his fellowes Therefore in our youth tender yeares if we would bee accounted or any way esteemed to bee the children of God to be the members of Iesus Christ to be temples of Gods Spirit to haue our names written in that booke of life or euer to exspect participation or enioying of the endlesse and infinite ioyes of heauen then let vs by the assistance and strength of that stronger man Iesus Christ who hath ouercome and subdued all and by the speciall grace of his blessed and powerfull spirit striue to binde expel that vsurping tyrant out of the precious house of our soule and to shut him out of the gates and doores of our hearts that we be none of his possessions or vessells in his house and with all our strength diligence and power seeke to redresse our soule and heart againe and make it fit and meete for the habitation abiding place of that cleane and holy spirit of Iesus Christ onely being sanctified by his grace in all the members of our body faculties of our soule that the Lord of rest may giue rest to our cesciences rest by his cōfortable presence in our harts cōtinually let vs lift vp the celestiall and euerlasting gates of our soules and let the king of glory enter in walke in his waies and redresse by his grace our vncleane and enormous waies of sinne and vnrighteousnes The second word to wit cleansing according to the original word in the Hebrew text which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mundabit is taken likewise by a metaphore chiefly from vessells which vseth to bee made cleane and purged when they are foule or polluted with any thing according to Christs words Matth. 23. 25. in reprehending of the hypocriticall Scribes Pharises who did make cleane the outter side of the cup platter but within were full of hypocrisie and iniquitie So indeede all men young and olde wee are Gods vessells either of honour or dishonour appointed either continually to remaine in his sight or eternally to bee reiected and banished from his glorious presence there is no day also but we are polluted chiefly in youth and desiled with some vncleannes of sinne and our filthy lusts and affections euer doth infect vs therefore continually wee must endeuour and seeke with earnest praiers that wee may cleanse and purge according to Christs commandement first the inside of the cup and platter that the outside of them may be cleane also In our youth wee are as new vessells in Gods house if at any time a vessell be esteemed of or be cleane it is when it is new therefore in our youth let vs chiefly trie and know if wee be vessells of honour if we be surely then we must bee most cleanest for a precious vessell of honour ordained to be in the presence of the Prince is neuer defiled with filthines nor suffered to be put to an vncleane vse chiefly being as yet new but if we finde our selues polluted with filthines in our youth and newnes our soule made the receptacle of stincking lustes and of all impuritie of sinne let vs feare and suspect that except God of his free mercy and grace create and frame vs of a new againe and purge vs from all our iniquities that wee can iudge our selues to be no other but vessells of reiection impurity and dishonour Therefore in youth while the filth of sin sticketh not so fast vpon the vessels of our souls nor the old mā of iniquitie hath not taken so long strong possessiō of the house of our heart as he may plead long custome or defend it let vs purge by the teares of true repētance our filthy blots vncleannes of sin and desire that vnspotted Lambe by his precious bloodshed to purge vs likewise from the guilt thereof let vs by the strength of his gracious Spirit expell that vncleane spirit of sinne and pleasures of the flesh and redresse the roome and house of our soule with open gates to receiue retaine and entertaine with ioy that spirit of all cleannes of ioy and endlesse comfort As Iesus Christ our Sauiour hath commanded let vs first purge make clean the inside of the cup platter that the outside may be cleane also that is let vs begin purge the worme of sinne and corruption from the roote of our hearts and the branches with the fruite of word and deede shall prosper the better begin and purifie the spring and the streames that runneth therefrom shall be the clearer Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and according as the affection of the heart is so the workes proceed and the members executeth their command This purifying is by true repentance with Marie Magdalen in sorrowing truly for our sinnes and in all humilitie washing his feete with the teares of deepe remorse constantly endeauouring neuer to sinne no more and by a liuely faith in the armes of our soule embracing and apprehending the blood of Iesus Christ and his death as our onely righteousnes obedience and propitiatorie sacrifice before the Father and by good workes and a sanctified holy life shewing our faith and Gods mercy manifested in vs to our liues end to the good example of others and our owne soules saluation This action of cleansing or redressing is set downe in the future time Qui nam mundabit c. Wherewith shal a young man cleanse his way Noting thereby the present estate thereof to bee vnredressed and vncleane Whereby wee learne and may obserue first that howsoeuer we flatter or excuse our selues in any age but chiefly in our youth that our waies nor course of life is not so vncleane nor worthy of reproofe but may be easily borne with soone redressed oramended yet the spirit of God in this place of his sacred word dooth by the mouth of his holy Prophet shew vnto vs that our waies are so vncleane and filthy that it is a very hard difficult thing to redresse or cleanse them their pollutiō being so great which he would signifie by asking interrogatiuely how they shall bee redressed And therefore that in all humilitie and lowest submission of heart in our youth and in all ages wee should acknowledge the infinite greatnes of our transgressions and filthy vncleannesse of sinne which cannot bee cleansed but by an infinite purgation euen by the blood of Iesus Christ in his infinite and vnsearcheable mercy shed for mankinde which wee should daily begge and continually thirst after the same greedily walking worthy hereafter as those who are redeemed with so precious a price Secondly wee may obserue here the markes and difference betwixt a godly and vngodly young man the one consulteth and asketh at God Whereby he may redresse and purge his waies the other consulteth with flesh and blood and asketh counsell at Sathan and his owne filthy lusts and affections whereby hee may defile and pollute his waies The onely care and vigilant studie of the one
Supper came to him to wash his feet he refused no Lord thou shalt neuer wash my feet but wheÌ„ Christ told him that otherwise he shold haue no portion with him and had washed his feet then Peter who refused before now beggeth Lord not onely my feet but my head and hands also so it is with vs before wee taste of the sweetnesse and refreshment of Gods word to our wearied soules and the ioy thereof to our wounded and sorrowful consciences we esteeme of it as Aesops Cocke did of the Iewell hee found in the doung-hill wee had rather haue a grayne of Barley or any thing that testeth to the flesh or is agreeable to please our affections Gods word is as it were pearles cast before swine wee are rather ready to turne backe and teare them in pieces that offered them vnto vs then to giue them any thanks we refuse then with Peter the water of life but as soone as it hath touched our hearts and our soules haue found the refreshing sweetnesse thereof then wee will begge and importunately intreat Lord not onely this measure but a greater dayly of the knowledge and comfort of thy word fill my whole soule with the power thereof and stuffe all the corners of my heart with the aboundance of the same let it not onely be in my head to talke of it but in my hands to doe it and in my feet also in thy way to walke according thereunto This should bee our desire and estimation of Gods word for if wee be sicke to death as it were wee would esteeme much of that Doctour that could tell and shew vs what and from what cause our sicknes came and could giue vs a present remedy to restore vs to the perfect health of our bodies that wee should liue long but wee haue the infectious and deadly sicknesse of sinne euery one of vs in our soules Gods holy Word doth shew vs what our sicknesse is and by what way or meanes we came by it it offereth to vs present remedie not to restore the bodie to a kind of health that it may liue a miserable momentaneall life for a while but to restore the soule to perfect and true health that it may liue a blessed ioyfull and eternall ioy in heauen with God and his blessed Angels how then should we esteeme of this Physition Physicke To such a Physition of the body wee would thinke that we did owe our life who restored vs to the same to such a Physition of the soule then how much more do we owe this teÌ„poral miserable life for the defence thereof and how can we sufficiently value or loue the same we wold account of him much who would giue vs such a right whereby we should possesse the whole kingdoms of the earth peaceably yea or to be heire to any one kingdom but so it is that Gods word if wee beleeue the same maketh vs heires to the eternall Kingdome of Heauen and giueth vs sufficient right and title that wee shal bee peaceable possessours thereof in euerlasting Ioy and Glory infinite In a darke perilous way wee esteeme much of a Lanterne such is Gods word to our wayes of this life in a dangeâ—ous long iourney wee would esteeme much of a faithfull skilfull vnburdenable and sufficient guide readie to ouercome and encounter all perils or enemies of ours such is Gods word in the long wearisome and dangerous iourney of this life where when we meet with any temptatioÌ„ if we answere It is written and firmely beleeue the same in so resisting Sathan we shal ouercome his temptations and at last make him depart at least for a while from vs by the strength of this our Guide In a great and doubtfull matter knowing our owne simplicitie and foolishnesse we would much esteeme of a faithfull and wise counseller two wayes are set before our eyes one leading to death another to life to the wrong we more naturally encline then to the other therefore in this great matter of life and death eternall and the doubtfulnesse of these two waies at one of which enter wee must wee haue most great neede of this wise and faithfull Counseller whom wee should much esteeme and follow in all things Moses sheweth Israel what the value of this worde of God is what value they should esteeme it of when hee saith It is your life and your wisedome whereby you excel all other Nations therefore hee exhorteth them neuer to let it depart out of their mouh nor heart but continually to talk of it going in and comming out at home and in the fields night and day to meditate thereon to make it a signet vpoÌ„ their finger a frontlet betweene their eyes and to esteeme nothing neere vnto it nothing equiualent to it nor nothing aboue it Of the great estimation of the word and trueth of God we haue one notable example in the Scripture of the good and godly king Iosiah who when the booke of the Law of God being found by Hilkiah the Priest and presented to the King by Shaphan the Chanceller hee hauing heard the words thereof rent his clothes and went to the house of God with all the people of Iudah Ierusalem small and great the Priests and Leuites and there in audience of the whole people did reade the law himselfe in their eares shewing what estimation and reuerence euery King and people shold haue to the word of God we must heare and reade it with great reuerence as becommeth the word of the King of all kings and Lord of all lords to bee heard with the hand of faith wee must receyue it and with all estimation wee must lay it vp in the chest and coffer of our hearts to bring forth the fruit of obedience thereunto as becommeth good subjects naturall children faithfull seruants in our life and conuersation It is the most precious Iewell that a yong man can weare the greatest riches that he can possesse a chayne of gold about his necke true wisedome to his heart the faithfullest tutor to direct and gouerne him and the most delightfull pleasure greatest profit that euer he could wish for godlines is profitable vnto all things and hath a promise of this life and of the life to come It is to the aged their greatest honour their truest wisedome and grauitie when sicknesse and age oppresseth them it is a comfortable salue to their soules and the best company they can seeke to or desire it is the skilfulest Doctor that can best ease theÌ„ and it is the strong hand that bringeth them safe and sound thorow all griefe dolours temptations sicknesses and the passeouer of death it selfe vnto the kingdom of God the eternal ioyes of heauen Therefore let yong and old esteeme of it greatly and of the bearers thereof highly as of the ambassage ambassadours of the Prince of all Princes and Lord eternall ouer all Lordes and Potentates in this temporall and momentaneall world that receiuing
turbulent world to the port and hauen of our graue and our refluxe is to that Ocean Let vs watch then carefully and haue the houre-glasse of the number of our dayes euer before our eies that we may apply our hearts to wisedom let vs looke diligently to the precious and most deere loading of our soules once purchased by Christs blood suspect our weake vessels and clay tabernacles acknowledge that we are euer in danger of death and that there is little betwixt vs and him foresee carefully the rockes and daungers before vs haue euer the Compasse of Gods word before our eyes to direct our course and way according thereunto Behold still the Mappe and Carde of that heauenly coast of Canaan towards the which wee intend and attend our course try and spy out the markes whereby wee may know that wee are neere the same or in the right way thereto forget the things that are behinde and haue our eyes forward still on the further banke and by continuall and earnest praiers desire almightie God to saue vs lest we perish to giue vs his spirit to bee our guide and pilot and by his infinite mercy grace to bring vs at last to that wished Land of our blessed Canaan with Ioshua our Iudge and Captaine through all the perills and daungers of this darke desart And chiefly let vs daily striue as in the way of our naturall life so likewise that in the way of our supernatural true life Iesus Christ and his righteousnes we may make some progresse so step forward frō life to life forgetting the world and her whorish intisements behinde vs and bending our forces directly to follow him onely Thirdly in a way also we haue euer certaine limitted bounds which wee must not transgresse nor goe ouer In the way of this life likewise wee haue Gods word and Commaundements as walles on each side to enclose vs which wee must striue to containe our selues within and to redresse our waies according therevnto Christs voice is the walls hedge of his sheepfold ouer which whosoeuer passeth wandreth astray in the fearefull and darke desart of sinne a readie prey to that cruell deuouring beare and raging Lyon Sathan for God as hee is iust and mercifull so hee hath declared and manifested the same plainely in his sacred word his iustice chiefly in the olde testament his mercy in the new his iustice he hath set vp as a wall on our right hand that wee may feare to sinne his mercy as a wall on our left hand that if wee sinne we may know that wee haue a Mediatour Sauiour euen Iesus Christ the man therefore seeing we are set betwixt these two walls let vs walke warily that on the one side beholding Gods iustice wee despaire not nor on the other beholding his mercy wee presume not but with an equall eye beholding both and with an equall pace walking betwixt both in feare and loue of him wee may goe on our way to our iournies end and so worke out the great worke of our saluation Fourthly in a iourney way or race to bee runne euery man who desireth to bee at the end thereof soonest wil make himselfe lightest and not take vp heauie burdens to hinder and wearie him So in this way and race of our life if we haue eyes to see the reward being a crowne of immortall glory if wee haue hearts to consider or vnderstand the preciousnes thereof or a desire to attaine or obtaine the same we must not take on the heauie and hindering burdens of this world and the wearisome vanities thereof to bee impediments in our course but cast off and disburden our selues of these dangerous loadings vsing the thinges of this world as though wee vsed them not and in our youth begin take vp the light and easie yoake of Christs obediēce with our crosses follow him in our hand wee must take the staffe of his worde wee must gird our loynes with his sanctitie and righteousnes and in the footesteps of pure vnspotted innocencie must wee follow him being holy as hee is holy this is the way Sic itur ad astra Fiftly no pilgrime also will desire his way to be long and wearisome but the sooner he may come to the end of his iourney the more he will reioyce In this way and pilgrimage likewise of our life let vs not desire so much to liue long till age that our way may be prolonged but to liue well while wee are young that we may insist constantly in the true way and desire with the Apostle rather to bee dissolued and be with Christ and with olde Simeon after our eyes by faith haue seene our saluation in the armes of our heart wee haue embraced him to desire to departe in his peace and enioy the reward fulnes of our hope And in the meane time seeing in our way chiefly of youth wee haue many impediments cast before vs many fetters and nets for our feete laide to insnare vs manie outward and inward enemies seeking to destroy vs and no wisedome nor strength in our selues to preuent or auoid them therefore let our continuall and humble petition bee to that Lord of strength and wisedome of the Father Leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill and so in a way of this life let vs walke as in the way according to the word and way of Iesus Christ redressing our bywaies And hauing these considerations before our eyes vntill by that true and liuely way Christ wee attaine to the end thereof eternall life and endlesse rest for euer The action set downe in this question is Whereby shall a young man redresse his way according to the vulgar translation but according to the originall and Hebrew text it is Whereby shall a young man cleanse or purge his way The first to wit redressing is a metaphore taken from a house which being vncleane or out of order vseth to bee redressed and trimmed vp for the guests it should receiue according vnto the Parable and wordes of Christ concerning the vncleane spirit who departed out of the man whom he possessed and wandred in dry places seeking rest and finding none therefore he decreed with himselfe to returne backe againe to his former lodging and tooke with him other seauen vncleane spirits worse then himselfe who returning found the house dressed and wel garnished for them and there they aboade so that the last conditio◠of that man was worse then the first And so truely it is in all ages but chiefly in youth that our soules and bodies which should be the temple and tabernacle of Gods holy and cleane Spirit who can abide no impuritie is polluted daily with the vncleannes of sinne and defiled with the filthie Harpies of our lusts and carnall affections and so we harbour in our heart as it were that vncleane spirit and dresseth vp the same as a house or chamber for him to rest in with
whosoeuer hath time meanes and opportunitie as few are but hath in some measure to doe good workes whereby their election may be confirmed to their owne conscience their faith in Christ shewed and testified before the world God their heauenly Father thereby glorified and his children their brethren therby strengthened and yet notwithstanding doth not verily howsoeuer they say that they haue faith Gods Spirit word testifieth the contrarie and that it is a dead faith they brag of which Sathan himselfe hath and trembleth verse 19. which being dead in it selfe can neuer apprehend nor apply that true life of the soule Iesus Christ and his righteousnesse the godlies onely comfort for faith worketâ— with by works as the fire doth by heate through workes is faith made perfit as the Apostle testifieth and as hee reasoneth Iames 2. 14. What auâ—â—leth it my brethren though a man saith hee hath faith when he hath no workes can the faith saue him For if a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of daily foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace warme your selues and fâ—ll your bellies notwithstanding you giue them not those thinges which are needefull to the body what helpeth it Euen so the faith if it haue no workes is dead in it selfe And after confirmation of this by the example of Abraham Rachab he concludeth For as the body without the spirit is dead euen so the faith without workes is dead Wee see then that as workes without faith iustifieth not For whatsoeuer is done without faith is sinne euen so faith without workes being dead iustifieth no maÌ„ before God and that it is neither sufficient to Pastour to preach and know Gods word except in practising it he go before his flocke by good workes nor that it is sufficient to the people or sheepe who would bee accounted of Christs sheep-folde to heare or know Gods voyce except they also follow and practise the same by good workes following the holy and vnspotted life of Iesus Christ the Lambe in whom they hope to bee saued Let therefore Pastor and people old and yong from the highest to the lowest striue by a holy life and fruitfull of good workes to shew themselues to bee true branches in Iesus Christ the vine and liuely members of his blessed body and as he who hath called vs is holy so let vs be holy in all manner of conuersation as becommeth the Gospel of Christ zealous of good workes Not hearing or knowing our Masters will onely but in taking heed to our wayes to redresse the same according to his word and will reuealed therein executing and doing the same and when we haue done all that we can doe confessing and acknowledging our selues to be vnprofitable seruants so shall we be assured in our owne consciences by Gods spirit that we are sheepe of his pasture and children of his inheritance so shall wee bee knowne by the world by our confession and profession of Christ in an holy and christian life to be members of his Church and Kingdome also and so at last we shall be found worthy in Christ to walk with the Lambe when he who gaue his life for vs here shall giue vs eternall life with himselfe for euer hereafter According to thy word that is making thy holy word O Lord the rule and square according vnto the which we may take heed vnto our wayes and redresse the same We see then here first the excellencie and great vertue and vse of the word of God It is a rule according vnto the which wee may and should redresse purge and rectifie our sinfull vncleane and erronious wayes It is that breath of God which breatheth life in the face of the soule of man as by the word of God in the first creation was man raysed out of the earth and placed in the garden of Paradise so by this word of God which is neere vs in our mouth and heart is the new creation and regeneration of the heart of man whereby his soule is raysed from earthly and carnall affections and placed in the pleasant garden of Christs church to eate of the tree of life and liue with him for euer It is the voyce of God that is dayly heard in the garden of his Church not onely asking euery Adamite and sinner but shewing him also where and in what estate he is by sinne and Sathan calling him not to a curse for sinne but a blessing and inuiting him to come to the seed of the woman to that tree of life and second Adam Father and Sauiour of our spirits Gods word is a Lampe that shineth euer in the candlesticke of his true Church to direct our footsteps in the path to life euerlasting with himselfe It is that two-edged Sword that powerfully proceedeth out of his owne mouth which pierceth thorow the inward cogitations of the heart to redresse the same and diuideth the marrow of the bones to giue fatnesse to the soule It is that seed which beeing sowed and layd vp in a good and honest heart maketh euery Christian to bring foorth acceptable fruit vnto Gods glory and their owne soules comfort It is the Power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue the same It is that Instrument or Spade which diggeth about the rootes of our hearts to make vs sweet and fruitfull to our long suffering and patient Master lest we should be pulled vp by the rootes ere the axe of Gods wrath should bee put to our rootes and wee be cut downe and throwen ouer the hedge of the vineyard into vnquenchable fire Gods word is that Snedding knife which cutteth away the rancke leaues of sinne which with their darkenesse doe ouer-shadow our soules and keepe away that comfortable ripening sunne of Gods fauour to shine vpon vs that our sowre grapes may become sweet It is a Hammer to beat downe euery high exalted hill or proud cogitation of the heart that as Gyants would rebell and fight against God It exalteth euer the low valley or humbled dejected soule euen to the throne of God in confidence boldnesse It is that sâ—â—ngstone of the sonne of Dauid whereby euerie Christian and souldier of Israel must kill that mighty Gyant the reuiler of God and enemie of his seruants who seeketh not to giue their bodies to the fowles of the ayre but their precious soules to the hell-crowes of sinne and the deuouring vultures of eternall torments It is the knife whereby the fore-skin of euery Christians heart is circumcised and cut away before hee can be in the new couenant of grace or be counted a true Israelite in spirit it is the gladdest tidings that euer came to the soule and the true testimony or witnesse-bearer of Iesus Christ search the Scriptures for they testifie of him it is a Christians life My words are life saith light and life and without the comfort of the same our life is death and our light Cimerian darknesse
Gods word is a looking-glasse wherein we may see all our spots from the greatest to the least where they are and how they may bee wiped away with the blood of Iesus Christ and teares of true repentance It is the sweet Manna and foode of our soules Milke to the weaker and stronger meat for those who are more confirmed A Directer in prosperity an vpholder in aduersitie and aboundant comfort in both It is a Fire to purge our wayes to burne vp the earthly or rather hellish drosse of sinne and stubble of iniquitie to refine vs as pure gold to bee vessells of honour in Gods house before our heauenly Father It is that Raine or Dew that descended from Heauen and neuer returneth vndone that for which it was sent it fructifieth eyther the heart to bring forth pleasant fruit and softneth it to repentance or as water cast vpon Iron or Steele hardeneth the same so it indureth the obstinate and reprobate hearts of them who are inflamed and burned in their owne sinfull lusts Our soules and hearts are made sauoury Sacrifices with all that proceedeth therefrom to present before the nosthrills of God our heauenly Father by this preseruing Salt of his word whereby no stincking corruption of the flesh and of sinne taketh hold vpon vs but thereby we are made sauourie meat to bee presented and accepted before our heauenly Father such as he euer loueth It is that Water of life wherof whosoeuer drinketh in his belly shall spring riuers thereof aboundantly It is a Cloud to refresh vs in our iourney in the day a firie Pillar in the night time to direct our wayes by the light thereof in the darke desart of this world and to consume all our enemies to theÌ„ it shall bee darkenesse but light to the hoste of Israel it shall bee hid and is so onely to them that perish It is that bright Light that shall euer shine in the little Gâ—shan of Gods Church when all the Egypt beside of this world with the Pharao thereof shall be ouerwhelmed with thicke darkenesse It is the Rudder of our Ship which must direct vs aright thorow the raging beating waues of worldly persecutions and our Compasse to keepe our course by vntill wee come to the hauen of heauen and port of that new Ierusalem It is that Rod which must diuide the redde sea of temptations thorow which narrowly we must passe to the spirituall land of Canaan when in them we shall see the worldlings wicked ouerwhelmed and altogether drowned It is the Arke and couenaÌ„t of God at which we only must aske counsell and it must diuide the Iorden of death to vs making a way whereby wee must follow our Ioshua Iesus to the land of rest and our promised inheritance It is true Riches and seuen times more pure then the refined gold of Ophir It cannot corrupt for heauen and earth shall perish before one iotte of Gods worde perish It is the Keyes of the kingdome of Heauen whereby the gates thereof are opened to euery penitent and beleeuing soule and shut to euery obstinate and indured wicked heart It is the Sauour of life vnto all those that are appointed for life and hath the life of Iesus Christ to righteousnesse in them It is the chiefe Shepheards Hooke that pulleth backe our straying soules in the by-wayes of iniquitie and bringeth vs in the right way again subjecting vs to the obedience and light yoake of Iesus Christ in the sheepefold of his Church By it wee are fished and drawne out of the salt and stincking sea of this world to Iesus Christ. It is the Sword wherewith wee must fight valiantly the Lordes battels A Trumpet to encourage vs thereto at whose sound the walls of euery proud Iericho shall fall and which subdueth powers and scepters to it selfe It is our Pilgrims staffe which must vphold and defend vs in our iourney It is a most bright Starre which leadeth not onely wise men but fooles also to Christ where now he lyeth not in a kribbe but sitteth on a Throne and happy are those starres or Ministers whom Christ holdeth in his right hand whose onely care is by preaching and practising this Star to shine before the flocke And finally the Word of God is the sound of that Trumpet blowen by the Angels of his Church which giueth vertue and power quickening and resurrection to euery dead soule in sinne to rise out of the graue of securitie put on a sanctified bodie that in bodie and soule at the last resurrection of all flesh to iudgement they may passe with Christ to eternall glory It is that Finger which pointeth out the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world and as Andrew brought Simon his brother Philip Nathaniel to Christ so the word of God bringeth and leadeth vs by the hand to him on earth and shall bring vs to eternal glory with him in heauen for euer if we beleeue the same and according thereunto take heede to redresse our wayes Secondly seeing the excellencie of Gods Word is such of it selfe wee may learne what great estimation and value it should bee of with euery Christian as we see the value thereof in it selfe so our estimation should bee corespondent wee should desire nothing so much esteeme nothing so much loue nothing so much nor hunger or thirst after nothing so much This estimation we may see in Dauid to haue been great and his loue â—eruent he saith I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies as in all riches Also thy testimonies are my delight and my counsellers Behold how I desire thy commandâ—ments The law of thy â—â—uth is better to me thâ—â— thousands of gold and siluer I will neuer forget thy precepts for by them thou hast quickned me O how I loue thy law it is my meditatioÌ„ continually How sweet are thy promises vnto my mouth yea more then honie vnto my mouth The Marchant in the Gospell when he had found the Iewell in the field he went and sold all that he had that hee might buy that piece of ground wherein that Iewell was Of all Iewels that euer man could thinke vpon this of Gods word is the most precious in it is eternall light euerlasting life continuall ioy comfortable contentment infinite true riches Let vs therefore follow the example of this wise Marchant so that we may haue it and enioy the comfort therein contayned care not what wee loose if wee haue it we haue all things if wee haue all things and want it wee haue nothing It is not like other Iewels for coÌ„monly a man that possesseth them not can oftentimes know the value of theÌ„ better then they who possesse them but with this Iewell it is not so the Marchant was neuer in loue with it vntill hee found it wee can neuer nor will euer know the estimation of it vntil we haue it in our hearts Peter when Christ before his last
it and them with reuerent and dutifull estimation laying it vp in their hearts practising the same in their life and conuersation by redressing their wais according therunto they may be crowned immortall and glorious Kings in the world to come and raigne with Christ Iesus eternally world without end For who esteemeth of it esteemeth of God his worde and himselfe being all one as who contemneth it to heare or doe the same contemneth God to heare or obey him who receiueth it and the Preachers thereof receiueth Christ as himselfe testifieth and who reiecteth it or them reiecteth Iesus Christ and the mercy benefites and loue of the Father offered in him willingly and wilfully giuing ouer themselues to darkenes to the Prince of darknes and to the condemnation of and with the Prince of darkenesse for euer Finally to conclude seeing the excellencie of Gods word is such and the estimation thereof and reuerence in our hearts should bee such wee may perceiue the great iniquity and fearefull offence of all those who keepe the same secret and hide from Gods people lest they finding this iewel with the wise merchant should onely cleaue vnto it and hide it vp in their hearts and soules it is life therefore they from whom it is hid walke in the shadow of death it is light therefore they to whom it shineth not walke in feareful darknesse it is the foode phisicke of the sicke soule of a sinner onely therefore they who know it not nor wil not know it must starue and die eternally it is our directer and counseller to whom then it is hid they wander astray in the paths of foolishnesse Except this seede be sowen how can we bring forth good fruit in a true faith to a ioyfull haruest it is the power of God to saluation to all them who beleeue and by faith wee are made members of Iesus Christ but how can wee beleeue except wee heare for faith commeth by hearing and how can we heare it except it bee preached Therefore who taketh away diligent preaching they take away carefull hearing and who taketh away hearing they take away the faith in so farre as in them lieth and so sheweth themselues plainely to bee enemies of Iesus Christ and of his crosse By it wee are digged about the rootes planted and watered and made fruitfull vines and sweete fig-trees in Gods garden and vineyard therefore who taketh away the same maketh God in his wrath to put to the axe to the roote of the tree to cut it down and cast it being barren and vnfruitfull into eternall fire being so slow and backward when wee are often inuited to come to Gods house banquet how much slower shall wee be without the hearing of the inuitation of Gods worde Wee are too barren ground euen when that raine and dew falleth vpon our soules but how much barrenner shall wee be and lesse fructifie when it doeth not fall Happy for euer is that Kingdome or Citie that retaineth the same in the pure sinceritie thereof without addition diminution mixture or amission as thrise woful is the same that retaineth not the same so The most fearefull threatning wherewith Christ Iesus that Alpha and Omega threatneth any of the seauen Churches is that of the Church of Ephesus I will come against thee shortly and will remooue thy Candlesticke out of his place except thou amend The most fearefull famine that euer came vpon any Land Kingdome Citie or soule is the famine of the word of God when the staffe of the heauenly bread thereof is broken This plague or the report thereof may make euery eare to tingle for where it is it is neuer alone but with it is the infectious plague of the pestilence of sinne suffocating euery soule vnto death eternall not taking men out of worldly miserie to eternall ioy as the bodily plague doth many but from their temporall ioy in sinne vnto eternall miserie of punishment And euer with it or after also followeth the sharp and seuere deuouring sworde of Gods fierce wrath and consuming hoat displeasure It is a fearefull thing when the watch or watchman of Gods word in the head of the Tower is dumbe when there is no barking about the sheepe how can the sheepe be safe It is a wofull thing to see godly Samuel remoued from Saul that he dares not speake Gods word plainely but must tarie at home all his life and mourne onely for Saul and his doings when hee is compelled to answere God how can I goe for if Saul heare he will kill me It is wofull to see Ieroboam the King put out his hand and bid take holde of the Prophet of God because at the commandement of the Lord hee cried against the Altar of Bethel It is fearefull to heare that the Lords true Prophets must be hid in caues and feede on bread and water being dumbe when Eliah knoweth none but himselfe left alone to plead Gods cause boldly and must bee faine to flee from place to place in great necessitie from the presence of Ahab and his false Prophets because he spake Gods word truely therefore hee must bee called a troubler of Israel and the estate It is lamentable to see that Michaiah for not speaking of pleasant things as the false Prophets of Ahab did shall bee beaten by Zidkiiah a false deceiuing and flattering spirit and sent to the prison house by the King to eate and drinke the bread and water of affliction to see bloody Iehoram send for the head of Elisha in his wrath or Herod for the head of Iohn the Baptist for speaking the word of God freely because Vriiah prophecied the trueth in the name of the Lord to be sent for by Iâ—hoiakim the King and beheaded likewise Ieremiah for speaking of that whereof God commanded him not to keepe a word backe to bee apprehended by the Priests and people and to be censured worthy to die the death to see Daniel cast in the Lions den and the three children in the fierie furnace for professing the seruice of the Lord their God is it not a woful thing to see Iesus Christ persecuted daily for proclaiming the will of his Father and that ioyfull yeare of Iubile for the freedome of mens soules to see Steuen stoned to death for the testimony of Iesus Peter and Iohn imprisoned for the preaching of the Gospel freely and with threatning commanded that they preach no more to see the Apostles beaten and oftentimes incarcerated Paul stoned smitten apprehended bound c. The beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ exiled to an I le Patmos and Gods seruants the bearers of this glorious iewell of his word by manifolde waies to be troubled onely for the testimonie of the trueth and of a good conscience which the itching eares of these last times cannot abide to heare albeit they shoulde most desire the same For where Gods word is not preached the people perisheth as testifieth the Preacher And the chiefe cause that Gods word
is so restrained in many places the mouths of Gods seruants so shut vp and the veritie repressed and bound as it were is Alexander the Copper-smiths profite will cease if Paul preach where Gods Arke commeth in place Dagon must fall and if Iesus Christ in such humilitie be suffered to bee acknowledged the Sauiour the Hie Priests honour iurisdiction and profit must cease if Daniel be suffered hee will discouer the Priests knaueries and Elias will shew that Baal is no God nor heareth not when Moses commeth with the Tables of the Law from the mount the golden calfe must downe if when Michaiah commeth to speake the truth freely he beleeued Zidkiiah the falsflattering Prophets with their hornes of yron should be put out of credit fauour and authoritie if Iohn the Baptist should be obeyed then Herod must put away his Herodias And where Gods sincere and pure word only getteh place and libertie downe must goe idolatrie and not a relict or hoofe thereof remaine tyrannicall authoritie of these who with Diotrephes loueth the preheminence and to rule as lords ouer the Lords inheritance must bee trod downe vnder the humble feete of Iesus Christ and of his word who pratleth against Gods true seruants with malitious words not therewith content neither they themselues receiue the brethren but forbiddeth them that would and thusteth them out of the Church The triple crowne must yeelde to the crown of thornes al popish ethnish apish ceremonies must fall downe before this Arke of Gods pure worde where the worde of Christ who came to serue getteth right place gracious Lord must cease Caeser must haue that which belongeth to him and all pastours with Paul must graunt themselues to bee seruants onely to Christs flocke for his cause their right title is the most honorable that they can haue euen the title which Iesus Christ is called by to bee Sheepheards of soules where Gods word shineth their shining before the flock must not be in gold silkes but in good workes where Gods word ruleth their rule and gouernement must be onely by Gods word their scepter that scepter which subiects scepters to it selfe their crowne their flocke you are my crowne saith Paul their sword not temporal nor Caesars but that two-edged sword that is in Christs mouth Gods and all their authority from Christs commission onely As my Father sent me so I send you where Gods sacred Law commeth there they must not worship the golden calfe of profit onely neither can Alexanders Diana bee so fat vnto him but with Moses they must looke onely for the reward of God Christs kingdome is not of this worlde in it then they must not looke for any recompeÌ„ce Paul saith I haue fought a good fight c. from henceforth is laid vp for me a crowne c. there is the reward hee looked for I goe saith Christ to my Father to prepare a place for you this is Christs promise For in the world you shall haue affliction and if you were of the world the world should loue you but because you are not as I am not therefore it hateth you In it then nor of it Pastours must not thinke their reward to bee and if in the world of the same they haue here their reward it is to bee feard that they shal neuer haue any other but as the world loueth theÌ„ they the world again that their coÌ„demnation is like to bee with the world also Therfore where Christs word taketh place worldly profite and full bagges must depart and albeit the Minister must liue of the Altar to supply necessitie yet Christ for Christ and his glorie onely must bee preached pride in the hie Priests and auarice in Iudas was the first betraier of Christ pride and auarice now is and euer shall be the only betraier of Christ and his cause and they know little the power of Christ in their heart or soule as they preach his name with their mouth who with Zebedeus sonnes here seeketh onely for their prefermeÌ„t because they haue followed him but they who truely follow him must denie here se suos sua take vp their crosse and follow him The same is his answere to all Ministers as it was to Peter who when hee asked what they should haue because they followed him he answered that they should sit on twelue seates with him and iudge the twelue Tribes of Israel so he saith to euery Minister that followeth him truely as they did not that hee shall be so or so powerfull in the world for hee hath chosen the weake ones of the world but that hee shall sit at his right hand with him in his kingdome when he shall iudge all the Tribes and Nations of the world they then who pertaine vnto that kingdome will desire that great reward honour only more then all the honour and kingdoms of the world with their glory esteeming all as dung to win Christ many soules vnto Christ to know the power of his death resurrection in themselues and see it in their flockes But who pertain not to this kingdome they wil preferre their owne profite before all things if the preaching of Gods word hinder or take away their profit with Alexander that Diana goe not downe they will stirre vp kings kingdoms cities rulers and people against Paul and his preaching and if thirtie pennies may be had Christ Iesus shall be betrayed with a kisse If this light and fire of Gods word should come in place it would consume like Moses rod or serpent the serpentine and profitable fire of purgatorie If it were preached plainely vnto Gods people and to the soules of men that we must come onely to Christ who callâ—th and commandeth vs aske of the Father who can denie vs nothing through him according to his will and that the King against whom wee commit the offence onely can forgiue the same Where should the golden pardons of the Pope goe or the profit of the confessors if it bee preached that Christ the Master had not a hole to repose his head in nor so much mony as could pay tribute for him and â—or Peter And if it be reported how Peter Acts. 3. said Siluer or golde haue I none where shall the princely pallaces of the seruants goe the great treasured heapes of golde they lay vp Paul soiourned in a poore Tanners house that dressed leather and when hee sent for his cloake and his scrolles he maketh no mention of any great treasure but hee laid vp his treasure in heauen where the moath the canker nor the theefe coulde not come gaining and treasuring by his Talent many soules to God Peter got a great treasure and conquesed much when at his Sermon so many soules were conuerted to Christ ioyned to the Church But these fat woolues and dumbe dogges they care not for such a treasure or conquest woe be to them for they doe not the worke of the Lorde at all
seuerall and distinct verses beginning all in the originall Hebrew text with one seuerall letter wherein some will haue a mysterie included But there are three chiefe reasons rendred thereof the first is that it is done and composed so for the greater ornament of the Psalme the matter thereof being so excellent The second is that the excellent doctrine and matter of the Psalme may bee the more diligently noted greater delight estimation had thereof And thirdly that these excellent doctrines abounding so in euerie part and verse of the Psalme being many diuers and so necessarie by this forme of composition and order they may more easily be comprehēded in our memory But Ambrose vpon this same Psalme yeeldeth a fourth reason vse diuerse from the former of the notation of this Psalm so which is thus Vt paruulorum Ingenia primis literarum elementis legendi vsum addiscunt ita nos buiusmodi elementis vsum viuendi As the Ingines or wits of little children saith he by the first elements of letters learneth the vse of reading so let vs by these Elementes learne the vse of liuing The full Alphabet whereby this Psalme is noted noteth to vs the fulnes of the matter therein contained and that wee with our whole affections should fully embrace the same and with all our heart and soule desire it and delight therein The diuersitie of the letters sheweth the diuersitie and plentie of matter that is set before our eies as so many pleasant holesome delicate dishes at a bountifull bāquet The vnitie of all the verses in euery octonarie beginning with one letter doth demonstrate the vnitie of the matter therein contained to the delight whereof if wee will vnite our hearts it is able to vnite vs with God our Father in loue By the octonar number in euery section is declared that as the purification of vncleannesse and the celebration of Circumcision whereby the fore-skin of the flesh was taken away by Gods law was obserued the eight day euen so by the embracing of these doctrines and obseruing of Gods holy Lawe whose excellencie and powrefull effects are set downe in these octonaries our hearts shall be purified and made cleane before God hauing thereby the fore-skin of our heart which barreth out Gods spirit that king of glory from entring into it and our carnall affections taken away our drossie vncleane corruption by the fire of that word and spirit burned vp and consumed and the Image of God Iesus Christ that second Adam restored to vs with whom wee must rise in righteousnesse as by sinne in that first Adam we al did fall and lost that glorious Image of our Creator and God As for the Argument of the whole Psalme In the same the holy Prophet of God exhorteth all the faithfull and members of the true Church of Christ carefully to retaine keepe and obserue the word of God in all sinceritie puritie of truth eschewing all addition or mixture of mans wisedome which is foolishnesse thereunto and worshipping God as hee hath commanded and warranted vs in his word onely As also that not onely wee retaine the same in the sinceritie thereof worship GOD onely according thereunto but also we make it a rule to all our actions practising the same dayly night and day delighting and meditating therein laying and hiding it vp in our hearts and by the sanctificatiō of our life to shew the pietie of our heart thought word and deed agreeing therevnto And because to vnderstand Gods word in respect of our naturall ignorance and in our life to practise the same in respect of the dominion of sinne that he hath gotten ouer vs is not of the strength of man but must be the power worke of Gods holy spirit therefore he mixeth often prayers to open his eyes to make him vnderstand the way of his precepts to direct his steps therein and to let no Iniquitie haue dominion ouer him by this example teaching vs the like dutie There are ioyned also thanksgiuings of the Prophet that already as he confesseth to Gods glory the incouragement of the faithfull hee had found and perceiued in his heart the beginnings of true faith comfort and new obedience to be kindled which earnestly he craues to bee augmented and confirmed in him thereby also in his person teaching vs our dutie to enquire if wee can or haue found Gods graces begun sowed or rooted in our hearts if not as yet to desire the same earnestly if alreadie to craue the increasing and confirmation further thereof and be truely thankfull for that we haue receiued Hee complaineth also shewing the heauinesse faintnesse griefe and feare that he hath conceiued for the horror of his sinnes notwithstanding comforting himselfe and all the godly that are inwardly or outwardly afflicted by relying in faith vpon Gods promise and saluation reuealed and made to him and to all those that beleeue in his name which is and must be the onely ease and comfort to any afflicted soule As also of the multitude greatnesse and crueltie of his enemies that despising Gods lawe themselues did seeke likewise to hinder him from walking therein for whom his eyes notwithstanding did gush out with riuers of water because they kept not the same desiring God therefore to represse their crueltie and wicked enterprise and the more they did seeke to drawe him away from his law and obedience that hee would in his mercie the more confirme and establish him in his statutes shewing thereby the many hinderances that the godly hath euer had and shall continually haue cast in their way by Sathan to hinder their iourney to that spirituall Canaan with their Ioshua Iesus and our dutie therein to bee sorie for their aberring and desire our owne confirmation likewise as hee did shew that they were blessed who walked in Gods law so to the wicked hee sheweth their condition and that their portion is shame and confusion if they will not returne and walke also therein so setting before euery mans eies with Moses life and death to choose The diuision of the Psalme according to the matter therein contained may be in foure parts In the first whereof he sheweth the true felicitie and happinesse of the godly to be placed and consist in the studie beliefe and obedience of the will of God reuealed manifested vnto vs in his word which in respect of the excellencie thereof the desire and estimation wee should also haue of the same in our heart is adorned with many titles proper thereunto In the second part the Prophet for an example to the faithfull earnestly desireth God to informe and confirme him in the knowledge studie beleefe obedience of his reuealed will by the operation of his powerfull spirit who may inlighten his vnderstanding reforme and conforme his will to his owne sanctifie his affections and all the members of his body seeing the same is not in the power of man to doe
to be saued And Christ Iesus the way it self teacheth vs the same duty wheÌ„ he coÌ„maÌ„deth Search the Scriptures for it is they that testifie of me Let all young men therefore who desire to bee esteemed true Christians and hauing a name to be alive in Christ not to bee dead inquire of their owne waies carefully narrowly vnpartially acknowledging truely and in most submissiue manner confessing before the throne of almighiy God their errors and manifold enormities with an earnest and hearty desire to know and practise wherewith they may redresse and purge their waies and walke in the immaculate and holy waies of God and his commandements and for all propone and set before their eyes the example of that forenamed young man onely in the Gospel that imitating him they may addresse themselues in prayer and meditation to Iesus Christ and his word making it their chiefe care and inquirie to know and practise how they may attaine vnto eternall life Blessed is the condition of such a young man who doth so and who in all humilitie doth daily prostrate himselfe vpon the knees of his heart before the throne of the maiestie of God earnestly desiring and wishing with the same Prophet in the 5. verse O that my waies were directed to keepe thy statutes O Lord. Happy is the estate of such a young man and farre happy shal it be hereafter whose delight is in Gods word care to reforme and conform his waies according thervnto As woful dangerous is the conditioÌ„ of the contrary of all such who like vnbridled horses vntamed colts swine wallowing in the mire puddle of vncleannes onely rauished in the hote furie of the lustes of their affections and led by the fearefull hand of sinne and vaine pleasures of the flesh vntill blindlings as the Oxe is led to the slaughter or the foole to the blocke they bee drawne downe the staires of perdition and headlongs precepitat in the deepe gulfe and pâ—t of vtter destruction because in time of their youth they neither enquired obserued nor examined their wayes nor by Gods word sought to redresse and purge the same Now concerning the first thing particularly to bee considered in the question or first part of this Verse which is the person concerning whom the same is mooued He is set downe to be a Yong man so described by the adiunct of age albeit some others as Augustine meaneth a newe or regenerate man hereby albeit decrepite in age as Aristotle in his Ethicks distinguisheth betwixt Iuuenis etate Iuuenis moribâ—â— Disputing de Idonco auditore Ethices Generally therefore indefinitely without limitation or exemption of any that the person concerning whom this question is propounded is saide to bee a yong man whither poore or rich noble or ignoble mightie or impotent the princes or the beggers sonne or what soeuer he be we learne First that this exhortation as al Gods word is indifferently spoken to all yong men For with God there is no respect of persons and therefore that all yong men great or smal should hearken thereunto and apply the same particularly to their owne consciences For from the kings sonne to the poore beggers all are his creatures alike and God their only Creator their beginning is all one for out of the dust were they taken and their end equally shal be al one for to dust they shall returne all came equally naked out of the wombe and all shall goe the same way to the graue and corruption Sickenes coÌ„meth alike Deaths Sythe cutteth downe both as grasse equally all liue one naturall life vpon the earth and draw their breath equally and all liue one supernaturall life in Iesus Christ equally the naturall food of the mortall bodies of both is the same to wit meate and drinke the supernaturall food of the immortall soules of both is likewise the same euen the body and blood of Iesus Christ who hath redeemed both alike by his death and sanctifieth both alike by his viuificating spirit vnto the life of righteousnesse one Iudgement abideth both without respect and one reward is to both the pledges of the kingdome of God which are his Word and Sacraments are alike offered and should be alike administrated to both the mightiest Monarch as the poorest begger boh are equally the sonnes of the first Adam the poorest begger aswell as the mightiest Monarch is equally the sonne and member of the second Adam Iesus Christ if in him he obey Gods wil and apply to his soule his promises by faith as in the first Adam he disobeyed Gods wil by misbeleeuing of his threatnings yea as Lazarus was preferred before Diues so are many outcasts of the world before the mightiest Powers and Princes thereof Gods law equally bindeth both great small his threatnings for sin appertaine equally to both and are alike executed vpon them without any exception or exemption of persons as his sweet promises of mercy belongeth also and are equally offered to both All are alike admonished in his woorde taught and rebuked by the same and before all mens eies indifferently is set downe therein life and death to choose Therefore let no man rich or poore exempt himself from the exhortations admonitions reprehensions or any part of the word of God but as they are spoken to all so particularly let euery one apply them to his owne soule and conscience they are the King of kings statutes binding and pertaining to all his subiects as well of highest as of lowest place and degre and especially let euery yong man whatsoeuer he be hearken to this Exhortation of Gods word and spirit in this place and learne Whereby to redresse his wayes The second obseruation and Lesson here-upon which the Prophet would haue euery one to marke and consider is this That in our youth and first age we must begin then to serue God in vprightnes and holines of life without any further delay or procrastination of time not sacrificing our childehood or youth to the idoll of our owne affections and the deuill as these Idolaters did their children to Molech and thinking that God will accept of our decrepite cold old age when coldly we shall offer the same vnto him but as hee will haue the euening sacrifice of age so wil he haue the morning oblation of youth as he hath giuen life to al ages so by all ages he wil be serued and being all to all by all in all he wil be worshipped The Lord is Alpha and Omega the first and the last the beginning and the end he will be honored therfore as well in the Alpha or the beginning of our youth and first age as hee will in the Omega or end of our last olde age hee is strength and giueth strength to all in this our strength then of youth we must not rise against God and runne with the diuill but as Gideon in his strength was commanded by Gods angel to rise against the
Midianites fight against his enemies so by Gods owne word and the holy messenger of his spirit euery yong man is commanded in the strength of his youth to rise against fight and subdue his owne corrupt affections which are enemies to God and his own saluation so that in our youth we must begin and serue God amend and redresse our waies according to his word not excluding but in euery age wee haue neede and must doe so and the rather seeing a maiori ad minus if Gods word serue to redresse a yong mans way who burneth in his lusts and affections much more serueth it to redresse a man in ripe age his affections being theÌ„ more cooled but chiefly in youth we haue most neede by Gods word to cleanse and redresse our waies for sundry reasons First because our nature then which contraries grace is strongest and so wee are more apt and readie to bee led away by our lustes and to bee drawne in the chaine of our affections by Sathan into a farre countrie of sinne from our owne fathers house with that prodigall sonne to abuse and riotously to consume Gods liberall giftes and manifolde graces bestowed vppon vs in pouertie nakednesse and famine of all goodnesse feeding our filthy vncleane lustes of the flesh and greedily feeding and eating with them Therefore in most dangerous estate wee must take the best and straitest heede when our enemie is within walls then most strongly and couragiously must hee bee resisted when wee finde our nature most inclining to obey sinne then must wee striue and wrestle with GOD in most earnest prayers and hold him fast vntill hee giue vs his blessing and the strength of his Spirite to striue also and preuaile with sinne that our nature by his grace may bee reformed our will made conformable and inclining to his and that in soule and bodie wee may bow in obeying his Commaundements Secondly our youth is the beginning of our pilgrimage and in it we must enter in either at the broad way which leadeth vnto euerlasting destruction or at the narrow way which leadeth vnto euerlasting ioy and saluation The true way is Iesus Christ and his righteousnes I am the way the veritie and life who as he is the way so he is the end of the way eternall saluation as he is God so he leadeth vnto God and to the kingdome of God his father and is the ease and rest of all that commeth loaden or wearie vnto him Therefore in thy youth and entring in thy pilgrimage see thou enter in this way and if thou wouldst finde this way to walke therein desire God to opeÌ„ thy eies that thou mayst see this narrow way Search the Scriptures saith the way it selfe for they are that testifie of me When thou hast found him in his word and known him by his word as the sheepe doth the true sheep-heard apply him then by a liuely faith to thy soule and take hold of the way and hauing found knowne applied and taken hold of him then apply thy whole course of life in thought word and deede vnto this way euer walking therin Be you holy as I am holy saith he Learne of me for I am humble and meeke Moses was commanded to pull off his shooes because the ground hee did stand vpon was holy If thou stand tâ—â—n vpon that holy ground ground-stone Iesus Christ walke in that sacred pure way thou must seperate and cast from thee all filthinesse of sinne and corruption If thou wouldst walke with that vnspotted Lambe thou must walke clothed with that white long robe of sanctitie righteousnesse purchased and washed in his blood beleeue Christ Iesus in thy heart confesse Christ Iesus with thy mouth and shew Christ Iesus and him image in thy life and conuersation so hast thou enterd so doost thou walke so shalt thou attaine to the end of this true and ioyfull way All other waies are by-waies the leader and ladder Sathan a manslaier a lyer from the beginning and the end of al such is Gods fierce wrath and eternall perdition hee leadeth thee from the true Citie of Ierusalem in his deceitfull by-waies to rob thee of the good gifts of God bestowed vpon thee and to kill body soule and cast it into vtter darkenesse like a wise Vlisses harken not to this Syren who would allure and draw thee so to no sweete harmony but to destroy the ship of the body and precious loading of thy soule for which christ shed his precious blood vpoÌ„ the rocks of eternal destruction to be his pray Auoide this Scylla and Carybdis and hold constantly forward in the true way Christ enter and perseuere in it in thy youth when thou art aged thou shalt bee at the end thereof that thou maiest see with the holy Apostle when the time of thy departing is at hand I haue sought a good fight and haue finished my course I haue kept the faith for henceforth is laid vp for mee the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue mee at that day and not vnto me onely but vnto aâ—l them that loue his appearing Lorde grant that euery one of vs may in our youth enter in this course constantly continue therein tâ—ll our â—â—ues end and at our last dissolution we may haue this sure and comfortable perswasion Thirdly we should serue God in our youth chiefly obeying his wil and abstaining from sinne because our youth is as the fat most pleasant vnto God not sinning in it when we may sinne and therefore let vs sacrifice the same vnto him not offering vp the fat morning sacrifice of our youth to Molech the diuell and our sinfull corrupt affections and thinking that the God of Israel wil accept of our leane and lame colde euening sacrifice of weake olde age and so bee serued with the worst after his enemie Sathan In our youth wee must not runne with the diuell and in age thinke to returne vnto God neuer forsaking our lusts nor ceasing to fulfill them in our youth till then in age they forsake vs with the strength to accomplish them wheÌ„ we are strongest wee are weake enough to follow Christ much more vnable when wee are weakest Therefore as Dauid killed Goliah in his youth so let vs seeke to slay that manslayer Sathan in resisting him and kill that Goliah of sin and our corrupt affections which hee vseth as weapons against vs putting off all fleshly armour and arming body and soule with the strength of Gods Spirit putting our trust and sure confidence in Iesus Christ who as by former experience he did ouercome his tentations in his owne person and in the persons of all the Saints his elect members so likewise of his constant loue vnfallible trueth and vnfaileable strength hee will assist and persist with vs vntill wee haue likewise troden him vnder foote As Dauid being young did pull out a Lambe out of the mouth of the Lyon and the Beare so
he grew in yeares so he waxed strong in spirit So likewise euery yong man must striue to do to consecrate himselfe from the wombe to the graue in the seruice of God and to deserue that good commendation of Timothy from his childhood to know the holy Scriptures which may teach instruct him in righteousnesse as a Master which may improoue and correct his faults as a Father and make him a man of God absolute perfite vnto all good works The third lesson and obseruation is to fathers of youth as the first was to youth it selfe and it is that as young men in their youth must learne and practise godlinesse in redressing of their waies according to Gods word so the fathers of all youth must beginne to teach the same vnto them and go before their children in good example of life while they are tender and as new vessells fit to receiue and be seasoned with piety Gods commaundement in his word concerning this dutie of parents is Deutronomie 4. 9. But take heede to thy selfe and keepe thy soule diligently that thou forget not the thinges which thine eyes haue seene and that they depart not out of thine heart all the daies of thy life but teach them thy sonnes and thy sonnes sonnes Againe Deutronomie 6. 7. where hee saith And thou shalt reâ—earse them continually vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thoâ—â—â—riestin thine house and as thou walkest by the way and when thou liest downe and when thourisest vp Moreouer Deutronomie 32. 46. in Moses last exhortation to Israel Then hee saide vnto them Set your hearts vnto all the wordes which I testifie against you this day that you may command them vnto your children that they may obserue and doe all the words of this Law Likewise the Apostle Ephes. 6. 4. And yee fathers prouoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in instruction information of the Lord. So Psal. 78. 5. How he established a testimony in Iacob and ordained a law in Israel which hee commanded our fathers that they should teach their children Also the practise of all the godly hath euer been so according to this coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of God Adam taught his sonnes to sacrifice and offer to the Lord. The three Angels that came to Abraham they reuealed vnto him the destruâ—tion of Sodome because the Lord did know that he would teach this his iudgement for sinne to the posteritie after him And the Lord said shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I doe For I know him that he will command his sonnes and his houshold after him that they keepe the way of the Lord to doe righteousnesse and iudgement that the Lord may bring vpon Abraham that he hath spoken vnto him Isaac being a young childe yet was well instructed in the typicall seruice of God and things pertaining vnto the sacrifice of the old Law when he asked his father Behold the fire and the wood but where is the lambe for the â—urnt offering And he answered My sonne God will prouide him a lambe c. His exercise also when hee was a young man by his fathers instruction and example was And Isaac went out to pray in the field toward the euening c. So Ioshua in his last commandement exhortation to Israel saith vnto them And if it seeme euill vnto you to serue the Lord choose you this day whom you will serue c. but I and my house will serue the Lord. With sundry such examples in the Scripture where we may see the practise and care of all the godly to haue beene euer in instructing bringing vp their children in the knowledge and feare of God which all godly Christian parents in this age must follow likewise for if God hath established his couenant betweene vs and our seed after vs to be our God for euer how carefull should wee then be that our seede and children may be instructed in the true and perfect knowledge thereof that as hee is their God so they may bee his people as hee is their father so they may proue his children by dutifull loue and obedience to his commandements It is said that Alexander had children borne and brought vp in military discipline and exercise from their infancie in his Campes which made him so victorious and prosperous in battell euen so let all parents bring vp their children from their infancie and cradle in the knowledge and exercise of the Christian warfare of this life in all godlinesse vertue that they may proue couragious and good souldiers vnder their victorious King and Captaine Iesus Christ. And seeing youth is as tabula rasa a new vessell a young tree or Oliue plant as Dauid calleth them like soft waxe to receiue any print inconstant and wauering and most inclining by their owne nature to sinne and vaine pleasure which euen godly Iob suspected in his children albeit well and godly brought vp when he went to sacrifice for them daily fearing it might haue beene that his sonnes in their banquetting had sinned and blasphemed God in their hearts Therefore let all fathers as God hath giuen them children of his grace so with Hannah Samuels mother dedicate and giue them againe vnto the Lord and his seruice in bringing them vp carefully in the feare and reuerence of his holy name season their tender hearts in their youth with the liquor of godlinesse and the true knowledge of the blood of Iesus Christ which must be their life print them with the glorious image of Christ which is true pietie that as he was the resemblance of his father so they may here represent him also in purenes sanctitie of life while they are as yong tender twigges and Oliue branches bow them that way as you would haue them stand when they are growen and olde which is to the obedience of Iesus Christ in whom they must beare fruite and receiue fatnesse write and ingraue the knowledge of his will commaundements in their hearts and mindes that with all their hearts soules and mindes they may honour and serue GOD in all feare and loue a band to holde out all â—inne and so place and set them in the right way see that they constantly continue and perseuere therein and ioyne seuere and strait animaduersion for repressing of their vices as also of cherishing of Gods good graces in them that so they may bee liuely stones in Sion to the glory of God the comfort of his parents and their owne soules saluation So parents making them dutifull to God their heauenly Father he will make them dutifull also and reuerent to them againe otherwise with Elias sonnes they will be a griefe to their hearts and the meanes to bring their gray haires in sorrow to the graue and with Absolon prooue vnkinde and vnnaturall children for being Dauids darling he proued Dauids traitour and the reason is set downe thus 1. Kings 1. 6. And his father would not
which leadeth to saluation presse hardly to thrust in at that narrow gate lay off and cast away far from thee all the impediments of sinne and the intising vanities and pleasures of youth and let thy onely care be with thee first to see thy Sauiour the way is narrow that leadeth to him delay not then till it be full but striue to be foremost the way is narrow that leadeth to life therefore not soone found in the beginning thē of thy life timely begin and search carefully and narrowly for it the true way is narrow and straight therefore thy steppes therein when thou hast found it must be strait and narrow thou must make a couenant with thy eye that it behold no vanitie thou must shut the gates of thy eares that thou heare no vaine prophane or idle speeches offensiue to God thou must not harken to them but let the sound of Gods word and healthfull admonitions be pleasant only vnto thy hearing thou must haue a watch-man before thy lips and Gods feare a bar vnto thy heart tongue that thou vtter nothing but may be to Gods glorie thy owne comfort and the edification of those that doe heare thee abstaining from swearing cursing lying backebiting slandering iudgeing idle or corrupt speaking and from all things that hath but the appearance of euill thou must exercise thy handes to doe good only thy feet to prosecute the same thy will must be made cōformable to thy Sauiours thy vnderstanding to perceiue and apprehend vertue and Gods mercy towards thee thy memorie to thinke vpon his iudgements to thine amendement vpon his mercy to thy comfort and his manifolde blessings and vndeserued benefites for encrease of thankfulnesse in thee Thy whole body and all the members thereof which is a member of Iesus Christ must no wise be made a member of Sathan by sinne or polluted to bee the member of an harlot thy soule and heart with all the powers and faculties thereof must be the temple and tabernacle of Gods sanctifying and holy spirit not a lodge for that vncleane spirit of sinne and his fellowes of thy filthy lusts and carnall affections in body and soule thou must walke so warily and narrowly in feare and trembling working out thy saluation The way is narrow feare then neuer so little to depart from the paths of the Lord this straight passage and path to saluation is soone lost by negligence but not so easily found out againe without great diligence care not for the scornefull and diuelish slander of the world to bee called precise but daily more and more labour so to be indeede striue to liue a pure and vnspotted life without an hypocriticall and externall shew onely thereof It is saide in a diuelish prouerbe A young Saint an olde diuell but endeuour thou being young to be a Saint of God and to dedicate thy youth to him and his seruice onely walking in this strict and narrow path the same God who hath giuen thee beginning shall also giue thee constancie and a ioyfull end that thou maiest liue an old Saint also as well as young on earth and in heauen he shal glorifie thee a blessed Saint for euer with himselfe It is saide and that most truely Temporis praeteriti bene impensi suauis est memoria The memorie of time by-past which was well bestowed is sweete and ioyfull to the minde of man And let any young man consider with himselfe if God bring him to age what greater ioy and comfort hee can haue then to remember that hee hath borne the yoake in his youth as the Prophet saith that hee entred and walked then in the narrow straight way and now is come to the easie passage and out-going thereof to receiue that promised reward of eternall ioyes and euerlasting life where hee seeth others who then entred a contrarie course giuing loose liberty to their flesh fulfilling their lusts and neuer caring to redresse their waies in their olde age to bee punished with pouertie punished with infamie and disgrace ouercome with sicknesse humbled greatly despised expelled out of all good companie a patterne of all miserie in great straightnesse the end of the way and compelled with the prodigall Sonne after they haue spent all abused Gods gifts to liue in a lamentable estate and to flie from Citie to City from Countrey to countrey wrestling if they may to come out of their straightnes but falling from pit to pit from Scylla to Charybdis And except God their father giue them a minde at last to returne to him aright and halfe way run and meete them that is to be feared they bee cast into an euerlasting straightnes of eternall death and condemnation which by their walking in that broad way of carnall libertie they iustly haue promerited What ioy I say shall this be to an aged man to remember his happy estate he is in And this wofull condition hee hath by Gods grace escaped when for age hee cannot so well eate his meate this remembrance that hee remembred his Creatour in the daies of his youth and redressed his waies according to his word shall be a continuall banquet vnto him this peace of a good conscience and ioy of an vpright heart shal be a staffe to vphold his soule when hee beholdeth the greene field and pleasant fruites and flowers of his well spent youth greater solace shall bee to his minde then the pleasure of the finest decked garden of the world could bee to the eye his soule shall flow with comfort and his heart pant and leape with ioy an infinite treasure shall he possesse see continually which shall neuer make him carefull or the feare of the losing thereof put sleepe from his eyes but from death to life it shall passe with him and leaue a perpetuall fame thereof in the world when he shall die in the Lord his works shall follow him Let euery yong man then spend and bestow his youth so in walking in this narrowe way and straight passage circumspectly precisely and as purely as hee can redressing his waies according to Gods word that in the haruest of old age he may pull and eate of the fruit of his youth and find refreshment after wearinesse rest after labour victorie after the battel easinesse after straightnesse and infinit eternall ioy after momentaneall mourning and teares for a season assuring himselfe that his fasting from sinne in youth shall be a feasting of comfort in age his sowing in teares shall bee a reaping of ioy And Christ the way the truth and the life who hath promised the reward is faithfull willing and sufficient to performe hee saith To him that ouercommeth will I giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God He that ouercommeth shall not bee hurt of the second death to him that ouercommeth will I giue of the Manna that is hid and I will giue him a white stone and in the stone a new
is how to redresse vice and ouercome sinne in his mortal members that Gods free Spirit may make his aboad and comfortable habitation in his soule The diligent care of the other is how to represse and oppresse vertue and godlines that it take no roote in his soule nor bring forth no acceptable pleasant fruit before God but that as a sinke of iniquitie it may abound and yeelde forth out of the aboundance thereof rotten and vnsauorie smells in thought word and action The one seeketh to purge himselfe from the least spot of sin that might make him displeasing in his fathers sight yea hee abhorreth from the very appearance of euill or the least meane that might draw or perswade him any way thereunto The other seeketh the foulest puddle or mire of sin wholy in body and soule not caring to tuÌ„ble pollute himselfe as a filthy swine thereinto and as a dogge deuouring sinne griedily which deuoureth his soule and returning euer to his vomit he embraceth all occasions of sinne hee headlong runneth vnto the brinke of destruction as it were with cart-ropes of iniquitie he is swiftly carried as the oxe to the slaughter or the foole to the blocke vnto the bottomles pit of perdition The one for the least sinne he committeth that stayneth his soule hee heapeth and powreth out tears vpon tears as a treasure to be laid vp in a bottel before God that thereafter hee may reape the fruite of his seed sowed in tears in the ioyful and plentifull haruest of the Lord when he shall find true rest and comfort to his soule The other in his greatest sinnes hee most reioyceth and with Lamech vaunteth of his vngodly furie and crueltie of impietie inferred to his owne soule hee heapeth sinne vpon sinne vntill the day of wrath as a treasure and with all griedines filleth the cup of iniquitie to the full til God in his iust iugment giue to him also the full cup of his fierce wrath and indignation and make him drinke out the very dregs thereof for as he soweth so he shall reape The one sort being the children of the light and the day they walke in the light and doe the workes thereof therfore they shall enioy the cleare and endlesse light of that heauenly new Ierusalem which is the bright countenance of the Lambe The other being the children of darkenesse and the night they delight to walke in the wayes of darknes and to doe the workes thereof therefore with the prince of darkenesse they shall bee at last cast into vtmost darkenesse where is weeping and gnashing of teeth Finally as euerie tree is knowne by his fruite so by their works you shal know and discerne betwixt godly and vngodly yong men as a good yong tree bringeth foorth best fruite in the spring while it is yong so a godly yong man bringeth forth best fruits of vertue and pietie in his tender yeeres and spring of his youth not delaying till the cold winter of old age come wherein eyther no fruit at all or if any nothing but sowre grapes are to be expected but as no man can gather figs of thornes nor seeke for honie out of the viper so from those that consume their best age and prime of youth in all lustfull licentiousnesse outlaw liuing in sinne and slauish libertie of iniquitie nothing can be expected but that the haruest shall be like the spring wherin they shal reape the fruit of their labours and their seed time of wickednes shall bee rewarded with the measure of bitter seuere punishment when the axe shall bee put to the root of the tree and euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall bee cut downe cast into vnquenchable fire The examples of both these sorts of yong men we haue in the Scripture set before the eyes of all youthes in this age to learne by and behold Of the one whom they should follow the examples of yong Abel vprightly sacrificing vnto God the first fruits and fat of the flocke as they should the first fruits and fat of their youth in vprightnesse and holinesse of life of yong Isaac exercising himselfe in prayer alone in the field of yong Iacob in suffering many wrongs obeying the good counsell of his parents fearing their displeasure dealing faithfully in an holy and humble mind with all men of yong Ioseph refusing the way of sinne and adulterous lust suffering patiently rewarding good for euill and being a comfort and reliefe to his old father and his whole family of Moses refusing to bee counted the sonne of Pharaohs daughter to bee esteemed the sonne of God and a faithful seruant in his whole house of yong Dauid in trusting euer stedfastly and beleeuing in Gods mercy towards him suffring much aduersitie and still sticking fast vnto the Lord who deliuered his enemies so oftentimes in his handes and his life out of theirs of yong Salomon in seeking the true wisedome of God before honour or riches of yong Samuel zealous and faithfull in Gods sanctuarie in his youth there seruing him of yong Daniel in walking with an holy and vpright heart before the almighty of yong Timothie brought vp froÌ„ an infantin the true knowledg feare of God a glorious starre painfull instrument in his Church of the children of the elect Ladie 2. epist. Ioh. 1. 4. whoÌ„ the beloued Apostle of Iesus Christ found walking in the trueth as God had commanded and therefore reioyced with such like examples which are set before the eyes of all youth according thereunto to reforme and coÌ„forme themselues in all things that they may obtaine that rich reward of eternall life whereof they are already in possession Of the other sort which wee should eschue and abhorre is malicious murdering and hypocriticall Cain who was accursed of God vaunting Lamech bragging of his strength furie to commit sinne in his youth Ham dishonouring contemning Noah his father Esau in being a griefe to his parents heart a profane A theist and persecutor of his godly brother Absolon a bloodie vnnaturall proud wicked sonne to his father Dauid whose end was a shamefull and sudden death Elies two sonnes who oppressed Gods people committed most vile filthinesse in Israel and were at last the death and heart-break of their old father and their owne destruction Ammon incestuous with his sister whose reward was cruel death and sudden destruction the young men of Sodome who in their filthinesse were consumed with fire brimstone Zimri and Cozbi in their burning lust thrust thorow by zealous Phineas with many other such examples of those who in the time of their youth fulfilled their owne lusts and wicked affections til they tasted of the full cup of Gods fierce wrath to their vtter destruction which was their sâ—al end lameÌ„table conditioÌ„ such therfore let vs abhor with their course of wicked life as we would eschue their feareful end most cursed death Râ—hoboam by his yong counsellers in obeying