brasen Serpent which Moses lifted vp in the Wildernesse I am stinged with the fyrie Serpent of sinne I looke for health in Christ lifted vp at thy right hand Poore sicke creatures gotte health to their bodies at the poole of Siloam Iohn 9.3 I looke for health to my soule at Silo in Christ my Saviour Come Lord Iesus Isai 61. 1. thou that deliverest the prisoner and openest the eyes of the blinde Deliver my soule from the bondage of sinne anoint mee with thy eye salve Come as the sweete Samaritane and poure of thine Oyle into my wounded spirit Come my onelie Comforter leade mee to thy cellars Cant. 2.5 refresh mee with thy flagons comfort mee with thine apples Come the Husband of my soule furnish out of thy Ward-robe a garment to cloath my inward nakednesse Come Light of the World Iohn 1.9 bring light to my soule plunged in palpable darknesse Streatch foorth thy wings O my Soule mount above vpon the chariot of spirituall meditations Delite thy selfe in the memories of the joyes to bee revealed the like whereof the eye never sawe the eare never heard 1. Cor. 2.9 neither ever entred in the heart of man to vnerstand Abide not still in Babell neither long for the flesh pots of Aegypt Sighe to the Lord vntill thou bee delivered out of the prison-house of this bodie Phil. 1.23 and so bee with Him which is best of all And to this purpose my gratious Lord sanctifie my rest this night when the bodie sleepeth Psal 11. let the Spirit watch Bee thou ever in my minde and let thy word bee the matter of my meditation Keepe mee out of the hands of that roaring Lyon 1. Pet. 5.8 who greedilie hunteth for my soule let him get no vantage of mee in the night who tempteth mee continuallie in the day Let my thoughts and visions bee pure and holie being set on thee on thy heavenly kingdome Let my last thought this night and my first thought to morrow bee of thee that so my spirit being ever with the Lord while I am absent in the bodie in thine owne time both bodie and spirit may rest with thee for ever through Iesus who hath prepared that rest Amen Morning meditation of the second Day LET thy servant O Lord haue accesse this morning vnto the throne of thy grace Lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon mee Oh Lord I come as emptie of grace to thy Majestie at this time as I had neâ—er received grace It grieveth mee O LORD to bee so â—rodigall of thy spirituall blesâ—inges Thou gavest mee O Lord some faith some measure of divine light some feelâ—ing some assurance of thy favour which bred such joy and peace into my soule as passed all naturall vnderstanding but in stead of these infidelitie darknesse and senselesse doubtings are stolne in into my soule O Lord Hos 13.9 my destruction commeth of my selfe but my deliverance commeth of thee The prodigall childe Luc. 15.17 when hee had wasted all hee had no other refuge but returne to his father O Lord where shall I go now in my greatest distresse to whom shall I make my mone I will returne vnto thee my loving Father I know thy treasure cannot bee emptied I do confesse I haue sinned against Heaven and against Earth and against thee Luke 15 21.22 and is no more worthie to bee called thy sonne As thou opened the eyes of Hagar when her bottle of water was spent and made her see a Well of water so Lord open the eye of my soule that I may see that fountaine of Life from whence my soule may receiue the waters of true consolation Father send downe that lightening Spirit of thine to renew my faith my feellings and my assurance seeing I am content to forsake all things to enjoy thee and counts all things doung in respect of thee I confesse O Lord that these desertions are just punishments of my negligence in thy service I take no such paines to entertaine thy Spirit as I should doe I watch not so narrowlie over my heart as I ought I labour not so painfullie to mortifie and subdue my sinfull affections Col. 3.5 as becommeth my Christian calling Show mee O thou whom my soule loveth Cant. 1.6 where thou feedest where thou lyest at noone Psal 23. leade mee to thy pasture put in thine hand at the hole of the doore of my soule Cant. 5.4 and my heart shall bee affectionat towards thee Many times O Lord by doing of evill Rom. 7.19 and by leaving of the good vndone haue I grieved thy Spirit yea allace I doe what in mee lyeth to quench the Spirit Ephes 4.30 but O Lord 1. Thess 5.19 thou knowest that I am grieved in grieving thee I am displeased with my selfe for displeasing thee I know O Lord it is some great sinne that hath moved thee to punish mee with these desertions Lord open mine eyes that I may see it Lord open mine heart that I may repent for it I am content O Lord to quite anie thing to enjoy thee If thou looke blytlilie vpon mee I care not who frowne vpon mee Ah Lord that sinne which is not thy creature should so mightilie prevaile against thy creatures I sinne Lord but with a wrestling there is indeed a lawe in my members rebelling against the law of my spirit Rom. 7 13. the evill I would not doe that I doe the good I would faine doe I doe it not I take thy Majestie to witnesse Lord it is my hearts desire that the flesh and powers of corruption be weakened that the Spirit and renewed part of my soule bee strengthened There was long warres betwixt the house of Saul 2 Sam. 3. 1. and the house of David but in end the house of David was strengthened and the house of Saul weakened O Lord weaken the power of my corruption and strengthen the power of the grace of God in mee Ismael and Isaac will not aggree in one familie Gen. 21.10 there can bee no agreement betwixt the flesh and the Spirit Lord crucifie the slesh with the lusts thereof quicken the Spirit that my inner man may grow Thou knowest O Lord that I am crossed mightilie by the remnants of the olde man When my soule woulde mount vp vpon the wings of prayer to the Heaven I am borne downe to the Earth When I resolve to go forward into a good course I am drawne backward by the cords of a corrupt nature If Iehoshua found fault with the people of God that they were slow in marching forward towards earthlie Canaan how may Iesus finde fault with mee hee brought mee indeede out of spirituall Aegypt but slowlie make I forward to heavenlie Canaan O Lord thou that sent thy Angell to Eliah 1. Kiâ— 19. when hee was sleeping vnder the juniper tree and commanded him to arise and eate for hee had a longe journey to goe Send
vpon my heart as it was wont to doe this is one token that my spirituall Life is weakened therefore as thou hast breathed in my nostrels Gen. 2.7 the breath of a naturall life breath vpon my soule Cant. 4.16 that I may finde the motions of a spirituall Life Call vpon my soule out of the grave of sinne Iohn 12.43.44 as thou called Lazarus his bodie out of the grave Let me find a quickening vertue flowing from thy livelie Spirit to quicken my dead spirit Lord teach mee to redeeme these losses and grant I may ever count it my greatest losse to lose the signes of thy presence Suffer not mine heart to bee oppressed with the thornie cares of this life Luc. 8. but learne mee to cast my care vpon the Lord. What ever I bee doing in these worldlie things 1. Cor. 7.29.30 let mee so doe them as I were not doing them Giue me that dexteritie to discharge such a duetie in mine earthlie calling as may ever agree with mine heavenlie calling Furnish mee with wisedome that I may walke wiselie even towards them that are without 1. Thess 1â— Make my life a patterne of godlinesse that where ever I come or goe I may smell of Iesus Christ Giue mee grace to bee carefull not onlie of mine owne soule but of the soules of all them of whom I haue anie charge that so thy glorie ever beeing before mine eyes thou mayest glorifie mee one day through Iesus Christ my Saviour who fitteth at thy right hand Amen Evening Meditation of the third Day O LORD I never prease to draw nere vnto thee but that Evill one draweth neere to mee If Iehoshua come in before the LORD Zach. 3.1 Satan will bee at his right hand to resist him hee troubleth and distracteth my minde with Armies of vnrulie cogitations It is my greatest difficultie O Lord at anie time to get a free minde to serve thee Exod. 5.3 When Israel desired to goe to the Wildernesse and sacrifice to the Lorde Pharaoh doubled their burdens so doth Satan double his tentations vpon me when I would goe out of my self to serve thee What am I poore weak creature that I should resist such mightie spirituall powers O Lord 1. Cor. 12.9 it is thy battell I fight and thy grace is sufficient for mee Thy people when they builded the wall of Ierusalem Neh. 4.17 they did hold their weapons in the one hand and builded with the other hand Lord furnishe mee with a double portion of thy Spirit that I may resist Satan with the one hand and draw neere to thee with the other O Lord I am come to thine Holinesse to repent my sins Ah Lorde my sinnes are great but my repentance is slender Lord giue me that repentance which thou gavest vnto Peter hee sinned grievouslie but repented earnestlie yea hee weeped bitterlie O Lord hast not thou the keyes of David which openeth Rev. 3.7 and no man shutteth and shutteth and no man openeth Open mine heart that I may make such a repentance as â—ought to doe Thou didst keepe Ionas that hee drowned not Thou O Lorde diddest streatch foorth thine helping hand and keeped Peter Mat. 14.31 that hee did not sinke when hee did walke on the waters Lord streatch foorth thine helping hand let not thy servant sinke into the sea of sinne O Lord thou prepared an Arke for thine owne Noah and the Whales bellie for thine owne Ionas Lord if I shall get my foot once within the Arke I shall bee safe Iesus Christ is mine Arke let me be found in him then shall there be no condemnation to mee Rom. 8.1 my sinnes indeed are great O Lord but shall I ballance the sinnes of a finite creature with the mercies of the infinite Creator Psal 25.9 Nay Lorde all thy wayes are mercie and trueth to these that feare thee I haue nothing to lay betweene mee and Hell but thy vndeserved mercie O Lord my God thou art a strength vnto the poore a refuge against the tempest and a shadow against the heat Who so dwelleth in the secret of the most Hie Psal 91. 1. shall abyde in the shadow of the Almightie I will say vnto the Lord O my hope Psal 42.10 and my fortresse hee is my God in him will I trust Confirme my soule O Lorde in the certaintie of this perswasion Strengthen also the arme of thy feeble and weake servant that I may fight with the greater courage against that spirituall Gohab Let mee not depart from thee at this time without some spirituall comfort Thou wouldst not suffer the multitude Mat. 14.19 that waited vpon thee three dayes in the Wildernesse to depart vntill they were refreshed Lorde refresh my soule with some crummes of grace falling from thy Table When Ionathan was wearie 1. Sam. 14.28 and put foorth his rodde and tasted of the honie his dimme eyes received sight and his feeble bodie was strengthened O Lord Luc. 8.46 if I shall touch Iesus by the rodde of faith my dimme eyes shall receive sight and my feeble soule new strength O my Lord am not I seeking this strenth of thee to bruise the head of the old Serpent Gen. 3.15 a sworne enemie to thy Kingdome Denie not armour to thine owne weake souldiour that in the power of thy might I may subdue that great dragon Sinne that it may bee borne downe and Iesus his throne may bee set vp in the secret corner of mine heart Sanctifie my rest this night in such sort that when this wearied bodie hath received its bodilie refreshment I maye rise by thy grace to morrow to doe thee better service in Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the fourth Day THY sacrifices O Lord Psâ—â— 5.17 are a contrite a broken heart I come to thy Altar but I want the sacrifice O Lord who vouchsafedst a sacrifice vpon Abraham Gen. 22.13 vouchsafe a sacrifice vpon me I would wish mine heart could bee dissolved in bitter teares but such is my present hardnesse that neither can I repent as I should neither is mine heart so softened as it should bee EZek. 11.19 It is thy praise O Lord to take the stonie heart away and to giue an heart of flesh Lord I haue a stonie heart rent it O Lord take it away and giue mee a soft heart that I may make such a repentance as my great offences require Lord there is no contentment to my soule but either when thou humblest mee with a sense of sinne or raisest mee vp with a sense of mercie rather than I bee senselesse let mee be sensible of my sinne that in the bitternesse of my heart I may bewaile it Teach mee now to mourne with thy children 2. Thess 1.7 that I may rejoyce in the day of their rejoysing Cherish O Lord those litle sparkles of grace which in thy great mercie thou hast kindled in my soule Increase my faith
my love and my light Learne mee to forget those things that are behind mee Phi. 3.13 and follow hard towards the mark O Lord open thine owne Treasures and sende downe of thy spirituall graces Let mee finde a lifting vp vertue in thy spirit continuallie raising vp my spirit Speake peaceable things to my soule this morning that all the day long I may rejoyce in thee Giue mee faith to applye the sweete promises of mercie made in thy Worde Hedge mee so about with thy grace that my secreet corruptions breake not out Let my whole life bee a walking with thee and a moving towards thee Iohn 12.32 Draw mee everie day somewhat neerer to thy selfe and deface the image of sinne in me that the image of Christ may bee set vp in my soule Bee thou O Lord a bulwarke to thy servant that the violent spait of the corruption of this time dryve mee not away Save mee that I communicat not with the sinnes of other men 1. Tim. 5.22 and cleanse mee from my owne sinnes As this bodie of clay weareth and wasteth graunt O Lord that sinne may weare and waste in me Bring the worke of thine owne grace to perfection and leade mee from faith Rom. 1.17 to faith and from feeling to feeeling 1. Cor. 13.12 vntill faith end in sight and feelling into an endlesse fellowship which I hope to enjoy in the Heavens with my blessed Head and Husband Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fourth Day I Blesse the time wherein I was acquainted with thy Majestie If thou hadst not sent the light of thine owne Spirit Eph. 2.12 as I was borne a stranger I had died a straÌ„ger I confesse O Lord that before my calling I was doing the workes of the flesh Eph. 2.3 and of the minde and was by nature the child of wrath as well as others But thou O Lorde who art riche in mercie through the great love that thou hast loved mee in Christ Iesus Eph. 2.4 hast made mee to see that I was walking in a way to mine owne damnation Thou in mercie reclaimedst mee and broughtest mee backe yea thou diddest pardon those selfe-same sinnes in mee for the which thou hast condemned others O Lord what didst thou see in mee more than in others Nothing but matter of wrath and condemnation Yea Lord as thou didst separate Eliah from Elisha 2. King 2.11 walking in one way together by a fyrie chariot so hast thou shedde mee from the reprobat sometime walking in one course with them I say with thy servant David Not vnto mee Psal 115. 1. not vnto mee O Lord but vnto thy Name let the glorie bee given Who is able to thinke aright of thy mercy all thy wayes are mercy truth to them that feare thee Psal 25.1 When I remember what I haue beene I am enforced to wonder at thy mercie If thou hadst beene as readie to punish mee for my sinne as I was readie to commit sinne I had had my portion amongest the damned Spirites ere now What follie was there wherein I did not take pleasure I stopped mine care at the voyce of GOD and hearkened vnto the voyce of the Serpent The deceitfull pleasures of sinne ensnared my soule but thou hast broken the grinne Psal 124.6 and my soule like a bird hath escaped all thinges are naked and patent before him Heb. 4.13 with whom we haue to do Thou didst see Nathanael vnder the figge tree Iohn 1.48 I do therefore in all humilitie crave thee mercie for all my sinnes before my calling and also after my calling Like a Dogge I haue returned to my vomite 2. Pet. 2.22 and like a Sowe washed I haue defiled my selfe in the myre againe After that thou hadst made mee cleane these same sinnes for the which I haue lamented and repented I haue falne into againe As my salvation was begunne of thy mercie so let it bee continued and perfected of that same mercie for mercie is all I leane to At that last houre when all these outward comforts as false friends will flie from mee in my greatest neede then Lord bee at my right hand yea bee in the secreet corner of mine heart that my death as well as my life may edifie others in the faith of Christ Let my mouth whilst I haue breath vtter foorth a good matter Psal 45.1.2 Then leade thou mee through the valley of death and in end bring mee into that glorious and lightsome Pallace where the glorie of God shineth most brightlie â—sal 17.15 that my soule may ever bee delighted with the brightnesse of his Face and may haue my part in that Songe of Thankesâ—giving Rev. 5.9.10 c. which the glorified Spirites sound to the praise of GOD to whom be everlasting praise Amen Morning meditation of the fift Day O Heavenly Father as all the waters runne into the Ocean so doth all poore sinners powre out their complaintes in thy bosome Thou art the onelie refuge of a wearied soule to thee onelie doe wee flie in our greatest necessities and at thy mouth doe wee seeke resolution in our most perplexed affaires I haue manie things to lament to thy Majestie but in speciall I lament to thee that my meditations are so confused and mixed with impertinent cogitations Lorde this is a token of a confused heart I am sorie that the heart which should bee the dwelling place of thy Spirit should bee so preoccupied by earthlie fleshlie and profane cogitations I may withdrawe my selfe from the companie of the Worlde but allace I can not with drawe my selfe from a profane heart where ever I goe I carrie a profane heart about with mee and albeit thou givest mee an outward libertie to bow the knee of my bodie yet my spirite is bound Ah Lord I can neither speake nor thinke of thee as I should doe Thou art infinite vnmeasureable incomprehensible what can a finite creature take vp of an infinite God Forgive mee Lord that I worship thee in such ignorance let mee see thee in a clearer light and I shall worshippe thee with a greater affection The better O Lord that I know thee the better I loue thee the more will I reverence thee That woman of Samaria Iohn 4.9 before Thee knew thee preferred a drinke of water to thee but from time shee knew thee shee esteemed much of thee and preferred thee vnto all things To the end therefore O Lorde that thou may haue that rowme in mine heart that thou oughtest to haue manifest thy selfe more clearelie to my soule Drawe abacke this curtaine off my soule that I may take thee vp more sensiblie I crave light with the increase of light and grace with the increase of grace faith with the increase of faith and because that heere is no perfection Graunt I may studie to a growth vntill thou perfite thine owne worke and in the meane time O Lorde consider what I am
and where I am a weak creature in a waste Wildernesse Therefore as thou carried thy own Israel vpon Eagles winges through the wildernesse towards that earthlie Canaan carrie mee through this waste Wildernesse of the Worlde vntill I come to mine heavenlie Canaan Thou knowest O Lorde my soule is as a shippe tossed to and fro with continuall tempests manie times when I haue a straight course to Heaven I am driven aside by the contrarie windes of my corrupt affections Lord Iesus bee thou Pylote to the Shippe of my soule that I make no shipwracke as tentations followeth tentations like the waues of the sea everie one vpon the backe of another so let grace bee doubled that although Satan seek to winnow me as wheat yet he prevaile not I long O Lord to be with thee where Satan will not tempt sin will not accuse and these vnrulie affections will not trouble me Ah when shall this poore spirit bee disburthened of this lodging of clay that that which is divine may behold thy divine Majestie alwayes so long as I am heere in the bodie Thou that teachedst Davids fingers heere to fight Psal 18.33 so that a Bow of brasse was not able to withstand him So strengthen thou mine arme that I may bee able to resist these malitious enemies Thy servant David overcame the Lyon and the Beare and the vncircumcised Philistim yet was hee overcome with his vncircumcised heart Of all difficulties it is the greatest to â—me man to overcome himselfe Lord helpe mee by grace to sight against my selfe I will not despare Lord notwithstanding of all these enemies so long as I may make my plaint to thee Thy eyes are vpon the lust Psal 34.15 thine eares open vnto their crye Thou didst heare the groanings of thine owne Israel Lorde heare the gronings of my soule Thine eare O Lorde is not heavie Esay 59 1. nor is thine hand shortened streatche foorthe the arme of thy mercie and help my distressed soule Didst not thou command the stormie windes and raging seas when thy Disciples were in hazard and they obeyed thee If my small affections never rage so mightilie if thou wilt command peace they will settle and bee obedient to thy voice And now O Lorde this daye wherein I am entred I know not what inconvenient I may meete with leade me safelie through all difficulties O thou that art the shepheard of my soule Psal 23.1 that I safelie going through the snares of this daye at evening I may bow my knees and sound thy praises in Iesus Christ Amen Evening meditation of the fifth Day I Haue wandred froÌ„ thee O Lord this day That troublesome Spirit hath oppressed my Spirit with varietie of vnnecessarie affaires I bussie my selfe about manie thinges Luc. 10.42 but yet one thing is needfull I finde by daylie experience that the cares of this worlde are thornie cares they pricke and annoy my soule Mat. 13.7 they chocke the seede of grace which in mercie thou didst sowe I to mine heart they are mightie impediments to the growth of my inner man I pray thee let not these earthlie cares diminish mine inward peace nor prejudg my vnion with thy Majestie nor draw on darknes vpon my mind but O Lord let the secret beames of thy lightsome face continuallie shine vpon my soule Let mee ever live in a spirituall sense of my vnion from the which such inward joy may flow to my spirit as may make all estates acceptable to mee O Lorde of all difficulties I finde it the greatest to keepe the heart in a sense of thy presence I confesse O Lorde for all the paines I haue yet taken in thy worship if thou yet leave mee I may fall into as great Athisme as they who never knew thee Therefore waken my Spirit renew my senses lift vp all the powers of my soule Phil. 3.19 that I may ever minde heavenlie things True it is O Lord my earthly calling is a great impediment to my heavenlie calling althogh I were no ways distracted but all times gave my selfe to reading prayer and meditation it were litle enough for the intertaining the life of Christ in my soule But O Lorde as thou hast laide a double burthen vpon mee so double thy Spirite vpon mee that even whilest I am doing the points of my earthlie calling my spirit may bee above Lorde open mine eyes that I may see my predominant sinnes let mee not bee a slave to my affections but give mee grace to strive against everie sinfull motion And as thou O Lord dost now cover all thinges heere beneath with darknesse so cover my sinnes that they bee not seene againe Let never mine heart bee so farre from thee as it hath beene neither bee thou so longe absent from my soule Esay Write my name vpon the palmes of thine hands and let mee be as a signet vpon thy right hand O thou the Watchman of Israel Psal 121.3 who neither slumbrest nor sleepest bee thou my keeper this night Let this temporall rest bee a pledgde to mee of that everlasting rest which I hope to enjoye in the Heavens through Iesus Christ Amen Morning meditation of the sixt Day I Complaine to thy Majestie of the vncessant malice of my sworne enemie hee is a restlesse tempter and I am a carelesse resister hee knoweth my weaknesse and taketh his advantage of my infirmities When I haue best resolutions to serve thee then rageth hee most against mee and when I set my face towards heaven then hee laboureth to dryve me froÌ„ the right mark that Evill one albeit I went not to my rest after in calling vpon thy name yet hath caryed my fantasie after profane earthlie and carnall thinges Ah Lorde I what hee cannot accomplishe in the daye hee laboureth to bring it to passe in the night Take not these for mine actions but for mine enemies divelish suggestions I wold wish the minde were so pure and the heart so spirituallie disposed that ever sleeping or waking I were about spirituall matters And because O Lord thou canst not dwell inro a filthy heart sweepe the house of my soule wash mee a-new Psal 51.7 and make mee cleane prepare a lodging for thine owne Spirit into the secreet corners of mine heart possesse thoâ— thine owne dwelling for thou hâ—st bought it with the bloode of thine owne Sonne Keepe me O Lord 1. Iohn 1.7 1. Pet. 1.5 vnto that Life which thou hast keeping for mee and whilest I am heere in the bodie save mee from carnall securitie Let my delite ever bee to watch and praye and multiplie the spirit of prayer vpon mee Mat. 6.6 Let mee not wearie of wel-doing but leade mee in thy pathes I am sorie that my time hath beene so wasted time slydeth away and I profite litle or nothing in it Let no day slippe away without some spirituall advantage O Lord I count it my greatest gaine to gaine Christ Phil. 3.8 yea I
an vnspeakable joye other times refusing all comfort sometimes doubting and distrusting othertimes firmelie belieuing stedfastlie apprehending sometimes longing for to be dissolved â—hil 1. other times loving to Iudge still in this tabernacle of clay in all these things where is my comfort but in this that thou art vnchangâ—ble As for mee O Lord I confesse Malach. 1. for my best action thou mightst condemne me for the sinnes of my prayer hearing of thy word what then should bee mine estate if thou woldst enter in judgment with mee Teach mee to vvalke in trembling and feare before thee let it be my first care to keepe thy presence saue mee O Lord that by my vnclean thoghts profane speeches vngodlie actions I quench not thy Spirit but let mee euer finde that Spirit working moving into my soule when I wander bring me home againe when I fall raise mee when I sleepe waken me hold me waking O Lord that when the Bridegrome shall come I may bee in the ranke of the wise Virgines Mat. 25. with my lampe clearlie burning attending his coÌ„ming And finallie forgiue mee all the infirmities of my prayers and accept of my leane and vnworthie sacrifice in through that alsufficient Sacrifice that my blessed Lord hath offered in my name in the name of all these that loud his second coming To him therefore bee praise honour glory for euer Amen Nowe vnto the King everlasting immortall invisible vnto God onelie wise bee honour and Glorie for euer Amen FINIS AN Ascension of the SOVLE TO HEAVEN By meditation of the Passion Death Buriall and Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 3.16 And without contraversie great is the Mysterie of godlinesse God manifested in the flesh iustified in the Spirit seene of Angells c. EDINBVRGH Printed by Iohn Wreittoun 1625. An Advertisement to the Christian Reader MAN in all his actions purposeth to himself Glorie and Gaine whereof if hee giue vnto God the first which is due vnto him hee will make the second redound to thy vse Therefore â—â—ght wee with the Angels to sing Glâ—rie bee to God in thâ— Heauen and with Zacharias Luc. 2.4 Blessed bee the LORD GOD of Israel who hath visited redemed his people Then must wee consider whâ—â— bee the benefites we gaine of Christâ— death which are in number manyâ— in feeling comfortable in estimatâ—â— most precious The first is Purgation of sinnes thus happie is hee whose wickednesse is forgiuen and whose sinnes is couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth none iniquitie Psal 31.1.2 but most miserable are they that lacke these The penitent sinner of a troubled spirit Psal â—1 17 of a broken and a contrite heart forsaking his owne wayes and renounceing his owne imaginations Mat. 4.17 promising amendement and purposing the fruites of repentance confessing his owne miserie and appealing to the mercie of GOD Esay 1.18 and the merites of Christ hath his soule though as red as Scarlot washed in his most precious gracious and glorious bloode Heb. 9.13 14. Lev. 6.14 For if the bloode of Bullocks and Goates and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are vncleane sanctified as touching the purifying of the flesh how much more shal the blood of Christ which through the eternall Spirite offered himselfe without spot to God 1. Iohn 1.7 purge our conscience from dead workâ—s to serue the liuing GOD Thus the Blood of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God purgeth vs from all sinne O purge mee with this Hysope and I shall bee cleane wash Psal 51.7 and I shall bee whiter than snow 2. The second benefite is Remission of sinnes Sinne is in the Child of God but it reigneth not Sin is in the Elect but couered Sin is in the Heires of Saluation Rom. 8.33 but not laid to their charge because it is forgiuen Exod. 25.17 As the Arke was couered with an golden sheeteâ— alled the Propitiatorie So Christ is the propiciatâ—â—n of our sinnes Mat. 26.28 by whom wee haue redemption through his Blood euen forgiuenesse of them Col. 1.14 for the voyce of his blood is remission of sinâ—â—s euer proclaimed in the hâ—artes of the godly Eph. 1.7 calling for â—etter thinges than the blood of Abel Heb. 12.24 3. The third Benefite of Chriâ—â— pâ—ssion is Deliuerance from thâ— curse of the Law the Law accuseth Christ exâ—useth The Law teâ—â—fieth Christ comforteth the Laâ— curseth but Christ blesseth fâ— Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law Gal. 3.13 when hee was made a curse for vs for it is written Deut. 21.23 Iohn 1.17 Cursed is everie one that hangeâ—h on a tree And the Law wâ—s given by Moyses but Grace and Trueth came by Iesus Christ iâ—deede Cant. 1.4.15 we bee but blacke by nature yet are we white by Grace Bla k in Adam yet comelie as the tentes of Kedar Cant. 6.9 and as the curtaine of SalamoÌ„ yea plesant in Christ now in Him wee lâ—â—ke as the Morning faire as the Noone pure as the Sun terrible as an Armie with Banners hard favoured by merite but beautifull by Mercie for Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse tâ— every one that beleeve Rom. 10.4 Iohn 5.24 Thâ—y thâ—â— which in a livelie faith apprehend Christ crucified and risen againe haue what the Law requireth that is perfect obedience performed by Christe imputed to them who was delivered to death for our sins Rom. 4.24 Rom. 4.25 Col. 2.14 and risen for our iustification Thus hath hee put out the hand-writting of ordinances that was against vs which was contrarie to vs he even tooke it out of the way and fastened it vpon the Crosse 4. The fourth Benefite wee reape by Christes passion is freedome from damnation and purchase of eternall Life for God so loved the world Iohn 3.16 that hee hath given his onelie begotten Sonne that whosoever believeth in him Rom. 8.1 should not perish but have eternall Life For what destruction can come to them which are ingraffed in Christ the Authour and finisher of our saith and salvation Heb. 12.2.3 who for the ioy that was set before him endured the Crosse anâ— despised the shame how can the second death take hold on them that haue their part in the first Resurrection Rev. 20.6 and are in Christ Iohn 4.6 the Life it selfe For when Christ which is our Life shall appeare Col. 3.4 Iohn 10. then shall we also appeare with him in his glorie The Devill can not pluck them away fiâ—aly from GOD who is stronger than any and hath giuen them to Christ who is one with the Father and hath their names written in the Booke of Life having washed their Garmentes in the Blood of the Lambe Phil. 4.2 Rev. 20.14 Hell cannot terrifie them which patientlie looke for an inheritance in Heaven Eph. 1.4 Wee are in
is a new buriall place that hee will bee laide in so a renewed heart by the Spirit is his dwelling place for hee can not rest in the ludging of that soule that hath sold it selfe to sinne as he will haue also a cleane a pure bodie as a winding-sheete to bee wrapped in as sweetly smelling savours of Vertues Faith Repentance Loue Patience c. joyned thereto To the mouth of this Buriall doe they rolle a great stone by the Lordes providence to stop the mouthes of his enemies Eph. 1.19 for it was hee that raised him from death to life wherein most of all thinges his power did appeare And this vvas done in the preparation to the Sabbath For as God the Father perfected the work of creation then so the Sonne hath accomplished the work of redemption and did rest the Sabbath from his worke 1. Cor. 15.24 shall giue sweete securitie and peace to our bodies and soules Novv hast thou woefull Soule the accomplishment of the Prophets concerning his buriall Psal 16.9 that his flesh should rest in peace and the type of Ionah perfected â—â—y 53.9 And therefore seeing in Christ by Christ our sinnes are buried let vs not digge them vp againe of new Math. 12.39 but since wee are buried with him by Baptisme vnto his death Rom. 6.4 that like as Christ raised vp from the dead by the glorie of the Father so wee also should walke in newnes of life And albeit our buriall was a part of the punishment inflicted to Adam Gen. 3.19 that he shuld turne to dust yet now they are not filthie prisoÌ„ houses of the body but glorious Bed-chambers of the Sonne of God from whence hee shall raise vs to that heavenlie inheritance Esay 57.2 after that wee haue sleeped a little while therin for hee hath sanctified them by the vertue and power of his buriall Dan. 12.2 For as hee caried our sinnes in his Bodie vpon the tree so hath hee hidde them in the graue with himselfe to the vvhich place we must ever send Sathan when hee shall trouble and assault our vveake consciences with the terrible face of Sinne. For Ionas being cast in the sea it was quieted So Christs resting in the womb of the earth as in a whales bellie doeth mitigate the Lordes anger For as Death now hath beene pursued by Christ to the utermost yea euen vnto the graue and bovvels of the earth so can it not hurt Iohn 5.24 but greatlie benefite the beleeuers to eâ—ernall life And therefore nowe mayst thou boldly say Phil. 1.23 I desire to bee dissolved and bee with Christ The second Step of the fift Degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven on the buriall of Christ Iesus our Saviour WHile Ioseph and Nicodemus thus handled the glorious Bodie of Iesus laide it in the Graue the women that followed him heavie hearted looking on that spectacle yet had they great hope to see him rise againe when the graue was closed with sadnes joy mixt together prepared for embalming of him The third day following the morow was the Sabbath wherein they rested the third day Christ did rise before they came they disappointed of their commendable intention wherein shined their godlines Liberalitie Loue Diligence Abilitie and more than manlie fortitude 1. Cor. 1.17 whereby God to his glorie out of the weakest instruments doeth effectuate great things For as they were going to the Graue the Lord of glorie sent an Angel to tell the resurrection to these women An Angel vvas a witnes before the women and the womeÌ„ before the men which rolled away the stone from the doore of the Graue For neither in death nor in buriall the God-head had uttered it selfe but in the resurrection it brake out And therefore the Lord hauing respect to the weakenes of these women which were not so able to remoue the stone did send an Angel that when they came they should see that Christ was risen froÌ„ the dead They heard before that the third day hee should rise but they beeing weake in Faith were supplied by the Angel vvho testified of his resurrection The Lord did promise to make an everlasting Covenant with his people of the sure mercies of David Esay 55.3 Therefore sayd hee Act. 13.34 It behoued the Lord to rise from death for mercie had never continued if Christ had not risen For all the promises of God are in him Yea and Amen 2. Cor. 1.20 For hee would not suffer his holie One to see corruption â—sal 16.10 Had hee not risen his Bodie behoued to rotte but God did raise him vp who said Psal 2.7 Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten Thee Esay 538. And who is able to count his Generation for hee is that everlasting Essence albeit hee died hee arose to liue without end And now my Soule since thou art dead with Christ Col. 2.20 and risen with him Seeke these thinges which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Sette thy affections on thinges which are aboue Col. 3. 1.2.3 not on things which are on earth for thou art dead and thy life is hid with God in Christ When Christ which is thy life shall appeare then shalt thou also appeare with him in glorie Be carefull therfore to get this excellent knowledge of Christ Iesus thy Lord for whoÌ„ couÌ„t al this losse that thou mayst winne Christ mayst be found in him not hauing thine owne righteousnesse which is of the Law Phil. 3.8.9.8.10 but that which is through Faith of Christ that thou mayst know him I say and the vertue of his resurrectioÌ„ and the fellowshippe of his afflictions and hee made conformable vnto his death if by any meanes thou mayst attaine vnto the resurrection of the dead Let thine heart â—ee filled with the vvord and promises of salvation that it may be established by grace And now seeing Christ is thy riches thy treasure all that thou staÌ„dest in need of let thy heart be where hee is Ascend with him liue in this vvorld as not liuing here for thy conversation is in heaven it is not thou now that liuest Gal. 2.20 but Christ that liueth in thee and in that that thou liuest in the flesh vntill thine appointed time thou liuest by Faith in the Son of God who loued thee 1. Cor. 6.17 and hath giuen himself for thee Be thou therefore joyned to the Lord that thou mayest bee one spirit with him And behold as in a mirror the glorie of the Lord with open face and be changed in the same image froÌ„ glorie to glorie 2. Cor. 3.18 as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let all thy vnderstanding vvisedome cogitation and memorie bee bent on him vvho is risen and Death shall no more prevaile over him Poure out thy best affections on him Bee sorowfull to offend him Rejoyce in
for the Soule to your daylie practise as afore and thus my good intention to your favourable censure wishing alwayes your Hon. not to think it amisse althogh it agreeth not so much with my professioÌ„ as in respect of others more beseeming that I should exhort your Ho. as you haue begun to bee constant in your religious dueties althogh I know it was not needfull for mee to remember you of those things you haue beene taught of God because I know the sinceritie of your profession and practise hath so many witnesses since you beleeued the Gospell of Salvation and was sealed by the Spirit of promise you haue a witnesse in your selfe which I am perswaded will not faile in life or death to plead your aboundant consolation Now thus with due acknowledging of the manifold kindnesses I haue receiued both from your selfe and from my right Honourable good Lord Patron I commit your Honours and your most Noble Familie to the mercifull protection of the Almightie who mot without ceasing multiplie his graces vpon you and crowne you with all kind of blessings The God of mercie and Father of Glorie who hath abounded towardes you not only in outward happinesse of vnstained Nobilitie grandour greatnesse of meanes and favour with the highest on our earth but which is greatest of all in the vnsearchable riches of Iesus Christ in the largenesse and eminencie of manie singulare gifts and abundance of all good workes make you perfite to doe his will and worke in you an increase of all that is pleasing in his sight That yee may see many good and happie dayes in this life and end them with comfort and immortalitie in the life to come I rest Your Hon. owne Physitian in all humble duetie M. P. ANDERSON THE COVNTESSE OF MARRES SANCTVARIE Morning meditation of the first Day I Doe present my self O LORD before thy sacred Majestie a poore sinfull creature filthy within and filthie without but where shall I goe to bee cleansed the waters of Iordan cleansed the leprosie of Naamans bodie 2 King 5.14 but all the waters in the Ocean can not cleanse the leprosie of my soule I am enforced to come to thee O Lord for where shall I goe Thou hast the words of eternall Life Iohn 6.47 If thou wash mee not I can haue no part with thee Iohn 13.8 Wash I beseech thee O Lord not my feete onelie but my hands and my head also Mercifull Father let not the gates of thy mercie bee closed vpon mee which haue beene opened to so manie poore sinners before me If thou refuse to be mercifull where shall mercie bee found Luc. 23.43 O Lord thou didst not abhorre the penitent Theef nor the woman of Canaan when shee requested thee Mat. 15.22 neither the woman apprehended in adulterie Iohn 11 8. nor the Publican praying to thee Mat. 26 74. neither yet the Disciple that denyed thee In the smell of these thine Oyntments doth my soule runne after thee Cant. 4.10 I doe confesse in sinceritie 1. Tim. 1 15. O Lord that of all sinners I am the chiefe where sinne hath abounded Lord let thy mercie superabound I say vnto thee O Lord with that poore leper Lord if thou wilt Mat. 8.2 thou canst make mee cleane yea although I bee spotted as the Leopard and blacke as a Moore one drop of the blood of Iesus Christ is able to make mee as white as snow I beleeue Lord Psal 51.7 helpe my vnbeliefe It is thy praise O Lord that thou makest the barren wombe the mother of manie children and turneth the barren wildernes into a fruitfull Land Psal 107 35. Exod. 15 25. Iohn 2.9 Mat. 12 10. Thou Lord canst make bitter waters sweet and canst turne water into Wine O Lord pittie my withered heart as thou pittied the withered hand Quicken this dead heart of mine by the quickening vertue of thy Spirit yea Lord Act. 16.14 Numb 17.8 open my heart as thou openedst the heart of Lydia thou that madest the rodde of Aaron to blossome make my soule to floorish in true repentance It is no small mercie O Lorde that thou hast spared mee so long If thou hadst dealt with mee as I haue deserved thou mightest haue taken the Axe in thine hand Mat. 3.10 and hewed mee downe as an vnprofitable tree and casten mee into the fire Long hast thou spared mee O Lord but let mee not bee reserved to anie further wrath as I am partaker of thy sparing mercies make mee partaker also of thy converting mercie Create into mee a new heart Psal 51.10 and renew a right Spirit within mee Let mee finde that change into my soule that is proper to the children of God Translate mee yet further out of the Kingdome of darknesse Col. 1.13 into the Kingdome of thy deare Sonne Fashion me so to thine owne image Gal. 2.20 that I no longer live but Christ may live in me Marke mee with that new Name which no man knoweth but hee that hath received it Giue mee to taste of that hidde Manna which no man can decerne but he that hath tasted of it Create in my soule spirituall senses that in a spirituall manner I may take thee vp who is the spirit of spirits Furnish my languishing soule with some of the first fruits of thy heavenlie Canaan that in the strength thereof I may walke vntill thou possesse mee into that promised rest Bee with mee in all my tentations and lead mee through all difficulties that I may sing that joyfull triumph with thine owne Apostle Thankes bee to GOD who hath given vs victorie through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen Evening Meditation of the first Day SINNE makes mee ashamed to speake vnto thee O Lord but my Saviour encourageth mee to present my selfe before thee vnder the shaddow of his merits doe I appeare in thy sight and in his Name doe I present my selfe and my supplications to thy Majestie O Lord dost thou not number my steppes If the conscience of the sinnes of this one day doe so dash and confound mee what feares may arise in my soule through the memorie of sinnes committed my whole lifetime I doe confesse O Lord my whole life hath beene a wandring from thee and all my dayes I haue beene doing nothing but making vp a dâ—ttâ—y against my selfe thou needst not O Lord to lead any processe against mee for my conviction the conscience may both accuse witnesse and condemne O Lord all my life hath beene either sinfull or vnfruitfull If I haue done anie thing that seemed good it was either counterfeit or corrupt or some way vnperfite the dung of all my sacrifices justlie mightest thou cast vpon my face I haue rather seemed nor truelie beene religious therefore doe I seeke salvation without my selfe Mat. 3.17 I seek it in him in whom thou art well pleased Israel stinged with fyrie Serpents Numb 21 6. were healed by looking to the
downe thy Spirit to put vpon my soule that I may awake out of the deep sleep of vnrighteousnesse take the staffe of God in mine hand and never to looke backe with Lots wife Gen. 26. but ever to haue my face towards the new Ierusalem that in the end I may say with thy servant Paul 2. Tâ— 4. â— I haue runne a good race I haue foughten a good fight from this time foorth is the Crowne laid vp for mee Leade mee thorow the snares of this day See my feete vpon a rocke Psal 2. and order my goingâ— Furnish me with wisdome that I may go in and out wiselie before thy people set a watch before my lippes Psal and the doore of my speech let all my speeches bee seasoned with grace and tend to edifieing Let my heart ever be with thee what ever I bee doing beneath And finallie as thou led thy servant Moses vnto mount Pisga and did let him see Canaan a farre off Deut. 34. 1 let my soule delite to walke vpon the mountaine of heavenlie meditations looking a farre off to that heavenlie Canaan while in thine owne good time thou bring mee through the waters of Iordan even through death it self and enter me into that rest Now to my blessed Lord the purchaser of this rest with the Father who from all eternity appointed the same the holie Spirit who daylie confirmeth me in the hope of it bee praise for ever 3 Eph. 1.13 Amen Evening meditation of the second Day O LORD let that same Spirit which indyted thy holy Word whereby thou speakes to my Soule indyte my prayers Rom. 8.26 whereby my soule speaketh to thee thou knowest the voyce of thine owne Spirit but the voyce of a stranger thou wilt not heare I continue my complaint to thy Majestie still lamenting this ignorance and yet remaineth into the mind notwithstanding I am ever endevouring to know thee Who can take thee vp who is such an infinite and incomprehensible Spirit thou dwellest into a light 1. Iohn 4.12 wherevnno man can haue accesse No man can take thee vp by naturall light 1. Cor. 2.14 for the naturall man knoweth not the things that are of God they are foolishnesse vnto him I crave therefore such a measure of that vncreated light even the light of thy Spirit as may breed into the mind a continuall reverence of thee bring the heart to an holie obedience to thee and make all my affections and actions directlie to tend to thy glorie True it is O LORD now and then I haue enjoyed sensiblie this light but ever after humiliation and fervent prayer I am become colde in prayer I seek thee not with that hunger and thirst as I should doe and this maketh my feellings not so frequent Lord stirre vp my spirit that I may seeke thee continuallie with that holie zeale and fervencie that becommeth mee Indeede O LORD these desertions are â—earefull and terrible to fall vnto thy Children Truelie I am most certaine that greater deadnesse darknesse and senselesnesse can not fall vnto a reprobat If the memorie of by past experiences did not comfort me these fearfull desertions wold mak me faint fall a back Lord let not thy servant bee tempted aboue his strength 1. Cor. 10.13 Returne O Lord deliver my soule Psal 119.8 save mee for thy mercies sake forsake mee not over long And if it shall please thee O Lord to hold mee vnder the bitter sense of those fearefull desertions for a time for my further humiliation let this ever bee my greatest griefe that I misse thy presence Teach mee to seeke vncessantlie vntill I finde thee to knocke vntill thou open to call vntill thou answere Psal 39.7 What waite I for O Lord Is not mine hope even in thee Yea let the hope I haue to enjoye thee and thy presence for ever make mee to possesse my soule with the greater patience in the middest of all these feares And now O Lord in this absence from thee albeit the body be here on earth Phil. 3.20 let my conversation ever bee in heaven Giue me grace this night to examine my heart vpon my bed Teach thou my reines in the night Psal 4.4 let mee lye down in thy peace and rest vnder the shadow of thy protection Psal 4.9 Let my bed remember mee of the grave and my rising againe of the last resurrection Make â—ee alwayes wâ—tchfull and suffer not Oyle to bee inlacking to my lampe Mat. 25.8 When my Lord shall come grant I may meet h m with joy ever bee with him in heaven whom my soul hatâ— sought on earth Amen Morning meditation of the third Day O LORD my God if I had eyes to see the miserie of this time wherein I doe live I could take vp both the vniversall defection of the whole world and the particular desolation of my owne soule then would mine eyes bee a fountaine of teares Thy servant David powred out rivers of teares Psal 119.136 when hee did see the wicked not keepe thy Law 2. Pet. 2.8 Lots heart was vexed within him when hee saw the iniquitie of Sodome but alaace Lord I am not so sensible these things are hidde from mee therefore I pray thee remove this vaile that overshaddoweth my soule Act. 9.18 Make the skales to fall from mine eyes that I may take vp those decayes into a clearer light from the Priest to the people Hos 4.9 all haue a part in this defection Where is that wonted zeale to thy glorie Who are they who in singlenesse of heart seeke thee All doe seeke their owne thinges Phil 2.21 but few the things which are Christs Religion which should overrule mens wayes are made a coverture to vice and sinne O Lord demaske them and let them appeare who turne the trueth of GOD into a lie and laboure to cover vngodlinesse with a cloâ—ke of an holie profession Mat. 2.12.13 Take the scourge into thine hand and purge thy Temple put to the door those buyers and sellers who make the house of God a denne of theeves and touch mine heart with a livelie feeling of my particular defects I confesse O Lord I haue fallen from my first love from my former zeale Revel 2.4 from my former care and diligence in thy service Where is the melting hearte the mourning eye the painfull diligence night and day at home and abroad to seek thy face Where I was wont to pray with delite with libertie and with teares now I wearie of prayer I finde no inwarde libertie no softnesse of heart I come vnto thee with a senselesse heart I depart from thee with as senselesse a heart Where my heart was wont to bee pricked at the hearing of thy Worde Act. 2. â— where I was wont to depart from Sermons with great comfort now I finde my selfe neither casten downe nor raised vp Thy Word O Lord worketh not
keeping faith and a good conscience in surrendring obedience in holinesse to God Charitie to thy neighbour puritie of life and diligence in thy calling that the Lord may direct thy steps in his Trueth may guyde thee by his Counsell and reserve thee to his Glorie For thy Armour are Teares and Prayers other-wise thou neither can resist nor possiblie prevaile Iacob against Esau vsed these spirituall meanes Patience and Devotion for a slender and light wind of temptation can shortlie cut vs off from confidence for Peter was a deseâ—bler a lyar and perjure vntill that grace reduced him So man is nothing yea hee is much in himselfe to his owne minde vntill hee haue the experience of his owne deficiencie but beeing tempted hee will learne from whom hee hath receiued strength and with howe much vigilancie hee should keepe the same For who denyeth mee before men I will denye him saith hee before my Father which is in Heaven hee that denyeth him by mouth doeth not beleeâ—e by â—eart the faith in the hearte is the roote of confession confession is the fruite of Faith while the Roote is liuing there are blossomes and leaues if not dead For â—y the hearte wee beleeue to righteousnes Rom. 10.10 and by the mouth wee confesse to salvation And therefore Soule the confession of the mouth without faith in heart neither faith in heart without confession of the mouth availeth Lord giue that thou askest and aske what thou wilt Peter was prompt in promising fearefull in keeping but diligent in amending greatest spirits gather strength to themselves the greatest occasion of sinne If we consider how feeble we are to resist evill and changeable to persever in goodnes we wold quake But O dead Soule thou art nothing else than a vanitie and shaddow of death and gulfe of darknesse in earth without forme and voyde which without Gods blessing can bring out no good thing I haue confusion sinne and death of my self whilest I stand it is by thy gift if I fall it is of me and ever should lye vnlesse thou raised mee Blinde am I vnlesse thou enlighten me and when I fell vnlesse thou laid thine hand vnder mee there should I haue lyen yea ever haue fallen vnlesse thou had sustained mee oft-times perished vnlesse thou hadst governed mee And now dead Soule remember the occasion of this Peter his fall Preachers are Cockes to crow the glad tythinges of salvation so Nathan to David Ier. 7.26 and Ionas to the Ninivites but yee would not heare me nor incline thine eare but hardened the necke saith hee The Lord looke on vs with the eyes of his mercie that we may bitterly worthilie weep for our transgressions applying the merites of Iesus Christ by a true faith vnto our soules for wee haue many sweete promises of salvation and favour of our God offered vnto vs who came not to call the righteous Mat. 9.13.14 but sinners to repentance for the whole need not a Physician but these that are sicke For it is not onelie requisite that thou accuse thy selfe for sin but thou first accuse thy selfe and looke not for rebuking from others but who can build without God keepe witho t God begin without God O! Rom. 11.33 the vnsearcheable and infinite and vnspeakable goodnesse of God! amongst the railinges of the Priestes falshoodes of witnesses against Christ being buft and bespitted Christ casteth a glanse of his eye vnto Peters tossed faith Turne vnto mee beleeue in mee followe mee this is the tyme of my Passion the tyme of my marriage wilt thou followe mee bee not afrayed thou shalt overcome let not the infirmitie that I haue taken for thy sake make thee swarue bee strong in me Thus he that sleepeth is wakened the feeble confirmed the casten downe raised out of the dry rock of his heart floods of teares doe spring once beeing touched with the rod meditation of his bitter Passion For Thou art hee who will not the death of a Sinner but rather to convert and liue for Thou camest not into the world to judge it but to saue it THE SECOND DEgree in this Ladder of the ascension of the Soule to Heaven by the meditatioÌ„ of the Passion of Iesus Christ And the first Steppe thereof INto this Garden then in Mounte Olives over the Brooke Kedron came out a multitude with Iudas and bound Christ and caried him to Annas the high Priest Heere hast thou deepe matter poore Soule of spirituall contemplation thy Saviour of his wisedome did see all these thinges yea the verie houre of his death But hee that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh Psal 2.4 and haue his enemies in derision For their counsells are not hid from him who by his word onlie was able to cast them to the ground Which is like a fire Iâ—r 5.14 and men as woode to devour them for it is liuelie and mightie in opereation and sharper than any two edged sword and entreth through even vnto the dividing asuâ—â—â—er of thâ— Soule Heb. 4.12 and the Spirit and of the joyntes and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearte If such a mylde worde did cast his enemies downe what shall become of them in that day Psal 37.12.13 when hee shall rebuke them in his wrath so the wicked practised them against the just Mat. 25.47 but the Lord shall laugh him to scorne for hee seeth his day commeth Neither is our sweete Saviour so much moued with his owne cause as indeed hee was verie much that hee did forget his Fatherly care over his own Disciples Let these goe Iob. 1.10 The Lord hath a hedge about his owne against Sathan Zach. 2.5 hee is I say a wall of fire round about his owne yea hee is patient and long suffering with his enemies who beeing cast downe hee permitteth to ryse and not to bee swallowed vp of the earth Num. 16.32 with Corah Dathan and Abiram Thou canst not marveill sufficieÌ„tly on the blindnes of this companie they had oft-ten seene him before yet Iudas to be sure that Christ should not escape as by his divinitie hee had done sundrie times gaue them the signe of a kisse The Lord can keepe his owne and not suffer them to bee exposed to the pleasure of their foes They that sought for Lot were smitten with blindnesse by the Angels Gen. 19.11 and so the Lord did to the Syrians at the word 2. King 6.28 of Elisha but small was their power against him for how soone Christ professed that it was hee they fell and beeing risen againe are no whit bettered but persevere in their wicked course O! the riches of the mercie of God Ezek. 33. 11. as I liue sayeth the Lord I desire not the death of the wicked but that bee turne from his way and liue Ier. 20.12 Turne you turne you from your evill way for why will ye die yee house of Israel Hee might
not haue turned into a glorious life Shee knew the conference betwixt her and the Angel before for Faith and Hope will not extinguish Displeasure naturall Ioy but will mitigate them both for she looked to haue with him a joyfull meeting her heart was knit with him whilst hee hang on the Crosse not ashamed of him neither hee forgetfull of her Hee called her woman 2. Cor. 5.16 not Mother raised from all earthly thinges which men count much of for hee knew nothing according to the flesh for in heaven we shall be like Angels to the end that wee may enjoye that heavenlie life And her I say Hee commended to Iohn whom hee loued inteirelie neither will he translate her from the world but will haue everie member of his Churche to keepe one another as he commended his mother to Iohn to be entertained in his suffring forgetting as it were himselfe yet forgetting not her not willing to divide the first and second Table in the first keeping his duetie to his Father to the death and in the midst of that obedience to his Father hauing regard respect to his Mother for if thou hatest not father or mother for his sake Lu. 14.26 thou art not worthie of him Preferre God to any naturall affection which Christ notwithstanding in the middest of torment of blasphemies combate with everlasting Death with the wrath of the Father and with all the infernall powers is carefull to obserue SaÌ„ctified affections do entertaine naturall loue or else they are suffocated for this duetie standeth not in ceremonies but in performing of necessary adoes this registration will rent the conscience of these who procure their mothers curse Iohn haâ—â—rection from the Crosse wee from the heavenly Throne hee tooke an others Mother not his owne and that to his owne house Seeing Christe therfore hath suffred in the flesh it is convenient that wee bee of the like minde Naomi destitute of her two Children Ruth 1. did say when shee came to Bethlehem Call mee not Naomi that is beautifull but Mara which is bitternesse Tob. 10. What did Tobias mother when her Son went away Did not King Salomon acknowledge the true mother of the Childe 1 King 3.24 while shee would not haue him cut in two And what did Rizpah in hanging vp the sacke-cloathes from the beginning of Harvest vpon the Rocke vntill water dropped vpon them from the heaven 2. Sam. 21.10 neither suffering the Birds of heaven to light on the sonnes of Saul by day nor beasts of the fielde by night But what doloure I say can be compared to this of his Mothers whose heart was so deepelie wounded thorow Shee did not extinguish those affections but moderated them for she stood by the Crosse of Christ seeing them whom hee had fed in the wildernes with MaÌ„na broght throgh the red Sea preseÌ„t her Son Gall for Manna Vinegar for water Thou didst feede fiue thousand with fiue loaues filled all Iudea with the wordes of Life and now is that Sunne eclipsed the bright Moone darkned the creatures acknowledge their Creator but the miserable Iews shut their eyes from the tender mercie of God whereby Luc. 1.78 the day-spring from on high hath visited them but it could not bee that either affection or the tender bowels of compassion could stay this sweet Iesus from perfecting the will of his Father and that glorious worke of the Redemption of his owne Elect. The fourth Steppe of the fourth degree of the ascension of the Soule to Heauen c. BEtweene eleven and twelue a clocke both sentence of condemnation and execution thereof fell out From twelue houres to three afternoon the space of three houres a fearefull and terrible darknesse was ouer the face of the earth yeelded the Spirit betweene three foure houres His Father did testifie by this darknesse not onelie of his innocencie as hee was man but also of his Glory as he was God the creatures did vtter their sorrow and began to teach that senslesse hardned people such a judgement is it to fall into a reprobate sense This Eclipse fell out beyond naturall course in the full Moone for the Passeouer was to be celebrated in March the fourteenth day thereof when the Sunne the Moone are far from other and the whole Globe of the carâ—h casten betwixt them but in this Eclipse the Moone which was opposed to the Sunne turned suddenlie and came vnder the Sunne which made this darknesse For the which cause Act. 17. the Philosophers in Athens not finding natural reasons erected an altar to the vnknowne God At this time beganne his greatest agony which was in his Soule with he vvrath of his Father froÌ„ Heaven which were the dolours of death so extreame like as a woman hath in hearing her birth Act. 2. vvhich doth expresse also the paines of hell 1. Thess 5.3 vvhere mountaines of dolour heapes of wrath are laid vp for the reprobate as the waues of the sea followeth one another so are they in growing everlastinglie His God-head never left him nor never shall but the God-head kept it selfe so close that it vvould let him haue no joy vntill he should pay that ransome to the utmost farthing vvhereby the Iustice of God was satisfied for our sinnes And therfore hee cryed out on the Crosse as deserted of God My God my God why hast thou forsaken mee Confidence in God will oftimes bee without feeling of joy albeit the spirit be not taken from the Soule yet at last it doeth reviue For â—s knowledge availeth wher feeling is alwayes dead no sense of the old canker of sinne mortified and quickened with a new life to liue to God Those then are not words of Diffidence or Indignation but of combate of the flesh with Faith in the which hee felt the eternall curse that was due for sinne otherwayes he would never haue called God his God the burden of one sin yea of an evill thought can not be born of all the world how heavie must all the sins of the Elect bee that Iesus baâ—e on his backe And now poore Soule behold the dealing of God with his own albeit he loued them never so well hee will touch them with the sense of wrath for sinne in some measure from heaven that thou mayst vnderstand how heavy a wrath Iesus suffered that he might conquesse vnto thee mercie and peace of conscience which was bought payed for with his Blood Detestable and filthie must sinne be that made him thus double his crying Fie on the filthie works of the flesh which drowne men in perdition Esay 34.7.8 Hee did take him to prayer vvilling thee ever to haue refuge into thy God in all trouble Psal 22. who neither can nor will leaue thee He choosed this armor to resist out of the Scripture Which is Eph. 6.13 the sword he hath put in our hands for it vvas in our persons
to come I doe refuse the deceitfull pleasures of this world and choose rather to suffer adversitie with the people of God than enioye the pleasures of sinne for a season Reioyce thou one of that flocke on whom it hath pleased the Father to giue a Kingdome Thou art my good Shepheard who feedeth mee with thy owne Blood that I may liue by thy life For they that liue by the infected and poysoned blood of olde Adam only are more miserable than beastes Prepare O Lord in me loue and repentance make mee cleane and purifie mine heart by Faith the onely receptacle and mansion of thy presence to receiue such a pretious Guest Put on mee the wedding Garment sith thou deare Husband Iesus will ioyne vnite thy selfe to mee never heereafter on thy part to bee dissevered make mee beware of Hypocrisie and couÌ„terfaite dealing in approaching with my body but my heart farre off betraying thee againe with a Iudas kisse The pure the contreâ—te and broken heart for the sence of Sinne laden and wearie are here invited by thee who wil not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flaxe such are eased and find rest to their soules And because none oblation pleaseth thee without reconciliation with my Brother I make an attonement with him forget and forgiue him as I hope to be forgiven for his sake who hath come vnder the poore roofe of my soule by participation of his bodie on earth beginning alreadie a life in mee in heaven for whom haue I there but thee whom can I desire on earth beside thee The Israelites did eate that Manna and died but they that eate this heavenlie food shall never perish But after thou hast guided me by thy counsell wil receiue me to glorie Adams forbidden tree procured death but by thee is everlasting life agreeing heaven with earth Men with Angels as it is the fulnes of Ioy to behold thy Face feele thy presence so let my soule haue a liuelie feeling of comfort in my Christ with a growing strength in grace and in the saving knowledge of thee my God and not to losse a good conscience for the trash of this world and as thou willes me to remember thy Sonnes death O Fâ—ther bee thou as thou hast promised and wilt performe mindfull of mee in the riches of thy mercie to the ending of my life in Iesus To whom with thee and the holy Ghost bee praise and honour for now and euer So bee it A Prayer and Thankesgiuing afâ—er the receiuing of the holy Supper of our LORD O LORD GOD Father Almightie I yeelde thee heartie thankes for thine inestimable loue and favour towards mee miserable Sinner not onely for that I haue my being moving and living in thee and from thee but also because it hath pleased thee of thy meere mercie to redeeme me from eternall damnation wherein I was cast by reason of transgressions and that by the Blood of thy Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ as of a Lambe vndefiled and without spot that I might liue with thee in that thy Kingdome in the Heaveâ—s Let not the effusion thereof be in value towards mee but still feede and nourish my soule by participation of the Body of thy Son Christ Iesus as an effectuall pawnde earnest of that glory which shall follow And now what shall I render vnto thee for all thy spirituall and temporall blessinges thou hast vouchsafed on mee And what doth the Lord my God require of me but to feare thee to walke in all thy wayes and to loue thee and serue thee with all mine heart and with all my soule Command mee Lord what thou wilt and doe in mee that thou commandest The most detestable vice is ingratitude and greater honour can be giuen to none than to bee called the Childe of God Thou hast the Son of thy delight with whom thou mightst haue contented thy selfe and hast thou not the holy Angels which doe readily thy will yet it hath pleased thee to adopt man-kinde O suffer me not holy Father to degenerate from thee and to turne to my former nature Giue me an vnderstanding heart to doe thy will and preserue mee as the apple of thine eye Remoue my sins which are as a clowde betwixt thee and mee O my God which art my light my life and salvation albeit I find in my selfe great temptations and grievous assaultes of Sathan the flesh and the world Thogh thou euen thou my deare God wold kill mee yet will I trust in thee for I know thou canst reviue me and when thou woundest canst heale mee Grant I never doubt of thy promises through vnbeliefe but beeing confirmed in Faith giue glorie to thee as fully perswaded that thou that promisest art also able to doe it For it is the greatest punishment that can befall man to forsake thy word and admonitions not to relye on thy promises but harden the heart by obstinacy and rebellion Take not thy Spirit from me but fasten mine heart to thee Show mee the light of thy countenance that I wander not from thee and sleepe in sinne but I may gather in this last age of the world Manna for that great and everlasting Sabbath in the Heavens that Ierusalem aboue the Citie of the living God where I shall find peace and rest for ever hauing accesse and entrie to that light of Glorie which hath broken and overthrowne the kingdome of Sathan For I know as thou strengthenest and fortifiest thy secreâ— ones thou redoublest their temptations Oâ— but hard is the combate when thou striuâ—â— against vs and seemest to bee our adversariâ—â— for how should dust and ashes stand beforâ— thee Strengthen guide me by thy might that encouraged by thy promises I may conquere and bee conpassed with ioyfull deliverances Great infirmitie and weakenesse doth remaine in mee I am full of vexation and anguish of minde but let mee never yeelde noâ— waxe faint but sustained and vpholded by thy grace and power that bâ—eing pressed I bee not oppressed but rise againe as the Palme tree For as the seede dead and rotten in the earth bringeth foorth greater aboundance so tribulation is the seed of the Church Assist me therfore by thy heavenly grace to try how much more precious the tryall of my Faith is than gold which bringeth so great a glorie when thou shalt change my teares into ioye my mourning into mirth my sorrow into solace my death into life Make my delite to bee always in thy word which being eternall can make mee also eternall I choose it to be my Treasure that mine heart may be alwayes therein for he that will liue must needes know thee hee that will reigne must needs serue thee that he wil haue ioy of heart must needes praise thee for thou art that Ladder by which Angels come downe to vs and wâ—â— ascend vp to Heaven to them Thou art the Way the Veritie and Life no man commeth to the Father but by Thee Quicken â—â—e therefore in thy Blood that I may bee of the number of thy Children and true member of the bodie of thy Church and never forget this Covenant I haue now bouÌ„d vp with thee who hath giuen mee that Inheritance by thy Will and Testament wherof this holy Supper is a true pledge Nowe hence foorth I am fullie deliberated to obey willinglie thy Statutes and persevere ioyefullie vnto the death and suffer crosses patiently sith thou my Saviour art my life To thee therefore with the Father and the holie Ghost Triniâ—â—e in Vnitie bee all praise and glorie and honour for nowe and euer Amen