Soule at the very poynt of death Spirit First euery Christian must diligently learne to comfort himselfe by reciting the articles of our faith which is the compend and summe of all doctrine and comfortable speeches but especially hee must learne the three last articles I beleeue the forgiuenesse of sinnes resurrection of the body and life euerlasting So the faithfull soule must apply the whole articles to himselfe in particular and so appropriate them vnto himselfe as if there were none in the world but hee alone which should haue benefit thereby Thereto the Lord hath appointed the Sacraments to confirme that our faith as faithfull and true seales and mercifull tokens whlch hee hath appointed to these articles Here thou maiest apprehend thy holy baptisme wherein thou hast receiued and concluded with God an euerlasting and inuiolable band and couenant of mercy and so art washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ Next maist thou comfort thee by the holy Supper because thou as the Son of God art nourished and refreshed at thy Fathers Table and thereby assured that thou art a true member of Christ a righteous heire to whatsoeuer Christ with the sacrifice of his body and bloud hath merited Besides these things â—hou mayest cause to bee â—ead or sayd these or such â—ike sentences of the Scripture The seede of the woman shall bruize the head of the Serpent Gen 3.15 and the Serpent shall bruize his heeles 1 Ioh. 3.8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the Diuell Esa. 35.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs and euerlasting ioy vpon their heads they shall obtain ioy gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Thy dead men shall liue together Esa. 26.19 with my dead body they shall arise awake and sing yee all that dwell in the dust for thy deaw is as the deaw of herbs and the earth shall cast out the dead Come my people enter thou into thy chambers Vers. 20. and shut thy doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation bee passed ouer Naked came I out of my mothers wombe Iob 19·25 and naked shall I returne thither the Lord gaue and the Lord hath taken away blessed bee the name of the Lord. I know that my Redeemer liueth Vers. 26. and that he shall stand at the latter day vpon the earth and though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not a stranger Is not Ephraim my deere sonne Ier. 31.20 is hee not my pleasant childe for since I spake against him I doe earnestly remember him still therefore my bowels are troubled for him I will surely haue mercy vpon him saith the Lord. So verily as I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of a sinner but that hee should turne from his euill way and liue I will ransome them from the power of the graue Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from death ô death I will be thy plagues ô graue I will bee thy destruction As the Hart panteth after the water brookes Psal. 42.1 so panteth my soule after thee ô God My soule thirsteth for God for the liuing God 2. when shal I come appeare before God Why art thou cast downe ô my Soule 5. why art thou disquieted within mee hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for the helpe of his countenance Whom haue I in heauen but thee Psa. 73.25 and there is none vpon the earth that I desire beside thee My flesh and mine heart 26. faileth but God is the strength of mine heart and my portion for euer Wisd. 3.1 The soules of the righteous are in the hands of God and there shall no torment touch them 2. In the sight of the wise they seemed to die and their departure was taken for misery 3. and their going from vs to bee vtter destruction but they are in peace Hee that endureth to the end Mat. 24.13 shall be safe Mat. 11.28 Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauy laden and I will giue you rest Behold the Lambe of God Ioh. 1.29 which taketh away the sinnes of the world Ioh. 3.16 God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeued in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life Verily verily I say vnto you Ioh. 5.24 hee that heareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent mee hath euerlasting life and shall not come into iudgement but hath passed from death to life I am the bread of life Ioh. 6.35 he that commeth to mee shall neuer hunger and hee that beleeueth on mee shall neuer thirst All that the Father giueth mee shall come to mee vers 37. and him that commeth vnto me I will in in no wise cast out And this is the will of him that sent me vers 40. that euery one that seeth the Sonne and beleeueth on him may haue euerlasting life and I will raise him vp at the last day Vers 47. Verily verily I say vnto you hee that beleeueth on mee hath euerlasting life Ioh. 8.12 I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walke in darknesse but shall haue the light of life Vers. 51· Verily verily I say vnto you if a man keep my saying he shall neuer see death My sheep heare my voice and I know them Ioh. 10.27.28.29.30 and they follow mee and I giue vnto them eternall life And they shall neuer perish neither shall any man plucke them out of my hands My father which gaue them me is greater then all and no man is able to plucke them out of my fathers hands I and my father am one I am the resurrection vnto life Ioh. 11.25 he that beleeueth in mee though hee were dead yet shall I liue In my fathers house are many mansions Ioh. 14.2 if it were not so I would haue tolde you I goe to prepare a place for you And if I goe and prepare a place for you 3. I will come againe and receiue you vnto my selfe that where I am there you may be also I am the way the truth 6. and the life no man commeth vnto the father but by mee Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall that they might know thee the onely true God and Iesus Christ whome thou hast sent verse 24 Father I will that they also whome thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may beholde my glorie which thou hast giuen me for thou loueâ—st mee before the foundation of the world Neither is there saluation in any other Acts 4.12 for there is none other name vnder heauen giuen among men wherby
at euery occasion and minute I may bee ready to take my leaue of this world and raigne with thee my Lord and Sauiour eternally in the world to come Amen Meditation of the fourth the manner Concerning the fourth thou art ignorant deare soule by what kinde of disease the Lord will call thee from hence whether it shall happen by pestilence maladie in the head ague c. by shipwracke or fire and it may bee God hath appointed thee to be ouertaken by robbers wilde beasts or some such casualtie yea O soule many neuer intend repentance in all the time and space they haue health and prosperitie vntill some languishment and sicknes seize vpon them but who knoweth whether at any time hee shall haue sicknesse and leisure together Haue wee not daily examples how many decease by palsie by sword and sudden death through sundry other maladies of body and before they were euer sicke or diseased or that God suffered them to haue the benefit of their bed and rest A praier to forsake the world and follow Christ. O God how foolish are wee miserable and fond creatures how smal heed and attention giue wee to daily occurrences The fowle is an vnreasonable creature yet when it seeth another to bee killed beside it shee presently swingeth and flieth away and when it spieth a man to bend his bow aime at it there is no longer staying but quickly conueieth it selfe thither where it may bee secure and safe Euen so O soule death breakes in all places many mens hearts and they do fall on euery side then feare O soule and flie from sinne to righteousnesse from hell to heauen from this damnable and deceitfull world to Iesus Christ that then thou maist boldly say Now shoot death when thou wilt for although thou bereaue mee of this transitorie and momentanie life Heb. 13. yet by a strong and constant faith I possesse the kingdome of heauen which shall giue mee infinitely more then thou canst take from mee Meditation of the soule not to delay repentance Delay not O soule thy repentance vntil thou be sicke Eccl. 12. but worke thy conuersion euen now with-all diligence put not off from day to day thy amendment of life neither continue in wickednesse vntill deaths vncertaine houre approach A praier when first we fall sicke O Iesus Christ my Redeemer preserue me from a painfull sicknesse violent and hastie death ouertake mee not in my sinnes and suffer mee not to die without repentance and giue vnto mee if it be thy pleasure a quiet and patient departure that without great paine and griefe I may in my right wits attaine a blessed end confessing thy most holy name vntill the last gaspe and so to commend my soule and spirit with my whole heart carefully into thy mercifull hands my most gratious and louing Sauiour and Redeemer to whom with God the Father and the holy spirit be rendred from the bottome of my heart all honour power might maiestie and dominion now and for euer Amen CHAP. II. Wherein is comprehended the true and right art to die well and first of Christian repentance Flesh. BEcause wee neuer are vnpursued by death it is very needfull therefore that both Young and Old Great and Small Rich and Poore should learne the art of dying blessedly Spirit Yes truely daily examples may teach vs so for consider thy neighbour like as he is dead so shalt thou bee yesterday was his this day for thee Eccl 38. to day a King to morrow dead yea ô Soule death is like a Mower Eccl. 10. which walkes in a greene meadowe cutting with his Sithe all he commeth at and maketh no account whether it be grasse thistle or rose neither considereth hee how old how beautifull or how pretious the hearbes bee there are none too strong for him none too young no castle for height nor bulwarke for securitie can hold him backe he wil not be corrupted with siluer and gold yea if it were possible that thou couldest giue him the whole kingdomes and riches of the world hee would not hold off a minute to abide thy time nor waite a moment for the performance of thy pleasure and will now this should be our daily meditation diligently to marke and carefully learne the day both to liue in Gods feare and dye in his faour The young mans prayer O my God how is man verely as nothing how goeth all beautie away as a shadowe and wretched man knoweth not whether he shall dye old or young neither can any by his riches strength and powre Ps. 144.4 deliuer himselfe or his brother helpe mee my God that from my youth vpward I may constantly giue heed to walke vpright in my wayes Ps. 119.1.9 according to thy word gouerne me by thy holie Spirit that my heart goe not a whoring from thee that my youth neuer puffe mee vppe to bragge thereof Ps. 73.27 and that I put not my trust in health strength honour riches or beautie graunt that I may in my inward mind heare the end of all which is to serue thee and keepe thy commaundements Eccles. 22.13.14 for this is the whole duetie of man for thou wilt bring euerie man vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it bee good or euill Lord write this same in my heart and giue me thy grace not onely to vnderstand the same but also to rectifie my life and conuersation thereby vnto my last end and graunt that I may die vnto sin and liue vnto righteousnesse to the glorie of thy holy name through Iesus Christ my sauiour Amen Flesh. How may I then prepare my selfe to die blessedly Spirit The right preparation to a happy death is in the cōstant leading of a Christian and righteous life A Meditation of the Soule for earnest repentance Wouldst thou then dye blessedly beloued Soule make earnest and serious repentance and continue stedfast therin to thy last for God accepteth well conuersion from sin Wis. 12. Ma◠24. and who so abideth to the end he shall be saued A Prayer for speedie Repentance Praysed bee thou my God who hast no pleasure in our death and destruction but rather that wee should turne from our sinfull waies and liue Ezek. 18. Ezek. 33. helpe me Lord Iesus that I delay not my conuersion to thee and shift not ouer my repentance from day to day for thou hast promised me thy mercie but that I might deferre my repentance vntil the morrow second or third day thou hast not promised vouchsafe therefore thy mercie on mee this verie day Ps 95. Tit. 3. that I may redeeme the time lost by an earnest repentance and not bee taken in my sins and trespasses the day following graunt this for the glorie of thy blessed name through Iesus Christ my Lord and Sauior Amen Flesh. What is then true and Christian repentance Spirit Repentance is nothing else then that a man rise from his sinne and turne with all his
thy dearest friends then say Hide not thy face farre from me Psal. 27.9 10. put not away thy seruant in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake mee ô God my saluation When my father and my mother forsake mee then the Lord will take mee vp In another place Psal. 73.25 26. whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon the earth that I desire but thee my flesh and my heart failes but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer If Sathan say thou must yet neuerthelesse die answer blessed are the dead which die in the Lord Reu. 14.13 and if hee proceede and say thou shalt neuerthelesse be condemned for hee will not depart at one repulse then mayest thou with all boldnesse and courage of Spirit say Thou liâ—st Satan for thou art a lyer from the beginning for none that beleeue in Iesus Christ shall perish but shall haue euerlasting life The sicke persons prayer for comfort and victory ouer all tentations of Sathan O thou Lord Iesus Christ Almighty destroyer of hell death and condemnation and eternall victor and conquerour for mee strengthen mee in all my weaknesse by thy holy Spirit that I may take vnto me the whole armour of God Eph. 6.13 that I may be able to withstand in the euill day and hauing finished all things to stand fast my loynes girded about with verity 14. and hauing on the brest-plate of righteousnesse and my feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 15. 16. hauing the shield of faith wherewith I may bee able to quench all the fierie darts of the wicked 17. the helmet of saluation and sword of the spirit which is thy word 18. and pray alwayes with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseuerance That thus being in armes like a valiant champion and Christian souldier I may manfully fight vnder thy banner and hauing ouercome may through thy grace bee crowned with glory wherethou art at the right hand of thy father in the heauens blessed God for euer and euer Amen Flesh. Shew mee how I may conclude my dayes and coÌ„mend my spirit to God Spirit As for the â—ighth and ninth point beloued soule looke to the end of thy sicknesse and if thou shalt perceiue that thou canst not liue long then with all patience thou mayest say Act. 7.59 Lord Iesus Christ receiue my Soule I desire to be dissolued to be with thee Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit And continue herein euen to thy last gaspe and when words and motions of thy outward members shall begin to fayle thee then betake thee to thy inward and most heauenly contemplations as of the place whether thou art going of them that are there before thee of the Saints to whom thou shalt be welcome and of Iesus Christ the Doore and Way by whom thou shalt enter with whom thou shalt be blessed eternally But if it shall so bee that God shall restore thee to thy wonted health then thanke him all thy life time both in heart and word and deed and giue diligent heed seeing thou art made whole Iohn 5.14 that thou sinne no more least a worse euill come vnto theâ— Wherfore fall vpon thy knees and oft and diuers times recite this Prayer following A thanksgiuing after sicknesse I thanke thee Almightie Lord God that thou so kindly fatherly hast visited and chastised mee for my offences it is good for mee that thou hast humbled mee that I might learne thy precepts O my God how often remeÌ„bred I thy deare seruant king Ezekiah who sayd I shall not see the Lord Esa. 38.11.12 euen the Lord in the land of the liuing I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the Earth my age is departed and is gone from mee as a Sheepeheards Tent I haue cut off like a Weauer my life from day euen to night thou wilt make an end of mee But I now vnderstaÌ„d O Lord that this my sicknesse is not vnto death but for the glorie of God that thou Son of God mightest be glorified thereby for thou hast had mercie vpon mee thou hast cast all my sinnes behind thy back Thou louedst my soule and deliueredst it from the pit of corruption how comfortably hast thou turned my sicknesse into health I thanke thee my God yea I thanke thee from the bottom of my hart that thou hast raysed mee from my bed that I may visit and frequeÌ„t thy house walke in my calling and perfit my actions Lam. 3 22. It is of thy goodnesse and mercies that I am not consumed because thy compassions fayle not O how oft should I remember this thy rod of correction how wisely should I walke all my dayes that I may eschew thy wrath assist mee my God that with the new health of my bodie I may begin to lead a new life graunt that I may alwayes praise thy name gouerne mee by thy holy Spirit that I may glorifie thee by my life and not giue my membersweapons of vnrighteousnesse to serue sinne for thou hast deliued my soule from death which hath waited for me thou art my help and my shield my heart shall reioyce heereafter euery moment in thee for thou hast compassed me with songs of deliuerance I will praise thee in the congregation in the midst of the people I will sing vnto thee ô Lord To whom be praise and glory now and for euer Amen CHAP. V. Containing a spiritual confutation of all worldly fleshly thoghts which molest-men when as they intend the Art to die well Flesh. FOr so much as the Christian in his sicknesse or in any other estate should daily aduise himselfe on the houre of his death yet notwithstanding there are many terrours in mens hearts whereby they are afraid of Death Spirit That is naturall deare soule for our nature in the beginng was not created to dy but to liue but death is come into the world by sione for death is the wages of sinne Rom. 5.12 Yea beloued Soule like as death is a consumer of all that haue life so all that haue life are foes enemies to death for seeing man of nature hath but a short time to liue it is no maruell neither yet sinne nor to bee discommended in any man to be afâ—aid of death and to auoyd it by all meanes possible Wee haue a remarkable example in our Sauiour Iesus Christ hee began to bee sorrowfull and very heauy before death Mat. 25.37 for hee knew that his howre did approach for albeit there were many causes of his sorrow and sadnesse vpon the mount of Oliues yet was this one because hee was a very true man and had in him all our naturall conditions and affections and therefore while the God-head which is the Word rested it selfe and held it selfe quiet in that anguish of his
death and became obedient to admit such pain feare and astonishment of death to come ouer his body which was wiâ—hout sinne it sâ—eweth vs that his humane nature had no pleasure to die yea and himselfe saith I haue a baptisme to bee baptâ—zed with Luk. 12. â—0 and how am I straitned till it be accomplished A Prayer against the feare of Death I thanke thee Lord Iesus Christ for that thou hast not created mee to death but to life and hast implanted a loue in mine heart to liue I request thee from the bottome of my heart teach mee to vnderstand that death ruleâ—h ouer all because of sinne and ouercometh me grant by thy holy spirit that so oft as death shall assault me I may be enemie to iniquitie and euer flie and efchew sinne as death it selfe helpe me ô Lord that in true faith I may hold me fast by thee for thou art life it selfe Ioh. 11.25 and so may freely and boldly say I shall taste of death although I were dead but liue and declare the workes of the Lord. Psal. 118.17 Grant I may beleeue from my heart that by Thee the Prince of life I may be deliuered from eternall death and attaine vnto that euerlasting life through Iesus Christ thy deere Sonne Amen Flesh. But there are yet some that earnestly craue to die and long for it Spirit Yes truely but it is to be vnderstood that there are twâ— kindes of men which desire to die The Infidell prophane vngodly often wish to die and that of impatiency because of the great misery wherewith God punisheth them for their sinnes for seeing they are without the knowledge of God and without faith they are not participant of the crosse of Christ but despaire in impatiency grudge against God wish themselues not onely to die but also often times lay violent hands on themselues as Iudah Saul and Achitophel did purposing to put an end thereby to their sorrow and misery but then is it that first they begin to haue proofe of their wickednesse sweet heauenly Father keepe vs from hence But the children of God the more they grow in knowledge and increase in faith and loue of Christ the more they are weary of this wretched world and long for that eternall rest and haue Pauls wish in their hearts I desire to depart and to bee with Christ Phil. 1.23 yea our Sauiour commandeth vs Matt. 6.13 that we should daily craue to bee deliuered from euill for therein not onely doe we pray for deliuerance from transitory distresses of soule or bodie but we aske from our heart that God would either put an end to this sinnefull and wicked world or else come in a blessed time and pull vs from hence to euerlasting rest and quietnesse A Prayer for patience in trouble Now helpe mee Lord Iesus Christ that I in the abundance of my crosses may rightly order my selfe and learne of thee how I should beare the waight of my yoke Mat. 11.30 preserue mee that I neuer craue my death through impatiency much lesse that euer I shorten the dayes of my life which thou hast giuen bee but grant that euermore day by day I may learne to know thee to establish and confirme my faith and the longer I shall liue the more dearly to loue thee to the end I may learne to contemne this world and to long after that heauenly world which thou hast made to stand in the conquest of Christ by his bloud To whom with thee and thy holy spirit one blessed God I render praise and and glory now and euer Amen Flesh. May a man with a good conscience pray for a long life Spirit Vnto this question S. Paul answereth for Christ should alwaies be magnified in our bodies whether it be by Life or by Death Phil. 1 20.2â—.22.23.24 for to mee to liue saith he is Christ and to me to dye is gayne but if I liue in the Flesh this is the fruit of my labour yet what I shall chuse I wote not for I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you and hauing this confidence I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and ioy of Faith A meditation of the Soule tossed in the troublesome waues of this life Here mayest thou perceiue beloued Soule that Paule was tossed with two diuers opinions and thoughts he longed for rest and counted it best esteemed it also good that hee should abide in the flesh longer and beleeued that God would spare him that in his ministerie hee might further serue both God and Man yet in both these had this only before his eyes that Christ should be magnified in his bodye whether it were by life or by death So doth also the king Ezekiah 2. King 20.1.2.6 to whom the Prophet Amos denounced death but he turned his face vnto the Wall and prayed vnto the Lord who added vnto his daies fifteene yeares And so was also Paule greatly joyed for his brother and companion in labour and fellow-souldier Epaphroditus who was sicke Phil. 2.25.27 neere vnto death but God had mercie on him and not on him onely but on meâ— also saith Paule least I should haue sorrow vpon sorrow Follow these examples and thou shalt not goe amisse for if thou canst be necessarie vnto God and thy neighbour it is conuenient thou shouldest craue a long and sound life that thou mayest bee a profitable vessel of mercie and chosen to good actions Neuertheles submit thee alwayes to his will and be readie euerie day to be dissolued for time is but lent thee A Prayer for Health and Gods blessings on our Labours Euerlasting Almightie God thou art my Life and Length of my daies my time is in thy hands for in Thee wee liue and mooue and haue our being Act. 17.28 I thank thee from the ground of my heart that thou hasâ— to this present houre suâ—stayned mee and giuen me a healthfull life and good vnderstanding thaâ— in my calling I mighâ— serue thee my God and my neighbour O God thou seest and knowest mâ— heart that I am willinâ— and verie desirous faithâ—fully and truely to walkâ— forward in my vocation and trade and that I haue no wicked purpose noâ— false pretence in my hart I humbly therefore entreat if it shall stand with thy praise and glorie and my owne saluation that thou wouldest prolong my daies and conduct me by thy holy spirit that I may learn to know thee more fully and serue my neighbour more intirely yet if it bee not thy pleasure and that thou knowest it to be better for mee take mee hence vnto thy selfe when thou wilt for I wholely renounce mine owne will and submit me to thy good wil and pleasure Graunt this vnto mee for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake Amen Flesh. What shall moue
vnder the crosse will boast of his perseuerance in time of aduersity but when one deepe calleth another Psal. 42.7 by the noyse of the water-spâ—uts and all the waues floudâ— of God are gone ouer him then falleth all his courage then is heauen out of his way and the earth is sunke vnder him there is no attention to comfort but hee beginnes to sing Gedeons song with impatiency Iudg. 6.13 Ah my Lord if the Lord bee with vs why then is all this come vpon vs. But the faithfull and Christian heart maketh account that not by prosperitie and wealth but by much aduersitie and many crosses Act. 14.22 he must enter into the Kingdom of heauen therfore if it be well with him he thanketh God for his bountie towards him is no way secure but serueth the Lord in feare reioyceth in trembling Psal. 2.11 And when as it is otherwise with him then hee saith with holy Iob shall wee receiue good at the hand of God anâ— not receiue euill and layeth stedfast hold on the crosse and hath Dauids melodie in his mouth My souleâ— waiteth oâ— the Lord Psal 130. 6.7 more than the morning watch watcheth for the morning I will wait on the Lord for with the Lord is mercy with him is great redemption And if it shall be very heauy yet notwithstanding hee will say with faithfull Paul 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull will not suffâ—r mee to bee tempted aboue that I am able but will euen giue the issue with the tentation that I may bee able to beare it And if flesh and bloud bee timorous and would not willingly vndergoe the crosse yet he beleeueth and is perswaded that neither life nor death Rom. 8.38.39 c. nor any other creature shall beâ— able to separate him from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord for to him that feareth God all things worke togâ—ther for the bâ—st Fourthly the chîldren of this world remembring that death shall separate them from their goods honours wiues children lands and possessions and that they shall goe naked out of this world crie out O death how bitter is thy remembranâ—e to a man that liueth at rest in his possessions Eccl. 41.1 vnto the man that hath nothing to vex him and that hath prosperity in all things and say with the Emperour Sâ—uerus I haue beene great and now it profiteth nothing but contrarily the Christian Soule doth chuse the good part which shall not bee taken away from it and euery minute iâ— ready to let slip these transitorie things and saith with that holy King Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon me thou hast giuen me more ioy of hart Psal. 4 6.7 then they haue had when their wheat and wine did abound The vnprepared Hipâ—crâ—te when hee falleth ficke bethinkes him of nothing else than how his sicknesse came to him what vnâ—holesâ—me foode he had eate by what meanes he got this drunken surfeit Mat. 10.30 where he catched that cold or too much heat is vnquiet and impatiâ—nt that such mischance should betide him But the faithfull man knoweth that all the haires of his head are numbred and that the pretious gift of his health cannot be taken away without the Lords speciall pleasure and therefore imputeth all vnto Sin My owne wickednesse hath corrected mee Ierem. 2.19 and my turnings backe haue reproued mee I know therefore and behold it that it is an euill thing and bitter that I haue forsaken the Lord my God and that his feare was not in mee And he beginneth with Paule to say Fâ—r this cause am I weake and sicke 1. Cor. 11.30.31.32 for if I would iudge my selfe I should not bee iudged of thee but when I am iudged of thee I am chastised of the Lord because I should not be condemned with the world whereby hee is taught repentance and amendment of Life The Wicked and Infidells doe neuer worke vpon their Soules vntill they be sicke then first begin they to bee holie and before that time all their dayes they haue beene enemies to the Word and Ministerie But now must the Preacher be sent for and with sugred speeches must be entreated for consolation c. But the faithfull Christian is euerie minute in preparation to a blessed death and neuer suffereth himselfe to fall into that condition and behauior of life wherin he would not die and therefore can say with constant magnanimitie Come Lord Iesus my Ioy and Comforter euery houre I attend thee come when thou â—i't I am readie And when neuer so little sicknesse ouertakes him then saith hee with mirth of heart Now let Thou thie Seruant depart in peace 2. Luk. The Infidel and Reprobate whenas he lacketh counsell and helpe in sicknsse hath recourse to Sathan Witches and to vnlawfull meanes and saith most desperately If God will not helpe then helpe Deuill But the Christian beleeuer knoweth that the Lord hath forbidden all such inconuenient meanes and vnderstandeth Sathans policie and craft Exod. 20.3 that it is not for his good but that his soule should separate it selfe from the true SAVIOVR Yea 1 Sam. 28.8 hee is assured it is an hundred times better to die in constant inuocation on Gods name then to liue vnder protection of Sathan and therefore vseth such meanes as the Lord hath appoynted hee will not tempt the Lord his God he will not seeke after the ministerie of such as God hath not promised a blessing vnto but wil say Mat. 8.2 Here am I Lord Iesus let it be vnto me according to thy will if thou wilt thou canst make me clean but Psal. 40.8 if not Loe here I am thy will be done I desire to do thy good wil O God yea thy lawe is within my heart And to be short the children of this world neuer haue memorie on Gods word for they haue not learned and cannot comfort themselues by their baptisme nor that excellent Sacrament of the Lords Supper but cause some scurrilous History and false fable to be read vnto them with such foolishnesse whereby they may dispossesse the thoughts of death and quiet their hearts but the faithful one is acquainted and exercised in gods word diuideth that word of truth puts a difference betwixt Law and Gospell reioyceth in the couenant of mercie in his baptisme seeketh comfort in the other Sacrament wherewith he was fed and refreshed and so obtaineth new trust and ioye from time to time momentanie hee esteemeth but as they are heâ— counteth nothâ—ng of any iâ—y or pleasure but that which is in Christ his redâ—emer that heauenly life and is glad of that blessed houre Sâ—condly how different is their acceptation and entertainment of death for the wicked seeing it by euident experience that he must dye as others do complaineth of mans great miserie and of the shortnesse of this sweet and pleasant life but maketh not preparation
we must be saued To him giue all the Prophets witnesse Act. 10.43 that through his name whosoeuer belieueth in him shall receiue remission of sinnes Where sinne aboundeth Rom. 5.20 grace aboundeth much more If God be for vs Rom 8.31 who can be against vs. Hee that spared not his owne Sonne but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall he not with him giue vs all things who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that iustifieth who is hee that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe who is at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for vs. I am perswaded that neither death nor life Rom. 8.38 nor Angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come c. Rom. 11.32 God hath concluded all in vnbeliefe that hee might haue mercie vpon all Rom. 14.7 None of vs liueth to himselfe and no man dieth to himselfe for whither we liue wee liue vnto the Lord or whether we die we dye vnto the Lord whither wee liue therefore or die we are the Lords 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all dye euen so in Christ shall all bee made aliue 1 Cor. 10.13 God is faithfull who will not suffer you to bee tempted aboue that you are able but with the temptation also will make away to escape that you may be able to beare it Phil. 1.20 â—1 â—â— 23 Christ shall be magnified in my bodie whether it bee by life or by death for to me to liue is Christ and to die is gaine but if I liue in the flesh this is the fruite of of my labour but what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a straight betwixt two hauing a desire to bee with Christ which is farre better Our conuersation is in heauen Phil. 3.20 from whence also wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ. This is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 and worthy all acceptation that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners of whom I am chiefe I am readie now to bee offered 2 Tim. 4.6 and the time of my departure is at hand I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the faith Henceforth there is layd vp for me a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous iudge shal giue me at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto them also which loue his appearing 1 Tim. 6.12 Fight the good fight of faith lay holde of eternall life whereunto thou art also called I know whome I haue beleeued 2 Tim 1.12 for I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I haue committed vnto him against that day We are kept by the powre of God through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1.15 ready to be reuealed in the last time The bloud of Iesus Christ Gods Son cleanseth vs from all sinne 1 Ioh. 1.7 In this was manifested the loue of God towards vs because that God sent his only begotten Sonne into the world that wee may liue throgh him here in his loue not that wee loued God but that hee loued vs and sent his Sonne to be the propitiation for our sinnes Here haue wee no continuing Citie Heb. 13 14 but wee seeke one to come As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Reuel 3.19 Bee thou faithfull vnto death Reuel 2.10 and I will giue thee a crowne of life To him that ouercommeth will I graunt to sit with mee in my throne Reuel 3 21 â—uen as I also â—â—ercame and am set down with my father in his throne Reu. 12.11 And they ouercame him by the bloud of the Lambe and by the word of their testimonie and they loued not their liues vnto death Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth Reu. 14.13 yea saith the spirit that they may rest from their labours and their workes do follow them Meditations of the Soule Of these and many other comfortable speeches and sentences deare Soule choose and select some which best may comfort thee Make them as familiar vnto thee as the Lords prayer and as some vse to prouide theiâ— winding sheet some yeres before they die against the time there shall be occasion of it that their bodies may bee enfolded therein Euen so picke thou out some remarkeable sentences and learne to vnderstand them to the ende that in time of death thou mayst wrappe thy soule therein for at that time it happeneth that the vnderstanding is mightily lessened the memorie taken away long Sermons cannot bee heard Mat. 4 4. Deut. 8.3 there is no attention giuen to perswation nor Rhetoricall allurements but one comfortable word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God reioyceth gladdeth nourisheth refresheth the heart life and soule But time is too short to learne these things when thou art on thy death bed And therefore acquaint thy selfe diligentlie with Sermons and preachings reading and meditating on Gods word that thou mayest haue these spirituall weapons in the houre of thy greatest combate Make diligent vse of thy going to Church and euerie time see thou learne that wherof thou wast ignorant before so shalt thou encrease in the knowledge of the Lord Iesus Christ corroborate thy faith kindle thy loue augment thy hope and be prouident against that greatest and last assault of Sathan A Praier for a diligent and stedfast faith in Gods word O Lord Iesus Christ open my heart by thy holy spirit that I may giue place to thy word ponder thâ—reon and weigh it diligently and make it familier vnto my soule and not be as a vessel that is crackt and can holde no liquor Hâ—b 2.1 Illuminate my vnderstanâ—ding and confirme my memorie that I may euer call thy ioyfull comfort to minde and bee that good portion of ground which in an honest and good heart may heare and keepe thy word and bring forth fruite with patience vnto the end grant this O Lord God for Iesus Christs sake to whom be all glorie and honour Amen Flesh. What else is behoouefull to comfort the sicke on his bed Spirit I haue set downe euery where prayers for thee which thou mayest vse as occasion serueth and the disposition of thy sicknes requires but the most speciall is the Lords prayer which heere also thou shouldest remember saying Our Father which c. sundry Prayers and Meditions mayest thou haue out of the learned and godly Fathers as Augustine and Bernard and out of holy latter Writers as also out of the booke of Psalmes in the which thou mayest vse these most frequently O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger c. Psal. 8. The Lord is my Sheepheard c. 23. Vnto thee ô Lord doe I lift vp my Soule c 25. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiueâ— 32. As the Hart panteth after the water brookes
impediment Behold therfore deare soule what is more acceptable and pretious who will now bee affraide of death but on the contrarie the Soule of the Vnfaithful and Vngodlie is deliuered to Sathan and caried incontinent to payne as wee may see in that Rich-mans Soule where it shall remayne in trouble and miserie Luk. 16. anguish and smart and Woe vnspeakable without all mercie and comfort for euer in stinke and darkenesse where there is weeping and guashing of Teeth to the last day at what time their miserie shall first begin to be exceeding great and neuer shall cease The Christians most earnest Prayer to leaue this world and to be with Christ his Sauiour Lord Iesus Christ my Hope and Ioy how heartilie longeth my soule for thee yea â—uen as the Hart paÌ„teth for the water-brooks so panteth my Soule after thee O God my Soule thirsteth for God Ps. 42.1 for thee O God the Liuing-God When shall I come and appeare before thee O how weary am I of this loathsome vale of misery in the which I endeuour to serue thee my God in great weakenesse I may say Phil. 1.23.24 I am in a strait betwixt two hauing a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better Neuerthelesse to abide in the flesh is verie profitable that I may bring forth fruit yet what I should chuse I know not Lord Iesus thou euerlasting wisdome which knowest my time my dayes are in thy hands euen come take mee to thee when thou wilt my heart longeth for rest yea for that euerlasting quietnesse from this darknesse to light from sorrow to ioy from the troubles of this world to peace from loathsome miserie to glorie from imperfection to an accomplished perfection Lord Iesus thou knowest all things and doest know that my soule doth heartilie loue thee and hath an inward desire to behold thy countenance Behold most louing Redeemer the teares of loue which fall from my eyes and consider how I weep for meere ioy my heart is sicke for loue it sighes Song 8 6. Song 2.5 groaâ—es and longeth to be at home with thee to rest it selfe in thy bosome O my Lord and God how well shall I bee then How highly shall my soule crie out greatly ioying and praiâ—ing thee Mat. 17.4 Luk. 23. saying Lord it iâ— good for me to be here Lord remember mee in thy Kingdome and say vnto my soule thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise there to rest for euer Amen Flesh. Doth not the soule then long for the body seeing it knoweth it is rotten in the cold ground and expecteth the day of resurrection and euerlasting life for it Spirit I must confesse that such thoughts often make men sorrowfull but wee must vnderstand that our soules after their departing are with Christ and must haue much more vnderstanding and knowledge and farre cleerelier know Gods wonderfull righteouâ— counsell and will and therefore are perswaded that no mischaunce can befall theiâ— bodies in the earth but that they shall pleaâ—antly and softly sleep and rest and all their bones dust and ashes shall bee so kept through the Almighty power of God that they shall neuer bee consumed brought to nought but shall questionlesse and wiâ—hout all doubt rise againe Secondly the soules of the godly are in such place and ioy where is no vnquietnesse or vvretched desire foralthough they bethink them of their bodies and would haue that righteous day of doome approch Reu. 6.10 saying How long O Lord holy and true doest thou not iudge and auenge our bloud on them that dwel on the earth Yet such thoughts are without sorrow and appertaine to their ioy Gods glorie and praise vnto the which they alwaies submit their wils and as the children of God in this wretched life they long for their dissolution and sigh for the comming of Ieâ—us Christ and hee that doth not so hath not a sound and true loue to Iesus Christ yet the blessed soules which are with Christ. desire that all sinne in the woâ—ld should come to end and that euerlasting persecution shold then beginne but that their desire should carrie sorrow or any painefull longing vpon them it is not possible for they rest with the Lord our God and from this world for there is no time nor difference of day and night and where there is no time there can be no heauie longing for Psal 90.4 because a thousand yeares in his sight arâ— but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night And againe One day with the Lord is as a thousand yeares 2 Pâ—t 3. â— As one day therfore deare soule let such thoughts passe and cast thy selfe vnder Gods powerful hand who is thy Creatour thy hope and rest defendor and contenting perfection both in this life in that eternall which is to come A Prayer of the faithfull soule for her dissolution 2 Tim. 4. Now Lord Iesus Christ thou who seest and knowest that I haue earnest loue of thy manifestation I request thee with all my power that thou wouldest through thy defence abate the vngodly and sinnefull waies of the world and shew righteous doome vpon Sathan and all our aduersaries and let that euerlasting glorie of our ioy come when thou shalt bee all in all 1. Cor. 15. Yea Lord Iesus Rom. 18.20.22 the whole creation groaneth and trauaileth in paine together wayting for the deliuerance from the bondage of corruption and vanitie vnto the which it is made subiect waiteth I say for the manifestation of the Sonnes of God when they shall be deliuered vnto the glorious libertie of the Children of God Should not wee then verie earnestly long for the loosing of our bodies but if it bee thy holy will O Lord Iesus and that thou hast so concluded in thy counsell that I shall here abide to thy ioyfull comming againe euen so bee it my God and my Redeemer O with what ioy of heart shall I heare thy trumpet how gladly shall I leape and meete thee in the cloudes but if thou call mee from hence before and take my soule vnto thee to that peaceable Paradise Loe here am I and willingly come and shall not cease with all comfort to crie vnto thee and say Amen euen so come Lord Iesus Râ—u 22.20 come to iudge the quicke and the dead Amen Flesh. Thou beleeuest then certainely that this our bodie shall rise againe and liue with the soule eternally Spirit Yes truely that I beleeue and therefore confesse in the articles of my faith and say I beleeue the resurrection of the bodie and life euerlasting For when our Lord Iesus shall come againe vpon that last day to iudge Mat 25. â—3 and all the holy Angels with him then shall he set vpon the throne of his glorie and before him shall be gathered all Nations liuing and dead small and great Reu. 20.12 good and bad shall stand before him and the Sea shall
thine in Iesus Christ in whose name wee call vpon thee as hee hath â—aught vs saying Our Father c. FINIS THE SOVLES REQVEST OR A most sweet and comfortable Dialogue betweene CHRIST and the SOVLE full of heauenly and spiritual consolaâ—ionâ— to 〈◊〉 vp the heart cast 〈◊〉 for sinne and sence of Gods wrath PSALMâ— 27.8.9 When thou saydest seeke my face 〈…〉 said vnto thee thy faâ—e Lord I 〈…〉 Hide not thy face farre from 〈…〉 seruant away in anger c. LONDON Printed by Edw 〈…〉 Iohn Marriot and are to be 〈◊〉 at his shop at the White flowe◠〈◊〉 â—uce neere Fetterâ—lane end in Fleet-street 1618. TO THE WORshipful his approued good Friend M r. William Howpill grace mercie and peace in our Lord Iesus Christ. LVke the Euangelist writeth his Histâ—rie of Christ God Luc. 1.3 and Man and dedicated it to Theophilus a louer of God 2 Iob. 1.1 Iohn the Apostle writeth to the elect Ladie of Chriâ—stian loue And who should haue more interest in this my small Dialogue of spirituall comfort then they by whome the bowels of the Saints are so often refreshed Phiâ— 7. Life it selfe is tedious where the taste of the assurance of mercie is absent what peace can please where the peace of conscience raigneth not and that loue of God is not shed abroad in the heart Rom. 5.5 by the holy Ghost which is giuen vs wher forgiuenes of sin is not sealed in the soule filled with ioy which no man can take away what dainties can like when wee eate not that fatted calfe Luc. 15.23 1 Cor. 5.7 Mat. 22.12 Reuel 2.17 and pascall Lambe Iesus Christ that clâ—athed with his righteousnesse as with a garment we may enioy that hidden Manna and tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradice of God Ibid. vers 7. quenching out thirst with those pure waters of life Of the which according to the measure of grace giuen mee I haue briefly written which I recommend vnto your Worship And I beseech the God of all comfort according to the riches of his mercie hee would make you feele and fill you with all heauenly consolation that you may glorying in the Lord looke for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God Tit. 2.13 and our Sauiâ—ur Iesus Christ to your immortalitie To whom be all power and praise in the Church for euer 2 Tim. 4.8 Amen Your Worships in all christian duties Bartholl Robertson THE SOVLES REQVEST OR A most comfortable Dialogue betwixt Christ and the Soule full of spirituall and heauenly consolations to raise vp the heart cast downe for sin and sense of Gods wrath CHRIST O My Beloued Soule why art thou so sad frettest in thy breast knowest thou not that thy afflictions are so sanctified by my spiritâ— that euen thereby thou art made partaker of my holines Heb. 12.10 Heb. 12.14 1 Thess. 1.6 Gal. 6.14 enioyest the sweet fruit of righteousnesse and obtainest a greater measure of ioy in the Holy Ghost that thereby thou art crucified to the world and the world vnto thee haue I not put sweet wood in these bitter waters to make them sauoury destroyed that death that was in the pot of thy troubles by the meale of my mercies greeueth it thee to wade in the waters which I haue swimmed in The SOVLE O Sauiour giue mee that most precious dearest giue of all thy Holy Spirit the Comforter that I may offer a voluntary and free sacrifice of obedience to thee Giue mee that thou askest and aske what thou wilt Alas as of all other kinde of sinne so haue I in my selfe sufficient matter and seede to breed this corruption for in my feeling I cannot see comfort in my sufferings in so exceeding great measure is my vnderstanding corrupt and affections disordered CHRIST I Worke the sense of sin and mercy by degrees in my children and the yeelding to one draweth on another Take heed least at any time there be in thee an vnbeleeuing heart to depart from mee the liuing God Heb. 3.12.13 lest thou be hardned through the deceiâ—fulnes of sinne To see the length height bredth and depth of my mercy is to behold thy sinne and naturall pollution but let not thine â—eart bee eaten vp with greefe Looke alwaies to my mercies thine enemy indeede is a Lyon and so am I and that of the Tribe of Iuda of thine owne flesh he is a Serpent I am that brazen Serpent to sting all the fiery inuasions of sinne death and condemnation if I be heere so to help thee what shall I doe in glory when I come with thousands of Angels hast thou no knowledge of saluation fearest thou thy sinne is there nothing but doubtfulnesse dulnesse and deadnesse in thee thou must know whatsoeuer knowledge experience and power is in mee the same is made thine 1 Cor. 1.30 I am my Fathers counseller and am thy wisdome the Teacher and the thing taught I haue no holinesse in my selfe by the flesh by being borne of my mother yet do saue great sinners seek then righteousnesse out of thy selfe in mee who being no sinner was accounted a sinner and punished as a sinner for thee that thou hauing no righteousnesse mightest bee accounted righteous and rewarded as righteous through mee who am thy righteousnesse Hebr. the authour and finisher of thy saluation so that albeit of thy selfe to perseuere it seemeth impossible yet with mee it is both possible easie And as for the multitude of thy sinnes whereof thou complainest and thou doest well Marie-Magdalen had seuen Deuills yet first honoured with the sight of my Resurrection Moreouer Mathew a notorious and infamous Sinner crowned with the dignitie of an Euangelist and Paule whosâ— clothes tooke a Purple-dye and Crimson colour in the bloud of the Saints is one of the chief and glorious Apostles Thy naturall corruptions I doe chaunge into the power of a supernaturall grace thy wounded spirit vnto a peace of mind I am the Lord of the whole earth and the heyre of heaueÌ„ yet had not wherwith to helpe my necessitie A Lord of Libertie and yet put in Prison and yet am thy Redemption who will not suffer thee to be ouercome and wil wholly free thee from sin and anguishes in the life to come I cannot lye beleeue my Word whereby I am euidently set forth Gal. 31. and crucified before thy heart Attend Prayer which worketh a feeling of thy faith in mee To Heauen I tell thee I haue a two-fold title one by Inheritance which I reserue to my selfe alone another by purchace and conquest which I haue giuen thee freely and wilt thou not relie on these my Mercies The SOVLE LOrd Iesus I doe often call to mind the things thou hast done for thy glory and my Soules health the matter of my thankfulnesse but I do perseuere in sinne and deserue not the least crumme of Mercie that fall from thy Table anie more
CHRIST IS there nothing to bee obtayned of Mee vnlesse thou bring of thy own to present mee withall Is not this to discredit my Mercie to bring credit to thy Merits and rather to binde Mee to thee than thee to Mee Is there not with mee plentifull Redemption If thy sins be great my redemption is greater thy merits are beggarly my Mercie is a Rich Mercie If thy perill bee not come euen to a desperate case and past hope of recouery there is no prayse of redemption for herein is the power of it that when all sins haue gone ouer thy head and all creatures Sun Moon Heauen and Earth c. come as it were in iudgement against thee yet a cleare and full ransome shal be giuen in thy hand therewith to purchase thy deliuerance beyond all expectation and so as it were to fetch something out of nothing And when I put to the ordinarie meanes it is not to withdraw my helpe in vsing the means but traine vp thy faith that after I may make knowne vnto thee I haue a helpe beyond all helps for I come to them that calleth not for mee the possessed that would not doe I cure and the dead that cannot doe I rayse Beleeuest thou this The SOVLE LOrd my sight is verie dimme to behold Thee that Serpent exalted in the Wildernesse my Faith is as smoaking Flax Blow on it I pray thee by the wind of thy Spirit anâ— make it burne more cleare My sins and conscience arrest mee and summon mee before thy iustice thou my Iudge art greater who knowest all and righteous are thie iudgements CHRIST THou poore Soule pourest out the sence of thy inward sight on the wrong object Thou gazest on Sathan the false accuser of the brethren and on Sâ—nne thy guilt but beholdest not Mee the Lambe of God that taketh away thy sinne I am not come to call the â—ighteous but Sinners â—o Repentance Mat. 9.12 If thou be grieued for sinne I am for thee The whole need no Physitian but the sicke I will bind vp thy sores and heale all thy woundes Soule be of good comfort thy sinnes are forgiuen thee I inuite all the Wearie and Laden to come to mee and I will ease them Mat. 11.28 Feelest thou the burthen of thy sinne I am for such as thou art with a troubled and aking conscience Esa. 44.22 for I put away their transgressions as a thicke Cloud and Sinnes as Mist I doe cast them in the bottome of the Sea Mic. 7.19 Esa. 43.25 I put them away I say for my owne Mercies sake for what art thou but dust and ashes yea a wind that goeth and returneth not But I thy Aduocate with thy Father euen thy owne Iesus Christ Heb. 7.25 the righteous who am perfectly able to saue all those that come vnto God by Mee who am Euer-liuing to make intercession for thee For by my owne bloud I haue once entered the Holie-place and obtayned eternall redemption for thee Heb. 9.22 Why lookest thou to thy sinne and wages thereof I euen I was made sinne for thee who knew no sinne that thou mayest bee made the righteousnesse of God in Mee 2. Cor. 5.21 I was wounded for thy transgressions and broken for thy inquities the chastisement of thy peace was vpon mee With my stripes thou art healed Esa. 53.5 and now I doe require this Who dâ—th lay any thing to thy charge Rom. 8. it is I that iustifie thee Who shall condemne thee it is I that died or rather which is risen agayne for thee who am at the right hand of God and maketh request for thee Haue not I lead captiuitie captiue Col. 2.25 spoyled principalliâ—ies and powers and made an open shew of them and triumphed ouer them in my Crosse 1 Coâ— 15.25 O Death I will be thy Death O Graue I will be thy destruction yea O Death where is thy Sting O Graue where is thy victorie O but I pittifully complaine Ps. 81.13 O that thou wouldest hearken vnto mee for then thy prosperitie would bee as the floud Esa. 48 18. and thy righteousnesse as the waters of the Sea Hos. 6.4 and now what shall I doe vnto thee How shall I entreat thee What can I doe vnto thee that I haue not done I beseech thee 2. Cor. 5.20 I beseech the I say be reconciled vnto God for my father so loued the World that hee hath giuen Mee vnto it that whosoeuer beleeueth in Mee should haue euerlasting Life And I my selfe trust Me haue set out my loue to thee that when thou wast a sinner I died for thee much more beeing now iustified by my bloud thou shalt be saued from wrath by Mee Rom 5.8 When thou wast an enemie thou wast reconciled to God by my death much more beeing reconciled thou shalt be saued by my Life I was partaker of thy flesh and bloud yea and became a Worme Ps. â—2 6 for all creatures almost to treade vpon mee For thee I was made obedient to death yea to the death of the Crosse Manie more degrees did I The Sonne of righteousnesse goe backe that thou maiest be certified of eternal life than the Sunne did in Ezechias time to assure him the lengthening of his temporall Life Let nothing shake thy faith how weake soeuer it be Come to Mee haue Milke and Honie and of the Well of the Water of Life freely Reu. 21.6 Take here Eye-salue that thou mayest see and amend that blindnesse thou art in and looke to my euerlasting mercies that endure for â—uer sinnes past cannot hurt thee if sinnes present doe not like thee and in finne thou takest no pleasure The SOVLE O Tâ—y lips are full of grace thy words sweeter then the hony the honycomb O that I might eat them thy word spoken to me now is like an apple of gold with pictures of siluer Pro. 25 11. I wash my garment in thy bloud by it that hand-writing that was against me is cancelled and anulled but this scruple rest that I doe euermore yet sinne this body of sinne dwelling in me is so pregnant and powerfull I feare it will bring forth the fruit of the flesh which is death and euerlasting condemnation CHRIST WHy doest thou attribute â—o much strength to thy poysoned nature and derogatest srom mine infinite mercy and grace thou wilt not nor canst not denie but God hath giuen mee a perfect Redeemer vnto thee hee hath sealed on thee the assurance therof by his holy Spirit the Word and Spirit haue begot faith in thee by which thou hast begotten ioyes in heauenly things This ioy hath wrought a sincere heart and well willingnesse to please God accompanied with loue vnfained to my father aboue and brethren on earth thou hast a care tâ—â— obey the Commandements and a renewed feare to please God â—hy sinne rebuked worketh I know in thee a mourning spirit are not thy â—eareâ— in my
Faith and not by feeling I teach thee humilitie and not to glorie but in infirmiâ—ies 2. Cor. 11.30.31 for Paul for all his Reuelations was afraid of Aretas and let downe in a basket Elias who commaunded as it were the Heauens to rayne and not to raine hid himselfe in a caue from Iesabell 1. â—i 19.9 Iacob was afraid of his brother Abraham of Pharoah and the Philistims in Gerah O how dearly loued I them but when the starre appeareth againe Mat. â— the wisemen reioiced with an exceeding great ioy Rachel had Labans gods which made him more eager to seeke them I may frowne for a while yet not alwaies retaine my anger No truely Ps. 103.9 I am not angrie at all as a Iudge to punish but as a Father to correct a brother to admonish I cannot cease to loue my owne members Doth anie man strike his owne flâ—sh at any time Thou art one of my members ingrafted in my body by my Spirit and a liuely faith I haue said and doe not repent thou that beleeuest in me art deliuered from the power of darkenesse by my Father and art translated into the kingdome of Mee his deare Sonne The SOVLE THe wordes that thou speakest sweet Redeemer of Mankind are Spirit and Life but thou speakest of affections reformed which I find not How cold are my Prayers O how hard is my hart it cannot powre it selfe out like Water before Thee it cannot admit any impression of thy Word or finger of thy spirit my wauering faith is not confirmed by it I lacke that heauenly light to discerne of my troubles and crosses aright Finally I haue little or no comfort in thy Word wanting the apprehending applyâ—â—g faith the hand of my Soule O Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon me miserable sinner O sweet Samaritan take mee vp which am halfe dead CHRIST THou hast redemption in my bloud Col. 1.14 euen the forgiuenesse of thy sinnes for they shall neuer bee imputed vnto thee neither heere nor elsewhere neither doe they raigne in thy mortall body but thou hast a serious reluctation against them neither thy vnworthines maketh thee vncapable of the greatest mercies they are of my meere and free loue and grace thou art not the obiect of thine owne faith but I my merits obedience who am by faith vnited vnto thee as a head to a member then look vpon mee I am in thee and thou art in me that which God hath conioyned who can separate it or who can plucke thee out of my fathers hand my father and I am one and my Spirit which hath wrought in thee that desire of profiting by the Word whereof thou so heauily complainest will make thee reape manifold fruits of the immortall seed of the Word in due season which is sowed in the furrowes of thy hart I do feed thee for a time with a sparing hand to sharpen thine appetite wait and trust on me and I will comfort thy heart Psal. 27.16 truly flesh and bloud hath not reuealed the hardnes of thy heart vnto thee but my spirit which worketh the sight of thy corruptions Esa. 63. â—7 I which haue begunne this good worke will performe it Phil. 1.6 It is good for thee that thou bewailest thy defects and wants quench not these motions of my spirit in thee prayer is my gift it is I that worke both the will deede Lam. 1.22 it is I that mark thy many sighs the faintings of thy heart yea my spirit doth make request for thee with sighs that cannot bee expressed when thou holdest thy peace or little knowest of it The sacrifice of God are not words Psal. 51.17 but a contrite spirit a contrite and broken heart I will not despise I know thy thoughts before thou thinke them Psal. 1 39.2 thy sighing is not hid from me I doe heaâ—e thy desire Psal. 38.9 Psal. 10.17 it is I that doe put vp as Mediator betwixt thee and my father thy prayers vnto the golden viols which are full of the precious odours of my merits thereby perfumeth and maketh them an offring of sweet smelling sauour vnto him Reu. 5.8 and purgeth their corruptions in my bloud and vnto my throne there is a purple ascent the perfectest bewty is the perfectest mixture of red and white afflictions staineth not but adorneth the beautie of my graces The SOVLE I Am not so washed I see in the lauer of regeneration but that there remaineth in mee slaines of that scarlet engrained die of my corruption I am not wholly spirit as the carnall man is wholly slesh but 〈◊〉 at ciuill wars within my selfe In the spirit I serue the Law of God in the flesh the law of sinne O deare Iesus grant me thy spirit grace 1 Thess. 5.22 that I may auoid the occasions of sinne I may make conscience of my lâ—ast sinnes I may carefully watch ouer my heart that I be not surprized at vnawares I may rest in thy promised assistance and not in mine owne power and haue recourse vnto thee by feruent praier crauing thy ayd that I may bee enabled to stand in the daie of temptations but alas deare Sauiour it vexeth mee greatly that I doe not much Lord thou knowest feele my faith nor the fruits thereof which maketh mee I know not what to thinke that I haue no true faith or if I haue it is yet in the infancy thereof CHRIST FAith is the eye hand and foot of the Soule for by it it commeth seeth and layeth hold on mee seeke light in the Word which is Truth by praier that thou bee not deceiued and follow the same light so farre as thou shalt be warranted thereby the conscience maketh the assumption but examined it by my word lest thou fall in errour and for to learne deere Soule to discerne betwixt the punishment for sinne and trial of thy faith patience and purging of Sinne for I often afflict inwardly the soule with deep sense of sinne and the bodie with crosses outwardly not to prosecute sinne in thee Ier. 51.7 for then it should follow that as the wicked mine enemies exceede in sinne so should they exceed in afflictions also but thee I lead as a louing Spouse with cords of aman Hos. 11.4 euen with bands of loue for whom I loue I rebuke For I am good a strong hold in the daie of trouble and know them that trust in me Nah. 1.7 Nourish this in thine heart it is more certaine and durable then heauen and earth The SOVLE O My sweet Sauiour thou hast taken my feet out of the mire I stucke iâ— Psal. 4.1 Luk. 1.49 and put me at more large liberty of minde thou that art mighty hast done for me great things and holy is thy name thou wilt performe thy worke toward me O Lord Psal. 138.8 thy mercie endureth for euer forsake not the worke of thy owne hands thou hast deliuered me from
sustayning it the more Sathan winneth thee the more effectuall is my intercession that thy Faith fayle not the feebler thy faith is in appreheÌ„ding mee the more powerfull is my Spirit in apprehending thee and in ioyning thee inseperably with mee I wil not condemne the least measure of my grace bestowed vpon thee neyther take it away after it is once bestowed but rather to him that hath will I giue Mat. â—5 29 vntill he haue aboundance Hee that hath one taleÌ„t shall haue it double I doe reproue for small faith but neuer for weake faith no not him who in the sence of his weaknesse sayd vnto mee Mar 9.24 Lord I beleeue helpe my vnbeliefe The SOVLE O Lord increase my faith Luk. 1.68 Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel because thou hast visited and redeemed my Soule and hast raysed vp the horne of saluation vnto mee that beeing deliuered from my enemies and the hands of all that hate mee I should serue thee without feare all the dayes of my life in holinesse and righteousnesse before thee O how great is that peace of conscience and ioy in the Holie Ghost which may be tasted but cannot be vttered Now will I not dispute against my selfe longer for my actions for beeing displeased with my person I cannot be pleased with my doings The body of sinne shall neuer be from me while I liue the skum thereof is euer boyling in mee foming out stinking sauour in my mind I am wearie of my sinne yet there is no time too late to repent I will not count what I haue beene but what I would bee My workes will do nothing in the matter of my iustification which from thee in thee is freely giuen mee I cannot resist Sathan it is not possible I canne encounter him but in thee I am more than a Conqueror ouer them all Neuer one fulfilled the Law but thou and that thou hast giuen mee My conscience seruing the Lawe of Grace is a glorious Prince to triumph ouer sinne CHRIST O How faire art thou now my Loue Cant. 1.15 how fayre arâ— thou Thou hast Doues-eyes Thou hast seene thy shadow in the Water of Life I haue brought thee â—o the banquetting-house and my Banner ouer thee is Loue Ibid. 2.4 So much right haue thie sins against thee as how much they could doe against mee thou art in me and I in thee I haue become sinne for thee and Death like a Humming-Bee hath lost it sting I will tell thee deare soule the Wife is not suable but the Husband I haue made all thy enemies sufficient answer who shall iudge thee I am Iudge and acquite thee Loe heare my sentence I will not thy death To excuse thee I am better than the best man of Lawe euer was I was accursed for thee I am thy Law and libertie for sin I am thie Righteousnesse against Sathan thie Sauiour against Death thy Life Lay downe thy head in my lap with my beloued Iohn and take thy rest The SOVLE MEe-thinkes I heare â—he voyce of my beloued behold he commeth leaping ouer the Mountaines of my sinnes Cant. 2.8 skipping vpon the Hillâ— of my griefes Haue mercie vpon mee heale my soule for I haue sinned against thee forgiue all my iâ—iquities and heale all my infirmities yea thou healest those that are broken in heart and bindest vp their sores Why art thou cast downe oh my Soule and why art thou disquieted within mee Wait still on God for I will yet giue him thankes hee is my present helpe and my God Yet my Soule keep thou silence before God of him commeth thy saluation He is thy strength therfore shalt thou not much bee moued Henceforth sweet Iesus I will not measure thy loue by my sence humor neyther can any temptation ouer-take mee but such as hath fallen in the nature of man which haue all found mercie at thie hands that thou mightest bee feared Auoyd Sathan I am not vnder the Law but vnder grace My sinnes are not only pardonable but pardoned and from this time my conuersation is in Heauen But alas I doe yet dailie hourâ—lie and eâ—uerie minute sinne against thee Gen. 6.5 yea and euerie imagiâ—nation of the thoughts of my heart are onelie euill continually Because of my corrupâ—ion I am vnworthie and vnfit for the kingdome of heauen And where is then that weake faith which thoâ— earst requiredst in mee CHRIST I haue fulfilled the law that thou by mee 2. Co. 5.21 might be made my Righteousnesse for I did alwaies the things that pleased my father to abolish thy corâ—ruption Haue I not Ioh. 8.21 for thy sake sanctified my selfe In me are all the promises of God are 2. Cor. 1. yea and Amen vnto the glorie of God by thee For it pleased the Father that in mee all fulnesse should dwell in whom thou also art perfected for there is no condemnation to them that are in Mee I am thy Aduocate to pleade thie cause yea rather my own cause The question is not of thie worthinesse which thou renouncest but of the merit of my obedience and value of my death vnto thy saluation thy faith dependeth not vpon thy aduersaries testimonie It is enough that thou feelest by my grace that thou beleeuest yea that thou mayest the rather persuade thy selfe of Faith because he saith Thou hast none knowing that Sathan is not only a Murtherer from the beginning Ioh 8 44. and abode not in the truth but also a Lyer and the Father of it He is a notorious Deceiuer vnwoâ—thie of credit so ofâ— silâ—nced by mee and my seruants Mar 2.24 Act. 16. â—â— Content thee to haue a competent knowledge of the Mysterie of thy Saluation by Mee And whereas thou afflicted Soule desirest nothing more than to beleeue though thou feele not a present operation of comfort by faith yet that desire argueth a secret sence which thou now canst not easily discerne with assurance of better estate in time to come Esa. 65.13 Mat 5.6 Luk. 15.3 for thou art blessed that hungeredst for righteousnes I will surely fil such with good things This secret seed of faith nourished by my Spirit in thee witnesseth Sathans ejection out of thee by thy resistance which is a part of a former worke in thee Disquiet not thy heart for that thou wantest make vse of that thou hast which though it seeme little to thee yet is more thaÌ„ Sathan is able to ouercome Hee that fighteth is not yetcaptiue he â—hat staÌ„deth against his enemies face is not vanquished yea thy holding out in so great weakenesse argueth that thou standest by a greater strength than thy owne and shalt in the end triumph Rom. 8.10 For though the bodie bee deade in respâ—ct of Sinne yet the Spirit is Life for righteousnesse sake The Sinnes tâ—erefore proceeding from thie Corruption Rom. 7.17 are not thine but Workes of the Flesh wounded vnto death by My Death and shall bee abolished