and causeth his face to shine most comfortably vpon them in their grearest distresse and affliction as when they haue plentie abundance of peace and prosperitie yea rather if there bee any chaunge in the immutable and vnchangeable God euen then when for a while hee seemeth to withdraw himselfe from them and to leaue them comfortlesse in the middest of their miseries and greatest extreamities hee is most tenderly affected and hath a most gracious respect vnto them although it doth not so appeare vntill he manifest it O my soule why then art thou so cast downe why art thou so disquieted within me why doest thou not waite vpon God why doest thou not rest wholly on his good will and pleasure Why doest thou not put thy whole trust and confidence in him yea returne continuall thankes and praise vnto him whose mercie and goodnes is exceeding great towards thee who in euery thing seeketh thy profit and the furtherance of thy saluation and happinesse yea who is euery way infinitlie gratious vnto thee far aboue that which thou art able to thinke or to conceiue O blessed Lord let mine eyes and my heart be alwaies lifted vp vnto thee my God and louing Father the Father of all mercies and heauenly comforts and suffer me not at any time to bee so forgetfull of thee so distrustfull of thy loue and gratious fauour towards me as that I should faint in the day of affliction or temptation when it shall seeme good vnto thee to trie and exercise me in that manner that it pleaseth thee but grant that I may haue as sure hope and confidence in thee and be as thankfull vnto thee when sorrow and griefe shall lodge with me yea when a multitude of sorrowes shall compasse me about on euery side as when I shall be most filled and replenished with spiritual and diuine comforts and consolations knowing that thou art euer the same alwaies faithfull in that thou hast promised and infinit in thy grace and goodnesse towards thy childreÌ„ most caring for them when they seeme to be least respected and in a manner forsaken of thee The loue of the world and worldly things is the cause of distraction and much disquietnes THE inordinate loue of any worldly thing is the cause of much disquiet of heart and great distraction and vexation of minde How many do hereby pierce themselues thorough with many sorrowes how doe they trouble their own soules when otherwise they might be at rest into what bondage doe they bring themselues yea euen consume themselues in vaine with vnprofitable cares and pensiuenesse It is the wisdome of a Christian therfore neuer to affect or to couet after those things which are vnlawfull for him neuer to desire or to long after any thing which may hinder him in any sort from inward peace and freedome of minde or be a cause of anguish griefe and distraction vnto him but to weane his soule from the excessiue and disordered loue and desire of them considering that they are such things as when he hath the full fruition and enioyment of them he shall finde that they will not satisfie his desire and expectation and that they will quickly vanish away and perish with the vse of them O Lord withdraw my heart I beseech thee daily more and more from the loue of the world and the things thereof seeing they are vaine transitorie and full of griefe and vexation not yielding that delight and contentment which they promise and make shewe of but rather much anguish and vnquietnes of minde Seeing they are a cause of such vnlooked for bitternesse let me not so affect them as I haue done let them not seeme so sweete and pleasant vnto me as they doe vnto others who haue not tasted of better things and therefore finde such relish in these but grant that all the affections of my heart may be set vpon thee alone and that I may delite and reioyce continually in thee who art the onely fountaine of al true ioy peace and happines assuredly perswading my selfe that hauing thee to be my God I shall haue the desires of my heart yea more then euer I did or could expect or desire freely granted vnto me according vnto thy promise wherein I trust and in which standeth my comfort How Christians are to iudge of their estate A ChristiaÌ„ is not to iudge of his estate according vnto his present sense and feeling For the Lord many times is neerest vnto them when he seemeth to bee furthest off from them when they seeme to be euen lost in themselues then is he readiest to be found of them and to shew them his saluation O heauenly Father giue me with faith and patience continually to waite vpon thee and to hold fast that confidence and the reioycing of that stedfast and assured hope wherewith thou hast heretofore vpholden me Let me neuer thinke my selfe to bee altogether forsaken of thee because thou sendest some griefe and affliction vpon me or sufferest Satan to assault me with diuers and sundrie temptations or else for a time withdrawest from me the ioy of thy spirit and the comfort of thy saluation yea though thou seemest to absâ—nt thy selfe from me and to denie that gratious presence of thine vnto me wherewith thou hast heretofore comforted and refreshed me exceedingly but grant that I may cleaue fast vnto thee euen when I haue least feeling of thy loue and fauour and of the worke of thy grace in me and that I may alwaies haue sure trust in thy mercie knowing that thou aâ—t wont to bee neere at hand vnto thy children when thou makest as though thou wert a farre off and wouldest not be found of them The presence of God how blessed and comfortable a thing it is OH how blessed a thing it is alwaies to enioy the gratious and comfortable presence of God! For when he is present all things are pleasant and delightfull the heart reioyceth and the spirit of man is refreshed exceedingly and when he doth absent himselfe or hide his face though but for a season then euery thing becommeth irksome and full of wearines and lothsomnes the soule can take no true pleasure nor delight in any thing no more then the stomacke being distempered in meates in which there is no sweetnesse no relish O my God the God of my ioy the fountaine of my peace and happinesse doe not thou hide thy gratious countenance nor depart farre from me at any time but let thy spirit alwaies dwell within me and comfort me Let my soule taste of those sweet delicates of thine euen that hidden and that heauenly Manna which how pretious and delightsome it is none knoweth but those only vnto whom thou hast freely vouchsafed to giue it let thy face euer shine vpon me and manifest thy presence alwaies by causing me to feele the comfortable fruites and effects thereof within me Oh when shall that blessed and wished for time come when as I shall bee satisfied with the
from the Eagle to the flie from the Cedar of Libanus to the Hyssope that groweth vpon the wall from the starres of heauen to the dust of the earth and from the Angels of God to the wormes that creepe vpon the ground Who is there that considereth of them aright or is so affected with them as he ought Lord let me alwaies delight to be searching into them and in them as in a glasse see cleerely thy wisdome and mightie power and learne to know thee the Creator of all things both in heauen and in earth and in all places and knowing thee to worship and serue thee in spirit and truth lest I be like vnto the heathen who when by the frame and workmanship of the world and the creatures therein wherein thy maruellous wisdom is ingrauen they knew thee to be God and yet glorified thee not as God became vile and abominable and altogether inxecusable forsaking thee their Creator who art blessed for euer Amen Worke of Redemption OF al the workes of God that of the Redemption of man-kind is most wonderfull and glorious whether we consider the person of the Redeemer the persons redeemed or the meanes and manner in and by which it was effected and brought to passe It passeth all knowledge all vnderstanding The Angels â—et 1.12 those heauenly creatures doe admire at it and desire continually to haue a more cleare and perfect insight into it as being so great and vnsearchable a mysterie that no creature is able fully to comprehend the breadth the length and depth and height of it Oh the maruellous blindnes of men for whom it was wrought that they can see and discerne so little of it their great forgetfulnes that they so seldome remember it their extreame sottishnes that they scarce euer admire it in that holy maner that they ought yea rather little regard it and esteeme very lightlie of it O merciful God farre be it from me to sinne so great a sinne against thy maiestie by prising so inestimable a benefit so much vnder the worth and value of it and by being so meanely affected with it as the most are yea let me and al thy redeemed ones alwaies cleerely behold and faithfully remember this great and gratious worke of thine towards vs let vs highly esteeme of it reioyce continually and glorie in it and vncessantlie praise and magnifie thee for it for euer What can be rendred vnto thee O Lord for so great loue for those exceeding riches of thy grace towards vs in Christ Iesus what can be rendred vnto thee worthie of that infinit goodnesse of thine sufficient for so vnspeakable mercie and bounty All that we can returne vnto thee for it is honour glorie and thanksgiuing O let vs neuer be found wanting in this seeing we owe vnto thee much more although there is nothing that thou more desirest of vs and yet euen this is thy gift also yea thy especiall grace O doe thou make me truly and vnfainedly thankefull Mercies of God WE can neuer be sufficiently thankfull vnto the Lord for the least of those blessings which he daily and most freely vouchsafeth vnto vs health peace libertie maintenance and continuall protection preseruation c. and yet who is there almost that is heartily and vnfainedly thankefull for those great and wonderfull mercies of his which coÌ„cerne our eternall happinesse saluation in the heauens euen that glorious estate which of his free grace and bountie he hath promised vnto vs and will in due time giue vs full possession of for euer O the exceeding dulnesse of the hearts of men that are no more mooued with the consideration of these things yea that esteeme more of those ordinary kindnesses which are shewed vnto them by men then of all those infinit and vnspeakable blessings and benefites which are vouchsafed vnto them by so gratious a God so kinde and louing a Father O Lord let me neuer be vnmindfull of the least of thy mercies and fauours which thou hast shewed vnto me from the beginning of my life vnto this present giue me a thankful heart for them especially lift vp my heart and soule vnto a due and serious meditation of those great and inestimable mercies of thine wherein thou hast in a speciall maner shewed thy selfe so exceeding good and gratious vnto me in electing me vnto life and saluation in freeing and deliuering me from that wretched estate and that wofull miserie whereinto I was so deeply plunged by the sin of my first parents in redeeming me therefrom by so deare a price euen the death of thine own Sonne my blessed Sauiour in adopting me into the number of thy children by faith in him and in prouiding that glorious mansion for me in the heauens there to liue and raigne with thee for euer O giue me a liuely sense and feeling of thy goodnesse thy loue and vnspeakable mercies so gratiously vouchsafed vnto me so vile and vnworthie a creature Inflame my heart with an vnfained and most entire loue of thy maiestie and let my mouth alwaies praise thee yea let me in heart in soule and with all the powers of the same praise thee continually and yeeld that glorie which is due vnto thee both now and euermore Amen The folly of the wicked to be wondered at I Maruell much when I reade how the Israelits being in the way to Canaan a type of heauen for the goodnesse and pleasantnesse of it desired so oft and so earnestly to returne againe into Egypt a figure of hell it selfe where they had been so hardly intreated yea so cruelly and vnmercifully handled But much more do I maruell can neuer sufficientlie wonder at those who when the Lord offers to bring them out of the house of that spirituall bondage and not onely to free them from the power of darknesse and the tyrannie of sinne and Sathan but also by the light of his word spirit to leade and conduct them safely into that heauenly Canaan which floweth with the milk honie of his rich and plentifull graces euen the inheritance of his chosen the place where his honour dwelleth desire rather notwithstanding still to be vnder the hands of their cruel taske-masters in the kilnes among the bricks and in the yron fornace and to indure the most seruile and the most wofull and wretched thraldome and slauery that euer was or can be possibly that so they may fill themselues with the Onions and Garlike of Egypt Lord let the couÌ„sell of the wicked be farre from me suffer not thy seruant to delight in the waies of such a foolish generatioÌ„ who know not thee nor regard that which should be their happines But let me euer praise thee with ioyfulnesse that thou hast deliuered my soule out of the hands of my cruell and deadly enemies and brought me from the house of bondage the kingdome of darknesse and death it selfe into the wayes which leade vnto thy heauenly and glorious kingdome And although I
or worthinesse of mine owne but onely in thy mercie O Lord and in the al-sufficient merits of thy Christ my Lord and blessed Sauiour who hath giuen himselfe to death for me and powred foorth his pretious blood vpō the crosse to make full satisfaction for me and to reconcile me vnto thy Maiestie Loe therefore I doe humbly prostrate my self O Lord before the throne of thy grace and mercy in Christ Iesus I doe renounce my self and vtterly disclaime mine owne righteousnes acknowledging it to bee but as a stained and polluted cloth and desire only to appeare before thee in that righteousnesse of thy Sonne and to be found in him whom alone thou hast made vnto mee wisedome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption Were it not that I had comfort in this I should be of all creatures the most miserable yea had I not trusted herein I had long since perished and bin vtterly confounded Behold mee therefore O gracious God and louing Father behold me with the eye of thy mercie Looke vpon mee not as I am in my selfe all stained and defiled with sinne and iniquitie but in thy Sonne euen that iust and holy one who only is my righteousnesse and my saluation and in whom alone I do and will trust both in life and in death Accept therefore of me graciously in him Clothe and couer me with the pure and spotlesse garments of his righteousnes and holinesse that so the filthinesse of my pollution may neuer appeare in thy sight who art of so pure eyes that all sinne is an abomination vnto thee let the merit of his obedience of his death and passion whereby he offered himselfe a sacrifice pleasing and acceptable and of sweete smelling sauour vnto thee for all thy chosen and redeemed ones be a full satisfaction for me and for all my sinnes though neuer so many and so grieuous Let me through faith in him be made partaker of his puritie of his innocencie of his righteousnes of his holinesse and of his perfection that so howsoeuer I am in my selfe vncleane sinfull vnrighteous vnholy and full of manifold infirmities and imperfections yet in him and through him I may appeare in thine eyes pure as he is pure innocent as he is innocent righteous as he is righteous holy as hee is holy and perfect as he is perfect and being accepted into thy grace and fauour through him in this life may haue cōfort and confidence in death and in the day of iudgement and liue with thee in glorie in the life to come together with Christ my Sauiour redeemer and with thy blessed Spirit and with all thy Saints and elect Angels in that kingdome which thou hast prepared and of which I rest in cōtinuall hope and expectation desirous of the accōplishment of thy promise which is endlesse blessednes and felicitie A comfort for afflicted consciences THere is none that receiueth a great measure of spirituall comfort and diuine consolation whereby his spirits are cheered and his soule refreshed and filled with inward ioy and gladnes but he hath vsually some grieuous temptation either going before or following after it Thus the Lord doth ordinarily deale with his children there are none of his Saints but haue experience of it in themselues The Lord doth not alwaies cause the ioyfull light of his cheerfull countenance to shine cleerely vpon them he doth not alwaies fill their hearts with that peace which passeth all vnderstanding or rauish their soules with that inward and spiritual ioy and comfort which is vnspeakable and glorious neither doth hee alwaies absent himselfe or hide the brightnes of his face from them but sometimes he doth graciously visite them and causeth them to taste abundantlie of the sweetnes of his kindnesse his mercie and goodnesse so that they are exceedingly refreshed and feele such diuine and heauenly comfort and inward solace as that they are not able outwardly to expresse it and sometimes again as though hee had forgotten them he seemeth to hide and to absent himselfe from them and suffereth them to be assailed with some grieuous temptation so that their day is turned into night their light into darknesse their ioy and gladnes into sorrow and heauinesse And this the Lord doth that he may cause them to acknowledge this to be his gift euen that inward spirituall comfort wherewith their spirits doe reioyce before him and therefore to be thankfull vnto him whē they receiue it or haue a more especiall sense and feeling of it as also to make them to depend wholly vpon him who is the life of their soules and without whom there can bee no true solace no found ioy and withall to exercise their faith their hope and their loue the proofe whereof is seene in those spirituall desertions O Lord God if it be thy will let thy spirit of peace and cōfort alwaies rest vpon me let me taste cōtinually of the sweetnes of thy mercies wherewith thou art wont to refresh the soules of thy seruants after that they haue been wearied and oppressed with any grieuous affliction or temptation but if it seeme good vnto thee for the triall of my faith and for the exercise of the graces of thy spirit in me to withhold at any time this blessing for a while from me and to depriue me of the liuely sense and feeling of spirituall and diuine consolation yet let me not faint but rest in hope and expect with patience the time of thy gratious and heauenly visitation with which according vnto thy promise thou wilt refresh and comfort me giuing vnto me the oyle of ioy for mourning and the garment of gladnesse for the spirit of heauinesse that so thy name may bee glorified of mee in the thankfull acknowledgement of thy goodnes towards me The Christians glorious conquest THere is none that can attaine vnto so great a conquest in this world as a true Christian Hee through the grace which hee receiueth from Christ who daily assisteth him and is alwaies present with him sustaining him with his effectuall power is able to doe more then all the greatest Monarchs or mightiest Potentates in the earth can possibly doe of their own strength yea though they gather all their forces together For he doth not only conquer himselfe and subdue his own lusts which rebell against the spirit of his minde but also he ouercommeth this world yea the prince thereof euen Satan himselfe with all those spirituall wickednesses which raigne in others and haue thē continually in subiection vnder them O Lord without thee I am able to do nothing with thy helpe there is nothing but shall bee easie vnto me Let it please thee continually to assist mee with thy grace and to strengthen mee with thy mightie power that so I may daily see all mine enemies more and more subdued vnto mee and hauing gotten the victorie and conquest of them in this life may hereafter receiue that crowne of life which thou hast promised vnto all thē that ouercome liuing
THE EXERCISE OF TRVE SPIRItuall Deuotion Consisting of diuers holy Meditations and Prayers Seruing for the inflaming of mens benummed affections the quickening and increase of sauing grace and the better ordering of the whole course of the life of a Christian in a manner acceptable to God profitable vnto others and comfortable vnto his own soule The first Part. AT LONDON Imprinted by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man 1610. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL SIR EDVVARD LEVVKENOR Knight grace and happines SIR I here offer vnto you a small present yet my first fruites in this kinde and therefore such as I hope will find some acceptance with you That which moued me to the bringing of them to open light was not any priuate or sinister respect but mature and aduised deliberation First I obserued the great neglect of those two maine duties of meditation and prayer how farre most were from the daily practise thereof how much vnacquainted therewith then which notwithstanding nothing should bee more ordinary with Christians I heard oft complaints of the scantnes of writings of this nature as much as of superfluitie in others yea euen our aduersaries haue not spared to fasten this as a reproch vnto our profession and religion though indeede they haue least cause to complaine of vs what colour soeuer they may seem to haue seeing the greatest part of their labours herein is farre from that holy exercise of true deuotion sauouring in many things too much of superstition and carnall affectation and not that onely but also as may easily appeare to those that are of sound iudgement right discerning exceeding defectiue in the main points and maimed in the principall parts euen in those which should bee the very life of deuotion I considered also how necessarie it was for men to haue many helps and furtherances at hand whereby they might bee inured to the due and frequent performance of this dutie so requisite for the taking away of that drines of hart and that deadnes of affection which is oftentimes in the best and for the remedying of that spirituall distemper which not seldome doth preuaile too much with them who otherwise are well disposed desire to approoue theÌ„selues vnto the Lord in truth and sinceritie as also for the quickening of the fainting soule and languishing spirits which without the daily exercise of this and other holy duties are soone ouertaken with a kinde of chilnesse and want of spirituall life and motioÌ„ Besides that which more nearly concerned me I remembred how God hath placed all men in the world for a time not to be idle and vnprofitable but to be helpful and seruiceable vnto others whiles they liue by what meanes they can yea how straitly euery one is bound to imploy any talent that God hath betrusted him withall during his life here vpon earth vnto his glorie and to the benefite of others lest when the day of accounts shall come he be found blame-worthie and so depriued of the ioy of his master euen the glorie of that celestiall Kingdome the losse whereof can neuer be recompensed with the greatest abundance of the fading pleasures and fruitles vanities of this alluring and deceitfull world I saw also how fast my dayes did slide away with a swift foot and how the harbingers of death had oft summoned me to my last end giuen me warning to prepare for his comming yea how my candle was much spent whiles I had giuen but little light vnto others Eccle. 9.10 Psalm 115.17.18 and thought vpon that of the wiseman that there is neither worke nor inuention nor knowledge nor wisedome in the graue whither I was going and making hast euery houre and therefore considering oft and seriously with my selfe the shortnes vncertaintie of my fading life the line wherof God of his mercie and goodnes hath drawen out longer then I either did or could promise vnto my selfe I was desirous that this short course of mine might not be without profite but that according vnto that poore talent which the Lord hath giueÌ„ vnto me I might in any sort be beneficiall vnto the least of the saints of God and be a meanes of spiritual good vnto any though not in such maner as those whom God hath inabled for greater performances This it was that preuailed with me and at length moued me beeing also moued thereunto by some who hauing interest in me made me more forward in this businesse to publish that for the benefite of others which I had first vndertaken for mine owne priuate exercise the exercise I meane of my minde in the duties of true spirituall deuotion The reasons why I haue made choice of you among others vnder whose name to communicat vnto others these slender labours of mine are these especially First that knowing you haue bin so well seasoned in your younger yeares by meanes of the religious and godly care of your worthie parents who as while they liued they were lights vnto others so now being dead and at rest with the Lord their example may well be a paterne and president vnto those of that ranke and order I might hereby stirre vp your pure minde in this your riper age vnto the daily exercise of those duties which were so vsuall and ordinarie with theÌ„ as doubtlesse they haue left few behinde them who deserue the like praise herein As the remembrance hereof may be a ioy and comfort vnto you so the imitation of the same wil be comfortable and exceeding profitable both vnto your selfe and others Againe I was drawen hereunto in priuate respects both in regard of that ancient frieÌ„dship first begun whiles we liued in the same Colledge vnder the same gouernment as also of that kindnes which you haue since shewed me and which being desirous to make acknowledgement of I thought good to take this occasion Accept therfore I pray this as a testimonie of the vnfained loue Christian affectioÌ„ which I deseruedly beare towards you in many respects And if it please you at your vacant houres to bestow some time in the perusing of it I hope you shall finde that which maybe some waies profitable which is the only thing I desire and aime at The Lord increase his graces in you and multiply his blessings vpon you and vpon that whole familie that it may be as it hath bin a light vnto others in this darke and sinfull age wherin the examples of those that should goe before others in the practise of pietie and godlinesse are so rare and precious Your Worships in all christian dutie and affection I. ALLISTON Emman Coll. in Cambridge August 30. 1610. The Preface MEditation praier these ought to be the daily exercise of euery true Christian. Ne ther can I see how he should deserue the name of a Christian who dâ—th altogether neglect either or both of them Both of them are necessarie as seuerally in themselues so especially iointly together although indeede the one neither may nor can be well
am for a while to wander in the wildernesse of this world and here to indure much hardnes and to passe thorow many difficulties and troubles before I can enter into the land of promise yet let me neuer faint or be discouraged much lesse be so euill disposed as to repine or murmure at any time against thee and desire to returne to the sinfull courses of the world or linger after these earthly vanities but goe forward according vnto thy direction with faith hope and patience looking continually for the performance of thy gratious promise that so at length I may enter into thy rest and liue raigne with thee eternally The hurt and danger which sin bringeth WHat euill is there that sinne bringeth not with it It closeth the Lords hand it drieth vp the fountaine of his blessings and mercies it keepeth all good things from vs it pulleth downe all kindes of plagues miseries and iudgements in this world and in the end will not onely barre the gates of heauen against those that liue and die in it without true and vnfained repentance but also setteth hel-gates wide open for them draw them right downe into the depth of endlesse perdition and destruction the house of darknesse and the place of the damned O what follie is it to delight in sinne which is euerie way so hurtfull and dangerous not onely depriuing vs of that which is good but also bringing vpon vs the greatest euils O Lord keepe me from falling into anie sinne let me euer abhorre it and flie from it as from my greatest enemie so shall I be free from thy fearefull iudgements the wages due desert of sinne yea so shall I be compassed with thy mercies and crowned with thy blessings for euer Death alwaies to be expected and prouided for LOrd thou hast gratiously sent thy harbingers aforehand to forewarne me of thy comming Let my maine care be to be alwaies readie prouided for thee that so that day which is iustlie feared of the most yea the remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many euen those that take their pleasure in wickednes may be most welcome and ioyfull vnto me the end of all my miseries and the entrance into that glorie blessednes which thou hast promised and which I expect and long for I desire to be dissolued and to be with thee my Sauiour for that is best of all Another of the same AS the Lord will come in that last and generall iudgement when he is not looked for of many so by particular iudgment euen by vnexpected death he doth now often suddenly surprize many when they thinke little he is so neere It is not seldome that we haue such glasses set before our eyes wherein we may cleerely see the truth hereof although indeed few there be that delight to look thereinto the view notwithstanding and daily consideration whereof were verie profitable for them Lord let me euer be mindful of my frail mortall estate and condition in this world let me alwaies be ready at thy call euer prepared for thy comming in the day of my dissolution which as I am perswaded is not farre off so it may be neerer then I thinke of O let me liue euery day as if it were my last day euery houre and moment as if it were the last houre and minute of this transitorie and vncertaine life of mine that so whiles I liue I may die dayly and when I die once I may liue for euer Gods glorie carefully to be sought for in all things ALl things were made for Gods glorie For this end the Lord giueth being vnto all creatures for this we liue moue and receiue all those blessings which we enioy And there is none of vs but shall be called vnto an account when the day of reckoning commeth how we haue referred all our actions vnto this end whether we haue in all things and aboue all things sought the glorie of God and the aduancement thereof by all good meanes euen to the vttermost of our pâ—â—â—er and abilitie Euerie houre that hath been spent otherwise 〈◊〉 registred and must be answered for in that day Oh what a heauy account shall the most haue then to make who now make this the least part of their care yea who altogether peruert the end for which they were created and sent into the world being so farre from glorifying God in all their actions that they doe nothing but dishonour him thoroughout the whole course of theit liues giuing that vnto Sathan which is the Lords due and which he calleth for continually of them where shall they appeare when he shall require these things at their hands Certaine I cannot but wonder that such can sleepe in rest one houre whose case is so fearefull and miserable especially since they know not how soone how suddenly they shall be called to their reckoning if not at that generall Audit yet at their particular counts-day the day of death Lord as thou hast made me for thy glory so let my eye be alwaies fixed vpon the same let me be carefull alwaies by all meanes to seeke the furtherance and aduancement of the same yea doe thou inflame my heart with a holy zeale thereof Let the coales thereof be fiery and the flame vehement that so nothing may be able to quench it not the deepe waters and raging streames of the greatest troubles and afflictions which can betide me no not the losse of life it selfe and all things which I enioy or this world could afford me Oh that thou wouldst kindle and increase this grace daily more and more in me and cause it to breake forth in all the actions of my life that so glorifying thee here for a while I may hereafter be glorified of thee for euer euen with that fulnes of glory which thou wilt giue vnto thy Saints No standing at a stay in Christianitie HE that thinketh that he hath attained to perfection and therefore standeth at a stay and striueth to goe no further may well suspect himselfe and feare that either he is vndermined with a dangerous temptation or else that indeed be hath heretofore deceiued himselfe and his owne soule thinking himselfe to be some thing when he was nothing and iudging farre otherwise of his estate then he ought to haue done Lord let me euery day more and more see mine own weakenesse and vnprofitablenesse euen how farre I come short of that which thou requirest of me that so forgetting that which is behind I may endeuour my selfe vnto that which is before and striue daily to make further proceedings and to attaine to a greater measure of grace and godlinesse till I come vnto that perfection which it hath pleased thee from whose diuine dispensation onely it is to allott vnto me The benefit which is receiued by the mutuall prayers of the faithfull THe prayer of one righteous man is neuer without fruit but auaileth much if it be feruent and proceed from a pure mind and a beleeuing
heart how much more the earnest supplications of the assemblies of the Saints and seruants of God euen his faithfull and beloued ones no doubt they pierce the cloudes open heauen-gates and enter into the presence of God himselfe and so preuaile with him that they cause him as to keepe backe his iudgements where they are feared so to powre down his blessings in abundance where they are desired O Lord grant that I may be frequent and earnest in praier both publique and priuate for my selfe and for others euen for thy Saints especially thy afflicted and distressed ones either in bodie or in mind and let it please thee as to make me carefull daily to pray and powre out my suits and supplications vnto thee for others so also in goodnesse to vouchsafe this grace and fauour vnto me that I may enioy the fruite and benefite of the prayers of thy seruants wheresoeuer or whensoeuer they shall be assembled in thy name crauing for thy blessing vpon thy Church and chosen children Heare O Lord from heauen and be mercifull vnto all and euerie one of thine that cals vpon thee in truth and faithfulnes let them taste of the sweetnesse of thy mercies yea let their emptie soules be satisfied and filled with thy grace and goodnesse that so they may praise thee with ioyfulnesse and both with heart and mouth sing vnto thy glory all their daies Blessings of God are not the lesse to be regarded because they are common EVen that glorious creature the Sunne because it riseth euerie day vpon vs is little thought of or regarded of the most The wondrous and admirable works of God because they are ordinarie and daily set before our eyes how meanely are they accounted of the greatest mercies and blessings of God because we heare of them and enioy them continually how slightly are they passed ouer by many of how few so highly prized and esteemed as they ought to be Lord let not thy workes thy mercies and fauours wherein thou hast shewed thy selfe so exceeding gratious vnto me aboue all deserts of mine let not them seeme the lesse in my eyes because it pleaseth thee in great kindnesse to make them ordinary vsuall vnto me let me not be the lesse mindfull of them the lesse thankfull vnto thee for them because in the riches of thy loue thou vouchsafest to make them cōmon by the continuall supplie and increase of them yea rather let me as it is meete I should be moued and drawne to be so much the more frequent in the daily and conscionable performance of those ordinarie duties and seruices which thou requirest of me and as thou enlargest thy hand in the continuance and increase of thy mercies towards me so inlarge my heart I humblie beseech thee that I may daily more and more increase in true thankefulnesse vnto thee vnto whom I owe my selfe and all things that I haue for in thee I haue all things without thee I can neither enioy nor hope for any thing which is good or to be desired The Angels watch ouer the godlie O How strongly are Gods children continually garded Lo what multitudes of those heauenly souldiours doe attend vpon them daily hourely euerie moment watch ouer them yea compasse them round about on euerie side so that they can haue no hurt but liue and end their daies in peace safety and happinesse O how blinde are the eyes of men that they doe not see and behold them yea rather how weake is their faith that will not beleeue this because they cannot see them with the eyes of their bodies Foolish and faithlesse people who will be perswaed of no more then they can see with the eye of flesh and haue an external view of by their outward sense why doe they not as fondly doubt whether they haue soules within them since they are spirits also which they neuer saw neither can see Lord open mine eyes that I may see that heauenly guard of thine wherewith it hath pleased thee to compasse me euen those celestiall Angels and ministring spirits which are set continually to attend vpon me that so I may be comforted in my greatest feares and encouraged with vndanted resolution to goe forward with constancie in thy wayes notwithstanding the opposition of the enemies of thy grace and truth knowing assuredly that they that are with me are more mightier then they that are against me The danger of security WIll that man be secure and carelesse of himselfe that knoweth certainly that his enemie lieth continuallie in waite for him seeking his vtter ruine euen the spoiling of his estate and the spilling of his blood yea will he not if there be any wisdome or prudence in him be verie watchfull verie circumspect and exceeding carefull to foresee and preuent all his dangerous attempts enterprises whereby he might haue the least aduantage at any time against him Few there are but are wise inough thus to procure the safetie and securitie of their bodily life and outward estate in this world and to safe-gard it that no enemie or aduersarie may impaire or hurt the same at any time And shall any then be so foolish so vnwise as not carefully by al meanes to prouide for the life and welfare of his soule yea to procure the safety both of soule and body and not onely his present but also his future estate in the heauens and yet loe such is the follie of the most yea euen of many of those who otherwise are wise and prudent men men of iudgement and vnderstanding Sathan that subtile that wilie and most malicious enemie lieth continually in waite for vs he omits no opportunity no occasion whereby he may get any aduantage against vs he neuer leaues tempting assaulting and assailing of vs but seekes continually by all meanes possible to vndermine our estate to worke our ruine and vtter ouerthrow both of our soules and bodies for euer yet most men how carelesse how secure are they as though they had no heart no vnderstanding yea do they not euen wilfully and willingly giue themselues to sleepe in greatest securitie when they are in greatest and most apparent and eminent danger euen then when the enemie is ready to make a spoile of them and eternall destruction and confusion to seize vpon them without all recouerie or hope of redemption O mercifull Lord thou seest how busie Sathan is in tempting me how many and how forcible meanes he vseth to preuaile against me O let me not be so carelesse and secure as others are but doe thou of thy especiall grace giue me wisdom from aboue to fore-see the dangers which may befall me carefulnesse and diligence with watchfulnesse and aduisednesse to preuent them and finallie grace and strenghth not onelie to encounter and resist but also to vanquish and ouercome that cruell and malicious enemie and aduersarie and in the end gloriouslie to triumph ouer him by the power and might of thy Christ in whom and through
soule and seeke by all meanes the vtter ruine and subuersion thereof yea there is scarce one day but that I passe thorow many deaths so many are the grieuances whereunto thy children are continually subiect whiles they haue their abode in this place of vanitie of death and miserie How therefore should not that day be pleasant and not bitter vnto me how should I not haue a feruent desire to be dissolued so to remoue from earth to heauen since that as long as I liue here in this world I cannot be freed from all miseries nor attaine vnto full and perfect blessednesse which is onelie to be expected in the world to come where I know that I shall enioy it and haue the fruition of it for euer in thy kingdom All the daies of my appointed time will I waite vntill my changing shall come euen the time of refreshing which I desire and hope for and which thou O Lord when it pleaseth thee wilt vouchsafe in mercie and goodnesse to grant vnto me Lord I haue longed for thy saluation Of whom death is most feared HE that alwaies feares death excessiuely neuer made conscience to liue well He that is carefull to liue well will neuer be ouermuch afraid to die though death in it selfe be of all things the most fearefull and terrible or if he doe feare it when it first looks vpon him with a gastly countenance yet when the vizard which it hath put vpon it be plucked away with the due and serious meditation of it the feare and dread of it will vanish away presently Lord let it be my care and earnest endeuour so to liue and to passe the time of my dwelling here euen these short and euill daies which thou hast measured out vnto me that the remembrance of ensuing and approching death may neuer be bitter or grieuous but ioyfull and pleasant vnto me Sathans craft and guilefulnesse in deceiuing men THe Diuell goes alwaies masked vp and downe in the world in a disguised manner and neuer or seldome sheweth himselfe in his owne likenesse because then he knowes well enough euery one not without cause would be afraid of him flie from him and haue nothing to doe with him for who would not shunne his deadly aduersarie whom he saw nothing but plotting his owne destruction and ouerthrow but vsually he comes like a false friend with the pretence of a seeming good he appeares and offers himselfe vnto men in the shape of pleasure profit honour euen those things which are pleasing vnto their nature and whereby they may most easily be enticed and drawne away after him How many thousands hath he by these slights and policies of his deluded and deceiued how doth he hereby preuaile against men till he secretly work their irrecouerable ruin and that many times before they be aware of any such matter but feede securely greedily vpon those things which he profereth vnto them not seeing the snare which is laid for them O Lord let me alwaies suspect and feare the deceitfulnesse of Sathan in the things which are most pleasing vnto me which with the shew of pleasure profit worldly cōmodities and aduantage do most allure me and draw my heart after them or cause me to set my affections inordinatly vpō them that so in what counterfait forme soeuer that deceiuer shall seek cunningly to insinuate himselfe into me I may discerne his craft take heed by all meanes that I be not at any time beguiled and deluded by him Sathans seuerall baites for sundrie persons THe Diuell hath a baite for euery age for euery place and person and according to the occasions and opportunities he fitteth them all to their seuerall natures dispositions and inclinations For the couetous he hath a siluer hooke and a golden baite the riches and commodities of this deceitfull world for the voluptuous sinfull pleasures and sensuall delights for the ambitious honour and bewitching preferments to such as are cholericke he ministers those things that may kindle their wrath and inflame their furie for the melancholick he laies the baite either of vnprofitable solitarines or of pining enuy And thus by one meanes or other he seekes continually to entice them to swallow his baite which he so guilefully profereth vnto them that being once taken with it they can hardly escape the danger which he laboureth to bring them vnto except the Lord be the more mercifull to pull the hooke out of their nostrils and to set them at libertie againe Blessed Lord giue me to see vnto what sins I am either by nature or otherwise most addicted and whereby Sathan seeketh chiefly to insnare me and to draw me vnto perdition and hauing grace to see them let me also haue wisdome and strength to shunne and auoide them that so I may not be deceiued by Sathan nor perish with the multitude whom he hath taken in his snares with those baites which he hath laid for them The occasions of sinne carefully to be auoided HE that saith that he is loth to offend God through the commission of any sinne and doth not carefully auoide the occasions whereby he may fall into the same is like to him that telleth vs that he is loth to be burnt and yet dreads not the fire when he is neare vnto burning yea rather will needs runne into the flame wihch is readie to scorch him or that he is loth to be drowned and yet goes so neere the pits brinke that it is almost impossible for him not to fall into it and to perish in it O Lord let me not be so vnwise as to deceiue my selfe as many doe by taking too much libertie vnto my selfe in those things which though lawfull in themselues yet may be a meanes through the corruption of my nature the temptation of Sathan to draw me to sin against thee But giue me wisdome in all things to foresee and preuent the danger that may come vpon me for want of due prouidence and watchfulnesse and make me euer as carefull to auoide the occasions of sin as sinne and death it selfe So shall it neuer haue power or dominion ouer me whereas otherwise it cannot be but that I should fall oft and dangerously Respect of persons IT is a great fault and yet ordinarie to respect men more for the outward trappings of the bodie then for the inward graces and vertues of the mind If one be of a goodly personage or richly apparelled and attired he shall be regarded and much set by although his mind be neuer so deformed destitute of all grace and goodnesse euen those inward endowments which are the greatest excellencies If another be more base or meane in these outward respects howsoeuer he be inwardlie decked and adorned yet there is no reckoning or very small account made of him What is this but to preferre the body before the soule that which is terrene earthly and coruptible before that which is spirituall heauenly and immortall Salomon the
our best friends and louingst companions who expect looke continuallie for our comming into that heauenly citie that celestiall mansion the place where they we are to rest remain with our Sauiour in the presence of that glorious God for euer to be partakers of that felicity blessednes which is vnspeakable and glorious Why then doe we not weane our selues from the world why do we settle our selues here where our rest is not yea why are we so loth to leaue this drie and barren wildernesse where we liue among strangers that know vs not yea amongst many wild and sauage creatures who seeke to do vs all the mischiefe they can O Lord raise vp my thoughts and the affections of my heart vnto those things which are aboue vnto those things which concerne my future estate in thy kingdom let it be continually the earnest desire of my heart to be with thee my God in the heauens there to behold thy face in glory for euer and to haue the full fruition of that sweet and comfortable fellowship and communion of my Sauiour and of all the Saints Angels wherein consists true happinesse and blessednesse Death alwaies to be remembred MAny liue as if they shold neuer die they remember not the euill daies that shall come vpon them and the yeares which shall approch wherein they shall say We haue no pleasure in them They consider not how their eyes shall waxe dimme their eares deafe their tongues speechles yea how their spirits all their senses shall faile them and all those worldlie helpes wherein now they rest and comfort themselues vtterly forsake them O Lord teach thou me to number my daies that I may applie my heart vnto wisdome Let me alwaies be mindfull of my end consider seriously of my frailetie mortalitie that so when death cōmeth which continually waiteth vpon me it may not find me vnprepared but that in the last houre the verie remembrance whereof is bitter vnto many I may find sound comfort and be translated out of this vale of teares this place of mourning where I am compassed about with sinne and miserie into the kingdome of thy deare Sonne and my blessed Sauiour and so be made partaker of that glorious and immortall inheritance which thou reseruest for vs euen for all thy Saints in the highest heauens the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where we shall liue and raigne with thee eternallie What maner of life it becommeth Christians to leade THe heathen could say that if men as it is meet they should would haue this alwaies in their minds that they were made of God himselfe in regard of the better part which is the soule and spirit that God was their father he doubted not but they would leade a life beseeming their estate and condition that they would do nothing whereby they might shew themselues to be base degenerate such as in whom there were no resemblance of that diuine and heauenly nature Me thinks many that are Christians at least in name and profession should blush when they reade when they heare this They call God father and thinke themselues much wronged if any should tell them that they were not his children and that not onelie by creation as the heathen are but also in a more speciall maner by grace and adoption through Christ and yet behold many of them are not ashamed of that vilenesse and basenesse in their behauiour their actions liues and practises which the pagans and heathen themselues were ashamed of and haue condemned as by their liues so also by their writings thereby setting a brand of iust reproch and eternall infamie vpon the foreheads of such fained counterfet Christians who are the staine of true religion and christianity such as though they think that of right they may claime this title to themselues to be the chosen people of God those to whom he hath giuen the name priuiledge of his owne sonnes yet in verie deed are the children of the diuell seuen-fold more then the heathen themselues who knew not God in Christ O mercifull Lord grāt I humblie beseech thee that as I call thee father and beleeue and acknowledge my selfe to be thine owne adopted sonne through thy Christ in whom thou hast freely loued and elected me from eternitie so also I may haue grace from thee for thy gift onelie it is not to fashion my selfe like vnto the wicked and vngodly the men of this world that I may not be like vnto them in those vaine courses wherein they walke and delight themselues but that I may alwaies do those things which are beseeming my calling and profession as acknowledging thee to be my father and glorying in this that I am thy sonne so liuing and ordering my selfe as it becommeth thy sonne euen shining forth in all holinesse of life and godly conuersation to the glory of thy name the peace and comfort of mine owne conscience and to the good example of others whom thou hast aduanced vnto the same profession which is so glorious Gods patience in bearing with sinners IT is a wonder that the Sunne which is a witnesse of so many and so enormous sinnes and wickednesses as are committed vpon the earth standeth so long in the heauens and giueth light vnto the world that the heauens are not dissolued and that the elements melt not that the waters ouerflow not and ouerwhelme vs yea that Christ that iust and righteous Iudge of the whole world commeth not in flaming fire to burne vp this earth with all the workes therein which are polluted defiled with our sins It is thy mercie O Lord that we are not consumed O be thou patient towards vs who cease not to prouoke thee daily Let thy good spirit still striue with vs yea draw vs vnto thee with the consideration of thy lenitie and the riches of thy bountifulnesse that so thy long sufferance may be vnto vs saluation euen an effectuall meanes to winne vs vnto the loue and obedience of thy maiestie and so in the end to bring vs to eternall life and happinesse in the heauens The soule how it is to be fitted and prepared for the entertainment of so glorious a guest as the holy Ghost is IF thou wert to entertaine some honourable personage how carefull wouldst thou be to make such preparation and prouision for him that he might be receiued in that maner that were fit for his place and estate how much more carefull sollicitous then oughtest thou to be to prepare the secret lodgings of thy heart and soule to see that nothing be out of order in thy whole man that no vncleannesse nor any thing which is any way polluted remaine within thee who art to receiue and to entertaine so honourable a guest euen the holy spirit of the most high God and to become a temple for so great and so glorious a presence to dwell in for euer O heauenly Father purifie my
heart with the sprinkling of the blood of that immaculate lambe Christ Iesus the righteous purge me daily more and more from all my corruptions euen those which are most secret and open to the view of none but of thy all-seeing maiestie whose eye pierceth thorough all things and seeth and discerneth perfectlie those things which are hid from the sight of men and which we our selues are ignorant of Cleanse me both in soule in bodie and in spirit from the filthinesse of all sinne and iniquitie and from the staine of all inbred corruption and so sanctifie me throughout with thy grace that I may be a fit temple and mansion for thy holy spirit to rest in yea that thou maist delight to remaine to abide and to dwell with me for euer which is the onely happinesse and felicitie which my soule desireth and longeth for and which I know assuredly thou who hast promised it wilt not denie vnto me Grieuing of the spirit of God THou art vnwilling to giue iust occasion wherby thy kind friend might be grieued and so for thy vnkind dealing with him be moued to leaue thee and depart from thee in displeasure hauing no delight no desire to return any more vnto thee no scarcely though he be much sought vnto and intreated with great importunitie Why then dost thou daily and hourely deale so vnkindly with thy best friend why dost thou grieue the spirit of God which is the onely comforter and without whom thou canst neuer haue anie true peace or contentment in any estate or condition of life Why dost thou continually offer him so iust cause to turn away from thee yea to remoue farre off and to denie any more to visite thee with that gratious and comfortable presence of his though thou shouldest hereafter neuer so oft and so earnestly seeke and sue vnto him O my God forgiue me my sins whereby I haue heretofore grieued that holy spirit of thine by whom thou hast sealed me and assured me of those gracious promises which thou hast made vnto me in thy Christ Forgiue me those manifold sinnes and trangressions whereby I haue from time to time most grieuously displeased and prouoked thy maiestie who hast continually shewed thy selfe euery way so good and so kinde vnto me Hide thy face from them and let them neuer come into thy remembrance to be a meanes to cause thee as iustlie thou maist to depart and to take thy spirit from me lest I die and perish But notwithstanding my vndeseruednesse for thy promise sake doe thou stil in mercie vouchsafe freely to continue thy wonted and accustomed loue and kindnesse vnto me Giue me not onely the presence but also the grace and comfort of thy spirit yea let it alwaies rest and remaine with me that so my spirit may liue and praise thee O Lord this I know that nothing but my sinnes can hinder this goodnes and blessing of thine from me forget therefore I pray thee my sins past couer my sinnes present and keepe me from falling into sinne hereafter and then I am assured that thy blessed and gratious spirit shall dwell with me and comfort me both now and euer according vnto thy promise Spirituall desertions THe Sunne may be eclipsed for a while by the interposition of the thicke duskie bodie of the Moone but that being remoued it will quickly cause the bright beams therof to shine forth again vnto the world The Lord may hide his face from me for a time by reason of my sinnes which onely can make a separation and diuision betweene him and me and cause him to withdraw the light of his gracious countenance from me but sure I am that he will neuer vtterly forsake me for his foundation is surely laide his loue and grace is vnchangeable He hath been once nay often gracious vnto me and will continue so for euer O my God keepe me from sinning against thee so shall the light of thy countenance shine alwaies vpon me so shall I feele the comfort of thy presence remaining with me in life in death after death euen for euer The truth and faithfulnesse of God in performing his promises THe Lord is mercifull in promising and true in performing whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto his children We haue no other title to the least of Gods blessings but euen this his mercie and truth to claime them by and hauing that wee need no other O Lord although my sinnes are many and grieuous and might iustlie cause thee to withdraw all thy mercies and fauours from me and to denie any more to be gracious vnto me yet Lord thy truth and faithfulnesse indure for euer O thinke vpon thy couenant and according to thy mercie do thou alwaies remember me and looke vpon me Euen for thy promise sake haue mercie vpon me and notwithstanding my sinnes call for iudgement yet doe thou continue still to be good and gracious vnto me in the supplie of thy manifold blessings and mercies The comfort of a good conscience especially in death A Good conscience is a continuall feast as in and thoroughout the whole life time so especiallie in the houre and in the verie agonie and pang of death With what sweet pleasant food of diuine consolation doth it then feed the soule refresh the mind when all other comforts faile and become as running streames dried vp in the heate of summer nothing then will afford the like comfort vnto this Wouldst thou see this as it were in a glasse clearely represented vnto thy view Suppose that euen now thou sawest one lying at the point of death vpon the bed of his sorrowes readie to take his last farewell of the world to lay downe his bodie in the dust where he should haue corruption to be his father and the crawling worme his mother and his sister and the graue his house and dwelling place for a long season whiles his soule being separated from his bodie should depart into a farre countrie Suppose now at this instant thou sawest one in this estate as thus most certaine it shall be with thee with me with all of vs what thinkest thou would be the greatest comfort vnto him what is it that would most refresh him and cheere him vp Fine fare or sweete iuncats Alas he takes no pleasure in them he cannot tast them though they be neuer so daintie or if he could yet should hee take no delight nor finde any sweetnesse in them for it is his soule that now hungers and thirsts and seeks for comfort whiles his bodie is almost senselesse He desireth he looketh for spirituall foode wherewith his fainting soule and languishing spirits may be fed and refreshed and not for corporall yea that is loathsome vnto him Sweet musicke and delightsome melodie Alas the daughters of singing are now abased he is almost past hearing and though he could heare it neuer so well yet it would not be any refreshing vnto him he could not solace himselfe in it yea rather
eye of his soule that vnspeakable glorie and those endlesse riches and treasures of euerlasting felicitie and blessednes which to the eye of the bodie are inuisible and cannot be seene of any but of those onely which are spirituall O blessed Lord what is there on this earth wherein my soule can finde any pleasure or vnto which I should giue the affections of my heart On euery side I see nothing but miserie and vanitie continuall occasion of griefe and mourning My treasure my ioy and happinesse is in heauē euen in the place where thou dwellest in glorie and maiestie and where thou hast prepared such things for me as the heart of man is not able to conceiue or comprehend O therefore let mine eye neuer be fixed vpon any earthly obiect but let me alwaies be looking vp vnto thee and to that heauenly mansion where such glorious things are reserued for me Especiall fauours of God towards vs often and more especially to bee remembred of vs. IT is a good thing to be often meditating vpon the goodnesse and louing kindnesse of the Lord towards vs in those speciall fauours and blessings whereby hee hath chiefly and most euidently manifested his loue vnto vs and his fatherly care ouer vs yea the least of his mercies ought daily to be remembred of vs that so in all things wee might stirre vp our selues vnto true thankfulnes which is a thing wherewith he is greatly delighted and for which hee extendeth his louing fauour in a more plentifull encrease of his blessings and benefits O mercifull Lord how great is thy goodnesse towards me how exceeding gratious hast thou been alwaies vnto me The mercies which thou hast freely vouchsafed vnto mee are infinite and innumerable I am not able to recount thē O let me euer be thinking of them and lifting vp my heart continuallie with vnfained praise and thankes vnto thy Maiestie for them that so it may please thee to cause the light of thy grace and fauour to shine still vpon me euen vnto the end of my daies How the conscience is disquieted and wounded HE is a happie man that doth alwaies carefullie auoide euery thing whatsoeuer it be that may be either a staine or a burthen vnto his conscience he shall surely enioy the benefit of a quiet and of a peaceable minde with much freedome and libertie of spirit whereas on the other side he that hath little or no care of this dutie that regardeth not how hee defileth his conscience or what loade hee laieth vpon it by doing those things which are either altogether vnlawfull in themselues or else vnlawfull vnto him because either hee hath no warrant for the doing of them or else faileth in the maner of the doing of them hee thereby brings a greater miserie vpon himselfe then for the present hee can thinke of and for which hereafter hee shall meete with much vntimely griefe and sorrow and taste of much bitternes in his soule and spirit O Lord let me bee carefull alwaies to vse all meanes whereby I may keepe a cleere and a pure cōscience doing that good with all diligence which thou hast commanded and abstaining with all my strength from that euil which thou hast forbidden and from whatsoeuer I cannot haue resolution out of thy word for the lawfulnes of it that so I may haue comfort both in life and in death The dulnes and sottishnes of worldlings O The dulnes of the hearts of men who minde only those things which are present neuer regarding those which are to come How sottish is the nature of man that delighteth only to lie groueling on this earth and to satisfie his carnall his sensuall appetite in the enioying of these things which are but vaine and corruptible yea that neglecteth euen heauen and happinesse it selfe so that hee may haue his fill of them O Lord let me alwaies be far otherwise affected then the men of this world are who sauour onely of those things which are carnall and earthly vaine hope of a long life vpon earth as many doe When it is morning let me think that I shall not liue vnto the euening and when the euening is come let me not promise vnto my selfe assurance of life vntill the next morning sith there is no power thereof in my hands But let me liue so continually as if death were to seize vpon me presently yea let me so liue alwaies as if I were to die the same instant euen whē death might seeme to bee furthest off from mee that thus hauing death alwaies present before mine eyes I may learne daily to die vnto the world esteeming the things thereof as nothing though neuer so highly prized of the men of this world and to aspire daily more and more vnto that spirituall and heauenly life in thy Christ that so when bodilie death shall close vp these eyes of mine I may not rest in darknesse and be as those that are cut off from their hope and lost their comfort but depart in peace into that light of glorie where I shal enioy thy blessed presence and behold thee face to face for euermore to my vnspeakable happinesse and felicitie As is the life of a man so is his death and finall estate AS is the life of man so is his death and as it is with him in death so shall it bee in the last and dreadfull iudgement Hee that hath a care to liue well it cannot be but that he should die well and he that dies well shall assuredly finde the iudgement day to bee a maruellous refreshing vnto him On the other side he that liues ill how can he haue any hope that he shall die well and if hee be miserable in his death how much more in the day of iudgement Oh what a terror shal that day be vnto him who is able to conceiue what a sea of miserie and horrour shall then suddenlie ouerwhelme him in most fearfull manner O my God thou who art my strength my hope and my saluation giue mee both an earnest desire and a carefull endeuour to direct all my waies and to order the whole course of my life according vnto the rule prescript of thy holy word let it bee my care to haue a good conscience in all things and to liue so that my life being approoued of thee my death may bee blessed and my appearance before thee in the day of thy comming with ioy and comfort when as the wicked shall not bee able to stand in thy presence but call to the mountaines and to the rocks to fall vpon them and to hide them from the fiercenes of thy wrath which shall be as a consuming fire to deuoure all the vngodly of the earth Iudgement day how terrible it will be to the wicked THe angrie countenance of a seuere Iudge how dreadfull is it vnto the malefactor that stands endited at the barre before him what a terror doth it strike into him how doth it astonish and amaze him
glorious He hath set vp the scepter of his kingdome in his heart so that all his enemies shall fall downe before him euen Sathan the chiefest of his aduersaries who fighteth continually against him and seeketh by all meanes to bring him into bondage and thraldome vnder him What should I say more Beeing vnited vnto Christ his redeemer and made bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh he is also ioyned and nearly allied vnto God the Father and so being ioynt-heire with the Sonne hath that crowne of immortal glory belonging vnto him and shal at length euen when this short life is ended liue and raigne in that celestiall kingdome with God himselfe and with all his holy Saints and elect Angels for euermore And in the meane-while euen whiles he liueth here crawling as it were vpon the earth hauing the place of his abode heere below where he is as one of no reputation in the world which knoweth him not he hath his life his conuersation and his chief abode in heauen being alwaies looking vp vnto that place of his glory which is aboue where Christ Iesus his sauiour sitteth at the right hand of his father his eyes are euer lifted vp vnto heaueÌ„ and set vpon those things which are within the vaile where his hope yea his heart is so that euen whiles he liueth with his bodie on earth in minde and in soule he is transported in a maner into heauen it selfe and seeth those things in spirit which are vnutterable and which flesh and bloud or the senses of a natural man can neuer reach vnto neuer be able in any sorte to comprehend O Lord who can expresse the honor which thou hast giuen vnto thy Saints who is able to declare the speciall grace which thou in thy infinite goodnes and mercie hast vouchsafed to euery one whom it hath pleased thee to giue vnto thy Christ and in him to elect and chose vnto life and saluation according to the good pleasure of thy will before the world was Oh with what glorie and honour hast thou crowned them how highlie hast thou aduanced them being moued thereunto by nothing that was in them but only of thy free loue and mercie that therby thou mightest cause thy infinite grace and glorie to shine forth vnto the world to the praise of thy name throughout all generations O blessed God whose mercy and kindnes vnto mankind is so infinit and incoÌ„preheÌ„sible seeing it hath pleased thee in the exceeding greatnes of thy loue and riches of thy grace towards mee in Christ to chuse mee vnto life and glorie and to make mee euen me so vnworthie a creature one of that small number whom thou hast so highly honored in this world and wilt for euer glorifie euen with that exceeding measure of glorie in the world to come O let my heart and my mouth neuer cease praising and magnifying thy great and glorious name and howsoeuer I may seeme vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world which doth neither know thee nor thine but hath alwaies hardly intreated those whom thou hast chiefly honored esteeming them as the scumme and ofscouring of the earth the very abiects of men yea men vnworthie to liue in the world yet let me neuer passe any thing at all how the blinde world doth iudge or esteeme of me or how it is affected towards me but let me alwaies reioyce in thee and glorie in thy saluation and rest continually in a comfortable hope and ioyfull expectation of all that goodnes of thine which thou hast treasured vp in store for mee in thy kingdome and whereof thou hast giuen mee the first fruits already as a pledge and assurance of that which I shal haue the full fruition of hereafter for euer An humble heart most pleasant vnto God a proud most vile and abominable AN humble and a lowlie hart is a mansion wherein the Lord delighteth to dwell he filleth and replenisheth it with the riches of the graces of his spirit but as for the proud and high minded they are an abomination vnto him His soule doth loath them and his spirit will neuer rest nor remaine with them they are no fit mansion for him yea they are meete only to be an habitation for Satan that euill and vncleane spirit who being the father of the children of pride can take no pleasure where hee findeth true humilitie but seeketh for lodging in those especially who are of a proud and hautie spirit These are his darlings in these is his chief delight in them he hath a roome alwaies ready trimmed prepared for him euen in the closets of their hearts where he dwelleth and raigneth continually from whence he will neuer depart as long as hee findeth so fit a mansion for him The onely way to cast him out of the heart and soule of man is to emptie it altogether of pride and to haue it garnished with that excellent grace of humilitie and lowlinesse O Lord who art the fountaine of all grace giue vnto me I earnestly desire thee a contrite spirit a meeke and an humble heart Banish all pride and vanitie of minde far from me and make me lowly yea base and vile in mine owne eyes that so that wicked spirit being vtterly dispossessed and finding no abiding place within mee I may bee fit to entertaine that good spirit of thine thou maist delight to dwell and remaine with me and to fill my emptie soule with those pretious riches and treasures of thy heauenly graces which are the things which my heart desireth and longeth after Oh doe thou heare me and satisfie me as my trust is in thee who I know assuredly wilt neuer faile me nor withhold thy goodnesse from me whiles I seeke vnto thee with a heart vnfained Confidence in any creature a most vaine thing WHat a vaine thing is it to put any trust or confidence in man or in any creature what is this but to rest vpon a broken reed How greatly do such deceiue themselues how oft doe they faile in their desires and misse that which they hoped for O Lord God who art glorious and wonderfull in power and strength nothing is or can be hard vnto thee thou only art my hope all my trust confidence is in thee Whom haue I in heauen or in earth but thee vpon thee thee only I rest and depend continually O doe thou neuer forsake me Suspition THE best man is alwaies leâ—st suspitious But hee that is giuen euer to mistrust and to suspect the worst of others as it may be iustly feared that hee hath a very corrupt and vnsound heart himselfe so it may bee vndoubtedly affirmed that he is very offensiue and displeasing vnto God very vnquiet in himselfe and most vncharitable towards his neighbour whom notwithstanding he hurteth not so much thereby as himselfe O Lord increase the grace of true charitie daily more and more in me Let me alwaies be looking into mine owne hart considering the
one minute then of that which is eternall and shall neuer haue an end but continue for euer in such glorie the enioying whereof one moment is better then all the glorie pleasures and delights of this life whereof any man is or can bee made partaker in this world yea though hee liue long and see many daies and wants nothing of those things heere below which seeme most pretious and glorious in the eyes of men What should I say more We are more troubled with the feare and dread of our naturall death the death of our bodies which if our liues were such as they ought to be would be more desired then feared of vs being the entrāce into that promised rest and happinesse then of the death of our spirits yea of our soules and bodies euen that fearfull most dreadful death which is the second death when as the soule presently after the dissolution and separation of it from the bodie in the end of this life and both soule and bodie euen the whole man immediatly after the day of iudgement hauing receiued their finall doome shall bee deliuered vp vnto eternall death and condemnation in hell where they shall be punished with euerlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord and from the glorie of his power Surely many such there be in al places who haue so small sense and feeling of the greatest euils both present and imminent that are more grieued and troubled for the approching of some lesser euill then of the greatest miserie that can possibly befall a man the very remembrance and consideration whereof were enough to breed a horror and astonishment in the minde of the hardiest the most obstinate and impenitent sinner if he should haue a right apprehension of it Oh the follie of such men who seeth not how Satan hath blinded and besotted them that they should bee as those who haue no vnderstanding no discerning of things that differ so exceedingly O blessed Lord open their eyes that they may haue a sight of their greatest miseries touch their hearts that they may haue a feeling of that which should bee their greatest griefe and wherewith they should be most affected And keepe thy seruants from falling at any time into that vaine and foolish opinion and imagination of theirs Let vs alwaies feare thy displeasure more then the angrie countenance of any mortall man whatsoeuer let vs be more afraid to be despised and reiected of thee or to bee such as thou takest no pleasure no delight in then to be disgraced and contemned of the whole world esteemed the filth and ofscouring of all things men vnworthie to liue vpon the earth let vs chuse rather to incurre the daunger of the losse of our goods lands substance and to bee content to haue our outward estate in this world much impaired yea altogether wasted and brought euen to nothing rather then once willingly to hazard our euerlasting estate in the world to come by bringing our selues into daunger of the losse of those vnsearchable riches and treasures of life glorie and endlesse felicitie euen those farre more excellent and glorious things which thou hast promised and prepared for all thy Saints in that heauenlie kingdome Let vs not feare the death of these mortall bodies of ours which are but dust and shall returne to the earth of which they are framed let not the remēbrance thereof trouble vs or bee any waies grieuous and bitter vnto vs nay rather let vs reioyce in it and long for it and that with an earnest desire seeing it shall be a passage vnto vs from this life vnto a better but let vs feare auoid those things which might cause the death of our soules yea let vs so feare hell death and destruction that we may be full assured we shall escape them and when this life of ours is ended be translated into that place where thou dwellest in fulnes of glorie and maiestie and liue and raigne with thee in the heauens for euermore Amen The Lords seruice the greatest freedome TO be in the Lords seruice is the greatest freedome yea the greatest priuiledge and most excellēt prerogatiue that men can attaine vnto in this world It is a verie honourable and glorious calling no earthly dignitie office or prehemencie whatsoeuer to be compared vnto it The Angells of heauen those celestiall creatures account it as it is indeed their crowne and their greatest glorie that wherein they finde cause of continuall ioy and reioycing Why then should any man a worme of the earth esteeme so meanly of it as many do yea thinke it to be a burden which he is loth to take vpon him a bondage which it is grieuous to him to vndergoe yea a disgrace and reproch which he is vnwilling to sustaine Oh that vaine man should be so degenerate and base minded as to haue so meane a◠conceite of that which he ought so highly to prize that he should suppose the seruice of the great king and monarch of the whole world the most high God wherein the most excellent creatures do glorie to be base and contemptible that he should thinke it a dishonour and disparagment vnto him to professe himselfe to be a dutiful and obedient seruant vnto the Lord of heauen the mightie possessour of all things to whom all knees are to bowe and whom all creatures must adore when as he accounteth it an honour and a grace vnto him to be reputed an inferior seruant vnto his minister and vicegerent vpon earth and no small priuiledge to be in any office vnder him yea that he should be such a miscreant as to despise that which if he were not strangely blinded and extremely besotted he would think himself happie that he might haue it once vouchsafed and granted vnto him O blessed Lord how great is thy goodnesse and thy mercie towards me in that it hath pleased thee to take me into thy seruice how much am I bound vnto thee for this fauour which thou hast shewed vnto me who by reason of my sinnes whereby I haue from time to time dishonoured thee am altogether vnworthie to be called thy seruant or once to be reckoned amongst the least and meanest of those vnto whom thou hast vouchsafed this so great a priuiledge so glorious a dignitie and prerogatiue Oh that I were able to performe that seruice which is due vnto thee and which thou requirest of me Thou art my Lord and my God vnto whom I owe all dutie all homage and loyaltie thou onely art worthie to be serued worshipped and glorified of all creatures both in heauen and in earth I acknowledge that all that I can possible doe is lesse then that which my dutie and thy loue and goodnesse bindeth me vnto and which thou mayest well expect of me It is the desire of my heart to be found euery way obedient and faithfull vnto thee yea to serue thee with al my strēgth with all my might and that vnto the end of my
is not onely much distempered in his soule but euen out of his right minde and destitute of true wisedom and vnderstanding seeing that it bereaues a man of true glorie vnto which that is no waies comparable and depriues him of diuine and heauenly grace the most pretious iewell in this world and most to bee desired and sought for farre aboue all fading and earthly vanities For whiles that any seeketh to please himselfe ouermuch in receiuing honour of men he cannot but displease God verie highly and want that honor which is from aboue whiles he couets and hunts after the praise and applause of this world and desires to lift vp himselfe in the pride and vanitie of his heart aboue others the Lord resisteth him and denieth his grace vnto him so that of all others he is herein through the iust iudgment of God most barren and fruitlesse hauing perhaps the shadow and outward appearance of some morall vertues but wanting that which is the life and soule of them O Lord how little cause haue I to glorie of any thing that is in me except it be of my infirmities my weaknesses and manifold imperfections vnto which I feele my selfe continually subiect What is it for which I should esteeme my selfe to be any thing or to bee once worthie to bee accounted amongst the meanest of thy seruants For behold I am but a fraile and a sinfull man full of wretchednes and miserie nothing without thee not able to doe the least good but as I am strengthened and assisted by thee readie to faile and to sinke right down if I bee not continually sustained and supported by thee What shall I say If I haue any thing it is only thy gift and thy gratious blessing for the which I can neuer be sufficiently thankfull Farre bee it from me therefore to bee so misled with the vaine conceit of wicked and vngodly men that I should lift vp my selfe aboue that which is meete or glorie in any thing of this world lest it displease thee and cause thee in iustice to bring shame and dishonour vpon me but grant that I may reioyce and glorie alwaies and only in thee yea that I may extoll and magnifie thy name continually who art worthie of all praise and glorie both now and euermore The Christians Paradise in this life THe children of God liue continually in a paradise euen whiles they remaine in this world and seeme to others to be wretched and miserable subiect vnto manifold afflictions and diuers kinds of calamities They taste daily of the fruite of the tree of life and are refreshed with those inward spirituall ioyes and heauenly delights which are aboue all other ioyes and in comparison whereof all the pleasures and delights which this deceitfull and enticing world can affoord them are but meere vanitie They are certified of their saluation they know themselues to be elected redeemed by Christ their Sauiour and that none can take thē out of his hands who is so mightie and powerfull in himself and so gratious and louing vnto them yea by faith and hope they are ascended into heauen and in spirit behold that mansion place prouided for them and that glorie which he who neuer deceiued any that trusted in him hath promised vnto them the remembrance and ioyfull expectation whereof doth euen rauish their soules and cause them to glory in the Lord and in the riches of his goodnesse and mercie so gratiously bountifully vouchsafed vnto them when they were most vnworthie of it O blessed Lord open mine eyes that I may see the excellencie of that estate whereunto thou hast called mee of thy free grace take away that vaile which Satan seeketh to spread before me that so I might not see into that glorie which thou of thy endlesse loue and vnspeakable goodnesse hast made me partaker of euen in the middest of those weaknesses those infirmities and afflictions wherewith I am compassed about on euerie side Thou hast giuen me thy spirit to bee my comforter in all my sorrowes yea my faithfull guide to leade me along safely by the waters of diuine and heauenlie consolations and to conduct me with much peace and ioy thorow this vale of miserie vnto that promised rest that heauenly Canaan Euery day thou causest me to taste of thy goodnesse yea fillest me with thy hid treasures such as the world is not acquainted with Euen in the depth of miserie thou makest me to see and to enioy the blessednesse and glorie of thy Saints and chosen ones And after that I haue been for a while tossed in this sea wilt cause me speedily to arriue at that hauen where I would be yea thou wilt stretch forth thy hand and receiue me into thine owne presence cause me to behold thy face in that brightnes of glorie for euermore How the life to come ought to be desired of euery true Christian in regard of the excellencie and glorie of it THat heathenish pagan as is reported of him reading Platoes discourse of the soules immortalitie estate after this life was so rauished therewith that with the desire thereof he cast himselfe into the sea ended his life His act was sinfull and no waies to be imitated by any for no man is to cut off the threede of his life vntill the Lords appointed time but yet his vehement desire and earnest affecting of that glory which he apprehēded conceited in his minde may teach euen vs that are Christians to blush in our selues when we finde our hearts so dull and senseles that the remēbrance of that promised glorie and happine swill no more affect vs then ordinarily it doth the most Oh it should wholly possesse our soules and rauish our mindes and cause vs to labour by all meanes to get assurance vpon good euidence that we shall at length haue our part and portion in it being gathered togeher with all the Saints into that glorious kingdome those heauenly mansions O mercifull God how great is thy goodnes how vnsearchable are the riches of thy grace and fauour towards thy Saints and chosē ones those whom in Christ Iesus thou imbracedst before all worlds Oh how blessed and glorious is that estate which thou reseruest for them in the heauens and which thou wilt giue thē possession of as soone as these fraile and sinfull daies of theirs are ended Thou wilt cause them to shine as the starres yea as the sunne it selfe when it is in the greatest brightnes All kinde of impuritie and vncleannes beeing done away thou wilt clothe thē with the glorious robes of innocencie righteousnes and holines thou wilt adorne them with those pretious iewels of all diuine and heauenly graces and cause thy name to be written in their foreheads yea thou wilt set them vpon thrones with thy Christ with scepters in their hands and crownes on their heads and giue vnto them for an euerlasting inheritance that celestiall kingdome of endles blisse happines Thou wilt euery way
shewe thy selfe maruellous towards them aboue that we are able to thinke or coÌ„ceiue in this frailetie of ours which is not able to comprehend the brightnes of that heauenly light which thou wilt cause to shine forth vnto them in a wonderfull and glorious maner no more then our bodily eyes are able to behold the glittering beames of the Sunne when it is in the full strength thereof O blessed Lord affect my heart with the due consideration of that maruellous glorie of thine euen that happie and glorious condition which in thy vnspeakeable mercie and kindnes thou wilt raise me vnto as soone as these wretched dayes of sinne and miserie are ended And let the remembrance thereof cause me continually to sigh and to long after it and to rest euer in a ioyfull expectation of it desiring either to be dissolued by death or which I rather desire to see my Sauiour comming in the cloudes with glory and maiesty attended with thousands of Saints and Angels that so I may haue entrance into that heauenly paradise and take full possession of that rich vndefiled and neuer fading inheritance enioying the sweete fellowship and communion of all thy chosen and beloued ones yea liuing continually in thy most blessed presence and beholding that maruellous light wherein thou dwellest who inhabitest eternity Who shall be citizens of that heauenly kingdome THey that will be citizens of the kingdome of heauen must first liue as pilgrims and strangers here vpoÌ„ earth They must passe by all these transitorie and earthly things vsing them when they haue occasion as if they vsed them not They must not set their hearts vpon any thing which is here below but aspire alwaies vnto those things which are aboue desiring and longing with an earnest affection to bee at home euen at that heauenly mansion where the place of their perpetuall rest and abode is and where they shall continue for euer with that blessed companie and society of those glorious and celestiall creatures which now continually desire and expect their comming that so they may reioyce together in the fruition and accomplishment of the same felicitie and happinesse O Lord let my heart I beseech thee bee more and more daily alienated and estranged from this world and the things thereof which are but meere vanitie and let me carrie my self continually as a pilgrime and soiourner heere on earth as all thy Saints haue been not suffering my affections at any time to bee fastened vnto any of these fading and transitorie things but weaning them altogether from the same resting alwaies in a desire and ioyful expectation of my returne vnto that blessed home of mine that so when this wearisome and sinfull course is ended I may be receiued into thy celestiall mansion and liue with thee in glorie for euer Soli Deo gloria AN ALPHABETICAL Table of the chiefe points contaiâ—ed in the seueral Meditations A ACcount of all our actions to be giuen to God pag. 27 Affections ouermastered with much difficultie pag. 263 AfflictioÌ„s the necessitie of theÌ„ 94 the benefit thereof 153. the Ancre of the soule in afflictions 96. A comfort for the afflicted pag. 370 Ambitious mans Idoll pag. 309 Angels watch ouer the godly pag. 36 B BLessings of God not the lesse to bee regarded because they are common 34. especiall blessings and fauours especially to be remembred pag. 201 Blindnesse of minde a great miserie pag. 293 C CAre ought rather to bee had for the soule then for the bodie 49. for things to come then for things present pag. 149 Censurers the danger of their sinne pag. 168 Christians must neuer stand at a stay 30. what manner of life it becomes them to leade 110. 342. their imprisonment in this world 66. their life a pilgrimage on earth 106. God their â—â—ght and guide 368. their glorious conquest 261. 263. Their excellencie 216. their paradise in this life 395. How they are esteemed of in the world 267. 275. what reckoning they are in with God 277. A singular priuiledge of theirs 244. how they are to iudge of their estate pag. 377 Comfort for afflicted consciences pag. 257. 370 Compassion towards others in their griefes pag. 337 Confidence in any creature a vaine thing pag. 230 Conscience the comfort of a good conscience especially in death 125. how the conscience is disquieted pag. 203 Contentednes in all estates pag. 90 Couetousnesse a dangerous disease 91. Idolatrie pag. 309 Crosse seâ—â—fflictions D DEath alwaies to bee expected and prouided for 24. 25. 108. to be desired 65 of whom it is most feared pag. 76 Deniall of a mans selfe how necessarie pag. 365 Desertions of the godly pag. 122 Deuotion hindred first by sinfull lusts 1. secondly by worldly cares 3. thirdly by Satans suggestions pag. 6 E EState of a Christian how to be iudged of pag. 377 F FAith pag. 246 Feare of God pag. 296. 299 Forgiuing of others how necessarie pag. 329 Freedome of minde how to bee obtained pag. 384 Freewill pag. 322 G GOds glorie carefully to bee sought after in all things 26. His truth and faithfulnes 123. His loue and fauour to be sought for aboue all things and his wrath feared 344. his especiall prouidence ouer his children 86. his all-seeing presence how it ought to affect vs. 150. his presence how blessed and comfortable a thing it is pag. 380 Grace different degrees thereof in the godly 61. 63. the decay of it dangerous pag. 100 H HArdnes of heart what a fearfull plague it is pag. 295 Haste of the wicked to hell prouokes the godly to make the more speed to heauen pag. 53 HeaueÌ„ who citizeÌ„s thereof pag. 404 Heauenly-mindednes pag. 199 Holy Ghost how the soule is to be fitted and prepared for the entertainment of so glorious a guest 116. grieuing thereof pag. 118 Humilitie motiues thereunto pag. 227. 386. 390 I INfirmities of others must be borne with 172. Why the Lord suffereth oft times the infirmities of his children to be knowne to others pag. 233 Iudgement day how dreadfull it will be to the wicked pag. 211 Iustification by faith only pag. 246 K KNowledge conscience and practise must goe together pag. 303. 306 L LIfe the shortnes and vncertaintie of it 206. As is the life of man so is his death and finall estate 209. the life of the righteous as well to be sought after as their death wished pag. 315 Life to come how it is to be desired in regard of the excellencie and glorie of it pag. 399 A comfortable life how to be obtained pag. 339 Liues of the Saints of old and men in these daies how different pag. 179 Loue of God by what meanes it decaieth in men pag. 289 Loue of the world a cause of distraction and much disquietnes pag. 374 M MEditation of things holy and diuine by what meanes especially it is hindered and interrupted pag. 1. 3. 6 Mercies of God pag. 15 O OLd man neuer dies in this life pag. 382 P PAtience of God pag. 114 Patience in affliction pag. 153 A signe of a well growen Christian pag. 279 Prayers of the faithfull what benefit they bring to others pag. 31 Prouidence pag. 86 R REdemption pag. 12 Repentance the follie and danger of deferring it pag. 319 Reproches comfort therin pag. 334 Resigning of a mans selfe and al that hee enioyes to Gods will pag. 325 Respect of persons for outward ornaments and indowments more then for the inward vertues and graces of the minde how vnbeseeming a thing it is pag. 84 S Satans guilefull temptations 76. 79. 102. his policie and practises against the Church of God what euent they vsually haue 143. None free froÌ„ his temptations 155. Whom he tempteth most pag. 162 Securitie the danger of it pag. 38 Seruice of God the greatest freedome pag. 356 Sin how hurtfull and dangerous it is 22. 99. the occasions of it carefully to be auoided pag. 82 Sinfulnes of mans nature corrupted pag. 281 Spirit of God the life of the soule 286. See Holy Ghost Suspition pag. 231 T TEmptations Diuers kinds of them in the godly 157 more danger in lesser temptations sometimes then in greater 165. See Satan V VAinglorie 242. the follie and vanitie thereof pag. 392 Vanitie of all earthly things pag. 63. W WAtchfulnes pag. 146 Wicked their follie 18 42. 49. 281. 361. their bondage and slauerie 47. what an vnpleasant and distracted life they leade 312. What difference there is betweene their estate and the estate of the godly eueÌ„ in this life pag. 236 Word of God the vnfruitfull hearing of it dangerous 59. it ought to bee heard with feare and trembling pag. 299 Worldlings their follie 42. their dulnes and sottishnes 205. 281. their miserable estate pag. 310. 574. Worldly mans Idoll pag. 309 Worship what it is that God especially requireth 323. hindrances thereunto pag. 238 Z Zeale pag. 240 FINIS