and spend the rest of his dayes in peace Therefore he rakes with him a dozen of far Capon-earing Burgesses who had been the most zealous for that expedition these he imployes in all Military services to lye in the open fields stand whole nights upon the Guards causes their Quarters to be beaten up with frequent Alarmes which was so intollerable to those fat paunches accustomed to lye on their soft Downes and that could hardly sit on a Sessions Bench without their nods that a treaty being motioned by King Lewis none were so forward to presse the acceptance of his offers and hasten their returne into England as they and when there to excuse so little done by the King with so great preparations Lord how shall I be able to keep way with the Horsemen if I cannot hold out
with the Foot how shall I be able to stand in the day of battell when in the cause of thy truth there must be a resisting to bloud if I am nothing active in resisting of sin now am I like to abide in the Watch-tower whole nights that like the Disciples cannot watch one houre to prevent temptation Oh let me be therefore much in spirituall exercises now and in cutting off the right hands and plucking out of the right eyes of corrupt desires that I may be ready to deny the conveniences and preciousnesses of life when the emergences of thy interest shall call me to it 74 In the Province of Dariene in South America the mens heads are so hard that they will break a sword smitten on them Alas how many are there of such darkned understandings and seared consciences that those piercing discourses which have deeply penetrated others make on them no impressions but are returned back with scornes and scoffs or dasht in pieces without effect 75 Cardinall Campeius being sent by the Pope Legate into England about the divorce of Henry the eighth from the Lady Katherine Landing at Dover not in such equipage as was by Cardinall Woolsey thought meete for his dignity he sent him divers Mules and Muleters richly habited to furnish his train more pompously these passing with the said Cardinall through the City of London where all the Citizens arranged to expresse their devotion and his wel-come being disturbed by some accident fell a kicking and flinging so as down fell their Coffers broken upon the stones which were thought to containe precious treasures and rich apparell but instead thereof out flew old Bootes and Shooes broken Bridles and Girts to the solemne derision of the red Hats Lord to what purpose will it be to make a shew and but a shew of a long train of graces when my emptinesse shall be manifested at that generall assembly of men and Angells and my hypocrisie will make me but the more abundantly ashamed 77 There is a ground in some part of Italy into which what is driven is so fast detained as not to be pulled out Lord make my heart of such soile that the impressions of thy Word which alas have so often been like untimely fruit shaken off with every wind may be fixed past possibility of removall 78 The Ocean continually floweth into the Mediterranean Sea by the Straits of Gibraltar and the Euxine alwayes floweth into the same Sea by the Proponticke yet is there no appearance that the Mediterranean is more filled though no passage whereby it sends forth its waters is discovered nor seemeth the Euxine Sea any thing lessened though there appeare no supply of waters to it but by some small Rivers Many there be of large revenues but bare purses who yet are strait handed to acts of charity while others free to good works and of much meaner incomes are yet well stored with that which to those good ends they daily spend vaine expences by a private consumption wasteth the one while Gods blessing by a secret retribution returnes with interest what was laid out upon his account 79 Neere Assos there are stones which in few dayes not onely consume the flesh of dead bodies but the very bones too and there is an earth in Palestine of the same operation Lord let the mortification of this body of death in me be of the like speedy execution that those lusts which are more confirmed and seeme more durable may through the power of thy grace have a quick consumption 80 Julius Caesar having taken at Pharsalia and Thapsus the Cabinets of Pompey and Scypio his utter enemies wherein were many Letters from their partakers whereby the men and their designes against Caesar would have been discovered by a rarer example then our dayes have yeilded without once reading the inclosed Epistles caused them all to be immediately burned Lord that book wherein all even my most secret iniquities are written will by the accuser at that day be brought before thee but let thy mercy blot out that hand-writing with the bloud of thy Son that no charge may be framed there either to confound or shame me 80 'T is said of Agesilaus King of Sparto that He ruled his Countrey by obeying it gaining so far upon the Sphori and Senate by complying with what they desired that he might do what himselfe would Lord what freedom is it to be thy servant for I may then do what I will if I will do but what thou commandest in doing thy will I cannot do amisse but in serving thee serve my selfe 81 King Pirrhus being asked Whither Python or Cephesias were the best Fluteplayers answered that in his Judgement Polyperchan was the best Captaine intimating that it was not worth the enquiry who were best skil'd in those Arts which were so little pertinent Lord let me be offertedly ignorant of those things that are wicked and vaine well may the children of this world be wiser in those things of their generation then the children of Light The posterity of Cain are storied to be the first inventers of Arts they might be witty in that upon which they were wholly intent the pious seed had their aimes above they might well overlook what others saw whose eyes were fixt below but when God comes to reckon up the wits of the world those onely will be accounted witty that are so for heaven 82 Summers Henry the Eights Jester kept a Catologue of the indiscretions of the Court which the King desiring to see found his own name there for intrusting an Italian with some thousands of Crowns to buy Barbary Horses but saith the King How if he do returne and bring the Horses I gave him money for 't is then saith Summers onely the blotting out of your name and putting his in How often are we guilty of such improvidences wherein our successe is to be ascribed not to our wisdomes but others folly such successes are like wellfavoured children of an uncomely venter when though we dandle the babe yet we are ashamed of the mother whereas what is done uprightly and done prudently may like nature produce a monstrous birth but hath ever its excuse made for it though it may be blamed it can never be shamed 83 Polienclus a very fat man in an hot day perswading the Athenians in an Oration to make War with King Philip Phocian told the people they should do well to undertake it upon such a mans motion who was likely to do much with his Armor on his back that was in such a sweat with delivering an Oration We are ready to think we shall appeare much for God if we are concerned to resist unto bloud but how unlikely when we come so poorly off in our contention against any poor lust 84 Agesilaus being lame of one of his feete was wont to prevent the mocks of others by merrily jesting himselfe at his own infirmity Lord we are Mephibosheths lame in both our feet when we
the difference between esse and existere that yet are to seek in that great question what they shall do to be saved 95 Marcus Livius Governour of Tarentum for the Romanes when Hanniball tooke it kept the Castle till the City was recovered againe by Fabius who then envying the honour done to Fabius for that exploit said in open Senate that It was not Fabius but himselfe that was the cause Tarentum was taken againe Truth saith Fabius for if thou hadst not lost it I had not won it When man was at first created Liberum arbitrium was made Governour of that estate of innocency but Freewill quickly lost it onely some inconsiderable remnants of naturall light reserved now when glory is given to Christ for mans restoration Freewill steps up and boasts its selfe the cause of mans recovery but no otherwise certainly then that man had not needed to be restored if Freewill had not undone him first 96 Arostotle being sick his Physitians intending applications to him said That he desired to be cured not as a Farrier doth an Horse but as a man capable of an account of the way of the cure that apprehending the reason of those receipts he might the better comply with the distastfullness of those potions which should be received Well were it if in those cures which State Physicians have applyed in Religious causes they would not have dealt altogether by Club Law as if onely bruites had been their Patients but have done us the favour to let us see the reason of the cure that what we could not take as toothsome we might yet as wholsome 97 A certaine wealthy Matron having promised a young man to make him her Heire dyed leaving him inscribed in her Testament who providing a sumptuous funerall for her interment she in the very time of the solemnity being the seaventh day revived and lived divers yeares after to the tedious prorogation of his hopes whence arose that Proverb Mulieri ne credas ne mortuae quidem Lord how often have I been perswaded that this old man had been mortified but yet to the sadding of my heart I find it contrary to expectation revived Lord let not my hopes be disappointed though they be thus delayed and if this body of death do not die suddenly yet let it at last dye utterly 98 Vraba in Peru is of so rich a soile that the seed of Cucumbers and Melons sowne will beare ripe fruits in twenty eight dayes after How happy were it if such were the soile of my heart wherein the immorrall feed of the Word might produce its fruits with the like earlinesse fertility and plenty But alas how hinderly do all good purposes appeare how short of expectation of the time how long shall I be with you how long suffer you 99 Those Countries which are seated under the Line have then their Winter when the Suu is neerest them being then continually vexed with raines and stormes When the Sun of prosperity shines on men most 't is usually Winter in their hearts and the tempests of temptation rage most there then 100 The women in Brazill after their travell soone apply themselves to houshold affaires the husbands in their stead keeping their beds visited and comforted up with restorative broths So fareth it with those vagabond beggers who are well supplyed from doore to doore till they have full cheeks and toating Noses while the poore hous-keeper who is ashamed to beg lookes thin and faint the sweat of his browes being the bread of his family yet without our provision or pity 101 The Emperor Sigismunds Army in his expedition against the Turk were so elevated with confidence of their own number that they said if Heaven should fall they should be able to keep it off with their Halberts who yet were most of them miserably slaine by the Turkes and 't is observed that very few Armies have come off with victory that entred battell fledge upon the wings of selfe-confidence The Frech at Poictiers and Agincourt sold the prisoners before the day but found to their cost the Beare-skine was not to be divided before 't was taken Those that fight in that spirituall combate against sin Sathan and his instruments are then strongest against their enemies when they are weakest in themselves A faint hearted Saunders stands to his tackling in the fire when a confident Pendleton quits the field before any encounter In this warfare we are more then Conquerors but through him that hath loved us 102 William Gardiner who struck the Host out of the Cardinalls hand in Portugall when he had his right hand cut off took it up with his left and kissed it having his left cut off stooped down and kissed that also and being burnt afterwards by degrees rather roasted to death then burnt shew'd such magnanimity as was exceedingly admirable Thomas Benbridge suffering for the Gospell in Queene Maries daies when the fire seiz'd on him not being able to indure the smart thereof cryed I recant and so was taken out of the fire but afterward repenting his fact was the seaventh day after burned with much Christian constancy enduring the torment which through the ill making of the fire was very great God glorifies himselfe not onely in the courage but in the infirmity of his servants Gardiners resolution gave not more evidence to the truth then Benbridg's weaknesse questionably whether so much for Benbridg's soft nature shew'd that it abhorred torment and would faine have escaped the violence of fire but the evidence of truth was so much upon his spirit that seeing the deare things of the flesh and the concernments of the soule could not be joyned the flesh was necessitated though unwillingly to the terriblenesse of torment rather then the soule should deny the clearnesse of that light which shined into it 103 Galba lived in the Reigne of five Emperours in credit and fortunate under all of them but when Emperour himselfe quickly ruined and slaine happier under others Government then his own There is nothing to which the heart of man even in infancy shews more disgust then subjection to anothers Government That naturall jurisdiction that one man hath over another to advise and reprove is not without much reluctancy submitted to by any even then when the conscience witnesseth the debt of obedience to God the heart secretly wisheth the cancelling of that Bond and that there were no such superiority in God Yet what creature needeth so much Government as man other creatures conforme to those rules nature hath enjoyned Man is above all other exorbitant and never more happy then when most confin'd 104 The Chariot Horses of Claudius Caesar which he sent to the Circensan Games at the first starting threw their driver yet performed their course and won the Prize Those that are of meane parts and much exercise are able to do more when engaged then they of greater abilities and leste use 105 The Earle of Wiltshire sent Embassador with some others by
Henry the Eighth to the Pope being admitted to have Audience the Pope held out his Toe to him to kisse which a Spaniell of the Eaths seeing catcht in his mouth but the Earle not liking to take his dogs leavings left the kisse which he had first hanselled Sathan offereth filthy stinking lusts under the pretence of pleasure or honour to us which vile and uncleane sinners greedily catch at and well were it if we were too curious to tast of that Cup wherein those swine have dabled 106 The War betweene the Duke of Burgudy and the Swissers began but for a load of Sheepskins wherein the Drake refusing all offers of accord lost in three battells his honour wealth and life Of how great advantage to us while we are in this world is moderation whereby even easily those differences are accommodated and mischiefes avoyded which our frowardnesse and obstinacy widen unmeasurably and many times involve us in utter ruine past recovery 107 Doctor Harvy reporteth of a Wench living in the Countrey which went to London there in that Forrest of people to conceale her shame and lay down her great belly of which being delivered in the Moneth of September and a few dayes after recovering strength went home where in December following she was brought to bed of another child to the manifest evidence of her dishonesty Lord this is not the least of my infelicities that this heart doth superfoetare a suggestion of Satan is no sooner brought forth but eftsoones my heart is delivered of another nay as Pliny reports of Ponticke Mice even the young ones yet unborne are with young Therefore Lord as to these conceptions give my heart what wilt thou give it even a barren womb and dry breasts 108 A Citizen of Megalopolis being on his death-bed and his friends lamenting by him said to them To dye is not grievous to me hoping in the other world to meet with such good company as Pythagoras Homer Hecatoeus If there be such an association of affections between those where Learning onely hath knit the knot as to make death it selfe to be desired for company let the Apostles Cupio dissolvi be no more wondred at when the company to be enjoyed are God the Judge of all and Jesus the Mediator of the new Testament and the Spirits of just men made Perfect and the bond of Union even the same Spirit 109 Henry the Eighth being an hunting an expected raine fell whereupon one of his Noblemen came to him saying It raines hard my Leig and hath spoiled your sport to whom he said And so let it raine When those things befall us which are above our power by our patient sufferance we bring them under our Command 110 At the battell of Montlhrey a Nobleman of the King of France his side fled without stay to Luzignan and an other of the Earle of Charolois side to Quesnay le Court which are above three hundred miles asunder 't were well if in all Wars the contest were who should flee farthest Certainly in the battell against sin he is surest of the victory that least comes neere it 111 Policletus being to make two Statues contrived one of them according to the exact rules of his Art the other according to the fancy of every one that came by which when he had exposed to publicke view the first was applauded by all the other laught at by those that had themselves given direction for its fashion What itching fingers hath every meane person to be medling with those in publicke imployments and they who cannot ken their A. B. C. will yet take upon them to censure their Teachers and direct for the management of their function Yea Lord we are ready to say Why is it thus and to think if we had the disposing of worldly affairs those things should never have been which have happened but we would more compendiously effect those ends which we think God proposeth to himselfe But were it so how would unruly passions and unbridled affections distort us and lead us into factions and fooleries to the vexation of others and disquieting of our selves and perverting those ends which culminantly should have been in our eyes 112 On an Iland on the North of Scotland there is a Fowle which layeth but one egg and that fastened by the slime which accompanies its production at the small end on some stone which she hatcheth by holding it in her foot but if it be removed from the place where it was fastned no Art can fix it there againe Lord thy Spirit suggesteth an holy motion and fastneth on the stone of my heart with that evidence of the holinesse justnesse and goodnesse of it which accompanieth it which if attended to by a carefull hand may be brought forth to an happy perfection but if it be let fall from my heart by suffering that evidence to coole by negligence or be disturbed by worldlinesse 't is almost impossible in the like manner to resettle it 113 There is an Hill upon the Coast of America where such plenty of Sea Fowle roost that they cover it thick with their dung so as no Plant grows there which the husbandmen carry thence for the manuring of their grounds which makes them beare with incredible fertility Lord to that end doth Satan bespread my heart with the abominable filth of uncleane suggestions that a good thought might have no abiding there But let that wicked one be disappointed of his end that what he intended should kill may become usefull to me that thy grace may be actuated and exercised by what he designed should decay it and the abhorrency of his pest may make me delight in and be more laborious in thy service 114 Alexander the Tyrant of Pheren seeing a Tragedy acted and being moved to teares by a lamentable passage in it rose up and said to one of his familiars that He was ashamed to shew himselfe commiserating the fained sufferings of others and not to take pity of the miseries by himselfe brought upon his own Citizens Lord thou hast disposed the heart of man to compassion no heart so stony but admits of some degrees distressed orphans and diseased Lazers we cannot but relent to though not releeve our greatest cruelty is to our selves to that best part of our selves our souls which may so justly lament and cry these are the wounds which I received in the house of my friends 115 Rought having been at the Martyrdome of Austoo returning home was met by a friend and asked Where he had been who answered To learne the way which he went afterwards in a fiery Chariot 'T is better to go to the house of mourning then the house of feasting Sadnesse contracting the soule Mirth dilating it But 't is excellent to be present at the departure of the servants of God many rare experiences are to be learned there Those so travelling in the very Thorniest part of the way to heaven give both choice direction and confirmation The
Devill then exercising them most and with greatest variety of temptations and those dying Swans never singing so sweetly as at their expiration 116 Charles the Seaventh King of France having a jealousie that those about him by the instigation of his son did intend to poyson him abstained from meat so long that when he would have eaten he could not his passages being shrunk up with too much abstinence and so dyed miserably of famine There is a time when Gods Spirit strives with man motions to good are frequent and vehement upon the soule when with a certaine violence we are drawne to good the feare of God is before our faces as with Balaam that we dare not rush into sin but if these strivings be still resisted these motions slighted and this feare repel'd the time will be when God will say my Spirit shall not alwayes strive 117 In the conspiracy of Otho against Galba when Otho had invaded the Army and was acknowledged by it there was a strong report that Otho was slaine which very many of the Senators and Knights of Rome hearing presented themselves to Galba professing their sorrow that the occasion to shew how much they would have done for his security was taken away of which yet when the truth proved otherwise not a man did once appeare in his defence Lord when thy justice seemes to be suspended and because thou punishest not speedily therefore thou wilt not at all how daring and presumptious is this heart what promises of pleasure and security in sin doth it make but when conscience is awakened and the expectations of thy vengeance received it is not lesse ready to despond then it was before presumptious and daring Therefore Lord though I desire to serve thee out of a principle of onenesse with thee and affection to thee yet no bonds are too many to restraine rebellious corruptions and I had rather the Rod should be ever held over me then I should grow wanton through the want of it 118 Mount Taurus hath his head continually covered with snow though elevated far toward the Sun when the much more low lying valleys are parcht with excessive fervor because the beams of the Sun passing upon those Hills obliquely affect them with little heat whereas below the heat is doubled by reverberation Those that are as I may call them single-guilt Auditors that give the word an hearing and but an hearing are left with cold and snowy affections but those have their hearts like the Disciples journying to Emaus burning within them that reflect the word back againe by meditation 119 Philip Duke of Burgundy was wont to say That the Citizens of Gaunt love their Princes Son well but their Princes never Such is the fond heart of man disliking and weary of what is in present reaching after what is to come which when obtained we as much disgust and loath as we before fondly pursued 120 Grinoeus lying upon his death bed said That he was going to that place where now Luther and Calvin agreed well together The differences of Judgment that are between good men will be composed or at least qualified in this life when persecution cometh but they will be extinguished in the other world when we shall see no more in aenigmate but face to face but the animosities that are betweene evill men arising from corrupt hearts and cursed lusts shall be exasperated in Hell where like the Army of Midian every mans sword shall be against his brother the Devils shall torment men and men one another and there shall be consent in nothing but weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth 121 Lewis the Eleventh King of France having been a great oppressor of his subjects by excessive Taxes when he grew old resolved to redresse that and other mischiefs whereby they had been oppressed but was in a short time after this purpose prevented by death There are twelve hours in the day wherein men may work but we are bad accomptants and reckon for the most part that but five which is past Eleven and therefore as to all good purposes begin too late but happy is he that alwayes makes use of the present for he is sure not to be disappoynted nor misreckoned 122 Three Martyrs being bound to one stake one of them finding his heart sadded and fainting through the apprehension of the danger went from under the chaine and fell down and prayed and therein finding that comfort he wanted rose up joyfully and going to his fellows together with them couragiously suffered Lord we can saile no further in this troublous Sea then the gales of thy Spirit drive us if those faile we are presently becalmed even then when our course is most vigorous 't is thou that not onely winds up our soules but art the spring that moves them if that be down their motion to thee-ward ceaseth for 't is thou that gives us to will and to do of thy good pleasure 123 Agesilaus hearing news of the overthrow of Pisander at the very time of his joyning battell with the Thebans caused the contrary tidings to be reported in his Camp least his Souldiers should be discouraged and came out himselfe with a Garland of flowers on his head and publickly sacrificed to the Gods giving them thanks for the goodnews We have seen much such politick Religion in our dayes when there hath been praying and fasting and giving of thanks not according to the truth of our concernments but mens ambitious ends But Lord though thou hast been thus mocked and Religion made a stalking Horse to Policy yet be thou found neverthelesse of those that seek thee in truth and thy services not lesse used because they have been thus abused 124 Theramenes coming out of an house was no sooner abroad but the house fell down and crushed them that were in it which good fortune the Athenians congratulating he said O Jupiter what is it for which thou hast farther reserved me And not long after engaging for the Common-wealth against the thirty Tyants was by them put to death Lord when thy goodnesse succoureth us in our dangers and giveth us those deliverances which thou deniest to others let us take care not so much to enjoy our selves in that safety thou hast vouchsafed us as to answer those ends wherefore thou hast preserved us 125 I read of the sister of Edward the third married to David King of Scots that she was called Jane Make-peace How fortunate were it if not every Kingdome but every Family had one deserving that name For what animosities are bandied between kindred and kindred neighbour and neighbour man and wife which an indifferent skill piously affected might easily compose 126 'T is said of the Army of Vitellius that in their march from Germany against Otho were vigorous and full of courage in induring the troubles and hardships of the War and ready to execute the commands of their Captains but in their march out of the City against Vespatian they were faint
for War but prompt to all sedition Lord we are then ready to dispute thy Commands when we are unwilling to do them and we are then ready to charge thy wayes as full of difficulty when we are full of sloth We thinke this will excuse our neglect to say That we do what we can when indeed we do but what we will measuring our ability not by our strength but lazinesse yea we quarrel with discipline and find many faults with the rigour or equity of it 't is not because the rule is not straight but we are crooked and it is irksome to comply with it 127 'T is said of Galba that He could not so well be accounted virtuous as without vices 'T is not seldome that civility is mistaken for grace and we please our selves that we are not as others are then that we are what we should be Peter speaking of those that may apostatize expresseth them not by their actings of grace but Their escaping of the pollutions of the world The sinfullnesse of some sins may be discovered and through the light of conscience there may be an abhorring against them where yet there is no hearty closing with good not affectionate application to the wayes of Righteousnesse Lord let therefore the new creature be formed in me whereby I may not onely Be purged from dead workes but purified to serve the living God 128 Thomas Haukes going to the fire was requested to give them a signe whether the paine of burning were such as might be with patience endured which he promised to do by lifting his hands over his head so being in the fire and now to all mens apprehensions past moving the holy man remembred his promise and lifting his armes aloft clapped his burnt stumps together three times and then sunk down without any further appearance of life That the torment of fire should be tollerable to the body is past imagination unlesse it had first lost the sence of feeling but God that made the Bush burne but not burne up and torments bodies in Hell with fire without consumption can make fire consume the body but not torment Yea if men can make their consciences naturally tender past feeling by custome in sin is it much that God should make the body past feeling that is dedicated to his service and so cause a bed of fire to become a bed of doune Lord if such an exigence by thy Providence befall me let me not be solicitous what the suffering is but for thy assistance to beare it 129 In the contest between Vitellius and Vespatiau for the Empire of Rome there were overtures made to Vitellius of agreement to which he enervated by sloth and luxury was willing to hearken consulting what place of preferment to Condition for being contented himselfe to forge he had been Emperour if others would not have remembred it It often falleth out that they who have led the formost ranks in Religious designes while godlinesse hath been prosperous when it hath met with smart opposition have so far degenerated as by a shamefull apostasie to side with the adversary glad of any poor advantages that may be had thence not ashamed to forget they were professors but when they observe others remember their former profession 130 A Schoolemaster walking with one of his Scholers by a neighbours Orchard the Lad pluckt a Fig that hung over the Pale which the Master seeing rebuked him sharply and tooke it from him but presently eate it up himselfe Oh the very many who have greedily devoured those things which they counted a crime for others to look upon and have declaimed that as sacriledge wherewith they have filled their own Purses having weather-cock judgements turned about with the wind of their own conveniences and can tell you as Ployden by the Hogs That the case is altered 131 Protogenes that famous Limner was seaven yeares in drawing the Picture of Jalisus which when Apelles saw he said That the grace of the work was much but allayed by the length of the time I have heard such Sermons as have been Elephantis partus the workes of those who have thought a Sermon cannot well be conceived under a yeare or some moneths at least But I could never meet with any answering the expectations of so tedious a birth but they have been outdone as to the ends of a Sermon which is to informe the judgment and stir the affections by those who have brought forth such issues two or three times in a weeke at least 132 Pyrrus being admitted by the Athenians into their Castle Pyrra at his departure advised them Never more to admit any Prince upon the like account againe for it was too great a temptation for an ordinary fidelity to avoid Time was when I gave my soule that liberty to discourse with temptation that it was not my strength but thy mercy Lord brought me off let not that successe make me more adventurous but the sense of my danger for the time to come more circumspect and wary 133 In the fields about the City Narvi in Italy drought causeth dirt and rainy weather makes it dusty How strangly contrary are the effects of the meanes of grace on the disobedient the bright rayes of divine truth giving occasion to corrupt reason to resist it more strongly and the gentle showers of the word raise the dust of vile affections and passions by a certaine Antiperistasis like Salt in a Pot of Snow conducing to their farther obduration that of their own nature would mollifie and soften 134 Some travellers in Ethiopia finding some trees in a valley convenient for their repose alighted there to ease themselves ad cattell which while they were doing one among them observing a black cloud behind him advised them to a speedy departure from that place which they had scarcely done but so great a torrent of waters came downe there where before was nothing but dry ground driving all before it so as had certainly been their ruine if they had not complyed with that advice I observe by those clouds of unruly passions arising in my heart upon the presentation of some objects that my soul will he mightily endangered if those occasions of sin be not avoided Oh that my retreat may be therefore as speedy as my danger is certaine 135 A motion being made in the Senate for the restoring of some Achaians to their countrey ☜ who had been long banished thence which being much argued too and fro in the Senate Cato stands up and tells them It seemes they were not busie that could attend so long dispute whether Rome or Greece should bury those decrepit Achaians If we compare our ambitious thoughts and emulous animosities with our haftning to our graves we shall find our funeralls deserve our care more then our designs for while we contrive how to supplant one another death playes the Jacob with us and supplants us all 136 The Embassadors of the late King or Sweden having been over with us
our Gallants had soone taken up their fashion of wearing Muffs a mode unagreeing with our temperate Climate so as the weaker Sex imbrace it more for ostentation then need and unbecoming the masculine Sex who should be men of action and ready prim'd to execution which made me wonder that we being so extreamly self-lovers and selfe-conceited should so far value others inventions as so unbecomingly to be their Apes and that the fashions of every Countrey should have so many followers those onely of the Kingdome of Heaven excepted 137 There is a fountaine in Dodone which extinguisheth lighted firebrands put into it but lighteth those that are extinct Lord if I come to thy word fraught with carnall wisdome I go blinder away then I came Therefore let my mind be darke as to the consultations of flesh and bloud without fire as to worldly desires that it may be enlightned by thy counsells and enkindled with an holy zeal to thy service 138 They say that a great part of the Land of Aegypt was Sea but by the earth which Nilus brings down with it and sends abroad in its overflowings is now become firme land and exceeding fruitfull Lord this heart of mine was all Sea estuating with raging passions and productive of innumerable monstrous desires but by thy grace it is now in some part good soile Oh let this Sea diminish daily and this good ground grow every day more and more fruitfull 139 Our Countriman saith That he observed in his travells in Italy that where our Lord Christ hath one votary the Virgin Mary hath twenty much more frequent Altars and enriched Temples and services more abundantly repeated So taking is superstition that whereas true Religion being of divine appointment hath but rare and calmly affected applycants humane inventions hath Tritum atrium many and zealous devotoes Bring thy son say the Abiezrites to Joash that he may dye because he hath throwne downe the Alter of Baal We heard no such thing before spoken of when Gods Alters were said desolate 140 There is a tree called Pacovere in Brazil which beareth fruit at a certaine time very plentifully but never save that once How many such are there who at some fit have appeared gallantly upon a Religious account but have been never after heard of as engaged in any godly designe that like Hushai have stept in to play their part but are never mentioned more But Lord let my soule be like the Orange tree full of successive fruit and let not the tree fall but so as that it may beat downe some of the Devills buildings with it 141 There is a people in the South of Africa which though they have twenty wives a piece or more yet bury their children assoone as borne not being willing to be combred with their education Our teeming hearts are Instar viginti incredibly fruitfull of corrupt thoughts but though they will conceive and bring forth 't is our prudence to stifle them in the birth for they cannot be brought up without not our trouble onely but our ruine 142 The Tiger they say when hungrey is a very valiant creature not dreading any enemy but when full will flee from a dog Many have there been very daring and undaunted in the ingaging in and patrocination of good workes when their estates were mean but when they have been warme with wealth and well furred with large revenues any feeble opposition hath quelled their courages 143 In the time of Dionisius that Sicilian Tyrant the Sea was fresh for an whole day in the Bay of Siracusa Lord my heart hath a naturall saltnesse not one drop is to be fetched thence but hath an originall unsavourinesse But Oh thou that art able wouldest cure that otherwise incurable disease speake the word and thy servant shall be made whole smite thou the Rock of my heart with the Rod of thy word that thence may flow the living spring of divine charity 144 Isocrates is said to sell one Oration of his for twenty Talents Surely Learning is not so much degenerated as the price is fallen but if the inticing words which mans wisdome teacheth be at so deare a rate how precious should those volumes be of which Lord thy holy Spirit is the inditer 145 A certaine Samian named Elpis on the African shore met a Lion ☞ from whom flying and recovering the next tree the beast draws neere making shews that he had a bone in his throat with many supplicant postures requires his help who at length perswaded to descend and performing the office desired had thanks returned him by the Lion with a constant tribute of the beasts he caught during all the time of his abode in that coast 'T is not rare to find high flowne persons like this Lion submissive to and supplicating the help of those of meaner consideration in their necessities but it is rare to find such imitating this Lion in their gratitude 146 There is a beast called Catoblepas whose eyes whosoever sees dyes immediately but yet according to its name having an heavy head looks alwayes downward and so being seldome seen is lesse pernicious How virulent and ragefull are those instruments of Satan and whither would not their malice extend its selfe but that the divine Providence hath so ordered it that those curst Cowes should have short hornes 147 The Sea-Tortoises being delighted with the morning Sun so long please themselves in that injoyment that their shell being dried with the heat of the Sun they cannot merg themselves when they would but floating above the water become an easie prey to them that designe the carching them The soul that too long and unretiringly beslows its selfe on the pleasures of this world will find its selfe in no capacity to engage in spirituall affaires but at hand to be taken captive by the Devill at his will and in a promptnesse to be debauched by every temptation 148 'T is observed the Storks which in great numbers come in Summer and depart in Winter are never perceived when they come though that they are come be apparent The infusions of grace in those piously educated though the time when may many times not be discovered yet the being of it if it be will be manifest and by the effects of it evident 149 Histories tell us and my selfe have known that where Wood hath been grub'd Fountains have sprung up where before there were none If we would but pluck up those inordinate desires which waste our estates in vaine superfluities what abundance would there be of profitable conveniences to supply others 150 Agesilausbeing desired by one to heare a man that exactly counterfeited the Nightingale answered it would not need for he had often heard the Nightingale her selfe When we are called upon to heare the determinations of Counsels and Fathers and to observe the practice of Antiquitie which it were well if we did exactly imitate the truth it might be replyed It were not amifse but that we have God himselfe
Successor Thus we daily see a greater disgust because of some petty differences in circumstantials where yet there is agreement in the vital part of fundamental truth and holy living then because of those notorious profanesses which unchristian a man and make him as an Heathen man and a Publican 191 A Crocodile out of the River Niger drew in with ihs tail nine slaves chained together and devoured them but the Chain not being digestible proved his destruction being found in him dead Lord at how great sins dare this heart of mine venture and at how long a train as the Ox drinketh down water in huge quantity and with great delight but there is a Chain of guilt with it surely deadly that can neither be vomited nor vented this makes me cry My bowels my bowels I am pained at my very heart but the comfort is there is Balm in Gilead and a Physitian there 192 At the siege of Rochel a certain Souldier from the walls observing the Duke of Anjou afterwards Henry the 3d. to stand viewing the Fortifications fired at him which one of the Esquires of his body perceiving in the very moment stept before him and saved the life of his Lord by the losse of his own Lord the arrows of thy vengeance are levelled at the Caul of my heart and it is justice that they should smite me under the fifth rib but let that Jesus who saves his people from their sins call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a middle person step between Let the chastisement of my peace be upon him and by his stripes let me be healed 193 Marcellus at the taking of Syracusa being greatly desirous to save the life of Archimedes gave strait charg through his army That every person should endeavour his safety but a Souldier breaking in upon him at his study not knowing him slew him How much better is it to be one of those marked out by him with the writers Ink-horn by his side how much greater security in being one of those who sigh and cry for the abominations done in the midst of the City how much more certain safety had Jeremiah Baruch and Ebedmelech when Jerusalem was stormed by Nebuchadnezzar being those to whom God had promised their lives for a prey 194 Fabius Maximus dying suddenly the day before the end of his Consulship Rebius sued to be Consull for the few hours of that year which remained Lord how short hast thou made our lives if compared with the Crow or Stag and how much shorter are they made by many crosse accidents and how much shorter doe we make them by our many intemperances and how much shorter yet are they made by thy just judgement when for our presumption and carelesness in thy worship we are sick and weak and some fall asleep and yet how fond are we of this little remnant that we often hazard an immortal soul for it But Oh do thou direct my aims to that which admits of no termination as to extent of time or enjoyment 195 Some Roman Souldiers flying from Amida when taken by the Persians wandred in the deserts almost choaked with thirst till they came to a deep well whence yet they had nothing to draw the water with till necessity found out this invention They pull'd off their shirts and cut them out into long slips which they tyed together making a bunch at the end by which through a manifold repetition squeezing the hunch they drew up water enough to quench their thirst When we come to the word to draw water out of the wells of salvation we are unfurnished of Pitchers for that purpose our ears are dull of hearing our hearts fat and hard to understand here a little and there a little a frequent repetition must be often applicatious for of much we carry away but a very little our judgements but a little informed our affections but a little rectified or elevated Alas alas they that think rare attendances wil serve the turn or that they shall be told but what they know manifest that they are not sensible of their own dullnesse nor consider that the Apostle Peter thought it meet to put those often in remembrance who knew those things and were established in the present truth 199 A certain person that had sold a street of houses and laid out the money in costly apparrel came to Court and being in a prease there cryed to them To make way for one that had an hundred Tenements on his back Lord thou hast said That thou art pressed under our sins as a Cart is pressed under sheaves and the burden of our iniquity brings down from thee a burden of punishment yet is the weight of sin fo far from being grievous that instead of lamenting the pressure we boast of the number but if we are not weary and heavy laden with the sense of our transgressions now they will at that day press us down into the lowest hell 200 Neer the Lake Agnano there is a Cave into which for the experience of Travellers the neighbouring Inhabitants are wont to put their Dogs which are no sooner in but they are as dead immediately with eyes set and tongues hanging out but taken thence presently and thrown into the Lake they recover for which cause those Dogs no sooner see a stranger coming but if not timely prevented away they get them packing to the adjoyning mountains not to be got again to make a new experiment Lord thou saidst In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt dye the death and we never descend into acts of iniquity but we are afresh dead in trespasses and sins and that irrecoverably if not washed by faith and repentance in the fountain opened for sin and for uncleannesse but if we have so escaped when temptation again presents it self shall we not get us packing by no means to be brought to another tryall 200 Cleopatra the wife of Cyricoenus having taken Sanctuary at Antioch after her husbands overthrow her Sister Gryphina the wife of Gryphus most importunately solicited her death and though Gryphus much perswaded her desivery yet she her self commanded the Souldiers in to dispatch her but a few dayes after the same Gryphina falling into the hands of Cyricoenus was by him made a sacrifice to his Wives Ghost They are not our times alone that by their mutability have taught men that great lesson of moderation all ages have witnessed That the Lord is at hand a just Judge to execute vengeance on those who have not by their miseration to others shewed their sense that they also are in the body even those whom God sent out to be his Executioners he hath afterward plagued because they did their work without pitty OCCASIONALL Observations 1 IN that emendation as 't is thought to be of the English Tongue by the addition of forreign words of divers Languages though possibly we may speak more finely yet not which is the end of speech more significantly but alwayes more laborioufly few
desirous to know the time of the day I viewed the Clocks and by the first I saw it was past eleven by the next but half an hour after ten the third was as much in the other extream and the fourth dissented from the other three then I applyed my self to the Dials but I found them as the Clocks onely agreeing in disagreeing from one another hence I concluded there could be no dependance on them who concurred so little with themselves I therefore turned my selfe to observe the setting of the Sun which though not alwayes the same yet hath a motion ever regular and agreeable to it self and to dispose of my affairs by that The variety of opinions among learned men manifesteth That there can be no certainty where there is so much dissent therefore in the conduct of my life Lord give me Nullius jurare in verba Magistri and to respect not so much what men say who can and do erre as what thy Word saith which is alwayes consonant to its selfe and erreth not but as misapprehended or mis-reported by us 14 Two persons being in competition for a place of honour a third engageth vigorously for one of them against the other the obliged person soon forgetteth those civilities done him having obtained his ends and grows shy of his Benefactor being confident that his merits call'd for that requitall which he meant not but the dis-obliged person graves the opposition of that third person on his mind with the pen of a Diamond and catcheth at the next opportunity to shew his animosity by a smart Animadversion Vespatians Captains relieved not the Citizen of Taracene in the miseries which for their interest they suffered when they of Capua are by them severely punished for the injuries which they had offered Lord who would displease thee to please men when our services are rewarded by thee not according to their merit but thy goodness and our dis-services through thy Son are both forgiven and forgotten The businesse of Vriah is then past over with silence when Davids uprightnesse after many Generations hath a frequent and honourable memoriall 15 Being abroad one day and without a Dinner a Comrade who had forethought the worm would bite had provided a piece of powdered Beef of which he was willing to communicate which though it were dry of it self and not a drop of drink to wash it down yet I eat it up very savourily and as Darius by his puddle-water gave it great commendation Lord how many of thy mercies through our fullnesse are nauseated by us which want would make more relishing and our necessities render precious 16 Having a design to plant a nursery with Crab-stocks I found many in Hedgrows and other places which I had many times before past by and not observed Lord fix the aim of my soul on thy glory and my affections on things above then those opportunities tending to spiritual advantage will be with promptnesse embraced which before were neglected or not observed 17 Upon the Rode to London I met a Team at a stand and neither skill of the Driver nor strength of the Horses could move the Cart out of the slough till another Team came which joyned with the former drew it out presently The cryes of particular Christians have not removed those evils wherewith they have been pressed when the united supplications of the Church have been heard so well pleased is the Lord with the unity of his people that what they agree of on earth he hath promised shall be done for them in Heaven 18 I fell one time into company where he was counted of the best wit that could devise the shortest Grace and most stomacks there were too squeamish to digest a Thanksgiving that did descend to express particulars But surely such wit will be of no use in the Kingdome of Heaven and those affections will no wise agree with that place where praise shall be the only imployment of glorified spirits 19 Walking in the streets I met a Cart that came neer the wall so I stept aside to avoid it into a place where I was secure enough but being desirous to be out of all possibility of danger I got off further Lord sin is that great evill of which thou complainest that thou art pressed as a Cart is pressed how can it then but bruise me to powder Oh let me therefore think my self never sufficiently secured from its danger nor the occasions of it far enough avoided 20 I met a Coffin made of such sweet wood adorned with such curious hinges deckt with such stately appurtenances as seemed to give ornament to death it self and make a grave desireable which yet in a few hours was to be covered with dust How is the life of man imployed about and intent upon matter of ostentation and how much of a vain shew is used in death it self that so fully discovers that all is but a vain shew 21 Being in company with some persons one among them undertook to relate a story which he had but begun as the rest fell to other discourse among themselves so as that he was fain to beg their attention by many Parenthesis of commendation that it was a very pretty story How vain is it to prostitute words to those that either think they have too much wit of their own to value the conceits of others or that have too little to apprehend them 22 Horsemen say that ill-bred Mares usually bring the fattest and well-favouredst Colts which yet afterwards prove unhandsome Jades whereas those of a good strain are meager and unsightly for the first yeer but after are of rare shapes and proof The freest and fattest promises are usually of the leanest performances whereas they that engage slowly performe surely 23 On the Rode to Guildford I passed by a Chalk-pit neer the way the top of which was railed about I observed it was not for fence but caution for the avoiding the stupendious precipice whereby the unwary traveller might be endangered Lord if thou hast set us bounds in thy word 't is not out of envy or ill will unto us as the Devil suggested to our first parents but where-ever we are by thee limitted it is for our advantage and security not our detriment 24 Viewing one night a bon-fire made upon an hill a great way off and comparing it with the evening star it seemed bigger brighter then that but after I had looked upon it a while I perceived it to decay in greatnesse and light till at last it was not to be discerned but the star retained still the same quantity beauty though now and then a Cloud for a time did obscure it Many have appeared like burning and shining lights while the fuel of worldly advantages hath lasted but when that faileth they disappear when those Lamps lighted with the Celestial fire of divine grace though the clouds of crosse occurrences or mist of temptation may sometimes hinder their appearing so glorious
yet they are alwayes the same by a regular and unchangeable brightnesse 25 A neighbour of mine had a little childe which with a fall put its arm out of joynt which the father by its unquietnesse perceiving was going to a Chyrurgion for remedy but while he was in consultation about it the Childe got another fall and thereby had his arme set right again so that it found ease and grew cheerfull upon it immediately Lord why are we out of heart when crosse occurrences befall us and think our selves undone when the great ones frown on us and are ala mort when our expectations are disappointed thou art he who by thy all-disposing providence canst make the very same things as the thrust of the Spear the impostumed person harm and heal us 26 A Rose-bush clipt in May and so disappointed of bearing fruit in June yet gave forth a plentifull crop of Roses in November Lord if the Spring and Summer of my life hath been like Oneâ—imus unprofitable and without that truit which might well be expected 't is of thy mercy that I was not eradicated when as the fruitless fig-tree was accursed though the time of figs was not yet come Oh therefore let my former barrenness be recompenced with such a fruitfullness as may out-goe the usual account of a November season 27 I passed by an Ants Nest set upon so steep a bank that their provision as fast as they brought it thither tumbled down again to the bottom which they as Sisiphus with his stone with continual labour setcht up again yet for divers years changed not the scituation of the Nest though a much more convenient place was hard by How many inconveniences do foolish and absurd customs beget us while like the Irish who tye the Plow to the Horse taile we pertinaciously stick to those practices which reason condemneth as inconvenient or erroneous when a more sober advice would easily present us with that which would be more usefull though lesse used 28 I saw a sheep in a very rainy day whose well-grown fleece as it kept him warm so it drank in the wet and thereby made the inconveniency of the rain much greater As the grace of God makes a man able with patience to bear his sufferings so it makes his sufferings more for beside his particular griefs he hath a fellow-feeling of all the concernments of Gods people too 29 I overtook a friend travelling to his house which though it were a Mile out of my way yet for his good company sake I went along with him Lord if thy providence effect thy glory though out of the way of my temporal advantage yet let me not be unwilling to comply with thy providence though with the losse of my present accommodations 30 A box wherein was some quantity of Civet being opened the scent thereof diffused it self to all the by-standers but was not alike resented by all not that the odour had not an equall diffusion but because their senses were not alike good or prepared to the reception of it If there shall be different enjoyments of the glory which shall be hereafter revealed 't is probable the odds will be not in the different manner of revelation but measure of apprehension Lord let therefore my heart be enlarged with the love of thee now that it may be filled with the more enjoyment of thee then 31 I saw an Orchard planted with choice of and the choicest of fruits but no good husbandry bestowed upon it afterwards but suffered to lye undigged and over-grown with Nettles and cropt by Cattel so that the Trees were hinderly and shrubbed having nothing neer attained that growth which otherwise they would I heard a Sermon the other day wherein I heard such smart and seasonable exhortations as possest my soul with many pious purposes which yet alas wanted that good husbandry which should have caused those thoughts to flourish into good works I am sensible I have lost a precious advantage I will therefore bestir me to recollect them out of the rubbish of impertinencies which lye in my heart and will take care of them that they be fenced with circumspection stak't with resolution digged about with religious exercise wed with caution and watered with prayer 32 An Hog was wallowing in his mire while the neat Cat sat licking her self and washing her face not willing to wet her foot though for fish so much desired I praised her cleanlinesse and would have done more but that I considered it was not out of election but disposition that she was so cleanly Lord some sins are escaped me not because I have chosen thy precepts but I have a natural disinclination to them if thou hadst never forbidden it I should never have been a drunkard that cloud in the brain and fretting heat in the stomack which but one draught between meals alwayes occasioneth is a sufficient bridle against that intempenance But Oh that all the considerations which Divine or Humane Light afford were sufficient to check those sins to which my constitution violently prompteth 33 Going by water the water-man was very curious of my sitting if I turned about he said It hindered his Boats going every motion was to him a fault and my tongue could hardly be removed from side to side but 't was complained of and this that our passage might be more speedy How nice a thing is peace of conscience how small a more offends it not acts of sin only but purposes to sin nor those only but abortive motions yea concupiscences not consented to the pure eyes of an infinitely holy God are something paralled by the quick sence of a tender conscience 34 The bloud in the Arteries is full of spirits and pulse which it looseth in the veins and therefore is returned again into the heart to receive there new heat and refection Every institution though in its first instruments it were lively and profitable yet in its after traductions it generally grows languid and corrupt and had need of a review Religion in the Primitive times was like bloud in the Arteries but now as in the Veins and sure it had need be often returned to the heart again rectified by the Word 35 I saw a Tree which grew by a too potent neighbour that over-grew it and dript it shrewdly but yet it thrust forth its boughs endeavouring to gain the open Heavens and the Suns uninterrupted aspect Lord thou knowest those inordinate desires which grow so neer my heart how much my soul is dript by them and how weak all my actings of grace are because of them if it be thy will let them be grub'd up by the roots if otherwise let my soul be averse and turn away from it endeavouring after a free acting to thee that I may partake of the dews of thy grace and the shining of thy favour 36 In a field of Oats I observed there were some taller then the rest and of a much fairer shew which when I had
If vile and revengeful thoughts get room once in our hearts unlesse they be mortified with much contrition and holy sorrow they will shew themselves in sad effects notwithstanding all the bars that nature or reasn can lay upon them 71 I saw a Land-skip having Mountains and Trees and Castles and Groves which though particularly expressing that variety in a Landskip requisite yet those several things were so joyntly placed that together they represented a mans head Gods dealings with his people have such various aspects that they seem nothing lesse then to promote their benefit and appear nothing different from the distractions and confusions which befall other men yet are they by the divine providence so disposed that according to the Apostle they do co-operate to effect their good 72 I rode by a field which was very good ground but yet bear a pittyful crop not but that the Land was in very good heart and fit for an ample production but the husbandman presuming upon its strength had been wanting to give it that tillage as was requisite How many by too much confidence have miscarryed through presumption of their abilities ingaging in divine affairs with so cold preparation that they have come off poorly without that answer upon their spirits that might have been otherwise expected 73 I saw a vessel of water upon the ground and I observed it spread its self to every part to the searching of every cranny and filling of every crevice The new-birth is said to be by the water and the spirit the spirit in that birth being as water not only that it cleanseth the soul but that it diffuseth it self universally leaving not any part unsearched not any lust unmortified but ingaging the soul to cleanse from all filthinesse of flesh and spirit and perfecting holinesse in the fear of God 74 I had a Lamb whose Dam forsook it assoon as it was yeaned they brought it home and suckled it upon one of the Cows which in a few dayes grew as fond of it as of her own Calfe the Lamb grew up and applyed her self wholly to the Kine bleating after them if at any time she mist them and by no means associating her self with the sheep her natural companions When God made a Covenant with Abraham and his Seed he gives this as a reason Because he knew Abraham that he would teach his children and his household after him to keep the Commandements of the Lord Good education having so great an influence that it generally engageth men to a profession sometimes so introduceth grace that the time when conversion hath been wrought is not discovered and we may impute it somewhat to this cause that we find a series of religious persons in Davids family and some others Good cause to be perswaded that the faith which dwelt in the Grandmother Lais and Mother Eunice would be in the son Timothy also when from a child he had known the holy Scriptures 75 The beams of the Sun as they are scattered at large do not much heat when at the same time contracted in a burning-glasse they inflame combustible matter fitly placed The beams of Gospel light as they are diffused in publick preaching much affect not but if gathered together by recollection and applyed by serious consideration then is the soul like to take the holy fire of divine grace at them 76 I rode by a Garden where I saw store of grasse growing in the walks and other plants heaped one upon another in disorder which had a most ungratefull sight in that place which yet did not much amiss in the adjoyning field Those that have given their names to God they are his Garden and disorderly lusts raging there are much more provoking the eyes of divine glory then in those who are professedly profane the man without a wedding garment might have scap't at least without so severe an Animadversion if he had not intruded to that nuptiall feast 77 I had a Clove-Gilliflower of a very good sort which being set in a cold ground and not that care had of it that should have been the first and second years it bear Cloves but the third year only single white ones If the heart be planted with the generous purposes and the most noble resolutions yet will there be a forsaking of the first love and a degenerating into low and carnall complyances where there is not a constant culturage exercised and care had to keep up the bent of the soul and actuate grace for if the last things be not better then the first the latter end will be worse than the beginning 78 I saw two parcels of Cattel turned into one Close of ground where at their first meeting they shewed their distinction by their separation and hostility but after they had so entred common for a few dayes their opposition ceased and they mingled one with another without any difference There is nothing preserveth Faction like Separation a community in priviledges and preferments dissolves those distinctions and animosities which would have been still kept a foot by a diverse aspect The Pope in that great defection from him renewed in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth when he saw there was no likelihood of a present return yet kept his faction on foot by that Bull forbidding them any community with the Protestants in worship whereby that party was kept visible and entire which otherwise would have mouldred away and have been swallowed up of that which was more prevalent and they were preserved as Recusants that would have been lost as Papists 79 A Landskip having the particulars so disposed of as that together they represented a mans head being shew'd to many none apprehended it other then a Landskip as it seemed to be but being told that it was a mans head and seeing the reason of the representation and their fancy possest with it they could not apprehend it as any other When men unacquainted with the mystery of Godlinesse are conversant in the externall worship of God they are intent only upon the opus operatum and are taken up meerly with the outward performance but when the vail is taken off their hearts they then perceive there is a further design ordinances being so disposed by the divine grace that the result of them may be the inward man and the dedication of the affections of the heart to God 80 Being ingaged in a long and difficult employment and considering how much was yet to do I grew faint and half resolved to desert it but looking back and finding how many leaves were dispatched I took courage and resolved not to end till I had ended In my progress heavenward when I look forward and view those Legions of lusts from within to be fought with beside those oppositions from without which emerg daily and the many difficulties which on every side make that way strait I am even at a stand but when I turn mine eyes and behold how much the grace of God hath
from the improbability arguing that such a thing would not be because naturally it could not be withall tacitely suspecting the Messenger therefore the Angel tels his name and gives a sign not only to confirm the truth but chastise his unbelief They were good men both and well beloved but their different tempers required a different dispensation God is not partiall though he use variety of threshing instruments for the good corn in all is not discovered otherwise the wheel must be turned over some when the rod will suffice for another 21 We read Gen 3. ult that when Adam was expulsed Paradice That was a flaming sword turning this way and that way to preserve the Tree of Life 'T is to be wondered at that that place then should need a Guard to defend it which now needs a finger to point at it the judgements of learned men varying about nothing more than the scite of it no peculiar Tree no particular beauty distinguishing that Garden nor yet those Rivers issuing thence so punctually described giving other then a guess at it Did that Garden which Adam in innocency was to Till afterwards when the ground was curst degenerate with the rest and more hastily into a wilderness and as Corruptio opes-morum est pessima So here it should be Citissima too like Apostates that grow worse more and more speedily than other wicked ones But well might it be that that Guard should be remitted for though Adam at his first removall from Paradise might have desires of returning the present sense of so great a losse being then upon him yet this sense every day abated as the strength of sin got ground and prevailed so than that was at first desired was afterwards lesse at last forgotten besides habits of sin gathered strength daily and were confirmed by repeated acts and that depravation of nature whereinto Adams fall brought minkind was more and more inhanced and by custome in sin man was daily farther debauched so that as Gods judgements encreased continually so the means of like were farther removed and mans thoughts for it and possibility to attain it every day decayed 22 After the death of Jacob when the sons of Israel feared Joseph would remember against them what they had done to him they make this their plea Forgive the trespasse of the servants of the God of thy father There is no greater argument to prevail for a mutual compliance then unity of Religion for what should keep those at a distance that are joyned together by that straitest obligation that are one in that most superlative one thing 23 When the mother of James and John requested the Lord Mat 20.21 That her sons might sit one on the right hand the other on the left our Lord replyes to them as it seems at the first view quite besides the purpose asking them a question little pertinent to that they treated him about for what appertained their drinking of the cup he should drink of being baptized with the same baptisme to the sitting at his right hand and left in his Kingdome but if we consider it it will appear very much for these young men were solicitous about what was to be had not what was to be done their eyes were upon the end more than the way the reward than the work thought more of reaping than sowing yea before they had sown therefore our Lord remembers them of the Teary seed-time puts them in mind of the bitter cup and baptisme wherein the deep waters should go over their soul 't was time to tell them of the Stony Thorny Rode that talkt of setting down before they had well set out What store of Suitors would Heaven have if there were no more to do but go in and possesse the Land if there were never an Anakim to be fought with first beside the way to glory is through the place of a skull Christ must suffer these things and enter into his glory to the Throne over the Thorne If we suffer with him we shall be glorified together they that are before the Throne of God are such as came out of great tribulation and have washed their Robes and made them white in the bloud of the Lamb. 24 I find no sort of men more frequent than the Pharisees in their disputes with Christ of none fewer that beleeved we find these captious hearers curious questionists censorious observators but have any of the Pharisees beleeved on him these had Cats eyes that saw best in the dark knowing men in the impertinencies of the Traditions of the Elders and therefore witty to dispute against the truth no men farther removed from conversion then the carnally wise and superstiriously religious But beside to talk of Religion seems to be the business of these men they ask what is the great Commandement in the Law rather then take care to do it Religion should have its rice in the head and flow thence to the heart but when 't is a standing Pool there when men are ricketty great heads but unproportionable hearts are all for disputation nothing for observation like those who study the Philosophers stone while they would be rationally rich they become really poor 25 The Apostle Peter puts a strange question 1 Pet. 3.13 Who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good Who will Nay Who will not What a Cloud of sufferers upon that very account might be here called in to confute the Apostle nay Paul might be set against Peter he sayes 2 Tim. 3.12 All that will live Godly in this life must suffer tribulation yea Peter against himself 1 Pet 2.19 where he speaks of a man for conscience toward God enduring grief suffering wrongfully but the Apostle speaks de jure not de facto and verily innocency is not a little consolation to the sufferer a good conscience carrying alwayes Balm along with it to anoint the stripes and Sugar to sweeten the bitter Cup that tyranny or cruelty may inforce upon us beside the confidence uprightness having holdnesse makes the forehead as an iron wall serenes the front so that it retorts the shame brings the oyl of gladness instead of the confusion of face which clouds the guilty An huge satisfaction too ariseth from the reflex act of the soul when it looks into its selfe and finds fair weather there whereas guilt hath an ugly hue and terrible look and alwayes brings terrour and affrights with it 26 When the Herodians came to Christ with design to betray him though the Lord had power to have avoided their cruelty as he did that of the Jews yet he chuseth rather by a prudent reply to evade their Trap Caesars image upon their Coyn being an argument either of his right or power so that they must pay Tribute out of justice or necessity yet with such a limitation as would surely keep them within bounds reserving to God his due that that Soveraign Lord be not deprived of his right
while the petty ones be complyed with Our Saviour would not run himself into the Lyons jaws when he might go out of his way with a good conscience Religion doth not entangle a man in unnecessary and impertinent snares God allows we should stand aside when the immediate concernments of his glory do not call us out precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints and therefore to be exposed but upon a very eminent account not squandered away Those that would not acept deliverance did so not because they were prodigal of their lives but could not have equall conditions for the simplicity of the Gospel and Dove-like innocency may well shake hands with the Serpentine prudence and an honest policy 27 VVhen our Saviour sent out the seventy Disciples to preach he charged them not to go from house to house Luke 10.7 yet Paul herein witnesseth his integrity to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus that he had taught them publickly and from house to house Acts 20.20 Pauls practice did not clash with the Lords precept our Lord forbids such a going from house to house as was upon the account not of teaching but of entertainment He would not that his servants should like beggars go from dore to dore low and unworthy waye for lively-hood agree not with the profession of those whose maintenance is cal'd double honour They are sent out without a scrip yet must make no base shift for their provision but observe a comely gravity in the same house remain eating and drinking such things as they give not by an unhandsome crouching to beg that hire which a true labourer may challenge as his due 28 In the charge which Paul gives Timothy to bring the things he left at Troas he takes especiall care for his Books and Parchments The chiefest furniture of a Minister is his Library and that which men reckon much as his commendation that he is a good Scholar there being nothing more contemptible then a dull headed illiterate Preacher but here 's the mischief of it that while they require Brick of us they give us no Straw their maintenance being such that if it hold out to buy a Cloak there is nothing left for Books and Parchments 29 When our Lord was invited to the Pharisees house he sets down with unwashen hands Luke 11.38 't was not unknown to him what was the Tradition of the Elders or the Pharisees judgement in that respect neither may we think him uncomplying with such things of decency and cleanlinesse as humanity required and though he might with a good conscience and would 'tis probable have washed afore dinner yet we see him therefore refusing it because they would make that necessary which was indifferent The very Esse of external worship being divine appointment while men go about to make that Religious which God left as indifferent they actually destroy what they intend to establish for which cause the Lord doth not only reprove such injunctions of theirs as were contrary to Gods Law but such as were beside it arguing hereby that they worshipped God in vain because they taught for Doctrine the Commandements of men and this very thing emphatically sets a Character upon Jeroboams time appointed by him for worship that it was the month which he had devised of his own heart 30 He that should have read that prophesie in Hosea Hos 12.1 would little have thought of such an interpretation as the Spirit giveth for who would have imagined that those words Out of Aegypt have I called my son should foretell Josephs bringing up Jesus out of Egypt 'T is hard to deduce certain conclusions from passages meerly propheticall and as dangerous to engage in things of practice only upon the conduct of such light as those places afford they being intended rather for confirmation than narration for which cause we find those predictions of our Saviour concerning his sufferings and resurrection hid from the Apostles but after they were effected then they remembred that he had said these things unto them and they beleeved the Scriptures and the word which Jesus had spoken 31 When I heard Herods promise and oath to the daughter of Herodias That he would give her what soever she should ask to the half of his Kingdome Mark 6.22 I expected she should have come in and requested some lusty boon a Dutchy at the least but behold she desires John Baptists head in a Charger there could be no such satisfaction in the Heremites head that the impotent soul should thus desire it if malice had not set so great a price upon it But whither will not the spirit of revenge transport us the good man had reproved an incestuous marriage and no lesse then his head must pay for it though purchased at so dear a rate as halfe a Kingdome but it seldome is that the purchases revenge maketh are not like Copy-hold Land paid for twice as this woman in a short time after dearly found for what the Prophet reproved Caesar disallows and punisheth 32 When Mary Magdalen stood weeping at the Sepulchre she turns about and seeth Jesus but knew him not Joh. 20.14 It doth not appear that the body of Jesus was changed after his resurrection as to what it might be known from another by for he shews Thomas the print of his nails and 't is said of the Disciples travelling to Emaus That their eyes were withholden that they should not know him implying that otherwise they would but we find no such cause here yet she mistakes him for the Gardiner The good woman was intent upon her sorrow and was suprized with so sudden and unexpected a discovery It is most dark at day break and Gods way of revealing himself is usually by contraryes as Abraham believed in hope against hope God steps in with such unlooked for mercies that his people doth not believe their own enjoyments Psal 126.1 VVhen God turned again the captivity of Sion we were like those that dream Thought they dreamed not crediting that deliverance reall but imaginary when we think comforts are farthest off 't is but turn about and they are before us for God delighteth that his mighty arm be made apparent and then to save when his people have no power and there is none shut up nor left 33 Our Lord sayes to Mary John 20.15 Woman why weepest thou whom seekest thou and yet she knows him not but when he says Mary she cryes Rabboni when he bespeaks her with the generall name of Woman he is undiscovered to her but when by the peculiar name of Mary he is own'd by her as Master So great a difference there is between general and particular calling how many have unprofitably heard Christ speaking to them in is word till he hath called them by name and that word by a particular application hath been laid upon their hearts Yea what odds is there between publick preaching and particular speaking how many have received more instruction
and edification by one hours private discourse than by multiplyed hours spent in publick Sermons and much were it to be wished that there were care had as to teach publickly so also from house to house 34 When the man asketh our Lord whether there were many that should be saved Luke 13.23 instead of answering his curiosity he replyeth by a profitable admonition he diverteth his thoughts from the uselesse speculation of an abstracted general into the useful consideration of his particular interest that instead of knowing the number of those that should be saved he should strive to be one of the number well were it if those little-edifying questions between Calvin and Arminius about Calling and Election were converted into serious endeavours to make our calling and election sure and there were more care to advance Christs Kingdome in our hearts then to dispute when and where his personal Reign shall be upon the earth 35 If that controversie had been proposed to one of our Rabbies which the woman of Samaria did to Jesus John 4.10 Whether Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem were the place where men ought to worship they would have told you a story out of antiquity wherein possibly they would have reached no higher than the age after Sanballat and so have mist of the true stream by not ascending to the true Primitive fountain but our Lord reduceth this controversie about worship to the proper consideration of the true object of worship not disputing how or where or when but what was to be worshipped and directing the mind to such worship as was sutable and therefore likely to be acceptable viz spiritual like the Spirit we worship and therefore we shall find God calling men off from Ceremony as he hath call'd them on to further discovery as he revealed himself more cleerly in Gospel light so the shaddows fled away and Ceremonies were reduced to be much more simple in furniture and fewer in number 36 The Apostle James layes a necessity upon us to make our faith publick by good works James 2. ult saying Faith without works is dead yet the Apostle Paul enjoyns us to keep our faith private saying Hast thou faith have it to thy self before God Rom 14. 22. Not that the Apostle Paul ho had so manifoldly evinced the excellency of faith and its efficacy to justification was unwilling it should be manifested by its fruits or were not as much for good works as the other but the difference between them is in the different faith spoken of St James speaking of that general faith St Paul of a particular the object of the first being all Gods will revealed the object of the latter being something concerning which Gods will hath not been particularly revealed the first is that for which there must be a contending by the Saints but no contending for the latter no imposing of that upon others no censuring no judging for not observance to be zealous in the first is faithfulness in the latter is factionsness of that there must be a publick profession of this such a private observation as may agree with the generals we allow and with our particular perswasion no dissolving of the golden Chain of Christian Charity for any difference of judgement in this wherein a thing and its contrary eating and not eating a day and not a day may be alike laudably observed 37 We find the reason why God brought variety of judgements upon the Jews till he had removed them out of his sight and destroyed their City by Nebuchadnezzar to be the sins of Manasseh and the innocent bloud which he shed which the Lord would not pardon 2 Kings 24.3 4. yet we read those sins were pardoned to Manesseh upon his faith and repentance and the present judgement under which he suffered removed yea Manasseh departed this life long before the destruction of Jerusalem so that the calamities then suffered little pertained unto him whom the grave had secured against such after-claps but though Manasseh were dead and his iniquities forgiven to him yet his posterity did approve his doings That reformation begun by himself and carried on to much perfection by his son Josiah was quickly interrupted by the wicked posterity that followed they by their assent subscribed to the long Bed-roll of those sins which the Father had disclaimed and added a new score of their own iniquities therefore it was just with God to reckon to them and make them pay that account which they themselves had approved and this is the way whereby a wicked generation may entail themselves heirs to the iniquities and consequently to the plagues of all precedent ages thus all the bloud from that of righteous Abel to that of Zacharias the son of Barachias is reckoned to the unbeleeving Jews and therefore wrath brought upon them to the uttermost Wherefore no wonder if we see estates gotten by bribery or oppression melting away like the untimely fruit of a woman while the succeeding heirs instead of making due restitution justifie the rapines of their progenitors and spend that by riot and prodigality which they got by extortion and cruelty 38 When our Lord commanded the Legion out of the possessed that haunted the Tombs Mark 5.10 we read That he besought him much that he would not send them out of the Countrey I began to think why the Devils should desire to abide in those parts but I found the people of the place came to Christ and desired him to depart out of their Countrey no wonder the Devils desire there to abide where the people pray the Lord to be gone 't is a sweet content to the Devils to have their Mansion there where the inhabitants love their Hogs more than their souls and give Christ not so much entertainment as they would do a Swineherd 'T is like these were Countrey-Farmers who knew no more Religion than a Collect for rain and fair weather in its season God hath promised his presence where two or three are gathered together about the affairs of his worship and the Lord saith His Father and He will come and sup and make their abode with him who loveth him keepeth his Commandements so contrarily the Devils delight to possesse those houses from whence all acts of Religion are banished and God is not named unlesse as by the damned in hell that he may be blasphemed But whereas one Evangelist sayes not out of the Countrey another sayes not into the deep though verily there be not much difference between Hell and some houses as to the sins and blasphemies committed there yet is there odds to the torments Hell is Gods house of Correction from whence those spirits are sometimes sent to be the Executioners of Gods displeasure and it is their terrour to be remitted thither therefore we hear them crying out to our Lord Not to torment them not to send them into the place of torment Till the consummation there is use of the Ministry of those evill Angels and till then
In the Italian they were left to rest upon their own leggs Lord I find my selfe indifferently able to resist temptation from without thy grace being assisted with shame feare and other helps which reason bringeth But the difficulty is then to stand when assailed by unruly passions of which no eye is witnesse but thine own therefore assist thou that insused principle with such fresh supplies from thy selfe that though the combate be more arduous yet the victory may be certaine 36 There being a great mutiny among the Souldiers of Alexander the Great he bespake them with the most pacifying language that he might but observing that rather to exasperate then allay their fury he leaped from his Throne and with his own hands ran his sword through some of the most mutinous upon which the rest relented and begging his pardon complyed with his commands When my affections prove mutinous and rebell against grace there 's no arguing of the case with them for they gather strength by treaty but the way is to fly in the face of them by an immediate detestation there being no expedient in this case like a speedy resolution 37 A Grecian Ambassador being at the Persian Court where 't is expected that reverence be done to the King by prostrating the body upon the ground a thing so abhor'd by the Grecians that they executed some of their Ambassadors at their returne for so doing he purposely let fall his Ring at his entrance that by stooping downe to take it up he might seeme to do that reverence which they expected and yet preserve his own thoughts by directing his intention to another purpose Lord how many have found out bolder and balder inventions wherewith to cheat their consciences for the accomplishing of their ends acting though more plausibly yet no lesse certainly contrary to their principles but do thou assist me that I may exercise my selfe alwayes to have a conscience voyd of offence first towards thy selfe and then towards men 38 The Lacedemonians had two staves exactly like one of which the Generall had to the Wars the other remained with the Ephori messages of importance and secrecy were written upon slips of Parchment rouled upon one of these staves wch being taken off could not be read the lines answering unequally till rouled upon the other staffe of the same size Lord the booke of thy eternall decrees is the staffe kept by thee that of thy Word the staffe delivered to me if the characters of thy Election written upon my heart are legible applyed to thy Word I am certaine they are such as will be acknowledged by thee when at that day they shall be applyed to thy eternall decrees 39 Under the Papacy any sins find easie absolution if the person be not suspected of Protestanisme and any opinions have tolerable favour if not derogatory from Papall authority How often besides by Jehu hath that question been put who is on my side who and if the party have been right for that cause if his religion be that of Mahomet or his life like that of Apicius he need not doubt but he shall find fair entertainment 40 The Persian being invaded by the Great Turke burnes up all which may be of any use to sustaine man or beast that those who could not be overcome by force might be weakened with famine Sine cerere Bacchofriget Venus and not to make provision for the flesh is not the least help to abate the strength of lust 41 Philonides Alexanders Currier passing from Scicion to Elis accomplished his journey thither in much more day-light then he could returne back againe because in his passage Westward he accompanied the Sun in his returne Eastward contrarily Lord in seeking after the things that are spirituall I find the comfort long abiding after those pursuits because in such actions thy Spirit the Comforter beares me company but the pleasure of the things of this life is quickly benighted because thy Spirit leads another course 42 At that memorable battel between the Carthaginians and Romanes at the Thrasimene Lake a very great earthquake at the same time happening was not apprehended by either Army The most important and shaking considerations never so earnestly prest seldome obtaine audience from hearts taken up with the immoderate cares after things of this life 43 'T is a tradition that the elder Church used the recitation of two Creeds that called the Apostles and the Nicene the one with a low the other with a loud voice because the first was composed in the times of persecution when the Church durst but as it were whisper its Confession the other in the time of peace when it might make a bolder profession Lord if it be thy will give us peace that thy Truth may be spoken loud and professed publickly if otherwise give us that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to whisper it but professe it boldly 44 There was a Beugalan not long since who is said to live three hundred and thirty years but in that time had his hoary head changed to its originall blacknesse and his decayed teeth supplyed with new ones There 's none shall live that life which never endeth but are first new borne and restored as to those decayes which Adams fall brought putting off the old man which is corrupt with his deeds and putting on the new which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse 45 I have hugely wondred that Bishop should be censured by the Pope as an Heretick for affirming Antipodes the assertion being so rationall and Pliny long before having with so much evidence of reason discourst of it But Lord this is thy just Judgement that if we shut our eyes against supernaturall light we should be fooles in that which is humane 46 The Great Mogull for his recreation is said to cause his Huntsmen to ride forth on a tame Elephant till they find a wild one with whom the tame committing fight and both engaged fast by their trunks men to that purpose attending bind the hinder feet of the wild one and so secure him In like manner Harts are taken by fastning a net to the hornes of a tame one who fighting with the wild so surely entangleth his craggy hornes that he easily becomes a prey to them that waite that opportunity How often is it that the dissentions of Christian Brethren have not onely made them serviceable to the lusts and passions of wicked men but a prey also to their cruelty 47 In a skirmish between the Protestants and Papists in those civill Wars in France a souldier of the Protestants party gained an horse much esteemed of by the enemy for the redemption of which they offered three prisoners that day taken in exchange but that offer being rejected they inraged slew the men immediatly before his eyes a few dayes after the same souldier being engaged on that very horse was by his fiery headstrongnesse carried so far into the enemies Troups that he could not be