worse soften or harden you will bring you neerer to Heaven or Hell and will be either the savour of life or death to you 2 Cor. 2.16 Secondly As you are entring into the publick Assemblies to think and say with Jacob How dreadful is this place It is no other than the Gate of Heaven to set your selves in the presence of the great God and carry your selves there with all fear and reverence seeing there are not only Men but the Angels and the Great and Holy God to take notice both of your inward and outward behaviour And see you stay and not depart without the Blessing Thirdly After the publick Assemblies as you go home to meditate on what you have heard when you come home search the Scriptures whether things are so to repeat and confer with those in your Family about it to press the remembrance and practise of what you have heard on your selves and them after this to go apart and spend the rest of the day in Examination what you have profited and in meditation on the Word and Works of God and that Eterâ—â—â— Sabbath you are to celebrate hereafter in Heaven where you shall keep a Sabbath not only without weariness but with infinite delight and then conclude the Sabbath with prayer and praise pray for a blessing on the truths made known to you and for the pardon of all those infirmities you have discovered before in and after duty in publick private or secret and that God would accept of your weak endeavours and unfeigned desires to honour him in and for the all-meritorious Intercession's sake of Jesus Christ And then praise God for one Sabbath more liberty of communion with Him his Presence with you assistance of you and blessing of his Ordinances to you and so end the day as you began it As you gave Him the first of your thoughts when you rose so give Him the last of your thoughts when you lie down that so your dreams may savour of your Sabbath-days exercises Thirdly After the Sabbath to hold forth in your lives and conversations all you have heard and prayed for that so the blessing of the Sabbath may bring a blessing on all your labours the Week following Amen The Second Duty is Prayer to God And here First before Prayer to meditate First On the infinite distance between God and you as Creatures especially such finful Creatures Eccles 5.2 Secondly To make your addresses to the Throne of Grace only in the Name Worthiness and Mediation of Jesus Christ Col. 3.17 Thirdly To take notice of the special sins you are to confess the evils you are to â—â—precate or pray against the good things you are to Petition and the Mercies you are to return thanks for Fourthly Because we know not how to pray as we ought To beg the Spirit of Grace and Supplication to help your infirmity and keep your hearts close to Him in duty Fifthly To remember that we pray for all men especially for Kings and all that are in Authority 1 Tim. 2.2 3. and for all Saints Eph. 6.18 Secondly In the time of Prayer remember to do it with humility and reverence Heb. 12. end In sincerity and truth John 4.24 With feeling and servency James 5.16 17. and in faith and love Heb. 11.6 1 Tim. 2.8 Thirdly After Prayer to look-after an Answer Live what you have prayed and labour in the use of the means for that you have prayed as you are commanded Prov. 2.3 4. The Third Duty is Hearing the Word First Before Hearing remember whom you go to hear not only Man but God who speaks in and by Man 2 Cor. 5.20 Secondly Because man can but speak to the Ear beg the Lord to give his Spirit that may speak to the heart Thirdly That the Spirit may make the Word effectual to the end God hath appointed it take heed you come not with prejudice against the Minister or the Word spoken by him James 1.21 1 Peter 2.1 Fourthly That you endeavour to bring humble honest and upright hearts to the hearing of the Word Luke 8.15 Micah 2.7 Doth not my word do good to him that walks uprightly Secondly In the time of Hearing First To set your selves in the special presence of God and remember He observes not only your outward but inward carriages with what hearts every one comes and sits before him 1 Sam. 16.17 Ezek. 33.31 Secondly To attend heedfully to the things that are spoken as Lydia did Acts 16. Thirdly To apply particularly what is spoken not to others but to your selves as John's hearers did Luke 3.10 Because what is spoken to one is intended to all Mark 13. last and unless it be applyed by faith it will not profit Heb. 4.11 Thirdly After Hearing First To discourse of what you have heard and not as the manner of too many is to talk presently of other Persons and Things Secondly To search the Scripture with the noble Beraeans whether things be so or no Acts 17.11 Thirdly To work all into your hearts and lives by Meditation Prayer and Practise because the promise of a blessing runs only to such Psal 103.17 and Luke 11.28 Otherwise without practise every Sermon will be preacht over by God and Conscience again at the last Day with such horror and terror as you will never be able to hear it John 12.48 The Fourth Duty is Reading of the Scriptures First Before it to think what a great blessing it is to enjoy this blessed Book and have liberty to look into it when 't is denied to many others not only amongst the Papists but amongst us through their own and their Parents neglect of learning them to read Secondly To remember that this is a duty that lies upon all Persons private as well as publick People as well as Ministers both to read the Scriptures First In respect of the express command of God Mal. 4.4 John 5.39 Col. 3.16 Secondly In respect of the great benefit and comfort that comes by it 2 Tim. 3. the 3 last Rom. 15 41. Psal 1.2 Revel 1.3 Thirdly In reading First To lift up an Ejaculation for understanding of it praying with David Psal 119.18 Open my eyes that I may see the wondrous things of thy Law Secondly To read with Application as David Psal 40.8 It 's written of me that I should do thy will It was no where written so of David in particular only he applied the general command to his particular Thirdly After reading with David also to hide God's Word in your heart Psal 119.11 And see that you order your conversation according to it Vers 9. The Fifth Duty is Receiving the Lord's Supper First Before it to see whether you can finde your selves in a state of grace and that you have those Sacramental graces of knowledge faith repentance obedience love and an appetite to this Ordinance all which are required to qualifie and fit Souls for communion with Jesus Christ in that Ordinance This duty of Self-examination you may see
the Spiritualness of Duty the middle of the Page P. 12. leave out The lives P. 49. after ruder put in the Old Covenant P. 94. for Joel r. Jonah 3.7 8. P. 132. for providing r. propagating the Gospel P. 136. at the bottom after Satan put in That he did not Cause you to abuse him P. 138. after mentioned leave out to sin P. 159. for ruâ— r. run P. 160. for converting r. conquering P. 197. for misericordis r. misericordia P. 274. for conversation r. conversion P. 260. for Scriptures r. Creatures To see the Creatures A SYNOPSIS O. R Body of Practical Divinity In Order To the begetting preserving and increasing of the Life and Power of Godliness in the hearts and lives of Professors c. Psal 104.34 My Meditation of Him shall be sweet CHAP. I. AMongst all Religious Duties there is none more necessary profitable and comfortable to a Christian than Divine Meditation and yet no duty that Christians are less acquainted with more backward to and careless of than that I have therefore made choice of this Subject to speak unto and the more fully that I might thereby quicken my self and you to the more frequent practise of it and the rather because Experience shews it to be the life and soul of Religion Without Meditation a Christian is but the Carkass of a Christian it 's as easie for a Man to live without a Heart as a Christian to live a spiritual life without Meditation And because some complain of scarcity or want of matter others of plenty or too much matter and others of distraction or want of Method I shall endeavour therefore to select the choisest things for Meditation through the body of Divinity and reduce them to their several heads that so how-ever you cannot remember them all yet you may have them still before your Eyes and go on in the meditation of them day after day or choose out such heads as your present Exigencies most call for But first of all before I enter on the particular heads of Meditation I shall open to you the nature of it and press upon you the practise of it For the connexion of the words take it briefly thus The whole Psalm is no other than a Meditation of David's on God's Attributes and Works In the first Verse you have his Meditation on God's Attributes In the 2d Verse to the 26. you have his Meditation on God's Works first of Creation and then of Providence First His works of Creation and here on the work of every day as for Example the first day God made the Light and that you have in the second Verse the second day he made the Heavens Verse the second the third day he made the Earth and the Water and that you have Vers the 5 to the 19 the fourth day he made the Sun the Moon and the Stars and this you have Verse the 19 to the 25 the fifth day he made the Sea and the Fish in it and this you have in the 25th Verse the sixth day he made Man and the Beasts of the Earth and this you have in the midst of the rest Vers 14 15 16. Secondly Having meditated on the works of Creation next he proceeds to the works of his Providence Vers 26. to the 31. And from the consideration of all these glorious Attributes and Works of God breaks out into Gratulation Meditation Affection and Supplication First Gratulation Verse 31 32 33 Meditation and Affection Verse the 34 and Supplication Verse the last That which I have made choice of to treat on is Meditation Verse the 34. Whence the Observation is obvious to all Doct. That It is the property of Saints to meditate on God and the things of God For the more profitable opening of it we shall enquire into these things 1. What Meditation is 2. The Kinds of it 3. Prove the Point 4. Give you the Grounds of it and then 5. Apply it First What Meditation is The word in the original hath a double signification it 's rendered sometimes Meditation and sometimes Speech So some translates it but our last and the most Meditation and so I shall handle it This duty is several ways expressed in the Scripture as for instance First Sometimes Remembring as Psal 63. Vers 6. When I remember thee on my Bed explained by the following words and meditate on thee in the Night Watches Secondly Sometimes it 's call'd A thinking on God Psal 48.9 We have Thought upon thy loving kindness O God Sometimes A musing on God Psal 143. Vers 5. I muse upon the work of thine hands Q. But what is it A. In the general no other than The fixing of our thoughts upon a thing or A serious musing on it that we may the better understand it and be more affected with it So as there are two special Acts in it First One direct upon the thing meditated on and the Second reflect upon the Person meditating The first is an act of the mind or the contemplative part of the understanding the second is an act of the conscience applying the thing unto a man's self The end of the first is to enlighten of the second to better the soul Secondly For the kinds It is either deliberate and solemn or occasional and sudden First Deliberate and Solemn is when we solemnly set apart some time and sequester our selves from all company to think upon some spiritual matter for the better informing of our judgments warming of our affections and reforming our lives as that of David in the 119 Psalm Secondly Occasional and sudden is that which is occasioned by such outward objects as by the providence of God are offer'd unto our senses as that Psal 8. Vers 3 4. When I consider c. First of deliberate and solemn Meditation I shall open it a little further to you and therein shew you a little more clearly What this is and That this is the property of the Saints The grounds of it and then Apply it First It may be described thus A serious fixing of our thoughts upon some thing with a particular application of it to our selves so as to be affected with it and frame our lives according to it First I say it is a serious fixing of our thoughts upon a thing not a slight and transient thought but a fixed and dwelâ—ing thought Psal 119. My meditation shall be of thee all the day Vers 97. Secondly with particular application of into our selves like the good Houswife Proverbs 31. 16. She considereth a Field and buyeth it so gracious Souls consider of this and that spiritual subject and appropriate it that is lay it to their heart as it is expressed Isaiah 57.1 The righteous are taken away from the evil to come and no man lays it to heart And Malachy 2.2 If you will not lay it to heart c. Thirdly so as to be affected with it Psal 39.3 Whilst I was musing the fire burned Psal 119 50. This is
when God will avenge himself upon all the enemies of his Church and People Luke 18. beginning So as Joshua dealt with the five Kings of Canaan God will deal with all the Enemies of his People command them to be brought forth and make his Saints to tread on the necks of their Enemies Rev. 17.6 and render tribulation to all that have troubled them 2 Thess 1.6 Thirdly A Day of Exultation When the Saints shall exult and tryumph over all those that have over them here Psal 44.14 in the morning the Just shall have dominion over the wicked 3. In respect of their Friends it will be a day of mutual association and hearty congratulation for at that day there shall be a meeting not only of Soul and Body but all godly Parents and Children Husbands and Wives Masters and Servants Friends and Acquaintance that have loved lived and dyed in the Lord never to part any more but delight in one the other yea a meeting of all the Holy Patriarks Prophets Apostles Martyrs Saints that ever have been in the World and which is still more of all the glorious Angels and which is the sum of all the most sacred and ever blessed Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity Father Son and Holy Ghost 4. The most comfortable day in respect of themselves because it will be a day of Redemption Exaltation Remuneration 1. A day of Redemption from all sin and misery not onely of their Souls but of their Bodies Rom. 8.23 Whence that of our Saviour Luke 21.28 When you see these things lift up your heads for the day of your Redemption draweth nigh The word in the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an emphasis in it and imports not only a Redemption from misery but a restoration to liberty a day of Exaltation to the highest degrees of Glory for when Christ shall appear they shall appear in Glory Col. 3.4 and such Glory as will make him and them to be admired 2 Thess 1.10 When the Angels that minister to them in life and death shall then perform the greatest office to them gather together the Elect from the four quarters of the Earth and separate them from all further communion with the wicked take them up into the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air 1 Thess 4. and set them at his right Hand to be Accessors with him in judgment upon the wicked World such honour have all his Saints 1 Cor. 16.1 and more then so and which is more then all hearts can conceive but they that feel it they shall be welcomed by the Lord Jesus Christ with that ravishing imbracement and extatical leaps of their rejoycing hearts at the pronunciation of that blessed Sentence Come ye Blessed c. And immediately after usher'd along by the Angels with Jubilees and Songs of Tryumph through the Clouds into the Presence Chamber of the King of Kings and there ever be with the Lord 1 Thes 4.27 3. A day of Remuneration when God will crown his own grace with glory and will render to every one according to his works Rev. 14.13 Rev. 22.12 When God will reward all the Fasts you have kept all the Prayers you have made all the Tears you have shed all the good Works you have done all the Evils you have suffered all the Offices of Love and Kindness you have shewed to him and his Mat. 10. last Then the Crown shall be set upon your Heads the Royal Robe of Christ put on your backs all see and know you have not serv'd God for nought that in keeping of his Commandments there 's great reward even an exceeding excessive and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 10. And Lastly Meditate on what we may do to escape the terror of that day and enjoy the comfort of it Q. What is that A. To observe and make Conscience of those duties the Scriptures hold forth in reference to that day As 1. In general to prepare for it expresly required Mat. 24.44 Be ye also prepared for in an hour ye think not will the Son of Man come And this Exhortation you may find backed with a double Argument the first drawn from the blessed estate of such as are prepared vers 49 50. Q. But how are we to prepare for Judgement A. 1. By being diligent that we may be found of him in peace the use the Apostle teacheth you to make of it 2 Pet. 3.14 That is to see your peace be made with God in and through Jesus Christ of your Enemy he be made your Friend Ephes 2.14 2. You are also to give diligence that you may be found of the Lord without spot or blemish as he further exhorts vers 14. That is That you endeavour to get the guilt of sin and the spots of sin to be washt away in the Blood of Christ 1 John 1.7 That you break off also all and every sin by speedy and unfeigned repentance the use the Scripture teacheth us to make of this day Acts 3.18 19. Repent that your sins may be blotted out when the time of refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord c. see Acts 17.30 to the end 3. To erect every one a Tribunal in his Conscience it being the end wherefore God puts Conscience within every one and having done so to search out after every Malefactor against God to apprehend accuse judge and do execution upon every sin and then the promise is if we remember he 'l forget if we confess he 'l forgive if we judge our selves he 'l not condemn us with the World 1 Cor. 11.32 4. To get and furnish our Lamps with Oyl to wit the Oyl of Grace and to trim them that exercise those Graces that so you may be ready to enter with the Bridegroom whensoever he shall come to call for you Matth. 25.10 Amongst others be sure you have these three Graces in Act and Exercise 1. A filial fear to sin against God The more you fear sin the less you 'l fear judgment therefore tremble to sin now that you may not tremble at judgment hereafter this use the Scripture teacheth you to make of it 1 Pet. 1.17 Rev. 14.7 Eccles last last 2. Get an unfeigned love to God and the godly for if our love be perfect or true we shall have boldness in the day of judgment 1 John 1.17 3. Look to the sincerity and uprightness of your heart in all your wayes For if our hearts condemn us not then we have confidence towards God 1 John 3.21 That is We should stand with boldness before the Judge but on the contrary if our Conscience condemn us the Judge will much more vers 20. and therefore herein I exercise my self to have a Conscience void of offence sayes the Apostle Acts 24.14 15. Why you may see 2 Cor. 5.8 9 10. We must all appear before the Judgment-Seat of Christ c. 5. You must be willing to stand up for and make a bold confession and profession of
worse but not a better man he may conceit himself a better man and the men of the World may esteem him the better for his abundance of these things his high Place his brave Apparel his great Revenues but God esteems no man the better for these things Job 34.19 Job 36.19 2. They cannot profit or better the Soul hurt it they may and do as for instance 1st They keep them from looking after piety Luke 14.18 2ly They distract them in duty Ezek. 33.31 3ly It makes them unfruitful in duty Mat. 13.22 They may better his outward condition he may eat more and go finer and lie easier but they cannot better his inward condition help to Pardon or Peace Grace or Glory Thou and thy Money perish with thee that thinkest the Gift of God may be purchased with Money said Peter to Simon Magus Acts 8.20 God will not give away his Graces as the Indians do their Gold for Gaudes and Rattles Toyes and Trifles 3. Unprofitable to the Body Can Honour or Wealth buy Health or get a stomach to meat or procure ease rest and sleep No we find by experience the contrary he that hath most of these outward things can but eat and drink and cloath himself and so doth a poor man and with more comfort and contentment many times then the Rich and hath usually a a better appetite to his meat and more sweet sleep after his labour Eccl. 5.11 Job 20.22 4. Unprofitable likewise to his Posterity How often have you seen after that men have toyled and turmoiled in the World all their dayes for their Children their Children to be either suddenly snatcht away from their Wealth or their Wealth from their Children How often have you seen the Proverb made good Covetous men have either Prodigals or Fools to their Children such as either presently consume it away or are soon cheated of all If you would observe it you may find many Parents bewailing their folly at the last that they have toyled so much in the World for such wicked and rebellious Children and many Children cursing the time that ever their Parents left them so great and ill-gotten Estates according to that Job 21.19 5. However they may afford them some comfort in the day of prosperity and in a day of peace yet not in the time of Adversity and in a day of Calamity in a day of Sickness Death and Judgement 1st Not in a day of common Calamity when the Judgments of God are upon the Land Sword Famine Pestilence 1 Sam. 12.21 Prov. 11.4 Zeph. 1. last Ezek. 7.19 2ly In Sickness It is not high Places honourable Titles full Bags great Revenues that can prevent or remove Stone Gout Strangury Feaver or any Sickness or Pain it 's true they may procure Physicians and Medicines but those kill rather then cure without the Lord. 3ly In the hour of Death Job 27.8 What is the hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gained when God taketh away his Soul All the Rich Fools Wealth could not keep his Soul one night longer Luke 12.15 20. 4ly In the day of Judgment all the World is so far from profiting as they shall see all in fire about their ears have nothing left but an account how they got and kept and imployed it and the more they have had of this Worlds good and the less good they have done with it and the more they have abused it the more and greater will be their torment 5ly All they have of the World cannot save them from Hell Luke 16.23 Rev. 21.8 nor mitigate their torments there Dives could not procure a drop of Water to cool his scorched tongue Luke 16.24 25. So as you see clearly and fully what unprofitable and helpless things these of the World are without Grace they cannot free from any thing that is truly evil Sin or Pain nor help to any thing that is truly good Pardon or Peace they cannot keep sickness from the Body or trouble from the Mind or terrors from the Conscience or the Soul out of Hell they may make men worse but never the better 6. Think on the Deceitfulness of the things of the World They do promise to men much help and comfort or rather men promise to themselves much by them but both they and themselves deceive themselves and meet with bitterness instead of sweetness and trouble instead of comfort therefore called deceitful Riches Mat. 13.22 Like Jael seeds men with Milk but pierceth their heads and hearts afterwards with sorrow like Joab and Judas who salute with a Kiss but stab to the heart 7. On the Hurtfulness of them Especially being got and kept by unlawful means and used and imployed to unlawful ends they keep them from a great deal of good and expose them to a great deal of hurt 1. They keep men from a great deal of good as the minding the glory of God and the good of Souls both their own and others keep them either from using the means of Grace or from profiting by them Ezek 33.31 32. Luke 18.19 2. Expose them to a great deal of evil both of Sin and Punishment the wrath and curse of God and Man both here and to all eternity in Hell as you may see clearly Eccles 5.13 1 Tim. 6.9 10. James 5.1 2 3. Hence it is that Solomon stiles them not only Vanity but vexation of Spirit because they are still vexing men either with cares in getting or fears in keeping or sorrows in losing and our Saviour compares them to Thorns because they are still piercing both head and heart with troubles in getting and grief in parting with them 8. Meditate on the great folly and madness of men in minding affecting and pursuing these things of the World before and more then the things of God and Christ and his Spirit and Kingdom and the wellfare of their own precious and immortal Souls The Spirit of God brands them frequently in the Scripture for Fools or the Fools and the worst of Fools Prov. 1.22 Mat. 23.17 18. Luke 12.19 20. and not without cause 1. He is a Fool that is not able to discern between Copper and Gold Pebles and Pearls that will part with the richest Coyn for the richest Counter what are all temporal things in comparison of spiritual and eternal Excellencies but dross and dung 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 offal and Dogs-meat in comparison of Christ Grace and Glory as the Apostle stiles them Phil. 3. 2. He is a Fool you know that minds onely things present and nothing for the future A wise man foresees the evil and hides himself but a fool passeth on and is punished Prov. 22.5 A wise man fore-sees and fore-casts his business but a fool doth neither And such fools are all worldly wise men all for this present World and nothing for another I have read a story of a certain great Man that having many Houses was wont every month to go from one House to anothe◠and send Harbingers before
to make provision for him at last falling sick and drawing towards his end a Servant of his came to visit him and asking him how he did Oh saith he I am going to another World Master said he you were wont here to send Provision before you to your Houses here have you done so for another House your eternal House Oh no said he that is my folly and misery 3. He is a fool that will hazzard and adventure his life for a toy and a trifle and put off a business for the present of greatest consequence to another day when yet he knows not whether he shall have another day and yet this is the greatest folly of worldly wise men though they hear often that there 's but one thing necessary in the World in comparison whereof all other things are unnecessary viz. the Salvation of the Soul yet will hazzard that to gain the World and put off that to the last and weakest hour when they can scarce think upon any thing else but pain and then when 't is too late lament their great folly and madness in it Thirdly Meditate on the duties you ow to God for the Creatures and the uses you are to make of the Creatures I shall but name a few As 1. To contemplate those glorious Attributes of God which shine forth in the Creatures as his Eternity Omnipotency infinite Wisdom and unsearchable goodness to Mankind in making a World and all things in it for him and him for himself and that first Because it 's expresly commanded Eccles 7.13 Job 37.14 2. The practise of the Saints Psal 77.11 12. Psal 143.5 6. all Gods People Psal 111.2 3. Because it 's the end wherefore God made Man and gave him a reasonable Soul not onely that he should barely view the Creatures but contemplate his glorious Attributes that shine forth in them There 's no skilful Artificer that will take it well to have his skill not taken notice of in the works he doth much less will God and it will exceedingly agravate mens sin and condemnation at last that they have so much taken notice of and admired the works of men and so little taken notice of the great and glorious Works of God in the Creation of this glorious Fabrick of Heaven and Earth 2. Duty to learn those good things in the Creatures which they do teach us in and by the instinct of Nature for all the World is but a great School to teach us the knowledge of God Rom. 1.20 Creatio Mundi Scriptura Dei Universus Mundus Deus Explicatus as one saith well The whole Creation is a Scripture of God the Heaven the Earth and the Sea 3. Great Leaves of that Book the Creatures contained in them as so many Lines by which God would read a Divinity-Lecture to us all the Creatures but a Ladder made of many steps to raise us up to God and as it were a pair of Spectacles whereby we may read God and the invisible things of God more clearly and plainly Jenkins on Jude But what are those things the Creatures teach us They all teach us Obedience Love Unity and dependance upon God a desire of freedom from that bondage our sin hath brought upon them 1. They all teach us Obedience to God for they all keep their station in which God hath set them they all do what God commands them and leave undone what he forbids them 1. They all keep their station the Sun rejoyceth to run its course the Sea keeps within its Banks the Earth standeth fast upon her Foundation onely Man is fallen from it 2. They do whatsoever God commands them Psal 19.1 The Heavens declare the Glory of God c. the Sea and the Winds and all fulfil his Word Psal 148.8 3. They leave undone what he forbids them the Fire burns not the Sea stands on heaps the Sun stands still and goes backward ten degrees the Fire descends and the Water ascends at his command all the Creatures have an ear to hear their Creator only Man is deaf Yea and mark farther they not onely obey their Creator but they obey him in a right manner For 1. they serve him only and not us any further and longer then we serve him therefore he is called the Lord of Hosts because all is at his command to teach us as to obey him so him only and men no further then they obey God 2. They serve him chearfully Psalm 19. The Sun rejoyceth as a Gyant to run his course and so ought we for the abundance of all his goodness to us or else are threatned to serve our enemies in the want of all things Deut. 2.8 3. They serve him constantly day and night and are never weary of doing him service so neither ought we 1 Cor. 15. last Be stedfast unmoveable c. Gal. 6.9 Be not weary of well doing c. 4. They serve the Lord freely by the instinct of Nature how much more should we by the instinct of Grace 5. They waste and consume themselves in the service of us to teach us to spend our selves and be spent for God 2. They all teach us to love God as being all fruits and tokens of his love to us and refuse to love us if we neglect to love him the Sun denies its Shine the Clouds their Rain and the Earth its Fruits they teach us also as to love God so to love others for God's sake especially those that are nearly related to us for they generally love those of the same kind and are very tender over their Mates and to their young ones 3. They all teach us unity amongst our selves for they all combine and conspire in one for the good of the whole they all prefer the good of the whole above their own particular the Fire will descend and the Waters ascend rather then there shall be a vacuum in Nature though they be of contrary qualities yet they do not trouble but help one the other the Fire warms the Air the Air preserves the Water the Water moistneth the Earth one Element is a good Neighbour to the other and all to teach us we should not be hurtful but helpful one to another and prefer the publick before our own private good 4. They all teach us dependance on God for being and well-being Psal 147.9 10. The eyes of all things look up to thee c. To teach us to look up to God and to have our dependance upon him for our selves and ours and to be careful about nothing Phil. 4.7 Matth. 6.26 to the end 5. They all teach us a desire and longing to be freed from that bondage our sins have brought upon them and our selves Rom. 8.19 22. And shall the Creatures sigh and groan under our burdens and we not under our own A third Duty is this To bewail the first sin of ours which brought such vanity and vexation upon the Creatures God at first looked down upon all that he had made and loe
to make them your chief good and set them up in the room of God but to seek them for God's sake the Churches sake and your Souls sake 1. For God's sake That you may be quickned and enabled by them to serve him the more faithfully chearfully and fruitfully in them and by them and for them for this is the end wherefore he gives them that they may be helps and not hinderances in the Worship and Service of Him Deut. 28.47 2. To seek them for the Churches sake That you may be the more able by them to promote Religion propagate the Gospel and supply the necessity of the Saints 3. For your Souls sake That you may both procure and improve the means and seasons of Grace have the more time and leasure to attend on the Word holy Conference Meditation c. In short If you would have comfort in seeking these outward things seek them in Christ with Christ and for Christ 1. In Christ See that you have a spiritual right to them in and by him 2. With Christ That you may have his presence in the use of them 3. For Christ That he may have the more glory from you by them â—â—â—y and Lastsy Make a spiritual use of them For this you may observe to have been the practâ—â—e of the Saints in the Scripture and of our Lord and Saviour himself by Corporeal Things 〈…〉 hâ—s Hearers to the meditation of Spiritual Things by earthly to heavenly Bread and Water John 4. John 6. from the Sâ—wing of the Seed to 〈…〉 them of the Preaching of the Word Maâ—â— 13.19 From the Reaping of the Harvest to 〈◊〉 of the last and general Judgment Vers 39. All to teach us to 〈…〉 Spiritual Use of the things we see and use we should imitate him in it as for instance In those excellencies we shewed you in the Creatures 1. From the greatness of the Creatures we should be led to contemplate the greatness of our God if they be so great much more he that made them Altior Caelo profundior Inferno latior Terra Mari dissutior nusquam est ubique est saith Bernard He is higher then Heaven lower then Hell broader then the Earth wider then the Sea no where and yet every where Isa 40.12 15. 2. From the multitude of the Creatures we should be led to consider the honour of the Creator If a Kings Dignity consist in a multitude of Subjects and a Fathers Honour in the multitude of Children how infinite must the Dignity and Honour of God be that hath so many Subjects and Servants and Sons as there be Creatures in Heaven 〈◊〉 Earth 3. From the variety of the Creatures we should be led to contemplate the wisdom of the Creator Psal 104.24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the Earth is full of thy riches Rom. 11.33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oh the depth and riches of the wisdom of God c. 4. From the beauty of the Creature we should be led to think of the infinite and incomprehensible beauty of God who puâ—s all this beauty in the Creatures and therefore must needs have it infinitely in himself 5. From the admirable structure of the Creatures we should be led to consider the infinite knowledge of God and the wonderful power of God as Moses Exod. 15.11 Glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders and David Psal 136.4 6. From the secret and hidden vertues of the Creature we should be led to contemplate the admirable perfections of God who hath put so many perfections into the Creature he must needs be most perfect in himself from whom all others come James 1.17 Lastly From the Sympathy and Antipathy in the Creatures we should be led to consider of the Sympathy between Christ and his Members and Antipathy between the Seed of the Woman and the Serpent Therefore should you meditate on these things in the World and the Creatures of it that God may have his glory in them and you the comfort of them and whilst you live in the World may be enabled to live above the World and mind and prepare and fit for a better World CHAP. VIII The last Head of Meditation is concerning the Good and Evil Angels by which God governs the World THat God governs the World not onely by men as Magistrates and Ministers but also by Angels good and bad is evident out of the Scripture 1. That good Angels are imployed for the good of God's Church and People you may see clearly Heb. 1. last Are they not all Ministring Spirits c. And Dan. 10.13 14. As it was the Angel Gabriel that withstood the Prince of Persia so the Angel that led Israel into Canaan as you may see by comparing the 20th with the 31th Chapter of Exodus 2. That he useth the Evil Angels in the Government of the World for the punishment of wicked men you may see Job 1.6 7. 1 Kings 20.20 21 22. To begin with the Good Angels First Of the Good Angels Sect. 1. In and about them to take notice and meditate on these things What they are in their Nature What their Offices And what our duties are in respect of them 1. What they are they cannot be perfectly defined only generally described as the Scripture holds them forth thus Spiritual Substances created in the beginning very good and Blessed excelling all other Creatures in their Endowments such as keep their first estate and are still attending upon God 1. That they are Spiritual Substances is evident Heb. 1.14 2. That they were created in the beginning is clear Col. 1.16 3. That they were created perfectly good and blessed Gen. 1. last 4. That they excel all other in their Endowments Ephes 3.10 They are called Principalities and Powers When the Scripture would express the excellency of a Person or Thing it useth to do it by the excellency in Angels 2 Sam. 14.7 My Lord is as an Angel of God 1 Cor. 13.1 5. That they keep their first state Jude 6. 6. That they continually attend upon God Dan. 7.10 Mat. 18.10 2. To take notice what their Office is Heb. 1.7 Who makes his Angels Spirits and his Ministers flames of fire so much the word Angel imports Angeli vocabulum nomen officiae non naturae the name of Angel points out their Office and not their Nature their Nature is to be Spirits but their Office is to be Angels or Ministers or Messengers Q. 1. But to whom do they discharge this Office and what are their Offices A. They minister to God and Christ his Church and People 1. To God in continual adoring and worshipping him praising and giving glory to him Isa 6.3 Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts Luke 2.14 Rev. 5.12 They minister to God and Christ by standing continually in his presence to know and do what-ever is his will and pleasure Psal 103.20 21. 2. For Christ they give him the same worship they do unto
take heed of all sin especially those sins which resemble men to the Devil as Pride Envy Malice Lying Slandering false Accusing of others tempting others to sin and hindering others from Good for these you may find in the Scripture to be the sins of the Devil especially the last Acts 13.10 Thou Child of the Devil thou enemy of all Righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord said Paul to Elymas 3. To search and see whether you are under his Power and Dominion yea or no for all Men and Women are so by Nature as you may see Eph. 2.2 2 Tim. 2. last whence he is called the Prince of the Air John 14.30 and the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 because he rules like a Prince or rather like a Tyrant and governs like a God or rather like a Devil as he is in all wicked men holding them and leading them like Bears by the Snout like Dogs in a Chain and hath them as the Centurion had his Servants at his beck and command to commit any wickedness for Honour Profit and Pleasure in the World Now for the signs and characters of such as are under his power the Scripture gives amongst others these 1. Wilful blindness when men shut their eyes against the Light and refuse to see sin to be sin and duty to be duty because they are loth to leave the one and do the other John 3.19 2 Cor. 4.4 5. 2. Impenitency in a course of sinning 2 Tim. 2.24 25. when men give up themselves to the service of Sin and Satan and will not be reclaimed from it Rom. 6.16 John 8.34 3ly Security and senslesness of God's displeasure because he lets them alone in their evil courses and does not presently punish them Luke 11.21 where all things are at peace there the strong man keeps possession Psalm 50. ver 18. to the end 4. And principally Derision Opposition and Persecution of Righteousness and Holiness in others Acts 13.10 These are the black marks of Satans dominions in men 4th Duty Be perswaded speedily in the use of the means to get out of his Dominions because so long as you are under the power of Satan you are under the power of Sin and the power of the Law and the power of the World and the power of Death Judgement and Hell 1. Of Sin Rom. 6.12 2 Tim. 2. last 2. The power of the Law both the rigour and the curse of it Deut. 27. last 3. The power of the World 1 John 4 5. 4. The power of Death and Judgement and Hell Rom. 6. last Eccles 12. end Heb. 9.27 Psal 11. end Psal 9.17 The wicked shall be turned into Hell and therefore in all these respects to labour speedily to get out of his Dominions To this end 1. Be willing to be convinced of this truth That all men naturally are under the power of Sin and Satan for it 's that which the Scripture speaks expresly Ephes 2.2 and this is the first work of the Spirit in the conversion of a sinner John 16.8 2. Labour to be sensible of and humbled under the sad condition of being in vassallage and slavery to Sin and Satan thus those Converts were Acts 2.37 They were pricked in their hearts and cryed out Men and Brethren c. That you may be the more sensible of it and humbled under it consider it 's the saddest of all other conditions so as the condition of the Israelites under Pharaoh and Gally-slaves under the Turk or Pope is little or nothing to this that being only of the Body this of the Soul that a sensible slavery this an insensible until God make them sensible that an unwilling slavery but this men are most forward to and delight in until the Lord come in and over-power their wills and of unwilling make them a willing people in the day of his power Psalm 110. as he did them Acts 2.37 3. Take notice of him who was appointed and annointed by God the Father to rescue you out of his power viz. the Lord Jesus Christ Isa 61.1 He hath destroyed Death and him that had the power of Death Heb. 2.14 and hath destroyed the works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 to lay hold on him by a lively Faith and that Ransom he hath paid for your Redemption Ephes 1.7 1 Joh. 1.7 Acts 16.31 Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved 4. Be willing to cast off the service of Sin and Satan for the future and to give your selves only and wholly to the service of Jesus Christ Rom. 6.16 17. Sin is the snare and the chain by which the Devil holds men in his power and repentance breaks that snare and chain and sets them at liberty 2 Tim. 2. last Acts 3.19 Repent that your sins may be blotted out c. 5. Wait constantly on the Ministry of the Word the means he hath appointed to turn men from Darkness to Light and the Power of Satan to God Lastly Go unto God by earnest and constant Prayer for his Spirit to make his Word effectual for the translating you out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 5th Duty If you find that you are such as have been rescued and redeemed by Jesus Christ out of the power of Satan which you may know farther by this if you are such as truly believe in Christ and are sanctified by Christ Acts 26.18 and labour to crucifie the flesh with the corruptions and the lusts Gal. 5.24 and are not conformed to the World Rom. 12.2 but walk in a contradiction to it get victory over it 1 John 5.4 then your duties are such as these Continue to bless God for it and rejoyce in it above all your rejoycings not slavishly to fear his Power Malice Rage for the future and to carry your selves so as still to be preserved from being hurt by him 1. To be continually blessing the Lord Jesus Christ for rescuing us out of the power of Satan as the Saints have done before us Psal 86.12 13. Psal 103.1 the Apostle Rom. 7. last 1 Cor. 15.55 and to bless him not only for our selves but others Rom. 6.17 18. and the rather considering we were by nature under the power of Satan as well as others and nothing but his own Grace that rescued us and pluckt us out of his snares to bless God that hath and doth so wonderfully preserve us from the power malice and rage of Satan and his Instruments Is it not wonderful that we should lie down in peace and sleep in peace and arise in peace and walk up and down in peace and injoy so much peace and quiet in the midst of so many Devils and devilish minded men the safety and preservation of the three Children in the Fiery Furnace of Daniel in the Lions Den of Jonah in the Whales Belly was wonderful and truly no less wonderful is it that we injoy our lives and the comforts of
Divine Meditation and therefore it should be our endeavour to take notice of it and improve it to the Glory of God and our own and others spiritual advantage in the way homeward to Eternal Life because the most are ignorant or not so well acquainted as they should with this Divine Art of Extracting Spiritual out of Temporal things For your help and furtherance herein I shall briefly direct you in a few Particulars from the beginning of the day to the end and so conclude this Subject Pray mark them well I. WHen you awake to give God the first of your thoughts As David Psalm 139. When I awake I am presently with thee How precious are the thoughts of thee unto me To think also of our duty of awaking out of Sin unto Righteousness Ephes 5.14 and of our awaking at the last day out of the Grave by the sound of the Trumpet 1 Thess 4.16 This you may find was David's thought Psalm 17. last When I awake I shall be satisfied with thy likeness Remember sleep is but the Image of Death the Bed the Grave and the Morning of the Resurrection at the last Day II. When you have had a sweet nights rest think thus If natural rest be so sweet refreshing and reviving how much more is Spiritual Rest and will be Eternal Rest Oh what cause have you to bless him that hath given his Beloved Rest when others have been altogether restless and others it may be slept their last sleep Think and say to thy Soul Oh how justly mightest thou have been awakened out of thy sleep at midnight as the Egyptians were with a cry or else have slept the sleep of Death whereas we have layen down in peace and slept because the Lord sustained us III. When you see the light of the day shining into your eyes think and say If the light be sweet and it be a pleasant thing to behold the Sun Eccles 11.7 Oh how excellent is thy loving kindness in causing the Son of Righteousness to arise with healing in his Wings upon us Mal. 4.2 Oh what great cause have we to bless God for the Light of Life especially for the Light of the Gospel the Light of Grace here and the hope of the Light of Glory hereafter to beg also of God to lift up the Light of his Countenance upon us and help us to walk in the Light of his Countenance all the day long IV. When you are about to rise think upon the first Resurrection to Grace here and the second Resurrection to Glory at the last day because without an interest in the first Resurrection you can never expect an interest in the second and therefore to be careful as you rise out of your beds so to look to this that you arise out of sin unto newness of Life V. When you put on your cloaths think on sin which was the cause both of your nakedness and your need of Apparel to be humbled under the one and keep you from priding your selves in the other think also what infinite cause you have also to bless God for Jesus Christ that he hath fulfilled and brought in everlasting Righteousness whereby your nakedness might be covered and you might stand amiable in his sight without spot or wrinkle Ephes 5. end And therefore when you put on your Apparel remember to put on the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 13. end and put him on wholly for Justification Sanctification Consolation Salvation and take heed of spending too much time in apparelling your selves It is reported of one Pambo that seeing a Gentlewoman dressing her self all the morning by the Glass he fell a weeping and being asked Why He answered Because this Woman had spent all the morning in dressing her Body and I scarce one hour in dressing my Soul VI. When you look into the Glass to see what is amiss about you remember to look into the Glass of the Word to see what is amiss in your hearts and lives and to order your Conversation according to it Psalm 119.9 Where withall shall a young man cleanse his wayes but by taking heed to thy Word VII When you begin to wash your hands and face think of that Fountain which God hath opened to wash in from sin and from uncleanness Zach. 13. What infinite cause have you to bless Jesus Christ that was willing to shed his precious heart-blood for you to wash in and the love of the Spirit to you in opening your eyes and revealing this Fountain to you begging of him That he would put you in and wash you and rinse your Souls and Bodies more and more from your remaining filthiness of Flesh and Spirit 2 Corin. 7.1 VIII When you are about to go apart into your Chamber or Closet to read the Word and pray unto God in secret Think thus What a mercy is it to have this liberty which is denied unto many What a mercy is it to look into that blessed Book of the Scriptures Lord open mine eyes that I may see the wondrous things contained in it What a mercy also is it to have access with boldness and confidence to the Throne of God when we cannot to the throne of Men to go to him also as my Father and a Father not onely able but as willing as able to supply all my wants that sees in secret and hath promised to reward me openly Matth. 6.6 IX When you are to pray with the Family think thus What a mercy is this that I have a Family to pray with and for and that we have all health and liberty to pray together and that any have hearts to joyn with us in Prayer and are not as too many are in other Families scoffing Ishmaelites and prophane Esaues X. When you are about to imploy your selves about the duties of your particular Calling Remember that as God requires every one should live in a Calling so that every one be diligent in it because it 's the diligent hand makes rich yet not to labour so much after the meat that perishes as that which endures to eternal Life John 6.27 1. So to labour in your particular Callings as that you may be more serviceable to God and helpful to others in the duties of your general Calling 2. That you be faithful and just 1 Thess 4.6 11 12. 3. That you be useful and fruitful not seeking only your own profit but the weal and benefit of others Phil. 2.4 1 Cor. 10. about the end 4. That you be Spiritual and Heavenly careful to trade for Heaven as well as for Earth and lay up a stock of Grace that will stand by you when all other things will fail you and forsake you XI When you are trading and trafficking buying and selling and making any bargain think on the best Bargain that which will make you rich for ever that of the wise Merchant who sold all he had to purchase the Pearl Matth. 13.44 Think of buying the Gold tryed in the fire Rev. 3.18 and