Body must be in a thousand Places at once and now what say you unto all this Paulus I see now as you say that this opinion is oppugnant unto Scripture Reason and our three senses viz. Seeing Smelling and Tasting I wish with all my heart that I could stay a little longer with you for the benefit which I have received from you is unconceivable but I am sent for an Errand and therefore cannot yet if you please to inform me where you dwell and what is your name I shall thereby be much obliged unto you Evangelus That you shall my friend I dwell in such and such a place my name is so and so READER AS Concerning this young man being so willing to defer his Repentance unto an old Age was the main Suggestion which did keep him off from Closing with Jesus Christ of whom is shadowes in this Dialogue and signified by Paulus together with his beleeving that God was more glorified by an old Convert than by a young one but when you come to understand how God dealt with this young man in bringing him off from all those letts and Impediments by which he was kept from Closing with Christ you will admire it being in form following This young Man as aforesaid being much molested with Temptations of that kinde One day above the rest a Small-coal man going along the streets did measure some thereof unto a Customer who having no sooner done it but he immâ—â—â—â—tely fell down dead although he was as well as I am now at this present writing which being noised abroad and many coming to see him he made one who seeing him to lie dead on the ground was amazed especially when he understood the suddenness thereof Thus after a little Contemplation upon him he goes home falling down upon his knees saying to God Lord have mercy upon me and this was all he could say for an hour together somtimes it was Lord have mercy upon me a sinner and pardon my sins thus continuing for the space of many weeks despairing of Gods mercy to his soul and being also convinced of his former ignorance he is now glad to receive good Counsel from any body his minde and will being changed makes him to believe that there is salvation only in Christ and looks now upon all his duties as a Pauls indeed accounting them but dross and dung compar'd with our Lord Christ. But one day more than the rest praying to God does earnestly beg of him for a pardon of all his sins Thus Expostulating with God for the attainment thereof Lord saith he Thou hast given a Pardon unto some and why not unto me what way and course therefore may I take for the obtainment of the same and immediately at his request after the performance of duty the Lord was pleased to give in this Text of Scripture Isa. 55.7 Let the wicked for sake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon from hence he gathers hopes of Gods mercy unto his soul but in temptations his hopes vanished away again as to those other Scriptures which the Lord was pleased to hanâ— forth unto him for his stay and comfort in his journey to the heavenlâ— Ierusalem is conteined in the ensuinâ— Dialogue And observe what now treateth oâ— him is about his converted estate being the second Part. The End of the First Part. The Second Part being YOUTH in his unconverted state AEtatis suae 16. Evangelus WELL met Friend how is it with you now Paulus Now I wonder at my self how â—â—norant I have bin and especially â—f my being so unconcern'd with my 〈◊〉 estate as I have Evangelus Yea Friend when God is pleased to 〈◊〉 a sinner a sight of his fearful 〈◊〉 out of Christ he is startled and 〈◊〉 amazed at the consideration of 〈◊〉 former security therein Paulus I have found it so blessed be God 〈◊〉 you Evangelus And blessed be God also for that â—rovidence which brought us then to gather and which now has vouchsafed another like opportunity wherein we may confer about the things of another world how therefore my friend haâ— God dealt with you since I last parted from you Paulus God I hope has blessed what then you said unto me the verity of which has bin set home by a speciaâ— and extraordinary Act of Providence Evangelus What kinde of Providence I pray friend has been exercised towards you since I last saw you Paulus That Sir which the Lord was pleased to hand forth unto me by you your self in answer unto those two suggestions wherewith I was heretofore troubled has bin seconded by the sudden death of a poor Small-coal-man Evangelus How I pray Paulus He was going along the streets who was measuring of a few Smallâ—oal to one of his Customers did â—â—mediatâ—ly fall down dead alâ—hough he was as well as now you â—nd I are in body that the sight of â—is dâ—ath together with the suddenâ—ess thereof did startle me and shewâ—d thâ— vanity of protracting and deâ—erring time and repentance as I â—id Evangelus Oh! Glory unto the Father Son and Holy Ghost be ascribed for ever Oh â—ow is your heart affected with this Paulus I am so unsatisfiâ—d in minde as that does render me very incapable â—f performing any service unto God Evangelus Be sure you give not present Enterâ—ainment unto any thing suggested â—ithout special examination what is 〈◊〉 therefore in which you are unsaâ—â—sfied Paulus In Gods mercies Evangelus How so for when you knew nothingâ— you could then render unto me Godâ— mercy as grounds sufficient on whicâ— you built your hopes of salvationâ— Then my friend you had no cause sâ— to to do but now you have I darâ— say Paulus I do suppose it is all one for thatâ— inform me I pray you then how I may come to obtain Gods favour and grace for I find as once you tolâ— me that I have lost it in Adam Evangelus Friend as Gods favour was lost in Adam so it is found in Chriâ—t seeâ— therefore the favour of God iâ— anâ— through Christ. Paulus I must first come to Christ and receive him before I can make use of him to reconcile me unto God wheras my faith is weak and will not as yet lead me unto him Evangelus Does that faith which thou hast assent to Gods Essence and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Paulus Yea I think it does so if my heart deceives me not Evangelus Well if so then you have that which will commend you to Iesus Christ and not only commend you unâ—o him but likewise that which will â—nable you to receive him see Heb. 6.1 For he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him Paulus God will I see make use of you to do my soul
days of your Youth Consider I pray you these following things First Consider your Youth God requires Eccl. 12.1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth Secondly it is a Question whether you may live to an old Age which if not what will become of you Thirdly grant that you live to an old Age it is a Question whether the day of grace may last so long Fourthly if the day of grace should last so long it is a question whether you will not through the pains and imbecilities of old Age be rendred incapable to serve God Fifthâ—y Consider you may serve God when it is too late but you can never serve him too soon Paulus Verily this is true I cannot deny it but do you not think that God is more glorified by an old Convert then by a young Evangelus When you have such suggestions as these endeavor to make them abortive at their birth for any will tell you that there is nothing more acceptable unto God then when a young man offers up the Flower of his Age unto him yea and what does conduce more unto Gods glory then the same Paulus Well I am now convinc'd of my folly especially of confiding in good works for salvation Evangelus Well bless God for it and now seeing through infinite mercy an insufficiency in good works to save you what think you of God Paulus Why I think that he is a Spirit Evangelus He is so my friend and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Paulus This I knew a great while ago Evangelus Very good are there more Gods then one Paulus Yâ—a surely there must be three Gods God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost Evangelus Know Friend that thou art wofully ignorant for though there be three Persons in the Godhead yet thâ—se three are but one in substance all this while there is but one individual Deity as the Fire does contain in it three Properties 1. It s self 2. Heat 3. Light So though there be but three ways of subsisting in the Godhead yet all this while it is but individual Paulus Pray Sir is there any Scripture for this Evangelus Yea Scripture enough see Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord Isa. 44.6 I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no God Isa. 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the Earth for I am God and there is none else So 2 Cor. 8.4 5 6. and Eph. 4.5 1 Tim. 2.5 Paulus I confess these Scriptures do hit me for how many times have I read the Bible over and yet do not remember these places Evangelus You minded then well what you read for certainly if you had read diligently and with a desire to know you would have given a more pertinent Answer to such a Fundamental and Practical Point of Divinity as this But this is not all our Souls are spirits Angels are spirits and the Dâ—vils are spirits what difference is thâ—â—â— then between God and these Paulus Why I suppose he is bigger then all of them Evangelus Bigger then all of them this is no solid Answer God he is an increated Spirit all others are created God he is an infinite Spirit all others are finite Paulus Nay this is very good Evangelus Well I am glad you like it but what difference is there between the Devils and the Angels Paulus Why I suppose they are both Spirits and both Angels only the Angels in Heaven are the good Angels and the Devils are the evil ones Evangelus Thou sayest right the Devils thâ—â— are now in Hell were once righteous Angels but through pride and malice they are now become of all creatures the most miserable but where do the Devils inhabit Paulus I suppose the Devils do dwell in Hell it being a Place prepared for them and the wicked Evangelus The habitation of the Devils is partly in Hell and partly in the Air The Devils do dwell in the Air unto the Day of Iudgement and usurping the same on purpose that they might rule in the hearts of men But what difference is there between the spirits and our souls for our souls you know are spirits Paulus Nay I believe now you ask me that which you cannot answer your self Evangelus Think not so friend for the Angels were the firsâ— Creatures that God made whereas our souls are not the Angels are not covered with flesh but our souls are the Angels are perfect spirits but our souls through union with their bodies are imperfect and impure but enough of this what think you now of Iesus Christ Paulus Who is Jesus Christ why he is the Son of God Evangelus It is true my friend he is so for God the Father testifies it Mat. 3.17 The Chuâ—ch acknowledgeth it Matth. 16.16 And the Devils confess it Luke 4.41 But who do you think of these were first God the Father or God the Son Paulus There is a question indeed surely the Father must be before the Son Evangelus Yea friend that is true it is so in natural generation but here it is not for Christ Iesus is co-eternal with his Father and equal with him in Power and Glory Paulus This will not stand by reason Evangelus Divine Mysteries are not to be apprehended by carnal reason for he who would see by an eye of Faith must shuâ— out the eye of Reason and what think you now of the Holy Ghost Paulus Why I suppose he is God too is he not Evangelus Yes he is so see 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father Word and Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus Nay this is very evident you bring Scripture I say to prove what you say Evangelus Well if so be you do believe what I have said concerning the blessed Trinity say with me God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Paulus God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost and these three are one Evangelus Right what think you now of the Creation of the World did God make the World of somthing or of nothing Paulus Of somthing surely for out of nothing nothing can be made Evangelus Friend what do you think Creation signifies Paulus Truly I know not very well Evangelus Why it signifies a making all things of nothing Paulus Say you so Evangelus Yea and have you not read that the World was made only by the especial word of his Power not that we should understand that any word did really proceed from God but only that he will'd it Paulus Did God do you say only speakâ— thâ— word and was this World made I cannot believe this except you bring me Scripture Evangelus If Scriptures will convince you I 'le bring you Scriptures enough See Psal. 33.9 For he spake and it was done he commanded and it
good but what do you think now of my Condition Evangelus Why I do believe that thou art an â—lected Vessel Paulus What is the reason do you think â—hen that I should be all this while without an assurance of Gods Loâ—â— and mercy to my poor soul. Evangelus Wait and thou shalt have it anâ— consider well this Scripture being Maâ— 9.17 Neither do men put new winâ— into old bottles else the bottles break and the wine runneth out and the bottle perish but they put new wine into neâ— bottles and both are preserved Froâ— which I would have you to note thaâ— though God has his saving work iâ— your soul yet many corruptions therâ— are unsubdued which must be mortiâ—fied before he sees it meet and convenient to give you assurance nay untiâ— then perhaps God sees you uncapablâ— as to the management thereof Paulus Blessed be God also for this gooâ— Counsel and Advice Evangelus If it has proved so to be I desiâ—â— to bless God likewise Paulus Sir being in haste I must bid yoâ— farewel but I shall consider upon what you have said Evangelus Farewel then but I hope I shall see 〈◊〉 again Paulus That you shall for I cannot 〈◊〉 â—ee you now and then YOUTH in his CONEâ—â—â—â— Etatisâ—uae 18. Evangelus OH my good friend how glad aâ— I to meet with you for I will aâ—â—sure thee thou hast been much upâ—â— my heart where has been your aboâ—â— all this while that I have sought you â—â— frequently but could never have tâ—â— happiness to finde you until now Paulus Whether Good Sir you aâ— glad to see me I know not but I aâ— sure I am glad to see you for mâ— wants and indigencies are innumâ— rable and how to express them unâ— any other but your esteemed selâ— I know not in regard that heretoâ— fore you have been very beneficiâ— unto mee In the like strait thâ— now I am in wherefore worthâ— Sir if the presenâ— opportunity do serve as well for you as it does â— â—e Administer something of Comâ—rt unto me I pray you Evangelus It is a duty my friend incumbent â—pon those who are Preachers of the Gospel to imitate their Lord and Saâ—iour and to tread those same steps â—herein he before them did tread who â—lways made the extremity of sinners â—is opportunity to do his Fathers Work â—nd the like must I speak on therefore â—nd welcom Paulus I am in such misery that I know â—ot what to do my Condition is â—ch that I am asham'd to make â— known and my crimes are so horâ—id that for a great time I have conâ—ealed them and loth I am still to diâ—ulge and bring them to Light Oh! â—herefore pity me pity me Evangelus Why dost thou say thou art in such misery as that thou knowest not what to do I can't chuse but give â—hee a check for saying thus upon these several respects First we ought not to despair â— long as we have a God which indeâ— we have 1 Sam. 17.46 Secondly there is no malady so râ— mediless but God can apply a Remeâ— thereto no wound so sore but God caâ—â—eal no misery so anxious and irrâ— coverable in our apprehensions but â— can extinguish the anguish thereâ— heals it and makes that which is iâ— possible with us possible with himselâ— Gen. 18.14 There is no misery thâ— side of Hell and the Grave but Goâ— out of his infinite free grace hath apâ— pointed some proper means for thâ— same viz. hearing and reading thâ— Word for the unconverted Prayer anâ— receiving of the Sacrament for thâ— weak in Gifts and Graces and Chrisâ— unto all in general who will receivâ— him by faith Mat. 11.28 Thirdly why doest thou say thaâ— thy condition is such as that thou arâ— ashamed to make known was not aâ— our conditions once sâ— for a natural condition is a damnable cursed and ignominious condition Eph. 3. Fourthly why doest thou make the aggravations of thy sins as an Argument to conceal them whenas God in his Word has said He that hideth his sins shall not prosper Finally David used the aggravations of his sins as an Argument with God to Pardon them Paulus Do you think good Sir that I am not a miserable creature when the Sin against the Holy Ghost is imputed to me Evangelus This is a cunning stratagem of the Devil for those who have committed this sin have never the Gift of Repentance their hearts are so hard as that they cannot mourn and indeed the great reason rendred why the sin against the Holy Ghost is unpardonable is because there 's no repentance for the same bat now this is not thy case Paulus Ah but you do not know the misery that I am in Evangelus You cry out of your misery but you do not tell mee wherein it does consist Paulus My misery I would fain express but I cannot I see therefore that this opportunity will prove to be a lost opportunity unto my soul and O wretched man as I am That I should make a Non-Improvement of those precious seasons which might be so exceeding advantagious unto me I shall only now desire of you to appoint another time wherein I shall to the utmost if God willing lay open my deplorable Condition unto you Evangelus But heark you my friend do not think that I can be put off with such a frivolous excuse as this shall we meet together and go away without profit to each other this is a temptation of the Devil therefore adhere not to it Paulus Sir business does call me home and I am also under such an indisposition of body as that I cannot talk any longer with you Evangelus What then shall we not pray before we part if you will I 'le joyn with you Paulus No Good Sir do you and I will joyn with you A PRAYER Performed by the MINISTER O Most Glorious and Gracious Lord God from everlasting to everlasting thou art the great Creator of Heaven and Earth and the wise Disposer of all things which thou hast made We the most unworthiest of all thy servants do desire to prostrate our selves before thy Divine Majesty under an humble acknowledgment of thy Goodness thy Grace thy Truth and Faithfulness thy many mercies renewed continued every day to us and our great unworthiness of the least of them We are not worthy of the crumbs that fall from thy Table not only because we were born in sin but because we have liv'd in sin and have daily added to our sinnes by the vanity of our thoughts words and actions and the unsuâ—â—ableness of the whole man to all thy Commands We are ignorant of them yea we have digged to our selveâ— Cisterns that will hold no water Wâ— have doubted of thy Promises broken thy Laws polluted thine Ordinances Profan'd thy Sabbaths abused thy Mercies slighted thy Iudgements sinned against the light of our own Consciences against Grace receiv'd against the motions of