the infallible proofs thereof and the duty of such as own it page 55. ERRATA IN the Entrance § 3. Lineâ— 6. for Delegate Read Delicate Page 9. L. 3. for Vitotum R Votitum P. 22. L. 16. for feed R. fed P. 34. L. 5. for Daughter R. Daughters P. 40. L 14 for Restrain R. Restraint P. 72. L. 19 for Eâ—au R. Isaac P. 104 L. 16. for When R. First Then P. 176. L. 24. for Invincable-rable R Invincible THE MAP OF THE Little WORLD Illuminated with RELIGION The Entrance MAN the Master-piece and Model of Nature and the Mirrour of all that 's Rare and Excellent in Nature is upon good ground call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Little World being the Abridgement and curious draught of the Greater World whom GOD hath stated upon the Frontise piece of the Universe as the Image of his Maker to Rule and Act therein as Lord and King under GOD He 〈◊〉 such a rare work as declareth his Author Psal 8 5 6. and Psal 144. 3 For GOD made Man upright Ecc. c. 7. 29. And if he were not a little clouded with clay he had not been a little lower but equall with the Angels Being as to his Creation the Son of GOD Luke 3. to the end fearfully and wonderfully made Psal 13â— 14 Much higher then other Animals arâ— above a senseless clod with an elevated countenance os homini sublime dedit Ovid. a Noble Ayr and Mâ—an as a Kingâ— Son much higher then all the rest § 2. And if we can with Appelles's dash lineament this portract we shall find it very admirable in its Organ's and all its parts with such Vivacity in its eyes much more Sprighty and Lucide than the sparks of a Diamond such a subtile sense in its Ear Tast and Smell which maketh its Body Sp'rituous and Lively with a special Ray of Glory above other Creatures in the facultie of speech to communicatâ— its mind and converse with GOD and Man which is called the Glory of Man Psal 57 8. and Psal 108. 1. With such Agility in its Limbs with such strength in its Thigh with a strange circling of its Blood and such an adequate Symmetry proportion and Contexture of the Whole that there is no schism or blemish in the Body the Breviary of all Philosophy the Library of Nature and Patern of Art § 3. But if we will draw nearer and look in to that which is unseen except by its Issue we shall yet find much greater wonder and glory carrying Judgement Reason and Memory in the head and affections in the heart this living Soul in Man is not only a Breath Crasis or Humour but an immaterial spirit and delegate peece of all the Works of GOD Capable to reflect upon and deliberat with himself and to know love choice and enjoy GOD with the power of phansie and inward sense which as a forge suggests matter of Reason and Council to work upon and like an intelligence to stir the universe as by a common soul § 4. But alas sin sullied this sublime Creature and the fall hath taken away his understanding Man is now either void orc orrupt in his intellectuals and so is like the beast that perish O quantum mutatus est how far has he changed and degenerated Lucifer by fall turned devil and Man turned Brute and slave to the devâ— and being so rare a work is now become the worst through sin nam corruptio optimâ— pessima The light in him now is darkness and how great is that darkness If we follow sin to its Rise we will find it of the devil who sinned from the beginning who corrupted the first Man with contagious infection and a spreading leprosie and invenomed the Root which made â—owre the Branches so Man's marred strip't of his Native beauty exposed in soul and bodv and open to wrath and miserie he now is become homo nihili worth nothing and lighter then Vanity whereby this little Maâ— is all mangled and deformed § 5. But Religion illuminateth it again and as the natural Sun makes the Heavens pleasant and the Earth fruitful so the Son of Righteousness the second Adam ariseth with healing in his wings Mal. 4. 2. With a Heavenly pensil draweth again more stedy impresses of the Image of God makes him to partake of the Divine Nature and the Life of GOD and he now becomes more apt for a communion with GOD to be translated from Glory to Glory by the spirit of GOD Which the Religion of the Holy JESUS effectuateth as a lightsome horizon to influence him again with Heavenly Rayes by the spirit and word of GOD to raise him up for Grace and Glory and if well improved makes the new Creature 's face shine like Moses it transfigures him with his Saviour Mat. 17. 2. and puts him in Heaven while on Earth and makes Him to converse in Heaven Phil. 3 20. And meet for the Inheritance with the Saints in Light § 6. This new Crature is not only formed of GOD but also for GOD he is GOD's Workman-ship and must work for his Life and work out his Salvation For which he must consider that he hath an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great work adoe and must therefore impâ—ove his Time and Talents for that End Hoc age do this is both the Voice of Scripture and Providence A Man without a Calling both General and Particular is but like a Drone in a Hyve and GOD may say to such Why stand ye here all the day Idle Yet we may get our Wages if we listen to the Call after much Loitering Nam prestat sero sapere quam nunquam It 's high time to awake out of sleep Rom. 13. to the end And since our Life is but a Vapour and like a Blob upon the Water may soon evanish and our present Now goeth away with the thought and our Interim may soon alter We shall find Work enough shap't for us both by Nature and Religion To be well Imployed in our Time we must be active to Recover and Provident as Apelles drew his Picture to work for Eternity There is no time to be idle the necessities of Nature and Moderate Recreation being allowed and there can be nothing more perswasive to set us on Work than the uncertainty of time and that there is no Work in the Grave Ecc 6. 10. Time passeth like a little turning rivolet into the Ocean unto an Vnchangeable Eternity Our Lease is not only Annual but Diurnal we are Temporary Tenants in this World and every hour of the 24 and every minute of the Hour may determine our Horoscope This great dyal of Nature Time passeth away but never standeth still nor goeth back without a Miracle Time rides a Career amongst Mortals and sends its Harbinger Death with his black Rod where the Soveraign Ruler appoints it We know not what a Day may bring forth and should not boast of to morrow Prov. 27. 1. It is good then to watch and
Soul I choise thy Statutes as my Heritage in the Land of my pilgrimage and Thy Salvation as my Inheritance for ever Give me victory over the World by Faith and grant me Peace Patience and Perseverance to the End Amen Sixthly Devotion for Old Age on Saturday O Ancient of Dayes who remains still in that prime of purest Light and Glory look upon me whom Thou hast preserved in all the periods of life in great mercy Visit me in this my groaning stage with Thy Salvation Let all the errors of my Youth and by gone Age be done away that I may have no burden from my former life now support me when old age hath overtaken me Blessed be God that I have escaped sad Accidents and the hurtful effects of any miss-government of my Life Grant I may now be taken up with Heavenly Exercise and contemplations that I may Receive Dimission with Christ not only in my Arms but in my Heart Renew my inner-man day by day that tho my Limbs be weak my Faith Hope and Charity may be strong And grant me a house with Thee 2 Cor. 5. 1. When my Earthly House shall fall I entered into the World with a groan and nature of necessity must groan being Burthened But Lord exhileraâ—e my Spirit that I may leave the World with great Joy that the day of my Redemption draweth near and may be Refreshed in the Suburbs of Heaven with the Joyful Musick of the Saints that so I may sing in Death and triumph over the Grave through JESUS CHRIST the Prince of life my LORD and life my strength and Redeemer Amen Devotion in order to the Eternal Sabbath On Sunday or the Christians LORDS Day O Lord of Sabbaoth I Bless thee that has brought me out of the toils of the World to rest with thy self Lord take me up to some mouâ—t to â—ee thy Glory where I may erect a Tabernacle not for Earth but Heaven Quicken me with the Life of CHRIST to seek those things above and if I look back to the World it is not for love to it but to see it's vanity I admire the works of Creation and providence and the portract of the little World to show the praise of GOD But I cannot get words nor thoughts to expatiat tiat on the work of our Redemption by Thy Son Nor capacity to Comprehend the height deepth breadth and length of thy love in him But I desire so love him with all my heart and above all the World I behold him now Rising from a Sea of Blood with the Glory of all his conquest LORD put me in the Spirit on this day to Relish the sweet influences of the Holy Ghost that I may be fitted foâ— the Eternal Sabbath where all duties and longing shall be turned into rewards and enjoyments and thy Name be Celebrated with Everlasting wonder Hymns Hallelujahs World without end Amen AND in Regard that Evangelical work of Praise and Singing of Psalms is a special Part of Devotion cease not in thy Pilgrimage and Solitudes to Sing And if you restrict your selves to David's Psalms For your Birth and Child-hood Sing Psalm 51. From the Beginning and the 71. Psalm from Verse 5. For your Youth Psalm 25. And Psalm 109 from Verse 9. For your â—iper Years and your Family the 101 Psalm and Psalm 144 at the End For your Old Age Psalm 71 9 and 18 Verses and if the Church thought fit ye may also make use in your Devotion other Scripture Psalms The Song of Israel on the Banks of the Red-Sea â—he Song of Simeon Zacharias and the Blessed Virgin and the Songs in the 1 5. and 7. Chapters of the Revelation And particularly the Doxologie which hath been of constant use in the Christian Church and is no other but an ascribing of sempeternal Praise to the Ever Blessed Trinity Which tho the Leprous Church of Rome use yet is it Clean to the Pure and it is very sad that it should be controverted in the Militant Church since it will be sung for ever in the Triumphant And since the Mysterious but Salutary Doctrine of the Trinity was contradicted by the Arians in Old and some of that same Gang under another Name of Late there is still occasion for the using of it And to distinguish the Modest and Regular Christian from such as in vade it by Opposition for to commend their Beloved Sect it is not amiss to rise up in token of a more immediat Address and closing with the custom of the Church wherein we should not be contentious And if â—ou please in your Private Devotion to Sing after this manner 1. MY heart is fix'd my â—eart is fix'd now will I sing and praise I 'le praise the Lord with songs unmix'd and still Thy Glorie raise 2. Now Haâ—elujah's shall extoll the Lord God of my praise And still in praises Thee enroll and laud and never cease 3. My little Harp is tun'd to laud my Lord my God my Love With Heavenlie Queer Thy Name applaud Thy Glories all approve 4. All Songs below â—ad not the Clief to raise Thee thus in ault They were sincere but not the chief as those which GOD exalt Second Hymne 1. I Wear the Crown Christ still renown I reign and He 's Supream I am extol'd to praise my King and glorie in His Name 2. I am as well as heart can wish mâ— Soul is all in bless With Joy and Peace Rests and Relish the sweets I now express 3. I see my God my Christ my joy all mysteries are gone Nothing now but Love I know and melodie Divine 4. The Tree of Life maâ—tains my life never to die again O Death in time thou art so rife but here thy strength is vain 5. I live I love I much delight I â—raise and never cease I see and feeâ— with Soul and Sp'riâ— I m all in Light and Bless 6 What can I â—ake For I have all my God is here with me And I with him perpetual my Christ and God to see 7. Here without doubt I 'le glorie give to Father Son and Spirit I 'le praise my God and not deprive frâ—m his just Right and Merit 8. From the first Minute to Ages all I will â—ssert â—â—y Golre In melodies sempiternal to Triâ—e Vne evermore Third Hymne 1. O Sp'rit of Light tune now my sp'rit with Heaven fill my heart And give me seâ—se of that great Light that I may act my part 2. With all the Host and Heav'nlie Queer that never ceass to cry Thrice holie Lord and Thee admire in Peace and Rest and Joy 3 My Soul my Heart my Sp'rit my Powers all joyn to Praise Thy Name My GOD my Life my Hope my Help I 'le praise Thy Mercies Fame 4 Thy Help in need hath made me Glad Thy Grace was still my claim And fresh Supplie hath me releiv'd I magnifie Thy Name 5. I 'le Praise I 'le â—ing I 'le Hope and Joy in Thy great Grace so Good I
Heart with the Salt of Grace and make me to grow in Grace Imprint O LORD upon the Table of my Heart the A B C of Christianity teach me to know Love Fear Choice and Obey Thee give me to savour something of Reason and Religion in my ruder Age that I may mind my moment not trifle my time away abouâ— things of no moment Pardon and heal the corruption of my nature and the Vices of my person give me the new Heart in my younger dayes take away all Impediments and prejudices at Vertue and Religion And so shape sharpen and Sanctifie me that I may become an Instrument of Thy Glory and be prepared for Duty in the following Periods of the Life that thou shalt grant me Amen Devotion in order to Youth to be Exercised on Tuesday NOw Blessed GOD thou hast enlarged me from the bondage of None-Age the yoak of Discipline Keep me under thy Discipline For thy yoak is easie and thy commands are not grievous I am now lifted up to the Prime of my Age LORD make me steddy by Thy Grace that I do not turn giddy and stagger When I look back I find I have been Childish in mind as well as body What dark conceptions have I had of thee And any little spark of Grace was smuthered with a Mass of corruption the Brute in me much mastered it How raw and rude were my Notions of Religion And how contracted and deadned was my Conscience I was almost in all evil and knew it not and much under the Senses and sensitive Appetite The root of all evil was in me and I was content with my pleasant Fetters and were not Thy Mercy Thou hadst fully cast me off the Stage as a miscreant unworthy to live Yet LORD thou hast brought through all this dark trance of Childhood 1 Kings 18. 26. Save me from youthful lusts and grant mewith Obadiab that I may fear thee from my youth purge me from the Dregs of Nature Let them not fix in my Bones least in fuller years I â—e made to possess the sins of my Youth Joâ—â— 20. 11. Make me vigorous to engage under the Banner of CHRIST to fight against the infernal Trinity the devil the world and the Flesh and own the Holy TRINITY Blessed for ever Give me to offer the first fruits of my Life to Thee LORD make me to relish the sweetnesâ— of Vertue above all the pleasures of the World and pardon the Errors of my Youth Psal 25 11. and so ballast and establish me with Grace that I may lanch out unto a longer Life and not make shipwrack of Faith and good Conscience but have Thy Word for my Pilote Thy Spirit for my Star Humility for my Ballast the Gail of Grace to fill the Soul of my Affections Thy Glory for my End and Eternal Life for my Harbour Through JESUS CHRIST My LORD Amen 3ly Devotion As to our Entrance to a â—alling and Relation to be exercised on Wednesday O GOD of Love the Father of all sweet Harmony and Peace and the great Proveditor of Man Thou hast made him a Sociable Creature and hast united Mankind in a Society as Members of one Body Thou hast ordained him to live by his own Industry in the use of the Means which by Thy Blessing tends to his Provision As Nature abhores Vacuity so Thou O LORD abhores Idleness and hath given a particular Vocation to Man for Vertue LORD make me religious in my general Calling as a Christian and frugall in my particular Calling grant me the composed Wisdom to make choice of a Helper like unto Me let neither Lightness â—ondness nor carnal phansie be the principle and measures of my Affection and choice let the Advice and council of those whom I ought to follow be consulted and bless me with such purity in my Design that if by Thy Allowance I enter into a conjugal State I may ascend that bed with Innocence and Whiteness without the very knowledge of the carnal Tricks of Sin and Satan And when enteredâ— to entertain a constant Conjugal Affection to the wife or Husband of my Youth and if ever I have escaped in the least wash me throughly and Cement our Relation with the Endearments of the best Bond that our Family may be a Betâ—el to Thee Make our Calling Honest and Creditable and wherein we may be usefull to Thee and if Thy Providence hath brought us to Fortunes give us to consider that Thou wilt only honour them that honour Thee make us usefull in our Generation in the Stations Thou hast put us and may we with all Descretion pursue the Ends of our General and particular Calling to Thy Glory and our Comfort Amen Fourthly Devotion for our Riper years to be exercised on Thursday O Eternal Life and Action who dwells in a perpetual Repose grant me in all my Actions to aim Thee and repose in Thee and since now I must resolve with Action having not only the charge of my self but of a Family grant me to be active to what is accountable and agreeable for the increase of my Talents and the Improvement of the opportunities of my Time and Station Save me from vexing cares and doubtful aâ—xiety but grant me rational and providential Caâ—e in the diligent Use of the Means Help me to Cast all my Care upon Thee 1 Pet 5 7. And as to distâ—ust to be careful for nothing Save me from all impertinent and destructive digresions and let me never be worse than an Infidel in not providing for my Family and grant me O LORD Thy Blessing without which my â—arly and late Endeavours will not profit us Save me from all wrong measures in the Improvement of my Stock knowing that A little that the Righteous Man hath is better thâ—n the Treasures of the wicked For thou can turn my Mite into Talents Give me to seek the Kingdâ—m of GOD and mind the one Thing necessary without which all bussiness is but trouble give me to win my Soul and do Good in my place and time that when I cease from my labours I may enter into the Repose of everlasting Rest Through JESUS CHRIST my LORD Amen 3ly Devotion For our Declining Age on Friday O Unchaâ—geable GOD the same to Day Yesterday for ever the whole Creation hath been is and will be under a Decay untill the Deliverance of the Children of GOD. Our Life is but a vapour and a shadow the World so weights us that man begins to Decline ere he well consider that he lives Help O LORD my bowing and declining age give me to â—loath my self against the Winter and fill me well against a troubled Sea LORD give me to superstruct well upon solid Foundations to build my House upon a Rock 'T is time for me now to be wise since I have seen and done so much folly I will not choice the World for my portion it is Thee O LORD and Thee only as the Cenâ—er and Repose of my
much blot and Blur their delicacy § 5. And now by way of transition from the bygone time to the present For in this Stage of Mans life its high time for him to begin to reflect upon bygone and to consider where he is and that he ascends to an higher Horizon I shall leave all what I have said in order to the first Period of our life and the Stages thereof and take Man in his ascendant by the hand and lead him by Religion in this second Period of his life and the Various Circumstances and Stages thereof The Prayer AND thou O Great Father of the World who by the wise providence Carries Man from the Womb to Youth in the weak beginnings of his life and darker Rudeness of unjointed Judgement who pities his infirmities and provides for his healing and help bâ— the expresses of Purest reason Sanctifie this Period of his life Principle and ballast this new Vessel well with the sweet Odours of Religion that there be not any thing wrong in the first Region and no error and misdiet in the first concoction that so Man may be shaped and formed for thy self and Prepared for Felicity in the lustrous and lightsome Steps of thy holy Religion Amen Period second Of our Present time and the State of our Growing Age. STAGE I. Which commenceth from the 18 year of Mans age to twenty two or thereabout The Contents Considereth the portraiture and lineaments of Youth and the evils incident to that age with some directions and motives for the Right ordering of this circumstance of our age and some hints of particular Directions as to Our Natural Spiritual and Moral Capacitie for the help of youth Now entering more visible upon the Stage in the open View of the World With sutable Devotion § 1. NOw come I to consider a very turbulent and dangerous part of Man's Age Let man now consider what he is now arrived to almost at the top of the wheel and may be a little look back to the darker Region of his Childish years and how long he hath been buried in Oblivion without true sense solidity his many Unmanly and Unchristian Infirmities It hath been enquired concerning Childish follies See Dr. Taylors Ductor dubitantium Pag 800. How long they are excused as Inevitable Errors and Invincible Ignorance But since our Original sin makes us Culpable miserable before GOD I think it best to reflect with grief upon bygon infirmities and to labour in our growing Age nad Youth-hood which I have guessed to begin about the eighteen year of Man's Age to correct our selves of bygon infirmities and prepare to act more wisely and solidly in the more grave and settled state of Life § 2. Youth now iâ— his Morning Rise having the timous season to begin a course of Vertue and Duty having put off childish habits childish things being now dissintangled from these triffles must act like a Man God doth make some embrace his Yoke from their Youth by his Grace makes the motion and life of the New Creature appear in them and their way and such a Youth is like to be usefull in his Generation to GOD the World and himself and O how happy is such a 〈◊〉 whom GOD takes by the heart and by the hand betimes and fitteth him with good inclinations and warm tender Affections to love GOD and fear Him And to remember his Creator in his Youth Ecc 12. 1. Whereby much sin and folly in him is prevented and such corruptions as make the way to Life difficult if not impossible to Man Thus many seek to enter in at the strait gate and are not found able like that young Man in the Gospel Mat 19 6. Who probably had some good in him and came to CHRIST sincerely and not as the Pharisees did to tempt him Yet Because the Idol of the World was lurking in his heart he went away sorowfull from CHRIST But the Youth that hath reminded his Baptism Vow is put in a fair way to make progress in Vertue and Duty § 3. But alas Youth is in a sharp fever with a phrensie till GOD cool aâ—d câ—re him some are rather Gazers then Discerneâ—s a sort of Animal that but stares on the World and knows not well what he is doing Like a Bullock or wild Colt unacquainted with the easie yoak of duty He Evaporates in Air and Vanity like an imaginary Prince thinks himself None such who but he he towers up in t the Air there to build a Castle and propose to get a name through phansie without the methods of Fame and Vertue No considering that he lyes like a silly fool exposed to all temptation § 4. The Wisdom of GOD pronunceth that Child-hood and Youth are Vanity Ecâ— 11. 10. And the Psalmist praveth thaâ— the Errors of his Youth be not Remembred Psal 25. 7. The most of Youth without Restrain are evil there may be some better natures and Humours but all have the Common Corrupt nature which makes it's Eruptions like Aetna and giveth Cause of Regrate all the following life-time Great Augustine who of a profligate youth became the Oracle of Doctors because of the extravagancieâ— of his younger Age is very full and particular in his confessions Youth is wise in it's own conceit and so the Greater Fool he 's a little Gay with warm blood strength and health so that he is ready to think himself invincible and being of uncertain Humour concludes himself without a change But what 's thy strength O Young Man to the strength of a horse Behemoth or Leviathan A Lion or a beast of Prey may soon devour thee a Feverish disease may soon consume thee and Death thou so little thinks upon may turn thy White and Red Complexion into Black and Pale Dust The strength of the horse may fail but such as trust in the LORD shall renew their strength Isa 40 29. It is good then for Youth to pray for the Influence of that CALL that raised Lazarus from the Dead For if Grace interveen not There is a Law in the Members which rebels against the law of the mind which leads the Youth Captive to the power of sin and Death Rom 7. 23. § 4. But I must descend to more minute Particulars concerning Youth For this is in many a very unruly part of their Age very confused in the Rational Part And man in this State is altogether lighter then Vanity Who lives much by Phansie and Imaginations and is not so careful to â—ress the Soul as to attire the Body Yet a Roâ—e hath a greater gloss and beauty than all his artificial Decorement O it is sad to be proud of that which hides his nakedness and discovers that he is fallen Let this painted Spectacle appear in view he is like a Willâ— Ass snuffing up the wind Some are Lâ—â— quacious others Tongue-tyed Yet what is wanting in words is made upâ—â— Vaunts and vain Glory they look 〈◊〉 high that they
learn to know our frailty and not look upon our selves as Impregnable Forts O Then labour now to be solidly serious to do thy duty and encounter the defficulties of this Period of thy life And for your help I shall take up this remanent part of it in some following stages STAGE First The Contents Of a serious recollecttion of thy self after aâ— impartial tryal of thy former lifeâ— And. 2ly what now is to be done the excrcise and duty of man particularly suitable to this Period from 50 to 70 and from that to the end of his life 1. EVery man should know himself and every Good man is intent upon this study he should now be so solid as to recollect himself and to draw his life as in a little Map and that so impartially that the Blemishes as well as any vertue may appear Thou has an impartial and penetrating Eye to see thee a perfect Rule to direct thee which if thou follow thou hast a well informed conscience 〈◊〉 admonish thee and the Wisdom of GOD to make thee Cast a Right account of thy life for which thou art with a pious curiosity to enquire into these particulars following 1. If thou hast unfeignedly repented of all thy former Sins 2ly If there be yet any Residive humour of folly in thee 3ly If thou findest any thing of true grace and Divine Nature in thee 4ly If thy heart do not condemn thee As St Paul sayes 1. Cor. 3. 4. I know nothing by my self yet am I not hereby justified 5ly How thou art resolved to encounter the Tryals of this Stage 6ly If thou has defeated all delayes and finds thy thy self now intent upon the one thing necessary 7ly What 's the product of thy particular and General calling First If thou hast unfeignedly repented of all thy former fins § 2. There is a Repentance to be repented of which comes by fits like Pharaob's when Judgements are upon the patient but when the paroxisme is over he falls into a Relapse and so as some Divines have observed The life of such a one is but the riding of a round to sin and repent and repent and sin and thus run into a Circle and ruine But true Repentance fixeth such a remorse and sence of the evil of sin in the heart as to make the Peâ—tent cry wo unto me that I have sinned 〈◊〉 beholds it to be a bitter and evil thâ—â— to offend GOD It is wrought by Goâ— Sorrow and carried on with revenâ—â—gainst sin to abhore that which he loâ— altho he were stated in the same cirâ—â— stances It humbleth the Soul and â—â—eth it cry with Jeremiah Oh that 〈◊〉 head were a well of Water and my 〈◊〉 fountains of Tears which if they be â—â—ing makes the penitent express his 〈◊〉 with Groans unutterable It reforms thâ—ner and makes him Cautiâ—us thereâ—â— and labour with the greatest sincerity act the opposite Vertues 1 Cor. 1. 7. Secondly If there remain anâ— Residâ—â— Humour of folly in thee § 3 The Serpent is not soon slain 〈◊〉 the body of sin easily mortified the 〈◊〉 of bitterness is hard to be eradicated 〈◊〉 rooting out the sin of thy nature 〈◊〉 son inclinations requires the 〈◊〉 askâ—â—ful Surgeon or to cut off thy 〈◊〉 Hand or pluck out thy right Eye if 〈◊〉 offend thee And if thou be sinceâ—â— Christ will learn thee the holy Aâ— Mortification Thou must not comâ—with flesh and blood nor relish any carnal guit For To be carnally minded is death and if thou live after the flesh thou shall die but if through the Spirit thou mortifie the deeds of the body thou shall live Rom. 8. 13 Thou must cleanse from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit 2 Cor 7. 1. And wash thy heart from wickedness that thou mayest be saved Jer 4. 14. Thirdly If thou partake of the Divine Nature § 4. That this is a property of the Godly is asserted by St. Peter 2 Pet 1. 4. For altho no man can partake of the infinite Essence of GOD which cannot be divided nor communicated to any Creature Yet do Believers partake of Heavenly Qualities which makes them in some measure like their Heavenly Father And frees them from the Disposition Fashion and Estate wherein unregenerate men live and perish And the free and absolute promises of GOD such as That we shall be Sons and Daughters to him and GOD will take away the Stony heart and give a Heart of Flesh have a great influence upon the Renewing of our Nature and the Sanctifying and Glorifying of our ritrit and making it GOD-Like in its measure and Capacity And to resemble him in Heaven ly Wisdom Holiness and Uprightness especially in Humility and Charity towards miserable Sinners with a Zeal for the LORDS Honour and such eminent Perfections as were transcendâ— antly and without measure in the Manâ— Christ Thus the Life of GOD is begun in the Heart of Man by Regeneration and advanced by the Operation of Grace and Vertue And the impure lump is Illuminated and made Perfect and Holy as our Heavenly FATHER is Holy and Perfect And the Love of GOD shade abroad in the Heart doth wonderfully chear and warm that new Life and makes it grow and come to Perfection So that we deserve not the name of Religion nor have we warrant to expect to see GOD and to be with Him for ever in Glory if we do not be like GOD in the Operation of His Grace and Goodness in the Landâ— of the Living Heaven certainly must be begun in us ere we be possessed Citizens thereof Phil 3. 20. Our Conversation must be above till we come to a more intimate Communion with GOD for ever Fourthly If thy Heart do not condemn thee § 5. If our Heart Condemn us GOD is greater than the heart and knoweth all things John 3. 20. By the Heart here is meant the sound and solid reflections of the Spirit upon our Life and Way by the exercise of Conscience which the Apostle calls Heart to distinguish it from humour Misperswasion and melancholy apprehensions when the Conscience is once awakened And still there is a difference betwixt Gravamen spiritus dietamen Conscientiae But it is the Heart and well informed Mind of a Christian that makes him either Conscious or Cordial according to the Frame of his Life If thou wouldst then be approved at the Barr of this Deputy of GOD you must act according to his Word and after serious search correct what is amiss till you attain unto serenity and clearness of mind Yet I would not have you to seek satisfaction so much in your self aâ— in the Goodness of GOD and the Merit of Christ acquiesâ—e in his Salvation by a humble beleiving and penitentâ— Heart and lean not to your own Understanding If thou be not satisfyed as yet consult a knowing Guide whose Office it is aâ—â— thy full information to give thee Ease 〈◊〉 clearness For The Priest's lips should preseâ—â— Knowledge Mal 2.
manifest that not like Moses in a â—iâ—t of Zâ—al breaks both Tables but in a course of iâ—pious madness they say Come let us break the bonds of the Lord and His Anointed assunder They have said in their hearts that there is no GOD and as to the Universal decay of Religion it may be now said comparatively There is none that doth good no not one And they act the worst of crimes habitually and with freedome they deny GOD by their works and so live as if they had a new Creed and espoused the Anathema of another Gospel to believe and so live as if GOD had forsaken the Earth Ezek 9. 9. and tâ—at he Whose Eyes see and his Eâ—e-lids try the Children of Men did indulge and allow them to lick up the Vomit that the Heathen hath cast our and to be much more wicked than their Fathers Follow the most of men even to that peece of Formality which is all their Religion in coming to the Church ye may hear some of them cursing swearing laughing raging as men intoxicat with Mammon and Sensuality Behold them in the Church â—ou shall see them as dull as the seats they sit upon And follow them from the Church ye shall find some of them haunting the Tavern and others wandering and erriâ—g as if they had not a GOD to fear nor a Soul to save And amongst many as little Religion in their Family as among their Oxen Isaâ— 1. 3. Is not this then a Lamentation and for a Lamentation Is not the LORDS Wrath to be feared that he will be avenged on such a Nation 〈◊〉 â—bis The World now in the last times is secure as the old world before the Deluge and that which aggravates all â—ew or none lay it to heart § 3. It will not he amiss then modestly to enquire into the Case The Cause and the Cure or Remedy of this sad declension oâ— the Church § 4. First The Case is both sad and singular against such Grace such Light and such wonderous Demonstration of the Love of GOD to Man to sin against Love Light and Mercy and all the Endearments of Heaven to sin against the Coming of the LORD JESUS His Word His spirit His Blood and Powerful Intercession The sin of the old World had itâ— own aggravation that it was Epidemick that all flesh had corrupted its way and against the Pathetick Preaching of Noab before the Deluge The sin of the Jews was also very great against the Indulgence and the peculiar Instances of Mercy to that people that GOD in a manner in the ordinary strains of reclaiming people Could not done more Isa 5. 5. and it was their great gratitude that makes the LORD by His Prophet complain That he had nourished and brought up people that had rebelled against Him which is such an amazing transgrâ—ssion that it maâ— be very well with the Prophet expostulated Be astonished O ye Heavens c Isa 1. 2. For my people hath committed two evils they have forsaken Me the Fountain of Living Waters and digged to themselves broken Cisterns that can hold no water And altho GOD did punish them with the Assyrian and Babylonish Rod. after which upon their Repentance Hâ— restored them yet when the cup of their sin came to the brim as that of the Ammonites before them He did with great Indignation destroy that City and People and abandoned them to perpetual Exile Yet after all this there was some hope of Outgate a new dispensation to follow And the Son of GOD came in the flesh to save both Jews and Gentiles But good LORD Where shall the corrupt Christian appear that hath rejected Christ and the Glotious â—eams of His Light For if they escaped not who despised Moses Law Of how much sorer punishment shall theâ— be accounted werthy who have trampled under foot the blood of the Covenant What can they now forsee but look for a firy Indignation and havâ— nothing to stand in the gap against thâ— wrath of an angry God And if this Gospeâ— be not a powerful enough engine to cuâ—â— and heal them they cannot expect another nor other Terms nor another Heâ—venly Messenger to come down to savâ— them What remains then but Desperation and dismal dread our of that wrath which shall burn in great fervor upoâ— that Miserable Victim that exposed miscreaâ— that hath no Sacrifice nor Propitiatory to present but himself to be a miserable Viâ—tim to eternal fire and that which makeâ— this Case yet the more sad is the consideration of that inavoidable Judgement that cannot but fall upon such that have slighted the opportunities of Grace and sinned against the whole Series of GODS Love and infinite Mercies § 5. 2ly As to the cause of this sad Case it lyes in the corrupt Nature of Man which tho it may be closed up for a time when the Church is in Vigour yet as a sluse of Water that is restrained for a while to run it comes out with the greater force when it gets any liberty and makes the man like a Brute without Fetters to run at random and so they cast off the tyes of Religion and turn either brutal or devilish and take pleasure to greatifie their Lusts in the Expressions of the Irrascible or Concupiscible appetite and in Regard this Excellent Religion of Christianity Puts a stop to their Carrier If they were not deaf and unreasonable they Reject it while they grow worse and worse and sin without fear and keep theiâ— Delilahs in their bosom notwithstanding of the dreadful Threatnings of the wrath of GOD So that having their Eves darkned and being alienated from the life of GOD they run to all excess of Riot and work wickedness with greediness in which continuing in the frequency of use they habitually sin against GOD and cannot more change their customs than the Ethtopian can change his hew and beeing thus separated from GOD they are turned into brutal savagness with Nebuchadnezar and so provoke GOD to give them up to a Judicial stroak and leave them 〈◊〉 the GOD of this World to blind their 〈◊〉 least the Light of the Glorious Gospel should Shine upon them 2 Cor. 4. 4. Thaâ— as their opportunities of Light and Grace were the more ample being under the dispensation of the Blessed Gospel theiâ— Judgement and dreadful Declension from the way of GOD is the more dreadful and criminal That as St. Peter sayeth it had been better for them not to have known the way of Righteousness than after they had known it to turn from the Holy Commandment And being thus Stricken of GOD they are glad of licentious times and an armless Church that every one may do according to the Imagination of his wicked heart § 6. 3ly We may easily then perceive what will be the proper cure of this And that is that the Gospel of CHRIST and the Oeconomy of His House be received and punctually observâ—d for in effect the Gospel of it self is such a
Calling of serving under Christ our great Apostle and high Priest is very desireable For 〈◊〉 makes Heaven and the Golden Way that tends to it the greatest Study and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ— the Candidate It gives him a Prospecâ— to view the Embellished Toys of a vain World and occasion to Contemplâ—â— GOD and see Things invisible It makeâ— the Man if he answer his Character 〈◊〉 Man of GOD a guide to the Blindâ— Strength to the Weak and according to his measure a Saviour For in so doing he shall save his own Soul and them that hears him And if through the badness of the Soil he do not alwayes succeed In his Ministry Yet tho Israel be not gathered his Reward is with his GOD. 'T is true the prejudiced and ignorant World may have other Sentiments but it knows not the Use End and Rewards of this Rank of Men But taking pleasure in their own way they may Raâ—e it according to the Relish of their corrupted pallat And this should not discourage any Engaging or engaged in it since our Blessed LORD was so raited that the Prophet sayes When we see him there is no beauty in him that we should desire him 4ly Beware of passion that it predomine not either in the Irascible or Concupiscible Appetite Be not too intent upon trifles but learn to be solide in thy florid Age shun rashness and feed not upon wind Particulary guarde against Carnal Love which hath been the great bane of many Wise Solomon was intangled with it tho in the first 7 Chap of the Prov he giveth sound counsel against this Delirium and Vanity If in due time with good advice thou affect a suitable Mate carry as the Cherubs with the Propitiatory in the midst like the Sun and Moon who never meet but by the disposition of nature and issues such influences as refresh the earth 5ly It is good to season and sweeten thy Humour betimes with Religion thy Ghostly Enemie hath an evil eye upon thy Genius and and if he can prostrate thee to a carnal phansie he gains his point for if passion and phansie predomine the better part is put low But I write unto you young men because ye have overcome or should overcome the wicked one 1 Joh. 2. 13. And to soil Satan at first is our great advantage Thy thoughts are but indigested till thy heart be established with Grace Consider thy Talents and gifts and the rise of the morning of thy life that thou may manure them found well that in thy after life thy building totter not look back what you have been you ly a while in the womb sleeping in a dark Cell on the Breasts the dug was your care while at School the ferula was your fear and the play your pleasure thc School was to thee a Prison and the play house 〈◊〉 palace begin therefore well with God for a careless mind now may make thee stupid all thy dayes If thou labour to hide thy sins and thinks to Repent after thou beguiles thy self because thou cannot promise to thy self a day after and tho that day should come thou art not sure that GOD will give thee Grace principle well and act accordingly guard against the vice of the time and of your age and person be constant and sincere in duty and never undertake any business of consequence without advice Moderate your Recreations and neglect not the Vnum necessarium the one thing needful § 19. And for motives to press this timeous duty of youth consider 1. That Early fruit is a seasonable sacrifice to GOD It is a good thing to begin with GOD and the sooner thou begins the Work is the more easie but if sin take rooting it is not so soon eradicated And makes the Sinner like the Ethiopian that can not change his hew But timous beginning in Grace breeds a great deal of Facility to serve GOD and makes Christs yoak easie Grace gives thee a comely Feature and Joseph thereby was better adorn'd than his Coat made him It makes thee Splendid and Honourable it breeds a satisfying and solide Joy to the Soul it sweetneth all the accrbities and tediousness of Discipline and other Incumbrances And tho Youthful lusts may make it at first a little difficult yet if thou flee them and mortify them and follow after Godliness The difficultie will over and Religion will become thy delight 2ly Remember thy Creator and consider the examples of Youth that have done so St. John writes to Young Men as well as to Fathers and Timothy knew the Scriptures from his Youth Youth must consider that tho he bloom blossom yet a little blast may much wrinkle and wither him as the Flower begins to hing its head and loss much of its beauty and smell till it fall amongst the portion of weeds But early Piety is a savoury sacrifice to GOD to bring to him thy first Fruits To be sanctifyed from the Womb is extraordinary and in the Womb singular and to be sanctifyed in Youth is rare Yeâ— many Young Men and Virgins gave uâ— their lives for Christ and wilt thou noâ— sacrifice thy sins for him O but a neâ— Heart is pleasant in a Young Breast Aâ—â— a new sprung Rose sends forth a fragranâ—â— smell And in thy Youth thou hast thâ—â— Advantage of warmer affections Carâ—â— and Incumbrances ceaseth upon yearâ—â— but Youth is free to care for the things of 〈◊〉 LORD The Young Disciple had warâ—â—est affections and if thy love be fixâ—â— for the right Object it may be a warâ—â— Season to produce Fruit. Suffer not 〈◊〉 therefore to prepossess thine heart whiâ—â— may trouble thee all thy dayes and makâ—â— thee possess the sins of thy Youth to thâ—â— sorrow And with the Psalmist have reason to pray Remember not the errors of my Youth Psal 25. 7. § 20. And For the further advancement of the Piety of Youth Let the rising Generation consider 1. The Glory and Dignity of Adoption 2ly The Luster and Fragrancy of Grace 3ly The Guidance of the Spirit 4ly The Guardianship of Angels 5ly Their Inheritance 〈◊〉 Then the Glory and Dignity of Adoption 'T is no small matter for to be the Children of GOD I 'le make him my first born higher than the Kings of the Earth CHRIST became the Son of Man that thou mightest become the Son of GOD He was humbled that rhou mightest be Exalted and except thou Receive him thou hast no tittle to Adoption Joh. 1. 12. Close with Christ and then thou may lift thy heart and head as high as Heaven and Glory in thy high descent tho thou dwell in a house of Clay be then of a noble Spirit with Caleb 2ly The lustre of Grace which makes thy face to shine with Moses and makes thee altogether Lovely O what excelency and vertue is in the new heart How Beautious are it's Rayes up-upon the life Man thereby becomes like himself and Masters all brutal Passions Grace is a Ray
of GOD it is all in light life and love If it could be seen it would be fairer than the Sun It puts such a principle in thee that thô sin may infest yet it shall not prevail because the Seed of GOD Remains in thee and makes the Righteous man more excellent than his Neighbour Prov. 12 26. 3ly The guidance of the Spirit which is not only the Character But the Priviledge of the Children of GOD The wayfairing man hath an unerring guide and tho thou should not lean to a Phanatick and Enthusiastick Spirit yet in the use of the means thou must Rely upon the gracious conduct of GOD's Spirit For If thou be led by the Spirit thou art the Son of GOD. Rom. 8 14. 4ly The Guardianship of Angels The elder Children guard the younger If thou walk in GOD's way they get charge over thee Psal 91. 11. They rejoice at thy conversion delight in thy duty and keep thee in all thy wayes 5ly The inheritance All is yours and ye are Christs and Christ is GODS 1 Cor. chap. 3 to the end Heirs and Coheirs with CHRIST and have interest in that inheritance that is incorruptible with the Saints in light which should make the World be little in thine eye The Prayer O LORD I am now in a dangerous Stage of my Life Ready to run Round in a Circle of sin to my own Ruine O ancient of Dayes take me by the Heart and hand in the morning of my life to noon tide anoint me with Fresh Oyland guide me by Thy Word and Spirit for Man that understandeth not is like the beast that perish Creat in me a clean heart and let me do nothing unworthy of my Birth and hopes give me the faculty to open mine eyes to look up to Thee and deliver me from Vnbelief and youthfull follies It hath pleased Thee to call some of the worst of Youth give so much Grace as may illuminate and direct an inconsiderat mind water the little and tender plantation of my heart inflâ—ence me with such Heavenly motions as may awaken me out of my first sleep wherein I have alas slumbered too too long possess Thy own purchase and let not Satan or any lust get peaceable residence where Thy holy feeâ— have trod Give me to see the Rarities and Glories of the New World of Grace make me a miracle and a monument thereof that I may rejoice that once I was darkness and now am light in the LORD restore me to a Right Mind cast out of it all dregs of sin and turn it from a den of thives to a Temple for Thee give me Grace not only to remember but serve my Creator and with solid Judgement swear under thy banner and Vow an inviolable fidelity to thee my LORD and Master that I may grow in Grace as in dayes that in due time I may be perfected Amen STAGE second From the 22 to the 30 Year of our Age. The Contents After some Introduction the setled life of 〈◊〉 Christian in this Period is considered particularly as to the Marriage and a lawfuâ— Calling with helps and directions suteableâ— motives to excite him to duty in this Stagâ— of his life with some practice of Devotion especially to the Meaner sort as to the hallowing of their House and calling § 1. THe Race of Mans life Rolls on a wheel and the Spoak that is ascendant Immediatly goes down and declines thou shouldest therefore run that thou mayest obtain improve well the present because bygone is past and thou knows not what 's before thee But this thou art sure of that time passeth as a thought and Eternity can-not be comprehended with thy thoughts thon spends thy time here in an Imaginary world But eterniâ—â— is solid and cannot alter § 2. It will be fit then in this Stage if thou hast come to any solidity 1. to look back to thy former wayes 2ly To consider what frame thou art now in as to thy present Circumstances After which it being now the ordinary time that man begins to think upon a settled life Consider to enter there-into especially a married state with great deliberation and be carefull that thou manage and exercise thy particular Calling by the Rules and measure of Religion with means to conduct and lead you in the Right path and with Seasonable Motives to perswad thee into the duties of a foris-familiated Life and the Employ of thy Calling All which are summed up with some serious Reflexion and suitable Devotion § 3. First I thought upon my former wayes sayeth the Psalmist Psal 119. 57. Thou will not get that which is passed again nor the Res Gesta the thing done undone But by Repentance so the Psalmist prayes Let not the errors of my Youth be remembred Look that thou leave not an error in the first Region least thy following Life be not so healthful If thou leave any Intemperat Work behind it may turn to A root of Bitterness Heb. 12. 15. Thou must found well and bring up your Work upon a right Base For alas some are unhappy for want of Education aâ—â— Instruction some abuse and neglectâ—â— and improve only as to Gifts but notâ—â— Grace They learn a profession but 〈◊〉 Christ Let thy heart therefore be evâ—â— in the Covenant thy Faith real thy Repentance unfeigned and thy Engagâ—ments solide And then thou may haâ—â— some clearness and peace as to Religioâ—â— and Vertue § 4. 2ly Look to thy present Tenâ—â— and Temper O if thou hadst known eâ—â— thou in this thy day Said Christ wiâ—â— weeping Eyes to Jerusalem Luke 19 2â—â— To day if you will hear his Voice Psal 81. 〈◊〉 the end It is now high time to be wisâ—â— than before Thou hast Work enougâ—â— adoe both for Time and Eternity Buâ—â— therefore an Aâ—k to save thee tho thâ—â— World moâ—k thee as it did Noahâ—â— Seek first the Kingdom of GOD and othâ—â— things will be added to thee Remembeâ—â— Hoc opus hoc age is our Motto There 〈◊〉 much to be done and much to be undone in Order to Religion Indulge not sin Especially garde against a course of sin Forecast dangers and be as frugal in duty as possible which will help to fasten thee at the Root which will not be soon shaken with Temptation § 5. And with this premonition thou must act under GOD for thy self and thou hadst never more need of right Conduct than now This being the ordinary time that Man sets out to a setled Life and under GOD good Example and the Conduct of the Holy Word and Spitit he doth begin to think upon a relative and a conjugal Life And set up in the Exercise of his particular Calling It will be fitting that he be led by the Hand as to both these by sound and solid Direction And the influence of Motives to excite him to Duty § 6. As to the fifst it will not be amiss to speak a little to these particulars following First That thou lay a