The art of patience and balm of Gilead under all afflictions an appendix to The art of contentment / by the author of The whole duty of man.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             The art of patience and balm of Gilead under all afflictions an appendix to The art of contentment / by the author of The whole duty of man.
             Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
             Pakington, Dorothy Coventry, Lady, d. 1679.
             Sterne, Richard, 1596?-1683.
          
           
             The second impression with additional prayers suitable to the several occasions.
          
           [5], 168 p., 1 leaf of plates.
           
             Printed by R. Smith for E. Mory ...,
             London :
             1694.
          
           
             Advertisement: p. 168.
             Formerly attributed to Richard Allestree, Lady Pakington or to Richard Sterne. cf. BM.
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Patience.
           Devotional exercises.
        
      
    
     
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               PATIENCE
               ●
               .
               H.
               ●an
               .
               Hove
               .
               Sculp
               :
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           The
           ART
           of
           PATIENCE
           AND
           Balm
           of
           Gilead
           UNDER
           ALL
           Afflictions
           ▪
           An
           APPENDIX
           to
           the
           ART
           of
           CONTENTMENT
           ,
           By
           the
           AUTHOR
           of
           The
           Whole
           Duty
           of
           Man.
           
        
         
           
             It
             is
             good
             that
             a
             Man
             should
             both
             hope
             ,
             and
             quietly
             wait
             for
             the
             Salvation
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Lam.
             3.26
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Second
           Impression
           with
           Additional
           Prayers
           Suitable
           to
           the
           several
           Occasions
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             R.
             Smith
          
           for
           
             E.
             Mory
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Bibles
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-Yard
           .
           MDCXCIV
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           Licensed
           ,
           Octob.
           14.
           1693.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           THIS
           Tract
           meeting
           with
           so
           Candid
           a
           Reception
           ,
           at
           its
           first
           Appearance
           ,
           has
           Encouraged
           it
           to
           make
           a
           farther
           Essay
           ;
           And
           what
           was
           omitted
           in
           the
           former
           Impression
           ,
           is
           incerted
           in
           this
           :
           viz.
           The
           Prayers
           annexed
           to
           the
           several
           Sections
           ,
           which
           doubtless
           will
           prove
           very
           acceptable
           and
           Practical
           to
           the
           Contemplative
           .
           The
           Original
           Part
           of
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           was
           Extracted
           from
           a
           Foundation
           ,
           
           laid
           by
           a
           Learned
           and
           Reverend
           Prelate
           ,
           upon
           whose
           Basis
           this
           Superstructure
           is
           Erected
           :
           He
           ,
           like
           a
           Wise
           Master-Builder
           laid
           the
           Corner
           Stone
           ,
           as
           a
           Pattern
           for
           others
           to
           imitate
           ;
           and
           they
           which
           attain
           to
           his
           height
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           shall
           enjoy
           what
           Christ
           said
           to
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           
             In
             their
             Patience
             ,
             they
             shall
             possess
             their
             own
             Souls
             .
          
        
         
           And
           indeed
           ,
           we
           never
           wanted
           more
           Motives
           to
           excite
           us
           to
           this
           Duty
           ,
           than
           now
           :
           When
           this
           Virtue
           appears
           so
           dissentaneous
           to
           most
           Dispositions
           :
           But
           I
           would
           to
           God
           those
           Turbulent
           Spirits
           would
           listen
           to
           the
           grave
           Council
           of
           St.
           
             Chrysostom
             ,
             If
             with
             a
             Desire
             of
             Judging
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             needs
             be
             a
             Judge
             ,
             I
             will
             shew
             thee
             the
             Judgment-Seat
             ,
             which
             
             shall
             be
             adventageous
             to
             thee
             ,
             and
             no
             way
             touch
             thy
             Conscience
             ;
             Let
             thy
             Mind
             and
             Thought
             sit
             down
             to
             give
             Sentence
             ,
             call
             forth
             all
             thy
             Offences
             ,
             and
             begin
             to
             say
             with
             thy self
             ,
             Why
             hast
             thou
             done
             this
             or
             that
             .
          
        
         
           This
           private
           Examining
           of
           Themselves
           would
           soon
           make
           these
           Publick
           Controllers
           ,
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           by
           plausible
           Pretences
           of
           Reformation
           ;
           look
           nearer
           Home
           ,
           and
           subdue
           that
           in
           themselves
           ,
           they
           are
           apt
           to
           spy
           in
           others
           .
           St.
           Paul
           blamed
           their
           Course
           ,
           whose
           manner
           was
           to
           
             go
             from
             House
             to
             House
             ,
             Tit.
             1.13
             .
             Esau
             ,
          
           that
           lost
           the
           Blessing
           ,
           was
           Hunting
           ;
           but
           Jacob
           that
           enjoy'd
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           Inheritance
           ,
           kept
           at
           home
           ,
           
             Gen.
             17.30
          
           .
           The
           Just
           Man
           ,
           saith
           Solomon
           ,
           first
           accuseth
           himself
           ;
           And
           Judah
           spake
           humbly
           of
           an
           Offender
           ,
           when
           he
           said
           ,
           
             She
             is
             more
             Righteous
             than
             I
             ,
          
           Gen.
           38.26
           .
        
         
           But
           let
           such
           hot
           Spirits
           take
           along
           with
           them
           this
           Information
           ,
           That
           
             Obedience
             is
             better
             than
             Sacrifice
          
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           which
           
             giveth
             Grace
             to
             the
             Humble
          
           ,
           is
           also
           said
           to
           
             resist
             the
             Proud
          
           :
           And
           they
           may
           be
           well
           assured
           ,
           that
           this
           Counterfeit
           Coyn
           will
           prove
           dross
           when
           it
           comes
           to
           the
           Test.
           It
           is
           an
           easier
           Task
           for
           Malecontents
           to
           reprehend
           others
           ,
           than
           to
           amend
           themselves
           ;
           as
           
             those
             who
             have
             blemish'd
             Eyes
             ,
             think
             the
             Sky
             ever
             cloudy
             .
          
           Nothing
           more
           common
           with
           troublesome
           Dispositions
           ,
           which
           
             have
             not
             known
             the
             way
             of
             Peace
             ,
          
           than
           to
           be
           ever
           Contending
           ,
           seldom
           Contented
           .
        
         
           The
           Elements
           ,
           though
           in
           quality
           divers
           ,
           yet
           they
           accord
           ,
           for
           the
           Constitution
           of
           the
           
           Corporeal
           Nature
           :
           And
           I
           would
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           all
           who
           profess
           and
           call
           themselves
           Christians
           ,
           would
           accord
           together
           for
           the
           Conservation
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           
             That
             Peace
             may
             dwell
             in
             our
             Land
             :
          
           We
           are
           all
           sheep
           of
           that
           Fold
           ,
           whereof
           Christ
           is
           the
           Shepherd
           ;
           Stones
           of
           that
           Building
           whereof
           he
           is
           the
           chief
           Corner
           Stone
           ;
           Branches
           of
           that
           Vine
           ,
           whereof
           he
           is
           the
           Stock
           ;
           We
           have
           but
           one
           God
           for
           our
           Father
           that
           Created
           us
           ;
           one
           Saviour
           that
           Redeemed
           us
           ;
           and
           one
           Holy-Ghost
           our
           Sanctifier
           ,
           that
           adorns
           us
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           here
           but
           Pilgrims
           and
           Strangers
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           one
           day
           find
           ,
           that
           a
           Peaceable
           Christian
           Life
           ,
           with
           a
           good
           departure
           hence
           ,
           shall
           bear
           a
           greater
           Value
           than
           all
           Temporal
           Enjoyments
           ,
           can
           afford
           us
           ;
           In
           pursuance
           of
           which
           ,
           let
           us
           all
           endeavour
           to
           learn
           these
           following
           Instructions
           ,
           by
           which
           means
           we
           shall
           not
           only
           attain
           to
           be
           Schollars
           ,
           but
           Proficients
           in
           this
           
             School
             of
             Patience
          
           ,
           and
           acquire
           that
           Conquest
           over
           our
           unruly
           Passions
           ,
           and
           inordinate
           Affections
           ,
           but
           shall
           be
           enabled
           cheerfully
           to
           
             run
             with
             Patience
             the
             Race
             which
             is
             set
             before
             us
             ,
             looking
             unto
             Jesus
             ,
             the
             Author
             and
             Finisher
             of
             our
             Faith
             ;
             who
             for
             the
             Joy
             that
             was
             set
             before
             him
             ,
             endured
             the
             Cross
             ,
             despising
             the
             Shame
             ,
             and
             is
             set
             down
             at
             the
             Right
             Hand
             of
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
          
           Heb.
           
             12.1
             ,
             2.
          
           and
           therefore
           ,
           beseech
           we
           God
           ,
           That
           
             Mercy
             and
             Truth
             may
             meet
             together
             ,
             that
             Righteousness
             and
             Peace
             may
             Kiss
             each
             other
          
           ;
           and
           that
           his
           Glory
           may
           dwell
           in
           our
           Land
           until
           we
           come
           to
           inhabite
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Glory
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
           With
           a
           Prayer
           to
           every
           SECTION
           .
        
         
           
             
               Sect.
               1.
               
            
             OF
             the
             Connexion
             between
             Humility
             ,
             Meekness
             and
             Patience
             .
             Pag.
             1
          
           
             
               Sect.
               2.
               
            
             In
             time
             of
             Sickness
             .
             Pag.
             12
          
           
             
               Sect.
               3.
               
            
             Affliction
             of
             Conscience
             .
             Pag.
             26
          
           
             
               Sect.
               4.
               
            
             Remedies
             against
             Temptations
             .
             Pag.
             47
          
           
             
               Sect.
               5.
               
            
             Imbecillity
             of
             Grace
             .
             Pag.
             56
          
           
             
               Sect.
               6.
               
            
             Loss
             of
             Reputation
             .
             Pag.
             62
          
           
             
               Sect.
               7.
               
            
             Of
             Publick
             Calamities
             .
             Pag.
             68
          
           
             
               Sect.
               8.
               
            
             Loss
             of
             Friends
             .
             Pag.
             80
          
           
             
               Sect.
               9.
               
            
             Of
             Poverty
             .
             Pag.
             85
          
           
             
               Sect.
               10.
               
            
             Of
             Confinement
             .
             Pag.
             91
          
           
             
               Sect.
               11.
               
            
             In
             Exile
             .
             Pag.
             97
          
           
             
               Sect.
               12.
               
            
             Of
             Blindness
             and
             Deafness
             .
             Pag.
             102
          
           
             
               Sect.
               13.
               
            
             Of
             Sterility
             .
             Pag.
             111
          
           
             
               Sect.
               14.
               
            
             Want
             of
             Repose
             .
             Pag.
             116
          
           
             
               Sect.
               15.
               
            
             Of
             Gray
             .
             Hairs
             .
             Pag.
             121
          
           
             
               Sect.
               16.
               
            
             Of
             Mortality
             .
             Pag.
             130
          
           
             
               Sect.
               17.
               
            
             Of
             Judgment
             .
             Pag.
             143
          
           
             
               Sect.
               18.
               
            
             Spiritual
             Conflicts
             .
             Pag.
             149
          
           
             
               Sect.
               19.
               
            
             Character
             of
             Patience
             .
             Pag.
             157
          
           
             
               The
               Close
               .
            
             Pag.
             162
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           ART
           of
           PATIENCE
           AND
           Balm
           of
           Gilead
           UNDER
           ALL
           Afflictions
           ▪
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             Of
             the
             Connexion
             between
             Humility
             ,
             Meekness
             and
             Patience
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             GOD
             ,
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Goodness
             ,
             from
             whom
             cometh
             
               Every
               Good
               and
               Perfect
               Gift
            
             ,
             Jam.
             1.17
             .
             hath
             laid
             down
             such
             Rules
             and
             Precepts
             in
             
               Holy
               Scripture
            
             ,
             that
             whoever
             is
             Diligent
             in
             the
             search
             ,
             
               Shall
               find
               in
               them
               Eternal
               Life
               ,
            
             John
             5.39
             .
             We
             are
             commanded
             to
             
               Follow
               Peace
               with
               all
               Men
               ,
               and
               Holiness
               ,
               without
               which
               no
               Man
               shall
               see
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             
             Heb.
             12.14
             .
             and
             to
             practice
             those
             Celestial
             Duties
             of
             
               Humilty
               ,
               Meekness
            
             and
             Patience
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             HUMILITY
             is
             first
             a
             Duty
             we
             owe
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             have
             such
             a
             Sense
             of
             our
             Unworthiness
             ,
             and
             his
             Excellency
             ,
             as
             may
             operate
             in
             us
             a
             lowly
             and
             unfeign'd
             Submission
             to
             Him
             :
             Now
             ,
             this
             Submission
             is
             twofold
             ;
             First
             ,
             To
             his
             Will
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             his
             Wisdom
             .
             The
             Submission
             to
             his
             Will
             is
             of
             two
             sorts
             ,
             Obedience
             and
             Patience
             :
             Obedience
             is
             our
             yielding
             up
             our selves
             with
             alacrity
             to
             do
             what
             his
             Divine
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             command
             us
             ;
             and
             to
             enable
             us
             to
             perform
             This
             ,
             Humility
             is
             exceeding
             necessary
             :
             And
             to
             acquire
             this
             Obedience
             ,
             we
             must
             endeavour
             to
             possess
             our
             Hearts
             with
             the
             Sense
             of
             that
             great
             unspeakable
             Distance
             ,
             between
             God
             and
             us
             .
             To
             consider
             Him
             a
             God
             of
             Infinite
             Majesty
             ,
             Power
             and
             Glory
             ;
             and
             we
             poor
             Worms
             of
             the
             Earth
             :
             He
             of
             Infinite
             Purity
             and
             Holiness
             ;
             and
             we
             polluted
             and
             dead
             ,
             in
             Trespasses
             and
             Sins
             :
             He
             of
             Power
             able
             to
             do
             all
             things
             ;
             and
             we
             nothing
             ,
             but
             by
             his
             Divine
             Assistance
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             Second
             sort
             of
             Submission
             to
             his
             Will
             ,
             is
             Patience
             ;
             the
             Subject-matter
             of
             our
             Discourse
             .
             This
             consists
             in
             suffering
             his
             Will
             ,
             as
             that
             of
             Obedience
             did
             in
             acting
             it
             ;
             and
             is
             composed
             of
             a
             voluntary
             yielding
             to
             what
             ever
             Afflictions
             God
             is
             pleased
             to
             inflict
             upon
             us
             :
             In
             this
             ,
             Humility
             is
             a
             great
             Assistant
             and
             renders
             things
             easie
             to
             us
             ;
             perswading
             us
             not
             to
             murmur
             ,
             or
             repine
             at
             any
             thing
             God
             does
             ;
             but
             let
             what
             Afflictions
             soever
             come
             ,
             though
             in
             the
             heaviest
             kind
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             always
             ready
             to
             say
             ,
             
               Thy
               Will
               be
               done
               on
               Earth
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               in
               Heaven
               :
            
             And
             with
             old
             Eli
             ,
             when
             that
             great
             Affliction
             came
             of
             Gods
             threatning
             the
             Destruction
             of
             his
             Family
             ,
             he
             loss
             of
             the
             Priesthood
             ,
             the
             Cutting
             off
             both
             his
             Sons
             in
             one
             Day
             ;
             yet
             considering
             it
             was
             the
             Lord
             ,
             inabled
             him
             calmly
             to
             yield
             to
             'em
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Let
               him
               do
               what
               
               seemeth
               him
               good
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             3.18
             .
             The
             same
             Effect
             it
             had
             on
             David
             ,
             in
             his
             Affliction
             ;
             
               I
               was
               dumb
               ,
               I
               opened
               not
               my
               Mouth
               ,
               because
               thou
               didst
               it
               ,
            
             Psal.
             39.9
             .
             God
             doing
             it
             ,
             silenc'd
             all
             Murmurings
             and
             Repinings
             in
             him
             :
             And
             it
             must
             operate
             the
             same
             Effect
             in
             us
             ,
             in
             all
             our
             Afflictions
             ,
             if
             we
             intend
             to
             acquire
             this
             Duty
             of
             Patience
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THEREFORE
             ,
             when
             ever
             God
             strikes
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             only
             Patiently
             to
             endure
             his
             Rod
             ,
             but
             kiss
             it
             also
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             be
             truly
             thankful
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             pleased
             not
             to
             
               Give
               us
               over
               to
               our
               own
               Hearts
               Lusts
               ,
            
             Psal.
             18.12
             .
             But
             still
             continuing
             his
             tender
             Care
             over
             us
             ,
             sending
             Afflictions
             as
             so
             many
             Messengers
             ,
             to
             call
             us
             to
             himself
             .
             From
             whence
             we
             may
             learn
             ,
             what
             an
             absurd
             Folly
             it
             is
             to
             murmur
             at
             those
             Stripes
             ,
             which
             are
             design'd
             so
             graciously
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THIS
             Duty
             is
             not
             compleated
             ,
             by
             only
             a
             Quietness
             and
             Thankfulness
             under
             Affictions
             ;
             but
             there
             must
             be
             Fruitfulness
             also
             ,
             or
             all
             the
             rest
             will
             be
             of
             no
             Advantage
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             production
             of
             that
             ,
             for
             which
             the
             Afflictions
             were
             sent
             ;
             viz.
             the
             Amendment
             of
             our
             Lives
             :
             So
             that
             ,
             in
             Time
             of
             Affliction
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             necessary
             Duty
             to
             examine
             our
             Hearts
             and
             Lives
             ,
             and
             make
             a
             severe
             Scrutiny
             what
             Sins
             have
             provoked
             God
             to
             scourge
             us
             ;
             and
             whatsoever
             we
             find
             our selves
             guilty
             of
             ,
             humbly
             to
             confess
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             immediately
             to
             forsake
             them
             ;
             Redeeming
             what
             we
             have
             lost
             ,
             the
             Time
             to
             come
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             OUR
             next
             Duty
             concerning
             Patience
             ,
             is
             ,
             That
             we
             are
             as
             much
             bound
             to
             comply
             with
             one
             sort
             of
             Sufferings
             ,
             as
             another
             ,
             whether
             they
             be
             immediately
             from
             God
             ,
             as
             Sickness
             ,
             loss
             of
             Friends
             ,
             or
             the
             like
             ;
             or
             whether
             it
             be
             from
             Men
             ,
             who
             sometimes
             are
             Instruments
             of
             afflicting
             us
             ;
             and
             cannot
             prejudice
             us
             ,
             without
             Gods
             Permission
             :
             And
             God
             may
             as
             well
             create
             the
             Instruments
             of
             punishing
             us
             ,
             as
             to
             do
             it
             directly
             Himself
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             a
             Counterfeit
             Patience
             ▪
             
             that
             pretends
             to
             submit
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             yet
             can
             bear
             nothing
             from
             Men.
             We
             see
             an
             Instance
             of
             Holy
             Job
             ,
             who
             is
             recorded
             in
             Sacred
             Scripture
             ,
             as
             a
             Pattern
             of
             true
             Patience
             ;
             he
             made
             no
             such
             Difference
             in
             his
             Afflictions
             ;
             but
             took
             the
             loss
             of
             his
             Cattle
             ,
             which
             the
             Chaldeans
             and
             Sabeans
             robb'd
             him
             of
             ,
             with
             as
             much
             Meekness
             ,
             as
             he
             did
             that
             which
             was
             consumed
             by
             Fire
             from
             Heaven
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             whatever
             we
             suffer
             from
             Men
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             never
             so
             unjust
             in
             respect
             of
             them
             ,
             we
             are
             humbly
             to
             confess
             it
             is
             most
             just
             in
             respect
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             looking
             upon
             them
             with
             Rage
             and
             Revenge
             ,
             as
             the
             vulgar
             custom
             of
             the
             World
             is
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             look
             up
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             acknowledge
             his
             Justice
             in
             the
             Affliction
             ;
             imploring
             his
             Pardon
             most
             earnestly
             for
             those
             Sins
             ,
             which
             have
             provoked
             his
             wrath
             against
             us
             ,
             and
             patiently
             and
             thankfully
             to
             bear
             those
             Sufferings
             ,
             till
             He
             shall
             in
             his
             own
             good
             time
             ,
             see
             fit
             to
             remove
             them
             ;
             still
             saying
             with
             
               Job
               ,
               Blessed
               be
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Job
             1.21
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             Second
             sort
             of
             Submission
             in
             Humility
             ,
             is
             to
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             acknowledge
             him
             Infinitely
             Wise
             :
             And
             whatsoever
             he
             doth
             ,
             we
             must
             confess
             it
             the
             best
             and
             fittest
             to
             be
             done
             :
             And
             this
             Confession
             we
             are
             to
             put
             in
             practice
             ,
             both
             in
             his
             Commands
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             disposing
             and
             ordering
             of
             all
             things
             .
             First
             ,
             Whatsoever
             he
             commands
             us
             to
             believe
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             believe
             ,
             how
             impossible
             soever
             it
             seems
             to
             our
             shallow
             Understandings
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             do
             whatever
             he
             commands
             us
             ,
             how
             opposite
             soever
             it
             be
             to
             our
             Carnal
             Reason
             and
             Humour
             ;
             and
             to
             conclude
             in
             both
             ,
             that
             his
             Commandments
             are
             most
             reasonable
             ,
             
               and
               not
               grievous
            
             ,
             1
             Joh.
             5.3
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             NEXT
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             submit
             to
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             in
             disposing
             and
             ordering
             of
             Things
             ;
             which
             is
             to
             acknowledge
             ,
             He
             desposes
             of
             all
             things
             most
             wisely
             :
             Not
             only
             to
             the
             World
             in
             General
             ;
             but
             in
             what
             concerns
             every
             one
             in
             particular
             :
             So
             that
             ,
             in
             what
             
             Condition
             soever
             we
             are
             in
             ,
             
               We
               are
               to
               be
               Content
            
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             6.8
             .
             and
             not
             to
             be
             impatient
             and
             disturb'd
             ,
             at
             any
             Choice
             which
             God
             makes
             ;
             since
             he
             chuses
             for
             us
             ,
             who
             cannot
             err
             :
             But
             to
             leave
             all
             things
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             fit
             us
             with
             such
             an
             Estate
             and
             Condition
             ,
             as
             he
             sees
             best
             for
             us
             .
             Perhaps
             ,
             it
             may
             not
             please
             our
             unreasonable
             Humours
             ,
             because
             we
             cannot
             live
             in
             that
             Splendour
             equal
             to
             our
             Superiours
             :
             And
             the
             Reason
             is
             ,
             we
             are
             so
             full
             of
             our selves
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             see
             nothing
             beyond
             it
             .
             We
             expect
             God
             should
             place
             us
             where
             we
             please
             ,
             though
             by
             it
             he
             discomposes
             the
             whole
             Scheme
             of
             his
             Providence
             :
             But
             he
             ,
             like
             a
             wise
             Master-Builder
             ,
             knows
             that
             every
             Stone
             is
             not
             fit
             for
             the
             Corner
             ,
             not
             every
             little
             Rafter
             for
             the
             main
             Beam
             :
             And
             sure
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             a
             more
             vile
             contempt
             of
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             ,
             than
             to
             dispute
             his
             Choice
             ,
             who
             knows
             what
             is
             fitter
             for
             us
             ,
             than
             we
             do
             our selves
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             when
             ever
             we
             are
             disappointed
             of
             any
             of
             our
             Aims
             or
             Wishes
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             only
             patiently
             ,
             but
             joyfully
             submit
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             certainly
             best
             for
             us
             ,
             it
             being
             chosen
             by
             the
             unerring
             Wisdom
             of
             our
             Heavenly
             Father
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             HAVING
             spoken
             of
             the
             Humility
             due
             towards
             God
             ;
             I
             am
             now
             to
             speak
             of
             Humility
             ,
             as
             it
             concerns
             our selves
             ;
             which
             will
             be
             no
             less
             necessary
             than
             the
             former
             .
             This
             Humility
             is
             of
             two
             sorts
             ;
             the
             first
             is
             ,
             the
             having
             a
             mean
             and
             low
             Opinion
             of
             our selves
             ;
             the
             second
             is
             ,
             being
             content
             that
             others
             should
             have
             so
             of
             us
             .
             The
             first
             of
             these
             is
             contrary
             to
             Pride
             ,
             and
             the
             second
             to
             Vain-glory.
             Pride
             cast
             the
             Angels
             out
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             the
             greatest
             Sin
             the
             Devil
             hath
             been
             guilty
             of
             :
             And
             we
             may
             frequently
             find
             in
             Scripture
             the
             hainousness
             of
             it
             ,
             Prov.
             16.5
             .
             
               Every
               one
               that
               is
               proud
               in
               Heart
               ,
               is
               an
               abomination
               to
               the
            
             Lord
             ;
             and
             in
             Chap.
             6.
             among
             many
             things
             which
             the
             Lord
             hates
             ,
             a
             
               Proud
               Look
            
             is
             set
             as
             
             the
             chiefest
             .
             It
             is
             indeed
             a
             most
             prolifick
             Vice
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             few
             Sins
             to
             which
             it
             is
             not
             either
             Parent
             or
             Nurse
             to
             :
             There
             are
             many
             places
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             shews
             the
             detestableness
             of
             it
             ;
             I
             shall
             only
             add
             one
             ,
             James
             4.7
             .
             
               That
               God
               resisteth
               the
               Proud
               ,
               but
               giveth
               Grace
               to
               the
               Humble
               .
            
          
           
             10.
             
             AND
             the
             means
             of
             relinquishing
             this
             Sin
             of
             Pride
             ,
             is
             perform'd
             by
             Humility
             ,
             by
             these
             Directions
             :
             First
             ,
             We
             are
             to
             consider
             the
             hainousness
             of
             the
             Sin
             ,
             with
             that
             Regret
             as
             may
             operate
             in
             us
             no
             petty
             Contempt
             ,
             but
             a
             deep
             and
             irreconcileable
             Hatred
             against
             it
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             To
             be
             vigilant
             over
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             that
             they
             foment
             not
             any
             Originals
             of
             it
             ,
             never
             suffering
             them
             to
             feed
             on
             the
             Phantasm
             of
             our
             own
             Magnificence
             :
             But
             when
             ever
             such
             Cogitations
             arise
             ,
             let
             us
             reverberate
             it
             immediately
             with
             the
             Memorial
             of
             some
             of
             our
             Follies
             and
             Vices
             ;
             so
             we
             may
             make
             this
             very
             Motion
             of
             our
             Pride
             an
             occasion
             of
             
               Humility
               .
               Thirdly
            
             ,
             We
             are
             to
             make
             no
             Comparison
             of
             our selves
             with
             those
             we
             think
             are
             more
             foolish
             and
             vicious
             than
             we
             are
             ,
             lest
             we
             fall
             into
             the
             same
             Snare
             with
             the
             
               Pharisee
               ,
               Luk.
            
             16.11
             .
             Extol
             our selves
             for
             being
             better
             :
             But
             if
             we
             will
             compare
             ,
             and
             associate
             our selves
             ,
             let
             us
             do
             it
             with
             the
             Wise
             ,
             Sober
             ,
             and
             Religious
             ;
             and
             there
             we
             shall
             find
             ,
             we
             come
             so
             far
             short
             of
             'em
             ,
             that
             we
             can
             have
             no
             high
             Esteem
             of
             our selves
             ,
             but
             rather
             a
             more
             Submission
             to
             Humility
             ,
             than
             we
             had
             before
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             Let
             us
             humbly
             and
             earnestly
             invoke
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             That
             he
             would
             eradicate
             all
             Degrees
             of
             this
             Sin
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             make
             us
             of
             the
             number
             of
             those
             that
             are
             
               Poor
               in
               Spirit
            
             ,
             Mat.
             5.3
             .
             to
             whom
             the
             Blessing
             even
             of
             Heaven
             it self
             ,
             is
             pronounced
             and
             promised
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THE
             next
             Vice
             in
             opposition
             to
             Humility
             ,
             is
             Vain-glory
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             hungring
             and
             thirsting
             after
             the
             Praise
             of
             Men
             :
             and
             first
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             a
             Sin
             ,
             the
             Words
             of
             our
             Saviour
             prove
             it
             ,
             John
             5.44
             .
             
               How
               can
               
               ye
               believe
               ,
               that
               receive
               Honour
               one
               of
               another
               ?
            
             So
             it
             is
             not
             only
             a
             Sin
             ,
             but
             such
             a
             one
             as
             hinders
             the
             Reception
             of
             Christ
             into
             the
             Heart
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             great
             danger
             of
             this
             Sin
             is
             such
             ,
             if
             it
             keep
             Christ
             out
             of
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             it
             brings
             us
             to
             inevitable
             Destruction
             ;
             for
             all
             our
             Hope
             of
             escaping
             the
             Wrath
             to
             come
             ,
             depends
             in
             our
             Reception
             of
             Him
             :
             And
             this
             Sin
             where
             ever
             it
             takes
             Possession
             in
             the
             Minds
             of
             Men
             ,
             it
             endangers
             the
             being
             guilty
             of
             many
             others
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             seeks
             so
             much
             for
             popular
             Applause
             ,
             may
             be
             in
             danger
             of
             the
             Mobile's
             Hissing
             ,
             and
             without
             Repentance
             ,
             in
             danger
             
               of
               Hell
               Fire
            
             ,
             Mat.
             5.22
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             THIRDLY
             ,
             The
             Folly
             of
             it
             is
             ,
             we
             pursue
             after
             a
             Blast
             of
             Wind
             ,
             the
             Breath
             of
             Men
             ,
             which
             affords
             us
             no
             real
             Advantage
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             It
             is
             not
             only
             unprofitable
             ,
             but
             dolorous
             and
             difficult
             also
             ;
             for
             he
             that
             eagerly
             seeks
             Praise
             ,
             is
             not
             Master
             of
             himself
             ,
             but
             must
             suit
             all
             his
             Actions
             to
             that
             end
             and
             purpose
             ;
             and
             contrary
             to
             what
             his
             own
             Reason
             and
             Conscience
             dictates
             to
             him
             ,
             he
             must
             take
             care
             to
             do
             what
             will
             bring
             him
             in
             Commendations
             ;
             and
             so
             captivates
             himself
             to
             every
             one
             that
             hath
             a
             Tongue
             ,
             to
             extol
             him
             .
             And
             this
             Sin
             is
             further
             prejudicial
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             used
             in
             Religious
             Duties
             ,
             or
             any
             Christian
             Acts
             ,
             it
             destroys
             all
             the
             Fruits
             of
             it
             :
             They
             that
             pray
             ,
             or
             distribute
             Alms
             to
             be
             seen
             of
             Men
             ,
             must
             accept
             of
             that
             for
             their
             Portion
             ,
             Mat.
             6.2
             .
             
               Verily
               ,
               I
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               They
               have
               their
               Reward
            
             ;
             for
             they
             must
             expect
             none
             from
             God
             ,
             but
             the
             reward
             of
             those
             Hypocrites
             ,
             
               that
               love
               the
               Praise
               of
               Men
               ,
               more
               than
               the
               Praise
               of
               God
               :
            
             And
             they
             that
             make
             such
             a
             miserable
             Exchange
             ,
             are
             not
             only
             guilty
             of
             Folly
             ,
             but
             are
             in
             danger
             of
             
               losing
               their
               own
               Souls
            
             ,
             Mark
             8.36
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             AND
             the
             Remedies
             against
             this
             Vice
             ,
             are
             these
             :
             First
             ,
             We
             are
             to
             keep
             a
             strict
             Watch
             over
             our selves
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             in
             any
             Christian
             Duty
             ,
             whether
             we
             consider
             the
             Praise
             of
             Men
             ;
             or
             in
             the
             
             most
             indifferent
             Action
             ,
             whether
             we
             have
             not
             an
             earnest
             Inclination
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             find
             our selves
             leaning
             that
             way
             ,
             we
             must
             endeavour
             to
             have
             a
             a
             strict
             Eye
             upon
             it
             ;
             and
             whenever
             we
             find
             it
             moves
             ,
             reprehend
             and
             resist
             it
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             Let
             this
             be
             our
             Design
             ,
             to
             please
             God
             ;
             that
             when
             we
             intend
             any
             thing
             ,
             we
             may
             make
             this
             inquiry
             ,
             whether
             it
             hath
             his
             Approbation
             :
             and
             then
             we
             shall
             have
             no
             time
             to
             think
             what
             Praise
             it
             will
             bring
             us
             from
             Men
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             a
             greater
             Benefit
             for
             us
             to
             please
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             able
             to
             give
             us
             Eternal
             Rewards
             ;
             than
             Men
             ,
             whose
             Applauses
             are
             vain
             and
             empty
             ;
             and
             none
             of
             us
             can
             but
             think
             it
             reasonable
             ,
             to
             make
             the
             former
             our
             only
             Care.
             Thirdly
             ,
             If
             at
             any
             time
             we
             receive
             Praise
             of
             Men
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             be
             fond
             of
             it
             ,
             nor
             think
             a
             tittle
             the
             better
             of
             our selves
             :
             If
             it
             be
             Virtue
             we
             are
             esteem'd
             for
             ,
             we
             must
             remember
             it
             came
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             return
             him
             the
             Glory
             ;
             and
             not
             imagine
             any
             belongs
             to
             our selves
             .
             Indifferent
             Actions
             can
             deserve
             no
             Praise
             ,
             and
             bad
             Ones
             ought
             to
             set
             us
             a
             trembling
             ;
             else
             that
             Woe
             of
             our
             Saviour
             belongs
             to
             us
             ,
             Luke
             6.26
             .
             
               Woe
               unto
               you
               ,
               when
               Men
               speak
               well
               of
               you
               ;
               for
               so
               did
               their
               Fathers
               to
               the
               False
               Prophets
               :
            
             and
             there
             is
             not
             a
             greater
             Appearance
             of
             an
             hardned
             Heart
             ,
             than
             when
             Men
             make
             their
             Sins
             the
             Object
             of
             their
             Glory
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THE
             next
             Virtue
             is
             Meekness
             ,
             which
             is
             composed
             of
             a
             calmness
             and
             quietness
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             opposite
             to
             the
             Rage
             and
             Impatiences
             of
             Anger
             .
             This
             Virtue
             is
             a
             Duty
             to
             God
             ,
             of
             which
             I
             have
             already
             spoken
             of
             under
             the
             Head
             of
             Humility
             ;
             and
             may
             be
             exercised
             towards
             our
             Neighbor
             ,
             and
             our selves
             :
             I
             shall
             begin
             with
             that
             towards
             our selves
             .
             First
             ,
             The
             advantage
             we
             receive
             by
             it
             is
             this
             ,
             We
             have
             the
             Blessing
             which
             Christ
             pronounced
             ,
             Mat.
             5.5
             .
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               Meek
            
             ;
             not
             only
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             ,
             but
             in
             this
             ;
             
               They
               shall
               inherit
               the
               Earth
            
             :
             and
             indeed
             none
             
             hath
             a
             more
             perfect
             Enjoyment
             ,
             than
             Meek
             Persons
             :
             For
             the
             Impatient
             can
             never
             enjoy
             the
             greatest
             Prosperities
             ;
             and
             the
             uneasiness
             of
             this
             Passion
             is
             such
             ,
             that
             it
             raises
             Storms
             within
             their
             own
             Breasts
             ,
             and
             a
             Perturbation
             upon
             their
             Spirits
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             SECONDLY
             ,
             We
             acquire
             Honour
             by
             it
             ;
             for
             we
             resemble
             Christ
             ,
             that
             blest
             Pattern
             of
             Meekness
             :
             
               Learn
               of
               me
            
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               for
               I
               am
               meek
               and
               lowly
               in
               Heart
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.28
             .
             And
             by
             it
             we
             conquer
             our selves
             ,
             and
             our
             unruly
             Passions
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             noblest
             Victory
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             It
             makes
             us
             deport
             our selves
             like
             Men
             ,
             whereas
             Anger
             transforms
             us
             to
             the
             Fierceness
             and
             Wildness
             of
             Savage
             Beasts
             :
             The
             One
             is
             esteemed
             ,
             and
             the
             Other
             abhorred
             ;
             every
             one
             shunning
             an
             outragious
             Man
             ,
             as
             they
             would
             a
             tameless
             Beast
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             Meekness
             inferreth
             a
             sober
             Mind
             ;
             whereas
             Anger
             is
             direct
             Madness
             ,
             and
             renders
             him
             uncapable
             of
             being
             his
             own
             Master
             ;
             exciting
             him
             to
             those
             things
             ,
             as
             himself
             ,
             in
             his
             serious
             Temper
             ,
             utterly
             detests
             .
             Many
             Men
             have
             committed
             those
             things
             in
             their
             Rage
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             repented
             all
             their
             Life
             after
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             seeing
             how
             much
             Anger
             resembles
             Beastiality
             ,
             a
             mad
             Man
             than
             a
             sober
             Man
             ,
             let
             us
             imbrace
             this
             Vertue
             of
             Meekness
             ,
             and
             abandon
             the
             contrary
             Vice
             of
             Anger
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             MEEKNESS
             ,
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             makes
             the
             worst
             Condition
             tolerable
             and
             easie
             ;
             and
             if
             we
             meekly
             bear
             any
             Suffering
             ,
             it
             takes
             off
             the
             Edge
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             wound
             us
             ;
             whereas
             they
             that
             rage
             ,
             whets
             it
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             sharper
             than
             it
             would
             be
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             case
             of
             reproachful
             words
             ,
             which
             in
             themselves
             do
             no
             prejudice
             to
             our
             Bodies
             nor
             Estates
             ;
             all
             the
             mischief
             they
             can
             do
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             us
             angery
             ;
             and
             then
             the
             Anger
             will
             create
             more
             Strife
             and
             Debate
             ,
             and
             animate
             the
             Espoused
             Party
             but
             more
             against
             us
             :
             Whereas
             he
             that
             Meekly
             passes
             them
             by
             ,
             is
             never
             
             the
             worse
             but
             the
             better
             ;
             for
             he
             shall
             he
             rewarded
             of
             God
             for
             that
             Patience
             :
             And
             St.
             Paul
             to
             Titus
             ,
             gives
             us
             this
             Advice
             ,
             
               To
               speak
               Evil
               of
               no
               Man
               ,
               to
               be
               no
               Brawlers
               ,
               but
               gentle
               ,
               shewing
               all
               Meekness
               unto
               all
               Men
               ,
            
             Tit.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             AND
             the
             means
             to
             obtain
             this
             Vertue
             ,
             are
             these
             :
             First
             ,
             To
             make
             a
             deep
             Impression
             in
             our
             Minds
             ,
             of
             the
             Loveliness
             and
             Benefits
             of
             Meekness
             ,
             together
             with
             the
             Deformity
             and
             Mischief
             of
             
               Anger
               .
               Secondly
            
             ,
             To
             set
             before
             our selves
             the
             Example
             of
             our
             Blessed
             Lord
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             indured
             all
             Reproaches
             and
             Torments
             ,
             with
             a
             perfect
             Patience
             ,
             that
             was
             
               Led
               as
               a
               Sheep
               to
               the
               Slaughter
               ,
            
             Isa.
             53.7
             .
             
               That
               when
               he
               was
               reviled
               ,
               reviled
               not
               again
               ;
               when
               he
               suffered
               ,
               threatned
               not
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             2.23
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             To
             be
             very
             vigilant
             in
             preventing
             the
             beginnings
             of
             Anger
             ;
             and
             to
             that
             end
             ,
             we
             must
             mortifie
             all
             inward
             Peevishness
             and
             Frowardness
             of
             Mind
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             Sin
             in
             it self
             ,
             if
             it
             proceed
             no
             further
             ;
             but
             if
             cherish'd
             ,
             will
             break
             out
             into
             open
             Effects
             of
             Danger
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             when
             ever
             thou
             find'st
             the
             least
             Motion
             of
             it
             within
             thee
             ,
             make
             as
             much
             haste
             to
             check
             it
             ,
             as
             thou
             wouldest
             to
             quench
             a
             Fire
             in
             thy
             House
             :
             And
             be
             sure
             to
             keep
             a
             strick
             watch
             over
             thy
             Tongue
             ,
             that
             it
             break
             not
             out
             into
             any
             angry
             Expressions
             ;
             for
             that
             Breath
             will
             fan
             the
             Fire
             ,
             not
             only
             in
             thine
             Antagonist
             ,
             but
             thy self
             too
             :
             Therefore
             ,
             though
             thy
             Heart
             be
             ardent
             within
             ,
             suffocate
             the
             Flame
             ,
             that
             it
             break
             not
             out
             ;
             and
             the
             greater
             the
             Temptation
             is
             ,
             the
             more
             earnestly
             call
             upon
             God
             to
             assist
             thee
             to
             conquer
             it
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             Often
             call
             to
             mind
             the
             great
             Punishments
             thy
             sins
             have
             deserved
             ;
             and
             then
             ,
             whether
             thy
             Afflictions
             be
             from
             God
             or
             Man
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             acknowledge
             them
             to
             be
             far
             short
             of
             what
             thou
             deservest
             ;
             and
             wilt
             be
             ready
             to
             blush
             at
             thy
             great
             Impatience
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               Meekness
               and
               Humility
               .
            
             
               O
               Most
               Blessed
               Lord
               God
               ,
               the
               Perfect
               Pattern
               of
               Humility
               and
               Meekness
               ;
               infuse
               into
               me
               ,
               I
               humbly
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               those
               Excellent
               Graces
               ,
               whereby
               I
               may
               be
               fully
               convinced
               of
               my
               own
               Wretchedness
               ,
               and
               Evidently
               behold
               that
               I
               am
               sinful
               Dust
               and
               Ashes
               ;
               Lord
               work
               in
               me
               such
               a
               lowliness
               of
               Mind
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               in
               the
               sincerity
               of
               my
               Heart
               confess
               and
               acknowledge
               that
               I
               am
               less
               than
               the
               least
               of
               all
               thy
               Mercies
               ,
               and
               justly
               deserve
               the
               greatest
               of
               thy
               Judgments
               :
               Give
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               a
               Contrite
               Spirit
               ,
               a
               Meek
               and
               an
               Humble
               Heart
               ,
               and
               chase
               from
               me
               all
               Pride
               and
               Vanity
               of
               Mind
               ,
               whereby
               I
               may
               become
               lowly
               ,
               yea
               base
               and
               vile
               in
               my
               own
               Eyes
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               ROOT
               out
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               from
               me
               all
               perverseness
               of
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               wholly
               dispossess
               it
               of
               its
               residence
               ;
               that
               I
               may
               be
               fit
               to
               entertain
               that
               good
               Spirit
               of
               thine
               ,
               and
               thou
               mayst
               take
               delight
               to
               dwell
               and
               remain
               with
               me
               :
               Grant
               that
               I
               may
               every
               day
               be
               more
               humbled
               with
               the
               sight
               of
               my
               own
               Unworthiness
               ,
               and
               Spiritual
               Wants
               ,
               and
               to
               esteem
               my self
               as
               nothing
               without
               thee
               ,
               but
               always
               acknowledge
               my
               own
               frailty
               and
               weakness
               :
               O
               ,
               let
               me
               wholly
               depend
               and
               rely
               upon
               thee
               ,
               and
               ascribe
               the
               Praise
               and
               Glory
               of
               whatsoever
               good
               is
               wrought
               in
               me
               ,
               or
               by
               me
               ,
               unto
               thee
               alone
               ,
               who
               art
               the
               God
               of
               my
               Strength
               ,
               the
               Author
               and
               Giver
               both
               of
               Grace
               and
               Glory
               ,
               and
               the
               Beginner
               and
               Finisher
               of
               every
               Good
               Thing
               ,
               which
               is
               wrought
               in
               any
               of
               thy
               Servants
               ,
               to
               whom
               be
               all
               Honour
               and
               Glory
               ,
               now
               and
               for
               ever
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             In
             time
             of
             Sickness
          
           
             1.
             
             WHAT
             should
             we
             do
             in
             this
             Vale
             of
             Tears
             ,
             but
             condole
             each
             others
             Miseries
             ?
             Every
             Man
             hath
             his
             weight
             ,
             and
             happy
             is
             he
             whose
             Burthen
             is
             so
             easie
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             assist
             his
             Neighbours
             .
             Many
             have
             waded
             through
             a
             Sea
             of
             Sorrows
             ;
             and
             the
             Angel
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             hath
             Redeemed
             their
             Souls
             from
             Evil
             ,
             and
             led
             them
             within
             few
             Paces
             of
             the
             Shore
             ,
             offers
             to
             lend
             thee
             his
             Hand
             ;
             to
             guide
             thee
             in
             this
             dangerous
             World
             ,
             wherein
             every
             Error
             is
             Death
             :
             Let
             us
             follow
             him
             therefore
             with
             a
             humble
             Confidence
             ,
             and
             be
             safe
             in
             the
             View
             and
             Pity
             of
             the
             woful
             Miscarriages
             of
             others
             ,
             and
             take
             warning
             by
             their
             sad
             Misfortunes
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THOU
             art
             on
             thy
             Bed
             of
             Sickness
             ,
             and
             with
             holy
             
               David
               ,
               Roaring
               all
               the
               day
               long
               ,
            
             Psal.
             32.3
             .
             for
             the
             Extremity
             of
             thy
             pain
             ,
             measuring
             the
             slow
             Hours
             ,
             not
             by
             Minutes
             ,
             but
             by
             Groans
             :
             
               Thy
               Soul
               is
               weary
               of
               thy
               Life
               ,
            
             Job
             10.1
             .
             through
             the
             Intolerable
             
               Anguish
               of
               thy
               Spirit
            
             ,
             Job
             7.11
             .
             Of
             all
             temporal
             Afflictions
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             sorest
             :
             And
             Job
             1.21
             .
             after
             the
             loss
             of
             his
             Goods
             and
             Children
             ,
             could
             yet
             support
             himself
             ,
             and
             
               Bless
               the
               God
               that
               gives
               and
               takes
            
             :
             But
             when
             his
             Body
             was
             tormented
             ,
             and
             made
             one
             Boyle
             ,
             then
             his
             Patience
             is
             extended
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             to
             curse
             (
             not
             his
             God
             ,
             but
             )
             his
             Nativity
             ,
             Job
             3.3
             .
             
               Let
               the
               day
               perish
               wherein
               I
               was
               born
               ,
               and
               the
               night
               in
               which
               it
               was
               said
               ,
               there
               is
               a
               Man
               Child
               conceived
               .
            
             And
             King
             Artaxerxes
             questioning
             with
             his
             Cup
             bearer
             Nehemiah
             ,
             could
             say
             ,
             
               Why
               is
               thy
               Countenance
               sad
               ,
               seeing
               thou
               art
               not
               Sick
               ?
            
             Nehem.
             2.2
             .
             implyed
             that
             the
             Sick
             ,
             of
             all
             others
             ,
             hath
             just
             cause
             to
             
             be
             dejected
             .
             Humane
             Crosses
             are
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             but
             Sickness
             is
             in
             our
             Bosoms
             :
             Those
             touch
             Externaly
             ,
             these
             Internally
             our Selves
             :
             Here
             the
             whole
             Man
             suffers
             .
             What
             could
             the
             Body
             feel
             without
             the
             Soul
             that
             animates
             it
             ?
             How
             can
             the
             Soul
             (
             which
             makes
             the
             Body
             sensible
             )
             chuse
             but
             be
             most
             affected
             with
             that
             Pain
             ,
             wherewith
             the
             Body
             is
             afflicted
             ?
             Both
             Partners
             are
             perplex'd
             to
             encounter
             so
             fierce
             an
             Enemy
             ,
             and
             the
             sharpest
             requires
             the
             most
             powerful
             Resistance
             .
             Therefore
             let
             us
             recollect
             our selves
             ,
             and
             summon
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             to
             engage
             with
             so
             violent
             ,
             and
             potent
             an
             Enemy
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THY
             Body
             is
             by
             a
             sore
             Disease
             confin'd
             to
             thy
             Bed
             :
             I
             should
             be
             sorry
             to
             say
             ,
             thy self
             wert
             so
             .
             Thy
             Soul
             ,
             which
             is
             thy self
             ,
             I
             hope
             is
             at
             a
             distance
             from
             thee
             ;
             but
             however
             it
             is
             content
             to
             take
             a
             share
             in
             thy
             Sufferings
             ,
             soars
             above
             to
             the
             Heaven
             of
             Heavens
             ;
             and
             is
             prostrate
             before
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ,
             imploring
             for
             Mercy
             and
             Forgiveness
             ;
             beholding
             the
             Face
             of
             thy
             Glorious
             Mediator
             ,
             interceding
             for
             thee
             .
             Unhappy
             were
             we
             ,
             if
             our
             Souls
             were
             lockt
             up
             in
             our
             Bosoms
             ,
             that
             they
             could
             use
             no
             Motions
             ,
             but
             what
             our
             lumpish
             Bodies
             could
             contribute
             ▪
             But
             ,
             blessed
             be
             God
             ,
             he
             hath
             animated
             us
             with
             active
             Spirits
             ,
             that
             can
             move
             themselves
             ,
             while
             our
             Bodies
             lie
             still
             ;
             that
             can
             be
             so
             agil
             in
             their
             Motions
             ,
             as
             they
             can
             pass
             from
             Earth
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             ere
             we
             can
             turn
             our
             wearied
             and
             sick
             Bodies
             to
             find
             ease
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             AND
             how
             much
             shall
             we
             be
             wanting
             to
             our selves
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             make
             use
             of
             this
             Spiritual
             Agility
             ;
             sending
             up
             these
             Spirits
             of
             ours
             ,
             from
             this
             brittle
             Clay
             of
             our
             Bodies
             ,
             to
             those
             Regions
             of
             Blessedness
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             from
             thence
             Extract
             Comforts
             to
             alleviate
             the
             Sorrows
             of
             their
             heavy
             Partners
             .
             Thus
             if
             thou
             imployest
             thy
             better
             part
             ,
             no
             Pains
             of
             the
             Body
             can
             make
             thee
             miserable
             ▪
             
             that
             Spiritual
             Part
             of
             thine
             shall
             ere
             long
             be
             in
             Bliss
             ,
             whil'st
             this
             piece
             of
             Earth
             lies
             putrified
             in
             the
             Grave
             .
             Why
             dost
             thou
             not
             then
             ,
             even
             now
             before
             thy
             Dissolution
             ,
             improve
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             it
             to
             thy
             present
             Advantage
             ?
             Let
             thy
             internal
             Eye
             still
             behold
             the
             Face
             of
             thy
             God
             in
             Glory
             ,
             whil'st
             thy
             Corporal
             Eyes
             observe
             those
             Friends
             at
             thy
             Bed-side
             ,
             which
             may
             pity
             ,
             but
             cannot
             help
             thee
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THOU
             art
             pained
             with
             Sickness
             :
             Consider
             se●iously
             from
             whence
             it
             comes
             ,
             and
             what
             makes
             it
             so
             bitter
             to
             thee
             ;
             
               Affliction
               cometh
               not
               out
               of
               the
               dust
               ,
            
             Job
             5.6
             .
             Couldst
             thou
             but
             hear
             the
             Voice
             of
             thy
             Disease
             ,
             as
             thou
             now
             feelest
             the
             Stroke
             of
             it
             ,
             it
             hath
             proclaim'd
             loud
             enough
             ,
             
               Am
               I
               come
               up
               hither
               without
               the
               Lord
               ,
               to
               torment
               thee
               ?
               The
               Lord
               hath
               said
               to
               me
               ,
               Go
               up
               against
               this
               Man
               ,
               and
               afflict
               him
               ,
            
             2
             Kings
             18.25
             .
             Couldst
             thou
             perceive
             the
             Hand
             that
             smites
             thee
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             be
             eager
             to
             kiss
             it
             ;
             since
             it
             is
             the
             Father
             of
             all
             Mercies
             ,
             Comfort
             and
             Consolation
             ,
             that
             lays
             these
             Stripes
             upon
             thee
             :
             He
             that
             made
             thee
             and
             bought
             thee
             at
             so
             dear
             a
             Price
             as
             his
             own
             Blood
             ;
             it
             is
             He
             that
             chastiseth
             thee
             :
             And
             canst
             thou
             think
             He
             would
             scourge
             thee
             ,
             but
             for
             thine
             own
             Advantage
             :
             For
             what
             tender
             Father
             is
             there
             ,
             but
             has
             Bowels
             of
             Compassion
             ,
             and
             never
             takes
             the
             Rod
             in
             hand
             ,
             out
             of
             a
             Pleasure
             to
             chasten
             that
             Flesh
             ,
             which
             is
             derived
             from
             his
             own
             Loyns
             ?
             Or
             is
             it
             any
             ease
             to
             him
             ,
             to
             make
             his
             Child
             smart
             and
             bleed
             ?
             But
             rather
             himself
             suffers
             more
             than
             he
             infl●cts
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             content
             to
             Redeem
             those
             Stripes
             with
             his
             own
             ;
             yet
             he
             sees
             the
             Chastisement
             proper
             ,
             not
             to
             spare
             him
             for
             his
             Frowardness
             ,
             and
             Tears
             ;
             but
             will
             plead
             ,
             he
             had
             not
             lov'd
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             been
             so
             kindly
             severe
             :
             And
             Solomon
             gives
             us
             this
             advice
             ;
             
               Chasten
               thy
               Son
               while
               there
               is
               Hope
               ,
               and
               let
               not
               thy
               Soul
               spare
               for
               his
               Crying
               ,
            
             Prov.
             19.18
             .
             And
             if
             we
             that
             are
             evil
             ,
             know
             how
             to
             give
             loving
             
             and
             beneficial
             Correction
             to
             our
             Children
             ,
             how
             much
             more
             shall
             our
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             know
             how
             to
             Chastise
             us
             for
             our
             Advantage
             ?
             So
             as
             we
             may
             sing
             under
             the
             Rod
             ,
             with
             the
             Blessed
             Psalmist
             ;
             
               I
               know
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               thy
               Judgments
               are
               right
               ,
               and
               that
               thou
               in
               Faithfulness
               hast
               afflicted
               me
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.75
             .
             Might
             a
             Child
             be
             made
             Arbiter
             of
             his
             Chastisement
             ,
             do
             we
             think
             he
             would
             adjudicate
             himself
             to
             be
             Corrected
             ?
             Yet
             the
             discreet
             Parent
             knows
             he
             shall
             wrong
             him
             ,
             if
             he
             give
             not
             due
             Correction
             ;
             as
             having
             learned
             of
             wise
             Solomon
             ,
             Prov.
             23.14
             .
             
               Thou
               shalt
               beat
               him
               with
               the
               Rod
               ,
               and
               shalt
               deliver
               his
               Soul
               from
               Hell.
            
             Love
             hath
             its
             Stroaks
             ,
             saith
             St.
             Ambrose
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             sweeter
             ,
             the
             harder
             they
             are
             inflicted
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             DOST
             thou
             not
             remember
             the
             Message
             the
             two
             Sisters
             sent
             to
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             John
             11.3
             .
             
               Lord
               ,
               behold
               he
               whom
               thou
               lovest
               ,
               is
               Sick.
            
             Were
             it
             so
             ,
             that
             Pain
             or
             Sickness
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             the
             Executioners
             of
             Divine
             Justice
             ,
             ere
             let
             loose
             to
             tyrannize
             over
             thee
             at
             Pleasure
             ,
             to
             render
             thee
             perfectly
             Miserable
             ;
             there
             were
             just
             Reason
             for
             thy
             utter
             Diffidence
             :
             But
             they
             are
             stinted
             ,
             and
             march
             under
             Comission
             ;
             neither
             can
             they
             be
             allowed
             to
             have
             any
             other
             Limits
             ,
             than
             thy
             own
             Advantage
             .
             Hadst
             thou
             rather
             be
             Good
             ,
             or
             be
             Healthful
             ,
             I
             know
             thou
             wouldst
             imbrace
             both
             ,
             and
             think
             thy self
             in
             a
             happy
             State
             :
             For
             who
             is
             so
             little
             in
             his
             own
             favour
             ,
             as
             to
             imagine
             he
             can
             be
             the
             worse
             for
             faring
             well
             .
             But
             he
             that
             made
             thee
             ,
             has
             a
             far
             greater
             Inspection
             into
             thee
             ,
             than
             thine
             own
             Eyes
             can
             have
             ;
             he
             sees
             thy
             Vigor
             is
             turning
             wanton
             ,
             and
             if
             thy
             Body
             be
             not
             sick
             ,
             thy
             Soul
             will
             :
             If
             he
             therefore
             think
             it
             fit
             to
             take
             down
             thy
             worst
             part
             a
             little
             ,
             for
             the
             preventing
             of
             a
             Mortal
             Danger
             to
             the
             better
             ,
             what
             cause
             hast
             thou
             to
             complain
             ,
             yea
             ,
             rather
             not
             to
             be
             thankful
             ?
             When
             thou
             hast
             felt
             thy
             Body
             in
             a
             distemper
             
             of
             Fulness
             ,
             thou
             hast
             gone
             to
             Sea
             on
             purpose
             to
             create
             a
             Sickness
             ;
             yet
             thou
             knewest
             that
             turning
             of
             thy
             Head
             and
             Stomach
             would
             be
             more
             painful
             to
             thee
             ,
             than
             thy
             former
             Indisposition
             .
             Why
             then
             should
             not
             thy
             All-wise
             Creator
             take
             Liberty
             to
             Cure
             thee
             with
             an
             Afflictious
             Remedy
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             art
             now
             Sick
             :
             Wert
             thou
             not
             a
             long
             time
             Healthful
             ,
             and
             canst
             thou
             not
             take
             that
             patiently
             which
             God
             hath
             allotted
             thee
             ?
             If
             thou
             hast
             enjoy'd
             more
             dayes
             of
             health
             ,
             than
             hours
             of
             sickness
             ,
             how
             canst
             thou
             think
             thou
             hadst
             cause
             to
             repine
             ?
             Had
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             thought
             fit
             to
             mitigate
             thy
             many
             days
             pain
             ,
             with
             the
             Ease
             of
             one
             hour
             ,
             it
             had
             been
             worthy
             of
             thy
             Thanks
             :
             But
             now
             that
             he
             hath
             requited
             thy
             few
             painful
             hours
             ,
             with
             years
             of
             perfect
             health
             ,
             how
             unthankfully
             dost
             thou
             repine
             at
             thy
             Condition
             ?
             It
             was
             a
             gross
             mistake
             ,
             if
             thou
             didst
             not
             from
             all
             Earthly
             things
             expect
             a
             Vicissitude
             :
             They
             cannot
             have
             their
             Being
             without
             a
             Change
             ;
             as
             well
             may
             Day
             be
             without
             a
             Succession
             of
             Night
             ,
             and
             Life
             without
             Death
             ,
             as
             a
             Mortal
             Body
             without
             Fits
             of
             Distemper
             :
             And
             how
             much
             better
             are
             these
             momentary
             Changes
             ,
             than
             that
             last
             Change
             of
             a
             Misery
             unchangeable
             ?
             It
             was
             a
             deplorable
             Word
             that
             Father
             Abraham
             said
             to
             the
             Rich
             Glutton
             ;
             
               Son
               ,
               remember
               that
               thou
               in
               thy
               Life
               time
               receivest
               thy
               good
               things
               ,
               and
            
             Lazarus
             
               evil
               things
               ;
               but
               now
               he
               is
               Comforted
               and
               thou
               art
               Tormented
               ,
            
             Luke
             16.25
             .
             How
             happy
             then
             are
             we
             ,
             that
             are
             here
             chastned
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             that
             
               We
               may
               not
               be
               Condemned
               of
               the
               World
               !
            
             O
             then
             ,
             welcome
             Feavers
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             Diseases
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             that
             may
             quit
             my
             Soul
             from
             Everlasting
             Burnings
             !
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             complainest
             of
             Sickness
             ;
             and
             many
             have
             effused
             Tears
             for
             their
             superfluity
             of
             Health
             ;
             condoling
             the
             fear
             and
             danger
             of
             losing
             God's
             Favour
             ,
             for
             their
             not
             being
             Afflicted
             .
             
             Bromiard
             tells
             us
             of
             a
             Devout
             Man
             ,
             that
             complained
             at
             his
             Prosperity
             ,
             as
             no
             small
             Affliction
             ;
             whom
             God
             soon
             after
             accommodated
             with
             Pain
             enough
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             Desires
             :
             The
             poor
             Man
             was
             joyful
             at
             this
             Change
             ,
             and
             look'd
             upon
             his
             Sickness
             as
             a
             Mercy
             ;
             for
             so
             it
             was
             intended
             by
             him
             that
             sent
             it
             .
             Why
             are
             we
             too
             much
             dejected
             with
             that
             ,
             which
             others
             complain
             the
             want
             of
             ?
             Why
             should
             we
             find
             that
             so
             tedious
             to
             our selves
             ,
             which
             others
             have
             wish'd
             to
             enjoy
             ?
             There
             have
             been
             Medicinal
             Agues
             ,
             which
             the
             wise
             Physician
             have
             cast
             his
             Patient
             into
             ,
             for
             the
             Cure
             of
             a
             worse
             Distemper
             .
             A
             secure
             and
             illegal
             Health
             ,
             however
             Nature
             takes
             it
             ,
             is
             the
             most
             dangerous
             Indisposition
             of
             the
             Soul
             :
             If
             that
             be
             healed
             by
             some
             few
             bodily
             Pangs
             ,
             the
             advantage
             is
             unspeakable
             .
             Look
             upon
             some
             vigorous
             Gallant
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             height
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             heat
             of
             Blood
             ,
             eagerly
             pursues
             his
             Carnal
             Delights
             ,
             thinking
             of
             no
             Heaven
             ,
             but
             the
             free
             delectation
             of
             his
             Sense
             ;
             and
             compare
             thy
             present
             Estate
             with
             his
             :
             Here
             thou
             liest
             groaning
             and
             sighing
             ,
             panting
             and
             shifting
             thy
             weary
             Sides
             ,
             complaining
             of
             the
             slow
             motions
             of
             thy
             tedious
             Hours
             ;
             whilst
             he
             is
             frolicking
             with
             his
             jocund
             Companions
             ,
             Carousing
             his
             large
             Healths
             ,
             sporting
             himself
             with
             his
             wanton
             Delilah
             ,
             and
             bathing
             himself
             in
             all
             sensual
             Pleasures
             :
             And
             tell
             mo
             whether
             of
             the
             two
             thou
             thinkst
             in
             the
             happier
             Condition
             ?
             If
             thou
             art
             not
             shrunk
             into
             nothing
             but
             Sense
             ,
             and
             hast
             not
             cast
             off
             all
             Thoughts
             of
             another
             World
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             pity
             the
             Misery
             of
             that
             Atheistical
             Jollity
             ,
             and
             gratulate
             to
             thy self
             the
             advantage
             of
             thy
             humble
             and
             faithful
             suffering
             that
             ,
             which
             will
             at
             last
             make
             thee
             ample
             Satisfaction
             ,
             by
             yielding
             thee
             
               the
               peaceable
               Fruit
               of
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             Heb
             ,
             12.11
             .
          
           
           
             9.
             
             THY
             Pain
             is
             grievous
             ;
             but
             dost
             thou
             not
             hear
             the
             great
             precedent
             of
             Patience
             crying
             out
             from
             his
             Dunghil
             ,
             
               O
               that
               my
               Grief
               were
               throughly
               weighed
               ,
               and
               my
               Calamities
               laid
               in
               the
               Ballance
               together
               !
               For
               now
               it
               would
               be
               heavier
               than
               the
               Sand
               of
               the
               Sea
               :
               Therefore
               my
               words
               are
               swallowed
               up
               ;
               for
               the
               Arrows
               of
               the
               Almighty
               are
               within
               me
               ,
               the
               Poyson
               whereof
               drinketh
               up
               my
               Spirits
               :
               The
               Terrors
               of
               God
               do
               set
               themselves
               in
               Array
               against
               me
               ,
            
             Job
             6.2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             Dost
             thou
             not
             hear
             the
             Man
             after
             God's
             own
             Heart
             speak
             of
             
               the
               Voice
               of
               his
               Roaring
            
             ,
             Psal.
             22.1
             ?
             He
             that
             shrunk
             not
             from
             the
             Bear
             ,
             the
             Lyon
             ,
             nor
             Goliah
             of
             Gath
             ,
             is
             now
             
               drenching
               his
               Bed
               with
               his
               Tears
               .
            
             Psal.
             6.6
             .
             Dost
             thou
             not
             hear
             the
             Faithful
             crying
             out
             ,
             
               I
               am
               the
               Man
               that
               hath
               suffered
               Affliction
               by
               the
               Rod
               of
               his
               Wrath
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             
               Surely
               against
               me
               he
               is
               turned
               ;
               he
               turneth
               his
               hand
               against
               me
               all
               the
               day
               ;
               my
               Flesh
               and
               my
               Skin
               hath
               he
               made
               old
               ;
               he
               hath
               broken
               my
               Bones
               ,
            
             Lam.
             3.1
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             
             Consider
             the
             
               Prophets
               ,
               Apostles
            
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             the
             great
             Favourites
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             some
             on
             Gridirons
             ,
             others
             in
             
               Boyling
               Caldrons
            
             ;
             some
             on
             Spits
             ,
             others
             under
             Saws
             ;
             some
             in
             Flames
             ,
             others
             crashed
             with
             the
             Teeth
             of
             
               Wild
               Beasts
            
             ;
             some
             on
             Racks
             ,
             others
             in
             
               Fiery
               Furnaces
            
             :
             Most
             of
             'em
             in
             such
             Torments
             ,
             as
             in
             comparison
             ,
             thy
             Pains
             are
             but
             a
             Sport.
             But
             to
             leave
             Mortality
             and
             sinful
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             behold
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             Lord
             of
             Life
             ,
             the
             King
             of
             
               Glory
               ,
               God
            
             blessed
             for
             ever
             ,
             sweating
             drops
             of
             Blood
             in
             his
             dreadful
             Agony
             ;
             and
             mayst
             hear
             him
             cry
             upon
             the
             Tree
             of
             Curse
             and
             Shame
             ,
             
               My
               God
               ,
               my
               God
               ,
               why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
             Matth.
             27.46
             .
             Alas
             ,
             What
             are
             we
             capable
             to
             suffer
             ,
             in
             proportion
             of
             these
             Tortures
             ?
             What
             are
             we
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             think
             much
             to
             share
             with
             the
             best
             of
             
             God's
             Saints
             ;
             nay
             ,
             even
             with
             the
             dear
             and
             eternal
             Son
             of
             his
             Love
             ,
             our
             ever
             blessed
             Redeemer
             ?
             Had
             
             not
             God
             prescribed
             this
             their
             way
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             they
             had
             not
             waded
             so
             deep
             in
             Blood.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             WHY
             do
             we
             repine
             to
             wet
             our
             feet
             where
             they
             waded
             ?
             If
             from
             these
             Holy
             Ones
             we
             turn
             our
             Eyes
             ,
             we
             shall
             find
             Examples
             among
             meer
             Pagans
             :
             For
             instance
             ,
             He
             who
             we
             used
             to
             account
             infamous
             for
             Voluptuousness
             ,
             Epicurus
             the
             Philosopher
             ;
             who
             ,
             on
             his
             Dying-day
             ,
             when
             he
             lay
             extreamly
             tormented
             with
             the
             Stone
             in
             the
             Bladder
             ,
             and
             a
             tearing
             Cholick
             in
             his
             Bowels
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             grasping
             for
             Life
             ;
             yet
             even
             then
             ,
             writing
             to
             his
             Idemeneus
             ,
             can
             out
             of
             the
             strength
             of
             his
             Resolutions
             ,
             profess
             his
             Cheerfulness
             ,
             and
             can
             stile
             even
             that
             day
             Blessed
             .
             It
             was
             the
             same
             Mouth
             that
             could
             boast
             ,
             that
             if
             he
             were
             frying
             in
             the
             
               Brazen
               Bull
            
             of
             ●alaris
             ,
             he
             could
             there
             find
             Contentment
             .
             What
             should
             I
             tell
             thee
             of
             a
             
               Mutius
               Scaevola
            
             ,
             who
             in
             a
             Glorious
             Revenge
             ,
             voluntarily
             burnt
             off
             his
             Right
             Hand
             ,
             not
             without
             the
             Envy
             and
             Pity
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ;
             or
             of
             a
             Regulus
             ,
             that
             after
             so
             high
             a
             Provocation
             ;
             offers
             himself
             to
             the
             worst
             of
             the
             merciless
             Fury
             of
             his
             Tormenters
             ?
             Why
             shouldst
             thou
             admire
             ,
             saith
             wise
             Seneca
             ,
             that
             some
             should
             be
             well
             pleased
             to
             be
             Scorch'd
             ,
             Wounded
             ,
             Rack'd
             ,
             or
             Kill'd
             ?
             Frugality
             is
             a
             pain
             to
             the
             Riotous
             ,
             Labour
             a
             punishment
             to
             the
             Lazy
             ,
             Continence
             a
             misery
             to
             the
             Wanton
             ,
             and
             Study
             a
             torture
             to
             the
             Slo●hful
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             ALL
             these
             are
             not
             in
             their
             own
             Nature
             difficult
             ,
             but
             we
             are
             infirm
             and
             inconstant
             .
             Shall
             Pagans
             attain
             to
             this
             height
             of
             Magnanimity
             by
             their
             Fortitude
             !
             And
             shall
             we
             Christians
             droop
             under
             gentler
             Sufferings
             !
             We
             profess
             the
             advantage
             of
             Faith
             to
             uphold
             and
             chear
             us
             :
             But
             poor
             Ethni●k
             Souls
             !
             they
             never
             heard
             of
             a
             Merciful
             God
             to
             Comfort
             'em
             :
             They
             never
             knew
             those
             sweet
             Messages
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             
               Call
               upon
               me
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Trouble
               ,
               I
               
               will
               deliver
               thee
               ,
               and
               thou
               shalt
               Glorifie
               me
               ,
            
             Psal.
             50.15
             .
             
               Come
               unto
               me
               all
               ye
               that
               Labour
               ,
               and
               are
               heavy
               laden
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               give
               you
               Rest
               ,
            
             Matth.
             11.28
             .
             
               Strengthen
               ye
               the
               weak
               Hands
               ,
               and
               confirm
               the
               feeble
               Knees
               :
               Say
               to
               them
               that
               are
               of
               a
               fearful
               Heart
               ,
               Be
               strong
               ,
               fear
               not
               ,
               behold
               ,
               your
               God
               will
               come
               with
               Vengeance
               ,
               even
               God
               with
               a
               Recompence
               :
               He
               will
               come
               and
               save
               you
               ,
            
             Isa.
             35.3
             ,
             4.
             
             They
             had
             not
             the
             Heart
             of
             a
             Job
             ,
             to
             say
             ,
             
               I
               know
               that
               my
               Redeemer
               liveth
               ,
            
             Job
             19.25
             .
             Nor
             the
             Eyes
             of
             a
             Stephen
             ,
             to
             pierce
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             to
             see
             their
             
               Saviour
               standing
               at
               the
               Right
               hand
               of
               God
            
             :
             But
             out
             of
             their
             Vigour
             elevated
             with
             an
             arrogant
             Ambition
             of
             that
             Fame
             which
             they
             believed
             ,
             would
             survive
             'em
             :
             Whereas
             ,
             we
             Christians
             know
             that
             we
             have
             the
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             to
             stand
             by
             us
             ;
             a
             Redeemer
             to
             deliver
             us
             ,
             a
             Comforter
             to
             strengthen
             and
             refresh
             us
             ,
             sweet
             and
             infallible
             Promises
             to
             sustain
             us
             :
             And
             at
             last
             ,
             a
             Crown
             of
             Eternal
             Glory
             to
             reward
             us
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             THOU
             art
             pained
             with
             Sickness
             :
             View
             not
             what
             thou
             feelest
             ,
             but
             think
             what
             Punishment
             thou
             hast
             deserved
             :
             
               Wherefore
               doth
               a
               living
               Man
               complain
               ,
               a
               Man
               for
               the
               punishment
               of
               his
               Sin
               ?
            
             Lam.
             3.39
             .
             Alas
             ,
             the
             
               Wages
               of
            
             every
             
               Sin
               ,
               is
               Death
            
             ,
             a
             Death
             of
             Body
             and
             Soul
             ,
             Temporal
             and
             Eternal
             :
             Any
             thing
             below
             this
             ,
             is
             Mercy
             .
             There
             is
             not
             the
             least
             of
             thy
             Transgressions
             but
             hath
             merited
             the
             infinite
             wrath
             of
             a
             just
             God
             ,
             and
             more
             Torments
             than
             thou
             art
             able
             to
             undergo
             .
             What
             ,
             dost
             thou
             complain
             of
             Ease
             ?
             Where
             thou
             owest
             a
             thousand
             Talents
             ,
             thou
             art
             bid
             to
             
               Take
               thy
               Bill
               ,
               and
               write
               down
               Fifty
               ,
            
             Luke
             16.6
             .
             Wilt
             thou
             not
             magnifie
             the
             Clemency
             of
             so
             favourable
             a
             Creditor
             ?
             Surely
             ,
             were
             every
             Twig
             which
             creates
             a
             Smart
             ,
             a
             Scorpion
             ,
             and
             every
             Breath
             thou
             sendest
             forth
             ,
             a
             Flame
             :
             This
             were
             yet
             less
             than
             thy
             Deserts
             .
             Oh
             ,
             the
             infinite
             goodness
             of
             our
             Indulgent
             Father
             ,
             that
             
             uses
             so
             gentle
             a
             Correction
             to
             us
             !
             Tell
             me
             thou
             nice
             Patient
             ,
             if
             thou
             canst
             not
             suffer
             these
             Stripes
             ,
             how
             thou
             wilt
             endure
             those
             that
             are
             infinitely
             sharper
             ?
             Alas
             !
             What
             are
             these
             Trifles
             to
             that
             Hell
             which
             abides
             for
             the
             Impatient
             ?
             There
             are
             Torments
             without
             Mitigation
             ;
             eternal
             Pains
             without
             Intermission
             ;
             which
             thou
             can'st
             not
             suffer
             ,
             nor
             avoid
             :
             Fear
             them
             ,
             and
             murmur
             not
             at
             these
             ;
             prostrate
             thy self
             low
             under
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             thankful
             for
             a
             tolerable
             Misery
             .
             How
             graciously
             hath
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             thought
             fit
             to
             temper
             our
             Afflictions
             ,
             if
             they
             prove
             sharp
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             long
             ,
             and
             if
             long
             ,
             not
             over
             sharp
             ;
             that
             our
             Strength
             might
             not
             be
             depressed
             by
             those
             Trials
             we
             undergo
             .
             Therefore
             aspire
             a
             Contentment
             in
             thy self
             ,
             and
             thy
             Languishment
             will
             be
             easie
             ,
             or
             thy
             Pain
             soon
             over
             .
             Extream
             and
             Everlasting
             are
             Terrors
             reserv'd
             for
             the
             Wicked
             hereafter
             ,
             that
             are
             durable
             ,
             painful
             ,
             and
             not
             capable
             of
             any
             Relaxation
             .
             What
             a
             Moment
             is
             it
             that
             thou
             dost
             suffer
             ?
             Yea
             ,
             nothing
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             which
             thou
             must
             either
             hope
             for
             ,
             or
             fear
             .
             Endure
             a
             while
             patiently
             ,
             that
             thou
             mayst
             not
             be
             infinitely
             Miserable
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             THOU
             complainest
             of
             Pain
             :
             Of
             what
             use
             were
             thy
             Patience
             if
             that
             were
             mitigated
             ?
             God
             never
             gives
             Vertues
             without
             an
             intent
             of
             their
             Exercise
             .
             To
             what
             end
             were
             our
             Christian
             Valour
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             no
             Enemy
             to
             Encounter
             ?
             Thus
             long
             thou
             hast
             supinely
             slept
             in
             a
             secure
             Garison
             ,
             where
             thou
             hast
             heard
             no
             Trumpet
             ,
             but
             thine
             own
             ,
             and
             hast
             turned
             thy
             Drum-head
             into
             a
             Table
             for
             Dice
             ,
             lavishing
             out
             thy
             days
             in
             varieties
             of
             idle
             Recreations
             :
             Now
             God
             draws
             thee
             forth
             to
             the
             Field
             ,
             and
             shews
             the
             an
             Enemy
             ;
             where
             is
             thy
             Christian
             Fortitude
             if
             thou
             recoilest
             ,
             and
             chusest
             rather
             to
             fly
             than
             resist
             ?
             And
             is
             this
             a
             proper
             Character
             for
             thee
             ,
             
             who
             professest
             to
             sight
             under
             his
             Banner
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Conqueror
             of
             Death
             and
             Hell
             ?
             Is
             this
             the
             way
             to
             that
             happy
             Victory
             ,
             and
             to
             acquire
             a
             Crown
             of
             Glory
             ?
             If
             thou
             faint
             in
             the
             day
             of
             Adversity
             ,
             thy
             Strength
             is
             but
             small
             :
             
               Be
               strong
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Power
               of
               his
               Might
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             6.10
             .
             Encounter
             with
             that
             fierce
             Enemy
             ,
             wherewith
             God
             would
             have
             thee
             assaulted
             ;
             look
             up
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             hath
             said
             ,
             and
             cannot
             fail
             to
             perform
             it
             ;
             
               Be
               faithful
               to
               the
               Death
               ,
               and
               I
               will
               give
               thee
               a
               Crown
               of
               Life
               ,
            
             Rev.
             2.10
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THOU
             art
             surpriz'd
             with
             Sickness
             ;
             accuse
             thy self
             for
             it
             ;
             Who
             forbid
             thee
             expecting
             so
             sure
             a
             Guest
             ?
             Thy
             Frame
             of
             Body
             should
             have
             prompted
             thee
             to
             other
             Thoughts
             :
             Dost
             thou
             perceive
             this
             living
             Fabrick
             made
             up
             as
             a
             Clock
             ,
             consisting
             of
             many
             Wheels
             ?
             and
             imagine
             that
             some
             of
             'em
             shoud
             not
             be
             ever
             out
             of
             order
             ?
             Couldst
             thou
             think
             that
             a
             Cottage
             not
             strongly
             built
             ,
             and
             standing
             so
             bleak
             in
             the
             very
             Mouth
             of
             the
             Winds
             ,
             could
             for
             ever
             hold
             firm
             and
             strong
             ?
             Or
             art
             thou
             not
             amazed
             it
             hath
             out-stood
             so
             many
             blust'ring
             Blasts
             ,
             utterly
             unruined
             ?
             It
             was
             scarce
             a
             patient
             Question
             which
             Job
             asked
             ;
             
               Is
               my
               Strength
               the
               Strength
               of
               Stones
               ?
               or
               is
               my
               Flesh
               as
               Brass
               ?
            
             Job
             6.12
             .
             Alas
             !
             thy
             best
             Metal
             is
             but
             Clay
             ,
             and
             fading
             Flesh
             ,
             is
             but
             Grass
             ;
             the
             Clay
             mouldereth
             ,
             and
             the
             Grass
             withereth
             .
             Why
             do
             we
             reckon
             of
             any
             thing
             ,
             but
             Misery
             and
             Fickleness
             in
             this
             woful
             Region
             of
             Change
             ?
             If
             we
             wi●l
             needs
             over-reckon
             our
             Condition
             ,
             we
             do
             but
             assist
             to
             aggravate
             our
             own
             Wretchedness
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             THOU
             art
             retir'd
             to
             thy
             sick
             Bed
             ,
             be
             of
             good
             Comfort
             ,
             God
             was
             never
             so
             near
             thee
             ,
             never
             so
             indulgent
             to
             thee
             as
             now
             .
             
               The
               Whole
            
             ,
             saith
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             
               needs
               not
               a
               Physician
               ,
               but
               they
               that
               are
               Sick
               ,
            
             Mat.
             9.12
             .
             The
             Physician
             cometh
             not
             but
             where
             there
             is
             necessity
             ,
             and
             where
             that
             is
             ,
             will
             not
             fail
             to
             come
             :
             Our
             Wants
             is
             motive
             enough
             to
             Him
             ,
             who
             
             
               took
               our
               Infirmities
               ,
               and
               bare
               our
               Sicknesses
               ,
            
             Mat.
             8.17
             .
             Our
             Health
             alienates
             him
             from
             us
             ;
             but
             whilst
             thou
             art
             this
             Patient
             ,
             he
             cannot
             be
             from
             thee
             .
             
               The
               Lord
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             
               will
               strengthen
               thee
               upon
               the
               Bed
               of
               Languishing
               ,
               thou
               wilt
               make
               all
               his
               Bed
               in
               his
               Sickness
               ,
            
             Psal.
             41.3
             .
             The
             Comforter
             doth
             not
             only
             visit
             ,
             but
             attend
             thee
             :
             If
             thou
             find
             thy
             Bed
             uneasie
             ,
             he
             will
             soften
             it
             for
             thy
             Repose
             .
             Canst
             thou
             not
             read
             
             God's
             Indulgence
             in
             thine
             own
             Disposition
             ?
             Thou
             art
             a
             Parent
             ;
             Perhaps
             thou
             affectest
             one
             Child
             more
             than
             another
             ,
             though
             all
             dear
             enough
             :
             But
             if
             any
             of
             them
             be
             cast
             down
             ,
             thou
             art
             more
             careful
             about
             that
             than
             the
             rest
             :
             How
             thou
             pitiest
             and
             pliest
             it
             with
             Offers
             and
             Receipts
             ?
             With
             what
             silent
             Anxiety
             dost
             thou
             watch
             by
             it
             ,
             listning
             for
             every
             Breathing
             ,
             jealous
             of
             every
             whispering
             ,
             that
             might
             break
             its
             Slumber
             ,
             responding
             its
             Groans
             with
             Sighs
             ;
             and
             ,
             in
             fine
             ,
             taking
             such
             Care
             that
             thy
             greatest
             Darling
             seems
             the
             while
             neglected
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             this
             under
             Affliction
             .
             How
             much
             more
             shall
             the
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             be
             compassionately
             Intent
             upon
             the
             Sufferings
             of
             his
             dear
             Children
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Proportion
             of
             their
             Afflictions
             ?
          
           
             16.
             
             THOU
             art
             wholly
             entertain'd
             with
             the
             Extremity
             of
             thy
             pains
             :
             Alas
             ,
             poor
             Soul
             !
             Thy
             dimness
             perceives
             nothing
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             near
             thee
             :
             It
             is
             thy
             sense
             which
             thou
             followest
             ,
             but
             where
             is
             thy
             Faith
             ?
             Couldst
             thou
             inspect
             the
             end
             of
             thy
             Sufferings
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             rejoyce
             in
             Tribulation
             :
             
               Let
               Patience
               have
               her
               perfect
               Work
            
             ;
             and
             thou
             shalt
             once
             say
             ,
             It
             is
             good
             for
             me
             that
             I
             was
             afflicted
             .
             Thou
             mightest
             be
             jocund
             long
             enough
             ,
             ere
             thy
             Jollity
             could
             make
             thee
             happy
             :
             
               Yea
               ,
               Woe
               to
               them
               that
               laugh
               here
               ,
            
             Luke
             6.25
             .
             But
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             
               Our
               light
               Affliction
               ,
               which
               is
               but
               for
               a
               moment
               ,
               worketh
               for
               us
               a
               far
               more
               exceeding
               ,
               and
               eternal
               weight
               of
               Glory
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.17
             .
             O
             blessed
             improvement
             of
             a
             few
             Groans
             !
             Oh
             
             glorious
             Issue
             of
             a
             short
             Storm
             of
             Sorrow
             !
             Why
             do
             we
             imitate
             Christians
             ,
             if
             nothing
             but
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ?
             And
             if
             better
             ,
             we
             have
             more
             cause
             of
             Joy
             ,
             than
             Complaint
             ;
             for
             whilst
             our
             
               Outward
               Man
               perisheth
               ,
               our
               Inward
               Man
               is
               renewed
               dayly
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.16
             .
             Our
             External
             Man
             is
             Flesh
             ,
             our
             Internal
             is
             Spirit
             ;
             infinitely
             more
             noble
             ,
             than
             this
             living
             Clay
             that
             we
             carry
             about
             us
             .
             Whil'st
             our
             Spirit
             gains
             more
             than
             our
             Flesh
             is
             capable
             to
             lose
             ,
             what
             reason
             have
             we
             not
             to
             boast
             of
             the
             Bargain
             ?
             Let
             not
             then
             these
             close
             Curtains
             confine
             thy
             sight
             ,
             but
             lift
             up
             thine
             Eyes
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             whence
             thy
             Soul
             came
             ,
             and
             view
             there
             that
             Crown
             of
             Glory
             ,
             which
             thy
             God
             holds
             forth
             to
             all
             tha●
             overcome
             :
             And
             then
             
               Run
               with
               Patience
               the
               Race
               that
               is
               set
               before
               thee
               ;
               looking
               unto
            
             Jesus
             ,
             
               the
               Author
               and
               Finisher
               of
               our
               Faith
               ,
               who
               is
               set
               down
               at
               the
               Right
               Hand
               of
               the
               Throne
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.1
             ,
             2.
             
             Then
             chear
             thy self
             with
             the
             Expectation
             of
             that
             Blessedness
             ,
             which
             if
             thy
             To●ments
             were
             no
             less
             than
             those
             of
             Hell
             ,
             would
             make
             more
             than
             ample
             Amends
             for
             all
             thy
             Suffe●ings
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             THOU
             art
             sick
             to
             Death
             :
             And
             hast
             received
             the
             Sentence
             of
             Mortality
             in
             thy self
             ;
             thy
             Physician
             hath
             given
             the
             up
             to
             act
             the
             last
             Scene
             :
             Neither
             art
             thou
             like
             to
             rise
             till
             the
             General
             Resurrection
             :
             How
             many
             are
             lately
             expired
             ,
             that
             would
             have
             thought
             it
             a
             great
             happiness
             to
             die
             thus
             quietly
             in
             their
             Beds
             ?
             Whom
             Storms
             of
             War
             hath
             hurried
             away
             furiously
             into
             another
             World
             ;
             not
             suffering
             them
             to
             ta●e
             leave
             of
             that
             Life
             ,
             which
             they
             were
             forced
             to
             abandon
             :
             Whereas
             thou
             hast
             leisure
             to
             prepare
             thy self
             for
             the
             Entertainment
             of
             thy
             last
             Guest
             ;
             
               to
               set
               both
               thine
               House
               in
               order
               ,
            
             and
             thy
             Soul.
             It
             is
             no
             disadvantage
             to
             thee
             ,
             thus
             to
             behold
             Death
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             and
             to
             observe
             every
             one
             of
             his
             Paces
             towards
             thee
             ;
             that
             thou
             mayst
             put
             thy self
             into
             a
             fit
             Posture
             to
             meet
             this
             grim
             Messenger
             who
             Ushers
             
             thee
             to
             Immortality
             ;
             that
             dying
             thus
             by
             Degrees
             ,
             thou
             hast
             leisure
             ,
             with
             the
             Patriarch
             Jacob
             ,
             to
             Summon
             thy
             Children
             ,
             to
             bequeath
             them
             thy
             last
             Benediction
             :
             and
             being
             encompassed
             with
             thy
             sad
             Friends
             ,
             now
             in
             thy
             long
             Journey
             to
             a
             far
             Country
             ,
             thou
             mayst
             take
             a
             Solemn
             Farewell
             ,
             as
             going
             somewhat
             before
             them
             to
             the
             appointed
             happy
             Meeting-place
             of
             Blessedness
             :
             And
             lastly
             ,
             That
             one
             of
             thine
             own
             may
             close
             those
             Eyes
             ,
             which
             shall
             in
             their
             opening
             ,
             see
             the
             Face
             of
             thy
             most
             Glorious
             Saviour
             ;
             and
             see
             this
             Flesh
             ,
             now
             ready
             to
             lye
             down
             in
             Corruption
             ,
             made
             like
             to
             his
             unspeakable
             Glory
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               a
               Sick
               Person
               .
            
             
               O
               Most
               Gracious
               ,
               and
               Merciful
               Lord
               God
               ,
               the
               only
               Author
               of
               our
               Health
               and
               Being
               ;
               thou
               castest
               us
               down
               upon
               our
               Beds
               of
               Sickness
               ,
               and
               sometimes
               draws
               the
               Curtain
               between
               the
               World
               and
               us
               :
               O
               Lord
               ,
               my
               time
               is
               in
               thy
               hand
               ;
               and
               I
               know
               not
               how
               soon
               my
               change
               which
               thou
               hast
               appointed
               shall
               be
               ;
               whether
               this
               Week
               ,
               this
               Day
               ,
               this
               Hour
               ,
               yea
               ,
               or
               this
               very
               Moment
               .
               O
               Lord
               ,
               sanctifie
               unto
               me
               this
               thy
               present
               Visitation
               ,
               which
               my
               Sins
               have
               long
               since
               deserved
               ;
               heal
               my
               Soul
               ,
               which
               in
               great
               bitterness
               hath
               sinned
               against
               thee
               ,
               and
               then
               if
               it
               stand
               with
               thy
               good
               Pleasure
               ,
               heal
               my
               Body
               ,
               and
               raise
               it
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               glorifie
               thy
               Holy
               Name
               in
               the
               Congregation
               of
               the
               Righteous
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               BUT
               if
               in
               thy
               Omniscency
               thou
               hast
               otherwise
               determined
               ,
               that
               this
               Visitation
               shall
               put
               a
               period
               to
               my
               frail
               Mortality
               ;
               I
               humbly
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               to
               fit
               and
               prepare
               me
               for
               that
               last
               and
               great
               change
               :
               Wean
               me
               from
               all
               the
               fading
               pleasures
               and
               vain
               allurements
               of
               this
               sinful
               World
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               become
               a
               meet
               partaker
               of
               thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               :
               Send
               down
               ,
               O
               LOrd
               ,
               thy
               Light
               and
               
               thy
               Truth
               into
               my
               inward
               parts
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               understand
               thy
               Wisdom
               secreetly
               :
               Support
               the
               weakness
               of
               my
               Faith
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               with
               a
               strong
               Assurance
               lay
               hold
               upon
               the
               Blood
               of
               Jesus
               ▪
               by
               whose
               Merits
               I
               expect
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               to
               Reign
               with
               thee
               in
               thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             III.
             Affliction
             of
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THY
             Sin
             is
             ponderous
             upon
             thy
             Soul
             :
             Bless
             the
             Omnipotence
             ,
             thou
             art
             sensible
             of
             it
             .
             Many
             hath
             more
             weight
             ,
             and
             boasteth
             of
             Ease
             .
             There
             's
             Musick
             in
             this
             Complaint
             ;
             the
             Almighty
             delights
             to
             hear
             it
             ,
             next
             to
             the
             Melody
             of
             Saints
             and
             Angels
             .
             Pursue
             and
             continue
             these
             sorrowful
             Notes
             ,
             if
             ever
             thou
             expectest
             Comfort
             .
             
               It
               is
               this
               Godly
               Sorrow
               ,
               that
               worketh
               Repentance
               to
               Salvation
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               repented
               of
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             7.10
             .
             Weep
             still
             and
             be
             not
             too
             much
             hastly
             to
             exhaust
             thy
             Tears
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             precious
             ,
             and
             rendred
             fit
             to
             be
             reserv'd
             in
             the
             
               Bottle
               of
               the
               Almighty
            
             ,
             Psal.
             56.8
             .
             Over-speedy
             Remedies
             may
             prove
             injurious
             to
             the
             Patient
             :
             And
             as
             in
             the
             Body
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             Soul
             ;
             Diseases
             and
             Tumours
             must
             have
             their
             due
             Maturation
             ,
             '
             ere
             there
             can
             be
             a
             Cure.
             
               The
               Inwards
               of
               the
               Sacrifice
               must
               be
               three
               times
               rinsed
               with
               Water
               ,
            
             Lev.
             1.9
             .
             One
             Ablution
             will
             not
             serve
             turn
             .
             But
             when
             thou
             hast
             Evacuated
             thine
             Eyes
             of
             Tears
             ,
             and
             unloaded
             thy
             Breast
             of
             leisurely
             Sighs
             ,
             I
             shall
             then
             ,
             by
             full
             Commission
             from
             him
             that
             hath
             the
             Power
             of
             Remission
             ,
             say
             to
             thee
             ;
             
               Son
               ,
               be
               of
               good
               Comfort
               ,
               thy
               Sins
               are
               forgiven
               thee
               ,
            
             Mat.
             9.2
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THINK
             not
             this
             Word
             meerly
             formal
             ,
             and
             forceless
             :
             
               He
               that
               hath
               the
               Keys
               of
               Hell
               ,
               and
               of
               Death
               ,
            
             Rev.
             1.18
             .
             hath
             not
             said
             in
             vain
             ,
             
               Whose
               Sins
               
               ye
               remit
               ,
               they
               are
               remitted
               ,
            
             John
             20.23
             .
             The
             Words
             of
             his
             Vicegerents
             on
             Earth
             ,
             are
             ratified
             in
             Heav'n
             ;
             only
             the
             Priest
             under
             the
             Law
             ,
             hath
             power
             to
             pronounce
             the
             Leper
             clean
             ,
             Lev.
             13.3
             .
             Had
             any
             other
             Israelite
             done
             it
             ,
             it
             had
             been
             as
             unprofitable
             ,
             as
             presumptuous
             .
             It
             was
             a
             good
             Expression
             that
             fell
             from
             Elihu
             ;
             When
             a
             Man's
             
               Soul
               draweth
               nigh
               unto
               the
               Grave
               ,
               and
               his
               Life
               to
               the
               Destroyer
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               a
               Messenger
            
             (
             of
             God
             )
             
               with
               him
               ,
               an
               Interpreter
               ,
               one
               among
               a
               thousand
               ,
               to
               shew
               unto
               that
               Man
               his
               Uprightness
               ;
               then
               He
               (
               i.
               e.
            
             God
             )
             
               is
               Gracious
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               saith
               ,
               Deliver
               him
               from
               going
               down
               into
               the
               Pit
               ;
               I
               have
               found
               a
               Ransom
               ,
            
             Job
             33.22
             ,
             23
             ,
             24.
             
             Behold
             !
             this
             is
             thy
             State
             ,
             thy
             Souls
             Life
             is
             in
             danger
             of
             the
             Destroyer
             ,
             through
             his
             powerful
             Temptations
             :
             I
             am
             (
             howsoever
             unworthy
             )
             a
             Messenger
             sent
             to
             thee
             from
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Almighty
             that
             sent
             me
             ,
             do
             here
             upon
             thy
             serious
             Repentance
             ,
             before
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ,
             proclaim
             thy
             Soul
             fix'd
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             :
             The
             Invaluable
             Ranson
             of
             thy
             dear
             Saviour
             is
             accepted
             for
             thee
             ;
             so
             thou
             art
             deliver'd
             from
             descending
             into
             the
             Pit
             of
             Perdition
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             OH
             ,
             happy
             Message
             ,
             thou
             replyest
             ,
             were
             it
             receiv'd
             with
             Comfort
             !
             But
             ,
             Alas
             !
             my
             heart
             is
             possest
             with
             deep
             Grounds
             of
             Fear
             and
             Diffidence
             ,
             not
             easily
             to
             be
             remov'd
             :
             That
             convicts
             me
             ,
             whil'st
             you
             offer
             to
             acquit
             me
             ;
             and
             positively
             acquaints
             me
             ,
             I
             am
             a
             worse
             Criminal
             ,
             than
             a
             Spectator
             can
             imagine
             :
             My
             Sins
             are
             beyond
             measure
             hainous
             ,
             such
             as
             my
             Thoughts
             tremble
             at
             ;
             and
             Tongue
             dare
             not
             express
             to
             God
             that
             knows
             'em
             ,
             against
             whom
             only
             they
             are
             committed
             .
             If
             there
             is
             Horror
             in
             their
             very
             Remembrance
             ;
             what
             will
             their
             be
             then
             in
             their
             Retribution
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             THEY
             are
             bitter
             things
             thou
             urgest
             against
             thy self
             ;
             no
             Adversary
             could
             plead
             worse
             :
             But
             I
             admit
             thy
             vileness
             ;
             be
             thou
             as
             wicked
             as
             Satan
             can
             
             make
             thee
             :
             It
             is
             not
             his
             Malice
             ,
             or
             thy
             Wickedness
             ,
             that
             can
             exclude
             thee
             from
             Mercy
             :
             Be
             thou
             as
             sordid
             as
             Sin
             can
             expose
             thee
             ,
             yet
             
               There
               is
               a
               Fountain
               opened
               to
               the
               House
               of
            
             David
             ,
             Zach.
             13.1
             .
             (
             a
             bloody
             Fountain
             in
             the
             Side
             of
             thy
             Saviour
             )
             
               for
               Sin
               ,
               and
               for
               Uncleanness
               .
            
             Be
             thou
             as
             Leprous
             as
             that
             Syrian
             was
             of
             old
             ,
             2
             King.
             5.18
             .
             if
             thou
             canst
             but
             
               Wash
               seven
               times
            
             in
             the
             Waters
             of
             this
             Jordan
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             be
             clean
             ;
             
               Thy
               Flesh
               shall
               come
               again
               to
               thee
               ,
               like
               to
               the
               Flesh
               of
               a
               little
               Child
               :
            
             Thou
             shalt
             be
             at
             once
             sound
             and
             innocent
             .
             Be
             thou
             stung
             with
             the
             Fiery
             Serpents
             of
             this
             Wilderness
             ;
             yet
             if
             thou
             cast
             thine
             Eyes
             to
             that
             
               Brazen
               Serpent
            
             erected
             for
             thy
             Malady
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             find
             Cure.
             Wherefore
             came
             Christ
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             to
             save
             Sinners
             ?
             Add
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             ,
             
               Whereof
               I
               am
               Chief
            
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             1.15
             .
             Thou
             canst
             alledge
             no
             worse
             by
             thy self
             ,
             than
             the
             best
             did
             before
             thee
             ;
             who
             ,
             in
             the
             Right
             of
             a
             Sinner
             ,
             claimeth
             the
             Benefit
             of
             a
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             WERE
             it
             not
             for
             Sin
             ,
             what
             use
             were
             there
             of
             a
             Redeemer
             ?
             Were
             not
             Sin
             hainous
             ,
             how
             should
             it
             require
             such
             an
             Expiation
             ,
             as
             the
             Blood
             of
             Christ
             ?
             The
             magnitude
             of
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             merits
             but
             to
             magnifie
             the
             Mercy
             of
             the
             Forgiver
             :
             To
             remit
             the
             Debt
             of
             Farthings
             ,
             were
             insignificant
             ;
             but
             to
             forgive
             thousands
             of
             Talents
             ,
             is
             the
             height
             of
             Bounty
             .
             Thus
             God
             deals
             with
             thee
             :
             He
             permits
             thee
             to
             run
             on
             to
             so
             deep
             a
             Sum
             ,
             that
             when
             thy
             Conscious
             heart
             hath
             proclaim'd
             thee
             a
             Bankrupt
             ,
             he
             may
             infinitely
             oblige
             thee
             ,
             and
             glorifie
             his
             own
             Mercy
             ,
             in
             crossing
             the
             Reckoning
             ,
             and
             acquitting
             thy
             Soul.
             All
             Sums
             are
             equally
             dischargable
             to
             the
             Munificence
             of
             our
             Great
             Creditor
             in
             Heav'n
             :
             As
             it
             is
             the
             Act
             of
             his
             Justice
             ,
             to
             expect
             the
             least
             ;
             so
             it
             is
             of
             his
             Mercy
             to
             forgive
             the
             Greatest
             .
             Had
             we
             to
             do
             with
             a
             Finite
             Power
             ,
             we
             might
             sink
             under
             the
             Burthen
             of
             our
             Sins
             :
             But
             having
             an
             Infinite
             Power
             to
             attend
             
             us
             ,
             let
             thy
             Care
             be
             to
             lay
             hold
             on
             that
             Infinite
             Bounty
             ;
             and
             as
             thou
             art
             an
             Object
             of
             Mercy
             ,
             sinful
             ,
             and
             miserable
             enough
             ;
             so
             conclude
             thy self
             (
             as
             thou
             art
             )
             a
             Subject
             proper
             to
             receive
             it
             as
             a
             Penitent
             Believer
             .
             Open
             and
             enlarge
             thy
             Bosom
             ,
             and
             assume
             this
             Free
             Grace
             ,
             and
             close
             wth
             thy
             Blessed
             Saviour
             ;
             and
             in
             him
             ,
             possess
             thy self
             of
             Remission
             ,
             Peace
             and
             Salvation
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             COMFORTABLE
             Expressions
             ,
             thou
             confessest
             ,
             to
             those
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             them
             :
             But
             what
             is
             this
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             am
             neither
             Penitent
             nor
             Believer
             ?
             Alas
             !
             That
             which
             is
             Honey
             to
             others
             ,
             is
             Gall
             and
             Wormwood
             to
             me
             ;
             who
             want
             the
             Grace
             to
             Repent
             ,
             and
             Believe
             as
             I
             ought
             .
             Why
             art
             thou
             so
             imprudent
             and
             unjust
             ,
             as
             to
             conspire
             with
             Satan
             against
             thy
             own
             Soul
             ?
             Why
             wilt
             thou
             be
             so
             unthankfully
             injurious
             to
             the
             God
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             as
             to
             deny
             those
             Graces
             which
             his
             good
             Spirit
             hath
             bestowed
             upon
             thee
             ?
             If
             thou
             wert
             not
             penitent
             ,
             why
             are
             these
             Tears
             ?
             What
             means
             these
             Sighs
             and
             Passionate
             Expressions
             of
             Sorrow
             ,
             which
             thou
             utterest
             ?
             It
             is
             no
             Temporal
             Loss
             that
             afflicts
             thee
             ;
             nor
             Corporal
             Distemper
             that
             thus
             disquiets
             thee
             :
             Doubtless
             ,
             thou
             art
             Soul-sick
             ,
             thy
             Spirit
             is
             wounded
             within
             thee
             ;
             and
             what
             can
             thus
             affect
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             but
             sin
             ▪
             Or
             what
             can
             this
             Affection
             of
             thy
             Soul
             be
             for
             Sin
             ,
             but
             true
             Penitence
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             repliedst
             ;
             I
             am
             indeed
             sorrowful
             for
             Sin
             ,
             but
             not
             upon
             the
             right
             Grounds
             :
             I
             grieve
             for
             the
             misery
             that
             Sin
             hath
             brought
             upon
             me
             ,
             not
             for
             the
             evil
             of
             Sin
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             Punishment
             ,
             not
             the
             Offence
             ;
             for
             my
             Peril
             ,
             not
             for
             the
             displeasure
             of
             my
             God.
             Beware
             ,
             lest
             an
             undue
             Humility
             cause
             thee
             falsely
             to
             accuse
             the
             Graces
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             :
             Thou
             art
             no
             competent
             Judge
             ,
             whilst
             thou
             art
             under
             Temptations
             .
             Had
             not
             thy
             Sorrow
             a
             relation
             to
             God
             ,
             why
             wouldst
             thou
             Sigh
             
             to
             Heaven
             ?
             Why
             would
             thy
             Heart
             challenge
             thee
             for
             unkindness
             in
             Offending
             ?
             And
             to
             cry
             out
             of
             the
             Sordidness
             not
             of
             the
             Peril
             of
             thy
             Sin
             ?
             What
             renders
             the
             act
             of
             thy
             Sin
             to
             be
             sinful
             ,
             but
             the
             offence
             against
             the
             Divine
             Majesty
             ?
             How
             canst
             thou
             be
             sorry
             that
             thou
             hast
             Sinned
             ,
             and
             not
             be
             sorry
             that
             thou
             hast
             Offended
             ?
             Tell
             me
             ,
             What
             is
             it
             thy
             Conscience
             primarily
             suggests
             to
             thee
             in
             this
             impression
             of
             thy
             Sorrow
             ?
             Is
             it
             thou
             shalt
             be
             Punish'd
             ,
             or
             that
             thou
             hast
             Sinned
             ?
             And
             were
             it
             put
             to
             thy
             Choice
             ,
             Whether
             thou
             hadst
             rather
             enjoy
             the
             Favour
             of
             God
             with
             extremity
             of
             Pain
             ,
             or
             continue
             in
             his
             Displeasure
             with
             Ease
             ?
             Or
             if
             Liberty
             were
             tendred
             to
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             mightst
             freely
             sin
             without
             danger
             of
             Punishment
             ?
             Whether
             doth
             not
             thy
             Heart
             rise
             at
             the
             Condition
             ,
             as
             ready
             to
             flie
             in
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Offerer
             ?
             Besides
             Fear
             and
             Horror
             ,
             dost
             thou
             not
             find
             an
             internal
             Indignation
             at
             thy
             Miscarriage
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             detestation
             of
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             that
             were
             it
             to
             be
             reiterated
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             to
             be
             concealed
             from
             God
             and
             Men
             ,
             and
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Hell
             to
             avenge
             it
             ,
             woulst
             thou
             not
             abhor
             to
             commit
             it
             ?
             All
             these
             are
             strong
             Convictions
             of
             the
             right
             grounds
             of
             thy
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             injury
             which
             thou
             dost
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             in
             the
             unjust
             Scruples
             which
             thou
             raisest
             against
             it
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             IF
             the
             grounds
             (
             thou
             say'st
             )
             of
             my
             Repentance
             be
             regular
             ,
             yet
             the
             measure
             is
             Insufficient
             .
             I
             am
             sorrowful
             for
             Sin
             ,
             but
             not
             enough
             :
             An
             effectual
             grief
             for
             sin
             ,
             should
             be
             serious
             ,
             deep
             ,
             hearty
             ,
             intensive
             ;
             mine
             is
             slight
             and
             superficial
             .
             I
             Sigh
             ,
             but
             my
             Sighs
             proceed
             not
             from
             an
             humble
             Heart
             :
             I
             can
             sometimes
             Weep
             ,
             but
             cannot
             pour
             out
             my self
             in
             Tears
             :
             I
             mourn
             ,
             but
             don't
             continue
             my
             Sorrow
             .
             To
             this
             I
             Answer
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             to
             do
             with
             a
             God
             ,
             which
             in
             all
             the
             dispositions
             of
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             regards
             Validity
             ,
             and
             not
             Quantity
             :
             
             If
             he
             find
             thy
             Remorse
             ,
             he
             exacts
             not
             the
             solid
             Measure
             :
             He
             doth
             not
             meet
             up
             our
             Repentance
             by
             Inches
             or
             Hours
             ,
             but
             where
             he
             finds
             sincerity
             of
             Penitence
             ,
             is
             Indulgent
             .
             Look
             upon
             David
             ,
             and
             acknowledge
             his
             Sin
             formidably
             detestable
             ,
             no
             less
             than
             
               Adultery
               ,
               Inebriation
            
             and
             Murder
             :
             Yet
             no
             sooner
             did
             he
             in
             a
             true
             Compunction
             of
             Heart
             ,
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               I
               have
               sinned
               against
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             then
             he
             hears
             from
             that
             Mouth
             which
             accused
             him
             ;
             
               The
               Lord
               also
               hath
               put
               away
               thy
               Sin
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               not
               die
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             Here
             is
             a
             penitent
             Confession
             ,
             which
             was
             efficacious
             in
             the
             Expiation
             of
             those
             grievous
             Crimes
             .
             Thou
             art
             deceived
             if
             thou
             imaginest
             God
             delights
             in
             the
             Affliction
             of
             his
             Creatures
             :
             So
             far
             only
             is
             the
             grief
             of
             his
             Servants
             pleasing
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             conduce
             to
             the
             health
             of
             their
             Souls
             ,
             in
             the
             sensibleness
             of
             their
             Sin
             ,
             and
             meet
             capacity
             of
             Mercy
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             I
             do
             not
             ,
             with
             some
             Casuists
             ,
             flatter
             thee
             with
             an
             Opinion
             of
             the
             sufficiency
             of
             any
             slight
             Attrition
             and
             empty
             wishes
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             not
             Sinned
             ;
             doubt●ess
             a
             true
             Contrition
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             Compunction
             of
             Heart
             ,
             are
             necessarily
             required
             to
             a
             saving
             Repentance
             :
             And
             these
             ,
             wert
             thou
             but
             an
             indifferent
             Censurer
             of
             thine
             own
             ways
             ,
             thou
             would'd
             find
             within
             thy self
             .
             Why
             is
             thy
             Countenance
             so
             dejected
             ,
             thy
             Cheeks
             pale
             ,
             and
             watered
             so
             oft
             with
             Tears
             ,
             thy
             want
             of
             Rest
             ,
             and
             loss
             of
             Appetite
             ?
             Wherefore
             dost
             thou
             pour
             out
             those
             doleful
             Complaints
             and
             vehement
             Deprecations
             ?
             But
             after
             all
             this
             ,
             art
             thou
             such
             as
             thou
             accusest
             thy self
             ,
             defective
             in
             thy
             Repentance
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             rest
             contented
             in
             this
             condition
             ,
             and
             not
             complain
             of
             it
             as
             the
             greatest
             Misery
             ?
             Art
             thou
             not
             heartily
             sorry
             that
             thou
             canst
             be
             no
             more
             grieved
             for
             thy
             Sin
             ?
             Comfort
             thy self
             ,
             even
             this
             is
             an
             acceptable
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             God
             accepts
             it
             .
             What
             is
             Repentance
             
             but
             a
             change
             from
             Evil
             to
             Good
             ?
             And
             how
             sensible
             is
             this
             Change
             ,
             that
             thou
             who
             formerly
             delightedst
             in
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             now
             detests
             it
             and
             thy self
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             art
             yet
             ambitious
             of
             more
             Grief
             ,
             for
             being
             transported
             into
             it
             ?
             Let
             not
             thy
             Souls
             Enemy
             ,
             who
             desires
             nothing
             more
             than
             to
             make
             thee
             perfectly
             Miserable
             ,
             so
             allure
             thee
             ,
             as
             to
             render
             thee
             unsatisfied
             with
             the
             Measure
             of
             that
             Penitency
             which
             is
             accepted
             of
             God
             :
             Rather
             turn
             thine
             Eyes
             from
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             and
             look
             to
             Heaven
             and
             fix
             'em
             upon
             thine
             All-sufficient
             Mediator
             ,
             and
             behold
             his
             Face
             smiling
             upon
             thy
             humbled
             Soul
             ,
             and
             perfectly
             reconciling
             thee
             to
             his
             Eternal
             Father
             ,
             as
             being
             fully
             assured
             ,
             
               That
               being
               justified
               by
               Faith
               ,
               we
               have
               Peace
               with
               God
               ,
               through
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               by
               whom
               also
               we
               have
               access
               by
               Faith
               into
               this
               Grace
               wherein
               we
               stand
               ,
               and
               rejoice
               in
               the
               hope
               of
               the
               Glory
               of
               God
               ,
               Rom.
            
             5.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             THERE
             thou
             say'st
             is
             the
             very
             root
             of
             my
             Complaint
             :
             I
             want
             that
             Faith
             that
             should
             give
             me
             an
             interest
             in
             my
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             afford
             true
             Comfort
             to
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             
               Boldness
               and
               Access
               with
               Confidence
            
             ,
             to
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             ,
             Ephes.
             3.12
             .
             I
             can
             be
             sorry
             ,
             but
             cannot
             believe
             ;
             my
             Grief
             is
             not
             so
             great
             as
             my
             Infidelity
             :
             I
             see
             others
             full
             of
             
               Joy
               and
               Peace
               in
               believing
            
             ,
             Rom.
             15.13
             .
             But
             my
             stubborn
             Heart
             cannot
             soar
             up
             to
             a
             conformable
             apprehension
             of
             my
             Saviour
             :
             So
             as
             indeed
             I
             dwell
             in
             obdurate
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             a
             sad
             ponderosity
             of
             Incredulity
             ,
             wanting
             that
             Assurance
             which
             others
             profess
             to
             find
             in
             themselves
             .
             Take
             heed
             ,
             lest
             whilst
             thou
             art
             too
             querulous
             ,
             thou
             prove
             unthankful
             ;
             and
             whilst
             thy
             Humbleness
             disparages
             thee
             ,
             thou
             make
             God
             a
             Loser
             .
             A
             Man
             may
             have
             a
             rich
             Mine
             in
             his
             Ground
             which
             he
             knows
             not
             of
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             Shells
             furnish'd
             with
             Pearls
             ,
             whose
             Worth
             many
             are
             not
             sensible
             of
             .
             This
             is
             thy
             State
             :
             Thou
             
             hast
             that
             Grace
             thou
             complainest
             to
             want
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             measuring
             of
             thy self
             by
             Sense
             ,
             especially
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Temptation
             .
             Thou
             coulst
             not
             so
             sensibly
             lament
             the
             want
             of
             Faith
             ,
             if
             thou
             hadst
             it
             not
             .
             Thou
             canst
             not
             deny
             an
             Assent
             to
             the
             verity
             of
             all
             
             God's
             Promises
             :
             Thou
             acknowledgst
             he
             could
             not
             be
             what
             he
             is
             ,
             if
             he
             were
             not
             even
             Verity
             it self
             .
             Thou
             canst
             not
             doubt
             but
             he
             hath
             made
             those
             promises
             of
             Grace
             and
             Mercy
             to
             all
             Penitent
             Sinners
             ,
             which
             tend
             to
             their
             Salvation
             ;
             and
             thou
             canst
             not
             but
             grant
             ,
             thou
             art
             sinful
             enough
             to
             need
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             sorrowful
             enough
             to
             desire
             and
             Embrace
             it
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             CANST
             thou
             but
             love
             thy self
             so
             well
             ,
             that
             when
             thou
             seest
             a
             Pardon
             held
             forth
             to
             stretch
             forth
             thy
             Hand
             ,
             and
             take
             it
             ?
             This
             Hand
             is
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             which
             takes
             hold
             of
             thy
             Redeemer
             .
             As
             for
             that
             Assurance
             thou
             mentions
             ,
             they
             are
             happy
             that
             can
             feel
             and
             maintain
             it
             ;
             and
             it
             must
             be
             our
             holy
             Ambition
             to
             be
             diligent
             in
             the
             Aspiraration
             :
             But
             such
             a
             height
             of
             Perfection
             ,
             every
             Traveller
             in
             this
             wretched
             Pilgrimage
             ,
             cannot
             whilst
             he
             is
             in
             this
             perplexed
             and
             heavy
             Road
             ,
             hope
             to
             attain
             to
             .
             It
             is
             an
             unsafe
             and
             dangerous
             Path
             ,
             which
             those
             Men
             have
             walked
             in
             ,
             who
             have
             used
             to
             define
             all
             Faith
             by
             Assurance
             .
             Should
             I
             conduct
             thee
             that
             way
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             prejudicial
             .
             So
             sure
             a
             Certainty
             of
             our
             constant
             and
             reflected
             apprehension
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             ,
             is
             both
             hard
             to
             acquire
             ,
             and
             not
             easie
             to
             hold
             unmovably
             ,
             considering
             the
             many
             strong
             Temptations
             that
             we
             are
             subject
             to
             in
             this
             Vale
             of
             Misery
             and
             Death
             .
             Should
             Faith
             be
             reduced
             to
             this
             Trial
             ,
             it
             would
             be
             more
             rare
             than
             our
             Saviour
             hath
             foretold
             it
             :
             For
             as
             many
             boasts
             of
             such
             an
             Assurance
             ,
             who
             is
             yet
             failing
             of
             a
             true
             Faith
             ,
             embracing
             a
             vain
             Presumption
             instead
             of
             it
             :
             So
             many
             also
             hath
             true
             Faith
             in
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             who
             yet
             complains
             to
             want
             that
             Assurance
             .
             
             Canst
             thou
             in
             a
             sense
             of
             thine
             own
             Misery
             close
             with
             thy
             Saviour
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             throw
             thy self
             into
             the
             Arms
             of
             his
             Mercy
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             trust
             him
             with
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             and
             relie
             upon
             him
             for
             Forgiveness
             and
             Salvation
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             prostrate
             thy self
             before
             him
             ,
             as
             a
             miserable
             Object
             of
             his
             Grace
             and
             Mercy
             ?
             And
             when
             it
             is
             offered
             thee
             ,
             canst
             lay
             some
             (
             tho
             weak
             )
             hold
             upon
             it
             ?
             Labour
             for
             further
             degrees
             of
             Strength
             daily
             .
             Set
             not
             up
             thy
             Rest
             in
             this
             pitch
             of
             Grace
             ,
             but
             cheer
             up
             thy self
             ,
             and
             thus
             much
             Faith
             shall
             save
             thy
             Soul.
             Thou
             believest
             ,
             and
             he
             hath
             said
             it
             ,
             that
             is
             Verity
             it self
             ,
             
               He
               that
               believeth
               on
               the
               Son
               ,
               hath
               Everlasting
               Life
               ,
            
             Joh.
             3.36
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             I
             know
             ,
             thou
             averrest
             that
             
               Jesus
               Christ
            
             came
             into
             the
             World
             to
             save
             Sinners
             ;
             and
             that
             
               Whoever
               believeth
               on
               him
               ,
               shall
               not
               Perish
               ,
               but
               have
               eternal
               Life
               ,
            
             Joh.
             3.15
             .
             Neither
             can
             I
             deny
             ,
             but
             in
             a
             sense
             of
             my
             sinful
             Condition
             ,
             I
             cast
             my self
             in
             some
             measure
             upon
             my
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             lay
             hold
             upon
             his
             All-sufficient
             Redemption
             :
             But
             ,
             Alas
             !
             My
             apprehensions
             of
             him
             are
             so
             weak
             ,
             that
             they
             can
             afford
             no
             Comfort
             to
             my
             Soul.
             Were
             it
             not
             that
             thou
             expectest
             to
             be
             Justified
             ,
             and
             saved
             by
             the
             power
             and
             act
             of
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             thou
             hast
             reason
             to
             be
             disheartened
             with
             the
             imbecility
             of
             it
             :
             But
             now
             ,
             that
             the
             Vertue
             and
             Efficacy
             of
             this
             happy
             Operation
             is
             in
             the
             Object
             apprehended
             by
             thee
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             infinite
             Merits
             and
             Mercy
             of
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             that
             cannot
             be
             abated
             by
             thine
             Infirmities
             ,
             thou
             hast
             reason
             cheerfully
             to
             expect
             thy
             Salvation
             .
             Understand
             thy
             case
             aright
             :
             Here
             's
             a
             double
             Hand
             that
             helps
             thee
             towards
             Heaven
             ;
             thy
             hand
             of
             Faith
             lays
             hold
             on
             thy
             Saviour
             :
             Thy
             
             Saviour's
             hand
             of
             Mercy
             and
             plentious
             Redemption
             ,
             lays
             on
             thee
             ;
             thy
             hold
             of
             him
             is
             feeble
             and
             easily
             loosed
             ;
             his
             hold
             of
             thee
             is
             strong
             and
             irresistable
             .
             Comfort
             thy self
             therefore
             with
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             ;
             when
             thou
             art
             
             Weak
             ,
             then
             thou
             art
             Strong
             ;
             when
             weak
             in
             thy self
             ,
             then
             strong
             in
             thy
             Redeemer
             :
             Shouldst
             thou
             boast
             and
             say
             ,
             Tush
             ,
             I
             shall
             never
             be
             moved
             ;
             I
             should
             suspect
             the
             Verity
             and
             Safety
             of
             thy
             Condition
             .
             Now
             thou
             deplorest
             thy
             Weakness
             ,
             I
             cannot
             but
             Congratulate
             the
             happy
             Estate
             of
             thy
             Soul.
             If
             a
             greater
             Work
             were
             expedient
             ,
             strength
             of
             Hand
             were
             necessary
             :
             But
             now
             only
             receiving
             of
             a
             precious
             Gift
             is
             required
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             a
             weak
             Hand
             perform
             that
             as
             well
             as
             a
             strong
             ,
             tho
             not
             so
             forcibly
             ?
             Be
             not
             dejected
             with
             Impotency
             ,
             but
             comfort
             thy self
             in
             the
             Mercies
             of
             thy
             Redeemer
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             THOU
             expressest
             ;
             Sometimes
             ,
             I
             find
             my
             heart
             at
             ease
             ,
             in
             a
             comfortable
             Reliance
             on
             my
             Saviour
             ;
             and
             being
             well
             resolv'd
             of
             the
             safety
             of
             my
             State
             ,
             promise
             good
             days
             to
             my self
             ;
             and
             after
             the
             banishment
             of
             my
             former
             Fears
             ,
             dare
             bid
             defiance
             to
             Temptations
             :
             But
             ,
             Alas
             !
             how
             soon
             is
             this
             serenity
             over
             ?
             How
             suddenly
             is
             this
             clear
             Skie
             clouded
             ,
             spread
             over
             with
             obscurity
             ,
             and
             I
             return
             to
             my
             former
             Despondency
             ?
             Did'st
             thou
             conceive
             ,
             that
             Grace
             would
             put
             thee
             into
             a
             constant
             and
             perpetual
             invariable
             Condition
             of
             Soul
             ,
             whil'st
             thou
             art
             on
             this
             side
             Heav'n
             ?
             Didst
             thou
             ever
             hear
             or
             read
             of
             any
             of
             
             God's
             Saints
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             that
             were
             unchangeable
             in
             their
             holy
             Dispositions
             ,
             whil'st
             they
             continued
             in
             this
             Region
             of
             Mutability
             ?
             Behold
             the
             Man
             after
             
             God's
             own
             heart
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             sometimes
             so
             couragious
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Spirits
             of
             all
             his
             Worthies
             were
             met
             in
             his
             own
             Bosom
             ,
             how
             resolutely
             doth
             he
             blow
             off
             all
             dangers
             ,
             trample
             on
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             triumph
             over
             all
             cross
             Events
             ?
             Another
             while
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             so
             dejected
             ,
             and
             transform'd
             from
             what
             he
             was
             :
             When
             chearful
             ;
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               my
               Shepherd
               ,
               I
               shall
               lack
               nothing
               ,
            
             Psal
             ,
             23.1
             .
             In
             Affliction
             ;
             
               Why
               art
               thou
               so
               sad
               ,
               my
               Soul
               ,
               and
               
               why
               art
               thou
               so
               disquieted
               within
               me
               ?
            
             Psal.
             42.14
             .
             In
             Fortitude
             ;
             
               I
               will
               not
               be
               afraid
               of
               ten
               thousands
               of
               people
               ,
               that
               have
               set
               themselves
               against
               me
               round
               about
               ,
            
             Psal.
             3.6
             .
             In
             Trouble
             ;
             
               Hide
               me
               under
               the
               shadow
               of
               thy
               Wings
               ,
               from
               the
               Wicked
               that
               oppress
               me
               ;
               from
               my
               deadly
               Enemies
               ,
               who
               compass
               me
               about
               ,
            
             Psal.
             17.84
             .
             In
             his
             Integrity
             ;
             
               Thy
               Loving
               Kindness
               is
               before
               mine
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               I
               have
               walked
               in
               thy
               Truth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             26.3
             .
             In
             contrary
             Events
             ;
             
               Lord
               ,
               where
               are
               thy
               loving
               Kindnesses
               ?
            
             Psal.
             89.49
             .
             And
             dost
             thou
             not
             hear
             him
             in
             one
             Breath
             professing
             his
             Confidence
             ,
             and
             lamenting
             his
             Dissertion
             ;
             
               Lord
               ,
               by
               thy
               Favour
               thou
               hast
               made
               my
               Mountain
               to
               stand
               strong
               :
               Thou
               didst
               hide
               thy
               Face
               and
               I
               was
               troubled
               ,
            
             Psal.
             30.7
             .
             Look
             upon
             St.
             Paul
             ;
             Sometimes
             thou
             shalt
             see
             him
             erecting
             Trophies
             of
             Victo●y
             to
             his
             
               God
               :
               In
               all
               these
               things
               we
               are
               more
               than
               Conquerors
               ,
               through
               him
               that
               loved
               us
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.37
             .
             On
             the
             contrary
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             lamenting
             his
             own
             sinful
             Condition
             ;
             
               Oh
               ,
               wretched
               Man
               that
               I
               am
               ,
               who
               shall
               deliver
               me
               from
               the
               Body
               of
               this
               Death
               !
            
             Rom.
             7.24
             .
             In
             a
             holy
             Rapture
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             caught
             up
             into
             the
             Third
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             by
             Permission
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             buffetted
             by
             the
             Messengers
             of
             Satan
             ,
             and
             uttering
             Complaints
             to
             God
             of
             the
             Violence
             of
             that
             Assault
             .
             Here
             the
             Spouse
             of
             Christ
             bemoaning
             her self
             ;
             
               I
               opened
               to
               my
               Beloved
               ,
               but
               my
               Beloved
               had
               withdrawn
               himself
               ,
               and
               was
               gone
               :
               My
               Soul
               failed
               ,
               when
               he
               spoke
               ,
               I
               sought
               him
               :
               but
               I
               could
               not
               find
               him
               ;
               I
               called
               him
               but
               he
               made
               me
               no
               answer
               ,
            
             Cant.
             5.6
             .
             Thus
             is
             it
             with
             thee
             ,
             whil'st
             thou
             art
             in
             this
             Carnality
             :
             The
             Temper
             of
             thy
             Soul
             will
             be
             ,
             subject
             to
             Vicissitudes
             .
             Should'st
             thou
             continue
             always
             in
             the
             same
             State
             ,
             I
             should
             suspect
             thee
             .
             This
             difference
             betwixt
             Nature
             and
             G●ace
             ;
             the
             One
             is
             still
             uniform
             ;
             the
             Other
             varies
             ●●cording
             to
             the
             pleasure
             of
             the
             Giver
             :
             
               The
               Spirit
               ●eaths
               when
               ,
               and
               where
               it
               listeth
               ,
            
             Joh.
             3.8
             When
             
             therefore
             thou
             find'st
             the
             gracious
             Inspirations
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             within
             thee
             ,
             be
             thankful
             to
             the
             Infinite
             Munificence
             of
             that
             Blessed
             Spirit
             :
             And
             still
             pray
             ;
             
               Arise
               ,
               O
               North
               ,
               and
               come
               thou
               South
               Wind
               ,
               that
               the
               Spices
               thereof
               may
               flow
               out
               ,
            
             Cant.
             4.16
             .
             But
             when
             thou
             finds
             thy
             Soul
             becalm'd
             ,
             and
             not
             a
             Leaf
             stirring
             in
             its
             Garden
             ,
             be
             not
             too
             much
             dejected
             with
             an
             ungrounded
             Opinion
             of
             being
             destituted
             of
             thy
             God
             ;
             neither
             repine
             at
             the
             Seasons
             ,
             or
             Measures
             of
             his
             Bounty
             :
             That
             most
             free
             and
             beneficent
             Agent
             ,
             will
             not
             be
             tyed
             to
             our
             Terms
             ;
             but
             will
             give
             us
             what
             he
             sees
             necessary
             :
             Therefore
             humbly
             wait
             upon
             his
             Goodness
             :
             and
             
               be
               confident
               ,
               that
               he
               who
               hath
               begun
               his
               good
               Work
               in
               thee
               ,
               will
               perform
               it
               until
               the
               Day
               of
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             Phil.
             1.6
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             IT
             is
             true
             ,
             (
             thou
             say'st
             )
             if
             God
             had
             began
             the
             Operation
             ,
             He
             would
             at
             last
             ,
             for
             his
             own
             Glory
             finish
             it
             :
             But
             for
             me
             ,
             I
             am
             a
             Man
             dead
             in
             Trespasses
             and
             Sins
             ;
             and
             never
             had
             any
             true
             Contrition
             in
             me
             :
             Some
             shew
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             I
             have
             made
             of
             a
             Christian
             Profession
             ;
             but
             I
             have
             only
             deceived
             the
             World
             with
             a
             fallacious
             Pretence
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             found
             in
             my self
             the
             Verity
             ,
             and
             Solidity
             of
             those
             Heavenly
             Vertues
             ,
             whereof
             I
             have
             made
             an
             Ostentation
             .
             It
             were
             pity
             thou
             shouldst
             be
             so
             bad
             as
             thou
             representest
             thy self
             :
             I
             have
             no
             tender
             Compassion
             in
             store
             for
             Hypocrisie
             ;
             nor
             no
             Disposition
             is
             more
             odious
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             insomuch
             ,
             as
             when
             he
             expresses
             Vengeance
             against
             Sinners
             ,
             he
             uses
             those
             terms
             of
             Terror
             ,
             
               I
               will
               appoint
               him
               his
               portion
               with
               the
               Hypocrites
               ,
            
             Mat.
             24.51
             .
             Were
             it
             thus
             with
             thee
             ,
             it
             were
             high
             time
             to
             work
             thy
             Repentance
             in
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             ;
             and
             resign
             thy self
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             his
             Almighty
             Protection
             ,
             to
             be
             created
             anew
             by
             his
             Powerful
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             never
             to
             give
             thy self
             Peace
             ,
             till
             thou
             findest
             thy self
             
               Renewed
               in
               the
               Spirit
               of
               thy
               Mind
               ,
            
             Eph.
             4.23
             .
             But
             ,
             in
             the
             mean
             
             while
             ,
             take
             heed
             of
             being
             guilty
             of
             mis-judging
             thine
             own
             Soul
             ;
             and
             misprising
             the
             Operation
             of
             
             God's
             Spirit
             :
             God
             hath
             been
             better
             to
             thee
             ,
             than
             thou
             wilt
             acknowledge
             :
             Thou
             hast
             a
             true
             Sense
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             perceiv'st
             it
             not
             .
             There
             is
             no
             Cognisance
             to
             be
             taken
             of
             the
             Sentence
             thou
             passest
             upon
             thy self
             ,
             in
             the
             hour
             of
             Temptation
             :
             When
             thy
             heart
             was
             free
             ,
             thou
             wert
             in
             another
             Mind
             ;
             and
             shalt
             ,
             upon
             better
             advice
             ,
             reasume
             thy
             former
             Thoughts
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             IT
             is
             with
             thee
             ,
             as
             with
             Eutychus
             ,
             that
             fell
             down
             from
             the
             third
             Story
             ,
             and
             was
             taken
             up
             for
             Dead
             ,
             when
             his
             Life
             remained
             in
             him
             .
             We
             have
             known
             those
             in
             Trances
             ,
             without
             any
             perception
             of
             Life
             ;
             yea
             ,
             some
             (
             as
             that
             subtil
             
               Johannes
               Duns
               Scotus
            
             )
             laid
             in
             their
             Graves
             before
             their
             Souls
             had
             taken
             leave
             of
             their
             Bodies
             ,
             though
             unable
             to
             exert
             those
             Faculties
             ,
             which
             might
             Evince
             her
             hidden
             Presence
             .
             Such
             perhaps
             art
             thou
             at
             the
             worst
             ;
             and
             wert
             thou
             in
             Charity
             with
             thy self
             ,
             thou
             wouldest
             be
             found
             in
             a
             better
             Condition
             .
             There
             is
             the
             same
             reason
             of
             the
             Natural
             Life
             and
             the
             Spiritual
             :
             Where
             it
             is
             discern'd
             by
             Breathings
             ,
             Sense
             and
             Motions
             ;
             where
             there
             is
             a
             breathing
             Motion
             ,
             there
             must
             be
             a
             Life
             that
             sends
             it
             forth
             :
             If
             then
             the
             Soul
             breaths
             Holy
             Desires
             ,
             doubtless
             there
             is
             a
             Life
             whence
             they
             proceed
             .
             Now
             deny
             ,
             if
             thou
             can'st
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             not
             these
             Spiritual
             Breathings
             of
             Holy
             Desires
             Internally
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             many
             times
             sigh
             for
             thine
             own
             Insanity
             ?
             Is
             not
             thine
             heart
             perplexed
             with
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             thy
             Spiritual
             wants
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             truly
             desire
             ,
             that
             God
             would
             
               Renew
               a
               right
               Spirit
               within
               thee
            
             ?
             Be
             cheerful
             :
             This
             is
             the
             Operation
             of
             
             God's
             Spirit
             :
             As
             well
             may
             a
             Man
             breath
             without
             Life
             ,
             as
             thou
             couldst
             be
             thus
             affected
             without
             Repentance
             .
             Sense
             is
             a
             quick
             Discrier
             of
             Life
             :
             Wound
             a
             dead
             Man
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             sensible
             ;
             but
             the
             Living
             perceiveth
             the
             easiest
             Touch.
             When
             thou
             
             hast
             heard
             the
             Judgments
             of
             God
             ,
             denounced
             against
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             laid
             to
             thy
             Conscience
             ;
             has
             thy
             heart
             been
             pierced
             with
             them
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             not
             secretly
             thought
             ,
             how
             shall
             I
             decline
             this
             dreadful
             Damnation
             ?
             When
             thou
             hast
             heard
             the
             Mercies
             of
             God
             to
             Penitent
             Sinners
             ,
             hath
             not
             thy
             heart
             said
             ,
             Oh
             that
             I
             had
             my
             share
             in
             '
             em
             !
             When
             thou
             hast
             heard
             God
             blasphem'd
             ,
             hast
             thou
             not
             felt
             a
             horror
             in
             thy
             Bosom
             ?
             All
             these
             are
             Symptoms
             of
             a
             Spiritual
             Life
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             MOTION
             is
             the
             perfectest
             Discoverer
             of
             Life
             :
             He
             that
             stirs
             his
             Limbs
             is
             not
             dead
             .
             The
             Feet
             of
             the
             Soul
             are
             the
             Affections
             :
             Hast
             thou
             not
             found
             an
             hate
             and
             detestation
             of
             that
             Sin
             ,
             wherein
             thou
             hast
             been
             allured
             :
             And
             discover'd
             Grief
             of
             heart
             for
             thy
             Indisposition
             to
             all
             good
             things
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             not
             found
             a
             Love
             to
             ,
             and
             Complacency
             in
             those
             who
             are
             truely
             Religious
             and
             Conscionable
             ?
             Without
             a
             Life
             of
             Repentance
             ,
             Penitence
             had
             vanisht
             .
             Are
             not
             thine
             Eyes
             and
             Hands
             often
             lift
             up
             to
             implore
             mercy
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             deny
             ,
             thou
             hast
             a
             real
             ,
             though
             weak
             Appetite
             to
             the
             means
             ,
             and
             degrees
             of
             it
             ?
             This
             is
             that
             
               Hunger
               and
               Thirst
               after
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             to
             which
             Christ
             hath
             pronounc'd
             Blessedness
             ?
             Matth.
             5.6
             .
             Discomfort
             not
             thy self
             with
             the
             disappearance
             of
             
             God's
             Spirit
             :
             In
             the
             hour
             of
             Temptation
             ,
             it
             is
             with
             thee
             ,
             as
             with
             a
             Tree
             in
             Winter
             ,
             whose
             Sap
             is
             run
             to
             the
             Root
             ;
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Appearance
             of
             Vegetation
             ,
             by
             any
             Buds
             or
             Blossoms
             ,
             but
             appears
             ,
             motionless
             :
             Yet
             when
             the
             Sun
             returns
             his
             comfortable
             Beams
             ,
             it
             sprouts
             forth
             afresh
             ,
             and
             bewrays
             that
             Vital
             Juice
             ,
             which
             lay
             in
             the
             Earth
             :
             So
             thou
             must
             with
             Patience
             wait
             ,
             till
             the
             Sun
             of
             Righteousness
             shall
             arise
             with
             Healing
             in
             his
             Wings
             ,
             and
             Summon
             thy
             Humidity
             into
             thy
             Branches
             ;
             that
             that
             Grace
             may
             spring
             in
             thee
             ,
             which
             is
             able
             to
             save
             thy
             Soul
             :
             Then
             thou
             wilt
             say
             
             of
             thine
             heart
             ,
             as
             Jacob
             of
             his
             hard
             Lodging
             ;
             
               Surely
               ,
               the
            
             Lord
             
               is
               in
               this
               place
               ,
               and
               I
               knew
               it
               not
               ,
            
             Gen.
             28.16
             .
             Only
             use
             the
             means
             ,
             and
             wait
             patiently
             
             God's
             Leisure
             ;
             stay
             upon
             the
             Bank
             of
             this
             Bethesda
             ,
             till
             the
             Angel
             descend
             and
             move
             the
             Water
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             I
             could
             gladly
             ,
             thou
             repliest
             ,
             attend
             with
             Patience
             upon
             God
             ,
             in
             this
             happy
             Work
             of
             the
             Excitation
             of
             Grace
             ,
             were
             I
             but
             sure
             I
             had
             it
             ;
             or
             could
             be
             perswaded
             of
             the
             Verity
             of
             my
             Conversion
             :
             But
             it
             is
             my
             unhappiness
             ,
             that
             here
             I
             am
             at
             an
             uncomfortable
             loss
             ;
             for
             I
             am
             inform'd
             ,
             that
             every
             Convert
             can
             design
             the
             Time
             ,
             Place
             ,
             means
             and
             manner
             of
             his
             Conversion
             ;
             and
             demonstrate
             how
             near
             he
             was
             to
             the
             Gates
             of
             Death
             ,
             nay
             ,
             to
             the
             Verge
             of
             Hell
             ;
             when
             God
             ,
             by
             a
             mighty
             Arm
             ,
             has
             snatcht
             him
             away
             ,
             from
             the
             Pit
             of
             Perdition
             ,
             and
             rescu'd
             him
             from
             everlasting
             Damnation
             ;
             placing
             him
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Eternal
             Salvation
             ;
             Which
             I
             cannot
             attain
             to
             ;
             not
             finding
             any
             such
             vehement
             Concussion
             ,
             hearty
             Contrition
             ,
             or
             such
             forcible
             and
             irresistable
             Operation
             of
             
             God's
             Spirit
             in
             me
             ,
             nor
             can
             I
             practice
             the
             Sermon
             design'd
             for
             my
             Conversion
             ,
             or
             those
             Approaches
             my
             Soul
             made
             towards
             an
             hardly-recovered
             Desperation
             .
          
           
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             :
             It
             is
             not
             safe
             for
             any
             Man
             to
             set
             Limits
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             or
             to
             prescribe
             Rules
             to
             that
             Infinite
             Wisdom
             :
             That
             most
             free
             ,
             and
             All-wise
             Agent
             ,
             will
             not
             be
             tyed
             to
             walk
             always
             in
             one
             Path
             ;
             but
             varies
             his
             Courses
             according
             to
             his
             Divine
             Will.
             One
             he
             calls
             suddenly
             ,
             as
             St.
             Paul
             ;
             another
             by
             sweet
             Solicitations
             ,
             as
             
               Philip
               ,
               Nathanael
               ,
               Andrew
               ,
               Peter
               ,
               Matthew
               ,
            
             and
             other
             Apostles
             .
             One
             he
             draws
             to
             Heaven
             with
             gracious
             Invitations
             ;
             another
             with
             a
             strong
             hand
             .
             We
             have
             known
             those
             ,
             who
             having
             mispent
             their
             Juvenile
             Years
             ,
             in
             notorious
             debauch'd
             Courses
             ,
             living
             as
             without
             God
             ,
             and
             have
             been
             heart-stricken
             with
             
             some
             Denunciation
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             which
             hath
             so
             wrought
             upon
             'em
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             brought
             them
             within
             sight
             of
             Hell
             :
             But
             after
             deep
             Humiliation
             ,
             have
             been
             raised
             through
             
             God's
             mercy
             ,
             to
             a
             Comfortable
             Sense
             of
             the
             Divine
             Favour
             ,
             and
             have
             proceeded
             to
             a
             high
             degree
             of
             Regeneration
             ,
             and
             liv'd
             and
             dy'd
             good
             Christians
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             BUT
             this
             is
             not
             every
             ones
             Case
             ;
             those
             who
             have
             from
             their
             Infancy
             been
             brought
             up
             in
             
               The
               Nurture
               and
               Fear
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Eph.
             6.4
             .
             and
             from
             their
             Youth
             been
             Train'd
             up
             under
             a
             Godly
             and
             Conscionable
             Ministry
             ;
             where
             they
             have
             been
             plyed
             with
             the
             effectual
             means
             of
             Grace
             :
             
               Precept
               upon
               Precept
               ,
               Line
               upon
               Line
               ;
               here
               a
               little
               ,
               and
               there
               a
               little
               ,
            
             Isa.
             28.10
             .
             and
             by
             an
             insensible
             Conveyance
             ,
             received
             the
             Gracious
             Inoperations
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             though
             not
             without
             many
             inward
             Debates
             ,
             Temptations
             ,
             and
             deep
             Humiliation
             ,
             for
             their
             particular
             Failings
             ;
             these
             cannot
             expect
             to
             find
             so
             sensible
             Alterations
             in
             themselves
             :
             As
             well
             a
             Child
             knows
             when
             he
             was
             born
             ,
             as
             these
             know
             the
             instant
             of
             their
             Spiritual
             Regeneration
             ;
             and
             as
             well
             may
             they
             see
             the
             Grass
             grow
             ,
             as
             perceive
             their
             insensible
             Increase
             of
             Grace
             :
             It
             is
             sufficient
             that
             a
             Child
             ,
             attaining
             to
             Reason
             ,
             knows
             he
             was
             born
             ;
             as
             when
             we
             see
             the
             Grass
             higher
             than
             we
             left
             it
             ,
             know
             that
             it
             is
             grown
             .
             Let
             it
             then
             suffice
             thee
             ,
             that
             the
             thing
             is
             finish't
             ,
             though
             thou
             canst
             not
             define
             the
             time
             ,
             and
             manner
             of
             doing
             it
             :
             Be
             not
             over
             curious
             in
             matters
             of
             particular
             Preceptions
             ,
             whil'st
             thou
             art
             assured
             of
             what
             is
             wrought
             in
             thee
             .
             The
             skilful
             Chyrurgion
             ,
             makes
             a
             Fontinel
             in
             the
             Body
             of
             his
             Patient
             ,
             either
             by
             a
             sudden
             Incision
             ,
             or
             by
             a
             leisurely
             Corrosive
             ;
             both
             equally
             tend
             towards
             Health
             .
             Trust
             God
             with
             thy self
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             own
             Work
             ;
             without
             making
             inquiry
             ,
             which
             way
             he
             designs
             thy
             Salvation
             ?
          
           
           
             19.
             
             ALL
             were
             safe
             ,
             thou
             say'st
             ,
             if
             I
             could
             be
             ascertain'd
             of
             my
             Election
             to
             Life
             Eternal
             :
             I
             could
             be
             Patient
             ,
             so
             I
             might
             be
             sure
             :
             But
             ,
             wretched
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             here
             I
             am
             plung'd
             :
             I
             see
             others
             walk
             comfortably
             ,
             as
             if
             in
             Heav'n
             ;
             whereas
             I
             droop
             under
             a
             continual
             Diffidence
             ;
             raising
             my self
             new
             Arguments
             of
             Distrust
             .
             Could
             my
             heart
             be
             settled
             in
             this
             Assurance
             ,
             nothing
             could
             make
             me
             unhappy
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             as
             all
             other
             mercies
             flow
             from
             our
             Election
             ;
             so
             the
             securing
             of
             this
             one
             ,
             involves
             all
             other
             Favours
             that
             concern
             the
             welfare
             of
             our
             Souls
             .
             It
             is
             no
             less
             true
             ,
             our
             Election
             may
             be
             assured
             ;
             else
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             had
             not
             laid
             so
             deep
             a
             Charge
             upon
             us
             ,
             to
             use
             our
             utmost
             Endeavour
             to
             ascertain
             it
             :
             And
             we
             are
             much
             wanting
             to
             our selves
             ,
             if
             hearing
             so
             excellent
             a
             Blessing
             may
             be
             attained
             by
             diligence
             ,
             if
             we
             pull
             not
             our
             hand
             out
             of
             our
             Bosom
             ,
             to
             reach
             that
             Crown
             so
             offer'd
             to
             us
             :
             But
             withal
             ,
             't
             is
             true
             ,
             if
             there
             were
             not
             a
             difficulty
             in
             this
             work
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             had
             not
             so
             earnestly
             call'd
             for
             the
             utmost
             of
             our
             Endeavour
             to
             effect
             it
             ;
             2.
             
             Pet.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             THE
             Truth
             is
             ,
             in
             Christianity
             there
             is
             no
             Path
             ,
             wherein
             there
             is
             more
             need
             of
             treading
             warily
             ,
             than
             in
             this
             :
             On
             each
             side
             is
             Danger
             and
             Death
             ;
             Security
             on
             one
             hand
             ,
             and
             Presumption
             on
             the
             other
             :
             And
             the
             Miscarriage
             either
             way
             ,
             is
             deadly
             .
             Behold
             the
             miserable
             Examples
             on
             both
             kinds
             :
             Some
             walk
             carelesly
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             were
             no
             Heav'n
             ;
             or
             if
             such
             a
             Place
             ,
             yet
             of
             no
             Concernment
             :
             Their
             hearts
             are
             fond
             of
             the
             Pleasure
             of
             this
             Life
             ;
             and
             they
             neither
             care
             ,
             nor
             wish
             to
             be
             happier
             ,
             than
             this
             World
             can
             make
             'em
             :
             
               The
               God
               of
               this
               World
               hath
               blinded
               their
               Eyes
               ,
               that
               they
               believe
               not
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             4.4
             .
             Others
             walk
             proudly
             ,
             being
             vainly
             puff't
             up
             with
             their
             own
             ungrounded
             Imaginations
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             invested
             with
             Immortal
             Glory
             ;
             fancying
             
             themselves
             rapt
             up
             with
             St.
             Paul
             into
             the
             Third
             Heav'n
             ,
             and
             have
             seen
             their
             Names
             recorded
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Life
             :
             Whereas
             this
             is
             nothing
             but
             an
             Illusion
             of
             that
             Lying
             Spirit
             ;
             who
             knows
             the
             the
             way
             to
             keep
             'em
             out
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             is
             to
             make
             'em
             believe
             they
             are
             in
             a
             State
             of
             happiness
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             IT
             must
             be
             thy
             main
             Care
             to
             walk
             ,
             in
             a
             just
             Equidistance
             from
             both
             these
             Extreams
             ;
             that
             thou
             may'st
             be
             resolute
             without
             Presumption
             ,
             and
             careful
             without
             Diffidence
             .
             And
             ,
             First
             ,
             I
             advise
             thee
             to
             abandon
             those
             false
             Teachers
             ,
             who
             improve
             their
             Wits
             for
             the
             Ruine
             of
             Souls
             ,
             in
             broaching
             the
             sad
             Doctrines
             of
             Uncertainty
             and
             Distrust
             .
             Be
             sure
             our
             Saviour
             had
             not
             bid
             his
             Disciples
             rejoyce
             ,
             that
             their
             
               Names
               are
               written
               in
               Heaven
            
             ,
             Luke
             10.20
             .
             Had
             there
             not
             been
             a
             particular
             Enrollment
             ;
             nor
             the
             Disciples
             could
             never
             have
             attained
             to
             the
             notice
             of
             such
             Inscription
             .
             Neither
             is
             this
             a
             Mercy
             peculiar
             to
             his
             Domestick
             Followers
             ;
             but
             universal
             to
             all
             that
             believe
             what
             they
             testifie
             ;
             and
             by
             believing
             we
             may
             be
             assur'd
             our
             Names
             are
             Registred
             in
             those
             Eternal
             Records
             .
          
           
             22.
             
             NOT
             that
             we
             should
             take
             an
             Acesius
             his
             Ladder
             ,
             and
             climb
             up
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             turn
             over
             the
             Book
             of
             
             God's
             Councils
             ,
             and
             read
             our selves
             design'd
             to
             Glory
             .
             But
             as
             we
             by
             Experience
             imagine
             we
             can
             by
             Reflections
             read
             those
             Letters
             ,
             which
             directly
             we
             cannot
             :
             So
             we
             may
             do
             here
             in
             spiritual
             Objects
             .
             The
             same
             Apostle
             that
             gives
             us
             our
             Charge
             ,
             gives
             us
             withal
             our
             Directions
             ,
             
               Wherefore
               the
               rather
               ,
               Brethren
               ,
               give
               all
               diligence
               to
               make
               your
               Callings
               and
               Election
               sure
               ;
               for
               if
               ye
               do
               those
               things
               ,
               ye
               shall
               never
               fall
               ;
               for
               so
               an
               Entrance
               shall
               be
               ministred
               unto
               you
               abundantly
               ,
               into
               the
               Everlasting
               Kingdom
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
            
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             2
             Pet.
             1.10
             ,
             11.
             
             Here
             is
             first
             our
             Calling
             ,
             then
             our
             Election
             :
             Not
             that
             we
             should
             begin
             with
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             
             thence
             descend
             to
             Earth
             ;
             but
             that
             we
             should
             from
             Earth
             ascend
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             from
             our
             Calling
             ,
             to
             our
             Election
             :
             As
             knowing
             ,
             that
             God
             shews
             what
             he
             hath
             done
             for
             us
             above
             ,
             by
             that
             which
             he
             hath
             wrought
             in
             us
             here
             below
             .
          
           
             23.
             
             OUR
             Calling
             not
             outward
             and
             formal
             ,
             but
             inward
             and
             effectual
             .
             The
             Spirit
             of
             God
             hath
             a
             Voice
             ,
             and
             our
             Soul
             an
             Ear
             ;
             that
             Voice
             of
             the
             Spirit
             speaks
             inwardly
             and
             effectually
             to
             the
             Ear
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             calling
             us
             out
             of
             the
             State
             of
             Corrupt
             Nature
             ,
             into
             the
             State
             of
             Grace
             ;
             out
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             into
             his
             marvellous
             Light.
             By
             thy
             Calling
             ,
             thou
             mayst
             judge
             of
             thine
             Election
             :
             God
             never
             works
             in
             vain
             ,
             neither
             doth
             he
             cast
             away
             his
             saving
             Graces
             :
             But
             
               whom
               he
               did
               Predestinate
               ,
               them
               also
               he
               Called
               ;
               and
               whom
               he
               Called
               ,
               them
               he
               Justified
               ;
               and
               whom
               he
               Justified
               ,
               them
               also
               he
               Glorified
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.30
             .
             This
             doubtless
             ,
             thou
             sayst
             ,
             is
             sure
             in
             it self
             ,
             but
             how
             assured
             to
             me
             ?
             I
             answer
             :
             That
             which
             the
             Apostle
             adds
             ,
             
               By
               good
               Works
            
             ,
             if
             we
             comprehend
             the
             Acts
             of
             Believing
             and
             Repenting
             ,
             is
             a
             special
             Evidence
             of
             our
             Election
             .
             But
             not
             to
             urge
             that
             Clause
             of
             
               Good
               Works
            
             ,
             which
             (
             tho
             read
             in
             the
             Vulgar
             )
             is
             found
             wanting
             in
             our
             Editions
             ;
             The
             clear
             words
             of
             the
             Text
             evince
             no
             less
             :
             
               For
               if
               ye
               do
               these
               things
               ,
               ye
               shall
               nev●r
               fall
               :
            
             Here
             is
             our
             Negative
             Certainty
             :
             And
             for
             our
             Positive
             ;
             
               So
               an
               Entrance
               shall
               be
               Ministred
               unto
               you
               abundantly
               ,
               into
               the
               Everlasting
               Kingdom
               of
               our
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
            
             Jesus
             Christ.
             If
             we
             shall
             never
             fall
             ,
             but
             shall
             undoubtedly
             enter
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
             ;
             what
             possible
             scruple
             can
             be
             of
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             our
             Election
             ?
             What
             then
             are
             these
             things
             that
             must
             be
             perform'd
             by
             us
             ?
             Fix
             your
             Eyes
             upon
             that
             Collection
             of
             Graces
             ,
             following
             :
             
               If
               you
               add
               to
               your
               Faith
               ,
               Vertue
               ,
               and
               to
               Vertue
               ,
               Knowledge
               ;
               and
               to
               Knowledge
               ,
               Temperance
               ;
               and
               to
               Temperance
               ,
               Patience
               ;
               and
               to
               Patience
               ,
               Godliness
               ;
               and
               
               to
               Godliness
               ,
               Brotherly
               Kindness
               ,
               Charity
               ,
            
             2
             Pet.
             1.5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             23.
             
             IF
             Thou
             wouldst
             be
             inform'd
             what
             God
             hath
             written
             concerning
             thee
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             look
             into
             thy
             own
             Bosom
             ,
             and
             see
             what
             Graces
             he
             hath
             wrought
             in
             thee
             .
             
               Truth
               of
               Grace
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Divine
             Apostle
             ,
             
               will
               make
               good
               the
               certainty
               of
               your
               Election
               .
            
             Not
             to
             instance
             the
             rest
             of
             that
             Heavenly
             Combination
             ;
             do
             but
             single
             the
             first
             and
             the
             last
             ,
             Faith
             and
             Charity
             :
             For
             Faith
             ,
             how
             clear
             is
             that
             of
             our
             Saviour
             ;
             
               He
               that
               believeth
               in
               him
               that
               sent
               me
               ,
               hath
               Everlasting
               Life
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               come
               into
               Condemnation
               ;
               but
               hath
               passed
               from
               Death
               to
               Life
               ,
            
             Joh.
             5.24
             .
             What
             danger
             can
             befall
             us
             in
             our
             acquiring
             Heaven
             ?
             All
             the
             Peril
             is
             in
             the
             way
             .
             Now
             the
             Believer
             is
             already
             passed
             into
             Life
             :
             This
             is
             the
             Grace
             ,
             by
             which
             
               Christ
               dwells
               in
               our
               Hearts
            
             ,
             Ephes.
             3.17
             .
             and
             whereby
             we
             have
             Communion
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             an
             assured
             Testimony
             of
             and
             from
             him
             :
             
               For
               he
               that
               believeth
               in
               the
               Son
               of
               God
               ,
               hath
               the
               Witness
               in
               himself
               :
            
             And
             what
             Witness
             is
             that
             ?
             
               This
               is
               the
               Record
               ,
               that
               God
               hath
               given
               us
               Eternal
               Life
               :
               And
               this
               Life
               is
               in
               his
               Son
               ;
               he
               that
               hath
               the
               Son
               ,
               hath
               Life
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             5.10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12.
             
             Oh
             happy
             Connexion
             !
             Eternal
             Life
             first
             :
             This
             Life
             Eternal
             ,
             is
             in
             and
             by
             
               Christ
               Jesus
            
             ;
             he
             is
             ours
             by
             Faith
             ,
             and
             this
             Faith
             testifieth
             to
             our
             Souls
             assurance
             of
             Life
             Eternal
             :
             Charity
             is
             the
             last
             ,
             which
             comprehends
             our
             love
             to
             God
             and
             Man
             :
             For
             ,
             from
             the
             reflection
             of
             
             God's
             Love
             to
             us
             ,
             ariseth
             a
             Love
             from
             us
             to
             him
             again
             .
             The
             beloved
             Disciple
             can
             say
             ,
             
               We
               love
               him
               ,
               because
               he
               loved
               us
               first
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             4.19
             .
             And
             from
             these
             resulteth
             our
             Love
             to
             our
             Brethren
             :
             And
             such
             an
             Evidence
             we
             have
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             expresly
             ,
             
               That
               we
               know
               we
               are
               passed
               from
               Death
               to
               Life
               ,
               because
               we
               love
               the
               Brethren
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             3.14
             .
             :
             For
             the
             love
             of
             the
             Father
             is
             inseperable
             from
             the
             love
             of
             the
             Son
             :
             
               He
               that
               loveth
               
               him
               that
               Begets
               ,
               loves
               him
               that
               is
               Begotten
               of
               him
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             5.1
             .
          
           
             25.
             
             NOW
             deal
             impartially
             with
             thine
             own
             Heart
             ,
             and
             enquire
             seriously
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             Presence
             of
             the
             Searcher
             of
             all
             Hearts
             ,
             Whether
             thou
             dost
             not
             find
             in
             thy self
             these
             Evidences
             of
             thine
             Election
             ?
             Art
             thou
             not
             effectually
             ,
             tho
             not
             perfectly
             called
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             corrupt
             Nature
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             inwardly
             abhor
             sinful
             ways
             ,
             and
             think
             of
             what
             thou
             wert
             with
             Detestation
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             endeavour
             to
             be
             in
             all
             things
             approved
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             confirmed
             to
             thy
             Saviour
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             cast
             thy self
             upon
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             and
             depend
             upon
             his
             free
             All
             sufficiency
             for
             Pardon
             and
             Salvation
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             love
             that
             infinite
             Goodness
             ,
             who
             hath
             been
             so
             rich
             in
             Mercies
             to
             thee
             ;
             and
             bless
             those
             Beams
             of
             Goodness
             which
             he
             hath
             cast
             upon
             his
             Saints
             on
             Earth
             ?
             Lastly
             ,
             Dost
             thou
             not
             love
             a
             good
             Man
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             so
             ?
             Comfort
             thy self
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             let
             no
             Fear
             and
             Distrust
             possess
             thy
             Soul
             :
             
               Faithful
               is
               he
               that
               hath
               Called
               thee
               ,
            
             1
             Thes.
             5.24
             .
             who
             will
             also
             
               Preserve
               thy
               whole
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               Soul
               ,
               and
               Body
               blameless
               ,
               unto
               the
               coming
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             1
             Thes.
             5.23
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               an
               Afflicted
               Conscience
               .
            
             
               O
               GOD
               ,
               the
               Father
               of
               all
               Mercies
               and
               Heavenly
               Consolation
               ,
               suffer
               me
               not
               at
               any
               time
               to
               fall
               from
               thee
               ,
               or
               to
               be
               swallowed
               up
               in
               the
               depth
               of
               Affliction
               ;
               but
               when
               ever
               it
               shall
               please
               thee
               to
               try
               me
               in
               that
               Furnace
               ,
               let
               my
               sure
               Hope
               and
               Confidence
               be
               fixed
               on
               thee
               ;
               that
               when
               multitude
               of
               Sorrows
               shall
               encompass
               my
               Soul
               ,
               my
               only
               trust
               may
               be
               in
               thy
               Mercies
               .
               Give
               me
               the
               Oil
               of
               Joy
               for
               Mourning
               ,
               and
               the
               Garment
               of
               Gladness
               for
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Heaviness
               ,
               that
               thy
               great
               
               Name
               may
               be
               Glorified
               by
               me
               ,
               in
               a
               thankful
               acknowledgement
               of
               thy
               Goodness
               towards
               me
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               thou
               beholdest
               afar
               off
               ;
               the
               manifold
               Perils
               and
               Dangers
               I
               am
               exposed
               to
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               sea
               of
               Miseries
               and
               numerous
               Calamities
               ;
               The
               Winds
               blow
               ,
               the
               deep
               Waters
               lift
               up
               their
               proud
               swelling
               Waves
               ,
               and
               the
               stormy
               Tempests
               threaten
               me
               with
               Ship-wrack
               ,
               to
               the
               Ruine
               and
               Destruction
               both
               of
               Soul
               and
               Body
               .
               But
               O
               thou
               ,
               who
               art
               the
               God
               of
               Unity
               ,
               speak
               Peace
               unto
               this
               inward
               Voice
               ,
               and
               say
               unto
               it
               ,
               I
               am
               thy
               Salvation
               ,
               so
               shall
               I
               be
               refreshed
               with
               thy
               loving
               Kindness
               ,
               and
               Praise
               thee
               ever
               more
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             IV.
             Remedies
             against
             Temptations
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             assaulted
             with
             Temptations
             :
             And
             what
             the
             Enemy
             cannot
             do
             by
             Force
             or
             Fraud
             ,
             he
             seeks
             by
             Importunity
             .
             Can
             this
             seem
             averse
             to
             thee
             ,
             when
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             was
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             forty
             Days
             ,
             and
             forty
             Nights
             ,
             under
             the
             Tempter
             ?
             He
             that
             durst
             set
             upon
             the
             
               Captain
               of
               our
               Salvation
            
             ,
             Heb.
             2.10
             .
             How
             shall
             he
             spare
             frail
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             ?
             Why
             should
             Christ
             suffer
             himself
             to
             be
             Tempted
             ,
             but
             to
             support
             thee
             in
             all
             thy
             Temptations
             ?
             The
             Keys
             of
             the
             Bottomless
             Pit
             are
             at
             his
             disposal
             :
             He
             could
             have
             confin'd
             that
             Presumptuous
             Spirit
             to
             Chains
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             and
             admitted
             him
             no
             nearer
             to
             him
             than
             Hell
             ;
             but
             he
             would
             let
             him
             loose
             ,
             and
             permit
             him
             to
             act
             his
             worst
             ,
             purposely
             that
             we
             might
             not
             dislike
             to
             be
             Tempted
             ,
             and
             that
             he
             might
             foyl
             our
             greatest
             Enemy
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             CANST
             thou
             think
             that
             he
             ,
             who
             sits
             at
             the
             right
             Hand
             of
             Majesty
             ,
             commanding
             the
             Powers
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             Earth
             and
             Hell
             ,
             could
             not
             keep
             off
             that
             malignant
             Spirit
             from
             assailing
             thee
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             think
             him
             less
             Merciful
             ,
             than
             mighty
             ?
             Would
             he
             die
             to
             save
             thee
             ?
             And
             will
             he
             turn
             that
             Miscreant
             of
             Hell
             loose
             to
             worry
             thee
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             Pray
             daily
             to
             thy
             Father
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             to
             
               Lead
               thee
               n●t
               into
               Temptation
            
             ?
             Thou
             hast
             to
             do
             with
             a
             God
             that
             heareth
             Prayers
             ;
             Oh
             thou
             of
             little
             Faith
             ,
             why
             fearest
             thou
             ?
             He
             that
             was
             led
             by
             his
             Divine
             Spirit
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             to
             be
             Tempted
             of
             that
             Evil
             Spirit
             ,
             bids
             thee
             pray
             to
             the
             Father
             that
             he
             would
             not
             
               Lead
               thee
               into
               Temptation
            
             ;
             implying
             ,
             that
             thou
             couldst
             not
             go
             into
             Temptation
             ,
             unless
             he
             lead
             thee
             ;
             and
             whilst
             he
             that
             is
             thy
             Father
             ,
             leads
             thee
             ,
             how
             canst
             thou
             miscarry
             ?
             
               Let
               no
               Man
               when
               he
               is
               Tempted
               ,
               say
               ,
               I
               am
               tempted
               of
               God
               ;
               for
               God
               cannot
               be
               tempted
               with
               Evil
               ,
               neither
               tempteth
               he
               any
               Man
               ,
            
             Jam.
             1.13
             .
             God
             Tempteth
             thee
             not
             ;
             yet
             being
             his
             ,
             thou
             couldst
             not
             be
             Tempted
             without
             him
             ,
             both
             permitting
             and
             ordering
             that
             Temptation
             to
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             and
             thy
             eternal
             Welfare
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THAT
             Grace
             which
             God
             hath
             given
             thee
             ,
             he
             will
             have
             thus
             manifested
             .
             How
             had
             we
             known
             the
             admirable
             Continency
             of
             Joseph
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             been
             strongly
             sollicited
             by
             a
             Wanton
             Mistress
             ?
             Or
             
             David's
             Valour
             ,
             if
             the
             Philistines
             had
             not
             had
             a
             Giantly
             Challenger
             to
             encounter
             him
             ?
             How
             had
             we
             known
             the
             invincible
             Piety
             of
             the
             
               Three
               Children
            
             ,
             had
             there
             been
             no
             Furnace
             to
             try
             '
             em
             ?
             Or
             of
             Daniel
             ,
             if
             no
             Lyons
             to
             accompany
             him
             ?
             Be
             assured
             ,
             thy
             Glory
             shall
             be
             Proportionable
             to
             thy
             Tryal
             :
             Neither
             couldst
             thou
             ever
             be
             so
             happy
             ,
             hadst
             tho●
             not
             been
             beholding
             to
             Temptations
             .
             How
             often
             sayst
             thou
             ,
             have
             I
             beaten
             off
             these
             base
             Suggestions
             ;
             yet
             still
             they
             retort
             upon
             me
             ,
             as
             if
             Denials
             
             invited
             'em
             ;
             as
             tho'
             they
             meant
             to
             tire
             me
             with
             their
             Solicitations
             ;
             as
             if
             I
             must
             yield
             ,
             and
             be
             overpow'rd
             ,
             though
             not
             with
             their
             Force
             ,
             yet
             with
             their
             Frequence
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             KNOW
             ▪
             thou
             hast
             to
             do
             with
             
               Spiritual
               Wickedness
            
             ,
             Ephes.
             6.12
             .
             whose
             Nature
             is
             as
             unweariable
             ,
             as
             their
             Malice
             unsatisfiable
             :
             Thou
             hast
             a
             Spirit
             of
             thine
             own
             ;
             and
             God
             hath
             inspir'd
             thee
             with
             his
             :
             So
             as
             he
             expects
             thou
             should'st
             ,
             through
             the
             Pow'r
             of
             his
             Gracious
             Assistance
             ,
             match
             the
             Importunity
             of
             that
             Evil
             Spirit
             ,
             with
             an
             indesatigable
             Resistance
             .
             
               Be
               strong
               therefore
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Power
               of
               his
               Might
               ;
               and
               put
               on
               the
               whole
               Armour
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               thou
               may'st
               be
               able
               to
               stand
               in
               the
               Evil
               Day
               ;
               and
               having
               done
               all
               ,
               to
               stand
               ,
            
             Ephes
             6.10
             ,
             11
             ,
             13.
             
             Look
             upon
             a
             stronger
             Champion
             than
             thy self
             ,
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             ;
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             in
             thy
             own
             Condition
             ;
             See
             
               the
               Messenger
               of
               Satan
               sent
               to
               buffet
               him
               ,
            
             2.
             
             Cor.
             12.7
             .
             and
             he
             did
             it
             to
             purpose
             :
             With
             what
             extream
             Rigour
             was
             he
             buffeted
             on
             both
             sides
             ,
             and
             how
             often
             ?
             
               Thrice
               he
               besought
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               it
               might
               depart
               from
               him
               ,
            
             Verse
             8.
             but
             the
             Temptation
             holds
             ;
             only
             a
             Comfort
             countervails
             it
             :
             
               My
               Grace
               is
               sufficient
               for
               thee
               ,
               for
               my
               Grace
               is
               made
               perfect
               in
               VVeakness
               ,
            
             Verse
             9.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             IT
             is
             not
             to
             be
             consider'd
             ,
             how
             hard
             thou
             art
             aim'd
             at
             ,
             as
             how
             strongly
             thou
             art
             upheld
             :
             How
             many
             with
             the
             Blessed
             Martyr
             Theodorus
             ,
             have
             upon
             Racks
             and
             Gibbets
             found
             their
             Courage
             stronger
             than
             their
             Pains
             ?
             Whil●st
             therefore
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             supplies
             thee
             with
             abundance
             of
             Spiritual
             Vigour
             ,
             and
             Refreshment
             answerable
             to
             the
             worst
             of
             Assaults
             ,
             what
             dost
             thou
             complain
             of
             suffering
             ?
             The
             Advice
             is
             Sublime
             ,
             which
             St.
             James
             gives
             his
             Compatiots
             ;
             
               My
               Brethren
               ,
               count
               it
               all
               Joy
               ,
               when
               ye
               fall
               into
               divers
               Temptations
               .
            
             Let
             Temptations
             be
             rather
             Trials
             by
             Afflictions
             ,
             than
             Suggestions
             
             of
             Sin
             ;
             yet
             even
             those
             overcome
             ,
             yield
             no
             small
             cause
             of
             Triumph
             :
             For
             by
             them
             is
             our
             Faith
             tried
             ;
             and
             the
             trying
             of
             our
             Faith
             worketh
             Patience
             ;
             and
             the
             perfect
             work
             of
             Patience
             ,
             is
             a
             blessed
             Entireness
             .
             The
             number
             of
             Enemies
             adds
             to
             the
             Praise
             of
             Victory
             :
             To
             overcome
             a
             single
             Temptation
             ,
             is
             commendable
             ;
             but
             to
             subdue
             Multitudes
             is
             glorious
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             ALAS
             ,
             thou
             repliest
             ,
             I
             am
             opprest
             ,
             not
             with
             Multiplicity
             ,
             but
             with
             Pow'r
             :
             In
             Duelling
             respect
             is
             had
             to
             the
             Equality
             both
             of
             the
             Combatants
             and
             Weapons
             :
             But
             alas
             ,
             how
             am
             I
             overmatch'd
             !
             I
             am
             a
             weak
             Wretch
             ;
             and
             
               We
               wrestle
               not
               against
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ;
               but
               against
               Principalities
               and
               Powers
               :
               against
               the
               Rulers
               of
               the
               Darkness
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               against
               Spiritual
               Wickedness
               in
               Heavenly
               Places
               ,
            
             Ephes.
             6.12
             .
             
               Behold
               the
            
             Amorite
             ,
             
               whose
               height
               is
               like
               the
               height
               of
               Cedars
               ,
               and
               their
               Strength
               as
               the
               Strength
               of
               Oaks
               ,
            
             Amos
             2.9
             .
             We
             are
             but
             poor
             Pismirs
             in
             the
             Valley
             ,
             to
             these
             Men
             of
             Measures
             ?
             Who
             can
             stand
             before
             these
             Sons
             of
             Anak
             ?
             I
             did
             not
             advise
             thee
             to
             be
             strong
             in
             thy self
             ;
             we
             are
             all
             Compounds
             of
             weakness
             :
             One
             of
             those
             Pow'rs
             of
             Darkness
             were
             able
             to
             subdue
             all
             Mortality
             :
             But
             to
             be
             
               Strong
               in
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             whose
             inferiour
             Angel
             is
             able
             to
             vanquish
             a
             Hell
             of
             Devils
             :
             And
             in
             the
             Pow'r
             of
             his
             Might
             ,
             commandeth
             the
             most
             furious
             of
             those
             Infernal
             Spirits
             to
             their
             Chains
             .
             What
             a
             Condition
             should
             we
             be
             in
             ,
             if
             left
             to
             our selves
             ;
             there
             were
             no
             way
             for
             us
             ,
             but
             Circumvention
             and
             Death
             :
             But
             ,
             
               Our
               Help
               is
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               who
               hath
               made
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             124.8
             .
             
               The
               Lord
               is
               our
               Strength
               ,
               and
               our
               Shield
               ,
            
             Psal.
             28.7
             .
             
               He
               is
               our
               Rock
               and
               our
               Salvation
               ;
               He
               is
               our
               Defence
               ,
               so
               as
               we
               shall
               not
               be
               moved
               ,
            
             Psal.
             62.2
             ,
             6.
             
             
               It
               is
               he
               that
               hath
               girded
               us
               with
               Strength
               unto
               Battle
               ,
               and
               that
               subdueth
               those
               that
               rise
               up
               against
               us
               ,
            
             Psal.
             18.39
             .
          
           
           
             7.
             
             ASSUME
             Courage
             therefore
             to
             thy self
             ;
             there
             can't
             be
             so
             much
             difference
             betwixt
             thee
             ,
             and
             those
             Hellish
             Pow'rs
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             betwixt
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Almighty
             :
             There
             Force
             is
             finite
             ,
             and
             limited
             by
             Omnipotence
             .
             How
             glad
             do'st
             thou
             think
             ,
             Jannes
             and
             Jambres
             ,
             the
             great
             Magicians
             of
             Egypt
             ,
             would
             have
             made
             but
             an
             Insect
             in
             affront
             to
             Moses
             ?
             but
             could
             not
             .
             How
             earnest
             was
             that
             Legion
             of
             Devils
             fain
             to
             beg
             leave
             to
             prevail
             over
             a
             few
             
             Gaderene-Swine
             ?
             How
             strong
             soever
             they
             seem
             to
             thee
             ,
             yet
             to
             him
             they
             are
             so
             weak
             ,
             that
             they
             cannot
             move
             without
             him
             .
             Who
             fears
             a
             Bear
             ,
             or
             a
             Lion
             ,
             when
             chain'd
             to
             a
             Stake
             ?
             Children
             then
             can
             be
             Spectators
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             so
             Restrained
             .
             Look
             not
             on
             thy self
             therefore
             ,
             nor
             them
             ;
             but
             look
             up
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             who
             ordinates
             all
             Motions
             to
             his
             own
             holy
             Purposes
             ;
             and
             even
             out
             of
             their
             Malice
             ,
             raises
             Glory
             to
             himself
             ,
             and
             Advantage
             to
             his
             Servants
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             IT
             is
             a
             sad
             Advantage
             ,
             (
             thou
             say'st
             )
             I
             have
             made
             of
             Temptations
             :
             For
             ,
             Alas
             !
             I
             have
             been
             soil'd
             by
             'em
             ,
             what
             by
             their
             Subtilty
             and
             Violence
             ,
             have
             been
             seduced
             into
             a
             grievous
             Sin
             against
             God
             ,
             and
             lie
             down
             in
             a
             just
             Confusion
             of
             Face
             ,
             to
             have
             been
             so
             miserably
             vanquished
             .
             Had'st
             thou
             wanted
             Tears
             for
             thine
             Offences
             ,
             I
             should
             willingly
             have
             lent
             thee
             some
             .
             But
             it
             is
             indeed
             a
             deplorable
             Case
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             given
             thy
             deadly
             Enemy
             this
             occasion
             to
             Triumph
             over
             thee
             ;
             and
             hast
             thus
             provoked
             God
             :
             Nevertheless
             be
             thou
             throughly
             humbled
             under
             the
             Guilt
             of
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             and
             be
             not
             too
             hasty
             in
             snatching
             a
             Pardon
             out
             of
             the
             hand
             thou
             hast
             offended
             :
             Be
             humbled
             ,
             and
             after
             a
             serious
             Repentance
             ,
             be
             not
             dis-heartned
             with
             thy
             Failings
             :
             Neither
             do
             I
             dread
             to
             tell
             thee
             of
             an
             Advantage
             to
             be
             made
             ,
             not
             of
             thy
             Temptations
             only
             ,
             but
             of
             thy
             Sin.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             ART
             not
             thou
             a
             Gainer
             ,
             if
             after
             this
             thy
             Assault
             ,
             
             thou
             dost
             in
             a
             Holy
             Indignation
             ,
             rise
             up
             ,
             and
             fight
             the
             more
             valiantly
             ?
             A
             Wound
             received
             ,
             whets
             the
             Edge
             of
             Fortitude
             :
             Many
             a
             one
             had
             not
             been
             Victorious
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             bled
             first
             .
             Look
             where
             thou
             wilt
             ,
             upon
             all
             the
             Saints
             of
             God
             ;
             observe
             if
             thou
             canst
             see
             any
             of
             them
             without
             his
             Scars
             :
             Many
             fearful
             Gashes
             we
             have
             beheld
             of
             the
             Noblest
             of
             
             God's
             Champions
             whose
             Courage
             had
             not
             been
             raised
             to
             so
             high
             a
             Pitch
             ,
             had
             it
             not
             been
             out
             of
             the
             sense
             of
             some
             former
             Discomfortures
             !
             As
             some
             well-spirited
             Wrestler
             ,
             be
             not
             troubled
             with
             thy
             Fall
             ,
             as
             zealous
             to
             repay
             it
             with
             a
             successful
             Encounter
             .
             
               We
               know
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             ,
             
               that
               all
               things
               worketh
               together
               for
               good
               to
               them
               that
               love
               God
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.28
             .
             Yea
             ,
             even
             their
             very
             Sins
             .
             The
             Corinthians
             offended
             in
             their
             silent
             Connivance
             at
             the
             Incestuous
             Person
             :
             The
             Apostles
             Reproof
             produced
             their
             Sorrow
             :
             What
             was
             the
             Issue
             ?
             
               For
               behold
               ,
               this
               self-same
               thing
               that
               ye
               sorrowed
               after
               a
               Godly
               sort
               ,
               what
               Carefulness
               is
               wrought
               in
               you
               ?
               Yea
               ,
               what
               clearing
               of
               your selves
               ;
               yea
               ,
               what
               Indignation
               ;
               yea
               ,
               what
               Fear
               ;
               yea
               ,
               what
               vehement
               Desire
               ;
               yea
               ,
               what
               Zeal
               ;
               yea
               ,
               what
               Revenge
            
             ?
             2
             Cor.
             7.11
             .
             What
             a
             marvellous
             Advantage
             is
             here
             made
             of
             one
             Offence
             ?
             And
             what
             hath
             Satan
             gain'd
             by
             this
             Encounter
             ?
             One
             poor
             Corinthian
             is
             misled
             to
             an
             incestuous
             Copulation
             :
             The
             Evil
             Spirit
             rejoiceth
             at
             such
             a
             Prey
             ;
             but
             how
             long
             shall
             he
             enjoy
             it
             ?
             Soon
             after
             the
             offending
             Soul
             ,
             upon
             the
             Apostles
             Censure
             ,
             is
             reclaim'd
             ;
             he
             is
             deliver'd
             to
             Satan
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             never
             possess
             him
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             THE
             Corinthians
             are
             raised
             to
             a
             greater
             height
             of
             Godly
             Zeal
             ,
             than
             ever
             .
             Corinth
             had
             never
             been
             so
             rich
             in
             Grace
             ,
             if
             not
             defiled
             with
             so
             foul
             a
             Crime
             .
             Confess
             now
             ,
             if
             this
             be
             not
             in
             effect
             thy
             Case
             ?
             Shouldest
             thou
             ever
             have
             detested
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             if
             thou
             had'st
             not
             been
             drawn
             in
             ,
             to
             commit
             it
             ?
             
             Shouldst
             thou
             have
             had
             so
             fervent
             a
             Love
             to
             God
             ,
             had
             it
             not
             been
             out
             of
             a
             sense
             of
             his
             great
             Mercy
             ,
             in
             remitting
             it
             ?
             Wouldst
             thou
             have
             been
             so
             weary
             in
             thy
             Stops
             ,
             as
             thou
             art
             ,
             if
             thou
             hadst
             not
             slip'd
             ?
             Give
             Glory
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             shame
             to
             thy self
             ,
             and
             Bless
             him
             for
             the
             benefit
             that
             he
             hath
             been
             pleased
             to
             make
             of
             thine
             Offending
             him
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             BUT
             Alas
             !
             thou
             sayst
             my
             Case
             is
             far
             worse
             than
             it
             is
             conceiv'd
             ;
             I
             have
             been
             more
             than
             once
             miscarried
             into
             the
             same
             Sin
             :
             For
             after
             I
             have
             made
             profession
             of
             my
             Repentance
             ,
             I
             have
             been
             transported
             into
             my
             former
             Wickedness
             :
             Having
             washt
             off
             my
             Sin
             ,
             (
             as
             I
             thought
             )
             with
             many
             Tears
             ,
             yet
             I
             have
             suffer'd
             my
             Soul
             to
             be
             defiled
             again
             .
             I
             must
             not
             flatter
             thee
             ,
             this
             Condition
             is
             Dangerous
             :
             Those
             Diseases
             ,
             which
             upon
             their
             first
             Seisure
             have
             receiv'd
             Cure
             ,
             after
             a
             Relapse
             ,
             have
             threatned
             Death
             .
             Look
             upon
             the
             Saints
             of
             God
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             find
             they
             have
             kept
             a
             distance
             from
             that
             Fire
             wherewith
             they
             have
             been
             formerly
             Burn'd
             :
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             find
             Noah
             again
             Uncovered
             through
             Drunkenness
             ,
             Nor
             Judah
             climbing
             to
             
             Tamer's
             Bed
             :
             Thou
             shalt
             not
             take
             Peter
             again
             in
             the
             High-Priest's
             Hall
             ,
             denying
             his
             Master
             ;
             or
             after
             St.
             
             Paul's
             Reproof
             ,
             
               Halting
               in
               his
               Dissimulation
            
             ,
             Gall.
             2.11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             BUT
             tell
             me
             ,
             notwithstanding
             ,
             Art
             thou
             truly
             serious
             with
             thy
             God
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             doubled
             thy
             Humiliation
             ,
             for
             the
             Reduplication
             of
             thine
             Offence
             ,
             and
             sought
             God
             more
             instantly
             with
             an
             unfeigned
             Contrition
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             found
             thy
             Soul
             hath
             a
             greater
             detestation
             of
             Sin
             ,
             than
             thine
             acquaintance
             with
             it
             hath
             indulg'd
             thee
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             taken
             this
             occasion
             to
             lay
             hold
             on
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             to
             reinforce
             the
             Vows
             of
             strict
             Obedience
             ?
             If
             so
             ,
             this
             unpurpos'd
             Reiteration
             of
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             shall
             be
             no
             Prejudice
             to
             thy
             Salvation
             .
             It
             is
             one
             thing
             for
             a
             Man
             
             to
             walk
             on
             willingly
             in
             a
             beaten
             Path
             of
             Sin
             ,
             another
             thing
             for
             him
             to
             be
             led
             out
             of
             the
             way
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             by
             the
             violence
             of
             a
             Temptation
             ,
             which
             he
             soon
             recovers
             by
             a
             sincere
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             THE
             Best
             cannot
             but
             he
             overtaken
             with
             Sin
             :
             But
             ,
             
               He
               that
               is
               Born
               of
               God
               ,
               doth
               not
               commit
               Sin
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             3.9
             .
             He
             may
             be
             transported
             ,
             but
             makes
             not
             a
             Custom
             of
             doing
             ill
             :
             His
             Heart
             is
             against
             that
             ,
             his
             Hand
             is
             drawn
             to
             :
             And
             if
             in
             this
             inward
             Strife
             he
             is
             over-power'd
             ,
             he
             lyes
             not
             down
             with
             a
             willing
             Mind
             ,
             but
             struggles
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             reassumed
             Courage
             ,
             tramples
             on
             that
             which
             formerly
             supplanted
             him
             .
             Didst
             thou
             give
             thy self
             to
             a
             resolved
             course
             of
             Sinning
             ,
             and
             betwixt
             whiles
             smite
             thy
             Breast
             with
             a
             formal
             
               God
               forgive
               me
            
             ,
             I
             should
             have
             no
             Comfort
             for
             thee
             ,
             but
             rather
             send
             thee
             to
             an
             afflictious
             Remedy
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             for
             Correction
             ,
             if
             possibly
             those
             Stripes
             may
             prevent
             thine
             Everlasting
             Torments
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             BUT
             now
             ,
             since
             
               What
               thou
               hatest
               ,
               that
               thou
               dost
               ;
               and
               thou
               dost
               that
               which
               thou
               wouldst
               not
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               no
               more
               thou
               that
               dost
               it
               ,
               but
               Sin
               that
               dwels
               in
               thee
               ,
            
             Rom.
             7.19
             ,
             20.
             
             Exclaim
             as
             much
             as
             thou
             wilt
             on
             the
             sinfulness
             of
             thy
             Sin
             ,
             bewail
             thy
             Weakness
             with
             a
             better
             Man
             than
             thy self
             :
             
               O
               wretched
               Man
               that
               I
               am
               ,
               who
               shall
               deliver
               me
               from
               the
               Body
               of
               this
               Death
               ,
            
             Rom.
             7.24
             .
             But
             know
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             found
             Mercy
             with
             God
             :
             Thy
             repeated
             Sin
             may
             grieve
             ,
             but
             cannot
             prejudice
             thy
             Soul.
             Had
             we
             to
             do
             with
             a
             Finite
             Compassion
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             abated
             ,
             by
             wasting
             it self
             on
             a
             frequent
             Remission
             ,
             as
             a
             great
             River
             may
             be
             drawn
             dry
             by
             many
             small
             Out-lets
             :
             But
             now
             that
             we
             deal
             with
             a
             God
             ,
             whose
             Mercy
             is
             Infinite
             ;
             it
             is
             not
             the
             greatness
             ,
             or
             number
             of
             our
             Offences
             ,
             that
             makes
             a
             difference
             in
             his
             free
             Remission
             :
             That
             God
             ,
             who
             hath
             charged
             our
             weak
             Charity
             .
             
               Not
               to
               be
               overcome
               of
               Evil
               ,
               but
               to
               overcome
               Evil
               with
               Good
               ,
            
             
             Rom.
             12.21
             .
             justly
             scorneth
             that
             we
             should
             imagine
             his
             Infinite
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Goodness
             ,
             can
             be
             check't
             with
             our
             Evil.
             
          
           
             15.
             
             IT
             was
             not
             without
             a
             singular
             Providence
             ,
             that
             St.
             Peter
             came
             to
             our
             Saviour
             with
             that
             Question
             in
             his
             Mouth
             ;
             
               Lord
               ,
               How
               often
               shall
               my
               Brother
               sin
               against
               me
               ,
               and
               I
               forgive
               him
               ,
               till
               seven
               times
               ?
            
             That
             it
             might
             produce
             this
             Gracious
             Answer
             ,
             for
             our
             perpetual
             Comfort
             :
             
               I
               say
               not
               unto
               thee
               ,
               until
               seven
               times
               ,
               but
               until
               seventy
               times
               seven
               ,
            
             Matth.
             18.21
             ,
             22.
             
             Lord
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             have
             us
             sinful
             Creatures
             ,
             indulgent
             to
             one
             another
             ,
             in
             our
             Mutual
             Offences
             ;
             what
             Limits
             can
             be
             set
             to
             thy
             Mercies
             in
             our
             Sins
             against
             Thee
             ?
             Be
             we
             Penitent
             ,
             for
             thou
             art
             Gracious
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               against
               Temptations
               .
            
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               art
               the
               God
               of
               my
               Strength
               ,
               and
               to
               thee
               alone
               ,
               I
               fly
               for
               refuge
               ;
               the
               Tempter
               is
               now
               busie
               ,
               and
               labours
               to
               undermine
               me
               ,
               and
               more
               especially
               when
               I
               least
               suspect
               him
               :
               But
               ,
               O
               let
               me
               be
               always
               ready
               to
               meet
               him
               in
               the
               Gate
               ,
               before
               he
               advances
               too
               far
               upon
               me
               :
               Let
               not
               a
               Supine
               carelessness
               seize
               upon
               my
               Spirits
               ,
               but
               excite
               me
               to
               Vigilancy
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               stand
               upon
               my
               Guard
               ever
               prepared
               to
               resist
               him
               ,
               even
               in
               the
               beginning
               of
               his
               first
               Assaults
               ;
               Lord
               ,
               grant
               I
               may
               be
               fortified
               with
               Faith
               ,
               Courage
               and
               Resolution
               ,
               so
               that
               with
               the
               Assistance
               of
               thy
               Grace
               ,
               I
               may
               gain
               the
               Conquest
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               FURNISH
               me
               with
               thy
               compleat
               Armour
               ,
               the
               Helmet
               of
               Salvation
               ,
               the
               Sword
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               the
               Shield
               of
               Faith
               whereby
               Satan
               may
               be
               vanquished
               ;
               do
               thou
               Arm
               and
               so
               Strengthen
               me
               with
               thy
               Grace
               ,
               that
               through
               the
               Power
               of
               thy
               Might
               ,
               I
               may
               prevail
               against
               him
               ,
               and
               put
               him
               to
               flight
               ,
               when
               he
               is
               intending
               the
               greatest
               mischief
               ,
               and
               most
               advantage
               against
               me
               ;
               so
               
               shall
               I
               sing
               Praises
               unto
               thy
               Name
               ,
               both
               now
               and
               ever
               ;
               and
               teach
               others
               to
               resort
               unto
               thee
               in
               their
               greatest
               dangers
               ,
               and
               hardst
               Conflicts
               ,
               even
               then
               when
               the
               powers
               of
               darkness
               shall
               most
               obstruct
               them
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             V.
             Imbecillity
             of
             Grace
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             complainest
             of
             the
             
               Imbecillity
               of
               Grace
            
             :
             Some
             little
             motions
             thou
             art
             sensible
             of
             
             God's
             Spirit
             ;
             but
             so
             insignificant
             ,
             that
             thou
             canst
             not
             find
             any
             solid
             Comfort
             .
             Thou
             seest
             others
             (
             thou
             say'st
             )
             whose
             
               Breasts
               are
               full
               of
               Milk
               ,
               and
               their
               Bones
               moistned
               with
               Marrow
               ,
            
             Job
             21.24
             .
             whil'st
             thou
             languishest
             under
             a
             Spiritual
             Leanness
             and
             Imbecillity
             .
             Thou
             wantest
             that
             vigorous
             Heat
             of
             holy
             Affections
             ,
             and
             that
             Alacrity
             in
             the
             Performance
             of
             Holy
             Duties
             ,
             which
             thou
             observest
             in
             other
             Christians
             .
             I
             like
             this
             Complaint
             ,
             and
             tell
             thee
             ,
             That
             without
             this
             ,
             thou
             could'st
             not
             be
             in
             the
             way
             to
             happiness
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THINK'ST
             thou
             ,
             that
             those
             whom
             thou
             esteem'st
             eminent
             in
             Grace
             ,
             make
             not
             the
             same
             moan
             that
             thou
             do'st
             ?
             Certainly
             ,
             they
             never
             had
             any
             ,
             if
             they
             did
             not
             complain
             of
             too
             little
             .
             Every
             Man
             is
             sensible
             of
             his
             own
             wants
             ,
             and
             ready
             to
             pass
             secret
             Censures
             upon
             himself
             for
             being
             applauded
             by
             others
             .
             Even
             the
             Man
             after
             God's
             own
             heart
             ,
             can
             say
             ,
             
               But
               I
               am
               Poor
               and
               Sorrowful
               ,
            
             Psal.
             69.29
             .
             He
             was
             a
             great
             King
             when
             he
             said
             so
             ;
             it
             was
             not
             Meaness
             in
             Estate
             ,
             that
             troubled
             him
             ;
             but
             a
             Spiritual
             Necessity
             :
             For
             he
             had
             before
             ,
             in
             the
             same
             Heavenly
             Anthem
             professed
             ;
             
               O
               God
               ,
               thou
               knowest
               my
               Foolishness
               ,
               and
               my
               Guiltiness
               is
               not
               hid
               from
               
               thee
               ,
            
             Psal.
             69.5
             .
             It
             was
             an
             old
             Observation
             of
             Wise
             
               Solomon
               ;
               There
               is
               that
               maketh
               himself
               Rich
               ▪
               and
               hath
               nothing
               ;
               there
               is
               that
               maketh
               himself
               Poor
               ,
               yet
               hath
               great
               Riches
               ,
            
             Prov.
             13.7
             .
             In
             this
             latter
             Rank
             are
             many
             Pious
             Souls
             ,
             and
             thine
             (
             I
             hope
             )
             for
             one
             ;
             who
             certainly
             had
             never
             been
             so
             Rich
             in
             Grace
             ,
             if
             they
             had
             been
             conceited
             of
             greater
             Store
             :
             Even
             in
             this
             Sense
             many
             a
             Saint
             may
             say
             with
             St.
             
               Paul
               ,
               When
               I
               am
               weak
               ,
               then
               I
               am
               strong
            
             ;
             since
             the
             Complaint
             of
             Weakness
             ,
             argues
             Strength
             :
             And
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             an
             Opinion
             of
             sufficient
             Grace
             ,
             is
             an
             Evident
             Conviction
             of
             meer
             Emptiness
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             suppose
             thy self
             so
             poor
             as
             thou
             pretendest
             ;
             it
             is
             not
             so
             much
             what
             we
             have
             ,
             as
             how
             we
             improve
             it
             .
             How
             many
             have
             we
             known
             ,
             that
             have
             grown
             Rich
             out
             of
             a
             little
             ;
             and
             others
             ,
             out
             of
             a
             great
             Stock
             ,
             have
             run
             to
             Beggary
             ?
             Had
             that
             Servant
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             with
             
               One
               Talent
            
             ,
             imploy'd
             it
             to
             the
             Gain
             of
             a
             Second
             ,
             he
             had
             been
             proportionably
             as
             well
             rewarded
             ,
             as
             he
             that
             with
             Five
             gain'd
             Ten.
             In
             our
             Temporal
             Estate
             ,
             we
             are
             warned
             by
             the
             Wisest
             Man
             ,
             to
             
               Take
               heed
               of
               making
               haste
               to
               be
               Rich
               ,
            
             Prov.
             28.20
             .
             And
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               That
               he
               that
               would
               be
               Rich
               ,
               falls
               into
               many
               Temptations
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             6.9
             .
             Surely
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             small
             danger
             also
             ,
             in
             affecting
             to
             be
             too
             suddenly
             Rich
             in
             the
             Endowments
             of
             the
             Soul
             :
             This
             cannot
             but
             be
             accompanied
             with
             the
             Temptation
             of
             an
             unthankful
             distrust
             :
             For
             he
             that
             believes
             makes
             not
             haste
             ;
             and
             we
             cannot
             be
             sufficiently
             thankful
             for
             what
             we
             have
             ,
             whil'st
             we
             do
             over
             eagerly
             reach
             after
             what
             we
             have
             not
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             TELL
             me
             ,
             thou
             Querulous
             Soul
             ,
             dost
             thou
             not
             acknowledge
             what
             thou
             receivest
             to
             be
             
             God
             ●s
             Gift
             ?
             And
             wilt
             thou
             not
             allow
             the
             Benefactor
             of
             Heav'n
             ,
             to
             Dispense
             his
             Favours
             as
             he
             pleaseth
             ?
             If
             he
             think
             fit
             to
             fill
             thy
             Vessel
             with
             drops
             of
             Grace
             ,
             art
             thou
             discontented
             ,
             because
             he
             pours
             not
             out
             his
             
             Spirit
             in
             full
             Vials
             ?
             If
             thou
             enjoys
             any
             ,
             it
             is
             his
             bounty
             ,
             and
             more
             than
             thou
             canst
             repay
             him
             :
             Take
             what
             thou
             hast
             ,
             as
             an
             Earnest
             of
             more
             ;
             and
             wait
             thankfully
             upon
             his
             Bounty
             for
             the
             rest
             :
             Is
             it
             not
             convenient
             in
             a
             free
             Gift
             ,
             to
             attend
             the
             leisure
             of
             the
             Donor
             ?
             What
             sturdy
             Beggars
             are
             we
             ,
             not
             to
             stay
             at
             the
             Door
             till
             we
             be
             served
             ;
             and
             grudge
             at
             our
             Alms
             ,
             when
             it
             comes
             ?
             Look
             upon
             Abraham
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             find
             him
             fourscore
             and
             six
             Years
             Childless
             ;
             and
             after
             he
             had
             got
             Ishmael
             ,
             he
             waited
             fourteen
             Years
             for
             the
             Promised
             Seed
             ;
             and
             when
             he
             had
             enjoy'd
             him
             not
             longer
             than
             he
             expected
             him
             ,
             he
             must
             Sacrifice
             him
             to
             the
             Giver
             .
             Thus
             must
             our
             Faith
             be
             exercised
             for
             Time
             and
             Measure
             of
             Mercy
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THY
             Graces
             are
             weak
             ;
             yet
             discomfort
             not
             thy self
             :
             How
             many
             frail
             Bodies
             have
             we
             known
             ,
             which
             with
             careful
             Tendance
             ,
             have
             been
             Healthier
             than
             those
             of
             grosser
             Constitutions
             .
             Neither
             is
             it
             otherwise
             in
             the
             Soul
             :
             Soundness
             of
             heart
             ,
             is
             Health
             ;
             Increas'd
             Degrees
             of
             Grace
             ,
             make
             up
             the
             Strength
             of
             that
             Spiritual
             Part
             :
             If
             thou
             have
             this
             Health
             tenderly
             observed
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             be
             happy
             in
             thy
             Maker
             ,
             although
             more
             happy
             in
             a
             Comfortable
             Sense
             of
             a
             stronger
             Fruition
             .
             We
             have
             to
             do
             with
             a
             God
             that
             minds
             not
             Quantity
             ,
             as
             Truth
             of
             Repentance
             .
             He
             knows
             we
             have
             nothing
             ,
             but
             what
             he
             gives
             us
             ,
             and
             enables
             us
             to
             improve
             :
             And
             where
             he
             sees
             our
             Wills
             and
             Endeavours
             not
             wanting
             ,
             he
             is
             ready
             to
             accept
             and
             crown
             his
             own
             Gifts
             in
             us
             .
             
               He
               will
               not
               break
               the
               Bruised
               Reed
               ,
               nor
               quench
               the
               Smoaking
               Flax
               ,
            
             Matth.
             12.20
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             art
             weak
             in
             Grace
             :
             Be
             not
             dismay'd
             ;
             there
             are
             all
             Ages
             ,
             all
             Statures
             in
             Christ.
             Shall
             the
             Child
             repine
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             not
             grown
             a
             Man
             ?
             Shall
             the
             Dwarf
             quarrel
             that
             he
             is
             not
             a
             Giant
             ?
             Were
             there
             a
             Standard
             of
             Graces
             ,
             less
             than
             is
             required
             
             and
             would
             not
             be
             accepted
             ,
             thou
             hadst
             reason
             to
             be
             troubled
             :
             But
             it
             is
             so
             far
             from
             that
             ,
             as
             that
             our
             Saviour
             hath
             encharged
             ;
             
               Suffer
               little
               Children
               to
               come
               unto
               me
               ,
               and
               forbid
               them
               not
               ;
               for
               of
               such
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Mat.
             19.14
             .
             In
             some
             Legal
             Oblations
             ,
             it
             pleased
             God
             to
             regard
             Time
             and
             Age
             :
             
               The
               Lamb
               for
               the
               Passover
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               Peace-Offering
               ,
            
             Lev.
             3.7
             .
             
               The
               Bullock
               for
               the
               Sin-Offering
               of
            
             Israel
             ,
             Lev.
             4.14
             .
             have
             their
             Date
             assign'd
             :
             And
             in
             diverse
             Cases
             ,
             he
             hath
             called
             for
             
               Two
               Turtle
               Doves
               ,
               or
               two
               Young
               Pigeons
               ,
            
             Lev.
             1.14
             .
             Lev.
             5.7
             ,
             11.
             
             Lev.
             12.8
             .
             Lev.
             15.14
             .
             Young
             Turtles
             ,
             and
             Old
             Doves
             ,
             (
             according
             to
             our
             Jewish
             Doctors
             )
             were
             unlawful
             to
             be
             offered
             :
             But
             in
             Spiritual
             Sacrifices
             ;
             he
             that
             is
             Eternal
             regards
             not
             Time
             ,
             nor
             Statures
             :
             For
             the
             Eleventh
             Hour
             ,
             carried
             the
             Peny
             as
             well
             as
             the
             First
             :
             
               And
               let
               the
               weak
               say
               ,
               I
               am
               strong
               ,
            
             Joel
             3.10
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             IT
             perplexes
             thee
             ,
             thou
             hast
             made
             so
             slow
             a
             Progress
             in
             Graces
             :
             Thy
             desire
             is
             Heav'n-ward
             ,
             and
             thou
             checkest
             thy self
             for
             want
             to
             Celerity
             :
             It
             is
             an
             happy
             Ambition
             ,
             that
             wings
             thee
             to
             Blessedness
             .
             Quicken
             thy self
             ,
             with
             Gracious
             Incitations
             ;
             but
             observe
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             go
             a
             full
             Career
             :
             For
             that
             Passage
             admits
             not
             of
             haste
             :
             How
             many
             have
             we
             known
             ,
             by
             much
             forwardness
             ,
             have
             been
             rejected
             in
             their
             Journey
             ,
             whether
             by
             mistaking
             their
             Way
             ,
             or
             misplacing
             their
             Steps
             ?
             But
             I
             am
             glad
             it
             is
             the
             desire
             of
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             to
             
               Run
               the
               way
               of
            
             God's
             Commandments
             ,
             Psal
             119.32
             .
             and
             do
             encourage
             thy
             Zeal
             ,
             in
             pursuing
             that
             Holy
             Race
             ;
             ever
             praying
             thou
             may'st
             
               so
               run
               ,
               as
               that
               thou
               may'st
               obtain
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             9.24
             .
             But
             withal
             ,
             I
             tell
             thee
             ,
             that
             ,
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               Man
               ,
               that
               doth
               but
               walk
               in
               the
               Law
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.1
             .
             Whil'st
             thou
             passest
             on
             ,
             though
             but
             a
             Foot-pace
             ,
             thou
             art
             every
             step
             nearer
             to
             Glory
             :
             And
             if
             thou
             gain'st
             ground
             ,
             thou
             art
             secure
             .
             
               Blessed
               is
               the
               Man
               ,
               whose
               Strength
               is
               in
               Thee
               ,
               O
            
             God
             ;
             
               in
               whose
               heart
               are
               
               thy
               Ways
               ;
               who
               passing
               through
               the
               Vale
               of
               Misery
               ,
               goes
               on
               from
               Strength
               to
               Strength
               ,
               till
               he
               appear
               before
               Thee
               his
            
             God
             in
             Zion
             ,
             Psal.
             84.5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             THY
             Grace
             is
             diminutive
             ;
             but
             thou
             labourest
             for
             more
             :
             This
             is
             a
             good
             Beginning
             of
             Heavenly
             Treasure
             :
             For
             he
             is
             in
             a
             way
             to
             Riches
             ,
             that
             desires
             to
             thrive
             ;
             and
             never
             any
             Holy
             Soul
             lost
             her
             Longing
             .
             If
             thy
             Wishes
             be
             hearty
             ,
             thou
             hast
             thy
             desire
             ,
             or
             shalt
             be
             assur'd
             of
             it
             .
             
               If
               any
               Man
               lack
               Wisdom
               ,
               let
               him
               ask
               it
               of
            
             God
             ;
             
               who
               giveth
               to
               all
               Men
               liberally
               ,
               and
               upbraideth
               no
               Man
               ;
               and
               it
               shall
               be
               given
               him
               ,
            
             Jam.
             1.5
             .
             Were
             this
             Condition
             offer'd
             for
             Temporal
             Riches
             ,
             who
             would
             be
             Poor
             ?
             And
             if
             we
             embrace
             it
             not
             in
             Spirituals
             ,
             we
             distrust
             the
             Promises
             ,
             or
             neglect
             Mercies
             .
             In
             Temporal
             things
             ,
             how
             many
             have
             so
             eagerly
             Chased
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             over-run
             it
             ;
             and
             whil'st
             they
             greedily
             swallowed
             Gain
             ,
             have
             been
             choak'd
             ?
             But
             in
             better
             Blessings
             ,
             earnestness
             of
             Desire
             ,
             and
             fervour
             of
             Prosecution
             ,
             was
             always
             answered
             with
             a
             Gracious
             Impetration
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             art
             poor
             in
             Spirit
             ;
             but
             in
             an
             humble
             Dejection
             ,
             long'st
             for
             more
             :
             Know
             ,
             that
             an
             humble
             Poverty
             ,
             is
             better
             than
             a
             proud
             Fulness
             :
             Wert
             thou
             Poor
             and
             Proud
             ,
             there
             were
             no
             hope
             of
             thy
             Proficiency
             :
             Thy
             false
             Conception
             lyes
             in
             the
             way
             of
             thy
             Improvement
             ;
             and
             many
             a
             one
             had
             been
             Gracious
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             esteem'd
             themselves
             :
             But
             now
             thou
             art
             Meaner
             in
             thine
             Opinion
             ,
             than
             in
             thine
             Estate
             ,
             who
             can
             more
             justly
             claim
             our
             Saviours
             Blessing
             ;
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               poor
               in
               Spirit
               ,
               for
               theirs
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ?
            
             Mat.
             5.3
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             THOU
             art
             weak
             in
             heart
             :
             It
             is
             thine
             own
             Fault
             ,
             if
             thou
             acquir'st
             not
             more
             Strength
             .
             Wherefore
             is
             that
             Heavenly
             Food
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             but
             to
             nourish
             thy
             Soul
             to
             Eternal
             Life
             ?
             Do
             but
             Eat
             and
             Digest
             ,
             and
             thou
             wilt
             grow
             stronger
             
             God
             will
             not
             be
             wanting
             to
             thee
             in
             an
             Increase
             of
             Grace
             ,
             if
             thou
             art
             not
             wanting
             to
             thy self
             :
             He
             offers
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             with
             the
             Means
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             thy
             neglect
             if
             thou
             separate
             '
             em
             .
             Thou
             knowest
             in
             whose
             hands
             is
             the
             Staff
             of
             Bread
             ,
             pray
             ,
             That
             he
             who
             gives
             thee
             Food
             ,
             and
             Mouth
             ,
             would
             also
             give
             thee
             Appetite
             ,
             Digestion
             ,
             and
             Nourishment
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THY
             Spirit
             is
             weak
             :
             It
             concerns
             thee
             highly
             to
             be
             cautious
             ,
             in
             avoiding
             occasions
             of
             Temptation
             .
             He
             that
             carries
             brittle
             Glasses
             ,
             is
             careful
             lest
             they
             should
             break
             ;
             whereas
             strong
             Metal
             fears
             no
             danger
             :
             So
             he
             that
             has
             a
             small
             Rush-Light
             ,
             walks
             gently
             ,
             and
             keeps
             off
             every
             Air.
             Thou
             art
             weak
             ,
             thy
             God
             is
             strong
             .
             Do'st
             thou
             not
             see
             the
             Infant
             that
             cannot
             go
             alone
             ,
             how
             fast
             he
             clings
             to
             the
             hand
             of
             his
             Mother
             ;
             more
             trusting
             to
             her
             help
             ,
             than
             his
             own
             Strength
             ?
             Do
             thou
             so
             to
             thy
             God
             ;
             and
             say
             with
             the
             Blessed
             Psalmist
             ;
             
               Hold
               up
               my
               goings
               in
               thy
               Paths
               ,
               that
               my
               Foot-steps
               slip
               not
               ,
            
             Psal.
             17.5
             .
             
               Hold
               thou
               me
               up
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               be
               safe
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.117
             ,
             
               Uphold
               me
               according
               to
               thy
               Word
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               live
               ,
               and
               let
               me
               not
               be
               ashamed
               of
               my
               Hope
               ,
            
             Psal.
             119.116
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             St.
             Peter
             was
             presumptuous
             ,
             in
             attempting
             to
             tread
             on
             the
             Waters
             :
             But
             he
             that
             ventured
             to
             walk
             there
             ,
             upon
             the
             Strength
             of
             his
             Faith
             ,
             when
             he
             felt
             the
             stiff
             Wind
             ,
             and
             saw
             the
             great
             Billow
             ,
             began
             to
             sink
             in
             his
             Weakness
             :
             But
             no
             sooner
             had
             Jesus
             stretch'd
             forth
             his
             hand
             ,
             and
             caught
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             takes
             Courage
             ,
             and
             goes
             now
             with
             the
             same
             assurance
             upon
             the
             Sea
             ,
             as
             he
             on
             the
             Land
             :
             And
             with
             a
             Check
             ,
             receives
             more
             Supportation
             from
             Christ
             than
             his
             own
             Limbs
             could
             afford
             him
             ,
             Mat.
             14.29
             ,
             30
             ,
             31.
             
             Fear
             no
             Miscarriage
             ,
             through
             thine
             own
             weakness
             ,
             whilst
             thou
             art
             supported
             by
             that
             Strong
             Helper
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               Grace
               .
            
             
               O
               LORD
               ,
               who
               art
               the
               Author
               of
               all
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               from
               whom
               cometh
               every
               good
               and
               perfect
               Gift
               ,
               make
               me
               to
               discern
               aright
               what
               Grace
               thou
               hast
               vouchsafed
               unto
               me
               ,
               and
               learn
               me
               to
               be
               truly
               thankful
               for
               the
               same
               ,
               and
               to
               Glorifie
               thee
               ,
               the
               only
               giver
               of
               it
               ;
               so
               likewise
               to
               use
               my
               utmost
               diligence
               in
               the
               performance
               of
               those
               Duties
               which
               thou
               requirest
               of
               me
               :
               That
               when
               thou
               shalt
               Summon
               me
               to
               a
               Reckoning
               for
               the
               use
               of
               that
               Talent
               committed
               to
               me
               ,
               I
               may
               give
               in
               my
               Accounts
               ,
               and
               be
               plentifully
               Rewarded
               ,
               by
               entering
               into
               that
               Joy
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               prepared
               for
               all
               thy
               Servants
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               GRANT
               that
               I
               may
               ever
               use
               that
               measure
               of
               Grace
               thou
               hast
               allotted
               to
               me
               ,
               and
               restrain
               me
               from
               turning
               of
               it
               into
               Wantonness
               :
               Let
               me
               be
               content
               with
               that
               Portion
               which
               thou
               in
               thy
               Wisdom
               and
               Goodness
               hast
               endowed
               me
               withal
               ,
               and
               not
               plead
               Ignorance
               and
               contemn
               its
               Insufficiency
               ;
               neither
               let
               me
               Envy
               those
               that
               haeve
               received
               more
               ,
               lest
               I
               repine
               against
               thee
               ;
               nor
               despise
               those
               which
               have
               attained
               less
               ,
               lest
               I
               incur
               thy
               Displeasure
               ,
               and
               cause
               thee
               in
               Justice
               ,
               to
               withdraw
               that
               Grace
               from
               me
               ,
               which
               in
               Mercy
               thou
               hast
               freely
               given
               me
               ,
               and
               bestow
               it
               upon
               those
               who
               would
               make
               better
               use
               of
               it
               :
               But
               Lord
               ,
               Sanctifie
               unto
               me
               all
               thy
               Gifts
               and
               Graces
               to
               my
               Lifes
               end
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VI.
             Loss
             of
             Reputation
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             NEXT
             to
             our
             Body
             and
             Soul.
             is
             the
             Care
             of
             our
             Reputation
             ;
             which
             lost
             ,
             we
             are
             dead
             to
             the
             World.
             Thou
             sufferest
             under
             a
             Publick
             Infamy
             ;
             
             I
             do
             not
             ask
             how
             justly
             :
             He
             was
             wise
             that
             said
             ,
             It
             was
             fit
             for
             every
             Good
             Man
             to
             fear
             a
             false
             Reproach
             :
             A
             good
             Name
             is
             no
             less
             wounded
             for
             the
             time
             with
             that
             ,
             than
             with
             a
             just
             Crimination
             .
             This
             is
             a
             sore
             Evil
             ;
             against
             which
             there
             is
             no
             Preservative
             ,
             nor
             hardly
             can
             be
             prescrib'd
             any
             Remedy
             :
             Innocence
             it self
             ,
             is
             no
             Antidote
             against
             Malicious
             Tongues
             :
             Neither
             Grandeur
             nor
             Sanctity
             ,
             can
             secure
             any
             from
             unjust
             Calumny
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             MIGHT
             that
             be
             any
             Ease
             to
             thee
             ,
             I
             could
             tell
             thee
             of
             Kings
             and
             Saints
             ,
             that
             have
             complain'd
             of
             this
             Misfortune
             ,
             and
             yet
             were
             not
             able
             to
             resist
             it
             .
             Thou
             hast
             the
             Company
             of
             the
             best
             ,
             if
             that
             mitigates
             thy
             Misery
             .
             But
             what
             do
             I
             speak
             of
             Mortals
             ,
             whose
             greatest
             Purity
             might
             be
             blurr'd
             with
             some
             Imperfections
             ?
             Look
             upon
             the
             
               Lord
               of
               Life
               ,
               the
               Eternal
               Son
               of
               the
               ever
               living
               God
               ,
               God
            
             cloathed
             in
             Flesh
             ;
             and
             see
             whether
             any
             other
             were
             his
             Lot
             ,
             in
             this
             Region
             of
             Mortality
             :
             Dost
             thou
             not
             hear
             for
             his
             Gracious
             Sociableness
             ,
             branded
             as
             
               Gluttonous
               ,
               a
               Wine-bibber
               ,
               a
               Friend
               of
               Publicans
               and
               Sinners
            
             ?
             Mat.
             11.19
             .
             For
             his
             Powerful
             and
             Merciful
             Cure
             of
             Demoniacks
             ,
             blazon'd
             for
             a
             Fellow
             that
             
               Casts
               out
               Devils
               through
               Beelzebub
               the
               Prince
               of
               Devils
            
             ?
             Mat.
             12.24
             .
             Was
             not
             he
             slandred
             to
             death
             for
             
               Treason
               against
            
             Caesar
             ,
             
               and
               Blasphemy
               against
            
             God
             ?
             John
             19.12
             .
             Mat.
             26.65
             .
             Did
             not
             the
             Multitude
             say
             ,
             
               He
               is
               mad
               and
               hath
               a
               Devil
            
             ?
             John
             10.20
             .
             Was
             he
             not
             after
             his
             Death
             counted
             an
             
               Impostor
               ?
               Mat.
            
             27.63
             .
             And
             can
             there
             be
             worse
             Names
             ,
             than
             
               Glutton
               ,
               Drunkard
               ,
               Conjurer
            
             ,
             and
             
               Traytor
               ,
               Blasphemer
               ,
               Mad-man
               ,
               Demoniack
               ,
            
             and
             Impostor
             ?
             Who
             then
             can
             think
             much
             to
             be
             slandered
             with
             meaner
             Crimes
             ,
             when
             he
             hears
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             in
             whom
             
               The
               Prince
               of
               this
               World
               could
               find
               nothing
               ,
            
             laden
             with
             so
             hainous
             Calumniations
             ?
             John
             14.30
             .
          
           
           
             3.
             
             THOU
             art
             smitten
             with
             a
             sordid
             Tongue
             ;
             which
             penetrates
             into
             thy
             Soul.
             That
             Person
             gave
             a
             high
             praise
             to
             his
             Sword
             ,
             that
             affirm'd
             ,
             It
             was
             sharper
             than
             Slander
             :
             And
             if
             a
             Razor
             proves
             sharper
             ,
             yet
             short
             of
             the
             Edomites
             Tongue
             ,
             Psal.
             52.2
             .
             And
             if
             these
             Weapons
             reach
             not
             far
             enough
             ,
             he
             found
             both
             
               Spears
               and
               Arrows
            
             in
             the
             Mouths
             of
             his
             Traducers
             ,
             Psal.
             57.4
             .
             Thou
             art
             in
             the
             same
             Circumstance
             with
             David
             :
             What
             should'st
             thou
             do
             ,
             but
             for
             his
             Complaint
             ,
             use
             his
             Remedy
             ?
             
               I
               will
               cry
               unto
            
             God
             
               most
               high
               ,
               unto
            
             God
             
               that
               performeth
               all
               things
               for
               me
               :
               He
               shall
               send
               from
               Heav'n
               ,
               and
               save
               me
               from
               the
               Reproach
               of
               him
               that
               would
               swallow
               me
               up
               :
            
             God
             
               shall
               send
               forth
               his
               Mercy
               ,
               and
               his
               Truth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             57.2
             ,
             3.
             
             Do
             by
             thy
             Reproaches
             ,
             as
             Hezekiah
             did
             by
             the
             Railing
             Lines
             of
             Rabshakeh
             ,
             spread
             them
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             leave
             thy
             Cause
             in
             the
             just
             hands
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             who
             will
             in
             his
             good
             time
             ,
             revenge
             thy
             Wrong
             ,
             and
             clear
             thine
             Innocency
             :
             and
             requite
             thee
             Good
             for
             their
             Malice
             and
             Envy
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             IN
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             thou
             complain'st
             of
             being
             blemish'd
             with
             an
             odious
             Aspersion
             ,
             and
             thy
             Name
             repeated
             by
             many
             censorious
             Mouths
             .
             Thou
             hearest
             what
             others
             say
             ;
             but
             do'st
             thou
             make
             a
             particular
             Search
             in
             thine
             own
             Bosom
             ?
             If
             thy
             Conscience
             acquit
             thee
             ,
             obdure
             thy
             Face
             against
             all
             Spight
             of
             Malice
             .
             What
             is
             ill
             Fame
             ,
             but
             an
             unsavory
             Breath
             ?
             Do
             but
             turn
             thine
             Ear
             from
             the
             Reception
             ,
             and
             what
             art
             thou
             the
             worse
             ?
             It
             is
             thy
             Weakness
             to
             suffer
             thy self
             to
             be
             blown
             over
             by
             the
             Air
             of
             some
             putrified
             Lungs
             ;
             which
             if
             thou
             dost
             but
             decline
             ,
             by
             not
             valuing
             it
             ,
             will
             soon
             vanish
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THOU
             art
             under
             ill
             Tongues
             :
             This
             is
             an
             Evil
             proper
             only
             to
             Man
             :
             Other
             Creatures
             are
             subject
             to
             Diseases
             ,
             Death
             ,
             or
             outward
             Violence
             ;
             but
             they
             cannot
             be
             obnoxious
             to
             Detraction
             ,
             since
             they
             are
             not
             capable
             of
             Speech
             ;
             whereby
             a
             Slander
             can
             
             be
             form'd
             :
             They
             have
             their
             several
             Sounds
             and
             Notes
             of
             Expression
             ,
             whereby
             they
             signifie
             their
             Dislike
             and
             Anger
             :
             But
             only
             Man
             can
             cloath
             his
             angry
             Thoughts
             with
             Words
             of
             Offence
             ;
             so
             that
             Faculty
             ,
             which
             was
             given
             him
             for
             an
             Advantage
             ,
             is
             depraved
             to
             a
             further
             Mischief
             .
             But
             the
             Liberal
             Hand
             of
             his
             Creator
             ,
             hath
             also
             endued
             him
             with
             a
             Property
             of
             Reason
             ;
             which
             as
             it
             directs
             his
             Tongue
             to
             others
             ,
             so
             it
             instructs
             him
             to
             make
             use
             of
             other
             Speeches
             to
             him
             :
             And
             where
             he
             finds
             it
             unjust
             ,
             either
             to
             convince
             it
             by
             a
             just
             Apology
             ,
             or
             to
             contemn
             it
             .
             If
             therefore
             thou
             understandest
             thy self
             to
             lye
             under
             an
             unjust
             Obloquy
             ,
             have
             so
             much
             of
             the
             Man
             as
             to
             confute
             ,
             or
             despise
             it
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             art
             shamefully
             traduced
             :
             But
             give
             me
             leave
             to
             enquire
             not
             what
             thou
             suffe●est
             ,
             but
             for
             what
             :
             If
             for
             a
             good
             Cause
             ,
             I
             shall
             turn
             my
             Pity
             to
             Envy
             :
             Truth
             it self
             hath
             told
             thee
             ,
             Thou
             art
             in
             the
             way
             to
             Blessedness
             ,
             who
             can
             pity
             thee
             for
             that
             ,
             wherein
             thou
             hast
             cause
             to
             rejoyce
             ?
             
               Blessed
               are
               ye
               when
               Men
               revile
               you
               ,
               and
               persecute
               you
               ,
               and
               shall
               say
               all
               manner
               of
               Evil
               against
               you
               falsly
               ,
               for
               my
               sake
               ;
               rejoyce
               ,
               and
               be
               exceeding
               glad
               ,
               for
               great
               is
               your
               reward
               in
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Mat.
             5.11
             .
             Rather
             pluck
             up
             thy
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             take
             up
             the
             Resolution
             of
             holy
             Job
             ,
             that
             Man
             of
             
               Patience
               :
               If
               mine
               Adversary
               had
               written
               a
               Book
               against
               me
               ,
               surely
               I
               would
               take
               it
               upon
               my
               Shoulders
               ,
               and
               bind
               it
               as
               a
               Crown
               to
               me
               ,
            
             Job
             31.35
             ,
             36.
             
             And
             say
             ,
             with
             that
             gracious
             King
             of
             
               Israel
               ;
               I
               will
               be
               yet
               more
               vile
               for
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             6.22
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             art
             reproach'd
             by
             lewd
             Men
             :
             Thank
             thy
             Vertue
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             envyed
             .
             Wert
             thou
             so
             bad
             as
             thy
             Detractors
             ,
             thou
             would'st
             sit
             quiet
             enough
             .
             
               If
               we
               were
               of
               the
               World
               ,
            
             (
             saith
             our
             
               Saviour
               )
               the
               World
               would
               love
               his
               own
               :
               But
               because
               ye
               are
               not
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               I
               have
               chosen
               you
               out
               of
               the
               World
               ;
               therefore
               the
               World
               hateth
               you
               ,
            
             John
             15.19
             .
             Whil'st
             
             the
             Moon
             sets
             ,
             no
             Dogs
             bark
             at
             her
             ;
             it
             is
             her
             Shining
             that
             opens
             their
             Mouths
             :
             Wert
             thou
             Obscure
             or
             Wicked
             ,
             thou
             mightest
             be
             safe
             ;
             but
             if
             thou
             wilt
             be
             eminently
             Good
             ,
             look
             for
             the
             Lashes
             of
             ill
             Tongues
             .
             
               They
               think
               it
               strange
               ,
               that
               you
               run
               not
               with
               them
               into
               the
               same
               Excess
               of
               Riot
               ,
               speaking
               Evil
               of
               you
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             4.4
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             IT
             was
             not
             without
             Reason
             ,
             that
             a
             great
             Musician
             struck
             his
             Schollar
             ,
             because
             the
             Multitude
             applauded
             his
             Skill
             ;
             knowing
             ,
             that
             had
             he
             been
             true
             to
             his
             Art
             ,
             those
             mis●judging
             Ears
             could
             not
             have
             approved
             him
             .
             What
             more
             excellent
             Instruments
             had
             God
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             than
             the
             Blessed
             Apostles
             ?
             And
             what
             Acceptation
             found
             they
             on
             the
             Earth
             ?
             
               Being
               defamed
               ,
               we
               intreat
               :
               We
               are
               made
               as
               the
               Filth
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               are
               the
               Off
               scouring
               of
               all
               things
               unto
               this
               Day
               :
               We
               are
               made
               a
               Spectacle
               to
               the
               World
               ,
               to
               Angels
               ,
               and
               to
               Men
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             4.9
             ,
             13.
             
             Complain
             ,
             if
             thou
             canst
             ,
             of
             a
             worse
             Condition
             than
             these
             Ambassadors
             of
             God
             ;
             otherwise
             ,
             resolve
             with
             the
             Holy
             Apostle
             ,
             to
             pass
             cheerfully
             through
             Honor
             and
             Dishonor
             ,
             through
             evil
             Report
             ,
             and
             good
             Report
             ,
             towords
             the
             Goal
             of
             Immortality
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             art
             disgraced
             through
             sland'rous
             Reports
             :
             It
             is
             not
             Air
             we
             live
             by
             .
             How
             many
             hast
             thou
             known
             ,
             that
             have
             blown
             over
             a
             just
             Infamy
             ,
             with
             a
             careless
             Neglect
             ?
             Pleasing
             themselves
             to
             think
             ,
             they
             are
             thriven
             under
             Curses
             :
             And
             shall
             their
             Guiltiness
             be
             entertain'd
             with
             more
             Courage
             than
             thine
             Innocence
             ?
             Let
             those
             whose
             heart
             is
             as
             foul
             as
             their
             Names
             ,
             be
             troubled
             with
             deserved
             Censures
             :
             Do
             not
             thou
             give
             way
             to
             Malice
             ,
             as
             to
             yield
             any
             Regard
             to
             her
             mis-raised
             Suggestions
             .
             Thou
             canst
             not
             devise
             more
             to
             vex
             a
             Detractor
             ,
             than
             by
             Contempt
             .
             Thus
             thou
             shalt
             force
             Spight
             ,
             as
             that
             wise
             Heathen
             truly
             said
             ,
             to
             drink
             of
             the
             greatest
             Part
             of
             her
             own
             Poyson
             .
          
           
           
             10.
             
             THOU
             art
             disgrac'd
             with
             an
             ill
             Fame
             :
             What
             a
             poor
             matter
             is
             this
             ?
             How
             far
             dost
             thou
             think
             that
             Sound
             reacheth
             ?
             Perhaps
             to
             the
             next
             Village
             ;
             or
             Shire
             wherein
             thou
             dwellest
             :
             It
             is
             like
             ,
             the
             next
             County
             never
             heard
             of
             thy
             Name
             :
             And
             if
             thou
             look
             yet
             further
             off
             ;
             as
             soon
             may'st
             thou
             be
             discoursed
             amongst
             the
             Antipodes
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             Neighbouring
             Region
             .
             And
             what
             a
             small
             Spot
             of
             Earth
             is
             this
             ,
             to
             which
             thy
             Shame
             is
             confined
             ?
             Did'st
             thou
             know
             the
             vast
             Extent
             of
             this
             great
             World
             ,
             thou
             would'st
             easily
             see
             into
             how
             narrow
             a
             Corner
             either
             our
             Glory
             ,
             or
             Dishonour
             ,
             can
             be
             shut
             up
             :
             And
             should'st
             confess
             how
             little
             Reason
             we
             have
             to
             affect
             the
             One
             ,
             or
             be
             disheartned
             with
             the
             Other
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THOU
             art
             wronged
             with
             an
             unjust
             disgrace
             :
             Have
             Patience
             ;
             Slanders
             are
             not
             long-liv'd
             :
             Truth
             is
             the
             Child
             of
             Time
             ;
             ere
             long
             she
             'll
             appear
             and
             vindicate
             thee
             .
             Wait
             upon
             the
             God
             of
             Truth
             ,
             who
             shall
             cause
             
               Thy
               Light
               to
               break
               forth
               as
               the
               Morning
               ;
               and
               thine
               Health
               to
               spring
               forth
               speedily
               ,
            
             Isa.
             58.8
             .
             There
             is
             a
             Shame
             ,
             worthy
             of
             thy
             Fear
             ;
             which
             is
             both
             Universal
             ,
             before
             the
             Face
             of
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             of
             Angels
             and
             Men
             ;
             and
             beyond
             the
             reach
             of
             Time
             ,
             Eternal
             :
             Fear
             This
             ,
             and
             contemn
             the
             Other
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             ON
             the
             contrary
             ;
             If
             Fame
             should
             be-friend
             thee
             so
             much
             ,
             as
             to
             strain
             her
             Cheeks
             in
             sounding
             thy
             Praises
             ;
             and
             should
             cry
             thee
             up
             for
             Vertuous
             ,
             and
             Eminent
             every
             way
             :
             
               Alas
               !
               how
               few
               shall
               hear
               her
               ,
               and
               how
               soon
               is
               that
               Noise
               stilled
               ,
               and
               forgotten
               ?
            
             Eccles.
             9.16
             .
             Shortly
             ,
             Then
             let
             it
             be
             thy
             main
             Care
             ,
             to
             demean
             thy self
             holily
             and
             conscionably
             before
             God
             and
             Men
             ;
             leave
             the
             rest
             upon
             God
             ,
             who
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             make
             his
             Word
             good
             ,
             in
             spight
             of
             Men
             and
             Devils
             :
             
               The
               Memory
               of
               the
               Just
               shall
               be
               blessed
               ,
               but
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Wicked
               shall
               rot
               ,
            
             Prov.
             10.7
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               upon
               loss
               of
               Reputation
               .
            
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               withdraw
               my
               heart
               I
               beseech
               thee
               daily
               ,
               more
               and
               more
               from
               the
               love
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               things
               thereof
               ,
               seeing
               they
               are
               Vain
               ,
               Transitory
               and
               full
               of
               Grief
               and
               Vexation
               ,
               not
               yielding
               that
               delight
               and
               Contentment
               which
               they
               promise
               by
               their
               fawning
               Allurements
               :
               But
               on
               the
               Contrary
               much
               anguish
               and
               unquietness
               of
               Mind
               :
               Witness
               the
               cause
               of
               such
               unexpected
               bitterness
               ;
               suffer
               me
               not
               to
               affect
               them
               as
               formerly
               ,
               nor
               let
               them
               seem
               so
               sweet
               and
               pleasant
               to
               me
               ,
               as
               they
               do
               to
               others
               ,
               who
               have
               not
               tasted
               of
               better
               things
               ,
               and
               therefore
               find
               such
               relish
               in
               these
               ;
               but
               grant
               that
               all
               the
               affections
               of
               my
               heart
               may
               be
               fixed
               upon
               thee
               alone
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               REPROACH
               and
               Shame
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               hath
               now
               Encompassed
               me
               ,
               and
               it
               hath
               been
               thy
               Justice
               to
               make
               others
               behold
               the
               Weakness
               of
               thy
               Servant
               ,
               and
               to
               cause
               my
               wants
               ,
               Imperfections
               ,
               and
               Infirmities
               to
               be
               known
               and
               discerned
               of
               many
               ;
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               knowest
               how
               ready
               I
               am
               to
               fail
               ,
               if
               thy
               Grace
               doth
               not
               continually
               sustain
               me
               :
               O
               let
               me
               not
               be
               overwhelm'd
               with
               grief
               ,
               that
               others
               may
               behold
               that
               in
               me
               which
               creates
               this
               disrespect
               ,
               but
               make
               me
               every
               day
               careful
               to
               walk
               Circumspectly
               ,
               and
               to
               Redeem
               that
               Time
               I
               have
               so
               vainly
               lost
               ,
               that
               at
               last
               I
               may
               by
               hearty
               Repentance
               ,
               and
               the
               Merits
               of
               a
               blessed
               Jesus
               ,
               be
               received
               into
               thy
               Favour
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VII
             .
             Of
             Publick
             Calamities
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             afflicted
             with
             the
             Publick
             Calamities
             ;
             So
             it
             becomes
             thee
             as
             a
             good
             Man
             ,
             a
             good
             Christian
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             Patriot
             .
             We
             are
             not
             
             entir●
             Pieces
             but
             Limbs
             of
             a
             Community
             of
             Church
             and
             Kin●dom
             :
             Wh●e
             the
             whole
             Body
             suffers
             ,
             how
             can
             ●e
             b●
             free
             ?
             This
             should
             be
             no
             News
             to
             us
             :
             Wha●
             Ea●thly
             Kingdom
             or
             State
             hath
             ever
             enjoy'd
             a
             const●nt
             Felicity
             ?
             These
             Publick
             Bodies
             ,
             like
             single
             Persons
             ,
             have
             their
             Birth
             ,
             Infancy
             ,
             Youth
             ,
             Vigour
             ,
             and
             Declinations
             :
             Even
             the
             White
             Marble
             of
             that
             famous
             Emblem
             ,
             and
             Type
             of
             
             God's
             Church
             ,
             after
             not
             many
             Centuries
             of
             Years
             ,
             felt
             the
             Dine
             of
             Time
             ,
             and
             Mould'red
             to
             nothing
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             IT
             is
             as
             much
             as
             Heavenly
             Bodies
             can
             do
             ,
             to
             avoid
             Mutation
             :
             And
             well
             might
             be
             distracted
             with
             these
             Troubles
             ,
             if
             we
             did
             not
             know
             from
             whence
             they
             come
             ;
             even
             from
             a
             most
             Wise
             ,
             Powerful
             ,
             and
             just
             Providence
             :
             He
             that
             sits
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             orde●s
             these
             Earthly
             Affairs
             according
             to
             the
             Counsel
             of
             his
             Will
             :
             It
             is
             that
             Almighty
             Hand
             ,
             that
             holds
             the
             Stern
             of
             this
             Vessel
             ,
             and
             steers
             it
             in
             that
             Course
             he
             knows
             best
             :
             It
             is
             not
             for
             us
             Passengers
             ,
             to
             meddle
             with
             Card
             or
             Compass
             :
             Let
             that
             All-skillful
             Pilot
             alone
             with
             his
             Work
             :
             He
             knows
             every
             Rock
             and
             Shelf
             ,
             that
             may
             endanger
             it
             ;
             and
             can
             cut
             the
             proudest
             Billow
             ,
             that
             threatens
             it
             ;
             
               It
               is
               the
            
             Lord
             ,
             
               let
               him
               do
               what
               seemeth
               him
               good
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             3.18
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             WERE
             there
             no
             other
             respects
             than
             Personal
             ,
             I
             cannot
             blame
             thee
             ,
             if
             thy
             Fears
             strive
             with
             thy
             Grief
             for
             the
             Publick
             Evils
             :
             Every
             Man's
             Interest
             is
             involv'd
             in
             the
             Common
             ;
             and
             if
             the
             Ship
             Sink
             ,
             what
             will
             become
             of
             the
             Passengers
             ?
             But
             withal
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             inbred
             Sympathy
             in
             every
             good
             heart
             ,
             which
             gives
             a
             Share
             in
             all
             Miseries
             ,
             and
             affects
             us
             more
             for
             them
             ,
             than
             our
             own
             .
             Old
             indulgent
             Eli
             lov'd
             his
             Sons
             well
             ,
             and
             was
             no
             doubt
             ,
             very
             sensible
             of
             their
             Death
             ;
             yet
             that
             part
             of
             the
             News
             passed
             over
             with
             some
             Passion
             :
             But
             when
             he
             heard
             
               the
               Ark
               of
               God
               was
               taken
               ,
            
             his
             Neck
             and
             Heart
             were
             
             broke
             together
             :
             And
             his
             Religious
             Daughter-in-Law
             ,
             though
             she
             were
             Delivered
             of
             a
             Son
             ;
             yet
             she
             died
             in
             Travel
             of
             that
             heavy
             News
             ,
             and
             could
             live
             only
             to
             say
             ,
             
               Ichabod
               ;
               the
               Glory
               is
               departed
               from
            
             Israel
             ;
             
               for
               the
               Ark
               of
            
             God
             
               is
               taken
            
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             4.17
             ,
             18
             ,
             21
             ,
             22.
             disregarding
             her
             new
             Son
             ,
             when
             she
             heard
             of
             the
             Loss
             of
             he●
             People
             ,
             and
             her
             God.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             HOW
             many
             Pagans
             have
             we
             read
             of
             ,
             that
             have
             died
             resolutely
             for
             their
             Country
             ,
             cheerfully
             sacrificing
             themselves
             to
             the
             Publick
             ?
             How
             many
             that
             died
             with
             their
             Country
             ,
             hating
             to
             out-live
             the
             common
             Ruin
             ?
             How
             many
             have
             Scorn'd
             to
             be
             beholden
             for
             their
             Lives
             to
             their
             Peoples
             Murtherers
             ?
             We
             shall
             as
             soon
             extinguish
             Grace
             and
             Nature
             ,
             as
             quit
             this
             Compassionate
             Sense
             of
             the
             Common
             Calamities
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THOU
             grievest
             for
             the
             Publick
             Distempers
             :
             Mourn
             not
             as
             one
             without
             Faith
             :
             Be
             sure
             ,
             
               He
               that
               keepeth
            
             Israel
             ,
             .
             
               will
               neither
               slumber
               nor
               sleep
            
             ,
             Psal.
             121.4
             .
             Wherefore
             was
             
               The
               Holy
               Tabernacle
               over
               spread
               with
               Skins
               ,
            
             but
             to
             figure
             to
             us
             
             God's
             Church
             ,
             shelt'red
             under
             a
             sure
             Protection
             ?
             Exod.
             26.7
             .
             He
             that
             was
             so
             curious
             of
             the
             Custody
             of
             his
             Material
             Temple
             ,
             by
             Night
             as
             well
             as
             by
             Day
             ,
             that
             a
             sleeping
             Levite
             might
             not
             escape
             beating
             ,
             and
             burning
             of
             Garments
             ;
             how
             careful
             do
             we
             think
             ,
             he
             will
             be
             of
             his
             Spiritual
             ,
             and
             Living
             House
             ?
             How
             unmeet
             Judges
             are
             we
             of
             his
             Holy
             Proceedings
             ?
             We
             are
             ready
             to
             measure
             his
             Love
             by
             an
             outward
             Prosperity
             ,
             than
             which
             nothing
             can
             be
             more
             uncertain
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             THE
             Almighty
             goes
             by
             other
             Rules
             ;
             such
             as
             are
             most
             Conson●nt
             to
             his
             Infinite
             Justice
             and
             Mercy
             .
             I
             am
             abash'd
             to
             hear
             a
             Pagan
             ,
             though
             no
             Vulgar
             one
             ,
             say
             ;
             
               Whatsoever
               is
               brought
               to
               pass
            
             ▪
             
             
               a
               wise
               Man
               thinks
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               so
               done
               ;
               neither
               goes
               about
               to
               rebuke
               Nature
               :
               But
               finds
               it
               best
               to
               suffer
               what
               he
               cannot
               alter
               :
            
             
             And
             shall
             we
             Christians
             repine
             at
             those
             seemingly
             harsh
             Events
             ,
             which
             we
             see
             fall
             out
             in
             
             God's
             Church
             ,
             whil'st
             we
             are
             ignorant
             of
             his
             Designs
             ?
             and
             be
             ready
             to
             bless
             a
             thriving
             Prophaneness
             ?
             Behold
             the
             antient
             Lot
             of
             
             God's
             Inheritance
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             see
             the
             Father
             of
             Esau
             Flourishing
             ,
             yielding
             eight
             Kings
             of
             his
             Line
             ;
             whil'st
             poor
             Israel
             was
             toyling
             and
             sweating
             in
             the
             Aegyptian
             Furnaces
             :
             Yet
             we
             know
             the
             World
             to
             stand
             inviolable
             ;
             
               The
               Elder
               shall
               serve
               the
               Younger
            
             ;
             and
             ,
             
               Jacob
               have
               I
               loved
               ,
               but
               Esau
               have
               I
               hated
               .
            
          
           
             7.
             
             WHAT
             if
             that
             Wise
             God
             ,
             (
             who
             brings
             Light
             out
             of
             Darkness
             )
             have
             purposed
             to
             dispense
             Honor
             and
             Happiness
             to
             his
             Church
             out
             of
             this
             sad
             Affliction
             ?
             Metals
             are
             never
             so
             bright
             ,
             as
             when
             polish'd
             :
             Perfumes
             and
             Spices
             never
             so
             Redolent
             ,
             as
             when
             they
             have
             endur'd
             the
             Fire
             ,
             and
             Pestle
             .
             Wilt
             thou
             not
             give
             the
             Physician
             leave
             to
             make
             use
             of
             Mithridate
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             Vipers
             in
             the
             Composition
             ?
             How
             unworthy
             art
             thou
             of
             Health
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             not
             trust
             the
             Skill
             of
             the
             Artist
             ,
             in
             mixing
             so
             wholesome
             a
             Cordial
             ?
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             art
             troubled
             with
             the
             Publick
             Miseries
             :
             Take
             heed
             that
             thy
             Grief
             be
             clear
             of
             all
             Impiety
             .
             Would'st
             thou
             not
             have
             God
             to
             be
             Just
             ;
             and
             allow
             it
             an
             Act
             of
             his
             Justice
             to
             punish
             Sins
             ▪
             Can'st
             thou
             deny
             ,
             that
             our
             Sins
             have
             reacht
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             call'd
             for
             Judgment
             ?
             
               Wherefore
               doth
               a
               Living
               Man
               complain
               ?
               a
               Man
               for
               the
               punishment
               of
               his
               Sin
               ?
            
             Lam.
             3.39
             .
             I
             read
             of
             a
             Devout
             Man
             ,
             that
             was
             instant
             with
             God
             in
             his
             Prayers
             ,
             for
             a
             Nation
             not
             far
             off
             :
             And
             was
             answer'd
             ;
             
               Suffer
               the
               Proud
               to
               be
               humbled
               .
            
             Whether
             we
             suffer
             it
             or
             no
             ,
             the
             just
             God
             will
             humble
             the
             Proud
             ,
             and
             punish
             the
             Sinful
             .
             The
             wonderful
             Patience
             ,
             and
             infinite
             Justice
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             hath
             set
             Limits
             to
             the
             Wickedness
             of
             every
             People
             .
             
               The
               Iniquities
               of
               the
            
             Amorites
             
               is
               not
               yet
               at
               
               the
               full
               ,
            
             saith
             God
             to
             Abraham
             ,
             Gen.
             15.16
             .
             When
             the
             Measures
             is
             made
             up
             ,
             it
             is
             time
             for
             God
             to
             strick
             :
             Then
             we
             complain
             ,
             when
             perhaps
             't
             is
             too
             late
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             WOULD'ST
             thou
             know
             what
             Remedy
             is
             to
             be
             us'd
             ,
             for
             preventing
             of
             a
             Destructive
             Vengeance
             ?
             There
             is
             no
             way
             under
             Heav'n
             ,
             but
             to
             break
             off
             our
             Sins
             by
             a
             seasonable
             ,
             serious
             Repentance
             :
             By
             the
             united
             Forces
             of
             Holy
             Resolutions
             ,
             and
             Endeavours
             to
             make
             an
             Head
             against
             our
             Wickednesses
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             suffer
             it
             to
             fill
             up
             to
             the
             Brim
             of
             that
             fatal
             Epah
             ;
             till
             which
             time
             the
             Long-suffering
             God
             only
             threatens
             ,
             and
             corrects
             a
             People
             :
             But
             then
             he
             plagues
             them
             ;
             and
             insists
             upon
             the
             necessity
             of
             his
             inviolable
             Justice
             .
             
               Shall
               I
               not
               visit
               for
               these
               things
               ,
               saith
               the
            
             Lord
             ?
             
               And
               shall
               not
               my
               Soul
               be
               avenged
               on
               such
               a
               Nation
               as
               this
            
             ?
             Jer.
             5.9
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             THOU
             mournest
             for
             the
             common
             Sufferings
             :
             And
             indeed
             our
             Fears
             can
             never
             be
             better
             bestowed
             But
             have
             not
             thy
             Sins
             helped
             to
             make
             up
             this
             irritating
             Heap
             ,
             and
             thou
             cast
             in
             thy
             Symbole
             into
             the
             common
             Shot
             ?
             Cannot
             the
             Time●
             justly
             challenge
             thee
             as
             accessary
             to
             their
             Misery
             ?
             Begin
             at
             Home
             ,
             if
             thou
             wish
             well
             to
             the
             Publick
             and
             make
             thine
             own
             Peace
             with
             God
             ,
             for
             thy
             particular
             Offences
             :
             Renew
             the
             Covenant
             with
             God
             ,
             of
             a
             holy
             and
             strict
             Obedience
             ;
             and
             then
             pour
             out
             thy
             Prayers
             and
             Tears
             for
             an
             universal
             Mercy
             :
             Then
             thou
             wilt
             not
             only
             pull
             away
             one
             Brand
             from
             this
             Consuming
             Fire
             ,
             but
             assist
             to
             quench
             the
             common
             Conslagration
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THY
             Heart
             bleeds
             to
             see
             the
             woful
             Vastation
             of
             Civil
             Discord
             ,
             and
             the
             deadly
             fury
             of
             domestick
             Enemies
             :
             Certainly
             there
             is
             nothing
             under
             Heaven
             more
             dreadful
             than
             the
             Face
             of
             an
             Intestine
             War
             ;
             nothing
             that
             so
             nearly
             resembles
             Hell
             :
             Killing
             ,
             Dying
             ,
             Torturing
             ,
             Burning
             ,
             Shrieks
             ,
             Cries
             ,
             and
             Ejaculations
             .
             fearful
             Sounds
             ,
             and
             furious
             Violences
             ,
             
             and
             whatsoever
             may
             increase
             Horror
             :
             The
             present
             Calamity
             oppre●●es
             one
             ,
             another
             Fear
             :
             One
             is
             quivering
             in
             Death
             ,
             another
             trembles
             to
             expect
             it
             :
             One
             begs
             for
             Life
             ,
             another
             will
             sell
             it
             dearer
             :
             He●e
             one
             would
             rescue
             one
             Life
             ,
             and
             loseth
             two
             ;
             another
             would
             hide
             himself
             where
             he
             finds
             a
             Merciless
             Death
             .
             Here
             lies
             one
             bleeding
             ,
             groaning
             and
             grasping
             ,
             parting
             with
             his
             Soul
             inextremity
             of
             Anguish
             ;
             and
             another
             of
             a
             Vigorous
             Spirit
             kills
             and
             dies
             at
             once
             :
             Here
             one
             wrings
             her
             Hands
             ,
             tea●s
             her
             Hair
             ,
             and
             seeks
             for
             some
             Instrument
             of
             a
             self-inflicted
             Death
             ,
             rather
             than
             yield
             her
             Chastity
             to
             a
             bloody
             Ravisher
             ;
             another
             clings
             to
             her
             Husband
             ,
             and
             takes
             part
             of
             the
             Murtherers
             Sword
             ,
             rather
             than
             let
             go
             her
             Embraces
             :
             One
             is
             tortured
             for
             the
             Discovery
             of
             hid
             Treasure
             ;
             another
             dying
             upon
             the
             Rack
             ,
             out
             of
             Jealousie
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             IT
             is
             pity
             that
             Christians
             should
             be
             so
             bloodily
             Cruel
             to
             one
             another
             !
             That
             he
             who
             bears
             the
             Image
             of
             God
             ,
             should
             thus
             turn
             Fiend
             to
             his
             own
             Flesh
             and
             Blood
             !
             These
             are
             worthy
             of
             our
             bitterest
             Lamentations
             !
             I
             love
             the
             Speculation
             of
             
             Seneca's
             Resolutely-Wise
             Man
             ,
             
             that
             could
             look
             upon
             the
             glittering
             Sword
             of
             an
             Executioner
             ,
             with
             undazled
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             makes
             it
             indifferent
             whether
             his
             Soul
             pass
             out
             of
             his
             Mouth
             or
             Throat
             :
             But
             I
             should
             more
             admire
             the
             Practice
             .
             Whilst
             we
             carry
             this
             Clay
             about
             us
             ,
             Nature
             in
             the
             best
             of
             us
             ,
             must
             shrink
             in
             at
             the
             sight
             of
             Death
             :
             Yet
             these
             are
             the
             due
             Revenges
             of
             the
             
             Almighty's
             Punitive
             Justice
             ,
             so
             provok'd
             by
             our
             Sins
             ,
             that
             we
             cannot
             claim
             an
             easier
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             DOST
             thou
             not
             see
             Physicians
             when
             the
             Body
             is
             highly
             Distemper'd
             and
             the
             Blood
             Inflam'd
             ,
             to
             order
             the
             opening
             of
             a
             Vein
             ,
             and
             extracting
             out
             so
             many
             ounces
             as
             may
             leave
             the
             rest
             sit
             for
             
             Correction
             ?
             Why
             art
             thou
             over-troubled
             to
             see
             the
             great
             Physician
             of
             the
             World
             take
             this
             Course
             with
             sinful
             Mankind
             ?
             Certainly
             ,
             had
             not
             this
             great
             Body
             ,
             by
             wilful
             Disorder
             ,
             contracted
             these
             Spiritual
             Diseases
             ,
             and
             defiled
             the
             Blood
             that
             runs
             in
             these
             Vulgar
             Veins
             ,
             with
             Riots
             and
             Surfeits
             ,
             we
             had
             never
             been
             so
             Miserable
             ,
             as
             to
             see
             these
             Torrents
             of
             Christian
             Blood
             running
             down
             our
             Channels
             :
             But
             could
             we
             bewail
             and
             abandon
             our
             former
             Wickednesses
             ,
             we
             might
             live
             in
             hope
             ,
             that
             at
             last
             this
             deadly
             Issue
             might
             stop
             ,
             and
             dry
             up
             ,
             and
             leave
             a
             Possibility
             of
             a
             Blessed
             Recovery
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THOU
             art
             amaz'd
             with
             Grief
             ,
             to
             see
             the
             Pestilence
             raging
             in
             our
             Streets
             ,
             in
             so
             frequent
             a
             Mortality
             ,
             as
             breeds
             a
             question
             concerning
             the
             number
             of
             the
             Living
             and
             the
             Dead
             :
             That
             which
             is
             wont
             to
             abate
             other
             Miseries
             ,
             heightens
             this
             ;
             the
             Company
             of
             Participants
             :
             It
             was
             certainly
             a
             hard
             and
             sad
             Option
             ,
             that
             God
             gave
             to
             David
             ,
             after
             his
             numbring
             the
             People
             :
             
               Chuse
               thee
               whether
               Seven
               Years
               Famine
               shall
               come
               unto
               thee
               in
               thy
               Land
               ,
               or
               three
               Months
               Flight
               before
               thine
               Enemies
               ,
               or
               two
               days
               Pestilence
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             24.13
             .
             We
             may
             believe
             him
             when
             we
             hear
             him
             say
             ,
             
               I
               am
               in
               a
               great
               Strait
            
             ;
             but
             his
             wise
             Resolutions
             soon
             brought
             him
             out
             :
             
               Let
               us
               fall
               now
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               (
               for
               his
               Mercies
               are
               great
               )
               And
               let
               me
               not
               fall
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               Man
               ,
            
             2
             Sam.
             24.14
             .
             He
             that
             sent
             these
             Evils
             ,
             know
             their
             Value
             ,
             and
             the
             difference
             of
             their
             Malignity
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             YET
             he
             opposes
             three
             days
             Pestilence
             ,
             to
             seven
             Years
             Famine
             ,
             and
             three
             Months
             Vanquishment
             :
             He
             knew
             there
             was
             advantage
             betwixt
             the
             dull
             Activity
             of
             Man
             ,
             and
             the
             quick
             Dispatch
             of
             an
             Angel
             !
             It
             was
             a
             favour
             that
             the
             Angel
             ,
             who
             in
             
               One
               Night
            
             destroy'd
             an
             
               Hundred
               fourscore
               and
               five
               thousand
               Assyrians
               ,
            
             2
             King.
             19.35
             .
             should
             in
             three
             days
             cut
             off
             but
             
               Seventy
               thousand
               Israelites
            
             :
             
             But
             the
             Almighty
             in
             his
             Judgments
             remembers
             Mercy
             .
             We
             read
             of
             
               Grand
               Cairo
            
             ,
             wherein
             Eighteen
             hundred
             thousand
             were
             swept
             away
             in
             one
             Years
             Pestilence
             ;
             enough
             one
             would
             imagine
             ,
             to
             have
             De-Populated
             the
             whole
             Earth
             :
             And
             in
             our
             Chronicles
             of
             so
             general
             a
             Mortality
             ,
             that
             the
             Living
             were
             hardly
             sufficient
             to
             Bury
             the
             Dead
             .
             In
             the
             Year
             ,
             1624
             ,
             died
             of
             the
             Plague
             in
             one
             Week
             ,
             Four
             thousand
             four
             hundred
             sixty
             three
             ;
             and
             in
             our
             last
             Visitation
             ,
             1665
             ,
             was
             a
             larger
             Number
             :
             In
             one
             Week
             ,
             Seven
             thousand
             one
             hundred
             sixty
             and
             five
             ;
             and
             in
             the
             whole
             Year
             ,
             Sixty
             eight
             thousand
             five
             hundred
             ninety
             six
             .
             It
             was
             his
             tender
             Mercy
             ,
             that
             he
             spared
             any
             Alive
             :
             But
             he
             Wounds
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             Heal
             ;
             and
             in
             wounding
             ,
             heals
             us
             ;
             for
             his
             Compassions
             fails
             not
             to
             us
             Sinners
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             THESE
             are
             dreadful
             demonstrations
             of
             
             God's
             Displeasure
             ;
             but
             there
             is
             this
             alleviation
             of
             our
             Misery
             ,
             that
             we
             suffer
             more
             immediately
             from
             a
             Holy
             ,
             Just
             and
             Merciful
             God.
             The
             Kingly
             Prophet
             had
             never
             made
             that
             distinction
             in
             his
             Choice
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             not
             known
             a
             difference
             betwixt
             the
             Sword
             of
             an
             Angel
             ,
             and
             an
             Enemy
             ;
             betwixt
             
             God's
             more
             direct
             and
             immediate
             Infliction
             ,
             and
             the
             Malice
             of
             Men.
             It
             was
             but
             a
             poor
             Consolation
             given
             by
             a
             Victorious
             Enemy
             to
             dying
             
               Lausus
               ;
               Comfort
               thy self
               in
               thy
               Death
               with
               this
               ,
               that
               thou
               fallest
               by
               the
               Hand
               of
            
             Aeneas
             .
             But
             surely
             ,
             we
             have
             just
             Reason
             to
             Comfort
             our
             Souls
             ,
             when
             a
             Pestilential
             Death
             compasses
             us
             about
             ,
             from
             the
             Thought
             and
             Intuition
             of
             that
             Gracious
             Hand
             ,
             under
             which
             we
             suffer
             :
             So
             as
             we
             can
             say
             with
             good
             
               Eli
               ,
               It
               is
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             17.
             
             IT
             is
             not
             amiss
             to
             nominate
             those
             Ma●ks
             of
             Infection
             ,
             
             God's
             Tokens
             ;
             such
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             Summon
             up
             our
             Eyes
             and
             Hearts
             to
             that
             Almighty
             Power
             that
             sends
             them
             ,
             with
             the
             Resolution
             of
             Holy
             
               Job
               ;
               Tho
               thou
               kill
               me
               ,
               yet
               will
               I
               trust
               
               in
               thee
               .
            
             It
             is
             none
             of
             the
             least
             Miseries
             of
             Contagious
             Sickness
             ,
             for
             it
             bars
             us
             from
             the
             Comfortable
             Society
             and
             Attendance
             of
             Friends
             ;
             or
             else
             repays
             their
             Love
             ,
             and
             kind
             Visitation
             with
             Death
             .
             Be
             not
             dismaid
             with
             this
             Solitude
             ;
             thou
             hast
             Company
             with
             thee
             ,
             whom
             no
             Infection
             can
             indanger
             or
             exclude
             :
             There
             is
             an
             invisible
             Friend
             ,
             that
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             adhere
             to
             thee
             ,
             though
             thou
             art
             avoided
             by
             Neighbours
             ;
             and
             
               will
               make
               all
               thy
               Bed
               in
               thy
               Sickness
               ,
            
             and
             supply
             thee
             with
             those
             Cordials
             ,
             which
             thou
             in
             vain
             expect'st
             from
             earthly
             Visitants
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             INDEED
             ,
             justly
             do
             we
             stile
             this
             Sickness
             ;
             for
             the
             Mortalness
             ,
             and
             Generality
             of
             the
             Dispersion
             :
             Yet
             there
             is
             a
             Remedy
             ,
             that
             can
             cure
             and
             confine
             it
             :
             Let
             but
             every
             one
             inspect
             the
             Plague
             of
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             and
             the
             Land
             is
             healed
             .
             Can
             we
             ,
             with
             David
             ,
             see
             the
             Angel
             that
             smites
             us
             ,
             and
             erect
             an
             Altar
             ;
             and
             offer
             God
             the
             Sacrifices
             of
             our
             Prayers
             ,
             Penitence
             and
             Obedience
             ,
             we
             shall
             hear
             him
             say
             ,
             
               It
               is
               enough
            
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             24.16
             .
             His
             Mercies
             are
             everlasting
             ,
             and
             Remedies
             certain
             :
             Be
             we
             but
             Penitent
             ,
             we
             cannot
             be
             Miserable
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             WE
             soon
             forgot
             this
             Visitation
             ;
             loss
             of
             Friends
             ,
             and
             God's
             Judgments
             ,
             (
             and
             thought
             ,
             with
             foolish
             Agag
             ,
             that
             
               Surely
               the
               Bitterness
               of
               Death
               is
               past
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             15.32
             .
             )
             and
             provok'd
             him
             still
             to
             Wrath
             against
             us
             ;
             we
             must
             have
             after
             our
             Contagion
             ,
             a
             Purgation
             by
             Fire
             ;
             which
             the
             best
             Naturalists
             say
             ,
             is
             a
             proper
             Remedy
             against
             Infection
             ;
             the
             Almighty
             seeing
             it
             necessary
             to
             use
             this
             Prescription
             ,
             prepar'd
             it
             into
             a
             Medicine
             :
             That
             great
             Conflagration
             ,
             which
             consum'd
             most
             part
             of
             our
             City
             to
             Ashes
             :
             It
             was
             dreadful
             to
             behold
             ,
             and
             made
             most
             tremble
             ;
             yet
             what
             signs
             of
             Remorse
             do
             we
             shew
             ?
             What
             Vanity
             (
             I
             fear
             I
             may
             ask
             ,
             what
             Vice
             )
             have
             we
             substracted
             ,
             upon
             the
             Sense
             of
             God's
             Anger
             ?
             What
             
             nicety
             in
             Cloaths
             or
             Diet
             have
             we
             cut
             off
             ,
             in
             sympathy
             with
             the
             Nakedness
             and
             Hunger
             of
             our
             afflicted
             Brethren
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             do
             not
             the
             unreasonable
             Jollities
             among
             us
             look
             as
             if
             we
             triumpht
             in
             their
             Miseries
             ,
             found
             Musick
             in
             the
             Discordant
             Sound
             of
             their
             Groans
             ,
             and
             our
             own
             Laughter
             ;
             and
             emulated
             that
             infamous
             Barbarity
             of
             Nero
             ,
             who
             play'd
             while
             Rome
             burn'd
             ?
             'T
             is
             mention'd
             by
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             as
             a
             most
             prepost'rous
             thing
             ,
             a
             kind
             of
             impious
             Solecism
             ,
             to
             revel
             under
             the
             Menace
             of
             Judgments
             :
             Amos
             4.11
             .
             
               I
               have
               over-thrown
               some
               of
               you
               ,
               as
            
             God
             over-threw
             Sodom
             and
             Gomorrah
             ,
             
               and
               ye
               were
               as
               a
               Fire-brand
               pluckt
               out
               of
               the
               Burning
               :
               yet
               have
               ye
               not
               return'd
               to
               me
               ,
               saith
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             20.
             
             FIRE
             is
             the
             Eagle
             in
             Nature
             ;
             nothing
             in
             the
             Elementary
             World
             mounts
             so
             high
             to
             its
             Place
             ,
             and
             stoops
             so
             low
             to
             its
             Prey
             :
             The
             two
             Properties
             God
             himself
             ascribes
             to
             that
             Bird
             ,
             Job
             39.27
             ,
             30.
             
             And
             if
             we
             still
             refuse
             obstinately
             to
             be
             gather'd
             like
             Chickins
             under
             our
             Lord's
             Wings
             ,
             he
             can
             again
             let
             loose
             this
             Bird
             of
             Prey
             ,
             this
             Eagle
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             upon
             us
             :
             and
             from
             the
             East
             ,
             where
             it
             began
             before
             ,
             flie
             it
             home
             like
             Lightning
             even
             to
             the
             utmost
             West
             ,
             to
             seize
             and
             to
             devour
             where-ever
             there
             is
             the
             least
             Quarry
             remaining
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             NEXT
             ,
             Gebal
             ,
             and
             Ammon
             ,
             and
             Amalek
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             that
             Hell
             ,
             and
             Rome
             ,
             and
             their
             Partizans
             ,
             our
             Enemies
             on
             all
             hands
             ,
             both
             Foreign
             and
             Domestick
             ,
             have
             been
             so
             long
             Confederate
             against
             us
             ,
             saying
             ;
             
               Come
               ,
               and
               let
               us
               root
               them
               out
               ,
               that
               they
               be
               no
               more
               a
               People
            
             ;
             that
             the
             Name
             of
             that
             Reformed
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             may
             be
             no
             more
             in
             remembrance
             :
             They
             have
             often
             attempted
             to
             bring
             about
             their
             malicious
             Designs
             ;
             and
             yet
             have
             not
             been
             able
             to
             seize
             us
             :
             To
             what
             can
             we
             justly
             ascribe
             all
             this
             ,
             but
             to
             the
             gracious
             Protection
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             to
             whom
             we
             must
             fly
             for
             Defence
             and
             Aid
             .
          
           
           
             22.
             
             AND
             now
             ,
             when
             restless
             and
             unquiet
             Men
             ,
             (
             the
             true
             Spawn
             of
             him
             ,
             whose
             Tail
             drew
             the
             third
             part
             of
             the
             Stars
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             cast
             them
             to
             the
             Earth
             )
             would
             fain
             by
             their
             Hellish
             Plots
             and
             Contrivances
             ,
             bring
             us
             down
             again
             from
             thence
             ,
             even
             down
             to
             the
             Ground
             ,
             and
             lay
             our
             Honor
             in
             the
             Dust
             :
             When
             by
             their
             secret
             Machinations
             they
             are
             at
             work
             on
             all
             sides
             to
             hurry
             us
             back
             into
             the
             old
             Confusions
             ;
             in
             hope
             ,
             that
             out
             of
             that
             disorder'd
             Mass
             ,
             they
             may
             at
             length
             rear
             up
             a
             new
             World
             of
             their
             own
             ;
             but
             what
             a
             World
             ?
             A
             World
             made
             up
             of
             a
             new
             Heaven
             of
             Superstitions
             and
             Idolatries
             :
             A
             new
             Earth
             too
             of
             Anarchy
             first
             and
             pretended
             Liberty
             ;
             but
             of
             Tyranny
             insufferable
             ,
             at
             the
             next
             Remove
             .
          
           
             23.
             
             IN
             such
             a
             dangerous
             State
             of
             Affairs
             as
             this
             ,
             whether
             should
             we
             ,
             (
             nay
             ,
             whether
             else
             can
             we
             )
             seek
             for
             Help
             and
             Deliverance
             ,
             but
             under
             his
             Protections
             ;
             the
             stretching
             out
             of
             whose
             Arms
             of
             Providence
             ,
             fills
             the
             Breadth
             of
             thy
             Land
             ,
             O
             England
             !
             He
             can
             make
             these
             Cockatrice
             Eggs
             ;
             on
             which
             this
             Generation
             of
             Vipers
             (
             that
             eat
             out
             the
             the
             Bowels
             of
             their
             Mother
             )
             have
             sat
             so
             long
             abrood
             ,
             windy
             and
             addle
             :
             So
             that
             out
             of
             the
             Serpents
             Root
             ,
             shall
             never
             proceed
             an
             Adder
             to
             bite
             us
             ,
             or
             a
             fiery
             flying
             Serpent
             to
             Devour
             us
             .
             He
             can
             confound
             these
             Babel
             Builders
             ,
             with
             their
             City
             ,
             Tower
             and
             Temple
             ;
             their
             Foreign
             Policy
             ,
             and
             strange
             Worship
             ;
             their
             Novel
             Modes
             ,
             and
             Models
             of
             Governmnet
             in
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             and
             scatter
             them
             abroad
             from
             hence
             upon
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             like
             as
             a
             Dream
             when
             one
             awaketh
             :
             So
             shall
             he
             despise
             their
             Images
             and
             their
             Imaginations
             too
             ,
             and
             make
             their
             whole
             Contrivance
             consume
             away
             like
             a
             Snail
             ,
             and
             
               Become
               like
               the
               untimely
               Fruit
               of
               a
               Woman
               ,
               which
               shall
               never
               see
               the
               Sun.
               
            
          
           
           
             24.
             
             AND
             And
             now
             let
             us
             cry
             mightily
             unto
             God
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             Remember
             not
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             our
             Offences
             ,
             nor
             the
             Offences
             of
             our
             Fore-Fathers
             ,
             neither
             take
             thou
             Vengeance
             of
             our
             Sins
             :
             Spare
             us
             good
             Lord
             ,
             spare
             thy
             People
             ,
             whom
             thou
             hast
             Redeemed
             with
             thy
             most
             Precious
             Blood
             ;
             and
             be
             not
             angry
             with
             us
             for
             ever
             .
             And
             good
             Lord
             ,
             deliver
             us
             from
             Lightning
             and
             Tempest
             ;
             from
             Plague
             ,
             Pestilence
             ,
             F●mine
             and
             Fire
             ;
             from
             Battle
             and
             Murder
             ,
             and
             from
             sudden
             Death
             :
             From
             all
             Sedition
             and
             Faction
             ,
             Privy
             Conspiracy
             and
             Rebellion
             ;
             from
             all
             false
             Doctrin
             ,
             Heresie
             and
             Schism
             ;
             from
             hardness
             of
             Heart
             ,
             and
             Contempt
             of
             the
             World
             and
             Commandment
             ,
             
               Libera
               nos
               Domine
            
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               in
               time
               of
               Publick
               Calamity
               .
            
             
               O
               THOU
               God
               of
               Justice
               ,
               I
               humbly
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               in
               this
               thy
               Wrath
               ,
               to
               remember
               Mercy
               :
               We
               confess
               O
               Lord
               ,
               our
               Guilt
               flasheth
               in
               our
               Faces
               ,
               and
               Woe
               unto
               us
               ,
               for
               we
               have
               Sinned
               :
               We
               have
               not
               kept
               the
               way
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               but
               perfidiously
               departed
               from
               thee
               our
               God
               ;
               the
               Wise
               hath
               trusted
               in
               his
               Wisdom
               ,
               the
               Strong
               in
               his
               Strength
               ,
               and
               the
               Rich
               in
               his
               Riches
               :
               Thus
               have
               we
               brought
               our selves
               under
               the
               Curse
               ,
               by
               trusting
               in
               the
               Arm
               of
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               the
               Ballances
               of
               Deceit
               are
               in
               our
               Hands
               ,
               and
               throughout
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               our
               Lives
               ,
               we
               have
               wrought
               a
               deceitful
               Work.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               BUT
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               bow
               down
               thy
               Ear
               unto
               our
               Prayers
               ;
               attend
               unto
               the
               voice
               of
               our
               Supplications
               ;
               create
               in
               us
               new
               Hearts
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               and
               renew
               right
               Spirits
               within
               us
               :
               We
               have
               all
               been
               Examples
               of
               Sin
               ;
               O
               make
               us
               all
               Examples
               of
               Reformation
               ,
               that
               old
               things
               may
               pass
               away
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               may
               become
               new
               .
               Deliver
               us
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               from
               these
               Publick
               Calamities
               which
               we
               so
               Righteously
               have
               deserved
               ,
               and
               let
               not
               thy
               Displeasure
               arise
               
               any
               more
               against
               us
               ;
               and
               grant
               that
               we
               may
               serve
               thee
               for
               the
               future
               ,
               in
               Holiness
               and
               Righteousness
               ,
               all
               the
               days
               of
               our
               Lives
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VIII
             .
             Loss
             of
             Friends
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thy
             Friend
             :
             Thy
             Sorrow
             is
             just
             ;
             the
             Earth
             hath
             nothing
             more
             precious
             ,
             than
             what
             thou
             hast
             parted
             with
             :
             For
             what
             is
             a
             Friend
             ,
             but
             a
             Man's
             self
             ?
             A
             Soul
             divided
             in
             two
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             animated
             by
             the
             same
             Spirit
             .
             It
             is
             somewhat
             worse
             with
             thee
             than
             a
             Palsied
             Man
             ,
             whose
             half
             is
             stricken
             with
             Numbness
             ;
             he
             hath
             lost
             but
             the
             use
             of
             one
             side
             of
             his
             Body
             ,
             thou
             the
             half
             of
             thy
             Soul
             :
             Or
             may
             I
             not
             with
             assurance
             say
             ,
             that
             a
             true
             Friend
             hath
             two
             Souls
             in
             one
             Body
             ;
             his
             Own
             and
             his
             
             Friend
             's
             ;
             It
             was
             so
             with
             Jonathan
             and
             
               David
               ;
               The
               Soul
               of
            
             Jonathan
             
               was
               knit
               with
               the
               Soul
               of
            
             David
             ;
             and
             Jonathan
             
               lov'd
               him
               as
               his
               own
               Soul
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             18.1
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             STILL
             the
             more
             Goodness
             ,
             the
             stronger
             Union
             ;
             Nature
             can
             never
             so
             fast
             Cement
             Souls
             as
             Grace
             :
             For
             here
             the
             Union
             is
             wrought
             by
             a
             better
             Spi●it
             than
             our
             own
             ;
             even
             that
             blessed
             Spirit
             who
             sti●es
             himself
             Love
             ,
             1
             Joh.
             4.18
             .
             The
             greater
             thine
             Affection
             ,
             the
             heavier
             thy
             Loss
             :
             But
             let
             me
             t●●l
             the
             ,
             I
             fear
             thou
             art
             accessary
             to
             thine
             own
             Affl●ction
             :
             Didst
             thou
             expect
             this
             Loss
             ?
             Did
             thy
             Heart
             say
             ,
             What
             if
             we
             should
             part
             ?
             Didst
             thou
             not
             ov●●
             enjoy
             this
             Blessing
             ?
             If
             so
             ,
             these
             are
             no
             small
             Disadvantages
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             AS
             every
             Evil
             ,
             so
             this
             especially
             is
             aggravated
             by
             our
             Unexpectation
             :
             Neither
             hadst
             thou
             
             been
             so
             oppressed
             with
             Sorrow
             :
             if
             thou
             hadst
             foreseen
             it
             :
             It
             is
             our
             weak
             inconsideration
             if
             we
             welcome
             these
             Earthly
             Comforts
             not
             as
             Guests
             ,
             but
             Inmates
             ,
             some
             are
             importunately
             Hospitable
             ,
             to
             entertain
             their
             Friends
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             no
             power
             to
             let
             'em
             Depart
             :
             Whereas
             ,
             we
             ought
             according
             to
             the
             Advice
             of
             Seneca
             ,
             to
             possess
             'em
             ,
             as
             those
             that
             make
             account
             to
             fore-go
             'em
             ,
             and
             fore-go
             'em
             as
             if
             we
             possest
             '
             em
             .
             And
             the
             Apostle
             St.
             Paul
             gives
             us
             this
             Advice
             ,
             to
             
               Use
               this
               World
               as
               if
               we
               us'd
               it
               not
               ;
               for
               the
               fashion
               of
               this
               world
               passeth
               away
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             7.30
             ,
             31.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             THOU
             art
             griev'd
             for
             the
             loss
             of
             a
             Dear
             Friend
             :
             Take
             heed
             ,
             lest
             thy
             Love
             had
             too
             much
             of
             Humanity
             ,
             and
             too
             little
             of
             the
             Deity
             .
             All
             Blessings
             as
             they
             flow
             from
             the
             Father
             of
             Mercies
             ,
             should
             be
             enjoy'd
             in
             him
             :
             But
             if
             we
             enjoy
             'em
             as
             in
             themselvs
             ,
             our
             Love
             degenerates
             into
             Carnal
             .
             It
             is
             a
             sure
             Rule
             ,
             that
             Love
             depends
             upon
             the
             thing
             affected
             ;
             but
             when
             that
             ceaseth
             ,
             Love
             is
             Extinguish'd
             :
             As
             he
             that
             loves
             a
             Face
             for
             Beauty
             ,
             when
             Deformity
             appears
             ,
             it
             cools
             his
             Affection
             :
             He
             that
             respects
             a
             Man
             for
             Bounty
             ,
             disregards
             him
             when
             he
             is
             Impoverish'd
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             DID'ST
             thou
             value
             thy
             Friend
             for
             Wit
             ,
             Complaisance
             and
             kind
             Offices
             ?
             All
             these
             are
             lost
             ,
             and
             thy
             Love
             with
             them
             :
             But
             if
             thou
             didst
             affect
             him
             for
             Eminency
             in
             Goodness
             ,
             for
             the
             sake
             of
             God
             that
             dwelt
             in
             him
             ,
             thy
             Love
             cannot
             be
             lost
             ;
             because
             thou
             enjoy'st
             God
             ,
             in
             whom
             thou
             loved'st
             him
             .
             Comfort
             thy self
             therefore
             in
             God
             ,
             in
             whom
             he
             was
             thine
             ,
             and
             yielded
             him
             cheerfully
             into
             those
             Hands
             ,
             from
             whom
             thou
             receiv'st
             him
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             a
             true
             Friend
             :
             That
             Jewel
             was
             to
             be
             priz'd
             for
             the
             rarity
             of
             it
             .
             The
             World
             affords
             Friends
             enough
             ,
             such
             as
             they
             are
             :
             Friends
             of
             the
             Purple
             ,
             as
             Tertullian
             calls
             them
             ;
             Friends
             of
             the
             Basket
             ,
             as
             the
             Poet
             nominates
             them
             ;
             such
             as
             
             love
             thy
             Loaves
             and
             Fishes
             ,
             and
             thee
             for
             them
             .
             
               Wealth
               makes
               many
               Friends
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             Prov.
             14.20
             .
             and
             Chap.
             19.4
             .
             But
             where
             is
             the
             Man
             ,
             that
             loves
             thee
             for
             thy self
             ,
             for
             being
             Vertuous
             ,
             divested
             of
             all
             By-respects
             ?
             Whil'st
             there
             is
             Honey
             in
             thy
             Pot
             ,
             the
             Wasps
             and
             Flies
             will
             be
             buzzing
             about
             it
             ;
             but
             the
             Honey
             being
             gone
             ,
             the
             Vessel
             remains
             quiet
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             WAS
             he
             so
             much
             thine
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             leave
             thee
             in
             Adversity
             ?
             Did
             he
             honour
             thee
             ,
             when
             the
             World
             despised
             thee
             ?
             Did
             he
             follow
             with
             Applause
             ,
             whilst
             thou
             wert
             hooted
             at
             by
             the
             Multitude
             ?
             Would
             he
             have
             own'd
             thee
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             found
             thee
             stripped
             and
             wounded
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ?
             Such
             a
             Friend
             is
             worthy
             of
             thy
             Tears
             :
             But
             take
             heed
             ,
             thy
             Love
             prove
             not
             envious
             .
             If
             God
             hath
             thought
             him
             fitter
             for
             Society
             of
             Saints
             and
             Angels
             ,
             dost
             thou
             repine
             at
             his
             happiness
             ?
             Thou
             hast
             lost
             his
             Presence
             ;
             he
             is
             advanc'd
             to
             the
             Beatifical
             Presence
             of
             the
             King
             of
             Glory
             :
             Now
             Whether
             is
             thy
             Loss
             ,
             or
             his
             Gain
             the
             greater
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thy
             Friend
             :
             Say
             rather
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             parted
             with
             him
             .
             That
             is
             properly
             lost
             ,
             which
             is
             past
             Recovery
             ,
             and
             past
             hopes
             to
             see
             any
             more
             :
             It
             is
             not
             so
             with
             this
             Friend
             thou
             mourn'st
             for
             :
             He
             is
             but
             gone
             Home
             before
             thee
             ;
             and
             thou
             art
             following
             him
             :
             You
             will
             both
             meet
             in
             your
             Father's
             House
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             each
             other
             more
             happily
             ,
             than
             you
             could
             have
             done
             here
             below
             .
             How
             just
             is
             that
             Charge
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Apostle
             ;
             
               That
               we
               should
               not
               mourn
               as
               Men
               without
               Hope
               ,
               for
               those
               that
               do
               but
               sleep
               in
               Jesus
               ,
            
             1
             Thess.
             4.13
             ,
             14.
             
             Did
             we
             think
             their
             Souls
             vanish't
             into
             Air
             ,
             (
             as
             that
             Heathen
             Poet
             prophanely
             expresseth
             it
             )
             and
             their
             Bodies
             resolv'd
             into
             Dust
             ,
             without
             all
             Possibility
             of
             Reparation
             ,
             we
             might
             weep
             out
             our
             Eyes
             for
             the
             utter
             Extinction
             of
             those
             we
             lov'd
             :
             But
             if
             
               They
               do
            
             but
             
               sleep
               ,
               they
               shall
               do
               
               well
               ,
            
             John
             11.12
             .
             Why
             are
             we
             Impatient
             for
             their
             Reposal
             in
             the
             Bed
             of
             Earth
             ,
             when
             assured
             of
             their
             waking
             to
             Glory
             ?
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             a
             Dear
             
               Wife
               ,
               the
               Wife
               of
               thy
               Youth
               ,
               the
               desire
               of
               thine
               Eyes
               ,
            
             Prov.
             5.18
             .
             Isa.
             54.6
             .
             Ezek.
             24.16
             .
             Did
             you
             not
             take
             each
             other
             upon
             Terms
             of
             Re-delivery
             ,
             when
             call'd
             for
             ?
             Were
             you
             not
             ,
             in
             Uniting
             ,
             put
             in
             mind
             of
             Dissolution
             ?
             
               Till
               Death
               us
               do
               part
            
             .
             Was
             she
             Vertuous
             ?
             Knowest
             thou
             not
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             Pre-Contract
             betwixt
             Christ
             and
             her
             Soul
             ,
             ere
             thou
             could'st
             Claim
             her
             Body
             ?
             And
             canst
             thou
             grudge
             his
             Challenge
             of
             his
             own
             ?
             Wilt
             thou
             not
             allow
             him
             to
             call
             for
             a
             Consummation
             of
             that
             happy
             Match
             ?
             Did'st
             thou
             so
             affect
             her
             ,
             that
             thou
             would'st
             not
             have
             her
             Soul
             Glorious
             ?
             If
             thou
             loved'st
             her
             not
             as
             a
             Man
             ,
             but
             a
             Christian
             ,
             envy
             her
             not
             that
             better
             Husband
             ,
             who
             for
             her
             Dowry
             ,
             gives
             Immortality
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             THY
             Son
             is
             dead
             :
             What
             marvel
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             a
             Mortal
             Father
             hath
             begot
             a
             Mortal
             Son
             ?
             Marvel
             rather
             ,
             that
             thou
             hast
             liv'd
             to
             enjoy
             ,
             and
             lose
             a
             Son.
             We
             lie
             open
             to
             so
             many
             Casualties
             ,
             that
             our
             Subsistence
             is
             almost
             Miraculous
             .
             Thou
             hast
             lost
             a
             piece
             of
             thy self
             :
             For
             what
             are
             Children
             ▪
             bu●
             Colonies
             deduced
             from
             our
             Flesh
             ;
             yea
             ,
             rather
             ,
             our selves
             in
             other
             Models
             .
             This
             loss
             cannot
             but
             go
             near
             thee
             :
             But
             what
             was
             the
             Disposi●ion
             of
             the
             Son
             thou
             mournest
             for
             ?
             If
             graceless
             and
             debauch'd
             ,
             as
             thy
             Shame
             ,
             so
             thy
             sorrow
             should
             die
             with
             him
             .
             Place
             the
             hopes
             thou
             might'st
             have
             had
             if
             his
             Reclaiming
             ,
             against
             the
             Fears
             of
             his
             increasing
             in
             Wickedness
             ,
             and
             thou
             could'st
             have
             made
             no
             other
             Account
             ,
             but
             of
             Dishonour
             and
             Discomfort
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             IF
             it
             be
             sad
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             taken
             away
             in
             his
             Wildness
             ;
             it
             had
             been
             more
             heavy
             ,
             had
             he
             added
             to
             the
             heap
             of
             Sin
             ,
             to
             augment
             his
             Torments
             .
             If
             he
             were
             Gracious
             ,
             he
             hath
             a
             better
             Father
             than
             thy
             
             self
             ,
             whose
             Interest
             was
             more
             in
             him
             ,
             than
             thine
             :
             And
             if
             that
             Heavenly
             Father
             have
             thought
             good
             to
             prefer
             him
             to
             a
             Crown
             of
             Immortal
             Glory
             ,
             why
             should'st
             thou
             be
             afflicted
             with
             his
             Advancement
             ?
             Why
             should'st
             thou
             not
             rather
             rejoyce
             ,
             that
             thy
             Loyns
             have
             assisted
             to
             furnish
             Heav'n
             with
             a
             Saint
             ?
             Were
             it
             put
             to
             thy
             Choice
             ,
             that
             thy
             Son
             might
             be
             call'd
             from
             his
             Blessed
             Rest
             ,
             and
             return
             to
             his
             Earthly
             Relations
             ;
             Could'st
             thou
             be
             so
             injurious
             ,
             as
             to
             wish
             the
             Misery
             of
             so
             disadvantagious
             a
             Change
             to
             to
             that
             Soul
             ;
             which
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             never
             of
             thy
             Production
             ,
             so
             it
             were
             pity
             it
             should
             be
             at
             thy
             disposing
             ?
             Rather
             labour
             to
             have
             thine
             own
             Soul
             so
             disposed
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             ready
             to
             follow
             him
             into
             those
             Blessed
             Mansions
             ,
             and
             that
             it
             may
             love
             and
             long
             for
             Heaven
             so
             much
             more
             to
             dwell
             among
             the
             Spirits
             of
             the
             Just
             made
             perfect
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               against
               Immoderate
               Grief
               for
               the
               Loss
               of
               Friends
            
             
               O
               GOD
               ,
               the
               God
               of
               the
               Spirits
               of
               all
               Flesh
               ,
               thou
               killest
               and
               makest
               alive
               ,
               thou
               bringest
               to
               the
               Grave
               ,
               and
               bringest
               back
               again
               :
               And
               forasmuch
               as
               it
               hath
               pleased
               thee
               to
               take
               from
               us
               out
               of
               this
               Sinful
               World
               the
               Soul
               of
               this
               thy
               Servant
               ,
               *
               grant
               that
               our
               grief
               for
               this
               affliction
               may
               not
               be
               immoderate
               whereby
               we
               may
               displease
               thee
               ,
               or
               so
               overwhelm
               us
               ,
               that
               we
               make
               our selves
               unfit
               for
               thy
               service
               ;
               but
               sanctifie
               ,
               we
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               unto
               us
               this
               thy
               Fatherly
               Correction
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               endeavour
               to
               live
               every
               day
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               to
               be
               our
               last
               ,
               that
               when
               we
               are
               Summoned
               and
               Arrested
               by
               the
               hand
               of
               Death
               ,
               We
               may
               not
               be
               afrighted
               ,
               by
               that
               King
               of
               Terrors
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               we
               are
               here
               in
               a
               state
               of
               banishment
               ,
               and
               absent
               from
               thee
               ,
               O
               take
               us
               where
               we
               shall
               for
               ever
               behold
               
               thy
               Face
               ,
               and
               follow
               the
               Lamb
               whether
               soever
               he
               goeth
               ;
               and
               that
               at
               the
               last
               hour
               we
               may
               pronounce
               with
               a
               good
               Conscsence
               ,
               we
               have
               fought
               a
               good
               fight
               ,
               we
               have
               finished
               our
               Ceurse
               ,
               we
               have
               kept
               the
               Faith
               ,
               henceforth
               ,
               there
               is
               laid
               up
               for
               us
               a
               Crown
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               God
               the
               Righteous
               Judge
               will
               freely
               give
               to
               those
               that
               Love
               and
               Fear
               him
               ,
               and
               trust
               in
               his
               Mercy
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             IX
             .
             Of
             Poverty
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             driv'n
             to
             Indigency
             ,
             and
             which
             is
             worse
             ,
             out
             of
             abundance
             :
             Those
             Evils
             we
             have
             been
             inur'd
             to
             from
             our
             Cradle
             ,
             are
             grown
             so
             familiar
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             little
             moved
             with
             their
             Presence
             :
             But
             those
             into
             which
             we
             fall
             suddenly
             ,
             out
             of
             an
             external
             Felicity
             of
             Estate
             ,
             overwhelm
             us
             .
             Let
             thy
             Care
             be
             ,
             not
             to
             want
             those
             Riches
             ,
             which
             shall
             make
             thy
             Soul
             happy
             ;
             and
             thou
             shalt
             not
             be
             troubled
             with
             the
             loss
             of
             these
             mean
             and
             perishing
             Trifles
             .
             Had
             these
             been
             true
             Riches
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             have
             been
             lost
             :
             For
             that
             Good
             that
             is
             least
             capable
             of
             Loss
             ,
             and
             unsatisfying
             in
             an
             imperfect
             Fruition
             ,
             so
             in
             the
             losing
             it
             turns
             Evil
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             DID'ST
             thou
             not
             know
             ,
             
               That
               Riches
               have
               Wings
               to
               fly
               away
            
             ?
             Prov.
             23.5
             .
             And
             of
             what
             use
             is
             Wings
             ,
             if
             not
             to
             flie
             ?
             If
             any
             Man's
             Violence
             shall
             clip
             those
             Wings
             ,
             they
             take
             their
             flight
             .
             Set
             thy
             heart
             upon
             that
             Supream
             Wealth
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             taken
             from
             thee
             ,
             which
             shall
             never
             leave
             thee
             ,
             nor
             forsake
             thee
             ;
             then
             thou
             mayst
             easily
             slight
             these
             poor
             Losses
             .
             As
             these
             were
             not
             Goods
             ,
             so
             they
             were
             not
             thine
             :
             Here
             thou
             foundest
             them
             ,
             and
             here
             
             leav'st
             them
             :
             For
             the
             Apostle
             Timothy
             informs
             us
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
             
               We
               brought
               nothing
               into
               this
               World
               ;
               and
               it
               is
               certain
               ,
               we
               can
               carry
               nothing
               out
               .
            
             What
             had'st
             thou
             but
             their
             use
             ?
             Neither
             can
             they
             be
             otherwise
             thine
             Heirs
             ,
             whom
             thou
             leavest
             behind
             thee
             I
             am
             asham'd
             ,
             to
             hear
             the
             Philosopher
             say
             ,
             All
             I
             possess
             I
             carry
             about
             me
             ;
             when
             many
             Christians
             hug
             those
             things
             which
             are
             so
             Transitory
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             IT
             was
             an
             unanswerable
             Question
             ,
             God
             moved
             to
             the
             Rich
             Man
             in
             the
             Parable
             ,
             upon
             parting
             with
             his
             Soul
             :
             
               Then
               whose
               shall
               those
               things
               be
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               provided
            
             ?
             Luke
             12.20
             .
             Perhaps
             a
             Strangers
             ,
             or
             (
             as
             ●n
             the
             Case
             of
             undisposed
             Lands
             )
             the
             Occupants
             ,
             false
             Executors
             ,
             or
             an
             Enemies
             .
             Call
             that
             thine
             own
             thou
             art
             sure
             to
             carry
             with
             thee
             ;
             that
             may
             accompany
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             or
             follow
             it
             :
             Such
             as
             thy
             Holy
             Graces
             ,
             Charitable
             Works
             ,
             Vertuous
             Actions
             ,
             and
             Heavenly
             Dispositions
             :
             These
             are
             Treasures
             ,
             which
             thou
             shalt
             
               Lay
               up
               for
               thy self
               in
               Heaven
               ,
               where
               neither
               Moth
               nor
               Rust
               doth
               Corrupt
               ;
               and
               where
               Thieves
               do
               not
               break
               through
               ,
               nor
               steal
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.20
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thy
             Goods
             :
             May
             I
             not
             rather
             say
             ,
             Thou
             hast
             restor'd
             '
             em
             ?
             He
             parted
             with
             more
             ,
             that
             said
             ;
             The
             Lord
             
               hath
               given
               ,
               and
               the
            
             Lord
             
               hath
               taken
            
             ,
             Job
             1.21
             .
             Whether
             by
             Patrimony
             ,
             or
             P●ovidence
             ,
             or
             Industry
             ,
             the
             Lord
             gave
             it
             ;
             and
             whether
             by
             the
             Chaldeans
             or
             Sabeans
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             taken
             it
             ;
             and
             he
             did
             but
             give
             ,
             and
             takes
             his
             own
             .
             What
             Reason
             hast
             thou
             then
             to
             complain
             ?
             It
             was
             not
             giv'n
             ,
             but
             lent
             thee
             for
             a
             while
             ,
             till
             it
             were
             call'd
             for
             ?
             And
             do'st
             thou
             grudge
             to
             restore
             what
             thou
             borrowest
             ?
             Nay
             ,
             (
             that
             thou
             mayst
             have
             less
             Claim
             to
             this
             Talent
             )
             was
             it
             not
             left
             in
             thy
             hand
             ,
             by
             the
             Owner
             ,
             to
             employ
             it
             for
             his
             Use
             ,
             till
             he
             should
             redemand
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             Increase
             ?
             Thou
             wert
             only
             entrusted
             to
             improve
             ,
             and
             account
             for
             it
             .
             If
             others
             have
             taken
             off
             thy
             Charge
             ,
             by
             thy
             impoverishment
             ,
             they
             have
             eased
             thee
             .
          
           
           
             5.
             
             THY
             Wealth
             is
             gone
             :
             But
             if
             thou
             hast
             Necessaries
             left
             ?
             Be
             thankful
             for
             what
             thou
             hast
             ,
             and
             forget
             what
             thou
             didst
             possess
             .
             Hadst
             thou
             had
             plenty
             ,
             thou
             couldst
             have
             used
             no
             more
             than
             Nature
             calls
             for
             ;
             the
             rest
             could
             have
             but
             lain
             by
             thee
             ,
             for
             readiness
             of
             Imployment
             :
             Do
             but
             forbear
             the
             Thought
             of
             Superfluities
             ,
             and
             what
             art
             thou
             the
             worse
             ?
             Perhaps
             thy
             Fare
             is
             courser
             ,
             Dishes
             fewer
             ,
             Utensils
             meaner
             ,
             Apparel
             homelier
             ,
             and
             thy
             Train
             shorter
             ;
             But
             how
             is
             thy
             Mind
             affected
             ?
             Contentment
             consists
             not
             in
             Quantities
             ,
             nor
             Qualities
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             inward
             Disposition
             of
             the
             Heart
             ;
             that
             multiplies
             Numbers
             ,
             and
             raises
             Prizes
             ;
             turns
             course
             Freezes
             into
             rich
             Velvets
             ,
             Pulse
             into
             Delicates
             ,
             and
             makes
             one
             Attendant
             many
             Officers
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             WISE
             Seneca
             tells
             thee
             ,
             the
             true
             Mould
             of
             Wealth
             is
             our
             Body
             ,
             as
             the
             Last
             is
             of
             the
             Shoe
             ;
             if
             the
             Shoe
             be
             too
             big
             for
             the
             Foot
             ,
             it
             is
             troublesome
             and
             useless
             :
             It
             is
             Fitness
             ,
             that
             is
             regarded
             here
             ,
             not
             Magnitude
             :
             And
             this
             is
             the
             Charge
             of
             the
             Blessed
             Apostle
             ;
             
               Having
               Food
               and
               Rayment
               ,
               let
               us
               there
               with
               be
               content
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             6.8
             .
             And
             if
             we
             have
             no
             more
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             but
             as
             we
             were
             ,
             and
             as
             we
             shall
             be
             :
             
               For
               we
               brought
               nothing
               into
               the
               World
               ,
               neither
               shall
               we
               carry
               any
               thing
               out
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             6.7
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             hast
             parted
             with
             thy
             Wealth
             ;
             perhaps
             for
             thine
             Advantage
             :
             How
             many
             have
             been
             swell'd
             with
             Plenty
             ,
             resembling
             the
             Ostrich
             or
             Bustard
             with
             the
             Bulk
             of
             Body
             ,
             unweldly
             to
             raise
             their
             Thoughts
             to
             Spiritual
             Things
             ;
             who
             when
             their
             Weight
             have
             been
             taken
             off
             ,
             have
             mounted
             nimbly
             towards
             Heaven
             ?
             How
             many
             had
             lost
             their
             Lives
             ,
             if
             (
             with
             the
             Philosopher
             )
             they
             had
             not
             parted
             with
             their
             God
             ?
             and
             ,
             how
             many
             through
             Covetousness
             ,
             may
             loss
             their
             Souls
             ?
             The
             Vessel
             had
             sunk
             in
             this
             boist'rous
             Sea
             ,
             if
             the
             Earthly
             Freight
             had
             not
             been
             cast
             over-board
             ?
             and
             why
             art
             thou
             troubled
             
             to
             lose
             that
             ,
             which
             might
             have
             undone
             thee
             in
             keeping
             ?
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             had'st
             Wealth
             :
             Hast
             thou
             not
             parted
             with
             that
             ,
             for
             which
             many
             hath
             been
             worse
             both
             in
             Body
             and
             Soul
             ;
             and
             for
             which
             never
             any
             Soul
             was
             better
             ?
             Have
             not
             Corn-fields
             been
             spoil'd
             with
             Rankness
             ,
             and
             a
             Branch
             spilt
             with
             too
             much
             Fruit
             ?
             Whereas
             had
             they
             been
             thinner
             sown
             ,
             or
             seasonably
             eaten
             down
             ,
             had
             yielded
             a
             fair
             Crop
             ;
             and
             those
             Boughs
             moderately
             laden
             ,
             had
             out-liv'd
             many
             Autumns
             .
             Do'st
             thou
             not
             hear
             thy
             Saviour
             say
             ,
             
               How
               hardly
               shall
               they
               that
               have
               Riches
               enter
               into
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
            
             ?
             Mat.
             10.23
             .
             Art
             thou
             troubled
             that
             a
             Stumbling
             block
             is
             remov'd
             out
             of
             thy
             way
             to
             Happiness
             ?
             That
             the
             Bunch
             of
             the
             Camel
             is
             taken
             off
             ,
             if
             yet
             thou
             wilt
             pass
             through
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             Needle
             ?
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             hadst
             Riches
             ?
             But
             hadst
             thou
             not
             Cares
             attended
             '
             em
             ?
             Else
             thou
             hast
             fared
             better
             than
             thy
             Neighbours
             .
             None
             but
             thy self
             could
             handle
             these
             Roses
             without
             pricking
             their
             Fingers
             .
             He
             was
             famous
             amongst
             the
             Jewish
             Doctors
             ,
             whose
             Maxim
             was
             ;
             
               He
               that
               multiplies
               Riches
               ,
               multiplies
               Cares
            
             :
             And
             our
             Saviour
             hath
             annexed
             ,
             
               The
               Cares
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Deceitfulness
               of
               Riches
               ,
            
             Mark
             4.19
             .
             He
             was
             envied
             at
             Rome
             ,
             which
             could
             experimently
             say
             ,
             The
             poor
             Man
             laughs
             oftner
             and
             freer
             than
             the
             Rich
             ;
             and
             that
             external
             Felicity
             is
             a
             perplexity
             ,
             never
             ceasing
             to
             vex
             it self
             .
             Thy
             sides
             are
             now
             freed
             from
             Thorns
             ,
             why
             do'st
             thou
             repine
             at
             thine
             Ease
             ?
          
           
             10.
             
             THOU
             lately
             possessed'st
             great
             Riches
             :
             But
             rather
             say
             ,
             Thou
             wert
             possess'd
             by
             them
             ?
             A
             wise
             Roman
             truly
             observed
             ,
             That
             many
             a
             one
             hath
             Wealth
             ,
             which
             clogs
             him
             ,
             as
             many
             aptly
             say
             ,
             Such
             a
             one
             has
             an
             Ague
             ,
             when
             indeed
             the
             Ague
             hath
             him
             ,
             and
             holds
             him
             with
             severity
             .
             Indeed
             ,
             many
             a
             Man's
             Wealth
             is
             his
             Master
             ,
             and
             keeps
             under
             rigid
             Articles
             ,
             not
             allowing
             sufficient
             Diet
             ,
             Competent
             Rest
             ,
             
             nor
             any
             Recreation
             :
             If
             thou
             wert
             thus
             a
             Slave
             to
             thine
             Estate
             ,
             thou
             art
             not
             thine
             own
             Man
             ;
             enjoy
             thy
             Liberty
             ,
             and
             with
             thy
             Patience
             ,
             be
             thankful
             .
          
           
             THOU
             art
             very
             poor
             :
             Who
             made
             thee
             so
             ?
             If
             thy
             Negligence
             ,
             Laziness
             ,
             Improvidence
             ,
             Prodigality
             and
             rash
             Engagements
             ;
             thou
             hast
             reason
             to
             bear
             that
             Burthen
             ,
             which
             thou
             hast
             pull'd
             upon
             thy
             Shoulders
             :
             And
             if
             forc'd
             to
             groan
             under
             thy
             Load
             ,
             which
             thy
             own
             Will
             hath
             procured
             in
             this
             Necess●ty
             ;
             let
             the
             same
             Necessity
             move
             thy
             Will
             to
             run
             as
             lightly
             as
             thou
             canst
             with
             that
             pressing
             Weight
             :
             If
             the
             Occasion
             comes
             by
             others
             ,
             God
             will
             enable
             thee
             cheerfully
             to
             flie
             with
             this
             Cross
             ,
             because
             thy
             Hand
             was
             not
             Guilty
             of
             imposing
             it
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             HOW
             easie
             is
             it
             for
             thee
             to
             see
             
             God's
             Hand
             chastising
             thee
             by
             another
             Man's
             Sin
             ?
             And
             to
             be
             griev'd
             as
             the
             Sin
             of
             others
             Injuriousness
             ,
             than
             at
             thine
             own
             Correction
             .
             How
             dismal
             it
             is
             for
             Christians
             to
             see
             Brethren
             a
             Prey
             to
             each
             other
             ?
             That
             Neighbours
             should
             be
             like
             the
             Reed
             and
             Brake
             ,
             set
             near
             together
             ,
             the
             one
             to
             Starve
             the
             other
             ?
             That
             we
             should
             have
             daily
             occasion
             to
             renew
             that
             woful
             Comparison
             of
             Bromiard
             ,
             betwixt
             the
             Friends
             and
             Enemies
             of
             
               Christ
               ;
               That
               Jews
               don't
               suffer
               Beggars
               ,
               but
               Christians
               make
               them
            
             ?
          
           
             13.
             
             NOW
             ,
             if
             God
             thinks
             fit
             to
             send
             Poverty
             to
             thy
             Door
             ,
             by
             the
             Message
             of
             Men
             ,
             bid
             it
             Welcom
             for
             his
             sake
             that
             sent
             it
             ,
             and
             entertain
             it
             ,
             not
             repiningly
             ,
             for
             its
             own
             sake
             ;
             for
             if
             well
             us'd
             ,
             't
             will
             repay
             thee
             with
             many
             Blessings
             ;
             as
             quiet
             Rest
             ,
             safe
             Security
             ,
             humble
             Patience
             ,
             contented
             Humility
             ,
             and
             a
             contemptuous
             Valuation
             of
             Earthly
             Things
             !
             All
             which
             absented
             thy
             House
             in
             a
             Prosperous
             Condition
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THOU
             art
             depriv'd
             of
             thy
             former
             Conveniencies
             ,
             as
             Diet
             ,
             Lodging
             ,
             and
             Attendance
             .
             How
             many
             have
             affected
             that
             which
             is
             befallen
             
             thee
             upon
             Necessity
             ?
             Some
             out
             of
             the
             Grounds
             of
             Philosophy
             ,
             others
             of
             
               Religion
               .
               Attalus
            
             the
             Philosopher
             ,
             might
             have
             lain
             Soft
             ;
             yet
             he
             Praises
             the
             Bed
             and
             Pillow
             that
             will
             not
             yield
             to
             his
             Body
             :
             And
             
             Nero's
             great
             and
             rich
             Master
             ,
             brags
             of
             his
             usual
             dining
             without
             a
             Table
             .
             What
             should
             I
             tell
             then
             of
             the
             Pharisees
             uneasie
             Couches
             and
             penal
             Garments
             ;
             the
             Mats
             of
             the
             Elect
             Manichees
             ,
             and
             the
             austere
             Usages
             of
             the
             antient
             Eremitical
             Christians
             ,
             their
             rigorous
             Abstinences
             ,
             affamishing
             Meals
             ,
             nightly
             Watchings
             ,
             cold
             Ground-lyings
             ,
             and
             sharp
             Disciplines
             ?
             Thou
             art
             in
             Ease
             and
             Splendor
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             these
             ,
             who
             voluntarily
             impos'd
             upon
             'em
             these
             Severeties
             ,
             which
             thou
             wouldst
             be
             loath
             to
             undergo
             from
             others
             Cruelty
             .
             It
             was
             a
             strange
             word
             of
             Epicurus
             ,
             not
             savouring
             of
             Contentment
             ,
             but
             Presumption
             ;
             
               Give
               me
               but
               Water
               with
               Barley-Meal
               ,
               and
               I
               shall
               vie
               with
            
             Jupiter
             
               for
               Happiness
            
             .
             And
             if
             this
             Ethnick
             ,
             who
             had
             an
             ill
             Name
             for
             Affectation
             of
             Pleasure
             ,
             could
             rest
             so
             well
             contented
             with
             a
             poor
             Mess
             of
             this
             Composition
             ,
             what
             a
             shame
             it
             is
             for
             Christians
             not
             to
             think
             themselves
             satisfied
             with
             a
             larger
             (
             tho
             homely
             Provision
             ?
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               in
               time
               of
               Poverty
               .
            
             
               O
               MOST
               Great
               and
               Glorious
               Lord
               God
               ,
               the
               Earth
               is
               thine
               ,
               and
               thy
               Providence
               divideth
               it
               among
               the
               Sons
               of
               Men
               ;
               thou
               makest
               Poor
               ,
               and
               thou
               makest
               Rich
               ;
               thou
               bringest
               low
               ,
               and
               liftest
               up
               the
               Needy
               out
               of
               the
               Dust
               ,
               that
               he
               may
               Glorifie
               thee
               :
               Thou
               art
               the
               Saviour
               and
               Deliverer
               of
               the
               Fatherless
               ,
               and
               him
               that
               hath
               no
               helper
               :
               Lord
               ,
               behold
               my
               Necessities
               ,
               who
               despisest
               not
               the
               Needy
               ;
               tho
               thou
               hast
               Afflicted
               me
               ,
               yet
               Strengthen
               me
               so
               ,
               that
               my
               Wants
               may
               never
               cast
               me
               down
               to
               despair
               of
               thy
               Favour
               ,
               nor
               endeavour
               their
               supply
               by
               any
               
               thing
               which
               offendeth
               thee
               ;
               and
               whatever
               I
               want
               ,
               let
               me
               never
               want
               the
               comfortable
               assurance
               of
               thy
               Love
               and
               Mercy
               ,
               neither
               take
               thy
               holy
               Spirit
               from
               me
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               BE
               my
               Strength
               in
               Distress
               ,
               a
               Refuge
               from
               the
               Storm
               ,
               and
               a
               Shadow
               from
               the
               Heat
               .
               O
               thou
               who
               art
               the
               God
               of
               all
               Consolation
               ,
               supply
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               my
               Necessities
               ,
               hear
               me
               ,
               and
               make
               speed
               to
               relieve
               me
               ;
               forsake
               me
               not
               ,
               O
               my
               God
               ;
               open
               the
               high
               Places
               ,
               and
               the
               Fountains
               in
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               Valleys
               for
               the
               Thirsty
               Soul
               :
               Let
               thy
               hand
               relieve
               me
               ,
               until
               thou
               shalt
               be
               pleased
               to
               bring
               me
               into
               thy
               blessed
               Presence
               ,
               where
               is
               fulness
               of
               Joy
               ,
               without
               want
               ,
               measure
               ,
               or
               end
               :
               Lord
               ,
               sanctifie
               those
               Wants
               unto
               me
               ,
               make
               me
               rich
               in
               Faith
               ,
               and
               those
               Spiritual
               Treasures
               ,
               which
               once
               had
               ,
               shall
               never
               be
               lost
               again
               .
               Grant
               me
               these
               things
               O
               merciful
               God
               ,
               and
               whatever
               else
               thou
               knowest
               necessary
               for
               me
               ,
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               thy
               dear
               Son
               ,
               my
               ever
               Blessed
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             X.
             Of
             Confinement
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             restrain'd
             of
             thy
             Liberty
             :
             I
             cannot
             blame
             thee
             to
             be
             sensible
             of
             the
             Affliction
             .
             Liberty
             uses
             to
             hold
             competition
             with
             Life
             it self
             :
             And
             how
             many
             have
             lost
             their
             Lives
             to
             purchase
             Liberty
             ?
             But
             take
             care
             that
             thou
             art
             not
             guilty
             of
             thine
             own
             Complaint
             ,
             for
             certainly
             thou
             canst
             not
             be
             depriv'd
             of
             Liberty
             ,
             except
             thou
             wilt
             :
             Liberty
             is
             a
             priviledge
             of
             the
             Will
             :
             Will
             is
             a
             Sovereign
             Power
             ,
             not
             subject
             to
             Restraint
             ,
             or
             Constraint
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             HAST
             thou
             freedom
             to
             thine
             own
             Thoughts
             ?
             It
             is
             not
             the
             Inclosing
             of
             these
             external
             Parts
             that
             can
             make
             thee
             a
             Prisoner
             :
             Thou
             art
             not
             worthy
             the
             name
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             if
             thou
             imagin'st
             this
             Body
             thy self
             ,
             which
             Human
             Power
             can
             reach
             to
             .
             Art
             thou
             a
             Christian
             ?
             Then
             thou
             hast
             learn'd
             to
             submit
             thy
             Will
             to
             
             God's
             ;
             and
             his
             Divine
             Will
             is
             declared
             in
             his
             Actions
             :
             And
             if
             his
             will
             be
             to
             have
             thee
             Restrain'd
             ,
             why
             should
             it
             not
             be
             thine
             ?
             And
             if
             thou
             desire
             to
             be
             Confin'd
             ,
             why
             dost
             thou
             complain
             for
             want
             of
             Liberty
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             THGU
             art
             Restrain'd
             :
             And
             is
             it
             such
             Injustice
             thou
             art
             depriv'd
             from
             ranging
             Abroad
             ?
             How
             ill
             hast
             thou
             improv'd
             thy
             Time
             ,
             if
             thou
             hast
             not
             laid
             up
             enough
             both
             of
             Employment
             and
             Contentment
             in
             thy
             Bosom
             ?
             What
             pleasure
             can'st
             thou
             enjoy
             abroad
             to
             behold
             those
             Contentions
             and
             horrid
             Actions
             thine
             Eye
             shall
             meet
             withal
             ;
             which
             thy
             Confinement
             frees
             thee
             from
             being
             a
             Spectator
             .
             The
             Thought
             is
             enough
             to
             make
             a
             Man
             Miserable
             :
             And
             instead
             of
             them
             ,
             thou
             art
             presented
             only
             with
             the
             Face
             of
             thy
             Keeper
             ,
             which
             Custom
             and
             Necessity
             hath
             made
             Familiar
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THOU
             art
             immur'd
             within
             Stone-Walls
             ,
             and
             all
             Company
             secluded
             from
             thee
             ;
             but
             content
             thy self
             :
             God
             and
             his
             Angels
             cannot
             be
             kept
             out
             :
             Thou
             hast
             better
             Company
             in
             Solitude
             ,
             than
             Liberty
             afforded
             thee
             :
             The
             Jollity
             of
             Freedom
             rob'd
             thee
             of
             the
             Conversation
             of
             Spiritual
             Comforts
             ,
             which
             only
             can
             render
             thee
             Happy
             :
             They
             which
             were
             Strangers
             to
             thee
             ,
             are
             thy
             Guests
             and
             Inmates
             ,
             to
             Sojourn
             with
             thee
             in
             this
             Retiredness
             .
             What
             if
             the
             Light
             be
             excluded
             from
             thee
             ?
             It
             cannot
             hinder
             thee
             from
             seeing
             the
             Invisible
             .
             
               The
               Darkness
               hideth
               not
               from
               thee
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Psalmist
             )
             
               but
               the
               Night
               shineth
               as
               the
               Day
               ;
               the
               Darkness
               and
               the
               Light
               are
               both
               alike
               to
               thee
               ,
            
             Psal.
             139.12
             .
          
           
           
             5.
             
             I
             may
             say
             without
             dubiousness
             ,
             God
             hath
             never
             been
             so
             evidently
             seen
             ,
             as
             in
             darkest
             Dungeons
             ;
             for
             the
             external
             Light
             of
             Prosperity
             directs
             our
             Visive
             Beams
             ,
             which
             are
             strongly
             contracted
             in
             a
             deep
             Obscurity
             :
             He
             must
             descend
             low
             and
             be
             in
             Darkness
             ,
             that
             would
             see
             the
             glorious
             Lights
             of
             Heaven
             by
             day
             .
             They
             ever
             shine
             ,
             but
             not
             seen
             except
             in
             the
             Night
             :
             If
             thine
             Eyes
             be
             blessed
             with
             this
             invisible
             Prospect
             ,
             thou
             art
             exempt
             from
             envying
             those
             Persons
             ,
             tho
             they
             could
             see
             all
             that
             the
             Tempter
             represented
             to
             the
             view
             of
             our
             Saviour
             upon
             the
             highest
             Mountain
             ;
             
               All
               the
               Kingdoms
               of
               the
               World
               and
               the
               Glory
               of
               them
               .
            
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             art
             forced
             to
             Retiredness
             ,
             but
             with
             what
             Disposition
             of
             Mind
             and
             Body
             ?
             If
             thou
             hadst
             a
             burden'd
             Soul
             ,
             the
             open
             and
             free
             Air
             could
             not
             refresh
             thee
             ;
             and
             if
             thou
             have
             a
             sincere
             Heart
             ,
             a
             strict
             Closeness
             cannot
             dismay
             thee
             ;
             thy
             Thoughts
             can
             keep
             thee
             Company
             ,
             and
             cheer
             thy
             Solitariness
             .
             If
             thou
             hadst
             an
             unsound
             Body
             ,
             afflicted
             with
             the
             Gout
             ,
             Rupture
             ,
             or
             Luxation
             of
             some
             Limb
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             not
             complain
             of
             thy
             Retiredness
             ;
             thy
             Pain
             would
             make
             thee
             insensible
             of
             thy
             Confinement
             :
             But
             if
             God
             have
             blessed
             thee
             with
             Health
             ,
             how
             easily
             may'st
             thou
             digest
             an
             harmless
             Limitation
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             A
             Wise
             Man
             (
             as
             Laurentius
             observ'd
             )
             doth
             much
             in
             Solitude
             :
             So
             may'st
             thou
             employ
             the
             Hours
             of
             thy
             close
             Retiredness
             ,
             and
             bless
             God
             for
             so
             happy
             an
             Opportunity
             .
             How
             memorable
             an
             Instance
             hath
             our
             Age
             afforded
             us
             ,
             of
             an
             Eminent
             Person
             ,
             to
             whose
             Learning
             we
             are
             all
             oblig'd
             for
             that
             noble
             
               History
               of
               the
               World.
            
             
             The
             Court
             had
             his
             Youthful
             Years
             ▪
             and
             the
             Tower
             his
             latter
             Age
             :
             The
             Tower
             Reform'd
             the
             Court
             in
             him
             ,
             and
             produc'd
             these
             worthy
             Monuments
             of
             Art
             and
             Industry
             ,
             
             which
             we
             should
             in
             vain
             expected
             from
             his
             Freedom
             and
             Jollitry
             .
             It
             is
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             shining
             Wood
             ,
             within
             doors
             loseth
             its
             Light
             :
             It
             is
             otherwise
             with
             this
             ,
             and
             many
             active
             Wits
             ,
             which
             had
             never
             shin'd
             if
             not
             for
             Confinement
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             art
             close
             shut
             up
             :
             Anchorets
             have
             sued
             for
             this
             as
             a
             Favour
             ,
             which
             thou
             esteemest
             a
             Punishment
             ;
             and
             having
             obtain'd
             it
             ,
             have
             plac'd
             Merit
             in
             that
             thou
             apprehend'st
             Misery
             .
             Our
             History
             relates
             of
             one
             ,
             who
             when
             the
             Church
             ,
             Where
             his
             Cell
             was
             annex'd
             ,
             was
             on
             Fire
             ,
             would
             not
             come
             out
             ,
             but
             Die
             ,
             and
             lye
             Buried
             under
             the
             Ashes
             of
             that
             Roof
             where
             his
             Vow
             had
             fix'd
             him
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             art
             Imprison'd
             :
             Wise
             Men
             are
             apt
             in
             all
             Events
             ,
             to
             enquire
             into
             the
             Causes
             :
             Wherefore
             dost
             thou
             suffer
             ?
             Is
             it
             for
             thy
             Guiltiness
             ?
             Make
             thy
             Goal
             God's
             Correction-House
             ,
             for
             the
             reforming
             of
             thy
             Wickedness
             .
             Remember
             and
             imitate
             Manasses
             ,
             the
             evil
             Son
             of
             a
             good
             Father
             ;
             who
             upon
             Humiliation
             by
             his
             just
             Imprisonment
             ,
             found
             an
             happy
             Expiation
             of
             his
             horrible
             Idolatries
             ,
             Muders
             and
             Witchcrafts
             ;
             whose
             Bonds
             brought
             him
             home
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             himself
             .
             Is
             it
             for
             Debt
             ?
             Think
             not
             to
             pay
             thy
             Creditors
             with
             a
             lingring
             Durance
             ,
             if
             power
             be
             in
             thine
             hands
             for
             a
             Discharge
             .
             If
             there
             is
             Fraud
             and
             Injustice
             in
             this
             Confinement
             :
             Fear
             thou
             a
             worse
             Prison
             ,
             if
             thou
             wilt
             wilfully
             live
             and
             die
             Indebted
             when
             thou
             mayst
             be
             Free
             and
             Honest
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             STRETCH
             thine
             ability
             to
             the
             utmost
             ,
             to
             satisfie
             others
             ,
             tho
             thou
             art
             Impoverish'd
             :
             But
             if
             the
             hand
             of
             God
             have
             disabled
             thee
             ,
             labour
             what
             thou
             canst
             to
             agree
             with
             thy
             Creditors
             :
             If
             they
             are
             Cruel
             ,
             look
             up
             with
             Patience
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             who
             thinks
             fit
             to
             afflict
             thee
             with
             their
             Unreasonableness
             ;
             and
             make
             the
             same
             good
             use
             of
             thy
             Sufferings
             ,
             as
             if
             from
             the
             immediate
             Hand
             of
             thy
             Creator
             .
             
             If
             it
             be
             for
             a
             good
             Cause
             ,
             rejoyce
             in
             this
             Tribulation
             ,
             and
             be
             exhilerated
             with
             the
             Blessed
             Apostles
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             
               Counted
               worthy
               to
               suffer
               shame
               and
               bonds
               for
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
            
             Acts
             5.41
             .
             For
             every
             just
             Cause
             he
             owns
             :
             Neither
             is
             he
             less
             a
             Martyr
             ,
             that
             suf●ers
             for
             his
             Conscience
             in
             any
             of
             
             God's
             Commandments
             ,
             than
             he
             who
             suffers
             for
             matter
             of
             Faith
             and
             Religion
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             REMEMBER
             that
             Cordial
             Word
             of
             thy
             
               Saviour
               :
               Blessed
               are
               they
               that
               are
               persecuted
               for
               Righteousness
               sake
               ,
               for
               theirs
               is
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               Heaven
               ,
            
             Mat.
             5.10
             .
             In
             such
             a
             Prison
             thou
             shalt
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             good
             Company
             ;
             as
             
               Joseph
               ,
               Micaiah
               ,
               Jeremiah
               ,
               John
               Baptist
               ,
               Peter
               ,
               Paul
            
             and
             Silas
             ;
             and
             all
             the
             Holy
             Martyrs
             and
             Confessors
             of
             Christ
             ,
             from
             the
             first
             Plantation
             of
             the
             Gospel
             to
             this
             present
             .
             Repent
             ,
             if
             thou
             canst
             ,
             to
             be
             thus
             accompanied
             ;
             and
             choose
             not
             rather
             to
             violate
             a
             good
             Conscience
             for
             freedom
             ,
             than
             to
             be
             kept
             under
             a
             Momentary
             Restraint
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             THOU
             art
             a
             Prisoner
             :
             Make
             the
             best
             of
             thy
             Condition
             :
             close
             Air
             is
             warmer
             than
             open
             ;
             and
             how
             frequently
             do
             we
             hear
             Birds
             sing
             sweeter
             Notes
             in
             Cages
             than
             in
             Woods
             ?
             It
             is
             thy
             defect
             ,
             if
             thou
             art
             not
             amended
             by
             thy
             Retir'dness
             .
             Thou
             art
             a
             Prisoner
             :
             So
             is
             thy
             Soul
             in
             thy
             Body
             ;
             there
             not
             restrain'd
             only
             ,
             but
             fetter'd
             ;
             yet
             complains
             not
             of
             the
             straitness
             of
             these
             Clay-Walls
             ,
             or
             weight
             of
             those
             Bonds
             ;
             but
             patiently
             waits
             for
             a
             happy
             Go●l-delivery
             :
             So
             do
             thou
             attend
             with
             all
             Long-suffering
             the
             good
             hour
             of
             the
             Pleasure
             of
             God
             :
             Thy
             period
             is
             set
             ,
             not
             without
             regard
             to
             thy
             Advantage
             :
             He
             ,
             in
             whose
             hand
             are
             all
             Times
             ,
             hath
             determined
             a
             sit
             time
             to
             free
             thy
             Body
             from
             these
             Prison-Walls
             ,
             and
             thy
             Soul
             from
             this
             Prison
             of
             thy
             Body
             :
             and
             to
             restore
             Body
             and
             Soul
             
               from
               the
               Bondage
               of
               Corruption
               ,
               to
               the
               Glorious
               Liberty
               of
               the
               Sons
               of
            
             God
             ,
             Rom.
             8.21
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               in
               Confinement
               :
            
             
               O
               Holy
               ,
               Lord
               God
               ,
               who
               wouldest
               not
               the
               death
               of
               a
               Sinner
               ,
               but
               rather
               that
               he
               should
               turn
               from
               his
               Wickedness
               and
               live
               :
               Lord
               ,
               Convert
               my
               Soul
               ,
               remove
               my
               Sins
               ,
               and
               frame
               my
               Heart
               ,
               Affections
               and
               Life
               ,
               according
               to
               thy
               blessed
               Will
               :
               Thou
               who
               hearest
               the
               Poor
               ,
               and
               despisest
               not
               the
               Wretched
               Captive
               ,
               visit
               all
               that
               are
               bound
               :
               Lord
               ,
               hear
               them
               in
               an
               acceptable
               time
               ,
               and
               help
               them
               in
               the
               day
               of
               Salvation
               :
               Preserve
               the
               Oppressed
               and
               Despised
               of
               Men
               :
               Say
               unto
               the
               Prisoners
               ,
               go
               forth
               ,
               and
               to
               them
               that
               are
               in
               Darkness
               shew
               your Selves
               :
               Bind
               up
               the
               Broken
               Hearted
               ,
               proclaim
               Liberty
               to
               the
               Captives
               ,
               and
               open
               the
               Prison
               to
               them
               that
               are
               shut
               up
               :
               Comfort
               them
               that
               Mourn
               ,
               let
               their
               deep
               Sighing
               come
               before
               thee
               :
               And
               according
               to
               the
               greatness
               of
               thy
               Power
               ,
               preserve
               thou
               them
               that
               are
               appointed
               to
               dye
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               lift
               thou
               up
               my
               head
               ,
               enlarge
               my
               feet
               ,
               and
               bring
               me
               out
               of
               all
               bondage
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               live
               to
               serve
               and
               praise
               thee
               ,
               in
               the
               Assembly
               of
               thy
               Servants
               :
               However
               thou
               pleasest
               to
               dispose
               of
               me
               ,
               Let
               all
               my
               Sufferings
               redound
               to
               thy
               Glory
               ,
               and
               my
               own
               Salvation
               :
               Give
               me
               Patience
               to
               endure
               ,
               and
               a
               constancy
               to
               depend
               on
               thee
               ,
               a
               firm
               Faith
               to
               apprehend
               thy
               Promises
               ,
               and
               a
               hope
               to
               expect
               thy
               Saving
               Health
               :
               Consider
               my
               Weakness
               ,
               and
               lay
               no
               more
               upon
               me
               ,
               then
               thou
               wilt
               Enable
               me
               to
               bear
               cheerfully
               :
               Sanctifie
               my
               Afflictions
               ,
               and
               make
               them
               good
               to
               me
               in
               the
               Fruits
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               laid
               up
               for
               all
               those
               who
               rest
               on
               thee
               .
               Hear
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               and
               let
               my
               Cry
               come
               unto
               thee
               ,
               and
               have
               Mercy
               upon
               me
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             XI
             .
             In
             Exile
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             banish't
             thy
             Country
             :
             Beware
             lest
             in
             Complaining
             ,
             thou
             censure
             thy self
             .
             A
             wise
             Man's
             Country
             is
             every
             where
             .
             What
             relation
             hath
             the
             Place
             of
             thy
             Nativity
             ,
             to
             thy
             present
             Station
             ;
             any
             more
             than
             the
             Time
             of
             thy
             Residing
             ?
             What
             Reason
             hast
             thou
             to
             be
             more
             affected
             to
             the
             Region
             where
             thou
             drewest
             thy
             first
             Breath
             ,
             than
             to
             the
             day
             of
             Week
             ,
             or
             the
             Hour
             of
             the
             Day
             in
             which
             thou
             salutest
             the
             Light
             ?
             What
             are
             Times
             and
             Places
             of
             our
             Birth
             ,
             but
             unconcerning
             Circumstances
             ?
             Where-ever
             thou
             enjoy'st
             thy self
             ,
             thou
             mayst
             make
             that
             thy
             Country
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             BUT
             thou
             say'st
             ;
             There
             is
             a
             secret
             Property
             in
             our
             Native
             Soyl
             ,
             that
             attracts
             our
             Affection
             ,
             and
             weds
             our
             Hearts
             to
             it
             ,
             not
             without
             a
             pleasing
             kind
             of
             Delight
             ;
             now
             no
             Reason
             can
             be
             granted
             ,
             why
             we
             affect
             the
             Place
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             because
             better
             than
             others
             ,
             but
             being
             our
             own
             we
             esteem
             it
             :
             Ulysses
             doth
             no
             less
             value
             the
             Rocky
             Soyl
             of
             his
             barren
             Ithaca
             ,
             than
             Agamemnon
             the
             noble
             Walls
             of
             his
             rich
             and
             pleasant
             Mycenae
             .
             I
             grant
             this
             Relation
             hath
             so
             powerful
             an
             Influence
             upon
             our
             hearts
             naturally
             ,
             as
             is
             pretended
             ;
             yet
             such
             a
             one
             as
             is
             easily
             check'd
             with
             a
             small
             unkindness
             :
             How
             many
             upon
             an
             actual
             Affront
             have
             diverted
             their
             Respects
             from
             their
             Native
             Country
             ,
             and
             out
             of
             a
             strong
             Alenation
             of
             Mind
             have
             turn'd
             their
             Love
             into
             Hostility
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             WE
             shall
             not
             seek
             far
             for
             Histories
             ,
             our
             Times
             and
             Memories
             will
             furnish
             us
             sufficiently
             :
             Some
             who
             have
             sucked
             the
             Breasts
             of
             our
             common
             Mother
             ,
             upon
             a
             little
             dislike
             ,
             have
             spit
             in
             her
             Face
             ?
             Others
             of
             our
             Domestick
             Compatriots
             ,
             have
             upon
             the
             disgust
             of
             some
             displeasing
             Laws
             fled
             their
             Country
             ,
             suborn'd
             Treasons
             ,
             and
             incited
             Forreign
             Princes
             to
             our
             Invasion
             ?
             That
             have
             endeavour'd
             to
             subvert
             
             the
             Government
             ,
             extirpate
             that
             Religion
             Establish't
             amongst
             us
             ;
             and
             to
             set
             up
             a
             piece
             of
             Pageantry
             of
             their
             own
             ?
             So
             this
             Natural
             Affection
             is
             not
             so
             ardent
             in
             many
             ,
             but
             may
             be
             quench'd
             with
             a
             mean
             Discontentment
             .
             If
             there
             were
             no
             other
             ground
             of
             thine
             Affliction
             ,
             thy
             Sorrow
             is
             not
             so
             deep-rooted
             but
             it
             may
             easily
             be
             pluck'd
             up
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             PERHAPS
             it
             is
             not
             the
             Air
             or
             Earth
             ,
             thou
             insists
             upon
             ;
             but
             the
             Company
             ,
             from
             whom
             it
             is
             Death
             to
             part
             :
             Thou
             arguest
             ,
             I
             shall
             leave
             all
             Acquaintance
             and
             Conversation
             ;
             and
             be
             cast
             upon
             strange
             Faces
             ,
             and
             Languages
             I
             understand
             not
             :
             My
             best
             Entertainment
             will
             be
             Solitude
             ,
             and
             my
             Ordinary
             ,
             Inhospitality
             .
             What
             do'st
             thou
             perplex
             thy self
             with
             these
             superfluous
             Terrors
             ?
             He
             is
             not
             worthy
             the
             Name
             of
             a
             Philosopher
             ,
             much
             less
             of
             a
             Christian
             ,
             that
             hath
             not
             attain'd
             to
             be
             absolute
             in
             himself
             ;
             and
             which
             way
             soever
             he
             is
             cast
             ,
             to
             stand
             upon
             his
             own
             Bottom
             ;
             that
             if
             there
             were
             no
             other
             Men
             left
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             was
             ignorant
             how
             to
             enjoy
             himself
             :
             It
             is
             that
             within
             us
             ,
             whereby
             we
             must
             live
             and
             be
             happy
             :
             Some
             Additions
             of
             Complacency
             may
             come
             from
             without
             :
             Sociable
             Natures
             find
             Pleasure
             in
             Conversation
             ;
             but
             if
             that
             be
             deny'd
             ,
             Sanctify'd
             Spirits
             know
             how
             to
             converse
             comfortably
             with
             God
             and
             themselves
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             HOW
             many
             holy
             Ones
             of
             old
             have
             purposely
             withdrawn
             themselves
             from
             Worldly
             Company
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             be
             blessed
             with
             an
             invisible
             Society
             ;
             that
             have
             exchanged
             Cities
             for
             Deserts
             ,
             Houses
             for
             Caves
             ,
             the
             Sight
             of
             Men
             for
             Beasts
             ;
             that
             their
             Spiritual
             Eyes
             might
             be
             fixed
             upon
             those
             Objects
             ,
             which
             the
             World
             held
             from
             them
             ?
             And
             necessity
             puts
             thee
             into
             that
             Estate
             ,
             which
             their
             Piety
             affected
             .
             But
             to
             be
             driven
             to
             forsake
             Parents
             ,
             Kinsfolk
             ,
             Friends
             ,
             how
             sad
             a
             Case
             must
             it
             needs
             be
             ?
             What
             is
             this
             ,
             but
             a
             perfect
             Distraction
             ?
             What
             are
             we
             ,
             
             but
             Off-springs
             of
             our
             Parents
             ?
             What
             are
             Friends
             ,
             but
             dear
             to
             us
             ?
             And
             what
             is
             the
             World
             without
             these
             Comforts
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             WHEN
             thou
             hast
             said
             all
             ;
             what
             is
             befa●n
             thee
             more
             ,
             than
             it
             pleased
             God
             to
             enjoyn
             the
             Father
             of
             the
             Faithful
             ?
             
               Get
               thee
               out
               of
               thy
               Country
               ,
               and
               from
               thy
               Kindred
               ,
               and
               from
               thy
               Fathers
               House
               ,
               into
               a
               Land
               that
               I
               will
               shew
               thee
               ,
            
             Gen.
             13.1
             .
             The
             same
             God
             ,
             by
             the
             Command
             of
             Authority
             ,
             calls
             thee
             to
             this
             Separation
             :
             If
             thou
             wilt
             shew
             thy self
             worthy
             the
             Son
             of
             such
             a
             Father
             ,
             do
             that
             in
             an
             humble
             Obedience
             to
             God
             ,
             which
             thou
             art
             urg'd
             to
             do
             by
             Compulsion
             of
             Men.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             BUT
             is
             this
             so
             vexatious
             a
             Case
             ?
             Do'st
             thou
             think
             to
             find
             God
             where
             thou
             goest
             ?
             Or
             dost
             thou
             believe
             his
             Company
             will
             attend
             thee
             to
             the
             End
             of
             thy
             Journey
             ?
             Hath
             he
             not
             said
             ,
             who
             cannot
             fail
             ;
             
               I
               will
               not
               leave
               thee
               ,
               nor
               forsake
               thee
            
             ?
             Certainly
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             worthy
             to
             lay
             Claim
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             cannot
             find
             Parents
             ,
             Kindred
             and
             Friends
             in
             him
             alone
             :
             Besides
             ,
             he
             that
             of
             
               Stones
               could
               raise
               up
               Children
               unto
               Abraham
            
             ;
             how
             easily
             can
             he
             of
             Inhospitable
             Men
             ,
             raise
             up
             Friends
             to
             the
             Sons
             of
             Abraham
             ?
             Only
             labour
             to
             inherit
             that
             Faith
             wherein
             he
             walked
             ;
             that
             alone
             shall
             free
             Denizen
             thee
             in
             the
             best
             of
             Foreign
             States
             ,
             and
             shall
             entertain
             thee
             in
             the
             wildest
             Desarts
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             art
             cast
             upon
             a
             Foreign
             Nation
             :
             Be
             of
             good
             Chear
             :
             Flowers
             remov'd
             grow
             greater
             ;
             and
             some
             Plants
             ,
             which
             were
             unthriving
             and
             unwholsom
             in
             their
             own
             Soil
             ,
             have
             grown
             safe
             and
             flourishing
             in
             other
             Climates
             .
             Had
             Joseph
             been
             great
             ,
             if
             not
             transplanted
             into
             Egypt
             ?
             Had
             Daniel
             ,
             and
             his
             three
             Companions
             of
             the
             Captivity
             ever
             attained
             honour
             in
             their
             Native
             Land
             ?
             Many
             have
             found
             that
             health
             ,
             in
             a
             Change
             of
             Air
             ,
             which
             they
             could
             not
             meet
             at
             home
             ?
             In
             Africa
             ,
             the
             South-Wind
             clears
             up
             ;
             and
             the
             North
             is
             Rainy
             .
             Look
             still
             to
             
             that
             hand
             ,
             which
             translated
             thee
             ;
             wait
             his
             good
             Pleasure
             :
             Be
             thou
             no
             Stranger
             to
             God
             ;
             it
             matters
             not
             who
             are
             Strangers
             to
             thee
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             art
             banish't
             :
             How
             canst
             thou
             be
             so
             ,
             when
             upon
             thy
             Fathers
             Ground
             ?
             
               The
               Earth
               is
               the
               Lords
               ,
               and
               the
               fulness
               thereof
               ;
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               they
               that
               dwel
               therein
               ,
            
             Psal.
             24.1
             In
             his
             Right
             ,
             where-ever
             thou
             art
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             challenge
             a
             Spiritual
             Interest
             :
             
               All
               things
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               are
               yours
               ;
               and
               you
               are
               Christ's
               ,
               and
               Christ
               is
               God's
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             3.21
             ,
             22
             ,
             22.
             
             No
             Man
             can
             challenge
             thee
             for
             a
             Stranger
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             thy
             Father's
             Child
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THINE
             Exile
             separates
             thee
             from
             Friends
             :
             This
             were
             no
             small
             Affliction
             ,
             if
             it
             might
             not
             be
             remedied
             .
             That
             was
             a
             true
             Word
             of
             Laurentius
             ,
             That
             where
             Two
             Faithful
             Friends
             are
             met
             ,
             God
             makes
             up
             a
             Third
             :
             But
             is
             it
             no
             less
             true
             ,
             that
             where
             one
             Faithful
             Spirit
             is
             ,
             God
             makes
             up
             a
             Second
             :
             One
             God
             can
             more
             than
             supply
             a
             thousand
             Friends
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THY
             Banishment
             deprives
             thee
             of
             the
             Comfort
             of
             thy
             Companions
             :
             Would
             not
             a
             voluntary
             Travel
             do
             as
             much
             ?
             Do
             not
             thousands
             ,
             willingly
             for
             many
             Years
             ,
             change
             their
             Country
             for
             Forreign
             Regions
             ;
             taking
             long
             Farewels
             of
             their
             dearest
             Friends
             and
             Acquaintance
             ;
             some
             out
             of
             Curiosity
             ,
             and
             a
             thirst
             after
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             some
             out
             of
             a
             covetous
             desire
             after
             a
             Gain
             ?
             What
             Difference
             is
             there
             betwixt
             thee
             and
             them
             ,
             but
             that
             their
             Travel
             is
             voluntary
             ,
             thy
             Exile
             constrain'd
             ?
             But
             who
             are
             there
             thou
             art
             so
             sorry
             to
             part
             with
             ?
             Remember
             what
             Crates
             the
             Philosopher
             said
             to
             a
             Young
             Man
             ,
             that
             was
             beset
             with
             Parasitical
             Friends
             :
             Young
             Man
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             I
             pity
             thy
             Solitude
             :
             Perhaps
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             be
             more
             alone
             in
             such
             Society
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             :
             Such
             Conversation
             is
             better
             lost
             ,
             than
             continued
             .
             If
             thou
             canst
             but
             be
             well
             acquainted
             with
             thy self
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             be
             sorry
             thou
             wert
             no
             sooner
             solitary
             .
          
           
           
             12.
             
             THOU
             art
             from
             thy
             Country
             :
             Who
             is
             not
             so
             ?
             We
             are
             all
             Pilgrims
             together
             with
             thee
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             2.11
             .
             Heb.
             11.13
             .
             
               Whilst
               we
               are
               at
               home
               in
               the
               Body
               ,
               we
               are
               absent
               from
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.6
             .
             Miserable
             are
             we
             ,
             if
             our
             true
             home
             be
             not
             Above
             :
             That
             is
             the
             
               Better
               Country
            
             which
             we
             seek
             ,
             even
             
               an
               Heavenly
               ,
               Heb.
            
             11.16
             .
             And
             thither
             thou
             mayst
             equally
             direct
             thy
             Course
             in
             whatsoever
             Region
             .
             This
             Center
             of
             Earth
             is
             equidistant
             from
             the
             Glorious
             Circumference
             of
             Heaven
             :
             If
             we
             may
             once
             meet
             there
             ,
             what
             need
             we
             make
             such
             Difference
             in
             the
             way
             ?
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               in
               Exile
               .
            
             
               O
               LORD
               GOD
               ,
               Lord
               of
               the
               Mountains
               and
               Vallies
               ,
               Land
               and
               Sea
               ,
               and
               the
               God
               of
               the
               Exiled
               ,
               and
               Out-crst
               ;
               thou
               dost
               with
               much
               Patience
               behold
               Oppression
               and
               Wrong
               ,
               until
               the
               measures
               of
               Iniquity
               be
               filled
               up
               :
               O
               Lord
               ,
               behold
               the
               pressures
               of
               me
               thy
               poor
               ,
               dispised
               ,
               and
               dejected
               Servant
               :
               Thy
               Mercy
               and
               Gracious
               Audience
               of
               the
               Afflicted
               is
               neither
               limited
               to
               Jerusalem
               ,
               nor
               this
               Mountain
               ,
               every
               place
               is
               equally
               near
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               where
               ever
               Men
               lift
               up
               pure
               Hands
               and
               Hearts
               ,
               Worshipping
               of
               thee
               in
               Spirit
               and
               Truth
               ,
               thou
               art
               there
               present
               to
               hear
               ,
               and
               help
               them
               :
               Lord
               ,
               thou
               seest
               good
               to
               permit
               me
               to
               the
               power
               of
               Men
               to
               Exercise
               me
               ,
               yet
               can
               they
               not
               shut
               thy
               Merciful
               Ear
               against
               me
               :
               O
               let
               my
               Complaint
               therefore
               come
               before
               thee
               :
               Let
               thy
               word
               be
               as
               the
               Cloudy-Pillar
               to
               lead
               me
               in
               thy
               Way
               ,
               and
               let
               thy
               good
               Spirit
               direct
               me
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               leave
               me
               not
               destitute
               and
               comfortless
               in
               my
               Afflictions
               :
               Be
               my
               Guide
               and
               Helper
               in
               this
               Earthly
               Pilgrimage
               ,
               and
               Valley
               of
               Tears
               ,
               unto
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               Hour
               which
               thou
               hast
               appointed
               to
               take
               me
               hence
               ,
               into
               the
               incorruptible
               ,
               and
               undefiled
               Inheritance
               ,
               which
               thou
               by
               ●hy
               Power
               hast
               reserved
               in
               Heaven
               for
               all
               Believers
               :
               There
               no
               hand
               of
               the
               Oppressor
               can
               reach
               ,
               and
               where
               shall
               be
               no
               Curse
               ,
               no
               Sin
               ,
               nor
               fear
               of
               Forfeiture
               :
               Into
               which
               no
               
               Enemy
               shall
               be
               admitted
               ,
               and
               from
               which
               no
               Inhabitant
               shall
               ever
               be
               cast
               out
               :
               Lord
               Hear
               and
               Help
               me
               :
               Lord
               have
               Mercy
               on
               me
               ,
               and
               grant
               me
               that
               which
               I
               ask
               according
               ●o
               thy
               will
               ,
               and
               that
               which
               I
               should
               ask
               ,
               which
               thou
               knowest
               best
               for
               me
               ,
               through
               the
               Infinite
               Merits
               of
               of
               the
               Son
               of
               thy
               Love
               ;
               the
               Author
               and
               Finisher
               of
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               Christ
               the
               Righteous
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XII
             .
             Of
             Blindness
             and
             Deafness
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thine
             Eyes
             ;
             a
             Loss
             which
             all
             the
             World
             is
             uncapable
             to
             repair
             ;
             and
             thou
             art
             condemn'd
             to
             perpetual
             Darkness
             :
             
               For
               ,
               the
               Light
               of
               the
               Body
               is
               the
               Eye
               ;
               and
               if
               the
               Light
               that
               is
               in
               thee
               be
               Darkness
               ,
               how
               great
               is
               that
               Darkness
            
             ?
             Mat.
             6.22.23
             .
             Couldst
             thou
             have
             foreseen
             this
             Evil
             ,
             thou
             hadst
             anticipated
             this
             Loss
             ,
             by
             weeping
             out
             those
             Eyes
             for
             Grief
             ,
             which
             now
             thou
             art
             destitute
             of
             ,
             There
             are
             but
             two
             Senses
             ,
             by
             which
             any
             external
             Comfort
             can
             have
             free
             access
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ;
             Seeing
             and
             Hearing
             .
             One
             of
             'em
             is
             now
             extinguish't
             for
             ever
             :
             Yet
             thou
             hast
             two
             internal
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             can
             supply
             the
             want
             of
             thy
             external
             ;
             the
             Eye
             of
             Reason
             and
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             :
             The
             One
             as
             a
             Man
             ,
             the
             Other
             as
             a
             Christian.
             Answerable
             to
             which
             there
             is
             a
             double
             Light
             apprehended
             by
             'em
             ;
             Rational
             and
             Divine
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             SOLOMON
             tells
             thee
             of
             the
             one
             ;
             Prov.
             20.23
             .
             
               The
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               is
               the
               Candle
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               searching
               all
               the
               Inward
               Parts
               of
               the
               Belly
               .
            
             St.
             John
             tells
             thee
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             1
             John
             1.5
             ,
             7.
             
             
               God
               is
               Light
               ,
               and
               in
               Him
               is
               no
               Darkness
               ;
               and
               we
               walk
               in
               the
               Lgiht
               ,
               as
               he
               is
               in
               the
               Light.
            
             Now
             the
             two
             Lights
             so
             far
             exceed
             
             that
             external
             and
             visible
             ,
             of
             which
             thou
             art
             depriv'd
             ,
             as
             Light
             Darkness
             :
             If
             then
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Reason
             thou
             attainst
             to
             intelligible
             Things
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             ,
             to
             things
             Supernatural
             and
             Divine
             ;
             the
             Improvement
             of
             these
             Eyes
             ,
             will
             make
             amends
             for
             the
             want
             of
             thy
             Natural
             ones
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THY
             Sight
             is
             lost
             :
             Let
             me
             tell
             thee
             what
             Antony
             the
             Hermite
             (
             whom
             Ruffinus
             is
             not
             doubious
             of
             stilling
             Blessed
             )
             said
             to
             Learned
             Didymus
             of
             Alexandria
             ,
             that
             was
             Blind
             ;
             
               Let
               it
               not
               trouble
               thee
            
             ,
             O
             Didymus
             ,
             
               that
               thou
               art
               bereft
               of
               thy
               Carnal
               Eyes
               ;
               for
               thou
               lackest
               only
               those
               Eyes
               ,
               which
               Mice
               and
               Flyes
               ,
               and
               Lyzards
               have
               :
               But
               rejoice
               that
               thou
               hast
               those
               Eyes
               ,
               which
               the
               Angels
               have
               ,
               whereby
               they
               see
            
             God
             ,
             
               and
               by
               which
               thou
               art
               enlightned
               with
               a
               great
               measure
               of
               Knowledge
               .
            
             Endeavour
             to
             perfect
             this
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             not
             be
             much
             discomforted
             with
             the
             absence
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             THINE
             Eyes
             are
             lost
             ,
             and
             the
             chief
             Comfort
             of
             thy
             Life
             gone
             with
             them
             :
             
               The
               Light
               is
               sweet
            
             ,
             saith
             
               Solomon
               ;
               and
               a
               pleasant
               thing
               it
               is
               for
               the
               Eyes
               to
               behold
               the
               Sun
               ,
            
             Eccles.
             11.7
             .
             Hath
             not
             God
             done
             this
             purposely
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             take
             thee
             off
             from
             all
             Earthly
             Objects
             ,
             that
             thou
             might'st
             fix
             thy self
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             seek
             those
             Spiritual
             Comforts
             which
             are
             to
             be
             found
             in
             a
             better
             Light
             ?
             The
             Sun
             is
             the
             most
             glorious
             Planet
             the
             Eyes
             can
             possibly
             see
             ;
             but
             thy
             Spiritual
             ones
             may
             behold
             him
             that
             Created
             that
             glorious
             Luminary
             ,
             who
             is
             infinitely
             more
             glorious
             than
             what
             he
             Created
             .
             If
             thou
             hast
             now
             an
             Inspection
             into
             him
             more
             than
             thou
             hadst
             ,
             that
             which
             thou
             countedst
             thy
             Lo●s
             ,
             hath
             prov'd
             thy
             Gain
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             THOU
             art
             Blind
             ?
             and
             certainly
             it
             is
             a
             sore
             Affliction
             .
             The
             Men
             of
             
               Jabesh
               Gilead
            
             offered
             the
             Tyrant
             of
             the
             Amm●nites
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             11.1
             .
             But
             when
             he
             required
             the
             loss
             of
             their
             
               K●●ht
               
               Eyes
            
             ,
             as
             a
             Condition
             of
             Peace
             ,
             they
             will
             rather
             hazard
             their
             Lives
             in
             an
             unequal
             War
             ;
             as
             if
             Servitude
             and
             Death
             were
             a
             less
             Mischief
             than
             one
             Eye's
             loss
             :
             How
             much
             more
             of
             Both
             ?
             For
             tho
             one
             Eye
             be
             but
             
               Testis
               Singularis
            
             ,
             yet
             the
             evidence
             of
             that
             is
             as
             true
             as
             of
             both
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             Causes
             more
             :
             For
             when
             ye
             take
             a
             perfect
             Aim
             ,
             we
             shut
             one
             Eye
             ,
             as
             being
             conducive
             to
             an
             accurate
             Perspective
             :
             Yet
             for
             ordinary
             use
             ,
             we
             value
             equally
             these
             Lights
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             wise
             Man
             ,
             but
             would
             rather
             lose
             a
             Limb
             ,
             than
             one
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             A
             Person
             not
             less
             Religious
             than
             Witty
             ,
             when
             his
             Friends
             bewail'd
             the
             loss
             of
             one
             of
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             ask'd
             them
             ,
             whether
             they
             wept
             for
             the
             Eye
             which
             he
             had
             lost
             ,
             or
             the
             Eye
             which
             remain'd
             ?
             Weep
             rather
             said
             he
             ,
             for
             the
             Enemy
             that
             stays
             behind
             ,
             than
             for
             the
             Enemy
             that
             's
             gone
             .
             He
             look'd
             upon
             his
             Sight
             with
             Eyes
             different
             from
             others
             ;
             he
             look'd
             upon
             'em
             as
             Enemies
             ,
             which
             others
             beheld
             as
             Officious
             Servants
             ,
             good
             Friends
             ,
             and
             dear
             Favourites
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             INDEED
             ,
             they
             are
             all
             of
             these
             ,
             as
             they
             are
             us'd
             :
             Good
             Servants
             ,
             if
             they
             go
             faithfully
             on
             their
             Errands
             ,
             and
             return
             true
             Intelligence
             :
             Good
             Friends
             ,
             if
             they
             advise
             and
             invite
             us
             to
             Holy
             Thoughts
             :
             But
             Enemies
             ,
             if
             they
             suggest
             Evil.
             If
             thine
             Eyes
             have
             been
             employ'd
             in
             evil
             Offices
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ;
             God
             hath
             done
             that
             for
             thee
             which
             he
             hath
             in
             a
             Figurative
             Sense
             ,
             enjoyn'd
             thee
             to
             do
             thy self
             :
             Matt.
             5.29
             .
             
               If
               thy
               Right
               Eye
               offend
               thee
               ,
               pluck
               it
               out
               ,
               and
               cast
               it
               from
               thee
               :
               For
               it
               is
               better
               for
               thee
               that
               one
               of
               thy
               Members
               should
               Perish
               ,
               and
               not
               that
               thy
               whole
               Body
               should
               be
               cast
               into
               Hell.
               
            
          
           
             8.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thine
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             with
             'em
             Earthly
             Contentment
             :
             But
             thou
             art
             hereby
             freed
             of
             many
             Temptations
             ;
             for
             those
             were
             the
             Inlets
             of
             Sin
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             Panders
             of
             Lust
             ,
             for
             Debauching
             of
             the
             Soul.
             How
             many
             thousands
             on
             their
             
             Death-beds
             ,
             upon
             the
             sad
             recalling
             of
             their
             guilty
             Thoughts
             ,
             have
             wish'd
             they
             had
             been
             Born
             Blind
             ?
             So
             as
             thy
             Joy
             is
             less
             ,
             thy
             Sin
             is
             less
             ;
             neither
             shall
             any
             vain
             Objects
             take
             away
             thy
             Thoughts
             from
             the
             serious
             Meditation
             of
             Spiritual
             things
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             BEFORE
             it
             was
             no
             otherwise
             with
             thee
             ,
             than
             the
             Prophet
             Jeremiah
             reports
             of
             the
             
               Jews
               ;
               That
               Death
               is
               come
               up
               by
               the
               Windows
               ,
            
             Jer.
             9.21
             .
             And
             our
             great
             Grand-mother
             
               Eve
               ;
               She
               saw
               the
               Tree
               was
               pleasant
               to
               the
               Eyes
               ,
               and
               took
               of
               the
               Fruit
               ,
            
             Gen.
             3.6
             .
             And
             it
             hath
             been
             so
             ever
             since
             ,
             with
             the
             Fruit
             of
             her
             Womb
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             old
             and
             latter
             World
             :
             
               The
               Sons
               of
               God
               saw
               the
               Daughters
               of
               Men
               that
               they
               were
               Fair
               ,
               and
               they
               took
               them
               Wives
               of
               all
               which
               they
               chose
               ,
            
             Gen.
             6.2
             .
             Insomuch
             as
             not
             filthy
             Lusts
             ,
             but
             Adulteries
             take
             up
             their
             Lodgings
             :
             The
             blessed
             Apostle
             mentions
             it
             ,
             2
             Pet.
             2
             14.
             
             
               Having
               Eyes
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               full
               of
               Adultry
               ,
               and
               cannot
               cease
               from
               Sin.
            
             Whilst
             thine
             
               Heart
               walked
               after
               thine
               Eyes
            
             ,
             as
             Job
             speaks
             ,
             Job
             31.7
             .
             It
             could
             do
             no
             less
             ,
             but
             
               Carry
               thee
               down
               to
               the
               Chambers
               of
               Death
               ,
            
             Prov.
             2.27
             .
             Thou
             art
             now
             deliver'd
             from
             that
             danger
             of
             so
             deadly
             a
             Misguidance
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             HATH
             not
             the
             loss
             of
             thine
             Eyes
             freed
             thee
             of
             a
             World
             of
             Sorrows
             ?
             Hadst
             thou
             but
             seen
             what
             others
             are
             forc'd
             to
             behold
             ,
             those
             fearful
             Conflagrations
             ,
             savage
             Violences
             ,
             and
             Sacrilegious
             Outrages
             ,
             thine
             Heart
             would
             bleed
             within
             thee
             :
             Now
             thou
             art
             affected
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             receiving
             'em
             by
             the
             imperfect
             Intelligence
             of
             thine
             Ear
             from
             the
             unfeeling
             Relation
             of
             others
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THINE
             Eyes
             are
             lost
             ;
             What
             need
             thy
             Heart
             to
             go
             with
             '
             em
             ?
             Old
             Isaac
             was
             Dark-sighted
             when
             he
             gave
             the
             Blessing
             (
             contrary
             to
             his
             own
             Intentions
             )
             to
             his
             Son
             Jacob
             ;
             yet
             he
             liv'd
             forty
             Years
             after
             ,
             and
             could
             be
             pleased
             to
             have
             good
             Provision
             made
             him
             with
             
               Wine
               and
               Venison
            
             ,
             Gen.
             27.25
             .
             Our
             
             Life
             doth
             not
             lye
             in
             our
             Eyes
             :
             
               The
               Spirit
               of
               a
               Man
               is
               that
               which
               upholds
               his
               Infirmities
               ,
            
             Prov.
             18.14
             .
             Labour
             to
             raise
             thy self
             to
             a
             cheerful
             Disposition
             ;
             and
             in
             thy
             Bodily
             Darkness
             ,
             
               There
               shall
               be
               Light
               and
               Joy
            
             to
             
               thy
               Soul
            
             ,
             Est.
             8.16
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             HATH
             God
             taken
             away
             thy
             Sight
             ?
             But
             hath
             he
             not
             given
             thee
             a
             supply
             in
             other
             Faculties
             ?
             Are
             not
             thy
             internal
             Senses
             more
             quick
             ,
             thy
             Memory
             stronger
             ,
             thy
             Fancy
             more
             active
             ,
             and
             thy
             Understanding
             more
             apprehensive
             ?
             The
             Wonders
             we
             have
             heard
             of
             Blind
             Men's
             Memories
             ,
             were
             if
             to
             be
             credited
             ,
             not
             obvious
             to
             conceive
             ,
             that
             the
             removal
             of
             Distractions
             ,
             gives
             them
             opportunity
             of
             a
             careful
             reposition
             of
             desired
             Objects
             ,
             and
             a
             sure
             Fixedness
             of
             'em
             where
             they
             are
             laid
             .
             Hence
             hath
             it
             come
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             some
             Blind
             Men
             have
             attain'd
             to
             those
             Perfections
             which
             their
             Eyes
             could
             never
             have
             endu'd
             'em
             with
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             OUR
             Ecclesiastical
             Story
             reports
             of
             Didymus
             of
             Alexandria
             ,
             being
             Blind
             from
             his
             Infancy
             ,
             through
             his
             Prayers
             and
             diligent
             Endeavours
             ,
             reach'd
             unto
             such
             knowledge
             in
             
               Logick
               ,
               Arithmetick
            
             and
             Astronomy
             ,
             as
             was
             admir'd
             by
             the
             Leard
             Masters
             of
             those
             Arts
             ;
             and
             for
             his
             rare
             insight
             in
             Divinity
             ,
             was
             by
             St.
             Athanasius
             approv'd
             to
             be
             Doctor
             of
             the
             Chair
             in
             that
             Church
             .
             What
             need
             we
             doubt
             the
             Verity
             of
             it
             ,
             when
             our
             late
             Times
             have
             so
             clearly
             seconded
             it
             ?
             having
             yielded
             divers
             worthy
             Divines
             ,
             which
             have
             been
             depriv'd
             of
             Sight
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THERE
             was
             one
             very
             Eminent
             in
             the
             University
             of
             Cambridge
             ,
             
             of
             great
             skill
             in
             Tongues
             and
             Arts
             ,
             and
             of
             singular
             acuteness
             of
             Judgment
             .
             Suidas
             reports
             of
             Neoclides
             ,
             that
             being
             Blind
             ,
             he
             could
             steal
             more
             cunningly
             than
             any
             that
             had
             use
             of
             Eyes
             :
             I
             may
             as
             boldly
             say
             of
             Mr.
             Fisher
             ,
             That
             he
             was
             more
             dextrous
             in
             picking
             the
             Locks
             
             of
             difficult
             Authors
             ,
             and
             extracting
             their
             Treasures
             of
             hidden
             Secrets
             ,
             than
             those
             that
             had
             the
             sharpest
             Eyes
             about
             'em
             ;
             insomuch
             as
             it
             was
             noted
             ,
             those
             were
             singular
             Proficients
             which
             employ'd
             themselves
             in
             reading
             to
             him
             :
             If
             they
             read
             Books
             to
             him
             ,
             he
             dictates
             Lectures
             the
             while
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             taught
             'em
             more
             than
             he
             learn'd
             himself
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             AS
             for
             the
             other
             external
             Senses
             ,
             they
             are
             vulgarly
             more
             exquisite
             in
             the
             Blind
             :
             We
             read
             of
             some
             who
             have
             been
             of
             so
             accurate
             a
             Touch
             ,
             that
             by
             their
             feeling
             they
             could
             distinguish
             betwixt
             Black
             and
             White
             :
             
             And
             for
             the
             Ear
             ,
             as
             our
             Philosophers
             observe
             ,
             Sounds
             are
             sweeter
             to
             the
             Blind
             than
             to
             the
             Sighted
             ,
             being
             more
             curiously
             judg'd
             by
             'em
             :
             But
             the
             most
             perfect
             recompence
             of
             these
             Natural
             Eyes
             ,
             is
             in
             the
             Exaltation
             of
             our
             Spiritual
             Ones
             .
             We
             are
             more
             Illuminated
             towards
             the
             Beautifical
             Vision
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             they
             apprehend
             more
             Obscurity
             in
             all
             Terrestial
             Objects
             :
             Thou
             wilt
             not
             miss
             the
             loss
             of
             thy
             Sight
             ,
             if
             thou
             findst
             thy
             Soul
             thus
             happily
             Illuminated
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             THINE
             Eyes
             are
             lost
             :
             It
             is
             a
             Blessing
             that
             once
             thou
             hadst
             'em
             :
             Hadst
             thou
             been
             Born
             Blind
             ,
             what
             a
             Stranger
             wouldst
             thou
             have
             been
             to
             God
             and
             the
             World
             ?
             Hadst
             thou
             never
             seen
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Elements
             ,
             what
             Expressions
             could
             have
             made
             thee
             apprehensive
             of
             the
             wonderful
             Works
             of
             thy
             Creator
             ?
             Not
             any
             Discourse
             could
             have
             made
             thee
             understand
             what
             Light
             is
             ?
             The
             Sun
             the
             Fountain
             of
             it
             ,
             the
             Heavens
             the
             Glorious
             Region
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             Moon
             and
             Stars
             Illuminated
             by
             it
             ?
             How
             could'st
             thou
             have
             had
             thy
             Thoughts
             raised
             so
             high
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             Glory
             to
             that
             Great
             God
             ,
             whose
             infinite
             Power
             hath
             wrought
             all
             these
             marvellous
             things
             .
          
           
           
             17.
             
             NO
             doubt
             ,
             God
             hath
             his
             ways
             of
             Mercy
             for
             those
             that
             are
             Born
             Blind
             ;
             not
             requiring
             what
             he
             hath
             not
             given
             ,
             supplying
             by
             his
             Spirit
             in
             the
             internal
             Vessels
             ,
             what
             is
             wanting
             in
             the
             External
             :
             So
             as
             even
             those
             that
             never
             see
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             shall
             behold
             the
             Face
             of
             God
             that
             made
             it
             :
             But
             in
             an
             ordinary
             Course
             of
             proceeding
             ,
             those
             which
             have
             been
             Blind
             from
             their
             Birth
             ,
             must
             needs
             want
             those
             helps
             of
             knowing
             and
             glorifying
             God
             in
             his
             mighty
             Works
             ,
             which
             lye
             open
             to
             Sight
             :
             These
             once
             satisfied
             thine
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             remain
             with
             thee
             in
             their
             absence
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             THEREFORE
             walk
             on
             in
             the
             strength
             of
             those
             fixed
             thoughts
             ;
             alwayes
             adoring
             the
             Majesty
             of
             that
             God
             whom
             thy
             Sight
             hath
             represented
             to
             thee
             so
             Glorious
             ;
             and
             in
             an
             humble
             Submission
             to
             his
             Pleasure
             ,
             strive
             against
             all
             the
             discomforts
             of
             thy
             Sufferings
             .
             It
             is
             reported
             of
             a
             valiant
             Soldier
             ,
             Polyzelus
             ,
             who
             after
             his
             Eyes
             were
             shot
             out
             in
             Battle
             ,
             covering
             his
             Face
             with
             his
             Target
             ,
             fought
             and
             laid
             about
             him
             vehemently
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             receiv'd
             no
             hurt
             .
             Strive
             to
             imitate
             this
             Courage
             ,
             and
             let
             not
             the
             loss
             of
             thine
             Eyes
             hinder
             thee
             from
             a
             cheerful
             Resistance
             of
             those
             Spiritural
             Enemies
             ,
             which
             labour
             to
             draw
             thee
             into
             an
             impatient
             Murmuring
             against
             God
             :
             But
             wait
             humbly
             upon
             him
             who
             hath
             better
             Eyes
             for
             thee
             than
             thou
             hast
             lost
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thy
             Hearing
             :
             It
             is
             not
             easily
             determin'd
             which
             loss
             is
             greatest
             ,
             the
             Eye
             ,
             or
             Ear
             ;
             both
             are
             afflictive
             .
             Now
             all
             the
             World
             is
             to
             thee
             Dumb
             ,
             since
             thou
             art
             Deaf
             to
             it
             :
             And
             how
             small
             a
             Matter
             hath
             made
             thee
             a
             Cypher
             amonst
             Men
             ?
             These
             are
             the
             Senses
             of
             Instruction
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             other
             way
             for
             Intelligence
             to
             be
             convey'd
             to
             the
             Soul
             ,
             either
             in
             Secular
             or
             Spiritual
             Affairs
             .
             The
             Eye
             is
             the
             Window
             ,
             the
             Ear
             is
             the
             Door
             ,
             by
             which
             all
             Knowledge
             enters
             :
             In
             matter
             of
             Observation
             
             by
             the
             Eye
             ;
             and
             of
             Faith
             ,
             by
             the
             Ear
             ,
             Rom.
             10.17
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             HAD
             it
             pleas'd
             God
             to
             have
             excluded
             these
             Senses
             from
             thy
             Birth
             ,
             thy
             State
             had
             been
             utterly
             Disconsolate
             ,
             and
             there
             had
             been
             no
             possible
             access
             for
             Comfort
             to
             thy
             Soul.
             Had
             this
             Affliction
             happen'd
             in
             thy
             riper
             Age
             ,
             there
             had
             been
             no
             way
             but
             to
             be
             content
             with
             thy
             former
             Store
             :
             But
             now
             he
             hath
             vouchsafed
             to
             leave
             thee
             one
             Passage
             open
             ,
             it
             behoves
             thee
             to
             supply
             one
             Sense
             by
             the
             other
             ,
             and
             to
             let
             in
             those
             helps
             by
             the
             Window
             ,
             which
             are
             deny'd
             Entrance
             at
             the
             Door
             .
             But
             now
             Omnipotency
             hath
             been
             pleas'd
             to
             lend
             thee
             an
             Ear
             so
             long
             ,
             till
             thou
             hast
             laid
             the
             sure
             Foundation
             of
             Faith
             in
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             thou
             mayst
             work
             upon
             'em
             in
             this
             silent
             Opportunity
             ,
             with
             Celestial
             Meditations
             ,
             and
             raise
             'em
             up
             to
             no
             less
             height
             than
             thou
             could'st
             have
             done
             by
             thy
             quickest
             Hearing
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             IT
             is
             a
             great
             Blessing
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             plentitude
             of
             thy
             Senses
             ,
             thou
             wert
             sollicitous
             to
             improve
             thy
             Bosom
             ,
             as
             a
             Magazine
             of
             Heavenly
             Thoughts
             ,
             providing
             with
             the
             Wise
             Patriarch
             ,
             for
             the
             seven
             Years
             of
             Dearth
             :
             Now
             that
             the
             Passages
             are
             block'd
             up
             ,
             thou
             mightest
             have
             been
             in
             danger
             of
             Famishing
             .
             Thou
             hast
             now
             leisure
             to
             recal
             and
             ruminate
             upon
             those
             Counsels
             ,
             which
             thy
             Improvement
             hath
             laid
             up
             in
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             and
             to
             thy
             happy
             Advantage
             ,
             find'st
             the
             difference
             betwixt
             a
             wise
             Providence
             ,
             and
             a
             careless
             Neglect
             .
          
           
             22.
             
             THINE
             external
             Hearing
             is
             lost
             :
             But
             thou
             hast
             an
             internal
             Ear
             ,
             whereby
             thou
             hear'st
             the
             secret
             motions
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             ,
             which
             shall
             never
             be
             lost
             .
             How
             many
             thousands
             whom
             thou
             enviest
             ,
             are
             in
             a
             worse
             Condition
             ?
             They
             have
             an
             external
             Ear
             ,
             whereby
             they
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             Men
             ;
             but
             they
             want
             that
             Spiritual
             Ear
             ,
             which
             perceives
             the
             least
             Whisperings
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             :
             Ears
             they
             have
             ,
             but
             not
             hearing
             ones
             ;
             for
             Fashion
             more
             than
             Use.
             
             Wise
             Solomon
             makes
             and
             observes
             the
             Distinction
             ,
             Prov.
             20.12
             .
             
               The
               hearing
               Ear
               ,
               and
               the
               seeing
               Eye
               ,
               the
               Lord
               hath
               made
               even
               both
               of
               them
               .
            
             And
             a
             Greater
             than
             Solomon
             can
             say
             of
             his
             formal
             Auditors
             ,
             
               Hearing
               ,
               they
               hear
               not
            
             ,
             Matt.
             13.13
             .
             If
             thou
             have
             an
             Ear
             for
             God
             ,
             tho
             Deaf
             to
             Men
             ▪
             How
             much
             happier
             art
             thou
             than
             those
             Millions
             of
             Men
             ,
             that
             have
             an
             Ear
             for
             Men
             ,
             and
             are
             Deaf
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             23.
             
             THOU
             hast
             lost
             thy
             Hearing
             ;
             and
             therewith
             no
             small
             Sorrow
             :
             How
             would
             it
             grieve
             thy
             Soul
             to
             hear
             those
             woful
             Ejaculations
             ,
             pitiful
             Complaints
             ,
             hideous
             Blasphemies
             ,
             atheistical
             Notions
             ,
             mad
             Paradoxes
             ,
             and
             hellish
             Heresies
             ,
             wherewith
             thine
             Ear
             would
             have
             been
             Wounded
             ,
             had
             it
             not
             been
             barr'd
             against
             their
             Entrance
             ?
             It
             is
             thy
             just
             Grief
             thou
             missest
             hearing
             of
             many
             good
             Words
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             thy
             happiness
             thou
             art
             freed
             from
             hearing
             of
             many
             Evil.
             It
             is
             an
             even
             Lay
             betwixt
             the
             benefit
             of
             hearing
             Good
             ,
             and
             the
             torment
             of
             hearing
             Evil.
             
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               Consolatory
               to
               the
               Blind
               and
               Deaf
               .
            
             
               O
               MOST
               Powerful
               Lord
               God
               ,
               who
               hast
               in
               thy
               good
               pleasure
               been
               pleased
               to
               deprive
               me
               of
               Seeing
               and
               Hearing
               ;
               I
               know
               O
               Lord
               ,
               I
               have
               deserved
               thy
               wrath
               in
               a
               greater
               measure
               ,
               even
               Death
               and
               Hell
               it self
               ,
               but
               I
               know
               thou
               art
               a
               God
               full
               of
               Compassion
               ,
               Long
               suffering
               ,
               and
               abounding
               in
               Goodness
               and
               Truth
               ,
               and
               shews
               Mercy
               unto
               Thousands
               .
               Lord
               ,
               as
               thou
               hast
               inflicted
               this
               on
               me
               ,
               even
               the
               loss
               of
               my
               Sight
               ;
               illuminate
               my
               Understanding
               by
               thy
               holy
               Spirit
               :
               Thou
               hast
               taken
               away
               my
               Sight
               that
               I
               might
               not
               behold
               Vanity
               .
               O
               Enlighten
               my
               Mind
               that
               I
               may
               behold
               inwardly
               the
               wonders
               of
               thy
               Law
               :
               Lord
               ,
               I
               a●
               poor
               in
               Spirit
               ,
               but
               let
               thy
               blessed
               Spirit
               help
               my
               In●●●mities
               ,
               that
               in
               thy
               Light
               I
               may
               see
               Light.
               
            
             
             
               2.
               
               AND
               ,
               O
               thou
               bright
               Morning-Star
               ,
               guide
               me
               in
               the
               way
               of
               thy
               Commandments
               ,
               that
               at
               last
               I
               may
               safely
               arrive
               where
               all
               Tears
               and
               Obstructions
               of
               Sight
               shall
               be
               taken
               away
               from
               my
               Bodily
               Eyes
               :
               And
               though
               my
               outward
               hearing
               is
               fled
               away
               ,
               yet
               let
               me
               hear
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               Comforter
               speak
               peace
               to
               my
               Soul
               ,
               and
               quietness
               to
               my
               Conscience
               ,
               that
               when
               ever
               thou
               shalt
               be
               pleased
               to
               call
               me
               hence
               ,
               I
               may
               be
               ready
               prepared
               to
               resign
               my self
               up
               into
               thy
               hands
               ,
               as
               into
               the
               hands
               of
               a
               Faithful
               Creator
               :
               In
               the
               mean
               time
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               Sanctifie
               these
               thy
               Fatherly
               Visitations
               to
               me
               ,
               and
               ever
               remember
               ,
               that
               what
               thou
               hast
               in
               thy
               good
               Pleasure
               inflicted
               on
               my
               Body
               ,
               may
               be
               for
               the
               good
               of
               my
               Soul
               ,
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIII
             .
             Of
             Sterility
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             complainest
             of
             dry
             Loyns
             ,
             and
             a
             Barren
             Womb
             ;
             as
             Abraham
             did
             before
             thee
             :
             
               What
               wilt
               thou
               give
               me
               ,
               seeing
               I
               go
               Childless
            
             ?
             Gen.
             15.2
             .
             And
             the
             Wise
             of
             Israel
             made
             the
             same
             Complaints
             ;
             Gen.
             30.1
             .
             
               Give
               me
               Children
               ,
               or
               else
               I
               die
               .
            
             So
             desirous
             hath
             Nature
             been
             to
             propagate
             ,
             and
             so
             impatient
             of
             a
             Denial
             :
             
               Lo
               ,
               Children
               and
               the
               Fruit
               of
               the
               Womb
               ,
               are
               an
               Heritage
               ,
               and
               Gift
               that
               cometh
               from
               the
               Lord
               :
               Happy
               is
               he
               that
               hath
               his
               Quiver
               full
               of
               such
               Shafts
               ,
            
             Psal.
             127.4
             ,
             6.
             
             It
             is
             a
             Blessing
             ,
             David
             grudg'd
             to
             Wicked
             Ones
             ,
             Psal.
             17.4
             .
             
               They
               have
               Children
               at
               their
               Desire
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             IT
             was
             the
             Curse
             God
             inflicted
             on
             the
             Family
             of
             Abimelech
             ,
             in
             
               Closing
               up
               all
               the
               Wombs
               in
               his
               House
               ,
               for
            
             Sarah
             
               's
               sake
            
             ,
             Gen.
             20.17
             ,
             18.
             
             The
             Judgment
             threatned
             to
             Ephraim
             ,
             is
             a
             
               miscarrying
               Womb
               ,
               and
               
               dry
               Brests
               ,
            
             Hos.
             9.14
             .
             And
             
             Jeconiah's
             Doom
             is
             ,
             Jer.
             22.30
             .
             
               Write
               this
               Man
               ,
               Childless
            
             .
             It
             is
             a
             special
             Favour
             of
             
               God
               ,
               That
               the
               Barren
               hath
               born
               seven
               ,
            
             1
             Sam.
             2.5
             .
             And
             observ'd
             by
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             as
             a
             wonder
             of
             
             God's
             Mercy
             ,
             Psal.
             113.8
             .
             that
             
               He
               makes
               the
               Barren
               Woman
               to
               keep
               House
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               a
               joyful
               Mother
               of
               Children
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             IT
             is
             pity
             he
             was
             born
             ,
             that
             esteems
             not
             Children
             a
             Blessing
             .
             She
             hath
             a
             double
             Favour
             from
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             a
             Joyful
             Mother
             of
             Children
             :
             Many
             ,
             breeds
             Sorrow
             ,
             and
             Death
             :
             And
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             other
             Blessing
             ,
             season'd
             with
             so
             much
             Acrimony
             of
             Misery
             and
             Danger
             .
             Do
             but
             compare
             one
             Pain
             with
             another
             ,
             and
             consider
             the
             Anxious
             Cares
             that
             attend
             'em
             ;
             and
             tell
             me
             ,
             whether
             thy
             bemoan'd
             Sterility
             enjoys
             not
             more
             ease
             ,
             and
             less
             sorrow
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             IT
             is
             thy
             Sorrow
             thou
             art
             not
             Fruitful
             :
             Consider
             thou
             art
             freed
             from
             a
             greater
             affliction
             .
             
               In
               Sorrow
               shalt
               thou
               bring
               forth
               Children
               ,
            
             Gen.
             3.16
             .
             Think
             on
             the
             Shricks
             in
             the
             Painful
             Travels
             of
             thy
             Neighbours
             ;
             wearying
             Days
             and
             Nights
             in
             restless
             Pangs
             ,
             and
             calling
             for
             Death
             in
             despair
             of
             Delivery
             :
             And
             after
             the
             unprofitable
             Labours
             of
             the
             Midwives
             ,
             have
             made
             use
             of
             another
             Sex
             ;
             so
             have
             been
             deliver'd
             of
             Life
             and
             Birth
             together
             .
             All
             these
             Sorrows
             thou
             hast
             escap'd
             :
             And
             many
             whom
             thou
             enviest
             ,
             have
             thought
             thee
             happier
             than
             themselves
             ?
          
           
             5.
             
             THOU
             art
             afflicted
             thou
             art
             not
             a
             Mother
             :
             And
             many
             a
             one
             wishes
             they
             had
             been
             Barren
             .
             If
             Children
             prove
             deform'd
             ,
             unnatural
             and
             wicked
             ;
             what
             a
             Corrosive
             is
             this
             to
             the
             Parents
             ?
             Rebecca
             thought
             it
             long
             to
             be
             twenty
             Years
             Childless
             ;
             her
             Husband
             at
             Sixty
             ,
             prays
             for
             Issue
             ,
             Gen.
             25.20
             ,
             21.
             his
             Devotion
             carried
             him
             to
             Moriah
             the
             place
             where
             his
             Life
             was
             miraculously
             preserved
             from
             the
             Knife
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             hoping
             it
             might
             ,
             by
             the
             like
             Miracle
             ,
             be
             renew'd
             in
             his
             Posterity
             .
          
           
           
             6.
             
             GOD
             hears
             him
             ;
             Rebecca
             Conceives
             :
             But
             when
             she
             felt
             that
             early
             Combat
             of
             her
             strugling
             Twins
             ,
             she
             can
             say
             ,
             
               If
               it
               be
               so
               ,
               why
               am
               I
               thus
            
             ?
             Gen.
             25.22
             .
             And
             when
             she
             saw
             a
             Child
             ,
             
               Red
               all
               over
               like
               a
               hairy
               Garment
               ,
            
             Gen.
             25.25
             .
             and
             saw
             his
             Conditions
             no
             less
             rough
             than
             his
             Hide
             ,
             Gen.
             27.41
             .
             do
             we
             not
             think
             she
             wish'd
             that
             part
             of
             her
             Burden
             unborn
             ?
             Certainly
             ,
             Children
             are
             Blessings
             ,
             or
             Crosses
             .
             Hast
             thou
             a
             Child
             well
             dispos'd
             ,
             well
             govern'd
             ?
             
               A
               wise
               Son
               maketh
               a
               glad
               Father
               ,
            
             Prov.
             10.1
             .
             Prov.
             19.13
             .
             Hast
             thou
             a
             Child
             disorderly
             and
             debauch'd
             ?
             
               A
               foolish
               Son
               is
               the
               Heaviness
               of
               his
               Mother
               ,
               and
               the
               Calamity
               of
               his
               Father
               ,
            
             Prov.
             10.1
             .
             Chap.
             19.13
             .
             Hast
             thou
             a
             Son
             stubborn
             ,
             and
             unnatural
             ?
             Then
             Solomon
             tells
             us
             ;
             
               He
               that
               wasteth
               his
               Father
               ,
               and
               chaseth
               away
               his
               Mother
               ,
               is
               a
               Son
               that
               causeth
               Shame
               ,
               and
               bringeth
               Reproach
               ,
            
             Prov.
             19.26
             .
             And
             if
             such
             a
             Son
             live
             and
             die
             impenitent
             ,
             what
             can
             answer
             the
             Discomfort
             of
             that
             Parent
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             hast
             no
             Children
             :
             As
             thou
             hast
             less
             Joy
             ,
             thou
             hast
             less
             Trouble
             .
             It
             is
             a
             continual
             Care
             that
             belongs
             to
             these
             Possessions
             .
             Artimedorus
             observes
             ,
             
             that
             to
             dream
             of
             Children
             ,
             imports
             Cares
             .
             As
             they
             are
             our
             greatest
             Cares
             ,
             many
             lesser
             ensues
             .
             For
             thou
             hast
             many
             Mouths
             to
             feed
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             thy
             Duty
             to
             provide
             for
             'em
             :
             For
             ,
             
               If
               any
               provide
               not
               for
               his
               own
               ,
               especially
               for
               those
               of
               his
               own
               House
               ,
               he
               hath
               denied
               the
               Faith
               ,
               and
               is
               worse
               than
               an
               Infidel
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             5.8
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             DOES
             not
             many
             Rivulets
             from
             the
             main
             Channel
             ,
             leave
             the
             Stream
             shallow
             ?
             So
             is
             it
             with
             thee
             ;
             But
             this
             Expence
             is
             not
             more
             necessary
             ,
             than
             comfortable
             .
             A
             Great
             Man
             visited
             a
             Gentleman
             in
             the
             Country
             ,
             and
             seeing
             his
             Children
             placed
             according
             to
             their
             Age
             and
             Stature
             ,
             said
             ,
             These
             make
             Rich
             Men
             Poor
             :
             But
             immediately
             he
             receiv'd
             
             this
             Answer
             ;
             Nay
             ,
             my
             Lord
             ,
             these
             make
             a
             Poor
             Man
             Rich
             :
             For
             there
             is
             not
             one
             of
             these
             ,
             I
             would
             part
             with
             for
             all
             your
             Wealth
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             INDEED
             ,
             we
             receive
             to
             distribute
             ,
             and
             are
             but
             Farmers
             of
             those
             we
             leave
             behind
             .
             If
             we
             freely
             lay
             out
             of
             our
             Substance
             before-hand
             ,
             so
             much
             of
             our
             Rent
             is
             happily
             clear'd
             .
             It
             is
             observable
             none
             are
             so
             Covetous
             as
             the
             Childless
             :
             For
             those
             who
             for
             maintenance
             of
             large
             Families
             ,
             are
             inur'd
             to
             frequent
             Disbursements
             ,
             find
             such
             Experience
             of
             Divine
             Providence
             in
             Prudent
             Managing
             of
             Affairs
             ,
             that
             they
             lay
             out
             with
             more
             Cheerfulness
             ,
             then
             they
             receive
             :
             So
             that
             their
             Care
             must
             be
             abated
             ,
             when
             God
             takes
             it
             to
             himself
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             AND
             if
             not
             wanting
             to
             themselves
             ,
             Faith
             gives
             them
             Ease
             ,
             in
             casting
             their
             Burden
             upon
             him
             ,
             who
             hath
             more
             Power
             and
             Right
             to
             it
             ,
             since
             Children
             are
             more
             his
             ,
             than
             our
             own
             .
             He
             that
             feedeth
             the
             
               Young
               Ravens
               ,
               Psal.
            
             147.9
             .
             can
             he
             fail
             the
             best
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ?
             A
             worthy
             Divine
             tells
             us
             of
             a
             Gentlewoman
             ,
             coming
             to
             the
             Cottage
             of
             a
             poor
             Neighbour
             ,
             furnished
             with
             Children
             ,
             could
             say
             ;
             
               Here
               are
               the
               Mouths
               ,
               but
               where
               is
               the
               Meat
            
             ?
             But
             not
             long
             after
             was
             answer'd
             to
             that
             Question
             ;
             for
             the
             poor
             Woman
             after
             the
             Burial
             of
             her
             last
             Child
             ,
             inverted
             the
             Qustion
             upon
             her
             ;
             
               Here
               is
               the
               Meat
               ,
               but
               where
               is
               the
               Mouths
            
             ?
          
           
             11.
             
             SURELY
             ,
             the
             Great
             Governour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             will
             never
             leave
             any
             of
             his
             without
             the
             Bread
             of
             Sufficiency
             ;
             and
             who
             so
             fit
             to
             be
             his
             Purveyors
             ,
             as
             Parents
             for
             their
             Children
             ?
             Nature
             hath
             taught
             Birds
             ,
             to
             pick
             out
             the
             best
             of
             Grains
             for
             their
             Young
             :
             Nature
             sends
             Moister
             out
             of
             the
             Root
             ,
             which
             gives
             Life
             to
             Branches
             and
             Blossoms
             :
             Sometimes
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             it
             meets
             with
             a
             kind
             Retaliation
             ;
             some
             Stork-like
             Disposition
             repairs
             the
             loving
             Offices
             done
             by
             the
             Parents
             ,
             in
             a
             dutiful
             Retribution
             to
             their
             Age
             or
             Necessity
             .
          
           
           
             12.
             
             BUT
             how
             frequently
             proved
             often
             the
             contrary
             ?
             By
             an
             unsatiable
             Importunity
             of
             extracting
             from
             the
             Parents
             that
             Maintenance
             ,
             which
             is
             extravagant
             :
             Sometimes
             an
             undutiful
             neglect
             ,
             in
             not
             owning
             the
             Meanness
             of
             their
             Parents
             ,
             or
             supporting
             their
             decay'd
             Estate
             by
             due
             Maintenance
             .
             Ingratitude
             is
             odious
             in
             Man
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             Child
             monstrous
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             IT
             is
             thy
             Grief
             thou
             never
             hadst
             a
             Child
             :
             There
             is
             not
             so
             much
             Comfort
             in
             having
             of
             Children
             ,
             as
             Sorrow
             in
             parting
             with
             'em
             ;
             especially
             when
             their
             parts
             ,
             and
             Disposition
             have
             raised
             our
             Hopes
             ,
             and
             doubled
             our
             Affections
             towards
             'em
             :
             And
             according
             to
             the
             French
             Proverb
             ;
             
               He
               that
               hath
               not
               ,
               cannot
               lose
            
             ;
             so
             ,
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             he
             that
             hath
             ,
             must
             lose
             .
             Our
             Meeting
             is
             not
             more
             certain
             ,
             than
             our
             Parting
             :
             Either
             we
             must
             leave
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             their
             Grief
             doubles
             ours
             ;
             or
             they
             leave
             us
             ,
             and
             so
             our
             Grief
             will
             be
             no
             less
             than
             our
             Love
             was
             extended
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             IF
             thou
             wilt
             be
             truly
             wise
             ,
             set
             thy
             heart
             upon
             that
             only
             Good
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             capable
             of
             losing
             :
             Divided
             Affections
             abate
             their
             Force
             ;
             and
             since
             no
             Objects
             of
             Dearness
             ,
             distracts
             thy
             Love
             ,
             place
             it
             wholly
             upon
             that
             Infinite
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             entertains
             it
             with
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             rewards
             it
             with
             Blessedness
             .
             If
             Elkanah
             therefore
             could
             say
             to
             his
             Barren
             Wife
             Hannah
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             1.8
             .
             
               Why
               weepest
               thou
               ?
               and
               why
               is
               thy
               Heart
               heavy
               ?
               Am
               not
               I
               better
               to
               thee
               than
               ten
               Sons
            
             ?
             How
             much
             more
             comfortably
             may'st
             thou
             hear
             the
             
               Father
               of
               Mercies
            
             say
             to
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             Why
             is
             thy
             Heart
             heavy
             ?
             Am
             not
             I
             better
             to
             thee
             than
             ten
             Thousand
             ?
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               of
               Comfort
               in
               Sterility
               :
            
             
               O
               GOD
               ,
               the
               Great
               Creator
               ,
               and
               Redeemer
               of
               all
               the
               World
               ,
               who
               dist
               Command
               our
               first
               Parents
               to
               Encrease
               and
               Multiply
               :
               Yet
               those
               Blessings
               thou
               thinkest
               not
               fit
               to
               dispence
               ,
               where
               thy
               Wisdom
               and
               Providence
               knows
               it
               not
               requisite
               :
               O
               LORD
               ,
               thou
               hast
               been
               pleased
               to
               give
               me
               dry
               Breasts
               ,
               and
               shut
               up
               my
               Womb
               ,
               and
               hast
               kept
               me
               from
               that
               great
               pain
               and
               peril
               of
               Child-Birth
               ,
               which
               many
               have
               undergone
               ,
               which
               hath
               put
               a
               period
               to
               their
               Lives
               :
               O
               let
               me
               Bless
               and
               Praise
               thy
               Holy
               Name
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               at
               this
               day
               a
               living
               Monument
               of
               thy
               Mercy
               :
               And
               that
               thy
               Servant
               whom
               thou
               hast
               been
               pleased
               to
               ordain
               for
               my
               Husband
               ,
               is
               not
               yet
               Summoned
               by
               Death
               from
               me
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               thy
               Omnipotency
               knows
               what
               is
               most
               necessary
               for
               me
               ,
               and
               the
               less
               Incumbrances
               and
               Cares
               I
               meet
               with
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               grant
               that
               I
               may
               the
               more
               attentively
               serve
               thee
               ;
               let
               me
               in
               every
               State
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               submit
               to
               thy
               Holy
               Will
               ,
               and
               not
               murmure
               and
               repine
               at
               what
               thy
               good
               pleasure
               has
               allotted
               me
               :
               Comfort
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               and
               increase
               my
               Love
               and
               Affection
               towards
               my
               Husband
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               say
               as
               Elkanah
               did
               to
               Hannah
               ,
               that
               he
               is
               more
               worth
               to
               me
               then
               ten
               Sons
               :
               But
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               grant
               ,
               that
               when
               thou
               shalt
               be
               pleased
               to
               call
               me
               out
               of
               this
               dark
               World
               into
               thy
               marvellous
               Light
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               be
               ready
               to
               leave
               all
               and
               follow
               thee
               ,
               who
               art
               my
               God
               ,
               and
               all
               things
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIV
             .
             Want
             of
             Repose
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             are
             afflicted
             with
             that
             which
             is
             incident
             to
             distemper'd
             Bodies
             ,
             and
             Minds
             :
             How
             wearisom
             it
             is
             to
             spend
             the
             long
             Night
             ,
             tossing
             
             in
             a
             restless
             Bed
             ,
             in
             chase
             of
             Sleep
             ,
             which
             eagerly
             pursued
             ,
             flies
             farther
             from
             us
             ?
             Couldst
             thou
             forbear
             the
             Desire
             of
             it
             ,
             perhaps
             it
             would
             come
             unexpected
             :
             Now
             thou
             Sollicites
             it
             ,
             like
             some
             froward
             Piece
             ,
             it
             is
             coy
             and
             pievish
             ,
             and
             punishes
             thee
             for
             thy
             Eagerness
             after
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             HE
             that
             commanded
             an
             
               Hundred
               twenty
               seven
               Provinces
            
             ,
             could
             not
             command
             Rest
             ;
             
               On
               that
               Night
               his
               Sleep
               departed
               from
               him
               ,
            
             Esth.
             6.1
             .
             neither
             could
             he
             be
             forc'd
             ,
             or
             intreated
             to
             his
             Bed.
             And
             the
             Great
             Babylonian
             Monarch
             ,
             though
             he
             possessed
             some
             Sleep
             ,
             yet
             could
             not
             keep
             it
             ;
             for
             
               His
               Sleep
               brake
               from
               him
            
             ,
             Dan.
             2.1
             .
             And
             for
             Solomon
             ,
             it
             would
             not
             appear
             within
             his
             view
             ;
             
               Neither
               Night
               nor
               Day
               seeth
               he
               Sleep
               with
               his
               Eyes
               ,
            
             Eccles.
             8.16
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             SURELY
             ,
             as
             there
             is
             no
             Earthly
             thing
             more
             comfortable
             to
             Nature
             ,
             than
             Bodily
             rest
             ,
             as
             Jeremiah
             saith
             ,
             Jer.
             31.26
             .
             
               And
               my
               Sleep
               was
               sweet
               unto
               me
            
             :
             So
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             grievous
             and
             disheartning
             :
             If
             the
             Senses
             be
             not
             sometimes
             lock't
             up
             ,
             they
             must
             wast
             ,
             if
             the
             Body
             be
             not
             refreshed
             with
             a
             moderate
             Repose
             ?
             And
             commonly
             the
             Soul
             follows
             the
             Temper
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             it
             cannot
             but
             find
             a
             Discomposure
             in
             her
             Faculties
             and
             Operations
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             DO
             we
             not
             find
             Ravings
             and
             Frenzies
             the
             Attendants
             of
             over
             Watchfulness
             ?
             Therefore
             thy
             Tongue
             hath
             just
             Cause
             to
             complain
             of
             thy
             Eyes
             .
             For
             Remedy
             ,
             instead
             of
             Closing
             thy
             Lids
             for
             Sleep
             ;
             lift
             up
             thy
             Eyes
             to
             him
             that
             
               Giveth
               his
               Beloved
               rest
            
             ,
             Psal.
             127.2
             .
             For
             he
             holdeth
             thine
             
               Eyes
               waking
            
             ,
             Psal.
             77.4
             .
             He
             keeps
             Sleep
             from
             thy
             Body
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             thy
             Soul.
             Let
             not
             thine
             Eyes
             wake
             without
             thy
             Heart
             .
             
             Christ's
             Spouse
             can
             say
             ,
             
               I
               sleep
               ,
               but
               my
               heart
               waketh
               ,
            
             Cant.
             5.4
             .
             But
             how
             much
             more
             would
             she
             say
             ,
             Mine
             Eyes
             wake
             ,
             and
             my
             Heart
             also
             ?
          
           
           
             5.
             
             WHEN
             thou
             canst
             not
             Sleep
             ,
             labour
             to
             see
             him
             that
             is
             Invisible
             :
             One
             Glimpse
             of
             that
             Sight
             ,
             is
             worth
             more
             than
             all
             the
             Sleep
             thine
             Eyes
             is
             capable
             of
             .
             Resign
             thy self
             into
             his
             hands
             ,
             to
             be
             at
             his
             Disposal
             .
             What
             is
             this
             sweet
             Acquiescence
             ,
             but
             the
             Rest
             of
             the
             Soul
             ?
             Which
             if
             thou
             find'st
             in
             thy self
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             quietly
             digest
             the
             Want
             of
             Bodily
             Repose
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             wantest
             Sleep
             :
             Take
             heed
             of
             aggravating
             thine
             Affliction
             :
             It
             is
             only
             a
             Loss
             ,
             but
             not
             of
             Sense
             ;
             a
             want
             of
             what
             thou
             wishest
             ,
             not
             a
             pain
             of
             what
             thou
             feelest
             .
             Alas
             !
             How
             many
             which
             want
             Rest
             ,
             are
             tortur'd
             with
             intolerable
             Torments
             in
             all
             Parts
             of
             their
             Body
             ;
             who
             would
             think
             themselves
             happy
             in
             thy
             Condition
             ,
             Might
             they
             purchase
             Ease
             ?
             how
             gladly
             would
             they
             forbear
             Rest
             ?
             Be
             not
             therefore
             troubled
             for
             want
             of
             Rest
             ;
             but
             be
             thankful
             that
             no
             worse
             Evil
             attends
             thee
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             lack'st
             Sleep
             ;
             a
             thing
             we
             desire
             not
             so
             much
             for
             its
             own
             sake
             ,
             as
             for
             Health
             .
             What
             if
             God
             be
             pleased
             to
             give
             thee
             Health
             without
             it
             ?
             It
             is
             reported
             of
             a
             Woman
             in
             Padua
             ,
             that
             continued
             fifteen
             Days
             and
             Nights
             without
             Sleep
             :
             And
             Seneca
             tells
             us
             of
             great
             Mecaenas
             ,
             that
             in
             three
             Years
             he
             slept
             not
             the
             space
             of
             an
             Hour
             :
             Which
             Lipsius
             thinks
             good
             to
             mitigate
             with
             a
             favourable
             Construction
             ,
             conceiving
             an
             Impossibility
             of
             an
             absolute
             Vigilancy
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             YET
             compared
             with
             other
             Instances
             ,
             we
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             scruple
             that
             Relation
             ;
             for
             the
             Learned
             Heurnius
             tells
             us
             ,
             upon
             good
             Assurance
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             Student
             in
             
               Padua
               ;
               Nizolius
            
             the
             famous
             Ciceronian
             ,
             liv'd
             ten
             Years
             without
             Sleep
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             BUT
             that
             exceeds
             all
             Example
             ,
             which
             Monsieur
             Goulart
             reports
             ,
             of
             a
             Gentlewoman
             ,
             
             who
             for
             Thirty
             five
             Years
             remain'd
             without
             Sleep
             ,
             and
             found
             
             Inconvenience
             ,
             or
             Distemper
             ,
             as
             was
             attested
             by
             her
             Husband
             and
             Servants
             .
             
               The
               Hand
               of
            
             God
             
               is
               not
               shortned
            
             :
             He
             who
             miraculously
             preserved
             the
             Maid
             of
             Meures
             so
             many
             Years
             without
             Meat
             ;
             hath
             sustain'd
             the
             Lives
             of
             these
             fore-mentioned
             Persons
             thus
             long
             without
             Sleep
             ;
             that
             it
             might
             appear
             ,
             
               Man
               lives
               not
               by
               Meat
            
             ,
             or
             Sleep
             only
             ,
             
               but
               by
               every
               word
               that
               proceedeth
               out
               of
               the
               Mouth
               of
               God
               ,
            
             Mat.
             4.4
             .
             Luk.
             4.4
             .
             Deut.
             8.3
             .
             If
             he
             pleases
             to
             bless
             thee
             with
             a
             watchful
             Health
             ,
             the
             Blessing
             is
             far
             greater
             ,
             than
             if
             he
             allow'd
             thee
             to
             sleep
             out
             thy
             time
             in
             a
             dull
             unprofitable
             Rest.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             THOU
             wantest
             Sleep
             :
             
               Behold
               ,
               he
               that
               keepeth
            
             Israel
             ,
             
               doth
               neither
               slumber
               nor
               sleep
            
             ,
             Psal.
             121
             4.
             
             Those
             Blessed
             Spirits
             ,
             that
             continually
             behold
             the
             Face
             of
             God
             ,
             never
             sleep
             :
             For
             Sleep
             is
             a
             Symptom
             of
             Mortality
             ;
             and
             the
             less
             we
             partake
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             come
             the
             nearer
             to
             those
             Spiritual
             Natures
             ,
             whose
             Perfection
             requires
             no
             Rest.
             The
             retir'd
             Christians
             ,
             in
             Primitive
             Times
             ,
             affecting
             to
             come
             near
             an
             Angelical
             Life
             ,
             wilfully
             repelled
             Sleep
             ;
             till
             it
             necessarily
             forc'd
             it self
             upon
             them
             .
             Thou
             suffer'st
             no
             more
             out
             of
             the
             Distemper
             of
             Humours
             ,
             or
             unnatural
             Obstructions
             ,
             than
             better
             Men
             have
             willingly
             attracted
             out
             of
             holy
             Resolutions
             .
             It
             is
             but
             our
             Construction
             ,
             that
             makes
             those
             things
             tedious
             ,
             which
             have
             prov'd
             easie
             to
             others
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             THOU
             wantest
             Sleep
             :
             Have
             Patience
             a
             while
             ;
             thou
             art
             going
             where
             there
             shall
             be
             no
             need
             ,
             nor
             use
             of
             it
             :
             And
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             ,
             thy
             Better
             Part
             cannot
             rest
             :
             Though
             the
             Gates
             be
             shut
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             shew
             it self
             ,
             yet
             it
             ever
             will
             be
             active
             .
             As
             for
             this
             Lump
             of
             Earth
             ,
             it
             shall
             ere
             long
             sleep
             its
             full
             ;
             where
             no
             Noise
             can
             wake
             it
             ,
             till
             
               The
               Voice
               of
               the
               Arch
               Angel
               ,
               and
               the
               Trumpet
               of
               God
            
             shall
             call
             it
             up
             in
             the
             Morning
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             ,
             1
             Thess.
             4.16
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               when
               Repose
               is
               Obstructed
               .
            
             
               O
               GOD
               ,
               the
               keeper
               of
               Israel
               ,
               who
               neither
               slumbrest
               nor
               sleepest
               ,
               yet
               thy
               Omnipotency
               knows
               without
               it
               ,
               poor
               Dust
               and
               Ashes
               cannot
               subsist
               ;
               it
               was
               by
               thy
               Almighty
               Power
               ,
               that
               King
               Ahasuerus
               one
               Night
               was
               deprived
               of
               his
               Repose
               in
               his
               Royal
               Bed
               ,
               and
               yet
               through
               thy
               Gracious
               Providence
               ,
               thy
               Holy
               Apostle
               St.
               Peter
               Slept
               quietly
               ,
               though
               strongly
               Guarded
               by
               Soldiers
               ,
               and
               Chained
               fast
               in
               a
               Dark
               Prison
               :
               But
               ,
               O
               thou
               ,
               that
               givest
               thy
               Beloved
               rest
               ,
               Behold
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               with
               thine
               All-seeing
               Eye
               ,
               how
               my
               Sleep
               is
               departed
               from
               me
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               I
               am
               become
               infirm
               in
               Body
               ,
               for
               want
               of
               that
               natural
               rest
               ,
               which
               many
               through
               thy
               tender
               Mercy
               Enjoyes
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               LORD
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               Rich
               Treasure
               of
               thy
               Transcendent
               Goodness
               ,
               have
               Compassion
               upon
               my
               Weak
               and
               Frail
               Constitution
               ,
               which
               yet
               requireth
               further
               nutriment
               .
               Lord
               ,
               suffer
               not
               any
               Cares
               or
               Fears
               to
               perplex
               my
               Thoughts
               any
               longer
               at
               this
               Season
               ,
               but
               so
               Compose
               all
               my
               Senses
               in
               this
               Dark
               and
               Silent
               Night
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               lay
               me
               down
               in
               Peace
               ,
               and
               take
               my
               rest
               in
               Safety
               :
               O
               hear
               me
               ,
               and
               answer
               me
               in
               thy
               own
               due
               time
               ,
               that
               when
               my
               Body
               shall
               receive
               its
               due
               Refreshment
               ,
               my
               Mind
               may
               be
               perpetually
               Vigilant
               to
               serve
               thee
               ,
               unto
               my
               Lives
               end
               :
               Grant
               this
               ,
               O
               Father
               ,
               for
               thy
               dear
               Sons
               sake
               ,
               my
               only
               Lord
               and
               Saviour
               .
               Amen
               ,
            
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             XV.
             Of
             Gray-Hairs
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             GRAY-HAIRS
             is
             that
             we
             desire
             to
             aspire
             to
             ;
             and
             when
             attain'd
             ,
             are
             ready
             to
             complain
             our
             greatest
             Misery
             ;
             verifying
             in
             part
             that
             old
             Observation
             ,
             
               That
               Wedlock
               and
               Age
               are
               things
               which
               we
               desire
               ,
               and
               repent
               of
               .
            
             Is
             this
             our
             Ingratitude
             or
             Inconstancy
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             weary
             of
             what
             we
             wish'd
             for
             ?
             Perhaps
             this
             Accusation
             may
             not
             be
             Universal
             :
             There
             is
             difference
             in
             Constitutions
             ,
             and
             latitude
             in
             Old
             Age.
             Infancy
             and
             Youth
             have
             their
             limits
             ,
             age
             admits
             of
             no
             certain
             Determination
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             AT
             Seventy
             ,
             
               King
               David
               was
               old
               and
               stricken
               in
               Years
               ;
               and
               they
               cover'd
               him
               with
               Cloaths
               ,
               but
               he
               got
               no
               heat
               ,
            
             1
             King.
             1.1
             .
             Whereas
             Caleb
             can
             profess
             ,
             
               Now
               loe
               I
               am
               fourscore
               and
               five
               Years
               old
               ,
               and
               yet
               I
               am
               as
               strong
               this
               day
               ,
               as
               I
               was
               in
               the
               day
               that
            
             Moses
             
               sent
               me
               to
               spy
               out
               the
               Land
               :
               As
               my
               Strength
               was
               then
               ,
               even
               so
               is
               my
               Strength
               now
               ,
               for
               war
               ,
               both
               to
               go
               out
               ,
               and
               come
               in
               ,
            
             Josh.
             14.10
             ,
             11.
             
             And
             beyond
             him
             ,
             
               Moses
               was
               an
               hundred
               and
               twenty
               Years
               old
               ;
               when
               he
               died
               ,
               his
               Eye
               was
               not
               dim
               ,
               nor
               his
               Natural
               Force
               abated
               ,
            
             Deut.
             34.7
             .
             Methuselah
             was
             but
             Old
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             
               Nine
               hundred
               sixty
               and
               nine
            
             ,
             Gen
             5.27
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             BUT
             for
             the
             generality
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             the
             same
             Moses
             ,
             who
             liv'd
             to
             see
             an
             hundred
             and
             twenty
             ,
             hath
             set
             Man's
             ordinary
             Period
             at
             half
             his
             own
             :
             Psal.
             90.10
             .
             
               The
               days
               of
               our
               Age
               ,
               are
               threescore
               Years
               and
               ten
               .
               And
               tho
               Men
               be
               so
               strong
               ,
               that
               they
               come
               to
               fourscore
               Years
               ,
               yet
               is
               their
               Strength
               but
               Labour
               and
               Sorrow
               :
               So
               passeth
               it
               away
               ,
               and
               we
               are
               gone
               .
            
             Fourscore
             Years
             ,
             are
             load
             enough
             for
             the
             Strength
             ,
             much
             more
             for
             the
             weakness
             of
             Age.
             But
             when
             
             Labour
             and
             Sorrow
             are
             added
             to
             the
             Weight
             ,
             how
             can
             we
             but
             sink
             under
             the
             Burden
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             HE
             was
             old
             and
             wise
             ,
             that
             said
             by
             Experience
             ;
             
               That
               our
               last
               Days
               are
               the
               Dregs
               of
               our
               Life
               :
               The
               clearer
               part
               is
               gone
               ,
               and
               all
               drawn
               out
               ,
               the
               Lees
               sink
               down
               to
               the
               buttom
               .
            
             Who
             can
             express
             the
             miserable
             Inconveniencies
             that
             attenst
             the
             Aged
             ?
             For
             Cares
             must
             needs
             be
             multiplied
             according
             to
             the
             manifold
             occasions
             of
             Affairs
             :
             For
             the
             World
             is
             a
             Net
             ,
             wherein
             the
             more
             we
             stir
             ,
             we
             are
             Entangled
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             AND
             for
             Bodily
             Grievances
             ,
             What
             Varieties
             do
             we
             meet
             withal
             ?
             What
             Aches
             in
             the
             
               Bones
               ,
               Pains
            
             in
             the
             
               Joynts
               ,
               Convulsions
            
             of
             Sinews
             ,
             and
             Torments
             in
             the
             Bowels
             ;
             the
             
               Stone
               ,
               Collick
               ,
               Stranguary
            
             ,
             and
             
               Distillation
               of
               Rheums
            
             ?
             What
             
               Hollow
               Coughs
               ,
               weaknesses
            
             of
             
               Retention
               ,
               Expulsion
               ,
               Digestion
            
             ,
             and
             
               Decay
               of
               Senses
            
             ?
             So
             that
             Age
             is
             the
             common
             Sewer
             ,
             into
             which
             all
             Diseases
             of
             our
             Life
             are
             Evacuated
             .
             Well
             therefore
             might
             Sarah
             say
             ,
             
               After
               I
               am
               waxed
               Old
               ,
               shall
               I
               have
               Pleasure
            
             ?
             Gen.
             18.12
             .
             And
             good
             Barzillai
             justly
             excuses
             himself
             for
             not
             accepting
             the
             gracious
             Invitation
             of
             David
             ,
             2
             Sam.
             19.35
             .
             
               I
               am
               this
               day
               fourscore
               Years
               old
               ,
               and
               can
               I
               discern
               between
               Good
               and
               Evil
               ?
               Can
               thy
               Servant
               taste
               what
               I
               eat
               ,
               or
               what
               I
               drink
               ?
               Can
               I
               hear
               any
               more
               the
               voice
               of
               Singing-Men
               ,
               and
               Singing-Women
               ?
               Wherefore
               then
               should
               thy
               Servant
               be
               yet
               a
               Burden
               unto
               my
               Lord
               the
               King
            
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             THESE
             are
             they
             the
             Preacher
             calls
             the
             
               Evil
               Days
            
             ,
             and
             
               the
               Years
            
             ,
             wherein
             a
             Man
             shall
             say
             ,
             
               I
               have
               no
               Pleasure
               in
               them
               :
            
             Wherein
             
               the
               Sun
               ,
               or
               the
               Light
               ,
               or
               the
               Moon
               ,
               or
               the
               Stars
               are
               darkned
               ,
               and
               the
               Clouds
               return
               after
               the
               Rain
               :
               When
               the
               Keepers
               of
               the
               House
               shall
               tremble
               ,
               and
               the
               Strong
               Men
               shall
               bow
               themselves
               ,
               and
               the
               Grinders
               cease
               ,
               because
               they
               are
               few
               ,
               and
               those
               that
               look
               out
               of
               the
               Windows
               ,
               be
               darkned
               :
            
             Eccles.
             12.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             In
             short
             ,
             what
             is
             Old-Age
             but
             the
             Winter
             
             of
             Life
             ?
             And
             how
             can
             we
             expect
             any
             other
             but
             
               gloomy
               Weather
               ,
               chilling
               Frosts
               ,
               Storms
               ,
               and
               Tempests
            
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             BUT
             whilst
             we
             thus
             querulously
             aggravate
             the
             incommodiousness
             of
             Age
             ,
             we
             must
             beware
             lest
             we
             derogate
             from
             the
             Bounty
             of
             our
             Maker
             ,
             and
             disparage
             those
             Blessings
             which
             he
             accounts
             Precious
             ;
             amongst
             which
             ,
             Old-Age
             is
             none
             of
             the
             meanest
             .
             Had
             he
             not
             put
             that
             value
             upon
             it
             ,
             he
             would
             not
             have
             honour'd
             it
             with
             his
             own
             Stile
             ;
             calling
             himself
             ,
             
               The
               Ancient
               of
               Days
            
             ?
             Dan.
             7.9.13.22
             .
             Or
             would
             he
             else
             have
             set
             out
             this
             Mercy
             ,
             as
             a
             Reward
             and
             Obedience
             to
             himself
             ,
             
               (
               I
               will
               fulfil
               the
               number
               of
               thy
               days
               ,
            
             Exod.
             23.26
             .
             )
             and
             of
             Obedience
             to
             our
             Parents
             ,
             
               To
               live
               long
               in
               the
               Land
               ,
            
             Exod.
             20.12
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             WOULD
             he
             have
             promised
             it
             as
             a
             marvellous
             Favour
             to
             restor'd
             Jerusalem
             ,
             (
             now
             become
             a
             City
             of
             Truth
             )
             
               That
               there
               shall
               yet
               Old
               Men
               and
               Old
               Women
               dwell
               in
               the
               Streets
               of
               Jerusalem
               ,
               and
               every
               Man
               with
               his
               Staff
               in
               his
               Hand
               for
               every
               Age
            
             ?
             Zach.
             8.4
             .
             Would
             he
             else
             have
             denounc'd
             it
             as
             a
             Judgment
             to
             over-indulgent
             Eli
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             2.32
             .
             
               There
               shall
               not
               be
               an
               Old
               Man
               in
               thy
               House
               for
               ever
            
             ?
             Far
             be
             it
             from
             us
             ,
             to
             despise
             that
             which
             God
             Honors
             ,
             and
             turn
             his
             Blessings
             into
             a
             Curse
             .
             For
             the
             same
             God
             ,
             who
             best
             knows
             the
             Price
             of
             his
             own
             Favours
             ,
             as
             he
             makes
             no
             small
             estimation
             of
             Age
             himself
             ,
             so
             he
             hath
             thought
             fit
             to
             call
             for
             a
             high
             Respect
             to
             be
             given
             it
             by
             Men
             ,
             out
             of
             an
             Holy
             Awe
             to
             himself
             .
             Lev.
             19.32
             .
             
               Thou
               shalt
               rise
               up
               before
               the
               hoary
               Head
               ,
               and
               Honor
               the
               Face
               of
               the
               Old
               Man
               ,
               and
               fear
               thy
               God.
               I
               am
               the
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             9.
             
             HENCE
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             pleas'd
             to
             put
             together
             the
             
               Ancient
               ,
               and
               the
               Honourable
            
             ,
             Isa.
             9.15
             .
             and
             hath
             told
             us
             that
             an
             
               Hoary
               Head
               is
               a
               Crown
               of
               Glory
               ,
               if
               it
               be
               found
               in
               the
               way
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
            
             Prov.
             16.31
             .
             
             Chap.
             20.29
             .
             And
             lastly
             ,
             makes
             it
             an
             Argument
             of
             the
             deplorable
             State
             of
             Jerusalem
             ,
             Lam.
             4.16
             .
             That
             
               They
               favoured
               not
               the
               Elders
            
             .
             Therefore
             as
             we
             too
             sensibly
             feel
             what
             to
             complain
             of
             ,
             so
             we
             know
             what
             Priviledges
             we
             may
             challenge
             due
             to
             Age
             ;
             even
             such
             as
             Nature
             hath
             taught
             those
             Heathens
             ,
             which
             are
             in
             the
             next
             degree
             to
             Savage
             .
             If
             Pride
             and
             Skill
             have
             made
             the
             Athenians
             Uncivil
             ,
             yet
             a
             Young
             Lacedemonian
             will
             rise
             ,
             and
             yield
             his
             Place
             in
             the
             Theatre
             to
             neglected
             Age.
             
          
           
             10.
             
             IT
             is
             not
             a
             little
             Injurious
             to
             fasten
             our
             Eyes
             upon
             the
             disadvantages
             of
             any
             Condition
             ,
             as
             not
             to
             take
             in
             the
             Advantages
             that
             belong
             to
             it
             ;
             which
             carefully
             laid
             together
             ,
             may
             perhaps
             sway
             the
             Ballance
             to
             an
             equal
             Poise
             .
             Suppose
             Old-Age
             is
             oppress'd
             with
             Bodily
             Griefs
             ;
             yet
             it
             may
             yield
             other
             Immunities
             to
             keep
             the
             Scales
             even
             :
             And
             it
             is
             not
             the
             least
             ,
             that
             it
             gives
             us
             firm
             Resolutions
             and
             bold
             Securities
             against
             Dangers
             ,
             and
             Death
             it self
             :
             For
             the
             Old
             Man
             knows
             how
             little
             of
             his
             Thred
             is
             left
             in
             the
             Winding
             ;
             and
             therefore
             when
             just
             Occasion
             is
             offer'd
             ,
             insists
             not
             much
             upon
             so
             inconsiderable
             a
             Remainder
             .
          
           
             OLD-AGE
             and
             Orbity
             ,
             as
             Ceselius
             profess'd
             ,
             were
             those
             things
             that
             emboldened
             him
             .
             And
             when
             Castritius
             refus'd
             to
             deliver
             the
             Hostages
             of
             Placentia
             to
             Carbo
             the
             Consul
             ,
             and
             was
             threatned
             with
             many
             Swords
             ,
             he
             answer'd
             those
             Menaces
             with
             his
             many
             Years
             .
             What
             young
             Man
             would
             have
             been
             so
             easily
             induc'd
             to
             part
             with
             his
             Life
             ,
             and
             having
             been
             so
             ready
             to
             give
             entertainment
             to
             an
             unexpected
             Death
             ?
             Surely
             the
             hope
             and
             love
             of
             Life
             ,
             commonly
             softens
             the
             Spirits
             of
             vigorous
             Youth
             ,
             and
             disswades
             them
             from
             those
             Enterprizes
             ,
             which
             are
             attended
             with
             manifest
             Perils
             :
             Whereas
             ,
             extream
             Age
             teacheth
             us
             to
             contemn
             Dangers
             .
          
           
           
             12.
             
             YET
             a
             greater
             priviledge
             of
             Age
             ,
             is
             a
             Freedom
             from
             those
             impetuous
             Passions
             wherewith
             Youth
             is
             commonly
             over-sway'd
             ;
             for
             with
             our
             Natural
             Heat
             ,
             the
             Fire
             of
             our
             inordinate
             Lusts
             is
             abated
             ,
             so
             as
             our
             weaker
             Appetite
             may
             be
             subdu'd
             to
             Reason
             .
             The
             Temperate
             old
             Man
             in
             the
             Story
             ,
             when
             one
             shew'd
             him
             a
             Beautiful
             Face
             ,
             could
             answer
             ;
             
               I
               have
               long
               since
               left
               to
               be
               Eye-sick
            
             :
             And
             could
             say
             of
             Pleasure
             ;
             
               I
               have
               gladly
               withdrawn
               my self
               from
               that
               Imperious
               Mistress
               .
            
          
           
             13.
             
             WHAT
             an
             unreasonable
             Vassalage
             our
             Youthful
             Lusts
             subject
             us
             to
             ,
             we
             need
             no
             other
             Instance
             than
             in
             Sampson
             ,
             who
             was
             effeminated
             by
             his
             impotent
             Passion
             ,
             and
             weakned
             to
             betray
             his
             Life
             to
             a
             mercinary
             Harlot
             ,
             and
             to
             endure
             to
             hear
             her
             say
             ;
             
               Tell
               me
               wherewith
               thou
               mayst
               be
               Bound
               ,
               to
               do
               thee
               hurt
               ,
            
             Judg.
             16.6
             .
             How
             easily
             might
             he
             have
             answered
             her
             ;
             O
             Delilah
             ,
             even
             with
             these
             Cords
             of
             Brutish
             Sensuality
             .
             How
             was
             Solomon
             Besotted
             with
             his
             Strange
             Wives
             ,
             and
             drawn
             away
             to
             Worship
             strange
             Gods
             ,
             1
             King
             ,
             11.5
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             AND
             how
             may
             Fir-trees
             howl
             ,
             when
             Cedars
             fall
             ?
             Who
             can
             hope
             to
             be
             free
             from
             being
             transported
             with
             irregular
             Affections
             ,
             when
             we
             see
             such
             great
             precedents
             of
             Frailties
             ?
             From
             the
             danger
             of
             these
             sad
             Miscarriages
             ,
             our
             Age
             happily
             secures
             us
             ;
             disposing
             us
             into
             quiet
             Harbour
             ,
             whence
             we
             may
             see
             Youth
             toss'd
             with
             Tempests
             of
             unruly
             Passions
             ,
             from
             which
             Seniority
             hath
             free'd
             us
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             ANNEX
             Experimental
             Knowledge
             ,
             which
             Age
             enriches
             us
             ;
             every
             Dram
             is
             worth
             Pounds
             of
             Junior
             Contentments
             :
             In
             comparison
             the
             Speculative
             Knowledge
             is
             weak
             and
             imperfect
             .
             This
             may
             come
             at
             an
             easie
             rate
             ,
             perhaps
             cost
             us
             nothing
             :
             That
             ,
             commonly
             we
             pay
             dear
             for
             ,
             and
             is
             esteem'd
             valuable
             .
             If
             Experience
             be
             the
             Mistress
             of
             Fools
             ,
             
             I
             'm
             sure
             't
             is
             the
             Mother
             of
             Wisdom
             :
             For
             the
             long
             Observation
             of
             variety
             of
             Actions
             and
             Events
             in
             the
             whole
             course
             of
             our
             Life
             ,
             must
             needs
             leave
             such
             sure
             Rules
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             unfailable
             Directions
             for
             our selves
             and
             others
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             IN
             vain
             shall
             this
             be
             expected
             from
             our
             Minority
             ,
             which
             the
             Wise
             Philosopher
             excludes
             from
             being
             Judges
             of
             true
             Morality
             :
             And
             well
             might
             the
             Old
             Man
             say
             ;
             
               Ye
               Young
               Men
               ,
               think
               us
               Old
               Men
               Fools
               ;
               but
               we
               Old
               Men
               know
               you
               Young
               Men
               to
               be
               Fools
               .
            
             And
             indeed
             what
             value
             Ignorance
             may
             put
             upon
             it
             ,
             this
             Fruit
             of
             Age
             the
             Earth
             hath
             nothing
             equally
             so
             precious
             .
             It
             was
             Prophane
             ,
             but
             fit
             for
             the
             Mouth
             of
             an
             Heathen
             Poet
             ,
             
               That
               Prudence
               is
               above
               Destiny
            
             .
             But
             surely
             a
             Christian
             may
             justly
             say
             ,
             That
             next
             to
             Providence
             ,
             Humane
             Prudence
             may
             challenge
             the
             supream
             Place
             in
             Earthly
             Affairs
             ,
             and
             Age
             claim
             the
             greatest
             Interest
             in
             that
             vertue
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             YOUNG
             Elihu
             could
             say
             ,
             Job
             32.7
             .
             
               Multitude
               of
               years
               should
               teach
               Wisdom
               .
            
             And
             the
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             Ecclus.
             25.4
             ,
             5.
             
             
               Oh
               ,
               how
               comely
               a
               thing
               is
               Judgment
               for
               Gray-Hairs
               ,
               and
               for
               Ancient
               Men
               to
               know
               Counsel
               !
               Oh
               ,
               how
               comely
               is
               the
               Wisdom
               of
               Old
               Men
               ,
               and
               Understanding
               and
               Counsel
               to
               Men
               of
               Honor.
            
             And
             the
             Grecians
             could
             say
             ,
             
               That
               young
               Men
               are
               for
               Action
               ,
               and
               old
               Men
               for
               Advice
            
             :
             And
             among
             the
             
               Romans
               ,
               Senators
            
             take
             their
             Name
             from
             Age.
             That
             which
             causeth
             weakness
             of
             Aged
             Eyes
             ,
             is
             ,
             they
             better
             discern
             things
             further
             off
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             strength
             of
             their
             Mental
             Eyes
             ,
             they
             perceive
             Judgments
             or
             Advantages
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             frame
             their
             Determinations
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             IT
             is
             observ'd
             ,
             that
             Old
             Lutes
             sound
             better
             than
             New.
             It
             was
             
             Rehoboam's
             Folly
             and
             Undoing
             ,
             1
             King.
             12.6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9
             ,
             10
             ,
             &c.
             to
             follow
             the
             Advice
             of
             Green
             Heads
             ,
             and
             abandon
             those
             Grave
             
             Senators
             of
             his
             Fathers
             Counsel
             .
             Not
             that
             Age
             of
             it self
             is
             Rich
             in
             Wisdom
             and
             Knowledge
             :
             But
             well
             cultur'd
             ,
             and
             improv'd
             ,
             is
             valuable
             .
             There
             are
             Old
             Men
             ,
             that
             live
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             Being
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             who
             can
             give
             no
             Proof
             of
             their
             many
             Years
             ,
             but
             only
             Gray-Hairs
             and
             Infirmities
             .
             There
             are
             those
             ,
             who
             ,
             like
             to
             Hermogenes
             ,
             are
             Old
             ,
             whilst
             Young
             ;
             and
             Children
             ,
             when
             Old
             :
             These
             the
             Elder
             they
             grow
             ,
             are
             more
             stupid
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             TIME
             is
             an
             ill
             Measure
             of
             Age
             ,
             which
             should
             rather
             be
             meted
             by
             Proficiency
             ,
             Ripeness
             of
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             Monuments
             of
             commendable
             and
             useful
             Labours
             .
             If
             we
             have
             thus
             imployed
             our selves
             ,
             our
             Autumn
             will
             shew
             what
             our
             Spring
             was
             ;
             and
             our
             Gray-Hairs
             will
             give
             us
             more
             Cause
             to
             fear
             Pride
             ;
             than
             Dejection
             .
             We
             accuse
             Age
             of
             many
             Weaknesses
             and
             Indispositions
             :
             But
             these
             Imputations
             are
             not
             Universal
             :
             Many
             of
             these
             are
             Faults
             of
             the
             Person
             ,
             not
             of
             the
             Age.
             All
             Wine
             doth
             not
             sowr
             with
             Age
             ,
             neither
             doth
             every
             Nature
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             OLD
             Oyl
             is
             clearer
             ,
             and
             hotter
             in
             Medicinal
             Uses
             than
             New.
             Some
             are
             pettish
             ,
             and
             morose
             in
             Youth
             ;
             and
             others
             are
             mild
             ,
             gentle
             and
             sociable
             ,
             in
             their
             decayed
             Years
             .
             Some
             are
             crazy
             in
             their
             Prime
             ;
             and
             others
             in
             their
             Wain
             are
             Vigorous
             :
             And
             many
             before
             the
             fulness
             of
             their
             Age
             ,
             have
             lost
             their
             Memory
             ;
             as
             
               Hermogenes
               ,
               Corvinus
               ,
               Antonius
               Carracalla
               ,
               Georgius
               Trapezuntius
               ,
            
             and
             Nizolius
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             SOME
             ,
             whose
             intellectuals
             have
             so
             happily
             held
             out
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             been
             best
             at
             the
             last
             .
             Plato
             at
             fourscore
             and
             one
             ,
             died
             with
             his
             Pen
             in
             his
             hand
             :
             and
             Demosthenes
             ,
             when
             Death
             Summon'd
             him
             at
             an
             100
             Years
             ,
             he
             bemoan'd
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             must
             now
             die
             ,
             when
             he
             began
             to
             gain
             knowledge
             .
             And
             as
             for
             Spiritual
             Graces
             and
             Improvements
             ,
             the
             Psalmist
             satisfies
             us
             ,
             Psal.
             92.12
             ,
             13.
             
             
               Such
               as
               be
               planted
               
               in
               the
               House
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               shall
               flowrish
               in
               the
               Courts
               of
               our
               God
               :
               They
               shall
               also
               bring
               forth
               more
               fruit
               in
               their
               Age
               ;
               and
               shall
               be
               fat
               and
               well
               liking
               .
            
          
           
             22.
             
             BUT
             the
             chief
             Benefit
             of
             Age
             is
             ,
             our
             approach
             to
             our
             Journeys
             end
             :
             For
             the
             end
             of
             motion
             is
             rest
             ;
             and
             once
             attain'd
             ,
             their
             remains
             nothing
             but
             fruition
             :
             Now
             Age
             brings
             us
             after
             a
             weary
             Race
             within
             some
             breathings
             of
             our
             Journeys
             end
             :
             For
             if
             Young
             Men
             may
             die
             ,
             Old
             Men
             must
             ;
             a
             condition
             which
             a
             carnal
             heart
             bewails
             and
             abhors
             ,
             complaining
             of
             nature
             as
             Niggardly
             in
             Dispensations
             of
             the
             shortest
             time
             to
             her
             noblest
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             envying
             the
             Oaks
             ,
             which
             many
             generations
             must
             leave
             standing
             and
             growing
             .
          
           
             23.
             
             NO
             marvel
             ,
             the
             Worlding
             thinks
             himself
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             looks
             upon
             Death
             as
             a
             banishment
             :
             He
             hath
             placed
             his
             heav'n
             here
             below
             ,
             and
             can
             see
             nothing
             in
             his
             remove
             ,
             but
             Annihilation
             ,
             or
             Torment
             :
             But
             for
             Christians
             ,
             who
             know
             ,
             that
             
               whilst
               we
               are
               present
               in
               the
               body
               ,
               we
               are
               absent
               from
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.6
             .
             and
             do
             justly
             account
             our selves
             Foreigners
             ,
             our
             Life
             a
             Pilgrimage
             ,
             Heaven
             our
             Home
             ;
             how
             can
             we
             but
             rejoice
             ,
             that
             after
             a
             tedious
             and
             painful
             Travel
             ,
             we
             do
             now
             draw
             near
             the
             threshold
             of
             our
             Father's
             house
             ;
             wherein
             we
             know
             there
             are
             
               many
               Mansions
            
             ,
             and
             all
             Glorious
             ,
             John
             14.2
             .
          
           
             24.
             
             I
             could
             blush
             to
             hear
             a
             Heathen
             say
             ,
             if
             God
             would
             offer
             me
             the
             choice
             of
             renewing
             my
             Age
             ,
             and
             returning
             to
             my
             Childhood
             ,
             I
             should
             heartily
             refuse
             it
             ;
             for
             I
             should
             be
             loath
             ,
             after
             I
             have
             passed
             so
             much
             of
             my
             Race
             to
             be
             recalled
             back
             from
             the
             Goal
             ,
             to
             the
             Bars
             of
             my
             first
             setting
             out
             ;
             and
             to
             hear
             a
             Christian
             sighing
             and
             sobbing
             at
             the
             thought
             of
             his
             Dissolution
             .
             Where
             is
             our
             Faith
             of
             a
             Heav'n
             ,
             〈◊〉
             after
             long
             Sea-beaten
             ,
             we
             are
             loath
             to
             think
             of
             putting
             into
             the
             safe
             Harbour
             of
             Immortality
             ?
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               the
               Aged
               .
            
             
               O
               LORD
               GOD
               ,
               of
               my
               Salvation
               ,
               I
               humbly
               render
               thee
               all
               hearty
               thanks
               for
               thy
               abundant
               Mercies
               and
               Favours
               ,
               Spiritual
               and
               Temporal
               ,
               for
               thy
               Gracious
               Preservation
               of
               me
               from
               my
               Youth
               ,
               untill
               this
               present
               Moment
               :
               That
               thou
               hast
               spared
               me
               in
               thy
               Fatherly
               Mercy
               ,
               when
               in
               thy
               Justice
               thou
               mightest
               have
               destroyed
               me
               :
               Lord
               ,
               as
               thou
               hast
               given
               me
               space
               for
               Repentance
               ,
               and
               reserv'd
               me
               to
               these
               Years
               ,
               who
               mightest
               justly
               have
               cut
               off
               the
               days
               of
               a
               mispent
               Youth
               ,
               so
               now
               accomplish
               thine
               own
               Work
               ;
               give
               me
               an
               Heart
               faithfully
               to
               adhere
               unto
               thee
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               constantly
               Endeavour
               to
               Redeem
               the
               many
               Errors
               of
               my
               life
               past
               ,
               by
               becoming
               a
               Pattern
               of
               Faith
               ,
               and
               Obedience
               ,
               in
               all
               those
               with
               whom
               I
               Converse
               with
               for
               the
               Future
               :
               Lord
               ,
               fill
               me
               with
               thy
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               bear
               more
               fruit
               in
               my
               Age
               :
               Forsake
               me
               not
               now
               ,
               I
               am
               Old
               and
               Gray-Headed
               :
               Neither
               Remember
               the
               Sins
               and
               Follies
               of
               my
               Youth
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               O
               let
               thy
               Power
               appear
               in
               my
               Weakness
               ,
               and
               the
               Operation
               of
               thy
               Spirit
               in
               the
               Decays
               and
               Ruins
               of
               this
               Earthly
               Tabernacle
               ,
               by
               the
               evident
               repair
               of
               thine
               own
               Image
               in
               me
               ,
               Mortifying
               the
               remainds
               of
               Sin
               ,
               and
               assuring
               me
               of
               my
               Election
               and
               Calling
               in
               
                 Christ
                 Jesus
              
               :
               And
               now
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               the
               time
               of
               my
               departure
               draweth
               nigh
               ,
               give
               me
               a
               vigilant
               Spirit
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               be
               ready
               when
               thou
               Summonest
               me
               :
               Lord
               ,
               there
               are
               but
               few
               steps
               between
               me
               and
               this
               Worlds
               period
               ;
               O
               strengthen
               me
               with
               thy
               Grace
               ,
               give
               me
               a
               lively
               Faith
               ,
               an
               Invincible
               and
               Constant
               perseverance
               in
               this
               Race
               ,
               of
               the
               few
               and
               evil
               dayes
               of
               this
               Earthly
               Pilgrimage
               ;
               that
               by
               thy
               merciful
               Assistance
               I
               may
               so
               run
               that
               I
               may
               obtain
               :
               That
               when
               thou
               pleasest
               to
               give
               me
               rest
               from
               my
               Labours
               ,
               and
               gather
               me
               to
               my
               Fathers
               ,
               I
               may
               against
               all
               the
               pains
               and
               Sorrows
               of
               Death
               ,
               willingly
               and
               cheerfully
               ,
               yield
               up
               my
               Soul
               ,
               into
               
               thy
               Gracious
               Hands
               ,
               in
               full
               assurance
               of
               my
               Redeemption
               and
               Salvation
               ,
               through
               
                 Jesus
                 Christ
              
               our
               Lord.
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XVI
             .
             Of
             Mortality
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             fearest
             Death
             :
             The
             Holiest
             ,
             Wisest
             ,
             and
             Strongest
             have
             done
             no
             less
             :
             He
             is
             
               King
               of
               Terrors
            
             ,
             and
             must
             command
             .
             Thou
             mayst
             hear
             the
             Man
             after
             
             God's
             own
             heart
             say
             ,
             Psal.
             116.3
             .
             
               The
               sorrows
               of
               Death
               compassed
               me
               :
            
             And
             Psal.
             88.3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5.
             
             
               My
               Soul
               is
               full
               of
               troubles
               ,
               my
               life
               draweth
               nigh
               to
               the
               Grave
               :
               I
               am
               counted
               with
               them
               that
               go
               down
               to
               the
               Pit
               ,
               as
               a
               Man
               that
               hath
               no
               strength
               ;
               free
               among
               the
               Dead
               .
            
             And
             Good
             Hezekiah
             ,
             upon
             the
             message
             of
             Death
             ,
             
               Chattered
               like
               a
               Crane
               or
               a
               Swallow
               ,
               and
               went
               mourning
               as
               a
               Dove
               ,
            
             Isa.
             38.14
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             THOU
             fearest
             as
             a
             Man
             ;
             but
             must
             strive
             too
             ver-come
             as
             a
             Christian
             :
             which
             thou
             mayst
             perform
             ,
             if
             from
             the
             terrible
             aspect
             of
             the
             Messenger
             ,
             thou
             cast
             thine
             eyes
             upon
             the
             Amiable
             Face
             of
             God
             that
             sends
             him
             .
             Holy
             David
             shews
             the
             way
             ,
             Psal.
             18.5
             ,
             6.
             
             
               The
               snares
               of
               Death
               prevented
               me
               :
               In
               my
               distress
               I
               called
               upon
               the
               Lord
               ,
               and
               cryed
               unto
               my
               God
               ;
               and
               he
               heard
               my
               voice
               out
               of
               his
               Temple
               ,
               and
               my
               cry
               came
               before
               him
               ,
               even
               into
               his
               ears
            
             :
             He
             that
             is
             
               our
               God
               ,
               is
               the
               God
               of
               Salvation
               ;
               and
               unto
               God
               the
               Lord
               belong
               the
               issues
               of
               death
               ,
            
             Psal.
             68.20
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             MAKE
             God
             thy
             Friend
             ,
             and
             Death
             shall
             be
             an
             
               advantage
               ,
               Phil.
            
             1.21
             .
             It
             is
             true
             what
             the
             Wise
             Man
             said
             ,
             VVisd
             .
             1.13
             .
             Chap.
             2.24
             .
             that
             
               God
               made
               not
               death
               ;
               but
               through
               envy
               of
               the
               Devil
               death
               came
               into
               the
               VVorld
               :
            
             But
             though
             God
             made
             him
             not
             ,
             he
             is
             pleas'd
             to
             employ
             him
             as
             his
             Messenger
             to
             Summon
             
             some
             to
             Judgment
             ,
             and
             Invite
             others
             to
             Glory
             ;
             and
             those
             the
             Psalmist
             makes
             mention
             of
             ,
             are
             these
             latter
             ;
             Psal.
             116.15
             .
             
               Precious
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               the
               Lord
               is
               the
               Death
               of
               his
               Saints
            
             :
             And
             what
             reason
             hast
             thou
             to
             abom●nate
             that
             which
             God
             accounts
             precious
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             THOU
             art
             afraid
             of
             Death
             :
             Acquaint
             thy self
             with
             him
             more
             ,
             and
             thou
             wilt
             fear
             him
             less
             .
             Bears
             and
             Lyons
             ,
             at
             the
             first
             sight
             affright
             us
             ,
             but
             upon
             frequent
             viewing
             lose
             their
             Terror
             :
             Inure
             thine
             eyes
             to
             the
             sight
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             that
             Face
             shall
             not
             displease
             thee
             .
             Thou
             must
             shortly
             dwell
             with
             him
             for
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             
               for
               the
               days
               of
               darkness
               are
               many
               ,
               Eccl.
            
             11.8
             .
             but
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             entertain
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             doth
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             15.31
             .
             
               I
               protest
               by
               your
               rejoycing
               which
               I
               have
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               our
               Lord
               ,
               I
               dye
               daily
               .
            
          
           
             5.
             
             INVITE
             him
             to
             thy
             Board
             ,
             lodge
             him
             in
             thy
             Bed
             ,
             discourse
             him
             in
             thy
             Closet
             ,
             and
             walk
             with
             him
             in
             thy
             Garden
             ,
             as
             Joseph
             of
             Arimathea
             did
             ;
             and
             by
             no
             means
             suffer
             him
             to
             be
             a
             stranger
             to
             thy
             thoughts
             :
             This
             familiarity
             shall
             bring
             thee
             to
             delight
             in
             his
             company
             whom
             thou
             didst
             formerly
             dread
             ,
             then
             thou
             mayest
             with
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             say
             ,
             Phil.
             1.23
             .
             
               I
               have
               a
               desire
               to
               be
               with
               Christ
               ,
               which
               is
               far
               better
               .
            
          
           
             6.
             
             THOU
             art
             gievously
             afraid
             of
             Death
             :
             Fears
             are
             apt
             to
             imagin
             ,
             and
             aggravate
             evils
             :
             Even
             Christ
             himself
             walking
             upon
             the
             waters
             ,
             and
             the
             Disciples
             trembled
             ,
             as
             at
             some
             dreadful
             Apparition
             ;
             perhaps
             thou
             lookst
             at
             Death
             as
             some
             utter
             abolition
             ,
             or
             extinction
             of
             thy
             being
             ;
             and
             nature
             must
             needs
             shrink
             at
             the
             thought
             of
             not
             being
             at
             all
             :
             This
             is
             an
             ill
             and
             dangerous
             misprision
             :
             For
             it
             is
             but
             departing
             ,
             which
             thou
             call'st
             Death
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             SEE
             how
             God
             stiles
             it
             to
             
               Abraham
               ;
               Thou
               shalt
               go
               to
               thy
               Fathers
               in
               peace
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               be
               buried
               in
               a
               good
               
               old
               Age
               ,
            
             Gen.
             15.15
             .
             And
             
               Jacob
               ,
               Gen.
            
             49.33
             .
             When
             Jacob
             had
             ended
             commanding
             his
             Sons
             ;
             he
             gathered
             up
             
               his
               feet
               into
               the
               bed
               ,
               and
               yielded
               up
               the
               Ghost
               ,
               and
               was
               gathered
               unto
               his
               People
               .
            
             So
             that
             dying
             is
             going
             to
             our
             Fathers
             ,
             and
             gathering
             to
             our
             People
             ,
             with
             whom
             we
             shall
             live
             in
             a
             better
             World
             ,
             and
             re-appear
             Glo●ious
             ,
             Let
             but
             thy
             Faith
             represent
             Death
             to
             thee
             in
             this
             shape
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             not
             appear
             terrible
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             DO
             but
             observe
             in
             what
             familiar
             terms
             God
             Confer'd
             with
             Moses
             concerning
             his
             Death
             ,
             Deut.
             32.49
             .
             
               Get
               thee
               up
               into
               this
               Mountain
            
             Abarim
             
               unto
               Mount
            
             Nebo
             ,
             
               which
               is
               in
               the
               Land
               of
            
             Moab
             ,
             
               and
               behold
               the
               Land
               of
            
             Canaan
             ,
             
               which
               I
               gave
               unto
               the
               Children
               of
            
             Israel
             
               for
               a
               Possession
               ,
               and
               dye
               in
               the
               Mount
               whither
               thou
               goest
               up
               ,
               and
               be
               gathered
               to
               thy
               People
               ,
               as
            
             Aaron
             
               thy
               Brother
               died
               in
               Mount
            
             Hor
             ,
             
               and
               was
               gathered
               to
               his
               People
               :
            
             So
             it
             is
             no
             more
             ,
             
               go
               up
               there
               and
               dye
            
             ;
             should
             it
             have
             been
             go
             a
             days
             Journey
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             to
             Sacrifice
             ,
             it
             could
             have
             been
             no
             otherwise
             expressed
             ;
             or
             as
             if
             it
             were
             all
             one
             to
             go
             up
             to
             Sinai
             to
             meet
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             go
             up
             to
             Nebo
             and
             dye
             .
             Neither
             is
             it
             otherwise
             with
             us
             ;
             only
             the
             difference
             is
             ,
             that
             Moses
             must
             first
             view
             the
             Land
             of
             Promise
             ,
             and
             then
             dye
             ;
             whereas
             we
             must
             first
             dye
             ,
             and
             then
             see
             the
             Promised
             Land.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             art
             troubled
             with
             the
             fear
             of
             Death
             :
             What
             reason
             hast
             thou
             to
             be
             Afflicted
             with
             that
             which
             is
             common
             to
             Mankind
             ?
             Remember
             the
             words
             of
             
               Joshua
               ,
               Josh.
            
             23.14
             .
             
               Behold
               this
               day
            
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             
               I
               am
               going
               the
               way
               of
               all
               the
               Earth
               .
            
             If
             all
             the
             Earth
             go
             this
             way
             ,
             couldst
             thou
             think
             there
             is
             a
             by-path
             left
             thee
             to
             tread
             in
             ,
             were
             it
             so
             that
             
               Monarchs
               ,
               Princes
               ,
               Patriarchs
               ,
               Prophets
            
             and
             Apostles
             were
             allow'd
             any
             easier
             passage
             out
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             thou
             mightst
             perhaps
             repine
             at
             a
             painful
             dissolution
             ,
             but
             now
             since
             all
             go
             one
             way
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             ground
             for
             a
             discontented
             murmur
             .
          
           
           
             10.
             
             GRUDGE
             if
             thou
             wilt
             ,
             that
             thou
             art
             a
             man
             ,
             but
             grudge
             not
             that
             being
             a
             man
             thou
             must
             dye
             :
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             those
             whom
             the
             last
             day
             shall
             find
             alive
             ,
             shall
             not
             
               dye
               ,
               but
            
             they
             
               shall
               be
               changed
            
             ;
             1
             Cor.
             15.51
             ,
             52.
             but
             this
             change
             shall
             be
             an
             Annalogical
             Death
             a
             speedy
             Consumption
             of
             all
             our
             corrupt
             and
             drossy
             Parts
             ;
             so
             as
             the
             pain
             must
             be
             the
             more
             intense
             ,
             by
             its
             shortness
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             ordinary
             course
             of
             death
             .
             Briefly
             ,
             that
             change
             is
             death
             ,
             and
             our
             death
             is
             a
             change
             ,
             as
             Job
             stiles
             it
             ,
             Job
             14.14
             .
             The
             difference
             is
             not
             in
             the
             pain
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             speed
             of
             the
             T●ansaction
             :
             
               Fear
               not
               then
               the
               sentence
               of
               Death
               ;
               remember
               them
               that
               have
               been
               before
               thee
               ,
               and
               that
               come
               after
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               the
               sentence
               of
               the
               Lord
               over
               all
               flesh
               ,
            
             Ecclus.
             41.3
             .
          
           
             11
             THOU
             fearest
             Death
             :
             So
             do
             not
             Infants
             ,
             Children
             ,
             or
             Distracted
             Persons
             ,
             as
             the
             Philosopher
             observes
             :
             Why
             should
             reason
             render
             us
             more
             Cowardly
             ,
             than
             defect
             of
             reason
             doth
             them
             ?
             Thou
             fearest
             that
             which
             others
             wish
             for
             :
             
               O
               Death
               ,
               how
               acceptable
               is
               thy
               sentence
               to
               the
               needy
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               whose
               shrength
               faileth
               ,
               that
               is
               now
               in
               the
               last
               age
               ,
               and
               is
               vexed
               with
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               to
               him
               that
               despaireth
               ,
               and
               hath
               lost
               patience
               :
            
             Ecclus.
             41.2
             .
             
               VVherefore
               is
               light
               given
            
             (
             saith
             
               Job
               )
               to
               him
               that
               is
               in
               misery
               ,
               and
               life
               unto
               the
               bitter
               in
               Soul
               ?
               VVhich
               long
               for
               hid
               Treasures
               ;
               which
               rejoice
               exceedingly
               ,
               and
               are
               glad
               when
               they
               can
               find
               the
               grave
            
             ?
             Job
             3.20
             ,
             21
             ,
             22.
             
          
           
             12.
             
             HOW
             many
             invite
             the
             violence
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             if
             refus'd
             ,
             do
             ,
             as
             Ignatius
             threatned
             he
             would
             do
             to
             the
             Lyons
             ,
             force
             his
             Assault
             ?
             Death
             is
             the
             same
             to
             all
             :
             The
             Difference
             is
             in
             the
             Disposition
             of
             the
             Entertainers
             ;
             could'st
             thou
             loost
             upon
             Death
             with
             their
             eyes
             ,
             he
             would
             be
             as
             welcome
             to
             thee
             as
             to
             them
             :
             At
             least
             ,
             why
             shouldst
             thou
             not
             labour
             to
             have
             thy
             heart
             so
             wrought
             upon
             ,
             that
             this
             Face
             of
             Death
             which
             seems
             lovely
             and
             desirable
             to
             some
             ,
             may
             not
             appear
             over-terrible
             to
             thee
             ?
          
           
           
             13.
             
             THOU
             art
             afraid
             to
             die
             :
             Could'st
             thou
             have
             been
             capable
             in
             the
             Womb
             ,
             of
             the
             use
             of
             reason
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             have
             been
             more
             afraid
             of
             coming
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             thou
             art
             of
             going
             out
             :
             For
             why
             should
             we
             be
             more
             afraid
             of
             the
             better
             ,
             than
             of
             the
             worse
             ?
             
               Better
               is
               the
               day
               of
               death
               ,
               than
               the
               day
               of
               ones
               birth
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Preacher
             :
             Eccles.
             7.2
             .
             better
             every
             way
             ;
             our
             birth
             begins
             our
             miseries
             ,
             our
             death
             ends
             them
             :
             The
             one
             enters
             the
             best
             into
             a
             wretched
             World
             ,
             but
             the
             other
             enters
             the
             good
             into
             a
             World
             of
             Glory
             :
             Certainly
             ,
             were
             it
             not
             for
             our
             infidelity
             ,
             as
             we
             came
             crying
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             so
             we
             should
             go
             rejoycing
             out
             :
             And
             as
             some
             have
             solemnized
             their
             Birth-day
             with
             feasting
             and
             triumph
             ,
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             hath
             enjoyned
             rejoycing
             upon
             the
             Dying
             day
             of
             her
             Martyrs
             and
             Saints
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THOU
             abhorrest
             Death
             ,
             and
             fleest
             from
             it
             as
             from
             a
             Serpent
             :
             but
             dost
             thou
             know
             his
             sting
             is
             gone
             ?
             what
             harm
             is
             there
             in
             a
             sting-less
             Snake
             ?
             Hast
             thou
             not
             heard
             of
             some
             delicate
             Dames
             that
             have
             carried
             'em
             in
             their
             Bosom
             for
             coolness
             ,
             and
             pleasure
             of
             their
             smoothness
             ?
             
               The
               sting
               of
               Death
               is
               Sin
            
             ;
             1
             Cor.
             15.56
             .
             He
             may
             hiss
             and
             wind
             about
             us
             ,
             but
             cannot
             prejudice
             us
             when
             that
             Sting
             is
             out
             :
             Look
             up
             ,
             O
             thou
             believing
             Soul
             ,
             to
             thy
             blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             hath
             pluckt
             out
             this
             sting
             of
             Death
             ,
             and
             happily
             triumphs
             over
             it
             ;
             
               O
               Death
               where
               is
               thy
               sting
               ?
               O
               Grave
               where
               is
               thy
               Victory
            
             ?
             1
             Cor.
             15.55
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             THY
             Soul
             and
             Body
             ,
             old
             Companions
             are
             loth
             to
             part
             :
             It
             is
             but
             forbearing
             their
             Society
             a
             while
             ;
             they
             but
             take
             leave
             of
             other
             till
             they
             meet
             at
             the
             Resurr●●●●on
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             they
             are
             safe
             ,
             and
             the
             better
             〈…〉
             :
             It
             is
             commendable
             in
             the
             Jews
             (
             otherwis●
             〈…〉
             Men
             )
             that
             they
             call
             their
             Grave
             〈…〉
             th●
             House
             of
             the
             Living
             ;
             and
             when
             th●y
             〈…〉
             ●urial
             of
             their
             Neigbours
             ,
             they
             〈…〉
             ●nd
             cast
             it
             into
             the
             Air
             ,
             with
             those
             
             words
             of
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             72.16
             .
             
               They
               shall
               flourish
               and
               put
               forth
               as
               Grass
               upon
               the
               Earth
               .
            
          
           
             16.
             
             DID
             we
             not
             believe
             a
             Resurrection
             of
             the
             one
             part
             ,
             and
             a
             re-uniting
             of
             the
             other
             ,
             we
             had
             reason
             to
             be
             daunted
             with
             thoughts
             of
             a
             Dissolution
             :
             But
             now
             we
             have
             no
             cause
             to
             be
             dismayed
             with
             a
             little
             Intermission
             .
             It
             was
             the
             saying
             of
             a
             Wise
             Heathen
             ,
             That
             Death
             which
             we
             so
             fear
             and
             flee
             from
             ,
             doth
             but
             respite
             Life
             for
             a
             while
             ,
             not
             take
             it
             away
             :
             The
             day
             will
             come
             which
             shall
             restore
             us
             to
             Light
             again
             :
             Settle
             thy
             Soul
             in
             this
             assurance
             ,
             and
             thou
             canst
             not
             be
             discomfited
             with
             a
             necessary
             Parting
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             THOU
             art
             afraid
             of
             Death
             ;
             when
             thou
             art
             weary
             of
             thy
             days
             labour
             ,
             art
             thou
             afraid
             of
             rest
             ?
             Hear
             what
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             
               Lord
               of
               Life
            
             ,
             esteems
             of
             Death
             ,
             Joh.
             11.11
             .
             
               Our
               Friend
               Lazarus
               sleepeth
            
             ;
             and
             of
             Jarius
             his
             Daughter
             ,
             Matt.
             9.24
             .
             
               The
               Maid
               is
               not
               Dead
               ,
               but
               Sleepeth
            
             :
             Neither
             useth
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             any
             other
             Language
             ,
             concerning
             his
             Servants
             under
             the
             Old
             Testament
             :
             
               Now
               shall
               I
               sleep
               in
               the
               Dust
               ,
            
             saith
             holy
             
               Job
               ,
               Job
            
             7.21
             .
             and
             of
             David
             ,
             2.
             
             Sam.
             7.12
             .
             
               When
               thy
               days
               be
               fulfilled
               ,
               thou
               shalt
               sleep
               with
               thy
               Fathers
            
             ;
             nor
             yet
             under
             the
             New
             :
             
               For
               this
               cause
               many
               are
               weak
               and
               sickly
               among
               you
               ,
               and
               many
               sleep
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             11.30
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             THE
             Philosophers
             were
             wont
             to
             call
             Sleep
             the
             
               Brother
               of
               Death
            
             ;
             but
             God
             says
             ,
             Death
             is
             no
             other
             than
             Sleep
             it self
             ;
             a
             Sleep
             sure
             and
             sweet
             :
             When
             thou
             liest
             down
             at
             Night
             to
             thy
             Repose
             ,
             thou
             canst
             not
             be
             certain
             to
             awake
             in
             the
             Morning
             ,
             as
             when
             thou
             layest
             thy self
             down
             in
             Death
             ,
             thou
             art
             sure
             to
             wake
             in
             the
             Morning
             of
             the
             Resurection
             .
             Out
             of
             this
             Bodily
             Sleep
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             be
             startled
             with
             some
             noise
             of
             Horror
             ,
             fearful
             Dreams
             ,
             Tumults
             ,
             or
             allarms
             of
             War
             ;
             but
             here
             thou
             shalt
             rest
             quietly
             in
             the
             place
             of
             Silence
             ,
             free
             
             from
             all
             internal
             and
             external
             Disturbances
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             thy
             Soul
             shall
             see
             none
             but
             Visions
             of
             Joy
             and
             Blessedness
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             BUT
             ,
             oh
             the
             sweet
             and
             hearty
             expression
             of
             our
             last
             rest
             ,
             and
             the
             Issue
             of
             our
             happy
             resuscitation
             ,
             which
             our
             holy
             Apostle
             hath
             laid
             forth
             ,
             for
             the
             consolation
             of
             his
             mournful
             Thessalonians
             ,
             1
             Thess.
             4.14
             .
             
               For
               if
               we
               believe
               ,
               that
               Jesus
               died
               and
               rose
               again
               ;
               Even
               so
               them
               also
               which
               sleep
               in
               Jesus
               ,
               will
               God
               bring
               with
               him
               .
            
             So
             that
             our
             belief
             is
             Antidote
             enough
             against
             the
             worst
             of
             Death
             :
             And
             why
             are
             we
             troubled
             ,
             when
             we
             believe
             Jesus
             dyed
             ,
             and
             what
             a
             Triumph
             is
             this
             over
             Death
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             Jesus
             who
             dyed
             ,
             rose
             again
             ?
             And
             what
             a
             comfort
             is
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             Jesus
             who
             arose
             ,
             shall
             come
             again
             and
             bring
             all
             his
             with
             him
             in
             Glory
             ?
             And
             lastly
             ,
             what
             a
             strong
             Cordial
             is
             this
             to
             all
             good
             Hearts
             ,
             that
             all
             which
             die
             well
             ,
             sleep
             in
             Jesus
             ?
             Thou
             thoughtest
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             of
             sleeping
             in
             the
             Bed
             of
             the
             Grave
             ;
             and
             there
             indeed
             is
             Rest
             :
             But
             he
             tells
             thee
             of
             sleeping
             in
             the
             Bosom
             of
             Jesus
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             Immortality
             and
             Blessedness
             .
             O
             blessed
             
               Jesu
               ,
               in
               thy
               presence
               is
               the
               fulness
               of
               Joy
               ,
               and
               at
               thy
               right
               hand
               are
               pleasures
               for
               evermore
               ,
            
             Psal.
             16.12
             .
             Who
             would
             desire
             to
             walk
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             when
             he
             may
             sleep
             in
             Christ.
             
          
           
             20.
             
             THOU
             fearest
             Death
             :
             But
             on
             what
             terms
             ,
             doth
             Death
             present
             himself
             to
             thee
             :
             If
             as
             an
             Enemy
             ,
             (
             as
             the
             Apostle
             stiles
             him
             )
             1
             Cor.
             15.26
             .
             
               The
               last
               Enemy
               that
               shall
               be
               destroyed
               is
               Death
               ,
            
             thy
             unpreparedness
             will
             make
             him
             dreadful
             ;
             but
             thy
             readiness
             and
             fortitude
             takes
             off
             his
             terror
             :
             If
             as
             a
             Messenger
             of
             God
             he
             is
             sent
             to
             convey
             thee
             to
             happiness
             ,
             what
             reason
             hast
             thou
             to
             be
             afraid
             of
             thine
             own
             bliss
             ?
             It
             is
             one
             thing
             what
             Death
             is
             in
             himself
             ,
             a
             privation
             of
             Life
             ;
             such
             as
             nature
             cannot
             chuse
             but
             abhor
             :
             Another
             what
             he
             is
             by
             Christ
             made
             unto
             
             us
             ;
             and
             introduction
             to
             Life
             ,
             and
             a
             harbinger
             to
             Glory
             .
          
           
             21.
             
             WHY
             ,
             would
             the
             Lord
             of
             Life
             yield
             unto
             Death
             ,
             and
             by
             yielding
             vanquisht
             him
             ;
             but
             to
             alter
             and
             sweeten
             him
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             of
             a
             fierce
             Tyrant
             ,
             make
             him
             a
             Friend
             and
             Benefactor
             ?
             And
             if
             we
             look
             upon
             him
             thus
             changed
             ,
             and
             reconciled
             .
             how
             can
             we
             chuse
             but
             bid
             him
             welcome
             ?
          
           
             22.
             
             THOU
             art
             afraid
             of
             the
             pangs
             of
             Death
             :
             Some
             have
             dyed
             without
             any
             great
             sense
             of
             pain
             :
             Some
             have
             yielded
             up
             their
             Souls
             without
             a
             groan
             :
             And
             how
             knowest
             thou
             ,
             what
             measure
             God
             hath
             allotted
             thee
             ?
             Our
             Death
             is
             a
             Sea-Voyage
             ,
             (
             The
             holy
             Apostle
             ,
             desired
             
               to
               lanch
               forth
            
             ,
             Phil.
             1.
             )
             wherein
             some
             find
             a
             rough
             and
             tempestuous
             passage
             ;
             others
             calm
             and
             smooth
             :
             Such
             thine
             may
             prove
             ;
             and
             so
             thy
             dissolution
             may
             be
             easier
             than
             a
             fit
             of
             sickness
             .
          
           
             23.
             
             BUT
             if
             God
             had
             determined
             otherwise
             ,
             
               look
               unto
               Jesus
               the
               Author
               and
               Finisher
               of
               our
               Faith
            
             ;
             (
             Heb.
             12.2
             .
             )
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Lord
             of
             Glory
             ;
             see
             with
             what
             Agonies
             he
             conflicted
             ,
             what
             torments
             he
             endured
             for
             thee
             :
             Look
             upon
             his
             Bloody
             Sweat
             ,
             Bleeding
             Temples
             ,
             Furrowed
             Back
             ,
             Nailed
             Hands
             and
             Feet
             ,
             Rack'd
             Joints
             ,
             and
             Pierc'd
             Side
             :
             Hear
             his
             strong
             Cries
             ,
             consider
             the
             Shame
             ,
             Pain
             and
             Curse
             of
             the
             Cross
             which
             he
             underwent
             for
             thy
             sake
             :
             Say
             whether
             thy
             sufferings
             can
             be
             comparable
             to
             his
             .
             He
             is
             a
             Cowardly
             and
             Unworthy
             Soldier
             that
             follows
             his
             General
             sighing
             .
             Behold
             ,
             these
             are
             the
             steps
             wherein
             thy
             God
             and
             Saviour
             hath
             trod
             before
             thee
             :
             Walk
             on
             couragiously
             in
             this
             deep
             and
             bloody
             way
             ;
             and
             after
             a
             few
             paces
             thou
             shalt
             overtake
             him
             in
             Glory
             :
             
               For
               if
               we
               suffer
               with
               him
               ,
               we
               shall
               also
               reign
               with
               him
               ,
            
             2
             Tim.
             2.12
             .
          
           
             24.
             
             THOU
             shrink'st
             at
             the
             thoughts
             of
             Death
             :
             Is
             it
             not
             for
             over-valuing
             Life
             ,
             and
             making
             Earth
             thy
             
             home
             ?
             Rich
             Persons
             that
             live
             at
             ease
             are
             loth
             to
             stir
             abroad
             ,
             especially
             upon
             hard
             and
             stormy
             Voyages
             :
             Perhaps
             't
             is
             so
             with
             thee
             ;
             wherein
             I
             cannot
             but
             much
             pity
             thy
             weakness
             ,
             in
             placing
             thy
             contentment
             ,
             where
             a
             wiser
             Man
             could
             find
             nothing
             but
             
               vanity
               and
               vexation
            
             .
          
           
             25.
             
             ALAS
             ,
             what
             is
             our
             Exile
             ,
             if
             this
             be
             our
             home
             ?
             What
             entertainment
             to
             be
             enamour'd
             on
             ?
             Distempered
             humours
             ,
             hard
             usages
             ,
             violent
             passions
             ,
             and
             bodily
             sicknesses
             ;
             sad
             complaints
             ,
             disappointed
             hopes
             ,
             and
             frequent
             miscarriages
             ,
             Momentany
             Pleasures
             mixt
             with
             sorrows
             ,
             and
             lastly
             ,
             umbrages
             ,
             of
             joy
             ,
             and
             real
             miseries
             :
             Doth
             these
             so
             bewitch
             thee
             ,
             that
             when
             Death
             calls
             ,
             thou
             art
             ready
             to
             reply
             ,
             as
             the
             Devil
             to
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             Mat.
             8.29
             .
             
               Art
               thou
               come
               to
               torment
               me
               before
               the
               time
               ?
            
          
           
             26.
             
             ARE
             these
             such
             contentments
             ,
             as
             allures
             thee
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             St.
             Peter
             was
             to
             Mount
             Tabor
             ,
             Mat.
             17.4
             .
             
               Master
               ,
               It
               is
               good
               for
               us
               to
               be
               here
               ,
            
             if
             thou
             have
             any
             Faith
             in
             thee
             ,
             look
             up
             to
             the
             other
             World
             ,
             where
             thou
             art
             going
             and
             see
             whether
             that
             true
             Life
             ,
             pure
             Joy
             ,
             perfect
             Felicity
             ,
             and
             Eternity
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             worthy
             to
             draw
             thy
             heart
             to
             a
             longing
             desire
             of
             Fruition
             ,
             and
             a
             Contempt
             of
             what
             the
             Earth
             can
             promise
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             infinite
             blessedness
             .
          
           
             27.
             
             IT
             was
             one
             of
             the
             defects
             which
             Sir
             
               Francis
               Bacon
            
             found
             in
             Physicians
             that
             do
             not
             study
             Remedies
             to
             procure
             the
             easie
             passage
             of
             their
             Patients
             ,
             
             through
             the
             Gates
             of
             Death
             :
             Such
             helps
             I
             leave
             to
             the
             care
             of
             the
             skilful
             Sages
             of
             Nature
             ;
             the
             use
             I
             supose
             must
             be
             with
             caution
             ,
             lest
             whilst
             they
             endeavour
             to
             sweeten
             Death
             ,
             they
             shorten
             Life
             .
          
           
             28.
             
             BUT
             let
             me
             prescibe
             this
             spiritual
             means
             of
             thine
             happy
             Euthanasia
             ;
             which
             is
             a
             faithful
             disposition
             of
             the
             labouring
             Soul
             ,
             that
             can
             truly
             say
             with
             
             Timothy
             ,
             2
             Tim.
             1.12
             .
             
               I
               know
               whom
               I
               have
               believed
               :
               and
            
             Chap.
             4.7
             ,
             8.
             
             
               I
               have
               fought
               a
               good
               fight
               ;
               I
               have
               finished
               my
               course
               ;
               I
               have
               kept
               the
               Faith
               :
               Henceforth
               there
               is
               laid
               up
               for
               me
               a
               Crown
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               which
               the
               Lord
               the
               Righteous
               Judge
               shall
               give
               me
               at
               that
               day
               .
            
          
           
             29.
             
             THOU
             startest
             ar
             the
             mention
             of
             Death
             :
             How
             canst
             thou
             but
             blush
             to
             read
             of
             Socrates
             ,
             
             when
             the
             Message
             of
             Death
             was
             brought
             him
             ;
             applauded
             the
             News
             with
             much
             joy
             :
             Or
             ,
             of
             a
             Cardinal
             of
             Rome
             ,
             that
             received
             the
             Intimation
             of
             his
             approaching
             Death
             ,
             Cry'd
             out
             ,
             
               the
               news
               is
               good
               and
               welcome
            
             !
             Is
             not
             their
             Confidence
             thy
             Shame
             ;
             who
             believing
             
               that
               when
               our
               Earthly
               house
               of
               this
               Tabernacle
               shall
               be
               dissolved
               ,
               we
               have
               a
               building
               of
               God
               ,
               an
               house
               not
               made
               with
               hands
               ,
               eternal
               in
               the
               Heavens
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.1
             .
             yet
             shrinks
             at
             the
             motion
             of
             taking
             possession
             of
             it
             ?
          
           
             30.
             
             CANST
             thou
             with
             dying
             Mithridates
             be
             unwilling
             to
             forsake
             this
             light
             !
             when
             thou
             art
             going
             to
             a
             light
             more
             Glorious
             than
             the
             Sun
             :
             It
             is
             our
             infidelity
             ,
             that
             makes
             us
             unwilling
             to
             die
             :
             Did
             we
             think
             the
             Soul
             sleeps
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Body
             ,
             from
             the
             moment
             of
             the
             dissolution
             ,
             till
             the
             day
             of
             Resurrection
             ,
             death
             might
             be
             unwelcome
             .
          
           
             31.
             
             OR
             ,
             did
             we
             think
             we
             should
             wander
             to
             unknown
             places
             to
             uncertain
             entertainment
             ;
             or
             fear
             a
             scorching
             Tryal
             upon
             the
             Emig●ation
             ,
             in
             flames
             little
             inferiour
             to
             those
             of
             Hell
             ,
             there
             were
             some
             cause
             to
             tremble
             at
             the
             approach
             of
             Death
             :
             But
             we
             can
             boldly
             say
             ,
             with
             the
             Wise
             Man
             ,
             VVisd
             .
             3.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             
               The
               Souls
               of
               the
               Righteous
               are
               in
               the
               hands
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               there
               shall
               no
               torment
               touch
               them
               :
               In
               the
               sight
               of
               the
               unwise
               they
               seem'd
               to
               die
               ,
               and
               their
               departure
               is
               taken
               for
               misery
               ,
               and
               their
               going
               from
               us
               to
               be
               utter
               destruction
               ;
               but
               they
               are
               in
               peace
               .
            
          
           
             32.
             
             OH
             thou
             of
             little
             Faith
             ,
             why
             fearst
             thou
             ?
             ●hide
             thy self
             ,
             as
             that
             dying
             Saint
             of
             old
             ,
             and
             say
             ,
             
             my
             Soul
             ,
             go
             boldly
             forth
             ,
             what
             art
             thou
             afraid
             of
             ?
             Lo
             ,
             the
             Angels
             are
             ready
             to
             receive
             thee
             ,
             and
             carry
             thee
             to
             Glory
             ;
             leave
             there
             this
             wretched
             Body
             ,
             and
             be
             possess'd
             of
             Heaven
             :
             After
             a
             momentary
             darkness
             upon
             Nature
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             enjoy
             the
             Beatifical
             Vision
             of
             God
             :
             Be
             not
             afraid
             to
             be
             happy
             ,
             but
             say
             in
             Faith
             what
             Jonah
             said
             in
             Anger
             ;
             Jonah
             4.3
             .
             
               It
               is
               better
               for
               me
               to
               dye
               than
               to
               live
               .
            
          
           
             33.
             
             I
             am
             afraid
             to
             dye
             :
             This
             is
             Natures
             voice
             :
             But
             wilt
             thou
             hear
             what
             Faith
             saith
             ?
             
               To
               me
               to
               live
               is
               Christ
               ,
               and
               to
               dye
               is
               gain
               .
            
             If
             therefore
             Nature
             reigns
             in
             thee
             ,
             thou
             must
             be
             affrighted
             with
             Death
             :
             But
             if
             true
             Grace
             be
             prevalent
             in
             thy
             Soul
             ,
             that
             Guest
             shall
             not
             be
             unwelcome
             :
             Was
             ever
             any
             Man
             afraid
             of
             Profit
             and
             Advantage
             ?
             Such
             is
             Death
             to
             the
             Faithful
             :
             Whosoever
             finds
             Christ
             his
             Life
             ,
             shall
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             Death
             his
             gain
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             thereby
             brought
             to
             a
             near
             Communion
             with
             him
             :
             Whereas
             before
             he
             enjoyed
             him
             by
             the
             dim
             apprehension
             of
             Faith
             ,
             now
             he
             clearly
             and
             immediately
             enjoys
             that
             Glorious
             Presence
             ,
             which
             only
             makes
             blessedness
             .
          
           
             34.
             
             THIS
             is
             it
             that
             causeth
             Death
             to
             change
             his
             Copy
             ;
             and
             renders
             him
             who
             is
             formidable
             ,
             pleasing
             ,
             and
             beneficial
             ;
             
               I
               desire
               to
               depart
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               with
               Christ
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Man
             who
             was
             rapt
             up
             in
             the
             third
             Heaven
             ;
             had
             it
             been
             only
             departing
             ,
             he
             had
             not
             been
             in
             such
             an
             extasie
             ,
             but
             to
             
               depart
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               with
               Christ
               ,
            
             is
             that
             which
             raiseth
             his
             Soul.
             
          
           
             35.
             
             WHEN
             Socrates
             was
             to
             dye
             for
             his
             Religion
             ,
             he
             comforted
             himself
             with
             this
             ,
             that
             he
             should
             go
             to
             
               Orpheus
               ,
               Homer
               ,
               Musaeus
            
             ,
             and
             the
             other
             Worthies
             of
             former
             Ages
             ;
             Poor
             Man
             !
             Could
             he
             have
             known
             
               God
               manifested
               in
               the
               flesh
               ,
               and
               received
               up
               into
               Glory
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             3.16
             .
             and
             in
             that
             glorified
             state
             sitting
             at
             the
             right
             hand
             of
             Majesty
             ;
             could
             he
             have
             known
             the
             Blessed
             Order
             of
             the
             Cherubim
             and
             
               Seraphim
               ,
               Angels
               ,
               Arch
               Angels
               ,
               Principalities
            
             and
             Powers
             ,
             and
             
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             most
             Glorious
             Hierarchy
             of
             Heaven
             ;
             Could
             he
             have
             been
             acquainted
             with
             that
             Celestial
             Choir
             of
             the
             
               Spirits
               of
               Just
               Men
               made
               Perfect
               :
            
             Heb.
             12.23
             .
             Could
             he
             have
             known
             the
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             the
             Infinite
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Glorious
             Diety
             ,
             whose
             Presence
             transfuses
             Everlasting
             Blessedness
             into
             all
             those
             Citizens
             of
             Glory
             ,
             And
             could
             he
             have
             known
             that
             ,
             he
             should
             have
             an
             undoubted
             interest
             in
             that
             infinite
             Bliss
             ;
             how
             gladly
             would
             he
             have
             taken
             of
             his
             hemlock
             ,
             and
             how
             joyfully
             would
             he
             have
             passed
             to
             that
             happy
             World
             ?
          
           
             36.
             
             ALL
             this
             we
             know
             ,
             and
             no
             less
             assured
             then
             of
             our
             present
             being
             ;
             with
             what
             comfort
             should
             we
             think
             of
             changing
             our
             present
             Condition
             with
             a
             Blessed
             Immortality
             ?
             How
             sweet
             a
             Song
             was
             that
             of
             old
             Simeon
             ?
             Luke
             2.29
             .
             
               Lord
               ,
               now
               lettest
               thou
               thy
               Servant
               depart
               in
               peace
               ,
               according
               to
               thy
               word
               ,
               for
               mine
               eyes
               have
               seen
               thy
               Salvation
               :
            
             That
             which
             he
             saw
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Sence
             ,
             thou
             seest
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             ;
             even
             the
             
               Lords
               Christ
               ;
               verse
            
             16.
             he
             saw
             him
             in
             Weakness
             ,
             thou
             seest
             him
             in
             Glory
             ;
             why
             should'st
             thou
             not
             depart
             ,
             not
             in
             peace
             only
             ,
             but
             in
             joy
             and
             comfort
             ?
          
           
             37.
             
             HOW
             did
             the
             Proto-Martyr
             Stephen
             triumph
             over
             the
             rage
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ,
             and
             the
             fury
             of
             Death
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             once
             seen
             the
             
               Heavens
               opened
               ,
               and
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               standing
               at
               the
               right
               hand
               of
               God
            
             ?
             Acts
             7.56
             .
             God
             offers
             the
             same
             blessed
             prospect
             to
             the
             Eye
             of
             thy
             Soul
             :
             Faith
             is
             the
             Key
             that
             opens
             the
             Heav'n
             of
             Heav'ns
             ,
             fix
             thy
             eyes
             upon
             that
             Glorious
             and
             Saving
             Object
             :
             Thou
             canst
             not
             but
             lay
             down
             thy
             Body
             in
             peace
             ,
             and
             send
             thy
             Soul
             into
             the
             hands
             of
             him
             that
             bought
             it
             ,
             with
             the
             cheerful
             and
             sweet
             Recommendation
             ,
             of
             
               Lord
               Jesus
               receive
               my
               Spirit
            
             ,
             Acts
             7.39
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               at
               the
               Hour
               of
               Death
               .
            
             
               O
               LORD
               GOD
               ,
               Almighty
               ,
               I
               humbly
               acknowledge
               my
               own
               vileness
               ,
               through
               the
               whole
               course
               of
               my
               Life
               ▪
               And
               seeing
               thou
               hast
               thus
               long
               spared
               me
               ,
               now
               accomplish
               thy
               Mercy
               in
               me
               :
               Be
               thou
               my
               God
               forever
               ,
               and
               my
               Guide
               unto
               the
               end
               ;
               O
               Comfort
               me
               ,
               now
               my
               Heart
               trembleth
               in
               me
               ,
               and
               the
               terrors
               of
               Death
               are
               fallen
               upon
               me
               ,
               give
               me
               the
               long
               expected
               fruits
               of
               my
               hopes
               proposed
               to
               me
               in
               thy
               Word
               :
               O
               Blessed
               Jesu
               ,
               who
               art
               the
               Death
               of
               death
               ,
               now
               shew
               thy self
               my
               Saviour
               :
               Take
               from
               my
               afflicted
               Soul
               the
               sting
               of
               Death
               ,
               and
               assure
               me
               of
               Victory
               :
               Loose
               the
               Pains
               ,
               allay
               the
               Fears
               and
               Sorrows
               ,
               and
               Sweeten
               the
               bitterness
               of
               Death
               ,
               untill
               in
               my
               enjoying
               thy
               Presence
               it
               be
               swallowed
               up
               in
               Victory
               :
               O
               Holy
               Saviour
               ,
               who
               hast
               had
               Experience
               of
               all
               our
               miseries
               for
               Sin
               ,
               without
               Sin
               ,
               and
               hast
               admitted
               us
               to
               be
               Baptized
               into
               the
               Similitude
               of
               thy
               Death
               and
               Resurrection
               :
               Let
               me
               now
               feel
               in
               my
               Languishing
               Soul
               the
               Power
               and
               Efficacy
               thereof
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               O
               Christ
               ,
               whose
               Human
               Soul
               ,
               in
               thy
               Passion
               for
               my
               Redeemption
               ,
               was
               heavy
               unto
               Death
               ,
               now
               mercifully
               Consider
               my
               Frailty
               who
               am
               now
               at
               the
               point
               of
               Dissolution
               :
               O
               now
               give
               me
               an
               Invincible
               Faith
               in
               thee
               ,
               against
               which
               the
               Gates
               of
               Hell
               shall
               never
               prevail
               ,
               now
               speak
               Peace
               and
               Comfort
               to
               my
               poor
               Soul
               :
               Thou
               who
               pouredst
               out
               thy
               Soul
               to
               Death
               for
               me
               ,
               receive
               my
               wearied
               Spirit
               to
               Eternal
               Life
               :
               Let
               not
               this
               fearful
               passage
               be
               too
               bitter
               to
               me
               ,
               but
               be
               thou
               ever
               present
               with
               me
               in
               all
               my
               sufferings
               :
               O
               Holy
               Ghost
               the
               Comforter
               of
               all
               the
               Elect
               ,
               leave
               me
               not
               Comfortless
               ,
               let
               me
               be
               gathered
               to
               my
               Fathers
               in
               Peace
               :
               Bring
               me
               to
               that
               Life
               wherein
               thou
               hast
               promised
               to
               wipe
               away
               all
               Tears
               from
               our
               Eyes
               :
               Where
               shall
               be
               no
               more
               Death
               ,
               Sorrow
               ,
               Pain
               ,
               nor
               any
               bitter
               Effects
               of
               Sin
               :
               Lord
               hear
               me
               ,
               O
               thou
               ,
               who
               despisest
               not
               a
               broken
               
               
               contrite
               Heart
               ,
               have
               mercy
               upon
               me
               :
               Lord
               receive
               my
               Petitions
               ;
               and
               in
               thy
               appointed
               hour
               ,
               come
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               my
               Saviour
               and
               Redeemer
               ,
               deliver
               me
               from
               this
               bondage
               of
               Corruption
               ,
               even
               so
               come
               Lord
               Jesus
               ,
               come
               quickly
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XVII
             .
             Of
             Judgment
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             apprehendest
             true
             ;
             Death
             is
             terrible
             ,
             but
             Judgment
             more
             ;
             both
             succeed
             upon
             the
             same
             decree
             ;
             
               It
               is
               appointed
               unto
               Men
               once
               to
               dye
               ;
               but
               after
               this
               the
               judgment
               :
            
             Heb.
             9.27
             .
             It
             is
             not
             more
             terrible
             ,
             than
             thought
             on
             :
             Death
             ,
             because
             he
             strikes
             ,
             and
             lays
             before
             us
             examples
             of
             Mortality
             ,
             cannot
             but
             sometimes
             take
             up
             our
             hearts
             ;
             but
             the
             last
             Judgment
             ,
             having
             no
             visible
             proofs
             upon
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             too
             seldom
             fright
             us
             :
          
           
             2.
             
             YET
             who
             conceives
             the
             Terror
             of
             that
             day
             ?
             When
             
               the
               Sun
               shall
               be
               turn'd
               into
               darkness
               ,
               and
               the
               Moon
               into
               blood
               ,
            
             Acts
             2.20
             .
             That
             day
             ,
             
               which
               shall
               burn
               as
               an
               Oven
               ,
               when
               all
               the
               proud
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               do
               wickedly
               shall
               be
               as
               the
               stubble
            
             ;
             Mal.
             4.1
             .
             That
             day
             ,
             
               in
               which
               the
               Heavens
               shall
               pass
               away
               with
               a
               great
               noise
               ;
               and
               the
               Elements
               shall
               melt
               with
               fervent
               heat
               ;
               the
               Earth
               also
               ,
               and
               the
               works
               that
               are
               therein
               shall
               be
               burnt
               up
            
             :
             2
             Pet.
             3.10
             .
             That
             day
             ,
             
               wherein
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               shall
               be
               reveal'd
               from
               Heaven
               with
               his
               mighty
               Angels
               ;
               in
               flaming
               fire
               taking
               vengeance
               on
               them
               that
               know
               not
               God
               ,
               and
               that
               obey
               not
               the
               Gospel
               of
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
            
             2
             Thess.
             1.7
             ,
             8.
             
             That
             day
             ,
             
               wherein
               the
               Lord
               will
               come
               with
               fire
               ,
               and
               with
               his
               Chariots
               like
               a
               whirlwind
               ,
               to
               render
               his
               anger
               with
               fury
               ,
               and
               his
               rebuke
               with
               flames
               of
               fire
               ,
               for
               by
               fire
               and
               by
               his
               sword
               will
               the
               Lord
               plead
               
               with
               all
               flesh
               ,
            
             Isa.
             66.15
             ,
             16.
             
             That
             day
             ,
             
               wherein
               the
               Son
               of
               Man
               shall
               come
               in
               his
               Glory
               ,
               and
               all
               the
               Holy
               Angels
               with
               him
               ;
               and
               shall
               sit
               upon
               the
               Throne
               of
               his
               Glory
               ;
               and
               all
               Nations
               shall
               be
               gathered
               before
               him
               ;
               and
               he
               shall
               separate
               them
               one
               from
               another
               ,
               as
               a
               Shepherd
               divideth
               his
               Sheep
               from
               the
               Goats
               ,
            
             Mat.
             25.31
             ,
             32.
             
             And
             that
             day
             ,
             
               wherein
               all
               the
               kindreds
               of
               the
               Earth
               shall
               wail
               because
               of
               him
               ,
            
             Rev.
             1.7
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THAT
             
               great
               and
               terrible
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Joel
             2.31
             .
             wherein
             if
             the
             powers
             of
             Heav'n
             be
             shaken
             ,
             how
             can
             the
             heart
             remain
             removed
             ?
             And
             if
             the
             World
             be
             dissolved
             ,
             who
             can
             abide
             it
             ?
             Alas
             ,
             we
             are
             ready
             to
             tremble
             at
             Thunder
             in
             a
             Cloud
             ;
             and
             at
             Lightning
             that
             glances
             our
             Eyes
             ;
             what
             shall
             we
             do
             when
             the
             Heavens
             shall
             break
             in
             pieces
             ,
             and
             be
             on
             flame
             about
             our
             Ears
             ?
             
               Oh
               who
               may
               abide
               the
               day
               of
               his
               coming
               ,
               and
               who
               shall
               stand
               when
               he
               appeareth
            
             ?
             Mal.
             3.2
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             YET
             be
             of
             good
             cheer
             ,
             amidst
             all
             this
             horror
             there
             is
             comfort
             ;
             whether
             thou
             be
             one
             whom
             it
             shall
             please
             God
             to
             reserve
             upon
             the
             Earth
             to
             the
             sight
             of
             this
             dreadful
             day
             ,
             he
             knows
             in
             whose
             hands
             our
             times
             are
             ;
             but
             this
             we
             are
             sure
             of
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             upon
             the
             last
             days
             :
             And
             we
             may
             spit
             in
             the
             Faces
             of
             St.
             Peters
             Scoffers
             ,
             that
             say
             
               where
               is
               the
               promise
               of
               his
               coming
            
             ?
             Knowing
             that
             the
             Lord
             is
             not
             slack
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             shall
             come
             ,
             will
             come
             ,
             and
             not
             tarry
             ,
             2
             Pet.
             3.4
             ,
             9.
             
             Heb.
             10.17
             .
             And
             some
             may
             live
             to
             see
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             come
             in
             the
             Clouds
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             this
             last
             Scene
             of
             the
             World
             :
          
           
             5.
             
             IF
             so
             ,
             let
             not
             thy
             heart
             be
             dismay'd
             with
             these
             fearful
             things
             :
             Thy
             change
             shall
             be
             sudden
             ,
             one
             Moment
             shall
             put
             off
             Mortality
             ,
             and
             clothe
             thee
             with
             Incorruption
             ,
             not
             capable
             of
             fear
             and
             pain
             :
             The
             Majesty
             of
             this
             appearance
             shall
             add
             to
             thy
             Joy
             and
             Glory
             ▪
             
               Thou
               shalt
               then
               see
               the
               Lord
               himself
               descend
               from
               Heaven
               with
               a
               shout
               ,
               with
               the
               voice
               of
               the
               
               Arch-Angel
               and
               with
               the
               trump
               of
               God
            
             :
             Thou
             shalt
             see
             thy self
             ,
             
               and
               those
               other
               which
               are
               alive
               and
               remain
               to
               be
               caught
               up
               into
               the
               Clouds
               to
               meet
               the
               Lord
               in
               the
               Air
               ;
               and
               so
               shalt
               thou
               be
               ever
               with
               the
               Lord.
            
             On
             this
             Assurance
             ,
             the
             Apostle
             subjoyns
             ,
             
               Wherefore
               comfort
               one
               another
               with
               these
               words
               ,
            
             1
             Thes.
             4.16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
             And
             if
             ever
             there
             were
             comfort
             in
             words
             ,
             not
             of
             Men
             or
             Angels
             ,
             but
             of
             the
             God
             of
             Truth
             ,
             these
             will
             afford
             it
             to
             our
             trembling
             Souls
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             BUT
             if
             thou
             be
             one
             whom
             God
             hath
             determin'd
             to
             Summon
             before
             the
             great
             day
             of
             his
             appearance
             ;
             here
             is
             a
             joy
             unspeakable
             and
             full
             of
             Glory
             :
             
               For
               those
               that
               sleep
               in
               Jesus
               shall
               God
               bring
               with
               him
            
             ;
             1
             Thes.
             4.15
             .
             They
             shall
             be
             of
             that
             Glorious
             Train
             ,
             which
             shall
             attend
             the
             Great
             Judge
             of
             the
             World
             :
             Yea
             they
             shall
             be
             Co-assessors
             to
             the
             Lord
             of
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             ,
             in
             this
             Judicature
             ;
             sitting
             upon
             the
             Bench
             ,
             when
             guilty
             Men
             and
             Angels
             shall
             be
             at
             the
             Bar
             :
             
               To
               him
               that
               overcometh
            
             ,
             saith
             Christ
             ,
             
               will
               I
               grant
               to
               sit
               with
               me
               in
               my
               throne
               ,
               even
               as
               I
               also
               overcame
               ,
               and
               am
               set
               down
               with
               my
               Father
               upon
               his
               Throne
               ,
            
             Rev.
             3.21
             .
             What
             place
             is
             here
             for
             any
             terror
             ,
             since
             such
             heavenly
             Magnificence
             ,
             fulness
             of
             Joy
             and
             Eternal
             Glory
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             THOU
             art
             afraid
             think
             of
             Judgment
             ;
             I
             had
             rather
             thou
             wert
             awful
             ,
             than
             timorous
             ,
             when
             St.
             
               Paul
               ,
               Acts
            
             24.25
             .
             discoursed
             
               of
               the
               judgment
               to
               come
            
             ,
             it
             is
             no
             marvel
             that
             Felix
             trembled
             ;
             But
             the
             same
             Apostle
             ,
             when
             he
             pressed
             to
             his
             Corinthians
             ▪
             the
             certainty
             and
             generality
             of
             our
             
               appearance
               before
               the
               Judgment-Seal
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               every
               one
               may
               receive
               the
               things
               ,
               done
               in
               his
               body
               whether
               good
               or
               evil
            
             ;
             adding
             ,
             
               knowing
               therefore
               the
               terror
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
               we
               perswade
               men
               ;
               but
               we
               are
               made
               manifest
               to
               God
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.10
             ,
             11.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             THE
             holiest
             Man
             is
             not
             exempted
             from
             the
             dread
             ,
             but
             slavish
             fear
             of
             the
             great
             Judge
             :
             We
             know
             his
             infinite
             Justice
             ;
             and
             are
             Conscious
             of
             our
             manifold
             
             failings
             :
             And
             how
             can
             we
             acknowledge
             these
             ,
             and
             not
             fear
             ?
             But
             this
             fear
             works
             not
             in
             us
             a
             Malignant
             repining
             at
             the
             severe
             Tribunal
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             but
             a
             careful
             endeavour
             to
             approve
             our selves
             that
             we
             may
             be
             acquitted
             by
             him
             ,
             and
             appear
             blameless
             in
             his
             presence
             .
             How
             justly
             may
             we
             tremble
             ,
             when
             we
             look
             upon
             our
             Actions
             and
             Deserts
             ?
             But
             confidently
             appear
             at
             the
             Bar
             ,
             where
             we
             are
             assur'd
             of
             a
             discharge
             ?
             
               Being
               justified
               by
               Faith
               ,
               we
               have
               peace
               with
               God
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord
               ,
            
             Rom.
             5.1
             .
             When
             we
             think
             of
             a
             Conflagration
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             how
             can
             we
             but
             fear
             ?
             But
             when
             we
             think
             of
             a
             happy
             
               restitution
               of
               all
               things
            
             ;
             how
             can
             we
             but
             rejoice
             in
             trembling
             ?
             Acts
             3.21
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             THOU
             quakest
             at
             the
             expectation
             of
             Judgement
             :
             Surely
             the
             Majesty
             of
             that
             great
             Assize
             must
             needs
             be
             formidable
             :
             And
             if
             the
             delivery
             of
             the
             Law
             on
             Mount
             
               Sinai
               ,
               (
               Exod.
            
             19.16
             ,
             18.
             )
             were
             with
             so
             dreadful
             a
             Pomp
             of
             
               Thunder
               and
               Lightning
               ,
               Fire
               ,
               Smoak
               and
               Earthquakes
               ,
            
             that
             the
             Israelites
             were
             half
             dead
             with
             fear
             in
             receiving
             it
             ;
             with
             what
             terrible
             Magnificence
             shall
             God
             come
             to
             require
             an
             account
             of
             that
             Law
             at
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             whole
             sinful
             generation
             of
             Mankind
             ?
          
           
             10.
             
             REPRESENT
             unto
             thy
             thoughts
             ,
             that
             which
             was
             shewed
             to
             the
             Prophet
             
               Daniel
               ,
               Dan.
            
             7.9
             ,
             10.
             
             Imagine
             thou
             sawst
             ,
             
               the
               Ancient
               of
               days
               sitting
               upon
               a
               Throne
               like
               a
               fiery
               flame
               ;
               a
               fiery
               stream
               issuing
               and
               coming
               forth
               from
               before
               him
               ;
               thousand
               thousands
               ministring
               unto
               him
               ,
               and
               ten
               thousand
               times
               ten
               thousand
               standing
               before
               him
               ;
               the
               judgment
               set
               and
               the
               Books
               opened
            
             :
             Or
             as
             John
             ,
             the
             Daniel
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             saw
             Rev.
             20.11
             ,
             12.
             
             
               A
               great
               white
               throne
               ,
               and
               him
               that
               sat
               on
               it
               ,
               from
               whose
               Face
               the
               Earth
               and
               the
               Heavens
               fled
               away
               ,
               and
               the
               dead
               both
               small
               and
               great
               standing
               before
               God
               ;
               and
               the
               Books
               opened
               and
               the
               Dead
               judged
               out
               of
               those
               things
               which
               were
               written
               in
               those
               Books
               ,
               according
               to
               their
               works
               .
            
          
           
           
             11.
             
             LET
             the
             eyes
             of
             thy
             mind
             foresee
             that
             which
             these
             bodily
             eyes
             shall
             once
             see
             ,
             and
             tell
             me
             how
             thou
             feelest
             thy self
             affected
             with
             the
             sight
             of
             such
             a
             Judge
             ,
             such
             an
             appearance
             ,
             and
             such
             a
             process
             :
             And
             if
             thou
             art
             in
             a
             trembling
             Condition
             ,
             cheer
             thy self
             with
             this
             ,
             that
             thy
             Judge
             is
             thine
             Advocate
             ;
             that
             upon
             that
             Throne
             sits
             not
             greater
             Majesty
             than
             Mercy
             :
             It
             is
             thy
             Saviour
             that
             shall
             sentence
             thee
             ;
             how
             safe
             art
             thou
             then
             under
             such
             hands
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             fear
             he
             will
             doom
             thee
             to
             death
             ,
             who
             dyed
             to
             give
             thee
             life
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             fear
             he
             will
             condemn
             thee
             for
             those
             sins
             which
             he
             hath
             given
             his
             blood
             to
             expiate
             ?
             Canst
             thou
             fear
             the
             rigour
             of
             that
             Justice
             which
             he
             hath
             so
             fully
             satisfied
             ?
             Or
             canst
             thou
             misdoubt
             the
             miscarriage
             of
             that
             Soul
             he
             hath
             so
             dearly
             bought
             ?
          
           
             12.
             
             NO
             ,
             all
             this
             Divine
             State
             and
             Magnificence
             makes
             for
             thee
             .
             Let
             those
             guilty
             and
             impenitent
             Souls
             ,
             Rom.
             2.5
             .
             who
             have
             heaped
             unto
             themselves
             
               Wrath
               against
               the
               day
               of
               wrath
               ,
            
             quake
             at
             the
             Glorious
             Majesty
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ;
             
               for
               whom
               nothing
               remains
               ,
               but
               a
               fearful
               expectation
               of
               judgment
               ,
               and
               fiery
               indignation
               ,
               which
               shall
               devour
               the
               adversaries
               ,
               Heb.
            
             10.27
             .
             But
             for
             thee
             who
             art
             reconciled
             unto
             God
             by
             the
             Mediation
             of
             the
             Son
             of
             his
             love
             ,
             and
             incorporated
             into
             Christ
             ,
             and
             made
             a
             Member
             of
             his
             Mystical
             Body
             ;
             thou
             art
             Commanded
             with
             all
             the
             Faithful
             ,
             
               to
               look
               up
               ,
               and
               lift
               up
               thy
               head
               ;
               for
               now
               the
               day
               of
               Redemption
               is
               come
               ,
            
             Luk.
             21.28
             .
             Ephes.
             4.30
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             AND
             indeed
             it
             is
             thy
             priviledge
             ,
             since
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             blessed
             Union
             with
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             this
             Glory
             is
             thine
             ;
             every
             Member
             hath
             an
             interest
             in
             the
             Honour
             of
             the
             Head.
             Rejoyce
             therefore
             
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             Jesus
             ,
             Phil.
             2.16
             .
             And
             when
             the
             Tribes
             of
             the
             Earth
             
               shall
               wail
               .
               Rev.
            
             1.7
             .
             Do
             thou
             Sing
             and
             call
             to
             the
             Heavens
             and
             Earth
             to
             bear
             thee
             Company
             :
             
               Let
               the
               Heavens
               rejoyce
               ,
               and
               let
               the
               Earth
               
               be
               glad
               :
               Let
               the
               Sea
               make
               a
               noise
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               is
               therein
               :
               Let
               the
               Fields
               be
               joyful
               ,
               and
               all
               that
               is
               in
               it
               .
               Then
               shall
               all
               the
               trees
               of
               the
               wood
               rejoyce
               before
               the
               Lord
               :
               for
               he
               cometh
               ,
               for
               he
               cometh
               to
               judge
               the
               Earth
               ,
               and
               with
               righteousness
               to
               judge
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               People
               with
               his
               Truth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             96.11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
          
           
             14
             THOU
             art
             aff●ighted
             with
             the
             thought
             of
             the
             Great
             Day
             :
             Think
             oftner
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             less
             fear
             it
             ;
             it
             will
             come
             surely
             ,
             and
             suddenly
             ;
             let
             thy
             frequent
             thoughts
             prevent
             it
             ,
             it
             will
             come
             as
             a
             Thief
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
             without
             warning
             or
             noise
             :
             Let
             thy
             careful
             vigilance
             expect
             it
             ;
             and
             thy
             Soul
             shall
             not
             be
             surprized
             ,
             nor
             confounded
             .
             Thine
             Audit
             is
             sure
             and
             uncertain
             :
             Sure
             that
             it
             will
             be
             ,
             but
             uncertain
             the
             time
             .
             If
             thou
             wilt
             approve
             thy self
             a
             good
             Steward
             ,
             have
             thine
             Account
             ready
             ;
             and
             set
             thy
             reckoning
             even
             betwix●
             .
             God
             and
             thy
             Soul
             :
             
               Blessed
               is
               that
               Servant
               whom
               his
               Lord
               when
               he
               cometh
               shall
               find
               so
               doing
               ,
            
             Mat.
             24.46
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             LOOK
             upon
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             Earth
             as
             Dissolving
             ;
             and
             think
             with
             St.
             Jerome
             ,
             that
             thou
             hearest
             the
             last
             Trump
             ,
             and
             voice
             of
             the
             Arch-angel
             shrilling
             in
             thine
             Ears
             ,
             
               Arise
               ye
               dead
               and
               come
               to
               judgment
               .
            
             Let
             it
             be
             thy
             main
             care
             ,
             to
             live
             Soberly
             ,
             Righteously
             ,
             and
             Godly
             in
             this
             present
             World
             ,
             looking
             for
             that
             Blessed
             Hope
             ,
             and
             the
             Glorious
             Appearing
             of
             the
             Great
             God
             ,
             and
             our
             Saviour
             Jesus
             Chirst
             ,
             who
             gave
             himself
             for
             us
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             redeem
             us
             from
             all
             iniquity
             ;
             
               VVho
               shall
               change
               our
               vile
               body
               ,
               that
               it
               may
               be
               fashioned
               like
               to
               his
               Glorious
               body
               ;
               according
               to
               the
               working
               whereby
               he
               is
               able
               to
               subdue
               all
               things
               to
               himself
               ,
            
             Phil.
             3.21
             .
          
           
             
               A
               preparatory
               Prayer
               of
               the
               Judgment
               to
               come
               .
            
             
               O
               Omnipotent
               Lord
               God
               ,
               who
               hast
               appointed
               a
               day
               wherein
               thou
               wilt
               bring
               all
               the
               world
               to
               judgment
               ,
               with
               every
               secret
               thing
               whether
               it
               be
               good
               ,
               or
               whether
               it
               
               be
               evil
               :
               O
               make
               me
               try
               my
               Soul
               daily
               and
               hourly
               at
               the
               Bar
               of
               my
               own
               Conscience
               ,
               that
               accusing
               and
               judging
               my self
               for
               my
               sins
               and
               transgressions
               ,
               thou
               mayst
               not
               condemn
               me
               at
               thy
               dreadful
               Tribunal
               :
               Lord
               ▪
               let
               that
               remarkable
               day
               be
               often
               in
               my
               thoughts
               ,
               that
               the
               fear
               of
               it
               and
               thee
               ,
               may
               be
               ever
               before
               my
               eyes
               :
               And
               my
               Conscience
               may
               be
               kept
               more
               pure
               by
               the
               power
               of
               that
               dread
               and
               fear
               ;
               give
               me
               an
               earnest
               desire
               and
               a
               careful
               endeavour
               to
               direct
               all
               my
               ways
               and
               to
               order
               the
               whole
               Course
               of
               my
               Life
               ,
               according
               to
               the
               Rule
               and
               Precepts
               of
               thy
               Holy
               VVord
               ;
               let
               it
               be
               my
               utmost
               care
               and
               diligence
               to
               have
               a
               good
               Conscience
               in
               all
               things
               ,
               and
               to
               live
               so
               that
               my
               Life
               being
               approved
               of
               thee
               ,
               my
               Death
               may
               be
               happy
               ,
               and
               my
               appearance
               before
               thee
               in
               the
               day
               of
               thy
               coming
               surrounded
               with
               joy
               and
               comfort
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               GRANT
               that
               the
               Merit
               of
               thy
               Death
               ,
               and
               Vertue
               of
               thy
               Resurrection
               ,
               may
               both
               Mortifie
               all
               my
               Sinful
               and
               Corrupt
               Affections
               ,
               and
               raise
               me
               to
               the
               Life
               of
               Righteousness
               ,
               that
               dying
               to
               Sin
               ,
               and
               governed
               here
               by
               thy
               ●ower
               ,
               and
               hereafter
               Acquitted
               by
               thy
               final
               Sentence
               ,
               I
               may
               at
               last
               arrive
               to
               a
               perfect
               Union
               with
               thee
               ,
               with
               a
               full
               view
               and
               eternal
               enjoyment
               of
               thee
               ,
               and
               thy
               Blessed
               Presence
               :
               Grant
               this
               through
               thy
               Mercies
               ,
               O
               Heavenly
               Father
               ,
               thy
               Merits
               ,
               O
               Gracious
               Jesu
               ,
               and
               thy
               Assistance
               ,
               O
               Holy
               Spirit
               ,
               Three
               Persons
               ,
               One
               only
               VVise
               ,
               Omnipotent
               and
               Immortal
               God
               ,
               to
               whom
               belongeth
               all
               Honour
               ,
               Praise
               ,
               Might
               ,
               Majesty
               and
               Dominion
               ,
               in
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               from
               this
               time
               forth
               and
               to
               all
               eternity
               .
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XVIII
             .
             Spiritual
             Conflicts
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             THOU
             art
             affrighted
             at
             the
             thought
             of
             Spi●itual
             Enemies
             :
             Earth
             nor
             Hell
             hath
             any
             th●ng
             so
             formidable
             ,
             
               Power
               ,
               Malice
            
             and
             Subtilty
             ,
             are
             m●t
             in
             them
             :
             Neither
             is
             it
             easie
             to
             say
             in
             which
             of
             these
             
             they
             are
             most
             eminent
             .
             Certainly
             ,
             were
             we
             to
             match
             with
             him
             on
             even
             hands
             ,
             their
             was
             just
             cause
             not
             of
             Fear
             ,
             but
             Despair
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             could
             tremble
             ,
             thou
             sayst
             ,
             to
             think
             what
             Satan
             hath
             done
             ,
             and
             what
             he
             can
             do
             :
             With
             what
             Contestation
             he
             enabled
             the
             Egyptian
             Sorcerers
             to
             stand
             with
             Moses
             ;
             how
             they
             turn'd
             their
             Rods
             into
             Serpents
             ;
             and
             seemed
             to
             have
             the
             advantage
             of
             many
             Serpents
             crawling
             and
             hissing
             in
             
             Pharaoh's
             Pavement
             ,
             Exod.
             7.12
             .
             How
             they
             turn'd
             
               waters
               into
               blood
            
             ,
             vers
             .
             22.
             and
             brought
             Frogs
             upon
             the
             Land
             of
             
               Egypt
               ,
               Exod.
            
             8.7
             .
             as
             if
             thus
             far
             the
             power
             of
             Hell
             would
             presume
             to
             hold
             Competition
             with
             Heaven
             :
             What
             furious
             Tempests
             he
             raises
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             as
             that
             from
             the
             Wilderness
             beat
             upon
             the
             four
             corners
             of
             the
             House
             of
             
             Job's
             eldest
             Son
             ,
             and
             overthrew
             it
             ,
             Job
             1.19
             .
             Now
             
               Job
               was
               the
               greatest
               Man
               in
               the
               East
               ,
            
             Job
             1.3
             .
             His
             Heir
             dwelt
             not
             in
             a
             Cottage
             ,
             but
             a
             strong
             Fabrick
             ,
             which
             could
             not
             stand
             against
             this
             Hurricane
             of
             Satan
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             WHAT
             fearful
             Apparitions
             he
             makes
             in
             upper
             Regions
             :
             What
             
               great
               wonders
            
             ,
             causing
             
               Fire
               to
               come
               down
               from
               Heaven
               on
               the
               Earth
               ,
               in
               the
               sight
               of
               Men
               ,
               Rev.
            
             13.13
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             what
             grievous
             Tyranny
             he
             exerciseth
             upon
             
               the
               Children
               of
               Disobedience
            
             ,
             Eph.
             5.6
             .
             Couldst
             thou
             expect
             any
             less
             ,
             from
             those
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             himself
             styles
             
               Principalities
               and
               Powers
               ,
               and
               Rulers
               of
               the
               Darkness
               of
               this
               World
               ,
               and
               spiritual
               wickednesses
               in
               high
               Places
               ,
            
             (
             Eph.
             6.12
             .
             )
             and
             
               the
               Prince
               of
               the
               Power
               of
               the
               Air
               ,
            
             Eph.
             2.2
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             SURELY
             it
             were
             no
             Victory
             to
             be
             a
             Christian
             ,
             if
             we
             had
             not
             powerful
             Opposites
             ;
             but
             dost
             thou
             not
             consider
             that
             this
             Power
             is
             by
             Concession
             ,
             and
             the
             Exercise
             but
             with
             Permission
             ,
             and
             Limitation
             ?
             What
             Power
             is
             their
             in
             any
             Creature
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             derived
             from
             the
             Almighty
             ?
             This
             Measure
             the
             Infinite
             Creator
             was
             pleased
             to
             communicate
             
             to
             them
             ,
             as
             Angels
             ,
             which
             they
             retain
             and
             Exercise
             as
             Devils
             ;
             their
             damnation
             hath
             stript
             them
             of
             Glory
             ;
             but
             we
             know
             not
             how
             much
             their
             strength
             is
             abated
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             AND
             we
             may
             perceive
             how
             their
             Power
             is
             bounded
             ?
             Those
             that
             turn'd
             their
             Rods
             into
             Serpents
             ,
             could
             not
             keep
             'em
             from
             being
             devour'd
             of
             that
             one
             Serpent
             of
             Moses
             :
             Those
             that
             brought
             Frogs
             upon
             Egypt
             ,
             cannot
             bring
             Lice
             ;
             those
             that
             were
             suffer'd
             to
             bring
             Frogs
             ,
             lose
             that
             power
             to
             take
             'em
             away
             :
             Restrained
             Powers
             must
             know
             their
             Limits
             ,
             and
             we
             knowing
             them
             ,
             must
             set
             limits
             to
             our
             Fears
             ;
             a
             Lion
             chain'd
             can
             do
             less
             harm
             than
             a
             Cur
             loose
             :
             Why
             art
             thou
             concern'd
             at
             the
             powerfulness
             of
             Spirits
             ,
             whilst
             they
             by
             an
             over-ruling
             Power
             are
             tied
             to
             their
             Stake
             that
             they
             cannot
             hurt
             thee
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             THY
             Fears
             are
             increas'd
             with
             their
             number
             ,
             which
             are
             as
             many
             as
             Powerful
             :
             one
             Demoniack
             was
             possessed
             with
             a
             Legion
             ;
             how
             many
             Legions
             then
             tempt
             those
             Millions
             of
             Men
             upon
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             whereof
             none
             is
             free
             from
             their
             Solicitations
             to
             evil
             ?
             That
             holy
             Man
             whom
             our
             counterfeit
             Hermits
             pretend
             to
             imitate
             ,
             in
             the
             Vision
             of
             his
             retiredness
             ,
             saw
             the
             Air
             full
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             their
             snares
             for
             Mankind
             ;
             and
             were
             our
             Eyes
             as
             clear
             as
             His
             ,
             we
             might
             perhaps
             meet
             with
             the
             same
             Prospect
             :
             But
             be
             not
             dismaid
             .
             Couldst
             thou
             borrow
             the
             eyes
             of
             the
             Servant
             of
             an
             Holier
             Master
             ,
             thou
             shouldst
             see
             ,
             that
             
               there
               are
               more
               with
               us
               ,
               than
               against
               us
               ,
            
             ●
             Kin.
             6.16
             .
             Thou
             shouldst
             see
             the
             blessed
             Angels
             of
             God
             ,
             pitching
             their
             Tents
             about
             thee
             ,
             as
             the
             Powerful
             ,
             Vigilant
             and
             Constant
             Guardians
             of
             thy
             Soul
             :
             These
             are
             those
             Valiant
             ones
             about
             thy
             Bed
             ;
             
               They
               all
               hold
               Swords
               ,
               being
               expert
               in
               VVar
               ;
               every
               one
               his
               Sword
               upon
               his
               Thigh
               ,
               because
               of
               fear
               in
               the
               night
               ,
            
             Cant.
             3.7
             ,
             8.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             FEAR
             not
             therefore
             but
             make
             the
             Lord
             ,
             
               Even
               the
               Most
               High
               ,
               thy
               Habitation
               ;
               then
               there
               shall
               no
               
               evil
               befall
               thee
               ,
               neither
               shall
               any
               plague
               come
               nigh
               thy
               dwelling
               :
               For
               he
               shall
               give
               his
               Angels
               charge
               over
               thee
               in
               all
               thy
               ways
               ,
               they
               shall
               bear
               thee
               up
               in
               their
               hands
               lest
               thou
               dash
               thy
               foot
               against
               a
               stone
            
             ;
             and
             besides
             this
             indemnity
             .
             
               Thou
               shalt
               tread
               upon
               the
               Lyon
               and
               Adder
               ;
               the
               young
               Lyon
               and
               the
               Dragon
               shalt
               thou
               trample
               under
               thy
               feet
               ,
            
             Psal.
             91.9
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             In
             secular
             Enmity
             ,
             true
             Valour
             may
             be
             oppress'd
             ,
             but
             not
             easily
             daunted
             with
             Multitude
             ;
             
               I
               will
               not
               be
               afraid
               of
               ten
               thousand
               ,
            
             (
             saith
             David
             )
             Psal.
             3.6
             .
             and
             Psal.
             118.12
             .
             
               They
               came
               about
               me
               like
               Bees
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Name
               of
               the
               Lord
               will
               I
               destroy
               them
               .
            
          
           
             8.
             
             IT
             was
             a
             brave
             Resolution
             in
             that
             General
             ,
             when
             a
             Soldier
             told
             him
             ,
             the
             Persian
             Arrows
             darkned
             the
             Sun
             ;
             be
             of
             good
             chear
             ,
             said
             he
             ,
             then
             we
             shall
             sight
             in
             the
             shade
             :
             Answerable
             to
             which
             ,
             was
             that
             Heroical
             Determination
             of
             Luther
             ,
             who
             against
             all
             Threats
             and
             Disswasions
             ,
             would
             go
             into
             the
             City
             of
             VVorms
             ,
             though
             as
             many
             Devils
             were
             in
             it
             ,
             as
             Tiles
             upon
             the
             Houses
             ;
             and
             why
             should
             we
             not
             imitate
             this
             Confidence
             ?
             What
             if
             there
             were
             as
             many
             Devils
             in
             the
             Air
             ,
             as
             are
             Spires
             of
             Grass
             upon
             the
             Earth
             ?
             
               God
               is
               our
               refuge
               and
               strength
               ,
               as
               a
               very
               present
               h●lp
               in
               trouble
               ;
               therefore
               will
               we
               not
               fear
               ,
               though
               the
               Earth
               be
               removed
               ;
               though
               the
               Mountains
               be
               carryed
               into
               the
               midst
               of
               the
               Sea
               ,
            
             Psal.
             46.12
             .
             
               Behold
               ,
               God
               is
               our
               Salvation
               ,
               we
               will
               trust
               ,
               and
               not
               be
               afraid
               ;
               for
               the
               Lord
            
             Jehovah
             ,
             
               is
               our
               strength
               and
               our
               song
               ,
               he
               also
               is
               become
               our
               Salvation
               ,
            
             ●●a
             .
             12.2
             .
             
               Let
               God
               arise
               ,
               and
               let
               his
               Enemies
               be
               scattered
               ;
               let
               them
               also
               that
               hate
               him
               flee
               b●fore
               him
               ;
               like
               as
               the
               smoake
               v●nisheth
               ,
               so
               shalt
               thou
               drive
               them
               away
               ,
            
             Psal.
             ●8
             .
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             9.
             
             BUT
             on
             the
             malice
             of
             those
             infernal
             Spirits
             ,
             is
             implacable
             and
             deadly
             ,
             whose
             Artifice
             is
             Temptation
             ,
             and
             Accusation
             ;
             whose
             delight
             Torment
             ,
             Shrieks
             ,
             Howlings
             ,
             Groans
             and
             Gnashing
             ;
             whose
             main
             Drift
             is
             the
             Eternal
             Damnation
             of
             miserable
             
             Mankind
             !
             Why
             should
             we
             expect
             otherwise
             from
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             Manslayer
             from
             the
             beginning
             ?
             That
             carries
             Destruction
             in
             his
             Name
             and
             Nature
             ?
             That
             goes
             about
             like
             a
             roaring
             Lyon
             ,
             seeking
             whom
             he
             may
             devour
             ?
          
           
             10.
             
             SURELY
             ,
             this
             Malignanty
             is
             restless
             ;
             on
             this
             side
             Hell.
             But
             comfort
             thy self
             in
             spight
             of
             Hells
             malice
             ,
             thou
             art
             safe
             .
             Dost
             thou
             not
             know
             by
             thee
             stands
             the
             Victorious
             Lyon
             of
             the
             Tribe
             of
             Judah
             ,
             whom
             that
             infernal
             Fiend
             dare
             not
             look
             in
             the
             Face
             ?
             Dost
             thou
             not
             remember
             ,
             when
             sentence
             was
             pronounc'd
             of
             Eternal
             Enmity
             ,
             between
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             ,
             and
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Serpent
             ,
             it
             was
             with
             this
             Doom
             ,
             
               It
               shall
               bruise
               thy
               head
               ,
               and
               thou
               shalt
               bruise
               his
               heel
               ,
            
             Gen.
             3.15
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             A
             bruise
             of
             a
             Heel
             is
             far
             from
             the
             Heart
             ;
             but
             a
             bruise
             of
             the
             Serpents
             Head
             is
             Mortal
             ;
             where
             his
             Sting
             is
             ,
             there
             his
             Life
             lies
             :
             Neither
             did
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Woman
             (
             Christ
             Jesus
             )
             this
             for
             himself
             (
             who
             was
             infinitely
             above
             all
             the
             Power
             and
             Malice
             of
             the
             Devil
             )
             but
             for
             us
             the
             impotent
             and
             sinful
             Seed
             of
             Man
             :
             
               The
               God
               of
               peace
               shall
               bruise
               Satan
               under
               your
               Feet
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             ,
             Rom.
             16.20
             .
             not
             under
             his
             own
             only
             :
             Of
             whom
             God
             the
             Father
             had
             long
             before
             said
             ,
             
               Sit
               thou
               on
               my
               Right
               Hand
               ,
               till
               I
               make
               thine
               Enemies
               thy
               Foot-stool
               ,
            
             Psal.
             110.1
             .
             But
             what
             do
             I
             speak
             of
             the
             Future
             ?
             Already
             is
             this
             great
             work
             atchieved
             :
             For
             
               the
               Lord
               of
               Life
               ,
               having
               spoiled
               Principalities
               and
               Powers
               ,
               hath
               made
               a
               shew
               of
               them
               openly
               ,
               triumphing
               over
               them
               on
               his
               Cross
               ,
            
             Col.
             2.15
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             ALL
             the
             Powers
             of
             Hell
             were
             dragg'd
             after
             this
             Conquerour
             ,
             when
             he
             advanced
             upon
             that
             Triumphant
             Chariot
             .
             Look
             therefore
             on
             these
             Hellish
             Forces
             ,
             as
             vanquished
             ;
             and
             know
             that
             
               in
               all
               things
               we
               are
               more
               than
               Conquerors
               through
               him
               that
               loved
               us
               ,
            
             Rom.
             8.37
             .
             Only
             do
             thou
             by
             the
             power
             of
             thy
             Faith
             ,
             apply
             to
             thy self
             this
             great
             work
             that
             thy
             Victorious
             
             Saviour
             hath
             done
             for
             Salvation
             of
             all
             Believers
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             POWER
             without
             Malice
             were
             Harmless
             ;
             and
             Malice
             without
             Power
             Impotent
             :
             But
             when
             both
             combine
             together
             ,
             they
             are
             Dreadful
             .
             But
             ,
             Malice
             to
             execute
             Mischief
             ,
             hath
             Force
             ,
             or
             Fraud
             ;
             now
             the
             Malice
             of
             Satan
             prevails
             more
             by
             the
             latter
             ;
             and
             the
             Subtilty
             of
             these
             Malignant
             Spirits
             is
             perniciouser
             than
             their
             Power
             :
             In
             his
             Power
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             
               Lion
               ,
               Psal.
            
             7.2
             .
             in
             his
             Subtilby
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             Serpent
             ,
             Gen.
             3.1
             .
             He
             is
             that
             
               Old
               Serpent
               ,
               Rev.
            
             20.2
             .
             Whose
             craft
             is
             marvellously
             increased
             by
             the
             Experience
             of
             so
             many
             thousand
             Years
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             THEN
             the
             more
             careful
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             ,
             lest
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             saith
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             2.11
             .
             
               Satan
               should
               get
               an
               advantage
               of
               us
            
             :
             This
             he
             seeks
             ;
             and
             if
             our
             Spiritual
             Wisdom
             and
             Circumspection
             be
             not
             vigilant
             ,
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             find
             .
             It
             is
             a
             Word
             ,
             too
             sublime
             for
             us
             ,
             which
             the
             Apostle
             speaks
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             2.11
             .
             
               For
               we
               are
               not
               ignorant
               of
               Satans
               devices
               .
            
             Alas
             ,
             he
             hath
             a
             thousand
             that
             weak
             Simplicity
             is
             not
             able
             to
             reach
             :
             The
             Wisest
             knows
             not
             the
             Deceitfulness
             of
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
             much
             less
             can
             we
             dive
             into
             the
             Plots
             of
             Hell
             that
             are
             against
             us
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             WE
             hear
             ,
             and
             are
             forwarned
             of
             
               the
               wiles
               of
               the
               Devil
            
             ,
             Eph.
             6.11
             .
             But
             what
             his
             Machinations
             are
             ,
             how
             can
             we
             know
             ,
             or
             prevent
             ?
             
               Ev'n
               the
               Children
               of
               this
               world
               ,
            
             saith
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             Luke
             16.8
             .
             
               are
               in
               their
               Generation
               wiser
               than
               the
               Children
               of
               Light
            
             :
             How
             Craftier
             is
             their
             Father
             from
             whom
             their
             cunning
             is
             deriv'd
             ?
             Be
             as
             humble
             then
             as
             thou
             wilt
             ;
             and
             say
             with
             Agur
             the
             Son
             of
             Jakeh
             ,
             Prov.
             30.2
             ,
             3.
             
             
               Surely
               I
               am
               more
               brutish
               then
               any
               man
               ,
               and
               have
               not
               the
               understanding
               of
               a
               man
               :
               I
               neither
               learned
               Wisdom
               ,
               nor
               have
               the
               knowledge
               of
               the
               Holy.
               
            
          
           
             16.
             
             BUT
             what
             ever
             thou
             art
             in
             thy self
             ,
             know
             what
             thou
             art
             in
             Gods
             esteem
             :
             Consider
             what
             the
             Psalmist
             impartially
             professes
             ,
             Psal.
             119.98
             .
             
               Thou
               
               through
               thy
               Commandments
               ,
               hast
               made
               me
               wiser
               than
               mine
               Enemies
               ;
               for
               they
               are
               ever
               with
               me
               :
               The
               Spirit
               of
               Wisdom
               is
               ours
            
             as
             well
             as
             
               Righteousness
               ,
               Deut.
            
             34.9
             .
             Eph.
             1.17
             .
             1
             Cor.
             1.30
             .
             And
             he
             who
             over-rules
             Hell
             ,
             hath
             said
             ,
             Mat.
             16.18
             .
             
               The
               Gates
               of
               Hell
               shall
               not
               prevail
               against
               his
               Church
            
             :
          
           
             17.
             
             WHAT
             are
             Hell
             Gates
             ,
             but
             the
             deep
             Plots
             of
             those
             Infernal
             Powers
             ?
             The
             Serpent
             is
             the
             Emblem
             of
             Subtilty
             :
             The
             Serpents
             of
             the
             Egyptian
             Sorcerers
             ,
             were
             devoured
             by
             Moses
             his
             Serpent
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             but
             to
             shew
             that
             all
             crafty
             Counsels
             and
             Machinations
             of
             hellish
             Projectors
             ,
             are
             easily
             destroyed
             by
             the
             Power
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Almighty
             :
             It
             was
             the
             Rod
             of
             God
             that
             swallow'd
             'em
             all
             ,
             and
             was
             still
             it self
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             vanquished
             :
             And
             when
             Satan
             thought
             to
             have
             won
             most
             honor
             to
             himself
             ,
             attended
             him
             shame
             and
             loss
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             WHAT
             an
             advantage
             did
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             think
             to
             acquire
             ,
             in
             drawing
             our
             first
             Parents
             ,
             by
             their
             subtil
             Suggestions
             into
             sin
             ,
             and
             perdition
             ,
             imagining
             either
             Mankind
             shall
             not
             ,
             or
             shall
             be
             ours
             ?
             But
             the
             Incomprehensible
             Wisdom
             ,
             and
             Mercy
             of
             God
             disappointed
             their
             hopes
             ;
             and
             took
             occasion
             by
             Man's
             fall
             ,
             to
             raise
             him
             to
             a
             greater
             Glory
             ;
             and
             so
             order
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             Serpents
             nibling
             at
             the
             heel
             ,
             lost
             him
             the
             breaking
             of
             his
             head
             .
             What
             Trophies
             did
             that
             wicked
             Spirit
             think
             to
             erect
             upon
             the
             Ruines
             of
             miserable
             Job
             ,
             and
             how
             was
             that
             Saint
             doubled
             in
             his
             Estate
             and
             Honour
             ,
             by
             his
             conquering
             Patience
             ?
          
           
             19.
             
             HOW
             confidently
             did
             the
             Subtilty
             of
             Hell
             say
             ,
             concerning
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             exhibited
             in
             the
             flesh
             ;
             
               This
               is
               the
               Heir
               ,
               come
               let
               us
               kill
               him
               ,
               and
               the
               Inheritance
               shall
               be
               ours
               ?
               Mat.
            
             21.38
             .
             Mar.
             12.7
             .
             Luke
             20.14
             .
             How
             sure
             work
             did
             they
             think
             they
             had
             m●de
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             him
             ,
             through
             their
             subtil
             procurement
             ,
             nailed
             to
             the
             cross
             ,
             and
             dying
             upon
             
             that
             tree
             of
             shame
             and
             curse
             ;
             when
             they
             saw
             him
             laid
             under
             a
             Sealed
             and
             Guarded
             Gravestone
             ?
             And
             now
             begins
             their
             Confusion
             and
             his
             Triumph
             ;
             Now
             doth
             the
             Lord
             of
             Life
             trample
             upon
             Death
             and
             Hell
             ;
             and
             to
             perfect
             his
             own
             Glory
             ,
             and
             Man's
             Redemption
             ,
             by
             his
             most
             Glorious
             Resurrection
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             AND
             as
             it
             was
             with
             the
             Head
             ,
             so
             with
             the
             Members
             :
             When
             Satan
             had
             done
             his
             worst
             ,
             they
             are
             zealouser
             upon
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             happier
             upon
             their
             miscarriages
             ;
             God
             finds
             out
             a
             way
             to
             improve
             their
             evils
             to
             advantage
             ,
             and
             teaches
             them
             of
             Vipers
             to
             make
             Soveraign
             Treacles
             ,
             and
             safe
             and
             powerful
             Trochises
             .
             The
             Temptations
             of
             Satan
             ,
             sent
             from
             his
             
               Power
               ,
               Malice
            
             ,
             and
             Subtilty
             ,
             are
             but
             fiery
             darts
             ,
             for
             their
             Suddenness
             ,
             Impetuosity
             ,
             and
             Penetration
             :
             If
             we
             can
             hold
             
               the
               Shield
               of
               Faith
               before
               us
               ,
            
             Eph.
             6.16
             .
             They
             shall
             not
             be
             quenched
             ,
             but
             retorted
             in
             the
             Face
             of
             him
             that
             sends
             them
             ;
             and
             we
             shall
             with
             the
             holy
             Apostle
             find
             and
             profess
             ,
             that
             ,
             
               In
               all
               things
               we
               are
               more
               then
               Conquerors
               ,
               through
               him
               that
               loved
               us
            
             ;
             Rom.
             8.37
             .
             And
             in
             a
             bold
             defiance
             of
             all
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             say
             ,
             (
             ver
             .
             38
             ,
             39
             )
             
               I
               am
               perswaded
               ,
               that
               neither
               Death
               ,
               nor
               Life
               ,
               nor
               Angels
               ,
               nor
               Principalities
               ,
               nor
               Powers
               ,
               nor
               things
               present
               ,
               nor
               things
               to
               come
               ,
               shall
               be
               able
               to
               separate
               us
               from
               the
               love
               of
               God
               which
               is
               in
               Christ
               Jesus
               our
               Lord.
               
            
          
           
             
               A
               Prayer
               in
               Spiritual
               Conflicts
               .
            
             
               O
               Blessed
               Jesu
               !
               the
               Lord
               of
               Life
               ,
               Prince
               of
               Glory
               ,
               and
               Captain
               of
               our
               Salvation
               !
               the
               perplexing
               trouble
               of
               my
               destracting
               thoughts
               ,
               do
               by
               their
               sly
               insinuations
               and
               secret
               importunities
               disturb
               the
               quiet
               of
               my
               mind
               ,
               and
               make
               my
               holy
               duties
               become
               a
               weariness
               to
               my
               Soul
               :
               They
               cool
               the
               heat
               ,
               they
               damp
               the
               Vigor
               ,
               and
               dead
               the
               Comfort
               of
               all
               my
               Devotions
               :
               Yea
               ,
               even
               when
               I
               beseech
               
               God
               to
               forgive
               my
               sins
               ,
               I
               then
               sin
               whilst
               I
               am
               praying
               for
               forgiveness
               ;
               whether
               it
               be
               in
               the
               Church
               or
               the
               Closet
               ,
               so
               Frequently
               and
               so
               Violently
               do
               these
               vain
               thoughts
               withdraw
               my
               heart
               from
               thy
               service
               ,
               that
               I
               cannot
               have
               confidence
               ,
               thou
               hearest
               my
               Suit
               ,
               because
               I
               know
               by
               Experience
               my
               own
               deafness
               ;
               and
               therefore
               ,
               sure
               ,
               needs
               must
               thou
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               be
               far
               off
               from
               my
               Prayers
               ,
               whilst
               my
               heart
               is
               so
               far
               out
               of
               thy
               presence
               ,
               and
               hurried
               away
               with
               a
               Crowd
               of
               vain
               Imaginations
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               But
               Lord
               ,
               keep
               my
               Faith
               fixt
               upon
               thy
               Mediation
               ,
               let
               me
               behold
               thy
               Incense
               when
               I
               offer
               my
               Sacrifice
               ,
               and
               though
               distractions
               have
               withdrawn
               me
               from
               my self
               ,
               yet
               let
               not
               distrust
               drive
               me
               from
               my
               Jesus
               .
               O
               give
               me
               an
               encrease
               of
               Saving
               Knowledge
               ,
               which
               will
               prove
               a
               sure
               means
               of
               Sanctifying
               my
               thoughts
               ;
               Mortifie
               in
               me
               all
               vile
               Affections
               and
               Inordinate
               Passions
               ,
               and
               suppress
               all
               evil
               thoughts
               and
               vain
               Imaginations
               ,
               and
               by
               thy
               Special
               Grace
               ,
               Excite
               and
               Cherish
               in
               me
               Holy
               and
               Speritual
               Affections
               :
               Thou
               who
               hast
               vanquisht
               Satan
               and
               all
               the
               powers
               of
               Darkness
               ;
               O
               give
               Victory
               to
               me
               ,
               and
               all
               languishing
               Souls
               in
               our
               Spiritual
               Conflicts
               ;
               guide
               us
               with
               thy
               Counsels
               ,
               sustain
               us
               with
               thy
               Grace
               ,
               refresh
               us
               with
               thy
               Comforts
               ,
               preserve
               us
               in
               thy
               Love
               ,
               and
               crown
               us
               with
               thy
               Glory
               .
               
                 Amen
                 .
                 Amen
                 .
                 Hallelujah
              
               !
            
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             XIX
             .
             The
             Character
             of
             Patience
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             PATIENCE
             is
             a
             peaceable
             disposition
             of
             the
             whole
             Man
             ,
             not
             troubled
             ,
             nor
             troublesome
             ;
             but
             abstaining
             from
             whatsoever
             may
             disturb
             himself
             or
             others
             .
             In
             its
             Definition
             ,
             we
             may
             observe
             these
             five
             heads
             ,
             first
             the
             nature
             of
             Patienc●
             ;
             it
             is
             peaceable
             ,
             and
             quiet
             ;
             not
             subject
             to
             sudden
             
             Passion
             ,
             light
             Motions
             ,
             or
             short
             Affections
             towards
             it
             ;
             but
             an
             habitual
             Disposition
             and
             due
             Composure
             of
             a
             Mans
             self
             ,
             which
             may
             bear
             the
             impression
             of
             
             David's
             Motto
             ,
             Psal.
             120.7
             .
             
               I
               am
               for
               Peace
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             SECONDLY
             ,
             the
             subject
             of
             Patience
             :
             The
             whole
             Man
             ,
             not
             the
             external
             ,
             but
             the
             internal
             the
             heart
             and
             head
             ;
             the
             mind
             and
             manners
             ,
             must
             be
             dispos'd
             ,
             and
             compos'd
             towards
             it
             :
             Principally
             indeed
             the
             Heart
             ,
             
               For
               out
               of
               it
               are
               the
               issues
               of
               Life
               ,
            
             Prov.
             4.23
             .
             and
             unless
             there
             be
             a
             
               Meek
               and
               Quiet
               Spirit
            
             ,
             1
             Pet.
             3.4
             .
             It
             is
             impossible
             to
             acquire
             it
             ,
             but
             withall
             there
             must
             be
             a
             quiet
             
               Hand
               ,
               Psal.
            
             24.4
             .
             A
             quiet
             Eye
             ,
             Job
             31.1
             .
             A
             quiet
             Ear
             ,
             Prov.
             2.2
             .
             And
             a
             quiet
             Tongue
             ,
             Psal.
             39.1
             .
             And
             all
             parts
             and
             faculties
             of
             the
             Soul
             disposed
             to
             Patience
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             THIRDLY
             ,
             the
             parts
             of
             Patience
             ,
             is
             not
             in
             being
             troubled
             ,
             or
             being
             troublesom
             ,
             neither
             actively
             impatient
             in
             displeasing
             others
             ,
             nor
             passively
             impatient
             in
             being
             disquieted
             by
             others
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             the
             practice
             of
             Patience
             ,
             is
             an
             abstinence
             from
             whatsoever
             may
             disturb
             ,
             for
             so
             the
             word
             Patience
             (
             commonly
             Translated
             )
             doth
             import
             :
             And
             St.
             James
             doth
             thus
             describe
             it
             ,
             Jam.
             1.21
             .
             
               A
               laying
               aside
               of
               all
               filthiness
               and
               superfluity
               of
               maliciousness
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             FIFTHLY
             ,
             The
             Object
             of
             Patience
             ,
             or
             Impatience
             ,
             either
             in
             our selves
             ,
             or
             others
             .
             Men
             disquiet
             themselves
             either
             by
             Causeless
             conceit
             of
             offence
             offered
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             not
             :
             By
             being
             too
             suspicious
             ,
             and
             
               Inventers
               of
               evil
               things
            
             ,
             Rom.
             1.30
             .
             or
             by
             too
             much
             taking
             to
             heart
             ,
             an
             offence
             when
             it
             is
             offered
             ;
             by
             being
             too
             Furious
             ,
             2
             Tim.
             3.3
             .
             Men
             disturb
             others
             ,
             either
             in
             offering
             occasion
             of
             offence
             by
             being
             
               Injurious
               and
               Disorderly
            
             ,
             2
             Thess.
             3.11
             .
             or
             by
             bitter
             seeking
             Revenge
             ,
             being
             full
             of
             Maliciousness
             ,
             Rom.
             1.29
             .
             So
             Men
             likewise
             disturb
             themselves
             and
             others
             ;
             when
             they
             continue
             in
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             never
             think
             of
             Repentance
             :
             As
             Elijah
             told
             Ahab
             ,
             1
             King.
             18.18
             
               It
               
               is
               thou
               and
               thy
               Fathers
               house
               that
               trouble
               and
               disquiet
               Israel
               .
            
          
           
             5.
             
             BY
             this
             short
             view
             we
             have
             taken
             of
             Patience
             ,
             we
             may
             behold
             the
             true
             Character
             of
             a
             
               Patient
               Man
            
             :
             He
             is
             one
             of
             a
             
               Mild
               Nature
               ,
               and
               true
               Christian
               Temper
               ,
               swift
               to
               hear
               ,
               slow
               to
               speak
               ,
               and
               slow
               to
               wrath
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             3.4
             .
             Phil.
             2.5
             .
             Jam.
             1.19
             .
             His
             head
             is
             not
             over-laden
             with
             
               Cares
               of
               this
               Life
            
             ,
             nor
             his
             heart
             with
             Fears
             ,
             his
             eyes
             are
             not
             itching
             after
             Vanities
             ,
             nor
             his
             Ears
             after
             Novelties
             ,
             Luk.
             21.34
             .
             Prov.
             29.25
             .
             Jer.
             22.17
             .
             Act.
             17.21
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             His
             Hands
             are
             not
             intermeddling
             with
             impertinent
             business
             ,
             nor
             his
             Feet
             swift
             to
             run
             into
             Evil
             :
             His
             Mouth
             is
             far
             from
             Cursing
             and
             Bitterness
             ,
             kept
             in
             as
             a
             Bridle
             ,
             that
             it
             should
             not
             Offend
             ,
             1
             Thes.
             4.11
             .
             Prov.
             4.26
             .
             Rom.
             3.14
             ,
             Psal.
             39.1
             .
             Psal.
             17.3
             .
             His
             whole
             body
             is
             fit
             for
             a
             Load
             of
             Injuries
             ,
             which
             he
             bears
             not
             out
             of
             baseness
             ,
             and
             cowardise
             ,
             because
             he
             dares
             not
             Revenge
             ,
             but
             out
             of
             Christian
             Fortitude
             ,
             because
             he
             will
             not
             ,
             Rom.
             12.13
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             HIS
             Arms
             are
             strengthned
             by
             the
             
               Mighty
               God
               of
            
             Jacob
             ,
             
               his
               hands
               are
               washt
               in
               Innocency
               ,
            
             and
             his
             breast
             is
             
               the
               breast
               plate
               of
               Righteousness
            
             ,
             Gen.
             49.24
             .
             Psal.
             26.6
             .
             Eph.
             6.4
             .
             The
             hid-man
             of
             his
             heart
             ,
             consisteth
             of
             
               A
               me●k
               and
               a
               quiet
               Spirit
               ,
            
             and
             his
             Bowels
             are
             
               Bowels
               of
               Mercy
               ,
               Meekness
               and
               Compassion
               ,
            
             1
             Pet.
             3.4
             .
             Col.
             3.12
             .
             
               His
               Loins
               are
               girt
               about
               with
               Truth
               ,
            
             his
             Knees
             are
             pliable
             to
             Bow
             ,
             his
             Legs
             to
             bear
             ,
             and
             his
             
               Foot
               standeth
               in
               an
               even
               place
               ,
            
             Eph.
             6.14
             .
             Psal.
             26.12
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             HE
             is
             one
             can
             moderate
             himself
             in
             Prosperity
             ,
             and
             content
             himself
             in
             Adversity
             .
             His
             hopes
             are
             so
             strong
             they
             can
             insult
             over
             the
             greatest
             discouragements
             ;
             and
             his
             apprehensions
             so
             deep
             ,
             that
             when
             he
             hath
             once
             fastned
             ,
             he
             sooner
             leaveth
             his
             life
             then
             his
             hold
             .
             Contrariety
             of
             Events
             ,
             Exercise
             ,
             not
             dismay
             him
             ;
             and
             when
             Crosses
             Afflict
             him
             ,
             he
             seeth
             a
             Divine
             Hand
             ,
             invisibly
             striking
             with
             those
             sensible
             scourges
             ,
             against
             which
             he
             dares
             not
             Murmur
             nor
             Rebel
             .
          
           
           
             9.
             
             HE
             troubleth
             not
             himself
             ,
             with
             Exciting
             Thoughts
             nor
             others
             ,
             with
             needless
             Suits
             :
             He
             intermeddles
             not
             in
             others
             business
             ,
             nor
             adventures
             upon
             rash
             Attempts
             ,
             he
             offends
             none
             with
             provoking
             Terms
             ,
             not
             taketh
             offence
             at
             others
             Actions
             ,
             He
             lendeth
             not
             his
             Ear
             to
             idle
             Tales
             ,
             nor
             soweth
             discord
             ,
             or
             seeketh
             Revenge
             :
             But
             hath
             a
             meek
             heart
             ,
             a
             contented
             mind
             ,
             and
             a
             charitable
             eye
             ;
             his
             Tongue
             is
             Affable
             ,
             hand
             Peaceable
             ,
             and
             his
             gesture
             sociable
             .
             His
             Deportment
             is
             Neighbourly
             ,
             his
             Judgment
             charitable
             ,
             a
             loving
             Speaker
             ,
             and
             a
             friendly
             Converser
             :
             He
             puts
             up
             all
             wrongs
             patiently
             ,
             and
             wrongs
             none
             willingly
             .
             And
             such
             manner
             of
             Men
             ought
             we
             to
             be
             in
             all
             holy
             Conversation
             .
             And
             I
             shall
             end
             with
             the
             words
             of
             the
             holy
             Apostle
             ,
             and
             desire
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             
               direct
               your
               hearts
               into
               his
               love
               ,
               and
               into
               the
               patient
               waiting
               for
               him
               ,
            
             2
             Thes.
             3.5
             .
          
           
             I
             shall
             not
             think
             it
             improper
             to
             insert
             here
             a
             Relation
             of
             Sir
             
               Thomas
               Moore
            
             ,
             that
             excellent
             Pattern
             of
             Patience
             ,
             who
             wholly
             resigned
             himself
             to
             the
             will
             of
             the
             Divine
             Providence
             .
          
           
             Sir
             Thomas
             returning
             from
             beyond
             Sea
             after
             his
             Embasy
             ,
             and
             being
             remote
             from
             his
             House
             with
             the
             King
             ,
             in
             the
             Month
             of
             August
             ,
             part
             of
             his
             dwelling
             House
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             Barns
             laden
             with
             Corn
             ,
             were
             by
             a
             sudden
             Fire
             consumed
             ,
             his
             Lady
             by
             a
             Letter
             certified
             him
             of
             this
             sad
             mischance
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             return'd
             her
             this
             Answer
             ,
          
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Madam
                     ,
                     All
                     Health
                     wished
                     to
                     you
                     ;
                     I
                     do
                     understand
                     that
                     all
                     our
                     Barns
                     and
                     Corn
                     ,
                     with
                     some
                     of
                     our
                     Neighbours
                     likewise
                     are
                     wasted
                     by
                     a
                     fire
                     ,
                     an
                     heavy
                     and
                     lamentable
                     loss
                     ,
                     (
                     but
                     only
                     that
                     it
                     was
                     Gods
                     will
                     )
                     of
                     such
                     abundance
                     of
                     Wealth
                     ;
                     but
                     because
                     it
                     so
                     seemed
                     good
                     to
                     God
                     we
                     must
                     not
                     only
                     patiently
                     ,
                     but
                     also
                     willingly
                     ,
                     bear
                     and
                     submit
                     to
                     the
                     hand
                     of
                     God
                     so
                     stretched
                     out
                     upon
                     us
                     .
                     God
                     gave
                     whatsoever
                     we
                     have
                     lost
                     ;
                     and
                     seeing
                     it
                     hath
                     pleased
                     him
                     to
                     take
                     away
                     what
                     he
                     gave
                     ,
                     his
                     Divine
                     Will
                     be
                     done
                     :
                     Never
                     let
                     us
                     repine
                     at
                     this
                     ,
                     but
                     let
                     us
                     take
                     it
                     in
                     good
                     part
                     ,
                     we
                     are
                     bound
                     to
                     be
                     thank-ful
                     as
                     well
                     in
                     Adversity
                     as
                     in
                     Prosperity
                     ;
                     and
                     if
                     we
                     cast
                     up
                     our
                     Accounts
                     well
                     ;
                     this
                     which
                     we
                     esteem
                     so
                     great
                     a
                     loss
                     ,
                     is
                     rather
                     a
                     great
                     gain
                     :
                     For
                     what
                     is
                     necessary
                     and
                     conducing
                     to
                     our
                     
                     Salvation
                     ,
                     is
                     better
                     known
                     to
                     God
                     than
                     us
                     ,
                     I
                     intreat
                     you
                     therefore
                     to
                     have
                     a
                     good
                     heart
                     ,
                     and
                     to
                     take
                     all
                     your
                     Family
                     with
                     you
                     to
                     the
                     Church
                     ,
                     and
                     there
                     give
                     thanks
                     to
                     God
                     for
                     all
                     these
                     things
                     which
                     he
                     hath
                     pleas'd
                     to
                     take
                     away
                     ,
                     as
                     well
                     as
                     for
                     his
                     blessings
                     which
                     he
                     hath
                     bestow'd
                     on
                     us
                     ;
                     and
                     to
                     praise
                     him
                     for
                     that
                     which
                     is
                     left
                     ;
                     It
                     is
                     an
                     easie
                     matter
                     with
                     God
                     if
                     he
                     please
                     ,
                     to
                     Augment
                     what
                     is
                     yet
                     left
                     ,
                     but
                     if
                     he
                     shall
                     see
                     good
                     to
                     take
                     away
                     more
                     ,
                     even
                     as
                     it
                     shall
                     please
                     him
                     so
                     let
                     it
                     be
                     .
                  
                   
                     And
                     let
                     Enquiry
                     be
                     made
                     ,
                     what
                     my
                     Neighbours
                     have
                     lost
                     ,
                     and
                     wish
                     them
                     not
                     to
                     be
                     sorry
                     :
                     For
                     I
                     will
                     not
                     that
                     my
                     Neighbours
                     shall
                     suffer
                     any
                     thing
                     by
                     my
                     loss
                     ,
                     though
                     I
                     leave
                     not
                     my self
                     any
                     thing
                     ;
                     and
                     though
                     all
                     should
                     be
                     taken
                     away
                     ,
                     I
                     pray
                     thee
                     ,
                     O
                     Alice
                     ,
                     be
                     joyful
                     in
                     the
                     Lord
                     with
                     my
                     Children
                     and
                     all
                     our
                     Family
                     ;
                     all
                     these
                     things
                     ,
                     and
                     we
                     ;
                     are
                     in
                     the
                     hands
                     of
                     the
                     Lord.
                     Let
                     us
                     therefore
                     wholly
                     depend
                     upon
                     his
                     good
                     will
                     ;
                     and
                     so
                     no
                     losses
                     shall
                     ever
                     hurt
                     us
                     :
                     Farewel
                     .
                  
                   
                     
                       
                         From
                         the
                         Court
                         at
                      
                       Woodstock
                       .
                       
                         September
                         13th
                         .
                         1529.
                         
                      
                    
                  
                
              
            
          
           
             What
             a
             sincere
             Devotion
             was
             here
             to
             the
             Divine
             Will
             of
             God!
             What
             a
             Letter
             from
             a
             heart
             truly
             setled
             upon
             Heav'n
             ?
             This
             Master
             of
             the
             Family
             had
             learn'd
             his
             Lesson
             well
             ,
             and
             was
             grown
             a
             proficient
             in
             the
             
               Art
               of
               Patience
            
             .
             This
             was
             a
             Man
             that
             by
             supporting
             himself
             upon
             God's
             Providence
             ,
             was
             able
             to
             bear
             all
             losses
             sweetly
             .
             Behold
             an
             Ostrich
             ,
             able
             to
             digest
             Iron
             !
             His
             Barns
             were
             burnt
             ,
             but
             his
             Mind
             was
             cool
             ,
             Patience
             kept
             him
             in
             his
             uprightness
             .
             In
             a
             short
             space
             after
             ,
             God
             requited
             his
             Losses
             ;
             in
             September
             he
             received
             this
             heavy
             news
             :
             In
             October
             he
             was
             promoted
             Lord
             Chancellor
             of
             England
             ;
             so
             that
             not
             only
             Honour
             ,
             but
             his
             Means
             also
             were
             mightily
             enlarged
             ,
             that
             now
             he
             needs
             not
             repair
             his
             Barns
             ,
             but
             may
             build
             new
             ones
             .
          
           
             Certainly
             there
             is
             not
             in
             the
             World
             such
             a
             holy
             sort
             of
             Artifice
             ,
             so
             Divine
             a
             charm
             to
             unite
             God
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             this
             of
             resigning
             our selves
             to
             him
             .
             We
             find
             the
             Gibeonites
             by
             yielding
             themselves
             Vassals
             to
             the
             Israelites
             ,
             had
             their
             whole
             Army
             at
             their
             back
             to
             rescue
             them
             in
             their
             danger
             ,
             Jos.
             10.6
             .
             and
             can
             we
             think
             God
             is
             less
             considerate
             of
             his
             Homagers
             and
             Dependents
             ?
             No
             ,
             certainly
             ,
             his
             Honour
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             his
             Compassion
             is
             concern'd
             in
             the
             relief
             of
             those
             who
             have
             Surrendred
             themselves
             to
             him
             .
          
           
             
             
               A
               Prayer
               for
               Patience
               .
            
             
               O
               Most
               gracious
               God
               ,
               let
               not
               the
               Spirit
               of
               Impatience
               possess
               me
               ,
               whereby
               I
               may
               in
               any
               measure
               incur
               thy
               displeasure
               ,
               thou
               art
               my
               Maker
               ,
               O
               let
               me
               not
               strive
               with
               thee
               ,
               I
               am
               the
               Work
               of
               thy
               Hands
               ,
               and
               therefore
               with
               thee
               there
               is
               no
               contending
               ;
               if
               I
               provoke
               thee
               by
               strugling
               under
               the
               Yoke
               of
               Affliction
               ,
               the
               end
               thereof
               will
               be
               Gaul
               to
               my
               Neck
               ,
               and
               Bitterness
               to
               my
               Conscience
               :
               But
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               it
               is
               not
               my
               Punishment
               thou
               pursuest
               after
               ,
               but
               my
               Repentance
               and
               Amendment
               of
               Life
               ;
               and
               what
               thou
               art
               pleased
               to
               inflict
               upon
               me
               is
               but
               to
               chase
               me
               to
               my
               Duty
               ;
               which
               when
               I
               have
               perfectly
               learnt
               ,
               I
               know
               thou
               wilt
               fully
               Reward
               and
               Recompence
               my
               Patience
               ,
               that
               I
               may
               possess
               my
               own
               Soul
               in
               the
               day
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               O
               thou
               that
               art
               the
               wise
               disposer
               of
               all
               Things
               ,
               both
               in
               Heaven
               and
               Earth
               ,
               let
               me
               look
               up
               to
               thee
               ,
               from
               whence
               cometh
               Affliction
               ,
               and
               then
               inspect
               into
               my
               own
               Heart
               ,
               where
               I
               shall
               find
               out
               the
               efficient
               Cause
               :
               O
               let
               nothing
               then
               seem
               to
               perplex
               me
               ,
               which
               thou
               in
               thy
               good
               pleasure
               knoweth
               to
               be
               advantagious
               ;
               but
               let
               me
               ever
               be
               content
               to
               drink
               of
               the
               bitterest
               Cup
               of
               Affliction
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               allotted
               me
               ;
               O
               let
               thy
               good
               Spirit
               still
               strive
               with
               me
               ,
               and
               draw
               me
               unto
               thee
               with
               the
               Cords
               of
               thy
               Love
               ;
               it
               is
               of
               thy
               tender
               Mercies
               that
               I
               am
               not
               consumed
               ,
               but
               I
               know
               thy
               Compassion
               fails
               not
               towards
               poor
               and
               wretched
               Sinners
               :
               Lord
               give
               me
               Grace
               to
               perform
               this
               Duty
               ,
               and
               say
               of
               my
               Affliction
               ,
               as
               thou
               ,
               
                 O
                 Jesu
              
               ,
               didst
               of
               thy
               bitter
               Cup
               and
               Passion
               ;
               
                 Father
                 !
                 if
                 it
                 be
                 thy
                 will
                 let
                 this
                 Cup
                 pass
                 from
                 me
                 !
                 if
                 not
                 ;
                 not
                 my
                 Will
                 ,
                 but
                 thy
                 Will
                 be
                 done
                 .
              
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             The
             CLOSE
             .
             Consisting
             of
             Scriptural
             Ejaculations
             ,
             referring
             to
             the
             several
             Sections
             of
             the
             before-going
             Treatise
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               HAVING
               gone
               through
               this
               short
               Tract
               of
               the
            
             Art
             of
             Patience
             ,
             
               I
               shall
               now
               lay
               down
               these
               following
               Ejaculations
               ,
               as
               being
               most
               necessary
               ,
               and
               we
               have
               St.
            
             James
             
               's
               Testimony
               for
               it
            
             ,
             Is
             any
             among
             you
             afflicted
             ,
             let
             him
             pray
             ,
             James
             5.13
             .
             
               This
               
               is
               the
               Great
               and
               Soveraign
            
             Catholicon
             
               of
               the
               distressed
               Soul
               ,
               which
               is
               able
               to
               give
               relief
               to
               all
               the
               forementioned
               Complaints
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             FOR
             Meekness
             ,
             Humility
             and
             Patience
             ;
             
               hearken
               unto
               thy
               Saviour's
               Lesson
               ,
               Mat.
            
             11.29
             .
             Learn
             of
             me
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             meek
             and
             lowly
             in
             heart
             ;
             and
             ye
             shall
             find
             rest
             unto
             your
             Souls
             :
             
               And
               St.
            
             Paul
             ,
             
               earnestly
               beseeches
               us
               ,
               Ephes.
            
             4.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             To
             walk
             worthy
             of
             the
             Vocation
             wherewith
             we
             are
             called
             ,
             with
             all
             lowliness
             and
             meekness
             ,
             with
             long-suffering
             ,
             forbearing
             one
             another
             in
             love
             .
             And
             David
             
               gives
               us
               this
               Comfort
               ,
               Psal.
            
             25.8
             .
             Them
             that
             are
             meek
             shall
             he
             guide
             in
             judgment
             :
             and
             such
             as
             are
             gentle
             ,
             them
             shall
             he
             learn
             his
             way
             .
             
               And
               Psal.
            
             9.18
             .
             For
             the
             poor
             shall
             not
             always
             be
             forgotten
             :
             The
             patient
             abiding
             of
             the
             meek
             shall
             not
             perish
             for
             ever
             .
             Psal.
             37.9
             .
             Wicked
             doers
             shall
             be
             rooted
             out
             ,
             but
             they
             that
             patiently
             abide
             the
             Lord
             ,
             those
             shall
             inherit
             the
             land
             .
             
               And
               then
               lastly
               thou
               mayst
               say
               ,
               to
               thy
               great
               joy
               and
               comfort
               ,
            
             I
             waited
             patiently
             for
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             he
             inclined
             unto
             me
             ,
             and
             heard
             my
             calling
             ,
             Psal.
             40.1
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             
               WHEN
               thou
               art
               cast
               down
               on
               thy
               Bed
               of
               Sickness
               ,
            
             Call
             for
             the
             Elders
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             pray
             ,
             James
             5.14
             .
             
               This
               was
            
             Hezekiah's
             
               Recipe
               ,
               when
               he
            
             was
             sick
             unto
             Death
             ;
             then
             he
             turned
             his
             Face
             to
             the
             Wall
             ,
             and
             prayed
             ,
             2
             King.
             20.1
             ,
             2.
             
             
               Pray
               with
            
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             6.2
             .
             Have
             mercy
             on
             me
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             weak
             ;
             O
             Lord
             heal
             me
             ,
             for
             my
             bones
             are
             vexed
             .
             
               And
               take
               the
               Counsel
               of
               the
               wise
               Man
               :
               Ecclus.
            
             38.9
             .
             My
             Son
             ,
             in
             thy
             Sickness
             be
             not
             negligent
             ,
             but
             pray
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             will
             make
             thee
             whole
             .
          
           
             4
             
               IF
               thou
               art
               afflicted
               in
               Conscience
               ,
               pray
               with
            
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             8.5
             ,
             6.
             
             The
             sorrows
             of
             Hell
             compassed
             me
             about
             ,
             and
             the
             snares
             of
             Death
             prevented
             me
             :
             In
             my
             distress
             I
             called
             upon
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             cryed
             unto
             my
             God.
             
          
           
             5.
             
             
               ART
               thou
               infested
               with
               importunate
               Temptations
               ,
               pray
               earnestly
               with
               St.
            
             Paul
             ,
             
               when
               the
               Messenger
               of
               Satan
               was
               sent
               to
               buffet
               him
               :
            
             2
             Cor.
             12.8
             .
             
             Thrice
             I
             besought
             the
             Lord
             that
             it
             might
             depart
             from
             me
             :
             
               And
               Holy
            
             David
             
               he
               complains
            
             ,
             while
             I
             suffer
             thy
             terrors
             ,
             I
             am
             distracted
             ;
             thy
             fierce
             wrath
             goeth
             over
             me
             :
             But
             unto
             thee
             have
             I
             cryed
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             morning
             shall
             my
             prayer
             prevent
             thee
             ,
             Psal.
             88.15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             
               IF
               thou
               art
               disheartned
               with
               imbecillity
               of
               Grace
               ,
               use
            
             David's
             Prayer
             ,
             I
             am
             feeble
             and
             sore
             broken
             ,
             I
             have
             roared
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             disquietness
             of
             my
             heart
             :
             Lord
             ,
             all
             my
             desire
             is
             before
             thee
             ,
             Psal.
             38.8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             7.
             
             
               WHEN
               thou
               a●t
               afflicted
               with
               loss
               of
               Reputation
               ,
               and
               Slander
               of
               Evil
               Tongues
               ,
               say
               with
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
            
             The
             mou●h
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             and
             the
             mouth
             of
             the
             deceitful
             are
             opened
             against
             me
             ;
             they
             have
             spoken
             against
             me
             with
             a
             lying
             Tongue
             :
             Hold
             not
             thy
             peace
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             of
             my
             praise
             ,
             Psal.
             109.1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             8.
             
             
               IN
               time
               of
               publick
               Calamities
               ,
               of
            
             War
             ,
             Famine
             ,
             or
             Pestilence
             ,
             
               pray
               with
               good
            
             Jehosaphat
             ,
             
               who
               importun'd
               God
               with
               his
               Gracious
               Promise
               made
               to
            
             Solomon
             :
             If
             when
             evil
             cometh
             upon
             us
             ,
             as
             the
             Sword
             ,
             Judgment
             or
             Pestilence
             ,
             or
             Famine
             ,
             we
             stand
             before
             this
             house
             ,
             and
             in
             thy
             presence
             ,
             and
             cry
             unto
             thee
             in
             our
             affliction
             ,
             then
             thou
             wilt
             hear
             and
             help
             :
             
               And
               shuts
               up
               his
               zealous
               Supplication
               with
               ,
            
             neither
             know
             we
             what
             to
             do
             ,
             but
             our
             Eyes
             are
             upon
             thee
             ,
             2
             Chron.
             9.12
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             
               AT
               loss
               of
               Friends
               ,
               in
               thy
               affliction
               ,
               pray
               and
               have
               recourse
               to
               God
               ,
               as
            
             Ezekiel
             ,
             when
             Peletiah
             ,
             
               the
               Son
               of
            
             Benajah
             
               died
               :
               Ezek.
            
             11
             ,
             13.
             
             Then
             fell
             !
             down
             upon
             my
             face
             ,
             and
             cryed
             with
             a
             loud
             voice
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             ah
             ,
             Lord
             God!
             Wilt
             thou
             make
             a
             full
             end
             of
             the
             remnant
             of
             Israel
             ?
          
           
             10.
             
             
               IN
               time
               of
               Poverty
               ,
               pray
               with
            
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             109.24
             ,
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             I
             am
             poor
             and
             needy
             ,
             and
             my
             heart
             is
             wounded
             within
             me
             :
             I
             became
             also
             a
             reproach
             to
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             that
             looked
             upon
             me
             ,
             shaked
             their
             heads
             :
             Help
             me
             ,
             O
             Lord
             my
             God
             ;
             Oh
             save
             me
             according
             to
             thy
             mercy
             !
          
           
             11.
             
             
               IN
               Confinement
               ,
               pray
               with
            
             Jonah
             
               when
               he
               was
               shut
               up
               within
               the
               Living-Wa●ls
               of
               the
               Whale
               ;
               
               Jonah
            
             2.1
             ,
             2.
             
             I
             cryed
             by
             reason
             of
             my
             affliction
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ;
             
               and
               joyn
               with
            
             Asaph
             
               in
               prayer
               ,
               Psal.
            
             79.11
             .
             Oh
             let
             the
             sorrowful
             sighing
             of
             the
             Prisoners
             come
             before
             thee
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             greatness
             of
             thy
             power
             ,
             preserve
             thou
             those
             that
             are
             appointed
             to
             die
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             
               IN
               Exile
               ,
               use
            
             Solomons
             Prescription
             ;
             2
             Chr.
             6.36
             ,
             37
             ,
             38
             ,
             39.
             
             If
             thy
             people
             be
             carried
             away
             into
             a
             Land
             far
             off
             ,
             or
             near
             :
             Yet
             if
             they
             bethink
             themselves
             in
             the
             Land
             whether
             they
             are
             carried
             ,
             and
             turn
             ,
             and
             pray
             to
             thee
             ,
             in
             the
             Land
             of
             their
             Captivity
             .
             If
             they
             return
             to
             thee
             with
             all
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             pray
             towards
             the
             Land
             thou
             gavest
             to
             their
             fore-fathers
             ,
             &c.
             then
             hear
             thou
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             even
             thy
             dwelling
             place
             ,
             their
             Prayer
             and
             their
             Supplication
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             
               HAST
               thou
               lost
               thy
               Seeing
               and
               Hearing
               ,
               make
               thy
               address
               to
               him
               that
               said
               ,
            
             Who
             hath
             made
             mans
             mouth
             ,
             or
             who
             maketh
             the
             Dumb
             ,
             and
             the
             Deaf
             ,
             or
             the
             Seeing
             ,
             or
             the
             Blind
             ?
             Have
             not
             I
             the
             Lord
             ?
             Exod.
             4.11
             .
             
               Cry
               aloud
               to
               him
               with
            
             Bartimeus
             ,
             Mark
             10.47
             ,
             51.
             
             Lord
             that
             I
             may
             receive
             my
             sight
             :
             
               And
               if
               thou
               be
               hopeless
               of
               thine
               outward
               sight
               ,
               yet
               pray
               with
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               O
            
             Lord
             ;
             open
             thou
             mine
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             see
             the
             wondrous
             things
             of
             thy
             Law
             ,
             Psal.
             119.18
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             
               ART
               thou
               afflicted
               with
               Sterility
               ,
               pray
               with
            
             Isaac
             ,
             who
             intreated
             the
             Lord
             for
             his
             Wife
             ,
             because
             she
             was
             barren
             :
             And
             the
             Lord
             was
             intreated
             of
             him
             ,
             and
             Rebekah
             his
             Wife
             conceived
             ,
             Gen
             25.21
             .
             And
             Hannah
             ,
             
               she
               prayed
            
             ,
             in
             bitterness
             of
             Soul
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             wept
             sore
             ,
             and
             received
             a
             Gracious
             Answer
             ,
             1
             Sam.
             1.10
             .
          
           
             15.
             
             
               ART
               thou
               troubled
               and
               weakened
               for
               want
               of
               repose
               ,
               pray
               with
            
             Asaph
             ,
             Psal.
             77.3
             ,
             4
             ,
             1.
             
             I
             complained
             ,
             and
             my
             Spirit
             was
             overwhelmed
             ,
             thou
             holdest
             mine
             eyes
             ,
             waking
             ,
             I
             am
             sore
             troubled
             that
             I
             cannot
             speak
             ;
             I
             cryed
             to
             God
             with
             my
             voice
             ;
             even
             unto
             God
             with
             my
             voice
             ,
             and
             he
             gave
             ear
             unto
             me
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             
               DOST
               thou
               droop
               under
               Old
               Age
               ?
               Pray
               with
            
             David
             ;
             Oh
             cast
             me
             not
             off
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Old
             Age
             ,
             
             forsake
             me
             not
             when
             my
             strength
             faileth
             .
             O
             God
             thou
             hast
             taught
             me
             from
             my
             Youth
             :
             Now
             also
             when
             I
             am
             Old
             and
             Gray-headed
             ,
             O
             God
             forsake
             me
             not
             ,
             Psal.
             71.9
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             
          
           
             17.
             
             
               ART
               thou
               troubled
               and
               dismayed
               with
               fears
               of
               Death
               ?
               Pray
               with
            
             David
             ,
             Psal.
             18.3
             ,
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             13.
             
             My
             Soul
             is
             full
             of
             troubles
             ,
             and
             my
             Life
             draweth
             nigh
             unto
             the
             Grave
             ;
             I
             am
             counted
             with
             them
             that
             down
             into
             the
             pit
             ,
             I
             am
             as
             a
             man
             that
             hath
             no
             strength
             ,
             free
             among
             the
             dead
             ,
             thou
             hast
             laid
             me
             in
             the
             lowest
             pit
             ,
             in
             darkness
             ,
             in
             the
             deep
             :
             But
             unto
             thee
             have
             I
             cryed
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             morning
             shall
             my
             prayer
             prevent
             thee
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             
               DOST
               thou
               tremble
               at
               the
               thoughts
               of
               Judgment
               ?
               So
               did
               the
               man
               after
               Gods
               own
               heart
               ,
               Psal.
            
             119.120
             .
             My
             flesh
             trembled
             for
             fear
             of
             thee
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             afraid
             of
             thy
             judgments
             ;
             
               look
               up
               with
            
             Jeremiah
             ,
             
               and
               say
               to
               thy
               Saviour
            
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             thou
             hast
             pleaded
             the
             causes
             of
             my
             Soul
             ,
             thou
             hast
             redeemed
             my
             Life
             :
             O
             Lord
             ,
             judge
             thou
             my
             cause
             ,
             Lam.
             3.58
             ,
             59.
             
          
           
             19.
             
             
               ART
               thou
               afraid
               of
               the
            
             Power
             ,
             Malice
             and
             Subtility
             
               of
               thy
               Spiritual
               Enemies
               ?
               Use
               Psal.
            
             59.1
             .
             Deliver
             me
             from
             mine
             Enemies
             ,
             O
             my
             God
             ,
             defend
             me
             ,
             from
             them
             that
             rise
             up
             against
             me
             ,
             O
             hide
             me
             from
             the
             secret
             Counsel
             of
             the
             wicked
             ;
             
               and
               Psal.
            
             25.19
             ,
             20.
             
             Consider
             mine
             Enemies
             for
             they
             are
             many
             ,
             and
             they
             hate
             me
             with
             cruell
             hatred
             :
             O
             keep
             my
             Soul
             ,
             and
             deliver
             me
             :
             St.
             Paul
             
               prayed
               earnestly
               that
               he
               might
               be
               freed
               from
               the
               Messenger
               of
            
             Satan
             ,
             
               whose
               buffets
               he
               felt
               ,
               and
               was
               answered
               with
               ,
            
             My
             Grace
             is
             sufficient
             for
             thee
             ;
             
               so
               he
               sues
               for
               all
               Gods
               Saints
               ,
            
             May
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             tread
             down
             Satan
             under
             your
             feet
             shortly
             ,
             2
             Cor.
             12.9
             .
             Rom.
             16.19
          
           
             20.
             
             
               WHAT
               ever
               evil
               it
               be
               that
               presseth
               thy
               Soul
               ,
               have
               speedy
               recourse
               to
               the
               Throne
               of
               Grace
               ;
               pour
               out
               thy
               heart
               into
               the
               Ears
               of
               the
               Father
               of
               all
               Mercies
               ,
               and
               God
               of
               all
               Comfort
               ,
               and
               be
               sure
               ,
               if
               not
               of
               redress
               ,
               yet
               of
               ease
               :
               We
               have
               his
               word
               for
               it
               that
               cannot
               fail
               us
               ,
            
             Call
             upon
             me
             in
             the
             day
             of
             trouble
             ,
             I
             will
             deliver
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             shalt
             glorifie
             me
             ,
             Psal.
             50.15
             .
             
             
               Fashionable
               Supplicants
               may
               talk
               to
               God
               ;
               but
               be
               assur'd
               ,
               he
               that
               can
               truly
               pray
               ,
               can
               never
               be
               truly
               miserable
               :
               Of
               our selves
               we
               lie
               open
               to
               evils
               ;
               our
               rescue
               is
               from
               above
               ;
               and
               what
               entercourse
               have
               we
               with
               Heaven
               but
               by
               Prayer
               ?
               Prayer
               can
               deliver
               us
               from
               Dangers
               ,
               avert
               Judgments
               ,
               prevent
               Mischiefs
               ,
               and
               procure
               Blessings
               ,
               it
               is
               an
               Antidote
               against
               Temptation
               ,
               and
               a
               Soveraign
               Balsom
               for
               afflicted
               Consciences
               .
               It
               is
               the
               Instrument
               of
               fetching
               down
               all
               good
               things
               to
               us
               ,
               whether
               Spiritual
               or
               Temporal
               ;
               no
               Prayer
               that
               is
               qualified
               as
               it
               ought
               to
               be
               ,
               but
               is
               sure
               to
               bring
               down
               a
               Blessing
               according
               to
               that
               of
               the
               Wise
               Man
               ,
               Ecclus.
            
             35.17
             .
             The
             prayer
             of
             the
             humble
             pierceth
             the
             Cloulds
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             turn
             away
             till
             the
             highest
             regard
             it
             :
             
               It
               sanctifies
               all
               good
               things
               to
               us
               ,
               and
               sweetens
               the
               bitterness
               of
               our
               afflictions
               ,
               it
               opens
               the
               Windows
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               shuts
               up
               the
               Bars
               of
               Death
               ,
               and
               vanquishes
               the
               powers
               of
               Hell
               ;
               therefore
               let
               us
               not
               cease
               in
               making
               our
               addresses
               to
               him
               ,
               who
               is
               the
               Fountain
               of
               all
               Goodness
               ;
               and
            
             at
             whose
             right
             hand
             there
             is
             pleasures
             for
             evermore
             ,
             Psal.
             16.11
             .
             
               And
               let
               us
               with
               all
               lowliness
               as
               well
               of
               Body
               as
               of
               Mind
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               of
               the
               Psalmist
               ,
               say
               ,
            
             O
             come
             let
             us
             Worship
             ,
             let
             us
             fall
             down
             and
             kneel
             before
             the
             Lord
             our
             Maker
             ,
             Psal.
             95.6
             .
             For
             he
             is
             our
             hope
             and
             strength
             ,
             and
             a
             very
             present
             help
             in
             trouble
             .
             Ps.
             46.1
             .
          
           
             
               A
               Conclusive
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               BLESSED
               Lord
               ,
               who
               hast
               caused
               all
               Holy
               Scripture
               and
               good
               Literature
               to
               be
               written
               for
               my
               Learning
               ;
               grant
               that
               I
               may
               in
               such
               wise
               hear
               ,
               read
               ,
               mark
               ,
               learn
               ,
               and
               inwardly
               digest
               them
               ,
               that
               by
               Patience
               and
               Comfort
               of
               thy
               Holy
               Word
               ,
               I
               may
               embrace
               ,
               and
               even
               hold
               fast
               the
               blessed
               hope
               of
               Everlasting
               Life
               ,
               which
               thou
               hast
               given
               me
               in
               my
               Saviour
               Jesus
               Christ.
               Amen
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Prevent
               me
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               in
               all
               my
               doings
               ,
               with
               thy
               most
               gracious
               favour
               ,
               and
               further
               me
               with
               thy
               continual
               help
               ,
               that
               in
               all
               my
               Works
               begun
               ,
               continued
               and
               ended
               in
               thee
               ,
               I
               may
               glorifie
               thy
               
               holy
               Name
               ,
               and
               finally
               by
               thy
               Mercy
               obtain
               Everlasting
               Life
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord.
               Amen
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Almighty
               God
               who
               hast
               promised
               to
               hear
               the
               Petitions
               of
               them
               that
               ask
               in
               thy
               Son's
               Name
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               mercifully
               to
               encline
               thine
               Ears
               unto
               me
               ,
               who
               have
               now
               made
               my
               Prayers
               and
               Supplications
               unto
               thee
               :
               And
               grant
               that
               those
               things
               I
               have
               faithfully
               asked
               according
               to
               thy
               will
               may
               effectually
               be
               obtained
               ,
               to
               the
               relief
               of
               my
               Necessities
               ,
               and
               to
               the
               setting
               forth
               of
               thy
               Glory
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord.
               Amen
               .
            
          
           
             
               The
               Blessing
               .
            
             
               THE
               Peace
               of
               God
               which
               passeth
               all
               Vnderstanding
               ,
               keep
               my
               Heart
               and
               Mind
               in
               the
               knowledge
               and
               love
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               of
               his
               Son
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord
               ,
               and
               the
               Blessing
               of
               God
               Almighty
               .
               the
               Father
               ,
               the
               Son
               ,
               and
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               :
               The
               Virtue
               of
               Christ's
               blessed
               Cross
               and
               Passion
               ,
               his
               Glorious
               Resurrection
               and
               Ascention
               ,
               and
               the
               Coming
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
               be
               with
               me
               now
               ,
               and
               at
               the
               Hour
               of
               Death
               .
               Amen
               .
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           THere
           is
           lately
           Published
           ,
           The
           
             Government
             of
             the
             Thoughts
             .
             A
             Prefatory
             Discourse
          
           to
           the
           Government
           of
           the
           Tongue
           ,
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man.
          
           Printed
           for
           
             Richard
             Cumberland
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Angel
           in
           St.
           Pauls-Church-Yard
           ,
           1694.
           
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A23696-e200
           
             Bp.
             Hall
             
               's
               Ba●m
               of
            
             Gilead
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A23696-e1040
           
             Senec.
             E●ist
             .
             107.
             
          
           
             Senec.
             Epist.
             76.
             
          
           
             *
             
               Here
               name
               the
               Particular
               Person
            
             .
          
           
             Sir
             
               Walter
               Rawleigh
            
             .
          
           
             Mr.
             Fisher
             
               of
               Trinity
               Colledge
            
          
           
             Lord
             Bacon
             
               's
               Natural
               History
            
             .
          
           
             Artimedor
             
               de
               insomniis
               ,
               Lib.
            
             1.
             
             Cap.
             6.
             
          
           
             Goul.
             
               Histoires
               Memorables
            
             .
          
           
             Advancement
             of
             Learning
             .
          
           
             Plato
             Phoedone