The whole duty of divine meditation described in all its various parts and branches : with meditations on several places of scripture / by the author of The whole duty of man.
         Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
      
       
         
           1694
        
      
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             The whole duty of divine meditation described in all its various parts and branches : with meditations on several places of scripture / by the author of The whole duty of man.
             Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.
          
           [8], 181, [3] p.
           
             Printed for John Back ...,
             London :
             1694.
          
           
             "The whole duty of man" is attributed to Richard Allestree--Cf. DNB.
             Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Meditation -- Christianity.
           Christian life.
           Devotional exercises.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Whole
           Duty
           OF
           DIVINE
           MEDITATION
           ,
           Described
           In
           all
           its
           various
           Parts
           and
           Branches
           .
           WITH
           MEDITATIONS
           ON
           Several
           Places
           of
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           
             The
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man.
          
           
        
         
           
             
               Psal.
               cxix
            
             .
             16.
             
          
           
             I
             will
             meditate
             on
             thy
             precepts
             ,
             and
             have
             respect
             unto
             thy
             ways
             .
          
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Iohn
             Back
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Black-Boy
           ,
           on
           the
           Middle
           of
           London-Bridge
           ,
           1694.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           LICENSED
           ,
           Decemb.
           20.
           1693.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           .
        
         
           THE
           
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Prayer
          
           ,
           having
           met
           with
           so
           good
           a
           Reception
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           I
           have
           ,
           at
           the
           Request
           and
           Importunity
           of
           some
           Friends
           ,
           recommended
           to
           the
           Press
           this
           remaining
           Tract
           ,
           bearing
           the
           Title
           of
           the
           
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Meditation
          
           ,
           by
           that
           Reverend
           and
           Worthy
           Author
           of
           the
           
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man.
          
           
        
         
           The
           Subject
           I
           need
           not
           commend
           ,
           for
           it
           carries
           its
           Worth
           along
           with
           it
           ;
           and
           to
           every
           Christian
           will
           appear
           both
           pleasant
           and
           profitable
           :
           For
           by
           Meditation
           ,
           the
           truly
           Religious
           may
           converse
           with
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Throne
           of
           Grace
           find
           Help
           and
           Comfort
           in
           time
           of
           Need
           ;
           to
           those
           which
           are
           Aery
           ,
           and
           are
           the
           Darlings
           of
           
           the
           World
           ,
           this
           Gift
           may
           procure
           a
           well-compos'd
           Mind
           .
           For
           if
           he
           who
           by
           often
           looking
           on
           a
           Ring
           with
           a
           Death's
           Head
           ,
           at
           last
           grew
           sober
           ;
           who
           knows
           but
           by
           often
           Meditating
           ,
           their
           Hearts
           may
           be
           brought
           into
           a
           more
           serious
           and
           heavenly
           frame
           ?
        
         
           The
           Royal
           Prophet
           stiles
           Meditation
           the
           Food
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           
             Psal.
             63.
             4.
             
             My
             soul
             shall
             be
             satisfied
             as
             with
             marrow
             and
             fatness
             ,
             while
             I
             meditate
             on
             thee
             .
          
           The
           Heart
           never
           willingly
           fixeth
           upon
           Heaven
           ,
           till
           the
           Almighty
           is
           the
           Treasure
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           where
           any
           Man's
           Treasure
           is
           ,
           there
           will
           his
           Heart
           be
           also
           .
           Now
           ,
           it
           cannot
           easily
           meditate
           ,
           but
           where
           it
           doth
           delight
           .
           
             Psal.
             119.
             97.
             
             Love
          
           is
           the
           Weight
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           it
           readily
           moves
           to
           its
           beloved
           Object
           .
           Mary
           will
           not
           depart
           from
           the
           Sepulchre
           where
           Christ
           had
           lain
           ,
           before
           she
           had
           made
           Enquiry
           where
           she
           might
           see
           him
           whom
           her
           Soul
           loved
           .
        
         
         
           It
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           every
           good
           Christian
           ,
           to
           observe
           the
           Prophet
           David's
           Rule
           ,
           
             Psal.
             16.
             8.
             to
             set
             the
             Lord
             always
             before
             him
             ,
          
           that
           he
           may
           be
           in
           his
           
             fear
             all
             the
             day
             long
          
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           more
           unstedfast
           than
           the
           Mind
           of
           Man
           ;
           and
           therefore
           nothing
           can
           so
           well
           compose
           it
           ,
           as
           True
           Sanctity
           ;
           which
           brings
           such
           great
           Advantages
           ,
           that
           with
           holy
           Job
           ,
           it
           makes
           the
           Soul
           both
           serious
           ,
           and
           willing
           
             to
             acquaint
             it self
             with
             God
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             at
             peace
             ,
          
           Iob
           22.
           21.
           
           He
           is
           the
           Rest
           of
           the
           Soul
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           it
           knows
           of
           him
           ,
           the
           more
           desirous
           it
           is
           to
           reside
           with
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           know
           more
           :
           The
           more
           it
           tasteth
           of
           his
           Favour
           ,
           the
           more
           it
           longeth
           after
           his
           Glory
           ,
           as
           Moses
           did
           ,
           Exod.
           33.
           17
           ,
           18.
           
        
         
           What
           the
           Philosopher
           said
           of
           all
           Knowledge
           ,
           is
           true
           only
           of
           the
           
             Knowledge
             of
             God
          
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           
             Quies
             Intellectus
          
           .
           And
           therefore
           
           our
           Saviour
           calleth
           it
           
             Eternal
             Life
          
           ,
           Iohn
           17.
           3.
           in
           which
           alone
           the
           Soul
           doth
           rest
           .
           Now
           ,
           one
           excellent
           Means
           of
           fixing
           the
           Heart
           on
           God
           ,
           is
           Meditation
           ;
           whereby
           the
           highly
           Pious
           summons
           together
           
             all
             that
             is
             within
             them
             ,
             to
             bless
             his
             Name
             ,
          
           Psal.
           103.
           
        
         
           Meditation
           is
           the
           Wing
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           carrieth
           the
           Affections
           thereof
           to
           Things
           Above
           .
           By
           this
           ,
           with
           Moses
           ,
           it
           goeth
           up
           
             to
             the
             top
             of
             Mount
          
           Pisgah
           ,
           
             to
             take
             a
             Prospect
             of
             the
             Promised
             Land.
          
           It
           is
           ,
           as
           
             Clemens
             Alexandrinus
          
           saith
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           
             a
             Conversing
             with
             God.
          
           And
           as
           St.
           Chrysostome
           saith
           of
           Faith
           ,
           so
           may
           we
           of
           Meditation
           ,
           it
           makes
           God
           ,
           and
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Precepts
           ,
           and
           Promises
           ,
           ours
           ,
           by
           giving
           us
           a
           fuller
           Possession
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Hereby
           we
           hold
           fast
           what
           we
           have
           learned
           ;
           we
           awaken
           our
           Faith
           ,
           inflame
           our
           Love
           ,
           strengthen
           our
           
           Hope
           ,
           revive
           our
           Desires
           ,
           encrease
           our
           Joys
           in
           God
           ;
           we
           furnish
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           fill
           our
           Mouths
           with
           Materials
           of
           Prayer
           ;
           we
           slacken
           our
           Affections
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           pre-acquaint
           our selves
           with
           those
           Glories
           which
           we
           yet
           but
           hope
           for
           ,
           and
           get
           some
           knowledge
           of
           that
           
             Love
             of
             Christ
             which
             passeth
             Knowledge
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             Necessity
             ,
             Excellency
          
           ,
           and
           Usefulness
           of
           this
           Christian
           Duty
           ,
           the
           Reverend
           Author
           of
           this
           Tract
           hath
           Elegantly
           described
           ;
           which
           is
           therefore
           worthy
           Perusal
           of
           such
           as
           desire
           to
           acquaint
           and
           furnish
           themselves
           with
           so
           excellent
           a
           part
           of
           Christian
           Skill
           ,
           whereby
           we
           may
           be
           filled
           with
           the
           Fulness
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           be
           always
           able
           continually
           to
           say
           ,
           
             My
             Heart
             is
             fixed
             ,
             O
             God
             ,
             my
             Heart
             is
             fixed
             ;
             I
             will
             sing
             ,
             and
             give
             Praise
             .
          
        
         
           
             G.
             B.
             
          
        
      
       
         
         
           Advertisement
           .
        
         
           THere
           is
           lately
           publish'd
           ,
           
             The
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Prayer
          
           :
           Containing
           Devotions
           for
           Every
           Day
           in
           the
           Week
           ,
           and
           for
           Several
           Occasions
           ,
           Ordinary
           and
           Extraordinary
           .
           By
           the
           Author
           of
           
             The
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man.
          
           Necessary
           for
           all
           Families
           .
           The
           Third
           Edition
           .
        
         
           Printed
           for
           
             Iohn
             Back
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Black-Boy
           ,
           on
           the
           Middle
           of
           London-Bridge
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           Whole
           Duty
           OF
           DIVINE
           MEDITATION
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             What
             Meditation
             is
             .
          
           
             FIRST
             ,
             
               Divine
               Meditation
            
             differs
             from
             Occasional
             ,
             by
             these
             Examples
             :
             When
             you
             hear
             the
             Hour
             of
             the
             Day
             or
             Night
             ,
             think
             with
             thy self
             ,
             
               What
               Thoughts
               ,
               O
               my
               God
               ,
               have
               I
               had
               of
               thee
               ,
               this
               Hour
               ?
               I
               am
               now
               nearer
               the
               silent
               Grave
               ,
               and
               know
               not
               how
               soon
               I
               may
               be
               arrested
               by
               the
               Hand
               of
               Death
               .
            
          
           
             THESE
             are
             like
             Ejaculatory
             Prayers
             ;
             which
             tho'
             they
             are
             as
             Parenthesis
             
             in
             our
             Worldly
             Employment
             ,
             yet
             they
             signifie
             more
             than
             all
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             Business
             we
             are
             employed
             in
             ;
             but
             Meditation
             is
             of
             longer
             Duration
             than
             solemn
             Prayer
             upon
             Ordinary
             Occasions
             .
          
           
             II.
             SECONDLY
             ,
             It
             differs
             from
             Study
             :
             For
             Study
             consists
             of
             those
             things
             that
             are
             most
             knotty
             and
             difficult
             ,
             and
             generally
             such
             as
             afford
             little
             Spiritual
             Nourishment
             ;
             but
             the
             Subject
             of
             Divine
             Meditation
             ,
             concerns
             our
             Eternal
             Happiness
             :
             The
             End
             of
             Study
             is
             Knowledge
             ,
             but
             the
             End
             of
             Meditation
             is
             Sanctity
             .
          
           
             III.
             THIRDLY
             ,
             It
             differs
             from
             Contemplation
             :
             For
             Contemplation
             is
             applicable
             to
             the
             Beatifical
             Vision
             ,
             where
             the
             Angels
             behold
             the
             Face
             of
             the
             Almighty
             :
             Now
             Meditation
             is
             like
             Fire
             kindling
             ;
             and
             Contemplation
             ,
             the
             flaming
             of
             it
             when
             fully
             kindled
             :
             The
             one
             is
             like
             the
             Spouses
             Seeking
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             the
             other
             ,
             like
             her
             Enjoying
             of
             him
             .
          
           
             IV.
             FOURTHLY
             ,
             To
             conclude
             ;
             Meditation
             is
             ,
             a
             a
             serious
             and
             solemn
             considering
             of
             Heavenly
             Things
             ,
             to
             the
             end
             we
             may
             understand
             how
             much
             
             it
             concerns
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             our
             Hearts
             thereby
             may
             be
             raised
             to
             some
             holy
             Affections
             and
             Resolutions
             .
             Now
             there
             are
             Four
             kinds
             of
             Solemn
             Meditation
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             several
             Subjects
             .
          
           
             V.
             FIRST
             ,
             Some
             Solemn
             Meditations
             are
             ,
             upon
             the
             hearing
             of
             Sermons
             :
             which
             is
             a
             very
             useful
             and
             necessary
             Practice
             amongst
             Christians
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             better
             to
             hear
             one
             Sermon
             ,
             and
             meditate
             on
             it
             ,
             than
             to
             hear
             two
             ,
             and
             meditate
             of
             neither
             .
             Now
             ,
             to
             prescribe
             a
             Method
             for
             Meditating
             on
             Sermons
             ,
             is
             neither
             necessary
             nor
             possible
             ;
             since
             the
             Methods
             of
             Sermons
             are
             various
             ,
             therefore
             the
             Mediatours
             are
             to
             observe
             the
             Method
             of
             the
             Sermon
             they
             meditate
             upon
             ;
             and
             the
             Fruits
             of
             such
             Meditations
             ,
             is
             to
             work
             those
             Truths
             ,
             Advices
             ,
             and
             Motives
             ,
             &c.
             upon
             our
             Affections
             ,
             that
             are
             propos'd
             to
             us
             in
             the
             Sermon
             .
          
           
             VI.
             THE
             Second
             kind
             of
             Solemn
             Meditation
             ,
             is
             ,
             when
             upon
             some
             Providential
             Occasion
             ,
             spiritual
             Distemper
             ,
             or
             Temptation
             ,
             we
             retire
             ,
             and
             pour
             out
             our
             Souls
             in
             Prayers
             ,
             Soliloquies
             ,
             &c.
             
             Which
             connot
             but
             in
             a
             
             very
             large
             sence
             be
             styled
             Prayer
             ,
             being
             mix'd
             of
             such
             variety
             ,
             as
             sometimes
             speaking
             to
             the
             Great
             Majesty
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             humbly
             acknowledging
             how
             we
             stand
             affected
             to
             Him
             and
             his
             Ordinances
             ;
             sometimes
             we
             examine
             our
             Soul
             ,
             chiding
             ,
             encouraging
             ,
             or
             instructing
             it
             ;
             sometimes
             we
             reason
             with
             our selves
             ,
             what
             holy
             Resolutions
             we
             design
             to
             put
             in
             practice
             ,
             and
             what
             we
             intend
             to
             supplicate
             the
             Almighty
             .
             Many
             Instances
             of
             this
             nature
             you
             may
             find
             in
             Psal.
             42.
             and
             other
             Psalms
             which
             cannot
             properly
             be
             called
             Prayers
             ,
             but
             Solemn
             Meditations
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             THE
             Third
             kind
             of
             Solemn
             Meditation
             ,
             are
             those
             that
             are
             upon
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             
               his
               words
               are
               pure
               ,
               even
               as
               the
               silver
               tried
               seven
               times
               in
               the
               fire
               ,
            
             Psal.
             12.
             6.
             
             Our
             Saviour's
             Precept
             ,
             is
             ,
             That
             we
             should
             
               search
               the
               Scriptures
            
             ,
             Joh.
             5.
             39.
             
             And
             St.
             Paul
             bids
             us
             
               prove
               all
               things
            
             ,
             1
             Thes.
             5.
             21.
             
             And
             if
             we
             meditate
             on
             God's
             Word
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Golden
             Rule
             of
             all
             our
             Devotions
             ,
             we
             shall
             acquire
             that
             Peace
             to
             our
             Souls
             ,
             which
             the
             World
             cannot
             give
             ,
             nor
             none
             upon
             Earth
             can
             take
             from
             us
             ;
             for
             all
             his
             
             
               Promises
               are
               Yea
               ,
               and
               Amen
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             1.
             20.
             
          
           
             VIII
             .
             THE
             Last
             kind
             of
             Meditation
             ,
             is
             ,
             upon
             some
             Practical
             Truth
             of
             Religion
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             the
             planting
             and
             nourishing
             of
             all
             true
             Vertue
             among
             Men
             ;
             to
             
               grow
               in
               grace
            
             ,
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             18.
             to
             
               cleanse
               our selves
               from
               all
               filthiness
               both
               of
               flesh
               and
               spirit
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             7.
             1.
             
             And
             endeavouring
             to
             take
             hold
             of
             St.
             
             Paul's
             pressing
             Argument
             to
             his
             Corinthians
             ,
             to
             
               be
               stedfast
               ,
               unmoveable
               ,
               always
               abounding
               in
               the
               work
               of
               the
               Lord
            
             ;
             then
             this
             Assurance
             will
             infallibly
             appertain
             to
             us
             ,
             That
             
               our
               labour
               shall
               not
               be
               in
               vain
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             58.
             
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             That
             Meditation
             is
             a
             Duty
             .
          
           
             THAT
             Isaac
             did
             not
             neglect
             Solemn
             Meditation
             ,
             is
             evident
             ,
             by
             reason
             he
             went
             out
             into
             the
             Fields
             to
             perform
             it
             ;
             and
             to
             shew
             that
             it
             was
             a
             Set-Duty
             ,
             't
             is
             said
             ,
             that
             
               he
               went
               on
               t
               to
               meditate
            
             .
             And
             God
             commanded
             Ioshua
             to
             perform
             this
             Duty
             ,
             as
             a
             chief
             means
             
             for
             the
             keeping
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             Iosh.
             1.
             18.
             
             And
             indeed
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             forget
             so
             important
             an
             Exercise
             ;
             for
             the
             Occasion
             of
             Sin
             ,
             is
             the
             want
             of
             Consideration
             ,
             and
             not
             want
             of
             Knowledge
             :
             Isa.
             1.
             3.
             
             For
             ,
             who
             is
             there
             ,
             almost
             ,
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             knows
             not
             but
             that
             he
             must
             die
             ,
             but
             how
             few
             are
             they
             that
             consider
             it
             ?
             Deut.
             32.
             29.
             
          
           
             II.
             NEXT
             ,
             The
             Necessity
             of
             Meditation
             is
             very
             material
             :
             For
             none
             can
             enter
             into
             a
             State
             of
             Conversion
             ,
             who
             thinks
             it
             insignificant
             .
             To
             confirm
             which
             ,
             we
             have
             it
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             the
             Story
             of
             the
             Prodigal
             Son
             ,
             who
             listed
             himself
             in
             Harlots
             company
             ;
             but
             upon
             his
             submissive
             return
             ,
             was
             receiv'd
             again
             into
             his
             Father's
             favour
             .
             Now
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Method
             of
             the
             Converted
             :
             First
             ,
             He
             hears
             the
             sacred
             Truth
             of
             God's
             Word
             ,
             and
             is
             convinced
             by
             it
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             He
             considers
             and
             meditates
             upon
             it
             ,
             and
             sees
             how
             much
             it
             concerns
             himself
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             He
             is
             affected
             with
             them
             ;
             and
             being
             thus
             affected
             ,
             it
             raiseth
             holy
             Resolutions
             of
             better
             Obedience
             .
          
           
             III.
             BUT
             some
             will
             object
             and
             say
             ,
             I
             am
             Illiterate
             ,
             and
             cannot
             attain
             to
             
             it
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             must
             relinquish
             it
             ,
             and
             leave
             it
             to
             the
             Learned
             ,
             who
             is
             best
             able
             to
             perform
             a
             Duty
             of
             so
             great
             Importance
             .
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             Mathematical
             Science
             ;
             He
             that
             is
             a
             rational
             Man
             ,
             and
             does
             but
             improve
             his
             Reason
             ,
             though
             he
             hath
             neither
             Tongues
             nor
             Arts
             to
             assist
             him
             ,
             may
             understand
             and
             grow
             to
             an
             extraordinary
             Excellency
             in
             any
             Art
             ▪
             if
             he
             has
             God's
             Assistance
             ,
             and
             does
             but
             exercise
             and
             improve
             it
             ,
             he
             may
             reap
             the
             Benefit
             and
             Fruit
             of
             Meditation
             .
          
           
             IV.
             OTHERS
             will
             object
             ,
             and
             declare
             ,
             It
             is
             a
             very
             hard
             Duty
             .
             To
             which
             my
             Replication
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             the
             harder
             any
             thing
             seems
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             more
             excellent
             when
             it
             is
             attained
             ;
             but
             the
             Obstacle
             is
             apparent
             ,
             and
             inferrs
             it
             not
             to
             be
             consonant
             to
             our
             perverse
             Wills
             and
             Affections
             ;
             and
             the
             more
             dissonant
             any
             thing
             is
             to
             that
             which
             is
             Evil
             ,
             the
             more
             congruous
             it
             is
             to
             sublimer
             Actions
             :
             For
             it
             cannot
             reasonably
             be
             expected
             that
             any
             Duty
             should
             be
             performed
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             with
             much
             facility
             .
             For
             Example
             ;
             the
             Seven
             Liberal
             Sciences
             ,
             which
             are
             of
             great
             Excellency
             in
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             ,
             
             are
             not
             so
             easily
             attained
             without
             Sollicitation
             and
             Sedulity
             .
          
           
             V.
             NOW
             the
             reason
             is
             evident
             ;
             for
             this
             Duty
             is
             powerful
             in
             mortifying
             Corruptions
             :
             dulcified
             things
             nourish
             and
             pamper
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             bitter
             things
             gives
             a
             purgation
             :
             Therefore
             ,
             if
             you
             will
             only
             perform
             those
             Duties
             that
             are
             pleasant
             and
             delectable
             ,
             they
             will
             only
             nourish
             ,
             not
             purge
             out
             Corruption
             .
             Therefore
             implore
             the
             Almighty
             to
             inflame
             your
             Hearts
             with
             his
             divine
             Love
             ;
             and
             then
             this
             Duty
             will
             not
             only
             be
             facile
             and
             delightful
             ,
             but
             will
             so
             affect
             the
             Undertaker
             ,
             that
             it
             will
             be
             very
             difficult
             to
             avoid
             a
             Duty
             of
             so
             great
             importance
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             as
             great
             a
             difficulty
             to
             take
             our
             Affections
             off
             from
             what
             we
             admire
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             to
             place
             'em
             upon
             what
             we
             abhorr
             :
             For
             ,
             bid
             the
             covetous
             Person
             forsake
             his
             Gold
             and
             Silver
             ,
             and
             bid
             him
             entertain
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             Things
             Celestial
             ,
             and
             he
             'll
             find
             an
             equal
             Difficulty
             in
             both
             .
          
           
             VI.
             INDEED
             ,
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             and
             Desire
             of
             Spiritual
             Things
             ,
             are
             acquired
             by
             Meditation
             ;
             and
             when
             once
             our
             Hearts
             are
             inflam'd
             by
             that
             Exercise
             ,
             then
             our
             Meditations
             
             are
             inflam'd
             by
             Love
             :
             For
             ,
             as
             Sparks
             of
             Fire
             〈◊〉
             is
             first
             blown
             up
             before
             the
             Flame
             encreases
             ;
             so
             the
             Difficulty
             of
             Meditation
             appears
             at
             the
             beginning
             ,
             when
             there
             is
             but
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             a
             Spark
             of
             divine
             Love
             in
             the
             Heart
             ,
             it
             will
             require
             some
             Pains
             ,
             by
             Meditation
             ,
             to
             blow
             it
             up
             to
             a
             Flame
             ;
             but
             afterwards
             the
             Heart
             will
             be
             so
             fervent
             with
             these
             Conflagrates
             of
             Love
             ,
             that
             it
             will
             so
             inflame
             all
             the
             Thoughts
             ,
             and
             create
             in
             us
             not
             only
             Facility
             ,
             but
             a
             Necessity
             to
             meditate
             on
             Things
             Spiritual
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             Now
             some
             will
             object
             ,
             If
             it
             be
             a
             Duty
             so
             Necessary
             ,
             how
             comes
             it
             to
             pass
             ,
             that
             it
             hath
             been
             so
             geeerally
             Neglected
             by
             most
             Christians
             ?
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ;
             That
             it
             hath
             been
             practised
             by
             many
             in
             ancient
             Times
             ,
             and
             by
             many
             modern
             Christians
             .
             The
             Sacred
             Scriptures
             inform
             us
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             evident
             that
             the
             Psalms
             of
             the
             Royal
             Prophet
             ,
             are
             frequently
             digested
             into
             Meditations
             :
             But
             this
             being
             a
             Private
             Closet-Duty
             ,
             the
             Omission
             nor
             Performance
             of
             it
             could
             not
             be
             taken
             notice
             of
             ;
             and
             so
             the
             Omission
             of
             it
             could
             not
             be
             reprehended
             ,
             nor
             Performance
             
             observed
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             The
             Directions
             and
             Instructions
             for
             Meditation
             ,
             have
             been
             generally
             very
             abstruse
             and
             intricate
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             III.
             Rules
             and
             Directions
             for
             Meditation
             .
          
           
             AS
             to
             the
             Place
             ,
             that
             must
             be
             apart
             ,
             remote
             from
             Society
             and
             Disturbance
             ;
             the
             Patriarch
             Isaac
             went
             into
             the
             Fields
             ,
             our
             Blessed
             Saviour
             into
             a
             Garden
             ;
             and
             the
             Prophet
             David
             adviseth
             us
             to
             
               enter
               into
               our
               Chamber
               ,
               and
               be
               still
               ,
            
             Psal.
             4.
             4.
             
             And
             Christ
             commands
             us
             ,
             to
             
               enter
               into
               our
               Closet
               ,
               and
               shut
               the
               door
               .
            
             Now
             the
             reason
             of
             the
             Privacy
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             receive
             no
             Interruption
             ,
             or
             any
             Distraction
             ,
             nor
             be
             forced
             to
             break
             off
             abruptly
             before
             the
             Duty
             be
             ended
             ;
             next
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             recluse
             from
             the
             Observation
             of
             all
             Mortals
             that
             we
             may
             neither
             be
             heard
             nor
             seen
             ;
             for
             there
             are
             divers
             Gestures
             and
             Expressions
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             requisite
             or
             necessary
             for
             any
             but
             God
             and
             the
             Soul
             to
             be
             privy
             
             to
             :
             Now
             what
             Place
             soever
             you
             find
             to
             be
             necessary
             for
             this
             important
             Duty
             ,
             be
             sollicitous
             to
             make
             choiee
             of
             .
          
           
             II.
             As
             for
             the
             Time
             ;
             the
             best
             Opportunity
             is
             in
             the
             Morning
             :
             for
             the
             First
             Fruits
             of
             the
             Day
             being
             Holy
             ,
             all
             the
             rest
             are
             Sanctified
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             our
             Thoughts
             being
             then
             not
             polluted
             with
             worldly
             Affairs
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             so
             liable
             to
             distraction
             :
             and
             the
             Body
             it self
             is
             more
             serene
             than
             after
             Meals
             ;
             and
             this
             Duty
             requires
             a
             vacuity
             in
             the
             Stomach
             ;
             not
             only
             because
             the
             Head
             will
             be
             more
             perspicuous
             and
             apt
             for
             Meditation
             ,
             but
             also
             ,
             because
             many
             Passages
             of
             Meditation
             require
             so
             much
             Attention
             of
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             Fervency
             of
             Affection
             ,
             that
             they
             do
             hinder
             Digestion
             :
             And
             this
             Duty
             being
             performed
             in
             the
             Morning
             ,
             it
             will
             have
             an
             influence
             upon
             the
             whole
             Day
             .
             But
             this
             Rule
             is
             not
             universal
             ;
             for
             we
             read
             ,
             that
             Isaac
             went
             forth
             in
             the
             Evening
             to
             medirate
             ,
             Gen.
             24.
             63.
             
             And
             if
             the
             Subject
             of
             your
             Meditation
             be
             a
             Sermon
             ,
             then
             perhaps
             the
             properest
             time
             is
             immediately
             after
             the
             hearing
             of
             it
             ,
             before
             your
             Affections
             cool
             ,
             or
             your
             Memory
             fail
             you
             .
          
           
           
             III.
             FOR
             the
             Duration
             ;
             considering
             the
             Parts
             of
             Meditation
             are
             so
             many
             ,
             as
             Preparation
             ,
             Considerations
             ,
             Affections
             ,
             Resolutions
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             :
             And
             not
             one
             of
             these
             are
             to
             be
             past
             slightly
             over
             ;
             for
             Affections
             are
             not
             quickly
             raised
             :
             nor
             are
             we
             to
             cease
             blowing
             the
             fire
             ,
             if
             it
             flame
             ,
             until
             it
             be
             well
             kindled
             ;
             Half
             an
             Hour
             may
             be
             reckon'd
             to
             be
             the
             least
             for
             Beginners
             ,
             and
             an
             Hour
             for
             those
             that
             are
             Proficients
             in
             this
             Duty
             .
          
           
             IV.
             But
             in
             this
             Particular
             ,
             there
             is
             Two
             Rules
             especially
             to
             be
             observed
             :
             First
             ,
             That
             as
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             desist
             from
             our
             Prayers
             before
             that
             temper
             and
             frame
             or
             heart
             is
             wrought
             ,
             which
             is
             suitable
             to
             the
             Requests
             of
             our
             Petitions
             ;
             so
             we
             should
             not
             desist
             in
             our
             Confession
             of
             Sin
             ,
             till
             our
             Hearts
             are
             truly
             sensible
             ,
             and
             humbled
             for
             Sin
             ;
             neither
             should
             we
             slacken
             our
             Praises
             ,
             until
             our
             Hearts
             are
             filled
             with
             holy
             Admirings
             ,
             and
             inflamed
             with
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
             Now
             ,
             the
             End
             of
             Meditation
             ,
             are
             Affections
             and
             Resolutions
             ,
             therefore
             we
             should
             not
             desist
             till
             those
             are
             effected
             .
          
           
           
             V.
             SO
             in
             Private
             Prayer
             ,
             when
             we
             find
             our
             Hearts
             enlarged
             by
             the
             Effusion
             of
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Supplication
             upon
             us
             ,
             we
             are
             not
             to
             desist
             ,
             unless
             by
             our
             persisting
             in
             that
             Duty
             ,
             we
             omit
             another
             to
             which
             we
             are
             more
             particularly
             obliged
             at
             that
             juncture
             ;
             so
             in
             Meditation
             ,
             when
             we
             perceive
             the
             Heart
             affected
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             continue
             it
             :
             But
             this
             Caution
             must
             be
             observ'd
             ,
             That
             in
             our
             Enlargements
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             continue
             them
             longer
             than
             while
             they
             flow
             freely
             ,
             without
             much
             Straining
             and
             Compulsion
             :
             for
             Honey
             which
             comes
             freely
             from
             the
             Comb
             ,
             is
             pure
             ;
             but
             forced
             by
             Heat
             and
             Pressure
             ,
             is
             not
             so
             well
             relish'd
             .
             Now
             ,
             if
             the
             Heart
             is
             dead
             ,
             we
             must
             use
             our
             utmost
             diligence
             to
             awaken
             it
             ;
             and
             when
             once
             our
             Hearts
             are
             inflamed
             ,
             and
             enlarged
             by
             holy
             Affections
             in
             an
             extraordinary
             manner
             ,
             't
             is
             but
             an
             impediment
             to
             our
             Affections
             to
             return
             to
             the
             Meditation
             of
             those
             Points
             that
             raised
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             IV.
             Of
             the
             Subject
             and
             Method
             of
             Meditation
             .
          
           
             FIRST
             ,
             Avoid
             Controversie
             ,
             for
             that
             will
             convert
             Meditation
             into
             Study
             ;
             and
             nice
             Speculations
             ,
             for
             they
             are
             sapless
             without
             Nutriment
             :
             besides
             ,
             being
             so
             light
             ,
             they
             fluctuate
             in
             the
             Brain
             ,
             and
             want
             ponderosity
             to
             sink
             them
             down
             into
             the
             Heart
             ;
             and
             inddeed
             ,
             were
             they
             admitted
             ,
             they
             are
             so
             insignificant
             ,
             as
             the
             Heart
             ,
             by
             its
             reception
             ,
             could
             acquire
             no
             Affectation
             .
             But
             let
             the
             Subject
             of
             your
             Meditation
             be
             the
             plainest
             ,
             powerfullest
             ,
             and
             usefullest
             Verities
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             as
             
               Death
               ,
               Iudgment
               ,
               Hell
            
             ,
             and
             Heaven
             ;
             the
             
               Mercies
               of
               God
            
             ,
             our
             own
             Sins
             ,
             and
             the
             Love
             and
             Sufferings
             of
             a
             
               crucified
               Saviour
            
             ,
             Contemplate
             on
             that
             which
             is
             most
             suitable
             to
             your
             Spiritual
             Wants
             ;
             as
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Desertion
             ,
             meditate
             most
             of
             the
             Love
             and
             Mercies
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             thy
             own
             Unworthiness
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
           
             II.
             NOW
             the
             Rules
             for
             Meditation
             are
             these
             Three
             :
             1st
             .
             Preparatory
             .
             2dly
             .
             For
             the
             Body
             of
             the
             Duty
             .
             And
             ,
             3dly
             .
             The
             Conclusion
             .
             In
             our
             Duty
             of
             Preparation
             ,
             besides
             the
             choice
             of
             the
             Subject
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             be
             convinced
             and
             affected
             with
             the
             Presence
             of
             the
             Deity
             ,
             and
             to
             use
             fervent
             Prayer
             for
             the
             Divine
             Assistance
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             For
             the
             Body
             of
             Meditation
             ,
             it
             consists
             of
             Three
             Parts
             :
             The
             First
             is
             ,
             Consideration
             ;
             which
             is
             ,
             the
             convincing
             our
             Hearts
             of
             several
             Verities
             appertaining
             to
             that
             Subject
             whereof
             we
             meditate
             .
          
           
             
               III.
               IF
               the
               Subject
               of
               our
               Meditation
               be
            
             Death
             ,
             
               the
               Considerations
               may
               run
               thus
            
             :
             Alas
             ,
             O
             my
             Immmortal
             Soul
             !
             the
             Manner
             ,
             Time
             and
             Place
             where
             we
             shall
             expire
             ,
             we
             are
             ignoraut
             of
             ;
             generally
             Mens
             Lives
             come
             to
             a
             period
             sooner
             than
             they
             expect
             ;
             and
             certain
             it
             is
             ,
             whensoever
             that
             Hour
             or
             Minute
             approaches
             ,
             we
             must
             bid
             adieu
             to
             Honours
             ,
             Pleasures
             ,
             Riches
             ,
             Friends
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             ,
             our
             own
             frail
             Bodies
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             The
             Second
             Part
             ,
             is
             ,
             Affections
             ;
             whether
             it
             be
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             Christ
             ,
             or
             Spiritual
             Things
             ;
             despising
             of
             the
             
             World
             ,
             admiring
             of
             the
             Omnipotency
             ,
             or
             any
             other
             Spiritual
             Affection
             .
             The
             Third
             Part
             ,
             are
             ,
             Resolutions
             to
             perform
             that
             which
             is
             agreeable
             to
             God's
             Command
             ,
             and
             to
             desist
             from
             all
             manner
             of
             Evil.
             
          
           
             IV.
             NOW
             that
             this
             is
             the
             most
             proper
             and
             genuine
             way
             of
             Meditation
             ,
             evidently
             appears
             :
             First
             ,
             Because
             it
             is
             not
             Artificial
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             requires
             Learning
             ,
             as
             those
             Instructions
             are
             which
             advise
             us
             to
             consider
             the
             Efficient
             ,
             Final
             ,
             Formal
             ,
             Material
             Cause
             of
             Defunction
             ,
             with
             the
             Adjuncts
             ,
             Concomitants
             ,
             and
             Concatenations
             ,
             &c.
             which
             though
             they
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             may
             please
             the
             Learned
             ,
             yet
             such
             difficult
             words
             astonish
             the
             Ignorant
             .
             Now
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             Method
             by
             which
             every
             one
             that
             is
             brought
             home
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             converted
             .
          
           
             V.
             AND
             the
             first
             thing
             in
             Coversion
             ,
             is
             ,
             our
             being
             convinced
             of
             some
             Truths
             ;
             which
             Conviction
             raiseth
             Affections
             :
             For
             if
             the
             Verities
             of
             the
             Divine
             Omnipotence
             end
             in
             Conviction
             ,
             and
             go
             no
             further
             ;
             nay
             ,
             if
             they
             end
             in
             Aflections
             only
             ,
             and
             never
             arrive
             to
             Resolutions
             of
             shunning
             Evil
             ,
             and
             
             performing
             of
             Good
             ,
             Conversion
             can
             never
             be
             perfected
             .
             As
             for
             Example
             :
             One
             is
             convinced
             that
             he
             is
             a
             miserable
             ,
             undone
             Wretch
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             Original
             and
             Actual
             Abomination
             :
             Upon
             this
             Conviction
             ,
             Fear
             and
             Sorrow
             are
             excited
             ;
             yet
             if
             these
             do
             not
             operate
             in
             us
             a
             fixed
             Resolution
             of
             forsaking
             those
             Sins
             ,
             we
             are
             yet
             in
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             unconverted
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             There
             are
             several
             things
             for
             the
             concluding
             of
             Meditation
             ,
             which
             I
             shall
             treat
             of
             in
             its
             proper
             order
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             V.
             Of
             being
             affected
             with
             the
             Divine
             Presence
             .
          
           
             WE
             are
             to
             consider
             ,
             God
             is
             present
             in
             all
             places
             ,
             as
             really
             and
             Essentially
             as
             he
             is
             in
             Heaven
             :
             For
             ,
             Omnipotency
             did
             not
             create
             Heaven
             for
             his
             Confinement
             ,
             but
             to
             manifest
             his
             Glory
             ;
             for
             
               the
               Heaven
               of
               Heavens
               are
               not
               able
               to
               contain
               him
            
             ;
             neither
             is
             the
             Almighty
             included
             by
             ,
             nor
             excluded
             from
             any
             place
             :
             And
             though
             
             Iacob
             said
             ,
             
               Surely
               the
               Lord
               was
               in
               this
               place
               ,
               and
               I
               knew
               it
               not
               ,
            
             Gen.
             28.
             16.
             yet
             we
             must
             not
             imagine
             that
             Iacob
             was
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Verity
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             did
             not
             actually
             consider
             it
             ;
             but
             the
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             in
             the
             139th
             .
             Psalm
             ,
             is
             perspicuous
             in
             explaining
             and
             clearing
             up
             the
             Omnipresence
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
          
           
             II.
             NEXT
             ,
             we
             must
             consider
             ,
             That
             the
             Almighty
             doth
             more
             peculiarly
             observe
             his
             Servants
             ,
             while
             they
             are
             performing
             of
             heavenly
             Duties
             :
             Yet
             this
             is
             to
             be
             understood
             ,
             not
             as
             if
             God
             observ'd
             us
             more
             at
             one
             time
             than
             another
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             his
             Omnisciency
             ;
             but
             we
             may
             inferr
             That
             God
             is
             much
             more
             offended
             with
             us
             ,
             if
             our
             Deportment
             and
             Frame
             of
             Heart
             ,
             be
             more
             irreverent
             and
             unholy
             in
             the
             Duty
             of
             Prayer
             and
             Meditation
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             Duties
             of
             our
             particular
             Calling
             .
          
           
             III.
             WE
             may
             consider
             with
             our selves
             ,
             That
             Christ
             doth
             actually
             behold
             us
             ,
             especially
             in
             these
             Duties
             of
             Sanctity
             :
             For
             it
             is
             not
             the
             remoteness
             of
             Place
             that
             doth
             obstruct
             Christ's
             Omnisciency
             ,
             and
             exact
             observing
             of
             us
             .
             Little
             did
             Nathanael
             think
             that
             
             Christ
             saw
             him
             under
             the
             Fig-Tree
             :
             Nathanael
             did
             not
             perceive
             Christ
             ,
             neither
             then
             was
             he
             corporally
             present
             ,
             yet
             Christ
             beheld
             Nathanael
             when
             he
             prayed
             .
             So
             Christ
             beheld
             St.
             Stephen
             before
             the
             Heavens
             were
             opened
             ,
             and
             the
             opening
             of
             the
             Heavens
             was
             not
             ;
             that
             thereby
             Christ
             might
             be
             enabled
             the
             better
             to
             behold
             St.
             Stephen
             ,
             but
             that
             this
             holy
             Proto-Martyr
             might
             thereby
             be
             the
             better
             enabled
             to
             discern
             that
             Christ
             looked
             on
             him
             .
          
           
             IV.
             AND
             without
             all
             controversie
             ,
             the
             Almighty
             observes
             and
             knows
             with
             what
             Reverence
             ,
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Love
             ,
             we
             address
             our selves
             to
             him
             ;
             for
             else
             our
             Prayers
             would
             be
             fruitless
             ,
             and
             our
             Faith
             ineffectual
             :
             For
             ,
             how
             could
             he
             distribute
             to
             us
             according
             to
             our
             Faith
             ,
             if
             he
             knew
             not
             the
             extent
             of
             it
             ?
             If
             the
             inferiour
             frame
             of
             our
             Hearts
             were
             not
             observed
             by
             Omnipotency
             ,
             we
             may
             then
             inferr
             ,
             that
             an
             Hypocrite
             which
             can
             utter
             extraordinary
             Expressions
             ,
             should
             acquire
             more
             by
             his
             Addresses
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             than
             a
             true
             Nathanael
             ,
             in
             whom
             there
             is
             no
             guile
             .
          
           
             V.
             Suppose
             that
             thou
             hadst
             lived
             in
             that
             Age
             when
             Christ
             was
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             
             or
             that
             he
             were
             corpotally
             present
             now
             ,
             near
             thy
             Habitation
             ;
             consider
             with
             what
             Joy
             ,
             Reverence
             ,
             Alacrity
             ,
             and
             Assurance
             ,
             thou
             wouldst
             address
             thy self
             to
             him
             for
             the
             Pardon
             of
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             or
             for
             any
             other
             Mercy
             thou
             stoodst
             in
             need
             of
             :
             After
             the
             same
             manner
             thou
             mayst
             now
             address
             thy self
             ;
             his
             remoteness
             from
             thee
             ,
             in
             respect
             of
             a
             Corporal
             Presence
             ,
             doth
             not
             diminish
             his
             Power
             to
             discern
             thy
             Wants
             ,
             or
             give
             an
             Audit
             to
             thy
             Petitions
             ;
             nor
             his
             being
             now
             glorified
             ,
             doth
             not
             derogate
             his
             Benevolence
             to
             grant
             thy
             Requests
             ,
             than
             if
             he
             were
             corporally
             present
             ,
             in
             the
             Room
             with
             thee
             in
             the
             form
             of
             a
             Servant
             ,
             as
             he
             was
             once
             at
             Ierusalem
             .
          
           
             VI.
             THE
             Glory
             of
             Christ
             doth
             not
             slacken
             his
             Love
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             for
             Christ
             is
             the
             express
             Image
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             and
             God's
             Attributes
             are
             all
             consonant
             :
             The
             Majesty
             of
             Heaven
             doth
             not
             set
             Limits
             unto
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             and
             make
             that
             finite
             ;
             nor
             doth
             his
             Bounty
             make
             his
             Omnipotency
             less
             glorious
             :
             His
             Goodness
             makes
             his
             Deity
             more
             amiable
             ,
             and
             his
             Omnisciency
             makes
             his
             Mercies
             more
             wonderful
             ;
             so
             neither
             
             doth
             the
             Exaltation
             of
             Christ
             ,
             excite
             him
             to
             abate
             or
             diminish
             his
             Goodness
             to
             any
             that
             serve
             him
             ,
             according
             to
             his
             divine
             Precepts
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             BUT
             if
             in
             any
             method
             his
             Love
             is
             mutable
             ,
             it
             is
             by
             an
             Augmentation
             :
             For
             when
             our
             blessed
             Lord
             was
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             you
             must
             have
             approached
             him
             by
             Faith
             ,
             or
             expected
             no
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             by
             Faith
             ,
             though
             he
             is
             inthroned
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             you
             may
             obtain
             Mercy
             in
             time
             of
             need
             .
             Thus
             you
             may
             ponder
             upon
             any
             of
             these
             Considerations
             ,
             until
             your
             Heart
             be
             so
             convinced
             of
             ,
             and
             affected
             with
             the
             Presence
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             you
             thereby
             may
             be
             the
             better
             fitted
             for
             the
             carrying
             on
             the
             Duty
             of
             Meditation
             more
             effectually
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VI.
             Of
             Preparatory
             Prayer
             Before
             Meditation
             .
          
           
             THE
             next
             Preparatory
             Consideration
             is
             ,
             Prayer
             ;
             which
             thou
             mayst
             perform
             to
             this
             or
             the
             like
             purpose
             .
          
           
           
             LORD
             ,
             my
             design
             ,
             at
             this
             time
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             be
             sequestred
             an
             Hour
             from
             worldly
             Enjoyments
             ,
             for
             that
             were
             to
             be
             guilty
             of
             a
             Cessation
             ,
             and
             to
             encrease
             the
             number
             of
             my
             Sins
             ,
             not
             my
             Graces
             ;
             but
             my
             Sollicitation
             ,
             at
             this
             time
             ,
             is
             ,
             to
             be
             so
             convinced
             and
             affected
             with
             those
             spiritual
             Verities
             revealed
             in
             thy
             Sacred
             Word
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             fully
             resolve
             ,
             by
             thy
             Strength
             and
             Power
             ,
             to
             reform
             my
             Life
             :
             for
             I
             can
             neither
             understand
             the
             things
             that
             belong
             to
             my
             Peace
             ;
             not
             understanding
             them
             ,
             be
             convinced
             of
             the
             Certainty
             and
             Verity
             of
             them
             .
          
           
             II.
             NAY
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             though
             my
             Understanding
             is
             illuminated
             ,
             yet
             without
             thee
             my
             Affections
             cannot
             be
             enflamed
             :
             I
             can
             neither
             know
             ,
             resolve
             ,
             nor
             perform
             any
             Good
             without
             thee
             ;
             for
             from
             thee
             proceeds
             both
             the
             Will
             and
             the
             Benefit
             of
             thy
             good
             Pleasure
             .
             Lord
             ,
             I
             humbly
             implore
             〈◊〉
             to
             replenish
             me
             with
             thy
             Grace
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             be
             consciencious
             in
             performing
             this
             Duty
             with
             my
             whole
             Strength
             ,
             and
             not
             negligently
             ,
             and
             inconsiderately
             .
             And
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             do
             thou
             illuminate
             me
             ,
             and
             convince
             me
             with
             thy
             Sacred
             Truths
             ,
             
             and
             so
             affect
             my
             Heart
             with
             the
             Love
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             and
             a
             Detestation
             of
             all
             Sin
             and
             Wickedness
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             thereby
             be
             fully
             and
             firmly
             resolv'd
             (
             notwithstanding
             all
             the
             Oppositions
             that
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             the
             World
             ,
             or
             the
             Devil
             can
             procure
             )
             to
             run
             the
             ways
             of
             thy
             Commandments
             with
             joy
             and
             celerity
             .
          
           
             III.
             AND
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             grant
             that
             when
             thou
             hast
             operated
             in
             me
             the
             Will
             so
             to
             perform
             ,
             give
             me
             also
             the
             Benefit
             ,
             and
             let
             me
             not
             trust
             to
             the
             Strength
             of
             my
             Resolutions
             .
             but
             to
             the
             continual
             gracious
             Assistance
             of
             thy
             holy
             Spirit
             for
             the
             Performance
             of
             those
             Duties
             that
             through
             thee
             I
             shall
             resolve
             to
             pursue
             .
             Grant
             this
             ,
             O
             holy
             and
             blessed
             Father
             ,
             even
             for
             the
             Merits
             of
             thy
             dear
             Son
             ,
             who
             hath
             commanded
             me
             to
             approach
             to
             thee
             in
             his
             Name
             for
             any
             Mercies
             I
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             .
             O
             let
             these
             my
             Petitions
             reach
             thy
             merciful
             Ears
             ▪
             even
             for
             his
             sake
             who
             is
             my
             only
             Lord
             and
             Saviour
             ,
             Amen
             .
          
           
             IV.
             THIS
             or
             the
             like
             Prayer
             thou
             art
             to
             send
             up
             to
             the
             Throne
             of
             Grace
             :
             But
             this
             must
             be
             done
             with
             thy
             whole
             
             Heart
             ;
             for
             thou
             must
             believe
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             by
             the
             Strength
             which
             thou
             shalt
             acquire
             from
             God
             ,
             by
             Prayer
             ,
             whereby
             thou
             shalt
             be
             enabled
             to
             perform
             this
             or
             any
             other
             Duty
             profitably
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             he
             that
             teaches
             us
             to
             be
             Proficients
             .
             Now
             ,
             he
             that
             begins
             a
             holy
             Duty
             without
             God
             ,
             will
             end
             it
             without
             him
             also
             .
             It
             is
             a
             pernicious
             thing
             to
             imagine
             that
             we
             can
             by
             our
             Natural
             Parts
             ,
             Learning
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             strength
             of
             Grace
             already
             received
             ,
             without
             the
             Almighty's
             further
             Assistance
             ,
             perform
             any
             thing
             that
             can
             please
             him
             ,
             or
             edifie
             our
             own
             Souls
             ;
             for
             though
             our
             Mountain
             be
             made
             strong
             ,
             yet
             if
             he
             withdraws
             the
             Light
             of
             his
             Countenance
             ,
             we
             are
             in
             Obscurity
             .
          
           
             V.
             WE
             may
             with
             much
             more
             reason
             declare
             ,
             Now
             the
             Sun
             is
             in
             his
             full
             Meridian
             ,
             and
             the
             Air
             is
             so
             serene
             ,
             that
             now
             we
             can
             transact
             well
             enough
             for
             a
             space
             ,
             though
             that
             Solar
             Luminary
             be
             eclipsed
             ;
             than
             to
             testifie
             ,
             though
             our
             Hearts
             be
             never
             so
             much
             inflamed
             with
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             now
             we
             are
             so
             supplied
             and
             inflamed
             with
             his
             divine
             Love
             ,
             we
             can
             subsist
             by
             our
             own
             Strength
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             present
             we
             want
             
             not
             God's
             further
             Assistance
             ;
             afford
             us
             but
             Subject
             Matter
             to
             meditate
             of
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             be
             of
             Ability
             to
             continue
             and
             encrease
             our
             Flames
             .
             Do
             not
             possess
             thy self
             that
             it
             is
             a
             Burthen
             ,
             but
             a
             Mercy
             and
             Privilege
             ,
             that
             Omnipotence
             hath
             necessitated
             and
             commanded
             thee
             always
             to
             extract
             Strength
             from
             Him.
             
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VII
             .
             Of
             Consideration
             .
          
           
             FIRST
             ,
             Our
             Considerations
             must
             be
             plain
             ,
             not
             intricate
             and
             abstruse
             ;
             for
             the
             main
             Scope
             of
             Meditation
             being
             the
             affecting
             of
             our
             Heart
             ,
             and
             reforming
             of
             our
             Lives
             .
             Next
             ,
             they
             must
             be
             certain
             and
             evident
             ,
             not
             controversial
             and
             dubious
             ;
             for
             the
             Effect
             of
             Meditation
             is
             not
             peculiarly
             to
             encrease
             our
             Knowledge
             ,
             but
             to
             improve
             it
             .
             Neither
             let
             Considerations
             be
             curious
             and
             nice
             Speculations
             :
             Neither
             make
             choise
             of
             those
             Books
             to
             assist
             thee
             ,
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             which
             are
             embellish'd
             with
             Rhetorical
             and
             Eloquent
             
             Expressions
             ▪
             which
             appear
             ,
             in
             the
             eye
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             to
             be
             witty
             ,
             but
             are
             indeed
             very
             empty
             :
             for
             Verity
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             is
             many
             times
             lost
             in
             those
             Allurements
             ;
             and
             entangles
             the
             Mind
             ,
             by
             disingaging
             of
             it
             ,
             from
             serious
             Consideration
             :
             As
             many
             Dishes
             become
             unsavoury
             ,
             by
             having
             too
             much
             Cost
             bestowed
             ,
             and
             so
             lose
             their
             Vertue
             before
             they
             reach
             the
             Stomach
             .
          
           
             II.
             THE
             Bee
             fixes
             not
             upon
             the
             freshest
             coloured
             Rose
             ,
             or
             fragrant's
             Smell
             ;
             but
             on
             the
             Herb
             Thime
             ,
             which
             is
             of
             slender
             beauty
             .
             Besides
             ,
             Eloquence
             in
             this
             Duty
             ,
             may
             please
             some
             Persons
             ,
             as
             Pictures
             in
             Books
             please
             Children
             ,
             who
             while
             they
             gaze
             upon
             them
             ,
             neglect
             their
             Learning
             ;
             even
             so
             ,
             while
             we
             are
             affected
             with
             Elegancy
             of
             Speech
             ,
             we
             stray
             from
             the
             performance
             of
             conveying
             the
             Verity
             of
             what
             we
             ponder
             of
             ,
             to
             our
             Hearts
             :
             As
             in
             the
             Disease
             of
             the
             Bladder
             ,
             the
             skilful
             Physician
             ,
             to
             perform
             a
             Cure
             ,
             administers
             those
             Remedies
             which
             may
             soonest
             reach
             the
             Part
             affected
             ;
             for
             if
             they
             meet
             with
             any
             Obstruction
             ,
             they
             lose
             their
             vertue
             ,
             and
             are
             insignificant
             :
             so
             if
             our
             Understanding
             should
             explicate
             
             the
             Eloquence
             ,
             or
             search
             out
             the
             Meaning
             or
             Certainty
             of
             the
             Verity
             it
             considers
             ,
             any
             long
             season
             ,
             the
             Heart
             will
             prove
             cool
             and
             unaffected
             ;
             and
             be
             under
             the
             same
             Circumstance
             with
             those
             Musicianers
             that
             were
             to
             play
             ther
             Consort
             before
             a
             great
             Emperour
             ,
             but
             were
             so
             long
             a
             Tuning
             their
             Instruments
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             not
             stay
             to
             hear
             '
             em
             .
          
           
             III.
             THE
             next
             Rule
             ,
             is
             ,
             If
             any
             doubt
             ariseth
             upon
             an
             evident
             Truth
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             Devil
             is
             apt
             to
             cast
             in
             Scruples
             ;
             then
             act
             as
             the
             Arch-Angel
             did
             with
             him
             ,
             enter
             the
             Lists
             ;
             and
             perhaps
             when
             you
             have
             examined
             the
             Matter
             ,
             the
             Cloud
             may
             vanish
             ,
             and
             the
             Sun
             shine
             in
             its
             full
             Meridian
             ;
             by
             which
             resistance
             Satan
             will
             take
             flight
             :
             but
             if
             he
             still
             persist
             ,
             and
             your
             Blasphemies
             are
             not
             removed
             ,
             then
             dispute
             no
             more
             ,
             but
             use
             the
             Arch-Angel's
             words
             ,
             
               The
               Lord
               rebuke
               thee
               ,
               Satan
               .
            
             To
             this
             purpose
             ,
             't
             is
             requisite
             to
             be
             well
             grounded
             in
             the
             Verity
             of
             God's
             Word
             ,
             which
             is
             
               the
               Sword
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             by
             which
             our
             Saviour
             silenced
             Satan
             in
             all
             his
             Temptations
             :
             We
             must
             not
             dispute
             with
             that
             Enemy
             by
             Humane
             Reason
             ,
             but
             we
             must
             
               put
               on
               
               the
               whole
               Armour
               of
               God
               ,
            
             if
             we
             will
             be
             able
             to
             stand
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             Temptation
             ,
             and
             when
             all
             is
             done
             to
             stand
             .
          
           
             IV.
             OUR
             next
             Rule
             ,
             is
             ,
             Not
             to
             over-multiply
             our
             Considerations
             ;
             but
             when
             ,
             by
             considering
             the
             Truths
             of
             God
             ,
             we
             find
             our
             Hearts
             ardently
             affected
             ,
             then
             we
             are
             to
             make
             a
             Progression
             .
             But
             this
             Caution
             is
             observable
             ,
             That
             when
             we
             find
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             never
             so
             little
             affected
             ,
             we
             must
             desist
             in
             our
             Considerations
             :
             The
             Bee
             will
             not
             leave
             the
             Flower
             ,
             while
             any
             Honey
             is
             to
             be
             extracted
             .
             And
             it
             is
             a
             Temptation
             which
             Christians
             ought
             to
             take
             notice
             of
             ,
             That
             Satan
             is
             ready
             to
             make
             us
             hastily
             pass
             over
             Duties
             ,
             before
             we
             have
             extracted
             half
             the
             strength
             of
             'em
             :
             For
             when
             we
             are
             confessing
             our
             Sins
             ,
             and
             our
             Hearts
             begin
             in
             the
             least
             measure
             to
             be
             humbled
             ,
             they
             are
             often
             filled
             with
             such
             Joy
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             suspected
             to
             proceed
             from
             him
             ,
             or
             our
             corrupted
             Hearts
             .
          
           
             V.
             CORN
             ,
             when
             it
             springs
             too
             fast
             ,
             and
             grows
             rank
             ,
             the
             Husbandman
             cuts
             it
             down
             .
             A
             Corrosive
             applied
             to
             eat
             dead
             Flesh
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             removed
             when
             it
             begins
             to
             smart
             :
             And
             Wheat
             in
             
             stony
             Ground
             soonest
             springs
             up
             .
             Our
             Considerations
             must
             take
             deep
             root
             ,
             and
             not
             entertain
             Affections
             and
             Resolutions
             when
             the
             Heart
             has
             newly
             received
             any
             Impression
             :
             But
             this
             we
             must
             remember
             ,
             that
             if
             our
             Affections
             be
             much
             inflam'd
             when
             we
             begin
             our
             Considerations
             ,
             we
             are
             to
             yield
             to
             the
             Inspirations
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             guided
             by
             it
             :
             for
             this
             Method
             here
             proposed
             ,
             is
             not
             to
             limit
             the
             extraordinary
             Operations
             of
             God's
             Spirit
             ;
             but
             if
             our
             Hearts
             be
             only
             a
             little
             excited
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             leave
             blowing
             the
             fire
             so
             soon
             as
             it
             begins
             to
             kindle
             ;
             for
             green
             Wood
             will
             suddenly
             extinguish
             ,
             unless
             it
             be
             throughly
             kindled
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             VIII
             .
             Affections
             and
             Resolutions
             .
          
           
             WITHOUT
             Knowledge
             ,
             we
             cannot
             consider
             :
             and
             Consideration
             raises
             Affections
             ;
             and
             Affections
             produces
             Resolutions
             ;
             and
             the
             Effect
             of
             Resolution
             is
             Action
             ,
             and
             a
             through
             
             Reformation
             of
             our
             Lives
             and
             Manners
             .
             Now
             ,
             our
             Affections
             may
             vary
             according
             to
             the
             Subject
             of
             our
             Meditation
             :
             for
             sometimes
             we
             admire
             the
             Goodness
             ,
             Majesty
             and
             Wisdom
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             another
             time
             we
             are
             amazed
             at
             our
             own
             Folly
             and
             Madness
             ,
             in
             living
             so
             contrary
             to
             our
             own
             Principles
             ;
             and
             that
             those
             sacred
             Truths
             revealed
             in
             God's
             Word
             ,
             which
             we
             might
             improve
             to
             our
             Eternal
             Salvation
             ,
             should
             be
             laid
             by
             ,
             as
             useless
             ;
             as
             if
             one
             should
             have
             in
             his
             possession
             an
             excellent
             and
             effectual
             Receipt
             for
             the
             Stone
             ,
             and
             yet
             lock
             it
             up
             ,
             and
             make
             no
             use
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             II.
             SOMETIMES
             we
             despise
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             with
             Iob
             ,
             abhorr
             our selves
             in
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             :
             sometimes
             we
             affect
             Sorrow
             ,
             Joy
             ,
             Love
             ,
             Fear
             ,
             &c.
             of
             which
             we
             may
             be
             furnish'd
             out
             of
             the
             Book
             of
             Psalms
             ,
             which
             were
             indeed
             but
             
             David's
             Meditations
             ,
             though
             not
             in
             this
             Method
             .
             Now
             ,
             when
             our
             Affections
             are
             much
             excited
             ,
             we
             may
             make
             a
             progress
             to
             Resolution
             .
          
           
             III.
             NOW
             your
             Resolutions
             must
             be
             fixed
             ;
             not
             vain
             and
             frivolous
             ,
             but
             serious
             and
             resolved
             ▪
             Purposes
             .
             Say
             not
             
             with
             thy self
             ,
             I
             am
             assured
             the
             Wrath
             of
             God
             comes
             upon
             the
             
               Children
               of
               Disobedience
            
             ,
             and
             I
             must
             embrace
             Hell
             ,
             or
             forsake
             taking
             of
             the
             Name
             of
             God
             in
             vain
             ;
             the
             Offence
             is
             great
             ,
             which
             I
             commit
             in
             Swearing
             ,
             and
             I
             could
             heartily
             wish
             I
             could
             omit
             it
             :
             but
             instead
             of
             this
             ,
             argue
             thus
             with
             thy self
             ,
             I
             am
             solemnly
             resolv'd
             ,
             by
             the
             Blessing
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             to
             forsake
             all
             Sin
             ,
             especially
             what
             I
             am
             most
             guilty
             of
             ;
             for
             God
             will
             not
             be
             mocked
             ,
             neither
             must
             I
             give
             a
             faint
             denial
             to
             Sin.
             
          
           
             IV.
             WHATEVER
             thy
             Resolutions
             are
             ,
             put
             them
             presently
             in
             practise
             ,
             and
             drive
             them
             not
             off
             to
             futurity
             .
             Art
             thou
             addicted
             to
             Drinking
             ?
             Do
             not
             resolve
             and
             say
             ,
             This
             Sin
             I
             intend
             to
             forsake
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             present
             I
             am
             engag'd
             to
             meet
             Company
             where
             I
             must
             appear
             sociable
             ;
             but
             that
             being
             finish'd
             ,
             I
             design
             to
             prosecute
             my
             Resolution
             .
             This
             is
             one
             of
             Satan's
             Devices
             ,
             and
             is
             cast
             in
             thy
             way
             as
             a
             Stumbling-block
             ,
             which
             ,
             if
             not
             removed
             ,
             will
             prove
             pernicious
             .
          
           
             V.
             NEXT
             ,
             Let
             not
             thy
             Resolutions
             be
             only
             against
             Sin
             ,
             but
             against
             the
             Temptations
             and
             Allurements
             to
             it
             .
             
             Solomon
             doth
             not
             say
             to
             the
             Adulterer
             ,
             Thou
             may'st
             discourse
             a
             Harlot
             ;
             but
             ,
             
               Be
               not
               enticed
               by
               her
               words
               to
               uncleanness
               :
            
             He
             will
             not
             permit
             thee
             to
             go
             into
             her
             House
             ,
             or
             by
             her
             Door
             ;
             Prov.
             5.
             8.
             
             And
             when
             he
             disswadeth
             the
             Drunkard
             from
             that
             Vice
             ,
             he
             advises
             him
             not
             to
             look
             upon
             the
             Wine
             ;
             for
             as
             the
             Beauty
             of
             a
             prostitute
             Harlot
             ,
             so
             the
             Colour
             of
             Wine
             will
             inflame
             our
             Desires
             after
             it
             ,
             Prov.
             23.
             31.
             
             After
             this
             method
             Iob
             resolv'd
             ,
             
               I
               have
               made
               a
               covenant
               with
               mine
               eyes
               ,
               why
               then
               should
               I
               look
               upon
               a
               maid
               ?
            
             Job
             .
             31.
             1.
             
          
           
             VI.
             NEXT
             ,
             You
             must
             observe
             this
             Caution
             :
             If
             you
             find
             your
             Heart
             never
             so
             much
             resolving
             against
             ,
             and
             detesting
             of
             any
             Sin
             ,
             yet
             be
             very
             circumspect
             ,
             that
             you
             confide
             not
             upon
             the
             strength
             of
             Resolution
             ,
             but
             earnestly
             deprecate
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             enable
             you
             by
             his
             Divine
             Power
             ;
             and
             that
             as
             he
             has
             given
             you
             the
             Will
             ,
             so
             he
             would
             give
             you
             his
             Grace
             to
             perform
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             SECT
             .
             IX
             .
             Of
             Vows
             .
          
           
             AS
             your
             Resolutios
             are
             ,
             so
             let
             your
             Vows
             be
             ;
             rather
             against
             the
             Occasions
             of
             Sin
             ,
             than
             against
             Sin
             it self
             .
             In
             things
             Indifferent
             beware
             of
             making
             any
             Perpetual
             Vow
             ,
             but
             rather
             let
             it
             be
             Conditional
             .
             As
             ,
             First
             ,
             That
             you
             will
             abstain
             from
             such
             a
             thing
             ,
             or
             perform
             what
             you
             design'd
             ,
             unless
             you
             shall
             be
             otherwise
             advised
             by
             some
             discreet
             ,
             sober
             Person
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             Add
             this
             Caution
             ,
             if
             thou
             art
             guilty
             of
             Drinking
             ,
             viz.
             If
             I
             think
             of
             it
             ,
             I
             will
             not
             drink
             Wine
             this
             Month.
             Now
             ,
             if
             a
             Breach
             of
             this
             Vow
             be
             made
             ,
             though
             you
             did
             not
             think
             of
             it
             ,
             you
             sin
             if
             your
             Vow
             be
             absolute
             .
          
           
             II.
             THE
             next
             Caution
             concerning
             Things
             Indifferent
             ,
             is
             this
             ;
             Add
             a
             Penalty
             upon
             the
             Breach
             o●
             your
             Vow
             ;
             which
             may
             be
             to
             this
             purpose
             :
             I
             resolve
             to
             set
             a-part
             one
             Hour
             in
             the
             Day
             ,
             in
             Prayer
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             to
             the
             End
             of
             this
             Month
             ;
             or
             else
             give
             Alms
             to
             the
             Poor
             .
             In
             such
             a
             case
             ,
             if
             we
             perform
             
             either
             ,
             we
             sin
             not
             :
             And
             the
             reason
             of
             our
             Penalty
             ,
             is
             ,
             because
             some
             Inconveniences
             may
             arise
             which
             may
             prove
             very
             prejudicial
             to
             us
             ;
             and
             then
             we
             have
             liberty
             to
             take
             the
             other
             part
             of
             our
             Vow
             ,
             viz.
             To
             give
             so
             much
             to
             the
             Poor
             .
          
           
             III.
             NOW
             ,
             this
             Penalty
             we
             inflict
             upon
             our selves
             ,
             must
             not
             be
             too
             light
             and
             trivial
             ,
             but
             of
             such
             consequence
             as
             may
             be
             obligatory
             ;
             yet
             not
             of
             that
             ponderosity
             to
             be
             prejudicial
             .
             For
             a
             rich
             Man
             to
             vow
             he
             will
             bestow
             a
             small
             Matter
             on
             the
             Poor
             ,
             is
             inconsiderable
             ;
             yet
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             by
             a
             poor
             Man
             ,
             the
             same
             Value
             may
             be
             of
             too
             large
             an
             extent
             :
             But
             let
             your
             Penalty
             be
             according
             to
             the
             Rules
             of
             Scripture
             and
             Reason
             ,
             and
             opposite
             to
             those
             Sins
             which
             are
             most
             prevalent
             in
             thee
             .
             For
             Example
             ,
             If
             Covetousness
             reigns
             in
             thee
             ,
             exercise
             thy
             Penalty
             in
             Alms
             ▪
             If
             Voluptuousness
             ,
             Prayer
             and
             Fasting
             ,
             or
             abstaining
             wholly
             ,
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             from
             thy
             greatest
             Delight
             and
             Recreation
             .
          
           
             IV.
             LASTLY
             ,
             Let
             your
             Vows
             be
             rather
             against
             the
             External
             than
             the
             Internal
             Acts
             of
             Sin
             ;
             rather
             against
             Speaking
             angrily
             ,
             than
             being
             Angry
             :
             
             For
             though
             External
             Acts
             of
             Sin
             are
             worse
             ,
             yet
             we
             have
             not
             so
             much
             dominion
             over
             them
             .
             If
             your
             Vows
             extend
             to
             the
             Performance
             of
             Holy
             Duties
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             as
             to
             the
             Time
             ,
             not
             the
             Quantity
             .
             For
             Example
             :
             Should'st
             thou
             bind
             thy self
             to
             read
             such
             a
             number
             of
             Chapters
             ,
             perhaps
             thou
             art
             tempted
             to
             read
             them
             too
             hastily
             over
             ;
             whereas
             if
             thou
             dost
             allot
             thy self
             so
             much
             Time
             ,
             thou
             art
             not
             so
             liable
             to
             this
             Temptation
             .
          
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             X.
             How
             to
             Conclude
             your
             Meditations
             .
          
           
             FIRST
             ,
             Thou
             must
             earnestly
             beseech
             the
             Almighty
             to
             give
             thee
             Strength
             to
             perform
             whatever
             thou
             hast
             resolv'd
             to
             act
             in
             his
             Service
             .
             This
             must
             be
             perform'd
             fervently
             ,
             though
             briefly
             and
             humbly
             ,
             from
             an
             earnest
             Desire
             to
             act
             what
             thou
             hast
             promised
             and
             resolved
             ,
             and
             also
             from
             an
             humble
             sense
             of
             thine
             Inability
             in
             the
             Performance
             .
             Next
             ,
             express
             thy
             Thankfulness
             ;
             and
             when
             thou
             findest
             any
             
             Alteration
             wrought
             in
             thy
             Hearr
             to
             detest
             Sin
             ,
             give
             God
             the
             Glory
             ,
             and
             rejoyce
             not
             in
             thy self
             ,
             except
             it
             be
             with
             trembling
             at
             thy
             own
             Pride
             and
             Arrogancy
             .
          
           
             II.
             NEXT
             ,
             We
             are
             to
             remember
             what
             Parts
             of
             our
             Medtation
             did
             most
             affect
             us
             ,
             and
             lay
             them
             up
             so
             in
             our
             Thoughts
             ,
             that
             frequently
             we
             may
             ponder
             on
             '
             em
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             When
             thy
             Meditations
             are
             ended
             ,
             depart
             not
             hastily
             to
             thy
             Temporal
             Employments
             :
             Go
             not
             from
             the
             Presence
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             as
             a
             Bird
             out
             of
             the
             Snare
             of
             the
             Fowler
             ,
             with
             alacrity
             and
             speed
             ,
             but
             go
             vigilantly
             and
             warily
             from
             Holy
             Duties
             .
          
           
             
               The
               Collects
               to
               be
               said
               Before
               or
               After
               Meditation
               .
            
             
               O
               LORD
               ,
               from
               whom
               all
               good
               Things
               do
               come
               ,
               grant
               to
               me
               thy
               humble
               Servant
               ,
               that
               by
               thy
               holy
               Inspiration
               ,
               I
               may
               Think
               those
               things
               that
               be
               good
               ,
               and
               by
               thy
               merciful
               guiding
               may
               Perform
               the
               same
               ,
               through
               our
               Lord
               Jesus
               Christ
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
             
             
               GRANT
               to
               me
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               I
               beseech
               thee
               ,
               the
               Spirit
               to
               Think
               and
               Doe
               always
               such
               things
               as
               be
               rightful
               ;
               that
               I
               who
               cannot
               do
               any
               thing
               that
               is
               good
               without
               thee
               ,
               may
               by
               thee
               be
               enabled
               to
               live
               according
               to
               thy
               Will
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
             
               I
               BESEECH
               Thee
               ,
               Almighty
               God
               ,
               look
               upon
               the
               hearty
               Desires
               of
               me
               the
               humblest
               of
               thy
               Servants
               ,
               and
               send
               forth
               the
               Right-hand
               of
               thy
               Majesty
               to
               be
               my
               Defence
               against
               all
               my
               Enemies
               ,
               through
               Jesus
               Christ
               our
               Lord
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             I.
             Confession
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             
               1
               John
               i.
               9.
               
            
             
               If
               we
               confess
               our
               sins
               ,
               he
               is
               faithful
               and
               just
               to
               forgive
               us
               our
               sins
               ,
               and
               to
               cleanse
               us
               from
               all
               unrighteousness
               .
            
          
           
             OMNIPOTENT
             God
             ,
             my
             Sins
             ever
             appear
             in
             my
             sight
             ,
             and
             are
             a
             Torment
             unto
             my
             Mind
             ;
             every
             Day
             I
             think
             of
             thy
             Judgment
             ,
             because
             Death
             threatens
             me
             every
             Hour
             .
             And
             when
             I
             remember
             ,
             
               I
               must
               appear
               before
               the
               Iudgment-seat
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             10.
             then
             I
             exaamine
             my
             whole
             Life
             ,
             and
             find
             it
             is
             altogether
             Vanity
             ;
             my
             Actions
             are
             vain
             ,
             my
             Words
             profane
             ,
             and
             my
             Thoughts
             unprofitable
             .
             If
             the
             shadow
             of
             some
             Vertue
             appears
             ,
             it
             is
             imperfect
             ;
             because
             Original
             Sin
             ,
             and
             my
             vitiated
             Nature
             hath
             polluted
             it
             .
          
           
           
             II.
             IF
             
               all
               our
               righteousness
               are
               as
               filthy
               rags
               ,
            
             Isa.
             64.
             6.
             what
             can
             we
             expect
             our
             Unrighteousness
             should
             be
             ?
             Our
             Saviour
             tells
             us
             ,
             
               When
               ye
               shall
               have
               done
               all
               those
               things
               which
               are
               commanded
               you
               ,
            
             say
             ,
             
               we
               are
               unprofitable
               servants
            
             ,
             Luk.
             17.
             10.
             
             And
             if
             we
             are
             so
             unprofitable
             in
             our
             Acts
             of
             Obedience
             ,
             certainly
             we
             are
             abominable
             in
             our
             Transgressions
             .
             St.
             Gregory
             ,
             in
             his
             Morals
             ,
             tells
             us
             ,
             A
             diminutive
             Light
             may
             shine
             in
             Obscurity
             ;
             but
             being
             set
             in
             the
             Sun
             ,
             is
             darken'd
             .
             Wood
             not
             measured
             ,
             may
             appear
             strait
             ;
             but
             applied
             to
             the
             Rule
             ,
             is
             found
             oblique
             .
             The
             Impress
             of
             a
             Seal
             may
             appear
             perfect
             in
             the
             Eyes
             of
             the
             Spectators
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             very
             imperfect
             in
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             Artificer
             .
             So
             that
             which
             glitters
             in
             the
             Estimation
             of
             the
             Performer
             ,
             is
             often-times
             sordid
             in
             the
             Discretion
             of
             the
             Judger
             .
             For
             ,
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             God
             are
             different
             from
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             Men
             ,
             Isa.
             55.
             8.
             
          
           
             III.
             THE
             Memory
             of
             many
             Sins
             affrights
             me
             ;
             and
             yet
             there
             are
             divers
             I
             am
             ignorant
             of
             .
             
               Who
               can
               tell
               how
               oft
               he
               offendeth
               ?
               O
               cleanse
               thou
               me
               from
               my
               secret
               faults
               !
            
             Psal.
             19.
             12.
             
             I
             dare
             not
             look
             up
             to
             Heaven
             ,
             because
             I
             have
             
             offended
             him
             which
             inhabits
             there
             .
             In
             Earth
             I
             enjoy
             no
             Refuge
             ,
             expecting
             nothing
             from
             the
             Creatures
             ,
             because
             I
             have
             offended
             the
             Lord
             of
             the
             Universe
             .
             My
             Adversary
             the
             Devil
             accuseth
             me
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             and
             desires
             him
             the
             most
             Just
             Judge
             to
             condemn
             me
             to
             Chains
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             for
             my
             Sin
             ,
             that
             would
             not
             lay
             hold
             on
             the
             Means
             of
             Grace
             .
          
           
             IV.
             NEXT
             ,
             The
             Four
             Elements
             ,
             in
             their
             order
             ,
             accuse
             me
             :
             And
             ,
             First
             ,
             The
             Heavens
             acquaint
             me
             ,
             they
             have
             supplied
             me
             with
             Light
             ,
             to
             my
             Joy
             and
             Comfort
             .
             The
             Air
             whispers
             me
             ,
             I
             have
             given
             thee
             all
             manner
             of
             Fowl
             my
             Region
             affords
             ,
             to
             be
             at
             thy
             Command
             .
             The
             Water
             violently
             speaks
             ,
             I
             have
             given
             thee
             all
             manner
             of
             Fish
             to
             eat
             .
             And
             the
             Earth
             opens
             her
             Mouth
             ,
             saying
             ,
             I
             have
             given
             thee
             Corn
             ,
             Wine
             and
             Oyl
             to
             nourish
             thee
             ;
             but
             how
             hast
             thou
             abused
             these
             Mercies
             ,
             to
             the
             Contempt
             and
             Dishonour
             of
             our
             Creation
             ?
             Therefore
             let
             our
             Benefits
             redound
             to
             thy
             Punishment
             ;
             let
             the
             Fire
             consume
             thee
             ,
             the
             Water
             overwhelm
             thee
             ,
             the
             Air
             fann
             and
             winnow
             thee
             ,
             the
             Earth
             swallow
             thee
             up
             ,
             and
             Hell
             devour
             thee
             .
          
           
           
             V.
             THE
             Holy
             Angels
             which
             were
             appointed
             by
             the
             Almighty
             to
             minister
             unto
             me
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             my
             Comforts
             in
             the
             Life
             to
             come
             ,
             they
             accuse
             me
             :
             for
             by
             my
             Sins
             I
             have
             deprived
             my self
             of
             their
             Ministry
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             Hope
             of
             their
             Fellowship
             in
             the
             World
             to
             come
             ;
             the
             Voice
             of
             God's
             Divine
             Law
             accuses
             me
             ;
             either
             I
             must
             fulfil
             it
             ,
             or
             perish
             ;
             to
             perform
             the
             one
             ,
             is
             impossible
             ;
             and
             to
             undergo
             the
             other
             ,
             is
             intollerable
             .
          
           
             VI.
             GOD
             ,
             the
             most
             severe
             Judge
             ,
             and
             potentest
             Executer
             of
             his
             Eternal
             Law
             ,
             accuses
             me
             :
             Him
             I
             cannot
             deceive
             ,
             who
             is
             Wisdom
             it self
             ;
             from
             him
             I
             cannot
             fly
             ,
             who
             is
             Power
             it self
             ,
             and
             reigns
             every
             where
             .
             
               Whither
               then
               shall
               I
               fly
            
             ?
             Psal.
             139.
             7.
             
             Even
             to
             thee
             ,
             O
             Blessed
             Jesu
             ,
             my
             alone
             Redeemer
             and
             Saviour
             .
             I
             hear
             a
             Voice
             which
             bids
             me
             hide
             my self
             
               in
               the
               clifts
               of
               the
               rock
               ,
            
             Cant.
             2.
             14.
             
             Thou
             art
             that
             Rock
             ,
             and
             thy
             Wounds
             are
             the
             Clefts
             ;
             in
             them
             will
             I
             hide
             my self
             against
             the
             Accusations
             of
             all
             the
             Creatures
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             My
             Sins
             cry
             aloud
             ,
             even
             unto
             Heaven
             ;
             but
             
               thy
               blood
               which
               was
               poured
               forth
               for
               my
               sins
               ,
               cryes
               louder
               ,
            
             Heb.
             12.
             
             2●
             .
             
             My
             Sins
             are
             potent
             to
             Accuse
             me
             ,
             but
             thy
             Passion
             is
             effectual
             to
             Defend
             me
             ;
             the
             Unrighteousness
             of
             my
             Life
             is
             powerful
             to
             Condemn
             me
             ,
             but
             thy
             most
             perfect
             Righteousness
             is
             powerfuller
             to
             Save
             me
             .
             I
             appeal
             therefore
             from
             the
             Throne
             of
             thy
             Justice
             ,
             to
             thy
             Mercy-Seat
             ;
             but
             I
             dare
             not
             appear
             before
             thy
             great
             Tribunal
             ,
             unless
             thy
             holy
             Merits
             interpose
             betwixt
             me
             and
             thy
             Judgment
             .
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             II.
             That
             the
             Cross
             of
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             should
             excite
             us
             to
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             
               Rom.
               v.
               8.
               
            
             
               While
               we
               were
               yet
               sinners
               ,
               Christ
               died
               for
               us
               .
            
          
           
             BEHOLD
             ,
             my
             Soul
             ,
             thy
             Saviour's
             Sufferings
             ;
             the
             Wounds
             of
             him
             that
             was
             crucified
             ,
             and
             the
             Torments
             of
             him
             that
             expired
             on
             the
             Cross
             :
             That
             sacred
             Head
             at
             which
             Angels
             tremble
             ,
             is
             platted
             with
             a
             Crown
             of
             Thorns
             :
             That
             Face
             which
             in
             Beauty
             
             exceeded
             all
             Mankind's
             ,
             is
             spit
             upon
             by
             the
             Ungodly
             :
             Those
             Eyes
             ,
             brighter
             than
             the
             Sun
             in
             his
             Meridian
             ,
             are
             obscured
             in
             Death
             :
             Those
             Ears
             which
             were
             accustomed
             to
             hear
             Angelical
             Anthems
             ,
             are
             infested
             now
             with
             arrogant
             Speeches
             ,
             and
             scornful
             Reproaches
             :
             That
             Mouth
             from
             whence
             proceeded
             Divine
             Oracles
             ,
             and
             dictated
             to
             Angels
             their
             Celestial
             Lessons
             ,
             receives
             nothing
             but
             Gaul
             and
             Vinegar
             :
             Those
             Feet
             which
             the
             devout
             Magdalen
             kissed
             ,
             and
             wiped
             with
             the
             Hairs
             of
             her
             Head
             ,
             are
             fastened
             with
             Nails
             :
             Those
             Hands
             which
             stretched
             out
             the
             Heavens
             like
             a
             Curtain
             ,
             are
             now
             extended
             on
             the
             Tree
             of
             Shame
             .
          
           
             II.
             THAT
             Body
             ,
             the
             Deity
             's
             Temple
             ,
             is
             scourged
             and
             wounded
             with
             a
             Spear
             :
             Nothing
             escap'd
             the
             malicious
             Jews
             but
             his
             Tongue
             ,
             and
             that
             was
             meekly
             exercised
             in
             Praying
             for
             his
             Persecutors
             .
             And
             he
             who
             now
             Reigns
             in
             the
             highest
             Heavens
             ,
             underwent
             all
             this
             for
             lost
             Mankind
             :
             He
             felt
             the
             Pains
             of
             Hell
             ,
             and
             cry'd
             out
             ,
             
               My
               God!
               My
               God!
               Why
               hast
               thou
               forsaken
               me
               ?
            
             Mat.
             27.
             46.
             
             So
             great
             was
             his
             Agony
             and
             Anguish
             ,
             that
             he
             ▪
             which
             comforteth
             
             Angels
             ,
             stood
             now
             in
             need
             of
             one
             to
             comfort
             him
             .
          
           
             III.
             IF
             this
             happens
             to
             the
             Just
             ,
             what
             shall
             become
             of
             wretched
             Sinners
             ?
             What
             measure
             shall
             the
             Almighty
             take
             with
             us
             for
             our
             Offences
             ,
             who
             is
             so
             wrathfully
             displeased
             with
             his
             well-beloved
             Son
             for
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             whole
             World
             ?
             O
             God
             of
             infinite
             Mercy
             ,
             take
             from
             us
             these
             stony
             Hearts
             of
             ours
             ,
             and
             give
             us
             Hearts
             of
             Flesh
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             tremble
             at
             thy
             Word
             ,
             and
             melt
             at
             thy
             Judgments
             .
             Lord
             ,
             let
             us
             not
             forget
             thy
             Acclamations
             and
             Tears
             :
             Thou
             cryedst
             from
             the
             Cross
             ,
             Behold
             ,
             O
             ye
             Sons
             and
             Daughters
             of
             Men
             ,
             what
             I
             suffer
             for
             you
             !
             Was
             ever
             Grief
             so
             great
             ?
             or
             any
             Sorrow
             like
             unto
             my
             Sorrow
             ?
             But
             O
             Thou
             whose
             Property
             it
             is
             to
             have
             Mercy
             ,
             convert
             our
             stubborn
             Hearts
             unto
             Thee
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             III.
             Of
             the
             Fruits
             of
             Repentance
             .
          
           
             
               Mat.
               iii.
               8.
               
            
             
               Bring
               forth
               therefore
               fruits
               meet
               for
               repentance
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             Foundation
             of
             a
             Holy
             Life
             ,
             is
             True
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             where
             that
             is
             acquired
             ,
             Remission
             of
             Sins
             ,
             and
             Eternal
             Life
             succeeds
             .
             Why
             then
             do
             we
             deferr
             our
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             procrastinate
             it
             from
             day
             to
             day
             ?
             To
             Morrow
             is
             not
             in
             our
             possession
             ;
             and
             to
             Repent
             sincerely
             ,
             is
             not
             in
             our
             power
             ;
             but
             when
             the
             Judgment-Day
             is
             approach'd
             ,
             we
             must
             render
             an
             Account
             not
             only
             for
             one
             Day
             ,
             but
             for
             our
             whole
             Lives
             .
          
           
             II.
             ACKNOWLEDGE
             and
             bewail
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             so
             shalt
             thou
             find
             God
             in
             Christ
             appeased
             towards
             thee
             .
             
               I
               ,
               even
               I
               am
               he
               that
               blotteth
               out
               thy
               transgressions
               ,
            
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             Isa.
             43.
             25.
             inferring
             our
             Sins
             are
             enrolled
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             .
             
               Turn
               away
               thy
               face
               from
               my
               sins
               ,
            
             begs
             the
             Royal
             Prophet
             ,
             Psal.
             51.
             9.
             
             Demonstating
             that
             our
             
             Iniquities
             are
             in
             God's
             sight
             .
             
               Be
               converted
               unto
               us
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
            
             prayeth
             Moses
             :
             therefore
             
               our
               sins
               do
               separate
               us
               from
               God
               ,
            
             Isa.
             59.
             2.
             
             
               Our
               sins
               have
               answered
               us
            
             ,
             complaineth
             Isaiah
             ,
             ver
             .
             12.
             and
             do
             accuse
             us
             before
             God's
             Tribunal
             .
             
               Cleanse
               me
               from
               my
               sins
            
             ,
             is
             the
             
             Psalmist's
             Petition
             ,
             Psal.
             51.
             2.
             
             Concluding
             ,
             our
             Sins
             ,
             in
             appearance
             ,
             are
             sordid
             in
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
          
           
             III.
             SIN
             is
             the
             Distemper
             of
             the
             Soul
             :
             which
             moved
             David
             to
             cry
             out
             ,
             
               Heal
               my
               soul
               ,
               for
               I
               have
               sinned
               against
               thee
               ,
            
             Psal.
             41.
             4.
             
             It
             is
             for
             Sin
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             blotted
             out
             of
             the
             Book
             of
             Life
             .
             So
             said
             the
             Eternal
             ,
             Whosoever
             shall
             sin
             against
             me
             ,
             
               I
               will
               blot
               him
               out
               of
               my
               book
               ,
            
             Exod.
             32.
             32.
             
             We
             are
             cast
             off
             by
             the
             Almighty
             for
             our
             Sins
             :
             which
             made
             David
             deprecate
             ,
             
               Cast
               me
               not
               away
               from
               thy
               presence
               ,
            
             Psal.
             51.
             11.
             
             Sin
             torments
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             dries
             up
             the
             Moisture
             ,
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             experienc'd
             ,
             
               Restore
               me
               to
               the
               joy
               of
               thy
               salvation
               ,
            
             Psal.
             47.
             12.
             
          
           
             IV.
             Sin
             is
             infectious
             ,
             says
             the
             ProPrphet
             ,
             
               Isa.
               24.
               5.
               
               The
               earth
               is
               defiled
               by
               the
               inhabitants
               thereof
               ,
               which
               have
               transgressed
               the
               law
               .
            
             Our
             Sins
             press
             us
             
             down
             to
             Hell
             ,
             else
             the
             Psalmist
             had
             not
             broke
             out
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Out
               of
               the
               deep
               have
               I
               cried
               to
               thee
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ;
               Lord
               ,
               hear
               my
               voice
               .
            
             130.
             1.
             
             Sin
             is
             the
             spiritual
             Death
             of
             the
             Soul.
             So
             says
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             We
             were
             sometimes
             
               dead
               in
               our
               sins
            
             ,
             Ephes.
             2.
             1.
             
             By
             mortal
             Sin
             ,
             Man
             loseth
             his
             Creator
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             infinite
             and
             Incomprehensible
             Good
             :
             therefore
             ,
             to
             be
             deprived
             of
             him
             ,
             is
             an
             infinite
             and
             incomprehensible
             Evil.
             And
             as
             the
             Almighty
             is
             the
             chiefest
             Good
             ,
             so
             Sin
             is
             the
             chiefest
             Evil.
             
          
           
             V.
             CALAMITIES
             and
             Punishments
             are
             not
             absolutely
             Evil
             ;
             for
             many
             times
             from
             them
             Good
             is
             extracted
             :
             Nay
             ,
             they
             may
             properly
             be
             called
             Good
             ;
             because
             they
             are
             God's
             Messengers
             ,
             and
             proceed
             from
             him
             who
             is
             the
             Fountain
             of
             all
             Goodness
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             they
             lead
             us
             unto
             the
             chiefest
             Good
             ,
             even
             Life
             Everlasting
             .
             Christ
             ,
             by
             his
             
               Passion
               ,
               entered
               into
               his
               Glory
               ,
            
             Luk.
             24.
             26.
             
             And
             Christians
             ,
             by
             
               Tribulations
               ,
               enter
               into
               Life
               Eternal
               ,
            
             Act.
             14.
             22.
             
             And
             consequently
             ,
             Sin
             is
             the
             chiefest
             Evil
             ,
             because
             it
             draws
             us
             from
             the
             chiefest
             Good.
             
          
           
           
             VI.
             THE
             Sinner
             is
             accused
             by
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             defiled
             ;
             by
             his
             Creator
             ,
             whom
             he
             hath
             offended
             ;
             by
             the
             Sins
             he
             hath
             committed
             ;
             by
             the
             Creatures
             he
             hath
             abused
             ;
             and
             by
             the
             Devil
             ,
             who
             hath
             seduced
             him
             .
             How
             saving
             then
             is
             Repentance
             ,
             which
             frees
             us
             from
             such
             Accusations
             !
             Let
             us
             haste
             then
             with
             speed
             to
             such
             a
             soveraign
             Catholicon
             .
             If
             thou
             deferr
             thy
             Repentance
             till
             Death
             ,
             thou
             do'st
             not
             forsake
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             but
             they
             forsake
             thee
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             very
             difficult
             to
             trace
             out
             an
             Example
             of
             sincere
             Repentance
             at
             the
             Hour
             of
             Death
             ,
             except
             that
             of
             the
             Thief
             upon
             the
             Cross.
             
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               FOVRTEEN
               years
               have
               I
               served
               thee
               ,
            
             (
             said
             Iacob
             to
             Laban
             ,
             )
             
               it
               is
               time
               now
               that
               I
               should
               provide
               for
               my
               own
               house
               ,
            
             Gen.
             31.
             41.
             
             And
             if
             thou
             hast
             pursued
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             chased
             after
             the
             Vanities
             of
             it
             so
             many
             Years
             ,
             it
             is
             now
             high
             time
             to
             provide
             for
             thy
             Soul.
             Every
             Day
             ,
             nay
             ,
             every
             Hour
             and
             Minute
             ,
             we
             accumulate
             Sin
             ;
             Oh
             ,
             let
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             every
             Moment
             ,
             wash
             it
             away
             with
             Tears
             of
             Repentance
             .
             The
             Almighty
             infuses
             not
             the
             Oyl
             of
             Mercy
             ,
             but
             into
             the
             Vessel
             of
             a
             contrite
             
             Heart
             :
             He
             first
             mortifies
             us
             by
             Contrition
             ,
             and
             then
             quickens
             us
             by
             his
             Spirit
             of
             Consolation
             :
             He
             leads
             us
             into
             a
             deep
             abyss
             of
             Grief
             ,
             and
             brings
             us
             back
             by
             his
             Restraining
             Grace
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             Elias
             first
             heard
             a
             vehement
             Wind
             ,
             overturning
             Mountains
             ,
             and
             cleaving
             Rocks
             ;
             and
             after
             the
             Wind
             ,
             an
             Earthquake
             ;
             and
             after
             the
             Earthquake
             ,
             Fire
             ,
             1
             King.
             19.
             11.
             
             At
             length
             there
             followed
             a
             still
             ,
             small
             Voice
             ,
             ver
             .
             12.
             
             From
             whence
             we
             may
             inferr
             ,
             That
             Terrour
             is
             the
             precursor
             of
             the
             Love
             of
             Omnipotency
             ,
             and
             Sorrow
             precedes
             Comfort
             .
             God
             binds
             not
             up
             any
             Wounds
             that
             are
             laid
             open
             by
             Confession
             :
             He
             Pardons
             and
             Justifies
             none
             ,
             except
             they
             Acknowledge
             and
             Condemn
             themselves
             :
             He
             Comforts
             not
             ,
             unless
             they
             first
             Despond
             .
             And
             this
             is
             the
             sincere
             Repentance
             which
             God
             ,
             by
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             operates
             in
             us
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             IV.
             Of
             Man's
             Salvation
             .
          
           
             
               Tit.
               ii
               .
               11.
               
            
             
               For
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               that
               bringeth
               salvation
               ,
               hath
               appeared
               unto
               all
               men
               .
            
          
           
             WHY
             art
             thou
             perplexed
             ,
             O
             my
             Soul
             ?
             and
             why
             art
             thou
             dubious
             of
             the
             Mercy
             of
             God
             ?
             Remember
             thy
             Creator
             ,
             who
             created
             thee
             without
             thy
             Assistance
             ;
             who
             
               formed
               thee
               in
               secret
               ,
               in
               the
               lower
               parts
               of
               the
               earth
               ,
            
             Psal.
             139.
             15.
             
             He
             who
             took
             care
             of
             thee
             before
             thou
             wer
             't
             born
             :
             Will
             his
             Providence
             neglect
             thee
             ,
             now
             thou
             art
             fashioned
             after
             his
             own
             Image
             ?
             To
             Thee
             ,
             the
             Great
             Creator
             ,
             does
             thy
             unworthy
             Creature
             address
             himself
             :
             Though
             my
             Nature
             is
             infected
             by
             Satan
             ,
             and
             wounded
             by
             Thieves
             ,
             which
             are
             my
             sinful
             Corruptions
             ;
             yet
             my
             Creator
             liveth
             .
          
           
             II.
             HE
             which
             made
             me
             ,
             can
             renew
             me
             :
             He
             that
             created
             me
             without
             any
             Evil
             ,
             can
             chase
             all
             Evil
             from
             me
             ;
             whatsoever
             hath
             gain'd
             admittance
             by
             the
             Devil's
             Suggestions
             ,
             
             Adam's
             Prevarication
             ,
             
             or
             my
             own
             Actions
             ;
             yea
             ,
             though
             it
             hath
             over-spread
             my
             whole
             Substance
             .
             The
             Almighty
             never
             hated
             his
             own
             Workmanship
             :
             We
             are
             before
             him
             ,
             like
             Clay
             in
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             Potter
             .
             Had
             he
             hated
             me
             ,
             certainly
             he
             would
             never
             have
             created
             me
             when
             I
             was
             nothing
             :
             
               He
               is
               the
               Saviour
               of
               all
               men
               ,
               but
               especially
               of
               them
               that
               believe
               ,
            
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             10.
             
             He
             created
             me
             wonderfully
             ,
             and
             redeemed
             me
             miraculously
             ;
             but
             his
             Love
             was
             never
             so
             highly
             expressed
             ,
             than
             in
             his
             Wounds
             and
             Passion
             .
          
           
             III.
             SURELY
             we
             were
             indulgently
             belov'd
             ,
             for
             whose
             sakes
             the
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
             God
             is
             sent
             from
             the
             Bosom
             of
             his
             Father
             .
             Dear
             was
             the
             Price
             of
             our
             Redemption
             ,
             and
             great
             was
             the
             Mercy
             of
             our
             Redeemer
             :
             To
             make
             us
             Rich
             ,
             he
             embraced
             Poverty
             ;
             for
             he
             
               had
               not
               where
               to
               lay
               his
               head
               ,
            
             Mat.
             8.
             20.
             
             To
             make
             us
             the
             Sons
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             ,
             he
             condescends
             to
             become
             Man
             ;
             and
             doth
             not
             ,
             after
             he
             had
             accomplish'd
             our
             Redemption
             ,
             neglect
             us
             ,
             but
             
               still
               intercedeth
               for
               us
            
             ,
             Rom.
             8.
             34.
             
          
           
             IV.
             LET
             my
             Sins
             ,
             Satan
             ,
             and
             all
             
             the
             Powers
             of
             Darkness
             accuse
             me
             ,
             in
             Jesus
             my
             Mediator
             will
             I
             trust
             ,
             who
             is
             Greater
             than
             my
             Accusers
             .
             Let
             my
             Weakness
             affright
             me
             ,
             yet
             in
             his
             Strength
             will
             I
             glory
             .
             For
             the
             Sufficiency
             of
             my
             Merit
             I
             am
             familiarly
             acquainted
             ,
             my
             Merits
             is
             not
             sufficient
             ;
             it
             suffices
             me
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             propitious
             against
             whom
             I
             have
             sinned
             ;
             and
             whatsoever
             he
             hath
             decreed
             not
             to
             impute
             ,
             will
             be
             perform'd
             ;
             and
             all
             Guilt
             ,
             with
             the
             Price
             of
             his
             most
             precious
             Blood
             ,
             shall
             be
             done
             away
             .
          
           
             V.
             LET
             it
             not
             then
             perplex
             me
             ,
             that
             my
             Sins
             ,
             though
             many
             ,
             and
             of
             such
             a
             magnitud●
             discomfort
             me
             :
             For
             were
             I
             not
             oppress'd
             ,
             and
             heavy
             laden
             with
             Sins
             ,
             what
             need
             I
             earnestly
             request
             Christ's
             Righteousness
             ?
             Had
             I
             no
             Distemper
             ,
             I
             had
             no
             necessity
             to
             implore
             the
             Physician
             's
             Help
             :
             but
             I
             am
             spiritually
             sick
             ;
             and
             He
             who
             is
             the
             Lord
             our
             Righteousness
             ,
             is
             both
             our
             Saviour
             and
             Physician
             .
             Lord
             ,
             I
             am
             Sick
             ,
             a
             Sinner
             ,
             and
             Condemned
             ;
             and
             upon
             the
             Grand
             Inquest
             of
             my
             Conscience
             ,
             pronounce
             my self
             Guilty
             :
             but
             have
             Mercy
             on
             me
             ,
             O
             my
             Physician
             ,
             my
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             my
             Righteousness
             !
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             V.
             The
             Youth's
             Memento
             .
          
           
             
               Eccles.
               xii
               .
               6.
               
            
             
               Remember
               now
               thy
               Creator
               in
               the
               days
               of
               thy
               youth
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             was
             both
             seasonable
             and
             profitable
             Advice
             ,
             and
             one
             of
             the
             elegantest
             and
             choicest
             Expressions
             in
             the
             Royal
             Preacher's
             Sermon
             .
             For
             ,
             who
             is
             he
             which
             is
             now
             Young
             and
             Vigorous
             ,
             that
             is
             certain
             he
             shall
             live
             to
             be
             Old
             ?
             And
             yet
             that
             potent
             Voice
             which
             loudly
             proclaims
             to
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             whose
             Sound
             will
             remain
             till
             Death
             shall
             be
             expired
             ,
             is
             scarce
             aucible
             in
             the
             Ears
             of
             thousands
             .
          
           
             II.
             'T
             IS
             one
             of
             this
             divine
             Chanters
             harmonious
             Lessons
             ;
             and
             yet
             the
             World
             thinks
             it
             too
             harsh
             a
             Note
             ,
             and
             is
             very
             much
             displeased
             with
             the
             Tune
             .
             'T
             is
             strange
             ,
             and
             an
             amazing
             Wonder
             ,
             That
             the
             Sweetest
             and
             Wisest
             of
             Preachers
             should
             have
             so
             slender
             a
             Train
             of
             Followers
             ,
             being
             his
             Oratory
             is
             so
             Rhetorical
             and
             Divine
             :
             And
             yet
             it
             is
             so
             weighty
             a
             Text
             ,
             which
             though
             
             they
             shun
             to
             hear
             ,
             understand
             ,
             or
             read
             ,
             they
             cannot
             evade
             the
             seeing
             ;
             for
             the
             whole
             Universe
             is
             but
             a
             Comment
             on
             it
             ;
             every
             Creature
             we
             behold
             ,
             preaches
             this
             useful
             Doctrine
             ,
             which
             we
             so
             supinely
             sleep
             out
             with
             our
             Eyes
             open
             .
          
           
             III.
             NATURE
             her self
             carries
             this
             Memento
             in
             her
             Forehead
             ;
             and
             the
             very
             Bruit
             Beasts
             ,
             in
             this
             Philosophy
             ,
             can
             reason
             with
             us
             :
             And
             it
             is
             strange
             madness
             ,
             that
             Man
             should
             forget
             his
             Maker
             ,
             did
             he
             but
             remember
             himself
             .
             But
             alas
             ,
             blooming
             Youth
             affects
             not
             to
             be
             put
             in
             mind
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             which
             he
             is
             not
             acquainted
             with
             ;
             't
             would
             impair
             his
             Memory
             ,
             and
             make
             him
             think
             of
             his
             Prayers
             too
             often
             :
             Piety
             will
             but
             chill
             his
             Blood
             ;
             Religion
             makes
             him
             look
             wither'd
             ;
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             a
             Future-State
             ,
             will
             make
             him
             sager
             than
             his
             years
             requires
             :
             his
             Blood
             informs
             him
             ,
             he
             is
             not
             yet
             qualified
             to
             turn
             Divine
             ;
             he
             may
             serve
             his
             Creator
             time
             enough
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             more
             at
             leisure
             .
          
           
             IV.
             THUS
             these
             Temporal
             Objects
             of
             Vanity
             and
             Pleasure
             chase
             away
             our
             Thoughts
             from
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             its
             
             Celestial
             Raptures
             :
             We
             can
             spend
             the
             Flower
             and
             Beauty
             of
             our
             Years
             in
             Vice
             ,
             and
             think
             the
             Almighty
             will
             be
             well
             enough
             pleas'd
             with
             the
             Deformity
             of
             decrepit
             Age
             :
             We
             can
             sport
             and
             revel
             our
             Piety
             and
             Time
             in
             vain
             and
             frivolous
             Delights
             ,
             and
             conclude
             our selves
             potent
             enough
             to
             compel
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             become
             Religious
             ,
             when
             we
             are
             bowed
             down
             with
             Infirmities
             ,
             and
             have
             nothing
             left
             us
             but
             Repentance
             and
             a
             Tomb.
             
          
           
             V.
             WE
             are
             so
             highly
             pleas'd
             with
             the
             Sweetness
             of
             Sense
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             negligent
             of
             any
             greater
             Felicity
             ;
             and
             so
             extraordinary
             much
             delighted
             with
             the
             Happiness
             of
             Sinning
             freely
             ,
             that
             we
             could
             willingly
             embrace
             that
             Religion
             which
             tolerates
             Vice
             most
             :
             We
             place
             all
             our
             Devotion
             ,
             with
             the
             luxurious
             Epicure
             ,
             in
             the
             Riots
             of
             Nature
             :
             Jolly
             Meetings
             are
             our
             best
             Religious
             Exercises
             ;
             a
             Sermon
             is
             as
             troublesom
             and
             melancholy
             to
             us
             ,
             as
             a
             Funeral
             ;
             and
             to
             hear
             of
             our
             Latter-end
             in
             the
             mid'st
             of
             our
             Pleasures
             ,
             sounds
             like
             a
             Lecture
             of
             Death
             ,
             the
             unwelcome
             and
             faint
             Eccho
             of
             the
             Grave
             .
          
           
           
             VI.
             LET
             the
             Preacher
             instruct
             us
             never
             so
             earnestly
             to
             remember
             our
             Creator
             ,
             we
             rather
             chuse
             to
             follow
             Satan's
             Doctrine
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             this
             World
             as
             long
             as
             we
             can
             ,
             and
             entertain
             Thoughts
             of
             Heaven
             at
             our
             leisure
             .
             And
             shall
             the
             Lusts
             of
             this
             vain
             World
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             be
             greater
             in
             my
             Soul
             than
             the
             Love
             of
             Thee
             ?
             Shall
             the
             temporary
             Allurements
             of
             Sin
             eclipse
             the
             Memory
             of
             thy
             Glory
             ?
             My
             Life
             ,
             I
             know
             ,
             is
             but
             a
             Span
             ;
             and
             yet
             ,
             I
             beseech
             thee
             ,
             abreviate
             that
             ,
             rather
             than
             it
             shoud
             be
             spent
             in
             a
             neglect
             of
             Thee
             :
             better
             this
             Earthly
             Tabernacle
             of
             my
             Body
             be
             dissolv'd
             ,
             than
             become
             a
             Theatre
             for
             Sin
             to
             revel
             in
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             LET
             me
             pay
             unto
             Nature
             the
             due
             Debt
             I
             owe
             her
             ,
             sooner
             than
             perhaps
             she
             would
             summons
             it
             ,
             rather
             than
             run
             deeper
             in
             score
             with
             thy
             Justice
             .
             'T
             is
             far
             better
             I
             should
             die
             ,
             and
             be
             lost
             in
             the
             memory
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             than
             to
             forget
             thee
             :
             Thou
             broughtest
             me
             ,
             at
             first
             ,
             from
             nothing
             ,
             not
             to
             sin
             ,
             but
             to
             serve
             and
             fear
             Thee
             ;
             and
             has
             impressed
             in
             me
             a
             Ray
             of
             thy
             blessed
             Self
             ,
             that
             I
             might
             not
             seek
             my
             own
             perverse
             Will
             ,
             nor
             pursue
             this
             vain
             
             World
             ,
             but
             heavenly
             Mansions
             :
             inure
             me
             therefore
             to
             Thee
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             behold
             those
             solid
             and
             ravishing
             Joys
             and
             Consolations
             that
             is
             in
             serving
             of
             Thee
             ;
             what
             Tranquility
             accompanies
             thy
             Grace
             ;
             that
             so
             I
             may
             no
             longer
             follow
             my
             own
             depraved
             Sense
             ,
             but
             my
             Saviour
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             IT
             is
             none
             of
             the
             least
             Sins
             of
             our
             Youth
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             negligent
             and
             forgetful
             of
             Thee
             our
             Creator
             .
             And
             no
             wonder
             we
             are
             ignorant
             and
             insensible
             of
             the
             Joys
             to
             come
             ,
             that
             live
             in
             such
             a
             constant
             and
             continued
             neglect
             of
             Heaven
             .
             Make
             me
             therefore
             ,
             O
             my
             God
             ,
             seriously
             to
             consider
             ,
             that
             had
             I
             the
             perfect
             Fruition
             of
             all
             I
             could
             wish
             or
             long
             for
             here
             ,
             I
             should
             not
             only
             be
             unsatisfied
             ,
             but
             ,
             in
             the
             end
             ,
             find
             how
             miserable
             he
             is
             that
             fixeth
             his
             Heart
             on
             any
             thing
             but
             Thy Self
             .
             Teach
             me
             therefore
             so
             to
             enjoy
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             I
             lose
             not
             Thee
             ,
             nor
             the
             Memory
             of
             that
             Blessed
             and
             Eternal
             Reward
             Thou
             hast
             promised
             to
             them
             that
             Honour
             and
             Fear
             Thee
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             VI.
             General
             Rules
             for
             a
             Godly
             Life
             .
          
           
             
               Ephes.
               xv
               .
               16.
               
            
             
               See
               then
               that
               ye
               walk
               circumspectly
               ,
               not
               as
               fools
               ,
               but
               as
               wise
               ;
               redeeming
               the
               time
               ,
               because
               the
               days
               are
               evil
               .
            
          
           
             EVERY
             Day
             Death
             approaches
             thee
             ,
             and
             then
             follows
             Judgment
             and
             Eternity
             .
             Therefore
             ,
             think
             often
             how
             thou
             may'st
             be
             able
             to
             Answer
             ,
             in
             that
             most
             strict
             and
             severe
             Judgment
             :
             Look
             circumspectly
             unto
             thy
             Thoughts
             ,
             Words
             ,
             and
             Actions
             ;
             for
             at
             that
             great
             Tribunal
             thou
             must
             render
             up
             an
             exact
             Account
             ,
             Eccles.
             12.
             14.
             
             Every
             Evening
             and
             Morning
             entertain
             thy
             Thoughts
             of
             the
             pale
             Messenger
             ,
             and
             deferr
             not
             thy
             Repentance
             till
             the
             next
             Day
             ;
             for
             the
             Morrow
             is
             uncertain
             ;
             but
             Death
             is
             certain
             ,
             and
             waits
             no
             Person
             's
             leisure
             .
          
           
             II.
             NOTHING
             is
             more
             opposite
             to
             Piety
             than
             Procrastination
             .
             If
             thou
             contemnest
             the
             inward
             Voice
             of
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             thou
             will
             never
             attain
             to
             
             a
             sincere
             Repentance
             .
             Make
             it
             thy
             business
             and
             study
             to
             walk
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Lord.
             In
             thy
             Conversation
             be
             Affable
             and
             Courteous
             to
             all
             ,
             Perplexing
             to
             none
             ,
             and
             Familiar
             with
             few
             :
             To
             God
             live
             Piously
             ,
             to
             thy self
             Continently
             ,
             and
             to
             thy
             Neighbour
             Justly
             :
             Shew
             Favour
             to
             thy
             Friend
             ,
             Patience
             to
             thy
             Enemy
             ,
             thy
             Good-Will
             towards
             all
             ,
             and
             thy
             Bounty
             to
             whom
             thou
             art
             able
             .
             Always
             call
             to
             mind
             Three
             things
             past
             ,
             the
             Evil
             committed
             ,
             the
             Good
             omitted
             ,
             and
             the
             Time
             pretermitted
             :
             And
             ever
             bear
             in
             mind
             Three
             things
             present
             ,
             the
             Brevity
             of
             this
             present
             Life
             ,
             the
             Difficulty
             of
             being
             saved
             ,
             and
             the
             Paucity
             of
             them
             that
             shall
             be
             saved
             .
          
           
             III.
             LET
             thy
             Evening
             Prayers
             ascend
             ,
             and
             humbly
             confess
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             Day
             past
             ,
             and
             think
             how
             many
             are
             in
             danger
             of
             Hell-fire
             .
             Let
             the
             last
             Day
             of
             the
             Seven
             correct
             and
             amend
             what
             Enormities
             thou
             hast
             committed
             the
             whole
             Week
             :
             Shew
             Obedience
             to
             thy
             Superiours
             ,
             give
             Counsel
             and
             Aid
             to
             thy
             Equals
             ,
             and
             Defend
             and
             Instruct
             thy
             Inferiours
             :
             Subdue
             thy
             Body
             to
             thy
             Mind
             ,
             and
             thy
             Mind
             to
             the
             Will
             
             of
             God
             :
             Heartily
             bewail
             thy
             past
             Evils
             ,
             and
             set
             not
             thy
             Affections
             on
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             ,
             but
             fix
             them
             on
             that
             which
             is
             Eternal
             :
             Mourn
             for
             Sins
             ,
             upon
             remembrance
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             often
             remember
             Death
             ,
             that
             thou
             may'st
             cease
             from
             Sin
             :
             Let
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             Almighty
             keep
             thee
             in
             Fear
             ,
             and
             his
             Mercy
             preserve
             thee
             from
             Despair
             .
          
           
             IV.
             WITHDRAW
             thy self
             ,
             as
             much
             as
             thou
             can'st
             ,
             from
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             addict
             thy self
             wholly
             to
             God's
             Service
             :
             In
             Pleasures
             and
             Delights
             ,
             be
             vigilant
             of
             thy
             Chastity
             ;
             in
             Riches
             ,
             exercise
             thy
             Humility
             ;
             and
             in
             worldly
             Affairs
             ,
             neglect
             not
             Piety
             :
             Be
             studious
             in
             pleasing
             none
             but
             thy
             Saviour
             ,
             neither
             fear
             to
             displease
             any
             but
             Him
             :
             Deprecate
             Him
             always
             ,
             that
             his
             Will
             may
             be
             done
             on
             Earth
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             beseech
             Him
             to
             forgive
             thee
             what
             is
             past
             ,
             and
             to
             guide
             and
             govern
             what
             he
             has
             wrought
             in
             thee
             ,
             for
             the
             future
             .
          
           
             V.
             ABANDON
             all
             Hypocrisie
             ;
             for
             God
             judgeth
             not
             according
             to
             external
             appearance
             ,
             but
             according
             to
             the
             Heart
             .
             In
             thy
             Words
             ,
             
               take
               heed
               of
               
               vain
               repetitions
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             7.
             because
             
               for
               every
               idle
               word
               thou
               must
               give
               an
               account
               in
               the
               day
               of
               judgment
               ,
            
             Mat.
             12.
             36.
             
             Let
             thy
             Words
             ,
             Works
             ,
             and
             Actions
             ,
             be
             good
             or
             evil
             ,
             they
             pass
             not
             away
             ,
             but
             remain
             as
             Seeds
             of
             Eternity
             .
             And
             the
             Apostle
             assures
             us
             ,
             
               If
               thou
               sowest
               to
               thy
               flesh
               ,
               of
               the
               flesh
               thou
               shalt
               reap
               corruption
               ;
               but
               if
               thou
               sowest
               to
               the
               spirit
               ,
               of
               the
               spirit
               thou
               shalt
               reap
               life
               everlasting
               ,
            
             Gal.
             6.
             8.
             
             Neither
             Honours
             ,
             Riches
             ,
             Pleasures
             ,
             or
             Vanities
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             can
             attend
             thee
             ,
             after
             thy
             Glass
             is
             run
             out
             .
             Set
             a
             low
             value
             upon
             what
             thou
             possesseth
             ,
             but
             esteem
             highly
             what
             thou
             wantest
             .
          
           
             VI.
             LET
             Holy
             Meditation
             produce
             in
             thee
             Knowledge
             ;
             and
             Knowledge
             ,
             Compunction
             ;
             and
             Compunction
             ,
             sincere
             Devotion
             .
             The
             Silence
             of
             the
             Mouth
             creates
             Peace
             in
             the
             Heart
             ;
             and
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             thou
             separates
             thy self
             from
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             more
             acceptable
             thou
             art
             to
             the
             Almighty
             .
             Whatsoever
             thou
             requestest
             ,
             ask
             it
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             whatsoever
             thou
             enjoyest
             ,
             resign
             up
             freely
             unto
             him
             :
             for
             he
             that
             is
             unthankful
             for
             what
             he
             has
             received
             ,
             is
             unworthy
             of
             receiving
             more
             ;
             and
             the
             
             Gifts
             of
             Heaven
             cease
             to
             descend
             ,
             when
             the
             Incense
             of
             our
             Thanks
             leave
             off
             ascending
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             WHATEVER
             happeneth
             to
             thee
             ,
             convert
             it
             to
             a
             good
             use
             ;
             as
             in
             Prosperity
             ,
             bless
             and
             praise
             God
             ,
             and
             exercise
             Charity
             according
             to
             thy
             Ability
             .
             So
             in
             Adversity
             ,
             exercise
             thy
             Repentance
             for
             what
             Enormities
             thou
             hast
             committed
             ,
             which
             thou
             can'st
             not
             but
             imagine
             to
             be
             the
             Efficient
             Cause
             of
             what
             thou
             sufferest
             .
             Let
             Humility
             keep
             thy
             Heart
             in
             Subjection
             ,
             that
             Arrogancy
             may
             get
             no
             possession
             of
             thee
             .
             Judge
             God
             to
             be
             a
             Father
             ,
             for
             his
             Clemency
             ,
             Power
             ,
             and
             Gentleness
             ;
             a
             Lord
             ,
             for
             his
             Discipline
             ,
             Severity
             ,
             and
             Justice
             .
             Love
             him
             piously
             ,
             as
             a
             Father
             ,
             for
             his
             Mercy
             ;
             and
             fear
             him
             ,
             and
             trust
             in
             him
             ,
             who
             abhors
             Sin
             in
             the
             least
             degree
             .
             Ever
             humbly
             acknowledge
             thy
             own
             Misery
             ,
             but
             loudly
             proclaim
             his
             Mercy
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             VII
             .
             The
             Whole
             Duty
             of
             Man.
             
          
           
             
               Eccles.
               xii
               .
               13.
               
            
             
               Fear
               God
               ,
               and
               keep
               his
               commandments
               ,
               for
               this
               is
               the
               Whole
               duty
               of
               man.
               
            
          
           
             FEW
             there
             are
             which
             perform
             this
             Lesson
             ;
             which
             yet
             should
             not
             so
             much
             appear
             our
             Duty
             ,
             as
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             our
             Delectation
             .
             He
             that
             hath
             but
             once
             acquired
             the
             habit
             of
             adoring
             his
             Maker
             ,
             will
             assideouslsly
             confess
             Religion
             the
             highest
             of
             Pleasures
             ;
             and
             that
             Legislative
             Power
             which
             seems
             so
             formidable
             and
             disgustful
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             will
             prove
             but
             recreative
             to
             his
             Immortal
             Soul.
             But
             alas
             ,
             how
             little
             is
             there
             of
             the
             Royal
             Prophet's
             Piety
             now
             among
             us
             ,
             when
             instead
             of
             delighting
             in
             God's
             Law
             ,
             we
             obliterate
             it
             more
             ;
             and
             are
             so
             far
             distant
             from
             meditating
             in
             it
             either
             Day
             or
             Night
             ,
             that
             we
             never
             in
             the
             least
             think
             or
             consider
             of
             it
             at
             all
             .
          
           
             II.
             'T
             IS
             become
             a
             Custom
             ,
             now
             ,
             to
             Sin
             with
             Audacity
             ;
             and
             a
             Syllogism
             of
             
             much
             Valour
             ,
             to
             exile
             this
             timerous
             Religion
             ,
             or
             fearing
             either
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             or
             his
             Law
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             given
             us
             .
             The
             Royal
             Preachers
             edifying
             Doctrine
             is
             as
             obsolete
             ,
             and
             worser
             than
             a
             Paradox
             ;
             a
             meer
             Apocrypha
             ,
             and
             a
             Heresie
             to
             revive
             it
             .
             To
             instruct
             us
             in
             our
             Duty
             ,
             is
             to
             scurrilize
             the
             Times
             ,
             whil'st
             we
             officiously
             unhinge
             Religion
             ;
             and
             it
             is
             no
             amazing
             wonder
             there
             are
             such
             swarms
             of
             Atheists
             :
             but
             indeed
             ,
             there
             never
             was
             such
             a
             time
             to
             generate
             them
             ,
             as
             now
             ;
             trace
             Antiquity
             to
             its
             primitive
             Rise
             ,
             and
             this
             Age
             cannot
             be
             parallell'd
             .
          
           
             III.
             THE
             World
             never
             encreased
             so
             much
             in
             Sin
             :
             abominable
             Sects
             ,
             and
             disaffected
             Parties
             ,
             like
             Colonies
             ,
             new
             cultivate
             the
             Earth
             ;
             Profaneness
             is
             grown
             Hereditary
             ,
             and
             sprouts
             out
             by
             Propagation
             ;
             so
             that
             in
             process
             of
             time
             ,
             Posterity
             may
             perhaps
             become
             Ethnicks
             .
             Were
             the
             Divine
             Wisdom
             and
             his
             Promise
             mutable
             ,
             a
             Deluge
             would
             prove
             but
             a
             slender
             Penalty
             .
             We
             not
             only
             sin
             ,
             but
             exult
             in
             it
             more
             ;
             whil'st
             some
             ,
             not
             satisfy'd
             to
             be
             occult
             and
             silent
             Atheists
             ,
             proclaim
             it
             aloud
             ,
             and
             are
             fierce
             of
             acquiring
             the
             Reputation
             ;
             
             as
             if
             we
             could
             not
             render
             our
             Ingenuity
             enough
             ,
             without
             Denying
             our
             Maker
             .
          
           
             IV.
             NO
             marvel
             Religion
             is
             out
             of
             Tune
             ,
             when
             a
             Harmony
             in
             Ecclesiasticks
             is
             wanting
             ;
             or
             that
             Christianity
             bears
             so
             faint
             a
             Sound
             ,
             when
             common
             Morality
             is
             not
             heard
             .
             And
             yet
             it
             is
             a
             Lesson
             which
             we
             cannot
             learn
             too
             well
             ,
             a
             Tribute
             we
             cannot
             pay
             too
             often
             .
             We
             owe
             our
             Breath
             to
             the
             Bounty
             of
             his
             Hand
             ;
             what
             Homage
             then
             can
             we
             better
             pay
             than
             that
             ,
             which
             by
             magnifying
             of
             him
             ,
             we
             purchase
             an
             Immortal
             Crown
             for
             our selves
             ?
             Tell
             me
             ,
             ye
             stupid
             Chasers
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             what
             ye
             aim
             at
             in
             all
             your
             Pretences
             ?
             Ye
             that
             scoff
             at
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             make
             Divinity
             a
             Garment
             for
             Unrighteousness
             ?
             That
             with
             the
             Pharisee
             ,
             embrace
             Formality
             for
             your
             Religion
             ,
             and
             make
             an
             external
             Piety
             your
             Duty
             ?
          
           
             V.
             ALAS
             ,
             Heaven
             is
             not
             gain'd
             by
             pious
             Fraudulency
             ,
             gilded
             Crimes
             ,
             or
             fortunate
             Transgressions
             ;
             nor
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             Almigty
             to
             be
             deluded
             with
             a
             gaudy
             Zeal
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             a
             pretended
             Sanctity
             ,
             that
             can
             invest
             us
             with
             Immortality
             ;
             
             nor
             a
             modish
             Devotion
             only
             ,
             that
             will
             conduct
             us
             to
             Heaven
             .
             How
             miserable
             is
             he
             who
             idolizes
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             embraces
             that
             Religion
             ,
             to
             neglect
             his
             Creator
             !
             Therefore
             let
             us
             make
             that
             inquest
             of
             the
             Voice
             within
             us
             ,
             and
             then
             invoke
             the
             Almghty
             in
             these
             or
             the
             like
             Expressions
             .
          
           
             VI.
             
               O
               GREAT
               Iehovah
               ,
               what
               did'st
               thou
               bestow
               our
               Reason
               on
               us
               ,
               but
               to
               diligently
               listen
               unto
               the
               Voice
               of
               thy
               Law
               ,
               that
               the
               Celestial
               Rhetorick
               of
               thy
               Word
               ,
               might
               at
               least
               attract
               from
               us
               an
               ignorant
               Profaneness
               ?
               Shall
               Ethnicks
               ,
               that
               had
               no
               other
               Scope
               ,
               no
               other
               Recompence
               for
               their
               Sanctity
               ,
               than
               some
               vain
               Applause
               ,
               or
               the
               internal
               Triumphs
               of
               their
               Spirits
               ,
               for
               their
               good
               Performances
               ,
               outvie
               us
               in
               the
               Splendours
               of
               a
               Moral
               Life
               ;
               and
               we
               that
               have
               sublimer
               and
               purer
               Hopes
               ,
               be
               scarce
               Obedient
               for
               Thy
               sake
               ?
               Shall
               they
               that
               are
               ignorant
               of
               Thee
               ,
               be
               more
               passionately
               Just
               ,
               than
               we
               that
               have
               traced
               out
               Heaven
               ,
               and
               expect
               Eternity
               to
               succeed
               ?
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               THOUGH
               it
               was
               not
               in
               Man's
               Power
               to
               find
               Thee
               ,
               till
               Thou
               
               did'st
               reveal
               Thy Self
               in
               a
               Crucify'd
               Jesus
               ;
               yet
               now
               having
               so
               richly
               ,
               and
               in
               that
               Plenitude
               expressed
               to
               us
               the
               Treasures
               of
               Thy
               Love
               ,
               shall
               we
               not
               be
               excited
               to
               perform
               something
               for
               Thy
               Glory
               ?
               Incite
               us
               ,
               we
               beseech
               Thee
               ,
               to
               consider
               well
               the
               Advantages
               that
               are
               in
               Thy
               Service
               ,
               the
               Felicity
               that
               accompanies
               Obedience
               ,
               and
               thae
               Crown
               which
               is
               the
               Recompence
               of
               Faith
               ;
               that
               so
               our
               Affections
               being
               mortified
               unto
               these
               fading
               Objects
               here
               Below
               ,
               they
               may
               be
               enliven'd
               only
               with
               Desires
               after
               those
               Eternal
               Excellencies
               that
               are
               in
               Thee
               ,
               in
               Thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             VIII
             .
             The
             Vanity
             of
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             
               1
               Joh.
               ii
               .
               15.
               
            
             
               Love
               not
               the
               world
               ,
               nor
               the
               things
               that
               are
               in
               the
               world
               .
            
          
           
             SET
             not
             thy
             Affections
             upon
             the
             World
             ;
             
               for
               it
               shall
               pass
               away
               ;
               and
               all
               the
               things
               that
               are
               therein
               ,
               shall
               be
               
               consumed
               with
               fire
               ?
            
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             31.
             2
             
             Pet.
             3.
             10.
             
             Love
             that
             Felicity
             which
             is
             Eternal
             ,
             that
             so
             thou
             may'st
             enjoy
             it
             ,
             and
             live
             for
             ever
             .
             Every
             Creature
             is
             subject
             to
             Vanity
             :
             whosoever
             therefore
             idolizes
             the
             World
             ,
             shall
             also
             become
             vain
             himself
             .
             Embrace
             that
             Good
             which
             is
             true
             and
             stable
             ,
             that
             thy
             Heart
             may
             be
             quiet
             and
             fixed
             .
             VVhy
             doth
             mundane
             ,
             ambitious
             Honour
             delight
             thee
             ?
             He
             that
             seeketh
             Applause
             of
             Men
             ,
             cannot
             be
             Honour'd
             by
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             Ioh.
             5.
             44.
             
             For
             he
             that
             chaseth
             after
             this
             VVorld's
             Vanity
             ,
             must
             be
             conformable
             to
             it
             :
             And
             the
             Apostle
             tells
             ye
             ,
             
               He
               that
               pleaseth
               men
               ,
               cannot
               please
               God
               ,
            
             Gal.
             1.
             10.
             
          
           
             II.
             HE
             that
             is
             Extoll'd
             yesterday
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             to
             a
             high
             degree
             ,
             by
             the
             Applauses
             of
             Men
             ,
             may
             be
             levell'd
             to
             morrow
             by
             Dis●race
             .
             VVhat
             is
             mortal
             Man
             the
             better
             ,
             for
             gaining
             a
             Reputation
             of
             a
             greater
             value
             than
             others
             ,
             if
             he
             is
             disesteem'd
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             ?
             Our
             blessed
             Saviour
             being
             sought
             for
             to
             receive
             a
             Kingdom
             ,
             fled
             from
             it
             ;
             but
             to
             be
             ignominiously
             Crucified
             ,
             surrendered
             himself
             .
             He
             that
             despises
             not
             the
             VVorld
             ,
             to
             follow
             Christ
             ,
             how
             
             will
             he
             be
             qualify'd
             to
             lay
             down
             his
             Life
             for
             him
             ?
             Therefore
             there
             is
             no
             passage
             to
             true
             Happiness
             ,
             but
             by
             contemning
             the
             Pomps
             and
             Vanities
             of
             this
             wicked
             and
             fading
             World.
             
          
           
             III.
             CHRIST
             ,
             that
             blessed
             Pattern
             ,
             taught
             us
             how
             we
             should
             value
             the
             World
             :
             For
             ,
             if
             He
             who
             is
             Glory
             it self
             ,
             rejected
             Temporal
             Glory
             ,
             why
             should
             we
             ,
             to
             our
             prejudice
             ,
             embrace
             it
             ?
             What
             availeth
             the
             Praises
             of
             Men
             ,
             if
             the
             Voice
             within
             accuseth
             us
             ?
             Or
             ,
             what
             signifies
             a
             Bed
             of
             Gold
             ,
             to
             one
             in
             a
             burning
             Fever
             ,
             unless
             the
             State
             or
             Pomp
             could
             abate
             the
             Torment
             ?
             It
             is
             only
             the
             Testimony
             of
             a
             good
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             admits
             of
             any
             Duration
             .
             But
             why
             do'st
             thou
             chase
             so
             much
             after
             Riches
             ?
             He
             is
             too
             covetous
             ,
             unto
             whom
             the
             Almighty
             is
             not
             sufficient
             .
             This
             Life
             is
             the
             Path
             to
             our
             Eternal
             Countrey
             .
             What
             doth
             transitory
             things
             profit
             us
             :
             They
             do
             but
             rather
             overload
             the
             Traveller
             ,
             as
             too
             much
             Burthen
             doth
             a
             Ship.
             
          
           
             IV.
             THE
             Majesty
             of
             Heaven
             is
             the
             Riches
             of
             his
             Servants
             ;
             then
             why
             should'st
             thou
             not
             seek
             after
             that
             which
             will
             compleat
             thy
             Happiness
             ?
             Temporal
             
             Riches
             produce
             Labour
             and
             Toil
             in
             the
             getting
             ,
             Fear
             in
             the
             possessing
             ,
             and
             Grief
             in
             the
             losing
             :
             and
             ,
             which
             is
             most
             deplorable
             ,
             the
             Labour
             of
             the
             Covetous
             not
             only
             perisheth
             ,
             but
             it
             brings
             them
             also
             to
             the
             same
             Destiny
             .
             
             Lot's
             Wife
             ,
             which
             was
             turn'd
             into
             a
             Pillar
             of
             Salt
             ,
             yet
             preaches
             unto
             us
             this
             Doctrine
             ,
             Not
             to
             look
             back
             on
             the
             Splendour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             with
             speed
             to
             hasten
             to
             our
             heavenly
             Countrey
             .
             And
             why
             do'st
             thou
             so
             eagerly
             pursue
             after
             Pleasures
             ?
             They
             are
             but
             Vanity
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             end
             ,
             
               Vexation
               of
               Spirit
            
             .
          
           
             V.
             O
             THEN
             ,
             let
             the
             remembrance
             of
             a
             Crucified
             Saviour
             ,
             banish
             from
             thee
             all
             Pleasures
             ;
             and
             let
             the
             remembrance
             of
             a
             Fire
             Unquenchable
             ,
             extinguish
             all
             inordinate
             Concupiscence
             .
             Compare
             but
             the
             short
             Moments
             of
             Pleasure
             with
             Eternal
             Punishments
             ,
             and
             thou
             wilt
             relinquish
             one
             to
             evade
             the
             other
             .
             Worldly
             Pleasures
             ,
             if
             really
             considered
             ,
             are
             brutish
             ;
             and
             they
             that
             are
             involved
             in
             those
             Allurements
             ,
             assume
             the
             shape
             of
             wild
             Salvages
             .
             The
             Sweetness
             of
             Heavens
             Kingdom
             pleases
             not
             that
             Appetite
             which
             daily
             feeds
             upon
             Husk
             
             with
             Swine
             .
             Let
             us
             then
             prepare
             ,
             with
             the
             Patriarch
             Abraham
             ,
             and
             offer
             up
             to
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             as
             an
             Oblation
             ,
             this
             our
             beloved
             Son
             ,
             even
             our
             darling
             Sins
             which
             have
             so
             long
             invaded
             us
             .
          
           
             VI.
             LET
             us
             consider
             ,
             the
             Way
             to
             Eternal
             Mansions
             ,
             is
             not
             strewed
             with
             fragrant
             Roses
             ,
             but
             with
             Thorns
             and
             Thistles
             .
             The
             External
             Man
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             is
             surrounded
             with
             Pleasures
             ;
             but
             the
             Internal
             must
             press
             through
             many
             Tribulations
             .
             Let
             the
             Fear
             of
             Omnipotency
             then
             ,
             macerate
             thy
             Flesh
             ,
             that
             the
             Affections
             thereof
             may
             not
             delude
             thee
             .
             Retain
             always
             in
             mind
             the
             approach
             of
             the
             great
             Audit
             ,
             that
             the
             perverse
             Judgment
             of
             thy
             sensual
             Appetite
             may
             no
             way
             enslave
             thee
             .
             Be
             not
             allured
             by
             the
             flattering
             Face
             of
             the
             Serpent
             ,
             but
             remember
             the
             Sting
             he
             craftily
             conceals
             .
             Always
             invoke
             the
             Almighty
             to
             strengthen
             thee
             with
             his
             Grace
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             last
             thou
             may'st
             receive
             a
             Crown
             of
             Glory
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             IX
             .
             Iacob's
             Ladder
             .
          
           
             
               Gen.
               xxviii
               .
               12.
               
            
             
               And
               he
               dreamed
               ,
               and
               behold
               a
               ladder
               set
               upon
               the
               earth
               ,
               and
               the
               top
               of
               it
               reached
               unto
               heaven
               ;
               and
               behold
               ,
               the
               Angels
               of
               God
               ascending
               and
               descending
               on
               it
               .
            
          
           
             THE
             Patriarch
             Iacob
             had
             no
             sooner
             fixed
             upon
             a
             Stone
             for
             his
             Pillow
             ,
             but
             a
             splendid
             Vision
             accosts
             his
             sight
             :
             That
             filial
             Obedience
             which
             attended
             him
             from
             his
             Father
             ,
             on
             a
             Journey
             to
             Syria
             ,
             became
             a
             nobler
             Conduct
             ,
             and
             directed
             him
             the
             Way
             to
             Heaven
             :
             Those
             Angelical
             Travellers
             ascending
             and
             descending
             before
             him
             :
             Happy
             Solitariness
             ,
             and
             glorious
             Entertainment
             with
             such
             Celestial
             Company
             !
             The
             Uneasiness
             of
             his
             Lodging
             was
             highly
             recompenc'd
             by
             this
             Beatifical
             .
             Prospect
             ;
             when
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             Lord
             and
             Governour
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             appeared
             unto
             him
             ,
             refreshing
             him
             with
             the
             graciousness
             of
             his
             Promises
             and
             Providence
             .
          
           
           
             II.
             WHEN
             I
             view
             the
             Figure
             of
             this
             humble
             Sleeper
             ,
             I
             cannot
             forbear
             wondring
             at
             the
             folly
             of
             those
             ,
             that
             expect
             Visions
             from
             Above
             upon
             their
             soft
             Beds
             ,
             and
             seek
             for
             Revelation
             in
             the
             plenitude
             of
             their
             Pleasures
             :
             Their
             wanton
             Spirits
             would
             wax
             sick
             ,
             and
             be
             out
             of
             humour
             with
             Piety
             ,
             should
             it
             molest
             or
             oppose
             their
             Quiet
             :
             How
             apt
             would
             their
             Devotion
             be
             to
             contract
             an
             Ague
             ,
             should
             they
             ,
             with
             the
             Psalmist
             ,
             rise
             up
             at
             Midnight
             to
             invoke
             the
             Almighty
             ?
             God
             distills
             not
             his
             Miracles
             into
             the
             Lap
             of
             the
             Wanton
             ;
             nor
             communicats
             the
             Excellency
             of
             his
             Glory
             ,
             but
             to
             those
             who
             resign
             themselves
             to
             Him.
             
          
           
             III.
             St.
             IOHN
             must
             be
             exil'd
             to
             Patmos
             ,
             before
             he
             can
             be
             admitted
             a
             Divine
             ;
             and
             have
             converse
             with
             none
             but
             Angels
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             be
             a
             fit
             Pen-man
             for
             Heaven
             .
             Those
             devout
             Men
             ,
             who
             were
             retir'd
             from
             all
             Company
             ,
             but
             Solitude
             ,
             and
             their
             Devotions
             ,
             could
             not
             have
             merchandized
             so
             unspotted
             with
             Heaven
             ,
             had
             they
             not
             renounc'd
             all
             Correspondence
             with
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             unvesting
             themselves
             of
             all
             Temporal
             Felicities
             ,
             obtained
             an
             higher
             
             degree
             of
             Grace
             ,
             and
             became
             living
             Monuments
             of
             Celestial
             Grandeur
             .
          
           
             IV.
             OUR
             devout
             Patriarch
             enjoyed
             here
             no-Canopy
             but
             the
             serene
             Air
             ;
             no
             other
             Tapers
             to
             illuminate
             his
             Apartment
             ,
             but
             the
             Lamps
             celestial
             ;
             and
             the
             vigilant
             Angels
             move
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
             as
             it
             were
             ,
             to
             guard
             and
             preserve
             him
             .
             Oh
             ,
             how
             securely
             doth
             he
             rest
             ,
             that
             lays
             down
             his
             Head
             in
             the
             Bosom
             of
             Providence
             ,
             and
             makes
             that
             his
             Soul's
             Receptacle
             !
             Repose
             thus
             Beatifical
             ,
             denotes
             a
             Sanctuary
             :
             Nor
             need
             he
             fear
             any
             Disturbance
             in
             his
             Rest
             ,
             that
             has
             the
             Almighty
             for
             his
             Keeper
             ;
             or
             that
             his
             pious
             nocturnal
             Thoughts
             shall
             be
             molested
             with
             frightful
             Dreams
             .
          
           
             V.
             IACOB
             had
             no
             sooner
             prepared
             to
             sleep
             ,
             but
             those
             holy
             Messengers
             unlock
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             and
             invite
             him
             to
             ascend
             .
             But
             't
             is
             by
             a
             Ladder
             .
             Heaven
             is
             not
             to
             be
             clim'd
             up
             to
             in
             a
             moment
             :
             The
             Path
             to
             Happiness
             is
             trod
             by
             degrees
             ;
             and
             ,
             as
             our
             Saviour
             informs
             us
             ,
             't
             is
             very
             narrow
             .
             Every
             Vertue
             is
             a
             step
             to
             Eternity
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             so
             much
             onward
             of
             his
             Journey
             ,
             that
             daily
             tramples
             upon
             his
             Vices
             .
             We
             cannot
             prove
             too
             good
             Proficients
             in
             a
             Life
             of
             
             Sanctity
             ,
             or
             imagine
             that
             in
             the
             least
             Acts
             of
             Piety
             we
             have
             enough
             to
             conduct
             us
             to
             Happiness
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             a
             few
             Paces
             ,
             but
             a
             constant
             Progress
             ,
             that
             conveys
             us
             thither
             .
             Oh
             ,
             how
             bad
             then
             is
             he
             ,
             that
             thinks
             himself
             too
             good
             to
             be
             made
             better
             !
          
           
             VI.
             
               O
               LORD
               ,
               the
               Promises
               of
               Thy
               Glory
               are
               immensible
               ;
               and
               yet
               how
               negligently
               do
               we
               embrace
               'em
               !
               Thou
               hast
               directed
               us
               the
               Way
               unto
               Thy Self
               ,
               and
               yet
               we
               are
               not
               only
               reluctant
               ,
               but
               even
               weary
               of
               walking
               to
               Thee
               !
               Alas
               ,
               Is
               the
               Magnificence
               of
               Thy
               Kingdom
               not
               worth
               approaching
               to
               ?
               Can
               we
               propose
               to
               ascend
               Thy
               Throne
               by
               a
               feeble
               and
               dronish
               Devotion
               ?
               How
               actively
               do
               we
               run
               after
               the
               Vanities
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               but
               in
               Thy
               Service
               pretend
               faintness
               ?
               We
               can
               chase
               after
               the
               fading
               Pleasures
               of
               this
               Temporal
               Life
               ,
               but
               neglect
               our
               progress
               in
               the
               Way
               Thou
               prescribest
               us
               to
               walk
               in
               .
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               QUICKEN
               us
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               we
               beseech
               Thee
               ,
               and
               make
               us
               more
               ardous
               and
               zealous
               in
               Thy
               Service
               ;
               and
               as
               Thou
               hast
               sent
               Thy
               dearly
               beloved
               Son
               ,
               and
               our
               Redeemer
               ,
               to
               
               summon
               us
               to
               Thy Self
               ,
               so
               do
               Thou
               likewise
               send
               Thy
               Holy
               Spirit
               to
               sanctifie
               us
               for
               Thy Self
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               ,
               by
               Thy
               heavenly
               Grace
               ,
               become
               a
               peculiar
               People
               ,
               zealous
               of
               Good
               Works
               :
               And
               we
               ,
               who
               of
               our selves
               are
               unworthy
               to
               approach
               Thy
               Altar
               ,
               will
               ,
               by
               Thy
               Divine
               Assistance
               ,
               run
               the
               ways
               of
               Thy
               Commandments
               ;
               so
               that
               at
               last
               we
               may
               attain
               our
               End
               ,
               even
               the
               Saivation
               of
               our
               own
               Souls
               ,
               and
               appear
               with
               Joy
               and
               Gladness
               in
               the
               Day
               of
               the
               Lord
               Jesus
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             X.
             Of
             a
             Good
             Conscience
             .
          
           
             
               Act.
               xxiv
               .
               16.
               
            
             
               And
               herein
               do
               I
               exercise
               my self
               ,
               to
               have
               always
               a
               conscience
               void
               of
               offence
               towards
               Ged
               ,
               and
               towards
               men
               .
            
          
           
             WHATEVER
             thou
             undertakest
             ,
             consult
             thy
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             if
             Satan
             excites
             thee
             to
             any
             Evil
             ,
             stand
             in
             awe
             of
             the
             Checks
             within
             thee
             :
             for
             
             the
             Internal
             Testimony
             is
             of
             more
             Efficacy
             than
             the
             External
             .
             Thy
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             Angel-Guardian
             ,
             which
             Divine
             Omnipotence
             hath
             fixed
             within
             thee
             ,
             shall
             be
             register'd
             in
             those
             Books
             which
             will
             be
             opened
             at
             the
             Great
             Day
             ,
             as
             is
             testified
             by
             St.
             Iohn
             ,
             Rev.
             20.
             22.
             
          
           
             II.
             THE
             First
             is
             ,
             the
             Book
             of
             God's
             Omniscience
             ;
             wherein
             thy
             Thoughts
             ,
             Words
             ,
             and
             Actions
             ,
             shall
             be
             demonstrated
             .
             The
             Second
             is
             ,
             the
             
               Book
               of
               Life
            
             ,
             Rev.
             13.
             8.
             wherein
             those
             that
             are
             found
             written
             by
             Verity
             and
             Faith
             ,
             shall
             be
             safely
             conducted
             by
             the
             Angels
             into
             Heaven's
             Imperial
             Court.
             The
             Third
             is
             ,
             the
             Book
             of
             Holy
             Writ
             ;
             according
             to
             which
             Golden
             Rule
             ,
             our
             Faith
             and
             Good
             Works
             shall
             be
             measured
             .
             The
             Fourth
             ,
             contains
             the
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Indigent
             ,
             whom
             we
             have
             defrauded
             or
             relieved
             .
             The
             Last
             Book
             contains
             the
             Internal
             Testimony
             of
             the
             Voice
             of
             Conscience
             ;
             wherein
             all
             Offences
             are
             noted
             :
             and
             indeed
             ,
             the
             Volume
             must
             be
             large
             ,
             and
             exactly
             written
             by
             the
             Finger
             of
             Truth
             .
          
           
             III.
             SINNERS
             ,
             in
             that
             Day
             ,
             will
             be
             fully
             convinced
             by
             the
             Terrour
             within
             'em
             ;
             and
             they
             can
             no
             ways
             
             shun
             so
             just
             an
             Accusation
             .
             A
             Mind
             undefiled
             ,
             is
             the
             Crystal-Glass
             of
             the
             Soul
             ;
             and
             is
             so
             transparent
             ,
             that
             she
             evidently
             ,
             by
             the
             Opticks
             of
             Faith
             ,
             beholds
             the
             Idea
             of
             the
             Almighty
             :
             for
             a
             sordid
             Eye
             cannot
             view
             the
             Splendor
             of
             a
             true
             Luminary
             .
             As
             a
             well
             Complexion'd
             ,
             and
             good
             Featur'd
             Countenance
             ,
             is
             esteem'd
             in
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             so
             an
             unspotted
             Conscience
             is
             acceptable
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
             But
             that
             Conscience
             which
             abounds
             with
             Putrefaction
             ,
             generates
             that
             Worm
             which
             continually
             ,
             Vulture
             like
             ,
             corrodes
             ,
             but
             never
             dies
             .
          
           
             IV.
             O
             THEN
             let
             us
             ,
             while
             it
             is
             Day
             ,
             with
             a
             true
             Remorse
             ,
             have
             a
             sense
             and
             feeling
             of
             this
             never-dying
             Worm
             ,
             and
             diligently
             labour
             to
             use
             all
             Arts
             to
             destroy
             it
             ;
             and
             let
             us
             not
             indulge
             it
             by
             any
             means
             ,
             lest
             it
             abide
             with
             us
             to
             all
             Eternity
             .
             VVhat
             can
             it
             advantage
             thee
             ,
             if
             thou
             wer
             't
             a
             Proficient
             in
             all
             the
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             in
             this
             Microcosm
             ;
             nay
             ,
             though
             thy
             Skill
             did
             extend
             so
             far
             ,
             as
             to
             number
             the
             Stars
             ,
             and
             to
             trace
             out
             the
             ways
             of
             the
             Planets
             ,
             and
             did'st
             enjoy
             no
             Peace
             within
             to
             comfort
             thee
             .
             Let
             it
             be
             thy
             care
             to
             square
             
             the
             Actions
             of
             thy
             Life
             according
             to
             that
             Rule
             prescrib'd
             by
             the
             Holy
             Jesus
             .
             Let
             Purity
             reign
             in
             the
             Centre
             of
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             Verity
             possess
             thy
             Tongue
             ,
             and
             embrace
             Justice
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             attend
             thee
             in
             all
             thy
             Proceedings
             .
             All
             which
             will
             evidently
             demonstrate
             whether
             thy
             Life
             be
             Good
             or
             Evil.
             
          
           
             V.
             ALL
             the
             Applause
             and
             Breath
             of
             the
             VVorld
             is
             insignificant
             ,
             if
             thy
             Bosom
             Friend
             ,
             thy
             Conscience
             ,
             accuse
             thee
             ?
             And
             what
             can
             all
             their
             Detraction
             prejudice
             thee
             ,
             if
             she
             defend
             thee
             ?
             This
             potent
             ●udge
             thou
             carriest
             about
             thee
             ,
             is
             sufficient
             to
             Accuse
             ,
             Testifie
             ,
             and
             to
             Condemn
             thee
             :
             This
             Justice
             holds
             the
             Balance
             even
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             be
             bribed
             with
             unjust
             Rewards
             ;
             never
             will
             she
             be
             mollified
             with
             fruitless
             Prayers
             ,
             but
             she
             indefatigably
             follows
             thee
             whithersoever
             thou
             goest
             ,
             and
             will
             attend
             thee
             where-ever
             thou
             art
             ,
             carrying
             about
             her
             that
             Charge
             which
             thou
             hast
             committed
             to
             her
             custody
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             good
             ,
             or
             whether
             it
             be
             evil
             .
          
           
             VI.
             AND
             as
             the
             Testimony
             of
             thy
             Conscience
             evidences
             against
             thee
             ,
             such
             Judgment
             must
             thou
             expect
             from
             the
             
             Judge
             of
             all
             Men.
             Sinners
             themselves
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             shall
             become
             their
             own
             Accusers
             ,
             though
             no
             other
             Testimony
             appeared
             against
             them
             .
             For
             Instance
             ,
             The
             Drunkard
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             overwhelm'd
             with
             VVine
             ,
             or
             Strong-drink
             ,
             hath
             no
             sense
             of
             the
             Prejudice
             he
             hath
             receiv'd
             by
             his
             Intemperance
             ;
             but
             having
             slept
             away
             his
             Drunkenness
             ,
             the
             charm
             of
             sensuality
             is
             fractur'd
             ,
             and
             he
             feels
             the
             smart
             of
             his
             own
             Imbecillity
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             So
             Sin
             ,
             that
             Diabolical
             Treasure
             ,
             whil'st
             it
             is
             agitating
             ,
             darkens
             the
             Mind
             ,
             and
             ,
             like
             a
             condense
             Cloud
             ,
             obscures
             the
             Lustre
             of
             perspicuous
             Judgment
             ;
             but
             at
             length
             the
             Voice
             within
             is
             rouzed
             up
             like
             a
             Lion
             ,
             and
             rendeth
             more
             vehemently
             than
             any
             other
             Accuser
             .
             Oh
             ,
             let
             us
             all
             ,
             betimes
             ,
             mortifie
             this
             Worm
             ,
             by
             the
             fervour
             of
             our
             Devotion
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             not
             gnaw
             upon
             us
             ,
             to
             our
             Destruction
             ,
             and
             lead
             us
             to
             Eternal
             Horrour
             .
             Extinguish
             this
             internal
             Fire
             by
             thy
             Prayers
             and
             Tears
             ,
             that
             so
             thou
             may'st
             enjoy
             Heaven
             in
             the
             Cool
             of
             the
             Day
             .
             VVhich
             God
             of
             his
             infinite
             Goodness
             grant
             that
             we
             may
             attain
             ,
             by
             
               fighting
               a
               good
               fight
               ,
               finishing
               our
               course
               ,
               and
               keeping
               the
               faith
               ,
            
             2
             Tim
             47.
             
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XI
             .
             Of
             a
             Wounded
             Spirit
             .
          
           
             
               Prov.
               xviii
               .
               14.
               
            
             
               But
               a
               wounded
               spirit
               who
               can
               bear
               ?
            
          
           
             NONE
             ,
             on
             this
             side
             Eternity
             !
             not
             the
             vastest
             Heap
             ,
             the
             Universe
             it self
             ,
             that
             Theatre
             of
             Humane
             Frailty
             ,
             cannot
             ;
             for
             it
             groans
             and
             travels
             in
             Pains
             it self
             ,
             to
             be
             delivered
             .
             Celestial
             Mansions
             was
             no
             longer
             a
             Residence
             for
             those
             ambitious
             ,
             rebellious
             Spirits
             ,
             who
             forfeited
             their
             Glory
             for
             those
             infernal
             Flames
             :
             which
             Torment
             is
             not
             equivolent
             to
             that
             infinite
             Despair
             which
             for
             ever
             secludes
             and
             interdicts
             them
             from
             it
             .
             It
             is
             no
             surprizing
             wonder
             ,
             that
             many
             imagine
             there
             is
             no
             Infernal
             Place
             like
             this
             ;
             for
             its
             Torments
             are
             not
             to
             be
             parallell'd
             .
          
           
             II.
             FIERY
             Furnaces
             ,
             Stakes
             ,
             Gridirons
             ,
             or
             
             Phalarus's
             Bull
             ,
             are
             but
             Trifles
             ,
             to
             this
             greedy
             Vulture
             .
             Tortures
             of
             the
             modernest
             Invention
             ,
             are
             delightful
             Penalties
             ,
             compar'd
             to
             this
             Crulty
             :
             Those
             inhumane
             dying
             
             Miseries
             ,
             do
             but
             inrage
             and
             stupifie
             Sense
             ;
             whil'st
             this
             vital
             Death
             ,
             this
             destroying
             Life
             ,
             exercises
             its
             Malice
             on
             a
             more
             Celestial
             Object
             ;
             and
             contending
             to
             demolish
             and
             ruine
             an
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             makes
             Death
             it self
             a
             Principal
             ,
             and
             gentle
             Murtherer
             to
             it
             .
          
           
             III.
             CROAKS
             of
             Ravens
             ,
             Shrieks
             of
             Owls
             ,
             and
             Houls
             of
             Wolfs
             ,
             that
             adds
             Obscurity
             to
             the
             dismal
             Night
             ;
             Groans
             of
             departing
             Souls
             that
             invade
             the
             Ear
             ,
             and
             fill
             the
             Apartment
             with
             trembling
             Epitaphs
             ,
             transcribed
             in
             Characters
             mournful
             as
             the
             Grave
             and
             Silence
             ;
             are
             well-tuned
             Harmonies
             ,
             to
             the
             dying
             Elegiacks
             of
             a
             wounded
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             vents
             nothing
             but
             bloody
             Satyrs
             against
             it self
             .
             Behold
             how
             ,
             with
             the
             disconsolate
             Psalmist
             ,
             it
             goes
             mourning
             all
             the
             Day
             and
             Night
             ,
             inviron'd
             with
             Sorrows
             ,
             and
             surrounded
             with
             dismal
             and
             fatal
             Idea's
             ,
             and
             inverts
             his
             Bed
             into
             a
             Bath
             ,
             which
             those
             weeping
             Fountains
             of
             Tears
             ,
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             have
             distilled
             !
             and
             instead
             of
             splendid
             and
             gentle
             Airs
             ,
             evaporates
             nothing
             but
             dark
             and
             trembling
             Accents
             !
             which
             busie
             Satan
             labours
             to
             retort
             in
             doleful
             and
             despairing
             Eccho's
             .
          
           
           
             IV.
             HOW
             contritely
             doth
             it
             expostulate
             with
             Heaven
             ;
             My
             dearest
             Redeemer
             ,
             is
             that
             amiable
             Attribute
             of
             thy
             Mercy
             lost
             ?
             Is
             the
             Fountain
             of
             it
             dried
             up
             from
             a
             poor
             and
             wretched
             Sinner
             ?
             And
             wilt
             thou
             be
             a
             Jesus
             of
             Mercy
             to
             the
             whole
             Universe
             ,
             and
             become
             none
             to
             me
             ?
             Oh
             ,
             let
             me
             descend
             from
             the
             loftiest
             Precipice
             ,
             and
             for
             ever
             dwell
             in
             noisom
             Dungeons
             ,
             inhabited
             by
             none
             but
             loathsom
             Toads
             ,
             Snakes
             and
             Serpents
             ,
             beyond
             the
             reach
             and
             sight
             of
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             so
             I
             may
             but
             enjoy
             the
             Light
             of
             thy
             Countenance
             !
             Let
             me
             live
             more
             poor
             and
             despicable
             than
             patient
             Iob
             upon
             his
             Dunghill
             ,
             perplex'd
             with
             Boils
             ,
             and
             and
             in
             a
             naked
             and
             dejected
             Deformity
             ,
             so
             I
             may
             but
             conceal
             my
             
               Leopard's
               Spots
            
             ,
             and
             place
             a
             Beauty
             in
             my
             Soul
             ,
             which
             may
             invite
             that
             All-seeing
             Eye
             ,
             whose
             radient
             Beams
             can
             comfort
             all
             Mankind
             !
          
           
             V.
             TAKE
             heed
             ,
             thou
             Sensualist
             ,
             that
             now
             revellest
             and
             riottest
             in
             the
             World's
             Theatre
             ,
             and
             counter-charms
             Damnation
             :
             Wer
             't
             thou
             but
             sensible
             of
             the
             terrible
             Agonies
             of
             Guilt
             ,
             the
             Horrours
             of
             a
             murdering
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             
             cursed
             Stings
             thy
             Pleasures
             leave
             behind
             them
             ,
             how
             speedily
             would'st
             thou
             list
             thy self
             in
             nobler
             Services
             ,
             and
             employ
             thy
             Time
             in
             better
             Thoughts
             ?
             Wer
             't
             thou
             now
             to
             expire
             thy
             Breath
             ,
             how
             would
             the
             Guilt
             of
             an
             evil
             Life
             appale
             thee
             ,
             when
             every
             Sin
             would
             represent
             it self
             a
             Messenger
             of
             Horrour
             ,
             and
             the
             deluding
             World
             prove
             but
             an
             infernal
             Comforter
             .
          
           
             VI.
             SHEW
             me
             in
             a
             Glass
             that
             Champion
             Conscience
             ,
             that
             will
             not
             undertake
             ,
             at
             length
             ,
             to
             conquer
             that
             frozen
             Soul
             ,
             whose
             Flashes
             will
             not
             liquefie
             and
             blast
             again
             ,
             that
             
             Atlas-Sinner
             ,
             whom
             gentle
             Burdens
             will
             not
             ,
             at
             last
             ,
             numerously
             depress
             .
             The
             VVorld
             is
             unquainted
             with
             a
             Misery
             equivolent
             ;
             the
             Terrours
             of
             the
             unwelcom
             Grave
             are
             inconsiderate
             to
             it
             :
             which
             ,
             could
             it
             but
             relieve
             the
             guilty
             Soul
             ,
             and
             its
             tenebrous
             and
             silent
             Regions
             promise
             an
             Immunity
             from
             future
             Miseries
             ,
             how
             readily
             would
             it
             purchase
             its
             Peace
             with
             Death
             ,
             and
             implore
             its
             keenest
             Dart
             for
             a
             swifter
             Passage
             ?
             Loss
             of
             Friends
             ,
             Fortune
             ,
             or
             Reputation
             ,
             nay
             ,
             Crosses
             which
             penetrate
             the
             Bone
             ,
             are
             but
             slight
             
             Scratches
             ,
             to
             these
             gaping
             VVounds
             .
             Procure
             me
             a
             Schedule
             of
             the
             deepest
             Afflictions
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             none
             ,
             I
             imagine
             ,
             except
             this
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             tolerable
             to
             be
             dispensed
             with
             :
             
               But
               a
               wounded
               Spirit
               ,
               who
               can
               bear
               ?
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               O
               LORD
               ,
               how
               Ponderous
               is
               the
               Load
               of
               a
               VVounded
               Spirit
               !
               How
               Formidable
               are
               the
               Stings
               of
               a
               Guilty
               Conscience
               !
               and
               the
               Apprehensions
               of
               Thy
               Fiery
               VVrath
               !
               And
               how
               Deplorable
               is
               he
               that
               involves
               himself
               in
               Sin
               ,
               and
               becomes
               insensible
               of
               his
               Guilt
               ,
               till
               the
               Memento
               of
               his
               heinous
               Crimes
               display
               it
               :
               And
               when
               Mortality
               remembers
               him
               of
               a
               Future-State
               ,
               nothing
               is
               his
               Concomitant
               but
               his
               erroneous
               Life
               .
               Oh
               ,
               Omnipotency
               !
               Thou
               hast
               fixed
               an
               impartial
               Register
               in
               our
               Breasts
               which
               no
               fawning
               Practice
               can
               bribe
               ,
               nor
               Fountain
               of
               vulgar
               Tears
               silence
               from
               recollecting
               us
               of
               Thy
               Justice
               ;
               and
               yet
               what
               numbers
               are
               there
               whose
               Consciences
               ,
               like
               the
               great
               Leviathan
               ,
               snap
               in
               sunder
               the
               Silver
               Cords
               of
               thy
               Divine
               Law
               ,
               like
               Threads
               of
               Flax
               ?
               and
               are
               so
               backward
               from
               Confessing
               their
               Crimes
               ,
               
               that
               they
               are
               become
               obdurate
               in
               their
               Impenitence
               ?
               But
               ,
               Lord
               ,
               do
               Thou
               teach
               me
               ,
               as
               I
               commit
               Sin
               ,
               so
               inspire
               me
               with
               Thy
               Grace
               daily
               ,
               that
               whenever
               I
               shall
               approach
               Thy
               Presence
               ,
               I
               may
               have
               no
               other
               Sins
               to
               testifie
               against
               me
               ,
               than
               those
               which
               I
               possess
               ;
               which
               if
               not
               throughly
               crucified
               ,
               yet
               ,
               at
               least
               ,
               sincerely
               repented
               of
               with
               hearty
               Contrition
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XII
             .
             Of
             Humility
             .
          
           
             
               1
               Pet.
               v.
               5.
               
            
             
               Be
               ye
               cloathed
               with
               humility
               ;
               for
               God
               resisteth
               the
               proud
               ,
               and
               giveth
               grace
               to
               the
               humble
               .
            
          
           
             IF
             thou
             do'st
             but
             seriously
             consider
             the
             miserable
             State
             of
             Mankind
             ,
             thou
             wilt
             easily
             shun
             the
             Temptations
             of
             an
             arrogant
             Spirit
             .
             Man
             ,
             the
             Lord
             
               of
               all
               Below
               ,
            
             though
             he
             assumes
             to
             himself
             that
             Pride
             of
             Heart
             ,
             yet
             he
             is
             Vile
             in
             his
             Ingress
             ,
             Miserable
             in
             his
             
             Progress
             ,
             and
             Lamentable
             in
             his
             Egress
             :
             He
             is
             often
             assaulted
             ,
             and
             provoked
             by
             Satan's
             Temptations
             :
             He
             is
             allured
             by
             Delights
             and
             Pleasures
             ,
             cast
             down
             by
             Tribulations
             ,
             entangl'd
             by
             Accusations
             ,
             disrobed
             of
             Vertues
             ,
             and
             ensnar'd
             into
             evil
             Habits
             and
             Customs
             .
             
               Why
               then
               art
               thou
               proud
               ,
               O
               Earth
               and
               Ashes
               ?
            
             Eccles.
             10.
             9.
             
             VVhat
             wast
             thou
             in
             thy
             Conception
             ,
             but
             sinful
             Corruption
             ?
             VVhat
             in
             thy
             Life
             ,
             but
             a
             Lump
             of
             Flesh
             ?
             And
             what
             after
             Death
             ,
             but
             Food
             for
             VVorms
             ?
             If
             there
             be
             any
             spark
             of
             Goodness
             in
             thee
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             thy
             own
             ,
             but
             the
             Almighty's
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             only
             Donor
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             II.
             THOU
             can'st
             claim
             nothing
             peculiar
             to
             thy self
             ,
             but
             Sin
             which
             accompany'd
             thee
             into
             the
             VVorld
             ;
             and
             therefore
             ▪
             if
             Divine
             Omnipotence
             hath
             inspired
             into
             thee
             any
             measure
             of
             His
             heavenly
             Grace
             ,
             give
             Him
             the
             Glory
             to
             whom
             it
             is
             most
             due
             .
             If
             thou
             wilt
             be
             Christ's
             Disciple
             ,
             observe
             His
             Doctrine
             :
             
               Learn
               of
               me
               ,
               for
               I
               am
               meek
               and
               lowly
               of
               heart
               ,
            
             Mat.
             11.
             29.
             
             And
             he
             that
             observes
             this
             Lesson
             ,
             will
             at
             length
             attain
             to
             be
             a
             Proficient
             in
             the
             School
             of
             Humility
             .
             Our
             Saviour
             ,
             the
             Pattern
             
             of
             Humility
             ,
             stiles
             Himself
             ,
             
               the
               Lilly
               of
               the
               Vallies
            
             ,
             Cant.
             2.
             1.
             
             Inferring
             ,
             That
             He
             is
             the
             most
             imbellish'd
             of
             all
             Flowers
             ;
             and
             springs
             forth
             ,
             not
             in
             the
             mountainous
             and
             lofty
             proud
             Hearts
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             low
             Vallies
             of
             the
             contrite
             and
             humble
             Spirits
             .
          
           
             III.
             AND
             the
             Royal
             Psalmist
             tells
             ye
             ,
             
               God
               dwelleth
               on
               high
               ,
               and
               yet
               he
               beholdeth
               the
               things
               that
               are
            
             humble
             ,
             
               both
               in
               heaven
               and
               earth
            
             ,
             Psal.
             113.
             5.
             
             If
             we
             contemplate
             with
             our selves
             ,
             we
             may
             soon
             come
             to
             this
             result
             ,
             That
             we
             cannot
             approach
             unto
             that
             Great
             Being
             ,
             unless
             we
             tread
             in
             the
             Paths
             of
             Humility
             ;
             for
             he
             that
             appears
             vile
             in
             his
             own
             Eyes
             ,
             is
             valuable
             in
             the
             Eyes
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
             VVeakness
             and
             Frailty
             is
             entail'd
             upon
             Humanity
             ,
             and
             none
             can
             pretend
             to
             boast
             of
             such
             an
             Imbecillity
             .
             
               The
               twenty
               four
               Elders
            
             ,
             (
             Rev.
             4.
             4.
             
             )
             
               cast
               down
               their
               Crowns
               before
               the
               Throne
               ,
            
             (
             ver
             .
             10.
             )
             and
             
               render
               unto
               God
               all
               praise
               and
               glory
               .
            
             And
             
               the
               Seraphims
               cover
               their
               faces
               ,
               before
               the
               face
               of
               the
               most
               Highest
               ,
            
             Isa.
             6.
             2.
             
             VVhat
             then
             should
             Man
             do
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             vilest
             of
             all
             Creatures
             ,
             the
             worst
             of
             Sinners
             ,
             and
             so
             unthankful
             to
             his
             Creator
             .
          
           
           
             IV.
             CHRIST
             ,
             the
             Everlasting
             Son
             of
             God
             the
             Father
             ,
             wonderfully
             descended
             from
             Heaven
             in
             great
             Humility
             ,
             and
             miraculously
             condescended
             to
             take
             our
             frail
             Nature
             upon
             Him
             ,
             and
             stooped
             so
             low
             as
             to
             be
             crucified
             for
             us
             :
             And
             what
             should
             poor
             Mortality
             answer
             for
             so
             high
             an
             Indulgence
             ,
             who
             is
             gone
             so
             far
             astray
             from
             his
             Maker
             ?
             Behold
             ,
             thou
             aspiring
             Soul
             ,
             with
             what
             wonderful
             Humility
             thy
             Saviour
             hath
             allayed
             thy
             Pride
             !
             And
             do'st
             thou
             still
             swell
             with
             Ambition
             ?
             By
             the
             Path
             of
             Humility
             ,
             and
             his
             bitter
             Death
             and
             Passion
             ,
             
               Christ
               entered
               into
               his
               Glory
            
             ,
             Luk.
             24.
             26.
             
             And
             dost
             thou
             imagine
             ever
             to
             reach
             Heaven-Gates
             ,
             by
             wallowing
             in
             the
             haughty
             way
             of
             Pride
             :
             Lucifer
             ,
             for
             his
             Ambition
             ,
             was
             expell'd
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             our
             First
             Parents
             ,
             for
             Diabolical
             Pride
             ,
             was
             cast
             out
             of
             Paradise
             :
             And
             dost
             thou
             think
             to
             arrive
             at
             Eternal
             Happiness
             through
             a
             Sea
             of
             Pride
             ?
          
           
             V.
             OH
             ,
             let
             us
             rather
             demean
             our selves
             ,
             with
             an
             humble
             jesus
             ,
             to
             wash
             the
             Feet
             of
             others
             ,
             than
             to
             seek
             ambitiously
             ,
             with
             Satan
             ,
             for
             the
             highest
             Place
             .
             Let
             us
             humble
             our selves
             under
             
             the
             Mighty
             Hand
             of
             God
             ,
             in
             this
             Life
             present
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             exalted
             ,
             in
             due
             time
             ,
             in
             the
             Life
             to
             come
             .
             Fix
             not
             thy
             Heart
             upon
             what
             thou
             hast
             ,
             but
             consider
             seriously
             what
             thou
             wantest
             .
             Mourn
             for
             those
             Graces
             that
             are
             absent
             ,
             rather
             than
             extoll
             those
             Vertues
             thou
             hast
             acquired
             .
             Conceal
             ,
             with
             all
             humility
             ,
             what
             good
             Qualifications
             thou
             do'st
             enjoy
             ;
             but
             confess
             those
             Sins
             thou
             daily
             committest
             .
          
           
             VI.
             AS
             Fire
             is
             preserv'd
             by
             covering
             with
             Ashes
             ,
             so
             Charity
             is
             secur'd
             under
             the
             Guard
             of
             Humility
             .
             Pride
             is
             the
             Seminary
             ,
             Parent
             and
             Nurse
             to
             all
             Sins
             :
             Exercise
             therefore
             thy
             Vigilance
             and
             Care
             against
             any
             Elevation
             ,
             lest
             by
             the
             precipice
             of
             thy
             Folly
             thou
             be
             cast
             headlong
             into
             the
             deep
             abyss
             of
             Sin
             and
             Misery
             .
             And
             now
             having
             consider'd
             the
             Detestableness
             of
             this
             Sin
             of
             Pride
             ,
             and
             the
             Amiableness
             of
             this
             Virtue
             of
             Humility
             ,
             let
             us
             earnestly
             endeavour
             to
             abandon
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             embrace
             the
             other
             ;
             and
             with
             all
             Sanctity
             ,
             invoke
             the
             God
             of
             all
             Spirits
             to
             infuse
             into
             us
             his
             heavenly
             Grace
             ,
             that
             this
             Tumour
             of
             Pride
             may
             be
             asswag'd
             in
             us
             ;
             that
             his
             Meekness
             and
             Humility
             
             may
             be
             our
             perfect
             Pattern
             to
             guide
             us
             in
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             conduct
             us
             to
             the
             Life
             to
             come
             .
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XIII
             .
             The
             Proud
             Pharisee
             .
          
           
             
               Luk.
               xviii
               .
               11.
               
            
             
               The
               Pharisee
               stood
               and
               prayed
               thus
               with
               himself
               ,
               God
               ,
               I
               thank
               thee
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               not
               as
               other
               men
               are
               ,
               extortioners
               ,
               unjust
               ,
               adulterers
               ,
               or
               even
               as
               this
               publican
               .
            
          
           
             SEE
             how
             Ingratitude
             is
             radicated
             in
             this
             proud
             Pharisee
             ,
             that
             he
             so
             imperiously
             thanks
             Heaven
             !
             How
             prodigiously
             hath
             Pride
             metamorphos'd
             him
             !
             He
             that
             accustom'd
             himself
             to
             prolix
             Prayers
             ,
             intends
             now
             to
             use
             brevity
             :
             His
             devoutest
             Posture
             is
             ,
             Standing
             ;
             and
             he
             comes
             not
             to
             Pray
             ,
             but
             to
             Boast
             ;
             not
             to
             Worship
             his
             Creator
             ,
             but
             to
             Extoll
             himself
             :
             He
             is
             not
             qualify'd
             to
             be
             highly
             Pious
             ,
             being
             so
             opinionated
             and
             transported
             with
             his
             own
             Virtues
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             destitute
             of
             either
             
             Time
             or
             Patience
             to
             remember
             the
             sole
             Author
             ,
             whose
             Benignity
             he
             would
             pretendedly
             seem
             to
             acknowledge
             ,
             but
             't
             is
             so
             luke-warmly
             ,
             't
             were
             better
             he
             were
             ungrateful
             still
             .
          
           
             II.
             TRUTH
             had
             a
             lucky
             chance
             ,
             to
             proceed
             from
             such
             graceless
             Lips.
             He
             did
             ,
             indeed
             ,
             far
             excell
             others
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             Superlative
             degree
             of
             Audaciousness
             :
             But
             had
             he
             been
             acquainted
             with
             himself
             better
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             proved
             more
             Grateful
             ,
             and
             not
             so
             Arrogant
             .
             How
             amply
             doth
             he
             disturb
             the
             Ear
             of
             Heaven
             with
             these
             Ostentations
             of
             his
             singular
             Value
             ;
             but
             for
             his
             Pride
             and
             Arrogancy
             ,
             makes
             not
             the
             least
             Apology
             .
             Indeed
             ,
             he
             Thanks
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             but
             't
             is
             after
             a
             modish
             Carelessness
             ,
             and
             rather
             an
             airy
             Complement
             ,
             than
             a
             solid
             Prayer
             .
          
           
             III.
             HE
             may
             plead
             Ignorance
             ;
             but
             be
             found
             guilty
             of
             the
             breach
             of
             the
             Second
             Commandment
             ,
             in
             the
             First
             Table
             .
             For
             he
             knows
             he
             is
             forbid
             to
             Worship
             Idols
             ,
             or
             Images
             ;
             yet
             thinks
             it
             no
             Sin
             to
             Idolize
             himself
             :
             and
             therefore
             dares
             presume
             to
             offer
             to
             the
             Almighty
             a
             Schedule
             of
             his
             own
             Merits
             .
             How
             many
             apt
             Scholars
             is
             there
             in
             the
             
             World
             ,
             that
             hath
             perfectly
             learn'd
             this
             Lesson
             ,
             and
             imprinted
             it
             in
             their
             Memory
             ?
             See
             how
             the
             Roman
             Pharisees
             charm
             and
             puff
             up
             themselves
             with
             Pride
             ,
             by
             their
             sanctimonious
             Acts
             of
             Supererogation
             ,
             and
             think
             to
             scale
             Heaven
             by
             a
             Ladder
             of
             their
             own
             forming
             ;
             magnifying
             a
             superabundant
             Piety
             ,
             and
             triumphing
             in
             a
             meritotious
             superfluity
             of
             performing
             more
             than
             their
             appointed
             Task
             .
          
           
             IV.
             WITH
             how
             much
             Agility
             do
             our
             trembling
             Enthusiasts
             follow
             their
             Generals
             Path
             ,
             in
             a
             sanctimonious
             Pride
             ,
             by
             a
             supercillious
             Purity
             of
             Intention
             ;
             presuming
             it
             their
             Prerogative
             to
             reform
             the
             Universe
             ,
             and
             create
             it
             again
             a-new
             ?
             That
             Canonize
             themselves
             according
             to
             their
             mode
             ;
             and
             with
             the
             proud
             Pharisee
             ,
             not
             only
             thank
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             but
             tell
             him
             positively
             they
             far
             excell
             other
             Men
             ;
             That
             outragiously
             and
             loudly
             proclaim
             themselves
             the
             great
             Luminary
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             in
             a
             devout
             lunacy
             ,
             wou'd
             croud
             in
             new
             Notions
             ,
             extravagantly
             decrying
             all
             Religions
             but
             their
             own
             ?
             These
             malecontented
             Pretenders
             immure
             themselves
             a-part
             from
             others
             ;
             
             and
             by
             a
             morose
             Piety
             ,
             are
             become
             so
             prodigiously
             Divine
             ,
             that
             they
             have
             always
             extinguish'd
             their
             Humanity
             .
          
           
             V.
             NOW
             ,
             if
             the
             Pharisee
             were
             not
             as
             other
             Men
             ,
             yet
             these
             resemble
             him
             ,
             having
             been
             such
             exact
             Proficients
             in
             his
             Nature
             and
             Religion
             .
             
               So
               apt
               and
               prone
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               are
               we
               to
               be
               seduced
               ,
               even
               in
               our
               best
               Performances
               ,
               and
               (
               whil'st
               we
               vainly
               imagine
               our selves
               not
               only
               to
               excell
               others
               ,
               but
               so
               meritorious
               in
               Thy
               sight
               )
               as
               to
               be
               elevated
               into
               Presumption
               .
               T
               is
               Humility
               must
               Crown
               all
               our
               Graces
               ,
               and
               put
               a
               Lustre
               on
               our
               Requests
               ,
               whil'st
               the
               presuming
               Assurance
               of
               our
               own
               Merits
               does
               not
               only
               deface
               ,
               but
               seclude
               us
               from
               Thee
               .
            
          
           
             VI.
             
               TEACH
               us
               therefore
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               with
               such
               Expressions
               of
               Gratitude
               ,
               to
               use
               Thy
               Gifts
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               be
               stupified
               ,
               so
               as
               to
               be
               forgetful
               of
               our selves
               or
               Thee
               ▪
               Whil'st
               others
               arrogantly
               boast
               themselves
               in
               meritorious
               Acts
               of
               Supererogation
               ,
               let
               us
               earnestly
               endeavour
               humbly
               to
               acknowledge
               ,
               confess
               and
               bewail
               our
               many
               Imperfections
               .
               Let
               not
               a
               
               sanctimonious
               Pride
               seize
               upon
               our
               Immortal
               Souls
               ,
               that
               may
               any
               ways
               hinder
               us
               from
               being
               innocent
               from
               the
               great
               Offence
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XIV
             .
             The
             Soul's
             Delight
             .
          
           
             
               Psal.
               xciv
               .
               19.
               
            
             
               In
               the
               multitude
               of
               my
               thoughts
               within
               me
               ,
               thy
               comforts
               delight
               my
               soul.
               
            
          
           
             GOD
             ,
             the
             bountiful
             Provider
             of
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             hath
             
               prepared
               a
               great
               Feast
            
             ,
             Mat.
             22.
             4.
             
             And
             those
             which
             hunger
             and
             thirst
             after
             Righteousness
             ,
             are
             freely
             invited
             .
             He
             that
             tasteth
             not
             ,
             is
             not
             sensible
             of
             the
             Sweetness
             of
             this
             Divine
             Banquet
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             has
             lost
             his
             Appetite
             ,
             is
             not
             expected
             a
             Guest
             at
             this
             Table
             .
             If
             thou
             believest
             on
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             obey
             the
             first
             Summons
             ,
             and
             approach
             with
             chearfulness
             to
             this
             Royal
             Repast
             .
             None
             can
             acquire
             a
             Credulity
             ,
             unless
             with
             Contrition
             he
             confess
             his
             Sins
             ,
             
             and
             repent
             of
             the
             same
             in
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             .
             And
             as
             Contrition
             is
             the
             spiritual
             Hunger
             of
             a
             Soul
             surrounded
             with
             Sin
             ,
             so
             Faith
             is
             the
             spiritual
             Food
             that
             revives
             and
             nourishes
             it
             to
             Everlasting
             Life
             .
          
           
             II.
             GOD
             gave
             the
             Israelites
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             
               Manna
               ,
               the
               Food
               of
               Angels
               ,
            
             Exod.
             16.
             15.
             
             And
             in
             this
             Entertainment
             of
             the
             New-Testament
             ,
             the
             Almighty
             exhibits
             to
             us
             the
             Celestial
             Manna
             ;
             yea
             ,
             he
             is
             there
             present
             himself
             ,
             who
             is
             that
             
               spiritual
               bread
               which
               came
               down
               from
               heaven
               to
               give
               life
               unto
               the
               world
               ,
            
             Joh.
             6.
             51.
             
             
               He
               which
               had
               a
               desire
               to
               see
               his
               Field
               ,
               refused
               to
               come
               ,
            
             Luk.
             14.
             18.
             
             From
             whence
             we
             may
             inferr
             ,
             That
             they
             which
             set
             their
             Affections
             on
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             cannot
             approach
             to
             this
             Holy
             Table
             .
             When
             the
             rich
             Gallant
             ,
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             heard
             that
             he
             must
             forsake
             all
             his
             Goods
             of
             Fortune
             ,
             for
             Eternal
             Life
             ,
             
               he
               went
               away
               sorrowful
            
             ,
             Mat.
             19.
             22.
             
          
           
             III.
             CHRIST
             ,
             the
             Celestial
             Elisha
             ,
             infuses
             not
             the
             Oyl
             of
             his
             Loving-kindness
             but
             into
             Vessels
             which
             are
             empty
             ,
             2
             King.
             4.
             4.
             
             And
             his
             Divine
             Love
             never
             inspires
             any
             Soul
             ,
             except
             
             the
             Love
             of
             the
             World
             be
             extracted
             from
             it
             ,
             whereby
             it
             may
             become
             a
             fit
             Receptacle
             for
             so
             Divine
             a
             Guest
             :
             For
             ,
             
               where
               our
               treasure
               is
               ,
               there
               will
               our
               heart
               be
               also
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             21.
             
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             hath
             its
             attrrctive
             Allurements
             ;
             but
             Divine
             Love
             hath
             that
             Energy
             to
             unite
             us
             to
             the
             Deity
             .
             Terrestrial
             Treasures
             consists
             in
             the
             Goods
             of
             Fortune
             ;
             but
             in
             these
             the
             Soul
             can
             acquire
             no
             Satisfaction
             ,
             for
             it
             is
             beyond
             what
             this
             World
             can
             afford
             ,
             and
             therefore
             seeks
             for
             far
             greater
             Excellencies
             than
             transitory
             things
             .
          
           
             IV.
             DID
             we
             but
             seriously
             consider
             the
             Duration
             of
             all
             Temporalities
             ,
             we
             would
             not
             fix
             our
             Hearts
             so
             fervently
             upon
             them
             :
             For
             upon
             our
             Bed
             of
             Mortality
             no
             Relief
             can
             be
             expected
             from
             'em
             ;
             and
             what
             an
             absurdity
             is
             it
             for
             us
             to
             place
             our
             Affections
             on
             those
             things
             which
             are
             so
             frail
             and
             inconstant
             !
             Our
             First
             Parents
             ,
             when
             they
             rebelled
             against
             the
             Most
             High
             ,
             would
             have
             attempted
             the
             
               Tree
               of
               Knowledge
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil
            
             ;
             but
             before
             they
             could
             accomplish
             their
             Designs
             ,
             were
             
               driven
               out
               of
               Paradise
            
             ,
             Gen.
             3.
             6.
             
             So
             may
             we
             expect
             ,
             it
             that
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             our
             
             Souls
             ,
             should
             forsake
             him
             who
             hath
             so
             dearly
             purchas'd
             'em
             ,
             and
             cleave
             unto
             the
             World
             ;
             but
             that
             we
             must
             undergo
             the
             same
             ,
             if
             not
             a
             worse
             Punishment
             .
          
           
             V.
             THEY
             which
             neglect
             our
             Saviour's
             candid
             Invitation
             of
             ,
             
               Come
               unto
               me
               ,
               all
               ye
               that
               labour
               and
               are
               heavy
               laden
               ,
            
             shall
             not
             avoid
             hearing
             of
             him
             pronounce
             that
             Sentence
             of
             ,
             
               Go
               ye
               cursed
               into
               everlasting
               fire
               ,
            
             Mat.
             25.
             41.
             
             The
             Sodomites
             were
             
               consumed
               with
               fire
            
             ,
             Gen.
             19.
             24.
             for
             refusing
             to
             hear
             
             Lot's
             Doctrine
             .
             and
             without
             a
             speedy
             Repentance
             ,
             the
             Fire
             of
             God's
             Anger
             will
             consume
             them
             which
             have
             despised
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             rejected
             all
             Reproof
             .
             The
             five
             Foolish
             Virgins
             who
             neglected
             trimming
             their
             Lamps
             ,
             were
             excluded
             the
             Bridegrooms
             Presence
             ;
             so
             those
             whose
             Hearts
             are
             not
             inspired
             with
             Celestial
             Oyl
             ,
             must
             expect
             to
             be
             debarr'd
             the
             Participation
             of
             Eternal
             Joy
             and
             Comfort
             .
          
           
             VI.
             CHRIST
             internally
             calls
             to
             us
             ,
             by
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             secretly
             affords
             us
             Motives
             to
             holy
             Desires
             ,
             devout
             Affections
             ,
             and
             pious
             Cogitations
             ;
             and
             happy
             is
             he
             whose
             Soul
             is
             invested
             with
             
             these
             Ornaments
             .
             When
             thou
             perceivest
             the
             least
             spark
             of
             the
             Divine
             Goodness
             in
             thee
             ,
             which
             doth
             excite
             thee
             to
             the
             performance
             of
             any
             good
             Duty
             ,
             then
             labour
             to
             cherish
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             break
             out
             into
             a
             flame
             ;
             and
             take
             heed
             that
             thou
             quench
             not
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             by
             that
             means
             extinguish
             the
             Operation
             :
             And
             the
             Apostle
             affirms
             ,
             
               If
               any
               man
               defile
               the
               Temple
               of
               God
               ,
               him
               shall
               God
               destroy
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             17.
             
          
           
             VII
             .
             THE
             Heart
             of
             a
             Man
             ,
             is
             the
             living
             Temple
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             guilty
             of
             the
             Destruction
             of
             it
             ,
             who
             refuseth
             to
             give
             place
             to
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             .
             The
             Prophets
             ,
             in
             the
             Old
             Testament
             ,
             diligently
             hearkned
             unto
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             were
             prophetically
             inspired
             ,
             as
             a
             Reward
             for
             their-Obedience
             .
             And
             in
             the
             New-Testament
             ,
             the
             Disciples
             and
             Apostles
             were
             punctual
             in
             preaching
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             and
             they
             were
             inspired
             by
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             and
             were
             at
             last
             Crown'd
             by
             the
             Merits
             of
             Christ
             ,
             as
             a
             Recompence
             for
             their
             Labours
             ;
             and
             to
             those
             which
             shall
             imitate
             such
             good
             Examples
             ,
             blessed
             are
             they
             which
             shall
             hear
             and
             persevere
             in
             such
             good
             Performances
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XV.
             True
             Contentment
             .
          
           
             
               Phil.
               iv
               .
               12.
               
            
             
               I
               know
               both
               how
               to
               be
               abased
               ,
               and
               I
               know
               how
               to
               abound
               :
               every
               where
               ,
               and
               in
               all
               things
               I
               am
               instructed
               ,
               both
               to
               be
               full
               ,
               and
               to
               be
               hungry
               ;
               both
               to
               abound
               ,
               and
               to
               suffer
               need
               .
            
          
           
             NONE
             but
             this
             happy
             Apostle
             ,
             such
             a
             divine
             Saint
             as
             St.
             Paul
             was
             ,
             could
             become
             a
             Proficient
             in
             this
             Lesson
             .
             How
             few
             is
             there
             ,
             that
             have
             desired
             to
             learn
             it
             ?
             'T
             is
             a
             Lecture
             the
             World
             hath
             long
             ago
             been
             weary
             of
             :
             not
             so
             much
             ,
             because
             't
             is
             so
             hard
             a
             Task
             ,
             but
             because
             't
             is
             so
             unpleasant
             a
             Theme
             .
             Were
             the
             Way
             to
             Everlasting
             Happiness
             strewed
             with
             Roses
             of
             Pleasure
             ,
             for
             our
             sensual
             Appetites
             to
             range
             and
             revel
             in
             ,
             't
             would
             quickly
             become
             a
             frequented
             and
             an
             easie
             Walk
             .
             Were
             there
             no
             Difficulties
             ,
             no
             skilful
             Trials
             to
             be
             past
             through
             ,
             who
             ,
             of
             a
             Mortal
             ,
             would
             not
             become
             a
             Saint
             ?
             The
             Crown
             of
             Eternal
             Glory
             would
             be
             
             as
             common
             as
             a
             Garland
             of
             Flowers
             ,
             did
             not
             that
             of
             Thorns
             carry
             the
             precedence
             .
          
           
             II.
             THE
             World
             values
             not
             a
             Religion
             which
             disanuls
             all
             Splendour
             ,
             whose
             strict
             Discipline
             abrogates
             all
             Pomp
             and
             Pleasure
             ;
             and
             instead
             of
             all
             Temporal
             Delights
             ,
             which
             affects
             the
             Senses
             ,
             preaches
             Temperance
             ,
             Patience
             ,
             and
             the
             Judgement
             to
             come
             .
             This
             Doctrine
             possesses
             us
             with
             an
             aguish
             Fit
             ,
             and
             then
             we
             ,
             like
             Felix
             ,
             fall
             a
             trembling
             ,
             and
             desire
             to
             be
             excused
             from
             so
             piercing
             a
             Duty
             .
             He
             that
             invites
             us
             to
             see
             Heaven
             first
             ,
             informs
             us
             ,
             That
             to
             desire
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             ,
             is
             the
             Wish
             of
             an
             Ethnick
             :
             
               For
               after
               all
               these
               things
               do
               the
               Gentiles
               seek
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             32.
             
             And
             shall
             Christians
             follow
             the
             Examples
             of
             Heathens
             ?
             and
             aim
             not
             at
             sublimer
             Things
             than
             what
             this
             sublunary
             World
             can
             afford
             ?
             Shall
             they
             who
             can
             ,
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             ,
             take
             a
             prospect
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             look
             down
             upon
             this
             Lower
             World
             with
             Affectation
             ?
          
           
             III.
             AND
             was
             that
             the
             Occasion
             of
             this
             Invitation
             we
             gave
             the
             Most
             Highest
             ?
             Did
             He
             which
             made
             the
             Heavens
             bow
             
             them
             ,
             come
             down
             ,
             and
             unthrone
             himself
             to
             convey
             us
             thither
             ,
             and
             do
             we
             lie
             wallowing
             in
             our
             Sins
             for
             ever
             ?
             How
             Vile
             ,
             Base
             ,
             Vain
             ,
             and
             Senseless
             a
             Creature
             is
             that
             Person
             ,
             that
             winds
             up
             his
             Felicity
             in
             the
             fruitless
             Enjoyments
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             and
             eagerly
             resigns
             himself
             to
             sordid
             Sense
             !
             But
             tell
             me
             ,
             O
             Thou
             that
             reignest
             in
             Plenty
             ,
             and
             obscurest
             Heaven
             in
             Oblivion
             ,
             should
             the
             two
             bright
             Luminaries
             be
             invested
             in
             their
             Purple
             Robes
             ,
             and
             transforming
             their
             Lustres
             ,
             like
             bleeding
             Meteors
             ,
             change
             their
             Rays
             into
             Crimson
             Streams
             ;
             were
             the
             Air
             now
             crouded
             with
             Sounds
             of
             the
             last
             Trumpets
             ,
             ecchoing
             audibly
             in
             our
             Ears
             an
             approaching
             Judgment
             ;
             How
             prodigious
             would
             that
             Mutation
             appear
             !
             What
             vast
             and
             horrid
             Consternations
             would
             the
             remembrance
             of
             thy
             Profane
             and
             Atheistical
             Plenitude
             then
             strike
             and
             amaze
             thee
             with
             !
          
           
             IV.
             INDEED
             ,
             these
             Mundane
             Enjoyments
             are
             so
             trivially
             poor
             &
             empty
             ,
             that
             he
             which
             fixes
             his
             Hopes
             in
             their
             Fruition
             ,
             will
             speedily
             find
             himself
             but
             an
             eternal
             Mendicant
             ,
             a
             wretched
             ,
             miserable
             ,
             and
             deplorable
             Dives
             .
             And
             
             yet
             such
             is
             the
             apparent
             Sanctity
             of
             the
             whole
             Universe
             ,
             to
             scoff
             at
             Religious
             Poverty
             ,
             and
             deride
             the
             Exigencies
             of
             a
             Devout
             Life
             ,
             as
             an
             Adversary
             to
             Nature
             :
             He
             is
             ignorant
             of
             the
             Joys
             of
             a
             Future
             State
             ,
             and
             of
             an
             Expected
             Eternity
             ,
             that
             thinks
             there
             's
             no
             Felicity
             beyond
             this
             Hands
             Breadth
             ,
             no
             Happiness
             beyond
             this
             slender
             Span.
             
          
           
             V.
             WERE
             we
             but
             sensible
             of
             the
             glorious
             Reward
             which
             shall
             Crown
             the
             World
             ,
             for
             that
             which
             she
             terms
             Misery
             ,
             that
             Felicity
             that
             attends
             on
             the
             most
             suffering
             and
             dejected
             Devotion
             ,
             we
             should
             glory
             in
             our
             Wants
             ,
             be
             affected
             with
             Hardship
             ,
             and
             inure
             our selves
             to
             Poverty
             with
             Delight
             ;
             we
             should
             be
             willing
             ,
             not
             only
             to
             depart
             ,
             but
             to
             live
             Martyrs
             ;
             rejoyce
             even
             in
             the
             lowest
             State
             ,
             to
             purchase
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             chearfully
             learn
             that
             Art
             ,
             with
             the
             holy
             Apostle
             ,
             to
             suffer
             Want
             here
             ,
             and
             to
             labour
             how
             to
             abound
             in
             that
             Plenitude
             which
             is
             infinite
             .
          
           
             VI.
             
               AND
               yet
               how
               hard
               a
               Task
               is
               it
               for
               us
               to
               endure
               even
               the
               pettiest
               Affliction
               ,
               for
               Thy
               sake
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ?
               So
               senseless
               are
               we
               of
               Thine
               abundant
               Goodness
               ,
               so
               wilfully
               forgetful
               of
               
               Thy
               Omnipotency
               ,
               that
               we
               not
               only
               ,
               in
               our
               greatest
               Necessities
               ,
               arraign
               and
               condemn
               thy
               vigilant
               Providence
               ,
               but
               are
               ready
               even
               to
               turn
               Pagans
               in
               our
               unhappy
               Misfortunes
               .
               Open
               Thou
               our
               Eyes
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               behold
               the
               Vanity
               of
               this
               transitory
               World
               ,
               and
               the
               Deceitfulness
               of
               our
               own
               Hearts
               ;
               that
               the
               alluring
               Pleasures
               of
               it
               may
               neither
               swallow
               us
               up
               ,
               nor
               the
               Losses
               of
               it
               overthrow
               our
               Hope
               ,
               or
               discourage
               our
               Obedience
               .
               Let
               that
               illuminated
               Glory
               which
               Thou
               hast
               freely
               promised
               to
               those
               that
               vanquish
               the
               World
               for
               Thy
               sake
               ,
               be
               ever
               in
               our
               sight
               ;
               that
               in
               whatsoever
               State
               we
               are
               in
               ,
               we
               may
               still
               be
               found
               triumphing
               in
               Faith
               ,
               and
               at
               last
               receive
               ,
               as
               a
               Recompence
               of
               Reward
               ,
               a
               Crown
               of
               Righteousness
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XVI
             .
             Of
             Divine
             Faith.
             
          
           
             
               Heb.
               xi
               .
               i.
               
            
             
               Now
               faith
               is
               the
               substance
               of
               things
               hoped
               for
               ,
               the
               evidence
               of
               things
               not
               seen
               .
            
          
           
             LET
             us
             now
             consider
             the
             Efficacy
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             offer
             up
             an
             Oblation
             of
             Praise
             and
             Thanksgiving
             unto
             him
             who
             is
             the
             only
             Giver
             of
             it
             .
             It
             is
             that
             alone
             which
             ingrafts
             us
             into
             the
             Body
             of
             Christ
             ;
             and
             as
             Branches
             extract
             their
             Sap
             from
             the
             Vine
             ,
             so
             from
             him
             proceeds
             Life
             ,
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             Salvation
             .
             Adam
             ,
             in
             his
             pristine
             State
             ,
             fell
             ,
             and
             lost
             his
             Divine
             Image
             ,
             by
             his
             Incredulity
             ;
             but
             we
             are
             restor'd
             again
             by
             Grace
             ;
             and
             the
             Image
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             by
             Faith
             ,
             is
             renewed
             in
             us
             .
             By
             this
             Faith
             ,
             Christ
             dwells
             in
             our
             Hearts
             ;
             and
             where
             He
             inhabits
             ,
             there
             His
             Grace
             resides
             ,
             and
             an
             Assurance
             of
             an
             Inheritance
             of
             Eternal
             Life
             .
          
           
             II.
             AND
             as
             the
             Effects
             of
             Faith
             are
             Wonderful
             in
             their
             Operation
             ,
             so
             they
             are
             Exemplary
             in
             their
             Demonstrations
             :
             
             For
             ,
             
               By
               Faith
               ,
               Abel
               offered
               unto
               God
               a
               greater
               sacrifice
               than
               Cain
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             4.
             
             So
             ,
             by
             Faith
             ,
             we
             are
             enabled
             to
             offer
             Omnipotency
             
               spiritual
               Sacrifices
            
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             
               the
               Fruit
               of
               our
               Lips
            
             ,
             Heb.
             13.
             15.
             
             And
             ,
             
               by
               Faith
               ,
               Enoch
               was
               translated
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             5.
             
             So
             that
             Vertue
             withdraws
             us
             from
             the
             Society
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             invites
             us
             to
             
               place
               our
               Conversation
               in
               Heaven
            
             ,
             Phil.
             3.
             20.
             
             
               By
               Faith
               ,
               Noah
               prepared
               an
               Ark
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             7.
             
             So
             we
             ,
             by
             that
             Theological
             Virtue
             ,
             are
             received
             into
             that
             Church
             wherein
             our
             Souls
             are
             preserved
             ,
             amidst
             all
             the
             Storms
             and
             Tempests
             which
             happen
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
           
             III.
             
               BY
               Faith
               ,
               Abraham
               left
               an
               idolatrous
               Land
               ,
               and
               went
               into
               a
               strange
               Countrey
               ,
               in
               Expectation
               of
               the
               Promised
               Land
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             So
             by
             the
             Energy
             of
             that
             Vertue
             ,
             we
             depart
             this
             World
             ,
             forsaking
             all
             that
             is
             near
             and
             dear
             to
             us
             ,
             expecting
             to
             arrive
             at
             that
             Celestial
             Ierusalem
             which
             God
             
               hath
               prepared
               in
               the
               Heavens
            
             ,
             Rev.
             21.
             2.
             
             We
             are
             Strangers
             and
             Pilgrims
             on
             this
             side
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             travel
             ,
             by
             Faith
             ,
             unto
             a
             heavenly
             Countrey
             .
             
               By
               Faith
               ,
               Moses
               chose
               rather
               to
               suffer
               Affliction
               
               with
               the
               People
               of
               God
               ,
               than
               to
               enjoy
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               Sin
               for
               a
               season
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             25.
             
             So
             Faith
             animates
             us
             to
             contemn
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             to
             despise
             the
             Glory
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             Riches
             and
             Pleasures
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             excites
             our
             Minds
             to
             Eternal
             Felicities
             .
          
           
             VI.
             
               BY
               Faith
               ,
               Israel
               kept
               the
               Passover
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             28.
             
             So
             we
             ,
             by
             the
             Eye
             of
             Faith
             ,
             celebrate
             the
             Lord's
             Supper
             ;
             where
             Christ
             is
             the
             Paschal
             Lamb
             ,
             whose
             
               Flesh
               is
               meat
               indeed
               ,
               and
               whose
               Blood
               is
               drink
               indeed
               ,
            
             Joh.
             6.
             55.
             
             
               By
               Faith
               ,
               Rahab
               was
               saved
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             31.
             
             So
             ,
             in
             the
             universal
             Conflagration
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             saved
             from
             Destruction
             .
             
               By
               Faith
            
             ,
             the
             Fathers
             
               overcame
               Kingdoms
               ,
               stopt
               the
               Mouths
               of
               Lions
               ,
               and
               quenched
               the
               force
               of
               fire
               ,
            
             Heb.
             11.
             33.
             
             So
             we
             ,
             by
             Faith
             ,
             destroy
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             the
             Prince
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             escape
             the
             Treacheries
             and
             Rage
             of
             the
             infernal
             Lion
             ,
             and
             are
             deliver'd
             from
             Hell's
             implacable
             Malice
             ,
             and
             everlasting
             Burnings
             .
          
           
             V.
             NOW
             ,
             Faith
             is
             not
             a
             naked
             Opinion
             ,
             and
             slender
             Profession
             ;
             but
             a
             true
             and
             lively
             Apprehension
             of
             Christ
             propounded
             to
             us
             in
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             
             a
             full
             Assurance
             of
             his
             Grace
             residing
             in
             us
             ,
             the
             Tranquillity
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             which
             relies
             only
             upon
             Christ's
             Merits
             .
             This
             Faith
             is
             fructified
             of
             the
             Seed
             of
             the
             Sacred
             Word
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             and
             this
             Vertue
             is
             united
             .
             Now
             ,
             Faith
             resembles
             a
             spiritual
             Illumination
             ;
             for
             our
             Hearts
             are
             illustrated
             by
             its
             Splendor
             ,
             and
             the
             Rays
             of
             a
             Life
             of
             Sanctity
             shines
             forth
             :
             Evil
             Actions
             are
             the
             Works
             of
             Darkness
             ;
             and
             ,
             
               What
               communion
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             )
             
               is
               there
               between
               light
               and
               darkness
               ?
            
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             14.
             
             Deeds
             of
             Darkness
             are
             the
             Seeds
             of
             Satan
             ,
             but
             a
             lively
             Faith
             proceeds
             from
             Christ
             ;
             and
             ,
             
               What
               communion
               is
               there
               between
               Christ
               and
               Satan
               ?
            
             2
             Cor.
             6.
             5.
             
          
           
             VI.
             LASTLY
             ,
             By
             Faith
             ,
             our
             Hearts
             are
             purified
             ;
             but
             no
             Internal
             Purity
             can
             center
             where
             the
             Words
             and
             External
             Actions
             are
             defiled
             .
             St.
             Iohn
             tells
             ye
             ,
             That
             
               Faith
               is
               the
               victory
               which
               overcometh
               the
               world
               ,
            
             1
             Joh.
             5.
             4.
             
             Now
             ,
             there
             cannot
             be
             a
             true
             Faith
             fixed
             ,
             where
             the
             Flesh
             vanquisheth
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             leadeth
             it
             away
             Captive
             into
             the
             Law
             of
             Sin.
             No
             impenitent
             Sinner
             ,
             that
             persevereth
             in
             his
             Sins
             ,
             can
             be
             Partaker
             of
             Life
             Eternal
             ;
             neither
             
             can
             he
             ,
             without
             true
             Repentance
             ,
             claim
             any
             Privilege
             or
             Share
             in
             the
             Merits
             of
             Christ
             Jesus
             .
             
               Kindle
               in
               us
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               the
               Light
               of
               True
               Faith
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               Vertue
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               Thy
               alone
               Merits
               ,
               we
               may
               obtain
               Eternal
               Salvation
               ,
               and
               reign
               with
               Thee
               for
               evermore
               ,
               in
               Thy
               Kingdom
               of
               Glory
               ,
               World
               without
               end
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XVII
             .
             The
             Canaanitish
             Woman's
             Faith.
             
          
           
             
               Mat.
               xV.
               28.
               
            
             
               And
               Iesus
               answered
               and
               said
               unto
               her
               ,
               O
               woman
               ,
               great
               is
               thy
               faith
               :
               be
               it
               unto
               thee
               even
               as
               thou
               wilt
               .
            
          
           
             BEHOLD
             this
             Canaanitish
             Woman
             ,
             how
             fortunate
             and
             happy
             she
             was
             ,
             to
             be
             found
             worthy
             of
             so
             great
             an
             Expression
             !
             Her
             Female
             Weapon
             compensated
             for
             the
             Guilt
             of
             its
             past
             Follies
             ;
             having
             now
             ,
             by
             its
             seasonable
             Answers
             ,
             merited
             so
             Divine
             an
             Eulogy
             .
             Poor
             Female
             !
             how
             enrich'd
             
             was
             she
             ,
             in
             whose
             Bosom
             was
             concealed
             a
             Treasure
             ,
             which
             Emperors
             ,
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             ,
             compared
             to
             her
             ,
             are
             Indigent
             :
             All
             the
             
               Holy
               Land
            
             ,
             with
             its
             precious
             Balm
             ,
             and
             odoriferous
             Spices
             ,
             could
             not
             furnish
             her
             with
             a
             sufficient
             Antidote
             to
             revive
             her
             Darling
             ,
             and
             charm
             away
             the
             Infernal
             Spirit
             from
             tormenting
             her
             .
             Behold
             these
             Miracles
             of
             Faith
             ,
             that
             at
             once
             could
             save
             two
             Souls
             ,
             the
             Mother's
             ,
             and
             her
             Daughter's
             !
          
           
             II.
             SO
             miraculous
             and
             potent
             is
             solid
             Faith
             ,
             that
             even
             the
             least
             grain
             of
             it
             can
             remove
             lofty
             Mountains
             ,
             level
             steep
             Hills
             ,
             and
             smooth
             the
             most
             aspert
             and
             ambitious
             Soul
             ,
             into
             a
             meek
             and
             fructifying
             Valley
             .
             'T
             was
             this
             that
             calmed
             the
             Surface
             of
             the
             foaming
             Ocean
             ,
             that
             made
             the
             boisterous
             Waves
             an
             easie
             Path
             ,
             and
             turn'd
             their
             furious
             Rage
             into
             a
             pleasant
             Walk
             for
             St.
             
             Peter's
             Feet
             .
             'T
             was
             the
             Centurion's
             Faith
             ,
             that
             gave
             his
             Servant
             a
             Respite
             from
             the
             Hands
             of
             Death
             ,
             which
             all
             his
             Guards
             could
             never
             have
             prevented
             :
             'T
             was
             by
             Faith
             ,
             that
             the
             Blind
             Man
             was
             restored
             to
             his
             Sight
             ;
             which
             was
             beyond
             the
             Skill
             of
             Art
             and
             Nature
             to
             perform
             .
          
           
           
             III.
             ALL
             the
             Admirations
             of
             the
             Gospel
             were
             always
             concluded
             with
             ,
             
               Thy
               Faith
               hath
               saved
               thee
            
             :
             And
             yet
             that
             Faith
             which
             then
             operated
             so
             many
             Miracles
             ,
             is
             now
             grown
             the
             greatest
             Miracle
             it self
             .
             Whil'st
             some
             take
             the
             Symbol
             for
             the
             Thing
             ,
             they
             fix
             the
             Magnitude
             of
             their
             Faith
             on
             the
             Greatness
             of
             their
             Works
             ;
             and
             have
             so
             candid
             an
             Opinion
             of
             themselves
             ,
             that
             they
             imagine
             it
             Faith
             enough
             ,
             only
             to
             do
             well
             :
             Others
             expect
             to
             be
             Canoniz'd
             for
             their
             Doctrines
             ,
             though
             not
             for
             their
             irregular
             Lives
             ,
             they
             scoff
             at
             all
             Religious
             Duties
             ,
             and
             imagine
             to
             tread
             the
             Path
             to
             Heaven
             only
             by
             their
             Faith.
             
          
           
             IV.
             OBEDIENCE
             ,
             hearty
             Contrition
             for
             Sin
             ,
             that
             amiable
             Robe
             of
             a
             perplexed
             Soul
             ,
             and
             the
             Royal
             Ornaments
             of
             our
             Spiritual
             Warfare
             ,
             are
             but
             vacant
             Ceremonies
             ,
             and
             both
             these
             Parties
             Belief
             are
             of
             their
             own
             forming
             .
             But
             Heaven
             is
             not
             purchas'd
             only
             by
             Speculation
             :
             He
             that
             fixeth
             his
             Faith
             in
             his
             empty
             Skull
             ,
             and
             imagines
             Religion
             hath
             not
             its
             Attendant
             ,
             may
             ,
             like
             Moses
             ,
             view
             and
             discourse
             of
             the
             
               Promised
               Land
            
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             but
             never
             
             approach
             to
             it
             .
             Our
             Obedience
             must
             cry
             out
             louder
             than
             our
             Pretensions
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             our
             Noise
             and
             Nonsence
             ,
             that
             will
             create
             us
             Saints
             ;
             't
             is
             not
             our
             external
             Shew
             of
             Profession
             only
             ,
             but
             our
             daily
             Practises
             too
             ,
             that
             must
             proclaim
             us
             Heralds
             of
             this
             Faith.
             
          
           
             V.
             ALTHOUGH
             our
             Merits
             can
             never
             reach
             Heaven
             ,
             yet
             our
             pious
             Endeavours
             may
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             sincere
             ;
             because
             there
             is
             a
             Mercy
             hangs
             over
             our
             Heads
             ,
             that
             will
             pardon
             our
             Deficiency
             .
             All
             the
             Blossoms
             and
             Buds
             of
             our
             Piety
             spring
             forth
             from
             this
             Stem
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             either
             believes
             or
             loves
             his
             Saviour
             that
             died
             for
             him
             ,
             cannot
             imagine
             he
             is
             too
             much
             industrious
             to
             live
             well
             .
             This
             was
             the
             Female
             Sex's
             Faith
             here
             ;
             and
             she
             had
             scarce
             effus'd
             it
             out
             with
             floods
             of
             Tears
             ,
             when
             the
             Infernal
             Fiend
             ,
             in
             a
             Consternation
             ,
             forsakes
             his
             hold
             ,
             unable
             to
             endure
             the
             Eccho
             of
             that
             Sound
             which
             was
             repeated
             by
             the
             diviner
             Accent
             of
             our
             Redeemer's
             Lips
             ;
             and
             this
             Faith
             must
             be
             a
             Preservative
             against
             Sin
             ;
             and
             by
             its
             diviner
             Charms
             ,
             chase
             Satan
             to
             his
             Chains
             of
             Darkness
             .
             'T
             is
             this
             ,
             that
             prepares
             Heaven
             for
             us
             ;
             that
             makes
             us
             survive
             
             our
             Monuments
             ,
             become
             Immortal
             in
             our
             Graves
             ,
             and
             promises
             Eternity
             to
             our
             Dust
             and
             Ashes
             :
             'T
             is
             this
             that
             consummates
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             will
             safely
             arrive
             us
             ,
             where
             the
             Blessed
             Jesus
             shall
             receive
             us
             into
             His
             Glory
             .
          
           
             VI.
             
               O
               MOST
               Divine
               Omnipotence
               ,
               Thou
               sentest
               Thy
               Son
               Christ
               Jesus
               to
               die
               for
               us
               ,
               that
               by
               Believing
               in
               Him
               ,
               we
               might
               attain
               to
               Everlasting
               Life
               .
               He
               ,
               under
               whom
               Thou
               hast
               put
               all
               things
               in
               Subjection
               ,
               was
               pleas'd
               to
               condescend
               to
               level
               Himself
               with
               them
               ;
               and
               dethron'd
               Himself
               ,
               to
               undergo
               a
               Crucifixion
               for
               our
               Souls
               ,
               that
               we
               might
               receive
               the
               Benefits
               of
               His
               Death
               and
               Passion
               ,
               and
               be
               Partakers
               of
               His
               Glory
               .
               Oh
               ,
               let
               not
               those
               Miseries
               of
               our
               depraved
               Nature
               ,
               which
               petitioned
               Thy
               Mercy
               and
               Compassion
               ,
               make
               us
               uncapable
               of
               it
               :
               Let
               not
               those
               that
               plead
               Ignorance
               of
               Thee
               ,
               but
               by
               Thy
               Miracles
               ,
               be
               more
               ardous
               in
               acknowledging
               Thine
               abundant
               Goodness
               ,
               than
               we
               who
               by
               the
               Manifestation
               of
               Thy
               Love
               claim
               an
               Interest
               in
               Thy
               precious
               Blood.
               
            
          
           
           
             VII
             .
             
               BUT
               grant
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               live
               in
               a
               perpetual
               Thanksgiving
               to
               Thy
               Merits
               ,
               who
               camest
               down
               from
               the
               Bosom
               of
               Thy
               Father
               ,
               to
               purchase
               and
               save
               our
               Immortal
               Souls
               :
               To
               this
               end
               ;
               do
               Thou
               inspire
               into
               us
               that
               Faith
               ,
               without
               which
               it
               is
               impossible
               we
               should
               please
               Thee
               ,
               and
               with
               which
               Thou
               annexes
               all
               other
               Graces
               .
               Teach
               us
               so
               to
               rely
               on
               Thy
               Mercies
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               not
               neglect
               the
               Means
               ,
               or
               imagine
               that
               a
               dead
               Faith
               will
               conduct
               us
               to
               that
               Life
               which
               Thou
               hast
               promised
               to
               none
               but
               them
               as
               work
               out
               their
               Salvation
               with
               Fear
               and
               Trembling
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XVII
             .
             Of
             Love
             and
             Charity
             .
          
           
             
               2
               Pet.
               i.
               7.
               
            
             
               And
               to
               brotherly-kindness
               ,
               charity
               .
            
          
           
             TRUE
             and
             Sincere
             Love
             is
             an
             inseparable
             Property
             of
             a
             Pious
             Person
             .
             No
             Christian
             can
             subsist
             without
             
             Faith
             ;
             and
             where
             that
             Vertue
             is
             ,
             Charity
             is
             not
             wanting
             .
             Where
             the
             Lustre
             of
             Charity
             is
             extinguish'd
             ,
             the
             Heat
             of
             Faith
             must
             consequently
             be
             quenched
             .
             Thou
             may'st
             as
             well
             rob
             the
             bright
             Luminary
             ,
             the
             Sun
             ,
             of
             his
             Light
             ,
             as
             deprive
             Faith
             of
             the
             Gift
             of
             Charity
             .
             Charity
             is
             the
             External
             Act
             of
             the
             Internal
             Life
             of
             a
             Christian.
             
               The
               Body
               is
               dead
               without
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               and
               Faith
               is
               dead
               without
               Charity
               ,
            
             Jam.
             2.
             26.
             
             He
             is
             not
             a
             Member
             of
             Christ
             ,
             that
             is
             not
             inspired
             with
             his
             Spirit
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             not
             endued
             with
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             is
             destitute
             of
             the
             Gift
             of
             Charity
             .
          
           
             II.
             THIS
             Theological
             Vertue
             ,
             is
             
               the
               fruit
               of
               the
               Spirit
            
             ,
             Gal.
             5.
             22.
             
             And
             by
             the
             Goodness
             of
             the
             Fruit
             ,
             the
             Tree
             is
             demonstrated
             .
             
               Charity
               is
               the
               bond
               of
               Christian
               perfection
               ,
            
             (
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             Col.
             3.
             14.
             )
             As
             the
             Bodily
             Members
             are
             united
             together
             by
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             so
             the
             true
             Members
             of
             the
             Mystical
             Body
             are
             united
             by
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             in
             the
             Bond
             of
             Charity
             .
             
             Solomon's
             Temple
             was
             all
             covered
             
               with
               Gold
               ,
               within
               and
               without
               ,
            
             1
             King.
             6.
             21.
             
             So
             our
             Bodies
             and
             Souls
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             Almighty's
             Spiritual
             Temples
             ,
             ought
             in
             like
             manner
             ,
             
             both
             within
             and
             without
             ,
             to
             be
             beautified
             with
             Love
             and
             Charity
             .
             Let
             this
             regent
             Vertue
             exercise
             its
             Efficacy
             in
             moving
             thy
             Heart
             to
             Compassion
             ,
             and
             thy
             Hand
             to
             Contribution
             :
             For
             one
             ,
             without
             the
             other
             ,
             is
             not
             effectual
             .
          
           
             III.
             FAITH
             receiveth
             all
             from
             God
             ▪
             the
             Fountain
             of
             all
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             from
             that
             Stream
             ,
             Charity
             ,
             as
             a
             Channel
             ,
             conveys
             it
             to
             her
             Neighbours
             .
             By
             Faith
             ,
             we
             are
             made
             Partakers
             of
             the
             Divine
             Nature
             ,
             who
             is
             Love
             ,
             1
             Joh.
             4.
             8.
             
             Therefore
             ,
             where
             Charity
             manifesteth
             not
             Externally
             ,
             Faith
             Internally
             doth
             not
             inhabit
             .
             No
             Man
             believes
             in
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             which
             doth
             not
             express
             Affections
             of
             Love
             to
             Him
             ;
             and
             none
             can
             fulsil
             that
             New
             Commandment
             ,
             except
             he
             loves
             his
             Neighbour
             .
             None
             can
             really
             apprehend
             the
             Benefits
             of
             Christ
             ,
             with
             a
             Heart
             unfeigned
             ,
             which
             has
             not
             Bowels
             of
             Compassion
             to
             the
             distressed
             .
          
           
             IV.
             CHARITY
             is
             the
             Seminary
             of
             all
             Vertues
             ;
             and
             nothing
             can
             be
             of
             good
             growth
             ,
             which
             proceeds
             not
             from
             that
             Root
             .
             And
             this
             Vertue
             truly
             delineated
             ,
             is
             the
             Soul
             's
             Spiritual
             Relish
             ;
             for
             unto
             it
             alone
             are
             all
             things
             dulcified
             ,
             
             all
             Adversity
             ,
             Pain
             ,
             Anguish
             ,
             Trouble
             ,
             nay
             ,
             even
             Death
             it self
             :
             And
             And
             the
             Wise
             Man
             confirms
             this
             ,
             That
             
               Love
               is
               as
               strong
               as
               Death
               ,
            
             Cant.
             8.
             6.
             
             And
             indeed
             ,
             I
             think
             I
             may
             invert
             the
             Wise
             Man's
             Text
             ,
             and
             with
             Assurance
             proclaim
             ,
             That
             
               Love
               is
               stronger
               than
               Death
            
             :
             For
             Love
             brought
             down
             a
             Saviour
             to
             die
             for
             us
             Sinners
             ,
             that
             the
             Sting
             of
             Death
             might
             be
             removed
             from
             us
             :
             He
             ,
             when
             he
             had
             
               overcome
               the
               sharpness
               of
               death
               ,
               did
               open
               the
               kingdom
               of
               heaven
               to
               all
               believers
               .
            
             Oh
             ,
             let
             us
             then
             embrace
             this
             Love
             ,
             and
             die
             unto
             Sin
             daily
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             live
             unto
             Righteousness
             .
          
           
             V.
             ALL
             the
             Works
             of
             the
             Most
             High
             proceeds
             from
             this
             lovely
             Attribute
             ,
             even
             Punishments
             ,
             Denunciations
             ,
             and
             Judgments
             :
             The
             Two
             great
             Luminaries
             ,
             and
             the
             Constellations
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             illuminate
             not
             themselves
             ,
             but
             us
             wretched
             Creatures
             .
             Fire
             ,
             Air
             ,
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Water
             ,
             were
             created
             for
             our
             Necessity
             :
             The
             Beasts
             ,
             Herbs
             ,
             Plants
             ,
             Trees
             ,
             Birds
             ,
             Fish
             ,
             and
             Fowls
             ,
             were
             all
             for
             our
             Use.
             And
             as
             God
             has
             been
             so
             gracious
             to
             give
             thee
             Plenty
             of
             these
             Blessings
             ,
             so
             do
             
             thou
             distribute
             to
             thy
             Neighbours
             according
             to
             their
             Necessities
             .
             And
             this
             must
             be
             done
             freely
             ,
             with
             true
             Amity
             ,
             Affection
             and
             Compassion
             ,
             else
             all
             our
             Charity
             is
             nothing
             worth
             ,
             but
             will
             prove
             like
             
               sounding
               Brass
               ,
               or
               a
               tinkling
               Symbal
               .
            
          
           
             VI.
             CHARITY
             is
             patient
             ,
             1
             Cor.
             13.
             4.
             
             For
             no
             Man
             is
             easily
             enraged
             with
             those
             whom
             he
             truly
             affects
             .
             Charity
             likewise
             is
             bountiful
             :
             And
             he
             who
             has
             been
             so
             liberal
             ,
             as
             to
             resign
             his
             Heart
             to
             his
             Friend
             ,
             will
             ,
             without
             all
             question
             ,
             not
             with-hold
             from
             him
             any
             temporal
             Enjoyments
             for
             the
             Relief
             of
             his
             Necessity
             .
             Charity
             envieth
             not
             ;
             it
             thinketh
             no
             Evil
             ,
             is
             not
             puffed
             up
             ,
             and
             behaveth
             not
             it self
             undecently
             :
             Next
             ,
             she
             seeketh
             not
             those
             things
             which
             are
             her
             own
             ,
             neither
             is
             she
             provoked
             to
             Anger
             ;
             she
             imagineth
             no
             Mischief
             ,
             nor
             rejoyceth
             not
             in
             iniquity
             ;
             but
             she
             beareth
             all
             things
             ,
             believeth
             ,
             hopeth
             ,
             and
             endureth
             all
             things
             :
             she
             refuseth
             not
             to
             do
             unto
             others
             ,
             as
             she
             desires
             them
             to
             perform
             unto
             her
             .
             Tongues
             and
             Prophecies
             shall
             cease
             ,
             and
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             but
             Charity
             shall
             never
             be
             extinguished
             .
          
           
           
             VII
             .
             LET
             us
             then
             study
             this
             Lesson
             of
             Love
             and
             Charity
             ;
             and
             howsoever
             thy
             Friend
             or
             Neighbour
             be
             qualified
             towards
             thee
             ,
             yet
             remember
             Christ
             vouchsafed
             to
             lay
             down
             his
             Life
             for
             him
             :
             Therefore
             ,
             refuse
             not
             to
             relieve
             that
             Soul
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             so
             dearly
             purchas'd
             .
             Let
             us
             not
             ,
             while
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             live
             in
             Discord
             ;
             but
             observe
             the
             Psalmist's
             extolling
             of
             Tranquillity
             ,
             
               Behold
               how
               good
               and
               how
               pleasant
               a
               thing
               it
               is
               ,
               for
               brethren
               to
               dwell
               together
               in
               unity
               ,
            
             Psal.
             133.
             1.
             
             We
             are
             all
             the
             Servants
             of
             One
             Lord
             ,
             all
             Members
             of
             One
             Body
             :
             we
             have
             all
             One
             Father
             that
             Created
             us
             ,
             One
             Saviour
             that
             Redeemed
             us
             ,
             and
             One
             Holy
             Ghost
             that
             Inspires
             us
             .
             Should
             thy
             Neighbour
             prove
             thine
             Enemy
             ,
             yet
             love
             him
             ;
             for
             in
             so
             doing
             ,
             thou
             obeyest
             the
             Will
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             the
             Almighty
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             TAKE
             no
             cognizance
             of
             what
             Trespasses
             Man
             commits
             agrinst
             thee
             ,
             but
             consider
             what
             thou
             standest
             guilty
             of
             against
             Omnipotency
             :
             Observe
             not
             what
             Injuries
             are
             offer'd
             to
             thee
             ,
             by
             thy
             Enemies
             ;
             but
             remember
             the
             Benefits
             conferr'd
             on
             thee
             ,
             by
             thy
             Redeemer
             ,
             who
             commanded
             thee
             to
             love
             thine
             
             Enemies
             .
             We
             are
             Neighbours
             ,
             by
             the
             State
             of
             our
             Earthly
             Nativity
             ;
             and
             Brothers
             ,
             by
             the
             Hope
             of
             our
             Celestial
             Inheritance
             .
             Let
             us
             therefore
             fervently
             love
             one
             another
             :
             
               And
               do
               Thou
               inflame
               in
               us
               ,
               O
               God
               ,
               the
               Fire
               of
               Love
               and
               Charity
               ,
               by
               the
               Inspiration
               of
               Thy
               Blessed
               Spirit
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XIX
             .
             An
             Act
             of
             Divine
             Lov.
             
          
           
             
               Luk.
               ix
               .
               57.
               
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               follow
               thee
               whither
               soever
               thou
               goest
               .
            
          
           
             HE
             was
             not
             ignorant
             ,
             but
             knew
             it
             was
             the
             happiest
             Resolve
             he
             ever
             entertain'd
             :
             Nor
             can
             any
             check
             him
             for
             his
             Confidence
             ,
             when
             it
             was
             his
             Glory
             to
             have
             been
             so
             presumptuous
             :
             he
             might
             have
             travell'd
             longer
             ,
             and
             far
             remoter
             ,
             and
             not
             have
             happen'd
             with
             such
             Celestial
             Company
             .
             Now
             the
             Query
             is
             ,
             Whether
             his
             Boldness
             ,
             or
             his
             Love
             to
             Christ
             ,
             prompted
             him
             to
             this
             Heroick
             Action
             ?
             Behold
             ,
             with
             how
             devout
             an
             Importunity
             he
             salutes
             
             Him
             whom
             perhaps
             he
             had
             never
             known
             ,
             seen
             ,
             or
             heard
             of
             before
             ,
             except
             by
             his
             Miracles
             only
             !
             And
             that
             Purity
             of
             Life
             which
             so
             amaz'd
             the
             Eyes
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             attract
             his
             Eyes
             ,
             and
             inure
             his
             Heart
             too
             :
             And
             therefore
             thinking
             it
             no
             great
             Presumption
             to
             use
             all
             Arts
             of
             improving
             himself
             ,
             nor
             willing
             to
             let
             slip
             so
             fair
             an
             Opportunity
             of
             being
             Happy
             ;
             ambitious
             of
             an
             Admission
             into
             his
             Service
             ,
             he
             breaks
             out
             into
             Raptures
             ,
             without
             any
             other
             Oratory
             than
             a●
             humble
             Earnestness
             ,
             resolutely
             gives
             Him
             this
             Salutation
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               follow
               thee
               whither
               soever
               thou
               goest
               .
            
          
           
             II.
             NOR
             could
             our
             Saviour's
             Indigency
             ,
             obstruct
             or
             deliberate
             his
             Resolution
             ,
             or
             dishearten
             his
             Purpose
             ;
             being
             not
             only
             satisfied
             ,
             but
             ambitious
             to
             partake
             of
             the
             Afflictions
             of
             so
             good
             a
             Master
             ,
             in
             whose
             very
             Necessities
             he
             should
             find
             a
             Felicity
             beyond
             all
             Temporal
             Enjoyments
             .
             And
             is
             not
             this
             Person
             a
             fit
             Example
             for
             the
             whole
             World
             to
             imitate
             ?
             He
             that
             will
             not
             run
             after
             Jesus
             affectionately
             ,
             yet
             let
             him
             not
             be
             so
             scandalous
             ,
             as
             to
             permit
             a
             Iew
             or
             Publican
             to
             circumvent
             him
             
             in
             the
             Journey
             .
             Are
             the
             Felicities
             of
             Eternal
             Bliss
             of
             so
             small
             a
             Value
             ,
             that
             they
             are
             not
             worth
             approaching
             too
             ?
             Or
             shall
             we
             imagine
             every
             step
             too
             tiresom
             ,
             that
             conveys
             us
             to
             Everlasting
             Glory
             ?
          
           
             III.
             Were
             the
             Path
             to
             the
             New
             Ierusalem
             but
             spread
             with
             fragrant
             Roses
             ,
             or
             millions
             of
             odoriferous
             Scents
             and
             Pleasures
             to
             prevent
             Carnality
             ,
             the
             bruitish
             Sensualist
             would
             divert
             himself
             constantly
             ,
             and
             strive
             to
             be
             a
             Precursor
             in
             those
             Walks
             .
             The
             Miser
             cannot
             follow
             a
             Crucified
             Saviour
             ,
             for
             his
             extortionated
             Lumber
             ;
             and
             rather
             than
             relinquish
             it
             ,
             will
             make
             no
             Essay
             towards
             it
             .
             The
             riotous
             Epicure
             will
             not
             embrace
             that
             Religion
             that
             exhorts
             him
             to
             Temperance
             ;
             for
             although
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             sometimes
             ,
             Prayer
             may
             be
             agreeable
             to
             him
             ,
             in
             case
             of
             Necessity
             ,
             yet
             Fasting
             is
             a
             Stranger
             to
             his
             Constitution
             .
          
           
             IV.
             THE
             Celestial
             Way
             is
             too
             streight
             for
             proud
             Ambition
             ,
             whose
             lofty
             Edifice
             affects
             not
             to
             be
             squeez'd
             in
             its
             full
             carreer
             ,
             but
             must
             post
             it
             away
             swiftly
             in
             a
             Road
             of
             as
             vast
             an
             extant
             as
             the
             Universe
             ,
             or
             the
             Infernal
             
             Pit
             can
             provide
             him
             ,
             wherein
             his
             Troops
             of
             sinful
             Splendours
             may
             ,
             as
             his
             Concomitants
             ,
             attend
             him
             in
             a
             rank
             .
             So
             difficult
             a
             Task
             it
             is
             to
             abandon
             the
             World
             ,
             even
             for
             Celestial
             Mansions
             ;
             and
             contend
             against
             the
             Adulation
             of
             Sense
             ,
             for
             an
             Inestimable
             Bliss
             ;
             as
             if
             all
             our
             Hopes
             ,
             all
             our
             Felicity
             ,
             were
             wound
             and
             wrap'd
             up
             in
             Transactions
             of
             this
             Life
             only
             ,
             and
             no
             future
             Expectation
             for
             us
             besides
             the
             Delectablenes
             on
             this
             side
             Mortality
             .
          
           
             V.
             AND
             yet
             how
             numerous
             are
             they
             that
             imposterously
             pretend
             to
             follow
             Christ
             !
             but
             must
             plead
             Ignorance
             to
             his
             Divine
             Steps
             ,
             that
             pursue
             Causeys
             not
             of
             his
             proposing
             ,
             but
             of
             their
             own
             shallow
             seeking
             :
             that
             beaten
             Path
             which
             so
             many
             Persons
             of
             Sanctity
             have
             walked
             before
             us
             ,
             is
             too
             Vulgar
             ,
             too
             Atheistical
             for
             them
             to
             trample
             in
             ;
             they
             have
             ,
             by
             their
             indefatigable
             and
             diabolical
             Industry
             ,
             found
             out
             a
             nearer
             Way
             of
             their
             own
             ;
             and
             imagine
             they
             shall
             arrive
             at
             the
             Celestial
             Countrey
             sooner
             ,
             by
             shunning
             of
             that
             Way
             they
             think
             so
             difficult
             :
             So
             inauspicious
             is
             that
             eclipsed
             Zeal
             which
             hotly
             pursues
             an
             
               Ignis
               Fatuus
            
             which
             
             misguides
             'em
             ;
             and
             scorns
             the
             legal
             steps
             to
             the
             Sacred
             Temple
             ,
             but
             shrinks
             it self
             in
             the
             obtuse
             and
             obscure
             Labyrinths
             of
             Enthusiasm
             .
          
           
             VI.
             THE
             Way
             to
             the
             Heavenly
             Canaan
             is
             not
             thorough
             dark
             Corners
             ;
             and
             how
             streight
             soever
             it
             is
             ,
             its
             Passage
             to
             all
             Believers
             is
             kept
             open
             :
             'T
             is
             a
             serene
             Path
             ,
             from
             whence
             may
             be
             viewed
             a
             Prospect
             of
             Eternal
             Happiness
             ;
             nor
             need
             he
             be
             timerous
             of
             losing
             his
             Way
             ,
             that
             doth
             not
             absurdly
             forsake
             it
             .
             The
             poor
             sinful
             Mortal
             here
             mention'd
             ,
             in
             an
             Ecstasie
             hastes
             to
             Jesus
             ;
             and
             joyning
             Humility
             to
             Resolution
             ,
             will
             admit
             of
             no
             Denial
             ;
             but
             in
             a
             Mendicant
             Petionary
             style
             ,
             and
             fortify'd
             with
             Confidence
             ,
             thus
             proclaims
             his
             Mind
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               I
               will
               follow
               thee
               whither
               soever
               thou
               goest
               .
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             AND
             now
             ,
             who
             would
             not
             run
             with
             Alacrity
             ,
             through
             Adversity
             ,
             wild
             Woods
             ,
             Desarts
             ,
             and
             Wildernesses
             ?
             nay
             ,
             even
             wade
             thorough
             Seas
             of
             Blood
             ,
             to
             arrive
             safe
             at
             the
             Port
             of
             the
             Heavenly
             Cannaan
             ?
             He
             that
             strives
             to
             follow
             after
             Jesus
             ,
             shall
             never
             repent
             his
             undertaking
             so
             happy
             a
             Journey
             :
             He
             shall
             acquire
             such
             infinite
             
             Treasures
             in
             religious
             Poverty
             ,
             such
             multiplicities
             of
             Celestial
             Joys
             and
             Satisfaction
             in
             the
             apparent
             Miseries
             of
             a
             Life
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             not
             require
             any
             great
             Perswasions
             to
             excite
             him
             to
             this
             Resolution
             ,
             cheerfully
             to
             forsake
             all
             ,
             and
             follow
             Jesus
             whither
             soever
             he
             goeth
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             
               BUT
               't
               is
               Thou
               alone
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               that
               can'st
               raise
               our
               Souls
               from
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               make
               them
               ambitious
               in
               searching
               after
               Thee
               and
               those
               Things
               which
               are
               Above
               .
               Thou
               art
               ascended
               to
               Thy
               Throne
               of
               Majesty
               ,
               in
               glorious
               Splendour
               ;
               attract
               our
               Souls
               after
               Thee
               in
               Divine
               Raptures
               of
               Amity
               ,
               and
               Spiritual
               Exaltation
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               effectually
               make
               the
               Vertues
               and
               Perfections
               of
               Thy
               Life
               ,
               the
               Golden
               Rule
               of
               ours
               :
               And
               grant
               that
               we
               may
               not
               be
               so
               allured
               with
               transitory
               things
               ,
               as
               to
               be
               void
               of
               Affection
               for
               Thy
               Glory
               ;
               but
               enable
               us
               to
               walk
               with
               Alacrity
               in
               that
               Path
               which
               Thou
               hast
               trod
               ,
               and
               fix'd
               before
               us
               ;
               that
               as
               we
               continally
               live
               by
               Thy
               Goodness
               ,
               we
               may
               live
               to
               Thy
               Glory
               ;
               and
               as
               we
               move
               in
               Thee
               ,
               we
               may
               indefatigably
               
               be
               ever
               moving
               towards
               Thee
               ,
               till
               we
               shall
               enjoy
               the
               Happiness
               of
               an
               Eternal
               Rest
               in
               Thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               ,
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XX.
             Of
             Chastity
             .
          
           
             
               Rom.
               xii
               .
               1.
               
            
             
               I
               beseech
               you
               therefore
               ,
               brethren
               ,
               by
               the
               mercies
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               ye
               present
               your
               bodies
               a
               living
               sacrifice
               ,
               holy
               ,
               acceptable
               unto
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               your
               reasonable
               service
               .
            
          
           
             HE
             that
             would
             be
             entertain'd
             a
             Disciple
             of
             Christ
             ,
             must
             wear
             his
             Livery
             of
             Sanctity
             and
             Chastity
             :
             For
             ,
             God
             is
             a
             Spirit
             of
             that
             infinite
             Purity
             and
             Chastity
             ,
             that
             no
             unclean
             thing
             must
             presume
             to
             approach
             his
             Presence
             .
             It
             was
             the
             Opinion
             and
             Saying
             of
             a
             wise
             Person
             ,
             That
             the
             Chastity
             of
             the
             Body
             ,
             and
             the
             Sanctity
             of
             the
             Soul
             ,
             are
             the
             two
             Keys
             of
             Religion
             and
             Felicity
             ,
             Now
             ,
             if
             the
             Body
             be
             not
             preserved
             pure
             and
             immaculare
             from
             all
             Sordidness
             ,
             the
             Soul
             cannot
             be
             ardent
             
             in
             Supplication
             :
             
               Our
               Bodies
               are
               the
               Temples
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             19.
             
             And
             therefore
             we
             must
             be
             very
             vigilant
             and
             sollicitous
             ,
             that
             we
             defile
             not
             this
             Body
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Habitacle
             of
             so
             great
             a
             Comforter
             .
          
           
             II.
             OUR
             Members
             are
             the
             Members
             of
             Christ
             :
             Let
             us
             not
             then
             make
             'em
             the
             Members
             of
             an
             Harlot
             ;
             but
             let
             us
             cleave
             unto
             the
             Lord
             with
             Fidelity
             and
             Continency
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             one
             Spirit
             with
             him
             ,
             and
             be
             pure
             as
             he
             even
             is
             pure
             .
             The
             swinish
             Sodomites
             were
             smitten
             with
             Spiritual
             and
             Corporal
             Blindness
             ,
             and
             their
             burning
             Lust
             was
             punish'd
             with
             an
             Element
             proper
             to
             their
             crying
             Sins
             ;
             and
             the
             Almighty
             will
             inflict
             the
             same
             Punishment
             on
             all
             obscene
             and
             incontinent
             Persons
             ,
             with
             a
             Fire
             not
             to
             be
             extinguished
             :
             
               For
               the
               smoak
               of
               the
               torments
               ascendeth
               up
               for
               ever
               ,
            
             Rev.
             14.
             11.
             
             Nature
             hath
             taught
             us
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             guilty
             in
             the
             Eye
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             shall
             not
             the
             Checks
             of
             our
             own
             Consciences
             impede
             us
             from
             committing
             Enormities
             iu
             the
             Eye
             of
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             III.
             DENS
             ,
             Caves
             ,
             nor
             Corners
             ,
             can
             exclude
             ns
             from
             the
             Divine
             Omnipotence
             :
             
             All
             Hearts
             are
             open
             to
             his
             Omnisciency
             ,
             all
             Desires
             are
             known
             ,
             and
             from
             him
             no
             Secrets
             can
             be
             concealed
             :
             His
             Omnipresence
             is
             of
             that
             potency
             ,
             that
             the
             Voice
             within
             us
             ,
             upon
             the
             Grand
             Inquest
             ,
             will
             bear
             Testimony
             against
             us
             ;
             and
             our
             own
             Enormities
             being
             empannell'd
             ,
             will
             condemn
             us
             upon
             the
             Verity
             of
             the
             Verdict
             .
             And
             who
             would
             not
             relinquish
             this
             momentary
             sensual
             Pleasure
             ,
             to
             evade
             everlasting
             Burnings
             ?
             If
             the
             Smoke
             of
             that
             concupiscible
             Fire
             ascends
             up
             to
             the
             Nostrils
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             nothing
             can
             purge
             the
             Odiousness
             of
             it
             ,
             but
             infernal
             Flames
             .
          
           
             IV.
             OH
             ,
             let
             then
             the
             Remembrance
             of
             a
             Crucified
             Saviour
             .
             crucifie
             in
             thee
             all
             inordinate
             Affections
             ;
             and
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             a
             tormenting
             Hell
             ,
             quench
             in
             thee
             all
             the
             fiery
             Darts
             of
             the
             Wicked
             :
             Let
             Fountains
             of
             Tears
             ,
             spring
             from
             a
             sincere
             Repentance
             ,
             extinguish
             in
             thee
             this
             conflagrating
             Carnality
             ;
             and
             let
             the
             fear
             and
             dread
             of
             the
             Almighty
             mortifie
             that
             concupiscible
             Enemy
             ,
             that
             the
             Allurements
             of
             it
             may
             not
             delude
             thee
             .
             Consider
             with
             thy self
             the
             ill
             Consequents
             which
             
             are
             its
             Concomitants
             ;
             it
             is
             full
             of
             Anxiety
             and
             Folly
             ,
             Abomination
             and
             Ignominy
             ;
             and
             without
             Repentance
             ,
             must
             partake
             of
             everlasting
             Punishment
             .
          
           
             V.
             LOOK
             not
             on
             the
             fawning
             outside
             of
             this
             Temptation
             ;
             but
             flie
             from
             it
             ,
             as
             you
             would
             from
             a
             Serpent
             .
             Check
             the
             first
             Motions
             of
             it
             ;
             for
             if
             you
             once
             fall
             to
             reason
             aud
             article
             with
             it
             ,
             it
             will
             prove
             like
             the
             Element
             of
             Fire
             ,
             if
             not
             quench'd
             in
             due
             time
             ,
             grow
             too
             great
             to
             be
             conquer'd
             .
             Next
             ,
             flie
             Idleness
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             native
             Soil
             for
             these
             abominable
             Weeds
             to
             grow
             in
             ;
             and
             be
             always
             employ'd
             in
             whatsoever
             lawful
             Vocation
             or
             Business
             God
             hath
             been
             pleas'd
             to
             allot
             thee
             ;
             that
             when
             the
             Tempter
             comes
             ,
             he
             may
             find
             thee
             fortify'd
             against
             Temptations
             .
             'T
             was
             Idleness
             allured
             David
             to
             Adultery
             :
             Had
             he
             been
             busied
             as
             Ioseph
             was
             ,
             he
             had
             withstood
             the
             Temptation
             .
          
           
             VI.
             THINK
             often
             of
             Death's
             Summons
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             cold
             Hand
             will
             one
             day
             chill
             that
             Blood
             which
             was
             so
             apt
             to
             be
             inflam'd
             ;
             and
             then
             tell
             me
             ,
             whether
             Mortification
             is
             not
             more
             
             suitable
             to
             Death-bed
             Thoughts
             ,
             than
             Sordidness
             and
             Obscenity
             .
             Be
             frequent
             in
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             bring
             the
             Unclean
             Spirit
             to
             Christ
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             cast
             him
             out
             .
             And
             to
             your
             Prayer
             ,
             add
             Fasting
             ;
             for
             this
             Kind
             goeth
             not
             forth
             ,
             but
             by
             Prayer
             and
             Fasting
             .
             And
             indeed
             ,
             Temperance
             is
             a
             great
             Antidote
             against
             this
             Sin
             of
             Sodom
             ;
             for
             many
             times
             our
             Tables
             become
             a
             Snare
             to
             us
             :
             for
             in
             pleasing
             our
             luxurious
             Palate
             ,
             we
             make
             Provision
             for
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             to
             fulfil
             the
             Lusts
             thereof
             .
             And
             by
             Epicuring
             of
             it
             so
             here
             ,
             what
             can
             we
             expect
             when
             we
             depart
             hence
             ,
             but
             the
             rich
             Glutton's
             Fate
             ,
             even
             to
             want
             a
             drop
             of
             Water
             to
             cool
             our
             Tongues
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             REMEMBER
             ,
             
               thou
               must
               give
               an
               account
               for
               every
               idle
               and
               unprofitable
               word
               ,
            
             Mat.
             12.
             36.
             
             And
             how
             much
             more
             then
             will
             thy
             Account
             extend
             to
             obscene
             Speeches
             ,
             and
             sordid
             Actions
             ?
             Of
             what
             Continuance
             thy
             Life
             hath
             been
             ,
             while
             brought
             to
             a
             Period
             ,
             and
             what
             multiplicity
             of
             Sins
             soever
             thou
             hast
             committed
             ,
             thy
             Accusers
             and
             Accusations
             will
             be
             equivalent
             :
             Then
             those
             secret
             Thoughts
             which
             thou
             never
             resented'st
             ,
             will
             apparently
             prove
             
             thee
             obnoxious
             before
             the
             great
             Tribunal
             :
             From
             thence
             thou
             can'st
             not
             flie
             ,
             nor
             deceive
             the
             Omnipotence
             with
             vain
             Excuses
             ;
             neither
             can'st
             thou
             appeal
             from
             that
             Sentence
             which
             will
             be
             pronounced
             against
             thee
             ;
             for
             there
             will
             be
             Verity
             in
             the
             Inquisition
             ,
             and
             Severity
             in
             the
             Execution
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             THEREFORE
             ,
             whil'st
             thou
             art
             on
             this
             side
             the
             Grave
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             adorn
             thy
             Immortal
             Part
             with
             the
             fragrant
             Rose
             of
             Charity
             ,
             the
             dulcified
             Violet
             of
             Humility
             ,
             and
             the
             innocent
             Lilly
             of
             Chastity
             .
             When
             thou
             enter'st
             the
             List
             to
             conquer
             this
             formidable
             lustful
             Enemy
             ,
             if
             the
             Fight
             seem
             difficult
             ,
             animate
             thy self
             with
             this
             Assurance
             ,
             That
             the
             Conquest
             will
             be
             Glorious
             :
             Thou
             must
             vanquish
             it
             as
             thou
             would'st
             a
             sturdy
             Beggar
             ,
             give
             it
             a
             positive
             Answer
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             vanish'd
             :
             but
             shew
             it
             Encouragement
             ,
             and
             it
             will
             prove
             like
             the
             Snake
             in
             the
             Fable
             ,
             when
             warm
             by
             the
             Fire
             ,
             to
             fall
             a
             hissing
             .
             If
             thou
             would'st
             not
             have
             this
             Enemy
             to
             rule
             over
             thee
             ,
             entertain
             it
             not
             in
             the
             least
             corner
             of
             thy
             Heart
             ,
             but
             earnestly
             beseech
             God
             to
             keep
             thee
             in
             Sanctity
             of
             Life
             ,
             and
             Chastity
             of
             Body
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXI
             .
             Of
             Purity
             of
             Heart
             .
          
           
             
               Mat.
               v.
               8.
               
            
             
               Blessed
               are
               the
               pure
               in
               heart
               ,
               for
               they
               shall
               see
               God.
               
            
          
           
             IF
             Innocency
             be
             the
             Robe
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             who
             then
             would
             not
             diligently
             strive
             to
             be
             adorn'd
             with
             Purity
             ?
             It
             is
             no
             wonder
             the
             Kingly
             Prophet
             was
             so
             importunate
             for
             
               a
               clean
               Heart
               ,
               and
               a
               right
               Spirit
               .
            
             If
             this
             be
             the
             Recompence
             of
             true
             Sanctity
             ,
             who
             would
             neglect
             Religious
             Duties
             ?
             Beatifical
             Spirits
             !
             What
             Felicity
             and
             Purity
             do
             ye
             enjoy
             ,
             that
             behold
             the
             glorious
             Face
             of
             your
             Heavenly
             Creator
             !
             Who
             would
             not
             indefatigably
             be
             industrious
             to
             imitate
             your
             Seraphick
             Example
             here
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             resemble
             you
             in
             your
             happy
             Station
             ,
             and
             possess
             Eternal
             Joys
             ,
             such
             as
             the
             Heart
             ,
             in
             all
             his
             Divine
             Raptures
             ,
             never
             knew
             ?
             Shall
             the
             imposterous
             and
             perfidious
             Vanities
             of
             this
             Transitory
             World
             allure
             our
             Hearts
             ,
             and
             divest
             us
             of
             the
             Hopes
             
             of
             this
             Celestial
             Glory
             ,
             the
             Fruition
             of
             this
             splendid
             Vision
             ?
          
           
             II.
             A
             Magnified
             Vision
             !
             in
             Comparison
             whereof
             ,
             the
             Regalities
             of
             this
             Lower
             Orb
             ,
             the
             Trophies
             and
             dazling
             Splendors
             of
             the
             Optick
             Nerves
             ,
             and
             the
             Lustre
             of
             the
             whole
             Universe
             ,
             is
             not
             worth
             the
             gazing
             at
             !
             A
             Vision
             ,
             which
             no
             mortal
             Eye
             ever
             was
             Spectator
             of
             ;
             but
             shall
             not
             be
             excluded
             ,
             if
             it
             don't
             obscurely
             lose
             it self
             on
             Inferiour
             Objects
             here
             Below
             .
             No
             Ear
             did
             ever
             audibly
             hear
             its
             true
             Description
             ;
             but
             may
             be
             admitted
             to
             the
             divine
             Harmony
             ,
             and
             heavenly
             Halleluja's
             of
             it
             ,
             if
             it
             incline
             not
             to
             the
             Syrenical
             Charms
             of
             Sin
             ,
             and
             the
             bewitching
             Musick
             of
             sordid
             Carnality
             .
          
           
             III.
             'T
             is
             a
             Vision
             ,
             whose
             bright
             Idea
             cannot
             be
             delineated
             by
             the
             most
             elevating
             and
             contemplative
             Speculations
             of
             any
             Metaphysical
             Brain
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             Angelical
             :
             'T
             is
             not
             a
             sublime
             Fancy
             ,
             but
             true
             Sanctity
             ,
             that
             can
             reach
             it
             .
             The
             Divine
             Apostolical
             Geographer
             ,
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             though
             lately
             there
             ,
             could
             not
             exactly
             give
             us
             a
             Description
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             Sacred
             Scripture
             divinly
             characters
             it
             out
             ,
             but
             in
             Parables
             
             and
             Simitudes
             ,
             to
             demonstrate
             how
             infinitely
             transcendent
             is
             that
             Glory
             which
             is
             so
             unexpressible
             ,
             and
             beyond
             all
             comprehension
             .
             Were
             all
             the
             Pearls
             ,
             Rubies
             ,
             Saphires
             and
             Diamonds
             the
             Earth
             produces
             ,
             muster'd
             to
             a
             Splendour
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             equallize
             the
             diminitivest
             Glance
             of
             the
             radient
             Beams
             of
             
             Sol's
             bright
             Eye
             ;
             and
             yet
             that
             magnificent
             Luminary
             ,
             surrounded
             with
             so
             many
             attending
             Constellations
             that
             derive
             their
             Lustre
             from
             him
             ,
             is
             but
             a
             Spark
             to
             his
             shining
             Countenance
             .
          
           
             VI.
             WHO
             then
             would
             offer
             up
             that
             Part
             an
             Oblation
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             which
             might
             be
             render'd
             the
             Instrument
             of
             so
             much
             Felicity
             ?
             and
             suffer
             the
             Profuseness
             of
             his
             wanton
             Blood
             to
             revel
             there
             ,
             where
             sublimer
             Passions
             and
             Flames
             should
             triumph
             ?
             He
             that
             would
             be
             an
             Inhabitant
             among
             the
             Spirits
             of
             the
             Just
             ,
             must
             discipline
             his
             own
             to
             the
             same
             Uniformity
             ,
             and
             convert
             his
             Body
             to
             a
             Temple
             ,
             where
             his
             Heart
             must
             be
             both
             Altar
             and
             Sacrifice
             ;
             or
             rather
             ,
             an
             Emblem
             of
             the
             
               Sanctum
               Sanctorum
            
             ,
             for
             those
             excellent
             Graces
             of
             the
             Spirit
             to
             inhabit
             in
             .
          
           
           
             V.
             THE
             stately
             Mansion-House
             of
             Life
             must
             be
             converted
             into
             a
             Mansion
             of
             Divine
             Love
             ;
             and
             the
             magnificent
             Palace
             of
             Heroick
             Spirits
             ,
             into
             a
             Royal
             Court
             of
             peculiar
             Graces
             ;
             and
             then
             that
             Part
             which
             (
             as
             Natural
             Philosophors
             observe
             )
             which
             lives
             first
             ,
             and
             dies
             last
             ,
             shall
             become
             purely
             Vital
             ,
             and
             not
             be
             liable
             to
             Mortality
             .
             Nothing
             but
             a
             thrice
             Glorious
             Trinity
             can
             satiate
             this
             Triangle
             ,
             which
             must
             be
             shaped
             to
             the
             purest
             Figure
             ,
             and
             taught
             in
             all
             its
             Pulses
             to
             palpitate
             nothing
             but
             Heaven
             and
             Eternity
             .
          
           
             VI.
             OUR
             Bosoms
             must
             be
             converted
             to
             Closets
             of
             Devotion
             ;
             and
             our
             Hearts
             to
             Cabinets
             of
             immaculate
             Innocency
             ,
             and
             fervent
             Prayer
             ;
             embellish'd
             with
             that
             sparkling
             Diamond
             ,
             a
             lively
             Faith
             ,
             the
             Lamp
             at
             which
             all
             our
             minor
             Graces
             ,
             as
             Tapers
             ,
             light
             themselves
             ,
             and
             like
             Stars
             ,
             borrow
             their
             Lustre
             from
             this
             Luminary
             .
             'T
             is
             not
             a
             Heart
             that
             can
             chime
             to
             the
             airy
             Sound
             of
             any
             tinkling
             Religion
             ,
             and
             pretends
             a
             Sanctity
             fix'd
             in
             its
             Countenance
             ,
             that
             makes
             Affectation
             his
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             Moroseness
             of
             Humour
             ,
             Tenderness
             of
             Spirit
             .
          
           
           
             VII
             .
             NO
             ,
             't
             is
             a
             Heart
             adorn'd
             with
             the
             White
             Robe
             of
             Humility
             ,
             crown'd
             with
             the
             Diadem
             of
             Love
             ,
             fumigated
             by
             Prayers
             ,
             the
             odoriferous
             Scent
             of
             Chastity
             ,
             and
             the
             Fragrancies
             of
             a
             Life
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             that
             couches
             it self
             within
             the
             embracing
             Arms
             of
             our
             Saviour's
             Spouse
             ,
             and
             stiles
             himself
             a
             Mourner
             in
             her
             Persecutions
             ;
             that
             looks
             upon
             the
             VVorld
             as
             the
             Enemy
             of
             its
             Glory
             ,
             and
             had
             rather
             embrace
             Mortality
             ,
             than
             prove
             a
             Rebel
             against
             Heaven
             .
             'T
             is
             such
             a
             Celestial
             Heart
             that
             must
             be
             a
             Preparative
             for
             this
             transcendant
             Vision
             ,
             and
             happy
             is
             he
             that
             arrives
             to
             that
             Purity
             .
          
           
             VIII
             .
             
               Fortifie
               us
               therefore
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               against
               the
               Pomps
               and
               Vanities
               of
               this
               wicked
               VVorld
               ,
               and
               elevate
               our
               Thoughts
               to
               the
               sublime
               Contemplations
               of
               Thy
               Glory
               .
               Level
               in
               us
               every
               arrogant
               Thought
               that
               dares
               exalt
               it self
               against
               the
               Potency
               and
               Purity
               of
               Thy
               Law
               ;
               and
               sanctifie
               us
               for
               Thy Self
               and
               Service
               ,
               that
               the
               Practick
               Part
               of
               a
               Life
               of
               Sanctity
               may
               be
               our
               chiefest
               Employment
               ;
               that
               when
               we
               are
               summoned
               to
               depart
               hence
               ,
               we
               may
               be
               
               accepted
               of
               Thee
               ;
               and
               being
               fled
               from
               the
               Eye
               of
               this
               Lower
               Orb
               ,
               we
               may
               take
               a
               Prospect
               of
               Thy
               Heavenly
               Palace
               ,
               of
               what
               neither
               Eye
               hath
               seen
               ,
               Ear
               heard
               ,
               nor
               Heart
               can
               conceive
               ,
               the
               Glory
               Thou
               wilt
               impart
               in
               the
               Fruition
               of
               Thy Self
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XXII
             .
             Against
             Covetousness
             .
          
           
             
               Heb.
               xiii
               .
               7.
               
            
             
               Let
               your
               conversation
               be
               be
               without
               covetousness
               .
            
          
           
             COVETOUSNESS
             is
             the
             Root
             of
             all
             Malignity
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             is
             a
             Slave
             to
             Riches
             ,
             his
             Mind
             is
             always
             indigent
             ;
             he
             is
             tugging
             continually
             at
             the
             Oar
             ,
             and
             accumulates
             worldly
             Dross
             ;
             but
             (
             as
             the
             Psalmist
             says
             )
             
               he
               knoweth
               not
               who
               shall
               gather
               it
               ,
            
             Psal.
             39.
             6.
             
             And
             as
             he
             is
             impoverished
             in
             his
             Mind
             ,
             so
             he
             is
             miserable
             in
             his
             Station
             ;
             for
             Bounty
             and
             Goodness
             are
             Strangers
             to
             himself
             and
             others
             ;
             and
             Charity
             with
             him
             is
             so
             frozen
             ,
             that
             the
             Poor
             ,
             instead
             
             of
             recompenceing
             him
             with
             their
             Prayers
             ,
             are
             more
             ready
             to
             attend
             him
             with
             their
             Imprecations
             .
             Fix
             not
             thy
             Trust
             in
             uncertain
             Riches
             ,
             but
             place
             thy
             Mind
             on
             what
             is
             certain
             .
             'T
             is
             certain
             ,
             the
             Hour
             of
             Death
             will
             come
             ,
             and
             then
             what
             will
             all
             thy
             Wealth
             avail
             thee
             ?
             They
             cannot
             assist
             thee
             in
             a
             true
             Repentance
             ,
             nor
             plead
             thy
             Cause
             in
             the
             Court
             of
             Heaven
             :
             They
             cannot
             procure
             thee
             an
             easie
             Passage
             hence
             ,
             nor
             give
             thee
             Assurance
             of
             Eternal
             Happiness
             .
          
           
             II.
             THEREFORE
             ,
             lay
             aside
             this
             bitter
             Root
             ,
             and
             graft
             new
             Plants
             of
             Liberality
             and
             Charity
             .
             Make
             haste
             ,
             with
             speed
             ,
             and
             undertake
             this
             Task
             ,
             lest
             thou
             offend
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             and
             endanger
             thy
             own
             Soul.
             The
             covetous
             Person
             must
             needs
             allow
             this
             Maxim
             ,
             That
             he
             lives
             without
             God
             in
             the
             World.
             And
             our
             Saviour
             informs
             us
             ,
             
               we
               cannot
               serve
               God
               and
               Mammon
               ,
            
             Luk.
             16.
             13.
             
             For
             he
             that
             wholly
             sets
             his
             Heart
             upon
             transitory
             Treasure
             ,
             must
             of
             necessity
             unfix
             it
             from
             God
             ,
             and
             Eternal
             Glory
             ;
             and
             is
             uncapable
             of
             performing
             that
             Duty
             which
             is
             required
             by
             the
             Almighty
             .
          
           
           
             III.
             SEE
             with
             what
             eagerness
             the
             Covetous
             pursues
             Riches
             ;
             and
             is
             greedy
             as
             a
             Lion
             after
             his
             Prey
             .
             All
             Opportunities
             of
             Gain
             are
             readily
             embraced
             :
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             all
             Religious
             Duties
             ,
             are
             laid
             aside
             ,
             to
             accomplish
             and
             attend
             it
             .
             So
             prone
             is
             frail
             Mortality
             to
             this
             Sin
             ,
             that
             he
             leaves
             nothing
             unattempted
             to
             answer
             his
             sordid
             Avarice
             :
             nay
             ,
             it
             is
             often
             apparent
             ,
             that
             Unlawfulness
             and
             Fraudulency
             is
             used
             by
             the
             Covetous
             to
             that
             degree
             ,
             that
             many
             Families
             have
             suffered
             Destruction
             ,
             though
             it
             were
             to
             the
             utter
             Ruine
             of
             the
             Souls
             and
             Bodies
             of
             the
             Misers
             themselves
             .
             And
             now
             ,
             what
             can
             these
             Men
             expect
             for
             the
             Cruelties
             they
             transact
             ,
             but
             to
             be
             excluded
             from
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             to
             receive
             that
             Reward
             ,
             of
             
               not
               inheriting
               the
               Kingdom
               of
               God
               ,
            
             1
             Cor.
             6.
             10.
             
          
           
             IV.
             THEY
             which
             hoard
             up
             Terrestrial
             Treasures
             ,
             resemble
             those
             that
             place
             their
             Fruits
             in
             low
             and
             moist
             places
             ,
             not
             considering
             they
             are
             incident
             to
             Putrefaction
             .
             Oh
             ,
             how
             infatuated
             are
             they
             then
             ,
             which
             indulge
             themselves
             to
             that
             which
             is
             liable
             to
             Corruption
             ?
             For
             ,
             how
             can
             that
             which
             
             is
             Temporal
             ,
             satisfie
             the
             Soul
             which
             is
             Eternal
             ?
             The
             Animate
             Part
             comprehends
             all
             Corporal
             Things
             ,
             by
             virtue
             of
             its
             Spiritual
             Nature
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             distended
             and
             filled
             by
             any
             Quantity
             .
             All
             things
             ,
             the
             higher
             they
             soar
             towards
             Heaven
             ,
             the
             less
             they
             cark
             and
             care
             to
             hoard
             up
             :
             This
             may
             be
             attested
             by
             
               the
               Fowls
               of
               the
               Air
               ,
               which
               neither
               sow
               nor
               reap
               ,
            
             Mat.
             6.
             26.
             
             So
             it
             is
             with
             that
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             the
             Soul
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             is
             elevated
             to
             its
             Creator
             ,
             the
             more
             it
             withdrawn
             from
             Temporal
             Riches
             .
          
           
             V.
             LET
             Contentment
             be
             the
             Avaritious
             Man's
             Catholicon
             to
             purge
             out
             Covetousness
             .
             This
             will
             make
             him
             a
             Proficient
             in
             the
             Almighty's
             Court
             ,
             and
             wholly
             to
             depend
             upon
             His
             Providence
             .
             Then
             he
             may
             contemplate
             ,
             That
             
               God
               cloatheth
               the
               lillies
               of
               the
               field
               :
            
             And
             if
             so
             ,
             much
             more
             will
             He
             cloath
             them
             which
             depend
             upon
             Him.
             Think
             on
             the
             Providence
             of
             thy
             Creator
             ;
             and
             if
             thou
             reliest
             upon
             Him
             ,
             thou
             may'st
             assure
             thy self
             ,
             that
             
               none
               ever
               trusted
               in
               him
               ,
               and
               was
               confounded
               .
            
             He
             is
             too
             guilty
             of
             Avarice
             ,
             that
             chargeth
             the
             Almighty
             with
             not
             granting
             him
             his
             Heart's
             Desire
             ;
             and
             he
             is
             too
             ungrateful
             ,
             
             that
             expresses
             not
             his
             Thankfulness
             for
             those
             Mercies
             he
             daily
             ,
             nay
             ,
             hourly
             receives
             from
             him
             .
          
           
             VI.
             CONSIDER
             this
             ,
             now
             ye
             that
             take
             too
             much
             Pains
             for
             Riches
             ,
             what
             an
             imprudent
             Choice
             ye
             use
             to
             apply
             your
             Diligence
             :
             Ye
             that
             add
             House
             to
             House
             ,
             and
             Field
             to
             Field
             ,
             a
             lesser
             Compass
             at
             last
             must
             entomb
             ye
             ;
             why
             then
             do
             you
             perplex
             your selves
             so
             much
             ,
             and
             appear
             such
             busie
             Graspers
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             early
             you
             rise
             to
             gripe
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             late
             go
             to
             rest
             ,
             but
             can
             find
             no
             ease
             ;
             your
             Mind
             is
             so
             fix'd
             on
             uncertain
             Riches
             ,
             that
             you
             are
             perpetually
             loaded
             with
             Care
             and
             Sorrow
             .
             And
             why
             all
             this
             ,
             poor
             Covetous
             Wretches
             !
             but
             to
             undoe
             others
             ,
             and
             lose
             your
             Souls
             ?
             Did
             you
             but
             wisely
             love
             your selves
             ,
             you
             would
             pursue
             alone
             your
             own
             true
             Happiness
             :
             you
             would
             not
             become
             such
             wilful
             Fools
             ;
             and
             preferr
             a
             short
             vexatious
             Vanity
             bfore
             an
             Eternal
             Joy
             and
             Felicity
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXIII
             .
             A
             Bad
             Exchange
             .
          
           
             
               Mat.
               xvi
               .
               26.
               
            
             
               For
               what
               is
               a
               man
               profited
               ,
               if
               he
               gain
               the
               whole
               world
               ,
               and
               lose
               his
               own
               soul
               ?
               or
               what
               shall
               a
               man
               give
               in
               exchange
               for
               his
               soul
               ?
            
          
           
             THIS
             Text
             works
             no
             Effects
             upon
             the
             Covetous
             ;
             for
             they
             had
             rather
             lose
             their
             Souls
             ,
             than
             forsake
             their
             Riches
             .
             He
             ,
             for
             whom
             the
             whole
             Creation
             was
             made
             ,
             makes
             himself
             wretched
             and
             miserable
             ,
             in
             chasing
             after
             Vanity
             :
             disrobing
             Himself
             of
             all
             his
             Glory
             ;
             and
             by
             exceeding
             a
             bruitish
             Transformation
             ,
             inhumes
             the
             Divinity
             of
             his
             Immortal
             Part
             in
             the
             Bowels
             of
             the
             Earth
             .
             Hearken
             unto
             this
             ,
             all
             you
             that
             inhabit
             in
             this
             Lower
             Region
             ,
             ye
             that
             are
             Votaries
             to
             Sensualities
             ,
             and
             ascend
             no
             higher
             than
             the
             Elements
             for
             Celestial
             Glory
             !
             that
             can
             mortgage
             your
             Souls
             for
             a
             momentary
             Pleasure
             ;
             and
             entertain
             a
             delectable
             Misery
             ,
             for
             Evelasting
             Happinss
             !
          
           
           
             II.
             GIVE
             Ear
             ,
             thou
             aspiring
             Meteor
             ,
             whose
             haughty
             Ambition
             ,
             with
             Icarus
             ,
             soars
             to
             that
             heighth
             ,
             that
             thou
             consumes
             the
             Wings
             of
             thy
             immoderate
             Desires
             !
             Thou
             that
             wilt
             with
             eagerness
             adore
             Satan
             ,
             for
             a
             Kingdom
             ;
             and
             greedily
             render
             him
             your
             Fidelity
             ,
             for
             a
             Crown
             ,
             and
             offer
             him
             a
             Revenue
             worth
             Ten
             thousand
             Worlds
             ,
             the
             immortal
             Tribute
             of
             your
             precious
             Soul
             ;
             till
             thy
             flourishing
             Hopes
             ,
             and
             Trophies
             ,
             be
             turn'd
             to
             endless
             Torments
             ;
             thy
             Masquerading
             Revellings
             of
             elvevated
             Honour
             ,
             into
             Repentant
             Regrets
             of
             direful
             Horrour
             ;
             and
             thy
             Imperial
             Chair
             of
             State
             ,
             into
             a
             Bed
             of
             Infernal
             Flames
             !
          
           
             III.
             BE
             attentive
             ,
             O
             thou
             indefatigable
             Wanton
             ,
             whose
             Soul
             is
             as
             unsatiable
             as
             brutish
             Animals
             ;
             that
             palpitates
             after
             Pleasure
             ,
             beyond
             the
             Camelion's
             breathing
             after
             Air
             !
             Thou
             that
             swimmest
             in
             iniquity
             ,
             and
             plungest
             Morality
             in
             Seas
             of
             Vice
             ;
             bathing
             thy self
             in
             those
             amorous
             Streams
             that
             drown
             thee
             in
             wanton
             Delights
             !
             that
             imaginest
             True
             Religion
             but
             a
             ridiculous
             Fable
             ;
             the
             Lives
             of
             Apostles
             ,
             Saints
             and
             Martyrs
             ,
             but
             a
             Tragy-Comical
             
             Play
             ,
             or
             a
             melancholy
             Romance
             !
             and
             scoffest
             at
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             its
             Creator
             ,
             as
             if
             Infinite
             Eternity
             were
             but
             an
             imaginary
             Fancy
             !
          
           
             IV.
             STOP
             not
             thy
             Ears
             ,
             O
             thou
             wretched
             Miser
             ,
             whom
             the
             deluding
             Rhetorick
             of
             Bags
             cram'd
             with
             Silver
             Coin
             can
             invite
             to
             Hell
             !
             and
             art
             ardeously
             allured
             to
             throw
             thy self
             into
             the
             Arms
             of
             Satan
             ,
             at
             the
             Musick
             of
             tempting
             Gold
             !
             That
             can'st
             assist
             thy
             weak
             Eyes
             with
             Spectacles
             ;
             and
             gaze
             thy self
             almost
             blind
             ,
             at
             the
             Splendor
             and
             Curiosity
             of
             a
             rich
             Gemm
             ;
             and
             imprecateth
             Geography
             ,
             for
             defining
             Riches
             beyond
             thy
             Sphere
             ;
             earnestly
             wishing
             thy self
             an
             Indian
             ,
             that
             thou
             might'st
             lead
             the
             remnant
             of
             thy
             Life
             among
             the
             choicest
             Treasures
             ;
             and
             converse
             with
             the
             richest
             Mines
             ,
             till
             the
             Hair
             on
             thy
             Head
             were
             all
             Silver
             ;
             till
             thou
             thy self
             wer't
             all
             transmuted
             to
             Ore
             ,
             and
             every
             Bone
             turn'd
             into
             a
             Wedge
             of
             the
             purest
             Gold.
             
          
           
             V.
             LISTEN
             ,
             ye
             tender
             Gallants
             ,
             that
             are
             so
             attracted
             with
             the
             Mode
             of
             this
             World
             ,
             that
             ye
             have
             have
             lost
             all
             Conceptions
             of
             a
             better
             !
             Ye
             that
             dwell
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             only
             to
             delight
             your
             sensitive
             
             Appetites
             ;
             and
             supply
             your
             Luxury
             with
             the
             exquisite
             martyrdom
             of
             thousands
             of
             Creatures
             !
             As
             ye
             are
             well-complexion'd
             Dust
             ,
             and
             possess
             purer
             Veins
             ;
             so
             entertain
             purer
             Passions
             too
             ,
             and
             acquire
             generous
             and
             nobler
             Inclinations
             for
             Eternal
             Glory
             !
             The
             sumptuousness
             of
             your
             Attire
             will
             not
             invest
             you
             with
             Immortality
             .
             Should
             you
             expose
             your
             Estates
             to
             sale
             ,
             and
             receive
             for
             it
             a
             great
             Value
             ,
             '
             ●would
             not
             purchase
             one
             Inch
             in
             Paradise
             .
             It
             was
             the
             elegantest
             Speech
             the
             ancient
             Orator
             ever
             deliver'd
             ,
             when
             he
             utter'd
             ,
             
               He
               would
               not
               buy
               Repentance
               so
               dear
               .
            
             'T
             was
             but
             an
             Extemporay
             Oration
             ;
             and
             yet
             all
             Silver-tongu'd
             Rhetorick
             could
             never
             parallel
             it
             :
             That
             one
             Note
             exceeded
             all
             his
             Eloquence
             ,
             and
             will
             survive
             the
             Dexterity
             of
             his
             Pen.
             
          
           
             VI.
             COULD
             we
             out-live
             the
             Lives
             of
             Patriarchs
             ,
             even
             beyond
             the
             Age
             of
             old
             Methusalah
             ,
             or
             of
             Time
             it self
             ;
             and
             with
             the
             Pleasures
             of
             the
             greatest
             Epicures
             :
             Could
             we
             ,
             like
             Cleopatra
             the
             Egyptian
             Queen
             ,
             dissolve
             a
             Pearl
             into
             a
             Golden
             Cup
             ,
             and
             drink
             the
             Riches
             and
             Pleasure
             of
             a
             Kingdom
             at
             
             a
             Draught
             ;
             or
             Command
             all
             the
             Creatures
             of
             the
             Universe
             ,
             as
             positively
             as
             ever
             the
             Centurion
             did
             his
             Servants
             :
             Had
             we
             all
             the
             delectable
             Enjoyments
             we
             can
             either
             wish
             ,
             fancy
             ,
             or
             chase
             after
             ,
             and
             whatever
             can
             satisfie
             the
             Ambition
             of
             the
             most
             profuse
             and
             carnal
             Appetite
             :
             Were
             the
             whole
             Universe
             turn'd
             into
             a
             Garden
             of
             Eden
             ,
             or
             a
             perpetual
             Spring
             adorn
             the
             Surface
             of
             our
             Mother
             Earth
             :
          
           
             VII
             .
             COULD
             we
             ,
             like
             the
             Eagle
             ,
             renew
             our
             Age
             ,
             and
             not
             grow
             Old
             ,
             but
             still
             continue
             in
             our
             pristine
             Health
             ;
             or
             if
             in
             Years
             ,
             be
             insensible
             of
             the
             Miseries
             that
             attend
             the
             Aged
             :
             Could
             we
             unravel
             ,
             untwist
             ,
             or
             unwind
             Time
             again
             ;
             reverse
             and
             retrograde
             its
             Wheels
             again
             ;
             stop
             the
             swift
             Celestial
             Mercuries
             ,
             the
             nimble
             Posts
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             in
             their
             full
             career
             ;
             and
             set
             the
             great
             Clock
             of
             the
             World
             backward
             to
             a
             Minute
             :
             Nay
             ,
             were
             our
             Bodies
             of
             that
             durability
             as
             our
             Souls
             ,
             that
             we
             could
             survive
             Time
             it self
             ,
             and
             be
             a
             Spectator
             when
             the
             World
             receives
             its
             Period
             :
             Yet
             what
             shall
             we
             extract
             ,
             if
             after
             all
             our
             vain
             and
             imaginary
             Felicities
             ,
             and
             flippery
             Contentments
             ,
             we
             become
             an
             
             Oblation
             for
             Hell
             ,
             enroll'd
             in
             the
             execrable
             Catalogue
             of
             the
             Infernal
             Crew
             ,
             a
             Victim
             for
             sulphurous
             Eternal
             Flames
             ,
             banish'd
             to
             Perpetuity
             from
             God
             and
             Heaven
             :
             Then
             inform
             me
             ,
             whoever
             thou
             art
             ,
             and
             ask
             Dives
             himself
             that
             necessary
             Question
             ,
             
               What
               is
            
             ?
             &c.
             
          
           
             VIII
             .
             
               O
               Lord
               ,
               what
               is
               there
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               that
               should
               attract
               our
               Hearts
               ,
               to
               tire
               our selves
               in
               fruitless
               Desires
               ,
               and
               indulge
               our selves
               to
               the
               Pleasures
               of
               this
               Life
               ,
               as
               our
               chiefest
               Felicity
               ?
               How
               difficult
               is
               it
               for
               him
               that
               is
               unacquainted
               with
               thy
               Law
               ,
               to
               perceive
               the
               Evacuity
               of
               those
               Enjoyments
               he
               hath
               so
               long
               rouled
               himself
               in
               ,
               to
               resist
               the
               enticing
               Advantages
               of
               Sin
               ;
               and
               disesteem
               the
               glittering
               Flashes
               of
               this
               Life
               ,
               for
               that
               Lustre
               of
               Glory
               Thou
               wilt
               impart
               .
               My
               God
               ,
               instruct
               me
               so
               to
               use
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               I
               forget
               not
               Thee
               .
               Let
               the
               Blessings
               Thou
               showerest
               down
               ,
               quicken
               and
               encrease
               ,
               not
               stupifie
               my
               Devotion
               .
               Elevate
               my
               Obedience
               ,
               not
               overwhelm
               my
               Thankfulness
               ;
               that
               so
               the
               Follies
               of
               the
               World
               may
               become
               my
               Derision
               ;
               and
               the
               Glories
               of
               Heaven
               ,
               my
               only
               Ambition
               ;
               
               that
               I
               may
               never
               ,
               for
               a
               fading
               Fruition
               in
               this
               World
               ,
               hazard
               both
               my
               Soul
               ,
               and
               thy
               Saving-Grace
               together
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XXIV
             .
             In
             time
             of
             Sickness
             .
          
           
             
               Mat.
               viii
               .
               2.
               
            
             
               Lord
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               ,
               thou
               canst
               make
               me
               clean
               .
            
          
           
             THIS
             Prayer
             was
             effectual
             ;
             and
             all
             Petitions
             are
             answer'd
             by
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             if
             deliver'd
             with
             a
             sincere
             Faith
             ,
             and
             a
             good
             Assurance
             .
             Let
             us
             now
             be
             upon
             the
             Grand
             Inquest
             ;
             Is
             not
             Sin
             a
             Leprosie
             ?
             Then
             every
             Sinner
             ought
             to
             make
             the
             same
             Deprecation
             .
             He
             that
             had
             been
             a
             Spectator
             of
             the
             Leper's
             Body
             ,
             would
             not
             have
             been
             amaz'd
             at
             his
             Prayer
             :
             and
             yet
             ,
             could
             he
             but
             have
             inspected
             his
             Soul
             ,
             might
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             have
             beheld
             Objects
             more
             prodigious
             and
             horrible
             ;
             the
             Corruption
             of
             his
             Blood
             ,
             which
             had
             lost
             its
             Vigour
             ,
             and
             proved
             but
             an
             useless
             help
             to
             Nature
             ,
             every
             part
             without
             Vitality
             ,
             by
             so
             nauseating
             a
             Nutrition
             ,
             instructed
             
             his
             Tongue
             this
             necessary
             ,
             though
             doleful
             kind
             of
             Confident
             Prayer
             ;
             
               Lord
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               ,
               thou
               canst
               make
               me
               clean
               .
            
          
           
             II.
             CHRIST
             ,
             whose
             Bounty
             and
             Compassion
             never
             fails
             to
             demonstrate
             that
             the
             Fountain
             of
             his
             Love
             was
             as
             large
             as
             his
             Power
             was
             potent
             ,
             would
             not
             reject
             such
             a
             Suit
             wherein
             his
             tender
             Mercy
             was
             so
             much
             concern'd
             :
             and
             those
             Members
             which
             might
             have
             been
             sooner
             immers'd
             ,
             than
             bath'd
             into
             a
             Cure
             ,
             re-assume
             new
             Vitality
             and
             Complexion
             ,
             by
             the
             liberal
             Bounty
             of
             a
             Touch.
             Thus
             the
             Leper
             receives
             a
             new
             Body
             ;
             but
             we
             read
             no
             Lecture
             of
             any
             Operation
             upon
             his
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             which
             ,
             perhaps
             ,
             effectually
             required
             it
             :
             But
             his
             Successor
             ,
             who
             was
             Bed-rid
             ,
             was
             in
             a
             far
             greater
             state
             of
             Happiness
             ;
             for
             his
             Sin
             and
             Disease
             were
             both
             healed
             together
             .
          
           
             III.
             HOW
             many
             be
             found
             ,
             that
             ,
             like
             the
             Leper
             ,
             view
             no
             higher
             than
             their
             Corporeal
             Substance
             ,
             whole
             Exteriour
             Part
             is
             all
             their
             Principles
             of
             Religion
             ;
             whil'st
             the
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             that
             Spring
             of
             Life
             ,
             lies
             all
             neglected
             under
             Epidemical
             Infection
             :
             Our
             Blood
             shall
             enjoy
             all
             the
             Delights
             that
             Art
             
             can
             reach
             ,
             or
             the
             most
             Chymical
             Luxury
             can
             extract
             ,
             to
             supply
             its
             Flames
             ;
             whil'st
             our
             splendid
             Part
             ,
             the
             Divine
             and
             Celestial
             Fire
             which
             inspires
             us
             ,
             lies
             all
             extinguish'd
             ,
             and
             bereft
             of
             his
             Immortal
             Aliment
             ,
             and
             can
             reserve
             nothing
             but
             a
             dull
             and
             hectick
             Lustre
             to
             its
             Maker
             .
          
           
             IV.
             THE
             Anguish
             of
             a
             Limb
             ,
             can
             attract
             us
             to
             more
             Devotion
             in
             one
             Hour
             ,
             than
             all
             the
             Concernments
             of
             our
             Souls
             can
             produce
             in
             a
             Year
             :
             and
             the
             deformity
             of
             the
             meanest
             Part
             ,
             will
             appear
             an
             Object
             of
             more
             Disgrace
             and
             Dolour
             to
             us
             ,
             than
             those
             pallid
             and
             infernal
             Forms
             that
             attend
             Sin
             ,
             and
             disfigure
             Heaven
             in
             us
             .
             Of
             all
             Pestilences
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             grandest
             ,
             and
             yet
             least
             regarded
             :
             as
             if
             Hell
             were
             but
             a
             Trifle
             ;
             Everlasting
             Damnation
             ,
             a
             Pleasure
             ;
             and
             the
             Eternal
             Misery
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             a
             Diversion
             .
             Shew
             me
             that
             exquisite
             Beauty
             that
             is
             not
             Leprous
             ;
             that
             Innocence
             ,
             which
             is
             so
             perspicuous
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             Immaculate
             ;
             that
             Pattern
             of
             Sanctity
             ,
             which
             may
             become
             a
             Saint
             ;
             that
             Infant
             ,
             Man
             or
             Woman
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             Stranger
             unto
             Sin
             ;
             and
             then
             I
             shall
             be
             hold
             an
             Amazing
             Wonder
             .
          
           
           
             V.
             DID
             our
             curious
             Veins
             excell
             the
             fragrant
             Violet
             ,
             whose
             Odour
             perfumes
             the
             Chymistry
             of
             the
             Air
             ,
             the
             Dew
             of
             the
             blushing
             Morn
             :
             Were
             our
             Ancestor
             ,
             
             Adam's
             Sin
             ,
             an
             Alien
             to
             our
             crimson
             Blood
             ;
             and
             the
             Day
             of
             our
             Nativity
             ,
             as
             perspicuuous
             as
             the
             splendidst
             Morn
             ,
             immaculate
             as
             the
             new-blown
             Rose
             :
             yet
             the
             Pollution
             of
             our
             irregular
             Lives
             would
             soon
             discipline
             us
             in
             this
             Prayer
             ;
             and
             the
             blackness
             of
             our
             occultest
             Thoughts
             would
             silently
             proclaim
             our
             own
             Deformity
             ;
             and
             be
             ready
             to
             join
             with
             the
             Leper
             in
             this
             Petition
             ,
             
               Lord
               ,
               if
               thou
               wilt
               ,
               thou
               canst
               make
               me
               clean
               .
            
          
           
             VI.
             AND
             yet
             ,
             was
             there
             not
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             in
             those
             Days
             ,
             a
             Generation
             of
             Vipers
             ,
             that
             were
             righteous
             and
             clean
             in
             their
             own
             Eyes
             ,
             that
             justify'd
             themselves
             in
             their
             own
             Impurity
             ,
             and
             reckon'd
             all
             the
             World
             but
             Lepers
             to
             them
             ?
             Was
             not
             the
             lofty
             Pharisee
             a
             greater
             Leper
             than
             the
             poor
             Publicane
             ,
             though
             so
             ambitiously
             he
             display'd
             his
             proud
             Plumes
             ?
             His
             soaring
             Pride
             carrry'd
             more
             contagious
             Infection
             along
             with
             it
             ,
             than
             the
             other
             Persons
             Sins
             could
             e'er
             pretend
             too
             .
             He
             that
             trusts
             
             to
             the
             Merit
             of
             his
             own
             Illustration
             ,
             may
             infallibly
             lose
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             those
             Eternal
             Joys
             which
             an
             humble
             Assurance
             doth
             procure
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               O
               LORD
               ,
               though
               I
               am
               not
               so
               vile
               as
               some
               ;
               yet
               I
               am
               so
               vile
               in
               my
               own
               Eyes
               ,
               that
               the
               Leper
               here
               is
               a
               Pattern
               of
               Perfection
               ,
               to
               my
               imperfect
               Soul
               ;
               
               Lazarus's
               Corps
               a
               Perfume
               ,
               to
               my
               ulcerated
               Heart
               :
               yet
               were
               I
               far
               more
               impotent
               and
               fractured
               than
               the
               poor
               Cripple
               of
               Bethesda
               ;
               more
               spotted
               with
               Leprosie
               than
               the
               Nine
               Unthankful
               Lepers
               which
               were
               cleansed
               ,
               whose
               Ingratitude
               was
               more
               odious
               than
               their
               Disease
               ;
               were
               those
               Legions
               of
               Infernal
               Spirits
               ,
               ejected
               by
               Thy
               Sacred
               Word
               ,
               infused
               in
               me
               ;
               and
               were
               I
               as
               execrable
               as
               Satan
               could
               wish
               to
               make
               me
               ;
               yet
               I
               know
               Thy
               Paternal
               Goodness
               ,
               and
               I
               do
               not
               despond
               of
               Thy
               Almighty
               Power
               :
               for
               ,
               
                 Lord
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 wilt
                 ,
                 thou
                 canst
                 make
                 me
                 clean
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXV
             .
             Upon
             Death
             .
          
           
             
               Rom.
               vi
               .
               21.
               
            
             
               What
               fruit
               had
               ye
               then
               in
               those
               things
               whereof
               ye
               are
               now
               ashamed
               ?
               for
               the
               end
               of
               those
               things
               is
               death
               .
            
          
           
             SINCE
             Sin
             must
             be
             destroyed
             ,
             who
             then
             would
             make
             choice
             of
             that
             for
             his
             Felicity
             ,
             which
             shall
             perish
             with
             himself
             ;
             whose
             End
             is
             not
             only
             Death
             ,
             but
             Hell
             ;
             and
             will
             be
             his
             Destruction
             ,
             not
             only
             now
             ,
             but
             hereafter
             ?
             Indeed
             ,
             were
             there
             no
             hopes
             that
             our
             Reliques
             should
             resuscitate
             again
             ,
             or
             the
             Ruines
             of
             our
             Frame
             resurrect
             to
             a
             politer
             Shape
             ,
             we
             might
             well
             plunge
             our selves
             in
             Enjoyments
             here
             ,
             and
             fix
             our
             Felicity
             in
             delectable
             Pleasures
             :
             Every
             Person
             might
             then
             be
             tollerated
             ,
             without
             Sin
             ,
             to
             become
             an
             Epicure
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             could
             project
             new
             Modes
             of
             Luxry
             ,
             would
             not
             only
             pass
             for
             being
             Ingenious
             ,
             but
             be
             esteem'd
             Fortunate
             .
          
           
             II.
             GOOD
             Morality
             would
             appear
             all
             Vice
             ;
             and
             yet
             Vice
             it self
             would
             be
             
             held
             no
             more
             a
             Crime
             ,
             but
             our
             Happiness
             :
             not
             to
             be
             Lavish
             ,
             then
             ,
             were
             a
             Sin
             against
             Nature
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             excelled
             in
             Brutality
             ,
             would
             be
             render'd
             most
             Rational
             :
             Legal
             Proceedings
             would
             then
             be
             a
             grand
             Enemy
             to
             Humanity
             ;
             there
             could
             be
             no
             Sociableness
             ,
             but
             in
             Confusion
             :
             and
             were
             there
             no
             Heaven
             ,
             nor
             Hell
             ,
             we
             should
             pleasantly
             mingle
             to
             a
             Chaos
             ,
             and
             obey
             no
             other
             discipline
             but
             Riot
             :
             every
             Person
             might
             then
             be
             Atheistical
             ,
             without
             Scandal
             :
             To
             be
             without
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             and
             his
             Grace
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             would
             be
             render'd
             no
             Misfortune
             ;
             for
             then
             every
             Man
             might
             depend
             upon
             his
             own
             Merits
             ,
             without
             Blasphemy
             .
          
           
             III.
             Could
             they
             which
             inhabit
             the
             Earth
             ,
             die
             like
             Bruits
             and
             Animals
             ,
             and
             revive
             no
             more
             ;
             the
             Hopes
             of
             not
             being
             Damn'd
             ,
             would
             be
             a
             greater
             Comfort
             than
             the
             Delights
             of
             Sin.
             But
             alas
             ,
             he
             that
             enters
             the
             Grave
             now
             ,
             must
             live
             ▪
             again
             ,
             that
             his
             Life
             may
             be
             remember'd
             .
             Nor
             yet
             is
             it
             so
             much
             the
             Terror
             of
             Death
             ,
             as
             the
             Horrors
             of
             a
             Guilty
             Conscience
             ▪
             the
             formidable
             Prognosticks
             of
             a
             Future
             Etetnity
             ,
             that
             affrights
             the
             departing
             Soul
             :
             The
             
             Pangs
             and
             Anguish
             of
             expiring
             Nature
             are
             insignificant
             to
             those
             Stings
             that
             attend
             the
             Memory
             of
             our
             Crimes
             :
             The
             deep
             Sorrows
             of
             the
             Grave
             ,
             and
             our
             being
             Extinct
             here
             for
             ever
             ,
             are
             Joys
             ,
             to
             the
             Miseries
             which
             remain
             behind
             ,
             but
             will
             certainly
             come
             .
          
           
             IV.
             INFORM
             me
             now
             ,
             thou
             that
             art
             so
             indulgent
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             hunts
             for
             Paradise
             in
             a
             Park
             of
             Sins
             ;
             thou
             that
             makest
             Terrestrial
             things
             thy
             Treasure
             ,
             and
             foldest
             up
             the
             Riches
             of
             thy
             Hopes
             in
             the
             Bosom
             of
             Old
             Time
             ,
             or
             the
             Compass
             of
             a
             Span
             ;
             when
             those
             lucid
             and
             swift
             Guides
             of
             Life
             ,
             thine
             Eyes
             ,
             shall
             wax
             dim
             with
             Age
             ,
             or
             tired
             with
             Pain
             ;
             when
             every
             Member
             shall
             become
             Sorrow's
             Object
             ,
             and
             those
             Parts
             which
             were
             so
             employ'd
             in
             the
             Operation
             of
             Sin
             ,
             shall
             become
             Instruments
             of
             Despair
             ;
             when
             that
             delectable
             Frame
             ,
             that
             magnificent
             Darling
             Edifice
             ,
             thy
             Body
             ,
             shall
             ,
             by
             its
             shivering
             Qualms
             ,
             and
             trembling
             Convulsions
             ,
             consternate
             its
             disconsolate
             Owner
             ;
             how
             will
             the
             Fulgurations
             of
             a
             Future
             Justice
             ,
             and
             the
             Terrours
             of
             thy
             Ultimate
             End
             ,
             confound
             thee
             !
          
           
           
             V.
             CAN
             those
             transitory
             Enjoyments
             that
             allured
             away
             thy
             Immortal
             Part
             ,
             restore
             it
             in
             convenient
             time
             ?
             Can
             those
             Pleasures
             which
             bereft
             thee
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             recover
             it
             again
             before
             Death
             puts
             a
             period
             to
             thy
             Life
             ?
             Can
             thy
             Pomps
             and
             Vanities
             asswage
             or
             allay
             thy
             deep
             Sorrows
             ?
             or
             the
             Memento
             of
             thy
             Sins
             ,
             the
             Destruction
             of
             thy
             End
             ?
             Where
             's
             that
             soft
             Musick
             ,
             whose
             select
             Airs
             ,
             like
             David's
             Harp
             ,
             might
             charm
             the
             Cries
             of
             a
             Guilty
             Conscience
             ;
             and
             by
             its
             skilful
             Strains
             ,
             drop
             a
             pleasant
             Harmony
             that
             might
             pacifie
             the
             Trouble
             of
             thy
             anguish'd
             Soul
             ?
          
           
             IV.
             WHERE
             are
             those
             expanded
             Trophies
             of
             empty
             Glories
             ,
             thy
             Ambition
             has
             purchas'd
             at
             the
             easie
             Rate
             of
             only
             sinning
             for
             greedy
             Honour
             ,
             for
             which
             thou
             hast
             traffiqu'd
             and
             sold
             Heaven
             ?
             That
             Sovereignty
             for
             which
             thou
             enslavest
             thy self
             ,
             and
             lost
             the
             perfect
             Freedom
             of
             thy
             Immortal
             Soul
             ?
             Cannot
             all
             thy
             Grandeur
             excite
             thee
             up
             a
             little
             ;
             and
             by
             a
             fumy
             Power
             ,
             once
             so
             formidable
             and
             applauded
             ,
             reprieve
             thee
             from
             the
             unsatisfy'd
             Grave
             ,
             or
             a
             more
             Eternal
             Prison
             .
          
           
           
             VII
             .
             Where
             are
             those
             Goods
             of
             Fortune
             thou
             hast
             forfeited
             thine
             Inheritance
             for
             ,
             whose
             transporting
             Lustre
             deprived
             thee
             of
             thy
             Eye-sight
             ,
             and
             render'd
             thee
             dimmer
             than
             themselves
             ?
             Can
             they
             ,
             by
             their
             utmost
             Skill
             ,
             neither
             bribe
             nor
             purchase
             thy
             Pardon
             ?
             Or
             will
             the
             silent
             Grave
             require
             no
             other
             Fee
             than
             so
             rich
             a
             Miser
             ?
             Where
             are
             all
             those
             fine
             Diversions
             that
             divested
             thee
             of
             thy
             Piety
             ,
             and
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             thy
             Creator
             ?
             those
             pleasing
             deluding
             Vanities
             that
             swept
             away
             all
             sense
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             fore-sight
             of
             thy
             Future
             State
             ?
             Are
             all
             shrunk
             into
             a
             Tomb
             ,
             and
             an
             unwelcom
             Period
             ?
             Are
             all
             thy
             Jocularities
             terminated
             in
             the
             Confines
             of
             a
             Sepulchral-Urn
             ;
             and
             no
             other
             Objects
             left
             for
             thy
             Concomitants
             ,
             but
             thy
             Crimes
             ,
             and
             those
             Terrours
             thy
             Guilt
             presents
             ?
          
           
             VIII
             .
             BEHOLD
             now
             ,
             and
             stand
             amaz'd
             ,
             ye
             Adorers
             of
             the
             World
             more
             than
             of
             the
             Almighty
             !
             and
             view
             the
             Portraiture
             of
             your
             End
             ,
             those
             Ruines
             you
             have
             so
             smoothly
             built
             on
             !
             Try
             if
             your
             imaginary
             Felicities
             are
             Proof
             against
             this
             Arrow
             ;
             or
             can
             protect
             you
             from
             this
             Invader
             ,
             the
             only
             Conqueror
             
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             whose
             general
             Prison
             is
             but
             a
             Reserve
             for
             a
             worse
             ,
             and
             its
             Execution
             here
             ,
             but
             a
             Reprieve
             for
             a
             more
             durable
             and
             yet
             vital
             Mortality
             .
             He
             that
             reign'd
             in
             Pleasures
             ,
             must
             expire
             in
             Flames
             ;
             and
             having
             long
             revelled
             it
             in
             Sin
             ,
             must
             expect
             to
             riot
             it
             in
             Torments
             ;
             and
             the
             misery
             is
             ,
             that
             wishing
             not
             to
             live
             ,
             he
             can
             never
             die
             .
          
           
             IX
             .
             AND
             yet
             ,
             how
             foolish
             and
             vain
             are
             our
             Desires
             still
             after
             the
             World
             ?
             How
             easie
             and
             alluringly
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             are
             we
             led
             by
             the
             counterfeit
             and
             transitory
             Pleasures
             of
             this
             Life
             ,
             from
             Thee
             ?
             We
             cannot
             plead
             Ignorance
             ,
             but
             fully
             attest
             ,
             That
             
               the
               Wages
               of
               Sin
               is
               Death
            
             ;
             and
             yet
             how
             absurdly
             do
             we
             preferr
             its
             Service
             before
             Thine
             ,
             whose
             Recompence
             of
             Reward
             is
             Life
             and
             Immortality
             ?
             But
             The
             Period
             of
             Profaneness
             is
             Eternal
             Destruction
             ,
             and
             the
             Delights
             of
             Impiety
             end
             in
             Confusion
             ;
             and
             yet
             we
             eagerly
             embrace
             the
             fawning
             Proffers
             of
             Sin
             ,
             before
             the
             never-failing
             Promises
             of
             Everlasting
             Glory
             .
          
           
             X.
             
               Have
               Pity
               ,
               O
               Holy
               Jesu
               ,
               upon
               the
               weak
               Frailties
               of
               our
               Humane
               and
               Corrupt
               Natures
               :
               And
               we
               humbly
               implore
               Thee
               to
               pardon
               and
               
               forgive
               the
               profuse
               Irregularities
               of
               our
               whole
               Lives
               .
               Grant
               unto
               us
               ,
               O
               Lord
               ,
               a
               perpetual
               Supply
               of
               noble
               and
               ardent
               Defires
               to
               run
               after
               Thee
               ,
               that
               the
               Pomps
               ,
               Vanities
               ,
               and
               Tinselware
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               may
               become
               Objects
               of
               our
               Scorn
               and
               Derision
               ;
               and
               that
               the
               bright
               Splendour
               of
               Thy
               Eternal
               Glory
               ,
               may
               create
               our
               Ambition
               to
               serve
               Thee
               all
               the
               Days
               we
               remain
               here
               ;
               that
               we
               may
               not
               ,
               for
               a
               present
               temporal
               Enjoyment
               in
               this
               transitory
               Life
               ,
               lose
               the
               blessed
               Hopes
               ,
               and
               future
               Inheritance
               of
               the
               Saints
               in
               Light
               ,
               but
               at
               last
               ,
               having
               finished
               our
               Course
               here
               ,
               we
               may
               arrive
               with
               Joy
               and
               Gladness
               at
               Thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               .
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXVI
             .
             Upon
             Judgment
             .
          
           
             
               2
               Cor.
               v.
               10.
               
            
             
               For
               we
               must
               all
               appear
               before
               the
               judgment-seat
               of
               Christ
               ,
               that
               every
               one
               may
               receive
               the
               things
               done
               in
               his
               body
               ,
               according
               to
               that
               he
               hath
               done
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               good
               or
               bad
               .
            
          
           
             IT
             is
             an
             Axiom
             ,
             confirm'd
             by
             woful
             Experience
             ,
             That
             the
             generality
             of
             them
             which
             bear
             the
             Name
             of
             Christians
             ,
             and
             pretend
             to
             fight
             under
             Christ's
             Banner
             against
             the
             Enemies
             of
             the
             Apostolick
             Faith
             ,
             are
             ,
             by
             their
             profligate
             Impieties
             ,
             the
             greatest
             Scandal
             to
             that
             glorious
             Profession
             :
             They
             live
             in
             such
             a
             Universe
             of
             Wickedness
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Redeemer
             of
             the
             World
             descended
             from
             Glory
             ,
             not
             to
             subvert
             ,
             but
             to
             establish
             the
             Empire
             of
             Sin
             ;
             as
             if
             the
             main
             Design
             of
             their
             State
             ,
             in
             this
             World
             ,
             were
             only
             to
             fulfil
             that
             voluptuous
             Maxim
             of
             the
             Licentious
             Epicure
             ,
             
               Let
               us
               eat
               and
               drink
               ,
               for
               to
               morrow
               we
               mst
               die
               .
            
          
           
             II.
             BUT
             if
             these
             Proficients
             in
             Atheism
             had
             a
             serious
             Memento
             ,
             That
             
             there
             is
             a
             Deity
             inthron'd
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             
               who
               is
               of
               purer
               eyes
               than
               to
               behold
               iniquity
            
             ;
             and
             so
             jealous
             of
             his
             Honour
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             not
             remit
             the
             least
             Guilt
             with
             Impunity
             :
             could
             they
             be
             perswaded
             to
             devote
             a
             few
             Minutes
             of
             the
             Time
             which
             they
             consume
             away
             to
             finish
             their
             Debaucheries
             ,
             to
             a
             solemn
             Reflexion
             upon
             that
             inevitable
             Account
             which
             will
             be
             exacted
             from
             them
             at
             the
             General
             Resuscitation
             ;
             when
             not
             only
             their
             Words
             and
             Actions
             ,
             but
             the
             most
             occultest
             of
             their
             Cogitations
             shall
             be
             brought
             to
             Judgment
             ;
             it
             were
             impossible
             for
             them
             ,
             unless
             given
             over
             to
             a
             reprobate
             Sense
             ,
             to
             perpetuate
             under
             the
             Dominion
             of
             their
             Carnal
             Appetites
             and
             Infections
             .
          
           
             III.
             THE
             very
             Apprehension
             of
             the
             Vengeance
             to
             come
             ,
             would
             fright
             'em
             into
             an
             immediate
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             produce
             such
             an
             admirable
             Reformation
             ,
             that
             living
             
               soberly
               ,
               righteously
               ,
               and
               godly
               in
               this
               present
               world
               ,
            
             they
             might
             be
             found
             Unblameable
             in
             the
             Great
             Day
             of
             the
             Lord
             Jesus
             .
             And
             what
             a
             Day
             will
             that
             be
             !
             at
             whose
             Appearance
             
               the
               Sun
               shall
               be
               turned
               into
               Darkness
               ,
               and
               the
               Moon
               into
               Blood
               ,
            
             Act.
             2.
             20.
             
             
             When
             
               the
               Heavens
               shall
               be
               rolled
               together
               as
               a
               Scroll
               ,
            
             Isa.
             34.
             4.
             
               the
               Elements
               melt
               with
               fervent
               hert
               ,
            
             2
             Pet.
             3.
             10.
             and
             this
             magnificent
             imbellish'd
             Structure
             of
             the
             Material
             Creation
             must
             perish
             in
             a
             Conflagration
             .
          
           
             IV.
             When
             the
             ecchoing
             Sound
             of
             the
             Last
             Trumpet
             will
             be
             loud
             enough
             to
             astonish
             drowsie
             Mankind
             out
             of
             the
             sleep
             of
             Mortality
             ;
             and
             all
             those
             innumerable
             Bodies
             ,
             which
             for
             so
             many
             past
             Ages
             have
             inhabited
             the
             vast
             Re-Regions
             of
             Forgetfulness
             ,
             shall
             arise
             from
             their
             Beds
             of
             Dust
             ,
             and
             appear
             before
             the
             Aweful
             Tribunal
             of
             the
             Great
             and
             Impartial
             Judge
             !
             The
             Books
             will
             then
             be
             open'd
             ,
             the
             Indictments
             read
             ,
             and
             every
             Man's
             Works
             shall
             be
             produc'd
             at
             the
             Barr
             ,
             and
             Evidence
             given
             ,
             either
             for
             or
             
               against
               him
            
             .
             No
             Title
             of
             Honour
             ,
             or
             Dignity
             of
             Place
             ;
             no
             Preheminence
             of
             Nativity
             ,
             or
             Excellency
             of
             Natural
             or
             Acquired
             Endowments
             ,
             will
             ,
             in
             this
             Court
             of
             Equity
             ,
             be
             admitted
             ,
             as
             a
             sufficient
             Demurr
             ,
             to
             an
             immediate
             and
             impartial
             Tryal
             :
             but
             the
             High
             and
             the
             Low
             ,
             the
             Rich
             and
             the
             Poor
             ,
             the
             Noble
             and
             the
             Mean
             ,
             the
             Learned
             
             and
             the
             Ignorant
             ;
             he
             that
             sits
             on
             the
             Throne
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             stands
             behind
             the
             Mill
             ;
             even
             from
             the
             Swayer
             of
             the
             Scepter
             ,
             to
             the
             Drawer
             of
             Water
             ,
             must
             be
             equally
             impleaded
             ;
             and
             without
             respect
             of
             Persons
             ,
             receive
             a
             Compensation
             proportionable
             to
             their
             Merits
             .
          
           
             V.
             IN
             this
             Great
             Day
             ,
             the
             Lord
             of
             the
             Harvest
             will
             gather
             his
             Wheat
             into
             Heaven's
             Granary
             ,
             bat
             the
             Chaff
             shall
             be
             thrown
             into
             Fire
             Unquencheable
             ;
             He
             shall
             separate
             his
             Fine
             Gold
             from
             the
             Dross
             ,
             and
             distinguish
             Right
             Jewels
             from
             False
             and
             Counterfeit
             Sparkles
             :
             The
             
               Sheep
               will
               then
               be
               separated
               from
               the
               Goats
               ,
            
             and
             True
             Believers
             manifestly
             known
             from
             Formal
             Hypocrites
             .
             But
             what
             Tongue
             !
             not
             that
             of
             Angels
             ,
             can
             express
             the
             Joy
             of
             those
             vigilant
             Servants
             ,
             whom
             their
             Lord
             ,
             at
             that
             time
             ,
             will
             find
             diligently
             employ'd
             in
             the
             Performance
             of
             their
             Duties
             !
             All
             that
             formidable
             Pomp
             ,
             and
             dreadful
             Solemnity
             ,
             which
             shall
             precede
             and
             attend
             the
             Advent
             of
             the
             Judge
             ,
             will
             but
             contribute
             to
             their
             Comfort
             ,
             and
             enhance
             their
             Consolation
             :
             For
             they
             shall
             know
             ,
             that
             
             He
             ,
             who
             appears
             with
             such
             ineffable
             Majesty
             ,
             to
             keep
             his
             General
             Sessions
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             is
             the
             same
             Iesus
             which
             was
             crucify'd
             for
             their
             Redemption
             .
          
           
             VI.
             THEN
             that
             Exalted
             Saviour
             will
             accost
             
               his
               Followers
               in
               the
               Regeneration
            
             ,
             Mat.
             19.
             28.
             with
             these
             or
             the
             like
             transporting
             Expressions
             :
             
               you
               my
               beloved
               Disciples
               ,
               who
               renounc'd
               all
               that
               the
               World
               call'd
               Grandeur
               and
               Generosity
               ,
               for
               the
               sake
               of
               your
               Crucify'd
               Lord
               and
               Master
               ,
               and
               despis'd
               the
               present
               Enjoyments
               of
               Flesh
               and
               Blood
               ,
               in
               Expectation
               of
               a
               Future
               and
               Invisible
               State
               of
               Felicity
               .
               You
               ,
               who
               who
               retain'd
               your
               Obedience
               ,
               in
               the
               mid'st
               of
               a
               Rebellious
               Generation
               ;
               and
               embrac'd
               Vertue
               ,
               in
               an
               Age
               of
               Impiety
               and
               Prophaneness
               .
               You
               ,
               who
               subdu'd
               your
               sensual
               Appetites
               by
               the
               Austerities
               of
               Self-denial
               ,
               and
               conform'd
               them
               to
               the
               sublimer
               Dictates
               of
               Reason
               and
               Religion
               .
               And
               You
               ,
               who
               rejoyc'd
               in
               the
               Day
               of
               Tribulation
               ,
               and
               adorn'd
               the
               Doctrine
               of
               the
               Gospel
               by
               an
               exemplary
               Patience
               in
               the
               
               Day
               of
               Adversity
               :
               This
               is
               the
               Day
               wherein
               you
               shall
               receive
               a
               Recompence
               for
               all
               your
               Sufferings
               ;
               a
               Recompence
               so
               incomparably
               Glorious
               ,
               and
               of
               such
               Sublimity
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               at
               once
               create
               and
               accomplish
               your
               Beatitude
               .
            
          
           
             VII
             .
             
               Your
               Troubles
               were
               Finite
               ,
               and
               expired
               in
               a
               Moment
               ;
               but
               the
               Duration
               of
               your
               Bliss
               will
               be
               Infinite
               and
               Eternal
               :
               You
               shall
               now
               enter
               into
               that
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               ,
               where
               all
               your
               Tears
               shall
               be
               wiped
               from
               your
               Eyes
               ;
               and
               those
               Chrystal
               Drops
               which
               you
               plentiful
               shed
               in
               the
               Prosecution
               of
               your
               Salvation
               ,
               shall
               be
               congeal'd
               into
               Pearls
               ,
               to
               enrich
               your
               Diadems
               ,
               and
               imbellish
               your
               Robes
               of
               Immortality
               :
               There
               no
               Deluge
               of
               Sorrow
               shall
               disturb
               the
               Serenity
               of
               your
               Felicity
               ;
               no
               Anxiety
               or
               Perplexity
               ,
               no
               Discontent
               or
               Vexation
               shall
               intrude
               within
               the
               Limits
               of
               your
               Happiness
               ;
               but
               you
               shall
               securely
               bathe
               in
               Oceans
               of
               unmix'd
               Pleasures
               ,
               and
               feast
               upon
               Delights
               which
               know
               no
               period
               .
            
          
           
           
             VIII
             .
             BUT
             ,
             while
             these
             Fluctuations
             of
             the
             Divine
             Mercy
             will
             consummate
             a
             Beatifick
             Calm
             in
             the
             Breasts
             of
             the
             Righteous
             ,
             what
             irresistable
             Tempests
             of
             Consternation
             shall
             excruciate
             those
             impenitent
             Wretches
             ,
             who
             chose
             their
             Portion
             on
             this
             side
             Heaven
             ;
             and
             preferr'd
             the
             Dung
             and
             Miseries
             of
             a
             transitory
             World
             ,
             before
             the
             Real
             Joys
             of
             a
             Solid
             Eternity
             ?
             Now
             ,
             they
             shall
             in
             vain
             invoke
             the
             Mountains
             to
             bury
             them
             beneath
             their
             perpetual
             Ruines
             ;
             that
             by
             a
             more
             tolerable
             Destruction
             ,
             they
             might
             evade
             the
             Fury
             of
             that
             Almighty
             Indignation
             ready
             to
             overwhelm
             them
             .
             But
             what
             will
             attribute
             them
             ,
             in
             these
             inextricable
             Exigencies
             ,
             that
             they
             possess'd
             the
             Quintessence
             of
             the
             Earth
             ;
             that
             they
             were
             splendid
             in
             Wealth
             and
             Honour
             ;
             that
             they
             inhabited
             Palaces
             of
             Cedar
             ,
             and
             took
             their
             Repose
             under
             Canopies
             embroider'd
             with
             Gold
             ;
             that
             they
             were
             homag'd
             by
             Crouds
             of
             Parasites
             ,
             and
             grew
             Famous
             in
             Popular
             Applause
             ;
             that
             they
             were
             the
             Favourites
             of
             Crowned
             Heads
             ,
             and
             the
             Darling
             of
             the
             Multitude
             ;
             that
             all
             things
             past
             currrant
             according
             to
             their
             
             Desires
             ,
             and
             were
             not
             molested
             by
             the
             Misfortunes
             of
             other
             Men
             :
             when
             those
             illustrated
             Accommodations
             did
             contribute
             but
             to
             render
             'em
             the
             more
             magnificently
             Miserable
             ;
             when
             they
             vanish'd
             like
             a
             visionary
             Dream
             of
             the
             Night
             ;
             but
             the
             Memento
             and
             Guilt
             of
             their
             Absurdity
             ,
             will
             ,
             like
             venomous
             Snakes
             and
             Serpents
             ,
             cling
             to
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             become
             their
             remorseless
             Executioners
             for
             infinite
             Ages
             .
          
           
             IX
             .
             THEN
             the
             Eyes
             of
             their
             Understanding
             will
             be
             opened
             ,
             which
             the
             Fascinations
             of
             Sin
             had
             kept
             long
             clos'd
             ;
             and
             they
             shall
             perceive
             the
             Folly
             and
             Frailty
             of
             those
             impertinent
             Trifles
             which
             they
             courted
             with
             so
             much
             Passion
             and
             Eagerness
             ;
             and
             for
             whose
             unsatiable
             Fruition
             they
             neglected
             their
             Immortal
             Souls
             ,
             forfeited
             their
             Title
             to
             a
             blissful
             Immortality
             ,
             and
             subjugated
             themselves
             to
             those
             tremendous
             Extremities
             which
             are
             the
             inseparable
             Concomitants
             of
             an
             inevitable
             Damnation
             .
             What
             heaps
             of
             Treasure
             then
             would
             they
             give
             ,
             to
             re-enjoy
             one
             Minute
             of
             that
             inestimable
             Time
             which
             they
             profusely
             expended
             in
             the
             unprofitable
             Works
             of
             Darkness
             ,
             
             that
             for
             so
             inconsiderable
             a
             space
             ,
             they
             might
             be
             but
             within
             a
             Possibility
             of
             Salvation
             ?
             What
             Presidents
             of
             Mortification
             !
             What
             Miracles
             of
             Piety
             ?
             What
             inimitable
             Examples
             of
             Vertue
             and
             Goodness
             would
             they
             appear
             to
             Mankind
             ,
             were
             they
             to
             renovate
             the
             Lease
             of
             their
             Lives
             !
             How
             would
             they
             disesteem
             all
             those
             magnificent
             Shadows
             ,
             and
             glittering
             Annihilations
             ,
             which
             the
             idolizing
             Worldling
             so
             preposterously
             admires
             ;
             and
             esteem
             the
             unmatchable
             Treasure
             of
             a
             Pacifick
             Conscience
             ,
             unspeakably
             beyond
             the
             most
             transcendent
             Terrestrial
             Enjoyments
             !
          
           
             X.
             BUT
             alas
             !
             't
             will
             be
             then
             too
             late
             for
             Repentance
             ;
             and
             they
             who
             ,
             in
             the
             Day
             of
             their
             Visitation
             ,
             contemn'd
             the
             repeated
             Proposals
             of
             a
             Redeemers
             Reconciliation
             ,
             shall
             ,
             at
             this
             Juncture
             ,
             with
             Tears
             of
             Blood
             ,
             supplicate
             for
             Mercy
             ,
             and
             be
             refus'd
             it
             :
             and
             the
             Lord
             Iesus
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             been
             their
             Saviour
             ,
             and
             so
             frequently
             extended
             his
             compassionate
             Arms
             to
             receive
             them
             into
             Favour
             ,
             if
             they
             would
             but
             Believe
             and
             Repent
             ,
             will
             ,
             as
             their
             inexorable
             Judge
             ,
             
             utter
             this
             direful
             Sentence
             against
             them
             ,
             
               Depart
               from
               me
               ,
               ye
               cursed
               ,
               into
               everlasting
               fire
               ,
               prepared
               for
               the
               Devil
               and
               his
               Angels
               .
            
          
           
             XI
             .
             O
             IRREVERSIBLE
             Decree
             !
             from
             whence
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Appeal
             !
             and
             which
             no
             sooner
             pronoun'd
             ,
             but
             those
             Condem'd
             Wretches
             must
             be
             for
             ever
             exil'd
             from
             the
             Ecstatical
             Presence
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ;
             and
             by
             Legions
             of
             apostate
             Spirits
             ,
             haled
             away
             to
             the
             dismal
             Place
             of
             Horrour
             and
             Confusion
             ,
             where
             they
             shall
             languish
             under
             the
             pressure
             of
             intollerable
             Punishments
             ;
             and
             ,
             by
             Wonder
             of
             Omnipotency
             ,
             shall
             in
             Torrents
             of
             Fire
             ,
             endure
             Extremity
             of
             Frigidity
             ;
             and
             in
             Rivers
             of
             Ice
             ,
             be
             tormented
             with
             perpetual
             Burnings
             :
             There
             they
             shall
             feed
             the
             
               Worm
               that
               never
               dies
            
             ,
             and
             transude
             in
             those
             Flames
             which
             cannot
             be
             extinguish'd
             .
             And
             the
             Consideration
             of
             the
             Perpetuity
             of
             those
             Supernal
             Felicities
             which
             they
             rejected
             for
             Vanities
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             infinite
             Continuation
             of
             their
             infernal
             Tortures
             ,
             will
             shipwreck
             all
             their
             Hopes
             in
             the
             formidable
             Gulf
             of
             Desperation
             ,
             and
             plunge
             them
             into
             the
             bottomless
             Abysses
             of
             the
             lowest
             Hell.
             
          
           
             
             
               The
               Prayer
               .
            
             
               
                 O
                 BLESSED
                 Father
                 !
                 since
                 Thou
                 art
                 Formidabe
                 in
                 Thy
                 Judgments
                 ,
                 and
                 Thy
                 Anger
                 is
                 a
                 Consuming
                 Fire
                 ;
                 since
                 those
                 incorrigible
                 Sinners
                 who
                 despise
                 the
                 Offers
                 of
                 Thy
                 Mercy
                 ,
                 shall
                 become
                 the
                 Victims
                 of
                 Thy
                 implacable
                 Vengeance
                 ,
                 and
                 glorifie
                 Thee
                 in
                 unimaginable
                 Pains
                 ;
                 since
                 Thou
                 hast
                 appointed
                 a
                 Season
                 ,
                 when
                 an
                 Eternity
                 of
                 Felicity
                 ,
                 or
                 Misery
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 Reward
                 of
                 our
                 Actions
                 ;
                 and
                 we
                 must
                 either
                 stand
                 or
                 fall
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 our
                 handy
                 Operations
                 :
                 Vouchsafe
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Contemplation
                 of
                 these
                 weighty
                 Verities
                 may
                 be
                 such
                 a
                 prevalent
                 Inducement
                 to
                 the
                 Amendment
                 of
                 our
                 Lives
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 
                   work
                   out
                   our
                   salvation
                   with
                   fear
                   and
                   trembling
                   .
                
                 Let
                 not
                 the
                 pernicious
                 Allurements
                 of
                 this
                 fraudulent
                 World
                 make
                 us
                 negligent
                 of
                 the
                 Wrath
                 to
                 come
                 ;
                 but
                 let
                 us
                 walk
                 with
                 that
                 aweful
                 Care
                 ,
                 and
                 vigilant
                 Circumspection
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 appear
                 with
                 Joy
                 ,
                 in
                 
                 that
                 dreadful
                 Day
                 wherein
                 the
                 greater
                 part
                 of
                 mis-call'd
                 Christians
                 shall
                 be
                 consign'd
                 to
                 an
                 Immortal
                 Ruine
                 and
                 Destruction
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           
             MED
             .
             XXVII
             .
             Upon
             Hell.
             
          
           
             
               Isa.
               xxxiii
               .
               14.
               
            
             
               Who
               among
               us
               shall
               dwell
               with
               the
               devouring
               fire
               ?
               Who
               among
               us
               shall
               dwell
               with
               everlasting
               burning
               ?
            
          
           
             ETERNAL
             Death
             is
             the
             dreadful
             State
             of
             the
             Damned
             ;
             by
             which
             they
             are
             not
             only
             depriv'd
             of
             the
             Presence
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             but
             are
             also
             tormented
             with
             perpetual
             Suffering
             both
             in
             Soul
             and
             Body
             .
             Oh
             ,
             how
             horrid
             is
             it
             then
             ,
             to
             incurr
             the
             Displeasure
             of
             the
             Divine
             Omnipotence
             !
             How
             strangely
             infatuated
             are
             ye
             ,
             O
             senseless
             Sinners
             !
             to
             run
             on
             so
             swiftly
             in
             the
             Ways
             of
             Sin
             !
             Tell
             me
             ,
             Can
             you
             freely
             receive
             your
             Wages
             ,
             which
             
             is
             Death
             ;
             and
             take
             up
             your
             Habitation
             in
             Everlasting
             Burnings
             ,
             there
             perpetually
             to
             abide
             for
             ever
             .
          
           
             II.
             COULD
             we
             but
             obtain
             ,
             by
             Divine
             Permission
             ,
             a
             Visionary
             Prospect
             of
             that
             incorrigible
             Miscreant
             and
             Traytor
             ,
             Iudas
             ;
             what
             a
             Scene
             of
             Horror
             would
             that
             be
             ,
             to
             behold
             him
             ,
             violently
             dragg'd
             by
             Infernal
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             loaded
             with
             Chains
             of
             Fire
             ;
             his
             Diabolical
             Countenance
             ,
             pale
             and
             Wan
             ;
             the
             Voice
             within
             him
             ,
             his
             Conscience
             ,
             Worm-eaten
             ;
             his
             Pestilential
             Skin
             ,
             cover'd
             with
             Leprosie
             ,
             from
             whence
             issues
             out
             Stinks
             not
             to
             be
             endured
             ;
             his
             Limbs
             and
             Body
             ,
             wounded
             and
             tormented
             ;
             and
             his
             Tongue
             filled
             with
             bitter
             Lamentations
             and
             Execrations
             ;
             What
             a
             dreadful
             Apprehension
             will
             the
             Vision
             of
             so
             deplorable
             a
             Spectacle
             create
             in
             thee
             !
          
           
             III.
             SHOULDST
             thou
             ,
             in
             Contemplation
             ,
             fix
             that
             dire
             Object
             before
             thine
             Eyes
             ;
             and
             upon
             a
             strict
             Disquisition
             ,
             examine
             him
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Tell
               me
               ,
               O
               thou
               perfidious
               Iudas
               !
               what
               Griefs
               ,
               what
               Pains
               and
               Torments
               are
               these
               thou
               undergoest
               ?
               What
               number
               of
               Years
               has
               thou
               reign'd
               in
               
               sulphurous
               Fire
               ?
               And
               how
               many
               Centuries
               of
               Ages
               must
               thou
               yet
               remain
               buried
               in
               Flames
               ,
               and
               roaring
               among
               the
               Infernal
               Crew
               ?
            
             His
             guilty
             and
             amazing
             Conscience
             would
             soon
             reply
             ,
             
               The
               Pains
               which
               which
               I
               endure
               are
               intollerable
               ;
               no
               intermission
               for
               Relief
               is
               here
               to
               be
               found
               ,
               but
               the
               Torments
               thus
               ininflicted
               are
               perpetual
               :
               The
               least
               of
               our
               Miseries
               far
               exceed
               all
               Punishments
               ,
               which
               either
               the
               Justice
               of
               God
               ,
               or
               the
               Cruelties
               of
               Men
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               did
               ever
               execute
               :
               Despair
               is
               our
               continual
               Associate
               ,
               and
               there
               is
               no
               vacant
               Place
               for
               Hopes
               of
               ever
               to
               be
               freed
               for
               these
               unexpressible
               Torments
               :
               You
               upon
               Earth
               ,
               take
               your
               Ease
               ,
               you
               Eat
               and
               drink
               in
               full
               Bowls
               ;
               whil'st
               we
               want
               Water
               to
               cool
               our
               Tongues
               ,
               which
               are
               tormented
               in
               these
               Flames
               .
            
          
           
             IV.
             Let
             the
             Thoughts
             of
             Hell's
             Terrors
             ever
             put
             me
             in
             a
             Method
             to
             escape
             their
             Fury
             .
             Consider
             the
             Damned
             in
             their
             fatal
             Circumstances
             ;
             their
             Life
             is
             ,
             to
             die
             without
             expiring
             ;
             and
             their
             Death
             is
             ,
             to
             live
             in
             perpetual
             Punishment
             :
             There
             the
             Tormentor
             is
             
             never
             wearied
             ,
             the
             Fire
             never
             consumes
             ,
             and
             the
             Torments
             never
             decrease
             .
             And
             this
             Decree
             is
             according
             as
             the
             irrevocable
             Sentence
             requires
             ;
             the
             fulfilling
             of
             the
             Justice
             of
             the
             Almighty
             ,
             and
             the
             Reward
             due
             to
             wilful
             Impenitents
             ,
             and
             obdurate
             Offenders
             ;
             that
             they
             should
             never
             want
             a
             sufficient
             measure
             of
             Punishment
             ,
             who
             were
             continually
             glutted
             ,
             and
             never
             ceas'd
             from
             Sin.
             
          
           
             V.
             There
             ,
             the
             least
             Sin
             has
             its
             peculiar
             Punishment
             ,
             wonderfully
             extracted
             out
             of
             its
             own
             Sordidness
             :
             The
             Salacious
             shall
             inhabit
             in
             unextinguishable
             sulphurous
             Fire
             ,
             continually
             flaming
             from
             their
             own
             inordinate
             Affections
             :
             The
             Epicure
             and
             Ebrious
             shall
             sigh
             in
             vain
             for
             a
             little
             Water
             to
             cool
             their
             Tongues
             :
             The
             Outragious
             and
             Passionate
             shall
             snarl
             like
             mad
             Dogs
             ;
             and
             the
             Malicious
             and
             Uncharitable
             shall
             corrode
             their
             own
             Entrails
             :
             The
             Wealth
             of
             the
             Misers
             shall
             be
             as
             Goads
             in
             their
             Sides
             ;
             and
             the
             Arrogant
             and
             Ambitious
             shall
             be
             hurried
             down
             from
             the
             Precipice
             of
             Scorn
             ,
             to
             the
             Bottomless-Pit
             of
             Contempt
             :
             The
             Infatuated
             shall
             miserably
             
             deplore
             their
             mispent
             Time
             ;
             and
             pine
             away
             with
             Grief
             ,
             for
             their
             not
             being
             diligent
             .
          
           
             VI.
             BUT
             ,
             O
             what
             strange
             Convulsions
             shall
             fasten
             on
             their
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             vulnerate
             and
             search
             the
             utmost
             of
             their
             Souls
             !
             When
             they
             shall
             with
             Amazement
             behold
             themselves
             eternally
             bereft
             of
             the
             illuminating
             Vision
             of
             the
             Most
             Highest
             !
             When
             they
             shall
             behold
             themselves
             eternally
             exil'd
             from
             the
             joyful
             and
             amiable
             Presence
             of
             Jesus
             ;
             that
             Omnipotence
             who
             created
             'em
             to
             inherit
             His
             Kingdom
             ;
             that
             Saviour
             who
             purchas'd
             'em
             to
             reign
             with
             Him
             in
             Glory
             :
             then
             shall
             they
             execrate
             the
             Hour
             of
             their
             Nativity
             ,
             and
             those
             sordid
             Associates
             that
             enticed
             them
             to
             Ruine
             !
             They
             shall
             exclaim
             against
             the
             Folly
             of
             the
             fraudulent
             Universe
             ;
             and
             belch
             out
             ,
             with
             a
             raving
             Distraction
             ,
             Are
             these
             the
             Products
             of
             those
             infatuated
             Desires
             ,
             whose
             empty
             Enjoyments
             we
             esteem'd
             our
             Happiness
             !
             Alas
             !
             what
             will
             our
             loose
             Liberties
             ,
             and
             those
             fond
             Delights
             we
             so
             eagerly
             chas'd
             after
             ,
             now
             yield
             us
             ?
             What
             Happiness
             receive
             we
             from
             those
             fleeting
             Honours
             ,
             and
             transitory
             Treasures
             
             we
             so
             highly
             valued
             ?
             They
             are
             all
             fled
             away
             as
             a
             Vapour
             ,
             and
             past
             away
             as
             a
             Morning-Cloud
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             BUT
             the
             Sting
             and
             Torment
             perpetually
             endures
             ,
             and
             plagues
             our
             Vitals
             with
             Everlasting
             Anguish
             .
             Thus
             shall
             they
             roar
             out
             ;
             but
             all
             is
             deaf
             to
             their
             Complaint
             :
             Thus
             shall
             they
             lament
             ;
             but
             no
             Compassion
             shall
             relieve
             them
             .
             O
             dismal
             Spectacle
             of
             a
             wicked
             Life
             !
             O
             terrible
             Sequel
             of
             a
             destructive
             Death
             !
             perpetually
             to
             wish
             for
             what
             they
             never
             can
             obtain
             !
             perpetually
             to
             undergo
             that
             which
             is
             inevitable
             !
             
               O
               magnify'd
               be
               Thy
               Divine
               Omnipotence
               ,
               that
               with
               such
               an
               indulgent
               Affection
               gives
               us
               timely
               Notice
               of
               our
               Ruine
               !
               Save
               us
               ,
               O
               blessed
               Lord
               !
               from
               all
               Impieties
               :
               Oh
               ,
               save
               us
               ,
               for
               Thy
               Own
               dear
               sake
               !
               Quicken
               our
               Minds
               against
               the
               Effects
               of
               Sin
               !
               and
               with
               Thy
               Fatherly
               Corrections
               chastise
               us
               often
               ,
               that
               at
               last
               the
               Terrors
               of
               Hell
               may
               force
               us
               into
               Thy
               Heavenly
               Kingdom
               !
            
          
        
         
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXVIII
             .
             Upon
             Heaven
             .
          
           
             
               Psal.
               lxxxvii
               .
               2
               
            
             
               Glorious
               things
               are
               spoken
               of
               thee
               ,
               thou
               City
               of
               God.
               
            
          
           
             BUT
             all
             the
             most
             exalted
             Encomiums
             are
             infinitely
             below
             thy
             deserved
             Lauds
             and
             Praises
             :
             For
             ,
             What
             Humane
             Understanding
             ,
             What
             created
             Tongue
             ,
             can
             be
             able
             to
             comprehend
             or
             express
             thy
             ineffable
             Excellencies
             ?
             If
             this
             Inferior
             Orb
             ,
             the
             Place
             of
             our
             Exilement
             ,
             and
             a
             Theatre
             of
             inevitable
             Miseries
             ,
             be
             so
             wonderfully
             delightful
             ,
             that
             our
             Eyes
             are
             entranced
             with
             the
             Variety
             of
             its
             Objects
             ,
             and
             can
             never
             sufficiently
             admire
             the
             Marvels
             they
             behold
             ;
             if
             the
             Firmament
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             a
             Foot-cloth
             for
             the
             Saints
             to
             tread
             on
             ,
             be
             enamell'd
             with
             so
             many
             Starry
             Jewels
             ,
             and
             imbellish'd
             with
             such
             radient
             Planets
             ,
             and
             glittering
             Constellations
             :
             How
             transcendent
             !
             how
             superlatively
             Magnificent
             are
             the
             Inner
             Appartments
             and
             Chambers
             of
             that
             Emperial
             Palace
             where
             
             the
             Adorable
             Deity
             does
             vouchsafe
             to
             communicate
             his
             Essential
             and
             Ecstatick
             Glories
             ?
          
           
             II.
             O
             DESIRABLE
             Mansion
             !
             One
             Minute's
             Residence
             in
             thy
             Celestial
             Courts
             ,
             will
             make
             us
             more
             than
             Recompence
             for
             all
             the
             Afflictions
             we
             can
             possibly
             suffer
             in
             this
             Valley
             of
             Tears
             :
             And
             And
             how
             conceivably
             will
             our
             Reward
             be
             ,
             when
             ,
             by
             a
             Miracle
             of
             Divine
             Mercy
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             admitted
             to
             an
             Everlasting
             Participation
             of
             thy
             Immense
             and
             Inexpressible
             Felicities
             !
             It
             was
             the
             certain
             Hope
             of
             thy
             Enjoyment
             ,
             which
             animated
             the
             Primitive
             Martyrs
             to
             sustain
             the
             most
             fiercest
             Tortures
             with
             an
             undaunted
             Constancy
             ,
             and
             to
             triumph
             in
             the
             mid'st
             of
             their
             Conflagration
             .
          
           
             III.
             THE
             comfortable
             Expectation
             of
             thy
             Fruition
             ,
             was
             the
             Grand
             Motive
             which
             induced
             the
             Magnanimous
             Ignatius
             ,
             when
             threatned
             by
             his
             Persecutors
             with
             Extremity
             of
             Torments
             ,
             to
             make
             this
             Heroick
             Replication
             ;
             
               Fire
               ,
               Gallows
               ,
               Beasts
               ,
               Breaking
               of
               my
               Bones
               ,
               Quartering
               of
               my
               Members
               ,
               Crushing
               of
               my
               Body
               ,
               all
               the
               Torments
               of
               the
               Devil
               together
               ;
               let
               them
               come
               
               upon
               me
               ,
               so
               I
               may
               enjoy
               my
               Lord
               Iesus
               Christ.
               
            
          
           
             IV.
             IT
             is
             an
             undeniable
             Axiom
             ,
             That
             all
             Secular
             Felicitities
             are
             built
             upon
             brittle
             Foundations
             .
             The
             most
             sublime
             Terrestrial
             Pleasures
             ,
             even
             in
             their
             greatest
             Complacencies
             ,
             are
             but
             transcient
             Vanities
             ,
             and
             conclude
             in
             Vexation
             ;
             but
             the
             Objects
             of
             the
             Celestial
             Habitations
             are
             refined
             to
             such
             an
             extraordinary
             degree
             of
             Perfection
             ,
             that
             they
             will
             be
             able
             to
             satiate
             the
             most
             extended
             Desires
             of
             our
             capacious
             Souls
             :
             There
             we
             shall
             possess
             ,
             in
             lieu
             of
             a
             living
             Mortality
             ,
             which
             moves
             us
             towards
             the
             Grave
             ,
             a
             Vitality
             glorious
             beyond
             Imagination
             ,
             durable
             as
             the
             Ages
             of
             Eternity
             ,
             and
             whose
             Enjoyment
             will
             entitle
             us
             to
             excessive
             and
             inexplicable
             Satisfactions
             .
          
           
             V.
             IF
             we
             admire
             Beauty
             :
             Our
             ravish'd
             Eyes
             ,
             in
             lieu
             of
             Corporeal
             Objects
             ,
             shall
             behold
             those
             Immaterial
             Glories
             which
             flow
             from
             the
             Fountain
             of
             Uncreated
             Light
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             permitted
             to
             contemplate
             that
             wonderful
             Clearness
             which
             proceeds
             from
             the
             Beatifical
             Visage
             of
             the
             Supreme
             Creator
             .
             If
             Riches
             be
             the
             Center
             of
             
             our
             Affections
             :
             Gold
             ,
             Pearls
             ,
             Diamonds
             ,
             Rubies
             ,
             Jewels
             ,
             and
             whatever
             we
             account
             most
             precious
             and
             estimable
             in
             the
             Universe
             ,
             are
             but
             faint
             Metaphors
             to
             describe
             the
             Inestimable
             Treasures
             of
             the
             Supernal
             World.
             
          
           
             VI.
             IF
             Honour
             be
             the
             Subject
             of
             our
             Ambition
             :
             What
             are
             Scepters
             and
             Crowns
             ,
             but
             Illustrious
             Miseries
             ?
             What
             are
             the
             Grandeurs
             upon
             Earth
             ,
             but
             gaudy
             Shadows
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             those
             Incorruptible
             Diadems
             ,
             those
             permanent
             and
             Substantial
             Dignities
             which
             flourish
             Above
             .
             If
             we
             delight
             in
             Musick
             :
             There
             we
             shall
             hear
             the
             Panegyrical
             Anthems
             of
             the
             Seraphick
             Choir
             ;
             and
             shall
             bear
             a
             part
             in
             the
             solemn
             Celebration
             of
             that
             Almighty
             Being
             ,
             whose
             only
             Presence
             will
             be
             sufficient
             to
             replenish
             us
             with
             immeasurable
             Felicity
             .
          
           
             VII
             .
             TO
             Conclude
             :
             Nothing
             can
             be
             ded
             to
             that
             Immensity
             of
             Beatitude
             which
             we
             shall
             there
             enjoy
             ;
             but
             we
             shall
             be
             as
             perfectly
             Happy
             ,
             as
             the
             immediate
             Vision
             of
             the
             Incomprehensibly
             Glorious
             Trinity
             ,
             the
             Society
             of
             Angels
             ,
             the
             Conversation
             of
             Triumphant
             Spirits
             ,
             and
             the
             inexpressible
             
             Accommodations
             of
             a
             blissful
             Heaven
             can
             possibly
             make
             us
             .
             :
             And
             to
             consummate
             our
             Felicity
             ,
             all
             our
             Enjoyments
             shall
             be
             invested
             with
             Eternal
             Glory
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           .
        
         
           
             SECT
             .
             I.
             
               What
               Meditation
               is
            
             Page
             1
          
           
             SECT
             .
             II.
             
               That
               it
               is
               a
               Duty
            
             Page
             5
          
           
             SECT
             .
             III.
             
               Rules
               and
               Directions
               for
               Meditation
            
             Page
             10
          
           
             SECT
             .
             IV.
             
               Of
               the
               Subject
               and
               Method
               of
               Meditation
            
             Page
             14
          
           
             SECT
             .
             V.
             
               Of
               being
               Affected
               with
               the
               Divine
               Presence
            
             Page
             17
          
           
             SECT
             .
             VI.
             
               Of
               Preparatory
               Prayer
               Before
               Meditation
            
             Page
             21
          
           
             SECT
             .
             VII
             .
             
               Of
               Consideration
            
             Page
             25
          
           
             SECT
             .
             VIII
             .
             
               Affections
               and
               Resolutions
            
             Page
             29
          
           
             SECT
             .
             IX
             .
             
               Of
               Vows
            
             Page
             33
          
           
             SECT
             .
             X.
             
               How
               to
               Conclude
               your
               Meditations
            
             Page
             35
          
           
             
               Collects
               to
               be
               said
               Before
               and
               After
               Meditations
            
             Page
             36
          
        
         
           
           
             Meditations
             on
             Several
             Occasions
             .
          
           
             MED
             .
             I.
             
               COnfession
               of
               Sins
            
             Page
             38
          
           
             MED
             .
             II.
             
               That
               the
               Cross
               of
               the
               Holy
               Iesus
               should
               excite
               us
               to
               Repentance
            
             Page
             42
          
           
             MED
             .
             III.
             
               Of
               the
               Fruits
               of
               Repentance
            
             Page
             45
          
           
             MED
             .
             IV.
             
               Of
               Man's
               Salvation
            
             Page
             50
          
           
             MED
             .
             V.
             
               The
               Youth's
            
             Memento
             Page
             53
          
           
             MED
             .
             VI.
             
               General
               Rules
               of
               a
               Godly
               Life
            
             Page
             58
          
           
             MED
             .
             VII
             .
             
               The
               Whole
               Duty
               of
               Man
            
             Page
             63
          
           
             MED
             .
             VIII
             .
             
               The
               Vanity
               of
               the
               World
            
             Page
             67
          
           
             MED
             .
             IX
             .
             Jacob
             '
             
               s
               Ladder
            
             .
             Page
             72
          
           
             MED
             .
             X.
             
               Of
               a
               Good
               Conscience
            
             .
             Page
             76
          
           
             MED
             .
             XI
             .
             
               Of
               a
               Wounded
               Spirit
            
             .
             Page
             81
          
           
             MED
             .
             XII
             .
             
               Of
               Humility
            
             Page
             86
          
           
             MED
             .
             XIII
             .
             
               The
               Proud
               Pharisee
            
             Page
             91
          
           
             MED
             .
             XIV
             .
             
               The
               Soul's
               Delight
            
             Page
             95
          
           
             MED
             .
             XV.
             
               True
               Contentment
            
             Page
             10●
          
           
             MED
             .
             XVI
             .
             
               Of
               Divine
               Faith
            
             Page
             105
          
           
             MED
             .
             XVII
             .
             
               The
               Canaanitish
               Woman's
               Faith
            
             Page
             109
          
           
             MED
             .
             XVIII
             .
             
               Of
               Love
               and
               Charity
            
             Page
             114
          
           
             MED
             .
             XIX
             .
             
               An
               Act
               of
               Divine
               Love
            
             Page
             120
          
           
             MED
             .
             XX.
             
               Of
               Chastity
            
             Page
             126
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXI
             .
             
               Purity
               of
               Heart
            
             Page
             133
          
           
           
             MED
             .
             XXII
             .
             
               Against
               Covetousness
            
             Page
             137
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXIII
             .
             
               A
               Bad
               Exchange
            
             Page
             142
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXIV
             .
             
               In
               Time
               of
               Sickness
            
             Page
             148
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXV
             .
             
               Vpon
               Death
            
             Page
             153
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXVI
             .
             
               Vpon
               Iudgment
            
             Page
             160
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXVII
             .
             
               Vpon
               Hell
            
             Page
             171
          
           
             MED
             .
             XXVIII
             .
             
               Vpon
               Heaven
            
             .
             Page
             177
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .