height of glory I looke for a Heaven above First let mee be heavenly ey'd to read secondly heavenly minded to contemplate thirdly heavenly changed to beleeve to convert to be renewed Sect. 2 Secondly Of the clearenesse of the Heavens IT is the elementary Heavens I now thinke upon they are for clearenesse and purity compared to molten glasse Iob 37.18 And the blewnesse of them to our view is because of the farre distance betweene the eye and the object Reflexions 1. If Heaven be so pure that we see Deut. 26.15 how pure are the invisible Heavens that is a pure place called Gods holy habitation 2. Gods dwelling is pure He will not abide in a sinfull soule nor with a profane heart I must be purged clensed and humbled if I will have God with me Isai 57.15 3. If Heaven be so pure then God himselfe is a pure and holy God 1. John 3.3 4. A pure conscience a cleane heart a sanctified soule is a kind of Heaven on earth When I looke towards Heaven and consider the purenesse of the Element let me desire to be pure it is heavenly and excelent A legall purity I can never obtaine here an Evangelicall purity I must endeavour after to be cleansed from my guiltinesse by Christs blood and from my filthinesse by his Spirit Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the height of the Heavens HEaven is the Throne of God Matth. 5.34 and Thrones are on high Solomon had staires to ascend to his Throne because he sate as Judge above the people 1. King 10.18 19. So Gods Throne is on high The Heaven is high above the earth Psal 103.11 as the large circumference to the little Center the distance is very great men may ghesse at it but not certainely conclude how farre it is Reflexions 1. Feare 1. What cause have I to feare the Lord for as farre as Heaven is above the earth so large is his mercy to them that feare him Psal 103.11 This should enlarge my endeavour after the feare of the Lord. 2. Circumspection 2. God sees all our actions here below for hee dwelleth in the high Heavens and from thence beholds us Psal 33.14 3. Heavenly mindednesse 3. Though the visible Heavens be high yet our humane flesh is carried higher Heb. 4.14 9.24 Christ is ascended farre above all Heavens Ephes 4.10 There I hope to come there I desire my heart may be often Colos 3.1 Sect. 4 Fourthly Of the largenesse of the Heavens THE Heavens for their largenesse are said to bee spred out Iob 37.18 Psal 104.2 Ier. 51.13 The largenesse may be demonstrated three wayes 1. By a visible apparision for wee can see on our Horizon but halfe of the Heavens In the Moneth of March when the Sunne riseth at 6. and sets at 6. wee then may make a tryall 2. By an Astronomicall relation or Geometricall collection the Earth is large yet it is but as the Center to the Heavens circumference 3. By a divine conclusion Heaven is the dwelling of the great God and the receptacle of the Saints Psal 2.4 Iohn 14.2 Therefore the visible Heavens bee large though not so large as the invisible Reflexions 1. God is a great God great Princes are knowne by their great Palaces so I know God is a great God by his dwelling place 2. I perceive a progresse from little to great from the little wombe of my Mother to this great world the habitation of mortals I trust I am going from this little Terrene Globe to the large Heavens the habitation of Angels 3. Though the Heavens are large yet they cannot containe God 1. Kings 8.27 God comprehends all and is incomprehensible himselfe 4. I may be straitned and put in prison on earth but when I leave earth I shall come to a large place above the large visible Heavens called for largenesse a Kingdome Luke 12.32 Sect. 5 Fifthly Of the firmnesse of the Heavens THey are called Firmament for stability Psal 19.1 Our bodies are generated and soone corrupted but the Heavens continue to this day Psal 119.90 91. Reflexions 1. These Heavens we see continue a long time but the Heaven I hope for continues without alteration to eternity A Kingdome it is that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.28 2. Gods Worke is excellent being out spread and firme If a Brazier or Gold-smith stretch out his metall it loses firmenesse and growes to weaknesse Gods workes are admirable 3. Heaven is firme but the Word is more firme Mat. 5.18 Those that looke so much on security doe teach me where to looke for it 2. Pet. 1.19 We have a sure word of the Prophets Psal 93. Sect. 6 Sixthly Of the motion of the Heavens THe earth is fixed and hath foundations Micha 6.2 and hangeth on nothing Iob 26.7 but the heavens have a yeerely monethly daily revolutions Astronomers hold an opinion of divers sphaeres the neerest is the sphaere of the Moone the next where Mercury is the 3. hath Venus the 4. the Sunne the 5. Mars the 6. Iupiter the 7. Saturne the 8. the other Starres the 9. Compasses the rest and turne about every day this is above common capacity but certainly the earth turnes not round as meat on a spit but is fixed and stands still and the heavens are in motion Reflexions 1. I now have found who can make the perpetuall motion men would doe it God hath done it I honour his worke I blame mans folly 2. It is heavenly to be in motion it is earthly to be dull and sluggish I desire to be ready to every good worke Tit. 3.1 and to run the way of Gods Commandements Psal 119.32 3. I shall be of swift motion at last 1. Cor. 15 44. at the resurrection Seventhly Of the heavens dissolution or redintegration AT the last they shall waxe old as doth a garment Psa 102.27 and at the last day shall passe away with a noise 2. Pet. 3.10 and be folded up as a booke or role Isa 34.4 Heâ— 1.12 and shall be disolved 2. Pet. 3.12 the Angels have forme not matter so are everlasting we have matter and forme generation and corruption the heavenly sphaeres have matter and forme of long duration but not for ever whether they shall be annihilated or redentigrated whether brought to nothing or refined and remaine with the earth as monuments of Gods eternall power and wisedome I am ignorant of it and leave it to them more wise to judge Reflexions 1. Oh with what detestation should I thinke of sin It is sin hath tainted this great fabricke and will bring a dissolution 2. There is something will stand me in stead and is of great consequence at that time when all my silver and gold is melted and the world burned that is holinesse which now I must prize at a high rate and pray and labour for it 2. Pet. 3.11 3. If heaven mâ—st be disolved that is so firme then my fraile weake body will soone come to a dissolution I am earth and must
must doe service 3. If the cloudes went to the upper region of the aire we should never have raine for the extreame heate would dry it up and if they should be carried downe to the earth they would be troublesome to man but are usefull in the middle region their proper place so if I should meddle in things above my calling I should waste my selfe and my time unprofitably if I doe things below my place uncalled it is basenesse not humility but in my owne place and station I am most prompt and usefull most seemely and commendable Sect. 3 Thirdly Of the succession and renovation of the Cloudes THe things of short duration have a succession else their kind could not continue the Heavens Sunne Moone and Starres have a continuance without succession but things of an inferiour being and habitation â—re subject to a change and renewing and are continued by generation and dissolution the cloudes are renewed because they returne not againe in cloudes but come to a dissipation Considerations 1. This may provoke me to spend my time well and to be diligent in well-doing shortly I must to the grave another succeed me one generation passes another succeeds my care should be to leave tokens of vertue and godlinesse as an inheritance to my successors 2. When I see any worthy man decease in the Church or Common-wealth to bewaile him and goe in secret and pray to God to double his spirit on his successor that still there may be a supply of good men 3. What thankes doe I owe to the Lord for renewing the cloudes by whom we have raine but above that Lam. 3. he renewes every morning every meales meate his mercies Psal 40. how should I renew my praises and come before him with a new song of thanksgiving 4. Let me waite on the Lord Isa 40. then my strength shall be renewed let me call on the Lord to renew my heart with such motions injective that my wordes may be renewed effusive and my workes diffusive that as a renewed man my purposes may grow to resolution from thence to actions with a perpetuall succession Sect. 4 Fourthly Of the kindes and variety of the Cloudes THere are divers kindes of cloudes some are cloudes without raine some are full of drops some are great some are small some are higher some lower some are darke some are bright Considerations 1. All are cloudes all carried of winds all are obvious yet the difference is great so is it with men in the visible Church all have their Initialls a like enter in by Baptisme yet differ much in disposition and behaviour Some will be aloft above other yet is it observed the highest cloudes have the least or no moystures the great Andiamâ—s beare least the chaffe in a heape will most commonly be upmost 2. As in these heapes of cloudes some are good some are bad so in the Church some are solide and sincere some are shew without substance cloudes without raine as St. Iude saith 3. Some answer mens hopes and yeeld them drops are for shaddow and refreshing so some by faithfulnesse and fruitfulnesse rejoyce men and are a refreshing to others Sect. 5 Fifthly Of the usefulnesse of the Cloudes THeir use is two-fold for judgement or mercy Iob 36.31 thereby hee judgeth the people and giveth meate abundantly In judgement these bottles were opened when the old world was drowned in mercy at the prayer of Eliah The Cloudes are the water pots to water the world the spouts of heaven to refresh the earth and make it fruitfull Considerations 1. Let us aske of God the raine of mercy to be given us from these windowes of heaven 2. We have cause to feare him which can open these bottles in wrath to consume us 3. To pray for our Governours that they may both refresh us and protect us as the cloudes doe that visit us with moysture and shaddow us from the Sunnes heate this shall be prosecuted in the meditation of the raine Sect. 6 Sixthly Of the dissipation of the Cloudes AFter a production progresse and employment comes a scattering and dissolution they ascend they swell they threaten they refresh they disappoint they give shade they punish they cause plenty at the last they dissolve Considerations 1. I see in them the estate of great ones they ascend they have many spectators they have their time they act a part they dissolve and are forgotten Heb. 9.27 2. This is the condition of all men of all sorts all must die because all have sinned the high and low the holy the prophane which teaches me 3. To expect that is in inevitable there are 7. brethren one will slay me they are the 7. dayes of the weeke which is the day is hid from me that I should prepare every day by mortifying my sinnes which are deaths sting by resting on my Saviour more fully he is deaths Conqueror by dying in my affections daily which is deaths coolor then shall death be but my sleep my dissolution my conjunction with my head and Saviour Sect. 7 Seventhly Of the Rain-bow in the Cloud 1. THe cause why the Rain-bow was made 2. The matter whereof it is made 3. What use to make of the Rain-bow 4. Resolves concerning the Rainbow First the cause why the Rain-bow was made After the deluge God gives the Rain-bow the cause was his goodnesse his compassion God gives the Rain-bow undesired unsought for there is his free goodnesse he gives a bow for singularity none is like it for dignity it is his bow the bow of God hee gives it as a signe of his Covenant which for latitude is not only betweene God and man but inter omnem animantem ex omni carne betweene all living Creatures of all flesh for longitude the Covenant is for ever Reflections 1. His goodnesse teacheth me to love him to praise him to flie to him to reverence him to repent and turne to him Psal 136.1 Hosea 3.5 Rom. 2.4 2. His compassion teaches me to feare him Psalm 103.13 3. His Covenant teaches me to trust in him and to resemble him in keeping my covenants Secondly the matter of the Rain-bow Here foure things may be considered 1. The Rain-bowes generation 2. His Piguration 3. His scituation 4. The time of his apparision First his generation is from the watry Cloud when the Sunne shines on it the cloud being spungy and full of holes the beames of the Sunne reflecting causes the Bow to appeare in his colours the red arises from the upper part of the cloud the greene from the lower part the blewish from the midst of the cloud as some observe Secondly his figuration a semi-Circle or mercifull Bow for the backe is upward the two ends downe towards us it is made not to kill us but to comfort us Thirdly his scituation it is alwayes opposite to the Sunne therefore not seene in the South but if the Sunne be in the East then the Bow is in the West
1. In his Essence having his being of himselfe absolute independant blessed immutable 2. Also that there are in the Divine Essence a Trinity of Persons Quest How shall I raise my admiration to the highest pitch Answ To meditate of his Wisedome and Knowledge First admire the largenesse of it for hee knows all Prov. 15.11 2. The perfection of his knowledge hee knows the Causes Concomitants Fruits and Effects insides he knows the motions and inclinations of all men of all things Acts 15.18 3. Admire the manner of his Knowledge not by Doctrine Relation Experience but without meanes 4. Admire the celerity and swiftnesse of his Knowledge at once in a moment Hee knowes things past present and to come 5. The certainty of his Knowledge he cannot be deceived he foresees all inconveniences he knowes things and persons as they are no apparitions nor pretences nor fainings nor dissemblings can delude him 6. Admire the Eternity of his Knowledge before all time before there was a World Hee knew himselfe to be most perfectly happy and blessed and knew that he would make a world and knew all that man should act on the stage of this world and as he did purpose so all things must come to passe Acts 4.28 Ephes 1.11 according to his foreknowledge and Decree 7. Admire the Efficacy of the Knowledge and Wisedome of God From his Knowledge he decreed then did worke so the Heavens Earth Seas and all their ornaments were created are preserved the variety of his creatures argues his unsearchable Wisedome and their order uses and ends appâ—inted them calls for our Admiration By this we may see what câ—â—se wee have to admire God and if one of his Attributes doe cause such Admiration what would it worke on us to meditate on the rest as his Power Glory Holinesse Justice Invisibility immutability this requires a large Volume but I intend brevity Quest How may I further admire God Answ I will give one straine more to winde up the heart that is to admire Christ incarnate how hee is the begotten Sonne of God Psal 2.7 1. Admire it in this hee was begotten of the Father yet is not after the Father in time Men beget those that come after them but here 't is not so therefore to bee admired 2. Men beget children which may be divided from them but Christ is so begotten that he is undividuall He and the Father are one John 10.30 3. Men so beget that there is a diminution of their substance and a conveighing of the corrupt Nature But Christ is begotten without diminution of the substance of the Father Acts 4.27 and free from all corruption Hee is the holy Sonne of God 4. Men beget children which are their inferiors but Christ is begotten Equall in Eternity yet equall with the Father Phil. 2.6 1. The Father is eternall Psal 90.2 So is the Sonne eternall Isai 9.6 Glory 2. The Father is glorious Acts 7.2 So the Sonne is glorious Iames 2.1 Power 3. The Father did create Gen. 1.1 So the Sonne created Col. 1.16 4. Angels doe honour the Father Isai 6.3 So Angels doe honour the Sonne Adoration Heb. 1.6 5. A Father begets a Sonne but yet communicates not his whole Essence to him but Christ is begotten yet partakes of the wholâ— Essence of his Father therefore admirable 6. A Father begets one that is another person another thing distinct from himselfe But the Lord Christ is begotten another person yet not another thing he may be distinguished but not divided Thus wee acknowledge God by Admiration Secondly we acknowledge him to himselfe and so doe glorifie him by our praises Psal 50. last verse Here consider 1. Who they be doe praise him 2. How they praise him 3. For what they praise him First who praise him 'T is the Saints praise him Psal 145.10 1. 'T is they have the most cause 2. And the best abilities 3. And the onely acceptance Secondly how they praise him 1. They praise him freely and cheerefully Psal 63.5 2. Vprightly and sincerely Psal 119.7 Hence 't is they praise God with their Soules Ps 103.1 with their Hearts Psal 9.1 3. They praise God frequently on all occasions Ps 71.6 Psal 119.164 4. They praise him constantly Psal 145.2 Hence 't is when they lose their comforts yet God loses not his praises Iob 1.21 Thirdly for what they praise him 1. For his owne Excellency 2. For his glorious workes 3. For his mercies First for his owne excellency 1. He is the soveraigne Lord God over all Rom. 9.5 the ruler of the world Zach. 4.14 Hence it is that Greatnesse and Glory and Power and Victory and Praises is attributed to him who is head over all 1 Chro. 29.11 He is to be praised as the onely potentate 1. Tim. 6.15 He is to be praised that is high and excellent Isai 57.15 He it is is glorious in Holinesse Exod. 15.11 and worthy to receive Honour and Glory and Power and Praise Revel 4.11 Revel 5.13 All his glorious Attributes both Communicable and Incommunicable cals for our frequent praises Secondly he is to be praised for his workes For they demonstrate his eternall Power and God-head Rom. 1.20 Hence it is that he is praised for creating all things Rev. 4.11 His workes both of Creation and Providence do shew his Wisedome Power Goodnesse c. Psal 139.14 Psalme 136. Psalme 194. The workes of God stirred up David to praise God both for the making of himselfe and for the making of other creatures and for the government of the World Thirdly God is to to be praised for his mercies Psalme 100.4 Psalme 136.1 To quicken us to this duty consider 1. The freenesse of his mercies they are bestowed without our deserts his will is the cause of his mercy Rom. 9.18 2. The multitudes of mercies of all sorts temporall spirituall on every faculty of soule and member of our bodies mercies on our names estates families friends those neare and deare to us 3. The constancy of his mercies they are renewed every morning Lament 3.23 Wee are laden daily with benefits Psal 68.19 4. Consider mercies comparatively wee are in health others are sicke we have sight others are blinde we have the Gospell other sit in darknesse c. Thus we see God is glorified by Admiration by Praises Lastly he is glorified by acknowledging him to Men In our Speeches In our Actions In our Sufferings First in our speeches to men 1. By declaring his workes Psal 105.1 2. To instruct our Children that they may praise God Psalme 78 4. 3. To make publicke confession of our sinnes if they have caused publicke scandall Ioshuah 7.19 4. To make publicke confession of Religion being called Psalme 119.46 Read the marginall Note 1 Pet. 3.15 Secondly Wee must glorifie men before God in our Actions 1. By our godly conversation in the generall to do good workes before them to urge them to glorifie God Matthew 5.16 to cause men to say
troope on a sudden to follow them especially women and youth 8. They are most bitter against them that oppose them 9. They ever make a gaine of those silly ones which they seduce 10. Observe them awhile they come to disgrace and deny what they held or else cast it in a new mould and mince it and alter it and tell us they were not rightly understood when the Truth meetes with them then they are put to their shifts and silenced by the verity or authority or both Quest 6 How may a Christian honour the Truth Answ By embracing it in love professing it in sincerity shunning Heresies Schisme Hypocrisie profanenesse Apostacy walking in holinesse humility meekenesse righteousnesse wisedome and patience Of Mercy 1. What Mercy is 2. The mercy of the unreasonable creatures 3. The mercy of men both had man good men 4. The mercy of God 5. Applications to edifie 6. Questions resolved Sect. 1 First what Mercy is MErcy is a pittying of them that are in misery Mercy and Misery are Relatives were there no want nor trespasse there needed no mercy mercy is in the affection or expression in the affection it is tearmed bowels of mercy in the expression workes of mercy Sect. 2 Secondly of the mercy of the unreasonable Creatures THey have a kinde of mercy in their natures to their owne kind or to other kinds First to their owne kind so every Creature with a tendernesse nourishes their yong the Dragons nourish their young and the Beares licke their whelpes to their owne shape and suckle them 2. The creatures shew mercy to other kinds Some say the Lyon preyes not so soone or not at all on the yeelding creatures the Thunder passes over the yeelding Reed and rends the sturdy Oake ‖ D. Bartas The Hawke resting all night by the Larke flyes another way in the morning being gratefully mercifull to the little bird Those that read in naturall Histories can say much of this Sect. 3 Thirdly the mercy of men NAturally we being children of wrath have lost the disposition to mercy wicked men are cruell not mercifull Prov. 12.10 One man is a Wolfe to another unlesse God restraines us Cain and Absolon did kill their owne brothers Hazael and Ravilliack * Ravilliacke killed Henry the fourth their Kings Iudas betrayes his Lord and Master Saul kills all the Priests c. Some are restrained for the good of humane society but all the mercy of a naturall man is for bad ends or constrained The truely mercifull man is the regenerate man these have found mercy from God and are mercifull to others these by meditation or visitation are moved to mercy and exercise it by counselling the ignorant comforting the dejected soule relieving the needy and sometimes their mercy is exercised in forgiving as well as giving Sect. 4 Fourthly of the mercy of God MErcy is essentiall in God Hee is the fountaine of mercy the Father of mercies Here wee may for method consider 1. The cause of Gods mercy no cause in us no cause out of himselfe he hath mercy on whom he will Rom. 9.18 His owne good pleasure is the cause 2. The kinds of mercies his mercies are generall to all or speciall to his elect Math. 5. 1 Tim. 1.15 3. The effects of his mercy is all the good that the Creature doth enjoy all is of mercy not merit 4. The largenesse of his mercy He is great in mercy Psal 119 156. Rich in mercy Ephes 2.4 5. The seasonablenesse of his mercy He shews mercy in due time Ps 9. In the Mount he will be seene Gen. 22.14 When our feet slip his mercy will helpe us Ps 94.18 6. The variety of his mercies on every faculty of our soules and member of our bodies His mercies are multitudes Psal 51.1 7. The constancy of his mercy it is for ever Psalme 136.1 Isai 54.8 Psal 52.1 2. Sect. 5 Fifthly Applications to edifie From the unreasonable creatures 1. IF unreasonable Creatures doe shew mercy to their young ones it condemneth the cruelty of those Harlots that make away their young children or lay them in the streete and leave them they adde to their filthinesse cruelty and are to be ranked among those vile sinners Rom. 1.31 that are without naturall affections Also the Storke and * The young Hart carries water in the mouth to give the old one D Bartas saith Hart shew mercy to their old Dammes and Sires condemning churlish children which are cruell to their old Parents From the wicked 2. If the mercies of the wicked be cruell then never trust to their mercy for there is no assurance thereof pray to God that we fall not into their hands Zedekia's eyes were pulled out so were Sampsons they rip up women with child they burne and destroy where they get the upper hand 3. We may ghesse at a sound professor by his mercy many have great blazes but no mercies pride and pompe and belly-cheere and vanity takes up their hearts and purses they are much for curiosity but little for mercy but a good man is mercifull Psal 37. 1. He considers the poore and needy he judges wisely of their estates Psal 41.1 2. He hath thoughts to doe them good hee devises how to be liberall Isaiah 32. 3. He considers his owne ability Acts 11.29 4. He considers his brothers necessity Rom. 12. 5. Hee lookes to his relation beginning at his center and working toward his circumference as first Among them the houshold of faith Gal. 6.13 Secondly our families 1. Tim. 5.8 Thirdly our Country-men Psalme 122.8 Fourthly the stranger we must do good to all using discretion in our doing good Psal 112. Vse 5 Fifthly is God mercifull this should teach us 1. To praise God for his mercy Psal 136.1 above all mercies for our redemption this mercy was promised Luke 1.72 and in tender mercy performed Luk. 1.78 by this mercy we that were blinde and ignorant are holpen by Christ who is our wisedome we that were guilty are justified by him he is our righteousnesse we that were polluted have him for our holinesse we that were captives have him for redemption 1 Cor 1.30 2. We should imitate God by being mercifull Luk. 6.36 the more mercy the more like God 3. We are to be humble because wee need mercy for we are poore and neede mercy Rev. 3.17 wee are transgressors and neede mercy Isaiah 48.8 4. We should labour for those qualifications that we may be under the promises of mercy and be assured of mercy As these following 1. To confesse our sinnes and forsake them Prover 28.13 2. To feare God his mercy is on them that feare him Luke 1.50 3. To love God hee shewes mercy to them that love him Exod. 20.6 4. To trust in God then mercy shall compasse us Psal 32.10 5. To thinke on good things then wee shall have mercy Prov. 14.22 6. To be mercifull then we shall obtaine mercy Matth. 5.7 7. To keepe close to the
some presumptuous persons imagine but he is also just not clearing the wicked Exod. 34. 2. We shall be sure to have Iustice at the great Sessions for the Lord is just that judgeth Rom. 3. From Iustice past learne 1. To declare the same to our children Psalme 78.5 to 66. verse 2. Take heed of the like sinnes that were punished before lest we be also punished 1 Cor. 10.11 the same causes have the same effects 3. We are the more inexcusable before God and deserve to be made examples that will not take examples When judgements are present learne 1. To acknowledge God the author of them Amos 3.6 Is there any evill in the City and I have not done it 2. To confesse God is just in his dealing Psalme 119 137. 3. That he deales not with us in extremity Lament 3.22 4. We should worke our hearts to repentance Ieremie 18.11 5. Our hearts should be moved with feare Psalme 119.120 6. We should humble our selves and pray 2 Chron. 7.14 From the great judgement to come learne 1. To esteeme highly of the Lord Iesus who saves us from wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 2. Not to be rash in censuring things that doe lye hid now shall be manifested then 1 Cor. 4.5 3. To use our talents well for then we must give up our accounts Matth. 25.19 4. To perswade others as we are able that they may escape with us at that day 2 Cor. 5.11 5. To be frequent in the workes of mercy for that will stand us in stead at that day Iames 2.13 6. To make conscience of every sinne for then every secret shall come to judgement Eccles 12.14 7. Watch and pray now that we may escape then Luke 21. compare verse 27 with 36. 8. To repent speedily and seriously because there is a day of judgement Act. 13.30 31. 9. To grow in love now that we may have boldnesse at that day 1 Iohn 4 17. 10. To account all things dung that we may winne Christ and at that day be clothed with his righteousnesse Phil. 3.9 10. From spâ—rituall judgements learne 1. They are not most happy that doe escape temporall judgements onely 2. Labour for eye-salve and inward moysture and softnesse of heart 3. Pray most against spirituall judgements 4. Honour God with that light you have received lest he give you over to spirituall judgements Rom. 1.21 From temporall judgements learne 1. Sinne brings these evils Psal 107.34 2. Let us judge our selves this is the best way to escape 1 Cor. 11.31 3. The worst members are wicked men in a Church or State it is they that doe pull downe judgements Thus I have declared the Lord my rocke is just and no iniquity is in him Psal 92.16 and I farther conclude from his Iustice 1. That no good shall goe unrewarded for God is not unjust to forget it Heb. 6.10 2. Our sinnes shall be pardoned if we confesse them 1 Iohn 1.9 3. Our prayers shall be heard Psal 143 1. 4. Our wrongs shall be revenged 2 Thess 1.6 Sect. 5 Fifthly Questions answered Quest 1 IS it just to abate workmen as some shop-keepers doe Answ No it is unjust having promised so much in bargaine and the workman deserves so much by labour The master of the vineyard paid what he agreed for and said Mat. 20.13.14 Friend I doe thee no wrong had he given lesse then he bargained for he had done him wrong This pinching of poore men and abating them is from covetousnesse and cruelty and a beginning of oppression Quest 2 May Stewards spend of their masters stocke and yet be just Answ No unlesse for their masters advantage and with their allowance Nor must they if their master allow them to spend a pinte of wine call for a quart but be as frugall for their masters in their bargains as they would be for themselves and save their masters money as they doe their owne because God sees them Quest 3 Is it lâ—wfull for a trad sman to keepe back some stuffe left of a garment because the customer will abate him in his bill Answ Hard miserable paymasters make men unjust and then complaine of others when themselves enforce them yet to keepe backe the stuffe on a supposition of abatement is unjust for it is none of their owne and we are not to withhold the good from the owner Prov. 3.27 he is the owner that bought it not the workman that keeps it Quest 4 Is it just to feast our friends with much cost and in workes of mercy to be very scanty Answ Our workes of mercy should exceed our courtesies Christ saith Invite the poore the maimed the blinde not thy rich neighbours He would have our expence goe in mercy most not in costly feasting Rich men may lawfully feast the rich but if they be often in feasting and seldome and parcimonious in almes then it is not just Quest 7 Is it lawfull to make as much of a commodity as we can is it just so to doe Answ Wee would not have another doe so to us when wee come to buy A reasonable game is just but to worke on the need or ignorance of the buyer by excessive price is unjust Quest 8 Is it just for a private man to neglect his calling and to fall to study Answ If his family want by his absence it is unjust but to spend vacant time which others doe in drinking and gaming then it is just Of such a man I say as the waterman in the boat Sir I pray sit a little more to the right hand anon Sir a little more to the left hand so it may be said to such a man when he neglects his calling Sir a little more to the left hand and when hee is too eager about the world or weary Sir a little more to the right hand your studie will refresh you as the day followes the night and the night followes the day so studie and labour will one sweeten the other Quest 9 Is it just to revenge our wrongs Answ No we are not to recompence evill for evill Rom. 12.19 Because 1. Vengeance doth belong to God Psal 94.1 2. He takes vengeance without perturbations 3. He being the Iudge of the world will take vengeance justly being most wise and most righteous 4. We revenging our wrongs may cause the Lord to spare our enemy and punish us Quest 10 Is it lawfull to love another woman more than the wife because the other is more godly Answ Not with a matrimoniall love the Wife must have the preheminence in the affections above all others because of the nearenesse of relation and covenant in Marriage I may love others as they are Christians but with a sociable love and familiarity I must respect none equall to my wife Quest 11 Is it just to weare brave clothes when men owe more than they can pay Answ Some there are whose clothes are their credit and they are betrusted for their outward shew they may have
miles from us Quest 6 What is the naturall cause of the thunder in the cloud Answ When a hot and dry exhalation meetes with a cold and moyst vapour in the middle region of the Aire and being pend up in a cloud there they fight so the heate breakes out sometimes with more violence sometimes with lesse according to the quantity of the matter or strength of the cloud called the voyce of God Psal 29. Of the Raine 1. Of the naturall cause of the raine 2. God doth dispose of the raine 3. Why raine is kept from us 4. Meanes to obtaine raine 5. The benefit of raine 6. Resolves concerning the Raine Sect. 1 First of the naturall cause of raine THe naturall cause is thus the Sunne exhales moyst vapours up into the aire The Aire hath three Regions the first is very hot neare the element of fire the second is very cold because the Sunne-beames gliding and piercing through it they have not a reflexion so farre backe againe the lower region more warme by reason of the Sun hath reflexion from the earth Now in the middle region are degrees of coldnesse the most extreame sends haile the next snow the next most temperate raine Let me from this naturall cause looke higher to that God which orders nature An ascent and gives power and vertue to the creatures it iâ— hee that covers the heavens with clouds (a) Ps 147.8 and causes them to drop downe fatnesse (b) Ps 65.11 the earth is as Gods garden the sea his Cesterne the clouds his water-pots exhalations raise them up so with sweete showers he waters the earth Sect. 2 Secondly God doth dispose of the raine which appeares by these five arguments 1. IF he pleases he can keepe backe the raine cohibui a vobis imbrem Amos 4.7 Deut. 28.23 I have kept the showres from you saith God it is he that doth make the heaven as brasse and the earth as iron In Elias dayes God kept away the raine three yeares and sixe moneths Iames 5.17 2. If God pleaseth he sendeth the raine Deut. 11 1â— I will give you the raine of your land in due season Zach. 10.1 Aske of the Lord and he will give you rain Psal 147.8 He prepareth raine for the earth 3. He sends raine in his mercy and favour when his sweet showers doe soften the earth Psal 65.12 that food is brought forth for the beasts Psal 147.8 9. 4. He sends raine in Justice as in Noah's time hee opened the windowes of heaven in his wrath Gen. 7.11 This way he both giveth meate aboundantly and also this way he judgeth the Nations Iob 36.29 30 31. 5. None other can give raine not the heavens themselves of their owne accord not the Idols of the heathen it is Gods prerogative royall Ier. 14.22 Sect. 3 Thirdly why raine is kept from us 1. BAcke-slidig binders raine the Prophet doth confesse it in time of great drought Ier. 14.7 2. Flattering preachers that cry peace and sooth up the people in their sinnes and tell them all shall be well Ier. 14 13. 3. The love of sinne Ier. 14.10 They loved to wander therefore came a drought 4. Not harkning to the word of God when men have no list no obedient eares to heare this restraines the raine Deut. 28.15 with 23. verse 5. The sinne may be iâ—â—he Magistrates when as justice is not executed 2. Sam. 2â—â—â— 6.10 verses 6. Notorious wickednâ—sse when men out-stripp their fore-fathers especiâ—â—â— in unlawfull marriages and Idolatry this restraines tâ—â— raine 1. Kings 16.30 31 32 33. compared with 1. King 17.1 Sect. 4 Fourthly the meanes to obtaine raine 1. Confession of sinnes and humiliation this course Ieremiah tooke Ier. 14.7 2. Prayer this way Elias prevailed Iames 5. so in Zach. 10.1 Aske of the Lord raine Arguments in prayer 1. He is a God hearing prayers Psalme 65.2 2. He hath heard others heretofore Psal 22.6 3. He is a Saviour in trouble Ier. 14.8 4. Begge for his owne sake Jer. 14.7 5. He is a God in covenant Ier. 14.21 6. Because it is for his owne glory Ier. 14.21 22. 3. A third meanes is that justice be executed to cut off those which trouble Jsrael and punishes when man is too remisse Judgement executed on earth brings downe raine from heaven 2. Sam. 21.6 4. A fourth meanes is to be dilligent hearers and lovers of Gods word and to become obedient in sincerity then God will give raine Deut. 11.13 14. Deut. 28.1 compared with the twelfth verse By the drought God intends our conversion and reformation Amos 4.7 8. that being wrought we are capable of raine and all blessings Sect. 5 Fifthly the benefit of raine 1. THe Raine softens the earth Psal 65.12 then the husband-man sets his plough to worke 2. The Raine makes the corne and grasse and hearbs and plants to budde and grow to blossome and beare fruit 3. It refresheth the earth as drinke doth him that is thirsty yea the wildernesse where man doth not inhabit 4. In Citties the Raine washes our tiles and cleanses and sweetens our streetes The Dutch-men use raine-water to dresse meat it doth so much good and is so welcome that it makes men sing for joy Psalme 65.13 Sect. 6 Sixthly resolves concerning the raine Quest 1 WHat are the uses we may make when we see the raine to fall Answ 1. To acknowledge God that doth send it 2. If we have prayed for the raine then 1. We should observe the Lord is a God hearing praiers Psal 65.2 2. To love the Lord for hearing us Psal 116.1 3. To render humble praises to the Lord. 4. To take encouragement to pray at other times and for other things 3. If the raine fall unseasonable and immoderate 1. We should humble our selves before God 2. Intreat the Lord to shut the windowes of heaven 3. Renew our repentance and forsake our sinnes 4. Covenant with God not to abuse the fruites of the earth by excesse and wantonnesse 4. When we see the raine to fall on the earth we may fruitfully remember the word is like the raine which we hearing often Isai 55.10 11 Heb. 6.7 8. according to our obedience we shall be blessed and for disobedience accursed Quest 2 How may the raine and Gods word be compared Answ 1. The raine softens the earth Psal 65.10 so the word of God doth soften the heart 2. King 22.19 2. The raine causes gladnesse Psal 65.12 13. so the word brings great joy Psal 119.162 Jer. 15.16 3. Raine makes fruitfull Psal 147.8 so doth the word of God falling on an honest heart Matth. 13.23 Heb. 6.7 4. Raine falling on a lumpe of earth discovers which is earth and which is pibble stones so the word discovers and manifests what we are Heb. 4.13 5. Raine washes and cleanses when it comes so doth the word it sanctifies and cleanses John 17.17 6. Raine cooles us when it comes so doth the word our hot lusts by it are asswaged our hot
rule of Gods word Galat. 6.16 Sect. 6 Sixthly Questions resolved Quest 1 HOw must I shew mercy to them that offend mee Answ There is forgiving mercy that must be practised 1. To have a disposition to forgive without acknowledgement 2. To forgive willingly upon acknowledgement 3. To pray for the offender 4. To be grieved if any crosse befall him 5. To doe him good cheerefully if we can Quest 2 What mercy is to be shewed to beggers at the doore Answ Some hold they are not to be releeved but we have a rule to doe good to all Gal. 6.9 and God causes his Sunne to shine on the evill and good Matth. 5. They must be weaklings not sturdy rogues such as are ready to perish though they be evill their persons must bee nourisht not their evils maintained 't is mercy to instruct them with our reliefe Quest 3 How shall a man obtaine a mercifull heart Answ 1. He must see his neede of Gods mercy and humble himselfe till he feeles Gods mercy towards him 2. He must looke on miseries the heart is much affected by the eye 3. He must put himselfe in the condition of the sicke the prisoner the captive the oppressed the hungry the troubled in minde 4. He must be often in the acts of mercy that by degrees there may be obtained the greater disposition 5. Looke on the example of the mercifull see how mercy doth beautifie them and make them amiable 6. Lay Gods commands to heart Luke 6.36 Bee ye mercifull 7. Consider the estate of the unmercifull They shall have judgement mercilesse Iames 2.13 8. Lastly pray to God to encline the heart to mercy and compassion Aske and yee shall have Matth. 7. Quest 4 What are the benefits of a mercifull heart Answ 1. Mercy makes a man like God Luke 6.36 2. The mercifull have many a prayer for them and they cause God to be praised by many 2. Cor. 9.12 3. The mercifull are under the promise Matth. 5.7 What the broken heart seekes the mercifull heart findes at last that is mercy 4. The mercifull heart hath a mercifull hand so hee sowes seed and hereafter shall have a loyfull harvest 2 Cor. 9.6 5. Whensoever he goes to prayer he shall bee sure to be heard Isai 58.7 8 9 10. Of Justice 1. What Iustice is how t is defined 2. Of the justice of men 3. Of the Iustice of God 4. Applications distributive 5. Questions resolved about Iustice Sect. 1 First what justice is IUstice is to give to every one his owne it is to doe right to keepe equity Justice is either distributive in dealing so 't is communicative justice or distributive in punishing so it is corrective justice Justice is to give neither too much nor too little it is to be exact as a man that shootes which neither shoots over the marke nor short of it nor besides it but hits it just in the middle Sect. 2 Secondly of justice in men IUstice in men is either justice before men or justice before God Justice before men the heathen attaine to pay that they owe not to wrong their neighbour in dealing A heathen buyes a commodity of a Christian merchant and going away opens his wares and findes money he brings it backe to the Christian and saith I bought the wares not the money 't is unjust to me to keepe it Justice before God is legall or Evangelicall Legally just was never any but Adam in innocencie and Christ that just one who fulfilled all righteousnes Evangelicall justice is that when a sinner being justified by imputation of Christs justice labours for inherent justice by the vertue of the regenerating spirit in him the indeavouring after justice is called justice through Gods acceptation Sect. 3 Thirdly of the Iustice of God GOd is Justice 't is essentiall with God to be just The Lord is just Psal 92.15 Zephaniah 3.5 Hee is just in his decrees just in the execution of his decrees just in his government of the world just in all his punishments and judgements Hee is the judge of all the world the Lord of all just in himselfe just in his Lawes just in his rewards just in his punishments His Justice in punishing may bee considered five wayes 1. His justice past on Angels and on men on Angels his justice fell totally irrecoverably on men a world of them felt his justice at once onely Noah and his family excepted Cities have beene punished as Sodom Gomorra Admah Zeboim Families as Achans and Ieroboams Persons as Ananias Zaphira and Herod 2. His justice present for no age escapes without some demonstration of justice we or others feele Plague Warre or Famine decay of trade fearefull fires inundation of waters earth-quakes civill combustion and uproares among the people c. 3. His justice to come in this world or the next world there shall be a great Sessions and justice shall bee executed without all evasions bribes or shirts 4. Consider Gods justice spâ—rituall as a blinde man Isai 6.10 A hard heart Psal 81.12 A Reprobate sence The spirit of slumber Rom. 11.8 5. His justice and judgements are temporall on our bodies goods or names Deut. 28. Levit. 26. Sect. 4 Fourthly Applications distributive 1. IF jâ—stice be to doe right then away with all injustice if we do not God will away with us Mat. 7.23 discedite a me Awaâ— from mee ye that worke iniquity the unjust like â—ewd sonnes shal be dis-inherited 1 Cor. 6.9 'T is a plaine case all know it Know ye not saith St. Paul the unjust shall not inherit the Kingdome of heaven 2. This shoâ—ld provoke us to labour to be just to get faith that so we may be just before God clothed with Christs righteousnesse To get an honest heart and good conscience that we might practise justice To honour superiors this is right Ephes 6.1 To pay what we borrow and what we bargaine for to slander no man to be diligent in our places faithfull where wee are betrusted to sell a penny-worth for a penny to keepe just weights and measures to kâ—epe promises as we are able to love our wives with a matrimoniall love above all to exercise our gifts in our families to be courteous to strangers a comfort to the afflicted to bee gratefull for favours received to bee peaceable among neighbours all this is right to fit our actions to the occasions to live within our compasse preserve the meane it will preserve us this is just equall and right That we may be quickned to labour for justice in dealing take these motives 1 We shall be conformable to our head Iâ—sus Christ who was that just one 2. The Lord delights in them that deale justly 3. It is the way to honour Justice is of an exalting nature and makes a man to flourish 4. The fruit of Justi e is peace Isay 22. 5. The righteous shall be saved and have glory in heaven Matth. 13. Lessons from Gods Justice 1. God is not all of mercy as