vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
death and became obedient to admit such pain feare and astonishment of death to come ouer his body which was wiâ—hout sinne it sâ—eweth vs that his humane nature had no pleasure to die yea and himselfe saith I haue a baptisme to bee baptâ—zed with Luk. 12. â—0 and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Prayer against the feare of Death I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast not created mee to death but to life and hast implanted a loue in mine heart to liue I request thee from the bottome of my heart teach mee to vnderstand that death ruleâ—h ouer all because of sinne and ouercometh me grant by thy holy spirit that so oft as death shall assault me I may be enemie to iniquitie and euer flie and efchew sinne as death it selfe helpe me ô Lord that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee for thou art life it selfe Ioh. 11.25 and so may freely and boldly say I shall taste of death although I were dead but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Psal. 118.17 Grant I may beleeue from my heart that by Thee the Prince of life I may be deliuered from eternall death and attaine vnto that euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne Amen Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly craue to die and long for it Spirit Yes truely but it is to be vnderstood that there are twâ— kindes of men which desire to die The Infidell prophane vngodly often wish to die and that of impatiency because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sinnes for seeing they are without the knowledge of God and without faith they are not participant of the crosse of Christ but despaire in impatiency grudge against God wish themselues not onely to die but also often times lay violent hands on themselues as Iudah Saul and Achitophel did purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery but then is it that first they begin to haue proofe of their wickednesse sweet heauenly Father keepe vs from hence But the children of God the more they grow in knowledge and increase in faith and loue of Christ the more they are weary of this wretched world and long for that eternall rest and haue Pauls wish in their hearts I desire to depart and to bee with Christ Phil. 1.23 yea our Sauiour commandeth vs Matt. 6.13 that we should daily craue to bee deliuered from euill for therein not onely doe we pray for deliuerance from transitory distresses of soule or bodie but we aske from our heart that God would either put an end to this sinnefull and wicked world or else come in a blessed time and pull vs from hence to euerlasting rest and quietnesse A Prayer for patience in trouble Now helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I in the abundance of my crosses may rightly order my selfe and learne of thee how I should beare the waight of my yoke Mat. 11.30 preserue mee that I neuer craue my death through impatiency much lesse that euer I shorten the dayes of my life which thou hast giuen bee but grant that euermore day by day I may learne to know thee to establish and confirme my faith and the longer I shall liue the more dearly to loue thee to the end I may learne to contemne this world and to long after that heauenly world which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his bloud To whom with thee and thy holy spirit one blessed God I render praise and and glory now and euer Amen Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life Spirit Vnto this question S. Paul answereth for Christ should alwaies be magnified in our bodies whether it be by Life or by Death Phil. 1 20.2â—.22.23.24 for to mee to liue saith he is Christ and to me to dye is gayne but if I liue in the Flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall chuse I wote not for I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you and hauing this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of Faith A meditation of the Soule tossed in the troublesome waues of this life Here mayest thou perceiue beloued Soule that Paule was tossed with two diuers opinions and thoughts he longed for rest and counted it best esteemed it also good that hee should abide in the flesh longer and beleeued that God would spare him that in his ministerie hee might further serue both God and Man yet in both these had this only before his eyes that Christ should be magnified in his bodye whether it were by life or by death So doth also the king Ezekiah 2. King 20.1.2.6 to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death but he turned his face vnto the Wall and prayed vnto the Lord who added vnto his daies fifteene yeares And so was also Paule greatly joyed for his brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier Epaphroditus who was sicke Phil. 2.25.27 neere vnto death but God had mercie on him and not on him onely but on meâ— also saith Paule least I should haue sorrow vpon sorrow Follow these examples and thou shalt not goe amisse for if thou canst be necessarie vnto God and thy neighbour it is conuenient thou shouldest craue a long and sound life that thou mayest bee a profitable vessel of mercie and chosen to good actions Neuertheles submit thee alwayes to his will and be readie euerie day to be dissolued for time is but lent thee A Prayer for Health and Gods blessings on our Labours Euerlasting Almightie God thou art my Life and Length of my daies my time is in thy hands for in Thee wee liue and mooue and haue our being Act. 17.28 I thank thee from the ground of my heart that thou hasâ— to this present houre suâ—stayned mee and giuen me a healthfull life and good vnderstanding thaâ— in my calling I mighâ— serue thee my God and my neighbour O God thou seest and knowest mâ— heart that I am willinâ— and verie desirous faithâ—fully and truely to walkâ— forward in my vocation and trade and that I haue no wicked purpose noâ— false pretence in my hart I humbly therefore entreat if it shall stand with thy praise and glorie and my owne saluation that thou wouldest prolong my daies and conduct me by thy holy spirit that I may learn to know thee more fully and serue my neighbour more intirely yet if it bee not thy pleasure and that thou knowest it to be better for mee take mee hence vnto thy selfe when thou wilt for I wholely renounce mine owne will and submit me to thy good wil and pleasure Graunt this vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. What shall moue
Lord Iesus Christ an Almighty promiser and powerfull performer vnto thee for saith he all the father giueth me Ioh. 6.37.38.39.40 shall come to mee and him that commeth vnto mee I will in no wise cast out for I came downe from heauen not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me and this is the fathers will which hath sent mee that of all which he hath giuen mee I should lose nothing but should raise it vp againe at the last day and this is the will of him that sent mee that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeuâ—th on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Heare then deare Soule what comfortable speeches these are out of the mouth of Verity it selfe Wouldest thou haue more to glad thine heart and stirre thy courage Heare the Lord him selfe witnessing who cannot lie thy faith sâ—all not decay thou shalt not bee lost but abide constant to the lad end And againe I haue prayed for thee Luk 22.13 that thy faith faile not for my sheepe heare my voyce and I know them saith hee and they follow mee Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and I giue vnto them eternall life and they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hand my father which gaue them me is greater thaÌ„ all no man is able to pluck theÌ„ out of my father hand I and my father am one And againe Mary hathchosen the good part Luk. 10.42 which shall not bee taken away from her A Meditation of the soule of faith in Christs promises How could the Lord giue vnto thee greater security thou hast his promise that he by the power of his holy Spirit shall giue his word for thee thy faith shal not decay and will not his father heare him when he prayed for Peter and for thee that thou shouuldest not be pluckt out of his or his Fathers hand and that the good part in thine heart should not bee reft from thee Now therefore art thou sure both of eternall life and of thy constancy and perseuerance thereunto and that thou through his mercie mayest stedfastly abide vnto the end hee will not leaue thee and thou shalt not leaue him yea thou shalt apprehend him oâ—â—hom thou art apprehended Therefore bee of courage and comfort thy selfe and say with Paul I know whom I haue beleeued 2 Tim. 1.12 and am perswaded that hâ—e is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day And in another place I am perswaded that neiâ—ther death nor life nor Angels nor principaliâ—ies nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any creature shall bee able to separate vs from the loue oâ— God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. The sicke mans Prayer and comfort in Christ. O Lord Iesus Christ Thou alone art my eternall Portion and Part which I haue chosen and am certaine that euen when mine heart shall breake it shall not bee taken from mee ô Thou Almighty Redemer who can doubt of thee ô Thou powerfull Sheepheard who shall pluck me out of thy hands ô Thou louing Sauiour 1 Ioh. 4.8 who art loue it selfe who will separate me from thy loue Thou hast kindled and raised in mine heart already a taste of the sweetnesse of the euerlasting habitations and thou hast made me haue experieÌ„ce therof by many and ioyfull deliuerances Yea Lord I perceiue the witnesse of thy holy Spirit in mine heart which witnesseth vnto my spirit that I am the childe of God and so fellow-heire with thee thou art the vine and I am a branch in thee thou art the tree of life and I am engrafted in thee thou art the Bride-groome and I the Bride wedded vnto Thee made one with thee and ioyned with thee by an euerlasting indissoluable couenant that neither the Diuell or distresse shall weaken crosse or infirmity loose and breake for euer For I am betrothed vnto Thee in righteousnesse Hos. 2.19.20 in iudgement and in louing kindnesse and in mercies yea I am betrothed vnto Thee in faithfulnesse and I doe know thee my Lord. O how burneth my heart to thee Psal. 42 2. O when shall I come and appeare before thee my God in heauen there to liue with thee for euer Amen Flesh. What shall the Christian doe when hee shall not finde such assurance of faith but great imbecillity coldnesse and drowzinesse oftentimes doubting whether he be one of the Elect or not Spirit Hee should not suffer such doubtings and weaknesses to lodge in his hart but remember that the Kingdome of Heauen suffereth violence Matth. 11.12 and is gotten by force and the violent take it by force yea thou shouldst bee mindefull of the Apostles admonition 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee saith he in remembrance that thou stirre vp the gift of God which is in thee and he will comfort thee with these words A bruized reede wil he not breake Esay 42.3 and the smoaking flax shall he not quench and hee shall reuiue thy soule by that comfortable promise be not afraid onely beleeue Matt. 9 29. thy faith shall make thee safe for according to thy faith it shall bee vnto thee And therefore be of good cheere Matt. 9.2 thy sinnes be forgiuen thee For daily experience doth teach that the more one resorts to the word of God and pondereth vpon the comfortable sentences of the Scripture in his minde he obtaineth the greater comfort in his heart but especially when he meditates vpon this heauenly summons and citation of the Lord Mat. 11.28 Come vnto mee all you that labour and are heauie laden and I will giue you rest A Meditation of the great comfort the children of God haue in this world O perceiue deere soule how mercifully and louingly the Lord cals vpon thee how he gathereth thee euen as a hen gathers her chickens vnder her wings Matth. 23.37 or as a good sheepheard goeth after that which is lost Luk. 15.4.5.6 vntill hee finde it and when hee hath found it hee layeth it on his shoulders reioycing and when hee commeth home hee calleth together his friends and his neighbours saying vnto them rejoyce with mee for I haue found the sheepe which was lost Consider therefore that thou art euen one of these who are wearied and burthened to whom the Lords Proclamation belongeth and therefore wheere hee saith Seeke my face continually answer thou in thy heart and say I will seeke thy face continually Thus the Lord will looke vnto him that is poore Esay 66..2 and of a contrite Spirit trembleth at this word Knowest thou not deare Soule that the Lord receiues him that is weake in faith For a weake faith is a true faith when as it wrastleth striues and leaues not off but sticketh vnto the word wherein in the promise is contayned And therefore is it well sayd by Luther In
ones for so saith the Redeemer Take eat this is my body Matth. 26.16 Mar. 14.22 Luk. 22.19 Cor. 11.24 which is giuen for you to the remission of sins and againe Take and eat all hereof this cup is the new Testament in my bloud which is shed for you Meditation of the Soule for the receiuing of the Communion Now heare my Soule what delicates the Lord thy Sauiour presenteth before thee in this his table truely not bare and naked bread and wine but his body and bloud for the bread which wee breake is it not the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the Communion of the bloud of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 therefore beleeue I and know that my Lord Iesus Christ both God and Man according to his institution is present to my Soule giues his body and bloud to bee eaten and drunke spiritually by a true and liuely faith wrought in me by his holy spirit and applying the merits and benefits of his death vnto mee the manner and way being best knowen vnto himselfe yea Lord Iesus thou thy selfe art here my host and I thy guest heere come I poore creature out of the wicked wildernes of this world fraught with trouble and misery and bring with mee an hungry thirsty and languishing yet a faithfull heart reuiue me my Lord Iesus by this thy table and strengthen mee by this nourishment that I may bee satiate and safe Approach heereunto my Soule to strengthen thy faith and quicken thy heart Ioh. 20.27 and bee not longer faithlesse but faithfull beâ—hold the Lord thy Redeemer assureth thee as with a true token and pawne that thou of meere grace and mercy art appoynted heire of all his blessings and hee imputes vnto thee whatsoeuer he hath procured by the sacrifice of his body and bloud to wit the forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes Rom. 4.8 that righteousnesse which is accepted before God and eternall life all these shall aâ— certainely be thine as if thou in thine own person hadst hung vpon the crosse and there merited them yea and he witnesseth heereby that thou for his sake art counted before God as righteous holy and as beloued as Christ himselfe is and moreouer by the same Sacrament through the holy Spirit he giueth himself vnto thee Reu. 3.20 to dwell with thee and sup with thee neuer to depart froÌ„ thee but worke a new life ioy light yea Lord Iesus so am I in thee Ioh. 17.23 Eph. 5.30 and thou in mee and I will sticke vnto thee my Redeemer as a liuing member to a liuing body as a bride vnto her bridegroome for I am a member of thy body Ioh. 15.4 of thy blood and bones yea I am in thee as the branch is in the vine and as a bough receiueth continuall sap vertue from the trees roote so doe I draw comfort life and quickening from thee and so by a true faith both in soule and body abide in thee and thou in mee by thy holy spirit that neither death nor life nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor nor things present nor things to come nor hight nor depth nor any other creature can separate me from thy loue A prayer when thou hast receiued the Communion Praised bee thou O God my Sauiour for thy fatherly care ouer me for preparing this heauenly banquet for me whereby I may quench the appetite of my hungry soule and mittigate the thirst of my heart so that now by this meanes I depart emboldened and established in grace and faith will follow thee my Redeemer with courage Heb. 13.9 will abide constantly with thee and remayne in perseuerance with thee through thy spirit vnto the last gaspe Amen Meditation of receiuing the holie Communion Thou hast said Doe this in my remembrance O my God how holie is the memorie of that how inwardly am I comforted therewith for by this sacrament I call to minde many other Festiual daies and times for in thy Table I remember thy Natiuitie for it testifieth vnto mee that thou in verie deed hast taken my human nature vpon thee and art farre neerer joyned vnto mee than vnto the Angells for thou in no sort tookedst vpon thee the Angells nature but thou tookest the seed of Abraham it likewise represeÌ„teth vnto mee that thou art the true Sacrifice for sinnes and therefore doe I eate the right Pasouer 1. Cor. 5.7 euen Christ which is sacrificed for mee as also I beleeue and trust seeing I am thy member and that thou art risen from the dead and liuest so shall I also so that thou wilt not leaue my Soule in Graue neyther shall death haue power ouer mee but I shall rise and sing vnto the Lord in the land of the liuing and possesse that place where thou my head Iesus Christ liuest world without end And all these things are engrafted and sealed in mee by thy holie Spirit of Promise 1. Eph. 13.14 which is the earnest of my Inheritance for the redemption of that libertie purchased vnto the prayse of his glorie whereby also peace and joy is kindled in my hart for I receiue the spirit of adoption whereby I crie Abba Father the same Spirit bearing witnesse to my Spirit Rom. 8.15 16. that I am the Sonne of God And not onely that but I participate the whole Trenitie the Father Sonne and Holie-Spirit who come vnto mee Ioh. 14.23 and dwell with mee so life euerlasting shall be bestowed vpon mee after this transitorie where I shall continually behold my Lord my God face to face and finally I haue here an vnion and fellowshippe with all the Saints for as hee sayd He that eateth my flesh Ioh. 6.56 and drinketh my bloud abideth in mee and I in him so hath hee sayde also that they all may bee one as thou O Father art in mee and I in thee euen that they may be also one in vs for we that are many are one bread and one bodie because wee are all partakers of one bread how joyfull am I of this heauenlie companie how glad am I of thy Saints to whose number thou hast adopted mee for the which I giue thee thankes honour and prayse for euermore Besides this it is written as oft as you eate of this Bread and drinke of this Cup ye declare the Lords death vntill his comming againe wherein deare Soule I am rauished to the contemplation of the Third-heauen with Paule whereof this thy last Supper is as it were an entry and beginning for in thy Fathers Kingdome I shall sit downe with Abraham Isaack and Iacob and there feed vpon Thee the Bread of Life eternally and therefore sigh I from the bottome of my heart saying euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly my Redeemer and tarrie not and therefore I am taught to powre out hartie thanksgiuings for all thy blessings wherewith thou hast blessed mee in heauenly things in
take my yoak vpoÌ„ you for he that will follow mee must forsake himselfe and take vp his crosse daily and come after mee and this precept is not giuen to any Infidell and wicked man Luk. 9.23 but vnto the faithfull and holy ones For the crosse of Christ is such a precious iewell that hee will not commit it to the vngodly and incredulous yet such an ornament hee will not bestow vpon prophâ—ne and godlesse people behold Simon of Cyrene Luk. 23.28 what greater honour could there come vnto him then that hee helped Christ to beare his Crosse behinde him ô what commendations shall it be vnto him at the last day A Prayer for obedience in the Crosse of Christ. O Lord Iesus Christ thou who hast enioyned that I should beare thy Crosse giue mee an obedient heart that I may with all humility receiue it vpon my shoulders 1 Kin. 3.9 and in all possible readinesse follow thee according to thy good pleasure through the same Lord Iesus Christ in whose name I call on thee saying Our Father c. Flesh. Shew me the third rule how to beare the crosse of Christ patiently Spirit Iesus our Sauiour hath three sorts of schooles of aduersity The first is of nurture when as hee reclaimeth his owne from sinne 1 Cor. 11.32 and chastizeth them for the same The second schoole is of probation or triall when hee exercizeth their faith Mic. 7 9. Esay 28. Esay 28.26 Esay 44. Rom. 8. hope and prayer The third is martyrdome when hee suffereth his Saints to bee persâ—cuted for his name sake A Meditation of the soule concerning the comfort of Christ to those that suffer for his sake Hearken ô my Soule thou art the Lords Disciple and Scholler and hee will not faile neither must thou grudge to bee brought vnto one of these schooles for if it so happen that hee punish thee for thy sinne as he did King Dauid thanke him for his correction It was good for mee saith Dauid that thou chastizedst mee that I might learne thy iudgements Psal. 119. And if hee put thee to triall as he did Ioseph and Iob Psal. 44. then bethinke thee that heereby he puts an edge vpon thy faith wakens thy hope prouokes thee to prayer Esay 25.9 and if he aduance thee to that honour to be persecuted cast in prison or dy for his name sake then reioyce that thou art couÌ„ted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name Act 5.14 A Prayer for stedfast faith in all afflictions O Lord Iesus Christ thou who wast not ashamed to hang vpon the crosse with disdain and all kind of reproch grant that I neuer blush to stand by thy crosse with the Virgin Mary and if thou bring me thereunto mercifully maruellously help me to follow thee Ioh. 19.25 bee prepared if neede bee to lay down my life for thy sake according to thy pleasure grant this heauenly father for Iesus Christs sake my only Sauiour and Redeemer to whom bee all honour and glory Amen Flesh. Shew me the fourth rule of Christs Crosse. Spirit The crosses of the faithfull are a token and signification of Gods loue for whom hee loueth hee chastizeth Reu 3.19 but the world shall reioyce saith he but yee shall weep and lament Ioh. 16.20 for so iudgement must beginne at Gods house and therefore in the daies of Ieremiah 1 Pet. 4.17 the Lord began to bring euill on the City which is called by his name Ier. 25.29 and hee that loues his childe will not spare the rod Hebr. 12.6 but if thou art without chastisement whereof all are partakers which are his sons then art thou a bastard and not a sonne behold thy Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten sonne of his father how angry was his father with him how bitterly did God smite him although it was not for his owne sinne but for the offences of other men A Prayer for willingnesse to vndergoe the Crosse of Christ. Lord Iesus helpe mee that I neuer withdraw my selfe from thy crosse and correction but willingly embrace and kisse the same as a well â—nclined childe and heartily thank thee at all times for whatsoeuer blowes or scourges it shall please thee to inflict vpon me Grant this ô heauenly father for the same my Sauiour Iesus Christs sake Amen Flesh. Shew mee the fifth rule concerning Christs Crosse Spirit The greater the euill is the Lord is the neerer for he will bee with vs in trouble hee will deliuer vs and honour vs Psal. 90.15 yet how hard is it to flesh bloud to beleeue it for we suppose that when sorrow and greefe is at hand the Lord hath forgot vs and giuen vs vp to Satan and to all kinde of mischance ô not so my soule for although Sathan bee thy professed enemy and goeth about night and day to deuoure thee yet can he not touch an haire of thy head by his will Mat. 10.30 yea how is it possible the Lord should not remember vs for in acceptable time will he heare vs and in a day of saluation will hee help vs Esay 49.8 can a woman forget her sucking childe that shee should not haue compassion on the sonne of her wombe yet will I not forget thee saith the Lord but if it is for a small moment that hee forsaketh thee but with great mercies will he gather thee in a little wrath he will hide his face from thee for a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercy on thee Esay 54.7 saith the Lord thy Redeemer the mountaines shall depart and the hils be remoued but his kindnesse shall not depart from thee neither shall the couenant of my mercy and peace bee remoued from thee Vers. 10. saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee for how should hee lie who is verity himselfe Light therefore is sowen vnto the godly in darknesse and therefore Psal. 112 4 Rom. 8. Psal. 23.1 if God be with vs who can bee against vs. Now then the Lord is thy sheepheard thou shalt want nothing that is good for thee A Prayer when wee haue obtayned faith in Christ. Lord Iesus I hauing once the possession of thee I account nothing of the heauen or earth or fulnesse thereof but esteeme all to be dung and naught in regard of thee and thy knowledge Ps. 73. and albeit my soule and life should be grieuously tormented eyther with inward or outward tormeÌ„ts and afflictions thou art my lot and the portion of inheritance for euer grant therefore O Lord God my faith fayle not but with assured hope of glorie I may call on thee my Sauiour Amen Flesh. Shew mee the sixt rule concerning the crosse of Christ and the crosses of this life Spirit The Crosse serueth Gods children to their good for wee know that all things worke together for good to them that loue God to them who are called according to his purpose Rom.
thy word doe I hope My Soule wayteth for thee O Lord more than they which watch for the morning if it be thy pleasure O Redeemer and profitable and necessarie for my selfe that I should liue be preserued from death and destruction because that I may liue hereafter a godly holie and Christian life to my last end but if it shall not be thy will to prolong my dayes but that I must depart out of this world theÌ„ come Lord Iesus Christ my Redeemer receiue my soule into thy hands and giue me place and possession in Paradise in Abrahams bosome with the blessed Angells and all Saints Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I should vse the ordinarie meanes of Physicke in time of sicknesse Spirit Fourthly thou mayest conueniently vse ordinarie meanes and physicke then giue place to the physitian for the Lord hath created him Let him not goe from thee for thou hast need of him but beware that thou haue not recourse vnto the Physitian before thou come vnto the Lord for so did King Asa â— Chr. 16.12 when hee was diseased in his Feet therefore the Lord gaue no blessing vnto his Physicke and so he dyed But especially take heed that you vse no forbidden means and aske not counsell of Witches or those which doe helpe by the meanes of the Deuill through the abuse of Gods holie name 2 Kin. 1.6 for so did King Ahaziah consult with the Idoll of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether he should recouer of his disease Is it because there is not a God of Israell that thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron therefore thou shalt not come off from that bedd on which thou art gone vp but shalt surely dye Be circumspect also and seeke out the best practised and skilfullest Physitians for mans bodie is the pretious creature of God and should be honoured and no wayes neglected Another Prayer for the Sicke I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ true Physitian of my soule that thou hast cured my heart and clensed it from sinne by that heauenlie medicine from aboue I earnestly intreat thee who hast made all things that thou wouldest blesse these outward helpes and meanes which thou hast ordayned Mat. 8.2 Lord if thou wilt thou canst make mee whole and by these ayds restore mee to health but if thou wilt not those cannot helpe mee Loe here I am doe with mee according to thy will and pleasure so that euer respect bee had to thy glorie my weale and saluation Graunt these blessings vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy sonnes sake in whose name I pray vnto thee saying Our Father which art in Heauen c. Flesh. Shew mee how I may obtayne the gift of Patience in the time of sicknesse Spirit Fiftly deare Soule see thou alwayes lay hold on patience and request the Lord that he would preseâ—ue thee from impatiencie O how pretious a thing is patience to trust alwaies in the Lords help for it is of the Lords mercie that wee are not consumed Lam. 3.22 because his compassions fayle not they are new euerie morning great is his faithfulnesse for faith and patience cannot bee disseuered Heb. 6.12 Be not therfore slothfull but bee a follower of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiâ—e â—o if we rejoyce in the hope of the glorie of God weâ— must also glorie in tribulations knowing that tribulations worke patience and patience Experience Rom. 5.2.3 4.5 and experience Hope anâ— hope maketh not ashamed Behold and immitate thy Sauiour Iesus Christ Pet. 2.21.24 who hath left vs an example that we should follow hiâ— steps who his owne selfâ— bâ—re our sinnâ—s in his own bodie on the tree and euer committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously so must wee take all â—hings patiently for this is acceptable with God and in this must wee â—esemble euen our young ones who when their headakes come and make their mâ—anes to their mothers layes downe their heads in their mothers laps and crie for helpe euen so do thou my deere Soule make thou thy lamentation before the Lord cast thy burthen vpon him and hee shall sustaine thee Euening and Morning Ps. 55.22 vers 17. and Noone pray and crie aloud and let him heare thy voyce and exspect him with patience And aboue all things flie impatience for it destroyeth and corrupteth all Christian vertues it offendeth God our Lord it hindereth letteth praier and maketh vs the longer that it holds the more vehement we are so as Patience is a pretious and powerfull hearbe so Impatiencie is venimous and poyson to the heart The Sicke persons prayer for patience Take from mee Lord Iesus that noysome offence of impatiencie keep mee that it neuer haue dominion ouer mee least I make the crosse thereby heauier but plant Christian patience in my heart that I may continually attend thy blessed time and leisure for thy time is the right and thy season the true season Indeed truely make mee continually be stedfast in Hope and put my whole confidence in thâ—e 1. Cor. 10 1â— for thou art true and wilt suffer none to be tempted aboue his strength And this I intreate thee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. Shew mee some comforts if sicknâ—sse continue long with mee that so I may not despaire in Gods mercie Spirit Sixtly deare Soule if thy sicknesse abide longer time than thy expectation was thinke not that the lord hath forgot thee but vnderstand that in the greatest crosses thou art dearest vnto him Ps. 55.19 but the wicked because they haue no changes therefore they feare not God But as for thee no more than a mother can forget her child can hee forget thee Esa. 49.15.16 for behold he hath graueÌ„ thee vpon the palmes of his hands yea the sicker the child is the greater is the mothers loue and the more diligently watchfully doth she attend and so doth the Lord with thee speakes he not consolation in thy heart and saith Art thou not my deare Sonne and beloued child Ier. 31.20 I haue loued thee with an euerlasting loue therefore with louing kindnesse haue I drawne thee thy Soule shall be as a watered Garden 12. and thou shalt not sorrow any more at all I will satiate thy Soule with fatnesse 14. and thou shalt bee satisfied with goodnes saith the Lord and therefore the Lord is mercifull and gratious slow to anger and plenteous in mercie Ps. 103.8 9 10.11.13 he will not alwayes chide neyther will hee keepe his anger for euer Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes nor rewarded vs according to our iniquities for as the heauen is high aboue the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord hath pittie of them that feare him Loe deare Soule thy Father nor mother haue such pittie towards thee as thy Sauior and therefore thou oughtest to
faithfull and godly affaires yea and as thy mother was left a widdow so wast thou also fatherlesse for Ioseph liued not long with thee therefore thou knowest both estates yea what is hid from thee ô thou searcher of hearts yea ô Lord Iesus thou becamest fatherlesse for all the poore orphans sakes I deliuer vnto thee now my fatherlesse children there receiue thou them it may well be that both I they shall praise and thanke thee therfore vpon that last day Blesse and replenish their hearts with true godlinesse their bodies with soundnesse according to thy will their life with Christian education and grant them whatsoeuer may comfort them in this world or in the world to come Satiate them with a long life and shew them thy saluation ô thou horne of my saluation Thou gouernest thy children maruellously Psal. 91.16 thou teachest and rulest them euermore they know thy voice and follow it grant them patience and mercie that they neuer separate themselues from thee and neuer desist from obedience and true loue to thee and their neighbours vntill thou shalt receiue them into those eternall and euerlasting habitations to be with my Sauiour in heauen for euermore Luk. 16.9 Amen CHAP. VI. Declaring how a Christian man shall willingly giue himselfe to die ouercome the bitternesse thereof and how in constant perseuerance hee may continue to the end Flesh. I Pray you shew mee how I may quiet the feare of death to the end I may willingly adayes which speech iâ— had of death Tush saâ— they a stout heart will ouercome death A Meditation of the Soulâ— against the feare of Death But deare Soule these are nothing else but fleshly and miserable cogitations for our owne courage shall neuer carrie coÌ„fort to the hart nor hope of eternall life For these wicked mens hearts are notwithstanding replenished with perplexitie and griefe for they know not to whom they should come to render their Soules O but the children of God haue a farre more forcible and pithie physicke against the feare of death yea a notable secret reuealed vnto them from aboue which is in true faith and cheerefull confidence in our Lord Iesus Christ which whosoeuer hath and thereby shall lay hold on him hath a preseruatiue and antidote against all the terrors and feares of death And why wilt thou O my Soule be afraid of death knowest thou whose thou art and what thou art thou art â—arth and must returne to earth but Iesus Christ is thy Life Col. 3.3 why mistrustest thou Death is thy Life knowest thou whither thou shalt goe Col. 3 3. Iohn 14.6 Behold Christ is the Way and Ladder to Heauen attend therefore thou must and kisse his Sonne and thou shalt not perish from the way Ps. 2.12 for blessed are they that put their trust in him for hauing him thou hast all things and without him all other things are naught The Sick-mans prayer and faith in Christ. Yea my Lord Iesus Christ thou diedst for my sinnes thou hast reconciled mee with thy father thou hast ouerthrowne death and meriâ—ted eternall life for them that constantly beleeue and hold out vnto the end Now therefore there ariseth mirth and joy in my heart and rest and peace and I count nothing of death for by thee Iesus Christ I haue remission of all my sinnes and am pure and righteous before God O he is a good mercifull father vnto mee I am his deare child and heauenlie heyre and now Lord Iesus I am thine own peculiar whom thou hast redeemed not with corruptible things as siluer and gold but with thy precious bloud as of a lambe without blemish and without spot And hast deliuered mee from hell yea I am thy brother and fellow heire and all that thou hast is mine yea I am thy beloued deere bride thy pleasure and thy joy thy treasure which thou hast dearely bought I am likewise the temple and habitation of thy holie spirit by whom I am sealed vnto the day of redemption yea Lord Iesus thou hast so reconciled and vnited mee that I am Bone of thy Bone and Flesh of thy Flesh yea all thy creatures should rather come to naught thaÌ„ that I should bee seperated from thy loue what then can death worke vpon mee surely nothing else but that I may more nearely approach vnto thee my God Therefore respect I not death but haue life in my thoughts and mind and speake of nothing else but life for Christ is vnto mee both in life and death againe yea I will sing and say with faithfull Iob Iob. 19.25.26.27 I know that my Redeemer liueth and that he shall stand at the later day vpon the earth and though after my skinne be perished wormes destroy this bodie yet in my flesh shall I see thee whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not an others Though my raynes bee consumed within mee Lord Iesus Christ thou knowest that I both beleeue in thee and by my faith remaine with thee eternally yea and I also know that I beleeue in thee and feele the sweetenesse of my faith taste of euerlasting life in my heart Thou art mine and I am thine and I am possessor of all that thou hast as life with euerlasting peace and joy what account I then these transitorie things Hauing thee I haue all things I could wish both earthly and heauenly A way with this temporall pleasure and beautie of this life and all other fading and perishing things for thou Lord Iesus art my comfort alone my goods and wealth my honour delight and euerlasting riches I haue trusted in thy mercie my heart shall rejoyce in thy Saluation O how dearely loue I thee Ps. 13.5 Ps. 18.1 Ps. 28.7 ô Lord my strength ô Lord my rocke my sheild the horne of my saluation and strong defence Such faith such loue burneth in my heart to thee Lord Iesus the which hath so possessed mee and incouraged mee that I am affraid neither of death nor distresse for I am sure that death it selfe and all things shall worke together for my best Now come Lord when thou wilt come I say I am certainely and surely persuaded that in thee and by thee I shall haue life and euerlasting contentment then come Lord Iesus â—hoâ— true God conclude this life destroy thou the last enemie which is death place me in my fathers inheritance whereof I haue thy bloud sprinckled on my heart an vndoubted pawne I am far from home heere and a forrâ—iner in a strange countrey take me home to mine owne that there I may sit at thy table with Abraham Isaak and Iacob that as Iohn enclined on thy bosome at the last Supper so I may rest my wearied soule on thee my God for euer Amen Flesh. I haue truely conceiued comfort and and life in mine heart if I could constantly keepe it but I am afraid my faith will decay in time of triall Spirit Thou hast thine owne
we must be saued To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his name whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 grace aboundeth much more If God be for vs Rom 8.31 who can be against vs. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. I am perswaded that neither death nor life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come c. Rom. 11.32 God hath concluded all in vnbeliefe that hee might haue mercie vpon all Rom. 14.7 None of vs liueth to himselfe and no man dieth to himselfe for whither we liue wee liue vnto the Lord or whether we die we dye vnto the Lord whither wee liue therefore or die we are the Lords 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all dye euen so in Christ shall all bee made aliue 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull who will not suffer you to bee tempted aboue that you are able but with the temptation also will make away to escape that you may be able to beare it Phil. 1.20 â—1 â—â— 23 Christ shall be magnified in my bodie whether it bee by life or by death for to me to liue is Christ and to die is gaine but if I liue in the flesh this is the fruite of of my labour but what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a straight betwixt two hauing a desire to bee with Christ which is farre better Our conuersation is in heauen Phil. 3.20 from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ. This is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and worthy all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whom I am chiefe I am readie now to bee offered 2 Tim. 4.6 and the time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith Henceforth there is layd vp for me a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous iudge shal giue me at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto them also which loue his appearing 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith lay holde of eternall life whereunto thou art also called I know whome I haue beleeued 2 Tim 1.12 for I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day We are kept by the powre of God through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1.15 ready to be reuealed in the last time The bloud of Iesus Christ Gods Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 In this was manifested the loue of God towards vs because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee may liue throgh him here in his loue not that wee loued God but that hee loued vs and sent his Sonne to be the propitiation for our sinnes Here haue wee no continuing Citie Heb. 13 14 but wee seeke one to come As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Reuel 3.19 Bee thou faithfull vnto death Reuel 2.10 and I will giue thee a crowne of life To him that ouercommeth will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne Reuel 3 21 â—uen as I also â—â—ercame and am set down with my father in his throne Reu. 12.11 And they ouercame him by the bloud of the Lambe and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto death Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Reu. 14.13 yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes do follow them Meditations of the Soule Of these and many other comfortable speeches and sentences deare Soule choose and select some which best may comfort thee Make them as familiar vnto thee as the Lords prayer and as some vse to prouide theiâ— winding sheet some yeres before they die against the time there shall be occasion of it that their bodies may bee enfolded therein Euen so picke thou out some remarkeable sentences and learne to vnderstand them to the ende that in time of death thou mayst wrappe thy soule therein for at that time it happeneth that the vnderstanding is mightily lessened the memorie taken away long Sermons cannot bee heard Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3 there is no attention giuen to perswation nor Rhetoricall allurements but one comfortable word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God reioyceth gladdeth nourisheth refresheth the heart life and soule But time is too short to learne these things when thou art on thy death bed And therefore acquaint thy selfe diligentlie with Sermons and preachings reading and meditating on Gods word that thou mayest haue these spirituall weapons in the houre of thy greatest combate Make diligent vse of thy going to Church and euerie time see thou learne that wherof thou wast ignorant before so shalt thou encrease in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ corroborate thy faith kindle thy loue augment thy hope and be prouident against that greatest and last assault of Sathan A Praier for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word O Lord Iesus Christ open my heart by thy holy spirit that I may giue place to thy word ponder thâ—reon and weigh it diligently and make it familier vnto my soule and not be as a vessel that is crackt and can holde no liquor Hâ—b 2.1 Illuminate my vnderstanâ—ding and confirme my memorie that I may euer call thy ioyfull comfort to minde and bee that good portion of ground which in an honest and good heart may heare and keepe thy word and bring forth fruite with patience vnto the end grant this O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake to whom be all glorie and honour Amen Flesh. What else is behoouefull to comfort the sicke on his bed Spirit I haue set downe euery where prayers for thee which thou mayest vse as occasion serueth and the disposition of thy sicknes requires but the most speciall is the Lords prayer which heere also thou shouldest remember saying Our Father which c. sundry Prayers and Meditions mayest thou haue out of the learned and godly Fathers as Augustine and Bernard and out of holy latter Writers as also out of the booke of Psalmes in the which thou mayest vse these most frequently O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger c. Psal. 8. The Lord is my Sheepheard c. 23. Vnto thee ô Lord doe I lift vp my Soule c 25. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiueâ— 32. As the Hart panteth after the water brookes
impediment Behold therfore deare soule what is more acceptable and pretious who will now bee affraide of death but on the contrarie the Soule of the Vnfaithful and Vngodlie is deliuered to Sathan and caried incontinent to payne as wee may see in that Rich-mans Soule where it shall remayne in trouble and miserie Luk. 16. anguish and smart and Woe vnspeakable without all mercie and comfort for euer in stinke and darkenesse where there is weeping and guashing of Teeth to the last day at what time their miserie shall first begin to be exceeding great and neuer shall cease The Christians most earnest Prayer to leaue this world and to be with Christ his Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ my Hope and Ioy how heartilie longeth my soule for thee yea â—uen as the Hart paÌ„teth for the water-brooks so panteth my Soule after thee O God my Soule thirsteth for God Ps. 42.1 for thee O God the Liuing-God When shall I come and appeare before thee O how weary am I of this loathsome vale of misery in the which I endeuour to serue thee my God in great weakenesse I may say Phil. 1.23.24 I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is verie profitable that I may bring forth fruit yet what I should chuse I know not Lord Iesus thou euerlasting wisdome which knowest my time my dayes are in thy hands euen come take mee to thee when thou wilt my heart longeth for rest yea for that euerlasting quietnesse from this darknesse to light from sorrow to ioy from the troubles of this world to peace from loathsome miserie to glorie from imperfection to an accomplished perfection Lord Iesus thou knowest all things and doest know that my soule doth heartilie loue thee and hath an inward desire to behold thy countenance Behold most louing Redeemer the teares of loue which fall from my eyes and consider how I weep for meere ioy my heart is sicke for loue it sighes Song 8 6. Song 2.5 groaâ—es and longeth to be at home with thee to rest it selfe in thy bosome O my Lord and God how well shall I bee then How highly shall my soule crie out greatly ioying and praiâ—ing thee Mat. 17.4 Luk. 23. saying Lord it iâ— good for me to be here Lord remember mee in thy Kingdome and say vnto my soule thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise there to rest for euer Amen Flesh. Doth not the soule then long for the body seeing it knoweth it is rotten in the cold ground and expecteth the day of resurrection and euerlasting life for it Spirit I must confesse that such thoughts often make men sorrowfull but wee must vnderstand that our soules after their departing are with Christ and must haue much more vnderstanding and knowledge and farre cleerelier know Gods wonderfull righteouâ— counsell and will and therefore are perswaded that no mischaunce can befall theiâ— bodies in the earth but that they shall pleaâ—antly and softly sleep and rest and all their bones dust and ashes shall bee so kept through the Almighty power of God that they shall neuer bee consumed brought to nought but shall questionlesse and wiâ—hout all doubt rise againe Secondly the soules of the godly are in such place and ioy where is no vnquietnesse or vvretched desire foralthough they bethink them of their bodies and would haue that righteous day of doome approch Reu. 6.10 saying How long O Lord holy and true doest thou not iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth Yet such thoughts are without sorrow and appertaine to their ioy Gods glorie and praise vnto the which they alwaies submit their wils and as the children of God in this wretched life they long for their dissolution and sigh for the comming of Ieâ—us Christ and hee that doth not so hath not a sound and true loue to Iesus Christ yet the blessed soules which are with Christ. desire that all sinne in the woâ—ld should come to end and that euerlasting persecution shold then beginne but that their desire should carrie sorrow or any painefull longing vpon them it is not possible for they rest with the Lord our God and from this world for there is no time nor difference of day and night and where there is no time there can be no heauie longing for Psal 90.4 because a thousand yeares in his sight arâ— but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night And againe One day with the Lord is as a thousand yeares 2 Pâ—t 3. â— As one day therfore deare soule let such thoughts passe and cast thy selfe vnder Gods powerful hand who is thy Creatour thy hope and rest defendor and contenting perfection both in this life in that eternall which is to come A Prayer of the faithfull soule for her dissolution 2 Tim. 4. Now Lord Iesus Christ thou who seest and knowest that I haue earnest loue of thy manifestation I request thee with all my power that thou wouldest through thy defence abate the vngodly and sinnefull waies of the world and shew righteous doome vpon Sathan and all our aduersaries and let that euerlasting glorie of our ioy come when thou shalt bee all in all 1. Cor. 15. Yea Lord Iesus Rom. 18.20.22 the whole creation groaneth and trauaileth in paine together wayting for the deliuerance from the bondage of corruption and vanitie vnto the which it is made subiect waiteth I say for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God when they shall be deliuered vnto the glorious libertie of the Children of God Should not wee then verie earnestly long for the loosing of our bodies but if it bee thy holy will O Lord Iesus and that thou hast so concluded in thy counsell that I shall here abide to thy ioyfull comming againe euen so bee it my God and my Redeemer O with what ioy of heart shall I heare thy trumpet how gladly shall I leape and meete thee in the cloudes but if thou call mee from hence before and take my soule vnto thee to that peaceable Paradise Loe here am I and willingly come and shall not cease with all comfort to crie vnto thee and say Amen euen so come Lord Iesus Râ—u 22.20 come to iudge the quicke and the dead Amen Flesh. Thou beleeuest then certainely that this our bodie shall rise againe and liue with the soule eternally Spirit Yes truely that I beleeue and therefore confesse in the articles of my faith and say I beleeue the resurrection of the bodie and life euerlasting For when our Lord Iesus shall come againe vpon that last day to iudge Mat 25. â—3 and all the holy Angels with him then shall he set vpon the throne of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all Nations liuing and dead small and great Reu. 20.12 good and bad shall stand before him and the Sea shall
the Glorie of God did enlighten it and the Lambe is the light thereof 24. And the Nations of them which are saued shall walke in the light of it and the Kings of the earth doe bring their glorie and honour to it And the Gates of it shall not be shut at all by day â—5 for there shall be no night there And they need no candle neyther the light of the Sun Reu. 22.5 for the Lord giueth them light and they shall shine for euer and euer These words beloued Soule are short but replenished with vnspeakable comfort and although the Scripture had beene more large herein yet our weake and infirme hearts are such and our vnderstanding so small that wee could not comprehend it and therefore the holie Spirit by these speeches openeth but a little windowe through the which wee may see a little glance to the end wee may know what wee should beleeue and hope for and what to comfort and reioyce vs withall But when we shall come thither and possesse such ioy and such gladnesse then shall wee say one to another as old Elizabeth sayde vnto the Virgin Marie Luk. 1.45 O blessed art thou that beleeuest for there is a performance of those thingâ— which were told thee of the Lord. O eternall Life O pleasant Life O perpetuall Ioy and Peace O euerlasting Hierusalem Citie of the holie God O how pretious how beautifull art thou vnto mee thy pulchritude surmounts there is no blemish in thee My heart longeth for thee yea for Hierusalem my Mother For Hierusalem my natiue Land and for thee Iesus Christ thou which art hid there my Life Lord and euerlasting Sheepheard O holie Life O blessed Life which the Lord hath prepared for them that loue him in the which shall be no death for man shall see God face to face for our hearts shall be superaboundantly satiate with the food of Life Oh the oftner I thinke vpon thee the sweeter thou appearest vnto mee O how well wilt thou be my Soule when thou shalt bee loosed from this earthly body and so passe in freedomevnto heauen how welcome shalt thou bee how kindly shalt thou be receyued thou shalt come to great rest and securitie thou needest not stand in feare of any foe or deaâ—h Thou shalt euermore beholde the face of thy God and Redeemer Ps. 45.2 the beaâ—tifullest among the childreÌ„ of men hearest thou not him my Soule calling on thee Song 2.20 Rise vp my loue my fayre one and come away for loe the Winter is past the rayne is ouer and gone Arise my Loue my fayre one and come away Come vnto mee my Elect I haue pleasure in thy beautie come and reioyce before my face with the Angells whose societie I haue promised thee Come out of all thy distresses and feares and enter into thy Fathers rest O reioyce my Soule and be glad thou beautifull daughter for the King hath pleasure in thee O thou sweet Life shew me thy Ports and thy gates â—hy walls and thy manifolde Mansions Reu. 21. â—8 19 Thy Walls are of pretious stones and thy gates are costly Pearle and the â—treet of the Citie is pure â—old as it were transpaâ—ent glasse in the which is sung perpetually a Halleluiah thy light is God the God of light the Son of Righteousnessâ— neuer goâ—th downe in thee There is a feast and banquet where all wearied Pilgrims refresh themselues Ioh. 17.24 O how pleasant is the harmonie which shal be heard there O then shall I find the accomplishment of that promise Father I will that these that thou hast giuen mee should be with me where I am that they may behold the glorie which thou hast giuen mee for thou louedst me before the foundation of the world A Prayer for the ioyes of Heauen O thou Fountayne of Life O springing Well of all comfort when shall I drinke aboundantly of that Water of Life which is thy consolation when shall I appeare before thy ioyefull countenaunce when O LORD shall I see that day of saluation Ps. 118.24 wherin I may reioyce and be glad O how light cleare and ioyfull shall that day be wherein there shall be no euening Math. 25. Enter my soule into thy fathers rest where I shall haue that holy Triâ—nitie one euerlasting God in three persons Come my light and Redeemer and deliuer my soule from from this miserable prison O euerlasting peace Phil. 1.4 which passeth all vnderstanding wherein the holy ones soule doth repose it selfe there is that eternall life which is to know God our Lord and to see God face to face happie are they for euer which are disburdened of this cumbersome and miserable life and are come to that heauenly eternall and ioyfull life to liue with Christ for euer Amen Flesh. What shall then become of the reprobate and vngodly Spirit They shall enter both soule and bodie into euerlasting paine Of the paines of Hell for as the ioy of the godly cannot be expressed so neither can the paines of the wicked and condemned bee shewed for there is such poenarum multiplicitas acerbitas â—eternitas that is first the paine of the condemned shall bee so great and manifold that none can declare it for they shall be cast into vtter darknesse Mat. 22.13 where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth They shall be tormented in the flame Luk. 16.24 The Lord shall raine vpon them snares fire and brimstone and a horrible tempest this shall be the portion of their cup their wormes shall not dye neither shall their fire be quenched Esay 66.24 and they shall bee an abhorring vnto all the people A Meditation of the soule on the paines of hell Behold with these and such like phrases the Scripture giueth vs to vnderstand that vnspeakeable and vnconceiueable miserie the wicked shall come to with that grieuous societie of the diuel who shall ioye in tormenting them which the religious should often meditate vpon Secondly there shall be Poenarum acerbitas for that their paine shall bee so bitter and hard that the condemned cannot endure and yet they must needes suffer it eternally for they shal seeke death Revel 9.6 and shall not finde it and shal desire to dye and death shall slie from them for there shall be neither life nor death but betwixt life and death shall they bee tormented for euermore Euen as a red hot coldron vpon a flaming furnace so shal they be in fire vnspeakeably tormented and abide in such case for all eternitie Thirdly Poenarum aeternitas for their manifolde and bitter torments shall at no time come to an end for so it is said they shall goe to euerlasting paine Mat. 25. for were it of a long continuance and so haue an end would bee some comfort in their expectation but eternitie is endlesse Esa. 34.89 for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the streames shall bee turned into pitch which