to wit Gospel Ordinances will cry come and be like a Roe for swiftness Cant. 8. last Upon such Christ comes not as a Thief in the night 1 Thes 5.3 for they love his appearing 2 Tim. 4.8 and they are blessed Rev. 16.15 Such as fear to live and see that day shall not see it to live c. The Third great Friend we must watch is the Holy Ghost for 't is a Divine Precept He that hath Ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches Rev. 2.7 And this is said again and again both in the 2 d and in the 3 d Chapter to all the Seven Golden Candlesticks seven times over the sense whereof is we must watch and hearken what God the Holy Spirit will speak Psal 85.8 not so much with the Gristle on the Head but more by the Ear of the Heart for God may speak once and twice and man perceive it not Job 33.14 until God bore our Ears as he did David's Psal 40.6 and open our Hearts as he did Lydias Acts 16.14 and until our Lord put his Finger into the Hole of our Ear and looking up to Heaven he cry Ephphatha that is be opened as he did to the Man that was possessed with a deaf Devil Mark 7.34 We must pray with the Spouse for this purpose saying Lord thy Companions hearken to thy Voice cause me to hear it also Cant. 8.13 when this Quickning Spirit as he is called Joh. 6.63 even this Spirit of Truth cometh he guideth us into all Truth Joh. 16.13 and blessed is that Soul which watcheth the Motions of this Holy Spirit in a Sanctified Conscience and can discern a difference of such persuasions as come not from him that calleth us Gal. 5.8 The Steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord Psal 37.23 Blessed are they that hear the joyful sound of this breathing Spirit they shall walk O Lord in the light of thy Countenance Psal 89.15 they follow the footsteps of his Anointed ver 51. and David must then bestir himself when he heard the sound of God's goings upon the Tops of the Mulberry Trees 2 Sam. 5.24 This Holy Spirit is a delicate thing Psal 143.10 as Junius reads it and therefore must not be vexed Isa 63.10 nor grieved Ephes 4.30 much less quenched in its motions 1 Thes 5.19 they that are led by the Spirit are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 as Paul was Acts 16.6,7 and Simeon was led by the Spirit into the Temple Luke 2.27 Yea and our Lord Jesus himself was led up by the Spirit into the Wilderness to conquer the Tempter in a Duel upon the Devil 's own ground Matth. 4.1 Thus Abraham that Father of the faithful went out he knew not whether nor when he should return nor how he should subsist c. yet he well knew with whom he went Heb. 11.8 for he put himself as a Child into his Father's hand who called him and the conduct of the Holy Spirit carried him dry-shod to the last Thus likewise if we be the Sons and Daughters of Abraham the Holy Spirit will teach us all things John 14.26 that blessed Anointing is our best Instructer 1 John 2.20.27 We should lay our selves as Instruments open to the Touchings of this Holy Spirit and submit to his Discipline which requires much self-denial then shall we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5.22,23 which is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth Ephes 5.9 And could we but watch its whisperings more and better so as to obey them we should not so oft be found in Fundo Diaboli upon the Devil's ground in places of Temptation but as the Spirit suffered not Paul c. to go unto such and such Places Acts 16.6,7 even so would it be with us could we but put our Souls wholly under the conduct of this Holy Spirit If once we dare presume to break this Divine Hedge that Old Serpent will surely bite us Eccles 10.8 We may not live at Random and without a Rule but we must mind and watch the Teachings of this Divine Unction which never teacheth us any thing but what is consonant to the Holy Scripture endited by it 2 Pet. 1.19,20,21 Now come we to the Second Trinity or three sorts of Foes or Enemies to be duly and daily watched The first Foe is the World which is a woful Witch and must be burned for a Witch at the Last Day 2 Pet. 3.7,10 and therefore ought we to watch this Witch well that we may not be bewitched by it It is well known that such persons as are bewitched do not only lose their Likeness and Beauty but also do suffer many sad Paroxysms and Fits of strange Distempers c. As all this holds true literally to bewitched Bodies c. so no less is it true mystically to bewitched Souls which are captivated by the two fair Breasts or rather Botches this Witch the World exposeth to their view namely Pleasure and Profit Such have horrible Fits of Madness as Saul had when the Evil Spirit came upon him 1 Sam. 16.14,23 c. and such have Leanness sent into their Souls Psal 106.15 Besides the World must be well watched because it is such an Enemy as continually besiegeth us and we cannot flee from it while we live in it therefore we must be sure to have a Lid or Covering for our Hearts Those Vessels that wanted Coverings the Law doomed them Unclean Numb 19.15 and so are our Hearts without a Covering of the Spirit Isa 30.1 The Dirt of a dirty World will unavoidably be often falling into an open uncovered Heart whereby both Mind and Conscience are defiled Tit. 1.15 We should keep the World under our Feet where God placed it Psal 8.6 and not set it in our Hearts Eccles 3.11 The Second Foe to be watched is Satan who is called the God of this World 2 Cor. 4.4 and dealeth with Worldlings as unlucky Boys do with silly Horses they first catch them with a little Provender and then backs them whips and spurs them into an High Gallop and rides them till they be tired and at last lodges them in the Stable at night c. We are told how Satan considered Job and better considered him Job 1.8 and 2.3 that is he watched all Advantages to Tempt that none-such Saint and Servant of God c. Oh then how much more ought such weak worms as we are to consider him who so much consiâ—ers us and watches us to take all advantages against us for we are not ignorant of his Devices 2 Cor. 2.11 We read of Rizpah how she watched her Royal Seed upon the Rock c. and suffered neither the Birds of the Air to rest on them by day nor the Beasts of the Field by night 2 Sam. 21.10 Thus every Believer ought to do as Rizpah did in watching the Royal Seed even the Seed of God in them that it be not wronged either by night or day by Satan who is called
Back-burdens Now who would not but be disburdened and be at Ease and Rest in the Grave the Weary find Rest Job 3.17 but the Rest that is found in Christ Matth. 11.28,29,30 is for the Soul as well as Body c. Rev. 14.13 and who would not be willing to put off Rotten Rags and to put on Royal Robes c. Many more Cordials might be mentioned as 7 thly For me saith Paul to die is Gain Phil. 1.21 because Death to a good Man brings freedom from all Evil and a fruition of all Good And hereupon he 8 thly He desired to be dissolved c. ver 23. The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to launch forth to loose off from the Shore of Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality and Glory this was all his Song he longed to be with Christ ever after he had been wrapt up to the Third Heaven 9 thly Yea and Old Simeon thought it best of all with Paul to die when he sang that sweet Song Lord now let thy Servant depart in peace c. Luke 2.29 as is largely spoke to before adding only this here he only saw the Lord's-Christ in weakness with an Eye of Sense but we see him in Glory with an Eye of Faith therefore may better depart not in Peace only but also in Joy and Comfort 10 thly How couragious was that Proto-Martyr Stephen against the Terrors of a most Terrible Death after he had seen the Heavens opened and Christ standing at the Right Hand of God Acts 7.56 The like Prospect we have offered to our Faith which is the Key that opens Heaven and may we but fix our Spiritual Eyes upon that Glorious Object this would wonderfully enable us to lay down our Mortal Bodies in peace and send up our Immortal Souls into the Hands of him that bought it crying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Lastly But thanks be to God who giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15.57 with 55 56. Thirdly The Cordials against Terrors of the Day of Judgment which surely follows Death Heb. 9.27 and which is called a Terrible and Dreadful Day very often in Scripture as that Day shall burn like an Oven Mal. 4.1 the Sun turned into Darkness and Moon into Blood Acts 2.20 and Elements shall melt with fervent Heat c. 2 Pet. 3.10 and the Lord will come in flaming Fire c. 2 Thes 1.7,8 and with Fire and Sword will God plead with all Flesh c. Isai 66.15,16 see likewise Joel 2.31 Matth. 25.31,32 Rev. 1.7 c. Now if a Crack of Thunder and a Flash of Lightning at the breaking of a single sorry Cloud do so affright us how much more when the whole Heavens break and drop down like Scalding Bell-Mettal about our Ears c. Yet Note well 1 st There is Comfort for the Chosen Ones they shall be caught up in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall ever be with the Lord and therefore comfort your selves c. 1 Thes 4,16,17,18 2 dly As Death leaves us so the Day of Judgment will find us as the Tree falleth towards the South or towards the North there it lieth Eccles 11.3 Even so as is before observed if we fall by Death upon the Right Hand of Christ among his pretious Sheep then are we called upon to lift up our Heads for the Day of our Redemption is come Luke 21.28 Ephes 4.30 that way the Tree leans that way it falls Oh that while we live we may lean to Christ 3 dly The due Observation of the main end of Life is to be useful to the end of our Lives wee should be ever ready Matth. 24.44 May we but become good Stewards then blessed is that Servant whom his Master shall find so doing ver 46. 4 thly Tho' we be conscious to our selves that our Obedience has been exceeding narrow to God's Commandments which are exceeding broad Psal 119.96 yet may we rejoice with Trembling Phil. 2.11 because our Judge is our Advocate who became sin for us c. that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 1 John 2.1,2 5 thly May we but upon good grounds be persuaded that we are justified by Faith then have we peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 5.1 this is known if we be sanctified by the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 For this latter doth evidence the former and having got God's Seal and Earnest which he never gives to a Reprobate then fear not Gen. 15.1 6 thly Be sure to have the Line of Scarlet Thread bound to our Windows as Rahab had Josh 2.18 this was the saving Colour a Red Cord Thus Israel's Door-posts must be Red with Blood when the destroying Angel passed over Egypt Rahab made haste and delayed not as Psal 119.60 So soon as she dismissed the Spies long before Jericho fell c. Oh could we get this Scarlet Line the Blood of Christ fixed upon our Hearts this Sign saved Rahab and made her famous Heb. 11.31 and Jam. 2.25 then our Joshuah will save us and say to us also Come ye blessed of my Father inherit c. Matth. 25.34 In the mean time we Aged Ones must be ever praying Lord cast me not off in my Old Age and forsake me not when strength fails me Psal 71.9 Laus Ei Soli tribuatur omnes Cujus Afflatu Labor extat omnis Fructus ut Vitae reserantur omnes orbis in Oras FINIS Christopher Nesse aetatis suae 56 1678 Minnister of the Gospel in fleet Street London
us c. It followeth then that the Duty of Resisting must likewise be done as an additional Duty unto Watching and Praying and we must spend our whole lives in the work of watching praying and resisting to our dying day c. Upon those few following Considerations over and above the Arguments before-mentioned As 1 st Consider well that the Devil is like the Crocodile of whom Pliny relateth that if men pursue him he will flee from them but if men flee from him he will then pursue after them c. 2 ly Consider there is indeed a playing upon the hole of the Asp and a putting the hand upon the Cockatrice Den which Christ hath promised he will secure little Children from the danger thereof Isa 11.8 when he comes to create the new Heavens and the new earth wherein shall dwell all righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 But we may not do so now for if we dally with the Devil in leading our selves into Places and Companies of Temptation whereas we pray that the Lord may not lead us into Temptation in the Lord's Prayer this is foolish presumption and a plain tempting of the Tempter 3 ly Consider what is required of us â—n this Resisting Duty 't is only a strong â—egative resolving in Christ's strength to â—nswer the Tempter with an holy and peâ—emptory No No I may not I cannot I â—are not do it to give Satan a flat deâ—ial is no difficult Duty and 't is not resisting unto blood Heb. 12.4 4 ly Consider if we resist not but â—ield contrary to that Apostolical command yield not your Members as weapons of wickedness unto sin as the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Rom. 6.13,14,19 â—hen are we taken Captives by Satan and â—ed about by him as his Slaves at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 and not taken to be preserved alive as before but to be destroyed c. 2 Pet. 2.12 Oh woful condition c. 5 ly Consider that he who now tempts us to sin will accuse us afterward for that sin as elsewhere yea and those very Snares of Sin wherewith Satan at present doth entangle us will at the last become Chains of Darkness in Hell c. 6 ly Consider this striving against sin Heb. 12.4 must be constant and last so long as life doth last we should resist wholly with this whole Armour of God because when we have overcome the prophane Devil a worldly Devil may prevail against us Or if we have been madâ— able to master a Swearing Devil then 〈◊〉 Lying Devil may prove too hard for us and if we can conquer all those and manâ— more Devils c. After the subduing oâ— all these then may the Devil of Pridâ— rise up and prevail over us for that olâ— saying of Bernard's Tot Daemonia quâ— Crimina so many sins as do reign over us so many Devils do rule in us seeing every such sin hath a Devil in it Now this siâ— of Pride as it is the first that is learnâ— so it is the last that is lest for there is something of Pride even in the besâ— Hearts even good Hezekiah's was lifted up in pride 2 Chron. 32.25,31 7 ly Consider for our Comfort that ouâ— constant conflict against Sin and Satan is a better evidence of true sanctifying and saving grace than any perfection of Holiness that can be found in the most sanctified souls Paul himself who tho' he had been rap'd up into the Third Heavens and into Paradice it self 2 Cor. 12.2,4 yet he after this complaineth of a Thorn in the Flesh a Messenger of Satan to buffet him c. ver 7 8 9. and he saith of himself not as tho' I had already attained or were already perfect but I press after it c. Phil. 3.11,12,13,14 and crys Oh wretched man c. Rom. 7.24 8 ly and lastly Let us consider and better consider for our comfort if we can but know that Christ is in us 2 Cor. 13.5 then Christ in us is stronger for us than this Strong Man Satan can be against us Luke 11.21,22 If our Lord be for us 't is no matter who or what is against us Rom. 8.31 Stronger is he in us than he that is in the World 1 John 4.4 As our Lord hath conquered Satan as before in his own Person so he hath promis'd to do the same in all his sincere Members he will not lose so much as one of them John 6.39 and 17.12 Oh pray pray pray that Christ may strengthen us Phil. 4.13 that we may shake this Viper the Old Serpent from off our Hearts as Paul did the Viper from off his Hands into the fire of Hell Acts 28. ver 4 5 6 c. CHAP. IV. Shewing the way to Compleat a Conquest in God's Armour Advice to Young and Old c. THere be Two Grand Duties that concern all Mankind Male and Female Rich and Poor Young and Old c. which are coupled together in that one Verse 1 Tim. 6.19 to wit 1 st A laying up in store for our selves a good foundation against the time to come And 2 dly A laying hold on Eternal Life First of the 1 st Lay a good Foundation c. This is always look'd upon by Wise Men as a Work of great weight we ought all to be Builders of the Tower of Godliness Luke 14.28 'T is compared to a Tower upon manifold accounts As 1. 'T is an high Building 2. Stately 3. Difficult 4. Exposed to Storms which plain Ground is not obvious unto 5. Costly far beyond Hutts or Cottages c. 6. Godliness hath all the parts of an Aedifice as Foundation Corners and the Roof or Top c. Now this Good Foundation is not either Good Meanings or General Mercy or an External Profession these are all Sandy Matth. 7.24,26 but 't is the Rock Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Acts 4.12 Col. 1.15,17 1 Pet. 1.20 Rev. 13.8 c. Now if we fail in the Foundation which is the first of those two great Duties we can never obtain any solid ground of Hope for the Second of laying hold on Eternal Life which is the Top of that Mystical Tower of which it may be truy said even without any Hyperbole what is said of the Tower of Babel that the Top of it reacheth up into Heaven Gen. 11.4 An Antient Popish Limner or Painter drew Solomon's Picture in this Posture of his being one half in Heaven and the other half in Hell c. Thus the Man that sets one of his Feet upon a Rock but his other Foot upon a Quagmire contiguous to the Rock whereby he Sinketh down with his whole Body into the Dirt c. Thus likewise will it befal us if we make not Christ our All and in All Col. 3.11 but lean partly upon God and partly upon the World if we halt betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit alas we then seem to hang as it were equally poiz'd betwixt our fear of Hell and our hope of Heaven with Sâ—lomon's
heeded and observed The similitude runs in parallel lines betwixt the two kinds of Sleeping and Watching both of that which is Natural and of that which is Spiritual For as in natural or literal Sleep that immortal part of man the pretious Soul layeth as it were dead and buried in an House of Clay all its noble parts and gifts seem then to be lost and Man all the time he lies asleep doth differ very little either from a Beast or a dead Carcass which made that famous General Epaminondas say Qualem inveni talem reliqui when he was blamed for cruelty in killing his Centinel whom he found sleaping to the hazard of the whole Army c. and his Apology was I left him but as I found him c. He looked upon him as one dead while he lay asleep c. But when those Vapors that cause Sleep are digested and consumed by the Natural Heat of our Animal Spirits and when those Obstructions of all our Senses are thereby removed then saith the Philosopher Panduntur Meatus Reditque opus Sensationis id est Vigilia quae est Sensuum Actio Motus quem Calor Spiritus in omnia Membra effusus efficit that is the Heat and Spirit being then defused into all our Members from Head to Foot all the passages of our Senses are opened c. and then we awake from our Sleep c. Even thus it is with us in that which is called a Mystical and Spiritual Sleeping and awaking out of it It was corrupt Humours that caused both the Spouse and the Wise Virgins to fall into a slumber and those Vapors do arise out of the Body of Sin that unrenewed part in us which do for a time obstruct the operations of a Spiritual Life in us But when the Spirit of Grace which is called the Spirit of Burning Isa 4.4 reviveth and burns up those corrupt Humours in us then is it that we awake arise and go forth to shake our selves as Samson did when the Philistines were upon him Judg. 16.20 This is called our awaking unto Righteousness 1 Cor. 15.34 and standing up from the Dead Ephes 5.14 Awake Awake saith the Lord Isa 52.1 and Arise Shine c. Isa 60.1 The Fourth Inquiry is what is the proper Object or Subject of this Spiritual Watching Answer This Christian Vigilancy is most highly concerned in this Watching-work as it hath a Respect and Relation to a double Trinity the first is a Trinity of Friends to wit the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost And the Second is a Trinity of Foes namely the World the Flesh and the Devil All these both Friends and Foes are to be duly and daily watched in our warring the good Warfare 1 Tim. 1.18 and in fighting the good Fight of Faith 1 Tim. 6.12 First of the first The Trinity of Friends that must be watched is 1 st God the Father must be watched this Lesson we should learn from Christ who did so saying We speak that we know and testifie that we have seen Joh. 3.11 and farther The Son can do nothing of himself but what he seeth the Father do Joh. 5.19 and the Father loveth his Son and sheweth him all thing that himself doth ver 20. And as I hear I do not doing mine own will but the will of my Father who sent me ver 30. Now if Christ that holy Child watched what he saw and heard from the Father by that Divine and Unspeakable Communication between them c. how ought Christians to watch likewise having an Unction from the Holy God that teacheth all things 1 Joh. 2.20 It is said of Israel Veshameru Mishmereth Custodiebant Custodiam they watched the Motions of the Lord in the Cloudy Pillar Numb 9.19 they kept Watch and Ward Night and Day to see when the Cloud would arise that they might be at every hour ready for removing Thus David set God always before him Psal 16.8 So ought we to do that we may learn to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 Children should learn to be like their Father Matth. 5. last in the Quality of Holiness tho' we cannot come up to an Equality of his Holiness Thus we ought to pass more and more into the likeness of that Heavenly Pattern If our Eyes wait upon the Lord as the Eyes of a Servant upon his Master c. Psal 123.1,2 then is there Hope concerning both our Conformity to God and our Communion with God We ought to watch God's Pillar of Providence as Israel did the Cloudy Pillar for there is God's Voice in the work of his Providence Were we but Men of Wisdom to watch hear and undestand it aright Mic. 6.9 we should learn the sooner to follow Providence the better the neglect whereof doth oft bring damage and detriment to us c. But tho' God's Providence may be too dark and deep for our dim Eyes to see and for our dull Ears to hear yet blessed be God his Precepts and his Promises are all so plain that he who runs may read and hear them and our not watching them makes us neglect Godliness The 2 d Friend is God the Son must be watched for we know not either the Day or the Hour wherein he will call us either to Death or to the Day of Judgment every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day c. as before and because we cannot foresee it therefore must we ever expect it and spend every day as if it were our last day Hereupon we are all commanded to be always upon our watch and to be also ready for his coming Matth. 24.42,44 where our Lord useth seven Argument from ver 37. to the end of that Chapter as so many motives to stir us up unto watchfulness the day and hour knoweth no man c. ver 36. ideo latet unus dies ut observentur omnes that we might watch continually for that uncertain certain day The Harlot grew bold to sin on this account because she knew her Lord would not return till such an appointed time Prov. 7.10,18,19,20 Whereas secure Sinners may hear Thou Fool this night shall thy Soul be taken from thee Luke 12.20 He will come unlooked for and Dichotomize cut asunder and tear his Soul from his Body by force c. Matth. 24.50,51 'T is a blessed Badge pinn'd as it were upon sanctified Souls Sleeves that they wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 1.2,7 1 Thes 1.10 as it was the character of Old Testament Saints that they waited for the consolation of Israel in Christ's first coming Luke 2.25 how much more ought we to lift up our Heads and Eyes for beholding the comfort of his second coming Luke 21.28 looking for and hastning unto it as desirous to meet him in the way 2 Pet. 3.12 crying continually O mora Christo veni come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22.20 All such as have taken many sweet Turns in communion with Christ upon the Mountain of Spices
Mercy that no deadly â—oison of Satan doth now harm us as our Lord did promise unto all Believers after his Resurrection Mark 16.17,18 Oh that all we Aged Ones could sincerely praise the Lord for this high Favour that 〈◊〉 now find by sweet experience we can better resist the Devil now so as to make him flee from us Jam. 4.7 We can now resist him more stedfastly in the Faith 1 Pet. 5.8,9 than we were able to do in our youthful days and tho' we be able through Grace to say this yet out of an Holy Jealousie over our own Hearts we must still make a farther enquiry what is the principal procuring Cause of such an happy and easie Conquest over our own Corruptions and Satan's Temptations now in our Old Age whether we be not more beholden herein unto the decays of our own Natures in us than to any strength of God's Grace freely given to us because we may die to sin by the deficiency of our natural strength of Body when sin doth not die to us through those powerful Operations of the mortifying Spirit of Grace Rom. 8.13 but more of this after c. Now come we to the Second Reason why a Good Old Age is a great blessing because the goodness of it is not only a blessed Antidote and Preservative against those threfold Evils before-named but also it is a blessed Preparative for Death at the end of our Old Age and of our Lives This preparation for Death is not only an universal but also an indispensable Duty for after death comes the Judgment Heb. 9.27 then is the time of Reckoning which our Lord Requires after his Returning however long or short it be wherein all Mankind both the good and the bad Servants must Reddere Rationem or give an exact account of their Stewardship whether they have wasted or improved their Lord and Master's Goods Matth. 25.14,19 Luke 16.1,2 and 19.15 c. as I shew at large in my Fourth Volume of the History and Mystery of that Parable pag. 185 186. Now every Man's Death-day is his particular Dooms-day for then the Spirit returns to God who gave it Eccles 12.7 when the Body returns to Dust of which it was first made Gen. 2.7 by rotting in the Grave c. Then the Soul goeth to God not to dwell with him for there the Speech is made of all Men both bad and good but to be disposed of by him for his Final Estate then is the Soul or Spirit as being there opposed to the Body to receive its Final Doom either for Everlasting Weal or for Everlasting Wo. Therefore to prepare for Death is a most necessary tho' it be a much neglected Duty Now such as be good in Old Age their goodness consists in being alway prepared for it both Habitually and Actually they learn to die daily 1 Cor. 15.31 and makes Death familiar to them both at Bed and Board Their Conversation is in Heaven while their Commoration is here on Earth Phil. 3.20 They labour and learn to live with dying Thoughâ—s because they hope at last to die with more living comforts They have Heaven as an happy Harbour of Rest in the Eyes of their Hope which serves to season and sweeten all Sorrows and Sufferings to them as it was with blessed Paul who had his Eye fixed upon that Crown of Glory which was laid up for him and for all Believers 2 Tim. 4.8 and therefore he was not at all discouraged at his light Afflictions which were but for a moment in comparison of that exceeding and eternal weight of Glory 2 Cor. 4.17 where we have a most elegant Antithesis or opposition and a double Hyperbole beyond the reach of our English Translation As thus 1. For Affliction here is Glory 2. For light Affliction here is a weight of Glory And 3. For momentary Affliction here is Eternal Glory and the sight of this by an Eye of Faith put Paul upon his Cupio Dissolvi I desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.21,22,23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there signifies to loose off from the shore of this Mortal Life and to launch out into the Ocean of Immortality which he accounted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is far far better and best of all Thus this preparation for Death had caused Old Simeon before this Apostle even to sing his Soul out of his Body as before This likewise made that Good Old Man Job to say I would not live always Job 7.16 for he hoped to behold his Redeemer c. Job 19.25 Thus may we accordingly say we would not be Young always because we have been so hampered and pester'd with many youthful Lusts which now through Grace a Good Old Age hath weakened An Hoary Head that is found in the way of Righteousness doth ripen fast like good Fruit upon the Tree of Life in its Autumn and becomes day by day more mellow for Death and hath nothing thâ—n to do but to die being able through Mercy to say with his sweet Saviour Father I have finished my work which theâ—… gavest me to do in the World John 17.5 Oh how ready was David how willing and how prepared to die and to fall asleep in Jesus 1 Thes 4.14 when he could say his Conscience bearing witness with him in the Holy Ghost as Rom. 9.1 that he had served out his Generation in his whole Generation-work according to the will of God Acts 13.36 The Third Reason why a Good Old Age is a most rich Blessing and Benefit to the Sons and Daughters of Mankind is because it doth priviledge them with a true Title unto Mansions of Glory prepared for them in a better World Such as have continued in ways of Holiness all their Life and become faithful unto death Rev. 2.10 they shall assuredly at the last arrive at the Haven of Heaven and Happiness when they die for God himself hath assured us and God Keeps the best and surest Ensuring Office that having our Fruit unto Holiness then our end shall be Eternal Life Rom. 6.22,23 for then comes first the Joy of Harvest as when fruitful Fields are white unto Harvest John 4.35 then comes the Husbandman with his Sithe or Sickle and cuts down his Corn binds it up in Bundles and carries it Home to his Barn c. even so God the great Husbandman as Christ calls him John 15.1 when he sees his old Servants as it were white unto Harvest with Hoary Heads and fully ripened in the way of Righteousness then doth he take them down by the hand of Death and gathers them Home into his heavenly Garners Our Lord doth certifie this great Truth to us over and over again saying that Heaven is surely secured for us and we are likewise safely secured for Heaven by the mighty Power of God the word there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth we are kept as with a Guard and in a Garrison and that at the last we shall receive the end of our Faith even the
becometh slow and Feeling daily faileth c. 2 dly Or the Golden Bowl be broken that is the Heart as some sense it which is the primum Vivens ultimum Moriens the first that Lives and the last that Dies therefore is it called the Fort-Royal of Life Or the Pericardium about the Heart which the Soldier pierced with his Spear in our Saviour's side from whence there came forth Blood and Water John 19.34 and 1 John 5.6 But others do interpret it to be rather the Head or Skull called the Brain-pan for the Brains are contained within the Meninges thereof and the Piamater covereth them like a Swathing Cloth or the inner Rind of a Tree as in a Cup or Bowl and a wound in this is ever mortal Now the Hebrew word here being the same with Golgotha which signifies a Skull 2 Kings 9.35 Matth. 27.33 and Judg. 9.53 all this make the latter Interpretation the more probable for when Death comes with his Javelin or Dart to wound the Brain-pan or Skull which is round like a Cup or Bowl and is called here Golden because of its colour then the Sutures or Seams of the Skull are parted asunder from whence it comes to pass that the Chaps of Dying Persons do fall and the Almonds of their Ears are stopped c. Oh what cause have we break forth into David's words saying We are wonderfully framed Psal 139.14 If the pretious Office of this Golden Bowl for preserving the Brain c. be well considered 3 dly Or the Pitcher be broken at the Fountain that is either the Veins at the Liver as some say which is the Shop of Sanguification or Blood-making those Veins carry Blood from the Liver into all parts of the Body by way of Circulation c. Or as others understand it the Arteries which carry Spirits from the Heart and conveys Nourishment Sense and Motion from one part to another c. There is yet a Third Sense put upon this Pitcher that is the Bladder is broken at the Spring of Water or Urin c. Now as when either the Veins at the Liver especially the Vena Cava Vena Porta as the Anatomists name them or the Arteries at the Heart do come once to lose their drawing and distributing Office and Vertue then the Body doth immediately decay even so when the Muscle at the Neck of the Bladder comes to be broken and loseth its Retentive Faculty then the Water or Urin doth run insensibly from a Dying Person without stay 4 thly Or the Wheel is broken at the Cistern that is according to the Sentiments of some Expositors the Head which draweth all the Operations of Life from the Heart and hence it is that when any dreadful Fright is apprehended by our Heads and suddenly doth surprize us we presently are struck with a Paleness because all the Blood in our Faces doth run back to the Heart as to the Fountain of Life c. But others are of opinion that by this Wheel broken at the Cistern must be meant the Lungs broken off from their double Office and Motion of Inspiration and Respiration and this Breaking or Obstruction is caused by Phlegmn from the Stomach which is as a Cistern from all parts of the Body c. The Lungs are as a Wheel transmitting the Air in and out by a Motion up and down like to that of a pair of Bellows which Men learnt to make from the posture and operations of Mens Lungs that were of God's making and thus indeed Man learns all other Artifices from God the great Artificer God instructs the Husbandman Isai 28.26 and all others also Now tho' there be no open Passage betwixt the Stomach and the Lungs and therefore there is no ordinary purging of the Lungs but upwards by spitting and coughing yet when the Stomach is overcharged with Phlegm the former distilleth the latter into the Lungs and thereby stoppeth them in their Motion This may be exemplified thus when a Man or Beast is dead there seemeth no way of entrance for Water into the Bladder no not so much as for any Air for if we blow the Bladder full of Wind none of it will issue out and yet while Life lasteth in the Body both Water and Sand doth pass through little Veins called Valvulas into the Bladder even so by some such like secret passages doth the Cistern of the Stomach convey Phlegm into the Lungs yea sometimes to the very stifling of them and upon this stoppage of the Lungs with Phlegm so that the Wheel cannot turn the Air or breath up and down and in and out to the Nostrils Then from this obstruction of the Lobes whereof the Lungs do consist so that their Motion like a pair of broken Bellows is broken off then followeth the Rutling in the Throat which is the common Herauld proclaiming that Death is at Hand c. NB. Note well How Solomon the Eldest Son of Wisdom hath left upon Record in Eccles 12. a most sublime Lecture of Anatomy as well as of Divinity in his Dissection of the infirm Body of Old Age which he sweetly setteth forth by a continued Allegory Ubi quot Lumina imo Flumina Orationis that is containing so many Lights yea and Floods of Eloquence and all this Solomon did not so much to demonstrate his own excellent Skill and unparallel'd Prudence but more especially and principally to instruct yea and to provoke all Mankind to become wise unto Salvation and to remember our Creator early before any of these Evils of Old Age come upon us c. CHAP. VIII Counsel and Comfort to Young and Old against the Evils of Old Age the Fear of Death and the Terror of the Day of Judgment THIS Eight Chapter consists as well of Comforts as of Counsel against the Evils of Old Age against the Fear of Death and against the Terror of the Day of Judgment First The Comforts against the Evils of Old Age 'T is a Time desired by all who are they that would not live long c but 't is welcomed by few because of the Burden of Distempers that it brings along with it c. If God bless us to live up to Old Age we ought not to complain of it for 't is a blessing we must bless God for Length of days is from the Right Hand Riches and Honour from the Left Prov. 3.16 And God promised to his Jerusalem after its Restoration that there should be Old Men and Old Women in the Streets of it with Staves in their Hands Zech. 8.4 yea and it was God's Curse upon the House of Ely that not any that were Old should be found in it 1 Sam. 2.32 Therefore if God do still preserve the rotten Thread of our Lives and draw it out to last so long and yet the Clue have a little more Yarn upon the Botton Oh how thankfully ought we to welcome this Guest of Gods own sending and not to complain of it as our great
Picture c. NB. Note well All true Christiaâ—… whether Young or Old should maâ—… serious Reflections upon the remainder 〈◊〉 the Body of Sin or the unrenewed pâ—… in them even in the sincerest Conveâ—… and in the soundest Believers which wâ—… make us like the Kine that carried tâ—… Ark of God to Bethshemesh which sigâ—…fies the House of the Sun they wâ—… all along lowing as they went c. 1 Saâ—… 6.12 Thus the Apostle phraseth it 〈◊〉 this Earthly Tabernacle we groan earnâ—…ly c. 2 Cor. 5.2 and he cries oâ—… Oh wretched man c. Rom. 7. â—… Thus if we be truly and throughly seâ—…ble of the indwellings of sin in us tâ—… we still keep this straight way to tâ—… House of the Son of Righteousness aâ—… neither turn to the Right Hand or Lâ—… as is said of the Kine above yet 〈◊〉 smarting experience of so much reliâ—… of original pollution in us will cause 〈◊〉 to go along groaning to our very Gravâ—… This likewise was one great point of Gâ—…ly Agur's prayer remove Lord far frâ—… me both vanity and villany before I die 〈◊〉 Prov. 30.7,8 he durst not trust his oâ—… heart either with Poverty or Riches wâ—… knowing what Solomon had said befoâ—… He that trusteth in his own heart is a Fool Prov. 28.26 And it must be bewailingly acknowledged that sin like its Father the Devil having the whole World For its Walk c. is the most Heart-grieving and the worst Companion that we can have or meet with in our way to Heaven hereupon we are exhorted to take heed of an evil Heart of an evil Heart of unbelief c. Heb. 3.12 because of the deceitfulness of Sin ver 13. All which imports that sin of it self is so deceitful as easily to deceive us and our own Hearts are deceitful above all things Jer. 17.9 yet so as to be easily deceived by deceitful sin c. Insomuch as we can see small ground for security tho' some for safety as kept by Christ Jude ver 1. while we are on this side Heaven c. 'T is our caution and fear of falling that in Christ contributes much to our standing The grace of fear is a great preserver of the Soul not only all the day long Prov. 23.17 but even all our life long also in God's fear and in God's favour too c. He that keepeth alive the fear of God in him cannot well want the favour of God on him tho' he may sometimes lose this latter in respect of Vision as in cases of Desertion c. yet he never wants it in respect of Union Thus David lost not his salvation by his sin he had only loâ— the joy of his salvation which he beseecheâ— the Lord to restore to him Psal 51.12 The grand concern of every Christian is how to live well and how to die wellâ— how to live in God's fear and how tâ— die in God's favour c. In order hereunto our Lord hath most graciously granted us many Divine Rules both iâ— the Old and in the New Testament Namely 1 st That of the Prophet What doâ— the Lord require of thee O Man but tâ— do justly to love mercy and to walk huâ—bly with thy God Mic. 6.8 This comprehends the sum and substance of thâ— Ten Commandments and is a compendâ—um of the Law and the Prophets c. Tâ— name no more but a few 2 dly That of the Apostle Keep thy Conscience void of offence both towardâ— God and towards Man always c. Acts 24,16 unto which let me add the same Apostles three Adverbs c. The Grace of God teacheth us to live Soberly Righteously and Holily in this present World Tit. 2.12 Haec tria perpetuo meditare Adverbia Paulâ— Haec tria sunt vitae regula sancta tuae I shall add no more than this one of our Lord who is Lord both of the Prophets and of the Apostles afore-named namely his general precept and prescription to every particular and individual Believer Watch and Pray that ye enter not into Temptation Matth. 26.41 wherein the practick part of all true Christians is clearly prescribed demonstrating First The Antidote or Preservative And Secondly The Disease we are in danger to fall into by our neglect of the Duty This Text is a part of Christ's Swan-like Song a little before his Death they are the living words of this greatest of dying Prophets a Divine Lecture or Lesson taught by a Dying Christ for all living Christians to learn For 1 st The danger is universal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lest ye enter c. this implies a possibility yea and more than a probability not only of entring into Temptation but also to be oft within the verges and circumferences of it yea and sometimes to fall by the power of it and too often for if we make an impartial inquiry into the Book of our own experiences we shall there find that we are more and oftner in Temptation than out of it whereas it should be Christ's day and Satan's hour according to those two Scripture Phrases Luke 22.53 1 Cor. 1.8 Rev. 1.10 Alas how oft is it quite contrary that Satan hath a whole Day when Christ hath but an Hour with us yea and not that little time without distraction 1 Cor. 7.35 How oft may our Lord say to us as he said to his sleepy Disciples here What could ye not watch with me one hour Matth. 26.40 for he had bidden them watch with me ver 38. NB. Note well Those Three Peter James and John had seen their Master's Glory in his Transfiguration Matth. 17.1,2 and now they must be Eye-witnesses of his behaviour in his Agony also so our Lord bids them watch with him he bids them not pray for him for he needed not their Prayers c. He was to tread the Wine-press alone Isai 63.3 Observe what miserable Comforters were those sleepy and slippery Disciples unto their sweet Saviour who was deeply concerned for them in the midst of his Agony as he was after upon his Cross to grant the Prayer of the Penitent Thief and to lend a look of Love on Peter the Backslider Luke 22.11 And both these he did while himself was paying the Redemption of the World for his Fellow-sufferer Luke 23.42,43 as he had done before for poor Peter while he was answering his Adversaries for his own Life Thus we find those Three Disciples were not only in danger of entring into Temptation but they were also got into it and faln by it which is the Distemper and Disease it self for their Saviour found that Satan had lull'd them all fast asleep whereas they should have watched with him and prayed for themselves tho' not for him that needed no Mediators seeing they were so near to become scattered Sheep at the smiting of their Shepherd Our Lord had some lucid intervals and a little breathing time in the midst of his Agony wherein he comes to them once and again and finds he may