These Sentences these Lines Each Word and Letter to me are better Than Pearls and Golden Mines 'T is Heaven it self transcrib'd And Glory lively pen'd God's truth no doubt was copied out When he this Gift did send It 's Truth brought forth to light God did hereby intend Man's word should fall Heaven Earth and all But this should never end Dear Soul admiring stand At that blest hand and Quill That did produce for sinners use Th' eternal Sovereign Will Astonished admire The Author too and when Thou canst not raise sufficient praise With wondring say Amen To my Cousin John H. SWeet John I send you here A Song by heart to learn Not it to say as Parrots may But wisely to discern Oh! lay it deep to heart And mind it well I pray God grant you Grace to grow apace In virtue day by day As yet a Child you be And childish Toyes do please you But you 'l complain they all are vain When ever Grace shall seize you Nay When Convictions come In Gospel-Power and Truth You 'l surely cry Ah wretch am I Thus to have spent my youth Childhood and Youth were spent In things not to be nam'd Alas whaâ— praise was in those dayes Whereof I 'm now asham'd Dear John then lay to heart This needful timely hint Before the day of which you 'l say What pleasure have I in 't Begin to mind the Lord Who form'd you out of dust And did you raise to shew his praise Him love and fear you must In things that are of earth Spend not your youthful strength Its joyes and cares are all but snares To mischief you at length Where Christ in glory sits Place there your prime delight Let things above have all your love Your time care mind and might John Christ's fore-runner mind From whom you have your name Though from his birth liv'd mean on earth A shining Light became He chose a Desart life Fed hard was coorse attir'd He left the sport of Herod's Court Though he was there admir'd Sin he reprov'd in all And kept true witness clear He never sought himself in ought That Christ might more appear Another John you find The lov'd Disciple nam'd Who lean'd for rest on Jesus Breast With Gospel-love inflam'd To every Truth of Christ A witness bold he bear Though an Exile in Patmos-Isle Choice Visions he had there A Pattern if they be To you in word and deed Jehovah's eye will make supply To whatsoe're you need To my Cousin Sam. B. DEar Cousin Sam my pretty Lam this Song to you I send Whatever play aside you lay learn this from end to end With God begin take heed of sin know Jesus out of hand Betimes you must flee youthful lust Its first assaults withstand Spend not your dayes in wanton playes Though naughty boyes intice They first begin with little sin but end in deadly vice If naughty Boyes allure with Toyes to sin or lies to tell Then tell them plain you tempt in vain such wayes go down to Hell God's holy Eye our faults do spy and will to Judgment call us We must fear God more than the Rod or ought that can befall us How oft have I been like to die yea Death is alwayes near Chuse whom you will to follow still I Christ must love and fear Fathers best Boy and Mothers joy I then shall surely be And that that 's best of all the rest God will provide for me To my Cousin W. L. DEar Child although my Father's Will in Prison me hath bound Through uprightness and patience still my comforts here are found The presence of a gracious God doth this a Pallace make It makes the bitter of the Rod be sweet for Jesus sake But Oh! when guilt brings any here in Fetters to be bound Because of God they had no fear but were in evil found To such it is a dreadful place here guilt to judgment binds them Where if they don't repent apace Death Wrath and Vengeance finds them Of you dear Child with carefulness my heart hath many a thought Least you through youthful wantonness to greater sins be brought And so by adding sin to sin you wast your time and strength And when your judgment doth begin in vain you mourn at length I charge you then in any sort your great Creator mind Spend not your youthful dayes in sport that cannot be regain'd Avoid those rude and wicked Boyes that make a mock of sin Love not their playes and sinful Toyes to fear the Lord begin Keep close to School read Scriptures oft in private learn to pray Your Gospel-grounds keep still in thought Your Parents both obey Your Brethren love and teach them good a Christian learn to be Then God will give you clothes and food and you 'l be dear to me To my Kinsman A. L. MY pretty Child remember well you must your wayes amend For wicked Children go to Hell that way their courses tend But heark to me if you to be the Child of God desire The broad and open road must flee which multitudes admire Sâ—rive every day to mend you way learn Christ while you are young Take constant heed to every deed heart feet hands and tongue You may be quickly sick and die and put into the Grave From whence to judgment you must fly and righteous Sentence have Learn then to fear while you live here with Christ your time imploy Labour to live and die as one that leaves the World with joy My strength in cries I shall imploy that God will bless your youth I can have nothing like this joy My Children walk in truth To my youngest Kinsman R. L. MY little Cousin if you 'l be your Uncles dearest Boy You must take heed of every deed that would your Soul destroy You must not curse nor fight nor steal nor spend your time in games Nor make a lie what e're you aile nor call ungodly names With wicked Children do not play for such to Hell will go The Devils Children sin all day but you must not do so Begin I pray to learn that way that doth to Heaven tend O learn a little day by day which leadeth to that end For God and good men love such Boyes and will them good things give Father and Mother will rejoyce and I in comfort live Another to a Child insisting on Psal 119. 9. SInce I am naturally bent to take delight in Songs A Friend from Prison one hath sent that to my Soul belongs Which when I sing he doth intreat I would not mind my play But frequently with weight repeat How may I cleanse my way It is the use of such as I to Dance and Play and sing Or else to lie and rail and cry for will in every thing Why should our wantonness be crost or pleasures night and day We fear no danger to be loft what need we cleanse our way Should we our jovial play-mates shun when we return from Schools Should we not fight and
A Looking-Glass FOR CHILDREN Being a Narrative of God's gracious Dealings with some Little Children Recollected by Henry Jessey in his life-time Together with sundry seasonable Lessons and Instructions to Youth calling them early to remember their Creator Written by Abr. Chear late of Plymouth The Third Edition Corrected and Amended To which is added many other Poems very sutable As also some Elegies on departed Friends made by the said Abraham Chear All now faithfully gathered together for the benefit of Young and Old by H. P. Psal 66. 16. Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Deut. 31. 19. Now therefore write ye this Song for you and teach it the Children of Israel put it in their mouths that this Song may be a witness for me c. London Printed for Robert Boulter at the Turks-Head in Cornhil 1673. To the Reader THou hast here gentle Reader brought to thy view in the first part of this Book a Narrative of the gracious dealings of God with several Children and what they gained in an early looking Heaven-ward in which thou mayest see and behold the condescention of the Lord to such little Ones in opening their understanding and giving them a sight and sense of their undone estate by nature from whence they were made to seek and enquire after a Saviour and by Grace helped to apply and improve his gracious Calls and Invitations to a full satisfaction in and by Faith a cleaving to His undertakings as the alone way and means to Salvation to their great comfort here and firm hope of glory hereafter All which was wonderfully effected to the praise of the free Grace of God and admiration of Relations and Beholders and now presented to thee being first written by that faithful Servant of the Lord Mr. Henry Jessey who in his life time gave it me to transcribe in order for the then Printing But it being small I waited to have somewhat to adjoyn to it which Providence hath lately brought to my hand as that which is worthy of publication being the Fruit of some idle hours of that Servant of the Lord Mr. Abraham Chear whilst in bonds for the truth of Christ wherein he expresses his well-wishes to the Souls of divers poor Children towards whom he then stood nearly related and dearly affected as by the second Part hereof you may largely see and if helped of God to make improvement of it so as carefully to mind and heedfully to walk in the practice of what is seasonably advised in the said Discourse you will have great cause to bless the Lord for such endeavours now published for your profit and advantage The Motive provoking me thus to recollect this little Book is chiefly from consideration of my daily observation of Youths great need of all endeavours to prompt them to that which is good they being naturally addicted to be drawn away through their own inclinations and the powerful prevalency of Satan to sin and disobedience by which they wrong their precious Souls Prov. 8. 36. thereby incurring Gods displeasure to their daily hardning their hearts from his fear and following the sins and pleasures of this vain World until they are prepared as Vessels of wrath fitted for Destruction and Perdition which is the certain effect of Sin ruling and reigning without restraint in the hearts of the Children of Disobedience Col. 3. 6. Which evil and judgment may be timely prevented by hearkning to Gods Call Prov. 9. 6. seeking and serving him betimes Prov. 8. 17. believing his Word avoiding evil company Prov. 4. 15 16. slighting the allurements of present pleasure and the sinful delights of the flesh and by making good-men examples to walk after Prov. 2. 20. Heb. 6. 12. 2. Chron. 29. 2. and therein esteeming and highly prizing the excellency of the Lord Jesus in all his glorious undertakings for poor sinners Phil. 3. 8. cleaving to his Righteousness only for Justification and Salvation 1 Cor. 1. 30. Which Mercy is greatly desired may accompany the Reader of this little Piece whereby he may say it was worth perusing for that by it the Lord made him to consider his latter end and remember him in the dayes of his Youth so as to make his Calling and Election sure as did these pretty Children That being my aim and end in the publishing hereof I shall daily wait for its success and remain yours In true desires after your Eternal happiness H. P. Go little Book and speak for them that be Lanch'd with great safety to Eternity Engaging Others by what they did find Their everlasting Peace chiefly to mind Their names are blest and had in memory They served God and thence in peace did die All you that read be earnest to obtain True faith in Christ which will be lasting gain And if while young God do his Work begin Vpon your Soul take heeâ— beware of sin It will prove to your Crown another day To cleave to Righteousness whilst yet you may Preceed in fear in love with true delight Vnto the Lord to serve him with your might Observe the Lessons given by Abram Chear That they your Soul may unto Christ endear Such Songs are good if well improved be Sung by experience with Soul harmony The Truths therein inserted make your own By practice in true love to Christ alone Mind chiefly now your everlasting Rest That in compare with all things is the best Love God and fear him in sincerity So shall you praise him to Eternity London 12th Month 12 day 1672. H. P. Of hopeful young Children the great joy of their Parents remembring their Creator in the dayes of their Youth Being trained up in the Holy Scriptures from their Infancy First Of Mary Warren Born in May 1651 Aged Ten years in May 1661. WHen his Child was about five or six years old she had a new plain Tammy Coat and when she was made ready was to be carried with other Children into Morefields But having looked upon her Coat how fine she was she presently went to her Chair sate down her tears running down her eyes she wept seriously by her self Her Mother seeing it said to her How now Are you not well What is the matter that you weep The Child answered Yes I am well but I would I had not been made ready for I am afraid my fine Cloaths will cast me down to Hell Her Mother said It 's not our Cloaths but wicked Hearts that hurt us She answered Aye Mother fine Cloaths make our hearts proud The Scriptures being daily read in the House when one had read Luke 10. she laid to heart the end of the Chapter how Mary sate at Christs feet and heard him And Martha complained and Jesus said Martha Martha Thou art careful and cumbred about many things but one thing iâ— needful Mary hath chosen that good part that shall not be taken from her Hearing this the tears ran down and she wept sore Being
climb and run we should be counted fools If in the Hedges Streets and Field our sports you take away What good will food and raiment yield why should we change our way When up to youth and strength we grow 't is brave to have our wills To heed no Check whate're we do of lust to take our fills To fight drink game to swear and curse to lie out night and day To spend and whore grow worse and worse what youth will cleanse his way 'T is true the Holy Scriptures teach our Catechisms tell Some Ministers we hear do preach Youths must take heed of Hell Our Parents at our wildness grieve exhort reprove and pray But after all we scarce believe we need to cleanse our way We see some that were thought the best their high profession leaving And greedily as do the rest to earth and Pleasure cleaving No Check of Conscience doth appear in what they do or say This greatly hardens us from fear or thoughts to cleanse our way With Cart-ropes to draw youthful lust this day all help affords It is a sport Christ's bonds to burst and cast away his Cords If one from wickedness dissent he makes himself a prey This yields but small encouragement for youth to cleanse his way As the young Ass that snuffs the wind Youth loves to have its swinge But hates attempts its lust to bind or liberty infringe Yet ther 's a month in which the Lord our full career can stay And can according to his Word turn change and cleanse our way No less then an Almighty Power such torrents can withstand The influences of this hour tempt with so high a hand Amongst a thousand scarce one Lad with weepings we may say Of whom assurance may be had he strives to cleanse his way Oh! with what grief upon their wayes should Parents then reflect Whose fawning in our infant dayes doth Word and Rod neglect Till our incorrigible years are apt by deeds to say Although you break your heart with tears we will not cleanse our way Were our Salvation their design our Souls their highest care They would be careful to decline all steps that might ensnare What holy walks before our sight as patterns should they lay Which might endear us with delight betimes to cleanse our way Above deep learning breeding wit they for us grace would prize Rich Trades or stocks compar'd with it were dung before their eyes The greatest Matches they could find with heaps of yellow Clay Were no Preferment to their mind like to a cleansed way To a Virgin inclining to enquire after the Lord. A Soliloquie COme pray thee Precious Soul of mine let 's seriously retire And under eye and aid Divine God's Oracles enquire Call in those thoughts that range about with awfulness incline To get this question out of doubt Is Jesus truly mine It 's high time now to fix our thought O let time past suffice That we the lusts of flesh have wrought in youthful vanities What profit in those wayes is sound which down to Hell incline What real pleasure can redound if Christ be none of mine 'T is true a Maid can scarce forget her ornamental tire The Virgins her at nought will set whose eye is fixed higher But should I my bright morning wast to make me 〈◊〉 and fine 'T will be but bitterness at last if Christ be none of mine With Dinah should I gad to see the Daughters of the Land My intimates if such should be who Christ don't understand My complements and gaâ—e might I as is the mode refin'd But wretched should I live and die if Christ be none of mine Or if through deep convictions I my vain companions leave And to the Saints for company in dear affections cleave Though they as Angels speak to me sweet words as spiced Wine Of what advantage could it be if Christ be none of mine Of his inestimable worth if I by Saints am told Or how the Gospel sets him forth transcending heaps of Gold Though one among a thousand he in full perfection shine What will this Glory be to me if Christ be none of mine If by reforming I essay self righteousness should stand I may conjecture I obey the Law 's exact command Nay to the Gospel's outward call my steps I may refine Yet short of glory I shall fall If Christ be none of mine How Satan acts an Angel's part I cannot well discern The windings of a treacherous heart I cannot quickly learn How close hypocrisie in all may hide it's deep design The stateliest Structure then must fall if Christ be none of mine Of a Child somewhat indulged by reason of Sickliness IF any would my Age be told this answer they may have A weakly Child of ten years old oft very near the Grave My Life 's a wonder to my Friends continued to this day And doubtless is for higher ends then eat and drink and play To these things Childhood is inclin'd yea to great evils bending And little doth it heed or mind to what such wayes are tending If Parents give us our contents and take delight to please us We little lay to heart events though dreadful Plagues should seize us Some Parents in this sinful Age will no wayes cross our course Whilest other 's filthy rayling rage to desperate wayes enforce But did the love and fear of God in Parents hearts bear sway And were the doctrine of the Rod their study day by day Were their and our iniquities more deeply laid to heart Did love to our immortal Souls of fondness get the start They 'd learn with gravity to smile and tenderness to smile Correct and pitty all the while rebuke and yet delight Chastisements would with teaching meet reproofs be sharp yet mild God's admonition would be sweet and wholsome to the Child We should grow flexible and kind great guilt it would prevent This early with a willing mind would lead us to repent It would seem bitter to the flesh to travel thus again But Ah! the forming Christ afresh will pay for all this pain A Dialogue betwixt the love of Christ and the lust of the flesh written by the said Ab. Chear setting forth the deceitful nature of sin in its alluring the Soul from goodness to its ruine and destruction and the powerful influence of Christ's love engaging to an early imbracing his invitations to a well-grounded hope of Everlasting Glory It s Prologue Respected Friend I am obliged to tell you what 's a doing There are at hand to you design'd for woing Two fair-spoke-Suitors both look fair and fresh The love of Jesus and the lust of Flesh They are Corrivals each Proposals brings As if the Heirs apparent of some Kings Had terms to tender to engage your favour Of such vast interests their offers savour Hear now and well observe a stander-by Who long hath known how their concerns do lie And who by dear experience hath been taught To what result such suits are often brought If
from his great desire you be blest And in your choice reach everlasting rest He offers dear-bought light to guide your mind That to the better part it be inclin'd He shews a little in a homespun stile The one's simplicity the other's Guile What stocks they come of and their old descents Their various treasures and their plain intents What are their qualities their differing ends To what plain issue each proposal tends Their sundry overtures your love to gain In way of Dialogue betwixt them twain The love of Christ SWeet Virgin stop let Wisdom drop a word becoming Kings Pray be inclin'd to bend your mind unto coelestial things I beg your love for things Above nay all your Powers I claime I would adorn your youthful morn and crown your early aime The lust of the flesh Should any thought to mind be brought that interrupts your quiet Shall Virgins weep disturb their sleep desert their needful diet Tush drink in Plate and recreate your lively youthful Spirit Seek Courtly things delight in Kings which may proclaim your merit The love of Christ While Flesh pretends these pleasing ends its dire intents it hides But pray awake for Jesus sake while day of Grace abides Flesh lusts its Guests between its Breasts convictions to expel But deadly Charms are in its armes its Guests are lodg'd in Hell The Lusts of the flesh What strange conceits what silly cheats would drive thy joys away These Preachers tell but dreams of Hell and of the Judgment day 'T wil ne'r do well till mirth expel such sullen dumps as these The Timbrel bring come dance and sing eat drink and take thine ease The Love of Christ These Childish Toys may make a noise to please the carnal heart But all the while they but beguile nay wound the better part One glimps of love seal'd from above these highest joyes transcends From deeps 't will raise to heights of praise when that in torment ends The Lust of the flesh Shall wordy winds on gallant minds such deep impressions make That for a â—ound of things unfound they joys in Hand forsake This day invites to rare delights all Ladies who design T o've fortunes rais'd and beauties prais'd embrace thess paths of mine The Love of Christ Alas at length you 'l lose your strength mirth beauty sport and pleasure And when too late lament your state your mispent time and treasure They 'l take them wings and leave you stings with venom guilt and smart Then while 't is day I humbly pray chuse Mary's better part The Lust of the flesh Are such things fit that clogs your wit which now to heights aspires Such doatings leave till age bereave of moisture warm desires Your budding Spring prompts you to sing your warbling Princely straine In Courtly Modes with amourous odes your Gallants entertain The Love of Christ Such frothy freaks aloud bespeaks how slightly youths esteem Their nobler parts their precious hearts which Earth cannot redeem How hardly brought to turn a thought from Objects thus deprav'd Though Jesus cries Oh! fix your eyes on me and be ye sav'd The Lust of the flesh Such looks may grace some wither'd face or some grave Cloystered Nun Are counted blots not beauty-spots where Fame 's but now begun Tush rather prize those Comedies and rare Romances use Attend resorts to Princely sports and shades for interviews The Love of Christ What pitty 't is such trash as this with heaven-born Souls should take While Jesus stands with stretch'd out hands rich overtures to make Gold try'd in Fire and rich attire do your acceptance crave A crown of Bliss prepared is when each an end shall have The treaty stops but here you have a tast your friend hath longings that you may be Chast Preserv'd a Virgin and brought such to Christ By love constrained not by lust intic't A Description of an Elect Person in his threefold state by Nature Grace and Glory Collected by Va. Powel in the close of his Catechism translated into familiar Verse for Childrens better remembrance by A. Chear Ejaculation My blessed Father when my heart enclines To sing this Song or but to read these lines Let me thy Spirits Power or leadings find To form their lively likeness on my mind Work deep convictions and an holy fear To think what am I or what once I were And into fellowship Lord let it guide me With all this Grace the Gospel doth provide me That I may claim what this thy record saith By sound experience and unfeigned Faith And let the hope of yonder Glory raise My Soul to close with those reflects of praise 1. Nature BY Nature and as out of Christ born of the flesh was I Grace By Grace and as I stand in Christ I 'm new born spiritually Glory In Glory I with Christ shall reign and heavenly freedom have Refl Lord what is man that thou shouldst daign so vile a Wretch to save 2. Nature Flesh did my Members and my mind with quietness inherit Grace But now a Warfare I do find betwixt my flesh and spirit Glory The spirit promised at length all glorious will make me Refl For that his War 's above my strength let not my Christ forsake me 3 Nature My sensual lusts to satisfie a fleshly War I waged Grace But now for walking spiritually my spirit stands ingaged Glory Nay by Christ's quickning power at last transform'd I wait to be Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st cast a look of love on me 4 Nature To that which fleshly pleasure brings I wholly bent my mind But now unto the Spirit 's things Grace I chiefly stand inclin'd Glory At length my glorified eyes such sights alone shall see Refl Lord what am I that thou should'st prize so poor a Worm as me 5 Nature By sinful nature I was dead in trespasses and sins Grace By Gospel-Grace now quickened my Soul to live begins Glory The day approacheth when from sin I shall be wholly free Refl Lord what am I that thou hast been at so great cost on me 6. Nature In sin as in my Proper place I was well pleas'd to lie Grace But now I strive to walk by Grace in all simplicity Glory I shall presented be at last as my dear Christ is pure Refl What love is this that Christ so chast should such a Wretch indure 7. Subjected to the Law of sin Nature and death I once did stand Grace Made free I to obey begin the Spirit of Life's command Glory A glorious triumph 's yet in store o're sin and death for me Refl How should I Majesty adore that I thus sav'd should be 8. Nature Once Gods pure Nature Word and Law I hated as my foes Grace Now with them I in holy awe and dear affections close Glory Desires shall into full delight at length resolved be Refl Lord what am I that er'e my sight should such blest objects see 9 Nature Born ignorant of Heavenly things I teachings did despise Grace
All teachings which the Gospel brings my Soul doth dearly prize Glory Clear apprehensions I shall gain when Faith is turn'd to sight Refl Lord what is man that thou shouldst daign on him to place delight 10. Nature With vilest Sons of men I chose my chief repast to take Grace But now the strictest Saints are those whom bosome friend 's I make With glorious saints and Angles I Glory eternally shall dwell Refl Lord raise me up to magnifie this Grace that doth excel 11. Nature The form of godliness I loath'd which Sons of God profess Now with its power compleatly cloath'd Grace with all my heart I press Glory The price of that high Call at last I am in hope to gain R. Lord why should all this grace be cast upon a Wretch so vain 12. Nature Of earth an earthly man I was and earthly things did mind Grace But now am brought from earth alas yet here I stay behind But shortly from the Earth I shall Glory rais'd and translated be Refl Admired kindness that at all God should have thoughts of me 13 Nature In Hell's black Region was my place dark as the blackest night Grace But now enlightned I through Grace Walk as a Child of Light Glory With Light which mortaâ—s cannot see I shortly hope to dwell Refl What marvellous Grace is this to me sav'd from the lowest Hell 14 Nature A Babe was I in open field cast out in Blood and loath'd Grace Grace passing by a skirt did yield I now am wash't and cloath'd Glory With Robes immortal yet I wait in glory to be rais'd Refl This is so surpassing great it cannot be display'd 15 Nature A stranger from my Fathers face by nature I remain'd Grace But to be call'd his Friend by Grace I have at length obtain'd Glory His fixed favourite in bliss eternal I shall be Refl O! what transcendent love is this to such a Wretch as me 16 Nature At enmity with God I stood a Rebel fierce and wild Grace By shedding of my Saviours Blood I now am reconcil'd Glory Then saved by his Life much more I hope and wait to be Refl Lord I would humbly thee adore who thus hast saved me 17 Nature God's Righteous Law for wickedness my conscience did condemn But now through Christ's own Righteousness Grace I 'm justifi'd in him Glory I hope for that refreshing day which will Salvation bring Refl Who can the faithfulness display of my dear Lord and King 18. Nature Once as a guilty Soul astray from God I fled for fear Grace Now by the new and living Way with boldness I draw near The day's approaching when Above Glory I shall with God abide Refl Dear Soul this thought surpassing love in silence do not hide 19 Nature In Satan's Kingdom I lay chain'd a willing fetter'd slave But Christ my liberty hath gain'd Grace choice freedom now I have Glory Of Heavenly free Jerusalem I Citizen shall be Refl How can I do enough for him who all this did for me 20 Nature From any bond to Righteousness I once was wholly free Grace But now made free to righteousness its servant I would be Glory In Righteousness I hope to raign when sin shall tempt no more Refl Let not this Grace be all in vain laid richly thus in store 21. Nature Through guilt and wrath which once I saw my terrors did increase Grace But now deliver'd from the Law by faith I live in peace Glory Of Faith I shall obtain the end in full Salvation then Refl How doth this grace of God transcend the utmost thoughts of men 22 Nature My hopes with false foundations propt oft turn'd into despair Grace But now its Anchor safely dropt doth true rejoycings rear Glory Things hop'd-for shall be full injoy'd no work for hope in sight Refl O Blessedness to be imploy'd in acts of pure delight 23 Nature No right to promises had I or words that tend to save Grace Now promises I can apply to all true right I have Glory All heavenly Blessings promised I fully shall partake Refl Why stand I thus distinguished alone for mercies sake 24 Nature Born from beneath as Satan's Brat Hell's heritage did find me Grace But God who me by grace begat Heir of the World assign'd me Glory An heir of God joynt-heir with Christ in Heaven I shall dwell Refl Lord leave me not to be intic't this Heritage to sell 25 Nature My Fence departed unto harms I daily was expos'd Grace But lodg'd in everlasting arms I safely am inclos'd Glory A Mount impregnable e're long God will about me raise Refl Oh! put an everlasting Song into my mouth of praise 26 Nature By works of my own Righteousness the way to Heaven I sought Grace Of trusting to it more or less I now abhor the thought Glory In Righteousness without a spot I shall presented be Refl Admired â—e my blessed Lot lay'd up in Christ for me 27 Nature My single self in sensual lust as my chief end I sought Grace But chiefly now contrive I must God may have honour brought Glory To give him glory still in bliss my work will shortly be Refl With joy unspeakable will this imployment ravish me 28. Nature Like a lost Sheep or Goat or Son distresses did surround me Grace But in this Desart state undone sweet Jesus sought and found me Glory And shortly to my long'd-for home me in his armes will bring Refl Ah! what high raised Songs become my beauteous glorious king 29. Nature Through darkness then upon my mind I nothing knew nor learn'd Through gracious teachings now I find Grace deep things in part discern'd Through perfect Vision all things I Glory shall know as I am known His glory to eternity Refl his Praises shall be shown 30. Nature Best services I then perform'd a loathsome stink did make Weak services are now adorn'd Grace and sweet for Jesus sake Glory A Reward not of Debt but Grace such services shall Crown Refl 'T is wonderful that God should place on Dust such great renown 31. Nature Sin did God's Image quite deface and like a beast besot me Grace But dignities bestow'd by Grace rais'd like a Prince hath got me Glory Yet more transform'd I want to be like Angels who excel Refl What glorious Grace is this to me a firebrand pluckt from Hell 32 Nature Both Sin and Satan as their own my Members did inherit Grace But now this Body is the Throne a Temple of the spirit Glory And though in vileness 't will be sown 't will Spiritually be rais'd Since God such glorious depths makes known Refl how should this Grace be prais'd 33. Nature God's glory into shame I turn'd and in that shame did boast Now things for which my lust then burn'd Grace I blush and loath them most Glory But far above all sin and shame I shall be rais'd on high Refl Lord set me on a gracious frame thy Name to magnifie 34. Nature All dirt and
Milk which when she had it she said I cannot relish any thing But said she I will wait upon the Lord to see what he will provide for me Then her Sister standing by she said Sister Betty and Sister Ann be sure your first Work be in the morning to seek the Lord by Prayer and likewise in the evening and give thanks for your Food for you cannot pray too often to the Lord and though you cannot speak such words as others have yet the Lord will accept â—f the heart for you do not know how soon your speech may be taken away as mine was She desired her Mother thus Do not let 〈◊〉 much company be here late at night lest it â—hould hinder them from seeking the Lord in duty 〈…〉 She said further When I was first ill and went about the House I was not under trouble for my sins at all neither am I now troubled with satans temptations for the Lord hath trampled him under his feet She said also When I can hear or understand I will tell some body that they may come and read by me for I love to hear the Word of God read to me for then she could not hear Another time She spake to the maid to call her Mother saying I have something to say to her and when her Mother came she said If my speech be taken away and should be a great while so that then I may have no Doctor Apothecary or Chirurgion come at me and that I may not have any more Physick given to me and be sure to take notice of my words for they look more at the Physick than at the Power of God and if you suffer them to give me any more things the Lord will be angry with you and will bring a greater affliction upon you in some of my other Sisters I know the Lord can open the passage of my Throat in a moment and cause me to take food or he may let me lie a great while in this condition As for washing my mouth with water I find no more but only to wash the phlegm But I am fâ—d with the bread of Life that I shall never hunger and do drink of the water of Life that I shall never thirst more I know not whether I shall live or die but if I die and if you will have a Sermon I desire this may be the Text the place I do not know but the words may be comfortable to you That David when his Child was sick he cloathed himself in Sackcloth and wept but when his Child was dead he washed and ate Bread For you have wept much while I have been sick and if I die you have cause to rejoyce She said My soul also was so full of comfort that I would have spoken much more But her speech being almost gone she said If it please the Lord that I might have my hearing and my speech which would be a great miracle I should speak much more Novemb. 10. On the Lords day she said as follows When her Mother had syring'd several things into her mouth as first water which she not relishing then water and vinegar then vinegar and Sugar then milk and none did relish with her she said Here is but little comfort in these my comfort is in the Lord There is comfort indeed Though we may seek comfort here and the glory of this World yet what is all that all will be nothing when we come to lie upon a Death â—ed then we would fain have the love of God and cannot get it I am full of comfort and joy Though the Lord is pleased to let me lie under many pains yet he knoweth what is best for his Children he hath enabled me and will enable me to bear them and though he should lay a hundred times more upon me yet will I wait upon him for he is my stay and the hope of my Salvation My pains are nothing to the pains of Hell where they will never be at an end And Christ he suffered a great deal more for me then all this is he was bruised buffeted and spit upon and they platted a Crown of Thorns and put upon his Head and gave him Vinegar to drink But I have several things to take though I cannot relish them And they came out against Christ with Swords and Staves and Christ did not open his mouth against them but rebukes Peter for cutting the High Priests Servants ear and bid him put up his Sword into the Scabbard and said Shall not I drink of the Cup that my Father hath prepared for me though my pains are very great yet I am so full of joy and comfort I was very full of comfort before but I am fuller of joy this hour than I have been yet It is better to live Lazarus's life and to die Lazarus's death than to live Dives his life he had his delicates and afterwards would have been glad to have had Lazarus dip his finger in water and cool his tongue Though the Lord give Satan power over my Body yet he hath promised he shall not hurt my Soul The Devil could not go into the herd of Swine till Christ had given him leave And though he stood at my left hand and said I am in filthy rags yet the Lord stands at my right hand and saith I am but a fire-brand newly plucked out of the fire and he will put on me his Robes of Righteousness The last night I could not stir my Head Hand nor Foot but by and by the Lord did help me to move my Head a little and at length my Body O what a good God have I that can cast down and raise up in a moment but here is only looking at the Physician as many when they have been sick and well again they say Such a Physician and such a Physician hath cured them they neglect looking up to the Lord. It is true the Lord doth appoint the means to make use of but nothing will do us good except he give a blessing to it O that we had Faith as that Woman had that had spent all upon Physicians and did her no good then came and touched the Hem of Christs Garment and when Christ felt vertue go out of him he asked his Disciples Who touched him then she trembled but Christ said Rise up Daughter thy Faith hath made thee whole Of the Expressions of an hopeful Child the daughter of Mr. Edward Scarfield that was but eleven years of Age in March 1661. Gathered from a Letter written by one fearing God that lived in the house with the Child IN August last this Child was sick of a Feaver in which time she said to her Father who is a holy humble precious man I am afraid I am not prepared to die and fell under much trouble of Spirit being sensible not only of actual sins but of her lost estate without Christ in unbelief as Ephes 2. 12. John 16. 8 9. and she wept
will dress you I have some hopes that God by it may bless you 1. WHen by Spectators I am told what Beauty doth adorn me Or in a Glass when I behold How sweetly God did from me Hath God such comliness display'd and on me made to dwell 'T is pitty such a pretty Maid as I should go to Hell 2. When all my Members I compare form'd by my Maker's hand In what sweet order strait and faire each part together stand How in the use of these might I in vertue 's Walks excell 'T is pitty when I come to die all these should go to Hell 3. Doth God my ornaments provide of soft and good aray The which this Age converts to pride I am as vain as they But when the thoughts of Pride entice such temprings I should quell By serious heeding this advice I must take heed of Hell 4. If Parents industry and care should by the Lord be blest That they large portions could prepare for me and all the rest Though many Suitors this invites my Fortunes might excell What would become of these delights if I should go to Hell 5. Should Wisdom Breeding parts conspire my spreading fame to raise Should Courtly Ladies me admire and my perfections praise Though for Endowments rare and high from all I bare the Bell What would these toys avail if I at lengâ—â—t be lodg'd in Hell 6. If to seek pleasures Pastimes Sports My fancy should be bent Which City Countrey Town or Court to please me can invent Though thus to satisfie my lust with greediness I fell By weeping-Cross return I must or else go quick to Hell 7. Doth Beauty such corruption Hide is comliness a bait Do costly Garments nouirsh pride hath Treasure such deceit Do Complements breed vanity doth pleasure Grace expel How little reason then have I for these to go to Hell 8. 'T is time I should without delayes my 〈◊〉 state bethink Th â—â—gh God's forbearance at my dayes of ignorance did wink Repentance he doth now expect and learning to do well For plainly he doth this detect this broad way leads to Hell 9. To chuse the new and living way the Gospel doth beseech me The heart of Jesus day by day is open'd to enrich me The tenders of New-Cov'nant Grace would sin and guilt expel The promis'd Spirit would me place safe from the lowest Hell 10. Would Christ my Spirit lead along these tenders to embrace I should have matter for a Song to praise his Glorious Grace How first of goodness I was seiz'd from what a state I fell To what a glory God hath rais'd a Fire-brand pluckt from Hell To my Cousin T. H. at School KInd Kinsman Complemâ—nts apart Yet love exprest with all my heart White I bethought what way was besâ— To gratifie a strong request And how to reach the proper â—nd That was â—ssign'd me by a Friend That I would write a seriâ—us line Your tender Spirit to inclâ—ne If possibly from wanton things Which carry with them poysnâ—d 〈◊〉 And kindly to attract your eye From vanity to things on high My thoughts to Meeter were inclin'd As thinking on a Schollars mind It might at first with fansie take And after deep impressions make Which Oh! If God would but inspire Convince of folly raise desire Discover Beauty kindle Love Fix your delight on things Above These weak endeavours then may stand As Christ's remembrances at hand To warn you folly to avoid Which hath such multitudes destroy'd And thence your nobler part incline To Meditations more Divine Which have a faculty to raise Immortal Souls to frames of praise By means of which when you obtain Your Spirit in a serious strain when vanity hath least respect And thoughts are fittest to reflect Then from your Treasure you may bring This brief Solilâ—quie and Sing COme Soul let you and I A few discourses have Shall we bethink how near the brink We border of the Grave Shall we surveigh our time How vainly it is spent How youthful dayes consume in wayes Which Age must needs repent The things which others please What profit do they merit What are the Toyes of wanton Boyes to an immortal Spirit How will our Reckoning pass Of pastim Pleasure play When every thought and Deed is brought Unto the Judgment Day Would not our time and strength Be better far imploy'd If every thought were this way wrought How Christ may be injoy'd Should not a young man's way Be ordered by the Word Should not his mind be still inclin'd To know and fear the Lord If we behold our Frame Our parts and powers compare Sure God intends some glorious ends To form a piece so rare A Letter sent to a Friend's Child Sweet Child I pray you think not long E're I have sent my Prâ—â—oâ—-Song To turn after a Godly sort Your tongue and thoughts from sinful sport Pray let it frequently be brought With holy fear upon your thought And when indeed your Soâ—l is bent On things that are most permanent When least to foolish mirâ—h inclin'd Then from the Treasure of your mind This serious Song you forth may bring â—ith Gospel Melody and Sing LOrd what a worm am I what could'st thou here espie That ever thou should'st humbly bow On me to cast an eye What kind of Love is this What reason can it have Shall God through Grace himself abase So vile a Wretch to save How strangely was I made How curiously adorn'd I was at first an heap of dust Which sin hath quite deform'd My Matter Earth and Clay Form'd by a power Divine Sure God would hide all cause of pride From every thought of mine My Childish thoughts would cease On vanity to stay Could I bethink I 'm on the brink Of danger day by day Tempâ—ations lead to sin Sin doth of good bereave me Cloathes Beauty Strengâ—h and Life at Length Are all at hand to leave me Why then should gay attâ—re Yield so much food to pride What glory 's in a beareous skin That so much filth doth hide Why should the fond delights Of parents puff me up Such boundless love doth often prove To both a bitter Cup. Why should the highest joyes Of Sin subject my reason The sinful Sports of Princes Courts Last only for a season Lord let my Soul be rais'd And all its powers incline On Eagles Wings to follow things That are indeed Divine Those depths that from the wise Thou pleasest to conceal Mysterious things obscur'd from Kings To me a Babe reveal That from an Infants Mouth A Suckliugs Lips inspir'd Thy glorious Name may purchase same And Christ be more admir'd Let me thy Beauty see Thy Countenance behold Thy Rayes of Grace fixt in my face More rich than Massy Gold Let Royal Robes of Praise And Righteousness adorn me Which may me bring before the King How ever Mortals scorn me Let Treasures of thy Grace A portion rich endow me In lasting Bags though here in Rags Men scarce a bit allow me If